Proteomic Signatures of Heart Failure in Relation to Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction

BACKGROUND

There is a growing recognition of the inherent limitations of the use of the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) to accurately phenotype patients with heart failure (HF).

OBJECTIVES

The authors sought to identify unique proteomic signatures for patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), HF with a midrange LVEF (HFmrEF), and HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), as well as to identify molecular differences between patients with ischemic and nonischemic HF.

METHODS

We used high-content aptamer-based proteomics technology (SOMAscan) to interrogate the blood proteome of age- and sex-matched patients with HF within different LVEF groups.

RESULTS

Within the Washington University Heart Failure Registry, we identified age/sex-matched patients within 3 LVEF categories: HFrEF (LVEF <40%), HFmrEF (LVEF 40% to 50%), and HFpEF (LVEF >50%). We found that patients with HFrEF, HFmrEF, and HFpEF had unique variations in circulating proteins that reflected distinct biological pathophysiologies. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that there were biological themes that were unique to patients with HFrEF, HFpEF, or HFmrEF. Comparative analyses of patients with HFmrEF with improved LVEF and patients with HFmrEF with unchanged LVEF revealed marked differences between these 2 patient populations and indicated that patients with recovered LVEF are more similar to patients with HFpEF than to patients with HFrEF. Moreover, there were marked differences in the proteomic signatures of patients with ischemic and nonischemic HF.

CONCLUSIONS

Viewed together, these findings suggest that it may be possible to use high-content multiplexed proteomics assays in combination with the clinical assessment of LVEF to more accurately identify clinical phenotypes of patients with HF.

COVID 19: A Stressor for Both the Patient and the Anesthesiologist

The coronavirus disease 2019  pandemic has created not only  widespread  morbidity and mortality, but a myriad of social, financial, and psychological stressors. In this setting, the medical community has seen a substantial increase in the incidences  of cardiac morbidity and mortality, and, therefore,  anesthesiologists should expect a higher incidence in the perioperative period. In this E-Challenge, the authors present a patient in whom an acute cardiac decompensation occurred secondary to an unanticipated difficult intubation, with an unexpected echocardiographic finding.

QRS duration is a risk indicator of adverse outcomes after MitraClip

BACKGROUND

While QRS duration is a known marker of left ventricular (LV) function, little is known about its utility for predicting clinical prognosis after transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR). We investigated the association between QRS duration and one-year adverse events after TMVR with the MitraClip system.

METHODS

From January 2011 through April 2019, we identified consecutive patients who underwent TMVR. Patients who had prior cardiac resynchronization therapy or a ventricular pacing rhythm were excluded. The patients were divided into two groups according to their QRS duration (<120 or ≥ 120 ms). Cox proportional hazard model was applied to determine the association between QRS duration and the composite outcome (all-cause mortality and re-hospitalization due to heart failure) within 1 year.

RESULTS

A total of 348 patients were analyzed. Prolonged QRS duration (≥120 ms) was associated with an increased risk of the composite outcome (adjusted-HR 2.35, 95%CI 1.30-4.24, p = .005). There was a linear relationship between prolonged QRS duration and the increased risk of the composite outcomes. The observed association was consistent both in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35% and those with >35%. Furthermore, a QRS duration ≥120 ms was associated with lower improvement of LVEF at follow-up (adjusted-β coefficient - 5.31%, 95%CI -8.17 to -2.46, p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Prolonged QRS duration was associated with an increased risk of mortality and re-hospitalization and less improvement of LVEF following TMVR. QRS duration could be a useful marker to predict adverse outcomes and LV function after TMVR.

Survival Predictors of Heart Rate Variability After Myocardial Infarction With and Without Low Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction

Background

Heart rate variability (HRV) and heart rate (HR) dynamics are used to predict the survival probability of patients after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), but the association has been established in patients with mixed levels of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Objective

We investigated whether the survival predictors of HRV and HR dynamics depend on LVEF after AMI.

Methods

We studied 687 post-AMI patients including 147 with LVEF ≤35% and 540 with LVEF >35%, of which 23 (16%) and 22 (4%) died during the 25 month follow-up period, respectively. None had an implanted cardioverter-defibrillator. From baseline 24 h ECG, the standard deviation (SDNN), root mean square of successive difference (rMSSD), percentage of successive difference >50 ms (pNN50) of normal-to-normal R-R interval, ultra-low (ULF), very-low (VLF), low (LF), and high (HF) frequency power, deceleration capacity (DC), short-term scaling exponent (α₁), non-Gaussianity index (λ_25s), and the amplitude of cyclic variation of HR (Acv) were calculated.

