Clinical Characteristics and Outcome of Hospitalized Patients With Heart Failure in Japan Rationale and Design of Japanese Cardiac Registry of Heart Failure in Cardiology (JCARE-CARD)

Characteristics, Treatment, and Prognosis in Octogenarian and Older Patients With Acute Heart Failure in Japan - Prospective Observational Study on Acute Pharmacotherapy and Prognosis in Management of Acute Heart Failure (POPEYE-AHF Registry)

BACKGROUND

The number of older people in Japan is increasing more quickly than in other countries; with this aging of society, the number of elderly patients hospitalized for acute heart failure (HF) is also increasing. The treatment and prognosis of acute HF may be changing, but there are insufficient recent data, especially for octogenarian and older patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This study investigated the characteristics and treatment of acute HF patients in Japan. From 2018 to 2020, 1,146 patients from 7 Tokai area hospitals were followed for at least 1 year. The mean age was 78 years. Compared with patients aged <80 years, those aged ≥80 years were more likely to be female (57.4% vs. 34.2%), have a lower body mass index (22.2 vs. 24.9 kg/m2), and have HF with preserved ejection fraction (43.1% vs. 21.4%), and less likely to have HF with reduced ejection fraction (38.9% vs. 61.7%). During hospitalization, 6.5% died. After discharge, patients faced high risks of rehospitalization for HF and death (27.6 and 14.2 per 100 patient-years, respectively). Notably, prescription rates of HF medications have declined over time for all patients, but especially for those aged ≥80 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Guideline-directed medical therapy should be provided based on a thorough understanding of an individual's background rather than withheld simply because of clinical inertia due to a patient's advanced age.

Sex Differences in Cardiovascular Disease-Related Hospitalization and Mortality in Japan - Analysis of Health Records From a Nationwide Claim-Based Database, the Japanese Registry of All Cardiac and Vascular Disease (JROAD)

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is rising in Japan with its aging population, but there is a lack of epidemiological data on sex differences in CVD, including acute coronary syndrome (ACS), acute heart failure (AHF), and acute aortic disease.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This retrospective study analyzed data from 1,349,017 patients (January 2012-December 2020) using the Japanese Registry Of All Cardiac and Vascular Diseases database. ACS patients were youngest on average (70.5±12.9 years) and had the lowest female proportion (28.9%). AHF patients had the oldest mean age (79.7±12.0 years) and the highest proportion of females (48.0%). Acute aortic disease had the highest in-hospital mortality (26.1%), followed by AHF (11.5%) and ACS (8.9%). Sex-based mortality differences were notable in acute aortic disease, with higher male mortality in Stanford Type A acute aortic dissection (AAD) with surgery (males: 14.2% vs. females: 10.4%, P<0.001) and similar rates in Type B AAD (males: 6.2% vs. females: 7.9%, P=0.52). Aging was a universal risk factor for in-hospital mortality. Female sex was a risk factor for ACS and acute aortic disease but not for AHF or Types A and B AAD.

CONCLUSIONS

Sex-based disparities in the CVD-related hospitalization and mortality within the Japanese national population have been highlighted for the first time, indicating the importance of sex-specific strategies in the management and understanding of these conditions.

The impact of cardiac rehabilitation for older adults with heart failure who underwent invasive cardiac treatment eligible for long-term care needs certification: A retrospective cohort study

Background

This study aimed to assess the usefulness of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) for older adults with heart failure (HF) who need nursing care and investigate the effect of CR on cognitive function (CF) and basic activities of daily living (BADL).

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study. The study included older adults with HF eligible for long-term care insurance in fiscal year 2014 (FY2014) as the baseline and followed them up until March 2018. Patients were divided into two groups, CR (+) and CR (-), and the changes in their CF and BADL scores over time for 3 years were investigated.

Results

Of the 765 patients included in the study, 36.5% performed CR. BADL scores in the CR (+) and CR (-) groups (mean (SE)) were 5.81 (0.26) vs. 5.87 (0.20) in FY2014, 5.6 (0.28) vs. 5.92 (0.21) in FY2015, 5.72 (0.31) vs. 6.15 (0.22) in FY2016, and 5.64 (0.33) vs. 6.40 (0.25) in FY2017, respectively. BADL scores worsened over time in the CR (-) group but had a trend to inhibit decline in the CR (+) group, and a significant difference was observed between both groups (p = 0.04). Multivariate analysis showed a significant difference in CR as a factor suppressing ADL decline after 1 year (adjusted odds ratios: 0.54, 95% confidence intervals: 0.36-0.82; p = 0.004). However, no significant difference in the CF scores was observed.

Conclusion

CR for older adults with HF eligible for long-term care needs certification does not affect CF and may suppress ADL decline.

Association of living alone with clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Living alone is an objective sign of social isolation. It is uncertain whether living alone worsens clinical outcomes in heart failure (HF) patients. We aimed to assess how living alone affected clinical outcomes in individuals with HF. We searched the electronic databases of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane from 1990 to April 2022 for studies comparing living alone with HF. A random-effects model with inverse variance was used to pool adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Seven studies were deemed to meet the standards. In patients with HF, compared with living with others, living alone was associated with an elevated risk of any hospitalization at the 30-day (HR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.09-2.89), 90-day (HR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.02-1.51), or ≥1-year (HR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.04-1.26) follow-up periods. HF patients living alone also had a greater risk of any hospitalization or death at the 30-day (HR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.15-2.11), 90-day (HR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.05-1.50), and ≥1-year (HR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.09-1.28) follow-up periods. However, patients living alone had no increased risk of all-cause death at the 30-day (HR: 1.0, 95% CI: 0.19-5.36), 90-day (HR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.03-7.42), or ≥ 1-year (HR: 1.10, 95% CI: 0.73-1.67) follow-up periods. In comparison to living with others, living alone was associated with an increased risk of any hospitalization but not all-cause death in HF patients.

The characteristic large-scale annual analysis by gender and age in heart failure patients: cohort for 10 years in Korea

AIMS

The prevalence and incidence rate of heart failure (HF) continues to increase along with the aging of the population and the increase of ischaemic heart disease. The morbidity and mortality of HF are also on the rise in the industrialized countries; it can be a great public health problem. A detailed and accurate analysis of the demographical incidence and prevalence of HF is an important first step in predicting the occurrence of the disease in the future and proper preparing for prevention. Here, we aimed to analyse the annual prevalence and incidence of HF by gender and age using long-term national health insurance service data in the Republic of Korea.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 47 243 patients newly diagnosed with HF between 2006 and 2015 among nationally representative random subjects of 1 000 000 were included. The data of age and gender were analysed by year, and the total population information of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport of Korea was referred to compare the data of HF patients with the total population (2008-15). Over the decade from 2006 to 2015, the prevalence of HF patients showed tendency of increase (P < 0.001). The overall incidence rate was also gradually increasing (P < 0.001), but in women, it tended to decrease gradually. Women significantly accounted higher than the male group in incidence of HF over the period (54.6% vs. 45.4%, P < 0.001). The mean age at the time of diagnosis gradually increased (P = 0.002 for total, P = 0.001 for each gender). Total incidence was highest in 70s (27.22%), but males were the most in their 60s and females were in their 70s. Analysis of annual trend by age and gender distribution of HF incidence in men presented highest in the 50s-70s with a similar pattern annually, and the incidence is increasing more recently. Different from that of men, in the case of women, the incidence gradually increased with age in a similar annual pattern, peaking in their 70s and gradually decreasing in recent years.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence and incidence of HF are gradually increasing. It increased rapidly in their 50s and older. It showed an increased incidence of HF especially in men between their 50s and 70s, and more observation and caution for the management of the risk factors may be needed to prevent HF in the male group.

