Abstract

Background: PARADISE-MI examined the efficacy of sacubitril/valsartan in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), pulmonary congestion or both. We sought to assess the trajectory of pulmonary congestion using lung ultrasound (LUS) and its association with cardiac structure and function in a prespecified substudy. Methods: Patients without prior heart failure (HF) underwent 8-zone LUS and echocardiography at baseline (±2 days of randomization) and after 8 months. B-lines were quantified offline, blinded to treatment, clinical findings, timepoint and outcomes. Results: Among 152 patients (median age 65, 32% women, mean LVEF 41%), B-lines were detectable in 87% at baseline (median B-line count: 4 [IQR 2-8]). Among 115 patients with LUS data at baseline and follow-up, B-lines decreased significantly from baseline (mean ± SD: -1.6 ± 7.3; p=0.018). The proportion of patients without pulmonary congestion at follow-up was significantly higher in those with fewer B-lines at baseline. Adjusted for baseline, B-lines at follow-up were on average 6 (95% CI: 3, 9) higher in patients who experienced an intercurrent HF event vs. those who did not (p=0.001). A greater number of B-lines at baseline was associated with larger left atrial size, higher E/e’ and E/A ratios, greater degree of mitral regurgitation, worse right ventricular systolic function, and higher tricuspid regurgitation velocity (p trend <0.05 for all). Conclusions: In this AMI cohort, B-lines, indicating pulmonary congestion, were common at baseline and, on average, decreased significantly from baseline to follow-up. Worse pulmonary congestion was associated with prognostically important echocardiographic markers.