Right greater splanchnic nerve Ablation useful treatment option for managing HFpEF: Study

The researchers conducted a single-arm, prospective, two-center trial, among 10 patients with HFpEF all with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III, left ventricular ejection fraction >40%, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) ≥15 mmHg at rest or ≥25 mmHg with supine cycle ergometry underwent ablation of the right GSN via thoracoscopic surgery.

Patients were evaluated at baseline, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the procedure. The primary endpoint was a reduction in exercise PCWP at 3 months.

The findings of the study are as follows:

• There were no adverse events related to the blockade of the nerve during 12-month follow-up but three patients had significant peri-procedural adverse events related to the surgical procedure itself.
• At 3 months post-GSN ablation, patients demonstrated a reduction in 20 W exercise PCWP when compared to baseline, which carried over to peak exercise.
• At 12 months, improvements were seen in NYHA class and quality of life assessed with the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire.

The researchers concluded that in this first-in-human study, GSN ablation in HFpEF proved to be feasible, with a suggestion of reduced cardiac filling pressure during exercise, improved quality of life and exercise capacity.

Reference:

Surgical ablation of the right greater splanchnic nerve for the treatment of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a first-in-human clinical trial by Málek F et. al published in the European Journal of Heart Failure.

DOI: 10.1002/ejhf.2209