Results

The predictors were categorized into three clusters; DC, SDNN, α₁, ULF, VLF, LF, and Acv as Cluster 1, λ_25s independently as Cluster 2, and rMSSD, pNN50, and HF as Cluster 3. In univariate analyses, mortality was best predicted by indices belonging to Cluster 1 regardless of LVEF. In multivariate analyses, however, mortality in patients with low LVEF was best predicted by the combinations of Cluster 1 predictors or Cluster 1 and 3 predictors, whereas in patients without low LVEF, it was best predicted by the combinations of Cluster 1 and 2 predictors.

Conclusion

The mortality risk in post-AMI patients with low LVEF is predicted by indices reflecting decreased HRV or HR responsiveness and cardiac parasympathetic dysfunction, whereas in patients without low LVEF, the risk is predicted by a combination of indices that reflect decreased HRV or HR responsiveness and indicator that reflects abrupt large HR changes suggesting sympathetic involvement.

Trajectories of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction After Acute Decompensation for Systolic Heart Failure: Concomitant Echocardiographic and Systemic Changes, Predictors, and Impact on Clinical Outcomes

Background

Prospective longitudinal follow‐up of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) trajectories after acute cardiac decompensation of heart failure is lacking. We investigated changes in LVEF and covariates at 6‐months' follow‐up in patients with a predischarge LVEF ≤40%, and determined predictors and prognostic implications of LVEF changes through 18‐months' follow‐up.

Methods and Results

Interdisciplinary Network Heart Failure program participants (n=633) were categorized into subgroups based on LVEF at 6‐months' follow‐up: normalized LVEF (>50%; heart failure with normalized ejection fraction, n=147); midrange LVEF (41%–50%; heart failure with midrange ejection fraction, n=195), or persistently reduced LVEF (≤40%; heart failure with persistently reduced LVEF , n=291). All received guideline‐directed medical therapies. At 6‐months' follow‐up, compared with patients with heart failure with persistently reduced LVEF, heart failure with normalized LVEF or heart failure with midrange LVEF subgroups showed greater reductions in LV end‐diastolic/end‐systolic diameters (both P<0.001), and left atrial systolic diameter (P=0.002), more increased septal/posterior end‐diastolic wall‐thickness (both P<0.001), and significantly greater improvement in diastolic function, biomarkers, symptoms, and health status. Heart failure duration <1 year, female sex, higher predischarge blood pressure, and baseline LVEF were independent predictors of LVEF improvement. Mortality and event‐free survival rates were lower in patients with heart failure with normalized LVEF (P=0.002). Overall, LVEF increased further at 18‐months' follow‐up (P<0.001), while LV end‐diastolic diameter decreased (P=0.048). However, LVEF worsened (P=0.002) and LV end‐diastolic diameter increased (P=0.047) in patients with heart failure with normalized LVEF hospitalized between 6‐months' follow‐up and 18‐months' follow‐up.

Conclusions

Six‐month survivors of acute cardiac decompensation for systolic heart failure showed variable LVEF trajectories, with >50% showing improvements by ≥1 LVEF category. LVEF changes correlated with various parameters, suggesting multilevel reverse remodeling, were predictable from several baseline characteristics, and were associated with clinical outcomes at 18‐months' follow‐up. Repeat hospitalizations were associated with attenuation of reverse remodeling.

Registration

URL: https://www.controlled‐trials.com; Unique identifier: ISRCTN23325295.

Presence of fragmented QRS is associated with left ventricular systolic dysfunction after surgery in patients with severe aortic regurgitation

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY

Chronic severe aortic regurgitation (AR) is associated with progressive accumulation of interstitial fibrosis and disruption of myocardial structure. After aortic valve replacement (AVR), the negative remodeling process reverses, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) improves but not in all patients. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association of fragmented QRS (F-QRS), which is a possible marker of myocardial fibrosis, with postoperative left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction.

METHODS

A total of 147 consecutive patients with AVR were included in this study. F-QRS was identified by the presence of various RSR' patterns (QRS duration <120 ms) such as additional R wave (R prime)or notching of the R or S wave in at least two consecutive leads. Patients were compared in two groups based on the presence or absence of F-QRS. A logistic regression model was used to determine independent predictors of postoperative LV systolic dysfunction (LVEF <50%).

RESULTS

Patients with F-QRS were associated with poor recovery of LV systolic function after AVR compared to the patients without F-QRS, regardless of preoperative LVEF (p = .008). F-QRS was found to be an independent predictor of postoperative LV systolic dysfunction (LVEF <50%). Lower preoperative LVEF and increased LV end diastolic diameter index were also found as independent risk factors for postoperative LV systolic dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

As a possible marker of myocardial fibrosis, F-QRS was associated with postoperative LV systolic dysfunction. Therefore, as a simple and convenient clinical parameter, F-QRS may be used to predict poor recovery of LVEF after AVR.

