Recommendations on pre-hospital & early hospital management of acute heart failure: a consensus paper from the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology, the European Society of Emergency Medicine and the Society of Academic Emergenc

The FAST-FURO study: effect of very early administration of intravenous furosemide in the prehospital setting to patients with acute heart failure attending the emergency department

AIMS

The effect of early administration of intravenous (IV) furosemide in the emergency department (ED) on short-term outcomes of acute heart failure (AHF) patients remains controversial, with one recent Japanese study reporting a decrease of in-hospital mortality and one Korean study reporting a lack of clinical benefit. Both studies excluded patients receiving prehospital IV furosemide and only included patients requiring hospitalization. To assess the impact on short-term outcomes of early IV furosemide administration by emergency medical services (EMS) before patient arrival to the ED.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In a secondary analysis of the Epidemiology of Acute Heart Failure in Emergency Departments (EAHFE) registry of consecutive AHF patients admitted to Spanish EDs, patients treated with IV furosemide at the ED were classified according to whether they received IV furosemide from the EMS (FAST-FURO group) or not (CONTROL group). In-hospital all-cause mortality, 30-day all-cause mortality, and prolonged hospitalization (>10 days) were assessed. We included 12 595 patients (FAST-FURO = 683; CONTROL = 11 912): 968 died during index hospitalization [7.7%; FAST-FURO = 10.3% vs. CONTROL = 7.5%; odds ratio (OR) = 1.403, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 1.085-1.813; P = 0.009], 1269 died during the first 30 days (10.2%; FAST-FURO = 13.4% vs. CONTROL = 9.9%; OR = 1.403, 95% CI = 1.146-1.764; P = 0.004), and 2844 had prolonged hospitalization (22.8%; FAST-FURO = 25.8% vs. CONTROL = 22.6%; OR = 1.189, 95% CI = 0.995-1.419; P = 0.056). FAST-FURO group patients had more diabetes mellitus, ischaemic cardiomyopathy, peripheral artery disease, left ventricular systolic dysfunction, and severe decompensations, and had a better New York Heart Association class and had less atrial fibrillation. After adjusting for these significant differences, early IV furosemide resulted in no impact on short-term outcomes: OR = 1.080 (95% CI = 0.817-1.427) for in-hospital mortality, OR = 1.086 (95% CI = 0.845-1.396) for 30-day mortality, and OR = 1.095 (95% CI = 0.915-1.312) for prolonged hospitalization. Several sensitivity analyses, including analysis of 599 pairs of patients matched by propensity score, showed consistent findings.

CONCLUSION

Early IV furosemide during the prehospital phase was administered to the sickest patients, was not associated with changes in short-term mortality or length of hospitalization after adjustment for several confounders.

Assessing congestion in acute heart failure using cardiac and lung ultrasound - a review

Introduction: Acute heart failure (AHF) is one of the leading causes of hospital admissions and is characterized by systemic and pulmonary congestion, which often precedes the overt clinical signs and symptoms. Echocardiography in the management of chronic HF is well described; however, there are less evidence regarding echocardiography and lung ultrasound (LUS) in the acute setting.Areas covered: We have summarized current evidence regarding the use of echocardiography and LUS for assessing congestion in patients with AHF. We discuss the value and reliability of handheld/pocketsize ultrasound devices in AHF.Expert opinion: Echocardiography is an essential tool for the diagnostic work up in patients with AHF. No individual parameter reliably detects congestion, thus the physician must integrate several measurements from the right and left heart. Novel methods and advances in cardiac imaging and clinical chemistry make it possible to detect congestion at an early stage. LUS is particularly helpful in assessing congestion, and it has demonstrated diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic value in AHF. LUS is relatively easy to learn and allows for quick assessment of the presence of pulmonary congestion and pleural effusion. We recommend integration of LUS for routine management of patients with AHF.

Effect of an Emergency Department Care Bundle on 30-Day Hospital Discharge and Survival Among Elderly Patients With Acute Heart Failure: The ELISABETH Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

Clinical guidelines for the early management of acute heart failure in the emergency department (ED) setting are based on only moderate levels of evidence, with subsequent low adherence to these guidelines.

OBJECTIVE

To test the effect of an early guideline-recommended care bundle on short-term prognosis in older patients with acute heart failure in the ED.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial in 15 EDs in France of 503 patients 75 years and older with a diagnosis of acute heart failure in the ED from December 2018 to September 2019 and followed up for 30 days until October 2019.

INTERVENTIONS

A care bundle that included early intravenous nitrate boluses; management of precipitating factors, such as acute coronary syndrome, infection, or atrial fibrillation; and moderate dose of intravenous diuretics (n = 200). In the control group, patient care was left to the discretion of the treating emergency physician (n = 303). Each center was randomized to the order in which they switched to the "intervention period." After the initial 4-week control period for all centers, 1 center entered in the intervention period every 2 weeks.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary end point was the number of days alive and out of hospital at 30 days. Secondary outcomes included 30-day all-cause mortality, 30-day cardiovascular mortality, unscheduled readmission, length of hospital stay, and kidney impairment.

RESULTS

Among 503 patients who were randomized (median age, 87 years; 298 [59%] women), 502 were analyzed. In the intervention group, patients received a median (interquartile range) of 27.0 (9-54) mg of intravenous nitrates in the first 4 hours vs 4.0 (2.0-6.0) mg in the control group (adjusted difference, 23.8 [95% CI, 13.5-34.1]). There was a significantly higher percentage of patients in the intervention group treated for their precipitating factors than in the control group (58.8% vs 31.9%; adjusted difference, 31.1% [95% CI, 14.3%-47.9%]). There was no statistically significant difference in the primary end point of the number of days alive and out of hospital at 30 days (median [interquartile range], 19 [0- 24] d in both groups; adjusted difference, -1.9 [95% CI, -6.6 to 2.8]; adjusted ratio, 0.88 [95% CI, 0.64-1.21]). At 30 days, there was no significant difference between the intervention and control groups in mortality (8.0% vs 9.7%; adjusted difference, 4.1% [95% CI, -17.2% to 25.3%]), cardiovascular mortality (5.0% vs 7.4%; adjusted difference, 2.1% [95% CI, -15.5% to 19.8%]), unscheduled readmission (14.3% vs 15.7%; adjusted difference, -1.3% [95% CI, -26.3% to 23.7%]), median length of hospital stay (8 d in both groups; adjusted difference, 2.5 [95% CI, -0.9 to 5.8]), and kidney impairment (1% in both groups).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Among older patients with acute heart failure, use of a guideline-based comprehensive care bundle in the ED compared with usual care did not result in a statistically significant difference in the number of days alive and out of the hospital at 30 days. Further research is needed to identify effective treatments for acute heart failure in older patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03683212.

Clinical phenotypes, aetiologies, management, and mortality in acute heart failure: a single-institution study in Latin-America

Aims

Little is known regarding acute heart failure (AHF) clinical characteristics and its hospital outcome in Latin America. This study sought to assess the prevalence of, and identify differences among, in‐hospital outcomes in patients hospitalized for AHF who were stratified by clinical phenotype at a hospital in Latin America.

