Functional assessment based on cardiopulmonary exercise testing in mild heart failure: A multicentre study

AIMS

In this multicentre study, we compared cardio-pulmonary exercise test (CPET) parameters between heart failure (HF) patients classified as New York Heart Association (NYHA) class I and II to assess NYHA performance and prognostic role in mild HF.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We included consecutive HF patients in NYHA class I or II who underwent CPET in three Brazilian centres. We analysed the overlap between kernel density estimations for the per cent-predicted peak oxygen consumption (VO2 ), minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production (VE/VCO2 ) slope, and oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) by NYHA class. Area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to assess the capacity of per cent-predicted peak VO2 to discriminate between NYHA class I and II. For prognostication, time to all-cause death was used to produce Kaplan-Meier estimates. Of 688 patients included in this study, 42% were classified as NYHA I and 58% as NYHA II, 55% were men, and mean age was 56 years. Median global per cent-predicted peak VO2 was 66.8% (IQR 56-80), VE/VCO2 slope was 36.9 (31.6-43.3), and mean OUES was 1.51 (±0.59). Kernel density overlap between NYHA class I and II was 86% for per cent-predicted peak VO2 , 89% for VE/VCO2 slope, and 84% for OUES. Receiving-operating curve analysis showed a significant, albeit limited performance of per cent-predicted peak VO2 alone to discriminate between NYHA class I vs. II (AUC 0.55, 95% CI 0.51-0.59, P = 0.005). Model accuracy for probability of being classified as NYHA class I (vs. NYHA class II) across the spectrum of the per cent-predicted peak VO2 was limited, with an absolute probability increment of 13% when per cent-predicted peak VO2 increased from 50% to 100%. Overall mortality in NYHA class I and II was not significantly different (P = 0.41), whereas NYHA class III patients displayed a distinctively higher death rate (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with chronic HF classified as NYHA I overlapped substantially with those classified as NYHA II in objective physiological measures and prognosis. NYHA classification may represent a poor discriminator of cardiopulmonary capacity in patients with mild HF.

Successful radiofrequency catheter ablation of idiopathic premature ventricular complexes originating from the outflow tract improves heart failure-related quality of life

BACKGROUND

To investigate the effect of successful RFCA in patients with idiopathic outflow tract PVCs (OT-PVC) on left heart functions, neurohormonal activation, functional status, and heart failure-related quality of life (HFQoL), with an integrated approach.

METHODS

Patients with frequent OT-PVCs, determined by 12-lead surface ECG who underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) with an acute success, were prospectivelly enrolled. Left heart functions were evaluated with the use of transthoracic echocardiography, neurohormonal activation with N-terminal Pro-brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), functional class with New York Heart Association (NYHA) and 6-min walking distance (6MWD), and HFQoL with Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ), at baseline and at 6 months.

RESULTS

A total of 108 patients were included in this study (43 ± 12 years old, 56% male). Majority of the OT-PVCs originated from aortic valve and right ventricle outflow tract (44% and 37%, respectively). Total RF time was 216 ± 87 s. Major complication rate was 0.9%. Left ventricle (LV) ejection fraction increased from 47 ± 8 to 53 ± 6% at 6 months (p < 0.001). Neurohormonal activation was suppressed significantly (104 ± 69 to 83 ± 42, p < 0.001). Functional class improved with %NYHA-I patients increasing from 54 to 89% (p < 0.001) and 6MWD from 293 ± 73 to 335 ± 59 m (p < 0.001). MLHFQ score improved from 32 ± 9 to 23 ± 5 p < 0.001. In multivariable analysis, LV end-systolic diameter (LVESD) and 6MWD were independent predictors of improvement in MLHFQ (for LVESD Uβ: - 0.26, 95%CI [0.44-0.09], p < 0.004 and for 6MWD: 0.04, 95%CI [0.03-0.06], p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

RFCA of OT-PVCs is associated with improved well-being of patients, determined by left heart functions, neurohormonal activation, functional class, and HFQoL.

Providers' assignment of NYHA functional class in patients with heart failure: A vignette study

BACKGROUND

Accuracy of New York Heart Association Functional Classification (NYHA-FC) I-IV assessment is critical to promoting guideline directed care.

OBJECTIVE

Examine providers' accuracy when diagnosing NYHA-FC I-IV in patients with heart failure (HF).

METHODS

A web-based survey using validated vignettes was conducted with 244 physicians, nurse practitioners (NP), clinical nurse specialists (CNS) and physician assistants (PA) who provide care to patients with HF.

RESULTS

Providers comprised of 65% NPs, 19% physicians, 14% CNSs, 2% PAs with an average of 15 years working with HF patients. Accuracy ranged from 36.9% for Class IV to 78.7% for Class I. Increased HF patient volume seen (p=0.024), physician vs. NP/PA/CNS (p=0.021), and typically assigned a HF stage (p<0.001) were associated with increased total correct score accuracy in multivariable modeling.

CONCLUSION

It is critical that NYHA-FC is accurately assigned to promote optimal outcomes. Research in the future should focus on improving accuracy in assigning NYHA-FC.

Outcomes of Pulmonary Endarterectomy for Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension at a Single Center in Taiwan

BACKGROUND

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is classified as group IV pulmonary hypertension. This study aimed to report our institutional experience in managing CTEPH.

METHODS

We prospectively collected the data of 23 patients diagnosed with CTEPH between August 2001 and August 2017 in Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Baseline characteristics including functional class (FC), 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), comorbidities, hematological and biochemical data, echocardiography, cardiac catheterization, and selective pulmonary angiography were recorded at diagnosis. All patients were referred to a cardiac surgeon for pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) assessment.

RESULTS

The mean age at diagnosis was 48.4 ± 16.1 years. Nineteen patients (83%) underwent PEA with mean postoperative follow-up of 37.7 ± 42.8 months. The in-hospital mortality rate of PEA was 11%. The 1-, 2-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 89%, 89%, 81%, and 50%, respectively. After 3 months of PEA, all patients had improvements in FC, 6MWD (from 326 ± 62 to 420 ± 63 m), B-type natriuretic peptide level (from 602 ± 599 to 268 ± 565 pg/mL), and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (from 79 ± 19 to 48 ± 19 mmHg). The patients with proximal disease (Jamieson type 1 or 2) had better survival than those with distal disease (Jamieson type 3 or 4), but there was no significant difference in mortality between FC III and IV. All of the four patients who did not undergo PEA survived for more than 3 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant improvements in symptoms, functional capacity, and hemodynamics were achieved in the CTEPH patients after PEA. However, the overall survival was still unsatisfactory.