Inter-season training effects on cardiovascular health in American-style football players

BACKGROUND

Recent studies on American-style football (ASF) athletes raised questions about the impact of training on the cardiovascular phenotype, particularly among linemen players who engage mostly in static exercise during competition and who exhibit concentric cardiac remodeling, often considered maladaptive. We aimed to examine the cardiovascular adaptation to the inter-season mixed-team training program among ASF players.

METHODS

A prospective, longitudinal, cohort study was conducted among competitive male ASF players from the University of Montreal before and after an inter-season training, which lasted 7 months. This program includes, for all players, combined dynamic and static exercises. Clinical and echocardiographic examinations were performed at both steps. Left atrial (LA) and ventricular (LV) morphological and functional changes were assessed using a multiparametric echocardiographic approach (2D and 3D-echo, Doppler, and speckle tracking). Two-way ANOVA was performed to analyze the impacts of time and field position (linemen versus non-linemen).

RESULTS

Fifty-nine players (20 linemen and 39 non-linemen) were included. At baseline, linemen had higher blood pressure (65% were prehypertensive and 10% were hypertensive), thicker LV walls, lower LV systolic and diastolic functions, lower LA-reservoir and conduit functions than non-linemen. After training, linemen significantly reduced weight (Δ-3.4%, P < 0.001) and systolic blood pressure (Δ-4.5%, P < 0.001), whereas non-linemen maintained their weight and significantly increased their systolic (Δ+4.2%, P = 0.037) and diastolic (Δ+16%, P < 0.001) blood pressure ). Mixed training was associated with significant increases in 2D-LA volume (P < 0.001), 3D-LV end-diastolic volume (P < 0.001), 3D-LV mass (P < 0.001), and an improvement in LV systolic function, independently of the field position. Non-linemen remodeled their LV in a more concentric fashion and showed reductions in LV diastolic and LA reservoir functions.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study underscored the influence of field position on cardiovascular adaptation among university-level ASF players, and emphasized the potential of inter-season training to modulate cardiovascular risk factors, particularly among linemen.

Usefulness of sleep apnea monitoring by pacemaker sensor in elderly patients with diastolic dysfunction

BACKGROUND

Automated detection of sleep apnea (SA) by pacemaker (PM) has been proposed and exhibited good agreement with polysomnography to detect severe SA. We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of SA monitoring algorithm in elderly patients with diastolic dysfunction.

METHODS

Consecutive patients referred to the Caen University Hospital for PM implantation between May 2016 and December 2018 presenting isolated diastolic dysfunction were eligible for the study. The respiratory disturbance index (RDI) measured by the PM, and the mean monthly RDI (RDIm), were compared to the apnea hypopnea index (AHI) assessed with portable monitor for severe SA diagnosis.

RESULTS

During the study period, 68 patients were recruited, aged of 80.4 ± 8.2 years. 63 patients underwent polygraphy with a portable monitor: 57 presented SA (83.8%), including 16 with severe SA (23.5%). Eight were treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). We found the RDI cutoff value of 22 events/h to predict severe SA, with 71.4% sensitivity and 65.2%, specificity. The RDIm cutoff value to detect severe SA was 19 events/h, with a sensitivity of 60% and a specificity of 66%. There was a significant reduction in RDI (p = 0.041), RDIm (p = 0.039) and AHI (p = 0.002) after CPAP. Supraventricular arrhythmias were frequent in all patients, regardless of SA severity, considering either episodes occurrence or total burden.

CONCLUSION

In a population of elderly patients with PM and diastolic dysfunction, the SA monitoring algorithm was able to detect severe SA, with good diagnostic performance values, but also to provide follow-up data for the patients treated with CPAP.

Conduction system pacing in France in 2022: A snapshot survey from the Working Group of Pacing and Electrophysiology of the French Society of Cardiology

BACKGROUND

Conduction system pacing (CSP) is an emerging and promising approach for physiological ventricular pacing. While data from randomized controlled trials are scarce, use of His-bundle pacing (HBP) and left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) has increased in France.

AIM

To perform a national snapshot survey for cardiac electrophysiologists to evaluate adoption of CSP in France.

METHODS

An online survey, distributed to every senior cardiac electrophysiologist in France, was conducted in November 2022.

RESULTS

A total of 120 electrophysiologists completed the survey. Eighty-three (69%) respondents reported experience in undertaking CSP procedures and 27 (23%) were planning to start performing CSP in the coming 2 years. The implantation techniques and criteria used for successful implantation differed significantly among operators. The most frequent indications for HBP and LBBAP were high-degree atrioventricular block with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 40% (24 and 82%, respectively) or with LVEF ≥ 40% (27 and 74%, respectively), and after failure of a coronary sinus left ventricular lead (27 and 71%, respectively). The limitations respondents most frequently perceived when performing HBP were bad sensing/pacing parameters (45%), increased procedure duration (41%) and risk of lead dislodgement (30%). The most frequently perceived limitations to performing LBBAP were absence of guidelines or consensus (31%), lack of medical training (23%) and increased procedure duration (23%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our national survey-based study supports wide adoption of CSP in France. CSP is currently used as a second-line approach for both antibradycardia and resynchronization indications, with important variations regarding implantation techniques and criteria for measuring success.

Atrial fibrillation, cancer and anticancer drugs

Active cancer is associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), which varies depending on the pre-existing substrate (particularly in older patients), the cancer type and stage, and the anticancer therapeutics being taken. To date, studies have not been able to identify the individual contribution of each factor. During anticancer drug therapy, AF may occur with a frequency of ≈ 15-20% according to several factors, including the patient's baseline cardiovascular toxicity risk and the AF-detection strategies used. Many anticancer drugs have been associated with AF or AF reporting, both in terms of incident and recurrent AF, but robust data are lacking. Only bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor associated AF (mainly ibrutinib) has a high level of evidence, with a ≈ 3-4-fold higher risk of AF. AF in patients with active cancer is associated with a twofold higher risk of systemic thromboembolism or stroke, and the "TBIP" (Thromboembolic risk, Bleeding risk, drug-drug Interactions, Patient preferences) structured approach must be used to evaluate the need for anticoagulation therapy. AF in patients with active cancer is also associated with a sixfold higher risk of heart failure, and optimal symptom control must be targeted, usually with rate-control drugs (beta-blockers), but a rhythm-control strategy may be proposed in patients remaining symptomatic despite optimal rate-control. AF is generally manageable, with the continuation of anticancer drugs (including ibrutinib); interruption of cancer drugs must be avoided whenever possible and weighed against the risk of cancer progression.

Atrial Fibrillation Incidence Associated With Exposure to Anticancer Drugs Used as Monotherapy in Clinical Trials

Background

The incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) associated with anticancer drugs in cancer patients remains incompletely defined.

Objectives

The primary outcome was the annualized incidence rate of AF reporting associated with exposure to 1 of 19 anticancer drugs used as monotherapy in clinical trials. The authors also report the annualized incidence rate of AF reported in the placebo arms of these trials.

Methods

The authors systematically searched ClinicalTrials.gov for phase 2 and 3 cancer trials studying 19 different anticancer drugs of interest used as monotherapy, up to September 18, 2020. The authors performed a random-effects meta-analysis to compute summary AF annualized incidence rate with its 95% CI using log transformation and inverse variance weighting.

