Potential mortality reduction with optimal implementation of angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor therapy in heart failure

Abstract

IMPORTANCE: Angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibition (ARNI) therapy provided incremental survival benefit to patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) in clinical trials. To date, estimation of the potential benefits that could be gained from optimal implementation of ARNI therapy at the population level have not been quantified. OBJECTIVE: To quantify the projected gains for deaths prevented or postponed with comprehensive implementation of ARNI therapy for patients with HFrEF in the United States. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Eligibility criteria for ARNI therapy, population-based estimates of patients with HFrEF in the United States, and numbers needed to treat to overt death were obtained from published sources. The potential numbers of deaths prevented or postponed as a result of ARNI were estimated along with multiple-way sensitivity analysis. MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURE: All-cause mortality. RESULTS: Of 2 736 000 patients with HFrEF patients in the United States, 2 287 296 (84%) were projected to be candidates for ARNI therapy. Optimal implementation of ARNI therapy was empirically estimated to prevent 28 484 deaths a year (range, 18 230-41 017 deaths per year). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: A substantial number of deaths in the United States could potentially be prevented by optimal implementation of ARNI therapy. These data support implementation of evidence into practice in a timely manner because this may have a material impact on population health among patients with HFrEF.