Comorbidities and differential diagnosis in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Low Natriuretic Peptide Levels and Outcomes in Patients With Heart Failure and Preserved Ejection Fraction

BACKGROUND

Although some patients with heart failure (HF) with mildly reduced/preserved ejection fraction have low natriuretic peptide levels, there are no large-scale systematic studies of how common these individuals are or what happens to them.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to examine the proportion of patients in the I-PRESERVE (Irbesartan in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction) trial with an N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level <125 pg/mL, their clinical characteristics, and outcomes.

METHODS

I- PRESERVE enrolled patients with symptomatic HF and a LVEF ≥45% but who did not have NT-proBNP or body mass index inclusion/exclusion criteria. Baseline NT-proBNP was measured after enrollment but not reported to investigators. The primary outcome in this analysis was the composite of cardiovascular death or HF hospitalization.

RESULTS

Overall, 808 of 3,480 patients (23.2%) had NT-proBNP <125 pg/mL. Patients with a low NT-proBNP were younger (68.6 years vs 72.6 years; P < 0.001), were less often men (36.1% vs 40.9%; P = 0.015), and had a higher body mass index (48.4% vs 38.7% obese; P < 0.001) than those with a higher NT-proBNP level. Patients with a low NT-proBNP had less atrial fibrillation (8.5% vs 35.1%; P < 0.001), myocardial infarction, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and anemia but better kidney function. Patients with a lower NT-proBNP level had less marked echocardiographic abnormalities and were less likely to experience cardiovascular death or HF hospitalization; adjusted HR: 0.35 (95% CI: 0.27-0.46; P < 0.001). However, health status was similarly impaired in patients with lower and higher NT-proBNP levels (median Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire 43 vs 43; P = 0.95).

CONCLUSIONS

Almost one-quarter of patients with HF with mildly reduced/preserved ejection fraction had a low NT-proBNP level. Although these patients have a favorable prognosis, compared to those with a high NT-proBNP level, they have similarly impaired health status which should be a target for treatment. (Irbesartan in Heart Failure With Preserved Systolic Function [I- PRESERVE]; NCT00095238).

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Heart Failure: Challenges in Diagnosis and Treatment for HFpEF and HFrEF

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is common in heart failure (HF), and it has a significant impact on the prognosis and quality of life of patients. Additionally, COPD is independently associated with lower adherence to first-line HF therapies. In this review, we outline the challenges of identifying and managing HF with preserved (HFpEF) and reduced (HFrEF) ejection fraction with coexisting COPD.

RECENT FINDINGS

Spirometry is necessary for COPD diagnosis and prognosis but is underused in HF. Therefore, misdiagnosis is a concern. Also, disease-modifying drugs for HF and COPD are usually safe but underprescribed when HF and COPD coexist. Patients with HF-COPD are poorly enrolled in clinical trials. Guidelines recommend that HF treatment should be offered regardless of COPD presence, but modern registries show that undertreatment persists. Treatment gaps could be attenuated by ensuring an accurate and earlier COPD diagnosis in patients with HF, clarifying the concerns related to pharmacotherapy safety, and increasing the use of non-pharmacologic treatments. Acknowledging the uncertainties, this review aims to provide key clinical resources to support better physician-patient co-decision-making and improve collaboration between health professionals.

Device therapy for patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Device therapy is a nonpharmacological approach that presents a crucial advancement for managing patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). This review investigated the impact of device-based interventions and emphasized their potential for optimizing treatment for this complex patient demographic. Cardiac resynchronization therapy, augmented by atrioventricular node ablation with His-bundle pacing or left bundle-branch pacing, is effective for enhancing cardiac function and establishing atrioventricular synchrony. Cardiac contractility modulation and vagus nerve stimulation represent novel strategies for increasing myocardial contractility and adjusting the autonomic balance. Left ventricular expanders have demonstrated short-term benefits in HFpEF patients but require more investigation for long-term effectiveness and safety, especially in patients with AF. Research gaps regarding complications arising from left ventricular expander implantation need to be addressed. Device-based therapies for heart valve diseases, such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement and transcatheter edge-to-edge repair, show promise for patients with AF and HFpEF, particularly those with mitral or tricuspid regurgitation. Clinical evaluations show that these device therapies lessen AF occurrence, improve exercise tolerance, and boost left ventricular diastolic function. However, additional studies are required to perfect patient selection criteria and ascertain the long-term effectiveness and safety of these interventions. Our review underscores the significant potential of device therapy for improving the outcomes and quality of life for patients with AF and HFpEF.

Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: The Pathophysiological Mechanisms behind the Clinical Phenotypes and the Therapeutic Approach

Heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is an increasingly frequent form and is estimated to be the dominant form of HF. On the other hand, HFpEF is a syndrome with systemic involvement, and it is characterized by multiple cardiac and extracardiac pathophysiological alterations. The increasing prevalence is currently reaching epidemic levels, thereby making HFpEF one of the greatest challenges facing cardiovascular medicine today. Compared to HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), the medical attitude in the case of HFpEF was a relaxed one towards the disease, despite the fact that it is much more complex, with many problems related to the identification of physiopathogenetic mechanisms and optimal methods of treatment. The current medical challenge is to develop effective therapeutic strategies, because patients suffering from HFpEF have symptoms and quality of life comparable to those with reduced ejection fraction, but the specific medication for HFrEF is ineffective in this situation; for this, we must first understand the pathological mechanisms in detail and correlate them with the clinical presentation. Another important aspect of HFpEF is the diversity of patients that can be identified under the umbrella of this syndrome. Thus, before being able to test and develop effective therapies, we must succeed in grouping patients into several categories, called phenotypes, depending on the pathological pathways and clinical features. This narrative review critiques issues related to the definition, etiology, clinical features, and pathophysiology of HFpEF. We tried to describe in as much detail as possible the clinical and biological phenotypes recognized in the literature in order to better understand the current therapeutic approach and the reason for the limited effectiveness. We have also highlighted possible pathological pathways that can be targeted by the latest research in this field.

New factors in heart failure pathophysiology: Immunity cells release of extracellular vesicles

Leukocyte-shed extracellular vesicles (EVs) can play effector roles in the pathophysiological mechanisms of different diseases. These EVs released by membrane budding of leukocytes have been found in high amounts locally in inflamed tissues and in the circulation, indicating immunity cell activation. These EVs secreted by immune cell subsets have been minimally explored and deserve further investigation in many areas of disease. In this study we have investigated whether in heart failure there is innate and adaptive immune cell release of EVs. Patients with chronic heart failure (cHF) (n = 119) and in sex- and age-matched controls without this chronic condition (n = 60). Specifically, EVs were quantified and phenotypically characterized by flow cytometry and cell-specific monoclonal antibodies. We observed that even in well medically controlled cHF patients (with guideline-directed medical therapy) there are higher number of blood annexin-V⁺ (phosphatidylserine⁺)-EVs carrying activated immunity cell-epitopes in the circulation than in controls (p < 0.04 for all cell types). Particularly, EVs shed by monocytes and neutrophils (innate immunity) and by T-lymphocytes and natural-killer cells (adaptive immunity) are significantly higher in cHF patients. Additionally, EVs-shed by activated leukocytes/neutrophils (CD11b⁺, p = 0.006; CD29⁺/CD15⁺, p = 0.048), and T-lymphocytes (CD3⁺/CD45⁺, p < 0.02) were positively correlated with cHF disease severity (NYHA classification). Interestingly, cHF patients with ischemic etiology had the highest levels of EVs shed by lymphocytes and neutrophils (p < 0.045, all). In summary, in cHF patients there is a significant immune cell activation shown by high-release of EVs that is accentuated by clinical severity of cHF. These activated innate and adaptive immunity cell messengers may contribute by intercellular communication to the progression of the disease and to the common affectation of distant organs in heart failure (paracrine regulation) that contribute to the clinical deterioration of cHF patients.

