Defibrillator Implantation in Patients with Nonischemic Systolic Heart Failure

BACKGROUND

The benefit of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) in patients with symptomatic systolic heart failure caused by coronary artery disease has been well documented. However, the evidence for a benefit of prophylactic ICDs in patients with systolic heart failure that is not due to coronary artery disease has been based primarily on subgroup analyses. The management of heart failure has improved since the landmark ICD trials, and many patients now receive cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).

METHODS

In a randomized, controlled trial, 556 patients with symptomatic systolic heart failure (left ventricular ejection fraction, ≤35%) not caused by coronary artery disease were assigned to receive an ICD, and 560 patients were assigned to receive usual clinical care (control group). In both groups, 58% of the patients received CRT. The primary outcome of the trial was death from any cause. The secondary outcomes were sudden cardiac death and cardiovascular death.

RESULTS

After a median follow-up period of 67.6 months, the primary outcome had occurred in 120 patients (21.6%) in the ICD group and in 131 patients (23.4%) in the control group (hazard ratio, 0.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.68 to 1.12; P=0.28). Sudden cardiac death occurred in 24 patients (4.3%) in the ICD group and in 46 patients (8.2%) in the control group (hazard ratio, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.31 to 0.82; P=0.005). Device infection occurred in 27 patients (4.9%) in the ICD group and in 20 patients (3.6%) in the control group (P=0.29).

CONCLUSIONS

In this trial, prophylactic ICD implantation in patients with symptomatic systolic heart failure not caused by coronary artery disease was not associated with a significantly lower long-term rate of death from any cause than was usual clinical care. (Funded by Medtronic and others; DANISH ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00542945 .).

Microaxial Flow Pump or Standard Care in Infarct-Related Cardiogenic Shock

BACKGROUND

The effects of temporary mechanical circulatory support with a microaxial flow pump on mortality among patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock remains unclear.

METHODS

In an international, multicenter, randomized trial, we assigned patients with STEMI and cardiogenic shock to receive a microaxial flow pump (Impella CP) plus standard care or standard care alone. The primary end point was death from any cause at 180 days. A composite safety end point was severe bleeding, limb ischemia, hemolysis, device failure, or worsening aortic regurgitation.

RESULTS

A total of 360 patients underwent randomization, of whom 355 were included in the final analysis (179 in the microaxial-flow-pump group and 176 in the standard-care group). The median age of the patients was 67 years, and 79.2% were men. Death from any cause occurred in 82 of 179 patients (45.8%) in the microaxial-flow-pump group and in 103 of 176 patients (58.5%) in the standard-care group (hazard ratio, 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.55 to 0.99; P = 0.04). A composite safety end-point event occurred in 43 patients (24.0%) in the microaxial-flow-pump group and in 11 (6.2%) in the standard-care group (relative risk, 4.74; 95% CI, 2.36 to 9.55). Renal-replacement therapy was administered to 75 patients (41.9%) in the microaxial-flow-pump group and to 47 patients (26.7%) in the standard-care group (relative risk, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.27 to 3.09).

CONCLUSIONS

The routine use of a microaxial flow pump with standard care in the treatment of patients with STEMI-related cardiogenic shock led to a lower risk of death from any cause at 180 days than standard care alone. The incidence of a composite of adverse events was higher with the use of the microaxial flow pump. (Funded by the Danish Heart Foundation and Abiomed; DanGer Shock ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01633502.).

Rationale and design of DanGer shock: Danish-German cardiogenic shock trial

OBJECTIVE

The DanGer Shock trial test the hypothesis that left ventricular (LV) mechanical circulatory support with Impella CP transvalvular microaxial flow pump improves survival in patients with ST segment elevation acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock (AMICS) compared to conventional guideline-driven treatment. This paper describes the rationale and design of the randomized trial, in addition to the baseline characteristics of the population screened and enrolled so far.

METHODS

The DanGer Shock study is a prospective, multicenter, open-label trial in patients with AMICS randomized 1:1 to Impella CP or current guideline-driven therapy with planned enrollment of 360 patients. Patients comatose after out of hospital cardiac arrest are excluded. Eligible patients are randomized immediately following shock diagnosis. Among patients randomized to receive Impella CP, the device is placed prior to angioplasty. The primary endpoint is all-cause mortality at 180 days. Baseline characteristics of patients screened and randomized in the DanGer Shock as of June 2018 are compared with 2 contemporary AMICS studies.

