Canadian Cardiovascular Society Consensus Conference recommendations on heart failure update 2007: Prevention, management during intercurrent illness or acute decompensation, and use of biomarkers

The Canadian Heart Failure (CAN-HF) Registry: A Canadian multi-centre, retrospective study of inpatients with heart failure

Background

Despite recent advances in the management of patients with heart failure (HF), national data regarding the quality of care provided are lacking. The Canadian Heart Failure (CAN-HF) Registry was designed to obtain contemporary, real-world data describing the management of patients with HF.

Methods

Quality of care in patients admitted for acute HF (AHF), in relation to guidelines and national HF quality indicators, was assessed as part of the CAN-HF Registry study.

Results

A total of 943 patients admitted to the hospital with AHF were included in this analysis. Patient weight was not recorded on admission for 26% of patients, with daily weight being captured in only 61% of patients. Only 54% of inpatients received left ventricular ejection fraction assessment while hospitalized. Patient education was documented in 31% of patients prior to discharge, with 51% receiving instructions to follow up with a specialist upon discharge, and 2% being referred to a cardiac rehabilitation program. Although use of guideline-directed medical therapy increased during hospitalization, the proportions of patients receiving renin-angiotensin-aldosterone inhibition (63%), beta-blockade (80%), and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (40%) upon discharge indicate that potential room for improvement exists.

Conclusions

The CAN-HF Registry study demonstrated a potential quality-of-care gap in the management of patients admitted with AHF.

Disposition of acute decompensated heart failure from the emergency department: An evidence-based review

INTRODUCTION

Acute heart failure (HF) exacerbation is a serious and common condition seen in the Emergency Department (ED) that has significant morbidity and mortality. There are multiple clinical decision tools that Emergency Physicians (EPs) can use to reach an appropriate evidence-based disposition for these patients.

OBJECTIVE

This narrative review is an evidence-based discussion of clinical decision-making tools aimed to assist EPs risk stratify patients with AHF and determine disposition.

DISCUSSION

Risk stratification in patients with AHF exacerbation presenting to the ED is paramount in reaching an appropriate disposition decision. High risk features include hypotension, hypoxemia, elevated brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and/or troponin, elevated creatinine, and hyponatremia. Patients who require continuous vasoactive infusions, respiratory support, or are initially treatment-resistant generally require intensive care unit admission. In most instances, new-onset AHF patients should be admitted for further evaluation. Other AHF patients in the ED can be risk stratified with the Ottawa HF Risk Score (OHFRS), the Multiple Estimation of Risk Based on Spanish Emergency Department Score (MEESSI), or the Emergency HF Mortality Risk Grade (EHFMRG). These tools take various factors into account such as mode of arrival to the ED, vital signs, laboratory values like troponin and pro-BNP, and clinical course. If used appropriately, these scores can predict patients at low risk for adverse outcomes.

CONCLUSION

This article discusses evidence-based disposition of patients in acute decompensated HF presenting to the ED. Knowledge of these factors and risk tools can assist emergency clinicians in determining appropriate disposition of patients with HF.

2017 Comprehensive Update of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society Guidelines for the Management of Heart Failure

Since the inception of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society heart failure (HF) guidelines in 2006, much has changed in the care for patients with HF. Over the past decade, the HF Guidelines Committee has published regular updates. However, because of the major changes that have occurred, the Guidelines Committee believes that a comprehensive reassessment of the HF management recommendations is presently needed, with a view to producing a full and complete set of updated guidelines. The primary and secondary Canadian Cardiovascular Society HF panel members as well as external experts have reviewed clinically relevant literature to provide guidance for the practicing clinician. The 2017 HF guidelines provide updated guidance on the diagnosis and management (self-care, pharmacologic, nonpharmacologic, device, and referral) that should aid in day-to-day decisions for caring for patients with HF. Among specific issues covered are risk scores, the differences in management for HF with preserved vs reduced ejection fraction, exercise and rehabilitation, implantable devices, revascularization, right ventricular dysfunction, anemia, and iron deficiency, cardiorenal syndrome, sleep apnea, cardiomyopathies, HF in pregnancy, cardio-oncology, and myocarditis. We devoted attention to strategies and treatments to prevent HF, to the organization of HF care, comorbidity management, as well as practical issues around the timing of referral and follow-up care. Recognition and treatment of advanced HF is another important aspect of this update, including how to select advanced therapies as well as end of life considerations. Finally, we acknowledge the remaining gaps in evidence that need to be filled by future research.

Approach to advanced heart failure at the end of life

OBJECTIVE

To outline symptom management in, as well as offer a home-based protocol for, patients with advanced heart failure (HF).

