GLPwatch

Pulmonary artery pressure trajectories in heart failure patients treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists.

ESC Heart Fail · 2025

Last updated 2026-05-28

In a small study of 9 heart failure patients taking GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide for 6 months, average body weight dropped from 123.6 kg to 117.2 kg. Their blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary artery pressure) also fell, with systolic pressure decreasing from 38.9 mmHg to 34.0 mmHg and mean pressure from 27.3 mmHg to 24.3 mmHg.

AI summary of the abstract below.

JournalESC Heart Fail, 2025
Citations3
Molecules
Conditions studied Heart Failure

Abstract

AIMS: Data support favourable haemodynamic benefits of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) on improving cardiac structural abnormalities and function in patients with heart failure (HF). However, the direct haemodynamic effects of GLP-1 RAs remain inadequately characterized. We aim to investigate temporal trends of pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) in HF patients receiving GLP-1 RAs. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this single-centre retrospective cohort study, we identified HF patients with a CardioMEMS device who received semaglutide or tirzepatide for at least 6 months during the monitoring period. Patients who were already on GLP-1 RAs prior to device implantation were excluded. The relationship between weight change and PAPs was assessed using Pearson correlation. A total of nine patients were included (54 years, BMI 41.4 kg/m, 67% men, 44% with EF < 40%, 89% diabetes, 89% semaglutide). Median dose of semaglutide (or equivalent) at 6 months was 0.9 (range 0.25-1) mg/week. Body weight significantly decreased from 123.6 to 117.2 kg (P = 0.047), while guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) and loop diuretic uses and dosages remained unchanged. Significant reductions were observed in systolic PAP (38.9 to 34.0 mmHg, P = 0.045), diastolic PAP (20.0 to 17.8 mmHg, P = 0.019) and mean PAP (27.3 to 24.3 mmHg, P = 0.018). There was a significant correlation between weight loss and reductions in systolic PAP (r = 0.69, P = 0.04) and mean PAP (r = 0.72, P = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS: GLP1-RA use in HF patients was significantly associated with reductions in body weight and PAPs at 6 months, despite no changes in GDMT and loop diuretic doses.

Verbatim abstract via PubMed 40289068 ↗