Does initial and delayed heart rate predict mortality in patients with acute coronary syndromes?

Guideline for the application of heart rate and heart rate variability in occupational medicine and occupational health science

This updated guideline replaces the "Guideline for the application of heart rate and heart rate variability in occupational medicine and occupational health science" first published in 2014. Based on the older version of the guideline, the authors have reviewed and evaluated the findings on the use of heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) that have been published in the meantime and incorporated them into a new version of this guideline.This guideline was developed for application in clinical practice and research purposes in the fields of occupational medicine and occupational science to complement evaluation procedures with respect to exposure and risk assessment at the workplace by the use of objective physiological workload indicators. In addition, HRV is also suitable for assessing the state of health and for monitoring the progress of illnesses and preventive medical measures. It gives an overview of factors influencing the regulation of the HR and HRV at rest and during work. It further illustrates methods for measuring and analyzing these parameters under standardized laboratory and real workload conditions, areas of application as well as the quality control procedures to be followed during the recording and evaluation of HR and HRV.

Association between admission heart rate and in-hospital mortality in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and respiratory failure: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) combined with respiratory failure (RF) is a chronic respiratory disease that seriously endangers human health. This study aimed to specifically evaluate the relationship between admission heart rate (AHR) and in-hospital mortality in patients with combined AECOPD and RF to better inform clinical treatment.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included 397 patients admitted to a Chinese hospital between January 2021 and March 2023. The primary outcome measure was all-cause in-hospital mortality. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to calculate adjusted hazard ratios (OR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI), and curve fitting and threshold effect were performed to address nonlinear relationships.

RESULTS

In total, 397 patients with AECOPD/RF were screened. The mean (± SD) age of the study cohort was 72.6 ± 9.5 years, approximately 49.4% was female, and the overall in-hospital mortality rate was 5%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and smooth curve fitting revealed a nonlinear association between AHR and in-hospital mortality in the study population, with 100 beats/min representing the inflection point. Left of the inflection point, the effect size (OR) was 0.474 (95% CI 0.016 ~ 13.683; p = 0.6635). On the right side, each 1 beat/min increase in AHR resulted in an effect size (OR) of 1.094 (95% CI 1.01 ~ 1.186; p = 0.0281).

CONCLUSIONS

Results of the present study demonstrated a nonlinear relationship between AHR and in-hospital mortality in patients with AECOPD/RF. When AHR was < 100 beats/min, it was not statistically significant; however, AHR > 100 beats/min was a predictor of potential mortality, which increased by 9.4% for every 1 beat/min increase in AHR.

Association between admission heart rate and major adverse cardiovascular events in acute myocardial infarction participants with different left ventricular ejection fraction

BACKGROUND

This study intended to investigate the independent effect of admission heart rate (HR) on the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients with different left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) levels.

METHODS

The study was a secondary analysis of the Acute Coronary Syndrome Quality Improvement in Kerela Trial. The relationship between admission HR and 30-day adverse outcomes in AMI patients with different LVEF levels was detected using a Logistic regression model. Interaction tests were used to compare the effects of different subgroups on HR and MACEs.

RESULTS

Our study enrolled 18,819 patients. In both partially and fully adjusted models (Model1 and Model2), the risk of MACEs was highest in patients with HR ≥ 120 (OR: 1.62, 95%CI: (1.16, 2.26), P = 0.004, Model1; OR: 1.46, 95%CI: (1.00, 2.12), P = 0.047, Model2). There was a significant interaction between LVEF and HR (P for interaction = 0.003). Meanwhile, the trend test for this association showed that HR was positively and significantly associated with the MACEs in LVEF≥40% group (OR (95%CI): 1.27 (1.12, 1.45), P < 0.001). However, in LVEF<40% group, the trend test was not statistically significant (OR (95%CI): 1.09 (0.93, 1.29), P = 0.269).

CONCLUSION

This study found that elevated admission HR was associated with a significantly higher risk for MACEs in patients admitted with AMI. Elevated admission HR was significantly associated with the risk of MACEs in AMI patients without low LVEF but not those with low LVEF (<40%). LVEF levels should be considered when evaluating the association between admission HR and the prognosis of AMI patients in the future.

Increased discharge heart rate might be associated with increased short-term mortality after acute coronary syndrome

BACKGROUND

In acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients there are mostly studies evaluating prognostic value of admission heart rate. We tried to understand the prognostic value of discharge heart rate in a spectrum of ACS patients.

METHODS

A total of 473 consecutive ACS patients were included in the study. Forty-three (9.1%) of them were unstable angina pectoris, 268 (56.7%) were non-ST elevation myocardial infarction and 162 (34.2%) of them were ST elevation myocardial infarction patients. Discharge heart rates of the patients were recorded and the patients were followed-up for 1 year. The primary end-point was all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 64 ± 12. The patients were divided into three subgroups according to discharge heart rates (<78, 78-89, ≥90 beats per minute). Patients with a higher discharge heart rate had higher serum troponin, glucose levels and higher admission heart rates, had lower ejection fraction values and had acute heart failure complication more frequently than the patients with a lower discharge heart rate. A total of 72(16%) patients died during 1 year follow-up. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, an increased discharge heart rate was independently associated with 1-month mortality after ACS, but it was not independently associated with 6-month or 1-year mortality after ACS. Every 1 bpm increase in discharge heart rate resulted in a significant increased risk of 8.2% in 1-month all-cause mortality.

CONCLUSION

Increased heart rate at discharge is an independent predictor of 1-month mortality in ACS patients. This relationship disappears after 1-month through 1-year follow-up.

The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study

BACKGROUND

Resting heart rate can predict cardiovascular disease. Heart rate increases with tobacco smoking, but its association with cannabis use is unclear. We studied the association between current and cumulative cannabis use and heart rate.

METHODS

We used data from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study, a large prospective cohort of 5115 Black and white women and men followed over 30 years. We explored the association between cannabis exposure and heart rate, adjusted for demographic factors, cardiovascular risk factors, alcohol and other illicit drug use, physical activity, and beta-blockers, in mixed longitudinal models censoring participants with cardiovascular disease.

RESULTS

CARDIA participants contributed to 35,654 individual examinations over 30 years. At the Year 30 examination, 471 out of 3269 (14%) currently used cannabis. In multivariable adjusted models, compared to no current use, using cannabis 5 times per month was associated with lower heart rate of -0.7 beats per minute (95% confidence interval: -1.0 to -0.3), and daily use with lower heart rate of -2.1 beats per minute (95% confidence interval: -3.0 to -1.3, overall P < .001). Cumulative exposure to cannabis use was not associated with heart rate.

CONCLUSION

Recent current cannabis use was associated with lower resting heart rate. The findings appeared to be transient because past cumulative exposure to cannabis was not associated with heart rate. This adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting a lack of deleterious association of cannabis use at a level typical of the general population on surrogate outcomes of cardiovascular disease.

Effect of Presence versus Absence of Hypertension on Admission Heart Rate-Associated Cardiovascular Risk in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Background and Aims

Heart rate (HR) and hypertension are both important risk factors for adverse cardiovascular (CV) events in patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD). We sought to evaluate whether hypertension can modify the effect of admission HR on adverse CV events in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Methods

A total of 1056 patients with ACS undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were analyzed. All patients were classified into three groups according to the tertiles of admission HR (T1: ≤66 bpm, n = 369; T2: 67–73 bpm, n = 322; and T3: ≥74 bpm, n = 365). The primary endpoint was defined as major adverse CV events (MACEs), including all-cause death, stroke, myocardial infarction, or unplanned repeat revascularization. The multivariate Cox regression model was performed to evaluate the association of admission HR with MACE stratified by hypertension.

Results

During the median follow-up of 30 months, a total of 232 patients developed at least one event. After adjusting for other covariates, elevated admission HR was significantly associated with an increased risk of MACE only in patients with hypertension (when T1 was taken as a reference, the adjusted HR of T2 was 1.143 [95% CI: 0.700–1.864] and that of T3 was 2.062 [95% CI: 1.300–3.270]); however, in patients without hypertension, admission HR was not associated with the risk of MACE (when T1 was taken as a reference, the adjusted HR of T2 was 0.744 [0.406–1.364] and that of T3 was 0.614 [0.342–1.101]) (P=0.025 for interaction).

Conclusions

In patients with ACS undergoing PCI, the association of elevated admission HR with an increased risk of MACE was present in individuals with hypertension but not in those without hypertension. This finding suggests a potential benefit of HR control for ACS patients when they concomitantly have hypertension.

