Heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: diagnostic pitfalls and epidemiology

The Impact of Bronchodilator Therapy on Systolic Heart Failure with Concomitant Mild to Moderate COPD

In older adults, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is commonly associated with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), and the high prevalence of this combination suggests that customized treatment is highly necessary in patients with COPD and HFrEF. To investigate whether the treatment of COPD with tiotropium, an anticholinergic bronchodilator, reduces the severity of heart failure in patients with HFrEF complicated by mild to moderate COPD, forty consecutive participants were randomly divided into two groups and enrolled in a crossover design study. Group A inhaled 18 μg tiotropium daily for 28 days and underwent observation for another 28 days. Group B completed the 28-day observation period first and then received tiotropium inhalation therapy for 28 days. Pulmonary and cardiac functions were measured on days 1, 29, and 56. In both groups, 28 days of tiotropium inhalation therapy substantially improved the left ventricular ejection fraction (from 36.3 ± 2.4% to 41.8 ± 5.9%, p < 0.01, in group A; from 35.7 ± 3.8% to 41.6 ± 3.8%, p < 0.01, in group B) and plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels (from 374 ± 94 to 263 ± 92 pg/mL, p < 0.01, in group A; from 358 ± 110 to 246 ± 101 pg/mL, p < 0.01, in group B). Tiotropium inhalation therapy improves pulmonary function as well as cardiac function, and reduces the severity of heart failure in patients with compensated HFrEF with concomitant mild to moderate COPD.

Performance of the LACE index to predict 30-day hospital readmissions in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background and objective

Patients hospitalized for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have a high 30-day hospital readmission rate, which has a large impact on the health care system and patients’ quality of life. The use of a prediction model to quantify a patient’s risk of readmission may assist in directing interventions to patients who will benefit most. The objective of this study was to calculate the rate of 30-day readmissions and evaluate the accuracy of the LACE index (length of stay, acuity of admission, co-morbidities, and emergency department visits within the last 6 months) for 30-day readmissions in a general hospital population of COPD patients.

Methods

All patients admitted with a principal diagnosis of COPD to Liverpool Hospital, a tertiary hospital in Sydney, Australia, between 2006 and 2016 were included in the study. A LACE index score was calculated for each patient and assessed using receiver operator characteristic curves.

Results

During the study period, 2,662 patients had 5,979 hospitalizations for COPD. Four percent of patients died in hospital and 25% were readmitted within 30 days; 56% of all 30-day readmissions were again due to COPD. The most common reasons for readmission, following COPD, were heart failure, pneumonia, and chest pain. The LACE index had moderate discriminative ability to predict 30-day readmission (C-statistic =0.63).

Conclusion

The 30-day hospital readmission rate was 25% following hospitalization for COPD in an Australian tertiary hospital and as such comparable to international published rates. The LACE index only had moderate discriminative ability to predict 30-day readmission in patients hospitalized for COPD.

Pulmonary function predicts mortality and hospitalizations in outpatients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction

BACKGROUND

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) is the most frequent form of heart failure in ambulatory patients with new-onset symptoms. We previously showed that lung function abnormalities are highly prevalent in HFPEF patients. In this observational, longitudinal study, we tested the hypothesis that the presence of airflow limitation and/or arterial hypoxemia predicts mortality and/or cardiovascular hospitalizations during follow-up in HFPEF outpatients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

HFPEF was diagnosed following the international recommendations. Forced spirometry and arterial blood gases were measured at recruitment according to international recommendations. The primary endpoint of the study was all-cause mortality and the secondary one was any cardiovascular hospitalization.

RESULTS

We included in the analysis all consecutive outpatients newly diagnosed of HFPEF in our clinic between April 2009 and January 2013 (n = 71). Patients were prospectively followed up for a mean of 4 years (range 10 months to 5.8 years). All-cause mortality was 18.3%. It was higher in patients with airflow limitation (30%) than those with normal spirometry (10%) or other spirometric defects (19%) (p = 0.036). The presence of arterial hypoxemia did not predict mortality (p = 0.179) but was significantly related to cardiovascular hospitalizations during follow-up (p = 0.038).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of airflow limitation or arterial hypoxemia identify a group of patients with HFPEF at higher risk of death or cardiovascular hospitalizations, respectively. Given that both airflow limitation and arterial hypoxemia are treatable, we propose that lung function should be routinely evaluated in the outpatient management of HFPEF patients.

Evolution of a Geriatric Syndrome: Pathophysiology and Treatment of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

The majority of older adults who develop heart failure (HF), particularly older women, have a preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (HFpEF). The prevalence of this syndrome is increasing, and the prognosis is not improving, unlike that of HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Individuals with HFpEF have severe symptoms of effort intolerance, poor quality of life, frequent hospitalizations, and greater likelihood of death. Despite the importance of HFpEF, there are numerous major gaps in our understanding of its pathophysiology and management. Although it was originally viewed as a disorder due solely to abnormalities in left ventricular diastolic function, our understanding has evolved such that HFpEF is now understood as a systemic syndrome involving multiple organ systems, and it is likely that it is triggered by inflammation and other as-yet-unidentified circulating factors, with important contributions of aging and multiple comorbidities, features generally typical of other geriatric syndromes. We present an update on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, management, and future directions in this disorder in older persons.

