Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibition in patients affected by heart failure: efficacy, mechanistic effects and practical use of sacubitril/valsartan. Position Paper of the Italian Society of Cardiology

Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibition is a mainstay of the pharmacological treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). In the last years RAAS blockade has been improved by the introduction of the Angiotensin Receptor-Neprilysin Inhibitor (ARNI) sacubitril/valsartan, that combines RAAS inhibition with the block of neprilysin, boosting the positive effects of natriuretic peptides. The PARADIGM-HF trial demonstrated a significant advantage of sacubitril/valsartan over enalapril on the reduction of cardiovascular (CV) mortality and heart failure hospitalizations rates. Then, several randomized clinical trials and observational studies investigated its role in different clinical settings and its efficacy has been fully recognized in the most recent HFrEF European and USA guidelines. The effects of sacubitril/valsartan on major CV outcomes are associated with reduction of NT-proBNP levels and reverse cardiac remodeling and mitral regurgitation, recognized as one of the mechanistic effects of the drug explaining the favorable prognostic effects. A careful evaluation of patients' clinical profile is relevant to implement the use of ARNI in the clinical practice and to obtain the maximal treatment efficacy. The present Position Paper reports the opinion of the Italian Society of Cardiology on the optimal blockade of the RAAS system in HF patients with the aim of fostering widespread implementation of scientific evidence and practice guidelines in the medical community.

Angiotensin Receptor Blockers in the Management of Hypertension: A Real-World Perspective and Current Recommendations

Hypertension represents a major common cardiovascular risk factor. Optimal control of high blood pressure levels is recommended to reduce the global burden of hypertensive-mediated organ damage and cardiovascular (CV) events. Among the first-line drugs recommended in international guidelines, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system antagonists [angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)] have long represented a rational, effective, and safe anti-hypertensive pharmacological strategy. In fact, current US and European guidelines recommend ACEi and ARBs as a suitable first choice for hypertension treatment together with calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and thiazide diuretics. Different studies have demonstrated that ARBs and ACEi exert a comparable effect in lowering blood pressure levels. However, ARBs are characterized by better pharmacological tolerability. Most importantly, the clinical evidence supports a relevant protective role of ARBs toward the CV and renal damage development, as well as the occurrence of major adverse CV events, in hypertensive patients. Moreover, a neutral metabolic effect has been reported upon ARBs administration, in contrast to other antihypertensive agents, such as beta-blockers and diuretics. These properties highlight the use of ARBs as an excellent pharmacological strategy to manage hypertension and its dangerous consequences. The present review article summarizes the available evidence regarding the beneficial effects and current recommendations of ARBs in hypertension. The specific properties performed by these agents in various clinical subsets are discussed, also including an overview of their implications for the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Relation of delayed intrinsicoid deflection of the QRS complex to sudden cardiac death in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

AIMS

Predictors of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) do not include ECG variables. Intrinsicoid deflection (ID) represents the early ventricular depolarization on surface ECG. Delayed ID (DID) has been associated with sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in the community. In a cohort of consecutive patients with HCM, we assessed whether DID predicts SCA or its surrogates.

METHODS

We reviewed ECG, clinical and follow-up data of 344 consecutive HCM patients. DID (ID ≥50 ms) was classified as lateral (leads I or aVL), inferior (leads II, III or aVF), and precordial (leads V5 or V6). The endpoint was a combination of SCD, resuscitated SCA or appropriate ICD intervention.

RESULTS

The SCA group was composed by 2 secondary prevention ICD recipients and 23 patients that reached the endpoint during follow-up (108 ± 73 months). SCA patients had more frequently massive LV hypertrophy (LVH) or end-stage HCM. ECG indexes of LVH were comparable between SCA and controls. SCA patients were more likely to have DID on ECG lateral leads I/aVL (72% vs 44%; p = 0.008). A non significant trend was observed for inferior and V5/V6 leads. DID I/aVL was associated with SCA in multivariate analysis after correction for massive LVH and end-stage disease (HR: 2.86; 95%CI: 1.14-7.13; p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

In HCM patients DID is associated with increased risk of SCA. Its prognostic value extends beyond that of LVH. If confirmed in prospective studies, the prognostic power of this ECG marker could be used to refine risk prediction.

