254 Impact of sacubitril/valsartan on implantable defibrillator eligibility in heart failure: a real-world experience

Abstract Aims Current guidelines recommend an implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) in patients with symptomatic heart failure and reduced ejection fraction [HFrEF; left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤35%] despite ≥3 months of optimal medical therapy. Recent observations demonstrated that sacubitril/valsartan induces beneficial reverse cardiac remodelling in eligible HFrEF patients. Given the pivotal role of LVEF in the selection of ICD candidates, we sought to assess the impact of sacubitril/valsartan on ICD eligibility and its predictors in HFrEF patients. Methods and results We retrospectively evaluated 48 chronic HFrEF patients receiving sacubitril/valsartan and previously implanted with an ICD in primary prevention. We assumed that ICD was no longer necessary if LVEF improved >35% (or > 30% in asymptomatics) at follow-up. Over a median follow-up of 11 months, sacubitril/valsartan induced a significant drop in LV end-systolic volume (−16.7 ml/m2, P = 0.023) and diameter (−6.8 mm, P = 0.022), resulting in a significant increase in LVEF (+3.9%, P < 0.001). As a consequence, 40% of previously implanted patients resulted no more eligible for ICD at follow-up. NYHA class improved in the 50% of population. A dose-dependent effect was noted, with higher doses associated to more reverse remodelling. Among patients deemed no more eligible for ICD, lower NYHA class [odds ratio (OR): 3.73 (95% CI: 1.05–13.24), P = 0.041], better LVEF [OR: 1.23 (95% CI: 1.01–1.48), P = 0.032], and the treatment with the intermediate or high dose of sacubitril/valsartan [OR: 5.60 (1.15–27.1), P = 0.032] were the most important predictors of status change. Conclusions In symptomatic HFrEF patients, sacubitril/valsartan induced beneficial cardiac reverse remodelling and improved NYHA class. These effects resulted in a significant reduction of patients deemed eligible for ICD in primary prevention.

Download Full-text

Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Ischemic versus Non-Ischemic Cardiomyopathy after Angiotensin-Neprilysin Inhibition Therapy

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10214989 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (21) ◽

pp. 4989

Author(s):

Mohammad Abumayyaleh ◽

Christina Pilsinger ◽

Ibrahim El-Battrawy ◽

Marvin Kummer ◽

Jürgen Kuschyk ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Ejection Fraction ◽

Ischemic Cardiomyopathy ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection ◽

Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias ◽

Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽

One Year ◽

The Impact

Background: The angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) decreases cardiovascular mortality in patients with chronic heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Data regarding the impact of ARNI on the outcome in HFrEF patients according to heart failure etiology are limited. Methods and results: One hundred twenty-one consecutive patients with HFrEF from the years 2016 to 2017 were included at the Medical Centre Mannheim Heidelberg University and treated with ARNI according to the current guidelines. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was numerically improved during the treatment with ARNI in both patient groups, that with ischemic cardiomyopathy (n = 61) (ICMP), and that with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (n = 60) (NICMP); p = 0.25. Consistent with this data, the NT-proBNP decreased in both groups, more commonly in the NICMP patient group. In addition, the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and creatinine changed before and after the treatment with ARNI in both groups. In a one-year follow-up, the rate of ventricular tachyarrhythmias (ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation) tended to be higher in the ICMP group compared with the NICMP group (ICMP 38.71% vs. NICMP 17.24%; p = 0.07). The rate of one-year all-cause mortality was similar in both groups (ICMP 6.5% vs. NICMP 6.6%; log-rank = 0.9947). Conclusions: This study shows that, although the treatment with ARNI improves the LVEF in ICMP and NICMP patients, the risk of ventricular tachyarrhythmias remains higher in ICMP patients in comparison with NICMP patients. Renal function is improved in the NICMP group after the treatment. Long-term mortality is similar over a one-year follow-up.

