Obesity paradox and heart failure

Association between triglyceride glucose-body mass index and long-term adverse outcomes of heart failure patients with coronary heart disease

BACKGROUND

The triglyceride glucose-body mass index (TyG-BMI) is recognized as a reliable surrogate for evaluating insulin resistance and an effective predictor of cardiovascular disease. However, the link between TyG-BMI index and adverse outcomes in heart failure (HF) patients remains unclear. This study examines the correlation of the TyG-BMI index with long-term adverse outcomes in HF patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).

METHODS

This single-center, prospective cohort study included 823 HF patients with CHD. The TyG-BMI index was calculated as follows: ln [fasting triglyceride (mg/dL) × fasting blood glucose (mg/dL)/2] × BMI. To explore the association between the TyG-BMI index and the occurrences of all-cause mortality and HF rehospitalization, we utilized multivariate Cox regression models and restricted cubic splines with threshold analysis.

RESULTS

Over a follow-up period of 9.4 years, 425 patients died, and 484 were rehospitalized due to HF. Threshold analysis revealed a significant reverse "J"-shaped relationship between the TyG-BMI index and all-cause mortality, indicating a decreased risk of all-cause mortality with higher TyG-BMI index values below 240.0 (adjusted model: HR 0.90, 95% CI 0.86-0.93; Log-likelihood ratio p = 0.003). A distinct "U"-shaped nonlinear relationship was observed with HF rehospitalization, with the inflection point at 228.56 (adjusted model: below: HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.91-0.98; above: HR 1.08, 95% CI 1.03-1.13; Log-likelihood ratio p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study reveals a nonlinear association between the TyG-BMI index and both all-cause mortality and HF rehospitalization in HF patients with CHD, positioning the TyG-BMI index as a significant prognostic marker in this population.

Causal relationship between nutritional assessment phenotypes and heart failure: A Mendelian randomization study

Introduction

Malnutrition is strongly associated with heart failure (HF); however, the causal link remains unclear. We used Mendelian randomization (MR) to infer causal associations between different nutritional assessment phenotypes and HF and to analyze whether these associations were mediated by common HF risk factors.

Methods

Two-sample bidirectional MR was used to infer causal associations between nutritional assessment phenotypes and HF. Mutual influences between different nutritional assessment phenotypes and potential correlations were estimated using multivariate MR methods. Two-step MR was used to quantify the mediating effects of common HF risk factors on the causal associations.

Results

Three phenotypes were positively associated with the development of HF: waist circumference (WC) (odds ratio [OR] = 1.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.60-1.90; P = 3.95 × 10-39), body mass index (BMI) (OR = 1.70; 95%CI, 1.60-1.80; P = 1.35 × 10-73), and whole body fat mass (WBFM) (OR = 1.54; 95%CI, 1.44-1.65; P = 4.82 × 10-37). Multivariate MR indicated that WBFM remained positively associated with HF after conditioning on BMI and WC (OR = 2.05; 95%CI, 1.27-3.31; P = 0.003). Three phenotypes were negatively correlated with the development of HF: usual walking pace (UWP) (OR = 0.40; 95%CI, 0.27-0.60; P = 8.41 × 10-6), educational attainment (EA) (OR = 0.73; 95%CI, 0.67-0.79; P = 2.27 × 10-13), and total cholesterol (TC) (OR = 0.90; 95%CI, 0.84-0.96; P = 4.22 × 10-3). There was a bidirectional causality between HF and UWP (Effect estimate = -0.03; 95%CI, -0.05 to -0.01; P = 1.95 × 10-3). Mediation analysis showed that common risk factors for HF (hypertension, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, and valvular heart disease) mediated these causal associations (all P < 0.05).

Conclusions

BMI, WC, and WBFM are potential risk factors for HF, and the correlation between WBFM and HF was significantly stronger than that between BMI and WC, and HF. EA, UWP, and TC are potential protective factors against HF. Common risk factors for HF mediate these causal pathways. Early identification of potential risk or protective factors for HF patients from the dimension of nutritional status is expected to further improve patient outcomes.

