Association of Left Ventricular Systolic Function With Incident Heart Failure in Late Life

A deep patient-similarity learning framework for the assessment of diastolic dysfunction in elderly patients

AIMS

Age-related changes in cardiac structure and function are well recognized and make the clinical determination of abnormal left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) particularly challenging in the elderly. We investigated whether a deep neural network (DeepNN) model of LVDD, previously validated in a younger cohort, can be implemented in an older population to predict incident heart failure (HF).

METHODS AND RESULTS

A previously developed DeepNN was tested on 5596 older participants (66-90 years; 57% female; 20% Black) from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. The association of DeepNN predictions with HF or all-cause death for the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Stage A/B (n = 4054) and Stage C/D (n = 1542) subgroups was assessed. The DeepNN-predicted high-risk compared with the low-risk phenogroup demonstrated an increased incidence of HF and death for both Stage A/B and Stage C/D (log-rank P < 0.0001 for all). In multi-variable analyses, the high-risk phenogroup remained an independent predictor of HF and death in both Stages A/B {adjusted hazard ratio [95% confidence interval (CI)] 6.52 [4.20-10.13] and 2.21 [1.68-2.91], both P < 0.0001} and Stage C/D [6.51 (4.06-10.44) and 1.03 (1.00-1.06), both P < 0.0001], respectively. In addition, DeepNN showed incremental value over the 2016 American Society of Echocardiography/European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (ASE/EACVI) guidelines [net re-classification index, 0.5 (CI 0.4-0.6), P < 0.001; C-statistic improvement, DeepNN (0.76) vs. ASE/EACVI (0.70), P < 0.001] overall and maintained across stage groups.

CONCLUSION

Despite training with a younger cohort, a deep patient-similarity-based learning framework for assessing LVDD provides a robust prediction of all-cause death and incident HF for older patients.

Association of thyroid dysfunction in individuals ≥ 65 years of age with subclinical cardiac abnormalities

CONTEXT

The relationship between thyroid dysfunction and measures of myocardial disease in older individuals remains to be defined.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of thyroid dysfunction on structure and function of the left-heart chambers and blood markers of cardiac disease.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional analysis.

SETTING

The Cardiovascular Health Study, a community-based cohort of older individuals recruited from four urban areas in the United States.

PATIENTS

Of 3163 participants studied, 2477 were euthyroid, 465 had subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH), 47 overt hypothyroidism (OH), 45 endogenous (endo) subclinical hyperthyroidism (endo-SCT), and 129 had exogenous (exo) SCT due to thyroid hormone supplementation.

INTERVENTIONS

Clinical evaluation, blood sampling and biomarker measurement, 2-dimensional and speckle-tracking echocardiography.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Left heart myocardial deformation, circulating biomarkers of diastolic overload (NT-proBNP), fibrosis (sST2, gal-3), and cardiomyocyte injury (hs-cTnT).

RESULTS

SCH was associated with higher NT-proBNP (beta = 0.17, p = 0.004), whereas OH was associated with higher hs-cTnT (beta = 0.29, p = 0.005). There were also suggestive associations of SCH with higher sST2, as well as endo-SCT with higher gal-3 and lower (worse) left atrial reservoir strain. Left ventricular longitudinal strain and end-diastolic strain rate did not differ significantly from euthyroid participants in SCH, OH, or exo-SCT.

CONCLUSIONS

In this free-living elderly cohort, subclinical and overt hypothyroidism were associated with abnormalities of blood biomarkers consistent with diastolic overload and myocardial necrosis respectively, whereas subclinical hyperthyroidism tended to be associated with myocardial fibrosis and decreased left atrial strain. Our findings could represent stage B heart failure and illuminate distinct aspects of the pathobiology of heart disease related to thyroid gland dysfunction with potential clinical implications.

Effects of intensive blood-pressure treatment on myocardial work in elderly hypertensive patients: A subcenter study of the STEP randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The benefits and safety of intensive blood pressure treatment in elderly hypertensive patients have been proved in the STEP trial. However, relevant mechanisms for intensive treatment are lacking.

HYPOTHESIS

We aimed to explore whether intensive blood pressure treatment is associated with left ventricular systolic function changes as evaluated by myocardial work (MW) parameters in elderly hypertensive patients compared to the standard.

