Executive Summary: HFSA 2010 Comprehensive Heart Failure Practice Guideline

Diagnosis and treatment of asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction after myocardial infarction

The increased survival after acute myocardial infarction induced an increase in heart failure with left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Early detection and treatment of asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction give the chance to improve outcomes and to reduce costs due to the management of patients with overt heart failure.

Thyroid function in heart failure and impact on mortality

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate whether patients with systolic heart failure (HF) and abnormal thyroid function are at increased risk for death.

BACKGROUND

Thyroid hormone homeostasis is vital to the optimal functioning of the cardiovascular system, but an independent prognostic effect of thyroid abnormalities in patients with HF has not been established.

METHODS

In SCD-HeFT (Sudden Cardiac Death in Heart Failure Trial), which randomized patients with ischemic or nonischemic HF to placebo or amiodarone or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) was measured at baseline and at 6-month intervals throughout the 5-year study.

RESULTS

Of 2,225 patients, the majority (87%) had normal TSH levels (0.3 to 5.0 μU/ml) at baseline, 12% had values suggestive of hypothyroidism, and 1% had values consistent with hyperthyroidism. Compared with euthyroid patients, those hypothyroid at baseline were older and included more women and Caucasians (all p values <0.05). Over the median follow-up period of 45.5 months, among patients euthyroid at baseline, 89 developed abnormally low TSH levels, and 341 developed abnormally high values. Patients randomized to amiodarone (median dose 300 mg) had an elevated risk for developing abnormal TSH levels compared with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy or placebo (p < 0.0001). Patients with baseline or new-onset abnormal thyroid function had a higher mortality than those with normal thyroid function, even after controlling for other known mortality predictors (hazard ratio: 1.58; 95% confidence interval: 1.29 to 1.94; p < 0.0001 for hypothyroid; hazard ratio: 1.85; 95% confidence interval: 1.21 to 2.83; p = 0.0048 for hyperthyroid). Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator benefit did not vary with thyroid function.

CONCLUSIONS

Abnormal thyroid function in patients with symptomatic HF and ejection fractions ≤35% is associated with significantly increased risk for death, even after controlling for known mortality predictors.

Frontiers of therapy for patients with heart failure

This review broadly covers advances in heart failure, which is responsible for significant morbidity, mortality, and cost in the United States. It is a heterogeneous condition, and accurate classification helps ensure appropriate application of evidence-based therapies. Hemodynamics are important in acute heart failure syndromes and may help tailor therapy. Neurohormonal modulation forms the cornerstone of chronic systolic heart failure treatment but does not affect outcomes in diastolic heart failure where management goals emphasize optimization of central volume, blood pressure, and atrial rhythm, as well as the treatment of comorbidities. Frontiers of heart failure therapy range from advances in pharmacology (novel inotropic agents and neurohormonal modulators), to cell biology (nucleic acid-based drugs and cell therapy) to biomedical engineering (devices such as ultrafiltration, biventricular pacemakers, implantable cardiac defibrillators, remote monitoring systems, and left ventricular assist devices), and to health systems (risk stratification and integrated care of comorbidities). The ultimate frontier will be to integrate these data effectively to ensure that patients with heart failure consistently receive the best evidenced-based care possible.

Synthesis, biological evaluation, and molecular modeling of glycyrrhizin derivatives as potent high-mobility group box-1 inhibitors with anti-heart-failure activity in vivo

Novel glycyrrhizin (GL) derivatives were designed and synthesized by introducing various amine or amino acid residues into the carbohydrate chain and at C-30. Their inhibitory effects on high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) were evaluated using a cell-based lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) release study. Compounds 10, 12, 18-20, 23, and 24, which had substituents introduced at C-30, demonstrated moderate HMGB1 inhibition with ED₅₀ values ranging from 337 to 141 μM, which are values comparable to that of the leading GL compound (1) (ED₅₀ = 70 μM). Compounds 23 and 24 emerged as novel and interesting HMGB1 inhibitors. These compounds were able to extend the survival of mice with chronic heart failure (CHF) and acute heart failure (AHF), respectively. In addition, molecular modeling studies were performed to support the biological data.

Diabetes and heart failure

Heart failure affects more than five million Americans. It is a health and financial burden on the US health care system. The 5-year mortality of heart failure with diabetes is about 50%. This article discusses the treatment of heart failure in the patient with diabetes, including developing effective communication skills between physicians and nurses, developing an effective plan for transitioning the patient between care settings, documenting patient visits consistently and clearly, and performing medication reconciliation at each visit. This article also discusses the need for monitoring readmission for heart failure, length of stay, discharge on beta-blocker, and vaccination rate.

Inotropes for the management of acute heart failure patients with renal dysfunction. Still an option?

