Pathophysiology of Anemia in Heart Failure

Extraintestinal Manifestations of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Unraveling Valvulopathy Connections

The clinical presentation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes both gastrointestinal manifestations and extraintestinal manifestations (EIM). Over the past years, a growing number of studies have indicated that patients suffering from IBD have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Although the precise prevalence of cardiac complications in IBD remains uncertain, emerging evidence suggests a heightened incidence compared to the general population. Valvular heart disease (VHD) in IBD encompasses calcific aortic valve disease, mitral valve prolapses, and endocarditis, potentially associated with chronic inflammation. Considering the role of inflammation in developing cardiovascular manifestations, the management should include preventing flares and maintaining remission for as long as possible. This case highlights the intricate interplay between IBD and cardiovascular complications, particularly valvular abnormalities. We present a 37-year-old male with a history of ulcerative colitis (UC) who was found to have multiple valvular diseases.

Prevalent and Incident Anemia in PARADIGM-HF and the Effect of Sacubitril/Valsartan

BACKGROUND

Anemia is common in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. Renin-angiotensin system blockers lower hemoglobin and may induce anemia.

OBJECTIVES

The authors investigated whether concomitant neprilysin inhibition might ameliorate this effect of renin-angiotensin system blockers in PARADIGM-HF (Prospective comparison of ARNI with ACEI to Determine Impact on Global Mortality and morbidity in Heart Failure).

METHODS

Anemia was defined as hemoglobin <120 g/L in women and <130 g/L in men at screening. The authors investigated the effect of randomized treatment on clinical outcomes according to anemia status, change in hemoglobin from baseline, and the incidence of anemia.

RESULTS

Of 8,239 participants with a baseline hemoglobin measurement, 1,677 (20.4%) were anemic. Patients with anemia had a more severe heart failure profile, worse kidney function, greater neurohormonal derangement, and worse clinical outcomes. Sacubitril/valsartan, compared with enalapril, decreased the risk of cardiovascular death or heart failure hospitalization similarly in patients with (HR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.71-1.00) and without anemia (HR: 0.78 [95% CI: 0.71-0.87]; P value for interaction = 0.478). Between baseline and 12 months, hemoglobin decreased by 1.5 g/L (95% CI: 1.2-1.7 g/L) with sacubitril/valsartan compared with 2.3 g/L (95% CI: 2.0-2.6 g/L) with enalapril: mean difference 0.8 g/L (95% CI: 0.5-1.2 g/L; P < 0.001). Patients assigned to sacubitril/valsartan were less likely to develop anemia at 12 months (321 of 2,806 [11.4%]) compared with patients randomized to enalapril (440 of 2,824 [15.6%]) (OR: 0.70 [95% CI: 0.60-0.81]; P < 0.001). These findings were similar in PARAGON-HF (Prospective Comparison of ARNI with ARB Global Outcomes in HF with Preserved Ejection Fraction) (sacubitril/valsartan vs valsartan). There was biomarker evidence of increased iron utilization with sacubitril/valsartan.

CONCLUSIONS

Irrespective of anemia status, sacubitril/valsartan compared with enalapril, decreased mortality and hospitalization. Hemoglobin decreased less with sacubitril/valsartan and the incidence of new anemia was lower with sacubitril/valsartan. (Prospective comparison of ARNI with ACEI to Determine Impact on Global Mortality and morbidity in Heart Failure [PARADIGM-HF] trial; NCT01035255).

Prenatal Diagnosis of Fetal Heart Failure

Fetal heart failure (FHF) is a condition of inability of the fetal heart to deliver adequate blood flow for tissue perfusion in various organs, especially the brain, heart, liver and kidneys. FHF is associated with inadequate cardiac output, which is commonly encountered as the final outcome of several disorders and may lead to intrauterine fetal death or severe morbidity. Fetal echocardiography plays an important role in diagnosis of FHF as well as of the underlying causes. The main findings supporting the diagnosis of FHF include various signs of cardiac dysfunction, such as cardiomegaly, poor contractility, low cardiac output, increased central venous pressures, hydropic signs, and the findings of specific underlying disorders. This review will present a summary of the pathophysiology of fetal cardiac failure and practical points in fetal echocardiography for diagnosis of FHF, focusing on essential diagnostic techniques used in daily practice for evaluation of fetal cardiac function, such as myocardial performance index, arterial and systemic venous Doppler waveforms, shortening fraction, and cardiovascular profile score (CVPs), a combination of five echocardiographic markers indicative of fetal cardiovascular health. The common causes of FHF are reviewed and updated in detail, including fetal dysrhythmia, fetal anemia (e.g., alpha-thalassemia, parvovirus B19 infection, and twin anemia-polycythemia sequence), non-anemic volume load (e.g., twin-to-twin transfusion, arteriovenous malformations, and sacrococcygeal teratoma, etc.), increased afterload (intrauterine growth restriction and outflow tract obstruction, such as critical aortic stenosis), intrinsic myocardial disease (cardiomyopathies), congenital heart defects (Ebstein anomaly, hypoplastic heart, pulmonary stenosis with intact interventricular septum, etc.) and external cardiac compression. Understanding the pathophysiology and clinical courses of various etiologies of FHF can help physicians make prenatal diagnoses and serve as a guide for counseling, surveillance and management.

