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Schwegel N, Zach D, Peikert A, Santner V, Höller V, Gollmer J, Späth J, Riepl H, Rainer PP, Wallner M, Pilz S, Zirlik A, von Lewinski D, Ablasser K, Verheyen N, Kolesnik E. The Prognostic Value of Right Ventricular Function in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure-A Prospective Study. J Clin Med 2024; 13:1930. [PMID: 38610695 PMCID: PMC11012981 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13071930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: In patients with stable chronic heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) provides limited prognostic value, especially in patients with moderately to severely reduced LVEF. Echocardiographic parameters of right ventricular function may be associated with adverse clinical events in these patients. Therefore, we analyzed 164 patients with HFrEF in a prospective single-center cohort study to evaluate whether the parameters of right ventricular function are associated with worsening heart failure (WHF) hospitalizations, cardiovascular and all-cause deaths and combined endpoints. Methods: Echocardiographic cine loops were analyzed using vendor-independent post-processing software. Multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed, which were then adjusted for clinical characteristics and left ventricular functional parameters. Results: In these models, higher tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) was significantly associated with lower rates of WHF hospitalizations (HR 0.880, 95%CI 0.800-0.968, p = 0.008), a composite endpoint of WHF hospitalizations and cardiovascular death (HR 0.878, 95%CI 0.800-0.964, p = 0.006), and a composite endpoint of WHF hospitalization and all-cause death (HR 0.918, 95%CI 0.853-0.988, p = 0.023). These associations were more pronounced in patients with LVEF ≤ 35%. Conclusions: In conclusion, in patients with HFrEF, TAPSE is an independent prognosticator for adverse clinical outcomes, warranting further studies to elucidate whether incorporating TAPSE into established risk scores improves their diagnostic accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Schwegel
- Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center Graz, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
| | - David Zach
- Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center Graz, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Alexander Peikert
- Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center Graz, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Viktoria Santner
- Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center Graz, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Viktoria Höller
- Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center Graz, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Johannes Gollmer
- Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center Graz, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Johannes Späth
- Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center Graz, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Hermann Riepl
- Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center Graz, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Peter P. Rainer
- Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center Graz, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
- Department of Medicine, St. Johann in Tirol General Hospital, 6380 St. Johann in Tirol, Austria
- BioTechMed Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Markus Wallner
- Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center Graz, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Stefan Pilz
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Andreas Zirlik
- Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center Graz, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Dirk von Lewinski
- Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center Graz, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Klemens Ablasser
- Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center Graz, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Nicolas Verheyen
- Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center Graz, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Ewald Kolesnik
- Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center Graz, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
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2
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Zach DK, Schwegel N, Santner V, Winkelbauer L, Hoeller V, Kolesnik E, Gollmer J, Seggewiss H, Batzner A, Perl S, Wallner M, Reiter U, Rainer PP, Zirlik A, Ablasser K, Verheyen N. Low-grade systemic inflammation and left ventricular dysfunction in hypertensive compared to non-hypertensive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Int J Cardiol 2024; 399:131661. [PMID: 38158132 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2023.131661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Arterial hypertension (HTN) is associated with excess mortality in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), but underlying mechanisms are largely elusive. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between HTN and markers of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and low-grade systemic inflammation in a HCM cohort. METHODS This was a single-center cross-sectional case-control study comparing echocardiographic and plasma-derived indices of LV dysfunction and low-grade systemic inflammation between 30 adult patients with HCM and HTN (HTN+) and 30 sex- and age-matched HCM patients without HTN (HTN-). Echocardiographic measures were assessed using post-processing analyses by blinded investigators. RESULTS Mean age of the study population was 55.1 ± 10.4 years, 30% were women. Echocardiographic measures of systolic and diastolic dysfunction, including speckle-tracking derived parameters, did not differ between HTN+ and HTN-. Moreover, levels of N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide were balanced between cases and controls. Compared with HTN-, HTN+ patients exhibited a higher white blood cell count [8.1 ± 1.8 109/l vs. 6.4 ± 1.6 109/l; p < 0.001] as well as higher plasma levels of interleukin-6 [2.8 pg/ml (2.0, 5.4) vs. 2.1 pg/ml (1.5, 3.4); p = 0.008] and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [2.6 mg/l (1.4, 6.5) vs. 1.1 mg/l (0.9, 2.4); p = 0.004]. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that HTN is associated with indices of low-grade systemic inflammation among HCM patients. Moreover, this analysis indicates that the adverse impact of HTN in HCM patients is a consequence of systemic effects rather than alterations of cardiac function, as measures of LV systolic and diastolic dysfunction did not differ between HTN+ and HTN-.
