EURObservational Research Programme: regional differences and 1-year follow-up results of the Heart Failure Pilot Survey (ESC-HF Pilot)

AIMS

The ESC-HF Pilot survey was aimed to describe clinical epidemiology and 1-year outcomes of outpatients and inpatients with heart failure (HF). The pilot phase was also specifically aimed at validating structure, performance, and quality of the data set for continuing the survey into a permanent Registry.

METHODS

The ESC-HF Pilot study is a prospective, multicentre, observational survey conducted in 136 Cardiology Centres in 12 European countries selected to represent the different health systems across Europe. All outpatients with HF and patients admitted for acute HF on 1 day per week for eight consecutive months were included. From October 2009 to May 2010, 5118 patients were included: 1892 (37%) admitted for acute HF and 3226 (63%) patients with chronic HF. The all-cause mortality rate at 1 year was 17.4% in acute HF and 7.2% in chronic stable HF. One-year hospitalization rates were 43.9% and 31.9%, respectively, in hospitalized acute and chronic HF patients. Major regional differences in 1-year mortality were observed that could be explained by differences in characteristics and treatment of the patients.

CONCLUSION

The ESC-HF Pilot survey confirmed that acute HF is still associated with a very poor medium-term prognosis, while the widespread adoption of evidence-based treatments in patients with chronic HF seems to have improved their outcome profile. Differences across countries may be due to different local medical practice as well to differences in healthcare systems. This pilot study also offered the opportunity to refine the organizational structure for a long-term extended European network.

European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure Long-Term Registry (ESC-HF-LT): 1-year follow-up outcomes and differences across regions

AIMS

The European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure Long-Term Registry (ESC-HF-LT-R) was set up with the aim of describing the clinical epidemiology and the 1-year outcomes of patients with heart failure (HF) with the added intention of comparing differences between participating countries.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The ESC-HF-LT-R is a prospective, observational registry contributed to by 211 cardiology centres in 21 European and/or Mediterranean countries, all being member countries of the ESC. Between May 2011 and April 2013 it collected data on 12 440 patients, 40.5% of them hospitalized with acute HF (AHF) and 59.5% outpatients with chronic HF (CHF). The all-cause 1-year mortality rate was 23.6% for AHF and 6.4% for CHF. The combined endpoint of mortality or HF hospitalization within 1 year had a rate of 36% for AHF and 14.5% for CHF. All-cause mortality rates in the different regions ranged from 21.6% to 36.5% in patients with AHF, and from 6.9% to 15.6% in those with CHF. These differences in mortality between regions are thought reflect differences in the characteristics and/or management of these patients.

CONCLUSION

The ESC-HF-LT-R shows that 1-year all-cause mortality of patients with AHF is still high while the mortality of CHF is lower. This registry provides the opportunity to evaluate the management and outcomes of patients with HF and identify areas for improvement.

Are hospitalized or ambulatory patients with heart failure treated in accordance with European Society of Cardiology guidelines? Evidence from 12,440 patients of the ESC Heart Failure Long-Term Registry

AIMS

To evaluate how recommendations of European guidelines regarding pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for heart failure (HF) are adopted in clinical practice.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The ESC-HF Long-Term Registry is a prospective, observational study conducted in 211 Cardiology Centres of 21 European and Mediterranean countries, members of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). From May 2011 to April 2013, a total of 12,440 patients were enrolled, 40.5% with acute HF and 59.5% with chronic HF. Intravenous treatments for acute HF were heterogeneously administered, irrespective of guideline recommendations. In chronic HF, with reduced EF, renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockers, beta-blockers, and mineralocorticoid antagonists (MRAs) were used in 92.2, 92.7, and 67.0% of patients, respectively. When reasons for non-adherence were considered, the real rate of undertreatment accounted for 3.2, 2.3, and 5.4% of the cases, respectively. About 30% of patients received the target dosage of these drugs, but a documented reason for not achieving the target dosage was reported in almost two-thirds of them. The more relevant reasons for non-implantation of a device, when clinically indicated, were related to doctor uncertainties on the indication, patient refusal, or logistical/cost issues.

CONCLUSION

This pan-European registry shows that, while in patients with acute HF, a large heterogeneity of treatments exists, drug treatment of chronic HF can be considered largely adherent to recommendations of current guidelines, when the reasons for non-adherence are taken into account. Observations regarding the real possibility to adhere fully to current guidelines in daily clinical practice should be seriously considered when clinical practice guidelines have to be written.

