Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index Predicts Cardiovascular Events in Patients at Risk for Heart Failure

Cut-off values of Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index for cardiovascular events in Japanese patients with acute myocardial infarction

The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) is a straightforward nutritional risk assessment tool with an established relationship with poor prognosis in patients with heart failure. However, the utility of the GNRI in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains unclear given the time-dependent changes in the pathophysiology of AMI and the selected endpoints. Accordingly, we aimed to evaluate the optimal cut-off values of the GNRI for cardiovascular events in patients with AMI. We used time-dependent receiver operating characteristic analysis to identify the optimal cut-off values for two endpoints, all-cause death and major adverse cardiac events (MACE: all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, hospitalization for heart failure, and stroke), over 4 years in 360 patients with AMI between 2012 and 2020. The cumulative incidence of MACE was 11.6%. The cut-off value of the GNRI for all-cause death was 82.7 (area under the curve [AUC], 0.834) at 3 months and 90.3 (AUC 0.854) at 4 years. The cut-off value of the GNRI for MACE was 83.0 (AUC 0.841) at 3 months and 95.3 (AUC 0.821) at 4 years. The GNRI demonstrated consistently high reliability relative to other indicators of AMI. Our findings indicated that the optimal cut-off value and reliability of the GNRI for cardiovascular events varied according to the endpoints and observation periods. GNRI emerges as a crucial predictor of prognosis for patients with AMI.

Efficacy of sucrose and povidone-iodine mixtures in peritoneal dialysis catheter exit-site care

BACKGROUND

Exit-site infection (ESI) is a common recurring complication in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). Sucrose and povidone-iodine (SPI) mixtures, antimicrobial ointments that promote wound healing, have been used for the treatment of ulcers and burns, but their efficacy in exit-site care is still unclear.

METHODS

This single-center retrospective observational study included patients who underwent PD between May 2010 and June 2022 and presented with episodes of ESI. Patients were divided into SPI and non-SPI groups and followed up from initial ESI onset until PD cessation, death, transfer to another facility, or June 2023.

RESULTS

Among the 82 patients (mean age 62, [54-72] years), 23 were treated with SPI. The median follow-up duration was 39 months (range, 14-64), with an overall ESI incidence of 0.70 episodes per patient-year. Additionally, 43.1% of second and 25.6% of third ESI were caused by the same pathogen as the first. The log-rank test demonstrated significantly better second and third ESI-free survival in the SPI group than that in the non-SPI group (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively). In a Cox regression analysis, adjusting for potential confounders, SPI use was a significant predictor of decreased second and third ESI episodes (hazard ratio [HR], 0.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.10-0.52 and HR, 0.22; 95%CI, 0.07-0.73, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results showed that the use of SPI may be a promising option for preventing the incidence of ESI in patients with PD.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study was approved by the Keio University School of Medicine Ethics Committee (approval number 20231078) on August 28, 2023. Retrospectively registered.

Geriatric nutritional risk index as a predictor for fragility fracture risk in elderly with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A 9-year ambispective longitudinal cohort study

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The elderly are prone to fragility fractures, especially those suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) combined with osteoporosis. Although studies have confirmed the association between GNRI and the prevalence of osteoporosis, the relationship between GNRI and fragility fracture risk and the individualized 10-year probability of osteoporotic fragility fractures estimated by FRAX remains unclear. This study aims to delve into the association between the GNRI and a fragility fracture and the 10-year probability of hip fracture (HF) and major osteoporotic fracture (MOF) evaluated by FRAX in elderly with T2DM.

METHODS

A total of 580 patients with T2DM aged ≥60 were recruited in the study from 2014 to 2023. This research is an ambispective longitudinal cohort study. All participants were followed up every 6 months for 9 years with a median of 3.8 years through outpatient services, medical records, and home fixed-line telephone interviews. According to the tertiles of GNRI, all subjects were divided into three groups: low-level (59.72-94.56, n = 194), moderate-level (94.56-100.22, n = 193), and high-level (100.22-116.45, n = 193). The relationship between GNRI and a fragility fracture and the 10-year probability of HF and MOF calculated by FRAX was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, Spearman correlation analyses, restricted cubic spline (RCS) analyses, multivariable Cox regression analyses, stratified analyses, and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.

RESULTS

Of 580 participants, 102 experienced fragile fracture events (17.59%). ROC analysis demonstrated that the optimal GNRI cut-off value was 98.58 with a sensitivity of 75.49% and a specificity of 47.49%, respectively. Spearman partial correlation analyses revealed that GNRI was positively related to 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25-(OH) D] (r = 0.165, P < 0.001) and bone mineral density (BMD) [lumbar spine (LS), r = 0.088, P = 0.034; femoral neck (FN), r = 0.167, P < 0.001; total hip (TH), r = 0.171, P < 0.001]; negatively correlated with MOF (r = -0.105, P = 0.012) and HF (r = -0.154, P < 0.001). RCS analyses showed that GNRI was inversely S-shaped dose-dependent with a fragility fracture event (P < 0.001) and was Z-shaped with the 10-year MOF (P = 0.03) and HF (P = 0.01) risk assessed by FRAX, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that compared with high-level GNRI, moderate-level [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.950; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.076-3.535; P = 0.028] and low-level (HR = 2.538; 95% CI = 1.378-4.672; P = 0.003) had an increased risk of fragility fracture. Stratified analysis exhibited that GNRI was negatively correlated with the risk of fragility fracture, which the stratification factors presented in the forest plot were not confounding factors and did not affect the prediction effect of GNRI on the fragility fracture events in this overall cohort population (P for interaction > 0.05), despite elderly females aged ≥70, with body mass index (BMI) ≥24, hypertension, and with or without anemia (all P < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis identified that the lower-level GNRI group had a higher cumulative incidence of fragility fractures (log-rank, all P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This study confirms for the first time that GNRI is negatively related to a fragility fracture and the 10-year probability of osteoporotic fragility fractures assessed by FRAX in an inverse S-shaped and Z-shaped dose-dependent pattern in elderly with T2DM, respectively. GNRI may serve as a valuable predictor for fragility fracture risk in elderly with T2DM. Therefore, in routine clinical practice, paying attention to the nutritional status of the elderly with T2DM and giving appropriate dietary guidance may help prevent a fragility fracture event.

