Left atrial to coronary sinus shunting for treatment of heart failure with mildly reduced or preserved ejection fraction: The ALT FLOW Early Feasibility Study 1-year results

AIMS

Patients with heart failure and mildly reduced or preserved ejection fraction have limited therapeutic options. The ALT-FLOW Early Feasibility Study evaluated safety, haemodynamics and outcomes for the APTURE transcatheter shunt system, a novel left atrium to coronary sinus shunt in these patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Safety and shunt implantation success was evaluated for all 116 enrolled patients. An analysis population of implanted patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) >40% (n = 95) was chosen to assess efficacy via paired comparison between baseline and follow-up haemodynamic (3 and 6 months), and echocardiographic, clinical and functional outcomes (6 months and 1 year). Health status and quality of life outcomes were assessed using the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire overall summary score (KCCQ-OSS). The primary safety endpoint, major adverse cardiac, cerebral, and renal events, and reintervention through 30 days, occurred in 3/116 patients (2.6%). All implanted shunts were patent at 1 year. In patients with LVEF >40%, the mean (95% confidence interval) reduction in exercise pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) at 20 W was -5.7 (-8.6, -2.9) mmHg at 6 months (p < 0.001). At baseline, 8% had New York Heart Association class I-II status and improved to 68% at 1 year (p < 0.001). KCCQ-OSS at baseline was 39 (35, 43) and improved at 6 months and 1 year by 25 (20-30) and 27 (22-32) points, respectively (both p < 0.0001). No adverse changes in haemodynamic and echocardiographic indices of right heart function were observed at 1 year. Overall, the reduction in PCWP at 20 W and improvement in KCCQ-OSS in multiple subgroups were consistent with those observed for the entire population.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with heart failure and LVEF >40%, the APTURE shunt demonstrated an acceptable safety profile with significant sustained improvements in haemodynamic and patient-centred outcomes, underscoring the need for further evaluation of the APTURE shunt in a randomized trial.

Interleukin-5 Antagonist Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Improves Symptoms and Reduces Steroid Dependence in Eosinophilic Myocarditis Patients

Eosinophilic myocarditis (EM) is a rare disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This case series follows the clinical courses of 3 patients with EM. The use of mepolizumab, an anti-interleukin-5 monoclonal antibody, as an adjunctive treatment was associated with stabilization of cardiac function and improved long-term outcomes.

A retrospective analysis of anticoagulant safety among heart transplant recipients undergoing endomyocardial biopsy

BACKGROUND

Transvenous endomyocardial biopsy is an invasive procedure which is used to diagnose rejection following an orthotopic heart transplant. Endomyocardial biopsy is widely regarded as low risk with all-cause complication rates below 5% in most safety studies. Following transplant, some patients require therapeutic anticoagulation. It is unknown whether anticoagulation increases endomyocardial biopsy bleeding risk.

METHODS

Records from 2061 endomyocardial biopsies performed for post-transplant rejection surveillance at our institution between November 2016 and August 2022 were reviewed. Bleeding complications were defined as vascular access-related hematoma or bleeding, procedure-related red blood cell transfusion, and new pericardial effusion. Relative risk and small sample-adjusted 95% confidence interval was calculated to investigate the association between bleeding complications and anticoagulation.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

The overall risk of bleeding was 1.2% (25/2061 cases). There was a statistically significant increase in bleeding among patients on intravenous (RR 4.46, CI 1.09-18.32) but not oral anticoagulants (RR .62, CI .15-2.63) compared to patients without anticoagulant exposure. There was a trend toward increased bleeding among patients taking warfarin with INR ≥ 1.8 (RR 3.74, CI .90-15.43). Importantly, no bleeding events occurred in patients taking direct oral anticoagulants such as apixaban. Based on these results, intravenous rather than oral anticoagulation was associated with a significantly higher risk of bleeding complications following endomyocardial biopsy.

A Novel Heart Failure Diagnostic Risk Score Using a Minimally Invasive Subcutaneous Insertable Cardiac Monitor

BACKGROUND

The authors tested the hypothesis that physiological information from sensors within a minimally invasive, subcutaneous, insertable cardiac monitor (ICM) could be used to develop an ambulatory heart failure risk score (HFRS) to accurately identify heart failure (HF) patients, across the ejection fraction spectrum, at high risk of an impending worsening heart failure event (HFE).

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to examine performance of ICM-based, multiparameter, dynamic HFRS to predict HFEs in patients with NYHA functional class II/III HF.

METHODS

In 2 observational cohorts, HF patients were implanted with an ICM; subcutaneous impedance, respiratory rate, heart rate and variability, atrial fibrillation burden, ventricular rate during atrial fibrillation, and activity duration were combined into an HFRS to identify the probability of HFE within 30 days. Patients and providers were blinded to the data. HFRS sensitivity and unexplained detection rate were defined in 2 independent patient population data sets. HFEs were defined as hospitalization, observation unit, or emergency department visit with a primary diagnosis of HF, and intravenous diuretic treatment.

RESULTS

First data set (development): 42 patients had 19 HFE; second data set (validation): 94 patients had 19 HFE (mean age 66 ± 11 years, 63% men, 50% with LVEF ≥40%, 80% NYHA functional class III). Using a high-risk threshold = 7.5%, development and validation data sets: sensitivity was 73.7% and 68.4%; unexplained detection rate of 1.4 and 1.5 per patient-year; median 47 and 64 days early warning before HFE.

