[EPOCHA-D-CHF: gender differences in the prognosis of patients with CHF af-ter acute decompensation (part 2*)]

Study of the rs1800795 polymorphism of the <i>IL6</i> gene to verify the clinical portrait of a patient with chronic heart failure: gender aspects

Background. Genetic studies in cardiology allow to identify predisposition and predict the course of multifactorial cardiovascular diseases by identifying the association of polymorphic loci of candidate genes with the clinical phenotype. One of these diseases associated with poor prognosis is chronic heart failure (CHF). Activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines is one of the key aspects of the development and progression of CHF. Aim. To identify the features of the clinical course of CHF of ischemic etiology in patients, taking into account the gender and genotype of the rs1800795 polymorphism of the IL6 gene. Materials and methods. Four hundred fourteen patients of both sexes with stable CHF of ischemic origin, aged 66.410.4 years, were included. Clinical characteristics of men and women of each genotype of the rs1800795 polymorphism of the IL6 gene were compared. Genotyping of the rs1800795 polymorphism of the IL6 gene was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results. In male patients with CHF, the frequency of allele C was higher than in the control group (p=0.04). Homozygous carriers of the C allele showed a greater risk of developing atrial fibrillation (p=0.021). In terms of biochemical parameters, in patients with a heterozygous genotype, compared with homozygotes for the G allele of the rs1800795 polymorphism of the IL6 gene, the levels of cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), cholesterol not associated with high-density lipoproteins (non-HDL-cholesterol) were higher (p=0.044, p=0.019, p=0.016). Patients with the CC genotype of the rs1800795 polymorphism of the IL6 gene females compared with men were more likely to have IIIIV functional class of CHF (p=0.001) and had a high heart rate (p=0.021). Male patients of the CG genotype were more likely to undergo coronary interventions (p=0.001). In women of the CG genotype, CHF was more often combined with DM (p=0.015), the level of non-HDL-cholesterol (p=0.04) was higher, and glomerular filtration rate was lower than in men (p=0.001). Comparison of the GG genotype revealed a higher incidence of chronic kidney disease in women (p=0.022). Women had significantly lower glomerular filtration rate (p=0.001), systolic blood pressure (p=0.004). The level of such biochemical parameters as cholesterol (p=0.001), TG (p=0.019), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p=0.002) was reduced, except for high non-HDL-cholesterol (p=0.001). There were more men with left ventricular ejection fraction 40% (p=0.009), women with left ventricular ejection fraction 50% (p=0.002). Conclusion. The identified phenotypic and gender differences create prerequisites for determining patient-oriented genetic risk, opening up new opportunities for preventing the progression and complications of CHF.

[Positive Effects of Perindopril on Microvascular Vessels in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure]

Aim      To evaluate the effect of 12-month perindopril treatment on structure and function of microvasculature (MV) in patients with chronic heart failure with preserved (HFpEF) and intermediate (HFiEF) left ventricular ejection fraction.Material and methods  30 patients with HFpEF and HFiEF were evaluated. Perindopril at a maximum tolerated dose was administered to all patients for 12 months. Changes in MV structure and function were assessed with photoplethysmography and capillaroscopy prior to the treatment onset and at 12 months, i.e., after completion of the perindopril treatment.Results The 12-month perindopril treatment was associated with improvement of the endothelial function evident as increases in the occlusion index (OI) and the phase shift (PS). OI increased from 1.45 [1.3; 1.6] to 1.8 [1.6; 2.2] (p=0.00004). PS increased from 7.1 ms [4.8; 10.2] to 9.2 ms [6.7; 13.2] (p=0.0003). Stiffness of muscular large blood vessels was decreased. Arterial stiffness index (aSI) decreased from 8.8 [6.6; 11.0] to 7.45 [6.5; 9.4] m /s (р=0.01). The perindopril treatment was associated with increased density of the capillary network at rest (р=0.008) and in tests with venous occlusion (р=0.003) and reactive hyperemia (р=0.0003).Conclusion      The study showed an improvement of endothelial function associated with the 12-month perindopril therapy in patients with HFpEF and HFiEF.

Analysis of mortality in patients with heart failure after de­compen­sation during long-term follow-up in specialized medical care and in real clinical practice

Background Mortality from chronic heart failure (CHF) remains high and entails serious demographic losses worldwide. The most vulnerable group is patients after acute decompensated HF (ADHF) who have a high risk of unfavorable outcome.Aim To analyze risks of all-cause death (ACD), cardiovascular death (CVD), and death from recurrent ADHF in CHF patients during two years following ADHF in long-term follow-up with specialized medical care and in real-life clinical practice.Material and methods The study successively included 942 CHF patients after ADHF. 510 patients continued out-patient treatment in a specialized CHF treatment center (CHFTC) (group 1) and 432 patients refused of the management in the CHFTC and were managed in out-patient clinics at the place of patient’s residence (group 2). Causes of death were determined based on inpatient hospital records, postmortem reports, or outpatient medical records. Cases of ACD, CVD, death from ADHF, and a composite index (CVD and death from ADHF) were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed with the software package Statistica 7.0 for Windows, SPSS, and statistical package R.Results Patients of group 2 were older, more frequently had functional class (FC) III CHF and less frequently FC I CHF compared to group 1. Women and patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LV EF) prevailed in both groups. Results of the Cox proportional hazards model for ACD, CVD, death from ADHF, and the composite mortality index showed that belonging to group 2 was an independent predictor for increased risk of death (р<0.001). An increase in CCS score by 1 also increased the risk of death (р<0.001). Baseline CHF FC and LV EF did not influence the mortality in any model. Female gender and a higher value of 6-min walk test (6MW) independently decreased the risk of all outcomes except for CVD. An increase in systolic BP by 10 mm Hg reduced risk of all fatal outcomes. At two years of follow-up in groups 2 and 1, ACD was 29.9 % and 10.2 %, (OR, 3.7; 95 % CI: 2.6–5.3; p <0.001), CVD was 10.4 % and 1.9 % (OR, 5.9; 95 % CI: 2.8–12.4; p<0.001), death from ADHF was 18.1 % and 6.0 % (OR, 3.5; 95 % CI: 2.2–5.5; p<0.001), and the composite mortality index was 25.2 % and 7.7 % (OR, 4.1; 95 % CI: 2.7–6.1; р<0.001). Analysis of all outcomes by follow-up period (3 and 6 months and 1 and 2 years) showed that the difference between groups 2 and 1 in risks of any fatal outcome was maximal during the first 6 months.Conclusion The follow-up in the system of specialized medical care reduces risks of ACD, CVD, and death from ADHF. The first 6 months following discharge from the hospital was a vulnerability period for patients after ADHF. The CCS score impaired the prognosis whereas baseline LV EF and CHF FC did not influence the long-term prognosis after ADHF. Protective factors included female gender and higher values of 6MW and systolic BP.