Acute precipitants of congestive heart failure exacerbations

Association of a device-based remote management heart failure pathway with outcomes: TriageHF Plus real-world evaluation

AIMS

Clinical pathways have been shown to improve outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF). Although patients with HF often have a cardiac implantable electronic device, few studies have reported the utility of device-derived risk scores to augment and organize care. TriageHF Plus is a device-based HF clinical pathway (DHFP) that uses remote monitoring alerts to trigger structured telephone assessment for HF stability and optimization. We aimed to evaluate the impact of TriageHF Plus on hospitalizations and describe the associated workforce burden.

METHODS AND RESULTS

TriageHF Plus was a multi-site, prospective study that compared outcomes for patients recruited between April 2019 and February 2021. All alert-triggered assessments were analysed to determine the appropriateness of the alert and the workload burden. A negative-binomial regression with inverse probability treatment weighting using a time-matched usual care cohort was applied to estimate the effect of TriageHF Plus on non-elective hospitalizations. A post hoc pre-COVID-19 sensitivity analysis was also performed. The TriageHF Plus cohort (n = 443) had a mean age of 68.8 ± 11.2 years, 77% male (usual care cohort: n = 315, mean age of 66.2 ± 14.5 years, 65% male). In the TriageHF Plus cohort, an acute medical issue was identified following an alert in 79/182 (43%) cases. Fifty assessments indicated acute HF, requiring clinical action in 44 cases. At 30 day follow-up, 39/66 (59%) of initially symptomatic patients reported improvement, and 20 (19%) initially asymptomatic patients had developed new symptoms. On average, each assessment took 10 min. The TriageHF Plus group had a 58% lower rate of hospitalizations across full follow-up [incidence relative ratio: 0.42, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.23-0.76, P = 0.004]. Across the pre-COVID-19 window, hospitalizations were 31% lower (0.69, 95% CI: 0.46-1.04, P = 0.077).

CONCLUSIONS

These data represent the largest real-world evaluation of a DHFP based on multi-parametric risk stratification. The TriageHF Plus clinical pathway was associated with an improvement in HF symptoms and reduced all-cause hospitalizations.

Acute Heart Failure: From The Emergency Department to the Intensive Care Unit

Acute heart failure (AHF) is a frequent cause of hospitalization around the world and is associated with high in-hospital and post-discharge morbidity and mortality. This review summarizes data on diagnosis and management of AHF from the emergency department to the intensive care unit. While more evidence is needed to guide risk stratification and care of patients with AHF, hospitalization is a key opportunity to optimize evidence-based medical therapy for heart failure. Close linkage to outpatient care is essential to improve post-hospitalization outcomes.

Atrial Flutter in the Elderly Patient: The Growing Role of Ablation in Treatment

The prevalence of atrial flutter (AFL) is increasing among the elderly population, and managing this condition presents specific challenges within this demographic. As patients age, they often exhibit reduced responsiveness to conservative treatment, necessitating a more invasive approach. We present a case of a 93-year-old female who presented to the hospital with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) and AFL. A year prior, she was diagnosed with arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Despite recovering her ejection fraction (EF) through guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT), her EF deteriorated again. The patient declined invasive management for her arrhythmia on multiple occasions. Managing such patients is challenging since the approach with pharmacotherapy alone often fails to maintain sinus rhythm or adequately control the ventricular rate. Growing evidence shows that invasive management, especially ablation, may be a safe and effective procedure for this patient population. Furthermore, the studies suggest that ablation may yield particular benefits for patients with simultaneous heart failure and atrial fibrillation/AFL (AF/AFL). Unfortunately, limited data exist regarding the invasive management of AFL in the elderly. Therefore, this case report aims to provide a comprehensive review of the current evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of ablation as a therapeutic option for AFL in elderly patients, with a particular focus on how patients with concomitant heart failure may benefit from ablation.

Korean Society of Heart Failure Guidelines for the Management of Heart Failure: Management of the Underlying Etiologies and Comorbidities of Heart Failure

Most patients with heart failure (HF) have multiple comorbidities, which impact their quality of life, aggravate HF, and increase mortality. Cardiovascular comorbidities include systemic and pulmonary hypertension, ischemic and valvular heart diseases, and atrial fibrillation. Non-cardiovascular comorbidities include diabetes mellitus (DM), chronic kidney and pulmonary diseases, iron deficiency and anemia, and sleep apnea. In patients with HF with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy, renin-angiotensin system inhibitors combined with calcium channel blockers and/or diuretics is an effective treatment regimen. Measurement of pulmonary vascular resistance via right heart catheterization is recommended for patients with HF considered suitable for implantation of mechanical circulatory support devices or as heart transplantation candidates. Coronary angiography remains the gold standard for the diagnosis and reperfusion in patients with HF and angina pectoris refractory to antianginal medications. In patients with HF and atrial fibrillation, long-term anticoagulants are recommended according to the CHA2DS2-VASc scores. Valvular heart diseases should be treated medically and/or surgically. In patients with HF and DM, metformin is relatively safer; thiazolidinediones cause fluid retention and should be avoided in patients with HF and dyspnea. In renal insufficiency, both volume status and cardiac performance are important for therapy guidance. In patients with HF and pulmonary disease, beta-blockers are underused, which may be related to increased mortality. In patients with HF and anemia, iron supplementation can help improve symptoms. In obstructive sleep apnea, continuous positive airway pressure therapy helps avoid severe nocturnal hypoxia. Appropriate management of comorbidities is important for improving clinical outcomes in patients with HF.

Korean Society of Heart Failure Guidelines for the Management of Heart Failure: Management of the Underlying Etiologies and Comorbidities of Heart Failure

Most patients with heart failure (HF) have multiple comorbidities, which impact their quality of life, aggravate HF, and increase mortality. Cardiovascular comorbidities include systemic and pulmonary hypertension, ischemic and valvular heart diseases, and atrial fibrillation. Non-cardiovascular comorbidities include diabetes mellitus (DM), chronic kidney and pulmonary diseases, iron deficiency and anemia, and sleep apnea. In patients with HF with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy, renin-angiotensin system inhibitors combined with calcium channel blockers and/or diuretics is an effective treatment regimen. Measurement of pulmonary vascular resistance via right heart catheterization is recommended for patients with HF considered suitable for implantation of mechanical circulatory support devices or as heart transplantation candidates. Coronary angiography remains the gold standard for the diagnosis and reperfusion in patients with HF and angina pectoris refractory to antianginal medications. In patients with HF and atrial fibrillation, long-term anticoagulants are recommended according to the CHA2DS2-VASc scores. Valvular heart diseases should be treated medically and/or surgically. In patients with HF and DM, metformin is relatively safer; thiazolidinediones cause fluid retention and should be avoided in patients with HF and dyspnea. In renal insufficiency, both volume status and cardiac performance are important for therapy guidance. In patients with HF and pulmonary disease, beta-blockers are underused, which may be related to increased mortality. In patients with HF and anemia, iron supplementation can help improve symptoms. In obstructive sleep apnea, continuous positive airway pressure therapy helps avoid severe nocturnal hypoxia. Appropriate management of comorbidities is important for improving clinical outcomes in patients with HF.

The impact of sleep disordered breathing on cardiac troponin in acutely decompensated heart failure

PURPOSE

Sleep disordered breathing in decompensated heart failure has physiological consequences (e.g., intermittent hypoxemia) that may predispose to subclinical myocardial injury, yet a temporal relationship between sleep apnea and troponin elevation has not been established.

METHODS

We assessed the feasibility of performing respiratory polygraphy and measuring overnight high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T change in adults admitted to the hospital with acutely decompensated heart failure. Repeat sleep apnea tests (SATs) were performed to determine response to optimal medical heart failure therapy. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify associations between absolute overnight troponin change and sleep apnea characteristics.

