Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology practical guidance on the use of natriuretic peptide concentrations

Do the Current Guidelines for Heart Failure Diagnosis and Treatment Fit with Clinical Complexity?

Heart failure (HF) is a clinical syndrome defined by specific symptoms and signs due to structural and/or functional heart abnormalities, which lead to inadequate cardiac output and/or increased intraventricular filling pressure. Importantly, HF becomes progressively a multisystemic disease. However, in August 2021, the European Society of Cardiology published the new Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic HF, according to which the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) continues to represent the pivotal parameter for HF patients’ evaluation, risk stratification and therapeutic management despite its limitations are well known. Indeed, HF has a complex pathophysiology because it first involves the heart, progressively becoming a multisystemic disease, leading to multiorgan failure and death. In these terms, HF is comparable to cancer. As for cancer, surviving, morbidity and hospitalisation are related not only to the primary neoplastic mass but mainly to the metastatic involvement. In HF, multiorgan involvement has a great impact on prognosis, and multiorgan protective therapies are equally important as conventional cardioprotective therapies. In the light of these considerations, a revision of the HF concept is needed, starting from its definition up to its therapy, to overcome the old and simplistic HF perspective.

Interactions Between Atrial Fibrillation and Natriuretic Peptide in Predicting Heart Failure Hospitalization or Cardiovascular Death

Background Natriuretic peptides are routinely quantified to diagnose heart failure (HF). Their concentrations are also elevated in atrial fibrillation (AF). To clarify their value in predicting future cardiovascular events, we measured natriuretic peptides in unselected patients with cardiovascular conditions and related their concentrations to AF and HF status and outcomes. Methods and Results Consecutive patients with cardiovascular conditions presenting to a large teaching hospital underwent clinical assessment, 7-day ECG monitoring, and echocardiography to diagnose AF and HF. NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide) was centrally quantified. Based on a literature review, four NT-proBNP groups were defined (<300, 300-999, 1000-1999, and ≥2000 pg/mL). Clinical characteristics and NT-proBNP concentrations were related to HF hospitalization or cardiovascular death. Follow-up data were available in 1616 of 1621 patients (99.7%) and analysis performed at 2.5 years (median age, 70 [interquartile range, 60-78] years; 40% women). HF hospitalization or cardiovascular death increased from 36 of 488 (3.2/100 person-years) in patients with neither AF nor HF, to 55 of 354 (7.1/100 person-years) in patients with AF only, 92 of 369 (12.1/100 person-years) in patients with HF only, and 128 of 405 (17.7/100 person-years) in patients with AF plus HF (P<0.001). Higher NT-proBNP concentrations predicted the outcome in patients with AF only (C-statistic, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.77-0.86; P <0.001) and in other phenotype groups (C-statistic in AF plus HF, 0.66; [95% CI, 0.61-0.70]; P <0.001). Conclusions Elevated NT-proBNP concentrations predict future HF events in patients with AF irrespective of the presence of HF, encouraging routine quantification of NT-proBNP in the assessment of patients with AF.

Effects of luseogliflozin on estimated plasma volume in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

AIMS

Sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors have diuretic effects in both patients with glycosuria and with natriuresis. We sought to assess the effect of luseogliflozin on estimated plasma volume (ePV) in patients with type 2 diabetes and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

METHODS AND RESULTS

This study was a post-hoc analysis of the MUSCAT-HF trial (UMIN000018395), a multicentre, prospective, open-label, randomized controlled trial that assessed the effect of 12 weeks of luseogliflozin (2.5 mg, once daily, n = 83) as compared with voglibose (0.2 mg, three times daily, n = 82) on the reduction in brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in patients with type 2 diabetes and HFpEF. The analysis compared the change in ePV calculated by the Straus formula from baseline to Weeks 4, 12, and 24, using a mixed-effects model for repeated measures. We also estimated the association between changes in ePV and changes in other clinical parameters, including BNP levels. Luseogliflozin significantly reduced ePV as compared to voglibose at Week 4 {adjusted mean group-difference -6.43% [95% confidence interval (CI): -9.11 to -3.74]}, at Week 12 [-8.73% (95%CI: -11.40 to -6.05)], and at Week 24 [-11.02% (95%CI: -13.71 to -8.33)]. The effect of luseogliflozin on these parameters was mostly consistent across various patient clinical characteristics. The change in ePV at Week 12 was significantly associated with log-transformed BNP (r = 0.197, P = 0.015) and left atrial volume index (r = 0.283, P = 0.019).

CONCLUSIONS

Luseogliflozin significantly reduced ePV in patients with type 2 diabetes and HFpEF, as compared with voglibose. The reduction of intravascular volume by luseogliflozin may provide clinical benefits to patients with type 2 diabetes and HFpEF.

2021 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic heart failure: Developed by the Task Force for the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic heart failure of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). With the special contribution of the Heart Failure Association (HFA) of the ESC

Document Reviewers: Rudolf A. de Boer (CPG Review Coordinator) (Netherlands), P. Christian Schulze (CPG Review Coordinator) (Germany), Magdy Abdelhamid (Egypt), Victor Aboyans (France), Stamatis Adamopoulos (Greece), Stefan D. Anker (Germany), Elena Arbelo (Spain), Riccardo Asteggiano (Italy), Johann Bauersachs (Germany), Antoni Bayes-Genis (Spain), Michael A. Borger (Germany), Werner Budts (Belgium), Maja Cikes (Croatia), Kevin Damman (Netherlands), Victoria Delgado (Netherlands), Paul Dendale (Belgium), Polychronis Dilaveris (Greece), Heinz Drexel (Austria), Justin Ezekowitz (Canada), Volkmar Falk (Germany), Laurent Fauchier (France), Gerasimos Filippatos (Greece), Alan Fraser (United Kingdom), Norbert Frey (Germany), Chris P. Gale (United Kingdom), Finn Gustafsson (Denmark), Julie Harris (United Kingdom), Bernard Iung (France), Stefan Janssens (Belgium), Mariell Jessup (United States of America), Aleksandra Konradi (Russia), Dipak Kotecha (United Kingdom), Ekaterini Lambrinou (Cyprus), Patrizio Lancellotti (Belgium), Ulf Landmesser (Germany), Christophe Leclercq (France), Basil S. Lewis (Israel), Francisco Leyva (United Kingdom), AleVs Linhart (Czech Republic), Maja-Lisa Løchen (Norway), Lars H. Lund (Sweden), Donna Mancini (United States of America), Josep Masip (Spain), Davor Milicic (Croatia), Christian Mueller (Switzerland), Holger Nef (Germany), Jens-Cosedis Nielsen (Denmark), Lis Neubeck (United Kingdom), Michel Noutsias (Germany), Steffen E. Petersen (United Kingdom), Anna Sonia Petronio (Italy), Piotr Ponikowski (Poland), Eva Prescott (Denmark), Amina Rakisheva (Kazakhstan), Dimitrios J. Richter (Greece), Evgeny Schlyakhto (Russia), Petar Seferovic (Serbia), Michele Senni (Italy), Marta Sitges (Spain), Miguel Sousa-Uva (Portugal), Carlo G. Tocchetti (Italy), Rhian M. Touyz (United Kingdom), Carsten Tschoepe (Germany), Johannes Waltenberger (Germany/Switzerland) All experts involved in the development of these guidelines have submitted declarations of interest. These have been compiled in a report and published in a supplementary document simultaneously to the guidelines. The report is also available on the ESC website www.escardio.org/guidelines For the Supplementary Data which include background information and detailed discussion of the data that have provided the basis for the guidelines see European Heart Journal online.

Natriuretic Peptide-Based Inclusion Criteria in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction Clinical Trials: Insights from PARAGON-HF

AIM

Natriuretic peptides (NPs) are now routinely incorporated as key inclusion criteria in clinical trials of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) as objective measures of risk. An early amendment in PARAGON-HF required all participants to have elevated NP concentrations, but some were enrolled pre-amendment, providing a unique opportunity to understand the influence of enrollment pathway in HFpEF clinical trials.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Among 4,796 participants in PARAGON-HF, 193 (4.0%) did not meet the final NP-based enrollment criteria (NT-proBNP >300 pg/ml for patients in sinus rhythm or >900 pg/ml for patients in atrial fibrillation/flutter). These patients had lower rates of the primary endpoint of total HF hospitalizations and cardiovascular death as compared with patients meeting final enrollment criteria (8.6 [6.7-11.2] events per 100py vs. 14.0 [13.4-14.7] events per 100py P=0.01). The rate ratio for the treatment effect comparing sacubitril/valsartan with valsartan was 0.85 [95% CI 0.74-0.99]; P=0.035 in those who met final criteria.