The effect of transcatheter aortic valve implantation approaches on mortality

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to evaluate the effect of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) approaches on mortality and identify effect modifiers and predictors for mortality.

BACKGROUND

Alternative access routes to transfemoral (TF) TAVI include the surgical intra-thoracic direct-aortic (DA) and transapical (TA) approach. TA TAVI has been associated with a higher mortality rate. We hypothesized that this is related to effect modifiers, in particular the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

METHODS

This multicentre study derived its data from prospective registries. To adjust for confounders, we used propensity-score based, stabilized inverse probability weighted Cox regression models.

RESULTS

In total, 5,910 patients underwent TAVI via TF (N = 4,072), DA (N = 524), and TA (N = 1,314) access. Compared to TF, 30-day mortality was increased among DA (HR 1.87, 95%CI 1.26-2.78, p = .002) and TA (HR 3.34, 95%CI 2.28-4.89, p < .001) cases. Compared to TF, 5-year mortality was increased among TA cases (HR 1.50, 95%CI 1.24-1.83, p < .001). None of the variables showed a significant interaction between the approaches and mortality. An impaired LVEF (≤35%) increased mortality in all approaches.

CONCLUSIONS

The surgical intra-thoracic TA and DA TAVI are both associated with a higher 30-day mortality than TF TAVI. TA TAVI is associated with a higher 5-year mortality than TF TAVI. The DA approach may therefore have some advantages over the TA approach when TF access is not feasible.

Evaluation of Enhanced Lipid Oxidation and Compensatory Suppression using Natriuretic Peptide in Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases

Malondialdehyde-modified low-density lipoprotein (MDA-LDL) is recognized as a surrogate marker of lipid oxidation and is associated with arteriosclerosis. However, there are limited reports on the relationship between heart failure and MDA-LDL. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether MDA-LDL is activated in patients with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and examine our hypothesis that the B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) masks the enhancement of MDA-LDL in patients with LV dysfunction by its strong antioxidative action. The study population comprised 2,976 patients with various cardiovascular diseases. Patients were divided into four groups depending on the LV ejection fraction (LVEF) or plasma BNP level. A nonparametric analysis with the Kruskal-Wallis test was used to perform an interquartile comparison. In addition, structural equation modeling and Bayesian estimation were used to compare the effects of LVEF and BNP on MDA-LDL. MDA-LDL levels did not significantly change (P > 0.05) with respect to the degree of LVEF among the four groups. In contrast, MDA-LDL levels were significantly decreased (P < 0.001) with respect to the degree of BNP among the four groups. A path model based on structural equation modeling clearly showed a significant effect of LVEF (standardized regression coefficient; β: -0.107, P < 0.001) and BNP (β: -0.114, P < 0.001) on MDA-LDL, with a significant inverse association between LVEF and BNP (correlation coefficient -0.436, P < 0.001). MDA-LDL should be activated in patients with LV dysfunction; however, BNP is thought to exert a strong compensatory suppression on lipid oxidation, masking the relationship between heart failure and lipid oxidation.

The analysis of left ventricular ejection fraction after minimally invasive surgery for primary mitral valve regurgitation

BACKGROUND

Although minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS) has become the first choice for primary mitral regurgitation (MR) in recent years, clinical evidence in this field is yet limited. The main focus of this study was the analysis of preoperative (Pre), postoperative (Post), and 1-year follow-up (Fu) data in our series of MIMVS to identify factors that have an impact on the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) evolution after MIMVS.

METHODS

We reviewed the perioperative and 1-year follow-up data from 436 patients with primary MR (338 isolated MIMVS und 98 MIMVS combined with tricuspid valve repair) to analyze patients' baseline characteristics, the change of LV size, the postoperative evolution of LVEF and its factors, and the clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

The overall mean value of ejection fraction (EF) slightly decreased at 1-year follow-up (mean change of LVEF: -2.63 ± 9.00%). A significant correlation was observed for preoperative EF (PreEF) und EF evolution, the higher PreEF the more pronounced decreased EF evolution (in all 436 patients; r = -.54, p < .001, in isolated MIMVS; r = -.54, p < .001, in combined MIMVS; r = -.53, p < .001). Statistically significant differences for negative EF evolution were evident in patients with mild or greater tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) (in all patients; p < .05, odds ratio [OR] = 1.64, in isolated MIMVS; p < .01, OR = 1.93, respectively). Overall clinical outcome in New York Heart Association classification at 1 year was remarkably improved.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest an excellent clinical outcome at 1 year, although mean LVEF slightly declined over time. TR could be a predictor of worsened follow-up LVEF in patients undergoing MIMVS.

