Pulmonary Hypertension Due to Left Heart Disease

Effect of fasudil on clinical outcomes of pulmonary hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a life-threatening condition with high mortality, categorized into 5 Groups based on distinct etiologies. Fasudil, a potent vasodilator targeting the RhoA/Rho kinase pathway, holds promise for diverse PH pathologies. However, a comprehensive systematic evaluation of its clinical benefits remains elusive.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic search across several databases. Meta-analysis using odds ratio and mean difference was performed, with an assessment of studies' quality and pooled evidence.

RESULTS

Studies on Group-2 and -3 PH reports eligible data for meta-analysis. Inclusion of 3269 patients with Group-3 PH demonstrated that fasudil significantly increased effective events, FEV1, 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) and arterial PaO2, and decreased mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP); Inclusion of 197 patients with Group-2 PH suggested that fasudil significantly increased 6MWD and PaO2, and decreased PASP. Subgroup analysis revealed no significant difference between dosages of 30 and 60 mg/day, while durations and methods of fasudil administration might affect therapeutic effectiveness in patients with Group-3 PH.

CONCLUSIONS

By providing comprehensive and robust evidence, our study favor the beneficial effects of fasudil by enhancing FEV1, 6MWD and PaO2, and reducing mPAP and PASP on patients with Group-3 PH, suggesting fasudil as a viable treatment recommendation for these patients and highlighting the need for further studies to inform healthcare policies.

PROTOCOL REGISTRATION

www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero identifier is CRD42022308947.

DYZY01 alleviates pulmonary hypertension via inhibiting endothelial cell pyroptosis and rescuing endothelial dysfunction

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a malignant pulmonary vascular disease with a poor prognosis. Although the development of targeted drugs for this disease has made some breakthroughs in recent decades, PH remains incurable. Therefore, innovative clinical treatment methods and drugs for PH are still urgently needed. DYZY01 is a new drug whose main ingredient is high-purity cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive constituent of cannabinoids that was demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory and anti-pyroptosis properties. Several recent studies have found cannabidiol could improve experimental PH, whereas the mechanistic effect of it warrants further investigation. Thus, this study aimed to investigate whether DYZY01 can treat PH by inhibiting inflammation and pyroptosis and to reveal its underlying mechanism. We established hypoxia and monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PH rat models in vivo and treated them with either DYZY01 (10,50 mg/kg/d) or Riociguat (10 mg/kg/d) by oral administration. The mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVHI), and extent of vascular remodeling were measured. Meanwhile, the effect of DYZY01 on human pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (HPAECs) was assessed in vitro. The results indicated that DYZY01 significantly reduced mPAP and RVHI in PH rats and reversed the extent of pulmonary vascular remodeling. This improvement may have been achieved by reducing endothelial cell pyroptosis via inhibiting the NF-κB/NLRP3/Caspase-1 pathway. Furthermore, DYZY01 could improve endothelial vascular function, possibly by regulating the secretion of vasodilator factors and inhibiting the proliferation and migration of pulmonary endothelial cells.

Simple model of pulmonary hypertension secondary to left heart pressure overload induced by partial intravascular occlusion of the ascending aorta

Pulmonary hypertension is a group of diseases characterized by elevated pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance with significant morbidity and mortality. The most prevalent type is pulmonary hypertension secondary to left heart disease (PH-LHD). The available experimental models of PH-LHD use partial pulmonary clamping by technically nontrivial open-chest surgery with lengthy recovery. We present a simple model in which the reduction of the cross-sectional area of the ascending aorta is achieved not by external clamping but by partial intravascular obstruction without opening the chest. In anesthetized rats, a blind polyethylene tubing was advanced from the right carotid artery to just above the aortic valve. The procedure is quick and easy to learn. Three weeks after the procedure, left heart pressure overload was confirmed by measuring left ventricular end-diastolic pressure by puncture (1.3 ± 0.2 vs. 0.4 ± 0.3 mmHg in controls, mean ± SD, P < 0.0001). The presence of pulmonary hypertension was documented by measuring pulmonary artery pressure by catheterization (22.3 ± 2.3 vs. 16.9 ± 2.7 mmHg, P = 0.0282) and by detecting right ventricular hypertrophy and increased muscularization of peripheral pulmonary vessels. Contributions of a precapillary vascular segment and vasoconstriction to the increased pulmonary vascular resistance were demonstrated, respectively, by arterial occlusion technique and by normalization of resistance by a vasodilator, sodium nitroprusside, in isolated lungs. These changes were comparable, but not additive, to those induced by an established pulmonary hypertension model, chronic hypoxic exposure. Intravascular partial aortic obstruction offers an easy model of pulmonary hypertension induced by left heart disease that has a vasoconstrictor and precapillary component.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We present a new, simple model of a clinically important type of pulmonary hypertension, that induced by left heart failure. Left ventricular pressure overload is induced in rats by inserting a blinded cannula into the ascending aorta via carotid artery access. This partial intravascular aortic obstruction, which does not require opening of the chest and prolonged recovery, causes pulmonary hypertension, which has a precapillary and vasoconstrictor as well as a vascular remodeling component.

Considerations in the Diagnosis and Management of Pulmonary Hypertension Associated With Left Heart Disease

Pulmonary hypertension associated with left heart disease (PH-LHD) remains the most common cause of pulmonary hypertension globally. Etiologies include heart failure with reduced and preserved ejection fraction and left-sided valvular heart diseases. Despite the increasing prevalence of PH-LHD, there remains a paucity of knowledge about the hemodynamic definition, diagnosis, treatment modalities, and prognosis among clinicians. Moreover, clinical trials have produced mixed results on the usefulness of pulmonary vasodilator therapies for PH-LHD. In this expert review, we have outlined the critical role of meticulous hemodynamic evaluation and provocative testing for cases of diagnostic uncertainty. Therapeutic strategies-pharmacologic, device-based, and surgical therapies used for managing PH-LHD-are also outlined. PH-LHD in advanced heart failure, and the role of mechanical circulatory support in PH-LHD is briefly explored. An in-depth understanding of PH-LHD by all clinicians is needed for improved recognition and outcomes among patients with PH-LHD.

Pulmonary hypertension associated to left heart disease: Phenotypes and treatment

Pulmonary hypertension associated to left heart disease (PH-LHD) refers to a clinical and haemodynamic condition of pulmonary hypertension associated with a heterogeneous group of diseases affecting any of the compartments that form the left ventricle and left atrium. PH-LHD is the most common cause of PH, accounting for 65-80 % of diagnoses. Based on the haemodynamic phase of the disease, PH-LDH is classified into three subgroups: postcapillary PH, isolated postcapillary PH and combined pre-postcapillary PH (CpcPH). Several signaling pathways involved in the regulation of vascular tone are dysfunctional in PH-LHD, including nitric oxide, MAP kinase and endothelin-1 pathways. These pathways are the same as those altered in PH group 1, however PH-LHD can heardly be treated by specific drugs that act on the pulmonary circulation. In this manuscript we provide a state of the art of the available clinical trials investigating the safety and efficacy of PAH-specific drugs, as well as drugs active in patients with heart failure and PH-LHD. We also discuss the different phenotypes of PH-LHD, as well as molecular targets and signaling pathways potentially involved in the pathophysiology of the disease. Finally we will mention some new emerging therapies that can be used to treat this form of PH.

Pulmonary vascular disease in Veterans with post-deployment respiratory syndrome

Exertional dyspnea has been documented in US military personnel after deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan. We studied whether continued exertional dyspnea in this patient population is associated with pulmonary vascular disease (PVD). We performed detailed histomorphometry of pulmonary vasculature in 52 Veterans with biopsy-proven post-deployment respiratory syndrome (PDRS) and then recruited five of these same Veterans with continued exertional dyspnea to undergo a follow-up clinical evaluation, including symptom questionnaire, pulmonary function testing, surface echocardiography, and right heart catheterization (RHC). Morphometric evaluation of pulmonary arteries showed significantly increased intima and media thicknesses, along with collagen deposition (fibrosis), in Veterans with PDRS compared to non-diseased (ND) controls. In addition, pulmonary veins in PDRS showed increased intima and adventitia thicknesses with prominent collagen deposition compared to controls. Of the five Veterans involved in our clinical follow-up study, three had borderline or overt right ventricle (RV) enlargement by echocardiography and evidence of pulmonary hypertension (PH) on RHC. Together, our studies suggest that PVD with predominant venular fibrosis is common in PDRS and development of PH may explain exertional dyspnea and exercise limitation in some Veterans with PDRS.