CONCLUSIONS

NPs are an important tool in HFpEF clinical trials to objectively affirm diagnoses and enrich clinical event rates.

Cardiovascular Biomarker Profiles in Obesity and Relation to Normalization of Subclinical Cardiac Dysfunction after Bariatric Surgery

Aims: We aimed to gain insight into the underlying pathophysiology of cardiac dysfunction in obesity patients and the improvement of cardiac function after weight loss. Methods: This is a longitudinal study in which 92 cardiovascular biomarkers were measured by multiplex immunoassays in obesity patients without known cardiovascular disease, before and one year after bariatric surgery. Results: Out of 100 eligible patients, 72 patients completed the follow-up. A total of 72 (78%) biomarkers changed significantly. The biomarkers with the highest relative changes represented processes linked mainly to insulin resistance and inflammation. In the patients with persistent subclinical cardiac dysfunction, the baseline values of 10 biomarkers were different from values in patients with normalization of cardiac function. Most of these biomarkers were linked to inflammation or atherosclerosis. Finally, a model was developed to investigate the relationship between changes in the biomarkers and persistent subclinical cardiac dysfunction. Seven biomarkers were retained in this model, mainly linked to inflammation, atherosclerosis, and hypercoagulability. Conclusion: The majority (78%) of cardiovascular biomarkers changed, pointing mainly to modulation of insulin resistance and inflammation. The baseline levels of 10 biomarkers, as well as pre- to post-bariatric surgery changes in seven biomarkers, were related to persistent subclinical cardiac dysfunction after bariatric surgery.

Carbohydrate antigen 125 and risk of heart failure readmissions in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction

We aimed to assess the association between CA125 and the long-term risk of total acute heart failure (AHF) admissions in patients with an index hospitalization with AHF and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). We prospectively included 2369 patients between 2008 and 2019 in three centers. CA125 and NT-proBNP were measured during early hospitalization and evaluated as continuous and categorized in quartiles (Q). Negative binomial regressions were used to assess the association with the risk of recurrent AHF admission. The mean age of the sample patients was 76.7 ± 9.5 years and 1443 (60.9%) were women. Median values of CA125 and NT-proBNP were 38.3 (19.0-90.0) U/mL, and 2924 (1590-5447) pg/mL, respectively. During a median follow-up of 2.2 (0.8-4.6) years, 1200 (50.6%) patients died, and 2084 AHF admissions occurred in 1029 (43.4%) patients. After a multivariate adjustment, CA125, but not NT-proBNP, was positively and non-linearly associated with the risk of cumulative AHF-readmission (p < 0.001). Compared to Q1, patients belonging to Q2, Q3, and Q4 showed a stepwise risk increase (IRR = 1.29, 95% CI 1.08-1.55, p = 0.006; IRR = 1.35, 95% CI 1.12-1.63, p = 0.002; and IRR = 1.62, 95% CI 01.34-1.96, p < 0.001, respectively). In conclusion, CA125 predicted the risk of long-term AHF-readmission burden in patients with HFpEF and a recent admission for AHF.

Dry-reagent microfluidic biosensor for simple detection of NT-proBNP via Ag nanoparticles

The diagnosis of many diseases requires monitoring of biomarker levels over a period of time instead of assessing their concentration only once. For example, in case of heart failure determination, the levels of N-terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in blood vary so strongly amongst individuals, that the current procedure of one-time measurement in combination with clinical examination does not allow for accurate assessment of disease severity and progression. Our microfluidic biosensor addresses key characteristics of desirable home-tests which include low limits of detection, small sample volume (less than 10 μL), simple detection strategies, and ready-to-go all-dried long-term stable reagents. Here, electrochemically superior silver nanoparticles (AgNP) were dried directly within the microfluidic channel in a matrix of trehalose sugar doped with Na₂SO₃ as oxygen scavenger. This successfully prevented AgNP oxidation and enabled dry and ready-to-use storage for at least 18 weeks. Based on this, laser-cut flow chips were developed containing all bioassay reagents needed in a ready-to-go dry format. An oxidation-reduction stripping voltammetry strategy was used for highly sensitive quantification of the AgNPs as electrochemical label. This microfluidic biosensor demonstrated limits of detection for NT-proBNP of 0.57 ng mL^-1 with a mean error of 6% (n ≥ 3) in undiluted human serum, which is below the clinically relevant cut-off of 1 ng mL^-1. This practical approach has the potential to substitute commonly used lateral-flow assays for various biomarkers, as it offers low patient sample volumes hence supporting simple finger-prick strategies well-known also for other electrochemical biosensors, and independence from the notorious variability in fleece fabrication.

Acute decompensated heart failure. What has changed in the clinical guidelines in 2021?

In September 2021, the European Society of Cardiology issued new guidelines on the management of patients with heart failure (HF). In the current version, experts have focused on the 4 most common variants: acute HF decompensation, acute pulmonary edema, cardiogenic shock, and isolated right ventricular failure. There has been a change in approaches to the initial management of patients with acute HF decompensation towards a decrease in the evidence-based use of peripheral vasodilators and a "return" to loop diuretics as the basis of treatment. This raises the question of monitoring the efficacy of diuretic therapy. The paper presents an algorithm proposed by the European Society of Cardiology.

NT-pro B-type natriuretic peptide, early menopause, and incident heart failure in postmenopausal women of the ARIC study

OBJECTIVE

N-Terminal pro B-type Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP), a biomarker of heart failure (HF) has been associated with early menopause. We evaluated the modifying role of early menopause on the association of NT-proBNP with incident HF, and separately for HF subtypes, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

METHODS

We included 4,352 postmenopausal women including 1,174 with early menopause, ages 63.5 ± 5.5 years, without prevalent HF at the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study Visit 4. Binary log-transformation was performed for NT-proBNP. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the association of NT-proBNP with incident HF, and separately for incident HFpEF and incident HFrEF, testing for effect modification by early menopause and adjusting for HF risk factors.

RESULTS

We observed 881 HF events over a mean follow-up of 16.5 years. The interaction terms of NT-proBNP and early menopause were not significant for incident HF (Pinteraction 0.95) and incident HFpEF (Pinteraction 0.17) but were significant for incident HFrEF (Pinteraction 0.03). The adjusted hazard ratios resulting from each doubling of NT-proBNP levels amongst women with and without early menopause were 1.33 (1.20-1.47) and 1.34 (1.24-1.44), respectively, for incident HF; 1.57 (1.34-1.86) and 1.38 (1.24-1.54), respectively, for incident HFpEF; and 1.68 (1.42-1.99) and 1.36 (1.22-1.52), respectively, for incident HFrEF.

CONCLUSIONS

The association of NT-proBNP with incident HFpEF is similar irrespective of early menopause status. However, the association of NT-proBNP with incident HFrEF is greater among women with early menopause when compared to those without early menopause.

[Prognostic value of the absolute decrease of the N-terminal portion of B-type natriuretic propeptide in decompensated heart failure: secondary analysis of the CLUSTER-HF study]

Objective

The purpose of this study is to determine the prognostic value of the absolute decrease in the N-terminal portion of pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) to prevent fewer clinical events, in the population of CLUSTER-HF (efficacy of ultrasound lung to guide therapy and prevent readmissions in heart failure).

Materials and methods

This study was conducted in a subgroup of ninety-four patients with available NT-proBNP information at hospital discharge and prior to randomization in the CLUSTER-HF study. The primary objective of the study was to determine the prognostic value of absolute NT-proBNP decline below which fewer events of all-cause death, emergency room visits, and rehospitalization for heart failure at 180 days.

Results

The absolute decrease in NT-proBNP below 3,350 pg/mL has a moderate discriminative capacity with AUC= 0.602, with a prognostic value in the combined event at 180 days (log-rank test, p=0.01). Also, according to the multivariable analysis, it is an independent marker of clinical events at 180 days OR 0.319 (0.102-0.995, p=0.04) above other clinical variables.

