Type 2 diabetes and heart failure: Characteristics and prognosis in preserved, mid-range and reduced ventricular function

Heart failure outcomes by left ventricular ejection fraction in a contemporary region-wide patient cohort

AIMS

This study aimed to characterize a contemporary population with subtypes of incident or prevalent heart failure (HF) based on reduced (HFrEF), mildly reduced, or preserved (HFpEF) left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and to assess how outcomes, healthcare, treatments, and healthcare costs vary between each subtype of incident HF.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using Swedish data from the CardioRenal and Metabolic disease Heart Failure (CaReMe HF) study, updated to cover a more recent time period, this population-based study characterized patients from Stockholm County, Sweden, with incident HF (patients with a first HF diagnosis between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2019) or prevalent HF (patients with a first HF diagnosis before 1 January 2020). Patients with incident HF had LVEF measured by echocardiography within ±90 days of their first HF diagnosis, and patients with prevalent HF within 5 years prior to the index date. The 13 375 patients with prevalent HF (39.2% women, mean age 73.9 years) had multiple comorbidities (cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and cancer). These were already highly prevalent at the time of the first HF diagnosis in the 8042 patients with incident HF (40.5% women, mean age 72.3 years). Patients with incident HFpEF received less specialist HF care at outpatient secondary care facilities following their first HF diagnosis than those with incident HFrEF. Patients with HFrEF had higher risks of complications and exerted a higher burden, in terms of care for and costs of HF, on the healthcare system.

CONCLUSIONS

This study of contemporary patients with incident HF demonstrates that those with HFpEF and HFrEF differ considerably in terms of clinical presentation, prognosis, and care, highlighting a potential to improve HF outcomes.

Chapter 1: The Burden of Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) affects an estimated 6 million American adults, and the prevalence continues to increase, driven in part by the aging of the population and by increases in the prevalence of diabetes. In recent decades, improvements in the survival of patients with HF have resulted in a growing number of individuals living longer with HF. HF and its comorbidities are associated with substantial impairments in physical functioning, emotional well-being, and quality of life, and also with markedly increased rates of morbidity and mortality. As a result, the management of patients with HF has a substantial economic impact on the health care system, with most costs arising from hospitalization. Clinicians have an important role in helping to reduce the burden of HF through timely diagnosis of HF as well as increasing access to effective treatments to minimize symptoms, delay progression, and reduce hospital admissions. Prevention and early diagnosis of HF will play a fundamental role in efforts to reduce the large and growing burden of HF. Recent advances in pharmacotherapies for HF have the potential to radically change the management of HF, offering the possibility of improved survival and quality of life for patients.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator and cardiac resynchronization treatment in people with type 2 diabetes: a comparison with age- and sex matched controls from the general population

BACKGROUND

Increased risk of severe tachyarrhythmias is reported in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The aim of this study was to explore if treatment with cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) such as implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), cardiac resynchronization therapy- pacemaker and -defibrillator (CRT-P/CRT-D) differed in patients with vs. without T2DM. A secondary aim was to identify patient characteristics indicating an increased CIED treatment.

METHOD

416 162 adult patients with T2DM from the Swedish National Diabetes Registry and 2 081 087 controls from the Swedish population, matched for age, sex and living area, were included between 1/1/1998 and 31/12/2012 and followed until 31/12/2013. They were compared regarding prevalence of ventricular tachycardia (VT) at baseline and the risk of receiving a CIED during follow-up. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was performed to estimate the risk of CIED-treatment and factors identifying patients with such risk.

RESULTS

Ventricular fibrillation (VF) (0.1% vs 0.0004%) and (VT) (0.2% vs. 0.1%) were more frequent among patients with T2DM compared to controls. CIED-treatment was significantly increased in patients with T2DM both in unadjusted and adjusted analyses. HR and 95% CI, after adjustment for sex, age, marital status, income, education, country of birth, coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure, were 1.32 [1.21-1.45] for ICD, 1.74 [1.55-1.95] for CRT-P and 1.69 [1.43-1.99] for CRT-D. Blood-pressure and lipid lowering therapies were independent risk factors associated to receiving CIED, while female sex was protective.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the proportion of VT/VF was low, patients with T2DM had a higher prevalence of these conditions and increased risk for treatment with CIED compared to controls. This underlines the importance of recognizing that T2DM patients have an increased need of CIED.

Imaging characterization of myocardial function, fibrosis, and perfusion in a nonhuman primate model with heart failure-like features

Introduction

The availability of a human-like chronic heart failure (HF) animal model was critical for affiliating development of novel therapeutic drug treatments. With the close physiology relatedness to humans, the non-human primate (NHP) HF model would be valuable to better understand the pathophysiology and pharmacology of HF. The purpose of this work was to present preliminary cardiac image findings using echocardiography and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in a HF-like cynomolgus macaque model.

