RITZ-5: randomized intravenous TeZosentan (an endothelin-A/B antagonist) for the treatment of pulmonary edema: a prospective, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the addition of intravenous (IV) tezosentan to standard therapy for patients with pulmonary edema.

Background: Tezosentan is an IV nonselective endothelin (ET)-1 antagonist that yields favorable hemodynamic effects in patients with acute congestive heart failure (CHF).

Methods: Pulmonary edema was defined as acute CHF leading to respiratory failure, as evidenced by an oxygen saturation (SO(2)) <90% by pulse oxymeter despite oxygen treatment.