RESULTS

As of end of June 2018, 314 patients were screened and 100 patients were randomized. Patients had median arterial lactate of 5.5 mmol/L (interquartile range 3.7-8.8 mmol/L), median systolic blood pressure of 76 mmHg (interquartile range 70-88 mmHg), and median LV ejection fraction of 20% (interquartile range 10%-30%).

CONCLUSION

The DanGer Shock trial will be the first adequately powered randomized trial to address whether mechanical circulatory LV support with Impella CP can improve survival in AMICS. Baseline characteristics of the first 100 randomized patients indicate a population in profound cardiogenic shock.

Age and Outcomes of Primary Prevention Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators in Patients With Nonischemic Systolic Heart Failure

BACKGROUND

The DANISH study (Danish Study to Assess the Efficacy of ICDs [Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators] in Patients With Non-Ischemic Systolic Heart Failure on Mortality) did not demonstrate an overall effect on all-cause mortality with ICD implantation. However, the prespecified subgroup analysis suggested a possible age-dependent association between ICD implantation and mortality with survival benefit seen only in the youngest patients. The nature of this relationship between age and outcome of a primary prevention ICD in patients with nonischemic systolic heart failure warrants further investigation.

METHODS

All 1116 patients from the DANISH study were included in this prespecified subgroup analysis. We assessed the relationship between ICD implantation and mortality by age, and an optimal age cutoff was estimated nonparametrically with selection impact curves. Modes of death were divided into sudden cardiac death and nonsudden death and compared between patients younger and older than this age cutoff with the use of χ² analysis.

RESULTS

Median age of the study population was 63 years (range, 21-84 years). There was a linearly decreasing relationship between ICD and mortality with age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.003-1.06; P=0.03). An optimal age cutoff for ICD implantation was present at ≤70 years. There was an association between reduced all-cause mortality and ICD in patients ≤70 years of age (HR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.51-0.96; P=0.03) but not in patients >70 years of age (HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.68-1.62; P=0.84). For patients ≤70 years old, the sudden cardiac death rate was 1.8 (95% CI, 1.3-2.5) and nonsudden death rate was 2.7 (95% CI, 2.1-3.5) events per 100 patient-years, whereas for patients >70 years old, the sudden cardiac death rate was 1.6 (95% CI, 0.8-3.2) and nonsudden death rate was 5.4 (95% CI, 3.7-7.8) events per 100 patient-years. This difference in modes of death between the 2 age groups was statistically significant (P=0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with systolic heart failure not caused by ischemic heart disease, the association between the ICD and survival decreased linearly with increasing age. In this study population, an age cutoff for ICD implantation at ≤70 years yielded the highest survival for the population as a whole.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00542945.

Cardiovascular and metabolic effects of 48-h glucagon-like peptide-1 infusion in compensated chronic patients with heart failure

The incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and its analogs are currently emerging as antidiabetic medications. GLP-1 improves left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in dogs with heart failure (HF) and in patients with acute myocardial infarction. We studied metabolic and cardiovascular effects of 48-h GLP-1 infusions in patients with congestive HF. In a randomized, double-blind crossover design, 20 patients without diabetes and with HF with ischemic heart disease, EF of 30 ± 2%, New York Heart Association II and III ( n = 14 and 6) received 48-h GLP-1 (0.7 pmol·kg−1·min−1) and placebo infusion. At 0 and 48 h, LVEF, diastolic function, tissue Doppler regional myocardial function, exercise testing, noninvasive cardiac output, and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were measured. Blood pressure, heart rate, and metabolic parameters were recorded. Fifteen patients completed the protocol. GLP-1 increased insulin (90 ± 17 pmol/l vs. 69 ± 12 pmol/l; P = 0.025) and lowered glucose levels (5.2 ± 0.1 mmol/l vs. 5.6 ± 0.1 mmol/l; P < 0.01). Heart rate (67 ± 2 beats/min vs. 65 ± 2 beats/min; P = 0.016) and diastolic blood pressure (71 ± 2 mmHg vs. 68 ± 2 mmHg; P = 0.008) increased during GLP-1 treatment. Cardiac index (1.5 ± 0.1 l·min−1·m−2 vs. 1.7 ± 0.2 l·min−1·m−2; P = 0.54) and LVEF (30 ± 2% vs. 30 ± 2%; P = 0.93), tissue Doppler indexes, body weight, and BNP remained unchanged. Hypoglycemic events related to GLP-1 treatment were observed in eight patients. GLP-1 infusion increased circulating insulin levels and reduced plasma glucose concentration but had no major cardiovascular effects in patients without diabetes but with compensated HF. The impact of minor increases in heart rate and diastolic blood pressure during GLP-1 infusion requires further studies. Hypoglycemia was frequent and calls for caution in patients without diabetes but with HF.

