Clinical Effectiveness and Safety of Vericiguat in Worsening Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction: A Single-center, Retrospective Analysis in Indian Patients

Abstract

Background and Objective: In a tertiary care hospital in India, investigators evaluated the efficacy and safety of vericiguat, a new oral soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator in patients with worsening symptoms of heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Methods: A retrospective assessment was conducted on patients with HFrEF and deteriorating symptoms who received either guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) or vericiguat, in addition to GDMT. The main result was a combination of death and hospitalization for heart failure (HF). Other measured results included systolic and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), levels of N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP), kidney function, and sodium and potassium levels in the body. Results: After 6 months, 11 patients in the vericiguat group (22%) and 25 patients in the GDMT group (50%) experienced a primary composite event of death or hospitalization for HF. The administration of vericiguat resulted in a notable enhancement of the clinical indicators of HF, such as LVEF and NT-proBNP levels (P < 0.001). Administration of vericiguat at a dosage of 10 mg once a day, in conjunction with GDMT, did not have any negative effects on systolic or DBP, renal function, or electrolyte balance compared to GDMT alone. Conclusion: In patients experiencing deteriorating HF, the administration of vericiguat resulted in a notable decrease in cardiovascular mortality or hospitalization for HF compared with those who only received GDMT. This study emphasizes the efficacy and safety of vericiguat therapy in Indian patients with deteriorating HF.

Keywords

• cardiovascular mortality
• hospitalization for heart failure
• soluble guanylyl cyclase
• vericiguat
• worsening heart failure