Pulmonary hypertension associated with left heart disease: Updated Recommendations of the Cologne Consensus Conference 2018

Early Alteration of Right Ventricle-Pulmonary Artery Coupling in Experimental Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction are major prognostic determinants in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The underlying pathomechanisms remain unknown. In this context, we sought to study the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension and RV dysfunction in a rat model of obesity-associated HFpEF.

METHODS AND RESULTS

HFpEF was induced in obesity-prone rats fed a high-fat diet (n=13) and compared with obesity-resistant rats fed with standard chow (n=9). After 12 months, the animals underwent echocardiographic and hemodynamic evaluation followed by tissue sampling for pathobiological assessment. HFpEF rats presented mild RV pressure overload (with increased RV systolic pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance). No changes in pulmonary artery medial thickness and ex vivo vasoreactivity (to acetylcholine and endothelin-1) were observed and RNA sequencing analysis failed to identify gene clustering in HFpEF lungs. However, released nitric oxide levels were decreased in HFpEF pulmonary artery, while lung expression of preproendothelin-1 was increased. In HFpEF rats, RV structure and function were altered, with RV enlargement, decreased RV fractional area change and free wall longitudinal fractional shortening, together with altered right ventricle-pulmonary artery coupling (estimated by tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion/systolic pulmonary artery pressure). Hypertrophy and apoptosis (evaluated by transferase biotin- dUTP nick-end labeling staining) were increased in right and left ventricles of HFpEF rats. There was an inverse correlation between tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion/systolic pulmonary artery pressure and RV apoptotic rate. Plasma levels of soluble suppression of tumorigenicity-2, interleukin-1β, -6 and -17A were increased in HFpEF rats.

CONCLUSIONS

Obesity-associated HFpEF in rats spontaneously evolves to pulmonary hypertension-HFpEF associated with impaired right ventricle-pulmonary artery coupling that appears disproportionate to a slight increase in RV afterload.

[Pulmonary hypertension in adults with congenital heart disease in light of the 2022-ESC-PAH guidelines - Part II: Supportive therapy, special situations (pregnancy, contraception, non-cardiac surgery), targeted pharmacotherapy, organ transplantation, special management (shunt lesions, left ventricular disorders, univentricular hearts), interventions, intensive care, follow-up, future perspectives]

The number of adults with congenital heart defects (CHD) is steadily rising and amounts to approximately 360,000 in Germany. CHD is often associated with pulmonary hypertension (PH), which may develop early in untreated CHD. Despite timely treatment of CHD, PH not infrequently persists or recurs in older age and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.The revised European Society of Cardiology/European Respiratory Society 2022 guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of PH represent a significant contribution to the optimized care of those affected. However, the topic of "adults with congenital heart disease" is addressed only relatively superficial in these guidelines. Therefore, in the present article, this topic is commented in detail from the perspective of congenital cardiology.

Optimized quantitative mapping of cardiopulmonary oscillations using hyperpolarized 129 Xe gas exchange MRI: Digital phantoms and clinical evaluation in CTEPH

PURPOSE

The interaction between 129 Xe atoms and pulmonary capillary red blood cells provides cardiogenic signal oscillations that display sensitivity to precapillary and postcapillary pulmonary hypertension. Recently, such oscillations have been spatially mapped, but little is known about optimal reconstruction or sensitivity to artifacts. In this study, we use digital phantom simulations to specifically optimize keyhole reconstruction for oscillation imaging. We then use this optimized method to re-establish healthy reference values and quantitatively evaluate microvascular flow changes in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) before and after pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE).

METHODS

A six-zone digital lung phantom was designed to investigate the effects of radial views, key radius, and SNR. One-point Dixon 129 Xe gas exchange MRI images were acquired in a healthy cohort (n = 17) to generate a reference distribution and thresholds for mapping red blood cell oscillations. These thresholds were applied to 10 CTEPH participants, with 6 rescanned following PTE.

RESULTS

For undersampled acquisitions, a key radius of0.14 k max $$ 0.14{k}_{\mathrm{max}} $$ was found to optimally resolve oscillation defects while minimizing excessive heterogeneity. CTEPH participants at baseline showed higher oscillation defect + low (32 ± 14%) compared with healthy volunteers (18 ± 12%, p < 0.001). For those scanned both before and after PTE, oscillation defect + low decreased from 37 ± 13% to 23 ± 14% (p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Digital phantom simulations have informed an optimized keyhole reconstruction technique for gas exchange images acquired with standard 1-point Dixon parameters. Our proposed methodology enables more robust quantitative mapping of cardiogenic oscillations, potentially facilitating effective regional quantification of microvascular flow impairment in patients with pulmonary vascular diseases such as CTEPH.

[Pulmonary hypertension associated with left heart disease (group 2)]

Patients with left heart disease (LHD) often display pulmonary hypertension (PH), which impacts morbidity and mortality. The pathophysiology of PH is complex and entails pulmonary congestion due to elevated left-sided filling pressures, pulmonary vasoconstriction as well as vascular remodeling. The recent ESC/ERS Guidelines on pulmonary hypertension updated the hemodynamic definitions of pulmonary hypertension in general, and the subclassification of post-capillary PH. This review summarizes recent advances in the diagnostic work-up and management strategies of PH associated with LHD. Specifically, we summarize revisited hemodynamic definitions and the characteristics of isolated post-capillary PH (IpcPH) and combined post- and pre-capillary PH (CpcPH). Furthermore, we review the current knowledge on the pathogenesis of PH-LHD, the prognostic relevance of hemodynamic parameters, and the management strategies, differentiating between treatment of the underlying left heart disease and therapies targeting the pulmonary circulation. The article emphasises the need for precise diagnostic work-up and individualized treatment strategies in patients with PH-LHD.

Diagnosing post-capillary hypertension in patients with left heart disease: impact of new guidelines

BACKGROUND

In 2022, the definition of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in the presence of left heart disease was updated according to the new joint guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the European Respiratory Society (ERS). The impact of the new ESC/ERS definition on the prevalence of post-capillary PH (pc-PH) and its subgroups of isolated post-capillary (Ipc-PH) and combined pre- and post-capillary PH (Cpc-PH) in patients with left heart disease is unclear.

METHODS

We retrospectively identified N = 242 patients with left heart disease with available data on right heart catheterisation (RHC) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). The proportion of pc-PH and its subgroups was calculated according to the old and new ESC/ERS PH definition. As the old definition did not allow the exact allocation of all patients with pc-PH into a respective subgroup, unclassifiable patients (Upc-PH) were regarded separately.

RESULTS

Seventy-six out of 242 patients had pc-PH according to the new ESC/ERS definitions, with 72 of these patients also meeting the criteria of the old definition. Using the old definition, 50 patients were diagnosed with Ipc-PH, 4 with Cpc-PH, and 18 with Upc-PH. Applying the new definition, Ipc-PH was diagnosed in 35 patients (4 newly), and Cpc-PH in 41 patients. No CMR parameter allowed differentiating between Ipc-PH and Cpc-PH, regardless of which guideline version was used.

CONCLUSION

Applying the new ESC/ERS 2022 guideline definitions mildly increased the proportion of patients diagnosed with pc-PH (+ 5.5%) but markedly increased Cpc-PH diagnoses. This effect was driven by the allocation of patients with formerly unclassifiable forms of post-capillary PH to the Cpc-PH subgroup and a significant shift of patients from the Ipc-PH to the Cpc-PH subgroup. Distribution of post-capillary pulmonary hypertension (pc-PH) subgroups according to the European Society of Cardiology/European Respiratory Society (ESC/ERS) PH guidelines from 2015 and 2022 in N = 242 patients with left heart disease.

