Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in elderly hypertensives: results of the APROS-diadys study

Sex, gender, and subclinical hypertensiveorgan damage-heart

Hypertension-mediated organ damage (HMOD) at cardiac level include a variety of abnormal phenotypes of recognized adverse prognostic value. Although the risk of cardiac HMOD is related with the severity of BP elevation, the interaction of numerous non-hemodynamic factors plays a relevant role in this unfavorable dynamic process. In particular, sex-related differences in cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and HMOD have been increasingly described. The objective of the present review is to provide comprehensive, updated information on sex-related differences in cardiac HMOD, focusing on the most important manifestations of subclinical hypertensive heart disease such as left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), LV systolic and diastolic dysfunction, left atrial and aortic dilatation. Current evidence, based on cross-sectional and longitudinal observational studies as well as real-world registries and randomized controlled trials, suggests that women are more at risk of developing (and maintaining) LVH, concentric remodeling and subclinical LV dysfunction, namely the morpho-functional features of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. It should be pointed out, however, that further studies are needed to fill the gap in defining gender-based optimal therapeutic strategies in order to protect women's hearts.

Subclinical HMOD in Hypertension: Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction

Arterial hypertension represents an important risk factor for the development of cardiac, vascular and renal events, predisposing to heart failure, acute coronary syndromes, peripheral artery disease, stroke, and chronic renal disease. Arterial hypertension leads to the development of subclinical hypertension mediated organ damage (HMOD) which has prognostic relevance and may influence the choice of treatment options. Alterations of cardiac structure and function represent the more widely assessed form of HMOD. This manuscript will focus on the diagnostic opportunities, prognostic significance and treatment of diastolic dysfunction alterations.

Network Analysis of Cardiac Remodeling by Primary Mitral Regurgitation Emphasizes the Role of Diastolic Function

BACKGROUND

Topological data analysis (TDA) can generate patient-patient similarity networks by analyzing large, complex data and derive new insights that may not be possible with standard statistics.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this paper was to discover novel phenotypes of chronic primary mitral regurgitation (MR) patients and to analyze their clinical implications using network analysis of echocardiographic data.

METHODS

Patients with chronic moderate to severe primary MR were prospectively enrolled from 11 Asian tertiary hospitals (n = 850; mean age 56.9 ± 14.2 years, 57.9% men). We performed TDA to generate network models using 14 demographic and echocardiographic variables. The patients were grouped by phenotypes in the network, and the prognosis was compared by groups.

RESULTS

The network model by TDA revealed 3 distinct phenogroups. Group A was the youngest with fewer comorbidities but increased left ventricular (LV) end-systolic volume, representing compensatory LV dilation commonly seen in chronic primary MR. Group B was the oldest with high blood pressure and a predominant diastolic dysfunction but relatively preserved LV size, an unnoticed phenotype in chronic primary MR. Group C showed advanced LV remodeling with impaired systolic, diastolic function, and LV dilation, indicating advanced chronic primary MR. During follow-up (median 3.5 years), 60 patients received surgery for symptomatic MR or died of cardiovascular causes. Kaplan-Meier curves demonstrated that although group C had the worst clinical outcome (P < 0.001), group B, characterized by diastolic dysfunction, had an event-free survival comparable to group A despite preserved LV chamber size. The grouping information by the network model was an independent predictor for the composite of MR surgery or cardiovascular death (adjusted HR: 1.918; 95% CI: 1.257-2.927; P = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

The patient-patient similarity network by TDA visualized diverse remodeling patterns in chronic primary MR and revealed distinct phenotypes not emphasized currently. Importantly, diastolic dysfunction deserves equal attention when understanding the clinical presentation of chronic primary MR.

Microvascular Dysfunction in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is an increasingly studied entity accounting for 50% of all diagnosed heart failure and that has claimed its own dignity being markedly different from heart failure with reduced EF in terms of etiology and natural history (Graziani et al., 2018). Recently, a growing body of evidence points the finger toward microvascular dysfunction as the major determinant of the pathological cascade that justifies clinical manifestations (Crea et al., 2017). The high burden of comorbidities such as metabolic syndrome, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, chronic kidney disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and similar, could lead to a systemic inflammatory state that impacts the physiology of the endothelium and the perivascular environment, engaging complex molecular pathways that ultimately converge to myocardial fibrosis, stiffening, and dysfunction (Paulus and Tschope, 2013). These changes could even self-perpetrate with a positive feedback where hypoxia and locally released inflammatory cytokines trigger interstitial fibrosis and hypertrophy (Ohanyan et al., 2018). Identifying microvascular dysfunction both as the cause and the maintenance mechanism of this condition has opened the field to explore specific pharmacological targets like nitric oxide (NO) pathway, sarcomeric titin, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) pathway, immunomodulators or adenosine receptors, trying to tackle the endothelial impairment that lies in the background of this syndrome (Graziani et al., 2018;Lam et al., 2018). Yet, many questions remain, and the new data collected still lack a translation to improved treatment strategies. To further elaborate on this tangled and exponentially growing topic, we will review the evidence favoring a microvasculature-driven etiology of this condition, its clinical correlations, the proposed diagnostic workup, and the available/hypothesized therapeutic options to address microvascular dysfunction in the failing heart.

Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: Prevention and Management

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a complex clinical syndrome that constitutes nearly half of all heart failure cases. Because of lack of effective pharmacological targets to improve outcomes, the emphasis of the management and prevention of HFpEF should be through control of risk factors. This review will use the framework proposed by the American Heart Association on 7 simple measures ("Life's Simple 7") that involves diet and lifestyle changes to achieve ideal cardiovascular health. These 7 measures include (1) smoking, (2) obesity, (3) exercise, (4) diet, (5) blood pressure, (6) cholesterol, and (7) glucose control, which can help control the most common comorbidities and risk factors associated with HFpEF, such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. Therefore, application of these 7 simple measures would be a patient-centered and cost-effective way of prevention and management of HFpEF.

Assessment of Left Ventricular Dimensions by Transoesophageal Echocardiography in Patients During Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

OBJECTIVE

Normative values of left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic area and diameter (EDA and EDD) for intraoperative transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) have not been established. We aimed to define the ranges of LV EDA and EDD for intraoperative TEE examinations in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

METHODS

A MEDLINE search for studies reporting LV EDA and EDD in CABG patients was performed. Individual-level dataset from 333 anaesthetised and mechanically ventilated patients with preserved LV function (study population) were received from 8 studies. EDA and calculated EDD values in the study population were compared with summary mean EDD values obtained by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in 2 studies of 500 awake patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Further, the influence of prespecified factors on EDD was evaluated through a multivariate regression model.

RESULTS

LV EDA and EDD values measured by TEE in anaesthetised CABG patients were 16.7±4.7 cm2 and 4.6±0.6 cm, respectively. EDD values measured by TEE in anaesthetised patients were 10% to 13% less those measured by TTE in 2 studies of awake patients (p<0.001). Body surface area, age and fractional area change but not sex were factors that affected LV EDD.

CONCLUSION

LV EDD values measured by intraoperative TEE in anaesthetised and mechanically ventilated CABG patients were 10% to 13% less than those measured by TTE in awake CAD patients. This finding indicates that independent normative values specific for intraoperative TEE should be established for guiding intraoperative clinical decisions.

Personalised Single-Pill Combination Therapy in Hypertensive Patients: An Update of a Practical Treatment Platform

Despite the improvements in the management of hypertension during the last three decades, it continues to be one of the leading causes of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide. Effective and sustained reductions in blood pressure (BP) reduce the incidence of myocardial infarction, stroke, congestive heart failure and cardiovascular death. However, the proportion of patients who achieve the recommended BP goal (< 140/90 mmHg) is persistently low, worldwide. Poor adherence to therapy, complex therapeutic regimens, clinical inertia, drug-related adverse events and multiple risk factors or comorbidities contribute to the disparity between the potential and actual BP control rate. Previously we published a practical therapeutic platform for the treatment of hypertension based on clinical evidence, guidelines, best practice and clinical experience. This platform provides a personalised treatment approach and can be used to improve BP control and simplify treatment. It uses long-acting, effective and well-tolerated angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) olmesartan, in combination with a calcium channel blocker amlodipine, and/or a thiazide diuretic hydrochlorothiazide. These drugs were selected based on the availability in most European Countries of single-pill, fixed formulations in a wide range of doses for both dual- and triple-drug combinations. The platform approach could be applied to other ARBs or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors available in single-pill, fixed-dose combinations. Here, we present an update, which takes into account the results of the recently published studies and extends the applicability of the platform to common conditions that are often neglected or poorly considered in clinical practice guidelines.

Diastolic Dysfunction and Hypertension

Left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is characterized by alterations in LV diastolic filling, and is a strong predictor of cardiovascular events and heart failure. Hypertension is the most important risk factor for LVDD in the community and promotes LVDD through several mechanisms, including hemodynamic overload and myocardial ischemia. Associated factors such as age, ethnicity, dietary sodium, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease also contribute to LVDD in hypertensive individuals. Blood pressure lowering using antihypertensive medications can improve LVDD; however, it remains unclear whether this improvement in LV diastolic function can improve cardiovascular outcomes.