Download Full-text

Biomarkers-based personalized follow-up in chronic heart failure improves patient’s outcomes and reduces care associate cost

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes ◽

10.1186/s12955-021-01779-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Antonio Leon-Justel ◽

Jose I. Morgado Garcia-Polavieja ◽

Ana Isabel Alvarez-Rios ◽

Francisco Jose Caro Fernandez ◽

Pedro Agustin Pajaro Merino ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Hospital Admissions ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

Ed Visits ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Heart failure (HF) is a major and growing medical and economic problem, with high prevalence and incidence rates worldwide. Cardiac Biomarker is emerging as a novel tool for improving management of patients with HF with a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF). Methods This is a before and after interventional study, that assesses the impact of a personalized follow-up procedure for HF on patient’s outcomes and care associated cost, based on a clinical model of risk stratification and personalized management according to that risk. A total of 192 patients were enrolled and studied before the intervention and again after the intervention. The primary objective was the rate of readmissions, due to a HF. Secondary outcome compared the rate of ED visits and quality of life improvement assessed by the number of patients who had reduced NYHA score. A cost-analysis was also performed on these data. Results Admission rates significantly decreased by 19.8% after the intervention (from 30.2 to 10.4), the total hospital admissions were reduced by 32 (from 78 to 46) and the total length of stay was reduced by 7 days (from 15 to 9 days). The rate of ED visits was reduced by 44% (from 64 to 20). Thirty-one percent of patients had an improved functional class score after the intervention, whereas only 7.8% got worse. The overall cost saving associated with the intervention was € 72,769 per patient (from € 201,189 to € 128,420) and €139,717.65 for the whole group over 1 year. Conclusions A personalized follow-up of HF patients led to important outcome benefits and resulted in cost savings, mainly due to the reduction of patient hospitalization readmissions and a significant reduction of care-associated costs, suggesting that greater attention should be given to this high-risk cohort to minimize the risk of hospitalization readmissions.

Download Full-text

Profile of Hospitalized Hypertensives with Preserved and Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction in Nigeria

International Cardiovascular Forum Journal ◽

10.17987/icfj.v14i0.502 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 ◽

Author(s):

Akinsanya Daniel Olusegun-Joseph ◽

Kamilu M Karaye ◽

Adeseye A Akintunde ◽

Bolanle O Okunowo ◽

Oladimeji G Opadijo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽

Ejection Fraction ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Ventricular Ejection ◽

Teaching Hospitals ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection ◽

Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽

Hypertensive Patients ◽

The Impact

Introduction The impact of preserved and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) has been well studied in heart failure, but not in hypertension. We aimed to highlight the prevalence, clinical characteristics, comorbidities and outcomes of hospitalized hypertensives with preserved and reduced LVEF from three teaching hospitals in Nigeria. Methods: This is a retrospective study of hypertensives admitted in 2013 in three teaching hospitals in Lagos, Kano and Ogbomosho, who had echocardiography done while on admission. Medical records and echocardiography parameters of the patients were retrieved and analyzed. Results: 54 admitted hypertensive patients who had echocardiography were recruited, of which 30 (55.6%) had reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (RLVEF), defined as ejection fraction <50%; while 24 (44.4%) had preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (PLVEF). There were 37(61.5%) females and 17 (31.5%) males. Of the male patients 64.7% had RLVEF, while 35.3% had PLVEF. 19(51.4%) of females had RLVEF, while 48.6% had PLVEF. Mean age of patients with PLVEF was 58.83±12.09 vs 54.83± 18.78 of RLVEF; p-0.19. Commonest comorbidity was Heart failure (HF) followed by stroke (found among 59.3% and 27.8% of patients respectively). RLVEF was significantly commoner than PLVEF in HF patients (68.8% vs 31.3%; p- 0.019); no significant difference in stroke patients (46.7% vs 53.3%; p-0.44). Mortality occurred in 1 (1.85%) patient who had RLVEF. Conclusion: RLVEF was more common than PLVEF among admitted hypertensive patients; they also have more comorbidities. In-hospital mortality is, however, very low in both groups.