Pulmonary Hypertension in Left Heart Diseases: Pathophysiology, Hemodynamic Assessment and Therapeutic Management

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) associated with left heart diseases (PH-LHD), also termed group 2 PH, represents the most common form of PH. It develops through the passive backward transmission of elevated left heart pressures in the setting of heart failure, either with preserved (HFpEF) or reduced (HFrEF) ejection fraction, which increases the pulsatile afterload of the right ventricle (RV) by reducing pulmonary artery (PA) compliance. In a subset of patients, progressive remodeling of the pulmonary circulation resulted in a pre-capillary phenotype of PH, with elevated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) further increasing the RV afterload, eventually leading to RV-PA uncoupling and RV failure. The primary therapeutic objective in PH-LHD is to reduce left-sided pressures through the appropriate use of diuretics and guideline-directed medical therapies for heart failure. When pulmonary vascular remodeling is established, targeted therapies aiming to reduce PVR are theoretically appealing. So far, such targeted therapies have mostly failed to show significant positive effects in patients with PH-LHD, in contrast to their proven efficacy in other forms of pre-capillary PH. Whether such therapies may benefit some specific subgroups of patients (HFrEF, HFpEF) with specific hemodynamic phenotypes (post- or pre-capillary PH) and various degrees of RV dysfunction still needs to be addressed.

Pulmonary hypertension associated with left heart disease

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a common condition in patients with left heart disease (LHD) that is highly relevant for morbidity and mortality. While post-capillary in nature, the pathophysiology of PH in patients with LHD (heart failure/cardiomyopathy, valvular heart disease; other: congenital/acquired) is complex, and decisions about management strategies are challenging. Recently, the updated European Society of Cardiology/European Respiratory Society guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of PH revisited hemodynamic definitions and the sub-classification of post-capillary PH, and provided numerous new recommendations on the diagnosis and management of PH associated with various types of LHD. Here, we review several novel aspects that focus on: (a) updated hemodynamic definitions, including the distinction between isolated post-capillary PH (IpcPH) and combined post- and pre-capillary PH (CpcPH); (b) the pathogenesis of PH-LHD, considering various components contributing to PH, such as pulmonary congestion, vasoconstriction, and vascular remodeling; (c) the prognostic relevance of PH and hemodynamic markers; (d) the diagnostic approach to PH-LHD; (e) management strategies in PH-LHD, distinguishing between targeting the underlying left heart condition, the pulmonary circulation, and/or impaired right ventricular function. In conclusion, precise clinical and hemodynamic characterization and detailed phenotyping are essential for prognostication and the management of patients with PH-LHD.

Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Therapy in Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a progressive disease characterized by elevated artery pressures and pulmonary vascular resistance. Underlying mechanisms comprise endothelial dysfunction, pulmonary artery remodeling and vasoconstriction. Several studies have shown evidence of the critical role of oxidative stress in PH pathophysiology. Alteration of redox homeostasis produces excessive generation of reactive oxygen species, inducing oxidative stress and the subsequent alteration of biological molecules. Exacerbations in oxidative stress production can lead to alterations in nitric oxide signaling pathways, contributing to the proliferation of pulmonary arterial endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells, inducing PH development. Recently, antioxidant therapy has been suggested as a novel therapeutic strategy for PH pathology. However, the favorable outcomes observed in preclinical studies have not been consistently reproduced in clinical practice. Therefore, targeting oxidative stress as a therapeutic intervention for PH is an area that is still being explored. This review summarizes the contribution of oxidative stress to the pathogenesis of the different types of PH and suggests antioxidant therapy as a promising strategy for PH treatment.

Safety and effectiveness of standardized exercise training in patients with pulmonary hypertension associated with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (TRAIN-HFpEF-PH): study protocol for a randomized controlled multicenter trial

BACKGROUND

Left heart failure (HF) is characterized by an elevation in left-sided filling pressures, causing symptoms of dyspnea, impairing exercise capacity, and leading to pulmonary venous congestion and secondary pulmonary hypertension (PH). There is an increased incidence of PH associated with left heart disease, particularly with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF-PH). Treatment possibilities in HFpEF-PH are non-specific and very limited, thus additional pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapeutic strategies are needed. Various types of exercise-based rehabilitation programs have been shown to improve exercise capacity and quality of life (QoL) of HF and PH patients. However, no study focused on exercise training in the population of HFpEF-PH. This study is designed to investigate whether a standardized low-intensity exercise and respiratory training program is safe and may improve exercise capacity, QoL, hemodynamics, diastolic function, and biomarkers in patients with HFpEF-PH.

METHODS

A total of 90 stable patients with HFpEF-PH (World Health Organization functional class II-IV) will be randomized (1:1) to receive a 15-week specialized low-intensity rehabilitation program, including exercise and respiratory therapy and mental gait training, with an in-hospital start, or standard care alone. The primary endpoint of the study is a change in 6-min walk test distance; secondary endpoints are changes in peak exercise oxygen uptake, QoL, echocardiographic parameters, prognostic biomarkers, and safety parameters.

DISCUSSION

To date, no study has investigated the safety and efficacy of exercising specifically in the HFpEF-PH population. We believe that a randomized controlled multicenter trial, which protocol we are sharing in this article, will add important knowledge about the potential utility of a specialized low-intensity exercise and respiratory training program for HFpEF-PH and will be valuable in finding optimal treatment strategies for these patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05464238. July 19, 2022.

A State-of-the-Art Review on Sleep Apnea Syndrome and Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) affects many patients worldwide every year. It represents a leading cause of hospitalization and still, today, mortality remains high, albeit the progress in treatment strategies. Several factors contribute to the development and progression of HF. Among these, sleep apnea syndrome represents a common but still underestimated factor because its prevalence is substantially higher in patients with HF than in the general population and is related to a worse prognosis. This review summarizes the current knowledge about sleep apnea syndrome coexisting with HF in terms of morbidity and mortality to provide actual and future perspectives about the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of this association.

The comorbidity burden and disease phenotype in pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension: The contributing role of obstructive sleep apnea

BACKGROUND

Pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension (PH) with risk factors for left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, described as an atypical phenotype of "mixed" pre- and post-capillary PH, has become a research focus. However, the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a known risk factor for cardiometabolic conditions, and comorbidity burden and disease phenotype in PH remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the effect of the presence and severity of OSA on the left ventricular function, comorbidity burden and disease phenotype in pre-capillary PH patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We retrospectively examined 450 consecutive pre-capillary PH patients undergoing cardiorespiratory polygraphy and right heart catheterization between May 2020 to November 2021 at Fuwai Hospital. The prevalence of OSA was 34.2%, and the presence and severity of OSA in pre-capillary PH patients was associated with increased left heart mass index (P < 0.001), pulmonary arterial wedge pressure (P = 0.06) and H₂FPEF score (P < 0.001). After adjustment for confounding factors, the severity of OSA measured as apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was an independent risk factor associated with obesity, systemic hypertension, diabetes mellitus and an atypical phenotype (OR: 1.054, P = 0.004) in pre-capillary PH. A dose-response relationship was also identified between sleep parameters (AHI, oxygen desaturation index, the percentage of sleep time with oxygen saturation<80%) and the number of key comorbidities. Patients with ≥3 comorbidities (atypical phenotype) were older, experienced negative alterations in left ventricular structure and function, and were at a higher risk of OSA.

