Trends in outcome and patient composition in dilated cardiomyopathy in Sweden over time

Background

We studied prognosis and patient composition over time in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM): a well-defined category of heart failure (HF), often affecting younger individuals. We expected improved prognosis over time, due to emerging diagnostic and therapeutic options.

Methods

All patients from the Swedish Heart Failure Registry (SwedeHF) fulfilling criteria for DCM (exclusion of ischemic, valvular, or alcoholic etiology and affirmed by clinical judgment in the protocol) (n=3739), were analyzed with respect to three time periods of inclusion in the registry, 2003–2007 (n=814), 2008–2011 (n=1448), 2012–2016 (n=1477), regarding mortality, transplantations, and hospital admissions during one year after inclusion.

Results

Over the three time periods, registered cohorts were older with time (mean 59.3 years/ 60 years/ 61.0 years, p=0.0035), and the proportion of females incresased (24.1% / 27.2% / 30.7%, p=0.0006).

For clinical variables, the distribution of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) with time showed significantly higher LVEF (p=0.0024), and functional classification (NYHA) showed lower class (p=0.0011). Hypertension as a comorbidity (i.e. not judged to be responsible for HF) was more frequently occurring with time: (34.0%/ 40.6%/ 44.1%, p<0.0001). As for HF treatment: use of device increased (p<0.0001 for categorical combinations), mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA) increased (41.9%/ 37.3%/ 46.7%, p=0.0023), and diuretics dropped (76.1%/ 71.1%/ 67.0%, p≤0.0001) in the different cohorts with time.

Mortality (6.9%, 5.1%, 5.5%), transplantation (0.5%, 0.8%, 0.6%) and hospital admissions for HF (28.4%, 26.3%, 24.6%) were stable over time (ns for all), whereas cardiovascular (CV) (33.8%, 33.8%, 29.7%, p=0.043) and all cause admissions (39.1%, 38.8%, 33.7%, p=0.0099) decreased. After adjustment for age, sex, LVEF, NYHA, hypertension and device treatment only all cause admissions remained significantly decreased.

Conclusion

In this nationwide study between 2003–2016, one-year outcome in DCM in Sweden remained stationary over time, despite advances in HF therapy. During the time period, we observed a continuous change in the clinical profile in the DCM population.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Region Västra Götaland agreement concerning research and education of physicians.

Lifelong cumulative incidence of acquired aortic stenosis and its predictors in a large middle-aged men population followed up to 42 years

Background

Acquired aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common valvular disorder that rises exponentially with age; it has high mortality after symptoms appear. Factors that predict the development of AS are still unknown. Some studies imply that the atherosclerotic factors are involved in the development of AS, but the findings have been heterogeneous.

Purpose

To estimate lifelong cumulative incidence of AS and analyse its predictors.

Methods

We included a random sample of men, born 1915–1925 in Gothenburg, Sweden, and examined them in 1970–1973 (participation rate 75%). They were between 47 and 55 years in the beginning and 57–65 years when the examination-period ended. Out of 7493 men 57 were excluded due to myocardial infarction prior to baseline; 7436 were thus followed from the inclusion date until a discharge diagnosis of AS or death, with a maximum follow up time of 42 years and mean follow-up time 26.8 years. Men with AS were identified from the Swedish National Patient Register and those who died from the Swedish Cause of Death Register. We used machine learning to identify the most important factors that predict AS. For these factors, we then estimated hazard ratios for the risk to acquire AS through Cox proportional hazards model.

Results

The lifelong cumulative incidence to acquire AS was 2.66% (198 out of 7436 individuals). For men with measurements approximately at the quartiles of the pulse pressure distribution, more specifically 44, 52, 62 mm Hg, the estimated cumulative risk were 1.97%, 2.74% and 3.07% respectively. For the body mass index (BMI) we had accordingly for measurements around 23, 25 and 27 kg/m2 estimated cumulative risk 2.52%, 2.80%, 2.79% respectively. For cholesterol values of 5, 6 and 7 mmol/l (approximately at quartile divisions) the estimated cumulative risk was 1.77%, 1.79% and 3.20% respectively. The estimated cumulative risks for the younger, with age around 47 and the older participants, with age around 55 were 1.76% and 2.68 respectively. Men with family history of infarction in a sibling had an estimated cumulative risk at 4.66% level whereas those with not at 2.51%.

The factors that were significantly associated with the development of AS in the Cox proportional model are: cholesterol level (HR=1.24, CI 95% 1.11–1.39, p=0.0001), pulse pressure (HR=1.01, CI 95% 1.01–1.02, p=0.0037), BMI (HR=1.06, CI 95% 1.02–1.11, p=0.0089), age (HR=1.11, CI 95% 1.04–1.19, p=0.0010) and family history of myocardial infarction in a sibling (HR=2.38, CI 95% 1.50–3.79, p=0.0002).

Conclusion

Lifelong cumulative incidence of acquired AS is approximately 2.7%. Multiple factors known also to be associated with arteriosclerosis were identified to increase the life-long risk of developing AS.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Trends in cause-specific readmissions in heart failure with preserved versus reduced and mid-range ejection fraction

Background

It remains unclear whether the readmission of heart failure (HF) patients has decreased over time and how it differs among HF with preserved ejection fraction (EF) (HFpEF) versus reduced EF (HFrEF) and mid-range EF (HFmrEF).

Methods

We evaluated HF patients index hospitalized from January 2004 to December 2011 in the Swedish Heart Failure Registry with 1-year follow-up. Outcome measures were the first occurring all-cause, cardiovascular (CV) and HF readmissions.