Impact of a NDUFC2 Variant on the Occurrence of Acute Coronary Syndromes

Background

Among several potential mechanisms, mitochondrial dysfunction has been proposed to be involved in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). A mitochondrial complex I deficiency severely impairs cardiovascular health and contributes to CAD development. Previous evidence highlighted a key role of NDUFC2, a subunit of complex I, deficiency in the increased occurrence of renal and cerebrovascular damage in an animal model of hypertension, and of juvenile ischemic stroke occurrence in humans. Furthermore, a significant decrease of NDUFC2 mRNA was detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients experiencing acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The T allele at NDUFC2/rs23117379 variant is known to associate with reduced gene expression and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Objective

In the present study we tested the impact of the T/C NDUFC2/rs23117379 variant on occurrence of ACS in a prospective cohort of CAD patients (n = 260).

Results

Hypertension, smoking habit, diabetes and hypercholesterolemia were present in a large proportion of patients. Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) represented the most frequent type of ACS (44%, n = 115), followed by ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) (34%, n = 88) and unstable angina (22%, n = 57). The alleles/genotypes distribution for T/C at NDUFC2/rs23117379 revealed that the TT genotype was associated with a trend toward the development of ACS at an earlier age (TT 61 ± 12, CT 65 ± 12 and CC 66 ± 11 years; p = 0.051 after adjustment for gender, hypertension, smoking habit, diabetes and hypercholesterolemia) and with a significant predictive role for ACS recurrence (hazard ratio [HR]1.671; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.138–2.472; p = 0.009).

Conclusions

Our findings are consistent with a deleterious effect of NDUFC2 deficiency on acute coronary events predisposition and further support a role of the NDUFC2/rs23117379 variant as a genetic cardiovascular risk factor.

Gender Differences in Takotsubo Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Male sex in takotsubo syndrome (TTS) has a low incidence and it is still not well characterized.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study is to describe TTS sex differences.

METHODS

TTS patients enrolled in the international multicenter GEIST (GErman Italian Spanish Takotsubo) registry were analyzed. Comparisons between sexes were performed within the overall cohort and using an adjusted analysis with 1:1 propensity score matching for age, comorbidities, and kind of trigger.

RESULTS

In total, 286 (11%) of 2,492 TTS patients were men. Male patients were younger (age 69 ± 13 years vs 71 ± 11 years; P = 0.005), with higher prevalence of comorbid conditions (diabetes mellitus 25% vs 19%; P = 0.01; pulmonary diseases 21% vs 15%; P = 0.006; malignancies 25% vs 13%; P < 0.001) and physical trigger (55 vs 32% P < 0.01). Propensity-score matching yielded 207 patients from each group. After 1:1 propensity matching, male patients had higher rates of cardiogenic shock and in-hospital mortality (16% vs 6% and 8% vs 3%, respectively; both P < 0.05). Long-term mortality rate was 4.3% per patient-year (men 10%, women 3.8%). Survival analysis showed higher mortality rate in men during the acute phase in both cohorts (overall: P < 0.001; matched: P = 0.001); mortality rate after 60 days was higher in men in the overall (P = 0.002) but not in the matched cohort (P = 0.541). Within the overall population, male sex remained independently associated with both in-hospital (OR: 2.26; 95% CI: 1.16-4.40) and long-term mortality (HR: 1.83; 95% CI: 1.32-2.52).

CONCLUSIONS

Male TTS is featured by a distinct high-risk phenotype requiring close in-hospital monitoring and long-term follow-up.

Overview of mitral valve replacement versus mitral valve repair due to ischemic papillary muscle rupture: A meta-analysis inspired by a case report

Background

Papillary muscle rupture (PMR) is an infrequent but catastrophic complication after myocardial infarction (MI). Surgical procedure is considered the optimal treatment, despite high risk. However, the gold standard technique is still a major dilemma. Therefore, a meta-analysis was carried out to assess and provide an overview comparing mitral valve replacement (MVR) and mitral valve repair (MVr) for PMR post-MI.