Cardiotoxicity and Cardiovascular Biomarkers in Patients With Breast Cancer: Data From the GeparOcto-GBG 84 Trial

Background Patients with breast cancer can be affected by cardiotoxic reactions through cancer therapies. Cardiac biomarkers, like NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide) and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T, might have predictive value. Methods and Results Echocardiography, ECG, hemodynamic parameters, NT-proBNP and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T were assessed in 853 patients with early-stage breast cancer randomized in the German Breast Group GeparOcto-GBG 84 phase III trial. Patients received neo-adjuvant dose-dense, dose-intensified epirubicin, paclitaxel, and cyclophosphamide (iddEPC group, n=424) or paclitaxel, non-pegylated doxorubicin, and in triple negative breast cancer, (paclitaxel, non-pegylated doxorubicin, carboplatin group, n=429) treatment for 18 weeks. Patients positive for human epidermal growth receptor 2 (n=354, 41.5%) received monoclonal antibodies on top of allocated therapy; 119 (12.9%) of all patients showed a cardiotoxic reaction during therapy (15 [1.8%] using a more strict definition). Presence of cardiotoxic reactions was irrespective of treatment allocation (P=0.31). Small but significant increases in NT-proBNP developed early in patients with a cardiotoxic reaction as compared with those without in whom NT-proBNP rose only towards the end of therapy (P=0.04). High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T rose early in both groups. Logistic regression showed that NT-proBNP (odds ratio [OR], 1.03; 95% CI, 1.008-1.055; P=0.01) and hemoglobin (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.05-1.63; P=0.02) measured at 6 weeks after treatment initiation were significantly associated with cardiotoxic reactions. Conclusions NT-proBNP and hemoglobin are significantly associated with cardiotoxic reactions in patients with early-stage breast cancer undergoing dose-dense and dose-intensified chemotherapy, but high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T is not. Registration URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT02125344.

Risk stratification in heart failure with mild reduced ejection fraction

Heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction represents a heterogeneous and relatively young heart failure category accounting for nearly 20-30% of the overall heart failure population. Due to its complex phenotype, a reliable clinical picture of heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction patients as well as a definite risk stratification are still relevant unsolved issues. In such a context, there is growing interest in a comprehensive functional assessment by means of a cardiopulmonary exercise test, yet considered a cornerstone in the clinical management of patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction. Indeed, the cardiopulmonary exercise test has also been found to be particularly useful in the heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction category, several cardiopulmonary exercise test-derived parameters being associated with a poor outcome. In particular, a recent contribution by the metabolic exercise combined with cardiac and kidney indexes research group showed an independent association between the peak oxygen uptake and pure cardiovascular mortality in a large cohort of recovered heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction patients. Contextually, the same study supplied an easy approach to identify a high-risk heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction subset by using a combination of peak oxygen uptake and ventilatory efficiency cut-off values, namely 55% of the maximum predicted and 31, respectively. Thus, looking at the above-mentioned promising results and waiting for specific trials, it is reasonable to consider cardiopulmonary exercise test assessment as part of the heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction work-up in order to identify those patients with an unfavourable functional profile who probably deserve a close clinical follow-up and, probably, more aggressive therapeutic strategies.

Can Stem Cells Improve Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction in Heart Failure? A Literature Review of Skeletal Myoblasts and Bone Marrow-Derived Cells

Heart failure is a life-threatening condition that affects millions worldwide and is only expected to get worse with an ageing population. Current treatment regimens rely on medical therapy and heart transplantation as a last resort. Stem cells have been undergoing clinical trials worldwide as a hope for a new and safe clinical treatment. Skeletal myoblasts and bone marrow-derived stem cells are two types of stem cells being tested. The objective is to evaluate the efficacy of these two types of stem cells for heart failure therapy. Data were searched in PubMed using both regular and Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) keywords (stem cells, therapy, heart failure) and then filtered using inclusion/exclusion criteria (language, species, publication date, and age). In total, 31 research articles were reviewed (14 clinical trials, four randomized control trials, nine review articles, one case report, one comparative study, one systematic review, and one categorized as a systematic review and meta-analysis). Both skeletal myoblasts and bone marrow-derived stem cells showed mixed results in improving left ventricular ejection fraction in heart failure patients in the majority of studies. Larger studies need to be done to further investigate the efficacy of stem cells as a therapy for heart failure. 

Systemic microvascular endothelial dysfunction is associated with left ventricular ejection fraction reduction in chronic Chagas disease patients

OBJECTIVE

This study compares microvascular reactivity (MR) in chronic Chagas disease (CD) patients with healthy individuals, matched for sex and age. In addition, we evaluated the association between MR and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients.

