The effects of spironolactone on atrial remodeling in patients with preserved left ventricular function after an acute myocardial infarction: a randomized follow-up study

The Gut Microbiota Mediates the Protective Effects of Spironolactone on Myocardial Infarction

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a type of cardiovascular disease that influences millions of human beings worldwide and has a great rate of mortality and morbidity. Spironolactone has been used as a critical drug for the treatment of cardiac failure and it ameliorates cardiac dysfunction post-MI. Despite these findings, whether there is a relationship between the therapeutic effects of spironolactone and the gut microorganism after MI has not been determined. In our research, we used male C57BL/6 J mice to explore whether the gut microbiota mediates the beneficial function of spironolactone after myocardial infarction. We demonstrated that deletion of the gut microbiota eliminated the beneficial function of spironolactone in MI mice, displaying exacerbated cardiac dysfunction, cardiac infarct size. In addition, the gut microbiota was altered by spironolactone after sham or MI operation in mice. We also used male C57BL/6 J mice to investigate the function of a probiotic in the myocardial infarction. In summary, our findings reveal a precious role of the gut flora in the therapeutic function of spironolactone on MI.

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists and atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis of clinical trials

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) improve cardiovascular outcomes in a variety of settings. This study aimed to assess whether cardioprotective effects of MRAs are modified by heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) status and to study their impact on AF events.

METHODS

MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central databases were searched to 24 March 2023 for randomized controlled trials evaluating the efficacy of MRAs as compared with placebo or usual care in reducing cardiovascular outcomes and AF events in patients with or at risk for cardiovascular diseases. Random-effects models and interaction analyses were used to test for effect modification.

RESULTS

Meta-analysis of seven trials (20 741 participants, mean age: 65.6 years, 32% women) showed that the efficacy of MRAs, as compared with placebo, in reducing a composite of cardiovascular death or HF hospitalization remains consistent across patients with HF [risk ratio = 0.81; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.67-0.98] and without HF (risk ratio = 0.84; 95% CI: 0.75-0.93; interaction P = .77). Among patients with HF, MRAs reduced cardiovascular death or HF hospitalization in patients with AF (hazard ratio = 0.95; 95% CI: 0.54-1.66) to a similar extent as in those without AF (hazard ratio = 0.82; 95% CI: 0.63-1.07; interaction P = .65). Pooled data from 20 trials (21 791 participants, mean age: 65.2 years, 31.3% women) showed that MRAs reduce AF events (risk ratio = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.67-0.87) in both patients with and without prior AF.

CONCLUSIONS

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists are similarly effective in preventing cardiovascular events in patients with and without HF and most likely retain their efficacy regardless of AF status. Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists may also be moderately effective in preventing incident or recurrent AF events.

Left atrial disease and left atrial reverse remodelling across different stages of heart failure development and progression: a new target for prevention and treatment

The left atrium is a dynamic chamber with peculiar characteristics. Stressors and disease mechanisms may deeply modify its structure and function, leading to left atrial remodelling and disease. Left atrial disease is a predictor of poor outcomes. It may be a consequence of left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction and neurohormonal and inflammatory activation and/or actively contribute to the progression and clinical course of heart failure through multiple mechanisms such as left ventricular filling and development of atrial fibrillation and subsequent embolic events. There is growing evidence that therapy may improve left atrial function and reverse left atrial remodelling. Whether this translates into changes in patient's prognosis is still unknown. In this review we report current data about changes in left atrial size and function across different stages of development and progression of heart failure. At each stage, drug therapies, lifestyle interventions and procedures have been associated with improvement in left atrial structure and function, namely a reduction in left atrial volume and/or an improvement in left atrial strain function, a process that can be defined as left atrial reverse remodelling and, in some cases, this has been associated with improvement in clinical outcomes. Further evidence is still needed mainly with respect of the possible role of left atrial reverse remodelling as an independent mechanism affecting the patient's clinical course and as regards better standardization of clinically meaningful changes in left atrial measurements. Summarizing current evidence, this review may be the basis for further studies.

Drug-induced gynecomastia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

OBJECTIVE

To review the evidence concerning treatment-related gynecomastia in patients taking spironolactone, antiandrogens, 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors, lipid-lowering and psychotropic drugs.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A search of Medline and EMBASE was performed up to 30 June 2021. We included randomized controlled trials comparing the effects of a drug belonging to these classes versus placebo or versus a drug of the same class.