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

The terms palliative care and heart failure were searched in PubMed and relevant databases. All articles were reviewed. The specific medical management protocol was developed by the "HeartFull" collaborative team at the Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care in Toronto, Ont.

MAIN MESSAGE

Educating patients about advanced HF and helping them understand their illness and illness trajectory can foster end-of-life discussions. Home-based care of patients with advanced HF that includes optimizing diuresis can lead to improved symptom management. It is also hoped that it can reduce both patient and health care system burden and result in greater health-related quality of life for patients with advanced HF.

CONCLUSION

This article provides an overview of how to manage common symptoms in patients with advanced HF. The home diuresis protocol with guidelines for oral and intravenous diuretic therapy is available at CFPlus.

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation improves exercise tolerance in patients with advanced heart failure on continuous intravenous inotropic support use-randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of a short-term neuromuscular electrical stimulation program on exercise tolerance in hospitalized patients with advanced heart failure who have suffered an acute decompensation and are under continuous intravenous inotropic support.

DESIGN

A randomized controlled study.

SUBJECTS

Initially, 195 patients hospitalized for decompensated heart failure were recruited, but 70 were randomized.

INTERVENTION

Patients were randomized into two groups: control group subject to the usual care ( n = 35); neuromuscular electrical stimulation group ( n = 35) received daily training sessions to both lower extremities for around two weeks.

MAIN MEASURES

The baseline 6-minute walk test to determine functional capacity was performed 24 hours after hospital admission, and intravenous inotropic support dose was daily checked in all patients. The outcomes were measured in two weeks or at the discharge if the patients were sent back home earlier than two weeks.

RESULTS

After losses of follow-up, a total of 49 patients were included and considered for final analysis (control group, n = 25 and neuromuscular electrical stimulation group, n = 24). The neuromuscular electrical stimulation group presented with a higher 6-minute walk test distance compared to the control group after the study protocol (293 ± 34.78 m vs. 265.8 ± 48.53 m, P < 0.001, respectively). Neuromuscular electrical stimulation group also demonstrated a significantly higher dose reduction of dobutamine compared to control group after the study protocol (2.72 ± 1.72 µg/kg/min vs. 3.86 ± 1.61 µg/kg/min, P = 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSION

A short-term inpatient neuromuscular electrical stimulation rehabilitation protocol improved exercise tolerance and reduced intravenous inotropic support necessity in patients with advanced heart failure suffering a decompensation episode.

A Scoping Review of Frailty and Acute Care in Middle-Aged and Older Individuals with Recommendations for Future Research

There is general agreement that frailty is a state of heightened vulnerability to stressors arising from impairments in multiple systems leading to declines in homeostatic reserve and resiliency, but unresolved issues persist about its detection, underlying pathophysiology, and relationship with aging, disability, and multimorbidity. A particularly challenging area is the relationship between frailty and hospitalization. Based on the deliberations of a 2014 Canadian expert consultation meeting and a scoping review of the relevant literature between 2005 and 2015, this discussion paper presents a review of the current state of knowledge on frailty in the acute care setting, including its prevalence and ability to both predict the occurrence and outcomes of hospitalization. The examination of the available evidence highlighted a number of specific clinical and research topics requiring additional study. We conclude with a series of consensus recommendations regarding future research priorities in this important area.

Prospective and Explicit Clinical Validation of the Ottawa Heart Failure Risk Scale, With and Without Use of Quantitative NT-proBNP

OBJECTIVES

We previously developed the Ottawa Heart Failure Risk Scale (OHFRS) to assist with disposition decisions for acute heart failure patients in the emergency department (ED). We sought to prospectively evaluate the accuracy, acceptability, and potential impact of OHFRS.

METHODS

This prospective observational cohort study was conducted at six tertiary hospital EDs. Patients with acute heart failure were evaluated by ED physicians for the 10 OHFRS criteria and then followed for 30 days. Quantitative NT-proBNP was measured where feasible. Serious adverse event (SAE) was defined as death within 30 days, admission to monitored unit, intubation, noninvasive ventilation, myocardial infarction, or relapse resulting in hospital admission within 14 days.

RESULTS

We enrolled 1,100 patients with mean (±SD) age 77.7 (±10.7) years. SAEs occurred in 170 (15.5%) cases (19.4% if admitted and 10.2% if discharged). Compared to actual practice, using an admission threshold of OHFRS score > 1 would have increased sensitivity (71.8% vs. 91.8%) but increased admissions (57.2% vs. 77.6%). For 684 cases with NT-proBNP values, using a threshold score > 1 would have significantly increased sensitivity (69.8% vs. 95.8%) while increasing admissions (60.8% vs. 88.0%). In only 11.9% of cases did physicians indicate discomfort with use of OHFRS.

