Utility of the Modified Frailty Index to Predict Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Outcomes and Response

Long-term outcome of cardiac resynchronization therapy patients in the elderly

Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of mortality and hospitalization in the elderly. However, data are scarce about their response to device treatment such as cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). We aimed to evaluate the age-related differences in the effectiveness of CRT, procedure-related complications, and long-term outcome. Between 2000 and 2020, 2656 patients undergoing CRT implantation were registered and analyzed retrospectively. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to their age: group I, < 65; group II, 65-75; and group III, > 75 years. The primary endpoint was the echocardiographic response defined as a relative increase > 15% in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) within 6 months, and the secondary endpoint was the composite of all-cause mortality, heart transplantation, or left ventricular assist device implantation. Procedure-related complications were also assessed. After implantation, LVEF showed significant improvement both in the total cohort [28% (IQR 24/33) vs. 35% (IQR 28/40); p < 0.01)] and in each subgroup (27% vs. 34%; p < 0.01, 29% vs. 35%; p < 0.01, 30% vs. 35%; p < 0.01). Response rate was similar in the 3 groups (64% vs. 62% vs. 56%; p = 0.41). During the follow-up, 1574 (59%) patients died. Kaplan-Meier curves revealed a significantly lower survival rate in the older groups (log-rank p < 0.001). The cumulative complication rates were similar among the three age groups (27% vs. 28% vs. 24%; p = 0.15). Our results demonstrate that CRT is as effective and safe therapy in the elderly as for young ones. The present data suggest that patients with appropriate indications benefit from CRT in the long term, regardless of age.

EHRA expert consensus document on the management of arrhythmias in frailty syndrome, endorsed by the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS), Latin America Heart Rhythm Society (LAHRS), and Cardiac Arrhythmia Society of Southern Africa (CASSA)

There is an increasing proportion of the general population surviving to old age with significant chronic disease, multi-morbidity, and disability. The prevalence of pre-frail state and frailty syndrome increases exponentially with advancing age and is associated with greater morbidity, disability, hospitalization, institutionalization, mortality, and health care resource use. Frailty represents a global problem, making early identification, evaluation, and treatment to prevent the cascade of events leading from functional decline to disability and death, one of the challenges of geriatric and general medicine. Cardiac arrhythmias are common in advancing age, chronic illness, and frailty and include a broad spectrum of rhythm and conduction abnormalities. However, no systematic studies or recommendations on the management of arrhythmias are available specifically for the elderly and frail population, and the uptake of many effective antiarrhythmic therapies in these patients remains the slowest. This European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) consensus document focuses on the biology of frailty, common comorbidities, and methods of assessing frailty, in respect to a specific issue of arrhythmias and conduction disease, provide evidence base advice on the management of arrhythmias in patients with frailty syndrome, and identifies knowledge gaps and directions for future research.

Risk scores in cardiac resynchronization therapy-A review of the literature

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) for selected heart failure (HF) patients improves symptoms and reduces morbidity and mortality; however, the prognosis of HF is still poor. There is an emerging need for tools that might help in optimal patient selection and provide prognostic information for patients and their families. Several risk scores have been created in recent years; although, no literature review is available that would list the possible scores for the clinicians. We identified forty-eight risk scores in CRT and provided the calculation methods and formulas in a ready-to-use format. The reviewed score systems can predict the prognosis of CRT patients; some of them have even provided an online calculation tool. Significant heterogeneity is present between the various risk scores in terms of the variables incorporated and some variables are not yet used in daily clinical practice. The lack of cross-validation of the risk scores limits their routine use and objective selection. As the number of prognostic markers of CRT is overwhelming, further studies might be required to analyze and cross-validate the data.

