Impact of BNP level and peak VO2 on future heart failure events: comparison between sinus rhythm and atrial fibrillation

The role of cardiopulmonary exercise testing in risk stratification and prognosis of atrial fibrillation: a scoping review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is a significant tool for evaluating exercise capacity in healthy individuals and in various pulmonary and cardiovascular conditions, quantifying symptoms and predicting outcomes. Atrial fibrillation (AF) poses a significant burden on patients and health systems; a research marathon is ongoing for discovering the pathophysiologic substrate, natural history, prognostic tools and optimal treatment strategies for AF. Among the plethora of variables measured during CPET, there is a series of parameters of interest concerning AF.

METHODS

We conducted a scoping review aiming to identify significant CPET-related parameters linked to AF, as well as indicate the impact of other cardiac disease-related variables. We searched PubMed from its inception to 12 January 2022 for reports underlining the contribution of CPET in the assessment of patients with AF. Only clinical trials, observational studies and systematic reviews were included, while narrative reviews, expert opinions and other forms of manuscripts were excluded.

RESULTS

In our scoping review, we report a group of heterogeneous, thus noteworthy parameters relevant to the potential contribution of CPET in AF. CPET helps phenotype AF populations, evaluates exercise capacity after cardioversion or catheter ablation, and assesses heart rate response to exercise; peak VO₂ and VE/VCO₂, commonly measured indices during CPET, also serve as prognostic tools in patients with AF and heart failure.

CONCLUSIONS

CPET seems to hold a clinically important predictive value for future cardiovascular events both in patients with pre-existing cardiac conditions and in healthy individuals. CPET variables may play a fundamental role in the prediction of future AF-related events.

Optimal management of blood glucose, blood pressure and atrial fibrillation to reduce the risk of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension, and atrial fibrillation (AF) are risk factors for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). This study examined the effects of the simultaneous control of all 3 conditions on the new-onset HFpEF in this population.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study enrolled 552 patients with T2DM, hypertension and AF, but without clinical signs or symptoms of heart failure. The participants were followed up for 5 years to examine the effects of glycemic control (hemoglobin A1c: < 7.0%, 7.0%-8.0% and > 8.0%), blood pressure (BP) control (systolic BP: <120 mmHg, 120-140 mmHg and >140 mmHg) or rhythm versus rate control for AF on new-onset HFpEF.

RESULTS

With a follow-up of 5 years, the new-onset HFpEF occurred in 62 of 552 enrolled participants. Among the different control level for diabetes, hypertension and AF, the intensive blood glucose (BG) control, poor BP control and rate control of AF had the highest risk of new-onset HFpEF, and the conservative BG control, intensive BP control and rhythm control of AF had the lowest risk of new-onset HFpEF. Multivariable cox regression analysis showed that both poor BP control (HR: 1.421 95% CI: 1.013-1.992, P=0.042) and rate control of AF (HR: 1.362 95% CI: 1.006-1.821, P=0.033) were independently associated with the development of new-onset HFpEF.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that, besides intensive BP control, conservative BG control and rhythm control of AF were crucial factors to delay the progression of HFpEF among patients with T2DM, hypertension and AF. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Effect of exercise therapy on established and emerging circulating biomarkers in patients with heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Biomarkers are important in the diagnosis, risk stratification and management of patients with heart failure (HF). The established biomarkers of myocardial stretch, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and amino (N) portion of BNP (NT-proBNP) have been extensively studied, and early analyses have demonstrated response to exercise training. Several other biomarkers have been identified over the last decade and may provide valuable and complementary information which may guide treatment strategies, including exercise therapy.

Methods

A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Trials Register to 31 October 2017 was conducted for exercise-based rehabilitation trials in HF. Randomised and controlled trials that reported biomarkers, BNP, NT-proBNP, soluble ST2, galectin-3, mid-regional atrial natriuretic peptide, mid-regional adrenomedullin and copeptin, were included.

Results

Forty-three studies were included in the systematic review, with 27 studies suitable for meta-analyses. Data pooling was only possible for NT-proBNP and BNP. Meta-analyses of conventional training studies demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in NT-proBNP (pmol/L); mean difference (MD) −32.80 (95% CI −56.19 to −9.42), p=0.006 and in BNP (pmol/L); MD −17.17 (95% CI −29.56 to −4.78), p=0.007. Pooled data of non-conventional training failed to demonstrate any statistically significant improvements.

Conclusion

Pooled data indicated a favourable effect of conventional exercise therapy on the established biomarkers, NT-proBNP and BNP; however, this was in contrast to a number of studies that could not be pooled. Limited evidence exists as to the effect of exercise training on emerging biomarkers.

Prognostic value of selected echocardiographic, impedance cardiographic, and hemodynamic parameters determined during right heart catheterization in patients qualified for heart transplantation

The aim of the study was to verify prognostic value of selected echocardiographic (UKG), impedance cardiography (ICG), and right heart catheterization (RHC) parameters in systolic heart failure (HF). UKG, ICG, and RHC were performed in 46 patients with chronic HF with ejection fraction <35%. During a 1-year follow-up, composite endpoint (death or hospitalization due to HF exacerbation) was achieved by 23 (50.0%) patients. Analysis of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves identified UKG parameters: inferior vena cava diameter on inspiration (IVCinsp) >13 mm [area under curve (AUC), 0.791], right atrial (RA) >5.2 cm (AUC 0.710) and ventricular dimension (RVD) >3.5 cm (AUC 0.717), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) <17 mm (AUC 0.682), and its velocity (S'RV) <6.07 cm/s (AUC 0.716) as unfavorable prognostic factors. RHC parameters: low values of cardiac index (CI < 2.1 L/min; AUC 0.846) and high pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP > 24 mmHg; AUC 0.773) turned out to be the most accurate single predictors of worse outcome. Prognostic value of non-invasive parameters was improved due to the use of their composite measures: IVC% × TAPSE (<430%/mm; AUC 0.826), RVSP/TAPSE (>2.4 mmHg/mm; AUC 0.800), IVC% × SBP (>2097% mmHg; AUC 0.826), and RA × IVCinsp/S'RV (>11.8 cm s; AUC 0.839). In conclusion, composite measures based on non-invasive parameters, such as IVC%/TAPSE, RVSP/TAPSE and RA × IVCinsp/S'RV, may provide equally accurate prognosis as the invasive examination. PCWP and CI determined during RHC were the best individual predictors of the composite endpoint. In addition, echocardiographic parameters: RVD, RA, IVC, TAPSE, and S'RV are accurate predictors of the unfavorable outcome.