Safety and Efficacy of the Combination of Sacubitril/Valsartan and SGLT2i in HFrEF Patients (SECSI Registry).

ABSTRACT: Recent studies have proven benefit of SGLT2i drugs in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), but their safety when combined with angiotensin-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) has not been established. The Safety and Efficacy of the Combination of Sacubitril/Valsartan and SGLT2i in HFrEF Patients registry was conducted to address this issue. SECSI registry is a consecutive, observational, retrospective, multicentre study conducted in 3 Heart Failure Units in Spain. It included 144 HFrEF patients who were treated with ARNI and iSGLT2. Data were collected at baseline, month 2, and month 6. The primary endpoint was the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), after the initiation of ARNI and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i). Secondary endpoints included potassium levels and functional class (New York Heart Association class). There were 3 prespecified subgroup analyses: Elderly patients (≥70 years), patients with chronic kidney disease (KDIGO classification G3), and the sequence of drug initiation. Mean age was 69.9 ± 10.1 years, and 110 (76.4%) were men. Left ventricular ejection fraction was 32 ± 7.8%, and most patients were symptomatic [123 (87.2%) New York Heart Association II/III/IV]. eGFR decreased at month 2 and this trend was maintained at month 6 [eGFR baseline 68.5 ± 17.3, month 2 62 ± 19.7 and month 6 64.7 ± 8.6 mL/min/1.73 m2 (P < 0.01 for both)]. In prespecified analysis, elder patients and those who simultaneously initiate both treatments showed the steeper decrease in eGFR. To conclude, co-administration of SGLT2i and ARNI in routine care in HFrEF patients produced a slight decrease in eGFR at 6 months of follow-up. This decrease was especially significant in elder patients and those who initiate both drugs simultaneously.

Evolution of functional class, biochemical and echocardiographic parameters and clinical outcomes after sacubitril/valsartan initiation in daily practice.

Aim: To analyze the impact of sacubitril/valsartan on functional class, surrogate parameters and clinical outcomes in clinical practice. Methods: Retrospective study of patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction that started treatment with sacubitril/valsartan. Results: 149 patients (70.7 ± 9.6 years) were included. At baseline, 83.9, 15.4 and 0.7% were taking sacubitril/valsartan 24/26, 49/51 and 97/103 mg, respectively. After 316.1 ± 155.9 days, these numbers moved to 38.9, 39.6, 12.8% (8.7% discontinued). Sacubitril/valsartan improved functional class (from 2.3 ± 0.6 to 1.8 ± 0.5; p < 0.001), increased ejection fraction (from 31.2 ± 7.0 to 37.3 ± 10.5%; p < 0.001) and reduced NT-proBNP (from 3884 ± 4871 to 1975.3 ± 3006.6 pg/ml; p = 0.0001). Rates of any event, cardiovascular death and heart failure hospitalization/decompensation were 13.2 events/100 patient-years. Conclusion: Sacubitril/valsartan is effective and safe in routine practice.

Aneurismas coronarios gigantes en lactantes con enfermedad de Kawasaki / Giant coronary aneurysms in infants with Kawasaki disease

Introducción: La enfermedad de Kawasaki (EK) es una vasculitis aguda de causa desconocida, predominante en el sexo masculino. Los efectos de la enfermedad a largo plazo dependen de la existencia de lesiones coronarias -aneurismas-, siendo el pronóstico de los pacientes con aneurismas gigantes sombrío, ya que en su evolución natural pueden presentar trombosis coronaria o lesiones obstructivas severas. Objetivos: Describimos las características de una serie de 8 pacientes lactantes con EK y severa afectación coronaria. Se describen la epidemiología y los métodos diagnósticos, y se revisa el tratamiento de la fase aguda, así como las secuelas cardiovasculares a largo plazo. Métodos: Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de pacientes ingresados en el Servicio de Cardiología Pediátrica del Hospital Universitario La Fe (Valencia) por EK con afectación coronaria. Resultados: En todos los casos se objetivó la afectación de más de una arteria. El diagnóstico se instauró precozmente en solo 2 casos, a pesar de ello, ningún paciente presentó deterioro grave de la función ventricular durante la fase aguda. El tratamiento incluyó gammaglobulina por vía intravenosa y ácido acetilsalicílico en dosis antiinflamatorias durante la fase aguda. En los casos de trombosis coronaria se asociaron doble antiagregación y corticoides. Las lesiones aneurismáticas silentes persisten hasta el momento actual. Conclusiones: La EK es la causa más común de enfermedad cardiaca adquirida en niños. El retraso en el diagnóstico se asocia a mayor frecuencia de lesiones coronarias, que podrían incrementar el riesgo de eventos cardiovasculares en la edad adulta, precisando este subgrupo un seguimiento clínico estrecho con control de los factores de riesgo cardiovascular a largo plazo (AU)

Introduction: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute vasculitis of unknown origin and predominant in males. The long-term effects of the disease depend on whether there are coronary lesions, particularly aneurysms. The prognosis of patients with giant aneurysms is very poor due to their natural progression to coronary thrombosis or severe obstructive lesions. Objectives: A series of 8 cases is presented where the epidemiology and diagnostic methods are described. The treatment of the acute and long-term cardiovascular sequelae is also reviewed. Methods: A descriptive analysis was conducted on patients admitted to the Paediatric Cardiology Unit of La Fe University Hospital (Valencia) with KD and a coronary lesion. Results: More than one artery was involved in all patients. Although early diagnosis was established in only two cases, none of the patients had severe impairment of ventricular function during the acute phase. Treatment included intravenous gammaglobulin and acetylsalicylic acid at anti-inflammatory doses during the acute phase. A combination of dual antiplatelet therapy and corticosteroids was given in cases of coronary thrombosis. The silent aneurysms continue to persist. Conclusions: KD is the most common cause of acquired heart disease in children. The delay in diagnosis is associated with a greater likelihood of coronary lesions that could increase the risk of cardiovascular events in adulthood. Thus, this subgroup requires close clinical monitoring for a better control of cardiovascular risk factors over time (AU)

[Giant coronary aneurysms in infants with Kawasaki disease]. / Aneurismas coronarios gigantes en lactantes con enfermedad de Kawasaki.

INTRODUCTION: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute vasculitis of unknown origin and predominant in males. The long-term effects of the disease depend on whether there are coronary lesions, particularly aneurysms. The prognosis of patients with giant aneurysms is very poor due to their natural progression to coronary thrombosis or severe obstructive lesions. OBJECTIVES: A series of 8 cases is presented where the epidemiology and diagnostic methods are described. The treatment of the acute and long-term cardiovascular sequelae is also reviewed. METHODS: A descriptive analysis was conducted on patients admitted to the Paediatric Cardiology Unit of La Fe University Hospital (Valencia) with KD and a coronary lesion. RESULTS: More than one artery was involved in all patients. Although early diagnosis was established in only two cases, none of the patients had severe impairment of ventricular function during the acute phase. Treatment included intravenous gammaglobulin and acetylsalicylic acid at anti-inflammatory doses during the acute phase. A combination of dual antiplatelet therapy and corticosteroids was given in cases of coronary thrombosis. The silent aneurysms continue to persist. CONCLUSIONS: KD is the most common cause of acquired heart disease in children. The delay in diagnosis is associated with a greater likelihood of coronary lesions that could increase the risk of cardiovascular events in adulthood. Thus, this subgroup requires close clinical monitoring for a better control of cardiovascular risk factors over time.