Prognostic importance of secondary pulmonary hypertension after acute myocardial infarction

Impact of elevated systolic arterial pulmonary pressure on the total mortality rate after acute myocardial infarction in the elderly

Reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is associated with increased mortality after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, the prognostic impact of elevated systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) in the very elderly patients after AMI is lacking. We aimed to study the impact of elevated sPAP on one- and five-year all-cause mortality after AMI in very elderly patients, 80 years of age and older. Of a total number of 353 patients (≥ 80 years) who were hospitalized with acute coronary syndrome, 162 patients presenting with AMI and with available data of sPAP on echocardiography were included and followed-up for 5 years. The survival analyses were performed using Cox-Regression models adjusted for conventional risk factors including LVEF. Altogether 66 of 162 patients (41%) had ST-segment elevation MI, and 121 (75%) of patients were treated with percutaneous coronary intervention in the acute phase. Echocardiography during the admission revealed that 78 patients (48%) had a LVEF ≤ 45% and 66 patients (41%) had a sPAP ≥ 40 mmHg. After one and five years of follow-up, 23% (n = 33) and 53% (n = 86) of patients died, respectively. A multivariable Cox-Regression analysis showed that the elevated sPAP (≥ 40 mmHg) was an independent predictor of increased mortality in both one and five years after AMI; HR of 2.63 (95%, CI 1.19-5.84, P 0.017) and HR of 2.08 (95%, CI 1.25-3.44, P 0.005) respectively, whereas LVEF ≤ 45% did not show any statistically significant impact, neither on one- nor on five-year mortality (HR 1.3, 95% CI 0.6-2.9, p = 0.469) and (HR 1.4, 95% CI 0.8-2.4, p = 0.158), respectively. Elevated sPAP was an independent risk factor for one- and five-year all-cause mortality after AMI in very elderly patients and sPAP seems to be a better prognostic predictor for all-cause mortality than LVEF. The risk of all-cause mortality after AMI increased with increasing sPAP.

Clinical impact of pulmonary hypertension on the outcomes of acute myocardial infarction patients with or without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are leading global causes of morbidity and mortality. In patients with both of these conditions, the presence of pulmonary hypertension (PH) can further worsen their prognosis. We examined the outcomes of AMI patients with COPD (AMI+COPD) and without COPD (AMI-COPD), depending on the presence or absence of PH.A total of 318 AMI patients with COPD (AMI+COPD cohort) (n = 109) or without COPD (AMI-COPD cohort) (n = 209) were included in this study and were subdivided into 2 groups according to right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) level (PH group [RVSP ≥35 mm Hg] and no PH group [RVSP <35 mm Hg]).We investigated characteristics and clinical outcomes in both the AMI-COPD and AMI+COPD cohorts. When investigating in-hospital clinical outcomes, the PH group had a higher proportion of new-onset heart failure (HF) in both cohorts. In the AMI+COPD cohort, however, the PH group had a higher incidence of cardiogenic shock than the no PH group, which was consistent with the result of the post-inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) analysis. When investigating 1-year clinical outcomes, the PH group had higher incidences of a major adverse cardiac event and all-cause mortality in both cohorts. This finding was mainly driven by cardiac death in the AMI-COPD cohort, whereas it was mainly driven by non-cardiac death in the AMI+COPD cohort. After IPTW adjustment, these differences were statistically attenuated such that all variables were similar between both groups.PH may be associated with the development of new-onset HF (in all patients) and cardiogenic shock (in the AMI+COPD cohort). In addition, PH may be also associated with all-cause mortality, although it was statistically attenuated after IPTW adjustment.