Case of unilateral anaemic retinopathy unmasking colorectal carcinoma

Anaemic retinopathy presents commonly with bilateral retinal haemorrhages and soft exudates. Unilateral optic disc oedema in these patients has rarely been mentioned. We report a case of an atypical presentation of anaemic retinopathy with recurrent unilateral optic disc oedema and retinal haemorrhages secondary to iron deficiency anaemia from a newly diagnosed colorectal adenocarcinoma.A man in his 70s with multiple ischaemic risk factors was referred for unilateral optic disc oedema associated with a few retinal haemorrhages. Initial diagnosis was that of impending central retinal vein occlusion. The optic disc oedema initially resolved but recurred 8 months later with worsening unilateral disc oedema, 'coin-shaped' retinal haemorrhages, Roth's spots and venous tortuosity. Full blood count showed microcytic hypochromic anaemia secondary to iron deficiency and colonoscopy revealed colorectal adenocarcinoma. The patient received blood transfusions, oral iron replacement and underwent surgical resection of the tumour. The anaemia resolved, and the fundus findings resolved as well.

Effect of Anemia on the Prognosis of Patients with Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias

This study evaluates the prognostic impact of anemia in patients presenting with ventricular tachyarrhythmias. The present longitudinal, observational, registry-based, monocentric cohort study included retrospectively all consecutive patients presenting with ventricular tachyarrhythmias on admission from 2002 to 2016. Anemic patients (hemoglobin levels <12.0 g/dl) were compared with non-anemic patients (hemoglobin levels ≥12.0 g/dl). The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality at 2.5 years. Secondary endpoints were cardiac death at 24 hours, all-cause mortality at index hospitalization, and the composite endpoint of cardiac death at 24 hours, recurrent ventricular tachyarrhythmias, and appropriate ICD therapies at 2.5 years. A total of 2,184 consecutive patients were included, of whom 30% were anemic and 70% non-anemic. Anemia was associated with the primary endpoint of all-cause mortality at 2.5 years (65% vs 29%, p = 0.001; HR = 2.441; 95% CI 2.086 to 2.856), cardiac death at 24 hours (26% vs 11%, p = 0.001), all-cause mortality at index hospitalization (45% vs 20%, p = 0.001), and the composite endpoint (35% vs 27%, p = 0.001; HR = 2.923; 95% CI 2.564 to 4.366). After multivariable adjustment, anemia was no longer associated with the composite endpoint. Predictors of adverse prognosis for anemics were CKD (HR = 2.191), LVEF <35% (HR = 1.651), cardiogenic shock (HR = 1.591), CPR (HR = 1.460), male gender (HR = 1.379), and age (HR = 1.017). In conclusion, anemic patients presenting with ventricular tachyarrhythmias were associated with increased long-term mortality at 2.5 years but not with the composite arrhythmic endpoint at 2.5 years. Predictors of adverse prognosis at 2.5 years were CKD, LVEF <35%, cardiogenic shock, CPR, male gender, and age.

Pulmonary Hypertension in Chronic Kidney Disease

There is a high prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in chronic kidney disease (CKD), with rates increasing as glomerular filtration rate declines. Pulmonary hypertension is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular events and mortality in non-dialysis-dependent CKD stages 3 to 5, dialysis-dependent CKD, as well as kidney transplant recipients. The pathophysiology of pulmonary hypertension in CKD is multifactorial and includes higher pulmonary capillary wedge pressure caused by ischemic heart disease and cardiomyopathy, higher cardiac output caused by anemia and arteriovenous access used for hemodialysis, as well as potentially higher pulmonary vascular resistance. Treatment should focus on the underlying cause.

Anaemia in Heart Failure Patients, Associated with Angiotensin - Renin - Aldosterone System Altering Medications

Heart failure (HF) remains one of the most common diseases and one of the major causes of death worldwide. HF is often associated with other chronic diseases, most commonly with anemia. Anemia increases patients' mortality and lowers their quality of life. There are a few pathophysiological mechanisms that explain anemia in patients with HF - hemodilution, absolute or functional iron deficiency, activation of the inflammatory cascade, chronic kidney disease, and impaired erythropoietin production and activity. Moreover, congestive HF is often treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and aldosterone receptors blockers, which could be linked to the development of anemia.