The role of serum sodium in poor prognosis evaluation of pulmonary hypertension associated with left heart disease

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have shown that hyponatremia was strongly associated with a poor prognosis of type 1 pulmonary hypertension, and our team's antecedent studies found that low serum sodium was associated with the severity and the length of hospitalization of pulmonary hypertension associated with left ventricular disease (PH-LHD). However, the relationship between serum sodium and the prognosis of PH-LHD remains unclear. This study aims to determine the clinical value of serum sodium in evaluating poor prognosis in patients with PH-LHD.

METHODS

We successfully followed 716 patients with PH-LHD. Kaplan-Meier was used to plot survival in PH-LHD patients with different serum sodium levels. The effect of serum sodium on poor prognosis was analyzed using a Cox proportional risk model. The trends between patients serum sodium and survival were visualized by restricted cubic spline (RCS).

RESULTS

The survival rates at 1, 2, 3 and 4 years were 52%, 41%, 31% and 31% for the patients with hyponatremia associated with PH-LHD and 71%, 71%, 71% and 54% for the patients with hypernatremia, respectively. The observed mortality rate in the hyponatremia and hypernatremia groups surpassed that of the normonatremic group. The adjusted risks of death (risk ratio) for patients with hyponatremia and hypernatremia were found to be 2.044 and 1.877. Furthermore, the restricted cubic spline demonstrated an L-shaped correlation between serum sodium and all-cause mortality in patients with PH-LHD.

CONCLUSIONS

Abnormal serum sodium level is strongly associated with poor prognosis in PH-LHD. Serum sodium may play an important pathogenic role in PH-LHD occurrence and could be used as a marker to assess the survival in patients.

A spotlight on the aged pulmonary artery

The ever-increasing life expectancy of the global population introduces a critical perspective on the impact of aging as an immutable cardiovascular risk factor, particularly manifesting in the alterations observed in the pulmonary artery (PA). Mechanisms contributing to aging-induced changes in PA include endothelial dysfunction, chronic inflammation, and structural changes in the arterial wall over time. These alterations extend beyond mere elasticity, exerting profound effects on pulmonary hemodynamics. The propensity of PAs to develop atherosclerotic plaques underscores an intriguing facet of vascular aging, although the available literature is currently insufficient to comprehensively assess their true incidence. While recognizing the inherent risk of periprocedural complications, right heart catheterization (RHC) stands out as the gold standard for precise hemodynamic evaluation. Echocardiography, a widely employed method, proves valuable for screening pulmonary hypertension (PH), yet falls short of diagnostic capability. Technological advancements usher in a new era with non-invasive modalities such as cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging emerging as promising tools. These innovations demonstrate their prowess in providing accurate assessments of PA stiffness and hemodynamics, offering a glimpse into the future landscape of diagnostic methodologies. As we navigate the intersection of aging and pulmonary vascular health, this review aims to address mechanisms and techniques for assessing PA aging, highlighting the need for comprehensive assessments to guide clinical decision making in an increasingly aging population.

Renal function improvement correlates with 3D echocardiographic findings: Effect of surgical mitral valve repair

BACKGROUND

The association between surgical treatment of mitral regurgitation (MR) and renal function is not sufficiently well-known. We tried to evaluate renal function before and after the procedure of surgical mitral valve repair (SMVR) in degenerative severe MR.

METHODS

Patients with primary severe (4+) MR and normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) that underwent SMVR, examined by a cutting-edge 3-dimensional (3D) echocardiographic probe were enrolled in this study. We took three CKD-EPI equations to measure estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) before SMVR and shortly before patients discharge. A total of 40 patients with baseline lower mean eGFR were evaluated.

RESULTS

Measurements substantiated statistically significant improvements in eGFR (p < 0.001), multivariable linear regression modeling indicating prominent associations between increase in eGFR and decrease of MR (p = 0.003), decline of pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (p = 0.018), as well as increment of forward stroke volume (p = 0.02), in spite of LVEF reduction, left ventricular global longitudinal strain worsening and left atrial ejection fraction impairment.

CONCLUSIONS

Renal function improves after SMVR in patients with degenerative significant MR and preserved LVEF, regardless of cardiac functional worsening.

The FXYD1 protein plays a protective role against pulmonary hypertension and arterial remodeling via redox and inflammatory mechanisms

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) consists of a heterogenous group of diseases that culminate in increased pulmonary arterial pressure and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. We sought to investigate the role of FXYD1, a small membrane protein that modulates Na+-K+-ATPase function, in the pathophysiology of PH. We mined online transcriptome databases to assess FXYD1 expression in PH. We characterized the effects of FXYD1 knockout (KO) in mice on right and left ventricular (RV and LV) function using echocardiography and measured invasive hemodynamic measurements under normal conditions and after treatment with bleomycin sulfate or chronic hypoxia to induce PH. Using immunohistochemistry, immunoblotting, and functional assays, we examined the effects of FXYD1 KO on pulmonary microvasculature and RV and LV structure and assessed signaling via endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and inflammatory pathways. FXYD1 lung expression tended to be lower in samples from patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) compared with controls, supporting a potential pathophysiological role. FXYD1 KO mice displayed characteristics of PH including significant increases in pulmonary arterial pressure, increased muscularization of small pulmonary arterioles, and impaired RV systolic function, in addition to LV systolic dysfunction. However, when PH was stimulated with standard models of lung injury-induced PH, there was no exacerbation of disease in FXYD1 KO mice. Both the lungs and left ventricles exhibited elevated nitrosative stress and inflammatory milieu. The absence of FXYD1 in mice results in LV inflammation and cardiopulmonary redox signaling changes that predispose to pathophysiological features of PH, suggesting FXYD1 may be protective.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This is the first study to show that deficiency of the FXYD1 protein is associated with pulmonary hypertension. FXYD1 expression is lower in the lungs of people with idiopathic pulmonary artery hypertension. FXYD1 deficiency results in both left and right ventricular functional impairment. Finally, FXYD1 may endogenously protect the heart from oxidative and inflammatory injury.

Effect of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio on Post-TAVR Mortality and Periprocedural Pulmonary Hypertension

Aims

To evaluate the impact of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) on periprocedural pulmonary hypertension (PH) and 3-month all-cause mortality in patients with aortic stenosis (AS) who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and to develop a nomogram for predicting the mortality for these patients.

Methods and Results

124 patients undergoing TAVR were categorized into three groups according to systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP): Group I (no PH, n = 61) consisted of patients with no pre- and post-TAVR PH; Group II (improved PH, n = 35) consisted of patients with post-TAVR systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) decreased by more than 10 mmHg compared to pre-TAVR levels; and Group III (persistent PH, n = 28) consisted of patients with post-TAVR sPAP no decrease or less than 10 mmHg, or new-onset PH after the TAVR procedure. The risk of all-cause mortality within 3 months tended to be higher in Group II (11.4%) and Group III (14.3%) compared to Group I (3.3%) (P=0.057). The multinomial logistic regression analysis demonstrated a positive correlation between NLR and both improved PH (OR: 1.182, 95% CI: 1.036-1.350, P=0.013) and persistent PH (OR: 1.181, 95% CI: 1.032-1.352, P=0.016). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a significant association between higher NLR and increased 3-month all-cause mortality (16.1% vs. 3.1% in lower NLR group, P=0.021). The multivariable Cox regression analysis confirmed that NLR was an independent predictor for all-cause mortality within 3 months, even after adjusting for clinical confounders. A nomogram incorporating five factors (BNP, heart rate, serum total bilirubin, NLR, and comorbidity with coronary heart disease) was developed. ROC analysis was performed to discriminate the ability of the nomogram, and the AUC was 0.926 (95% CI: 0.850-1.000, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Patients with higher baseline NLR were found to be at an increased risk of periprocedural PH and all-cause mortality within 3 months after TAVR.

