Prediction of heart failure post myocardial infarction: comparison of ejection fraction, transmitral filling parameters, and the index of myocardial performance

Effect of Yoga-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program on Endothelial Function, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammatory Markers in Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Aims

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of yoga-based cardiac rehabilitation (Yoga-CaRe) on the endothelial system, oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods

A sub-study was conducted in two clinical sites of the Yoga-CaRe trial (a multicenter randomized controlled trial). Participants with acute MI were randomized and allocated to either the Yoga-CaRe program (13 sessions with encouragement to home practice) or enhanced standard care (three educational sessions). Endothelial function, oxidative stress, and inflammatory biomarkers were assessed using biomarkers such as asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), endothelin-1 (ET-1), E-selectin, P-selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM), intercellular cell-adhesion molecule-1, total nitric oxide concentration (NOx), oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Oxd-LDL), superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant capacity (TAOC), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), and C-reactive protein (CRP) at baseline and 12 weeks. Laboratory and statistical analysis were done by staff blinded to group allocation.

Results

Eighty-two patients (of the 110 patients recruited) completed the study. The mean age was 53.1 ± 10.6 and 51.9 ± 10.7 years in enhanced standard care and Yoga-CaRe group, respectively. At 12 weeks, Yoga-CaRe significantly reduced ADMA, ET-1, and ICMA-1 than the enhanced standard care group. Although E-selectin and VCAM at 12 weeks were reduced in both groups, enhanced standard care had a significantly higher reduction than the Yoga-CaRe group. Among markers of oxidative stress, TAOC increased in the Yoga-CaRe group. We found no difference in eNOS, NOx, P-selectin, TNFα, CRP, and Oxd-LDL between the two groups.

Conclusion

Yoga-CaRe improved the endothelial function (through a reduction in ET-1 and modulating adhesion molecules) and enhanced antioxidant capacity.

Increased left atrial volume index is associated with more cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome: HIJ-PROPER study findings

AIM

To investigate the association between the left atrial volume index (LAVI) and the incidence of cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who did not have atrial fibrillation (AF).

METHODS

In this sub-analysis of the HIJ-PROPER study, 226 ACS patients who did not have a history of AF were enrolled. Participants were divided into two groups according to the LAVI cut-off level calculated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to predict the primary endpoint, and cardiovascular events were compared between groups. The primary endpoint was the first occurrence of all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, and hospitalization for heart failure.

RESULTS

ROC curve analysis for the occurrence of composite of cardiovascular events indicated a LAVI cut-off point of 34 mL/m² . Based on this, 131 patients (58.0%) were in the LAVI < 34 mL/m² group and 95 (42.0%) were in the LAVI ≥ 34 mL/m² group. Over a median follow-up period of 4.0 years [interquartile range: 3.2, 5.1], cardiovascular events were noted in 7 and 15 patients in the LAVI < 34 mL/m² and LAVI ≥ 34 mL/m² groups, corresponding to an incidence rate of 5.3% and 15.8%, respectively. Patients with a LAVI value ≥ 34 mL/m² had a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular events than those with a LAVI value < 34 mL/m² (hazard ratio: 2.93; 95% confidence interval: 1.19-7.22; P = .014). The tendency was similar after adjusting for several confounders (P = .025).

CONCLUSION

In ACS patients without AF, elevated LAVI was associated with increased cardiovascular events.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

International standard randomized controlled trial (URL: https://www.umin.ac.jp; UMIN000002742).

Clinical significance of early systolic reverse flow in left anterior descending coronary artery on transthoracic echocardiography in patients with acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

Predicting the cardiac function in chronic phase of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients is important. Previous studies showed that the presence of early systolic reverse flow (ESRF) in coronary flow measured with a Doppler guide wire is a predictor of worsening chronic phase function in patients with anterior AMI. We routinely examined the coronary flow velocity (CFV) of the distal left anterior descending artery (LAD) using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in AMI patients. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the ESRF in TTE is associated with the chronic cardiac function, recovery of cardiac function, and the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients with anterior AMI.

METHODS

We enrolled 84 patients with their first anterior AMI. Using TTE, we recorded the CFV of distal LAD within 5 days after primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Patients were divided into two groups, ESRF + group (ESRF was detected in TTE: 21 cases) and ESRF- group (ESRF was not detected in TTE: 63 cases). We compared chronic cardiac function in TTE, changes in cardiac function in acute and chronic phase (ΔLVEF, ΔLVDd), and the incidence of MACE.

RESULTS

The incidence of MACE in ESRF-group was lower than that in ESRF + group (3.3% vs 19.1% P = .02). LVEF in chronic phase in ESRF- group was higher than that in ESRF + group (54.1 ± 5.6% vs 40.4 ± 6.2% P < .001). ΔLVDd was smaller in ESRF-group than ESRF + group (-0.62 ± 4.0 mm vs +5.06 ± 3.4 mm P = .003).