The impacts of preoperative frailty on readmission after cardiac implantable electrical device implantation

Cardiac implantable electrical devices (CIED) such as pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators, and cardiac resynchronization therapies are generally recommended for older patients and those with severe heart failure (HF). However, there is currently a lack of evidence on the relationship between frailty and readmission rates among patients with CIED. This study investigated whether preoperative frailty influenced readmission rates among patients with CIED over a one-year period following implantation. The study retrospectively analyzed 101 patients who underwent CIED implantations. To compare frailty-based differences in their characteristics and readmission rates, these participants were categorized into frailty and non-frailty groups via the modified frailty index (mFI). The frailty group had a significantly higher readmission rate than the non-frailty group (non-frailty group vs. frailty group = 1 vs. 8 patients: P < 0.05). Further, a multivariate analysis showed that frailty was a significant readmission factor. Based on individual analyses with/without histories of HF, the readmission rate also tended to be higher among individuals considered frail via the mFI (readmission rate in HF patients: non-frailty group vs. frailty group = 1 vs. 5 patients: P = 0.65; non-HF patients: non-frailty group vs. frailty group = 0 vs. 3 patients: P = 0.01). Participants with preoperative frailty showed higher readmission rates within a one-year period following implantation compared to those without preoperative frailty. This tendency was consistent regardless of HF history. The mFI may thus help predict readmission among patients with CIED.

Efficacy and Safety of Dapagliflozin According to Frailty in Patients With Heart Failure: A Prespecified Analysis of the DELIVER Trial

BACKGROUND

Frailty is increasing in prevalence. Because patients with frailty are often perceived to have a less favorable risk/benefit profile, they may be less likely to receive new pharmacologic treatments. We investigated the efficacy and tolerability of dapagliflozin according to frailty status in patients with heart failure with mildly reduced or preserved ejection fraction randomized in DELIVER (Dapagliflozin Evaluation to Improve the Lives of Patients With Preserved Ejection Fraction Heart Failure).

METHODS

Frailty was measured using the Rockwood cumulative deficit approach. The primary end point was time to a first worsening heart failure event or cardiovascular death.

RESULTS

Of the 6263 patients randomized, a frailty index (FI) was calculable in 6258. In total, 2354 (37.6%) patients had class 1 frailty (FI ≤0.210; ie, not frail), 2413 (38.6%) had class 2 frailty (FI 0.211-0.310; ie, more frail), and 1491 (23.8%) had class 3 frailty (FI ≥0.311; ie, most frail). Greater frailty was associated with a higher rate of the primary end point (per 100 person-years): FI class 1, 6.3 (95% CI 5.7-7.1); class 2, 8.3 (7.5-9.1); and class 3, 13.4 (12.1-14.7; P<0.001). The effect of dapagliflozin (as a hazard ratio) on the primary end point from FI class 1 to 3 was 0.85 (95% CI, 0.68-1.06), 0.89 (0.74-1.08), and 0.74 (0.61-0.91), respectively (Pinteraction=0.40). Although patients with a greater degree of frailty had worse Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire scores at baseline, their improvement with dapagliflozin was greater than it was in patients with less frailty: placebo-corrected improvement in Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire Overall Summary Score at 4 months in FI class 1 was 0.3 (95% CI, -0.9 to 1.4); in class 2, 1.5 (0.3-2.7); and in class 3, 3.4 (1.7-5.1; Pinteraction=0.021). Adverse reactions and treatment discontinuation, although more frequent in patients with a greater degree of frailty, were not more common with dapagliflozin than with placebo irrespective of frailty class.

CONCLUSIONS

In DELIVER, frailty was common and associated with worse outcomes. The benefit of dapagliflozin was consistent across the range of frailty studied. The improvement in health-related quality of life with dapagliflozin occurred early and was greater in patients with a higher level of frailty.

REGISTRATION

URL: https://www.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov; Unique identifier: NCT03619213.

Length of Hospitalization-Related Differences and Associated Long-Term Prognosis of Patients with Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: A Propensity Score-Matched Cohort

