Sleep-disordered breathing in heart failure: identifying and treating an important but often unrecognized comorbidity in heart failure patients

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is the most common comorbidity in patients with heart failure (HF) and has a significant impact on quality of life, morbidity, and mortality. A number of therapeutic options have become available in recent years that can improve quality of life and potentially the outcomes of HF patients with SDB. Unfortunately, SDB is not part of the routine evaluation and management of HF, so it remains untreated in most HF patients. Although recognition of the role of SDB in HF is increasing, clinical guidelines for the management of SDB in HF patients continue to be absent. This article provides an overview of SDB in HF and proposes a clinical care pathway to help clinicians to better recognize and treat SDB in their HF patients.

Cardiac-resynchronization therapy in heart failure with a narrow QRS complex

BACKGROUND

Cardiac-resynchronization therapy (CRT) reduces morbidity and mortality in chronic systolic heart failure with a wide QRS complex. Mechanical dyssynchrony also occurs in patients with a narrow QRS complex, which suggests the potential usefulness of CRT in such patients.

METHODS

We conducted a randomized trial involving 115 centers to evaluate the effect of CRT in patients with New York Heart Association class III or IV heart failure, a left ventricular ejection fraction of 35% or less, a QRS duration of less than 130 msec, and echocardiographic evidence of left ventricular dyssynchrony. All patients underwent device implantation and were randomly assigned to have CRT capability turned on or off. The primary efficacy outcome was the composite of death from any cause or first hospitalization for worsening heart failure.

RESULTS

On March 13, 2013, the study was stopped for futility on the recommendation of the data and safety monitoring board. At study closure, the 809 patients who had undergone randomization had been followed for a mean of 19.4 months. The primary outcome occurred in 116 of 404 patients in the CRT group, as compared with 102 of 405 in the control group (28.7% vs. 25.2%; hazard ratio, 1.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.92 to 1.57; P=0.15). There were 45 deaths in the CRT group and 26 in the control group (11.1% vs. 6.4%; hazard ratio, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.11 to 2.93; P=0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with systolic heart failure and a QRS duration of less than 130 msec, CRT does not reduce the rate of death or hospitalization for heart failure and may increase mortality. (Funded by Biotronik and GE Healthcare; EchoCRT ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00683696.).

Clinical response with adaptive CRT algorithm compared with CRT with echocardiography-optimized atrioventricular delay: a retrospective analysis of multicentre trials

AIMS

Adaptive cardiac resynchronization therapy (aCRT) is a novel algorithm for CRT pacing that provides automatic ambulatory selection between synchronized left ventricular (LV) or bi-ventricular (BiV) pacing and optimization of atrioventricular (AV) and inter-ventricular (VV) delays based on periodic measurement of intrinsic conduction. We aimed to compare the clinical response between aCRT and standard CRT in historical trials.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The treatment arm of the aCRT trial was compared with a pooled historical control (HC) derived from the CRT arms of four clinical trials (MIRACLE, MIRACLE ICD, PROSPECT, and InSync III Marquis) with respect to the proportion of patients who had an improved clinical composite score (CCS) at the 6-month follow-up. Patients in the HC underwent echocardiography-guided AV optimization after the implant. A propensity score model was used to adjust for 22 potential baseline confounders of the effect of CRT. Patients were stratified into quintiles according to the propensity score and the adjusted absolute treatment effect was obtained by averaging estimates across these quintiles. The propensity score model included 751 patients (aCRT: 266, historical trials: 485). The adjusted absolute difference in percent improved in CCS between the aCRT and HC arms was 11.9% [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.7-19.2%] favouring aCRT. The patients in the aCRT group were significantly more likely to have an improved CCS than the patients in the HC (odds ratio = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.1-2.5).

CONCLUSION

The aCRT algorithm may be associated with additional improvement in clinical response compared with historical CRT with echocardiographic AV optimization.

Abstract 412: Obesity is an Independent Predictor Of Arterial Stiffness

Background Arterial stiffness assessed by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) is an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We aimed to investigate how various measures of obesity affect arterial stiffness.