Post-Capillary Pulmonary Hypertension: Clinical Review

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) caused by left heart disease, also known as post-capillary PH, is the most common etiology of PH. Left heart disease due to systolic dysfunction or heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, valvular heart disease, and left atrial myopathy due to atrial fibrillation are causes of post-capillary PH. Elevated left-sided filling pressures cause pulmonary venous congestion due to backward transmission of pressures and post-capillary PH. In advanced left-sided heart disease or valvular heart disease, chronic uncontrolled venous congestion may lead to remodeling of the pulmonary arterial system, causing combined pre-capillary and post-capillary PH. The hemodynamic definition of post-capillary PH includes a mean pulmonary arterial pressure > 20 mmHg, pulmonary vascular resistance < 3 Wood units, and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure > 15 mmHg. Echocardiography is important in the identification and management of the underlying cause of post-capillary PH. Management of post-capillary PH is focused on the treatment of the underlying condition. Strategies are geared towards pharmacotherapy and guideline-directed medical therapy for heart failure, surgical or percutaneous management of valvular disorders, and control of modifiable risk factors and comorbid conditions. Referral to centers with advanced heart and pulmonary teams has shown to improve morbidity and mortality. There is emerging interest in the use of targeted agents classically used in pulmonary arterial hypertension, but current data remain limited and conflicting. This review aims to serve as a comprehensive summary of postcapillary PH and its etiologies, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management, particularly as it pertains to advanced heart failure.

Correlation analysis between lung ultrasound scores and pulmonary arterial systolic pressure in patients with acute heart failure admitted to the emergency intensive care unit

Background

No convenient, inexpensive, and non-invasive screening tools exist to identify pulmonary hypertension (PH) - left heart disease (LHD) patients during the early stages of the disease course. This study investigated whether different methods of lung ultrasound (LUS) could be used for the initial investigation of PH-LHD.

Methods

This was a single-center prospective observational study which was performed in the Zigong Fourth People's Hospital. We consecutively enrolled patients with heart failure (HF) admitted to the emergency intensive care unit from January 2018 to May 2020. Transthoracic echocardiography and LUS were performed within 24 h before discharge. We used the Spearman coefficient for correlation analysis between ultrasound scores and pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP). Bland-Altman plots were generated to inspect possible bias, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were calculated to assess the relationship between ultrasound scores and an intermediate and high echocardiographic probability of PH-LHD.

Results

Seventy-one patients were enrolled in this study, with an overall median age of 79 (interquartile range: 71.5-84.0) years. Among the 71 patients, 36 (50.7%) cases were male, and 26 (36.6%) had an intermediate and high echocardiographic probability of PH. All four LUS scores in patients with an intermediate and high probability of PH were significantly higher than in patients with a low probability of PH (P <0.05). The correlation coefficient (r) between different LUS scoring methods and PASP was moderate for the 6-zone (r=0.455, P <0.001), 8-zone (r=0.385, P=0.001), 12-zone (r=0.587, P <0.001), and 28-zone (r=0.535, P <0.001) methods. In Bland-Altman plots, each of the four LUS scoring methods had a good agreement with PASP (P <0.001). The 8-zone and 12-zone methods showed moderately accurate discriminative values in differentiating patients with an intermediate and high echocardiographic probability of PH (P <0.05).

Conclusions

LUS is a readily available, inexpensive, and risk-free method that moderately correlates with PASP. LUS is a potential screening tool used for the initial investigation of PH-LHD, especially in emergencies or critical care settings.

A study of the efficacy of sacubitril/valsartan plus dapagliflozin combination treatment in pulmonary arterial hypertension due to left heart disease

OBJECTIVE

To determine the efficacy of sacubitril/valsartan plus dapagliflozin in the treatment of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) due to left heart disease and to explore new treatment regimen for PAH due to left heart disease.

METHODS

This study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) study of 120 patients with PAH due to left heart disease admitted to the cardiovascular department of our hospital from Dec. 2019 to Dec. 2021. The patients were randomized 1:1 to the study group and control group. All patients were given baseline treatments targeting left heart disease and symptoms of PAH. In addition to the baseline treatments, patients in the control group were given sacubitril/valsartan tablets, while patients in the study group were given sacubitril/valsartan tablets plus dapagliflozin tablets. After 6 months of treatment, parameters including left heart function and exercise tolerance, Hemodynamics (left ventricular end systolic diameter [LVSED], left ventricular end diastolic diameter [LVEDD], left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF], 6 min walk distance (6MWD), mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP)), vascular endothelial function (plasma endothelin (ET) -1 and nitric oxide [NO]), heart failure markers (plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP)], inflammatory factors (serum C reactive protein [CRP], interleukin (IL)-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α], and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were assessed in both groups.

RESULTS

Both groups had reduced LVESD and LVEDD, increased LVEF, and extended 6MWD after 6 months of treatment. The improvements in these parameters were significantly greater in the study group than in the control group (all P < 0.05). In addition, both the mPAP and PASP showed a decrease, and the mPAP and PASP in the study group were lower than those in the control group (p<0.05). Furthermore, both groups had decreased plasma ET-1 and NT-proBNP but increased plasma NO after 6 months of treatment. The improvements in these parameters were significantly greater in the study group than in the control group (all P < 0.05). Serum CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α levels were decreased in both groups after 6 months of treatment, and were significantly lower in the study group than in the control group (all P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the overall incidence of ADRs between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Sacubitril/valsartan plus dapagliflozin in the treatment with PAH due to left heart disease can improve left heart function of patients by improving vascular endothelial functions and alleviating inflammation, which helps to reduce the PAH process. Therefore, this combination treatment is safe and effective in PAH due to left heart disease.

Role of histone lactylation interference RNA m6A modification and immune microenvironment homeostasis in pulmonary arterial hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe disease resulting from progressive increases in pulmonary vascular resistance and pulmonary vascular remodeling, ultimately leading to right ventricular failure and even death. Hypoxia, inflammation, immune reactions, and epigenetic modifications all play significant contributory roles in the mechanism of PAH. Increasingly, epigenetic changes and their modifying factors involved in reprogramming through regulation of methylation or the immune microenvironment have been identified. Among them, histone lactylation is a new post-translational modification (PTM), which provides a novel visual angle on the functional mechanism of lactate and provides a promising diagnosis and treatment method for PAH. This review detailed introduces the function of lactate as an important molecule in PAH, and the effects of lactylation on N6-methyladenosine (m6A) and immune cells. It provides a new perspective to further explore the development of lactate regulation of pulmonary hypertension through histone lactylation modification.

Implanted haemodynamic telemonitoring devices to guide management of heart failure: a review and meta-analysis of randomised trials

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Congestion is a key driver of morbidity and mortality in heart failure. Implanted haemodynamic monitoring devices might allow early identification and management of congestion. Here, we provide a state-of-the-art review of implanted haemodynamic monitoring devices for patients with heart failure, including a meta-analysis of randomised trials.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We did a systematic search for pre-print and published trials in Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) on the 22nd of September 2021. We included randomised trials that compared management with or without information from implanted haemodynamic monitoring devices for patients with heart failure. Outcomes selected were hospitalisation for heart failure and all-cause mortality. Changes in treatment associated with haemodynamic monitoring resulted in only a small reduction in mean pulmonary artery pressure (typically < 1 mmHg as a daily average), which generally remained much greater than 20 mmHg. Haemodynamic monitoring reduced hospitalisations for heart failure (HR 0.75; 95% CI 0.58-0.96; p = 0.03) but not mortality (RR 0.92; 95% CI 0.68-1.26; p = 0.48).

CONCLUSIONS

Haemodynamic monitoring for patients with heart failure may reduce the risk of hospitalization for heart failure but this has not yet translated into a reduction in mortality, perhaps because the duration of trials was too short or the reduction in pulmonary artery pressure was not sufficiently large. The efficacy and safety of aiming for larger reductions in pulmonary artery pressure should be explored. After selecting key words, a systematic review for implanted haemodynamic telemonitoring devices was performed in different dataset and 4 randomised clinical trials were identified and included in this meta-analysis. Three different devices (Chronicle, Chronicle/ICD and CardioMEMS) were tested. All-cause mortality and total heart failure hospitalisations were selected as outcomes. No reduction in all-cause mortality rate was reported but a potential benefit on total heart failure hospitalisation was identified.