Hyperglycemia has a greater impact on left ventricle function in South Asians than in Europeans

OBJECTIVE Diabetes is associated with left ventricular (LV) diastolic and systolic dysfunction. South Asians may be at particular risk of developing LV dysfunction owing to a high prevalence of diabetes. We investigated the role of diabetes and hyperglycemia in LV dysfunction in a community-based cohort of older South Asians and white Europeans. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Conventional and Doppler echocardiography was performed in 999 participants (542 Europeans and 457 South Asians aged 58-86 years) in a population-based study. Anthropometry, fasting bloods, coronary artery calcification scoring, blood pressure, and renal function were measured. RESULTS Diabetes and hyperglycemia across the spectrum of HbA1c had a greater adverse effect on LV function in South Asians than Europeans (N-terminal-probrain natriuretic peptide β ± SE 0.09 ± 0.04, P = 0.01, vs. -0.04 ± 0.05, P = 0.4, P for HbA1c/ethnicity interaction 0.02), diastolic function (E/e' 0.69 ± 0.12, P < 0.0001, vs. 0.09 ± 0.2, P = 0.6, P for interaction 0.005), and systolic function (s' -0.11 ± 0.06, P = 0.04, vs. 0.14 ± 0.09, P = 0.1, P for interaction 0.2). Multivariable adjustment for hypertension, microvascular disease, LV mass, coronary disease, and dyslipidemia only partially accounted for the ethnic differences. Adverse LV function in diabetic South Asians could not be accounted for by poorer glycemic control or longer diabetes duration. CONCLUSIONS Diabetes and hyperglycemia have a greater adverse effect on LV function in South Asians than Europeans, incompletely explained by adverse risk factors. South Asians may require earlier and more aggressive treatment of their cardiometabolic risk factors to reduce risks of LV dysfunction.

Right ventricular hypertrophy in systemic hypertension: an updated review of clinical studies

AIM

Experimental and clinical evidence supports the view that right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) may parallel left ventricular hypertrophy in systemic hypertension; a comprehensive analysis of this issue, however, is lacking. Thus, we analyzed the literature in order to provide an updated information on the right ventricular structural changes associated to systemic hypertension.

DESIGN

A literature search using the key words 'right ventricle' 'right ventricular hypertrophy', 'biventricular hypertrophy' 'right and left ventricular hypertrophy'. 'hypertension', 'echocardiography' was performed in order to identify relevant articles. Full articles published in English language in the last three decades reporting studies in adult hypertensive individuals were considered.

RESULTS

A total of 13 studies, including 1290 untreated (45%) and treated hypertensive patients and 259 normotensive controls, were considered. Overall, in hypertensive individuals right ventricular wall was thicker than in normotensive counterparts (standardized difference 1.3 mm, P < 0.001). RVH prevalence consistently varied among studies (17.0-80.0%) with an average of 28.6% in the pooled population. This was also the case for LVH prevalence rates (9.0-100%) with an average value of 30.6%.

CONCLUSION

Clinical studies consistently indicate that RVH is a common cardiac phenotype in systemic hypertension. As this finding is based on a limited number of cross-sectional studies including small population samples, further investigations are needed to determine the clinical utility and prognostic value of this phenotype in clinical practice.

Myocardial dysfunction and chronic heart failure in patients with long-lasting type 1 diabetes: a 7-year prospective cohort study

The aim of the study is to evaluate the prevalence and incidence of myocardial dysfunction (MD) and heart failure (HF) in long-lasting (≥10 years) type 1 diabetes without cardiovascular disorders or with hypertension or coronary heart disease (CHD). The study included 1,685 patients with type 1 diabetes (mean baseline age, 51 years; diabetes duration, 36 years). In all patients, echocardiography was performed, NT-proBNP levels were measured, and clinical symptoms were evaluated. A 7-year follow-up was conducted to monitor systolic and diastolic manifestations of MD and HF. At the end of the follow-up period, the prevalence of HF in the entire group was 3.7 %, and the incidence was 0.02 % per year. The prevalence of MD was 14.5 % and the incidence -0.1 % per year. MD and HF were observed only in hypertensive or CHD patients. At baseline, subjects with diastolic HF constituted 85 % of the HF population and those with systolic HF the remaining 15 %. Baseline HF predictors included age, diabetes duration, HbA1c levels, CHD, systolic blood pressure >140 mmHg, and GFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2). In patients with type 1 diabetes, MD and HF occurred only when diabetes coexisted with cardiovascular disorders affecting myocardial function. The prevalence and incidence of HF in patients with hypertension and CHD were relatively low. While the cause of this observation remains uncertain, it could probably be explained, at least partially, by the cardioprotective effect of concomitant treatment.