Relationship between heart failure, concurrent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and beta-blocker use: a Danish nationwide cohort study

AIMS

To compare the hazard of all-cause, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure (HF) hospitalization in carvedilol vs. metoprolol/bisoprolol/nebivolol users with COPD and concurrent HF from 2009 to 2012, and to evaluate the use and persistence in treatment of these β-blockers, their impact on the risk of COPD-related hospitalization, and the factors important for their selection.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Cox and logistic regression were used for both unadjusted and adjusted analyses. Carvedilol users had a higher hazard of being hospitalized for HF compared with metoprolol/bisoprolol/nebivolol users in both the unadjusted [hazard ratio (HR) 1.74; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.65-1.83] and adjusted (HR 1.61; 95% CI 1.52-1.70) analyses. No significant differences were found for all-cause and COPD hospitalization between the two groups. Carvedilol users had a significant lower restricted mean persistence time than metoprolol/bisoprolol/nebivolol users. Patients exposed to carvedilol had an odds ratio (OR) of 1.38 (95% CI 1.23-1.56) for being hospitalized due to COPD within 60 days after redeeming the first carvedilol prescription, which was similar to that observed in metoprolol/bisoprolol/nebivolol users (OR 1.37; 95% CI 1.27-1.48). Patients with concurrent chronic kidney disease had a higher probability of receiving carvedilol (OR 1.16; 95% CI 1.04-1.29).

CONCLUSION

Carvedilol prescription carried an increased hazard of HF hospitalization and lower restricted mean persistence time among patients with COPD and concurrent HF. Additionally, we found a widespread phenomenon of carvedilol prescription at variance with the European Society of Cardiology guidelines and potential for improving the proportion of patients treated with β-blockers.

Replication of Mini-Sentinel Study Assessing Mirabegron and Cardiovascular Risk in Non-Mini-Sentinel Databases

BACKGROUND

In 2014, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initiated a prospective routine surveillance using the Mini-Sentinel (M-S) program to assess potential signals of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and stroke with use of mirabegron, indicated for the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB), compared with oxybutynin.

PURPOSE

To replicate the FDA M-S analysis of mirabegron using datasets that did not contribute to the M-S program.

METHODS

IMS PharMetrics Plus and Truven MarketScan claims data from 2012-2015 were converted to the M-S Common Data Model. New and non-new users of mirabegron and oxybutynin were analyzed per the publicly available M-S protocol, and propensity score-matched 1:1 using the M-S PROMPT 2 module. Incidence rates (IR) were calculated per 1000 person-years (PY). Adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) for mirabegron versus oxybutynin were calculated using Cox regression models.

RESULTS

In PharMetrics, 12,429 new mirabegron users and 61,548 new oxybutynin users were identified. The aHR was 0.67 (95% confidence interval (CI)] 0.33-1.37) for AMI (mirabegron IR 4.4/1000 PY), and 0.62 (95% CI 0.34-1.13) for stroke (mirabegron IR 6.3/1000 PY). In MarketScan, 17,182 new mirabegron users and 63,962 new oxybutynin users were identified. The aHR was 0.57 (95% CI 0.17-1.95) for AMI, and 0.69 (95% CI 0.30-1.62) for stroke; IRs were similar to those from PharMetrics. Neither dataset suggested an increased risk of AMI or stroke associated with mirabegron in non-new users.

CONCLUSIONS

Using the publicly-available M-S protocol and analysis programs with alternative (non M-S) data sources, no statistically significant increased risk of AMI or stroke was found among new or non-new users of mirabegron compared with oxybutynin. These findings were consistent with the FDA M-S mirabegron study.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and β-blocker treatment in Asian patients with heart failure

Aims

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure (HF) are increasingly frequent in Asia and commonly coexist in patients. However, the prevalence of COPD among Asian patients with HF and its impact on HF treatment are unclear.

Methods and results

We compared clinical characteristics and treatment approaches between patients with or without a history of COPD, before and after 1:2 propensity matching (for age, sex, geographical region, income level, and ethnic group) in 5232 prospectively recruited patients with HF and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF, <40%) from 11 Asian regions (Northeast Asia: South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and China; South Asia: India; Southeast Asia: Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, and Singapore). Among the 5232 patients with HFrEF, a history of COPD was present in 8.3% (n = 434), with significant variation in geography (11.0% in Northeast Asia vs. 4.7% in South Asia), regional income level (9.7% in high income vs. 5.8% in low income), and ethnicity (17.0% in Filipinos vs. 5.2% in Indians) (all P < 0.05). Use of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists and diuretics was similar between groups, while usage of all β‐blockers was lower in the COPD group than in the non‐COPD group in the overall (66.3% vs. 79.9%) and propensity‐matched cohorts (66.3% vs. 81.7%) (all P < 0.05). A striking exception was the Japanese cohort in which β‐blocker use was high in COPD and non‐COPD patients (95.2% vs. 91.2%).

Conclusions

The prevalence of COPD in HFrEF varied across Asia and was related to underuse of β‐blockers, except in Japan.

Right heart dysfunction and failure in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: mechanisms and management. Position statement on behalf of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology

There is an unmet need for effective treatment strategies to reduce morbidity and mortality in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Until recently, attention in patients with HFpEF was almost exclusively focused on the left side. However, it is now increasingly recognized that right heart dysfunction is common and contributes importantly to poor prognosis in HFpEF. More insights into the development of right heart dysfunction in HFpEF may aid to our knowledge about this complex disease and may eventually lead to better treatments to improve outcomes in these patients. In this position paper from the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology, the Committee on Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction reviews the prevalence, diagnosis, and pathophysiology of right heart dysfunction and failure in patients with HFpEF. Finally, potential treatment strategies, important knowledge gaps and future directions regarding the right side in HFpEF are discussed.

Characteristics, treatments and 1-year prognosis of hospitalized and ambulatory heart failure patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure Long-Term Registry

AIMS

To describe the characteristics and assess the 1-year outcomes of hospitalized (HHF) and chronic (CHF) heart failure patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) enrolled in a large European registry between May 2011 and April 2013.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Overall, 1334/6920 (19.3%) HHF patients and 1322/9409 (14.1%) CHF patients were diagnosed with COPD. In both groups, patients with COPD were older, more frequently men, had a worse clinical presentation and a higher prevalence of co-morbidities. In HHF, the increase in the use of heart failure (HF) medications at hospital discharge was greater in non-COPD than in COPD for angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (+13.7% vs. +7.2%), beta-blockers (+20.6% vs. +11.8%) and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (+20.9% vs. +17.3%), thus widening the gap in HF treatment already existing between the two groups at admission. In CHF patients, there was a similar increase in the use of these medications after enrollment visit in the two groups, leaving a significant difference of 8.2% for beta-blockers in favour of non-COPD patients (89.8% vs. 81.6%, P < 0.001). At 1-year follow-up, the hazard ratios for COPD in multivariable analysis confirmed its independent association with hospitalizations both in HHF [all-cause: 1.16 (1.04-1.29), for HF: 1.22 (1.05-1.42)] and CHF patients [all-cause: 1.26 (1.13-1.41), for HF: 1.37 (1.17-1.60)]. The association between COPD and all-cause mortality was not confirmed in both groups after adjustments.

CONCLUSIONS

COPD frequently coexists in HHF and CHF, worsens the clinical course of the disease, and significantly impacts its therapeutic management and prognosis. The matter should deserve greater attention from the cardiology community.

Evaluation for airway obstruction in adult patients with stable ischemic heart disease

Background

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) and chronic airway disease (COPD and Asthma) are major epidemics accounting for significant mortality and morbidity. The combination presents many diagnostic challenges. Clinical symptoms and signs frequently overlap. There is a need for airway evaluation in these patients to plan appropriate management.

Methods

Consecutive stable IHD patients attending the cardiology OPD in a tertiary care centre were interviewed for collecting basic demographic information, brief medical, occupational, personal history and risk factors for coronary artery disease and airway disease, modified medical research centre (MMRC) grade for dyspnea, quality of life-St. George respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ), spirometry and six-min walk tests. Patients with chronic airway obstruction were treated as per guidelines and were followed up at 3rd month with spirometry, six-minute walk test and SGRQ.

Results

One hundred fourteen consecutive patients with stable cardiac disease were included (Males-88, Females-26). Mean age was 58.89 ± 12.24 years, 53.50% were smokers, 31.56% were alcoholics, 40.35% diabetics, 47.36% hypertensive. Twenty five patients had airway obstruction on spirometry (COPD-13 and Asthma-12) and none were on treatment. Thirty-one patients had cough and 48 patients had dyspnea. Patients with abnormal spirometry had higher symptoms, lower exercise tolerance and quality of life. Treatment with appropriate respiratory medications resulted in increase in lung function, quality of life and exercise tolerance at 3rd month.

Conclusion

Chronic respiratory disease in patients with stable IHD is frequent but often missed due to overlap of symptoms. Spirometry is a simple tool to recognize the underlying pulmonary condition and patients respond favorably with appropriate treatment

Causes of misdiagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic scoping review

BACKGROUND

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has serious implications at both the individual and the societal level. It is crucial that COPD is diagnosed correctly to ensure provision of the right treatment. However, the current diagnostic procedures may lead to misdiagnosis.

AIM

The aim of this scoping review was to disseminate knowledge about potential causes of misdiagnosis of COPD.

METHODS

A systematic, comprehensive search was performed in PubMed, Embase and Cinahl.

RESULTS

A thorough review produced a sample of 73 articles. The synthesis revealed five potential causes of misdiagnosis of COPD, including: the threshold for defining COPD (n = 36), errors made in primary care (n = 15), errors linked to the spirometry test (n = 13), differential diagnoses (n = 10), and patient-related factors (n = 8).

CONCLUSIONS

The causes of misdiagnosis of COPD are attributable mainly to spirometry and to the healthcare professional performing the diagnostic assessment. With a view to limiting misdiagnosis of COPD, future research should help clarify strategies for alternative objective tests for determining if a patient has COPD and explore how to better support primary care in the diagnosing of COPD.