Methods

The NHP diet-induced model developed cardiac phenotypes that exhibited diastolic dysfunction with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) or preserved LVEF. Twenty cynomolgus monkeys with cardiac dysfunction were selected by echocardiography and subsequently separated into two groups, LVEF < 65% (termed as HFrEF, n = 10) and LVEF ≥ 65% with diastolic dysfunction (termed as HFpEF, n = 10). Another group of ten healthy monkeys was used as the healthy control. All monkeys underwent a CMR study to measure global longitudinal strain (GLS), myocardial extracellular volume (ECV), and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). In healthy controls and HFpEF group, quantitative perfusion imaging scans at rest and under dobutamine stress were performed and myocardial perfusion reserve (MPR) was subsequently obtained.

Results

No LGE was observed in any monkey. Monkeys with HF-like features were significantly older, compared to the healthy control group. There were significant differences among the three groups in ECV (20.79 ± 3.65% in healthy controls; 27.06 ± 3.37% in HFpEF group, and 31.11 ± 4.50% in HFrEFgroup, p < 0.001), as well as for stress perfusion (2.40 ± 0.34 ml/min/g in healthy controls vs. 1.28 ± 0.24 ml/min/g in HFpEF group, p < 0.01) and corresponding MPR (1.83 ± 0.3 vs. 1.35 ± 0.29, p < 0.01). After adjusting for age, ECV (p = 0.01) and MPR (p = 0.048) still showed significant differences among the three groups.

Conclusion

Our preliminary imaging findings demonstrated cardiac dysfunction, elevated ECV, and/or reduced MPR in this HF-like NHP model. This pilot study laid the foundation for further mechanistic research and the development of a drug testing platform for distinct HF pathophysiology.

Association Between Diabetes, Chronic Kidney Disease, and Outcomes in People With Heart Failure From Asia

Background

Diabetes mellitus (DM), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and heart failure (HF) are pathophysiologically linked and increasing in prevalence in Asian populations, but little is known about the interplay of DM and CKD on outcomes in HF.

Objectives

This study sought to investigate outcomes in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) vs heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) in relation to the presence of DM and CKD.

Methods

Using the multinational ASIAN-HF registry, we investigated associations between DM only, CKD only, and DM+CKD with: 1) composite of 1-year mortality or HF hospitalization; and 2) Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire scores, according to HF subtype.

Results

In 5,239 patients with HF (74.6% HFrEF, 25.4% HFpEF; mean age 63 years; 29.1% female), 1,107 (21.1%) had DM only, 1,087 (20.7%) had CKD only, and 1,400 (26.7%) had DM+CKD. Compared with patients without DM nor CKD, DM+CKD was associated with 1-year all-cause mortality or HF hospitalization in HFrEF (adjusted HR: 2.07; 95% CI: 1.68-2.55) and HFpEF (HR: 2.37; 95% CI: 1.40-4.02). In HFrEF, DM only and CKD only were associated with 1-year all-cause mortality or HF hospitalization (both HRs: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.14-1.80), while in HFpEF, CKD only (HR: 2.54; 95% CI: 1.46-4.41) but not DM only (HR: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.52-1.95) was associated with increased risk (interaction P < 0.01). Adjusted Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire scores were lower in patients with DM+CKD (HFrEF: mean 60.50, SEM 0.77, HFpEF: mean 70.10, SEM 1.06; P < 0.001) than with no DM or CKD (HFrEF: mean 66.00, SEM 0.65; and HFpEF: mean 75.80, SEM 0.99).

Conclusions

Combined DM and CKD adversely effected outcomes independently of HF subtype, with CKD a consistent predictor of worse outcomes. Strategies to prevent and treat DM and CKD in HF are urgently required.

The impact of sacubitril/valsartan on outcome in patients suffering from heart failure with a concomitant diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

Guidelines classify sacubitril/valsartan as a significant part of medical treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Data have shown that the HbA1c levels in patients with diabetes mellitus could be impacted by sacubitril/valsartan. A possible positive effect in diabetes patients treated with sacubitril/valsartan on outcome and echocardiography parameters is not well studied yet.