What possibly affects nighttime heart rate? Conclusions from N-of-1 observational data

Background

Heart rate (HR), especially at nighttime, is an important biomarker for cardiovascular health. It is known to be influenced by overall physical fitness, as well as daily life physical or psychological stressors like exercise, insufficient sleep, excess alcohol, certain foods, socialization, or air travel causing physiological arousal of the body. However, the exact mechanisms by which these stressors affect nighttime HR are unclear and may be highly idiographic (i.e. individual-specific). A single-case or “ n-of-1” observational study (N1OS) is useful in exploring such suggested effects by examining each subject's exposure to both stressors and baseline conditions, thereby characterizing suggested effects specific to that individual.

Objective

Our objective was to test and generate individual-specific N1OS hypotheses of the suggested effects of daily life stressors on nighttime HR. As an N1OS, this study provides conclusions for each participant, thus not requiring a representative population.

Methods

We studied three healthy, nonathlete individuals, collecting the data for up to four years. Additionally, we evaluated model-twin randomization (MoTR), a novel Monte Carlo method facilitating the discovery of personalized interventions on stressors in daily life.

Results

We found that physical activity can increase the nighttime heart rate amplitude, whereas there were no strong conclusions about its suggested effect on total sleep time. Self-reported states such as exercise, yoga, and stress were associated with increased (for the first two) and decreased (last one) average nighttime heart rate.

Conclusions

This study implemented the MoTR method evaluating the suggested effects of daily stressors on nighttime heart rate, sleep time, and physical activity in an individualized way: via the N-of-1 approach. A Python implementation of MoTR is freely available.

Heart rate trajectories in patients recovering from acute myocardial infarction: A longitudinal analysis of Apple Watch heart rate recordings

Background

Using mobile health, vital signs such as heart rate (HR) can be used to assess a patient’s recovery process from acute events including acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Objective

We aimed to characterize clinical correlates associated with HR change in the subacute period among patients recovering from AMI.

Methods

HR measurements were collected from 91 patients (4447 HR recordings) enrolled in the MiCORE study using the Apple Watch and Corrie smartphone application. Mixed regression models were used to estimate the associations of patient-level characteristics during hospital admission with HR changes over 30 days postdischarge.

Results

The mean daily HR at admission was 78.0 beats per minute (bpm) (95% confidence interval 76.1 to 79.8), declining 0.2 bpm/day (-0.3 to -0.1) under a linear model of HR change. History of coronary artery bypass graft, history of depression, or being discharged on anticoagulants was associated with a higher admission HR. Having a history of hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), or hyperlipidemia was associated with a slower decrease in HR over time, but not with HR during admission.

Conclusion

While a declining HR was observed in AMI patients over 30 days postdischarge, patients with hypertension, T2DM, or hyperlipidemia showed a slower decrease in HR relative to their counterparts. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using wearables to model the recovery process of patients with AMI and represents a first step in helping pinpoint patients vulnerable to decompensation.

Minimum heart rate and mortality in critically ill myocardial infarction patients: an analysis of the MIMIC-III database

Background

Low minimum heart rate (MHR) is common in critically ill myocardial infarction (MI) patients. However, the association between MHR and the mortality of critically ill MI patients remains unclear.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, a total of 2,031 critically ill MI patients were enrolled from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC)-III database. Patients were divided into a low MHR group [MHR <60 beats per minute (bpm)] and a high MHR group (MHR ≥60 bpm). A Cox proportional hazard model was used to elucidate the association between these two groups and the mortality of MI patients. The association between mortality and MHR as a continuous variable was analyzed non-parametrically using restricted cubic splines. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to determine the impact of different admission heart rate, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and vasopressor use on our results.

Results

MI patients in the low MHR group had higher 30-day and 1-year mortality than those in the high MHR group (20.59% vs. 10.91%, P<0.001 and 29.76% vs. 19.31%, P<0.001, respectively). After adjustment, the low MHR group was significantly correlated with 30-day mortality [hazard ratio, 1.779, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.400-2.261, P<0.001] and 1-year mortality (hazard ratio, 1.537, 95% CI, 1.272-1.859, P<0.001). This correlation remained remarkable in patients with low or high admission heart rate, with or without hypertension, and with or without atrial fibrillation. An apparent L-curve relationship was observed between the 30-day mortality or 1-year mortality and MHR as a continuous variable.

Conclusions

MHR under 60 bpm may be associated with a higher risk for both 30-day and 1-year mortality in critically ill MI patients. These findings highlight the possibility of MHR as an early risk indicator and potential therapeutic target for mortality in critically ill MI patients, which warrants further investigation.

Cardiovascular autonomic nervous system dysfunction in chronic kidney disease and end-stage kidney disease: disruption of the complementary forces

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Several nontraditional risk factors have been the focus of research in an attempt to understand the disproportionately high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) populations. One such category of risk factors is cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction. Its true prevalence in the CKD/ESKD population is unknown but existing evidence suggests it is common. Due to lack of standardized diagnostic and treatment options, this condition remains undiagnosed and untreated in many patients. In this review, we discuss current evidence pointing toward the role of autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction in CKD, building off of crucial historical evidence and thereby highlighting the areas in need for future research interest.

RECENT FINDINGS

There are several key mediators and pathways leading to cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction in CKD and ESKD. We review studies exploring the mechanisms involved and discuss the current measurement tools and indices to evaluate the ANS and their pitfalls. There is a strong line of evidence establishing the temporal sequence of worsening autonomic function and kidney function and vice versa. Evidence linking ANS dysfunction and arrhythmia, sudden cardiac death, intradialytic hypotension, heart failure and hypertension are discussed.

SUMMARY

There is a need for early recognition and referral of CKD and ESKD patients suspected of cardiovascular ANS dysfunction to prevent the downstream effects described in this review.There are many unknowns in this area and a clear need for further research.

Resting heart rate control and prognosis in coronary artery disease patients with hypertension previously treated with bisoprolol: a sub-group analysis of the BISO-CAD study

BACKGROUND

Resting heart rate (RHR) is considered as a strong predictor of total mortality and hospitalization due to heart failure in hypertension patients. Bisoprolol fumarate, a second-generation beta-adrenoreceptor blockers (β-blocker) is commonly prescribed drug to manage hypertension. The present study was to retrospectively evaluate changes in the average RHR and its association with cardiovascular outcomes in bisoprolol-treated coronary artery disease (CAD) patients from the CAD treated with bisoprolol (BISO-CAD) study who had comorbid hypertension.

METHODS

We performed ad-hoc analysis for hypertension sub-group of the BISO-CAD study (n = 866), which was a phase IV, multination, multi-center, single-arm, observational study carried out from October 2011 to July 2015 across China, South Korea, and Vietnam. Multivariate regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with incidence of composite cardiac clinical outcome (CCCO), the results were presented as adjusted odds ratio (OR) along with 95% confidence interval (CI) and adjusted P value.

RESULTS

A total of 681 patients (mean age: 64.77 ± 10.33 years) with hypertension from BISO-CAD study were included in the analysis. Bisoprolol improved CCCOs in CAD patients with comorbid hypertension, with RHR <65 and <70 beats/min compared with RHR ≥65 and ≥75 beats/min, respectively, in the efficacy analysis (EA) set. In addition, it lowered RHR in both intent-to-treat (ITT) and EA groups after 6, 12, and 18 months of treatment. Further, RHR 70 to 74 beats/min resulted in significantly higher risk of CCCOs EA set of patients (adjusted OR: 4.34; 95% CI: 1.19-15.89; P = 0.03). Also, events of hospitalization due to acute coronary syndrome were higher when RHR 69 to 74 beats/min compared to RHR <69 beats/min in ITT patients.

CONCLUSION

Bisoprolol can effectively reduce RHR in Asian CAD patients with comorbid hypertension and hence, improve CCCO without affecting their blood pressure.

Effect of resting heart rate on the risk of all-cause death in Chinese patients with hypertension: analysis of the Kailuan follow-up study

OBJECTIVE

Previous studies have shown that an elevated heart rate is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular events. This study aimed to prospectively examine the relationship between resting heart rate (RHR) and all-cause mortality in Chinese patients with hypertension.

DESIGN

An observational, prospective and population-based cohort study.

SETTING

The Kailuan cohort study was conducted in Tangshan City in northern China.

PARTICIPANTS

We enrolled 46 561 patients who did not receive beta-blocker treatment and were diagnosed with hypertension for the first time during an employee health examination in Kailuan Group in 2006 and 2008.

OUTCOME

The primary outcome of this study was all-cause mortality.

