Importance of structural heart disease and diastolic dysfunction in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction assessed according to the ESC guidelines - A substudy in the Ka (Karolinska) Ren (Rennes) study

AIMS

To study prevalence and prognostic importance of diagnostic echocardiographic variables in patients with suspected heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) in the prospective KaRen register study.

METHODS AND RESULTS

KaRen patients were included following an acute HF-presentation, using Framingham criteria, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) >100 ng/L or N-terminal pro-BNP (NT-pro-BNP) >300 ng/L, and left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction ≥45%. Echocardiography was performed after 4-8 weeks and analyzed at a core laboratory. In this substudy HFpEF was diagnosed according to the ESC guidelines for heart failure 2016. A total of 539 patients were included with a follow-up after 4-8 weeks in 438 patients. Complete echocardiography and ECG were available in 356 patients. At least two abnormal echocardiographic criteria for HFpEF were found in 94% (n = 333). Echocardiographic signs of structural heart disease and diastolic dysfunction according to 4 criteria by ESC were found in 76% (n = 270). Diastolic dysfunction was graded as mild in 30% (n = 107), moderate in 27% (n = 97) or severe in 35% (n = 124). After multivariate analyses with adjustment for age, gender, EF and natriuretic peptides we found two independent predictors of worse prognosis: presence of moderate and severe diastolic dysfunction (HR 1.8, CI 1.2-2.7, p = 0.0037) and presence of a high number (≥4) of abnormal diastolic parameters (HR 2.0, CI 1.3-3.1, p = 0.0033).

CONCLUSION

The majority of KaRen patients with suspected HFpEF had diagnostic echocardiographic criteria for HFpEF according to ESC Guidelines. Our findings support using 2016 ESC HF guidelines for risk prediction in HFpEF.

Comparison of Prognostic Usefulness of Serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor-Binding Protein 7 in Patients With Heart Failure and Preserved Versus Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction

We aimed to characterize of the role of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 (IGFBP-7) in heart failure (HF) pathophysiology. IGFBP-7 has been associated with cardiac hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction in HF. In 86 patients with HF with a preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) (ejection fraction [EF] ≥45%) and 79 with HF with a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), we assessed concentrations of serum IGFBP-7, correlations between serum IGFBP-7 and clinical data, diastolic function, and associations with outcome. IGFBP-7 was lower in HFpEF than HFrEF (102 vs 152 µg/L, p <0.001) and correlated with New York Heart Association class (HFpEF: r = 0.25, p = 0.020; HFrEF: r = 0.26, p = 0.022), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) (HFpEF: r = 0.53, p <0.001; HFrEF: r = 0.50, p <0.001), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (HFpEF: r = -0.47, p <0.001; HFrEF: r = -0.45, p <0.001). In HFpEF, IGFBP-7 correlated with E/e' (r = 0.31, p = 0.012) and E/A ratio (r = 0.31, p = 0.011). In HFrEF, but not HFpEF, IGFBP-7 correlated with age (r = 0.29, p = 0.009) and atrial fibrillation (r = 0.34, p = 0.002). IGFBP-7 predicted the outcome in HFpEF (hazard ratio 4.19 [1.01 to 17.35], p = 0.048]) but not in HFrEF (0.72 [0.24 to 2.14], p = 0.554). In conclusion in HFrEF, IGFBP-7 was elevated and associated with HF severity but not prognostic, suggesting a marker of risk. In HFpEF, IGFBP-7 was less elevated but associated with markers of diastolic dysfunction, HF severity, and prognosis. IGFBP-7 may contribute to the progression of HFpEF possibly through inflammation and oxidative stress.