Comorbidities and Subgroups of Patients Surviving Severe Acute Hypercapnic Respiratory Failure in the Intensive Care Unit

RATIONALE

No methodical assessment of the lung, cardiac, and sleep function of patients surviving an acute hypercapnic respiratory failure episode requiring admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) has been reported in the literature.

OBJECTIVES

To prospectively investigate the prevalence and impact of comorbidities in patients treated by mechanical ventilator support (invasive or noninvasive) for acute hypercapnic respiratory failure in the ICU.

METHODS

Seventy-eight consecutive patients admitted for an episode of acute hypercapnic respiratory failure underwent an assessment of lung, cardiac, and sleep function by pulmonary function tests, transthoracic echocardiography, and polysomnography 3 months after ICU discharge.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Sixty-seven percent (52 of 78) of patients exhibited chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), although only 19 had been previously diagnosed. Patients without COPD were primarily obese. Prevalence of severe obstructive sleep apnea was 51% (95% confidence interval, 34-69) in patients with COPD and 81% (95% confidence interval, 54-96) in patients without COPD. Previously undiagnosed cardiac dysfunction with preserved ejection fraction was highly prevalent (44%), as was hypertension (67%). More than half of the population demonstrated at least three major comorbidities known to precipitate acute hypercapnic respiratory failure. Multimorbidity was associated with longer time to hospital discharge. Hospital readmission or death occurred in 46% of patients over an average of 3.5 months after discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

Severe hypercapnic respiratory failure requiring ICU admission resulted primarily from COPD or obesity. Major comorbidities are highly prevalent in both cases and most often ignored. Surviving acute hypercapnic respiratory failure should be an opportunity to systematically evaluate lung, heart, and sleep functions to improve poor outcomes. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT 02111876).

Prevalence and management of COPD and heart failure comorbidity in the general practitioner setting

BACKGROUND

COPD frequently coexists with HF with which shares several risk factors. A greater collaboration is required between cardiologists and pulmonologists to better identify and manage concurrent HF and COPD. This observational, retrospective study provides new data regarding the management of these patients.

METHODS

from the Health Search Database which collects information generated by the routine activity of general practitioners, we selected 803 patients suffering from COPD or HF alone or combined analyzing similarities and differences regarding risk factors, diagnostic workup and therapeutic approaches.

MAIN RESULTS

Statistical analyses have evidenced significant differences regarding exposure to cigarette smoke and the prevalence of diabetes and hypertension in the three groups of patients. As regard to the diagnostic workup, it has been found that the 63,9% of COPD patients and the 57,1% of COPD + HF patients performed a spirometry vs the 95,4% of HF patients and the 95,2% of COPD + HF patients that performed an ECG. Regarding the pharmacologic treatment, the 47% of COPD patients was treated with an ICS/LABA association and the 22% with ICS/LABA + LAMA. In the COPD + HF group, 47% of patients were treated with ICS/LABA association, while 32% of these patients were treated with ICS/LABA + LAMA. The pharmacologic treatment most prescribed in HF was β-blockers (68%), diuretics (92.8%), antiplatelet therapy (55.6%) and ACE inhibitors (38.1%). In the COPD + HF group, β-blockers (40.1%), diuretics (89.8%), antiplatelet therapy (57.1%) and ACE inhibitors (44.9%) were prescribed.

CONCLUSION

this study has evidenced a disparity in performing instrumental diagnosis between COPD and HF groups that persists when both conditions coexist. Moreover, the pharmacological treatment of the two conditions shows a consistent under treatment with bronchodilators in COPD patients and with β-blockers in HF patients.

Influence of heart failure on resting lung volumes in patients with COPD

Objective:

To evaluate the influence of chronic heart failure (CHF) on resting lung volumes in patients with COPD, i.e., inspiratory fraction-inspiratory capacity (IC)/TLC-and relative inspiratory reserve-[1 − (end-inspiratory lung volume/TLC)].

Methods:

This was a prospective study involving 56 patients with COPD-24 (23 males/1 female) with COPD+CHF and 32 (28 males/4 females) with COPD only-who, after careful clinical stabilization, underwent spirometry (with forced and slow maneuvers) and whole-body plethysmography.

Results:

Although FEV₁, as well as the FEV₁/FVC and FEV₁/slow vital capacity ratios, were higher in the COPD+CHF group than in the COPD group, all major "static" volumes-RV, functional residual capacity (FRC), and TLC-were lower in the former group (p < 0.05). There was a greater reduction in FRC than in RV, resulting in the expiratory reserve volume being lower in the COPD+CHF group than in the COPD group. There were relatively proportional reductions in FRC and TLC in the two groups; therefore, IC was also comparable. Consequently, the inspiratory fraction was higher in the COPD+CHF group than in the COPD group (0.42 ± 0.10 vs. 0.36 ± 0.10; p < 0.05). Although the tidal volume/IC ratio was higher in the COPD+CHF group, the relative inspiratory reserve was remarkably similar between the two groups (0.35 ± 0.09 vs. 0.44 ± 0.14; p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

Despite the restrictive effects of CHF, patients with COPD+CHF have relatively higher inspiratory limits (a greater inspiratory fraction). However, those patients use only a part of those limits, probably in order to avoid critical reductions in inspiratory reserve and increases in elastic recoil.

