Impact of sacubitril/valsartan on atrial fibrillation burden in heart failure: a retrospective observational study

Background

Sacubitril/valsartan (an angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors [ARNI]) might improve atrial fibrillation (AF) condition, but its added value remains controversial.

Aim

We aimed to analyse the effect of ARNI on AF burden.

Method

We conducted a single-centre, retrospective self-controlled study in a tertiary centre. Data were retrieved from January 2019–January 2023. All cardiac resynchronisation therapy-implantable cardioverter defibrillator (CRT-D) carriers on ARNI were included if implantation had been at least 3 months before drug initiation. Proarrhythmic events, equal time length control (before ARNI initiation), and exposure (after ARNI initiation) periods were defined. Echocardiographic data were retrieved if they were up to 1 year old before ARNI initiation and if they were available 3 months to 1 year after initiation. AF burden was defined by frequency and median value of paroxysmal events and the overall variation in AF status was determined. Ethical approval was granted by the Ethics Committee of the Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra (Reference no: PI OBS.SF.174-2022) and the study conforms with the Declaration of Helsinki.

Results

Seventy-two patients were included in the study (73.3% men). After ARNI, there was a reduction in New York Heart Association functional class ± standard deviation (2.00 ± 0.75 to 1.85 ± 0.61, p = 0.043) and an increase in left ventricular ejection fraction ± standard deviation (from 31.67% ± 9.28% vs 37.33% ± 14.49%, p = 0.027). Before ARNI initiation, 34 patients did not have AF, 19 had paroxysmal AF, 15 had permanent AF, and 2 had persistent AF. The total amount of AF episodes (91 vs 44, p = 0.808) and median paroxysmal episodes (among those with paroxysmal AF or no AF) (5 vs 3, p = 0.121) were numerically reduced after ARNI initiation, though variation was not statistically significant. No differences were found as well regarding ventricular arrhythmias or device therapies.

Conclusion

ARNI did not significantly decrease the number of AF paroxysmal episodes or median number of paroxysmal events per patient. Even though ARNI may have a positive impact on AF burden of heart failure patients, larger studies are needed to provide unequivocal evidence.