Page 59 - ITPS-8-2

INNOSC Theranostics and
Pharmacological Sciences Management of heart failure in Pakistan

protocols. It is recommended that Pakistani policymakers Author contributions
27
and healthcare authorities keep a close eye on the
ongoing Phase III trials of vericiguat. By incorporating Conceptualization: Komal Zulfiqar, Malik Olatunde
27
this innovative therapy into existing treatment plans, Oduoye
hospitalization rates may be decreased, and patients Writing – original draft: All the authors
with HF may have a higher quality of life. To ensure Writing – review & editing: Malik Olatunde Oduoye
27
optimal use and maximize patient benefits, extensive Ethics approval and consent to participate
training programs for healthcare providers should be
introduced alongside the adoption of vericiguat. Given Not applicable.
27
its demonstrated efficacy and safety in preliminary clinical Consent for publication
trials, Pakistan’s regulatory bodies ought to think about
expediting vericiguat’s approval process. Partnerships Not applicable.
with foreign pharmaceutical firms and research centers
may make this drug more accessible, guaranteeing that Availability of data
Pakistani patients will be among the first to take advantage Not applicable.
of this innovative therapy. 27
References
In Pakistan, a study showed vericiguat’s effectiveness in
reducing all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and 1. Murphy SP, Ibrahim NE, Januzzi JL. Heart failure with
HF-related hospitalizations, regardless of atrial fibrillation reduced ejection fraction: A review. JAMA. 2020;324(5):488.
(AF) status. In 2019, the prevalence and disability rates doi: 10.1001/jama.2020.10262
28
for HF in Pakistan were 405.12 and 35.80 per 100,000
populations, respectively, with the highest burden in 2. Vannuccini F, Campora A, Barilli M, Palazzuoli A. Vericiguat in
heart failure: Characteristics, scientific evidence and potential
Islamabad and the lowest in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. clinical applications. Biomedicines. 2022;10(10):2471.
29
Females saw a higher increase in HF prevalence from 1990
to 2019 compared to males, and the burden of HF increased doi: 10.3390/biomedicines10102471
29
in the 10 – 49 age group. The integration of GDMT and 3. Vancheri F, Longo G, Henein MY. Left ventricular ejection
recent pharmacological advancements in Pakistan reflects fraction: Clinical, pathophysiological, and technical
an effort to align with international standards, although limitations. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2024;11:1340708.
resource constraints pose significant challenges. Access to doi: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1340708
30
educational resources, patient education, and improvements 4. Redfield MM, Borlaug BA. Heart failure with preserved
in healthcare policy are crucial to enhancing HF outcomes ejection fraction: A review. JAMA. 2023;329(10):827-838.
in such settings. Figure 2 shows the flowchart for the
30
adoption of vericiguat in HFrEF management in Pakistan. doi: 10.1001/jama.2023.2020
5. Sheikh SA. Heart failure in Pakistan: A demographic survey.
5. Conclusion J Cardiac Failure. 2006;12(8):S157.
The use of vericiguat in the treatment of HF in Pakistan is doi: 10.1016/j.cardfail.2006.08.069
an important topic of discussion that warrants significant 6. Ashraf T, Ishaq M. Managing heart failure with reduced ejection
attention. The use of this drug would reduce the burden fraction: What to know? Pak Heart J. 2021;54(3):205-206.
of HF in Pakistan. It is crucial for policymakers and
healthcare authorities to demonstrate strong political will doi: 10.47144/phj.v54i3.2192
and implement effective research and policy strategies to 7. Senni M, Lopez‐Sendon J, Cohen‐Solal A, et al. Vericiguat
facilitate the adoption of vericiguat in Pakistan. and NT‐proBNP in patients with heart failure with reduced
ejection fraction: Analyses from the VICTORIA trial. ESC
Acknowledgments Heart Failure. 2022;9(6):3791-3803.
None. doi: 10.1002/ehf2.14050
8. Olivella A, Almenar‐Bonet L, Moliner P, et al. Role of
Funding vericiguat in management of patients with heart failure
None. with reduced ejection fraction after worsening episode. ESC
Heart Failure. 2024;11(2):628-636.
Conflict of interest doi: 10.1002/ehf2.14647
The authors declare that they have no competing interests. 9. Follmann M, Ackerstaff J, Redlich G, et al. Discovery of

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