Intravenous immunoglobulin does not reduce left ventricular remodeling in patients with myocardial dysfunction during hospitalization after acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

Left ventricular (LV) remodeling takes place after acute myocardial infarction (MI), potentially leading to overt heart failure (HF). Enhanced inflammation may contribute to LV remodeling. Our hypothesis was that the immunomodulating effects of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) would be beneficial in patients with impaired myocardial function after MI by reducing myocardial remodeling and improving myocardial function.

METHODS

Sixty-two patients with acute MI treated by percutaneous coronary intervention, with depressed LV ejection fraction (LVEF) were randomized in a double-blinded fashion to IVIg as induction therapy and thereafter as monthly infusions or placebo for 26 weeks. The primary end point was changes in LVEF from baseline to 6 months as assessed by MRI.

RESULTS

Our main findings were: (i) LVEF increased significantly from 38 ± 10 (mean ± SD) to 45 ± 13% after IVIg and from 42 ± 9 to 49 ± 12% after placebo with no difference between the groups. (ii) The scar area decreased significantly by 3% and 5% in the IVIg and placebo group, respectively, with no difference between the groups. (iii) During the induction therapy (baseline to day 5), IVIg induced both inflammatory (e.g., increase in tumor necrosis factor α and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) and anti-inflammatory (e.g., increase in interleukin-10 and decrease in leukocyte counts) variables, but during maintenance therapy there were no differences in changes of inflammatory mediators between IVIg and placebo.

CONCLUSIONS

IVIg therapy after ST elevation MI managed by primary PCI does not affect LV remodeling or function. This illustrates the challenges of therapeutic intervention directed against the cytokine network, to prevent post-MI remodeling.

Increased interleukin-1β levels are associated with left ventricular hypertrophy and remodelling following acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention

OBJECTIVES

To assess the relationship between interleukin (IL)-1-related molecules, infarct size and left ventricular (LV) remodelling following acute myocardial infarction (MI).

METHODS

Forty-two patients with first-time diagnosis of ST segment elevation MI (STEMI), with a single occluded vessel successfully revascularized by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), were recruited to this observational study conducted at a university teaching hospital and followed for 1 year.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Plasma levels of IL-1β, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), IL-18 and caspase-1 were analysed before and 2 days, 1 week and 2 months after PCI. Serial cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) was used for the assessment of infarct size and LV remodelling. CMR findings at 1 year was the primary outcome variable.

RESULTS

Univariate analysis showed that IL-1-related mediators were strongly (IL-1 β), moderately (caspase-1) and weakly (IL-1Ra) associated with impaired myocardial function and noninfarct mass, but not infarct size, 1 year after reperfused STEMI. In multivariate analyses, troponin T predicted LV ejection fraction (LVEF), infarct size and LV end-diastolic (LVEDVi) and end-systolic volume index (LVESVi). However, significant additional variance was explained by IL-1β, IL-18 and caspase-1. IL-1β levels at 2 months, IL-18 at 2 days and pre-PCI caspase-1 were predictors of LVEF. Caspase-1 and in particular IL-1β at 2 days were the only predictors of noninfarct mass. IL-1β and IL-18 at 2 days were predictors of LVEDVi, whilst pre-PCI levels of IL-1β contributed to prediction of LVESVi. By contrast, pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, C-reactive protein, IL-6 and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) had no or only a weak (TGF-β1) association with these CMR parameters in multivariate analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

IL-1β levels after STEMI were strongly associated with impaired myocardial function and noninfarct LV mass after 1 year, suggesting a potential role for IL-1β as a predictor of maladaptive myocardial remodelling following reperfused MI.