Results

A total of 191 clinical trials (47.1% were randomized) of 16 anticancer drugs across 26,604 patients were included. Incidence rates could be calculated for 15 drugs administered singly as monotherapy. Summary annualized incidence rates of AF reporting associated with exposure to 1 of the 15 anticancer drugs used as monotherapy were derived; these ranged from 0.26 to 4.92 per 100 person-years. The 3 highest annualized incidence rates of AF reporting were found for ibrutinib 4.92 (95% CI: 2.91-8.31), clofarabine 2.38 (95% CI: 0.66-8.55), and ponatinib 2.35 (95% CI: 1.78-3.12) per 100 person-years. Summary annualized incidence rate of AF reporting in the placebo arms was 0.25 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 0.10-0.65).

Conclusions

AF reporting is not a rare event associated with anticancer drugs in clinical trials. A systematic and standardized AF detection should be considered in oncological trials, particularly those studying anticancer drugs associated with high AF rates. (Incidence of atrial fibrillation associated with anticancer drugs exposure in monotherapy, A safety meta-analysis of phase 2 and 3 clinical trials; CRD42020223710).

Insertable cardiac monitor with a long sensing vector: Impact of obesity on sensing quality and safety

Background

Fat layers in obese patients can impair R-wave detection and diagnostic performance of a subcutaneous insertable cardiac monitor (ICM). We compared safety and ICM sensing quality between obese patients [body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m²] and normal-weight controls (BMI <30 kg/m²) in terms of R-wave amplitude and time in noise mode (noise burden) detected by a long-sensing-vector ICM.

Materials and methods

Patients from two multicentre, non-randomized clinical registries are included in the present analysis on January 31, 2022 (data freeze), if the follow-up period was at least 90 days after ICM insertion, including daily remote monitoring. The R-wave amplitudes and daily noise burden averaged intraindividually for days 61-90 and days 1-90, respectively, were compared between obese patients (n = 104) and unmatched (n = 268) and a nearest-neighbour propensity score (PS) matched (n = 69) normal-weight controls.

Results

The average R-wave amplitude was significantly lower in obese (median 0.46 mV) than in normal-weight unmatched (0.70 mV, P < 0.0001) or PS-matched (0.60 mV, P = 0.003) patients. The median noise burden was 1.0% in obese patients, which was not significantly higher than in unmatched (0.7%; P = 0.056) or PS-matched (0.8%; P = 0.133) controls. The rate of adverse device effects during the first 90 days did not differ significantly between groups.

Conclusion

Although increased BMI was associated with reduced signal amplitude, also in obese patients the median R-wave amplitude was >0.3 mV, a value which is generally accepted as the minimum level for adequate R-wave detection. The noise burden and adverse event rates did not differ significantly between obese and normal-weight patients.Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT04075084 and NCT04198220.

Left atrial strain quantified after myocardial infarction is associated with early left ventricular remodeling

BACKGROUND

Left ventricular remodeling (LVR) is common and associated with adverse outcome after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We aimed to investigate the association between left atrial (LA) mechanical function using speckle tracking imaging and early LVR at follow-up in STEMI patients.

METHODS

Baseline 3D thoracic echocardiograms were performed within 48 h following admission and at a median follow-up of 7 months after STEMI. A > 20% increase in the left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic volume compared to baseline at follow-up was defined as LVR. LA global longitudinal strain was evaluated for the reservoir, conduit, and contraction (LASct) phases.

RESULTS

A total of 121 patients without clinical heart failure (HF) were prospectively included, between June 2015 and October 2018 (age 58.3 ± 12.5 years, male 98 (81%)). Baseline and follow-up LV ejection fraction (LVEF) were 46.8% [41.0, 52.9] and 52.1% [45.8, 57.0] respectively (p < .001). Compared to other patients, those with LVR had significantly lower values of LASct at baseline (-7.4% [-10.1, -6.5] vs. -9.9% [-12.8, -8.1], p < .01), both on univariate and baseline LV volumes-adjusted analyses. Baseline LA strain for reservoir and conduit phases were not associated with significant LVR at follow-up. Intra- and interobserver analysis showed good reproducibility of LA strain.

CONCLUSIONS

Baseline LASct may help identifying patients without HF after STEMI who are at higher risk of further early LVR and subsequent HF and who may benefit from more intensive management.

Recurrent acute myocarditis: An under-recognized clinical entity associated with the later diagnosis of a genetic arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy

Background

Myocardial inflammation has been consistently associated with genetic arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) and it has been hypothesized that episodes mimicking acute myocarditis (AM) could represent early inflammatory phases of the disease.

Objective

We evaluated the temporal association between recurrent acute myocarditis (RAM) episodes and the later diagnosis of a genetic ACM.

Materials and methods

Between January 2012 and December 2021, patients with RAM and no previous cardiomyopathy were included (Recurrent Acute Myocarditis Registry, NCT04589156). A follow-up visit including clinical evaluation, resting and stress electrocardiogram, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and genetic testing was carried out. Endpoints of the study was the incidence of both ACM diagnosis criteria and ACM genetic mutation at the end of follow-up.

Results

Twenty-one patients with RAM were included and follow-up was completed in 19/21 patients (90%). At the end of follow-up, 3.3 ± 2.9 years after the last AM episode, 14/21 (67%) patients with an ACM phenotype (biventricular: 10/14, 71%; left ventricular: 4/14, 29%) underwent genetic testing. A pathogenic or likely pathogenic mutation was found in 8/14 patients (57%), 5/8 in the Desmoplakin gene, 2/8 in the Plakophillin-2 gene, and 1/8 in the Titin gene. Family history of cardiomyopathy or early sudden cardiac death had a positive predictive value of 88% for the presence of an underlying genetic mutation in patients with RAM.

Conclusion

RAM is a rare entity associated with the latter diagnosis of an ACM genetic mutation in more than a third of the cases. In those patients, RAM episodes represent early inflammatory phases of the disease. Including RAM episodes in ACM diagnosis criteria might allow early diagnosis and potential therapeutic interventions.

A telemonitoring programme in patients with heart failure in France: a cost-utility analysis

BACKGROUND

Certain telemedicine programmes for heart failure (HF) have been shown to reduce all-cause mortality and heart failure-related hospitalisations, but their cost-effectiveness remains controversial. The SCAD programme is a home-based interactive telemonitoring service for HF, which is one of the largest and longest-running telemonitoring programmes for HF in France. The objective of this cost-utility analysis was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the SCAD programme with respect to standard hospital-based care in patients with HF.

METHODS

A Markov model simulating hospitalisations and mortality in patients with HF was constructed to estimate outcomes and costs. The model included six distinct health states (three 'not hospitalised' states, two 'hospitalisation for heart failure' states, both depending on the number of previous hospitalisations, and one death state). The model lifetime in the base case was 10 years. Model inputs were based on published literature. Outputs (costs and QALYs) were compared between SCAD participants and standard care. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to assess uncertainty in the input parameters of the model.

RESULTS

The number of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) was 3.75 in the standard care setting and 4.41 in the SCAD setting. This corresponds to a gain in QALYs provided by the SCAD programme of 0.65 over the 10 years lifetime of the model. The estimated total cost was €30,932 in the standard care setting and €35,177 in the SCAD setting, with an incremental cost of €4245. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) for the SCAD programme over standard care was estimated at €4579/QALY. In the deterministic sensitivity analysis, the variables that had the most impact on the ICER were HF management costs. The likelihood of the SCAD programme being considered cost-effective was 90% at a willingness-to-pay threshold of €11,800.

