Association of Angiotensin Receptor-Neprilysin Inhibitors Use and Better Cardiorenal Outcomes in Patients With Heart Failure and Acute Kidney Disease.

Abstract

Purpose: Angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors (ARNi) have been shown to improve cardiovascular outcomes in heart failure (HF) patients. However, their impact on HF patients with concurrent acute kidney disease (AKD) remains underexplored. This study investigated the outcomes of ARNi compared to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) in HF patients with AKD.

Methods: The study included 20,009 hospitalized HF and AKD patients who underwent dialysis during hospitalization, recovered from dialysis within 90 days after discharge, and were followed until November 30, 2022, using data from TriNetX. The study period began in July 2015, coinciding with the availability of ARNi in the market. Propensity score matching (1:1) was applied to balance ARNi and ACEi groups. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to assess the risks of mortality, major adverse kidney events (MAKE), readmission and major adverse cardiac events (MACE). The follow-up period was conducted with a maximum duration of 5 years.

Results: A total of 20,009 AKD patients (mean [SD] age, 59.1 [12.2] years) were enrolled, of whom 21.9% received ARNi, with a median follow-up of 2.3 years. After matching, 4391 patients (mean age, 58.6 years; male, 67.9%) were identified in both the ARNi and control groups. ARNi users exhibited a significantly lower risk of mortality (aHR, 0.32, 95% CI 0.13-0.80, p = 0.01), MAKE (aHR, 0.58, 95% CI 0.51-0.66, p < 0.01 ), and readmission (aHR, 0.61, 95% CI 0.55-0.68, p <0.01) versus controls. However, no significant difference in the risk of MACE was observed between the two groups (aHR, 0.94, 95% CI 0.82-1.09, p = 0.78). Subgroup analysis revealed ARNi users, when concomitantly treated with mineralocorticoids, diuretics, or beta-blockers had significantly lower risks of mortality, readmission, and MAKE than the control group. In addition, ARNi significantly reduced mortality and MAKE in patients with GFR 30-60 mL/min/1.73 m², irrespective of proteinuria status. However, no significant benefit was observed in patients with GFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m².

Conclusions: In HF patients with AKD, ARNi was associated with reduced all-cause mortality, MAKE, and readmission risks compared to ACEi, particularly with concurrent mineralocorticoids, diuretics, or beta-blockers. Future research is necessary to further investigate the impact of ARNi on outcomes in patients with HF and AKD.