METHODS

The patients in this study were followed for 9.25±1.63 years. All patients were followed up face to face every 2 years. According to the distribution of RHR in the study population, RHR was categorised into five groups on the basis of quintiles: Q1: RHR ≤68 beats per minute (bpm); Q2: RHR >68 and ≤72 bpm; Q3: RHR >72 and ≤76 bpm; Q4: RHR >76 and ≤82 bpm; Q5: RHR >82 bpm. Cox proportional hazards model, which was adjusted for traditional risk factors, was used.

RESULTS

During follow-up, 4751 deaths occurred. After adjustment for potential confounders, restricted cubic spline regression showed that the risk of all-cause mortality increased with heart rate. In multivariate Cox regression analyses adjusted for age, sex and major covariates, the HR for all-cause mortality was 1.31 (95% CI 1.27 to 1.33) in the highest quintile group (Q5) compared with the lowest quintile group (Q1).

CONCLUSION

An increase in RHR is a long-term risk factor of all-cause mortality in Chinese patients with hypertension.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ChiCTR-TNC-11001489.

Association between Resting Heart Rate and Colorectal Cancer: Results from a Case-Controlled Study

Previous studies evaluating associations between resting heart rate (RHR) and cancer-related mortality/prognosis have yielded conflicting results. We investigated whether elevations in RHR are associated with colorectal cancer (CRC). We conducted a case-controlled study involving 1241 CRC patients and 5909 cancer-free controls from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. After propensity score (PS) matching, 1207 CRC patients and 1207 matched controls were analyzed. Associations between RHR and CRC, colon, and rectal cancer were analyzed in appropriate patient subgroups using multiple and conditional logistic regression. Receiver operating characteristics analysis yielded the optimal RHR cut-point to predict CRC. RHR was significantly higher in CRC, colon, and rectal cancer patients than in controls (72.7 bpm in CRC, 72.8 bpm in colon cancer, 72.3 bpm in rectal cancer, and 68.7 bpm in controls; all p < 0.001). Analysis of data prior to PS matching yielded the following odds ratios (ORs) per RHR increment for CRC, colon, and rectal cancer: 1.043 (95% confidence intervals (CIs): 1.036–1.049), 1.045 (95% CI: 1.037–1.053), and 1.040 (95% CI: 1.030–1.051), respectively, in unadjusted models, and 1.043 (95% CI: 1.034–1.051), 1.046 (95% CI: 1.037–1.055), and 1.040 (95% CI: 1.027–1.052), respectively, in multivariable adjusted models. Patients with CRC, colon, and rectal cancer have a significantly higher RHR compared to cancer-free controls.

Admission Heart Rate Is Associated With Coronary Artery Disease Severity and Complexity in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome

We evaluated the relationship between admission heart rate (HR) and coronary artery disease severity and complexity in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). A total of 884 patients (mean age 59 [11] years, 24.7% female) who underwent coronary angiography for ACS and were treated with primary or selective percutaneous coronary intervention were included in this cross-sectional study. The measurement of admission HR was based on the first available resting electrocardiogram after admission. The SYNTAX score (SS) was calculated. Patients with an SS ≤ 22 (n = 538) were classified as the low SS group and those with an SS > 22 (n = 346) were classified as the intermediate-to-high SS group. Admission HR was greater in the intermediate-to-high SS group compared with the low SS group (75 [10] bpm vs 67 [8] bpm, P < .001). Admission HR was positively and significantly correlated with the SS (r = 0.475, P < .001). After multivariate analysis, admission HR (per 1 standard deviation, ie, 10 bpm) remained an independent predictor of intermediate-to-high SS (odds ratio: 3.135, 95% confidence interval: 2.538-3.873, P < .001). Admission HR is independently and positively associated with the SS. Thus, elevated admission HR may be useful to identify patients with ACS with a high coronary atherosclerotic plaque burden.

Discharge Heart Rate After Hospitalization for Myocardial Infarction and Long-Term Mortality in 2 US Registries

Background Although admission heart rate predicts higher mortality after acute myocardial infarction ( AMI ), less is known about discharge heart rate. We tested the hypothesis that higher discharge heart rate after AMI is related to increased long-term mortality independent of admission heart rate, and assessed whether β blockers modify this relationship. Methods and Results In 2 prospective US multicenter registries of AMI , we evaluated the associations of discharge and admission heart rate with 3-year mortality using Cox models. Among 6576 patients with AMI , discharge heart rate was modestly associated with initial heart rate ( r=0.28), comorbidities, and infarct severity. In this cohort, 10.7% did not receive β blockers at discharge. After full adjustment for demographic, psychosocial, and clinical covariates, discharge heart rate (hazard ratio [HR]=1.14 per 10 beats per minute [bpm]; 95% CI =1.07-1.21 per 10 bpm) was more strongly associated with risk of death than admission heart rate (HR=1.05 per 10 bpm; 95% CI=1.02-1.09 per 10 bpm) when both were entered in the same model ( P=0.043 for comparison). There was a significant interaction between discharge heart rate and β-blocker use ( P=0.004) on mortality, wherein risk of death was markedly higher among those with high discharge heart rate and not on β blockers (HR=1.35 per 10 bpm; 95% CI=1.19-1.53 per 10 bpm) versus those with a high discharge heart rate and on β blockers at discharge (HR=1.10 per 10 bpm; 95% CI=1.03-1.17 per 10 bpm). Conclusions Higher discharge heart rate after AMI was more strongly associated with 3-year mortality than admission heart rate, and the risk associated with higher discharge heart rate was modified by β blockers at discharge. These findings highlight opportunities for risk stratification and intervention that will require further investigation.

Impact of heart rate in atrial fibrillation versus sinus rhythm on mortality in octogenarian patients with acute coronary syndrome

INTRODUCTION

Association of heart rate (HR) with mortality in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and aged ≥ 80 years are underrepresented in clinical trials. We therefore aimed to investigate the association of HR in atrial fibrillation (AF) versus sinus rhythm (SR) with all-cause mortality in octogenarian patients with ACS.

METHODS

A total of 336 patients with ACS patients and aged ≥ 80 years were enrolled into the current study. The end point of interest was death from any cause. Association of HR in AF versus SR with mortality was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier curve following log-rank test and multivariable Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

In total, 63 (87.5%) of patients with AF were dead and 147 (59.8%) of patients with SR were dead during the follow-up period. The best cut-off was 80 bpm, with a sensitivity of 62% and specificity of 66%. HR ≤ 80 bpm in SR but not in AF was associated with better outcome as compared with HR > 80 bpm (Chi-Square = 26.55, Log rank P < 0.001). In SR subgroup, the hazard ratios of HR ≤ 80 bpm were 0.51(95% CI 0.37-0.70, P < 0.001) adjusted for age, 0.46 (95%CI 0.33-0.63, P < 0.001) adjusted for gender, 0.62 (95%CI 0.42- 0.93, P = 0.020) adjusted for multivariables respectively. In AF subgroup, the hazard ratios of HR ≤ 80 bpm were 0.83(95% CI 0.49-1.38, P = 0.464) adjusted for age, 0.96 (95%CI 0.59-1.58, P = 0.882) adjusted for gender, 0.72(95% CI 0.41-1.26, P = 0.249) adjusted for multivariables respectively.

CONCLUSION

The current study demonstrates that heart rate is an independent prognostic predictor for all-cause mortality, and HR ≤ 80 bpm is associated with improved outcome in SR but not in AF in octogenarian patients with ACS.

Determination of risk factors affecting the in-hospital prognosis of patients with acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction after percutaneous coronary intervention

BACKGROUND

To determine the factors affecting the in-hospital prognosis of patients with acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and to establish its prognostic discriminant model.

METHODS

A total of 701 consecutive STEMI patients undergoing PCI were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into two groups, good prognosis and poor prognosis, based on whether the patient had adverse outcomes (death or heart function ≥ grade III) at discharge. Demographic and basic clinical characteristics, diagnosis at admission (e.g., ventricular function, complications, or hyperlipidemia), and biomedical indicators (e.g., blood count, basal metabolism and biochemical composition, blood lipid and glucose levels, myocardial biomarkers, and coagulation) were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

We determined 22 factors as risk factors for the in-hospital prognosis of STEMI patients after PCI: age, cardiac function during hospitalization, complications, history of diabetes mellitus, et al., among which the history of diabetes, uric acid, urea nitrogen, and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) were independent risk factors.

CONCLUSION

We identified four independent risk factors for the in-hospital prognosis of STEMI patients after PCI and generated a prognostic model to predict the adverse outcomes of these patients.