Expert consensus document: Echocardiography and lung ultrasonography for the assessment and management of acute heart failure

Echocardiography is increasingly recommended for the diagnosis and assessment of patients with severe cardiac disease, including acute heart failure. Although previously considered to be within the realm of cardiologists, the development of ultrasonography technology has led to the adoption of echocardiography by acute care clinicians across a range of specialties. Data from echocardiography and lung ultrasonography can be used to improve diagnostic accuracy, guide and monitor the response to interventions, and communicate important prognostic information in patients with acute heart failure. However, without the appropriate skills and a good understanding of ultrasonography, its wider application to the most acutely unwell patients can have substantial pitfalls. This Consensus Statement, prepared by the Acute Heart Failure Study Group of the ESC Acute Cardiovascular Care Association, reviews the existing and potential roles of echocardiography and lung ultrasonography in the assessment and management of patients with acute heart failure, highlighting the differences from established practice where relevant.

Clinical utility of sympathetic blockade in cardiovascular disease management

INTRODUCTION

A dysregulated sympathetic nervous system is a major factor in the development and progression of cardiovascular disease; thus, understanding the mechanism and function of the sympathetic nervous system and appropriately regulating sympathetic activity to treat various cardiovascular diseases are crucial. Areas covered: This review focused on previous studies in managing hypertension, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and perioperative management with sympathetic blockade. We reviewed both pharmacological and non-pharmacological management. Expert commentary: Chronic sympathetic nervous system activation is related to several cardiovascular diseases mediated by various pathways. Advancement in measuring sympathetic activity makes visualizing noninvasively and evaluating the activation level even in single fibers possible. Evidence suggests that sympathetic blockade still has a role in managing hypertension and controlling the heart rate in atrial fibrillation. For ischemic heart disease, beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists have been considered a milestone drug to control symptoms and prevent long-term adverse effects, although its clinical implication has become less potent in the era of successful revascularization. Owing to pathologic involvement of sympathetic nervous system activation in heart failure progression, sympathetic blockade has proved its value in improving the clinical course of patients with heart failure.

Diabetes mellitus in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-The impact on mortality

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. There is evidence to support a connection between COPD and diabetes mellitus (DM), another common medical disorder. However, additional research is required to improve our knowledge of these relationships and their possible implications. In this study, we investigated the impact of DM on patient outcomes through the clinical course of COPD.

Methods

We conducted a cohort study in patients from the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database between 2000 and 2013. Patients with COPD were identified and assessed for pre-existing and incident DM. A Cox proportional hazards model was built to identify factors associated with incident DM and to explore the prognostic effects of DM on COPD patients. A propensity score method was used to match COPD patients with incident DM to controls without incident DM.

Results

Pre-existing DM was present in 332 (16%) of 2015 COPD patients who had a significantly higher hazard ratio (HR) [1.244, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.010–1.532] for mortality than that of the COPD patients without pre-existing DM. During the 10-year follow-up period, 304 (19%) of 1568 COPD patients developed incident DM; comorbid hypertension (HR, 1.810; 95% CI, 1.363–2.403), cerebrovascular disease (HR, 1.517; 95% CI, 1.146–2.008) and coronary artery disease (HR, 1.408; 95% CI 1.089–1.820) were significant factors associated with incident DM. Survival was worse for the COPD patients with incident DM than for the matched controls without incident DM (Log-rank, p = 0.027).

Conclusions

DM, either pre-existing or incident, was associated with worse outcomes in COPD patients. Targeted surveillance and management of DM may be important in clinical care of the COPD population.

Pulmonary function tests do not predict mortality in patients undergoing continuous-flow left ventricular assist device implantation

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effect of pulmonary function testing on outcomes after continuous flow left ventricular assist device implantation.

METHODS

A total of 263 and 239 patients, respectively, had tests of forced expiratory volume in 1 second and diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide preoperatively for left ventricular assist device implantations between July 2005 and September 2015. Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariable Cox regressions were performed to evaluate mortality. Patients were analyzed in a single cohort and across 5 groups. Postoperative intensive care unit and hospital lengths of stay were evaluated with negative binomial regressions.

RESULTS

There is no association of forced expiratory volume in 1 second and diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide with survival and no difference in mortality at 1 and 3 years between the groups (log rank P = .841 and .713, respectively). Greater values in either parameter were associated with decreased hospital lengths of stay. Only diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide was associated with increased intensive care unit length of stay in the group analysis (P = .001). Ventilator times, postoperative pneumonia, reintubation, and tracheostomy rates were similar across the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Forced expiratory volume in 1 second and diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide are not associated with operative or long-term mortality in patients undergoing continuous flow left ventricular assist device implantation. These findings suggest that these abnormal pulmonary function tests alone should not preclude mechanical circulatory support candidacy.

Impact of airflow limitation in chronic heart failure

Background

Comorbidities are common in chronic heart failure (HF) patients, but diagnoses are often not based on objective testing. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an important comorbidity and often neglected because of shared symptoms and risk factors. Precise prevalence and consequences are not well known. Therefore, we investigated prevalence, pulmonary treatment, symptoms and quality of life (QOL) of COPD in patients with chronic HF.

