Semaglutide Treatment Improves Clinical Outcomes in Obese Patients with Heart Failure
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on May 13th, 2024
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The rise in obesity rates has paralleled an increase in the occurrence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is closely linked to both these conditions, and individuals with comorbid heart failure and T2DM experience a greater disease burden and adverse hemodynamics. A recent study aimed to evaluate the potential of Semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor antagonist commonly prescribed for T2DM, in the management of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction among obese patients.
The study involved 616 patients diagnosed with heart failure, characterized by a ventricular ejection fraction of less than 45%. The average age of the participants was approximately 70 years, with a median body mass index of 36.9%. On average, patients had been living with diabetes for about 8 years, with a median glycated hemoglobin level of 6.8%. Baseline screening revealed that around 40% of patients had atrial fibrillation, 85% had hypertension, and 24% had coronary artery disease. Consequently, most patients were prescribed diuretics, angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors, and beta blockers. The participants were randomly assigned to receive either placebo or a weekly subcutaneous injection of 2.4 mg of Semaglutide. After 52 weeks of treatment, the researchers observed that Semaglutide use led to improved clinical outcomes, evaluated using the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire clinical summary score (KCCQ-CSS). Specifically, those treated with Semaglutide experienced a 13.7-point improvement on the KCCQ-CSS, significantly higher than the 6.4-point change observed in the placebo group. Additionally, Semaglutide was associated with a mean 9.8% reduction in body weight, which was 6.4% greater than the reduction observed in the placebo group. Other clinical benefits, such as improved endurance during physical exertion tests and reduced inflammation measured by C-reactive protein levels, were also observed in the treatment groups.
The study involved 616 patients diagnosed with heart failure, characterized by a ventricular ejection fraction of less than 45%. The average age of the participants was approximately 70 years, with a median body mass index of 36.9%. On average, patients had been living with diabetes for about 8 years, with a median glycated hemoglobin level of 6.8%. Baseline screening revealed that around 40% of patients had atrial fibrillation, 85% had hypertension, and 24% had coronary artery disease. Consequently, most patients were prescribed diuretics, angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors, and beta blockers. The participants were randomly assigned to receive either placebo or a weekly subcutaneous injection of 2.4 mg of Semaglutide. After 52 weeks of treatment, the researchers observed that Semaglutide use led to improved clinical outcomes, evaluated using the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire clinical summary score (KCCQ-CSS). Specifically, those treated with Semaglutide experienced a 13.7-point improvement on the KCCQ-CSS, significantly higher than the 6.4-point change observed in the placebo group. Additionally, Semaglutide was associated with a mean 9.8% reduction in body weight, which was 6.4% greater than the reduction observed in the placebo group. Other clinical benefits, such as improved endurance during physical exertion tests and reduced inflammation measured by C-reactive protein levels, were also observed in the treatment groups.