CONCLUSION

OSA is relatively prevalent in pre-capillary PH patients, independently associated with the presence of a variety of comorbidities and the atypical phenotype of PH. These findings highlight the importance of OSA as a modifiable target for optimal treatment in PH with comorbidities.

Sotatercept analog improves cardiopulmonary remodeling and pulmonary hypertension in experimental left heart failure

Pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease (PH-LHD) is the most frequent manifestation of PH but lacks any approved treatment. Activin receptor type IIA-Fc fusion protein (ActRIIA-Fc) was found previously to be efficacious in experimental and human pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Here we tested the hypothesis that ActRIIA-Fc improves pulmonary vascular remodeling and alleviates PH in models of PH-LHD, specifically in subtypes of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (PH-HFrEF) and preserved ejection fraction (PH-HFpEF). Treatment with murine ActRIIA-Fc reduced cardiac remodeling and improved cardiac function in two mouse models of left heart disease without PH, confirming that this inhibitor of activin-class ligand signaling can exert cardioprotective effects in heart failure. In a mouse model of PH-HFrEF with prolonged pressure overload caused by transverse aortic constriction, ActRIIA-Fc treatment significantly reduced pulmonary vascular remodeling, pulmonary fibrosis, and pulmonary hypertension while exerting beneficial structural, functional, and histological effects on both the left and right heart. Additionally, in an obese ZSF1-SU5416 rat model of PH-HFpEF with metabolic dysregulation, therapeutic treatment with ActRIIA-Fc normalized SMAD3 overactivation in pulmonary vascular and perivascular cells, reversed pathologic pulmonary vascular and cardiac remodeling, improved pulmonary and cardiac fibrosis, alleviated PH, and produced marked functional improvements in both cardiac ventricles. Studies in vitro revealed that treatment with ActRIIA-Fc prevents an abnormal, glucose-induced, activin-mediated, migratory phenotype in human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells, providing a mechanism by which ActRIIA-Fc could exert therapeutic effects in experimental PH-HFpEF with metabolic dysregulation. Our results demonstrate that ActRIIA-Fc broadly corrects cardiopulmonary structure and function in experimental PH-LHD, including models of PH-HFrEF and PH-HFpEF, leading to alleviation of PH under diverse pathophysiological conditions. These findings highlight the important pathogenic contributions of activin-class ligands in multiple forms of experimental PH and support ongoing clinical evaluation of human ActRIIA-Fc (sotatercept) in patients with PH-HFpEF.

The prevalence and survival of pulmonary hypertension due to left heart failure: A retrospective analysis of a multicenter prospective cohort study

Background

Pulmonary hypertension due to left heart failure (PH-LHF) is currently the most common form of pulmonary hypertension (PH) encountered in clinical practice. Despite significant advances that have improved our understanding of PH-LHF over the past two decades, the mortality is still high in recent decades. This study aimed to describe the prevalence and survival of patients with PH-LHF, and explored the potential risk factors which may predict the prognosis of PH-LHF.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort study of left heart failure (LHF) patients who underwent right heart catheterization (RHC) between January 2013 and November 2016 was performed. The endpoint was all-cause mortality. Follow-ups were performed every 6 months ± 2 weeks.

Results

A total of 480 patients with LHF were enrolled, with 215 (44.8%) having PH-LHF. The proportion of PH-LHF was significantly lower in coronary artery disease (CAD) group than without CAD (41.3 vs. 57.8%, p = 0.003). However, multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that CAD was not associated with PH-LHF (Adjusted OR: 1.055, 95% CI: 0.576 – 1.935, p = 0.862). 75 of 215 (34.9%) patients with PH-LHF died during a median follow-up period of 84.6 months. The 1-, 3-, 5-, and 8-year survival rates of all PH-LHF patients were 94.3, 76.9, 65.8, and 60.2%, respectively. New York Heart Association Functional Class (NYHA FC), hemoglobin, and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) were associated with mortality of PH-LHF in multivariate Cox analysis.

Conclusion

PH is commonly identified in patients with LHF, with a prevalence of approximately 45%. The mortality is still high in patients with PH-LHF. NYHA FC, hemoglobin, and sPAP are independent risk predictors of mortality for PH-LHF. These findings may be useful for risk stratification in future clinical trial enrollment.

Noninvasive diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension with hyperpolarised 129Xe magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy

Background

The diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension (PH) remains challenging. Pre- and post-capillary PH have different signatures on noninvasive ¹²⁹Xe gas-exchange magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and dynamic MR spectroscopy (MRS). We tested the accuracy of ¹²⁹Xe MRI/MRS to diagnose PH status compared to right heart catheterisation (RHC).

Methods

¹²⁹Xe MRI/MRS from 93 subjects was used to develop a diagnostic algorithm, which was tested in 32 patients undergoing RHC on the same day (n=20) or within 5 months (42±40 days) (n=12). Three expert readers, blinded to RHC, used ¹²⁹Xe MRI/MRS to classify subjects as pre-capillary PH, post-capillary PH, no PH and no interstitial lung disease (ILD), or ILD.

Results

For pre-capillary PH, ¹²⁹Xe MRI/MRS diagnostic accuracy was 75% (95% CI 66–84) with a sensitivity of 67% (95% CI 54–79) and a specificity of 86% (95% CI 75–96); for post-capillary PH accuracy was 69% (95% CI 59–78) with sensitivity of 54% (95% CI 34–74) and specificity of 74% (95% CI 63–84). The model performed well in straightforward cases of pre-capillary PH but was less accurate in its diagnosis in the presence of mixed disease, particularly in the presence of ILD or combined post- and pre-capillary PH.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the potential to develop ¹²⁹Xe MRI/MRS into a modality with good accuracy in detecting pre- and post-capillary PH. Furthermore, the combination of ¹²⁹Xe dynamic MRS and gas-exchange MRI uniquely provide concurrent, noninvasive assessment of both haemodynamics and gas-exchange impairment that may aid in the detection of PH.

Diagnostic models using ¹²⁹Xe MRI/MRS metrics can noninvasively detect pre-capillary PH, post-capillary PH and ILD. The combination of ¹²⁹Xe MRI/MRS provides a comprehensive assessment of haemodynamics and gas-exchange impairment in individual patients.https://bit.ly/3tDJw5P

Peak oxygen uptake is a strong prognostic predictor for pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease

Background

Pulmonary hypertension in left heart disease (PH-LHD), which includes combined post- and precapillary PH (Cpc-PH) and isolated postcapillary PH (Ipc-PH), differs significantly in prognosis. We aimed to assess whether cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) predicts the long-term survival of patients with PH-LHD.

Methods

A single-center observational cohort enrolled 89 patients with PH-LHD who had undergone right heart catherization and CPET (mean pulmonary arterial pressure > 20 mm Hg and pulmonary artery wedge pressure ≥ 15 mm Hg) between 2013 and 2021. A receiver operating characteristic curve was plotted to determine the cutoff value of all-cause death. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method and analyzed using the log-rank test. The Cox proportional hazards model was performed to determine the association between CPET and all-cause death.

