Effect of Intensive Blood Pressure Control on Troponin and Natriuretic Peptide Levels: Findings From SPRINT

Incident HFpEF and time-dependent changes in markers of LVDD severity in women and men with preclinical LVDD

BACKGROUND

The progression of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) over time may lead to the development of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). HFpEF is twice as common in women compared with men; however, the sex-specific progression from LVDD towards HFpEF is poorly described. Therefore, we aim to evaluate changes over time in markers of LVDD severity and HFpEF in women and men with preclinical LVDD.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We reassessed 146 participants from the HELPFul study (58% women and 42% men) with preclinical LVDD after a median follow-up of 4.3 (IQR: 3.9-4.7) years. The follow-up measurements mirrored baseline measurements, encompassing clinical examination, blood draw for biomarkers and echocardiography. We determined HFpEF incidence and report changes over time in echocardiography. Additionally, we studied how blood pressure and kidney function affected LVDD progression, including plasma N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels, using generalised mixed models. All analyses were performed for women and men combined, and sex stratified. Out of 146 participants, 15 (10%) developed HF of whom 13 had HFpEF (9 women and 4 men). Over time, mean kidney function (estimated glomerular filtration rate, eGFR) declined from 89±14.4 to 81±16.9 mL/min/1.73 m2 and median NT-proBNP plasma levels increased from 71 (IQR: 44-120) to 100 (IQR: 51-157) pg/mL. In women, a higher systolic and in men a higher diastolic blood pressure were associated with an increase in NT-proBNP plasma levels over time. Lower eGFR levels were related to increased NT-proBNP plasma levels over time in both men and women.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates that only a small proportion of women and men with preclinical LVDD develop incident HF over a roughly 5-year follow-up period. High blood pressure and decreased kidney function were associated with higher levels of NT-proBNP. This highlights the need to further explore cardiorenal protection as a method to prevent HFpEF.

Intensive Lifestyle Intervention, Cardiac Biomarkers, and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Diabetes: Look AHEAD Cardiac Biomarker Ancillary Study

BACKGROUND

N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) are associated with cardiovascular outcomes and are recommended for measurement in type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, the effects of an intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) targeting weight loss on cardiac biomarkers and the prognostic association of changes in these biomarkers with risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes in T2D are not well-established.

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to evaluate the effects of an ILI on cardiac biomarkers and the association of changes in cardiac biomarkers with risk of cardiovascular outcomes in T2D.

METHODS

Participants of the Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes) trial underwent NT-proBNP and hs-cTnT measurement at baseline (N = 3,984) and 1 and 4 years. The effects of the ILI (vs diabetes support and education [DSE]) on cardiac biomarkers were assessed using adjusted linear mixed-effect models and summarized as geometric mean ratios (GMRs). Associations of longitudinal changes in cardiac biomarkers with risk of cardiovascular outcomes were assessed using adjusted Cox models.

RESULTS

Average baseline NT-proBNP and hs-cTnT was 77 and 10.7 ng/L, respectively. The ILI (vs DSE) led to an increase in NT-proBNP at 1 year (GMR: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.08-1.20), but this difference was attenuated by 4 years (GMR: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.96-1.07). The ILI (vs DSE) led to lower hs-cTnT at 1 year (GMR: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.91-0.97) and 4 years (GMR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.90-0.96). Participants with meaningful weight loss by 1 year (≥5% vs <5%) had a significant increase in NT-proBNP in the short term (year 1), which attenuated in the long-term follow-up (year 4). Meaningful 1-year weight loss was significantly associated with reduction in hs-cTnT in the long term. In adjusted Cox models, increase in NT-proBNP was significantly associated with higher risk of the composite atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) outcome and incident heart failure independent of baseline measure of the cardiac biomarker and changes in risk factors. In contrast, longitudinal increase in hs-cTnT was significantly associated with higher risk of the composite ASCVD outcome but not incident heart failure in the most adjusted model.

