Impact of dexamethasone on cardiac injury in critically ill COVID-19 patients

Aims/Background

Severe COVID-19 pneumonia requiring intensive care treatment remains a clinical challenge to date. Dexamethasone was reported as a promising treatment option, leading to a reduction of mortality rates in severe COVID-19 disease as well as ventilator-dependent days. However, the effect of dexamethasone treatment on cardiovascular outcomes including cardiac injury monitored by cardiac enzymes remains largely elusive.

Methods

For this study, we retrospectively screened 224 consecutive COVID-19 patients between 4/2020 and 1/2021 in three Europeen Hospitals. To avoid bias effects of further applied COVID-19 specific medications including tacilizumab, remdesevir and sarilumab, 46 patients treated with at least one of these substances were excluded from further analyses. In total 178 critically ill COVID-19 patients requiring intensive care treatment and mechanical ventilation were recruited. 113 patients (63.5%) were treated with dexamethasone for a median duration of 10 days (IQR 9–10). 65 patients (36.5%) constituted the non-dexamethasone group. The assessment of cardiac injury was based on cardiac enzymes.

Results

Baseline charactaristics shown in Tab. 1. While peak inflammatory markers seemed to be reduced by dexamethasone treatment (CRP and a trend towards decrease of interleukin 6 levels (CRP maximum level: median: 20 ng/mL (IQR 12–28) vs. 22 ng/mL (IQR 14–37), p=0.043; IL-6 maximum level: median: 192 pg/mL (IQR 78–533) vs. 708 pg/mL (550–885), p=0.085), in the dexamethasone Group also shown a significant reduction in peak troponine levels as shown in Figure 1. CK and CK-MB do not differ significantly by Dexamethasone application. Of note, no significant changes in baseline characteristics were observed between the dexamethasone and non-dexamethasone group (Table 1).

Conclusion

In severe COVID-19, antiinflammatory effects of dexamethasone treatment could be associated with a significant reduction in myocardial injury. Further studies should further evaluate whether Dexamethasone effects directly myocardial involvement in COVID 19.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Analysis of novel cardiac biomarkers in diagnosis of decompensated heart failure

Aims

Heart failure (HF) remains a major therapeutic and diagnostic challenge. In this study we aimed to analyze the predictive potential of four novel cardiovascular biomarkers – soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), vascular cell adhesion molecule (CAM-1), heart-type fatty acid binding Protein (H-FABP) and growth/differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) in detecting cardiac decompensation in patients with HF.

Methods

In total, 136 patients (40 decompensated HF, 96 compesated HF) were retrospectively enrolled and the serum biomarker concentrations of GDF-15, suPAR, H-FABP and CAM-1 were analyzed by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Biomarker concentrations were correlated with clinical and biochemical parameters of enrolled patients, the predictive value for detecting cardiac decompensation was assessed by ROC-plots, as well as univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Cut-offs for cardiac decompensation were calculated by means of the Youden index.

Results

A significant increase in the levels of suPAR (1.6-fold change, p<0.0001), CAM-1 (1.6-fold change, p<0.0001), HFABP (2.2-fold change, p=0.0458) and GDF-15 (1.7-fold change, p=0.0009) was detected in all patients with decompensated HF compared to patients with compensated HF. In univariate logistic regression analysis, plasma concentrations of GDF-15, H-FABP, suPAR and CAM-1 were significantly associated with the risk for cardiac decompensation. For GDF-15, suPAR and CAM-1, this association remained significant even after correction for confounders in a multivariate logistic regression analysis. Additionally, AUCs (GDF-15: 0.759, 95% (0.683–0.866), suPAR: 0.838, 95% (0.750–0.926), CAM-1: 0.838, 95% (0.750–0.926)) and optimal cut-offs (GDF-15: 1404.8835 pg/ml, suPAR: 4774.027 pg/ml, CAM-1: 4.74027 ng/ml) of the biomarkers were calculated. Correlation analyses found clinical and biochemical parameters such as creatinine as well as inflammatory marker CRP to be significantly correlated with novel biomarkers (r>0.3, p<0.001. In conjunction with the results for the AUC of NTproBNP (AUC=0.785), suPAR (AUC=0.838) and CAM-1 (AUC=0.838 more accurately prediced cardiac decompensation in heart failure than NTproBNP (Figure 1).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the investigated novel cardiovascular biomarkers could be a valuable tool to facilitate therapeutic decisions in patients with HF and suspicion of cardiac decompensation. Parameters such as renal function should be taken into account.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Effects of angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors (ARNIs) on the glucose and fat metabolism biomarkers leptin and fructosamin

Background

Heart Failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) has a life time risk about 20% among adults aged 40 years or older and a 5-year mortality rate about 60% [1,2]. However novel therapies have shown to improve this outcome. One novel agent are angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors (ARNIs) that increase the BNP levels via inhibiting neprilsyin [3]. This has beneficial effects on heart failure by reducing preload, inflammation and fibrosis. Neprilysin also interacts with leptin and is known to correlate with the incidence and progression of heart failure if chronically elevated [4]. Furthermore beneficial affects of ARNI therapy on glucose metabolism were reported in a post-hoc analysis of the PARADIGM-HF trial [5]. In this study we aim to investigate the effect of ARNI therapy on the fat metabolism markers leptin and on the glucose metabolism marker fructosamin.

Methods

In total, we included 74 patients with HFrEF with ischemic (N=37) and non-ischemic (n=37) origin in the present study. The mean NYHA class was II–III, the mean BMI 28 (SD 6.3). Patients had well established heart failure therapy before starting ARNI therapy with sacubitril/valsartan. 88% of patients were on ACE-inhibitors, 86% on beta blockers and 68% on mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. Serum samples were obtained and analyzed for leptin, fructosamin and pBNP before and 3–6 month after ARNI therapy. The clinical parameters LVEF and NYHA class were assessed before and 3–6 month after ARNI therapy.

Results

Baseline leptin level was 15.0 (SD 17.2), baseline fructosamin level was 370.1 (SD 167.7) and baseline pBNP level was 1494.9 (SD 1281.4). Under therapy a significant improvement of ejection fraction from 29,8% to 37,5% (7,7 SD 8,5 P≤0.001), an improvement of NYHA stadium from 2.46 (SD 0.62) to 1.96 (SD 0.63, p=0.005) and a significant decrease of pBNP (562.1 SD 1256.4, p=0.018) was found. Along with that, a significant increase in leptin levels (3.6 SD 8.85, p=0.012) and a significant increase in fructosamine levels (93.5 SD 160.6, p=0.013) was shown.

Conclusion

Under therapy with ARNI we showed a sufficient therapy response with improvement of ejection fraction and decrease of pBNP in line with literature. Surprisingly metabolism biomarkers did significantly worsen under the first three to six month after new ARNI therapy. To distinguish between a side effect of ARNI therapy or consequence of heart failure itself further investigations are needed.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Inflammatory and diabetic conditions trigger SHP2 tyrosine phosphatase expression and subsequent aberrant activation of primary human monocytes

Purpose

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory process that is particularly accelerated in diabetics, leading to increased incidence of cardiovascular diseases such as CAD and PAD in diabetic patients. Monocytes are the main component of atherosclerosis development. SHP-2 tyrosine phosphatase has been identified as an important regulator of monocyte function. The present study therefore aims to investigate the regulation of SHP-2 in inflammatory and diabetic conditions.

Methods

Primary human monocytes were isolated from the peripheral blood of type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients and healthy individuals. Monocytes were incubated with pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFa. For diabetic conditions, monocytes were incubated with methylglyoxal (MG), a highly reactive side product of glycolysis, or Receptor for advanced glycation end product (RAGE) ligand AGE-bovine serum (AGE-BSA). Monocyte migration was studied with Transwell migration assays. Expression of important molecules was investigated with Western Blot, RT-qPCR or FACS. Pharmacological inhibitors for SHP2, RAGE or NFκB were used.

Results

First, we could detect a significant correlation between SHP-2 mRNA and TNFa levels in T2DM monocytes in comparison to monocytes from healthy individuals. In line with that, incubation of monocytes with TNFa lead to an enhanced expression of SHP-2. Co-incubation with NFκB-inhibitor blocked TNFa-induced SHP-2 upregulation. Interestingly, incubation of monocytes with methylglyoxal caused increased release of TNFa and also augmented expression of SHP-2, indicating a pro-inflammatory effect of diabetic conditions.

Moreover, AGE-BSA treatment induced enhanced SHP-2 expression, reflecting an inflammatory-independent pathway which regulates SHP-2 additionally. This could be supported by the observation that pharmacological inhibition of RAGE attenuated both AGE-BSA and MG-induced SHP-2 activation. On a functional level, increased expression of SHP-2 in each treatment resulted in a pro-migratory phenotype that could be completely reversed by inhibition of RAGE, respectively. Fittingly, monocytes from T2DM patients showed increased migration, which normalized to an ordinary level after application of a SHP-2 inhibitor.

