ESC Heart Failure (Apr 2022)

Echocardiographically defined haemodynamic categorization predicts prognosis in ambulatory heart failure patients treated with sacubitril/valsartan

  • Frank L. Dini,
  • Erberto Carluccio,
  • Roberto Bitto,
  • Michele Ciccarelli,
  • Michele Correale,
  • Andreina D'Agostino,
  • Giuseppe Dattilo,
  • Marco Ferretti,
  • Arianna Grelli,
  • Stefania Guida,
  • Francesca Jacoangeli,
  • Laura Lupi,
  • Lorenzo Luschi,
  • Daniele Masarone,
  • Valentina Mercurio,
  • Giuseppe Pacileo,
  • Nicola Riccardo Pugliese,
  • Antonella Rispoli,
  • Laura Scelsi,
  • Carlo Gabriele Tocchetti,
  • Natale Daniele Brunetti,
  • Alberto Palazzuoli,
  • Massimo Piepoli,
  • Savina Nodari,
  • Giuseppe Ambrosio,
  • Working Group on Heart Failure of the Italian Society of Cardiology

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/ehf2.13779
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9, no. 2
pp. 1107 – 1117

Abstract

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Abstract Aim Echo‐derived haemodynamic classification, based on forward‐flow and left ventricular (LV) filling pressure (LVFP) correlates, has been proposed to phenotype patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). To assess the prognostic relevance of baseline echocardiographically defined haemodynamic profile in ambulatory HFrEF patients before starting sacubitril/valsartan. Methods and results In our multicentre, open‐label study, HFrEF outpatients were classified into 4 groups according to the combination of forward flow (cardiac index; CI:< or ≥2.0 L/min/m2) and early transmitral Doppler velocity/early diastolic annular velocity ratio (E/e′: ≥ or <15): Profile‐A: normal‐flow, normal‐pressure; Profile‐B: low‐flow, normal‐pressure; Profile‐C: normal‐flow, high‐pressure; Profile‐D: low‐flow, high‐pressure. Patients were started on sacubitril/valsartan and followed‐up for 12.3 months (median). Rates of the composite of death/HF‐hospitalization were assessed by multivariable Cox proportional‐hazards models. Twelve sites enrolled 727 patients (64 ± 12 year old; LVEF: 29.8 ± 6.2%). Profile‐D had more comorbidities and worse renal and LV function. Target dose of sacubitril/valsartan (97/103 mg BID) was more likely reached in Profile‐A (34%) than other profiles (B: 32%, C: 24%, D: 28%, P < 0.001). Event‐rate (per 100 patients per year) progressively increased from Profile‐A to Profile‐D (12.0%, 16.4%, 22.9%, and 35.2%, respectively, P < 0.0001). By covariate‐adjusted Cox model, profiles with low forward‐flow (B and D) remained associated with poor outcome (P < 0.01). Adding this categorization to MAGGIC‐score and natriuretic peptides, provided significant continuous net reclassification improvement (0.329; P < 0.001). Intermediate and high‐dose sacubitril/valsartan reduced the event's risk independently of haemodynamic profile. Conclusions Echocardiographically‐derived haemodynamic classification identifies ambulatory HFrEF patients with different risk profiles. In real‐world HFrEF outpatients, sacubitril/valsartan is effective in improving outcome across different haemodynamic profiles.

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