Home continuous positive inotropic infusion as a bridge to cardiac transplantation in patients with end-stage heart failure

Frailty in the Advanced Heart Failure Patient: A Challenging, Neglected, Yet Potentially Modifiable Risk Factor

Purpose of review

There is an increasing push for frailty assessment to become a routine part of the evaluation of potential candidates for advanced heart failure (AHF) therapies. The aim of this review is to highlight the importance of frailty in the care of the AHF patient.

Recent findings

This review focuses on some of the available data for the assessment of frailty specifically in the AHF, durable mechanical circulatory support (MCS), and heart transplant (HT) patients, and explores some of the challenges in assessing frailty in these patient populations.

Summary

As the presence of frailty can significantly impact outcomes after HT and durable MCS implantation, there should be an increased recognition of this entity during routine evaluation and management of the AHF patient.

Home Milrinone in Pediatric Hospice Care of Children with Heart Failure

CONTEXT

The symptom profile of children dying from cardiac disease, especially heart failure, differs from those with cancer and other non-cardiac conditions. Treatment with vasoactive infusions at home may be a superior therapy for symptom control for these patients, rather than traditional pain and anxiety management with morphine and benzodiazepines.

OBJECTIVES

We report our experience using outpatient milrinone in children receiving hospice care for end-stage heart failure.

METHODS

Retrospective review of a contemporary cohort of all patients at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford who were discharged on intravenous milrinone and hospice care between 2008 and 2021. Clinical data, including cardiac diagnosis, milrinone dose and route of administration, total milrinone days, symptoms reported, rehospitalization rates, concurrent therapies and complications were analyzed.

RESULTS

Among 8 patients, median duration of home milrinone infusion was 191 (33, 572) days with the longest support duration 1,054 days. All (100%) patients were also receiving diuretics at the time of death. Five (63%) were receiving no other pain control medications until the active phase of dying. From milrinone initiation to last outpatient assessment, a reduction in the number of patients reporting respiratory discomfort, abdominal pain, weight loss/lack of appetite, and fatigue was observed. Six (75%) died at home.

CONCLUSION

We used milrinone with oral diuretics effectively for symptom control in children with heart failure on palliative care. Our experience was that this combination can be used safely in the outpatient setting for long-term use without the addition of opiates, benzodiazepines, or supplemental oxygen in most cases.

Long-Term Ambulatory Intravenous Milrinone Therapy in Advanced Heart Failure

BACKGROUND

The role of intravenous (IV) inotropes in the treatment of ambulatory patients with advanced heart failure (HF) remains controversial.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of patients with advanced HF. Patients on home IV milrinone, who remained on it for at least 3 months, were included. We compared the data from 3 months before starting IV milrinone to 3 months after initiating therapy. A subset of patients who remained on milrinone for 6 months or longer was analysed separately.

RESULTS

A total of 90 patients remained on continuous IV milrinone for 3 months, and 55 patients were treated for 6 months or longer. In both groups, improvements in cardiac index (1.86-2.25, p<0.001 and 1.9-2.38, p<0.0001), New York Heart Association (NYHA) class (3.32-2.76, p<0.0001 and 3.25-2.72, p=0.001), and liver function were noted. In the 6-month group, there was also a decrease in mean hospitalised days per patient (9.40 vs 4.12, p<0.001) and an improved tolerance of beta blocker therapy (83.3% vs 98.1%, p=0.006).

CONCLUSION

Long-term IV use of milrinone is associated with improvement in haemodynamics, functional class, tolerance of medical therapy, and decrease in hospitalised days.

Is there a future for the use of left ventricular assist devices in Duchenne muscular dystrophy?

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common form of childhood muscular dystrophy resulting in progressive muscle wasting and weakness. With advancements in respiratory care and the use of glucocorticoids, cardiomyopathy has surpassed respiratory compromise as the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in this patient population. As muscular dystrophy remains a relative contraindication to heart transplantation, end-stage heart failure management represents a major therapeutic challenge. Long-term left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy has emerged as a promising management strategy to improve the survival and quality of life in DMD cardiomyopathy. Preoperative planning, optimal patient selection, aggressive postoperative rehabilitation, and continued discussion of goals of care are critical considerations for the appropriate use of LVAD in DMD patients with cardiomyopathy.

Continuous Inotrope Therapy in Hospice Care: A Case Series

BACKGROUND

Continuous cardiac inotropes are increasingly utilized for symptom management in advanced heart failure (AHF). Among patients who are not eligible for cardiac transplant or mechanical circulatory support, many are hospice eligible at the time of inotrope initiation. Nevertheless, given relative infrequent use as well as cost issues, acceptability and management of inotropes in the hospice setting are likely widely variable between hospice agencies.

OBJECTIVE

To describe hospice care experiences for patients with AHF receiving continuous inotrope therapies and weaning inotropes at the end of life.

DESIGN

Single-institution retrospective chart review of patients with AHF receiving continuous inotropes who were discharged from the hospital to hospice care between February 2015 and October 2016 and survey of hospice medical directors providing direct care of these patients.

RESULTS

Eighteen patients with AHF receiving continuous inotropes were discharged to 6 hospice agencies. Twelve patients were weaned from inotropes prior to death. Among cases where the inotrope was weaned, patients lived several days to more than 2 weeks. All hospice medical directors surveyed would accept patients on inotropes again. Most believed that providing continuous inotrope therapy for patients with AHF is compatible with the philosophy of hospice care.

