Sacubitril/valsartan reversal of left ventricular remodeling is associated with improved hemodynamics in resistant hypertension.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Sacubitril/valsartan (S/V) has been shown to be an effective antihypertensive drug combination. However, its therapeutic effects on blood pressure (BP), hemodynamics, and left ventricular (LV) remodeling in resistant hypertension (RHTN) remain unclear. METHODS: Eighty-six patients completed this self-control study, during which olmesartan was administered within the first 8 weeks (phase 1), followed by S/V within the second 8 weeks (phase 2), with nifedipine and hydrochlorothiazide taken as background medications. Office BP, echocardiography, and hemodynamics assessment using impedance cardiography were performed at baseline and at the eighth and sixteenth weeks. RESULTS: The reduction in office BP was larger in phase 2 than in phase 1 (19.59/11.66 mmHg vs. 2.88/1.15 mmHg). Furthermore, the treatment in phase 2 provided greater reductions in systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) and thoracic blood saturation ratio (TBR), with differences between the two phases of -226.59 (-1212.80 to 509.55) dyn·s/cm5/m2 and -0.02 (-0.04 to 0.02). Switching from olmesartan to S/V also significantly reduced E/E', LV mass index, LV end-diastolic volume index, and LV end-systolic volume index (all P < 0.05). Decreases in arterial stiffness, SVRI, and TBR were correlated with changes in indicators of LV remodeling (all P < 0.05). This correlation persisted even after adjusting for confounders including changes in BP. CONCLUSIONS: Switching from olmesartan to S/V effectively lowered BP and reversed ventricular remodeling in RHTN. In addition, hemodynamic improvement was also observed. Changes in hemodynamics played an important role in reversing LV remodeling of S/V, and were independent of its antihypertensive effect.