Conclusions

The present results reveal a new mechanism for accelerated atherosclerosis development in diabetic patients. MG and advanced glycated end products, as crucial components of the diabetic milieu, lead to increased expression of SHP-2 via the RAGE-NFkB signalling axis. Interestingly, this diabetic environment causes an increased inflammatory response through the release of TNFa cytokine, which itself leads to enhanced SHP-2 expression through activation of the NFkB transcription factor. Finally, by pharmacological inhibition of each component in this outlined SHP-2 regulatory pathway, we were able to prevent the pro-migratory activation of monocytes, offering a new approach to the treatment of diabetes-induced atherosclerosis.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Other. Main funding source(s): IZKF SEED Project 14/20

Primary human monocytes are stimulated in a pro-atherosclerotic manner in hyperhomocysteine conditions by attenuated PTEN phosphatase function

Purpose

Monocytes are essential for atherosclerosis and hereby crucial for the detrimental consequences of cardiovascular diseases like coronary heart disease. Interestingly, homocysteine (HCY) was identified as an idependent risk factor for atherosclerosis development. However, the specific implication of HCY on monocytes has not yet been clarified and was therefore investigated in the present study.

Methods

Primary human monocytes, isolated from peripheral blood through the immuno-magnetic method, were treated with a clinically relevant dose of 400 μM HCY for 24 hours. Monocyte migration was investigated with transwell migration assays. Adhesion to inflamed endothelium (HUVECs) was studied under static and physiological flow conditions. Expression of relevant molecules was quantified with Western Blot, RT-qPCR and FACS. 5-azacytidine (AZA) was used to inhibit DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) and SF1670 to inhibit PTEN.

Results

First, we studied monocyte migration phenotype. Under hyperhomocysteine conditons monocytes revealed elevated chemokinesis and enhance chemotaxis towards MCP-1. In addition, monocytes show a pro-adhesive phenotype under HCY treatment which was indicated by heightened adhesion to inflamed endothelial cells, both in static and physiological flow conditions. These data could be sustained by observation of HCY-induced augmented expression of adhesion molecule CD11a on primary human monocytes. Interestingly, we observed decreased PTEN phosphatase function and activity in HCY-treated monocytes, which was reflected downstream in increased activation of AKT at serine 473. Based on these data, it was also possible to induce the pro-migratory phenotype in monocytes by pharmacological inhibition of PTEN alone. Since HCY can modify the methylation status of PTEN and hereby regulates its expression, we inhibited DNMT1 with AZA which could prevent downregulation of PTEN expression by HCY treatment. In addition, through inhibition of DNMT1 HCY-induced aberrant migration and adhesion was rescued. In line with that, HCY-induced pro-migratory and pro-adhesive phenotype was also rescued by co-treatment with the cofactors (30 μM Vitamin B12 and 3 μM folic acid) responsible for homocysteine to methionine catabolism due to normalized PTEN expression.

Conclusions

The present work deciphers a previously unknown mechanism how an increased concentration of HCY induces a pro-atherosclerotic activation of monocytes.

Accumulation of HCY leads to a methylation-dependent inactivation of PTEN phosphatase. This subsequently causes increased phosphorylation of AKT at serine 473, which results in an augmented migration behaviour of monocytes. At the same time, we were able to reduce HCY-induced aberrant monocyte activation by inhibiting DNTM1 or by interfering with HCY metabolism by adding vitamin B12 or folic acid. In summary, these findings provide a new approach to reset pro-atherosclerotic monocytes in hyperhomocysteinemic conditions.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Other. Main funding source(s): IZKF SEED Project 14/20

Dexamethasone improves cardiovascular outcomes in critically ill COVID-19, a real world scenario multicenter analysis

Background

Severe COVID-19 pneumonia requiring intensive care treatment remains a clinical challenge to date. Dexamethasone was reported as a promising treatment option, leading to a reduction of mortality rates in severe COVID-19 disease. However, the effect of dexamethasone treatment on cardiac injury and pulmonary embolism remains largely elusive.

Methods

In total 178 critically ill COVID-19 patients requiring intensive care treatment and mechanical ventilation were recruited in three European medical centres and included in the present retrospective study. 113 patients (63.5%) were treated with dexamethasone for a median duration of 10 days (IQR 9–10). 65 patients (36.5%) constituted the non-dexamethasone control group.

Results

While peak inflammatory markers were reduced by dexamethasone treatment, the therapy also led to a significant reduction in peak troponin levels (231% vs. 700% indicated as relative to cut off value, p=0.001). Similar, dexamethasone resulted in significantly decreased peak D-Dimer levels (2.16 mg/l vs. 6.14mg/l, p=0.002) reflected by a significant reduction in pulmonary embolism rate (4.4% vs. 20.0%, p=0.001). The antithrombotic effect of dexamethasone treatment was also evident in the presence of therapeutic anticoagulation (pulmonary embolism rate: 6% vs. 34.4%, p<0.001). Of note, no significant changes in baseline characteristics were observed between the dexamethasone and non-dexamethasone group.

Conclusion

In severe COVID-19, antiinflammatory effects of dexamethasone treatment seem to be associated with a significant reduction in myocardial injury. Similar, a significant decrease in pulmonary embolism, independent of anticoagulation, was evident, emphasizing the beneficial effect of dexamethasone treatment in severe COVID-19.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Sex related differences in vascular interventions and outcome of patients with critical limb threatening ischemia in a real-world cohort

Background

The prevalence of critical limb threatening ischemia (CLTI) is increasing worldwide and the focus is the reduction of outcome events like death or amputation of the lower limb (LL). Sex related differences in medical supply and outcome are a current matter of debate.

Purpose

In the present study, we included patients with CLTI in an unselected “real-world” cohort and studied sex related differences in their risk profile and vascular interventions, as well as their impact on long-term outcome.

Methods

We analyzed 119,953 unselected patients of the public health insurance in Germany (AOK), which were hospitalized between 2010 and 2017 for a main diagnosis of CLTI (Rutherford stage (RF) 4–6). In our data files, a baseline period of 2 years previous index hospitalization and a follow-up period until 2018 was included.

Results

In our cohort, more than half were male CLTI patients (57% male vs. 43% female), while female CLTI patients were at higher age (median: 73.8 years male vs. 81.4 years female). Male patients had higher ratios of diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, cerebrovascular disease and chronic coronary syndrome, whereas female CLTI patients show a higher prevalence of hypertension, atrial fibrillation, chronic heart failure and chronic kidney disease (all p&lt;0.001). During index hospitalisation more than one quarter of all CLTI patients suffered from rest pain (RF 4), and approximately one third for minor (RF 5) and one third for major (RF 6) tissue lost. Female patients were more often diagnosed with RF 5 (32% male vs. 36% female), while the proportion of male patients was slightly higher at RF 4 (29% male vs. 27% female) and RF 6 (39% male vs. 37% female, all p&lt;0.001).

During index hospitalization, almost 70% underwent any diagnostic angiography and in 63% of all patients a revascularization procedure was performed. Both were carried out more often in male patients (both p&lt;0.001).The Kaplan Meier curve showed an increased mortality rate in female patients during follow up (figure 1), while no differences were observed for the combined endpoint amputation of the LL or death. Interestingly after adjustment for age and patients risk'constellation, female gender was associated with increased overall-survival (female HR 0.95; 95%-CI 0.94–0.96, p&lt;0.001) and amputation-free survival which is a combined endpoint of amputation of the LL or death (female HR 0.84; 95%-CI 0.83–0.85, p&lt;0.001).

Conclusion

Female patients with CLTI were older and showed lower rates of diagnostic angiography and revascularization procedures of the LL during index hopsitalization. Nevertheless, male sex was an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality and the combined endpoint amputation of the LL or death during long-term follow-up. These results indicate that further analyses are needed to determine the various individual needs of male and female CLTI patients.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): The project upon which this publication is based was funded by The Federal Joint Committee, Innovation Committee (G-BA, Innovationsfonds, number 01VSF18051).

Induction of RAGE-NFkB signalling axis enhances SHP-2 tyrosine phosphatase expression resulting in deviant activation of diabetic monocytes

Purpose

Aberrant activation of Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) monocytes is an important pathomechanism leading to restricted arteriogenesis and augmented atherosclerosis, hereby, accelerating CAD and PAD. Tyrosine phosphatase SHP-2 was found to be upregulated in T2DM-monocytes. This study aimed to identify the pathways regulating SHP-2 expression in T2DM-monocytes.

Methods

Primary human monocytes were isolated from the peripheral blood of T2DM patients and healthy individuals. Monocytes were incubated with Methylglyoxal (MG), a highly reactive side product of glycolysis, Receptor for advanced glycation end product (RAGE) ligand AGE-bovine serum (AGE-BSA) or TNFα for 24 hours. Transwell migration assays were used to analyse the migratory potential of monocytes. Western Blot, RT-qPCR and FACS were performed to quantify the expression of relevant molecules. Pharmacological inhibitors were used to study functional relevance of the RAGE-NFκB-SHP-2 signalling axis.