Results

Totally 20,877 HF patients (11,064 HFrEF, 4,215 HFmrEF, 5,562 HFpEF) were included in the study. All-cause readmission was highest in patients with HFpEF, whereas CV and HF readmissions were highest in HFrEF. From 2004 to 2011, HF readmission rates within 6 months (from 22.3% to 17.3%, P=0.003) and 1 year (from 27.7% to 23.4%, P=0.019) in HFpEF declined, and the risk for 1-year HF readmission in HFpEF was reduced by 7% after adjusting for age and sex (P=0.022). Likewise, risk factors for HF readmission in HFpEF changed. However, no significant changes in cause-specific readmissions were observed in HFrEF. Time to the first readmission did not change significantly from 2004 to 2011, regardless of EF subgroup (all P-values>0.05).

Conclusions

Although the burden of all-cause readmission remained highest in HFpEF versus HFrEF and HFmrEF, a declining temporal trend in 6-month and 1-year HF readmission rates was found in patients with HFpEF, suggesting that non-HF-related readmission represents a big challenge for clinical practice.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): The SwedeHF was funded by the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare, the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions.

Temporal trends in cause-specific readmissions and their risk factors in heart failure patients in Sweden

Background

It remains unclear whether readmissions of patients with heart failure (HF) have decreased over time in an era of improved therapy and management of HF. This study aimed to determine the temporal short- and long-term trends of cause-specific rehospitalization and their risk factors in a Swedish context.

Methods

HF patients in the Swedish Heart Failure Registry (SwedeHF) were investigated. Maximum follow-up time was 1 year. Outcomes included the first occurrence of all-cause, cardiovascular (CV) and HF rehospitalizations. Cox proportional hazards models were performed to determine the impact of increasing years on risk for rehospitalization and its known risk factors.

Results

Totally, 25,644 index-hospitalized HF patients SwedeHF from 2004 to 2011 were enrolled in the study. For 8 years, the incidence risk of 1-year all-cause rehospitalization remained unchanged, whereas the incidence risk of CV (P=0.038) or HF (P=0.0038) rehospitalization decreased. After adjustment for age and sex, a 3% decrease per every second year was observed for 1-year CV and HF rehospitalizations (P<0.05). However, time to the first occurring all-cause, CV and HF rehospitalization did not change significantly from 2004–2011 (P-values 0.13–0.87). When two study periods (2004–2005 vs. 2010–2011) were compared, the risk factor profile for rehospitalization was found to change.

Conclusions

Throughout the 8-year study period, CV- and HF-related rehospitalizations decreased, whereas all-cause rehospitalization remained unchanged, indicating a parallel increase in non-CV rehospitalization in the HF patients.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): The SwedeHF was funded by the Swedish Society of Cardiology and the Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation.

Temporal trends in incidence of heart failure in relation to age and gender in western Sweden 2008–2017

Background

During the last decades we have witnessed gradually improved cardiovascular primary and secondary prevention, while life expectancy is increasing, with a growing population of elderly people. Heart failure is a disease of the elderly and end stage of other cardiac diseases. Accordingly, trends in incidence of heart failure are dynamic and may differ by age and gender

Purpose

To investigate overall trends in incidence for HF over the last decades in Western Sweden. Additionally we wanted to study incidence in relation to age and gender.

Method

The VEGA database is an administrative database of all patients managed in hospital care (through direct linkage to the Swedish nationwide patient registry) and/or in primary care facilities (private and public) living in Western Sweden. All patients with a main or contributory diagnosis of HF (I50) >18 years of age between 2008 and 2017 were included in our cohort. HF incidence was calculated based on the entire population of Vastra Gotaland (a region of Western Sweden).

Results

The adult population in Western Sweden increased by 8% from 2008 (n=1,234,609) to 2017 (n=1,338,906), with 69% <60 years of age and 50% female, both constant over time.

In total, 62,229 incident cases of HF were identified during 2008–2017. In 2008 we identified 6464 cases with a mean age of 78.7 (11.5) and 49.8% (n=3222) male patients, while in 2017 5,727 cases were identified with a mean age of 78.3 (11.8) and 52.5% (n=3006) male cases.

The yearly incidence rate of HF remained constant over the 10-year period but with large variations by age and gender. A constantly higher incidence of HF was seen for men compared to women in all age categories. Although overall incidence remained constant in the last decade, we did observe decreasing incidence among those >80 years of age with incidence rates dropping from 4.4% to 3.0% between 2008–2017 (80–90 years) and from 7.8 to 5.5% in the same period (>90 years of age). A similar pattern was seen in both men and women in these age groups with incidence decreasing over the last ten years.

Conclusion

The overall incidence of HF remained unchanged over the last decade. However a declining trend in incidence was observed in the oldest part of the population, who, however, constitutes only approximately 5% of the population. Our findings emphasize the need for implementation of effective preventive strategies for HF.

Trends in HF incidence 2007-2018

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): The Swedish agreement between the government and the county councils concerning economic support for providing an infrastructure for research and education of doctors (ALF), and the Regional Development Fund, Västra Götaland County, Sweden (FOU-VGR)

Increasing home-time for patients with heart failure in Sweden 1992–2008

Background

Heart failure (HF) reduces survival and is one of the most common causes of hospitalizations in the elderly, imposing a major economic burden on the health care system, with frequency of rehospitalizations often used in interventional and observational studies in patients with HF. Home-time is a novel end-point measuring time spent alive and out of hospital and is easier for both clinicians and patients to relate to. Given the advances in treatment of HF over the last decades we postulated that an increase in home-time would follow.

Purpose

To investigate whether home-time for patients with HF has changed over the last decades in Sweden and if home-time differs between patients of working age and those retired, or between men and women.

Methods

Patients aged 18–84 years with a first hospitalization for HF in Sweden between 1992 and 2008 were identified using the National Inpatient Register which was linked to the Swedish Cause of Death Register. Information on rehospitalizations and mortality was collected and followed over a time period of 4 years. The patients were divided into two age groups: (i) <65 years and (ii) >65 years. The cut off 65 years was chosen being the official age of retirement over the study period in Sweden.