Predischarge B-type natriuretic peptide assay for identifying patients at high risk of re-admission after decompensated heart failure

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to determine the value of serial B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) assay for predicting post-discharge outcome of patients admitted for decompensated congestive heart failure (CHF).

BACKGROUND

Patients hospitalized for decompensated CHF are frequently re-admitted. Thus, identification of high-risk patients before their discharge is a major issue that remains challenging. B-type natriuretic peptide measurement could be useful.

METHODS

Serial BNP measurements were performed from admission to discharge in two samples of consecutive patients. Survivors were monitored for six months; the main end point combined death or first re-admission for CHF.

RESULTS

Among the 105 survivors of the derivation study, all serial BNP values, percentage change in BNP levels, and predischarge Doppler mitral pattern correlated with the outcome. In contrast, clinical variables and left ventricular ejection fraction were poorly predictive. The predischarge BNP assay had the best discriminative power (area under the receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curve = 0.80) and remained the lone significant variable in multivariate analysis (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.14 [95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02 to 1.28], p = 0.027). Among the 97 survivors of the validation study, the predischarge BNP assay was also the most predictive parameter (area under the ROC curve = 0.83). The risk of death or re-admission increased in stepwise fashion across increasing predischarge BNP ranges (p < 0.0001). After adjustment for baseline covariables, the HRs were 5.1 [95% CI 2.8 to 9.1] for BNP levels between 350 and 700 ng/l and 15.2 [95% CI 8.5 to 27] for BNP levels >700 ng/l, compared with BNP <350 ng/l.

CONCLUSIONS

High predischarge BNP assay is a strong, independent marker of death or re-admission after decompensated CHF, more relevant than common clinical or echocardiographic parameters and more relevant than changes in BNP levels during acute cares.

Pulmonary hemodynamics in advanced COPD candidates for lung volume reduction surgery or lung transplantation

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To assess the pulmonary hemodynamic characteristics in COPD candidates for lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) or lung transplantation (LT).

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

One center in France.

PATIENTS

Two hundred fifteen patients with severe COPD who underwent right-heart catheterization before LVRS or LT.

RESULTS

Mean age was 54.6 years. Pulmonary function test results were as follows: FEV(1), 24.3% predicted; total lung capacity, 128.3% predicted; residual volume, 259.7% predicted. Mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAPm) was 26.9 mm Hg. Pulmonary hypertension (PAPm > 25 mm Hg) was present in 50.2% and was moderate (PAPm, 35 to 45 mm Hg) or severe (PAPm > 45 mm Hg) in 9.8% and in 3.7% of patients, respectively. Cardiac index was low normal. PAPm was related to Pao(2) and alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient in multivariate analysis. Cluster analysis identified a subgroup of atypical patients (n = 16, 7.4%) characterized by moderate impairment of the pulmonary mechanics (mean FEV(1), 48.5%) contrasting with high level of pulmonary artery pressure (PAPm, 39.8 mm Hg), and severe hypoxemia (mean Pao(2), 46.2 mm Hg).

CONCLUSION

While pulmonary hypertension is observed in half of the COPD patients with advanced disease, moderate-to-severe pulmonary hypertension is not a rare event in these patients. We individualized a subgroup of patients presenting with a predominant vascular disease that could potentially benefit from vasodilators.

EURObservational Research Programme: the Heart Failure Pilot Survey (ESC-HF Pilot)

AIMS

The primary objective of the new ESC-HF Pilot Survey was to describe the clinical epidemiology of outpatients and inpatients with heart failure (HF) and the diagnostic/therapeutic processes applied across 12 participating European countries. This pilot study was specifically aimed at validating the structure, performance, and quality of the data set, for continuing the survey into a permanent registry.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The ESC-HF Pilot study is a prospective, multicentre, observational survey conducted in 136 cardiology centres from 12 European countries selected to represent the different health systems and care attitudes across Europe. All outpatients with HF and patients admitted for acute HF were included during the enrolment period (1 day per week for 8 consecutive months). From October 2009 to May 2010, 5118 patients were included in this pilot survey, of which 1892 (37%) were admitted for acute HF and 3226 (63%) for chronic HF. Ischaemic aetiology was reported in about half of the patients. In patients admitted for acute HF, the most frequent clinical profile was decompensated HF (75% of cases), whereas pulmonary oedema and cardiogenic shock were reported, respectively, in 13.3 and 2.3% of the cases. The total in-hospital mortality rate was 3.8% and was cardiovascular in 90.1% of the cases. Lowest and highest mortality rates were observed in hypertensive HF and in cardiogenic shock, respectively. More than 80% of patients with chronic HF were treated with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers and β-adrenergic blockers. However, target doses of such drugs were reached in one-third to one-fourth of the patients only.