Prognostic implications of left ventricular myocardial work indices in cardiac amyloidosis

AIMS

Left ventricular (LV) myocardial work index (LVMWI) derived from pressure-strain analysis resembles a novel non-invasive method for LV function evaluation. LV global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) has proven beneficial for risk stratification in cardiac amyloidosis (CA) patients. This study aimed to evaluate the potential additive value of LVMWI for outcome prediction in CA patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We enrolled 100 CA patients in the period 2014-19 from Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark and Uppsala University Hospital, Sweden. All patients underwent comprehensive echocardiographic evaluation and were prospectively followed until censuring date on 31 March 2019 or death. During follow-up, we registered major adverse cardiac events (MACE) comprising heart failure requiring hospitalization and all-cause mortality. The median follow-up was 490 (228-895) days. During follow-up, a total of 42% of patients experienced MACE and 29% died. Patients with LVMWI <1043 mmHg% had higher MACE risk than patients with LVMWI >1043 mmHg% [hazard ratio (HR) 2.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2-4.3; P = 0.01]. Furthermore, patients with LVMWI <1039 mmHg% also had higher all-cause mortality risk than patients with LVMWI >1039 mmHg% (HR 2.6, 95% CI 1.2-5.5; P < 0.05). Moreover, the apical-to-basal segmental work ratio was a significant MACE and all-cause mortality predictor. By combining LVMWI and apical-to-basal segmental work ratio, we obtained an independent model for all-cause mortality prediction (high vs. low risk: HR 6.4, 95% CI 2.4-17.1; P < 0.0001). In contrast, LVGLS did not predict all-cause mortality.

CONCLUSION

LV myocardial work may be of prognostic value in CA patients by predicting both MACE and all-cause mortality.

Pathogenic RBM20-Variants Are Associated With a Severe Disease Expression in Male Patients With Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Background As pathogenic variants in the gene for RBM20 appear with a frequency of 6% among Danish patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), it was the aim to investigate the associated disease expression in affected families. Methods and Results Clinical investigations were routinely performed in DCM index-patients and their relatives. In addition, ≥76 recognized and likely DCM-genes were investigated. DNA-sequence-variants within RBM20 were considered suitable for genetic testing when they fulfilled the criteria of (1) being pathogenic according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics-classification, (2) appeared with an allele frequency of <1:10.000, and (3) segregated with DCM in ≥7 affected individuals. A total of 80 individuals from 15 families carried 5 different pathogenic RBM20-variants considered suitable for genetic testing. The penetrance was 66% (53/80) and age-dependent. Males were both significantly younger and had lower ejection fraction at diagnosis than females (age, 29±11 versus 48±12 years; P<0.01; ejection fraction, 29±13% versus 38±9%; P<0.01). Furthermore, 11 of 31 affected males needed a cardiac transplant while none of 22 affected females required this treatment ( P<0.001). Thirty percent of RBM20-carriers with DCM died suddenly or experienced severe ventricular arrhythmias although no adverse events were identified among healthy RBM20-carriers with a normal cardiac investigation. The event-free survival of male RBM20-carriers was significantly shorter compared with female carriers ( P<0.001). Conclusions The disease expression associated with pathogenic RBM20-variants was severe especially in males. The findings of the current study suggested that close clinical follow-up of RBM20-carriers is important which may ensure early detection of disease development and thereby improve management.

Evaluation of longitudinal myocardial deformation by 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography in heart transplant recipients: relation to coronary allograft vasculopathy

BACKGROUND

Coronary allograft vasculopathy (CAV) in heart transplant (HTx) recipients is characterized by diffuse affection of epicardial and intramyocardial coronary vessels. Despite significant CAV and anticipated affected myocardial function, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is often within the normal range, indicating the need of more sophisticated non-invasive methods to detect impaired myocardial function caused by CAV. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) represents a new echocardiographic measurement of systolic myocardial deformation. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relation between GLS measured by 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography and CAV in HTx patients.

METHODS

The study included 178 HTx patients and 20 healthy, age-matched individuals. All patients had an extensive echocardiographic evaluation and coronary angiography assessing CAV. CAV was classified according to International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation classification (CAV0-3).