Methods

205 patients with stable HF for at least 1 month, aged above 50 years, were included from our outpatient cardiology clinic, irrespective of left ventricular ejection fraction. Patients performed post-bronchodilator spirometry, a six-minute walk test (6-MWT) and completed the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ). COPD was diagnosed according to GOLD criteria. Restrictive lung function was defined as FEV₁/FVC ≥0.70 and FVC <80% of predicted value. The BODE and ADO index, risk scores in COPD patients, were calculated.

Results

Almost 40% fulfilled the criteria of COPD and 7% had restrictive lung disease, the latter being excluded from further analysis. Noteworthy, 63% of the COPD patients were undiagnosed and 8% of those without COPD used inhalation therapy. Patients with COPD had more shortness of breath despite little difference in HF severity and similar other comorbidities. KCCQ was significantly worse in COPD patients. The ADO and BODE indices were significantly different.

Conclusion

COPD is very common in unselected HF patients. It was often not diagnosed and many patients received treatment without being diagnosed with COPD. Presence of COPD worsens symptoms and negatively effects cardiac specific QOL.

B-type natriuretic peptides in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review

Background

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have increased cardiovascular risk. Natriuretic peptides (NP) in other populations are useful in identifying cardiovascular disease, stratifying risk, and guiding therapy.

Methods

We performed a systematic literature review to examine NP in COPD, utilising Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library.

Results

Fifty one studies were identified. NP levels were lower in stable compared to exacerbation of COPD, and significantly increased with concomitant left ventricular systolic dysfunction or cor pulmonale. Elevation occurred in 16 to 60% of exacerbations and persisted in approximately one half of patients at discharge. Cardiovascular comorbidities were associated with increased levels. Levels consistently correlated with pulmonary artery pressure and left ventricular ejection fraction, but not pulmonary function or oxygen saturation. NP demonstrated high negative predictive values (0.80 to 0.98) to exclude left ventricular dysfunction in both stable and exacerbation of COPD, but relatively low positive predictive values. NP elevation predicted early adverse outcomes, but the association with long term mortality was inconsistent.

Conclusion

NP reflect diverse aspects of the cardiopulmonary continuum which limits utility when applied in isolation. Strategies integrating NP with additional variables, biomarkers and imaging require further investigation.

Comorbidities in Heart Failure

Comorbidities frequently accompany chronic heart failure (HF), contributing to increased morbidity and mortality, and an impaired quality of life. We describe the prevalence of several high-impact comorbidities in chronic HF patients and their impact on morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, we try to explain the underlying pathophysiological processes and the complex interaction between chronic HF and specific comorbidities. Although common risk factors are likely to contribute, it is reasonable to believe that factors associated with HF might cause other comorbidities and vice versa. Potential factors are inflammation, neurohormonal activation, and hemodynamic changes.

Initiation of triple therapy maintenance treatment among patients with COPD in the US

BACKGROUND

The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) recommends triple therapy (long-acting muscarinic receptor antagonists, long-acting beta-2 agonists, and inhaled corticosteroids) for patients with only the most severe COPD. Data on the proportion of COPD patients on triple therapy and their characteristics are sparse and dated. Objective 1 of this study was to estimate the proportion of all, and all treated, COPD patients receiving triple therapy. Objective 2 was to characterize those on triple therapy and assess the concordance of triple therapy use with GOLD guidelines.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This retrospective study used claims from the IMS PharMetrics Plus database from 2009 to 2013. Cohort 1 was selected to assess Objective 1 only; descriptive analyses were conducted in Cohort 2 to answer Objective 2. A validated claims-based algorithm and severity and frequency of exacerbations were used as proxies for COPD severity.

RESULTS

Of all 199,678 patients with COPD in Cohort 1, 7.5% received triple therapy after diagnosis, and 25.5% of all treated patients received triple therapy. In Cohort 2, 30,493 COPD patients (mean age =64.7 years) who initiated triple therapy were identified. Using the claims-based algorithm, 34.5% of Cohort 2 patients were classified as having mild disease (GOLD 1), 40.8% moderate (GOLD 2), 22.5% severe (GOLD 3), and 2.3% very severe (GOLD 4). Using exacerbation severity and frequency, 60.6% of patients were classified as GOLD 1/2 and 39.4% as GOLD 3/4.

CONCLUSION

In this large US claims database study, one-quarter of all treated COPD patients received triple therapy. Although triple therapy is recommended for the most severe COPD patients, spirometry is infrequently assessed, and a majority of the patients who receive triple therapy may have only mild/moderate disease. Any potential overprescribing of triple therapy may lead to unnecessary costs to the patient and health care system.

Characteristics of Beta-blocker Treatment in Cardiac Patients with Concomitant Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background: Recent scientific data demonstrated a potential beneficial effect of beta-blocker (BB) therapy in cardiac patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Our aim was to characterize the use of beta-blockers in these patients, in “real-life” conditions.

Material and methods: We collected retrospectively the data of 60 consecutive cardiac patients (51 men, 9 women, mean age 67 years) with the concomitant diagnosis of COPD: main cardiac conditions, presence and reason of BB therapy, type of drug and dosage, main ECG and echocardiographic parameters, medication and data regarding COPD. Besides descriptive statistics, we compared the data of patients with and without BB therapy (chi-square test, level of significance alpha <0.05) in order to identify factors associated with BB usage.