Results

Seventeen patients died within a mean of 2.2 ± 1.3 years. Compared with survivors, nonsurvivors displayed a significantly worse 6-min walk distance, workload, exercise time and peak oxygen consumption (VO₂)/kg with a trend of a lower oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) adjusted by Bonferroni’s correction. Multivariate Cox regression revealed that the peak VO₂/kg was significantly associated with all-cause death after adjusting for Cpc-PH/Ipc-PH. Compared with Cpc-PH patients with a peak VO₂/kg ≥ 10.7 ml kg⁻¹ min⁻¹, Ipc-PH patients with a peak VO₂/kg < 10.7 ml kg⁻¹ min⁻¹ had a worse survival (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The peak VO₂/kg is independently associated with all-cause death in patients with PH-LHD. The peak VO₂/kg can also be analyzed together with Cpc-PH/Ipc-PH to better indicate the prognosis of patients with PH-LHD.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12872-022-02574-0.

Baseline Ratio of Soluble Fas/FasL Predicts Onset of Pulmonary Hypertension in Elder Patients Undergoing Maintenance Hemodialysis: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is one of the most common complications associated with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Though numerous risk factors have been founded, other risk factors remain unidentified, particularly in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis with elder age. Soluble Fas (sFas) and its ligand FasL (sFasL) have been reported in chronic renal disease patients; however, they have not been identified in the PH patients of elder hemodialysis patients. We aimed to determine the roles of sFas/sFasL in onset of PH in elder patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis with ESRD.

Methods

Altogether, 163 patients aged 68.00 ± 10.51 years with ESRD who undergoing maintenance hemodialysis in a prospective cohort and were followed-up for a median of 5.5 years. They underwent echocardiography examinations, liver function assessments, residual renal function, and serum ion examinations, before and after dialysis. Furthermore, levels of sFas and sFasL at baseline had also been measured. We compared demographic data, echocardiographic parameters, liver function, ions, and residual renal function as well as serum sFas and sFasL between the PH and non-PH groups. These parameters were correlated with systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) using Spearman’s correlation. Moreover, univariate and adjusted logistic regression analyses have also been conducted.

Results

The incidence of PH in the elder dialysis patients was 39.1%. PH populations were demonstrated with significantly higher end-diastolic internal diameters of the left atrium, left ventricle, right ventricle (RV), and pulmonary artery, as well as the left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVWP; all p < 0.05). A higher baseline serum sFas and sFasL levels have also been identified ( p < 0.001). They also showed lower fractional shortening and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF; p < 0.05). Following dialysis, the post-dialysis serum potassium concentration (K⁺) was significantly higher in the PH group ( p = 0.013). Furthermore, the adjusted regression identified that ratio of sFas/FasL (OR: 1.587, p = 0.004), RV (OR: 1.184, p = 0.014), LVPW (OR: 1.517, p = 0.007), and post-dialysis K⁺ (OR: 2.717, p = 0.040) was the independent risk factors for PH while LVEF (OR: 0.875, p = 0.040) protects patients from PH.

Conclusion

The baseline ratio of sFas/sFasL, RV, LVPW, and post-dialysis K⁺ was independent risk factors for PH onset, while LVEF was a protective factor for PH.

Future perspective in diabetic patients with pre- and post-capillary pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension is a clinical syndrome that may include multiple clinical conditions and can complicate the majority of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Pulmonary hypertension secondary to left heart disease is the prevalent clinical condition and accounts for two-thirds of all cases. Type 2 diabetes mellitus, which affects about 422 million adults worldwide, has emerged as an independent risk factor for the development of pulmonary hypertension in patients with left heart failure. While a correct diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension secondary to left heart disease requires invasive hemodynamic evaluation through right heart catheterization, several scores integrating clinical and echocardiographic parameters have been proposed to discriminate pre- and post-capillary types of pulmonary hypertension. Despite new emerging evidence on the pathophysiological mechanisms behind the effects of diabetes in patients with pre- and/or post-capillary pulmonary hypertension, no specific drug has been yet approved for this group of patients. In the last few years, the attention has been focused on the role of antidiabetic drugs in patients with pulmonary hypertension secondary to left heart failure, both in animal models and in clinical trials. The aim of the present review is to highlight the links emerged in the recent years between diabetes and pre- and/or post-capillary pulmonary hypertension and new perspectives for antidiabetic drugs in this setting.

Spontaneous Degenerative Aortic Valve Disease in New Zealand Obese Mice

Background Degenerative aortic valve (AoV) disease and resulting aortic stenosis are major clinical health problems. Murine models of valve disease are rare, resulting in a translational knowledge gap on underlying mechanisms, functional consequences, and potential therapies. Naïve New Zealand obese (NZO) mice were recently found to have a dramatic decline of left ventricular (LV) function at early age. Therefore, we aimed to identify the underlying cause of reduced LV function in NZO mice. Methods and Results Cardiac function and pulmonary hemodynamics of NZO and age-matched C57BL/6J mice were monitored by serial echocardiographic examinations. AoVs in NZO mice demonstrated extensive thickening, asymmetric aortic leaflet formation, and cartilaginous transformation of the valvular stroma. Doppler echocardiography of the aorta revealed increased peak velocity profiles, holodiastolic flow reversal, and dilatation of the ascending aorta, consistent with aortic stenosis and regurgitation. Compensated LV hypertrophy deteriorated to decompensated LV failure and remodeling, as indicated by increased LV mass, interstitial fibrosis, and inflammatory cell infiltration. Elevated LV pressures in NZO mice were associated with lung congestion and cor pulmonale, evident as right ventricular dilatation, decreased right ventricular function, and increased mean right ventricular systolic pressure, indicative for the development of pulmonary hypertension and ultimately right ventricular failure. Conclusions NZO mice demonstrate as a novel murine model to spontaneously develop degenerative AoV disease, aortic stenosis, and the associated end organ damages of both ventricles and the lung. Closely mimicking the clinical scenario of degenerative AoV disease, the model may facilitate a better mechanistic understanding and testing of novel treatment strategies in degenerative AoV disease.

[Invasive Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing: A Review]

Right heart catheterization (RHC) is the internationally standardized reference method for measuring pulmonary hemodynamics under resting conditions. In recent years, increasing efforts have been made to establish the reliable assessment of exercise hemodynamics as well, in order to obtain additional diagnostic and prognostic data. Furthermore, cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), as the most comprehensive non-invasive exercise test, is increasingly performed in combination with RHC providing detailed pathophysiological insights into the exercise response, so-called invasive cardiopulmonary exercise testing (iCPET).In this review, the accumulated experience with iCPET is presented and methodological details are discussed. This complex examination is especially helpful in differentiating the underlying causes of unexplained dyspnea. In particular, early forms of cardiac or pulmonary vascular dysfunction can be detected by integrated analysis of hemodynamic as well as ventilatory and gas exchange data. It is expected that with increasing validation of iCPET parameters, a more reliable differentiation of normal from pathological stress reactions will be possible.

A Novel Approach to Left Ventricular Filling Pressure Assessment: The Role of Hemodynamic Forces Analysis

Background: Diastolic function in patients with heart failure is usually impaired, resulting in increased left ventricular (LV) filling pressures, whose gold standard assessment is right heart catheterization (RHC). Hemodynamic force (HDF) analysis is a novel echocardiographic tool, providing an original approach to cardiac function assessment through the speckle-tracking technology. The aim of our study was to evaluate the use of HDFs, both alone and included in a new predictive model, as a potential novel diagnostic tool of the diastolic function.

Methods: HDF analysis was retrospectively performed in 67 patients enrolled in the “Right1 study.” All patients underwent RHC and echocardiography up to 2 h apart. Increased LV filling pressure (ILFP) was defined as pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) ≥ 15 mmHg.