AIMS

The aim of the present study was to compare the impact of sacubitril/valsartan on life-threatening arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation, different echocardiography parameters and congestion rate in patients suffering from HFrEF according to the diagnosis diabetes mellitus or no diabetes mellitus.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Consecutive 240 patients with HFrEF from 2016 to 2020 were treated with sacubitril/valsartan and separated to concomitant diabetes mellitus (n = 87, median age 68 years interquartile range (IQR) [32-87]) or no diabetes mellitus (n = 153, median age 66 year IQR [34-89]). Different comorbidities and outcome data were evaluated over a follow-up period of 24 months. Arterial hypertension (87% vs. 64%; P < 0.01) and coronary artery disease (74% vs. 60%; P = 0.03) were more often documented in patients with diabetes mellitus compared with patients without diabetes mellitus. Over the follow-up of 24 months several changes were noted in both subgroups: Median left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) increased significantly in non-diabetes (27% IQR [3-44] at baseline to 35% IQR [13-64]; P < 0.001), but not in diabetic patients (29% IQR [10-65] at baseline to 30% IQR [13-55]; P = 0.11). Accordingly, NT-proBNP and troponin-I levels decreased significantly in non-diabetes patients (NT-brain natriuretic peptide [NT-proBNP] from median 1445 pg/mL IQR [12.6-74 676] to 491 pg/mL IQR [13-4571]; P < 0.001, troponin-I levels from 0.099 ng/mL IQR [0.009-138.69] to 0.023 ng/mL IQR [0.006-0.635]; P < 0.001), but not in diabetic patients (NT-proBNP from 1395 pg/mL IQR [100-29 924] to 885 pg/mL IQR [159-4331]; P = 0.06, troponin-I levels from 0.05 ng/mL IQR [0.013-103.0] to 0.020 ng/mL IQR [0.015-0.514]; P = 0.27). No significant change of laboratory parameters e. g. glomerular filtration rate, potassium level and creatinine levels were found in diabetes or non-diabetes patients. Comparing further echocardiography data, left atrial surface area, right atrial surface area, E/A ratio did not show a significant change either in the diabetes or non-diabetes group. However, the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion was significantly increased in non-diabetes mellitus patients (from 17 mm IQR [3-31] to 18 mm [2.5-31]; P = 0.04), and not in diabetic s patients (17.5 mm IQR [8-30] to 18 mm IQR [14-31]; P = 0.70); the systolic pulmonary artery pressure remained unchanged in both groups. During follow-up, a similar rate of ventricular tachyarrhythmias was observed in both groups. The congestion rate decreased significantly in both groups, in diabetes patients (44.4% before sacubitril/valsartan and 13.5% after 24 months treatment; P = 0.0009) and in non-diabetic patients (28.4% before sacubitril/valsartan and 8.4% after 24 months treatment; P = 0.0004). The all-cause mortality rate was higher in patients with diabetes mellitus as compared with those without diabetes (25% vs. 8.1%; P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Sacubitril/valsartan reverses cardiac remodelling in non-diabetes patients. However, it reduces the congestion rate in diabetes and non-diabetes patients. The rates of ventricular tachyarrhythmias were similar in DM compared with non-DM over follow-up. The mortality rate remained to be over follow-up higher in diabetes patients compared with non-diabetes; however, it was lower compared with published data on diabetes and concomitant HFrEF not treated with sacubitril/valsartan.

Cost-effectiveness of NT-proBNP-supported screening of chronic heart failure in patients with or without type 2 diabetes in Austria and Switzerland

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) is a clinical syndrome with a global burden. Signs and symptoms of HF are nonspecific and often shared with other conditions. The N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) serves as a useful biomarker for the diagnosis of HF not only in patients with acute symptoms but also in outpatients with an ambiguous clinical presentation. The aim of the analysis is to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of implementing NT-proBNP in the diagnostic algorithm in patients with/without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), compared with a diagnosis based primarily on clinical signs or symptoms from the perspective of the Austrian and Swiss healthcare system.

METHODS

A time-discrete Markov model was developed to simulate the effect/improvement (lifetime-costs, quality-adjusted life-years [QALYs], and life-years [LYs]) due to an NT-proBNP screening in undetected HF patients. Undetected HF patients are included in the model according to a distribution of New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes. The model considers disease progression by transition of NYHA classes. Undetected patients may remain undetected or be detected with the help of NT-proBNP or symptoms. Patients with known HF exhibit a slower disease progression. The probability of dying is influenced by the respective NYHA class. Direct costs (2021 € or CHF) were derived from published sources. QALYs, LYs, and costs were discounted (3% p.a.).

RESULTS

In the per-patient analysis (at age 60 over lifetime), the incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR)/QALY of NT-proBNP vs. no screening was €3,042 for HF patients in Austria. Considering the total cohort of undetected HF patients (n = 9,377) with the corresponding age structure over a lifetime, the ICUR increases to €4,356. In Switzerland, the per-patient results show an ICUR of CHF 897. Considering the total cohort of undetected HF patients (n = 6,826) the ICUR amounts to CHF 4,513. If indirect costs are considered, NT-proBNP screening becomes the dominant strategy in both countries.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the analysis concludes that screening with NT-proBNP is a highly cost-effective or cost-saving diagnostic option for patients with HF, and a sensitivity analysis confirmed these findings.

Impact analysis of heart failure across European countries: an ESC-HFA position paper

Heart failure (HF) is a long-term clinical syndrome, with increasing prevalence and considerable healthcare costs that are further expected to increase dramatically. Despite significant advances in therapy and prevention, mortality and morbidity remain high and quality of life poor. Epidemiological data, that is, prevalence, incidence, mortality, and morbidity, show geographical variations across the European countries, depending on differences in aetiology, clinical characteristics, and treatment. However, data on the prevalence of the disease are scarce, as are those on quality of life. For these reasons, the ESC-HFA has developed a position paper to comprehensively assess our understanding of the burden of HF in Europe, in order to guide future policies for this syndrome. This manuscript will discuss the available epidemiological data on HF prevalence, outcomes, and human costs-in terms of quality of life-in European countries.