CONCLUSION

Prospective clinical validation found the OHFRS tool to be highly sensitive for SAEs in acute heart failure patients, albeit with an increase in admission rates. When available, NT-proBNP values further improve sensitivity. With adequate physician training, OHFRS should help improve and standardize admission practices, diminishing both unnecessary admissions for low-risk patients and unsafe discharge decisions for high-risk patients.

Clinical benefits of natriuretic peptides and galectin-3 are maintained in old dyspnoeic patients

BACKGROUND

Acute dyspnoea is the leading cause of unscheduled admission of elderly patients. Several biomarkers are used to diagnose acute heart failure (AHF) and assess prognosis of dyspnoeic patients, but their value in elderly patients is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To compare diagnostic and prognostic performances of conventional and novel cardiovascular biomarkers in 2 age groups: young (<75 years old) vs. old (≥75 years old) dyspnoeic patients.

DESIGN

Prospective observational registry.

SETTING

Emergency department (ED).

SUBJECTS

Acutely dyspnoeic adult patients.

METHODS

Blood samples were collected at ED admission. The diagnostic value of 4 natriuretic peptides (BNP, proBNP, NT-proBNP, MR-proANP) for AHF was tested. We also assessed the prognostic value of same natriuretic peptides and of 3 novel cardiovascular biomarkers (galectin-3, sST2 and proenkephalin), using 1-year all-cause mortality as end-point. Diagnostic or prognostic performances are expressed as area under the receiveroperating characteristic curve (AUC) with 95% confidence interval.

RESULTS

Two hundred one acutely dyspnoeic patients were studied. AHF was the cause of dyspnoea in 57% of old and 44% of young patients, respectively. All 4 natriuretic peptides performed well in diagnosing AHF in both age groups (all AUC>0.7). BNP showed the best diagnostic performance in both old (AUC: 0.98 [0.97-1.00]) and young (AUC 0.98 [0.95-1.00]) patients. Galectin-3 showed the best prognostic performance in both old (AUC 0.74 [0.62-0.87]) and young patients (AUC 0.75 [0.56-0.94]).

CONCLUSIONS

BNP and galectin-3 show good clinical benefits in both oldand young acutely dyspnoeic patients.

Comparison of management and outcomes of ED patients with acute decompensated heart failure between the Canadian and United States' settings

Introduction The objective of this study was to compare the emergency department (ED) management and rate of admission of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) between two hospitals in Canada and the United States and to compare the outcomes of these patients.

METHODS

This was a health records review of adults presenting with ADHF to two EDs in Canada and the United States between January 1 and April 30, 2010. Outcome measures were admission to the hospital, myocardial infarction (MI), and death or relapse rates to the ED. Data were analysed using descriptive, univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

In total, 394 cases were reviewed and 73 were excluded. Comparing 156 Canadian to 165 U.S. patients, respectively, mean age was 76.0 and 75.8 years; male sex was 54.5% and 52.1%. Canadian and U.S. ED treatments were noninvasive ventilation 7.7% v. 12.8% (p=0.13); IV diuretics 77.6% v. 36.0% (p<0.001); IV nitrates 4.5% v. 6.7% (p=0.39). There were significant differences in rate of admission (50.6% v. 95.2%, p<0.001) and length of stay in ED (6.7 v. 3.0 hours, p<0.001). Proportion of Canadian and U.S. patients who died within 30 days of the ED visit was 5.1% v. 9.7% (p=0.12); relapsed to the ED within 30 days was 20.8% v. 17.5% (p=0.5); and had MI within 30 days was 2.0% v. 1.9% (p=1.0).

CONCLUSIONS

The U.S. and Canadian centres saw ADHF patients with similar characteristics. Although the U.S. site had almost double the admission rate, the outcomes were similar between the sites, which question the necessity of routine admission for patients with ADHF.

Novel Biomarkers in Heart Failure Beyond Natriuretic Peptides - The Case for Soluble ST2

Despite more effective management of heart failure over the past few decades, its burden as a chronic disease has grown and is expected to continue to rise, representing a major health problem for years to come. Having reliable tools for early diagnosis and risk stratification can help managing the condition more efficiently. In this context, the interest for biomarkers has increased considerably in the last years following the useful clinical role of B-type natriuretic peptides. These biomarkers have been extensively studied and have become established diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in heart failure. Despite their usefulness, limitations still remain a problem in clinical practice and the search for new biomarkers has therefore continued. Amongst the most promising newer biomarkers, soluble ST2 deserves further consideration. The present review will focus on the role of this new biomarker in the context of heart failure.