Previous studies indicated that prolonged lengths of hospitalization (LOH) during cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) implantation are associated with poorer physical status and higher in-hospital mortality. However, evidence on the impact of LOH on the long-term prognosis of CRT patients is limited. The purpose of this study was to assess LOH-related prognostic differences in CRT patients. In the propensity score-matched cohort, patients with standard LOH (≤7 days, n = 172) were compared with those with prolonged LOH (>7 days, n = 172) for cardiac function and study outcomes during follow-up. The study outcomes were all-cause death and heart failure (HF) hospitalization. In addition, cardiac function and changes in cardiac function at the follow-up period were used for comparison. At a mean follow-up of 3.36 years, patients with prolonged LOH, as compared with those with standard LOH, were associated with a significantly higher risk of all-cause death (hazard ratio [HR] 1.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18−2.96, p = 0.007), and a higher risk of HF hospitalization (HR 1.68, 95% CI 1.08−2.63, p = 0.023). Moreover, patients with standard LOH had a more significant improvement in cardiac function and a pronounced reduction in QRS duration during follow-up than those with prolonged LOH. LOH-associated differences were found in the long-term prognosis of CRT patients. Patients with prolonged LOH had a worse prognosis than those with standard LOH.

Efficacy and Safety of Dapagliflozin According to Frailty in Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction : A Post Hoc Analysis of the DAPA-HF Trial

BACKGROUND

Frailty may modify the risk-benefit profile of certain treatments, and frail patients may have reduced tolerance to treatments.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficacy of dapagliflozin according to frailty status, using the Rockwood cumulative deficit approach, in DAPA-HF (Dapagliflozin and Prevention of Adverse Outcomes in Heart Failure).

DESIGN

Post hoc analysis of a phase 3 randomized clinical trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03036124).

SETTING

410 sites in 20 countries.

PATIENTS

Patients with symptomatic heart failure (HF) with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 40% or less and elevated natriuretic peptide.

INTERVENTION

Addition of once-daily 10 mg of dapagliflozin or placebo to guideline-recommended therapy.

MEASUREMENTS

The primary outcome was worsening HF or cardiovascular death.

RESULTS

Of the 4744 patients randomly assigned in DAPA-HF, a frailty index (FI) was calculable in 4742. In total, 2392 patients (50.4%) were in FI class 1 (FI ≤0.210; not frail), 1606 (33.9%) in FI class 2 (FI 0.211 to 0.310; more frail), and 744 (15.7%) in FI class 3 (FI ≥0.311; most frail). The median follow-up time was 18.2 months. Dapagliflozin reduced the risk for worsening HF or cardiovascular death, regardless of FI class. The differences in event rate per 100 person-years for dapagliflozin versus placebo from lowest to highest FI class were -3.5 (95% CI, -5.7 to -1.2), -3.6 (CI, -6.6 to -0.5), and -7.9 (CI, -13.9 to -1.9). Consistent benefits were observed for other clinical events and health status, but the absolute reductions were generally larger in the most frail patients. Study drug discontinuation and serious adverse events were not more frequent with dapagliflozin than placebo, regardless of FI class.

LIMITATION

Enrollment criteria precluded the inclusion of very high-risk patients.

CONCLUSION

Dapagliflozin improved all outcomes examined, regardless of frailty status. However, the absolute reductions were larger in more frail patients.

PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE

AstraZeneca.

Comparing the Modified Frailty Index with conventional scores for prediction of cardiac resynchronization therapy response in patients with heart failure

Objective:

The aim of the study was to compare, Modified Frailty Index (mFI), EAARN (LVEF <22%, Atrial Fibrillation, Age ≥70 years, Renal function (eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73m²), NYHA class IV), and ScREEN (female Sex, Renal function (eGFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73m²), LVEF ≥25%, ECG (QRS duration ≥150 ms) and NYHA class ≤III) score for predicting cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) response and all-cause mortality.

Methods:

In this prospective, non-randomized, single-center, observational study we enrolled 93 patients receiving CRT from August 2016 to August 2019. Pre-implant scores were calculated, and patients were followed for six months. Performance of each score for prediction of CRT response (defined as ≥15% reduction in left ventricular end-systolic volume [LVESV]) and all-cause mortality was compared.

Results:

Optimal CRT response was seen in seventy patients with nine deaths. All the three scores exhibited modest performance for prediction of CRT response and all-cause mortality with AUC ranging from 0.608 to 0.701. mFI has an additional benefit for prediction of prolonged post-procedure stay and 30-day rehospitalization events.

Conclusion:

mFI, ScREEN and EAARN score can be used reliably for predicting all-cause mortality and response to CRT.