Results

Significantly enhanced SHP-2 expression was detected in monocytes, which were incubated with TNFα, MG or AGE-BSA, respectively. Co-incubation of these molecules with NFκB-inhibitor blocked SHP-2 upregulation. Pharmacological inhibition of RAGE reversed the MG or AGE-BSA induced SHP-2 expression and activity in monocytes. RAGE expression on monocytes was upregulated after the incubation with MG or AGE-BSA, consistent with enhanced RAGE mRNA levels in T2DM monocytes. Besides, we also detected elevated SHP-2 transcripts in monocytes of T2DM patients which was more pronounced in monocytes with augmented TNFα expression. Furthermore, MG and AGE-BSA provoked the enhanced migration of monocytes which could be significantly reduced after the application of an allosteric SHP-2 inhibitor. Interestingly, pharmacological inhibition of RAGE in these conditions alone was sufficient to block the elevated monocyte migration. Moreover, monocytes isolated from T2DM patients revealed a comparable pro-migratory phenotype, which was completely restored after the pharmacological inhibition of SHP-2.

Conclusions

This study identified the upstream signalling mediators that contribute to SHP-2 dependent monocyte activation in T2DM conditions. Glucose metabolite (MG) or RAGE ligand (AGE-BSA) alone were sufficient to induce a pro-migratory phenotype in monocytes by upregulating SHP-2. Of note, an inflammatory state seems to accelerate this effect since enhanced TNFα levels were found to be positively correlated with the augmented SHP-2 expression. Moreover, we identified the RAGE-NFκB signalling axis through which the SHP-2 upregulation is conveyed when augmented accumulation of glucose metabolites occur. These findings reveal a basis for potential new therapeutic approaches to prevent accelerated CAD and PAD in diabetic patients since independent pharmacological inhibition of every step in the RAGE-NFκB-SHP-2 axis was sufficient to reset the aberrant monocyte activation.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Other. Main funding source(s): Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research of the Medical Faculty of the University of Münster

Higher incidence of stroke in severe COVID-19 is not associated with a higher burden of arrhythmias: comparison to other types of severe pneumonia

Background

Thromboembolic events, including stroke, are typical complications of COVID-19. Whether arrhythmias, frequently described in severe COVID-19, are disease-specific and thus promote strokes is unclear. We investigated the occurrence of arrhythmias, and stroke during rhythm monitoring in critically ill COVID-19, compared to severe pneumonias of other origin.

Methods

Recruited were 120 critically ill patients requiring mechanical ventilation in three European tertiary hospitals, including n=60 COVID-19, matched according to risk factors for occurrence of arrhythmias to n=60 patients from a retrospective consecutive cohort of severe pneumonias of other origin.

Results

Arrhythmias, mainly atrial fibrillation (AF), were frequent in COVID-19. However, when compared to nonCOVID-19, no difference was observed with respect to ventricular tachycardias (VT) and relevant bradyarrhythmias (VT 10.0 vs. 8.4%, p=ns and asystole 5.0 vs. 3.3%, p=ns) with consequent similar rates of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (6.7 vs. 10.0% p=ns). AF was even more common in nonCOVID-19 (AF 18.3 vs. 43.3%, p=0.003; newly onset AF 10.0 vs. 30.0%, p=0.006) which resulted in higher need for electrical cardioversion (6.7 vs. 20.0%, p=0.029). Despite these findings and comparable rates of therapeutic anticoagulation (TAC), the incidence of stroke was higher in COVID-19 (6.7.% vs. 0.0, p=0.042). These events happened also in absence of AF (50%) and with TAC (50%).

Conclusion

Arrhythmias were common in severe COVID-19, consisting mainly of AF, yet less frequent than in matched pneumonias of other origin. A contrasting higher incidence of stroke independent of arrhythmias observed also with TAC, seems to be an arrhythmia-unrelated disease-specific feature of COVID-19.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Acute and long-term outcomes of ST-elevation myocardial infarction in cancer patients

Background

Myocardial infarctions (MI) and cancer are each very serious morbidities. To evaluate their interaction in the “real world”, a retrospective analysis was performed in patients with ST-elevation MI (STEMI) and pre-existing cancer.

Methods

Anonymized data from patients admitted to hospital between 2010 and 2017 due to STEMI were analyzed from 24 months before and up to nine years after the index hospitalization by one of Germany's largest statutory Health Insurance Funds (Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse - AOK). Qualitative data were tested via two-sided Chi-squared test and quantitative data were tested using a two- sided Wilcoxon test. The eight year overall survival (OS) rate was determined with a Kaplan Meier estimator. The endpoint OS was analysed using multivariable Cox-regression model.

Results

From 175,262 STEMI patients, 27,213 had cancer (15.5%). Most frequent were skin (24.9%), prostate (17.0%), colon (11.0%), breast (10.9%), urinary tract (10.6%), and lung cancer (5.2%). STEMI patients with malignancies were older, presented more often with coronary three-vessel-disease, classical risk factors, atrial arrhythmias, kidney disease, heart failure, cerebrovascular and peripheral artery disease (PAD) (each p&lt;0.001). They showed more often previous MI, percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), cardiac surgery, and stroke (all p&lt;0.001). Acute PCIs were applied approximately 2–6 percent points less frequently compared to those without (w/o) cancer, with less drug-eluting and more often bare metal stents (all p&lt;0.001). In-hospital adverse events occurred more frequently in cancer. Eight-year survival was 57.3% (95% CI 57.0% – 57.7%) w/o cancer, and ranged between 41.2% and 19.2% in distinct cancer types. Multivariable Cox regression for death during follow-up found e.g. lung cancer (HR 2.04, 95% CI 1.92–2.17), PAD stage 4–6 (HR 1.78, 95% CI 1.72–1.84) and previous stroke (HR 1.44, 95% CI 1.31–1.54) to have the strongest effect, while obesity (HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.93–0.97) was associated with lower mortality (all p&lt;0.001).

Conclusion

In this large “real world” health insurance data from Germany, prognosis after STEMI was markedly reduced but differed widely between cancer types. No withholding of revascularization therapies in cancer patients could be observed.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): The Federal Joint Committee, Innovation Committee (G-BA, Innovationsfonds, number 01VSF18051).

Lipid profile in cardiac transplantation: a closer look at bad cholesterol

Background

When it comes to lipid-lowering therapy, the primary goal is still to reduce the low-density lipoprotein levels. Although remnant cholesterol (RC), including predominantly intermediate- and very-low-density lipoproteins, is a known cardiovascular risk factor, reliable reference values, as well as therapy strategies, are yet to be validated. Additionally, the role of RC after heart transplantation is still unclear.

Aim

To assess the clinical and prognostic relevance of lipid profile and, in particular, of remnant cholesterol in very long-term follow-up after HTx.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of the clinical and laboratory parameters collected at last follow-up in an outpatient setting. Additionally, remnant cholesterol levels were estimated using the formula (in mg/dL): remnant cholesterol = total cholesterol – (HLD-C + LDL-C).

Results

Out of 174 patients with a mean age of 45.2±15.0 years at the time of HTx and a mean follow-up of 13.1±6.5 years, 142 (81.6%) were on statin treatment. Mean cholesterol level was borderline high (184.1±48.4 mg/dL), whereas mean LDL and triglyceride values were markedly elevated (103.6±39.2 and 161.8±83.8 mg/dL, respectively). HDL results were found to be 57.1±17.5 mg/dL. Statin treatment was associated with significantly lower LDL levels (124.6±53.5 vs. 98.8±33.6 mg/dL on statins, p=0.013), but failed to show prognostic relevance in a univariate cox-regression analysis (HR 0.79, 95% CI 0.37 – 1.72, p=0.57). RC was elevated in comparison to the background population with a mean level of 23.5±17.3 mg/dL (24.2±18.1 in male and 21.3±14.8 mg/dL in female) and a tendency for lower values when on treatment with statins but without statistical significance (28.5±19.2 vs. 22.3±16.8 mg/dL on statins, p=0.07). Treatment with higher doses of statins showed no relevant influence on the RC levels (p=0.62). Additionally, elevated RC was associated with higher C-reactive protein values as a sign of systemic inflammation (CRP &gt;0.5 mg/dL, OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.007 – 1.046, p=0.007). In a multivariate cox-regression analysis (adjusted for total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides) RC was identified as a significant factor influencing mortality (HR 1.11, 95% CI 1.05 – 1.17, p&lt;0.001).

Conclusions

When addressing dyslipidaemia in heart transplantation, statin therapy can help reduce LDL levels, but this approach seems to be insufficient in achieving clinical benefit. Remnant cholesterol is a factor, which has proinflammatory properties and can potentially influence the prognosis in HTx. The possible therapeutic alternatives for this overseen component of the lipid profile are yet to be elucidated.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Contemporary in-hospital and long-term prognosis of patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction and chronic kidney disease in Germany

Background

Although acute myocardial infarction (AMI) incidence and mortality have decreased over the last decades, survival rates of AMI patients remain rather stable. About 25% of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) suffer from chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Purpose

We sought to determine short- and long-term mortality in STEMI patients with different stages of CKD.

