Hiperpotasemia en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca en España y su impacto en las recomendaciones. Registro ESC-EORP-HFA Heart Failure Long-Term

Economic impact of the use of patiromer in chronic kidney disease or heart failure for the treatment of chronic hyperkalemia in Spain

INTRODUCTION

Chronic hyperkalemia has negative consequences in the medium and long term, and determines the suspension of nephro and cardioprotective drugs, such as renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASi). There is an alternative to the suspension or dose reduction of these treatments: the administration of potassium chelators. The aim of this study is to estimate the economic impact of the use of patiromer in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or heart failure (HF) and hyperkalemia in Spain.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

The annual economic impact of the use of patiromer has been estimated from the perspective of the Spanish society. Two scenarios were compared: patients with CKD or HF and hyperkalemia treated with and without patiromer. The costs have been updated to 2020 euros, using the Health Consumer Price Index. Direct healthcare costs related to the use of resources (treatment with RAASi, CKD progression, cardiovascular events and hospitalization due to hyperkalemia), direct non-healthcare costs (informal care: costs derived from time dedicated by patient's relatives), the indirect costs (productivity loss), as well as an intangible cost (due to premature mortality) were considered. A deterministic sensitivity analysis was performed to validate the robustness of the study results.

RESULTS

The mean annual cost per patient in the scenario without patiromer is €9,834.09 and €10,739.37 in CKD and HF, respectively. The use of patiromer would lead to cost savings of over 30% in both diseases. The greatest savings in CKD come from the delay in the progression of CKD. While in the case of HF, 80.1% of these savings come from premature mortality reduction. The sensitivity analyses carried out show the robustness of the results, obtaining savings in all cases.

CONCLUSIONS

The incorporation of patiromer allows better control of hyperkalemia and, as a consequence, maintain treatment with RAASi in patients with CKD or HF. This would generate a 32% of annual savings in Spain (€3,127 in CKD; €3,466 in HF). The results support the positive contribution of patiromer to health cost in patients with only CKD or in patients with only HF.

Optimizing Therapies in Heart Failure: The Role of Potassium Binders

Heart failure (HF) is a worrisome cardiac pandemic with a negative prognostic impact on the overall survival of individuals. International guidelines recommend up-titration of standardized therapies in order to reduce symptoms, hospitalization rates, and cardiac death. Hyperkalemia (HK) has been identified in 3–18% of HF patients from randomized controlled trials and over 25% of HF patients in the “real world” setting. Pharmacological treatments and/or cardio-renal syndrome, as well as chronic kidney disease may be responsible for HK in HF patients. These conditions can prevent the upgrade of pharmacological treatments, thus, negatively impacting on the overall prognosis of patients. Potassium binders may be the best option in patients with HK in order to reduce serum concentrations of K⁺ and to promote correct upgrades of therapies. In addition to the well-established use of sodium polystyrene sulfonate (SPS), two novel drugs have been recently introduced: sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (SZC) and patiromer. SZC and patiromer are gaining a central role for the treatment of chronic HK. SZC has been shown to reduce K⁺ levels within 48 h, with guaranteed maintenance of normokalemia for up to12 months. Patiromer has resulted in a statistically significant decrease in serum potassium for up to 52 weeks. Therefore, long-term results seemed to positively promote the implementation of these compounds in clinical practice due to their low rate side effects. The aim of this narrative review is to delineate the impact of new potassium binders in the treatment of patients with HF by providing a critical reappraisal for daily application of novel therapies for hyperkalemia in the HF setting.

