Sex differences in response to chronic heart failure therapies

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Published on: July 21, 2023

Jalal K Ghali1, JoAnn Lindenfeld

  • 1University Health Care Center, Wayne State University, 4201 St. Antoine, 2E, Detroit, MI 48201, USA. jghali@med.wayne.edu

Expert Review of Cardiovascular Therapy
|April 12, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Sex differences exist in heart failure, but therapies are often based on male-dominant studies. While most treatments apply to both sexes, further research is needed to confirm benefits, especially for women.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Clinical Medicine
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Sex-related differences in heart failure characteristics, prognosis, and treatment are increasingly recognized.
  • Current heart failure therapy guidelines are largely derived from studies with predominantly male participants.
  • This raises concerns about the generalizability of treatment recommendations to female patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the existing literature on sex differences in heart failure.
  • To evaluate the applicability of current pharmacological and device therapies to both men and women.
  • To identify potential sex-specific benefits or risks of heart failure medications.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of existing clinical trials and observational studies on heart failure.
  • Analysis of data stratified by sex to identify differences in treatment response.
  • Evaluation of evidence for sex-specific efficacy of angiotensin receptor blockers and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors.

Main Results:

  • Most heart failure therapies are recommended similarly for men and women.
  • Women may experience greater benefits from angiotensin receptor blockers.
  • Men may experience greater benefits from angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors.

Conclusions:

  • Current heart failure treatment guidelines appear applicable to both sexes, but potential sex-specific nuances exist.
  • Further research with adequate female representation is crucial to fully understand treatment efficacy and safety in women.
  • Future clinical trials should prioritize inclusion of women to ensure evidence-based care for all patients.

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