Behavioural digital biomarkers enable real-time monitoring of patient-reported outcomes: a substudy of the multicenter, prospective observational SafeHeart study

INTRODUCTION

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) serve multiple purposes, including shared decision-making and patient communication, treatment monitoring and health-technology assessment. Patient monitoring using PROMs is constrained by recall and non-response bias, respondent burden and missing data. We evaluated the potential of behavioural digital biomarkers obtained from a wearable accelerometer to achieve personalised predictions of PROMs.

METHODS

Data from the multicenter, prospective SafeHeart study conducted at Amsterdam University Medical Center in the Netherlands and Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen, Denmark, was used. The study enrolled patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) between May 2021 and September 2022 who then wore wearable devices with raw acceleration output to capture digital biomarkers reflecting physical behaviour. To collect PROMs, patients received the KCCQ and EQ5D-5 L questionnaire at two instances; baseline and after 6 months. Multivariable Tobit regression models were used to explore associations between digital biomarkers and PROMs, specifically whether digital biomarkers could enable PROM prediction.

RESULTS

The study population consisted of 303 patients (mean age 62.9 ± 10.9 years, 81.2% male). Digital biomarkers showed significant correlations to patient-reported physical and social limitations, severity and frequency of symptoms and quality of life. Prospective validation of the Tobit models indicated moderate correlations between the observed and predicted scores for KCCQ (concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) = 0.49, mean difference: 1.07 points) and EQ5D-5 L (CCC = 0.38, mean difference 0.02 points).

CONCLUSION

Wearable digital biomarkers correlate with PROMs, and may be leveraged for real-time prediction. These findings hold promise for monitoring of PROMs through wearable accelerometers.

Myocardial scarring and recurrence of ventricular arrhythmia in patients surviving an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

INTRODUCTION

Prediction of recurrent ventricular arrhythmia (VA) in survivors of an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is important, but currently difficult. Risk of recurrence may be related to presence of myocardial scarring assessed with late gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance (LGE-CMR). Our study aims to characterize myocardial scarring as defined by LGE-CMR in survivors of a VA-OHCA and investigate its potential role in the risk of new VA events.

METHODS

Between 2015 and 2022, a total of 230 VA-OHCA patients without ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction had CMR before implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation for secondary prevention at Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, and Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, of which n = 170 patients had a conventional (no LGE protocol) CMR and n = 60 patients had LGE-CMR (including LGE protocol). Scar tissue including core, border zone (BZ) and BZ channels were automatically detected by specialized investigational software in patients with LGE-CMR. The primary endpoint was recurrent VA.

RESULTS

After exclusion, n = 52 VA-OHCA patients with LGE-CMR and a mean left ventricular ejection fraction of 49 ± 16% were included, of which 18 (32%) patients reached the primary endpoint of VA. Patients with recurrent VA in exhibited greater scar mass, core mass, BZ mass, and presence of BZ channels compared with patients without recurrent VA. The presence of BZ channels identified patients with recurrent VA with 67% sensitivity and 85% specificity (area under the ROC curve (AUC) 0.76; 95% CI: 0.63-0.89; p < .001) and was the strongest predictor of the primary endpoint.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of BZ channels was the strongest predictor of recurrent VA in patients with an out of-hospital cardiac arrest and LGE-CMR.

Recurring episodes of bundle branch reentry ventricular tachycardia due to aortitis preceded by SARS-CoV-2 infection: a case report

BACKGROUND

SARS-CoV-2 may trigger both vasculitis and arrhythmias as part of a multisystem inflammatory syndrome described in children as well as in adults following COVID-19 infection with only minor respiratory symptoms. The syndrome denotes a severe dysfunction of one or more extra-pulmonary organ systems, with symptom onset approximately 2-5 weeks after the COVID-19 infection. In the present case, a seemingly intractable ventricular tachycardia preceded by SARS-CoV2 infection was only managed following the diagnosis and management of aortitis.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 69-year-old woman was hospitalized due to syncope, following a mild COVID-19 infection. She presented with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and intermittent ventricular tachycardia interpreted as a septum-triggered bundle branch reentry ventricular tachycardia, unaffected by amiodaron, lidocaine and adenosine. A CT-scan revealed inflammation of the aortic arch, extending into the aortic root. In the following days, the tachycardia progressed to ventricular storm with intermittent third-degree AV block. A temporary pacemaker was implanted, and radiofrequency ablation was performed to both sides of the ventricular septum after which the ventricular tachycardia was non-inducible. Following supplemental prednisolone treatment, cardiac symptoms and arrythmia subsided, but recurred after tapering. Long-term prednisolone treatment was therefore initiated with no relapse in the following 14 months.

CONCLUSION

We present a rare case of aortitis complicated with life-threatening ventricular tachycardia presided by Covid-19 infection without major respiratory symptoms. Given a known normal AV conduction prior to the COVID-19 infection, it seems likely that the ensuing aortitis in turn affected the septal myocardium, enabling the reentry tachycardia. Generally, bundle branch reentry tachycardia is best treated with radiofrequency ablation, but if it is due to aortitis with myocardial affection, long-term anti-inflammatory treatment is mandatory to prevent relapse and assure arrhythmia control. Our case highlights importance to recognize the existence of the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS-A) following COVID-19 infection in patients with alarming cardiovascular symptoms. The case shows that the early use of an CT-scan was crucial for both proper diagnosis and treatment option.

