Is thrombosis a contributor to heart failure pathophysiology? Possible mechanisms, therapeutic opportunities, and clinical investigation challenges

2024 Guideline for the Primary Prevention of Stroke: A Guideline From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association

AIM

The "2024 Guideline for the Primary Prevention of Stroke" replaces the 2014 "Guidelines for the Primary Prevention of Stroke." This updated guideline is intended to be a resource for clinicians to use to guide various prevention strategies for individuals with no history of stroke.

METHODS

A comprehensive search for literature published since the 2014 guideline; derived from research involving human participants published in English; and indexed in MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and other selected and relevant databases was conducted between May and November 2023. Other documents on related subject matter previously published by the American Heart Association were also reviewed.

STRUCTURE

Ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes lead to significant disability but, most important, are preventable. The 2024 primary prevention of stroke guideline provides recommendations based on current evidence for strategies to prevent stroke throughout the life span. These recommendations align with the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8 for optimizing cardiovascular and brain health, in addition to preventing incident stroke. We also have added sex-specific recommendations for screening and prevention of stroke, which are new compared with the 2014 guideline. Many recommendations for similar risk factor prevention were updated, new topics were reviewed, and recommendations were created when supported by sufficient-quality published data.

Maggot kinase: A novel and cost-effective fibrinolytic enzyme from maggots

Maggot kinase, a novel fibrinolytic enzyme source, has been isolated from fly maggots and comprehensively characterized. Using CM-52 ion exchange chromatography and affinity chromatography, we obtained a highly purified and active form of the enzyme. In particular, the fibrinolytic activity of maggot kinase, evaluated using the fibrin plate method, was found to be 8.98 ± 0.08 × 105 U/mg, demonstrating significant efficacy. Further structural analysis using mass spectrometry revealed that maggot kinase consists of a primary sequence of 226 amino acid residues with a molecular weight of 22.91 kDa. In vitro thrombolytic assays demonstrated the enzyme's remarkable ability to degrade the essential fibrinogen subunits (α, β, and γ), thereby facilitating clot lysis. Notably, our studies in a mouse model underscored the significant in vivo thrombolytic activity of maggot kinase, demonstrating its potential to inhibit thrombosis. The finding is particularly significant considering the widespread use of fly maggots in agriculture and animal husbandry due to their rapid growth cycle and minimal nutritional requirements. Our research highlights the untapped potential of fly maggots as a source for maggot kinase development for antithrombotic drug and functional food applications.

The Role of Coagulation in Heart Failure: A Literature Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article summarizes the role of coagulation factors in the pathophysiology of heart failure including D-dimer, fibrinogen and fibrin, prothrombin, p-selectin, tissue factor, tissue plasminogen activator, von Willebrand factor, β-thromboglobulin, Factor XI, tissue thromboplastin, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), thrombomodulin, soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) and stuart-prower factor.

RECENT FINDINGS

The D-dimer, P-selectin, prothrombin, von Willebrand factor, tissue plasminogen activator, fibrinogen, suPAR, tissue factor, thrombomodulin and Factor XI play significant roles the pathophysiology of heart failure. However, no associations were found between β-thromboglobulin, tissue thromboplastin, PAI-1 and stuart-prower factor in the context of heart failure. Coagulation factors play significant role in the pathophysiology of heart failure. Consequently, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms that explain changes in the cascade are closely related to the diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic roles of coagulation cascade factors, which help physicians identify and treat heart failure.

Prognostic Significance of Heart Failure in Acute Pulmonary Embolism: A Comprehensive Assessment of 30-Day Outcomes

INTRODUCTION

Patients with heart failure (HF) are known to have an increased risk of pulmonary embolism (PE), but there is limited evidence regarding the prognostic implications of HF in patients with acute PE and the relationship between PE prognosis and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The primary objective of this study was the development of a composite outcome (mortality, major bleeding, and recurrence) within the first 30 days. The secondary objective was to identify the role of LVEF in predicting the development of early complications in patients with both HF and reduced LVEF.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A prospective study was conducted at two tertiary hospitals between January 2012 and December 2022 to assess differences among patients diagnosed with acute PE based on the presence or absence of a history of HF. Cox regression models were employed to assess the impact of HF and reduced LVEF on the composite outcome at 30 days.

RESULTS

Out of 1991 patients with acute symptomatic PE, 7.13% had a history of HF. Patients with HF were older and had more comorbidities. The HF group exhibited higher mortality (11.27% vs. 4.33%, p < 0.001) and a higher incidence of major bleeding (9.86% vs. 4.54%, p = 0.005). In the multivariate analysis, HF was an independent risk factor for the development of the composite outcome (HR 1.93; 95% CI 1.35-2.76). Reduced LVEF was independently associated with a higher risk of major bleeding (HR 3.44; 95% CI 1.34-8.81).

CONCLUSION

In patients with acute pulmonary embolism, heart failure is independently associated with a higher risk of early complications. Additionally, heart failure with reduced LVEF is an independent risk factor for major bleeding.

Development and validation of a risk model for intracardiac thrombosis in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy: a retrospective study

Intracardiac thrombosis is a severe complication in patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy. This study aims to develop and validate an individualized nomogram to evaluate the risk of intracardiac thrombosis in patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy. This retrospective study included patients diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy at first admission. Clinical baseline characteristics were acquired from electronic medical record systems. Multiple methods were applied to screen the key variables and generate multiple different variable combinations. Multivariable logistic regression was used to build the models, and the optimal model was chosen by comparing the discrimination. Then we checked the performance of the model in different thrombus subgroups. Finally, the model was presented using a nomogram and evaluated from the perspectives of discrimination, calibration, and clinical usefulness. Internal validation was performed by extracting different proportions of data for Bootstrapping. Ultimately, 564 eligible patients were enrolled, 67 of whom developed an intracardiac thrombosis. Risk factors included d-dimer, white blood cell count, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, pulse pressure, history of stroke, hematocrit, and NT-proBNP in the optimal model. The model had good discrimination and calibration, and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.833 (0.782-0.884), and the model's performance in each subgroup was stable. Clinical decision curve analysis showed that the model had clinical application value when the high-risk threshold was between 2% and 78%. The AUC of interval validation (30% and 70% data resampling) was 0.844 (0.765-0.924) and 0.833 (0.775-0.891), respectively. This novel intracardiac thrombosis nomogram could be conveniently applied to facilitate the individual intracardiac thrombosis risk assessment in patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Anesthetic Management of Patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy Undergoing Noncardiac Surgery

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a primary myocardial disease, is characterized by dilation of the left or both ventricles and systolic dysfunction with or without congestive heart failure. DCM per se is a well-recognized risk factor for sudden cardiac death and poor surgical outcomes following noncardiac surgery. Surgical trauma/stress represents unique challenges for DCM patient management. Unfortunately, there is a big knowledge gap in managing DCM patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery. Therefore, the aim of our review is to provide basic facts and current advances in DCM, as well as a practical guideline to perioperative care providers, for the management of surgical patients with DCM, who are quite rare compared with the general surgical population. This review summarizes recent advances in the medical management of DCM as well as perioperative assessment and management strategies for DCM patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. Optimal surgical outcomes depend on multiple-disciplinary care to minimize perioperative cardiovascular disturbances.

Rivaroxaban in heart failure patients with left ventricular thrombus: A retrospective study

Background: The role of rivaroxaban in patients with heart failure (HF) combined with left ventricular (LV) thrombus remains unknown in current guideline-directed anticoagulant therapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact on clinical outcomes of rivaroxaban compared to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in patients with HF combined with LV thrombus.

Methods: We retrospectively extracted clinical, echocardiographic and follow-up data of HF patients (all classifications) admitted at China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University from January 2017 to June 2021. A total of 198 patients with HF were identified with LV thrombus by echocardiography, 78 of them were managed with VKAs, 109 with rivaroxaban.