METHODS

Acetylcholine iontophoresis was performed on the forearm skin, using laser speckle contrast imaging, to evaluate endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Clinical data were obtained from medical records.

RESULTS

Thirty-six patients were compared to 25 healthy individuals (controls). Vasodilation was higher in controls, when compared to patients (p < .0001). There was a significant association between LVEF, stratified into quartiles, and MR (p-value for linear trend = .002). In addition, there was no difference in MR between patients with normal LVEF and the control group. In patients, MR was independent of the presence of arterial hypertension or diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

We have shown for the first time that the reduction of MR is associated with a decrease of LVEF in a cohort of chronic CD patients. The results were not affected by comorbidities, such as hypertension or diabetes. The evaluation of systemic endothelial function may be useful to tailor therapeutic and preventive approaches, targeted at systolic left ventricular failure associated with chronic CD cardiomyopathy.

Validation of electrocardiographic criteria for identifying left ventricular dysfunction in patients with previous myocardial infarction

Background

Eleven criteria correlating electrocardiogram (ECG) findings with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) have been previously published. These have not been compared head‐to‐head in a single study. We studied their value as a screening test to identify patients with reduced LVEF estimated by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging.

Methods

ECGs and CMR from 548 patients (age 61 + 11 years, 79% male) with previous myocardial infarction (MI), from the DETERMINE and PRE‐DETERMINE studies, were analyzed. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of each criterion for identifying patients with LVEF ≤ 30% and ≤ 40% were studied. A useful screening test should have high sensitivity and NPV.

Results

Mean LVEF was 40% (SD = 11%); 264 patients (48.2%) had LVEF ≤ 40%, and 96 patients (17.5%) had LVEF ≤ 30%. Six of 11 criteria were associated with a significant lower LVEF, but had poor sensitivity to identify LVEF ≤ 30% (range 2.1%–55.2%) or LVEF ≤ 40% (1.1%–51.1%); NPVs were good for LVEF ≤ 30% (range 82.8%–85.9%) but not for LVEF ≤ 40% (range 52.1%–60.6%). Goldberger's third criterion (RV4/SV4 < 1) and combinations of maximal QRS duration > 124 ms + either Goldberger's third criterion or Goldberger's first criterion (SV1 or SV2 + RV5 or RV6 ≥ 3.5 mV) had high specificity (95.4%–100%) for LVEF ≤ 40%, although seen in only 48 (8.8%) patients; predictive values were similar on subgroup analysis.

Conclusions

None of the ECG criteria qualified as a good screening test. Three criteria had high specificity for LVEF ≤ 40%, although seen in < 9% of patients. Whether other ECG criteria can better identify LV dysfunction remains to be determined.

Prognostic Impact of Prior Heart Failure in Patients Hospitalized With COVID-19

BACKGROUND

Patients with pre-existing heart failure (HF) are likely at higher risk for adverse outcomes in coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), but data on this population are sparse.

OBJECTIVES

This study described the clinical profile and associated outcomes among patients with HF hospitalized with COVID-19.

METHODS

This study conducted a retrospective analysis of 6,439 patients admitted for COVID-19 at 1 of 5 Mount Sinai Health System hospitals in New York City between February 27 and June 26, 2020. Clinical characteristics and outcomes (length of stay, need for intensive care unit, mechanical ventilation, and in-hospital mortality) were captured from electronic health records. For patients identified as having a history of HF by International Classification of Diseases-9th and/or 10th Revisions codes, manual chart abstraction informed etiology, functional class, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

RESULTS

Mean age was 63.5 years, and 45% were women. Compared with patients without HF, those with previous HF experienced longer length of stay (8 days vs. 6 days; p < 0.001), increased risk of mechanical ventilation (22.8% vs. 11.9%; adjusted odds ratio: 3.64; 95% confidence interval: 2.56 to 5.16; p < 0.001), and mortality (40.0% vs. 24.9%; adjusted odds ratio: 1.88; 95% confidence interval: 1.27 to 2.78; p = 0.002). Outcomes among patients with HF were similar, regardless of LVEF or renin-angiotensin-aldosterone inhibitor use.

CONCLUSIONS

History of HF was associated with higher risk of mechanical ventilation and mortality among patients hospitalized for COVID-19, regardless of LVEF.

Can Glypican-6 Level Predict Ejection Fraction Decline After Myocardial Infarction?

