Long-term cardiac effect of sacubitril-valsartan in hemodialysis patients with a reduced ejection fraction after aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis: a case report with literature review

Abstract

BackgroundAlthough the angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor sacubitril-valsartan has demonstrated a valuable effect on cardiac function in patients with heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction, the effect of this agent in hemodialysis patients is not well known.Case presentationSacubitril-valsartan was administered to two anuric hemodialysis patients, an 81-year-old woman and a 79-year-old man, after aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis. Following sacubitril-valsartan administration, the two patients’ N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels decreased from 110,373 to 47,742 and 22,723 to 7692 pg/mL within one month, respectively, and were sustained within the lower levels thereafter. Although the patients’ left ventricular ejection fractions were 40.0% and 28.4%, respectively, these values did not change at seven and four months after sacubitril-valsartan administration (41.0% and 30.0%, respectively) but increased gradually to 56.6% and 54.9% at 11 and 13 months, respectively, and were sustained at the same levels thereafter.ConclusionsLong-term sacubitril-valsartan administration can improve cardiac function in hemodialysis patients with a reduced ejection fraction.