Results: The median follow-up was 17.0 months (interquartile range: 6.0–24.0 months). High rates of major cardiovascular adverse events (MACEs) were observed in both the rivaroxaban and VKAs groups (49.5% vs. 57.7%). However, rivaroxaban versus VKAs observed a decrease in MACEs (adjusted HR:0.636; 95%CI:0.418–0.970; p = 0.035) and systemic embolism (4.6% vs. 12.8%; adjusted HR:0.318; 95%CI:0.108–0.933; p = 0.037; Gray’s test p = 0.041) but was not found to have a benefit with regard to LV thrombus resolution (59.6% vs. 70.6%; adjusted HR: 1.303; 95% CI:0.898–1.890; p = 0.163; Gray’s test p = 0.073). Additionally, there was no significant between-group difference in the rate of International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis (ISTH) bleeding events.

Conclusion: Our data found that in populations with HF combined with LV thrombus, the overall prognosis in both the rivaroxaban and VKAs groups was catastrophic. Although rivaroxaban improved the prognosis to some extent, a considerable need remains for new treatments to improve their clinical course.

Clinical characteristics of patients with heart failure and intracardiac thrombus

Background

Heart failure (HF) patients are in a hypercoagulable state that predisposes them to an intracardiac thrombus. We aim to assess the clinical features of patients with HF and intracardiac thrombus.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with HF with intracardiac thrombus were enrolled in this study. Patients' demographics, clinical comorbidities, laboratory tests, and cardiac imaging parameters are recorded. Baseline characteristics are described; the relationship between intracardiac thrombus location and cardiac underlying diseases, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) are analyzed; and the anticoagulation rate is summarized.

Results

A total of 1,248 patients were included in the study. Most patients were men (72.2%) with a mean age of 54 years. The left ventricle is the most frequently involved (66.8%), and the prevalence of left ventricular thrombus is more in patients complicated with coronary artery diseases, ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy, and dilated cardiomyopathy (86.3%, 86.4%, and 78.2%, respectively). When combined with atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, restrictive cardiomyopathy, or valvular cardiomyopathy, the intracardiac thrombus is mostly likely to occur in the left atrium. The incidence rate of left cardiac thrombosis increased with the decline of LVEF, an increase of NYHA class, and enlargement of a cardiac chamber. Overall, the anticoagulation rate was 56.8%, with warfarin still the mainstay drug (45.1%), while the prescription of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants rose year by year. As for imaging modalities for thrombus detection and diagnosis, transthoracic echocardiography was the most widely performed (75.1%).

Conclusion

This study summarizes the underlying disease constitution, thrombus location and related factors, imaging modalities, and antithrombotic profile in HF patients with intracardiac thrombus comprehensively.

A retrospective cohort study on the association between early coagulation disorder and short-term all-cause mortality of critically ill patients with congestive heart failure

Purpose

Coagulation disorder in congestive heart failure (CHF) has been well-documented. The prognostic value of a composite coagulation disorder score, which combines the absolute platelet count, international normalized ratio (INR), and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), has not been assessed in CHF. The present study endeavored to explore the association between the coagulation disorder score and adverse outcomes of critically ill patients with CHF.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with CHF in the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III (MIMIC-III) database were included in the present retrospective cohort study. The coagulation disorder score was calculated according to the abnormalities of the absolute platelet count, INR, and APTT within 24 h after intensive care unit admission. The primary outcomes were the short-term all-cause mortality, including 30-, 90-day and in-hospital mortalities. The Kaplan-Meier (K-M) survival curve and the Cox proportional hazard model were performed to assess the correlation between coagulation disorder score and outcome events.

Results

A total of 6,895 patients were enrolled in this study and divided into four groups according to the coagulation disorder score. K-M survival curve preliminarily indicated that subjects with higher coagulation disorder score presented lower survival rate and shorter survival time. After adjustment for potential confounders, the multivariate Cox analysis further illustrated that elevated coagulation disorder score as a quartile variable was significantly associated with increased all-cause mortality (quartile 4 vs. quartile 1, 30-day: HR [95% CI], 1.98 [1.50, 2.62], 90-day: HR [95% CI], 1.88 [1.49, 2.37], in-hospital: HR [95%CI], 1.93 [1.42, 2.61]).

Conclusion

In critically ill patients with CHF, ones with high coagulation disorder score tend to be worse clinical prognosis, which would be a promising biomarker and helpful for the management of CHF patients.

Neglected vitamin K deficiency causing coagulation dysfunction in an older patient with pneumonia: a case report

BACKGROUND

The development of coagulation disorders can be dangerous and fatal in the older people, especially those with multiple medical conditions. Vitamin K-dependent coagulation disorders are easily overlooked when anticoagulant drugs are not used and the patient shows no signs of bleeding.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report a case of a 71-year-old male suffering from pulmonary infection with severe coagulation disorder without bleeding symptoms. He also had a history of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and cardiac insufficiency. Coagulation tests were normal at the time of admission, prothrombin time (PT) is 13.9 (normal, 9.5-13.1) seconds and the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) is 30.2 (normal, 25.1-36.5) seconds. But it turned severely abnormal after 20 days (PT: 136.1 s, APTT: 54.8 s). However, no anticoagulants such as warfarin was used and no bleeding symptoms were observed. Subsequent mixing studies with normal plasma showed a decrease in prothrombin times. Vitamin K deficiency was thought to be the cause of coagulation disorders considering long-term antibiotic therapy, especially cephalosporins, inadequate diet and abnormal liver function. After supplementation with 20 mg of vitamin K, coagulation dysfunction was rescued the next day and serious consequences were effectively prevented.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, timely vitamin K supplementation with antimicrobials that affect vitamin K metabolism requires clinician attention, especially in older patients who are multimorbid, frail or nutritionally compromised, and are admitted to hospital because of an infection that needs antimicrobial therapy are at risk of clotting disorders due to abnormal vitamin K metabolism secondary to altered gut flora, which can exacerbate existing nutritional deficiencies.

D-dimer and outcomes in hospitalized heart failure patients across the ejection fraction phenotypes

AIMS

The prognostic significance of D-dimer in hospitalized heart failure (HF) patients is incompletely characterized. We aimed to assess the association of D-dimer levels on admission with adverse events at follow-up in patients hospitalized with HF across all ejection fraction (EF) phenotypes.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Consecutive patients hospitalized from December 2006 to December 2017 for HF with D-dimer and EF values available (n = 1795) were enrolled. Associations between D-dimer and all-cause death were examined at 1-year follow-up. Median age was 57 years, 73.4% were male, and the majority (72.1%) were in New York Heart Association Classes III-IV. EF was reduced in 53.3% (HFrEF), mildly reduced in 16.3% (HFmrEF), and preserved in 30.4% (HFpEF). Median (interquartile range) D-dimer on admission was 0.56 (0.27-1.295) μg/mL FEU (fibrinogen-equivalent unit) in the whole cohort, 0.64 (0.28-1.48) μg/mL FEU in HFrEF, 0.50 (0.27-1.03) μg/mL FEU in HFmrEF, and 0.495 (0.25-1.10) μg/mL FEU in HFpEF (P = 0.001). At 1-year follow-up, higher D-dimer (D-dimer ≥0.56 μg/mL FEU) independently predicted all-cause death in total cohort [hazard ratio (HR) 1.55; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.15-2.1], in HFrEF (HR, 1.49; P = 0.039), and in HFpEF (HR, 2.06; P = 0.033). However, no relationship was found for HFrEF or HFmrEF when D-dimer was treated as quartiles. In sensitivity analysis, quantitatively similar but more pronounced association between D-dimer and all-cause death was observed in total cohort and HFpEF cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

In hospitalized HF patients, higher D-dimer concentration was a significant and independent predictor of 1-year all-cause mortality. Across all HF phenotypes, this effect was most evident in HFpEF patients.