Results

A total of 324,907 patients were included in this study, mean age 73.5 years (standard deviation 9.3). Only 15.6% were <65 and 45.1% were women. In total, average home-time was 70.1% of the total follow up time, 2.1% of time was spent in hospital while, during a mean of 27.9% of the 4 year-period, patients were no longer alive. A small increase in home-time was observed over the study period. The older age group spent 67.7% at home compared with 83% in the younger group. After taking differences in mortality into account, the difference in home-time was no longer significant, with 92.7 and 95.8% home-time for the older and younger age groups, respectively. Over the entire study period older men had less home-time compared with older women. Since 1998 the reverse was true in younger men and women, where younger men had more home-time than younger women. Home-time increased for all subgroups over the study period with the most pronounced increase for younger men (see figure 1).

Conclusion

Home-time for patients in Sweden increased over the study period and the increase was more marked for younger patients, where men spent more time at home than women.

Figure 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): The Swedish state (ALF), The Swedish Heart and Lung Foundation, Västra Götaland Region, The Göteborg Medical Society

[Clinicopathological features and prognosis of 59 patients with platelet-derived growth factor α-mutant gastrointestinal stromal tumor]

Objective: Platelet-derived growth factor α (PDGFRA)-mutant gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is a relatively rare disease, whose clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis have been poorly studied. In this paper, the clinicopathological features and prognostic factors of PDGFRA-mutant GIST are investigated to provide more data for its understanding and treatment. Methods: A retrospective case-control study was used to collect the medical records of patients with GIST who underwent surgical resection in Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University from January 2015 to August 2019. Patients with PDGFRA-mutant GIST were enrolled, and those with synonymous PDGFRA mutations, non-tumor-related deaths, and lack of clinicopathological data were excluded. The clinicopathological data were collected and the risk factors associated with prognosis were analyzed. Results: Among the enrolled 59 patients, there were 41 males (69.5%) and 18 females (30.5%) with the median age of 60 (25-79) years. All tumors originated from the stomach. The tumor size was 5 (3-7) cm, and the mitotic count was 2 (1-4)/50 high-power fields (HPF). According to the modified NIH risk stratification, 8 cases were classified as very low risk (13.6%), 25 cases as low risk (42.4%), 14 cases as moderate risk (23.7%), and 12 cases as high risk (20.3%). There were 7 cases of exon 12 mutation and 52 cases of exon 18 mutation (including 36 cases of D842V mutation). A comparison of clinicopathological features between the D842V mutation group and the non-D842V mutation group showed no statistically significant difference (all P>0.05). During a median follow-up of 21 (0-59) months, the 1- and 3-year relapse-free survival (RFS) rates of all the patients were 96.6% and 91.5%, respectively. There were 8 cases of recurrence and 3 cases of death. Six GIST patients with D842V mutation had tumor recurrence after operation, of whom 4 cases achieved varying degrees of tumor remission after being treated with dasatinib or avapritinib. Log-rank analysis showed that the overall survival (OS) of male was better than that of female (100% vs. 83.3%, P=0.046), but there was no significant difference in OS among patients with different risk grades (P=0.057). The RFS and OS of patients with D842V mutation and non-D842V mutation, exon 12 and exon 18 mutation were similar (all P>0.05). Univariate Cox analysis showed that RFS was associated with gender (P=0.010), tumor size (P=0.042), mitotic count (P=0.003), and the modified NIH risk stratification (P=0.042), while multivariate analysis revealed that higher risk grade was an independent risk factor for recurrence of PDGFRA-mutant GIST (HR=12.796, 95%CI: 1.326-123.501, P=0.028). Gender was an independent factor for recurrence, and the risk of recurrence in males was lower than that in females (HR=0.154, 95%CI: 0.028-0.841, P=0.031). Conclusions: Gender and the modified NIH risk stratification are independent risk factors for recurrence of PDGFRA-mutant GIST, while patients with D842V and non-D842V mutation, and exon 12 and exon 18 mutation have a similar risk of recurrence and death.

[Midterm outcome comparison between patients with bicuspid or tricuspid aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement]

Objective: To compare the prognosis of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) or tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) stenosis. Methods: This was a retrospective study. Patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis, who underwent TAVR with follow-up time more than one year in Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from April 2016 to August 2018, were included. According to aortic CT angiography, the patients were divided into BAV group and TAV group. The primary endpoint was the composite event of all-cause death and stroke, and the secondary endpoints were TAVR-related complications. Incidence of clinical endpoints and parameters derived from echocardiography were compared between the groups, and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to compare the composite event between the two groups. Results: A total of 49 patients were included. The age was (73.6±6.3) years, and 25(51.0%) were male. There were 32 patients in BAV group and 17 in TAV group, the follow-up time was 466 (390, 664) days. The incidence of composite endpoint of death and stroke at one year were comparable in BAV and TAV groups (6.3% (2/32) vs. 5.9% (1/17), P=1.00). Kaplan-Meier curves also showed a similar risk of the composite endpoint(HR=1.03，95%CI 0.09-11.24，Log-rank P=0.98) between two groups. The incidence of all-cause death, stroke, myocardial infarction, severe bleeding, major vascular complications, new-onset atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter, and permanent pacemaker implantation were all similar between the two groups(all P>0.05), and there was no acute kidney injury (stage 2 or 3) in both groups. Echocardiographic parameters at one year were similar between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions: The midterm prognosis of TAVR in patients with BAV and TAV stenosis is similar. Clinical trials of large sample size with long-term follow-up are warranted to verify our findings.

