Urinary cell cycle arrest biomarkers and diuretic efficiency in acute heart failure

Introduction This study aimed to evaluate the association between the NephroCheck ® Test AKIRisk® Score, diuretic efficiency (DE) and the odds of worsening kidney function (WKF) within the first 72 hours of admission in patients hospitalized for acute heart failure (AHF). Methods The study prospectively enrolled 125 patients admitted with AHF. NephroCheck ® Test was obtained within the first 24 of admission. DE was defined as net fluid urine output per 40 mg of furosemide equivalents. Results The median AKIRisk® Score was 0.11 (IQR 0.06-0.34) and 38 (30.4%) patients had an AKIRisk® Score >0.3. The median cumulative DE at 72 hours was 1963 mL (IQR 1317-3239 ml). At 72 hours, a total of 10 (8%) patients developed an absolute increase in sCr ≥0.5 mg/dL (WKF). In a multivariate setting, there was an inverse association between the AKIRisk® Score and DE within the first 72 hours. In fact, the highest the AKIRisk® Score (centered at 0.3) the higher the likelihood of poor diuretic efficiency (below the median) and WKF at 72 hours (Odds Ratio [OR] 2.04; 95%; CI 1.02-4.07; p=0.043, and OR 3.31, 95% CI 1.30-8.43; p = 0.012, respectively). Conclusion In patients with AHF, a higher NephroCheck ® AKIRisk® score is associated with poorer DE and a higher risk of WKF at 72 hours. Further research is needed to confirm the role of urinary cell cycle arrest biomarkers in the AHF scenario.

Noncardiovascular morbidity and mortality across left ventricular ejection fraction categories following hospitalization for heart failure

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Noncardiovascular events represent a significant proportion of the morbidity and mortality burden in patients with heart failure (HF). However, the risk of these events appears to differ by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) status. In this study, we sought to evaluate the risk of noncardiovascular death and recurrent noncardiovascular readmission by LVEF status following an admission for acute HF.

METHODS

We retrospectively assessed a cohort of 4595 patients discharged after acute HF in a multicenter registry. We evaluated LVEF as a continuum, stratified in 4 categories (LVEF ≤ 40%, 41%-49%, 50%-59%, and ≥ 60%). Study endpoints were the risks of noncardiovascular mortality and recurrent noncardiovascular admissions during follow-up.

RESULTS

At a median follow-up of 2.2 [interquartile range, 0.76-4.8] years, we registered 646 noncardiovascular deaths and 4014 noncardiovascular readmissions. After multivariable adjustment including cardiovascular events as a competing event, LVEF status was associated with the risk of noncardiovascular mortality and recurrent noncardiovascular admissions. When compared with patients with LVEF ≤ 40%, those with LVEF 51%-59%, and especially those with LVEF ≥ 60%, were at higher risk of noncardiovascular mortality (HR, 1.31; 95%CI, 1.02-1,68; P=.032; and HR, 1.47; 95%CI, 1.15-1.86; P=.002; respectively), and at higher risk of recurrent noncardiovascular admissions (IRR, 1.17; 95%CI, 1.02-1.35; P=.024; and IRR, 1.26; 95%CI, 1.11-1.45; P=.001; respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Following an admission for HF, LVEF status was directly associated with the risk of noncardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Patients with HFpEF were at higher risk of noncardiovascular death and total noncardiovascular readmissions, especially those with LVEF ≥ 60%.

Intrarenal Venous Flow Pattern Changes Do Relate With Renal Function Alterations in Acute Heart Failure

BACKGROUND

There is scarce evidence supporting the clinical utility of congestive intrarenal venous flow (IRVF) patterns in patients with acute heart failure.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to: 1) investigate the association between IRVF patterns and the odds of worsening renal function (WRF); 2) track the longitudinal changes of serum creatinine (sCr) across IRVF at predetermined points and its association with decongestion; and 3) explore the relationship between IRVF/WRF categories and patient outcomes.

METHODS

IRVF was assessed at baseline (pre-decongestive therapy), 72 hours, and 30 and 90 days postdischarge. Changes in sCr trajectories across dynamic IRVF variations and parameters of decongestion were assessed using linear mixed effect models. The association between IRVF/WRF categories and outcomes was evaluated using univariable/multivariable models.

