Pregabalin Does Not Increase Risk of Heart Failure Exacerbation in Patients With Pre-existing Heart Failure

Abstract

Background: Through actions of calcium channel trafficking inhibition and sodium/water retention, pregabalin may increase the risk of acute heart failure (AHF). Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of heart failure (HF) acute exacerbations, measured by a composite of emergency department (ED) visits, per-patient per-year (PPPY) hospitalizations, time-to first ED admission, and time-to hospitalizations in pre-existing HF patients taking pregabalin compared with those who were pregabalin-naive. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of pregabalin users with HF were propensity score–matched to pregabalin-naïve patients with HF to evaluate the composite of ED admissions or PPPY hospitalizations, time-to first ED admission, and time-to hospitalizations during the 365 days post-index. Doubly robust generalized linear regression and Cox-proportional hazard regression modeling were undertaken for analysis of differences between groups. Results: The matched cohort of 385 pregabalin users and 3460 pregabalin nonusers were principally middle-aged, equally gender distributed, and primary Caucasian. Most patients were on guideline-directed HF medical therapy. The estimated cumulative incidence of the primary outcome was a hazard ratio of 1.099 (95% CI: 0.789-1.530; P = 0.58). Conclusion and Relevance: This large, single-center, cohort study shows pregabalin is not associated with an increased risk of AHF events in patients with pre-existing HF.