The continuous heart failure spectrum: moving beyond an ejection fraction classification

Randomized clinical trials initially used heart failure (HF) patients with low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) to select study populations with high risk to enhance statistical power. However, this use of LVEF in clinical trials has led to oversimplification of the scientific view of a complex syndrome. Descriptive terms such as 'HFrEF' (HF with reduced LVEF), 'HFpEF' (HF with preserved LVEF), and more recently 'HFmrEF' (HF with mid-range LVEF), assigned on arbitrary LVEF cut-off points, have gradually arisen as separate diseases, implying distinct pathophysiologies. In this article, based on pathophysiological reasoning, we challenge the paradigm of classifying HF according to LVEF. Instead, we propose that HF is a heterogeneous syndrome in which disease progression is associated with a dynamic evolution of functional and structural changes leading to unique disease trajectories creating a spectrum of phenotypes with overlapping and distinct characteristics. Moreover, we argue that by recognizing the spectral nature of the disease a novel stratification will arise from new technologies and scientific insights that will shape the design of future trials based on deeper understanding beyond the LVEF construct alone.

[Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Problem Of Contemporary Cardiology]

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a frequent and overlooked medical condition that represents a great challenge for diagnosis and treatment. Current data shows a temporal trend towards a higher prevalence of HFpEF, even above heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The pathophysiology of HFpEF is heterogeneous and involves several factors such as genetics, lifestyle, and cardiac and non-cardiac comorbidities. These factors result in remodeling, maladaptation and cardiac stiffness, that later on cause dyspnea, exercise intolerance, and fatigue. Although the mortality outcome of HFpEF is as high as HFrEF, no specific therapy has demonstrated overall benefit in these patients; which is why future therapies will bet on an individualized approach according to the patients phenotype.

Loss of myeloid differentiation protein 1 promotes atrial fibrillation in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

AIMS

Myeloid differentiation protein 1 (MD1) is expressed in the mammalian heart and exerts an anti-arrhythmic effect. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is closely related to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The potential impact of MD1 on AF vulnerability in an HFpEF model is not clear.

METHODS AND RESULTS

MD1 knock-out and wild-type (WT) mice were subjected to uninephrectomy and continuous saline or d-aldosterone infusion and given 1% sodium chloride drinking water for 4 weeks. Echocardiographic and haemodynamic measurements, electrophysiological studies, Masson staining, and molecular analysis were performed. Aldosterone-infused WT mice develop HFpEF with left ventricular hypertrophy, moderate hypertension, pulmonary congestion, and diastolic dysfunction. Aldosterone infusion increased the vulnerability of WT mice to AF, as shown by a prolonged interatrial conduction time, shortened effective refractory period, and higher incidence of AF. In addition, aldosterone infusion increased myocardial fibrosis and inflammation, decreased sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ -ATPase 2a protein expression and the phosphorylation of phospholamban at Thr17, and increased sodium/calcium exchanger 1 protein expression and the phosphorylation of ryanodine receptor 2 in WT mice. All of the above adverse effects of aldosterone infusion were further exacerbated in MD1 knock-out mice compare with WT mice. Mechanistically, MD1 deletion increased the activation of the toll-like receptor 4/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II signalling pathway in in vivo and in vitro experiments.

CONCLUSIONS

MD1 deficiency increases the vulnerability of HFpEF mice to AF. This is mainly caused by aggravated maladaptive left atrial fibrosis and inflammation and worsened dysregulation of calcium handling, which is induced by the enhanced activation of the toll-like receptor 4/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II signalling pathway.

COPD and heart failure: differential diagnosis and comorbidity

Heart failure (HF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) represent the most important differential diagnoses of dyspnea in elderly people. Heart failure is the inability of the heart to pump sufficient amounts of blood through the cardiovascular system. Pump failure is caused by compromised contractility and/or filling of the ventricles leading to forward and backward failure and subsequently to dyspnea. In COPD, the destruction and remodeling processes of the bronchiolar architecture inhibit proper exhalation of air, thereby leading to exhaustion of the thoracic muscles, insufficient oxygen diffusion, and dyspnea. Despite these fundamental differences in the pathophysiology of both disorders, their clinical presentation may be very similar. This renders accurate and timely diagnosis and therapy, especially in patients with coexisting disease, difficult. This clinical review summarizes typical problems in the diagnosis of COPD, HF, and coincident disease, and describes strategies that help avoid misdiagnosis and ineffective treatment.

