JAMA Cardiol

Potassium nitrate fails to improve exercise capacity in HFpEF patients

December 30, 2024

Study design: This multicenter, randomized, double-blinded crossover trial was conducted at the University of Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and Northwestern University. It included 84 patients with symptomatic HFpEF (NYHA class II/III) who had elevated left ventricular filling pressures. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either potassium nitrate (KNO₃) or potassium chloride (KCl) for six weeks, with a one-week washout period between treatments.

Results: While potassium nitrate significantly increased blood nitric oxide metabolites, it didn’t improve exercise capacity or quality of life compared with potassium chloride. Peak oxygen uptake and total work performed during exercise tests didn’t significantly differ between the two groups.

Impact on clinical practice: Chronic potassium nitrate supplementation doesn’t appear to benefit exercise tolerance or quality of life in HFpEF patients. Clinicians could consider alternative therapies and interventions to manage symptoms and improve quality of life in this patient population.

Source:

Zamani P, et al. (2024, December 18). JAMA Cardiol. Potassium Nitrate in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Randomized Clinical Trial. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39693096/