COVID-19 in Chronic Kidney Disease: The Impact of Old and Novel Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Cardiovascular disease is a frequent complication and the most common cause of death in patients with CKD. Despite landmark medical advancements, mortality due to cardiovascular disease is still 20 times higher in CKD patients than in the general population, which is mainly due to the high prevalence of risk factors in this group. Indeed, in addition to traditional cardiovascular risk factors, CKD patients are exposed to nontraditional ones, which include metabolic, hormonal, and inflammatory alterations. The global severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has brought novel challenges for both cardiologists and nephrologists alike. Emerging evidence indicates that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) increases the risk of cardiovascular events and that several aspects of the disease may synergize with pre-existing cardiovascular risk factors in CKD patients. A better understanding of these mechanisms is pivotal for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular events in this context, and we believe that additional clinical and experimental studies are needed to improve cardiovascular outcomes in CKD patients with COVID-19. In this review, we provide a summary of traditional and nontraditional cardiovascular risk factors in CKD patients, discussing their interaction with SARS-CoV-2 infection and focusing on CO-VID-19-related cardiovascular complications that may severely affect short- and long-term outcomes in this high-risk population.

Risk factors of poor prognosis and impairment of activities of daily living in patients with hemorrhagic gastroduodenal ulcers

Background

Impairment of activities of daily living (ADL) due to hemorrhagic gastroduodenal ulcers (HGU) has rarely been evaluated. We analyzed the risk factors of poor prognosis, including mortality and impairment of ADL, in patients with HGU.

Methods

In total, 582 patients diagnosed with HGU were retrospectively analyzed. Admission to a care facility or the need for home adaptations during hospitalization were defined as ADL decline. The clinical factors were evaluated: endoscopic features, need for interventional endoscopic procedures, comorbidities, symptoms, and medications. The risk factors of outcomes were examined with multivariate analysis.

Results

Advanced age (> 75 years) was a significant predictor of poor prognosis, including impairment of ADL. Additional significant risk factors were renal disease (odds ratio [OR] 3.43; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.44–8.14) for overall mortality, proton pump inhibitor (PPIs) usage prior to hemorrhage (OR 5.80; 95% CI 2.08–16.2), and heart disease (OR 3.05; 95% CI 1.11–8.43) for the impairment of ADL. Analysis of elderly (> 75 years) subjects alone also revealed that use of PPIs prior to hemorrhage was a significant predictor for the impairment of ADL (OR 8.24; 95% CI 2.36–28.7).

Conclusion

In addition to advanced age, the presence of comorbidities was a risk of poor outcomes in patients with HGU. PPI use prior to hemorrhage was a significant risk factor for the impairment of ADL, both in overall HGU patients and in elderly patients alone. These findings suggest that the current strategy for PPI use needs reconsideration.

Prevalence, risk factors, and significance of iron deficiency and anemia in nonischemic heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction from a Himachal Pradesh heart failure registry

BACKGROUND

The study aimed to estimate the prevalence, risk determinants, and its clinical significance of iron deficiency and anemia in patients of nonischemic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

METHODS

Serum ferritin, transferrin saturation, and the hemoglobin (Hb) levels were measured in 226 consecutive patients with HFrEF diagnosed based on the left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 45% and absence of coronary artery luminal narrowing of more than 50%, in a prospective tertiary care hospital-based heart failure registry. Patients with the New York Heart Association functional class III/IV were classified as patients with advanced heart failure. Multivariable logistic regression modeling was performed to assess the risk determinants of iron deficiency and anemia and their clinical significance as the risk factors for advanced heart failure. Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval (CI) was reported as the estimates of the strength of association between exposure and outcome variables.

RESULTS

Iron deficiency and anemia were prevalent in 58.8% (52.2%-65.1%) and 35.8% (29.8%-42.3%) of patients, respectively. Female gender [OR 3.5 (95% CI 1.9-6.5)], history of bleeding [OR 11.7 (95% CI 1.4-101.2)], and vegetarian diet [OR 2.5 (95% CI 1.4-4.6)] were significantly associated with iron deficiency, while diabetes [OR 3.0 (95% CI 1.40-6.5)], estimated glomerular filtration rate [OR 0.98 (95% CI 0.97-0.99)], history of bleeding [OR 13.0 (95% CI 2.3-70.9)], and female gender [OR 2.9 (95% CI 1.5-5.7)] had significant association with anemia. The Hb level (OR 0.82 (95% CI 0.70-0.96) and transferrin saturation (OR 0.98 (95% CI 0.96-0.99)] had a significant inverse association with symptoms of advanced heart failure.

