HFrEF Polypill in Sri Lanka RCT

The study intervention will be a heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) polypill consisting of bisoprolol (beta-blocker), losartan (ARB), eplerenone (MRA), and dapagliflozin (SGLT2i) manufactured using the over-encapsulation method and will undergo extensive stability testing to ensure quality. There will be 3 strengths of the HFrEF polypill available to facilitate initiation with low dose to prioritize clinical tolerability and laboratory safety and titration to higher doses of the HFrEF polypill. The dose of initiation and titration will be at the investigator's discretion. The HFrEF polypill will be delivered by licensed physicians responsible for managing heart failure at participating sites. Eligible providers must have formal medical qualifications in Sri Lanka and be actively involved in the care of patients with HFrEF. This includes cardiologists, internists, or general practitioners with experience in heart failure management. All participating physicians will receive standardized training on the study protocol including titration protocol, HFrEF polypill composition, and guidance for patient counseling prior to trial initiation to ensure consistent and accurate delivery of the intervention. Participants receiving the HFrEF polypill will also receive a "HFrEF polypill card" that delineates the drugs and doses included in the HFrEF polypill combination and contact information for the local study team in case of hospitalization at another facility.

HFrEF polypill combinations by strength:

HFrEF polypill strength 1: bisoprolol 2.5 mg + losartan 25 mg + eplerenone 25 mg + dapagliflozin 10 mg HFrEF polypill strength 2: bisoprolol 5 mg + losartan 50 mg + eplerenone 25 mg + dapagliflozin 10 mg HFrEF polypill strength 3: bisoprolol 10 mg + losartan 100 + eplerenone 50 mg + dapagliflozin 10 mg

Participants in the comparator control group will receive usual care from their healthcare providers. Providers will be encouraged to treat all participants according to international and local clinical practice guidelines. Participants in the intervention group will be provided with the HFrEF polypill by the study, and participants in the control group will be provided HFrEF medications through the pharmacy at the public hospital site(s) in Sri Lanka where they are generally free of cost.

Inclusion criteria

• Adults (≥18 years old)
• Diagnosis of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) including clinical symptoms or clinical signs or natriuretic peptide elevation AND echocardiographic or other evidence of reduced ejection fraction (EF≤40%)
• New York Heart Association Class II, III, or IV symptoms

Exclusion criteria

• Known contraindication to any of the HFrEF polypill components (e.g., advanced renal disease, bradycardia, allergy, amongst others).
• Significant renal impairment (estimated glomerular filtration rate <30 mL/min/1.73 m2)
• Raised serum potassium >5 mEq/L.
• Symptomatic hypotension or systolic BP <100 mmHg as per the average of last 2 of the 3 measurements at visit 1.
• Symptomatic bradycardia or second or third-degree heart block without a pacemaker on ECG review at visit 1.
• History of type 1 diabetes mellitus.
• Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or of childbearing potential and are not using and do not plan to continue using medically acceptable form of contraception throughout the study (pharmacological or barrier methods).
• Concomitant illness, physical impairment or mental condition which in the opinion of the study team/ primary physician could interfere with the conduct of the study including outcome assessment.
• Participation in a concurrent interventional medical investigation or pharmacologic clinical trial. Patients in observational, natural history or epidemiological studies not involving an intervention are eligible.
• Participant's responsible physician believes it is not appropriate for participant to participate in the study.
• Inability or unwillingness to provide written informed consent.
• Involvement in the planning and/or conduct of the study.
• Unable to complete study procedures and/or plan to move out of the study site area in the next 2 months.