CONCLUSIONS

ICM-HFRS provides a multiparameter, integrated diagnostic method with the ability to identify when HF patients are at increased risk of heart failure events. (Reveal LINQ Evaluation of Fluid [REEF]; NCT02275923, Reveal LINQ Heart Failure [LINQ HF]; NCT02758301, Algorithm Using LINQ Sensors for Evaluation and Treatment of Heart Failure [ALLEVIATE-HF]; NCT04452149).

Cardiac Contractility Modulation: Implications in Heart Failure, a Current Review

Cardiac contractility modulation (CCM) is a novel therapeutic approach for heart failure patients, which utilizes nonexcitatory electrical myocardial stimulation in the absolute refractory period of the cardiac cycle. This stimulation has been shown to increase contractility, leading to improved heart failure symptoms, functional status, and quality of life. CCM is FDA approved for heart failure patients with an LVEF between 25% and 45% who remained symptomatic despite optimal medical therapy and not candidate of cardiac resynchronization therapy. CCM offers expanded treatment options for heart failure patients who have continued symptoms while on optimal medical therapy.

Targeted Therapeutics for Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND

Deposition of wild-type or mutant transthyretin (TTR) amyloid fibrils in the myocardium causes TTR amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM). Targeted therapeutics for ATTR-CM include TTR stabilizers (tafamidis and diflunisal) and oligonucleotide drugs (revusiran, patisiran, and inotersen). TTR stabilizers prevent dissociation of transthyretin tetramers. Transthyretin monomers can misfold and form amyloid fibrils. TTR stabilizers thereby limit amyloid fibrils development and deposition. Oligonucleotide drugs inhibit hepatic synthesis of transthyretin, which decreases transthyretin protein levels and thus the amyloid fibril substrate.

AREAS OF UNCERTAINTY

To study the safety and efficacy of targeted therapeutics in patients with ATTR-CM, we performed a pooled analysis. A random-effects model with the Mantel-Haenszel method was used to pool the data.

DATA SOURCES

A literature search was performed using PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Embase databases using the search terms "cardiac amyloidosis" AND "tafamidis" OR "patisiran" OR "inotersen" OR "revusiran" OR "diflunisal."

THERAPEUTIC ADVANCES

We identified 6 studies that compared targeted therapeutics with placebo. One study was stopped prematurely because of increased mortality in the targeted therapeutics arm. Pooled analysis included 1238 patients, of which 738 patients received targeted therapeutics and 500 patients received placebo. When compared with placebo, targeted therapeutics significantly reduced all-cause mortality [OR 0.39, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.16-0.97, P = 0.04]. Only 2 studies reported the effect on cardiovascular-related hospitalizations. There was a trend toward an improvement in global longitudinal strain (mean difference -0.69, 95% CI: -1.44 to 0.05, P = 0.07). When compared with placebo, there was no increase in serious adverse events with targeted therapeutics (OR 1.06, 95% CI: 0.78-1.44, P = 0.72).

CONCLUSION

Evidence from the pooled analysis revealed targeted therapeutics improve survival and are well-tolerated. These findings suggest a potential role for targeted therapeutics in the treatment of patients with ATTR-CM.

Case Report: tacrolimus toxicity in the setting of concurrent Paxlovid use in a heart-transplant recipient

Background

Tacrolimus toxicity in patient's status post-orthotropic heart transplantation is not commonly reported. Given its narrow therapeutic window and drug-drug interactions, it must be closely monitored by providers who are experienced in transplant management. There are no case series of patients with tacrolimus toxicity in the setting of treatment for Sars-2-CoV-19 (COVID 19) for heart-transplant recipients. We present a case of tacrolimus toxicity in the setting of concurrent ritonavir-nirmatrelvir (Paxlovid) use.

Case summary

The patient was a 74-year-old male with a prior significant history of heart transplantation and on maintenance immunosuppression with tacrolimus. He contracted COVID-19 and was prescribed antiviral therapy with Paxlovid by an outside provider prior to admission. The patient complained of severe headaches, dehydration, and tremors. After eliminating acute intracranial processes with imaging, laboratory investigation revealed a severely elevated tacrolimus level with acute renal injury. The patient was taken off tacrolimus and treated conservatively with intravenous hydration. The symptoms improved, particularly the headaches. He was discharged with instructions to resume his home dosing of tacrolimus and return to clinic in 1 week with a repeat trough level. The subsequent trough level was no longer supra-therapeutic.

Discussion

Tacrolimus has a potent drug-drug interaction with Paxlovid (ritonavir-nirmatrelvir) and can be supra-therapeutic. Toxicity is associated with multiple adverse effects, including but not limited to, acute renal injury, neurotoxicity, and infections due to over-immunosuppression. As Paxlovid is effective in treating Sars-2-CoV-19 in heart-transplant recipients, knowledge and understanding of drug-drug interactions is crucial in preventing and mitigating toxicity.

Left Atrial to Coronary Sinus Shunting for Treatment of Symptomatic Heart Failure

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) is associated with both mortality and a significant decline in health status. Inter-atrial shunting is increasingly being investigated as a novel therapeutic option.

OBJECTIVES

The ALT FLOW Early Feasibility Study was designed to evaluate the safety of the Edwards left atrial to coronary sinus APTURE^TM Transcatheter Shunt System in patients with symptomatic HF.

METHODS

18 centers enrolled patients with symptomatic HF with a pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) >15mmHg at rest or 25mmHg during exercise.