Haemodynamic effects of levosimendan in advanced but stable chronic heart failure

AIMS

Levosimendan improves haemodynamics in acute decompensated heart failure (HF). However, it is increasingly used for repetitive or intermittent infusions in advanced but stable chronic HF, without clear indication, selection criteria, or effect. We tested the hypotheses that (1) levosimendan improves haemodynamics in stable chronic HF and (2) that the response is dependent on baseline clinical and haemodynamic factors.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Twenty-three patients [median age 56 (49-64) years, four (17%) women] with stable New York Heart Association (NYHA) III and IV HF received a single 24 h levosimendan infusion. Non-invasive haemodynamics (inert gas re-breathing technique), estimated glomerular filtration rate, and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide were assessed before and after infusion. Levosimendan had the following effects (median change): a significant increase in cardiac output (+9.8 ± 21.6%; P = 0.026) and decrease in N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (-28.1 ± 16.3%, P < 0.001), estimated total peripheral resistance (-16.9 ± 18.3%, P = 0.005), and mean arterial pressure (-5.9 ± 8.2%, P = 0.007), but no change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (+0.89 ± 14.0%, P = 0.955). There were no significant associations between baseline clinical and/or haemodynamic factors and the levosimendan effect on cardiac output.

CONCLUSIONS

Levosimendan was associated with improved haemodynamics in patients with stable chronic HF, but we could not identify any predictors of the magnitude of haemodynamic response.

Importance of combined left atrial size and estimated pulmonary pressure for clinical outcome in patients presenting with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Aims

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a complex syndrome with various phenotypes and outcomes. The prognostic relevance of echocardiography and the E/e' ratio has previously been reported. We sought to study in addition, the value of estimated pulmonary pressure and left atrial size for diagnosing and determining a prognosis for HFpEF-patients in a prospective multi-centric cohort.

Methods and results

Patients with an acute-HF event accompanied with NT-proBNP >300 pg/mL (BNP >100 pg/mL) and LVEF >45% were included (n = 237) and clinically reassessed using echo-Doppler after 4-8 weeks of HF treatment as part of the prospective KaRen HFpEF study. A core-centre performed the echocardiographic analyses. A combined primary endpoint of either HF hospitalizations and mortality over a span of 18-month, or simply mortality (secondary endpoint) were used. The mean LVEF was 62 ± 7%, E/e':12.9 ± 6.0, left atrial volume index (LAVI): 48.1 ± 15.9 ml/m2, TR: 2.9 ± 0.9 m/s. Patients with both LAVI > 40 ml/m2 and TR > 3.1 m/s had a significantly greater risk of death or heart failure related hospitalization than others (P = 0.014 after adjustment).

Conclusion

The combination of enlarged LA and elevated estimated pulmonary pressure has a strong prognostic impact in patients suffering from HFpEF. Our results indicate that such patients constitute a risk group in HFpEF which requires dedicated medical attention.

ClinicalTrials.gov

NCT00774709.

Left atrial rather than left ventricular impaired mechanics are associated with the pro-fibrotic ST2 marker and outcomes in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

AIMS

Left ventricular (LV) mechanics have been extensively investigated in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) overshadowing for a long time the potential role of left atrium (LA) in that setting. Soluble suppression of tumorigenicity-2 receptor (ST2) is a novel biomarker of pro-fibrotic burden in HF. We hypothesized that due to the thinner LA wall, the fibrotic myocardial changes in HFpEF as indicated by elevated ST2 levels might more readily be reflected by impairments in the LA rather than the LV performance.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In 86 patients with HFpEF, enrolled in the Karolinska Rennes (KaRen) biomarker prospective substudy, global LA strain (GL-LS) along with other echocardiographic as well as haemodynamic parameters and ST2 levels were measured. ST2 levels were inversely associated with LA-GS (r = -0.30, P = 0.009), but not with LA size, LV geometry, systolic or diastolic LV function (P > 0.05 for all). Furthermore, symptom severity correlated with ST2 and LA-GS, but not with LV structural or functional indices. Finally, during a median 18-month follow-up, LA-GS independently predicted the composite endpoint of HF hospitalization and all-cause mortality, even after adjustment for potential clinical and cardiac mechanical confounders, including LV global longitudinal strain and filling pressures (odds ratio: 4.15; confidence interval: 1.2-14, P = 0.023).

CONCLUSIONS

Reduced LA-GS but not LV functional systolic and diastolic parameters were associated with the pro-fibrotic ST2 marker, HF symptoms and outcome in HFpEF.