Conclusions

An absolute decrease to 3,350 pg/mL of NT-proBNP or less at discharge from the hospitalization due to heart failure, was associated with fewer clinical events at 180 days.

Role of Primary Care Clinicians in the Management of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiorenal Diseases

Individuals with type 2 diabetes are at increased risk of both renal and cardiovascular events. The convergence of type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease, including heart failure, requires management by a multidisciplinary health care team. Primary care clinicians are likely to be the first and most frequent point of contact for individuals with type 2 diabetes who are at high risk of cardiorenal disease and therefore play a pivotal role in early diagnosis, establishment of effective treatment strategies, and coordination of care. This article presents a clinical perspective with multidisciplinary collaboration on a patient case representative of those seen in routine clinical practice. The authors assess reasons why patients may not receive evidence-based care and identify opportunities to initiate therapies that reduce cardiovascular and renal events in the primary care setting.

Using Routinely Collected Electronic Health Record Data to Predict Readmission and Target Care Coordination

ABSTRACT

Patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) are at high risk of being readmitted to hospitals within 30 days. Routinely collected electronic health record (EHR) data may enable hospitals to predict CRF readmission and target interventions to increase quality and reduce readmissions. We compared the ability of manually extracted variables to predict readmission compared with EHR-based prediction using multivariate logistic regression on 1 year of admission data from an academic medical center. Categorizing three routinely collected variables (creatinine, B-type natriuretic peptide, and length of stay) increased readmission prediction by 30% compared with paper-based methods as measured by C-statistic (AUC). Marginal effects analysis using the final multivariate model provided patient-specific risk scores from 0% to 44.3%. These findings support the use of routinely collected EHR data for effectively stratifying readmission risk for patients with CRF. Generic readmission risk tools may be evidence-based but are designed for general populations and may not account for unique traits of specific patient populations-such as those with CRF. Routinely collected EHR data are a rapid, more efficient strategy for risk stratifying and strategically targeting care. Earlier risk stratification and reallocation of clinician effort may reduce readmissions. Testing this risk model in additional populations and settings is warranted.

Prognostic value of NT-proBNP and CA125 across glomerular filtration rate categories in acute heart failure

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate whether glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) during admission modifies the predictive value of plasma amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) in patients hospitalized for acute heart failure (AHF).

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated 4595 patients consecutively discharged after admission for AHF at three tertiary-care hospitals from January 2008 through October 2019. To investigate the effect of kidney function on the association of NT-proBNP and CA125 with 1-year mortality (all-cause and cardiovascular mortality), we stratified patients according to four eGFR categories: <30 mL•min^-1•1.73 m^-2, 30-44 mL•min^-1•1.73 m^-2, 44-59 mL•min^-1•1.73 m^-2, and ≥60 mL•min^-1•1.73 m^-2. Biomarkers were assessed within the first 24 hours following admission.

RESULTS

At 1-year follow-up, 748 of 4595 (16.3%) patients died after discharge (of all deaths, 575 [12.5%] were cardiovascular). After multivariate adjustment, both NT-proBNP and CA125 remained independently associated with a higher risk of death when modeled as main effects (P<0.001). However, we found a differential prognostic effect of NT-proBNP across eGFR categories for both endpoints (all-cause mortality, P-value for interaction=0.002; CV mortality, P-value for interaction=0.001). Whereas NT-proBNP was positively and linearly associated with mortality in the subset of patients with normal or mildly reduced eGFR, its predictive ability progressively decreased at the lower extreme of eGFR (<45 mL•min^-1•1.73 m^-2). In contrast, the association between CA125 and survival remained consistent across all eGFR categories (all-cause mortality, P-value for interaction=0.559; CV mortality, P-value for interaction=0.855).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with AHF and severely reduced eGFR, CA125 outperforms NT-proBNP in predicting 1-year mortality.

Development and Validation of a Prediction Model for Irreversible Worsened Cardiac Function in Patients With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

Background: Irreversible worsening of cardiac function is an adverse event associated with significant morbidity among patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). We aimed to develop a parsimonious model which is simple to use in clinical settings for the prediction of the risk of irreversible worsening of cardiac function. Methods: A total of 871 ADHF patients were enrolled in this study. Data for each patient were collected from the medical records. Irreversible worsening of cardiac function included cardiac death within 30-days of patient hospitalization, implantation of a left ventricular assistance device, or emergency heart transplantation. We performed LASSO regression for variable selection to derive a multivariable logistic regression model. Five candidate predictors were selected to derive the final prediction model. The prediction model was verified using C-statistics, calibration curve, and decision curve. Results: Irreversible worsening of cardiac function occurred in 7.8% of the patients. Advanced age, NYHA class, high blood urea nitrogen, hypoalbuminemia, and vasopressor use were its strongest predictors. The prediction model showed good discrimination C-statistic value, 0.866 (95% CI, 0.817-0.907), which indicated good identical calibration and clinical efficacy. Conclusion: In this study, we developed a prediction model and nomogram to estimate the risk of irreversible worsening of cardiac function among ADHF patients. The findings may provide a reference for clinical physicians for detection of irreversible worsening of cardiac function and enable its prompt management.

Role of Clinical Characteristics and Biomarkers at Admission to Predict One-Year Mortality in Elderly Patients with Pneumonia

BACKGROUND

A hospitalization for community-acquired pneumonia results in a decrease in long-term survival in elderly patients. We assessed biomarkers at admission to predict one-year mortality in a cohort of elderly patients with pneumonia.

METHODS

A prospective observational study included patients >65 years hospitalized with pneumonia. Assessment of PSI, CURB-65, and biomarkers (C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), NT-pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), interleukin (IL)-6 and -8, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), serum amyloid A (SAA), neopterin (NP), myeloperoxidase (MPO), anti-apolipoprotein A-1 IgG (anti-apoA-1), and anti-phosphorylcholine IgM (anti-PC IgM)) was used to calculate prognostic values for one-year mortality using ROC curve analyses. Post hoc optimal cutoffs with corresponding sensitivity (SE) and specificity (SP) were determined using the Youden index.

RESULTS

A total of 133 patients were included (median age 83 years [IQR: 78-89]). Age, dementia, BMI, NT-proBNP (AUROC 0.65 (95% CI: 0.55-0.77)), and IL-8 (AUROC 0.66 (95% CI: 0.56-0.75)) were significantly associated with mortality, with NT-proBNP (HR 1.01 (95% CI 1.00-1.02) and BMI (HR 0.92 (95% CI 0.85-1.000) being independent of age, gender, comorbidities, and PSI with Cox regression. At the cutoff value of 2200 ng/L, NT-proBNP had 67% sensitivity and 70% specificity. PSI and CURB-65 were not associated with mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

NT-proBNP levels upon admission and BMI displayed the highest prognostic accuracy for one-year mortality and may help clinicians to identify patients with poor long-term prognosis.

A year in heart failure: an update of recent findings

Major changes have occurred in these last years in heart failure (HF) management. Landmark trials and the 2021 European Society of Cardiology guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of HF have established four classes of drugs for treatment of HF with reduced ejection fraction: angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors or an angiotensin receptor‐neprilysin inhibitor, beta‐blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and sodium‐glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitors, namely, dapagliflozin or empagliflozin. These drugs consistently showed benefits on mortality, HF hospitalizations, and quality of life. Correction of iron deficiency is indicated to improve symptoms and reduce HF hospitalizations. AFFIRM‐AHF showed 26% reduction in total HF hospitalizations with ferric carboxymaltose vs. placebo in patients hospitalized for acute HF (P = 0.013). The guanylate cyclase activator vericiguat and the myosin activator omecamtiv mecarbil improved outcomes in randomized placebo‐controlled trials, and vericiguat is now approved for clinical practice. Treatment of HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) was a major unmet clinical need until this year when the results of EMPEROR‐Preserved (EMPagliflozin outcomE tRial in Patients With chrOnic HFpEF) were issued. Compared with placebo, empagliflozin reduced by 21% (hazard ratio, 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.69 to 0.90; P < 0.001), the primary outcome of cardiovascular death or HF hospitalization. Advances in the treatment of specific phenotypes of HF, including atrial fibrillation, valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathies, cardiac amyloidosis, and cancer‐related HF, also occurred. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic still plays a major role in HF epidemiology and management. All these aspects are highlighted in this review.