Long-term application potential of urban air mobility complementing public transport: an upper Bavaria example

In this paper, the required models and methods to analyze and quantify the potential demand for urban air mobility (UAM) complementing public transport and possible impacts were defined and applied to the Munich Metropolitan region. An existing agent-based transport model of the study area were used and extended to cover socio-demographic changes up to the year 2030 and intermodal UAM services. An incremental logit model for UAM was derived to simulate demand for this new mode. An airport access model was developed as well. Three different UAM networks with different numbers of vertiports were defined. Sensitivity studies of ticket fare and structure, flying vehicle cruise speed, passenger process times at vertiports and different Urban Air Mobility networks sizes were performed. For the reference case, UAM accounts for a modal share of 0.5%. The absolute UAM demand is concentrated on very short routes; hence, UAM vehicle flight speed variation shows low UAM demand impacts. Kilometer-based fare, number of UAM vehicles per vertiport and passenger process times at vertiports show a significant impact on UAM demand.

The application value of PAX1 and ZNF582 gene methylation in high grade intraepithelial lesion and cervical cancer

PURPOSE

To investigate the possibility of using the methylation level of PAX1/ZNF582 gene as molecular marker to differentiate the progression of cervical cancer.

METHODS

From January 2016 to March 2018, 150 patients, who were admitted to Cervical Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center of Xuzhu Maternity and Child Care Hospital, were enrolled in this study. Patients were classified into chronic cervicitis (for 19 cases), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) (18 cases), high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) (37 cases) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (31 cases). All patients underwent several tests including Thin-prep cytology test (TCT), HPV DNA detection and detection of methylation level of PAX1/ZNF582 genes.

RESULTS

For diagnosis of HSIL, the area under curve (AUC) was 0.878 (95% CI 0.806 ~ 0.950); the threshold for PAX1 was 12.285, the sensitivity and specificity were 91.9% and 72.8%, respectively. The AUC of ZNF582 gene detection was 0.900 (95% CI 0.842 ~ 0.959), the threshold was 11.56, while the sensitivity and specificity were 97.3% and 76.7%, respectively. Among various tests we conducted, PAX gene detection methods showed the highest specificity (97.30%). PAX1/ZNF582 gene detection method demonstrated the highest accuracy.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with high-grade cervical lesion and cervical cancer, the methylation level of PAX1/ZNF582 gene could be applied as a noteworthy biomarker for diagnosis and for cervical cancer classification.

Clinical outcomes of different therapeutic modalities for rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumor: Summary of 14-year clinical experience in a single center

OBJECTIVE

The optimal treatment for gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) of the rectum is controversial due to the extremely low incidence of the disease. The aim of the present study was to compare the clinical outcomes of different treatment modalities for rectal GIST by reviewing the 14-year experience in our center.

METHOD

Medical records of rectal GIST patients who received surgical treatment in our center between January 2004 to December 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were used as the observation endpoints.

RESULTS

Included in this study were 71 GIST patients, including 42 patients who underwent local excision (LE) and 29 patients who underwent segmental resection (SR). There were differences in tumor size (P = 0.001) and malignant risk grade (P = 0.007). The LE approach achieved a lower rate of R0 resection than SR (29/42 vs.27/29, P = 0.015) and shorter hospital stay (P = 0.004). Preoperative imatinib mesylate (IM) therapy improved the rate of sphincter-sparing surgery for patients with tumors in the very low segment of the rectum (P = 0.012) and offered better R0 resection margins (P = 0.027). Multivariate analysis showed that the resection margin status (P = 0.014), risk stratification (P = 0.001) and IM therapy (P = 0.042) were independent factors affecting RFS of rectal GIST patients but not the surgical modalities (LE vs. SR, P = 0.802). Multivariate analysis showed no significant impact of these variables on OS.

CONCLUSION

Selection of surgical modalities has no significant impact on the prognosis. Local excision is the preferred surgical modality for resectable rectal GIST by virtue of less injury and shorter hospital stay. IM therapy has proved to be associated with improved RFS for rectal GIST patients.

[Prognostic value of N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide on all-cause mortality in heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction]

Objective: To investigate the prognostic value of N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) on all-cause mortality in heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) at real world scenarios. Methods: Patients who met the diagnostic criteria of HFpEF in the China National Heart Failure Registration Study (CN-HF) were divided into death and survival groups. The demographic data, physical examination, results of the first echocardiography, laboratory results at admission, complications, drug use and clinical outcomes were obtained from CN-HF. The univariate Cox proportional hazard model was used to screen the variates that might predict prognosis, and then the covariates with statistical significance were included in the multivariate Cox regression model to analyze the predictive value of baseline NT-proBNP on all-cause death. Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between NT-proBNP and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), so as to further explore the predictive value of the interaction between renal dysfunction and NT-proBNP on death. Since NT-proBNP did not obey the binary normal distribution, it was expressed by the natural logarithm of NT-proBNP (LnNT-proBNP). Results: A total of 1 846 HFpEF patients were enrolled in this study, with an average age of 71.5 years, 1 017 males(55.1%), median NT-proBNP 860 ng/L, and median eGFR 73.9 ml·min^-1·1.73m^-2. After a median follow-up of 34 months, 213 (11.5%) patients died. Patients in the death group were older, with higher NYHA classification Ⅲ-Ⅳ ratio, longer hospital stay, higher serum potassium and NT-proBNP level, prevalence of complications of diabetes mellitus, arrhythmia and atrial fibrillation, use of angiotensin receptor antagonist(ARB), mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA), diuretic and digoxin was significantly higher in death group than in survival group. Body mass index (BMI), diastolic blood pressure, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), hemoglobin, serum cholesterol(TC), serum triglycerides (TG) and eGFR, and use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), statins and aspirin were lower in death group than in survival group. Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that NT-proBNP was a predictor of all-cause death in HFpEF patients (HR=2.522, 95%CI 2.040-3.119, P<0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the elevated NT-proBNP remains as the independent predictor of all-cause death in patients with HFpEF (HR=1.230, 95%CI 1.049-1.442, P=0.011) after adjusting for age, BMI, diastolic blood pressure, LVEF, hemoglobin, serum potassium, serum sodium, TC, serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), TG, eGFR, atrial fibrillation, as well as the treatment of ACEI/ARB, MRA, diuretics and digoxin. Spearman correlation analysis showed that LnNT-proBNP was negatively correlated with eGFR (r=-0.361, P<0.001), but there was no interaction between NT-proBNP and renal dysfunction in predicting death in HFpEF patients (P>0.05). Conclusion: The elevated level of NT-proBNP at admission is an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in HFpEF patients.