Association between nutritional risk status and health related quality of life: An investigation on the aging patients with cardiovascular disease

Introduction

Acknowledging the considerable influence of undernutrition on health outcomes and HRQOL, this study sought to appraise the nutritional risk status of elderly patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) through the utilization of the Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS). Additionally, the investigation aimed to evaluate the correlation between NRS status and HRQOL within the context of patients referred to a cardiac hospital in Tabriz, Iran.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted in Tabriz, Iran. The participants were selected randomly from patients referring to Shahid Madani Heart Hospital, a comprehensive university hospital during July to December 2018. A linear regression was used for control of confounding variables (age, gender, education level, marital status, and income levels) and predict the relationship between nutrition risk status and HQRL.

Results

Of the 200 patients with CVD participated in this study, 68 (34%) of participants had normal nutrition status, 108 (54%) were at risk for undernutrition, and 24 (12%) had undernutrition. A total of 24 aging patients with undernutrition, 13 (54%) were divorced or widowed. 86% of patients with diabetes were at risk for undernutrition and 13.9% had undernutrition. There were statistically significant relationship between undernutrition and HRQOL dimensions, age, gender, and marital status.

Conclusion

The study revealed a correlation between elevated undernutrition scores in patients and factors such as older age, female gender, and marital status of being divorced or widowed. Furthermore, the results imply that a notable elevation in the risk score for undernutrition in patients is significantly linked to impaired HRQOL among elderly individuals with CVD.

Predictive Value of the Hemoglobin-Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index in Patients with Heart Failure

Malnutrition prevails among patients with heart failure (HF), increasing the likelihood of functional decline. We assessed the predictive value of the Hemoglobin-Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (H-GNRI)-combining hemoglobin and the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI)-on prognosis in older patients with HF. We used the JMDC multicenter database to examine the potential associations between malnutrition risk and other outcome measures. The patients were categorized as low- (H-GNRI score = 0), intermediate- (H-GNRI score = 1), or high-risk (H-GNRI score = 2) based on their H-GNRI scores. The primary outcome measure was the Barthel Index (BI) gain; the secondary outcomes included the BI at discharge, the BI efficiency, length of hospital stay, in-hospital mortality, discharge to home or a nursing home, and hospitalization-associated disability. We analyzed 3532 patients, with 244 being low-risk, 952 being intermediate-risk, and 2336 being high-risk patients. The high-risk group of patients had significantly lower BI values at discharge, lower BI gains, reduced BI efficiency values, and prolonged hospital stays compared to those in the low-risk group. The high-risk patients also had higher in-hospital mortality rates, lower rates of discharge to home or a nursing home, and greater incidences of a hospitalization-associated disability in comparison to the low-risk group. The H-GNRI may serve as a valuable tool for determining prognoses for patients with HF.

Prognostic Significance of Nutrition-Associated Markers in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

The prognostic significance of nutrition indicators in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is unclear.

OBJECTIVES

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the prognostic value of serum albumin (SA), the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI), and the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) in patients with HFpEF.

METHODS

Databases of PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were systematically searched for all studies published up to January 2022. The prognostic significance of SA, GNRI, and PNI for HFpEF was explored. Pooled hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated using the STATA 15.0 software. The Quality of Prognosis Studies tool was used to assess the quality of studies.

RESULTS

Nine studies met the inclusion criteria, and 5603 adults with HFpEF were included in the meta-analysis. The analyses showed that a decreased SA or GNRI was significantly related to high all-cause mortality (HR: 1.98; 95% CI: 1.282-3.057; p = 0.002; and HR: 1.812;95% CI: 1.064-3.086; p = 0.029, respectively). Furthermore, a lower SA indicates a bad composite outcome of all-cause mortality and HF rehospitalization (HR: 1.768; 95% CI: 1.483-2.108; p = 0.000), and a lower GNRI was significantly associated with high cardiovascular mortality (HR: 1.922; 95% CI: 1.504-2.457;p = 0.000). However, a lower PNI did not correlate with all-cause mortality (HR: 1.176; 95% CI: 0.858-1.612, p=0.314).

CONCLUSIONS

Our meta-analysis indicates that SA and GNRI may be useful indicators to predict the prognosis of patients with HFpEF.

Predicting prognosis of heart failure using common malnutrition assessment tools: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

COUNT score, PNI score, and GNRI scores are associated with cardiovascular events. This review identifies the most accurate malnutrition assessment tools based on these scores in predicting mortality and readmission outcomes in HF patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

PubMed via MEDLINE, EMBASE were searched to identify studies assessing malnutrition using CONUT, PNI and GNRI. A meta-analysis was carried out to pool the hazard ratios on mortality and readmission rates. The methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

RESULTS

The mortality in HF patients with malnutrition assessed by CONUT showed pooled HR of 1.23. HF patients with all severe, moderate, and mild risk of malnutrition showed mortality with HR 3.56, 2.71 and 1.57 respectively. For malnutrition assessed with GNRI, HF patients with all severe, moderate, and mild risk of malnutrition showed mortality with HR 4.17, 2.73 and 1.73 respectively. No significance difference in association of CONUT score with pooled HR of readmission rate was observed HR 0.99. With PNI, HF patients with all severe and moderate risk of malnutrition showed mortality with HR 2.14 and HR 1.68 respectively, although they failed to achieve significance.

CONCLUSION

CONUT and GNRI are the superior prognostic indicator than PNI in prediction of mortality associated with risk of malnutrition.