Experience with the potassium binder patiromer in hyperkalaemia management in heart failure patients in real life

AIMS

Hyperkalaemia (HK) is common in heart failure (HF) patients, related to renal dysfunction and medical treatment. It limits medical therapy optimization, which impacts prognosis. New potassium (K) binders help control HK, allowing better medical management of HF.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A retrospective multicentre register included all outpatients with HF and HK (K ≥ 5.1 mEq/L) treated with patiromer according to current recommendations. We evaluated analytic and clinical parameters before starting the treatment and at 7, 30 and 90 days, as well as adverse events related to patiromer and treatment optimization. We included 74 patients (71.6% male) with a mean age of 70.8 years (SD 9.2). Sixty-seven patients (90.5%) presented HK in the previous year. Forty patients (54.1%) underwent down-titration of a renin-angiotensin-aldosterone inhibitor (RAASi) or a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA), and 27 (36.5%) stopped any of them due to HK. Initial K was 5.5 mEq/L (SD 0.6), with a significantly reduction at 7 days (4.9 mEq/L (SD 0.8); P < 0.001), maintained at 90 days (4.9 mEq/L (SD 0.8); P < 0.001). There were no other electrolyte disturbances, with a slight improvement in renal function [glomerular filtration rate 39.6 mL/min (SD 20.4) to 42.7 mL/min (SD 23.2); P = 0.005]. Adverse events were reported in 33.9% of patients, the most common being hypomagnesaemia (16.3%), gastrointestinal disturbances (14.9%) and HK (2.8%). Withdrawal of patiromer was uncommon (12.2%) due to gastrointestinal disturbances in 66.7% of cases. Nine patients (12.2%) started on a RAASi, and 15 patients (20.3%) on an MRA during the follow-up. Forty-five patients (60.8%) increased the dose of RAASi or MRA, increasing to target doses in 5.4 and 10.8% of patients, respectively. At 90 days, NTproBNP values were reduced from 2509.5 pg/mL [IQR 1311-4,249] to 1396.0 pg/mL [IQR 804-4263]; P = 0.003, but the reduction was only observed in those who optimized HF medical treatment [NTproBNP from 1950.5 pg/mL (IQR 1208-3403) to 1349.0 pg/mL (IQR 804-2609); P < 0.01]. NYHA functional class only improved in 7.5% of patients, corresponding with those who optimized HF medical treatment. Compared with the previous 3 months before patiromer treatment, the rate of hospitalization was reduced from 28.4 to 10.9% (P < 0.01), and the emergency room visits from 18.9 to 5.4% (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

In a real-life cohort of patients with HF, patiromer reduced and maintained K levels during 3 months of follow-up. The most common adverse events were hypomagnesaemia and gastrointestinal disturbances. Patiromer helps optimize medical treatment, increasing the percentage of patients treated with RAASi and MRA at target doses. At the end of follow-up, natriuretic peptides values and hospital visits were reduced, suggesting the benefit of optimizing HF medical treatment.

Prevalence, Incidence, and Outcomes of Hyperkalaemia in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure and Reduced Ejection Fraction from a Spanish Multicentre Study: SPANIK-HF Design and Baseline Characteristics

Hyperkalaemia is a growing concern in the treatment of patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) as it limits the use of some prognostic-modifying drugs and has a negative impact on prognosis. The objective of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of hyperkalaemia in outpatients with HFrEF and its impact on achieving optimal medical treatment. For this purpose, a multicentre, prospective, and observational study was carried out on consecutive HFrEF patients who were monitored as outpatients in heart failure (HF) units and who, in the opinion of their doctor, received optimal medical treatment. A total of 565 HFrEF patients were included from 16 specialised HF units. The mean age was 66 ± 12 years, 78% were male, 45% had an ischemic cause, 39% had atrial fibrillation, 43% were diabetic, 42% had a glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min/1.7 m2, and the mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 31 ± 7%. Treatment at the study entry included: 76% on diuretics, 13% on ivabradine, 7% on digoxin, 18.9% on angiotensin-conversing enzyme inhibitors (ACEi), 11.3% on angiotensin receptors blockers (ARBs), 63.8% on angiotensin-neprilysin inhibitors (ARNi), 78.5% on mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and 92.9% on beta-blockers. Potassium levels in the baseline analysis were: ≤5 mEq/L = 80.5%, 5.1−5.4 mEq/L = 13.8%, 5.5−5.9 mEq/L = 4.6%, and ≥6 mEq/L = 1.06%. Hyperkalaemia was the reason for not prescribing or reaching the target dose of an MRAs in 34.8% and 12.5% of patients, respectively. The impact of hyperkalaemia on not prescribing or dropping below the target dose in relation to ACEi, ARBs, and ARNi was significantly less. In conclusion, hyperkalaemia is a frequent problem in the management of patients with HFrEF and a limiting factor in the optimisation of medical treatment.

