Abstract
Sacubitril/valsartan improves outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction. However, the relationship between longitudinal changes in natriuretic peptides and echocardiographic parameters in patients with HF treated with sacubitril/valsartan across the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) range is not fully understood.
In patients with HF treated with sacubitril/valsartan, comprehensive data on natriuretic peptides, including atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), N-terminal pro-brain-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), BNP, and echocardiography, were measured after 6 months of treatment. We assessed the change in natriuretic peptides and echocardiographic parameters in LVEF classification subgroups.
Among 49 patients, the median ANP concentration increased from 55 pg/mL at baseline to 78 pg/mL (P < 0.001). The NT-proBNP concentration decreased from 250 pg/mL to 146 pg/mL (P < 0.001). No significant change was observed in the BNP concentration (P = 0.640). The trajectories of each natriuretic peptide in patients with LVEF > 40% (n = 22) were similar to those in individuals with LVEF ≤ 40% (n = 27). Regardless of LVEF classification, echocardiography at 6 months showed a significant improvement in LVEF, left ventricular end-diastolic volume, and the ratio of early diastolic mitral inflow velocity to early diastolic mitral annulus velocity (E/e'). The reduction in natriuretic peptide concentration was related to LV reverse remodeling and decreased left and right atrial pressures assessed by E/e' and inferior vena cava diameter.
Sacubitril/valsartan induced an increase in ANP, a reduction in NT-proBNP, and no change in plasma BNP, regardless of LVEF. It caused LV reverse remodeling, and the natriuretic peptide concentration changes were associated with structural and functional echocardiographic parameters.