CONCLUSION

Cardiac inotropes can align with both the goals of care for the patient with AHF and the philosophy of hospice care. Patients with AHF admitted to hospice care on continuous inotropes may live days to weeks, whether or not inotropes are discontinued.

Repetitive levosimendan treatment in the management of advanced heart failure

Inotropes may be an appropriate treatment for patients with advanced heart failure (AdHF) who remain highly symptomatic despite optimized standard therapies. Objectives for inotrope use in these situations include relief of symptoms and improvement of quality of life, and reduction in unplanned hospitalizations and the costs associated with such episodes. All of these goals must be attained without compromising survival. Encouraging findings with intermittent cycles of intravenous levosimendan have emerged from a range of exploratory studies and from three larger controlled trials (LevoRep, LION-HEART, and LAICA) which offered some evidence of clinical advantage. In these settings, however, obtaining statistically robust data may prove elusive due to the difficulties of endpoint assessment in a complex medical condition with varying presentation and trajectory. Adoption of a composite clinical endpoint evaluated in a hierarchical manner may offer a workable solution to this problem. Such an instrument can explore the proposition that repetitive administration of levosimendan early in the period after discharge from an acute episode of worsening heart failure may be associated with greater subsequent clinical stability vis-à-vis standard therapy. The use of this methodology to develop a ‘stability score’ for each patient means that all participants in such a trial contribute to the overall outcome analysis through one or more of the hierarchical endpoints; this has helpful practical implications for the number of patients needed and the length of follow-up required to generate endpoint data. The LeoDOR study (NCT03437226), outlined in this review, has been designed to explore this new approach to outcome assessment in AdHF.

Current Status of Inotropes in Heart Failure

Inotropes are medications that improve the contractility of the heart and are used in patients with low cardiac output or evidence of end-organ dysfunction. Since their initial discovery, inotropes have held promise in alleviating symptoms and potentially increasing longevity in such patients. Decades of intensive study have further elucidated the benefits and risks of using inotropes. In this article, the authors discuss the history of inotropes, their indications, mechanism of action, and current guidelines pertaining to their use in heart failure. The authors provide insight into their appropriate use and related shortcomings and the practical aspects of inotrope use.

Ambulatory Inotrope Infusions in Advanced Heart Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to systematically review the available evidence of risks and benefits of ambulatory intravenous inotrope therapy in advanced heart failure (HF).

BACKGROUND

Ambulatory inotrope infusions are sometimes offered to patients with advanced Stage D HF; however, an understanding of the relative risks and benefits is lacking.

METHODS

On August 7, 2016, we searched SCOPUS, Web of Science, Ovid EMBASE, and Ovid MEDLINE for studies of long-term use of intravenous inotropes in outpatients with advanced HF. Meta-analysis was performed using random effects models.

RESULTS

A total of 66 studies (13 randomized controlled trials and 53 observational studies) met inclusion criteria. Most studies were small and at high risk for bias. Pooled rates of death (41 studies), all-cause hospitalization (15 studies), central line infection (13 studies), and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shocks (3 studies) of inotropes were 4.2, 22.2, 3.6, and 2.4 per 100 person-months follow-up, respectively. Improvement in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class was greater in patients taking inotropes than in controls (mean difference of 0.60 NYHA functional classes; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.22 to 0.98; p = 0.001; 5 trials). There was no significant difference in mortality risk in those taking inotropes compared with controls (pooled risk ratio: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.40 to 1.17; p = 0.16; 9 trials). Data were too limited to pool for other outcomes or to stratify by indication (i.e., bridge-to-transplant or palliative).

CONCLUSIONS

High-quality evidence for the risks and benefits of ambulatory inotrope infusions in advanced HF is limited, particularly when used for palliation. Available data suggest that inotrope therapy improves NYHA functional class and does not impact survival.

Impact of Advanced Therapies for Improving Survival to Heart Transplant in Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Heart transplant has become an increasingly important option for patients with end-stage nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC). However, clinical details related specifically to the overall HC transplant experience remain sparse. We assessed outcomes of HC heart transplants, from 2002 to 2016, at Tufts Medical Center. Fifty-two nonobstructive severely symptomatic patients underwent evaluation at 47 ± 13 years; 11 (21%) declined or failed to qualify, most commonly because of co-morbidities (n = 7). Of the remaining 41 patients ultimately listed, 6 (15%) died of heart failure awaiting transplant (11%/year), 26 underwent transplant, and 9 remained active on the list. Survival rates on the waiting list depended on ≥1 treatment intervention: inotropic medications (n = 20), ventricular assist devices (n = 7), or implantable defibrillators terminating ventricular tachyarrhythmias (n = 7). Of the 26 transplanted patients, 24 survived for 4.8 ± 3.4 years (up to 12), including 23 who are currently alive. The survival rate 5 years post transplant is 92%. Compared with heart transplants for other cardiomyopathies, patients with HC had similar mortality while wait-listed and post transplant (p = 0.77 and 0.13, respectively). In conclusion, a large proportion of patients with HC considered for transplant ultimately received hearts and experienced excellent short- and long-term survival rates. The survival rate on the waiting list was directly attributable to major interventions: implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, inotropic drugs, and ventricular assist devices, and the perception that patients with HC have low wait-list mortality risk does not appear justified. Neither normal ejection fraction nor peak oxygen consumption > 14 ml/kg/min should exclude drug refractory severely symptomatic patients with HC from heart transplant consideration.