Hyperkalaemia management and related costs in chronic kidney disease patients with comorbidities in Spain

BACKGROUND

Hyperkalaemia (HK) is a common electrolyte disorder in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and/or treated with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASis). The aim of this study is to determine the severity, current management and cost of chronic HK.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients with chronic HK and CKD, heart failure or diabetes mellitus between 2011 and 2018. The study follow-up was 36 months.

RESULTS

A total of 1499 patients with chronic HK were analysed: 66.2% presented with mild HK, 23.4% with moderate HK and 10.4% with severe HK. The severity was associated with CKD stage. Most patients (70.4%) were on RAASi therapies, which were frequently discontinued (discontinuation rate was 39.8, 49.8 and 51.8% in mild, moderate and severe HK, respectively). This RAASi discontinuation was similar with or without resin prescription. Overall, ion-exchange resins were prescribed to 42.5% of patients with HK and prescriptions were related to the severity of HK, being 90% for severe HK. Adherence to resin treatment was very low (36.8% in the first year and 17.5% in the third year) and potassium remained elevated in most patients with severe HK. The annual healthcare cost per patient with HK was €5929, reaching €12 705 in severe HK. Costs related to HK represent 31.9% of the annual cost per HK patient and 58.8% of the specialized care cost.

CONCLUSIONS

HK was usually managed by RAASi discontinuation and ion-exchange resin treatment. Most patients with HK were non-adherent to resins and those with severe HK remained with high potassium levels, despite bearing elevated healthcare expenditures.

Prognostic implications of hypo and hyperkalaemia in acute heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Analysis of cardiovascular mortality and hospital readmissions

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Potassium alterations constitute a major clinical problem in decompensated heart failure (HF). This study aims to assess the prognostic implications of hypo and hyperkalaemia on admission for acute HF in cardiovascular mortality and hospital readmissions.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

From January 2016 to June 2020, 1,397 cases with a diagnosis of acute HF were admitted. Admission programmed for study, elective therapies, and patients with LVEF> 40% were excluded. The study was carried out on 689 patients, 45 with K⁺ <3.5 mmol/L, 49K ⁺>5.0 mmol/L and 595K+3.5-5.0 mmol/L. Medical history, baseline clinical profile, drug therapy, and potassium levels obtained upon admission were analysed.

RESULTS

Annual mortality due to hypokalaemia (K+<3.5mmol/L) was 37.8% (HR 2.4; 95% CI: 1.3-4.7; P<.007); for hyperkalaemia 40.8% (HR: 1.9; 95% CI: 0.98-3.51; P<.055). Creatinine level and age were variables associated with mortality in both the hyperkalaemic and hypokalaemic cohorts. Hospital readmissions did not show statistical association with these electrolyte disorders.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients admitted for decompensated HF, both hyperkalaemia and hypokalaemia determined at admission have a negative prognostic impact on survival. Creatinine and age are other independent factors associated with mortality. The effect on the probability of hospital readmission at one year is not demonstrated in this study.