Change in Nutritional Status during Hospitalization and Prognosis in Patients with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

The impact of changes in nutritional status during hospitalization on prognosis in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remains unknown. We examined the association between changes in the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) and prognosis during hospitalization in patients with HFpEF stratified by nutritional status on admission. Nutritional status did and did not worsen in 348 and 349 of 697 patients with high GNRI on admission, and in 142 and 143 of 285 patients with low GNRI on admission, respectively. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed no difference in risk of the composite endpoint, all-cause death, or heart failure admission between patients with high GNRI on admission whose nutritional status did and did not worsen. In contrast, patients with low GNRI on admission whose nutritional status did not worsen had a significantly lower risk of the composite endpoint and all-cause death than those who did. Multivariable analysis revealed that worsening nutritional status was independently associated with a higher risk of the composite endpoint and all-cause mortality in patients with low GNRI on admission. Changes in nutritional status during hospitalization were thus associated with prognosis in patients with malnutrition on admission, but not in patients without malnutrition among those with HFpEF.

Association of wound, ischemia, and foot infection clinical stage with frailty and malnutrition in chronic limb-threatening ischemia patients undergoing endovascular intervention

OBJECTIVE

The Wound, Ischemia, and foot Infection (WIfI) clinical stage has been thought to have a prognostic value in Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) patients, and frailty and nutritional status appear to represent pivotal factor affecting prognosis among CLTI patients. The purpose of this study was to examine clinical factors (including frailty and nutritional status) relevant to WIfI clinical stage.

METHODS

This retrospective study investigated 200 consecutive CLTI patients. We individually assessed WIfI clinical stage, frailty according to the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) score, and malnutrition according to Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI). We then compared mortality after endovascular intervention between a WIfI stage 1, 2 group and a stage 3, 4 group, and investigated associations between baseline characteristics (including CFS and GNRI) and WIfI clinical stage.

RESULTS

Among 200 patients, 123 patients (62%) showed WIfI stage 1 or 2, and the remaining 77 patients (38%) had WIfI stage 3 or 4. CFS score was significantly higher in the WIfI stage 3, 4 group [median 6.0, interquartile range (IQR) 5.5-7.0] compared with the WIfI stage 1, 2 group (median 5.0, IQR 4.0-6.0, p < 0.001), and GNRI was significantly lower in the WIfI stage 3, 4 group (median 88, IQR 80-97) than in the WIfI stage 1, 2 (median 103, IQR 94-111, p < 0.001). Forty patients (20%) died after endovascular intervention. Incidences of all-cause and cardiac deaths were higher in the WIfI stage 3, 4 group than in the WIfI stage 1, 2 group (27% vs. 15%, p = 0.047 and 12% vs. 3%, p = 0.040, respectively). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a significantly lower survival rate in the WIfI stage 3, 4 group than in the WIfI stage 1, 2 group (p = 0.002 by log-rank test). Multivariate logistic regression analysis using relevant factors from univariate analysis showed CFS score [odds ratio (OR) 2.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.41-3.13, p < 0.001), diabetes mellitus (OR 3.17, 95%CI 1.17-8.61, p = 0.023) and GNRI (OR 0.93, 95%CI 0.89-0.97, p = 0.002) significantly associated with WIfI stage 3 or 4. In addition, multivariate ordinal logistic regression analysis for WIfI clinical stage showed CFS score (OR 1.43, 95%CI 1.09-1.89, p = 0.011), diabetes mellitus (OR 1.77, 95%CI 1.26-2.54, p < 0.001), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (OR 1.14, 95%CI 1.02-1.28, p = 0.041) were positively associated with WIfI clinical stage, and GNRI correlated negatively with WIfI clinical stage (OR 0.95, 95%CI 0.91-0.97, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that CLTI patients with high WIfI clinical stage may be more frail and malnourished, and be associated with poor prognosis after endovascular intervention.

Impact of nutritional status on prognosis in acute myocardial infarction patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition affects the prognosis of cardiovascular disease. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has been a major cause of death around the world. Thus, we investigated the impact of malnutrition as defined by Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) on mortality in AMI patients.

METHODS

In 268 consecutive AMI patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), associations between all-cause death and baseline characteristics including malnutrition (GNRI < 92.0) and Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score were assessed.

RESULTS

Thirty-three patients died after PCI. Mortality was higher in the 51 malnourished patients than in the 217 non-malnourished patients, both within 1 month after PCI (p < 0.001) and beyond 1 month after PCI (p = 0.017). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression modelling using age, left ventricular ejection fraction and GRACE risk score showed malnutrition correlated significantly with all-cause death within 1 month after PCI (hazard ratio [HR] 7.04; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.30-21.51; p < 0.001) and beyond 1 month after PCI (HR 3.10; 95% CI 1.70-8.96; p = 0.037). There were no significant differences in area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve between GRACE risk score and GNRI for predicting all-cause death within 1 month after PCI (0.90 vs. 0.81; p = 0.074) or beyond 1 month after PCI (0.69 vs. 0.71; p = 0.87). Calibration plots comparing actual and predicted mortality confirmed that GNRI (p = 0.006) was more predictive of outcome than GRACE risk score (p = 0.85) beyond 1 month after PCI. Furthermore, comparison of p-value for interaction of malnutrition and GRACE risk score for all-cause death within 1 month after PCI, beyond 1 month after PCI, and the full follow-up period after PCI were p = 0.62, p = 0.64 and p = 0.38, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

GNRI may have a potential for predicting the mortality in AMI patients especially in beyond 1 month after PCI, separate from GRACE risk score. Assessment of nutritional status may help stratify the risk of AMI mortality.

Effect of nutritional status before femoral neck fracture surgery on postoperative outcomes: a retrospective study

Background

Although nutritional status is crucial in gait recovery after femoral neck fracture surgery, the relationship between preoperative nutritional status and postoperative outcomes remains unknown. This study examined the effects of preoperative nutritional status on postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing femoral neck fracture surgery.