CONCLUSION

Iron deficiency and anemia are common comorbidities associated with HFrEF. Low Hb and transferrin saturation are significantly associated with advanced heart failure. The findings have important implications in the management of heart failure.

Working Toward an Improved Understanding of Chronic Cardiorenal Syndrome Type 4

Chronic diseases of the heart and of the kidneys commonly coexist in individuals. Certainly combined and persistent heart and kidney failure can arise from a common pathologic insult, for example, as a consequence of poorly controlled hypertension or of severe diffuse arterial disease. However, strong evidence is emerging to suggest that cross talk exists between the heart and the kidney. Independent processes are set in motion when kidney function is chronically diminished, and these processes can have distinct adverse effects on the heart. The complex chronic heart condition that results from chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been termed cardiorenal syndrome type 4. This review will include an updated description of the cardiac morphology in patients who have CKD, an overview of the most likely CKD-sourced culprits for these cardiac changes, and the potential therapeutic strategies to limit cardiac complications in patients who have CKD.

Erythropoietin response to anaemia in heart failure

Background

Despite multiple factors correlating with the high prevalence of anaemia in heart failure, the prevailing mechanisms have yet to be established. The purpose of this study is to systematically review the literature and determine whether low circulating haemoglobin is primarily underlain by erythropoietin resistance or defective production in heart failure.

Design and methods

We conducted a systematic search of MEDLINE since its inception until May 2017 for articles reporting erythropoietin and haemoglobin concentrations in heart failure patients not treated with erythropoietin-stimulating agents. The primary outcome was the mean difference in observed/predicted (O/P) erythropoietin ratio between heart failure patients and normal reference values. Meta-regression analyses assessed the influence of potential moderating factors.

Results

Forty-one studies were included after systematic review, comprising a total of 3137 stable heart failure patients with mean age and left ventricular ejection fraction ranging from 52 years to 80 years and 21% to 59%. The O/P erythropoietin ratio was below reference values in 24 of 25 studies in anaemic heart failure patients ( n = 1094, range = 0.49–1.05), whereas only one out of 16 studies in non-anaemic heart failure patients presented a low O/P erythropoietin ratio ( n = 2043, range = 0.91–1.97). In studies comparing anaemic versus non-anaemic heart failure patients ( n = 1531), the mean O/P erythropoietin ratio was consistently reduced in anaemic heart failure patients (mean difference = –0.68, 95% confidence interval = −0.78, −0.57; p < 0.001). In meta-regression, the O/P erythropoietin ratio was negatively associated with age, female sex, left ventricular ejection fraction, inflammation and disease severity.

Conclusion

Anaemia in heart failure is overwhelmingly characterized by impaired erythropoietin production, which is exacerbated with age, female sex, left ventricular ejection fraction, inflammation and disease severity.

Quantifying Ischemic Risk After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Attributable to High Platelet Reactivity on Clopidogrel (From the Assessment of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy with Drug-Eluting Stents Study)

Patients at high risk of thrombotic events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) may potentially benefit from intensified antiplatelet therapy. However, more potent antiplatelet therapy would be expected to only overcome risk that is mediated by high platelet reactivity (PR). We used mediation analysis to determine the contribution of residual PR to the 2-year risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACE; the composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or stent thrombosis) associated with clinical risk factors after PCI with drug-eluting stents (DES) in 8,374 patients from the prospective, multicenter Assessment of Dual AntiPlatelet Therapy with Drug-Eluting Stents (ADAPT-DES) registry. Residual PR on clopidogrel, as measured by the VerifyNow P2Y12 point-of-care assay, was included as a continuous linear mediator variable in Cox proportional hazards regression. Among 7 factors independently associated with 2-year MACE, residual PR partly mediated the effect of diabetes (13.4% attributable risk), anemia (22.9% attributable risk), and acute coronary syndromes (7.3% attributable risk). A PR-mediated effect inversely affected the MACE risk associated with smoking (10.4% attributable risk). The increased ischemic risk of chronic kidney disease, multivessel disease, and previous myocardial infarction were not mediated by residual PR. In conclusion, high residual PR mediates little or none of the increased 2-year MACE risk associated with baseline risk factors in patients treated with clopidogrel after successful PCI with DES. Intensifying antiplatelet therapy is therefore unlikely to substantially mitigate the excess ischemic risk from these variables.

