MANAGING HEART FAILURE WITH REDUCED EJECTION FRACTION: WHAT TO KNOW?
Authors: Ashraf Tariq , Ishaq Muhammad 
Published: October 2021

The estimated population of congestive heart failure (CHF) patients in Pakistan is 28 millions.1 Besides epidemics of type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease, South Asian countries are also be at an increased risk of heart failure at earlier ages than other racial/ethnic groups.2 Heart failure sub classified into three categories:

With preserved ejection fraction (LVEF>50%),

Mid-range ejection fraction (LVEF41-49%),

Reduced ejection fraction (LVEF<40%).3

According to studies in United States of American (USA) and United Kingdom (UK)4,5 heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) prevalence has increased due to ageing population, improved survival from myocardial infarction and high prevalence of co-morbid conditions like diabetes and obesity. With increasing number of young patients (<40 years) with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) 12%6 in our population, prevalence of heart failure with predisposing factors need to be explored.

Other than diagnosing and work up of these patients, the most challenging part is the pharmacological treatment by therapeutic agents proven to reduce morbidity and mortality in HRrEF. Registries have shown under-usage of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), Beta-blockers and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA) in such patients.7 Reason of not acheving the outcomes were due to not attaining the target levels of drugs dosages.8

With recommendations from new guidelines new novel drug therapies i.e. sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, most debatable questions from the physicians are keeping in view the hemodynamic status and kidney function. Questions coming to the Physicians minds include;9

Should all guideline directed medical therapies be started together or stage wise?

Which drugs should be titrated first?

How quick can one up-titrate B-blockers and ARNI?

At what level of kidney impairment should one stop ACE/ARB/ARNI/SGLT2 inhibitors?

When should one refer these patients for cardiac resynchronization therapy device (CRTD) or Heart Transplantation?

When should one repeat transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)?

Physicians need to have clear answers and stance on the above queries.

HFrEF is a major public health concern in our population especially with early onset of ischemic heart disease (IHD). Awareness, education and up to date knowledge regarding early diagnosis, work up and adjustments of drugs in such patients with proper follow up is important to reduce the ever rising morbidity and mortality in our population.

 

References

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Konstam MA, Neaton JD, Dickstein K, Drexler H, Komajda M, Martinez FA, et al. Effects of high-dose versus low-dose losartan on clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure (HEAAL study): a randomised, double-blind trial. Lancet. 2009;374(9704):1840-8.

Murphy SP, Ibrahim NE, Januzzi JL. Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: a review. JAMA. 2020;324(5):488-504.