Participation in a Heart Failure Clinical Trial: Perspectives and Opportunities From the VICTORIA Trial and VICTORIA Simultaneous Registry

Burden from Study Questionnaire on Patient Fatigue in Qualitative Congestive Heart Failure Research

Mixed methods research forms the backbone of translational research methodologies. Qualitative research and subjective data lead to hypothesis generation and ideas that are then proven via quantitative methodologies and gathering objective data. In this vein, clinical trials that generate subjective data may have limitations, when they are not followed through with quantitative data, in terms of their ability to be considered gold standard evidence and inform guidelines and clinical management. However, since many research methods utilise qualitative tools, an initial factor is that such tools can create a burden on patients and researchers. In addition, the quantity of data and its storage contributes to noise and quality issues for its primary and post hoc use. This paper discusses the issue of the burden of subjective data collected and fatigue in the context of congestive heart failure (CHF) research. The CHF population has a high baseline morbidity, so no doubt the focus should be on the content; however, the lengths of the instruments are a product of their vigorous validation processes. Nonetheless, as an important source of hypothesis generation, if a choice of follow-up qualitative assessment is required for a clinical trial, shorter versions of the questionnaire should be used, without compromising the data collection requirements; otherwise, we need to invest in this area and find suitable solutions.

The different risk of new-onset, chronic, worsening, and advanced heart failure: A systematic review and meta-regression analysis

AIMS

Heart failure (HF) is a chronic and progressive syndrome associated with a poor prognosis. While it may seem intuitive that the risk of adverse outcomes varies across the different stages of HF, an overview of these risks is lacking. This study aims to determine the risk of all-cause mortality and HF hospitalizations associated with new-onset HF, chronic HF (CHF), worsening HF (WHF), and advanced HF.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We performed a systematic review of observational studies from 2012 to 2022 using five different databases. The primary outcomes were 30-day and 1-year all-cause mortality, as well as 1-year HF hospitalization. Studies were pooled using random effects meta-analysis, and mixed-effects meta-regression was used to compare the different HF groups. Among the 15 759 studies screened, 66 were included representing 862 046 HF patients. Pooled 30-day mortality rates did not reveal a significant distinction between hospital-admitted patients, with rates of 10.13% for new-onset HF and 8.11% for WHF (p = 0.10). However, the 1-year mortality risk differed and increased stepwise from CHF to advanced HF, with a rate of 8.47% (95% confidence interval [CI] 7.24-9.89) for CHF, 21.15% (95% CI 17.78-24.95) for new-onset HF, 26.84% (95% CI 23.74-30.19) for WHF, and 29.74% (95% CI 24.15-36.10) for advanced HF. Readmission rates for HF at 1 year followed a similar trend.

CONCLUSIONS

Our meta-analysis of observational studies confirms the different risk for adverse outcomes across the distinct HF stages. Moreover, it emphasizes the negative prognostic value of WHF as the first progressive stage from CHF towards advanced HF.

Sex-based differences in left ventricular assist device clinical outcomes

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) continues to be a significant public health issue, posing a heightened risk of morbidity and mortality for both genders. Despite the widespread use of left ventricular assist device (LVAD), the influence of gender differences on clinical outcomes following implantation remains unclear.

OBJECTIVES

We investigated the impact of gender differences on readmission rates and other outcomes following LVAD implantation in patients admitted with advanced HF.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of patients who underwent LVAD implantation for advanced HF between 2014 and 2020, using the Nationwide Readmissions Database. Our study cohort was divided into male and female patients. The primary outcome was 30-day readmission (30-dr), while secondary outcomes were inpatient mortality, length of stay (LOS), procedural complication rates, and periadmission rates. Multivariate linear, Cox, and logistic regression analyses were performed.

RESULTS

During the study period, 11,492 patients with advanced HF who had LVAD placement were identified. Of these, 22% (n = 2532) were females and 78% (n = 8960) were males. The mean age was 53.9 ± 10.8 years for females and 56.3 ± 10.5 years for males (adjusted Wald test, p < 0.01). Readmissions were higher in females (21% vs. 17%, p = 0.02) when compared to males. Cox regression analysis showed higher readmission events (hazard ratio: 1.24, 95% confidence interval: 1.01-1.52, p = 0.03) in females when compared to males. Inpatient mortality, LOS, and most procedural complication rates were not statistically significantly different between the two groups (p > 0.05, all).