RESULTS

A total of 32 randomized controlled trials were included in the final review. There was an increased odds of gynecomastia in men receiving antiandrogens (OR = 17.38, 95% CI: 11.26 to 26.82; 6 trials, 9599 participants) and 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors compared to controls (OR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.53 to 2.06; 7 series out of 6 trials, 34860 participants). The use of spironolactone in mixed gender populations was characterized by significantly higher odds of having gynecomastia compared to controls (OR = 8.39, 95% CI: 5.03 to 13.99; 14 trials, 3745 participants). No placebo-controlled trials focusing on the risk of gynecomastia in patients taking antipsychotic drugs was available, although there was a significant difference in the odds of having gynecomastia in a comparison between risperidone and quetiapine (OR = 4.32, 95% CI: 1.31 to 14.27; 3 trials, 343 participants). Limited evidence about the effects of statins on mammary glands was found.

CONCLUSIONS

Antiandrogens and to a lesser extent 5 alphareductase inhibitors and spironolactone are associated with an increased risk of developing gynecomastia. Such effect can be explained by a modification of the testosterone to estradiol ratio. Gynecomastia (and galactorrhea) associated to the use of conventional and certain atypical antipsychotics can be related to high prolactin levels.

Aldosterone Blockade in Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

A comprehensive evaluation of the benefits of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients is lacking.

Objective

To summarize the evidence on the efficacy and safety of MRA in patients admitted for AMI.

Methods

Articles were identified through PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Ovid (Medline1946-2021), and ClinicalTrials.gov databases from their inception to December 31, 2020.

Results

15 articles with a total of 11,861 patients were included. MRA reduced the risk of all-cause mortality by 16% (relative ratio (RR): 0.84; 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.76, 0.94); P = 0.002) and the incidence of cardiovascular adverse events by 12% (RR: 0.88, 95% CI (0.83, 0.93), P < 0.00001) in post-AMI patients, and further analysis demonstrated that early administration of MRA within 7 days after AMI resulted in a greater reduction in all-cause mortality (RR: 0.72, 95% CI (0.61, 0.85), P < 0.0001). Subgroup analyses showed that post-STEMI patients without left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) treated with MRA had a 36% reduction in all-cause mortality (RR: 0.64, 95% CI (0.46, 0.89), P = 0.007) and a 22% reduction in cardiovascular adverse events (RR: 0.78, 95% CI (0.67, 0.91), P = 0.002). Meanwhile, post-STEMI patients without LVSD treated with MRA get significant improvements in left ventricular ejection fraction (mean difference (MD): 2.69, 95% CI (2.44, 2.93), P < 0.00001), left ventricular end-systolic index (MD: -4.52 ml/m², 95% CI (-8.21, -0.83), P = 0.02), and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (MD: -0.11 cm, 95% CI (-0.22, 0.00), P = 0.05). The corresponding RR were 1.72 (95% CI (1.43, 2.07), P < 0.00001) for considered common adverse events (hyperkalemia, gynecomastia, and renal dysfunction).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that MRA treatment reduces all-cause mortality and cardiovascular adverse events in post-AMI patients, which is more significant in patients after STEMI without LVSD. In addition, MRA treatment may exert beneficial effects on the reversal of cardiac remodeling in patients after STEMI without LVSD.

Determinants of left intra-atrial electromechanical delay as evaluated by tissue Doppler imaging in candidates for coronary artery bypass graft surgery

OBJECTIVES

Inhomogeneity in the atrial conduction time is a predisposing factor for atrial fibrillation. The aim of our study was to determine the independent determinants of the left intra-atrial electromechanical delay (LIAEMD) as a marker of left atrial (LA) dyssynchrony in candidates for coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABGS).

METHODS

This prospective cross-sectional study recruited 516 consecutive candidates for CABGS. Via the pulsed-wave tissue Doppler imaging modality in echocardiography, the times between the P wave and the peak of the a' wave at the septal and lateral mitral annuli were measured and the difference between these times was considered to be LIAEMD. Additionally, clinical and laboratory data on each patient were gathered. The odds ratio for an increased LIAEMD was calculated in patients with and without diabetes in univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

The multivariable analysis revealed that in the patients without diabetes, obesity, calcium-channel blocker usage, an increased maximal LA volume, and a decreased lateral e'/a' ratio and in the diabetic patients, diuretic usage and a decreased lateral e'/a' ratio were independently correlated with an increased likelihood of LIAEMD occurrence (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

In our study on CABGS candidates, in the patients without diabetes, obesity, an increased maximal LA volume, calcium-channel blocker usage, and a decreased lateral e'/a' ratio and in the diabetic patients, diuretic usage and a decreased lateral e'/a' ratio independently determined increased LIAEMD. The prevention or treatment of factors that are detrimental to the LA electromechanical function may be helpful for the preservation of the LA electromechanical integrity.