RESULTS

CAV was seen in 38.8% of patients. Compared with controls (-20.6% ± 1.4%), GLS was significantly reduced according to the degree of CAV (CAV0, -16.7% ± 2.4%; CAV1, -15.2% ± 2.9%; CAV2-3, -14.0% ± 3.8%; controls, -20.6% ±1.4%; pTREND < 0.0001). In addition, we found decreasing peak systolic mitral annular velocities (pTREND = 0.0040), tissue-tracking values (pTREND = 0.0002), and LVEF according to CAV class (CAV0, 65.3% ± 5.4%; CAV2-3, 56.9% ± 11.7%; pTREND < 0.0001). The HTx population showed significant restrictive physiology compared with the control population, but no significant correlation was seen between CAV class and traditional diastolic parameters such as E/A ratio (pTREND = 0.38) or E-deceleration time (pTREND = 0.14).

CONCLUSIONS

In contrast to LVEF and conventional pulsed mitral Doppler flow parameters used in the CAV classification, GLS relates to the presence and degree of CAV. The present results suggest GLS as a new method to be included in the monitoring of graft function in relation to CAV.

Left Ventricular Pressure-Strain-Derived Myocardial Work at Rest and during Exercise in Patients with Cardiac Amyloidosis

BACKGROUND

Left ventricular pressure-strain-derived myocardial work index (LVMWI) is a novel, noninvasive method for left ventricular (LV) function evaluation in relation to LV pressure dynamics. LV global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) has proven benefit for diagnosis and risk stratification in patients with cardiac amyloidosis (CA), but LVGLS does not adjust for loading conditions. The aim of the present study was to characterize LVMWI at rest and during exercise in patients with CA.

METHODS

A total of 155 subjects were retrospectively included. These subjects comprised 100 patients with CA and 55 healthy control subjects. All patients had previously undergone comprehensive two-dimensional echocardiographic examinations at rest. Furthermore, a subgroup 27 patients with CA and 41 control subjects was examined using semisupine exercise stress echocardiography.

RESULTS

Patients with CA had significantly lower LVGLS, LVMWI, and LV myocardial work efficiency (LVMWE) than control subjects (P < .0001 for all). The reduction in LV myocardial performance was more pronounced in the basal segments, which led to significant alterations in the average apical-to-basal segmental ratios between patients with CA and control subjects (LVGLS, 2.6 [1.9 to 4.1] vs 1.3 [1.2 to 1.5]; LVMWI, 2.6 [1.7 to 3.8] vs 1.3 [1.1 to 1.5]; LVMWE, 1.1 [1.0 to 1.3] vs 1.0 [1.0 to 1.1]; P < .0001 for all). The average increase in LVMWI from rest to peak exercise was 1,974 mm Hg% (95% CI, 1,699 to 2,250 mm Hg%; P < .0001) in control subjects and 496 mm Hg% (95% CI, 156 to 835 mm Hg%; P < .01) in patients with CA. The absolute numeric LVGLS increase was 5.6% (95% CI, 3.9% to 7.3%; P < .0001) in control subjects and only 1.2% (95% CI, -0.9% to 3.3%; P = .26) in patients with CA (between groups, P < .0001) from rest to peak exercise. The LVMWI increase in patients with CA was mediated by improvement in the apical segments (P < .0001), whereas there was no significant LVMWI alterations in the midventricular or basal segments. LVMWE remained stable during exercise in control subjects (Δ -0.6%; 95% CI, -2.5% to 1.2%; P = .50) but decreased significantly in patients with CA (Δ -2.5%; 95% CI, -4.8% to -0.2%; P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with CA have significantly reduced magnitude of LVMWI compared with healthy control subjects. With exercise, the differences are even more pronounced. Even though LVMWI increased with exercise, LVMWE decreased, suggesting inefficient myocardial energy exploitation in patients with CA.

Mechanical circulatory support for refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a Danish nationwide multicenter study

Background

Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) with either extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or Impella has shown potential as a salvage therapy for patients with refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). The objective of this study was to describe the gradual implementation, survival and adherence to the national consensus with respect to use of MCS for OHCA in Denmark, and to identify factors associated with outcome.

Methods

This retrospective, observational cohort study included patients receiving MCS for OHCA at all tertiary cardiac arrest centers (n = 4) in Denmark between July 2011 and December 2020. Logistic regression and Kaplan–Meier survival analysis were used to determine association with outcome. Outcome was presented as survival to hospital discharge with good neurological outcome, 30-day survival and predictors of 30-day mortality.