METHODS

Patients were randomized to the intensive group (n = 66, median age 66 years, 42.4% male) with a systolic blood pressure (SBP) goal of 110 to <130 mmHg or the standard treatment group (n = 50, median age 63.5 years, 30% male) with an SBP goal of 130-<150 mmHg in this subcenter study of the STEP trial. There was no pre-randomization echocardiographic collected. Echocardiographic exam was produced at 1-year (phase 1) and 3-year (phase 2) post-randomization.

RESULTS

In phase 1, SBP was already significantly lower in the intensive treatment group than in the standard treatment group (126.5 vs. 132.1 mmHg, p < .05). During a median follow-up of 40 months, in phase 2, the intensive group still had a lower SBP than the standard treatment group (125.0 vs. 135.3 mmHg, p < .05). Both global work index (GWI) and global constructive work (GCW) decreased significantly in phase in the intensive treatment group but not in the standard group (p < .05). Global wasted work (GWW) increased and global work efficiency (GWE) declined in both groups from phase 1 to phase 2 while no significant difference between the treatment effects. Similarly, left ventricular ejection function (LVEF) and global longitudinal strain (GLS) decreased in the two groups. The multivariate linear regression analysis showed the intensive treatment appeared to be an independent predictor of the ΔGWI (β = -110.92; 95% CI, -197.78 to -30.07, p = .008) and ΔGCW (β = -135.11; 95% CI, -220.33 to -49.88, p = .002).

CONCLUSIONS

In elderly hypertensive patients, lower SBP was associated with decreased GWI and GCW and intensive BP treatment did not improve global MW efficiency.

Bidirectional Association Between Frailty and Cardiac Structure and Function: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

Background Frailty and heart failure frequently coexist in late life. Limited data exist regarding the longitudinal associations of frailty and subclinical cardiac dysfunction. We aim to quantify the association of frailty with longitudinal changes in cardiac function and of cardiac function with progression in frailty status in older adults. Methods and Results Participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities cohort underwent frailty assessments at Visit 5 (V5; 2011-2013), V6 (2016-2017), and V7 (2018-2019), and echocardiographic assessments at V5 and V7. We assessed the association between frailty status at V5 and changes in frailty status from V5 to V7 and changes in cardiac function over 6 years. We then evaluated the association of cardiac function measured at Visit 5 with progression in frailty status over 4 years. Multivariable regression models adjusted for demographics and comorbidities. Among 2574 participants free of heart failure at V5 and V7 (age 74±4 years at V5 and 81±4 years at V7), 3% (n=83) were frail. Frailty at V5 was associated with greater left atrial volume index and E/e' ratio at V5 and 7. Participants who transitioned from robust at V5 to frail at V7 demonstrated greater increases in left ventricular mass index, left atrial volume index, and E/e' over the same period. Among 1648 robust participants at Visit 5, greater left ventricular mass index and mean wall thickness, lower tissue Doppler imaging e', and higher E/e' ratio at Visit 5 were associated with progression in frailty status. Conclusions Among robust, older adults free of heart failure, progression in frailty and subclinical left ventricular remodeling and diastolic dysfunction are interrelated.

Cardiac Structure and Function Across the Spectrum of Aldosteronism: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

BACKGROUND

Aldosterone production and mineralocorticoid receptor activation are implicated in myocardial fibrosis and cardiovascular events.

METHODS

Cardiac structure and function were assessed in 4547 participants without prevalent heart failure (HF) in the ARIC study (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities), with echocardiography, aldosterone, and plasma renin activity measurement (2011-2013). Subjects were characterized by plasma renin activity as suppressed (≤0.5 ng/mL per hour) or unsuppressed (>0.5 ng/mL per hour). Cross-sectional relationships with cardiac structure and function, and longitudinal relationships with outcomes (HF hospitalization; HF and all-cause death; HF, death, myocardial infarction, and stroke; and incident atrial fibrillation) were assessed. Models were adjusted for demographic and anthropometric characteristics and additively, for blood pressure and antihypertensives.

