Physicians' Academy for Cardiovascular Education

ARNI therapy does not affect CV reduction by SGLT2i in HFrEF

Influence of neprilysin inhibition on the efficacy and safety of empagliflozin in patients with chronic heart failure and a reduced ejection fraction: the EMPEROR-Reduced trial

Literature - Packer M, Anker SD, Butler J, et al., - Eur Heart J. 2021 Jan 11;ehaa968.

Introduction and methods

Inhibition of neprilysin or sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) in patients with HFrEF has been shown to reduce the risk of CV death and hospitalization for HF [1-3]. Modelling analysis has suggested that the two pharmacological agents combined would substantially alleviate major CV outcomes [4]. This analysis assumed that the effects of neprilysin and SGLT2 inhibition are additive. However, it is unclear whether the beneficial effects of neprilysin and SGLT2 inhibition are truly independent of each other. This information is important for the development of clinical practice guidelines.

This subanalysis of the EMPEROR-Reduced trial evaluated the influence of the ARNI sacubitril/valsartan on the efficacy and safety of empagliflozin in patients with HFrEF.

The EMPEROR-Reduced trial was a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, event-driven trial that included patients with chronic HF (New York Heart Association [NYHA] functional class II-IV) with LVEF ≤40%. The cohort was enriched for patients with an LVEF ≤30% by requiring patients with an ejection fraction >30% to have been hospitalized for HF within 12 months, or to have increased levels of NT-proBNP (≥1000 pg/mL in those with LVEF 31-35% or ≥2500 pg/mL in those with LVEF 36-40%). These NT-proBNP inclusion levels were doubled in patients with atrial fibrillation. Patients (n=3730) were randomized (1:1) to empagliflozin 10 mg daily or placebo, in addition to their standard intensive therapy for HF. The primary endpoint was the composite of CV death or first HF hospitalization. The first secondary endpoint was total hospitalizations for HF (first and recurrent events). The second secondary endpoint was the slope of the change in eGFR during treatment, which was supported by an analysis of serious adverse renal outcomes. Additional analyses included the individual components of the primary endpoint, the intensity of treatment received during HF hospitalization, changes in the NYHA functional class and KCCQ at 52 weeks, and changes in vital signs and biomarkers. The cohort was stratified by medication prescription to assess outcomes in patients treated with empagliflozin while receiving sacubitril/valsartan.

Main results

Conclusion

The treatment efficacy of empagliflozin in patients with HFrEF were not affected by the neprilysin inhibitor sacubitril/valsartan. The combination therapy was well-tolerated and the safety profile was consistent between the empagliflozin and placebo groups in the presence or absence of an ARNI. Furthermore, concurrent treatment with a neprilysin inhibitor is expected to have an incremental effect on HF risk reduction and renal outcomes in patients with HFrEF.

The authors emphasize that efforts should be made towards developing and implementing strategies that would encourage combination therapy of both classes of drugs in a broad range of patients diagnosed with HFrEF.

References

Show references

Find this article online at Eur Heart J.

Share this page with your colleagues and friends: