Association of Renin‐Angiotensin‐Aldosterone System Inhibitors With Clinical Outcomes, Hemodynamics, and Myocardial Remodeling Among Patients With Advanced Heart Failure on Left Ventricular Assist Device Support

Abstract

Background We evaluated the potential benefits of renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASi) in patients with left ventricular assist device support. Methods and Results A total of 165 consecutive patients undergoing left ventricular assist device implant and alive at 6‐month on support were studied. RAASi status after 6‐month visit along with clinical reasons for nonprescription/uptitration were retrospectively assessed. The primary outcome was a composite of heart failure hospitalization or cardiovascular death between 6 and 24 months after left ventricular assist device implant. Remodeling and hemodynamic outcomes were explored by studying the association of RAASi new prescription/uptitration versus unmodified therapy at 6‐month visit with the change in echocardiographic parameters and hemodynamics between 6 and 18 months. After the 6‐month visit, 76% of patients were on RAASi. Patients' characteristics among those receiving and not receiving RAASi were mostly similar. Of 85 (52%) patients without RAASi new prescription/uptitration at 6‐month visit, 62% had no apparent clinical reason. RAASi were independently associated with the primary outcome (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.31 [95% CI, 0.16–0.69]). The baseline rates of optimal echocardiographic profile (neutral interventricular septum, mitral regurgitation less than mild, and aortic valve opening) and hemodynamic profile (cardiac index ≥2.2 L/min per m2, wedge pressure <18 mm Hg, and right atrial pressure <12 mm Hg) were similar between groups. At 18 months, patients receiving RAASi new prescription/uptitration at 6 months had higher rates of optimal hemodynamic profile (57.5% versus 37.0%; P=0.032) and trends for higher rates of optimal echocardiographic profile (39.6% versus 22.9%; P=0.055) compared with patients with 6‐month unmodified therapy. Optimal 18‐month hemodynamic and echocardiographic profiles were associated with the primary outcome (log‐rank=0.022 and log‐rank=0.035, respectively). Conclusions RAASi are associated with improved outcomes and improved hemodynamics among mechanically unloaded patients.

Keywords

• advanced heart failure
• hemodynamics
• left ventricular assist device
• medical therapy
• renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system inhibitors