Results

A total of 259 patients were included in the study. Thirty-day survival was 26%. Sixty-five (25%) survived to hospital discharge and a good neurological outcome (Glasgow–Pittsburgh Cerebral Performance Categories 1–2) was observed in 94% of these patients. Strict adherence to the national consensus showed a 30-day survival rate of 30% compared with 22% in patients violating one or more criteria. Adding criteria to the national consensus such as signs of life during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), pre-hospital low-flow < 100 min, pH > 6.8 and lactate < 15 mmol/L increased the survival rate to 48%, but would exclude 58% of the survivors from the current cohort. Logistic regression identified asystole (RR 1.36, 95% CI 1.18–1.57), pulseless electrical activity (RR 1.20, 95% CI 1.03–1.41), initial pH < 6.8 (RR 1.28, 95% CI 1.12–1.46) and lactate levels > 15 mmol/L (RR 1.16, 95% CI 1.16–1.53) as factors associated with increased risk of 30-day mortality. Patients presenting signs of life during CPR had reduced risk of 30-day mortality (RR 0.63, 95% CI 0.52–0.76).

Conclusions

A high survival rate with a good neurological outcome was observed in this Danish population of patients treated with MCS for OHCA. Stringent patient selection for MCS may produce higher survival rates but potentially withholds life-saving treatment in a significant proportion of survivors.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13054-021-03606-5.

Effect of Everolimus Initiation and Calcineurin Inhibitor Elimination on Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy in De Novo Heart Transplant Recipients

Background Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) limits survival after heart transplantation, and the effect of different immunosuppressive regimens on CAV is not fully understood. The randomized SCHEDULE trial (Scandinavian Heart Transplant Everolimus De Novo Study With Early Calcineurin Inhibitors Avoidance) evaluated whether initiation of the proliferation signal inhibitor everolimus and early cyclosporine elimination can reduce CAV development. Methods and Results The SCHEDULE trial was a multicenter Scandinavian trial, where 115 de novo heart transplantation recipients were randomized to everolimus with complete cyclosporine withdrawal 7 to 11 weeks after heart transplantation or standard cyclosporine-based immunosuppression. Seventy-six (66%) patients had matched intravascular ultrasound examinations at baseline and 12 and 36 months. Intravascular ultrasound analysis evaluated maximal intimal thickness, percent atheroma volume, and total atheroma volume. Qualitative plaque analysis using virtual histology assessed fibrous, fibrofatty, and calcified tissue as well as necrotic core. Serum inflammatory markers were measured in parallel. The everolimus group (n=37) demonstrated significantly reduced CAV progression as compared with the cyclosporine group (n=39) at 36 months (Δ maximal intimal thickness, 0.09±0.05 versus 0.15±0.16 mm [ P=0.03]; Δ percent atheroma volume, 5.3±2.8% versus 7.6±5.9% [ P=0.03]; and Δ total atheroma volume, 33.9±71.2 versus 54.2±96.0 mm³ [ P=0.34], respectively]. At 36 months the number of everolimus patients with rejection graded ≥2R was 15 (41%) as compared with 5 (13%) in the cyclosporine group ( P=0.01). Everolimus did not affect CAV morphology or immune marker activity during the follow-up period. Conclusions The SCHEDULE trial demonstrates that everolimus initiation and early cyclosporine elimination significantly reduces CAV progression at 12 months, and this beneficial effect is clearly sustained at 36 months. Clinical trial registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT01266148.

Rationale, design, and baseline characteristics of the DANish randomized, controlled, multicenter study to assess the efficacy of Implantable cardioverter defibrillators in patients with non-ischemic Systolic Heart failure on mortality (DANISH)

BACKGROUND

The effect of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in patients with symptomatic systolic heart failure (HF) caused by coronary artery disease is well documented. However, the effect of primary prophylactic ICDs in patients with systolic HF not due to coronary artery disease is much weaker. In addition, HF management has improved, since the landmark ICD trials and a large proportion of patients now receive cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) where the effect of ICD treatment is unknown.

METHODS

In the DANISH study, 1,116 patients with symptomatic systolic HF not caused by coronary artery disease have been randomized to receive an ICD or not, in addition to contemporary standard therapy. The primary outcome of the trial is time to all-cause death. Follow-up will continue until June 2016 with a median follow-up period of 5 years. Baseline characteristics show that enrolled patients are treated according to current guidelines. At baseline, 97% of patients received an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker, 92% received a β-blocker, 58% a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, and 58% were scheduled to receive CRT. Median age was 63 years (range, 21-84 years) at baseline, and 28% were women.

CONCLUSION

DANISH will provide pertinent information about the effect on all-cause mortality of a primary prophylactic ICD in patients with symptomatic systolic HF not caused by coronary artery disease on contemporary standard therapy including CRT.