Biomarkers for the prediction of heart failure and cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes: a position statement from the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology

Knowledge on risk predictors of incident heart failure (HF) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) is crucial given the frequent coexistence of the two conditions and the fact that T2D doubles the risk of incident HF. In addition, HF is increasingly being recognized as an important endpoint in trials in T2D. On the other hand, the diagnostic and prognostic performance of established cardiovascular biomarkers may be modified by the presence of T2D. The present position paper, derived by an expert panel workshop organized by the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology, summarizes the current knowledge and gaps in evidence regarding the use of a series of different biomarkers, reflecting various pathogenic pathways, for the prediction of incident HF and cardiovascular events in patients with T2D and in those with established HF and T2D.

Progressive right ventricular dysfunction and exercise impairment in patients with heart failure and diabetes mellitus: insights from the T.O.S.CA. Registry

Background

Findings from the T.O.S.CA. Registry recently reported that patients with concomitant chronic heart failure (CHF) and impairment of insulin axis (either insulin resistance—IR or diabetes mellitus—T2D) display increased morbidity and mortality. However, little information is available on the relative impact of IR and T2D on cardiac structure and function, cardiopulmonary performance, and their longitudinal changes in CHF.

Methods

Patients enrolled in the T.O.S.CA. Registry performed echocardiography and cardiopulmonary exercise test at baseline and at a patient-average follow-up of 36 months. Patients were divided into three groups based on the degree of insulin impairment: euglycemic without IR (EU), euglycemic with IR (IR), and T2D.

Results

Compared with EU and IR, T2D was associated with increased filling pressures (E/e′ratio: 15.9 ± 8.9, 12.0 ± 6.5, and 14.5 ± 8.1 respectively, p < 0.01) and worse right ventricular(RV)-arterial uncoupling (RVAUC) (TAPSE/PASP ratio 0.52 ± 0.2, 0.6 ± 0.3, and 0.6 ± 0.3 in T2D, EU and IR, respectively, p < 0.05). Likewise, impairment in peak oxygen consumption (peak VO₂) in TD2 vs EU and IR patients was recorded (respectively, 15.8 ± 3.8 ml/Kg/min, 18.4 ± 4.3 ml/Kg/min and 16.5 ± 4.3 ml/Kg/min, p < 0.003). Longitudinal data demonstrated higher deterioration of RVAUC, RV dimension, and peak VO₂ in the T2D group (+ 13% increase in RV dimension, − 21% decline in TAPSE/PAPS ratio and − 20% decrease in peak VO₂).

Conclusion

The higher risk of death and CV hospitalizations exhibited by HF-T2D patients in the T.O.S.CA. Registry is associated with progressive RV ventricular dysfunction and exercise impairment when compared to euglycemic CHF patients, supporting the pivotal importance of hyperglycaemia and right chambers in HF prognosis.

Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT023358017

Medical therapies for prevention of cardiovascular and renal events in patients with atrial fibrillation and diabetes mellitus

Atrial fibrillation (AF), type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are three global epidemics with significant effects on morbidity and mortality. Diabetes is a risk factor for AF, and a risk factor for thromboembolism, comorbidity, and mortality when AF is present. The pathophysiology of diabetes-related AF and interrelationships with cardiovascular events and renal events is not fully understood but is in part related to structural, electrical, electromechanical, and autonomic remodelling. The current practice guidelines offer limited recommendations on the management of patients with AF (or risk of AF) and diabetes with its own heterogeneity for the prevention of cardiovascular and renal events. This document discusses possible clinical approaches for these patients. In the last decade, there have been major improvements for the prevention of stroke in AF patients with direct oral anticoagulants, which are preferable to vitamin K antagonists for stroke prevention in DM. Because of the increased risk rate for several cardiovascular adverse events in diabetic patients, a similar relative risk reduction generally translates into greater absolute risk reduction in the diabetic population. Recent trials with non-insulin diabetes drugs using glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors showed a significant reduction for the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 DM. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors also showed a large reduction in hospitalization for heart failure and renal events, which need to be more completely evaluated in patients with AF. Mechanisms, risks, and optimal management of AF patients with DM who have or are under risk of developing heart failure or CKD are also discussed in this document. The benefits of medical therapies for these patients still need to be put into perspective, and gaps in evidence on some of these issues are likely to be addressed in future years.

Diabetes and heart failure notions from epidemiology including patterns in low-, middle- and high-income countries

About 463 million people are currently living with diabetes and 64 million with heart failure and in addition, substantial proportions of both diseases are undiagnosed. At ages above 65 years prevalence of diabetes is estimated to be around 19% and heart failure at least 10%. In the western world, incidence of both diabetes and heart failure are slightly decreasing while prevalent cases are increasing in high as well as middle and low-income countries due to a general increased longevity and successful prevention and treatment of cardiac disease and of diabetes complications. Therefore, we will see an increase of epidemic proportions of both diabetes and heart failure if novel preventive strategies are not appropriately introduced. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are both major contributors to the development of heart failure and the combination of diabetes and heart failure severely affects prognosis. In addition, the changing faces of diabetes complications have resulted in heart failure more often being the first manifestation of cardiac complications. An updated scenario on diabetes and heart failure epidemiology to health care providers is important in order to direct resources towards effective preventive strategies.