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Affiliation(s)
- David K Zach
- University Heart Center, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
| | - Nora Schwegel
- University Heart Center, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Viktoria Santner
- University Heart Center, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Larissa Winkelbauer
- University Heart Center, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Viktoria Hoeller
- University Heart Center, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Ewald Kolesnik
- University Heart Center, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Johannes Gollmer
- University Heart Center, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Hubert Seggewiss
- Comprehensive Heart Failure Center and Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Angelika Batzner
- Comprehensive Heart Failure Center and Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sabine Perl
- University Heart Center, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Markus Wallner
- University Heart Center, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Ursula Reiter
- Division of General Radiology, Department of Radiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Peter P Rainer
- University Heart Center, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria; BioTechMed Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Andreas Zirlik
- University Heart Center, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Klemens Ablasser
- University Heart Center, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Nicolas Verheyen
- University Heart Center, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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3
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Verheyen N, Schmid J, Kolesnik E, Schwegel N, Späth J, Kattnig L, Riepl H, Zach D, Santner V, Höller V, Pilz S, Tomaschitz A, Fuchsjäger M, Fahrleitner-Pammer A, Dimai HP, Obermayer-Pietsch B, Fruhwald F, Scherr D, Zirlik A, von Lewinski D, Ablasser K. Prevalence and prognostic impact of bone disease in chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. ESC Heart Fail 2024. [PMID: 38450879 DOI: 10.1002/ehf2.14741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS Chronic heart failure is associated with a bone-catabolic state and increases the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Prospective studies investigating the clinical relevance of bone disease in heart failure are lacking. We aimed to assess the prevalence and prognostic impact of osteoporosis and vertebral fractures (VFs) in chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). METHODS AND RESULTS Symptomatic outpatients with chronic heart failure and a previous diagnosis of overtly reduced left ventricular ejection fraction < 40% on stable, optimal HFrEF therapy and left ventricular ejection fraction < 50% at enrolment were included into a prospective single-centre study. Osteoporosis was determined with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and defined as a T-score ≤ 2.5 at any site. VFs were assessed using X-ray of both thoracic and lumbar spine applying the semiquantitative Genant score. We enrolled 205 patients (22% women), with a median age of 66 (IQR 58-74) years. Median left ventricular ejection fraction was 37 (IQR 30-43) % and median N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide was 964 (IQR 363-2173) pg/mL. Osteoporosis, as defined by bone mineral density, and at least one VF were prevalent in 31 (15%) and 29 patients (14%). Osteoporosis or VF were present in 55 patients (27%) and 5 patients (2%) had both osteoporosis and a VF. During a median follow-up of 4.7 (IQR 4.0-5.3) years, 18 patients (9%) died due to cardiovascular (CV) cause, and 46 patients (22%) had a worsening heart failure (WHF) hospitalization. In multivariate Cox regression analyses, presence of VF independently predicted CV death (HR 2.82, 95% CI 1.04-7.65, P = 0.042), WHF hospitalizations (HR 2.39, 95% CI 1.18-4.82, P = 0.015), and a composite endpoint of CV death and WHF hospitalizations (HR 2.44, 95% CI 1.23-4.82, P = 0.011). Osteoporosis was not significantly associated with CV events. CONCLUSIONS In a prospective study, bone disease affected every fourth patient with HFrEF, and patients with VF at baseline had a two-fold risk of subsequent CV death or WHF hospitalization. Prevalent bone disease, particularly VF, should be considered as a clinically relevant comorbidity in HFrEF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Verheyen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Johannes Schmid
- Department of Radiology, Division of General Radiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Ewald Kolesnik
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Nora Schwegel
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Johannes Späth
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Lydia Kattnig
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, State Hospital Hochsteiermark - Leoben, Leoben, Austria
| | - Hermann Riepl
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - David Zach
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Viktoria Santner
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Viktoria Höller
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Stefan Pilz
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Diabetology and Endocrinology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Michael Fuchsjäger