Thromboembolic events in left ventricular non-compaction: comparison between children and adults - a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective

Left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC) is morphologically characterised by excessive trabeculations and deep recesses in the ventricular wall. The risk of thromboembolic disease in the paediatric patients with LVNC has not been clearly established. We conducted this systematic review to evaluate the prevalence and incidence of thromboembolism (TE) in paediatric and adult patients with LVNC and searched for risk factors for TE to explore management strategies.

Methods

The primary outcome was the prevalence and incidence of TE in the patients with LVNC. The secondary outcome was the TE and mortality and heart transplantation rates between paediatric and adult patients with LVNC. We searched for studies published in MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials between January 1950 and December 2020. A systematic search of keywords related to LVNC, anticoagulants/antiplatelets and TE was conducted. Studies that did not present original research, non-human studies, duplicated studies were excluded.

Results

Fifty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria. A total of 726 paediatric and 3862 adult patients were included. The mean prevalence rates of TE in the paediatric and adult patients with LVNC were 2.6% and 6.2% (I²=0%; p<0.450 and I²=73.7%; p<0.001), respectively. The mean annual incidences of TE in paediatric and adult patients with LVNC were 1.4% and 2.9% (I²=99.4%; p<0.001 and I²=99.5%; p<0.001), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that TE was associated with left ventricular ejection fraction in <40% of paediatric patients (OR, 9.47; 95% CI, 1.35 to 188.23; p=0.0225).

Conclusions

The prevalence and incidence rates in paediatric patients were lower than those in adult patients. TE was associated with a reduced systolic function in paediatric patients with LVNC.

Stroke and Thromboembolism in Patients with Heart Failure and Sinus Rhythm: A Matter of Risk Stratification?

Patients with heart failure (HF) in sinus rhythm (SR) experience an increased incidence of thromboembolic events including stroke. Among patients with HF, high-quality evidence supports the use of oral anticoagulation when atrial fibrillation (AF) is present, but the benefit of anticoagulation in SR in absence of other known indications for anticoagulation is unclear. In four randomized controlled trials (RCTs), warfarin did not improve a composite of clinical outcomes compared with aspirin or placebo in patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and SR. A recent RCT assessed the efficacy of the direct oral anticoagulant rivaroxaban versus placebo in patients with HFrEF (including mildly reduced ejection fraction), SR and coronary artery disease. While rivaroxaban had a neutral effect on the primary composite outcome of MI, stroke, or all-cause mortality, exploratory analyses revealed a significant reduction in strokes. It is thus possible that a subgroup of patients with HFrEF who are at high risk of stroke may benefit from anticoagulation. The challenge is to adequately identify this subgroup and to balance the potential benefit of anticoagulation with the risk of major bleeding. There is also an unmet need for evidence around anticoagulation in HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and SR. This review explores the current evidence around anticoagulation in patients with HF and SR, identifies challenges regarding outcome definitions and patient selection, and offers suggestions for future research.

Rivaroxaban Once-Daily vs. Dose-Adjusted Vitamin K Antagonist on Biomarkers in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure and Atrial Fibrillation (ROAD HF-AF): Rationale and Design of an Investigator-Initiated Multicenter Randomized Prospective Open-Labeled Pilot Clinical Study

Background: Clinical trials of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in patients with chronic heart failure and atrial fibrillation (AF) have demonstrated reduced risks of stroke and bleeding compared with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). Here, we aim to assess the clinical efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban, a NOAC, compared with warfarin, a VKA, and the effects of rivaroxaban on cardiovascular biomarkers in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) with reduced ejection fraction (≤40%) and AF. Methods: Rivaroxaban Once-daily vs. dose-adjusted vitamin K antagonist on biomarkers in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure and Atrial Fibrillation (ROAD HF-AF) is a randomized, open-labeled, controlled, prospective, multicenter pilot study designed to assess cardiovascular biomarkers and the safety of rivaroxaban (20 or 15 mg in patients with creatinine clearance 30-49 mL/min per day) compared with VKA (target international normalized range: 2-3) in 150 patients hospitalized with ADHF and AF. The primary endpoint is the change in circulating high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hsTn) during hospitalization. The secondary endpoints are bleeding, hospital stay duration, in-hospital mortality, and changes in cardiovascular, renal, and thrombosis biomarkers. Patients will be followed for 180 days. Conclusion: We hypothesize that rivaroxaban will reduce myocardial injury and hemodynamic stress, as reflected by the biomarker status, within 72 h in patients with ADHF and AF, compared with VKA. We hope to facilitate future biomarker-based, large-scale outcome trials using NOACs in patients with ADHF and AF, based on the results of this multicenter, randomized, controlled study.

Thromboembolism in Heart Failure Patients in Sinus Rhythm: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, Clinical Trials, and Future Direction

Despite advances in medical and device therapy, patients with heart failure remain at high risk for morbidity and mortality. Experimental and clinical studies have shown an association between heart failure and a hypercoagulable state, and that patients with heart failure experience an increased incidence of stroke and other thromboembolic events, regardless of whether they are in atrial fibrillation. Although oral anticoagulation is recommended when atrial fibrillation is present, the benefits of this therapy in patients with heart failure in sinus rhythm are uncertain. Older randomized controlled trials comparing warfarin with antiplatelet therapy were, for the most part, underpowered and failed to show convincing benefits of warfarin therapy in this population. Several recent studies that assessed the effects of low-dose direct-acting oral anticoagulant therapy in patients with coronary artery disease in sinus rhythm either included or specifically targeted patients with heart failure. Post hoc analysis of their results showed that this treatment strategy was associated with improved outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome or stable coronary artery disease and also a significant reduction in thromboembolic events, including ischemic stroke. This review presents the rationale for anticoagulant therapy in patients with heart failure in sinus rhythm, discusses gaps in our knowledge base, offers suggestions for when anticoagulation might be considered, and identifies potential directions for future research.

Heart failure re-hospitalizations and subsequent fatal events in coronary artery disease: insights from COMMANDER-HF, EPHESUS, and EXAMINE

BACKGROUND

Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) are at increased risk of developing and being hospitalised for heart failure (HFH). However, the risk of HFH versus ischemic events may vary among patients with CAD, depending on whether acute myocardial infarction (MI), left ventricular dysfunction or decompensated HF is present at baseline.

AIMS

We aim to explore the risk of non-fatal events (HFH, MI, stroke) and subsequent death in 3 landmark trials, COMMANDER-HF, EPHESUS and EXAMINE that, together, included patients with CAD with and without reduced ejection fraction and acute MI.

METHODS

Events, person-time metrics and time-updated Cox models.

RESULTS

In COMMANDER-HF the event-rate for the composite of AMI, stroke or all-cause death was 13.5 (12.8-14.3) events/100 py. Rates for AMI and stroke were much lower (2.2 [2.0-2.6] and 1.3 [1.1-1.6] events/100 py, respectively) than the rate of HFH (16.9 [16.1-17.9] events/100 py). In EPHESUS, the rates of MI and stroke were also lower than the rate of HFH: 7.2 (6.7-7.8), 1.9 (1.7-2.3), and 10.6 (9.9-11.3) events/100 py, but this was not true for EXAMINE with 4.4 (4.0-4.9), 0.7 (0.6-0.9), and 2.4 (2.0-2.7) events/100 py, respectively. In all 3 trials, a non-fatal event (HFH, MI or stroke) during follow-up doubled the risk of subsequent mortality. This most commonly followed a HFH.

CONCLUSIONS

A first or recurrent HFH is common in patients with CAD and AMI or HFrEF and indicates a poor prognosis. Preventing the development of heart failure after AMI and control of congestion in patients with CAD and HFrEF are key unmet needs and therapeutic targets.

REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01877915. URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01877915 .