Pyrroloquinoline quinone protected autophagy-dependent apoptosis induced by mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in INS-1 cells

Mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) is the main metabolite of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in organisms and is commonly used as a plasticizer. Exposure to DEHP impairs the function of islet beta cells (INS-1 cells), which is related to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. At present, some research data have also confirmed that MEHP has a certain damage effect on INS-1 cells. In our experiment, we found that MEHP would lead to the increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the upregulation of autophagy. And downregulated ROS production by N-acetyl-L-cysteine could also reduce autophagy. In addition, MEHP-induced lysosomal membrane permeability (LMP) subsequently released cathepsin D. Additionally, MEHP induced the collapse of mitochondrial transmembrane potential and release of cytochrome c. Addition of autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine relieved MEHP-induced apoptosis as assessed by the expression of cleaved caspase 3, cleaved caspase 9, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay, indicating that MEHP-induced apoptosis was autophagy dependent. Cathepsin D inhibitor, pepstatin A, suppressed MEHP-induced mitochondria release of cytochrome c and apoptosis as well. Meanwhile, pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), a new B vitamin, improved the above phenomenon. Taken together, our results indicate that MEHP induces autophagy-dependent apoptosis in INS-1 cells by lysosomal-mitochondrial axis. PQQ improved this process by downregulating ROS and provided a degree of protection. Our study provides a new perspective for MEHP on the cytotoxic mechanism and PQQ protection in INS-1 cells.

P6340Mortality and prognostic factors in dilated cardiomyopathy versus ischaemic heart disease in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction - a Swedish population-based study

Background

In heart failure with left ventricular ejection fraction reduction <40% (HFrEF) the increased mortality in patients with underlying ischaemic heart disease (IHD) compared to multi-aetiological non-ischaemic HFrEF is established. The prognostic difference over time in comparison with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is less clear.

Purpose

To evaluate the difference in mortality between IHD and DCM in HFrEF, overall, in specific subgroups and over time.

Methods

By applying multivariable Cox regression analyses on Swedish Heart Failure Registry data from the years 2000 to 2012 (including 51,060 patients), the incidence of mortality in 8,982 patients with non-valvular clinical IHD-HFrEF was compared to 2,220 patients with DCM-HFrEF overall and for subgrouping variables of age category, sex and EF group (<30% and 30–39%), adjusted for additional 23 baseline variables.

Results

The overall mortality was higher in IHD-HFrEF with the crude mortality of 42.1% and the event rate 15.4 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 14.9 - 15.9) per 100 person years compared with 19.4% and 5.5 (95% CI: 5.0–6.1) in DCM-HFrEF. The probability of survival in IHD-HFrEF was lower than in DCM-HFrEF (Figure). After multivariable adjustment the risk for mortality in IHD-HFrEF remained increased with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.34 (95% CI: 1.18–1.50). The adjusted HR was higher in all groups of age <80 years and in both sexes, with a significantly higher risk in women than in men (HR 1.85 vs 1.22, p for interaction = 0.002). Overall, HR was increased regardless of EF group but analyses by both age group and EF group revealed significantly increased mortality in EF <30% only for age groups <80 years. No significant temporal trend was seen between IHD-HFrEF and DCM-HFrEF.

Probability of survival

Conclusions

In patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction, ischaemic heart disease compared to dilated cardiomyopathy was associated with increased mortality in all age groups below 80 years of age, throughout the 13-year study period.

Acknowledgement/Funding

The Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation. The regional ALF agreement between Västra Götalandsregionen and University of Gothenburg (ALFGBG-72196, prof.Fu)

P4155Multiple modality biomarkers predict ischemic heart disease in middle-aged men from the general population during a 21-year follow-up

Background

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) often develops after decades of preceding subclinical coronary atherosclerosis. An early prediction of risk for IHD in a general population would be helpful for preventive decision-making. It is well known that biomarkers including troponine, natriuretic peptides and inflammatory biomarkers are useful prognostic predictors for IHD, their long-term predictive values in a general population for incident IHD have not been studied.

Purpose

The aim of the study was to investigate the predictive value of multi-modality biomarkers on the incident IHD in a random male sample from the general population followed from the age of 50 to 71 years.

Method

“The study of Men Born in 1943” is a longitudinal cohort study of men living in the city of Gothenburg in Sweden. All patients underwent a baseline examination in 1993, which included physical examination, questionnaires and blood samples. Because of multifactorial nature of atherosclerosis, a panel of biomarkers representing multiple mechanisms such as high-sensitivity troponine (hs-TNT), interleukin-6 (IL-6), cystatin C, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), urat, ferritin, and N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were analyzed from blood samples collected at 50 years of age. Incident IHD was defined as new-onset one of following (myocardial infarction, hospitalized unstable angina and intervention with either percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) during 1993–2014. The impact of biomarkers on incident IHD was studied using univariable, followed by stepwise and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models.

Results

Among the, 753 patients in the study, 105 patients (13,9%) developed IHD during 21 years of follow up with an event rate per 1000 person years 7.49 and a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 6.19 - 9.07. In Cox proportional hazards model for time to first occurrence of IHD, univariable analyses showed that multi-modality biomarker (CRP >1 mg/ml, NT-proBNP >100 pg/mL, troponin >10 ng/L, IL-6 >8 ng/L) provide most powerful prediction, followed by total cholesterol and fasting plasma glucose. In multivariable Cox proportional hazards model for time to first of IHD, above four-biomarker combination modality remains a most powerful predictor with risk increased by one additional biomarker [Hazard Ratio (95% CI): 1.69 (1.26 - 2.26), p=0.0004], followed by total cholesterol (mmol/L) with risk increased by one [Hazard Ratio (95% CI: 1.31 (1.09 - 1.56), p=0.0031], and fasting plasma glucose (mmol/L) with risk increased by one unit [Hazard Ratio (95% CI): 1.11 (1.01 - 1.22), p=0.038].