Methods We conducted a population-based cross-sectional survey in 8,042 South Indians above the age of 20 years. Following completion of a detailed medical history questionnaire, all participants underwent haemodynamic screening including brachial and central blood pressure, and PWV measurements using a high-fidelity applanation tonometry. The study included anthropometric measurements and fasting blood for total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and blood glucose (BG) levels. After the exclusion of people with previous history of diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia on drug therapy, 5,841 subjects (mean age 41.6 years; 58% women) constituted the study sample

Results In an univariate analysis, PWV correlated positively with age, mean blood pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist to hip ratio (WHR), body fat percent (BF%), TC, TG, LDL and BG levels (P <0.001) and negatively with HDL levels (P=0.005). In a multivariate regression analysis, majority of the PWV variability in the model was accounted for by MAP and age, (cumulative adjusted R2 change of 32.79% as compared to the total adjusted R2 change of 35.25%). However, BMI (β= 0.042; adjusted R2 change=2.83%; p<0.001) independently correlated with PWV and its contribution to the PWV variability was far more significant compared to LDL, BG and TG (cumulative adjusted R2 change=1.08%). Multivariate regression analysis using the WC, WHR, or BF% instead of the BMI continued to demonstrate a significant independent effect of obesity parameters on PWV.

Conclusion: In a large a population-based cross-sectional survey the study demonstrates a positive, independent association between obesity parameters and increased arterial stiffness.

Wearable cardioverter-defibrillator use in patients perceived to be at high risk early post-myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to describe usage of the wearable cardioverter-defibrillator (WCD) during mandated waiting periods following myocardial infarction (MI) for patients perceived to be at high risk for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).

BACKGROUND

Current device guidelines and insurance coverage require waiting periods of either 40 days or 3 months before implanting a cardioverter-defibrillator post-myocardial infarction (MI), depending on whether or not acute revascularization was undertaken.

METHODS

We assessed characteristics of and outcomes for patients who had a WCD prescribed in the first 3 months post-MI. The WCD medical order registry was searched for patients who were coded as having had a "recent MI with ejection fraction ≤35%" or given an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision 410.xx diagnostic code (acute MI), and then matched to device-recorded data.

RESULTS

Between September 2005 and July 2011, 8,453 unique patients (age 62.7 ± 12.7 years, 73% male) matched study criteria. A total of 133 patients (1.6%) received 309 appropriate shocks. Of these patients, 91% were resuscitated from a ventricular arrhythmia. For shocked patients, the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was ≤30% in 106, 30% to 35% in 17, >36% in 8, and not reported in 2 patients. Of the 38% of patients not revascularized, 84% had a LVEF ≤30%; of the 62% of patients revascularized, 77% had a LVEF ≤30%. The median time from the index MI to WCD therapy was 16 days. Of the treated patients, 75% received treatment in the first month, and 96% within the first 3 months of use. Shock success resulting in survival was 84% in nonrevascularized and 95% in revascularized patients.

CONCLUSIONS

During the 40-day and 3-month waiting periods in patients post-MI, the WCD successfully treated SCA in 1.4%, and the risk was highest in the first month of WCD use. The WCD may benefit individual patients selected for high risk of SCA early post-MI.

Long-term impact of cardiac resynchronization therapy in mild heart failure: 5-year results from the REsynchronization reVErses Remodeling in Systolic left vEntricular dysfunction (REVERSE) study

BACKGROUND

The benefit of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) among patients with mild heart failure (HF), reduced left ventricular (LV) function and wide QRS is well established. We studied the long-term stability of CRT.

METHODS

REVERSE was a randomized, double-blind study on CRT in NYHA Class I and II HF patients with QRS ≥120 ms and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤40%. After the randomized phase, all were programmed to CRT ON and prospectively followed through 5 years for functional capacity, echocardiography, HF hospitalizations, mortality, and adverse events. We report the results of the 419 patients initially assigned to CRT ON.

FINDINGS

The mean follow-up time was 54.8 ± 13.0 months. After 2 years, the functional and LV remodelling improvements were maximal. The 6-min hall walk increased by 18.8 ± 102.3 m and the Minnesota and Kansas City scores improved by 8.2 ± 17.8 and 8.2 ± 17.2 units, respectively. The mean decrease in left ventricular end-systolic volume index and left ventricular end-diastolic volume index was 23.5 ± 34.1 mL/m(2) (P < 0.0001) and 25.4 ± 37.0 mL/m2 (P < 0.0001) and the mean increase in LVEF 6.0 ± 10.8% (P < 0.0001) with sustained improvement thereafter. The annualized and 5-year mortality was 2.9 and 13.5% and the annualized and 5-year rate of death or first HF hospitalization 6.4, and 28.1%. The 5-year LV lead-related complication rate was 12.5%.

