Prognostic Impact of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Receptor Blockers on Recurrent Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias and Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Therapies

J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2019 May;73(5):272-281. doi: 10.1097/FJC.0000000000000659.

Abstract

This study sought to assess the prognostic impact of treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) on recurrences of ventricular tachyarrhythmias in recipients of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD). Using a large retrospective registry including consecutive ICD recipients with documented episodes of ventricular tachycardia (VT) or fibrillation (VF) from 2002 to 2016, those patients treated with ACEi/ARB were compared with patients without. The primary prognostic endpoint was the first recurrence of ventricular tachyarrhythmias and related ICD therapies at 5 years. Multivariable Cox regression analyses were applied within the entire cohort, and thereafter, Kaplan-Meier analyses were performed in propensity-matched subgroups. A total of 592 consecutive ICD recipients were included (81% treated with ACEi/ARB and 19% without). Although ACEi/ARB was associated with no differences in overall recurrence of ventricular tachyarrhythmias, ACEi/ARB was associated with improved freedom from appropriate ICD therapy within multivariable Cox regressions (hazard ratio = 0.666; P = 0.043), especially in patients with index episodes of VF, left ventricular ejection fraction <35%, coronary artery disease, secondary preventive ICD, and glomerular filtration rate <45 mL/min/1.73 m. In the propensity-matched subgroup, ACEi/ARB still prolonged freedom from appropriate ICD therapies (hazard ratio = 0.380; 95% confidence interval 0.193-0.747; P = 0.005). In conclusion, ACEi/ARB therapy was associated with improved freedom from appropriate ICD therapies.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists / adverse effects
  • Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists / therapeutic use*
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Defibrillators, Implantable*
  • Electric Countershock / adverse effects
  • Electric Countershock / instrumentation*
  • Electric Countershock / mortality
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Progression-Free Survival
  • Recurrence
  • Registries
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular / diagnosis
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular / mortality
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular / physiopathology
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular / therapy*
  • Time Factors
  • Ventricular Fibrillation / diagnosis
  • Ventricular Fibrillation / mortality
  • Ventricular Fibrillation / physiopathology
  • Ventricular Fibrillation / therapy*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors