Effects of sacubutril/valsartan on nutritional status in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction

Updates in heart failure: sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors and beyond – major changes are coming

Prevalence of heart failure is increasing worldwide mainly due to the ageing of the population and the improvement in diagnosis and treatment. In recent years, huge progress has been made in the management of heart failure patients. A new definition of chronic heart failure based on left ventricular ejection fraction and its possible trajectories has been reported. New drug classes have been introduced for the treatment of chronic heart failure. In particular, the prognostic benefit of sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors was demonstrated across all the heart failure phenotypes. Therapies for patients with advanced heart failure (long-term mechanical circulatory supports and heart transplantation) are now indicated also in the case of mild-to-moderate symptoms but with high risk of progression. In patients with acute heart failure, monitoring of urinary sodium and the use of acetazolamide may lead to better decongestion. Importantly, pre- and postdischarge assessment should lead to optimal treatment. Devices and telemonitoring can also be of help. Cardiovascular and noncardiovascular comorbidities are major determinants of the clinical course and need proper management. This review will summarize these important advances.

Effect of Sacubitril/Valsartan Combined with Dapagliflozin on Long-Term Cardiac Mortality in Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction

The angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) sacubitril/valsartan and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitor dapagliflozin have been shown to reduce rehospitalization and cardiac mortality in patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). We aimed to compare the long-term cardiac and all-cause mortality of ARNI and dapagliflozin combination therapy against ARNI monotherapy in patients with HFrEF. This retrospective study involved 244 patients with HF with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II-IV symptoms and ejection fraction ≤40%. The patients were divided into 2 groups: ARNI monotherapy and ARNI+dapagliflozin. Median follow-up was 2.5 (.16-3.72) years. One hundred and seventy-five (71.7%) patients were male, and the mean age was 65.9 (SD, 10.2) years. Long-term cardiac mortality rates were significantly lower in the ARNI+dapagliflozin group (7.4%) than in the ARNI monotherapy group (19.5%) (P = .01). Dapagliflozin [Hazard Ratio (HR) [95% Confidence Interval (CI)] = .29 [.10-.77]; P = .014] and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) [HR (95% CI) = .89 (.85-.93); P < .001] were found to be independent predictors of cardiac mortality. Our study showed a significant reduction in cardiac mortality with ARNI and dapagliflozin combination therapy compared with ARNI monotherapy.

Relevance of nutritional assessment and treatment to counteract cardiac cachexia and sarcopenia in chronic heart failure

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is frequently associated with the involuntary loss of body weight and muscle wasting, which can determine the course of the disease and its prognosis. While there is no gold standard malnutrition screening tool for their detection in the CHF population, several bioelectrical and imaging methods have been used to assess body composition in these patients (such as Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry and muscle ultrasound, among other techniques). In addition, numerous nutritional biomarkers have been found to be useful in the determination of the nutritional status. Nutritional considerations include the slow and progressive supply of nutrients, avoiding high volumes, which could ultimately lead to refeeding syndrome and worsen the clinical picture. If oral feeding is insufficient, hypercaloric and hyperproteic supplementation should be considered. β-Hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid administration prove to be beneficial in certain patients with CHF, and several interventional studies with micronutrient supplementation have also described their possible role in these subjects. Taking into account that CHF is sometimes associated with gastrointestinal dysfunction, parenteral nutritional support may be required in selected cases. In addition, potential therapeutic options regarding nutritional state and muscle wasting have also been tested in clinical studies. This review summarises the scientific evidence that demonstrates the necessity to carry out a careful nutritional evaluation and nutritional treatment to prevent or improve cardiac cachexia and sarcopenia in CHF, as well as improve its course.

Tools for the Assessment of the Malnutrition Status and Possible Interventions in Elderly with Cardiovascular Diseases

Malnutrition represents a common and important feature in elderly people affected by cardiovascular diseases. Several studies have investigated its prevalence and prognostic role in most clinical settings, including cardiovascular disease. However, in daily practice it usually remains unrecognized and consequently untreated. The present review was ideated to answer the main questions about nutritional status assessment in patients with cardiovascular disease: why, when, where, how to evaluate it, and what to do to improve it. The three main cardiovascular diseases, namely aortic stenosis, ischaemic heart disease, and heart failure were considered. First, the main evidence supporting the prognostic role of malnutrition are summarized and analyzed. Second, the main tools for the assessment of malnutrition in the hospital and outpatient setting are reported for each condition. Finally, the possible strategies and interventions to address malnutrition are discussed.