N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide testing patterns in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction

Aims

The N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) is a commonly used biomarker in heart failure for diagnosis and prognostication. We aimed to determine the prevalence of NT‐proBNP testing, distribution of NT‐proBNP concentrations, and factors associated with receiving an NT‐proBNP test in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), including the subset with a worsening heart failure event (WHFE).

Methods and results

This was a retrospective cohort study using two US databases: (i) the de‐identified Humana Research Database between January 2015 and December 2018 and (ii) the Veradigm PINNACLE Registry^® between July 2013 and September 2017. We included adult patients with a confirmed diagnosis of HFrEF. In each data source, a subgroup of patients with a WHFE was identified, where a WHFE was defined as a heart failure‐related hospitalization or receipt of intravenous diuretics. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to assess factors associated with receiving NT‐proBNP testing. In Cohort 1 (n = 249 238), 9.2% of patients with HFrEF and 10.8% of patients with a WHFE received NT‐proBNP testing. When restricted to patients with at least one laboratory claim, 11.3% of patients with HFrEF and 13.2% of those with a WHFE received NT‐proBNP testing. In Cohort 2 (n = 91 444), 2.3% of patients with HFrEF were tested. Median (inter‐quartile range) NT‐proBNP concentrations among patients with HFrEF were 1399 (423–4087) pg/mL in Cohort 1 and 394 (142–688) pg/mL in Cohort 2. Median (inter‐quartile range) NT‐proBNP concentrations in the subset of patients with a WHFE in each cohort were 2209 (740–5894) and 464 (174–783) pg/mL, respectively. In Cohort 1, 13.4% of all HFrEF patients receiving NT‐proBNP testing and 18.9% of patients with a WHFE had NT‐proBNP values >8000 pg/mL; in Cohort 2, these percentages were 1.0% and 2.5%, respectively.

Conclusions

In US clinical practice, NT‐proBNP testing was not frequently performed in patients with HFrEF. NT‐proBNP concentrations varied across data sources and subpopulations within HFrEF.

N-terminal prohormone B-type natriuretic peptide variability acts as a predictor of poor prognosis in patients with cardiorenal syndrome type 2

This study aims to explore the effect of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) variability (mean absolute difference of the log2 NT-proBNP level measured in hospital) on the prognosis of patients with cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) type 2. Patients with CRS type 2 were retrospectively included. The varied NT-proBNP indications were analyzed. They were NT-proBNP I(pre-treatment), NT-proBNP II(post-treatment), NT-proBNP II/I, ΔNT-proBNP, log2 (NT-proBNP) variability and mean log2 (NT-proBNP). A logistic regression model and survival curves (Kaplan–Meier analysis) were built to identify independent predictors associated with poor prognosis. The primary outcomes were major adverse renal and cardiac events. The secondary outcome was all-cause mortality. From 2012 to 2016, 136 patients were included in this study with 69 (50.7%) had high log2 (NT-proBNP) variability level. The optimal cutoff level for each NT-proBNP indication that predicts poor prognosis was calculated, and the area under curves ranged from 0.668 to 0.891 with different indications. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that there was significantly correlated with prevalence of primary outcomes and NT-proBNP variability. The hazard ratios (HRs) ranged from 1.67 to 6.61 with different indications. The multivariate regression analyses also identified the risk of the primary outcomes were associated with elevated NT-proBNP values, except NT-proBNP I. The odds ratio (ORs) ranged from 1.83 to 6.61 with different indications. When analyzing the relationship between NT-proBNP variability and all-cause mortality, the results were the same. NT-proBNP variability might serve as an independent predictor for poor prognosis and all-cause mortality in patients with CRS type 2.

Defining cardiovascular toxicities of cancer therapies: an International Cardio-Oncology Society (IC-OS) consensus statement

The discipline of Cardio-Oncology has seen tremendous growth over the past decade. It is devoted to the cardiovascular (CV) care of the cancer patient, especially to the mitigation and management of CV complications or toxicities of cancer therapies, which can have profound implications on prognosis. To that effect, many studies have assessed CV toxicities in patients undergoing various types of cancer therapies; however, direct comparisons have proven difficult due to lack of uniformity in CV toxicity endpoints. Similarly, in clinical practice, there can be substantial differences in the understanding of what constitutes CV toxicity, which can lead to significant variation in patient management and outcomes. This document addresses these issues and provides consensus definitions for the most commonly reported CV toxicities, including cardiomyopathy/heart failure and myocarditis, vascular toxicity, and hypertension, as well as arrhythmias and QTc prolongation. The current document reflects a harmonizing review of the current landscape in CV toxicities and the definitions used to define these. This consensus effort aims to provide a structure for definitions of CV toxicity in the clinic and for future research. It will be important to link the definitions outlined herein to outcomes in clinical practice and CV endpoints in clinical trials. It should facilitate communication across various disciplines to improve clinical outcomes for cancer patients with CV diseases.

Heart Failure Probability and Early Outcomes of Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19: A Prospective, Multicenter Study

Background: The relationship between cardiac functions and the fatal outcome of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still largely underestimated. We aim to explore the role of heart failure (HF) and NT-proBNP in the prognosis of critically ill patients with COVID-19 and construct an easy-to-use predictive model using machine learning.

Methods: In this multicenter and prospective study, a total of 1,050 patients with clinical suspicion of COVID-19 were consecutively screened. Finally, 402 laboratory-confirmed critically ill patients with COVID-19 were enrolled. A “triple cut-point” strategy of NT-proBNP was applied to assess the probability of HF. The primary outcome was 30-day all-cause in-hospital death. Prognostic risk factors were analyzed using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and multivariate logistic regression, further formulating a nomogram to predict mortality.

Results: Within a 30-day follow-up, 27.4% of the 402 patients died. The mortality rate of patients with HF likely was significantly higher than that of the patient with gray zone and HF unlikely (40.8% vs. 25 and 16.5%, respectively, P < 0.001). HF likely [Odds ratio (OR) 1.97, 95% CI 1.13–3.42], age (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02–1.06), lymphocyte (OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.19–0.68), albumin (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.87–0.96), and total bilirubin (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1–1.04) were independently associated with the prognosis of critically ill patients with COVID-19. Moreover, a nomogram was developed by bootstrap validation, and C-index was 0.8 (95% CI 0.74–0.86).

Conclusions: This study established a novel nomogram to predict the 30-day all-cause mortality of critically ill patients with COVID-19, highlighting the predominant role of the “triple cut-point” strategy of NT-proBNP, which could assist in risk stratification and improve clinical sequelae.

A Review of Prognosis Model Associated With Cardiogenic Shock After Acute Myocardial Infarction

Objective: Cardiogenic shock seriously affects the survival rate of patients. However, few prognostic models are concerned with the score of cardiogenic shock, and few clinical studies have validated it. In order to optimize the diagnosis and treatment of myocardial infarction complicated with cardiogenic shock and facilitate the classification of clinical trials, the prognosis score model is urgently needed. Methods: Cardiogenic shock, severe case, prognosis score, myocardial infarction and external verification were used as the search terms to search PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane, EBSCO (Medline), Scopus, BMC, NCBI, Oxford Academy, Science Direct, and other databases for pertinent studies published up until 1 August 2021. There are no restrictions on publication status and start date. Filter headlines and abstracts to find articles that may be relevant. The list of references for major studies was reviewed to obtain more references. Results and Conclusions: The existing related models are in urgent need of more external clinical verifications. In the meanwhile, with the development of molecular omics and the clinical need for optimal treatment of CS, it is urgent to establish a prognosis model with higher differentiation and coincidence rates.