The main goals in the treatment of acute coronary syndrome are to prevent myocardial ischemia, damage, and possible complications. Accordingly, we evaluated the predictive value of glypican-6 (GPC6) for cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI). Baseline plasma GPC6 levels were measured in patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute MI. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was measured at baseline and at 6 months with transthoracic echocardiography. Reduced LVEF persisted in 89 out of 276 patients after 6 months. The majority of the patients were male (n = 198, 72%) and the mean age was 57.8 ± 10.8 years. Glypican-6, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and high-sensitive troponin levels were significantly lower in the improved LVEF group compared with the low LVEF group (10.54 ± 4.46 vs 6.98 ± 3.34 ng/mL, P < .001; 500 pg/mL [range, 300-600 pg/mL] vs 350 pg/mL [range, 200-550 pg/mL], P = .008; 396 pg/mL [range, 159-579 pg/mL] vs 300 pg/mL [range, 100-500 pg/mL], P = .016, respectively). Logistic regression analysis revealed the SYNTAX Score 2, GPC6, and NT-proBNP as significant independent predictors of low LVEF (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.064, P = .041; HR: 1.215, P < .001; HR: 1.179, P < .001). Glypican-6 may prove to be useful for the detection of low LVEF development in patients undergoing PCI following MI.

[Modulation of cardiac contractility in patients with chronic heart failure and atrial fibrillation]

AIM

to evaluate the effectiveness of cardiac contractility modulation (MSS) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and atrial fibrillation (AF).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The following studies were performed in 40 patients with CHF and AF before implantation of the MSS device and after 2 and 6 months of follow-up: 12-channel ECG, transthoracic EchoCG, 6-minute walk test, determination of the level of Pro-natriuretic N-terminal peptide (NT-proBNP), daily ECG monitoring, and a questionnaire based on the Minnesota quality of life questionnaire for patients with CHF (MHFLQ). All patients received long-term optimal drug therapy for CHF before surgery.

RESULTS

The results obtained indicate a statistically significant positive effect of the use of MSS in patients with CHF and AF on LV FV, the functional class of CHF, and levels of NT-proBNP regardless of the etiology of CHF.

CONCLUSION

The use of MSS may be promising for the treatment of heart failure in patients with CHF and AF.

Differences in risk profiles and long-term outcomes in acute heart failure patients with preserved and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction in the Czech Republic: The AHEAD registry sub-analysis

BACKGROUND

The latest European heart failure guidelines define patients as those with reduced (HFrEF), mid-range, and preserved (HFpEF) left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF; <40%, 40%-49%, and ≥50%, respectively). We investigated the causes of rehospitalizations/deaths in our institution's heart failure patients and focused on differences in the clinical presentation, risk profile, and long-term outcomes between the HFrEF and HFpEF groups in a real-life scenario.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We followed 1274 patients discharged from heart failure hospitalization in 2 centres. The mean patient age was 75.9 years, and men and women were represented equally. During the minimal follow-up of 2 years, 57% of patients were hospitalised for any cause, 24.9% for decompensated heart failure, and 43.3% for any cardiovascular cause. A total of 36.1% of patients died, either with prior (11.8%) or without prior (24.3%) heart failure rehospitalization. Heart failure was also the most frequent cause of cardiovascular hospitalization, followed by gastrointestinal problems, infections, and tumours for noncardiovascular hospitalizations. Patients with HFrEF had different baseline characteristics and risk profiles, experienced more hospitalizations for acute heart failure (28.6% vs 20.2%, P=0.012), and had higher cardiovascular mortality (82.4% vs 63.5%, P<0.001) when compared with HFpEF patients. Overall mortality and rehospitalization rates were similar.

CONCLUSION

Within 2 years, half of the patients died and/or were hospitalised for acute decompensation of heart failure, and only one-third of the patients survived without any hospitalization. HFrEF and HFpEF patients were confirmed to be different entities with diverse characteristics, risk profiles, and cardiovascular event rates.

Deceleration capacity of heart rate predicts trastuzumab-related cardiotoxicity in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer: A prospective observational study

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVES

Trastuzumab is the standard choice for anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) therapy. Cardiotoxicity is one of the main adverse effects of trastuzumab. How to early predict trastuzumab-related cardiotoxicity remains a significant problem in clinical practice. The deceleration capacity of the heart rate (DC) has been shown to be a powerful predictor of adverse outcomes in various heart diseases. In the study, the role of DC in early predicting trastuzumab-related cardiotoxicity was investigated.

METHODS

A total of 150 patients were prospectively investigated the clinical value of the DC in predicting trastuzumab-related cardiotoxicity in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer treated with trastuzumab at Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital from June 2015 to June 2017. DC, mean heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) indices, including the standard deviation of all normal RR intervals (SDNN) and the square root of the mean of the squared differences between adjacent normal RR intervals (RMSSD), were assessed before treatment, and the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was regularly monitored for 2 years (before, during and after treatment) to evaluate cardiotoxicity.