CONCLUSIONS

Enrolment of patients into the SCAD programme is highly cost-effective. Extension of the programme to other hospitals and more patients would have a limited budget impact but provide important clinical benefits. This finding should also be taken into account in new public health policies aimed at encouraging a shift from inpatient to ambulatory care.

Age impacts left atrial functional remodeling in athletes

Aim

Age-associated changes in cardiac filling and function are well known in the general population. Yet, the effect of aging on left atrial (LA) function, and its interaction with left ventricular (LV) adaptation, remain less described when combined with high-intensity chronic training. We aimed to analyze the effects of aging on LA and LV functions in trained athletes.

Methods and results

Ninety-five healthy highly-trained athletes referred for resting echocardiography were included. Two groups of athletes were retrospectively defined based on age: young athletes aged <35 years (n = 54), and master athletes aged ≥35 years (n = 41). All subjects were questioned about their sports practice. Echocardiographic analysis of LV systolic and diastolic functions (2D-echo, 3D-echo, and Doppler), as well as LA 2D dimensions and phasic deformations assessed by speckle tracking, were analyzed. Master athletes (mean age = 46.3 ± 8.3 years, mean duration of sustained training = 13.7 ± 8.9 years) exhibited significantly stiffer LV and LA with reduced LV early diastolic functional parameters (ratio E/A, peak e’, and ratio e’/a’), LA reservoir and conduit strain, whereas LA volume, LA contractile strain and LV peak a’ were higher, compared to young athletes. Multivariate regression analysis confirmed that age was predictive of peak e’, LA reservoir strain and LA conduit strain, independently of training variables. LA phasic strains were strongly associated with LV diastolic function.

Conclusions

Regardless of chronic sports practice, master athletes exhibited age-related changes in LA function closely coupled to LV diastolic properties, which led to LV filling shifts to late diastole.

Impact of patient engagement in a French telemonitoring programme for heart failure on hospitalization and mortality

AIMS

Management of patients with recently decompensated heart failure by hospital services is expensive, complicated to plan, and not always effective. Telemedicine programmes in heart failure may improve the quality of care, but their effectiveness is poorly documented in real-world settings. The study aims to evaluate the impact of patient engagement in home-based telemonitoring for heart failure (SCAD programme) on rehospitalization and mortality rates.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A retrospective observational study was performed in 659 SCAD participants. SCAD is a patient-oriented service of home-based interactive telemonitoring offered to heart failure patients during hospitalization who agree to participate in a therapeutic education programme. Patients were telemonitored for at least 3 months, and rehospitalization and mortality were documented at 12 months and 5 years. During the telemonitoring period, patients provided daily information on health and lifestyle through an internet-based interface. Data were linked on a patient-by-patient basis between the SCAD database and the French national health insurance database (Système National des Données de Santé). Outcomes were compared as a function of use of the programme. Low, intermediate, and high users were classified by tercile of data return during telemonitoring. Patients were followed for a median of 32.9 months. Rehospitalization rates for cardiovascular disease decreased from 79.4% in the year preceding enrolment to 41.1% in the following year and from 52.8% to 18.8% for hospitalizations for heart failure. The 12 month mortality rate was 11.2%. Significant associations were observed between level of use of the SCAD programme and all-cause rehospitalization (P = 0.0085), rehospitalization for cardiovascular disease (P = 0.0010), rehospitalization for heart failure (27.8% in low users, 12.9% in intermediate users, and 13.5% in high users; P < 0.0001), and mortality (26.8%, 15.2%, and 15.9% respectively; P = 0.0157) in the 12 months following enrolment. The mean number of days alive outside hospital were 279 ± 111 in low users, 312 ± 90 in intermediate users, and 304 ± 100 in high users (P = 0.0022).

CONCLUSIONS

Educational home telemonitoring of patients with heart failure following hospitalization provides long-term clinical benefits in terms of rehospitalization and death in real-world settings, according to the level of use of the programme by the patient. These benefits would be expected to have a major impact on the burden of this disease. Low engagement in telemonitoring could be used as a signal of poor prognosis and taken into account in the management strategy.

Is plasma concentration of coenzyme Q10 a predictive marker for left ventricular remodelling after revascularization for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction?

BACKGROUND

Left ventricular remodelling that frequently occurs after acute myocardial infarction is associated with an increased risk of heart failure and cardiovascular death. Although several risk factors have been identified, there is still no marker in clinical use to predict left ventricular remodelling. Plasma concentration of coenzyme Q10, which plays a key role in mitochondrial energy production and as an antioxidant, seems to be negatively correlated with left ventricular function after acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of our study was to determine whether the plasma coenzyme Q10 baseline concentrations at time of the ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) could predict left ventricular remodelling at six months' follow-up.

METHODS

Sixty-eight patients who were admitted to hospital for STEMI and successfully revascularized with primary percutaneous coronary intervention were recruited. All patients underwent a 3D-echocardiography examination within the first four days after percutaneous coronary intervention and six months later then divided into two groups based on the presence or not of left ventricular remodelling. Plasma coenzyme Q10 concentration at the time of percutaneous coronary intervention was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

While we found similar plasma coenzyme Q10 concentrations compared with other studies, no association was evidenced between coenzyme Q10 concentrations and left ventricular remodelling (P = 0.89).

CONCLUSION

We found no evidence for using plasma coenzyme Q10 concentration as an early prediction marker of left ventricular remodelling after STEMI.

TRPM4 Participates in Aldosterone-Salt-Induced Electrical Atrial Remodeling in Mice

Aldosterone plays a major role in atrial structural and electrical remodeling, in particular through Ca2+-transient perturbations and shortening of the action potential. The Ca2+-activated non-selective cation channel Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 4 (TRPM4) participates in atrial action potential. The aim of our study was to elucidate the interactions between aldosterone and TRPM4 in atrial remodeling and arrhythmias susceptibility. Hyperaldosteronemia, combined with a high salt diet, was induced in mice by subcutaneously implanted osmotic pumps during 4 weeks, delivering aldosterone or physiological serum for control animals. The experiments were conducted in wild type animals (Trpm4+/+) as well as Trpm4 knock-out animals (Trpm4-/-). The atrial diameter measured by echocardiography was higher in Trpm4-/- compared to Trpm4+/+ animals, and hyperaldosteronemia-salt produced a dilatation in both groups. Action potentials duration and triggered arrhythmias were measured using intracellular microelectrodes on the isolated left atrium. Hyperaldosteronemia-salt prolong action potential in Trpm4-/- mice but had no effect on Trpm4+/+ mice. In the control group (no aldosterone-salt treatment), no triggered arrythmias were recorded in Trpm4+/+ mice, but a high level was detected in Trpm4-/- mice. Hyperaldosteronemia-salt enhanced the occurrence of arrhythmias (early as well as delayed-afterdepolarization) in Trpm4+/+ mice but decreased it in Trpm4-/- animals. Atrial connexin43 immunolabelling indicated their disorganization at the intercalated disks and a redistribution at the lateral side induced by hyperaldosteronemia-salt but also by Trpm4 disruption. In addition, hyperaldosteronemia-salt produced pronounced atrial endothelial thickening in both groups. Altogether, our results indicated that hyperaldosteronemia-salt and TRPM4 participate in atrial electrical and structural remodeling. It appears that TRPM4 is involved in aldosterone-induced atrial action potential shortening. In addition, TRPM4 may promote aldosterone-induced atrial arrhythmias, however, the underlying mechanisms remain to be explored.