Prevalence of anemia and its influence on hospital readmissions and emergency department visits in outpatients with heart failure

Background:

Anemia is a frequent comorbidity in patients with heart failure. However, the incidence of anemia in patients with heart failure varies widely, and there is limited evidence on the association between anemia and rehospitalization and on the health consequences of anemia in patients with heart failure.

Aims:

We aimed to identify the prevalence of anemia and its influence on hospital readmissions and emergency department visits in outpatients with heart failure.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study included 284 patients with heart failure diagnosed at outpatient cardiology clinics at a tertiary care university hospital in Cheonan, South Korea. We obtained socio-demographic and clinical information, including frequency of readmissions and emergency department visits, using face-to-face interviews and medical record reviews.

Results:

The prevalence of anemia, defined based on World Health Organization guidelines, was 39.1% among patients with heart failure. Anemia was significantly more prevalent among patients with one or more re-admissions or emergency department visits compared with patients with no history of hospital re-admissions or emergency department visits (42.7% vs. 13.9% ( p = 0.001) and 55.1% vs. 34% ( p = 0.002) respectively). Anemia increased the risk of hospital readmission (odds ratio =8.04, 95% confidence interval, 2.19–29.54) and emergency department visit (odds ratio=2.37, 95% confidence interval, 1.22–4.60) in patients with heart failure.

Conclusion:

It is imperative that patients with heart failure presenting with anemia undergo appropriate nursing assessment and intervention. Future prospective studies targeting interventions to improve anemia are required to determine whether anemia influences readmission rates and emergency department visits.

Subclinical left ventricular dysfunction in children after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for severe aplastic anemia: a case control study using speckle tracking echocardiography

Purpose

Severe aplastic anemia (SAA), a fatal disease, requires multiple transfusion, immunosuppressive therapy, and finally, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) as the definitive treatment. We hypothesized that iron overloading associated with multiple transfusions and HSCTrelated complications may adversely affect cardiac function. Left ventricular (LV) function was assessed in children after HSCT for SAA.

Methods

Forty-six consecutive patients with a median age of 9.8 years (range, 1.5-18 years), who received HSCT for SAA and who underwent comprehensive echocardiography before and after HSCT, were included in this study. The data of LV functional parameters obtained using conventional echocardiography, tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), and speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) were collected from pre- and post-HSCT echocardiography. These data were compared to those of 40 age-matched normal controls.

Results

In patients, the LV ejection fraction, shortening fraction, end-diastolic dimension, mitral early diastolic E velocity, TDI mitral septal E' velocity, and STE LV longitudinal systolic strain rate (SSR) decreased significantly after HSCT. Compared to normal controls, patients had significantly lower post-HSCT early diastolic E velocity and E/A ratio. On STE, patients had significantly decreased LV deformational parameters including LV longitudinal systolic strain (SS), SSR, and diastolic SR (DSR), and circumferential SS and DSR. Serum ferritin levels showed weak but significant correlations (P<0.05) with LV longitudinal SS and SSR and circumferential SS and DSR.

Conclusion

Subclinical LV dysfunction is evident in patients after HSCT for SAA, and was associated with increased iron load. Serial monitoring of cardiac function is mandatory in this population.

Usefulness of Relative Hypochromia in Risk Stratification for Nonanemic Patients With Chronic Heart Failure

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of a reduction of hemoglobin (Hb) content in the erythrocytes as estimated by mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) on long-term clinical outcomes in nonanemic patients with heart failure (HF). We prospectively enrolled 1,579 subjects with HF who underwent coronary angiography enrolled in the GeneBank study with 5-year follow-up of all-cause mortality. Levels of Hb and MCHC were assessed at enrollment and after 6 months of follow-up. Anemia was defined as Hb levels <13 g/dl in men and <12 g/dl in women. In our nonanemic cohort (n = 785, 49.7%), mean Hb and median MCHC were 13.8 ± 1.1 g/dl and 34.3 g/dL (interquartile range 33.6 to 35), respectively. Nonanemic patients with heart failure with lower MCHC had higher mortality risk (quartiles 1 vs 4, hazard ratio = 2.1, 95% confidence interval 1.4 to 3.3, p = 0.001). In a subset of nonanemic patients with persistent normal Hb on follow-up (n = 206), the mean time between baseline and follow-up MCHC levels was 169.3 ± 41.6 days. In comparison with patients with levels of MCHC more than the first quartile (≥33.6 g/dl) on baseline and follow-up, patients with persistently low MCHC (<33.6 g/dl) had a significantly increased mortality risk (log rank <0.001). All models remained significant even after adjusting for traditional cardiac risk factors, left ventricular ejection fraction, baseline Hb levels, and mean corpuscular volume. In conclusion, relative hypochromia is an independent predictor of increased mortality risk in patients with HF, even in the setting of normal Hb levels.

