Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction In Perspective

The SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a multicenter randomized trial

Patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) have a high burden of symptoms and functional limitations, and have a poor quality of life. By targeting cardiometabolic abmormalities, sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors may improve these impairments. In this multicenter, randomized trial of patients with HFpEF (NCT03030235), we evaluated whether the SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin improves the primary endpoint of Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire Clinical Summary Score (KCCQ-CS), a measure of heart failure-related health status, at 12 weeks after treatment initiation. Secondary endpoints included the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), KCCQ Overall Summary Score (KCCQ-OS), clinically meaningful changes in KCCQ-CS and -OS, and changes in weight, natriuretic peptides, glycated hemoglobin and systolic blood pressure. In total, 324 patients were randomized to dapagliflozin or placebo. Dapagliflozin improved KCCQ-CS (effect size, 5.8 points (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.3-9.2, P = 0.001), meeting the predefined primary endpoint, due to improvements in both KCCQ total symptom score (KCCQ-TS) (5.8 points (95% CI 2.0-9.6, P = 0.003)) and physical limitations scores (5.3 points (95% CI 0.7-10.0, P = 0.026)). Dapagliflozin also improved 6MWT (mean effect size of 20.1 m (95% CI 5.6-34.7, P = 0.007)), KCCQ-OS (4.5 points (95% CI 1.1-7.8, P = 0.009)), proportion of participants with 5-point or greater improvements in KCCQ-OS (odds ratio (OR) = 1.73 (95% CI 1.05-2.85, P = 0.03)) and reduced weight (mean effect size, 0.72 kg (95% CI 0.01-1.42, P = 0.046)). There were no significant differences in other secondary endpoints. Adverse events were similar between dapagliflozin and placebo (44 (27.2%) versus 38 (23.5%) patients, respectively). These results indicate that 12 weeks of dapagliflozin treatment significantly improved patient-reported symptoms, physical limitations and exercise function and was well tolerated in chronic HFpEF.

Hitzeman T, Cook‐Wiens G, Pepine CJ, Handberg E, Anderson RD, Petersen J, Hong T, M. Shaw R, Bairey Merz CN. Association of coronary microvascular dysfunction and cardiac bridge integrator 1, a cardiomyocyte dysfunction biomarker

BACKGROUND

Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is associated with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF); however, pathophysiology is not well described.

HYPOTHESIS

We hypothesized that CMD in women with suspected ischemia with no obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA) is associated with cardiomyocyte dysfunction reflected by plasma levels of a cardiomyocyte calcium handling protein, cardiac bridge integrator 1 (cBIN1).

METHODS

Women with suspected INOCA undergoing coronary function testing were included. Coronary flow reserve, vasodilation to nitroglycerin, change in coronary blood flow (ΔCBF), and vasodilation to acetylcholine (ΔAch) were evaluated. cBIN1 score (CS) levels in these women (n = 39) were compared to women with HFpEF (n = 20), heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) (n = 36), and reference controls (RC) (n = 50). Higher CS indicates cardiomyocyte tubule dysfunction.

RESULTS

INOCA, HFpEF, and HFrEF women were older than RC (p < .05). Higher CS was associated with vasoconstriction to acetylcholine (r = -0.43, p = .011) with a trend towards lower ΔCBF (r = 0.30, p = .086). Higher CS was specific for ΔAch and ΔCBF but had limited sensitivity. INOCA women had higher CS than RC, but lower CS than HFpEF/HFrEF groups (p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

CS, a plasma biomarker indicating poor cardiomyocyte health, was higher in women with suspected INOCA as compared to RC, but lower than in women with HFpEF. Elevated CS in suspected INOCA patients represents an intermediate group between health and disease, supporting the hypothesis that CMD may progress to HFpEF. Larger prospective cohort studies are needed to confirm the pathophysiological relationship between cBIN1, CMD, and HFpEF.

Blood Differential Gene Expression in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure and Systemic Iron Deficiency: Pathways Involved in Pathophysiology and Impact on Clinical Outcomes

Background: Iron deficiency is a common disorder in patients with heart failure and is related with adverse outcomes and poor quality of life. Previous experimental studies have shown biological connections between iron homeostasis, mitochondrial metabolism, and myocardial function. However, the mechanisms involved in this crosstalk are yet to be unfolded. Methods: The present research attempts to investigate the intrinsic biological mechanisms between heart failure and iron deficiency and to identify potential prognostic biomarkers by determining the gene expression pattern in the blood of heart failure patients, using whole transcriptome and targeted TaqMan^® low-density array analyses. Results: We performed a stepwise cross-sectional longitudinal study in a cohort of chronic heart failure patients with and without systemic iron deficiency. First, the full transcriptome was performed in a nested case-control exploratory cohort of 7 paired patients and underscored 1128 differentially expressed transcripts according to iron status (cohort1#). Later, we analyzed the messenger RNA levels of 22 genes selected by their statistical significance and pathophysiological relevance, in a validation cohort of 71 patients (cohort 2#). Patients with systemic iron deficiency presented lower mRNA levels of mitochondrial ferritin, sirtuin-7, small integral membrane protein 20, adrenomedullin and endothelin converting enzyme-1. An intermediate mitochondrial ferritin gene expression and an intermediate or low sirtuin7 and small integral membrane protein 20 mRNA levels were associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality and heart failure admission ((HR 2.40, 95% CI 1.04–5.50, p-value = 0.039), (HR 5.49, 95% CI 1.78–16.92, p-value = 0.003), (HR 9.51, 95% CI 2.69–33.53, p-value < 0.001), respectively). Conclusions: Patients with chronic heart failure present different patterns of blood gene expression depending on systemic iron status that affect pivotal genes involved in iron regulation, mitochondrial metabolism, endothelial function and cardiovascular physiology, and correlate with adverse clinical outcomes.

Association of Hyper-Polypharmacy With Clinical Outcomes in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

BACKGROUND

Polypharmacy is associated with a poor prognosis in the elderly, however, information on the association of polypharmacy with cardiovascular outcomes in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction is sparse. This study sought to investigate the relationship between polypharmacy and adverse cardiovascular events in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

METHODS

Baseline total number of medications was determined in 1758 patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction enrolled in the Americas regions of the TOPCAT trial (Treatment of Preserved Cardiac Function Heart Failure With an Aldosterone Antagonist), by 3 categories: nonpolypharmacy (<5 medications), polypharmacy (5-9), and hyper-polypharmacy (≥10). We examined the relationship of polypharmacy status with the primary outcome (cardiovascular death, HF hospitalization, or aborted cardiac arrest), hospitalizations for any reason, and serious adverse events.

RESULTS

The proportion of patients taking 5 or more medications was 92.5% (inclusive of polypharmacy [38.7%] and hyper-polypharmacy [53.8%]). Over a 2.9-year median follow-up, compared with patients with polypharmacy, hyper-polypharmacy was associated with an increased risk for the primary outcome, hospitalization for any reason and any serious adverse events in the univariable analysis, but not significantly associated with mortality. After multivariable adjustment for demographic and comorbidities, hyper-polypharmacy remained significantly associated with an increased risk for hospitalization for any reason (hazard ratio, 1.22 [95% CI, 1.05-1.41]; P=0.009) and any serious adverse events (hazard ratio, 1.23 [95% CI, 1.07-1.42]; P=0.005), whereas the primary outcome was no longer statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Hyper-polypharmacy was common and associated with an elevated risk of hospitalization for any reason and any serious adverse events in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. There were no significant associations between polypharmacy status and mortality.

Sleep-disordered breathing patterns in hospitalized patients with acute heart failure across the entire spectrum of ejection fraction

BACKGROUND

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is prevalent in heart failure (HF). Yet, scarce data exist on sleep-patterns in acute HF and differences in specific subgroups. Our goal was to assess SDB prevalence in hospitalized patients with decompensated HF across the entire spectrum of left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF).

METHODS

Single-center retrospective study enrolling patients admitted for acute HF between 2013 and 2018. All patients were screened for SDB with an ApneaLink™ Plus device before discharge while euvolemic and receiving oral therapy. Those with a sleep study time < 3 h were excluded. HF with reduced, moderately reduced, and preserved LVEF (HFrEF, HFmrEF, and HFpEF) was defined by a LVEF < 40%, 40-49%, and ≥ 50%, respectively. SDB was defined by an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 5/h.

