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Del Punta L, De Biase N, Pugliese NR. Sex-Related Determinants of Exercise Intolerance in HFpEF: Not Just a Matter of the Heart! JACC. ADVANCES 2024; 3:101038. [PMID: 39130024 PMCID: PMC11313034 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacadv.2024.101038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Lavinia Del Punta
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Nicolò De Biase
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Yuasa N, Harada T, Kagami K, Ishii H, Obokata M. The roles of exercise stress echocardiography for the evaluation of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in the heart failure pandemic era. J Med Ultrason (2001) 2024; 51:437-445. [PMID: 38926301 DOI: 10.1007/s10396-024-01468-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) accounts for nearly 70% of all HF and has become the dominant form of HF. The increased prevalence of HFpEF has contributed to a rise in the number of HF patients, known as the "heart failure pandemic". In addition to the fact that HF is a progressive disease and a delayed diagnosis may worsen clinical outcomes, the emergence of disease-modifying treatments such as sodium-glucose transporter 2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists has made appropriate and timely identification of HFpEF even more important. However, diagnosis of HFpEF remains challenging in patients with a lower degree of congestion. In addition to normal EF, this is related to the fact that left ventricular (LV) filling pressures are often normal at rest but become abnormal during exercise. Exercise stress echocardiography can identify such exercise-induced elevations in LV filling pressures and facilitate the diagnosis of HFpEF. Exercise stress echocardiography may also be useful for risk stratification and assessment of exercise tolerance as well as cardiovascular responses to exercise. Recent attention has focused on dedicated dyspnea clinics to identify early HFpEF among patients with unexplained dyspnea and to investigate the causes of dyspnea. This review discusses the role of exercise stress echocardiography in the diagnosis and evaluation of HFpEF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Yuasa
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-Machi, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan
| | - Tomonari Harada
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-Machi, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan
| | - Kazuki Kagami
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-Machi, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan
| | - Hideki Ishii
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-Machi, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan
| | - Masaru Obokata
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-Machi, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan.
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Verwerft J, Foulkes S, Bekhuis Y, Moura-Ferreira S, Falter M, Hoedemakers S, Jasaityte R, Stassen J, Herbots L, La Gerche A, Haykowsky MJ, Claessen G. The Oxygen Cascade According to HFpEF Likelihood: A Focus on Sex Differences. JACC. ADVANCES 2024; 3:101039. [PMID: 39130052 PMCID: PMC11313028 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacadv.2024.101039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
Background Women are at greater risk for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Objectives The aim of the study was to compare sex differences in the pathophysiology of exertional breathlessness in patients with high vs low HFpEF likelihood. Methods This cohort study evaluated consecutive patients (n = 1,936) with unexplained dyspnea using cardiopulmonary exercise testing and simultaneous echocardiography and quantified peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2) and its determinants. HFpEF was considered likely when the H2FPEF or HFA-PEFF score was ≥6 or ≥5, respectively. Sex differences were evaluated with the Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U test and determinants of exercise capacity with a multivariable linear regression. Results The cohort included 1,963 patients (49% women and 28% [n = 555] with a high HFpEF likelihood). HFpEF likelihood did not impact the magnitude of sex differences in peak VO2 and its determinants. Overall, women had lower peak VO2 (mean difference -4.4 mL/kg/min [95% CI: -3.7 to -5.1 mL/kg/min]) secondary to a reduced O2 delivery (-0.5 L/min [95% CI: -0.4 to -0.6 L/min]) and less oxygen extraction (-2.9 mL/dL [95% CI: -2.5 to -3.2 mL/dL]). Reduced O2 delivery was due to lower hemoglobin (-1.2 g/dL [95% CI: -0.9 to -1.5 g/dL]) and smaller stroke volume (-15 mL [95% CI: -14 to -17 mL]). Women demonstrated increased mean pulmonary artery pressure/cardiac output slope (+0.5 mm Hg/L/min [95% CI: 0.3-0.7 mm Hg/L/min]) and left ventricular ejection fraction (+1% [95% CI: 1%-2%]), while they had smaller left ventricular end-diastolic volumes (-9 mL/m2 [95% CI: -8 to -11 mL/m2]) and mass (-12 g/m2 [95% CI: -9 to -14 g/m2]) and more often iron deficiency (55% vs 33%; P < 0.001). Conclusions Women with unexplained dyspnea had significantly lower peak VO2, regardless of HFpEF likelihood, attributed to both lower peak exercise O2 delivery and extraction. This suggests that physiologic sex differences, and not HFpEF likelihood, are an important factor contributing to functional limitations in females with exertional breathlessness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Verwerft
- Department of Cardiology, JESSA Hospital, Hasselt, Belgium
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences/LCRC, UHasselt, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Stephen Foulkes
- Integrated Cardiovascular Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation (iCARE) Lab, Faculty of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
- Heart, Exercise and Research Trials (HEART) Lab, St Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, Australia
- Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Youri Bekhuis
- Department of Cardiology, JESSA Hospital, Hasselt, Belgium
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences/LCRC, UHasselt, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sara Moura-Ferreira