Nighttime Blood Pressure and New-Onset Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

The relationship between circadian blood pressure (BP) variations and the extent of subclinical cardiac organ damage is still debated. In a general population, we investigated the association of night-to-day BP fall, as well as nocturnal BP level (mean and lowest values), with left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and the value of both BP parameters in predicting new-onset LV hypertrophy. Office BP, 24-hour ambulatory BP values, and laboratory investigations were assessed on entry in 1682 subjects (50.2% men; mean age, 50.2±13.7 years) of the Pressioni Arteriose Monitorate E Loro Associazioni. Echocardiographic LV mass was measured at the initial evaluation and 10 years later. Multiple regression analyses, including daytime systolic BP (SBP), age, sex, and body mass index, showed that the lowest SBP level and the extent of nocturnal SBP decline were independently related to baseline LV mass. After adjustment for several confounders, both mean nocturnal SBP (relative risk for each 10-mm Hg increase in SBP, 1.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.01–1.23; P <0.0001) and the lowest SBP level (relative risk for each 10-mm Hg increase in SBP, 1.10; 95% confidence interval, 1.02–1.19; P =0.01) were independent predictors of new-onset LV hypertrophy. This was not the case for the magnitude of nighttime SBP fall (hazard ratio for each 10% decrease in SBP, 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.80–1.04; P =0.18). In a general population, nighttime BP level rather than the nocturnal BP decline may be regarded as a reliable parameter for predicting the development of LV hypertrophy in subjects with normal LV mass. This finding may have important implications for optimizing cardiovascular prevention in the general population.

Pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease: updated Recommendations of the Cologne Consensus Conference 2011

The 2009 European Guidelines on Diagnosis and Treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) have been adopted for Germany. While the guidelines contain detailed recommendations regarding pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), they contain only a relatively short paragraph on other, much more frequent forms of PH including PH owing to left heart disease. The guidelines point out that the drugs currently used to treat patients with PAH (prostanoids, endothelin receptor antagonists and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors) have not been sufficiently investigated in other forms of PH. However, despite the lack of respective efficacy data an uncritical use of targeted PAH drugs in patients with PH associated with left heart disease is currently observed at an increasing rate. This development is a matter of concern. On the other hand, PH is a frequent problem that is highly relevant for morbidity and mortality in patients with left heart disease. It that sense, the practical implementation of the European Guidelines in Germany requires the consideration of several specific issues and already existing novel data. This requires a detailed commentary to the guidelines, and in some aspects an update already appears necessary. In June 2010, a Consensus Conference organized by the PH working groups of the German Society of Cardiology (DGK), the German Society of Respiratory Medicine (DGP) and the German Society of Pediatric Cardiology (DGPK) was held in Cologne, Germany. This conference aimed to solve practical and controversial issues surrounding the implementation of the European Guidelines in Germany. To this end, a number of working groups was initiated, one of which was specifically dedicated to PH due to left heart disease. This commentary describes in detail the results and recommendations of the working group which were last updated in October 2011.

Blood pressure control in Italy: analysis of clinical data from 2005-2011 surveys on hypertension

INTRODUCTION

Blood pressure (BP) control is poorly achieved in hypertensive patients, worldwide.

AIM

We evaluated clinic BP levels and the rate of BP control in hypertensive patients included in observational studies and clinical surveys published between 2005 and 2011 in Italy.

METHODS

We reviewed the medical literature to identify observational studies and clinical surveys on hypertension between January 2005 and June 2011, which clearly reported information on clinic BP levels, rates of BP control, proportions of treated and untreated patients, who were followed in different clinical settings (mostly in general practice, and also in outpatient clinics and hypertension centres).

RESULTS

The overall sample included 158 876 hypertensive patients (94 907 women, mean age 56.6 ± 9.6 years, BMI 27.2 ± 4.2 kg/m(2), known duration of hypertension 90.2 ± 12.4 months). In the selected studies, average SBP and DBP levels were 145.7 ± 15.9 and 87.5 ± 9.7 mmHg, respectively; BP levels were higher in patients followed in hypertension centres (n = 10 724, 6.7%; 146.5 ± 17.3/88.5 ± 10.3 mmHg) than in those followed by general practitioners (n = 148 152, 93.3%; 143.5 ± 13.9/84.8 ± 8.9 mmHg; P < 0.01). More than half of the patients were treated (n = 91 318, 57.5%); among treated hypertensive patients, only 31 727 (37.0%) had controlled BP levels.

CONCLUSION

The present analysis confirmed inadequate control of BP in Italy, independently of the clinical setting. Although some improvement was noted compared with a similar analysis performed between 1995 and 2005, these findings highlight the need for a more effective clinical management of hypertension.