CONCLUSION

In patients with mild HF, CRT produced reverse LV remodelling accompanied by very low mortality and need for heart failure hospitalization. These effects were sustained over 5 years. Cardiac resynchronization therapy in addition to optimal medical therapy produces long-standing clinical benefits in mild heart failure.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT00271154.

The PARACHUTE IV trial design and rationale: percutaneous ventricular restoration using the parachute device in patients with ischemic heart failure and dilated left ventricles

BACKGROUND

Left ventricle (LV) remodeling after anterior wall myocardial infarction leads to increased LV volumes, myocardial stress, and, ultimately, heart failure (HF). Patients have high morbidity and mortality risk, and treatment remains limited. Percutaneous ventricular restoration (PVR) therapy using the Parachute device, a fluoropolymer membrane stretched over a nitinol conical frame, is a novel approach to partition off the damaged myocardium. In the European and United States PARACHUTE feasibility trials, the observed rates of death or rehospitalization for HF were <17% at 12 months. These data compare favorably with historical data and support the need of a randomized trial to determine the clinical efficacy of PVR on outcomes for patients with ischemic HF.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the safety and efficacy of PVR utilizing a LV partitioning device, Parachute, in a randomized clinical trial compared with optimal medical therapy.

METHODS

This US pivotal trial is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01286116) and will randomly assign (1:1) 478 patients with New York Heart Association class III-IV ischemic HF, akinetic or dyskinetic LV wall abnormality, and ejection fraction between 15% and 35% to optimal medical therapy (control) versus Parachute device implantation in approximately 65 hospitals. The primary endpoint is death or rehospitalization for worsening HF. Sample size calculation assumes constant hazards and follow-up ≥12 months using an event-driven trial design.

CONCLUSIONS

We reported the rational and design of the first multicenter randomized trial to test the efficacy of PVR using the Parachute device to treat patients with ischemic HF and dilated LV.

Effects of exercise on left ventricular systolic and diastolic properties in patients with heart failure and a preserved ejection fraction versus heart failure and a reduced ejection fraction

BACKGROUND

The purpose of the current study was to define exercise-induced changes in indices of left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic properties in patients with chronic heart failure (HF), compare these changes in patients with HF and a reduced ejection fraction (EF) versus HF and a preserved EF, and compare the hemodynamic responses to activities of daily living with symptom-limited upright exercise.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Subjects with HF and a preserved EF (n=8) and subjects with HF and a reduced EF (n=5) underwent symptom-limited Naughton protocol treadmill exercise tests. Implantable hemodynamic monitor data and echocardiographic data were obtained before exercise and at peak exercise. Implantable hemodynamic monitor data were obtained during activities of daily living during a 24-hour time period. In patients with HF and a reduced EF, limited exercise time (639±164 seconds) was associated with a marked rise in right ventricular systolic, diastolic, and estimated pulmonary artery diastolic (ePAD) pressures and an increase in LV end diastolic volume (EDV). LV systolic properties, namely EF, end systolic elastance, stroke work, and preload recruitable stroke work, all decreased. The ePAD/EDV ratio increased; to a large extent, this was dependent on an increase in EDV. By contrast, in HF and a preserved EF, limited exercise time (411±128 seconds) and the marked rise in right ventricular systolic, diastolic, and ePAD pressures were associated with no change in LV EDV. LV systolic properties increased or were unchanged; ePAD/EDV ratio increased during exercise, but the increase was independent of a change in EDV. The ranges of right ventricular systolic, diastolic, and ePAD pressures during activities of daily living were higher than the ranges of these values during the exercise stress test.

CONCLUSIONS

Although exercise limitations were similar between HF and a reduced EF and HF and a preserved EF, there were significant differences in exercise-induced changes in LV systolic and diastolic properties. These differences likely reflect the different pathophysiologies of these clinical syndromes of HF.