Efficacy and safety of spironolactone in the heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have shown the efficacy for using spironolactone to treat heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), but the efficacy of spironolactone for heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction (HFmrEF) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is unclear. This meta-analysis investigated the efficacy and safety of spironolactone in patients with HFmrEF and HFpEF.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We searched several databases including PubMed and the Cochrane Collaboration, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed spironolactone treatment in HFmrEF and HFpEF. Eleven RCTs including 4539 patients were included. Spironolactone reduced hospitalizations (odds ratio [OR], 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.73-0.95; P = .006), improved New York Heart Association functional classifications (NYHA-FC) (OR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.19-0.66; P = .001), decreased the levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) (mean difference [MD], - 44.80 pg/mL; 95% CI, -73.44--16.17; P = .002), procollagen type I C-terminal propeptide (PICP) (MD, -27.04 ng/mL; 95% CI, -40.77--13.32, P < .001) in HFmrEF and HFpEF. Besides, it improved 6-minute walking distances (6-MWD) (standard weighted mean difference [SMD], 0.45 m; 95% CI, 0.27-0.64; P < .001), decreased amino-terminal peptide of procollagen type-III (PIIINP) (SMD, -0.37 μg/L; 95% CI, -0.59--0.15; P = .001) in HFpEF only. The risks of hyperkalemia (P<.001) and gynecomastia (P<.001) were increased.

CONCLUSION

Patients with HFmrEF and HFpEF could benefit from spironolactone treatment, with reduced hospitalizations, BNP levels, improved NYHA-FC, alleviated myocardial fibrosis by decreasing serum PICP in HFmrEF and HFpEF, decreased PIIINP levels and increased 6-MWD only in HFpEF. The risks of hyperkalemia and gynecomastia were significantly increased with the spironolactone treatment.

Efficacy of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists in postmyocardial infarction patients with or without left ventricular dysfunction: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

There is heated debate about the benefits of using mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) in addition to standard therapy in patients admitted for myocardial infarction (MI) with or without left ventricular dysfunction (LVD).

METHODS

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were scanned by a formal search of electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Ovid, and clinical trials) from their inception to April 2018. A meta-analysis was conducted using Review Manager 5.3 to identify studies reporting the efficacy of MRAs use in post-MI patients with or without LVD.

RESULTS

Thirteen RCTs involving 11,365 individuals were eligible for this study. MRAs treatment reduced all-cause mortality by 16%, cardiovascular death by 16%, and death from heart failure (HF) by 22% in post-MI patients. MRAs use reduced all-cause mortality by 13% and cardiovascular death by 15% in post-MI patients with LVD, but there was no significant difference in all-cause mortality and cardiovascular death in post-MI patients without LVD (relative ratios [RR] 0.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.26-2.69, P = .76, I = 0%; RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.33-3.09, P = .99, I = 0%). In 6 RCTs involving post-MI patients, MRAs treatment had a significant effect on improving left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (mean difference 3.33, 95% CI 0.91-5.75, P = .007, I = 94%). Patients treated with MRAs did not show a decrease in recurrent MI or repeat revascularization compared with patients treated without MRAs (RR 0.95, 95% CI [0.80-1.12], P = .54, I = 0%; RR 1.09, 95% CI [0.79-1.50], P = .61, I = 0%). However, MRAs treatment significantly increased the incidence of hyperkalemia compared with patients treated without MRAs (RR 2.05, 95% CI [1.60, 2.61], P < .00001, I = 49%).

CONCLUSION

MRAs treatment reduced all-cause mortality, cardiovascular death, and death from HF in post-MI patients. MRAs treatment also demonstrated a significant improvement in LVEF. MRAs reduced cardiovascular death and all-cause mortality in patients with LVD. Eplerenone significantly reduced all-cause mortality and cardiovascular death in post-MI patients. However, MRAs failed to show any cardiovascular benefit in post-MI patients without LVD.