Relationship of maximum walking speed with peak oxygen uptake and anaerobic threshold in male patients with heart failure

This retrospective observational study aimed to examine the relationships of maximum walking speed (MWS) with peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2) and anaerobic threshold (AT) obtained by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) in patients with heart failure. The study participants were 104 consecutive men aged ≥ 20 years who had been hospitalized or had undergone outpatient care at our hospital for heart failure between February 2019 and January 2023. MWS was measured in a 5-m section with a 1-m run-up before and after the course. Multivariable analysis was used to examine the association between MWS and peak VO2 and AT by CPX. The Pearson correlation coefficient showed that MWS was positively correlated with percent-predicted peak VO2 and percent-predicted AT (r = 0.463, p < 0.001; and r = 0.485, p < 0.001, respectively). In the multiple linear regression analysis employing percent-predicted peak VO2 and percent-predicted AT as the objective variables, only MWS demonstrated a significant positive correlation (standardized β: 0.471, p < 0.001 and 0.362, p < 0.001, respectively). Multiple logistic regression analyses, using an 80% cutoff in percent-predicted peak VO2 and AT, revealed that only MWS was identified as a significant factor in both cases (odds ratio [OR]: 1.239, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.071-1.432, p = 0.004 and OR: 1.469, 95% CI: 1.194-1.807, p < 0.001, respectively). MWS was correlated with peak VO2 and AT in male patients with heart failure. The MWS measurement as a screening test for exercise tolerance may provide a simple means of estimating peak VO2 and AT in heart failure patients.

Predictors of Major Adverse Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Events After Acute Coronary Syndromes: A Retrospective Observational Study Using YoMDB Database

Objectives

Despite the rapid aging of the population in Japan, clinical predictors for major adverse cerebrovascular and cardiovascular events (MACCE) in patients with new onset of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) have not been well studied. This study therefore aimed to identify the predictors of MACCE in the first onset of ACS patients requiring care.

Materials and Methods

Using the Yokohama Original Medical Database, we identified 3,373 patients who experienced a first onset of ACS and had certified care information from April 2014 to March 2016. The incidence proportion of MACCE from June 2014 to March 2018 was retrospectively investigated. Each patient's independence of daily living (IDL) was classified as one of three categories (reference, mild and severe).

Results

Predictors of MACCE were identified using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Impaired IDL was associated with increased MACCE, with adjusted odds ratios for reference, mild and severe of 1.00, 1.35 (95% confidence intervals 1.14-1.60) and 2.12 (95% confidence intervals 1.61-2.80; P for trend < 0.001), respectively.

Conclusions

This study revealed that male sex, chronic kidney disease, atrial fibrillation, high-intensity statin use, low-intensity statin use, and lower IDL (representing less independence) were the predictors of MACCE requiring care for a first onset of ACS. Further research will be required to understand the results of interventions for the identified predictors of MACCE.

Heart Failure Management Capability and Exacerbation of Heart Failure - A 6-Month Prospective Cohort Study

Background: In households with older individuals, where a patient is experiencing heart failure (HF), effective cooperation between patients and caregivers is crucial for disease management. However, there is limited evidence regarding the impact of cooperative HF management on the incidence of exacerbation. Therefore, the aim of this 6-month prospective cohort study was to investigate the association between HF management capability and exacerbations. Methods and Results: The study enrolled outpatients (age ≥65 years) with chronic HF from a cardiology clinic and their caregivers. Self-care capabilities among patients and caregivers were evaluated using the Self-Care of Heart Failure Index (SCHFI) and Caregiver Contribution-SCHFI, respectively. Total scores were calculated using the highest score for each item. During the follow-up period, 31 patients experienced worsening HF. The analysis revealed no significant association between the total HF management score and HF exacerbation among all eligible patients. However, in patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), high HF management capability of the family unit was associated with a reduced risk of HF exacerbation, even after adjusting for the severity of HF. Conclusions: In older patients with HF and preserved LVEF, effective HF management may contribute to a lower risk of exacerbations.

Current state of knowledge and information sharing among home healthcare professionals involved in heart failure management

BACKGROUND

The current state of knowledge related to disease management of heart failure (HF) and information coordination practices provided by non-physician healthcare professionals such as nurses and therapists working at home-visit nursing stations in Japan are not well known.

METHODS

A questionnaire survey of healthcare professionals working at home-visit nursing stations was conducted in Kochi Prefecture. Data collected from 151 nurses and therapists were analyzed.

RESULTS

Regarding the basic characteristics of the respondents, the majority were in their 30s and 40s, and approximately 75 % were nurses. In terms of HF knowledge, 53.7 % of respondents said that they "knew" about the New York Heart Association classification. A total of 40.0 % of respondents said that they were "aware of the existence of the HF handbook", and only 29.3 % of respondents said that they "knew" the classification of HF stages. When they were asked about their level of satisfaction related to all medical information provided by the hospital and hospital wards, no one was "very satisfied", and the most common response (66.2 %) was "not very satisfied". In the essential medical information that respondents wanted to obtain from hospitals and hospitals wards for managing HF patients at home, "medication at discharge", "current medical history", "fluid intake and restrictions", "symptoms, signs, and response to exacerbation", and "ideal body weight" were the top five contents.

CONCLUSION

In the cross-sectional study targeted healthcare professionals working at home-visit nursing stations in Kochi Prefecture, the current state of knowledge related to HF and information coordination practices among healthcare professionals were not fully satisfactory in HF management. It is necessary to increase educational opportunities regarding HF for them and further promote information sharing.

Development of a model predicting cardiac events in heart failure patients with decreased renal function: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Inappropriate and multiple medications affect the prognosis of patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). However, in ADHF patients with decreased renal function, there have been no reports on prognostic factors, including medication data, or models for predicting cardiac events.

AIM

To develop a model including medication data to predict cardiac events in ADHF patients with decreased renal function.

METHOD

This retrospective cohort study included 443 first-time admitted ADHF patients with decreased renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min/1.73 m² at discharge) in the Showa University Fujigaoka Hospital. The primary outcome was cardiac events within one year after discharge, defined as the composite of HF readmission, HF mortality, and cardiovascular mortality. The model for predicting cardiac events was developed using predictive factors extracted by multivariable analysis. The cardiac events curves were visualized using the Kaplan-Meier method and estimated using a log-rank test.

RESULTS

The incidence of cardiac events within one year after discharge was 20.1%. By multivariable analysis, we observed that atrial fibrillation, weight loss < 5%, brain natriuretic peptide ≥ 200 pg/mL, polypharmacy, and beta-blockers use below target dosage were significantly associated with an increased risk of cardiac events. The developed model, the cardiac events rate in the high-risk group was significantly higher than in the low-risk group (41.0 vs. 9.2%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The developed model for predicting cardiac events will be useful in decision-making to support appropriate early management of ADHF patients with decreased renal function.

Impact of tolvaptan add-on treatment on patients with heart failure requiring long-term congestion management: A retrospective cohort study using a medical claim database in Japan

BACKGROUND

The impact of tolvaptan on the long-term outcomes of patients with heart failure (HF) remains inconclusive. We evaluated patients requiring long-term congestion management for the time to rehospitalization for HF (HF rehospitalization), the time to in-hospital death and explored the factors that may influence the outcomes.

METHODS

Using data (April 2008 to September 2019) from a medical claims database, patients with HF prescribed tolvaptan (tolvaptan cohort) and those prescribed loop diuretics before tolvaptan was introduced to the hospital (furosemide cohort) were compared. Patients with HF who experienced ≥2 HF hospitalizations and ≥ 1 tolvaptan or loop diuretic prescription during and after HF hospitalization were included. Data of patients with serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate were analyzed for time to HF rehospitalization and in-hospital death within 1 year after the second discharge and factors that may influence the outcomes.

RESULTS

Among the 1931 and 631 tolvaptan and furosemide cohort patients, respectively, time to HF rehospitalization was not significantly different (p = 0.0921); time to in-hospital death was significantly longer in the tolvaptan cohort than in the furosemide cohort (p = 0.0005). Age, serum sodium, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers were identified as factors for both outcomes (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Tolvaptan did not significantly affect time to HF rehospitalization. However, further worsening of the condition leading to death may be delayed, and time to in-hospital death may be prolonged in patients treated with tolvaptan, indicating its usefulness for long-term congestion management.