RESULTS

Among the 19 subjects with acutely decompensated heart failure, 92% of SATs demonstrated sleep disordered breathing (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] > 5 events/h). For those with repeat SATs, AHI increased in 67% despite medical management of heart failure. Overnight troponin increase was associated with moderate to severe sleep apnea (vs. no to mild sleep apnea, odds ratio (OR = 18.4 [1.51-224.18]), central apnea index (OR = 1.11 [1.01-1.22]), and predominantly central sleep apnea (vs. obstructive, OR = 22.9 [1.29-406.32]).

CONCLUSIONS

Sleep apnea severity and a central apnea pattern may be associated with myocardial injury. Respiratory polygraphy with serial biomarker assessment is feasible in this population, and combining this approach with interventions (e.g., positive airway pressure) may help establish if a link exists between sleep apnea and subclinical myocardial injury.

Perioperative Renin-Angiotensin System Inhibitors Improve Major Outcomes of Heart Failure Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: A Propensity-Adjusted Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to study the association of perioperative administration of renin angiotensin system inhibitors (RASi) and clinical outcomes of patients with heart failure (HF) undergoing cardiac surgery.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

It is controversial whether the perioperative RASi should be administered in HF patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

METHODS

A total of 2338 patients with HF and undergoing CABG and/or valve surgeries at multiple hospitals from 2001 to 2015 were identified from STS database. After adjustment using propensity score and instrumental variable, logistic regression was conducted to analyze the influence of preoperative continuation of RASi (PreRASi) on short-term in-hospital outcomes. Independent risk factors of 30-day mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), and renal failure were analyzed by use of stepwise logistic regression. The effects of pre- and postoperative use of RASi (PostRASi) on long-term mortality were analyzed using survival analyses. Stepwise Cox regression was conducted to analyze the independent risk factors of 6-year mortality. The relationships of HF status and surgery type with perioperative RASi, as well as PreRASi-PostRASi, were also evaluated by subgroup analyses.

RESULTS

PreRASi was associated with lower incidences of 30-day mortality [ P < 0.0001, odds ratio (OR): 0.556, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.405-0.763], stroke ( P =0.035, OR: 0.585, 95% CI: 0.355-0.962), renal failure ( P =0.007, OR: 0.663, 95% CI: 0.493-0.894). Both PreRASi ( P =0.0137) and PostRASi ( P =0.007) reduced 6-year mortality compared with the No-RASi groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Pre- and postoperative use of RASi was associated with better outcomes for the patients who have HF and undergo CABG and/or valve surgeries. Preoperative continuation and postoperative restoration are warranted in these patients.

The predictive value of precipitating factors on clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients with decompensated heart failure: insights from the Egyptian cohort in the European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure long-term registry

BACKGROUND

Knowledge of the frequency of precipitating factors for acute heart failure (AHF) is important (either new-onset heart failure [NOHF] or worsening heart failure [WHF]), as this can guide strategies for prevention and treatment. Most data come only from Western Europe and North America; nevertheless, geographic differences do exist. We set out to study the prevalence of precipitating factors of AHF and their connection to patient characteristics and in-hospital and long-term mortality in patients from Egypt hospitalized for decompensated HF. Using the ESC-HF-LT Registry which is a prospective, multicenter, observational study of patients confessed to cardiology centers in the nations of Europe and the Mediterranean, patients presenting with AHF were recruited from 20 centers all over Egypt. Enrolling physicians were requested to report possible precipitants from among several predefined reasons.

RESULTS

We included 1515 patients (mean age 60 ± 12 years, 69% males). The mean LVEF was 38 ± 11%. Seventy-seven percent of the total population had HFrEF, 9.8% had HFmrEF, and 13.3% had HFpEF. The commonly reported precipitating factors for AHF hospitalization among study population were as follows (in decreasing order of frequency): infection in 30.3% of patients, acute coronary syndrome/myocardial ischemia (ACS/MI) in 26%, anemia in 24.3%, uncontrolled hypertension in 24.2%, atrial fibrillation (AF) in 18.3%, renal dysfunction in 14.6%, and non-compliance in 6.5% of patients. HFpEF patients had significantly higher rates of AF, uncontrolled hypertension, and anemia as precipitants for acute decompensation. ACS/MI were significantly more frequent in patients with HFmrEF. WHF patients had significantly higher rates of infection and non-compliance, whereas new-onset HF patients showed significantly higher rates of ACS/MI and uncontrolled hypertension. One-year follow-up revealed that patients with HFrEF had a significantly higher rate of mortality compared to patients with HFmrEF and HFpEF (28.3%, 19.5, and 19.4%, P = 0.004). Patients with WHF had a significantly higher rates of 1-year mortality when compared to those with NOHF (30.0% vs. 20.3%, P < 0.001). Renal dysfunction, anemia, and infection were independently connected to worse long-term survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Precipitating factors of AHF are frequent and substantially influence outcomes after hospitalization. They should be considered goals for avoiding AHF hospitalization and depicting those at highest risk for short-term mortality.

Adherence to Self-Care Recommendations and Associated Factors among Adult Heart Failure Patients in West Gojjam Zone Public Hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia

Background

Self-care practices are an important part of heart failure patient management and essential to control symptoms of the disease and its exacerbation. However, poor adherence to these self-care behaviors could be associated with an increase in hospitalization, morbidity, and mortality. Even if it is an important part of management for heart failure patients, yet information is not adequate in the study area about adherence to self-care recommendations and associated factors among heart failure patients.

Purpose

To assess self-care recommendation adherence and associated factors among heart failure patients in West Gojjam Zone public hospitals.

Methods

Institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 304 selected heart failure patients attending follow-up at public hospitals in West Gojjam Zone from March 16 to April 16, 2021. Consecutive sampling technique based on patient arrival with proportional allocation to each hospital was employed to select the study participants. Data were collected through face-to-face interview and reviewing patients' medical records. Data were entered into EpiData version 3.1 and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Binary logistic regression model was fitted to assess the association between adherence to self-care recommendations and associated factors. P value < 0.05 with 95% confidence interval (CI) was considered to declare a statistically significant association in multivariable logistic regression.

Results

In this study, 304 patients participated with a response rate of 97.4%. Only 32.9% of them had good adherence to self-care recommendations. Having good knowledge on heart failure (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 4.6; 95% CI: 1.82, 11.86), no depression (AOR = 6.1; 95% CI: 1.92, 19.37), having strong social support (AOR = 3.57; 95% CI: 1.56-8.33), age 30-49 years (AOR = 3.37; 95% CI: 1.14, 9.89), and college and above level of education (AOR = 6.17; 95% CI: 1.22, 31.25) were factors significantly associated with good adherence to self-care recommendations.

Conclusion

This study showed that most of the heart failure patients had poor adherence to self-care recommendations. Policymakers and other stakeholders should develop and implement appropriate strategies to increase patients' adherence level to self-care recommendations by emphasizing on addressing identified factors.

Food security, diet quality, nutritional knowledge, and attitudes towards research in adults with heart failure during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

The impact of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on diet and nutrition among older adults with chronic medical conditions have not been well-described.

METHODS

We conducted a survey addressing (1) food access, (2) diet quality and composition, (3) nutritional understanding, and (4) attitudes towards research among adults with heart failure (HF) within an integrated health system. Adults (≥18 years) with diagnosed HF and at least one prior hospitalization for HF within the last 12 months were approached to complete the survey electronically or by mail. Outcomes included all-cause and HF-specific hospitalizations and all-cause death was ascertained via the electronic health record.

RESULTS

Among 1212 survey respondents (32.5% of eligible patients) between May 18, 2020 and September 30, 2020, mean ± SD age was 77.9 ± 11.4 years, 50.1% were women, and median (25th-75th) left ventricular ejection fraction was 55% (40%-60%). Overall, 15.1% of respondents were food insecure, and only 65% of participants answered correctly more than half of the items assessing nutritional knowledge. Although most respondents were willing to participate in future research, that number largely declined for studies requiring blood draws (32.2%), study medication (14.4%), and/or behavior change (27.1%). Food security, diet quality, and nutritional knowledge were not independently associated with outcomes at 90 or 180 days.