CONCLUSION

Early systolic reverse flow in TTE is a predictor of chronic cardiac function and incidence of MACE in patients with anterior AMI.

Risks of age and sex on clinical outcomes post myocardial infarction

Background

How sex and age influence post-myocardial infarction (post-MI) outcomes remains unclear. This study evaluated the influence of sex and age on drug therapy, echocardiographic parameters, and outcomes in post-MI patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled 643 patients with first acute MI who underwent successful PCI and two echocardiographic examinations within 1 year after MI. Clinical characteristics and 4-year follow-up outcomes were compared between sexes and age groups. Primary endpoints were cardiovascular mortality and hospitalization for heart failure (HF).

Results

Compared with males, female patients with MI, particularly older females, had more systemic diseases. Younger females received fewer guideline-directed therapies. Older patients presented with higher left ventricular volume and mass index but no significant differences in left ventricular ejection fraction. The Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed increased mortality in both younger and older females. Elderly patients, particularly older females, exhibited significantly higher post-MI HF incidence but no difference in recurrent MI, ventricular arrhythmia, or revascularization.

Conclusions

In MI patients receiving PCI, outcome differences between sexes are age-dependent. Age influences outcome more heavily in females than in males. Females are likely to exhibit worse overall survival, and older females are at higher risk of post-MI HF.

Matrix metalloproteinases as input and output signals for post-myocardial infarction remodeling

Despite current optimal therapeutic regimens, approximately one in four patients diagnosed with myocardial infarction (MI) will go on to develop congestive heart failure, and heart failure has a high five-year mortality rate of 50%. Elucidating mechanisms whereby heart failure develops post-MI, therefore, is highly needed. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are key enzymes involved in post-MI remodeling of the left ventricle (LV). While MMPs process cytokine and extracellular matrix (ECM) substrates to regulate the inflammatory and fibrotic components of the wound healing response to MI, MMPs also serve as upstream signaling initiators with direct actions on cell signaling cascades. In this review, we summarize the current literature regarding MMP roles in post-MI LV remodeling. We also identify the current knowledge gaps and provide templates for experiments to fill these gaps. A more complete understanding of MMP roles, particularly with regards to upstream signaling roles, may provide new strategies to limit adverse LV remodeling.

Echocardiographic parameters as predictors of in-hospital mortality in patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

Different ways have been used to stratify risk in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. The aim of the study was to examine the usefulness of echocardiographic parameters as predictors of in-hospital outcome in patients with ACS after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A data of 2030 patients with diagnosis of ACS hospitalized from December 2008 to December 2011 was used to develop a risk model based on echocardiographic parameters using the binary logistic regression. This model was independently evaluated in validation cohort prospectively (954 patients admitted during 2012). In-hospital mortality in derivation cohort was 7.73%, and 6.28% in validation cohort. Developed model has been designed with 4 independent echocardiographic predictors of in-hospital mortality: left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF RR = 0.892; 95%CI = 0.854-0.932, P < 0.0005), aortic leaflet separation diameter (AOvs RR = 0.131; 95%CI = 0.027-0.627, P = 0.011), right ventricle diameter (RV RR = 2.675; 95%CI = 1.109-6.448, P = 0.028) and right ventricle systolic pressure (RVSP RR = 1.036; 95%CI = 1.000-1.074, P = 0.048). Model has good prognostic accuracy (AUROC = 0.84) and it retains good (AUROC = 0.78) when testing on the validation cohort. Risks for in-hospital mortality after PCI in ACS patients using echocardiographic measurements could be accurately predicted in contemporary practice. Incorporation of such developed model should facilitate research, clinical decisions, and optimizing treatment strategy in selected high risk ACS patients.

MRI-based prediction of adverse cardiac remodeling after murine myocardial infarction

Myocardial infarction (MI) results in adverse cardiac remodeling leading to heart failure and increased mortality. Experimental mouse models of MI are extensively used to identify mechanisms underlying adverse remodeling, but the extent of remodeling that occurs may be highly variable and can limit the utility to discover new disease pathways. The ability to predict the development of significant late post-MI remodeling would be invaluable in conducting such studies by increasing throughput and efficiency. This study aimed to identify potential thresholds of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters measured early after murine MI that would predict the development of significant adverse remodeling at 4 wk. MI was achieved by permanent coronary ligation and animals (n = 84) were followed up for 4 wk subsequently. MRI was used to assess left ventricular (LV) volumes, mass and ejection fraction, as well as infarct size (IS). Late gadolinium enhancement cine-MRI was performed at 2 days with standard cine-MRI at 30 days post-MI. Utilizing multiple logistic regression, we found that IS >36%, at 2 days post-MI, was the overall best single predictor of adverse remodeling at 30 days (sensitivity 80.7%, specificity 88.9%; C-statistic of 0.939 from receiver-operating curve analysis). LV end-systolic volume (LVESV) >32 μl was also an excellent predictor comparable to IS. The combination of IS >36% and/or LVESV >32 μl provided the highest predictive values for late adverse remodeling among multiple predictors. This study demonstrates that MRI-based estimation of IS and ESV during the acute phase of murine MI are good predictors of subsequent adverse remodeling that may aid experimental design.