Suppression of circulating free fatty acids with acipimox in chronic heart failure patients changes whole body metabolism but does not affect cardiac function

Circulating free fatty acids (FFAs) may worsen heart failure (HF) due to myocardial lipotoxicity and impaired energy generation. We studied cardiac and whole body effects of 28 days of suppression of circulating FFAs with acipimox in patients with chronic HF. In a randomized double-blind crossover design, 24 HF patients with ischemic heart disease [left ventricular ejection fraction: 26 ± 2%; New York Heart Association classes II ( n = 13) and III ( n = 5)] received 28 days of acipimox treatment (250 mg, 4 times/day) and placebo. Left ventricular ejection fraction, diastolic function, tissue-Doppler regional myocardial function, exercise capacity, noninvasive cardiac index, NH2-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP), and whole body metabolic parameters were measured. Eighteen patients were included for analysis. FFAs were reduced by 27% in the acipimox-treated group [acipimox vs. placebo ( day 28 − day 0): −0.10 ± 0.03 vs. +0.01 ± 0.03 mmol/l, P < 0.01]. Glucose and insulin levels did not change. Acipimox tended to increase glucose and decrease lipid utilization rates at the whole body level and significantly changed the effect of insulin on substrate utilization. The hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp M value did not differ. Global and regional myocardial function did not differ. Exercise capacity, cardiac index, systemic vascular resistance, and NT-pro-BNP were not affected by treatment. In conclusion, acipimox caused minor changes in whole body metabolism and decreased the FFA supply, but a long-term reduction in circulating FFAs with acipimox did not change systolic or diastolic cardiac function or exercise capacity in patients with HF.

Serial changes in longitudinal graft function and implications of acute cellular graft rejections during the first year after heart transplantation

AIMS

The aim of this prospective study was to use left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) as a non-invasive tool for the monitoring of graft function in relation to acute cellular rejection (ACR) during the first year after heart transplantation (HTX).

METHODS AND RESULTS

The study population consisted of 36 patients undergoing HTX from November 2010 until October 2013. Patients were followed by comprehensive echocardiography and biopsies at 2 weeks and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after HTX. ACRs were classified based on the ISHLT classification (0R-3R). Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of one or more episodes of biopsy proven ≥grade 2R ACR during follow-up. We found that LV-GLS and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) were significantly related to ACR burden in a linear regression model. The absolute difference in LV-GLS between patients in the ACR group (-14.4%) and patients in the ACR-free group (-16.8%) was -2.4% (P < 0.01) 12 months after HTX. In the ACR group, patients' LV-GLS did not improve between 1 and 12 months, whereas an improvement of -2.9% was seen in the ACR-free group in this period (P < 0.01). The two groups appeared not to differ in terms of diastolic Doppler parameters or LV ejection fraction, but TAPSE was 15.3 ± 2.8 mm in the ACR-free group vs. 13.2 ± 2.1 mm ACR group, P < 0.05, 12 months after HTX.

CONCLUSION

Gradual improvement of longitudinal LV and RV function was seen within the first year after HTX, but the degree of recovery was strongly influenced by ACR episodes.

Long-term Follow-up of the The Danish Study to Assess the Efficacy of ICDs in Patients with Non-ischemic Systolic Heart Failure on Mortality (DANISH)

Background: The Danish Study to Assess the Efficacy of Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators (ICDs) in Patients with Non-ischemic Systolic Heart Failure on Mortality (DANISH) found that primary-prevention ICD implantation was not associated with an overall survival benefit in patients with non-ischemic systolic heart failure during a median follow-up of 5.6 years, though there was a beneficial effect on all-cause mortality in patients ≤70 years. This study presents an additional four years of follow-up data from DANISH. Methods: In DANISH, 556 patients with non-ischemic systolic heart failure were randomized to receive an ICD and 560 to receive usual clinical care and followed until June 30, 2016. In this long-term follow-up study, patients were followed until May 18, 2020. Analyses were conducted for the overall population and according to age (≤70 and >70 years). Results: During a median follow-up of 9.5 years (25^th-75^th percentile, 7.9-10.9 years), 208/556 patients (37%) in the ICD group and 226/560 patients (40%) in the control group died. Compared with the control group, the ICD group did not have significantly lower all-cause mortality (HR 0.89 [95%CI,0.74-1.08]; P=0.24). In patients ≤70 years (n=829), all-cause mortality was lower in the ICD group than the control group (117/389 [30%] vs 158/440 [36%]; HR 0.78 [95%CI,0.61-0.99]; P=0.04), whereas in patients >70 years (n=287), all-cause mortality was not significantly different between the ICD and control group (91/167 [54%] vs 68/120 [57%]; HR 0.92 [95%CI,0.67-1.28]; P=0.75). Cardiovascular death showed similar trends (overall, 147/556 [26%] vs 164/560 [29%], HR 0.87 [95%CI,0,70-1.09], P=0.20; ≤70 years, 87/389 [22%] vs 122/440 [28%], HR 0.75 [95%CI,0.57-0.98], P=0.04; >70 years, 60/167 [36%] vs 42/120 [35%], HR 0.97 [95%CI,0.65-1.45], P=0.91). The ICD group had a significantly lower incidence of sudden cardiovascular death in the overall population (35/556 [6%] vs 57/560 [10%]; HR 0.60 [95%CI,0.40-0.92]; P=0.02) and in patients ≤70 years (19/389 [5%] vs 49/440 [11%]; HR 0.42 [95%CI,0.24-0.71]; P=0.0008), but not in patients >70 years (16/167 [10%] vs 8/120 [7%]; HR 1.34 [95%CI,0.56-3.19]; P=0.39). Conclusions: During a median follow-up of 9.5 years, ICD implantation did not provide an overall survival benefit in patients with non-ischemic systolic heart failure. In patients ≤70 years, ICD implantation was associated with a lower incidence of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular death, and sudden cardiovascular death. Clinical Trial Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00542945.