RESULTS

Overall, 221 patients were included (mean age 75 ± 11 years). Seventy-two (33%) had HFrEF, 26 (11%) HFmrEF, and 123 (56%) HFpEF. In total, 176 (80%) met the criteria for mild SDB, while 59% and 38% had an AHI ≥ 15/h or ≥ 30/h, respectively. SDB prevalence was high and similar between HFrEF, HFmrEF, and HFpEF. Yet, SDB was often more severe in HFrEF when compared to HFpEF. HFmrEF had intermediate characteristics, with an AHI closer to HFrEF.

CONCLUSION

In a cohort of patients admitted for acute HF, SDB was highly prevalent in all subgroups, including HFmrEF. The pervasiveness and severity of SDB was particularly noted in HFrEF. These findings suggest that routine SDB screening may be warranted following acute HF.

Predominance of Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction in Postmenopausal Women: Intra- and Extra-Cardiomyocyte Maladaptive Alterations Scaffolded by Estrogen Deficiency

Heart failure (HF) remains a public health concern as it is associated with high morbidity and death rates. In particular, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) represents the dominant (>50%) form of HF and mostly occurring among postmenopausal women. Hence, the initiation and progression of the left ventricular diastolic dysfunctions (LVDD) (a typically clinical manifestation of HFpEF) in postmenopausal women have been attributed to estrogen deficiency and the loss of its residue cardioprotective effects. In this review, from a pathophysiological and immunological standpoint, we discuss the probable multiple pathomechanisms resulting in HFpEF, which are facilitated by estrogen deficiency. The initial discussions recap estrogen and estrogen receptors (ERs) and β-adrenergic receptors (βARs) signaling under physiological/pathological states to facilitate cardiac function/dysfunction, respectively. By reconciling these prior discussions, attempts were made to explain how the loss of estrogen facilitates the disruptions both ERs and βARs-mediated signaling responsible for; the modulation of intra-cardiomyocyte calcium homeostasis, maintenance of cardiomyocyte cytoskeletal and extracellular matrix, the adaptive regulation of coronary microvascular endothelial functions and myocardial inflammatory responses. By scaffolding the disruption of these crucial intra- and extra-cardiomyocyte physiological functions, estrogen deficiency has been demonstrated to cause LVDD and increase the incidence of HFpEF in postmenopausal women. Finally, updates on the advancements in treatment interventions for the prevention of HFpEF were highlighted.

Ivabradine Ameliorates Cardiac Function in Heart Failure with Preserved and Reduced Ejection Fraction via Upregulation of miR-133a

Heart failure (HF) is a clinical syndrome caused by impairment of ventricular filling, ejection of blood, or both and is categorized as HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) or HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) based on left ventricular function. Cardiac fibrosis contributes to left ventricular dysfunction and leads to the development of HF. Ivabradine, an If current selective specific inhibitor, has been shown to improve the prognosis of patients with HF. However, the effects of ivabradine on cardiac function and fibrosis in HFpEF and HFrEF and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. In the present study, we utilized mouse models to mimic HFpEF and HFrEF and evaluated the therapeutic effects of ivabradine. By treating mice with different doses (10 mg/kg/d and 20 mg/kg/d) of ivabradine for 4 or 8 weeks, we found that a high dose of ivabradine improved cardiac diastolic function in HFpEF mice and ameliorated cardiac diastolic and systolic function and ventricular tachycardia incidence in HFrEF mice. Moreover, ivabradine significantly reduced the activation of cardiac fibroblasts and myocardial fibrosis in mice. Mechanistically, microRNA-133a, which was upregulated by ivabradine, targeted connective tissue growth factor and collagen 1 in cardiac fibroblasts and might contribute to the protective role of ivabradine. Together, our work utilized mouse models to study HFpEF and HFrEF, demonstrated the protective role of ivabradine in HFpEF and HFrEF, and elucidated the potential underlying mechanism, which provides an effective strategy for related diseases.

Left Atrial Myopathy in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

The left atrium (LA) plays an important role in facilitating left ventricular (LV) filling by acting as a reservoir, passive conduit, and active booster pump, as well as a regulator of blood volume through A-type natriuretic peptide secretion in response to stimulation by mechanical stretch of the cavity. LA myopathy has emerged as one of the most important non-LV contributors to disease progression in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). LA dysfunction is common in HFpEF and is associated with more severe pulmonary vascular disease and right ventricular dysfunction, and increases the risk of incident atrial fibrillation or atrial functional mitral regurgitation, leading to limitations in cardiac output reserve and reduced exercise capacity. LA deformation assessed by 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography is useful for estimating abnormal hemodynamics or exercise capacity, discriminating HFpEF from non-cardiac dyspnea and is an independent predictor of adverse outcome in HFpEF. Thus, interventions directly targeting LA myopathy may improve outcomes in HFpEF with LA myopathy. This review provides information regarding the physiology of the LA in patients with HFpEF and discusses the importance of evaluation of LA function, management issues, and future directions through ongoing trials of medical interventions.

Comprehensive Physiological Modeling Provides Novel Insights Into Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction Physiology

Background

Although a rapid rise in left atrial pressure during exertion is considered pathognomonic of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), the fundamental circulatory determinants of this response are not clear, impacting upon the development of more effective therapies. We aimed to comprehensively describe the circulatory mechanics of patients with HFpEF at rest and during exercise in comparison with controls.

Methods and Results

We performed simultaneous right‐heart catheterization and echocardiography at rest and during exercise in 22 healthy control volunteers and 60 patients with confirmed HFpEF. Using detailed individual patient‐level hemodynamic and left ventricular ejection fraction data we performed computer simulations to evaluate the circulatory parameters including the estimated stressed blood volumethat contribute to the resting and exercise pulmonary capillary pressure. At rest and during exercise, left ventricular stiffness (V₃₀, the end‐diastolic pressure–volume relationship at a filling pressure of 30 mm Hg), left ventricular elastance, and arterial elastance were all significantly greater in HFpEF than in controls. Stressed blood volume was significantly greater in HFpEF (26.9±5.4 versus 20.2±4.7 mL/kg, P<0.001), becoming even more pronounced during exercise (40.9±3.7 versus 27.5±7.0 mL per 70 kg, P<0.001). During exercise, the magnitude of the change in stressed blood volume (r=0.67, P<0.001) and left ventricular stiffness (r=−0.44, P<0.001) were key determinants of the rise in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. Further detailed modeling studies showed that the hemodynamic response to exercise results from a complex non‐linear interaction between circulatory parameters.

Conclusions

The circulatory determinants of HFpEF physiology are complex. We identified stressed blood volume at rest and during exercise is a novel, key factor, therebyrepresenting an important potential therapeutic target.

Diuretic Resistance Treated with Low-Dose Hydralazine: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

We present a case of severe diuretic resistance and edema from acute cardiorenal syndrome complicating heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and mild alcoholic liver disease. High doses of intravenous (iv) furosemide plus iv doses of chlorothiazide failed to increase the daily urine output (UV) above 1,500 mL or the fractional excretion of sodium (FE_Na) above 2%. The addition of a relatively low dose of hydralazine (10 mg thrice daily PO) during 5 days of constant iv infusion of furosemide plus iv bolus chlorothiazide doubled the UV and FE_Na while reducing the serum creatinine concentration from 3.3 to 2.0 mg/dL. Hydralazine may have restored a response to the diuretics by increasing the renal blood flow and thereby the renal diuretic delivery, or by reducing the filtration fraction or reducing the renal congestion and thereby reducing the proximal reabsorption during blockade of distal reabsorption with diuretics. Further mechanistic studies of low-dose hydralazine for diuretic resistance are warranted.

Bariatric surgery decreases the number of future hospital admissions for diastolic heart failure in subjects with severe obesity: a retrospective analysis of the US National Inpatient Sample database

BACKGROUND

Considerable evidence documents the effectiveness and efficacy of bariatric surgery (BaS) in reducing the prevalence and severity of obesity-related co-morbidities. Diastolic heart failure (DHF) is a condition with considerable morbidity and mortality, yet recalcitrant to medical therapy.

OBJECTIVE

Our objectives were to assess whether BaS is associated with a decrease in hospital admissions for DHF and determine its impact upon DHF hospital admissions among patients with hypertension (HTN) and coronary artery disease (CAD).

SETTING

Academic institution.