INTRODUCTION

Renal dysfunction is highly prevalent in patients with acute heart failure (AHF). These patients are more vulnerable in worsening of kidney function and have also higher mortality rates.

AREAS COVERED

Recent developments in the understanding of bidirectional interaction between heart and kidney are reviewed in the context of the potential impact of inotropes on renal function. Key clinical trials reporting the use of inotropes in AHF patients with renal dysfunction are discussed in this review.

EXPERT OPINION

Inotropes may be indicated on a short-term basis and under close monitoring in AHF with renal dysfunction mostly in cases of low output heart failure that can provoke renal hypoperfusion. Dopamine administration with low dose of i.v. furosemide has been recently compared with high dose of i.v. furosemide alone, demonstrating lower rates of worsening renal function and electrolyte disturbances. Moreover, small clinical trials have shown that the novel inodilator levosimendan seems to be superior to dobutamine or placebo in improving renal function in patients with acutely decompensated heart failure. The impact of novel inotropes on kidney function is still unclear. Randomized clinical trials are required in order to identify the role of inotropes in the management and/or prevention of acute cardiorenal syndrome.

Effectiveness of an educational program in nursing in the self-care of patients with heart failure: randomized controlled trial

Unblinded randomized controlled clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational program in nursing (educational meetings, home visits, telenursing and a printed book) in the improvement of self-care behaviors in patients with heart failure was evaluated. Thirty-three people participated in the intervention group and thirty in the control group. At the beginning and at the end of the study (ninth month), Nancy Artinian's Heart Failure Self-care Behaviors Scale was applied to assess the level of self-care. 66.0% of the intervention group versus 26.6% of the control group improved the self-care score by at least 20% (p<0.001). The Number Needed to Treat was 2.5. The findings suggest that the educational intervention has beneficial effects on the self-care behaviors of people with heart failure.

How to improve outcomes: should we put more emphasis on programming and medical care and less on patient selection?

Many factors contribute to the pathophysiology and progression of heart failure (HF), offering the potential for many synergistic therapeutic approaches to its management. For patients, who have systolic HF, prolonged QRS and receiving guideline-indicated pharmacological therapy, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) may provide additional benefits in terms of symptom improvement and mortality reduction. Nevertheless, in many patients, moderate or severe symptoms may persist or recur after CRT implantation due to either the severity or progression of the underlying disease, the presence of important co-morbidities or suboptimal device programming. Identifying and, where possible, treating the reasons for persistent or recurrent symptoms in patients who have received CRT is an important aspect of patient care. The present review summarizes the available evidence on this topic.

A new duplication in the mitochondrially encoded tRNA proline gene in a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy

Mitochondria provide an environment conducive to mutations in DNA molecules (mtDNA). Analyses of mtDNA have shown mutations potentially leading to many cardiovascular traits. Here, we describe a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy and new mtDNA duplication. The patient presented symptoms of heart failure New York Heart Association functional class III and was diagnosed with non-familial dilated cardiomyopathy with important left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Sequencing of mtDNA control region was done, and a 15 bp duplication was observed between nucleotides 16,018 and 16,032. Part of this duplication is localized within the tRNA proline gene (tRNA(Pro)) that has an important role in cell protection against oxidative stress and is considered an important regulatory factor for cellular reactive oxygen species balance. This duplication could alter the stability or secondary structure of tRNA(Pro), affecting mt-protein synthesis. In turn, the presence of duplication in tRNA(Pro) could cause some oxidative stress imbalance and, so, mitochondrial dysfunction could result in the pathogenicity.

Pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular failure in left ventricular systolic dysfunction

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular failure (RVF) in left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. This review presents an overview of the classification, pathophysiology, natural history, clinical features, prevention and treatment of this common clinical problem with a focus on the most recent studies. Many of the current evidence-based therapeutic agents for pulmonary hypertension in the absence of systolic or diastolic heart failure (e.g. prostaglandins, endothelin antagonists) are not efficacious in pulmonary hypertension with LVSD.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent clinical evidence strongly supports an evolving role for phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibition in patients with pulmonary hypertension and LVSD. Chronic PDE5 inhibition in the short-to-intermediate duration studies to date significantly reduces pulmonary pressures and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), effects reverse right ventricle and left ventricle remodeling, improves ventilator efficiency, improves peak exercise capacity and improves quality of life in selected patients with stable, moderately symptomatic LVSD and pulmonary hypertension.

SUMMARY

Although long-term outcome studies are currently lacking, chronic PDE5 inhibition should be considered in carefully selected LVSD patients who manifest persistent significant elevation of pulmonary hypertension or PVR or uncontrolled RVF after aggressive management with all standard current evidence-based LVSD therapies (neurohormonal antagonists, diuretics and cardiac resynchronization in appropriate candidates).