Excessive fat expenditure in MCT-induced heart failure rats is associated with BMAL1/REV-ERBα circadian rhythmic loop disruption

Fat loss predicts adverse outcomes in advanced heart failure (HF). Disrupted circadian clocks are a primary cause of lipid metabolic issues, but it's unclear if this disruption affects fat expenditure in HF. To address this issue, we investigated the effects of disruption of the BMAL1/REV-ERBα circadian rhythmic loop on adipose tissue metabolism in HF.50 Wistar rats were initially divided into control (n = 10) and model (n = 40) groups. The model rats were induced with HF via monocrotaline (MCT) injections, while the control group received equivalent solvent injections. After establishing the HF model, the model group was further subdivided into four groups: normal rhythm (LD), inverted rhythm (DL), lentivirus vector carrying Bmal1 short hairpin RNA (LV-Bmal1 shRNA), and empty lentivirus vector control (LV-Control shRNA) groups, each with 10 rats. The DL subgroup was exposed to a reversed light-dark cycle of 8 h: 16 h (dark: light), while the rest adhered to normal light-dark conditions (light: dark 12 h: 12 h). Histological analyses were conducted using H&E, Oil Red O, and Picrosirius red stains to examine adipose and liver tissues. Immunohistochemical staining, RT-qPCR, and Western blotting were performed to detect markers of lipolysis, lipogenesis, and beiging of white adipose tissue (WAT), while thermogenesis indicators were detected in brown adipose tissue (BAT). The LD group rats exhibited decreased levels of BMAL1 protein, increased levels of REV-ERBα protein, and disrupted circadian circuits in adipose tissue compared to controls. Additionally, HF rats showed reduced adipose mass and increased ectopic lipid deposition, along with smaller adipocytes containing lower lipid content and fibrotic adipose tissue. In the LD group WAT, expression of ATGL, HSL, PKA, and p-PKA proteins increased, alongside elevated mRNA levels of lipase genes (Hsl, Atgl, Peripilin) and FFA β-oxidation genes (Cpt1, acyl-CoA). Conversely, lipogenic gene expression (Scd1, Fas, Mgat, Dgat2) decreased, while beige adipocyte markers (Cd137, Tbx-1, Ucp-1, Zic-1) and UCP-1 protein expression increased. In BAT, HF rats exhibited elevated levels of PKA, p-PKA, and UCP-1 proteins, along with increased expression of thermogenic genes (Ucp-1, Pparγ, Pgc-1α) and lipid transportation genes (Cd36, Fatp-1, Cpt-1). Plasma NT-proBNP levels were higher in LD rats, accompanied by elevated NE and IL-6 levels in adipose tissue. Remarkably, morphologically, the adipocytes in the DL and LV-Bmal1 shRNA groups showed reduced size and lower lipid content, while lipid deposition in the liver was more pronounced in these groups compared to the LD group. At the gene/protein level, the BMAL1/REV-ERBα circadian loop exhibited severe disruption in LV-Bmal1 shRNA rats compared to LD rats. Additionally, there was increased expression of lipase genes, FFA β oxidation genes, and beige adipocyte markers in WAT, as well as higher expression of thermogenic genes and lipid transportation genes in BAT. Furthermore, plasma NT-proBNP levels and adipose tissue levels of NE and IL-6 were elevated in LV-Bmal1 shRNA rats compared with LD rats. The present study demonstrates that disruption of the BMAL1/REV-ERBα circadian rhythmic loop is associated with fat expenditure in HF. This result suggests that restoring circadian rhythms in adipose tissue may help counteract disorders of adipose metabolism and reduce fat loss in HF.

Is the obesity paradox in outpatients with heart failure reduced ejection fraction real?

Background

The obesity occurrence has achieved epidemic levels worldwide and several studies indicate a paradoxical similarity among obesity and the prognosis in heart failure (HF). The primary objective was to understand the association between body mass index (BMI) and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFREF) of ischemic etiology in outpatients, using mortality as a parameter. The secondary objectives were to determine the differences in HF functional class, pharmacological therapy and evaluate the prognostic value of MAGGIC Score in this population.

Methods

We analyzed 1,556 medical records from the HF outpatient clinic of a quaternary hospital and 242 were selected according to the criteria. Most were male, average age 62.6 (56-70), BMI 18.5-24.9 = 35.1%, 25-29.9 = 37.2%, 30-34.9 = 17.8%, 35-39.9 = 7%; BMI <18.5 and >40 groups were eliminated from the central analyzes because of scarce testing.