- Department of Cardiology, JESSA Hospital, Hasselt, Belgium
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences/LCRC, UHasselt, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Maarten Falter
- Department of Cardiology, JESSA Hospital, Hasselt, Belgium
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences/LCRC, UHasselt, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sarah Hoedemakers
- Department of Cardiology, JESSA Hospital, Hasselt, Belgium
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences/LCRC, UHasselt, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Ruta Jasaityte
- Department of Cardiology, JESSA Hospital, Hasselt, Belgium
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences/LCRC, UHasselt, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Jan Stassen
- Department of Cardiology, JESSA Hospital, Hasselt, Belgium
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences/LCRC, UHasselt, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Lieven Herbots
- Department of Cardiology, JESSA Hospital, Hasselt, Belgium
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences/LCRC, UHasselt, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Andre La Gerche
- Heart, Exercise and Research Trials (HEART) Lab, St Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, Australia
- Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Mark J. Haykowsky
- Integrated Cardiovascular Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation (iCARE) Lab, Faculty of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
- Heart, Exercise and Research Trials (HEART) Lab, St Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, Australia
| | - Guido Claessen
- Department of Cardiology, JESSA Hospital, Hasselt, Belgium
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences/LCRC, UHasselt, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- Heart, Exercise and Research Trials (HEART) Lab, St Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, Australia
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Naito A, Kagami K, Yuasa N, Harada T, Sorimachi H, Murakami F, Saito Y, Tani Y, Kato T, Wada N, Adachi T, Ishii H, Obokata M. Prognostic utility of cardiopulmonary exercise testing with simultaneous exercise echocardiography in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Eur J Heart Fail 2024. [PMID: 38840564 DOI: 10.1002/ejhf.3334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) combined with exercise echocardiography (CPETecho) allows simultaneous assessments of cardiac, pulmonary, and ventilation in heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). This study sought to determine whether simultaneous assessment of CPET variables could provide additive predictive value over exercise stress echocardiography in patients with dyspnoea. METHODS AND RESULTS CPETecho was performed in 443 patients with suspected HFpEF (240 HFpEF and 203 controls without HF). Patients with HFpEF were divided based on peak oxygen consumption (VO2, ≥10 or <10 ml/min/kg) or the slope of minute ventilation to carbon dioxide production (VE vs. VCO2 slope ≥45.0 or <45.0). The primary endpoint was defined as a composite of all-cause mortality, HF hospitalization, unplanned hospital visits requiring intravenous diuretics, or intensification of oral diuretics. During a median follow-up of 399 days, the composite outcome occurred in 57 patients. E/e' ratio during peak exercise was associated with adverse outcomes. Patients with HFpEF and lower peak VO2 had increased risks of the composite event (hazard ratio [HR] 5.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.65-9.62, p < 0.0001 vs. controls; HR 3.14, 95% CI 1.69-5.84, p = 0.0003 vs. HFpEF with higher peak VO2). Elevated VE versus VCO2 slope was also associated with adverse events in HFpEF. The addition of either the presence of abnormal peak VO2 or VE versus VCO2 slope increased the predictive ability over the model based on age, sex, atrial fibrillation, left atrial volume index, and exercise E/e' (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION These data provide new insights into the role of CPETecho in patients with HFpEF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayami Naito
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Japan
| | - Kazuki Kagami
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Japan
| | - Naoki Yuasa
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Tomonari Harada
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Hidemi Sorimachi
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Fumitaka Murakami
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Yuki Saito
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuta Tani
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Toshimitsu Kato
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Naoki Wada
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Takeshi Adachi
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Japan
| | - Hideki Ishii
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Masaru Obokata
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
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Beghini A, Sammartino AM, Papp Z, von Haehling S, Biegus J, Ponikowski P, Adamo M, Falco L, Lombardi CM, Pagnesi M, Savarese G, Metra M, Tomasoni D. 2024 update in heart failure. ESC Heart Fail 2024. [PMID: 38806171 DOI: 10.1002/ehf2.14857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