Chronic kidney disease in acute coronary syndromes: real world data of long-term outcomes

Aim: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at increased cardiovascular risk. Methods: Patients with acute coronary syndrome were retrospectively allocated to three groups (stage 3A, stage 3B or stage 4) based on the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes classification formulas: the CKD Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI; N = 401) and the modification of diet in renal disease (n = 355). The primary end point was all-cause mortality (median follow-up time, 32 months [15-70]). Results: Study results showed decreased median survival was associated with poor renal function for both the CKD-EPI (78 vs 61 vs 40 months, p = 0.014) and modification of diet in renal disease groups (68 vs 57 vs 32 months, p = 0.006). After adjustment, age (OR: 1.07; 95% CI: 1.01-1.14) and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (OR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.03-1.14), but not estimated glomerular filtration rate, were associated with decreased survival. Conclusion: Study results suggest that poor outcomes after an acute coronary syndrome were associated with comorbidities rather than estimated glomerular filtration rate level.

Left atrial volume index and pulmonary arterial pressure predicted MACE among patients with STEMI during 8-year follow-up: experience from a tertiary center

BACKGROUND

It is important to identify patients that are at high risk following primary percutaneous coronary intervention (P-PCI) for the treatment of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is the most important parameter obtained from transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) for risk stratification. The authors evaluated the value of pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and left atrial volume index (LAVI) for the prediction of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with STEMI that underwent P‑PCI.

METHODS

A total of 92 patients that underwent P‑PCI for STEMI were included in the study. All patients underwent TTE examination before discharge. The composite primary outcome of the study was all-cause mortality and new onset heart failure (HF) during an 8-year follow-up period.

RESULTS

The mean age of patients was 61.6 ± 12.4 years and 15 were female (16.3%). Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) defined as all-cause mortality and new onset HF occurred in 30 (41%) patients during a mean of 6 ± 2.7 years of follow-up. In the backward multivariate Cox regression analysis LVEF (odds ratio [OR] = 0.933, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.876-0.994, p = 0.031), LAVI (OR = 1.069, 95%CI: 1.017-1.124, p = 0.009), PAP (OR = 1.137, 95% CI: 1.057-1.223, p = 0.001) and creatinine level (OR = 1.730, 95% CI: 1.350-1.223, p = 0.029) were found to independently predict MACE during long-term follow-up. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed, revealing that sPAP >24.5 mm Hg had a sensitivity and specificity of 72 and 66%, respectively; LAVI >31 ml/m² had a sensitivity and specificity of 72.2 and 83.3%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

In patients that underwent P‑PCI for the treatment for STEMI, LVEF, LAVI, PAP and creatinine level independently predicted all-cause mortality and new onset HF during long-term follow-up.

Tricuspid Regurgitation Pressure Gradient as a Useful Predictor of Adverse Cardiovascular Events and All-Cause Mortality in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

BACKGROUND

Tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient (TRPG) is reportedly a predictor of cardiovascular (CV) mortality in patients without atrial fibrillation (AF); its relationship with cardiac outcomes in patients with AF has never been evaluated. This study aimed to examine the ability of TRPG to predict CV events and all-cause mortality in patients with AF.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Comprehensive echocardiography was performed in 155 patients with persistent AF. Combined CV events were defined as CV mortality, stroke and hospitalization for heart failure.

RESULTS

During an average follow-up period of 27 months, 57 CV events and 31 all-cause deaths occurred. According to multivariate analysis, predictors of CV events included diuretic use, decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), increased ratio of transmitral E velocity (E) to early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E') and TRPG. Predictors of all-cause mortality included old age, decreased LVEF, increased E/E' and TRPG. Notably, the addition of TRPG to a model containing clinical significant parameters, LVEF and E/E' significantly improved the values in predicting adverse CV events and all-cause mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

The TRPG is not only a useful predictor of adverse CV events and all-cause mortality in patients with AF, it may also provide additional prognostic values for CV outcome and all-cause mortality over conventional parameters in such patients.

Systolic time ratio measured by impedance cardiography accurately screens left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with arterial hypertension

Background

The use of impedance cardiography (ICG) may play a role in the assessment of cardiac effects of hypertension (HT), especially its hemodynamic features. Hypertensive heart disease involves structural changes and alterations in left ventricular geometry that end up causing systolic and/or diastolic dysfunction. The IMPEDDANS study aims to assess the usefulness of ICG for the screening of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) in patients with HT.