Results

BMI 30-34.9 and BMI 18.5-24.9 had the best prognosis, BMI 25-29.9 had an average performance, and BMI -39.9 group provided the worst outcome (p = 0.123). In the subcategory analysis, BMI 30-34.9 group had a better prognosis compared to the BMI 35-39.9 group (p = 0.033). In the multivariate analysis The MAGGIC score was not able to foretell mortality in this population according to BMI.

Conclusion

In not hospitalized patients with HFREF of ischemic etiology, obesity was not a protective factor.

Relationship between BMI and prognosis of chronic heart failure outpatients in Vietnam: a single-center study

Background

Insufficient data exists regarding the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and the prognosis of chronic heart failure (CHF) specifically within low- and middle-income Asian countries. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of BMI on adverse outcomes of ambulatory patients with CHF in Vietnam.

Methods

Between 2018 and 2020, we prospectively enrolled consecutive outpatients with clinically stable CHF in an observational cohort, single-center study. The participants were stratified according to Asian-specific BMI thresholds. The relationships between BMI and adverse outcomes (all-cause death and all-cause hospitalization) were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox proportional-hazards model.

Results

Among 320 participants (age 63.5 ± 13.3 years, 57.9% male), the median BMI was 21.4 kg/m2 (IQR 19.5-23.6), and 10.9% were underweight (BMI <18.50 kg/m2). Over a median follow-up time of 32 months, the cumulative incidence of all-cause mortality and hospitalization were 5.6% and 19.1%, respectively. After multivariable adjustment, underweight patients had a significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality than patients with normal BMI (adjusted hazard ratios = 3.03 [95% CI: 1.07-8.55]). Lower BMI remained significantly associated with a worse prognosis when analyzed as a continuous variable (adjusted hazard ratios = 1.27 [95% CI: 1.03-1.55] per 1 kg/m2 decrease for all-cause mortality). However, BMI was not found to be significantly associated with the risk of all-cause hospitalization (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

In ambulatory patients with CHF in Vietnam, lower BMI, especially underweight status (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2), was associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality. These findings suggest that BMI should be considered for use in risk classification, and underweight patients should be managed by a team consisting of cardiologists, nutritionists, and geriatricians.

The Impact of Cocaine Use and the Obesity Paradox in Patients With Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction Due to Non-ischemic Cardiomyopathy

Background Obesity and illicit drugs are independent risk factors for developing heart failure (HF). However, recent studies have suggested that patients who already have HF and are obese have better clinical outcomes. We aim to study the effect of cocaine use on this obesity paradox phenomenon as it pertains to HF readmissions. Methodology In a retrospective chart analysis, we reviewed patients with a diagnosis of HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) admitted to Metropolitan Hospital in New York. We studied the association between body mass index (BMI) categories, namely, non-obese (<30 kg/m2) and obese (≥30 kg/m2), cocaine use, and the primary outcome (time to readmission for HF within 30 days after discharge). The interaction between cocaine and obesity status and its association with the primary outcome was also assessed. Results A total of 261 patients were identified. Non-obese status and cocaine use were associated with an increased hazard of readmission in 30 days (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.28, p = 0.049 and HR = 3.12, p = 0.004, respectively). Furthermore, cocaine users who were non-obese were over six times more likely to be re-admitted in 30 days compared to non-cocaine users who were obese (HR = 6.45, p = 0.0002). Conclusions Non-obese status and continued use of cocaine have a negative additive effect in impacting HF readmissions.

Association between visceral adiposity index and heart failure: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Obesity is an important risk factor for heart failure (HF).

HYPOTHESIS

Visceral adiposity index (VAI) is a simple metric for assessing obesity; however, the association between VAI and risk for HF has not been studied.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study involving 28 764 participants ≥18 years of age from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2009-2018, in the United States was performed. VAI was calculated using body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), triglycerides (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. VAI was analyzed as a continuous and categorical variable to examine its association with HF. Subgroup analysis was also performed.