Left ventricular geometry and diastolic function in the hypertensive heart: impact of age

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The impact of aging on the relationship between left ventricular (LV) mass/geometry and diastolic function as assessed by updated echocardiographic methods, such as tissue Doppler, is poorly defined. We investigated this issue in a cohort of hypertensive patients.

METHODS

A total of 660 hypertensives (mean age 65 ± 13 years, 48% men) with preserved LV systolic function underwent a comprehensive echo-Doppler examination for routine clinical indications. For the present analysis, the subjects have been divided in two age groups (<65 or ≥65 years).

RESULTS

Overall, 61% of subjects fulfilled the criteria for LVH, 18% for left atrial (LA) enlargement and 11% for altered LV filling index. Concentric LV geometry was 1.4-fold higher in older hypertensives than in younger counterparts; also the prevalence of LA enlargement and altered LV filling was 2.0- and 1.9-fold higher in the former group, respectively. In older hypertensives, at variance from younger ones, neither LV mass nor relative wall thickness (RWT), a continuous index of LV geometry, were independently correlated to conventional as well as tissue Doppler LV diastolic indexes.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest the relationship between cardiac hypertrophy and diastolic function in hypertensive subjects is affected by aging-associated factors unrelated to the amount of LV mass as assessed by standard echocardiography.

Age related prevalence of severe left ventricular hypertrophy in essential hypertension: echocardiographic findings from the ETODH study

AIM

We sought to investigate the prevalence and correlates of severe left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in relation to age in a large cohort of essential hypertensives referred to a single outpatient hypertension clinic.

METHODS

A total of 3752 (mean age 53±13 years, 53% men) untreated (29.5%) and treated hypertensive patients categorized in three age groups (I: 18-40 years; II: 41-64 years; III: ≥65 years) were considered for this analysis. All patients underwent extensive investigations searching for target organ damage. LVH, defined as LV mass ≥49/45 g/m(2.7) in men/women, respectively, was graded as mild, moderate and severe according to Lang's report.

RESULTS

LVH prevalence was 29.4% in group I, 48.2% in group II and 63.6% in group III. Overall, more than one fourth of patients with LVH had a severely increased LV mass index; the likelihood of having severe LVH was two- and four-fold higher in elderly hypertensives than in their middle-aged and young counterparts, respectively. Increasing age and LVH degree were both associated with a greater prevalence of concentric LV geometry as well as of extra-cardiac organ damage (i.e. carotid intima-media thickness).

CONCLUSIONS

LVH is a highly prevalent organ damage in essential hypertensives, particularly in the elderly, who exhibited a more severe increase of LV mass index, higher relative wall thickness and extra-cardiac organ damage compared with young and middle-aged sub-groups. Our findings suggest that the assessment of cardiovascular risk by grading LVH rather than simply defining the presence/absence of this cardiac phenotype could improve therapeutic strategies in the hypertensive population, particularly in the elderly.

Prevalence of left-ventricular hypertrophy in hypertension: an updated review of echocardiographic studies

Left-ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a cardinal manifestation of hypertensive organ damage associated with an increased cardiovascular (CV) risk. We reviewed recent literature on the prevalence of LVH, as assessed by echocardiography, in order to offer an updated information on the magnitude of subclinical alterations in LV structure in contemporary human hypertension. A MEDLINE search using key words 'left ventricular hypertrophy', 'hypertension', 'echocardiography' and 'cardiac organ damage' was performed in order to identify relevant papers. Full articles published in English language in the last decade, (1 January 2000-1 December 2010), reporting studies in adult or elderly individuals, were considered. A total of 30 studies, including 37,700 untreated and treated patients (80.3% Caucasian, 52.4% men, 9.6% diabetics, 2.6% with CV disease) were considered. LVH was defined by 23 criteria; its prevalence ranged from 36% (conservative criteria) to 41% (less conservative criteria) in the pooled population. LVH prevalence was not different between women and men (range 37.9-46.2 versus 36.0-43.5%, respectively). Eccentric LVH was more frequent than concentric hypertrophy (range 20.3-23.0 versus 14.8-15.8, respectively, P<0.05); concentric phenotype was found in a consistent fraction (20%) of both genders. Despite the improved management of hypertension in the last two decades, LVH remains a highly frequent biomarker of cardiac damage in the hypertensive population. Our analysis calls for a more aggressive treatment of hypertension and related CV risk factors leading to LVH.

Association of left atrial enlargement with left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction: a tissue Doppler study in echocardiographic practice

BACKGROUND

Left atrial (LA) enlargement is a powerful risk factor for cardiovascular diseases; little information is available about its prevalence and correlates in subjects free of overt cardiac disease seen in echocardiographic practice.