CONCLUSIONS

Among adults with T2D, an ILI led to a significant reduction in hs-cTnT on follow-up but a transient increase in NT-proBNP levels at 1 year that attenuated over time. Longitudinal assessment of NT-proBNP and hs-cTnT provide prognostic information for ASCVD risk, whereas only changes in NT-proBNP predicted HF risk.

Impact of first-line antihypertensive drug class and intensity on NT-proBNP improvement and cardiovascular outcomes among hypertensive patients with pre-heart failure: findings from SPRINT trial

Five first-line classes of antihypertensive drugs are recommended for hypertension treatment. However, it is unclear which class should be chosen for hypertensive patients with pre-heart failure (pre-HF). The study aimed to investigate the association between antihypertensive drug classes and intensity with probability of NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide) improvement and risk of cardiovascular events among pre-HF hypertensive patients. Utilizing the data from SPRINT, we included pre-HF hypertensive patients, identified by NT-proBNP ≥125 pg/mL at baseline. NT-proBNP improvement is defined as a reduction of ≥50% to a level below 125 pg/mL. A total of 3293 patients (mean age: 71.9 years; female: 43.8%) were included. NT-proBNP improvement was observed in 415 patients (12.6%) over 1-year follow up. Thiazide-type diuretics users were associated with a higher likelihood of NT-proBNP improvement (odds ratio [OR], 1.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-1.70), a lower risk of HF (hazard ratio [HR], 0.54; 95% CI, 0.37-0.78) and primary composite outcome (HR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.57-0.89). ACEI/ARB users were only associated with a lower risk of primary composite outcome (HR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.63-0.99). In contrast, beta-blockers users were associated with a lower likelihood of NT-proBNP improvement (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.34-0.55), while a higher risk of HF (HR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.21-2.64) and primary composite outcome (HR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.18-1.87). These associations varied across subgroups of different drug intensities. This post hoc analysis supports the use of thiazide-type diuretics and ACEI/ARB for prevention of cardiovascular events. The use of beta-blockers is associated with an increased risk of HF and primary outcomes, which requires further validation. Association between antihypertensive drug classes and intensity with NT-proBNP improvement and long-term clinical outcome.

An orally administered bacterial membrane protein nanodrug ameliorates doxorubicin cardiotoxicity through alleviating impaired intestinal barrier

The cardiotoxicity caused by Dox chemotherapy represents a significant limitation to its clinical application and is a major cause of late death in patients undergoing chemotherapy. Currently, there are no effective treatments available. Our analysis of 295 clinical samples from 132 chemotherapy patients and 163 individuals undergoing physical examination revealed a strong positive correlation between intestinal barrier injury and the development of cardiotoxicity in chemotherapy patients. We developed a novel orally available and intestinal targeting protein nanodrug by assembling membrane protein Amuc_1100 (obtained from intestinal bacteria Akkermansia muciniphila), fluorinated polyetherimide, and hyaluronic acid. The protein nanodrug demonstrated favorable stability against hydrolysis compared with free Amuc_1100. The in vivo results demonstrated that the protein nanodrug can alleviate Dox-induced cardiac toxicity by improving gut microbiota, increasing the proportion of short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria from the Lachnospiraceae family, and further enhancing the levels of butyrate and pentanoic acids, ultimately regulating the homeostasis repair of lymphocytes in the spleen and heart. Therefore, we believe that the integrity of the intestinal barrier plays an important role in the development of chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity. Protective interventions targeting the intestinal barrier may hold promise as a general clinical treatment regimen for reducing Dox-induced cardiotoxicity.

Modeling the Impact of Biomarker-Guided Versus ASCVD Risk-Guided Drug Treatment in US Adults With Stage 1 Hypertension: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999 to 2004

BACKGROUND

Guidelines recommend antihypertensive medication for adults with both stage 1 hypertension (systolic blood pressure, 130-139 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure, 80-89 mm Hg) and 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk ≥10%. Cardiac biomarkers could facilitate a more targeted approach to the treatment of stage 1 hypertension.

