Epidemiology of heart failure and scope of the problem

Histone Demethylase PHF8 Confers Protection against Oxidative Stress and Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis in Heart Failure by Upregulating FOXA2

Oxidative stress and cardiomyocyte apoptosis are hallmarks of heart failure (HF) development. Plant homeodomain finger protein 8 (PHF8) is a histone demethylase downregulated in failing human hearts. Nevertheless, the potential role of PHF8 in HF remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the biological action and molecular mechanism of PHF8 in HF.A rat model of left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) ligation-induced HF and a cardiomyocyte model of oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) were developed after gain- or loss-of-function experiments in rats and cardiomyocytes, respectively. Heart function indexes, such as left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular end-systolic diameter, left ventricular ejection fraction, and left ventricular fractional shortening, were detected. Changes in myocardial tissues were examined by pathological staining. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis and oxidative stress markers, such as malondialdehyde, reactive oxygen species, superoxide dismutase, and catalase, were examined. The relationship between PHF8 and forkhead box A2 (FOXA2) was analyzed by luciferase and chromatin immunoprecipitation-quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays.PHF8 was downregulated in LAD-ligated rats and OGD/R-exposed cardiomyocytes. Following PHF8 upregulation, pathological changes in myocardial tissues and heart dysfunction were improved in LAD-ligated rats. Importantly, cardiomyocyte apoptosis and oxidative stress were diminished in vivo and in vitro upon PHF8 upregulation. Mechanistically, PHF8 increased FOXA2 expression in a histone demethylase-dependent manner. FOXA2 silencing abrogated the protective effect of PHF8 upregulation on cardiomyocytes against OGD/R-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress.PHF8 exerts protective functions against cardiomyocyte apoptosis, oxidative stress, and heart dysfunction in HF, in correlation with FOXA2 upregulation. These results suggest that the PHF8/FOXA2 axis may be a promising therapeutic target to prevent HF.

How to deliver person-centred care for people living with heart failure: a multi stakeholder interview study with patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals in Thailand

CONTEXT

Heart failure has high, growing global prevalence, morbidity and mortality, and is a leading cause of death with serious health-related suffering in low- and middle-income countries. Person-centred care (PCC) is a critical component of high-quality healthcare and is particularly vital in the context of a serious illness such as heart failure. However, there are limited data exploring PCC in this population in low- and middle-income settings.

AIM

The aim of this study was to explore how clinical services could respond to the PCC needs of individuals living with heart failure in Thailand, with potential for adaptation in other settings. The specific objectives were (i) to understand the experiences and needs of persons living with heart failure, their caregivers and HCPs; (ii) to explore specific practical actions that can help deliver PCC for heart failure patients in this setting.

METHODS

Cross-sectional qualitative study. In depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted in Thailand with heart failure patients (n = 14), their caregivers (n = 10) and healthcare professionals (n = 12). Framework analysis was conducted with deductive coding to populate an a priori coding frame based on Santana et al's PCC model (2018) and Giusti et al's systematic review (2020), with further inductive coding of novel findings to expand the frame. The study is reported in accordance with the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research guidelines (COREQ).

RESULTS

The findings reveal specific practice actions that deliver PCC for persons living with heart failure in Thailand, such as (i) compassionate communication by healthcare professionals; (ii) effective teamwork amongst multidisciplinary healthcare professionals; (iii) proactive responses to physical, psychosocial, relational and information needs of patients and caregivers; (iv) engaging patients and families in symptom management; (v) providing opportunities for patients to be cared for in the community; and (vi) responding to the social determinants of health, illness and healthcare access.

CONCLUSION

Person-centred healthcare systems must aim to address the social determinants of illness and place focus on community- and home-based care. Heart failure patients and caregivers must be supported to self-manage, including how to recognise symptoms and take appropriate action. Delivering PCC in such a way has the potential to improve outcomes for patients, enhance patients' sense of agency and experiences of care, improve health equity, and reduce hospital admissions, relieving pressure on the hospital system and reducing overall costs of care.

Essential New Complexity-Based Themes for Patient-Centered Diagnosis and Treatment of Dementia and Predementia in Older People: Multimorbidity and Multilevel Phenomenology

Dementia is a highly prevalent condition with devastating clinical and socioeconomic sequela. It is expected to triple in prevalence by 2050. No treatment is currently known to be effective. Symptomatic late-onset dementia and predementia (SLODP) affects 95% of patients with the syndrome. In contrast to trials of pharmacological prevention, no treatment is suggested to remediate or cure these symptomatic patients. SLODP but not young onset dementia is intensely associated with multimorbidity (MUM), including brain-perturbating conditions (BPCs). Recent studies showed that MUM/BPCs have a major role in the pathogenesis of SLODP. Fortunately, most MUM/BPCs are medically treatable, and thus, their treatment may modify and improve SLODP, relieving suffering and reducing its clinical and socioeconomic threats. Regrettably, the complex system features of SLODP impede the diagnosis and treatment of the potentially remediable conditions (PRCs) associated with them, mainly due to failure of pattern recognition and a flawed diagnostic workup. We suggest incorporating two SLODP-specific conceptual themes into the diagnostic workup: MUM/BPC and multilevel phenomenological themes. By doing so, we were able to improve the diagnostic accuracy of SLODP components and optimize detecting and favorably treating PRCs. These revolutionary concepts and their implications for remediability and other parameters are discussed in the paper.

Ginsenoside Rb2 improves heart failure by down-regulating miR-216a-5p to promote autophagy and inhibit apoptosis and oxidative stress

BACKGROUND

Ginsenoside Rb2 is beneficial in cardiovascular disease treatment, yet its role in heart failure (HF) is obscure. This study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of ginsenoside Rb2 on HF.

METHODS

The left anterior descending branch-ligated HF rat model and oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) H9c2 cell model were constructed. Ginsenoside Rb2 were applied for intervention. Heart function indexes, miR-216a-5p expression, autophagy, oxidative stress, apoptosis, cell morphology, and proliferation were detected to explore the effect of ginsenoside Rb2 on HF. Overexpression of miR-216a-5p was employed to explore the specific mechanism of ginsenoside Rb2 on HF.

RESULTS

Ginsenoside Rb2 improved the heart function of HF rats, including the reduction of heart rate, LVEDP, and heart weight/body weight ratio, and the increase of LVSP, +dP/dtmax, -dP/dtmax, LVEF, and LVFS. It also down-regulated miR-216a-5p expression and enhanced OGD/R-induced cardiomyocyte viability. Ginsenoside Rb2 up-regulated Bcl2, LC3B II/I, and Beclin1, and down-regulated Bax, Caspase-3, and p62 in the myocardium of HF rats and OGD/R-induced H9c2 cells. Moreover, ginsenoside Rb2 increased the levels of SOD and CAT, but decreased the levels of MDA and ROS in the myocardium of HF rats and OGD/R-induced H9c2 cells. However, overexpression of miR-216a-5p promoted the apoptosis and oxidative stress of cardiomyocytes and inhibited autophagy, thus reversing the therapeutic effect of ginsenoside Rb2 on HF in vivo and in vitro.

CONCLUSION

Ginsenoside Rb2 demonstrated potential as a therapeutic intervention for HF by enhancing autophagy and reducing apoptosis and oxidative stress through miR-216a-5p downregulation. Further research could explore its application in clinical trials and investigate the complex mechanism networks underlying its effects.