METHODS

Data on 296 041 BaS cases and 2 004 804 controls with severe obesity were extracted from the US National Inpatient Sample database for the years 2010 to 2015 and compared. Univariate and multivariable analysis were performed to assess the impact of pre-2010 BaS on the rate of hospital admissions for DHF, adjusting for demographics, co-morbidities, and other risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD).

RESULTS

Relative to controls, all baseline CVD risk factors were less common among BaS cases. Nonetheless, even after adjusting for all CVD risk factors, controls exhibited marked increases in the odds of DHF overall (odds ratio = 2.80; 95% confidence interval = 2.52-3.10). Controls with HTN and CAD demonstrated an almost 3-fold increase in odds of DHF admissions. Similarly, controls with no HTN demonstrated a 5-fold increase in odds of admissions for DHF when compared to the surgical group.

CONCLUSIONS

In this retrospective, case control study of a large, representative national sample of patients with severely obesity, BaS was found to be associated with significantly reduced hospitalizations for DHF when adjusted for baseline CVD risk factors. It also reduced DHF incidence in high-risk patients with HTN and CAD.

Trends in Heart Failure Hospitalizations in the US from 2008 to 2018

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) is a major driver of health care costs in the United States and is increasing in prevalence. There is a paucity of contemporary data examining trends among hospitalizations for HF that specifically compare HF with reduced or preserved ejection fraction (HFrEF or HFpEF, respectively).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using the National Inpatient Sample, we identified 11,692,995 hospitalizations due to HF. Hospitalizations increased from 1,060,540 in 2008 to 1,270,360 in 2018. Over time, the median age of patients hospitalized because of HF decreased from 76.0 to 73.0 years (P < 0.001). There were increases in the proportions of Black patients (18.4% in 2008 to 21.2% in 2018) and of Hispanic patients (7.1% in 2008 to 9.0% in 2018; P < 0.001, all). Over the study period, we saw an increase in comorbid diabetes, sleep apnea and obesity (P < 0.001, all) in the entire cohort with HF as well as in the HFrEF and HFpEF subgroups. Persons admitted because of HFpEF were more likely to be white and older compared to admissions because of HFrEF and also had lower costs. Inpatient mortality decreased from 2008 to 2018 for overall HF (3.3% to 2.6%) and HFpEF (2.4% to 2.1%; P < 0.001, all) but was stable for HFrEF (2.8%, both years). Hospital costs, adjusted for inflation, decreased in all 3 groups across the study period, whereas length of stay was relatively stable over time for all groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The volume of patients hospitalized due to HF has increased over time and across subgroups of ejection fraction. The demographics of HF, HFrEF and HFpEF have become more diverse over time, and hospital inpatient costs have decreased, regardless of HF type. Inpatient mortality rates improved for overall HF and HFpEF admissions but remained stable for HFrEF admissions.

Exercise Intolerance in Older Adults With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: JACC State-of-the-Art Review

Exercise intolerance (EI) is the primary manifestation of chronic heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), the most common form of heart failure among older individuals. The recent recognition that HFpEF is likely a systemic, multiorgan disorder that shares characteristics with other common, difficult-to-treat, aging-related disorders suggests that novel insights may be gained from combining knowledge and concepts from aging and cardiovascular disease disciplines. This state-of-the-art review is based on the outcomes of a National Institute of Aging-sponsored working group meeting on aging and EI in HFpEF. We discuss aging-related and extracardiac contributors to EI in HFpEF and provide the rationale for a transdisciplinary, "gero-centric" approach to advance our understanding of EI in HFpEF and identify promising new therapeutic targets. We also provide a framework for prioritizing future research, including developing a uniform, comprehensive approach to phenotypic characterization of HFpEF, elucidating key geroscience targets for treatment, and conducting proof-of-concept trials to modify these targets.

Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase (SCD) Induces Cardiac Dysfunction with Cardiac Lipid Overload and Angiotensin II AT1 Receptor Protein Up-Regulation

Heart failure is a major cause of death worldwide with insufficient treatment options. In the search for pathomechanisms, we found up-regulation of an enzyme, stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (Scd1), in different experimental models of heart failure induced by advanced atherosclerosis, chronic pressure overload, and/or volume overload. Because the pathophysiological role of Scd1/SCD in heart failure is not clear, we investigated the impact of cardiac SCD upregulation through the generation of C57BL/6-Tg(MHCSCD)Sjaa mice with myocardium-specific expression of SCD. Echocardiographic examination showed that 4.9-fold-increased SCD levels triggered cardiac hypertrophy and symptoms of heart failure at an age of eight months. Tg-SCD mice had a significantly reduced left ventricular cardiac ejection fraction of 25.7 ± 2.9% compared to 54.3 ± 4.5% of non-transgenic B6 control mice. Whole-genome gene expression profiling identified up-regulated heart-failure-related genes such as resistin, adiponectin, and fatty acid synthase, and type 1 and 3 collagens. Tg-SCD mice were characterized by cardiac lipid accumulation with 1.6- and 1.7-fold-increased cardiac contents of saturated lipids, palmitate, and stearate, respectively. In contrast, unsaturated lipids were not changed. Together with saturated lipids, apoptosis-enhancing p53 protein contents were elevated. Imaging by autoradiography revealed that the heart-failure-promoting and membrane-spanning angiotensin II AT1 receptor protein of Tg-SCD hearts was significantly up-regulated. In transfected HEK cells, the expression of SCD increased the number of cell-surface angiotensin II AT1 receptor binding sites. In addition, increased AT1 receptor protein levels were detected by fluorescence spectroscopy of fluorescent protein-labeled AT1 receptor-Cerulean. Taken together, we found that SCD promotes cardiac dysfunction with overload of cardiotoxic saturated lipids and up-regulation of the heart-failure-promoting AT1 receptor protein.

Risk prediction model of in-hospital mortality in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and mid-range ejection fraction: a retrospective cohort study

Aim: To develop and validate internally a multivariate risk model for predicting the in-hospital mortality of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction (HFmrEF). Methods & results: The clinical data of 8172 inpatients with HFpEF and HFmrEF was used to establish a retrospective database. These patients, among whom 307 in-hospital deaths (3.8%) occurred, were randomly assigned to derivation and verification cohort. Among the extracted data from the derivation cohort were nine variables significantly related to in-hospital mortality, which were scored 0-4, for a total score of 24, which allowed formation of a risk predictive model. The verification cohort was then used to validate the discrimination and calibration capacities of this predictive model: the area under curve equaled 0.8575 (0.8285, 0.8865) for the derivation cohort, and 0.8323 (0.7999, 0.8646) for the verification cohort. According to this risk score, we divided patients into four risk classes (low-, medium-, high- and extremely high-risk) and revealed that the risk of in-hospital mortality increased with increasing risk class with an obvious linear relationship between actual and predicted mortality (r = 0.998, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The model based on nine common clinical variables should provide an accurate prediction of in-hospital mortality and appears to be a reliable risk classification system for patients with HFpEF and HFmrEF.

The Potential Therapeutic Role of Celastrol in Patients With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

Analysis of left ventricular systolic dysfunction remained at the centre of heart failure research for many years (also known as heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, HFrEF). Although more than 50% of all heart failure patients experience a form of heart failure characterised by preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), the pathophysiological mechanisms leading to this form of heart failure remain not well-understood. Several evidence-based treatments for HFrEF are in routine use, but there are limited evidence-based therapies for HFpEF. The effects of these remain controversial, with current treatment options being limited to managing the associated symptoms and conditions. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that pro-inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways play key roles in the development and progression of HFpEF, such as the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) and inducible nitric oxide synthase. Celastrol, derived from medicinal plants, is a bioactive compound with strong anti-inflammatory properties, which could deem it as fruitful in overcoming the effects of such dysregulated UPR. This literature review therefore focuses on Celastrol's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, alongside its other potential therapeutic activities, and its ability to impede the pathways that are thought to be involved in the development of HFpEF, such as the JAK2/STAT pathway, to elucidate the potential therapeutic role of this bioactive compound, in the treatment of HFpEF.