CONCLUSION

Women experienced higher readmission rates and were more likely to be readmitted multiple times after LVAD implantation when compared to their male counterparts. However, there were no significant sex-based differences in inpatient mortality, LOS, and nearly all procedural complication rates. These findings suggest that female patients may require closer monitoring and targeted interventions to reduce readmission rates.

Vericiguat: The Fifth Harmony of Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction is a chronic and progressive syndrome that continues to be a substantial financial burden for health systems in Western countries. Despite remarkable advances in pharmacologic and device-based therapy over the last few years, patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction have a high residual risk of adverse outcomes, even when treated with optimal guideline-directed medical therapy and in a clinically stable state. Worsening heart failure episodes represent a critical event in the heart failure trajectory, carrying high residual risk at discharge and dismal short- or long-term prognosis. Recently, vericiguat, a soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator, has been proposed as a novel drug whose use is already associated with a reduction in heart failure-related hospitalizations in patients in guideline-directed medical therapy. In this review, we summarized the pathophysiology of the nitric oxide-soluble guanylate cyclase-cyclic guanosine monophosphate cascade in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, the pharmacology of vericiguat as well as the evidence regarding their use in patients with HFrEF. Finally, tips and tricks for its use in standard clinical practice are provided.

Eligibility for vericiguat in a real-world heart failure population according to trial, guideline and label criteria: Data from the Swedish Heart Failure Registry

AIM

We investigated the eligibility for vericiguat in a real-world heart failure (HF) population based on trial, guideline and label criteria.

METHODS AND RESULTS

From the Swedish HF registry, 23 573 patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) enrolled between 2000 and 2018, with a HF duration ≥6 months, were considered. Eligibility for vericiguat was calculated based on criteria from (i) the Vericiguat Global Study in Subjects with Heart Failure and Reduced Ejection Fraction (VICTORIA) trial; (ii) European and American guidelines on HF; (iii) product labelling according to the Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency. Estimated eligibility for vericiguat in the trial, guidelines, and label scenarios was 21.4%, 47.4%, and 47.4%, respectively. Prior HF hospitalization within 6 months was the criterion limiting eligibility the most in all scenarios (met by 49.1% of the population). In the trial scenario, other criteria meaningfully limiting eligibility were elevated N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels and nitrate use. In all scenarios, eligibility was higher among patients hospitalized for HF at baseline (44.3% vs. 21.4% [trial scenario] and 97.3% vs. 47.4% [guideline/label scenarios] for hospitalized vs. non-hospitalized patients). Overall, eligible patients were older, had more severe HF, more comorbidities, and consequently higher cardiovascular mortality and HF hospitalization rates compared with ineligible patients across all scenarios.

CONCLUSION

In a large and contemporary real-world HFrEF cohort, we estimated that 21.4% of patients would be eligible for vericiguat according to the VICTORIA trial selection criteria, 47.4% based on guidelines and labelling. Eligibility for vericiguat translated into the selection of a population at high risk of morbidity/mortality.

Regional management of worsening heart failure: rationale and design of the CHAIN-HF registry

AIMS

Heart failure (HF) is a progressive disease in which periods of clinical stability are interrupted by episodes of clinical deterioration known as worsening heart failure (WHF). Patients who develop WHF are at high risk of subsequent death, rehospitalization, and excessive healthcare costs. As such, WHF could be seen as a separate disease stage and precursor of advanced HF. Whether WHF has a substantial health, societal, and economic impact evidence regarding its multifactorial nature and the specific barriers in treatment, including advanced HF therapies, remains scarce. The CHAIN-HF registry aims to describe the incidence, characteristics, current treatment, and outcomes of WHF. Additionally, it will promote structured regional collaboration and educate on increasing awareness for WHF and describe the implementation of guideline directed medical therapy and utilization of advanced HF therapies in a collaborative network.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The CHAIN-HF registry is a prospective, observational, and multicentre study from the collaborating hospitals (Rijnmond HF Network) in the Rotterdam area. Unselected and consecutive patients (irrespective of ejection fraction) with a WHF event will be included. Comprehensive data including demographics, co-morbidities, treatment, and in-hospital and post-discharge outcomes will be collected. Notably, data on socio-economic status, treatment decisions, and referral for advanced HF therapies will be included.