Methods and results

This is a retrospective cohort study of patients with AHF who were hospitalized in the coronary care unit of a Latin American teaching hospital from January 2006 to December 2018. Cox regression analysis was used to identify predictors of mortality. Of 21 042 patients admitted, 7759 (36.6%) had AHF. Their median age was 62 years, and 35% were women. De novo heart failure was seen in 39.4% of patients. Most common was AHF‐associated acute coronary syndromes (ACS‐HF) in 43.0%, decompensated heart failure (DHF) in 33.7%, hypertensive heart failure (HT‐HF) in 11.8%, and cardiogenic shock (CS) in 5.2%. Pulmonary oedema (PO) (3.3%) and right heart failure (RHF) (3.0%) were least frequent. Coronary artery disease was the most frequent aetiology in 56.5% of patients, valvular heart disease in 22.4%, and cardiomyopathies in 12.3%. Other less frequent aetiology included adult congenital heart disease (2.5%), lung diseases (2.1%), acute aortic syndromes (1.4%), pericardial diseases (0.8%), and intracardiac tumours (0.3%). Aetiology could not be established in 1.6% of patients. Before admission, patients with worsening chronic heart failure and reduced ejection fraction were treated with renin–angiotensin system blockers (60.4%), beta‐blockers (42.5%), or spironolactone (34.4%). The percentages of patients given in‐hospital management with intravenous diuretics, vasodilators, inotropes, and vasopressors were 81.2%, 33.4%, 18.9%, and 20.4%, respectively. The overall in‐hospital mortality was 17.9% (71.3%, 43.9%, 23.8%, 14.9%, 13.6%, and 10.1% for CS, PO, RHF, DHF, ACS‐HF, and HT‐HF, respectively; P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis revealed that PO (hazard ratio [HR] 2.68, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.73–4.14, P < 0.0001) and CS (HR 3.37, 95% CI 2.12–5.35, P < 0.0001) were independent predictors of in‐hospital mortality. Use of intravenous diuretics was linked to reduction of in‐hospital mortality (HR 0.70, 95% CI 0.59–0.59, P < 0.0001). By contrast, increased in‐hospital mortality was associated with the use of intravenous inotrope or vasopressor (HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.27–1.76 and HR 2.91, 95% CI 2.41–3.51, P < 0.0001, respectively).

Conclusions

Real‐world evidence from a university hospital in Latin America shows that the high mortality among patients with AHF may depend, among other factors, on patients' AHF clinical phenotypes. The clinical characteristics and aetiologies of AHF appear to differ between these data from Mexico and those from European and US registries.

Diagnostic performance of congestion score index evaluated from chest radiography for acute heart failure in the emergency department: A retrospective analysis from the PARADISE cohort

BACKGROUND

Congestion score index (CSI), a semiquantitative evaluation of congestion on chest radiography (CXR), is associated with outcome in patients with heart failure (HF). However, its diagnostic value in patients admitted for acute dyspnea has yet to be evaluated.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

The diagnostic value of CSI for acute HF (AHF; adjudicated from patients' discharge files) was studied in the Pathway of dyspneic patients in Emergency (PARADISE) cohort, including patients aged 18 years or older admitted for acute dyspnea in the emergency department (ED) of the Nancy University Hospital (France) between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2015. CSI (ranging from 0 to 3) was evaluated using a semiquantitative method on CXR in consecutive patients admitted for acute dyspnea in the ED. Results were validated in independent cohorts (N = 224). Of 1,333 patients, mean (standard deviation [SD]) age was 72.0 (18.5) years, 686 (51.5%) were men, and mean (SD) CSI was 1.42 (0.79). Patients with higher CSI had more cardiovascular comorbidities, more severe congestion, higher b-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), poorer renal function, and more respiratory acidosis. AHF was diagnosed in 289 (21.7%) patients. CSI was significantly associated with AHF diagnosis (adjusted odds ratio [OR] for 0.1 unit CSI increase 1.19, 95% CI 1.16-1.22, p < 0.001) after adjustment for clinical-based diagnostic score including age, comorbidity burden, dyspnea, and clinical congestion. The diagnostic accuracy of CSI for AHF was >0.80, whether alone (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUROC] 0.84, 95% CI 0.82-0.86) or in addition to the clinical model (AUROC 0.87, 95% CI 0.85-0.90). CSI improved diagnostic accuracy on top of clinical variables (net reclassification improvement [NRI] = 94.9%) and clinical variables plus BNP (NRI = 55.0%). Similar diagnostic accuracy was observed in the validation cohorts (AUROC 0.75, 95% CI 0.68-0.82). The key limitation of our derivation cohort was its single-center and retrospective nature, which was counterbalanced by the validation in the independent cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we observed that a systematic semiquantified assessment of radiographic pulmonary congestion showed high diagnostic value for AHF in dyspneic patients. Better use of CXR may provide an inexpensive, widely, and readily available method for AHF triage in the ED.

Contribution of caval index and ejection fraction estimated by e-point septal separation measured by emergency physicians in the clinical diagnosis of acute heart failure

OBJECTIVES

Although the reliability of e-point septal separation (EPSS) and caval index (CI) is proven in the diagnosis of acute heart failure (AHF), how much they contribute to the initial clinical impression is unclear. This study aimed to determine the diagnostic contribution of EPSS and CI to the initial clinical impression of AHF.

METHODS

This is a prospective observational study conducted in an academic emergency department (ED). The patients admitted to the ED with acute undifferentiated dyspnea were included. Primary diagnosis was made after an initial clinical evaluation, and a secondary diagnosis was made after EPSS and CI measurements. Independent cardiologists made the final diagnosis. The primary outcome was the diagnostic contribution of EPSS and CI to the primary diagnosis.

RESULTS

A total of 182 patients were included in the study. The primary diagnosis was found with a sensitivity of 0.55 and specificity of 0.84 and the secondary diagnosis was determined with a sensitivity of 0.78 and specificity of 0.83 in predicting the final diagnosis. The agreement coefficient between the primary and final diagnosis was 0.44 and between the secondary diagnosis and the final diagnosis was 0.61. When the primary diagnosis was coherent with secondary diagnosis, sensitivity and specificity were found to be 0.74 and 0.90, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Although a detailed history and physical examination are the essential factors in shaping clinical perception, CI and EPSS combined significantly contribute to the initial clinical impression.

Early drop in systolic blood pressure, heart rate at admission, and their effects on worsening renal function in elderly patients with acute heart failure

Background

Regardless of patients’ baseline renal function, worsening renal function (WRF) during hospitalization is associated with poor outcomes. In individuals with acute heart failure (AHF), one predictor of WRF is an early drop in systolic blood pressure (SBP). Few studies have investigated WRF in elderly AHF patients or the influence of these patients’ heart rate (HR) at admission on the relationship between an early SBP drop SBP and the AHF.

Methods

We measured the SBP and HR of 245 elderly AHF inpatients (83 ± 6.0 years old, females 51%) at admission and another six times over the next 48 h. We defined ‘WRF’ as a serum creatinine increase ≥0.3 mg/dL by Day 5 post-admission. We calculated the ‘early SBP drop’ as the difference between the admission SBP value and the lowest value during the first 48 h of hospitalization.

Results

There were significant differences between the 36 patients with WRF and the 209 patients without WRF: early SBP drop (51 vs. 33 mmHg, p < 0.01) and HR at admission (79 vs. 90 bpm, p < 0.05), respectively. In the multiple logistic regression analysis adjusted for the confounders, higher early SBP drop (p < 0.04) and lower HR at admission (p < 0.01) were significantly associated with WRF. No significant association was shown for the interaction term of early SBP drop × HR at admission with WRF.

Conclusions

In these elderly AHF patients, exaggerated early SBP drop and lower HR at admission were significant independent predictors of WRF, and these factors were additively associated with WRF.

Role of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide combined with sodium nitroprusside in improving quality of life and cardiac function in patients with acute heart failure

The present study aimed to investigate the role of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide (RHBNP) combined with sodium nitroprusside (SN) in improving quality of life and cardiac function in patients with acute heart failure. A total of 96 patients with acute heart failure who were admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University were included in the current study. A total of 48 patients were treated with RHBNP combined with SN (research group) and 48 patients were treated with SN alone (control group). To assess the efficacy and safety of the two treatments, the study groups were compared in terms of improvement in clinical symptoms and cardiac function indices, including pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and left ventricular ejection fraction, which was measured using a non-invasive cardiac hemodynamic detector; changes in fluid intake and 24 h urine volumes after drug use; cardiac function classification before treatment and three days after treatment; adverse drug reactions during treatment and mortality within 1 month of treatment. Following treatment, compared with the control group, the research group demonstrated significantly higher fluid intake and 24 h urine volume after drug use, improved cardiac function indices, cardiac function classification, biochemical indicators and total effective rate of treatment (all P<0.05); significantly lower total incidence of adverse reactions (P<0.05) and similar mortality within 1 month of treatment. With improvements in cardiac and other organ function, RHBNP combined with SN was found to be effective in the treatment of acute heart failure. RHBNP can effectively promote urination, reduce inflammatory responses and rapidly relieve clinical symptoms without significant adverse reactions, indicating its potential use in further clinical application.