RESULTS

Between May 2018 and September 2022, 87 patients underwent attempted APTURE^TM shunt implantation. Mean age was 71 years, and 53% were male. At baseline mean LVEF was 59% with 90% of the patients being NYHA III. Device success was achieved in 78 (90%) of patients with no device occlusions or associated adverse events identified after implantation. The primary safety outcome occurred in only 2 (2.3%) patients at 30 days. At 6 months health status improved: 68% of participants achieved NYHA I-II status, with a 23-point improvement (p<0.0001, 95% CI [17, 29]) in the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire overall summary score. Also at 6 months, 20-watt exercise pulmonary capillary wedge pressure was -7mmHg lower (p<0.0001, 95% CI [-11, -4]) without change in right atrial pressure or other right heart function indices.

CONCLUSIONS

In this single-arm experience, the APTURE^TM Transcatheter Shunt System in patients with symptomatic HF was observed to be safe and resulted in reduction in PCWP and clinically meaningful improvements in HF symptoms and quality of life indices.

Temporal Characteristics of Device-Based Individual and Integrated Risk Metrics in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure

BACKGROUND

Temporal characteristics of a multimetric risk score and its individual parameters before, during, and after a heart failure (HF) event have not been defined.

OBJECTIVES

A large real-world patient cohort with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) defibrillators was used to define these temporal characteristics.

METHODS

Deidentified health records were linked to manufacturer's device database in 17,886 patients. Multimetric risk score combined daily measures of impedance, heart rate, activity, heart rate variability, and atrial fibrillation (AF) burden, AF ventricular rate, CRT pacing, and ventricular tachycardia episodes and shocks. HF event was defined as an inpatient, emergency department, or observation unit stay with primary diagnosis of HF and intravenous diuretic agents administration. Changes in risk parameters during 60 days before, during, and after an HF event were compared in patients with no HF readmissions vs patients with HF readmission.

RESULTS

A total of 1,174 patients had HF events with no HF readmission, and 282 patients had HF events with HF readmission. Diagnostic risk score was higher on all 60 days before and after a HF event in patients with HF readmission compared with patients with no readmission (P < 0.001). Change in risk score from admission to discharge was similar in patients with and without HF readmission, but the risk score fell more significantly 7 after discharge and 30 days after admission in patients without HF readmission (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Temporal characteristics of risk metrics were significantly different in patients with no HF readmissions vs patients with HF readmission; patients without HF recurrence had larger recovery of risk metrics values toward normal.

Multidisciplinary amyloidosis care in the era of personalized medicine

Amyloidosis refers to a group of conditions where abnormal protein-or amyloid-deposits in tissues or organs, often leading to organ malfunction. Amyloidosis affects nearly any organ system, but especially the heart, kidneys, liver, peripheral nervous system, and gastrointestinal tract. Neuromuscular deficits comprise some of its ubiquitous manifestations. Amyloidosis can be quite challenging to diagnose given its clinical heterogeneity and multi-system nature. Early diagnosis with accurate genetic and serologic subtyping is key for effective management and prevention of organ decline. In this review, we highlight the value of a multidisciplinary comprehensive amyloidosis clinic. While such a model exists at numerous clinical and research centers across the globe, the lack of more widespread adoption of such a model remains a major hindrance to the timely diagnosis of amyloidosis. Such a multidisciplinary care model allows for the timely and effective diagnosis of amyloidosis, be it acquired amyloid light amyloidosis (AL), hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (hATTR), or wild type amyloidosis (TTR-wt), especially in the current era of personalized genomic medicine. A multidisciplinary clinic optimizes the delivery of singular or combinatorial drug therapies, depending on amyloid type, fibril deposition location, and disease progression. Such an arrangement also helps advance research in the field. We present our experience at The Ohio State University, as one example out of many, to highlight the centrality of a multi-disciplinary clinic in amyloidosis care.

Beta-Adrenergic Antagonist Tolerance in Amyloid Cardiomyopathy

Background:

Beta-adrenergic antagonists or blockers (BB) are a cornerstone of cardiac therapy for multiple indications. However, BB are considered relatively contraindicated in amyloid cardiomyopathy due to poor tolerance. This intolerance is hypothesized to be due to concomitant neuropathy and significant restrictive cardiomyopathy. This study analyzes the incidence and characteristics of BB tolerance in patients with amyloid cardiomyopathy.

Methods

Through a single-center retrospective chart review, patients with amyloid cardiomyopathy, confirmed by endomyocardial biopsy or technetium-99 pyrophosphate scan, were identified and clinical data was collected. Statistical methods included Chi-square test and two sample t-tests.

Results

Of 135 cardiac amyloidosis patients, 27 patients (20.0%) had no BB use, 56 patients (41.5%) were current BB users, and 52 patients (38.5%) were prior BB users. The most frequent indications for BB use were heart failure, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and arrhythmia. The most common reason for stopping BB therapy was hypotension (62.8%) followed by fatigue, bradycardia, and orthostasis. Neurologic symptoms at the initial BB prescription or most recent evaluation were not significantly different between current and prior BB users. Their cardiovascular profiles were similar by ejection fraction, wall thickness, troponin I, and brain natriuretic peptide. There was no association for BB discontinuation based on amyloid subtype, sex, or race.

Conclusion

The majority of patients with amyloid cardiomyopathy were prescribed BB, and over half of these patients still tolerated BB therapy. Current and prior BB users had similar profiles from a cardiovascular and neurologic perspective, with no association identified to predict BB discontinuation.

