Background: Sacubitril/valsartan was approved for New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II-IV heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) in 2015, based on the results of the PARADIGM-HF trial, which showed a reduction in cardiovascular (CV) death and heart failure hospitalization, compared with enalapril. A subsequent subgroup analysis of the trial showed glycemic improvement for patients on sacubitril/valsartan compared with those on enalapril. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study at the Loma Linda University (LLU) International Heart Institute (IHI). The aim was to evaluate the association of sacubitril/valsartan with glycemic index and other metabolic parameters, including change in hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), blood pressure (BP), ejection fraction (EF), body weight, and lipid profile from baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months. The rates of CV-related hospitalizations and total hospitalizations were also assessed. Results: The change in mean HbA1C from baseline was not significantly different at 1 year (P = 0.993). The mean EF was significantly higher and the mean diastolic BP was significantly lowered. Body weight and lipid parameters remained unchanged. Both the rates of CV-related hospitalizations and total hospitalizations were significantly lowered. For the prespecified subgroup analysis of diabetic HFrEF patients, the mean HbA1C was nonsignificant at 12 months (mean difference -0.48, P = 0.993). Conclusion: A non-significant reduction in HbA1C was associated in HFrEF patients with diabetes mellitus. Large randomized trials are needed to confirm our findings regarding the potential metabolic benefits of sacubitril/valsartan.
Keywords: blood glucose; diabetes mellitus; heart failure; hemoglobin A1C; pharmacists; type 2.