Prognostic role of myocardial work in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction treated by sacubitril/valsartan

Background The non-invasive assessment of myocardial work (MW) by pressure-strain loops analysis (PSL) is a relative new tool for the evaluation of myocardial performance. Sacubitril/Valsartan is a treatment for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) which has a spectacular effect on the reduction of cardiovascular events (MACEs). Purposes of this study were to evaluate 1) the short and medium term effect of Sacubitril/Valsartan treatment on MW parameters; 2) the prognostic value of MW in this specific group of patients. Methods 79 patients with HFrEF (mean age: 66 ± 12 years; LV ejection fraction: 28 ± 9%) were prospectively included in the study and treated with Sacubitril/Valsartan. Echocardiographic examination was performed at baseline, and after 6- and 12-month of therapy with Sacubitril/Valsartan. Results Sacubitril/Valsartan significantly increased myocardial constructive work (CW) (1023 ± 449 vs. 1424 ± 484 mmHg%, P  Fig. 1  = 0.05]. ( Table 1 ). A CW  Fig. 1 A) identified patients at particularly increase risk of MACEs [HR 11.09 (1.45–98.94), P = 0.002, log-rank test P  Fig. 1 B). Conclusions in patients with HFrEF who receive a comprehensive background beta-blocker and mineral-corticoid receptor antagonist therapy, Sacubitril/Valsartan induces a significant improvement of myocardial CW and WE. In this population, the estimation of CW before the initiation of Sacubitril/Valsartan therapy allows the prediction of MACEs.