Fulminant Myocarditis Following SARS-CoV-2 Infection

A 60-year-old woman with a past medical history of asthma presented with fulminant myocarditis 9 days after testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 and 16 days after developing symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Her hospital course was complicated by the need for veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, ventricular arrhythmias, and pseudomonas bacteremia. She ultimately recovered and was discharged to home with normal left ventricular systolic function. Thereafter, she developed symptomatic ventricular tachycardia, for which she received an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator and antiarrhythmic drug therapy.

Atrial shunt device for heart failure with preserved and mildly reduced ejection fraction (REDUCE LAP-HF II): a randomised, multicentre, blinded, sham-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Placement of an interatrial shunt device reduces pulmonary capillary wedge pressure during exercise in patients with heart failure and preserved or mildly reduced ejection fraction. We aimed to investigate whether an interatrial shunt can reduce heart failure events or improve health status in these patients.

METHODS

In this randomised, international, blinded, sham-controlled trial performed at 89 health-care centres, we included patients (aged ≥40 years) with symptomatic heart failure, an ejection fraction of at least 40%, and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure during exercise of at least 25 mm Hg while exceeding right atrial pressure by at least 5 mm Hg. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either a shunt device or sham procedure. Patients and outcome assessors were masked to randomisation. The primary endpoint was a hierarchical composite of cardiovascular death or non-fatal ischemic stroke at 12 months, rate of total heart failure events up to 24 months, and change in Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire overall summary score at 12 months. Pre-specified subgroup analyses were conducted for the heart failure event endpoint. Analysis of the primary endpoint, all other efficacy endpoints, and safety endpoints was conducted in the modified intention-to-treat population, defined as all patients randomly allocated to receive treatment, excluding those found to be ineligible after randomisation and therefore not treated. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03088033.

FINDINGS

Between May 25, 2017, and July 24, 2020, 1072 participants were enrolled, of whom 626 were randomly assigned to either the atrial shunt device (n=314) or sham procedure (n=312). There were no differences between groups in the primary composite endpoint (win ratio 1·0 [95% CI 0·8-1·2]; p=0·85) or in the individual components of the primary endpoint. The prespecified subgroups demonstrating a differential effect of atrial shunt device treatment on heart failure events were pulmonary artery systolic pressure at 20W of exercise (p_interaction=0·002 [>70 mm Hg associated with worse outcomes]), right atrial volume index (p_interaction=0·012 [≥29·7 mL/m², worse outcomes]), and sex (p_interaction=0·02 [men, worse outcomes]). There were no differences in the composite safety endpoint between the two groups (n=116 [38%] for shunt device vs n=97 [31%] for sham procedure; p=0·11).

INTERPRETATION

Placement of an atrial shunt device did not reduce the total rate of heart failure events or improve health status in the overall population of patients with heart failure and ejection fraction of greater than or equal to 40%.

FUNDING

Corvia Medical.

Resting and exercise haemodynamic characteristics of patients with advanced heart failure and preserved ejection fraction

Aims

This study aimed to describe haemodynamic features of patients with advanced heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) as defined by the Heart Failure Association (HFA) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).

Methods and results

We used pooled data from two dedicated HFpEF studies with invasive exercise haemodynamic protocols, the REDUCE LAP‐HF (Reduce Elevated Left Atrial Pressure in Patients with Heart Failure) trial and the REDUCE LAP‐HF I trial, and categorized patients according to advanced heart failure (AdHF) criteria. The well‐characterized HFpEF patients were considered advanced if they had persistent New York Heart Association classification of III–IV and heart failure (HF) hospitalization < 12 months and a 6 min walk test distance < 300 m. Twenty‐four (22%) out of 108 patients met the AdHF criteria. On evaluation, clinical characteristics and resting haemodynamics were not different in the two groups. Patients with AdHF had lower work capacity compared with non‐advanced patients (35 ± 16 vs. 45 ± 18 W, P = 0.021). Workload‐corrected pulmonary capillary wedge pressure normalized to body weight (PCWL) was higher in AdHF patients compared with non‐advanced (112 ± 55 vs. 86 ± 49 mmHg/W/kg, P = 0.04). Further, AdHF patients had a smaller increase in cardiac index during exercise (1.1 ± 0.7 vs. 1.6 ± 0.9 L/min/m², P = 0.028).

Conclusions

A significantly higher PCWL and lower cardiac index reserve during exercise were observed in AdHF patients compared with non‐advanced. These differences were not apparent at rest. Therapies targeting the haemodynamic compromise associated with advanced HFpEF are needed.

Safety of direct oral anticoagulants in solid organ transplant recipients: A meta-analysis

There is limited evidence comparing direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and warfarin in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. We performed a pooled analysis to study the safety and efficacy of DOACs in this patient population. We searched PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases using the search terms "heart transplant" or "lung transplant" or "liver transplant" or "kidney transplant" or "pancreas transplant" and "direct oral anticoagulant" for literature search. Random effects model with Mantel-Haenszel method was used to pool the outcomes. Pooled analysis included 489 patients, of which 259 patients received DOACs and 230 patients received warfarin. When compared to warfarin, the use of DOACs was associated with decreased risk of composite bleed (RR .49, 95% CI .32-.76, p = .002). There were no differences in rates of major bleeding (RR .55, 95% CI .20-1.49, p = .24) or venous thromboembolism (RR .65, 95% CI .25-1.70, p = .38) between the two groups. Evidence from pooled analysis suggests that DOACs are comparable to warfarin in terms of safety in SOT recipients. Further research is warranted to conclusively determine whether DOACs are safe alternatives to warfarin for anticoagulation in SOT recipients.