Methods

Data regarding the joints of 137 patients (29 men, 108 women) who underwent bipolar hemiarthroplasty for femoral neck fractures at our hospital from January 2015 to December 2019 were retrospectively examined. The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), an index of nutritional status, was used to classify patients into two groups: a normal group (GNRI ≥92; n = 62) and an undernourished group (GNRI < 92; n = 75). The study endpoints included age at surgery, sex, Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA) classification, preoperative waiting period, intraoperative blood loss, surgery time, perioperative hemoglobin levels, blood transfusion rate, complication rate, 6-month mortality rate, transfer rate, percentage of patients unable to walk at discharge or transfer, and inability to walk 6 months postoperatively.

Results

The patients in the undernourished group was significantly older at surgery (p < 0.01) and had a lower perioperative hemoglobin levels (p < 0.01), a higher blood transfusion rate (p < 0.01), a lower MMSE (p < 0.01), a longer preoperative waiting period (p < 0.05), a higher transfer rate (p < 0.05), were more likely to be unable to walk 6 months postoperatively (p < 0.01), a higher complication rate (p < 0.05), and a higher 6-month mortality rate (p < 0.01) than the normal group. Patients in the undernourished group had worse rates of postoperative complications, transfer, mortality, and inability to walk 6-month after surgery than those in the normal group.

Conclusions

A poor nutritional status affects the gait function and systemic condition of patients undergoing femoral neck fracture surgery; therefore, early nutritional interventions may reduce mortality rates and shorten rehabilitation. These results suggest that the GNRI effectively predicts postoperative complications, mortality, and gait function.

Prognostic impact of malnutrition on cardiovascular events in coronary artery disease patients with myocardial damage

BACKGROUND

Stable coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with myocardial damage have a poor prognosis compared to those without myocardial damage. Recently, malnutrition has been reported to affect the prognosis of cardiovascular diseases. However, the effects of malnutrition on prognosis of CAD patients with myocardial damage remains uncertain. We investigated the effects of malnutrition on prognosis of CAD patients with myocardial damage who received percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

Subjects comprised 241 stable CAD patients with myocardial damage due to myocardial ischemia or infraction. Patients underwent successful revascularization for the culprit lesion by PCI using second-generation drug-eluting stents and intravascular ultrasound. The geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI), which is widely used as a simple method for screening nutritional status using body mass index and serum albumin, was used to assess nutritional status. Associations between major cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and patient characteristics were assessed.

RESULTS

Mean GNRI was 100 ± 13, and there were 55 malnourished patients (23%; GNRI < 92) and 186 non-malnourished patients (77%). MACCE occurred within 3 years after PCI in 42 cases (17%), including 34 deaths (14%), and the malnourished group showed a higher rate of MACCE (38%) compared with the non-malnourished group (11%, p < 0.001). Univariate Cox proportional hazards analyses showed that MACCE was associated with age [hazard ratio (HR), 1.04; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.04-1.07; p = 0.004], prior heart failure (HR 2.35; 95% CI 1.10-5.01; p = 0.027), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (HR 1.08; 95% CI 1.03-1.11; p < 0.001), hemodialysis (HR 2.63; 95% CI 1.51-4.58; p < 0.001) and malnutrition (HR 3.69; 95% CI 2.11-6.42; p < 0.001). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis revealed hemodialysis (HR 2.17; 95% CI 1.19-3.93; p = 0.011) and malnutrition (HR 2.30; 95% CI 1.13-4.67; p = 0.020) as significantly associated with MACCE. Furthermore, Cox proportional hazards models using malnutrition and hemodialysis revealed that patients with malnutrition and hemodialysis were at greater risk of MACCE after PCI than patients with neither malnutrition nor hemodialysis (HR 6.91; 95% CI 3.29-14.54; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In CAD patients with myocardial damage, malnutrition (GNRI < 92) represents an independent risk factor for MACCE. Assessment of nutritional status may help stratify the risk of cardiovascular events and encourage improvements in nutritional status.

Geriatric nutritional risk index is a predictor of recurrent percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction

Aim To investigate the relationship between malnutrition and follow-up cardiovascular (CV) events in non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).Material and methods A retrospective study was performed on 298 patients with NSTEMI. The baseline geriatric nutritionalrisk index (GNRI) was calculated at the first visit. The patients were divided into three groups accordingto the GNRI: &gt;98, no-risk; 92 to ≤98, low risk; 82 to &lt;92, moderate to high (MTH) risk. The studyendpoint was a composite of follow-up CV events, including all-cause mortality, non-valvular atrialfibrillation (NVAF), hospitalizations, and need for repeat percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Results Follow-up data showed that MTH risk group had significantly higher incidence of repeat PCI and all-cause mortality compared to other groups (p&lt;0.001). However, follow-up hospitalizations and NVAFwere similar between groups (p&gt;0.05). The mean GNRI was 84.6 in patients needing repeat PCI and99.8 in patients who did not require repeat PCI (p&lt;0.001). Kaplan Meier survival analysis showed thatpatients with MTH risk had significantly poorer survival (p&lt;0.001). According to multivariate Coxregression analysis, theMTH risk group (hazard ratio=5.372) was associated with increased mortality.Conclusion GNRI value may have a potential role for the prediction of repeat PCI in patients with NSTEMI.

Prognostic value of geriatric nutritional risk index in elderly patients with heart failure: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) is a promising tool for predicting nutrition-related complications. This meta-analysis sought to determine the prognostic utility of GNRI in elderly patients with heart failure.

METHODS

We comprehensively searched the PubMed and Embase databases from their inception to July 2019. Original studies investigating the prognostic value of GNRI in patients with heart failure were included. Outcome of interests were all-cause mortality and major cardiovascular events. The prognostic value of GNRI was expressed as risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the lowest versus the highest GNRI category or continuous GNRI analysis.