Trends in Frailty and Use of Evidence-Based Pharmacotherapy for Heart Failure in Australian Hospitalised Patients: An Observational Study

Frailty increases morbidity and mortality in heart failure (HF) patients. Current risk-adjustment models do not include frailty-status and the relationship between frailty and pharmacotherapy is unclear. This study explored trends in frailty over time and its relationship with prescription of heart failure specific pharmacotherapy in hospitalised HF patients. We used the Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFRS) to determine frailty status of patients ≥18 years admitted between 2015-2019 at two tertiary hospitals in Australia. Patients with an HFRS ≥ 5 were classified as frail. In the 3706 patients with a mean (SD) age of 76.1 (14.4) years, 876 (23.6%) were classified as frail. HFRS was weakly correlated with age (r = 0.16) and Charlson-index (r = 0.35) (both p values < 0.001). Whilst frailty was more common in older HF patients (28.9% of patients ≥80 years), 15.1% of patients ≤65 years of age were also found to be frail. The proportion of frail patients increased from 19.4% in 2015 to 29.2% in 2019 despite no significant change in age during this period. The proportion of patients who received heart failure specific pharmacotherapy decreased from 86.7% in 2015 to 82.9% in 2019 (p value = 0.03) and frail patients were significantly less likely to be prescribed HF specific pharmacotherapy than non-frail patients (77.4% vs. 85.9%, p < 0.001).

Cardiac dysfunction and remodeling regulated by anti-angiogenic environment in patients with preeclampsia: the ANGIOCOR prospective cohort study protocol

Background

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are cause of increased morbidity and mortality in spite of advances for diagnosis and treatment. Changes during pregnancy affect importantly the maternal CV system. Pregnant women that develop preeclampsia (PE) have higher risk (up to 4 times) of clinical CVD in the short- and long-term. Predominance of an anti-angiogenic environment during pregnancy is known as main cause of PE, but its relationship with CV complications is still under research. We hypothesize that angiogenic factors are associated to maternal cardiac dysfunction/remodeling and that these may be detected by new cardiac biomarkers and maternal echocardiography.

Methods

Prospective cohort study of pregnant women with high-risk of PE in first trimester screening, established diagnosis of PE during gestation, and healthy pregnant women (total intended sample size n = 440). Placental biochemical and biophysical cardiovascular markers will be assessed in the first and third trimesters of pregnancy, along with maternal echocardiographic parameters. Fetal cardiac function at third trimester of pregnancy will be also evaluated and correlated with maternal variables. Maternal cardiac function assessment will be determined 12 months after delivery, and correlation with CV and PE risk variables obtained during pregnancy will be evaluated.

Discussion

The study will contribute to characterize the relationship between anti-angiogenic environment and maternal CV dysfunction/remodeling, during and after pregnancy, as well as its impact on future CVD risk in patients with PE. The ultimate goal is to improve CV health of women with high-risk or previous PE, and thus, reduce the burden of the disease.

Trial registration

NCT04162236

Carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) as a prognostic marker in the elderly with acute heart failure and preserved ejection fraction

BACKGROUND

Carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) has emerged as a new biomarker in heart failure. The objective of the study is to determine whether serum CA125 levels predict total mortality and readmissions at one year in patients >70 years old with acute heart failure (AHF) and preserved ejection fraction (PEF).

METHODS

Multicenter prospective observational study, which included 359 patients (mean age 81.5 years). The primary endpoint was total all-cause mortality and total readmissions for AHF at 1 year. A negative binomial regression technique was used to evaluate the association between CA125 and both endpoints.

RESULTS

At one year of follow-up, 87 deaths (24.2%) were registered. The patients in the lower quartile of CA125 had a lower crude mortality rate (14.4%, 26.7, 26.7, 29.2; p=0.09). After multivariate analysis, the CA125 value was positively associated with a higher risk (p=0.009). Such association was also positive but borderline significant for the risk of readmissions (p=0.089).

CONCLUSIONS

In a population older than 70 years hospitalized for AHF with PEF, elevated levels of CA125 are associated with an increased risk of death at one year of follow-up. The association with readmission for AHF was more uncertain. Low levels of CA125 identifies a subgroup at low-risk.

NT-proBNP as a marker for atrial fibrillation and heart failure in four observational outpatient trials

Aims

Heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) frequently coexist and are both associated with increased levels of N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP). It is known that AF impairs the diagnostic accuracy of NT‐proBNP for HF. The aim of the present study was to compare the diagnostic and predictive accuracy of NT‐proBNP for HF and AF in stable outpatients with cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods and results

Data were obtained from the DIAST‐CHF trial, a prospective cohort study that recruited individuals with cardiovascular risk factors and followed them up for 12 years. Data were validated in three independent population‐based cohorts using the same inclusion/exclusion criteria: LIFE‐Adult (n = 2869), SHIP (n = 2013), and SHIP‐TREND (n = 2408). Serum levels of NT‐proBNP were taken once at baseline. The DIAST‐CHF study enrolled 1727 study participants (47.7% female, mean age 66.9 ± 8.1 years). At baseline, patients without AF or HF (n = 1375) had a median NT‐proBNP of 94 pg/mL (interquartile range 51;181). In patients with AF (n = 93), NT‐proBNP amounted to 667 (215;1130) pg/mL. It was significantly higher than in the first group (P < 0.001) and compared with those with only HF [n = 201; 158 (66;363) pg/mL; P < 0.001]. The highest levels of NT‐proBNP [868 (213;1397) pg/mL] were measured in patients with concomitant HF and AF (n = 58; P < 0.001 vs. control and vs. HF, P = 1.0 vs. AF). In patients with AF, NT‐proBNP levels did not differ between those with HF and preserved ejection fraction (EF) > 50% [n = 38; 603 (175;1070) pg/mL] and those without HF (P = 1.0). Receiver‐operating characteristic curves of NT‐proBNP showed a similar area under the curve (AUC) for the detection of AF at baseline (0.84, 95% CI [0.79–0.88]) and for HF with EF < 50% (0.78 [0.72–0.85]; P = 0.18). The AUC for HF with EF > 50% was significantly lower (0.61 [0.56–0.65]) than for AF (P = 0.001). During follow‐up, AF was newly diagnosed in 157 (9.1%) and HF in 141 (9.6%) study participants. NT‐proBNP was a better predictor of incident AF during the first 2 years (AUC: 0.79 [0.75–0.83]) than of newly diagnosed HF (0.59 [0.55–0.63]; P < 0.001). Data were validated in three independent population‐based cohorts (LIFE‐Adult, n = 2869; SHIP, n = 2013; and SHIP‐TREND, n = 2408).

Conclusions

In stable outpatients, NT‐proBNP is a better marker for prevalent and incident AF than for HF. In AF patients, the diagnostic value of NT‐proBNP for HF with EF > 50% is very limited.

Natriuretic peptides: new challenges — new solutions

Natriuretic peptides (NPs) are one of the most significant biomarkers, the practical use of which increases, and their diagnostic and prognostic value in patients with various chronic noncommunicable diseases is beyond doubt. Since the discovery of these markers, research has been actively carried out to study the biological and pathophysiological roles of NPs in a wide range of diseases, including hypertension and heart failure (HF). These studies showed that A-type and B-type NPs are hormones secreted by the heart in response to pre- or afterload, which prevent high blood pressure and fluid retention. In addition, C-type NPs are produced by the vascular endothelium and act as a local a  mediator with angioprotective properties. Since the NP system is a natural antagonist of the sympathoadrenal and renin-angiotensinaldosterone systems, it is interesting to study novel strategies to use new drug classes for hypertension. These drugs are neprilysin inhibitors, which destroys NPs; their action is to enhance the synthesis of endogenous peptides. Dual angiotensin receptor and neprilysin inhibition is widespread in clinical practice in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Neprilysin inhibition has also been shown to be an effective strategy for hypertensive patients. The article discusses the role and value of NP system in  the dia - gnosis of heart failure and blood pressure regulation, and also considers new promising directions for neprilysin inhibition and activation of endogenous NP synthesis.