Cognitive impairment in heart failure is associated with altered Wnt signaling in the hippocampus

Age represents the highest risk factor for death due to cardiovascular disease. Heart failure (HF) is the most common cardiovascular disease in elder population and it is associated with cognitive impairment (CI), diminishing learning and memory process affecting life quality and mortality in these patients. In HF, CI has been associated with inadequate O₂ supply to the brain; however, an important subset of HF patients displays CI with almost no alteration in cerebral blood flow. Importantly, nothing is known about the pathophysiological mechanisms underpinning CI in HF with no change in brain tissue perfusion. Here, we aimed to study memory performance and learning function in a rodent model of HF that shows no change in blood flow going to the brain. We found that HF rats presented learning impairments and memory loss. In addition, HF rats displayed a decreased level of Wnt/β-catenin signaling downstream elements in the hippocampus, one pathway implicated largely in aging diseases. Taken together, our results suggest that in HF rats CI is associated with dysfunction of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. The mechanisms involved in the alterations of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in HF and its contribution to the development/maintenance of CI deserves future investigations.

The validity of heart failure diagnoses in the Finnish Hospital Discharge Register

Background: Contemporary validation studies of register-based heart failure diagnoses based on current guidelines and complete clinical data are lacking in Finland and internationally. Our objective was to assess the positive and negative predictive values of heart failure diagnoses in a nationwide hospital discharge register. Methods: Using Finnish Hospital Discharge Register data from 2013-2015, we obtained the medical records for 120 patients with a register-based diagnosis for heart failure (cases) and for 120 patients with a predisposing condition for heart failure, but without a heart failure diagnosis (controls). The medical records of all patients were assessed by a physician who categorized each individual as having heart failure (with reduced or preserved ejection fraction) or no heart failure, based on the definition of current European Society of Cardiology heart failure guidelines. Unclear cases were assessed by a panel of three physicians. This classification was considered as the clinical gold standard, against which the registers were assessed. Results: Register-based heart failure diagnoses had a positive predictive value of 0.85 (95% CI 0.77-0.91) and a negative predictive value of 0.83 (95% CI 0.75-0.90). The positive predictive value decreased when we classified patients with transient heart failure (duration <6 months), dialysis/lung disease or heart failure with preserved ejection fraction as not having heart failure. Conclusions: Heart failure diagnoses of the Finnish Hospital Discharge Register have good positive predictive value and negative predictive value, even when patients with pre-existing heart conditions are used as healthy controls. Our results suggest that heart failure diagnoses based on register data can be reliably used for research purposes.

Heart failure drug treatment

Heart failure is the most common cardiovascular reason for hospital admission for people older than 60 years of age. Few areas in medicine have progressed as remarkably as heart failure treatment over the past three decades. However, progress has been consistent only for chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. In acutely decompensated heart failure and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, none of the treatments tested to date have been definitively proven to improve survival. Delaying or preventing heart failure has become increasingly important in patients who are prone to heart failure. The prevention of worsening chronic heart failure and hospitalisations for acute decompensation is also of great importance. The objective of this Series paper is to provide a concise and practical summary of the available drug treatments for heart failure. We support the implementation of the international guidelines. We offer views on the basis of our personal experience in research areas that have insufficient evidence. The best possible evidence-based drug treatment (including inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and β blockers) is useful only when optimally implemented. However, implementation might be challenging. We believe that disease management programmes can be helpful in providing a multidisciplinary, holistic approach to the delivery of optimal medical care.

Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: Prevention and Management

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a complex clinical syndrome that constitutes nearly half of all heart failure cases. Because of lack of effective pharmacological targets to improve outcomes, the emphasis of the management and prevention of HFpEF should be through control of risk factors. This review will use the framework proposed by the American Heart Association on 7 simple measures ("Life's Simple 7") that involves diet and lifestyle changes to achieve ideal cardiovascular health. These 7 measures include (1) smoking, (2) obesity, (3) exercise, (4) diet, (5) blood pressure, (6) cholesterol, and (7) glucose control, which can help control the most common comorbidities and risk factors associated with HFpEF, such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. Therefore, application of these 7 simple measures would be a patient-centered and cost-effective way of prevention and management of HFpEF.