Management of patients with chronic heart failure and type 2 diabetes mellitus: the SCODIAC-II study

SCODIAC was a pilot study which revealed an increasing use of SGLT2i in 123 outpatients affected with Heart Failure (HF) and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. SCODIAC-II study, the second phase of the program, has been carried out to determine diagnostic and therapeutic pathways in a larger group of patients and to verify whether the use of innovative antidiabetic therapies could modify echocardiographic parameters and cardiovascular therapies. 406 HF-diabetic patients, referred to Cardiologists and Diabetologists of pertaining healthcare districts in Campania, were enrolled in this retrospective study and divided in Group A, composed of 136 patients with preserved Ejection Fraction (HF-pEF)(> 45%) and Group B, formed of 270 patients with reduced EF (HF-rEF)(≤ 45%). All patients had performed periodic clinical and echocardiographic evaluations. The antidiabetic therapies resulted modified after 1 year with a greater use of GLP1-AR, gliptins and SGLT2i. Cardiovascular therapies resulted also modified with a greater use of sacubitril/valsartan and a reduction of ACEi and ARBs in HF-rEF patients. Echocardiography E velocity, A velocity and E/e' ratio resulted markedly reduced in 25 HF-pEF and in 60 HF-rEF patients treated with SGLT2i, in respect to both the whole sample of subjects at beginning and the other diabetic patients. LAVi resulted reduced only in HF-pEF patients and EF increased only in HF-rEF patients. The approach to the patients with HF and diabetes must necessarily take place in the healthcare districts, be multidisciplinary and integrated. SGLT2i could improve left ventricular function in HF-rEF patients and modify cardiovascular therapies, almost in this setting of patients.Trial registration The protocol was approved by the University of Naples Federico II Ethics Committee and registered at ClinicalTrial.gov (CT04375943). The principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki were followed.

Treatment of Heart Failure with Mid-Range Ejection Fraction: What Is the Evidence

In this review, we briefly outline our current knowledge on the epidemiology, outcomes, and pathophysiology of heart failure (HF) with mid-range ejection fraction (HFmrEF), and discuss in more depth the evidence on current treatment options for this group of patients. In most studies, the clinical background of patients with HFmrEF is intermediate between that of patients with HF and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and patients with HF and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) in terms of demographics and comorbid conditions. However, the current evidence, stemming from observational studies and post hoc analyses of randomized controlled trials, suggests that patients with HFmrEF benefit from medications that target the neurohormonal axes, a pathophysiological behavior that resembles that of HFrEF. Use of β-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and sacubitril/valsartan is reasonable in patients with HFmrEF, whereas evidence is currently scarce for other therapies. In clinical practice, patients with HFmrEF are treated more like HFrEF patients, potentially because of history of systolic dysfunction that has partially recovered. Assessment of left ventricular systolic function with contemporary noninvasive modalities, e.g., echocardiographic strain imaging, is promising for the selection of patients with HFmrEF who will benefit from neurohormonal antagonists and other HFrEF-targeted therapies.

Patients characteristics and prognostic implications of type 2 diabetes mellitus in heart failure with preserved, mid-rang reduced and reduced ejection fraction

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is frequent in patients with heart failure (HF) and correlated with an increased morbidity and mortality. The features and outcomes of patients with and without T2DM, depending on the HF type (HF with preserved: HFpEF, mid-range: HFmrEF; and reduced ejection fraction: HFrEF), are inefficiently explored. Aim: To explore the impact of T2DM on clinical features and one-year overall mortality in patients with HFrEF, HFmrEF and HFpEF. Material and methods: A prospective, observational study was conducted, including patients with HF at the Department of Cardiology, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade. The enrolment occurred between November 2018 and January 2019. The study outcome was one-year all-cause mortality. Results: Study included 242 patients (mean-age, 71 ± 13 years, men 57%). T2DM was present in 31% of patients. The proportion of T2DM was similar amid patients with HFrEF, HFmrEF, and HFpEF. Regardless of the HF type, patients with T2DM were probably older and had a higher prevalence of myocardial infarction, other types of coronary disorder or peripheral arterial disorder (all p < 0.001). Also, chronic kidney disease was more prevalent in T2DM (p < 0.001). In HFpEF, T2DM patients were commonly female, and usually had hypertension and atrial fibrillation (all p < 0.001). Estimated one-year total mortality rates were significantly higher in T2DM patients. It also emerged as a unique predictor of higher mortality in HFrEF (HR; 1.33; 95% CI; 1.34 - 2.00), HFmrEF (HR; 1.13; 95% CI; 1.0 - 1.24) and HFpEF (HR; 1.21; 95% CI; 1.09 - 1.56), all p < 0.05. Conclusion: Compared with non-diabetics, patients with HF and T2DM are older, with higher prevalence of comorbidities and greater one-year mortality, regardless of HF type. Heart failure is a unique predictor of mortality in all HF types in multivariate analysis. Considering the increased risk, T2DM requires meticulous screening/diagnosis and contemporary treatment to improve outcomes.

Heart Failure With Midrange Ejection Fraction-What Is It, If Anything?