Evidence-based practice for the busy nurse practitioner: part four: putting it all together

PURPOSE

Understanding the critical appraisal process allows nurse practitioners (NPs) to determine a study's reliability, validity, and applicability to their client(s)/families, and to their clinical practice setting. The purpose of this final part of this four-part evidence-based practice (EBP) series is designed to utilize a clinical scenario that will walk the NP through EBP steps 1 through 3 while providing an example of how to critically appraise a randomized control trial.

DATA SOURCES

Scientific literature review, gray literature, PubMed and other online literature databases and resources, and online EBP websites.

CONCLUSIONS

As healthcare providers, our role is to provide the best possible care we can to our client(s) and their families. One way to do this is through the utilization of the EBP process. When EBP processes are integrated into our clinical practice settings it augments the existing provider-client relationship and shared decision-making process.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

It is hoped that this four-part series enhanced NPs' understanding of the EBP processes of developing a clinical inquiry, searching for the best evidence, critically appraising the evidence, and integrating EBP into clinical practice.

Association between conformity with performance measures and 1-year postdischarge survival in patients with acute decompensated heart failure

Recognition of the treatment gap in patients with heart failure (HF) led to the development of a set of process-of-care measures to improve the quality of care. To assess the association of established and emerging process-of-care measures with 1-year postdischarge survival, 496 patients with acute decompensated HF were studied. After adjustment for established prognostic factors, the relative risk (RR) for mortality in patients eligible for treatment was as follows: 0.49 (P < .001) for discharge prescription of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RAS-Is), 0.59 (P = .015) for β-blockers, 0.44 (P < .001) for combination therapy (ie, a β-blocker and a RAS-I), 0.87 (P nonsignificant) for aldosterone antagonists, and 0.49 (P nonsignificant) for planned cardioverter-defibrillator implantation. After adjustment for propensity scores, the RR was 0.49 (P < .001) for RAS-Is, 0.67 (P = .04) for β-blockers, and 0.57 (P < .001) for combination therapy. The data suggest that performance measures for RAS-Is, β-blockers, and combination therapy are strongly associated with improved 1-year survival.

Inpatient cardiac rehabilitation soon after hospitalization for acute decompensated heart failure: a propensity score study

PURPOSE

Postdischarge management of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) remains an ongoing challenge. We sought to assess whether inpatient cardiac rehabilitation (CR) soon after hospitalization for ADHF improves outcome.

METHODS

Patients (N = 275) hospitalized for ADHF were enrolled. The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause mortality and urgent heart transplantation (UHT) at 1 year. The followup started at the time of discharge from the acute care setting. Because of the observational nature of the study, a propensity score analysis was used to predict the likelihood of undergoing CR. A multivariable Cox regression analysis adjusted for propensity score was used to assess the effect of CR on the primary outcome.

RESULTS

Of the 275 patients, 130 underwent CR. Among the baseline variables of the index hospitalization for ADHF, propensity score derivation identified male gender, New York Heart Association Class IV, refractory HF, moderate to severe mitral or tricuspid regurgitation, nonuse of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors, and daily dosage of furosemide, as being independently associated with the likelihood of undergoing CR. No patient was lost to followup. During the 12-month followup, 74 patients died and 3 underwent UHT. The overall incidence of the primary outcome was 28%. On propensity score-adjusted Cox multivariable analysis, the relative risk of the primary outcome for participants in CR compared with nonparticipants in CR was 0.58 (confidence interval [CI]: 0.34-0.99; P = .04).

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest that the strategy of inpatient CR soon after discharge from the acute care setting improves 1-year UHT-free survival of patients with ADHF.

Understanding help-seeking decisions in people with heart failure: a qualitative systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To understand the process of help-seeking among heart failure patients from the perspectives of patients, caregivers and health professionals.

DESIGN

Systematic review using qualitative meta-synthesis.

METHODS

A systematic search (20th May 2011) was conducted to identify studies published in English as full papers ≥1995 reporting primary qualitative data with extractable heart failure-specific data or themes related to help-seeking in patients, caregivers or health professionals. Databases searched were: CINAHL, Medline, PsycInfo, Social Science Citation Index, Embase, Social policy/Practice, SocIndex, Ageline, Health Source Nursing, Scopus; additionally, we consulted with experts and manually searched references.

RESULTS

58 studies (990 patients; 274 female, 527 male, 189 sex not described; 229 caregivers, 79 health professionals) were included. Heart failure help-seeking was embedded in daily experiences of heart failure but ongoing symptoms were confusing, ambiguous and disruptive; little support was available from professionals to interpret the presence and significance of fluctuations in symptoms for help-seeking. Other significant barriers to help-seeking were: avoidance-based coping, fear of hospitals and misplaced reluctance to be burdensome. Help-seeking was facilitated by good involvement and frank communication between patients, caregivers and health professionals and the presence of a sense of elevated personal risk.