RESULTS

Evidence of primary aldosteronism physiology was prevalent (11.6% with positive screen) and associated with echocardiographic parameters. Renin suppression was associated with greater left ventricular mass, left ventricular volumes, and left atrial volume index, and a lower E/A ratio (adjusted P<0.001 for all). Higher aldosterone was associated with greater left ventricular mass and lower global longitudinal strain and lateral E'. The highest tertile of aldosterone was associated with a hazard ratio of 1.37 (95% CI, 1.06-1.77; 5.5-year follow-up) for incident atrial fibrillation relative to the lowest. Renin suppression was associated with HF (hazard ratio, 1.34 [95% CI, 1.05-1.72]; 7.3-year follow-up), although these relationships did not remain statistically significant after additional adjustment for hypertension.

CONCLUSIONS

Renin suppression and aldosterone excess, consistent with primary aldosteronism pathophysiology, were associated with cardiac structural and functional alterations and may represent an early target for mitigation of fibrosis with mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists.

Genetic variation in sodium glucose co-transporter 1 and cardiac structure and function at middle age

Aims

The effects of inhibition of sodium glucose cotransporter (SGLT)‐1, as opposed to SGLT2, on cardiovascular structure and function are not well known. We assessed the associations of a missense genetic variant of SGLT1 with cardiac structure and function.

Methods and results

We evaluated associations of a functionally modifying variant of SLC5A1 (rs17683011 [p.Asn51Ser]), the gene that encodes SGLT1, with cardiac structure and function on echocardiography among middle‐aged adults in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study. Of 1904 participants (55.3 ± 3.5 years, 57% female, 34% Black), 166 (13%) White participants and 18 (3%) Black participants had at least one copy of rs17683011. There were no significant differences in age, sex, body mass index, glucose, or diabetes status by the presence of the rs17683011 variant. In Black participants, the presence of at least one copy of the rs17683011 variant was significantly associated with better GLS compared with those without a copy of the variant after covariate adjustment (−15.8 ± 0.7% vs. −14.0 ± 0.1%, P = 0.02). Although the direction of effect was consistent, the association between the presence of at least one copy of rs17683011 and GLS was not statistically significant in White participants (−15.1 ± 0.2% vs. −14.8 ± 0.1%, P = 0.16). There were no significant associations between rs17683011 and other measures of LV structure, systolic function, or diastolic function.

Conclusions

The rs17683011 variant, a functionally modifying variant of the SGLT1 gene, was associated with higher GLS among middle‐age adults. These exploratory findings require further validation and suggest that SGLT1 inhibition may have beneficial effects upon LV systolic function.

Prognostic Value of Global Longitudinal Strain in Patients With Heart Failure With Improved Ejection Fraction

OBJECTIVES

The authors sought to determine whether global longitudinal strain (GLS) is independently associated with the natural history of patients with heart failure (HF) with improved ejection fraction (HFimpEF).

BACKGROUND

Left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) often improves in patients with reduced EF. The clinical course of patients with HFimpEF, however, is quite variable. GLS, a sensitive indicator of LV systolic function, could help predict risk of future events in this population.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of HF patients with LVEF >40% on index echocardiogram who had LVEF <40% on initial study and improvement of ≥10%. GLS was assessed by 2-dimensional speckle-tracking software on index echocardiography. Primary outcome was time to first occurrence of cardiovascular mortality or HF hospitalization/emergency treatment.

RESULTS

Of the 289 patients with HFimpEF, median absolute values of GLS (aGLS) and LVEF from index echocardiography were 12.7% (IQR: 10.8%-14.7%) and 52% (IQR: 46%-58%), respectively. Over 53 months following index echocardiography, the primary endpoint occurred less frequently in patients with aGLS above the median than below it (21% vs 34%; P = 0.014); HR of 0.51; 95% CI: 0.33-0.81; P = 0.004. When assessed as a continuous variable, each 1% increase in aGLS on index echocardiogram was associated with a lower likelihood of the composite endpoint; HR of 0.86; 95% CI: 0.79-0.93; P < 0.001, an association that persisted after multivariable adjustment; HR 0.90; 95% CI: 0.82-0.97; P = 0.01. Lower aGLS was associated with increased likelihood of deterioration in LVEF.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with HFimpEF, GLS is a strong predictor for future HF events and deterioration in cardiac function.

