Coping styles as predictors for quality of life and prognosis in patients at risk for or with a diagnosis of heart failure: Results from the observational DIAST-CHF study

OBJECTIVE

Patients with heart failure often experience impaired health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and have an increased risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive role of different coping styles on outcome.

METHODS

This longitudinal study included 1536 participants who either had cardiovascular risk factors or were diagnosed with heart failure. Follow-ups took place one, two, five and ten years after recruitment. Coping and HRQOL were investigated using self-assessment questionnaires (Freiburg Questionnaire for Coping with Illness, Short Form-36 Health Survey). Somatic outcome was quantified by incidence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and 6-min-walking-distance.

RESULTS

Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analysis showed significant associations between the coping styles used at the first three time points and HRQOL after five years. After adjusting for baseline HRQOL, minimization and wishful thinking predicted worse mental HRQOL (β = -0.106; p = 0.006), while depressive coping predicted worse mental (β = -0.197; p < 0.001) and physical HRQOL (β = -0.085; p = 0.03; n = 613). Active problem-oriented coping could not significantly predict HRQOL. Only minimization and wishful thinking was significantly associated with an increased 10-year-risk for MACCE (hazard ratio = 1.06; 95% confidence interval: 1.01-1.11; p = 0.02; n = 1444) and reduction in 6-min-walking-distance at 5 years (β = -0.119; p = 0.004; n = 817) in adjusted analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

Depressive coping and minimization and wishful thinking were associated with worse quality of life in patients at risk for or with diagnosed heart failure. Minimization and wishful thinking also predicted worse somatic outcome. Therefore, patients using those coping styles might benefit from early psychosocial interventions.

Translational overview of cytokine inhibition in acute myocardial infarction and chronic heart failure

Many cytokines are currently under investigation as potential target to improve cardiac function and outcome in the setting of acute myocardial infarction (MI) or chronic heart failure (HF). Here we aim to provide a translational overview of cytokine inhibiting therapies tested in experimental models and clinical studies. In various experimental studies, inhibition of interleukin-1 (IL-1), -6 (IL-6), -8 (IL-8), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), CC- and CXC chemokines, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) had beneficial effects on cardiac function and outcome. On the other hand, neutral or even detrimental results have been reported for some (IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1). Ambivalence of cytokine function, differences in study designs, treatment regimens and chosen endpoints hamper the translation of experimental research into clinical practice. Human studies are currently limited to IL-1β inhibition, IL-1 receptor antagonists (IL-1RA), IL-6 receptor antagonists (IL-6RA) or TNF inhibition. Despite favorable effects on cardiovascular events observed in retrospective cohort studies of rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with TNF inhibition or IL-1RA, most prospective studies reported disappointing and inconsistent results. Smaller studies (n < 100) generally reported favorable results of anticytokine therapy on cardiac function, but only one of the larger studies (n > 100) evaluating IL-1β inhibition presented positive results on outcome. In conclusion, of the 10 anticytokine therapies tested in animals models beneficial effects have been reported in at least one setting. In larger clinical studies, findings were unsatisfactory in all but one. Many anticytokine therapies with promising animal experimental data continue to require further evaluation in humans.

Predictors of left ventricular remodeling after ST-elevation myocardial infarction

Adverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling after acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is associated with morbidity and mortality. We studied clinical, biochemical and angiographic determinants of LV end diastolic volume index (LVEDVi), end systolic volume index (LVESVi) and mass index (LVMi) as global LV remodeling parameters 4 months after STEMI, as well as end diastolic wall thickness (EDWT) and end systolic wall thickness (ESWT) of the non-infarcted myocardium, as compensatory remote LV remodeling parameters. Data was collected in 271 patients participating in the GIPS-III trial, presenting with a first STEMI. Laboratory measures were collected at baseline, 2 weeks, and 6–8 weeks. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) was performed 4 months after STEMI. Linear regression analyses were performed to determine predictors. At baseline, patients were 21% female, median age was 58 years. At 4 months, mean LV ejection fraction (LVEF) was 54 ± 9%, mean infarct size was 9.0 ± 7.9% of LVM. Strongest univariate predictors (all p < 0.001) were peak Troponin T for LVEDVi (R² = 0.26), peak CK-MB for LVESVi (R² = 0.41), NT-proBNP at 2 weeks for LVMi (R² = 0.24), body surface area for EDWT (R² = 0.32), and weight for ESWT (R² = 0.29). After multivariable analysis, cardiac biomarkers remained the strongest predictors of LVMi, LVEDVi and LVESVi. NT-proBNP but none of the acute cardiac injury biomarkers were associated with remote LV wall thickness. Our analyses illustrate the value of cardiac specific biochemical biomarkers in predicting global LV remodeling after STEMI. We found no evidence for a hypertrophic response of the non-infarcted myocardium.