Methods

Patients with HT were assessed by echocardiography and ICG. Receiver-operating characteristic curve and the area under the curve were used to assess the discriminative ability of the parameters obtained by ICG to identify LVDD, as diagnosed by echocardiography.

Results

ICG derived pre-ejection period (PEP), left ventricle ejection time (LVET), systolic time ratio (STR) and D wave were associated (p < 0.001) with LVDD diagnosis, with good discriminative ability: PEP (AUC 0.81; 95% CI 0.74–0.89), LVET (AUC 0.82; 95% CI 0.75–0.88), STR (AUC 0.97; 95% CI 0.94–1.00) and presence of D wave (AUC = 0.87; 95% CI 0.82–0.93). STR ≥ 0.30 outperformed the other parameters (sensitivity of 98.0%, specificity of 90.2%, positive predictive value of 95.2%, and negative predictive value of 96.1%).

Conclusion

The ICG derived value of STR allows the accurate screening of LVDD in patients with HT. It might as well be used for follow up assessment.

Trial registration

The study protocol was retrospectively registered as IMPEDDANS on ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT03209141) on July 6, 2017.

Serum-Free Thyroxine Levels Were Associated with Pulmonary Hypertension and Pulmonary Artery Systolic Pressure in Euthyroid Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between thyroid hormone levels, pulmonary hypertension (PH), and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) in euthyroid patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). A cross-sectional study was conducted in individuals who underwent coronary angiography and were diagnosed as CAD from March 2013 to November 2013. 811 subjects (185 women and 626 men) were included in this study. PASP was measured by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography. 86 patients were diagnosed as PH and had significantly higher free thyroxine (FT₄) levels than those without PH. Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated an independent association of FT₄ levels with PH after adjustment of gender, age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, left ventricular ejection fraction, hypertension, and medication use of calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor antagonists, and nitrates. Serum-free triiodothyronine (FT₃) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were not associated with PH. Furthermore, multivariate linear regression analysis showed that FT₄ levels emerged as an independent predictor for PASP, while FT₃ and TSH levels were not associated with PASP. Our study demonstrated that, in euthyroid patients with CAD, FT₄ was an independent risk factor for PH, and FT₄ levels were independently associated with PASP.

Prognostic Implications of Elevated Pulmonary Artery Pressure After ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Elevated systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has been associated with adverse outcome. However, little is known about the development of increased SPAP after STEMI treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention. The aims of this study were to investigate the incidence and determinants of elevated SPAP (SPAP ≥36 mm Hg at 12 months) after first STEMI and to analyze its prognostic implications. A total of 705 patients (60 ± 12 years; 75% men; left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] 47 ± 9%) with first STEMI treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention were evaluated. Two-dimensional echocardiography was available at baseline and 12-month follow-up. Data on all-cause mortality were collected at long-term follow-up. Incident elevated SPAP was present in 5% (n = 38) of patients. Patients with incident elevated SPAP were older (66 ± 12 vs 60 ± 11 years, p = 0.001), had more systemic hypertension (58% vs 30%, p <0.001) and lower LVEF (43 ± 9% vs 48 ± 8%, p <0.001) than their counterparts. Left atrial volume was larger (23 ± 11 vs 18 ± 6 ml/m(2), p = 0.006), and moderate to severe mitral regurgitation was more prevalent in patients with incident elevated SPAP (16% vs 7%, p = 0.05). Independent correlates of incident elevated SPAP at 12-month follow-up were age (odds ratio [OR] 1.04, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.08, p = 0.01), hypertension (OR 2.52, 95% CI 1.23 to 5.14, p = 0.01), baseline LVEF (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.90 to 0.98, p = 0.003), and baseline left atrial volume (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.12, p = 0.001). Incident elevated SPAP was independently associated with all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 3.84, 95% CI 1.76 to 8.39, p = 0.001). In conclusion, although the incidence of elevated SPAP after STEMI is low, its presence is independently associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality at follow-up.