Conclusion

A multi-modality biomarker strategy can be used to predict increased risk of developing IHD during the following two decades after 50 years, enabling us to identify individuals who might benefit from early intensive risk modification to prevent the development of IHD.

P2685Improving myocardial perfusion in refractory angina: extracorporeal shockwave myocardial revascularization in a monocentric cohort

Background

The incidence of patients with refractory angina (RA) is increasing. Medical therapy for RA is limited and prognosis is poor. Experimental data and small clinical studies suggest that the use of Extracorporeal shockwave myocardial revascularization (ESMR) may contribute to angiogenesis and improve symptoms in patients with RA.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of ESMR in the improvement of myocardial perfusion and symptoms in patients with RA.

Methods

Patients with RA despite optimal medical therapy and not suitable for further myocardial revascularization were enrolled and underwent ESMR. Characteristics such as angina class scores (CCS class score), nitroglycerin consumption and hospitalization rate among cases (patients with RA who received ESMR) and controls (patients with RA who did not receive ESMR) were compared at baseline and 6 months after ESMR therapy. In patients receiving ESMR the effect of on cardiac perfusion was assessed at six months.

Results

Among screened patients, 159 met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. 151 patients were enrolled in the present study and 121 treated with ESMR. There were 121 patients in the treatment group and 29 patients in the control group. The mean age of the patients was 70±8.8 years in the case group and 71±5.3 years in the control group. Other characteristics were similar in both groups. After ESMR myocardial perfusion by SPECT significantly improved: mean SSS was reduced from 21.2±9.42 to 14.2±10, with a 33% relative reduction (p=0.0001). Clinical follow up of both group demonstrated a significant improvement CCS class score at six months (1.5±0.6 in treatment and 1.92±0.69 in controls; p 0.0013) a significant improvement NYHA class score (1.4±0.6 in cases and 1.73±0.59 in controls; p 0.008); also, nitroglycerin consumption (29% in case cases, and 44.8% in controls; P 0.15) and hospitalization rate were reduced in the treatment group compared to control (16% vs. 37.9%; P 0.02).

Clinical outcome of two groups at 6 months follow up Treatment group (n=121) Control group (n=29) p CCS class 1.5±0.6 1.92±0.7 <0.001 NYHA class 1.4±0.6 1.7±0.6 <0.008 Nitrates uptake 35 (29%) 13 (45%) <0.15 Admission to emergency department 20 (16%) 11 (38%) <0.02

SPECT results after 6 months follow up

Conclusion

ESMR therapy is a non-invasive safe and potentially effective new option for patients with refractory angina. This study confirms the beneficial effect of ESMR therapy on cardiac symptoms, myocardial perfusion and hospitalizations in patients with refractory angina.

P4151Changes in incidence and risk factors for heart failure over a 21-year follow-up period in two cohorts of middle aged men born 30 years apart

Background

Several characteristics or conditions are associated with increased risk for heart failure (HF). In recent years we have witnessed gradually improved cardiovascular prevention and treatment. However, how the risk profile of HF has changed during the last decades remains inadequately studied.

Purpose

To compare risk factors for heart failure in two generations of middle-aged men from the general population born 30 years apart.

Methods

Two cohorts of randomly selected men born in 1913 (n=855) and in 1943 (n=798) and resident in Gothenburg, Sweden were first examined at 50 years of age in 1963 and 1993, respectively, and followed longitudinally over 21 years until age 71. Data about medical history, concomitant diseases and general health were collected by questionnaires, repeated medical examinations and review of individual medical records. The outcome was defined as hospitalization with HF as a discharge diagnosis or HF reported on the death certificate. Cox-regression analysis was used to examine the impact of baseline characteristics and time-updated atrial fibrillation (AF), ischemic heart disease (IHD) and diabetes mellitus (DM) on the outcome. Furthermore the incidence of HF overall between the two cohorts was also compared. Significance was defined as p<0.05 for all two-sided tests, except for interaction terms where p<0.10 was applied.

Results

During a 21-year follow up, 80 men born in 1913 (9.4%) and 36 men born in 1943 (4.6%) developed HF. Men born in 1943 had a 52% lower risk for HF (adjusted HR 0.48 95% CI 0.29–0.77 p=0.003) compared to men born in 1913. Baseline characteristics associated with higher HF risk in both cohorts were higher body mass index (BMI) and the use of antihypertensive medication. Higher heart rate was associated with an increased risk only in men born 1913 whereas higher systolic blood pressure (SBP), smoking, higher glucose levels and higher total cholesterol levels were associated with higher risk in men born 1943. Onset of AF, IHD or DM was associated with higher HF risk in both cohorts. Multivariable models using stepwise regression showed that AF, IHD, higher BMI (continuous variable), use of antihypertensive medication and higher heart rate (piecewise linear) were independent predictors for HF in men born in 1913 whereas AF, higher glucose levels, IHD and higher SBP (piecewise linear) in men born in 1943. Finally, interaction analyses showed that in comparison with those born in 1913, the relative importance as risk factors for HF among those born in 1943 has decreased for AF whereas it has increased for systolic blood pressure and cholesterol. Of note, impact of IHD as risk factor decreased numerically, and that of physical activity increased, but for both without reaching statistical significance.

Cox proportional hazard analysis

Conclusions

The incidence of HF in middle aged men living in Gothenburg has decreased during the last decades, and in the meantime risk profile for incident HF has also changed.

