Comparison of Investigator-Reported and Centrally Adjudicated Heart Failure Outcomes in the EMPEROR-Reduced Trial.

BACKGROUND: There is limited published information on outcome adjudication in heart failure (HF). OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to compare investigator reports (IRs) to a Clinical Events Committee (CEC) and the impact of SCTI (Standardized Clinical Trial Initiative) criteria. METHODS: In the EMPEROR-Reduced trial, the authors compared IRs to the CEC for concordance; treatment effect on primary composite outcome events; and the components first event hospitalization primarily for HF or cardiovascular mortality (CVM), prognosis after hospitalization for heart failure (HHF), total HHFs, and trial duration with and without SCTI criteria. RESULTS: The CEC confirmed 76.3% of IR events for the primary outcome (CVM: 89.1%; HHF: 73.7%). The HR for treatment effect did not differ between adjudication methods for the primary outcome (IR: 0.75 [95% CI: 0.66-0.85]; CEC: 0.75 [95% CI: 0.65-0.86]), its components, or total HHFs. The prognosis after first HHF for all-cause mortality and CVM also did not differ between IR or CEC. Interestingly, IR primary HHF with different CEC primary cause had the highest subsequent fatal event rate. Full SCTI criteria were present in 90% of CEC HHFs-with a similar treatment effect to non-SCTI. The IR primary event reached the protocol target number (841) 3 months earlier than CEC (4 months with full SCTI criteria). CONCLUSIONS: Investigator adjudication is an alternative to a CEC with similar accuracy and faster event accumulation. The use of granular (SCTI) criteria did not improve trial performance. Finally, our data suggest that consideration be given to broadening the HHF definition to include "for or with" worsening disease. (Empagliflozin Outcome Trial in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction [EMPEROR-Reduced]; NCT03057977)

Effect of Empagliflozin on the Clinical Stability of Patients With Heart Failure and a Reduced Ejection Fraction: The EMPEROR-Reduced Trial.

BACKGROUND: Empagliflozin reduces the risk of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure in patients with heart failure and a reduced ejection fraction, with or without diabetes, but additional data are needed about the effect of the drug on inpatient and outpatient events that reflect worsening heart failure. METHODS: We randomly assigned 3730 patients with class II to IV heart failure with an ejection fraction of ≤40% to double-blind treatment with placebo or empagliflozin (10 mg once daily), in addition to recommended treatments for heart failure, for a median of 16 months. We prospectively collected information on inpatient and outpatient events reflecting worsening heart failure and prespecified their analysis in individual and composite end points. RESULTS: Empagliflozin reduced the combined risk of death, hospitalization for heart failure or an emergent/urgent heart failure visit requiring intravenous treatment (415 versus 519 patients; empagliflozin versus placebo, respectively; hazard ratio [HR], 0.76; 95% CI, 0.67-0.87; P<0.0001). This benefit reached statistical significance at 12 days after randomization. Empagliflozin reduced the total number of heart failure hospitalizations that required intensive care (HR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.50-0.90; P=0.008) and that required a vasopressor or positive inotropic drug or mechanical or surgical intervention (HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.47-0.87; P=0.005). As compared with placebo, fewer patients in the empagliflozin group reported intensification of diuretics (297 versus 414 [HR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.56-0.78; P<0.0001]). Additionally, patients assigned to empagliflozin were 20% to 40% more likely to experience an improvement in New York Heart Association functional class and were 20% to 40% less likely to experience worsening of New York Heart Association functional class, with statistically significant effects that were apparent 28 days after randomization and maintained during long-term follow-up. The risk of any inpatient or outpatient worsening heart failure event in the placebo group was high (48.1 per 100 patient-years of follow-up), and it was reduced by empagliflozin (HR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.63-0.78; P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with heart failure and a reduced ejection fraction, empagliflozin reduced the risk and total number of inpatient and outpatient worsening heart failure events, with benefits seen early after initiation of treatment and sustained for the duration of double-blind therapy. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03057977

Effect of linagliptin versus placebo on cardiovascular and kidney outcomes in nephrotic-range proteinuria and type 2 diabetes: the CARMELINA randomized controlled trial