Download Full-text

Abstract 107: Predictors and Frequency of ICD Implantation for Primary Prevention in ICD Eligible Patients: Results from a Prospective Multicenter Registry

Circulation Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes ◽

10.1161/circoutcomes.5.suppl_1.a107 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 5 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Rory Hachamovitch ◽

Benjamin Nutter ◽

Manuel D Cerqueira ◽

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Primary Prevention ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Myocardial Imaging ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection ◽

Study Cohort ◽

Icd Implantation ◽

Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽

Multicenter Registry

Background . The use of implantable cardiac defibrillators has been associated with improved survival in several well-defined patient (pt) subsets. Its utilization for primary prevention in eligible pts, however, is unclear. We sought to examine the frequency of ICD implantation (ICD-IMP) for primary prevention in a cohort prospectively enrolled in a prospective, multicenter registry of ICD candidates. Methods . We identified 961 pts enrolled in the AdreView Myocardial Imaging for Risk Evaluation in Heart Failure (ADMIRE-HF) study, a prospective, multicenter study evaluating the prognostic usefulness of 123I-mIBG scintigraphy in a heart failure population. Inclusion criteria limited patients to those meeting guideline criteria for ICD implantation; these criteria included left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35% and New York Heart Association functional class II-III. We excluded pts with an ICD at the time of enrollment, leaving a study cohort of 934 patients. Pts were followed up for 24 months after enrollment. Pts undergoing ICD-IMP after enrollment for secondary prevention were censored at the time of intervention. The association between ICD-IMP utilization and demographic, clinical, laboratory, and imaging data was examined using Cox proportional hazards analysis (CPH). Results . Of 934 pts, 196 (21%) were referred for ICD-IMP over a mean follow-up of 612±242 days. Implantations occurred 167±164 days after enrollment. Patients referred for ICD were younger (61±12 vs. 63±12), but did not differ with respect to proportion female (17% vs. 21%), African-American race (12% vs. 15%), diabetics (37% vs. 36%) (All p=NS). The frequency of ICD-IMP did not differ as a function of age, race, sex, LVEF, or imaging result (All p=NS). CPH revealed that a model including age, race, sex, diabetes, smoking, BMI, NYHA class, hypertension, heart failure etiology, and prior MI identified none of these as predictive of ICD-IMP. Conclusion: This analysis of prospective registry data reveals that in patients who are guideline-defined candidates for ICD-IMP, only about one in five receive an ICD over a two year follow-up interval. Multivariable modeling failed to identify any factor associated with ICD use.

Download Full-text

Abstract P232: Screening Past B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) Values to Identify Candidates for Treatment of Systolic Dysfunction

Circulation Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes ◽

10.1161/circoutcomes.4.suppl_1.ap232 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 4 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Parisa Gholami ◽

Shoutzu Lin ◽

Paul Heidenreich

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽

Ejection Fraction ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Ventricular Ejection ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection ◽

Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean

Background: BNP testing is now common though it is not clear if the test results are used to improve patient care. A high BNP may be an indicator that the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is low (<40%) such that the patient will benefit from life-prolonging therapy. Objective: To determine how often clinicians obtained a measure of LVEF (echocardiography, nuclear) following a high BNP value when the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was not known to be low (<40%). Methods and Results: We reviewed the medical records of 296 consecutive patients (inpatient or outpatient) with a BNP values of at least 200 pg/ml at a single medical center (tertiary hospital with 8 community clinics). A prior diagnosis of heart failure was made in 65%, while 42% had diabetes, 79% had hypertension, 59% had ischemic heart disease and 31% had chronic lung disease. The mean age was 73 ± 12 years, 75% were white, 10% black, 15% other and the mean BNP was 810 ± 814 pg/ml. The LVEF was known to be < 40% in 84 patients (28%, mean BNP value of 1094 ± 969 pg/ml). Of the remaining 212 patients without a known low LVEF, 161 (76%) had a prior LVEF >=40% ( mean BNP value of 673 ± 635 pg/ml), and 51 (24%) had no prior LVEF documented (mean BNP 775 ± 926 pg/ml). Following the high BNP, a measure of LVEF was obtained (including outside studies documented by the primary care provider) within 6 months in only 53% (113 of 212) of those with an LVEF not known to be low. Of those with a follow-up echocardiogram, the LVEF was <40% in 18/113 (16%) and >=40% in 95/113 (84%). There was no significant difference in mean initial BNP values between those with a follow-up LVEF <40% (872 ± 940pg/ml), >=40% (704 ± 737 pg/ml), or not done (661 ± 649 pg/ml, p=0.5). Conclusions: Follow-up measures of LVEF did not occur in almost 50% of patients with a high BNP where the information may have led to institution of life-prolonging therapy. Of those that did have a follow-up study a new diagnosis of depressesd LVEF was noted in 16%. Screening of existing BNP and LVEF data and may be an efficient strategy to identify patients that may benefit from life-prolonging therapy for heart failure.