Characteristics of Older Patients with Heart Failure Readmitted due to Acute Exacerbations within the Past Year

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to examine the relationship between physical performance and readmission among older patients with heart failure (HF) over the past year.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included 325 patients with HF who were aged ≥65 years and were hospitalized for acute exacerbation between November 2017 and December 2021. We investigated age, sex, body mass index, length of hospital stay, initiation of rehabilitation, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) score, medications, cardiac/renal function, nutrition, maximal quadriceps isometric strength, grip strength, and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score. Data were analyzed using the χ2 test, Mann-Whitney U test, and logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Altogether, 108 patients met the inclusion criteria and were divided into the non-readmission (n = 76) and readmission (n = 32) groups. The readmission group exhibited longer hospital stay, more severe NYHA class, higher CCI score, higher brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels, lower muscle strength, and lower SPPB score compared to the non-readmission group. In the logistic regression model, BNP level and SPPB score were independent factors associated with readmission.

CONCLUSION

BNP level and SPPB score were associated with readmission in patients with HF within the past year.

Brain natriuretic peptide levels and short physical performance battery scores independently influence short-term readmission rates in older patients with heart failure

The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) is a well-established tool to assess the lower extremity physical performance status. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels and SPPB scores on short-term readmission in older patients with heart failure (HF). This prospective cohort study enrolled 325 patients with HF who were hospitalized for acute decompensated HF between November 2017 and December 2021. Variables were analyzed using the Cox proportional hazards model, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and Kaplan-Meier analysis. The 107 patients who met the inclusion criteria were divided into readmission (within 90 days of discharge; n = 25) and non-readmission (n = 82) groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that BNP level and SPPB score were independent risk factors for readmission within 90 days after discharge. Patients were classified into three groups according to the BNP and SPPB cutoff values calculated using ROC curves. The risk of readmission was significantly higher in Group 3 (BNP ≥ 384 pg/mL and SPPB ≤ 7 points) than in Group 1 (BNP < 384 pg/mL and SPPB > 7 points; hazard ratio: 27.68, 95% confidence interval: 3.672 - 208.700, P = 0.0012). Our study showed that HF patients with high BNP levels and low SPPB scores have a dramatically increased risk of readmission within 90 days of discharge.

Aetiology of chronic heart failure in patients from a super-aged society: the KUNIUMI registry chronic cohort

AIMS

With the rapidly increasing ageing population, heart failure is an urgent challenge, particularly in developed countries. The study aimed to investigate the main aetiologies of chronic heart failure in a super-aged society.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The KUNIUMI registry chronic cohort is a community-based, prospective, observational study of chronic heart failure in Awaji Island, Japan. Inhabitants of this island aged ≥65 years accounted for 36.3% of the population. In the present study, data from patients with symptomatic heart failure were extracted from the registry. A total of 1646 patients were enrolled from March 2019 to March 2021, accounting for ~1.3% of the inhabitants of Awaji Island. We analysed 852 patients with symptomatic heart failure. The mean age was high (78.7 ± 11.1 years), with 357 patients (41.9%) being female. The proportion of women increased significantly with advancing age and constituted more than half of the patients aged 85 years and older (P < 0.01). The prevalence of atrial fibrillation, and in particular long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation, increased at 70 years of age (P < 0.01). The proportion of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction increased to ~60% when age was over 75 years. Although ischaemic heart disease accounted for 35.0% of chronic heart failure aetiologies, valvular heart disease was the most common cause of chronic heart failure (49.8%). The major types of valvular heart disease were mitral regurgitation and tricuspid regurgitation (27.2% and 21.7%, respectively), both of which increased significantly with age (P < 0.01). The incidence of aortic valve stenosis increased markedly over the age of 85 years (P < 0.01). Atrial functional mitral regurgitation increased with age and was the major cause of mitral regurgitation in patients aged >75 years. Patients with atrial functional mitral regurgitation had a higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation (especially long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation) and a larger left atrial volume index when compared with patients with other types of mitral regurgitation (P < 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The KUNIUMI registry chronic cohort showed a change in heart failure aetiology to valvular heart disease in a super-aged society. Effective and comprehensive countermeasures are required to prepare for the rapid rise in heart failure incidence in a super-aged society.

Effects of exertional dyspnea on early mobilization of patients with acute decompensated heart failure

[Purpose] In this study, we investigated the association between exertional dyspnea and length of the mobilization program in patients with acute decompensated heart failure. [Participants and Methods] We recruited all consecutive patients with heart failure who were hemodynamically stabilized after administration of intravenous medication and were able to walk >10 m before admission. Exertional dyspnea was evaluated using the visual analog scale in all patients after the 10-m walk during each session of the mobilization program. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with length of the mobilization program. [Results] Our study included 52 patients. Multiple regression analysis showed that the length of the mobilization program was significantly associated with the visual analog scale on day 3 and the length before the start of the mobilization program; however, the length of the mobilization program showed no significant association with age and blood urea nitrogen levels. The standardized coefficients for the visual analog scale scores on day 3 and the length before the start of the mobilization program were 0.49 and 0.33, respectively. [Conclusion] Exertional dyspnea is a good predictor of the length of the mobilization program. Our findings highlight the importance of evaluation of exertional dyspnea.

Health economics-based verification of functional myocardial ischemia evaluation of stable coronary artery disease in Japan: A long-term longitudinal study using propensity score matching

BACKGROUND

The procedural numbers and medical costs of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), mainly elective PCI, have been increasing in Japan. Owing to increased interest in the appropriateness of coronary revascularization, we conducted this medical economics-based evaluation of testing and diagnosis of stable coronary artery disease (CAD).

METHODS AND RESULTS

We reviewed patients' medical insurance data to identify stable CAD patients who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography, cardiac single-photon emission computed tomography, coronary angiography, or fractional flow reserve. Subjects were divided into anatomical and functional evaluation groups according to the modality of testing, and background factors were matched by propensity score. The endpoints were major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), life years (LYs), medical costs, and cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA). The observations were performed for 36 months. MACE, medical costs, and CEA of the functional group in the overall category were trending to be better than the anatomical group (MACE, P = .051; medical costs: 3,105 US$ vs 4,430 US$, P = .007; CEA: 2,431 US$/LY vs 2,902 US$/LY, P = .043).

CONCLUSIONS

The functional evaluation approach improved long-term clinical outcomes and reduced cumulative medical costs. As a result, the modality composition of functional myocardial ischemia evaluation was demonstrated to offer superior cost-effectiveness in stable CAD.

Utilization and Efficacy of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure ― A Report From the CHART-2 Study ―

Background: Although cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is effective for patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and wide QRS (≥120 ms), data on the use of or long-term outcomes after CRT implantation in Japan are limited.

Methods and Results: We examined proper CRT utilization and outcomes in 3,447 consecutive symptomatic CHF patients registered in the CHART-2 Study. We identified 167 potentially eligible patients and divided them into 4 groups according to the presence (+) or absence (−) of an indication for and implantation of CRT: Group A (reference group), (+)indication/(+)CRT; Group B, (+)indication/(−)CRT; Group C, (−)indication/(+)CRT; and Group D, (−)indication/(−)CRT. Based on the Japanese Circulation Society guidelines, 91 patients met the eligibility for CRT implantation, with 43 (47%) of them undergoing CRT implantation. After adjusting for confounders, age was significantly associated with no CRT use (odds ratio per 5-year increase 1.46; 95% confidence interval 1.11–2.05; P=0.012). Among the 4 groups, the cumulative incidence of cardiovascular death and CHF admission were highest in Group B and lowest in Group D (P=0.029).

Conclusions: In this study, only half the eligible CHF patients properly received CRT. Aging was a significant risk factor for no CRT use. Patients without CRT despite having an indication could be at higher risk of mortality and CHF admission.

Phase I investigator-initiated study of the safety of MTC001 in patients with chronic ischemic heart failure

BACKGROUND

: Heart failure (HF) is a global pandemic most commonly caused by coronary artery disease. Despite coronary revascularization, the infarcted myocardium can develop into an irreversible scar toward chronic ischemic HF. This is due to the limited regenerative capacity of the adult human heart. Recently, the vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 positive cardiac fibroblast (VCF) has been shown to directly improve cardiac contractility in addition to promoting myocardial growth in preclinical studies. This clinical trial aims to explore the safety and, in part, the efficacy of autologous VCF therapy for chronic ischemic HF.