Elevated Long Term Resting Heart Rate Variation is Associated with Increased Risk of All-cause Mortality in Northern China

Elevated resting heart rate (RHR) predicts all-cause death. However, the relationship between RHR variation over years and mortality are still unknown. We aimed to analyze the association between RHR variation and all-cause mortality in the general population without cardiovascular diseases. A total of 46,873 subjects were included from the Kailuan Study (2006–2011). RHR readings were taken during three separate examinations and the RHR variation was defined using the standard deviation (RHR-SD) and the coefficient of variation. Participants were divided into four groups according to the quartiles of RHR-SD. All subjects were followed for a median of 49.4 months from the date of the 3^rd examination to December 31, 2014. Up until the follow-up examinations, 973 (2.08%) participants had died. In a multivariate analysis, adjusting for variables potentially associated with death, the highest quartile of RHR-SD remained an independent predictor of all-cause mortality (Hazards ratio = 1.43, 95% confidence interval 1.18–1.74, P < 0.001). These findings suggest that an elevated long-term RHR variation is an independent risk marker for all-cause mortality in the general population without known cardiovascular diseases.

Correlation of Admission Heart Rate With Angiographic and Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Right Coronary Artery ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: HORIZONS-AMI (The Harmonizing Outcomes With Revascularization and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction) Trial

BACKGROUND

Bradycardia on presentation is frequently observed in patients with right coronary artery ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, but it is largely unknown whether it predicts poor angiographic or clinical outcomes in that patient population. We sought to determine the prognostic implications of admission heart rate (AHR) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and a right coronary artery culprit lesion.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We analyzed 1460 patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and a right coronary artery culprit lesion enrolled in the randomized HORIZONS-AMI (Harmonizing Outcomes with Revascularization and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction) trial who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Patients presenting with high-grade atrioventricular block were excluded. Outcomes were examined according to AHR range (AHR <60, 61-79, 80-99, and ≥100 beats per minute). Baseline and procedural characteristics did not vary significantly with AHR except for a more frequent history of diabetes mellitus, longer symptom-to-balloon time, more frequent cardiogenic shock, and less frequent restoration of thrombolysis in myocardial infarction 3 flow in patients with admission tachycardia (AHR >100 beats per minute). Angiographic analysis showed no significant association between AHR and lesion location or complexity. On multivariate analysis, admission bradycardia (AHR <60 beats per minute) was not associated with increased 1-year mortality (hazard ratio 1.33; 95% CI 0.41-4.34, P=0.64) or major adverse cardiac events (hazard ratio 1.08; 95% CI 0.62-1.88, P=0.78), whereas admission tachycardia was a strong independent predictor of mortality (hazard ratio 5.02; 95% CI 1.95-12.88, P=0.0008) and major adverse cardiac events (hazard ratio 2.20; 95% CI 1.29-3.75, P=0.0004).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and a right coronary artery culprit lesion undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention, admission bradycardia was not associated with increased mortality or major adverse cardiac events at 1 year.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00433966.

Fingolimod initiation in multiple sclerosis patients is associated with potential beneficial cardiovascular autonomic effects

BACKGROUND

Fingolimod slows heart rate (HR) due to vagomimetic effects and might cause additional cardiovascular autonomic changes. While the time course of HR changes is well described, the extent and course of cardiovascular autonomic changes upon fingolimod initiation has not yet been evaluated. This study, therefore, intended to assess cardiovascular autonomic changes during the first 6 h after fingolimod initiation.

METHODS

In 21 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), we recorded respiration (RESP), electrocardiographic RR interval (RRI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BPsys, BPdia) at rest, before and 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 h after fingolimod initiation. We calculated parameters of total autonomic modulation [RRI standard deviation (RRI-SD), RRI coefficient of variation (RRI-CV), RRI-total powers], mainly sympathetic cardiac modulation [RRI low frequency (LF) powers], sympathetic BP modulation (BPsys-LF powers), parasympathetic modulation [square root of the mean squared difference of successive RRIs (RMSSD), RRI high frequency (HF) powers], sympatho-vagal cardiac balance (RRI-LF/HF ratios), and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS). We compared parameters between the eight measurements [analysis of variance (ANOVA) or Friedman test with post-hoc analysis; significance: p < 0.05].

RESULTS

After fingolimod initiation, RESP, BPsys, and BPsys-LF powers remained unchanged while RRIs, RRI-CV, RRI-SD, RRI-total powers, RRI-LF powers, RMSSD, RRI-HF powers, and BRS increased after 1 h and rose to peak values occurring after 5, 1, 2, 2, 1, 4, 4, and 4 h, respectively. After 3 h, BPdia had decreased significantly and was lowest after 5 h. RRI-LF/HF ratios decreased to a nadir after 4 h.

CONCLUSIONS

The increases in parasympathetic and overall cardiac autonomic modulation and in BRS seen with fingolimod initiation are theoretically beneficial for the MS patient's cardiovascular system. However, long-term studies must show whether these effects persist or are attenuated (e.g. due to S1P1 receptor down-regulation upon continued fingolimod therapy).

The relationship between heart rate and mortality of patients with acute coronary syndromes in the coronary intervention era: Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Most of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) were receiving intervention treatment a high overall rate of coronary angiography in the modern medical practice.Consequently, we conduct a review to determine the heart rate (HR) on the prognosis of ACS in the coronary intervention era.

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library was systematically searched up to May 2016 using the search terms "heart rate," "acute coronary syndrome," "acute myocardial infarction," "ST elevation myocardial infarction," "non-ST-segment elevation." The outcome of interest was all-cause mortality. All analyses were performed using Review Manager.

RESULTS

Database searches retrieved 2324 citations. Eleven studies enrolling 156,374 patients were included. In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in the elevated HR group compared to the lower HR group (pooled RR 2.04, 95%CI 1.80-2.30, P < 0.0001). Individuals with elevated admission HR had increased risk of long-term mortality (Pooled RR = 1.63, 95%CI 1.27-2.10, P = 0.008) compared to lower admission HR. The pooled results showed elevated discharge and resting HR were related to increased mortality of patients with ACS (pooled RR 1.88, 95% CI 1.02-3.47, P = 0.04; pooled RR 2.14, 95%CI 1.37-3.33, P < 0.0001, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Elevated HR may increase the mortality of ACS patients in the percutaneous coronary intervention era.

Effect of resting heart rate on two-year clinical outcomes of high-risk patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation

AIMS

Resting heart rate (HRate) is a modifiable risk factor among patients with cardiovascular disease, including aortic stenosis (AS). However, the effect of resting HRate on clinical outcomes of patients with severe symptomatic AS undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is unknown. Our aim was therefore to assess the effect of resting HRate on clinical outcomes among high-risk patients with symptomatic severe AS in normal sinus rhythm (NSR) undergoing TAVI.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Of 606 consecutive patients undergoing TAVI, 349 (57.6%) with severe AS and a baseline 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) showing NSR undergoing TAVI were analysed. Patients were dichotomised into low HRate (LHR; <77 beats per minute [bpm]) and high HRate (HHR; ≥77 bpm) groups. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality at two years. As compared with baseline LHR, no significant differences in all-cause mortality at two years (adjusted [adj] hazard ratio [HR] 1.23, p=0.40) were observed among patients with baseline HHR. Of 197 patients with available discharge ECGs remaining in NSR, mean HRate significantly increased among LHR patients (∆HRate 8.35, p<0.001) but decreased among HHR patients (∆HRate -4.88, p<0.001). On thirty-day landmark analysis, discharge HHR was significantly associated with two-year all-cause mortality (HR 2.30, 95% CI: 1.16-4.56, p=0.017), but not after extensive adjustment for comorbidities (adj HR 2.01, 95% CI: 0.98-4.09, p=0.056). A significant interaction for two-year mortality (p-interaction 0.021) was observed on landmark analysis for discharge, but not baseline, HHR.

CONCLUSIONS

Baseline and discharge resting HRate were not associated with adverse outcomes after TAVI.