Download Full-text

Comparison of the prognosis and outcome of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction patients treated with sacubitril/valsartan according to age

Future Cardiology ◽

10.2217/fca-2020-0213 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mohammad Abumayyaleh ◽

Ibrahim El-Battrawy ◽

Marvin Kummer ◽

Christina Pilsinger ◽

Katherine Sattler ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Chronic Heart Failure ◽

Ejection Fraction ◽

Older Patients ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Adult Patients ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection ◽

Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽

Reduced Ejection Fraction ◽

The Impact

The treatment with sacubitril/valsartan in patients suffering from chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction increases left ventricular ejection fraction and decreases the risk of sudden cardiac death. We conducted a retrospective analysis regarding the impact of age differences on the treatment outcome of sacubitril/valsartan in patients with chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Patients were defined as adults if ≤65 years (n = 51) and older if >65 years of age (n = 76). The incidence of ventricular arrhythmias at 1-year follow-up was comparable in both groups (30.8 vs 26.5%; p = 0.71). The mortality rate in adult patients is significantly lower as compared with older patients (2 vs 14.5%; log-rank = 0.04). Older patients may suffer remarkably more side effects than adult patients (21.1 vs 11.8%; p = 0.03).

Download Full-text

Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Recovery in Patients with Heart Failure and Reduced Ejection Fraction Treated with Sacubitril/Valsartan

Cardiology ◽

10.1159/000505148 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 145 (5) ◽

pp. 275-282 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Pablo Díez-Villanueva ◽

Lourdes Vicent ◽

Francisco de la Cuerda ◽

Alberto Esteban-Fernández ◽

Manuel Gómez-Bueno ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽

Ejection Fraction ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Functional Class ◽

Ventricular Ejection ◽

Cardiac Resynchronization ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection ◽

Ventricular Ejection Fraction

Background: A significant number of heart failure (HF) patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) experience ventricular function recovery during follow-up. We studied the variables associated with LVEF recovery in patients treated with sacubitril/valsartan (SV) in clinical practice. Methods: We analyzed data from a prospective and multicenter registry including 249 HF outpatients with reduced LVEF who started SV between October 2016 and March 2017. The patients were classified into 2 groups according to LVEF at the end of follow-up (>35%: group R, or ≤35%: group NR). Results: After a mean follow-up of 7 ± 0.1 months, 62 patients (24.8%) had LVEF >35%. They were older (71.3 ± 10.8 vs. 67.5 ± 12.1 years, p = 0.025), and suffered more often from hypertension (83.9 vs. 73.8%, p = 0.096) and higher blood pressure before and after SV (both, p < 0.01). They took more often high doses of beta-blockers (30.6 vs. 27.8%, p = 0.002), with a smaller proportion undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy (14.8 vs. 29.0%, p = 0.028) and fewer implanted cardioverter defibrillators (ICD; 32.8 vs. 67.9%, p < 0.001), this being the only predictive variable of NR in the multivariate analysis (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.13–0.47, p < 0.0001). At the end of follow-up, the mean LVEF in group R was 41.9 ± 8.1% (vs. 26.3 ± 4.7% in group NR, p < 0.001), with an improvement compared with the initial LVEF of 14.6 ± 10.8% (vs. 0.8 ± 4.5% in group NR, p < 0.0001). Functional class improved in both groups, mainly in group R (p = 0.035), with fewer visits to the emergency department (11.5 vs. 21.6%, p = 0.07). Conclusions: In patients with LVEF ≤35% treated with SV, not carrying an ICD was independently associated with LVEF recovery, which was related to greater improvement in functional class.