Echocardiographic predictors of early in-hospital heart failure during first ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction: does myocardial performance index and left atrial volume improve diagnosis over conventional parameters of left ventricular function?

BACKGROUND

Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) has been considered a major determinant of early outcome in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Myocardial performance index (MPI) has been associated to early evolution in AMI in a heterogeneous population, including non ST-elevation or previous AMI. Left atrial volume has been related with late evolution after AMI. We evaluated the independent role of clinical and echocardiographic variables including LVEF, MPI and left atrial volume in predicting early in-hospital congestive heart failure (CHF) specifically in patients with a first isolated ST-elevation AMI.

METHODS

Echocardiography was performed within 30 hours of chest pain in 95 patients with a first ST-elevation AMI followed during the first week of hospitalization. Several clinical and echocardiographic variables were analyzed. CHF was defined as Killip class ≥ II. Multivariate regression analysis was used to select independent predictor of in-hospital CHF.

RESULTS

Early in-hospital CHF occurred in 29 (31%) of patients. LVEF ≤ 0.45 was the single independent and highly significant predictor of early CHF among other clinical and echocardiographic variables (odds ratio 17.0; [95% CI 4.1 - 70.8]; p < 0.0001). MPI alone could not predict CHF in first ST-elevation AMI patients. Left atrial volume was not associated with early CHF in such patients.

CONCLUSION

For patients with first, isolated ST-elevation AMI, LVEF assessed by echocardiography still constitutes a strong and accurate independent predictor of early in-hospital CHF, superior to isolated MPI and left atrial volume in this particular subset of patients.

Comparison of myocardial performance index obtained either by conventional echocardiography or tissue Doppler echocardiography in healthy subjects and patients with heart failure

This study was planned to investigate the normal reference values of myocardial performance index (MPI) obtained by tissue Doppler echocardiography (TDE) and the agreement between MPI measured by TDE and conventional MPI measured by pulsed-wave Doppler (PWD) in healthy subjects and patients with heart failure (HF). Two hundred and three patients with HF and 190 healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. Isovolumic contraction and relaxation time (ICT and IRT) and ejection time (ET) were measured from mitral inflow and left ventricular (LV) outflow. Tissue Doppler echocardiography recordings were obtained at the septal, lateral, inferior, and anterior of the mitral annulus and same time intervals were measured. Myocardial performance index was calculated. The functional capacity of the patients with HF was determined according to New York Heart Association classification. TDE-MPI values were higher than conventional PWD-MPI values in both groups (53%+/-8% vs 48%+/-11%, P<0.0001 in the healthy subjects; 84%+/-21% vs 72%+/-19%, P<0.0001 in the patients with HF). Moderate agreement was found between PWD-MPI and LV mean TDE-MPI in both groups. In identifying patients with moderately or severely decreased LV ejection fraction, TDE-MPI had higher cutoff values than conventional PWD-MPI, and TDE-MPI had higher specificity, sensitivity, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy. In patients with HF, TDE-MPI had a stronger correlation with LV ejection fraction and functional capacity than did PWD-MPI. TDE-MPI is an alternative to conventional PWD-MPI in assessment of cardiac function. However, the higher MPI cutoff points should be considered when this method is used for the evaluation of cardiac function.

Peri-infarct pacing with CRT in the early postinfarct phase to attenuate long-term remodeling

Deleterious left ventricular remodeling routinely occurs after myocardial infarction (MI) and novel strategies to attenuate this phenomenon may prove valuable. Here, we describe the potential role of left ventricular (LV) peri-infarct pacing (delivered via biventricular pacemakers) to reduce post-MI remodeling. Regional wall stress in the infarcted area is predictive of remodeling and therefore represents a potential therapeutic target. Using an intrinsic property of pacing to reduce stress and work at the pacing site, there are animal data to suggest that long-term peri-infarct pacing can have a salutary effect on cardiac structure after MI. This concept was tested in a pilot human study, suggesting attenuation of ventricular dilation in post-MI patients treated with LV pacing compared with control. To further characterize this concept, a 110-patient, multicenter, randomized Prevention of Myocardial Enlargement and Dilatation post-Myocardial Infarction Study (MENDMI) has completed enrollment. Inclusion criteria included anterior MI, QRS < 120 ms, ejection fraction <or= 35%, CPK > 2,000, and wall motion abnormalities in at least five of 16 segments. MENDMI will help to determine whether chronic application of peri-infarct pacing provides structural and clinical benefits and will help in the design of further investigations to modify postinfarction ventricular remodeling.