RESULTS

Among 150 eligible patients, 28 (18.7%) developed cardiotoxicity. Patients with cardiotoxicity were older (P < .05), higher anthracycline dose (P < .001) and had lower RMSSD (P < .05), SDNN, DC and baseline LVEF (P < .001), than patients without cardiotoxicity. Logistic regression analysis revealed lower DC, lower baseline LVEF and higher anthracycline dose were independent risk factors of trastuzumab-related cardiotoxicity. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed a greater area under the curve for DC than for the baseline LVEF in predicting cardiotoxicity (0.88 vs 0.77, P = .032). Additionally, DC had higher sensitivity (78.6% vs 67.9%) and specificity (83.6% vs 77.9%) in predicting cardiotoxicity than the baseline LVEF. Linear regression analysis showed among patients who developed cardiotoxicity, lower DC was associated with an earlier onset (P < .01).

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

The present study found that DC was a stronger predictor of trastuzumab-related cardiotoxicity development than the baseline LVEF and HRV. Linear regression analysis showed among patients who developed cardiotoxicity, lower DC was associated with an earlier onset. DC should be a potential clinical indicator for the early prediction of trastuzumab-related cardiotoxicity.

Evaluation of Left Ventricular Volumes and Ejection Fraction from Gated Myocardial Perfusion SPECT Processed with "Myovation Evolution": Comparison of Three Automated Software Packages using Cardiac Magnetic Resonance as Reference

BACKGROUND

The development of resolution recovery (RR) algorithms has made it possible to preserve the good quality of cardiac images despite a reduced number of counts during study acquisition.

OBJECTIVE

Our purpose was to evaluate the performance of three different software packages in the quantification of left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), and ejection fraction (EF) from gated perfusion SPECT, applying a resolution recovery (RR) algorithm (GE Myovation Evolution), with respect to cardiac MRI (cMRI) as a gold standard.

METHODS

We retrospectively enrolled 21 patients, with suspected or known coronary heart disease. Images at rest were reconstructed by filtered back projection (FBP) and by an iterative protocol with the RR algorithm. EDV, ESV, and LVEF were automatically computed employing Quantitative Gated SPECT (QGS), Myometrix (MX), and Corridor 4DM (4DM). Any difference in EDV, ESV, and LVEF calculation between cMRI and the three packages (with FBP and iterative reconstruction with RR) was tested using Wilcoxon or paired t-test, with the assumption of normality assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Agreement between imaging reconstruction algorithms and between gated-SPECT software packages and cMRI was studied with Pearson's (r) or Spearman's (R) correlation coefficients and Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (LCC).

RESULTS

Intra-software evaluation always revealed very strong correlation coefficients (R, r ≥ 0.8) and excellent LCC coefficients (LCC > 0.95), except for the LCC coefficient between MX-FBP and MX-RR in EDV evaluation, nevertheless considered very good (LCC = 0.94). EDV and ESV had significantly lower value when calculated with the RR algorithm with respect to FBP reconstruction in QGS and MX. LVEF estimation did not show significant differences for QGS-FBP, QGS-RR, MX, and 4DM-RR with respect to cMRI.

CONCLUSION

All reconstruction methods systematically underestimate EDV and ESV, with higher underestimation applying only the RR. No significant differences were observed between 4DM - RR and 4DM-FBP, for each parameter, when the 4DM package was used.

Cross-lagged analyses of the bidirectional relationship between depression and markers of chronic heart failure

BACKGROUND

Depression is common in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and is a predictor of rehospitalization and mortality. However, the complex bidirectional relationships between these two conditions are barely understood. We investigated the course of depression and markers of CHF (New York Heart Association [NYHA] functional class, N-terminal-prohormone B-type natriuretic peptide [NT-proBNP], and left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF]) in a longitudinal study over a period of 2 years, using three assessment points.

METHODS

Data of n = 446 patients with documented CHF were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Specifically, a Bayesian cross-lagged structural equation model was applied.

RESULTS

Our study revealed that an aggravation of depression predicted an increase in NYHA functional class (significant cross-lagged effect γ_h  = 0.103, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.017; 0.194]), whereas an increase in NYHA functional class did not predict an aggravation of depression (γ_d  = 0.002 95% CI [-0.057; 0.194]). This association was found only for NYHA functional class and depression-not for NT-proBNP and LVEF.

CONCLUSIONS

Experiencing depression and associated symptoms, such as lack of energy and fatigue, may lead to a further decrease of functional capacity, and consequently to a higher NYHA functional class in CHF patients. As NYHA functional class is associated with higher mortality, this may be a critical development for affected patients. Further studies are required to investigate whether or not this association could be an essential key that explains the pathway from depression to increased mortality in heart failure patients.

