Gastroprotection in Heart Failure and Outcomes: A Systematic Review of Proton Pump Inhibitors and Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonists

Purpose: The management of heart failure (HF) frequently includes gastroprotection via proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs). This systematic review evaluates their impact on HF outcomes, including exacerbation, hospitalization, mortality, and major adverse cardiac events (MACE).

Methods: In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, a complete search across databases such as PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted until December 10, 2023. The inclusion criteria covered research on adult patients with HF that focused on the effects of PPI and H2RA usage. The risk of bias was determined via the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS), and data were synthesized quantitatively.

Results: Eleven studies encompassing 996,498 participants were analyzed. The data is not consistent across all research; however, some have suggested that PPI use may be linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular illnesses and heart failure aggravation. Conversely, H2RAs appeared to offer potential benefits in certain high-risk groups, potentially reducing all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. However, the limitations of the available studies should be taken into consideration when interpreting these findings.

Conclusion: The review suggests that there may be differences in the impact of PPIs and H2RAs on HF outcomes. While some evidence indicates that PPIs may be linked to increased risks in HF patients, and H2RAs may offer potential benefits, these findings are not definitive and should be interpreted with caution. Further research is necessary to clarify these associations and guide clinical practice.

Registration: PROSPERO CRD42023491752.