Time Dependence of the Effect of Right Ventricular Dysfunction on Clinical Outcomes After Myocardial Infarction: Role of Pulmonary Hypertension

Background

The clinical importance of right ventricular (RV) function in acute myocardial infarction is well recognized, but the impact of concomitant pulmonary hypertension (PH) has not been studied.

Methods and Results

We studied 1044 patients with acute myocardial infarction. Patients were classified into 4 groups according to the presence or absence of RV dysfunction and PH, defined as pulmonary artery systolic pressure >35 mm Hg: normal right ventricle without PH (n=509), normal right ventricle and PH (n=373), RV dysfunction without PH (n=64), and RV dysfunction and PH (n=98). A landmark analysis of early (admission to 30 days) and late (31 days to 8 years) mortality and readmission for heart failure was performed. In the first 30 days, RV dysfunction without PH was associated with a high mortality risk (adjusted hazard ratio 5.56, 95% CI 2.05–15.09, P<0.0001 compared with normal RV and no PH). In contrast, after 30 days, mortality rates among patients with RV dysfunction were increased only when PH was also present. Compared with patients having neither RV dysfunction nor PH, the adjusted hazard ratio for mortality was 1.44 (95% CI 0.68–3.04, P=0.34) in RV dysfunction without PH and 2.52 (95% CI 1.64–3.87, P<0.0001) in RV dysfunction with PH. PH with or without RV dysfunction was associated with increased risk for heart failure.

Conclusion

In the absence of elevated pulmonary pressures, the risk associated with RV dysfunction after acute myocardial infarction is entirely confined to the first 30 days. Beyond 30 days, PH is the stronger risk factor for long‐term mortality and readmission for heart failure.

Predictors of hospitalisations for heart failure and mortality in patients with pulmonary hypertension associated with left heart disease: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

Left heart disease (LHD) is the main cause of pulmonary hypertension (PH), but little is known regarding the predictors of adverse outcome of PH associated with LHD (PH-LHD). We conducted a systematic review to investigate the predictors of hospitalisations for heart failure and mortality in patients with PH-LHD.

DESIGN

Systematic review.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed MEDLINE and SCOPUS from inception to August 2013 were searched, and citations identified via the ISI Web of Science.

STUDY SELECTION

Studies that reported on hospitalisation and/or mortality in patients with PH-LHD were included if the age of participants was greater than 18 years and PH was diagnosed using Doppler echocardiography and/or right heart catheterisation. Two reviewers independently selected studies, assessed their quality and extracted relevant data.

RESULTS

In all, 45 studies (38 from Europe and USA) were included among which 71.1% were of high quality. 39 studies were published between 2003 and 2013. The number of participants across studies ranged from 46 to 2385; the proportion of men from 21% to 91%; mean/median age from 63 to 82 years; and prevalence of PH from 7% to 83.3%. PH was consistently associated with increased mortality risk in all forms of LHD, except for aortic valve disease where findings were inconsistent. Six of the nine studies with data available on hospitalisations reported a significant adverse effect of PH on hospitalisation risk. Other predictors of adverse outcome were very broad and heterogeneous including right ventricular dysfunction, functional class, left ventricular function and presence of kidney disease.

CONCLUSIONS

PH is almost invariably associated with increased mortality risk in patients with LHD. However, effects on hospitalisation risk are yet to be fully characterised; while available evidence on the adverse effects of PH have been derived essentially from Caucasians.

Diagnosis and management of pulmonary hypertension associated with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is commonly seen in patients who present with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) and is considered a marker of poor prognosis. While PH in this setting is thought to result from pulmonary venous congestion, there is a subset of patients in which pulmonary pressures fail to improve with appropriate management of diastolic heart failure and go on to develop a clinical picture similar to that of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Despite the utility of Doppler echocardiography and exercise testing in the initial evaluation of patients with suspected PH-LVDD, the diagnosis can only be confirmed using right heart catheterization. Management of PH-LVDD centers on both optimizing fluid management and afterload reduction to reducing left ventricular diastolic pressures and also increase pulmonary venous return. To date, there is no clear evidence that addition of PH-specific drugs can improve clinical outcomes, and their use should only be considered in the setting of clinical trials. In conclusion, PH-LVDD remains a challenging clinical entity that complicates the management of left ventricular dysfunction and significantly contributes to its morbidity and mortality. Determination of the optimal diagnostic and treatment strategies for this form of PH should be the goal of future studies.

