Calcium Channel Blockers use not associated with worse HF outcomes

A recent study published in the European Journal of Heart Failure found calcium channel blockers (CCBs) safe and effective in heart failure patients with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). 

The study gathered individual patient data from four large HFpEF/HFmrEF trials and included a substantial cohort of 16,954 patients. Among them, 79% had HFpEF, and 34.6% received CCBs, with dihydropyridines being the most commonly prescribed subtype.

Overall, patients treated with CCBs did not experience higher risks of death or HF-related hospitalization, especially those who took dihydropyridine CCBs. Interestingly, CCB use was even linked to a significantly lower risk of pump failure death. However, it's worth noting that the risk of stroke was slightly elevated in CCB-treated patients.

These findings persisted even after adjusting for other prognostic variables, providing more confidence in the results. Importantly, whether patients received dihydropyridine or non-dihydropyridine CCBs, the outcomes remained largely consistent, suggesting a favorable safety profile for CCBs overall.

While the study acknowledges its observational nature and the absence of randomized treatment, its results carry substantial weight in the field of heart failure management. These findings could provide reassurance to both healthcare providers and patients, potentially expanding treatment options for those with HFmrEF and HFpEF.

This research represents a significant step forward in understanding the role of CCBs in managing heart failure, ultimately, offering hope for improved outcomes and a better quality of life for patients dealing with these conditions.

Source:

Matsumoto, S., Kondo, T., Yang, M., Campbell, R. T., Docherty, K. F., de Boer, R. A., Desai, A. S., Lam, C. S. P., Rouleau, J. L., Vaduganathan, M., Zannad, F., Zile, M. R., Solomon, S. D., Jhund, P. S., & McMurray, J. J. V. (2023). Calcium channel blocker and outcomes in patients with heart failure and mildly reduced and preserved ejection fraction. In European Journal of Heart Failure. Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejhf.3044