A Review on the Wonder Drug: Sacubitril-Valsartan

There are an estimated 17.9 million people worldwide who have heart failure, despite the widespread use of guideline-directed medical therapies such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), beta-adrenergic blockers, angiotensin receptor blockers, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MCRAs) for chronic systolic HF for nearly two decades. In patients with heart failure, reduced ejection fraction, and an elevated circulating level of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide or BNP, valsartan/sacubitril significantly reduced mortality and hospitalisation for heart failure, as well as blood pressure. Numerous studies have shown that this new treatment is economical. Heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction receive valsartan/sacubitril in the form of a lower dosage and are closely monitored to ensure tolerance. We summarise the evidence for this treatment and highlight the potential for its use in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction as well as hypertension.