Pulmonary hypertension in canine degenerative mitral valve disease

Pulmonary hypertension secondary to degenerative mitral valve disease has been recognized clinically for many years in veterinary medicine, and clinical diagnosis of this syndrome in dogs has been enhanced greatly by widespread use of echocardiography and Doppler echocardiography. Medical therapy is now available to treat this clinical complication of mitral valve disease, making timely diagnosis even more important to patient longevity and quality of life.

Pulmonary hypertension associated with left heart disease: characteristics, emerging concepts, and treatment strategies

Left heart disease (LHD) represents the most common causes of pulmonary hypertension (PH). Whether caused by systolic or diastolic dysfunction or valvular heart disease, a hallmark of PH associated with LHD is elevated left atrial pressure. In all cases, the increase in left atrial pressure causes a passive increase in pulmonary pressure. In some patients, a superimposed active component caused by pulmonary arterial vasoconstriction and vascular remodeling may lead to a further increase in pulmonary arterial pressure. When present, PH is associated with a worse prognosis in patients with LHD. In addition to local abnormalities in nitric oxide and endothelin production, gene modifiers such as serotonin polymorphisms may be associated with the pathogenesis of PH in LHD. Optimizing heart failure regimens and corrective valve surgery represent the cornerstone of the treatment of PH in LHD. Recent studies suggest that sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor, is a promising agent in the treatment of PH in LHD. Unloading the left ventricle with circulatory support may also reverse severe PH in patients with end-stage heart failure allowing candidacy to heart transplantation.

Echocardiographic evaluation of systolic and mean pulmonary artery pressure in the follow-up of patients with pulmonary hypertension

AIMS

To identify a correction of the modified Bernoulli formula used to estimate systolic and mean pulmonary artery pressure [sPAP and mPAP; respectively: sPAP = 4 × TRv (tricuspid regurgitation velocity)(2)+ RAP (right atrial pressure); and mPAP = 0.61sPAP + 2], applicable in the follow-up of pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

From January 1979 to December 2009, 60 patients with precapillary (class I and IV) and 'out of proportion' PH were consecutively enrolled in the PH Registry of Trieste. All patients underwent both echocardiographic and right heart catheter evaluation. We used a simple-linear-regression method in order to compare sPAP and mPAP Doppler-estimated values with the respective right-heart catheterization invasive variables. The comparison of the estimated with the traditional modified Bernoulli formula echo-Doppler data and the effective invasive values confirmed a significant association between them (for sPAP P< 0.001; for mPAP P= 0.006). Simple-linear-regression-derived formulas were sPAP = 1.07 × (4TRv(2)+ RAP) + 7.4 (1) and mPAP = 1.1 × (0.61sPAP + 2) + 2.5 (2). These regression-corrected formulas were validated in an external population of PH patients.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that formulas (1) and (2) could be more reliable with respect to the traditional modified Bernoulli equation, when estimating echocardiographically sPAP and mPAP in patients with PH confirmed by right-heart catheterization.

Cardiac imaging after myocardial infarction

After myocardial infarction, optimal clinical management depends critically on cardiac imaging. Remodelling and heart failure, presence of inducible ischaemia, presence of dysfunctional viable myocardium, future risk of adverse events including risk of ventricular arrhythmias, need for anticoagulation, and other questions should be addressed by cardiac imaging. Strengths and weaknesses, recent developments, choice, and timing of the different non-invasive techniques are reviewed for this frequent clinical scenario.