New onset heart failure with reduced ejection fraction management: single center, real-life Tunisian experience

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) is a serious and frequent pathology. It represents a major public health problem. We have few data about this pathology in our country. The aim of our study is to determine the epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic, and prognostic characteristics of new-onset HF with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF) and to study the degree of conformity of the management of HF with international recommendations.

RESULTS

Our study population includes 210 patients hospitalized for HFrEF newly diagnosed. The average age of our patients was 64 ± 12 years. A male predominance was noted with a sex ratio of 2.8. The main etiology of HF was ischemic heart disease noted in 97 patients (46.2%). The average LVEF is 33 ± 6%. The triple combination (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors + beta blockers + Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists) was prescribed in 75 patients (35.7%). The quadruple combination (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors + beta blockers + Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists + Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter 2 inhibitors) was prescribed in 17 patients (8.1%). Myocardial revascularization was indicated in 97 patients (46.6%) and valve surgery was indicated in 49 patients (23.3%). Hospital mortality was 3.8% and at 1 year 18.1%. Among the 192 patients followed during the first year after discharge from hospital, 81 patients had to be re-hospitalized, i.e., a 1-year rehospitalization rate of 42.2%.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study highlighted the epidemiological and clinical features of HF in a Tunisian care center, revealing our patient management deficiency. This pushes us to have a new Tunisian register to enable a better statistical analysis and lead to more relevant conclusions.

Hospital-service use in the last year of life by patients aged ⩾60 years who died of heart failure or cardiomyopathy: A retrospective linked data study

BACKGROUND

Understanding patterns of health care use in the last year of life is critical in health services planning.

AIM

To describe hospital-based service and palliative care use in hospital in the year preceding death for patients who died of heart failure or cardiomyopathy in Queensland from 2008 to 2018 and had at least one hospitalisation in the year preceding death.

DESIGN

A retrospective data linkage study was conducted using administrative health data relating to hospitalisations, emergency department visits and deaths.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

Participants included were those aged ⩾60 years, had a hospitalisation in their last year of life and died of heart failure or cardiomyopathy in Queensland, Australia.

RESULTS

Of the 4697 participants, there were 25,583 hospital admissions. Three quarters (n = 3420, 73%) of participants were aged ⩾80 years and over half died in hospital (n = 2886, 61%). The median number of hospital admissions in the last year of life was 3 (interquartile range [IQR] 2-5). The care type was recorded as 'acute' for 89% (n = 22,729) of hospital admissions, and few (n = 853, 3%) hospital admissions had a care type recorded as 'palliative.' Of the 4697 participants, 3458 had emergency department visit(s), presenting 10,330 times collectively.

CONCLUSION

In this study, patients who died of heart failure or cardiomyopathy were predominantly aged ⩾80 years and over half died in hospital. These patients experienced repeat acute hospitalisations in the year preceding death. Improving timely access to palliative care services in the outpatient or community setting is needed for patients with heart failure.

Economic evaluation of ferric carboxymaltose compared with placebo in iron-deficient patients with heart failure: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

It has been shown that ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) improves symptoms and quality of life in iron-deficient patients with heart failure (HF).

AIM

We aimed to systematically review studies conducted on the cost-effectiveness of FCM compared to placebo in iron-deficient patients with HF.

METHOD

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science to find the relevant studies. After removing duplicates, two authors independently evaluated the titles, abstracts, and full texts. We included studies that investigated the full economic evaluations of FCM in HF patients with iron deficiency (cost-effectiveness analysis, cost-utility analysis, and cost-benefit analysis) and used the CHEERS tool to evaluate the quality of the studies.

RESULTS

Seven studies were included which evaluated the economic analysis of treatments with FCM in iron-deficient patients with HF. The CHEERS scores for most of the studies (n = 6) were 0.77 or higher (very good quality). The lowest incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) per quality-adjusted life years (QALY) of FCM ($1801.96) was from Italy, and the highest ICER per QALY of FCM ($25,981.28) South Korea. Results of the studies showed that FCM, compared to placebo, was cost-effective in iron-deficient patients with HF.

CONCLUSION

FCM is a cost-effective treatment for iron-deficient patients with HF. Considering the fact that all the included studies in the present systematic review took place in high-income countries, we recommend further studies investigating the cost-effectiveness of FCM in low- and middle-income countries.

Effect of candesartan treatment on echocardiographic indices of cardiac remodeling in post-myocardial infarction patients

OBJECTIVE

Myocardial infarction has unfavorable effect on structural and functional properties of the myocardium, referred to as cardiac remodeling. Left ventricular mass, left ventricular mass index, and relative wall thickness are important predictors of cardiac remodeling. In this study, we investigated the effect of candesartan treatment in comparison with zofenopril treatment on echocardiographic indices of cardiac remodeling in post myocardial infarction patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In this prospective study, patients who underwent successful percutaneous coronary intervention were randomly assigned to a candesartan or zofenopril treatment. After randomization, echocardiographic indices of cardiac remodeling including left ventricular mass, left ventricular mass index, and relative wall thickness were evaluated before the start of treatment along with 1- and 6-month follow-ups.

RESULTS

According to our study, candesartan group showed significant reduction of estimated left ventricular mass and left ventricular mass index at 6-month follow-up visit compared to baseline values (199.53±38.51 g vs. 212.69±40.82 g; 99.05 g/m2 (90.00-116.5) vs. 106.0 g/m2 (96.0∼123.00), p<0.05, respectively). This trend was also observed in zofenopril group during the 6-month period (201.22±40.07 g vs. 207.52±41.61 g; 101.0 g/m2 (92.25-111.75.0) vs. 104.50 g/m2 (95.0∼116.75), p<0.05, respectively). Although both classes of drugs had favorable effects on post-myocardial infarction cardiac remodeling, the absolute benefit was more prominent in candesartan group as compared to zofenopril group (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that candesartan treatment following myocardial infarction may potentially be useful in terms of improving post-myocardial infarction cardiac remodeling.

Do Not Attempt Resuscitation Order Rates in Hospitalized Patients With Heart Failure, Acute Myocardial Infarction, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and Pneumonia

Background Descriptions of do not attempt resuscitation (DNAR) orders in heart failure (HF) are limited. We describe use of DNAR orders in HF hospitalizations relative to other common conditions, focusing on race. Methods and Results This was a retrospective study of all adult hospitalizations for HF, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pneumonia from 2010 to 2016 using the California State Inpatient Dataset. Using a hierarchical multivariable logistic regression model with random effects for the hospital, we identified factors associated with DNAR orders for each condition. For racial variation, hospitals were divided into quintiles based on proportion of Black patients cared for. Our cohort comprised 399 816 HF, 190 802 AMI, 192 640 COPD, and 269 262 pneumonia hospitalizations. DNAR orders were most prevalent in HF (11.9%), followed by pneumonia (11.1%), COPD (7.9%), and AMI (7.1%). Prevalence of DNAR orders did not change from 2010 to 2016 for each condition. For all conditions, DNAR orders were more common in elderly people, women, and White people with significant site-level variation across 472 hospitals. For HF and COPD, hospitalizations at sites that cared for a higher proportion of Black patients were less likely associated with DNAR orders. For AMI and pneumonia, conditions such as dementia and malignancy were strongly associated with DNAR orders. Conclusions DNAR orders were present in 12% of HF hospitalizations, similar to pneumonia but higher than AMI and COPD. For HF, we noted significant variability across sites when stratified by proportion of Black patients cared for, suggesting geographic and racial differences in end-of-life care.