Admission Bedside Lung Ultrasound Reclassifies Mortality Prediction in Patients With ST-Segment–Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Background:

Early risk stratification is essential for in-hospital management of ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction. Acute heart failure confers a worse prognosis, and although lung ultrasound (LUS) is recommended as a first-line test to assess pulmonary congestion, it has never been tested in this setting. Our aim was to evaluate the prognostic ability of admission LUS in patients with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction.

Methods:

LUS protocol consisted of 8 scanning zones and was performed before primary percutaneous coronary intervention by an operator blinded to Killip classification. A LUS combined with Killip (LUCK) classification was developed. Receiver operating characteristic and net reclassification improvement analyses were performed to compare LUCK and Killip classifications.

Results:

We prospectively investigated 215 patients admitted with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction between April 2018 and June 2019. Absence of pulmonary congestion detected by LUS implied a negative predictive value for in-hospital mortality of 98.1% (93.1–99.5%). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the LUCK classification for in-hospital mortality was 0.89 ( P =0.001), and of the Killip classification was 0.86 ( P <0.001; P =0.05 for the difference between curves). LUCK classification improved Killip ability to predict in-hospital mortality with a net reclassification improvement of 0.18.

Conclusions:

In a cohort of patients with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention, admission LUS added to Killip classification was more sensitive than physical examination to identify patients at risk for in-hospital mortality. LUCK classification had a greater area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and reclassified Killip classification in 18% of cases. Moreover, absence of pulmonary congestion on LUS provided an excellent negative predictive value for in-hospital mortality.

Impact of Hospital Practice Factors on Mortality in Patients Hospitalized for Heart Failure in Japan - An Analysis of a Large Number of Health Records From a Nationwide Claims-Based Database, the JROAD-DPC

BACKGROUND

An inverse relationship exists between hospital case volume and mortality in patients with heart failure (HF). However, hospital performance factors associated with mortality in HF patients have not been examined. We aimed to identify these using exploratory factor analysis and assess the relationship between these factors and 7-day, 30-day, and in-hospital mortality among HF patients in Japan.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We analyzed the records of 198,861 patients admitted to 683 certified hospitals of the Japanese Circulation Society between 2012 and 2014. Records were obtained from the nationwide database of the Japanese Registry Of All cardiac and vascular Diseases-Diagnostic Procedure Combination (JROAD-DPC). Using exploratory factor analysis, 90 hospital survey items were grouped into 5 factors, according to their collinearity: "Interventional cardiology", "Cardiovascular surgery", "Pediatric cardiology", "Electrophysiology" and "Cardiac rehabilitation". Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association between these factors and mortality. The 30-day mortality was 8.0%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed the "Pediatric cardiology" (odds ratio (OR) 0.677, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.628-0.729, P<0.0001), "Electrophysiology" (OR 0.876, 95% CI: 0.832-0.923, P<0.0001), and "Cardiac rehabilitation" (OR 0.832, 95% CI: 0.792-0.873, P<0.0001) factors were associated with lower mortality. In contrast, "Interventional cardiology" (OR 1.167, 95% CI: 1.070-1.272, P<0.0001) was associated with higher mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Hospital factors, including various cardiovascular therapeutic practices, may be associated with the early death of HF patients.

Improved cardiac and venous pressures during hospital stay in patients with acute heart failure: an echocardiography and biomarkers study

Aims

Changes in echocardiographic parameters and biomarkers of cardiac and venous pressures or estimated plasma volume during hospitalization associated with decongestive treatments in acute heart failure (AHF) patients with either preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (HFPEF) or reduced LVEF (HFREF) are poorly assessed.

Methods and results

From the metabolic road to diastolic heart failure: diastolic heart failure (MEDIA‐DHF) study, 111 patients were included in this substudy: 77 AHF (43 HFPEF and 34 HFREF) and 34 non‐cardiac dyspnea patients. Echocardiographic measurements and blood samples were obtained within 4 h of presentation at the emergency department and before hospital discharge. In AHF patients, echocardiographic indices of cardiac and venous pressures, including inferior vena cava diameter [from 22 (16–24) mm to 13 (11–18) mm, P = 0.009], its respiratory variability [from 32 (8–44) % to 43 (29–70) %, P = 0.04], medial E/e' [from 21.1 (15.8–29.6) to 16.6 (11.7–24.3), P = 0.004], and E wave deceleration time [from 129 (105–156) ms to 166 (128–203) ms, P = 0.003], improved during hospitalization, similarly in HFPEF and HFREF patients. By contrast, no changes were seen in non‐cardiac dyspnea patients. In AHF patients, all plasma biomarkers of cardiac and venous pressures, namely B‐type natriuretic peptide [from 935 (514–2037) pg/mL to 308 (183–609) pg/mL, P < 0.001], mid‐regional pro‐atrial natriuretic peptide [from 449 (274–653) pmol/L to 366 (242–549) pmol/L, P < 0.001], and soluble CD‐146 levels [from 528 (406–654) ng/mL to 450 (374–529) ng/mL, P = 0.003], significantly decreased during hospitalization, similarly in HFPEF and HFREF patients. Echocardiographic parameters of cardiac chamber dimensions [left ventricular end‐diastolic volume: from 120 (76–140) mL to 118 (95–176) mL, P = 0.23] and cardiac index [from 2.1 (1.6–2.6) mL/min/m² to 1.9 (1.4–2.4) mL/min/m², P = 0.55] were unchanged in AHF patients, except tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) that improved during hospitalization [from 16 (15–19) mm to 19 (17–21) mm, P = 0.04]. Estimated plasma volume increased in both AHF [from 4.8 (4.2–5.6) to 5.1 (4.4–5.8), P = 0.03] and non‐cardiac dyspnea patients (P = 0.01). Serum creatinine [from 1.18 (0.90–1.53) to 1.19 (0.86–1.70) mg/dL, P = 0.89] and creatinine‐based estimated glomerular filtration rate [from 59 (40–75) mL/min/1.73m² to 56 (38–73) mL/min/1.73m², P = 0.09] were similar, while plasma cystatin C [from 1.50 (1.20–2.27) mg/L to 1.78 (1.33–2.59) mg/L, P < 0.001] and neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL) [from 127 (95–260) ng/mL to 167 (104–263) ng/mL, P = 0.004] increased during hospitalization in AHF.

Conclusions

Echocardiographic parameters and plasma biomarkers of cardiac and venous pressures improved during AHF hospitalization in both acute HFPEF and HFREF patients, while cardiac chamber dimensions, cardiac output, and estimated plasma volume showed minimal changes.

A narrative review on the management of Acute Heart Failure in Emergency Medicine Department

The main urgent symptom presented to an emergency department is acute heart failure (AHF). In that considerable risksof morbidity and mortality, it is important to plan precision medicine to achieve the most suitable outcomes. The object of this review is to provide a summary of contemporary management procedures of emergency medicine in a department of acute heart failure. Heart failure could be presented with a broad range of symptoms, in particular a sudden worsening of those of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. The treatment should focus on acute and chronic underlying disorders with instructions focusing on haemodynamics and blood pressure status. Treatment of patients suffering with worsening symptoms of AHF mainly focuses on intravenous diuretics. In emergency situations, patients suffering with AHF with low blood pressure must receive emergency consultation and a primary fluid bolus therapy (range 250-500 mL) followed by inotropic therapy with or without antihypotensive agents. For treatment of severe heart failure and cardiogenic shock in patients treated with noradrenalin, when blood pressure support is required, a direct-acting inotropic agent, dobutamine, could be applied effectively. When non-invasive positive pressure ventilation is needed, suppliers must track for any possibility of sudden worsening, i.e., for acute decompensated heart failure. When cardiac output is high the disorder could be treated with vasopressors.

Sacubitril/Valsartan in Real-Life Practice: Experience in Patients with Advanced Heart Failure and Systematic Review

PURPOSE

Sacubitril/valsartan reduced heart failure (HF) admissions and cardiovascular mortality in the PARADIGM-HF trial. However, real-life studies are scarce comparing daily practice patients with those of the trial. The aim of our study was to analyze the efficacy and safety of the drug in an advanced heart failure cohort and to review systematically the previous real-life studies published to date.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients prescribed sacubitril/valsartan in a single tertiary HF clinic between September 2016 and February 2018. HF admissions before and after the initiation of the drug were assessed in a paired fashion. A systematic review of real-life studies published to date was also conducted.

