Diastolic heart failure: The forgotten manifestation of hypertensive heart disease

Comparison of B-type natriuretic peptide with left atrial enlargement by echocardiography for the diagnosis of new-onset congestive heart failure with a preserved left ventricular systolic function in the setting of longstanding hypertension

The present study attempted to determine the accuracy of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) compared with left atrial enlargement at echocardiography in the emergency diagnosis of new-onset heart failure with preserved systolic function (HFPSF) related to longstanding hypertension. The study comprised 57 patients in sinus rhythm hospitalized for acute dyspnea, 30 with hypertensive HFPSF and 27 with noncardiac cause. By stepwise logistic regression analysis, BNP provided independent and incremental diagnostic information over the score of Boston criteria. There was a trend toward superiority of this biomarker compared to the left atrial area index for the diagnosis of HFPSF. A BNP concentration >142 pg/ml was 93% sensitive and 85% specific for the diagnosis of HFPSF in this clinical setting (area under the ROC curve of 0.91 [0.8-0.97], p<0.001).

From hypertension to heart failure: role of nitric oxide-mediated endothelial dysfunction and emerging insights from myocardial contrast echocardiography

There is growing evidence that nitric oxide (NO)-mediated endothelial dysfunction occurs in hypertension and may represent the earliest stage of target organ damage, which ultimately leads to hypertensive heart disease and heart failure (HF). An understanding of how impaired myocardial microvascular function and flow reserve relate to early remodeling during the transition to HF in patients with hypertension may lead to new therapeutic insights. The hypertrophied heart, which is a feature of the adverse structural remodeling in hypertensive heart disease, may be accompanied by impaired coronary flow reserve (CFR). Reduced CFR could potentially cause subendocardial ischemia during conditions of high metabolic demand, such as uncontrolled hypertension and tachycardia. Such vulnerability of the subendocardium to abnormal perfusion or ischemia may accelerate the progression from compensated hypertrophy to HF. In this review, we discuss preliminary evidence that altered NO balance may contribute to cardiac hypertrophy-mediated myocardial ischemia. We also describe early results with myocardial contrast echocardiography in the postulated transition from compensated hypertrophy to cardiac failure. These data support further evaluation of NO mediators as potential targets for novel therapies in hypertensive heart disease.

The Irbesartan in Heart Failure With Preserved Systolic Function (I-PRESERVE) Trial: Rationale and Design

BACKGROUND

Although 40% to 50% of patients with chronic heart failure (HF) have relatively preserved systolic function (PSF), few trials have been conducted in this population and treatment guidelines do not include evidence-based recommendations.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The Irbesartan in Heart Failure with Preserved Systolic Function (I-PRESERVE) is enrolling 4100 subjects with HF-PSF to evaluate whether 300 mg irbesartan is superior to placebo in reducing mortality and prespecified categories of cardiovascular hospitalizations. The principal inclusion criteria are age > or =60 years, heart failure symptoms, an ejection fraction > or =45%, and either hospitalization for heart failure within 6 months or corroborative evidence of heart failure or the substrate for diastolic heart failure. Additional secondary end points include cardiovascular mortality, cause-specific mortality and morbidity, change in New York Heart Association functional class, quality of life, and N-terminal pro-BNP measurements. Follow-up will continue until 1440 patients experience a primary end point. Substudies will evaluate changes in echocardiographic measurements and serum collagen markers.

CONCLUSION

I-PRESERVE is the largest trial in this understudied area and will provide crucial information on the characteristics and course of the syndrome, as well as the efficacy of the angiotensin receptor blocker irbesartan.