Device-Based Solutions to Improve Cardiac Physiology and Hemodynamics in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

Characterized by a rapidly increasing prevalence, elevated mortality and rehospitalization rates, and inadequacy of pharmaceutical therapies, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has motivated the widespread development of device-based solutions. HFpEF is a multifactorial disease of various etiologies and phenotypes, distinguished by diminished ventricular compliance, diastolic dysfunction, and symptoms of heart failure despite a normal ejection performance; these symptoms include pulmonary hypertension, limited cardiac reserve, autonomic imbalance, and exercise intolerance. Several types of atrial shunts, left ventricular expanders, stimulation-based therapies, and mechanical circulatory support devices are currently under development aiming to target one or more of these symptoms by addressing the associated mechanical or hemodynamic hallmarks. Although the majority of these solutions have shown promising results in clinical or preclinical studies, no device-based therapy has yet been approved for the treatment of patients with HFpEF. The purpose of this review is to discuss the rationale behind each of these devices and the findings from the initial testing phases, as well as the limitations and challenges associated with their clinical translation.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in Belgium: characteristics and outcome of a real-life cohort

BACKGROUND

Due to aging of the population and the increase of cardiovascular risk factors, heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a rising health issue. Few data exist on the phenotype of HFpEF patients in Belgium and on their prognosis.

OBJECTIVES

We describe clinical characteristics and outcomes of Belgian HFpEF patients.

METHODS

We prospectively enrolled 183 HFpEF patients. They underwent clinical examination, comprehensive biological analysis and echocardiography, and were followed for a combined outcome of all-cause mortality and first HF hospitalisation.

RESULTS

Belgian patients with HFpEF were old (78 ± 8 years), predominantly females (62%) with multiple comorbidities. Ninety-five per cent were hypertensive, 38% diabetic and 69% overweight. History of atrial fibrillation was present in 63% of population, chronic kidney disease in 60% and anaemia in 58%. Over 30 ± 9 months, 55 (31%) patients died, 87 (49%) were hospitalised and 111 (63%) reached the combined outcome. In multivariate Cox analysis, low body mass index (BMI), NYHA class III and IV, diabetes, poor renal function and loop diuretic intake were independent predictors of the combined outcome (p < .05). BMI and renal function were also independent predictors of mortality, as were low haemoglobin, high E/e' and poor right ventricular function.

CONCLUSION

Belgian patients with HFpEF are elderly patients with a high burden of comorbidities. Their prognosis is poor with high rates of hospitalisation and mortality. Although obesity is a risk factor for developing HFpEF, low BMI is the strongest independent predictor of mortality in those patients.

Heart Failure Syndrome With Preserved Ejection Fraction Is a Metabolic Cluster of Non-resolving Inflammation in Obesity

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is an emerging disease with signs of nonresolving inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and multiorgan defects. Moreover, based on the clinical signs and symptoms and the rise of the obesity epidemic, the number of patients developing HFpEF is increasing. From recent molecular and cellular studies, it becomes evident that HFpEF is not a single and homogenous disease but a cluster of heterogeneous pathophysiology with aging at the base of the pyramid. Obesity superimposed on aging drives the number of inflammatory pathways that intersect with metabolic dysfunction and suboptimal inflammation. Here, we compiled information on obesity-directed macrophage dysfunction that coincide with metabolic defects. Obesity-associated proinflammatory stimuli facilitates heart and interorgan inflammation in HFpEF. Furthermore, diversified mechanisms that drive heart failure urge the need of studying pervasive and unresolved inflammation in animal models to understand HFpEF. A broad and system-based approach will help to study major translational aspects of HFpEF, since no single animal model recapitulates all signs of differential HFpEF stages in the clinical setting. Here, we covered experimental models that target HFpEF and emphasized the advances observed with formyl peptide 2 (FPR2) receptor, a prime sensor that is important in inflammation-resolution signaling. Dysfunction of FPR2 led to the development of spontaneous obesity, impaired macrophage function, and triggered kidney fibrosis, providing evidence of multiorgan defects in HFpEF in an obesogenic aging experimental model.

Exercise training reduces brainstem oxidative stress and restores normal breathing function in heart failure

Enhanced central chemoreflex drive and irregular breathing are both hallmarks in heart failure (HF) and closely related to disease progression. Central chemoreceptor neurons located within the retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN) are known to play a role in breathing alterations in HF. It has been shown that exercise (EX) effectively reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) in HF rats. However, the link between EX and ROS, particularly at the RTN, with breathing alterations in HF has not been previously addressed. Accordingly, we aimed to determine: i) ROS levels in the RTN in HF and its association with chemoreflex drive, ii) whether EX improves chemoreflex/breathing function by reducing ROS levels, and iii) determine molecular alterations associated with ROS generation within the RTN of HF rats and study EX effects on these pathways. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated into 3 experimental groups: Sham (n = 5), volume overloaded HF (n = 6) and HF (n = 8) rats that underwent EX training for 6 weeks (60 min/day, 25 m/min, 10% inclination). At 8 weeks post-HF induction, breathing patterns and chemoreflex function were analyzed by unrestrained plethysmography. ROS levels and anti/pro-oxidant enzymes gene expression were analyzed in the RTN. Our results showed that HF rats have high ROS levels in the RTN which were closely linked to the enhanced central chemoreflex and breathing disorders. Also, HF rats displayed decreased expression of antioxidant genes in the RTN compared with control rats. EX training increases antioxidant defense in the RTN, reduces ROS formation and restores normal central chemoreflex drive and breathing regularity in HF rats. This study provides evidence for a role of ROS in central chemoreception in the setting of HF and support the use of EX to reduce ROS in the brainstem of HF animals and reveal its potential as an effective mean to normalize chemoreflex and breathing function in HF.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in humans and mice: embracing clinical complexity in mouse models

Heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a multifactorial disease accounting for a large and increasing proportion of all clinical HF presentations. As a clinical syndrome, HFpEF is characterized by typical signs and symptoms of HF, a distinct cardiac phenotype and raised natriuretic peptides. Non-cardiac comorbidities frequently co-exist and contribute to the pathophysiology of HFpEF. To date, no therapy has proven to improve outcomes in HFpEF, with drug development hampered, at least partly, by lack of consensus on appropriate standards for pre-clinical HFpEF models. Recently, two clinical algorithms (HFA-PEFF and H₂FPEF scores) have been developed to improve and standardize the diagnosis of HFpEF. In this review, we evaluate the translational utility of HFpEF mouse models in the context of these HFpEF scores. We systematically recorded evidence of symptoms and signs of HF or clinical HFpEF features and included several cardiac and extra-cardiac parameters as well as age and sex for each HFpEF mouse model. We found that most of the pre-clinical HFpEF models do not meet the HFpEF clinical criteria, although some multifactorial models resemble human HFpEF to a reasonable extent. We therefore conclude that to optimize the translational value of mouse models to human HFpEF, a novel approach for the development of pre-clinical HFpEF models is needed, taking into account the complex HFpEF pathophysiology in humans.

What Is the Status of Regenerative Therapy in Heart Failure?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Heart failure remains a major public health concern with high burden of morbidity and mortality despite advances in pharmacotherapy, device therapy, and surgical and percutaneous techniques. Cardiac regeneration may have a role to play in these patients with a huge unmet need for these therapies in patients with chronic ischemic heart disease, post-infarct heart failure, dilated cardiomyopathy, and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

RECENT FINDINGS

In this review, we focus on the pre-clinical and translational basis for different modes of cardiac regenerative medicine and then critically appraise the clinical evidence amassed from pivotal clinical trials focused on cardiac regeneration for ischemic and non-ischemic cardiomyopathies. Cardiac regenerative medicine is rapidly evolving with novel approaches involving cell-based, cell-free, tissue engineering, and hybrid therapies to achieve myocardial regeneration and repair. Further studies are warranted with a robust comparison arm with optimal contemporary medical therapy to translate regenerative therapies to a clinical reality.

Cardiac remodeling after anthracycline and radiotherapy exposure in adult survivors of childhood cancer: A report from the St Jude Lifetime Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Limited data exist regarding left ventricular remodeling patterns observed in adult survivors of childhood cancer after therapy.

METHODS

Among 1190 adult survivors diagnosed with childhood cancer (median age at diagnosis, 9 years [interquartile range (IQR), 3.8-14.4 years]; age at evaluation, 35.6 years [IQR, 29.5-42.8 years]), treatment exposures included anthracyclines (n = 346), chest radiotherapy (n = 174), both (n = 245), or neither (n = 425). Prospective echocardiographic assessment compared survivors with 449 noncancer controls classified according to left ventricle geometric patterns. Associations between left ventricle geometric patterns and decreased exercise tolerance were assessed.

