Co-morbidities in heart failure beginning to sprout-and no end in sight?

Associations between cardiovascular diseases and cancer mortality: insights from a retrospective cohort analysis of NHANES data

BACKGROUND

This study explored the association of cardiovascular disease (CVD) with cancer mortality risk in individuals with or without a history of cancer, to better understand the interplay between CVD and cancer outcomes.

METHODS

Utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning 1999 to 2018, a retrospective cohort analysis was conducted. This analysis accounted for the survey's complex design to ensure national representativeness. The association of CVD with cancer mortality was assessed through multivariable Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

The present study included 59,653 participants, of whom 54,095 did not have cancer and 5558 had a history of cancer. In individuals without cancer, heart failure (HF) was associated with an increased risk of mortality from cancer (HR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.09-1.69; P = 0.005). In participants with cancer, HF correlated with a higher risk of mortality from cancer (HR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.32-2.34; P < 0.001). Diabetes (DM), hypertension (HBP) and coronary heart disease (CHD) were not significantly associated with an increased risk of mortality from cancer. Significant differences were observed in the interaction between cancer and CHD (HR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.53-0.87; P = 0.002). For cancer and HBP, a similar trend was noted (HR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.62-0.91; P = 0.003). No significant differences were found in interactions between HF, DM and cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

HF was associated with an increased risk of mortality from cancer, regardless of cancer history, while HBP, CHD and DM showed no significant association. These findings underscore the importance of understanding the mechanisms behind the increased risk of cancer mortality following HF.

Effects of Cardiac Rehabilitation Training in Patients with Heart Failure Based on Traditional Chinese Exercise: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Methods

PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and three Chinese databases, namely, China National Knowledge Network, Wanfang, and China Biomedical Network, were searched from the time of their inceptions through August, 2021. We retrieved the studies on the application of TCE-based cardiac rehabilitation in patients with HF. Based on the standard evaluation methods of Cochrane Reviewer's Handbook 5.1.0, two authors independently assessed the risk of bias and evaluated the methodological quality of the studies included. The RevMan 5.3 software was used for further meta-analysis. Additionally, the GRADEpro GDT web version was used to assess the quality of the evidence in these studies.

Results

Nine randomized controlled trials involving 721 patients were included in this analysis. The meta-analysis revealed that the TCE (experimental group) effectively improved the patient's motor function and endurance compared to walking or other activities (control group) (mean difference, MD = 68.23, 95% CI [54.55, 81.91]; P < 0.00001). From each subgroup analysis, the exercising ability of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group. The quality of life's score in the experimental group was lower than that of the control group (MD = −9.51, 95%CI [−17.84, −1.18]; P=0.03). The plasma B-type natriuretic peptide content in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group (MD = −59.77, 95%CI [−82.85, −36.7]; P < 0.00001). The number of hospitalizations (MD = −0.83, 95%CI [−0.98, −0.68]; P < 0.00001) and hospital costs in the experimental group (MD = −1.6, 95%CI [−1.89, −1.31]; P < 0.00001) were lower than those in the control group. However, no significant differences were observed in the left ventricular ejection fraction and maximal oxygen consumption between the two groups (MD = 1.38, 95%CI [−3.08, 5.84] and P=0.54; MD = −0.04, 95%CI [−1.62, 1.54] and P=0.96, respectively). From the current analysis, TCE can be considered a relatively safe exercise method. According to the GRADE evaluation results on the evidence level, the studies included were of moderate quality, low quality, or very low quality.

Conclusions

Our systematic review showed that TCE had potential benefits in improving patients' cardiac function, motor function, and quality of life. Therefore, TCE might be an effective adjuvant therapy in patients with HF. However, given the inclusion of the low-quality elucidations, further rigorous studies are urgently needed to confirm these results.