Intracardiac injection of erythropoietin induces stem cell recruitment and improves cardiac functions in a rat myocardial infarction model

Erythropoietin (EPO) protects the myocardium from ischaemic injury and promotes beneficial remodelling. We assessed the therapeutic efficacy of intracardiac EPO injection and EPO-mediated stem cell homing in a rat myocardial infarction (MI) model. Following MI, EPO (3000 U/kg) or saline was delivered by intracardiac injection. Compared to myocardial infarction control group (MIC), EPO significantly improved left ventricular function (n =11-14, P < 0.05) and decreased right ventricular wall stress (n = 8, P < 0.05) assessed by pressure-volume loops after 6 weeks. MI-EPO hearts exhibited smaller infarction size (20.1 +/- 1.1% versus 27.8 +/- 1.2%; n = 6-8, P < 0.001) and greater capillary density (338.5 +/- 14.7 versus 259.8 +/- 9.2 vessels per mm2; n = 6-8, P < 0.001) than MIC hearts. Direct EPO injection reduced post-MI myocardial apoptosis by approximately 41% (0.27 +/- 0.03% versus 0.42 +/- 0.03%; n = 6, P= 0.005). The chemoattractant SDF-1 was up-regulated significantly assessed by quantitative realtime PCR and immunohistology. c-Kit(+) and CD34(+) stem cells were significantly more numerous in MI-EPO than in MIC at 24 hrs in peripheral blood (n = 7, P < 0.05) and 48 hrs in the infarcted hearts (n = 6, P < 0.001). Further, the mRNAs of Akt, eNOS and EPO receptor were significantly enhanced in MI-EPO hearts (n = 7, P < 0.05). Intracardiac EPO injection restores myocardial functions following MI, which may attribute to the improved early recruitment of c-Kit(+) and CD34(+) stem cells via the enhanced expression of chemoattractant SDF-1.

Effect of pulmonary hypertension on clinical outcomes in advanced heart failure: analysis of the Evaluation Study of Congestive Heart Failure and Pulmonary Artery Catheterization Effectiveness (ESCAPE) database

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary hypertension has been shown to predict hospitalizations and mortality in patients with heart failure. We aimed to define the prevalence of mixed pulmonary hypertension (MPH; mean pulmonary artery pressure > or = 25 mm Hg, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure >15 mm Hg, and pulmonary vascular resistance > or = 3 Wood units), identify clinical predictors of MPH, and determine whether MPH predicts adverse outcomes in patients hospitalized with severe heart failure.

METHODS

This is a subgroup analysis of patients assigned to pulmonary artery catheter placement in the Evaluation Study of Congestive Heart Failure and Pulmonary Artery Catheterization Effectiveness (ESCAPE) trial. Patients with and without MPH were compared with respect to baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes, including NYHA class, 6-minute walk distance, quality of life, days hospitalized, and 6-month mortality.

RESULTS

Of the 171 patients studied, 80 (47%) had MPH. Older age was the only significant predictor of MPH. MPH patients had lower cardiac index (1.8 +/- 0.5 L/min vs 2.1 +/- 0.5 L/min, P = .001) and higher systemic vascular resistance index (3,179 +/- 1,454 vs 2,550 +/- 927 dynes x s/cm5 x m2, P < .001) compared to those without MPH. Importantly, right ventricular function was relatively preserved (median RVSWI 8.7 gm-m/m2/beat) in MPH patients. There were no significant differences in clinical outcomes between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Mixed pulmonary hypertension is common in patients hospitalized with advanced heart failure and is not associated with adverse short-term clinical outcomes over and above the poor prognosis of ADHF patients without MPH.

Pulmonary artery pressure and diastolic dysfunction in normal left ventricular systolic function

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a well-established sequel of LV systolic dysfunction; however its association with diastolic dysfunction in subjects with normal LV systolic function has not been thoroughly studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between diastolic dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension in patients with normal left ventricular (LV) wall motion.

METHODS

We analyzed retrospectively 477 consecutive echocardiographic studies that were performed in the Meir Medical Center echocardiography laboratory in subjects with normal LV systolic function and correlated the state of diastolic function (normal, impaired relaxation, pseudo normal and restrictive pattern) to the magnitude of pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) assessed by echocardiography. None of the subjects that were studied had any other established causes of pulmonary hypertension.

