Valsalva-derived measures and phenylephrine test in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction receiving comprehensive neurohormonal blockade drug therapy: a 5-year event-free survival analysis

Abstract Aim: To assess relations between Valsalva- and phenylephrine test-derived measures and outcome in reduced ejection fraction heart failure (HFrEF) patients receiving comprehensive neurohormonal blockade pharmacotherapy. Methods: Data from 56 HFrEF patients (LVEF: 32±6%; mean±SD) subjected to Valsalva and phenylephrine tests were analyzed retrospectively. Baroreflex-related (Valsalva-ratio [cBRSVR] and BP-RRI slope from phase IV [cBRSIV_SLOPE]) and non-baroreflex-related measures (systolic BP rise in phase IV [ΔSBPPHASE_IV], and pulse-amplitude-ratio [PAR]) were calculated from Valsalva. Short-term outcome (HF-related hospitalization, ICD shock or all-cause death within 24-months from examination) and long-term outcome (ICD shock or all-cause death within 60-months) were analyzed. Results: The endpoint occurred in 16 and 18 patients, for short- and long-term outcome, respectively. Low ΔSBPPHASE_IV identified patients at risk in long-term perspective, as evidenced by low- vs. high ΔSBPPHASE_IV comparison (square-wave response patients assigned to low ΔSBPPHASE_IV group, P=0.002), and Cox model (HR: 0.91, CI: 0.86-0.96, P Conclusions: Non-baroreflex-related measures obtained from Valsalva: ΔSBPPHASE_IV and PAR, might carry prognostic value in HFrEF patients receiving neurohormonal blockade pharmacotherapy.