Anemia and its association with clinical outcome in heart failure patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy

PURPOSE

Although a substantial proportion of patients with heart failure (HF) have anemia, there is a paucity of data evaluating the impact of anemia on clinical outcome in CRT patients. Our goal was to examine the ability of baseline hemoglobin (Hb) level and change in Hb level over time to predict clinical 2-year outcome and echocardiographic response to CRT.

METHODS

Three hundred consecutive CRT patients (median 72 years [interquartile range (IQR) 16 years], 19% female) with baseline and follow-up hematological profiles available were examined. Baseline anemia was defined as Hb <12 g/dL in women and <13 g/dL in men, and patients were grouped into equal quartiles based on change in Hb. Two-year clinical outcome was determined using a composite endpoint that included HF hospitalization, left ventricular assist device (LVAD) placement, heart transplantation, and all-cause mortality. Echocardiographic reverse remodeling was examined at 6-month follow-up.

RESULTS

One hundred fifty-one anemic patients were compared to 149 non-anemic patients. Changes in left ventricular dimensions and ejection fraction were similar for both groups. Univariate predictors of 2-year clinical outcome included baseline creatinine level, diuretic usage, and anemia; in multivariable regression, baseline anemia was an independent predictor for outcome (hazard ratio [HR] 1.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.22-2.63], p = 0.003). The quartile with the most negative change in Hb concentration over time (≤-1.00 g/dL) had poorer event-free 2-year survival (HR 1.84, CI [1.13-3.00], p = 0.014).

CONCLUSIONS

Baseline anemia and early postimplantation decline in Hb levels are associated with a worse 2-year prognosis in CRT patients, even though the magnitude of left ventricular reverse remodeling is similar compared to non-anemic patients.

Anemias

Anemias continue to present a challenge to the health care profession. Anemia is defined as a reduction in one or more of the RBC indices. Patients presenting with a mild form of anemia may be asymptomatic; however, in more serious cases the anemia can become life threatening. In many cases the clinical presentation also reflects the underlying cause. Anemia may be attributed to various causes, whereas autoimmune RBC destruction may be attributed to intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Laboratory tests are essential in facilitating early detection and differentiation of anemia.

Heart failure with anemia: novel findings on the roles of renal disease, interleukins, and specific left ventricular remodeling processes

BACKGROUND

Anemia is a highly prevalent and strong independent prognostic marker in heart failure (HF), yet this association is not completely understood. Whether anemia is simply a marker of disease severity and concomitant chronic kidney disease or represents the activation of other detrimental pathways remains uncertain. We sought to determine which pathophysiological pathways are exacerbated in patients with HF, reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and anemia in comparison with those without anemia.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In a prospective study involving 151 patients, selected biomarkers were analyzed, each representing proposed contributive mechanisms in the pathophysiology of anemia in HF. We compared clinical, echocardiographic, and circulating biomarkers profiles among patients with HFrEF and anemia (group 1), HFrEF without anemia (group 2), and chronic kidney disease with preserved EF, without established HF (chronic kidney disease control group 3). We demonstrate here that many processes other than those related to chronic kidney disease are involved in the anemia-HF relationship. These are linked to the pathophysiological mechanisms pertaining to left ventricular systolic dysfunction and remodeling, systemic inflammation and volume overload. We found that levels of interleukin-6 and interleukin-10, specific markers of cardiac remodeling (procollagen type III N-terminal peptide, matrix metalloproteinase-2, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 1, left atrial volume), myocardial stretch (NT-proBNP [N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide]), and myocyte death (troponin T) are related to anemia in HFrEF.

CONCLUSIONS

Anemia is strongly associated not only with markers of more advanced and active heart disease but also with the level of renal dysfunction in HFrEF. Increased myocardial remodeling, inflammation, and volume overload are the hallmarks of patients with anemia and HF.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION URL

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00834691.

Intravenous ferric carboxymaltose in iron-deficient chronic heart failure patients with and without anaemia: a subanalysis of the FAIR-HF trial

Aims

Therapy with i.v. iron in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and iron deficiency (ID) improves symptoms, functional capacity, and quality of life. We sought to investigate whether these beneficial outcomes are independent of anaemia.