The Relationship Between Resting Heart Rate and SYNTAX Score in Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease

We investigated the relationship between resting heart rate (HR) and The Synergy between percutaneous coronary intervention with Taxus and cardiac surgery (SYNTAX) score in patients with stable coronary artery disease (SCAD). A total of 420 patients who were admitted to our outpatient clinic for stable angina pectoris with sinus rhythm and had at least 50% narrowing in at least 1 coronary artery after coronary angiography were included in the study. Patients were divided into 3 tertiles based on the resting HR: HR of tertile 1 was ≤65 (n = 138), tertile 2 was between 66 and 76 (n = 139), and tertile 3 was ≥77 beats/min (n = 143). The SYNTAX score (7.6 ± 4.6, 12.4 ± 5.6, 20.3 ± 8.1; P < .001) was significantly higher for those in tertile 3 than for those in tertiles 1 and 2. Leukocyte count (7.8 ± 2.2, 7.9 ± 2.2, 8.4 ± 2.3 × 109/L; P = .035) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (2.4 ± 0.5, 3.2 ± 0.7, 4.5 ± 1.2 mg/L, P < .001) were increasing from the lowest to the highest tertile. Using multiple logistic regression analysis, CRP (odds ratio [OR] 1.54 [1.17-2.11], P = .001) and resting HR (OR 1.67 [1.25-2.19], P < .001) emerged as independent predictors of SYNTAX score. Resting HR is related to SYNTAX score in patients with SCAD.

The Association of Resting Heart Rate and Incident Hypertension: The Henry Ford Hospital Exercise Testing (FIT) Project

BACKGROUND

Given that sympathetic tone is associated with hypertension, we sought to determine whether resting heart rate (RHR), as a surrogate for cardiac autonomic function, was associated with incident hypertension.

METHODS

We analyzed 21,873 individuals without a history of hypertension who underwent a clinically indicated exercise stress test. Baseline RHR was assessed prior to testing and was categorized as <70, 70-85, and >85 beats-per-minute (bpm). Incident hypertension was defined by subsequent diagnosis codes for new-onset hypertension from three or more encounters. We tested for effect modification by age (<60 vs. ≥60 years), sex, race, and history of coronary heart disease (CHD).

RESULTS

Mean (±SD) age was 49 (±12) years, 55% were men and 21% were Black. Compared to the lowest RHR (<70 bpm) category, patients in the highest category (>85 bpm) were younger, more likely to be female, heavier, diabetic, and achieve lower metabolic equivalents (METS). Over a median of 4 years follow-up, there were 8,179 cases of incident hypertension. Compared to RHR <70 bpm, persons with RHR >85 bpm had increased risk of hypertension after adjustment for CHD risk factors, baseline blood pressure (BP), and METS (hazard ratio = 1.15 (95% confidence interval 1.08-1.23)). Age was an effect modifier (interaction P = 0.02), whereas sex, race, and CHD were not. In age-stratified analyses the relationship remained significant only in those younger than 60 years.

CONCLUSION

Elevated RHR is an independent risk factor for incident hypertension, particularly in younger persons. Whether lifestyle modification or other strategies to reduce RHR can prevent incident hypertension in high-risk individuals warrants further study.

Resting heart rate associates with one-year risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome after percutaneous coronary intervention

The study was to access the association between resting heart rate (RHR) and one-year risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients with ACS after PCI (n = 808) were prospectively followed-up for MACE. RHR was obtained from electrocardiogram. MACE was defined as a composite of cardiac death, nonfatal recurrent myocardial infarction, ischemic-driven revascularization, and ischemic stroke. The association between RHR and one-year risk of MACE was assessed using Cox proportional hazards regression model. Compared with patients with RHR >76 bpm, the adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) was 0.51 (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.23-1.14; P = 0.100) for patients with RHR < 61 bpm, and 0.44 (95%CI: 0.23-0.85; P = 0.014) for those with RHR 61-76 bpm. For patients with RHR ≥ 61 bpm, an increase of 10 bpm in RHR was associated with an increase by 38.0% in the risk of MACE (AHR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.04-1.83; P = 0.026). ACS patients after PCI with RHR >76 bpm were at higher risk of MACE during one-year follow-up compared with patients with RHR 61-76 bpm. An elevated RHR ≥ 61 bpm was associated with increased risk of one-year MACE in ACS patients.

Admission heart rate in relation to presentation and prognosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Treatment regimens in German chest pain units

BACKGROUND

Higher heart rates on admission have been associated with poor outcomes in patients with an acute coronary syndrome in previous cohorts. Whether such a linear relationship still exists in contemporary high-level care is unclear.

METHODS

Prospectively collected data from patients presenting with myocardial infarction (MI) in centers participating in the Chest Pain Unit (CPU) Registry between December 2008 and July 2014 were analyzed. Patients were classified according to their initial heart rate (I: < 50; II: 50-69; III: 70-89; IV: ≥ 90 bpm). A total of 6,168 patients out of 30,339 patients presenting to 38 centers were included in the study.

RESULTS

Patients in group IV had more comorbidities, while patients in group I more often had a history of MI. Patients in the lowest heart rate group presented significantly earlier to the hospital (4 h 31 min vs. 7 h 37 min; p < 0.05) and had the highest rate of interventions. The overall survival after 3 months was significantly worse in group IV after adjusting for baseline variables. In the subgroup analysis, heart rate was a prognostic factor in the non-ST-segment elevation MI group but not in the ST-segment elevation MI group. The correlation between heart rate and major adverse cardiac events followed a J-shaped curve with worst outcomes in the lowest and highest heart rate groups.

CONCLUSION

Patients admitted to a dedicated CPU with the diagnosis of MI and a heart rate > 90 bpm experience reduced survival at 3 months despite optimal treatment. Patients with bradycardia also seem to be at increased risk for cardiovascular events despite much earlier presentation and treatment.

Heart rate and ischemic stroke: the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study

BACKGROUND

The association between resting heart rate and ischemic stroke remains unclear.

AIM

To examine the association between resting heart rate and ischemic stroke.

METHODS

A total of 24 730 participants (mean age: 64 ± 9·3 years; 59% women; 41% blacks) from the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study who were free of stroke at the time of enrollment (2003-2007) were included in this analysis. Resting heart rate was determined from baseline electrocardiogram data. Heart rate was examined as a continuous variable per 10 bpm increase and also as a categorical variable using tertiles ( <61 bpm, 61 to 70 bpm, and >70 bpm). First-time ischemic stroke events were identified during follow-up and adjudicated by physician review.

RESULTS

Over a median follow-up of 7·6 years, a total of 646 ischemic strokes occurred. In a Cox regression model adjusted for socio-demographics, cardiovascular risk factors, and potential confounders, each 10 bpm increase in heart rate was associated with a 10% increase in the risk of ischemic stroke (hazard ratio = 1·10, 95% confidence interval = 1·02, 1·18). In the categorical model, an increased risk of ischemic stroke was observed for heart rates in the middle (hazard ratio = 1·29, 95% confidence interval = 1·06, 1·57) and upper (hazard ratio = 1·37, 95% confidence interval = 1·12, 1·67) tertiles compared with the lower tertile. The results were consistent when the analysis was stratified by age, gender, race, exercise habits, hypertension, and coronary heart disease.

CONCLUSION

In REGARDS, high resting heart rates were associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke compared with low heart rates. Further research is needed to examine whether interventions aimed to reduce heart rate decrease stroke risk.

Relation of resting heart rate to risk for all-cause mortality by gender after considering exercise capacity (the Henry Ford exercise testing project)

Whether resting heart rate (RHR) predicts mortality independent of fitness is not well established, particularly among women. We analyzed data from 56,634 subjects (49% women) without known coronary artery disease or atrial fibrillation who underwent a clinically indicated exercise stress test. Baseline RHR was divided into 5 groups with <60 beats/min as reference. The Social Security Death Index was used to ascertain vital status. Cox hazard models were performed to determine the association of RHR with all-cause mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events, myocardial infarction, or revascularization after sequential adjustment for demographics, cardiovascular disease risk factors, medications, and fitness (metabolic equivalents). The mean age was 53 ± 12 years and mean RHR was 73 ± 12 beats/min. More than half of the participants were referred for chest pain; 81% completed an adequate stress test and mean metabolic equivalents achieved was 9.2 ± 3. There were 6,255 deaths over 11.0-year mean follow-up. There was an increased risk of all-cause mortality with increasing RHR (p trend <0.001). Compared with the lowest RHR group, participants with an RHR ≥90 beats/min had a significantly increased risk of mortality even after adjustment for fitness (hazard ratio 1.22, 95% confidence interval 1.10 to 1.35). This relationship remained significant for men, but not significant for women after adjustment for fitness (p interaction <0.001). No significant associations were seen for men or women with major adverse cardiovascular events, myocardial infarction, or revascularization after accounting for fitness. In conclusion, after adjustment for fitness, elevated RHR was an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality in men but not women, suggesting gender differences in the utility of RHR for risk stratification.