Patient profiling in heart failure for tailoring medical therapy. A consensus document of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology

Despite guideline recommendations and available evidence, implementation of treatment in heart failure (HF) is poor. The majority of patients are not prescribed drugs at target doses that have been proven to positively impact morbidity and mortality. Among others, tolerability issues related to low blood pressure, heart rate, impaired renal function or hyperkalaemia are responsible. Chronic kidney disease plays an important role as it affects up to 50% of patients with HF. Also, dynamic changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate may occur during the course of HF, resulting in inappropriate dose reduction or even discontinuation of decongestive or neurohormonal modulating therapy in clinical practice. As patients with HF are rarely naïve to pharmacologic therapies, the challenge is to adequately prioritize or select the most appropriate up-titration schedule according to patient profile. In this consensus document, we identified nine patient profiles that may be relevant for treatment implementation in HF patients with a reduced ejection fraction. These profiles take into account heart rate (<60 bpm or >70 bpm), the presence of atrial fibrillation, symptomatic low blood pressure, estimated glomerular filtration rate (<30 or >30 mL/min/1.73 m² ) or hyperkalaemia. The pre-discharge patient, frequently still congestive, is also addressed. A personalized approach, adjusting guideline-directed medical therapy to patient profile, may allow to achieve a better and more comprehensive therapy for each individual patient than the more traditional, forced titration of each drug class before initiating treatment with the next.

Impact on clinical outcomes and health costs of deranged potassium levels in patients with chronic cardiovascular, metabolic, and renal conditions

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Potassium derangements are frequent among patients with chronic cardiovascular conditions. Studies on the associations between potassium derangements and clinical outcomes have yielded mixed findings, and the implications for health care expenditure are unknown. We assessed the population-based associations between hyperkalemia, hypokalemia and clinical outcomes and health care costs, in patients with chronic heart failure, chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease.

METHODS

Population-based, longitudinal study including up to 36 269 patients from a health care area with at least one of the above-mentioned conditions. We used administrative, hospital and primary care databases. Participants were followed up between 2015 and 2017, were aged ≥ 55 years and had at least 1 potassium measurement. Four analytic designs were used to evaluate prevalent and incident cases and the use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors.

RESULTS

Hyperkalemia was twice as frequent as hypokalemia. On multivariable-adjusted analyses, hyperkalemia was robustly and significantly associated with an increased risk of all-cause death (HR from Cox regression models ranging from 1.31-1.68) and with an increased odds of a yearly health care expenditure >85th percentile (OR, 1.21-1.29). Associations were even stronger in hypokalemic patients (HR for all-cause death, 1.92-2.60; OR for health care expenditure> percentile 85th, 1.81-1.85).

CONCLUSIONS

Experimental studies are needed to confirm whether the prevention of potassium derangements reduces mortality and health care expenditure in these chronic conditions. Until then, our findings provide observational evidence on the potential importance of maintaining normal potassium levels.

Estimated Population Prevalence of Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction in Spain, According to DAPA-HF Study Criteria

Heart failure (HF) is one of the main causes of morbidity, mortality, and high healthcare costs. Dapagliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, reduced cardiovascular mortality and hospitalization for HF compared to placebo in patients with chronic HF, and reduced ejection fraction (EF) in the Dapagliflozin and Prevention of Adverse Outcomes in Heart Failure (DAPA-HF) study. Our aim was to estimate the number of patients with DAPA-HF characteristics in Spain. Our literature review identified epidemiological studies whose objective was to quantify the prevalence of HF and its comorbidities in Spain. We estimated the prevalence of HF with reduced EF, of New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class II–IV, and with a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) ≥ 30 mL/min/1.73 m². In this population, we analysed the prevalence of diabetes using data from the REDINSCOR (Spanish Network for Heart Failure) registry. Our estimations indicate there are 594,684 patients ≥45 years old with HF in Spain (2.6% of this population age group), of which 52.4%, 84.0%, and 93.9% have reduced EF, are NYHA II–IV, and have a GFR ≥ 30 mL/min/1.73 m², respectively. By our calculations, approximately 245,789 Spanish patients would meet the DAPA-HF patient profile, and therefore could benefit from the protective cardiovascular effects of dapagliflozin.