CONCLUSION

In a cohort of older adults with HF and multiple comorbidities, a significant proportion reported issues with food access, diet quality, and nutritional knowledge during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future research should evaluate interventions targeting these domains in at-risk individuals.

Regional Differences in Precipitating Factors of Hospitalization for Acute Heart Failure: Insights from the REPORT‐HF Registry

AIMS

Few prior studies have investigated differences in precipitants leading to hospitalizations for acute heart failure (AHF) in a cohort with global representation.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We analysed the prevalence of precipitants and their association with outcomes in 18 553 patients hospitalized for AHF in REPORT-HF (prospective international REgistry to assess medical Practice with lOngitudinal obseRvation for Treatment of Heart Failure) according to left ventricular ejection fraction subtype (reduced [HFrEF] and preserved ejection fraction [HFpEF]) and presentation (new-onset vs. decompensated chronic heart failure [DCHF]). Patients were enrolled from 358 centres in 44 countries stratified according to Latin America, North America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Eastern Mediterranean and Africa, Southeast Asia, and Western Pacific. Precipitants were pre-with mutually exclusive categories and selected according to the local investigator's discretion. Outcomes included in-hospital and 1-year mortality. The median age was 67 (interquartile range 57-77) years, and 39% were women. Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) was the most common precipitant in patients with new-onset heart failure in all regions except for North America and Western Europe, where uncontrolled hypertension and arrhythmia, respectively, were the most common precipitants, independent of confounders. In patients with DCHF, non-adherence to diet/medication was the most common precipitant regardless of region. Uncontrolled hypertension was a more likely precipitant in HFpEF, non-adherence to diet/medication, and ACS were more likely precipitants in HFrEF. Patients admitted due to worsening renal function had the worst in-hospital (5%) and 1-year post-discharge (30%) mortality rates, regardless of region, heart failure subtype and admission type (p_interaction  >0.05 for all).

CONCLUSION

Data on global differences in precipitants for AHF highlight potential regional differences in targets for preventing hospitalization for AHF and identifying those at highest risk for early mortality.

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on heart failure hospitalizations in Japan: interrupted time series analysis

Aims

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has had unprecedented effects on health care utilization for acute cardiovascular diseases. Although hospitalizations for acute coronary syndrome decreased during the COVID‐19 pandemic, there is a paucity of data on the trends and management of heart failure (HF) cases. Furthermore, concerns have been raised that angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) may increase susceptibility to COVID‐19. This study aimed to elucidate changes in HF hospitalizations from the COVID‐19 state of emergency in Japan and investigated changes in the prescription of ACEIs and ARBs, and in‐hospital mortality.

Methods and results

We performed an interrupted time series analysis of HF hospitalizations in Japan to verify the impacts of the COVID‐19 state of emergency. Changes in the weekly volume of HF hospitalizations were taken as the primary outcome measure. Between 1 April 2018 and 4 July 2020, 109 429 HF cases required admission. After the state of emergency, an immediate decrease was observed in HF cases per week [−3.6%; 95% confidence interval (CI): −0.3% to −6.7%, P = 0.03]. There was no significant change in the prescription of ACEIs or ARBs after the state of emergency (4.2%; 95% CI: −0.3% to 8.9%, P = 0.07). The COVID‐19 pandemic had no effect on in‐hospital mortality among HF patients (5.3%; 95% CI: −4.9% to 16.6%, P = 0.32).

Conclusions

We demonstrated a decline in HF hospitalizations during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Japan, with no clear evidence of a negative effect on the prescription of ACEIs and ARBs or in‐hospital mortality.

Interdisciplinary Physician-Pharmacist Medication Review for Outpatients With Heart Failure: A Subanalysis of the PHARM-CHF Randomized Controlled Trial

Aims: Patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) require polypharmacy and are at increased risk for drug-related problems. Interdisciplinary physician-pharmacist medication review may improve drug treatment. Our goal was to analyze the changes from the physician-documented medication plan (MP) and patient-stated medication to an interdisciplinary consolidated MP (CMP).

Methods: This pre-specified subanalysis of the PHARM-CHF randomized controlled trial analyzed the medication review of CHF patients in the pharmacy care group. Community pharmacists compared the MP with the drug regimen stated by the patient and consulted with physicians on identified discrepancies and other medication-related problems resulting in a CMP.

Results: We analyzed 93 patients (mean 74.0 ± 6.6 years, 37.6% female), taking a median of ten (IQR 8–13) drugs. 80.6% of patients had at least one change from MP to CMP. We identified changes in 32.7% (303/926) of drugs. The most common correction was the addition of a drug not documented in the MP to the CMP (43.2%). We also determined frequent modifications in the dosing regimens (37.6%). The omission of a drug documented in the MP but left out of the CMP accounted for 19.1%. Comparing patient-stated medication to CMP, the current drug regimen of patients was changed in 22.4% of drugs.

Conclusion: The medication review resulted in changes of medication between MP and CMP in most of the patients and affected one-third of drugs. Structured physician-pharmacist interdisciplinary care is able to harmonize and optimize the drug treatment of CHF patients.

A Review of Novel Cardiac Biomarkers in Acute or Chronic Cardiovascular Diseases: The Role of Soluble ST2 (sST2), Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), Myeloperoxidase (MPO), and Procalcitonin (PCT)

While the received traditional predictors are still the mainstay in the diagnosis and prognosis of CVD events, increasing studies have focused on exploring the ancillary effect of biomarkers for the aspiring of precision. Under which circumstances, soluble ST2 (sST2), lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and procalcitonin (PCT) have recently emerged as promising markers in the field of both acute and chronic cardiovascular diseases. Existent clinical studies have demonstrated the significant associations between these markers with various CVD outcomes, which further verified the potentiality of markers in helping risk stratification and diagnostic and therapeutic work-up of patients. The current review article is aimed at illuminating the applicability of these four novels and often neglected cardiac biomarkers in common clinical scenarios, including acute myocardial infarction, acute heart failure, and chronic heart failure, especially in the emergency department. By thorough classification, combination, and discussion of biomarkers with clinical and instrumental evaluation, we hope the current study can provide insights into biomarkers and draw more attention to their importance.

The evidence for pharmacist care in outpatients with heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Aims

Patients with heart failure (HF) have poor outcomes, including poor quality of life, and high morbidity and mortality. In addition, they have a high medication burden due to the multiple drug therapies now recommended by guidelines. Previous reviews, including studies in hospital settings, provided evidence that pharmacist care improves outcomes in patients with HF. Because most HF is managed outside of hospitals, we aimed to synthesize the evidence for pharmacist care in outpatients with HF.

Methods and results

We conducted a systematic literature search in PubMed of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and integrated the evidence on patient outcomes in a meta‐analysis. We found 24 RCTs performed in 10 countries, including 8029 patients. The data revealed consistent improvements in medication adherence (independent of the measuring instrument) and knowledge, physical function, and disease and medication management. Sixteen RCTs were included in meta‐analyses. Differences in all‐cause mortality (odds ratio (OR) = 0.97 [95% CI, 0.84–1.12], Q‐statistic, P = 0.49, I² = 0%), all‐cause hospitalizations (OR = 0.86 [0.73–1.03], Q‐statistic, P = 0.01, I² = 45.5%), and HF hospitalizations (OR = 0.89 [0.77–1.02], Q‐statistic, P = 0.11, I² = 0%) were not statistically significant. We also observed an improvement in the standardized mean difference for generic quality of life of 0.75 ([0.49–1.01], P < 0.01), with no indication of heterogeneity (Q‐statistic, P = 0.64; I² = 0%).