In the last years, major progress has occurred in heart failure (HF) management. The 2023 ESC focused update of the 2021 HF guidelines introduced new key recommendations based on the results of the last years of science. First, two drugs, sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and finerenone, a novel nonsteroidal, selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA), are recommended for the prevention of HF in patients with diabetic chronic kidney disease (CKD). Second, SGLT2 inhibitors are now recommended for the treatment of HF across the entire left ventricular ejection fraction spectrum. The benefits of quadruple therapy in patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) are well established. Its rapid and early up-titration along with a close follow-up with frequent clinical and laboratory re-assessment after an episode of acute HF (the so-called 'high-intensity care' strategy) was associated with better outcomes in the STRONG-HF trial. Patients experiencing an episode of worsening HF might require a fifth drug, vericiguat. In the STEP-HFpEF-DM and STEP-HFpEF trials, semaglutide 2.4 mg once weekly administered for 1 year decreased body weight and significantly improved quality of life and the 6 min walk distance in obese patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) with or without a history of diabetes. Further data on safety and efficacy, including also hard endpoints, are needed to support the addition of acetazolamide or hydrochlorothiazide to a standard diuretic regimen in patients hospitalized due to acute HF. In the meantime, PUSH-AHF supported the use of natriuresis-guided diuretic therapy. Further options and most recent evidence for the treatment of HF, including specific drugs for cardiomyopathies (i.e., mavacamten in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and tafamidis in transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis), device therapies, cardiac contractility modulation and percutaneous treatment of valvulopathies, with the recent finding from the TRILUMINATE Pivotal trial, are also reviewed in this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Beghini
- Institute of Cardiology, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Antonio Maria Sammartino
- Institute of Cardiology, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Zoltán Papp
- Division of Clinical Physiology, Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Stephan von Haehling
- Department of Cardiology and Pneumology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jan Biegus
- Institute of Heart Diseases, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Piotr Ponikowski
- Institute of Heart Diseases, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Marianna Adamo
- Institute of Cardiology, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Luigi Falco
- Heart Failure Unit, Department of Cardiology, AORN dei Colli-Monaldi Hospital Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Carlo Mario Lombardi
- Institute of Cardiology, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Matteo Pagnesi
- Institute of Cardiology, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Savarese
- Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Heart and Vascular and Neuro Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marco Metra
- Institute of Cardiology, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Daniela Tomasoni
- Institute of Cardiology, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Tani Y, Reddy YNV, Verbrugge FH, Yang JH, Negishi K, Harada T, Kagami K, Saito Y, Yuasa N, Sorimachi H, Murakami F, Kato T, Wada N, Ishii H, Obokata M. Variability in approach to exercise stress echocardiography for diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: an international survey on real-world practice. EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL. IMAGING METHODS AND PRACTICE 2024; 2:qyae059. [PMID: 39224097 PMCID: PMC11367952 DOI: 10.1093/ehjimp/qyae059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Aims The diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remains challenging based on resting assessments. Exercise echocardiography is often used to unmask abnormalities that develop during exercise, but the diagnostic criteria have not been standardized. This study aimed to elucidate how cardiologists utilize exercise echocardiography to diagnose HFpEF in real-world practice. Methods and results An international web-based survey involving 87 cardiologists was performed. We also performed a retrospective cross-sectional study to investigate the impact of different exercise echocardiographic diagnostic criteria in 652 dyspnoeic patients who underwent exercise echocardiography. The HFA-PEFF algorithm was the most commonly used exercise echocardiography criterion for HFpEF diagnoses (48%), followed by the ASE/EACVI criteria (24%) and other combinations of multiple parameters (22%). Among 652 patients, the proportion of HFpEF diagnosis varied substantially according to the criteria used ranging from 20.1% (ASE/EACVI criteria) to 44.3% (HFA-PEFF algorithm). Many cases (49.4-70.5%) remained indeterminate after exercise echocardiography, but only 41% of surveyed cardiologists would utilize exercise right heart catheterization to resolve an indeterminate result. Despite these diagnostic uncertainties, 54% of surveyed cardiologists would utilize exercise echocardiography results to initiate sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors. Conclusion In real-world practice, exercise echocardiographic criteria utilized across cardiologists vary, which meaningfully impacts the frequency of HFpEF diagnoses, with indeterminate results being common. Despite these diagnostic uncertainties, many cardiologists initiate pharmacotherapy based on exercise echocardiography. The lack of consensus on universal diagnostic criteria for exercise echocardiography and approaches to indeterminate results may limit the delivery of evidence-based treatment for HFpEF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuta Tani
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Yogesh N V Reddy
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Frederik H Verbrugge
- Centre for Cardiovascular Diseases, University Hospital Brussels, Jette 1090, Belgium
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Jette 1090, Belgium
| | - Jeong Hoon Yang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea
- Department of Cardiology, Heart Vascular Stroke Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Korea
| | - Kazuaki Negishi
- Nepean Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2747, Australia
| | - Tomonari Harada
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Kazuki Kagami
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama 359-8513, Japan
| | - Yuki Saito
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - Naoki Yuasa
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Hidemi Sorimachi
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Fumitaka Murakami