Acute heart failure and valvular heart disease: A scientific statement of the Heart Failure Association, the Association for Acute CardioVascular Care and the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions of the European Society of Cardiology

Acute heart failure (AHF) represents a broad spectrum of disease states, resulting from the interaction between an acute precipitant and a patient's underlying cardiac substrate and comorbidities. Valvular heart disease (VHD) is frequently associated with AHF. AHF may result from several precipitants that add an acute haemodynamic stress superimposed on a chronic valvular lesion or may occur as a consequence of a new significant valvular lesion. Regardless of the mechanism, clinical presentation may vary from acute decompensated heart failure to cardiogenic shock. Assessing the severity of VHD as well as the correlation between VHD severity and symptoms may be difficult in patients with AHF because of the rapid variation in loading conditions, concomitant destabilization of the associated comorbidities and the presence of combined valvular lesions. Evidence-based interventions targeting VHD in settings of AHF have yet to be identified, as patients with severe VHD are often excluded from randomized trials in AHF, so results from these trials do not generalize to those with VHD. Furthermore, there are not rigorously conducted randomized controlled trials in the setting of VHD and AHF, most of the data coming from observational studies. Thus, distinct to chronic settings, current guidelines are very elusive when patients with severe VHD present with AHF, and a clear-cut strategy could not be yet defined. Given the paucity of evidence in this subset of AHF patients, the aim of this scientific statement is to describe the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and overall treatment approach for patients with VHD who present with AHF.

HIV status and survival of patients with pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease: the Pan African Pulmonary Hypertension Cohort

In sub-Saharan Africa, little is known about pulmonary hypertension in left heart disease (PH-LHD). We used multivariate logistic and cox-hazard proportional regression models to examine factors associated with increased right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) and the effect of real-world HIV status scenarios on 6-month survival rate in the Pan African Pulmonary Hypertension Cohort (PAPUCO) study, a prospective cohort from four African countries. Exposure to biomass fuel smoke (aOR, 95%CI 3.07, 1.02-9.28), moderate to severe NYHA/FC III/IV (aOR, 95%CI 4.18, 1.01-17.38), and unknown HIV status (aOR, 95%CI 2.73, 0.96-7.73) predicted moderate to severe RVSP at the time of presentation. Six months later, HIV infection, moderate-to-severe NYHA/FC, and alcohol consumption were associated with decreased survival probabilities. Upon adjusting for HIV infection, it was observed that an incremental rise in RVSP (1 mmHg) and inter-ventricular septal thickness (1 mm) resulted in an 8% (aHR, 95%CI 1.08, 1.02-1.13) and 20% (aHR, 95%CI 1.2, 1.00-1.43) increase in the probability of mortality due to PH-LHD. In contrast, the risk of death from PH-LHD was reduced by 23% for each additional unit of BMI. (aHR, 95%CI 0.77, 0.59-1.00). In conclusion, the present study offers insights into the determinants that are notably linked to unfavorable survival outcomes in patients with pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease. Certain factors identified in this study are readily evaluable and amenable to modification, even in settings with limited resources.

Monitoring of Levosimendan Administration in Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension Undergoing Cardiac Surgery and Effect of Two Different Dosing Schemes on Hemodynamic and Echocardiographic Parameters

INTRODUCTION

The perioperative management of patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) undergoing cardiac surgery represents one of the most challenging clinical scenarios. This fact mainly depends on the relationship existing between PH and right ventricular failure (RVF). Levosimendan (LS) is an inodilator that might be an effective agent in the treatment of PH and RVF. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of the duration of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) on the therapeutic drug monitoring of LS and to evaluate the effect of preemptive administration of LS on perioperative hemodynamic and echocardiographic parameters in cardiac surgical patients with preexisting PH.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, LS was administered in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery before CPB in order to prevent exacerbation of preexisting PH and subsequent right ventricular dysfunction. Thirty cardiac surgical patients with preoperatively confirmed PH were randomized to receive either 6 μg/kg or 12 μg/kg of LS after the induction of anesthesia. The plasma concentration of LS was measured after CPB. In this study, a low sample volume was used combined with a simple sample preparation protocol. The plasma sample was extracted by protein precipitation and evaporated; then, the analyte was reconstituted and detected using specific and sensitive bioanalytical liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methodology. The clinical, hemodynamic, and echocardiographic parameters were registered and evaluated before and after the administration of the drug.

RESULTS

A fast bioanalytical LC-MS/MS methodology (a run time of 5.5 min) was developed for the simultaneous determination of LS and OR-1896, its main metabolite in human plasma. The LC-MS/MS method was linear over a range of 0.1-50 ng/mL for LS and 1-50 ng/mL for its metabolite OR-1896. Measured plasma concentrations of LS were inversely related to the duration of CPB. LS administration before CPB during cardiac surgery was effective in reducing pulmonary artery pressure and improving hemodynamic parameters after CPB, with a more pronounced and durable effect of the drug at the dose of 12 μg/kg. Additionally, administration of LS at a dose of 12 μg/kg in cardiac surgical patients with PH before CPB improved right ventricular function.

CONCLUSION

LS administration decreases pulmonary artery pressure and may improve right ventricular function in patients with PH undergoing cardiac surgery.

The emerging role of sacubitril/valsartan in pulmonary hypertension with heart failure

Pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease (PH-LHD) represents approximately 65%-80% of all patients with PH. The progression, prognosis, and mortality of individuals with left heart failure (LHF) are significantly influenced by PH and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. Consequently, cardiologists should devote ample attention to the interplay between HF and PH. Patients with PH and HF may not receive optimal benefits from the therapeutic effects of prostaglandins, endothelin receptor antagonists, or phosphodiesterase inhibitors, which are specific drugs for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Sacubitril/valsartan, the angiotensin receptor II blocker-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), was recommended as the first-line therapy for patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) by the 2021 European Society of Cardiology Guidelines. Although ARNI is effective in treating left ventricular (LV) enlargement and lower ejection fraction, its efficacy in treating individuals with PH and HF remains underexplored. Considering its vasodilatory effect at the pre-capillary level and a natriuretic drainage role at the post-capillary level, ARNI is believed to have a broad range of potential applications in treating PH-LHD. This review discusses the fundamental pathophysiological connections between PH and HF, emphasizing the latest research and potential benefits of ARNI in PH with various types of LHF and RV dysfunction.

Effect of preoperative pulmonary artery pressure on the prognosis of end-stage heart failure patients after heart transplantation

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of preoperative pulmonary artery pressure on perioperative outcome of end-stage heart failure patients undergoing heart transplantation.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis was undertaken on the clinical data of patients receiving heart transplantation in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of our hospital from March 2017 to March 2022. A ROC curve analysis was developed between mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) and postoperative mortality using mPAP as diagnostic criteria. Patients were divided into groups based on this threshold to determine the best mPAP threshold value for predicting postoperative nosocomial mortality, and the differences in preoperative and intraoperative data, postoperative complications, and clinical prognosis of patients in the two groups were compared. Patients were followed up to draw the survival curve of patients in the two groups.

RESULTS

The study enlisted the participation of 105 patients. ROC curve research revealed that preoperative pulmonary artery pressure was substantially linked with death following heart transplantation, with mPAP = 30.5mmHg being the best threshold. The group with mPAP ≥ 30.5mmHg had a greater incidence of postoperative ECMO support (28.2% vs. 10.6%, P = 0.021) and a higher incidence of in-hospital mortality (15.4% vs. 1.5%, P = 0.019) than the group with mPAP < 30.5mmHg. The postoperative survival rates of 105 patients were 91.3%, 88.7%, 81.6%, and 77.5% at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years, respectively, however, there was no significant difference between the two groups of patients in the postoperative intermediate-far survival rate (P = 0.431).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative pulmonary artery pressure in patients with end-stage heart failure is intimately correlated with perioperative prognosis of heart transplant recipients. The optimal cut-off mPAP value in predicting perioperative prognosis of heart transplant recipients is 30.5mmHg. In the high mPAP group, perioperative ECMO support rate and perioperative mortality rate are high, which do not affect the medium and long-term prognosis of the recipients undergoing heart transplantation.

Effects of a Soluble Guanylate Cyclase Stimulator Riociguat on Contractility of Isolated Pulmonary Artery and Hemodynamics of U46619-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension in Dogs

Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator riociguat is a relatively novel therapeutic agent for pulmonary hypertension (PH) in human medicine. Riociguat induces endothelium-independent pulmonary artery (PA) relaxation by directly activating the sGC-cyclic guanosine-3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP) pathway in muscle cells. Although riociguat may be effective in the treatment of dogs with refractory PH, basic studies on its clinical application in veterinary medicine are lacking. The present study aimed to explore the effects of riociguat on the contractility of an isolated canine PA and the hemodynamics of dogs with acute PH. In an isolated endothelium-denuded canine PA, the effects of riociguat on endothelin (ET)-1-induced contraction and cGMP levels were investigated using the Magnus method and ELISA, respectively. The effect of riociguat on the hemodynamics of the thromboxane A2 analog U46619-induced PH model dog was examined by invasive catheterization. Riociguat increased cGMP levels and reduced ET-1-induced contraction of the isolated PA. Riociguat inhibited the U46619-induced elevation of PA pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance and increased cardiac output, but it had no effect on basal systemic blood pressure. These results demonstrate for the first time that riociguat can inhibit the elevation of PA pressure through PA relaxation via an endothelium-independent increase in cGMP in dogs with PH.