RESULTS

The highest VAI (fourth quartile [Q4]) was found among males, BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, WC, hypertension, diabetes, liver disease, coronary heart disease, smoking, total cholesterol, and TG. More participants in Q4 took β-receptor blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blockers/angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor, calcium channel blockers, and antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic medications. Participants with HF exhibited greater VAI. A per-unit increase in VAI resulted in a 4% increased risk for HF (odds ratio [OR] 1.04 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.05]). After multivariable adjustment, compared with the lowest quartile, the OR for Q3 was 1.55 (95% CI 1.24-1.94). Subgroup analysis revealed no significant interactions between VAI and specific subgroups.

CONCLUSION

VAI was independently associated with the risk for HF. As a noninvasive index of visceral adiposity, VAI could be used for a "one shot" assessment of HF risk and may serve as a novel marker.

Body composition in patients with heart failure

The redistribution of body composition components in heart failure (CHF) is an urgent and poorly understood issue. Despite the significant impact of a decrease in muscle mass, redistribution of fat mass on the course and prognosis of HF, body composition is rarely taken into account in the treatment of this disease. In this regard, the purpose of this review was to systematize the available data and draw the attention of clinicians to this problem. The data presented in the review make it possible to consider the components of body composition as controllable factors, the normalization of which improves the prognosis in patients with HF. The study of pathophysiological mechanisms for the development of body composition anomalies in HF will make it possible to search for new therapeutic targets. Assessment of body composition will make it possible to develop an individual strategy for the treatment of HF, including a set of non-drug measures.

Relationship Between Prognostic Nutrition Index and New York Heart Association Classification in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease: A RCSCD-TCM Study

Aim

This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between the prognostic nutrition index (PNI) of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and the New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification and the complex relationship between PNI combined body mass index (BMI) and NYHA classification.

Methods

The PNI was applied to 17,413 consecutive patients with CHD. Patients were divided into three groups according to PNI: normal nutrition (PNI ≥ 38), moderate malnutrition (35 < PNI < 38), and severe malnutrition (PNI ≤ 35). A total of 2,052 CHD patients with BMI were selected and stratified by combined subgroups of nutritional status and BMI. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between the PNI and NYHA classification and to adjust for confounding factors.

Results

The prevalence of malnutrition among the 17,413participants with CHD was 4.2%. Moderate and severe malnutrition were significantly related to NYHA class III and V, and the strongest relationship was observed in NYHA class V (odd ratio [OR]: 6.564; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.043–10.658). Malnourished-underweight patients and malnourished-overweight patients were significantly associated with higher NYHA classification, and malnourished-underweight patients (OR: 8.038; 95% CI: 2.091–30.892) were significantly more than malnourished-overweight patients (OR: 3.580; 95% CI: 1.286–9.966).

Conclusion

There were differences in the NYHA classification of CHD patients with different nutritional statuses. The lower the PNI, the worse the NYHA classification of CHD patients. Malnourished-underweight patients had a worse NYHA classification than malnourished-overweight patients.

The Relationship Between Body Mass Index and In-hospital Survival in Patients Admitted With Acute Heart Failure

Background

The association between Body Mass Index (BMI) and clinical outcomes following acute heart failure (AHF) hospitalization is debated in the literature. Our objective was to study the real-world relationship between BMI and in-hospital mortality in patients who were admitted with AHF.

Methods

In this retrospective, multi-center study, we utilized the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database to identify a sampled cohort of patients who were hospitalized with AHF between October 2015 and December 2016. Outcomes of interest included in-hospital mortality and length of stay (LOS). Patients were divided into 6 BMI (kg/m²) subgroups according to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification: (1) underweight ≤ 19, (2) normal weight 20–25, (3) overweight 26–30, (4) obese I 31–35, (5) obese II 36–39, and (6) extremely obese ≥40. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify predictors of in-hospital mortality and to identify predictors of LOS.

Results

A weighted total of 219,950 hospitalizations for AHF across the US were analyzed. The mean age was 66.3 ± 31.5 years and most patients (51.8%) were male. The crude data showed a non-linear complex relationship between BMI and AHF population outcomes. Patients with elevated BMI exhibited significantly lower in-hospital mortality compared to the underweight and normal weight study participants (5.5, 5,5, 2,8, 1.6, 1.4, 1.6% in groups by BMI ≤ 19, 20–25, 26–30, 31–35, 36–39, and, ≥40 respectively, p < 0.001) and shorter LOS. In the multivariable regression model, BMI subgroups of ≤ 25kg/m² were found to be independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. Age and several comorbidities, and also the Deyo Comorbidity Index, were found to be independent predictors of increased mortality in the study population.