METHODS

: This first-in-human trial is an open-label, single-arm, phase 1 study conducted at a single center. This study will include 6 patients with chronic ischemic HF in stage C and NYHA class II or III despite receiving the standard of care, including coronary revascularization. Participants will undergo cardiac biopsy to manufacture autologous VCFs expressing CD90 and CD106. Under electro-anatomical mapping guidance, participants will receive a transendocardial injection of VCF in a modified 3 + 3 design. The first 3 patients will receive a standard dose (2 × 107 cells) of VCF with a 4-week interval for safety assessment before subsequent enrollment. In the absence of safety issues, the final 3 patients will receive the standard dose of VCF without a 4-week interval. In the presence of safety issues, the final 3 patients will receive a reduced dose (1.5 × 107 cells) of VCF with the 4-week interval.

DISCUSSION

This is the first clinical study of cardiac regeneration using VCFs for the treatment of chronic ischemic HF. The study results will contribute to the development of a minimally invasive cell therapy for patients with HF failed by the standard of care.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study was registered with the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCT2033210078).

Interventional heart failure therapy: A new concept fighting against heart failure

Heart failure is a progressive disease that is associated with repeated exacerbations and hospitalizations. The rapid increase in the number of heart failure patients is a global health problem known as the 'heart failure pandemic'. To control the pandemic, multifaceted approaches are essential, ranging from prevention of onset to long-term disease management. Especially in patients with moderate to severe heart failure (stages C and D), surgical and catheter-based interventions are prerequisites for saving lives, preserving cardiac function, improving quality of life (QOL), and prognosis. In addition, various new medical technologies for these interventions have been clinically applied and have been shown to be effective against symptoms and improve the QOL and prognosis of patients with heart failure. Furthermore, the concept of interventional heart failure (IHF) therapy, which considers heart recovery and prevention of worsening of heart failure via multidisciplinary treatment using surgical, catheter interventions, and mechanical circulatory support devices, has been proposed worldwide. This review discusses the importance of IHF therapy in heart failure management, recent changes in interventional technologies and strategies for patients with heart failure, and worldwide education attempts for IHF specialists.

Impact of weight loss in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: results from the FLAGSHIP study

Aims

Weight loss (WL) is a poor prognostic factor for patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction. However, its prognostic impact on patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remains unestablished. The evidence regarding the effects of obesity on the prognosis of WL is also unclear. We aimed to identify the risk factors for WL and examine the association between WL and prognosis of HFpEF in obese and non‐obese patients.

Methods and results

In this multicentre cohort study, the data of 573 patients hospitalized with HFpEF [median age: 78 years (interquartile range, 71–84 years); 49.2% female] were identified from hospital databases. WL was defined as ≥5% weight reduction within 6 months after discharge. Obesity was defined according to Japanese criteria as body mass index ≥25 kg/m². The main study outcomes were all‐cause mortality and HF rehospitalization between 6 and 24 months after hospital discharge. Logistic regression analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis were performed to identify independent the risk factors associated with WL and to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) associated with adverse outcomes. The prevalence of obesity at discharge was 21.1%. At 6 month follow‐up, WL occurred in 17.4% and 10.8% of the obese and non‐obese patients, respectively. Onset of WL in non‐obese patients was associated with prior hospitalization for HF [odds ratio (OR) 2.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.22–4.68, P = 0.011] and high levels of brain natriuretic peptide (OR 2.32, CI 1.17–4.60, P = 0.015). In obese patients, WL was associated with the use of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (OR 3.26, CI 1.08–9.76, P = 0.03) and vasopressin receptor antagonists (OR 6.61, CI 2.03–21.2, P = 0.001). During 1021.3 person‐years of follow‐up, 31 patients died, and upon 1081.0 person‐years follow‐up, 84 patients required rehospitalization for HF. In proportional hazards analysis, WL was associated with all‐cause mortality (HR 5.12, CI 2.08–12.5, P < 0.001) and HF rehospitalization (HR 2.63, CI 1.38–5.01, P = 0.003) after adjustment for confounders in non‐obese patients, but not in obese patients.

Conclusions

Weight loss should be considered as an indicator for monitoring worsening of HF condition in non‐obese patients with HFpEF. WL was not associated with adverse events in obese patients with HFpEF, possibly due to appropriate fluid management during follow‐up.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Hospitalized Patients With Heart Failure From the Large-Scale Japanese Registry Of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (JROADHF)

BACKGROUND

With aging population, the prevalence and incidence of heart failure (HF) have been increasing worldwide. However, the characteristics and outcomes of patients with HF in an era of aging are not well established in Japan.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The Japanese Registry Of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (JROADHF), a retrospective, multicenter, nationwide registry, was designed to study the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients hospitalized with HF throughout Japan in 2013. One hundred and twenty-eight hospitals were selected by cluster random sampling and 13,238 hospitalized patients with HF were identified by medical record review. Demographics, medical history, severity, treatment, and in-hospital and long-term outcome data were collected from the Diagnostic Procedure Combination and medical charts. Data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression or Cox regression analysis. The mean age of registered patients was 78.0±12.5 years and 52.8% were male. Elderly patients (age >75 years) accounted for 68.9%, and HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) accounted for 45.1%. Median length of hospital stay was 18 days and in-hospital mortality was 7.7%. The median follow-up period was 4.3 years, and the incidence rates for cardiovascular death and rehospitalization for HF were 7.1 and 21.1 per 100 person-years, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

A contemporary nationwide registry demonstrated that hospitalized HF patients were very elderly, HFpEF was common, and their prognosis was still poor in Japan.

Selection of Comprehensive Assessment Categories Based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health for Elderly Patients with Heart Failure: A Delphi Survey among Registered Instructors of Cardiac Rehabilitation

The development of a comprehensive assessment tool based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) for elderly patients with heart failure is urgently required. In this study, we classified the ICF categories relevant to heart failure in the elderly through a Delphi survey (3-step questionnaire survey) of 108 Registered Instructors of Cardiac Rehabilitation in the Hiroshima Prefecture. Questionnaires were conducted using postal mail or a web-based platform. The survey was conducted three times, and the survey results were provided as feedback to the participants in the second and third rounds. More than 80% of the respondents selected categories according to the ICF core set methodology. Data were collected from December 2018 to March 2019, with 67, 54, and 46 participants in the first, second, and third rounds, respectively. A total of 58 ICF items were adopted based on the results: 27 body function items, 4 body structure items, 20 activity and participation items, and 7 environmental factor items. This study is characterised by the inclusion of a large number of ICF items for mental function. This result seems to be influenced by the increasing interest in cognitive dysfunction in elderly patients with heart failure. The ICF categories selected for this study allow for a comprehensive assessment of clients for occupational therapy. The findings of this study are expected to provide a basis for an outcome measure to determine the effectiveness of occupational therapy for these patients.

Clinical impact of functional independent measure (FIM) on 180-day readmission and mortality in elderly patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure

Activities of daily living (ADL) are important prognostic factors for heart failure. The functional independent measure (FIM) has emerged as a comprehensive valid measure of ADL from both physical and cognitive perspectives. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic impact of the FIM score on clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). We retrospectively analyzed 473 ADHF patients, with available pre-discharge FIM scores, admitted to our institution between May 2018 and May 2020. Primary outcome measures, defined as a composite of 180-day all-cause deaths and readmissions, were compared among three tertiles. The median FIM score was 102 (interquartile range: 85-115). Tertile 1 corresponded to an FIM score > 111 (n = 154), Tertile 2 to that of 90-111 (n = 167), and Tertile 3 to that of < 90 (n = 152). During follow-up, 28 deaths and 114 readmissions occurred. Patients with lower FIM scores were associated with a graded increase in the risk of primary outcome measure (p = 0.001). Even after multivariable adjustment, the results remained significant [Tertile 1 vs 3; adjusted hazard ratio: 3.28 (95% confidence interval: 1.72-6.56), p < 0.001; Tertile 2 vs 3; 2.32 (1.27-4.47), p = 0.006]. FIM scores were significantly associated with readmission or death within 180 days of discharge in hospitalized ADHF patients.