METHODS

We studied 1999 to 2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey participants aged ≥20 years with untreated stage 1 hypertension without heart failure or ASCVD. We measured hs-cTnI (high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I), hs-cTnT (high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T) and NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide) in stored serum. We used the Pooled Cohort Equations to predict 10-year ASCVD risk. All participants had linked mortality follow-up through December 31, 2019.

RESULTS

Overall, 17.5% of US adults (32.2 million) had untreated stage 1 hypertension. Among these 32.2 million persons, 15.7% had ASCVD risk ≥10%, 5.6% had elevated hs-cTnI, 4.7% had elevated hs-cTnT, and 9.5% had elevated NT-proBNP. Among adults aged 65 to 79 years with untreated stage 1 hypertension, 80.5% had ASCVD risk ≥10%, 13.0% had elevated hs-cTnI, 15.2% had elevated hs-cTnT, and 29.4% had elevated NT-proBNP. Less than half of the adults aged ≥80 years with untreated stage 1 hypertension had elevated biomarkers. The cardiovascular disease mortality rates among all adults with untreated stage 1 hypertension and with either ASCVD risk ≥10%, elevated hs-cTnI, elevated hs-cTnT, or elevated NT-proBNP were 7.51, 7.74, 8.75, and 5.87 per 1000 person-years, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiac biomarkers may be more selective for informing risk-based treatment decisions in stage 1 hypertension, particularly among adults aged ≥65 years.

Systolic Blood Pressure, Diastolic Blood Pressure and Pulse Pressure and the Risk of Subclinical Myocardial Injury: The HUNT Study

BACKGROUND

Subclinical myocardial injury expressed as higher cardiac troponin concentrations may represent an important intermediary between hypertension and the risk of cardiovascular disease. The study aimed to assess the relative strength of associations between systolic blood pressure (BP), diastolic BP, and pulse pressure, and subclinical myocardial injury, and how change in BP variables over time associates with subclinical myocardial injury.

METHODS AND RESULTS

cTnl (cardiac troponin I) was measured in 32 968 participants of the fourth wave of the population-based cohort HUNT4 (Trøndelag Health Study) without a history of cardiovascular disease. An additional longitudinal analysis included participants from HUNT4 with BP measurements from HUNT3 (n=18 681). Associations between BP variables and cTnI concentrations were assessed by linear and logistic regression analyses. The median cTnI concentration was 1.6 ng/L (25th-75th percentiles, 0.6-3.1 ng/L), median age was 52 years (39.1-65.6 years), and 57% were female subjects. Cross-sectionally, only systolic BP categories ≥130 mm Hg associated with higher cTnI concentrations, compared with a reference systolic BP of <110 mm Hg. All categories of diastolic BP and pulse pressure were positively associated with higher cTnI concentrations when diastolic BP 70 to 79 mm Hg and pulse pressure <40 mm Hg were used as references, respectively. When comparing systolic BP, diastolic BP, and pulse pressure as continuous variables, cross-sectionally, pulse pressure most strongly associated with cTnI concentrations (P for all comparisons <0.001), whereas longitudinally, change in diastolic BP was most strongly associated with cTnI concentrations (P for all comparisons <0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Subjects with high pulse pressure and longitudinal increase in diastolic BP are at higher risk for subclinical myocardial injury.

Intensive Blood Pressure Lowering in Individuals With Low Diastolic Blood Pressure and Elevated Troponin Levels in SPRINT

BACKGROUND

Among individuals with hypertension and low diastolic blood pressure (DBP), the optimal BP target remains controversial due to concerns that BP lowering may reduce coronary perfusion. We determined the impact of intensive BP control among individuals with elevated systolic BP who have low DBP and elevated hs-cTnT (high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T) levels.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 8828 participants in SPRINT (Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial) were stratified by baseline DBP. Those with low DBP (<70 mm Hg) were further stratified by elevated hs-cTnT (≥14 ng/L) at baseline. The effects of intensive versus standard BP lowering on a cardiovascular disease composite end point, all-cause death, and 1-year change in hs-cTnT were determined. The combination of low DBP/high hs-cTnT was independently associated with a higher risk for cardiovascular disease and all-cause death, as well as greater 1-year increases in hs-cTnT, compared with DBP ≥70 mm Hg. However, randomization to intensive versus standard BP lowering led to similar reductions in cardiovascular disease risk among individuals with low DBP/high hs-cTnT (hazard ratio [HR], 0.82 [95% CI, 0.57-1.19]), low DBP/low hs-cTnT (HR, 0.48 [95% CI, 0.29-0.79]), and DBP ≥70 mm Hg (HR, 0.73 [95% CI, 0.60-0.89]; P for interaction=0.20). Intensive BP lowering also led to a reduction in all-cause death that was similar across groups (P for interaction=0.57).