Methods

We identified all patients who were hospitalised with a main diagnosis of STEMI between 2010 and 2017 from the dataset of the Federal Association of the Local Health Insurance Funds (Allgemeine Ortskasse), Germany. The patients were grouped according to their CKD stage at index hospitalisation. We analysed concomitant diseases, in-hospital treatment and complications. Overall survival was analysed using Kaplan Meier methods and predictors for overall survival were identified by Cox regression analysis.

Results

A total of 175,187 patients were identified with an index hospitalisation for STEMI, thereof 137,682 (78.6%) patients without CKD, 8,347 (4.8%) patients with CKD stage 2, 20,459 (11.7%) patients with CKD stage 3, and 4,960 (2.8%) patients with CKD stage 4. The CKD stages 1, 5 and 5d (dialysis dependent CKD) each comprised less than 1,500 patients (&lt;1.0%). STEMI patients with CKD were older and had more often cardiovascular risk factors, e.g. diabetes (no CKD: 33.2% vs CKD stage 5: 66.1%, p&lt;0.001). Overall, patients with CKD received percutaneous coronary interventions (no CKD: 84.4% vs CKD stage 4: 62.0%, p&lt;0.001) less frequently, and suffered more often from complications like shock (no CKD: 12.5% vs. CKD stage 5: 27.7%, p&lt;0.001) or requirement of invasive/non-invasive ventilation (no CKD: 17.3% vs. CKD stage 5: 42.7%, p&lt;0.001) than patients without CKD. With increasing CKD stages, patients were more likely to die within 30 days after STEMI (30-day mortality no CKD: 13.7% vs. CKD stage 5d: 37.2%, p&lt;0.001). Kaplan-Meier estimates showed dramatically decreasing survival with decreasing renal function (Figure 1). Multivariable time-dependent Cox regression analysis for overall survival showed that the CKD stages 4, 5 and 5d, as well as chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI) were associated with a higher risk for death (CKD stage 5d: hazard ratio (HR) 5.64; 95% CI 5.42–5.86; CKD stage 5: HR 2.55; 95% CI 2.37–2.73; CKD stage 4: 1.72; 95% CI 1.66–1.78; CLTI: 2.06; 95% CI 1.98–2.13; all p&lt;0.001).

Conclusion

CKD is a frequent co-morbidity in patients with STEMI which is associated with a devastating prognosis especially for patients with advanced CKD stages. More research is needed to gain evidence on optimized treatment strategies for patients with STEMI and concomitant CKD in this highly vulnerable cohort.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): The project upon which this publication is based was funded by The Federal Joint Committee, Innovation Committee (G-BA, Innovationsfonds, number 01VSF18051). Figure 1. Unadjusted Kaplan-Meier survival curves

Sex-specific differences in first event of st- elevation myocardial infarction; new insights on age-related mortality

Background

For patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) as the primary manifestation of coronary artery disease (CAD), data on predictors and outcome are limited. We hypothesized that specifically age and sex influence short- and long-term outcome in patients after first event of STEMI.

Methods and results

Based on claims data of the Federal Association of the Local Health Insurance Funds (Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse) (≈26 million insurance holders in Germany with ≈83 million inhabitants), adults with STEMI between 01/2014 to 12/2015 and no history of CAD were selected for further analysis. Patient demographics, details on in-hospital treatment as well as age- and sex-related differences in 30-day mortality, re-infarction/ death, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), overall and long-term survival were assessed.

Overall, 17,444 patients presented with STEMI as the primary manifestation of CAD throughout the study period, thereof 33% were women. At index, women were older compared to men (median age 74 years vs. 60 years) and suffered from more cardiovascular comorbidities such as diabetes (35.8% vs. 25.2% in men), chronic kidney disease (26.0% vs. 14.9% in men), and arterial hypertension (84.6% vs. 72.6%; all p&lt;0.001). Women with STEMI underwent endovascular reperfusion (78.5% vs. 88.1%) or coronary artery bypass grafting (4.2% vs. 5.5%; both p&lt;0.001) less frequently. In-hospital complications such as shock (19.2% vs. 16.0%) and resuscitation (15.1% vs. 12.9%; both p&lt;0.001) were observed more often in women.

Female sex was independently associated with adjusted 30-day mortality (Odds Ratio 1.17; p=0.01). Long-term outcomes revealed women to be at increased risk of the combined end-point of re-infarction and/or death (Hazard ratio (HR) 1.09; p=0.01), MACE (HR 1.09; p=0.01) and all-cause mortality (HR 1.10; p=0.01). Particularly in patients younger than 60 years, female sex was a strong predictor of adverse outcomes. Surprisingly, among patients that survived at least 90 days after STEMI, no differences between the sexes were noted regarding long-term survival (HR 0.99; p=0.91) (see Figure for adjusted odds/hazard ratios presenting the association of sex with different endpoints depending on age after first event of STEMI).

Conclusion

On non-selective data, two-thirds of patients with STEMI as the primary manifestation of CAD were male. Women were observed to receive endovascular reperfusion less frequently than men and suffered from more in-hospital complications. Being female and younger than 60 years was associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes specifically early after STEMI.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Other. Main funding source(s): The study is part of the GenderVasc project funded by the joint federal committee, Germany.

Sex-specific differences in management and treatment in ST-elevation myocardial infarction – a German nationwide real-life analysis

Background/Introduction

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) continues to be the leading cause of death in men and women worldwide. The outcome of patients with AMI improved during the last years but the impact of sex is under current debate since female sex has repeatedly to be associated with an unfavourable outcome in AMI.

Purpose

This retrospective routine-data-based analysis sought to examine sex differences of recent trends in in-patient healthcare and outcome of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods

The dataset of the Federal Association of the Local Health Insurance Funds was used to identify patients who were hospitalized for STEMI in Germany between January 2010 and December 2017. Further, data on concomitant diseases, risk constellations, selected cardiovascular procedures, as well as in-hospital and 30-days mortality were assessed and further analyzed with regard to sex differences.

Results

In total, we identified 175,187 STEMI patients over the 8-year period, thereof about 35% female patients. Women with STEMI were older (median (interquartile range (IQR)): 76 (19) vs. 64 (20) years in men) and had more comorbidities including diabetes (44.9% vs. 35.5%), hypertension (90.9% vs. 82.8%), congestive heart failure (54.7% vs. 43.8%) and chronic kidney disease (33.5% vs. 22.3%); all p&lt;0.001). Further, female STEMI patients underwent less often percutaneous coronary intervention during hospitalization (PCI; 75.5% vs. 85.2%; p&lt;0.001). Complications such as shock (14.8% vs. 13.0%) and bleeding (9.3% vs. 6.6%; both p&lt;0.001) could be observed more frequently in women.

Female sex was independently associated with a higher adjusted 30-day mortality (Odds Ratio 1.08; CI 1.05–1.12; p&lt;0.001).

Conclusion

In a contemporary unselected cohort, one-third of STEMI patients are female. Women with STEMI are older with higher cardiovascular risk, and continue to receive less likely interventional revascularization therapy compared to male STEMI patients. Moreover, female STEMI patients were observed higher complications and death during index hospitalization and 30 days thereafter. Further analyses are urgently needed to identify causes of under-treatment and impaired outcome in women with STEMI.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): joint federal committee, Germany.

Immunological monitoring in cardiac allograft vasculopathy

Background

The interaction of immunological determinants and classic cardiovascular risk factors can accelerate the development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) with deleterious consequences for the graft function in heart transplantation (HTx). When it comes to immunological risk assessment, inverse CD4/CD8 ratio can be a poor prognostic marker in coronary artery disease, but its influence is unclear in CAV.

Aim

To evaluate the role of the T-lymphocyte count in peripheral blood as well as CD4/CD8 ratio as a predictive marker for CAV severity in a very long-term follow-up after HTx.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of patient data collected during routine clinical follow-up visits. These data included innate and adaptive immune cell count in peripheral blood (lymphocyte count, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ and CD19+ T cells and NK cells).

Results

The study population consisted of 174 patients with a mean follow-up of 13.1±6.5 years and a mean age at the time of HTx of 45.2±15.0 years. CAV was diagnosed in 71 patients (40.8%), more than half of which underwent interventional procedure or surgical therapy (n=40, 56.3%). A comparison of the cytoimmunological profile of patients with no CAV or mild disease (group 1, n=134) vs. with CAV requiring treatment (group 2, n=40), revealed significantly reduced percentage of CD4+ T cells (46.4±11.4% vs. 41.2±9.6%, p=0.01) and elevated percentage of CD8+ T lymphocytes in group 2 (28.3±14.1% vs. 35.8±13.7%, p=0.003). Thus, the CD4/CD8 ratio was altered in therapy requiring CAV (2.3±2.0 vs. 1.5±1.0, respectively, p&lt;0.001). However, we observed no differences in the absolute count of T-helper cells (CD4+ T cells: 692.2±329.2 vs. 653.8±390.5 cells/μL, p=0.54) and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD8+ T cells: 474.7±450.2 vs. 600.0±469.0 cells/μL, p=0.13). Further analysis showed no differences regarding lymphocyte count and absolute count or percentage of CD3+ and CD19+ T cells as well as NK cells. Inverse CD4/CD8 ratio (&lt;1) was associated with greater risk for therapy requiring CAV (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.3 – 5.9, p=0.009) in a univariate logistic regression analysis.