Development and validation of an integrated diagnostic algorithm derived from parameters monitored in implantable devices for identifying patients at risk for heart failure hospitalization in an ambulatory setting

BACKGROUND

We developed and validated a heart failure (HF) risk score combining daily measurements of multiple device-derived parameters.

METHODS

Heart failure patients from clinical studies with implantable devices were used to form two separate data sets. Daily HF scores were estimated by combining changes in intra-thoracic impedance, atrial fibrillation (AF) burden, rapid rate during AF, %CRT pacing, ventricular tachycardia, night heart rate, heart rate variability, and activity using a Bayesian model. Simulated monthly follow-ups consisted of looking back at the maximum daily HF risk score in the preceding 30 days, categorizing the evaluation as high, medium, or low risk, and evaluating the occurrence of HF hospitalizations in the next 30 days. We used an Anderson-Gill model to compare survival free from HF events in the next 30 days based on risk groups.

RESULTS

The development data set consisted of 921 patients with 9790 patient-months of data and 91 months with HF hospitalizations. The validation data set consisted of 1310 patients with 10 655 patient-months of data and 163 months with HF hospitalizations. In the validation data set, 10% of monthly evaluations in 34% of the patients were in the high-risk group. Monthly diagnostic evaluations in the high-risk group were 10 times (adjusted HR: 10.0; 95% CI: 6.4-15.7, P < 0.001) more likely to have an HF hospitalization (event rate of 6.8%) in the next 30 days compared with monthly evaluations in the low-risk group (event rate of 0.6%).

CONCLUSION

An HF score based on implantable device diagnostics can identify increased risk for HF hospitalization in the next 30 days.

An implantable left atrial pressure sensor lead designed for percutaneous extraction using standard techniques

Background

An implantable left atrial pressure (LAP) monitoring system for guiding the management of patients with advanced heart failure has the potential to require extraction, particularly in the setting of infection. The LAP sensor lead was designed to be suitable for ease of percutaneous extraction using standard techniques for extracting pacemaker and defibrillator leads. The clinical experience, to date, with percutaneous extraction of the LAP sensor lead is presented.

Methods

A total of 82 patients underwent successful implantation of the LAP sensor lead using transseptal catheterization. Five patients of the 82 patients during a cumulative follow-up period of 267 patient-years (median of 2.9 years/patient) underwent percutaneous extraction using manual traction with a locking stylet and/or an excimer laser sheath to bore through adhesions. The distal fixation anchors of the LAP sensor lead are designed to fold forward during extraction so that the sensor module can easily separate from the interatrial septum.

Results

Percutaneous extraction of the LAP sensor lead was accomplished successfully in all five patients with no embolic events, vascular tears, perforations, or other complications requiring surgical intervention. Manual traction alone was sufficient to detach the LAP sensor lead from the interatrial septum in all cases. Use of the excimer laser sheath was needed in selected cases to bore through scar tissue within the venous insertion site, but not within the heart.

Conclusions

The extraction of the LAP sensor lead was accomplished safely using standard techniques and equipment for percutaneously extracting pacemaker and defibrillator leads.

Implantable cardiovascular sensors and computers: interventional heart failure strategies

Despite evidence-based medical and pharmacologic advances the management of heart failure remains challenging, whether in the ambulatory setting where daily weight monitoring has failed, or in the inpatient setting where readmission rates and morbidity remains high. There is an urgent need to develop strategies to reduce hospitalizations and readmission rates for heart failure in general. There may be a shift in the paradigm with respect to the treatment of heart failure, which may usher in an era of invasive heart failure therapies and specialists. Experimental invasive devices and monitors have the potential to be game-changing therapies, and cardiac resynchronization therapy has evolved beyond just resynchronization and has the potential to provide important real-time hemodynamic feedback.

