Influenza vaccination is associated with reduced mortality in patients with heart failure, according to an observational study in Circulation.
Using Danish health records, researchers identified nearly 135,000 patients diagnosed with heart failure between 2003 and 2015. Annual flu vaccination rates over the study period ranged from 16% to 54%. During roughly 3.5 years’ follow-up, 58% of the cohort died; one-third of all deaths were due to cardiovascular causes.
Follow-up was 99.8% with a median follow-up time of 3.7 years (interquartile range, 1.7–6.8 years). The vaccination coverage of the study cohort ranged from 16% to 54% during the study period. In unadjusted analysis, receiving ≥1 vaccinations during follow-up was associated with a higher risk of death. After adjustment for inclusion date, comorbidities, medications, household income, and education level, receiving ≥1 vaccinations was associated with an 18% reduced
risk of death (all-cause: hazard ratio, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.81–0.84; P<0.001; cardiovascular causes: hazard ratio, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.81–0.84; P<0.001).
Annual vaccination, vaccination early in the year (September to October), and greater cumulative number of vaccinations were associated with larger reductions in the risk of death compared with intermittent After multivariable adjustment, patients who received at least one flu shot during the study period were 18% less likely to die — and 18% less likely to die from CV causes — than those who received no flu shots. Benefits increased with the number of vaccinations.
The researchers conclude, “Influenza vaccination should be considered as a potential treatment strategy comparable to other medical treatments such as beta-blockers and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, to improve survival in heart failure. Frequent vaccination and vaccination earlier in the year were associated with larger reductions in the risk of death compared with intermittent and late vaccination”
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Source: NEJM Journal watch & Circulation