CONCLUSION

Health services should harness primary care providers and support patients and caregivers to prioritize development of objective symptom monitoring skills, recognize and personally assimilate the elevated risks of heart failure and help-seeking delays and discourage avoidance-based coping and unwarranted concerns that downplay the significance of heart failure and urgency to address symptoms.

Best practices for heart failure: a focused review

Heart failure (HF) is a progressive condition and is associated with high patient mortality rates and frequent hospitalizations. This article provides an overview of clinical, self-management support, and care transitions best practices for HF care in the home care sector. Clinicians armed with competencies in HF management are positioned to meet the 3-part aim of healthcare reform: improved health, better care, and lower cost.

Safety of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists in patients receiving hemodialysis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the literature supporting the safe use of mineralocorticoid antagonists (MRAs) in patients with end-stage renal disease who are receiving hemodialysis.

DATA SOURCES

A review of the literature was performed using MEDLINE (1950 through week 2 of February 2012) using the key words and MeSH terms mineralocorticoid antagonists, aldosterone antagonists, spironolactone, or eplerenone combined with dialysis, renal disease, or kidney disease.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION

Studies eligible for inclusion evaluated the impact of MRAs on serum potassium levels in patients with end-stage renal disease receiving hemodialysis. Data related to the patient populations and outcomes of interest were extracted from each publication.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Ten studies were included in this review (spironolactone, 9; eplerenone, 1) and reported on the impact of MRAs on potassium levels in this population. In aggregate, the studies, with spironolactone doses ranging from 25 mg 3 times/week after dialysis to 300 mg/day and eplerenone doses of 25 mg twice daily, have shown little increases in serum potassium, particularly with the lower doses. The overall incidence of severe hyperkalemia was low. The literature base is limited by significant methodologic weaknesses of the studies, including low patient numbers, short follow-up periods, and lack of a blinded control group.

CONCLUSIONS

The current literature suggests that MRAs may be used safely in patients with end-stage renal disease receiving hemodialysis, although additional large controlled trials are needed before definitive treatment recommendations can be made.

Evaluation of antioxidant and immunity function of tetramethylpyrazine phosphate tablets in vivo

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of tetramethylpyrazine phosphate tablets (TPT), a Chinese medicine used for cardiovascular disease, on immunity activity and oxidative injury in rats. Heart failure (HF) was induced by isoproterenol (ISO). After the animal model was established, the rats were administered the TPT by gavage (once a day). The results indicated that TPT improved left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), ±dP/dt, heart weight/body weight. TPT could decrease the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6). Furthermore, it also could raise the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), but reduce malonyldialdehyde (MDA) level. The results indicated that TPT improved cardiac function and myocardial fibrosis from myocardial injury, and this cardioprotection might be attributed to a reduction of oxidative stress and regulation of inflammation mediators.

Review of ambulatory pulmonary artery catheterization in the management of advanced heart failure

The use of pulmonary artery catheterization (PAC) has declined secondary to associated complications and lack of demonstrable efficacy in the inpatient setting. Few studies have been published on the use of PAC in nonacute heart failure (HF) patients. The purpose of this study was to review the use of PAC in guiding advanced therapy in nonacute ambulatory HF patients. A retrospective observational study assessing our group's practice pattern with regard to the use of PAC in 515 ambulatory HF patients, outcomes, and adverse events that resulted from its use was performed. A total of 159 ambulatory HF patients were referred for PAC; 7% underwent heart transplant, 6% had ventricular assist device (VAD) placement, 18% underwent inotropic therapy, and 48% had addition of therapy while 14% had subtraction of therapy. Adverse events occurred in 4% of ambulatory PAC. Patients who underwent heart transplant, VAD, or inotropic therapy had significantly elevated pulmonary capillary wedge pressures, mean pulmonary artery pressures, and depressed cardiac index. Patients selected for inotropic therapy also had significantly elevated right atrial pressures and depressed ejection fractions. PAC use safely guided medical therapy in more than half of the nonacute ambulatory patients.

Flexible diuretic titration in chronic heart failure: where is the evidence?

BACKGROUND

Several sets of heart failure (HF) consensus/guideline statements support the use of a flexible diuretic dosing regimen for HF outpatient management of fluid overload-related signs and symptoms. However, despite the widespread acceptance of such an approach, the evidence supporting the effectiveness of this approach in improving clinical outcomes is unknown. The primary objective of this manuscript was to summarize and review the evidence supporting the use of a flexible diuretic regimen in the management of outpatient heart failure patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A systematic review was performed, and 9 studies were identified relevant to the question of flexible diuretic titration in the setting of chronic heart failure. Among the 9 studies, 5 were randomized. Three of the randomized trials included flexible diuretic titration as part of a broader multifaceted disease management program, and only 2 were designed to specifically evaluate the sole contribution of flexible diuretic titration. Collectively, data from all of the studies reviewed supported the idea that flexible and individualized diuretic dosing is potentially associated with reduced emergency room visits, reduced rehospitalization, and improved quality of life in HF patients with reduced ejection fraction.