The 2014 Canadian Cardiovascular Society Heart Failure Management Guidelines Focus Update: anemia, biomarkers, and recent therapeutic trial implications

The 2014 Canadian Cardiovascular Society Heart Failure Management Guidelines Update provides discussion on the management recommendations on 3 focused areas: (1) anemia; (2) biomarkers, especially natriuretic peptides; and (3) clinical trials that might change practice in the management of patients with heart failure. First, all patients with heart failure and anemia should be investigated for reversible causes of anemia. Second, patients with chronic stable heart failure should undergo natriuretic peptide testing. Third, considerations should be given to treat selected patients with heart failure and preserved systolic function with a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist and to treat patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction with an angiotensin receptor/neprilysin inhibitor, when the drug is approved. As with updates in previous years, the topics were chosen in response to stakeholder feedback. The 2014 Update includes recommendations, values and preferences, and practical tips to assist the clinicians and health care workers to best manage patients with heart failure.

The journey of the frail older adult with heart failure: implications for management and health care systems

The heart failure epidemic predominantly affects older people, particularly those with concurrent co-morbid conditions and geriatric syndromes. Mortality and heath service utilization associated with heart failure are significant, and extend beyond the costs associated with acute care utilization. Over time, older people with heart failure experience a journey characterized by gradual functional decline, accelerated by unpredictable disease exacerbations, requiring greater support to remain in the community, and often ultimately leading to institutionalization. In this narrative review, we posit that the rate of functional decline and associated health care resource utilization can be attenuated by optimizing the management of heart failure and associated co-morbidities. However, to realize this objective, the manner in which care is delivered to frail older people with heart failure must be restructured, from the bedside to the level of the health care system, in order to optimally anticipate, diagnose and manage co-morbidities.

Management considerations in the care of elderly heart failure patients in long-term care facilities

ABSTRACT: 

Heart failure, a condition that affects up to 20% of older persons residing in long-term care facilities, is an important cause of morbidity, health service utilization and death. Effective and interprofessional heart failure care processes could potentially improve care, outcomes and quality of life and delay decline or hospital admission. This article reviews the clinical aspects of heart failure, and the challenges to the diagnosis and management of this condition in long-term care residents who are frail and are affected by multiple comorbidities.

The 2013 Canadian Cardiovascular Society Heart Failure Management Guidelines Update: focus on rehabilitation and exercise and surgical coronary revascularization

The 2013 Canadian Cardiovascular Society Heart Failure Management Guidelines Update provides focused discussions on the management recommendations on 2 topics: (1) exercise and rehabilitation; and (2) surgical coronary revascularization in patients with heart failure. First, all patients with stable New York Heart Association class I-III symptoms should be considered for enrollment in a tailored exercise training program, to improve exercise tolerance and quality of life. Second, selected patients with suitable coronary anatomy should be considered for bypass graft surgery. As in previous updates, the topics were chosen in response to stakeholder feedback. The 2013 Update also includes recommendations, values and preferences, and practical tips to assist the clinicians and health care workers manage their patients with heart failure.

Patient safety analysis of the ED care of patients with heart failure and COPD exacerbations: a multicenter prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

For emergency department (ED) patients with acute exacerbations of heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), we aimed to assess the adherence to evidence-based care and determine the proportion that experienced adverse events.

METHODS

An expert panel identified critical actions for ED care of heart failure and COPD patients based on clinical practice guidelines. We collected outcome data for discharged ED patients >age 50 with acute heart failure or COPD in a multicenter prospective cohort study at five academic EDs. We measured 3 flagged outcomes: return ED visit, admission, or death within 14 days. Three trained physician reviewers reviewed case summaries for adverse event determination (flagged outcomes related to healthcare received). We evaluated health records for adherence to the critical actions for each condition.

RESULTS

We identified 122 (7.0%) flagged outcomes among 1,718 enrolled patients (61 heart failure, 59 COPD and 2 dual diagnoses). The mean age was 74.2 (SD 10.4) and 44.3% were female. Among 10 critical actions for heart failure and 13 for COPD, a mean proportion of 9.4/10 and 11.0/13 were adhered to respectively. We identified 12 adverse events (9.8%, 95%CI: 5.6-16.5%), all of which were deemed preventable, including 1 death. The most common contributors were unsafe disposition decisions (10/12, 83.3%) and diagnostic issues (5/12, 41.7%). Patients who died with heart failure were statistically significantly less likely to have guideline adherent care (P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

A small proportion of return ED visits were related to index care. We believe there is need for improvement around disposition decision making for both conditions to reduce the highly preventable and clinically significant adverse events we found.