 

FN3 Domain Displaying Double Epitopes: A Cost-Effective Strategy for Producing Substitute Antigens

Construction of substitute antigens based on alternative scaffold proteins is a promising strategy in bioassay technology. In this study, we proposed a strategy for constructing substitute antigens derived from 10th human fibronectin type III (FN3) using two peptide epitopes of terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) as an example. The base sequences encoding the two antigenic epitopes of NT-proBNP were recombined into the FG loop region and the C-terminus of FN3, fused by 4 GS or polyN linker. The fusion proteins (named FN3-epitopes-4GS and FN3-epitopes-polyN, respectively) were expressed and purified cost-effectively using an Escherichia coli expression system. The immunoreactivity of recombinant substitutes was preliminarily confirmed by western blot analysis using epitope-specific antibodies. The sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay demonstrated that either FN3-epitopes-polyN or FN3-epitopes-4GS was highly sensitive, and FN3-epitopes-polyN exhibited better kinetics to specific antibodies than FN3-epitopes-4GS, showing a linear dose-response relationship in the concentration range of 0.06–12.85 ng/ml, which suggest that the polyN linker was more suitable for constructing the FN3-based substitute antigens compared to the 4 GS linker. Furthermore, the serum stability test and differential scanning calorimetry analysis showed that the recombinant FN3-epitopes-polyN maintained the original stability of FN3. Therefore, it was confirmed that FN3 could be engineered to construct a stable biomacromolecular substitute for displaying double epitopes of antigen proteins, such as NT-proBNP. In summary, a cost-effective strategy to produce NT-proBNP substitute antigens with good immunoreactivity and physicochemical stability was established in this work, which may provide potential uses for the production of other substitute antigens in the future.

Efficacy and Safety of Dapagliflozin in Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction According to N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide: Insights From the DAPA-HF Trial

BACKGROUND

Effective therapies for HFrEF usually reduce NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide) levels, and it is important to establish whether new treatments are effective across the range of NT-proBNP.

METHODS

We evaluated both these questions in the DAPA-HF (Dapagliflozin and Prevention of Adverse Outcomes in Heart Failure) trial. Patients in New York Heart Association functional class II to IV with a left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40% and a NT-proBNP level ≥600 pg/mL (≥600 ng/L; ≥400 pg/mL if hospitalized for HF within the previous 12 months or ≥900 pg/mL if atrial fibrillation/flutter) were eligible. The primary outcome was the composite of an episode of worsening HF or cardiovascular death.

RESULTS

Of the 4744 randomized patients, 4742 had an available baseline NT-proBNP measurement (median, 1437 pg/mL [interquartile range, 857-2650 pg/mL]). Compared with placebo, treatment with dapagliflozin significantly reduced NT-proBNP from baseline to 8 months (absolute least-squares mean reduction, -303 pg/mL [95% CI, -457 to -150 pg/mL]; geometric mean ratio, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.88-0.96]). Dapagliflozin reduced the risk of worsening HF or cardiovascular death, irrespective of baseline NT-proBNP quartile; the hazard ratio for dapagliflozin versus placebo, from lowest to highest quartile was 0.43 (95% CI, 0.27-0.67), 0.77 (0.56-1.04), 0.78 (0.60-1.01), and 0.78 (0.64-0.95); P for interaction=0.09. Consistent benefits were observed for all-cause mortality. Compared with placebo, dapagliflozin increased the proportion of patients with a meaningful improvement (≥5 points) in Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire total symptom score (P for interaction=0.99) and decreased the proportion with a deterioration ≥5 points (P for interaction=0.87) across baseline NT-proBNP quartiles.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with HFrEF, dapagliflozin reduced NT-proBNP by 300 pg/mL after 8 months of treatment compared with placebo. In addition, dapagliflozin reduced the risk of worsening HF and death, and improved symptoms, across the spectrum of baseline NT-proBNP levels included in DAPA-HF. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03036124.

Chronic Kidney Disease and Heart Failure-Everyday Diagnostic Challenges

Is advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) a cardiac “no man’s land”? Chronic heart failure (HF) is widely believed to be one of the most serious medical challenges of the 21st century. Moreover, the number of patients with CKD is increasing. To date, patients with estimated glomerular filtration rates <30 mL/min/1.73 m² have frequently been excluded from large, randomized clinical trials. Although this situation is slowly changing, in everyday practice we continue to struggle with problems that are not clearly addressed in the guidelines. This literature review was conducted by an interdisciplinary group, which comprised a nephrologist, internal medicine specialists, and cardiologist. In this review, we discuss the difficulties in ruling out HF for patients with advanced CKD and issues regarding the cardiotoxicity of dialysis fistulas and the occurrence of pulmonary hypertension in patients with CKD. Due to the recent publication of the new HF guidelines by the European Society of Cardiology, this is a good time to address these difficult issues. Contrary to appearances, these are not niche issues, but problems that affect many patients.

Infrared Spectroscopy in Differential Diagnosis of Pulmonary Embolism

The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of infrared spectroscopy for verification of pulmonary embolism (PE) and a number of similar diseases.

Materials and Methods

Infrared spectroscopy was used to investigate blood serum of 19 healthy volunteers and 30 patients with intraoperatively confirmed PE as well as with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (n=10), pneumonia (n=10), tuberculosis (n=10), lung abscess (n=10) and lung cancer (n=10), acute disorder of cerebral circulation (ADCC) (n=10), ischemic heart disease (IHD) (n=10). Peak height ratios of absorption band were taken as diagnostic parameters (cm^-1/сm^-1): P₁ - 1160/1165; P₂ - 1165/1070; P₃ - 1165/1150; P₄ - 1165/1050; P₅ - 1100/1050; P₆ - 1025/1165. These parameters of IR spectrum are significant for the given nosology.

Results

The calculated indicators have demonstrated statistically significant difference of IR spectra parameters for the studied nosologies (p<0.001) even on the small samples supplementing each other and enabling step-by-step exclusion of lung abscess and pulmonary tuberculosis, COPD and pneumonia, cancer, IHD, ADCC, and PE.The presented radar charts, built with consideration of the values of all peak height ratios of the absorption bands with diagnostically significant maxima, provided the possibility to visualize the IR profiles making the differentiation of PE and its clinical analogs not only more objective and reliable but also more explicit and compelling.

Conclusion

Infrared spectroscopy is a potentially effective method of PE differential diagnosis. Sample expansion will allow researchers to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of this technique compared to the existing standard schemes of PE verification.

Prognostic Role of Subclinical Congestion in Heart Failure Outpatients: Focus on Right Ventricular Dysfunction

BACKGROUND

subclinical pulmonary and peripheral congestion is an emerging concept in heart failure, correlated with a worse prognosis. Very few studies have evaluated its prognostic impact in an outpatient setting and its relationship with right-ventricular dysfunction. The study aims to investigate subclinical congestion in chronic heart failure outpatients, exploring the close relationship between the right heart-pulmonary unit and peripheral congestion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

in this observational study, 104 chronic HF outpatients were enrolled. The degree of congestion and signs of elevated filling pressures of the right ventricle were evaluated by physical examination and a transthoracic ultrasound to define multiparametric right ventricular dysfunction, estimate the right atrial pressure and the pulmonary artery systolic pressure. Outcome data were obtained by scheduled visits and phone calls.

RESULTS

ultrasound signs of congestion were found in 26% of patients and, among this cohort, half of them presented as subclinical, affecting their prognosis, revealing a linear correlation between right ventricular/arterial coupling, the right-chambers size and ultrasound congestion. Right ventricular dysfunction, TAPSE/PAPS ratio, clinical and ultrasound signs of congestion have been confirmed to be useful predictors of outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

subclinical congestion is widespread in the heart failure outpatient population, significantly affecting prognosis, especially when right ventricular dysfunction also occurs, suggesting a strict correlation between the heart-pulmonary unit and volume overload.

The Ratio of NT-proBNP to CysC1.53 Predicts Heart Failure in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

Background: The N-terminal pro B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is important for prognosis of heart failure in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the NT-proBNP level is easily affected by renal insufficiency, which limits its clinical use. Methods: This study included 396 patients with CKD. Plasma levels of NT-proBNP and cystatin C (CysC) were measured during hospitalization. The echocardiographic parameters were also detected. Patients were divided into the heart failure group and control group according to the European Society of Cardiology Guideline on Chronic Heart Failure 2021. Multiple modeling analysis of the values of NT-proBNP and CysC, including NT-proBNP/Cyscn and NT-proBNP/nCysC was performed. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, combined with the cardiac function, was used to determine the formula with the best diagnostic efficiency. Then, the sensitivity and specificity of new predictors for cardiac insufficiency in CKD patients were calculated. Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationship between new predictors and the NT-proBNP level. The clinical data of CKD patients from another local hospital were used to validate the new predictors and the cut-off values. Results: An elevated NT-proBNP/CysC1.53 ratio was an independent risk factor for cardiac dysfunction in CKD and the best predictor derived from multiple modeling analysis. There was no correlation between the NT-proBNP/CysC1.53 ratio and the NT-proBNP level (r = 0.376, p = 6.909). The area under the ROC curve for the NT-proBNP/CysC1.53 ratio was 0.815 (95% confidence interval: 0.772-0.858), and for a cut-off point of 847.964, this ratio had a sensitivity of 78.24%, and a specificity of 69.44%. When applied to the data of CKD patients from another local hospital, the NT-proBNP to CysC1.53 ratio had a sensitivity of 70.27% and a specificity of 67.74%. Conclusion: The NT-proBNP to CysC1.53 ratio was superior to NT-proBNP alone for predicting cardiac dysfunction in patients with CKD.

Critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning of the heart and cardiovascular system

This is the second of two articles exploring assessment and clinical reasoning of conditions relating to the heart and cardiovascular system in the context of emergency care. In the last article, the structure and function of the heart was reviewed, and reference made to many of the conditions that may affect the heart. In addition, the common presenting complaints of cardiac conditions were highlighted, together with important aspects of the history for each symptom. The full cardiac examination was outlined. In this article, some of the common cardiac conditions will be discussed. These will be linked to common findings in the history, examination, and investigations.

Uncoupling between intravascular and distending pressures leads to underestimation of circulatory congestion in obesity

AIMS

Patients with obesity frequently present with dyspnoea. Biomarkers that reflect wall stress are often used to evaluate circulatory congestion and help determine whether dyspnoea is of cardiac causes. Patients with obesity display greater external restraint on the heart, which may alter relationships between intravascular pressures and stress markers.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Subjects with unexplained dyspnoea (n = 212) underwent cardiac catheterization with simultaneous echocardiography. Blood sampling was performed in a subset (n = 58). Relationships between echocardiographic and blood biomarkers of circulatory congestion and directly-measured haemodynamics were compared between participants with severe obesity [body mass index (BMI) ≥35 kg/m² , Group B) and those without (BMI <35 kg/m² , Group A). Circulatory congestion was assessed by pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), and vascular distending pressure was assessed by left ventricular transmural pressure (LVTMP). As compared to Group A, participants in Group B displayed higher PCWP relative to N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, mid-regional pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP), troponin T, and growth differentiation factor-15 (all p < 0.01). In contrast, the relationships between LVTMP and the biomarkers were superimposable. Echocardiographic biomarkers revealed the same pattern: PCWP was higher for any E/e' ratio in Group B compared to Group A, but the relationship between LVTMP and E/e' was similar. In contrast, levels of C-terminal pro-endothelin-1 and MR-proADM were more robustly correlated with PCWP (r = 0.67 and r = 0.62, both p < 0.0001), with no differential relationship based upon BMI.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-invasive haemodynamic markers underestimate circulatory congestion in patients with obesity, an effect that appears related to uncoupling between cardiac wall stress and intravascular pressures. This may lead to systematic under-recognition of congestion in patients with obesity.

The Endocrine Heart: Natriuretic Peptides and Oxygen Metabolism in Cardiac Diseases

Circulating natriuretic peptides are widely used as tools in the diagnosis and follow-up of cardiac diseases, and their use has been increasing throughout other medical branches. After 40 years and more than 40,000 publications, their function in healthy human adults of reproductive age appears to remain confusing—with every physiology and pharmacology textbook telling a different story. In cardiology, mechanical load upon the heart is generally regarded as the condition that regulates the synthesis and release of natriuretic peptides. The key issue in cardiology remains how mechanical activity and oxygen consumption are related, and yet no published paper has shown that mechanical load does not increase oxygen consumption, as wall tension is a major determinant of myocardial oxygen consumption. However, this relationship has been largely neglected in studies on natriuretic peptides. Based on published papers, an outline is presented of how oxygen metabolism, related to mechanical stress, could play an important role in the pathophysiology of natriuretic peptides. The natriuretic peptide system might enhance oxygen transport by causing diuresis, natriuresis, and water transfer from the intra- to extravascular space, resulting in volume contraction and hemoconcentration, thus indirectly promoting the transfer of oxygen into tissues and organs. Mechanical stress and oxygen consumption are 2 sides of the same coin. The relationship between mechanical stress and oxygen metabolism, in the particular case of natriuretic peptides, represents a new avenue for clinical studies and will better explain the results of studies that have been published previously.

Heart-type fatty acid binding protein is related to severity and established cardiac biomarkers of heart failure

Objectives

To determine concentrations of heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (HFABP) in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and its potential value for prognostic assessment.

Methods

Circulating levels of HFABP were measured with an automated chemiluminescent immunoassay in 25 healthy volunteers and 60 HFrEF patients.

Results

Concentrations of HFABP were significantly increased in heart failure patients in comparison to healthy volunteers. HFABP levels were significantly correlated to New York Heart Association classes and to established biomarkers of cardiac dysfunction and remodeling (amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide [NT-proBNP], fibroblast growth factor 23, and galectin-3). HFABP concentrations were also predictive of cardiovascular (CV) death and combination with NT-proBNP might be synergistic for risk assessment.

Conclusions

HFABP levels are increased in HFrEF patients, related to adverse CV outcomes, and might assist physicians for patient's management.

Pathophysiological and diagnostic importance of fatty acid-binding protein 1 in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Elevated intracardiac pressure at rest and/or exercise is a fundamental abnormality in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Fatty acid-binding protein 1 (FABP1) is proposed to be a sensitive biomarker for liver injury. We sought to determine whether FABP1 at rest would be elevated in HFpEF and would correlate with echocardiographic markers of intracardiac pressures at rest and during exercise. In this prospective study, subjects with HFpEF (n = 22) and control subjects without HF (n = 23) underwent resting FABP1 measurements and supine bicycle exercise echocardiography. Although levels of conventional hepatic enzymes were similar between groups, FABP1 levels were elevated in HFpEF compared to controls (45 [25–68] vs. 18 [14–24] ng/mL, p = 0.0008). FABP1 levels were correlated with radiographic and blood-based markers of congestion, hemodynamic derangements during peak exercise (E/e’, r = 0.50; right atrial pressure, r = 0.35; pulmonary artery systolic pressure, r = 0.46), reduced exercise cardiac output (r = − 0.49), and poor exercise workload achieved (r = − 0.40, all p < 0.05). FABP1 distinguished HFpEF from controls with an area under the curve of 0.79 (p = 0.003) and had an incremental diagnostic value over the H₂FPEF score (p = 0.007). In conclusion, FABP1 could be a novel hepatic biomarker that associates with hemodynamic derangements, reduced cardiac output, and poor exercise capacity in HFpEF.

Acute myocardial infarction therapy: in vitro and in vivo evaluation of atrial natriuretic peptide and triphenylphosphonium dual ligands modified, baicalin-loaded nanoparticulate system

Background

Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the most common ischemic heart diseases. It is very essential to explore new types of cardioprotective drugs delivery systems in this area.

Objective

The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of baicalin (BA) and puerarin (PU) against acute MI rat models. BA and PU co-loaded nanoparticulate system were developed to improve bioavailability of the drugs, to prolong retention time in vivo and to enhance the protective effect.

Methods

In the present study, ANP and TPP contained ligands were synthesized. ANP/TPP-BN-LPNs were prepared and its physico-chemical properties were evaluated. The MI therapy efficiency of ANP/TPP-BN-LPNs was assessed in rats after intravenous injection. Single ligand contained LPNs, no ligand contained LPNs, and BN solution formulations were also prepared and used for the comparison.

Results

ANP/TPP-BN-LPNs were uniform and spheroidal particles. The size of ANP/TPP-BN-LPNs was 98.5 ± 2.9 nm, with a zeta potential of –19.5 ± 1.9 mV. The dual ligands modified LPNs exhibited significantly improved therapeutic efficiency compared with the single ligand modified LPNs and other systems. In vivo infarct therapy studies in rats proved that ANP/TPP-BN-LPNs were a promising system for efficient delivery of cardiovascular drugs for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Conclusions

ANP/TPP-BN-LPNs could be used as a long-circulating and heart-targeting drug delivery system.