A novel approach to monitoring pulmonary congestion in heart failure: initial animal and clinical experiences using remote dielectric sensing technology

Despite current therapies and disease management approaches, rates of heart failure (HF) rehospitalization remain high. New tools are needed to assess preclinical (asymptomatic) pulmonary congestion to enable outpatient management. Hence, a novel monitoring system based on noninvasive remote dielectric sensing (ReDS) technology was developed. Validation of the ReDS technology was conducted in preclinical and clinical studies. In a porcine HF model, acute fluid overload followed by administration of diuretics were performed. Changes in ReDS values were correlated to serial computed tomographic (CT) assessments of lung fluid concentrations. In hospitalized decompensated HF patients, changes in ReDS values were correlated to net fluid balance changes. A nearly linear pattern between the changes in ReDS and CT fluid concentration values was observed in 6 discrete experiments (Intraclass correlation=0.95). Results from 24 patients demonstrated a reduction in ReDS values of 17.53%±11% throughout hospitalization, consistent with a reduction in pulmonary congestion. This finding strongly correlated with changes in net fluid balance (Pearson correlation=0.86; 95% confidence interval, 0.68-0.94; R(2) =0.74). These findings suggest that ReDS technology accurately quantifies lung fluid concentration and has potential for monitoring HF patients through hospitalization and possibly at home.

Development of a method to risk stratify patients with heart failure for 30-day readmission using implantable device diagnostics

The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether diagnostic data collected after a heart failure (HF) hospitalization can identify patients with HF at risk of early readmission. The diagnostic data from cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) devices can identify outpatient HF patients at risk of future HF events. In the present retrospective analysis of 4 studies, we identified patients with CRT-D devices, with a HF admission, and 30-day postdischarge follow-up data. The evaluation of the diagnostic data for impedance, atrial fibrillation, ventricular heart rate during atrial fibrillation, loss of CRT-D pacing, night heart rate, and heart rate variability was modeled to simulate a review of the first 7 days after discharge on the seventh day. Using a combined score created from the device parameters that were significant univariate predictors of 30-day HF readmission, 3 risk groups were created. A Cox proportional hazards model adjusting for age, gender, New York Heart Association class, and length of stay during the index hospitalization was used to compare the groups. The study cohort of 166 patients experienced a total of 254 HF hospitalizations, with 34 readmissions within 30 days. Daily impedance, high atrial fibrillation burden with poor rate control (>90 beat/min) or reduced CRT-D pacing (<90% pacing), and night heart rate >80 beats/min were significant univariate predictors of 30-day HF readmission. Patients in the "high"-risk group for the combined diagnostic had a significantly greater risk (hazard ratio 25.4, 95% confidence interval 3.6 to 179.0, p = 0.001) compared to the "low"-risk group for 30-day readmission for HF. In conclusion, device-derived HF diagnostic criteria evaluated 7 days after discharge identified patients at significantly greater risk of a HF event within 30 days after discharge.

Standardized reporting criteria for studies evaluating suspected acute heart failure syndromes in the emergency department

Heart failure requiring urgent therapy represents a burgeoning health care burden. Although acute heart failure syndromes are commonly defined as a change in chronic heart failure signs and symptoms requiring urgent therapy, the presentation, development, and response to treatment is highly dependent on individual patient characteristics. This heterogeneity has led to challenges in interpreting widely differing study methods, including eligibility requirements and outcome measures. To improve interpretation of results and translate such information to better patient care, it is essential to present an accurate description of the patient population and study design. Based on existing recommendations and expert consensus, the authors present standardized reporting criteria to improve interpretability of research in this challenging cohort.

John Sutton MG, Keteyian SJ, Fieberg AM, Chinchoy E, Haas G. Randomized controlled trial comparing simultaneous versus optimized sequential interventricular stimulation during cardiac resynchronization therapy

BACKGROUND

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) reduces morbidity and mortality and improves symptoms in patients with systolic heart failure (HF) and ventricular dyssynchrony. This randomized, double-blind, controlled study evaluated whether optimizing the interventricular stimulating interval (V-V) to sequentially activate the ventricles is clinically better than simultaneous V-V stimulation during CRT.

METHODS

Patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) III or IV HF, meeting both CRT and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator indications, randomly received either simultaneous CRT or CRT with optimized V-V settings for 6 months. Patients also underwent echocardiography-guided atrioventricular delay optimization to maximize left ventricular filling. The V-V optimization involved minimizing the left ventricular septal to posterior wall motion delay during CRT. The primary objective was to demonstrate noninferiority using a clinical composite end point that included mortality, HF hospitalization, NYHA functional class, and patient global assessment. Secondary end points included changes in NYHA classification, 6-minute hall walk distance, quality of life, peak VO(2), and event-free survival.