Association Between Physical Status and the Effects of Combination Therapy With Renin-Angiotensin System Inhibitors and β-Blockers in Patients With Acute Heart Failure

Background: This study investigated whether combination therapy (CT) with renin-angiotensin system inhibitors and β-blockers improved endpoints in acute heart failure (AHF). Methods and Results: AHF patients were recruited to this prospective multicenter cohort study between April 2015 and August 2017. Patients were divided into 3 categories based on ejection fraction (EF), namely heart failure (HF) with reduced EF (HFrEF), HF with midrange EF (HFmrEF), and HF with preserved EF (HFpEF), and a further into 2 groups according to physical status (those who could walk independently outdoors and those who could not). The composite endpoint included all-cause mortality and hospitalization for HF. Data at the 1-year follow-up were available for 1,018 patients. The incidence of the composite endpoint was significantly lower in the CT than non-CT group for HFrEF patients, but not among HFmrEF and HFpEF patients. For patients who could walk independently outdoors, a significantly lower rate of the composite endpoint was recorded only in the HFrEF group. The differences were maintained even after adjustment for comorbidities and prescriptions, with hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) of 0.39 (0.20-0.76) and 0.48 (0.22-0.99), respectively. Conclusions: In this study, CT was associated with the prevention of adverse outcomes in patients with HFrEF. Moreover, CT prevented adverse events only among patients without a physical disorder, not among those with a physical disorder.

Precipitating factors and clinical impact of early rehospitalization for heart failure in patients with heart failure in Awaji Island, Japan

BACKGROUND

Recent reports have revealed that patients who experienced early rehospitalization for heart failure (HF) had worse prognoses in terms of all-cause and cardiovascular deaths as compared to those who did not. However, precipitating factors for early rehospitalization for HF remain unknown. In this study, we assessed the precipitating factors for early rehospitalization and their impact in patients with HF.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We consecutively included 242 patients (mean age: 80.4 years, females: 46.3%) with a history of rehospitalization for HF. They were divided into 2 groups: the early rehospitalization group (71 patients who were readmitted within 3 months of discharge) and the late rehospitalization group (171 patients who were readmitted after more than 3 months following discharge). During the mean follow-up period of 1,144 days (range: 857-1,417 days), 121 patients (50.0%) died. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that patients in the early rehospitalization group had worse prognosis (all-cause death and cardiovascular death) than those in the late rehospitalization group (log-rank p<0.001). As the major precipitating factor for rehospitalization, poor compliance with the doctor's instructions on fluid and physical activity restrictions (determined by the patients or their families admittance of non-compliance with the instructions given at the time of discharge) was higher in the early rehospitalization group than in the late rehospitalization group [poor compliance with fluid restriction: 19.7% vs. 7.6% (p = 0.006), poor compliance with physical activity restriction: 21.1% vs. 9.4% (p = 0.013)].

CONCLUSIONS

We concluded that early hospital readmission in patients with HF was associated with higher mortality rates. Compared to late rehospitalization, precipitating factors for early rehospitalization were more strongly dependent on the self-care behaviors of the patients. A more effective approach, such as multidisciplinary intervention, is essential to prevent early hospital readmission and subsequent poor prognosis.

Mid-Term Prognosis After Landiolol Treatment in Atrial Fibrillation/Atrial Flutter Patients With Chronic Heart Failure - A Prospective Observational Survey (AF-CHF Landiolol Survey)

Background: The aim of the prospective post-marketing AF-CHF Landiolol Survey was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of landiolol for the treatment of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter in patients with cardiac dysfunction in clinical practice in Japan. This analysis reports mid-term prognoses with a focus on switching from landiolol to oral β-blockers.

Methods and Results: The AF-CHF Landiolol Survey took place between June 2014 and May 2016 and involved 1,121 patients with cardiac dysfunction and atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter. Data collected about switching from landiolol to oral β-blockers were analyzed in relation to all-cause mortality within 180 days after landiolol initiation. Among 1,002 patients with available follow-up data, the 6-month all-cause mortality rate was 14. 6% (n=146 patients), of whom 39.7% had died from heart failure (HF). Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed significantly longer survival in patients who had switched to oral β-blockers vs. those who had not, with hazard ratios of 0.39 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.28–0.55) for all-cause mortality and 0.40 (95% CI: 0.23–0.70) for death from HF. Only male sex and advanced age were independently associated with all-cause mortality and death from HF.

Conclusions: This large-scale routine practice survey of landiolol in HF patients with atrial fibrillation/flutter showed high mid-term all-cause mortality. Switching from landiolol to oral β-blockers was apparently, although not independently, associated with lower all-cause mortality and death from HF.

Effects and safety of Psilocybe cubensis and Panaeolus cyanescens magic mushroom extracts on endothelin-1-induced hypertrophy and cell injury in cardiomyocytes

Prevalence of major depression in people with chronic heart failure is higher than in normal populations. Depression in heart failure has become a major issue. Psilocybin-containing mushrooms commonly known as magic mushrooms, have been used since ancient times for their mind healing properties. Their safety in cardiovascular disease conditions is not fully known and may pose as a risk for users suffering from these illnesses. Study investigates the effects and safety of Psilocybe cubensis and Panaeolus cyanescens magic mushrooms use from genus Psilocybe and Panaeolus respectively, in a pathological hypertrophy conditions in which endothelin-1 disorder is a contributor to pathogenesis. We examined the effects of the mushrooms extracts on endothelin-1-induced hypertrophy and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF- α)-induced cell injury in H9C2 cardiomyocytes. Mushrooms were oven dried and extracted with cold and boiling-hot water. H9C2 cardiomyocytes were induced with endothelin-1 prior to treatment with extracts over 48 h. Cell injury was stimulated with TNF-α. Results proposed that the water extracts of Panaeolus cyanescens and Psilocybe cubensis did not aggravate the pathological hypertrophy induced by endothelin-1 and also protected against the TNF-α-induced injury and cell death in concentrations used. Results support medicinal safe use of mushrooms under controlled conditions and cautioned use of higher concentrations.

Living Alone and Gender Differences in Rehospitalization for Heart Failure After Discharge Among Acute Heart Failure Patients

Home treatment for heart failure (HF) is one of the most important problems in patients after discharge as a secondary preventive measure for rehospitalization for HF. However, there are no detailed studies on gender differences in sociopsychological factors such as living alone for HF rehospitalization among patients with acute HF (AHF).This prospective multicenter cohort study enrolled patients with AHF between April 2015 and August 2017. Patients of each gender with first AHF were divided into those living alone and those not living alone. The primary endpoint was defined as rehospitalization for HF after discharge. Cox proportional hazard analysis was performed to determine the association between living alone and the endpoint.Overall, 581 patients were included in this study during the 3-year follow-up. The proportion of rehospitalization for HF was significantly higher in patients living alone than in those not living alone among male patients. However, female patients showed no difference in endpoints between the two groups. The difference was independently maintained even after adjusting for differences in social backgrounds in male patients (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 2.02; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07-3.70). In female patients, the HR for rehospitalization for HF showed no difference between the two groups (adjusted HR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.56-1.69).In this study population, male patients living alone after first AHF discharge had a higher risk of rehospitalization for HF than those not living alone, but these differences were not observed in female patients.