Cardiac Remodelling Following Cancer Therapy: A Review

Cardiac remodelling is characterized by abnormal changes in the function and morphological properties such as diameter, mass, normal diameter of cavities, heart shape, fibrosis, thickening of vessels and heart layers, cardiomyopathy, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and some others. These damages are associated with damage to systolic and diastolic abnormalities, damage to ventricular function, and vascular remodelling, which may lead to heart failure and death. Exposure of the heart to radiation or anti-cancer drugs including chemotherapy drugs such as doxorubicin, receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (RTKIs) such as imatinib, and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) can induce several abnormal changes in the heart structure and function through the induction of inflammation and fibrosis, vascular remodelling, hypertrophy, and some others. This review aims to explain the basic mechanisms behind cardiac remodelling following cancer therapy by different anti-cancer modalities.

LSD1 regulates the expressions of core cardiogenic transcription factors and cardiac genes in oxygen and glucose deprivation injured mice fibroblasts in vitro

Cardiac reprogramming has emerged as a novel therapeutic approach to regenerating the damaged heart by directly converting endogenous cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) into induced cardiomyocytes (iCMs). Cardiac reprogramming requires the activation of the cardiogenic transcriptional program in concert with the repression of the fibroblastic transcriptional program. Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) plays an instrumental role in many physiological processes such as cell growth, differentiation and metabolism. The epigenetic modifications of histones are essential for the accurate expression of genes in cardiomyocytes and the normal functioning of the heart. However, the effect of LSD1 in regulating the cardiogenic transcriptional program under myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury remains unclear. Thus, mice I/R injury was induced by 4 and 24 h reperfusion after 1-h occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. The primary CFs and CMs were exposed under oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) to mimic I/R injury. The expression of LSD1 significantly decreased in I/R injured heart tissue and OGD-injured primary CFs and CM, and methylated histone presented a notable increase in OGD-injured primary CFs. Overexpression of LSD1 inhibited the injury of primary CFs induced by OGD, but showed limited inhibition on injured primary CMs. Under the OGD condition, LSD1 overexpression significantly increased cell viability, decreased cell apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production of primary CFs. The expression of core cardiogenic transcription factors and cardiac genes were significantly decreased in OGD injured primary CFs, whereas LSD1 overexpression reversed the decrease of transcription factors and cardiac genes under the OGD condition. In conclusion, the overexpression of LSD1 has a protective role in I/R injury by inhibiting the histone methylation of primary CFs and regulates the expressions of core cardiogenic transcription factors and cardiac genes, which can prove to be a potential approach for direct cardiac reprogramming.

Responses to incremental exercise and the impact of the coexistence of HF and COPD on exercise capacity: a follow-up study

Our aim was to evaluate: (1) the prevalence of coexistence of heart failure (HF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the studied patients; (2) the impact of HF + COPD on exercise performance and contrasting exercise responses in patients with only a diagnosis of HF or COPD; and (3) the relationship between clinical characteristics and measures of cardiorespiratory fitness; (4) verify the occurrence of cardiopulmonary events in the follow-up period of up to 24 months years. The current study included 124 patients (HF: 46, COPD: 53 and HF + COPD: 25) that performed advanced pulmonary function tests, echocardiography, analysis of body composition by bioimpedance and symptom-limited incremental cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) on a cycle ergometer. Key CPET variables were calculated for all patients as previously described. The [Formula: see text]E/[Formula: see text]CO2 slope was obtained through linear regression analysis. Additionally, the linear relationship between oxygen uptake and the log transformation of [Formula: see text]E (OUES) was calculated using the following equation: [Formula: see text]O2 = a log [Formula: see text]E + b, with the constant 'a' referring to the rate of increase of [Formula: see text]O2. Circulatory power (CP) was obtained through the product of peak [Formula: see text]O2 and peak systolic blood pressure and Ventilatory Power (VP) was calculated by dividing peak systolic blood pressure by the [Formula: see text]E/[Formula: see text]CO2 slope. After the CPET, all patients were contacted by telephone every 6 months (6, 12, 18, 24) and questioned about exacerbations, hospitalizations for cardiopulmonary causes and death. We found a 20% prevalence of HF + COPD overlap in the studied patients. The COPD and HF + COPD groups were older (HF: 60 ± 8, COPD: 65 ± 7, HF + COPD: 68 ± 7). In relation to cardiac function, as expected, patients with COPD presented preserved ejection fraction (HF: 40 ± 7, COPD: 70 ± 8, HF + COPD: 38 ± 8) while in the HF and HF + COPD demonstrated similar levels of systolic dysfunction. The COPD and HF + COPD patients showed evidence of an obstructive ventilatory disorder confirmed by the value of %FEV1 (HF: 84 ± 20, COPD: 54 ± 21, HF + COPD: 65 ± 25). Patients with HF + COPD demonstrated a lower work rate (WR), peak oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]O2), rate pressure product (RPP), CP and VP compared to those only diagnosed with HF and COPD. In addition, significant correlations were observed between lean mass and peak [Formula: see text]O2 (r: 0.56 p < 0.001), OUES (r: 0.42 p < 0.001), and O2 pulse (r: 0.58 p < 0.001), lung diffusing factor for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and WR (r: 0.51 p < 0.001), DLCO and VP (r: 0.40 p: 0.002), forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV1) and peak [Formula: see text]O2 (r: 0.52; p < 0.001), and FEV1 and WR (r: 0.62; p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the occurrence of events and deaths contrasting both groups. The coexistence of HF + COPD induces greater impairment on exercise performance when compared to patients without overlapping diseases, however the overlap of the two diseases did not increase the probability of the occurrence of cardiopulmonary events and deaths when compared to groups with isolated diseases in the period studied. CPET provides important information to guide effective strategies for these patients with the goal of improving exercise performance and functional capacity. Moreover, given our findings related to pulmonary function, body composition and exercise responses, evidenced that the lean mass, FEV1 and DLCO influence important responses to exercise.

SV, Saidova MA, Zhirov IV, Tereshchenko SN. Myocardial remodeling in patients with chronic heart failure and implanted cardiac contractility modulators

Aim. To study the effect of cardiac contractility modulation on reverse remodeling and myocardial function in patients with chronic heart failure (HF) according to echocardiography (EchoCG). Materials and methods. In a group of 40 patients with a combination of chronic HF and atrial fibrillation (AF), the dynamics of standard EchoCG parameters and the effectiveness of myocardial work of the left ventricle (LV) against the background of 12-month therapy of cardiac contractility modulation (CCM) were analyzed. Results. The results obtained indicate a statistically significant positive effect of CCM on LV remodeling parameters and the effectiveness of myocardial work according to EchoCG. Conclusion. Transthoracic echocardiography is the main imaging method and provides great opportunities for evaluating the effectiveness of HF treatment, including non-drug methods such as CCM. Evaluation of LV myocardial function in patients with HF and implanted CCM devices is a promising scientific and practical research method.