Vitamin C Deficiency, High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein, and Cardiac Event-Free Survival in Patients With Heart Failure

BACKGROUND

Vitamin C is related to lower levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), an inflammatory biomarker that predicts cardiovascular disease. Whether vitamin C deficiency is associated with hsCRP and cardiac events in heart failure (HF) patients has not been examined.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to determine the relationships among vitamin C intake, serum levels of hsCRP, and cardiac events.

METHODS

A total of 200 HF patients completed a 3-day food diary to determine vitamin C deficiency and provided blood to measure serum levels of hsCRP. Patients were followed for 2 years to obtain data on cardiac event-free survival. Moderation analyses with hierarchical logistic and Cox regressions were used for the data analysis.

RESULTS

Seventy-eight patients (39%) had vitamin C deficiency and 100 (50%) had an hsCRP level higher than 3 mg/L. Vitamin C deficiency was associated with an hsCRP level higher than 3 mg/L in the hierarchical logistic regression (odds ratio, 2.40; 95% confidence interval, [1.13-5.10]; P = .023). Vitamin C deficiency (hazard ratio, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.05-2.69, P = .029) and hsCRP level higher than 3 mg/L (hazard ratio, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.07-3.01; P = .027) predicted shorter cardiac event-free survival in hierarchical Cox regression. The interaction of hsCRP level higher than 3 mg/L and vitamin C deficiency produced a 2.3-fold higher risk for cardiac events (P = .002) in moderation analysis. Higher level of hsCRP predicted shorter cardiac event-free survival only in patients with vitamin C deficiency (P = .027), but not in those with vitamin C adequacy.

CONCLUSION

Vitamin C deficiency moderated the relationship between inflammation and cardiac events in patients with HF. Future study is required to determine whether adequate intake of vitamin C could play a protective role against the impact of inflammation on cardiac events in HF patients.

Comorbidities, risk factors and outcomes in patients with heart failure and an ejection fraction of more than or equal to 40% in primary care- and hospital care-based outpatient clinics

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to describe patients with heart failure and an ejection fraction (EF) of more than or equal to 40%, managed in both Primary- and Hospital based outpatient clinics separately with their prognosis, comorbidities and risk factors. Further to compare the heart failure medication in the two groups.

DESIGN

We used the prospective Swedish Heart Failure Registry to include 9654 out-patients who had HF and EF ≥40%, 1802 patients were registered in primary care and 7852 in hospital care. Descriptive statistical tests were used to analyze base line characteristics in the two groups and multivariate logistic regression analysis to assess mortality rate in the groups separately.

SETTING

The prospective Swedish Heart Failure Registry.

SUBJECTS

Patients with heart failure and an ejection fraction (EF) of more than or equal to 40%.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Comorbidities, risk factors and mortality.

RESULTS

Mean-age was 77.5 (primary care) and 70.3 years (hospital care) p < 0.0001, 46.7 vs. 36.3% women respectively (p < 0.0001) and EF ≥50% 26.1 vs. 13.4% (p < 0.0001). Co-morbidities were common in both groups (97.2% vs. 92.3%), the primary care group having more atrial fibrillation, hypertension, ischemic heart disease and COPD. According to the multivariate logistic regression analysis smoking, COPD and diabetes were the most important independent risk factors in the primary care group and valvular disease in the hospital care group. All-cause mortality during mean follow-up of almost 4 years was 31.5% in primary care and 27.8% in hospital care. One year-mortality rates were 7.8%, and 7.0% respectively.

CONCLUSION

Any co-morbidity was noted in 97% of the HF-patients with an EF of more than or equal to 40% managed at primary care based out-patient clinics and these patients had partly other independent risk factors than those patients managed in hospital care based outpatients clinics. Our results indicate that more attention should be payed to manage COPD in the primary care group. KEY POINTS 97% of heart failure patients with an ejection fraction of more than or equal to 40% managed at primary care based out-patient clinics had any comorbidity. Patients in primary care had partly other independent risk factors than those in hospital care. All-cause mortality during mean follow-up of almost 4 years was higher in primary care compared to hospital care. In matched HF-patients RAS-antagonists, beta-blockers as well as the combination of the two drugs were more seldom prescribed when managed in primary care compared with hospital care.