Routine versus selective cardiac magnetic resonance in non-ischemic heart failure - OUTSMART-HF: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial (IMAGE-HF (heart failure) project 1-B)

Background

Imaging has become a routine part of heart failure (HF) investigation. Echocardiography is a first-line test in HF given its availability and it provides valuable diagnostic and prognostic information. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is an emerging clinical tool in the management of patients with non-ischemic heart failure. Current ACC/AHA/CCS/ESC guidelines advocate its role in the detection of a variety of cardiomyopathies but there is a paucity of high quality evidence to support these recommendations.

The primary objective of this study is to compare the diagnostic yield of routine cardiac magnetic resonance versus standard care (that is, echocardiography with only selective use of CMR) in patients with non-ischemic heart failure. The primary hypothesisis that the routine use of CMR will lead to a more specific diagnostic characterization of the underlying etiology of non-ischemic heart failure. This will lead to a reduction in the non-specific diagnoses of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and HF with preserved ejection fraction.

Design

Tertiary care sites in Canada and Finland, with dedicated HF and CMR programs, will randomize consecutive patients with new or deteriorating HF to routine CMR or selective CMR. All patients will undergo a standard clinical echocardiogram and the interpreter will assign the most likely HF etiology. Those undergoing CMR will also have a standard examination and will be assigned a HF etiology based upon the findings. The treating physician’s impression about non-ischemic HF etiology will be collected following all baseline testing (including echo ± CMR). Patients will be followed annually for 4 years to ascertain clinical outcomes, quality of life and cost. The expected outcome is that the routine CMR arm will have a significantly higher rate of infiltrative, inflammatory, hypertrophic, ischemic and ‘other’ cardiomyopathy than the selective CMR group.

Discussion

This study will be the first multicenter randomized, controlled trial evaluating the role of CMR in non-ischemic HF. Non-ischemic HF patients will be randomized to routine CMR in order to determine whether there are any gains over management strategies employing selective CMR utilization. The insight gained from this study should improve appropriate CMR use in HF.

Trial registration

NCT01281384.

[Management of chronic heart failure - a systematic review of guidelines in the context of the DMP revision]

BACKGROUND

Disease Management Programmes (DMPs) are structured treatment programmes for chronic diseases. The DMP requirements are primarily derived from evidence-based guidelines. DMPs are regularly revised to ensure that they reflect current best practice and medical knowledge. The aim of this study was to assess the need for updating the German DMP module on heart failure by comparing it to relevant guidelines and identifying recommendations that should be revised.

METHODS

We systematically searched for clinical guidelines on heart failure published in German, English or French, and extracted relevant guideline recommendations. All included guidelines were assessed for methodological quality. To identify revision needs in the DMP, we performed a synoptic analysis of the extracted guideline recommendations and DMP requirements.

RESULTS

27 guidelines were included. The extracted recommendations covered all aspects of the management of heart failure. The comparison of guideline recommendations with DMP requirements showed that, overall, guideline recommendations were more detailed than DMP requirements, and that the guidelines covered topics not included in the DMP module.

CONCLUSIONS

The DMP module is largely consistent with current guidelines on heart failure. We did not identify any need for significant revision of the DMP requirements. However, some specific recommendations of the DMP module could benefit from revision.

Pilot study identifying myosin heavy chain 7, desmin, insulin-like growth factor 7, and annexin A2 as circulating biomarkers of human heart failure

In-depth proteomic analyses offer a systematic way to investigate protein alterations in disease and, as such, can be a powerful tool for the identification of novel biomarkers. Here, we analyzed proteomic data from a transgenic mouse model with cardiac-specific overexpression of activated calcineurin (CnA), which results in severe cardiac hypertrophy. We applied statistically filtering and false discovery rate correction methods to identify 52 proteins that were significantly different in the CnA hearts compared to controls. Subsequent informatic analysis consisted of comparison of these 52 CnA proteins to another proteomic dataset of heart failure, three available independent microarray datasets, and correlation of their expression with the human plasma and urine proteome. Following this filtering strategy, four proteins passed these selection criteria, including myosin heavy chain 7, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7, annexin A2, and desmin. We assessed expression levels of these proteins in mouse plasma by immunoblotting, and observed significantly different levels of expression between healthy and failing mice for all four proteins. We verified antibody cross-reactivity by examining human cardiac explant tissue by immunoblotting. Finally, we assessed protein levels in plasma samples obtained from four unaffected and four heart failure patients and demonstrated that all four proteins increased between twofold and 150-fold in heart failure. We conclude that MYH7, IGFBP7, ANXA2, and DESM are all excellent candidate plasma biomarkers of heart failure in mouse and human.