Results: Out of 67 patients, 33 (49.2%) showed ILFP at RHC. Diastolic longitudinal force (DLF), the mean amplitude of longitudinal forces during diastole, was associated with the presence of ILFP (OR = 0.84 [0.70; 0.99], p = 0.046). The PCWP prediction score we built including DLF, ejection fraction, left atrial enlargement, and e' septal showed an AUC of 0.83 [0.76–0.89], with an optimal internal validation. When applied to our population, the score showed a sensitivity of 72.7% and a specificity of 85.3%, which became 66.7 and 94.4%, respectively, when applied to patients classified with “indeterminate diastolic function” according to the current recommendations.

Conclusion: HDF analysis could be an additional useful tool in diastolic function assessment. A scoring system including HDFs might improve echocardiographic accuracy in estimating LV filling pressures. Further carefully designed studies could be useful to clarify the additional value of this new technology.

Inaccuracy of a non-invasive estimation of pulmonary vascular resistance assessed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance in heart failure patients

Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) is a marker of pulmonary vascular remodeling. A non-invasive model assessed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) has been proposed to estimate PVR. However, its accuracy has not yet been evaluated in patients with heart failure. We prospectively included 108 patients admitted with acute heart failure (AHF), in whom a right heart catheterization (RHC) and CMR were performed at the same day. PVR was estimated by CMR applying the model: PVR = 19.38 − [4.62 × Ln pulmonary artery average velocity (in cm/s)] − [0.08 × right ventricle ejection fraction (in %)], and by RHC using standard formulae. The median age of the cohort was 67 years (interquartile range 58–73), and 34% were females. The median of PVR assessed by RHC and CMR were 2.2 WU (1.5–4) and 5 WU (3.4–7), respectively. We found a weak correlation between invasive PVR and PVR assessed by CMR (Spearman r = 0.21, p = 0.02). The area under the ROC curve for PVR assessed by CMR to detect PVR ≥ 3 WU was 0.57, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.47–0.68. In patients with AHF, the non-invasive estimation of PVR using CMR shows poor accuracy, as well as a limited capacity to discriminate increased PVR values.

Pulmonale Hypertonie und Rechtsherzinsuffizienz

Pulmonale Hypertonie (PH) beschreibt einen hämodynamischen Zustand, der durch eine Druckerhöhung im kleinen Kreislauf charakterisiert ist und der insbesondere bei älteren Patienten häufig zu beobachten ist. In Abhängigkeit der Ätiologie differenziert die klinische Klassifikation der pulmonalen Hypertonie 5 Hauptgruppen. Unabhängig von der zugrunde liegenden Ursache führt eine PH zu einer chronischen Rechtsherzbelastung und Rechtsherzinsuffizienz. Aktuelle Studien zeigen, dass bereits eine moderate Erhöhung des pulmonalarteriellen Druckes sowie des pulmonalvaskulären Widerstands prognoserelevant sind. Im Einzelfall ist die konsequente differenzialdiagnostische Abklärung einer PH essenziell, da sich die Behandlungsoptionen je nach zugrunde liegender Ursache grundlegend unterscheiden.

Pulmonary Hypertension in Patients With Heart Failure With Mid-Range Ejection Fraction

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is common in patients with heart failure (HF). The role of PH in patients with HF with reduced (HFrEF) and preserved (HFpEF) left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) has been extensively characterized during the last years. In contrast, the pathophysiology of HF with mid-range LVEF (HFmrEF), and in particular the role of PH in this context, are largely unknown. There is a paucity of data in this field, and the prevalence of PH, the underlying mechanisms, and the optimal therapy are not well-defined. Although often studied together there is increasing evidence that despite similarities with both HFrEF and HFpEF, HFmrEF also differs from both entities. The present review provides a summary of the current concepts of the mechanisms and clinical impact of PH in patients with HFmrEF, a proposal for the non-invasive and invasive diagnostic approach required to define the pathophysiology of PH and its management, and a discussion of future directions based on insights from mechanistic studies and randomized trials. We also provide an outlook regarding gaps in evidence, future clinical challenges, and research opportunities.

Outcomes With sGC Therapy in Patients With HFpEF: A Meta-Analysis of Prior Trials

Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) agents have been shown to have possible beneficial effects in heart failure treatment. Unfortunately, the role of sGC in HFpEF has not been shown to be efficacious based on recent trials. The CAPACITY HFpEF and VITALITY-HFpEF trials independently showed that sGC does not improve 6-minute walk test (6MWT) distance or the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) physical limitation score (PLS). The objective of this study was to analyze current data on the 6MWT and KCCQ PLS score from trials that included patients with HFpEF treated with sGC. Using MEDLINE and Cochrane databases, meta-analysis and systematic review was performed looking at data in the CAPACITY HFpEF and VITALITY-HFpEF trials.  For safety analysis we evaluated serious adverse events between the CAPACITY HFpEF, VITALITY-HFpEF, SOCRATES-PRESERVED, and DILATE-1trials. A total of 2 trials were analyzed to assess 6MWT and KCCQ score. The total number of combined patients from both trials assessing 6MWT distance in sGC vs placebo therapy were 620 with 309 in the treatment group and 311 in the placebo group. The total number of combined patients from both trials assessing KCCQ score outcomes were 583 with 280 in the treatment group and 303 in the placebo group. A total of 4 trials were evaluated for safety analysis with a total of 987 patients with 529 in the treatment group and 458 in the placebo group. The analysis did not demonstrate significant difference in 6MWT (P = 0.97), KCCQ PLS (P = 0.83), or serious adverse events (P = 0.67).

Impact of the new pulmonary hypertension definition on long-term mortality in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing valve replacement

Background

The new 2018 pulmonary hypertension (PH) definition includes a lower mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) cut‐off (>20 mmHg rather than ≥25 mmHg) and the compulsory requirement of a pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) ≥3 Wood units (WU) to define precapillary PH. We assessed the clinical impact of the 2018 compared to the 2015 PH definition in aortic stenosis (AS) patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR).

Methods

Severe AS patients (n = 487) undergoing pre‐AVR right heart catheterization were classified according to the 2015 and 2018 definitions. Post‐AVR mortality (median follow‐up 44 months) was assessed.

Results

Based on the 2015 definition, 66 (13%) patients exhibited combined pre and postcapillary PH (CpcPH), 116 (24%) isolated post‐capillary PH (IpcPH), 28 (6%) precapillary PH, and 277 (57%) no PH at all. Overall, 52 (11%) patients were reclassified: 23 no PH into IpcPH; 8 no PH into precapillary PH; 20 precapillary PH into no PH; 1 CpcPH into IpcPH. By the 2015 definition, only CpcPH patients displayed increased mortality, whereas by the 2018 definition, precapillary PH patients also experienced higher mortality than those without PH. Among the PH definition components, PVR ≥3 WU was the strongest predictor of death (hazard ratio > 4).

Conclusions

In severe AS, a higher number of IpcPH patients are diagnosed by the 2018 definition, even though they have the same prognosis as those without PH. Patients with true precapillary PH are more accurately identified by the 2018 definition that includes a pulmonary vascular disease criterion, that is, PVR ≥3 WU, a strong mortality predictor.