Continuous Cardiac Inotropes in Patients With End-Stage Heart Failure: An Evolving Experience

Heart failure (HF) experts recommend initiation of continuous inotrope therapy, such as milrinone or dobutamine, for clinically decompensating patients with stage D HF. Although originally intended to serve solely as a bridge to more definitive surgical therapies, more and more patients are receiving inotrope therapy for purely palliative purposes. In these cases, questions arise regarding care at the end of life. What criteria determine ongoing clinical benefit? Should the inotrope be continued until death? Should inotrope dosing be increased within recommended guidelines to improve symptoms? What is the role of inotropes in hospice care? Here, we describe such a case as a springboard to contemplate the evolving role of inotrope therapies and how hospice and palliative providers may interface with this rapidly developing face of advanced HF care.

Changing our Approach to Stage D Heart Failure

Despite the tremendous progress made in the management of heart failure (HF), many patients reach advanced stages. This paper aims to present a practical approach to the stage D HF patient who is no longer responding to optimal medical therapy. We discuss all available therapies for this patient population. We also offer some important caveats with regard to identification, risk stratification, evaluation and treatment including early patient referral to a center with an advanced HF program. Given the changing landscape of heart transplantation and an impending change in the allocation system, we also intend to engage a discussion on the need for a paradigm shift towards left ventricular assist device therapy in this population.

Continuous Intravenous Milrinone Therapy in Pediatric Outpatients

Milrinone is a phosphodiesterase 3 inhibitor with both positive inotropic and vasodilator properties. Administered as a continuous infusion, milrinone is indicated for the short-term treatment of patients with acute decompensated heart failure. Despite limited data supporting long-term milrinone therapy in adults with congestive heart failure, children managed as outpatients may benefit from continuous milrinone as a treatment for cardiac dysfunction, as a destination therapy for cardiac transplant, or as palliative therapy for cardiomyopathy. The aim of this article is to review the medical literature and describe a home infusion company's experience with pediatric outpatient milrinone therapy.

Repetitive use of levosimendan in advanced heart failure: need for stronger evidence in a field in dire need of a useful therapy

Patients in the latest stages of heart failure are severely compromised, with poor quality of life and frequent hospitalizations. Heart transplantation and left ventricular assist device implantation are viable options only for a minority, and intermittent or continuous infusions of positive inotropes may be needed as a bridge therapy or as a symptomatic approach. In these settings, levosimendan has potential advantages over conventional inotropes (catecholamines and phosphodiesterase inhibitors), such as sustained effects after initial infusion, synergy with beta-blockers, and no increase in oxygen consumption. Levosimendan has been suggested as a treatment that reduces re-hospitalization and improves quality of life. However, previous clinical studies of intermittent infusions of levosimendan were not powered to show statistical significance on key outcome parameters. A panel of 45 expert clinicians from 12 European countries met in Rome on November 24-25, 2016 to review the literature and envision an appropriately designed clinical trial addressing these needs. In the earlier FIGHT trial (daily subcutaneous injection of liraglutide in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction) a composite Global Rank Score was used as primary end-point where death, re-hospitalization, and change in N-terminal-prohormone-brain natriuretic peptide level were considered in a hierarchical order. In the present study, we tested the same end-point post hoc in the PERSIST and LEVOREP trials on oral and repeated i.v. levosimendan, respectively, and demonstrated superiority of levosimendan treatment vs placebo. The use of the same composite end-point in a properly powered study on repetitive levosimendan in advanced heart failure is strongly advocated.

Renal Function and Outcomes With Use of Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation and Inotropes in End-Stage Heart Failure: A Retrospective Single Center Study

Background

Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and inotrope therapy serve as a bridge to transplant (BTT) or as destination therapy in patients who are not heart transplant candidates. End-stage heart failure patients often have impaired renal function, and renal outcomes after LVAD therapy versus inotrope therapy have not been evaluated.

Methods

In this study, 169 patients with continuous flow LVAD therapy and 20 patients with continuous intravenous inotrope therapy were analyzed. The two groups were evaluated at baseline and at 3 and 6 months after LVAD or inotrope therapy was started. The incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI), need for renal replacement therapy (RRT), BTT rate, and mortality for 6 months following LVAD or inotrope therapy were studied. Results between the groups were compared using Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square with continuity correction or Fischer’s exact at the significance level of 0.05.

Results

Mean glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was not statistically different between the two groups, with P = 0.471, 0.429, and 0.847 at baseline, 3 and 6 months, respectively. The incidence of AKI, RRT, and BTT was not statistically different. Mortality was less in the inotrope group (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Intravenous inotrope therapy in end-stage heart failure patients is non-inferior for mortality, incidence of AKI, need for RRT, and renal function for 6-month follow-up when compared to LVAD therapy. Further studies are needed to compare the effectiveness of inotropes versus LVAD implantation on renal function and outcomes over a longer time period.

Outcomes of patients with right ventricular failure on milrinone after left ventricular assist device implantation

Previous studies have grouped together both patients requiring right ventricular assist devices (RVADs) with patients requiring prolonged milrinone therapy after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. We retrospectively identified 149 patients receiving LVADs and 18 (12.1%) of which developed right ventricular (RV) failure. We then separated these patients into those requiring RVADs versus prolonged milrinone therapy. This included 10 patients who were treated with prolonged milrinone and eight patients who underwent RVAD placement. Overall, the RV failure group had worse survival compared with the non-RV failure cohort (p = 0.038). However, this was only for the subgroup of patients who required RVADs, who had a 1, 6, 12, and 24 month survival of 62.5%, 37.5%, 37.5%, and 37.5%, respectively, versus 96.8%, 92.1%, 86.7%, and 84.4% for patients without RV failure (p < 0.001). Patients treated with prolonged milrinone therapy for RV failure had similar survivals compared with patients without RV failure. In the RV failure group, age, preoperative renal failure, and previous cardiac surgery were predictors of the need for prolonged postoperative milrinone. As LVADs become a more widely used therapy for patients with refractory, end-stage heart failure, it will be important to reduce the incidence of RV failure, as it yields significant morbidity and increases cost.