Adherence of heart failure patients to exercise: barriers and possible solutions: a position statement of the Study Group on Exercise Training in Heart Failure of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology

The practical management of heart failure remains a challenge. Not only are heart failure patients expected to adhere to a complicated pharmacological regimen, they are also asked to follow salt and fluid restriction, and to cope with various procedures and devices. Furthermore, physical training, whose benefits have been demonstrated, is highly recommended by the recent guidelines issued by the European Society of Cardiology, but it is still severely underutilized in this particular patient population. This position paper addresses the problem of non-adherence, currently recognized as a main obstacle to a wide implementation of physical training. Since the management of chronic heart failure and, even more, of training programmes is a multidisciplinary effort, the current manuscript intends to reach cardiologists, nurses, physiotherapists, as well as psychologists working in the field.

The effect of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose on health-related quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure and iron deficiency: a subanalysis of the FAIR-HF study

AIMS

Patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) show impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL), an important target for therapeutic intervention. Impaired iron homeostasis may be one mechanism underlying the poor physical condition of CHF patients. This detailed subanalysis of the previously published FAIR-HF study evaluated baseline HRQoL in iron-deficient patients with CHF and the effect of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) on HRQoL.

METHODS AND RESULTS

FAIR-HF randomized 459 patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and iron deficiency, with or without anaemia, to FCM or placebo (2:1). Health-related quality of life was assessed at baseline and after 4, 12, and 24 weeks of therapy using the generic EQ-5D questionnaire and disease-specific Kansas City cardiomyopathy questionnaire (KCCQ). Baseline mean visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 54.3 ± 16.4 and KCCQ overall summary score was 52.4 ± 18.8. Ferric carboxymaltose significantly improved VAS and KCCQ (mean differences from baseline in KCCQ overall, clinical and total symptom scores, P< 0.001 vs. placebo) at all time points. At week 24, significant improvement vs. placebo was observed in four of the five EQ-5D dimensions: mobility (P= 0.004), self-care (P< 0.001), pain/discomfort (P= 0.006), anxiety/depression (P= 0.012), and usual activity (P= 0.035). Ferric carboxymaltose improved all KCCQ domain mean scores from Week 4 onward (P≤ 0.05), except for self-efficacy and social limitation. Effects were present in both anaemic and non-anaemic patients.

CONCLUSIONS

HRQoL is impaired in iron-deficient patients with CHF. Intravenous FCM significantly improved HRQoL after 4 weeks, and throughout the remaining study period. The positive effects of FCM were independent of anaemia status.

Clustering of 37 circulating biomarkers by exploratory factor analysis in patients following complicated acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to elucidate the complex interactions between families of circulating biomarkers representing different biochemical responses to the pathophysiology following complicated acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

METHODS

Blood samples, drawn at a median of 3 days post AMI were obtained from 236 patients with complicated AMI and evidence of heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction. Using exploratory factor analysis, 37 biomarkers were grouped according to their collinearity to each other into clusters. The clusters were used as a model to elucidate interdependencies between individual biomarkers. Each cluster defines a specific pathophysiological process, called factor. These factors were used as covariates in multivariable Cox-proportional hazard regression analyses for prediction of all-cause death and the combined endpoint of cardiovascular death and re-infarction.

RESULTS

Exploratory factor analysis grouped the biomarkers under 5 factors. The composition of these groups was partially unexpected but biological plausible. In multivariable analysis, only 1 factor proved to be an independent predictor of outcome. Major contributions (factor loadings>0.50) in this cluster came from: mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin, tumor necrosis factor receptor, pro-endothelin-1, growth differentiation factor 15, C-terminal pro arginine vasopressin, uric acid, chromogranin A and procollagen type III N-terminal.

CONCLUSION

Clustering of multiple biomarkers by exploratory factor analysis might prove useful in exploring the biological interactions between different biomarkers in cardiovascular disease and thus increase our understanding of the complicated orchestral interplay at the molecular level.

Exercise training in heart failure: from theory to practice. A consensus document of the Heart Failure Association and the European Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation

The European Society of Cardiology heart failure guidelines firmly recommend regular physical activity and structured exercise training (ET), but this recommendation is still poorly implemented in daily clinical practice outside specialized centres and in the real world of heart failure clinics. In reality, exercise intolerance can be successfully tackled by applying ET. We need to encourage the mindset that breathlessness may be evidence of signalling between the periphery and central haemodynamic performance and regular physical activity may ultimately bring about favourable changes in myocardial function, symptoms, functional capacity, and increased hospitalization-free life span and probably survival. In this position paper, we provide practical advice for the application of exercise in heart failure and how to overcome traditional barriers, based on the current scientific and clinical knowledge supporting the beneficial effect of this intervention.