Marker for kidney fibrosis is associated with inflammation and deterioration of kidney function in people with type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria

BACKGROUND

Diabetic kidney disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Dysregulated turnover of collagen type III is associated with development of kidney fibrosis. We investigated whether a degradation product of collagen type III (C3M) was a risk marker for progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD), occurrence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and mortality during follow up in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and microalbuminuria. Moreover, we investigated whether C3M was correlated with markers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction at baseline.

METHODS

C3M was measured in serum (sC3M) and urine (uC3M) in 200 participants with T2D and microalbuminuria included in an observational, prospective study at Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen in Denmark from 2007-2008. Baseline measurements included 12 markers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. The endpoints were CVD, mortality, and CKD progression (>30% decline in eGFR).

RESULTS

Mean (SD) age was 59 (9) years, eGFR 90 (17) ml/min/1.73m2 and median (IQR) urine albumin excretion rate 102 (39-229) mg/24-h. At baseline all markers for inflammation were positively correlated with sC3M (p≤0.034). Some, but not all, markers for endothelial dysfunction were correlated with C3M. Median follow-up ranged from 4.9 to 6.3 years. Higher sC3M was associated with CKD progression (with mortality as competing risk) with a hazard ratio (per doubling) of 2.98 (95% CI: 1.41-6.26; p = 0.004) adjusted for traditional risk factors. uC3M was not associated with CKD progression. Neither sC3M or uC3M were associated with risk of CVD or mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher sC3M was a risk factor for chronic kidney disease progression and was correlated with markers of inflammation.

Heart failure hospitalizations and diuretic use before and after first-time pulmonary vein isolation ablation for atrial fibrillation among patients with heart failure

Background

Small randomized clinical trials have found that patients with heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) randomized to an ablation strategy for AF experienced improved cardiovascular outcomes. We examined the relation in routine clinical practice.

Purpose

We aimed to assess if first-time pulmonary vein isolation ablation (PVI) for AF among patients with HF was associated with decrease in HF hospital admissions rates and furosemide dosage in the year after PVI compared with the year before.

Methods

We identified patients with HF and available left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) treated with a first-time PVI using the Danish Ablation Registry, and alive at 1-year follow-up. Patient comorbidities and concomitant pharmacotherapy (including furosemide dosage and HF hospital admissions) were identified utilizing Danish nationwide registries. For inclusion, patients were required to have been diagnosed with HF in an in- or outpatient setting &lt;10 years of first-time PVI or have a LVEF at the time of PVI ≤45%. Patients were grouped according to LVEF at time of PVI: ≤35%, 36–45%, and &gt;45%. For comparison of HF hospital admission and furosemide usage before and after PVI, McNemars test were used. Wilcox signed-rank test were used to test difference in furosemide dosage before and after PVI.

Results

We identified 668/3450 patients with HF treated with first-time PVI for AF between 2010–2017 (median age 62 years [Q1,Q3=56,69 years], 81% male, and median LVEF 45% [Q1,Q3=40,60%]). Of these, 13 patients (2%) died during one-year follow-up. Overall, 36% of patients with HF had one or more HF hospital admissions the year before PVI compared with 7% in the year after PVI (p&lt;0.0001) (Figure 1). Patients with LVEF ≤35% had the highest proportion of HF hospital admissions the year before PVI (53%) and was reduced more than 4-fold (13%) in the year after first-time PVI, with consistent findings in all LVEF groups (Figure 1). At the time of PVI, 36% of patients with HF were treated with furosemide compared with 30% in the year after PVI (p&lt;0.0001) (Figure 2). Moreover, we identified significant reductions in furosemide dose in the year after PVI compared with the year before (median dose 60 mg [Q1,Q3=30,80 mg] and 20 mg [Q1,Q3=0,60 mg], respectively, p=0.001). Here, reductions in furosemide requirements were consistent across LVEF subgroups.

Conclusion

Patients with HF treated with a first-time PVI strategy for AF had a 5-fold decrease in HF hospital admissions in the following year compared with the year before PVI. Among patients treated with furosemide at time of PVI, significant reductions in dose one year after PVI was identified but also significant reductions in proportion of patients requiring any furosemide at all.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Myocardial scarring and recurrence of ventricular arrhythmia in patients surviving a ventricular fibrillation out of hospital cardiac arrest

Introduction

Prediction of ventricular arrhythmia recurrence in survivors of ventricular fibrillation out of hospital cardiac arrest (VF-OHCA) is important, but currently difficult. Risk of recurrence may be related to presence of myocardial scarring and dedicated late gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance (LGE-CMR) software allows for characterization of left ventricular scarring, including differentiation between core, border zone (BZ) and BZ channels that represent potential electrical circuits of slow conductivity responsible for ventricular arrhythmic events.

Purpose

Our study aims to characterize myocardial scarring as defined by LGE-CMR in survivors of a VF-OCHA and investigate its potential role for the risk of new ventricular arrhythmia.

Methods

Between 2018 and 2021, a total of 130 VF-OHCA patients had CMR, of which we included 28 patients with LGE-CMR before ICD implantation for secondary prevention. A total of 15 (54%) patients had signs of acute or chronic ischemic heart disease (IHD); and 13 (46%) patients had arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM). Scar tissue including core, BZ and BZ channels were automatically detected by specialized investigational software. To differentiate BZ from healthy tissue and BZ from core, thresholds of 40% ± 5% and 60% ± 5% of the maximum signal intensity were applied. A BZ channel in the LGE-CMR reconstruction was defined as a continuous corridor of BZ between 2 core areas or between a core area and a valve annulus (Figure 1A+B).