Methods

A systematic literature search was performed. Data were extracted and verified using a standardized data extraction form. Meta-analysis was realized mainly using RevMan 5.4 software.

Results

From four observational studies 1640 patients were identified; 81% underwent MVR and 19% MVr. Operative mortality results were significantly higher in MVR group than the MVr group. MVR was performed under emergency conditions and patients admitted in cardiogenic shock or who required the use of mechanical cardiac support underwent MVR. MVr had shorter time of hospitalization and similar incidence of postoperative complications than MVR. No significant differences existed between the two procedures regarding cardiopulmonary bypass time.

Conclusions

Mitral valve repair appears to be a viable alternative to MVR for post-MI PMR, given that it has lower operative mortality, shorter time of hospitalization and similar incidence of short-term postoperative complications than MVR. However, it needs to be pointed out that MVR was associated with the most critical clinical condition following PMR. There is uncertainty regarding the overall survival and improvement of the quality of life between the procedures. Nevertheless, further completed investigation is required.

P39 ATRIAL MASS IN HEART TRANSPLANTED PATIENT WITH CLINICAL HISTORY OF LYMPHOMA

Atrial thrombosis is an uncommon complication of cardiac transplant, especially when performed with standard technique. Pathogenetic mechanisms might involve atrial anatomy distortion and abnormalities in its contractile function, which induce flow stasis and thrombus formation, mostly on the surgical suture. A 77–year–old man underwent orthotopic heart transplantation in 2000 for post–ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy. In 2019 he was diagnosed with diffuse large B–cell lymphoma treated with chemotherapy. On March 2021, during follow up period, he had a total body CT scan which showed a submandibular space–occupying lesion, likely as a disease recurrence, and a large atrial mass (30x50 mm). For this reason, he was admitted to the emergency department. Echocardiography documented a massive hyperechogenic formation in an enlarged left atrium. In order to rule out a neoplastic nature, a cardiac CMR was performed, confirming the presence of an oval mass adhering to the posterior left atrial wall with partial involvement of pulmonary veins ostia, with inhomogeneous isointense signal on T1–weighted sequences and hyper–isointense signal on T2–weighted sequences, without significant contrast enhancement, likely representing an endoluminal thrombotic formation. Given the patient’s clinical status and his hemodynamic stability, a surgical excision was deferred. The patient was discharged on oral anticoagulant therapy with Warfarin (INR target 2–3). Three months later, a chest CT showed a meaningful mass reduction (11x18mm), which was no longer visible at echocardiography. About 9 months later, complete disappearance of the atrial mass was found at a CT scan. According to scientific literature, differential diagnosis of a newly discovered atrial mass in a transplanted heart includes thrombosis or neoplasia. Thrombosis occurs usually early after surgery, but due to promoting factors, it can arise after many years. The most likely triggering condition is an acquired prothrombotic status: in our case the likely lymphoma recurrence may have led to thrombogenesis. In order to exclude with confidence cardiac metastasis, histological examination would have been necessary. Nevertheless, the meaningful mass reduction, as early as three months after starting oral anticoagulation, and its disappearance nine months after, strongly suggests for atrial thrombosis.

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P86 IN–HOSPITAL OUTCOMES OF PORTICO TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE IMPLANTATION WITH THE FLEXNAV AS COMPARED TO THE FIRST–GENERATION DELIVERY SYSTEM

Introduction

technological advancements in transcatheter heart valve platforms, along with increasing operator experience and careful patient selection, are essential to reach high standards of efficacy and safety in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the new version of the Portico valve delivery system (FlexNav) as compared to the first–generation device.

Materials and Methods

we report the results of a single–center, observational study on patients with severe aortic valve stenosis undergoing TAVR with the Portico valve at our Institution. Consecutive patients treated with the new FlexNav delivery system (DS), available since May, 2020, were compared with patients treated with the first–generation delivery system (1st Gen–DS). In–hospital outcomes were self–adjudicated according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium–3 definition.