- Department of Radiology, Division of General Radiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Astrid Fahrleitner-Pammer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Diabetology and Endocrinology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Hans Peter Dimai
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Diabetology and Endocrinology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Barbara Obermayer-Pietsch
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Diabetology and Endocrinology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Friedrich Fruhwald
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Daniel Scherr
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Andreas Zirlik
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Dirk von Lewinski
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Klemens Ablasser
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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4
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Santner V, Riepl HS, Posch F, Wallner M, Rainer PP, Ablasser K, Kolesnik E, Hoeller V, Zach D, Schwegel N, Kreuzer P, Lueger A, Petutschnigg J, Pieske B, Zirlik A, Edelmann F, Verheyen N. Non-eligibility for pivotal HFpEF/HFmrEF outcome trials and mortality in a contemporary heart failure cohort. Eur J Intern Med 2023; 118:73-81. [PMID: 37517939 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejim.2023.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Pivotal outcome trials targeting heart failure with preserved (HFpEF) and mildly-reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) may have excluded patients at highest risk of poor outcomes. We aimed to assess eligibility for HFpEF/HFmrEF outcome trials in an unselected heart failure cohort and its association with all-cause mortality. Among 32.028 patients presenting to a tertiary care center emergency unit for any reason between August 2018 and July 2019, we identified 407 admissions with evident HFpEF and HFmrEF. Eligibility criteria for pivotal trials CHARM-Preserved, I-PRESERVE, TOPCAT, PARAGON-HF, EMPEROR-Preserved and DELIVER were assessed by chart review. The proportions of admissions fulfilling HFpEF/HFmrEF trial eligibility criteria were 88% for CHARM-Preserved, 40% for I-PRESERVE, 35% for TOPCAT, 28% for PARAGON-HF, 51% for EMPEROR-Preserved, and 49% for DELIVER. During a median follow-up of 1.9 years, death-from-any-cause occurred in 121 cases (30%). Twenty-four-month overall survival estimates for non-eligible and eligible admissions were 53% vs. 76% for CHARM-Preserved (HR=2.32, 95% CI: 1.47-3.67, p<0.001), 62% vs. 87% for I-PRESERVE (HR=2.97, 1.85-4.77, p<0.001), 67% vs. 84% for TOPCAT (HR=2.04, 1.29-3.24, p = 0.002), 68% vs. 85% for PARAGONHF (HR=2.28, 1.33-3.90, p = 0.003), 64% vs. 81% for EMPEROR-Preserved (HR=1.90, 1.27-2.84, p = 0.002), and 65% vs. 80% for DELIVER (HR=1.71, 1.14-2.57, p = 0.010). Exclusion criteria independently predicting death were eGFR <20 ml/min/1.73 m2, COPD with home oxygen therapy, and severe valvular heart disease. Conclusively, in a contemporary HFpEF/HFmrEF cohort, non-eligibility for outcome trials predicted for strongly increased mortality. HFpEF/HFmrEF patients at highest mortality risk were likely underrepresented in previous outcome trials and their treatment remains an unmet medical need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktoria Santner
- Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center and Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Hermann S Riepl
- Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center and Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Florian Posch
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Markus Wallner
- Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center and Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Peter P Rainer
- Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center and Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria; Department of Medicine, St. Johann in Tirol General Hospital, St. Johann in Tirol, Austria; BioTechMed Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Klemens Ablasser
- Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center and Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Ewald Kolesnik
- Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center and Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Viktoria Hoeller
- Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center and Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - David Zach
- Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center and Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Nora Schwegel
- Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center and Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Philipp Kreuzer
- Emergency Medicine Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Andreas Lueger
- Emergency Medicine Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Johannes Petutschnigg
- Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow Klinikum, Berlin, Germany; German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Andreas Zirlik
- Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center and Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Frank Edelmann
- Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow Klinikum, Berlin, Germany; German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Berlin, Germany