Association Between Use of Anticancer Drugs and Cardiovascular Disease-Related Hospitalization in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Insights From a Population-Based Study, the Anticancer Vigilance of Cardiac Events Study

We aimed to investigate the association between use of anticancer drugs and cardiovascular-related hospitalization (CVRH) among patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). A cohort study, the Anticancer Vigilance of Cardiac Events (AVOCETTE) Study, was conducted using data from the digestive tumor registry of a French county, the Département du Calvados. Incident mCRC cases diagnosed between 2008 and 2014 were included. The follow-up end date was December 31, 2016. Data from the county hospital center pharmacy and medical information departments were matched with the registry data. A competing-risks approach was used. Statistical tests were 2-sided. A total of 1,116 mCRC patients were included, and they were administered 12,374 rounds of treatment; fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, irinotecan, and bevacizumab were most common drugs used. A total of 208 CVRH events occurred in 145 patients (13.0%). The International Cancer Survival Standards type 1 standardized incidence was 84.0 CVRH per 1,000 person-years (95% confidence interval: 72.6, 95.5). Anticancer drugs were not associated with a higher incidence of CVRH. Male sex, increasing age, a prior history of CVRH, and a higher Charlson comorbidity index score were associated with a higher incidence of CVRH. CVRH was significantly associated with higher all-cause mortality (multivariable hazard ratio = 1.58, 95% confidence interval: 1.28, 1.95). In this study, anticancer drugs were not associated with a higher incidence of CVRH in mCRC patients.

Impaired left atrial function in adults and adolescents with corrected aortic coarctation

This study examined the left atrial (LA) function using two-dimensional (2D) strain analysis after aortic coarctation (CoA) repair, as well as relationships between LA function and patient characteristics, especially aortic arch anatomy. 56 patients (34 males, age: 31 ± 16 years) with CoA repair (46 post 'end-to-end anastomosis/subclavian flap') and 56 controls were studied. 2D strain imaging was performed to assess left ventricular (LV) and LA functions including peak-positive LA strain, early and late diastolic LA strains, and global longitudinal (LV-GLS) and circumferential (LV-GCS) strains. LA dysfunction (LAD) was defined as a peak-positive LA strain value lower than the mean value of the control group minus 2 SDs. Peak-positive LA strain, early and late diastolic LA strains, and LV-GLS were significantly lower in the CoA group while LV-GCS did not differ. No significant correlation was found between LA strain and either current age, age at initial repair, or blood pressure; Ea and LV-GLS were moderately correlated to peak-positive LA strain (r = 0.49, p < 0.001 and r =  - 0.55, p < 0.001, respectively). 23 CoA patients (41%) presented LAD (abnormal peak-positive LA strain < 25%). Among patients who underwent end-to-end anastomosis/subclavian flap, those with a non-romanesque aortic arch anatomy exhibited a significantly lower peak-positive LA strain. Ischemic stroke and atrial arrhythmia were more frequent in CoA patients with LAD. Our findings suggest that LAD may be prevalent late after CoA repair. Postoperative aortic arch anatomy may impact peak-positive LA strain.

Definition of left ventricular remodelling following ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a systematic review of cardiac magnetic resonance studies

Background/Introduction

An increase in left ventricular volumes between baseline and follow-up imaging is the main criteria for the quantification of left ventricular remodeling after ST-elevation myocardial infarction, but without consensual definition.

Purpose

We aimed to review the criterion used for the definition of left ventricular remodeling based on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in studies including patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted using MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library from January 2010 to August 2019. Thirty-seven studies involving a total of 4209 patients were included.

Results

The median age of the patients was 59 years, 82% were male, and 93% underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention. The median follow-up duration was 6 months (range, 3–12), and the second cardiac magnetic resonance session was performed at 6 months in 14 (38%) studies. Among these studies, 30 (81%) used a cut-off value for defining left ventricular remodeling, with a pooled left ventricular remodeling prevalence estimate of 22.8%, 95%-CI[19.4%-26.7%], and a major between-study heterogeneity (I2=82%). The seven remaining studies (19%) defined left ventricular remodeling as a continuous variable. A 20% increase in end-diastolic volumes or a 15% increase in end-systolic volumes between a baseline and a follow-up cardiac magnetic resonance imaging were the two most common criterion (13 [35%] and 9 [24%] studies, respectively). Seven studies used both end-diastolic and end-systolic vleft ventricular volumes.

Conclusion(s)

The definition of left ventricular remodeling using cardiac magnetic resonance following ST-elevation myocardial infarction is highly variable, among studies including highly selected patients. The most frequent left ventricular remodeling criterion were a 20% increase in end-diastolic volumes or a 15% increase in end-systolic volumes. A composite cut-off value of a 12% to 15% increase in end-systolic volume and a 12% to 20% increase in end-diastolic volume using a follow-up cardiac magnetic resonance imaging 1 to 3 months after myocardial infarction might be proposed as a consensual cut-off for defining adverse left ventricular remodeling for future large-sized, prospective studies with serial cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and long-term follow-up in unselected patients.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Non-invasive hemodynamic determination of patient-specific optimal pacing mode in cardiac resynchronization therapy

PURPOSE

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices have multiple programmable pacing parameters. The purpose of this study was to determine the best pacing mode, i.e., associated with the greatest acute hemodynamic response, in each patient.

METHODS

Patients in sinus rhythm and intact atrioventricular conduction were included within 3 months of implantation of devices featuring SyncAV and multipoint pacing (MPP) algorithms. The effect of nominal biventricular pacing using the latest activated electrode (BiV-Late), optimized atrioventricular delay (AVD), nominal and optimized SyncAV, and anatomical MPP was determined by non-invasive measurement of systolic blood pressure (SBP). CRT response was defined as SBP increase > 10% relative to baseline.

RESULTS

Thirty patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) were included. BiV-Late increased SBP compared to intrinsic rhythm (128 ± 21 mmHg vs. 121 ± 22 mmHg, p = 0.0002). The best pacing mode further increased SBP to 140 ± 19 mmHg (p < 0.0001 vs. BiV-Late). The proportion of CRT responders increased from 40% with BiV-Late to 80% with the best pacing mode (p = 0.0005). Compared to BiV-Late, optimized AVD and optimized SyncAV increased SBP (to 134 ± 21 mmHg, p = 0.004, and 133 ± 20 mmHg, p = 0.0003, respectively), but nominal SyncAV and MPP did not. The best pacing mode was variable between patients and was different from nominal BiV-Late in 28 (93%) patients. Optimized AVD was the most frequent best mode, in 14 (47%) patients.

CONCLUSION

In patients with LBBB, the best pacing mode was patient-specific and doubled the magnitude of acute hemodynamic response and the proportion of acute CRT responders compared to nominal BiV-Late pacing.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov : NCT03779802.