Death is associated to the type of drug-eluting stent in patients with left ventricular dysfunction and elevated natriuretic peptide levels

As advanced heart failure (HF) with elevated NT-proBNP is characterized by an activated coagulation system, coronary events clinically noticed as sudden or HF death may be more common after treatment with first- compared to newer-generation DES. Our study evaluates (1) if patients with left ventricular dysfunction (LVSD) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention have a better survival with first- or newer-generation DES, and (2) if the survival benefit is predicted by NT-proBNP. Our observational study evaluated patients with LVSD who were registered in the coronary catheter laboratory database of the Medical University of Vienna. Multivariate Cox regression analyses tested an interaction in the risk of death between those with lower or elevated NT-proBNP levels and the stent-generation. The relative risk of newer- compared to first-generation DES as reference was calculated for patients with low and elevated NT-proBNP levels. In 340 patients (178 newer- and 162 first-generation DES) stent-generation and NT-proBNP were independent predictors of death. When the stent-generation*NTproBNP interaction was forced into a Cox regression model, this term independently predicted death. The relative risk of first- compared to newer-generation DES was similar in patients with lower NT-proBNP (HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.95–1.10, p = 0.560), but was higher in patients with elevated NT-proBNP (HR 1.06, 95% CI 1.01–1.10, p = 0.020). Death is associated to stent-generation. NT-proBNP is a predictor for the stent generation used: elevated levels demonstrated a higher mortality risk when using first- compared to newer-generation DES, while lower levels showed a similar risk when using either DES-generation.

Rivaroxaban: Expanded Role in Cardiovascular Disease Management-A Literature Review

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are widely used for the prevention of stroke in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, treatment of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, and as prophylaxis after hip and knee surgery after approval by the Food and Drug Administration. In the last decade, DOACs were studied for various indications; this review is focused on rivaroxaban, a factor Xa inhibitor, which is used in an expanded evidence-based fashion for coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, heart failure, malignancy, and prophylaxis of deep venous thrombosis in acute medical illnesses.

Off-label Use for Direct Oral Anticoagulants: Valvular Atrial Fibrillation, Heart Failure, Left Ventricular Thrombus, Superficial Vein Thrombosis, Pulmonary Hypertension-a Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate clinical literature for direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) therapy for non-Food and Drug Administration approved indications.

DATA SOURCES

Articles from MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and OVID databases were reviewed from 1946 through September 4, 2020.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION

Fully published studies assessing DOACs for atrial fibrillation (AF) with valvular heart disease (VHD), heart failure (HF), left ventricular thrombus (LVT), superficial vein thrombosis (SVT), or pulmonary hypertension (PH) were evaluated.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Our review showed that DOACs are safe to use in patients with AF and VHD except for mitral stenosis or mechanical heart valve. Rivaroxaban 2.5 mg twice daily should be used with caution in patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction until further evaluation is performed. Four retrospective studies for DOAC use in patients with LVT showed conflicting results. One phase 3 randomized controlled trial showed noninferiority of rivaroxaban to fondaparinux for SVT treatment. The use of DOACs for pulmonary arterial hypertension was not evaluated in any clinical study, but 2 retrospective studies for the use of DOACs in patients with chronic thromboembolic PH (CTEPH) showed similar efficacy between DOACs and warfarin.

RELEVANCE TO PATIENT CARE AND CLINICAL PRACTICE

This review provides clinicians with a comprehensive literature review surrounding DOAC use in common off-label indications.

CONCLUSION

DOACs can be considered for AF complicated by VHD except for mitral stenosis or mechanical valve replacement. DOACs (especially rivaroxaban) are considered as an alternative therapy for SVT and CTEPH. Further prospective studies for DOAC uses are needed for HF or LVT.

Prognostic value of DCTA scoring system in heart failure

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of a novel scoring system, based on D‑dimer, total cholesterol, high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT), and serum albumin levels, in patients with heart failure.

METHODS

A total of 221 patients diagnosed with heart failure between May 2016 to January 2020 were enrolled in this retrospective study. The prognostic significance of the biomarkers D‑dimer, total cholesterol, hs-cTnT, and serum albumin was determined with univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models. A novel prognostic score based on these predictors was established. The Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used to compare the adverse outcomes of patients in different risk groups.

RESULT

Results from univariate and multivariate analyses showed that high D‑dimer, low serum albumin, high hs-cTnT, and low total cholesterol levels were independent prognostic factors for adverse outcomes (D-dimer >0.63 mg/l, HR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.16-2.94, p = 0.010; serum albumin >34 g/l, HR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.45-0.99, p = 0.046; hs-cTnT >24.06 pg/ml, HR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.08-2.53, p = 0.020; total cholesterol >3.68 mmol/l, HR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.43-0.92, p = 0.017). Moreover, all the patients were stratified into low-risk or high-risk group according to a scoring system based on these four markers. Kaplan-Meier analyses demonstrated that patients in the high-risk group were more prone to having adverse outcomes compared with patients in the low-risk group.

CONCLUSION

D‑dimer, total cholesterol, hs-cTnT, and serum albumin levels were independent prognostic factors in the setting of heart failure. A novel and comprehensive scoring system based on these biomarkers is an easily available and effective tool for predicting the adverse outcomes of patients with heart failure.

TGase-mediated cell membrane modification and targeted cell delivery to inflammatory endothelium

Targeted cell delivery to lesion sites via minimally invasive approach remains an unmet need in regenerative medicine to endow controlled cell distribution and minimized side-effects. Current cell modification approaches to improve cell delivery tend to have adverse effects on cellular phenotype and functionality. Here, we rationally developed a facile and mild cell modification and targeted delivery strategy leveraging endogenous tissue transglutaminase (TGase) expressed on the surface of MSCs (Mesenchymal Stem Cells) and inflammatory endothelial cells (ECs). Cell modification by functional peptides was accomplished simply via TGase catalyzed cross-linking with naturally-expressed MSCs membrane proteins (e.g. Annexin II), without detectable disturbance of cellular viability and functionality. The modified functional peptides could facilitate adhesion of MSCs to inflammatory ECs (with up-regulated TGase expression compared with normal ECs) in vitro, as demonstrated by a one-fold increase of the MSC-EC adhesion force measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and by targeted delivery of modified MSC to inflammatory ECs in a flow chamber assay. When transplanted in vivo, modified MSCs demonstrated a dramatic increase in targeted efficiency to inflammatory endothelium compared with non-modified MSCs in both mice ear inflammation and acute/chronic liver injury models. The cell membrane modification strategy and targeted cell delivery mechanism described here can be readily extended for empowering cell engineering and cell therapy with multifaceted functionalities to combat refractory diseases.

Meta-Analysis of Antithrombotic Strategies in Patients With Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction and Sinus Rhythm

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is associated with an increased risk of thrombotic events. We compared the safety and efficacy of different antithrombotic strategies for HFrEF and sinus rhythm. PubMed and Embase were searched through January 2020 for studies comparing oral anticoagulants versus antiplatelet agents or placebo in HFrEF and sinus rhythm to include in this network meta-analysis. We identified 5 randomized controlled trials with a total of 9,390 patients randomized to low dose rivaroxaban, vitamin K antagonist (VKA), antiplatelets, or placebo. Low dose rivaroxaban and VKA did not show a significant decrease in stroke compared with placebo but were associated with an increased risk of major bleeding (risk ratio [RR] 6.86, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16 to 40.7; RR 8.62, 95% CI 1.52 to 48.9, respectively). When compared with antiplatelets, low dose rivaroxaban and VKA were associated with a significantly decreased risk of stroke (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.96; RR 0.50, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.76, respectively), but with a significantly increased risk of major bleeding (RR 1.65, 95% CI 1.16 to 2.33; RR 2.07, 95% CI 1.51 to 2.84, respectively). There was no significant difference in these outcomes between low dose rivaroxaban versus VKA and antiplatelets versus placebo. There were no significant differences in all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, or rehospitalization for heart failure among each treatment. In conclusion, in patient with HFrEF and sinus rhythm, use of oral anticoagulation with or without antiplatelet agents increases the risk of bleeding without substantial effects on the risk of ischemic stroke.

