Heart Failure: Recent Advances and Breakthroughs

Heart failure (HF) is a common clinical condition encountered in various healthcare settings with a vast socioeconomic impact. Recent advancements in pharmacotherapy have led to the evolution of novel therapeutic agents with a decrease in hospitalization and mortality rates in HF with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF). Lately, the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) to construct decision-making models for the early detection of HF has played a vital role in optimizing cardiovascular disease outcomes. In this review, we examine the newer therapies and evidence behind goal-directed medical therapy (GDMT) for managing HF. We also explore the application of AI and machine learning (ML) in HF, including early diagnosis and risk stratification for HFrEF.

Clinical comparative study assessing the effect of ivabradine on neopterin and NT-Pro BNP against standard treatment in chronic heart failure patients

Purpose

Heart rate reduction (HR) is a cornerstone in heart failure therapy as it improves patient outcomes. The aim of this study is to evaluate short-term effect of ivabradine on NT-Pro BNP and neopterin in heart failure patients and assess the association between HR and these biomarkers.

Methods

Sixty patients on standard heart failure therapy were randomly allocated into ivabradine group (n = 30) and non-ivabradine group (n = 30). Ivabradine 5 mg twice daily was given for 3 months. Lipid profile and kidney functions were performed and blood samples for NT-Pro BNP and neopterin were analysed at baseline and after 3 months of intervention in both groups.

Results

There was a significant improvement in NYHA class in ivabradine group (p < 0.001). Ejection fraction was improved in ivabradine and non-ivabradine groups after intervention (p < 0.001), with a greater improvement in ivabradine group (p = 0.026). Heart rate was reduced in ivabradine group (p < 0.001) and non-ivabradine group (p < 0.001) yet greater reduction was seen in ivabradine group (p < 0.001). Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were reduced in ivabradine group (Scr: p = 0.001, BUN: p = 0.001). NT-Pro BNP and neopterin levels significantly decreased in ivabradine group (NT-Pro BNP: p < 0.001, neopterin p < 0.001). Significant positive correlation was found between HR and biomarker levels after intervention (NT-Pro BNP: r = 0.475, p < 0.001, neopterin: r = 0.384, p = 0.002).

Conclusion

Ivabradine therapy reduced levels of both biomarkers which correlated well with HR. Biomarker levels might provide a tool for assessing ivabradine effectiveness in HF.

Trial registration

Date: June 26, 2020. Identifier: NCT04448899. Link: Ivabradine in Patients with Congestive Heart Failure—Full Text View—ClinicalTrials.gov.

Ivabradine as an Adjunct for Refractory Junctional Ectopic Tachycardia Following Pediatric Cardiac Surgery: A Preliminary Study

Objectives:

Junctional ectopic tachycardia (JET) is a relatively common narrow complex rhythm typically characterized by atrioventricular dissociation or retrograde atrial conduction in a 1:1 pattern. Junctional ectopic tachycardia can be a life-threatening disorder, causing severe hemodynamic compromise and increased morbidity and mortality. The treatment of refractory JET can be very difficult, even with multimodal therapeutic interventions. The purpose of this study was to assess the role of ivabradine in cases of JET refractory to amiodarone and esmolol.

Methods:

A total of 480 congenital heart surgeries were carried out at our center in 2017. Twenty (4.16%) patients had postoperative JET. Among these, five infants, aged 7 to 12 months (median: 8 months), had refractory JET. These patients (three tetralogy of Fallot, one ventricular septal defect, one complete atrioventricular septal defect) were treated with oral ivabradine in the dose range of 0.1 to 0.2 mg/kg/12 h as an adjunct to amiodarone.

Results:

All five patients achieved rate reduction and eventual conversion to sinus rhythm. Mean duration to achieve heart rate of <140 bpm after initiation of ivabradine therapy was 16.8 hours (±7.2 hours), while mean duration to achieve sinus rhythm was 31.6 hours (±13.6 hours). No patient had any recurrence of JET. No patient exhibited any hemodynamic derangement nor side effects attributable to oral ivabradine.

Conclusion:

Oral ivabradine has the potential to be used as an adjunct to amiodarone in the treatment of JET in infants after surgery for congenital heart disease.