Conclusions

Results indicate that pharmacist care improves medication adherence and knowledge, symptom control, and some measures of quality of life in outpatients with HF. Given the increasing complexity of guideline‐directed medical therapy, pharmacists' unique focus on medication management, titration, adherence, and patient teaching should be considered part of the management strategy for these vulnerable patients.

Delay in seeking medical care for worsening heart failure symptoms: predictors and association with cardiac events

AIMS

The association of delay in seeking medical care to subsequent cardiac events remains unknown in patients with worsening heart failure (HF) symptoms. The aims of this study were to (i) identify factors predicting care-seeking delay and (ii) examine the impact of care-seeking delay on subsequent cardiac rehospitalization or death.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We studied 153 patients hospitalized with an exacerbation of HF. Potential predictors of delay including demographic, clinical, psychosocial, cognitive, and behavioural variables were collected. Patients were followed for 3 months after discharge to determine time to the first cardiac rehospitalization or death. The median delay time was 134 h (25th and 75th percentiles 49 and 364 h). Non-linear regression showed that New York Heart Association functional class III/IV (P = 0.001), worse depressive symptoms (P = 0.004), better HF knowledge (P = 0.003), and lower perceived somatic awareness (P = 0.033) were predictors of delay time from patient perception of worsening HF to subsequent hospital admission. Cox regression revealed that patients who delayed longer (more than 134 h) had a 1.93-fold higher risk of experiencing cardiac events (P = 0.044) compared to non-delayers.

CONCLUSIONS

Care-seeking delay in patients with worsening HF symptoms was significantly associated with an increased risk of rehospitalization and mortality after discharge. Intervention strategies addressing functional status, psychological state, cognitive and behavioural factors are essential to reduce delay and thereby improve outcomes.

Heart failure among patients admitted with Influenza. The influenza subtypes, seasonality and mortality: A case series

Respiratory infections like influenza infections have been found to increase the risk of coronary artery disease and precipitate cardiac failure. However, Indian data is lacking. A retrospective observational study was done to describe patients with influenza infection who had concomitant heart failure (HF) requiring admission over 5 years (January 2013-December 2017). A total of 93 influenza cases were hospitalised during this time, of which 14 (15%) also had features of HF. Among them, the types of influenza infection were AH1N1 (6,43%), BH1N1 (4,29%), AH3N2 (3,21%) with one patient having both strains. Two-thirds of the HF were new onset (10, 71%), whereas rest were due to acute worsening of pre-existing HF (4, 29%). Ten (64.3%) of the patients had HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The average hospital stay was 10 days with 2 (14%) deaths. The peak of influenza in August and September preceded the peak admission for HF. A total of 15% of influenza admissions have concomitant HF. They are predominantly due to influenza A H1N1 (43%), influenza A H3N2 (21%) and influenza B (29%). Only 7% had preceding influenza vaccination. Influenza during August and September appears to precede the peak of HF admissions which happen in October and November. Overall mortality was 14%

The correlation between heart failure and the risk of ischemic colitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Ischemic colitis is a relatively common gastrointestinal disease caused by hypoperfusion of the colon. Recently, studies have suggested an association between heart failure (HF) and ischemic colitis, even though the magnitude of the reported association varied considerably across the studies. This systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to comprehensively explore whether patients with HF are at a higher risk of ischemic colitis compared with individuals without HF by combining the results of all available observational studies.

METHODS

Systematic literature review was performed using EMBASE, MEDLINE and Google Scholar database up to May 2020. Eligible studies could be any observational ones that evaluated whether patients with HF have a higher risk of ischemic colitis than individuals without HF. Point estimates and standard errors from each eligible study were combined together using the generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird.

RESULTS

The systematic review identified 7 case-control studies and 1 cross-sectional study. The pooled analysis found that patients with HF had a significantly higher risk of ischemic colitis with the pooled odds ratio of 3.42 (95% confidence interval 1.49-7.82; I2 96%). Funnel plot was relatively symmetric and was not suggestive of presence of publication bias.

CONCLUSION

A significantly increased risk of ischemic colitis among patients with HF was demonstrated in this systematic review and meta-analysis.

Characteristics, trends, outcomes, and costs of stimulant-related acute heart failure hospitalizations in the United States

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) hospitalizations remains a significant burden on the health care system. Stimulants including cocaine, amphetamine and its derivatives are amongst the most used illegal substances in the United States. The information regarding stimulant-related HF hospitalizations is scarce. We sought to evaluate the characteristics and trends of stimulant-related HF hospitalizations in the United States and their associated outcomes and resource utilization.

METHODS

Using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS), we identified patients with a primary diagnosis of HF hospitalization. These hospitalizations were further divided into those with and without a concomitant diagnosis of stimulant (cocaine or amphetamine) dependence or abuse. Survey specific techniques were employed to compare trends in baseline characteristics, complications, procedures, outcomes and resource utilization between the two cohorts.

RESULTS

We identified 9,932,753 hospitalizations (weighted) with a primary diagnosis of heart failure, of those 138,438 (1.39%) had a diagnosis of active stimulant use. The proportion of stimulant-related HF hospitalization is on the rise (1.1% to 1.9%). Stimulant-related HF hospitalization was highest amongst age group 30-39 years and 7.9% of HF hospitalizations in this age group were due to stimulant use. The proportion of stimulant-related HF hospitalization for the White and Hispanic race has doubled from 2008 to 2017. Stimulant-related HF hospitalization is associated with increased incidence of in-hospital complications like cardiogenic shock, acute kidney injury and ventricular tachycardia. These patients have more than 7-fold higher discharge against medical advice.

CONCLUSIONS

Stimulant-related HF hospitalizations have been increasing. It is associate with significant morbidity burden and health care utilization.

Strange case of biventricular heart failure

Acute heart failure (HF) is commonly caused by a cardiomyopathy with one or more precipitating factor. Here, a case in which a cardiomyopathy is precipitated by pulmonary embolism (PE). A 77-year-old man is admitted for breathlessness and leg swelling. A mild reduction of left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction is found, with moderately increased LV wall thickness and pulmonary hypertension; clinical examination revealed signs of congestion with bilateral leg swelling, and mild signs of left HF with the absence of pulmonary congestion on chest X-ray. The ECG showed Mobitz I second-degree atrioventricular block. The clinical scenario led us to the diagnosis of infiltrative cardiomyopathy due to cardiac amyloidosis (CA) precipitated by PE. Pulmonary embolism is an overlooked precipitant of HF and can be the first manifestation of an underlying misdiagnosed cardiomyopathy, especially CA. 3,3-Diphosphono-1,2-propanodicarboxylic acid scan is a cornerstone in the diagnosis of Transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) cardiac amyloidosis.

Heart failure documentation in outpatients with diabetes and volume overload: an observational cohort study from the Diabetes Collaborative Registry

Background

Heart failure is a common and devastating complication of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Prompt recognition of heart failure may avert hospitalization, facilitate use of guideline-directed therapies, and impact choice of T2D medications. We sought to determine the rate and factors associated with heart failure documentation in T2D patients with evidence of volume overload requiring loop diuretics.

Methods

DCR is an on-going, prospective US registry of outpatient T2D patients from > 5000 cardiology, endocrinology, and primary care clinicians (current analysis used data from 2013–2019). Among T2D patients receiving loop diuretics, we examined the rate of chart documentation of heart failure. We used a 3-level hierarchical logistic regression model (patients nested within physician within practice) to examine factors associated with heart failure diagnosis.

Results

Among 1,322,640 adults with T2D, 225,125 (17.0%) were receiving a loop diuretic, of whom 91,969 (40.9%) had documentation of heart failure. Male sex, lower body mass index, atrial fibrillation, chronic kidney disease, and coronary artery disease were associated with greater odds of heart failure diagnosis. After accounting for patient factors, patients seen by cardiologists were the most likely to have HF documented followed by PCPs and then endocrinologists.

