Prognostic Implications of N-terminal Pro-B Type Natriuretic Peptide and High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin T in EMPEROR-Preserved

N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) are associated with disease severity and outcomes among patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). We evaluated associations between both biomarkers and clinical outcomes in the Empagliflozin Outcome Trial in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (EMPEROR-Preserved) Trial. Of 5988 study participants, 5986 (99.9%) and 5825 (97.3%) had available baseline NT-proBNP and hs-cTnT; post-baseline NT-proBNP was also available. Baseline characteristics were expressed by biomarker quartiles. The effect of empagliflozin on cardiovascular death/HF hospitalization, the individual components, total HF hospitalizations, slope of decline of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and a composite renal endpoint was examined across biomarker quartiles. Change in NT-proBNP across study visits as a function of treatment assignment was also assessed.

Higher baseline NT-proBNP and hs-cTnT concentrations were associated with more comorbidities and worse HF severity. Incidence rates for cardiac and renal outcomes were 2-5-fold higher among those in the highest vs lowest NT-proBNP or hs-cTnT quartiles. Empagliflozin consistently reduced the risk for cardiovascular events and reduced slope of eGFR decline across NT-proBNP or hs-cTnT quartiles. Empagliflozin treatment modestly lowered NT-proBNP; by 100 weeks the adjusted mean difference in NT-proBNP from placebo was 7%. Increase in NT-proBNP from baseline to 12-weeks was strongly associated with risk of CV death/HF hospitalization. The benefit of empagliflozin on cardiac outcomes and decline of eGFR is preserved across the wide range of baseline NT-proBNP and hs-cTnT evaluated. Empagliflozin modestly reduces NT-proBNP in HFpEF.