RESULTS

Eleven articles (10 studies) involving 10,589 elderly heart failure patients were included. Meta-analysis indicated that heart failure patients with the lowest GNRI had an increased risk of all-cause mortality (RR 2.11; 95% CI 1.72-2.58) and major cardiovascular events (RR 2.00; 95% CI 1.24-3.22) after adjustment for confounding. In addition, each unit reduction in GNRI significantly increased 6% risk of all-cause mortality.

CONCLUSION

Lower GNRI independently predicts all-cause mortality and major cardiovascular events in elderly patients with heart failure. Determination of nutritional status using GNRI may improve risk stratification in elderly patients with heart failure.

The comparison of GNRI and other nutritional indexes on short-term survival in geriatric patients treated for respiratory failure

BACKGROUND

There are several screening tools used in the detection of malnutrition to facilitate nutritional support and predict prognosis in the elderly.

AIMS

We aimed to compare the prognostic predictive value of geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) with other nutritional indices on 1 month survival in geriatric patients hospitalized for respiratory failure in intensive care unit (ICU).

METHODS

A total of 191 geriatric patients (> 65 years) admitted to a specialized chest hospital with respiratory failure between January 2018 and January 2019 were analyzed. Patients were classified into two category according to 30-day survival: Survivors and Non-survivors. Nutritional assesment was done via GNRI, OPNI, NRS 2002, Nutric Scores in ICU.

RESULTS

Using GNRI, 146 (76.3%) geriatric patients found to be at risk of malnutrition (GNRI score: ≤ 92). GNRI < 86.9 showed significantly higher 30-day mortality rate and patients with malnutrition risk were older, had significantly lower BMI, OPNI, and higher SOFA score. The Age, NRS 2002, Nutric and SOFA score had negative correlation with GNRI. Nutric score, prealbumin and GNRI were detected as significant independent risk factors of 30-day mortality. GNRI had higher sensitivity (76.7%) but lower specificity (57.1%) compared to Nutric score and OPNI for the prediction of 30-day hospital mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to others, Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) seems to be a good predictor of 30-day mortality and having a score of less than 86.9 increase the malnutrition risk in geriatric patients hospitalized for respiratory failure in ICU.

Comparison of long-term outcomes after trans-catheter aortic valve implantation between patients primarily diagnosed by cardiac murmur and those diagnosed by other reasons

Careful auscultation is the first step to diagnose aortic stenosis (AS). The aim of this study was to compare clinical outcomes following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) between the patients primarily diagnosed by heart murmur and those diagnosed by other reasons. We retrospectively included 258 patients who underwent TAVI in our medical center, and divided those into the murmur group (n = 81) and the other-reason group (n = 177) according to the primary reason for AS diagnosis. The primary endpoint was the major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), which was defined as the composite of cardiovascular death, hospitalization due to acute decompensated heart failure, and disabling stroke. The murmur group included younger patients than the other-reason group (82.8 year-old vs. 84.0 year-old, P = 0.02). History of AF was more frequently observed in the other-reason group than in the murmur group (21.5% vs. 7.4%, P <0.01). STS score and logistic EuroSCORE were lower in the murmur group than in the other-reason group (STS: 4.7% vs. 7.2%, P <0.01, logistic EuroSCORE: 8.3% vs. 11.2%, P <0.01). The median follow-up period was 562 days. MACCE was more frequently observed in the other-reason group than in the murmur group (27.7% vs. 9.9%, Log Rank P <0.01). The multivariate COX hazard analysis revealed that the AS patients primarily diagnosed by heart murmur was inversely associated with MACCE (HR 0.38, 95%CI 0.17–0.86, P = 0.020). Among AS patients who underwent TAVI, the patients primarily diagnosed by heart murmur were significantly associated with favorable long-term clinical outcomes.

Impact of nutritional index on long-term outcomes of elderly patients with coronary artery disease: sub-analysis of the SHINANO 5 year registry

Nutritional status is a novel approach to prognostic assessment in patients with cardiovascular disease. However, assessment of nutritional status in elderly patients is challenging due to the significant differences between young patients. The TCBI (Triglycerides × Total cholesterol × Body Weight Index) is a novel and simple nutritional index for predicting long-term outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease. This retrospective study evaluated the efficacy of TCBI in 597 elderly (≥ 75 years) patients enrolled in the SHINANO 5 year registry. The SHINANO 5 year registry, a prospective observational multicenter cohort study, had enrolled 1501 consecutive patients who underwent elective/urgent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In this study, patients were categorized into TCBI quartile groups. The primary endpoints were the occurrence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), including all-cause death, stroke, and myocardial infarction at 5 year. The mean duration of follow up was 4.3 ± 1.7 years. The average patient age was 80.9 ± 4.3 years. MACCE was observed in 61 (40.9%) patients in the lowest TCBI quartile group. Kaplan–Meier analysis demonstrated an inverse relationship between MACCE and TCBI (log-lank P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that low TCBI significantly predicted the incidence of MACCE (hazard ratio: 1.44, 95% confidence interval: 1.03–2.00; P = 0.031). The TCBI is useful in predicting long-term outcomes in elderly patients undergoing PCI.

Temporal changes in left ventricular ejection fraction and their prognostic impacts in patients with Stage B heart failure

BACKGROUND

We have recently demonstrated that left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) dynamically changes over time with prognostic impacts in Stage C/D patients, namely, those who have a current or past history of heart failure (HF). However, it is unknown whether this is also the case in asymptomatic Stage B patients, namely, those who have a risk of HF, but do not have a history of HF.

METHODS

In our CHART-2 Study (N = 10,219), we enrolled 4005 Stage B patients and divided them into 3 groups by LVEF; preserved EF (pEF, LVEF ≥50%, N = 3526), mid-range EF (mrEF, LVEF 41-49%, N = 302), and reduced EF (rEF, LVEF ≤40%, N = 177). We examined the prognostic impacts of LVEF transitions among the 3 groups in comparison with 4477 patients with Stage C/D HF.