Conclusions

Among US outpatients with T2D, 17% of patients had evidence of volume overload—defined by loop diuretic prescription—of whom fewer than half had a clinical diagnosis of heart failure. While there may be non-heart failure indications for loop diuretics, our data suggest that a substantial proportion of T2D patients may have unrecognized heart failure and therefore could be missing opportunities for targeted therapies that could alter the clinical course of heart failure.

Dietary Sodium Restriction for Heart Failure: A Systematic Review of Intervention Outcomes and Behavioral Determinants

The 1500 mg/d dietary sodium restriction commonly recommended for patients with heart failure has recently been questioned. Poor adherence to sodium-restricted diets makes assessing the efficacy of sodium restriction challenging. Therefore, successful behavioral interventions are needed. We reviewed sodium restriction trials and descriptive studies of sodium restriction to: 1) determine if sodium restriction was achieved in interventions among heart failure patients; and 2) characterize predictors of successful dietary sodium restriction. Among 638 identified studies, 10 intervention trials, and 25 descriptive studies met inclusion criteria. We used content analysis to extract information about sodium restriction and behavioral determinants of sodium restriction. Dietary sodium was reduced in 7 trials; none achieved 1500 mg/d (range 1938-4564 mg/d). The interventions implemented in the interventional trials emphasized knowledge, skills, and self-regulation strategies, but few addressed the determinants correlated with successful sodium restriction in the descriptive studies (eg, social/cultural norms, social support, taste preferences, food access, self-efficacy). Findings suggest that incorporating determinants predictive of successful dietary sodium restriction may improve the success of interventional trials. Without effective interventions to deploy in trials, the safety and efficacy of sodium restriction remains unknown.

Precipitating factors of heart failure decompensation, short-term morbidity and mortality in patients attended in primary care

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the precipitating factors for heart failure decompensation in primary care and associations with short-term prognosis. Design Prospective cohort study with a 30-d follow-up from an index consultation. Regression models to determine independent factors associated with hospitalisation or death.

SETTING

Primary care in ten European countries. Patients Patients with diagnosis of heart failure attended in primary care for a heart failure decompensation (increase of dyspnoea, unexplained weight gain or peripheral oedema).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Potential precipitating factors for decompensation of heart failure and their association with the event of hospitalisation or mortality 30 d after a decompensation.

RESULTS

Of 692 patients 54% were women, mean age 81 (standard deviation [SD] 8.9) years; mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 55% (SD 12%). Most frequently identified heart failure precipitation factors were respiratory infections in 194 patients (28%), non-compliance of dietary recommendations in 184 (27%) and non-compliance with pharmacological treatment in 157 (23%). The two strongest precipitating factors to predict 30 d hospitalisation or death were respiratory infections (odds ratio [OR] 2.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] (2.4-3.4)) and atrial fibrillation (AF) > 110 beats/min (OR 2.2, CI 1.5-3.2). Multivariate analysis confirmed the association between the following variables and hospitalisation/death: In relation to precipitating factors: respiratory infection (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.14-1.25) and AF with heart rate > 110 beats/min (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.10-1.35); and regarding patient characteristics: New York Heart Association (NYHA) III or IV (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.15-1.29); previous hospitalisation (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.11-1.19); and LVEF < 40% (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.09-1.19).

CONCLUSIONS

In primary care, respiratory infections and rapid AF are the most important precipitating factors for hospitalisation and death within 30 d following an episode of heart failure decompensation. Key points Hospitalisation due to heart failure decompensation represents the highest share of healthcare costs for this disease. So far, no primary care studies have analysed the relationship between precipitating factors and short term prognosis of heart failure decompensation episodes. We found that in 692 patients with heart failure decompensation in primary care, the respiratory infection and rapid atrial fibrillation (AF) increased the risk of short-term hospital admission or death. Patients with a hospital admission the previous year and a decompensation episode caused by respiratory infection were even more likely to be hospitalized or die within 30 d.

Integrating remote monitoring into heart failure patients' care regimen: A pilot study

Background

Around 50% of hospital readmissions due to heart failure are preventable, with lack of adherence to prescribed self-care as a driving factor. Remote tracking and reminders issued by mobile health devices could help to promote self-care, which could potentially reduce these readmissions.

Objective

We sought to investigate two factors: (1) feasibility of enrolling heart failure patients in a remote monitoring regimen that uses wireless sensors and patient-reported outcome measures; and (2) their adherence to using the study devices and completing patient-reported outcome measures.

Methods

Twenty heart failure patients participated in piloting a remote monitoring regimen. Data collection included: (1) physical activity using wrist-worn activity trackers; (2) body weight using bathroom scales; (3) medication adherence using smart pill bottles; and (4) patient -reported outcomes using patient-reported outcome measures.

Results

We evaluated 150 hospitalized heart failure patients and enrolled 20 individuals. Two factors contributed to 50% (65/130) being excluded from the study: smartphone ownership and patient discharge. Over the course of the study, 60.0% of the subjects wore the activity tracker for at least 70% of the hours, and 45.0% used the scale for more than 70% of the days. The pill bottle was used less than 10% of the days by 55.0% of the subjects.

Conclusions

Our method of recruiting heart failure patients prior to hospital discharge may not be feasible as the enrollment rate was low. Once enrolled, the majority of subjects maintained a high adherence to wearing the activity tracker but low adherence to using the pill bottle and completing the follow-up surveys. Scale usage was fair, but it received positive reviews from most subjects. Given the observed usage and feedback, we suggest mobile health-driven interventions consider including an activity tracker and bathroom scale. We also recommend administering a shorter survey more regularly and through an easier interface.

Myocardial ischemia and coronary disease in heart failure

Heart failure is a complex clinical syndrome and represents the final path of numerous heart diseases. Coronary artery disease is recognized as the primary risk factor for heart failure development, being the main etiological factor in more than 50% of heart failure patients in North America and Europe. Regardless of overt coronary artery disease, myocardial ischemia is a common finding in failing hearts, likely due to structural or functional coronary circulation alterations. Ischemia is a self-propagating process which irreversibly impairs the cardiac function and negatively impacts prognosis. Thus, a better and thorough understanding of myocardial ischemia pathophysiology in heart failure would likely lead to significantly improved outcomes in these patients. This review aims to describe the mechanisms of myocardial ischemia and coronary artery disease in heart failure, focusing on coronary circulation dysfunctions due to increased parietal stress or non-obstructive coronary disease, and discussing the association and management of coronary artery disease in patients with heart failure.

Prevalence and seasonal variation of precipitants of heart failure hospitalization and risk of readmission

AIMS

To determine the prevalence and seasonal variation in precipitants of heart failure (HF) hospitalization and the risk of subsequent HF hospitalizations.

METHODS

We analysed the characteristics and outcomes of patients hospitalized with HF and enrolled in the Management of Cardiac Failure program in Sydney, Australia. Potential precipitants of HF hospitalization were identified, and Cox-regression analyses performed according to the precipitant.

RESULTS

Among 6918 patients hospitalized with HF, 5384 (78%) had identified one or more precipitating factors leading to the hospitalization and 3648 (53%) had a single identifiable precipitant. Most precipitants were due to one or more of five prespecified causes - infection (n = 2014), ischemia (n = 1781), arrhythmia (n = 1724), medication related (n = 925) and diet non-compliance (n = 408). All precipitants were more common during winter (p < 0.001), especially infection related precipitants, of which 36% occurred during winter. Among patients with a single identifiable precipitant, one-year risk for HF readmission was lower when the precipitant was arrhythmia (16%) or infection (17%) than when the precipitant was ischemia (21%), dietary non-compliance (23%) or medication related (25%). The precipitant for HF rehospitalizations were more likely to be the same precipitant for the initial admission: infection vs no infection (HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.08-2.13), ischemia vs no ischemia (HR 2.79, 95% CI 1.83-4.25), arrhythmia vs no arrhythmia (HR 3.31, 95% CI 1.87-5.88) and medication related vs not medication related (HR 2.28, 95% CI 1.39-3.74).

