Relationship between heart rate and mortality and morbidity in the irbesartan patients with heart failure and preserved systolic function trial (I-Preserve)

Böhm, M. et al. (2014) Relationship between heart rate and mortality and morbidity in the irbesartan patients with heart failure and preserved systolic function trial (I-Preserve). European Journal of Heart Failure, 16(7), pp. 778-787. (doi: 10.1002/ejhf.85)

Abstract

Background: Higher heart rate is associated with poorer outcomes in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HF-REF). Less is known about the association between heart rate and outcomes in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HF-PEF). Therefore, we examined the relationship between heart rate and outcomes in the irbesartan in patients with heart failure and preserved systolic function trial (I-Preserve) in patients with an ejection fraction >45% aged >60 years.<p></p> Methods and results: Heart rate was analysed as both a categorical (tertiles) and continuous variable. Patients in sinus rhythm (n = 3271) and atrial fibrillation (n = 696) were analysed separately. The outcomes examined were the primary endpoint of the trial (all-cause death or cardiovascular hospitalization), the composite of cardiovascular death or heart failure hospitalization (and its components) and all-cause death alone. Higher heart rate was associated with a significantly higher risk of all outcomes studied for patients in sinus rhythm, even after adjustment for other prognostic variables, including N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide. Each standard deviation (12.4 bpm) increase in heart rate was associated with an increase in risk of 13% for cardiovascular death or heart failure hospitalization (P = 0.002). No relationship between heart rate and outcomes was observed for patients in atrial fibrillation. Beta-blocker treatment did not reduce the heart rate–risk relationship.<p></p> Conclusions: In patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction, heart rate is in sinus rhythm an independent predictor of adverse clinical outcomes and might be a therapeutic target in this syndrome.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Jhund, Professor Pardeep and Perez, Mrs Ana and McMurray, Professor John
• Authors: Böhm, M., Perez, A.-C., Jhund, P. S., Reil, J. C., Komajda, M., Zile, M. R., McKelvie, R. S., Anand, I. S., Massie, B. M., Carson, P. E., and McMurray, J. J. V.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
• Journal Name: European Journal of Heart Failure
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
• ISSN: 1388-9842
• ISSN (Online): 1879-0844