Long-Term Use of Sildenafil in the Therapeutic Management of Heart Failure

n/

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists for heart failure: a real-life observational study

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) have been demonstrated to improve outcomes in reduced ejection fraction heart failure (HFrEF) patients. However, MRAs added to conventional treatment may lead to worsening of renal function and hyperkalaemia. We investigated, in a population-based analysis, the long-term effects of MRA treatment in HFrEF patients.Aims Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) have been demonstrated to improve outcomes in reduced ejection fraction heart failure (HFrEF) patients. However, MRAs added to conventional treatment may lead to worsening of renal function and hyperkalaemia. We investigated, in a population-based analysis, the long-term effects of MRA treatment in HFrEF patients. Methods and results We analysed data of 6046 patients included in the Metabolic Exercise Cardiac Kidney Index score dataset. Analysis was performed in patients treated (n= 3163) and not treated (n= 2883) with MRA. The study endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular death, urgent heart transplantation, or left ventricular assist device implantation. Ten years\u2019survival was analysed through Kaplan\u2013Meier, compared by log-rank test and propensity score matching. At 10 years\u2019follow-up, the MRA-untreated group had a significantly lower number of events than the MRA-treated group (P<0.001). MRA-treated patients had more severe heart failure (higher New York Heart Association class and lower left ventricular ejection fraction, kidney function, and peak VO2). At a propensity-score-matching analysis performed on 1587 patients, MRA-treated and MRA-untreated patients showed similar study endpoint values. Conclusions In conclusion, MRA treatment does not affect the composite of cardiovascular death, urgent heart transplanta- tion or left ventricular assist device implantation in a real-life setting. A meticulous patient follow-up, as performed in trials, is likely needed to match the positive MRA-related benefits observed in clinical trials

Influence of ACE-inhibition on salt-mediated worsening of pulmonary gas exchange in heart failure

In congestive heart failure (CHF), pulmonary gas exchange, as evaluated by carbon monoxide diffusion (DLCO), is impaired. ACE-inhibition improves DLCO. Infusion of saline worsens DLCO, because of upregulated sodium and water transport to the alveolar interstitium, which thickens the alveolar-capillary interface and lengthens the diffusion path for gas exchange. We investigated whether enalapril can readjust the capillary permeability to sodium