Results: In our study population, 41.6% of the patients had received BB treatment, the most frequently used drug being bisoprolol 2.5 mg and 5 mg q.d. (28%-28%), followed by carvedilol (32%). The prevalence of BB therapy was 51.2% in heart failure patients (48% in NYHA class III and IV, and 66.6% in dilated cardiomyopathy), 38.4% in hypertension, 81.8% in ischemic artery disease, and 64.7% in subjects with atrial fibrillation. The usage of BB therapy was significantly associated with the presence of heart failure (p = 0.047), dilated cardiomyopathy (p = 0.034), ischemic heart disease (p = 0.005), previous myocardial infarction (p = 0.003) and, inversely, with the acute exacerbation of COPD (p = 0.006).

Conclusions: Despite the fact that every cardiac patient with COPD had a potential indication for BB treatment, this was used insufficiently, especially in case of heart failure patients. In daily practice, there is a need for continuous review and improvement of BB usage in these patients.

Impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on clinical course after an episode of acute heart failure. EAHFE-COPD study

OBJECTIVE

To study if the coexistence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in patients diagnosed with acute heart failure (AHF) at the emergency department (ED) has an impact on short- and long-term outcomes.

METHOD

The EAHFE-COPD study included patients who attended in 34 Spanish EDs for AHF. We compared patients with AHF plus COPD with patients with AHF in whom COPD was neither diagnosed nor excluded by functional respiratory tests (FRT). Outcome analysis included all-cause mortality, prolonged hospitalization, and ED revisit. Crude results were adjusted by differences between patients with and without COPD.

RESULTS

We included 8099 patients with AHF, 2069 having COPD (25.6%; AHF-COPD-known). Compared with AHF-COPD-unknown, AHF-COPD-known differed in 20 variables. After adjusting for differences between the two groups, AHF-COPD-known patients showed no significant differences in 30-day mortality (OR=0.89; 95% CI=0.71-1.11), prolonged hospitalization in general wards (OR=1.04; 95% CI=0.89-1.22) or SSU (OR=1.38; 95% CI=0.97-1.97), and 1-year mortality (HR: 1.02; 95% CI=0.89-1.17), but showed a higher 30-day revisit rate (OR=1.32; 95% CI=1.13-1.54).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients attending the ED for AHF, the coexistence of COPD is only associated with an increased risk of short-term ED revisit, but not prolonged hospitalization and short- or long-term mortality.

Heart failure with multiple comorbidities

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

It is well known that patients with heart failure also suffer from a large number of comorbid conditions, which confound their heart failure management and adversely affect the prognosis. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the latest developments of these conditions.

RECENT FINDINGS

Chronic lung disease commonly coexists with heart failure. It is more prevalent and worsens prognosis more in patients with preserved (heart failure with preserved ejection fraction) than with reduced ejection fraction (heart failure with reduced ejection fraction). Patients with diabetes have increased risk of incident heart failure, and as a comorbid condition it adversely affects prognosis. The relative impact on mortality and heart failure hospitalization remains controversial. Renal dysfunction is also common in patients with heart failure, with similar prevalence among those with preserved ejection fraction and those with reduced ejection fraction. The prognosis seems mainly related to long-term changes in kidney function, rather than to short-term changes in serum creatinine. Anemia and iron deficiency have a similar profile in terms of prevalence and impact on prognosis. Recent data suggest a benefit of intravenous iron infusion in patients who are iron deficient.

SUMMARY

As patients with comorbid conditions are frequently excluded from clinical trials, future clinical trials should recruit these patients and include endpoints that will be reflective of these conditions.

What is the impact of impaired left ventricular ejection fraction in COPD after adjusting for confounders?

BACKGROUND

It remains unknown whether and to what extent impaired left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) affects physical and psychological status in COPD. We aimed to compare health outcome measures between COPD patients with and without impaired LVEF after adjusting for age, sex, BMI and FEV₁.

METHODS

Impaired LVEF was defined as values <50%. 85 COPD patients with impaired LVEF and 85 COPD patients with normal LVEF were matched for sex, age, BMI and FEV₁. Exercise capacity, quadriceps muscle function, functional mobility, inflammatory status, health status, care dependency, and mood disorders were cross-sectionally assessed.

RESULTS

Patients with impaired LVEF had shorter 6-minute walk distance (mean -59 (95% confidence interval: -94, -25)m), lower symptom-limited peak oxygen uptake (-131 (-268, 7)ml/min), weaker quadriceps muscles (-12 (-20, -3)Nm) and had more symptoms of anxiety (+2 (1, 3) points) and depression (+1 (0, 2) points) than those with normal LVEF (all P<0.05). Health status was not statistically different between groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Impaired LVEF has a clear impact on physical and psychological status in patients with COPD, even after adjusting for confounders. This reinforces the importance of assessing and treating cardiac problems in COPD.