Methods and results

FAIR-HF randomized 459 patients with CHF [NYHA class II or III, LVEF ≤40% (NYHA II) or ≤45% (NYHA III)] and ID to i.v. iron as ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) or placebo in a 2:1 ratio. We analysed the efficacy and safety according to the presence or absence of anaemia (haemoglobin ≤120 g/L) at baseline. Of 459 patients, 232 had anaemia at baseline (51%). The effect of FCM on the primary endpoints of self-reported Patient Global Assessment (PGA) and NYHA class at week 24 was similar in patients with and without anaemia [odds ratio (OR) for improvement, 2.48 vs. 2.60, P = 0.97 for PGA and 1.90 vs. 3.39, P = 0.51 for NYHA). Results were also similar for the secondary endpoints, including PGA and NYHA at weeks 4 and 12, 6 min walk test distance, Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire overall score, and European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions Visual Analogue Scale at most time points. Regarding safety, no differences were noticed in the rates of death or first hospitalization between FCM and placebo both in anaemic and in non-anaemic patients.

Conclusions

Treatment of ID with FCM in patients with CHF is equally efficacious and shows a similar favourable safety profile irrespective of anaemia. Iron status should be assessed in symptomatic CHF patients both with and without anaemia and treatment of ID should be considered.

The cardiorenal syndrome in heart failure: cardiac? renal? syndrome?

There has been increasing interest on the so-called cardiorenal syndrome (CRS), defined as a complex pathophysiological disorder of the heart and kidneys whereby acute or chronic dysfunction in one organ may induce acute or chronic dysfunction in the other. In this review, we contend that there is lack of evidence warranting the adoption of a specific clinical construct such as the CRS within the heart failure (HF) syndrome by demonstrating that: (a) the approaches and tools regarding the definition of kidney involvement in HF are suboptimal; (b) development of renal failure in HF is often confounded by age, hypertension, and diabetes; (c) worsening of renal function (WRF) in HF may be largely independent of alterations in cardiac function; (d) the bidirectional association between HF and renal failure is not unique and represents one of the several such associations encountered in HF; and (e) inflammation is a common denominator for HF and associated noncardiac morbidities. Based on these arguments, we believe that dissecting one of the multiple bidirectional associations in HF and constructing the so-called cardiorenal syndrome is not justified pathophysiologically. Fully understanding of all morbid associations and not only the cardiorenal is of great significance for the clinician who is caring for the patient with HF.

Treatment of anemia with darbepoetin alfa in systolic heart failure

BACKGROUND

Patients with systolic heart failure and anemia have worse symptoms, functional capacity, and outcomes than those without anemia. We evaluated the effects of darbepoetin alfa on clinical outcomes in patients with systolic heart failure and anemia.

METHODS

In this randomized, double-blind trial, we assigned 2278 patients with systolic heart failure and mild-to-moderate anemia (hemoglobin level, 9.0 to 12.0 g per deciliter) to receive either darbepoetin alfa (to achieve a hemoglobin target of 13 g per deciliter) or placebo. The primary outcome was a composite of death from any cause or hospitalization for worsening heart failure.

RESULTS

The primary outcome occurred in 576 of 1136 patients (50.7%) in the darbepoetin alfa group and 565 of 1142 patients (49.5%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio in the darbepoetin alfa group, 1.01; 95% confidence interval, 0.90 to 1.13; P=0.87). There was no significant between-group difference in any of the secondary outcomes. The neutral effect of darbepoetin alfa was consistent across all prespecified subgroups. Fatal or nonfatal stroke occurred in 42 patients (3.7%) in the darbepoetin alfa group and 31 patients (2.7%) in the placebo group (P=0.23). Thromboembolic adverse events were reported in 153 patients (13.5%) in the darbepoetin alfa group and 114 patients (10.0%) in the placebo group (P=0.01). Cancer-related adverse events were similar in the two study groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with darbepoetin alfa did not improve clinical outcomes in patients with systolic heart failure and mild-to-moderate anemia. Our findings do not support the use of darbepoetin alfa in these patients. (Funded by Amgen; RED-HF ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00358215.).

Baseline characteristics of patients in the Reduction of Events with Darbepoetin alfa in Heart Failure trial (RED-HF)

AIMS

This report describes the baseline characteristics of patients in the Reduction of Events with Darbepoetin alfa in Heart Failure trial (RED-HF) which is testing the hypothesis that anaemia correction with darbepoetin alfa will reduce the composite endpoint of death from any cause or hospital admission for worsening heart failure, and improve other outcomes.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Key demographic, clinical, and laboratory findings, along with baseline treatment, are reported and compared with those of patients in other recent clinical trials in heart failure. Compared with other recent trials, RED-HF enrolled more elderly [mean age 70 (SD 11.4) years], female (41%), and black (9%) patients. RED-HF patients more often had diabetes (46%) and renal impairment (72% had an estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2). Patients in RED-HF had heart failure of longer duration [5.3 (5.4) years], worse NYHA class (35% II, 63% III, and 2% IV), and more signs of congestion. Mean EF was 30% (6.8%). RED-HF patients were well treated at randomization, and pharmacological therapy at baseline was broadly similar to that of other recent trials, taking account of study-specific inclusion/exclusion criteria. Median (interquartile range) haemoglobin at baseline was 112 (106-117) g/L.

