Efficacy of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors in univentricular congenital heart disease: the SV-INHIBITION study design

Pulmonary Hypertension in Adult Congenital Heart Disease-Related Heart Failure

Already a challenging condition to define, adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) -associated heart failure (HF) often incorporates specific anatomies, including intracardiac and extracardiac shunts, which require rigorous diagnostic characterization and heighten the importance of clinicians proactively considering overall hemodynamic impacts of using specific therapies. The presence of elevated pulmonary vascular resistance dramatically increases the complexity of managing patients with ACHD-HF. Total circulatory management in patients with ACHD-HF requires input from multidisciplinary care teams and thoughtful and careful utilization of medical, interventional, and surgical approaches.

Pulmonary vasodilator therapies in pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with CHD: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

The optimal treatment strategy using pulmonary vasodilators in pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with CHD (PAH-CHD) remains controversial. We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of pulmonary vasodilators in PAH-CHD. PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched through May 2022 and a network meta-analysis was conducted. The primary outcomes were mean difference of changes in 6-minute walk distance, NYHA functional class, and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide. The secondary outcomes included pulmonary vascular resistance, mean pulmonary arterial pressure, and resting oxygen saturation. We identified 14 studies, yielding 807 patients with PAH-CHD. Bosentan and sildenafil were associated with a significant increase in 6-minute walk distance from baseline compared with placebo (MD 48.92 m, 95% CI 0.32 to 97.55 and MD 59.70 m, 95% CI 0.88 to 118.53, respectively). Bosentan, sildenafil, and combination of bosentan and sildenafil were associated with significant improvement in NYHA functional class compared with placebo (MD -0.33, 95% CI -0.51 to -0.14, MD -0.58, 95% CI -0.75 to -0.22 and MD -0.62, 95% CI -0.92 to -0.31, respectively). Bosentan and sildenafil were also associated with significant improvements in secondary outcomes. These findings were largely confirmed in the subgroup analysis. Various adverse events were reported; however, serious adverse event rates were relatively low (4.8-8.7%), including right heart failure, acute kidney injury, respiratory failure, hypotension, and discontinuation of pulmonary vasodilators. In conclusion, bosentan and sildenafil were the most effective in improving prognostic risk factor such as 6-minute walk distance and NYHA class. Overall, pulmonary vasodilators were well tolerated in PAH-CHD.

Updates in the management of congenital heart disease in adult patients

INTRODUCTION

Adults with congenital heart disease represent a highly diverse, ever-growing population. Optimal approaches to management of problems such as arrhythmia, sudden cardiac death, heart failure, transplant, application of advanced therapies and unrepaired shunt lesions are incompletely established. Efforts to strengthen our understanding of these complex clinical challenges and inform evidence-based practices are ongoing.

AREAS COVERED

This narrative review summarizes evidence underpinning current approaches to congenital heart disease management while highlighting areas requiring further investigation. A search of literature published in 'Medline,' 'EMBASE,' and 'PubMed' using search terms 'congenital heart disease,' 'arrhythmia,' 'sudden cardiac death,' 'heart failure,' 'heart transplant,' 'advanced heart failure therapy,' 'ventricular assist device (VAD),' 'mechanical circulatory support (MSC),' 'intracardiac shunt' and combinations thereof was undertaken.

EXPERT OPINION

Application of novel technologies in the diagnosis and management of arrhythmia has and will continue to improve outcomes in this population. Sudden death remains a prevalent problem with many persistent unknowns. Heart failure is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Improved access to specialist care, advanced therapies and cardiac transplant is needed. The emerging field of cardio-obstetrics will continue to define state-of-the-art care for the reproductive health of women with heart disease.

Impact of COVID-19 disease on clinical research in pediatric and congenital cardiology

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 triggered an unprecedented crisis affecting society at every level. Research in pediatric and congenital cardiology is currently in full development and may have been disrupted. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of COVID-19 on pediatric and congenital cardiology clinical research and to analyze decision-making and adaptation processes, from a panel of ongoing academic and industry-sponsored research at the time of the pandemic.

METHODS

This observational study was carried out in April 2020, from a CHD clinical research network involving five tertiary care pediatric and congenital cardiology centers. Investigators and clinical research assistants from each participating research center completed an online survey questionnaire, and each principal investigator underwent a 1-h web-based videoconference interview.

RESULTS

A total of 34 study questionnaires were collected, reporting that 18 studies were totally suspended. Upon the investigator's decision, after discussion on ethical issues and with facilitating support from health authorities, 16 studies were resumed. The rate of study suspension in interventional research (53%) was similar to that in non-interventional research (56%). Logistical problems were predominantly reported in both continued and suspended trials. Research protocols were adapted, largely thanks to telemedicine, which in some cases even improved the course of the study.

CONCLUSION

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on clinical research in pediatric and congenital cardiology has been limited by a rapid adaptation of all research structures and an extensive use of telemedicine at all stages of the studies.