Identifying Candidate Protein Markers of Acute Kidney Injury in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

One-quarter of patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) experience acute kidney injury (AKI)—an abrupt reduction or loss of kidney function associated with increased long-term mortality. There is a critical need to identify early and real-time markers of AKI in ADHF; however, to date, no protein biomarkers have exhibited sufficient diagnostic or prognostic performance for widespread clinical uptake. We aimed to identify novel protein biomarkers of AKI associated with ADHF by quantifying changes in protein abundance in the kidneys that occur during ADHF development and recovery in an ovine model. Relative quantitative protein profiling was performed using sequential window acquisition of all theoretical fragment ion spectra–mass spectrometry (SWATH–MS) in kidney cortices from control sheep (n = 5), sheep with established rapid-pacing-induced ADHF (n = 8), and sheep after ~4 weeks recovery from ADHF (n = 7). Of the 790 proteins quantified, we identified 17 candidate kidney injury markers in ADHF, 1 potential kidney marker of ADHF recovery, and 2 potential markers of long-term renal impairment (differential abundance between groups of 1.2–2.6-fold, adjusted p < 0.05). Among these 20 candidate protein markers of kidney injury were 6 candidates supported by existing evidence and 14 novel candidates not previously implicated in AKI. Proteins of differential abundance were enriched in pro-inflammatory signalling pathways: glycoprotein VI (activated during ADHF development; adjusted p < 0.01) and acute phase response (repressed during recovery from ADHF; adjusted p < 0.01). New biomarkers for the early detection of AKI in ADHF may help us to evaluate effective treatment strategies to prevent mortality and improve outcomes for patients.

Hippo Pathway Effector Tead1 Induces Cardiac Fibroblast to Cardiomyocyte Reprogramming

Background The conversion of fibroblasts into induced cardiomyocytes may regenerate myocardial tissue from cardiac scar through in situ cell transdifferentiation. The efficiency transdifferentiation is low, especially for human cells. We explored the leveraging of Hippo pathway intermediates to enhance induced cardiomyocyte generation. Methods and Results We screened Hippo effectors Yap (yes-associated protein), Taz (transcriptional activator binding domain), and Tead1 (TEA domain transcription factor 1; Td) for their reprogramming efficacy with cardio-differentiating factors Gata4, Mef2C, and Tbx5 (GMT). Td induced nearly 3-fold increased expression of cardiomyocyte marker cTnT (cardiac troponin T) by mouse embryonic and adult rat fibroblasts versus GMT administration alone (P<0.0001), while Yap and Taz failed to enhance cTnT expression. Serial substitution demonstrated that Td replacement of TBX5 induced the greatest cTnT expression enhancement and sarcomere organization in rat fibroblasts treated with all GMT substitutions (GMTd versus GMT: 17±1.2% versus 5.4±0.3%, P<0.0001). Cell contractility (beating) was seen in 6% of GMTd-treated cells by 4 weeks after treatment, whereas no beating GMT-treated cells were observed. Human cardiac fibroblasts likewise demonstrated increased cTnT expression with GMTd versus GMT treatment (7.5±0.3% versus 3.0±0.3%, P<0.01). Mechanistically, GMTd administration increased expression of the trimethylated lysine 4 of histone 3 (H3K4me3) mark at the promoter regions of cardio-differentiation genes and mitochondrial biogenesis regulator genes in rat and human fibroblast, compared with GMT. Conclusions These data suggest that the Hippo pathway intermediate Tead1 is an important regulator of cardiac reprogramming that increases the efficiency of maturate induced cardiomyocytes generation and may be a vital component of human cardiodifferentiation strategies.

Perceptions of Need for Palliative Care in Recently Hospitalized Patients With Systolic Heart Failure

CONTEXT

The symptom burden associated with heart failure (HF) remains high despite improvements in therapy and calls for the integration of palliative care into traditional HF care. Little is also known about how patients with HF perceive palliative care and patient-level characteristics associated with the need for palliative care, which could influence the utilization of palliative care in HF management.

OBJECTIVES

To identify characteristics of HF patients associated with perceived need for palliative care.

METHODS

We analyzed data from the Hopeful Heart Trial, which studied the efficacy of a collaborative care intervention for treating both systolic HF and depression. Palliative care preferences were collected during routine study follow-up. We assessed the association of perceived need for palliative care during study follow-up and baseline data on sociodemographics, clinical measures, and patient-centered outcomes. We then used descriptive statistics and logistic regression to analyze our data.

RESULTS

Participants were on average 64 years old, male, and reported severe HF symptoms and poor to below average quality of life (. Most had unfavorable impressions of palliative care, but many still perceived a need for palliative care. Factors associated with perceived need for palliative care included depression, non-white race, more severe HF symptoms, and lower mental & physical health-related quality of life.

CONCLUSION

HF patients' beliefs about palliative care may affect utilization of palliative care. Specific characteristics can help identify patients with HF who may benefit from palliative care involvement. Education targeted towards patients with selected attributes may help incorporate palliative care into HF management.

Optimizer Smart System for the treatment of chronic heart failure: Overview of its safety and efficacy

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Despite the significant progress in the prevention and treatment of HF, mortality rates still remain high. Device therapy for HF includes cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and the use of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Recently, a new device therapy for the treatment of HF became available, called cardiac contractility modulation (CCM). CCM is a new device therapy for patients with HF who do not qualify for CRT. It is implanted in a minimally invasive manner to improve the patient's morbidity. Optimizer Smart System is a new device that delivers CCM therapy.Areas covered: We review the function of the Optimizer Smart System, the data from the recent clinical trials, and discuss its efficacy and future projections in the treatment for HF.Expert opinion: CCM therapy provided with the Optimizer® Smart System is safe, feasible, and applicable to a wide range of patients with HF. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the Optimizer Smart System's use merits further large multicenter randomized controlled trials.

Associations of time-varying obesity and metabolic syndrome with risk of incident heart failure and its subtypes: Findings from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

OBJECTIVE

Most previous studies have examined associations between metabolic disorders measured at a single point in time and risk of heart failure (HF). However, there are many situations where the values of exposures vary over time before HF occurs. We aimed to examine the associations of time-varying obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) measured at multiple points in time with HF.

METHODS

A total of 6750 participants in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis from 2000 were included in the study. Follow-up was completed through December 2015. MetSyn was defined using the American Heart Association criteria. Incident HF was diagnosed by clinical criteria. Subtypes HF (reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and preserved (HFpEF) were classified by left ventricular EF.

RESULTS

A total of 331 HF cases were identified during 82,609 person-years of observation. The incidence (95%CI) of total HF was 4.0 (3.4-4.4) per 1000 person-years. Of the total HF cases, 45.6% were HFrEF (n = 151), 40.8% HFpEF (n = 135), and 13.6% were unclassified HF subtypes (n = 45). After adjusting for key covariates, time-varying obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) and MetSyn were significantly associated with HF, with a stronger association for HFpEF than for HFrEF. The corresponding hazards ratios (HR, 95%CI) were 1.97 (1.43-2.72) and 1.86 (1.43-2.42) for HFpEF, and 1.46 (1.07-1.98), and 1.39 (1.06-1.82) for HFrEF respectively. Time-varying large waist circumference was significantly associated with for HFpEF, but not with HFrEF.

CONCLUSION

Time-varying obesity and MetSyn were significantly associated with HF risk, with a stronger association with HFpEF than with HFrEF. Continued effort to control these risk factors is recommended.

Growth differentiation factor 15 associations with clinical features of chronic heart failure with midrange ejection fraction and preserved ejection fraction depending on the history of myocardial infarction

Aim    To analyze associations between levels of the inflammatory marker, growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), and echocardiographic indexes in CHF patients with mid-range and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LV EF) depending on the history of myocardial infarction (MI).Material and methods    This study included 34 CHF patients with preserved and mid-range LV EF after MI (group 1, n=19) and without a history of MI (group 2, n=15). Serum concentration of GDF-15 was measured with enzyme immunoassay (BioVendor, Czech Republic). Statistical analysis was performed with STATISTICA 10.0.Results    Patients of the study groups were age-matched [62 (58;67) and 64 (60;70) years, p=0.2] but differed in the gender; group 1 consisted of men only (100 %) whereas in group 2, the proportion of men was 53.3 % (p=0.001). Median concentration of GDF-15 was 2385 (2274; 2632.5) and 1997 (1534;2691) pg/ml in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p=0.09). Patients without MI showed a moderate negative correlation between LV EF and GDF-15 concentration (r= - 0.51, p=0.050) and a pronounced correlation between GDF-15 and LV stroke volume (r= -0.722, p=0.002). For patients after MI, a correlation between the level of GDF-15 and the degree of systolic dysfunction was not found (р&gt;0.05).Conclusion    Blood concentration of the inflammatory marker, GDF-15, correlates with LV EF and stroke volume in CHF patients with preserved or mid-range LV EF and without a history of MI while no such correlations were observed for patients with a history of MI.

