This randomized study aimed at assessing the flu vaccine vs placebo in patients with cardiac failure.
It included 5129 patients with cardiac failure randomized to receiving the flu vaccine annually for 3 years vs placebo.
Primary end point included cardiovascular death, non-fatal AMI, and stroke. There were no significant differences between both groups. However, pneumonia rate and hospitalization were significantly lower in the group receiving the flu vaccine.
When focusing on flu seasonal peak, the vaccinated group presented reduced primary end point (7.7% vs 9.4%; HR 0.82; 95% CI 0.68-0.99).
Conclusion
Annual vaccination against influenza in patients with cardiac failure reduces the risk of pneumonia and hospitalization at 3 years, though not major cardiovascular events, compared against placebo.
Dr. Andrés Rodríguez.
Member of the Editorial Board of SOLACI.org .
Reference: Loeb M. A randomized controlled trial of influenza vaccine to prevent adverse vascular events (IVVE). Presented at: ACC 2022. April 3, 2022. Washington, DC.
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