Novel pharmacologic therapies in development for acute decompensated heart failure

Acute heart failure is a public health issue with morbidity and mortality exceeding that of myocardial infarction. Novel compounds for the treatment of acute heart failure are clearly needed and fall into the general categories of inotropic, vasodilatory and other compounds in phase I to III of development. Furthest along are omecamtiv mecarbil (a cardiac myosin activator), ularitide (a natriuretic and diuretic peptide) and relaxin (a vasodilator). Each compound has a unique set of assets and liabilities that will aid in the understanding of the syndrome and application to the right patients at the right time in this heterogeneous syndrome. This review will explore current and future novel pharmacologic therapies for the treatment of acute heart failure.

A risk scoring system to identify emergency department patients with heart failure at high risk for serious adverse events

OBJECTIVES

There are no validated guidelines to guide physicians with difficult disposition decisions for emergency department (ED) patients with heart failure (HF). The authors sought to develop a risk scoring system to identify HF patients at high risk for serious adverse events (SAEs).

METHODS

This was a prospective cohort study at six large Canadian EDS that enrolled adult patients who presented with acute decompensated HF. Each patient was assessed for standardized clinical and laboratory variables as well as for SAEs defined as death, intubation, admission to a monitored unit, or relapse requiring admission. Adjusted odds ratios for predictors of SAEs were calculated by stepwise logistic regression.

RESULTS

In 559 visits, 38.1% resulted in patient admission. Of 65 (11.6%) SAE cases, 31 (47.7%) occurred in patients not initially admitted. The multivariate model and resultant Ottawa Heart Failure Risk Scale consists of 10 elements, and the risk of SAEs varied from 2.8% to 89.0%, with good calibration between observed and expected probabilities. Internal validation showed the risk scores to be very accurate across 1,000 replications using the bootstrap method. A threshold of 1, 2, or 3 total scores for admission would be associated with sensitivities of 95.2, 80.6, or 64.5%, respectively, all better than current practice.

CONCLUSIONS

Many HF patients are discharged home from the ED and then suffer SAEs or death. The authors have developed an accurate risk scoring system that could ultimately be used to stratify the risk of poor outcomes and to enable rational and safe disposition decisions.

The 2012 Canadian Cardiovascular Society heart failure management guidelines update: focus on acute and chronic heart failure

The 2012 Canadian Cardiovascular Society Heart Failure (HF) Guidelines Update provides management recommendations for acute and chronic HF. In 2006, the Canadian Cardiovascular Society HF Guidelines committee first published an overview of HF management. Since then, significant additions to and changes in many of these recommendations have become apparent. With this in mind and in response to stakeholder feedback, the Guidelines Committee in 2012 has updated the overview of both acute and chronic heart failure diagnosis and management. The 2012 Update also includes recommendations, values and preferences, and practical tips to assist the medical practitioner manage their patients with HF.

Promise of new translational safety biomarkers in drug development and challenges to regulatory qualification

One promise of new translational safety biomarkers (TSBs) is their ability to demonstrate that toxicities in animal studies are monitorable at an early stage, such that human relevance of potential adverse effects of drugs can be safely and definitively evaluated in clinical trials. Another is that they would provide an earlier, more definitive and deeper insight to patient prognosis compared with conventional biomarkers. Recent experience with regulatory authorities indicates that resource demands for new TSB qualifications under the current framework are daunting and the rate of their expansion will be slow, particularly in light of mounting financial pressures on the pharmaceutical industry. Sponsors face a dilemma over engaging in safety biomarker qualification consortia. While it is clear new TSBs could be considered catalysts to drug development and that patient health, business and scientific benefits, described here using examples, should outweigh qualification costs, concerns exist that early ambiguities in biomarker interpretations at the introduction of such new TSBs might hinder drug development.

Clinical management of a western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) with a cardiac resynchronization therapy device

A 24-yr-old, male western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) was diagnosed with congestive heart failure using transesophageal and transthoracic echocardiology. New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III was assigned to the severity of the condition. Over 16 mo, this progressed to NYHA Class IV despite increasing medical therapy. Repeated evaluations suggested that implantation of a cardiac resynchronization therapy device with a defibrillator (CRT-D) could benefit this animal based on clinical signs and underlying evidence of dyssynchrony and suspected fibrotic myocardial disease. Surgical implantation of leads into the right atrium, right ventricle, and left ventricle was accomplished. The CRT-D device was placed under the thoracic pectoral muscles during an initial surgical procedure. Improvement in the gorilla's clinical condition after implantation of the CRT-D device was immediate and dramatic. Subsequent scanning of the device was accomplished through operant conditioning. The data from these device interrogations included stored and real-time cardiac data, which were used to minimize recognized environmental stressors and change device settings. Over 4 yr, case management was critical to successful device use in treatment of the clinical disease. This involved medications, training for device interrogation, exercise to increase activity and improve body condition, and phlebotomy attempts. Dietary management was necessary to manipulate caloric and sodium intake and encourage medication compliance. Cardiac resynchronization therapy device implantation, although requiring specialized equipment and surgical skill, appears to be a viable option for treatment of fibrosing cardiomyopathy with systolic dysfunction in gorillas refractory to medical management. In addition to treatment, this device provides cardiovascular data at rest that could allow for early diagnosis and treatment of gorillas with this and other cardiac conditions in the future. This describes the comprehensive medical, husbandry, and training techniques necessary to successfully manage this intense clinical case in conjunction with intracardiac device therapy.