Conclusion

A reverse J-shaped relationship between BMI and mortality was documented in patients hospitalized for AHF in the recent years confirming the “obesity paradox” in the real-world setting.

Low Carbohydrate Diets for Diabetic Cardiomyopathy: A Hypothesis

Elevated blood glucose levels, insulin resistance (IR), hyperinsulinemia and dyslipidemia the key aspects of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), contribute to the development of a certain form of cardiomyopathy. This cardiomyopathy, also known as diabetic cardiomyopathy (DMCM), typically occurs in the absence of overt coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension or valvular disease. DMCM encompasses a variety of pathophysiological processes impacting the myocardium, hence increasing the risk for heart failure (HF) and significantly worsening outcomes in this population. Low fat (LF), calorie-restricted diets have been suggested as the preferred eating pattern for patients with HF. However, LF diets are naturally higher in carbohydrates (CHO). We argue that in an insulin resistant state, such as in DMCM, LF diets may worsen glycaemic control and promote further insulin resistance (IR), contributing to a physiological and functional decline in DMCM. We postulate that CHO restriction targeting hyperinsulinemia may be able to improve tissue and systemic IR. In recent years low carbohydrate diets (LC) including ketogenic diets (KD), have emerged as a safe and effective tool for the management of various clinical conditions such as T2DM and other metabolic disorders. CHO restriction achieves sustained glycaemic control, lower insulin levels and successfully reverses IR. In addition to this, its pleiotropic effects may present a metabolic stress defense and facilitate improvement to cardiac function in patients with HF. We therefore hypothesize that patients who adopt a LC diet may require less medications and experience improvements in HF-related symptom burden.

Oxigenación con membrana extracorpórea en el paciente COVID-19: resultados del Registro Español ECMO-COVID de la Sociedad Española de Cirugía Cardiovascular y Endovascular (SECCE)

Introducción y objetivos

La oxigenación con membrana extracorpórea (ECMO) ha resultado ser una opción terapéutica en los pacientes con insuficiencia respiratoria o cardiaca severa por COVID-19. Las indicaciones y manejo de estos pacientes están aún por determinar. Nuestro objetivo es evaluar los resultados de la terapia ECMO en pacientes con COVID-19 incluidos en un registro prospectivo e intentar optimizar los resultados.

Métodos

En marzo de 2020 se inició un registro multicéntrico anónimo prospectivo de pacientes con COVID-19 tratados mediante ECMO veno-arterial (V-A) o veno-venosa (V-V). Se registraron las variables clínicas, analíticas y respiratorias preimplante, datos de implante y evolución de la terapia. El evento primario fue la mortalidad hospitalaria de cualquier causa y los eventos secundarios fueron la recuperación funcional y el evento combinado de recuperación funcional y mortalidad de cualquier causa a partir de los 3 meses de seguimiento tras el alta.

Resultados

Se analizó a un total de 365 pacientes procedentes de 25 hospitales, 347 V-V y 18 V-A (edad media de 52,7 y 49,4 años, respectivamente). Los pacientes con ECMO V-V fueron más obesos, presentaban menos fracaso orgánico diferente al pulmonar y precisaron menos terapia inotrópica previa al implante. El 33,3% y el 34,9% de los pacientes con ECMO V-A y V-V, respectivamente, fueron dados de alta del hospital (p = NS) y la mortalidad fue similar, del 56,2% y 50,9% de los casos respectivamente, la inmensa mayoría durante la ECMO y sobre todo por fracaso multiorgánico. El 14,0% (51 pacientes) permanecían ingresados. El seguimiento medio fue de 196 ± 101,7 días. En el análisis multivariante, resultaron protectores de evento primario en pacientes con ECMO V-V el peso corporal (OR 0,967; IC 95%: 0,95-0,99; p = 0,004) y la procedencia del propio hospital (OR 0,48; IC 95%: 0,27-0,88; p = 0,018), mientras que la edad (OR 1,063; IC 95%: 1,005-1,12; p = 0,032), la hipertensión arterial (3,593; IC 95%: 1,06-12,19; p = 0,04) y las complicaciones en ECMO globales (2,44; IC 95%: 0,27-0,88; p = 0,019), digestivas (OR 4,23, IC 95%: 1,27-14,07; p = 0,019) y neurológicas (OR 4,66; IC 95%: 1,39-15,62; p = 0,013) fueron predictores independientes de mortalidad. El único predictor independiente de aparición de los eventos secundarios resultó el momento de seguimiento del paciente.