CONCLUSION

The anaemic patients enrolled in RED-HF were older, moderately to markedly symptomatic, and had extensive co-morbidity.

Cardiac function in Ghanaian children with severe malaria

PURPOSE

The aim was to assess whether impaired cardiac function contributes to symptoms of severe malaria in general or to metabolic acidosis in particular in children living in endemic regions.

METHODS

In a prospective observational investigation, 183 children with severe malaria were investigated for hemodynamic status and cardiac function upon admission (day 0) and after recovery (day 42). Cardiac function parameters were assessed by cardiac ultrasonography. Blood gas analyses and cardiac enzymes were measured at hospitalization and follow-up. Differences in subgroups with and without metabolic acidosis as well as other severe malaria-defining symptoms and conditions were assessed.

RESULTS

Cardiac index (CI) was significantly increased on day 0 compared to day 42 (5.8 ml/m(2), SD ± 1.8 ml/m(2), versus 4.7 ml/m(2), SD ± 1.4 ml/m(2); P < 0.001). CI correlated negatively with hemoglobin levels but not with parameters indicating impaired tissue perfusion or metabolic acidosis. Parasite levels had a significant influence on metabolic acidosis but not on CI. Alterations related to cardiac function, hemoglobin levels and metabolic acidosis were most prominent in children younger than 2 years.

CONCLUSION

Increased CI reflecting high output status is associated with low hemoglobin levels while metabolic acidosis is linked to parasite levels.

Anemia in heart failure patients

Heart failure is a very common disease, with severe morbidity and mortality, and a frequent reason of hospitalization. Anemia and a concurrent renal impairment are two major risk factors contributing to the severity of the outcome and consist of the cardio renal anemia syndrome. Anemia in heart failure is complex and multifactorial. Hemodilution, absolute or functional iron deficiency, activation of the inflammatory cascade, and impaired erythropoietin production and activity are some pathophysiological mechanisms involved in anemia of the heart failure. Furthermore other concomitant causes of anemia, such as myelodysplastic syndrome and chemotherapy, may worsen the outcome. Based on the pathophysiology of cardiac anemia, there are several therapeutic options that may improve hemoglobin levels, tissues' oxygenation, and probably the outcome. These include administration of iron, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, and blood transfusions but still the evidence provided for their use remains limited.

Effects of hypoxia on muscle protein synthesis and anabolic signaling at rest and in response to acute resistance exercise

Chronic reductions in tissue O(2) tension (hypoxia) are associated with muscle atrophy and blunted hypertrophic responses to resistance exercise (RE) training. However, the effect of hypoxia on muscle protein synthesis (MPS) at rest and after RE is unknown. In a crossover study, seven healthy men (21.4 ± 0.7 yr) performed unilateral leg RE (6 × 8 repetitions at 70% 1-repetition maximum) under normoxic (20.9% inspired O(2)) and normobaric hypoxic (12% inspired O(2) for 3.5 h) postabsorptive conditions. Immediately after RE the rested leg was biopsied, and a primed continuous infusion of [1,2-(13)C(2)]leucine was maintained for 2.5 h before final biopsies from both legs to measure tracer incorporation and signaling responses (i.e., ribosomal S6 kinase 1). After 3.5 h of hypoxia, MPS was not different from normoxia in the rested leg (normoxia 0.033 ± 0.016 vs. hypoxia 0.043 ± 0.016%/h). MPS increased significantly from baseline 2.5 h after RE in normoxia (0.033 ± 0.016 vs. 0.104 ± 0.038%/h) but not hypoxia (0.043 ± 0.016 vs. 0.060 ± 0.063%/h). A significant linear relationship existed between MPS 2.5 h after RE in hypoxia and mean arterial blood O(2) saturation during hypoxia (r(2) = 0.49, P = 0.04). Phosphorylation of p70S6K(Thr389) remained unchanged in hypoxia at rest but increased after RE in both normoxia and hypoxia (2.6 ± 1.2-fold and 3.4 ± 1.1-fold, respectively). Concentrations of the hypoxia-responsive mTOR inhibitor regulated in development and DNA damage-1 were unaltered by hypoxia or RE. We conclude that normobaric hypoxia does not reduce MPS over 3.5 h at rest but blunts the increased MPS response to acute RE to a degree dependent on extant SpO(2).