Left atrial strain is associated with left ventricular remodeling in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction

Background/Introduction

Left ventricular remodeling (LVR) remains common and is associated with outcomes in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Left atrial (LA) volume has been described as a predictor of outcomes in the latter population.

Purpose

To investigate the association between LA mechanical function using speckle tracking imaging and LVR at follow-up in STEMI patients.

Methods

Baseline 3D transthoracic echocardiograms were performed in 121 STEMI patients. LA global longitudinal strain was reported separately for the reservoir (LASr), conduit (LAScd), and contraction (LASct) phases. Follow-up echocardiograms were performed at 6 months.

Results

Mean age was 58.3±12.5 years and 98 (81%) were men. Baseline left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 46.8% [41.0, 52.9] and significantly improved to 52.1% [45.8, 57.0] at follow-up, (p&lt;0.001). A lower LASct was associated with a significant dilation of left ventricle at follow-up (%end-diastolic volume increase: −1.9% [−11.0, 15.2] in the two higher LASct tertiles group vs. 19.2% [5.0, 34.3] in the lower LASct tertile group, p=0.001). A higher %end-systolic volume increase at follow-up was associated with lower LASct as well: 12.6% [−16.2, 39.8] in the lower LASct group vs. −6.8% [−23.6, 14.4] in the two higher LASct tertiles group (p=0.004). Regarding LVEF, a low LVEF at follow-up was associated with the worst tertile of all LA strains (LASr, p=0.002; LAScd, p=0.01 and LASct, p=0.01).

Conclusion(s)

The three components of baseline LA strain were associated with LVEF at follow-up in patients with STEMI. Some of these components were also significantly associated with lower LVEF at baseline or predictive of a significant increase in left ventricular volumes during follow-up, indicating LVR.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Atrial fibrillation detection by the subcutaneous defibrillator: real-world clinical performances and implications from a multicentre study

AIMS

No data exist concerning the clinical performances of the subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) atrial fibrillation (AF) detection algorithm. We aimed to study the performances and implications of the latter in a 'real-world' setting.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Between July 2017 and August 2019, 155 consecutive S-ICD recipients were included. Endpoint of the study was the incidence of de novo or recurrent AF using a combined on-site and remote-monitoring follow-up approach. After a mean follow-up of 13 ± 8 months, 2531 AF alerts were generated for 55 patients. A blinded analysis of the 1950 subcutaneous electrocardiograms available was performed. Among them 47% were true AF, 23% were premature atrial contractions or non-sustained AF, 29% were premature ventricular contractions or non-sustained ventricular tachycardia, and 1% were misdetection. Fourteen percent (21/155) patients had at least one correct diagnosis of AF by the S-ICD algorithm. One patient presented symptomatic paroxysmal AF not diagnosed by the S-ICD algorithm (false negative patient). Patient-based sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values were respectively 95%, 74%, 38%, and 99%. Among patients with at least one correct diagnosis of AF, 38% (8/21) had subsequent clinical implications (anticoagulation initiation or rhythm control therapies).

CONCLUSION

The S-ICD AF detection algorithm yields a high sensitivity for AF diagnosis. Low specificity and positive predictive value contribute to a high remote monitoring-notification workload and underline the necessity of a manual analysis. Atrial fibrillation diagnosis by the S-ICD AF detection algorithm might lead to significant therapeutic adjustments.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of a telemonitoring program on patients with heart failure in Normandy: an 8-year retrospective analysis (2009–2017)

Background

SCAD is a 3-month telemonitoring program for HF patients, associated with therapeutic education, proposed after an acute HF episode. SCAD is based on an interactive algorithm allowing to generate educative messages and alarms based on patients' responses registered on a digital tablet. It is funded by the French Health Insurance through a pilot program: ETAPES (470€/patient).

Purpose

To describe the profile of patients using SCAD & assess the medico-economic impact of the SCAD system.

Methods

Multicenter retrospective cohort study using SCAD data matched with French Health Insurance data. All patients telemonitored by SCAD in 7 centers have been included, since 01/01/2010 to 12/31/2016. Only direct costs were considered, estimated from a societal perspective limited to reimbursements. Analyses were performed to assess the difference in healthcare consumptions and costs between the year before and the year after inclusion in the SCAD program. Patients who died in the 12 months after SCAD initiation were excluded.

Results

627 patients benefited from SCAD program between 01/01/2010 and 12/31/2016 and were retrieved in French Health Insurance data through probabilistic matching. Out of the 627 patients, 99 died in the 12 months after SCAD initiation. Analyses were performed on 528 patients.72.2% were male, mean age was 66.0 years old and mean BMI 28.2. HFrEF represented 51.9% of patients, HFmrEF 25.9% and HFpEF 22.2%. 58.0% were in NYHA class 2 at baseline, 29.2% in class 3, 8.5% in class 1 and 4.3% in class 4. Mean Charlson Comorbidity Index score was 2.6 at baseline. Patients reported their level of fatigue (10 representing significant fatigue) and morale (10 = good morale) at baseline: mean fatigue=4.0/10 & mean morale=7.4/10. Medico economic results are presented in table 1 and show an important & significant decrease of hospitalizations costs and some transfer of cost toward ambulatory care.

Conclusion

On the year following remote monitoring, total health expenditure has been reduced by 18% on average (mean=3 210€/patient) and 42% in median (5 500€/patient) vs 12 months before.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): This analysis has been funded through an institutional grant from Amgen

Serum neprilysin levels are associated with myocardial stunning after ST-elevation myocardial infarction

Background/Introduction

Left ventricular remodeling following ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is associated with poor outcome. Neprilysin inhibition leads to improved outcome in patients with altered left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Purpose

We aimed to assess the association between serum levels of neprilysin and left ventricular (LV) volumes, function and remodeling in STEMI patients with successful myocardial reperfusion.

Methods

Sixty-eight patients were admitted for STEMI and had both plasma neprilysin measurement at baseline and 3D transthoracic echocardiogram at baseline and at follow-up (7 months). We compared 3 groups: a group with a low-level of plasma neprilysin (&lt;125 pg/mL, i.e. the lower limit of detection of the assay, 38 patients) and the two other groups were defined as being below or above the median value of the remaining samples (15 patients each).

Results

Median age was 58.5±12.8 years and 56 (82.4%) were men. Median LVEF was 45.0±8.5%. Baseline characteristics were comparable among groups. At baseline there was a non-significant trend towards lower end-diastolic volume (p=0.07) but significantly lower LVEF in the high neprilysin group (46.4±8.3%, 47.1±8.1% and 39.1±6.9%, p&lt;0.01). At follow-up, the magnitude of LVEF increase was significantly more important in the high neprilysin group compared to the other groups (p=0.022 for relative change in LVEF and 6.6±7.3%, 3.6±9.0% and 11.3±8.4%, p=0.031 for absolute change in LVEF) resulting in similar LVEF levels at follow-up between all groups (53.0±8.9%, 50.6±9.7% and 50.4±9.9%, p=0.55).

Conclusion(s)

Initial high neprilysin levels may identify patients with stunned myocardium early after STEMI, with a recovery of contractility leading to improved LVEF at follow-up.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Vascular entrapment of a multipolar basket catheter (OrionTM ) during catheter ablation

The IntellaMap Orion^TM (Boston Scientific) is a 64-electrode basket catheter allowing for ultrahigh-density mapping of complex cardiac arrhythmias. We report the case of a basket catheter vascular entrapment, requiring surgical removal.