Burden of Heart Failure on Patient Daily Life and Patient-Physician Discordance in Disease Management - Results From a Cross-Sectional Survey in Japan

Background: We investigated the impact of heart failure (HF) on daily life and satisfaction with current HF medication from the patient perspective in a real-world study in Japan. Methods and Results: A cross-sectional survey of 154 HF patients treated by 58 cardiologists was conducted in Japan using patient self-completed questionnaires about their daily life and satisfaction with HF medication, as well as patient record forms completed by their physicians capturing corresponding data. The mean age of patients was 72.7 years. The proportion of patients within New York Heart Association Class I, II, III, and IV was 39%, 44%, 16%, and 1%, respectively. Symptoms reported by patients included dyspnea when active (46%), nocturia (43%), anxiety (18%), and depression (6%). There was a discordance between physician- and patient-reported symptoms, especially for nocturia and inability to sleep. The most frequent lifestyle recommendation from physicians was 'reduce salt/sodium intake', but only 51% of patients receiving this recommendation followed the advice. In all, 44% of patients reported dissatisfaction with their current medication; according to the patients, 27% reported no discussion with their physicians about their prescribed medication, while physicians reported the opposite. Conclusions: HF negatively impacts patient daily life. There is discordance between patients and physicians in symptom reporting, lifestyle modification advice and adherence, and reported medication decision making. Gaps in patient-physician communication exist.

Study protocol for the PURSUIT-HFpEF study: a Prospective, Multicenter, Observational Study of Patients with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

INTRODUCTION

Neither the pathophysiology nor an effective treatment for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has been elucidated to date. The purpose of this ongoing study is to elucidate the pathophysiology and prognostic factors for patients with HFpEF admitted to participating institutes. We also aim to obtain insights into the development of new diagnostic and treatment methods by analysing patient background factors, clinical data and follow-up information.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This study is a prospective, multicentre, observational study of patients aged ≥20 years admitted due to acute decompensated heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (≥50%) and elevated N-terminal-pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) (≥400 pg/mL). The study began in June 2016, with the participation of Osaka University Hospital and 31 affiliated facilities. We will collect data on history in detail, accompanying diseases, quality of life, frailty score, medication history, and laboratory and echocardiographic data. We will follow-up each patient for 5 years, and collect outcome data on mortality, cause of death, and the number and cause of hospitalisation. The target number of registered cases is 1500 cases in 5 years.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Osaka University Hospital on 24 February 2016 (ID: 15471), and by the IRBs of the all participating facilities. The findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Heart Failure Patients With Long-Term Care Insurance - Insights From the Kitakawachi Clinical Background and Outcome of Heart Failure Registry

BACKGROUND

In Japan, the long-term care insurance (LTCI) system has an important role in helping elderly people, but there have been no clinical studies that have examined the relationship between the LTCI and prognosis for patients with acute heart failure (HF).

METHODS AND RESULTS

This registry was a prospective multicenter cohort, 1,253 patients were enrolled and 965 patients with acute HF aged ≥65 years were comprised the study group. The composite endpoint included all-cause death and hospitalization for HF after discharge. We divided the patients into 4 groups: (i) patients without LTCI, (ii) patients requiring support level 1 or 2, (iii) patients with care level 1 or 2, and (iv) patients with care levels 3-5. The Kaplan-Meier analysis identified a lower rate of the composite endpoint in group (i) than in the other groups. After adjusting for potentially confounding effects using a Cox proportional regression model, the hazard ratio (HR) of the composite endpoint increased significantly in groups (iii) and (iv) (adjusted HR, 1.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22-1.98 and adjusted HR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.23-2.14, respectively) when compared with group (i). However, there was no significant difference between groups (i) and (ii).

CONCLUSIONS

The level of LTCI was associated with a higher risk of the composite endpoint after discharge in acute HF patients.

The clinical characteristics and outcomes of heart failure patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease from the Japanese community-based registry

Both heart failure (HF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are common diseases, but few studies have assessed the relationship between COPD and outcomes in patients with acute HF, especially in relation to age or ejection fraction (EF). The Kitakawachi Clinical Background and Outcome of Heart Failure Registry was a prospective, multicenter, community-based cohort and enrolled a total of 1,102 patients with acute HF between 2015 and 2017 in this study. The primary endpoint was defined as a composite endpoint that included all-cause mortality and hospitalization for HF. We stratified patients into two groups: those aged ≥ 80 years (elderly) and < 80 years (nonelderly). HF with preserved EF (HFpEF) was defined as EF ≥ 50%, whereas HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) was defined as EF < 50%. A total of 159 patients (14.4%) with COPD and 943 patients (83.6%) without COPD were included. COPD was found to be independently associated with a higher risk of the composite endpoint (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.42, 95% confidence interval: 1.14-1.77; p = 0.003). During a subgroup analysis, COPD was exposed as an independent risk factor of the composite endpoint in nonelderly patients; however, there was not such a finding observed among elderly patients. Separately, there was a significant association with COPD and the composite endpoint in patients with HFpEF. COPD showed a significantly higher risk of the composite endpoint after discharge in acute HF. However, this heightened risk was observable only in the subgroup of nonelderly patients and those of HFpEF.

The controlling nutritional status score predicts outcomes of cardiovascular events in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Backgrounds

The relationship between cardiovascular outcomes and the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score in heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) patients is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the score and cardiovascular outcomes in HFpEF patients.

Methods and results

A total of 506 consecutive HFpEF patients were prospectively observed for up to 1500 days or until the occurrence of cardiovascular events. The mean age was 71.6 ± 9.4 years. Cardiovascular outcomes were compared between the CONUT score 0–1 group with a normal nutritional state (normal group), the CONUT score 2–4 group with a light degree of undernutrition (light group), and the CONUT score 5–8 group with a moderate degree of undernutrition (moderate group). In this study, there were no patients who scored 9–12, which was defined as a severe state of undernutrition. Overall, 238 cardiovascular events were observed during the follow-up period (median: 1159 days). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that the moderate group was at higher risk of composite cardiovascular events than the normal group (P < 0.001) and the light group (P = 0.031). The analysis also showed that the light group was at higher risk of composite cardiovascular events than the normal group (P = 0.038). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis with the significant factors from the univariate analysis showed that the CONUT score (hazard ratio: 1.12, 95% confidence interval: 1.03–1.21, P = 0.005) significantly predicted future cardiovascular events.

Conclusion

Nutritional screening using the CONUT score may be useful for predicting cardiovascular events in HFpEF patients.

Effects of Pimobendan on Prolonging Time to Rehospitalization or Frequency of Rehospitalization in Patients with Heart Failure: A Retrospective Cohort Study Using a Medical Administrative Database (PREFER Study)

BACKGROUND

As approximately 24% of patients with chronic heart failure are rehospitalized within 1 year and heart failure is aggravated by repeated hospitalizations, greater importance was attached to the prevention of hospitalization.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of pimobendan on rehospitalization of patients with advanced heart failure using a Japanese medical administrative database.

METHODS

From January 2010 to February 2018, patients hospitalized two or more times for heart failure were selected for analysis. The primary endpoint was the incidence of hospitalizations for heart failure during the follow-up period, which was compared between pimobendan prescription and non-prescription groups after propensity score matching.

RESULTS

The total number of patients with heart failure included during the study period was 1 421 110 and we matched 276 patients in both groups. The incidence of rehospitalization throughout the period to completion of follow-up was 365.23/1000 people/yr (95% confidence interval [CI]: 327.78-402.69) in the pimobendan prescription group and 537.81/1000 people/yr (95% CI: 492.36-583.27) in the non-prescription group. The cumulative incidence at 365 days was significantly lower in the pimobendan prescription group (pimobendan prescription group: 35.4% (95% CI: 29.8-41.8), non-prescription group: 51.2% (95% CI: 45.1-57.7), (P < 0.001). The adjusted hazard ratio in the pimobendan prescription group was 0.556 (95% CI: 0.426-0.725, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Pimobendan was suggested to extend the time to rehospitalization for patients with advanced heart failure. It is necessary to verify the results of this study by performing a prospective study. In addition, the influence of pimobendan on general heart failure patients must be examined.

