Abstract 12557: Vericiguat Use in a Real-World HFrEF Patient Population: Two Years Post-Launch

Abstract

Background: Worsening heart failure events (WHFE) affect up to one-third of patients with HFrEF. Vericiguat, the first agent indicated specifically for a WHF population, is a novel soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator approved in 2021 to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and HF hospitalization. Objective: To describe baseline characteristics, comorbidities, and comedication among patients on vericiguat therapy during the first two years after FDA approval. Methods: We identified adults in the TriNetX Open Claims Database who filled a prescription for vericiguat between 1 Jan 2021 and 24 April 2023. Summary statistics were computed describing patient and treatment patterns including those of other guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT), stratified by record of achieving 10mg target dose. Categorical variables compared across groups using Pearson Chi-Square tests and continuous variables were compared across groups using non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results: Among 5527 patients treated with vericiguat, mean age was 68 years, most were men (67%), and insured by Medicare (47%). Just over one third had a record of achieving the 10mg target dose before data cutoff. Other common GDMT used included beta-blockers (71%), ARNi (47%), MRA (38%) and SGLT2i (39%). Although comorbidities were similar between groups, use of these GDMT classes was statistically significantly higher among patients with a record of achieving target dose of vericiguat (P < 0.05). Similar trends were observed among use of GDMT combinations based on record of achieving target dose (P <0.002). Conclusions: Patients with a record of achieving vericiguat target dose were significantly more likely to be on other recommended GDMT and on GDMT combinations despite a similar comorbidity burden. Additional analyses are needed to better understand factors associated with patients reaching classes and target doses of GDMT, including vericiguat.