Visit-to-Visit Blood Pressure Variability and Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

Whether visit-to-visit blood pressure variability (BPV) is associated with adverse outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction is unclear. We assessed these associations in 3184 patients with HF (51.0% women; mean age, 68.6 years) with preserved ejection fraction (>= 45%) enrolled in the TOPCAT trial (Treatment of Preserved Cardiac Function Heart Failure With an Aldosterone Antagonist). BPV indexes were the SD, variability independent of the mean, and average real variability. The primary end point consisted of total mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, and hospitalized HF. We computed hazard ratios for the risks associated with 1-SD increase in BPV indexes, using multivariable Cox regression to adjust for the BP level and confounders. In the placebo group (n=1577), the primary composite end point, stroke, and hospitalized HF were significantly associated with systolic and diastolic BPV (hazard ratios, >= 1.28; P <= 0.008) and total mortality with systolic BPV (hazard ratios >= 1.20; P <= 0.010). In the spironolactone group (n=1607), the primary end point and hospitalized HF were associated with both systolic and diastolic BPV (hazard ratios >= 1.17; P <= 0.006). Sensitivity analyses stratified by sex, median age, and region generated confirmatory results. Most of the interactions between randomized group and BPV indexes were not significant. In conclusion, in patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction, greater systolic and diastolic BPV were associated with adverse health outcomes over and beyond the BP level.

Automated summary

In patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, greater systolic and diastolic blood pressure variability is associated with adverse health outcomes independent of blood pressure level. Sensitivity analyses stratified by sex, age, and region confirmed these associations.