Conclusions

Decreased CD4+ T cell count along with increased cytotoxic T lymphocyte count resulting in inverse CD4/CD8 ratio is associated with increased CAV severity in HTx. Given the possible interactions with the immunosuppressive agents and prednisolone, monitoring of the cytomimmunological profile can help identify patients at risk and be useful in establishing therapeutic strategies.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Sex related differences in therapy and outcome of patients with intermittent claudication in a real-world cohort

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The prevalence of lower extremity artery disease (LEAD) is increasing worldwide and sex-related differences are a current matter of debate.

METHODS

We analysed claims data on unselected patients with in-patient treatment for LEAD with intermittent claudication (IC; Rutherford grade 1-3) from 01.01.2014 to 31.12.2015. Data files included diagnostic and procedural information from two years before index, and a five-year follow-up.

RESULTS

Our analysis comprised 42,197 IC patients, thereof 28,520 (68%) male. Male patients were younger (median: 66.4 years vs. 72.6 years) but presented with higher frequency of cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes (40% female vs. 46% male), atrial fibrillation (13% vs. 17%), chronic coronary syndrome (41% vs. 53%), chronic heart failure (23% vs. 27%), or chronic kidney disease (29% vs. 32%; all p < 0.001; age adjusted). Revascularisation applied in 80% of patients, thereof endovascular approach predominantly in female and surgery in male patients. Concomitant pharmacotherapy with statins (74% at 2 years) and platelet inhibitors (75% respectively) were long lasting below guideline recommendation, under-use being more pronounced in women. Two years after index, one-third of IC patients had subsequent revascularisation, one-quarter progressed to chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI), and 2% underwent amputation. Male sex was an independent risk factor for long-term mortality (female HR 0.75; 95%-CI 0.72-0.79; p < 0.001) and CLTI (female HR 0.89; 95%-CI 0.86-0.92; p < 0.001) during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of in-patient treated patients for IC are male, presenting with worse cardiovascular risk profiles. In view of a general under-supply with statins and platelet inhibitors, women received somewhat less often preventive medication. Despite low LEAD stages at index, serious prognosis was observed in the long term. Particularly male patients were at high risk for all-cause mortality and the combined endpoint CLTI and death.

[Contrast medium-induced acute kidney injury-Consensus paper of the working group "Heart and Kidney" of the German Cardiac Society and the German Society of Nephrology]

This consensus paper summarizes the expert consensus and recommendations of the working group "Heart and Kidney" of the German Cardiac Society (DGK) and the German Society of Nephrology (DGfN) on contrast medium-induced acute kidney injury. Potentially nephrotoxic contrast agents containing iodine are frequently used in interventional medicine and for computer tomography diagnostics. Acute kidney injury occurs in approximately 8-17% of patients exposed to contrast media. The risk factors and underlying pathophysiology are discussed and recommendations for the prophylaxis and treatment of contrast medium-induced acute nephropathy are presented.

Gender disparities in management and treatment in acute myocardial infarction – a German nationwide real-life analysis

Background/Introduction

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) continues to be one of the most frequent diseases worldwide, remaining among the most common causes of mortality in both women and men of industrialised nations. Female sex has been reported to be associated with an unfavourable outcome in AMI. Differences related to patients' sex have been reported for incidence, symptom presentation, pathophysiological characteristics as well as treatment strategies and outcome.

Purpose

Objective of this routine-data based analysis was to explore sex differences of recent nationwide trends in in-patient healthcare and acute outcome of AMI.

Methods

The data base provided by the Federal Statistical Offices comprises all in-patient treated patients on a case base per year. We identified all cases with a main diagnosis of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) between 01.01.2014 and 31.12.2017. Further, data on concomitant diseases, risk constellations and selected cardiovascular procedures were acquired for sex-specific analysis.

Results

In total, we identified 280,515 STEMI and 595,220 NSTEMI cases over the four-year period. STEMI cases decreased from 72,894 in 2014, to 70,230 in 2015, to 69,178 in 2016, and to 68,213 in 2017 with 70% of STEMI cases assignable to men. Female sex was associated with older age (74 vs. 62 yrs), and higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors such as chronic kidney disease (19.21% vs. 12.5%), diabetes (26.4% vs. 21.7%), left ventricular heart failure (36% vs. 32.1%), or atrial fibrillation (17.6% vs. 13%). However, dyslipidemia (43.9% vs. 49.3%) and smoking (7.4% vs. 12.1%) were more frequent in male STEMI cases than in female STEMI cases.

Overall, 74.3% of female and 81.3% of male STEMI cases received percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI; p&lt;0.0001; s. Figure); coronary bypass surgery was performed in 2.7% of female vs. 4.2% of male cases (p&lt;0.0001). There were 5,125 female and 2,015 male STEMI patients aged 90 years and older. These received less frequent percutaneous coronary intervention (42.5% female vs. 52.8% male; p&lt;0.0001) and coronary bypass surgery (0.1% female vs. 0.4% male; p=0.0063) compared to younger age groups. Observed in-hospital mortality was significantly increased in female patients with STEMI (15% female vs. 9.6% male; p&lt;0.0001) and NSTEMI (8.4% vs. 6.3%; p&lt;0.0001).

Conclusion

In a nationwide real-world setting, in-patient STEMI cases continue to decrease over the recent past in both, male and female patients. Women with AMI are older and continue to be less likely to receive revascularization therapies than men. In addition, women present with significantly higher observed in-hospital mortality compared to men.

It is important to draw attention to the peculiarities of women with AMI and to supply revascularization therapy equally in high risk clientele.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Innovationsfonds des gemeinsame Bundesausschusses

Association of leptin serum concentration with heart adipose tissue and parameters of systolic and diastolic function in heart failure patients

Aims

Leptin has recently been related to myocardial remodeling in animal experimentation studies on heart failure (HF). Furthermore, leptin has been reported to be related to diastolic dysfunction, however only in healthy population. With the emergence of new medical therapies targeting cardiac remodeling, there needs to be a better understanding of the metabolic pathways involving leptin. Our study aims to investigate leptin's correlation to parameters of systolic and diastolic heart function, as well as epicardial and pericardial adipose tissue (EAT and PAT) in heart failure (HF) patients.

Methods

The study included 51 patients with chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) of ischemic (n=22) and non-ischemic (n=29) origin (NYHA II-III, mean EF 29.56%, SD 8.1; mean BMI 28.08, SD 5.8). Serum concentrations of leptin, NT-proBNP, HbA1c, LDL, and total cholesterol were also measured. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) and other LV function parameters were assessed in transthoracic echocardiography, as well as EAT and PAT in parasternal long and short-axis views.

Results

We found a significant correlation between leptin serum concentration and epicardial, as well as pericardial adipose tissue (EAT r=0.336, p=0.030; PAT r=0.565, p&lt;0.001). There was a significant negative correlation between leptin and GLS (r=−0.332; p=0.045), as well a positive correlation between Leptin and E/E' ration (r=0.373; p=0.039). There was no significant difference between ischemic and non-ischemic HF patients.

Conclusion

We provide evidence of serum leptin correlation to remodeling parameters, as well as epicardial and pericardial fat tissue in HF patients. Whether leptin has positive effects on reversing or preventing remodeling in heart failure, needs further investigation.

Correlation of leptin vs. GLS

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

How safe are current expert consensus recommendations for discharge after TAVI?

Introduction

How long patients (pts) remain at risk to develop conduction abnormalities (CAs) requiring pacemaker (PM) implantation after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and should therefore be monitored remains controversial. A recently published Expert Consensus Document (CD) proposes an ECG-based algorithm to risk-stratify patients and suggests early discharge of patients with low risk. Our institutional policy is to monitor all patients without previous PM for at least 7 days. We aimed to apply the discharge recommendations of this algorithm retrospectively to our patient cohort with prolonged and well documented ECG monitoring post-TAVI to evaluate the safety of this strategy.

Methods

We studied the development CAs in 1447 consecutive patients treated with Sapien 3 between January 2014 and December 2019. After excluding valve-in-valve procedures (n=30) and pts with previously implanted PM (n=167) 1254 remained for this analysis.

