Los iSGLT2 en la insuficiencia cardiaca. ¿Sus beneficios pueden extenderse a todo el espectro de la fracción de eyección? / SGLT2i in heart failure: can their benefits be expanded across the entire spectrum of ejection fraction?

La publicación del estudio EMPEROR-Preserved y la extensión del beneficio cardiovascular de los inhibidores del cotransportador de sodio-glucosa tipo 2 (iSGLT2) a pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca IC y fracción de eyección (FE)> 40% supone un importante hito en el tratamiento de la IC con FE conservada (IC-FEc). A raíz de estos resultados, en febrero de 2022 la Food and Drug Administration estadounidense aprobó el uso de la empagliflozina para el tratamiento de pacientes con IC independientemente de la FE. Sin embargo, un análisis más detallado del estudio EMPEROR-Preserved genera ciertas dudas en relación con la banda de FE más alta (> 60%). Este grupo de pacientes presenta una gran heterogeneidad y probablemente no se pueda considerar un único fenotipo para fines terapéuticos y de abordaje clínico. Además, la FE es un parámetro continuo. Por ello, no parece que una diferenciación basada en puntos de corte matemáticos concuerde con la evidencia más reciente, que apunta precisamente a un cambio más gradual en cuanto a mecanismos subyacentes, etiologías y respuesta al tratamiento a lo largo del espectro de la FE. Un mejor conocimiento de los mecanismos fisiopatológicos es fundamental para establecer nuevas dianas terapéuticas, interpretar los resultados de los ensayos clínicos y desarrollar tratamientos dirigidos y eficaces (AU)

The publication of the EMPEROR-Preserved trial and data on the benefits of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors in patients with heart failure (HF) with ejection fraction (EF)> 40% represent a significant step forward in the treatment of HF with preserved EF. Given these results, in February 2022 the US Food and Drug Administration approved the use of empaglifozin in adults with HF with reduced or preserved EF. However, more detailed analysis of the EMPEROR-Preserved trial led to doubts about the effect of empagliflozin in patients with an EF of> 60% this patient group is widely heterogeneous and, probably, a single phenotype cannot be considered in treatment goals or the clinical approach. Moreover, EF occurs on a continuum and classifications of HF according to arbitrary cut-points in EF do not appear consistent with recent evidence, which points to a gradual shift and considerable overlap in underlying mechanisms, phenotypes and treatment response over the spectrum of EF. Enhanced knowledge of pathophysiological mechanisms is essential to establish new therapeutic targets, interpret the results of clinical trials, and develop targeted and effective therapies (AU)

LDL cholesterol-lowering therapies: emphasis on proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death all over the world. Its etiopathogenesis involves many correlated processes, with hypercholesterolemia being one of the main risk factors. Several large clinical trials have established the association between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and cardiovascular events. With the aim to take control over high LDL-C levels, several drugs with different targets in the cholesterol pathway have been developed. Statins are the cornerstone of pharmacological lipid-lowering treatment, although they are not always successful in attaining the recommended LDL-C levels. Therefore, newer and more potent therapies have been developed, being prominent among them ezetimibe and especially the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors. Recent trials with these new therapies have reaffirmed the theory of 'the lower, the better' when it comes to LDL-C levels, and 'the earlier, the better' when it comes to atherosclerotic physiopathology.

Dual versus triple antithrombotic therapy: is there a role for direct oral anticoagulants in arterial thrombosis?

The number of patients receiving dual antiplatelet therapy with an additional indication for long-term oral anticoagulation has substantially increased over time. This population is facing an unacceptable risk of bleeding events, particularly among elderly individuals, who are especially vulnerable to complications. Further strategies to minimize this bleeding risk, including various drug combinations, different dosage regimens and even numerous attempts to find the appropriate duration of the treatment, have been evaluated in a multitude of randomized control trials. Moreover, the recent incorporation of the direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) to the therapeutic armamentarium may represent an alternative to treat such patients, since they have demonstrated to be noninferior to the classic vitamin K antagonists and with lower bleeding rates. The aim of this review is to summarize the most recent literature on the use of DOACs in patients with an indication for dual antiplatelet therapy (mostly subjects with coronary artery disease) and also an established indication for chronic anticoagulation (chiefly individuals with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation). The role of DOACs in ischemic heart disease alone is also discussed.