CONCLUSIONS

CHAIN-HF will be the first prospective, dedicated WHF registry in a collaborative network of hospitals that will provide robust real-world evidence on the incidence, characteristics, and outcomes of WHF. Moreover, it will provide information on of the value of regional collaboration to improve awareness and outcomes of WHF.

Identifying the patient with heart failure to be treated with vericiguat

The pathophysiology of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is a complex process in which a number of neurohormonal systems are involved. Targeting only some of these systems, but not all, translates into a partial benefit of HF treatment. The nitric oxide-soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC)-cGMP pathway is impaired in HF, leading to cardiac, vascular and renal disturbances. Vericiguat is a once-daily oral stimulator of sGC that restores this system. No other disease-modifying HF drugs act on this system. Despite guidelines recommendations, a substantial proportion of patients are not taking all recommended drugs or when taking them, they do so at low doses, limiting their potential benefits. In this context, treatment should be optimized considering different parameters, such as blood pressure, heart rate, renal function, or potassium, as they may interfere with their implementation at the recommended doses. The VICTORIA trial showed that adding vericiguat to standard therapy in patients with HFrEF significantly reduced the risk of cardiovascular death or HF hospitalization by 10% (NNT 24). Furthermore, vericiguat does not interfere with heart rate, renal function or potassium, making it particularly useful for improving the prognosis of patients with HFrEF in specific settings and clinical profiles.

Sex‐related differences in left ventricular assist device utilization and outcomes: results from the PCHF‐VAD registry

AIMS

Data on sex and left ventricular assist device (LVAD) utilization and outcomes have been conflicting and mostly confined to US studies incorporating older devices. This study aimed to investigate sex-related differences in LVAD utilization and outcomes in a contemporary European LVAD cohort.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This analysis is part of the multicentre PCHF-VAD registry studying continuous-flow LVAD patients. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes included ventricular arrhythmias, right ventricular failure, bleeding, thromboembolism, and the haemocompatibility score. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to assess associations between sex and outcomes. Overall, 457 men (81%) and 105 women (19%) were analysed. At LVAD implant, women were more often in Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) profile 1 or 2 (55% vs. 41%, P = 0.009) and more often required temporary mechanical circulatory support (39% vs. 23%, P = 0.001). Mean age was comparable (52.1 vs. 53.4 years, P = 0.33), and median follow-up duration was 344 [range 147-823] days for women and 435 [range 190-816] days for men (P = 0.40). No significant sex-related differences were found in all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 0.79 for female vs. male sex, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.50-1.27]). Female LVAD patients had a lower risk of ventricular arrhythmias (HR 0.56, 95% CI [0.33-0.95]) but more often experienced right ventricular failure. No significant sex-related differences were found in other outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

In this contemporary European cohort of LVAD patients, far fewer women than men underwent LVAD implantation despite similar clinical outcomes. This is important as the proportion of female LVAD patients (19%) was lower than the proportion of females with advanced HF as reported in previous studies, suggesting underutilization. Also, female patients were remarkably more often in INTERMACS profile 1 or 2, suggesting later referral for LVAD therapy. Additional research in female patients is warranted.

Epidemiology of worsening heart failure in a population-based cohort from Alberta, Canada: Evaluating eligibility for treatment with vericiguat

BACKGROUND

Patients with heart failure (HF) and a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) who experience worsening heart failure (WHF) events are at increased risk of adverse outcomes and experience significant morbidity and mortality. We herein describe the epidemiology of these patients and identify those potentially eligible for vericiguat therapy in this population-based study.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included hospitalized or emergency department (ED) patients with a primary diagnosis of HF and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <45% diagnosed between April 1^st, 2009 and March 31^st, 2019 in Alberta, Canada, with follow-up to March 31^st 2020. Inclusion criteria from the VICTORIA trial were applied to explore eligibility for vericiguat.

