Serum NT-proBNP on admission can predict ST-segment resolution in patients with acute myocardial infarction after primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Efficacy of early administration of sacubitril/valsartan after coronary artery revascularization in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation: a randomized controlled trial

Effects of angiotensin receptor/neprilysin inhibitors (ARNI) on ventricular remodeling in patients with heart failure, especially heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), are better than those of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI). Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by mitral regurgitation exacerbates ventricular remodeling and increases the risk of heart failure. There is limited evidence on the effects of early administration of ARNI in patients with AMI complicated by mitral regurgitation. The aim of this trial was to examine the effectiveness and the safety of early administration of sacubitril/valsartan after coronary artery revascularization in patients with AMI complicated by moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation. This was a randomized, single-blind, parallel-group, controlled trial. From June 2021 to June 2022, we enrolled 142 consecutive patients with AMI complicated by moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation and followed them for 12 months. The patients received standard treatment for AMI and were randomly assigned to receive ARNI or benazepril. The primary efficacy end points were the differences in mitral regurgitant jet area (MRJA), mitral regurgitant volume (MRV), concentration of n-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and left ventricular end-diastolic volume and end-systolic volume (LVEDV and LVESV) between groups and within groups at baseline, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Secondary end points included the rates of heart failure hospitalization, all-cause mortality, refractory angina, malignant arrhythmias, recurrent myocardial infarction, and stroke. Safety end points included the rates of hyperkalemia, renal dysfunction, hypotension, angioedema, and cough. The ARNI group had significantly lower NT-proBNP levels than the benazepril group at 1 month and later (P < 0.001). MRJA and MRV significantly improved in the ARNI group compared with the benazepril group at 12 months (MRJA: - 3.21 ± 2.18 cm2 vs. - 1.83 ± 2.81 cm2, P < 0.05; MRV: - 27.22 ± 15.22 mL vs. - 13.67 ± 21.02 mL, P < 0.001). The ARNI group also showed significant reductions in LVEDV and LVESV (P < 0.05) and improvement in LVEF (P < 0.05). Secondary end point analysis showed a significantly higher rate of heart failure hospitalization in the benazepril group compared with the ARNI group (HR = 2.03, 95% CI 1.12-3.68, P = 0.021). Safety end point analysis showed a higher rate of hypotension in the ARNI group (P < 0.05). Early use of sacubitril/valsartan after coronary artery revascularization in patients with AMI complicated by moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation can significantly reduce mitral regurgitation, improve ventricular remodeling, and decrease heart failure hospitalization. Nevertheless, caution is needed to avoid hypotension. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2100054255) registered on December 11, 2021.

Comparing the efficacy of angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor and enalapril in acute anterior STEMI patients after primary percutaneous coronary intervention: a prospective randomized trial

BACKGROUND

For patients with heart failure (HF), the effect of angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors (ARNIs, sacubitril/valsartan) on cardiac remodeling has been found to be superior to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI). However, little data have described the impact of early-initiation ARNI in patients with acute anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

METHODS

In this prospective, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group trial, we enrolled 131 anterior STEMI patients who were treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between February 2019 and December 2019. All patients received standard STEMI management and were divided into 2 groups (ARNI/enalapril). Primary efficacy outcomes were the between-group difference in change (from baseline to 4-, 12-, and 24-week) in N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentration, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and left ventricular end-systolic volumes and end-diastolic volumes (LVESV and LVEDV). Secondary outcomes were determined by a composite of death, reinfarction, outpatient HF or HF hospitalization, malignant arrhythmia, and stroke. Safety outcomes included worsening renal function, hypotension, hyperkalemia, angioedema and cough.

RESULTS

We found that NT-proBNP concentration decreased more in the ARNI group than in the enalapril group [4 weeks: ratio of ARNI vs. enalapril 0.36, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.24 to 0.52, P<0.001; 12 weeks: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.35 to 0.79, P<0.001; 24 weeks: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.32 to 0.83, P<0.001). When compared to the enalapril group, the ARNI group patients had a significant reduction in LVEDV (P<0.001) and LVESV (P<0.001), and an improvement in LVEF (P=0.011) at 24 weeks. Secondary outcomes occurred in 13 participants (20.3%) in the ARNI group and 22 participants (34.4%) in the enalapril group [hazard ratio (HR), 0.56; 95% CI: 0.28 to 1.12; P=0.102]. The incidence of outpatient HF or HF hospitalization in the ARNI group was significantly lower than that in the enalapril group (HR, 0.36; 95% CI: 0.14 to 0.94; P=0.037). There were no significant differences in the safety between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with acute anterior STEMI undergoing primary PCI, early initiation of ARNI provided significant clinical benefits.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2100042944) registered on February 1, 2021.