Macrophage roles following myocardial infarction

Following myocardial infarction (MI), circulating blood monocytes respond to chemotactic factors, migrate into the infarcted myocardium, and differentiate into macrophages. At the injury site, macrophages remove necrotic cardiac myocytes and apoptotic neutrophils; secrete cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors; and modulate phases of the angiogenic response. As such, the macrophage is a primary responder cell type that is involved in the regulation of post-MI wound healing at multiple levels. This review summarizes what is currently known about macrophage functions post-MI and borrows literature from other injury and inflammatory models to speculate on additional roles. Basic science and clinical avenues that remain to be explored are also discussed.

Beat-to-beat change in "myocardial performance index" related to load

BACKGROUND

This study was designed to assess the relationship of the "myocardial performance index" (MPI) to the beat-by-beat change in pre-load with static or unchanged contractile status.

METHODS

Eight anesthetized juvenile pigs were studied using direct measurement of the left ventricular pressure and volume. Transient inflation of a vena cava balloon catheter produced controlled pre-load alterations. Consecutive beats were analyzed, grouped for first, second, third, etc. during the pre-load alteration, and evaluated for the change in MPI during the same contractile status with a controlled pre-load alteration. Two pharmacologic inotropic interventions were also included to generate several myocardial conditions in each animal.

RESULTS

MPI demonstrated a strong linear relationship to the pre-load and after-load. MPI increased progressively during decreasing end-diastolic volume, mostly related to changes in ejection time. MPI was observed at the same level for three different myocardial function conditions (all eight animals), with a different relationship between MPI and pre-load noted for each observation.

CONCLUSIONS

MPI is strongly load dependent, and can vary widely in value for the same contractile status if the load is varied. The use of this index in critically ill patients should be limited in this respect. Further work is needed to establish the relationship of MPI to load and contractile status.

Diastolic dysfunction and autonomic abnormalities in patients with systolic heart failure

BACKGROUND

Patients with systolic heart failure (SHF) often have concomitant diastolic dysfunction (DD). SHF is associated with decreased heart rate variability (HRV), but the impact of degree of DD on HRV in SHF is unclear.

METHODS AND RESULTS

HRV was measured in 139 patients, aged 64+/-12 years, 74% male, LVEF 30+/-8%. Patients had stable NYHA class II-III CHF on ACE inhibitors or ATII receptor blockers, with LVEF<or=40% and BNP>or=200 pg/ml. Subjects underwent 2-D echocardiography with Doppler assessment and 24-h Holters. Patients were categorized as having impaired relaxation (E-deceleration time>2 SD above age-adjusted normal values (AANV), E/A<or=1, systolic/diastolic pulmonary vein flow>or=1; N=30), pseudonormal (E-deceleration time within 2 SD of AANV, E/A=1-2, systolic/diastolic pulmonary vein flow<1; N=25) or restrictive filling patterns (E-deceleration time>2 SD below AANV or/and E/A ratio>or=2; N=84) Differences were adjusted for clinical covariates using UNIANOVA, p<0.05. HRV was reduced and BNP higher in pseudonormal patients compared to impaired relaxation, but this difference was only significant for restrictive vs. impaired filling. Differences remained significant after adjustment for covariates.

CONCLUSION

Significantly more abnormal HRV, reflecting greater cardiac autonomic dysfunction, is associated with restrictive DD compared to impaired relaxation.

Feasibility of Biventricular Pacing in Patients With Recent Myocardial Infarction: Impact on Ventricular Remodeling

To test the hypothesis that biventricular pacing after a myocardial infarction with reduced ejection fraction can attenuate left ventricular (LV) remodeling, the authors studied 18 patients (myocardial infarction within 30-45 days, ejection fraction <or=30%, narrow QRS) randomized to biventricular therapy (biventricular therapy + defibrillator) (biventricular group) or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator alone (control group). At 1, 6, and 12 months, there were no differences in functional or clinical parameters (New York Heart Association, quality of life, 6-minute walk). Twelve-month LV volume remained stable in the biventricular group, but increased in the control group (median LV end-diastolic volume increase, 6.5 mL in biventricular vs 35 mL in control; P=.03; median LV end-diastolic volume decrease, 5.5 mL in biventricular vs 30.5-mL increase in control; P=.11). Biventricular therapy also prevented an increase in sphericity index at 12 months (median, -2% in biventricular vs 37% in control; P=.06). Delivery of biventricular therapy early after myocardial infarction appears safe and feasible and may attenuate subsequent LV dilation.