RESULTS

Stage B were characterized by less severe clinical status and better prognosis compared with Stage C/D. Stage B in mrEF and rEF at baseline dynamically transitioned to other groups at 1-year, whereas those in pEF unchanged; at 1-year, mrEF transitioned to pEF/rEF by 50/16%, and rEF transitioned to pEF/mrEF by 25/31%, respectively, whereas pEF transitioned to mrEF/rEF by only 3.6/0.7%, respectively, which were consistent with findings in findings with Stage C/D. Although LVEF decrease was directly associated with all-cause mortality in both the Stage B and Stage C/D with pEF, factors related to LVEF changes were different between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In Stage B, LVEF dynamically changes with prognostic impacts as in Stage C/D, whereas different determination factors may be involved in the 2 stages.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chronic Heart Failure Analysis and Registry in the Tohoku District (CHART)-2 (NCT00418041).

Loop diuretic use is associated with skeletal muscle wasting in patients with heart failure

BACKGROUND

Loop diuretics are widely used for the management of fluid retention in patients with heart failure (HF). Sarcopenia, defined as decreased skeletal muscle mass, is frequently present in patients with HF and is associated with poor prognosis. The effects of loop diuretics on skeletal muscle in HF patients have not been fully elucidated. Here, we investigated the impact of loop diuretics on the skeletal muscle mass in patients with HF.

METHODS

We conducted a subanalysis of a cross-sectional study from 10 hospitals evaluating 155 patients with HF (age 67 ± 13 yrs, 69% men).

RESULTS

We compared the HF patients who were treated with loop diuretics (n = 120) with the patients who were not (n = 35). The thigh and arm circumferences were significantly small in the group treated with loop diuretics compared to those not so treated (39.9 ± 4.8 vs. 43.5 ± 6.9 cm, p < 0.001 and 26.7 ± 3.5 vs. 28.9 ± 6.2 cm, p < 0.001, respectively). In a univariate analysis, higher age, lower body mass index, lower hemoglobin, and loop diuretic use were significantly associated with smaller thigh circumference. In a multivariable analysis, the use of loop diuretics was independently associated with smaller thigh circumference (β = -0.51, 95% confidence interval -0.98 to -0.046, p = 0.032).

CONCLUSION

Loop diuretics are associated with decreased thigh and arm circumferences in patients with HF, independent of the severity of HF. Our findings revealed for the first time the adverse effects of loop diuretics on skeletal muscle wasting. These findings will have a significant impact in clinical practice regarding the frequent use of loop diuretics in HF patients.

Relation of Poor Nutritional Status to Mild Cognitive Impairment in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

OBJECTIVES

Nutritional status affects cerebral circulation and cognitive function. More attention needs to be paid to nutritional status in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients, yet the relation between nutritional status or dietary intake (DI) and cognitive function or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in CAD patients remain unclear. Thus, we examined the following relations: 1) that between nutritional status and cognitive function, and MCI and 2) that between DI and cognitive function, and MCI.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

We conducted a cross-sectional study of 208 patients with CAD but without dementia.

MEASUREMENTS

MCI was estimated with the Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-J). Nutritional status was assessed by the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), and DI was assessed by total energy intake per day. We investigated the relation between nutritional status or DI and cognitive function by Pearson correlation analysis, and that between nutritional status or DI and MCI by multivariable logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The GNRI and DI were positively associated with the MoCA-J score (r = 0.23, p < 0.001, and r = 0.24, p < 0.001, respectively), and both were independently associated with MCI in the multivariable logistic regression analysis (odds ratio, 0.96; p = 0.045, and odds ratio, 0.998; p = 0.020, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Poor nutritional status and low DI were found to be significantly associated with cognitive function and MCI in CAD patients. Our findings regarding nutritional status and DI might be useful for clinicians to prevent or intervene in the early cognitive decline of inpatients with CAD.

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.

Appetite Predicts Clinical Outcomes in High Risk Patients Undergoing Trans-Femoral TAVI

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been recognized as a standard therapy for severe aortic valve stenosis. However, since some patients who receive TAVI have poor outcomes, the predictors of clinical outcomes after TAVI are important. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between appetite and long-term clinical outcomes.We screened consecutive cases who received TAVI at our medical center between July 2014 and October 2018. A total of 139 patients who received transfemoral TAVI were included as the final study population. They were divided into a good appetite group (n = 105) and a less appetite group (n = 34) according to their dietary intake rate (> 90%: good appetite group, ≤ 90%: less appetite group). We defined the intake rate as the average for breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the day just before discharge. We defined two-year major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) as a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, any coronary revascularization, history of hospitalization due to heart failure, and disabling acute cerebral infarction. Kaplan-Meier analyses and multivariate Cox regression analysis were performed.The median duration of the follow-up period was 372 (189-720) days. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that the less appetite group got MACCE more frequently (event free rate of the less appetite group: 76.5% versus the good appetite group: 94.3%, Log Rank P = 0.01). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, having less appetite was a significant predictor of two-year MACCE (HR 5.26, 95%CI 1.66-16.71, P < 0.01).In conclusion, among the patients who received transfemoral TAVI, appetite status just before discharge was significantly associated with long-term outcome.

Blood albumin as a prognostic factor among unselected medically treated inpatients

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the prognostic value of blood albumin (BA) in an unselected population of inpatients. Materials & methods: We performed prospective analysis of the medical documentation of 7279 patients hospitalized between July 2014 and September 2017. Results: Individuals with BA ≥3.35 mg/dl had significantly lower risk of in-hospital death (odds ratio [OR]: 0.22; 95% CI: 0.19-0.27; p < 0.001) and 14-day readmission (OR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.55-0.77; p < 0.0001). BA concentration was the strongest favorable factor predicting inpatient survival in a Cox hazard regression model (OR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.36-0.50; p < 0.001), did not correlate with body mass index and actual-to-ideal bodyweight ratio and was strongly affected by numerous non-nutrient factors. Conclusion: BA concentration showed similar or better predictive and diagnostic power in relation to all-cause in-hospital mortality and 14-day readmission among inpatients than selected multifactorial scores.