CONCLUSIONS

In this nonprespecified subgroup analysis of SPRINT, individuals with low DBP and elevated hs-cTnT, low DBP and nonelevated hs-cTnT, and DBP ≥70 mm Hg derived similar cardiovascular disease and mortality benefits from intensive BP lowering. These findings warrant confirmation in other studies.

High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponins I and T and Cardiovascular Outcomes: Findings from the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT)

BACKGROUND

Cardiac troponins are associated with adverse cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes. The value of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) independently and in concert with troponin T (hs-cTnT) in the management of hypertension has not been well studied.

METHODS

We assessed the utility of hs-cTnI independently and with hs-cTnT in identifying the highest risk individuals in the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT). Among 8796 eligible SPRINT participants, hs-cTnI was measured at baseline and 1 year. The association of baseline level and 1-year change in hs-cTnI with CVD events and all-cause death was evaluated using adjusted Cox regression models. We further assessed the complementary value of hs-cTnI and hs-cTnT by identifying concordant and discordant categories and assessing their association with outcomes.

RESULTS

hs-cTnI was positively associated with composite CVD risk [myocardial infarction, other acute coronary syndrome, stroke, or cardiovascular death: hazard ratio 1.23, 95% confidence interval 1.08-1.39 per 1-unit increase in log(troponin I)] independent of traditional risk factors, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, and hs-cTnT. Intensive blood pressure lowering was associated with greater absolute risk reduction (4.5% vs 1.7%) and lower number needed to treat (23 vs 59) for CVD events among those with higher baseline hs-cTnI (≥6 ng/L in men, ≥4 ng/L in women). hs-cTnI increase at 1 year was also associated with increased CVD risk. hs-cTnI and hs-cTnT were complementary, and elevations in both identified individuals with the highest risk for CVD and death.

CONCLUSIONS

Baseline levels and change in hs-cTnI over 1 year identified higher-risk individuals who may derive greater cardiovascular benefit with intensive blood pressure treatment. hs-TnI and hs-TnT have complementary value in CVD risk assessment. ClinicalTrials.gov Registration Number: NCT01206062.

Music Box-Inspired Semi-Automatic Hematocrit Validation Device

A high hematocrit (HCT) level is strongly associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease. For early diagnosis of cardiovascular disease, it is vital to regularly measure the HCT, which is typically achieved by centrifuging a blood sample to measure the percentage of red blood cells. However, the centrifugal modalities are usually bulky, expensive, and require a stable electric input, which restrict the availability. This research develops a semi-automatic and portable centrifugal device for HCT measurement. This torque-actuated semi-automatic centrifuge, which we call the tFuge, is inspired by a music box, allowing different operators to generate the same rhythm. It is electricity-free and can be controlled based on a constant torque mechanism. Repeatable test results can be received from among different users regardless of their age, sex, and activity. With the assistance of the Boycott effect on the tFuge, we proved that the HCT level is in high linearity to the length of the sedimentation of the blood cells in a tube (R2 = 0.99, sample HCT range 10-60%). The tFuge takes less than 4 min and requires no more than 10 μL of blood that can be obtained by a less-invasive finger prick to complete the testing procedure. Calibrated gradient numbers are printed onto the rotation disc for instant HCT results that can be read by the naked eye. We expect this proposed point-of-care testing device possesses the potential to replace the microhematocrit centrifuge in the regions with limited resources.