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Effects of the Valsartan Recall on Heart Failure Patients: A Nationwide Analysis
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  • Katie J. Suda,
  • Joshua Devine W,
  • Mina Tadrous,
  • Inmaculada Hernandez,
  • Nandita Mukhopadhyay,
  • Scott Rothenberger D,
  • Katherine Callaway Kim,
  • Walid F. Gellad
Katie J. Suda
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Joshua Devine W
Des Moines University
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Mina Tadrous
University of Toronto Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy
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Inmaculada Hernandez
University of California San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
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Nandita Mukhopadhyay
University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine
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Scott Rothenberger D
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
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Katherine Callaway Kim
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
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Walid F. Gellad
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
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Abstract

Background: Valsartan is commonly used for cardiac conditions. In 2018, the Food and Drug Administration recalled generic valsartan due to the detection of impurities. Our objective was to determine if heart failure patients receiving valsartan at the recall date had a greater likelihood of unfavorable outcomes than patients using comparable antihypertensives. Methods: We conducted a cohort study of Optum’s de-identified Clinformatics® Datamart (July 2017-January 2019). Heart failure patients with commercial or Medicare Advantage insurance who received valsartan were compared to persons who received non-recalled angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and angiotensin converting enzyme-inhibitors (ACE-Is) for 1 year prior and including the recall date. Outcomes included a composite for all-cause hospitalization, emergency department (ED), and urgent care (UC) use and a measure of cardiac events which included hospitalizations for acute myocardial infarction and hospitalizations/ED/UC visits for stroke/transient ischemic attack, heart failure or hypertension at 6-months post-recall. Cox proportional hazard models with propensity score weighting compared the risk of outcomes between groups. Results: Of the 87,130 patients, 15% were valsartan users and 85% were users of non-recalled ARBs/ACE-Is. Valsartan use was not associated with an increased risk of all-cause hospitalization/ED/UC use six-months post-recall (HR 1.00; 95%CI 0.96–1.03), compared with individuals taking non-recalled ARBs/ACE-Is. Similarly, cardiac events 6-months post-recall did not differ between individuals on valsartan and non-recalled ARBs/ACE-Is (HR 1.04; 95%CI 0.97–1.12). Conclusions: The valsartan recall did not affect short-term outcomes of heart failure patients. However, the recall potentially disrupted the medication regimens of patients, possibly straining the healthcare system.
12 Sep 2023Submitted to Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety
12 Sep 2023Submission Checks Completed
12 Sep 2023Assigned to Editor
12 Sep 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
12 Sep 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
27 Jan 20241st Revision Received
27 Jan 2024Submission Checks Completed
27 Jan 2024Assigned to Editor
27 Jan 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
20 Feb 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Major
28 Feb 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
28 Feb 2024Submission Checks Completed
28 Feb 2024Assigned to Editor