Download Full-text

Six-Month Predictive Value of Diuretic Resistance Formulas in Discharged Heart Failure Patients after an Acute Decompensation

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm9092932 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (9) ◽

pp. 2932

Author(s):

Mauro Feola ◽

Arianna Rossi ◽

Marzia Testa ◽

Cinzia Ferreri ◽

Alberto Palazzuoli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Ejection Fraction ◽

Acute Decompensated Heart Failure ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection ◽

Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽

Heart Failure Patients ◽

Acute Decompensation ◽

Diuretic Response

Background. The diuretic response has been shown to be a robust independent marker of cardiovascular outcomes in acute heart failure patients. The objectives of this clinical research are to analyze two different formulas (diuretic response (DR) or response to diuretic (R-to-D)) in predicting 6-month clinical outcomes. Methods: Consecutive patients discharged alive after an acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) were enrolled. All patients underwent N-terminal-pro hormone BNP (NT-proBNP) and an echocardiogram together with DR and R-to-D calculation during diuretic administration. Death by any cause, cardiac transplantation and worsening heart failure (HF) requiring readmission to hospital were considered cardiovascular events. Results: 263 patients (62% male, age 78 years) were analyzed at 6-month follow-up. During the follow-up 58 (22.05%) events were scheduled. Patients who experienced CV-event had a worse renal function (p = 0.001), a higher NT-proBNP (p = 0.001), a lower left ventricular ejection fraction (p = 0.01), DR (p = 0.02) and R-to-D (p = 0.03). Spearman rho’s correlation coefficient showed a strong direct correlation between DR and R to D in all patients (r = 0.93; p < 0.001) and both in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) (r = 0.94; p < 0.001) and HF preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) (r = 0.91; p < 0.001). At multivariate analysis, a value of R-to-D <1.69 kg/40 mg, but only <0.67 kg/40 mg for DR were significantly related to poor 6-month outcome (p = 0.04 and p = 0.05, respectively). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses demonstrated that DR and R-to-D are equivalent in predicting prognosis (area under curve (AUC): 0.39 and 0.40, respectively). Only R-to-D was inversely related to in-hospital stay (r = −0.23; p = 0.01). Conclusion: Adding diuresis to DR seemed to provide a better risk assessment in alive HF patients discharged after an acute decompensation.

Download Full-text

P971 The echocardiographic phenotype in patients with cardiac amyloidosis and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