The value of electrocardiography and echocardiography in distinguishing Fabry disease from sarcomeric hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND

Screening for Fabry disease is sub-optimal in non-specialised centres.

AIM

To assess the diagnostic value of electrocardiographic scores of left ventricular hypertrophy and a combined electrocardiographic and echocardiographic model in Fabry disease.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the electrocardiograms and echocardiograms of 61 patients (mean age 55.6±11.5 years; 57% men) with Fabry disease and left ventricular hypertrophy, and compared them with those from 59 patients (mean age 44.8±18.3 years; 66% men) with sarcomeric hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Six electrocardiography criteria for left ventricular hypertrophy were specifically analysed: Sokolow-Lyon voltage index; Cornell voltage index; Gubner index; Romhilt-Estes score; Sokolow-Lyon product (voltage index×QRS duration); and Cornell product (voltage index×QRS duration).

RESULTS

Right bundle branch block was more frequent in patients with Fabry disease (54% vs. 22%; P=0.001). QRS duration, Gubner score and Sokolow-Lyon product were significantly higher in patients with Fabry disease. Maximal wall thickness was higher in patients with sarcomeric hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (21.9±5.1 vs. 15.5±2.9mm; P<0.001). Indexed sinus of Valsalva diameter was larger in patients with Fabry disease. After multivariable analysis, right bundle branch block, Sokolow-Lyon product, maximal wall thickness and aortic diameter were independently associated with Fabry disease. A model including these four variables yielded an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.918 (95% confidence interval 0.868-0.968) for Fabry disease.

CONCLUSION

Our model combining easy-to-assess electrocardiographic and echocardiographic variables may be helpful in improving screening and reducing diagnosis delay in Fabry disease.

Serum neprilysin levels are associated with myocardial stunning after ST-elevation myocardial infarction

Background

Left ventricular remodeling following ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is associated with poor outcome, including heart failure (HF). Neprilysin inhibition leads to improved outcome in patients with altered left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Methods

We aimed to assess the association between serum levels of neprilysin and left ventricular (LV) volumes, function and remodeling in STEMI patients with successful myocardial reperfusion and no clinical sign of HF. Sixty-eight patients were admitted for STEMI and had both plasma neprilysin measurement at baseline and 3D transthoracic echocardiogram at baseline and after a median follow-up of 7 months. We compared 3 groups: a group with a low-level of plasma neprilysin (< 125 pg/mL, i.e. the lower limit of detection of the assay) and the two other groups were defined as being below or above the median value of the remaining samples.

Results

Median age was 58.5 ± 12.8 years and 56 (82.4%) were men. Median LVEF was 45.0 ± 8.5%. Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups (low-level of neprilysin group [≤125 pg/mL, n = 38], medium-level of neprilysin group [126–450 pg/mL, n = 15] and a high-level group [> 450 pg/mL, n = 15]). At baseline there was a non-significant trend towards lower end-diastolic volume (p = 0.07) but significantly lower LVEF in the high neprilysin group (46.4 ± 8.3%, 47.1 ± 8.1% and 39.1 ± 6.9%, p < 0.01). At follow-up, the magnitude of LVEF increase was significantly more important in the high neprilysin group compared to the other groups (p = 0.022 for relative change in LVEF and 6.6 ± 7.3%, 3.6 ± 9.0% and 11.3 ± 8.4%, p = 0.031 for absolute change in LVEF) resulting in similar LVEF levels at follow-up between all groups (53.0 ± 8.9%, 50.6 ± 9.7% and 50.4 ± 9.9%, p = 0.55).

Conclusions

Initial high neprilysin levels may identify patients with stunned myocardium early after STEMI, with a recovery of contractility leading to improved LVEF at follow-up. Future studies will have to assess the role of neprilysin in the setting of STEMI and the potential benefit of its blockade.

Clinical outcomes after primary prevention defibrillator implantation are better predicted when the left ventricular ejection fraction is assessed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance

BACKGROUND

The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is the key selection criterion for an implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in primary prevention of sudden cardiac death. LVEF is usually assessed by two-dimensional echocardiography, but cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is increasingly used. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether LVEF assessment using CMR imaging (CMR-LVEF) or two-dimensional echocardiography (2D echo-LVEF) may predict differently the occurrence of clinical outcomes.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, we reviewed patients referred for primary prevention ICD implantation to Caen University Hospital from 2005 to 2014. We included 173 patients with either ischemic (n = 120) or dilated cardiomyopathy (n = 53) and who had undergone pre-ICD CMR imaging. The primary composite end point was the time to death from any cause or first appropriate device therapy.

RESULTS

The mean CMR-LVEF was significantly lower than the mean 2D echo-LVEF (24% ± 6 vs 28% ± 6, respectively; p < 0.001). CMR-LVEF was a better independent predictive factor for the occurrence of the primary composite endpoint with a cut-off value of 22% (Hazard Ratio [HR] = 2.22; 95% CI [1.34-3.69]; p = 0.002) than 2D echo-LVEF with a cut-off value of 26% (HR = 1.61; 95% CI [0.99-2.61]; p = 0.056). Combination of the presence of scar with CMR-LVEF< 22% improved the predictive value for the occurrence of the primary outcome (HR = 2.58; 95% CI [1.54-4.30]; p < 0.001). The overall survival was higher among patients with CMR-LVEF≥22% than among patients with CMR-LVEF< 22% (p = 0.026), whereas 2D echo-LVEF was not associated with death.

CONCLUSIONS

CMR-LVEF is better associated with clinical outcomes than 2D echo-LVEF in primary prevention using an ICD. Scar identification further improved the outcome prediction. The combination of CMR imaging and echocardiography should be encouraged in addition to other risk markers to better select patients.

Direct measurement of cardiac stiffness using echocardiographic shearwave imaging during open-chest surgery: A pilot study in human

PURPOSE

Cardiac stiffness is a marker of diastolic function with a strong prognostic significance in many heart diseases that is not measurable in clinical practice. This study investigates whether elastometry, a surrogate for organ stiffness, is measurable in the heart using ShearWave Imaging.

METHODS

In 33 anesthetized patients scheduled for cardiac surgery, ShearWave imaging was acquired epicardially using a dedicated ultrasound machine on the left ventricle parallel to the left anterior descending coronary artery in a loaded heart following the last cardiac beat. Cardiac elastometry was measured offline using the Young modulus with customized software.

RESULTS

Overall, the ejection fraction was 61 ± 10%. E/A and E/e' ratios were 1.0 ± 0.5 and 10.5 ± 4.1, respectively. Cardiac elastometry averaged 15.3 ± 5.3 kPa with a median of 18 kPa. Patients with high elastometry >18 kPa were older (P = .04), had thicker (P = .02) but smaller LV (P = .004), had larger left atria (P = .05) and a higher BNP level (P = .04). We distinguished three different transmural elastometry patterns: higher epicardial, higher endocardial, or uniformly distributed elastometry.

CONCLUSION

Elastometry measurement was feasible for the human heart. This surrogate for cardiac stiffness dichotomized patients with low and high elastometry, and provided three different phenotypes of transmural elastometry with link to diastolic function.