RESULTS

Sacubitril/valsartan was started in 108 patients who were in a more advanced NYHA class and more frequently treated with mineral receptor antagonists, internal cardiac defibrillator, and cardiac resynchronization therapy than in the PARADIGM-HF trial. After a 6-month follow-up, we observed a significant reduction in the HF hospitalizations, median levels of NT-proBNP, and need for levosimendan ambulatory perfusion. Likewise, we found a significant improvement in mean LVEF and end diastolic left ventricle diameter. Regarding safety, sacubitril/valsartan was well-tolerated without any severe adverse effect.

CONCLUSION

Sacubitril/valsartan in real-life is prescribed to a more advanced HF population, which could be responsible for the difficulties in reaching high doses of the drug. However, after a 6-month follow-up, sacubitril/valsartan significantly reduces HF hospitalization and induces cardiac reverse remodeling, without remarkable adverse events.

Acute heart failure

Acute heart failure (AHF) is a syndrome defined as the new onset (de novo heart failure (HF)) or worsening (acutely decompensated heart failure (ADHF)) of symptoms and signs of HF, mostly related to systemic congestion. In the presence of an underlying structural or functional cardiac dysfunction (whether chronic in ADHF or undiagnosed in de novo HF), one or more precipitating factors can induce AHF, although sometimes de novo HF can result directly from the onset of a new cardiac dysfunction, most frequently an acute coronary syndrome. Despite leading to similar clinical presentations, the underlying cardiac disease and precipitating factors may vary greatly and, therefore, the pathophysiology of AHF is highly heterogeneous. Left ventricular diastolic or systolic dysfunction results in increased preload and afterload, which in turn lead to pulmonary congestion. Fluid retention and redistribution result in systemic congestion, eventually causing organ dysfunction due to hypoperfusion. Current treatment of AHF is mostly symptomatic, centred on decongestive drugs, at best tailored according to the initial haemodynamic status with little regard to the underlying pathophysiological particularities. As a consequence, AHF is still associated with high mortality and hospital readmission rates. There is an unmet need for increased individualization of in-hospital management, including treatments targeting the causative factors, and continuation of treatment after hospital discharge to improve long-term outcomes.

Evaluating the impact of point-of-care ultrasonography on patients with suspected acute heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation in the emergency department: A prospective observational study

Objectives

Acute heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are sometimes difficult to differentiate in the emergency department (ED). We sought to determine the clinical impact of point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) in ED patients with suspected acute heart failure or COPD.

Methods

We conducted a prospectively collected cohort study with health records review with frequency matching at The Ottawa Hospital between March and September 2017. We included patients aged 50 and older with shortness of breath or cough from suspected acute heart failure or COPD. Our primary outcome was ED length of stay. Secondary outcomes were time to disposition decision, time to appropriate treatment, and the incidence of adverse events. We analyzed time-to-event outcomes using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression analysis with POCUS analyzed as a time-dependent variable, and the incidence of adverse events using logistic regression analyses.

Results

There were 81 patients evaluated with lung POCUS and 243 matched patients who were not. Lung POCUS was not significantly associated with ED length of stay and time to disposition decision; however, patients evaluated with lung POCUS received disease-specific treatment faster compared with the non-POCUS group (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.50 [95% confidence interval, 1.05–2.15], a median time difference of 31 minutes). We found no significant differences in the incidence of adverse events.

Conclusions

In this study, use of lung POCUS resulted in no difference in ED length of stay and time to disposition decision, but was associated with faster administration of disease-specific treatments for elderly patients with suspected acute heart failure or COPD.

Clinical importance of urinary sodium excretion in acute heart failure

Aims

Urinary sodium assessment has recently been proposed as a target for loop diuretic therapy in acute heart failure (AHF). We aimed to investigate the time course, clinical correlates and prognostic importance of urinary sodium excretion in AHF.

Methods and results

In a prospective cohort of 175 consecutive patients with an admission for AHF we evaluated urinary sodium excretion 6 h after initiation of loop diuretic therapy. Clinical outcome was all‐cause mortality or heart failure rehospitalization. Mean age was 71 ± 14 years, and 44% were female. Median urinary sodium excretion was 130 (67–229) mmol at 6 h, 347 (211–526) mmol at 24 h, and decreased from day 2 to day 4. Lower urinary sodium excretion was independently associated with male gender, younger age, renal dysfunction and pre‐admission loop diuretic use. There was a strong association between urinary sodium excretion at 6 h and 24 h urine volume (beta = 0.702, P < 0.001). Urinary sodium excretion after 6 h was a strong predictor of all‐cause mortality after a median follow‐up of 257 days (hazard ratio 3.81, 95% confidence interval 1.92–7.57; P < 0.001 for the lowest vs. the highest tertile of urinary sodium excretion) independent of established risk factors and urinary volume. Urinary sodium excretion was not associated with heart failure rehospitalization.

Conclusion

In a modern, unselected, contemporary AHF population, low urinary sodium excretion during the first 6 h after initiation of loop diuretic therapy is associated with lower urine output in the first day and independently associated with all‐cause mortality.

Treatment with 24 hour istaroxime infusion in patients hospitalised for acute heart failure: a randomised, placebo-controlled trial

AIM

Istaroxime is a first-in-class agent which acts through inhibition of the sarcolemmal Na⁺ /K⁺ pump and activation of the SERCA2a pump. This study assessed the effects of a 24 h infusion of istaroxime in patients hospitalised for acute heart failure (AHF).

METHODS AND RESULTS

We included patients hospitalised for AHF with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40% and E/e' > 10. Patients were randomised to a 24 h intravenous infusion of placebo or istaroxime at doses of 0.5 μg/kg/min (cohort 1: placebo n = 19; istaroxime n = 41) or 1.0 μg/kg/min (cohort 2: placebo n = 20, istaroxime n = 40). The primary endpoint of change in E/e' ratio from baseline to 24 h decreased with istaroxime vs. placebo (cohort 1: -4.55 ± 4.75 istaroxime 0.5 μg/kg/min vs. -1.55 ± 4.11 placebo, P = 0.029; cohort 2: -3.16 ± 2.59 istaroxime 1.0 μg/kg/min vs. -1.08 ± 2.72 placebo, P = 0.009). Both istaroxime doses significantly increased stroke volume index and decreased heart rate. Systolic blood pressure increased with istaroxime, achieving significance with the high dose. Self-reported dyspnoea and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide improved in all groups without significant differences between istaroxime and placebo. No significant differences in cardiac troponin absolute values or clinically relevant arrhythmias were observed during or after istaroxime infusion. Serious cardiac adverse events (including arrhythmias and hypotension) did not differ between placebo and istaroxime groups. The most common adverse events were injection site reactions and gastrointestinal events, the latter primarily with istaroxime 1.0 μg/kg/min.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients hospitalised for AHF with reduced ejection fraction, a 24 h infusion of istaroxime improved parameters of diastolic and systolic cardiac function without major cardiac adverse effects.

Treatment outcome and its predictors among patients of acute heart failure at a tertiary care hospital in Ethiopia: a prospective observational study

Background

Acute heart failure is a rapid onset of new or worsening of signs and symptoms of heart failure that requires hospitalization or a visit to the emergency department. The aim of this study was to evaluate treatment outcome and determine factors that predict a poor treatment outcome in acute heart failure patients at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Ethiopia.

Methods

A prospective observational study design was used. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire as a tool. Outcome variables were assessed at the time of discharge from the hospital. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine factors that predict in-hospital mortality. A p-value ≤0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results

Out of the 169 patients, the median age of patients with acute heart failure was 34 years (IQR = 23 to 50) and median hospital stay was 4.0 days (IQR = 3.0 to 6.0). The leading precipitating factor and underlying disease at the time of admission were pneumonia (47.5%) and chronic rheumatic heart disease (48.5%), respectively. The in-hospital mortality was found to be 17.2%. Smoking (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 8.7, p = 0.006), diabetes mellitus (AOR = 10.2, p = 0.005), pulmonary hypertension (AOR = 4.3, p = 0.016), and the presence of adverse drug events (AOR = 4.2, p = 0.003) were predictors of in-hospital mortality.