CONCLUSION

The ESC-HF Pilot Survey is an example of the possibility of utilizing an observational methodology to get insights into the current clinical practice in Europe, whose picture will be completed by the 1-year follow-up. Moreover, this study offered the opportunity to refine the organizational structure of a long-term, extended European network.

Incremental value of biomarkers to clinical variables for mortality prediction in acutely decompensated heart failure: the Multinational Observational Cohort on Acute Heart Failure (MOCA) study

AIM

This study aims to evaluate the incremental value of plasma biomarkers to traditional clinical variables for risk stratification of 30-day and one-year mortality in acutely decompensated heart failure (ADHF).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Through an international collaborative network, individual patient data on 5306 patients hospitalized for ADHF were collected. The all-cause mortality rate was 11.7% at 30 days and 32.9% at one year. The clinical prediction model (age, gender, blood pressure on admission, estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2), sodium and hemoglobin levels, and heart rate) had a c-statistic of 0.74 for 30-day mortality and 0.73 for one-year mortality. Several biomarkers measured at presentation improved risk stratification when added to the clinical model. At 30 days, the net reclassification improvement (NRI) was 28.7% for mid-regional adrenomedullin (MR-proADM; p<0.001) and 25.5% for soluble (s)ST2 (p<0.001). At one year, sST2 (NRI 10.3%), MR-proADM (NRI 9.1%), amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP; NRI 9.1%), mid-regional proatrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP; NRI 7.4%), B-type natriuretic peptide (NRI 5.5%) and C-reactive protein (CRP; NRI 5.3%) reclassified patients with ADHF (p<0.05 for all). CRP also markedly improved risk stratification of patients with ADHF as a dual biomarker combination with MR-proADM (NRI 36.8% [p<0.001] for death at 30 days) or with sST2 (NRI 20.3%; [p<0.001] for one-year mortality).

CONCLUSION

In this study, biomarkers provided incremental value for risk stratification of ADHF patients. Biomarkers such as sST2, MR-proADM, natriuretic peptides and CRP, reflecting different pathophysiologic pathways, add prognostic value to clinical risk factors for predicting both short-term and one-year mortality in ADHF.

A non-invasively determined surrogate of cardiac power ('circulatory power') at peak exercise is a powerful prognostic factor in chronic heart failure

OBJECTIVES

This study was designed to assess the prognostic value of a new variable derived from a cardiopulmonary exercise test, the circulatory power, a surrogate of cardiac power, at peak exercise, in patients with chronic heart failure.

BACKGROUND

Peak exercise cardiac power and stroke work are invasive parameters with recently proven prognostic value. It is unclear whether these variables have better prognostic value than peak oxygen uptake (VO(2)).

METHODS

The study population comprised 175 patients with chronic heart failure (ejection fraction <45%) who underwent a cardiopulmonary exercise test. Circulatory power and circulatory stroke work were defined as the product of systolic arterial pressure and VO(2) and oxygen pulse, respectively. Prognostic value was assessed by survival curves (Kaplan-Meier method) and uni- and multivariate Cox analyses.

RESULTS

With a mean follow-up of 25+/-10 months, ejection fraction, heart rate, systolic arterial pressure, peak VO(2), VCO(2), the anaerobic threshold, minute ventilation, the ventilatory equivalents of oxygen and carbon dioxide, the half times of VO(2) and VCO(2) recoveries, and the circulatory stroke work and power predicted outcome. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the peak circulatory power (chi-square=19.9, P<0.001) (but not peak circulatory stroke work) was the only variable predictive of prognosis.

CONCLUSION

The prognostic value of cardiopulmonary exercise tests in heart failure patients can be improved by assessing a new variable, the circulatory power - a surrogate of cardiac power - at peak exercise.