CONCLUSIONS

To date, only 2 randomized clinical studies were identified that were designed to determine the effects of a flexible diuretic dosing regimen in outpatient HF patients with reduced ejection fraction. Data are lacking in HF patients with preserved ejection fraction. There is a critical need to test this strategy in well designed prospective randomized clinical trials.

Myocarditis

Myocarditis is an underdiagnosed cause of acute heart failure, sudden death, and chronic dilated cardiomyopathy. In developed countries, viral infections commonly cause myocarditis; however, in the developing world, rheumatic carditis, Trypanosoma cruzi, and bacterial infections such as diphtheria still contribute to the global burden of the disease. The short-term prognosis of acute myocarditis is usually good, but varies widely by cause. Those patients who initially recover might develop recurrent dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure, sometimes years later. Because myocarditis presents with non-specific symptoms including chest pain, dyspnoea, and palpitations, it often mimics more common disorders such as coronary artery disease. In some patients, cardiac MRI and endomyocardial biopsy can help identify myocarditis, predict risk of cardiovascular events, and guide treatment. Finding effective therapies has been challenging because the pathogenesis of chronic dilated cardiomyopathy after viral myocarditis is complex and determined by host and viral genetics as well as environmental factors. Findings from recent clinical trials suggest that some patients with chronic inflammatory cardiomyopathy have a progressive clinical course despite standard medical care and might improve with a short course of immunosuppression.

Impact of systemic venous congestion in heart failure

Systemic venous congestion is one of the hallmarks of the syndrome of heart failure that results from activation of different deleterious neurohormonal pathways. Apart from contributing to patients' symptoms and hospital admissions, growing evidence suggests that congestion itself drives further heart failure progression. In addition, systemic venous congestion exerts detrimental effects on other organs (such as kidneys and liver) due to ineffective organ perfusion. Endothelial cell activation, altered ventricular geometry, and functional mitral insufficiency are among the proposed mechanisms. Diuretics and vasodilators remain the mainstay of treatment options, mostly because of poor understanding of the underlying cardiorenal mechanisms involved. Recently, ultrafiltration has emerged as an invasive treatment option in the setting of diuretic resistance. Congestion ideally should be prevented, often initially through water and salt restriction. Early detection, possibly with the help of novel implantable sensor technology, may allow for early detection and intervention long before overt congestion is established.

An official American Thoracic Society statement: update on the mechanisms, assessment, and management of dyspnea

BACKGROUND

Dyspnea is a common, distressing symptom of cardiopulmonary and neuromuscular diseases. Since the ATS published a consensus statement on dyspnea in 1999, there has been enormous growth in knowledge about the neurophysiology of dyspnea and increasing interest in dyspnea as a patient-reported outcome.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this document is to update the 1999 ATS Consensus Statement on dyspnea.

METHODS

An interdisciplinary committee of experts representing ATS assemblies on Nursing, Clinical Problems, Sleep and Respiratory Neurobiology, Pulmonary Rehabilitation, and Behavioral Science determined the overall scope of this update through group consensus. Focused literature reviews in key topic areas were conducted by committee members with relevant expertise. The final content of this statement was agreed upon by all members.

RESULTS

Progress has been made in clarifying mechanisms underlying several qualitatively and mechanistically distinct breathing sensations. Brain imaging studies have consistently shown dyspnea stimuli to be correlated with activation of cortico-limbic areas involved with interoception and nociception. Endogenous and exogenous opioids may modulate perception of dyspnea. Instruments for measuring dyspnea are often poorly characterized; a framework is proposed for more consistent identification of measurement domains.

CONCLUSIONS

Progress in treatment of dyspnea has not matched progress in elucidating underlying mechanisms. There is a critical need for interdisciplinary translational research to connect dyspnea mechanisms with clinical treatment and to validate dyspnea measures as patient-reported outcomes for clinical trials.

Drug-induced heart failure

PURPOSE

The published evidence on the role of various drugs and medication classes in causing or exacerbating heart failure (HF) is reviewed, with discussion of precautions and management strategies for use in clinical practice.