| | - Nicolas Verheyen
- Division of Cardiology, University Heart Center and Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
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5
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von Lewinski D, Kolesnik E, Aziz F, Benedikt M, Tripolt NJ, Wallner M, Pferschy PN, von Lewinski F, Schwegel N, Holman RR, Oulhaj A, Moertl D, Siller-Matula J, Sourij H. Timing of SGLT2i initiation after acute myocardial infarction. Cardiovasc Diabetol 2023; 22:269. [PMID: 37777743 PMCID: PMC10544140 DOI: 10.1186/s12933-023-02000-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pharmacological post-MI treatment is routinely initiated at intensive/cardiac care units. However, solid evidence for an early start of these therapies is only available for dual platelet therapy and statins, whereas data on beta blockers and RAAS inhibitors are heterogenous and mainly limited to STEMI and heart failure patients. Recently, the EMMY trial provided the first evidence on the beneficial effects of SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) when initiated early after PCI. In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, SGLT2i are considered "sick days drugs" and it, therefore, remains unclear if very early SGLT2i initiation following MI is as safe and effective as delayed initiation. METHODS AND RESULTS The EMMY trial evaluated the effect of empagliflozin on NT-proBNP and functional and structural measurements. Within the Empagliflozin group, 22 (9.5%) received early treatment (< 24 h after PCI), 98 (42.2%) within a 24 to < 48 h window (intermediate), and 111 (48.1%) between 48 and 72 h (late). NT-proBNP levels declined by 63.5% (95%CI: - 69.1; - 48.1) in the early group compared to 61.0% (- 76.0; - 41.4) in the intermediate and 61.9% (- 70.8; - 45.7) in the late group (n.s.) within the Empagliflozin group with no significant treatment groups-initiation time interaction (pint = 0.96). Secondary endpoints of left ventricular function (LV-EF, e/e`) as well as structure (LVESD and LVEDD) were also comparable between the groups. No significant difference in severe adverse event rate between the initiation time groups was detected. CONCLUSION Very early administration of SGLT2i after acute myocardial infarction does not show disadvantageous signals with respect to safety and appears to be as effective in reducing NT-proBNP as well as improving structural and functional LV markers as initiation after 2-3 days.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirk von Lewinski
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 15, 8036, Graz, Austria.
| | - Ewald Kolesnik
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 15, 8036, Graz, Austria
| | - Faisal Aziz
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 15, 8036, Graz, Austria
- Interdisciplinary Metabolic Medicine Trials Unit, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Martin Benedikt
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 15, 8036, Graz, Austria
| | - Norbert J Tripolt
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 15, 8036, Graz, Austria
- Interdisciplinary Metabolic Medicine Trials Unit, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Markus Wallner
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 15, 8036, Graz, Austria
| | - Peter N Pferschy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 15, 8036, Graz, Austria
- Interdisciplinary Metabolic Medicine Trials Unit, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Friederike von Lewinski
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 15, 8036, Graz, Austria
- Interdisciplinary Metabolic Medicine Trials Unit, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Nora Schwegel
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 15, 8036, Graz, Austria
| | - Rury R Holman
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Abderrahim Oulhaj
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Deddo Moertl
- Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, 3050, Krems, Austria
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, University Hospital St. Poelten, 3100, St. Poelten, Austria
| | | | - Harald Sourij
- Interdisciplinary Metabolic Medicine Trials Unit, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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6
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Schwegel N, Kolesnik E, Toth-Gayor G, Zirlik A, Von Lewinski D, Ablasser K, Verheyen N. Post-processing measurement of left ventricular ejection fraction compared to direct measurement in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Eur Heart J 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehab724.0789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction
Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) derived from transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is routinely used to guide therapeutic decisions in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, TTE-based quantification of LVEF is limited by low diagnostic accuracy and poor agreement with gold-standard methods which may be improved by application of post-processing (pp) analysis tools. In our study, we aimed to compare different methods of LVEF quantification, using direct and pp techniques, and their correlations to NT-proBNP plasma concentrations in patients with a previous diagnosis of HFrEF.
