A big STEP for treatment of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

In the STEP-HFpEF trial, 2.4 mg semaglutide produced marked improvements in heart failure-related symptoms, physical limitations, and exercise function, and reduced inflammation and body weight in individuals with obesity HFpEF phenotype. These data usher in a new paradigm of targeting obesity as a therapeutic strategy in HFpEF

Safety and performance of a novel implantable sensor in the inferior vena cava under acute and chronic intravascular volume modulation

Aims: The management of congestion is one of the key treatment targets in heart failure. Assessing congestion is, however, difficult. The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety and dynamic response of a novel, passive, inferior vena cava (IVC) sensor in a chronic ovine model. Methods and results: A total of 20 sheep divided into three groups were studied in acute and chronic in vivo settings. Group I and Group II included 14 sheep in total with 12 sheep receiving the sensor and two sheep receiving a control device (IVC filter). Group III included an additional six animals for studying responses to volume challenges via infusion of blood and saline solutions. Deployment was 100% successful with all devices implanted; performing as expected with no device-related complications and signals were received at all observations. At similar volume states no significant differences in IVC area normalized to absolute area range were measured (55 ± 17% on day 0 and 62 ± 12% on day 120, p = 0.51). Chronically, the sensors were completely integrated with a thin, reendothelialized neointima with no loss of sensitivity to infused volume. Normalized IVC area changed significantly from 25 ± 17% to 43 ± 11% (p = 0.007) with 300 ml infused. In contrast, right atrial pressure required 1200 ml of infused volume prior to a statistically significant change from 3.1 ± 2.6 mmHg to 7.5 ± 2.0 mmHg (p = 0.02). Conclusion: In conclusion, IVC area can be measured remotely in real-time using a safe, accurate, wireless, and chronic implantable sensor promising to detect congestion with higher sensitivity than filling pressures.</p

Semaglutide and Diuretic Use in Obesity-Related Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Pooled Analysis of the STEP-HFpEF and STEP-HFpEF-DM trials

Background and Aims In the STEP-HFpEF trial program, treatment with semaglutide resulted in multiple beneficial effects in patients with obesity-related heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Efficacy may vary according to baseline diuretic use, and semaglutide treatment could modify diuretic dose.  Methods In this pre-specified analysis of pooled data from the STEP-HFpEF and STEP-HFpEF-DM trials (n=1145), which randomized participants with HFpEF and body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 to once weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg or placebo for 52 weeks, we examined whether efficacy and safety endpoints differed by baseline diuretic use, as well as the effect of semaglutide on loop diuretic use and dose changes over the 52-week treatment period.  Results At baseline, across no diuretic (n=220), non-loop diuretic only (n=223), and loop diuretic (40 [n=174] mg/day furosemide-equivalents) groups, there was progressively higher prevalence of hypertension and atrial fibrillation; and severity of obesity and heart failure. Over 52 weeks of treatment, semaglutide had a consistent beneficial effect on change in body weight across diuretic use categories (adjusted mean difference vs. placebo ranged from -8.8% [95% CI -10.3, -6.3] to -6.9% [95% CI -9.1, -4.7] from no diuretics to the highest loop diuretic dose category; interaction P=0.39). Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire clinical summary score improvement was greater in patients on loop diuretics compared to those not on loop diuretics (adjusted mean difference vs. placebo: +9.3 [6.5; 12.1] vs. +4.7 points [1.3, 8.2]; P=0.042). Semaglutide had consistent beneficial effects on all secondary efficacy endpoints (including 6-min walk distance) across diuretic subgroups (interaction P=0.24-0.92). Safety also favored semaglutide versus placebo across the diuretic subgroups. From baseline to 52 weeks, loop diuretic dose decreased by 17% in the semaglutide group vs. a 2.4% increase in the placebo group (P Conclusions In patients with obesity-related HFpEF, semaglutide improved heart failure-related symptoms and physical limitations across diuretic use subgroups, with more pronounced benefits among patients receiving loop diuretics at baseline. Reductions in weight and improvements in exercise function with semaglutide versus placebo were consistent in all diuretic use categories. Semaglutide also led to a reduction in loop diuretic use and dose between baseline and 52 weeks.  ClinicalTrials.gov registration NCT04788511 and NCT04916470</p

Semaglutide in Patients with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction and Obesity

BackgroundHeart failure with preserved ejection fraction is increasing in prevalence and is associated with a high symptom burden and functional impairment, especially in persons with obesity. No therapies have been approved to target obesity-related heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.MethodsWe randomly assigned 529 patients who had heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and a body-mass index (the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters) of 30 or higher to receive once-weekly semaglutide (2.4 mg) or placebo for 52 weeks. The dual primary end points were the change from baseline in the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire clinical summary score (KCCQ-CSS; scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating fewer symptoms and physical limitations) and the change in body weight. Confirmatory secondary end points included the change in the 6-minute walk distance; a hierarchical composite end point that included death, heart failure events, and differences in the change in the KCCQ-CSS and 6-minute walk distance; and the change in the C-reactive protein (CRP) level.ResultsThe mean change in the KCCQ-CSS was 16.6 points with semaglutide and 8.7 points with placebo (estimated difference, 7.8 points; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.8 to 10.9; PConclusionsIn patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and obesity, treatment with semaglutide (2.4 mg) led to larger reductions in symptoms and physical limitations, greater improvements in exercise function, and greater weight loss than placebo. (Funded by Novo Nordisk; STEP-HFpEF ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04788511.)