Cost-effectiveness of cardiac resynchronization therapy plus an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in patients with heart failure: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Heart failure (HF) is an unusual heart function that causes reduction in cardiac or pulmonary output. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is a mechanical device that helps to recover ventricular dysfunction by pacing the ventricles. This study planned to systematically review cost-effectiveness of CRT combined with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) versus ICD in patients with HF.

METHODS

We used five databases (NHS Economic Evaluation Database, Cochrane Library, Medline, PubMed, and Scopus) to systematically reviewed studies published in the English language on the cost-effectiveness of CRT with defibrillator (CRT-D) Vs. ICD in patients with HF over 2000 to 2020. Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) checklist was applied to assess the quality of the selected studies.

RESULTS

Five studies reporting the cost-effectiveness of CRT-D vs ICD were finally identified. The results revealed that time horizon, direct medical costs, type of model, discount rate, and sensitivity analysis obviously mentioned in almost all studies. All studies used quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) as an effectiveness measurement. The highest and the lowest Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) were reported in the USA ($138,649per QALY) and the UK ($41,787per QALY), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Result of the study showed that CRT-D compared to ICD alone was the most cost-effective treatment in patients with HF.

The Prevalence of Complementary and Integrative Health Approach Use and Quality of Life Among Patients With Heart Failure: A Cross-sectional, Descriptive, and Comparative Study

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of complementary and integrative health approach (CIHA) use in patients with heart failure (HF) and compare quality of life (QoL) between CIHA users and nonusers. This was a cross-sectional, descriptive, and comparative study including 130 patients with HF in Turkey. The data were collected using the sociodemographic and CIHA information form and the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ). The mean age was 64.51 ± 10.40 years. Furthermore, 26.1% of the participants had used at least one form of CIHA in the previous year. The most used CIHA was herbal therapies (94.2%). The total scores of the KCCQ were 47.70 ± 9.50 in the study, and a statistically significant difference was found in the total scores of the KCCQ between CIHA users and nonusers. The findings of this study revealed that more than a quartile of patients with HF used at least one form of CIHA. Further prospective studies are warranted to follow up with patients having HF who use any form of CIHA for a longer period and determine other parameters that directly influence QoL.

The role of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide on the cardiac output of patients with acute decompensated heart failure using Guyton venous return curve: A STROBE-compliant retrospective study

ABSTRACT

rbBNP has positive cardiac effects in patients with acute decompensated heart failure, but its effects on the systemic venous circulation are not known.A single-center retrospective, self-controlled study was conducted on 14 patients undergone recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide (rhBNP) treatment between January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2018.The cardiac output (CO) significantly increased from 3.75 ± 1.14 L min-1 to 4.24 ± 0.97 L min-1 30 minutes after rbBNP infusion, and to 4.20 ± 1.19 L min-1 3 hours later. The systemic vascular resistance significantly decreased from 18.85 ± 7.66 mm Hg min L-1 to 14.62 ± 6.13 mm Hg min L-1 30 minutes. The resistance to venous return (VR) significantly decreased from 5.93 ± 4.97 mm Hg min L-1 to 4.46 ± 1.53 mmHg min L-1 3 hours later. The mean systemic filling pressure significantly decreased from 32.71 ± 20.00 mm Hg to 28.254 ± 6.09 mm Hg 3 hours later.The role of rhBNP on CO was to reduce the peripheral circulation resistance at 30 minutes after rhBNP infusion and to reduce the resistance to VR at 3 hours later.This trial is registered at ChiCTR: ID ChiCTR1900024562.

Physician Perspectives on the Diagnosis and Management of Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

Background

Heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) carries high morbidity and mortality. Compared with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), HFpEF is difficult to diagnose, and lacks evidence-based treatments. In this survey we assessed perceptions of cardiologists, internists, and primary care physicians (PCPs) regarding HFpEF diagnosis and management.

Methods

In total, 159 cardiologists, 89 internists, and 200 PCPs from across Canada completed an online survey, with response rates of 14%-17%.

Results

The perceived prevalence of HFpEF vs HFrEF was similar across physician types (58% HFrEF, 42% HFpEF). Thirty-seven percent of PCPs did not differentiate HF on the basis of ejection fraction. All physician types ranked symptom and mortality reduction as treatment priorities. Ninety-two percent of specialists believed that HFpEF is best comanaged by PCPs and specialists, whereas one-fifth of PCPs suggested PCP management alone. Compared with specialists, PCPs were more likely to underestimate HFpEF mortality and less aware of sex differences in the prevalence of HFpEF vs HFrEF (all P < 0.001). Fewer PCPs use natriuretic peptides for diagnosis (P < 0.001). All physician types listed cost and availability as barriers to natriuretic peptide use. Ninety-one percent of PCPs incorrectly identified various therapies as effective for improving HFpEF outcomes. Most of all physicians expressed a strong desire to increase knowledge of diagnostic and treatment algorithms for HFpEF.

Conclusions

There are substantial knowledge gaps in the diagnosis and management of HFpEF, particularly among PCPs. Because of the prevalence of HFpEF in primary care, strategies are required to reduce these gaps.

Old Drug, New Trick: Tilorone, a Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Drug as a Potential Anti-Fibrotic Therapeutic for the Diseased Heart

Cardiac fibrosis is associated with most forms of cardiovascular disease. No reliable therapies targeting cardiac fibrosis are available, thus identifying novel drugs that can resolve or prevent fibrosis is needed. Tilorone, an antiviral agent, can prevent fibrosis in a mouse model of lung disease. We investigated the anti-fibrotic effects of tilorone in human cardiac fibroblasts in vitro by performing a radioisotopic assay for [³H]-proline incorporation as a proxy for collagen synthesis. Exploratory studies in human cardiac fibroblasts treated with tilorone (10 µM) showed a significant reduction in transforming growth factor-β induced collagen synthesis compared to untreated fibroblasts. To determine if this finding could be recapitulated in vivo, mice with established pathological remodelling due to four weeks of transverse aortic constriction (TAC) were administered tilorone (50 mg/kg, i.p) or saline every third day for eight weeks. Treatment with tilorone was associated with attenuation of fibrosis (assessed by Masson's trichrome stain), a favourable cardiac gene expression profile and no further deterioration of cardiac systolic function determined by echocardiography compared to saline treated TAC mice. These data demonstrate that tilorone has anti-fibrotic actions in human cardiac fibroblasts and the adult mouse heart, and represents a potential novel therapy to treat fibrosis associated with heart failure.

[The use of diuretics in chronic heart failure. Position paper of the Russian Heart Failure Society]

The document focuses on key issues of diuretic therapy in CHF from the standpoint of current views on the pathogenesis of edema syndrome, its diagnosis, and characteristics of using diuretics in various clinical situations.