Prevalence and clinical phenotype of hereditary transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy in patients with increased left ventricular wall thickness

AIMS

Increased left ventricular wall thickness (LVWT) is a common finding in cardiology. It is not known how often hereditary transthyretin-related familial amyloid cardiomyopathy (mTTR-FAC) is responsible for LVWT. Several therapeutic modalities for mTTR-FAC are currently in clinical trials; thus, it is important to establish the prevalence of TTR mutations (mTTR) and the clinical characteristics of the patients with mTTR-FAC.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In a prospective multicentre, cross-sectional study, the TTR gene was sequenced in 298 consecutive patients diagnosed with increased LVWT in primary cardiology clinics in France. Among the included patients, median (25-75th percentiles) age was 62 [50;74]; 74% were men; 23% were of African origin; and 36% were in NYHA Class III-IV. Median LVWT was 18 (16-21) mm. Seventeen (5.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: [3.4;9.0]) patients had mTTR of whom 15 (5.0%; 95% CI [2.9;8.2]) had mTTR-FAC. The most frequent mutations were V142I (n = 8), V50M (n = 2), and I127V (n = 2). All mTTR-FAC patients were older than 63 years with a median age of 74 [69;79]. Of the 15 patients with mTTR-FAC, 8 were of African descent while 7 were of European descent. In the African descendants, mTTR-FAC median age was 74 [72;79] vs. 55 [46;65] years in non-mTTR-FAC (P < 0.001). In an adjusted multivariate model, African origin, neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, electrocardiogram (ECG) low voltage, and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) at cardiac-magnetic resonance imaging were all independently associated with mTTR-FAC.

CONCLUSION

Five per cent of patients diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy have mTTR-FAC. Mutated transthyretin genetic screening is warranted in elderly subjects with increased LVWT, particularly, those of African descent with neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, ECG low voltage, or LGE.

Comparative value of Doppler echocardiography and B-type natriuretic peptide assay in the etiologic diagnosis of acute dyspnea

OBJECTIVES

We compared the accuracy of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) assay with Doppler echocardiography for the diagnosis of decompensated congestive left-heart failure (CHF) in patients with acute dyspnea.

BACKGROUND

Both BNP and Doppler echocardiography have been described as relevant diagnostic tests for heart failure.

METHODS

One hundred sixty-three consecutive patients with severe dyspnea underwent BNP assay and Doppler echocardiogram on admission. The accuracy of the two methods for etiologic diagnosis was compared on the basis of the final diagnoses established by physicians who were blinded to the BNP and Doppler findings.

RESULTS

The final etiologic diagnosis was CHF in 115 patients. Twenty-four patients (15%) were misdiagnosed at admission. The BNP concentration was 1,022 +/- 742 pg/ml in the CHF subgroup and 187 +/- 158 pg/ml in the other patients (p < 0.01). A BNP cutoff of 300 pg/ml correctly classified 88% of the patients (odds ratio [OR] 85 [19 to 376], p < 0.0001), but a high negative predictive value (90%) was only obtained when the cutoff was lowered to 80 pg/ml. The etiologic value of BNP was low in patients with values between 80 and 300 pg/ml (OR 1.85 [0.4 to 7.8], p = 0.4) and also in patients who were studied very soon after onset of acute dyspnea. Among the 138 patients with assessable Doppler findings, a "restrictive" mitral inflow pattern had a diagnostic accuracy for CHF of 91% (OR 482 [77 to 3,011], p < 0.0001), regardless of the BNP level.

CONCLUSIONS

Bedside BNP measurement and Doppler echocardiography are both useful for establishing the cause of acute dyspnea. However, Doppler analysis of the mitral inflow pattern was more accurate, particularly in patients with intermediate BNP levels or "flash" pulmonary edema.

