Heart failure & cardiomyopathiesRandomised controlled trial

Sodium Zirconium Cyclosilicate in Heart Failure and Reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF) and Hyperkalemia

JACC Heart FailPublished

  • Randomised controlled trial
  • prospective
  • double-blind
  • placebo-controlled
  • open-label run-in
  • randomized withdrawal design (run-in responders randomized)
  • baseline report (no outcome results)

Authors' conclusion

REALIZE-K is the first trial to evaluate whether SZC can enable rapid and safe MRA optimization and long-term continuation in patients with HFrEF and prevalent/high risk of hyperkalemia.

Study context

Population
HFrEF (NYHA II–IV; LVEF ≤40%) on optimal therapy except MRA, with prevalent hyperkalemia or at high risk; normokalemic on spironolactone ≥25 mg daily after run-inrun-in
Participants
365 participants
Comparison
Continuing sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (SZC) vs placebo
Primary endpoint
Optimal response: normokalemia, on spironolactone ≥25 mg daily, no rescue for hyperkalemia
Follow-up
Months 1-6

Further findings

Baseline characteristics (randomized)

Mean age
70 years
eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m²
78%
AF/flutter
38%
Median NT-proBNP
1,136 pg/mL
Sacubitril/valsartan
64%
Beta-blocker
96%
SGLT2 inhibitor
42%
On spironolactone 50 mg daily at randomization
78%

Original publication

Sodium Zirconium Cyclosilicate in HFrEF and Hyperkalemia. JACC Heart Fail. Published 13 May 2024. doi:10.1016/j.jchf.2024.05.003

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