Resting heart rate in first year survivors of myocardial infarction and long-term mortality: a community study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the long-term prognostic effect of resting heart rate (HR) at index myocardial infarction (MI) and during the first year after MI among 1-year survivors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The community-based cohort consisted of 1571 patients hospitalized with an incident MI from January 1, 1983, through December 31, 2007, in Olmsted County, Minnesota, who were in sinus rhythm at index MI and had HR measurements on electrocardiography at index and during the first year after MI. Outcomes were all-cause and cardiovascular deaths.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 7.0 years, 627 deaths and 311 cardiovascular deaths occurred. Using patients with HRs of 60/min or less as the referent, this study found that long-term all-cause mortality risk increased progressively with increasing HR at index (hazard ratio, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.25-2.09) and even more with increasing HR during the first year after MI (hazard ratio, 2.16; 95% CI, 1.64-2.84) for patients with HRs greater than 90/min, adjusting for clinical characteristics and β-blocker use. Similar results were observed for cardiovascular mortality (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.14-2.42; and adjusted hazard ratio, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.27-2.94; for HR at index and within 1 year after MI, respectively).

CONCLUSION

These data from a large MI community cohort indicate that HR is a strong predictor of long-term all-cause and cardiovascular mortality not only at initial presentation of MI but also during the first year of follow-up.

Clinic and ambulatory heart rates in patients with ischaemic heart disease and/or chronic heart failure taking rate-limiting medications: are they interchangeable?

BACKGROUND

The prognostic benefit from heart rate (HR) reduction in patients with ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and/or chronic heart failure (CHF) is now firmly established. Most decisions regarding initiation and/or dose adjustment of HR-limiting medications in such patients are based on clinic HR. Yet, this is a highly variable parameter that may not necessarily reflect HR control over the 24 h period.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the level of agreement between mean clinic and mean ambulatory HRs in patients with IHD and/or CHF taking rate-limiting medications.

METHODS

Prospective, observational study. Fifty patients with IHD and/or CHF who attended cardiology outpatient clinics at the Manchester Heart Centre and underwent same-day 24 h continuous ECG recording between March and October 2013 were included in the study. Mean clinic HR was compared with mean 24 h, daytime and night-time HRs. Limits-of-agreement plots were constructed to examine the relationship between the two HR measures in more detail.

RESULTS

The mean clinic HR was numerically similar to the mean HRs of all ambulatory time periods examined. However, on Bland-Altman plots, the limits of agreement between clinic and ambulatory HR means were quite wide, with the mean clinic HR ranging between 10.93 and 13.58 bpm below and 8.4 and 18.15 bpm above the mean ambulatory HR.

CONCLUSIONS

Although numerically similar, the means of clinic and ambulatory HRs in patients with IHD and/or CHF display wide limits of agreement. As such, the two measures cannot be regarded as interchangeable.

Impact of neonatal sertraline exposure on the post-myocardial infarction outcomes of adult male mice

Neonatal exposure to a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) leads to decreased left ventricular volumes and sympathetic activation in adult mice. We hypothesized this neonatal SSRI exposure-induced small left heart syndrome would increase post-myocardial infarction (MI) morbidity and mortality. C57BL/6 mice received saline or sertraline (5 mg/kg intraperitoneally) on postnatal days 1-14. At 5 months, male mice underwent coronary artery ligation and were monitored by radiotelemetry until death or 4 weeks after ligation. After ligation, SSRI-exposed mice had increased heart rates (SSRI, 516 ± 13 bpm; control, 470 ± 15 bpm; P < 0.05). SSRI-exposed mice had significant reductions in left ventricular systolic volumes both before and after coronary ligation (SSRI: baseline = 20 ± 3 μL, post-MI = 37 ± 10 μL; control: baseline = 30 ± 3 μL, post-MI = 65 ± 23 μL). Post-MI echocardiography showed significantly decreased ejection fraction in control mice (baseline = 60% ± 4%, post-MI = 41% ± 2%, P < 0.01) but not the SSRI-exposed mice (baseline = 65% ± 3%, post-MI = 53% ± 7%). Neonatal SSRI exposure did not significantly alter post-MI survival. We conclude that the preexisting SSRI-induced small left heart syndrome may provide protection from post-MI ventricular dilation.

Initial heart rate and cardiovascular outcomes in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome

OBJECTIVES

To assess the impact of on-admission heart rate (HR) in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

METHODS

Data were collected retrospectively from the second Gulf Registry of Acute Coronary Events. Patients were divided according to their initial HR into: (I: < 60, II: 60-69, III: 70-79, IV: 80-89 and V: ≥ 90 bpm). Patients' characteristics and hospital and one- and 12-month outcomes were analyzed and compared.

RESULTS

Among 7939 consecutive ACS patients, groups I to V represented 7%, 13%, 20%, 23.5%, and 37%, respectively. Mean age was higher in groups I and V. Group V were more likely males, diabetic and hypertensive. ST-elevation myocardial infarction was the main presentation in groups I and V. Reperfusion therapies were less likely given to group V. Beta blockers were more frequently prescribed to group III in comparison to groups with higher HR. Groups I and V were associated with worse hospital outcomes. Multivariate analysis showed initial tachycardia as an independent predictor for heart failure (OR 2.2; 95%CI: 1.39-3.32), while bradycardia was independently associated with higher one-month mortality (OR 2.0; 95%CI: 1.04-3.85) CONCLUSION: The majority of ACS patients present with tachycardia. However, low or high HR is a marker of high risk that needs more attention and management.

Association of resting heart rate with carotid and aortic arterial stiffness: multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis

Resting heart rate is an easily measured, noninvasive vital sign that is associated with cardiovascular disease events. The pathophysiology of this association is not known. We investigated the relationship between resting heart rate and stiffness of the carotid (a peripheral artery) and the aorta (a central artery) in an asymptomatic multi-ethnic population. Resting heart rate was recorded at baseline in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). Distensibility was used as a measure of arterial elasticity, with a lower distensibility indicating an increase in arterial stiffness. Carotid distensibility was measured in 6484 participants (98% of participants) using B-mode ultrasound, and aortic distensibility was measured in 3512 participants (53% of participants) using cardiac MRI. Heart rate was divided into quintiles and we used progressively adjusted models that included terms for physical activity and atrioventricular nodal blocking agents. Mean resting heart rate of participants (mean age, 62 years; 47% men) was 63 bpm (SD, 9.6 bpm). In unadjusted and fully adjusted models, carotid distensibility and aortic distensibility decreased monotonically with increasing resting heart rate (P for trend <0.001 and 0.009, respectively). The relationship was stronger for carotid versus aortic distensibility. Similar results were seen using the resting heart rate taken at the time of MRI scanning. Our results suggest that a higher resting heart rate is associated with an increased arterial stiffness independent of atrioventricular nodal blocker use and physical activity level, with a stronger association for a peripheral (carotid) compared with a central (aorta) artery.

[Predictors of the use of the early invasive strategy in women with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome]

OBJECTIVE

To identify determinants associated to an early invasive strategy in women with acute coronary syndromes without ST elevation (NSTE-ACS).

DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study was made. Crude and adjusted analysis of the performance of the early invasive strategy using logistic regression.

SETTING

Coronary Units enrolled in 2010 - 2011 in the ARIAM-SEMICYUC registry.

PATIENTS

A total of 440 women with NSTE-ACS were studied. Sixteen patients were excluded due to insufficient data, together with 58 patients subjected to elective coronary angiography (> 72 h).

VARIABLES ANALYZED

Demographic parameters, coronary risk factors, previous medication, comorbidity. Clinical, laboratory, hemodynamic and electrocardiographic data of the episode.

RESULTS

Women treated conservatively were of older age, had oral anticoagulation, diabetes, previous coronary lesions, and heart failure (p<0.005), increased baseline bleeding and ischemic risk (p=0.05) and a higher heart rate upon admission (p<0.05). After adjustment, only age > 80 years (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.27 to 0.82, p=0.009), known coronary lesions (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.26-0.84, p=0.011), and heart rate (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.97-0.99, p=0.003) were independently associated to conservative treatment. Smoking (OR 2.50, 95% CI 1.20 to 5.19, p=0.013) and high-risk electrocardiogram (OR 2.96, 95% CI 1.72 to 4.97, p<0.001) were associated to the early invasive strategy. The exclusion of early deaths (<24 h) did not alter these results.

CONCLUSIONS

In women with NSTE ACS, smoking and a high-risk electrocardiogram upon admission were independent factors associated to the early invasive strategy. Previous coronary lesions, age > 80 years and increased heart rate were independent factors associated to conservative treatment.

Prognostic significance of baseline heart rate and its interaction with beta-blocker use in resistant hypertension: a cohort study

BACKGROUND

The prognostic significance of heart rate (HR) and its relationship with beta-blocker use are controversial and have never been evaluated in resistant hypertension.