The role of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging with T1 and T2 mapping in sudden cardiac death survivors

Background

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in the adult population is poorly studied, although determining its etiology is crucial for management and prognosis [1]. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) is being increasingly utilized in SCD survivors [1,2]. The role of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) imaging in patients with recent SCD and no significant coronary artery disease (CAD) is well established, but there is no data on the additive role of T1 and T2 mapping [1–3].

Purpose

This is a retrospective study to assess the role of CMR including T1 and T2 mapping in SCD survivors.

Methods

Between 01/2016 and 12/2019, we retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent CMR on a Siemens Magnetom Avanto 1.5 T scanner within 4 weeks of SCD. CMR protocol included cine imaging, T1 and T2 mapping, and LGE imaging. Native and post-contrast myocardial T1 values were measured within the septum on the mid short axis (SAX) and extracellular volume fraction was calculated using the standard formula. T2 values were measured in six mid segments on the mid SAX map. Additional measurements were performed if long axis T2 maps were available. Clinical data, electrocardiography (ECG), transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), and left heart catheterization (LHC) were reviewed from the electronic health record. An ischemic evaluation was performed in 33 (94%) of patients.

Results

A total of 35 patients who underwent CMR for SCD were included for analysis (mean age 46.9±14.1 years; 20 (57%) male). SCD etiology was established based on clinical data, ECG, TTE, CCTA, and LHC in 9 (26%) patients. CMR provided the most probable SCD etiology in an additional 20 (57%) patients with T1 and T2 mapping abnormalities seen in 18 (51%) patients. Diagnoses determined by CMR included myocarditis (35%), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (CMP) (20%), left ventricular non-compaction CMP (15%), dilated CMP (10%), takotsubo CMP (5%), and myocardial infarction with non-obstructive CAD (15%) (Table, Figure). Elevated native T1 was seen in 15 (43%) (mean T1 1069±60 ms; site specific normal &lt;1080 ms), elevated ECV in 16 (46%) (30±7%; site specific normal &lt;29%), and elevated native T2 in 22 (63%) patients (65±10 ms; site specific normal &lt;60 ms). LGE was present in 31 (89%) patients. The etiology of SCD remained unknown in 6 (17%) patients despite extensive testing including CMR.

Conclusions

CMR has significant diagnostic and prognostic value in assessing SCD etiology compared to non-CMR based evaluation. Myocarditis is a common underdiagnosed cause of SCD in adult patients well seen in a CMR protocol with T1 and T2 mapping. Myocardial inflammation monitoring in SCD survivors with serial CMRs using T1 and T2 mapping could influence clinical decision making by justifying pharmacotherapy modification and timing of ICD implantation. To conclude, CMR with T1 and T2 mapping provides high diagnostic yield in the investigation of SCD etiology.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Clinical implications of atrial natriuretic peptide amyloidosis

A 74-year-old woman with a history of diastolic heart failure and refractory atrial fibrillation (AF) presented with unstable angina for coronary artery bypass grafting. Routine pathological analysis of tissue specimens obtained from the left atrial appendage revealed subendocardial and interstitial fibrosis and patchy amyloid deposits with Congo red staining demonstrating filamentous deposits. Mass spectrometry was consistent with isolated atrial amyloidosis (IAA). IAA in this patient was found incidentally on routine postoperative pathology, but likely contributed to significant morbidity. The established relationship between IAA with AF and diastolic heart failure underscores the relevance. Further delineating the pathogenesis has potentially immense implications for the future management of associated conditions. To bridge the gaps in the understanding, a standardised approach to diagnosis is needed to open the door to a large-scale study and further work toward establishing evidence-based management pathways.

AL amyloidosis: The effect of fluorescent in situ hybridization abnormalities on organ involvement and survival

Background

Systemic light chain (AL) amyloidosis is a clonal plasma‐cell neoplasm that carries a poor prognosis. Although AL amyloidosis and Multiple Myeloma (MM) can co‐exist and share various cytogenetic chromosomal abnormalities, little is known about Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and its prognostic relevance in AL amyloidosis.

Aim:

The study aims to evaluate the most prevalent FISH cytogenetic abnormalities in AL patients as independent prognostic factors, and assess the impact of cytogenetics on the survival of high‐risk cardiac AL patients.

Materials & Methods

This retrospective study reviewed 113 consecutive AL patients treated at The Ohio State University (OSU). Patients were divided into subgroups based on FISH data obtained within 90 days of diagnosis. Hyperdiploidy was defined as trisomies of at least 2 chromosomal loci. Primary endpoints were progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Kaplan Meier curves were used to calculate PFS and OS. The log‐rank test and Cox proportional hazard models were used to test the equality of survival functions and further evaluate the differences between groups.

Results

FISH abnormalities were detected in 76% of patients. Patients with abnormal FISH trended toward lower overall survival (OS) (p=0.06) and progression free survival (PFS) (p=0.06). The two most prevalent aberrations were translocation t(11;14) (39%) and hyperdiploidy‐overall (38%). Hyperdiploidy‐overall was associated with worsening PFS (p=0.018) and OS (p=0.03), confirmed in multivariable analysis. Patients with del 13q most frequently had cardiac involvement (p=0.006) and was associated with increased bone marrow plasmacytosis (p=0.02). Cardiac AL patients with no FISH abnormalities had much improved OS (p=0.012) and PFS (p=0.018)

Conclusions

Our findings ultimately reveal the association of hyperdiploidy on survival in AL amyloidosis patients, including the high‐risk cardiac AL population.