Team-Based Care for Outpatients with Heart Failure

Management of heart failure requires a multidisciplinary team-based approach that includes coordination of numerous team members to ensure guideline-directed optimization of medical therapy, frequent and regular assessment of volume status, frequent education, use of cardiac rehabilitation, continued assessment for the use of advanced therapies, and advance care planning. All of these are important aspects of the management of this complex condition.

Infections, Arrhythmias, and Hospitalizations on Home Intravenous Inotropic Therapy

Inotropes improve symptoms in advanced heart failure (HF) but were associated with higher mortality in clinical trials. Recurrent hospitalizations, arrhythmias, and infections contribute to morbidity and mortality, but the risks of these complications with modern HF therapies are not well known. We collected arrhythmia, infection, and hospitalization data on 197 patients discharged from our institution from January 2007 to March 2013 on intravenous inotropes. Patients were followed until they died, received a transplant or left ventricular assist device, were weaned off inotropes, or remained on inotropes at the end of the study. All patients had stage D HF. At baseline, 30% had a history of ventricular tachycardia, 7.1% had a history of cardiac arrest, and 39% had a history of atrial fibrillation. During follow-up, 33 patients (17%) had one or more implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shocks. Of patients who had shocks, 27 patients (82%) had appropriate shocks for ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation, 3 patients (9%) had inappropriate shocks, and 3 patients (9%) had both appropriate and inappropriate shocks. The risk of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shock was not related to dose of inotrope (p = 0.605). Fifty-seven patients (29%) had one or more infections during follow-up. Bacteremia was the most common type of infection. Implanted electrophysiology devices did not confer an increased risk of infection. One hundred twelve patients (57%) had one or more hospitalizations during follow-up. Common causes of hospitalizations were worsening HF symptoms (41%), infections (20%), and arrhythmias (12%). In conclusion, arrhythmias, infections, and rehospitalizations are important complications of inotropic therapy.

Inotropes do not increase mortality in advanced heart failure

Inotrope use is one of the most controversial topics in the management of heart failure. While the heart failure community utilizes them and recognizes the state of inotrope dependency, retrospective analyses and registry data have overwhelmingly suggested high mortality, which is logically to be expected given the advanced disease states of those requiring their use. Currently, there is a relative paucity of randomized control trials due to the ethical dilemma of creating control groups by withholding inotropes from patients who require them. Nonetheless, results of such trials have been mixed. Many were also performed with agents no longer in use, on patients without an indication for inotropes, or at a time before automatic cardio-defibrillators were recommended for primary prevention. Thus, their results may not be generalizable to current clinical practice. In this review, we discuss current indications for inotrope use, specifically dobutamine and milrinone, depicting their mechanisms of action, delineating their patterns of use in clinical practice, defining the state of inotrope dependency, and ultimately examining the literature to ascertain whether evidence is sufficient to support the current view that these agents increase mortality in patients with heart failure. Our conclusion is that the evidence is insufficient to link inotropes and increased mortality in low output heart failure.

Home care safety markers: a scoping review

Safety in home care is a new research frontier, and one in which demand for services continues to rise. A scoping review of the home care literature on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure was thus completed to identify safety markers that could serve to develop our understanding of safety in this sector. Results generated seven safety markers: (a) Home alone; (b) A fixed agenda in a foreign language; (c) Strangers in the home; (d) The butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker; (e) Medication mania; (f) Out of pocket: The cost of caring at home; and (g) My health for yours: Declining caregiver health.

Examining markers of safety in homecare using the international classification for patient safety

BACKGROUND

Homecare is a growth enterprise. The nature of the care provided in the home is growing in complexity. This growth has necessitated both examination and generation of evidence around patient safety in homecare. The purpose of this paper is to examine the findings of a recent scoping review of the homecare literature 2004-2011 using the World Health Organization International Classification for Patient Safety (ICPS), which was developed for use across all care settings, and discuss the utility of the ICPS in the home setting. The scoping review focused on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and Congestive Heart Failure (CHF); two chronic illnesses commonly managed at home and that represent frequent hospital readmissions. The scoping review identified seven safety markers for homecare: Medication mania; Home alone; A fixed agenda in a foreign language; Strangers in the home; The butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker; Out of pocket: the cost of caring at home; and My health for yours: declining caregiver health.

METHODS

The safety markers from the scoping review were mapped to the 10 ICPS high-level classes that comprise 48 concepts and address the continuum of health care: Incident Type, Patient Outcomes, Patient Characteristics, Incident Characteristics, Contributing Factors/Hazards, Organizational Outcomes, Detection, Mitigating Factors, Ameliorating Actions, and Actions Taken to Reduce Risk.

RESULTS

Safety markers identified in the scoping review of the homecare literature mapped to three of the ten ICPS classes: Incident Characteristics, Contributing Factors, and Patient Outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The ICPS does have applicability to the homecare setting, however there were aspects of safety that were overlooked. A notable example is that the health of the caregiver is inextricably linked to the wellbeing of the patient within the homecare setting. The current concepts within the ICPS classes do not capture this, nor do they capture how care responsibilities are shared among patients, caregivers, and providers.