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Toshimitsu Kato
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Naoki Wada
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Hideki Ishii
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Masaru Obokata
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
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De Biase N, Mazzola M, Del Punta L, Di Fiore V, De Carlo M, Giannini C, Costa G, Paneni F, Mengozzi A, Nesti L, Gargani L, Masi S, Pugliese NR. Haemodynamic and metabolic phenotyping of patients with aortic stenosis and preserved ejection fraction: A specific phenotype of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction? Eur J Heart Fail 2023; 25:1947-1958. [PMID: 37655676 DOI: 10.1002/ejhf.3018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Degenerative aortic valve stenosis with preserved ejection fraction (ASpEF) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) display intriguing similarities. This study aimed to provide a non-invasive, comparative analysis of ASpEF versus HFpEF at rest and during exercise. METHODS AND RESULTS We prospectively enrolled 148 patients with HFpEF and 150 patients with degenerative moderate-to-severe ASpEF, together with 66 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. All subjects received a comprehensive evaluation at rest and 351/364 (96%) performed a combined cardiopulmonary exercise stress echocardiography test. Patients with ASpEF eligible for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (n = 125) also performed cardiac computed tomography (CT). HFpEF and ASpEF patients showed similar demographic distribution and biohumoral profiles. Most patients with ASpEF (134/150, 89%) had severe high-gradient aortic stenosis; 6/150 (4%) had normal-flow, low-gradient ASpEF, while 10/150 (7%) had low-flow, low-gradient ASpEF. Both patient groups displayed significantly lower peak oxygen consumption (VO2 ), peak cardiac output, and peak arteriovenous oxygen difference compared to controls (all p < 0.01). ASpEF patients showed several extravalvular abnormalities at rest and during exercise, similar to HFpEF (all p < 0.01 vs. controls). Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness was significantly greater in ASpEF than HFpEF and was inversely correlated with peak VO2 in all groups. In ASpEF, EAT was directly related to echocardiography-derived disease severity and CT-derived aortic valve calcium burden. CONCLUSION Functional capacity is similarly impaired in ASpEF and HFpEF due to both peripheral and central components. Further investigation is warranted to determine whether extravalvular alterations may affect disease progression and prognosis in ASpEF even after valve intervention, which could support the concept of ASpEF as a specific sub-phenotype of HFpEF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolò De Biase
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Matteo Mazzola
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Lavinia Del Punta
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Valerio Di Fiore
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco De Carlo
- Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Department, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Cristina Giannini
- Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Department, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giulia Costa
- Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Department, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Paneni
- Center for Translational and Experimental Cardiology (CTEC), Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alessandro Mengozzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Center for Translational and Experimental Cardiology (CTEC), Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lorenzo Nesti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Luna Gargani
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefano Masi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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8
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Sciatti E, Coccia MG, Magnano R, Aakash G, Limonta R, Diep B, Balestrieri G, D'Isa S, Abramov D, Parwani P, D'Elia E. Heart Failure Preserved Ejection Fraction in Women: Insights Learned from Imaging. Heart Fail Clin 2023; 19:461-473. [PMID: 37714587 DOI: 10.1016/j.hfc.2023.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
While the prevalence of heart failure, in general, is similar in men and women, women experience a higher rate of HFpEF compared to HFrEF. Cardiovascular risk factors, parity, estrogen levels, cardiac physiology, and altered response to the immune system may be at the root of this difference. Studies have found that in response to increasing age and hypertension, women experience more concentric left ventricle remodeling, more ventricular and arterial stiffness, and less ventricular dilation compared to men, which predisposes women to developing more diastolic dysfunction. A multi-modality imaging approach is recommended to identify patients with HFpEF. Particularly, appreciation of sex-based differences as described in this review is important in optimizing the evaluation and care of women with HFpEF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Sciatti
- Cardiology Unit, Hospital Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | | | | | - Gupta Aakash
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University Health, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - Raul Limonta
- School of Medicine and Surgery, Milano Bicocca University, Milano, Italy
| | - Brian Diep
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University Health, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | | | - Salvatore D'Isa
- Cardiology Unit, Hospital Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Dmitry Abramov
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University Health, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - Purvi Parwani
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University Health, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - Emilia D'Elia
- Cardiology Unit, Hospital Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy.