Micronutrient Deficiency Independently Predicts Adverse Health Outcomes in Patients With Heart Failure

BACKGROUND

Despite growing evidence on the important role of micronutrients in prognosis of heart failure (HF), there has been limited research that micronutrient deficiency predicts health outcomes in patients with HF.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to determine whether micronutrient deficiency independently predicts adverse health outcomes.

METHODS

A total of 113 consecutive outpatients with HF completed a 3-day food diary to measure intake of 15 micronutrients. The Computer Aided Nutrition Analysis Program for Professionals was used to analyze the food diaries and determine dietary micronutrient deficiencies. Patients completed the Minnesota Living With HF Questionnaire to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and were followed up for 1 year to determine cardiac-related hospitalization or cardiac death. Hierarchical multiple linear regressions and Cox proportional hazard regressions were used to determine whether micronutrient deficiencies predicted health outcomes.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight patients (51%) had at least 3 micronutrient deficiencies (range, 0-14). Calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D were the most common micronutrient deficiencies. Micronutrient deficiency was independently associated with worse HRQoL (β = .187, P = .025) in hierarchical multiple linear regression. Thirty-nine patients were hospitalized or died during 1-year follow-up because of cardiac problems. The number of micronutrient deficiencies independently predicted cardiac event-free survival (hazard ratio, 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.28).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings show that micronutrient deficiency independently predicted poor HRQoL and earlier cardiac event-free survival in patients with HF. Further research is needed to provide for specific dietary guidelines for better health outcomes in HF patients.

Vitamin D supplements reduce depressive symptoms and cardiac events in heart failure patients with moderate to severe depressive symptoms

Background:

Depressive symptoms and vitamin D deficiency predict cardiac events in heart failure patients, but whether vitamin D supplements are associated with depressive symptoms and cardiac events in heart failure patients remains unknown.

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to compare the association of vitamin D supplement use with depressive symptoms and cardiac events in heart failure patients with mild or moderate to severe depressive symptoms.

Methods:

A total of 177 heart failure patients with depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score ≥5) completed a three-day food diary to determine dietary vitamin D deficiency. Patients were split into four groups by dietary vitamin D adequacy versus deficiency and vitamin D supplement use versus non-use. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was used to reassess depressive symptoms at six months. Data on cardiac events for up to one year and vitamin D supplement use were obtained from patient interview and medical record review. Hierarchical linear and Cox regressions were used for data analysis.

Results:

Sixty-six patients (37.3%) had dietary vitamin D deficiency and 80 (45.2%) used vitamin D supplements. In patients with moderate to severe depressive symptoms, the group with dietary vitamin D deficiency and no supplements had the highest Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score at six months (β=0.542, p<0.001) and shortest cardiac event-free survival ( p<0.001) among the four groups, the group with dietary vitamin D deficiency and no supplements didn’t have the highest Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score at six months and shortest cardiac event-free survival in patients with mild depressive symptoms.

Conclusions:

Vitamin D supplements predicted lower depressive symptoms and reduced cardiac events for patients with moderate to severe depressive symptoms. Vitamin D deficiency was associated with higher risk of shorter cardiac event-free survival in heart failure patients regardless of vitamin D supplementation.

Deep Phenotyping of Systemic Arterial Hemodynamics in HFpEF (Part 2): Clinical and Therapeutic Considerations

Multiple phase III trials over the last few decades have failed to demonstrate a clear benefit of various pharmacologic interventions in heart failure with a preserved left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (HFpEF). Therefore, a better understanding of its pathophysiology is important. An accompanying review describes key technical and physiologic aspects regarding the deep phenotyping of arterial hemodynamics in HFpEF. This review deals with the potential of this approach to enhance our clinical, translational, and therapeutic approach to HFpEF. Specifically, the role of arterial hemodynamics is discussed in relation to (1) the pathophysiology of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, remodeling, and fibrosis, (2) impaired oxygen delivery to peripheral skeletal muscle, which affects peripheral oxygen extraction, (3) the frequent presence of comorbidities, such as renal failure and dementia in this population, and (4) the potential to enhance precision medicine approaches. A therapeutic approach to target arterial hemodynamic abnormalities that are prevalent in this population (particularly, with inorganic nitrate/nitrite) is also discussed.