Results

The median age was 56 years; 86% were men and the median left ventricular ejection fraction was 50±11%. A total of 16 (57%) patients had an inferior scar on LGE-CMR, and 8 (29%) patients with IHD were incompletely revascularized. After a median follow-up of 98 days, 9 (32%) patients (6/9 with IHD, including 5/6 incompletely revascularized; 3/9 with ACM) had recurrence of ventricular arrhythmia (6/9 monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT)). A significantly higher number of patients with BZ channels had recurrence of ventricular arrhythmia compared with patients without BZ channels (7/11 vs. 2/17; P=0.01) (Figure 2). The number of BZ channels (3±1 vs. 2±1; P=0.13); scar mass (21±8g vs. 14±11g; P=0.21); core mass (7±4g vs. 4±5g; P=0.14); and BZ mass (11±5g vs. 9±7g; P=0.42) were insignificantly higher in patients with recurrent ventricular arrhythmia compared with patients without.

Conclusion

Borderzone channels analyzed by LGE-CMR were associated with subsequent recurrence of ventricular arrhythmia in patients with out of hospital cardiac arrest caused by ventricular fibrillation.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Risk of lead explantation after first-time implantation of cardiac implantable electronic device as a function of comorbidity: a nationwide study

Background

The benefit of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) is challenged by the risk of procedure-related complications and lead explantation. Whether patient comorbidity burden is associated with risk of lead explantation &lt;6 months of implantation is unknown.

Purpose

We assessed the risk of lead explantation and its association with comorbidity burden within 6 months after first-time CIED implantation.

Methods

The study population comprised patients ≥18 years old with first-time CIED implantation (i.e., pacemaker [PM], implantable cardioverter defibrillator [ICD], and cardiac resynchronisation therapy with defibrillator [CRT-D] or without [CRT-P]) using Danish nationwide registries including the Danish Pacemaker and ICD registry (1 January 2000 to 30 June 2018). Patients were followed from their first-time CIED implantation and 6 months forward. Patient comorbidity burden was categorised in four groups according to the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score: 0 (none), 1–2 (mild), 3–4 (moderate), and ≥5 (severe). Multivariable cause-specific Cox regression was performed to assess risk of lead explantation according to comorbidity burden, with death as competing risk. Comorbidity burden was adjusted for sex, age, type of CIED, and body mass index categories.

Results

We identified 73,491 patients with first-time CIED implantation including 55,733 (75.8%) with PM, 11,351 (15.5%) with ICD, 2,989 (4.1%) with CRT-P, and 3,418 (4.7%) with CRT-D. In total, 1,049 (1.4%) patients underwent lead explantation. The median age of the study population was 75.1 years [25th-75th percentile 66.2–82.5 years], and 62.1% were male. Patients undergoing lead explantation had higher median CCI score, compared with those not undergoing lead explantation (2 [1–3] and 1 [0–3], respectively). The median age and distribution of sex were similar in both groups. In the multivariable Cox regression model (Figure 1), an increase in patient comorbidity burden was associated with higher hazard ratio [HR] of lead explantation, compared with CCI score 0 (CCI score 1–2: HR=1.38 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12–1.69], CCI score 3–4: HR=1.61 [95% CI: 1.28–2.03], and CCI score ≥5: HR=1.60 [95% CI: 1.25–2.05]).

Conclusion

Risk of lead explantation within 6 months after first-time implantation of cardiac implantable electronic device was 1.4% and associated with higher comorbidity burden.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Independent Research Fund Denmark

Severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and risk of one-year mortality after first-time implantation of implantable cardioverter defibrillator: a nationwide study

Background

Current guidelines, on implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), recommend implantation in patients with an expected survival beyond one year. Information on risk of all-cause mortality among ICD recipients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) according to severity of COPD is lacking.

Purpose

We examined the association between the severity of COPD and risk of all-cause mortality within one year after first-time ICD implantation.

Methods

We identified patients ≥18 years old undergoing first-time ICD implantation with COPD using Danish nationwide registries (1 January 2000 to 31 December 2018). All patients were eligible for one-year follow-up. We used concomitant COPD-related pharmacotherapy six months prior to ICD implantation and COPD hospitalisations one year prior to ICD implantation to determine severity of COPD from mild to very severe according to Table 1. Multivariable Cox regression was used to assess risk of one-year all-cause mortality according to severity of COPD. Severity of COPD was adjusted for sex, age, year of implantation, primary prevention, type of ICD, history of atrial fibrillation, stroke, peripheral artery disease, diabetes, cancer, chronic renal disease, and dialysis.