METHODS

In a prospective study, 528 patients with resistant hypertension had HR measured on clinical examination, electrocardiography (ECG), and during ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Primary endpoints were a composite of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Multivariable Cox regression was used to assess the associations between slow HR (< 60 bpm or < 55 bpm for nighttime HR) and fast HR (> 75 bpm or > 70 bpm for nighttime HR) and the occurrence of endpoints in relation to the reference middle HR (60-75 bpm) subgroup.

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 4.8 years, 62 patients died, 44 from cardiovascular causes; and 94 cardiovascular events occurred. Fast and slow HRs were mainly predictors of mortality, and ambulatory HRs were more significant risk markers than clinic or ECG HR. A slow 24-hour HR was a predictor of the composite endpoint (hazard ratio, 2.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-3.4), whereas both slow and fast ambulatory HRs were predictors of cardiovascular mortality (hazard ratio, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.1-5.1). Four hundred and seventeen patients (79%) were using beta-blockers and this affected the HR prognostic value. A fast HR was a more significant risk marker in patients using beta-blockers, whereas a slow HR was a predictor mainly in those not using beta-blockers.

CONCLUSIONS

There is an overall U-shaped relationship between HRs, particularly when measured during ambulatory monitoring, and prognosis in resistant hypertension. A fast HR is a significant predictor in patients using beta-blockers, while a slow heart rate is a more important predictor in those not using beta-blockers.

Effect of initial heart rate on cardiac troponin and ejection fraction in patients with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

Increased heart rate has shown to be associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes. This aim of this study was to find the association of troponin level and ejection fraction (EF) with triage heart rate in patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). It was hypothesized that heart rate at triage will be independently associated with higher troponin level and lower EF after NSTEMI.

METHODS

The association of maximum troponin level and left ventricular EF with triage heart rate after adjusting for other factors known to affect these variables was assessed.

RESULTS

Participants had a mean age of 68 ± 10 years with 34% women. Unadjusted correlations using linear regression showed a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.21, P = 0.01, between heart rate and maximum troponin before cardiac catheterization and a correlation coefficient (r) of -0.26, P = 0.007, between heart rate and post-myocardial infarction EF. EF was divided into 4 categories, namely, <30%, 30% to 45%, 45% to 60% and >60%. Heart rate showed a progressive increase from higher EF to lower EF. A multivariate analysis was also performed for association of heart rate with troponin and EF separately after adjusting for other confounding factors (diabetes, hypertension, number of coronary vessels and previous myocardial infarction). All associations persisted at P ≤ 0.05.

CONCLUSIONS

Triage heart rate is independently associated with higher troponin and lower EF in NSTEMI.

Influence of resting heart rate on mortality in patients undergoing coronary angiography (from the Ludwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health [LURIC] study)

Several epidemiologic studies have reported an association between elevated heart rate (HR) at rest and reduced survival. The usefulness of HR at rest in predicting end points in high-risk patients is yet to be definitively established. The purpose of this study was to clarify the relation between HR at rest with total and cardiovascular mortality in patients who underwent coronary angiography. A total of 3,316 Caucasian patients with available coronary angiograms were prospectively followed from 2001 to 2011 (median 9.9 years). The effect of HR at rest on total and cardiovascular mortality was explored, while correcting for a number of confounders. Patients in the highest quartile (HR at rest ≥ 84 beats/min) had survival times reduced by 1.2 and 1.4 years for overall and cardiovascular mortality, respectively. Likewise, these patients had significantly elevated adjusted risk for total (hazard ratio 1.39, 95% confidence interval 1.17 to 1.67, p for trend <0.001) and cardiovascular mortality (hazard ratio 1.38, 95% confidence interval 1.08 to 1.78, p for trend = 0.004). In conclusion, HR at rest is an inexpensive, easily measured, and modifiable predictor of mortality.

Admission heart rate as a predictor of mortality in patients with acute coronary syndromes

INTRODUCTION

Heart rate (HR) is a prognostic factor in stable angina. However, in the context of acute coronary syndromes (ACS), it is less studied.

AIMS

To evaluate the influence of admission HR as a prognostic factor in patients with ACS.

METHODS

We evaluated in-hospital, 30-day and one-year mortality in patients with ACS, according to admission HR.

RESULTS

We analysed 1126 patients, 69% males, mean age 64 years, 59% with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction and 15% on medication with a beta-blocker. On admission, 14% presented signs of heart failure. In 10%, left ventricular ejection fraction was < 35%. In-hospital mortality was 7.1%, 30-day mortality 9.1% and one-year mortality 10.7%. The best cut-off of HR to predict mortality was 80 bpm (sensitivity 64-66% and specificity 54-55%). By multivariate analysis, a heart rate ≥ 80 bpm was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality (HR 1.50, 95% CI: 1.01-2.23, P = 0.047).

CONCLUSIONS

In a population with ACS, a higher admission HR is an independent predictor of short- and medium-term prognosis, which is also independent of left ventricular function.

Prognostic significance of heart rate in hospitalized patients presenting with myocardial infarction

AIM

To investigate the prognostic significance of resting heart rate in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), independent of other known factors.

METHODS

Patients 40 years of age or older who had been admitted with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) to one of the 94 hospitals participating in the Prevalence of Peripheral Arterial Disease in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome (PAMISCA) study were included. Patients were divided into two groups based on their resting heart rate (HR ≥ or < 70 bpm). Complications were recording during a follow-up period of 1 year.

RESULTS

There were 1054 ACS patients analyzed (43.5% with ST segment elevation and 56.5% without elevation). Mean age was 66.6 ± 11.7 years, 70.6% were male and 29.4% of subjects were female. During follow-up, more patients in the HR ≥ 70 bpm group were hospitalized for heart failure and they also had a higher mortality rate. In the multivariate analysis, a heart rate of ≥ 70 bpm was independently related to overall mortality during the follow-up period (hazard ratio 2.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.26-4.97, P = 0.009).

CONCLUSION

A resting heart rate ≥ 70 bpm in patients who survive an ACS is an indicator of a high risk of suffering cardiovascular events during follow-up.

[ProCor: an extramural screening on heart rate reduction in patients with chronic stable angina pectoris in Austria]

Based on the evidence from large clinical and epidemiological studies indicating an independent prognostic role of heart rate in cardiovascular disease, the assessment and correction of elevated heart rate is of significant prognostic relevance. In the present study conducted with the support of 74 specialists of Internal Medicine in 2009 in Austria, heart rate in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and chronic stable angina pectoris was evaluated in relation to pre-existing and concomitant diseases, angina-severity (CCS), angina-symptoms and treatment. For all variables, descriptive statistical analyses were performed according to three predefined groups with heart rates <60 bpm (HR-1), 60-70 bpm (HR-2), and >70 bpm (HR-3). Of the 1280 patients 21.8% had a heart rate of <60 bpm, 39.6% of 60-70 bpm, and 38.5% of >70 bpm. A significant association was shown between elevated heart rate and concomitant disease, e.g., peripheral artery disease (p = 0.046), psoriasis (p = 0.029), previous acute coronary syndrome (p = 0.001), COPD (p < 0.001), diabetes mellitus (p = 0.004), and depression (p < 0.001). CCS-severity was correlated with heart rates (mean values; CCS-0: 66.8 bpm, CCS-IV: 77.5 bpm). Angina-pectoris (AP) symptoms were more common in patients with heart rates of >70 bpm (HR-3: 1,2 AP-events/week; HR-2: 1 AP-events/week; HR-1: 0,7 AP events/week; each time p < 0.001). The majority of patients were treated with betablockers (74%); yet, the average dose was approximately half the maximal recommended dose. Despite inadequate heart rate reduction in patients on betablockers, selective heart rate lowering agents such as ivabradine were used in only 1.6% of patients. Overall, these results illustrate that heart rate as an important therapeutic target in CHD-patients with chronic stable angina is still underestimated in contemporary clinical practice.

Heart rate control with adrenergic blockade: clinical outcomes in cardiovascular medicine

The sympathetic nervous system is involved in regulating various cardiovascular parameters including heart rate (HR) and HR variability. Aberrant sympathetic nervous system expression may result in elevated HR or decreased HR variability, and both are independent risk factors for development of cardiovascular disease, including heart failure, myocardial infarction, and hypertension. Epidemiologic studies have established that impaired HR control is linked to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. One successful way of decreasing HR and cardiovascular mortality has been by utilizing β-blockers, because their ability to alter cell signaling at the receptor level has been shown to mitigate the pathogenic effects of sympathetic nervous system hyperactivation. Numerous clinical studies have demonstrated that β-blocker-mediated HR control improvements are associated with decreased mortality in postinfarct and heart failure patients. Although improved HR control benefits have yet to be established in hypertension, both traditional and vasodilating β-blockers exert positive HR control effects in this patient population. However, differences exist between traditional and vasodilating β-blockers; the latter reduce peripheral vascular resistance and exert neutral or positive effects on important metabolic parameters. Clinical evidence suggests that attainment of HR control is an important treatment objective for patients with cardiovascular conditions, and vasodilating β-blocker efficacy may aid in accomplishing improved outcomes.

