Optimization of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction prognosis-modifying drugs: A 2021 heart failure expert consensus paper

Hypotension at heart failure discharge: Should it be a limiting factor for drug titration?

BACKGROUND

Medical treatment in Heart Failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF; LVEF ≤40%) has shifted towards quadruple therapy. Maximum tolerated dose is the goal, yet no hypotension's cut-off point has been specified. In this work, we analyze the impact of intensive drug titration in clinical events, focusing on low blood pressure (BP) patients at hospital discharge.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Retrospective analysis of 713 patients with HFrEF discharged after an acute HF event (mean LVEF 30 ± 5%). Mean SBP was 112.4 ± 16.5 mmHg and 50.6% were discharged on triple therapy. We considered hypotension as a Systolic blood pressure (SBP) <100 mmHg (21.7% of patients, mean SBP was 112.4 ± 16.5 mmHg) and codified the intensity of drug therapy in 5 stages from untreated to very high therapy intensity. The impact of the intensity of treatment was analysed with a propensity score and increasing the intensity was associated in the whole cohort with a reduction of the composite outcome of all-cause mortality and HF readmission, (HR 0.69; CI95% 0.57-0.85, p < 0.001) and benefit in mortality was maintained for SBP < 100 mmHg (HR 0.42; CI95% 0.22-0.82; p = 0.011). Moreover, therapy intensity was clearly associated with lower risk of HF-hospitalization and death after the additional regression, considering SBP as a covariate, in the whole cohort (HR 0.70; CI95% 0.57-0.85; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In this retrospective cohort analysis, patients with HFrEF and an acute-HF admission, intensive drug dose titration was related to better outcomes, even in patients with low blood pressure at hospital discharge. Therefore, hypotension is not a contraindication for NHB uptitration.

Efficacy and safety analysis of angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibition(ARNI)in patients with heart failure: a real-world retrospective study

BACKGROUND

In a large randomized controlled trial (PARADIGM-HF), ARNI has been shown to significantly reduce cardiovascular mortality and hospitalization for patients with reduced ejection fraction in heart failure. This study analyzed the efficacy and safety of ARNI on the basis of various types of heart failure patients in southwestern Sichuan Province.

METHODS

This study included patients with heart failure who were treated at the Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College from July 2017 to June 2021. This study analyzed the efficacy and safety of ARNI in the treatment of heart failure, and analyzed the risk factors for readmission after ARNI treatment.

RESULTS

After propensity score matching, a total of 778 patients were included in the study. The readmission rate for heart failure in patients treated with ARNI (8.7%) was significantly lower than that in the standard treatment group (14.5%) (P = 0.023). Both the proportion of patients with increased LVEF and with decreased LVEF were higher in the ARNI treatment group than in the conventional therapy group. Compared with receiving standard medical treatment, combined ARNI treatment resulted in a greater reduction in SBP (-10.00, 95%CI: -24.00-1.50 vs. -7.00, 95%CI: -20.00-4.14; P = 0.016) in HF patients. Combination ARNI therapy did not increase the risk of adverse events. The study found that age (> 65 vs. ≤65 years) (OR = 4.038, 95%CI: 1.360-13.641, P = 0.013) and HFrEF (OR = 3.162, 95%CI: 1.028-9.724, P = 0.045) were independent predictors of readmission in HF patients treated with ARNI.

CONCLUSION

Patients with heart failure treated with ARNI can improve clinical symptoms and reduce the risk of readmitted hospital admission. Age > ~ 65 years and HFrEF were independent predictors of readmission in HF patients treated in ARNI group.

Evaluating sacubitril/valsartan as a treatment option for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and preserved ejection fraction

INTRODUCTION

Sacubitril/valsartan is the first-in-class angiotensin-receptor neprilysin inhibitor approved in 2015 for the treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). On 16 February 2021, the Food and Drug Administration acknowledged that "Benefits are most clearly evident in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction below normal," thus potentially extending the use in subjects with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

AREAS COVERED

The authors outline the regulatory history, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and risk-benefit profile of sacubitril/valsartan in HFrEF and HFpEF. A critical cross-trial comparison is presented, including sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), together with an insight into the latest European Society of Cardiology guidelines, where the new category of heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction is introduced.

EXPERT OPINION

Sacubitril/valsartan is a foundation of the pharmacological armamentarium in HFrEF to counteract the neuro-hormonal changes and reverse cardiac remodeling, together with beta-blockers, SGLT2i and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. The optimal sequence algorithm is an evolving issue, and the authors provide the reader with their personal perspective. A multidisciplinary management is encouraged to minimize the therapeutic inertia and manage tolerability issues, thus supporting adherence. Pragmatic trials, pharmacovigilance, and high-quality real-world evidence are crucial toward personalized safe prescribing of sacubitril/valsartan.