Conclusion

High in-hospital mortality was observed among acute heart failure patients admitted to a Tertiary Care Hospital in Ethiopia. Smoking, diabetes mellitus, pulmonary hypertension and the presence of adverse drug events were predictors of in-hospital mortality.

Heart failure etiologies and clinical factors precipitating for worsening heart failure: Findings from BIOSTAT-CHF

BACKGROUND

Knowledge on the association between heart failure (HF) etiologies, precipitant causes and clinical outcomes may help in ascertaining patient's risk and in selecting tailored therapeutic strategies.

METHODS

The prognostic value of both HF etiologies and precipitants for worsening HF were analyzed using the index cohort of BIOSTAT-CHF. The studied HF etiologies were: a) ischemic HF; b) dilated cardiomyopathy; c) hypertensive HF; d) valvular HF; and e) other/unknown. The precipitating factors for worsening HF were: a) atrial fibrillation; b) non-adherence; c) renal failure; d) acute coronary syndrome; e) hypertension; and f) Infection. The primary outcome was the composite of all-cause death or HF hospitalization.

RESULTS

Among 2465 patients included in the study, 45% (N = =1102) had ischemic HF, 23% (N = =563) dilated cardiomyopathy, 15% (N = =379) other/unknown, 10% (N = =237) hypertensive and 7% (N = =184) valvular HF. Patients with ischemic HF had the worst prognosis, whereas patients with dilated cardiomyopathy had the best prognosis. From the precipitating factors for worsening HF, renal failure was the one independently associated with worse prognosis (adjusted HR (95%CI) = =1.48 (1.04-2.09), p < 0.001). We found no interaction between HF etiologies and precipitating factors for worsening HF with regard to the study outcomes (p interaction > 0.10 for all). Treatment up-titration benefited patients regardless of their underlying etiology or precipitating cause (p interaction > 0.10 for all).

CONCLUSIONS

In BIOSTAT-CHF, patients with HF of an ischemic etiology, and those with worsening HF precipitated by renal failure (irrespective of the underlying HF etiology), had the highest rates of death and HF hospitalization, but still benefited equally from treatment up-titration.

Producing an effective care plan in advanced heart failure

An effective discharge plan is associated with better outcomes in advanced heart failure (HF) patients. Furthermore, a patient-centred care planning can improve patients' satisfaction, quality of life, and enhance self-care. Telemedicine may allow optimized monitoring of advanced HF patients. Nevertheless, its implementation into clinical practice across European countries is still limited. This document reflects the key points discussed concerning effective management plans in advanced HF by a panel of experts during a Heart Failure Association meeting on physiological monitoring of the complex multimorbid HF patient.

Imaging in patients with suspected acute heart failure: timeline approach position statement on behalf of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology

Acute heart failure is one of the main diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in clinical practice due to a non-specific clinical manifestation and the urgent need for timely and tailored management at the same time. In this position statement, the Heart Failure Association aims to systematize the use of various imaging methods in accordance with the timeline of acute heart failure care proposed in the recent guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology. During the first hours of admission the point-of-care focused cardiac and lung ultrasound examination is an invaluable tool for rapid differential diagnosis of acute dyspnoea, which is highly feasible and relatively easy to learn. Several portable and stationary imaging modalities are being increasingly used for the evaluation of cardiac structure and function, haemodynamic and volume status, precipitating myocardial ischaemia or valvular abnormalities, and systemic and pulmonary congestion. This paper emphasizes the central role of the full echocardiographic examination in the identification of heart failure aetiology, severity of cardiac dysfunction, indications for specific heart failure therapy, and risk stratification. Correct evaluation of cardiac filling pressures and accurate prognostication may help to prevent unscheduled short-term readmission. Alternative advanced imaging modalities should be considered to assist patient management in the pre- and post-discharge phase, including cardiac magnetic resonance, computed tomography, nuclear studies, and coronary angiography. The Heart Failure Association addresses this paper to the wide spectrum of acute care and heart failure specialists, highlighting the value of all available imaging techniques at specific stages and in common clinical scenarios of acute heart failure.

The Effect of Door-to-Diuretic Time on Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Acute Heart Failure

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to examine the impact of door-to-diuretic (D2D) time on mortality in patients with acute heart failure (AHF) who were presenting to an emergency department (ED).

BACKGROUND

Most patients with AHF present with congestion. Early decongestion with diuretic agents could improve their clinical outcomes.

METHODS

The Korea Acute Heart Failure registry enrolled 5,625 consecutive patients hospitalized for AHF. For this analysis, the study included patients who received intravenous diuretic agents within 24 h after ED arrival. Early and delayed groups were defined as D2D time ≤60 min and D2D time >60 min, respectively. The primary outcomes were in-hospital death and post-discharge death at 1 month and 1 year on the basis of D2D time.

RESULTS

A total of 2,761 patients met the inclusion criteria. The median D2D time was 128 min (interquartile range: 63 to 243 min), and 663 (24%) patients belonged to the early group. The baseline characteristics were similar between the groups. The rate of in-hospital death did not differ between the groups (5.0% vs. 5.1%; p > 0.999), nor did the post-discharge 1-month (4.0% vs. 3.0%; log-rank p = 0.246) and 1-year (20.6% vs. 19.3%; log-rank p = 0.458) mortality rates. Get With the Guidelines-Heart Failure risk score was calculated for each patient. In multivariate analyses with adjustment for Get With the Guidelines-Heart Failure risk score and other significant clinical covariates and propensity-matched analyses, D2D time was not associated with clinical outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

The D2D time was not associated with clinical outcomes in a large prospective cohort of patients with AHF who were presenting to an ED. (Registry [Prospective Cohort] for Heart Failure in Korea [KorAHF]; NCT01389843).

Pre-hospital management protocols and perceived difficulty in diagnosing acute heart failure

Aim

To illustrate the pre‐hospital management arsenals and protocols in different EMS units, and to estimate the perceived difficulty of diagnosing suspected acute heart failure (AHF) compared with other common pre‐hospital conditions.

Methods and results

A multinational survey included 104 emergency medical service (EMS) regions from 18 countries. Diagnostic and therapeutic arsenals related to AHF management were reported for each type of EMS unit. The prevalence and contents of management protocols for common medical conditions treated pre‐hospitally was collected. The perceived difficulty of diagnosing AHF and other medical conditions by emergency medical dispatchers and EMS personnel was interrogated.

Ultrasound devices and point‐of‐care testing were available in advanced life support and helicopter EMS units in fewer than 25% of EMS regions. AHF protocols were present in 80.8% of regions. Protocols for ST‐elevation myocardial infarction, chest pain, and dyspnoea were present in 95.2, 80.8, and 76.0% of EMS regions, respectively. Protocolized diagnostic actions for AHF management included 12‐lead electrocardiogram (92.1% of regions), ultrasound examination (16.0%), and point‐of‐care testings for troponin and BNP (6.0 and 3.5%). Therapeutic actions included supplementary oxygen (93.2%), non‐invasive ventilation (80.7%), intravenous furosemide, opiates, nitroglycerine (69.0, 68.6, and 57.0%), and intubation 71.5%. Diagnosing suspected AHF was considered easy to moderate by EMS personnel and moderate to difficult by emergency medical dispatchers (without significant differences between de novo and decompensated heart failure). In both settings, diagnosis of suspected AHF was considered easier than pulmonary embolism and more difficult than ST‐elevation myocardial infarction, asthma, and stroke.

Conclusions

The prevalence of AHF protocols is rather high but the contents seem to vary. Difficulty of diagnosing suspected AHF seems to be moderate compared with other pre‐hospital conditions.

Quality of acute heart failure treatment in France: Data from REseau Nord-Alpin des Urgences (RENAU)

BACKGROUND

Although mortality due to acute heart failure has decreased, its prevalence in France is still high. The aim of this study was to examine the quality of acute heart failure treatment in French emergency departments (EDs) with reference to subsequently published European Society of Cardiology (ESC) recommendations.