Atrial fibrillation in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: Insights into mechanisms and therapeutics

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) often coexist, and the outcomes of patients who have both AF and HF are considerably worse than those with either condition in isolation. Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a heterogeneous clinical entity and accounts for approximately one-half of current HF. At least one-third of patients with HFpEF are burdened by comorbid AF. The current understanding of the relationship between AF and HFpEF is limited, but the clinical implications are potentially important. In this review, we explore 1) the pathogenesis that drives AF and HFpEF to coexist; 2) pharmacologic therapies that may attenuate the impact of AF in HFpEF; and 3) future directions in the management of this complex syndrome.

Renin overexpression leads to increased titin-based stiffness contributing to diastolic dysfunction in hypertensive mRen2 rats

Hypertension (HTN) is a major risk factor for heart failure. We investigated the influence of HTN on cardiac contraction and relaxation in transgenic renin overexpressing rats (carrying mouse Ren-2 renin gene, mRen2, n = 6). Blood pressure (BP) was measured. Cardiac contractility was characterized by echocardiography, cellular force measurements, and biochemical assays were applied to reveal molecular mechanisms. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (n = 6) were used as controls. Transgenic rats had higher circulating renin activity and lower cardiac angiotensin-converting enzyme two levels. Systolic BP was elevated in mRen2 rats (235.11 ± 5.32 vs. 127.03 ± 7.56 mmHg in SD, P < 0.05), resulting in increased left ventricular (LV) weight/body weight ratio (4.05 ± 0.09 vs. 2.77 ± 0.08 mg/g in SD, P < 0.05). Transgenic renin expression had no effect on the systolic parameters, such as LV ejection fraction, cardiomyocyte Ca(2+)-activated force, and Ca(2+) sensitivity of force production. In contrast, diastolic dysfunction was observed in mRen2 compared with SD rats: early and late LV diastolic filling ratio (E/A) was lower (1.14 ± 0.04 vs. 1.87 ± 0.08, P < 0.05), LV isovolumetric relaxation time was longer (43.85 ± 0.89 vs. 28.55 ± 1.33 ms, P < 0.05), cardiomyocyte passive tension was higher (1.74 ± 0.06 vs. 1.28 ± 0.18 kN/m(2), P < 0.05), and lung weight/body weight ratio was increased (6.47 ± 0.24 vs. 5.78 ± 0.19 mg/g, P < 0.05), as was left atrial weight/body weight ratio (0.21 ± 0.03 vs. 0.14 ± 0.03 mg/g, P < 0.05). Hyperphosphorylation of titin at Ser-12742 within the PEVK domain and a twofold overexpression of protein kinase C-α in mRen2 rats were detected. Our data suggest a link between the activation of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and increased titin-based stiffness through phosphorylation of titin's PEVK element, contributing to diastolic dysfunction.

Association of Depressive Symptoms and Micronutrient Deficiency With Cardiac Event-Free Survival in Patients With Heart Failure

BACKGROUND

Depressive symptoms and malnutrition independently predict cardiac events in heart failure (HF) patients. However, the relationships among depressive symptoms, nutritional intake, and cardiac event-free survival have not been examined.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 232 patients with HF completed the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) to measure depressive symptoms and a 3-day food diary to determine the number of micronutrient deficiencies. Patients were followed for 2 years to collect data on cardiac event-free survival. Patients were divided into 4 groups by a PHQ-9 score of 10 and the median value of micronutrient deficiencies. Cox regressions were used to determine the relationships among depressive symptoms, micronutrient deficiency, and cardiac event-free survival. Depressive symptoms conferred greater risk of cardiac events in patients with a high number of micronutrient deficiencies than in those with a low number of micronutrient deficiencies. Patients with a PHQ-9 score ≥10 and number of micronutrient deficiencies >5 had 2.4 times higher risk for cardiac events compared with patients with a PHQ-9 score <10 and micronutrient deficiency ≤5 (P = .005).

CONCLUSIONS

There was a synergistic effect on the association of depressive symptoms with cardiac event-free survival in HF patients that differed by micronutrient deficiency.