Results

50 patients were included in this study; 22 were treated with the FlexNav–DS and the remaining with the 1st Gen–DS. Clinical characteristics were similar between group, expect for older age (82.6 ± 3.6 vs 80.7 ± 3.8; p = 0.07) and higher prevalence of female gender (68.2% vs 39.3%; p = 0.04) in FlexNav–DS group as compared to 1st Gen–DS group, respectively. We observed similar rates of procedural success but higher rate of moderate–to–severe paravalvular leak in 1st Gen–DS as compared to FlexNav–DS group (28.6% vs 4.6%; p = 0.03); major vascular complications were reduced, although not significantly, in the FlexNav–DS as compared to 1st Gen–DS group (4.5% vs 10.7%; p = 0.64).

Conclusion

Our data suggest that the FlexNav DS, thanks to lower profile and enhanced stability during valve deployment, has the potential to allow for to better procedural and clinical results of TAVR with the Portico valve as compared to the 1st Gen–DS.

Serum uric acid levels threshold for mortality in diabetic individuals: The URic acid Right for heArt Health (URRAH) project

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The URRAH (URic acid Right for heArt Health) Study has identified cut-off values of serum uric acid (SUA) predictive of total mortality at 4.7 mg/dl, and cardiovascular (CV) mortality at 5.6 mg/dl. Our aim was to validate these SUA thresholds in people with diabetes.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The URRAH subpopulation of people with diabetes was studied. All-cause and CV deaths were evaluated at the end of follow-up. A total of 2570 diabetic subjects were studied. During a median follow-up of 107 months, 744 deaths occurred. In the multivariate Cox regression analyses adjusted for several confounders, subjects with SUA ≥5.6 mg/dl had higher risk of total (HR: 1.23, 95%CI: 1.04-1.47) and CV mortality (HR:1.31, 95%CI:1.03-1.66), than those with SUA <5.6 mg/dl. Increased all-cause mortality risk was shown in participants with SUA ≥4.7 mg/dl vs SUA below 4.7 mg/dl, but not statistically significant after adjustment for all confounders.

CONCLUSIONS

SUA thresholds previously proposed by the URRAH study group are predictive of total and CV mortality also in people with diabetes. The threshold of 5.6 mg/dl can predict both total and CV mortality, and so is candidate to be a clinical cut-off for the definition of hyperuricemia in patients with diabetes.

World Hypertension Day 2021 in Italy: Results of a Nationwide Survey

Introduction

Hypertension is the biggest contributor to the global burden of cardiovascular diseases and related death, but the rates of hypertension awareness, treatment, and control remain largely perfectible.

Methods

During the XVII World Hypertension Day (May 17th, 2021), a nationwide cross-sectional opportunistic study endorsed by the Italian Society of Hypertension was conducted on volunteer adults ≥ 18 years to raise awareness of high blood pressure (BP). A questionnaire on major demographic/clinical features (sex, age, employment, education, BP status awareness, hypertension family/personal history, antihypertensive medications use) and BP measurement habits (≥1 BP measurement in the previous month/week) was administered. Due to the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, BP was measured with standard procedures in a subset of participants (24.4%).

Results

A total of 1354 participants (mean age 56.3 ± 15.3 years; 57.3% women; mean BP: 131.2 ± 17.5/81.6 ± 10.5 mmHg; 42.3% self-declared hypertensive; 41.4% on antihypertensive medications) were enrolled; 73.6% declared being aware of their BP status. Among treated individuals with measured BP, 26.9% showed BP levels within the predefined therapeutic goals. Interestingly, BP status awareness rates were the highest among individuals with uncontrolled hypertension (85.1%) and the lowest among those with normal measured BP (54.4%).

Conclusions

This survey provides an updated insight into hypertension awareness and control in a setting of daily clinical practice, emphasizing the centricity of patients in the therapeutic alliance for a successful reduction of cardiovascular risk.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40292-022-00519-4.

The association of uric acid with mortality modifies at old age: data from the uric acid right for heart health (URRAH) study

OBJECTIVES

In older individuals, the role of serum uric acid (SUA) as risk factor for mortality is debated. This study investigated the association of SUA with all-cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality in older adults participating in the large multicentre observational uric acid right for heart health (URRAH) study.