RESULTS

Overall, 28.2% of survivors (95% confidence interval [CI], 25.6%-30.8%) exhibited concentric remodeling, 2.4% (95% CI, 1.6%-3.5%) exhibited eccentric hypertrophy, and 1.1% (95% CI, 0.6%-1.9%) exhibited concentric hypertrophy. A greater proportion of survivors who received only chest radiotherapy (41%) had concentric remodeling compared with those who received only anthracyclines (24%), both (27%), or neither (27%; all P < .001), and all were greater than the proportions in noncancer controls (18%; all P < .05). Concentric remodeling was associated with radiation exposure, but not with anthracycline exposure, in multivariable models. Survivors who had concentric remodeling were more likely to have a maximal oxygen uptake peak <85% compared with those who had normal geometry (81.0% vs 66.3%; odds ratio, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.15-2.68).

CONCLUSIONS

Chest radiation therapy, but not anthracycline therapy, increased the risk for concentric remodeling in survivors of childhood cancer. The presence of concentric remodeling was associated with increased exercise intolerance.

Intrarenal modulation of NF-κB activity attenuates cardiac injury in a swine model of CKD: a renal-cardio axis

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a high cardiovascular mortality. CKD and heart failure (HF) coexist in up to 50% of patients, and both associate with inflammation. We aimed to define the cardiac phenotype of a novel swine model of CKD and test the hypothesis that inflammation of renal origin propels the development of precursors of HF in CKD. CKD was induced in 14 pigs, which were followed for 14 wk. Renal (multidetector computed tomography) and cardiac (echocardiography) hemodynamics were quantified before and 8 wk after single intrarenal administration of placebo or a biopolymer-fused peptide inhibitor of NF-κB that blocks NF-κB activity and decreases inflammatory activity (SynB1-ELP-p50i). Blood was collected to quantify cytokines (TNF-α, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and interleukins), markers of inflammation (C-reactive protein), and biomarkers of HF (atrial and brain natriuretic peptides). Pigs were then euthanized, and kidneys and hearts were studied ex vivo. Normal pigs were used as time-matched controls. Renal dysfunction in CKD was accompanied by cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis, diastolic dysfunction, increased renal and cardiac expression of TNF-α, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and interleukins, canonical and noncanonical mediators of NF-κB signaling, circulating inflammatory factors, and biomarkers of HF. Notably, most of these changes were improved after intrarenal SynB1-SynB1-ELP-p50i, although cardiac inflammatory signaling remained unaltered. The translational traits of this model support its use as a platform to test novel technologies to protect the kidney and heart in CKD. A targeted inhibition of renal NF-κB signaling improves renal and cardiac function, suggesting an inflammatory renal-cardio axis underlying early HF pathophysiology in CKD.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive disorder with high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This work supports the role of inflammatory cytokines of renal origin in renal-cardio pathophysiology in CKD and that the heart may be a target. Furthermore, it supports the feasibility of a new strategy in a translational fashion, using targeted inhibition of renal NF-κB signaling to offset the development of cardiac injury in CKD.

Iron therapy in iron-deficiency patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: A protocol for meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Nearly half of patients with heart failure (HF) have preserved ejection fraction (EF) and the mortality and morbidity of patients with HF with preserved EF (HFpEF) are high. However, there is no established therapy to improve survival in these patients. HFpEF patients are often elderly and their primary chronic symptom is severe exercise intolerance. Thus, improvement of exercise capacity presents another important clinical outcome in HFpEF patients. Iron deficiency is common in HF patients, and the presence of iron deficiency, regardless of concomitant anemia, is associated with worse symptoms, impaired exercise capacity, and higher mortality and hospitalization in these patients. Several meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials reported that iron administration improved HF symptoms, exercise capacity, and clinical outcomes in iron-deficiency patients with HF with reduced EF. However, there is insufficient evidence as to the effect of iron administration in iron-deficiency HFpEF patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This meta-analysis will include randomized controlled trials on the effects of iron administration on HF symptoms, exercise capacity, and health-related quality of life in iron-deficiency HFpEF patients. Information of studies will be collected from PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov. The primary outcome will be exercise capacity (6-minute walking distance). The secondary outcomes will be HF symptoms, health-related quality of life, and mortality and hospitalization rates.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis will evaluate the effect of iron therapy in iron-deficiency HFpEF patients, providing evidence as to the iron administration in these patients.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42020205297.

The cardiac impact of cisplatin-based chemotherapy in survivors of testicular cancer: a 30-year follow-up

Aims

Cisplatin-based chemotherapy (CBCT) is essential in the treatment of metastatic testicular cancer (TC) but has been associated with long-term risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, cisplatin can be detected in the body decades after treatment. We aimed to evaluate the long-term impact of CBCT on cardiac function and morphology in TC survivors 30 years after treatment.

Methods and results

TC survivors treated with CBCT (1980–94) were recruited from the longitudinal Norwegian Cancer Study in Testicular Cancer Survivors and compared with a control group matched for sex, age, smoking status, and heredity for coronary artery disease. All participants underwent laboratory tests, blood pressure measurement, and 2D and 3D echocardiography including 2D speckle-tracking strain analyses. Ninety-four TC survivors, on average 60 ± 9 years old, received a median cumulative cisplatin dose of 780 mg (IQR 600–800). Compared with controls, TC survivors more frequently used anti-hypertensive (55% vs. 24%, P < 0.001) and lipid-lowering medication (44% vs. 18%, P < 0.001). TC survivors had worse diastolic function parameters with higher E/e′-ratio (9.8 ± 3.2 vs. 7.7 ± 2.5, P < 0.001), longer mitral deceleration time (221 ± 69 vs. 196 ± 57ms, P < 0.01), and higher maximal tricuspid regurgitation velocity (25 ± 7 vs. 21 ± 4 m/s, P = 0.001). The groups did not differ in left or right ventricular systolic function, prevalence of arrhythmias, or valvular heart disease. Cumulative cisplatin dose did not correlate with cardiac parameters.

Conclusion

No signs of overt or subclinical reduction in systolic function were identified. Long-term cardiovascular adverse effects three decades after CBCT may be limited to metabolic dysfunction and worse diastolic function in TC survivors.

Telmisartan ameliorates cardiac fibrosis and diastolic function in cardiorenal heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major contributor to the development of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), whereas the underlying mechanism of cardiorenal HFpEF is still elusive. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of cardiac fibrosis in a rat model of cardiorenal HFpEF and explore whether treatment with Telmisartan, an inhibitor of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), can ameliorate cardiac fibrosis and preserve diastolic function in cardiorenal HFpEF. Male rats were subjected to 5/6 subtotal nephrectomy (SNX) or sham operation (Sham), and rats were allowed four weeks to recover and form a stable condition of CKD. Telmisartan or vehicle was then administered p.o. (8 mg/kg/d) for 12 weeks. Blood pressure, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), echocardiography, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging were acquired to evaluate cardiac structural and functional alterations. Histopathological staining, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blot were performed to evaluate cardiac remodeling. SNX rats showed an HFpEF phenotype with increased BNP, decreased early to late diastolic transmitral flow velocity (E/A) ratio, increased left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and preserved ejection fraction (EF). Pathology revealed increased cardiac fibrosis in cardiorenal HFpEF rats compared with the Sham group, while chronic treatment with Telmisartan significantly decreased cardiac fibrosis, accompanied by reduced markers of fibrosis (collagen I and collagen III) and profibrotic cytokines (α-smooth muscle actin, transforming growth factor-β1, and connective tissue growth factor). In addition, myocardial inflammation was decreased after Telmisartan treatment, which was in a linear correlation with cardiac fibrosis. Telmisartan also reversed LV hypertrophy and E/A ratio, indicating that Telmisartan can improve LV remodeling and diastolic function in cardiorenal HFpEF. In conclusion, cardiac fibrosis is central to the pathology of cardiorenal HFpEF, and RAAS modulation with Telmisartan is capable of alleviating cardiac fibrosis and preserving diastolic dysfunction in this rat model.