Molecular cloning and expression of mouse and human cDNAs encoding heparan sulfate D-glucosaminyl 3-O-sulfotransferase

The cellular rate of anticoagulant heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPGact) generation is determined by the level of a kinetically limiting microsomal activity, HSact conversion activity, which is predominantly composed of the long sought heparan sulfate D-glucosaminyl 3-O-sulfotransferase (3-OST) (Shworak, N. W., Fritze, L. M. S., Liu, J., Butler, L. D., and Rosenberg, R. D. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 27063-27071; Liu, J., Shworak, N. W., Fritze, L. M. S., Edelberg, J. M., and Rosenberg, R. D. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 27072-27082). Mouse 3-OST cDNAs were isolated by proteolyzing the purified enzyme with Lys-C, sequencing the resultant peptides as well as the existing amino terminus, employing degenerate polymerase chain reaction primers corresponding to the sequences of the peptides as well as the amino terminus to amplify a fragment from LTA cDNA, and utilizing the resultant probe to obtain full-length enzyme cDNAs from a lambda Zap Express LTA cDNA library. Human 3-OST cDNAs were isolated by searching the expressed sequence tag data bank with the mouse sequence, identifying a partial-length human cDNA and utilizing the clone as a probe to isolate a full-length enzyme cDNA from a lambda TriplEx human brain cDNA library. The expression of wild-type mouse 3-OST as well as protein A-tagged mouse enzyme by transient transfection of COS-7 cells and the expression of both wild-type mouse and human 3-OST by in vitro transcription/translation demonstrate that the two cDNAs directly encode both HSact conversion and 3-OST activities. The mouse 3-OST cDNAs exhibit three different size classes because of a 5'-untranslated region of variable length, which results from the insertion of 0-1629 base pairs (bp) between residues 216 and 217; however, all cDNAs contain the same open reading frame of 933 bp. The length of the 3'-untranslated region ranges from 301 to 430 bp. The nucleic acid sequence of mouse and human 3-OST cDNAs are approximately 85% similar, encoding novel 311- and 307-amino acid proteins of 35,876 and 35,750 daltons, respectively, that are 93% similar. The encoded enzymes are predicted to be intraluminal Golgi residents, presumably interacting via their C-terminal regions with an integral membrane protein. Both 3-OST species exhibit five potential N-glycosylation sites, which account for the apparent discrepancy between the molecular masses of the encoded enzyme (approximately 34 kDa) and the previously purified enzyme (approximately 46 kDa). The two 3-OST species also exhibit approximately 50% similarity with all previously identified forms of the heparan biosynthetic enzyme N-deacetylase/N-sulfotransferase, which suggests that heparan biosynthetic enzymes share a common sulfotransferase domain.

Evidence for altered interleukin 18 (IL)-18 pathway in human heart failure

Interleukin (IL)-18 is the interferon-gamma-inducing factor and has potent proinflammatory activities. IL-18 has been recently implicated in atherosclerotic plaque instability and myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. However, it is unknown whether IL-18 expression is increased in human myocardium or if it has any role in heart failure. We analyzed the expression of IL-18, its receptor IL-18Ralpha, and its endogenous inhibitor, IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP) in myocardial tissue from patients with end-stage heart failure (ischemic or dilated cardiomyopathy) and controls by use of quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, Western blot or immunohistochemical techniques. Plasma levels of IL-18 were also determined in 48 patients with heart failure. IL-18 mRNA and protein levels were up-regulated in the myocardium of patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. Both ischemic and dilated myocardium showed increased IL-18Ralpha levels, suggesting potential biological effects. In addition, mRNA levels of IL-18 BP were down-regulated in the failing myocardium. Finally, plasma IL-18 levels were significantly elevated in patients with heart failure and were higher in those who died at follow-up than in survivors. The results suggest a potential role for the immunoinflammatory IL-18 signaling pathway in the pathophysiology of heart failure and identify novel therapeutic targets for future testing.

Effects of sacubitril/valsartan on neprilysin targets and the metabolism of natriuretic peptides in chronic heart failure: a mechanistic clinical study

AIM

This study aimed at evaluating the effects of sacubitril/valsartan on neprilysin (NEP), and the metabolism of natriuretic peptides in heart failure (HF) and providing additional mechanistic information on the mode of action of the drug.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We enrolled 73 chronic HF patients who were switched from angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker to sacubitril/valsartan. In addition to clinical and echocardiographic assessment, plasma biomarkers were measured at baseline, day 30 and day 90 after initiation of treatment. Sacubitril/valsartan led to decrease in New York Heart Association class and improvement of echocardiographic parameters, as well as a dose-dependent decrease in soluble NEP (sNEP) activity, while sNEP concentration remained unchanged. Neprilysin inhibition translated into an increase in its substrates such as atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), substance P, and glucagon-like peptide 1, the latter translating into a decrease in fructosamine. Cardiac troponin and soluble ST2 levels, biomarkers of HF severity unrelated to NEP metabolism also decreased. While there was a ∼4-fold increase in ANP, we observed no change in plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and plasma BNP activity, and a mild decrease in N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) concentrations. Finally, we found a progressive increase in the relationship between BNP and NT-proBNP, which strongly correlated with an increase in T71 proBNP glycosylation (R² = 0.94).