METHODS

The medical records of patients with acute pulmonary oedema (as a marker for acute heart failure) admitted to the EDs of 11 French hospitals in 2013 were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS

A total of 834 patients were included (median [interquartile range] age 84 [78-89] years; 48.6% male). Rates of compliance of initial management in 2013 to subsequently published 2015 recommendations were as follows: (1) thoracic ultrasound was performed in 17.3%; (2) loop diuretics were given in 75.9%; at a correct dose (among those for whom this was calculable) in 40.0% (3); intravenous nitrates were given in 21.7% of patients with systolic blood pressure>110mmHg; (4) non-invasive ventilation was initiated in 22.0% of patients with respiratory distress. Discharge summaries most often lacked a scheduled cardiologist follow-up (89.4%) and discharge patient weight (78.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

The early management of patients with acute pulmonary oedema (as a marker of acute heart failure) in France in 2013 was quite different to recommendations published in 2015. A programme to implement the new recommendations is in place, and a repeat evaluation will be conducted in 2017.

Editor's Choice- Impact of identifying precipitating factors on 30-day mortality in acute heart failure patients

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence and prognostic value of the most common triggering factors in acute heart failure.

METHODS

Patients with acute heart failure from 41 Spanish emergency departments were recruited consecutively in three time periods between 2011 and 2016. Precipitating factors were classified as: (a) unrecognized; (b) infection; (c) atrial fibrillation; (d) anaemia; (e) hypertension; (f) acute coronary syndrome; (g) non-adherence; and (h) two or more precipitant factors. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models were used to assess the association between 30-day mortality and each precipitant factor. The risk of dying was further evaluated by week intervals over the 30-day follow-up to assess the period of higher vulnerability for each precipitant factor.

RESULTS

Approximately 69% of our 9999 patients presented with a triggering factor and 1002 died within the first 30 days (10.0%). The most prevalent factors were infection and atrial fibrillation. After adjusting for 11 known predictors, acute coronary syndrome was associated with higher 30-day mortality (odds ratio (OR) 1.87; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-3.42), whereas atrial fibrillation (OR 0.75; 95% CI 0.56-0.94) and hypertension (OR 0.34; 95% CI 0.21-0.55) were significantly associated with better outcomes when compared to patients without precipitant. Patients with infection, anaemia and non-compliance were not at higher risk of dying within 30 days. These findings were consistent across gender and age groups. The 30-day mortality time pattern varied between and within precipitant factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Precipitant factors in acute heart failure patients are prevalent and have a prognostic value regardless of the patient's gender and age. They can be managed with specific treatments and can sometimes be prevented.

Saudi Heart Association (SHA) guidelines for the management of heart failure

Heart failure (HF) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and negatively impacts quality of life, healthcare costs, and longevity. Although data on HF in the Arab population are scarce, recently developed regional registries are a step forward to evaluating the quality of current patient care and providing an overview of the clinical picture. Despite the burden of HF in Saudi Arabia, there are currently no standardized protocols or guidelines for the management of patients with acute or chronic heart failure. Therefore, the Heart Failure Expert Committee, comprising 13 local specialists representing both public and private sectors, has developed guidelines to address the needs and challenges for the diagnosis and treatment of HF in Saudi Arabia. The ultimate aim of these guidelines is to assist healthcare professionals in delivering optimal care and standardized clinical practice across Saudi Arabia.

Accuracy of Several Lung Ultrasound Methods for the Diagnosis of Acute Heart Failure in the ED: A Multicenter Prospective Study

BACKGROUND

Early appropriate diagnosis of acute heart failure (AHF) is recommended by international guidelines. This study assessed the value of several lung ultrasound (LUS) strategies for identifying AHF in the ED.

METHODS

This prospective study, conducted in four EDs, included patients with diagnostic uncertainty based on initial clinical judgment. A clinical diagnosis score for AHF (Brest score) was quantified, followed by an extensive LUS examination performed according to the 4-point (BLUE protocol) and 6-, 8-, and 28-point methods. The primary outcome was AHF discharge diagnosis adjudicated by two senior physicians blinded to LUS measurements. The C-index was used to quantify discrimination.

RESULTS

Among the 117 included patients, AHF (n = 69) was identified in 27.4%, 56.2%, 54.8%, and 76.7% of patients with the 4-point (two bilateral positive points), 6-point, 8-point (≥ 1 bilateral positive point), and 28-point (B-line count ≥ 30) methods, respectively. The C-index (95% CI) of the Brest score was 72.8 (65.3-80.3), whereas the C-index of the 4-, 6-, 8-, and 28-point methods were 63.7 (58.5-68.8), 72.4 (65.0-79.8), 74.0 (67.1-80.9), and 72.4 (63.9-80.9). The highest increase in the C-index on top of the BREST score was observed with the 8-point method in the whole population (6.9; 95% CI, 1.6-12.2; P = .010) and in the population with an intermediate Brest score, followed by the 6-point method.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with diagnostic uncertainty, the 6-point/8-point LUS method (using the 1 bilateral positive point threshold) improves AHF diagnosis accuracy on top of the BREST score.

TRIAL REGISTRY

ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT03194243; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Noninvasive Ventilation in Acute Heart Failure

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To assess the role of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in acute heart failure (AHF).

RECENT FINDINGS

NIV rapidly improves the respiratory distress and reduces the need for intubation and even mortality in patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema (ACPE). Therefore, NIV is indicated as first line therapy in ACPE. NIV may also be considered in some cases of cardiogenic shock after stabilization. CPAP is an easier and cheaper technique that is recommended as first-line therapy, particularly in pre-hospital or low-equipped areas. Noninvasive pressure support ventilation is equally effective in these scenarios, and may be preferable in patients with mild fatigue or significant hypercapnia, including those with associated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). High flow nasal cannula is an alternative for patients who need prolonged ventilation or those who show poor tolerance to these techniques. NIV should be used as a first-line therapy in all patients with ACPE and should be considered in stable cardiogenic shock and AHF associated to COPD.

Blood urea nitrogen variation upon admission and at discharge in patients with heart failure

AIMS

Heart failure (HF) is one of the leading causes for hospitalization and mortality. After first admission with acute decompensated HF, some patients are in high risk for short-term and long-term mortality. These patients should be identified, closely followed up, and treated. It has been observed that blood urea nitrogen (BUN) on admission is a predictive marker for short-term mortality. Recently, it has been shown that higher BUN levels on discharge are also a bad prognostic predictor. However, the prognostic value of BUN alteration during hospital stay was not investigated; therefore, we aimed to investigate the effect of BUN variation during hospitalization on mortality.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A retrospective study included patients with first hospitalization with the primary diagnosis of HF. The patients were divided into four groups on the basis of the values of BUN on admission and discharge, respectively: normal-normal, elevated-normal, normal-elevated, and elevated-elevated. Four thousand seven hundred sixty-eight patients were included; 2567 were male (53.8%); the mean age was 74.7 ± 12.7 years. The 90 day mortality rate in the normal-normal group was 7% lower than that in the elevated-normal (14.6%) and normal-elevated (19.3%) groups; P value < 0.01. The 90 day mortality in the elevated-elevated group (28.8%) was significantly higher than that in the other groups; P < 0.001. During the 36 month follow-up, these results are maintained. While sub-dividing BUN levels into <30, 30-39, and >40 mg/dL, higher BUN levels correlated with higher 90 day mortality rate regardless of creatinine levels, brain natriuretic peptide, or age. Moreover, BUN on admission and on discharge correlated better with mortality than did creatinine and glomerular filtration rate at the same points.

CONCLUSIONS

The BUN both on admission and on discharge is a prognostic predictor in patients with HF; however, patients with elevated levels both on admission and on discharge have the worst prognosis. Moreover, worsening or lack of improvement in BUN during hospitalization is a worse prognostic predictor. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first trial to discuss the BUN change during hospitalization in HF.

Association of Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonist Use With All-Cause Mortality and Hospital Readmission in Older Adults With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

IMPORTANCE

Scarce data are available on the association of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) use with outcomes in acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF).

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association of MRA use with all-cause mortality and hospital readmission in patients with ADHF.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This cohort study examines participants enrolled in the Kyoto Congestive Heart Failure (KCHF) registry, a physician-initiated, prospective, multicenter cohort study of consecutive patients admitted for ADHF, between October 1, 2014, and March 31, 2016, into 1 of 19 secondary and tertiary hospitals throughout Japan. To balance the baseline characteristics associated with the selection of MRA use, a propensity score-matched cohort design was used, yielding 2068 patients. Data analysis was conducted from April to August 2018.