Prognostic value of an echocardiographic index reflecting right ventricular operating stiffness in patients with heart failure

PURPOSE

We recently reported a noninvasive method for the assessment of right ventricular (RV) operating stiffness that is obtained by dividing the atrial-systolic descent of the pulmonary artery-RV pressure gradient (PRPGD_AC) derived from the pulmonary regurgitant velocity by the tricuspid annular plane movement during atrial contraction (TAPM_AC). Here, we investigated whether this parameter of RV operating stiffness, PRPGD_AC/TAPM_AC, is useful for predicting the prognosis of patients with heart failure (HF).

METHODS

We retrospectively included 127 hospitalized patients with HF who underwent an echocardiographic examination immediately pre-discharge. The PRPGD_AC/TAPM_AC was measured in addition to standard echocardiographic parameters. Patients were followed until 2 years post-discharge. The endpoint was the composite of cardiac death, readmission for acute decompensation, and increased diuretic dose due to worsening HF.

RESULTS

58 patients (46%) experienced the endpoint during follow-up. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses demonstrated that the PRPGD_AC/TAPM_AC was associated with the endpoint. In a Kaplan-Meier analysis, the event rate of the greater PRPGD_AC/TAPM_AC group was significantly higher than that of the lesser PRPGD_AC/TAPM_AC group. In a sequential Cox analysis for predicting the endpoint's occurrence, the addition of PRPGD_AC/TAPM_AC to the model including age, sex, NYHA functional classification, brain natriuretic peptide level, and several echocardiographic parameters including tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion significantly improved the predictive power for prognosis.

CONCLUSION

A completely noninvasive index of RV operating stiffness, PRPGD_AC/TAPM_AC, was useful for predicting prognoses in patients with HF, and it showed an incremental prognostic value over RV systolic function.

Efficacy and Safety of Subcutaneous Infusion of Non-formulated Furosemide in Patients with Worsening Heart Failure: a Real-World Study

We aimed to evaluate the efficacy (short-term changes in surrogates of decongestion) and safety following the ambulatory administration of subcutaneous furosemide (SCF) in patients with WHF. Fifty-five ambulatory patients were treated with SCF administered by an elastomeric pump for at least 72 h. Surrogates of congestion were assessed at baseline, 72 h, and 30 days. Spot urinary sodium (uNa+) was assessed at baseline, 24-48-72 h, and 30 days. The median (IQI) of NT-proBNP and uNa+ at baseline was 5218 pg/mL (2856-10878) and 68±3 mmol/L, respectively. Following administration of SCF (median dose of 100 mg/daily), we found a sustained increase in uNa+ during the first 72 h of treatment compared to baseline, paralleled with evidence of decongestion at 72 h, and 30 days. No significant safety concerns were observed. SCF was an effective and safe diuretic strategy for outpatient congestion management.

Ketone bodies for the failing heart: fuels that can fix the engine?

Accumulating evidence suggests that the failing heart reverts energy metabolism toward increased utilization of ketone bodies. Despite many discrepancies in the literature, evidence from both bench and clinical research demonstrates beneficial effects of ketone bodies in heart failure. Ketone bodies are readily oxidized by cardiomyocytes and can provide ancillary fuel for the energy-starved failing heart. In addition, ketone bodies may help to restore cardiac function by mitigating inflammation, oxidative stress, and cardiac remodeling. In this review, we hypothesize that a therapeutic approach intended to restore cardiac metabolism through ketone bodies could both refuel and 'repair' the failing heart.

Assessment of BNP and BDNF results in elective endovascular cerebral aneurysm treatment

BACKGROUND

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels increase with an increase in intracranial pressure. A decrease in BNP levels has been found to be associated with patient positive prognosis. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels decrease in patients with acute stroke.

AIMS

To compare the BNP and BDNF values in serum before and after elective endovascular cerebral aneurysm treatment (ECAT).

METHODS

A total of 50 patients who underwent elective ECAT were included in the study. Exclusion criteria were determined to be history of heart failure or heart attack (n = 8), renal failure (n = 5), subarachnoid hemorrhage (n = 4), or previous aneurysm clip procedure (n = 3). Intravenous blood samples were obtained from 30 patients who underwent elective ECAT before and after treatment. After centrifugation, the BNP and BDNF values in serum were obtained with the ELISA method and compared.

RESULTS

This study included 19 female and 11 male patients, aged between 24 and 75 years. The average age of the patients was 51.27 ± 13.31 years. The median BDNF values did not change significantly after ECAT (before the endovascular procedure: 3.1 ± 1.3 pg/dl; after the endovascular procedure: 2.8 ± 0.9 pg/dl, p = 0.16). Median BNP levels decreased significantly after ECAT (before the endovascular procedure: 617.50 ± 483.11 pg/ml; after the endovascular procedure: 395.00 ± 352.15 pg/ml, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

After elective endovascular cerebral aneurysm treatment, the BNP values in serum decreased significantly, and the BDNF values in serum did not change significantly.

High-value laboratory testing for hospitalized COVID-19 patients: a review

We present here an evidence-based review of the utility, timing, and indications for laboratory test use in the domains of inflammation, cardiology, hematology, nephrology and co-infection for clinicians managing the care of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Levels of IL-6, CRP, absolute lymphocyte count, neutrophils and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio obtained upon admission may help predict the severity of COVID-19. Elevated LDH, ferritin, AST, and d-dimer are associated with severe illness and mortality. Elevated cardiac troponin at hospital admission can alert clinicians to patients at risk for cardiac complications. Elevated proBNP may help distinguish a cardiac complication from noncardiac etiologies. Evaluation for co-infection is typically unnecessary in nonsevere cases but is essential in severe COVID-19, intensive care unit patients, and immunocompromised patients.

Doctors managing the complex care of individuals with COVID-19 need timely evidence to guide which lab tests to send to predict outcomes and prevent and treat COVID-19 complications involving the heart, blood clots, the kidney, and other infections that occur during the hospital course. Several lab tests such as IL-6, CRP and white blood cell subset counts may help predict the severity of COVID-19 during the patient’s hospital course if obtained when the patient first presents to the hospital. Other tests such as LDH, ferritin and AST are also associated with severe illness and mortality but have less evidence for their utility beyond IL-6, CRP and other tests. A test related to blood coagulation, d-dimer, is also associated with COVID-19 severity, and it may be used if the patient is suspected of having a blood clot. Two heart biomarkers – cardiac troponin and proBNP – may help doctors diagnose and manage heart-related complications of COVID-19. Patients in the hospital with COVID-19 may be susceptible to other infections, but testing for these is most useful in patients with severe disease, such as those in the intensive care unit. Specific recommendations for testing for viral, bacterial and fungal infections are presented here. The judicious use of laboratory testing can help identify patients at high risk for severe or critical COVID-19 and aid in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of common COVID-19 complications.

Right ventricular free wall strain in acutely decompensated heart failure patients with ischemic and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy

AIMS

Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is a predictor of adverse outcomes among patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF); however, differences in RV parameters in HFrEF patients with ischemic (ICM) and non-ischemic cardiomyopathies (NICM) are not well understood. We investigated echocardiographic characteristics, including RV strain, in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) and compared patients with ICM and NICM etiology.

METHODS

Consecutive patients who presented with ADHF and NYHA class III-IV were prospectively enrolled if they had LVEF < 40% and history of ICM or NICM. All patients underwent clinical exam, laboratory evaluation and 2-D echocardiographic assessment of the left ventricular (LV) and RV function, LV and RV global longitudinal strain (LVGLS, RVGLS), and RV free wall strain (RVfwLS).

RESULTS

Of 84 patients, 44 had ICM and 40 NICM. The groups had similar blood pressure, NT-proBNP, and echocardiographic parameters of LV function including LVGLS. Absolute RVGLS values were lower than RVfwLS values in both groups. Patients with NICM had significantly lower RVfwLS, but not RVGLS, compared to patients with ICM (-13% to -17%, p = 0.006). Similar differences in RVfwLS were seen in patients in NYHA class III (NICM vs ICM: -13% and -17%, respectively, 95% CI: -8.5 to -.5) and NYHA class IV (NICM vs ICM: -13.8% and -17%, respectively, 95% CI: -6.4 to -.59).

CONCLUSION

Among patients hospitalized with ADHF, patients with nonischemic etiology compared with the patients with ICM, have more severe RV dysfunction measured by RVfwLS, despite similar extent of LV impairment and the same functional limitation class.