The Power and Promise of Angiotensin Receptor Neprilysin Inhibitor (ARNI) in Heart Failure Management: National Consensus Statement

Heart failure (HF) is a huge global public health task due to morbidity, mortality, disturbed quality of life, and major economic burden. It is an area of active research and newer treatment strategies are evolving. Recently angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), a class of drugs (the first agent in this class, Sacubitril–Valsartan), reduces cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in chronic HF patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Positive therapeutic effects have led to a decrease in cardiovascular mortality and HF hospitalizations (HFH), with a favorable safety profile, and have been documented in several clinical studies with an unquestionable survival benefit with ARNI, Sacubitril–Valsartan. This consensus statement of the Indian group of experts in cardiology, nephrology, and diabetes provides a comprehensive review of the power and promise of ARNI in HF management and an evidence-based appraisal of the use of ARNI as an essential treatment strategy for HF patients in clinical practice. Consensus in this review favors an early utility of Sacubitril–Valsartan in patients with HF with reduced EF (HFrEF), regardless of the previous therapy being given. A lower rate of hospitalizations for HF with Sacubitril–Valsartan in HF patients with preserved EF who are phenotypically heterogeneous suggests possible benefits of ARNI in patients having 40–50% of LVEF, frequent subtle systolic dysfunction, and higher hospitalization risk.

A Single Centre Experience of Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis in Ascites with Cirrhosis : A Record Based Observational Study

Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis (SBP) is one of the complicated infections in patients with cirrhosis and ascites which can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated. This is a record based observational study using the data of all patients admitted with established cirrhosis of liver with ascites. Aim of the study was to find out the incidence of SBP in cirrhosis patients and also to study the clinical profile of SBP. Thirty nine patients’ data were included in the study. Three patients had classic SBP, one patient had Culture Negative Neutrocytic Ascites (CNNA) and two had bacterascites. Patients were treated with injection cefotaxime (2 gm) 8hourly for 5 days and clinical and laboratory parameters were evaluated.