85 Diuretics trajectories in dilated cardiomyopathy

Abstract

Abstract Aims Diuretics in heart failure (HF) are commended to relieve symptoms at lowest dosage effective. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a particular HF setting with several variables that may influence disease trajectory. We aimed to assess the long-term use of diuretics in DCM, the possibility of withdrawal and to explore the prognostic correlations. Methods and results All consecutive DCM patients enrolled from 1990 to 2018 were considered eligible. All the patients had available the information about the furosemide-equivalent dose at baseline and at follow-up evaluation within 24 months. Patients were categorized in stable (diuretic dose variation <50%), increasers (diuretics dose increase ≥50% or initiation of diuretic therapy), and decreasers (diuretics dose decrease ≥50% or never prescribed diuretics in the 24-months observation period). The prognostic role of the diuretics trajectory group was assessed with Kaplan Meier analysis and with a time-dependent multivariable model. The outcome measure was a composite of all-cause death/heart transplantation/HF hospitalization (ACD/HTx/HFH). 908 patients were included [mean age 50 ± 16, 70% male sex, 24% NYHA class III or IV, mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 31 ± 9%, 66% treated with diuretics at baseline]. The furosemide-equivalent dose at enrolment had a linear association with the risk of outcome. Compared to other groups, decreaser patients were younger, had less HF symptoms, higher LVEF and more dilated left atrium. Decreasers had a lower prescription rate of diuretics and less frequent indication to renin-angiotensin inhibitors and mineralocorticoid receptors antagonists. Over a median follow-up of 122 (62–195) months decreasers had the lowest incidence of outcome, followed by stable, while increasers had the worst outcome (P < 0.001). After adjustment for other prognosticators, compared to stable patients, decreasers had a reduced risk of ACD/HTx/HFH [HR: 0.497 (95% CI: 0.337–0.731)] while increasers had the highest risk of adverse outcome [HR: 2.027 (95% CI: 1.254–3.276)]. Similarly, amongst patients taking diuretics at baseline, the diuretics withdrawal was in independent outcome predictor. The only multivariable predictors of diuretics withdrawal were younger age and lower furosemide-equivalent dose at enrolment. Conclusions In DCM patients the diuretics dose at baseline is a strong prognosticator. Diuretics dose reduction or its withdrawal provides a prognostic benefit on hard outcome. Diuretics tapering in selected patients should be considered in the short-term follow-up to improve DCM prognosis.