SUMMARY

A literature search was conducted to identify reports of new-onset HF and exacerbations of HF associated with medication use published from 1960 to January 2011. A large body of evidence from controlled clinical trials has led to an improved understanding of well-established causes of drug-induced HF symptoms (e.g., thiazolidinediones, certain older chemotherapy agents) while implicating a wide range of other commonly used drugs and drug classes (e.g., tyrosine kinase inhibitors, biological response modifiers) as having causal or contributory roles. Among the various medications cited in cases of drug-induced HF, some have been linked to significantly increased risks of stroke, myocardial infarction, and death, particularly in patients with existing cardiovascular (CV) disorders or CV risk factors. In recent years, postmarketing and surveillance data have linked a number of newer medications--including the antiarrhythmic dronedarone, the antifungal itraconazole, and the anti-cancer drugs trastuzumab, lapatinib, and bevacizumab--to serious cardiac effects not reported during clinical trials.

CONCLUSION

A variety of agents have been associated with drug-induced HF. Patients receiving agents that have been implicated in cases of new-onset HF or exacerbations of HF should be monitored for signs and symptoms of CV effects.

Innovative approach to improving the care of acute decompensated heart failure

The care of patients presenting to hospitals with acute decompensated heart failure remains a challenging and multifaceted dilemma across the continuum of care. The combination of improved survival rates for and rising incidence of heart failure has created both a clinical and economic burden for hospitals of epidemic proportion. With limited clinical resources, hospitals are expected to provide efficient, comprehensive, and quality care to a population laden with multiple comorbidities and social constraints. Further, this care must be provided in the setting of a volatile economic climate heavily affected by prolonged length of stays, high readmission rates, and changing healthcare policy. Although problems continue to mount, solutions remain scarce. In an effort to help hospitals identify gaps in care, control costs, streamline processes, and ultimately improve outcomes for these patients, the Society of Chest Pain Centers launched Heart Failure Accreditation in July 2009. Rooted in process improvement science, the Society's approach includes utilization of a tiered Accreditation tool to identify best practices, facilitate an internal gap analysis, and generate opportunities for improvement. In contrast to other organizations that require compliance with predetermined specifications, the Society's Heart Failure Accreditation focuses on the overall process including the continuum of care from emergency medical services, emergency department care, inpatient management, transition from hospital to home, and community outreach. As partners in the process, the Society strives to build relationships with facilities and share best practices with the ultimate goal to improve outcomes for heart failure patients.

Does previous hypertension affect outcome in acute heart failure?

BACKGROUND

The effect of previous long-term hypertension on mortality in acute heart failure (HF), regardless of blood pressure values, has not been well studied.

METHODS

Acute Heart Failure Database (AHEAD) - Czech HF registry enrolled 4153 consecutive patients with acute HF. We excluded severe forms (cardiogenic shock, pulmonary oedema, right HF) and analysed 2421 patients with known presence or absence of previous hypertension. Demographic, clinical and laboratory profile, treatment and mortality rates were assessed and predictors of outcome were identified.

RESULTS

Patients with previous hypertension (71.5%) were older, more of female gender, with worse pre-hospitalisation NYHA class, increased incidence of co-morbidities and higher left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Although in-hospital mortality was similar in both cohorts (2.6%), survival at 1, 2 and 3-year was worse in the hypertensive group (75.6%, 65.9% and 58.7% vs. 80.7%, 74.2% and 69.8%; P<0.001). Nevertheless, hypertension was not associated with mortality in multivariate analysis and stronger predictors of outcome were identified (P<0.05): new-onset acute HF [hazard ratio (HR) 0.62] and increased body mass index (HR 0.68) proved to have a protective role. Advanced age (HR 1.86), diabetes (HR 1.45), lower LVEF (HR 1.28) and admission blood pressure (HR 1.54), elevated serum creatinine (HR 1.63), hyponatremia (HR 1.77) and anaemia (HR 1.40) were associated with worse survival.

CONCLUSION

Antecedent hypertension is frequent in patients with acute HF and contributes to organ and vascular impairment. However its presence has no independent influence on short- and medium-term mortality, which is influenced by other related co-morbidities.

Relation of natriuretic peptide concentrations to central sleep apnea in patients with heart failure

BACKGROUND

Central sleep apnea (CSA) is frequent among patients with heart failure (HF) and associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Elevated cardiac filling pressures promote CSA and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) secretion. We hypothesized that circulating natriuretic peptide concentrations predict CSA.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with HF (n = 44) with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 35% underwent polysomnography for detection of CSA. CSA was defined as an apnea-hypopnea index ≥ 15 with ≥ 50% central apneic events. The relation of natriuretic peptide concentrations to CSA was evaluated by estimation of ORs and receiver operator characteristics (ROCs).