Utilizing NT-proBNP for Eligibility and Enrichment in Trials in HFpEF, HFmrEF, and HFrEF

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to assess the association between N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and cardiovascular (CV) versus non-CV events and between NT-proBNP and potential treatment effects in heart failure (HF) with preserved, mid-range, and reduced ejection fraction (HFpEF, HFmrEF, and HFrEF, respectively) and clinically relevant subgroups.

BACKGROUND

Optimizing patient eligibility criteria in HF trials requires biomarkers that enrich for CV but not for non-CV events and select patients most likely to respond to the tested intervention.

METHODS

In the Swedish HF registry population stratified by EF category, we used Kaplan-Meier curves to estimate unadjusted CV and non-CV risks (mortality or hospitalization); Poisson regressions to calculate crude event rates of CV and non-CV events according to NT-proBNP levels; and Cox regressions to calculate the adjusted hazard ratios for HF therapies according to NT-proBNP ≤ or > median.

RESULTS

In a cohort of 15,849 patients (23% HFpEF, 21% HFmrEF, 56% HFrEF), median NT-proBNP was 2,037, 2,192, and 3,141 pg/ml, respectively. With increasing NT-proBNP, CV event rates increased more steeply than non-CV rates (range 20 to 160 and 30 to 100 per 100 patient-years in HFpEF; 20 to 130 and 20 to 100 in HFmrEF; and 20 to 110 and 20 to 50 in HFrEF, respectively). The CV-to-non-CV ratio increased with increasing NT-proBNP in HFpEF and HFrEF, but only in the lower range in HFmrEF. The association between treatments (e.g., angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitor, angiotensin II receptor blockers, and beta-blockers) and outcomes was consistent in NT-proBNP ≤ and > median.

CONCLUSIONS

In HF trial design in different EF categories, NT-proBNP may be a useful tool for eligibility and enrichment for CV events, but its role in predicting a potential treatment response remains unclear.

Inflammatory Biomarkers Predict Heart Failure Severity and Prognosis in Patients With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Holistic Proteomic Approach

BACKGROUND

Underlying mechanisms in heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction remain unknown. We investigated cardiovascular plasma biomarkers in HF with preserved ejection fraction and their correlation to diastolic dysfunction, functional class, pathophysiological processes, and prognosis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In 86 stable patients with HF and EF ≥45% in the Karolinska Rennes (KaRen) biomarker substudy, biomarkers were quantified by a multiplex immunoassay. Orthogonal projection to latent structures by partial least square analysis was performed on 87 biomarkers and 240 clinical variables, ranking biomarkers associated with New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional class and the composite outcome (all-cause mortality and HF hospitalization). Biomarkers significantly correlated with outcome were analyzed by multivariable Cox regression and correlations with echocardiographic measurements performed. The orthogonal partial least square outcome-predicting biomarker pattern was run against the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) database, containing annotated data from the public domain. The orthogonal partial least square analyses identified 32 biomarkers correlated with NYHA class and 28 predicting outcomes. Among outcome-predicting biomarkers, growth/differentiation factor-15 was the strongest and an additional 7 were also significant in Cox regression analyses when adjusted for age, sex, and N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide: adrenomedullin (hazard ratio per log increase 2.53), agouti-related protein; (1.48), chitinase-3-like protein 1 (1.35), C-C motif chemokine 20 (1.35), fatty acid-binding protein (1.33), tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (2.29), and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (0.34). Twenty-three of them correlated with diastolic dysfunction (E/e') and 5 with left atrial volume index. The IPA suggested that increased inflammation, immune activation with decreased necrosis and apoptosis preceded poor outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

In HF with preserved ejection fraction, novel biomarkers of inflammation predict HF severity and prognosis that may complement or even outperform traditional markers, such as N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide. These findings lend support to a hypothesis implicating global systemic inflammation in HF with preserved ejection fraction.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT00774709.

Reductions in N-Terminal Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide Levels Are Associated With Lower Mortality and Heart Failure Hospitalization Rates in Patients With Heart Failure With Mid-Range and Preserved Ejection Fraction

Background—

In heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction (HFmrEF) and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), feasible surrogate end points are needed for phase II trials. The aim was to assess whether a reduction in N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is associated with improved mortality/morbidity in an unselected population of HFmrEF and HFpEF patients.