P3436T-wave inversion in middle age is associated with higher mortality risk compared to occurrence of a new T-wave inversion later in life

Background

Minor ECG abnormalities, such as T-wave inversions, are frequently seen in clinical practice in asymptomatic patients. Its prognostic role is incompletely studied. We have previously reported an association between T-wave inversion, and all-cause mortality during lifetime.

Purpose

To study the prognostic prediction of new-onset of T-wave inversion in ECG recorded at various ages, in a male random population-based cohort in lifetime follow up.

Methods

Subjects from a random longitudinal, prospective, population-based study: “The study of men born in 1913” (n=854) were examined at 50-years of age and re-examined at 60, 67, 75 and 80 years, including a 12-lead ECG recording, classified according to the Minnesota code. Participants were followed until death or year 2015 (48 years follow-up), and data were obtained through the Cause of Death Register. Unadjusted and adjusted Cox proportional hazards models, producing an overall hazard ratio (HR), and flexible parametric models for survival data by Royston and Parmar, producing continuous HR over studied time, were applied for prediction of time to all-cause death and cardiovascular disease (CVD) death by the incident negative T-wave.

Results

An increased risk of all-cause and CVD death associated with negative T-waves was evident at the majority of observational ages in unadjusted analyses. After adjustment for other conditions (smoking, physical activity level, BMI, systolic blood pressure (BP), hypertension, BP medication, s-cholesterol, hematocrit, Q/QS patterns, and ST-junction/segment depression), a negative T-wave at 50 years of age was significantly associated with all-cause and CVD death, [HR 1.46 (95% CI 1.06–2.01), p=0.021, and HR 1.58 (95% CI 1.06–2.36), p=0.025], respectively. However, the HR of 1.58 for CVD death interacted significantly with time (p=0.034), with greater risk in the years adjacent to observation than for later follow-up (Figure, right panel). The corresponding adjusted analyses of a newly diagnosed negative T-wave appearing at 60, 67 and 75 years were not statistically significant for either of the two outcomes. However, an incident negative T-wave at 80 years of age was shown to have numerically higher overall impact, but not statistically significant for all-cause death [HR 1.52 (95% CI 0.80–2.86), p=0.20], but for CVD death [HR 2.41 (95% CI 1.03–5.66), p=0.043], with no significant interaction with time.

Conclusion

In this population cohort, a first time registered negative T-wave at 50 years carried a considerably increased risk of mortality, specifically CVD mortality, which cannot be explained by other cardiovascular risk factors. The risk was greatest in middle age, and weakened with increasing age. Our findings warrant verification in other cohorts. If an independent risk indication of negative T-wave at middle age is confirmed it could be a valuable adjunct in screening and cardiovascular risk assessment.

Acknowledgement/Funding

Sweden Heart-Lung Foundation, ALF Västra Götalandsregionen-Göteborgs Universitet

P1630Improved outcome by guideline-directed medical therapy in real-world heart failure patients despite low blood pressure and renal dysfunction

Background

Among patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI/ARB), β-adrenergic receptor blockers (BB) and aldosterone antagonists (AA) are guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) to improve prognosis and well-being. However, low blood pressure (BP) and renal dysfunction are often challenges and barriersof the clinical implementation in real-world.

Purpose

To investigate whether it is beneficial to apply GDMT in real-world patients with HFrEF despite low blood pressure and renal dysfunction.

Methods

This study initially included 51060 HF patients from the Swedish Heart Failure Registry. After the exclusion of patients with ejection fraction ≥40% (53.4%), systolic BP>100mmHg (40.0%), eGFR>45ml/min/1.73m2 (3.3.%) and those died during hospitalization (0.3%), 1386 patients were ultimately enrolled in this study. Patients were grouped into five subgroups (ACEI/ARB+BB+AA, ACEI/ARB+BB, ACEI/ARB+AA, ACEI/ARB and BB). Outcome is all cause mortality.

Results

Among the study patients, 485 (35.0%) were treated with ACEI/ARB+BB+AA, 672 (48.5%) with ACEI/ARB+BB, 41 (3.0%) with ACEI/ARB+AA, 68 (4.9%) with ACEI/ARB and 120 (8.7%) with BB. Patients in ACEI/ARB+BB+AA group were younger (72.9±9.7 vs. 76.1±9.2 vs. 73.9±9.7 vs. 79.5±8.0 vs. 79.3±8.9), with higher BMI (25.4±4.5 vs. 25.5±4.7 vs. 23.7±4.2 vs. 23.4±3.8 vs. 24.7±6.3), more in NYHA I/II (30.8% vs. 33.3% vs. 1.7% vs. 18.9% vs. 24.3%). During the follow-up, all cause mortality was lowest in patients treated with ACEI/ARB+BB+AA (59% vs. 60.4% vs. 75.6% vs. 75% vs. 79.2%). After adjustement for age and gender, when compared with the ACEI/ARB+BB+AA group, the hazard ratio for ACEI/ARB+BB is 1.05 (0.91–1.23), ACEI/ARB+AA 1.16 (0.80–1.68), ACEI/ARB 1.51 (1.11–2.04), and BB 2.36 (1.86–2.98) respectively

Conclusions

In real-world HFrEF patients with low blood pressure and renal dysfunction, full medication of GDMT is associated with improved long-term survival.

P1635A risk score for prediction of TIA/ischemic stroke in patients with heart failure and sinus rhythm

Background

Prediction of ischemic cerebral events in patients with heart failure (HF) in the absence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is challenging.

Purpose

To prospectively test a staged approach to identify patients with HF and sinus rhythm who are at high risk of developing TIA/ischemic stroke (TIA/IS) during the first two years after diagnosis.