Metabolism and Chronic Inflammation: The Links Between Chronic Heart Failure and Comorbidities

Heart failure (HF) patients often suffer from multiple comorbidities, such as diabetes, atrial fibrillation, depression, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and chronic kidney disease. The coexistance of comorbidities usually leads to multi morbidity and poor prognosis. Treatments for HF patients with multi morbidity are still an unmet clinical need, and finding an effective therapy strategy is of great value. HF can lead to comorbidity, and in return, comorbidity may promote the progression of HF, creating a vicious cycle. This reciprocal correlation indicates there may be some common causes and biological mechanisms. Metabolism remodeling and chronic inflammation play a vital role in the pathophysiological processes of HF and comorbidities, indicating metabolism and inflammation may be the links between HF and comorbidities. In this review, we comprehensively discuss the major underlying mechanisms and therapeutic implications for comorbidities of HF. We first summarize the potential role of metabolism and inflammation in HF. Then, we give an overview of the linkage between common comorbidities and HF, from the perspective of epidemiological evidence to the underlying metabolism and inflammation mechanisms. Moreover, with the help of bioinformatics, we summarize the shared risk factors, signal pathways, and therapeutic targets between HF and comorbidities. Metabolic syndrome, aging, deleterious lifestyles (sedentary behavior, poor dietary patterns, smoking, etc.), and other risk factors common to HF and comorbidities are all associated with common mechanisms. Impaired mitochondrial biogenesis, autophagy, insulin resistance, and oxidative stress, are among the major mechanisms of both HF and comorbidities. Gene enrichment analysis showed the PI3K/AKT pathway may probably play a central role in multi morbidity. Additionally, drug targets common to HF and several common comorbidities were found by network analysis. Such analysis has already been instrumental in drug repurposing to treat HF and comorbidity. And the result suggests sodium-glucose transporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors, IL-1β inhibitors, and metformin may be promising drugs for repurposing to treat multi morbidity. We propose that targeting the metabolic and inflammatory pathways that are common to HF and comorbidities may provide a promising therapeutic strategy.

Cardiac cachexia: the mandate to increase clinician awareness

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Heart failure is a frequent problem in an ageing population, associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Today, it is important to not only treat heart failure itself but also the related comorbidities. Among them, cardiac cachexia is one of the major challenges. It is a complex multifactorial disease with a negative impact on quality of life and prognosis. Therefore, prevention, early recognition and treatment of cardiac cachexia is essential.

RECENT FINDINGS

Cardiac cachexia frequently presents with skeletal as well as heart muscle depletion. Imaging-based diagnostic techniques can help to identify patients with cardiac cachexia and muscle wasting. Several blood biomarkers are available to detect metabolic changes in cardiac cachexia.

SUMMARY

Several studies are currently ongoing to better comprehend the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of cardiac cachexia and to find new treatments. It is essential to diagnose it as early as possible to initiate therapy.

Physiological monitoring in the complex multi-morbid heart failure patient - Introduction

Repeated physiological monitoring of comorbidities in heart failure (HF) is pivotal. This document introduces the main challenges related to physiological monitoring in the complex multimorbid HF patient, arising during an ESC consensus meeting on this topic.

Renal function, electrolytes, and congestion monitoring in heart failure

Congestion, renal function, and electrolyte imbalance (particularly potassium) are common problems in the management of the complex multi-morbid patient with heart failure (HF). Poor control of these fundamental clinical features is associated with adverse outcomes. Close monitoring of serum potassium and renal function is recommended by most current guidelines during the management of an episode of acute decompensated HF, yet the recommendations remain poorly implemented. Physicians are advised to treat a state of euvolaemia after an admission with decompensated HF and residual congestion is a marker of worse outcome, yet control of congestion is poorly assessed and managed in real-world practice. This document reflects the key points discussed by a panel of experts during a Heart Failure Association meeting on physiological monitoring of the complex multi-morbid HF patient, and here, we present to aspects related to renal function, electrolyte, and congestion monitoring.

Sarcopaenia complicating heart failure

Sarcopaenia is defined as reduced skeletal muscle mass associated with either a decline in muscle strength or low physical performance. It has been shown to affect 17.5% of people worldwide, with a prevalence of 20% or higher in patients with heart failure (HF). Sarcopaenia has severe impact on mortality, physical capacity, and quality of life. Even though several mechanisms, such as autonomic imbalance, reduced muscle blood flow, increased inflammation, hormonal alterations, increased apoptosis, and autophagy have been proposed to fuel the pathogenesis of sarcopaenia, additional studies assessing the interaction of these conditions need to be conducted to elucidate how the presence of sarcopaenia can exacerbate the progression of HF and vice-versa. Resistance training combined with nutritional protein intake seems to be effective in the treatment of sarcopaenia, although current pharmacotherapies have not been extensively studied with this endpoint in mind. In conclusion, sarcopaenia is interwoven with HF and leads to worse exercise capacity in these patients. The mechanisms associated with this bilateral relationship between sarcopaenia and HF are still to be elucidated, leading to effective treatment, not only for the heart, but also for the skeletal muscle.