Sleep apnea and pulmonary hypertension: A riddle waiting to be solved

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an under-recognized yet highly prevalent disease that has major implications to cardiovascular health. Pulmonary hypertension (pH) is less common but none the less a fatal condition. The association of OSA and PH is a known but not well understood phenomenon. Furthermore, the relationship appears to be bi-directional with limited understanding of the mechanism(s) driving the processes. PH in OSA has real time consequences as it has been shown to increase mortality. Limited data suggests that treatment with continuous positive pressure therapy may be beneficial and reduce pulmonary pressure. In this review, we discuss current data on prevalence of PH in OSA and vice versa. We also explore the pathophysiology of this relationship and a proposed mechanism for their connection. Finally, we address the treatment of OSA with CPAP and its impact on pulmonary pressures. Gaps in knowledge and future research potential are illustrated and discoursed.

Serum Liberation of Fetal Fibronectin Variants in Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension: ED-A+ Fn as Promising Novel Biomarker of Pulmonary Vascular and Right Ventricular Myocardial Remodeling

Background and Aims: Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) represents an aetiologically and clinically heterogeneous disorder accompanied by a severely impaired prognosis. Key steps of PH pathogenesis are vascular and right ventricular myocardial remodelling entailing the re-occurrence of fetal variants of the cell adhesion modulating protein fibronectin (Fn) being virtually absent in healthy adult tissues. These variants are liberated into circulation and are therefore qualified as excellent novel serum biomarkers. Moreover, these molecules might serve as promising therapeutic targets. The current study was aimed at quantifying the serum levels of two functionally important fetal Fn variants (ED-A⁺ and ED-B⁺ Fn) in patients suffering from PH due to different aetiologies compared to healthy controls. Methods: Serum levels of ED-A⁺ and ED-B⁺ Fn were quantified using novel ELISA protocols established and validated in our group in 80 PH patients and 40 controls. Results were analysed with respect to clinical, laboratory, echocardiographic and functional parameters. Results: Serum levels of ED-A⁺ Fn (p = 0.001) but not ED-B⁺ Fn (p = 0.722) were significantly increased in PH patients compared to healthy controls. Thus, the following analyses were performed only for ED-A⁺ Fn. When dividing PH patients into different aetiological groups according to current ESC guidelines, the increase in ED-A⁺ Fn in PH patients compared to controls remained significant for group 1 (p = 0.032), 2 (p = 0.007) and 3 (p = 0.001) but not for group 4 (p = 0.156). Correlation analysis revealed a significant relation between ED-A⁺ Fn and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) (r = 0.310; p = 0.002), six minutes’ walk test (r = −0.275; p = 0.02) and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (PAPsys) (r = 0.364; p < 0.001). By logistic regression analysis (backward elimination WALD) including a variety of potentially relevant patients’ characteristics, only chronic kidney disease (CKD) (OR: 8.866; CI: 1.779–44.187; p = 0.008), C reactive protein (CRP) (OR: 1.194; CI: 1.011–1.410; p = 0.037) and ED-A⁺ Fn (OR: 1.045; CI: 1.011–1.080; p = 0.009) could be identified as independent predictors of the presence of PH. Conclusions: Against the background of our results, ED-A⁺ Fn could serve as a promising novel biomarker of PH with potential value for initial diagnosis and aetiological differentiation. Moreover, it might contribute to more precise risk stratification of PH patients. Beyond that, the future role of ED-A⁺ Fn as a therapeutic target has to be evaluated in further studies.

Impact of post-capillary pulmonary hypertension on mortality in interstitial lung disease

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) influences mortality in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD). Almost all studies on patients with ILD, have focused on the clinical impact of pre-capillary PH on survival. Therefore, little is known about the influence of post-capillary PH. We aimed to assess the prevalence of post-capillary PH and its clinical impact on survival in patients with ILD, followed by comparison with pre-capillary PH.

METHODS

This retrospective study enrolled 1152 patients with ILD who were diagnosed with PH using right heart catheterization between May 2007 and December 2015. We analyzed the demographics and composite outcomes (defined as death from any cause or lung transplantation) of patients with post-capillary PH and compared them with patients with pre-capillary PH.

RESULTS

Thirty-two (20%) of the 157 patients with ILD-PH were diagnosed with post-capillary PH. Patients with post-capillary PH had significantly lower modified Medical Research Council scores, higher diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide, higher resting PaO₂, lower pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), and higher lowest oxygen saturation during the 6-min walk test compared to those with pre-capillary PH. Cardiovascular diseases were associated with a higher risk of mortality in patients with post-capillary PH. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis demonstrated no significant difference between the composite outcomes in pre-capillary and post-capillary PH, while PVR and the ILD Gender-Age-Physiology Index were significantly associated with the composite outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that approximately one-fifth of patients with ILD-PH were diagnosed with post-capillary PH, and that PVR and not post-capillary PH was associated with mortality.

The predictive value of minute ventilation versus carbon dioxide production in pulmonary hypertension associated with left heart disease

Background

The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of key cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) parameters in the identification of pre-capillary components in patients with pulmonary hypertension associated with left heart disease (PH-LHD), and to evaluate their correlations with hemodynamic parameters.

Methods

Ninety patients with PH-LHD underwent right-heart catheterization, echocardiography, and CPET. The differences in related indexes between a combined post- and pre-capillary PH (Cpc-PH) group (n=47) and an isolated post-capillary PH (Ipc-PH) group (n=43) were compared. Correlation analysis was performed. Logistic regression and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed to assess the ability of CPET variables to distinguish patients with Cpc-PH from those with Ipc-PH.

Results

The hemodynamics, hyperventilation and right ventricular function of Cpc-pH group were worse than those of Ipc-pH group. The parameters related to minute ventilation versus carbon dioxide production (VE/VCO₂) played a significant role in the differentiation of Cpc-PH and Ipc-PH, and had a moderate positive correlation with pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). Univariate and multivariate logistic analyses showed that lowest percentage of VE/VCO₂ in predicted value (VE/VCO₂%pred) was the single best predictor of Cpc-PH, and the area under ROC curve also confirmed that lowest VE/VCO₂%pred (≥137%) could serve as a novel diagnostic marker for Cpc-PH. On the basis of this lowest VE/VCO₂%pred threshold, patients were divided into two groups. Most hemodynamic parameters were worse in patients with a lowest VE/VCO₂%pred ≥137%.

Conclusions

VE/VCO₂-related parameters are powerful prognosticators for the presence of pre-capillary components in patients with PH-LHD, especially lowest VE/VCO₂%pred.

Pulmonary hypertension associated with left-sided heart failure

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Pulmonary hypertension is a common phenomenon in heart failure patients that is highly relevant for morbidity and outcome. Although postcapillary in nature, the pathophysiology of pulmonary hypertension in patients with heart failure with reduced or preserved ejection fraction is complex, and decisions about management strategies remain challenging.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recently, the hemodynamic definitions and subclassification of postcapillary pulmonary hypertension have been revisited. The distinction between isolated postcapillary pulmonary hypertension (IpcPH) and combined post and precapillary pulmonary hypertension (CpcPH) and their definition are essential. Novel data on the prognostic impact of hemodynamic variables and right ventricular function highlight the importance of cardiopulmonary interaction in patients with left-sided heart failure (LHF). Furthermore, the impact of management strategies including medical therapy, remote hemodynamic monitoring, and interventional approaches on hemodynamics and outcome has recently been investigated. Here, we critically review recent developments and future considerations in this field, and highlight distinct treatment strategies targeting the underlying left heart condition, the pulmonary circulation, and/or impaired right ventricular function.

SUMMARY

Detailed hemodynamic characterization and proper phenotyping are essential for prognostication and the management of patients with pulmonary hypertension associated with LHF, both in clinical practice and when addressing research questions.