Optimizing the discovery and assessment of therapeutic targets in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

There is an urgent need for models that faithfully replicate heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), now recognized as the most common form of heart failure in the world. In vitro approaches have several shortcomings, most notably the immature nature of stem cell‐derived human cardiomyocytes [induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)] and the relatively short lifespan of primary cardiomyocytes. Three‐dimensional ‘organoids’ incorporating mature iPSCs with other cell types such as endothelial cells and fibroblasts are a significant advance, but lack the complexity of true myocardium. Animal models can replicate many features of human HFpEF, and rodent models are the most common, and recent attempts to incorporate haemodynamic, metabolic, and ageing contributions are encouraging. Differences relating to species, physiology, heart rate, and heart size are major limitations for rodent models. Porcine models mitigate many of these shortcomings and approximate human physiology more closely, but cost and time considerations limit their potential for widespread use. Ex vivo analysis of failing hearts from animal models offer intriguing possibilities regarding cardiac substrate utilisation, but are ultimately subject to the same constrains as the animal models from which the hearts are obtained. Ex vivo approaches using human myocardial biopsies can uncover new insights into pathobiology leveraging myocardial energetics, substrate turnover, molecular changes, and systolic/diastolic function. In collaboration with a skilled cardiothoracic surgeon, left ventricular endomyocardial biopsies can be obtained at the time of valvular surgery in HFpEF patients. Critically, these tissues maintain their disease phenotype, preserving inter‐relationship of myocardial cells and extracellular matrix. This review highlights a novel approach, where ultra‐thin myocardial tissue slices from human HFpEF hearts can be used to assess changes in myocardial structure and function. We discuss current approaches to modelling HFpEF, describe in detail the novel tissue slice model, expand on exciting opportunities this model provides, and outline ways to improve this model further.

Acute heart failure in elderly patients: a review of invasive and non-invasive management

Acute heart failure (AHF) is a major cause of unplanned hospitalisations in the elderly and is associated with high mortality. Its prevalence has grown in the last years due to population aging and longer life expectancy of chronic heart failure patients. Although international societies have provided guidelines for the management of AHF in the general population, scientific evidence for geriatric patients is often lacking, as these are underrepresented in clinical trials. Elderly have a different risk profile with more comorbidities, disability, and frailty, leading to increased morbidity, longer recovery time, higher readmission rates, and higher mortality. Furthermore, therapeutic options are often limited, due to unfeasibility of invasive strategies, mechanical circulatory support and cardiac transplantation. Thus, the in-hospital management of AHF should be tailored to each patient's clinical situation, cardiopulmonary condition and geriatric assessment. Palliative care should be considered in some cases, in order to avoid unnecessary diagnostics and/or treatments. After discharge, a strict follow-up through outpatient clinic or telemedicine is can improve quality of life and reduce rehospitalisation rates. The aim of this review is to offer an insight on current literature and provide a clinically oriented, patient-tailored approach regarding assessment, treatment and follow-up of elderly patients admitted for AHF.

Skeletal Muscle Microvascular Dysfunction Manifests Early in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy

Aim: To perform a deep cardiac phenotyping of type II diabetes in a rat model, with the goal of gaining new insight into the temporality of microvascular dysfunction, cardiac dysfunction, and exercise intolerance at different stages of diabetes.

Methods and Results: Diabetes was reproduced using a non-obese, diet-based, low-dose streptozotocin model in male rats (29 diabetic, 11 control). Time-course monitoring over 10 months was performed using echocardiography, treadmill exercise, photoacoustic perfusion imaging in myocardial and leg skeletal muscle, flow-mediated dilation, blood panel, and histology. Diabetic rats maintained a normal weight throughout. At early times (4 months), a non-significant reduction (30%) emerged in skeletal muscle perfusion and in exercise tolerance. At the same time, diabetic rats had a normal, slightly lower ejection fraction (63 vs. 71% control, p < 0.01), grade 1 diastolic dysfunction (E/A = 1.1 vs. 1.5, isovolumetric relaxation time = 34 vs. 27 ms; p < 0.01), mild systolic dysfunction (ejection time = 69 vs. 57 ms, isovolumetric contraction time = 21 vs. 17 ms; p < 0.01), and slightly enlarged left ventricle (8.3 vs. 7.6 mm diastole; p < 0.01). Diastolic dysfunction entered grade 3 at Month 8 (E/A = 1.7 vs. 1.3, p < 0.05). Exercise tolerance remained low in diabetic rats, with running distance declining by 60%; in contrast, control rats ran 60% farther by Month 5 (p < 0.05) and always remained above baseline. Leg muscle perfusion remained low in diabetic rats, becoming significantly lower than control by Month 10 (33% SO₂ vs. 57% SO₂, p < 0.01). Myocardial perfusion remained normal throughout. Femoral arterial reactivity was normal, but baseline velocity was 25% lower than control (p < 0.05). High blood pressure appeared late in diabetes (8 months). Histology confirmed absence of interstitial fibrosis, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, or microvascular rarefaction in the diabetic heart. Rarefaction was also absent in leg skeletal muscle.

Conclusion: Reduced skeletal muscle perfusion from microvascular dysfunction emerged early in diabetic rats, but myocardial perfusion remained normal throughout the study. At the same time, diabetic rats exhibited exercise intolerance and early cardiac dysfunction, in which changes related to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) were seen. Importantly, skeletal muscle microvascular constriction

advanced significantly before the late appearance of hypertension. HFpEF phenotypes such as cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and rarefaction, which are typically associated with hypertension, were absent over the 10 month time-course of diabetes-related heart failure.

Myocardial Tissue Characterization in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: From Histopathology and Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Findings to Therapeutic Targets

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a complex clinical syndrome responsible for high mortality and morbidity rates. It has an ever growing social and economic impact and a deeper knowledge of molecular and pathophysiological basis is essential for the ideal management of HFpEF patients. The association between HFpEF and traditional cardiovascular risk factors is known. However, myocardial alterations, as well as pathophysiological mechanisms involved are not completely defined. Under the definition of HFpEF there is a wide spectrum of different myocardial structural alterations. Myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis, coronary microvascular dysfunction, oxidative stress and inflammation are only some of the main pathological detectable processes. Furthermore, there is a lack of effective pharmacological targets to improve HFpEF patients' outcomes and risk factors control is the primary and unique approach to treat those patients. Myocardial tissue characterization, through invasive and non-invasive techniques, such as endomyocardial biopsy and cardiac magnetic resonance respectively, may represent the starting point to understand the genetic, molecular and pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this complex syndrome. The correlation between histopathological findings and imaging aspects may be the future challenge for the earlier and large-scale HFpEF diagnosis, in order to plan a specific and effective treatment able to modify the disease's natural course.

Defining cardiac involvement in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Recent advances in cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) and other diagnostic techniques have made it easier to identify subclinical cardiac inflammation and dysfunction in the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). Herein, we systematically review the literature regarding cardiac involvement in IIM.

METHODS

We searched Medline and EMBASE from 1990-2020 using keywords related to IIM and cardiac disease. We included English language studies in adults with any immune-mediated, inflammatory muscle pathology.

RESULTS

We identified 10425 potentially relevant abstracts, of which 29 were included. Most frequently these included patients with polymyositis or dermatomyositis without symptomatic myocarditis. Five categories of cardiac investigation were used in these patients: cardiac enzyme testing, electrocardiography (ECG), transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), CMR and nuclear medicine testing. Patients with clinical myocarditis had universally abnormal cardiac troponin levels and ECG. Elevated cardiac troponin T was more common than troponin I (cTnI) and may correlate with disease activity, whereas cTnI was more specific for cardiac involvement. Non-specific ECG changes were common. The major finding on TTE was abnormal ejection fraction. Gross systolic dysfunction was unusual, but subclinical systolic dysfunction was reported in several studies. Abnormal diastolic function was common and may be associated with disease duration. Late gadolinium enhancement (reflecting regional necrosis or scar) and abnormal myocardial mapping parameters (reflecting myocardial inflammation, fibrosis and oedema) were frequently identified on CMR, suggesting significant subclinical myocardial pathology (despite typically normal ejection fraction).

CONCLUSION

Abnormal cardiac investigations are commonly found in asymptomatic IIM patients, which has potential prognostic and treatment implications.

