Empagliflozin has shown early and sustained improved quality of life (at least for a year) in patients with cardiac failure and preserved function.
Patients with cardiac failure and preserved ejection fraction present a deteriorated quality of life. The EMPEROR-Preserved assessed the efficacy of Empagliflozin in several baseline health status assessments.
HRQoL was measured using the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) at baseline between 12, 32 and 52 weeks. Patients were divided into terciles at based on the KCCQ.
Empagliflozin effects consistently reduced the risk of cardiovascular death or death for cardiac failure in all 3 terciles at baseline.
Similar results were observed in total hospitalizations. Patients treated with Empagliflozin showed significant improvement compared against placebo. The difference became more and more obvious over time.
At 12 weeks, there was maximum improvement with > 5 points in favor and less likely deterioration (> 5 points in the KCCQ ). Patterns were similar at 32 and 52 weeks.
Read also: ESC 2021 | Empagliflozin in Heart Failure with Reduced and Preserved Ejection Fraction.
Even though quality of life appears as a soft point to be assessed, it keeps getting stronger and stronger as doctors dedicate to patients and cultivate empathy.
Conclusion
In patients with cardiac failure and conserved ejection fraction, Empagliflozin reduces end points such as death and hospitalization at an early stage and maintains its effect at least a year.
Original Title: Empagliflozin, Health Status, and Quality of Life in Patients with Heart Failure and Preserved Ejection Fraction: The EMPEROR-Preserved Trial.
Reference: Javed Butler et al. Circulation. 2021 Nov 15. Online ahead of print. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.121.057812.
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