Effect of oral nitrates on all-cause mortality and hospitalization in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction: a propensity-matched analysis

Abstract

Background Hydralazine-nitrate combination is recommended for patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF)/systolic heart failure who are symptomatic despite guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT). Use of nitrates alone for this indication is not well-established. This study aims to evaluate the effect of oral nitrates on all-cause mortality and hospitalization in HFrEF patients using GDMT. Methods and Results Nitrate prescription at discharge and its association with all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalization were examined in a propensity-matched analysis of 648 HFrEF patients followed for a median of 56 months. A total of 269 (42%) patients died during that period. In Cox regression analysis, nitrate usage was associated with a slightly increased mortality risk compared with not using nitrates (hazard ratio 1.29; 95% confidence interval 1.01–1.65; P = .040), which continued modestly after the propensity-matched analysis (hazard ratio 1.26; 95% confidence interval 0.95–1.68; P = .102). In both prematch and propensity-matched analyses, nitrate use was not associated with risk of rehospitalization. No significant effect was detected on subgroups stratified by coronary artery disease, age, gender, and background medical therapy. Conclusions In this study, oral nitrate use alone in addition to GDMT did not affect all-cause mortality and hospitalization risk in HFrEF patients during a long-term follow-up. There was even a modest tendency for increased risk of mortality.