CONCLUSION

Sacubitril/valsartan rapidly and strongly reduced sNEP activity, leading to an increase in levels of NEP substrates. These data suggest a pleiotropic favourable impact of sacubitril/valsartan on the metabolism of HF patients with ANP rather than BNP as major effectors amongst natriuretic peptides.

Cardiac metaiodobenzylguanidine uptake in patients with moderate chronic heart failure: relationship with peak oxygen uptake and prognosis

OBJECTIVES

This prospective study was undertaken to correlate early and late metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) cardiac uptake with cardiac hemodynamics and exercise capacity in patients with heart failure and to compare their prognostic values with that of peak oxygen uptake (VO2).

BACKGROUND

The cardiac fixation of MIBG reflects presynaptic uptake and is reduced in heart failure. Whether it is related to exercise capacity and has better prognostic value than peak VO2 is unknown.

METHODS

Ninety-three patients with heart failure (ejection fraction <45%) were studied with planar MIBG imaging, cardiopulmonary exercise tests and hemodynamics (n = 44). Early (20 min) and late (4 h) MIBG acquisition, as well as their ratio (washout, WO) were determined. Prognostic value was assessed by survival curves (Kaplan-Meier method) and uni- and multivariate Cox analyses.

RESULTS

Late cardiac MIBG uptake was reduced (131+/-20%, normal values 192+/-42%) and correlated with ejection fraction (r = 0.49), cardiac index (r = 0.40) and pulmonary wedge pressure (r = -0.35). There was a significant correlation between peak VO2 and MIBG uptake (r = 0.41, p < 0.0001). With a mean follow-up of 10+/-8 months, both late MIBG uptake (p = 0.04) and peak VO2 (p < 0.0001) were predictive of death or heart transplantation, but only peak VO2 emerged by multivariate analysis. Neither early MIBG uptake nor WO yielded significant insights beyond those provided by late MIBG uptake.

CONCLUSIONS

Metaiodobenzylguanidine uptake has prognostic value in patients with wide ranges of heart failure, but peak VO2 remains the most powerful prognostic index.

Evidence of cardiac myolysis in severe nonischemic heart failure and the potential role of increased wall strain

BACKGROUND

Myocyte death could play a role in heart failure (HF) irrespective of the presence of coronary artery disease. The study aimed to assess this hypothesis by use of the cardiac troponin I (cTnI) assay.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Seventy-one patients with nonischemic HF, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II-IV, with a normal coronary angiogram and after exclusion of myocardiopathies were evaluated in the study. The control group included 9 healthy subjects and 15 patients hospitalized for severe noncardiac dyspnea. Cardiac TnI concentrations were determined at admission with a research reagent (cTnIus) characterized by a detection limit of 0.026 ng/mL and a high analytic sensitivity of 0.002 ng/mL. cTnIus levels were more than 0.026 ng/mL in 19 HF patients, ranging between 0.027 and 0.463 ng/mL, whereas no cTnIus level was detectable in the control group. With use of a reference assay, only 2 HF patients had abnormal cTnI values. Severe HF was observed in 17 of these 19 patients, assessed by NYHA class IV or by the presence of pulmonary edema. Patients with an increased cTnIus level had a more restrictive mitral Doppler pattern (P <.001) and a more distinctive left ventricular (LV) concentric remodeling (P <.0001), whereas LV ejection fraction was similar in both HF groups. The increased cTnIus level was also associated with a LV wall strain biologic marker (ie, an increased brain natriuretic peptide plasma level) (P <.001).

CONCLUSIONS

cTnI assay is a promising biochemical method for detecting cardiac myolysis in HF, independent of the presence of coronary artery disease. This subtle myolysis could be in part related to the severely increased LV wall strain.

Value of post-resuscitation electrocardiogram in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients

BACKGROUND

Diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients is important because immediate coronary angiography with coronary angioplasty could improve outcome in this setting. However, the value of acute post-resuscitation electrocardiographic (ECG) data for the detection of AMI is debatable.

