Prognosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction treated with β-blockers: A propensity matched study in

Gema Ruiz1, Jose L Andrey1, Jose L Puerto1

  • 1Department of Medicine, Hospital Universitario Puerto Real, University of Cadiz, School of Medicine, Spain.

Insights

Starting treatment with bisoprolol or carvedilol improves outcomes for patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). This beta-blocker therapy was linked to reduced mortality and hospitalizations in a large, long-term study.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • The prognostic impact of beta-blocker therapy in newly diagnosed heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remains unclear.
  • Existing research has not definitively established the benefits of specific beta-blockers for HFpEF patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between initiating treatment with bisoprolol or carvedilol (CT-βB) and the prognosis of patients newly diagnosed with HFpEF.
  • To analyze the long-term effects of CT-βB on mortality and hospitalization rates in this patient population.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective, 10-year study involving 2704 patients diagnosed with HFpEF.
  • Propensity score-matching was employed to compare 985 patients on CT-βB with 985 patients not on CT-βB, adjusting for cardiovascular comorbidities.
  • Primary outcomes included all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, and hospitalizations for HF worsening.

Main Results:

  • Commencing CT-βB was associated with a significantly lower risk of all-cause mortality (HR 0.78) and cardiovascular mortality (HR 0.75).
  • Patients on CT-βB experienced lower hospitalization rates (15.8 vs. 19.2 per 100 person-years) and 30-day readmission rates (4.0 vs. 5.8 per 100 person-years).
  • These benefits were observed regardless of beta-blocker dosage, gender, or other confounding factors.

Conclusions:

  • Initiating treatment with bisoprolol or carvedilol is associated with an improved prognosis in patients newly diagnosed with HFpEF.
  • Both high and lower doses of these beta-blockers demonstrated a positive impact on patient outcomes.
  • The findings support the use of bisoprolol and carvedilol in managing newly diagnosed HFpEF.
Abstract

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