Efficacy and safety of Qishen granules for chronic heart failure: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Qishen granules (QSG) is a famous traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formula used to treat chronic heart failure (CHF). The objective of this protocol is to clarify the efficacy and safety of QSG for treating CHF.

METHODS

Six databases will be electronically searched up to November 1, 2020 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in English and Chinese languages. Two independent reviewers will complete tasks of literature retrieval and data extraction. After that, the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool will be utilized to assess methodological quality. The primary outcomes are left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular fractional shortening, and N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide. The secondary outcomes consist of composite cardiac events, adverse effects, and quality of life. Meta-analysis will be performed using the Revman version 5.3.

RESULTS

This study will provide a high-quality synthesis of current evidence of QSG for CHF from primary and secondary outcomes.

CONCLUSION

This study will provide evidence for the effectiveness and safety of QSG in the treatment of CHF.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42020150442.

Effects of Ivabradine on Cardiac Remodeling in Patients With Stable Symptomatic Heart Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Ivabradine reduces heart rate (HR) in patients with heart failure (HF). However, its effect on cardiac remodeling is not obvious. The goal of this study was to explore the extra effect of ivabradine on cardiac remodeling in patients with HF.

METHODS

We searched PubMed from database inception to January 31, 2020, Cochrane and Embase from database inception to February 2, 2020, and Web of Science and ClinicalTrials.gov from database inception to February 3, 2020, for randomized controlled trials on ivabradine treatments in patients with stable symptomatic HF, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 45%, and resting HR ≥ 60 beats/min in sinus rhythm. We pooled the mean differences (MDs) or standardized mean differences and their 95% CIs. An inverse variance was used to combine data. Fixed- or random-effects models were used to outline the outcomes based on heterogeneity levels. We assessed the heterogeneity among studies according to the I² statistic. A sensitivity analysis for select results was performed to assess the robustness of the outcomes.

FINDINGS

Of 2277 trials, 9 trials fulfilled the inclusion criteria. A total of 1523 patients were enrolled in 9 studies. There were 796 participants in the ivabradine group and 727 participants in the control group. The duration of follow-up ranged from 6 weeks to 19.6 months. The mean (SD) age of the participants was 59.7 (11.2) years, and 1187 participants (77.9%) were men. Therapy with ivabradine was related to reversing cardiac remodeling with a significant increase in LVEF (MD = 3.04%; 95% CI, 2.07%-4.00%; p < 0.001), decrease in the left ventricular end-systolic volume index (LVESVI) (MD = -7.30 mL/m²; 95% CI, -12.94 to -1.66 mL/m²; p = 0.01), and reduction in the left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVI) (MD = -7.27 mL/m²; 95% CI, -14.04 to -0.50 mL/m²; p = 0.04). In the subgroup of enrolled patients with a resting HR of ≥70 beats/min, greater progress in LVEF was detected in the ivabradine group (MD = 3.60%; 95% CI, 2.40%-4.81%; p < 0.001), and a higher improvement in LVESVI was identified in the ivabradine group (MD = -11.06 mL/m²; 95% CI, -21.15 to -0.98 mL/m²; p = 0.03).

IMPLICATIONS

In patients with stable symptomatic HF, LVEF <45%, and resting HR ≥ 60 beats/min in sinus rhythm, ivabradine use was associated with reversing cardiac remodeling with a significant increase in LVEF, a decrease in LVESVI, and a reduction in LVEDVI.

Impact of a Social Support Program Supervised by a Multidisciplinary Team on Psychosocial Distress and Knowledge About Heart Failure Among Heart Failure Patients

Background

Heart failure drains significant financial resources with morbidity and mortality higher than cancer. Social support is defined as the care provided by the family members, friends and health care workers to the patients. Absence of social support and poor perceived social support will create stress, anxiety, depression and anger which further deteriorate the underlying disease and worsen quality of life. Discussion in group creates better understanding of the disease which helps the patients improving their skills in managing their condition.

Objective

To evaluate the impact of multidisciplinary team supervised social support program on components of psychosocial distress and knowledge about heart failure among heart failure patients.

Methods

Adult patients with heart failure attending King Fahad Medical City as inpatient or outpatient were enrolled in this prospective cohort study. Patients were given questionnaire to assess their perception of social support they have at their disposal, quality of life, knowledge regarding heart failure and self-care behavior. They then had interactive education in groups supervised by multidisciplinary team members about the pathogenesis of their disease with management strategies, dietary restriction, importance of exercise and healthy life style pattern. Patients shared their experiences in the group and had opportunity to learn from each other. Patients were assessed regarding their perceived social support, quality of life, knowledge regarding heart failure and self-care behavior immediately after the session and at 1 month interval.

Results

There were total 500 patients participated in the study. Among the study participants 62% were male and majority was living with the family. Components of psychosocial distress were present in up to 40% of study participants and only 36% considered knowledgeable regarding heart failure. After the interactive social support group meeting components of psychosocial distress were significantly reduced with significant improvement in knowledge about heart failure. At 1 month follow up participants reported persistent improvement in quality of life, improvement in self-care behavior, perceived social support and wanted to continue in social group program.

Conclusion

Social support program supervised by multidisciplinary team providing education and social support improved knowledge, self-care behavior, perceived social support and quality of life among heart failure patients.

Circulating exosomal microRNAs as emerging non-invasive clinical biomarkers in heart failure: Mega bio-roles of a nano bio-particle

Exosomes are nano-sized extracellular vesicles containing a cell-specific biologically active cargo of proteins and genetic materials. Exosomes are constitutively released from almost all cell-types and affect neighboring or distant cells through a complex intercellular exchange of the genetic information and/or regulation of certain gene expressions that change the function and behavior of recipient cells. Those released into body fluids are the major mediators of intercellular communications. The success of the biological functions of exosomes is highly mediated by the effective transfer of microRNAs (miRs). Exosomes secreted by a damaged or diseased heart can exhibit alterations in the miRs' profile that may reflect the cellular origin and (patho)physiological state, as a "signature" or "fingerprint" of the donor cell. It has been shown that the transportation of cardiac-specific miRs in exosomes can be rapidly detected and measured, holding great potential as biomarkers in heart diseases. Currently, the search for new biomarkers of heart diseases remains a large and increasing enterprise. Notably, circulating exosomal miRs (Exo-miRs) have successfully gained huge interests for their diagnostic and prognostic potentials. The present review highlights circulating Exo-miRs explored for diagnosis/prognosis and outcome prediction in patients with heart failure (HF). To this end, we explain the feasibility of exosomes as clinical biomarkers, discuss the priority of circulating Exo-miRs over non-exosomal ones as a biomarker, and then outline reported circulating Exo-miRs having the biomarker function in HF patients, together with their mechanism of action. In conclusion, circulating Exo-miRs represent emerging diagnostic (Exo-miR-92b-5p, Exo-miR-146a, Exo-miR-181c, and Exo-miR-495) and prognostic (Exo-miR-192, Exo-miR-194, Exo-miR-34a, Exo-miR-425, Exo-miR-744) biomarkers for HF.

