Influenza Vaccination May Reduce Mortality Risk in Heart Failure

Influenza vaccination may reduce the risk of cardiac-related mortality by almost half in patients with heart failure, according to research presented at the 67th Annual American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions, held March 10-12, 2018, in Orlando, Florida.

Researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 5 previously published observational studies of patients with heart failure (N=78,882; mean age, 64-75 years). After adjusting for potential confounders in a pooled analysis, mortality risk in patients with heart failure was reduced during influenza season with influenza vaccination (risk ratio [RR] 0.52; 95% CI, 0.39-0.69). The researchers found a smaller reduction in risk of mortality even outside of flu season (RR 0.79; 95% CI, 0.69-0.90).

The research team also found that during flu season, vaccination was associated with reduced risk for cardiovascular hospitalization (RR 0.78; 95% CI, 0.69-0.89). This risk reduction was not found for risk of general hospitalization.

These results suggest that influenza vaccination could be protective against cardiovascular complications in patients with heart failure.

The authors of the study suggest “large-scale randomized controlled trials should be planned to confirm [their] observed potential survival benefit of influenza vaccination in these patients.”

Reference

Fukuta H, Ohte N. The effect of influenza vaccination on mortality and hospitalization in patients with heart failure: a meta-analysis. Presented at: American College of Cardiology 67th Annual Scientific Session & Expo; March 10-12, 2018; Orlando, FL. Abstract 13676.

This article originally appeared on The Cardiology Advisor