Risk factors and comorbidities in a community-wide sample of patients hospitalized with acute systolic or diastolic heart failure: the Worcester Heart Failure Study

Effect of Weight Loss on Early Left Atrial Myopathy in People With Obesity But No Established Cardiovascular Disease

Background Obesity is associated with left atrial (LA) remodeling (ie, dilatation and dysfunction) which is an independent determinant of future cardiovascular events. We aimed to assess whether LA remodeling is present in obesity even in individuals without established cardiovascular disease and whether it can be improved by intentional weight loss. Methods and Results Forty-five individuals with severe obesity without established cardiovascular disease (age, 45±11 years; body mass index; 39.1±6.7 kg/m²; excess body weight, 51±18 kg) underwent cardiac magnetic resonance for quantification of LA and left ventricular size and function before and at a median of 373 days following either a low glycemic index diet (n=28) or bariatric surgery (n=17). Results were compared with those obtained in 27 normal-weight controls with similar age and sex. At baseline, individuals with obesity displayed reduced LA reservoir function (a marker of atrial distensibility), and a higher mass and LA maximum volume (all P<0.05 controls) but normal LA emptying fraction. On average, weight loss led to a significant reduction of LA maximum volume and left ventricular mass (both P<0.01); however, significant improvement of the LA reservoir function was only observed in those at the upper tertile of weight loss (≥47% excess body weight loss). Following weight loss, we found an average residual increase in left ventricular mass compared with controls but no residual significant differences in LA maximum volume and strain function (all P>0.05). Conclusions Obesity is linked to subtle LA myopathy in the absence of overt cardiovascular disease. Only larger volumes of weight loss can completely reverse the LA myopathic phenotype.

Left Ventricular Dysfunction and Depression in Hospitalized Patients with Heart Failure

OBJECTIVE

This study examined whether the severity of left ventricular systolic dysfunction is associated with depression in patients with heart failure (HF). Other factors were also studied to identify independent correlates of depression in HF.

METHODS

The sample consisted of 400 hospitalized patients with HF. Left ventricular ejection fraction and other medical data were obtained from medical records. Depression and other psychosocial characteristics were assessed by an interview and questionnaires. Proportional odds models were used to test the relationships of these characteristics to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition) depressive disorders, and analysis of covariance was used to test relationships with continuous measures of depression in secondary models.

RESULTS

The models produced no evidence of an association between left ventricular ejection fraction and depression. The adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) was 1.00 (0.98-1.01; p = .87) for depression diagnosis. Analysis of covariance estimates (standard errors) were -0.01 (0.02; p = .54) for the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and -0.01 (0.01; p = .59) for the Patient Health Questionnaire. The odds of depression were higher in African American patients and in those with high levels of anxiety or stress. Other characteristics that have been associated with depression in previous studies, including sex and age, were not consistently associated with depression in this study.

CONCLUSIONS

There is no relationship between the severity of left ventricular systolic dysfunction and depression in hospitalized patients with HF. In contrast, African American patients and those with a high level of anxiety or perceived stress are more likely than other patients to have a comorbid depressive disorder.

Epidemiology of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) is a common condition, and the prevalence is projected to increase further. Studies differ in the reported incidence and mortality associated with this condition, although there is agreement that between a third and one-half of all patients with heart failure have HFPEF. Although several consensus statements and guidelines have been published, some recent randomized clinical trials have reported low mortality, raising doubts about whether all patients diagnosed with HFPEF have HFPEF or whether the condition is heterogeneous in its cause and prognosis. The overall reported prognosis of patients with HFPEF remains poor.

Comorbidities and differential diagnosis in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Careful consideration must be given when diagnosing heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HF-PEF). HF-PEF diagnosis is challenging and essentially a diagnosis of exclusion, with comorbidities potentially making the diagnosis more difficult. This article describes the comorbidities commonly associated with HF-PEF, the potential influence of these comorbidities on morbidity and mortality, and the differential diagnosis.

Elevated serum glucose levels and survival after acute heart failure: a population-based perspective

BACKGROUND

Limited data are available about the characteristics, treatment and survival in patients without diabetes mellitus (DM), previously diagnosed DM and patients with hyperglycaemia who present with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). Our objectives were to examine differences in these endpoints in patients hospitalized with ADHF.

METHODS

Patients hospitalized with ADHF during 1995, 2000, 2002 and 2004 comprised the study population.

RESULTS

A total of 5428 non-diabetic patients were hospitalized with ADHF, 3807 with diagnosed DM and 513 with admission hyperglycaemia. Patients with admission hyperglycaemia experienced the highest in-hospital death rates (9.9%) compared to those with diagnosed DM (6.5%) and non-diabetics (7.5%). Patients with diagnosed DM had the greatest risk of dying after hospital discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with elevated blood glucose levels at hospital admission are more likely to die acutely. After resolution of the acute illness, patients with previously diagnosed DM need careful monitoring and enhanced treatment.

Acute heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: unique patient characteristics and targets for therapy

Currently, there are 1.0 million annual hospital discharges for acute heart failure (AHF). The total cost of heart failure (HF) care in the United States is projected to increase to $53 billion in 2030, with the majority of costs (80 %) related to AHF hospitalizations. Approximately 50 % of AHF episodes occur in patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). There is a dearth of evidence-based guidelines for the management of AHF in HFpEF patients. Here, we briefly review the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of AHF patients with HFpEF.

Comparing new onset heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and new onset heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: an epidemiologic perspective

The incidence and prevalence of heart failure is increasing, especially heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) relative to heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). For both HFrEF and HFpEF, there is need to shift our focus from secondary to primary prevention. Detailed epidemiologic data on both HFpEF and HFrEF are needed to allow early identification of at-risk subjects. Current cohorts with new onset heart failure lack uniformity with respect to diagnosis, follow-up, and population characteristics, but most important, fail to distinguish between HFpEF and HFrEF. Studies on prevalent heart failure show ischemic heart disease as the predominant risk factor for HFrEF, while hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and diabetes are risk factors for HFpEF. As it becomes increasingly clear that both subtypes of heart failure are different syndromes, new cohorts and trials are necessary to obtain separate data on both subtypes of heart failure.

Echocardiographic Evaluation of Diastolic Function

Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction is common in patients with heart failure. Echocardiographic evaluation of diastolic function provides the clinician with important information about ventricular relaxation and estimation of filling pressures. Optimal evaluation includes the integration of multiple echocardiographic parameters such as Doppler, M-mode, and volumes. This article aims to review the components of diastolic filling and ventricular performance, as well as discuss the techniques used for the assessment of left ventricular diastolic function.