Methods

The analysis is based on patient data reported in the Swedish Heart Failure Register from January 2003 until December 2013. Patients with AF and those treated with anticoagulants were excluded. The study population was categorized in two groups according to left ventricular ejection fraction: LVEF ≤40% and LVEF >40%. Factors associated with TIA/IS were determined by univariate proportional hazard regression. The risk score included: age (1p for 65–74y; 2p for 75–84y; 3p for ≥85y), previous ischemic heart disease (1p), hypertension (1p), diabetes mellitus (1p), TIA/IS (2p), and kidney dysfunction (1p). Two-year hazard ratios with death as competing risk were computed. The probability of observing the outcome was calculated using the cumulative incidence function.

Results

A total of 16,865 patients (mean age 72.1±13.2y) were included in the study, 39.9% women; 59.7% had LVEF ≤40%. The two-year crude rate of TIA/IS, hemorrhagic stroke, and all-cause mortality were 3.3%, 0.3%, and 26%, respectively.

An incremental absolute risk for TIA/IS was observed for patients with LVEF ≤40% and score 1- ≥6: 1.6, 2.3, 3.6, 2.9, 6.3, and 7.1%, respectively. The corresponding HRs with 95% confidence interval (CI) and the patients with 0 points as reference group were: 2.8 (1.1–7.3), 4.0 (1.6–10.1), 6.6 (2.7–16.2), 5.5 (2.2–13.8), 14.4 (5.8–35.9) for score 1- ≥6, where all p-values were less than 0.05 and Wald χ2 for overall model fit <0.0001. The cumulative incidence per 1000 person-years was: 8.2 (5.4–12.5), 11.8 (8.3–16.7), 19.4 (15.1–24.8), 16.3 (12.6–21.1), 36.6 (29.4–45.4), and 42.1 (33.0–53.8), respectively.

In patients with LVEF >40% and score 1–≥6, the absolute TIA/IS risk was: 1.3, 3.1, 3.1, 3.3, 4.6, and 5.3%, respectively. The corresponding HRs with 95% CI and patients with 1 point as reference group was: 2.4 (1.1–5.2), 2.5 (1.2–5.3), 2.7 (1.3–5.7), 3.9 (1.8–8.2); and 4.6 (2.2–9.8), for score 1- ≥6 (all p<0.05 and Wald χ2 for overall model fit p=0.0002). The cumulative incidence per 1000 person-year was: 6.7 (3.4–13.2), 16.0 (10.8–23.8), 16.7 (12.5–22.2), 18.0 (13.9–23.4), 25.8 (19.4–34.3), and 30.6 (21.7–43.0), for score 1- ≥6, respectively.

Conclusion

In the current study, a risk score compiling age and specific comorbidity was shown to predict increased risk of TIA/IS, regardless of LVEF, during the first two years after diagnosis in patients with incident HF in sinus rhythm.

P779Eligible patients for the PARADIGM-HF trial in a real-world outpatient clinic and its cardiovascular risk

Background

In the PARADIGM-HF trial sacubitril-valsartan, an angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), was more effective than enalapril for some patients with heart failure (HF). However, the eligibility of the PARADIGM-HF study to a real-world heart failure population was not well established.

Purpose

To investigate the eligibility of PARADIGM-HF Trial in a real-world clinical setting and its cardiovascular risk.

Methods

We made secondary analysis of patients (n=4872) with heart failure prospectively enrolled in the Swedish Heart Failure Registry from the Outpatient Clinic, during 2005–2016. The eligibility for PARADIGM-HF in real world was studied based on patients whether they were either fully or partially compatible with the PARADIGM-HF study population. Mortality data during follow-up were obtained from the Death Registry of the National Board of Health and Welfare in Sweden.

Results

Heart failure with reduced LVEF (≤40%) (HFrEF) were found in 2165 patients, 653 patients (30%) were fully and 958 (44%) were partially compatible with PARADIGM-HF criteria respectively (figure). In both the fully and partially eligible groups there were more male. Despite that the fully eligible patients were younger than non-eligible patients (77.6±12.7 vs. 84.0±13.7 years), they were clearly older than in PARADIGM-HF trial. Moreover, those fully-eligible patients had lower all-cause mortality compared with both partially-and non-eligible patients (45.6% vs. 68.5, HR 1.43 (1.18–1.75) p<0.001) after adjusted for sex, age, BMI, smoking, hypertension and diabetes. However, both fully- and partially eligible patients had higher all-cause mortality than that in PARADIGM-HF.

figure

Conclusion

In a real world outpatient clinical setting, around 35% to 50% of HFrEF were eligible for treatment with ARNI except that they are older, sicker and carried higher risk for all-cause mortality than the PARADIGM-HF trial population.

Correction to: Rehmanniae Radix Preparata suppresses bone loss and increases bone strength through interfering with canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in OVX rats

There was a mistake in the part of OVX rats model and RRP intervention in the original publication.

[Practice of parenting and related factors on children aged 0-5 in the urban areas of China]

Objective: To characterize the relations between the practice of parenting and associated factors on children (0-5 years old) in urban areas of China, in order to provide evidence for promoting the early development of children and to provide positive guidance and service programs on parenting. Methods: A total of 4 515 parents from 15 cities (14 provinces) were surveyed with a self-administered questionnaire. Parenting and Family Adjustment Scales (PAFAS) was used, including parameters as: consistency and coercive parenting, positive encouragement, parent-child relationship and parental emotion adjustment, family relationship and parental teamwork aspects, etc. Both single factor analysis and multiple linear regression were used to examine the associations between parenting practice, individual, parental and family factors. Results: The mean score of PAFAS was 21.00 (15.00-28.00), associated with factors as children's age, only-child family, premature delivery, father's education level, confidence on parenting, problems regarding the parental mood, annual family income, family structure and behavior on seeking professional help, etc. Results showed that there were big differences on the practice of parenting in China and influenced by variety of factors. Conclusions: The general situation of parenting was well, in the urban areas of China. The practice of parenting was associated with a series of individual, parental and family factors. Programs on improving the parenting skills and promoting the early development of children, should be highlighted.