Identification of anticancer drugs associated with atrial fibrillation: analysis of the WHO pharmacovigilance database

AIMS

The explosion of novel anticancer therapies has meant emergence of cardiotoxicity signals including atrial fibrillation (AF). Reliable data concerning the liability of anticancer drugs in inducing AF are scarce. Using the World Health Organization individual case safety report database, VigiBase®, we aimed to determine the association between anticancer drugs and AF.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A disproportionality analysis evaluating the multivariable-adjusted reporting odds ratios for AF with their 99.97% confidence intervals was performed for 176 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)- or European Medicines Agency (EMA)-labelled anticancer drugs in VigiBase®, followed by a descriptive analysis of AF cases for the anticancer drugs identified in VigiBase®. ClinicalTrial registration number: NCT03530215. A total of 11 757 AF cases associated with at least one anticancer drug were identified in VigiBase® of which 95.8% were deemed serious. Nineteen anticancer drugs were significantly associated with AF of which 14 (74%) are used in haematologic malignancies and 9 (45%) represented new AF associations not previously confirmed in literature including immunomodulating agents (lenalidomide, pomalidomide), several kinase inhibitors (nilotinib, ponatinib, midostaurin), antimetabolites (azacytidine, clofarabine), docetaxel (taxane), and obinutuzumab, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody.

CONCLUSION

Although cancer malignancy itself may generate AF, we identified 19 anticancer drugs significantly associated with a significant increase in AF over-reporting. This pharmacovigilance study provides evidence that anticancer drugs themselves could represent independent risk factors for AF development. Dedicated prospective clinical trials are now required to confirm these 19 associations. This list of suspected anticancer drugs should be known by physicians when confronted to AF in cancer patients, particularly in case of haematologic malignancies.

Usefulness of a personalized algorithm-based discharge checklist in patients hospitalized for acute heart failure

Aims

The aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of a personalized discharge checklist (PCL) based on simple baseline characteristics on mortality, readmission for heart failure (HF), and quality of care in patients hospitalized for acute HF.

Methods and results

We designed an algorithm to generate PCL, based on 2016 HF European Society of Cardiology Guidelines and the screening of common comorbidities in elderly HF patients. We prospectively included 139 patients hospitalized for HF from May 2018 to October 2018. A PCL was fulfilled for each patient at admission and 24 to 48 hours before the planned discharge. A control cohort of 182 consecutive patients was retrospectively included from May 2017 to October 2017. The primary composite endpoint was mortality or readmission for HF at 6 months. The secondary endpoints were mortality, readmission for HF, and quality of care (evidence‐based medications, management of HF comorbidities, and planned care plan). There was no difference among baseline characteristics between PCL and control cohorts; mean age was 78.1 ± 12.2 vs. 79.0 ± 12.5 years old (P = 0.46) and 61 patients (43.9%) vs. 63 (34.6%) had HF with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <40% (P = 0.24). During the 6 month follow‐up period, 59 patients (42.4%) reached the primary endpoint in the PCL cohort vs. 92 patients (50.5%) in the control cohort [hazard ratio (HR): 0.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.57–1.09), P = 0.15]. Subgroup analysis including only patients with either altered (<40%) or mid‐range or preserved (≥40%) LVEF showed no significant difference among groups. There was a non‐significant trend toward a reduction in HF readmission rate in the PCL group [38 patients (27.3%) vs. 64 patients (35.2%), HR: 0.73, 95%CI (0.49–1.09), P = 0.13]. There was no difference regarding survival or the use of evidence‐based medications. A higher proportion of patients were screened and treated for iron and vitamin D deficiencies (53.2% vs. 35.7%, P < 0.01 and 73.4% vs. 29.7%, P < 0.01, respectively), as well as malnutrition supplemented in the PCL group. There was a higher referral to HF follow‐up programme in the PCL group but not to telemedicine or cardiac rehabilitation programs.

Conclusions

In this preliminary study, the use of a PCL did not improve outcomes at 6 months in patients hospitalized for acute HF. There was a non‐significant trend towards a reduction in HF readmission rate in the PCL group. In addition, the management of HF comorbidities was significantly improved by PCL with a better referral to follow‐up programme. A multicentre study is warranted to assess the usefulness of a simple costless personalized checklist in a large HF patients' population.

Plasma aldosterone and atrial mitochondrial functions of patients undergoing cardiac surgery

Aim: Mitochondrial dysfunction (MD) has been associated with poor outcomes after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Methods: 58 consecutive patients from the ALDO-POAF Study (NCT02814903) were prospectively included. Plasma aldosterone was assessed at the time of the preoperative consultation and mitochondrial functional studies were performed using atrial appendage tissue collected during surgery. Results: Patients with the highest preoperative plasma aldosterone level had a lower mitochondrial respiratory chain functioning and a lower calcium retention capacity. Chronic kidney disease, patient's age and preoperative high-aldosterone were independent predictors of MD in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: These exploratory data support the use of preventive strategies targeting aldosterone and/or mineralocorticoid receptor activation, in order to prevent perioperative MD and associated poor outcomes.

Prevalence and significance of fragmented QRS complex in lead V1 on the surface electrocardiogram of healthy athletes

Aims

Limited data exist concerning fragmented QRS complexes (fQRSs) on the surface electrocardiogram (ECG) of apparently healthy athletes. We aimed to study the prevalence and significance of fQRS in lead V1 (fQRSV1), representing right ventricular (RV) activation, regarding training-induced RV morphological remodelling.

Methods and results

Between January 2017 and August 2019, 434 consecutive non-sedentary subjects underwent preparticipation cardiovascular screening, including a 12-lead ECG. Three hundred and ninety-three apparently healthy subjects were included, 119 of them were athletes (defined as performing ≥8 h/week for the last 6 months) and 274 were non-athletes. All athletes underwent two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography. Fragmented QRS complex in lead V1 pattern was defined as a narrow (&lt;120 ms) and quadriphasic QRS complex in lead V1. Fragmented QRS complex in lead V1 was more frequent in athletes compared with non-athletes (22% vs. 5.1%, P &lt; 0.001) and was independently associated with the athlete status [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 4.693, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 2.299—9.583; P &lt; 0.001], the endurance category (aOR = 2.522, 95% CI 1.176—5.408; P = 0.017), and age (aOR = 0.962, 95% CI 0.934–0.989; P = 0.007) in multivariate analysis. In the subgroup of athletes, fQRSV1 was independently associated with mean RV outflow tract diameter (aOR = 1.458, 95% CI 1.105–1.923; P = 0.008) and age (aOR = 0.941, 95% CI 0.894–0.989; P = 0.017) in multivariate analysis.

Conclusion

Fragmented QRS complex in lead V1 is a newly described, frequent, ECG pattern in young and apparently healthy athletes and is associated with training-induced RV remodelling.

Echocardiographic evidence of left ventricular untwisting-filling interplay

Background

Left ventricular untwisting generates an early diastolic intraventricular pressure gradient (DIVPG) than can be quantified by echocardiography. We sought to confirm the quantitative relationship between peak untwisting rate and peak DIVPG in a large adult population.

Methods

From our echocardiographic database, we retrieved all the echocardiograms with a normal left ventricular ejection fraction, for whom color Doppler M-Mode interrogation of mitral inflow was available, and left ventricular untwisting rate was measurable using speckle tracking. Standard indices of left ventricular early diastolic function were assessed by Doppler (peaks E, e’ and Vp) and speckle tracking (peak strain rate Esr). Load dependency of DIVPG and untwisting rate was evaluated using a passive leg raising maneuver.