Conclusiones

La terapia con ECMO permite supervivencias hospitalarias hasta del 50% en pacientes con COVID-19 grave. La edad, la hipertensión arterial y las complicaciones en ECMO son los predictores de mortalidad hospitalaria en pacientes con ECMO V-V. Un mayor peso corporal y la procedencia del propio hospital son factores protectores. La recuperación funcional solo se ve influida por el tiempo de seguimiento transcurrido tras el alta. La estandarización de los criterios de implante y manejo del paciente con COVID grave mejoraría los resultados y la futura investigación clínica.

The "Obesity Paradox" in Patients With HFpEF With or Without Comorbid Atrial Fibrillation

Background: Overweight and mildly obese individuals have a lower risk of death than their normal-weight counterparts; this phenomenon is termed "obesity paradox." Whether this "obesity paradox" exists in patients with heart failure (HF) or can be modified by comorbidities is still controversial. Our current study aimed to determine the association of body mass index (BMI) with outcomes with patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) with or without coexisting atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: Patients with HFpEF from the Americas in the TOPCAT trial were categorized into the 3 groups: normal weight (18.5-24.9 kg/m²), overweight (25.0-29.9 kg/m²), and obesity (≥30 kg/m²). The Cox proportional-hazards models were used to calculate the adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and CIs. Results: We identified 1,749 patients with HFpEF, 42.1% of which had baseline AF. In the total population of HFpEF, both overweight (HR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.42-0.83) and obesity (HR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.35-0.69) were associated with a reduced risk of all-cause death. Among patients with HFpEF without AF, overweight (HR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.27-0.95) and obesity (HR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.43-0.98) were associated with a lower risk of all-cause death. In those with AF, obesity (HR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.40-0.95) but not overweight (HR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.54-1.21) was associated with a decreased risk of all-cause death. Conclusions: The "obesity paradox" assessed by BMI exists in patients with HFpEF regardless of comorbid AF. Clinical Trial Registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov, identifier: NCT00094302.

A novel nutritional index as a predictor of mortality in dilated cardiomyopathy: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Research has associated nutritional status with the prognosis of cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of a novel nutritional index, triglycerides × total cholesterol × body weight index (TCBI), in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study enrolled 445 patients with DCM. The median follow-up period was 2.8 years, and the primary endpoint was all-cause death.

RESULTS

During follow-up, the all-cause mortality was observed in 135 out of 445 patients (30.3%). In Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, the third TCBI tertile had a lower mortality risk (T3 vs. T2 vs. T1: 16.9% vs. 35.1% vs. 38.9%; log-rank P < 0.001). In the multivariable Cox regression analysis, patients in the third tertile were associated with a decreased mortality, whereas there was no significant difference between the T2 and T1 groups. Moreover, TCBI could significantly improve risk stratification (continuous net reclassification improvement and integrated discrimination improvement) over the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP).

CONCLUSIONS

TCBI is independently associated with long-term survival in patients with DCM. Combination of TCBI and other biomarkers, such as GNRI and NT-proBNP, can significantly improve prognostic prediction. Further studies with larger sample size are required to validate our results.

Impact of nutritional status on heart failure mortality: a retrospective cohort study

Background

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is one of the most common causes of mortality in industrialized countries despite regular therapeutic advances. Numerous factors influence mortality in CHF patients, including nutritional status. It is known that malnutrition is a risk factor for mortality, whereas obesity may play a protective role, a phenomenon dubbed the “obesity paradox”. However, the effect of the obesity-malnutrition association on mortality has not been previously studied for CHF. Our aim was to study the effect of nutritional status on overall mortality in CHF patients.

Methods

This retrospective, multicenter study was based on a French nationwide database (PMSI). We included all CHF patients aged ≥18 years admitted to all public and private hospitals between 2012 and 2016 and performed a survival analysis over 1 to 4 years of follow-up.

