Dose-Dependent Effects of Sacubitril/Valsartan on Functional Class and Echocardiographic Parameters in Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction: A Six-Week Follow-Up Study

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the dose-dependent effects of sacubitril/valsartan on functional class and echocardiographic parameters over a six-week period. Methodology: This prospective, longitudinal study was conducted between January and February 2024 in the cardiology department of a tertiary care hospital. The study included heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction who were admitted, treated, and followed up in the cardiac outpatient department six weeks after discharge. Data were collected using the KCCQ questionnaire (approved by the FDA), and echocardiographic measurements of ejection fraction were obtained using the modified Simpson’s method. SPSS version 26 was used for data analysis. Results: A total of 135 patients were included in the study, of which 47 were male. The mean age of the participants was 59.42 ± 11.26 years. Of the patients, 75.6% were hypertensive, and 51.1% were diabetic. The mean ejection fraction before treatment was 31.88 ± 5.91, which increased to 36.18 ± 6.02 post-treatment. The mean KCCQ score prior to treatment was 34.96 ± 6.92, improving to 47.10 ± 6.63 after six weeks. Statistically significant improvements were observed in both the KCCQ score and ejection fraction after six weeks, although the differences between doses of sacubitril/valsartan were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Sacubitril/valsartan, regardless of dose, provides comparable short-term benefits in improving functional class and echocardiographic parameters. These findings suggest that lower doses may be as effective as higher doses in the short term for patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction.