Coronary artery calcium score in people living with HIV. Results from the French CAC study

Background

People living with HIV (PLWH) have a higher risk of CAD. Whether coronary artery calcification (CAC) score could better stratify the CV risk remains debated in this middle age population.

Purpose

We conducted the French CAC score study to compare the CAC score between PLHIV and HIV− subjects at intermediate risk.

Methods

689 subjects (257 PLHIV and 432 HIV−) were consecutively addressed for CV risk evaluation including CAC score assessment in 2 centers between 2013 and 2019. Subjects were included if they were 18 years'old or older, had no known cardiovascular disease and had a CAC score along with cardiometabolic assessment.

Results

The mean age of the cohort was 59.3 years ± 10.7 and predominantly male (54%). PLHIV were younger (55.8 years ± 9.1 vs 61.3±11.3, p<0.004), with a lower rate of diabetics (18% vs 26%, p=0.009) and lower levels of total cholesterol, LDLc, and HDLc (2.0 mmol/l vs, 2.2 mmol/l; 1.2 mmol/L vs 1.3 mmol/L; and 1.2 mmol/L vs 1.4 mol/L respectively, all p<0.001). The prevalence of hypertension, dyslipidemia and obesity was similar between PLHIV and the HIV− group (40%, 43% and 21%, respectively). No differences were observed in CV therapies prescribed including antihypertensive drugs and statins between PLHIV and the HIV− group (39% vs 37%, p=0.54 and 46% vs 39%, p=0.065). In contrast, PLHIV had higher rate of triglycerides (1.4 mmol/L vs 1.2 mmol/L, p=0.01), higher rate of active smoking (28% vs 14%, p<0.001), CRP level (4.0 mg/L vs 2.9 mg/L, p<0.001) along with higher black ethnicity representation (17% vs 5%;, p<0.001). 96% of PLHIV were under antiretroviral therapy at the time of enrollment with 88% who had been exposed to protease inhibitors. In subjects who had carotid and/or limb ultrasound evaluation (67% and 45% respectively in PLHIV and HIV), no increased rate of arterial stenosis >50% was found (13% vs 8%, p=0.16). Concerning, CV risk estimation using 10-year ASCVD and HEART scores, we observed that the median ASCVD score was similar between PLHIV and HIV− group (10.7% vs 9.8, p=0.15) but that PLHIV had a higher HEART score (3.0% vs 2.0%, p<0.001). The repartition between the ASCVD or HEART scores classes between the 2 groups was similar with 80% of the cohort classified as low or intermediate CV risk with the ASCVD score and 88% at intermediate or borderline CV risk with the HEART score. However, no statistically significant differences was found between the 2 groups regarding the prevalence of CAC = 0 (41% vs 44%, p=0.52) and the median CAC score (7.7 vs 8.2, p=0.81).

Conclusion

In this cohort of subjects at intermediate CV risk according to CV risk scores estimation (ASCVD or HEART scores), PLHIV had a similar prevalence of CAC = 0 and median CAC scores as compared to HIV− subjects despite a younger age (6 years). Longitudinal follow up will explore whether this similar CAC score evaluation will be translated into higher CV events.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Restoration of normal sinus rhythm in atrial fibrillation: impact of reverse remodelling of right chambers on tricuspid regurgitation severity

Background

The severity of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) in patients with restored normal sinus rhythm (SR) after atrial fibrillation (AF) has been poorly assessed.

Purpose

Our study aimed to assess (1) right chamber remodelling and (2) TR severity in patients with AF who have had their rhythms restored to normal sinus.

Methods

We prospectively evaluated 94 consecutive patients hospitalized for AF who received either ablation, direct current cardioversion, or pharmacological therapy. Patients were divided into two groups according to their cardiac rhythm at 6 months follow up (6M): restoration to SR (SR group, n=54), persistence of AF (AF group, n=40). TR vena contracta (VC), TR grade severity was divided into 4 grades using an integrated approach (0: none or trace; 1: mild; 2: moderate; 3: severe TR). Two dimensional (2D) end diastolic (ED) tricuspid annulus (TA) diameter in the apical 4 chambers view, three-dimensional (3D) indexed volumes (3D Vi) of the right atrium (RA) and right ventricle (RV) in end systole (ES) and ED were acquired using transthoracic echocardiography at admission and at 6M.