Prognostic significance of serum cholinesterase in patients with acute decompensated heart failure: a prospective comparative study with other nutritional indices

BACKGROUND

Nutritional status is associated with poor outcomes in patients with heart failure. Serum cholinesterase (CHE) concentration, a marker of malnutrition, was reported to be a prognostic factor in patients with chronic heart failure. The geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI), the controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score, and the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) are established objective nutritional indices.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to clarify the prognostic significance of CHE concentration and to compare it with other well-established objective nutritional indices in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF).

METHODS

We prospectively enrolled 371 consecutive patients admitted for ADHF with survival discharge. Laboratory data including CHE and the objective nutritional indices were obtained at discharge. The primary endpoint of this study was all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

During a mean ± SD follow-up period of 2.5 ± 1.4 y, 112 patients died. CHE concentration was significantly associated with all-cause mortality independently of GNRI, CONUT score, or PNI, after adjustment for major confounders including other nutritional indices, such as age, sex, systolic blood pressure, BMI, left ventricular ejection fraction, history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, prior heart failure hospitalization, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker use, β-blocker use, statin use, hemoglobin, sodium, blood urea nitrogen, albumin, C-reactive protein, and brain natriuretic peptide concentrations via multivariable Cox analysis. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the risk of all-cause mortality significantly increased in accordance with CHE stratum [lowest tertile: 53%, adjusted HR: 6.92; 95% CI: 3.87, 12.36, compared with middle tertile: 28%, adjusted HR: 2.72; 95% CI: 1.45, 5.11, compared with highest tertile: 11%, adjusted HR: 1.0 (reference), P < 0.0001]. CHE showed the best area under the curve value (0.745) for the prediction of all-cause mortality compared with the other objective nutritional indices. Net reclassification improvement afforded by adding CHE to the fully adjusted multivariable model was statistically significant for all-cause mortality (0.330; 95% CI: 0.112, 0.549, P = 0.0030).

CONCLUSION

CHE is a simple, strong prognostic marker for the prediction of all-cause mortality in patients with ADHF.

Prognostic impact of malnutrition assessed using geriatric nutritional risk index in patients aged ⩾80 years with heart failure

AIMS

Malnutrition in elderly patients is one of the important issues in an aging society. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and prognostic impact of malnutrition assessed using the geriatric nutritional risk index in very elderly patients hospitalized owing to heart failure.

METHODS

We enrolled 213 consecutive patients aged ⩾80 years who were hospitalized with heart failure. The mean age was 87.2 ± 4.9 years, and 43.7% of them were male. The nutritional status on admission was evaluated using the geriatric nutritional risk index, which was calculated as follows: 14.89 × serum albumin (g/dL) + 41.7 × body mass index/22. The patients were divided into two groups, a low geriatric nutritional risk index group (<92) with malnutrition risk and a high geriatric nutritional risk index group (⩾92) without malnutrition risk.

RESULTS

The mean geriatric nutritional risk index of all patients was 90.7 ± 10.6, and 108 patients (50.7%) had low geriatric nutritional risk index. During the 540-day follow-up, the all-cause mortality was significantly higher in the low geriatric nutritional risk index group than in the high geriatric nutritional risk index group (35.7% vs. 12.9%, p < 0.001). The Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis revealed that low geriatric nutritional risk index was an independent predictor of mortality (hazard ratio, 2.28; 95% confidence interval, 1.15-4.49; p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Low geriatric nutritional risk index on admission was common and was associated with poor prognosis in patients aged ⩾80 years who were hospitalized owing to heart failure.

Nutritional risk index is a better predictor of early mortality than conventional nutritional markers after transcatheter aortic valve replacement: A prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Nutritional risk index (NRI) has been shown to better predict survival than body mass index (BMI) or albumin after several cardiovascular interventions. Under assessment herein is whether NRI can have higher predictive value than conventional parameters for short-term survival after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

METHODS

A prospective cohort study was performed. In-hospital, 1-month and 3-month survival was evaluated. Since most patients undergoing TAVR are over 65, the NRI definition for a geriatric population (GNRI) was used. The impact of baseline BMI, albumin levels, and GNRI on in-hospital and short-term survival was assessed.

RESULTS

One hundred fifty two patients aged 82 ± 5.4 were included. In-hospital, 1-month, and 3-month mortality was 5.3%, 5.9%, and 9.2%, respectively. Mean GNRI was 112.7 ± 11.9, and was significantly lower in patients who died in-hospital (101.0 ± 8.8 vs. 113.3 ± 11.7), at 30 days (103.4 ± 10.9 vs. 113.3 ± 11.7), and at 90 days (104.0 ± 9.6 vs. 113.6 ± 11.8) than in survivors (all, p < 0.05). Three-month mortality in patients with no nutritional risk was 6.8% (9/132) vs. 25% (5/20) in patients with malnutrition (p = 0.022). In univariate analysis, GNRI predicted in-hospital, 30-day, and 90-day mortality (all, p < 0.05). Predictive value remained significant after adjusting for age, EuroSCORE II, and STS-Score (p < 0.05). Based on receiver operating curves, GNRI (AUC: 0.73) showed a better discrimination for 3-month mortality than albumin (0.69), weight (0.67) or BMI (0.62). The optimal cut-off value was 109.8.

CONCLUSIONS

The geriatric nutritional risk index predicts short-term mortality after TAVR and has a higher discriminating ability than other commonly used nutritional variables. It is a simple parameter that identifies those patients who could benefit from pre-procedural nutritional therapy.