Exercise intolerance in volume overload heart failure is associated with low carotid body mediated chemoreflex drive

Mounting an appropriate ventilatory response to exercise is crucial to meeting metabolic demands, and abnormal ventilatory responses may contribute to exercise-intolerance (EX-inT) in heart failure (HF) patients. We sought to determine if abnormal ventilatory chemoreflex control contributes to EX-inT in volume-overload HF rats. Cardiac function, hypercapnic (HCVR) and hypoxic (HVR) ventilatory responses, and exercise tolerance were assessed at the end of a 6 week exercise training program. At the conclusion of the training program, exercise tolerant HF rats (HF + EX-T) exhibited improvements in cardiac systolic function and reductions in HCVR, sympathetic tone, and arrhythmias. In contrast, HF rats that were exercise intolerant (HF + EX-inT) exhibited worse diastolic dysfunction, and showed no improvements in cardiac systolic function, HCVR, sympathetic tone, or arrhythmias at the conclusion of the training program. In addition, HF + EX-inT rats had impaired HVR which was associated with increased arrhythmia susceptibility and mortality during hypoxic challenges (~ 60% survival). Finally, we observed that exercise tolerance in HF rats was related to carotid body (CB) function as CB ablation resulted in impaired exercise capacity in HF + EX-T rats. Our results indicate that: (i) exercise may have detrimental effects on cardiac function in HF-EX-inT, and (ii) loss of CB chemoreflex sensitivity contributes to EX-inT in HF.

Clinical and Genetic Analysis of KATP Variants With Heart Failure Risk in Patients With Decreased Serum ApoA-I Levels

CONTEXT

Lower serum concentration of apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I) is causally associated with heart failure (HF) risk. Adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channels (KATP), as gating channels coupling vascular reactivity and metabolism with ischemic protection, become a new potential target of management for HF. The KATP gene sequence is highly polymorphic and has a high degree of genetic heterogeneity.

OBJECTIVE

This work aimed to determine whether KATP variants predict the risks of decreased ApoA-I concentration and its related HF.

METHODS

A total of 634 individuals, including 317 patients with decreased ApoA-I concentration (< 120 mg/dL) and 317 counterpart participants (≥ 120 mg/dL), were retrospectively selected. Five KATP variants were genotyped through the MassARRAY platform. Exosome-derived microRNAs (exo-miRs) expression profiles were identified by next-generation sequencing, and the top 10 differentially expressed (DE) exo-miRs were verified using quantitative polymerase chain reaction in a validation cohort of 240 individuals with decreased ApoA-I concentration.

RESULTS

KATP rs141294036 was related to an increased risk of lower ApoA-I levels (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.95, P = .002) and HF incidence (adjusted OR = 2.38, P = .009), especially heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF; adjusted OR = 2.13, P = .015). After a median 48.6-month follow-up, participants carrying the CC genotype of rs141294036 were associated with an elevated HF rehospitalization risk (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.91, P = .005). Thirty-six exo-miRs were significantly DE between different genotypes of rs141294036 in participants with lower ApoA-I levels, but only 5 exo-miRs (miR-31-5p, miR-126-5p, miR-106a-5p, miR-378i, and miR-181c-5p) were further confirmed.

CONCLUSION

KATP rs141294036 was associated with increased risks of lower ApoA-I levels, HF incidence (especially HFpEF), and HF rehospitalization in those with the 5 confirmed exo-miRs and its related metabolic pathways.

Diabetes and heart failure notions from epidemiology including patterns in low-, middle- and high-income countries

About 463 million people are currently living with diabetes and 64 million with heart failure and in addition, substantial proportions of both diseases are undiagnosed. At ages above 65 years prevalence of diabetes is estimated to be around 19% and heart failure at least 10%. In the western world, incidence of both diabetes and heart failure are slightly decreasing while prevalent cases are increasing in high as well as middle and low-income countries due to a general increased longevity and successful prevention and treatment of cardiac disease and of diabetes complications. Therefore, we will see an increase of epidemic proportions of both diabetes and heart failure if novel preventive strategies are not appropriately introduced. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are both major contributors to the development of heart failure and the combination of diabetes and heart failure severely affects prognosis. In addition, the changing faces of diabetes complications have resulted in heart failure more often being the first manifestation of cardiac complications. An updated scenario on diabetes and heart failure epidemiology to health care providers is important in order to direct resources towards effective preventive strategies.

Management of hypertension in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: is there a blood pressure goal?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Hypertension remains a leading risk factor for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and elevated blood pressure (BP) portends an adverse prognosis in patients with established HFpEF. We summarize current evidence for mechanisms linking hypertension to HFpEF and management of hypertension in HFpEF.

RECENT FINDINGS

Data suggest a complex, multifactorial pathophysiology driving the association between hypertension and HFpEF, including left ventricular hypertrophy, diastolic dysfunction, atrial dysfunction, coronary microvascular disease, endothelial dysfunction, myocardial injury and fibrosis. Although intensive BP control may attenuate these processes, this hypothesis has not been tested on clinical outcomes in a dedicated randomized controlled trial (RCT) in HFpEF. Antihypertensive therapies variably improve key surrogate markers in HFpEF, though BP reduction generally does not account for these benefits. Accordingly, BP targets are extrapolated from observational studies and RCTs testing heart failure therapies that affect BP in addition to dedicated RCT data in patients at elevated risk (without heart failure).

SUMMARY

Clinicians should recognize the risk of disease progression and poor outcomes associated with uncontrolled hypertension in HFpEF. Intensive BP control, preferably by therapies known to improve outcomes in heart failure, may slow key pathways in disease progression. Future RCTs testing intensified BP control strategies in HFpEF are warranted.

Menopausal symptoms and risk of heart failure: a retrospective analysis from Taiwan National Health Insurance Database

Aims

Women with menopausal symptoms show evidence of accelerated epigenetic ageing, vascular aging and low‐grade systemic inflammation status. However, data are limited regarding menopausal symptoms and risk of heart failure (HF). We aimed to explore the impact of menopausal symptoms on risk of HF.

Methods

We included 14 340 symptomatic menopausal women without a history of coronary heart disease (CHD) or HF from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database as the experimental cohort. We included 14 340 asymptomatic women matched for age and comorbidities as controls. We surveyed possible comorbidity‐attributable risks of HF and assessed whether menopausal symptoms play a role in risk of HF. Additional analyses were conducted to ascertain the association of CHD and HF in different risk factor burdens categories in both cohorts and CHD was applied as a sensitivity analysis.

Results

The incidence of HF was not significantly lower in the experimental than in the control cohort (4.87 vs. 5.06 per 1000 person‐years, P = 0.336). Participants with a higher comorbidity burden had a proportionally increased risk of HF and CHD in both cohorts. The burden of risk factors had a greater impact on risk of HF in the control than in the experimental cohort (≥five risk factors, adjusted hazard ratio 25.69 vs. 14.75). Participants undergoing hormone therapy had no significant effect on the risk of HF, regardless of the presence or absence of menopausal symptoms. Subgroup analysis revealed that compared with the control cohort, the risk of HF in the experimental cohort did not increase significantly in all subgroups.

Conclusions

Menopausal symptoms were associated with CHD risk but not with risk of HF. Traditional risk factors rather than menopausal symptoms play important roles in the HF risk among middle‐aged women.

Incidence of atrial fibrillation, ischaemic heart disease and heart failure in patients with diabetes

Background

Diabetes has strongly been linked to atrial fibrillation, ischaemic heart disease and heart failure. The epidemiology of these cardiovascular diseases is changing, however, due to changes in prevalence of obesity-related conditions and preventive measures. Recent population studies on incidence of atrial fibrillation, ischaemic heart disease and heart failure in patients with diabetes are needed.

Methods

A dynamic longitudinal cohort study was performed using primary care databases of the Julius General Practitioners’ Network. Diabetes status was determined at baseline (1 January 2014 or upon entering the cohort) and participants were followed-up for atrial fibrillation, ischaemic heart disease and heart failure until 1 February 2019. Age and sex-specific incidence and incidence rate ratios were calculated.

Results

Mean follow-up was 4.2 years, 12,168 patients were included in the diabetes group, and 130,143 individuals in the background group. Incidence rate ratios, adjusted for age and sex, were 1.17 (95% confidence interval 1.06–1.30) for atrial fibrillation, 1.66 (1.55–1.83) for ischaemic heart disease, and 2.36 (2.10–2.64) for heart failure. Overall, incidence rate ratios were highest in the younger age categories, converging thereafter.

Conclusion

There is a clear association between diabetes and incidence of the major chronic progressive heart diseases, notably with heart failure with a more than twice increased risk.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12933-021-01313-7.

Pathophysiology of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a major public health problem that affects half of all patients with HF. It is rising in prevalence, is associated with high morbidity and mortality, and has very few effective treatments. HFpEF is currently understood as a heterogeneous syndrome originating from the interplay of cardiac and extracardiac abnormalities. The most important pathophysiology in patients with HFpEF is diastolic dysfunction, which presents with impairments in relaxation or increases in chamber stiffness that lead to an increase in left ventricular filling pressures at rest or during exercise that causes dyspnea.

