Heart Attack Recovery Boosted by Drug Combination
New Research Offers Hope for Preventing Long-Term Damage
A promising new study suggests combining existing medications could significantly improve recovery after a heart attack, potentially preventing the development of heart failure. Researchers are exploring how to intervene early to protect heart muscle and improve long-term outcomes.
Early Intervention Shows Promise
Scientists at the Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP) investigated the effects of empagliflozin, either alone or in combination with sacubitril/valsartan, in the immediate aftermath of a myocardial infarction. Their preclinical study, utilizing a porcine model, focused on inflammation, scar tissue formation, and heart function.
Myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when a blocked artery deprives heart muscle of oxygen, leading to tissue damage and an inflammatory response. This response, while necessary for healing, can result in a collagen-rich scar that hinders the heart’s ability to pump effectively. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, accounting for one in five deaths in 2021. (CDC Heart Disease Facts)
How the Drugs Work
Sacubitril/valsartan supports the heart by regulating hormones related to blood pressure and fluid balance, while also promoting blood vessel relaxation. Empagliflozin, initially developed for type 2 diabetes, has demonstrated protective effects on the heart by reducing inflammation and optimizing energy use. While both drugs have proven beneficial in treating established heart failure, their impact during the critical early phase after a heart attack remained unclear.
The study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA), examined several key factors, including inflammation, oxidative stress, and the risk of dangerous heart rhythm problems.
Combination Therapy Outperforms Single Drug
Empagliflozin alone demonstrated strong anti-inflammatory properties and favorably altered scar tissue composition. However, it didn’t significantly improve overall heart function or reduce the risk of ventricular arrhythmias. In contrast, the combination of empagliflozin and sacubitril/valsartan yielded more encouraging results.
“These findings validate the anti-inflammatory properties and nitric oxide-enhancing effects of empagliflozin in the context of myocardial infarction, and underscore the potential additive benefits of combining it with sacubitril/valsartan to mitigate adverse structural and electrophysiological remodelling.”
—Dr. Felipe Bisbal and Dr. Carolina Gálvez-Montón, Principal Investigators
The combined treatment led to less collagen buildup in scar tissue, reduced left ventricle remodeling, and a decreased likelihood of triggering ventricular tachycardia during testing.
Future Research and Clinical Trials
Daina Martínez, whose doctoral research formed the basis of the study, explained, “This project has allowed us to better understand the early mechanisms of cardiac repair and how combining treatments might enhance recovery after a heart attack.”
The researchers emphasize the need for clinical trials to confirm these findings in humans and determine the optimal timing and dosage for this combined therapy.
The team hopes their work will pave the way for new strategies to improve outcomes for individuals experiencing a heart attack and reduce the long-term burden of heart failure.
Reference: Martínez‐Falguera D, Aranyó J, Ferrer‐Curriu G, et al. Initiating empagliflozin and sacubitril/valsartan early after acute myocardial infarction: mechanistic study. J Am Heart Assoc. 2025;14(11):e040214. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.124.040214
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