Renin–angiotensin system inhibitors and clinical outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure: a propensity score-matched study from the Chinese Atrial Fibrillation Registry

OBJECTIVE: The effect of renin–angiotensin system inhibitors (RASIs) in patients with heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate associations between RASI use and all-cause mortality and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with AF and HF. METHODS: Using data from the China Atrial Fibrillation Registry study, we included 938 patients with AF and HF with a left ventricular ejection fraction <50%. Cox regression models for RASIs vs. non-RASIs with all-cause mortality as the primary outcome were fitted in a 1:1 propensity score-matched cohort. A sensitivity analysis was performed by using a multivariable time-dependent Cox regression model. As an internal control, we assessed the relation between β-blocker use and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 35 months, the risk of all-cause mortality was similar in RASI users compared with non-users (hazard ratio: 0.92; 95% confidence interval: 0.67–1.26). Similar results were obtained in the sensitivity analysis. In contrast, β-blocker use was associated with significantly lower all-cause mortality in the same population. CONCLUSIONS: RASI use was not associated with better outcomes in patients with AF and HF in this prospective cohort, which raises questions about their value in this specific subset. Trail Registration: ChiCTR-OCH-13003729.