Assessment of filling pressures and fluid overload in heart failure: an updated perspective

Combinational Diuretics in Heart Failure

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Diuretics are the cornerstone therapy for acute heart failure (HF) and congestion. Patients chronically exposed to loop diuretics may develop diuretic resistance as a consequence of nephron remodelling, and the combination of diuretics will be necessary to improve diuretic response and achieve decongestion. This review integrates data from recent research and offers a practical approach to current pharmacologic therapies to manage congestion in HF with a focus on combinational therapy.

RECENT FINDINGS

Until recently, combined diuretic treatment was based on observational studies and expert opinion. Recent evidence from clinical trials has shown that combined diuretic treatment can be started earlier without escalating the doses of loop diuretics with an adequate safety profile. Diuretic combination is a promising strategy for overcoming diuretic resistance in HF. Further studies aiming to get more insights into the pathophysiology of diuretic resistance and large clinical trials confirming the safety and efficacy over standard diuretics regimens are warranted.

Bioimpedance analysis predicts worsening events in outpatients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction

AIMS

Heart failure (HF) with reduced left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) is an entity with poor prognosis characterized by decompensations. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is used to assess volume overload (VO) and may be useful to identify apparently stable HF outpatients at risk of decompensation. The aim of this study is to analyse whether VO assessed by BIA is associated with worsening heart failure (WHF) in stable outpatients with HF and reduced LVEF (HFrEF).

METHODS AND RESULTS

This is a prospective single-centre observational study. Consecutive stable HF outpatients with LVEF below 40% underwent BIA, transthoracic echocardiography, blood sampling, and physical examination and were followed up for 3 months. VO was defined as the difference between the measured weight and the dry weight assessed by BIA. Demographic, clinical, anthropometric, echocardiographic, and analytical parameters were recorded. The primary endpoint was WHF, defined by visits to the emergency department for HF or hospitalization for HF. A total of 100 patients were included. The median VO was 0.5 L (interquartile range 0-1.6 L). Eleven patients met the primary endpoint. Univariate binary logistic regression analysis showed that left ventricle filling pressures assessed by E/e', N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide, inferior vena cava dilatation (≥21 mm), signs of congestion, and VO were associated with the primary endpoint. Binary logistic regression multivariate analysis showed that VO was the only independent predictor for the primary endpoint (adjusted OR 2.7; 95% CI 1.30-5.63, P = 0.008). Multivariate Cox regression analysis also showed an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for VO of 2.03; 95% CI 1.37-3.02, P < 0.001. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis showed an area under the curve for VO of 0.88 (95% CI 0.79-0.97, P < 0.001) with an optimal cut-off of 1.2 L.

CONCLUSIONS

VO assessed by BIA is independently associated with WHF in stable outpatients with HFrEF at 3 months.

Loop diuretic down-titration at discharge in patients hospitalized for acute heart failure

AIMS

The current literature provides limited guidance on the best diuretic strategy post-hospitalization for acute heart failure (AHF). It is postulated that the efficacy and safety of the outpatient diuretic regimen may be significantly influenced by the degree of fluid overload (FO) encountered during hospitalization. We hypothesize that in patients with more pronounced FO, reducing their regular oral diuretic dosage might be associated with an elevated risk of unfavourable clinical outcomes.

METHODS AND RESULTS

It was a retrospective observational study of 410 patients hospitalized for AHF in which the dose of furosemide at admission and discharge was collected. Patients were categorized across diuretic dose status into two groups: (i) the down-titration group and (ii) the stable/up-titration group. FO status was evaluated by a clinical congestion score and circulating biomarkers. The endpoint of interest was the composite of time to all-cause death and/or heart failure readmission. A multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression model was constructed to analyse the endpoints. The median age was 86 (78-92) years, 256 (62%) were women, and 80% had heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. After multivariate adjustment, the down-titration furosemide equivalent dose remained not associated with the risk of the combined endpoint in the whole sample (hazard ratio 1.34, 95% confidence interval 0.86-2.06, P = 0.184). The risk of the combination of death and/or worsening heart failure associated with the diuretic strategy at discharge was significantly influenced by FO status, including clinical congestion scores and circulating proxies of FO like BNP and cancer antigen 125.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients hospitalized for AHF, furosemide down-titration does not imply an increased risk of mortality and/or heart failure readmission. However, FO status modifies the effect of down-titration on the outcome. In patients with severe congestion or residual congestion at discharge, down-titration was associated with an increased risk of mortality and/or heart failure readmission.

Design and baseline characteristics of SALT-HF trial: hypertonic saline therapy in ambulatory heart failure

AIMS

Hypertonic saline solution (HSS) plus intravenous (IV) loop diuretic appears to enhance the diuretic response in patients hospitalized for heart failure (HF). The efficacy and safety of this therapy in the ambulatory setting have not been evaluated. We aimed to describe the design and baseline characteristics of the SALT-HF trial participants.

METHODS AND RESULTS

'Efficacy of Saline Hypertonic Therapy in Ambulatory Patients with HF' (SALT-HF) trial was a multicenter, double-blinded, and randomized study involving ambulatory patients who experienced worsening heart failure (WHF) without criteria for hospitalization. Enrolled patients had to present at least two signs of volume overload, use ≥ 80 mg of oral furosemide daily, and have elevated natriuretic peptides. Patients were randomized 1:1 to treatment with a 1-h infusion of IV furosemide plus HSS (2.6-3.4% NaCl depending on plasmatic sodium levels) versus a 1-h infusion of IV furosemide at the same dose (125-250 mg, depending on basal loop diuretic dose). Clinical, laboratory, and imaging parameters were collected at baseline and after 7 days, and a telephone visit was planned after 30 days. The primary endpoint was 3-h diuresis after treatment started. Secondary endpoints included (a) 7-day changes in congestion data, (b) 7-day changes in kidney function and electrolytes, (c) 30-day clinical events (need of IV diuretic, HF hospitalization, cardiovascular mortality, all-cause mortality or HF-hospitalization).