Treating volume overload in acutely decompensated heart failure: established and novel therapeutic approaches

BACKGROUND

Most patients hospitalized for acutely decompensated heart failure (ADHF) present with symptoms and signs of volume overload, which is also associated with substantially high rates of death and rehospitalization in ADHF.

OBJECTIVE

To review the recent experimental and clinical evidence on existing therapeutic algorithms and investigational drugs used for the treatment of volume overload in ADHF patients.

METHODS

A systematic search of peer-reviewed publications was performed on Medline and EMBASE from January 1990 to March 2012. The results of unpublished trials were obtained from presentations at national and international meetings.

RESULTS

Apart from intrinsic renal insufficiency and neurohormonal activation, volume overload through venous congestion may be the primary haemodynamic factor triggering the worsening of renal function in ADHF patients. It is well known that heart and kidneys are closely interrelated and an acute or chronic disorder in one organ may induce acute or chronic dysfunction in the other organ. Established therapeutic strategies, (e.g. loop diuretics, vasodilators, and inotropes), are sometimes associated with limited clinical success due to tolerance and the need for frequent up titration of the doses in order to achieve the desired effect. That leads to an increasing interest in novel options, such as the use of adenosine A1 receptor antagonists, vasopressin antagonists, and renal-protective dopamine. Initial clinical trials have shown quite encouraging results in some heart failure subpopulations but have failed to demonstrate a clear beneficial role of these agents. On the other hand, ultrafiltration appears to be a more promising therapeutic procedure that will improve volume regulation, while preserving renal and cardiac function.

CONCLUSION

Further clinical studies are required in order to determine their net effect on renal function and potential cardiovascular outcomes. Until then, management of volume overload in ADHF patients remains a challenge for the clinicians.

Anemia in heart failure patients

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

Prospective care of heart failure in Japan: lessons from CHART studies

There are approximately 23 million patients with heart failure (HF) worldwide. The prognosis of patients with HF is still poor and a prospective approach for preventing and treating HF is necessary. The number of HF patients in Japan has been increasing since 1950 mainly because of a rapidly aging population. Furthermore, westernized dietary pattern, reduced physical activity, and obesity have become prominent, particularly in younger Japanese men. There is an increasing trend of diabetes and dyslipidemia, and the prevalence of smoking and hypertension continues to remain high. One of the largest HF cohorts in Japan, the CHART Studies, showed that coronary artery disease (CAD) was the most frequent etiology of HF currently. Thus, prospective strategies including accurate risk stratification, effective prevention of disease progression through evidence-based treatments, optimally personalized treatment particularly in elderly individuals, and life-long control of CAD risk factors are required to manage HF in Japan.

Prediction of emergent heart failure death by semi-quantitative triage risk stratification

OBJECTIVES

Generic triage risk assessments are widely used in the emergency department (ED), but have not been validated for prediction of short-term risk among patients with acute heart failure (HF). Our objective was to evaluate the Canadian Triage Acuity Scale (CTAS) for prediction of early death among HF patients.

METHODS

We included patients presenting with HF to an ED in Ontario from Apr 2003 to Mar 2007. We used the National Ambulatory Care Reporting System and vital statistics databases to examine care and outcomes.

RESULTS

Among 68,380 patients (76±12 years, 49.4% men), early mortality was stratified with death rates of 9.9%, 1.9%, 0.9%, and 0.5% at 1-day, and 17.2%, 5.9%, 3.8%, and 2.5% at 7-days, for CTAS 1, 2, 3, and 4-5, respectively. Compared to lower acuity (CTAS 4-5) patients, adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for 1-day death were 1.32 (95%CI; 0.93-1.88; p = 0.12) for CTAS 3, 2.41 (95%CI; 1.71-3.40; p<0.001) for CTAS 2, and highest for CTAS 1: 9.06 (95%CI; 6.28-13.06; p<0.001). Predictors of triage-critical (CTAS 1) status included oxygen saturation <90% (aOR 5.92, 95%CI; 3.09-11.81; p<0.001), respiratory rate >24 breaths/minute (aOR 1.96, 95%CI; 1.05-3.67; p = 0.034), and arrival by paramedic (aOR 3.52, 95%CI; 1.70-8.02; p = 0.001). While age/sex-adjusted CTAS score provided good discrimination for ED (c-statistic = 0.817) and 1-day (c-statistic = 0.724) death, mortality prediction was improved further after accounting for cardiac and non-cardiac co-morbidities (c-statistics 0.882 and 0.810, respectively; both p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

A semi-quantitative triage acuity scale assigned at ED presentation and based largely on respiratory factors predicted emergent death among HF patients.