Beneficial Effects of Ketone Ester in Patients With Cardiogenic Shock: A Randomized, Controlled, Double-Blind Trial

BACKGROUND

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a life-threatening condition with sparse treatment options. The ketone body 3-hydroxybutyrate has favorable hemodynamic effects in patients with stable chronic heart failure. Yet, the hemodynamic effects of exogenous ketone ester (KE) in patients with CS remain unknown.

OBJECTIVES

The authors aimed to assess the hemodynamic effects of single-dose enteral treatment with KE in patients with CS.

METHODS

In a double-blind, crossover study, 12 patients with CS were randomized to an enteral bolus of KE and isocaloric, isovolumic placebo containing maltodextrin. Patients were assessed with pulmonary artery catheterization, arterial blood samples, echocardiography, and near-infrared spectroscopy for 3 hours following each intervention separated by a 3-hour washout period.

RESULTS

KE increased circulating 3-hydroxybutyrate (2.9 ± 0.3 mmol/L vs 0.2 ± 0.3 mmol/L, P < 0.001) and was associated with augmented cardiac output (area under the curve of relative change: 61 ± 22 L vs 1 ± 18 L, P = 0.044). Also, KE increased cardiac power output (0.07 W [95% CI: 0.01-0.14]; P = 0.037), mixed venous saturation (3 percentage points [95% CI: 1-5 percentage points]; P = 0.010), and forearm perfusion (3 percentage points [95% CI: 0-6 percentage points]; P = 0.026). Right (P = 0.048) and left (P = 0.017) ventricular filling pressures were reduced whereas heart rate and mean arterial and pulmonary arterial pressures remained similar. Left ventricular ejection fraction improved by 4 percentage points (95% CI: 2-6 percentage points; P = 0.005). Glucose levels decreased by 2.6 mmol/L (95% CI: -5.2 to 0.0; P = 0.047) whereas insulin levels remained unaltered.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with KE improved cardiac output, biventricular function, tissue oxygenation, and glycemic control in patients with CS (Treatment With the Ketone Body 3-hydroxybutyrate in Patients With Cardiogenic Shock [KETO-SHOCK1]; NCT04642768).

Myocardial Oxygen Consumption and Efficiency in Patients With Cardiac Amyloidosis

Background

This study evaluated myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO₂) and myocardial external efficiency (MEE) in patients with cardiac amyloidosis (CA). Furthermore, we compared MEE and MVO₂ in subjects with light chain amyloidosis versus transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis.

Methods and Results

The study population comprised 40 subjects: 25 patients with confirmed CA and 15 control subjects. All subjects underwent an ¹¹C‐acetate positron emission tomography. Furthermore, the CA patients underwent comprehensive echocardiography and right heart catheterization during a symptom‐limited, semi‐supine exercise test. MEE was calculated from ¹¹C‐acetate positron emission tomography as the ratio of left ventricular (LV) stroke work and the energy equivalent of MVO₂. Myocardial work efficiency was calculated as echocardiography‐derived work pressure product divided by three‐dimensional LV mass. CA patients had significantly lower LV‐ejection fraction (54±13% versus 63±4%, P<0.05) and LV‐global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) (12±4% versus 19±2%, P<0.0001) and a more restrictive filling pattern (E/e′‐ratio 18 [12–25] versus 8 [7–9], P<0.0001) than controls. MEE was severely reduced (13±5% versus 22±5%, P<0.0001) whereas total MVO₂ was higher (18±6 mL/min versus 13±3 mL/min, P<0.01) in CA patients than controls. MEE decreased with increasing New York Heart Association symptom burden (P<0.0001). We found a good relationship between MEE and peak exercise systolic performance (LVGLS: R²=0.60, P<0.0001; myocardial work efficiency: R²=0.48, P<0.0001; cardiac index: R²=0.52, P<0.0001) and between MEE and myocardial blood flow (R²=0.44, P<0.0001).