Duration of Exposure to Thyrotoxicosis Increases Mortality of Compromised AIT Patients: the Role of Early Thyroidectomy

CONTEXT

Patients with amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) and severely reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) have a high mortality rate that may be reduced by total thyroidectomy. Whether in this subset of patients thyroidectomy should be performed early during thyrotoxicosis or later after restoration of euthyroidism has not yet been settled.

OBJECTIVES

Mortality rates, including peritreatment mortality and 5-year cardiovascular mortality, and predictors of death, evaluated by Cox regression analysis.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study of 64 consecutive patients with AIT selected for total thyroidectomy from 1997 to 2019. Four groups of patients were identified according to serum thyroid hormone concentrations and LVEF: Group 1 (thyrotoxic, LVEF <40%), Group 2 (thyrotoxic, LVEF ≥40%), Group 3 (euthyroid, LVEF < 40%), Group 4 (euthyroid, LVEF ≥40%).

RESULTS

Among patients with low LVEF (Groups 1 and 3), mortality was higher in patients undergoing thyroidectomy after restoration of euthyroidism (Group 3) than in those submitted to surgery when still thyrotoxic (Group 1): peritreatment mortality rates were 40% versus 0%, respectively (P = .048), whereas 5-year cardiovascular mortality rates were 53.3% versus 12.3%, respectively (P = .081). Exposure to thyrotoxicosis was longer in Group 3 than in Group 1 (112 days, interquartile range [IQR] 82.5-140, vs 76 days, IQR 24.8-88.5, P = .021). Survival did not differ in patients with LVEF ≥40% submitted to thyroidectomy irrespective of being thyrotoxic (Group 2) or euthyroid (Group 4): in this setting, peritreatment mortality rates were 6.3% versus 4% (P = .741) and 5-year cardiovascular mortality rates were 12.5% and 20% (P = .685), respectively. Age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.104, P = .029) and duration of exposure to thyrotoxicosis (HR 1.004, P = .039), but not presurgical serum thyroid hormone concentrations (P = .577 for free thyroxine, P = .217 for free triiodothyronine), were independent predictors of death.

CONCLUSIONS

A prolonged exposure to thyrotoxicosis resulted in increased mortality in patients with reduced LVEF, which may be reduced by early thyroidectomy.

Transient Cardiomyopathy in a Patient With Coronavirus Disease-2019

A 66-year-old male patient with coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) developed cardiogenic shock with echocardiographic evidence of decreased left ventricular ejection fraction and global hypokinesia concomitant with a robust systemic inflammatory response. Following the administration of convalescent plasma therapy and inotropic support, left ventricular function recovered fully in accordance with the decrease in the concentration of the inflammatory markers. Thus, we demonstrate the presence of transient reversible cardiomyopathy in a patient with severe COVID-19 and illustrate the association of acute cardiac dysfunction with profound systemic inflammation among COVID-19 patients.

Noninvasive Hemodynamic Assessment of Shock Severity and Mortality Risk Prediction in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to define the 2-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic hemodynamics associated with each Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) stage, and to determine their association with mortality.

BACKGROUND

The SCAI shock stages classification stratifies mortality risk in cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) patients, but the echocardiographic and hemodynamic parameters that define these SCAI shock stages are unknown.

METHODS

Unique CICU patients admitted from 2007 to 2015 who had a transthoracic echocardiogram within 1 day of CICU admission were included. Echocardiographic variables were evaluated as a function of SCAI shock stage. Multivariable logistic regression determined the association between echocardiographic parameters with adjusted hospital mortality.

RESULTS

We included 5,453 patients with a median age of 69.3 years (interquartile range: 58.2 to 79.0 years) (37% women), and a median left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 50% (interquartile range: 35% to 61%). Higher SCAI shock stages were associated with lower LVEF and worse systemic hemodynamics. Hospital mortality was higher in patients with LVEF <40%, cardiac index <1.8 l/min/m², stroke volume index <35 ml/m², cardiac power output <0.6 W, or medial early mitral valve inflow velocity to early diastolic annular velocity (E/e') ratio >15 (particularly in SCAI shock Stages A to C). After multivariable adjustment, only stroke volume index <35 ml/m² (adjusted odds ratio: 2.0; 95% confidence interval: 1.4 to 3.0; p < 0.001) and E/e' ratio >15 (adjusted odds ratio: 1.52; 95% confidence interval: 1.04 to 2.23; p = 0.03) remained associated with higher hospital mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Noninvasive 2-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic parameters correlate with the SCAI shock stages and improve risk stratification for hospital mortality in CICU patients. Low stroke volume index and high E/e' ratio demonstrated the strongest association with hospital mortality.