Elevation of Plasma Milrinone Concentrations in Stage D Heart Failure Associated With Renal Dysfunction

Purpose:

To determine steady state milrinone concentrations in patients with stage D heart failure (HF) with and without renal dysfunction

Methods:

We retrospectively identified patients with stage D HF at a single medical center on continuous milrinone infusion at the time of plasma collection for entry into a research registry database. Milrinone was prescribed and titrated to improve hemodynamic and clinical status by a cardiologist. Plasma samples were obtained at steady state milrinone concentrations. Patients were stratified by creatinine clearance (CrCl) into 4 groups: group 1 (CrCl >60 mL/min), group 2 (CrCl 60-30 mL/min), group 3 (CrCl <30 mL/min), and group 4 (intermittent hemodialysis). Retrospective chart review was performed to quantify the postmilrinone hemodynamic changes by cardiac catheterization and electrophysiologic changes by implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) interrogation.

Results:

A total of 29 patients were identified: group 1 (n = 14), group 2 (n = 10), group 3 (n = 3), and group 4 (n = 2). The mean infusion rate (0.391 ± 0.08 µg/kg/min) did not differ between groups ( P = 0.14). The mean milrinone concentration was 451± 243 ng/mL in group 1, 591 ± 293 ng/mL in group 2, 1575 ± 962 ng/mL in group 3, and 6252 ± 4409 ng/mL in group 4 ( P<0.05 compared to groups 1). There was no difference in postmilrinone hemodynamic improvements between the groups ( P=0.41). The ICD interrogation revealed limited comparisons, but 6 of the 8 postmilrinone ventricular tachycardia episodes requiring defibrillation occurred in group 4 patients.

Conclusion:

Patients with stage D HF having severe renal dysfunction have elevated milrinone concentrations. Future studies of milrinone concentrations are warranted to investigate the potential risk of life-threatening arrhythmias and potential dosing regimens in renal dysfunction.

Heart failure therapy: beyond the guidelines

Heart failure is a chronic and debilitating disease responsible for high cardiac morbidity and mortality in the world and is associated with over 290 000 deaths in the United States each year. This article reviews palliative care and self-care, which are critical components of heart failure management that are inadequately defined in the current American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Heart Failure. Palliative care describes a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of heart failure therapy that addresses both the symptomatic and psychosocial aspects of the disease. Self-care aims to maintain disease stability and prevent clinical decline through a variety of patient-based behavioral and lifestyle modifications.

Review: The New Concept of ‘‘Interventional Heart Failure Therapy’’: Part 2—Inotropes, Valvular Disease, Pumps, and Transplantation

Recent advances in heart failure therapy include a variety of mechanical and device-based technologies that target structural aspects of heart failure that cannot be treated with drug therapy alone; these newer therapies can collectively be described as interventional heart failure therapy. This article is the second in a 2-part series reviewing interventional heart failure therapy. Interventions included in this discussion include those indicated for the treatment of end-stage refractory heart failure, including interventional medical therapy, interventional treatment of valvular disease, mechanical assist devices, and heart transplantation. Also included is a review of the currently available catheter-based pumps, which are intended to provide temporary support in patients with acute hemodynamic compromise. The use of cellular or stem cell therapy for the treatment of heart failure is an emerging interventional therapy and data supporting its use for the treatment heart failure will also be presented, as will a discussion of the role of palliative care and self-care in heart failure therapy.

The use of continuous milrinone therapy as bridge to transplant is safe in patients with short waiting times

OBJECTIVE

The limited availability of donor organs creates a need for more effective management of heart disease when bridging a patient to cardiac transplant. Inotropic therapy is becoming more commonly used long term to maintain baseline function. The effectiveness and complications associated with their use have not been fully evaluated, and indications for mechanical versus medical therapy as a bridge have not been delineated.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of milrinone as a bridge to transplant. This was a retrospective study of 60 patients listed for a cardiac transplant and committed to home intravenous milrinone therapy. A subgroup of patients who eventually progressed to the use of a ventricular assist device were analyzed. Complications and survivals were analyzed for each group. Forty-six patients (76%) were successfully bridged to transplant with milrinone alone, and 14 patients' (24%) conditions deteriorated and required a left ventricular assist device (LVAD); 1-year survivals were 83% and 71%, respectively. The mean waiting time was 59.5 days (9-257 days) for patients receiving milrinone who did not require an LVAD and 112 days (24-270 days) for those whose conditions deteriorated to require an LVAD.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that chronic intravenous milrinone provides an adequate strategy as a bridge to transplant if the waiting time is short (<100 days), whereas an elective ventricular assist device implantation may be a safer strategy for patients expected to wait longer. These data provide the basis for a prospective evaluation of inotrope versus LVAD as a bridge to transplantation.

The use of positive inotropes in end-of-life heart failure care

End-stage heart failure is associated with mortality equivalent to cancer, yet there is little information about palliative therapy for this disease. Chronic outpatient support with inotropes provides symptomatic relief and life extension for those select patients demonstrating dependence on positive inotropic therapy. The purpose of this review is to provide information about process and implementation of chronic outpatient support with inotropes in patients with end-stage heart failure.

Low-dose oral enoximone enhances the ability to wean patients with ultra-advanced heart failure from intravenous inotropic support: results of the oral enoximone in intravenous inotrope-dependent subjects trial

BACKGROUND

We determined whether low-dose oral enoximone could wean patients with ultra-advanced heart failure (UA-HF) from intravenous (i.v.) inotropic support. Chronic parenteral inotropic therapy in UA-HF is costly and requires an indwelling catheter. An effective and safe oral inotrope would have value.