AL Amyloidosis: The Effect of Maintenance Therapy on Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) remains an effective treatment option for many patients with systemic light chain (AL) amyloidosis. While maintenance post ASCT in multiple myeloma is now standard, the decision to utilize maintenance in AL amyloidosis remains largely unexplored. The present study aims to determine the prognostic significance of utilizing maintenance therapy following ASCT and assess the impact of fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) abnormalities, bone marrow plasma cell burden (BMPC), and degree of organ involvement on this decision.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This is a retrospective analysis of fifty AL amyloidosis patients who underwent ASCT at The Ohio State University. Twenty-eight patients received maintenance and twenty-two did not. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to compare the effect of maintenance therapy with no significant difference in PFS (p = 0.66) and OS (p = 0.32) between the two groups. There was no difference in survival based on maintenance when further categorized by FISH, PFS (p = 0.15), and OS (p = 0.65); BMPC ≥ 10%, PFS (p = 0.49), and OS (p = 0.32); or with 2 or more organs involved, PFS (p = 0.34) and OS (p = 0.80).

CONCLUSION

Maintenance therapy post ASCT did not impact PFS or OS when categorized by FISH abnormalities, increasing BMPC, or ≥2 organs involved in AL amyloidosis patients.

Atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome: a case report of a rare cause of reversible cardiomyopathy

Background

Atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS) is a life-threatening, genetic disease of complement-mediated thrombotic microangiopathy that typically presents as anaemia, thrombocytopenia, and renal failure. Cardiomyopathy is seen in up to 10% of aHUS cases, but the aetiology is not well-understood.

Case summary

A 63-year-old man recently was diagnosed with a thrombotic microangiopathy most consistent with aHUS by renal biopsy after presentation with acute renal failure requiring haemodialysis. He was started on therapy with complement inhibitor, eculizumab. Six weeks after diagnosis, he presented with progressive dyspnoea on exertion and chest pain. An echocardiogram demonstrated an acute drop in left ventricular ejection fraction to 20-25% with global hypokinesis. Left heart catheterization showed moderate, non-obstructive coronary artery disease. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated diffuse myocardial oedema. Endomyocardial biopsy revealed an arteriole with obliterative changes and a few possible fragmented red blood cells suggestive of thrombotic microangiopathy. There was no biopsy evidence of immune complex deposition or myocarditis. He was treated for heart failure and was maintained on eculizumab. On repeat echocardiogram 3 months later, the patient had complete recovery of his ejection fraction (60-65%).

Discussion

In this report, we describe complete recovery of aHUS-associated heart failure with eculizumab therapy and demonstrate for the first time that the aetiology of aHUS-associated heart failure is likely an acute thrombotic microangiopathy involving small intramyocardial arterioles, as demonstrated by cardiac biopsy.

Optimizer Smart in the treatment of moderate-to-severe chronic heart failure

Cardiac contractility modulation, also referred to as CCM™, by the Optimizer Smart device is an innovative intracardiac device-based therapy that has been recently US FDA-approved for the treatment of patients with chronic heart failure, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) between 25 and 45%, QRS <130 ms who remain symptomatic despite optimal medical therapy. Clinical trials demonstrate that CCM therapy is safe and effective in reducing heart failure hospitalization and improving heart failure symptoms, quality of life and functional performance. This novel device-based therapeutic offers benefits to patients who do not otherwise qualify for cardiac resynchronization therapy. CCM expands the indication beyond the traditional LVEF cutoff of 35% to a newer group including patients who fall in midrange LVEF group, up to 45%.

Assessment of Predictors of Left Atrial Volume Response to a Transcatheter InterAtrial Shunt Device (from the REDUCE LAP-HF Trial)

In patients with heart failure and preserved or mildly reduced ejection fractions (EF ≥40%), implantation of an interatrial shunt device (IASD) resulted in heterogenous changes of the left atrial (LA) volume. Baseline characteristics that correlate with a favorable decrease in LA volume are unknown. We hypothesized that a larger ratio of left to right atrial volume at baseline would correlate strongly with LA volume decongestion following IASD implantation. Reduce Elevated LA Pressure in Patients With Heart Failure was a multicenter study of the safety and feasibility of IASD implantation. Sixty-four patients with EF ≥40% underwent device implantation along with baseline conventional echocardiograms, speckle tracking echocardiography, and resting and exercise hemodynamics. Higher LA compliance (-4.2%, p = 0.048) and right atrial reservoir strain (-0.8%, p = 0.005) were independently associated with a percent decrease in the systolic LA volume index from baseline to 6-months. In conclusion, greater LA volume reduction following IASD implantation is associated with higher baseline compliance of the left atrium and higher reservoir strain of the right atrium.

A case report: pause and consider the late complications of heart transplantation

Background

A 75-year-old woman with a past medical history significant for non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy status post orthotopic heart transplant, type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic kidney disease stage III, chronic anaemia, and chronic diarrhoea presented with nausea, vomiting, and an unexplained fall 23 years after original transplantation.

Case summary

During her hospital stay, she had multiple episodes of sinus arrest with syncope, preceded by seizure like activity. She was stabilized, and broad work up revealed an occult brain mass that was ultimately resected and consistent with post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease.

Discussion

Features that make this case study unique include the late onset and location of the malignancy, the absence of Epstein–Barr virus involvement, and asystole that was potentially neurologically mediated and induced by a brain space occupying mass. This case offers insight into potential late parasympathetic reinnervation of transplanted hearts, adds to the growing literature regarding the connection between the brain and the heart, and reviews potential complications in patients with a remote history of heart transplantation.