RESULTS

A total of 167 participants [median age, 81 years; interquartile range (IQR), 73-87, 30.5% females] were randomized across 13 sites between December 2020 and March 2023. Half of the participants (n = 82) had an ejection fraction >50%. Most patients showed a high burden of comorbidities, with a median Charlson index of 3 (IQR: 2-4). Common co-morbidities included diabetes mellitus (41%, n = 69), atrial fibrillation (80%, n = 134), and chronic kidney disease (64%, n = 107). Patients exhibited a poor functional NYHA class (69% presenting NYHA III) and several signs of congestion. The mean composite congestion score was 4.3 (standard deviation: 1.7). Ninety per cent of the patients (n = 151) presented oedema and jugular engorgement, and 71% (n = 118) showed lung B lines assessed by ultrasound. Median inferior vena cava diameter was 23 mm, (IQR: 21-25), and plasmatic levels of N-terminal-pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) and antigen carbohydrate 125 (CA125) were increased (median NT-proBNP 4969 pg/mL, IQR: 2508-9328; median CA125 46 U/L, IQR: 20-114).

CONCLUSIONS

SALT-HF trial randomized 167 ambulatory patients with WHF and will determine whether an infusion of hypertonic saline therapy plus furosemide increases diuresis and improves decongestion compared to equivalent furosemide administration alone.

Biomarkers to Improve Decision-making in Acute Heart Failure

Acute heart failure (AHF) is a complex clinical syndrome that requires prompt diagnosis, risk stratification and effective treatment strategies to reduce morbidity and mortality. Biomarkers are playing an increasingly important role in this process, offering valuable insights into the underlying pathophysiology and facilitating personalised patient management. This review summarises the significance of various biomarkers in the context of AHF, with a focus on their clinical applications to stratify risk and potential for guiding therapy choices.

Case report: Alternative approach for management of refractory volume overload in heart failure: usefulness of venous leg compression

Background

Management of patients with refractory congestion, is one of the most important challenges in the field of heart failure (HF). Diuretic therapy remains the most widely used therapy to achieve euvolemia. However, some patients experience fluid overload despite the use of high-dose diuretics and new strategies to overcome diuretic resistance are needed.

Case Summary

We report an 85 years-old male patient admitted for decompensated HF with persistent tissue fluid overload (peripheral edema) for more than two weeks despite high dose of intravenous furosemide with the combination of other diuretics. At this point, we performed leg venous compression using elastic bandages for three days. After 72 h, edema disappeared, and additional weight loss was achieved (1 kg/day). No side effects were observed and the patient was discharged home euvolemic.

Conclusion

Venous leg compression may be an alternative therapy in patients with persistent tissue fluid overload resistant to diuretics.

Peritoneal and Urinary Sodium Removal in Refractory Congestive Heart Failure Patients Included in an Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Program: Valuable for Monitoring the Course of the Disease

INTRODUCTION

Spot urinary sodium emerged as a useful parameter for assessing decongestion in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). Growing evidence endorses the therapeutic role of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) in patients with refractory CHF and kidney disease. We aimed to examine the long-term trajectory of urinary, peritoneal, and total (urinary plus peritoneal) sodium removal in a cohort of patients with refractory CHF enrolled in a CAPD program. Additionally, we explored whether sodium removal was associated with the risk of long-term mortality and episodes of worsening heart failure (WHF).

METHODS

We included 66 ambulatory patients with refractory CHF enrolled in a CAPD program in a single teaching center. 24-h peritoneal, urinary, and total sodium elimination were analyzed at baseline and after CAPD initiation. Its trajectories over time were calculated using joint modeling of longitudinal and survival data. Within the framework of joint frailty models for recurrent and terminal events, we estimated its prognostic effect on recurrent episodes of WHF.

RESULTS

At the time of enrollment, the mean age and estimated glomerular filtration rate were 72.8 ± 8.4 years and 28.5 ± 14.3 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. The median urinary sodium at baseline was 2.34 g/day (1.40-3.55). At a median (p25%-p75%) follow-up of 2.93 (1.93-3.72) years, we registered 0.28 deaths and 0.24 episodes of WHF per 1 person-year. Compared to baseline (urinary), CAPD led to increased sodium excretion (urinary plus dialyzed) since the first follow-up visit (p < 0.001). Over the follow-up, repeated measurements of total sodium removal were associated with a lower risk of death and episodes of WHF.

CONCLUSIONS

CAPD increased sodium removal in patients with refractory CHF. Elevated sodium removal identified those patients with a lower risk of death and episodes of WHF.

Sex-Related Differences in Heart Failure Diagnosis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The literature on the importance of sex in heart failure diagnosis is scarce. This review aims to summarize current knowledge on sex differences regarding the diagnosis of heart failure.

RECENT FINDINGS

Comorbidities are frequent in patients with heart failure, and their prevalence differs between sexes; some differences in symptomatology and diagnostic imaging techniques were also found. Biomarkers also usually show differences between sexes but are not significant enough to establish sex-specific ranges. This article outlines current information related to sex differences in HF diagnosis. Research in this field remains to be done. Maintaining a high diagnostic suspicion, actively searching for the disease, and considering the sex is relevant for early diagnosis and better prognosis. In addition, more studies with equal representation are needed.