CONCLUSION

The precipitant of HF hospitalization influences the risk and precipitant of subsequent HF hospitalizations. Identifying and targeting interventions towards the precipitating factor may be an important strategy to prevent future HF hospitalizations.

Potentially Inappropriate Prescriptions in Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction (PIP-HFrEF)

Heart failure (HF) is a chronic debilitating and potentially life-threatening condition. Heart Failure patients are usually at high risk of polypharmacy and consequently, potentially inappropriate prescribing leading to poor clinical outcomes. Based on the published literature, a comprehensive HF-specific prescribing review tool is compiled to avoid medications that may cause HF or harm HF patients and to optimize the prescribing practice of HF guideline-directed medical therapies. Recommendations are made in line with the last versions of ESC guidelines, ESC position papers, scientific evidence, and experts' opinions.

Self-Care and Pathophysiological Function in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure

Background

Self-care is assumed to benefit physiological function associated with prognosis in patients with chronic HF, but studies examining these relations are lacking. This study aims to prospectively examine the association of self-reported HF self-care with HF-associated pathophysiological markers, including renal, hematological, and immune function.

Method

Patients with chronic HF (n = 460, 66.2 ± 9.6 years, 75% men) completed questionnaires and provided blood samples at baseline and 12-month follow-up. Linear mixed models examined random intercept and fixed between- and within-subjects effects of global self-care and the individual self-care behaviors on log-transformed TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10, the glomerular filtration rate of creatinine (GFR_creat), and hemoglobin (Hb), controlling for sociodemographic and clinical covariates.

Results

Self-care was independently associated with lower GFR_creat levels (β = − .14, P = .023) and improvement in self-care with a reduction in GFR_creat (β = − .03, P = .042). Individual self-care behaviors were differentially associated with renal, inflammatory, and hematological markers. Regular exercise was associated with level differences in IL-6 (P < .001), and improvement in exercise was associated with increasing GFR_creat (P = .002) and increasing Hb (P = .010). Fluid restriction was associated with lower overall GFR_creat (P = .006), and improvement in fluid restriction was associated with decreasing GFR_creat (P = .014). Low-sodium intake was associated with lower levels of Hb (P = .027), lower TNF-alpha (P = .011), and lower IL-10 (P = .029). Higher levels of medication adherence were associated with reduced pro-inflammatory activation (P < .007).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that better global self-care was associated with poorer renal function. Performing self-care behaviors such as regular exercise and medication adherence was associated with improved physiological functioning, while restriction of fluid and sodium, and the associated daily weight monitoring were associated with adverse levels of pathophysiological biomarkers.

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.

Effects of acute-phase multidisciplinary rehabilitation on unplanned readmissions after cardiac surgery

OBJECTIVES

The provision of inpatient programs that reduce the incidence of readmission after cardiac surgery remains challenging. Investigators have focused on multidisciplinary cardiac rehabilitation (CR) because it reduces the postoperative readmission rate; however, most previous studies used outpatient models (phase II CR). We retrospectively investigated the effect of comprehensive multidisciplinary interventions in the acute inpatient phase (phase I CR) on unplanned hospital readmission.

METHODS

In a retrospective cohort study, we compared consecutive patients after cardiac surgery. We divided them into the multidisciplinary CR (multi-CR) group or conventional exercise-based CR (conv-CR) group according to their postoperative intervention during phase I CR. Multi-CR included psychological and educational intervention and individualized counseling in addition to conv-CR. The primary outcome was unplanned readmission rates between the groups. A propensity score-matching analysis was performed to minimize selection biases and the differences in clinical characteristics.

RESULTS

In our cohort (n = 341), 56 (18.3%) patients had unplanned readmission during the follow-up period (median, 419 days). Compared with the conv-CR group, the multi-CR group had a significantly lower unplanned readmission rate (multivariable regression analysis; hazard ratio, 0.520; 95% confidence interval, 0.28-0.95; P = .024). A Kaplan-Meier analysis of our propensity score-matched cohort showed that, compared with the conv-CR group, the multi-CR group had a significantly lower incidence of readmission (stratified log-rank test, P = .041).

CONCLUSIONS

In phase I, compared to conv-CR alone, multi-CR reduced the incidence of unplanned readmission. Early multidisciplinary CR can reduce hospitalizations and improve long-term prognosis after cardiac surgery.

Comparison of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor and Angiotensin Receptor Blocker Management Strategies Before Cardiac Surgery: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Registry Trial

Background

Postoperative clinical outcomes associated with the preoperative continuation or discontinuation of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) before cardiac surgery remain unclear.

Methods and Results

In a single‐center, open‐label, randomized, registry‐based clinical trial, patients undergoing nonemergent cardiac surgery were assigned to ACEI/ARB continuation or discontinuation 2 days before surgery. Among the 584 patients screened, 261 met study criteria and 126 (48.3%) patients were enrolled. In total,121 patients (96% adherence; 60 to continuation and 61 to ACEI/ARB discontinuation) underwent surgery and completed the study protocol, and follow‐up was 100% complete. Postoperative intravenous vasopressor use (78.3% versus 75.4%, P=0.703), vasodilator use (71.7% versus 80.3%, P=0.265), vasoplegic shock (31.7% versus 27.9%, P=0.648), median duration of vasopressor (10 versus 5 hours, P=0.494), and vasodilator requirements (10 versus 9 hours, P=0.469) were not significantly different between the continuation and discontinuation arms. No differences were observed in the incidence of acute kidney injury (1.7% versus 1.6%, P=0.991), stroke (no events, mortality (1.7% versus 1.6%, P=0.991), median duration of mechanical ventilation (6 versus 6 hours, P=0.680), and median intensive care unit length of stay (43 versus 27 hours, P=0.420) between the treatment arms.

Conclusions

A randomized study evaluating the routine continuation or discontinuation of ACEIs or ARBs before cardiac surgery was feasible, and treatment assignment was not associated with differences in postoperative physiological or clinical outcomes. These preliminary findings suggest that preoperative ACEI/ARB management strategies did not affect the postoperative course of patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02096406.

Prescribing Patterns of Heart Failure-Exacerbating Medications Following a Heart Failure Hospitalization

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to describe the patterns of heart failure (HF)-exacerbating medications used among older adults hospitalized for HF and to examine determinants of HF-exacerbating medication use.

BACKGROUND

HF-exacerbating medications can potentially contribute to adverse outcomes and could represent an important target for future strategies to improve post-hospitalization outcomes.

METHODS

Medicare beneficiaries ≥65 years of age with an adjudicated HF hospitalization between 2003 and 2014 were derived from the geographically diverse REGARDS (Reasons for Geographic and Racial Difference in Stroke) cohort study. Major HF-exacerbating medications, defined as those listed on the 2016 American Heart Association Scientific Statement listing medications that can precipitate or induce HF, were examined. Patterns of prescribing medications at hospital admission and at discharge were examined, as well as changes that occurred between admission and discharge; and a multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify determinants of harmful prescribing practices following HF hospitalization (defined as either the continuation of an HF-exacerbating medications or an increase in the number of HF-exacerbating medications between hospital admission and discharge).

RESULTS

Among 558 unique individuals, 18% experienced a decrease in the number of HF-exacerbating medications between admission and discharge, 19% remained at the same number, and 12% experienced an increase. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that diabetes (odds ratio [OR]: 1.80; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18 to 2.75]) and small hospital size (OR: 1.93; 95% CI: 1.18 to 3.16) were the strongest, independently associated determinants of harmful prescribing practices.

CONCLUSIONS

HF-exacerbating medication regimens are often continued or started following an HF hospitalization. These findings highlight an ongoing need to develop strategies to improve safe prescribing practices in this vulnerable population.

