Impact of sacubitril/valsartan on echo parameters in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction a prospective evaluation

Abstract Background Sacubitril/valsartan has been shown to improve mortality and reduce hospitalizations in patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Although the physiological action mechanisms of sacubitril/valsartan are well described, its effects on left ventricular (LV) remodelling and other echocardiographic (echo) parameters have not been prospectively studied. Objective The aim of this prospective study was to: McMurray et al. (2012) [ 1 ] evaluate if sacubitril/valsartan impacts LV remodelling based on echo parameters; Ponikowski et al. (2016) [ 2 ] identify the predictive factors of sacubitril/valsartan response or intolerance. Methods From May 2017 to September 2018, 52 HF patients were prospectively enrolled using PARADIGM-HF criteria: Class II, III, or IV HF; ejection fraction (EF) of 40% or less; hospitalized for HF within the previous 12 months. Echo evaluation was performed before initiating sacubitril/valsartan and 3 months after optimal dose adjustment. Based on previous studies, patients with (absolute) improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥ 5% were considered significant sacubitril/valsartan responders. Results The 52 patients completing the study were characterized by age: 70 ± 10 years; gender: 11women; aetiology: idiopathic in 20 and ischaemic in 32; NYHA Class: II in 17 and III in 35; LVEF: 32 ± 5%; NTProBNP: 1805 ± 1914 pg/mL. The final population comprised 41 pts (79%), as 11 (21%) did not tolerate sacubitril/valsartan therapy. Under sacubitril/valsartan, several echo parameters significantly improved: LVEF from 32.6 ± 5 to 36 ± 6% (p  Conclusions In HFrEF patients, sacubitril/valsartan significantly improves LV systolic remodelling, without any significant effects on LV diastolic or RV systolic echo parameters. Sacubitril/valsartan responders exhibit both less severe LV remodelling and less significant mitral regurgitation. Accordingly, sacubitril/valsartan could be used as soon as possible in HFrEF patients in order to limit LV remodelling, while precluding non-response or intolerance.