Receiving an influenza vaccine was linked to a significant drop in risk of death among people with heart failure, both during and outside of the flu season, according to research that will be presented at the American College of Cardiology's 67th Annual Scientific Session, March 10-12 in Orlando, Fla.
Researchers examined six studies conducted in the U.S., Europe and Asia. All together, the studies included data for 78,000-plus patients with heart failure. Five of the six studies were observational, and one was a retrospective analysis of clinical trial results.
The researchers' analysis of the studies shows heart failure patients who receive a seasonal flu vaccine experience around a 50 percent drop in death risk during flu season and an approximately 20 percent decrease in death risk during the rest of the year. Additionally, getting vaccinated decreased the risk of hospitalization for cardiovascular issues by 22 percent.
The researchers did note the observational studies do not necessarily prove cause and effect — they only show associations.
"Randomized controlled studies should be planned to confirm our observed potential survival benefit of influenza vaccination in these patients," said Hidekatsu Fukuta, MD, study lead author and a cardiologist at Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences in Japan.