Results

We included 154 subjects, aged between 18 to 77 years old, 63% were male. Test-retest reliability for color Doppler-derived DIVPG measurements was good, the intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.97 [0.91–0.99] and 0.97 [0.67–0.99] for intra- and inter-observer reproducibility, respectively. Peak DIVPG was positively correlated with peak untwisting rate (r = 0.73, P <  0.001). On multivariate analysis, peak DIVPG was the only diastolic parameter that was independently associated with untwisting rate. Age and gender were the clinical predictive factors for peak untwisting rate, whereas only age was independently associated with peak DIVPG. Untwisting rate and DIVPG were both load-dependent, without affecting their relationship.

Conclusions

Color Doppler-derived peak DIVPG was quantitatively and independently associated with peak untwisting rate. It thus provides a reliable flow-based index of early left ventricular diastolic function.

Predictors of clinical outcomes after cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients ≥75 years of age: a retrospective cohort study

Background

Cardiac resynchronization therapy has been shown to benefit selected patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction. Older patients have been underrepresented in randomized trials. This study was conducted to determine whether predictive factors for cardiac resynchronization therapy outcomes differ in patients older and younger than 75 years of age.

Methods

Consecutive patients who received a cardiac resynchronization device cardiac resynchronization therapy between 2013 and 2016 in our center were retrospectively included in this cohort study. The primary endpoint was cardiac resynchronization therapy effectiveness, which was defined as survival for one year with both no heart failure hospitalization and improvement by one or more NYHA class. The secondary endpoints were mortality, complications, and device therapies.

Results

Among the 243 patients included, 102 were ≥ 75 years old. Cardiac resynchronization therapy effectiveness was observed in 70 patients (50%) < 75 years old and in 48 patients (47%) ≥75 years old (p = 0.69). NYHA class ≥III (OR = 6.02; CI95% [1.33–18.77], p = 0.002) was a predictive factor for cardiac resynchronization therapy effectiveness only in the ≥75-year-old group, while atrial fibrillation was independently negatively associated with the primary endpoint in the < 75-year-old group (OR = 0.28; CI95% [0.13–0.62], p = 0.001). The one-year mortality rate was 14%, with no difference between age groups. Rescue cardiac resynchronization therapy and atrial fibrillation were independent predictive factors for mortality in both age groups. Eighty-two complications occurred in 45 patients (19%), with no difference between groups. Defibrillator use and QRS duration were independent predictive factors for complications in both age groups. There was no difference between groups considering device therapies.

Conclusion

At one year, cardiac resynchronization therapy response is not compromised by patient age. In older patients, highly symptomatic individuals with NYHA class ≥III have better outcomes after cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Effects of Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists on Atrial Fibrillation Occurrence: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression to Identify Modifying Factors

Background

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) have emerged as potential atrial fibrillation (AF) preventive therapy, but inconsistent results have been reported. We aimed to examine the effects of MRAs on AF occurrence and explore factors that could influence the magnitude of the effect size.

Methods and Results

PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central databases were used to search for randomized clinical trials and observational studies addressing the effect of MRAs on AF occurrence from database inception through April 03, 2018. We performed a systematic review and random effects meta‐analyses to compute odds ratios with 95% CIs. Meta‐regression was then applied to explore the sources of between‐study heterogeneity. We included 24 studies, 11 randomized clinical trials and 13 observational cohorts, representing a total number of 7914 patients (median age: 64.2 years; median left ventricular ejection fraction: 49.7%; median follow‐up: 12.0 months), 2843 (35.9%) of whom received MRA therapy. Meta‐analyses showed a significant overall reduction in AF occurrence in the MRA‐treated patients versus the control groups (15.0% versus 32.2%; odds ratio, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.44–0.70 [P<0.00001]), with the greatest benefit regarding recurrent AF episodes (odds ratio, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.31–0.59 [P<0.00001]) and with significant heterogeneity among the included studies (I²=54%; P=0.0008). Meta‐regression analyses showed that effect size was significantly associated with older studies and higher AF occurrence rate in the control groups.

Conclusions

MRAs seem to be effective in AF prevention, especially regarding recurrent AF episodes.

Spironolactone and perioperative atrial fibrillation occurrence in cardiac surgery patients: Rationale and design of the ALDOCURE trial

BACKGROUND

After artery bypass grafting (CABG), the presence of perioperative AF (POAF) is associated with greater short- and long-term cardiovascular morbidity. Underlying POAF mechanisms are complex and include the presence of an arrhythmogenic substrate, cardiac fibrosis and electrical remodeling. Aldosterone is a key component in this process. We hypothesize that perioperative mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) blockade may decrease the POAF incidence in patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥50% who are referred for CABG with or without aortic valve replacement (AVR).

STUDY DESIGN

The ALDOCURE trial (NCT03551548) will be a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial testing the superiority of a low-cost MR antagonist (MRA, spironolactone) on POAF in 1500 adults referred for on-pump elective CABG surgery with or without AVR, without any history of heart failure or atrial arrhythmia. The primary efficacy end point is the occurrence of POAF from randomization to within 5 days after surgery, assessed in a standardized manner. The main secondary efficacy end points include the following: postoperative AF occurring within 5 days after cardiac surgery, perioperative myocardial injury, major cardiovascular events and death occurring within 30 days of surgery, hospital and intensive care unit length of stay, need for readmission, LVEF at discharge and significant ventricular arrhythmias within 5 days after surgery. Safety end points, including blood pressure, serum potassium levels and renal function, will be monitored regularly throughout the trial duration.

CONCLUSION

The ALDOCURE trial will assess the effectiveness of spironolactone in addition to standard therapy for reducing POAF in patients undergoing CABG.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT03551548.

Vitamin K antagonist vs direct oral anticoagulants with antiplatelet therapy in dual or triple therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention or acute coronary syndrome in atrial fibrillation: Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

The combination of vitamin K antagonists (VKA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) and antiplatelet agents following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is associated with an increased bleeding risk.

HYPOTHESIS

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) are associated with a greater safety profile but the optimal antithrombotic treatment strategy, especially when considering ischemic events, is unclear.

METHODS

We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing outcomes in AF patients following PCI and/or acute coronary syndrome (ACS) when treated with DOAC vs VKA, both in combination with one (dual) or two (triple) antiplatelet regimens. A systematic review was performed by searches of electronic databases MEDLINE (source PubMed) and the Cochrane Controlled Clinical Trials Register Database as well as Cardiology annual meetings. Three studies were finally included.

RESULTS

Compared to VKA triple therapy, the use of DOAC was associated with a decreased risk of any bleeding (relative risk [RR] 0.68 [0.62; 0.74]), major bleeding (RR 0.61 [0.51; 0.75]) and intracranial bleeding (RR 0.33 [0.17; 0.66]) and similar rates of the composite efficacy endpoint (RR 1.0 [0.87; 1.14]) and its components. Similar and consistent results were observed with both dual and triple therapy including a DOAC compared to VKA.

CONCLUSION

Our meta-analysis supports the use of dual therapy combining a DOAC and clopidogrel as the default regimen in most AF patients after PCI and/or ACS.