Heart Rate Control in an Unselected Consecutive Population of Outpatients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease: Analysis of the CARDIf Study Cohort

Background: Despite increasing pharmacological and mechanical treatment options, coronary artery disease (CAD) continues to be associated with considerable mortality and morbidity. The detrimental effects of elevated heart rate (HR) on cardiac morbidity and mortality are well established. Although β-blockers represent the mainstay of treatment of patients with CAD and heart failure (HF), according to current guidelines, these drugs are most often undertitrated for various reasons despite the lack of real contraindications. This observational, cross-sectional, multicenter survey was designed to assess which clinical variables influence HR and whether HR is adequately controlled; and the rate of administration of β-blockers in patients with chronic CAD attending outpatient clinics. Methods: Over 6 months 2226 (of 2362 screened) outpatients with stable CAD and resting HR > 60 beats/min (bpm) were enrolled. Left ventricular systolic function was not a criterion of inclusion. Each patient had a full clinical examination and the past medical history, angina, or HF-related symptoms were evaluated. In each patient, the demographics and cardiovascular risk factors were assessed; weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated; sitting blood pressure and a HR by a 12-lead electrocardiogram was obtained. Results: Overall, 45.4% of patients with CAD were not under β-blocker therapy. Male patients featured a significantly lower HR than females, corrected from β-blockers use. In multiple regression analysis, which also included the use/nonuse of β-blockers as independent variable, not using β-blockers, female sex (OR 2.55), New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes I and II (OR 1.62 vs classes III-IV), smoking (OR 0.89), and increased BMI (OR 0.14) were all independent determinants of resting HR, with the lack of β-blockade therapy (OR 3.35) being the main determinant of the magnitude of HR increase. Heart rate in patients under β-blocker therapy was significantly less than in untreated patients (73.6 10.0 vs 77.1 10.4, P < .0001), although it often did not reach target values of <70 bpm. Among patients with HF symptoms, 56.6% were under β-blocker therapy. In patients free of symptoms of HF, HR was significantly less in those receiving a β-blocker (72.3 10 vs 76.7 11 bpm, P < .0001). Conclusion: This survey demonstrates that HR is poorly controlled in a broadly representative cohort of outpatients with CAD, even in those on β-blocker therapy, mainly because of undertitration of therapy—almost half of the patients with CAD and elevated resting HR are not on β-blockers. This might be related to absolute or relative controindications and to haemodynamic and chronotropic intolerance to beta-blockers.

Heart rate in coronary syndromes and heart failure

In the past 2 decades, there have been growing evidences that resting heart rate might be a marker of risk or even a risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This article reviews current evidences concerning the relation between heart rate and patients' outcome in different clinical settings such as acute coronary syndromes, left ventricular systolic dysfunction, and heart failure. The relationship between resting heart rate and the development of coronary artery disease, as well as all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, has been found to be strong, graded, and independent from other risk factors. Several lines of research indicate that heart rate plays an important role in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and in the clinical manifestations of coronary artery disease and that it is an independent prognostic factor in all coronary syndromes. The prognostic value of elevated heart rate in patients with heart failure has been tested in several clinical trials evaluating pharmacologic heart rate-lowering agents (eg, beta-blockers). It is difficult to determine which percentage of the clinical benefit obtained with beta-blockers is related to induced bradycardia because cardiac slowing is only one of the effects of these drugs. In the BEAUTIFUL trial, a subgroup analysis conducted in patients with resting HR more than 70 beats per minute showed that treatment with ivabradine was able to improve outcome. According to the results presented in this review, we can conclude that heart rate is a predictor of death in both stable coronary artery disease and acute coronary syndromes. Elevated heart rate is also able to negatively predict clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure. However, it is still unclear if heart rate reduction per se can improve prognosis.

Heritability and linkage study on heart rates in a Mongolian population

Elevated heart rate has been proposed as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, but their interrelationships are not well understood. In this study, we performed a genome-wide linkage scan in 1,026 individuals (mean age 30.6 years, 54.5% women) from 73 extended families of Mongolia and determined quantitative trait loci that influence heart rate. The DNA samples were genotyped using deCODE 1,039 microsatellite markers for 3 cM density genome-wide linkage scan. Correlation analysis was carried out to evaluate the correlation of the covariates and the heart rate. T-tests of the heart rate were also performed on sex, smoking and alcohol intake. Consequently, this model was used in a nonparametric genome-wide linkage analysis using variance component model to create a multipoint logarithm of odds (LOD) score and a corresponding P value. In the adjusted model, the heritability of heart rate was estimated as 0.32 (P<.0001) and a maximum multipoint LOD score of 2.03 was observed in 77 cM region at chromosome 18. The second largest LOD score of 1.52 was seen on chromosome 5 at 216 cM. Genes located on the specified locations in chromosomes 5 and 18 may be involved in the regulation of heart rate.

Resting heart rate in cardiovascular disease

The importance of resting heart rate (HR) as a prognostic factor and potential therapeutic target is not yet generally accepted. Recent large epidemiologic studies have confirmed earlier studies that showed resting HR to be an independent predictor of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in men and women with and without diagnosed cardiovascular disease. Clinical trial data suggest that HR reduction itself is an important mechanism of benefit of beta-blockers and other heart-rate lowering drugs used after acute myocardial infarction, in chronic heart failure, and in stable angina pectoris. Pathophysiological studies indicate that a relatively high HR has direct detrimental effects on the progression of coronary atherosclerosis, on the occurrence of myocardial ischemia and ventricular arrhythmias, and on left ventricular function. Studies have found a continuous increase in risk with HR above 60 beats/min. Although it may be difficult to define an optimal HR for a given individual, it seems desirable to maintain resting HR substantially below the traditionally defined tachycardia threshold of 90 or 100 beats/min. These findings suggest that the potential role of HR and its modulation should be considered in future cardiovascular guidance documents.

Impact of Increased Heart Rate on Clinical Outcomes in Hypertension

Thirty-eight studies have been published to date on the association between elevated heart rate and mortality. After adjustment for other risk factors, only two studies for all-cause mortality and four studies for cardiovascular mortality reported an absence of association between heart rate and mortality in male populations. This relationship has been found to be generally weaker among females. Most of these studies investigated samples of general populations. The four studies performed in hypertensive men found a positive association between heart rate and all-cause mortality (hazard ratios ranging from 1.9 to 2.0) or cardiovascular mortality (hazard ratios ranging from 1.3 to 1.7). In spite of this evidence, elevated heart rate remains a neglected cardiovascular risk factor in both genders. The pathogenetic mechanisms connecting high heart rate, hypertension, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events have also been explicated in many studies. Elevated heart rate is due to an increased sympathetic and decreased parasympathetic tone. This altered balance of the autonomic nervous system tone could explain the increase in events with the increased heart rate. However, it has also been proved that blood flow changes associated with high heart rate favour both the formation of the atherosclerotic lesion and the occurrence of the cardiovascular event. Reduction of heart rate in hypertensive patients with increased heart rate could be an additional goal of antihypertensive therapy. Several trials retrospectively showed the beneficial effect of cardiac-slowing drugs, such as beta-adrenoceptor antagonists (beta-blockers) and non-dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonists, on mortality, notably in patients with coronary heart disease, but no published data are available in patients with hypertension free of coronary heart disease. Other antihypertensive drugs that have been shown to reduce the heart rate are centrally acting drugs and angiotensin II receptor antagonists, but their bradycardic effect is rather weak. The f-channel antagonist ivabradine is a selective heart rate-lowering agent with no effect on blood pressure. Although it has not been proven in existing trials, it would seem reasonable to recommend antihypertensive agents that decrease the heart rate in hypertensive patients with a heart rate higher than 80-85 beats per minute. Since the fast heart rate per se causes cardiovascular damage, all drugs that lower the heart rate have the potential of further reducing cardiovascular events in patients with elevated heart rate. Unfortunately, lowering of the heart rate is not a clinically recognised goal. Prospective trials investigating whether treatment of high heart rate can prevent cardiovascular events, notably in hypertensive patients, are warranted.