Results

Malnutrition led to a significant decrease in life expectancy in CHF patients when compared with normal nutritional status (aHR=1.16 [1.14-1.18] at one year and aHR=1.04 [1.004-1.08] at four years), obese, and obese-malnutrition groups. In contrast, obesity led to a significant increase in life expectancy compared with normal nutritional status (aHR=0.75 [0.73-0.78] at one year and aHR=0.85 [0.81-0.90] at four years), malnutrition, and obese-malnutrition groups. The mortality rate was similar in patients presenting both malnutrition and obesity and patients with normal nutritional status.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that the protective effect on mortality observed in obese CHF patients seems to be linked to fat massincrease. Furthermore, malnourished obese and normal nutritional status patients had similar mortality rates. Further studies should be conducted to confirm our results and to explore the physiopathological mechanisms behind these effects.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12937-021-00753-x.

Caution, "normal" BMI: health risks associated with potentially masked individual underweight-EPMA Position Paper 2021

An increasing interest in a healthy lifestyle raises questions about optimal body weight. Evidently, it should be clearly discriminated between the standardised "normal" body weight and individually optimal weight. To this end, the basic principle of personalised medicine "one size does not fit all" has to be applied. Contextually, "normal" but e.g. borderline body mass index might be optimal for one person but apparently suboptimal for another one strongly depending on the individual genetic predisposition, geographic origin, cultural and nutritional habits and relevant lifestyle parameters-all included into comprehensive individual patient profile. Even if only slightly deviant, both overweight and underweight are acknowledged risk factors for a shifted metabolism which, if being not optimised, may strongly contribute to the development and progression of severe pathologies. Development of innovative screening programmes is essential to promote population health by application of health risks assessment, individualised patient profiling and multi-parametric analysis, further used for cost-effective targeted prevention and treatments tailored to the person. The following healthcare areas are considered to be potentially strongly benefiting from the above proposed measures: suboptimal health conditions, sports medicine, stress overload and associated complications, planned pregnancies, periodontal health and dentistry, sleep medicine, eye health and disorders, inflammatory disorders, healing and pain management, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, cancers, psychiatric and neurologic disorders, stroke of known and unknown aetiology, improved individual and population outcomes under pandemic conditions such as COVID-19. In a long-term way, a significantly improved healthcare economy is one of benefits of the proposed paradigm shift from reactive to Predictive, Preventive and Personalised Medicine (PPPM/3PM). A tight collaboration between all stakeholders including scientific community, healthcare givers, patient organisations, policy-makers and educators is essential for the smooth implementation of 3PM concepts in daily practice.

The Association between Nutritional Status and In-Hospital Mortality among Patients with Heart Failure-A Result of the Retrospective Nutritional Status Heart Study 2 (NSHS2)

BACKGROUND

A nutritional status is related to the prognosis and length of hospitalisation of patients with heart failure (HF). This study aims to assess the effect of nutritional status on in-hospital mortality in patients with heart failure.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study and analysis of medical records of 1056 patients admitted to the cardiology department of the University Clinical Hospital in Wroclaw (Poland).

RESULTS

A total of 1056 individuals were included in the analysis. A total of 5.5% of patients died during an in-hospital stay. It was found that in the sample group, 25% of patients who died had a BMI (body mass index) within the normal range, 6% were underweight, 47% were overweight, and 22% were obese. Our results show that non-survivors have a significantly higher nutrition risk screening (NRS) ≥3 (21% vs. 3%; p < 0.001); NYHA (New York Heart Association) grade 4 (70% vs. 24%; p < 0.001). The risk of death was lower in obese patients (HR = 0.51; p = 0.028) and those with LDL (low-density lipoprotein) levels from 116 to <190 mg/dL (HR = 0.10; p = 0.009, compared to those with LDL <55 mg/dL). The risk of death was higher in those with NRS (nutritional risk score) score ≥3 (HR = 2.31; p = 0.014), HFmrEF fraction (HR = 4.69; p < 0.001), and LDL levels > 190 mg/dL (HR = 3.20; p = 0.038).

CONCLUSION

The malnutrition status correlates with an increased risk of death during hospitalisation. Higher TC (total cholesterol) level were related to a lower risk of death, which may indicate the "lipid paradox". Higher BMI results were related to a lower risk of death, which may indicate the "obesity paradox".