The contemporary value of peak creatine kinase-MB after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction above other clinical and angiographic characteristics in predicting infarct size, left ventricular ejection fraction, and mortality

BACKGROUND

Complex multimarker approaches to predict outcome after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) have only considered a single baseline sample, while neglecting easily obtainable peak creatine kinase and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) values during hospitalization.

METHODS

We studied 476 patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention for STEMI and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) at 4-6 months after STEMI. We determined the association with cardiac biomarkers (peak CK-MB, peak troponin T, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide), clinical and angiographic characteristics with infarct size, and LVEF, followed by association with mortality in 1120 STEMI patients.

RESULTS

Peak CK-MB was the strongest predictor for infarct size (P<0.001, R ² =0.60) and LVEF (P<0.001, R ² =0.40). The additional value of clinical and angiographic characteristics was limited. The optimal peak CK-MB cutpoints, for differentiation among small (<10% of the left ventricle), moderate (≥10%-<30%), and large infarct size (≥30%), were 210 U/L and 380 U/L, respectively. These cutpoints were associated with 90-day mortality; the hazard ratio for moderate infarct was 2.99 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.51-5.93, P=0.002) and for large infarct 6.53 (95% CI: 3.63-11.76, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Classical peak CK-MB measured during hospitalization for STEMI was superior to other clinical and angiographic characteristics in predicting CMRI-defined infarct size and LVEF, and should be included and validated in future multimarker studies. Peak CK-MB cutpoints differentiated among infarct size categories and were associated with increased 90-day mortality risk.

Inhibition of Interleukin-6 Receptor in a Murine Model of Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion

Background

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels are upregulated in myocardial infarction. Recent data suggest a causal role of the IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) in coronary heart disease. We evaluated if IL-6R blockade by a monoclonal antibody (MR16-1) prevents the heart from adverse left ventricular remodeling in a mouse model of ischemia-reperfusion (I/R).

Methods

CJ57/BL6 mice underwent I/R injury (left coronary artery ligation for 45 minutes) or sham surgery, and thereafter received MR16-1 (2mg/mouse) 5 minutes before reperfusion and 0.5mg/mouse weekly during four weeks, or control IgG treatment. Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CMR) and hemodynamic measurements were performed to determine cardiac function after four weeks.

Results

I/R caused left ventricular dilatation and a decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). However, LVEF was significantly lower in the MR16-1 treatment group compared to the IgG group (28±4% vs. 35±6%, p = 0.02; sham 45±6% vs. 43±4%, respectively; p = NS). Cardiac relaxation (assessed by dP/dT) was not significantly different between the MR16-1 and IgG groups. Also, no differences were observed in histological myocardial fibrosis, infarct size and myocyte hypertrophy between the groups.

Conclusion

Blockade of the IL-6R receptor by the monoclonal MR16-1 antibody for four weeks started directly after I/R injury did not prevent the process of cardiac remodeling in mice, but rather associated with a deterioration in the process of adverse cardiac remodeling.

The LifeLines Cohort Study: Prevalence and treatment of cardiovascular disease and risk factors

BACKGROUND

The LifeLines Cohort Study is a large three-generation prospective study and Biobank. Recruitment and data collection started in 2006 and follow-up is planned for 30years. The central aim of LifeLines is to understand healthy ageing in the 21st century. Here, the study design, methods, baseline and major cardiovascular phenotypes of the LifeLines Cohort Study are presented.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Baseline cardiovascular phenotypes were defined in 9700 juvenile (8-18years) and 152,180 adult (≥18years) participants. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) was defined using ICD-10 criteria. At least one cardiovascular risk factor was present in 73% of the adult participants. The prevalence, adjusted for the Dutch population, was determined for risk factors (hypertension (33%), hypercholesterolemia (19%), diabetes (4%), overweight (56%), and current smoking (19%)) and CVD (myocardial infarction (1.8%), heart failure (1.0%), and atrial fibrillation (1.3%)). Overall CVD prevalence increased with age from 9% in participants<65years to 28% in participants≥65years. Of the participants with hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes, respectively 75%, 96% and 41% did not receive preventive pharmacotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

The contemporary LifeLines Cohort Study provides researchers with unique and novel opportunities to study environmental, phenotypic, and genetic risk factors for CVD and is expected to improve our knowledge on healthy ageing. In this contemporary Western cohort we identified a remarkable high percentage of untreated CVD risk factors suggesting that not all opportunities to reduce the CVD burden are utilised.

Effect of Metformin Treatment on Lipoprotein Subfractions in Non-Diabetic Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Glycometabolic Intervention as Adjunct to Primary Coronary Intervention in ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (GIPS-III) Trial

Objective

Metformin affects low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density (HDL) subfractions in the context of impaired glucose tolerance, but its effects in the setting of acute myocardial infarction (MI) are unknown. We determined whether metformin administration affects lipoprotein subfractions 4 months after ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI). Second, we assessed associations of lipoprotein subfractions with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and infarct size 4 months after STEMI.