Classification of physical activity in patients with heart failure categorized as New York Heart Association class I or II

This study aimed that we were classification of physical activity in patients with heart failure categorized as New York Heart Association (NYHA) class I or II. We were a survey using a researcher- administered questionnaire, SF-8, the Specific Activity Scale (SAS), and the Scale to Measure Self-Care Behavior of Patients with Heart Disease. We included 70 patients who were treated in the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at Hospital A. Regarding patient characteristics and clinical information after the cluster analysis, there were significant differences in the NYHA class (p = 0.001), BNP level (p = 0.012), self-management of medication adherence (p = 0.000), and exercise habits (p = 0.005). We summarized characteristics of each group as follows : Group A showed high tolerance to physical activity and near-perfect self-management; Group B showed moderate tolerance to physical activity but was not willing to commit to daily exercise and self-management; and Group C showed low tolerance to physical activity and often requested others to handle medication management. We needed that tolerance to physical activity and proposals for tailored instruction according to patient conditions, and needed that instructions tailored to the characteristics of heart failure patients in groups A-C. J. Med. Invest. 67 : 124-133, February, 2020.

Impact of Hospital Practice Factors on Mortality in Patients Hospitalized for Heart Failure in Japan - An Analysis of a Large Number of Health Records From a Nationwide Claims-Based Database, the JROAD-DPC

BACKGROUND

An inverse relationship exists between hospital case volume and mortality in patients with heart failure (HF). However, hospital performance factors associated with mortality in HF patients have not been examined. We aimed to identify these using exploratory factor analysis and assess the relationship between these factors and 7-day, 30-day, and in-hospital mortality among HF patients in Japan.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We analyzed the records of 198,861 patients admitted to 683 certified hospitals of the Japanese Circulation Society between 2012 and 2014. Records were obtained from the nationwide database of the Japanese Registry Of All cardiac and vascular Diseases-Diagnostic Procedure Combination (JROAD-DPC). Using exploratory factor analysis, 90 hospital survey items were grouped into 5 factors, according to their collinearity: "Interventional cardiology", "Cardiovascular surgery", "Pediatric cardiology", "Electrophysiology" and "Cardiac rehabilitation". Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association between these factors and mortality. The 30-day mortality was 8.0%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed the "Pediatric cardiology" (odds ratio (OR) 0.677, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.628-0.729, P<0.0001), "Electrophysiology" (OR 0.876, 95% CI: 0.832-0.923, P<0.0001), and "Cardiac rehabilitation" (OR 0.832, 95% CI: 0.792-0.873, P<0.0001) factors were associated with lower mortality. In contrast, "Interventional cardiology" (OR 1.167, 95% CI: 1.070-1.272, P<0.0001) was associated with higher mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Hospital factors, including various cardiovascular therapeutic practices, may be associated with the early death of HF patients.

Current Medical and Social Issues for Hospitalized Heart Failure Patients in Japan and Factors for Improving Their Outcomes - Insights From the REAL-HF Registry

Background: We investigated the current medical and social conditions and outcomes of heart failure (HF) patients in Hiroshima Prefecture, a local district in Japan. Methods and Results: From March 2017 to February 2018 we enrolled all adult patients with hospitalized HF in 8 regional core hospitals that provided an interprofessional team approach for HF patients. We collected patients' clinical characteristics and information regarding living circumstances, cognitive function, quality of life, and interprofessional team approach. For patients discharged home, we followed up the primary endpoint (all-cause death and all-cause unscheduled readmission), conditions of outpatient cardiac rehabilitation, and home nursing-care services over a 1-year period after discharge. Of the registered patients (n=1,218), 39.2% were super-elderly (≥85 years old); more than half of these patients had preserved ejection fraction (≥50%). In the follow-up cohort (n=632), 140 patients (22.2%) were readmitted with HF exacerbation as the primary endpoint, and almost half (n=295, 46.7%) experienced any primary endpoint. The multivariate analysis adjusted for medical and social factors showed that completion of outpatient cardiac rehabilitation (5-month program) remained a strong negative predictor of the primary endpoint (hazard ratio: 0.15; 95% confidence interval: 0.05-0.48; P=0.0013). Conclusions: Our cohort study highlighted the super-aging of current HF patients in Japan. Cardiac rehabilitation through continuous team approach appears to be associated with favorable overall outcomes in this population.

Spironolactone use is associated with improved outcomes in heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction

AIMS

Spironolactone has been shown to improve outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (EF). We investigated whether the discharge use of spironolactone could be associated with better long-term outcomes among patients with HF with mid-range EF (HFmrEF).

METHODS AND RESULTS

We analysed HFmrEF (left ventricular EF 40-49%) patients enrolled in the Japanese Cardiac Registry of Heart Failure in Cardiology, which prospectively studied the clinical characteristics, treatments, and long-term outcomes of patients hospitalized due to HF. Patients were divided into two groups according to the use of spironolactone at discharge. The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause death or HF rehospitalization. A total of 457 patients had HFmrEF. The mean age was 69.3 years and 286 (62.6%) were male. Among them, spironolactone was prescribed at discharge in 158 patients (34.6%). Chronic kidney disease (7.6% vs. 16.8%, P = 0.007) was less prevalent and loop diuretics (89.2% vs. 70.2%, P < 0.001) were more often prescribed in patients with spironolactone. During a mean follow-up of 2.2 years, patients with spironolactone had a lower incidence rate of the primary outcome than those without it (171.5 vs. 278.8 primary outcome per 1000 patient-years, incidence rate ratio 0.61, 95% confidence interval 0.44-0.86; P = 0.004). After multivariable adjustment, spironolactone use at discharge was associated with a significant reduction in the composite of all-cause death or HF rehospitalization (adjusted hazard ratio 0.63, 95% confidence interval 0.44-0.90, P = 0.010).

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with HF hospitalized for HFmrEF, spironolactone use at discharge was associated with better long-term outcomes.

Oxidative Stress-Responsive MicroRNAs in Heart Injury

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important molecules in the living organisms as a part of many signaling pathways. However, if overproduced, they also play a significant role in the development of cardiovascular diseases, such as arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy, ischemia/reperfusion injury (e.g., myocardial infarction and heart transplantation), and heart failure. As a result of oxidative stress action, apoptosis, hypertrophy, and fibrosis may occur. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) represent important endogenous nucleotides that regulate many biological processes, including those involved in heart damage caused by oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can alter the expression level of many miRNAs. These changes in miRNA expression occur mainly via modulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), sirtuins, calcineurin/nuclear factor of activated T cell (NFAT), or nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathways. Up until now, several circulating miRNAs have been reported to be potential biomarkers of ROS-related cardiac diseases, including myocardial infarction, hypertrophy, ischemia/reperfusion, and heart failure, such as miRNA-499, miRNA-199, miRNA-21, miRNA-144, miRNA-208a, miRNA-34a, etc. On the other hand, a lot of studies are aimed at using miRNAs for therapeutic purposes. This review points to the need for studying the role of redox-sensitive miRNAs, to identify more effective biomarkers and develop better therapeutic targets for oxidative-stress-related heart diseases.

Characteristics of heart failure patients incurring high medical costs via matching specific health examination results and medical claim data: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

We describe the characteristics of patients with high medical costs by matching specific annual medical examination results and medical claim data. Clarifying the relationships between examination items and high medical costs allows the screening of high-risk persons.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

SUBJECTS

Subjects were persons insured by national health insurance in Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, from April 2016 to March 2017. To identify true heart failure (HF) patients, the disease name listed in the medical claim data was compared with drugs prescribed for HF, with extraction of only subjects whose comparative data matched.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

The specific health examination includes a questionnaire on areas such as lifestyle habits, anthropometry, blood pressure, blood tests and urine tests. The percentage of the total medical costs related to the medical care of subjects with HF was described using Pareto analysis. For specific health examination items, we compared the high-cost and low-cost groups. The normality and homoscedasticity of each variable was checked and Student's t-tests and χ² tests were applied. Finally, multiple logistic regression analysis was used to detect factors in the health examination items related to high medical costs.

RESULTS

Pareto analysis showed that 80% of all medical costs were paid by 30% of the HF patient population. The fees for cardiovascular surgery accounted for 54% of the total surgical cost, 64% of which included preventable diseases. Levels of creatinine (Cr) and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GTP) and a history of smoking were found to be related to high medical costs.