Challenges in the Management of Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) commonly coexist in clinical practice. The prevalence of COPD among HFrEF patients ranges from 20 to 32 %. On the other hand; HFrEF is prevalent in more than 20 % of COPD patients. With an aging population, the number of patients with coexisting COPD and HFrEF is on rise. Coexisting COPD and HFrEF presents a unique diagnostic and therapeutic clinical conundrum. Common symptoms shared by both conditions mask the early referral and detection of the other. Beta blockers (BB), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and aldosterone antagonists have been shown to reduce hospitalizations, morbidity, and mortality in HFrEF while long-acting inhaled bronchodilators (beta-2-agonists and anticholinergics) and corticosteroids have been endorsed for COPD treatment. The opposing pharmacotherapy of BBs and beta-2-agonists highlight the conflict in prescribing BBs in COPD and beta-2-agonists in HFrEF. This has resulted in underutilization of evidence-based therapy for HFrEF in COPD patients owing to fear of adverse effects. This review aims to provide an update and current perspective on diagnostic and therapeutic management of patients with coexisting COPD and HFrEF.

Prevalence and Prognostic Impact of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure: Data from the GISSI-HF Trial

OBJECTIVES

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common comorbidity in patients with heart failure (HF). We aimed to assess its prevalence, characterization and long-term prognostic impact in the GISSI-HF population.

METHODS

The study randomized 6,975 ambulatory HF patients to either n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids or placebo. We performed a retrospective analysis of clinical characteristics and outcomes of the 1,533 patients diagnosed with COPD (22%).

RESULTS

COPD was associated with a worse clinical presentation and an increased burden of comorbidities. At a median follow-up of 3.9 years, COPD was found to be an independent predictor of both predefined primary study end points, including all-cause mortality (HR 1.28, 95% CI 1.15-1.43, p < 0.0001) and all-cause mortality or hospitalization for cardiovascular reasons (HR 1.19, 95% CI 1.10-1.30, p < 0.0001). Both cardiovascular (HR 1.20, 95% CI 1.05-1.36, p = 0.007) and noncardiovascular mortality (HR 1.56, 95% CI 1.26-1.94, p < 0.0001) were significantly increased in COPD-HF patients, as well as hospitalizations for any reason (HR 1.23, 95% CI 1.14-1.34, p < 0.0001), for cardiovascular reasons (HR 1.16, 95% CI 1.06-1.27, p = 0.002) and for HF (HR 1.27, 95% CI 1.14-1.43, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

COPD is an independent predictor of mortality and hospitalizations in ambulatory HF patients. Increased awareness and improved management of COPD may reduce the burden of this morbidity to patients with HF.

Treatment for Multiple Acute Cardiopulmonary Conditions in Older Adults Hospitalized with Pneumonia, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or Heart Failure

OBJECTIVES

To determine how often hospitalized older adults principally diagnosed with pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or heart failure (HF) are concurrently treated for two or more of these acute cardiopulmonary conditions.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

368 U.S. hospitals in the Premier research database.

PARTICIPANTS

Individuals aged 65 and older principally hospitalized with pneumonia, COPD, or HF in 2009 or 2010.

MEASUREMENTS

Proportion of diagnosed episodes of pneumonia, COPD, or HF concurrently treated for two or more of these acute cardiopulmonary conditions during the first 2 hospital days.

RESULTS

Of 91,709 diagnosed pneumonia hospitalizations, 32% received treatment for two or more acute cardiopulmonary conditions (18% for HF, 18% for COPD, 4% for both). Of 41,052 diagnosed COPD hospitalizations, 19% received treatment for two or more acute cardiopulmonary conditions (all of which involved additional HF treatment). Of 118,061 diagnosed HF hospitalizations, 38% received treatment for two or more acute cardiopulmonary conditions (34% for pneumonia, 9% for COPD, 5% for both).

CONCLUSION

Hospitalized older adults diagnosed with pneumonia, COPD, or HF are frequently treated for two or more acute cardiopulmonary conditions, suggesting that clinical syndromes often fall between traditional diagnostic categories. Research is needed to evaluate the risks and benefits of real-world treatment for the many older adults whose presentations elicit diagnostic uncertainty or concern about coexisting acute conditions.

Beta-blockers in COPD: time for reappraisal

The combined effects on the heart of smoking and hypoxaemia may contribute to an increased cardiovascular burden in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The use of beta-blockers in COPD has been proposed because of their known cardioprotective effects as well as reducing heart rate and improving systolic function. Despite the proven cardiac benefits of beta-blockers post-myocardial infarction and in heart failure they remain underused due to concerns regarding potential bronchoconstriction, even with cardioselective drugs. Initiating treatment with beta-blockers requires dose titration and monitoring over a period of weeks, and beta-blockers may be less well tolerated in older patients with COPD who have other comorbidities. Medium-term prospective placebo-controlled safety studies in COPD are warranted to reassure prescribers regarding the pulmonary and cardiac tolerability of beta-blockers as well as evaluating their potential interaction with concomitant inhaled long-acting bronchodilator therapy. Several retrospective observational studies have shown impressive reductions in mortality and exacerbations conferred by beta-blockers in COPD. However, this requires confirmation from long-term prospective placebo-controlled randomised controlled trials. The real challenge is to establish whether beta-blockers confer benefits on mortality and exacerbations in all patients with COPD, including those with silent cardiovascular disease where the situation is less clear.