Research Highlights:

• The CLEAR SYNERGY trial found that spironolactone may reduce the risk of new or worsening heart failure; however, it did not significantly impact the rate of death, new heart attack or stroke.
• More research is needed to further explore the potential for spironolactone, a blood pressure medication, to prevent heart failure and its long-term impact on an individual’s heart health after a heart attack.
• Note: The study featured in this news release is a research abstract. Abstracts presented at American Heart Association’s scientific meetings are not peer-reviewed, and the findings are considered preliminary until published as full manuscripts in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

Embargoed until 8:55 a.m. CT/9:55 a.m. ET, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024

This news release contains updated information from the researcher that was not in the abstract.

(NewMediaWire) - November 17, 2024 - CHICAGO — New research found that the medication spironolactone, often prescribed for hypertension (high blood pressure), may reduce the risk of heart failure in people recovering from a heart attack. However, it did not significantly reduce the number of deaths or other severe heart-related events, according to late-breaking science presented today at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2024. The meeting, Nov. 16-18, 2024, in Chicago, is a premier global exchange of the latest scientific advancements, research and evidence-based clinical practice updates in cardiovascular science. This research is simultaneously published today in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The CLEAR SYNERGY (OASIS 9) trial included more than 7,000 adults in 14 countries who had experienced a severe heart attack. The trial’s focus was to determine whether the routine use of spironolactone after a heart attack — regardless of whether the person had heart failure — could provide broader benefits in reducing the incidence of heart failure and death. Spironolactone is a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist medication that blocks certain hormones.

The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial (meaning participants were randomly assigned to receive a test treatment or a sham/placebo treatment, and neither the researchers or the participants knew which group they were in) with four groups: spironolactone and colchicine – an anti-inflammatory medication; spironolactone and a placebo; colchicine and a placebo; or two placebos. 

The trial’s results found:

• The overall rates of death from heart-related issues were similar between the spironolactone groups and the placebo groups (3.2% vs. 3.3%, respectively).
• Participants taking spironolactone (with or without colchicine) had a 31% lower risk of new or worsening heart failure than people taking colchicine with placebo or two placebos (1.6% vs. 2.4%, respectively).
• High potassium levels occurred at twice the rate within the spironolactone group compared to the placebo group (1.1% vs. 0.05%, respectively), leading to more participants discontinuing medication use.

“While spironolactone didn’t reduce deaths or other major heart complications after a heart attack, it did reduce the likelihood of heart failure, which is an important finding for patients and health care professionals," said Sanjit Jolly, M.D., M.Sc., lead author of the trial and a scientist at the Population Health Research Institute – a joint institute of McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

“Participants fared much better in this trial than in previous ones. This reflects the advances in angioplasty techniques in the overall care for heart attacks. Modern treatment approaches, including medication, stent technology and more timely interventions, have positively impacted patient outcomes.”

Study details, background and design:

• The study enrolled 7,062 participants between February 1, 2018, and November 8, 2022, with a median follow-up of three years.
• The average age of participants was 60, and 20% of participants self-identified as women.
• 95% had experienced a severe heart attack known as ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
• About 1 in 5 (18%) had diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2).

The research group highlighted several key study limitations. Women and people of different races and ethnicities were underrepresented in the participant pool, therefore, the results may not be generalizable to the larger population. The side effects of colchicine could have influenced a participant’s decision to stop taking spironolactone. This may partly explain the higher-than-expected rate (28%) of people who discontinued using spironolactone and likely reduced the study’s statistical power.

Co-authors, disclosures and funding sources are listed in the manuscript.

Statements and conclusions of studies that are presented at the American Heart Association’s scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the Association’s policy or position. The Association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. Abstracts presented at the Association’s scientific meetings are not peer-reviewed, rather, they are curated by independent review panels and are considered based on the potential to add to the diversity of scientific issues and views discussed at the meeting. The findings are considered preliminary until published as a full manuscript in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

The Association receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific Association programs and events. The Association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and biotech companies, device manufacturers and health insurance providers and the Association’s overall financial information are available here.

Additional Resources:

• Multimedia is available on the right column of the release link.
• Link to abstract; and AHA Scientific Sessions 2024 Online Program Planner
• AHA news release: Patient engagement program for heart failure patients improved outcomes (Nov. 2020)
• AHA health information: Heart Failure - Manage - Learn - Connect
• AHA health information: Life After a Heart Attack
• For more news at AHA Scientific Sessions 2024, follow us on X @HeartNews, #AHA24

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