Efficacy of Cardiac Rehabilitation in Heart Failure Patients With Low Body Mass Index

BACKGROUND

Low body mass index (BMI) is a relevant prognostic factor for heart failure (HF), but HF patients with low BMI are reported to be at risk of not receiving optimal drug treatment. We sought to evaluate the efficacy of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in patients with low vs. normal BMI. Methods and Results: We studied 152 consecutive patients (low BMI, n=32; normal BMI, n=119) who participated in a 3-month CR program. Low BMI was defined as <18.5 kg/m²and normal BMI, as 18.5≤BMI<25 kg/m². All patients underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing and muscle strength testing at the beginning and end of the 3-month CR program. After CR, a significantly greater proportion of HF patients with low BMI had a positive change in peak V̇O₂than in the normal BMI group (91% vs. 70%; P=0.010). Average percent change in peak V̇O₂was significantly greater in patients with low vs. normal BMI (17.1±2.8% vs. 7.8±1.5%; P<0.001). In addition, on multivariable logistic regression, low BMI was an independent predictor of a positive change in peak V̇O₂after CR (OR, 3.97; 95% CI: 1.10-14.31; P=0.035).

CONCLUSIONS

CR has a greater effect in patients with low than normal BMI, and low BMI is an independent predictor of a positive change in peak V̇O₂. Thus, CR should be strongly recommended for HF patients with low BMI.

The geriatric nutritional risk index independently predicts adverse outcomes in patients with pyogenic liver abscess

Background

Geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) is a simple and useful nutritional marker for predictor of adverse outcomes in patients undergoing a variety of conditions. This study explored the relationship between GNRI and adverse outcomes of Pyogenic Liver Abscess (PLA) patients and assessed GNRI predictive value.

Methods

This was one retrospective study involving 240 PLA patients. According to one GNRI cutoff value of 90, the patients were divided into two groups. Besides, demographic, laboratory, adverse outcomes were compared between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analyses and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were performed.

Results

Compared with high GNRI patients, those with low GNRI had a higher risk of mortality (13.4% vs. 2.0%, P = 0.002), metastatic infection (17.7% vs. 8.2%, P = 0.050), acute hepatic failure (6.8% vs. 1.0%, P = 0.036), acute respiratory failure (7.4% vs. 1.0%, P = 0.024), upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding (11.9% vs. 2.1%, P = 0.006) and empyema (20.1% vs. 10.2%, P = 0.047). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated GNRI (< 90) as one independent factor in death prediction (odds ratio (OR) = 5.36, 95% of confidence interval (CI) = 1.17–24.48), and adverse outcomes (OR = 2.04, 95% CI = 1.05–3.98). GNRI had the largest area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve than albumin, BMI, platelet, prothrombin time and hemoglobin in death prediction (area under ROC curves (AUC) = 0.771, cutoff value = 79.45, P < 0.01) and all adverse outcomes (AUC = 0.656, cutoff value = 87.43, P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Lower levels of GNRI are an independent risk factor for poor PLA prognosis. Physicians should consider GNRI for PLA outcomes and consider more careful resuscitation and timely and appropriate treatment, especially in those with GNRI< 87.43.

Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, cardio-ankle vascular index, and prognosis

Background

Brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) are indices of arterial stiffness, and several studies have used these indices. However, there is no comprehensive review of these parameters in the prognostic significance.

Methods

The aim of this study was to review the articles exploring the prognostic significance of these parameters. Articles demonstrating independent significance after multivariate analysis on the Cox proportional hazards model were defined as “successful.” The success rate was compared using Fisher’s exact test. In addition, multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the independent determinants of the success of prognostic prediction.

Results

The success rate of the baPWV articles (65.7% [46/70]) tended to be higher than that of the CAVI articles (40.0% [6/15]; P=0.083). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that log (number of patients) (OR 11.20, 95% CI 2.45–51.70, P=0.002) and dialysis population (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.08–0.94, P=0.039) were positive and negative independent determinants of the success of prognostic prediction, respectively. In addition, after redefining two studies as the absence of arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) exclusion, baPWV (OR 3.36, 95% CI 0.86–13.20, P=0.083) and the existence of exclusion criteria of ASO (OR 3.08, 95% CI 0.96–9.93, P=0.060) exhibited statistical tendency in the multivariate analysis.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that the number of study participants and dialysis population were the independent determinants of the success of prognostic prediction. This study also showed the importance of exclusion criteria of ASO when using these indices. In addition, a prospective large-scale study to confirm the superiority in the prognostic prediction of these indices is warranted.

Micronutrient Deficiency Independently Predicts Time to Event in Patients With Heart Failure

Background Dietary micronutrient deficiencies have been shown to predict event-free survival in other countries but have not been examined in patients with heart failure living in the United States. The purpose of this study was to determine whether number of dietary micronutrient deficiencies in patients with heart failure was associated with shorter event-free survival, defined as a combined end point of all-cause hospitalization and death. Methods and Results Four-day food diaries were collected from 246 patients with heart failure (age: 61.5±12 years; 67% male; 73% white; 45% New York Heart Association [NYHA] class III / IV ) and analyzed using Nutrition Data Systems for Research. Micronutrient deficiencies were determined according to methods recommended by the Institute of Medicine. Patients were followed for 1 year to collect data on all-cause hospitalization or death. Patients were divided according to number of dietary micronutrient deficiencies at a cut point of ≥7 for the high deficiency category versus <7 for the no to moderate deficiency category. In the full sample, 29.8% of patients experienced hospitalization or death during the year, including 44.3% in the high-deficiency group and 25.1% in the no/moderate group. The difference in survival distribution was significant (log rank, P=0.0065). In a Cox regression, micronutrient deficiency category predicted time to event with depression, NYHA classification, comorbidity burden, body mass index, calorie and sodium intake, and prescribed angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, diuretics, or β-blockers included as covariates. Conclusions This study provides additional convincing evidence that diet quality of patients with heart failure plays an important role in heart failure outcomes.