The V̇e/V̇co2 slope: a useful tool to evaluate the physiological status of children with congenital heart disease

Cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) is becoming a key examination to assess physical capacity and disease severity in pediatric cardiology. The V̇e/V̇co₂ slope has been increasingly used as a surrogate marker for morbidity and mortality in adult heart failure, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and for adult patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). Nevertheless, the use of the V̇e/V̇co₂ slope in children remains limited in the absence of reference values and clearly identified clinical determinants. This study aimed to compare the V̇e/V̇co₂ slope in a pediatric cohort with CHD to that of age- and gender-adjusted healthy controls. We also intended to identify the clinical and CPET variables associated with V̇e/V̇co₂ slope in this population. This cross-sectional study was carried out between November 2010 and September 2015 in two tertiary care pediatric cardiology reference centers. A total of 700 children were enrolled (399 CHD and 301 healthy controls). The mean V̇e/V̇co₂ slope was significantly higher in the CHD subjects than in healthy subjects (31.6 ± 4.8 vs. 29.3 ± 4.8; P < 0.001). The V̇e/V̇co₂ slope was higher in children with significant pulmonary regurgitation, tricuspid regurgitation, right ventricular hypertension, and right ventricle outflow tract (RVOT) obstacle. In the CHD group, V̇e/V̇co₂ slope increase was associated with body mass index, the presence of a RVOT obstacle, the number of cardiac catheter procedures, as well as low age, forced vital capacity, tidal volume, and [Formula: see text]. Increased V̇e/V̇co₂ slope was predominantly in children with single ventricle and/or residual right heart abnormalities, suggesting that maldistribution of pulmonary blood flow during exercise is an important CHD-unique determinant of V̇e/V̇co₂ slope.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Using V̇e/V̇co₂ slope is useful for children with congenital heart disease. V̇e/V̇co₂ slope is sensitive to pulmonary blood flow maldistribution during exercise, this concerns congenital heart disease with pulmonary regurgitation, tricuspid regurgitation, right ventricular hypertension, and right ventricle outflow tract obstacle. V̇e/V̇co₂ slope is a good parameter to follow single ventricles and right heart residual lesions (tetralogy of Fallot; pulmonary atresia; truncus arteriosus…).

Focused Update on Pulmonary Hypertension in Children-Selected Topics of Interest for the Adult Cardiologist

Pulmonary hypertensive vascular disease (PHVD), and pulmonary hypertension (PH), which is a broader term, are severe conditions associated with high morbidity and mortality at all ages. Treatment guidelines in childhood are widely adopted from adult data and experience, though big differences may exist regarding aetiology, concomitant conditions and presentation. Over the past few years, paediatric aspects have been incorporated into the common guidelines, which currently address both children and adults with pulmonary hypertension (PH). There are multiple facets of PH in the context of cardiac conditions in childhood. Apart from Eisenmenger syndrome (ES), the broad spectrum of congenital heart disease (CHD) comprises PH in failing Fontan physiology, as well as segmental PH. In this review we provide current data and novel aspects on the pathophysiological background and individual management concepts of these conditions. Moreover, we focus on paediatric left heart failure with PH and its challenging issues, including end stage treatment options, such as mechanical support and paediatric transplantation. PH in the context of rare congenital disorders, such as Scimitar Syndrome and sickle cell disease is discussed. Based on current data, we provide an overview on multiple underlying mechanisms of PH involved in these conditions, and different management strategies in children and adulthood. In addition, we summarize the paediatric aspects and the pros and cons of the recently updated definitions of PH. This review provides deeper insights into some challenging conditions of paediatric PH in order to improve current knowledge and care for children and young adults.

Efficacy of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors in univentricular congenital heart disease: the SV-INHIBITION study design

Aims

In univentricular hearts, selective lung vasodilators such as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors would decrease pulmonary resistance and improve exercise tolerance. However, the level of evidence for the use of PDE5 inhibitors in patients with a single ventricle (SV) remains limited. We present the SV‐INHIBITION study rationale, design, and methods.

Methods and results

The SV‐INHIBITION trial is a nationwide multicentre, randomized, double blind, placebo‐controlled, Phase III study, aiming to evaluate the efficacy of sildenafil on the ventilatory efficiency during exercise, in teenagers and adult patients (>15 years old) with an SV. Patients with a mean pulmonary arterial pressure >15 mmHg and a trans‐pulmonary gradient >5 mmHg, measured by cardiac catheterization, will be eligible. The primary outcome is the variation of the VE/VCO₂ slope, measured by a cardiopulmonary exercise test, between baseline and 6 months of treatment. A total of 50 patients are required to observe a decrease of 5 ± 5 points in the VE/VCO₂ slope, with a power of 90% and an alpha risk of 5%. The secondary outcomes are clinical outcomes, oxygen saturation, 6 min walk test, SV function, NT‐proBNP, peak VO₂, stroke volume, mean pulmonary arterial pressure, trans‐pulmonary gradient, SF36 quality of life score, safety, and acceptability.

Conclusions

The SV‐INHIBITION study aims to answer the question whether PDE5 inhibitors should be prescribed in patients with an SV. This trial has been built focusing on the three levels of research defined by the World Health Organization: disability (exercise tolerance), deficit (SV function), and handicap (quality of life).