Methods
A total of 205 clinically stable patients with HFrEF were enrolled in a prospective cohort study. They underwent a standardized TTE examination performed by two experienced investigators. Biplane LVEF according to Simpson's method was evaluated directly during the examination. Pp evaluation of biplane and triplane LVEF (pp LVEF) using a vendor-independent software on digitally saved echo loops was performed by a blinded investigator who underwent comprehensive training in pp analysis but was otherwise unexperienced in TTE. For correlation analyses patients were subdivided according to the underlying etiology into ischemic and non-ischemic HF.
Results
Pp analysis was feasible in 164 patients. Mean direct biplane LVEF was 36.0±9.1%, mean pp biplane LVEF was 35.8±8.2%, mean pp triplane LVEF was 34.2±8.8%, and median NT-proBNP was 978 [IQR 332–2279] pg/mL. All LVEF parameters had strong and comparable correlations to NT-proBNP (direct biplane r=−0.352; pp biplane r=−0.412; pp triplane r=−0.426; p<0.01 for each). Bland Altman Plot revealed a high variability between direct and pp biplane LVEF, with a mean difference of 0.15±6.2%. Linear regression analysis indicated proportional bias across all LVEF ranges (β=0.154, p=0.049). Among 83 patients with direct biplane LVEF >35%, 16 had a pp biplane LVEF ≤35% (mean pp biplane 43.3±4.5 vs 32.0±2.3%, p<0.001; median NT-proBNP 511 [179–1421] vs 1205 [457–3706] pg/mL, p=0.055). On the other hand, out of 81 patients with direct biplane LVEF ≤35%, 16 patients had pp biplane LVEF >35% (mean pp biplane 28.2±4.8 vs 39.2±3.4%, p<0.001; median NT-proBNP 1644 [711–3113] vs 543 [297–3015] pg/mL, p=0.1). Furthermore, the correlation between biplane LVEF and NT-proBNP was more pronounced in patients with ischemic HF (n=65) using pp than direct measurement (pp r=−0.443, p<0.001; direct r=−0.314, p=0.01). We did not observe such a signal in patients with non-ischemic HF (n=99).
Conclusion
Direct biplane LVEF shows low agreement with pp biplane LVEF in patients with HFrEF. Moreover, application of pp analyses leads to a reclassification from LVEF >35 to ≤35% in one out of five patients. In conclusion, pp biplane LVEF analysis appears to provide more accurate values and should be preferred in examinations with therapeutic implication, particularly in patients with HFrEF of ischemic origin.
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Schwegel
- Medical University of Graz, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Graz, Austria
| | - E Kolesnik
- Medical University of Graz, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Graz, Austria
| | - G Toth-Gayor
- Medical University of Graz, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Graz, Austria
| | - A Zirlik
- Medical University of Graz, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Graz, Austria
| | - D Von Lewinski
- Medical University of Graz, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Graz, Austria
| | - K Ablasser
- Medical University of Graz, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Graz, Austria
| | - N Verheyen
- Medical University of Graz, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Graz, Austria
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