RESULTS

Twenty-seven subjects (61%) had CSA, with men more frequently affected than women (73% vs 27%; OR, 7.1; P = .01); given that only three women had CSA, further analysis was restricted to men. Subjects with CSA had higher mean ANP (4,336 pg/mL vs 2,510 pg/mL, P = .03) and BNP concentrations (746 pg/mL vs 379 pg/mL, P = .05). ANP and BNP concentrations were significantly related to CSA (OR, 3.7 per 3,000 pg/mL, P = .03 and OR, 1.5 per 200 pg/mL, P = .04, respectively), whereas age, LVEF, and New York Heart Association functional class were not. Concentrations of ANP and BNP were predictive of CSA as ROC demonstrated areas under the curve of 0.75 and 0.73, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Risk of CSA is related to severity of HF. ANP and BNP concentrations performed similarly for detection of CSA; low concentrations appear associated with low risk for CSA in men.

Old and new intravenous inotropic agents in the treatment of advanced heart failure

Inotropic agents are administered to improve cardiac output and peripheral perfusion in patients with systolic dysfunction and low cardiac output. However, there is evidence of increased mortality and adverse effects associated with current inotropic agents. These adverse outcomes may be ascribed to patient selection, increased myocardial energy expenditure and oxygen consumption, or to specific mechanisms of action. Both sympathomimetic amines and type III phosphodiesterase inhibitors act through an increase in intracellular cyclic adenosine monophoshate and free calcium concentrations, mechanisms that increase oxygen consumption and favor arrhythmias. Concomitant peripheral vasodilation with some agents (phosphodiesterase inhibitors and levosimendan) may also lower coronary perfusion pressure and favor myocardial damage. New agents with different mechanisms of action might have a better benefit to risk ratio and allow an improvement in tissue and end-organ perfusion with less untoward effects. We have summarized the characteristics of the main inotropic agents for heart failure treatment, the data from randomized controlled trials, and future perspectives for this class of drugs.

Clinical characteristics of peripartum cardiomyopathy in the United States: diagnosis, prognosis, and management

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a pregnancy-associated myocardial disease characterized by the development of heart failure due to marked left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Although the disease is relatively uncommon, its incidence is increasing, and it can be associated with important and lasting morbidity and with mortality. Peripartum cardiomyopathy seems to affect women in different parts of the world but with considerable differences in clinical presentation. The purposes of this review are to describe the clinical profile of peripartum cardiomyopathy in the United States and to provide recommendations for the diagnosis and the management of this disease.

Nurse-Enhanced Memory Intervention in Heart Failure: the MEMOIR study

BACKGROUND

Many patients with heart failure (HF) have cognitive deficits, including memory loss.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a cognitive training intervention on memory (primary outcome), working memory, psychomotor speed, executive function, and performance of cognitive activities and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Forty patients with HF were randomly assigned to the computerized plasticity-based cognitive training intervention called Brain Fitness or to the health education active control intervention. Advanced practice nurses made weekly home visits to assess symptoms and monitor intervention adherence. Patients completed demographic and clinical data (baseline), neuropsychologic tests (baseline and 8 and 12 weeks), and measures of cognitive and IADLs performance (baseline and 12 weeks) and satisfaction (12 weeks). Linear mixed models analyses indicated a significant group by time interaction for delayed recall memory (P = .032) and a significant time effect for total (list learning) (P < .001) and delayed (P = .015) recall memory, psychomotor speed (P = .029), and performance of IADLs (P = .006). Intervention adherence and patient satisfaction were high.

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge, this was the first test of Brain Fitness in HF. Although it was a preliminary study with limitations, results support the need for a larger randomized controlled trial to determine whether the memory loss of HF is amenable to plasticity-based interventions.

Use of inotropic agents in patients with advanced heart failure: lessons from recent trials and hopes for new agents

Abnormalities of cardiac function, with high intraventricular filling pressure and low cardiac output, play a central role in patients with heart failure. Agents with inotropic properties are potentially useful to correct these abnormalities. However, with the exception of digoxin, no inotropic agent has been associated with favourable effects on outcomes. This is likely related to the mechanism of action of current agents, which is based on an increase in intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate and calcium concentrations. Novel agents acting through different mechanisms, such as sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium uptake, cardiac myosin and myocardial metabolism, have the potential to improve myocardial efficiency and lower myocardial oxygen consumption. These characteristics might allow a haemodynamic improvement in the absence of untoward effects on the clinical course and prognosis of the patients.

The 6-min walk test: is it an effective method for evaluating heart failure therapies?

The 6-min walk (6MW) is a self-paced test for measuring functional capacity. Lower 6MW distances have been associated with adverse outcomes in patients with heart failure. The purpose of this article is to describe the history of the 6MW test and to evaluate its reliability, validity, and predictive value as well as the responsiveness of the test to therapies. In the literature we reviewed, reliability was affected by several factors including learning effects and protocol deviations. The 6MW distance was moderately correlated with peak oxygen consumption derived from cardiopulmonary exercise stress testing. In some studies the 6MW distance was predictive of hospitalization and mortality. In pharmacological and cardiac resynchronization trials the 6MW distance did not consistently detect clinical improvements. Despite limitations, the 6MW test is a viable alternative to stress testing for objectively evaluating functional capacity in some settings. We provide recommendations for using the 6MW test in future studies.

