Vasodilators for Acute Heart Failure: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

Jasmin D Lukoschewitz*, Kristina C Miger, Anne Sophie O Olesen, Nora O E Caidi, Caroline K Jørgensen, Olav W Nielsen, Christian Hassager, Jens D Hove, Ekim Seven, Jacob E Møller, Janus Christian Jakobsen, Johannes Grand

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Acute heart failure is a public health concern. This study systematically reviewed randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to evaluate vasodilators in acute heart failure.

METHODS: The search was conducted across the databases of Medline, Embase, Latin American and the Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Inclusion criteria consisted of RCTs that compared vasodilators versus standard care, placebo, or cointerventions. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality; secondary outcomes were serious adverse events (SAEs), tracheal intubation, and length of hospital stay. Risk of bias was assessed in all trials.

RESULTS: The study included 46 RCTs that enrolled 28,374 patients with acute heart failure. Vasodilators did not reduce the risk of all-cause mortality (risk ratio, 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.87 to 1.04; I2=9.51%; P=0.26). No evidence of a difference was seen in the risk of SAEs (risk ratio, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.97 to 1.05; I2=0.94%) or length of hospital stay (mean difference, -0.10; 95% CI, -0.28 to 0.08; I2=69.84%). Vasodilator use was associated with a lower risk of tracheal intubation (risk ratio, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.30 to 0.99; I2=51.96%) compared with no receipt of vasodilators.

CONCLUSIONS: In this systematic review with meta-analysis of patients with acute heart failure, vasodilators did not reduce all-cause mortality.

Original languageEnglish
JournalNEJM Evidence
Volume3
Issue number6
Number of pages15
ISSN2766-5526
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2024

Keywords

  • Humans
  • Heart Failure/drug therapy
  • Vasodilator Agents/therapeutic use
  • Acute Disease
  • Length of Stay
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

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