Introduction:
While there are data demonstrating poor outcomes associated with discontinuation of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASI) after hospitalization for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), less is known about the prevalence and outcomes of RASI dose reduction.
Objective:
To determine the proportion of older US adults with HFrEF who had RASI down-titration after hospitalization and identify characteristics associated with RASI down-titration.
Methods:
This study included US Medicare beneficiaries age > 65 years with fee-for-service coverage hospitalized with HFrEF in 2007-2017 who filled a prescription for a RASI in the 90 days prior to hospitalization. We compared dosages of RASI prescription fills prior to and up to 1 year after hospitalization. Diagnoses of conditions that can reduce RASI tolerance (hypotension, acute kidney injury, hyperkalemia, angioedema, syncope, fall-related injuries) were identified during the hospitalization. We used modified Poisson models to calculate prevalence ratios and 95% CIs.
Results:
Among 35,047 Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized with HFrEF, the average age was 78.5 (SD 8.0) years, 82.3% were white, and 50.8% were women. After hospitalization, 61.9% filled a prescription for the same or higher dose, 15.6% filled a lower dose, and 22.6% did not fill a prescription for a RASI. Among the beneficiaries who filled a prescription for a RASI after hospitalization, hypotension, acute kidney injury, and hyperkalemia were associated with a higher prevalence of RASI down-titration (Table).
Conclusion:
Down-titration of RASIs is common among older adults with HFrEF following hospitalization and is more frequent among individuals with hypotension, acute kidney injury, or hyperkalemia during hospitalization. Down-titration may reduce risks of adverse events during periods of reduced medication tolerance after hospitalization, but could also lead to sustained suboptimal treatment.
Risk factors associated with biochemically detected and hospitalised acute kidney injury in patients prescribed renin angiotensin system inhibitors