Depressive Symptoms, Cardiac Structure and Function, and Risk of Incident Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction and Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction in Late Life

Background Depressive symptoms are associated with heightened risk of heart failure (HF), but their association with cardiac function and with HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) in late life is unclear. We aimed to determine the prevalence of depression in HFpEF and in HFrEF in late life, and the association of depressive symptoms with cardiac function and incident HFpEF and HFrEF. Methods and Results We studied 6025 participants (age, 75.3±5.1 years; 59% women; 20% Black race) in the ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) study at visit 5 who underwent echocardiography and completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale questionnaire. Among HF-free participants (n=5086), associations of Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale score with echocardiography and incident adjudicated HFpEF and HFrEF were assessed using multivariable linear and Cox proportional hazards regression. Prevalent HFpEF, but not HFrEF, was associated with a higher prevalence of depression compared with HF-free participants (P<0.001 and P=0.59, respectively). Among HF-free participants, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale score was not associated with cardiac structure and function after adjusting for demographics and comorbidities (all P>0.05). Over 5.5-year follow-up, higher Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale score was associated with heightened risk of incident HFpEF (hazard ratio [HR] [95% CI], 1.06 [1.04-1.12]; P=0.02), but not HFrEF (HR [95% CI], 1.02 [0.96-1.08]; P=0.54), independent of echocardiographic measures, NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide), troponin, and hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) (HR [95% CI], 1.06 [1.00-1.12]; P=0.04). Conclusions Worse depressive symptoms predict incident HFpEF in late life, independent of common comorbidities, cardiac structure and function, and prognostic biomarkers. Further studies are necessary to understand the mechanisms linking depression to risk of HFpEF.

Layer-specific global longitudinal strain and the risk of heart failure and cardiovascular mortality in the general population: the Copenhagen City Heart Study

AIMS

Layer-specific global longitudinal strain (GLS) has been demonstrated to predict outcome in various patient cohorts. However, little is known regarding the prognostic value of layer-specific GLS in the general population and whether different layers entail differential prognostic information. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic value of whole wall (GLS_WW ), endomyocardial (GLS_Endo ), and epimyocardial (GLS_Epi ) GLS in the general population.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 4013 citizens were included in the present study. All 4013 had two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography performed and analysed. Outcome was a composite endpoint of incident heart failure and/or cardiovascular death. Mean age was 56 years and 57% were female. During a median follow-up time of 3.5 years, 133 participants (3.3%) reached the composite outcome. Sex modified the relationship between all GLS parameters and outcome. In sex-stratified analysis, no GLS parameter remained significant predictors of outcome in females. In contrast, GLS_WW [hazard ratio (HR) 1.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.31, per 1% decrease] and GLS_Epi (HR 1.19, 95% CI 1.04-1.38, per 1% decrease) remained as significant predictors of outcome in males after multivariable adjustment (including demographic, clinical, biochemistry, and echocardiographic parameters). Lastly, only in males did GLS parameters provide incremental prognostic information to general population risk models.

CONCLUSIONS

In the general population, sex modifies the prognostic value of GLS resulting in GLS_Epi being the only layer-specific prognosticator in males, while no GLS parameter provides independent prognostic information in females.

Classification of Heart Failure According to Ejection Fraction: JACC Review Topic of the Week

The recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded indication for sacubitril/valsartan introduces a new potential taxonomy for heart failure, with no reference to "preserved" ejection fraction but referring to "below normal" ejection fraction as those most likely to benefit. This review summarizes the evolution of nomenclature in heart failure and examines evidence showing that patients with ejection fraction in the "mid range" may benefit from neurohormonal blockade similar to those with more severely reduced (<40%) ejection fraction. Furthermore, prominent sex differences have been observed wherein the benefit of neurohormonal blockade appears to extend to a higher ejection fraction range in women compared to men. Based on emerging evidence, revised nomenclature is proposed defining heart failure with "reduced" (<40%), "mildly reduced," and "normal" (≥55% in men, ≥60% in women) ejection fraction. Such nomenclature signals consideration of potentially beneficial therapies in the largest group of patients with reduced or mildly reduced ejection fraction.