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Updated: Jan 27, 2026
Lumped-Parameter and Finite Element Modeling of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction
Published on: February 13, 2021
Sacubitril/valsartan improves both functional and echocardiographic parameters in patients with chronic heart failure
Eugenio Roberto Cosentino1, Daniela Degli Esposti1, Rinaldo Miceli1
1a Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Department , University Hospital of Bologna , Bologna , Italy.
Insights
Sacubitril/valsartan effectively improved heart failure (HF) management in ambulatory patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Treatment led to significant clinical and echocardiographic improvements over six months.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) remains a significant clinical challenge.
- Ambulatory patients with HFrEF often require optimized therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical efficacy of sacubitril/valsartan in ambulatory HFrEF patients.
- To assess the impact of sacubitril/valsartan on clinical and echocardiographic parameters.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 29 ambulatory HFrEF patients (NYHA classes II-III) was treated with sacubitril/valsartan.
- Clinical and echocardiographic parameters were assessed at baseline and after 6 months.
Main Results:
- Significant improvements were observed in ejection fraction (EF), ventricular volumes, and atrial dimensions.
- NYHA functional class improved, with only one patient remaining in NYHA class III.
- No hospitalizations for HF or other causes, and no deaths occurred during the 6-month follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Sacubitril/valsartan demonstrated effectiveness in improving HF management in HFrEF patients.
- The angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) showed benefits from both clinical and echocardiographic perspectives.
Objective:
We evaluated the clinical efficacy of sacubitril/valsartan in a group of ambulatory patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) referred to our HF clinic.
Methods:
Patients (n = 29; 72% males; mean age 76 years) with HFrEF in New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes II-III were included in the present study. We evaluated clinical as well as echocardiographic parameters (e.g. haemodynamics, such as blood pressure and heart rate, metabolic status, echocardiographic ventricular volumes and ejection fraction [EF]), at baseline and after 6 months of treatment with sacubitril/valsartan.
Results:
After 6 months of sacubitril/valsartan treatment, several parameters were significantly improved. For example, EF and ventricular volumes (both diastolic and systolic) and atrial dimensions, as well as NYHA functional class (only 1 patient was still in NYHA class III) and renal impairment improved. There was no hospitalization for HF or other causes during the 6 month follow-up and no patient died.
Conclusions:
Based on our real-life experience, in HFrEF patients with NYHA class II-III, the new angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNi) sacubitril/valsartan was effective in improving HF management, both from the clinical and the echocardiographic perspective.
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