Results

The study population included 1,536 patients with first-time ICD and COPD. The median age was 69.5 years [25th-75th percentile 63.5–74.3 years], and the majority of patients were males (79.4%). Of these, 896 (58.3%) received an ICD for primary prevention, and 485 (31.6%) had cardiac resynchronisation therapy device with defibrillator (CRT-D). In total, 1,348 (87.8%) patients were diagnosed with heart failure. Patients were grouped according to severity of COPD from mild to very severe: Group 1 (N=666), Group 2 (N=72), Group 3 (N=149), Group 4 (N=445), and Group 5 (N=204). Overall, 154/1,536 (10.0%) ICD recipients with COPD died within one year after first-time ICD implantation. No difference in sex and comorbidities was identified according to the five groups of COPD severity. However, ICD recipients with mild intermittent COPD (Group 1) were the youngest (68.3 years [61.8–73.0 years]). According to our multivariable cox regression in Figure 1, patients with very severe COPD (Group 5) were associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality within one year after first-time ICD implantation (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.90 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.21–2.98]), compared with mild intermittent COPD (Group 1). The most common causes of death within one year after ICD implantation were attributed to cardiovascular diseases 95/154 (61.7%), respiratory diseases 15/154 (9.7%), and endocrine disorders 12/154 (7.8%).

Conclusion

In this nationwide study, very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality within one year after first-time implantation of implantable cardioverter defibrillator.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Independent Research Fund Denmark

Use of non-recommended drugs in Brugada Syndrome: a Danish nationwide cohort study

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

To lower the risk of sudden cardiac death, patients with Brugada Syndrome (BrS) are recommended to avoid intake of drugs known to increase the risk of arrhythmias or the development of type-1 BrS ECG. However, information on adherence to these recommendations among patients with BrS is limited.

Purpose

To examine treatment with non-recommended drugs before and after diagnosis with BrS, risk factors of treatment with these drugs, and whether treatment was associated with a higher risk of hospitalization with ventricular arrhythmias or death.

Methods

All patients diagnosed with BrS in Denmark (1995-2018) with &gt;12 months of follow-up were identified through nationwide registries using the ICD-10 diagnosis code DI472M (PPV 95.8%). Relevant BrS risk drugs were identified and grouped as drugs to "avoid" or "preferably avoid" in agreement with the likelihood of promoting arrhythmias and type-1 BrS ECG according to brugadadrugs.org(1) (accessed August 2021). Multiple logistic regression (adjusted for sex, age, year of diagnosis, and relevant comorbidities and drugs) was performed to identify factors associated with risk drug use during follow-up.

Results

We identified 270 patients with BrS. Median age at the time of diagnosis was 46.2 years [IQR 32.6-57.6], 70.4% were male. Before the time of diagnosis, 16 patients (5.9%) were treated with a drug to "avoid" or "preferably avoid" (n=5 and n=12, respectively). During a median follow-up of 79 months, 89 patients (33%) were treated with at least one BrS risk drug after the time of diagnosis (table). A total of 22 patients with BrS (8.1%) received ≥2 different drugs at any time during follow-up. There was no significant difference in proportions of patients receiving a risk drug the year prior to diagnosis (12.2%) compared to each of the five years following diagnosis (year 1-5, respectively: 12.2%; 9.7%; 12.3%; 13.6%; 13.5% (p&gt;0.05 for all)).

Females had an odds ratio (OR) of 2.21 [95% CI 1.21-4.03] for use of risk drugs. Also associated with a greater likelihood of risk drug use after diagnosis were having a psychiatric disease at baseline (OR=4.80 [1.72-13.41]) and any use of a risk drug within 90 days prior to diagnosis (OR=8.54 [2.13-34.31]) (figure).

During follow-up, six patients were hospitalized for ventricular arrhythmias; none had redeemed a prescription of a risk drug. In total, 12 patients died, of which five (41.7%) had redeemed a prescription of one or more risk drugs within 50 days of death.

Conclusions

1/3 patients with BrS received a risk drug at any time point after diagnosis. No change in proportions of patients treated with risk drugs was identified after time of diagnosis. 5/12 patients that died during follow-up had redeemed a prescription of one or more risk drugs within 50 days of death. Female sex, any psychiatric diagnosis, and use of a non-recommended drug before diagnosis with BrS were associated with a greater likelihood of risk drug use after diagnosis.

Adherence to wearables in implantable cardioverter-defibrillator patients: Preliminary results from the prospective, multicenter SafeHeart-study

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – EU funding. Main funding source(s): Horizon2020

Introduction

Wearable devices are gaining interest in the clinical assessment of physical behavior as a marker of disease severity. With the increased use, patient willingness and adherence will be increasingly important. As part of the SafeHeart study, examining the potential of physical behavior as an identifier of clinical deterioration in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), we present preliminary results on adherence to a wrist-worn wearable used for physical behavior assessment.

Purpose

Define the willingness to participate and long-term adherence to wearables in an ICD population.

Methods

This is a preliminary analysis of the ongoing multicenter, prospective, observational SafeHeart study. SafeHeart is aimed to construct a personalized prediction engine for ICD therapy using wearable-assessed physical behavior, remote ICD monitoring, electronic health records, and patient-reported data. The study will enroll 400 participants with an ICD with or without cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT-D). In this preliminary analysis, wearable data was analyzed for the first 50 participants, where inclusion required a minimum of 1 month of follow up data. No data from the wearables were provided to the participants. The wrist-worn wearables were used continuously (day and night) for up to 12 months of follow-up. Adherence to the wearable was measured through patient-reported (subjective) adherence and wearable-measured (objective) adherence. Data were extracted from the wearables and non-wear time was detected via open source algorithms. A valid day was set to 22 hours of available wear time with 24-hour periods assessed from 3pm to 3pm for sleep metric capture. The willingness to participate and dropout rates were calculated for the same first 50 patients of the study.

