Orly Vardeny, associate professor (CHS), in the Pharmacy Practice Division is investigating the effect of sacubitril/valsartan on blood vessel lining, in patients with weakened hearts due to heart failure. In the Prospective comparison of an ARNI with an ACE inhibitor on endothelial function by brachial artery Reactivity (PARADOR) study, 200 patients will be randomized to receive sacubitril/valsartan or enalapril for 8 weeks, and flow mediated vasodilation will be measured by the laboratory of James Stein, professor, UW School of Medicine and Public Health. Sacubitril/valsartan, otherwise known as Entresto, is a new medication recently approved for the treatment of heart failure. Novartis is supporting the research project.

Vardeny’s research focus is metabolic effects of cardiovascular medications, pharmacogenetics of cardiovascular medications, insulin resistance and heart failure, and immune function and influenza vaccine response in patients with cardiovascular disease.