Aldosterone Antagonist Therapy and Mortality in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Without Heart Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

IMPORTANCE

Treatment with aldosterone antagonists is recommended and has been shown to have beneficial effects in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) less than 40%. However, the role of aldosterone antagonists in patients with ejection fraction greater than 40% or without congestive heart failure is not well known.

OBJECTIVES

To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis using standard techniques to determine the role of therapy with aldosterone antagonists in this patient population.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane Central databases were searched and a manual search for relevant references from the selected articles and published reviews was performed from database inception through June 2017.

STUDY SELECTION

Randomized clinical trials that evaluated treatment with aldosterone antagonists in patients with STEMI without clinical heart failure or LVEF greater than 40% were included.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines were used to conduct and report the meta-analysis, which used a random-effects model. Two investigators independently performed the database search and agreed on the final study selection. A manual search was performed for relevant references from the selected articles and published reviews.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The outcomes analyzed were mortality, new congestive heart failure, recurrent myocardial infarction, ventricular arrhythmia, and changes in LVEF, serum potassium level, and creatinine level at follow-up.

RESULTS

In all, 10 randomized clinical trials with a total of 4147 unique patients were included in the meta-analysis. In patients who presented with STEMI without heart failure, treatment with aldosterone antagonists compared with control was associated with lower risk of mortality (2.4% vs 3.9%; odds ratio [OR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.42-0.91; P = .01) and similar risks of myocardial infarction (1.6% vs 1.5%; OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.57-1.86; P = .91), new congestive heart failure (4.3% vs 5.4%; OR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.56-1.20; P = .31), and ventricular arrhythmia (4.1% vs 5.1%; OR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.45-1.31; P = .33). Similarly, treatment with aldosterone antagonists compared with control was associated with a small yet significant increase in LVEF (mean difference, 1.58%; 95% CI, 0.18%-2.97%; P = .03), a small increase in serum potassium level (mean difference, 0.07 mEq/L; 95% CI, 0.01-0.13 mEq/L; P = .02), and no change in serum creatinine level (standardized mean difference, 1.4; 95% CI, -0.43 to 3.24; P = .13).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Treatment with aldosterone antagonists is associated with a mortality benefit in patients with STEMI with LVEF greater than 40% or without heart failure.

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists in patients with acute myocardial infarction - A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials

BACKGROUND

Although mineralocorticoid antagonists (MRAs) reduce mortality in patients with heart failure complicating myocardial infarction (MI), it is unclear if they could be beneficial to all patients with MI. To evaluate the utility of MRAs in MI patients, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL were searched from 1965 to June 2016. Conference abstracts were searched from 2000 to June 2016. Randomized trials evaluating the effect of MRA after MIs were included. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed study quality. Data were combined using fixed-/random-effects models.

RESULTS

Eleven randomized clinical trials (N = 11,258) were included; 1 trial (N = 6,642) included patients with apparent heart failure (Killip class III-IV). Administration of MRA versus placebo or standard therapy (no-MRA) after MI reduced overall and cardiovascular mortality (odds ratio [OR] 0.82, 95% CI 0.73-0.93, P = .002, and OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.71-0.93, P = .003, respectively; I² for both = 0%). In the subgroup of trials with patients with heart failure, the mortality was 14.4% in MRA group versus 16.7% in no-MRA group (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.73-0.96), and among those without heart failure, it was 2.5% with MRA versus 3.5% without MRA (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.51-1.02, P for interaction = .43). Patients receiving MRA had fewer new or worsening heart failure events (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.66-0.84, P < .0001; I² = 14%). Nevertheless, MRA therapy increased risk for hyperkalemia (≥5.5 mmol/L) (OR 2.52, 95% CI 1.36-4.65, P = .003; I² = 63%).

CONCLUSIONS

Administration of MRA may reduce mortality after acute MI. However, this is largely based on post-MI patients with heart failure. Further data are needed in MI patients without heart failure.

Impact of Aldosterone Antagonists on Sudden Cardiac Death Prevention in Heart Failure and Post-Myocardial Infarction Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background and Objectives

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a severe burden of modern medicine. Aldosterone antagonist is publicized as effective in reducing mortality in patients with heart failure (HF) or post myocardial infarction (MI). Our study aimed to assess the efficacy of AAs on mortality including SCD, hospitalization admission and several common adverse effects.

