MO756: Roxadustat Versus Erythropoietin: Comparison of Efficacy in Reversing Ventricular Remodeling in Dialysis Patients with Anemia

Abstract

Abstract BACKGROUND AND AIMS Renal anemia is one of the main complications of dialysis patients, which has been identified as an important independent risk factor for left ventricular hypertrophy and progression of heart failure, as well as adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Recent studies suggest that hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors (HIF-PHIs) Roxadustat represents a novel pharmacological treatment for renal anemia. This study aimed to compare the role of the Roxadustat and erythropoietin in reversing ventricular remodeling in dialysis patients with anemia. METHOD This was a retrospective cohort study that compared the treatment of Roxadustat and recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) in dialysis patients for at least 24 weeks from January 2016 to October 2021. A total of 182 participants underwent echocardiography at least twice every 6 months. Baseline and follow-up examinations focused on the change of cardiac structure and function (doppler echocardiography), clinical and biochemical parameters and blood pressure. Participants were treated with oral iron supplements and controlled blood pressure (target value ≤ 130/80 mmHg). RESULTS Compared with baseline, left ventricular mass index (LVMI) decreased from 139.8 ± 36.0 to 126.5 ± 35.0 g/m2 (P<0.001) in the Roxadustat hemodialysis subgroup after 6-month treatment. Left ventricular end-diastolic diameters (LVEDd) and left ventricular wall thickness (LVPWT) were both significantly improved (from 5.13 ± 0.66 to 4.92 ± 0.65 cm; P= 0.002, and from 1.12 ± 0.17 to 1.07 ± 0.13 cm; P = 0.033, respectively). There was significant difference in LVMI before and after treatment in rhEPO group (from baseline 134.3 ± 36.8 to 131.8 ± 37.5 g/m2). There was greater reduction in LVMI from baseline to 6 months in Roxadustat group (–13.3 ± 22.4 g/m2 versus –5.02 ± 21.3 g/m2 for Roxadustat versus rhEPO; P= 0.028). In the peritoneal dialysis subgroups, Roxadustat also caused a significant improvement in LVMI and LVEDd (from baseline 133.9 ± 28.0 to 118.5 ± 28.2 g/m2; P= 0.001; from baseline 5.12 ± 0.55 to 4.86 ± 0.58 cm; P = 0.002). In addition, Roxadustat increased hemoglobin, serum albumin level and TIBC, and reduced the level of blood pressure, low density lipoprotein, TC and SF in Roxadustat hemodialysis subgroup. However, there were significant differences in the changes of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and TIBC between the two hemodialysis groups. CONCLUSION In addition to the efficacy in the treatment of renal anemia, Roxadustat was found to be closely associated with improvement of LV diastolic function in dialysis patients. Our findings may provide new insights into anemia management in dialysis patients. Prospective clinical trials are necessary to further evaluate the role of Roxadustat or other HIF-PHIs in reversing ventricular remodeling.