Background: Nephrotic-range proteinuria (NRP) is associated with rapid kidney function loss and increased cardiovascular (CV) disease risk. We assessed the effects of linagliptin (LINA) on CV and kidney outcomes in people with Type 2 diabetes (T2D) with or without NRP. Methods: Cardiovascular and renal microvascular outcome study with LINA randomized participants with T2D and CV disease and/or kidney disease to LINA 5 mg or placebo (PBO). The primary endpoint [time to first occurrence of 3-point major adverse cardiac events (3P-MACE)], and kidney outcomes, were evaluated by NRP status [urinary albumin:creatinine ratio (UACR) ≥2200 mg/g] at baseline (BL) in participants treated with one or more dose of study medication. Results: NRP was present in 646/6979 [9.3% (LINA/PBO n = 317/n = 329); median UACR 3486 (Q1: 2746/Q3: 4941) mg/g] participants, who compared with no-NRP were younger (62.3/66.1 years) and had lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (39.9/56.1 mL/min/1.73 m2). Over a median of 2.2 years, 3P-MACE occurred with a 2.0-fold higher rate in NRP versus no-NRP (PBO group), with a neutral LINA effect, regardless of NRP. The composite of time to renal death, end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) or decrease of ≥40 or ≥50% in eGFR, occurred with 12.3- and 13.6-fold higher rate with NRP (PBO group); evidence of heterogeneity of effects with LINA was observed for the former [NRP yes/no: hazard ratio 0.80 (0.63-1.01)/1.25 (1.02-1.54); P-interaction 0.005], but not the latter [0.83 (0.64-1.09)/1.17 (0.91-1.51), P-interaction 0.07]. No heterogeneity was observed for renal death or ESKD [0.88 (0.64-1.21)/0.94 (0.67-1.31), P-interaction 0.79]. Glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was significantly reduced regardless of NRP, without increasing hypoglycaemia risk. Regression to normoalbuminuria [1.20 (1.07-1.34)] and reduction of UACR ≥50% [1.15 (1.07-1.25)] from BL, occurred more frequently with LINA, regardless of NRP status (P-interactions >0.05). Conclusions: Individuals with T2D and NRP have a high disease burden. LINA reduces their albuminuria burden and HbA1c, without affecting CV or kidney risk

Effect of Empagliflozin on Cardiovascular and Renal Outcomes in Patients With Heart Failure by Baseline Diabetes Status: Results From the EMPEROR-Reduced Trial.

BACKGROUND: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors improve outcomes in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, but additional information is needed about whether glycemic status influences the magnitude of their benefits on heart failure and renal events. METHODS: Patients with Class II-IV heart failure and a left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40% were randomized to receive empagliflozin (10 mg daily) or placebo in addition to recommended therapy. We prespecified a comparison of the effect of empagliflozin in patients with and without diabetes. RESULTS: Of the 3730 patients enrolled, 1856 (50%) had diabetes, 1268 (34%) had prediabetes (hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c] 5.7-6.4%), and 606 (16%) had normoglycemia (HbA1c <5.7%). The risks of the primary outcome (cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure), total hospitalizations for heart failure, and adverse renal outcomes were higher in patients with diabetes, but were similar between patients with prediabetes and normoglycemia. Empagliflozin reduced the risk of the primary outcome in patients with and without diabetes (hazard ratio, 0.72 [95% CI, 0.60-0.87] and 0.78 [95% CI, 0.64-0.97], respectively, P-interaction=0.57). Patients with and without diabetes also did not differ with respect to the effect of empagliflozin on total hospitalizations for heart failure, on the decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate over time, and on the risk of serious adverse renal outcomes. Among these end points, the effects of the drug did not differ in patients with prediabetes or normoglycemia. When analyzed as a continuous variable, baseline HbA1c did not significantly modify the benefits of empagliflozin on the primary outcome (P-interaction=0.40). Empagliflozin did not lower HbA1c in patients with prediabetes or normoglycemia and was not associated with increased risk of hypoglycemia. CONCLUSIONS: In EMPEROR-Reduced (Empagliflozin Outcome Trial in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction), empagliflozin significantly improved cardiovascular and renal outcomes in patients with heart failure and a reduced ejection fraction, independent of baseline diabetes status and across the continuum of HbA1c. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03057977

Baseline characteristics of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in the EMPEROR-Preserved trial.