Current Status of Pharmacologic and Nonpharmacologic Therapy in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a significantly symptomatic disease and has a poor prognosis similar to that of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Contrary to HFrEF, HFpEF is difficult to diagnose, and the recommended diagnostic algorithm of HFpEF is complicated. Several therapies for HFpEF have failed to reduce mortality or morbidity. HFpEF is thought to be a complex and heterogeneous systemic disorder that has various phenotypes and multiple comorbidities. Therefore, therapeutic strategies of HFpEF need to change depending on the phenotype of the patient. This review highlights the pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment of HFpEF.

Stress Testing in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

Exertional dyspnea is the most common symptom in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction; however, it is not specific to this disease. Stress testing provides crucial information about the diagnosis and prognosis of heart failure with preserved ejection before it reaches the advanced stage. Among various stress tests, noninvasive supine bicycle diastolic stress echocardiography has provided the most evidence for diagnosing and predicting the prognosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. In current practice guidelines, a noninvasive or invasive diastolic stress test is recommended when a diagnosis is unclear in resting echocardiography.

Valvular Disease and Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a clinical syndrome of shortness of breath and/or exercise intolerance secondary to elevated left ventricular filling pressures at rest or with exertion either as a result of primary diastolic dysfunction (primary HFpEF) or secondary to specific underlying causes (secondary HFpEF). In secondary HFpEF, early intervention of underlying valvular heart disease generally improves symptoms and prolongs survival. In primary HFpEF, there is increasing awareness of the existence and prognostic implications of secondary atrioventricular valve regurgitation. Further studies will clarify their mechanisms and the effectiveness of valvular intervention in this intriguing HFpEF subgroup.

Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiological Aspects in the Context of COVID-19 and Obesity

Obesity is a significant public health concern associated with high morbidity. Obese patients are at risk of severe COVID-19 infection, and obesity is a high-risk factor for admission to the intensive care unit. We aimed to write a narrative review of cardiac and pulmonary pathophysiological aspects of obese patients in the context of COVID-19 infection. Obesity affects lung volume, with a decrease in expiratory reserve volume, which is associated with a decrease in lung and chest wall compliance, an increase in airway resistance, and an increase in work of breathing. Obesity affects cardiac structure and hemodynamics. Obesity is a risk factor for hypertension and cardiovascular disorders. Moreover, obesity is associated with a low-grade inflammatory state, endothelial dysfunction, hyperinsulinemia, and metabolic disorders. Obesity is associated with severe COVID-19 and invasive mechanical ventilation. These previous cardiopulmonary pathological aspects may explain the clinical severity in obese patients with COVID-19. Obese patients are at risk of severe COVID-19 infection. Understanding cardiorespiratory pathophysiological aspects may help physicians manage patients in hospitals.

Current Prevalence, Incidence, and Outcomes of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

The current trends of prevalence, incidence, and mortality in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction are summarized. We describe the differences in the definitions of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction used in community-based studies, heart failure registries, and clinical trials. The worldwide prevalence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction is approximately 2%; it is becoming the dominant form of heart failure owing to the aging population. The longitudinal trend of mortality in this disease is decreasing, and the risk of mortality is similar between heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

Invasive Hemodynamics in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: Importance of Detecting Pulmonary Vascular Remodeling and Right Heart Function

Heart failure (HF) is an ongoing crisis reaching epidemic proportions worldwide. About 50% of HF patients have a preserved ejection fraction. Invasive hemodynamics have shown varied results in patients who have HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). This article attempts to summarize the importance of detecting pulmonary vascular remodeling in HFpEF using invasive hemodynamics. Incorporating newer invasive hemodynamic parameters such as diastolic pulmonary gradient, pulmonary arterial compliance, pulmonary vascular resistance, and pulmonary arterial pulsatility index may improve patient selection for studies used in defining advanced therapies and clinical outcomes. Profiling of patients using invasive hemodynamic parameters may lead to better patient selection for clinical research.

Resveratrol Ameliorates Cardiac Remodeling in a Murine Model of Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

Objective: Accumulating evidence suggested that resveratrol (RES) could protect against adverse cardiac remodeling induced by several cardiovascular diseases. However, the role of RES in the setting of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and the underlying mechanisms of its action remain understood. This study was to determine whether RES could ameliorate HFpEF-induced cardiac remodeling and its mechanisms.

Methods:In vivo, C57BL/6 mice served as either the sham or the HFpEF model. The HFpEF mice model was induced by uninephrectomy surgery and d-aldosterone infusion. RES (10 mg/kg/day, ig) or saline was administered to the mice for four weeks. In vitro, transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) was used to stimulate neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) and Ex-527 was used to inhibit sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) in CFs. Echocardiography, hemodynamics, western blotting, quantitative real-time PCR, histological analysis, immunofluorescence, and ELISA kits were used to evaluate cardiac remodeling induced by HFpEF. Sirt1 and Smad3 expressions were measured to explore the underlying mechanisms of RES.

Results: HFpEF mice developed left ventricular hypertrophy, preserved ejection fraction, diastolic dysfunction, and pulmonary congestion. Moreover, HFpEF mice showed increased infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages into the heart, including increased interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. We also observed elevated M1 macrophages and decreased M2 macrophages, which were exhibited by increased mRNA expression of M1 markers (iNOS, CD86, and CD80) and decreased mRNA expression of M2 markers (Arg1, CD163, and CD206) in HFpEF hearts. Moreover, HFpEF hearts showed increased levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Importantly, HFpEF mice depicted increased collagen-I and -III and TGF-β mRNA expressions and decreased protein expression of phosphorylated endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (p-eNOS). Results of western blot revealed that the activated TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathway mediated HFpEF-induced cardiac remodeling. As expected, this HFpEF-induced cardiac remodeling was reversed when treated with RES. RES significantly decreased Smad3 acetylation and inhibited Smad3 transcriptional activity induced by HFpEF via activating Sirt1. Inhibited Sirt1 with Ex-527 increased Smad3 acetylation, enhanced Smad3 transcriptional activity, and offset the protective effect of RES on TGF-β–induced cardiac fibroblast–myofibroblast transformation in CFs.

Conclusion: Our results suggested that RES exerts a protective action against HFpEF-induced adverse cardiac remodeling by decreasing Smad3 acetylation and transcriptional activity via activating Sirt1. RES is expected to be a novel therapy option for HFpEF patients.

Growth hormone-releasing hormone agonists ameliorate chronic kidney disease-induced heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Therapies for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are lacking. Growth hormone-releasing hormone agonists (GHRH-As) have salutary effects in ischemic and nonischemic heart failure animal models. Accordingly, we hypothesized that GHRH-A treatment ameliorates chronic kidney disease (CKD)-induced HFpEF in a large-animal model. Female Yorkshire pigs (n = 16) underwent 5/6 nephrectomy via renal artery embolization and 12 wk later were randomized to receive daily subcutaneous injections of GHRH-A (MR-409; n = 8; 30 µg/kg) or placebo (n = 8) for 4 to 6 wk. Renal and cardiac structure and function were serially assessed postembolization. Animals with 5/6 nephrectomy exhibited CKD (elevated blood urea nitrogen [BUN] and creatinine) and faithfully recapitulated the hemodynamic features of HFpEF. HFpEF was demonstrated at 12 wk by maintenance of ejection fraction associated with increased left ventricular mass, relative wall thickness, end-diastolic pressure (EDP), end-diastolic pressure/end-diastolic volume (EDP/EDV) ratio, and tau, the time constant of isovolumic diastolic relaxation. After 4 to 6 wk of treatment, the GHRH-A group exhibited normalization of EDP (P = 0.03), reduced EDP/EDV ratio (P = 0.018), and a reduction in myocardial pro-brain natriuretic peptide protein abundance. GHRH-A increased cardiomyocyte [Ca²⁺] transient amplitude (P = 0.009). Improvement of the diastolic function was also evidenced by increased abundance of titin isoforms and their ratio (P = 0.0022). GHRH-A exerted a beneficial effect on diastolic function in a CKD large-animal model as demonstrated by improving hemodynamic, structural, and molecular characteristics of HFpEF. These findings have important therapeutic implications for the HFpEF syndrome.