Flu Vaccination Halves Mortality Risk in HF Patients

Influenza vaccination was associated with a significant decrease in mortality risk among patients with heart failure (HF) during yearly influenza and non-influenza seasons, according to a recent meta-analysis

Findings from the analysis will be presented at the American College of Cardiology 2018 67th Scientific Session & Expo, which will take place from March 10 to 12 in Orlando, Florida.
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For their analysis, the researchers identified 78,882 patients enrolled in 5 studies that had assessed the effect of influenza vaccination on mortality or hospitalization due to HF.

Following adjustment, results indicated that influenza vaccination was associated with a lower risk of mortality during both influenza season (risk ratio [RR] 0.52) and non-influenza season (RR 0.79).

Furthermore, influenza vaccination was also found to be associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular hospitalization (RR 0.78) but not for all-cause hospitalization (RR 1.00) during influenza season.

“Our meta-analysis suggests the potential mortality benefit of influenza vaccination in heart failure patients,” the researchers concluded. “Large-scale randomized controlled trials should be planned to confirm our observed potential survival benefit of influenza vaccination in these patients.”

—Christina Vogt

Reference:

Fukuta H, Ohte N. The effect of influenza vaccination on mortality and hospitalization in patients with heart failure: a meta-analysis. Paper presented at: ACC.18 67th Scientific Session & Expo; March 11, 2018; Orlando, FL. http://www.abstractsonline.com/pp8/ - !/4496/presentation/39126.