Methods

371 participants without known diabetes participating in the GIPS-III trial, a placebo controlled, double-blind randomized trial studying the effect of metformin (500 mg bid) during 4 months after primary percutaneous coronary intervention for STEMI were included of whom 317 completed follow-up (clinicaltrial.gov Identifier: NCT01217307). Lipoprotein subfractions were measured using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy at presentation, 24 hours and 4 months after STEMI. (Apo)lipoprotein measures were obtained during acute STEMI and 4 months post-STEMI. LVEF and infarct size were measured by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

Results

Metformin treatment slightly decreased LDL cholesterol levels (adjusted P = 0.01), whereas apoB remained unchanged. Large LDL particles and LDL size were also decreased after metformin treatment (adjusted P<0.001). After adjustment for covariates, increased small HDL particles at 24 hours after STEMI predicted higher LVEF (P = 0.005). In addition, increased medium-sized VLDL particles at the same time point predicted a smaller infarct size (P<0.001).

Conclusion

LDL cholesterol and large LDL particles were decreased during 4 months treatment with metformin started early after MI. Higher small HDL and medium VLDL particle concentrations are associated with favorable LVEF and infarct size.

Leukocyte telomere length and left ventricular function after acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction: data from the glycometabolic intervention as adjunct to primary coronary intervention in ST elevation myocardial infarction (GIPS-III) trial

Background

Telomere length has been associated with coronary artery disease and heart failure. We studied whether leukocyte telomere length is associated with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods and results

Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) was determined using the monochrome multiplex quantitative PCR method in 353 patients participating in the glycometabolic intervention as adjunct to primary percutaneous coronary intervention in STEMI III trial. LVEF was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging. The mean age of patients was 58.9 ± 11.6 years, 75 % were male. In age- and gender-adjusted models, LTL at baseline was significantly associated with age (beta ± standard error; −0.33 ± 0.01; P < 0.01), gender (0.15 ± 0.03; P < 0.01), TIMI flow pre-PCI (0.05 ± 0.03; P < 0.01), TIMI flow post-PCI (0.03 ± 0.04; P < 0.01), myocardial blush grade (−0.05 ± 0.07; P < 0.01), serum glucose levels (−0.11 ± 0.01; P = 0.03), and total leukocyte count (−0.11 ± 0.01; P = 0.04). At 4 months after STEMI, LVEF was well preserved (54.1 ± 8.4 %) and was not associated with baseline LTL (P = 0.95). Baseline LTL was associated with n-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) at 4 months (−0.14 ± 0.01; P = 0.02), albeit not independent for age and gender.

Conclusion

Our study does not support a role for LTL as a causal factor related to left ventricular ejection fraction after STEMI.

Soluble interleukin 6 receptor levels are associated with reduced myocardial reperfusion after percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction

AIMS

Interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R) signalling has been suggested to play a causal role in the development and outcome of coronary heart disease (CHD). The aim of this study was to investigate the association of sIL-6R levels with myocardial reperfusion after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI).

METHODS

Blood was sampled from 70 patients presenting with STEMI at 6 different time-points (baseline, post-PCI, t=1h, t=6h, t=24h, t=2w). Coronary angiograms post-PCI were analysed for myocardial blush grade (MBG) as indicator of myocardial reperfusion. Serum IL-6 and sIL-6R were measured using IL-6 and sIL-6R enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA).

RESULTS

sIL-6R levels fluctuated biphasic during the two weeks after STEMI. Reduced MBG was associated with a larger change in sIL-6R levels between baseline and post-PCI compared to optimal MBG (-13.40; SEM 2.78ng/ml vs -1.99; SEM 2.35ng/ml, respectively; p<0.001). Patients with reduced MBG also showed a larger increase in sIL-6R levels after PCI and 1h after myocardial infarction (MI) compared to optimal MBG (respectively 11.56; SEM 2.68ng/ml vs 3.02; SEM 2.39ng/ml; p=0.018). IL-6/sIL-6R ratio was also more increased in patients with reduced MBG at 24h after myocardial infarction (0.23; SEM 0.08-0.51 vs 0.10; SEM 0.05-0.21; p=0.024). An optimal MBG was associated with a 10ng increase in sIL-6R level between baseline and post-PCI (OR 1.687, CI 1.095-2.598; p=0.018).

CONCLUSIONS

sIL-6R levels fluctuate biphasic during the two weeks after MI with larger changes and increased IL-6/sIL-6R ratio in patients with reduced MBG. Further research is needed to increase our understanding of the possible causality of these associations.