Biomechanical and Mechanobiological Drivers of the Transition From PostCapillary Pulmonary Hypertension to Combined Pre-/PostCapillary Pulmonary Hypertension

Combined pre-/postcapillary pulmonary hypertension (Cpc-PH), a complication of left heart failure, is associated with higher mortality rates than isolated postcapillary pulmonary hypertension alone. Currently, knowledge gaps persist on the mechanisms responsible for the progression of isolated postcapillary pulmonary hypertension (Ipc-PH) to Cpc-PH. Here, we review the biomechanical and mechanobiological impact of left heart failure on pulmonary circulation, including mechanotransduction of these pathological forces, which lead to altered biological signaling and detrimental remodeling, driving the progression to Cpc-PH. We focus on pathologically increased cyclic stretch and decreased wall shear stress; mechanotransduction by endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and pulmonary arterial fibroblasts; and signaling-stimulated remodeling of the pulmonary veins, capillaries, and arteries that propel the transition from Ipc-PH to Cpc-PH. Identifying biomechanical and mechanobiological mechanisms of Cpc-PH progression may highlight potential pharmacologic avenues to prevent right heart failure and subsequent mortality.

Differences in disease severity and prognosis of exercise-induced right-to-left shunt between idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension patients

Objective

Whether exercise-induced venous-to-systemic shunt (EIS) during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) has different manifestations or characteristics in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) patients remains unknown. We explored the differences in hemodynamics, echocardiography, and prognosis between IPAH and CTEPH patients with and without EIS.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional cohort study and included 161 PH patients at Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital. Demographic, echocardiography, pulmonary hemodynamic, and CPET variables were compared between patients with and without EIS stratified by IPAH and CTEPH. EIS was determined by CPET. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to explore independent influencing factors of EIS. Cox survival analysis was used to quantify the impact of EIS on the prognosis of patients.

Results

Exercise-induced venous-to-systemic shunt was found in approximately 17.4% of 86 IPAH patients and 20% of 75 CTEPH patients. All-cause mortality occurred in 43 (26.7%) patients during a median follow-up of 6.5 years. Compared with those without EIS, patients with EIS had higher peak end-tidal O₂ and lower VO₂/VE and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE). Among the IPAH patients, EIS was associated with lower cardiac output, cardiac index, mixed venous oxygen saturation, VO₂/VE, and TAPSE and higher VE/VCO₂ and right ventricular end-diastolic transverse diameter. Logistic regression analysis indicated that VO₂/VE was an independent factor influencing whether IPAH patients developed EIS during CPET. Cox logistic regression indicated that female IPAH patients or IPAH patients with higher VO₂/VE and EIS had a better prognosis. Female IPAH patients had better 10-year survival. In IPAH patients without EIS, patients with higher VO₂/VE had better 10-year survival. However, compared with CTEPH patients without EIS, those with EIS had similar echocardiographic, hemodynamic, CPET parameter results and 10-year survival.

Conclusion

Exercise-induced venous-to-systemic shunt exhibits different profiles among IPAH and CTEPH patients. Among IPAH patients, those with EIS had worse peak end-tidal O₂, VO₂/VE, and TAPSE than those without EIS. VO₂/VE was an independent factor of EIS among IPAH patients. IPAH patients with EIS, female sex or higher VO₂/VE had better survival. However, the association between EIS and PAH severity or prognosis in CTEPH patients needs to be further explored.

Visualizing diastolic failure: Non-invasive imaging-biomarkers in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction is an increasing challenge for modern day medicine and has been drawing more attention recently. Invasive right heart catheterization represents the mainstay for the diagnosis of diastolic dysfunction, however due to its attributable risk of an invasive procedure, other non-invasive clinical pathways are trying to approach this pathology in clinical practice. Diastolic failure is complex, and imaging is based on various parameters. In addition to transthoracic echocardiography, numerous novel imaging approaches, such as cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, positron emission (computed) tomography or single photon emission computed tomography techniques are being used to supplement deeper insights into causal pathology and might open targets for dedicated therapy options. This article provides insights into these sophisticated imaging techniques, their incremental value for the diagnosis of this poorly understood disease and recent promising results for an enhanced prognostication of outcome and therapy monitoring.

Pathophysiology and management of valvular disease in patients with destination left ventricular assist devices

Over the last two decades, implantable continuous flow left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) have proven to be invaluable tools for the management of selected advanced heart failure patients, improving patient longevity and quality of life. The presence of concomitant valvular pathology, including that involving the tricuspid, mitral, and aortic valve, has important implications relating to the decision to move forward with LVAD implantation. Furthermore, the presence of concomitant valvular pathology often influences the surgical strategy for LVAD implantation. Concomitant valve repair or replacement is not uncommonly required in such circumstances, which increases surgical complexity and has demonstrated prognostic implications both short and longer term following LVAD implantation. Beyond the index operation, it is also well established that certain valvular pathologies may develop or worsen over time following LVAD support. The presence of pre-existing valvular pathology or that which develops following LVAD implant is of particular importance to the destination therapy LVAD patient population. As these patients are not expected to have the opportunity for heart transplantation in the future, optimization of LVAD support including ameliorating valvular disease is critical for the maximization of patient longevity and quality of life. As collective experience has grown over time, the ability of clinicians to effectively address concomitant valvular pathology in LVAD patients has improved in the pre-implant, implant, and post-implant phase, through both medical management and procedural optimization. Nevertheless, there remains uncertainty over many facets of concomitant valvular pathology in advanced heart failure patients, and the understanding of how to best approach these conditions in the LVAD patient population continues to evolve. Herein, we present a comprehensive review of the current state of the field relating to the pathophysiology and management of valvular disease in destination LVAD patients.

The Dysfunctional Right Ventricle in Dilated Cardiomyopathies: Looking from the Right Point of View

Dilated cardiomyopathies (DCMs) are a heterogenous group of primary myocardial diseases, representing one of the leading causes of heart failure, and the main indication for heart transplantation. While the degree of left ventricular dilation and dysfunction are two key determinants of adverse outcomes in DCM patients, right ventricular (RV) remodeling and dysfunction further negatively influence patient prognosis. Consequently, RV functional assessment and diagnosing RV involvement by using an integrative approach based on multimodality imaging is of paramount importance in the evaluation of DCM patients and provides incremental prognostic and therapeutic information. Transthoracic echocardiography remains the first-line imaging modality used for the assessment of the RV, and newer techniques such as speckle-tracking and three-dimensional echocardiography significantly improve its diagnostic and prognostic accuracy. Nonetheless, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is considered the gold standard imaging modality for the evaluation of RV size and function, and all DCM patients should be evaluated by CMR at least once. Accordingly, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the anatomy and function of the RV, and the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and prognostic value of RV dysfunction in DCM patients, based on traditional and novel imaging techniques.

Strategizing Drug Therapies in Pulmonary Hypertension for Improved Outcomes

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is characterized by a resting mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) of 20 mmHg or more and is a disease of multiple etiologies. Of the various types of PH, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by elevated resistance in the pulmonary arterial tree. It is a rare but deadly disease characterized by vascular remodeling of the distal pulmonary arteries. This paper focuses on PAH diagnosis and management including current and future treatment options. Over the last 15 years, our understanding of this progressive disease has expanded from the concept of vasoconstrictive/vasodilatory mismatch in the pulmonary arterioles to now a better appreciation of the role of genetic determinants, numerous cell signaling pathways, cell proliferation and apoptosis, fibrosis, thrombosis, and metabolic abnormalities. While knowledge of its pathophysiology has expanded, the majority of the treatments available today still modulate the same three vasodilatory pathways that have been targeted for over 30 years (endothelin, nitric oxide, and prostacyclin). While modifying these pathways may help improve symptoms and quality of life, none of these directly modify the underlying disease pathogenesis. However, there are now studies ongoing with new drugs that can prevent or reverse these underlying causes of PAH. This review discusses the evidence base for the current treatment algorithms for PAH, as well as discusses novel therapies in development.