The Prevalence of Pulmonary Hypertension Among Maintenance Dialysis Patients With ESRD and Its Associated Factors: A Retrospective Study

Aim: To determine the prevalence of pulmonary hypertension (PH) and its associated factors among end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients who underwent maintenance dialysis. Methods: A total of 491 patients received echocardiography examinations and underwent pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) assessments. A subgroup of 283 patients were subjected to plasma creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen concentration (BUN) tests, routine blood examinations and electrolyte analysis. First, we compared the differences in echocardiographic, Cr and BUN, blood routine and electrolyte parameters between PH and non-PH groups. The correlations between PASP and the parameters mentioned above were also analyzed. Furthermore, univariate and adjusted logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the independent associated factors. Results: The incidence of PH among ESRD patients who were treated with maintenance dialysis was 34.6%. Most of the echocardiographic parameters, including end-diastolic internal diameters of the left atrium, left ventricle, right atrium, and pulmonary artery, as well as interventricular septum mobility, left ventricular posterior wall mobility, fractional shortening, stroke volume and left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF), were associated with PH. Furthermore, Mg²⁺ (p = 0.037) and Cl^- (p = 0.043) were significantly associated with PASP. However, after adjustments were made in the regression analysis, only internal diameters of the left atrium, right atrium, and LVEF were independently associated with PH. Conclusion: PH is prevalent, with a relatively high incidence among ESRD patients who undergo maintenance dialysis. The sizes of the left and right atria as well as LVEF were independently associated with PH, but further cohort and basic mechanistic studies are needed to confirm this finding.

Thromboembolic complications in adult congenital heart disease: the knowns and the unknowns

Despite impressive improvement in long-term survival, adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) remain exposed to a significant cardiovascular morbidity over lifetime. Thromboembolic events (TE) are a major issue. Specific anatomic groups have been shown a particular high risk of TE, including cyanotic heart disease and Fontan circulation. Many intercurrent clinical factors add a substantial risk such as intracardiac medical devices, atrial arrhythmia, endocarditis, or pregnancy. Nevertheless, what is unknown exceeds what is known, especially regarding the management of this heterogenous patient population. Anticoagulation decision should always be individualized weighing balanced with the alternative risk of hemorrhagic complications. In this review, we aim to synthetize existing literature on TE in adults with CHD, discuss management issues, highlight gaps in knowledge, and intend to suggest high priority research.

Left ventricular dysfunction in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction-molecular mechanisms and impact on right ventricular function

The current classification of heart failure (HF) based on left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) identifies a large group of patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) with significant morbidity and mortality but without prognostic benefit from current HF therapy. Co-morbidities and conditions such as arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, adiposity and aging shape the clinical phenotype and contribute to mortality. LV diastolic dysfunction and LV structural remodeling are hallmarks of HFpEF, and are linked to remodeling of the cardiomyocyte and extracellular matrix. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) and right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) are particularly common in HFpEF, and mortality is up to 10-fold higher in HFpEF patients with vs. without RV dysfunction. Here, we review alterations in cardiomyocyte function (i.e., ion homeostasis, sarcomere function and cellular metabolism) associated with diastolic dysfunction and summarize the main underlying cellular pathways. The contribution and interaction of systemic and regional upstream signaling such as chronic inflammation, neurohumoral activation, and NO-cGMP-related pathways are outlined in detail, and their diagnostic and therapeutic potential is discussed in the context of preclinical and clinical studies. In addition, we summarize prevalence and pathomechanisms of RV dysfunction in the context of HFpEF and discuss mechanisms connecting LV and RV dysfunction in HFpEF. Dissecting the molecular mechanisms of LV and RV dysfunction in HFpEF may provide a basis for an improved classification of HFpEF and for therapeutic approaches tailored to the molecular phenotype.

Echocardiographic Diagnosis of Postcapillary Pulmonary Hypertension: A RIGHT1 Substudy

Background: Pulmonary hypertension is observed in 70% of patients with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. Right heart catheterization is the gold standard for a complete evaluation of Pulmonary Hypertension (PH); however, echocardiography represents a powerful initial diagnostic tool. The aim of our study was to evaluate the accuracy of echocardiography for the diagnosis of postcapillary PH, i.e., due to increased left ventricular filling pressures. Methods and Results: We recruited patients with a diagnosis of PH from the RIGHT1 study (Right heart invasive and echocardiographic hemodynamic evaluation in Turin 1). Transthoracic echocardiography was performed within 60 min of cardiac catheterization. High LV filling pressures were defined by a pulmonary arterial wedge pressure (PAWP) greater than 15 mmHg. We assessed numerous morphological and functional features of LV, and their association with PAWP. 128 patients were diagnosed with PH. We observed a significant association between PAWP, the left atrial volume indexed by BSA (LAVi, R2 = 0.27; p < 0.0001) and the E/e’ ratio (R2 = 0.27; p < 0.0001). With these parameters, we implemented a diagnostic algorithm to identify high ventricular filling pressures in PH patients. The application of this algorithm could help identify patients with a diagnosis of postcapillary PH due to high ventricular filling pressures (E/E’ > 15). Conclusions: The echocardiographic parameters with the best association with PAWP in PH patients are E/e’ and LAVi. For these patients, our diagnostic algorithm could improve the diagnostic precision for the definition of subgroups.

Exercise and fluid challenge during right heart catheterisation for evaluation of dyspnoea

This prospective study compared exercise test and intravenous fluid challenge in a single right heart catheter procedure to detect latent diastolic heart failure in patients with echocardiographic heart failure with preserved ejection function. We included 49 patients (73% female) with heart failure with preserved ejection function and pulmonary artery wedge pressure ≤15 mmHg. A subgroup of 26 patients had precapillary pulmonary hypertension. Invasive haemodynamic and gas exchange parameters were measured at rest, 45° upright position, during exercise, after complete haemodynamic and respiratory recovery in lying position, and after rapid infusion of 500 mL isotonic solution. Most haemodynamic parameters increased at both exercise and intravenous fluid challenge, with the higher increase at exercise. Pulmonary vascular resistance decreased by –0.21 wood units at exercise and –0.56 wood units at intravenous fluid challenge (p = 0.3); 20% (10 of 49) of patients had an increase in pulmonary artery wedge pressure above the upper limit of 20 mmHg at exercise, and 20% above the respective limit of 18 mmHg after intravenous fluid challenge. However, only three patients exceeded the upper limit of pulmonary artery wedge pressure in both tests, i.e. seven patients only at exercise and seven other patients only after intravenous fluid challenge. In the subgroup of pulmonary hypertension patients, only two patients exceeded pulmonary artery wedge pressure limits in both tests, further five patients at exercise and four patients after intravenous fluid challenge. A sequential protocol in the same patient showed a significantly higher increase in haemodynamic parameters at exercise compared to intravenous fluid challenge. Both methods can unmask diastolic dysfunction at right heart catheter procedure, but in different patient groups.