AIM

We evaluated the prevalence of LA enlargement (LAE) and the relationship with left ventricular (LV) mass and diastolic function in subjects with preserved LV systolic function referred to an echocardiographic study for routine clinical indications.

METHODS

1104 subjects (mean age 58 ± 16 years, 46% men, 57% hypertensives) underwent a comprehensive echo-Doppler examination. LAE and LV hypertrophy (LVH) were defined as LA volume index (LAVI) >29 ml/m(2) and LV mass index (LVMI) >50 g/h(2.7), respectively. Abnormalities of LV relaxation and LV filling were diagnosed by age-related thresholds of lateral annular velocity (Ei) and by early mitral flow velocity to Ei ratio (E/Ei) ≥16, respectively.

RESULTS

Overall, 10% of echocardiographic examinations fulfilled the criteria for LAE, 46% for LVH, 45% for altered LV relaxation and 5% for altered LV filling index. LVH progressively increased from 25% to 75% across LAVI quartiles. More patients in the highest quartile exhibited abnormal indexes of LV relaxation and LV filling compared with lower quartiles. In multivariate analysis, LV mass index (β = 0.408), age (β = 0.188), E/Ei ratio (β = 0.140) and Ei (β = 0.140) emerged as major correlates of LAE (p at least <0.01 for all).

CONCLUSIONS

LAE is a frequent finding in patients with preserved systolic function seen in current practice; this abnormality is strongly related to LVH and to diastolic dysfunction. Early detection of LAE may identify patients at higher cardiovascular risk and promote appropriate prevention strategies.

Hypertension as an underlying factor in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

The unique pathophysiology of heart failure with a preserved ejection fraction (HF-PEF) and the involvement of hypertension in its development are only poorly understood. The upregulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) has been identified as a key pathologic pathway contributing to fibrosis, cardiomyocyte abnormalities, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction, all of which have been implicated in the progression of hypertension to HF-PEF. In addition, pharmacologic inhibition of the RAAS has been shown in animal models of diastolic dysfunction and in clinical trials to reduce these deleterious processes and to improve diastolic function. Despite these data, clinical trials performed with RAAS inhibitors in patients with HF-PEF have failed to demonstrate morbidity and mortality benefits. To date, there is no proven effective therapy specifically for HF-PEF. The deleterious effects of hypertension on mechanisms underlying the development of HF-PEF underscore the importance of effective and early control of hypertension for the prevention of HF-PEF.

Race/ethnic disparities in left ventricular diastolic function in a triethnic community cohort

BACKGROUND

Racial-ethnic disparities exist in cardiovascular risk factors, morbidity, and mortality. Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction is a predictor of mortality and of cardiovascular outcome including incident heart failure. We sought to assess whether race-ethnic differences in diastolic function exist. Such differences may contribute to the observed disparities in cardiovascular outcomes.

METHODS

Two-dimensional echocardiography was performed in 760 participants (539 Hispanic, 117 non-Hispanic black, 104 non-Hispanic white) from the Cardiac Abnormalities and Brain Lesions study. Left ventricular diastolic function was assessed by standard Doppler flow profile and tissue Doppler imaging. Early (E) and late (A) transmitral diastolic flow, and mitral annulus early diastolic velocities (E') were recorded; and E/A and E/E' ratios were calculated.

RESULTS

Blacks and Hispanics had higher body mass index (P = .04, P < .01), higher prevalence of hypertension (both Ps <or= .05) and diabetes (both Ps < .01), and lower level of education (both Ps < .01) compared with whites. In age- and sex-adjusted analyses, Hispanics and blacks showed worse indices of diastolic function than whites. Hispanics had lower E/A ratio (P = .01), lower E', and higher E/E' (both Ps < .01) than whites, whereas blacks had lower E' (P < .05) and a trend toward a higher E/E' ratio (P = .09) compared with whites. These race-ethnic differences in diastolic function were attenuated in multivariate models adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Differences in left ventricular diastolic function exist between race-ethnic groups. However, modifiable cardiovascular risk factors and sociodemographic variables, rather than intrinsic race-ethnic heterogeneity, seem to explain most of the observed differences.

