Impact of sacubitril/valsartan treatment on depression and anxiety in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction

Abstract

Background: In patients with heart failure (HF), depression and anxiety disorders are common and associated with adverse outcomes. Sacubitril/valsartan, which is an angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), has been shown to reduce mortality and hospitalisation in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, its effects on depression and anxiety levels remain unclear. Methods: Sacubitril/valsartan was initiated in 115 symptomatic patients with HFrEF receiving an optimal medical treatment with angiotensin inhibition. Patients underwent 6-minute walk test (6-MWT), The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were administered at the switching to ARNI and at the third-month follow-up of the maximum sacubitril/valsartan dose. Results: A significant improvement was observed in BDI-II and BAI scores when compared before and after the sacubitril/valsartan treatment (13.7 +/- 9.7 to 7.6 +/- 3.8, p < 0.001 and 13.3 +/- 8.9 to 8.1 +/- 4.1, p < 0.001, respectively). The 6-MWT distance significantly increased from 213 +/- 95 to 327 +/- 118 mt (p < 0.001). Overall, the patients exhibited a significant functional improvement following the initiation of sacubitril/valsartan: 27% of the patients improved by two New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes, 52% improved by one NYHA functional class, and 31% remained stable. Conclusion: In patients with HFrEF, the switch from angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin II receptor blocker therapy to sacubitril/valsartan resulted in a significant improvement in both depression, anxiety symptoms and functional statuses.