Meta-analysis of the impact of sacubitril/valsartan and ARB drugs on renal function

doi:10.5246/jcps.2025.06.042

Abstract

Abstract:

To evaluate the effects of sacubitril/valsartan and ARB on renal function in patients with and without heart failure, we conducted a comprehensive literature search using both Chinese and English databases. These included the Cochrane Library, Wanfang Database, PubMed, CNKI, Embase, and Clinical Trials. The search encompassed studies published from the inception of the databases to March 2024. Randomized controlled studies meeting the inclusion criteria were assessed for bias using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. Data were analyzed using Review Manager 5.4, with relative risk (RR) as the effect indicator. Depending on the heterogeneity of the studies, either a fixed-effects model or a random-effects model was employed to combine effect sizes. Seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Compared with ARB drugs, sacubitril/valsartan showed a reduction in the deterioration of renal function (RR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.44–1.12, P = 0.14) and acute renal function injury (RR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.59–1.00, P = 0.05). The risk of end-stage renal disease was also lower (RR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.30–0.96, P = 0.16). For serum creatinine levels greater than 2.5 mg/dL, the RR was 0.88 (95% CI: 0.68–1.15, P = 0.37). For a reduction in eGFR of more than 25%, the RR was 0.89 (95% CI: 0.57–1.41, P = 0.63). The incidence of serum potassium levels greater than 5.5 mmol/L was not significantly different between the groups (RR = 1.23, 95% CI: 0.86–1.75, P = 0.26), nor was the incidence of serum potassium levels greater than 6.0 mmol/L (RR = 1.06, 95% CI: 0.58–1.93, P = 0.86). However, the incidence of eGFR decreasing by more than 50% was significantly reduced (RR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.34–0.99, P < 0.05). In conclusion, sacubitril/valsartan demonstrated a protective effect on the kidneys, effectively reducing the risk of renal deterioration and presenting a potential alternative to ARB drugs.

Key words: Sakubactril valsartan, Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, Kidney function, Angiotensin receptor antagonist, Meta-analysis

Supporting:

Jianmei Zhang, Jungang Lv, Hao Fu, Anqi Zhu, Fengying Hu, Zhaoyuan Shen, Fang Wang. Meta-analysis of the impact of sacubitril/valsartan and ARB drugs on renal function[J]. Journal of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2025, 34(6): 556-565.

Figures/Tables 5

References 19

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