Results

At 6M, in the SR group a significant improvement in TR VC (Figure A) and TR grade (Figure B) were noted, whereas there was no differences in the AF group (0.41 vs. 0.42cm, p=0.24 for TR VC; 1.70 vs. 1.76, p=0.16 for mean TR grade). In the SR group a significant reduction in 3D ES RV Vi, 2D ED TA diameter, 3D ES and ED Vi of the RA (Table) were observed. Regression of TR VC was correlated with regression of right cavities parameters (ρ=0.47, p<0.001 for 2D ED TA diameter; ρ=0.34, p<0.005 for 3D ES RA Vi; ρ=0.33, p<0.005 for 3D ED RV Vi; ρ=0.29, p<0.005 for 3D ES RV Vi).

Conclusion

Restoration of normal SR in patients with AF results in beneficial remodelling of right cavities at 6M of follow-up which were associated with a significant decrease in TR severity. Strategies for normal SR restoration in patients with AF and TR should be vigorously attempted.

TR Evolution

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Prognosis of acute kidney injury during acute heart failure: the role of diuretics

Background

Acute kidney injury (AKI) frequently occurs after diuretic treatment initiation during acute heart failure (AHF). Treatment-induced hemoconcentration seems associated with improved prognosis. Transient AKI, with or without hemoconcentration, is of unsettled prognosis.

Purpose

We aimed to determine the independent prognostic values of transient AKI, persistent AKI and hemoconcentration in the context of hospitalized AHF.

Methods

Data were obtained from our institution's Clinical Data Warehouse. Patients that visited our unit at least once were screened. All hospitalizations in our institution were examined (>30 hospitals). Inclusion criteria were: ≥1 hospitalization with ≥1 recorded furosemide administration and ≥1 AHF ICD-10 code. Only the first hospitalization fulfilling these criteria was considered. AKI during 1–13 days following first furosemide administration was defined based on Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcome guidelines. Hemoconcentration was defined as an increase in serum proteins ≥5 g/l during the same period. We performed multivariate logistic regression to determine which characteristics were predictive of AKI. We used Cox regression of 100-days all-cause mortality using several confounders to determine the prognostic values of transient AKI (lasting <14 days), persistent AKI (lasting ≥14 days) and hemoconcentration. To account for immortality bias, AKI and hemoconcentration were treated as time-dependent covariates.

Results

We included 579 patients in the study. Median follow-up was 114 days. AKI following furosemide initiation occurred in 234 patients (40.4%). Patients that experienced AKI more frequently suffered from chronic kidney disease (43.6% vs. 33%, p=0.01) or presented with right ventricular dilatation (12% vs. 6.7%, p=0.04). Independent predictors of AKI were arterial hypertension (adjusted OR: 1.86 [1.08–3.22]), elevated serum creatinine at baseline (adjusted OR: 1.07 [1.01–1.14] per 10 μmol/l increase) and initial intravenous furosemide (adjusted OR: 2.42 [1.39–4.29]). Death during follow-up occurred in 35% of patients in the AKI group compared to 21% in the non-AKI group (p<0.001). In Cox regression, persistent AKI was independently associated with increased mortality in a period of 100 days following furosemide initiation (adjusted HR: 2.31 [1.07–4.99]). Transient AKI was not significantly associated with mortality (adjusted HR: 0.64 [0.34–1.19]). Hemoconcentration was independently associated with decreased mortality (adjusted HR: 0.46 [0.27–0.79]).

Conclusion

In the context of hospitalized AHF, AKI that developed 1–13 days after furosemide initiation and that lasted ≥14 days was independently associated with decreased 100 days survival. Hemoconcentration, using a clinically relevant definition, was independently associated with improved survival. These findings show that serum creatinine and proteins, routinely used and with limited cost, accurately stratify mortality risk during AHF.

Kaplan-Meier curves

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Impact of rhythm in non-valvular atrial fibrillation on four cardiac chamber deformation imaging

Background

Few studies have assessed the evolution of cardiac chambers deformation imaging in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) according to cardiac rhythm outcome.

Purpose

To evaluate cardiac chamber deformation imaging in patients admitted for AF and the evolution at 6-month follow-up (M6).

Methods

In forty-one consecutive patients hospitalised for AF two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography was performed at admission (M0) and after six months (M6) of follow up. In addition to the usual parameters of chamber size and function, chamber deformation imaging was obtained including global left atrium (LA) and right atrium (RA) reservoir strain, global left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) free wall longitudinal strain. Patients were divided into three groups according to their cardiac rhythm at M0 and M6: AF at M0 and sinus rhythm (SR) at M6 (AF-SR) (n=23), AF at M0 and AF at M6 (AF-AF) (n=11), SR at M0 (spontaneous conversion before the first echocardiography exam) and SR in M6 (SR-SR) (n=7)

Results

In comparison with SR patients (n=7), at M0, AF patients (n=34)) had lower global LA reservoir strain (+5.2 (+0.4 to 12.8) versus +33.2 (+27.0 to +51.5)%; p<0.001), lower global RA reservoir strain (+8.6 (−5.4 to 11.6) versus +24.3 (+12.3 to +44.9)%; p<0.001), lower global LV longitudinal strain (respectively −12.8 (−15.2 to −10.4) versus −19.1 (−21.8 to −18.3)%; p<0.001) and lower global RV longitudinal strain (respectively −14.2 (−17.3 to −10.7) versus −23.8 (−31.1 to −16.2)%; p=0.001). When compared with the AF-SR group at M0 the AF-AF group had no significant differences with regard to global LA and RA reservoir strain, global LV and RV longitudinal strain (Table). Between M0 and M6 there was a significant improvement in global longitudinal strain of the four chambers in the AF-SR group whereas no improvements were noted in the AF-AF and SR-SR group (Figure).

Conclusion

Initial atrial and ventricular deformations were not associated with rhythm outcome at six-month follow up in AF. The improvement in strain in all four chambers strain suggests global reverse remodelling all cardiac cavities with the restoration of sinus rhythm.

Evolution of strain between M0 and M6

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

P350 Right atrial remodelling in atrial fibrillation using three dimensional transthoracic echocardiography and strain imaging

Background

Evaluation of right atrial cavities and right atrial (RA) remodelling in atrial fibrillation (AF) has been poorly studied.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate in AF, the role of three-dimensional (3D) transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and strain to refine the evaluation of the RA according to evolution of cardiac rhythm ad mid-term follow-up.

Methods

A complete 2D and 3D TTE was performed in patient hospitalized for AF. In addition to the usual parameters, RA parameters were specifically assessed: 3D RA end-systolic (ES) and end-diastolic (ED) volume, RA ejection fraction (EF) and the global longitudinal strain (GLS) of the RA. A complete clinical evaluation and electrocardiogram were performed at admission (M0) and 6 months after inclusion (M6) to determine the cardiac rhythm at follow-up.

Results

34 consecutive patients hospitalized for AF were analysed. At M0, there was no significant difference between 2D RA ES volume and the 3D RA ES volume. Three groups of patients were individualized according to cardiac rhythm at M0 and M6: AF at M0 and AF at M6 (AF-AF), AF at M0 and sinus rhythm (SR) at M6 (AF-SR), SR at M0 (spontaneous reduction before the admission ECG) and SR at M6 (SR-SR). At M0 echocardiography, in the AF-AF group and AF-SR in comparison with SR-SR group were as follow: the 3D RA ED volume was significantly higher (respectively 21.6 (18.2-26.6) and 26.9 (19.4-36.8) versus 11.3 (6.9-16.6) mL/m2 ; p = 0.0025), the 3D RAEF was significantly lower (42.2 (35.1-44.7) and 34.5 (24.1-38.6) versus 57.6 (53.4-62.2)%; p = 0.0105) and the RA GLS was also significantly lower (7.6 (6.5-10.5) and 9.1 (5.8-11.2) versus 26.6 (22.0-35.0)%; p = 0.0001) (Figure 1).

Conclusion

3D ultrasound and strain could be useful tools for evaluating the anatomical and functional RA remodelling in AF, to be further validated in a larger ongoing study.

Abstract P350 Figure 1