RESULTS

In this prospective, multicenter study with 188 participants, discontinuous IRVF patterns indicated higher odds of WRF (OR: 3.90 [95% CI: 1.24-12.20]; P = 0.020 at 72 hours; and OR: 5.76 [95% CI: 1.67-19.86]; P = 0.006 at 30 days) and an increase in sCr (Δ-72 hours 0.14 mg/dL [95% CI: 0.06-0.22]; P = 0.001; Δ-discharge 0.13 mg/dL [95% CI: 0.03-0.23]; P = 0.007). However, the diuretic response and decongestion significantly influenced the magnitude of these changes. Patients exhibiting both WRF and discontinuous IRVF at 30 days experienced an increased hazard of adverse events (HR: 5.96 [95% CI: 2.63-13.52]; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Discontinuous IRVF identifies patients with higher odds of WRF during admission and postdischarge periods. Nonetheless, adequate diuretic response and decongestion could modify this association. Patients showing both WRF and discontinuous IRVF at 30 days had increased rates of adverse events.

Biomarkers to Improve Decision-making in Acute Heart Failure

Acute heart failure (AHF) is a complex clinical syndrome that requires prompt diagnosis, risk stratification and effective treatment strategies to reduce morbidity and mortality. Biomarkers are playing an increasingly important role in this process, offering valuable insights into the underlying pathophysiology and facilitating personalised patient management. This review summarises the significance of various biomarkers in the context of AHF, with a focus on their clinical applications to stratify risk and potential for guiding therapy choices.

An update on utilising brain natriuretic peptide for risk stratification, monitoring and guiding therapy in heart failure

INTRODUCTION

Heart failure (HF) is a dominant health problem with an overall poor prognosis. Natriuretic peptides (NPs) are upregulated in HF as a compensatory mechanism. They have extensively been used for diagnosis and risk stratification.

AREAS COVERED

This review addresses the history and physiology of NPs in order to understand their current role in clinical practice. It further provides a detailed and updated narrative review on the utility of those biomarkers for risk stratification, monitoring, and guiding therapy in HF.

EXPERT OPINION

NPs show excellent predictive ability in heart failure patients, both in acute and chronic settings. Understanding their pathophysiology and their modifications in specific situations is key for an adequate interpretation in specific clinical scenarios in which their prognostic value may be weaker or less well evaluated. To better promote risk stratification in HF, NPs should be integrated with other predictive tools to develop multiparametric risk models. Both inequalities of access to NPs and evidence caveats and limitations will need to be addressed by future research in the coming years.

CA125 but not NT-proBNP predicts the presence of a congestive intrarenal venous flow in patients with acute heart failure

BACKGROUND

Intrarenal venous flow (IRVF) measured by Doppler ultrasound has gained interest as a potential surrogate marker of renal congestion and adverse outcomes in heart failure. In this work, we aimed to determine if antigen carbohydrate 125 (CA125) and plasma amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) are associated with congestive IRVF patterns (i.e., biphasic and monophasic) in acute heart failure (AHF).

METHODS AND RESULTS

We prospectively enrolled a consecutive cohort of 70 patients hospitalized for AHF. Renal Doppler ultrasound was assessed within the first 24-h of hospital admission. The mean age of the sample was 73.5 ± 12.3 years; 47.1% were female, and 42.9% exhibited heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. The median (interquartile range) for NT-proBNP and CA125 were 6149 (3604-12 330) pg/mL and 64 (37-122) U/mL, respectively. The diagnostic performance of both exposures for identifying congestive IRVF patterns was tested using the receiving operating curve (ROC). The cut-off for CA125 of 63.5 U/mL showed a sensibility and specificity of 67% and 74% and an area under the ROC curve of 0.71. After multivariate adjustment, CA125 remained non-linearly and positively associated with congestive IRVF (P-value = 0.008) and emerged as the most important covariate explaining the variability of the model (R2: 47.5%). Under the same multivariate setting, NT-proBNP did not show to be associated with congestive IRVF patterns (P-value = 0.847).

CONCLUSIONS

CA125 and not NT-proBNP is a useful marker for identifying patients with AHF and congestive IRVF patterns.