CONCLUSION

Analysis of specific health examination results for HF patients revealed the association between high medical costs, γ-GTP, Cr, and smoking. These results can thus serve as a reference for screening persons at high risk of HF and help prevent the exacerbation of HF.

Relationship among Activities of Daily Living, Nutritional Status, and 90 Day Readmission in Elderly Patients with Heart Failure

Purpose: This investigation aimed to examine the relationship among activities of daily living (ADL), nutritional status and 90-day hospital readmission in elderly heart failure (HF) patients. Methods: Participants were selected from 634 HF patients consecutively hospitalized at one institution. We investigated patient characteristics, ADL (motor and cognitive items of Functional Independence Measure (FIM)) and nutritional status (Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI)). Data were analyzed using unpaired t-test, χ² test, Cox proportional hazard model, and Kaplan-Meier method. Results: The 169 participants that met inclusion criteria were divided into two groups based on hospital readmission within 90 days of discharge. Body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.03), hemoglobin (p = 0.047), GNRI (p = 0.02) and motor-FIM (p = 0.007) were significantly different between the readmission (n = 31) and non-readmission (n = 138) groups. After Cox proportional hazard model analysis, GNRI (HR: 0.96; p = 0.048) and motor-FIM (HR: 0.97; p = 0.03) scores remained statistically significant. Participants were then classified into four groups based on a previous study’s cut-off values of prognosis for GNRI and motor-FIM. Readmission avoidance rate was significantly lower (p = 0.002) in the group with GNRI <92 and motor FIM <75. Conclusions: This study showed that motor-FIM and GNRI scores for hospitalized elderly HF patients were predictors of readmission within 90 days of discharge.

Clinical Characteristics of Heart Failure from Case Reports Presented at the Regional Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine

Objective To examine case reports presented at the Regional Meeting of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine in order to clarify the underlying disease and prognosis of heart failure, which is often caused by non-cardiovascular diseases. Methods We examined 49,693 case reports from the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine database. A total of 2,893 reports were included after excluding 46,022 reports that did not include the term "heart failure" and 778 reports with no indications of symptoms of heart failure. We assessed each patient's basal disease, and according to the abstracts, we reported their prognosis as dead or alive. Results Of the 2,893 reports included, 1,952 (67.5%) and 941 (32.5%) had cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular diseases as the causes, respectively; these cases were attributed to 725 different diseases, 196 (27.0%) and 529 (73.0%) of which were cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular diseases, respectively. In addition, 91 different side effects were identified. The percentage of cases of heart failure-related mortality was significantly higher among the patients with non-cardiovascular diseases than in those with cardiovascular diseases (17.8% vs. 10.8%; p <0.001). Of the diseases reported as causes of heart failure in more than 10 reports, pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy (87%), multiple myeloma (50%), and amyloidosis (47%) accounted for the highest percentages of heart failure-related mortality. Conclusion Because heart failure is often caused by non-cardiovascular diseases, a broad study of case reports on internal medicine is important for cardiologists.

Possible involvement of thiamine insufficiency in heart failure in the institutionalized elderly

Heart failure is a major manifestation of thiamine deficiency; beriberi. Even thiamine insufficiency, milder than deficiency, may be associated with increased heart failure risk. In this cross-sectional study, the relationship between thiamine insufficiency and heart failure was investigated in the Japanese institutionalized elderly from April to November 2017. Fifty-five subjects in four care facilities were evaluated for their whole blood thiamine and plasma brain natriuretic peptide concentrations. Mean whole blood thiamine concentration was 88.7 ± 22.3 nmol/L in men and 92.0 ± 16.5 nmol/L in women, and significantly and negatively correlated with plasma brain natriuretic peptide concentrations (r = −0.378, p = 0.007). In the multiple regression analysis adjusted by age, sex, body mass index, and eGFR, whole blood thiamine concentration was a significant negative contributor (standardized coefficient β = −0.488, p = 0.001) to plasma brain natriuretic peptide. In the logistic regression analysis adjusted by the same variables, whole blood thiamine concentration significantly contributed to plasma brain natriuretic peptide concentration higher than over 40 pg/ml (OR: 0.898, 95%CI: 0.838–0.962). Whole blood thiamine concentration in subjects with diuretics was significantly lower than those without it (p = 0.023). Thiamine insufficiency was related to increased plasma brain natriuretic peptide concentration and may increase the risk of heart failure.

Electrocardiographic Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Is Independently Associated With Better Long-Term Outcomes in Dilated Cardiomyopathy Patients

Background: Electrocardiogram (ECG) findings of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH; ECG-LVH) are observed in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), but the prognostic importance is unclear. The present study assessed the impact of QRS voltage on long-term outcomes, including mortality and rehospitalization, in patients with DCM using a database of patients hospitalized for worsening heart failure (HF).

Methods and Results: We analyzed a total of 261 patients with DCM in the Japanese Cardiac Registry of Heart Failure in Cardiology (JCARE-CARD), a prospective cohort studying the characteristics and treatments in a broad sample of HF patients. ECG-LVH were diagnosed according to the Sokolow-Lyon voltage criteria. A total of 81 patients (31.0%) had ECG-LVH. During a mean follow-up period of 1.8 years, patients with ECG-LVH had a lower rate of all-cause death (9.0% vs. 20.3%, P=0.029) and composite of all-cause death and rehospitalization due to worsening HF (26.9% vs. 45.9%, P=0.007) than those without it. After multivariable adjustment, ECG-LVH was an independent negative predictor for the risk of composite all-cause death and rehospitalization (hazard ratio, 0.358; 95% CI: 0.157–0.857, P=0.049).

Conclusions: ECG-LVH were independently associated with better long-term outcome in patients with DCM.

The Heart Failure "Pandemic" in Japan: Reconstruction of Health Care System in the Highly Aged Society

An increase in the number of patients with heart failure is an international health-related problem. In advanced countries, the number of such patients has rapidly increased since the beginning of the 21^st century, raising an important issue regarding medical practice and public health. In 2010, the concept of “heart failure pandemic” was proposed, and it has been recognized as a global social/economic issue. In particular, the number of elderly patients with heart failure has increased with the rapid aging of society and a decrease in the number of children in Japan. A rapid increase in the number of heart failure patients increases stress and social disease-related/medical economic burdens on individuals and their families. The prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure is unfavorable, and the quality of life markedly reduces. To improve the prognosis of elderly patients with heart failure and reduce the readmission rate, the innovation of a medical-care-providing system for heart failure is required. In addition to the provision of medical practice based on a potent heart failure disease control program, manifold strategies, such as lifestyle improvements, self-care practice, cardiac rehabilitation, and environmental intervention, are essential. It is necessary to innovate hospital-based medical practice to a regional-care-system-based medical care system. In addition, to efficiently promote future heart failure strategies, an investigational study with disease registration must be conducted. Recently a new basic act on countermeasures to cardiovascular diseases has been established which may help the reform for this purpose.

Progressive Mobilization Program for Patients With Acute Heart Failure Reduces Hospital Stay and Improves Clinical Outcome

Background: Early ambulation has been shown to be associated with shorter hospital stay and better clinical outcomes in patients with acute heart failure (HF). Early mobilization program in combination with structured exercise training is recommended, but has yet to be developed and implemented in HF. Methods and Results: We developed a progressive mobilization program for HF patients that classifies the mobilization process into 7 stages based on disease condition and physical function. We retrospectively analyzed 136 patients with acute HF (80±11 years), who were assigned either to the mobilization program (intervention group, n=75) or to usual care (control group, n=61). The program was safely implemented without any adverse events. Hospital stay was significantly reduced in the intervention group compared with the control group (33±25 vs. 51±36 days, P<0.01). The intervention group had higher activities of daily living (ADL) score at discharge evaluated using the Barthel index (64±38 vs. 49±36, P<0.05). The intervention group also had a higher percentage of discharge to home (71% vs. 52%, P<0.05) and a lower rate of HF-related readmission (16% vs. 36%, P<0.05) compared with the control group. Conclusions: The progressive mobilization program for acute HF was feasible and was associated with better ADL and reduced hospital stay, leading to improvement of clinical outcome.