METHODS

In this placebo-controlled study, 201 subjects with UA-HF requiring i.v. inotropic therapy were randomized to enoximone or placebo. Subjects receiving intermittent i.v. inotropes were administered study medication of 25 or 50 mg 3 times a day (tid). Subjects receiving continuous i.v. inotropes were administered 50 or 75 mg tid for 1 week, which was reduced to 25 or 50 mg tid. The ability of subjects to remain alive and free of inotropic therapy was assessed for up to 182 days.

RESULTS

Thirty days after weaning, 51 (51%) subjects on placebo and 62 (61.4%) subjects in the enoximone group were alive and free of i.v. inotropic therapy (unadjusted primary end point P = 0.14, adjusted for etiology P = .17). At 60 days, the wean rate was 30% in the placebo group and 46.5% in the enoximone group (unadjusted P = .016) Kaplan-Meier curves demonstrated a trend toward a decrease in the time to death or reinitiation of i.v. inotropic therapy over the 182-day study period (hazard ratio 0.76 [95% CI 0.55-1.04]) and a reduction at 60 days (0.62 [95% CI 0.43-0.89], P = .009) and 90 days (0.69 [95% CI 0.49-0.97], P = .031) after weaning in the enoximone group.

CONCLUSIONS

Although there was no benefit over placebo in weaning patients from i.v. inotropes from 0 to 30 days, the EMOTE data suggest that low-dose oral enoximone can be used to wean a modest percentage of subjects from i.v. inotropic support for up to 90 days after initiation of therapy.

Cardiac Transplantation: Any Role Left?

The authors analyze the question of whether heart transplantation still has a role in the current era of complex technologies. To achieve this objective, the authors first discuss the known benefits of different therapeutic modalities currently available for patients who have end-stage heart failure, including pharmacologic management, electrophysiologic therapies, high-risk surgical strategies, implantation of mechanical circulatory support device therapy, and heart transplantation. The authors then evaluate the current developments and future perspectives in the field that may influence the likelihood of heart transplantation to remain the therapeutic modality of choice for end-stage heart failure.

Rationale, design, and methods for the Transplant-Eligible MAnagement of Congestive Heart Failure (TMAC) trial: a multicenter clinical outcomes trial using nesiritide for TMAC

BACKGROUND

Urgent heart transplant candidates classified as United Network for Organ Sharing status 1B who require continuous infusions of inotropic agents for hemodynamic stability often have hemodynamic, electrical, or multisystem decompensation. This multicenter trial will study both traditional safety and efficacy parameters and the physiologic mechanisms of benefit of the addition to conventional therapy of nesiritide, a recombinant analog of brain-type natriuretic peptide, in this population.

METHODS

TMAC is a prospective, randomized, parallel, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in patients awaiting heart transplantation who meet United Network for Organ Sharing status 1B criteria (N = 120) and receive continuous dobutamine or milrinone through a double-lumen central catheter for at least 3 consecutive days before randomization. Patients will receive standard care and continuous intravenous inotrope therapy plus a 28-day continuous infusion of nesiritide or placebo. There will be up to 6 months of follow-up. Primary efficacy end point will be days alive after treatment without renal, hemodynamic, or electrical worsening at completion. Secondary analyses will evaluate effects on hemodynamics, echocardiographic parameters, endogenous brain-type natriuretic peptide levels, modification of diet in renal disease-calculated glomerular filtration rate, and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Two mechanistic substudies will evaluate the effect on iohexol-determined glomerular filtration rate and assess changes in lung mechanics.

CONCLUSION

This investigation will provide key data for clinical profiles of heart transplant candidates bound to inotropic support. It will investigate the efficacy and safety (especially renal) of nesiritide and provide mechanistic insight into benefits of its use for the relief of breathlessness.

Home Inotropic Therapy in Children

BACKGROUND

Inotropic therapy is a well-established practice for children with advanced congestive heart failure (CHF). Traditionally, children have been maintained on inotropic therapy in the hospital under close, monitored supervision. Changes to UNOS listing criteria now allow patients awaiting heart transplantation to be discharged to home yet maintain 1B status. In adults, home inotropic therapy has been shown to be a safe and cost-effective bridge to transplantation. To date, there are limited data on the use of home inotropic therapy in children.

METHODS

We reviewed the safety and efficacy of continuous ambulatory home inotropic therapy in children. Data were obtained from a single institution from January 2000 to January 2007.

RESULTS

There were 14 pediatric patients with end-stage CHF, who received home intravenous inotropic therapy. The indications for home inotropic therapy included palliative care (n = 8) and awaiting heart transplantation (n = 6). Patients ranged in age from 6 to 18 years (median 14.5 years). The majority of subjects (n = 11) received milrinone at a dose of 0.5 to 1.0 mug/kg/min, 2 received dobutamine at 5 mug/kg/min, and 1 received both agents. Duration of therapy ranged from 14 to 476 days (median 68 days). There were 26 hospital re-admissions and 4 suspected catheter infections. No unexpected deaths or pump failures occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on this initial review, continuous home inotropic therapy in children with CHF is safe with few complications. Home inotropic therapy may result in substantial cost-savings and improve family dynamics by avoiding prolonged hospitalization.

Chronic inotropic therapy in end-stage heart failure

BACKGROUND

Interventions in advanced heart failure that provide symptom relief and decrease hospital readmission are important. Chronic intravenous inotropic therapy represents a pharmacologic approach that has been advocated for palliative treatment. However, little is known about associated mortality and cost. Therefore, we sought to describe the impact of chronic infusions on resource use and survival.