Results

A total of 50 ICD participants were included in this study. The mean age was 65.1 years, 82 % male, with a mean follow up of 7 weeks, generating 326 patient weeks of data. Regarding patient-reported adherence, participants reported 81.4% full adherence and 18.6 % of participants reported very brief non-wear due to e.g. sauna or surgery. Of those reporting non-wear, 62.5% described one episode only of non-wear lasting 15-75 minutes. Regarding objectively measured adherence from wearable data, full adherence was shown in 91.7% of days. The mean number of valid days per participant was 41.3. Recruitment rates showed a willingness to participate of 50% (50/100) out of eligible subjects invited. No participants were lost to follow

Conclusion

Results show high adherence and reasonable willingness to participate without wearable adherence dropping over time. Comparison of objectively measured and patient-reported adherence showed similar values.

Early mortality and complications following first-time catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in a nationwide cohort

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common clinical arrhythmia. Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) by catheter ablation has become a cornerstone in the treatment of AF. Serious complications to PVI have been reported to be at an acceptable level and risk of death after AF ablation is low.

Purpose

In a contemporary nationwide cohort of patients undergoing first-time PVI by catheter ablation, we wanted to investigate the 30-day mortality after ablation, and to examine risk and potential risk factors of PVI-related complications.

Methods

Population-based cohort study in patients who underwent first-time PVI by catheter ablation between 2011-2018 identified from the National Danish Ablation Registry. Primary outcome was early post-procedural mortality, defined as death of any cause within 30 days of index PVI procedure, or in connection to a hospitalization started within 30 days. Secondary outcomes were all-cause rehospitalization and complication, including postoperative infection, cardiac, vascular, neurological, vascular, and pulmonary complications within 30 days. Data on mortality and complications were collected from national health and administrative registries. Binary regression was used to estimate risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for association between selected predictors and any complication, and adjusted gender, age, BMI, prior ablation, calendar period (ablation from 2011-2013, 2014-2016, and &gt;2016).

Results

We included 8560 patients. Median age was 62, 66% were men, 12% had a history of heart failure, and median CHA2DS2VASc score was 1 (Interquartile range [IQR]; 1-2). Charlton Comorbidity index (CCI) was none in 66%, moderate in 29% and severe in 5%. A total of 10 (0.12%) patients died within 30 days of ablation, of which 4 patients died during initial hospitalization. Median time to death was 20 (IQR, 12 to 29) days. Patients who died were more likely to have experienced a procedure-related complication (40% vs. 4%, P&lt;0.001). Procedure-related complications occurred in 298 (3.5%), and the risk was 4.4%, 3.0% and 3.3% in the time periods between 2011-2013, 2014-2016 and &gt;2016, respectively. Most common complications were postoperative infection (26%), cardiac complication (26%), and vascular complications (18%). Complication risk was increased in patients with higher age (aRR, 65-74 year; 1.67 [1.32-2.11] and &gt;74 years; 2.48 [1.60-3.84]), moderate CCI (aRR 1.45 [1.14-1.83]), cardiovascular disease (aRR 1.52 [1.09-2.11]) and antithrombotic treatment (aRR 1.41 [1.05-1.89]). After first-time PVI, 1.963 (23%) patients were re-hospitalized within 30 days, and most common primary discharge diagnoses were AF (87%) and direct cardioversion was performed in 765 (39%) patients.

Conclusion

In a nationwide cohort of patients who underwent first-time PVI, number of deaths within 30 days of ablation was low (0.12%). Risk of complication was low and 23% of the patients were re-hospitalized within 30 days.

Scar related border zone channels assessed with cardiac MRI are associated with ventricular arrhythmia in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction

Prediction of scar-related ventricular arrhythmia in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) is important, but currently difficult. Late gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance (LGE-CMR) permits characterization of left ventricular (LV) ischemic scars, including differentiation between core, border zone (BZ) and BZ channels. The latter represents potential electrical circuits of slow conductivity responsible for ventricular arrhythmic events. We hypothesized that detailed BZ channel characterization potentially serves as a risk marker for ventricular arrhythmia, therefore contributing to risk stratification following STEMI.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to assess scar-related arrhythmic BZ channels with advanced CMR in STEMI patients developing subsequent ventricular arrhythmia compared with controls.

Methods

This is a CMR sub-study of the DANAMI-3 STEMI multicenter trial (year 2011, n=1234) and Danegaptide phase II proof-of-concept clinical trial (year 2013, n=591). All patients were admitted for primary PCI in all primary PCI centers in Denmark. A total of 779 patients had a 3-month follow-up CMR. Of these, 21 patients subsequently experienced ventricular arrhythmia during 68 months of follow-up and were randomly matched 1:2 with 42 controls, who constituted the study population. Matching were based on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), infarct location, culprit vessel, and revascularization status in patients with multivessel disease. Ischemic scar tissue including core, BZ and BZ channels were automatically detected by a specialized investigational software (1). To differentiate BZ from healthy tissue and BZ from core, thresholds of 40% ± 5% and 60% ± 5% of the maximum signal intensity were applied. A BZ channel in the LGE-CMR reconstruction was defined as a continuous corridor of BZ between 2 core areas or between a core area and a valve annulus (Figure 1).