AIMS: EMPEROR-Preserved is an ongoing trial evaluating the effect of empagliflozin in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). This report describes the baseline characteristics of the EMPEROR-Preserved cohort and compares them with patients enrolled in prior HFpEF trials. METHODS AND RESULTS: EMPEROR-Preserved is a phase III randomized, international, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial in which 5988 symptomatic HFpEF patients [left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) >40%] with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have been enrolled. Patients were required to have elevated N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentrations (i.e. >300?pg/mL in patients without and >900?pg/mL in patients with atrial fibrillation) along with evidence of structural changes in the heart or documented history of heart failure hospitalization. Among patients enrolled from various regions (45% Europe, 11% Asia, 25% Latin America, 12% North America), the mean age was 72?±?9?years, 45% were women. Almost all patients had New York Heart Association class II or III symptoms (99.6%), and 23% had prior heart failure hospitalization within 12?months. Thirty-three percent of the patients had baseline LVEF of 41-50%. The mean LVEF (54?±?9%) was slightly lower while the median NT-proBNP [974 (499-1731) pg/mL] was higher compared with previous HFpEF trials. Presence of comorbidities such as diabetes (49%) and chronic kidney disease (50%) were common. The majority of the patients were on angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers/angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors (80%) and beta-blockers (86%), and 37% of patients were on mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. CONCLUSION: When compared with prior trials in HFpEF, the EMPEROR-Preserved cohort has a somewhat higher burden of comorbidities, lower LVEF, higher median NT-proBNP and greater use of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists at baseline. Results of the EMPEROR-Preserved trial will be available in 2021

Empagliflozin in Heart Failure with a Preserved Ejection Fraction.

BACKGROUND: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors reduce the risk of hospitalization for heart failure in patients with heart failure and a reduced ejection fraction, but their effects in patients with heart failure and a preserved ejection fraction are uncertain. METHODS: In this double-blind trial, we randomly assigned 5988 patients with class II-IV heart failure and an ejection fraction of more than 40% to receive empagliflozin (10 mg once daily) or placebo, in addition to usual therapy. The primary outcome was a composite of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure. RESULTS: Over a median of 26.2 months, a primary outcome event occurred in 415 of 2997 patients (13.8%) in the empagliflozin group and in 511 of 2991 patients (17.1%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.69 to 0.90; P<0.001). This effect was mainly related to a lower risk of hospitalization for heart failure in the empagliflozin group. The effects of empagliflozin appeared consistent in patients with or without diabetes. The total number of hospitalizations for heart failure was lower in the empagliflozin group than in the placebo group (407 with empagliflozin and 541 with placebo; hazard ratio, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.61 to 0.88; P<0.001). Uncomplicated genital and urinary tract infections and hypotension were reported more frequently with empagliflozin. CONCLUSIONS: Empagliflozin reduced the combined risk of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure in patients with heart failure and a preserved ejection fraction, regardless of the presence or absence of diabetes. (Funded by Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly; EMPEROR-Preserved ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03057951)

Assessment of associations between hypoglycemia and cardiovascular outcomes in the randomized CARMELINA and CAROLINA trials of the antihyperglycemic medication linagliptin

Introduction: Bidirectional associations between hypoglycemia and cardiovascular (CV) outcomes were evaluated in 2 CV outcome trials of the DPP-4 inhibitor, linagliptin. Methods: CARMELINA and CAROLINA trials evaluated CV outcomes with linagliptin vs placebo or glimepiride, respectively, in adults with type 2 DM at high CV ± kidney risk; of the 2, CARMELINA was longer duration/higher risk cohort. The primary outcome for both trials was CV death, myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke (3P-MACE), with heart failure (HHF) added to the primary outcome for the present analyses. Hypoglycemia was defined as plasma glucose <54 mg/dL; severe hypoglycemia defined as needing external help. Associations between the first hypoglycemic episode and subsequent CV events, and conversely, between non-fatal CV events (MI, stroke, HHF) and subsequent hypoglycemic episodes, were assessed using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. Sensitivity analyses explored the risk of CV events within 60 days after each hypoglycemic episode. Results: In CARMELINA, there was an association between hypoglycemia and subsequent 3P-MACE + HHF (adjusted HR: 1.23; 95% CI 1.04-1.46), and between non-fatal CV events and subsequent hypoglycemia (adjusted HR: 1.39; 95% CI 1.06-1.83). In CAROLINA, there was no significant association between hypoglycemia and subsequent 3P-MACE + HHF (adjusted HR: 1.00; 95% CI 0.76-1.32), nor between non-fatal CV events and subsequent hypoglycemia (adjusted HR: 1.44; 95% CI 0.96-2.16) (Fig). In analyses of CV events occurring within 60 days after hypoglycemia, in both trials, there was either no association observed or too few events to analyze. Conclusion: The observed bidirectional associations between hypoglycemia and CV outcomes in CARMELINA and no significant associations in CAROLINA challenge the notion that hypoglycemia causes adverse CV events, but rather suggest that both hypoglycemia and CV events identify vulnerable patients at risk for both