METHODS

Data were reviewed for a 17-state Medicare region from 1995 to 2002. We obtained hospital and outpatient expenditures accrued up to 180 days before and after the initiation of chronic infusions. Health care use was defined by dollars reimbursed for drug and hospitalizations per beneficiary. Average accumulated cost curves were generated for dollars reimbursed for drug and for hospitalizations by days at risk.

RESULTS

The mean age of the cohort (n = 331) was 69.1 +/- 11.3 years. Mortality exceeded 40% at 6 months. Reductions in hospital days were observed at all time points. The amounts reimbursed at 30 and 60 days before and after initiation of inotrope favor drug therapy; however, at six months, the amounts reimbursed were greater due to the cost of milrinone.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic intravenous inotrope use was associated with a high mortality. The cost for milrinone was significant, but there was a decrease in expenditures for subsequent hospitalizations. In the absence of appropriately designed clinical trials, the data suggest that the decision to use inotropes, the choice of inotrope, and the duration of treatment should reflect the impact on resource use.

Predictors of Clinical Outcome in Advanced Heart Failure Patients on Continuous Intravenous Milrinone Therapy

Home-based milrinone therapy (HMT) is used as a bridge to cardiac transplant (CT). The safety, efficacy, and predictors of success of HMT were assessed. Forty-five patients with heart failure, referred for CT, were prospectively studied. After initial assessment, low-dose milrinone was titrated based on clinical response. Hemodynamic status was then reevaluated. Thirty-nine patients were discharged on HMT. Patients needing a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) despite milrinone (group I) and those not requiring LVAD (group II) were compared. Six of the 45 patients were ineligible for CT; 16 of 39 required LVAD as a bridge to CT despite milrinone (group I); 23 were stable on milrinone and did not require LVAD (group II). Group I was younger than group II (mean age 38.4 +/- 14.5 years vs. 57.3 +/- 5.9 years, p < 0.001). Initial acute response to intravenous milrinone [e.g., fall in the PCWP (-10.7 +/- 9.5 vs. -2.7 +/- 10.4, p = 0.02), rise in pulmonary artery oxygen saturations (16.5 +/- 8.7 vs. 7.3 +/- 10.9, p = 0.05)] was significantly better in group II than in group I. Acute hemodynamic response to milrinone predicts success of HMT as a bridge to CT.

Outpatient continuous parenteral inotropic therapy as bridge to transplantation in children with advanced heart failure

BACKGROUND

Advanced heart failure in children is associated with high morbidity and mortality and is often refractory to standard medical therapy. The purpose of this study was to review our institutional experience with the use of outpatient parenteral inotropic therapy (PIT) for advanced chronic heart failure in children.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We reviewed the medical records of all patients treated with PIT as outpatients. Seven patients received outpatient PIT from 2/99 to 1/05 (mean age was 14.6 years +/- 3.7). Median duration of therapy was 10 weeks (range 4-84 weeks). The mean number of emergency department visits per patient was greater before starting PIT than after starting PIT (2.3 +/- 1.8 versus 1.1 +/- 2.2, P < .05). The mean number of hospital admissions from exacerbation of heart failure symptoms decreased after starting PIT (2.1 +/- 1.3 versus 0.6 +/- 0.8, P < .05). Mean EF% in patients with systolic dysfunction improved while on therapy (30 +/- 14% before versus 39 +/- 16% after, P < .05). There was 1 death and 5 complications in 2 patients. Six patients were successfully bridged to transplantation.

CONCLUSION

Outpatient continuous parenteral inotropic therapy may serve as a successful bridge to cardiac transplantation in selected pediatric outpatients.

Drug therapy recommendations from the 2005 ACC/AHA guidelines for treatment of chronic heart failure

OBJECTIVE

To review and discuss key aspects of the drug therapy recommendations in the American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) 2005 Guideline Update for the Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Heart Failure (HF) in the Adult.

DATA SOURCES

Data were obtained from the ACC/AHA 2005 Guideline Update for Chronic HF. English-language clinical trials, observational studies, and pertinent review articles evaluating the pharmacotherapy of chronic HF were identified, based on MEDLINE searches through January 2006.

STUDY SELECTION

Articles presenting information that impacts the evidence base for recommendations regarding the use of various drug therapies in patients with chronic HF were evaluated.

DATA SYNTHESIS

The ACC/AHA 2005 Guideline Update for HF provides revised, evidence-based recommendations for the treatment of chronic HF. The new guidelines are based on a staging system that recognizes both the development and progression of HF. Recommendations are provided for 2 stages of patients (A and B) who do not yet have clinical HF but are clearly at risk and 2 stages (C and D) that include patients with symptomatic HF. The guidelines continue to emphasize the important role of neurohormonal blockade with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin-receptor blockers, beta-adrenergic blockers, and aldosterone antagonists. Based on recent trials, updated recommendations address the roles of combination therapy and the selective addition of hydralazine and isosorbide dinitrate. Along with specific drug recommendations, information on the practical use of various drugs is provided. Although the guidelines primarily focus on HF due to systolic dysfunction, general recommendations are also provided for patients with preserved systolic function.

CONCLUSIONS

The ACC/AHA 2005 Guideline Update provides evidence-based recommendations for healthcare professionals involved in the care of adults with chronic HF. Recent clinical trial findings have further clarified the evolving role of neurohormonal-blocking drugs in the prevention and treatment of HF.

Should UNOS Status 2 Patients Undergo Transplantation?