Results

We included 63 patients (median age: 58.0 years; 84% men; median LVEF: 45 ± 10%), of whom 30 (48%) patients had an anterior located infarction, and 45 (71%) patients were completely revascularized. The median time from STEMI to a ventricular arrhythmic event was 3 ± 2 years. A significantly higher number of patients with ventricular arrhythmia had BZ channels (n=16 (76%) vs. n=18 (43%), P=0.02) including an increased number of BZ channels (2 ± 2 vs. 1 ± 1, P=0.02) compared with controls. Patients with subsequent ventricular arrhythmia had a larger scar mass (core mass + BZ mass) (27 ± 17g vs. 19 ± 11g; P=0.03), core mass (9 ± 8g vs. 6 ± 5g; P=0.06) and BZ mass (18 ± 10g vs. 13 ± 7g; P=0.01).

Conclusion(s)

Border zone channels visualized by LGE-CMR were associated with subsequent development of ventricular arrhythmia in patients with STEMI and may serve as risk stratification following STEMI.

Cause-specific death and risk factors of one-year mortality after implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation: a nationwide study

AIMS

Current treatment guidelines recommend implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) in eligible patients with an estimated survival beyond one year. There is still an unmet need to identify patients who are unlikely to benefit from an ICD.We determined cause-specific one-year mortality after ICD implantation and identified associated risk factors.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using Danish nationwide registries (2000-2017), we identified 14,516 patients undergoing first-time ICD implantation for primary or secondary prevention. Risk factors associated with one-year mortality were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression. The median age was 66 years, 81.3% were male, and 50.3% received an ICD for secondary prevention. The one-year mortality rate was 4.8% (694/14,516). ICD recipients who died within one year were older and more comorbid compared to those who survived (72 vs. 66 years, p < 0.001). Risk factors associated with increased one-year mortality included dialysis (OR:3.26, CI:2.37-4.49), chronic renal disease (OR:2.14, CI:1.66-2.76), cancer (OR:1.51, CI:1.15-1.99), age 70-79 years (OR:1.65, CI:1.36-2.01), and age ≥80 years (OR:2.84, CI:2.15-3.77). The one-year mortality rates for the specific risk factors were: dialysis (13.8%), chronic renal disease (13.1%), cancer (8.5%), age 70-79 years (6.9%), and age ≥80 years (11.0%). Overall, the most common causes of mortality were related to cardiovascular diseases (62.5%), cancer (10.1%), and endocrine disorders (5.0%). However, the most common cause of death among patients with cancer was cancer-related (45.7%).

CONCLUSION

Among ICD recipients, mortality rates were low and could be indicative of relevant patient selection. Important risk factors of increased one-year mortality included dialysis, chronic renal disease, cancer, and advanced age.

Deep sedation as temporary bridge to definitive treatment of ventricular arrhythmia storm

Background:

Electrical storm and incessant ventricular tachycardia (VT) are characterized by the clustering of episodes of VT or ventricular fibrillation (VF) and are associated with a poor prognosis. Autonomic nervous system activity influences VT threshold, and deep sedation may be useful for the treatment of VT emergencies.

Methods:

We reviewed data from conscious patients admitted to our intensive care unit (ICU) due to monomorphic VT, polymorphic VT or VF at our tertiary center between 2010 and 2018.

Results:

A total of 46 conscious patients with recurrent ventricular arrhythmia, refractory to initial treatment, were referred to the ICU. The majority (n = 31) were stabilized on usual care. The remaining treatment-refractory 15 patients (57 years (range 9–74), 80% males, seven with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators) with VT/VF storm (n = 11) or incessant VT (n = 4) due to ischemic heart disease (n = 10), cardiomyopathy (n = 2), primary arrhythmia (n = 2) and one patient post valve surgery, were deeply sedated and intubated. A complete resolution of VT/VF within minutes to hours was achieved in 12 patients (80%), partial resolution in two (13%) and one (7%) patient died due to ventricular free-wall rupture. One patient with recurrent VT episodes needing repeated deep sedation developed necrotic caecum. No other major complications were seen. Thirteen (87%) patients were alive after a mean follow-up of 3.7 years.

Conclusion:

Deep sedation was effective and safe for the temporary management of malignant VT/VF refractory to usual treatment. In emergencies, deep sedation may be widely accessible at both secondary and tertiary centers and a clinically useful bridge to definitive treatment of VT.

P1868Risk of arrhythmias after myocardial infarction in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction according to mode of revascularization: a CARISMA substudy

Introduction

The CARISMA trial was the first study to use continuous monitoring for documentation of long-term arrhythmias in post-infarction patients with left ventricular dysfunction. During the study duration (2000–2005), primary PCI (pPCI) as treatment of acute myocardial infarction was introduced approximately midway (2002) on the enrolling centres.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to describe the influence of mode of revascularization after myocardial infarction (AMI) on long-term risk of risk of new onset atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachyarrhythmias and brady arrhythmias.

Methods

The study is a sub-study on the CARISMA study population that consisted of patients with AMI and left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40%, which received an implantable loop recorder and was followed for 2 years. After exclusion of 15 patients who refused device implantation and 26 with pre-existing arrhythmias, 268 of the 312 patients were included. Choice of revascularization was made by the treating team independently of the trial and was retrospectively divided into primary percutaneous intervention (pPCI), subacute PCI (24 hours to 2 weeks after AMI), primary thrombolysis or no revascularization.