Use of oral proton pump inhibitors is not associated with harm in patients with chronic heart failure in an ambulatory setting

AIMS

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) produce negative inotropic effects on the human myocardium at clinically relevant plasma concentrations. We conducted this study to determine whether PPI use was associated with excess mortality in patients with both ischaemic and non-ischaemic heart failure (HF).

METHODS AND RESULTS

The impact of PPIs on all-cause mortality was examined using a population-based cohort of Alberta residents over the age of 65 with a diagnosis of HF, logistic regression analysis, and a nested case-control study were used to examine the association between current medication use and mortality. Compared with non-PPI users (n= 15,676, 71% of the HF cohort), PPI users (n= 6431, 29% of the HF cohort) were more likely to be women and had more co-morbidities. Mortality in the first year after diagnosis of HF was 32% (n= 5659) in PPI non-users and 26% (n= 1153) in PPI users. Logistic regression modelling showed that PPI use was associated with a relative reduction in mortality rates compared with non-use [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.81-0.93]. Nested case-control analysis of the 5815 patients who died matched to 9934 controls, revealed that current PPI use was not associated with excess mortality (aOR 0.88, 95%CI 0.77-1.01), while use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blocker s (aOR 0.70, 95%CI 0.62-0.79) or beta-blockers (aOR 0.57, 95%CI 0.50-0.66), was associated with a relative reduction in mortality.

CONCLUSION

The use of PPIs in patients with HF is common. Despite in vitro concerns about negative inotropic effects with PPIs, there is no association with increased risk of mortality in chronic HF patients who use PPIs in an ambulatory setting.

Acute heart failure: lessons learned so far

Acute heart failure (AHF) affects nearly every Canadian with heart failure (HF) at least once. Despite several attempts, no medical therapies have been shown to improve the natural history of AHF. In addition, the place of diagnosis of AHF is increasingly made in the outpatient setting. In this view, AHF is a moving target, and from recent registry data and from clinical trials, 5 critical lessons regarding the syndrome of AHF emerge: (1) The period of clinical instability preceding AHF may be much longer than previously thought. (2) Refinement of tools used to aid the early and accurate diagnosis of AHF will impact patient outcomes. (3) Standard supportive care of patients with AHF includes early use of diuretics with frequent reassessment in nearly all patients and supplemental vasodilators and oxygen therapy in selected cases. (4) Patients who survive presentation of AHF continue to suffer high rates of re-presentation, death, and rehospitalization following discharge from either hospital or emergency department. (5) Interventions shown to improve patient outcomes for AHF to date are related to process of care rather than new medications or devices. This report reviews the recent literature regarding the presentation, diagnosis, management, and prognosis of AHF. Areas of future research priority are indicated and guidelines for improving treatment are provided. AHF is an important clinical area that has not been as intensively studied as chronic HF; it presents both important needs and exciting opportunities for research and innovation.

Diastolic heart failure: progress, treatment challenges, and prevention

Diastolic heart failure (DHF) is an important entity, the significance of which is increasingly recognized. This report examines the available evidence regarding the role, significance, and mechanisms of DHF. Epidemiologic studies have documented the rising burden of DHF, and experimental data are revealing the unique mechanisms distinguishing it from systolic heart failure. Despite controversies on the definition of DHF, or heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, standardized clinical criteria with supplementary imaging and structural data have identified DHF as a distinct pathophysiological entity. The mechanisms underlying DHF include abnormal matrix dynamics, altered myocyte cytoskeleton, and impaired active relaxation. The commonly held belief that survival of patients with DHF is better than that of patients with systolic heart failure has been challenged by updated data. The heterogeneous etiologies or risk factors for the condition include aging, diabetes, hypertension, and ischemia, making a common diagnostic or treatment pathway difficult. Novel therapeutic targets that address the pathophysiology of this disease are under consideration, although there are no proven therapies for DHF to date. Exacerbating factors include volume and sodium indiscretion, arrhythmias, ischemia, and comorbidities. Strategies to ameliorate or to obviate these precipitating factors are most effective in preventing DHF and its exacerbations. Meanwhile, prevention of DHF through appropriate and aggressive risk factor identification and management must remain the cornerstone of clinical intervention.