PDE5 inhibitor sildenafil in the treatment of heart failure: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Clinical trials have evaluated the use of phosphodiesterase (PDE) 5 inhibitors sildenafil as a potential adjunct in the treatment of heart failure (HF) with mixed results. Thus, we undertook a meta-analysis to evaluate the clinical viability of sildenafil in HF.
METHODS: Relevant studies were searched and identified in the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases. Randomized clinical trials (RCT) comparing sildenafil to placebo, in heart failure patients, reporting at least one outcome of interest were included. Data were extracted regarding the characteristics and clinical outcomes.
RESULTS: We identified 9 RCTs enrolling 612 HF patients. There were no significant differences in adverse events between sildenafil group and placebo group (RR=1.10, 95% CI=0.74 to 1.65, P=0.41), whereas sildenafil therapy was associated with a marked improvement in hemodynamic parameter peak VO2 (MD=3.25, 95% CI=2.07 to 4.42, P<0.00001) in HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients but not in HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) patients. Also, sildenafil therapy improved VO2 at anaerobic threshold (AT) (MD=3.47, 95% CI=1.68 to 5.27, P=0.0002), VE/VCO2 slope (MD=-7.06, 95% CI=-8.93 to -5.19, P<0.00001) and LV ejection fraction (MD=5.43, 95% CI=3.66 to 7.20, P<0.00001) compared to placebo in HF patients, which had no impact on blood pressure and heart rate. For quality of life (emotional function, fatigue and breathlessness), there was no significant difference between the two…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 612 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- 2024 update in heart failure
- Vascular involvement in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
- A novel technique- subendometrial autologous platelet rich plasma injection in patients with unresponsive thin endometrium undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer: a prospective cohort study
- Does metformin prolong pregnancy in preterm pre-eclampsia? A study protocol for a South African, hospital-based double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial
- Combined Pulmonary Fibrosis and Emphysema (CPFE): A "New" Smoking-Related Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)
- Impact of an acute 1-month cannabidiol treatment on pain and inflammation after a long bone fracture: a triple-blind randomised, placebo-controlled, clinical trial protocol
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.