Results

Of 1254 pts, 159 (12.7%) developed high grade CAs requiring PM implantation after TAVI. 808 (64%) had no pre-existing right bundle branch block (RBBB) and no ECG changes immediately post-procedure (CD Group 1, hospital discharge recommended at day 1 post TAVI). Of these pts, 50 (6%) developed high grade CAs within the first 24 hours (h) after TAVI but 31 (3.8% of Group 1) after 24h (Figure 1, Panel A). 111 (8.9%) pts had pre-existing RBBB and no new ECG changes after TAVI (CD Group 2, hospital discharge recommended at day 2 post TAVI). In this group 27 pts (24%) developed high grade CAs within the first 48h after TAVI but 14 (12.6%) after 48h (Figure 1, Panel B). 62 pts had pre-existing CAs and had ECG-changes (CD Group 3, hospital discharge recommended at day 2 post TAVI if no progression). In this group 9 (14%) developed high grade CAs within the first 48h after TAVI but 5 (8%) after 48h (Figure 1, Panel C). 212 (17%) patients had a new-onset left bundle branch block (LBBB) after TAVI (CD Group 4, hospital discharge recommended at day 2 post TAVI if resolution/no progression); of these pts, 7 (3.3%) developed high grade CAs within the first 48h after TAVI and 13 (6.1%) after 48h (Figure 1, Panel D).

Conclusion

In this large TAVI cohort with a PM implantation rate of 12.7%, 40% of pts (5% of the entire population) would have been already discharged at the time they developed their CA when following recently published expert consensus recommendations. These results question the safety of the recommended early discharge algorithm and support a more conservative strategy.

Figure 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Sex related differences in therapy and outcome of patients with low-stage LEAD in a real-world cohort

Background

During the last decades, the prevalence of lower extremity artery disease (LEAD) strongly increased worldwide in both, males and females. Sex-related differences relating to therapy and outcome events are a current matter of debate.

Purpose

Aim of our study was to examine patients with low-stage LEAD in an unselected “real-world” cohort with regard to risk profiles, therapeutic approach and its impact on the progression to chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI) and death.

Methods

We analyzed 42,197 unselected patients of the AOK (Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse) health insurance that were hospitalized between 01.01.2014–31.12.2015 for a main diagnosis of LEAD at Rutherford stage 1–3. Data files included a baseline period of 2 years previous index hospitalization and a follow-up period of up to 5 years.

Results

In our dataset, one third of the LEAD patients were female (32.4% female vs. 67.6% male), being 6 years older (median age: 72.6 years female vs. 66.4 years male). Male patients had higher ratio of diabetes mellitus (40.1% female vs. 42.4% male), nicotine abuse (40.8% female vs. 50.7% male) and chronic coronary syndrome (40.6% female vs. 48.2 male). On the other hand, hypertension (90.3% female vs. 86.9% male), obesity (26.7% female vs. 24.9% male) and chronic kidney disease (29.2% female vs. 26.1% male; all p&lt;0.001) was more often co-prevalent in females. Previous vascular procedures of the lower limbs (LL) (10.2% female vs. 11.8% male) and the receipt of guideline-recommended medication (statins: 45.9% female vs. 50.3% male; blood thinner: 37.1% female vs. 42.7% male; all p&lt;0.001) at baseline was higher in male patients. During index hospitalization, revascularization was performed in 82.8% of all patients, while carried out more often in male patients (81.8% female vs. 83.3% male, p&lt;0.001). After adjustment for risk profiles, female sex was associated with decreased adjusted long-term mortality (HR 0.76; 95%-CI 0.72–0.80). Moreover, male gender was linked with an increased risk of the combined endpoint of CLTI (Rutherford stage 4–6 or amputation of the LL or death; HR 0.89; 95%-CI 0.86–0.93). Interestingly, the prescription of guideline-recommended medication (statins: 63.8% female vs. 65.8% male; blood thinner: 60.2% female vs. 63.5% male; all p&lt;0.001) and performed vascular procedures (33.1% female vs. 36.4% male; p&lt;0.001) was increased in male patients during follow-up.

Conclusion

Female patients with low stage LEAD are older and show less rate of revascularization procedures of the LL and prescription of guideline-recommended medication at baseline and during follow-up. Nevertheless, male gender was an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality and the combined endpoint CLTI during 5 years of long-term follow-up. Further analyses with focus on sex-related differences on health-services supply and outcome quality are needed to correspond to the individual needs of male and female LEAD patients.

Kaplan Meier analysis of the endpoints

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): National grant

Pre-existent 1st degree AV-Block before TAVI with Sapien 3 – is prolonged monitoring required?

Introduction

Pre-existing right bundle branch block (RBBB) is a well stablished risk factor for the development of high grade conduction abnormalities (CAs) after TAVI. The association of pre-existing 1st degree AV-Block (AVB1) with high grade CAs after TAVI has been inconsistent. A recently published Expert Consensus Document classifies patients with AVB1 in the lowest risk group, allowing for discharge at day 1 post-TAVI. We aimed to study the risk of these patients of developing delayed high grade CAs requiring pacemaker implantation (PM).

Methods

We studied the development CAs in 1447 consecutive patients treated with Sapien 3 between January 2014 and December 2019. After excluding valve-in-valve procedures (n=30) and pts with previously implanted PM (n=167) 1254 patients remained for analysis. All patients were monitored for at least 7 days, as this was our institutional policy during the study period. We analyzed if pre-existing ECG abnormalities predict early and delayed (&gt;24h) high grade CAs with a multivariable logistic regression model.

Results

Of 1254 pts, 159 (12.5%) required a permanent PM after TAVI. In 104 (65%) CAs requiring PM occurred intraprocedural or during the first 48h while in the remaining 35% developed with more delay. We analyzed the presence of previous CAs in pts still free from indication for PM after the first 48h after TAVI (n=1150) in order to identify characteristics that may predict delayed PM requirement (Table). In the multivariable model not only RBBB (OR 5.42, CI95% 2.69–10.94, p&lt;0.0001) but also AVB1 was significantly associated to delayed high grade CAs requiring PM implantation (OR 2.25, CI95% 1.24–4.08, p=0.005).

Conclusion

In this study, in pts requiring PM implantation after TAVI, the high grade CAs occurred after 48h in 35% of patients. Not only RBBB but also AVB1 was an independent predictor of delayed high grade CAs. These results question the safety of considering patients with pre-existing AVB1 as low-risk patients and suggest a more prolonged monitoring also for them.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

[The hypertensive emergency situation : Recommendations for initial drug therapy management]

The hypertensive emergency situation is characterized by an acute-mostly life-threatening-blood pressure derailment with the risk of acute end organ damage. It is an acute manifestation of arterial hypertension, which manifests in a variety of symptoms. The etiology is in most cases long-term (chronic) hypertension as a result of low compliance or inadequate antihypertensive therapy. It can also occur as a first manifestation of arterial hypertension. It requires timely antihypertensive drug therapy, which should be initiated in an intensive or intermediate care unit. The choice of antihypertensive therapy regimen should be based on the underlying end organ damage. Fast-acting, easily controllable and intravenously administered substances should be preferred. The most commonly used substances (groups) are urapidil, nitroglycerin, beta blockers and short-acting calcium channel blockers. With a few exceptions, a deliberate, rapid reduction in blood pressure of no more than 20-25% of the initial value is sufficient for extracerebral causes. A subsequent systolic blood pressure target of 160/100 mm Hg should be aimed for within the next 2-6 h. An overly rapid drop in blood pressure can lead to reduced blood flow to the central nervous system due to changes in autoregulation. Exceptions to this rule are acute aortic dissection and flash pulmonary edema-in these cases, prompt blood pressure normalization should be achieved. The initial acute therapy should be followed by a more detailed investigation of the cause and a long-term therapy setting based on this.

P4161Oral anticoagulation in 13,344 adult patients with congenital heart disease (ACHD) in a longitudinal real-world setting in 2005–2017

Background

The life-span of patients with congenital heart disease strongly increased during the last decades due to advances in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Some cardiac malformations may involve an increased risk of thrombo-embolic complications. Further, adult patients with congenital heart disease (ACHD) are at increased risk to develop cardiac arrhythmia, such as atrial flutter or fibrillation. Therefore, various constellations may indicate anti-thrombotic and/ or anti-coagulative preventive or therapeutic regimen. Concomitantly, progress was made in the development of anticoagulative pharmacotherapy in the last decade with the development of the novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs).

Purpose

Aim of the study is to assess the use of oral anticoagulants, particularly of the NOACs dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban in ACHD in an unselected real-world scenario.

Methods

Data are derived from the German BARMER health insurance comprising approx. 9 million insurants. Within the years 2005 - 2017, we identified all adult patients that were hospitalized with a main or secondary diagnosis of a congenital heart disease by ICD-10 (Q20–28). Patients were categorized into simple, moderate, and high complexity cardiac lesions of heart disease. Oral anticoagulants were identified by ATC codes and assigned to the patient if prescribed at least twice.