Tead1 is essential for mitochondrial function in cardiomyocytes

Mitochondrial dysfunction occurs in most forms of heart failure. We have previously reported that Tead1, the transcriptional effector of Hippo pathway, is critical for maintaining adult cardiomyocyte function, and its deletion in adult heart results in lethal acute dilated cardiomyopathy. Growing lines of evidence indicate that Hippo pathway plays a role in regulating mitochondrial function, although its role in cardiomyocytes is unknown. Here, we show that Tead1 plays a critical role in regulating mitochondrial OXPHOS in cardiomyocytes. Assessment of mitochondrial bioenergetics in isolated mitochondria from adult hearts showed that loss of Tead1 led to a significant decrease in respiratory rates, with both palmitoylcarnitine and pyruvate/malate substrates, and was associated with reduced electron transport chain complex I activity and expression. Transcriptomic analysis from Tead1-knockout myocardium revealed genes encoding oxidative phosphorylation, TCA cycle, and fatty acid oxidation proteins as the top differentially enriched gene sets. Ex vivo loss of function of Tead1 in primary cardiomyocytes also showed diminished aerobic respiration and maximal mitochondrial oxygen consumption capacity, demonstrating that Tead1 regulation of OXPHOS in cardiomyocytes is cell autonomous. Taken together, our data demonstrate that Tead1 is a crucial transcriptional node that is a cell-autonomous regulator, a large network of mitochondrial function and biogenesis related genes essential for maintaining mitochondrial function and adult cardiomyocyte homeostasis.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Mitochondrial dysfunction constitutes an important aspect of heart failure etiopathogenesis and progression. However, the molecular mechanisms are still largely unknown. Growing lines of evidence indicate that Hippo-Tead pathway plays a role in cellular bioenergetics. This study reveals the novel role of Tead1, the downstream transcriptional effector of Hippo pathway, as a novel regulator of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and in vivo cardiomyocyte energy metabolism, thus providing a potential therapeutic target for modulating mitochondrial function and enhancing cytoprotection of cardiomyocytes.

Relationship Between Caregiver Burden and Family Functioning in Family Caregivers of Older Adults With Heart Failure

Caregivers of individuals with heart failure are at high risk for diminished quality of life because of the energy involved in providing necessary care. Caring for someone with chronic heart failure can affect caregivers' physical, psychological, and social health, collectively referred to as the burden of care, and may also affect family functioning. The current cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the relationship between caregiver burden and family functioning in caregivers of older adults with heart failure in southeastern Iran using the Zarit Burden Inventory and the Family Assessment Device based on the McMaster Model of Family Functioning. The Pearson correlation coefficient, independent t test, and analysis of variance were used to determine relationships among variables. Results showed a significant correlation between burden of care and total score of family functioning. Therefore, it is necessary to take measures to reduce burden of care for caregivers through education and support programs and to improve their family functioning and quality of life. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 46(6), 25-33.].

Healthcare Providers' Perceived Communication Barriers to Offering Palliative Care to Patients With Heart Failure: An Integrative Review

CONTEXT

Heart failure is a chronic complex syndrome that is common and burdensome. International clinical practice guidelines recommend that healthcare providers communicate palliative care options with patients with heart failure.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to conduct an integrative review to evaluate how healthcare providers perceived communication barriers to offering information to individuals in the palliative phase of heart failure.

METHODS

Four databases and the gray literature were searched from January 1987 to February 2017. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. Studies were graded for strength and quality using a critical appraisal tool, and key themes were extracted and synthesized.

RESULTS

Ten articles met the full inclusion criteria. Most studies were qualitative or nonexperimental studies of good quality. Authors of several studies found that healthcare providers lacked basic knowledge about palliative care or did not possess sufficient knowledge to effectively provide care. Poor knowledge of palliative care created a barrier between the provider and the patient. Inadequate education or inexperience in palliative care led to the resistance of health providers to implementing a palliative approach.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this review emphasize a lack of knowledge as a barrier to delivering palliative care. Healthcare providers caring for individuals with heart failure need palliative care knowledge, skills, and competencies to ensure that this vulnerable population receives holistic patient-centered care.

Utility of the integrated palliative care outcome scale (IPOS): a cross-sectional study in hospitalised patients with heart failure

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability and comprehensibility of the integrated palliative care outcome scale for the evaluation of palliative care needs in patients with heart failure.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This cross-sectional study investigated 100 heart failure patients (40 women, 60 men; median age 79 years) within the first few days of their hospitalisation by applying the integrated palliative care outcome scale (3-day recall period) and two additional self-developed questions about the suitability and comprehensibility of the integrated palliative care outcome scale. Clinically relevant somatic and psycho-emotional symptoms were reported very frequently (approximately 75% each), followed by communicational needs or practical issues. Ninety-five per cent of patients thought the integrated palliative care outcome scale very easy to understand, and 91% judged the integrated palliative care outcome scale suitable to assess palliative care needs.

CONCLUSION

The integrated palliative care outcome scale was well accepted by hospitalised patients with heart failure and identified a high burden of both physical and psycho-emotional symptoms. Screening for palliative care has to consider patients and their relatives alike, and should be part of a comprehensive care concept jointly integrated into clinical routine by primary and specialised palliative care teams.

Coenzyme Q10: Clinical Applications in Cardiovascular Diseases

Coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀) is a ubiquitous factor present in cell membranes and mitochondria, both in its reduced (ubiquinol) and oxidized (ubiquinone) forms. Its levels are high in organs with high metabolism such as the heart, kidneys, and liver because it acts as an energy transfer molecule but could be reduced by aging, genetic factors, drugs (e.g., statins), cardiovascular (CV) diseases, degenerative muscle disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases. As CoQ₁₀ is endowed with significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory features, useful to prevent free radical-induced damage and inflammatory signaling pathway activation, its depletion results in exacerbation of inflammatory processes. Therefore, exogenous CoQ₁₀ supplementation might be useful as an adjuvant in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and myocardial infarction and in associated risk factors such as hypertension, insulin resistance, dyslipidemias, and obesity. This review aims to summarize the current evidences on the use of CoQ₁₀ supplementation as a therapeutic approach in cardiovascular diseases through the analysis of its clinical impact on patients' health and quality of life. A substantial reduction of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers has been observed in several randomized clinical trials (RCTs) focused on several of the abovementioned diseases, even if more RCTs, involving a larger number of patients, will be necessary to strengthen these interesting findings.

Nutraceutical support in heart failure: a position paper of the International Lipid Expert Panel (ILEP)

Heart failure (HF) is a complex clinical syndrome that represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Western countries. Several nutraceuticals have shown interesting clinical results in HF prevention as well as in the treatment of the early stages of the disease, alone or in combination with pharmacological therapy. The aim of the present expert opinion position paper is to summarise the available clinical evidence on the role of phytochemicals in HF prevention and/or treatment that might be considered in those patients not treated optimally as well as in those with low therapy adherence. The level of evidence and the strength of recommendation of particular HF treatment options were weighed up and graded according to predefined scales. A systematic search strategy was developed to identify trials in PubMed (January 1970 to June 2019). The terms 'nutraceuticals', 'dietary supplements', 'herbal drug' and 'heart failure' or 'left verntricular dysfunction' were used in the literature search. The experts discussed and agreed on the recommendation levels. Available clinical trials reported that the intake of some nutraceuticals (hawthorn, coenzyme Q10, l-carnitine, d-ribose, carnosine, vitamin D, probiotics, n-3 PUFA and beet nitrates) might be associated with improvements in self-perceived quality of life and/or functional parameters such as left ventricular ejection fraction, stroke volume and cardiac output in HF patients, with minimal or no side effects. Those benefits tended to be greater in earlier HF stages. Available clinical evidence supports the usefulness of supplementation with some nutraceuticals to improve HF management in addition to evidence-based pharmacological therapy.

