Iatrogenic Decompensated Heart Failure

Misdiagnosis of Chronic Heart Failure in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Primary Care: A Report of Two Cases and Literature Review

The coexistence of heart failure (HF) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is common and poses a serious threat to human health because these diseases have a high degree of commonality at the vascular level. However, the diagnosis of HF in primary care can be challenging, leading to the risk of inadequate management of both conditions. Using two case reports as examples, we attempt to shed light on the issues involved in this challenge. In the first case presentation, a 62-year-old male patient with T2DM and dyspnea was initially diagnosed with HF during primary care. However, further workup revealed that the actual cause of the patient's breathlessness was the exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In the second case, a 59-year-old woman with T2DM and obesity complained of leg swelling that was attributed to chronic venous insufficiency by a primary care physician. A correct diagnosis of HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) was made using N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and echocardiography. Due to diabetic vasculopathy HF is more likely to progress with a preserved ejection fraction. In addition, symptoms of COPD or obesity may overlap with or mask symptoms of HFpEF. The issues of over- and misdiagnosis of HFpEF in primary care are discussed in our review, which emphasizes the nonspecific nature of symptoms, such as breathlessness and leg edema in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is of utmost importance for healthcare providers to be aware of unusual manifestations of heart failure and, vice versa, of diseases that masquerade as heart failure. This will enable them to manage risks in these patients with greater consistency.

Analysis of the survival time of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: a Bayesian approach via a competing risk parametric model

PURPOSE

Heart failure (HF) is a widespread ailment and is a primary contributor to hospital admissions. The focus of this study was to identify factors affecting the extended-term survival of patients with HF, anticipate patient outcomes through cause-of-death analysis, and identify risk elements for preventive measures.

METHODS

A total of 435 HF patients were enrolled from the medical records of the Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, covering data collected between March and August 2018. After a five-year follow-up (July 2023), patient outcomes were assessed based on the cause of death. The survival analysis was performed with the AFT method with the Bayesian approach in the presence of competing risks.

RESULTS

Based on the results of the best model for HF-related mortality, age [time ratio = 0.98, confidence interval 95%: 0.96-0.99] and ADHF [TR = 0.11, 95% (CI): 0.01-0.44] were associated with a lower survival time. Chest pain in HF-related mortality [TR = 0.41, 95% (CI): 0.10-0.96] and in non-HF-related mortality [TR = 0.38, 95% (CI): 0.12-0.86] was associated with a lower survival time. The next significant variable in HF-related mortality was hyperlipidemia (yes): [TR = 0.34, 95% (CI): 0.13-0.64], and in non-HF-related mortality hyperlipidemia (yes): [TR = 0.60, 95% (CI): 0.37-0.90]. CAD [TR = 0.65, 95% (CI): 0.38-0.98], CKD [TR = 0.52, 95% (CI): 0.28-0.87], and AF [TR = 0.53, 95% (CI): 0.32-0.81] were other variables that were directly related to the reduction in survival time of patients with non-HF-related mortality.

CONCLUSION

The study identified distinct predictive factors for overall survival among patients with HF-related mortality or non-HF-related mortality. This differentiated approach based on the cause of death contributes to the estimation of patient survival time and provides valuable insights for clinical decision-making.

Impact of Red Blood Cell Transfusion on Subsequent Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Acute Heart Failure and Anemia

Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion therapy is often performed in patients with acute heart failure (AHF) and anemia; however, its impact on subsequent cardiovascular events is unclear. We examined whether RBC transfusion influences major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) after discharge in patients with AHF and anemia.We classified patients with AHF and anemia (nadir hemoglobin level < 10 g/dL) according to whether they received RBC transfusion during hospitalization. The endpoint was MACE (composite of all-cause death, non-fatal acute coronary syndrome/stroke, or heart failure readmission) 180 days after discharge. For survival analysis, we used propensity score matching analysis with the log-rank test. As sensitivity analysis, we performed inverse probability weighting analysis and multivariable Cox regression analysis.Among 448 patients with AHF and anemia (median age, 81 years; male, 55%), 155 received RBC transfusion and 293 did not. The transfused patients had worse clinical features than the non-transfused patients, with lower levels of nadir hemoglobin and serum albumin and a lower estimated glomerular filtration rate. In the propensity-matched cohort of 87 pairs, there was no significant difference in the MACE-free survival rate between the 2 groups (transfused, 73.8% vs. non-transfused, 65.3%; P = 0.317). This result was consistent in the inverse probability weighting analysis (transfused, 76.0% vs. non-transfused, 68.7%; P = 0.512), and RBC transfusion was not significantly associated with post-discharge MACE in the multivariable Cox regression analysis (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.468, 95% confidence interval: 0.976-2.207; P = 0.065).In conclusion, this study suggests that RBC transfusions for anemia may not improve clinical outcomes in patients with AHF.

The Essential Strategies to Mitigate Cardiotoxicity Caused by Doxorubicin

The study of mechanisms underlying cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin and the development of strategies to mitigate doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity are the most relevant issues of modern cardio-oncology. This is due to the high prevalence of cancer in the population and the need for frequent use of highly effective chemotherapeutic agents, in particular anthracyclines, for optimal management of cancer patients. However, while being a potent agent to counteract cancer, doxorubicin also affects the cardiovascular systems of patients undergoing chemotherapy in a significant and unfavorable fashion. Consecutively reviewed in this article are risk factors and mechanisms of doxorubicin cardiotoxicity, and the essential strategies to mitigate cardiotoxic effects of doxorubicin treatment in cancer patients are discussed.