METHODS

We assessed the diagnostic characteristics of post-resuscitation ECG changes in a retrospective single centre study evaluating several ECG criteria of selection of patients undergoing AMI, in order to improve sensitivity, even at the expense of specificity. Immediate post resuscitation coronary angiogram was performed in all patients. AMI was defined angiographically using coronary flow and plaque morphology criteria.

RESULTS

We included 165 consecutive patients aged 56 (IQR 48-67) with sustained return of spontaneous circulation after OHCA between 2002 and 2008. 84 patients had shockable, 73 non-shockable and 8 unknown initial rhythm; 36% of the patients had an AMI. ST-segment elevation predicted AMI with 88% sensitivity and 84% specificity. The criterion including ST-segment elevation and/or depression had 95% sensitivity and 62% specificity. The combined criterion including ST-segment elevation and/or depression, and/or non-specific wide QRS complex and/or left bundle branch block provided a sensitivity and negative predictive value of 100%, a specificity of 46% and a positive predictive value of 52%.

CONCLUSION

In patients with OHCA without obvious non-cardiac causes, selection for coronary angiogram based on the combined criterion would detect all AMI and avoid the performance of the procedure in 30% of the patients, in whom coronary angiogram did not have a therapeutic role.

Association between elevated blood glucose and outcome in acute heart failure: results from an international observational cohort

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this analysis was to assess the association between elevated blood glucose level and mortality in acute heart failure (AHF).

BACKGROUND

Elevated blood glucose has been reported to be prognostically meaningful in patients with cardiac diagnoses, such as coronary artery disease. The short-term prognostic impact of hyperglycemia in AHF is unknown, however.

METHODS

In a multinational cohort of AHF, we examined the ability of blood glucose concentrations at presentation to predict all-cause mortality by 30 days. Fully adjusted models for prognosis included a previous diagnosis of diabetes mellitus as a covariate.

RESULTS

A total of 6,212 subjects with AHF (mean age, 72 years; 52.5% male) were studied; the median blood glucose concentration on arrival at the hospital was 7.5 mmol/l (135 mg/dl), and 41% had a previous diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (DM). After 30 days, 618 patients (10%) had died. Compared with survivors, decedents had significantly higher median blood glucose concentrations (8.9 mmol/l vs. 7.4 mmol/l; p < 0.0001). In the fully adjusted model, an elevated blood glucose level was an independent predictor of 30-day mortality in AHF (odds ratio: 2.19; 95% confidence interval: 1.69 to 2.83; p < 0.001). The risk associated with an elevated blood glucose level appeared consistent across all subgroups of patients, including patients with preserved (hazard ratio: 5.41; 95% confidence interval: 2.44 to 12.0; p < 0.0001) and impaired systolic function (hazard ratio: 2.37; 95% confidence interval: 1.57 to 3.59; p < 0.0001). Furthermore, in reclassification analyses, elevated blood glucose added significant prognostic information to clinical parameters alone (4.4% net reclassification improvement; p = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with AHF, blood glucose concentrations at presentation are powerfully prognostic for 30-day mortality, independent of a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus or other clinical variables. Because blood glucose is easily modifiable, it may represent a valid target for therapeutic intervention.

DECOPI (DEsobstruction COronaire en Post-Infarctus): a randomized multi-centre trial of occluded artery angioplasty after acute myocardial infarction

AIM

To determine whether late recanalization of an occluded infarct artery after acute myocardial infarction is beneficial.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Two hundred and twelve patients with a first Q-wave myocardial infarction (MI) and an occluded infarct vessel were enrolled. After coronary and left ventricular contrast angiography, patients were randomized to percutaneous revascularization (PTCA, n=109), carried out 2-15 days after symptom onset or medical therapy (n=103). The primary endpoint was a composite of cardiac death, non-fatal MI, or ventricular tachyarrhythmia. The majority had single-vessel disease and less than one-third had involvement of the left anterior descending artery. The use of pharmacological therapy was high in both groups. At six months, left ventricular ejection fraction was 5% higher in the invasive compared with the medical group (P=0.013) and more patients had a patent artery (82.8% vs 34.2%, P<0.0001). Restenosis was seen in 49.4% of patients in the PTCA group. At a mean of 34 months of follow-up, the occurrence of the primary endpoint was similar in the medical and PTCA groups (8.7% vs 7.3% respectively, P=0.68), but the overall costs were higher for PTCA. The secondary endpoint combining the primary endpoint with admission for heart failure was also similar between groups (12.6% vs 10.1% in the medical and PTCA groups, respectively, P=0.56).