Conclusion

Myocardial oxidative metabolism is disturbed in CA patients with increased total MVO₂ and reduced MEE. MEE correlated significantly with echocardiographic derived systolic parameters such as myocardial work efficiency and LVGLS that might be used as surrogate MEE markers.

Noninvasive Detection of Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy by Stress Exercise Echocardiographic Assessment of Myocardial Deformation

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of noninvasive assessment of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) in heart-transplanted patients by exercise stress myocardial deformation and coronary flow reserve (CFR) assessment.

METHODS

Fifty-eight heart-transplanted patients underwent semisupine exercise echocardiography with assessment of left ventricular (LV) longitudinal myocardial deformation. CAV was assessed by coronary angiography and noninvasive CFR by (15)O-H2O positron emission tomographic imaging and Doppler echocardiography. Patients were divided into three groups on the basis of angiographic CAV: no CAV (n = 21), mild CAV (n = 19), and severe CAV (n = 18).

RESULTS

Patients with severe CAV had significantly lower LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) at rest (no CAV, -16 ± 2%; mild CAV, -15 ± 2%; severe CAV, -12 ± 4%; P < .001), failed to increase LV GLS during exercise (no CAV, -5.7 ± 2.0%; mild CAV, -3.3 ± 2.9%; severe CAV, -0.2 ± 2.8%; P < .0001), and had significantly lower echocardiographic coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) (no CAV, 3.2 ± 0.4; mild CAV, 2.7 ± 0.7; severe CAV, 1.8 ± 0.5; P < .0001) and PET CFR (no CAV, 3.4 ± 0.9; mild CAV, 3.1 ± 0.9; severe CAV, 1.9 ± 0.8; P < .0001). Furthermore, patients with mild CAV had significantly lower exercise LV GLS and echocardiographic CFVR than patients with no CAV. Exercise LV GLS, echocardiographic CFVR, and PET CFR were significantly correlated with the presence of severe CAV in a logistic regression model (LV GLS odds ratio, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.60-0.84; P < .0001; echocardiographic CFVR odds ratio: 0.06; 95% CI, 0.01-0.23; PET CFR odds ratio, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.07-0.46). This relation remained significant after adjustment for symptoms and time since transplantation.

CONCLUSIONS

Noninvasive assessment of LV longitudinal myocardial deformation during exercise is feasible and strongly associated with the presence and degree of CAV. Exercise stress myocardial deformation analysis, echocardiographic CFVR, or PET CFR may serve as a noninvasive model for the detection of CAV.

The DANish randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial in patients with chronic HEART failure (DANHEART): A 2 × 2 factorial trial of hydralazine-isosorbide dinitrate in patients with chronic heart failure (H-HeFT) and metformin in patients with chronic heart failure and diabetes or prediabetes (Met-HeFT)

OBJECTIVES

The DANHEART trial is a multicenter, randomized (1:1), parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in chronic heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). This investigator driven study will include 1500 HFrEF patients and test in a 2 × 2 factorial design: 1) if hydralazine-isosorbide dinitrate reduces the incidence of death and hospitalization with worsening heart failure vs. placebo (H-HeFT) and 2) if metformin reduces the incidence of death, worsening heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, and stroke vs. placebo in patients with diabetes or prediabetes (Met-HeFT).

METHODS

Symptomatic, optimally treated HFrEF patients with LVEF ≤40% are randomized to active vs. placebo treatment. Patients can be randomized in either both H-HeFT and Met-HeFT or to only one of these study arms. In this event-driven study, it is anticipated that 1300 patients should be included in H-HeFT and 1100 in Met-HeFT and followed for an average of 4 years.

RESULTS

As of May 2020, 296 patients have been randomized at 20 centers in Denmark.

CONCLUSION

The H-HeFT and Met-HeFT studies will yield new knowledge about the potential benefit and safety of 2 commonly prescribed drugs with limited randomized data in patients with HFrEF.