Pulmonary Hypertension Due to Left Heart Disease

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) due to left heart disease (LHD) is the most common type of PH and is defined as mean pulmonary artery systolic pressure of >20 mm Hg and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure >15 mm Hg during right heart catheterization. LHD may lead to elevated left atrial pressure alone, which in the absence of intrinsic pulmonary vascular disease will result in PH without changes in pulmonary vascular resistance. Persistent elevation in left atrial pressure may, however, also be associated with subsequent pulmonary vascular remodeling, vasoconstriction, and an increase in pulmonary vascular resistance. Hence, there are 2 subgroups of PH due to LHD, isolated postcapillary PH and combined post- and precapillary PH, with these groups have differing clinical implications. Differentiation of pulmonary arterial hypertension and PH due to LHD is critical to guide management planning; however, this may be challenging. Older patients, patients with metabolic syndrome, and patients with imaging and clinical features consistent with left ventricular dysfunction are suggestive of LHD etiology rather than pulmonary arterial hypertension. Hemodynamic measures such as diastolic pressure gradient, transpulmonary gradient, and pulmonary vascular resistance may assist to differentiate pre- from postcapillary PH and offer prognostic insights. However, these are influenced by fluid status and heart failure treatment. Pulmonary arterial hypertension therapies have been trialed in the treatment with concerning results reflecting disease heterogeneity, variation in inclusion criteria, and mixed end point criteria. The aim of this review is to provide an updated definition, discuss possible pathophysiology, clinical aspects, and the available treatment options for PH due to LHD.

Risk stratification and prognostic factors in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension and comorbidities a cross-sectional cohort study with survival follow-up

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to analyze prognostic factors and risk stratification in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and comorbidities.

METHODS

Patients with invasively diagnosed PAH were included in the analysis. Comorbidities were clinically diagnosed as proposed in the 6th World Symposium of pulmonary hypertension. Uni- and multivariate analysis were employed for identification of factors predicting survival and time to first clinical worsening (TTCW). Risk stratification was based on parameters from ESC/ERS-guidelines 2015.

RESULTS

In total 142 patients were enrolled in the study, 90 of them were diagnosed as PAH without and 52 with comorbidities. All patients received targeted PAH therapy and were followed for 3.3 ± 2.4 years. In PAH patients without comorbidities survival and TTCW were significantly associated with reduced 6-min walking distance (6MWD), elevated N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), WHO-functional class (WHO-FC) and right atrial (RA) area. In the multivariate analysis, 6MWD was an independent predictor for survival (p = 0.002) and WHO-FC for TTCW (p = 0.001). In patients with PAH and comorbidities these parameters had no significant association with survival and TTCW. Average risk score was significantly associated with survival (p = 0.001) and TTCW (p = 0.013) in PAH but not in PAH with comorbidities (both p > 0.05; figure 1).

CONCLUSION

Risk stratification based on ESC/ERS-guidelines could only be confirmed in patients without comorbidities, but not in patients with PAH and comorbidities. The data of this study suggest, that a different risk stratification needs to be applied to PAH patients with comorbidities. Further studies are needed to confirm these results.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Not applicable, retrospective registry.

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.

Pulmonary hypertension in HFpEF and HFrEF: Pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment approaches

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a frequent hemodynamic condition that is highly prevalent in patients with heart failure and reduced (HFrEF) or preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Irrespective of left ventricular EF, the presence of PH and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction are highly relevant for morbidity and mortality in patients with heart failure. While elevated left-sided filling pressures and functional mitral regurgitation primarily lead to post-capillary PH, current guidelines and recommendations distinguish between isolated post-capillary PH (IpcPH) and combined post- and pre-capillary PH (CpcPH), the latter being defined by a pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) of ≥3 Wood units. Here, we describe the pathophysiology and clinical relevance of these distinct entities, and report on the diagnostic work-up including remote pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) monitoring. Furthermore, we highlight strategies to manage PH and improve RV function in heart failure, which may include optimized management of HFrEF and HFpEF (medical and interventional), sufficient volume control, catheter-based mitral valve repair, and-in selected cases-targeted PH therapy. In this context, we also highlight gaps in evidence and the need for further research.

Pulmonary hypertension and valvular heart disease

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is an important contributor to morbidity and mortality in patients with left-sided heart disease, including valvular heart disease. In this context, elevated left atrial pressure primarily leads to the development of post-capillary PH. Despite the fact that repair of left-sided valvular heart disease by surgical or interventional approaches will improve PH, recent studies have highlighted that PH (pre- or post-interventional) remains an important predictor of long-term outcome. Here, we review the current knowledge on PH in valvular heart disease taking into account new hemodynamic PH definitions, and the distinction between post- and pre-capillary components of PH. A specific focus is on the precise characterization of hemodynamics and cardiopulmonary interaction, and on potential strategies for the management of residual PH after mitral or aortic valve interventions. In addition, we highlight the clinical significance of tricuspid regurgitation, which may occur as a primary condition or as a consequence of PH and right heart dilatation (functional). In this context, proper patient selection for potential tricuspid valve interventions is crucial. Finally, the article highlights gaps in evidence, and points toward future perspectives.

Prognostic Value of the Echocardiographic Probability of Pulmonary Hypertension in Patients with Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

The prognostic value of pulmonary hypertension (PH) estimated by echocardiography in unselected patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is poorly studied. Between November 2014 and September 2018, 657 patients were recruited in a prospective registry of ADHF (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02444416). The probability of pulmonary hypertension was based on European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines for echocardiographic evaluation. The median survival without all-cause mortality or readmission was 7 months. During the median follow-up period of 15 months, there were 450 events including 185 deaths. In multivariate analysis, the hazard ratio (HR) of all-cause mortality or readmission for patients with a high probability of PH was 1.67 (95% CI 1.29–2.17, p < 0.001) as compared to patients with a low or intermediate probability. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and right ventricular function (RVF) were not associated with the primary outcome—HR 1.02 (95% CI 0.81–1.29; p = 0.84) and 0.96 (95% CI 0.76–1.23; p = 0.77) respectively. In patients admitted for ADHF, a high probability of PH as evaluated by echocardiography provided the highest independent prognostic value for mortality and readmission, whereas LVEF and RVF were not associated with prognosis. The identification of patients at high risk of PH by non-invasive measurement conveys important prognostic information and may guide management.

Prediction of One-Year Mortality Based upon A New Staged Mortality Risk Model in Patients with Aortic Stenosis Undergoing Transcatheter Valve Replacement

Background: In-depth knowledge about potential predictors of mortality in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is still warranted. Currently used risk stratification models for TAVR often fail to reach a holistic approach. We, therefore, aimed to create a new staged risk model for 1-year mortality including several new categories including (a) AS-entities (b) cardiopulmonary hemodynamics (c) comorbidities, and (d) different access routes. Methods: 737 transfemoral (TF) TAVR (84.3%) and 137 transapical (TA) TAVR (15.7%) patients were included. Predictors of 1-year mortality were assessed according to the aforementioned categories. Results: Over-all 1-year mortality (n = 100, 11.4%) was significantly higher in the TA TAVR group (TF vs. TA TAVR: 10.0% vs. 18.9 %; p = 0.0050*). By multivariate cox-regression analysis, a three-staged model was created in patients with fulfilled categories (TF TAVR: n = 655, 88,9%; TA TAVR: n = 117, 85.4%). Patients in “stage 2” showed 1.7-fold (HR 1.67; CI 1.07–2.60; p = 0.024*) and patients in “stage 3” 3.5-fold (HR 3.45; CI 1.97–6.05; p < 0.0001*) enhanced risk to die within 1 year. Mortality increased with every stage and reached the highest rates of 42.5% in “stage 3” (p_logrank < 0.0001*), even when old- and new-generation devices (p_logrank = n.s) were sub-specified. Conclusions: This new staged mortality risk model had incremental value for prediction of 1-year mortality after TAVR independently from the TAVR-era.