Aldosterone-receptor antagonists in heart failure: insights after EMPHASIS-HF

The recent publication of the Eplerenone in Mild Patients Hospitalization and Survival Study in Heart Failure (EMPHASIS-HF) has affirmed the important role of aldosterone-receptor antagonism across the spectrum of systolic heart failure. Previously restricted as therapy in patients with severe symptomatic or postinfarction heart failure, it now is being considered in less-sick patients. The precise mechanisms of benefit remain to be elucidated, in part due to the observed discrepancy between improved outcomes and the lack of reverse cardiac remodeling with aldosterone-receptor antagonists. With the probable increased use of spironolactone and eplerenone, there are concerns for increased complications, especially hyperkalemia. This risk must be balanced against the potential benefit for reduced mortality and morbidity in addition to effects of β-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin-receptor blockers, and cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Value of Angiotensin receptor blocker therapy in diabetes

There are more clinical trials investigating angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) in diabetes than any other drug class, ranging from early "prevention" trials to the treatment of individuals with advanced organ damage. In its earliest manifestations, visceral adiposity predisposes to hypertension and hyperglycemia (metabolic syndrome). In these individuals, ARB therapy delays the progression to chronic hypertension and may also delay the progression to overt diabetes. Based on the increased cardiovascular disease risk of the metabolic syndrome, which is similar to stage 1 hypertension, both lifestyle modification and ARB therapy are justifiable. ARB therapy has also been found to delay the onset of microalbuminuria and retinopathy. In established diabetic nephropathy, ARB therapy is recommended as a standard alternative to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition to reduce macroalbuminuria and delay the progression to end-stage disease. Finally, large trials in ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and stroke have demonstrated clear benefits of ARB therapy. Because ARBs have side effect rates equal to placebo and far lower than any other antihypertensive drug class, the benefit/risk ratio is highly favorable across the entire spectrum of diabetic disease. Thus, ARB therapy is a highly attractive alternative for individuals at any stage of diabetes and with any pattern of complications.

Pharmacotherapy for acute heart failure syndromes

PURPOSE

Drug therapies for patients with acute heart failure syndromes (AHFS) are reviewed, including clinical practice guideline recommendations for the treatment of hospitalized patients with heart failure (HF).

SUMMARY

AHFS may be defined as new-onset, gradual, or rapidly worsening HF signs and symptoms that require urgent therapy. Clinical practice guidelines from the American College of Cardiology Foundation-American Heart Association, Heart Failure Society of America, and European Society of Cardiology offer recommendations for the management of AHFS, addressing the role of diuretics, vasodilators, and inotropes. The guidelines emphasize the utility of vasodilators for patients with signs and symptoms of pulmonary congestion, including pulmonary edema or severe hypertension or both, who have not responded to diuretics. The early initiation of vasoactive medications, including diuretics and vasodilators, has been linked to improved outcomes in some reports. Conversely, the use of inotropes is de-emphasized, particularly as part of the routine management of these patients. Newer agents, including vasopressin antagonists, have also been approved recently but are not addressed by the clinical practice guidelines. The guidelines address the importance of initiating and optimizing evidence-based oral medications for long-term use, including angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin-receptor blockers, β-blockers, and aldosterone antagonists, during the patient's hospital stay in an effort to address long-term outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Drug therapy of AHFS may include diuretics, vasodilators, morphine, ACE inhibitors, digoxin, inotropes, and vasopressin antagonists. Clinical practice guidelines for patients with AHFS provide a useful mechanism to incorporate available evidence and standards of practice into patient care.

Decision making among older people with advanced heart failure as they transition to dependency and death

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review critically considers recent research, identifying patient experiences of, and preferences for, participation in decision making during the end-of-life transition.

RECENT FINDINGS

Clinicians typically experience significant difficulties in engaging older patients with advanced heart failure in discussions about palliative and end-of-life care and involving them in shared decision making. Advanced care planning is proposed as an approach to ensure greater patient involvement in end-of-life care management, although evidence regarding effective interventions in this area is limited. Policy initiatives and guidelines appear not to reflect clinical reality and healthcare professionals experience significant barriers in transferring the required knowledge and skills into their practice. The notion of transition itself as a process that healthcare professionals could use for assessment and management requires further research, but does offer more than just a focus on heart failure management at the end-of-life.

SUMMARY

This review indicates a need to think carefully about how policy recommendations and guidance relating to patient participation in decision making at the end-of-life can be effectively implemented in practice. The need for continuity of involvement from key health workers is identified as very important in this regard. 'Transition' is also considered as a concept that may offer health professionals a different approach for assessment and management of heart failure patients over a longer period and means of integrating heart failure management with palliative care.