CONCLUSIONS

Systematic late PTCA of the infarct vessel was associated with a higher left ventricular ejection fraction at six months, no difference in clinical outcomes, and higher costs than medical therapy. These results must be interpreted with caution given the small size and low risk of the population.

Transient Left Ventricular Basal Dysfunction without Coronary Stenosis in Acute Cerebral Disorders: A Novel Heart Syndrome (Inverted Takotsubo)

Myocardial dysfunction without coronary involvement may occur in acute cerebral diseases. We report 4 cases where, in the context of acute cerebral disorder, the echocardiograms revealed an extensive left ventricular circumferential akinesis except at the apex. Besides, for three of those cases no coronary disease has been highlighted. Recognition of such a pattern of LV dysfunction should lead to the search for an acute cerebral disease.

Transient worsening of renal function during hospitalization for acute heart failure alters outcome

OBJECTIVE

We studied prevalence, causes and consequences of worsening renal function (WRF) during hospitalization for acute heart failure (AHF).

METHODS

Patients admitted for AHF were enrolled. Patients with severe chronic renal failure, cardiogenic shock and contrast medium-induced nephropathy were excluded. WRF was defined as an increase of 25 mumol/l or more in serum creatinine relative to the admission level. Survivors were monitored for 6 months, focusing on deaths and first unscheduled readmissions for heart failure.

RESULTS

Among the included 416 patients, WRF occurred in 152 cases (37%), 5+/-3 days after admission, and two-thirds of patients recovered their baseline renal function before discharge. Old age, diabetes, hypertension and acute coronary syndromes increased the risk of WRF. In-hospital furosemide doses as well as discharge treatment were similar in WRF and no-WRF patients. Serum creatinine elevation was the strongest independent determinant of a longer hospital stay (r=0.37, p=0.001). Adverse events occurred in 158 patients (38%) during follow-up, with 23 deaths and 135 readmissions. Cox analysis showed that WRF, transient or not, was an independent predictor of the risk of death or readmission (hazard ratio=1.74 [1.14-2.68], p=0.01).

CONCLUSION

WRF is frequent after admission for AHF and, although transient, is associated with longer hospitalization and with a higher risk of death and readmission, irrespectively of baseline renal function.

Biological efficacy of twice daily aspirin in type 2 diabetic patients with coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

Diabetes is associated with a high rate of events after acute coronary syndrome and percutaneous coronary intervention despite aspirin treatment. Once daily aspirin might not provide 24-hour stable biological efficacy in patients with diabetes. We compared the biological efficacy of the same daily dose of aspirin given either once (OPD) or divided twice per day in a population of diabetic patients with previous coronary artery disease.

METHODS

Ninety-two consecutive diabetic patients with at least 1 criteria of time-dependent aspirin efficacy, elevated high-sensibility C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), fibrinogen, platelet count, or active smoking were prospectively included. Consecutive patients were randomly treated with 150-mg aspirin daily given either OPD (150 mg in the morning) or twice per day (75 mg in the morning and 75 mg in the evening) in a crossover study. The main outcome was platelet reactivity to arachidonic acid (0.5 mg/mL) measured by light transmission aggregometry at trough level before morning aspirin intake.

RESULTS

Mean maximum aggregation intensity triggered by arachidonic acid was 19.7% ± 15.4% on OPD and 11.9% ± 10.4% on twice per day (P < .0001). Biological resistance (maximum aggregation intensity ≥20%) was observed in 42% of patients on OPD and 17% on twice per day (P < .001). Of the 39 patients with biological resistance on OPD, 24 (62%) overcame resistance on twice per day. Of the 16 resistant on twice per day, only 1 patient (6%) overcame resistance on OPD. Results were concordant with global evaluation of platelet reactivity by Platelet Function Analyzer-100. A better twice per day efficacy was independent of clopidogrel cotreatment.

CONCLUSION

In a population of diabetic patients with coronary artery disease and a high risk of time-dependent aspirin resistance, aspirin divided twice per day can significantly decrease the rate of biological loss of efficacy at trough level.