Endpoints were new-onset of arrhythmias and major cardiovascular events (MACE). The Kaplan-Meier (figure 1) and Mantel-Byar methods were used for time to first event risk analysis.

Results

A total of 77 patients received no revascularization, whereas 49 received thrombolysis only and 142 received PCI. At two-years follow up patients treated with any PCI had a significant lower risk (0.40, n=63) of any arrhythmia compared to patients treated with trombolysis (0.60, n=30) or no revascularization (0.68, n=16) (p<0.001, unadjusted) (figure 1). Risk of MACE was significant higher in patients with any arrhythmia (0.25, n=76) compared to no arrhythmia (0.11, n=93) at two years follow-up (p=0.004, unadjusted).

Figure 1

Conclusion(s)

The long-term risk of new onset arrhythmias after AMI was significantly lower in patients treated with any PCI compared to patients not revascularized or treated with thrombolysis. Risk of MACE was significantly higher in patients with new onset arrhythmias compared to patients with no arrhythmias.

P2845Recurrent atrial flutter and incidence of atrial fibrillation ablation after first-time ablation for typical atrial flutter: a nation-wide Danish cohort study

Introduction

Cavo tricuspid isthmus ablation (CTIA) is an effective first-line treatment for typical atrial flutter (AFL). However, many patients develop atrial fibrillation (AF) after successful CTIA. Knowledge about recurrent arrhythmia after CTIA mainly comes from small cohort studies with limited follow-up.

Purpose

To describe incidences of AFL re-ablation and AF-ablation after first-time CTIA in a nation-wide cohort.

Method

In the Danish National Ablation Registry we identified patients undergoing first-time CTIA during 2010–2016. Subsequent CTIA and AF-ablation procedures were identified until March 1st, 2018. We gathered information on patient comorbidities in the Danish National Patient Registry.

Results

We identified 2409 patients undergoing first-time CTIA. Median age was 66 (IQR 58–72) years, and 1952 (81%) were men. 78 (3%) had a history of AF. Acute procedural succes was achieved in 2288 (95%) patients. During mean follow-up of 4±1.7 years, 242 (10%) patients underwent CTI re-ablation and 326 (13.5%) ablation for AF. Baseline characteristics associated with CTI re-ablation included prolonged procedural time, unsuccessful first CTIA, age<75 years and CHA2DS2-VASc score<2. Hypertension, history of AF, age<65 years and CHA2DS2-VASc score<2 were associated with later AF-ablation (Table).

Predictive characteristics Characteristics associated with CTI re-ablation HR 95% CI p-value Procedural time 1.003 (1.001–1.006) 0.01 Unsuccesful first CTIA procedure 3.42 (2.10–5.55) <0.0001 Age <75 years 1.52 (1.03–2.26) 0.04 CHA2DS-VAS2c score <2 1.45 (1.11–1.90) 0.01 Characteristics associated with later AF-ablation   Hypertension 1.31 (1.02–1.69) 0.04   History of AF 1.70 (1.07–2.71) 0.03   Age <65 years 2.38 (1.89–3.01) <0.0001   CHA2DS-VAS2c score <2 1.77 (1.40–2.45) <0.0001 AF: Atrial fibrillation; HR: Hazard ratio. All HR's are adjusted for age, gender, hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, iscemic heart disease, valvular heart disease, chronic obstructive lung disease, chronic kidney disease and history of AF using Cox regression analysis.

Conclusion

In a nation-wide cohort undergoing CTIA for AFL, 10% of patients underwent CTI re-ablation and 13.5% were ablated for AF during mean follow-up of 4±1.7 years. Probability of undergoing a second ablation procedure was higher in younger patients with less comorbidity.

Higher Collagen VI Formation Is Associated With All-Cause Mortality in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Microalbuminuria

OBJECTIVE

Type 2 diabetes is a common risk factor for the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Enhanced de novo collagen type VI (COL VI) formation has been associated with renal fibrosis and CKD. We investigated the hypothesis that PRO-C6, a product specifically generated during COL VI formation, is prognostic for adverse outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

In a prospective, observational study, we measured PRO-C6 in the serum (S-PRO-C6) and urine (U-PRO-C6) of 198 patients with type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria without symptoms of coronary artery disease. Patients were followed for a median of 6.5 years, and end points were a composite of cardiovascular events (n = 38), all-cause mortality (n = 26), and reduction of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of >30% (disease progression [n = 42]). Cox models were unadjusted and adjusted for the conventional risk factors of sex, age, BMI, systolic blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, smoking, HbA_1c, plasma creatinine, and urinary albumin excretion rate.

RESULTS

Doubling of S-PRO-C6 increased hazards for cardiovascular events (hazard ratio 3.06 [95% CI 1.31-7.14]), all-cause mortality (6.91 [2.96-16.11]), and disease progression (4.81 [1.92-12.01]). Addition of S-PRO-C6 to a model containing conventional risk factors improved relative integrated discrimination by 22.5% for cardiovascular events (P = 0.02), 76.8% for all-cause mortality (P = 0.002), and 53.3% for disease progression (P = 0.004). U-PRO-C6 was not significantly associated with any of the outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

S-PRO-C6 generated during COL VI formation predicts cardiovascular events, all-cause mortality, and disease progression in patients with type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria.