EXPOSURES

Prescription of MRA at discharge from the index hospitalization.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Composite of all-cause death or heart failure hospitalization after discharge.

RESULTS

Among 3717 patients hospitalized for ADHF, 1678 patients (45.1%) had received MRA at discharge and 2039 (54.9%) did not. After propensity score matching, 2068 patients (with a median [interquartile range] age of 80 [72-86] years, and of whom 937 [45.3%] were women) were included. In the matched cohort (n = 1034 in each group), the cumulative 1-year incidence of the primary outcome was statistically significantly lower in the MRA use group than in the no MRA use group (28.4% vs 33.9%; hazard ratio [HR], 0.81; 95% CI, 0.70-0.93; P = .003). Of the components of the primary outcome, the cumulative 1-year incidence of heart failure hospitalization was significantly lower in the MRA use group than in the no MRA use group (18.7% vs 24.8%; HR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.60-0.86; P < .001), whereas no difference in mortality was found between the 2 groups (15.6% vs 15.8%; HR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.82-1.18; P = .85). No difference in all-cause hospitalization was observed between the 2 groups (35.3% vs 38.2%; HR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.77-1.01; P = .07). In additional analyses that stratified by left ventricular ejection fraction, the association of MRA use with the primary outcome was statistically significant in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction of 40% or greater.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Use of MRA at discharge from ADHF hospitalization did not appear to be associated with lower mortality but was associated with a lower risk of heart failure readmission. This finding suggests that MRA treatment at discharge may have minimal, if any, clinical advantages.

Predictive factors for long-term mortality in miscellaneous cardiogenic shock: Protective role of beta-blockers at admission

BACKGROUND

Despite advances in intensive care medicine, management of cardiogenic shock (CS) remains difficult and imperfect, with high mortality rates, regardless of aetiology. Predictive data regarding long-term mortality rates in patients presenting CS are sparse.

AIM

To describe prognostic factors for long-term mortality in CS of different aetiologies.

METHODS

Two hundred and seventy-five patients with CS admitted to our tertiary centre between January 2013 and December 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. Mortality was recorded in December 2016. A Cox proportional-hazards model was used to determine predictors of long-term mortality.

RESULTS

Most patients were male (72.7%), with an average age of 64±16 years and a history of cardiomyopathy (63.5%), mainly ischaemic (42.3%). Leading causes of CS were myocardial infarction (35.3%), decompensated heart failure (34.2%) and cardiac arrest (20.7%). Long-term mortality was 62.5%. After multivariable analysis, previous use of beta-blockers (hazard ratio [HR] 0.61, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.41-0.89; P=0.02) and coronary angiography exploration at admission (HR 0.57, 95% CI 0.38-0.86; P=0.02) were associated with a lower risk of long-term mortality. Conversely, age (HR 1.02 per year, 95% CI 1.01-1.04; P<0.001), catecholamine support (HR 1.45 for each additional agent, 95% CI 1.20-1.75; P<0.001) and renal replacement therapy (HR 1.66, 95% CI 1.09-2.55; P=0.02) were associated with an increased risk of long-term mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term mortality rates in CS remain high, reaching 60% at 1-year follow-up. Previous use of beta-blockers and coronary angiography exploration at admission were associated with better long-term survival, while age, renal replacement therapy and the use of catecholamines appeared to worsen the prognosis, and should lead to intensification of CS management.

Clinical characteristics of heart failure associated with functional dependence at admission in hospitalized elderly

Objective

to identify which clinical features of heart failure are associated with a greater chance of functional dependence for the basic activities of daily living in hospitalized elderly.

Method

cross-sectional study conducted with elderly hospitalized patients. The clinical characteristics of heart failure were assessed by self-report, medical records and scales. Dependency was assessed by the Katz Index. The Fisher’s Exact Test was used to analyze associations between the nominal variables, and logistic regression to identify factors associated with dependence.

Results

the sample consisted of 191 cases. The prevalence of functional dependence was 70.2%. Most of the elderly were partially dependent (66.6%). Clinical characteristics associated with dependence at admission were dyspnea (Odds Ratio 8.5, Confidence Interval 95% 2.668-27.664, p <0.001), lower limb edema (Odds Ratio 5.7, 95% Confidence Interval 2.148-15.571, p <0.001); cough (Odds Ratio 9.0, 95% confidence interval 1.053-76.938, p <0.045); precordial pain (Odds Ratio 4.5, 95% confidence interval 1.125-18.023, p <0.033), and pulmonary crackling (Odds Ratio 4.9, 95% Confidence Interval 1.704-14.094, p <0.003).

Conclusion

functional dependence in admitted elderly patients with heart failure is more associated with congestive signs and symptoms.

Dynamic iron status after acute heart failure

BACKGROUND

Iron deficiency (ID) is common in heart failure (HF), and is associated with unfavourable clinical outcomes. Although it is recommended to screen for ID in HF, there is no clear consensus on the optimal timing of its assessment.

AIM

To analyse changes in iron status during a short-term follow-up in patients admitted for acute HF.

METHODS

Iron status (serum ferritin concentration and transferrin saturation) was determined in 110 consecutive patients (median age: 81 years) admitted to a referral centre for acute HF, at three timepoints (admission, discharge and 1 month after discharge). ID was defined according to the guidelines.

RESULTS

The prevalence rates of ID at admission, discharge and 1 month were, respectively, 75% (95% confidence interval [CI] 67-83%), 61% (95% CI: 52-70%), and 70% (95% CI: 61-79%) (P=0.008). Changes in prevalence were significant between admission and discharge (P=0.0018). Despite a similar ID prevalence at admission and 1 month (P=0.34), iron status changed in 25% of patients. Between admission and discharge, variation in C-reactive protein correlated significantly with that of ferritin (ρ=0.30; P=0.001). Advanced age, anaemia, low ferritin concentration and low creatinine clearance were associated with the persistence of ID from admission to 1 month.

CONCLUSIONS

Iron status is dynamic in patients admitted for acute HF. Although ID was as frequent at admission as at 1 month after discharge, iron status varied in 25% of patients.

Association between admission plasma 2-oxoglutarate levels and short-term outcomes in patients with acute heart failure: a prospective cohort study

Background

2-oxoglutarate (2OG), an intermediate metabolite in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, has been found to associate with chronic heart failure (HF), but its effect on short-term adverse outcomes in patients with acute HF (AHF) is uncertain.

Methods

This prospective cohort study included 411 consecutive hospitalized patients with AHF. During hospitalization, fasting plasma samples were collected within the first 24 h of admission. Plasma 2OG levels were measured by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography-liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HILIC-LC/MS/MS). All participants were followed up for six months. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for primary outcomes.

Results

The AHF cohort consisted of HF with preserved ejection fraction (EF) (64.7%), mid-range EF (16.1%), and reduced EF (19.2%), the mean age was 65 (±13) years, and 65.2% were male. Participants were divided into two groups based on median 2OG levels (μg/ml): low group (< 6.0, n = 205) and high group (≥6.0, n = 206). There was a relatively modest correlation between 2OG and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels (r = 0.25; p < 0.001). After adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index, we found that the progression of the NYHA classification was associated with a gradual increase in plasma 2OG levels (p for trend< 0.001). After six months of follow-up, 76 (18.5%) events were identified. A high baseline 2OG level was positively associated with a short-term rehospitalization and all-cause mortality (OR: 2.2, 95% CI 1.3–3.7, p = 0.003), even after adjusting for NT-proBNP and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (OR: 1.9, 95% CI 1.1–3.4, p = 0.032). After a similar multivariable adjustment, the OR was 1.4 (95% CI 1.1–1.7, p = 0.018) for a per-SD increase in 2OG level.

Conclusions

High baseline 2OG levels are associated with adverse short-term outcomes in patients with AHF independent of NT-proBNP and eGFR. Hence plasma 2OG measurements may be helpful for risk stratification and treatment monitoring in AHF.

Trial registration

ChiCTR-ROC-17011240. Registered 25 April 2017.