The patient cohort with left ventricular ejection fractions (LVEFs) of 41%-49%, which has been defined as heart failure with midrange ejection fraction (HFmrEF), represent a significant proportion of the heart failure (HF) population. Despite the clear cutoffs established by different society guidelines, confusion remains regarding the exact significance of midrange LVEF within the HF syndrome. Patients with LVEF 41%-49% represent a heterogeneous group of patients sharing pathophysiologic mechanisms, biomarker profiles, comorbidities, and clinical characteristics with patients with preserved and reduced LVEF. In this clinical review, we discuss the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms that culminate in the clinical syndrome of HF and contribute to the disparities observed between HFpEF, HFrEF, and HFmrEF. We highlight differences and similarities in clinical characteristics and imaging features between HFpEF and HFrEF in an effort to disentangle the heterogeneous group of patients with midrange LVEF, but ultimately we conclude that LVEF should be seen as simply one important element of a continuum throughout the HF syndrome, and that although is useful, it is an oversimplification, because HF syndrome is more of a continuum. The underlying pathophysiology, etiology, and comorbidities of patients presenting with HF is becoming ever more important as the limitations of a classification solely based on LVEF are being better recognised, and as patient-specific personalisation of care is becoming ever more important.

Heart failure is a common complication after acute myocardial infarction in patients with diabetes: A nationwide study in the SWEDEHEART registry

Background

Several glucose lowering drugs with preventive effects on heart failure and death have entered the market, however, still used in low proportions after acute myocardial infarction. We explored the complication rates of heart failure and death after acute myocardial infarction in patients with and without diabetes.

Methods

All patients (N = 73,959) with acute myocardial infarction admitted for coronary angiography included in the SWEDEHEART registry during the years 2012–2017 were followed for heart failure (until 31 December 2017) and mortality (until 30 June 2018); mean follow-up time 1223 (SD ± 623) days.

Results

Mean age was 69 years (SD ± 12), 69% were male and 24% had diabetes. Heart failure occurred more often in diabetes (22% vs. 12% if no diabetes), especially if previous MI (33% vs. 23%). Patients with diabetes had increased risk of HF regardless of previous myocardial infarction (MI); with previous MI adjusted hazard ratio 2.09 (95% confidence interval 1.96–2.20) and without MI 1.52 (1.44–1.61) respectively when non-diabetes patients with first MI served as reference. In patients with no previous heart failure or MI and discharged with left ventricular ejection fraction ≥50% the risk of heart failure was particularly high in those with diabetes (1.56; 1.39–1.76) when compared with those without. Similar findings were seen for death and combined event (heart failure and death).

Conclusions

Heart failure is a common complication after acute myocardial infarction in diabetes, increasing the risk by 50–60% regardless of previous heart failure or MI. This risk is present even with normal reported left ventricular ejection fraction, indicating the existence of a large diabetes population at heart failure risk after acute myocardial infarction.

Incidence of idiopathic cardiomyopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes in Taiwan: age, sex, and urbanization status-stratified analysis

Background

The epidemiology of diabetes and idiopathic cardiomyopathy have limited data. We investigated the overall and the age-, sex-, and urbanization-specific incidence and relative hazard of idiopathic cardiomyopathy in association with type 2 diabetes and various anti-diabetic medications used in Taiwan.

Methods

A total of 474,268 patients with type 2 diabetes were identified from ambulatory care and inpatient claims in 2007–2009 from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance (NHI) database. We randomly selected 474,266 age-, sex-, and diagnosis date-matched controls from the registry of NHI beneficiaries. All study subjects were linked to ambulatory care and inpatient claims (up to the end of 2016) to identify the possible diagnosis of idiopathic cardiomyopathy. The person-year approach with Poisson assumption was used to estimate the incidence, and Cox proportional hazard regression model with Fine and Gray’s method was used to estimate the relative hazards of idiopathic cardiomyopathy in relation to type 2 diabetes.

Results

The overall incidence of idiopathic cardiomyopathy for men and women patients, respectively, was 3.83 and 2.94 per 10,000 person-years, which were higher than the corresponding men and women controls (2.00 and 1.34 per 10,000 person-years). Compared with the control group, patients with type 2 diabetes were significantly associated with an increased hazard of idiopathic cardiomyopathy (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.60, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.45–1.77] in all age and sex stratifications except in those men aged > 64 years. Patients with type 2 diabetes aged < 45 years confronted the greatest increase in the hazard of idiopathic cardiomyopathy, with an aHR of 3.35 (95% CI 2.21–5.06) and 3.48 (95% CI 1.60–7.56) for men and women, respectively. The usage of some anti-diabetic medications revealed lower risks of idiopathic cardiomyopathy.

Conclusions

In Taiwan, diabetes increased the risk of idiopathic cardiomyopathy in both sexes and in all age groups, except in men aged > 64 years. Younger patients were vulnerable to have higher HRs of idiopathic cardiomyopathy. Some anti-diabetic medications may reduce the risks of cardiomyopathy.