Results

Overall, we included 13,344 ACHD patients (137,079 patient years). The use of oral anticoagulants increased from 8.3% in 2005, to 13.1% in 2010, 19.8% in 2015 and up to 22.5% of patients in 2017. Correspondingly, the use of vitamin K antagonists increased, reaching a plateau at approx. 14% since 2012. More interestingly, however, the prescription of NOACs constantly increased from 1.6% in 2012 to 8.4% in 2017. Therefore, NOACs were used for anticoagulation in 37% (n=802) of ACHD patients in 2017. Among those treated with NOACs, apixaban was used in 44.1% of patients, compared to rivaroxaban in 38.5%, edoxaban in 10.5% and dabigatran in 6.9%. With regard to heart disease complexity, oral anticoagulation was used in 21% ACHD with simple defects (1,065 of 5,080 patients), 19% of ACHD with moderate complexity disease (430 of 2,296), and 30% in complex ACHD patients (644 of 2,138). NOACs were applied to 6.2% of simple ACHD patients, 7.7% of ACHD patients with moderate complexity disease and 14.6% of complex ACHD patients. In 2017, 22.5% of ACHD (2,139) were anticoagulated. Thereof, Vit K ant. were used in 62.5%, apixaban in 16.5% and rivaroxaban in 14.4% (see figure).

2017: Use of oral anticoagulants in ACHD

Conclusion

Over 20% of ACHD patients require anticoagulation in the current era. Interestingly, despite the lack of prospective studies increasingly NOACs are replacing vitamin K antagonists in the ACHD population. In 2017 NOACs accounted for 37% of all anticoagulated patients in our study. The use of NOACs was not restricted to simple lesions but up to 30% of complex ACHD patients received NOACs in the current era.

P4697Complications and mortality related to non-cardiac surgery in adult congenital heart disease: Results of a nationwide study including 20,450 cases

Background

Adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) represent a growing patient population with high morbidity and increasing health resource utilization. In addition to acute and chronic cardiac complications, these patients require numerous non-cardiac surgical procedures during their life-time. Limited data on the morbidity and mortality risk related to non-cardiac surgical procedures exist in contemporary CHD patients. The aim of this study was to analyse the frequency and outcome of non-cardiac surgical procedures in contemporary ACHD patients based on all hospital admissions in Germany between 2011 and 2016.

Methods

Based on the German diagnosis related groups data of patients treated between 2011 and 2016 we identified all ACHD patients treated surgically as inpatients for non-cardiac problems. The dataset contains information on patient demographics, primary and secondary diagnoses, interventional or surgical procedures, duration of stay and outcome including mortality. The primary endpoint of the study was surgery related mortality as well as major adverse events (defined as death or myocardial infarction, stroke, pulmonary embolism, sepsis or resuscitation).

Results

Overall, 48,872 ACHD cases were hospitalized during the study period. Of these, 20,450 (41.8%) were hospitalized for non-cardiac surgical procedures. The median age at surgery was 50.0 years and 62.9% of patients were male. The overall mortality rate following non-cardiac operations was 2.8% (95% CI 2.6–3.0%). The highest mortality rates were observed for procedure codes involving pharynx, larynx or trachea (27.2%; 95% CI: 22.3–32.1%) and lung surgery (15.4%; 95% CI: 13.3–17.8%). Abdominal surgery (9.2%; 95% CI: 7.7–10.9) and neurosurgical procedures (7.8%; 95% CI: 5.4–10.9) also had relative high mortality rates. The major adverse event rate overall was 12.7% (95% CI 11.7–12.7%). The highest major adverse event rates were observed for surgery of the airways (43.2%; 95% CI: 40.2%-46.4%).

Conclusions

Non-cardiac surgical procedures are common in ACHD patients and are associated with considerable mortality and morbidity in this cohort. Especially, surgical procedures involving the airways or neurosurgery emerged as risky procedures. However, even for routine abdominal or orthopaedic surgery considerable mortality and morbidity was observed. Overall, our data support careful pre-operative patient evaluation and concentration of surgical procedures at centres with extensive surgical and anaesthetic experience with ACHD patients.

77Infective endocarditis in patients with congenital heart disease: Results of a nationwide study including 1494 endocarditis cases

Background

Infective endocarditis (IE) represents a major complication in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to analyse the frequency and outcome of IE in contemporary CHD patients based on all IE hospital admissions in Germany between 2011 and 2016.

Methods

Based on the German diagnosis related groups data of patients treated between 2011 and 2016, we identified all CHD patients with a diagnosis of IE. The data contains information on patient demographics, primary and secondary diagnoses, interventional or surgical procedures, duration of stay and outcome including mortality. The primary endpoint of the study was endocarditis-associated mortality as well as major adverse events (defined as death or myocardial infarction, stroke, pulmonary embolism, sepsis, resuscitation or intubation).

Results

Overall, 181,924 CHD patients were included in the analysis (55% male; 73% children, mean age 2.3 years; 27% adults, mean age 58.4 years; underlying heart defect of simple complexity 55%, moderate complexity 23% and complex heart defect 22%, respectively). During the study period 1494 cases were treated for IE corresponding to 0.82% of all inpatient treatment cases in CHD patients. Mortality rate was 6.6% (95% CI: 5.0–7.6%) with a major adverse events rate of 44.6% (95% CI: 41.3–48.2%). In total, 682 IE patients (45.7% CI: 42.3%-49–2%) required a surgical intervention. The relative risk of dying due to endocarditis in CHD patients was significantly lower compared to older IE patients without CHD (relative risk 0.39; 95% CI: 0.32–0.47).

Conclusions

Infective endocarditis accounts for a minority of CHD related hospitalizations but remains a deadly disease with a high proportion of patients requiring surgical intervention. In addition, major adverse events are common in this setting, with almost half of the IE population presenting with a major adverse event. Due to different demographic and comorbidity spectrum encountered in CHD patients, these younger patients tend to have significantly better survival prospects compared to non-CHD IE patients in the current era.

P5414Factors influencing mortality in a long-term follow-up after heart transplantation; role of immunomonitoring

Background

Despite relevant improvements in the last years, increased mortality limits the success of heart transplantation therapy. Although many factors influencing mortality have been identified, the most studies analyzed relatively short follow-up time following heart transplantation.

Purpose

Therefore, the aim of our present study was to evaluate risk factors for enhanced mortality with emphasis on quantitative changes in immunological blood cells late after heart transplantation.

Methods

174 patients with a mean time after heart transplantation of 13.1±6.5 years were retrospectively analyzed using data collected during follow-up visits in our center. Clinical examinations, results of laboratory tests, including immunomonitoring of CD4+, CD8+, CD19+ cells and natural killer cells, ultrasound vessel visualization and coronary angiography were evaluated with respect to the all-cause mortality.

Results

In patients who were still alive at the time of data analysis (group 1, n=134), glomerular filtration rate, erythrocyte count, hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration were significantly increased compared to the group encompassing patients who died before this time point (group 2, n=40) (p<0.05 for all). In contrast, c- reactive protein (CRP), leukocyte count, triglycerides and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide were significantly decreased in group 1 versus group 2 (p<0.05 for all). In the first group the patients were relevantly less frequently on dialysis, presented lower NYHA classes, later onset of cardiac allograft vasculopathy and received hearts from donors with lower body mass (p<0.05 for all). Additionally, patients from the first group were characterized by significantly higher CD4 and lower CD8 percentages as well as a tendency towards higher CD19 cell count. In a multivariate cox regression analysis CD4 percentage (hazard ratio (HR): 0.454, confidence interval (CI): 0.236–0.871; p=0.018), onset of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (HR: 0.422, CI: 0.190–0.941; p=0.035) and CRP (HR: 0.325, CI: 0.170–0.621; p=0.018) were independent risk factors for increased mortality.

Conclusions

Increased inflammation, anemia, renal and heart insufficiency, early onset of cardiac allograft vasculopathy, worse functional status and donor associated factors such as higher body mass correlated significantly with enhanced mortality among patients after heart transplantation. In contrast to the early phase following heart transplantation, where the suppression of CD4+ cell number contributes to the decrease in the frequency of acute rejections, aggressive reduction of CD4+ cells by high doses of immunosuppressive agents late after cardiac transplantation may augment risk of mortality. It may be explained due to the creation of a subclinical chronic immunosuppressive condition and potentiation of side effects of immunosuppressive drugs.

Acute and mid-term outcomes after treatment of multiple, recurrent restenoses of the lower limb arteries

AIM

Recanalization of long segmental occlusions of femoropopliteal arteries can be achieved by angioplasty and implantation of nitinol stents with high procedural success rates. However, due to recurrent in-stent restenoses (ISR) some patients need repeated interventions and their intermediate success rates are uncertain.

METHODS

Patients who were treated in our center from March 2008 through February 2011 due to symptomatic ISR (as determined by Duplex sonography) were retrospectively included in the study. After endovascular treatment of their ISR, they were prospectively evaluated with regard to recurrent ISR of the target lesions.