Imaging Device Therapy: Essentials for the Imager

Treatment of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction has evolved. Recently, a fully implantable remote hemodynamic monitoring sensor in the pulmonary artery was approved in the treatment of patients at risk of heart failure readmissions. Several novel devices designed to offload the left atrium by creating a small interatrial shunt are being investigated. Cardiac imaging plays a vital role in the selection process, implantation, and monitoring of individuals with such devices. This article discusses in detail various imaging techniques and key clinical points relating to several cardiac devices used in the treatment of patients with heart failure.

Evidence of aldosterone synthesis in human myocardium in acute myocarditis

BACKGROUND

Myocarditis may be self-limited but has been identified as an important contributor to downstream cardiomyopathy. Aldosterone mediates myocardial damage in various conditions, but has not been considered specifically as a therapeutic target for inflammatory damage in acute myocarditis. We sought to demonstrate local aldosterone synthesis in human myocardium affected by acute myocarditis.

METHODS

We evaluated myocardial samples obtained via endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) for expression of CYP11B2, the final and key enzyme for aldosterone synthesis, from patients with acute myocarditis and from stable heart transplant recipients with no evidence of rejection as negative controls. Excised adrenal glands from patients with aldosterone-secreting adenomas were used as positive controls. An experienced cardiovascular pathologist blinded to clinical information rated CYP11B2 stains as negative, positive, or borderline, also recording location of any CYP11B2-positivity.

RESULTS

Sixteen patients' EMB samples showing definite acute myocarditis were identified (50% female). CYP11B2 was positive in 13/16 cases (81%), typically showing diffuse intracardiomyocyte cytoplasmic staining, vs. 2/16 borderline stains in transplant controls (p < 0.001 myocarditis vs. negative controls). All 3 adrenalectomy samples stained positive for CYP11B2 (diffuse intracellular staining). Importantly, no myocarditis or transplant patients were on aldosterone antagonist therapy at the time of biopsy.

CONCLUSIONS

In this proof-of-concept study, myocardium from patients with acute myocarditis demonstrates evidence and high prevalence of local aldosterone synthesis by immunohistochemistry that showed high accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity. Aldosterone warrants consideration as a specific target for therapy in patients with myocardial damage due to inflammation towards strategies that reduce downstream complications.

A Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Cardiac Contractility Modulation

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to confirm a subgroup analysis of the prior FIX-HF-5 (Evaluate Safety and Efficacy of the OPTIMIZER System in Subjects With Moderate-to-Severe Heart Failure) study showing that cardiac contractility modulation (CCM) improved exercise tolerance (ET) and quality of life in patients with ejection fractions between 25% and 45%.

BACKGROUND

CCM therapy for New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III and IV heart failure (HF) patients consists of nonexcitatory electrical signals delivered to the heart during the absolute refractory period.

METHODS

A total of 160 patients with NYHA functional class III or IV symptoms, QRS duration <130 ms, and ejection fraction ≥25% and ≤45% were randomized to continued medical therapy (control, n = 86) or CCM (treatment, n = 74, unblinded) for 24 weeks. Peak Vo₂ (primary endpoint), Minnesota Living With Heart Failure questionnaire, NYHA functional class, and 6-min hall walk were measured at baseline and at 12 and 24 weeks. Bayesian repeated measures linear modeling was used for the primary endpoint analysis with 30% borrowing from the FIX-HF-5 subgroup. Safety was assessed by the percentage of patients free of device-related adverse events with a pre-specified lower bound of 70%.

RESULTS

The difference in peak Vo₂ between groups was 0.84 (95% Bayesian credible interval: 0.123 to 1.552) ml O₂/kg/min, satisfying the primary endpoint. Minnesota Living With Heart Failure questionnaire (p < 0.001), NYHA functional class (p < 0.001), and 6-min hall walk (p = 0.02) were all better in the treatment versus control group. There were 7 device-related events, yielding a lower bound of 80% of patients free of events, satisfying the primary safety endpoint. The composite of cardiovascular death and HF hospitalizations was reduced from 10.8% to 2.9% (p = 0.048).

CONCLUSIONS

CCM is safe, improves exercise tolerance and quality of life in the specified group of HF patients, and leads to fewer HF hospitalizations. (Evaluate Safety and Efficacy of the OPTIMIZER System in Subjects With Moderate-to-Severe Heart Failure; NCT01381172).

One-Year Safety and Clinical Outcomes of a Transcatheter Interatrial Shunt Device for the Treatment of Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction in the Reduce Elevated Left Atrial Pressure in Patients With Heart Failure (REDUCE LAP-HF I) Trial: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

In patients with heart failure (HF) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) equal to or greater than 40%, a transcatheter interatrial shunt device (IASD; Corvia Medical) reduces exercise pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) and is safe compared with sham control treatment at 1 month of follow-up. The longer-term safety and patency of the IASD has not yet been demonstrated in the setting of a randomized clinical trial (RCT).

Objective

To evaluate the 1-year safety and clinical outcomes of the IASD compared with a sham control treatment.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This phase 2, double-blind, 1-to-1 sham-controlled multicenter RCT of IASD implantation vs a sham procedure (femoral venous access and imaging of the interatrial septum without IASD) was conducted in 22 centers in the United States, Europe, and Australia on patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III or ambulatory class IV HF, LVEF equal to or greater than 40%, exercise PCWP equal to or greater than 25 mm Hg, and PCWP-right atrial pressure gradient equal to or greater than 5 mm Hg.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Safety was assessed by major adverse cardiac, cerebrovascular, or renal events (MACCRE). Exploratory outcomes evaluated at 1 year were hospitalizations for HF, NYHA class, quality of life, a 6-minute walk test, and device patency.