Therapy for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: current status, unique challenges, and future directions

Heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is the most common form of HF. Among elderly women, HFpEF comprises more than 80% of incident HF cases. Adverse outcomes-exercise intolerance, poor quality of life, frequent hospitalizations, and reduced survival-approach those of classic HF with reduced EF (HFrEF). However, despite its importance, our understanding of the pathophysiology of HFpEF is incomplete, and despite intensive efforts, optimal therapy remains uncertain, as most trials to date have been negative. This is in stark contrast to management of HFrEF, where dozens of positive trials have established a broad array of effective, guidelines-based therapies that definitively improve a range of clinically meaningful outcomes. In addition to providing an overview of current management status, we examine evolving data that may help explain this paradox, overcome past challenges, provide a roadmap for future success, and that underpin a wave of new trials that will test novel approaches based on these insights.

Association between Common Etiologies and Precipitants of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

Background:

Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) comprises the etiology of heart failure and the precipitant of acute decompensation. Early identification of the precipitant of ADHF is important in management, but an association between the precipitant and etiology of ADHF has not been established.

Objective:

The objective of this study is to determine whether the precipitant of acute decompensation is associated with the etiology of heart failure.

Methods:

This was a prospective observational study conducted over 2 years. Patients with ADHF secondary to common etiologies such as hypertension and rheumatic heart diseases (RHD) were enrolled in the study. The demographics, precipitants, and relevant variables on echocardiography and electrocardiography were documented. The frequencies of the etiology and precipitants of heart failure were derived. The Chi-square test was used to determine an association between categorical variables, and independent t-test was used to compare the means of continuous variables. A value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:

There were a total of 190 participants. Hypertensive and RHD were 96 (50.5%) and 94 (49.5%), respectively. One hundred and three (54.2%) were females and males were 87 (45.8%). The precipitants were pneumonia 104 (54.7%), arrhythmias 47 (24.7%), urinary tract infection 36 (19.5%), and infective endocarditis 3 (1.6%). The association between these etiologies and precipitants of ADHF yielded a value of P = 0.597.

Conclusion:

There is no association between the precipitant and etiology of ADHF. Therefore, the precipitant of ADHF should be actively sought for in every case for optimal management and better outcomes.

Evaluation of drugs used in chronic heart failure at tertiary care centre: a hospital based study

Introduction: There is lack of data on pattern of use of drugs in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) from Nepalese population. This study was conducted to explore the trends of evidence based medications used for CHF in our population.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study on 200 consecutive patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II to IV symptoms of CHF who attended cardiology clinic or admitted from September 2017 to August 2018 at Nobel Medical College Teaching Hospital, Biratnagar, Nepal.

Results: Mean age of patients was 54 (range 15-90) years. Ischemic cardiomyopathy, rheumatic heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertensive heart disease, peripartum cardiomyopathy were common etiologies of CHF. Analysis of drugs used in CHF revealed that 85% patients were prescribed diuretics, 58.5% angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), 53% mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), 38% beta-blockers (BBs) and 24% digoxin. Digoxin was mainly used as add on therapy for patients with atrial fibrillation (24% of all patients). Antithrombotics (warfarin or aspirin), inotropic agents (dopamine, dobutamine or noradrenaline), antiarrhythmic agent (amiodarone) and nitrates (intravenous glyceryl trinitrate or oral isosorbide dinitrate) were prescribed for 48%, 28%, 5% and 6% patients respectively. All CHF patients with preserved or mid-range ejection fraction (25% of all patients) were prescribed diuretics along with antihypertensive drugs for hypertensive patients.

Conclusion: CHF is associated with significant morbidity and mortality due to associated co-morbidities and underuse of proven therapy like BBs, ACEIs or ARBs and MRAs. Careful attention to optimization of different drugs therapy in patients with CHF may help to improve patient outcomes.

A Randomized Trial of Video-based Education in Patients With Heart Failure: The ongestive Heart Failure utreach rogram of ducation (COPE)

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) exacerbations often relate to poor self-care. Education programs improve outcomes, but are resource-intensive. We developed a video-based educational intervention and evaluated it in patients with HF.

METHODS

Congestive Heart Failure Outreach Program of Education was a pragmatic multicenter randomized trial. We included subjects with HF if they were hospitalized, seen in the emergency department (ED), or high-risk outpatients, and randomized them to intervention or control. Intervention included a 20-minute video, supplementary booklet, and 3 bimonthly newsletters focusing on salt and fluid restriction, daily weights, and medications. Subjects watched the video and were encouraged to review it at home, along with the booklet/newsletters. Control subjects received the booklet only. The primary outcome was the difference in cardiovascular hospitalizations or ED visits between groups at 6 months. Secondary outcomes included clinical events and in-hospital days.

RESULTS

We recruited 539 subjects from 22 centers in Canada and the United States. Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups: 64% were male and had a mean age of 66 (± 13) years, mean ejection fraction 31% (± 13.5), and 65% New York Heart Association Functional Classification III/IV. The primary outcome occurred in 57 subjects (21%) in the intervention group compared with 61 subjects (23%) in the control group (P = 0.66). There were no significant differences in prespecified secondary outcomes; however, death occurred in 18 subjects (7%) in the intervention group and 33 subjects (12%) in the control group (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

Video education on self-care did not reduce hospitalizations or ED visits in patients with HF. Of note, mortality was lower in the intervention group.

Relation of Living in a "Food Desert" to Recurrent Hospitalizations in Patients With Heart Failure

Food deserts (FD), low-income areas with low access to healthful foods, are associated with higher burden of cardiovascular risk factors. Few studies have examined the impact of FD on clinical outcomes in heart failure (HF). FD status was assessed in 457 HF patients (mean age 55.9 ± 12.5 years; 50.3% Black) using the Food Desert Research Atlas. The Andersen-Gill extension of Cox model was used to examine the association of living in a FD with risk of repeat hospitalization (all-cause and HF-specific). Patients living in a FD were younger (p = 0.01), more likely to be Black (p <0.0001), less educated (p = 0.003), and less likely to have commercial insurance (p = 0.003). During a median follow-up of 827 (506, 1,379) days, death occurred in 60 (13.1%) subjects, and hospitalizations occurred in 262 (57.3%) subjects. There was no difference in the risk of death based on FD status. The overall frequency of all-cause (94.1 vs 63.6 per 100 patient-years) and HF-specific (59.6 vs 30.5 per 100 patient-years) hospitalizations was higher in subjects who lived in a FD. After adjustment for covariates, living in a FD was associated with an increased risk of repeat all-cause (hazard ratio 1.39, 95% confidence interval 1.19 to 1.63; p = 0.03) and HF-specific (hazard ratio 1.30, 95% confidence interval 1.02 to 1.65; p = 0.03) hospitalizations. In conclusion, patients living in a FD have a higher risk of repeat all-cause and HF-specific hospitalization.

Self-reported Adherence to a Low-Sodium Diet and Health Outcomes in Patients With Heart Failure

BACKGROUND

Most clinicians rely on patients' self-report of following a low-sodium diet to determine adherence of patients with heart failure (HF). Whether self-reported adherence to a low-sodium diet is associated with cardiac event-free survival is unclear.

PURPOSES

To determine (1) whether self-reported is concordant with adherence to a low-sodium diet measured by food diaries and 24-hour urinary sodium excretion and (2) whether self-reported adherence to a low-sodium diet predicts cardiac event-free survival.

METHODS

Adherence to a low-sodium diet was measured using 3 measures in 119 HF patients: (1) self-reported adherence, 1 item from the Self-care of Heart Failure Index scale; (2) a 3-day food diary; (3) 24-hour urinary sodium excretion. Patients were followed up for a median of 297 days to determine cardiac hospitalization or emergency department visit. One-way analysis of variance and Cox regression were used to address our purposes.