Management of heart failure and type 2 diabetes mellitus: Maximizing complementary drug therapy

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and occurs in ~25% of patients with heart failure (HF). Patients with co-morbid HF and T2DM are at elevated risk of adverse outcomes, making optimization of complementary drug therapies essential. While research is ongoing, recent advances in drug therapy, including the introduction of sacubitril/valsartan for HF with reduced ejection fraction and the finding of positive cardiovascular effects of glucose-lowering agents (particularly sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 [SGLT2] inhibitors) have the potential to transform pharmacologic management of co-morbid HF and T2DM. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of cardiovascular clinical trials of therapies for HF and diabetes mellitus to date and identify areas requiring further investigation. We also discuss the pathophysiologic overlap of the two diseases and explore the complementary therapeutic effects of HF and T2DM drugs, with a particular focus on sacubitril/valsartan and SGLT2 inhibitors.

Consensus document: management of heart failure in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a known predisposing factor for heart failure (HF). The growing burden of these two conditions and their impact on health of the individual and on society in general needs urgent attention from the health care professionals. Availability of multiple treatment choices for managing T2DM and HF may make therapeutic decisions more complex for clinicians. Recent cardiovascular outcome trials of antidiabetic drugs have added very robust evidence to effectively manage subjects with this dual condition. This consensus statement provides the prevalence trends and the impact of this dual burden on patients. In addition, it concisely narrates the types of HF, the different treatment algorithms, and recommendations for physicians to comprehensively manage such patients.

Heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction: pro and cons of the new classification of Heart Failure by European Society of Cardiology guidelines

Currently, the assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is the cornerstone of the classification of patients with heart failure (HF). The mid-range LVEF (HFmrEF) category was identified in an attempt to uncover specific characteristics of these patients. So far, the analysis of trials, registries, and observational studies have demonstrated that patients with mid-range LVEF belong to a patient cohort with generally intermediate clinical profile as compared with other groups but with a remarkable variety of intrinsic phenotypes. This is due to the limitations of LVEF as the sole criterion to categorize patients with HF and characterize their prognosis, above all when it is >40%. To better define the HFmrEF phenotype, it is reasonable to consider other parameters, such as LVEF changes over time, HF aetiology, co-morbidities, and other imaging parameters. A multiparametric evaluation may contextualize a patient with HFmrEF in a more defined phenotype with a specific prognosis.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Chronic Heart Failure with Midrange and Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Focus on Serum Biomarkers of Fibrosis

As myocardial fibrosis might be an important contributor to the association of diabetes mellitus with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and chronic heart failure (HF), we investigated the profile of some proinflammatory, profibrotic biomarkers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) at various stages of the cardiovascular disease continuum from absence of clinic since and symptoms to HF with preserved (HFpEF) and midrange ejection fraction (HFmrEF). Material and Methods. Sixty-two patients with T2DM (age 60 [55; 61]), 20 patients without clinical manifestations of HF and 2 groups with clinical manifestations of stable HF, 29 patients with HFpEF, and 13 patients with HFmrEF, were included in the study. The control group consisted of 13 healthy subjects and normal BMI. All patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography, laboratory assessment of N-terminal fragment of the brain natriuretic peptide (Nt-proBNP), highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), soluble suppression of tumorigenesis-2 (sST2), galectin-3, C-terminal propeptide of procollagen type I (PICP), N-terminal propeptide of procollagen type III (PIIINP), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and tissue inhibitor of matrix proteinase-1 (TIMP-1). Results. Patients with HFmrEF had higher values of LV volumetric parameters, indexed parameters of LV myocardial mass (LVMM), and higher concentrations of Nt-proBNP (all p < 0.05). The concentrations of galectin-3 were greater in patients with HFpEF and HFmrEF compared to patients without HF (p = 0.01 and p = 0.03, respectively). PICP and PICP/PIIINP ratio were greater in patients with HFmrEF compared to patients with HFpEF (p = 0.043 and p = 0.033, respectively). In patients with T2DM and HF, a relationship was found between galectin-3 and LVMM/body surface area (r = -0.58, p = 0.001), PIIINP, TIMP-1, and LV end-diastolic volume (r = -0.68 and p = 0.042 and r = 0.38 and p = 0.02, respectively). Conclusion. The dynamics at various stages of the cardiovascular disease continuum in the serum fibrosis markers may reflect an increase in fibrotic and decrease in antifibrotic processes already at the preclinical stage of HF. At the same time, the changes found in the circulating procollagen levels may indicate a shift in balance towards type I collagen synthesis in HFmrEF compared with HFpEF.

Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy in Obesity, the Metabolic Syndrome and Prediabetes: A Narrative Review

Cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is a major complication of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T1DM and T2DM). The increased morbidity, cardiovascular and all-cause mortality associated with CAN is established from numerous epidemiological studies. However, CAN is increasingly recognised in people with prediabetes (pre-DM) and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) with a reported prevalence up to 11% and 24% respectively. CAN is associated with components of MetS including hypertension and obesity, predating hyperglycaemia. The aetiology of CAN is multifactorial and there is a reciprocal relationship with insulin resistance and MetS. Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is also associated with CAN possibly through MetS and an independent mechanism. An estimated global prevalence of the impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) form of pre-DM of 587 million people by 2045 means CAN will become a major clinical problem. CAN is independently associated with silent myocardial ischaemia, major cardiovascular events, myocardial dysfunction and cardiovascular mortality. Screening for CAN in pre-DM using risk scores with analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) or Sudoscan is important to allow earlier treatment at a reversible stage. The link between obesity and CAN highlights the therapeutic potential of lifestyle interventions including diet and physical activity to reverse MetS and prevent CAN. Weight loss achieved using these dietary and exercise lifestyle interventions improves the sympathetic and parasympathetic HRV indices of cardiac autonomic function. Further research is needed to identify high-risk populations of people with pre-DM or obesity that might benefit from targeted pharmacotherapy including metformin, sodium/glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) analogues. Bariatric surgery also improves HRV through weight loss which might also prevent CAN in severe obesity. This article reviews the literature on CAN in obesity, pre-DM and MetS, to help determine a rationale for screening, early intervention treatment and formulate future research questions in this highly prevalent condition.

Heart failure and its complications in patients with diabetes: Mounting evidence for a growing burden

Heart failure (HF) is one of the major challenges in the management of diabetes patients. Among subjects with diabetes, up to 20% could have HF. Conversely, diabetes prevalence in HF patients varies greatly from more than 10% up to 50%. When it is present, the risk of mortality and rehospitalization increases substantially. In addition, current evidence points to an increased risk of atrial fibrillation and sudden cardiac death in patients with diabetes. The inter-relation between diabetes cardiomyopathy, left ventricular hypertrophy, coronary artery disease and renal dysfunction indicates complex and intricate pathways. Despite the great value of clinical assessment and echocardiography, there is insufficient data to suggest systematic screening for HF in asymptomatic patients with diabetes. There is little evidence to indicate that improved glycaemic control improves HF outcome in this population. In the case of established HF, the general guidelines apply in diabetes patients. However, recent advances concerning glucose-lowering treatment in patients with cardiovascular disease suggest that the choice of glucose-lowering agent is of crucial interest and should be based on the patient’s phenotype. New drug classes, such as SGLT2 inhibitors, seem to be of particular benefit in these patients. In the future, new personalized strategies should aim at not only good control of the glycaemic level but also the reduction and possibly the prevention of HF onset.

Heart Failure with Mid-Range Ejection Fraction - State of the Art

In 2016, the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) recognized heart failure (HF) with ejection fraction between 40 and 49% as a new HF phenotype, HF with mid-range ejection fraction (HFmrEF), with the main purpose of encouraging studies on this new category. In 2018, the Brazilian Society of Cardiology adhered to this classification and introduced HFmrEF in Brazil. This paper presents a narrative review of what the literature has described about HFmrEF. The prevalence of patients with HFmrEF ranged from 13 to 24% of patients with HF. Analyzing the clinical characteristics, HFmrEF shows intermediate characteristics or is either similar to HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) or to HF with reduced fraction (HFrEF). Regarding the prognosis, HFmrEF's all-cause mortality is similar to HFpEF's and lower than HFrEF's. Studies that analyzed cardiac mortality concluded that there was no significant difference between HFmrEF and HFrEF, both of which were lower than HFpEF. Despite the significant increase of publications on HFmrEF, there is a great scarcity of prospective studies and clinical trials that allow delineating specific therapies for this new phenotype. To better treat HFmrEF patients, it is fundamental that cardiologists and internists understand the differences and similarities of this new phenotype.

Incidence and prognosis of heart failure in persons with type 2 diabetes compared with individuals without diabetes - a nation-wide study from Finland in 1996-2012

Aims: To quantify the incidence and prevalence of heart failure (HF) in persons with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and to examine the 1-year survival after the diagnosis of HF. Materials and methods: All cases of HF (n = 295,990) and T2DM in Finland were identified from national electronic health care registers for the period 1996-2012. The annual incidence and prevalence rates of HF and 1-year survival after the first diagnosis of HF were calculated for persons with T2DM and without diabetes using Poisson regression for the event rates. Results: The age-adjusted rate ratio for incident HF among men with T2DM in the age group 35-74 years declined from 3.73 (95% CI, 3.46-4.02) in 1996 to 2.17 (2.04-2.31) in 2012 and among women from 3.90 (3.61-4.22) to 2.36 (2.16-2.58). The multivariate-adjusted hazard ratio of 1-year death after the diagnosis of HF declined from 1.15 (1.11-1.21) to 1.07 (1.05-1.10) from the first to the second half of the study period. Conclusions: Individuals aged <75 years with T2DM had a considerably higher incidence of HF than individuals without diabetes. The prognosis of HF was worse in individuals with T2DM than in individuals without diabetes. However, the gap between the groups had narrowed over time. Key messages The incidence of heart failure is 2-3 times higher among patients under 75 years of age with type 2 diabetes than among individuals without diabetes. The prognosis of heart failure patients is worse among patients with type 2 diabetes than it is among patients without diabetes although it is improving.