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Del Punta L, De Biase N, Mazzola M, Filidei F, Balletti A, Armenia S, Di Fiore V, Buralli S, Galeotti GG, De Carlo M, Giannini C, Masi S, Pugliese NR. Bio-Humoral and Non-Invasive Haemodynamic Correlates of Renal Venous Flow Patterns across the Heart Failure Spectrum. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:1704. [PMID: 37893422 PMCID: PMC10608031 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59101704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Background: We evaluated the bio-humoral and non-invasive haemodynamic correlates of renal congestion evaluated by Doppler renal venous flow (RVF) across the heart failure (HF) spectrum, from asymptomatic subjects with cardiovascular risk factors (Stage A) and structural heart disease (Stage B) to patients with clinically overt HF (Stage C). Methods: Ultrasound evaluation, including echocardiography, lung ultrasound and RVF, along with blood and urine sampling, was performed in 304 patients. Results: Continuous RVF was observed in 230 patients (76%), while discontinuous RVF (dRVF) was observed in 74 (24%): 39 patients had pulsatile RVF, 18 had biphasic RVF and 17 had monophasic RVF. Stage C HF was significantly more common among patients with dRVF. Monophasic RVF was associated with worse renal function and a higher urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR). After adjusting for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, the presence of Stage C HF and serum creatinine levels, worsening RVF patterns were associated with higher NT-proBNP levels, worse right ventricular-arterial coupling, larger inferior vena cava and higher echo-derived pulmonary artery wedge pressure. This trend was confirmed when only patients with HF Stage C were analysed after adjusting for the left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF). Conclusion: Abnormal RVF is common across the HF spectrum. Worsening RVF patterns are independently associated with increased congestion, worse non-invasive haemodynamics and impaired RV-arterial coupling. RVF evaluation could refine prognostic stratification across the HF spectrum, irrespective of LVEF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lavinia Del Punta
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Nicolò De Biase
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Matteo Mazzola
- Department of Pathology, Cardiology Division, University of Pisa, Via Paradisa 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Filidei
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessio Balletti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Silvia Armenia
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Valerio Di Fiore
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Simona Buralli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Gian Giacomo Galeotti
- Department of Pathology, Cardiology Division, University of Pisa, Via Paradisa 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco De Carlo
- Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Department, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.D.C.)
| | - Cristina Giannini
- Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Department, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.D.C.)
| | - Stefano Masi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
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Del Punta L, De Biase N, Armenia S, Di Fiore V, Maremmani D, Gargani L, Mazzola M, De Carlo M, Mengozzi A, Lomonaco T, Galeotti GG, Dini FL, Masi S, Pugliese NR. Combining cardiopulmonary exercise testing with echocardiography: a multiparametric approach to the cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary systems. EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL. IMAGING METHODS AND PRACTICE 2023; 1:qyad021. [PMID: 39044798 PMCID: PMC11195726 DOI: 10.1093/ehjimp/qyad021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
Exercise intolerance is a prominent feature of several cardiovascular conditions. However, the physical effort requires the intertwined adaptation of several factors, namely the cardiovascular system, the lungs, and peripheral muscles. Several abnormalities in each domain may be present in a given patient. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) has been used to investigate metabolic and ventilatory alterations responsible for exercise intolerance but does not allow for direct evaluation of cardiovascular function. However, this can readily be obtained by concomitant exercise-stress echocardiography (ESE). The combined CPET-ESE approach allows for precise and thorough phenotyping of the pathophysiologic mechanisms underpinning exercise intolerance. Thus, it can be used to refine the diagnostic workup of patients with dyspnoea of unknown origin, as well as improve risk stratification and potentially guide the therapeutic approach in specific conditions, including left and right heart failure or valvular heart disease. However, given its hitherto sporadic use, both the conceptual and technical aspects of CPET-ESE are often poorly known by the clinician. Improving knowledge in this field could significantly aid in anticipating individual disease trajectories and tailoring treatment strategies accordingly. Therefore, we designed this review to revise the pathophysiologic correlates of exercise intolerance, the practical principles of the combined CPET-ESE examination, and its main applications according to current literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lavinia Del Punta
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma, 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Nicolò De Biase
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma, 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Silvia Armenia
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma, 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Valerio Di Fiore
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma, 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Davide Maremmani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma, 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Luna Gargani
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Matteo Mazzola
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco De Carlo
- Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Department, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Mengozzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma, 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tommaso Lomonaco
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Gian Giacomo Galeotti
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Frank L Dini
- Istituto Auxologico IRCCS, Centro Medico Sant’Agostino, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Masi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma, 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Nicola Riccardo Pugliese
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma, 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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