RESULTS

Self-reported adherence was concordant with adherence to a low-sodium diet measured by food diaries and 24-hour urinary sodium excretion. Thirty-one patients who reported they always follow a low-sodium diet had an average sodium intake less than 3 g/d (F = 5.07, P = .002) and 3.3 g of a mean 24-hour urinary sodium excretion (F = 3.393, P = .020). Patients who reported they never or rarely follow a low-sodium diet had 4.7 times greater risk of having cardiac events than did those who always followed a low-sodium diet (P = .017).

CONCLUSION

Self-reported adherence to a low-sodium diet predicted cardiac event-free survival demonstrating clinicians can use this as an indicator of adherence.

An East-West comparison of self-care barriers in heart failure

BACKGROUND

Barriers in heart failure self-care contribute to heart failure hospitalizations, but geographic differences have not been well-studied. We aimed to compare self-care barriers in heart failure patients managed at tertiary centers in an Eastern (Singapore) versus a Western (USA) nation.

METHODS

Acute heart failure patients were prospectively assessed with a standardized instrument comprising of 47 distinct self-care barriers. The multi-equation generalized structural equation model was used to evaluate for geographic differences in barriers experienced, and association of barriers with outcomes.

RESULTS

Patient-related factors accounted for six out of 10 most prevalent self-care barriers among the 90 patients, with a median number of 11 barriers reported per patient. The Western patients reported a higher level of barriers when compared with their Eastern counterparts (median (interquartile range) 15 (9-24) versus 9 (4-16), p=0.001), after adjusting for demographics and co-morbidities. Many of these differences could be explained by geographic differences between the countries. There was no significant difference identified in all-cause mortality (19.4% versus 10.2%) and heart failure re-hospitalization (41.9% versus 45.8%) at six months between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Self-care barriers are highly prevalent among acute heart failure patients, and differ substantially between East and West, but were not associated with geographic differences in outcomes.

Development of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure Among Hospital Inpatients: Incidence, Causes and Outcomes

BACKGROUND

We aimed to investigate the incidence, precipitants, and outcomes of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) that develops during the inpatient stay.

METHODS

We undertook a case-control study in the medical, oncology, surgical, and orthopaedic wards of a tertiary referral hospital (February-May, 2016). Patients aged ≥18 years who developed ADHF during their inpatient stay were enrolled as cases. One control patient was matched to each case by age, gender, presenting complaint/surgery performed and co-morbidities. Multivariate regression was employed to determine variables associated with ADHF.

RESULTS

The incidence of ADHF was 1.0% of patients. Eighty cases were well-matched to 80 controls (p>0.05). ADHF precipitants comprised infection (30%), inappropriate intravenous (IV) fluid and medication management (23.8% and 8.8%, respectively), tachyarrhythmia (12.5%), ischaemic heart disease (8.8%), renal failure (1.3%), and other/unclear causes (15%). Three variables were associated with ADHF: not having English as the preferred language (OR 3.5, 95%CI 1.2-9.8), a history of ischaemic heart disease (OR 3.3, 95%CI 1.2-9.1), and the administration of >2000ml of IV fluid on the day before the ADHF (OR 8.3, 95%CI 1.5-48.0). The day before the ADHF, cases were administered significantly more IV fluids than controls (median 2,757.5 versus 975ml, p=0.001). Medication errors mostly related to failure to restart regular diuretics. Cases had significantly greater length of stay (median 15 versus 6 days, p<0.001) and mortality (12.5% versus 1.3%, p=0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

New onset ADHF is common and a substantial proportion of cases are iatrogenic. Cases experience significantly increased length of hospital stay, morbidity, and mortality.

Precipitating Clinical Factors, Heart Failure Characterization, and Outcomes in Patients Hospitalized With Heart Failure With Reduced, Borderline, and Preserved Ejection Fraction

OBJECTIVES

This study assessed the comparative frequency of precipitating clinical factors leading to hospitalization among heart failure (HF) patients with reduced, borderline, and preserved ejection fraction (EF) BACKGROUND: There are few data assessing the comparative frequency of clinical factors leading to HF among hospitalized among patients with reduced, borderline, and preserved EF.

METHODS

We analyzed the factors potentially contributing to HF hospitalization among 99,825 HF admissions from 305 hospitals in the Get With The Guidelines-HF (GWTG-HF) database between January 2005 and September 2013 and assessed their association with length of stay and in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

Mean patient age was 72.6 ± 14.2 years, 49% were female, and mean EF was 39.3 ± 17.2%. Common factors included pneumonia/respiratory process (28.2%), arrhythmia (21.7%), medication noncompliance (15.8%), worsening renal failure (14.7%), and uncontrolled hypertension (14.5%). In patients with borderline EF (EF 40% to 49%), pneumonia was associated with longer hospital stay, whereas dietary and medication noncompliance were associated with reduced length of stay. In patients with preserved EF (EF ≥50% or qualitative assessment of normal or mild dysfunction), pneumonia, weight gain, and worsening renal function were independently associated with longer lengths of stay. Worsening renal function and pneumonia were independently associated with higher in-hospital mortality in all HF groups, and acute pulmonary edema was associated with higher mortality in reduced EF. Dietary noncompliance (14.7%) was associated with reduced mortality for all groups but reached statistical significance in the subgroups of reduced (odds ratio [OR]: 0.65; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.46 to 0.91) and preserved systolic function (OR: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.33 to 0.83). Patients presenting with ischemia had a higher mortality rate (OR: 1.31; 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.69; and 1.72; 95% CI: 1.27 to 2.33, respectively, in the 2 groups).

CONCLUSIONS

Potential precipitating factors among patients hospitalized with HF vary by EF group and are independently associated with clinical outcomes.

Innovative Telemonitoring Enhanced Care Programme for Chronic Heart Failure (ITEC-CHF) to improve guideline compliance and collaborative care: protocol of a multicentre randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a life-threatening chronic disease characterised by periodic exacerbations and recurrent hospitalisations. In the management of CHF, patient compliance with evidence-based clinical guidelines is essential, but remains difficult practically. The objective of this study is to examine whether an Innovative Telemonitoring Enhanced Care Programme for CHF (ITEC-CHF) improves patients' compliance, and associated health and economic outcomes.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

An open multicentre randomised controlled trial has been designed. Patients will be recruited and randomised to receive either ITEC-CHF (n=150) or usual care CHF (n=150) for at least 6 months. ITEC-CHF combines usual care and an additional telemonitoring service including remote weight monitoring, structured telephone support and nurse-led collaborative care. The primary outcomes are the compliance rates with the best-practice guidelines for daily weight monitoring. The secondary outcomes include the compliance with other guideline recommendations (health maintenance, medication, diet and exercise), health (health-related quality of life, risk factors, functional capacity and psychological states) and economic outcomes related to the use of healthcare resources such as hospital readmissions and general practitioner/emergency department visits.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The clinical trial has been approved by Peninsula Health Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC Reference: HREC/14/PH/27), Royal Perth Hospital Human Research Ethics Committee (Reference: 15-081) and the Curtin University Human Research Ethics Committee (Reference: HR 181/2014). We will disseminate the final results to the public via conferences and journal publications. A final study report will also be provided to the ethics committees.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

Registered with Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN12614000916640).

New Novel Treatment Approaches for Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction

Despite availability of standardized drug therapies with proven beneficial outcomes, heart failure is associated with poor quality of life, increased hospital readmission, and high mortality rate. In the recent years, comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of heart failure has led to the development and approval of 2 new pharmacological agents, sacubitril–valsartan and ivabradine. These agents are currently approved for use in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and present as novel approaches to further improve prognosis and outcomes in patients with HF. They offer alternative treatment options for patients who are intolerant or continue to be symptomatic despite utilization of standard HF drug therapies at optimally tolerated dosages. A review of these 2 novel agents in HFrEF, including information on pivotal trials that led to its approval and its place in therapy for HFrEF, is presented.