Coagulation factor VIII: Relationship to cardiovascular disease risk and whole genome sequence and epigenome-wide analysis in African Americans

BACKGROUND

Prospective studies have suggested higher factor VIII (FVIII) levels are an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke. However, limited information, including on genetic and epigenetic contributors to FVIII variation, is available specifically among African Americans (AAs), who have higher FVIII levels than Europeans.

OBJECTIVES

We measured FVIII levels in ~3400 AAs from the community-based Jackson Heart Study and assessed genetic, epigenetic, and epidemiological correlates of FVIII, as well as incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) associations.

METHODS

We assessed cross-sectional associations of FVIII with CVD risk factors as well as incident CHD, stroke, heart failure, and mortality associations. We additionally assessed associations with TOPMed whole genome sequencing data and an epigenome-wide methylation array.

RESULTS

Our results confirmed associations between FVIII and risk of incident CHD events and total mortality in AAs; mortality associations were largely independent of traditional risk factors. We also demonstrate an association of FVIII with incident heart failure, independent of B-type natriuretic peptide. Two genomic regions were strongly associated with FVIII (ABO and VWF). The index variant at VWF is specific to individuals of African descent and is distinct from the previously reported European VWF association signal. Epigenome-wide association analysis showed significant FVIII associations with several CpG sites in the ABO region. However, after adjusting for ABO genetic variants, ABO CpG sites were not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Larger sample sizes of AAs will be required to discover additional genetic and epigenetic contributors to FVIII phenotypic variation, which may have consequences for CVD health disparities.

First-ever ischemic stroke and increased risk of incident heart disease in older adults

Objective

Poststroke cardiac complications are common. It is unknown whether the reason is shared risk factors and preexisting heart disease or stroke-associated myocardial and coronary injury. We tested the hypothesis that first-ever ischemic stroke is associated with increased risk of incident cardiovascular complications in patients without known preexisting cardiac comorbid conditions.

Methods

This population-based cohort study included residents in Ontario between 2002 and 2012 who were ≥66 years of age without known cardiovascular disease. We compared the incident risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as myocardial infarction, unstable angina, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, coronary artery revascularization, or cardiovascular death, at 1 year in patients with first-ever ischemic stroke vs propensity-matched individuals without stroke (4:1 matching using 31 variables). To estimate cause-specific hazard ratios (HRs), we used Cox regression models adjusted for variables with weighted standardized differences >0.10 or known to influence the risk of MACE.

Results

We included 21,931 patients with first-ever ischemic stroke and 71,696 propensity-matched individuals, well balanced on all variables used for propensity matching. First-ever ischemic stroke was associated with increased unadjusted incident MACE risk (HR 4.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.3–4.8). MACE adjusted risk was highest in the first 30 days (HR 25.0, 95% CI 20.5–30.5) and declined both at 31 to 90 days (HR 4.8, 95% CI 4.1–5.7) and at 91 to 365 days (HR 2.2, 95% CI 2.0–2.4).

Conclusions

In this large population-based study, ischemic stroke was independently associated with increased risk of incident MACE. Whether this association is explained by stroke-associated cardiac injury, preexisting subclinical cardiovascular comorbid conditions, or both remains unknown.

Cardiac Expression of Factor X Mediates Cardiac Hypertrophy and Fibrosis in Pressure Overload

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Factor X expression was increased in the heart following pressure overload and in isolated cardiac myocytes and fibroblasts.

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Rivaroxaban treatment at doses that do not affect thrombin generation, blood coagulation or cardiac hemostasis attenuated cardiac inflammation, hypertrophy, and fibrosis caused by pressure overload and improved cardiac diastolic function.

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Activated coagulation factor X induced PAR-1/-2–mediated elongated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and PAR1-mediated cardiac fibroblast proliferation, migration and differentiation.

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Activated coagulation factor X derived from a cardiac source may represent an important physiologic and pathophysiologic activator of PAR-1/PAR-2.

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Non-anticoagulation dosage of rivaroxaban could provide an effective therapy to attenuate early phases of heart failure development.

Activated factor X is a key component of the coagulation cascade, but whether it directly regulates pathological cardiac remodeling is unclear. In mice subjected to pressure overload stress, cardiac factor X mRNA expression and activity increased concurrently with cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, inflammation and diastolic dysfunction, and responses blocked with a low coagulation-independent dose of rivaroxaban. In vitro, neurohormone stressors increased activated factor X expression in both cardiac myocytes and fibroblasts, resulting in activated factor X-mediated activation of protease-activated receptors and pro-hypertrophic and -fibrotic responses, respectively. Thus, inhibition of cardiac-expressed activated factor X could provide an effective therapy for the prevention of adverse cardiac remodeling in hypertensive patients.

Intravascular cells and circulating microparticles induce procoagulant activity via phosphatidylserine exposure in heart failure

Relatively little information is known about the definitive role of phosphatidylserine (PS) in the hypercoagulability of heart failure (HF). Our objectives were to assess the levels of PS exposure on microparticles (MPs) and blood cells (BCs) in each group of HF patients and to evaluate their procoagulant activity (PCA). HF patients in each NYHA functional class II-IV (II n = 30, III n = 30, IV n = 30) and healthy controls (n = 25) were enrolled in the present study. PS exposure on MPs, BCs was analyzed with flow cytometry. MPs were classified based on their cellular origin: platelets (CD41a⁺), neutrophils (CD66b⁺), endothelial cells (CD31⁺CD41a^-), erythrocytes (CD235a⁺), monocytes (CD14⁺), T lymphocytes (CD3⁺), and B lymphocytes (CD19⁺). PCA was evaluated by clotting time, extrinsic/intrinsic FXa and prothrombinase production assays, as well as fibrin formation assays. Inhibition assays of PCA of PS⁺ BCs and MPs were performed by lactadherin. There was no significant difference in MP cellular origin between healthy and HF subjects. However, the total number of PS⁺ MPs was significantly increased in HF patients compared with healthy controls. In addition, circulating PS⁺ BCs cooperated with PS⁺ MPs to markedly shorten coagulation time and dramatically increase FXa/thrombin generation and fibrin formation in each HF group. Moreover, blockade of exposed PS on BCs and MPs with lactadherin inhibited PCA by approximately 80%. Our results lead us to believe that exposing PS on the injured BCs and MPs played a pivotal role in the hypercoagulability state in HF patients.

Ischemic stroke risk during post-discharge phases of heart failure: association of left ventricular concentric geometry

Despite a higher risk of ischemic stroke in hospitalized patients with acute heart failure (HF), little is known about the risk of ischemic stroke during the post-discharge phases of HF. Here we investigated (1) the ischemic stroke incidence rate during the post-discharge phases among HF patients receiving standard treatments; (2) the association between ischemic stroke incidence and clinical background, including cardiac structure and function. Among 950 patients who required hospitalization for HF (median duration: 19 days) at our institution, where they received standard treatments, we investigated stroke occurrences during the 2-year period following their discharge and retrospectively evaluated their clinical data. Relative wall thickness (RWT) and left ventricular (LV) mass were determined based on echocardiographic measurements and then used to determine LV geometric patterns. During the follow-up period, ischemic stroke occurred in 25 patients (2.6%) after hospital discharge (1.4 per 100 patient-years). The incidence rate of IS tended to be higher in patients with AF than those without AF (1.8 vs. 1.0 per 100 patient-years, respectively). Notably, multivariate analysis revealed a significant association between RWT and ischemic stroke risk (p < 0.05). RWT was associated with ischemic stroke risk in patients with AF or left atrial enlargement, but not in patients without them. These findings suggest that even with standard HF treatments, the risk of ischemic stroke is high in patients with HF. Moreover, LV concentric geometry is a significant risk factor for ischemic stroke in patients with HF, especially in those with left atrial remodeling and/or AF.