Qishen granules exerts cardioprotective effects on rats with heart failure via regulating fatty acid and glucose metabolism

Background

Qishen granules (QSG) has been applied to treat heart failure (HF) for decades. Our previous transcriptomics study has suggested that Qishen granules (QSG) could regulate the pathways of cardiac energy metabolism in HF, but the specific regulatory mechanism has not yet been clarified. This study was to investigate the potential mechanism of QSG in regulating myocardial fatty acid (FA) and glucose metabolism in a rat model of HF.

Methods

The model of HF was induced by left anterior descending coronary artery ligation. Cardiac structure and function were assessed by cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and echocardiography. Level of glucose metabolism was non-invasively evaluated by ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). Blood lipid levels were determined by enzymatic analysis. The mitochondrial ultrastructure was observed with a transmission electron microscope. The critical proteins related to FA metabolism, glucose metabolism and mitochondrial function were measured by western blotting. The ANOVA followed by a Fisher’s LSD test was used for within-group comparisons.

Results

QSG ameliorated cardiac functions and attenuated myocardial remodeling in HF model. The levels of serum TC, TG and LDL-C were significantly reduced by QSG. The proteins mediating FA uptake, transportation into mitochondria and β-oxidation (FAT/CD36, CPT1A, ACADL, ACADM, ACAA2 and SCP2) as well as the upstreaming transcriptional regulators of FA metabolism (PPARα, RXRα, RXRβ and RXRγ) were up-regulated by QSG. As to glucose metabolism, QSG inhibited glycolytic activity by decreasing LDHA, while stimulated glucose oxidation by decreasing PDK4. Furthermore, QSG could facilitate tricarboxylic acid cycle, promote the transportation of ATP from mitochondria to cytoplasm and restore the mitochondrial function by increasing SUCLA2, CKMT2 and PGC-1α and decreasing UCP2 simultaneously.

Conclusion

QSG improved myocardial energy metabolism through increasing FA metabolism,inhibiting uncoupling of glycolysis from glucose oxidation.

Emerging microRNA biomarkers for acute kidney injury in acute decompensated heart failure

Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is associated with a high incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI), an abrupt loss of kidney function associated with a near doubling of mortality at 1 year. In addition to the direct threat acute HF itself poses to kidney function, the beneficial effects of commonly prescribed HF treatments must be weighed against their potentially adverse effects on glomerular perfusion. Consequently, there is an urgent need to identify early markers for AKI in ADHF to facilitate timely implementation of supportive measures to minimize kidney damage and improve outcomes. The recent recognition of the diagnostic potential of circulating microRNAs presents the potential to address this gap if microRNAs specific for AKI can be identified in serial plasma, serum and/or urine samples from well-phenotyped cohorts of ADHF patients, including a proportion with AKI. This review summarizes emerging circulating diagnostic and prognostic microRNA biomarkers (serum, plasma or urine) in HF and AKI.

Heart failure mortality prediction using PRISM score and development of a classification and regression tree model to refer patients for palliative care consultation

INTRODUCTION

We sought to assess one-year mortality in heart failure (HF) patients by using (Placement Resource Indicator for Systems Management) PRISM, a disease nonspecific risk stratification score, and use it along with modified Seattle Heart Failure Model (SHFM) to guide patient selection for palliative care consultation.

METHODS

A retrospective study design was used to examine 1-year mortality in 689 HF patients admitted from 2012 to 2014. One-year mortality was calculated using Pmort30/PRISM and modified SHFM scores, and the predicted scores were validated using the area under the ROC curve. CART was used to develop an algorithm to classify patients based on their mortality risk.

RESULTS

The discriminatory ability of PRISM categorical score (AUC = 0.701) was not significantly different than the discriminatory ability of modified SHFM (AUC = 0.686) (DeLong's test p = 0.56) but improved significantly with the combination of PRISM (categorical) score + modified SHFM (AUC = 0.740) (p = 0.002). The predictive capability of the CART tree model after cross-validation was 72.2% (AUC 0.631).

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests PRISM score performed as well as modified SHFM for one-year mortality prediction. Moreover, the addition of modified SHFM to PRISM score increases discriminatory ability in predicting 1-year mortality in heart failure patients compared to either of the two models alone. Together, when combined in a CART model, they can be used to identify the population subset with the highest mortality risk and hence guide goals of care discussion.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Reliability of the French–Canadian Version of the European Heart Failure Self-Care Behaviour Scale-9

Background and Purpose

The purposes of this methodological study were to adapt the European Heart Failure Self-care Behaviour Scale-9 to the French–Canadian population and to evaluate its reliability.

Methods

The adaptation process consisted of translation, back-translation, evaluation by an expert committee, and pretesting. Reliability was evaluated with stability criteria (test–retest) and internal consistency.

Results

Pretesting led to testing of two response formats: 5-point Likert scale and the frequency scale. Both demonstrated good levels of agreement between the test–retest, although the values were higher with the frequency format. The Cronbach's alpha coefficients ranged from 0.71 to 0.78 (Likert scale) and 0.70 to 0.83 (frequency scale).

Conclusion

The French–Canadian version of the EHFScB-9, in both formats, demonstrated good evidence of reliability.

Designing and Testing a Treatment Adherence Model Based on the Roy Adaptation Model in Patients With Heart Failure: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study

BACKGROUND

Adherence to treatment is an important factor to decrease repeated and costly hospitalization owing to heart failure (HF). The explanation and prediction of medication adherence and other lifestyle recommendations in chronic diseases, including HF, are complex. Theories lead to a better understanding of complex situations as well as the process of changing behavior and explain the reasons for the existence of a problem.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to report a protocol for a mixed methods study setting out to investigate the empirical validity of the Roy Adaptation Model as a conceptual framework for explaining and predicting adherence to treatment in patients with HF in Iran.

METHODS

This mixed methods study consists of an exploratory sequential design to be conducted in 2 phases. The first phase involves identifying the factors associated with treatment adherence in patients with HF through content analysis of the literature and elucidating the perception of participants in the context of Iranian health care where the model of adherence to treatment is designed based on the Roy Adaptation Model. The second phase addresses the interrelationships among variables in the model through a descriptive study using structural equation modeling. Finally, following the summarization and separate interpretation of the qualitative findings and quantitative results, a decision is made about the extent to and ways in which the results of the quantitative stage can be generalized or tested for the qualitative findings.

RESULTS

Content analysis of the literature in part 1 of the first phase was completed in 2017. Collection and analysis of qualitative data in part 2 of the first phase will be completed soon. The results are expected to be submitted for publication in 2019. Then, the second phase-the quantitative study-will be conducted.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study will provide valuable information about the empirical validity of the Roy Adaptation Model as a conceptual framework for explaining and predicting adherence to treatment in patients with HF, which, to date, have received little attention. The results can be used as a guide for nursing practice and care provision to patients with HF and also to design and implement effective interventions to improve treatment adherence in these patients.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/13317.

Chronic Heart Failure Treatment With the Left Ventricular Assist Device

The prevalence of chronic heart failure is increasing in the United States due to the increase in the number of older adults and because many people are surviving acute cardiac events and living longer with chronic heart disease. In end-stage heart failure, heart transplant was once the gold standard of treatment and patients had to wait for a matching heart donor. In the past, the left ventricular assist device (LVAD) was a mechanical circulatory support treatment used temporarily for those awaiting heart transplant. However, the LVAD is increasingly becoming the chosen treatment of patients in lieu of heart transplant. Home healthcare nurses and clinicians need to be familiar with LVADs in order to care for patients in end-stage heart failure who are using these devices. This article explains the mechanism, potential complications, and nursing implications of caring for the patient who is using an LVAD.