The Hospitalization Burden and Post-Hospitalization Mortality Risk in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: Results From the I-PRESERVE Trial (Irbesartan in Heart Failure and Preserved Ejection Fraction)

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate prognosis in patients with heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction and the causes of hospitalization and post-hospitalization mortality.

BACKGROUND

Although hospitalizations in patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction are common, there are limited data from clinical trials on the causes of admission and the influence of hospitalizations on subsequent mortality risk.

METHODS

Patients (n = 4,128) with New York Heart Association functional class II to IV HF and left ventricular ejection fractions >45% were enrolled in I-PRESERVE (Irbesartan in Heart Failure and Preserved Ejection Fraction). A blinded events committee adjudicated cardiovascular hospitalizations and all deaths using predefined and standardized definitions. The risk for death after HF, any-cause, or non-HF hospitalization was assessed using time-dependent Cox proportional hazard models.

RESULTS

A total of 2,278 patients had 5,863 hospitalizations during the 49 months of follow-up, of which 3,585 (61%) were recurrent hospitalizations. For any-cause hospitalizations, 26.5% of patients died during follow-up, with an incident mortality rate of 11.1 deaths per 100 patient-years (PYs) and an adjusted hazard ratio of 5.32 (95% confidence interval: 4.21 to 6.23). Overall, 53.6% of hospitalizations were classified as cardiovascular and 43.7% as noncardiovascular, with 2.7% not classifiable. HF was the largest single cause of initial (17.6%) and overall (21.1%) hospitalizations, although, after HF hospitalization, a substantially higher proportion of readmissions were due to primary HF causes (40%). HF hospitalization occurred in 685 patients, with 41% deaths during follow-up, an incident mortality rate of 19.3 deaths per 100 PYs. The adjusted hazard ratio was 2.93 (95% confidence interval: 2.40 to 3.57) relative to patients who were not hospitalized for HF and was greater in those with longer durations of hospitalization. There were 1,593 patients with only non-HF hospitalizations, 21% of whom died during follow-up, with an incident mortality rate of 8.7 deaths per 100 PYs and an adjusted hazard ratio of 4.25 (95% confidence interval: 3.27 to 5.32). The risk for death was highest in the first 30 days and declined over time for all hospitalization categories. Patients not hospitalized for HF or for any cause had observed incident mortality rates of 3.8 and 1.3 deaths per 100 PYs, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In I-PRESERVE, HFpEF patients hospitalized for any reason, and especially for HF, were at high risk for subsequent death, particularly early. The findings support the need for careful attention in the post-discharge time period including attention to comorbid conditions. Among those hospitalized for HF, the high mortality rate and increased proportion of readmissions due to HF (highest during the first 30 days), suggest that this group would be an appropriate target for investigation of new interventions.

Palliative care needs in patients hospitalized with heart failure (PCHF) study: rationale and design

Aims

The primary aim of this study is to provide data to inform the design of a randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) of a palliative care (PC) intervention in heart failure (HF). We will identify an appropriate study population with a high prevalence of PC needs defined using quantifiable measures. We will also identify which components a specific and targeted PC intervention in HF should include and attempt to define the most relevant trial outcomes.

Methods

An unselected, prospective, near‐consecutive, cohort of patients admitted to hospital with acute decompensated HF will be enrolled over a 2‐year period. All potential participants will be screened using B‐type natriuretic peptide and echocardiography, and all those enrolled will be extensively characterized in terms of their HF status, comorbidity, and PC needs. Quantitative assessment of PC needs will include evaluation of general and disease‐specific quality of life, mood, symptom burden, caregiver burden, and end of life care. Inpatient assessments will be performed and after discharge outpatient assessments will be carried out every 4 months for up to 2.5 years. Participants will be followed up for a minimum of 1 year for hospital admissions, and place and cause of death. Methods for identifying patients with HF with PC needs will be evaluated, and estimates of healthcare utilisation performed.

Conclusion

By assessing the prevalence of these needs, describing how these needs change over time, and evaluating how best PC needs can be identified, we will provide the foundation for designing an RCT of a PC intervention in HF.