Si-Miao-Yong-An Decoction Protects Against Cardiac Hypertrophy and Dysfunction by Inhibiting Platelet Aggregation and Activation

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether Si-Miao-Yong-An decoction (SMYAD) could ameliorate pressure overload-induced heart hypertrophy and its mechanisms.

Methods: C57BL/6 mice were subjected to either sham or transverse aortic constriction (TAC) surgery to induce heart hypertrophy. SMYAD (14.85 g/kg/day, ig) or captopril (16.5 mg/kg/day, ig) was administered to the mice for 4 weeks. Cardiac function was evaluated based on echocardiography. Heart hypertrophy was detected using hematoxylin and eosin or wheat germ agglutinin staining. Protein expression of CD41, CD61, and P-selectin were measured with Western blot and immunohistochemistry. The expression levels of atrial natriuretic peptide, brain natriuretic peptide, β-myosin heavy chain, β-thromboglobulin, and von Willebrand factor were evaluated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Results: Four weeks after TAC, mice developed exaggerated cardiac hypertrophy and demonstrated a strong decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction compared with sham (29.9 ± 9.3% versus 66.0 ± 9.9%; P < 0.001). Conversely, SMYAD improved cardiac dysfunction with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (66.5 ± 17.2%; P < 0.001). Shortening fraction was increased by SMYAD, while the left ventricular internal diameter and left ventricular volume were decreased in SMYAD group. SMYAD treatment significantly attenuated cardiac hypertrophy as reflected by the inhibition of atrial natriuretic peptide, brain natriuretic peptide, β-myosin heavy chain mRNA expression, and by the decreasing of cardiac myocyte cross-sectional area. Furthermore, Western blot and immunohistochemistry indicated that the protein expression of platelet aggregation markers (CD41 and CD61) and platelet activation marker (P-selectin) were significantly higher in model mice compared with control. These pathological alterations in TAC-induced mice were significantly ameliorated or blocked by SMYAD administration.

Conclusions: Our results suggested that SMYAD exerted its effect by inhibiting platelet aggregation and activation as revealed by CD41/CD61/P-selectin downregulation. Inhibition the activation of the platelets might contribute to the therapeutic effect of SMYAD in failing heart.

Thromboembolic events around the time of cardioversion for atrial fibrillation in patients receiving antiplatelet treatment in the ACTIVE trials

Aims

It is unknown whether cardioversion of atrial fibrillation causes thromboembolic events or is a risk marker. To assess causality, we examined the temporal pattern of thromboembolism in patients having cardioversion.

Methods and results

We studied patients randomized to aspirin or aspirin plus clopidogrel in the ACTIVE trials, comparing the thromboembolic rate in the peri-cardioversion period (30 days before until 30 days after) to the rate during follow-up, remote from cardioversion. Among 962 patients, the 30-day thromboembolic rate remote from cardioversion was 0.16%; while it was 0.73% in the peri-cardioversion period [hazard ratio (HR) 4.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.1–7.9]. The 30-day thromboembolic rates in the periods immediately before and after cardioversion were 0.47% and 0.96%, respectively (HR 2.2, 95% CI 0.7–7.1). Heart failure (HF) hospitalization increased in the peri-cardioversion period (HR 11.5, 95% CI 6.8–19.4). Compared to baseline, the thromboembolic rate in the 30 days following cardioversion was increased both in patients who received oral anticoagulation or a transoesophageal echocardiogram prior to cardioversion (HR 7.9, 95% CI 2.8–22.4) and in those who did not (HR 4.8, 95% CI 1.6–14.9) (interaction P = 0.2); the risk was also increased with successful (HR 4.5; 95% CI 2.0–10.5) and unsuccessful (HR 10.2; 95% CI 2.3–44.9) cardioversion.

Conclusions

Thromboembolic risk increased in the 30 days before cardioversion and persisted until 30 days post-cardioversion, in a pattern similar to HF hospitalization. These data suggest that the increased thromboembolic risk around the time of cardioversion may not be entirely causal, but confounded by the overall clinical deterioration of patients requiring cardioversion.

High N-Terminal proB-Type Natriuretic Peptide Indicates Elevated Risk of Death after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Compared to Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery in Patients with Left Ventricular Dysfunction

Background: Reduced left ventricular function (LVF) is a predictor for stent-thrombosis. In advanced heart failure (characterized by high NT-proBNP) with an activated coagulation system, coronary events clinically perceived as sudden death or death from heart failure may be more common in patients treated by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) than in patients treated by coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Our study analyses (1) if patients with reduced LVF who require coronary revascularization will have a better survival benefit with CABG or PCI, and (2) if the survival benefit is predicted by NT-proBNP. Methods: This observational retrospective study included patients from the coronary catheter laboratory database of the Medical University of Vienna (CCLD-MUW). Multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to test the hypothesis that there is an interaction in the risk of death between those with lower or elevated NT-proBNP levels and the revascularization procedure (PCI or CABG). The relative risk of PCI compared to CABG as reference was calculated for patients with low and elevated NT-proBNP levels. Results: In the entire study population with 398 patients (340 PCI and 58 CABG) the revascularization procedure had no predictive value. When the revascularization procedure*NTproBNP interaction was forced into the Cox regression model, this term was an independent predictor of death. The relative risk of PCI compared to CABG was similar in patients with lower NT-proBNP-1.01 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.45-2.24), but was significantly increased in patients with elevated NT-proBNP-1.58 (95% CI, 1.07-2.33). Conclusion: Death is associated to the revascularization procedure, but only in those patients with elevated NT-proBNP levels. NT-proBNP is a predicting factor for the revascularization procedure: elevated levels showed an increased risk of death after PCI compared to CABG, whereas lower levels were associated with a similar risk after both revascularization procedures.

Nine contemporary therapeutic directions in heart failure

The global burden of heart failure has continued to increase dramatically with 26 million people affected and an estimated health expenditure of $31 billion worldwide. Several practice-influencing studies were reported recently, bringing advances along many frontiers in heart failure, particularly heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. In this article, we discuss nine distinct therapeutic areas that were significantly influenced by this scientific progress. These distinct areas include the emergence of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors, broadening the application of angiotensin-neprilysin inhibition, clinical considerations in therapy withdrawal in those patients with heart failure that 'recover' myocardial function, benefits of low-dose direct oral anticoagulants in sinus rhythm, targeted therapy for treating cardiac amyloidosis, usefulness of mitral valve repair in heart failure, the advent of newer left ventricular assist devices for advanced heart failure, the role of ablation in atrial fibrillation in heart failure, and finally the use of wearable defibrillators to address sudden death.

Anticoagulation therapy in heart failure and sinus rhythm: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective

Heart failure is a prothrombotic state, and it has been hypothesised that thrombosis and embolism cause non-fatal and fatal events in heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). We sought to determine the effect of anticoagulant therapy on clinical outcomes in patients with HFrEF who are in sinus rhythm.

Methods

We conducted an updated systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the effect of anticoagulation therapy in patients with HFrEF in sinus rhythm. Our analysis compared patients randomised to anticoagulant therapy with those randomised to antiplatelet therapy, placebo or control, and examined the endpoints of all-cause mortality, (re)hospitalisation for worsening heart failure, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke of any aetiology and major haemorrhage.

Results

Five trials were identified that met the prespecified search criteria. Compared with control therapy, anticoagulant treatment did not reduce all-cause mortality (risk ratio [RR] 0.99, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.08), (re)hospitalisation for heart failure (RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.13) or non-fatal myocardial infarction (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.75 to 1.13). Anticoagulation did reduce the rate of non-fatal stroke (RR 0.63, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.81, p=0.001), but this was offset by an increase in the incidence of major haemorrhage (RR 1.88, 95% CI 1.49 to 2.38, p=0.001).