Methods

We searched Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane library and clinicaltrial.gov for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assigning AAs in patients with HF or post MI through May 2015. The comparator included standard medication or placebo, or both. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. Event rates were compared using a random effects model. Prospective RCTs of AAs with durations of at least 8 weeks were selected if they included at least one of the following outcomes: SCD, all-cause/cardiovascular mortality, all-cause/cardiovascular hospitalization and common side effects (hyperkalemia, renal function degradation and gynecomastia).

Results

Data from 19,333 patients enrolled in 25 trials were included. In patients with HF, this treatment significantly reduced the risk of SCD by 19% (RR 0.81; 95% CI, 0.67–0.98; p = 0.03); all-cause mortality by 19% (RR 0.81; 95% CI, 0.74–0.88, p<0.00001) and cardiovascular death by 21% (RR 0.79; 95% CI, 0.70–0.89, p<0.00001). In patients with post-MI, the matching reduced risks were 20% (RR 0.80; 95% CI, 0.66–0.98; p = 0.03), 15% (RR 0.85; 95% CI, 0.76–0.95, p = 0.003) and 17% (RR 0.83; 95% CI, 0.74–0.94, p = 0.003), respectively. Concerning both subgroups, the relative risks respectively decreased by 19% (RR 0.81; 95% CI, 0.71–0.92; p = 0.002) for SCD, 18% (RR 0.82; 95% CI, 0.77–0.88, p < 0.0001) for all-cause mortality and 20% (RR 0.80; 95% CI, 0.74–0.87, p < 0.0001) for cardiovascular mortality in patients treated with AAs. As well, hospitalizations were significantly reduced, while common adverse effects were significantly increased.

Conclusion

Aldosterone antagonists appear to be effective in reducing SCD and other mortality events, compared with placebo or standard medication in patients with HF and/or after a MI.

Effects of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists in patients with preserved ejection fraction: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

BACKGROUND

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) have been shown to be effective in patients with heart failure or myocardial infarction complicated by a reduced ejection fraction. However, the role of MRAs in patients with preserved ejection fraction (PEF) remains to be clarified. We aimed to summarize the evidence for the efficacy of MRAs in patients with either heart failure with PEF (HF-PEF) or myocardial infarction with PEF (MI-PEF).

METHODS

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and clinical trials databases for randomized controlled trials, through June 2014, assessing MRA treatment in HF-PEF or MI-PEF patients. Fourteen randomized controlled trials (MI-PEF, 5; HF-PEF, 9; n = 6,428 patients) were included.

RESULTS

MRA treatment reduced the risk of hospitalization for heart failure (relative risk, 0.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.70 to 0.98), improved quality of life (weighted mean difference [WMD], -5.16; 95% CI, -8.03 to -2.30), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (standardized mean difference, -0.21; 95% CI, 0.32 to -0.11), and serum amino-terminal peptide of procollagen type-III level (WMD, -1.50, 95% CI, -1.72 to -1.29) in patients with PEF. In addition, MRAs reduced E/e'(an echocardiographic estimate of filling pressure for assessment of diastolic function; WMD, -1.82; 95% CI, -2.23 to -1.42) in HF-PEF patients and E/A ratio (the ratio of early to late diastolic transmitral flow; WMD, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.10 to 0.14) in MI-PEF patients. However, all-cause mortality was not improved by MRAs in either HF-PEF (P = 0.90) or MI-PEF (P = 0.27) patients.

CONCLUSIONS

MRA treatment in PEF patients led to reduced hospitalization for heart failure, quantifiable improvements in quality of life and diastolic function, and reversal of cardiac remodeling, but did not provide any all-cause mortality benefit.

Effect of spironolactone on cardiac remodeling after acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

Few studies have reported the effect of aldosterone receptor antagonist (ARA) on myocardial remodeling after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This study was undertaken to investigate the preventive effect of ARA on myocardial remodeling after AMI.

METHODS

A total of 616 patients who had been admitted into the CCU of the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University from January 2008 to January 2010 were studied prospectively. Only 528 patients were observed completely, including 266 of the control group and 262 of the treatment group. There was no statistical difference in age, gender, medical history, admission situation, and treatment between the two groups (P>0.05). The preventive effects of spironolactone on cardiac remodeling, left ventricular function, renal function and blood levels of potassium were evaluated by echocardiography, serum potassium and serum creatinine at one-month and one-year follow-up.