Physiological monitoring in the complex multimorbid heart failure patient - Conclusions

Comorbidities are increasingly recognized as crucial components of the heart failure syndrome. Main specific challenges are polypharmacy, poor adherence to treatments, psychological aspects, and the need of monitoring after discharge. The chronic multimorbid patient therefore represents a specific heart failure phenotype that needs an appropriate and continuous management over time. This supplement issue covers the key points of a series of meeting coordinated by the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), that have discussed the issues surrounding the effective monitoring of our ever more complex and multimorbid heart failure patients. Here, we present an overview of the complex issues from a healthcare delivery perspective.

Frailty in patients with heart failure

The importance of frailty in heart failure (HF) patients has been increasingly recognized because of its high prevalence and its significantly adverse impact on prognosis and quality of life. Due to the impact of frailty on both prognosis and treatment of HF patients, all patients with HF, regardless of their chronological age, should be evaluated for the presence of, or the risk for developing frailty. However, although several instruments are available, there is still no consensus as to which is the best method to assess frailty in patients with HF. Therefore, a validated and easy to apply instrument to assess frailty in HF patients in daily practice is warranted.

Cardiac cachexia

Cachexia is a multifactorial disease characterized by a pathologic shift of metabolism towards a more catabolic state. It frequently occurs in patients with chronic diseases such as chronic heart failure and is especially common in the elderly. In patients at risk, cardiac cachexia is found in about 10% of heart failure patients. The negative impact of cardiac cachexia on mortality, morbidity, and quality of life demonstrates the urgent need to find new effective therapies against cardiac cachexia. Furthermore, exercise training and nutritional support can help patients with cardiac cachexia. Despite ongoing efforts to find new therapies for cachexia treatment, also new preventive strategies are needed.

Recent advances in cardio-oncology: a report from the 'Heart Failure Association 2019 and World Congress on Acute Heart Failure 2019'

While anti-cancer therapies, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy, are constantly advancing, cardiovascular toxicity has become a major challenge for cardiologists and oncologists. This has led to an increasing demand of cardio-oncology units in Europe and a growing interest of clinicians and researchers. The Heart Failure 2019 meeting of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology in Athens has therefore created a scientific programme that included four dedicated sessions on the topic along with several additional lectures. The major points that were discussed at the congress included the implementation and delivery of a cardio-oncology service, the collaboration among cardio-oncology experts, and the risk stratification, prevention, and early recognition of cardiotoxicity. Furthermore, sessions addressed the numerous different anti-cancer therapies associated with cardiotoxic effects and provided guidance on how to treat cancer patients who develop cardiovascular disease before, during, and after treatment.

[Curing cancer and protecting the heart : Challenges in cardio-oncology in the era of modern tumor treatment]

Recent advances in the medical oncological treatment options for cancer have led to a clear improvement in the survival rate worldwide; however, many of the recently developed new drugs are directly or indirectly associated with cardiovascular side effects. Cardiovascular diseases are already the most frequent non-cancerous cause of death in tumor patients. Prevention, early detection of these complications, correct management and timely initiation of specific cardiac medical treatment are the key for an improvement of the cardiovascular prognosis. This article provides an overview and comprehensive summary of the possible cardiotoxic side effects of important oncological therapies and offers possible practical strategies with respect to risk stratification, cardiological follow-up care and management approaches for chemotherapy-induced left ventricular dysfunction.

Metabolic disorders in heart failure and cancer

In an aging population, the number of patients affected by heart failure and cancer is constantly increasing and together these two conditions account for more than 50% of all deaths worldwide. Both diseases share similar risk factors including smoking, obesity, and hypertension. Presenting symptoms may also be similar, with patients frequently complaining of dyspnea, fatigue, and anorexia. Many affected patients, especially those with more advanced heart failure or cancer, suffer also from metabolic disorders. These can lead eventually to muscle wasting, sarcopenia, and cachexia. These complications are associated with increased morbidity, a poorer quality of life, a worse prognosis and indeed they represent an independent risk factor for the advancement of the underlying disease itself. Very few therapeutic options have been established to treat these co-morbidities. For sarcopenia the only validated treatment is resistance training. Moreover, there is currently no guideline recommended therapy for the treatment of cachexia. New treatment strategies are urgently needed to prevent and treat muscle and wasting disorders in patients with chronic diseases such as cancer and chronic heart failure.