RESULTS

The composite score improved in 75 (64.7%) of 116 simultaneous patients and in 92 (75.4%) of 122 optimized patients (P < .001, for noninferiority). A prespecified test of superiority showed that more optimized patients improved (P = .03). New York Heart Association functional class improved in 58.0% of simultaneous patients versus 75.0% of optimized patients (P = .01). No significant differences in exercise capacity, quality of life, peak VO(2), or HF-related event rate between the 2 groups were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings demonstrate modest clinical benefit with optimized sequential V-V stimulation during CRT in patients with NYHA class III and IV HF. Optimizing V-V timing may provide an additional tool for increasing the proportion of patients who respond to CRT.

Randomized controlled trial comparing simultaneous versus optimized sequential interventricular stimulation during cardiac resynchronization therapy

BACKGROUND

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) reduces morbidity and mortality and improves symptoms in patients with systolic heart failure (HF) and ventricular dyssynchrony. This randomized, double-blind, controlled study evaluated whether optimizing the interventricular stimulating interval (V-V) to sequentially activate the ventricles is clinically better than simultaneous V-V stimulation during CRT.

METHODS

Patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) III or IV HF, meeting both CRT and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator indications, randomly received either simultaneous CRT or CRT with optimized V-V settings for 6 months. Patients also underwent echocardiography-guided atrioventricular delay optimization to maximize left ventricular filling. The V-V optimization involved minimizing the left ventricular septal to posterior wall motion delay during CRT. The primary objective was to demonstrate noninferiority using a clinical composite end point that included mortality, HF hospitalization, NYHA functional class, and patient global assessment. Secondary end points included changes in NYHA classification, 6-minute hall walk distance, quality of life, peak VO(2), and event-free survival.

RESULTS

The composite score improved in 75 (64.7%) of 116 simultaneous patients and in 92 (75.4%) of 122 optimized patients (P < .001, for noninferiority). A prespecified test of superiority showed that more optimized patients improved (P = .03). New York Heart Association functional class improved in 58.0% of simultaneous patients versus 75.0% of optimized patients (P = .01). No significant differences in exercise capacity, quality of life, peak VO(2), or HF-related event rate between the 2 groups were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings demonstrate modest clinical benefit with optimized sequential V-V stimulation during CRT in patients with NYHA class III and IV HF. Optimizing V-V timing may provide an additional tool for increasing the proportion of patients who respond to CRT.

Burden of atrial fibrillation and poor rate control detected by continuous monitoring and the risk for heart failure hospitalization

INTRODUCTION

Atrial fibrillation (AF) on electrocardiogram has been identified as a risk factor for hospitalizations in patients with heart failure (HF). We investigated whether continuous AF monitoring can identify when patients with HF are at risk for hospitalization.

METHODS

In this retrospective analysis of data from 4 studies enrolling patients with HF with cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator devices with ≥90 days of follow-up (n = 1561), patients were identified as having AF if they had ≥1 day of >5 minutes of AF and >1 hour of total AF during entire follow-up. In patients with AF, device recorded AF burden (AFb) and ventricular rate during AF (VRAF) over the last 30 days was classified on a monthly basis into 3 evaluation groups: (1) ≥1 day of high burden of paroxysmal AF (≥6 hours) or persistent AF (all 30 days with AFb >23 hours) with poor rate control (VRAF >90 beats/min), (2) ≥1 day of high burden of paroxysmal AF with good rate control (VRAF ≤ 90 beats/min), and (3) no days with high burden of AF (AFb <6 hours) or persistent AF with good rate control. Each group was compared with monthly evaluations in patients without AF using an Anderson-Gill model for occurrence of HF hospitalizations in the next 30 days.

RESULTS

Patients with AF (n = 519, 33%) have a greater risk (hazard ratio [HR] 2.0, P < .001) for impending HF hospitalizations during entire follow-up compared with patients with no AF. One day of high burden of paroxysmal AF with good rate control in the last 30 days increases risk for HF hospitalization in the next 30 days (HR 3.4, P < .001). The risk increases further (HR 5.9, P < .001) with 1 day of poor rate control during persistent AF or high burden paroxysmal AF in last 30 days.

CONCLUSION

Evaluation of AFb and rate control information on a monthly basis can identify patients at risk for HF hospitalization in the next 30 days.