Effect of nesiritide in patients with acute decompensated heart failure

BACKGROUND

Nesiritide is approved in the United States for early relief of dyspnea in patients with acute heart failure. Previous meta-analyses have raised questions regarding renal toxicity and the mortality associated with this agent.

METHODS

We randomly assigned 7141 patients who were hospitalized with acute heart failure to receive either nesiritide or placebo for 24 to 168 hours in addition to standard care. Coprimary end points were the change in dyspnea at 6 and 24 hours, as measured on a 7-point Likert scale, and the composite end point of rehospitalization for heart failure or death within 30 days.

RESULTS

Patients randomly assigned to nesiritide, as compared with those assigned to placebo, more frequently reported markedly or moderately improved dyspnea at 6 hours (44.5% vs. 42.1%, P=0.03) and 24 hours (68.2% vs. 66.1%, P=0.007), but the prespecified level for significance (P≤0.005 for both assessments or P≤0.0025 for either) was not met. The rate of rehospitalization for heart failure or death from any cause within 30 days was 9.4% in the nesiritide group versus 10.1% in the placebo group (absolute difference, -0.7 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], -2.1 to 0.7; P=0.31). There were no significant differences in rates of death from any cause at 30 days (3.6% with nesiritide vs. 4.0% with placebo; absolute difference, -0.4 percentage points; 95% CI, -1.3 to 0.5) or rates of worsening renal function, defined by more than a 25% decrease in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (31.4% vs. 29.5%; odds ratio, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.98 to 1.21; P=0.11).

CONCLUSIONS

Nesiritide was not associated with an increase or a decrease in the rate of death and rehospitalization and had a small, nonsignificant effect on dyspnea when used in combination with other therapies. It was not associated with a worsening of renal function, but it was associated with an increase in rates of hypotension. On the basis of these results, nesiritide cannot be recommended for routine use in the broad population of patients with acute heart failure. (Funded by Scios; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00475852.).

Prognostic value of mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin in patients with heart failure after an acute myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE

To assess the cardiovascular prognostic value of mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM) and compare this with B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), on death or a composite end point in patients who developed heart failure after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

METHODS

From a subset of 214 patients from the OPTIMAAL study, blood samples were obtained at a median of 3 days after AMI when patients had developed signs and/or symptoms of heart failure (HF) or a left ventricular ejection fraction <0.35%. End points were all-cause mortality and a composite end point, including death, myocardial reinfarction, stroke and/or resuscitated cardiac arrest.

RESULTS

Mean age of the patients was 68±10 years and mean follow-up was 918±311 days. During follow-up 31 patients died and 61 reached the composite end point. In multivariable Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for BNP, NT-proBNP and other covariates, a doubling of MR-proADM showed a 3.02 (95% CI 1.66 to 5.49) times increased risk of mortality (p<0.001) and a 1.77 (95% CI 1.13 to 2.78) times increased risk of reaching the composite end point (p=0.013). Receiver operating characteristic curves indicated that MR-proADM (area under the curve (AUC)=0.81) was a stronger predictor of mortality than BNP (AUC=0.66; p=0.0034 vs MR-proADM) and NT-proBNP (AUC=0.67; p<0.001 vs MR-proADM). Furthermore, MR-proADM enhanced significantly risk classification and integrated discrimination improvement in comparison with BNP and NT-proBNP. Finally, changes in MR-proADM over time significantly added prognostic information to the baseline value.

CONCLUSION

MR-proADM is a promising biomarker and has strong prognostic value for mortality and morbidity in patients with HF after an AMI. In this study, MR-proADM had stronger predictive value than BNP and NT-proBNP.