The Effects of Sequential Ventilation Therapy on Blood Gas Indexes, Pulmonary Function Indexes, Clinical Efficacy, and Safety in Patients with Severe Cor Pulmonale

As a heart disease caused by pulmonary arterial hypertension, pulmonary heart disease has a high incidence and poor clinical prognosis in the elderly. Including mechanical ventilation in the current clinical treatment of cor pulmonale, with the development of medical technology, traditional invasive mechanical ventilation has been pointed out to have certain clinical limitations, so new invasive and noninvasive sequential ventilation treatments are gradually being used. Applied in clinical practice, this article selected 96 patients with severe cor pulmonale in our hospital from January 2020 to May 2021 as the research object and conducted a randomized prospective study. The experimental results show that the two general methods can improve the blood gas index and pulmonary function index of patients with heart disease and pulmonary dysfunction, but the improvement of the above indexes by the sequence of action of gas therapy is better than that of conventional invasive mechanical ventilation.

An updated meta-analysis of hemodynamics markers of prognosis in patients with pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is associated with a poor prognosis in left heart disease (LHD). We sought to provide an updated analysis on the association of hemodynamic variables, such as pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), pulmonary artery compliance (PAC), and diastolic pressure gradient (DPG), with prognosis in PH-LHD, through a systematic literature review. Sixteen articles were identified, including 9600 patients with LHD, heterogeneous in terms of age, sex, and etiology of cardiac disease. In this large population, PVR (hazard ratio [HR], 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05-1.0), DPG (HR, 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01-1.02) and PAC (HR, 0.76; 95% CI: 0.69-0.84) were associated with an increased risk of adverse outcome, albeit with a less solid performance of DPG. Similar results were found when hemodynamic variables were analyzed according to the thresholds commonly applied in clinical practice, or subdividing cohorts according to the underlying LHD. Furthermore, cumulative metanalysis indicated that these results are consistently stable since 2018. Thus, PVR, DPG and PAC have an established prognostic value in PH-LHD. These results are consistent through the years and unlikely to change with further studies.

Prevalence and survival associated with pulmonary hypertension after mitral valve replacement: National echocardiography database of Australia study

The specific prevalence and outcome of pulmonary hypertension after mitral valve replacement (MVR) is not well documented. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and prognostic impact of pulmonary hypertension after MVR. In addition, we sought to determine the threshold of mortality risk according to echocardiography derived pulmonary pressures and those echocardiographic characteristics that are associated with increased mortality. Using the National Echocardiography Database of Australia, patients who had undergone MVR were identified with estimated right ventricular systolic pressure (eRVSP) assessed and linked to patient mortality during mean follow up of 1917 days. Classification and regression tree analysis was used to identify the most powerful predictors of mortality. A total of 10,994 patients who had undergone echocardiography following MVR (mean age 65.2 ± 16, 44.8% women) were studied (mean follow-up 1917 days). The prevalence of PH (defined as eRSVP ≥40 mmHg) was 64.1% (7042/10,994). Severe PH (eRVSP ≥60 mmHg) was seen in 42.3% (4671/10,994). Mortality in individuals with PH was greater than amongst individuals without PH (41.1% vs. 26.3%). Age, tricuspid regurgitation and left ventricular dysfunction were also associated with mortality. There is a high prevalence of PH after MVR which confers an adverse prognosis. Improved therapeutic approaches to mitral valve disease and the subsequent development of PH are essential.

Pregnant outcomes of critically ill pregnant patients with pulmonary hypertension: A multicenter retrospective study

Objective

To identify the pregnancy outcomes and risk factors of critically ill pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients with intensive care unit (ICU) admission.

Methods

The multicenter, retrospective cohort study was performed on 60,306 parturients from January 2013 to December 2018 in China. Diagnosis of PH was based on the estimation of systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (sPAP) via echocardiography. Patients were stratified by sPAP into three groups, mild (30–50 mmHg), moderate (51–70 mmHg), and severe (>70 mmHg). The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as a composite of in-hospital death, heart failure, and sustained arrhythmias requiring treatment. The secondary outcome was fetal adverse clinical events (FACE), a composite of fetal/neonatal death, prematurity, small birth weight, and fetal distress.

Results

A total of 181 pregnant patients were enrolled, including 101 patients with mild PH, 31 with moderate PH, and 49 with severe PH. The maternal median age was 32 (27, 35) years and 37% were nulliparous. The MACE occurred in 59 (59/181, 32.6%) women, including in-hospital death in 13 (13/181, 7.2%), heart failure in 53 (53/181, 29.3%), and sustained arrhythmias in 7 (7/181, 3.9%). The incidence of FACE was as high as 66.3% (120/181). Compared with mild and moderate PH patients, patients with severe PH had a significantly higher mortality rate (22.4 vs. 1.51%, P < 0.001) and MACE incidence (51.0 vs. 25.8%, P = 0.001). Although the incidence of FACE in severe PH was slightly higher than that in mild to moderate PH, there was no significant difference (69.4 vs. 65.1%, P = 0.724). PH complicated with left heart disease (OR = 4.365, CI: 1.306–14.591), elevated N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level (OR = 1.051, CI:1.015–1.088), and sPAP level estimated by echocardiography (OR = 1.021; CI: 1.003–1.040) were independently associated with MACE in multivariable regression (P < 0.05). Increased risk of FACE was noted for PH patients combined with eclampsia/preeclampsia (OR = 6.713; CI: 1.806–24.959).

Conclusion

The incidence of MACE and FACE remained high in critically ill pregnant patients with PH, particularly moderate and severe PH in China. Further studies are warranted to identify subsets of women with PH at lower pregnant risks and seek more effective therapy to improve pregnancy outcomes.

Comprehensive and Safe Decongestion in Acutely Decompensated Heart Failure

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW

Progressive intravascular, interstitial, and alveolar fluid overload underlies the transition from compensated to acutely decompensated heart failure and loop diuretics are the mainstay of treatment. Adverse effects and resistance to loop diuretics received much attention while the contribution of a depressed cardiac output to diuretic resistance was downplayed.

RECENT FINDINGS

Analysis of experience with positive inotropic agents, especially dobutamine, indicates that enhancement of cardiac output is not consistently associated with increased renal blood flow. However, urinary output and renal sodium excretion increase likely due to dobutamine-mediated decrease in renal and systemic reduced activation of sympathetic nervous- and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Mechanical circulatory support with left ventricular assist devices ascertained the contribution of low cardiac output to diuretic resistance and the pathogenesis and progression of kidney disease in acutely decompensated heart failure. Diuretic resistance commonly occurs in acutely decompensated heart failure. However, failure to resolve fluid overload despite high doses of loop diuretics should alert to the presence of a low cardiac output state.

The comparative effects of sacubitril/valsartan versus enalapril on pulmonary hypertension due to heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of sacubitril/valsartan on right ventricular (RV) function in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) due to heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). We prospectively enrolled patients with HFrEF-induced PH admitted to the Department of Cardiology between August 2018 and December 2019. Patients were randomized to receive oral treatment with sacubitril/valsartan or enalapril. Epidemiological data were recorded before treatment. Echocardiography was performed at admission and 6 months of follow-up, and all parameters were compared. Major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) were compared between baseline and 6 months follow-up. There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics between the two groups. After 6 months of treatment, both treatment groups improved the following parameters from baseline (mean ± SD): left atrium, left ventricle, the left ventricular ejection function (LVEF), RV systolic function (the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion [TAPSE], the systolic pulmonary artery pressure [sPAP], and TAPSE/sPAP). After 6 months, sacubitril/valsartan improved significantly the following parameters compared with enalapril (all p < 0.05): LVEF (47.07 ± 6.93% vs. 43.47 ± 7.95%); TAPSE (15.33 ± 1.31 vs. 14.78 ± 1.36 mm); sPAP (36.76 ± 14.32 vs. 42.26 ± 12.07 mmHg); and TAPSE/sPAP ratio (0.50 ± 0.23 vs. 0.39 ± 0.14), respectively. There was no difference in readmissions due to recurrent heart failure. Sacubitril/valsartan seems to provide more beneficial effects among patients with HFrEF-induced PH to improve RV function, along with a decrease in pulmonary pressure.