BACKGROUND

With recent improvements in medical and device therapy, the benefit of cardiac transplantation for UNOS Status 2 patients has been questioned. No randomized trial has been performed to compare transplantation versus contemporary medical therapy.

METHODS

Between January 1996 and December 2003, 203 patients were listed at our institution for heart transplantation as UNOS Status 2. We performed a retrospective review to determine outcomes in these patients.

RESULTS

Demographics of this cohort revealed a mean age of 52 years, female sex in 28%, and ischemic etiology in 47%. Eighty-one patients (40%) had an implantable cardiac defibrillator. A total of 64 patients (32%) had to be upgraded in their UNOS status, with 9 requiring a left ventricular assist device. Of the entire group, 95 (47%) underwent transplantation at a mean time of 303 days, 45 (22%) died while waiting at a mean time of 397 days, and 24 (12%) were removed from the waiting list due to deterioration in medical condition such that transplantation was no longer an option. The remaining patients continue to wait or have been removed from consideration due to improved condition. Survival at 1- and 3-years postlisting was 94% and 87% for patients who received transplants compared to 81% and 57% for patients who did not receive transplants (P < .01).

CONCLUSION

A significant number of patients listed as Status 2 are upgraded in UNOS status or die while on the waiting list. Early and midterm survival is significantly better with transplantation. Identification of variables associated with deterioration may allow for better risk stratification in the future. At this point, transplantation offers the best outcome.

A comparison of three phosphodiesterase type III inhibitors on mechanical and metabolic function in guinea pig isolated hearts

Little is known about of the comparative cardiac lusitropic and coronary vasoactive effects of type III phosphodiesterase inhibitors independent of their systemic circulatory effects. We hypothesized that phosphodiesterase inhibitors have dissimilar concentration-dependent effects on cardiac function and metabolism and that their coronary vasodilatory effects are solely dependent on flow autoregulation secondary to positive inotropic effects. Our aim was to compare the dose-response electrophysiologic, mechanical, vasodilatory, and metabolic properties of three clinically available phosphodiesterase inhibitors in isolated Langendorff perfused guinea pig hearts. We found that, over a range from 10(-7) to 10(-4) M, amrinone, enoximone, and milrinone each produced maximal concentration-dependent positive chronotropic (12%, 18%, 26%), inotropic (16%, 26%, 26%), and lusitropic (14%, 21%, 19%) effects. At clinical concentrations, all phosphodiesterase inhibitors increased heart rate, but only milrinone significantly enhanced contractility and relaxation (11%). Each phosphodiesterase inhibitor similarly increased contractility at its highest concentration; this was accompanied by an increase in oxygen consumption, which was matched by comparable increases in coronary flow and oxygen delivery. Coronary flow reserve was preserved at the highest concentration of each drug, indicating that an increased metabolic rate was responsible for the increase in coronary flow by each drug at each concentration. Over the concentrations examined, we conclude that each of the phosphodiesterase inhibitors does not directly promote coronary vasodilation and that milrinone has the most prominent effects on contractility and relaxation at clinically relevant concentrations.

Should status II patients be removed from the pediatric heart transplant waiting list? A multi-institutional study

BACKGROUND

The survival benefit of cardiac transplantation (CTx) among Status 2 (stable outpatient) adult recipients has been questioned, but few studies have addressed this issue in pediatric patients. This study examined the following hypothesis: "Status 2 pediatric recipients have a survival benefit with CTx."

METHODS

Between 1993 and 2003, 2,375 patients were listed for CTx at 24 institutions; 614 (26%) of these patients were Status 2. By multivariate competing outcomes hazard function analysis, death after listing and post-transplant survival were analyzed.

RESULTS

A single-phase hazard function described the risk of death after listing, with 20% actual mortality within 2 months after Status 1 listing. The "natural history" of Status 2-listed patients was estimated by the risk of death, whereas waiting and risk of deterioration to Status 1 at CTx (weighted by the probability of death at 3 months after Status 1 listing). At 4 months after CTx, survival with CTx exceeded the predicted "natural Hx" survival in all diagnostic categories out to 4 years of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric patients currently listed as Status 2 have a survival benefit with transplant out to at least 4 years. A pediatric allocation system restricted to Status 1 patients could only be justified if the vast majority of such patients could be transplanted within 1 to 2 months.

Comparative costs of home positive inotropic infusion versus in-hospital care in patients awaiting cardiac transplantation

BACKGROUND

Outpatient positive inotropic support combined with implantation of an automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD) may be used as a successful bridge to cardiac transplantation in patients with end-stage heart failure. A detailed comparative cost analysis of this outpatient strategy versus in-hospital care has not been previously reported.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Twenty-one United Network for Organ Sharing 1B patients awaiting cardiac transplantation received continuous outpatient inotropic therapy for a total of 3070 patient-days. Daily costs for outpatient and in-hospital treatment were calculated. Nonparametric decision analysis was used to determine the strategy with greatest cost savings (immediate hospital discharge after AICD implantation versus in-hospital care). A threshold analysis was performed to test the robustness of the decision analysis model. The outpatient strategy realized an average savings of $71,300 to $120,500 per patient. Decision analysis showed that no fixed period of in-hospital monitoring was more cost-saving than immediate hospital discharge after AICD implantation. Threshold analysis revealed that AICD costs would need to exceed $82,000 (currently $62,000) or that the difference between the outpatient and the in-hospital costs would need to be < or = $475 per day for any other intermediate strategy to be considered cost-saving.

CONCLUSION

Outpatient inotropic therapy combined with AICD implantation in selected patients awaiting cardiac transplantation is an effective cost-minimizing strategy.