Background: Recent trials of new heart failure (HF) treatments suggest the effect of therapy may vary by N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level.
Objectives: The authors examined the efficacy of sacubitril/valsartan according to NT-proBNP levels in patients with reduced, mildly reduced, and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) enrolled in PARADIGM-HF (Prospective Comparison of Angiotensin Receptor-Neprilysin Inhibitor with Angiotensin-Converting-Enzyme Inhibitor to Determine Impact on Global Mortality and Morbidity in Heart Failure Trial) and PARAGON-HF (Prospective Comparison of Angiotensin Receptor-Neprilysin Inhibitor with Angiotensin-Receptor Blockers Global Outcomes in HF with Preserved Ejection Fraction).
Methods: Individual patient data from PARADIGM-HF and PARAGON-HF were pooled and participants were divided into categories defined by quintiles of NT-proBNP level. The primary outcome examined was the composite of HF hospitalization or cardiovascular death.
Results: Among the 13,195 patients enrolled in both trials, 13,142 (99.6%) had a baseline NT-proBNP level measured. The rate of the primary outcome (per 100 person-years) increased with NT-proBNP levels: quintile 1, 5.9 (95% CI: 5.3-6.5); quintile 2, 7.5 (95% CI: 6.9-8.2); quintile 3, 9.0 (95% CI: 8.2-9.7); quintile 4, 12.0 (95% CI: 11.1-12.9); and quintile 5, 20.8 (95% CI: 19.6-22.2). The relative risk reduction in the primary outcome with sacubitril/valsartan was consistent across NT-proBNP levels: the HR in quintile 1 was 0.79 (95% CI: 0.65-0.96); quintile 2, 0.87 (95% CI: 0.72-1.04); quintile 3, 0.79 (95% CI: 0.66-0.93); quintile 4, 0.85 (95% CI: 0.73-0.99); and quintile 5, 0.86 (95% CI: 0.76-0.97; P for interaction = 0.86). The absolute risk reduction was greatest in NT-proBNP quintile 5; the number needed to treat for the primary outcome over the median follow-up of 31 months was 16 in quintile 5 vs 37 in quintile 1.
Conclusions: The relative risk reductions with sacubitril/valsartan were consistent irrespective of NT-proBNP level in HF patients across the range of LVEF. Consequently, the absolute risk reductions were greatest in patients with higher NT-proBNP levels. (PARADIGM-HF; NCT01035255; and PARAGON-HF; NCT01920711).
Background: Inflammation may play an important pathophysiological role in the development and progression of heart failure (HF). Interleukin (IL)-6 is a circulating cytokine and is the main regulator of the release of C-reactive protein (CRP).
Objectives: The authors examined the association between IL-6 and high-sensitivity (hs)-CRP and outcomes in patients with HFrEF in the DAPA-HF trial and their relationship with the effect of dapagliflozin.
Methods: Inclusion criteria included: 1) NYHA functional class II-IV; 2) left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40%; 3) elevated N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide; and 4) estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥30 mL/min/1.73 m2. The primary outcome was a composite of a worsening HF event or cardiovascular death. IL-6 and hs-CRP were measured at baseline and 12 months (Roche Diagnostics). The associations between IL-6 and hs-CRP and outcomes were adjusted for known prognostic variables, including NT-proBNP.
Results: Among 2,940 patients, median IL-6 and hs-CRP at baseline were 6.01 pg/mL (Q1-Q3: 4.18-9.28 pg/mL) and 2.05 mg/L (Q1-Q3: 0.83-4.9 mg/L), respectively. Baseline IL-6 tertiles (T) were: T1 ≤4.72 pg/mL; T2 4.73-7.89 pg/mL; and T3 ≥7.90 pg/mL. The adjusted risks of the primary outcome relative to T1 were as follows: T2 = HR 1.34 (95% CI: 1.04-1.73) and T3 = HR 1.80 (95% CI: 1.41-2.31). A rise in IL-6 between baseline and 12 months was associated with worse outcomes. The beneficial effect of dapagliflozin on the primary outcome was consistent regardless of IL-6 concentration (continuous interaction P = 0.57), with similar results for hs-CRP. Dapagliflozin did not reduce IL-6 or hs-CRP at 12 months.
Conclusions: In DAPA-HF, elevated IL-6 and hs-CRP levels were each associated with the risk of worsening HF or cardiovascular death. Dapagliflozin reduced the risk of adverse outcomes regardless of baseline IL-6 or hs-CRP. (Study to Evaluate the Effect of Dapagliflozin on the Incidence of Worsening Heart Failure or Cardiovascular Death in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure [DAPA-HF]; NCT03036124).