RESULTS

The echocardiography indicators such as LVESD, LVEDD, LVEF, LAD-ML and LAD-SI were significantly improved in the treatment group compared with the control group at one year (P<0.05). In the treatment group, LVESD, LVEDD, LVPWT, LVEF, LAD-ML and LAD-SI were more significantly improved at one year than one month (P<0.05, P=0.007 to LVEF), and in the control group LVEF was more significantly improved at one year than one month (P=0.0277). There were no significant differences in serum potassium and serum creatinine levels between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

On the basis of conventional treatment, the early combination of low-dose spironolactone (20 mg/d) could inhibit cardiac remodeling at late stage and prevent heart failure.

Effect of left atrium volume on patients' prognosis following acute myocardial infarction

Evaluating left atrium volume is a good way to estimate prognosis in acute myocardial infarction patients because it indicates to time and severity of diastolic dysfunction and longer-term results of acute myocardial infarction. The present study aims at evaluating the effect of left atrium volume on patients' prognosis following acute myocardial infarction. This is a cohort study conducted on 100 patients who were admitted with acute myocardial infarction. They were studied for 9 months and their one-month mortality rate was evaluated. The patients were studied considering demographic factors, risk factors, mechanical and arrhythmic complications and echocardiography indexes such as systolic and diastolic functions and left atrium volume. It was seen that mortality (27.3%, 6.22) in patients with atrium index > 32 mL m(-2) is more than cases with lower atrium index (1.3%, 1.78) (p = 0.001). There was not any meaningful difference in mortality rate of the patients considering age and gender (p > 0.05). This study indicated to lack of any meaningful difference in patients' mortality rate in terms of hypertension, diabetes, smoking and dyslipidemia. But, mortality rate was significantly higher in MI as a result of elevated-ST, diastolic dysfunction, restrictive pattern, ejection fraction of left atrium < 40%, left atrium volume index > 32 mL m(-2). High volume left atrium independently refers to bad prognosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction which is confirmed with outcome clinical predictors and common echocardiography indexes even following modification.

Evaluation of biatrial size and functions by different echocardiographic parameters in patients with acute coronary syndromes

After acute coronary syndromes (ACS), cardiac remodelling affecting not only ventricles but also both atria is an important problem associated with an increased risk for adverse cardiovascular outcomes. However, it is usually underestimated to evaluate atrial size and functions. The aim of the present study is to compare left and right atrial size and functions in ACS patients with healthy controls during transthoracic echocardiography by means of diameter, area and volume measurements, and pulsed-wave tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). 150 ACS patients (128 male, 22 female) and 25 healthy controls (19 male, 6 female) were enrolled into the study. Of the ACS patients, 75 had ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and 75 had non-STEMI. Biatrial diameters, areas, and volumes were measured from different echocardiographic views. Atrial total emptying fraction and expansion index values were calculated from volume measurements. By the pulsed-wave TDI of the atrial walls; peak systolic (S'), peak early diastolic (E'), and peak late diastolic (A') velocities were measured. Almost all left atrial parameters for diameter, area, and volume measurements were higher in ACS patients. Similarly, they had higher values for the same right atrial parameters. Left and right atrial total emptying fraction and expansion index values were lower in ACS patients than controls. All left and right atrial walls had lower S' and E' velocities in ACS patients. ACS cause important alterations in the biatrial size and functions evaluated by echocardiographic diameter, area and volume measurements, and pulsed-wave TDI.

Targeting the aldosterone pathway in cardiovascular disease

Accumulated evidence has demonstrated that aldosterone is a key player in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular (CV) disease. Multiple clinical trials have documented that intervention in the aldosterone pathway can reduce blood pressure and lower albuminuria and improve outcome in patients with heart failure or myocardial infarction. Recent studies have unraveled details about the role of aldosterone at the cellular level in CV disease. The relative importance of glucocorticoids and aldosterone in terms of mineralocorticoid receptor activation is currently being debated. Also, studies are addressing which aldosterone modulator to use, which timing of treatment to aim for, and in which population to intervene. This review provides an overview of recent developments in the understanding of the role of aldosterone in CV disease, with particular reference to mechanisms and potential targets of intervention. Finally, ongoing or desirable clinical trials in the field are highlighted. The review is partly based on discussions between basic scientists and clinical trialists at the Cardiovascular Clinical Trials Forum 2009 and subsequently updated to encompass the most recent developments.