Decreased Peak Left Atrial Longitudinal Strain Is Associated with Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Left Heart Disease

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) associated with left heart disease (PH-LHD) is the most common form of PH and has significantly higher morbidity and mortality. We estimated the prevalence of PH-LHD on the follow-up echocardiography and the role of left atrial (LA) function in PH-LHD. From the STRATS-AHF registry composed of 4312 acute heart failure (HF) patients, we analyzed peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) in 1729 patients with follow-up echocardiographic examinations during mean 18.1 ± 13.5 months. PH was determined by the maximal velocity of tricuspid regurgitation (TR Vmax ≥ 3.4 m/s). Persistent PH was found in 373 patients (21.6%). The PH-LHD group was significantly older, and the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF), hypertension, diabetes, and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction were higher compared with the no PH-LHD group. Baseline left ventricular end-systolic volume and PALS were lower, and LA diameter, mitral E/E’ ratio, and TR Vmax were higher in the PH-LHD group. In the multivariate analysis, PALS (HR = 1.024, p = 0.040) was a significant variable after adjustment of LA diameter and mitral E/E’. A decreased PALS of <12.5% was the best cutoff value in the prediction of persistent PH-LHD (AUC = 0.594, sensitivity = 65.3%, specificity = 46.1%). PH-LHD was associated with increased HF hospitalization (HR = 2.344, p < 0.001) and mortality (HR = 2.015, p < 0.001) after adjusting for age and sex. In conclusion, persistent PH-LHD was found in 21.6% in the follow-up echocardiography and was associated with decreased PALS (<12.5%). PH-LHD persistence was associated with poor clinical outcomes. Thus, AHF patients with decreased PALS, especially <12.5%, should be followed with caution.

Effects of sildenafil on symptoms and exercise capacity for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and pulmonary hypertension (The SilHF study): A randomised placebo-controlled multicentre trial

Aims

Pulmonary hypertension (PHT) may complicate heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and is associated with a substantial symptom burden and poor prognosis. Sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase‐5 (PDE‐5) inhibitor, might have beneficial effects on pulmonary haemodynamics, cardiac function and exercise capacity in HFrEF and PHT. The aim of this study was to determine the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of sildenafil in patients with HFrEF and indirect evidence of PHT.

Methods and results

The Sildenafil in Heart Failure (SilHF) trial was an investigator‐led, randomized, multinational trial in which patients with HFrEF and a pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) ≥40 mmHg by echocardiography were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive sildenafil (up to 40 mg three times/day) or placebo. The co‐primary endpoints were improvement in patient global assessment by visual analogue scale and in the 6‐min walk test at 24 weeks. The planned sample size was 210 participants but, due to problems with supplying sildenafil/placebo and recruitment, only 69 patients (11 women, median age 68 (interquartile range [IQR] 62–74) years, median left ventricular ejection fraction 29% (IQR 24–35), median PASP 45 (IQR 42–55) mmHg) were included. Compared to placebo, sildenafil did not improve symptoms, quality of life, PASP or walk test distance. Sildenafil was generally well tolerated, but those assigned to sildenafil had numerically more serious adverse events (33% vs. 21%).

Conclusion

Compared to placebo, sildenafil did not improve symptoms, quality of life or exercise capacity in patients with HFrEF and PHT.

Therapeutic augmentation of NO-sGC-cGMP signalling: lessons learned from pulmonary arterial hypertension and heart failure

The nitric oxide (NO)-guanylate cyclase (GC)-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway plays an important role in cardiovascular, pulmonary and renal function. Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE-5i) inhibit cGMP degradation, whereas both soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulators and sGC activators directly increase sGC. PDE-5i (e.g. sildenafil, tadalafil) and sGC stimulators (e.g. riociguat, vericiguat) have been extensively used in pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) and heart failure (HF). PDE-5i have also been used in end-stage HF before and after left ventricular (LV) assist device (LVAD) implantation. Augmentation of NO-GC-cGMP signalling with PDE-5i causes selective pulmonary vasodilation, which is highly effective in PAH but may have controversial, potentially adverse effects in HF, including pre-LVAD implant due to device unmasking of PDE-5i-induced RV dysfunction. In contrast, retrospective analyses have demonstrated that PDE-5i have beneficial effects when initiated post LVAD implant due to the improved haemodynamics of the supported LV and the pleiotropic actions of these compounds. sGC stimulators, in turn, are effective both in PAH and in HF due to their balanced pulmonary and systemic vasodilation, and as such they are preferable to PDE-5i if the use of a pulmonary vasodilator is needed in HF patients, including those listed for LVAD implantation. Regarding the effectiveness of PDE-5i and sGC stimulators when initiated post LVAD implant, these two groups of compounds should be tested in a randomized control trial.

Recent Advances and Future Prospects of Treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension is one of the difficult situations to treat. Complex pathophysiology, association of the multiple comorbidities make clinical scenario challenging. Recently it is being shown that patients who had recovered from coronavirus disease infection, are at risk of developing pulmonary hypertension. Studies on animals have been going on to find out newer treatment options. There are recent advancements in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension. Role of anticoagulation, recombinant fusion proteins, stem cell therapy are emerging as therapeutic options for affected patients. SGLT2 inhibitors have potential to have beneficial effects on pulmonary hypertension. Apart from the medical managements, advanced interventions are also getting popular. In this review article, the authors have discussed pathophysiology, recent advancement of treatments including coronavirus disease patients, and future aspect of managing pulmonary hypertension. We have highlighted treatment options for patients with sleep apnea, interstitial lung disease to discuss the challenges and possible options to manage those patients.

Peak oxygen uptake is a strong prognostic predictor for pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease

Background

Pulmonary hypertension in left heart disease (PH-LHD), which includes combined post- and precapillary PH (Cpc-PH) and isolated postcapillary PH (Ipc-PH), differs significantly in prognosis. We aimed to assess whether cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) predicts the long-term survival of patients with PH-LHD.

Methods

A single-center observational cohort enrolled 89 patients with PH-LHD who had undergone right heart catherization and CPET (mean pulmonary arterial pressure > 20 mm Hg and pulmonary artery wedge pressure ≥ 15 mm Hg) between 2013 and 2021. A receiver operating characteristic curve was plotted to determine the cutoff value of all-cause death. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method and analyzed using the log-rank test. The Cox proportional hazards model was performed to determine the association between CPET and all-cause death.

Results

Seventeen patients died within a mean of 2.2 ± 1.3 years. Compared with survivors, nonsurvivors displayed a significantly worse 6-min walk distance, workload, exercise time and peak oxygen consumption (VO₂)/kg with a trend of a lower oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) adjusted by Bonferroni’s correction. Multivariate Cox regression revealed that the peak VO₂/kg was significantly associated with all-cause death after adjusting for Cpc-PH/Ipc-PH. Compared with Cpc-PH patients with a peak VO₂/kg ≥ 10.7 ml kg⁻¹ min⁻¹, Ipc-PH patients with a peak VO₂/kg < 10.7 ml kg⁻¹ min⁻¹ had a worse survival (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The peak VO₂/kg is independently associated with all-cause death in patients with PH-LHD. The peak VO₂/kg can also be analyzed together with Cpc-PH/Ipc-PH to better indicate the prognosis of patients with PH-LHD.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12872-022-02574-0.

Future perspective in diabetic patients with pre- and post-capillary pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension is a clinical syndrome that may include multiple clinical conditions and can complicate the majority of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Pulmonary hypertension secondary to left heart disease is the prevalent clinical condition and accounts for two-thirds of all cases. Type 2 diabetes mellitus, which affects about 422 million adults worldwide, has emerged as an independent risk factor for the development of pulmonary hypertension in patients with left heart failure. While a correct diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension secondary to left heart disease requires invasive hemodynamic evaluation through right heart catheterization, several scores integrating clinical and echocardiographic parameters have been proposed to discriminate pre- and post-capillary types of pulmonary hypertension. Despite new emerging evidence on the pathophysiological mechanisms behind the effects of diabetes in patients with pre- and/or post-capillary pulmonary hypertension, no specific drug has been yet approved for this group of patients. In the last few years, the attention has been focused on the role of antidiabetic drugs in patients with pulmonary hypertension secondary to left heart failure, both in animal models and in clinical trials. The aim of the present review is to highlight the links emerged in the recent years between diabetes and pre- and/or post-capillary pulmonary hypertension and new perspectives for antidiabetic drugs in this setting.