Echocardiography in clinical practice: the burden of arterial hypertension. A multicenter Italian survey

Little information is available about the burden of hypertension on echo-lab activity in current practice. The aim of the present nation-wide survey in outpatient echo-labs was to investigate the prevalence rates of (1) echo examinations performed for the evaluation of hypertensive cardiac damage; (2) reports providing quantitative data on left ventricular (LV) structure and geometry; (3) LV hypertrophy (LVH) in hypertensives referred to echo labs. The study was carried out in 14 outpatient echo-labs across Italy. Prescriptions written by general practitioners were used to identify the indications for the examinations. Estimates of LVH were derived from original echo reports or were calculated from LV primary measures, when available, with Devereux's formula in a post-analysis. Echo examination was performed in 2449 subjects (1245 men and 1204 women); hypertension was the indication for echo in 745 (30.4%) cases. In this subgroup, LV mass (LVM), LVM indexed to body surface area, LVM indexed to height(2.7) and relative wall thickness ratio were reported in 58, 59, 54 and 52%, respectively. LVH was present in 53% of untreated hypertensives and, among treated patients, in 45 and 65% of those with and without blood pressure control, respectively. Our findings show that (1) hypertension accounts for approximately one-third of echo examinations performed in clinical practice; (2) a large fraction of echo reports do not provide quantitative data on LVM and LV geometry, (3) LVH is highly prevalent in hypertensives referred to echo labs for assessment of cardiac damage.

Role of smoking in the recurrence of atrial arrhythmias after cardioversion

We aimed to determine whether smoking status affects the recurrence of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter in patients after cardioversion. The clinical data of patients undergoing cardioversion for atrial flutter from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2005 were prospectively collected. Arrhythmia recurrences were detected by retrospective review of comprehensive medical records and were determined using electrocardiography. The smoking history was prospectively collected through a standardized clinical form and subsequently categorized as lifetime nonsmoker, exsmoker, or current smoker. Univariate and multivariate associations with end points for clinical and lifestyle variables were assessed with Cox proportional hazards models. Women who were current smokers at cardioversion had a greater risk of atrial arrhythmia recurrence than did nonsmokers (hazard ratio 1.71, 95% confidence interval 1.10 to 2.67, p = 0.02). The increased risk of arrhythmia recurrence in female smokers was not seen in male smokers. Compared to lifetime nonsmokers, the mortality hazard ratio among men was 1.18 (95% confidence interval 0.88 to 1.58; p = 0.28) in exsmokers and 1.93 (95% confidence interval 1.20 to 3.11; p = 0.007) in current smokers. The risk of death after cardioversion was not increased in women. In conclusion, smoking is an independent predictor of atrial arrhythmia recurrence after cardioversion in women; however, an increased mortality risk, but not arrhythmia recurrence risk, was seen in men.

The challenges associated with current clinical trials for diastolic heart failure

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Diastolic heart failure (DHF) is the culmination of various cardiovascular insults, producing a proportionally greater alteration of diastolic performance, subtle reductions of systolic function and the clinical syndrome of heart failure. Over half of heart failure patients aged 65 years or older have DHF, which carries similar morbidity and mortality to systolic heart failure (SHF). The aging population and increased prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and obesity will result in disproportionately higher incidence of DHF.

RECENT FINDINGS

To date, seven large placebo-controlled trials have been conducted in DHF and none have convincingly demonstrated substantial morbidity or mortality reductions. This review will highlight DHF clinical trial efforts and provide explanations for the discordance between clinical trial patients and clinical practice patients.

SUMMARY

Greater parity between clinical trial and clinical practice can be achieved by selecting DHF patients in the context of a few general principles: trials should enroll patients on the basis of the diagnostic criteria set forth by the European Study Group on Diastolic Heart Failure. A history of (<6 months) or current hospitalization for heart failure along with prespecified higher grades of diastolic dysfunction insures that a sufficiently at-risk population is studied. Patients with DHF are older, with multiple noncardiovascular comorbidities, and longer trial duration (>3 years) may be plagued with competing risks.

Role of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and inflammatory processes in the development and progression of diastolic dysfunction

Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction represents a frequent clinical condition and is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Diastolic dysfunction is the most common cause of HF-PSF (heart failure with preserved ejection fraction). Therefore it becomes important to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying diastolic dysfunction, as well as the effective therapeutic strategies able to antagonize its development and progression. Among the complex pathophysiological factors that may contribute to the development of diastolic dysfunction, the RAAS (renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system) has been shown to play a significant role. Paracrine and autocrine signals of the RAAS promote structural and functional changes in the heart largely linked to increased myocardial fibrosis. Enhanced and dysregulated activity of the RAAS also contributes to the development of volume overload and vasoconstriction with subsequent increases in left ventricular diastolic filling pressures and a higher susceptibility of developing CHF (congestive heart failure). More recently, it has also been suggested that the RAAS may play a role in triggering myocardial and vascular inflammation through the activation of different cell types and the secretion of cytokines and chemokines. RAAS-induced myocardial inflammation leads to perivascular myocardial fibrosis and to the development or progression of diastolic dysfunction. For these reasons pharmacological blockade of the RAAS has been proposed as a rational approach for the treatment of diastolic dysfunction. In fact, ACEIs (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors), ARBs (angiotensin II receptor blockers) and AAs (aldosterone antagonists) have been demonstrated to delay the development and progression from pre-clinical diastolic dysfunction towards CHF, as well as to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with this condition.