Conclusions

Our meta-analysis provides evidence to oppose the hypothesis that thrombosis or embolism plays an important role in the morbidity and mortality associated with HFrEF, with the exception of stroke-related morbidity.

Aspirin Use and Cardiovascular Outcome in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Heart Failure: A Population-Based Cohort Study

Background

Aspirin is of uncertain benefit for primary prevention in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). We assessed whether primary prevention with aspirin is beneficial in patients with T2D and heart failure (HF).

Methods and Results

Data from The Health Improvement Network, a UK multicenter prospective primary care database, were analyzed. Those with T2D and HF, age ≥55 years, and no previous history of myocardial infarction and/or coronary artery disease, stroke, peripheral artery disease, or atrial fibrillation were included. We compared outcomes for those on aspirin to no aspirin after diagnosis of HF and T2D and assessed the role of a >75‐mg dose. The primary outcome was a composite of all‐cause mortality and hospitalization for HF; secondary outcomes were nonfatal stroke, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or major bleeding. There were 5967 participants on aspirin and 6567 not on aspirin. The mean age (SD) was 75.3 (9.6) years, 53.9% were men, and the mean follow‐up (SD) was for 5 (4.2) years. After propensity‐score matching and further multivariable adjustment, aspirin was significantly associated with a decrease in the primary outcome and all‐cause mortality (hazard ratio=0.88, 95% confidence interval 0.82‐0.93; 0.88, 0.83‐0.94], respectively); and an increased risk of nonfatal myocardial infarction (hazard ratio=1.66; 95% confidence interval 1.49‐1.85) and nonfatal stroke (hazard ratio=1.23, 1.01‐1.50). Major bleedings and hospitalization for HF were not significantly higher with aspirin (hazard ratio=0.68, 0.45‐1.03; 0.87, 0.66‐1.15, respectively). There was no additional benefit for a dose >75 mg.

Conclusions

Primary prevention with aspirin in patients with T2D and HF is associated with lower all‐cause mortality.

Rivaroxaban in Patients with Heart Failure, Sinus Rhythm, and Coronary Disease

BACKGROUND

Heart failure is associated with activation of thrombin-related pathways, which predicts a poor prognosis. We hypothesized that treatment with rivaroxaban, a factor Xa inhibitor, could reduce thrombin generation and improve outcomes for patients with worsening chronic heart failure and underlying coronary artery disease.

METHODS

In this double-blind, randomized trial, 5022 patients who had chronic heart failure, a left ventricular ejection fraction of 40% or less, coronary artery disease, and elevated plasma concentrations of natriuretic peptides and who did not have atrial fibrillation were randomly assigned to receive rivaroxaban at a dose of 2.5 mg twice daily or placebo in addition to standard care after treatment for an episode of worsening heart failure. The primary efficacy outcome was the composite of death from any cause, myocardial infarction, or stroke. The principal safety outcome was fatal bleeding or bleeding into a critical space with a potential for causing permanent disability.

RESULTS

Over a median follow-up period of 21.1 months, the primary end point occurred in 626 (25.0%) of 2507 patients assigned to rivaroxaban and in 658 (26.2%) of 2515 patients assigned to placebo (hazard ratio, 0.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.84 to 1.05; P=0.27). No significant difference in all-cause mortality was noted between the rivaroxaban group and the placebo group (21.8% and 22.1%, respectively; hazard ratio, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.87 to 1.10). The principal safety outcome occurred in 18 patients who took rivaroxaban and in 23 who took placebo (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.43 to 1.49; P=0.48).

CONCLUSIONS

Rivaroxaban at a dose of 2.5 mg twice daily was not associated with a significantly lower rate of death, myocardial infarction, or stroke than placebo among patients with worsening chronic heart failure, reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, coronary artery disease, and no atrial fibrillation. (Funded by Janssen Research and Development; COMMANDER HF ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01877915 .).

Neuroendocrine System Regulatory Mechanisms: Acute Coronary Syndrome and Stress Hyperglycaemia

Neurohormonal systems are activated in the early phase of acute coronary syndromes to preserve circulatory homeostasis, but prolonged action of these stress hormones might be deleterious. Cortisol reaches its peak at 8 hours after the onset of symptoms, and individuals who have continued elevated levels present a worse prognosis. Catecholamines reach 100-1,000-fold their normal plasma concentration within 30 minutes of ischaemia, therefore inducing the propagation of myocardial damage. Stress hyperglycaemia induces inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, and also has procoagulant and prothrombotic effects. Patients with hyperglycaemia and no diabetes elevated in-hospital and 12-month mortality rates. Hyperglycaemia in patients without diabetes has been shown to be an appropriate independent mortality prognostic factor in this type of patient.

Exploring unmet needs in venous and arterial thromboembolism with rivaroxaban

The vast clinical research programme for the direct, oral factor Xa inhibitor rivaroxaban has generated a wealth of data since the first rivaroxaban approval in 2008 for the prevention of venous thrombo embolism (VTE) in patients undergoing elective hip or knee replacement surgery. While rivaroxaban is widely used across a spectrum of seven indications, there is continuous commitment to investigating its wider benefits in new indications and attempts to refine current evidence. Key data from recently completed randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have shown that rivaroxaban is a feasible anticoagulation option for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) undergoing cardioversion or catheter ablation. Now, a number of Phase II and III RCTs are underway that seek to uncover further roles for rivaroxaban in patients at risk of thrombosis and aim to improve quality of life. This article will introduce and provide context for these RCTs in the contemporary management of arterial and venous thromboembolism in the following underserved areas: Patients with both NVAF and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) requiring percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI); patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS); patients who require transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR); patients with acute or chronic coronary artery disease (CAD; including those with heart failure [HF]); those at risk of or suffering from cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) and those requiring long-term anticoagulation. It is hoped that this collection of studies provides clarity around the use of rivaroxaban as a fundamental component of antithrombotic therapy in an array of clinical situations.

Sex-Specific Associations of Oral Anticoagulant Use and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

BACKGROUND

Sex-specific effectiveness of rivaroxaban (RIVA), dabigatran (DABI), and warfarin in reducing myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure (HF), and all-cause mortality among patients with atrial fibrillation are not known. We assessed sex-specific associations of RIVA, DABI, or warfarin use with the risk of MI, HF, and all-cause mortality among patients with atrial fibrillation.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Medicare beneficiaries (men: 65 734 [44.8%], women: 81 135 [55.2%]) with atrial fibrillation who initiated oral anticoagulants formed the study cohort. Inpatient admissions for MI, HF, and all-cause mortality were compared between the 3 drugs separately for men and women using 3-way propensity-matched samples. In men, RIVA use was associated with a reduced risk of MI admissions compared with warfarin use (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.59 [0.38-0.91]), with a trend towards reduced risk compared with DABI use (0.67 [0.44-1.01]). In women, there were no significant differences in the risk of MI admissions across all 3 anticoagulants. In both sexes, RIVA use and DABI use were associated with reduced risk of HF admissions (men: RIVA; 0.75 [0.63-0.89], DABI; 0.81 [0.69-0.96]) (women: RIVA; 0.64 [0.56-0.74], DABI; 0.73 [0.63-0.83]) and all-cause mortality (men: RIVA; 0.66 [0.53-0.81], DABI; 0.75 [0.61-0.93]) (women: RIVA; 0.76 [0.63-0.91], DABI; 0.77 [0.64-0.93]) compared with warfarin use.

CONCLUSIONS

RIVA use and DABI use when compared with warfarin use was associated with a reduced risk of HF admissions and all-cause mortality in both sexes. However, reduced risk of MI admissions noted with RIVA use appears to be limited to men.