METHODS

Eight thousand URRAH participants aged 65+ were included in the analysis. The predictive role of SUA was assessed using Cox regression models stratified according to the cut-off age of 75. SUA was tested as continuous and categorical variable (age-specific quartiles). The prognostic threshold of SUA for mortality was analysed using receiver operating characteristic curves.

RESULTS

Among participants aged 65-74, multivariate Cox regression analysis adjusted for CV risk factors and comorbidities identified an independent association of SUA with both all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.169, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.107-1.235) and CV mortality (HR 1.146, 95% CI 1.064-1.235). The cut-off value of 4.8 mg/dl discriminated mortality status. In participants aged 75+, we observed a J-shaped relationship of SUA with all-cause and CV mortality, with risk increasing at extreme SUA levels.

CONCLUSIONS

These results confirmed the predictive role of SUA for all-cause and CV mortality in older adults, while revealing considerable age-related differences. Mortality risk increased at higher SUA levels in participants aged 65-74, with a prognostic threshold of 4.8 mg/dl. The relationship between SUA and mortality was J-shaped in oldest participants. Large interventional studies are needed to clarify the benefits and possible risks of urate-lowering treatments in older adults.

Current applications and limitations of European guidelines on blood pressure measurement: implications for clinical practice

Hypertension is the most common cardiovascular (CV) risk factor, strongly and independently associated with an increased risk of major CV outcomes, including myocardial infarction, stroke, congestive heart failure, renal disease and death due to CV causes. Effective control of hypertension is of key importance for reducing the risk of hypertension-related CV complications, as well as for reducing the global burden of CV mortality. However, several studies reported relatively poor rates of control of high blood pressure (BP) in a setting of real-life practice. To improve hypertension management and control, national and international scientific societies proposed several educational and therapeutic interventions, among which the systematic implementation of out-of-office BP measurements represents a key element. Indeed, proper assessment of individual BP profile, including home, clinic and 24-h ambulatory BP levels, may improve awareness of the disease, ensure high level of adherence to prescribed medications in treated hypertensive patients, and thus contribute to ameliorate BP control in treated hypertensive outpatients. In line with these purposes, recent European guidelines have released practical recommendations and clear indications on how, when and how properly measuring BP levels in different clinical settings, with different techniques and different methods. This review aimed at discussing current applications and potential limitations of European guidelines on how to measure BP in office and out-of-office conditions, and their potential implications in the daily clinical management of hypertension.

[Position paper of the Italian Society of Cardiology: The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockade in heart failure patients - Part II: Mechanistic effects of sacubitril/valsartan, placement in current guidelines and use in clinical practice]

The use of sacubitril/valsartan has been fully recognized in the most recent European and American guidelines that recommend in class I the prescription of this drug in heart failure patients with reduced systolic function. Besides the effects on cardiovascular mortality and heart failure hospitalization, sacubitril/valsartan significantly reduces NT-proBNP levels and improves cardiac remodeling, recognized as one of the mechanistic effects of the drug that is linked to favorable prognostic effects. A careful evaluation of the patients' clinical profile is needed to implement the use of sacubitril/valsartan into clinical practice and to make the treatment successful. This second part of the position paper focuses on the mechanistic effects of angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors and on its placement in current guidelines, also suggesting the use of sacubitril/valsartan in specific clinical settings.

[Position paper of the Italian Society of Cardiology: The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) blockade in heart failure patients - Part I: From RAAS identification to clinical trials]

Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone (RAAS) system inhibition is a mainstay of the pharmacological treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and has been implemented by the introduction of angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors (ARNI), that combine RAAS inhibition with the inhibition of neprilysin, enhancing the favorable effects of natriuretic peptides. The PARADIGM-HF trial demonstrated a favorable effect of sacubitril/valsartan over enalapril in terms of mortality and heart failure hospitalization rate reduction. Then several randomized clinical trials and observational studies confirmed the favorable role of ARNI in different clinical scenarios, supporting the guideline class I recommendation for the use of sacubitril/valsartan in patients with reduced systolic function. The first part of this position paper summarizes the history of RAAS inhibition and reports the results of ARNI trials that support the recommendations of the most recent guidelines.