RESULTS

Mean PAP for subjects with normal diastolic function (n=110) was 31.1+/-6 mm Hg; for grade 1 diastolic dysfunction (impaired relaxation ) (n=256) 35.6+/-10.2 mm Hg; for grade 2 (pseudo normal) (n=102) 38.9=10.6 mm Hg and for grade 3 (restrictive pattern) (n=9) the pressure was 55.1+/-11.4 mm Hg (p<0.001 by one-way ANOVA, the differences were between each 2 groups of diastolic dysfunction).

CONCLUSIONS

LV diastolic dysfunction is associated with an increase in PAP in subjects with normal systolic function. PAP is significantly increased for each step-up in diastolic dysfunction grade.

Diagnosis and management of pulmonary hypertension over the past 100 years

Pulmonary hypertension is a rare disease with a poor prognosis. It was first described in the late 19th century as a clinical-pathological syndrome characterised by obstruction of the small pulmonary arteries and right ventricular hypertrophy in patients presenting with severe dyspnoea and cyanosis. After the development of right heart catheterisation in the second half of the 20th century, it was found that many diseases could cause pulmonary hypertension, which is now recognised to be high blood pressure in the arteries that supply the lungs. In the 1960s, an epidemic of pulmonary hypertension caused by appetite suppressants initiated a systematic collection of information on pulmonary hypertension, leading to the first international classification of pulmonary hypertension. Increased understanding of the pathogenesis of the various forms of pulmonary hypertension has led to novel treatments and holds promise for the future.

Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Left-Sided Heart Disease

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) denotes a poor prognosis in patients with left-sided heart disease. No study has demonstrated long-term benefit from PH drugs such as prostanoids, endothelin antagonists, and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors. In some cases, cautious use of PH drugs may be indicated. However, theoretic and practical concerns limit any formal recommendations.

Elevated pulmonary artery pressure by Doppler echocardiography predicts hospitalization for heart failure and mortality in ambulatory stable coronary artery disease: the Heart and Soul Study

OBJECTIVES

We compared the predictive ability of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and end-diastolic pulmonary regurgitation (EDPR) gradients in outpatients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND

The TR and EDPR gradients, in conjunction with right atrial pressure, provide Doppler estimates of pulmonary artery systolic and diastolic pressures. We hypothesized that increases in TR or EDPR gradients in stable coronary artery disease would predict heart failure (HF) hospitalization or cardiovascular (CV) death.

METHODS

We measured TR and EDPR gradients in 717 adults with completed outcome adjudications who were recruited for the Heart and Soul Study. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for HF hospitalization, CV death, all-cause death, and the combined end point. Multivariate adjustments were made for age, gender, race, history of CV or pulmonary disease, functional class, and left ventricular ejection fraction.

RESULTS

There were 63 HF hospitalizations, 19 CV deaths, and 86 all-cause deaths at the 3-year follow-up. There were 466 measurable EDPR gradients and 573 measurable TR gradients. Age-adjusted ORs for EDPR >5 mm Hg predicted HF hospitalization (2.7, 95% CI 1.3 to 5.5, p = 0.006), all-cause death (2.5, 95% CI 1.4 to 4.4, p = 0.002), and HF hospitalization or CV death (2.7, 95% CI 1.4 to 5.2, p = 0.004). Age-adjusted OR for TR >30 mm Hg predicted HF hospitalization (3.4, 95% CI 1.9 to 6.2, p < 0.0001) and HF hospitalization or CV death (3.0, 95% CI 1.7 to 5.3, p = 0.0001). Multivariate adjusted OR per 5-mm Hg incremental increases in EDPR predicted HF hospitalization or CV death (1.9, 95% CI 1.01 to 3.6, p = 0.046) and all-cause death (1.7, 95% CI 1.05 to 2.8, p = 0.03). Multivariate adjusted OR per 10-mm Hg incremental increases in TR predicted HF hospitalization or CV death (1.6, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.4, p = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

Increases in EDPR or TR gradients predict HF hospitalization or CV death among ambulatory adults with coronary artery disease.