Evaluation of systolic properties in hypertensive patients with different degrees of diastolic dysfunction and normal ejection fraction

BACKGROUND

Left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction (DD) associated with a preserved ejection fraction (EF) is a frequent alteration in hypertensive patients, usually considered an impairment of the diastolic phase alone. However, because systole and diastole are strictly correlated to one another, it is possible that hypertensive patients with isolated DD may also present with initial abnormalities of LV systolic properties, particularly those presenting with a more severe degree of DD. We performed a multiparametric echocardiographic assessment of LV systolic properties in patients without cardiovascular diseases, with preserved EF and different degrees of DD.

METHODS

We evaluated 1,073 hypertensive subjects showing EF >55% and no overt heart disease.

RESULTS

A total of 362 patients had normal diastolic function (N), 609 displayed delayed relaxation pattern (DR), and 102 presented a pseudonormal filling pattern (PN). Albeit most of the subjects with DD (DR, PN) had systolic indexes within normal range, they presented a significant reduction of index stroke volume (SV) (P < 0.0001) and stroke work (SW) (P < 0.0001), EF (P < 0.01), midwall shortening (MFS) (P < 0.0001), circumferential end-systolic stress-corrected MFS (cESS-MFS) (P < 0.001), and tissue Doppler (TD) systolic velocity (P < 0.0001) as compared to the N group, particularly the PN group.After adjustments, the reductions of LV systolic indexes were still significantly related to DD, particularly to PN.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest a relation between LV systolic and diastolic properties in patients with normal EF. They also highlight the early onset of a preclinical reduction of systolic properties in patients with "isolated" DD, which is related to the degree of dysfunction.

Nutrient intake and serum cytokine pattern in elderly people with heart failure

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) is frequently complicated by malnutrition. We estimated nutrient intake in HF patients and evaluated the correlation between serum cytokines and dietary pattern.

METHODS

We studied 124 elderly (>or=60 years) patients with severe HF (N=62) or without HF (controls, N=62), matched for age and sex. Nutritional data were obtained from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) questionnaire. We compared the intake of macro- and micronutrients in the two groups; in the HF group nutritional intake was correlated with serum cytokines.

RESULTS

HF patients had a lower energy intake (26.8 Kcal/Kg of ideal weight vs. 37.3 Kcal /Kg ideal weight in controls, P<0.001) due to a lower intake of all macronutrients. The energy intake was lower than the recommended (30 Kcal/Kg of ideal body weight) in 72% of HF and 34% of the controls. The intake of several minerals and vitamins was inferior to the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) in most participants. Those HF patients with a caloric intake below the median (22.6 Kcal/Kg ideal weight) did not differ substantially from those with higher caloric intake with regard to age, functional characteristics, and lean body mass as expressed by the mid-arm muscle circumference, however, they had a higher concentration of IL4 (61.5 pg/ml vs. 37.7 pg/ml, P=0.075) and of IL10 (6.32 pg/ml vs. 2.06 pg/ml, P=0.046).

CONCLUSIONS

Nutritional intake is frequently inadequate in patients with severe HF. Our results suggest that some interleukins might affect caloric intake in patients with HF.

Allometric hemodynamic analysis of isolated systolic hypertension and aging

Isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) is prevalent in the elderly and the contributing factors are predominantly vascular in origin. We previously showed that the hemodynamic manifestation of ISH is the result of a concurrently mild increase in peripheral resistance with a large reduction in arterial compliance or greatly increased vascular stiffness. Such elastic mismatching can lead to increased wave reflections. Therefore, we hypothesize that significantly increased pulse wave reflections associated with a drastically reduced arterial compliance beyond normal aging is a principle contributing factor to the production of ISH. To investigate this, we developed a new allometric hemodynamic model that can account for the arterial compliance and peripheral resistance changes during the progression of aging. This model also affords the time domain analysis of forward and reflected waves during aging and ISH. Results show that a further and much greater reduction in arterial compliance beyond normal aging is necessary to produce ISH. Comparison of ISH with normal aging at 60-year old showed that in ISH the amount of wave reflections is much more pronounced, with a greater amplitude and earlier arrival in systole. The increased wave reflections in ISH further amplify the cyclic stress on the already stiffened blood vessels. Therefore, therapies to treat ISH patients need to focus on reducing pulse wave reflections as well as on improving large vessel compliance.