Heart failure drug treatment

Heart failure is the most common cardiovascular reason for hospital admission for people older than 60 years of age. Few areas in medicine have progressed as remarkably as heart failure treatment over the past three decades. However, progress has been consistent only for chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. In acutely decompensated heart failure and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, none of the treatments tested to date have been definitively proven to improve survival. Delaying or preventing heart failure has become increasingly important in patients who are prone to heart failure. The prevention of worsening chronic heart failure and hospitalisations for acute decompensation is also of great importance. The objective of this Series paper is to provide a concise and practical summary of the available drug treatments for heart failure. We support the implementation of the international guidelines. We offer views on the basis of our personal experience in research areas that have insufficient evidence. The best possible evidence-based drug treatment (including inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and β blockers) is useful only when optimally implemented. However, implementation might be challenging. We believe that disease management programmes can be helpful in providing a multidisciplinary, holistic approach to the delivery of optimal medical care.

Bio-adrenomedullin as a marker of congestion in patients with new-onset and worsening heart failure

BACKGROUND

Secretion of adrenomedullin (ADM) is stimulated by volume overload to maintain endothelial barrier function, and higher levels of biologically active (bio-) ADM in heart failure (HF) are a counteracting response to vascular leakage and tissue oedema. This study aimed to establish the value of plasma bio-ADM as a marker of congestion in patients with worsening HF.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The association of plasma bio-ADM with clinical markers of congestion, as well as its prognostic value was studied in 2179 patients with new-onset or worsening HF enrolled in BIOSTAT-CHF. Data were validated in a separate cohort of 1703 patients. Patients with higher plasma bio-ADM levels were older, had more severe HF and more signs and symptoms of congestion (all P < 0.001). Amongst 20 biomarkers, bio-ADM was the strongest predictor of a clinical congestion score (r²  = 0.198). In multivariable regression analysis, higher bio-ADM was associated with higher body mass index, more oedema, and higher fibroblast growth factor 23. In hierarchical cluster analysis, bio-ADM clustered with oedema, orthopnoea, rales, hepatomegaly and jugular venous pressure. Higher bio-ADM was independently associated with impaired up-titration of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers after 3 months, but not of beta-blockers. Higher bio-ADM levels were independently associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality and HF hospitalization (hazard ratio 1.16, 95% confidence interval 1.06-1.27, P = 0.002, per log increase). Analyses in the validation cohort yielded comparable findings.

CONCLUSIONS

Plasma bio-ADM in patients with new-onset and worsening HF is associated with more severe HF and more oedema, orthopnoea, hepatomegaly and jugular venous pressure. We therefore postulate bio-ADM as a congestion marker, which might become useful to guide decongestive therapy.

Relative hypochromia and mortality in acute heart failure

BACKGROUND

Relative hypochromia of erythrocytes defined as a reduced mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) is a surrogate of iron deficiency. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence and prognostic impact of relative hypochromia in acute heart failure (AHF).

METHODS

We prospectively characterized 1574 patients presenting with an adjudicated diagnosis of AHF to the emergency department. Relative hypochromia was defined as a MCHC ≤330 g/l and determined at presentation. The presence of AHF was adjudicated by two independent cardiologists. All-cause mortality and AHF-rehospitalization were the primary prognostic end-points.

RESULTS

Overall, 455 (29%) AHF patients had relative hypochromia. Patients with relative hypochromia had higher hemodynamic cardiac stress as quantified by NT-proBNP concentrations (p < 0.001), more extensive cardiomyocyte injury as quantified by high-sensitive cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) concentrations (p < 0.001), and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; p < 0.001) as compared to AHF patients without hypochromia. Cumulative incidences for all-cause mortality and AHF-rehospitalization at 720-days were 50% and 55% in patients with relative hypochromia as compared to 33% and 39% in patients without hypochromia, respectively (both p < 0.0001). The association between relative hypochromia and increased mortality (HR 1.7, 95% CI 1.4-2-0) persisted after adjusting for anemia (HR 1.5, 95% CI 1.3-1.8), and after adjusting for hemodynamic cardiac stress (HR 1.46, 95% CI 1.21-1.76) and eGFR (HR 1.5, 95% CI 1.3-1.8, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Relative hypochromia is common and a strong and independent predictor of increased mortality in AHF. Given the direct link to diagnostic (endoscopy) and therapeutic interventions to treat functional iron deficiency, relative hypochromia deserves increased attention as an inexpensive and universally available biomarker.

Early and comprehensive care bundle in the elderly for acute heart failure in the emergency department: study protocol of the ELISABETH stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial

BACKGROUND

Acute heart failure (AHF) is one of the most common diagnoses for elderly patients in the emergency department (ED), with an admission rate above 80% and 1-month mortality around 10%. The European guidelines for the management of AHF are based on moderate levels of evidence, due to the lack of randomized controlled trials and the scarce evidence of any clinical added value of a specific treatment to improve outcomes. Recent reports suggest that the very early administration of full recommended therapy may decrease mortality. However, several studies have highlighted that elderly patients often received suboptimal treatment. Our hypothesis is that an early care bundle that comprises early and comprehensive management of symptoms, along with prompt detection and treatment of precipitating factors should improve AHF outcome in elderly patients.

METHODS/DESIGN

ELISABETH is a stepped-wedge, cluster randomized controlled, clinical trial in 15 emergency departments in France recruiting all patients aged 75 years and older with a diagnosis of AHF. The tested intervention is a care bundle with a checklist that mandates detection and early treatment of AHF precipitating factors, early and intensive treatment of congestion with intravenously administered nitrate boluses, and application of other recommended treatment (low-dose diuretics, non-invasive ventilation when indicated, and preventive low-molecular-weight heparin). Each center is randomized to the order in which they will switch from a "control period" to an "intervention period." All centers begin the trials with the control period for 2 weeks, then after each 2-week step a new center will enter the intervention period. At the end of the trial, all clusters will receive the intervention regimen. The primary outcome is the number of days alive and out of the hospital at 30 days.

DISCUSSION

If our hypothesis is confirmed, this trial will strengthen the level of evidence of AHF guidelines and stress the importance of the associated early and comprehensive treatment of precipitating factors. This trial could be the first to report a reduction in short-term morbidity and mortality in elderly AHF patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT03683212. Prospectively registered on 25 September 2018.

In-Home Cardiovascular Monitoring System for Heart Failure: Comparative Study

Background

There is a pressing need to reduce the hospitalization rate of heart failure patients to limit rising health care costs and improve outcomes. Tracking physiologic changes to detect early deterioration in the home has the potential to reduce hospitalization rates through early intervention. However, classical approaches to in-home monitoring have had limited success, with patient adherence cited as a major barrier. This work presents a toilet seat–based cardiovascular monitoring system that has the potential to address low patient adherence as it does not require any change in habit or behavior.

Objective

The objective of this work was to demonstrate that a toilet seat–based cardiovascular monitoring system with an integrated electrocardiogram, ballistocardiogram, and photoplethysmogram is capable of clinical-grade measurements of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, stroke volume, and peripheral blood oxygenation.

Methods

The toilet seat–based estimates of blood pressure and peripheral blood oxygenation were compared to a hospital-grade vital signs monitor for 18 subjects over an 8-week period. The estimated stroke volume was validated on 38 normative subjects and 111 subjects undergoing a standard echocardiogram at a hospital clinic for any underlying condition, including heart failure.

Results

Clinical grade accuracy was achieved for all of the seat measurements when compared to their respective gold standards. The accuracy of diastolic blood pressure and systolic blood pressure is 1.2 (SD 6.0) mm Hg (N=112) and –2.7 (SD 6.6) mm Hg (N=89), respectively. Stroke volume has an accuracy of –2.5 (SD 15.5) mL (N=149) compared to an echocardiogram gold standard. Peripheral blood oxygenation had an RMS error of 2.3% (N=91).

Conclusions

A toilet seat–based cardiovascular monitoring system has been successfully demonstrated with blood pressure, stroke volume, and blood oxygenation accuracy consistent with gold standard measures. This system will be uniquely positioned to capture trend data in the home that has been previously unattainable. Demonstration of the clinical benefit of the technology requires additional algorithm development and future clinical trials, including those targeting a reduction in heart failure hospitalizations.