RESULTS

Among 25,629 patients with HF and LVEF data, 9,948 (38.8%) had HFrEF, of which 5,259 (52.8%) experienced WHF at some point during a median 5.8 years of follow-up, and 38.3% of those met the vericiguat trial eligibility criteria. Compared to HFrEF patients without WHF, those with WHF were older, with more comorbidities, worse renal function, similar LVEF status, but more use of HF medications, at baseline. At the time of WHF, 27% of those with HFrEF and WHF were on triple therapy, 50.6% were on dual therapy, and 15.4% were on monotherapy. All-cause mortality and the composite outcome of all-cause mortality or cardiovascular hospitalization at 1-year of follow-up were higher in the HFrEF with WHF cohort compared to HFrEF without WHF (adjusted hazard ratios of 1.92 and 1.51, respectively, both p<.0001).

CONCLUSION

Approximately, one-half of patients with HFrEF experienced WHF over long-term follow-up. Most were not on triple therapy, highlighting the underutilization of the existing standard-of-care treatments and opportunities for application of newer therapies; more than one-third of patients with HFrEF may be eligible for vericiguat.

LAY SUMMARY

Among patients with heart failure (HF), those who experience worsening HF are at increased risk of adverse outcomes. A few new therapies, including vericiguat, have emerged recently for patients with HF and reduced ejection fraction. However, the epidemiology, treatment patterns, and outcomes of patients with worsening HF in large representative populations is unclear. In current study, roughly, half of the patients with HF and reduced ejection fraction experienced worsening HF and 38.3% were potentially eligible for vericiguat therapy. The guideline-recommended therapies were under-utilized among patients with worsening HF, which highlights the need for initiatives to address this care gap.

Medical Therapy During Hospitalization for Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction: The VICTORIA Registry: Medical Therapy During Hospitalization for HFrEF

BACKGROUND

For patients hospitalized for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), guidelines recommend optimization of medical therapy prior to discharge. The degree to which changes in medical therapy occur during hospitalizations for HFrEF in North American clinical practice is unclear.

METHODS

The VICTORIA registry enrolled patients hospitalized for worsening chronic HFrEF across 51 sites in the US and Canada from February 2018-January 2019. Among patients with complete medication data and not receiving dialysis, use and dose of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)/ angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), beta-blocker, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA), and sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) were assessed at admission and discharge.

RESULTS

Among 1,695 patients, median (IQR) age was 69 (59-79) years and 33% were women. Among eligible patients, 33%, 25%, and 55% were not prescribed ACEI/ARB/ARNI, beta-blocker, and MRA at discharge, respectively; 99% were not prescribed SGLT2i. For each medication, >50% of patients remained on stable sub-target doses or no medication during hospitalization. In-hospital rates of initiation/dose increase were 20% for ACEI/ARB, 4% for ARNI, 20% for beta-blocker, 22% for MRA, and <1% for SGLT2i; corresponding rates of dose decrease/discontinuation were 11%, 2%, 9%, 5%, and <1%, respectively. Overall, 17% and 28% of eligible patients were prescribed triple therapy prior to admission and at discharge, respectively. At both admission and discharge, 1% of patients were prescribed triple therapy at target doses. Across classes of medication, multiple factors were independently associated with higher likelihood of in-hospital initiation/dosing increase (e.g., Canadian enrollment, White race, intensive care admission) and discontinuation/dosing decrease (e.g., worse renal function, intensive care admission).

CONCLUSIONS

In this contemporary North American registry of patients hospitalized for worsening chronic HFrEF, for each recommended medical therapy, the large majority of eligible patients remained on stable sub-target doses or without medication at admission and discharge. Although most patients had no alterations in medical therapy, hospitalization in Canada and multiple patient characteristics were associated with higher likelihood of favorable in-hospital medication changes.