Heart failure & cardiomyopathiesSecondary analysis

Atrial Fibrillation and Semaglutide Effects in Obesity-Related Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

J Am Coll CardiolPublished

  • Secondary analysis of the STEP-HFpEF and STEP-HFpEF DM randomised trials
  • pooled data
  • subgroup analysis by atrial fibrillation (AF) history

Authors' conclusion

The magnitude of semaglutide-mediated improvements in HF-related symptoms and physical limitations was more pronounced in those with AF vs without AF at baseline.

Study context

Population
Obesity-related heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) (LVEF ≥45%, BMI ≥30 kg/m², KCCQ-CSS <90 points), with or without history of AF518 with AF, 627 without · with 518 · or without 627
Participants
1,145 participants
Comparison
Semaglutide 2.4 mg once weekly vs placebo, by history of AF
Primary endpoint
Dual primary: change in KCCQ-CSS and percent change in body weight, by history of AF
Follow-up
52 weeks

Primary result

As reported in the abstract

Change in KCCQ-CSS, semaglutide vs placebo, by AF history
Semaglutide vs PlaceboDifference, points (95% CI)
with AF
11.5(8.3–14.8)
without AF
4.3(1.3–7.2)

Secondary outcomes

Outcomewin ratio (95% CI)
Hierarchical composite endpoint, by AF history — Semaglutide vs Placebo · with AF2.25 (1.79–2.83)
Hierarchical composite endpoint, by AF history — Semaglutide vs Placebo · without AF1.30 (1.06–1.59)
  • Hierarchical composite endpoint, by AF history: P interaction < 0.001

≥5-, ≥10-, ≥15- and ≥20-point KCCQ-CSS improvement, by AF history

Higher proportions with semaglutide vs placebo in those with (vs without) AF
all P interaction values <0.05

CRP and NT-proBNP, by AF history

Semaglutide consistently reduced CRP and NT-proBNP regardless of AF status (P interaction not significant)

Safety

Serious adverse events and serious cardiac disorders

Fewer with semaglutide vs placebo irrespective of AF history

Original publication

Atrial Fibrillation and Semaglutide Effects in Obesity-Related Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction. J Am Coll Cardiol. Published 30 August 2024. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2024.08.023

Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it