Profound Vasoplegia During Sacubitril/Valsartan Treatment After Heart Transplantation

Can J Cardiol. 2018 Mar;34(3):343.e5-343.e7. doi: 10.1016/j.cjca.2017.12.004. Epub 2017 Dec 11.

Abstract

Vasoplegia occurs in up to 16% of patients who undergo heart transplantation (HT) and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We present a case of a 61-year-old man with ischemic cardiomyopathy receiving sacubitril/valsartan (Entresto; Novartis, Cambridge, MA) who developed profound hypotension after HT. He was treated with intravenous methylene blue and high-dose vasopressors, but developed acute kidney injury requiring dialysis and a prolonged stay in the intensive care unit. This case supports a potent vasodilatory effect of sacubitril/valsartan, and if confirmed by other studies, might warrant consideration for withholding treatment while awaiting HT, particularly in patients with risk factors for vasoplegia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aminobutyrates / adverse effects*
  • Aminobutyrates / therapeutic use
  • Biphenyl Compounds
  • Cardiomyopathies / diagnosis
  • Cardiomyopathies / surgery*
  • Drug Combinations
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Heart Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Heart Transplantation / methods
  • Humans
  • Length of Stay
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Care / methods
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Tetrazoles / adverse effects*
  • Tetrazoles / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Valsartan / adverse effects*
  • Valsartan / therapeutic use
  • Vasoplegia / chemically induced*
  • Vasoplegia / physiopathology
  • Vasoplegia / therapy

Substances

  • Aminobutyrates
  • Biphenyl Compounds
  • Drug Combinations
  • Tetrazoles
  • Valsartan
  • sacubitril and valsartan sodium hydrate drug combination