Results

After 1 year, shunts were patent in all IASD-treated patients; MACCRE did not differ significantly in the IASD arm (2 of 21 [9.5%]) vs the control arm (5 of 22 [22.7%]; P = .41), and no strokes occurred. The yearly rate of hospitalizations for HF was 0.22 in the IASD arm and 0.63 in the control arm (P = .06). Median improvement in NYHA class was 1 class in the IASD arm (IQR, -1 to 0) vs 0 in the control arm (IQR, -1 to 0; P = .08). Quality of life and 6-minute walk test distance were similar in both groups. At 6 months, there was an increase in right ventricular size in the IASD arm (mean [SD], 7.9 [8.0] mL/m2) vs the control arm (-1.8 [9.6] mL/m2; P = .002), consistent with left-to-right shunting through the device; no further increase occurred in the IASD arm at 12 months.

Conclusions and Relevance

The REDUCE LAP-HF I phase 2, sham-controlled RCT confirms the longer-term patency of the IASD. Through 1 year of follow-up, IASD treatment appears safe, with no significant differences in MACCRE in patients receiving IASD compared with those who received sham control treatment.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02600234.

Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial to Reduce Readmission for Heart Failure Using Novel Tablet and Nurse Practitioner Education

BACKGROUND

Heart failure education programs are not standardized. The best form of education is unclear. We evaluated whether addition of a novel tablet application to nurse practitioner (NP) education was superior to NP education alone in reducing 30-day readmission after heart failure hospitalization.

METHODS

From February 2015-March 2016, patients admitted to a quaternary academic center with primary diagnosis of heart failure were randomized to 1) treatment - NP education plus tablet application (interactive conditional logic program that flags patient questions to medical staff), or 2) control - NP education. The primary outcome was reduction in 30-day readmission rate. Secondary outcomes included satisfaction and education assessed via survey.

RESULTS

Randomization included 60 patients to treatment and 66 to control. A total of 13 patients withdrew prior to intervention (treatment n = 4, control n = 1) or were lost to follow-up (treatment n = 3, control n = 5). The 30-day readmission rate trended lower for treatment compared with control, but results were not statistically significant (13.2% [7/53], 26.7% [16/60], respectively, P = .08). Similarly, satisfaction trended higher with treatment than control (P = .08). Treatment patients rated explanations from their physicians higher than control (Always: 83.7%, 55.8%, respectively, P = .01).

CONCLUSIONS

NP education plus tablet use was not associated with significantly lower 30-day readmission rates in comparison with NP alone, but a positive trend was seen. Patient satisfaction trended higher and heart failure explanations were better with NP education plus tablet. A larger study is needed to determine if NP education plus tablet reduces readmission rates following heart failure admission.

Transcatheter Interatrial Shunt Device for the Treatment of Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction (REDUCE LAP-HF I [Reduce Elevated Left Atrial Pressure in Patients With Heart Failure]): A Phase 2, Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

In nonrandomized, open-label studies, a transcatheter interatrial shunt device (IASD, Corvia Medical) was associated with lower pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), fewer symptoms, and greater quality of life and exercise capacity in patients with heart failure (HF) and midrange or preserved ejection fraction (EF ≥40%). We conducted the first randomized sham-controlled trial to evaluate the IASD in HF with EF ≥40%.

METHODS

REDUCE LAP-HF I (Reduce Elevated Left Atrial Pressure in Patients With Heart Failure) was a phase 2, randomized, parallel-group, blinded multicenter trial in patients with New York Heart Association class III or ambulatory class IV HF, EF ≥40%, exercise PCWP ≥25 mm Hg, and PCWP-right atrial pressure gradient ≥5 mm Hg. Participants were randomized (1:1) to the IASD versus a sham procedure (femoral venous access with intracardiac echocardiography but no IASD placement). The participants and investigators assessing the participants during follow-up were blinded to treatment assignment. The primary effectiveness end point was exercise PCWP at 1 month. The primary safety end point was major adverse cardiac, cerebrovascular, and renal events at 1 month. PCWP during exercise was compared between treatment groups using a mixed-effects repeated measures model analysis of covariance that included data from all available stages of exercise.

RESULTS

A total of 94 patients were enrolled, of whom 44 met inclusion/exclusion criteria and were randomized to the IASD (n=22) and control (n=22) groups. Mean age was 70±9 years, and 50% were female. At 1 month, the IASD resulted in a greater reduction in PCWP compared with sham control (P=0.028 accounting for all stages of exercise). Peak PCWP decreased by 3.5±6.4 mm Hg in the treatment group versus 0.5±5.0 mm Hg in the control group (P=0.14). There were no peri-procedural or 1-month major adverse cardiac, cerebrovascular, and renal events in the IASD group and 1 event (worsening renal function) in the control group (P=1.0).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with HF and EF ≥40%, IASD treatment reduces PCWP during exercise. Whether this mechanistic effect will translate into sustained improvements in symptoms and outcomes requires further evaluation.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02600234.

A Practical Approach to the Identification and Management of Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Heart Failure Patients

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is a major health problem affecting much of the general population. Although SDB is responsible for rapid progression of heart failure (HF) and the worsening morbidity and mortality, advanced HF state is associated with accelerated development of SDB. In the face of recent developments in SDB treatment and availability of effective therapeutic options known to improve quality of life, exercise tolerance, and heart function, most HF patients with SDB are left unrecognized and untreated. This article provides an overview of SDB in HF with focus on practical approaches intended to facilitate screening and treatment.