RESULTS

A total of 36 limbs (=lesions) in 32 patients (69% male, mean age 69±9 years) were successfully treated by balloon-angioplasty. Adjunctive cutting balloons and drug eluting balloons were used in 78% and 8%, respectively. Mean follow-up was 326 days. Recurrent ISR occurred in 10 (28%) lesions, while 26 (78%) lesions showed no recurrence of ISR. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, age, gender, cardiovascular risk factors, renal failure and medication with cilostazol were not significantly associated with recurrent ISR. Moreover, the number of previous interventions of the target lesions was not an independent predictor of recurrent ISR.

CONCLUSION

Patients with multiple recurrences of ISR seem to have the same prospects of acute and mid-term success for endovascular treatment as those with first presentation of ISR. However, this observation has to be confirmed by prospective, large scale studies with a longer follow-up period to determine the significance of endovascular intervention within the scope of different revascularization approaches for treatment of recurrent ISR.

Micro-lightguide spectrophotometry (O2C®) as a predictor of intermediate outcome in patients with critical limb ischemia after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA)

AIM

Micro-lightguide spectrophotometry (O2C®) provides easily and rapidly measurable parameters of tissue microcirculation. The aim of this study was to assess whether micro-lightguide spectrophotometer (O2C®) based parameters of the tissue microcirculation can serve as predictors of ulcer healing. Furthermore, we tried to identify cut off values to forecast patient outcome and check other diagnostic meanings of individual O2C-parameters.

METHODS

Forty individuals, all suffering from critical limb ischemia and arterial or arteriovenous ulcers were retrospectively investigated concerning O2C®- and ankle/toe brachial index-measurements before and up to two times after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). At a median follow-up of 7 (range 3 to 14) months after PTA the current peripheral arterial disease (PAD) status, ulcer healing, adverse cardiovascular events including death and endovascular or surgical treatments were noted.

RESULTS

We found in patients with healing wounds a significant increase in oxygen saturation (SO2, median 26.35±26.94%) compared to non-healers (-4.27±25.24%, P=0.006) as well as regarding blood flow (median 41.12±51.23AU vs. -9.46±24.01 AU, P=0.005). Additionally, the parameter rHb separated reliably between arterial and arteriovenous ulcers (P=0.024). In Cox regression models, increases after revascularisation of more than 6 % in SO2 (HRR=6.08, 95%CI 1.56-23.65, P=0.009) and flow decreases of less than 12 AU (HRR 4.95, 95%CI 1.42-17.31, P=0.012) were significantly associated with amputation-free survival.

CONCLUSION

The O2C®-parameters SO2 and flow provide prognostic information for ulcer healing as well as for amputation-free survival, and rHB adds information about a possible arterial or arteriovenous genesis of an ulcer.

Analgesic efficacy of opioids in chronic pain: recent meta-analyses

Opioids are regularly administered in acute and cancer pain. In chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP), however, their use is controversial. Previous meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) lack methodological homogeneity and comparable data. Here we analysed the maximum analgesic efficacies of opioids and non-opioids compared with placebo, and of physiotherapy and psychotherapy compared with active or waiting-list controls. We screened 3647 citations and included RCTs if treatment duration was at least 3 weeks, data were sufficient for meta-analysis, and criteria for high quality were met. Only 46 studies (10 742 patients) met the criteria. Weighted and standardized mean differences (WMD, SMD) between pain intensities were pooled to conduct separate meta-analyses for each treatment category. At the end of treatment the WMD for pain reduction (100-point scale) was 12.0 for 'strong' opioids, 10.6 for 'weak' opioids, 8.4 for non-opioids (each vs. placebo), 5.5 for psychotherapy and 4.5 for physiotherapy (each vs. active controls). Dropout rates were high in pharmacological studies. The 95% confidence intervals using the outcomes of control groups did not indicate statistical differences between efficacies of the five interventions. Because not enough eligible head-to-head trials were available, our analysis is limited to adjusted indirect comparisons. The heterogeneity of pre-post pain differences in control groups did not allow the definition of a common comparator. In conclusion, although there were statistically significant differences between maximum treatment efficacies, no intervention per se produced clinically important improvements in average pain intensity. Thus, opioids alone are inappropriate and multimodal treatment programmes may be required for CNCP.

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed section on Opioids: New Pathways to Functional Selectivity. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2015.172.issue-2.

Polarographische Untersuchungen zur Bestimmung der Stabilität von Metall-Protein-Bindungen / Polarographic Investigations for the Determination of the Stability of Metal-Protein Bonds

Bonds between metals (especially copper) and a protein fraction (18,100 g/mol) of a soya bean flour extract have been investigated. The binding capacity (304 nmol Cu/mg protein) and the binding stability (K = 1,046·103 in an ammonia buffer system) were determined by polarographic investigations. Changes in the polarogram caused by spiking the protein with metal ions were compared with effects in model substances. Cysteine, ethylenediamine, oxalic acid and derivatives of benzoic acid were used as chelating agents. The effects of functional groups on the metalprotein bonds were estimated by the determination of their different binding stabilities.

Use of paclitaxel-eluting balloons for endotherapy of anastomotic strictures following liver transplantation

Biliary anastomotic strictures after liver transplantation are a major source of morbidity and graft failure; however, repeated endoscopic therapy has shown variable long-term success rates. Thus the aim of this prospective case series was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of using paclitaxel-eluting balloons in 13 patients requiring treatment for symptomatic anastomotic strictures following liver transplantation. Sustained clinical success-defined as no need for further endoscopic intervention for at least 6 months - was achieved in 12 /13 patients (92 %). One, two, and three interventions were required in 9 (69 %), 1, and 2 patients, respectively (mean number of sessions was 1.46). Mean (± SD) bilirubin level dropped from 6.8 (± 4.1) mg/dL to 1.4 (± 0.9) mg/dL. These promising results justify carrying out a randomized comparative trial to confirm this innovative approach.

[Expert consensus statement on interventional renal sympathetic denervation for hypertension treatment]

This commentary summarizes the expert consensus and recommendations of the working group 'Herz und Niere' of the German Society of Cardiology (DGK), the German Society of Nephrology (DGfN) and the German Hypertension League (DHL) on renal denervation for antihypertensive treatment. Renal denervation is a new, interventional approach to selectively denervate renal afferent and efferent sympathetic fibers. Renal denervation has been demonstrated to reduce office systolic and diastolic blood pressure in patients with resistant hypertension, defined as systolic office blood pressure ≥ 160 mm Hg and ≥ 150 mm Hg in patients with diabetes type 2, which should currently be used as blood pressure thresholds for undergoing the procedure. Exclusion of secondary hypertension causes and optimized antihypertensive drug treatment is mandatory in every patient with resistant hypertension. In order to exclude pseudoresistance, 24-hour blood pressure measurements should be performed. Preserved renal function was an inclusion criterion in the Symplicity studies, therefore, renal denervation should be only considered in patients with a glomerular filtration rate > 45 ml/min. Adequate centre qualification in both, treatment of hypertension and interventional expertise are essential to ensure correct patient selection and procedural safety. Long-term follow-up after renal denervation and participation in the German Renal Denervation (GREAT) Registry are recommended to assess safety and efficacy after renal denervation over time.

A randomized controlled trial comparing hydration therapy to additional hemodialysis or N-acetylcysteine for the prevention of contrast medium-induced nephropathy: the Dialysis-versus-Diuresis (DVD) Trial

Contrast medium-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a serious complication with increasing frequency and an unfavorable prognosis. Previous analyses of surrogate parameters have suggested beneficial effects of hemodialysis that are assessed in this randomized clinical trial. We performed a prospective single-center trial in 424 consecutive patients with serum creatinine concentrations between 1.3- 3.5 mg/dl who underwent elective coronary angiography. Patients were randomized to one of three treatment strategies with all patients receiving pre- and postprocedural hydration: One group received no additional therapy, patients in the second group were hemodialyzed once, and the third group received oral N-acetylcysteine. The frequency of CIN (defined as an increase in serum creatinine>or=0.5 mg/dl) from 48 to 72 h after catheterization was 6.1% in the hydration-only group, 15.9% with hemodialysis treatment, and 5.3% in the N-ACC group (intention-to-treat analysis; P=0.008). There were no differences between the treatment groups with regard to increased (>or=0.5 mg/dl) serum creatinine concentrations after 30-60 days (4.8%, 5.1%, and 3.1%, respectively; P=0.700). Analyses of long-term follow-up (range 63 to 1316 days) by Cox regressions models of the study groups found quite similar survival rates (P=0.500). In contrast to other (retrospective) studies, long-term survival of patients with vs those without CIN within 72 h was not different, but patients who still had elevated creatinine concentrations at 30-60 days suffered from a markedly higher 2-year mortality (46% vs 17%, P=0.002). In conclusion, hemodialysis in addition to hydration therapy for the prevention of CIN provided no evidence for any outcome benefit but evidence for probable harm. Increased creatinine concentrations at 30-60 days, but not within 72 h, were associated with markedly reduced long-term survival.