Influencing factors on morbidity and mortality in intertrochanteric fractures

We aimed to evaluate the effect of the patient's clinical and paraclinical condition before and after surgery on short-term mortality and complication and long-term mortality. A retrospective cohort study was conducted and multivariate logistic regression was applied to determine the effect of demographic characteristics (sex, age, AO/OTA classification, height, weight, body mass index), medical history (hypertension, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, thyroid malfunction, cancer, osteoporosis, smoking) lab data (Complete blood cell, blood sugar, Blood Urea Nitrogen, Creatinine, Na, and K), surgery-related factors (Anesthesia time and type, implant, intraoperative blood transfusion, postoperative blood transfusion, and operation time), duration of admission to surgery and anticoagulant consumption on short-term mortality and complication and long-term mortality. Three hundred ten patients from November 2016 to September 2020 were diagnosed with an intertrochanteric fracture. 3.23% of patients died in hospital, 14.1% of patients confronted in-hospital complications, and 38.3% died after discharge till the study endpoint. ΔNumber of Neutrophiles is the primary determinant for in-hospital mortality in multivariate analysis. Age and blood transfusion are the main determinants of long-term mortality, and Na before surgery is the primary variable associated with postoperative complications. Among different analytical factors Na before surgery as a biomarker presenting dehydration was the main prognostic factor for in hospital complications. In hospital mortality was mainly because of infection and long-term mortality was associated with blood transfusion.

The Role of the Vasculature in Heart Failure

The contribution of the vasculature in the development and progression of heart failure (HF) syndromes is poorly understood and often neglected. Incorporating both arterial and venous systems, the vasculature plays a significant role in the regulation of blood flow throughout the body in meeting its metabolic requirements. A deterioration or imbalance between the cardiac and vascular interaction can precipitate acute decompensated HF in both preserved and reduced ejection fraction phenotypes. This is characterised by the increasingly recognised concept of ventricular-arterial coupling: a well-balanced relationship between ventricular and vascular stiffness, which has major implications in HF. Often, the cause of decompensation is unknown, with international guidelines mainly centred on arrhythmia, infection, acute coronary syndrome and its mechanical complications as common causes of decompensation; the vascular component is often underrecognised. A better understanding of the vascular contribution in cardiovascular failure can improve risk stratification, earlier diagnosis and facilitate earlier optimal treatment. This review focuses on the role of the vasculature by integrating the concepts of ventricular-arterial coupling, arterial stiffness and venous return in a failing heart.

An Up-to-Date Article Regarding Particularities of Drug Treatment in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure

Since the prevalence of heart failure (HF) increases with age, HF is now one of the most common reasons for the hospitalization of elderly people. Although the treatment strategies and overall outcomes of HF patients have improved over time, hospitalization and mortality rates remain elevated, especially in developed countries where populations are aging. Therefore, this paper is intended to be a valuable multidisciplinary source of information for both doctors (cardiologists and general physicians) and pharmacists in order to decrease the morbidity and mortality of heart failure patients. We address several aspects regarding pharmacological treatment (including new approaches in HF treatment strategies [sacubitril/valsartan combination and sodium glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors]), as well as the particularities of patients (age-induced changes and sex differences) and treatment (pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes in drugs; cardiorenal syndrome). The article also highlights several drugs and food supplements that may worsen the prognosis of HF patients and discusses some potential drug-drug interactions, their consequences and recommendations for health care providers, as well as the risks of adverse drug reactions and treatment discontinuation, as an interdisciplinary approach to treatment is essential for HF patients.

Diagnosis and Management of Heart Failure in Elderly Patients from Hospital Admission to Discharge: Position Paper

Multidisciplinary management of worsening heart failure (HF) in the elderly improves survival. To ensure patients have access to adequate care, the current HF and French health authority guidelines advise establishing a clearly defined HF patient pathway. This pathway involves coordinating multiple disciplines to manage decompensating HF. Yet, recent registry data indicate that insufficient numbers of patients receive specialised cardiology care, which increases the risk of rehospitalisation and mortality. The patient pathway in France involves three key stages: presentation with decompensated HF, stabilisation within a hospital setting and transitional care back out into the community. In each of these three phases, HF diagnosis, severity and precipitating factors need to be promptly identified and managed. This is particularly pertinent in older, frail patients who may present with atypical symptoms or coexisting comorbidities and for whom geriatric evaluation may be needed or specific geriatric syndrome management implemented. In the transition phase, multi-professional post-discharge management must be coordinated with community health care professionals. When the patient is discharged, HF medication must be optimised, and patients educated about self-care and monitoring symptoms. This review provides practical guidance to clinicians managing worsening HF in the elderly.

By discontinuing beta-blockers before an exercise test we may precipitate a rebound phenomenon

BACKGROUND

There is a need to analyse the current approach to beta-blocker (BB) use in relation to exercise-based stress tests.

OBJECTIVE

We compared various guidelines regarding recommending abrupt vs gradual discontinuation of BB prior to exercise tests. We also analyse the shortcomings of the currently recommended approach and suggest a new approach to avoid BB rebound.

METHODS

A narrative review is used to analyse this topic due to lack of valid randomized clinical trials.

RESULTS

Omitting the BB therapy prior to exercise-based test has been recommended in guidelines for many years. Although reasonable, this approach has potential disadvantages since sudden BB withdrawal may induce a rebound phenomenon, which is, also, acknowledged in several guidelines.

CONCLUSIONS

We observed inconsistency among relevant guidelines; there is no homogenous approach regarding BB use before exercise tests. Most guidelines recommend BB withdrawal for a couple of days before the test; they do not advise BB dose tapering. This approach is not standardised and raises the risk of BB rebound phenomenon both before and during the test. Therefore, we suggest using the half the prescribed BB dose at the usual time of administration (in the morning, prior to the exercise test).