European Heart Journal - Cardiovascular Imaging ◽

10.1093/ehjci/jez319.603 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

M D M Perez Gil ◽

V Mora Llabata ◽

A Saad ◽

A Sorribes Alonso ◽

V Faga ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Ejection Fraction ◽

Cardiac Amyloidosis ◽

Nyha Class ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection ◽

Control Group ◽

Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽

Apical Rotation ◽

Dynamic Torsion

Abstract BACKGROUND New echocardiographic phenotypes of heart failure (HF) are focused on myocardial systolic involvement of the left ventricle (LV), either endocardial and/or transmural. PURPOSE. To study the pattern of myocardial involvement in patients (p) with HF with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (pLVEF) and cardiac amyloidosis (CA). METHODS. Comparative study of 16 p with CA and HF with pLVEF, considering as cut point LVEF > 50%, in NYHA class ≥ II / IV, and a control group of 16 healthy people. Longitudinal Strain (LS) and Circumferential Strain (CS) were calculated using 2D speckle-tracking echocardiography, along with Mitral Annulus Plane Systolic Excursion (MAPSE) and Base-Apex distance (B-A). Also, the following indexes were calculated: Twist (apical rotation + basal rotation, º); Classic Torsion (TorC): (twist/B-A, º/cm); Torsion Index (Tor.I): (twist/MAPSE, º/cm) and Deformation Index (Def.I): (twist/LS, º). We suggest the introduction of these dynamic torsion indexes as Tor.I and Def.I that include twist per unit of longitudinal systolic shortening of the LV instead of using TorC which is the normalisation of twist to the end-diastolic longitudinal diameter of the LV. RESULTS There were no differences of age between the groups (68.2 ± 11.5 vs 63.7 ± 2.8 years, p = 0.14). Global values of LS and CS were lower in p with CA indicating endocardial and transmural deterioration during systole, while TorC and Twist of the LV remained conserved in p with CA. However, there is an increase of dynamic torsion parameters such as Tor.I and Def.I that show an increased Twist per unit of longitudinal shortening of the LV in the CA group (Table). CONCLUSIONS In p with CA and HF with pLVEF, the impairment of LS and CS indicates endocardial and transmural systolic dysfunction. In these conditions, LVEF would be preserved at the expense of a greater dynamic torsion of the LV. Table LS (%) CS (%) Twist (º) TorC (º/cm) Tor.I (º/cm) Def.I (º/%) CA pLVEF (n = 16) -11.7 ± 4.2 17.2 ± 4.8 19.8 ± 8.3 2.5 ± 1.1 27.7 ± 13.5 -1.8 ± 0.9 Control Group (n = 15) -20.6 ± 2.5 22.7 ± 4.9 21.7 ± 6.1 2.7 ± 0.8 16.4 ± 4.7 -1.0 ± 0.3 p < 0.001 < 0.01 0.46 0.46 < 0.01 < 0.01 Dynamic Torsion Indexes and Classic Torion Parameters in pLVEF CA patients vs Control group.

Download Full-text

Sacubitril/Valsartan Improves Autonomic Function and Cardiopulmonary Parameters in Patients with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm9061897 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 1897 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Francesco Giallauria ◽

Giuseppe Vitale ◽

Mario Pacileo ◽

Anna Di Lorenzo ◽

Alessandro Oliviero ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Ejection Fraction ◽

Autonomic Function ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Exercise Stress ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection ◽

Peak Exercise ◽

Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽

Reduced Ejection Fraction

Background: Heart rate recovery (HRR) is a marker of vagal tone, which is a powerful predictor of mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease. Sacubitril/valsartan (S/V) is a treatment for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), which impressively impacts cardiovascular outcome. This study aims at evaluating the effects of S/V on HRR and its correlation with cardiopulmonary indexes in HFrEF patients. Methods: Patients with HFrEF admitted to outpatients’ services were screened out for study inclusion. S/V was administered according to guidelines. Up-titration was performed every 4 weeks when tolerated. All patients underwent laboratory measurements, Doppler-echocardiography, and cardiopulmonary exercise stress testing (CPET) at baseline and at 12-month follow-up. Results: Study population consisted of 134 HFrEF patients (87% male, mean age 57.9 ± 9.6 years). At 12-month follow-up, significant improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (from 28% ± 5.8% to 31.8% ± 7.3%, p < 0.0001), peak exercise oxygen consumption (VO2peak) (from 15.3 ± 3.7 to 17.8 ± 4.2 mL/kg/min, p < 0.0001), the slope of increase in ventilation over carbon dioxide output (VE/VCO2 slope )(from 33.4 ± 6.2 to 30.3 ± 6.5, p < 0.0001), and HRR (from 11.4 ± 9.5 to 17.4 ± 15.1 bpm, p = 0.004) was observed. Changes in HRR were significantly correlated to changes in VE/VCO2slope (r = −0.330; p = 0.003). After adjusting for potential confounding factors, multivariate analysis showed that changes in HRR were significantly associated to changes in VE/VCO2slope (Beta (B) = −0.975, standard error (SE) = 0.364, standardized Beta coefficient (Bstd) = −0.304, p = 0.009). S/V showed significant reduction in exercise oscillatory ventilation (EOV) detection at CPET (28 EOV detected at baseline CPET vs. 9 EOV detected at 12-month follow-up, p < 0.001). HRR at baseline CPET was a significant predictor of EOV at 12-month follow-up (B = −2.065, SE = 0.354, p < 0.001). Conclusions: In HFrEF patients, S/V therapy improves autonomic function, functional capacity, and ventilation. Whether these findings might translate into beneficial effects on prognosis and outcome remains to be elucidated.

Download Full-text