The neuropeptide galanin promotes an anti-thrombotic phenotype on endocardial endothelial cells from heart failure patients

Thromboembolic complications are a significant cause of mortality and re-hospitalization in heart failure (HF) patients. One source of thrombi is the ventricular endocardial surface that becomes increasingly pro-thrombotic as HF progresses. Anticoagulation comes with bleeding risks so identifying therapeutic agents for improving cardiac endothelial health are of critical clinical importance. Endocardial endothelial cells are closely apposed to cardiac sympathetic nerves. In HF, cardiac sympathetic nerves are dysregulated and promote disease progression. Whether endocardial endothelial health and function is impacted by sympathetic dysregulation in HF is unknown. Also unexplored is the impact of neuropeptides, such as galanin and neuropeptide Y (NPY), co-released from sympathetic nerve terminals, on endothelial health. In this study we examined the effect of sympathetic nerve-released neurotransmitters and neuropeptides on the procoagulant phenotype of cultured human endocardial endothelial cells from HF patients. As a functional readout of procoagulant state we examined thrombin-mediated von Willebrand factor (vWF) extrusion and multimer expression. We demonstrate that vWF extrusion and multimer expression is promoted by thrombin, that isoproterenol (a beta-adrenergic receptor agonist) augments this effect, whereas co-treatment with the beta-blockers propranolol and carvedilol blocks this effect. We also show that vWF extrusion and multimer expression is attenuated by treatment with the neuropeptide galanin, but not with NPY. Our results are consistent with a protective role of beta-blockers and galanin on endocardial endothelial health in heart failure. Improving endothelial health through galanin therapy is a future clinical application of this study.

Reduced cardiac function and risk of venous thromboembolism in Asian countries

Patients with reduced cardiac function are thought to have a higher risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Additionally, they are vulnerable to complications of pulmonary embolism (PE) as well as right heart failure (HF), which in return is supposed to increase the rate of mortality. Studies focusing on VTE in heart failure patients were rare in Asian countries before the 21st century. Nowadays, more and more data are becoming available in this field in Asia. It is already known that heart failure can increase the risk of VTE, but so far a consensus on this issue has not been reached for many years, not only in Asian countries but all over the world. This condition may be due to the detailed pathological advancement in Virchow’s triad and some other theories. In clinical practice, VTE, especially PE is difficult to diagnose in patients with heart failure because of overlapping symptoms (e.g. cough and chest pain) and the elevation of laboratory markers (e.g. probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and D-dimer in both heart failure and VTE patients). Management of VTE in heart failure patients is also controversial because heart failure patients always have complications, such as renal failure and hepatic failure, which increase the risk of bleeding. In this study, we analyzed data from China, Japan, Korea, Singapore and India mainly to get a better understanding of the research progress in VTE in patients with heart failure. The aim of this review is to discuss the risk, incidence, advancement of diagnosis, management and prevention of VTE in patients with heart failure in Asian countries.

New pharmacological approaches in heart failure therapy: developments and possibilities

There have been few major breakthroughs in heart failure (HF) drug therapies in recent years yet HF morbidity and mortality remain high, and there is a clear need for further research. Several newer agents that appear promising in Phase I and II trials do not progress to show clinical benefit in later trials. Part of the failure to find new therapies may lie in flawed trial design compounded by the need for ever-increasing patient numbers in order to prove outcome benefit. We summarize some of the most recent and promising medical therapies for HF.

Associations between blood coagulation markers, NT-proBNP and risk of incident heart failure in older men: The British Regional Heart Study

AIMS

Chronic heart failure (HF) is associated with activation of blood coagulation but there is a lack of prospective studies on the association between coagulation markers and incident HF in general populations. We have examined the association between the coagulation markers fibrinogen, von Willebrand Factor (VWF), Factors VII, VIII and IX, D-dimer, activated protein C (APC) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPPT) with NT-proBNP and incident HF.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Prospective study of 3366 men aged 60-79years with no prevalent HF, myocardial infarction or venous thrombosis and who were not on warfarin, followed up for a mean period of 13years, in whom there were 203 incident HF cases. D-dimer and vWF were significantly and positively associated with NT-proBNP (a marker of neurohormonal activation and left ventricular wall stress) even after adjustment for age, lifestyle characteristics, renal dysfunction, atrial fibrillation (AF) and inflammation (C-reactive protein). By contrast Factor VII related inversely to AF and NT-proBNP even after adjustment. No association was seen however between the coagulation markers VWF, Factor VII, Factor VIII, Factor IX, D-dimer, APC resistance or aPPT with incident HF in age-adjusted analyses. Fibrinogen was associated with incident HF but this was abolished after adjustment for HF risk factors.

CONCLUSION

Coagulation activity is not associated with the development of HF. However D-dimer and vWF were significantly associated with NT-proBNP, suggesting that increased coagulation activity is related to cardiac stress; and the increased coagulation seen in HF patients may in part be a consequence of neurohormonal activation.

Prognostic Value of the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction Risk Score in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients With Left Ventricular Dysfunction (from the EPHESUS Trial)

The Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk score remains a robust prediction tool for short-term and midterm outcome in the patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, the validity of this risk score in patients with STEMI with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) remains unclear. A total of 2,854 patients with STEMI with early coronary revascularization participating in the randomized EPHESUS (Epleronone Post-Acute Myocardial Infarction Heart Failure Efficacy and Survival Study) trial were analyzed. TIMI risk score was calculated at baseline, and its predictive value was evaluated using C-indexes from Cox models. The increase in reclassification of other variables in addition to TIMI score was assessed using the net reclassification index. TIMI risk score had a poor predictive accuracy for all-cause mortality (C-index values at 30 days and 1 year ≤0.67) and recurrent myocardial infarction (MI; C-index values ≤0.60). Among TIMI score items, diabetes/hypertension/angina, heart rate >100 beats/min, and systolic blood pressure <100 mm Hg were inconsistently associated with survival, whereas none of the TIMI score items, aside from age, were significantly associated with MI recurrence. Using a constructed predictive model, lower LVEF, lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and previous MI were significantly associated with all-cause mortality. The predictive accuracy of this model, which included LVEF and eGFR, was fair for both 30-day and 1-year all-cause mortality (C-index values ranging from 0.71 to 0.75). In conclusion, TIMI risk score demonstrates poor discrimination in predicting mortality or recurrent MI in patients with STEMI with reduced LVEF. LVEF and eGFR are major factors that should not be ignored by predictive risk scores in this population.

Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants and heart failure

Thromboembolism contributes to morbidity and mortality in patients with heart failure (HF), and atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the main factors promoting this complication. As they share many risk factors, HF and AF frequently coexist, and patients with both conditions are at a particularly high risk of thromboembolism. Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are direct antagonists of thrombin (dabigatran) and factor Xa (rivaroxaban, apixaban and edoxaban), and were designed to overcome the limitations of vitamin K antagonists. Compared with warfarin in non-valvular AF, NOACs demonstrated non-inferiority with better safety, most particularly for intracranial haemorrhages. Therefore, the European Society of Cardiology guidelines recommend NOACs for most patients with non-valvular AF. Subgroups of patients with both AF and HF from the pivotal studies investigating the safety and efficacy of NOACs have been analysed and, for each NOAC, results were similar to those of the total analysis population. A recent meta-analysis of these subgroups has confirmed the better efficacy and safety of NOACs in patients with AF and HF - particularly the 41% decrease in the incidence of intracranial haemorrhages. The prothrombotic state associated with HF suggests that patients with HF in sinus rhythm could also benefit from treatment with NOACs. However, in the absence of clinical trial data supporting this indication, current guidelines do not recommend anticoagulant treatment of patients with HF in sinus rhythm. In conclusion, recent analyses of pivotal studies support the use of NOACs in accordance with their indications in HF patients with non-valvular AF.