Pulmonary Hypertension as a Predictor of Early Outcomes of Mitral Valve Replacement: A Study in Rheumatic Heart Disease Patients

Aim

Mitral valve pathology in rheumatic heart disease patients is a common cause of secondary pulmonary hypertension (PH). Our aim was to evaluate pulmonary hypertension severity as a predictor of in-hospital mortality and early complications following mitral valve replacement.

Methods

A retrospective review of rheumatic heart disease patients who underwent mitral valve replacement between January 2017 and August 2020 was performed. Systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) was used to classify patients as no PH (<35 mmHg), mild PH (35-44 mmHg), moderate PH (45-59 mmHg) or severe PH (>60 mmHg). Patients subjected to additional cardiac procedures (such as aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting) were excluded from the study sample.

Results

The study group was composed of 159 patients (mean age: 40; 73 male, 86 female) categorized as no PH (n = 32; 20.1%), mild PH (n = 14; 8.8%), moderate PH (n = 65, 40.9%) and severe PH (n = 48, 30.2%) groups. Patient demographic data and preoperative comorbidities were comparable among the four groups. Use of intraoperative and postoperative blood products was similar in all the groups. Severe PH patients had similar in-hospital mortality (4.2%; p = 0.74) as in groups with lesser degrees of pulmonary hypertension. Likewise, increasing severity of pulmonary hypertension did not confer any significant increase in early postoperative complications, namely prolonged ICU stay (10.4%; p = 0.41), prolonged ventilation (2.1%; p = 0.70), reintubation (4.2%; p = 0.90), reopening for bleeding tamponade (6.3%; p = 0.39), new-onset renal failure (6.3%; p = 0.91), postoperative stroke (4.2%; p = 0.52) or prolonged length of stay (mean: 5.6 + 2.8 days; p = 0.49).

Conclusions

Increasing severity of pulmonary hypertension does not appear to have a significant impact on in-hospital mortality or early postoperative outcomes of patients undergoing mitral valve replacement.

Effect of Group 2 Pulmonary Hypertension Subgroups on Outcomes: Impact of the Updated Definition of Pulmonary Hypertension

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a common complication of end-stage heart failure (ESHF) and associated with increased mortality. The definition of PH has recently been changed from a mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAPm) ≥25 mmHg to a PAPm >20 mmHg. Since this change, there are no data evaluating group 2 PH subgroups on outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of updated group 2 PH subgroups on outcomes, as well as to evaluate the clinical, echocardiographic, and haemodynamic characteristics of subgroups, and determine predictors of PH in patients with ESHF.

METHOD

A total of 416 patients with ESHF with left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤25% were divided into three groups. Pulmonary hypertension was defined as PAPm >20 mmHg. Primary outcome was defined as left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, urgent heart transplantation (HT), or death. Secondary outcome was defined as LVAD implantation and HT.

RESULTS

Over a median follow-up of 503.5 days, combined pre- and postcapillary PH (Cpc-PH) displayed greater risk of primary outcome than those with isolated postcapillary (Ipc-PH) (hazard ratio [HR], 1.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.29-1.91; p<0.001) and those with no PH (HR, 2.47; 95% CI, 1.68-3.63; p<0.001). Patients with Ipc-PH demonstrated greater risk than those with no PH (HR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.57-1.90; p<0.001). Likelihood ratios of updated PH criteria and old PH criteria (PAPm ≥25 mmHg) in identifying primary outcome were 75.6 (R²=0.179) and 72.09 (R²=0.164). Patients with PAPm 21-24 mmHg had a higher primary outcome than those with PAPm ≤20 mmHg. Severe mitral regurgitation, LVEF, grade 3 diastolic dysfunction, diabetes, and cardiac output were predictors of PH.

CONCLUSIONS

Pulmonary hypertension increases the risk of LVAD, urgent HT, or death, and Cpc-PH further increases risk in patients with ESHF. Compared to the previous definition, a new PH definition better discriminates death, going to urgent HT, or LVAD implantation for PH subgroups.

Mineralocorticoid receptors in pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure: From molecular biology to therapeutic targeting

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a devastating condition characterized by pulmonary vascular remodelling, leading to progressive increase in pulmonary artery pressure and subsequent right ventricular failure. Aldosterone and the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), a nuclear transcription factor, are key drivers of cardiovascular disease and MR antagonists are well-established in heart failure. Now, a growing body of evidence points at a detrimental role of MR in PH. Pharmacological MR blockade attenuated PH and prevented RV failure in experimental models. Mouse models with cell selective MR deletion suggest that this effect is mediated by MR in endothelial cells. While the evidence from experimental studies appears convincing, the available clinical data on MR antagonist use in patients with PH is more controversial. Integrated analysis of clinical data together with MR-dependent molecular alterations may provide insights why some patients respond to MRA treatment while others do not. Potential ways to identify MRA 'responders' include the analysis of underlying PH causes, stage of disease, or sex, as well as new biomarkers.

Impact of targeted pulmonary arterial hypertension therapy in patients with combined post- and precapillary pulmonary hypertension

BACKGROUND

Combined post- and precapillary pulmonary hypertension (CpcPH) portends poor outcomes in pulmonary hypertension related to left heart disease (PH-LHD). While recent evidence does not support the use of targeted pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) therapy in PH-LHD, there is a lack of clinical data on their use in CpcPH. We evaluated the outcomes in patients with CpcPH treated with PAH therapies.

METHODS

Retrospectively, 50 patients meeting hemodynamic criteria of CpcPH and started on PAH-targeted drugs were identified. Fifty age- and gender-matched PAH patients were chosen as controls. We evaluated the change in 6-minute walk distance, World Health Organization functional class (FC), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, BNP or NT-proBNP, and pulmonary artery systolic pressure at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months of follow-up.

RESULTS

After adjusting for age and gender, there was no improvement in World Health Organization FC in CpcPH over 2 years (odds ratio of change to FC I/II 1.01, 95% CI: 0.98-1.04). There was no significant improvement in 6-minute walk distance (β coefficient 0.21, 95% CI: -0.98 to 1.4), reduction in BNP/NT-proBNP (β coefficient -12.16, 95% CI: -30.68 to 6.37), increase in tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (β coefficient 0.074, 95% CI: 0.010-0.139), or decrease in pulmonary artery systolic pressure (0.996, 95% CI: 0.991-1.011) in CpcPH with therapy. There was higher mortality in CpcPH compared to PAH on treatment (24% vs 4%, P = .003).

CONCLUSIONS

There were no improvements in symptoms, exercise capacity, or echocardiographic parameters with PAH-targeted therapy in CpcPH. Further studies into potential treatments benefiting this population are needed.

The Longitudinal Outcome Of Canine (K9) myxomatous mitral valve disease (LOOK-Mitral registry): Baseline characteristics

INTRODUCTION

The Longitudinal Outcome Of Canine (K9) myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) registry (LOOK-Mitral registry) was established to describe the natural history and predictors of outcome in dogs affected by MMVD. This study was intended to describe the baseline characteristics of dogs in the LOOK-mitral registry.

ANIMALS

Dogs with echocardiographic evidence of MMVD were prospectively enrolled by thirteen referral centers.

RESULTS

A total of 6102 dogs with MMVD were included. The median age was 10 years (1-19 years), and mixed breed was the most common breed (n = 1,360, 22%). Concomitant diseases were reported in 2459 dogs with chronic respiratory diseases occurring most frequently (14%), followed by the presence of azotemia (6%) and orthopedic diseases (5%). Regarding disease severity, 65% of dogs were in ACVIM Stage-B1, 15% in Stage-B2, and 20% in Stage-C. Dogs in Stage-B1 were younger (p<0.001) than dogs in other stages. Murmur intensity, heart rate during physical examination, and radiographic vertebral heart score were positively associated with the stage. Dogs in Stage-C were more likely to have tachypnea (p<0.001), dyspnea (p<0.001), cough (p<0.001), syncopal episodes (p<0.001), and tachyarrhythmias (p<0.001) compared to dogs in Stage-B1 and B2. Echocardiographic indices of left atrial and ventricular size were positively correlated with the ACVIM stage. Interestingly, 4% of dogs that weighed <20 kg had an increased normalized end-systolic left ventricle internal diameter (>1.26).

CONCLUSIONS

This study contributes to a better understanding of the clinical characteristics of dogs affected by MMVD and provides new findings that may be of clinical relevance.