Methods and Results—

In the Swedish Heart Failure Registry, HFmrEF (EF=40%–49%) and HFpEF (EF≥50%) patients reporting at least 2 consecutive outpatient NT-proBNP assessments were prospectively studied. Associations between reduction in NT-proBNP and overall mortality, HF hospitalization, and their composite were assessed by multivariable Cox regressions, with NT-proBNP changes modeled as binary (decrease/increase) or quantitative predictor by restricted cubic splines. In 650 patients, at a median of 7 months between the 2 measurements of NT-proBNP and over a median follow-up of 1.65 years, 361 patients (55%) showed a reduction and 289 patients (45%) an increase in NT-proBNP. Change in NT-proBNP was associated with risk of outcomes. Fifty-seven patients (16%) who decreased their NT-proBNP versus 78 patients (27%) who increased it died from any cause (adjusted hazard ratio=0.53; 95% confidence interval=0.36–0.77), 61 (17%) versus 86 (30%) were hospitalized for HF (hazard ratio=0.41; 95% confidence interval=0.29–0.60), and 96 (27%) versus 125 (43%) reported the composite outcome (hazard ratio=0.46; 95% confidence interval=0.34–0.62). These findings were replicated in HFmrEF and HFpEF separately.

Conclusions—

In HFmrEF and HFpEF during routine care, decreases in NT-proBNP were associated with improved mortality and morbidity. Studies to determine whether NT-proBNP changes in response to therapy predict drug efficacy are needed.

Copeptin, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 and sitagliptin: A report from the BEta-cell function in Glucose abnormalities and Acute Myocardial Infarction study

PURPOSE

To investigate whether sitagliptin affects copeptin and osmolality, suggesting arginine vasopressin activation and a potential for fluid retention, compared with placebo, in patients with a recent acute coronary syndrome and newly discovered type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance. A second aim was to confirm whether copeptin correlated with insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1.

METHODS

Fasting blood samples were used from the BEta-cell function in Glucose abnormalities and Acute Myocardial Infarction trial, in which patients recently hospitalized due to acute coronary syndrome and with newly detected abnormal glucose tolerance were randomized to sitagliptin 100 mg once daily (n = 34) or placebo (n = 37). Copeptin, osmolality and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 were analysed at baseline and after 12 weeks.

RESULTS

Copeptin and osmolality were unaffected by sitagliptin. There was no correlation between copeptin and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1.

CONCLUSION

Sitagliptin therapy does not appear to be related to activation of the arginine vasopressin system.

Heart failure in Tanzania and Sweden: Comparative characterization and prognosis in the Tanzania Heart Failure (TaHeF) study and the Swedish Heart Failure Registry (SwedeHF)

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) in developing countries is poorly described. We compare characteristics and prognosis of HF in Tanzania vs. Sweden.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study was conducted from the Tanzania HF study (TaHeF) and the Swedish HF Registry (SwedeHF). Patients were compared overall (n 427 vs. 51,060) and after matching 1:3 by gender and age±5years (n 411 vs. 1232). The association between cohort and all-cause mortality was assessed with multivariable Cox regression.

RESULTS

In the unmatched cohorts, TaHeF (as compared to SwedeHF) patients were younger (median age [interquartile range] 55 [40-68] vs. 77 [64-84] years, p<0.001) and more commonly women (51% vs. 40%, p<0.001). The three-year survival was 61% in both cohorts. In the matched cohorts, TaHeF patients had more hypertension (47% vs. 37%, p<0.001), more anemia (57% vs. 9%), more preserved EF, more advanced HF, longer duration of HF, and less use of beta-blockers. Crude mortality was worse in TaHeF (HR 2.25 [95% CI 1.78-2.85], p<0.001), with three-year survival 61% vs. 83%. However, covariate-adjusted risk was similar (HR 1.07, 95% CI 0.69-1.66; p=0.760). In both cohorts, preserved EF was associated with higher mortality in crude but not adjusted analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to in Sweden, HF patients in Tanzania were younger and more commonly female, and after age and gender matching, had more frequent hypertension and anemia, more severe HF despite higher EF, and worse crude but similar adjusted prognosis.