Effect of Empagliflozin on Worsening Heart Failure Events in Patients with Heart Failure and a Preserved Ejection Fraction: The EMPEROR-Preserved Trial

International audienceBackground: Empagliflozin reduces the risk of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure in patients with heart failure and a preserved ejection fraction, but additional data are needed about its effect on inpatient and outpatient heart failure events. Methods: We randomly assigned 5988 patients with class II-IV heart failure with an ejection fraction of >40% to double-blind treatment with placebo or empagliflozin (10 mg once daily), in addition to usual therapy, for a median of 26 months. We prospectively collected information on inpatient and outpatient events reflecting worsening heart failure and prespecified their analysis in individual and composite endpoints. Results: Empagliflozin reduced the combined risk of cardiovascular death, hospitalization for heart failure or an emergent/urgent heart failure visit requiring intravenous treatment (432 vs 546 patients; empagliflozin vs placebo, respectively; hazard ratio 0.77, 95% CI: 0.67-0.87), P 40-<50% and 50-<60%, but was attenuated at higher ejection fractions. Conclusions: In patients with heart failure and a preserved ejection fraction, empagliflozin produced a meaningful, early and sustained reduction in the risk and severity of a broad range of inpatient and outpatient worsening heart failure events

Empagliflozin for Heart Failure With Preserved Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction With and Without Diabetes

International audienceBackground: Empagliflozin improves outcomes in patients with heart failure with a preserved ejection fraction, but whether the effects are consistent in patients with and without diabetes remains to be elucidated. Methods: Patients with class II through IV heart failure and a left ventricular ejection fraction >40% were randomized to receive empagliflozin 10 mg or placebo in addition to usual therapy. We undertook a prespecified analysis comparing the effects of empagliflozin versus placebo in patients with and without diabetes. Results: Of the 5988 patients enrolled, 2938 (49%) had diabetes. The risk of the primary outcome (first hospitalization for heart failure or cardiovascular death), total hospitalizations for heart failure, and estimated glomerular filtration rate decline was higher in patients with diabetes. Empagliflozin reduced the rate of the primary outcome irrespective of diabetes status (hazard ratio, 0.79 [95% CI, 0.67, 0.94] for patients with diabetes versus hazard ratio, 0.78 [95% CI, 0.64, 0.95] in patients without diabetes; P interaction =0.92). The effect of empagliflozin to reduce total hospitalizations for heart failure was also consistent in patients with and without diabetes. The effect of empagliflozin to attenuate estimated glomerular filtration rate decline during double-blind treatment was also present in patients with and without diabetes, although more pronounced in patients with diabetes (1.77 in diabetes versus 0.98 mL/min/1.73m 2 in patients without diabetes; P interaction =0.01). Across these 3 end points, the effect of empagliflozin did not differ in patients with prediabetes or normoglycemia (33% and 18% of the patient population, respectively). When investigated as a continuous variable, baseline hemoglobin A1c did not modify the effects on the primary outcome ( P interaction =0.26). There was no increased risk of hypoglycemic events in either subgroup as compared with placebo. Conclusions: In patients with heart failure and a preserved ejection fraction enrolled in the EMPEROR-Preserved (Empagliflozin Outcome Trial in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction), empagliflozin significantly reduced the risk of heart failure outcomes irrespective of diabetes status at baseline. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT03057951