Urinary proteomics for prediction of mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria

Background

The urinary proteomic classifier CKD273 has shown promise for prediction of progressive diabetic nephropathy (DN). Whether it is also a determinant of mortality and cardiovascular disease in patients with microalbuminuria (MA) is unknown.

Methods

Urine samples were obtained from 155 patients with type 2 diabetes and confirmed microalbuminuria. Proteomic analysis was undertaken using capillary electrophoresis coupled to mass spectrometry to determine the CKD273 classifier score. A previously defined CKD273 threshold of 0.343 for identification of DN was used to categorise the cohort in Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression models with all-cause mortality as the primary endpoint. Outcomes were traced through national health registers after 6 years.

Results

CKD273 correlated with urine albumin excretion rate (UAER) (r = 0.481, p = <0.001), age (r = 0.238, p = 0.003), coronary artery calcium (CAC) score (r = 0.236, p = 0.003), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) (r = 0.190, p = 0.018) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (r = 0.265, p = 0.001). On multivariate analysis only UAER (β = 0.402, p < 0.001) and eGFR (β = − 0.184, p = 0.039) were statistically significant determinants of CKD273. Twenty participants died during follow-up. CKD273 was a determinant of mortality (log rank [Mantel-Cox] p = 0.004), and retained significance (p = 0.048) after adjustment for age, sex, blood pressure, NT-proBNP and CAC score in a Cox regression model.

Conclusion

A multidimensional biomarker can provide information on outcomes associated with its primary diagnostic purpose. Here we demonstrate that the urinary proteomic classifier CKD273 is associated with mortality in individuals with type 2 diabetes and MA even when adjusted for other established cardiovascular and renal biomarkers.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12933-018-0697-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Toe-brachial index as a predictor of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality in people with type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

The study aimed to evaluate toe-brachial index (TBI) and ankle-brachial index (ABI) as determinants of incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality in people with type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria.

METHODS

This was a prospective study including 200 participants. Unadjusted and adjusted (traditional risk factors and additional inclusion of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide [NT-proBNP] and coronary artery calcification) Cox regression models were performed. C statistics and relative integrated discrimination improvement (rIDI) evaluated risk prediction improvement.

RESULTS

Median follow-up was 6.1 years; 40 CVD events and 26 deaths were recorded. Lower TBI was associated with increased risk of CVD (HR per 1 SD decrease: 1.55 [95% CI 1.38, 1.68]) and all-cause mortality (1.41 [1.22, 1.60]) unadjusted and after adjustment for traditional risk factors (CVD 1.50 [1.27, 1.65] and all-cause mortality 1.37 [1.01, 1.60]). Lower ABI was a determinant of CVD (1.49 [1.32, 1.61]) and all-cause mortality (1.37 [1.09, 1.57]) unadjusted and after adjustment for traditional risk factors (CVD 1.44 [1.23, 1.59] and all-cause mortality 1.39 [1.07, 1.60]). After additional adjustment for NT-proBNP and coronary artery calcification, lower TBI remained a determinant of CVD (p = 0.023). When TBI was added to traditional risk factors, the AUC increased significantly for CVD, by 0.063 (95% CI 0.012, 0.115) from 0.743 (p = 0.016), but not for all-cause mortality; adding ABI did not improve the AUC significantly. The rIDI for TBI was 46.7% (p < 0.001) for CVD and 46.0% (p = 0.002) for all-cause mortality; for ABI, the rIDI was 51.8% (p = 0.004) for CVD and 53.6% (p = 0.031) for all-cause mortality.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Reduced TBI and ABI were associated with increased risk of CVD and all-cause mortality, independent of traditional risk factors in type 2 diabetes, and improved prognostic accuracy.

Symmetric and asymmetric dimethylarginine as risk markers of cardiovascular disease, all-cause mortality and deterioration in kidney function in persons with type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria

Background

To evaluate symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) as risk markers of cardiovascular disease, all-cause mortality and deterioration in renal function in a well characterised type 2 diabetic population with microalbuminuria and without symptoms of coronary artery disease.

Methods

200 participants followed for 6.1 years. SDMA and ADMA were measured at baseline. Endpoints included (1) composite cardiovascular endpoint (n = 40); (2) all-cause mortality (n = 26); and (3) decline in eGFR of >30% (n = 42). Cox models were unadjusted and adjusted for traditional risk factors (sex, age, systolic blood pressure, LDL-cholesterol, smoking, HbA_1c, creatinine and urinary albumin excretion rate). To assess if SDMA or ADMA improved risk prediction beyond traditional risk factors we calculated c statistics and relative integrated discrimination improvement (rIDI). C statistic (area under the curve) quantifies the model’s improved ability to discriminate events from non-events. rIDI quantifies the increase in separation of events and non-events on a relative scale.

Results

Higher SDMA was associated with increased risk of all three endpoints (unadjusted: p ≤ 0.001; adjusted: p ≤ 0.02). Higher ADMA was associated with all-cause mortality (unadjusted: p = 0.002; adjusted: p = 0.006), but not cardiovascular disease or decline in eGFR (p ≥ 0.29).The c statistic was not significant for any of the endpoints for either SDMA or ADMA (p ≥ 0.10). The rIDI for SDMA was 15.0% (p = 0.081) for the cardiovascular endpoint, 52.5% (p = 0.025) for all-cause mortality and 48.8% (p = 0.007) for decline in eGFR; for ADMA the rIDI was 49.1% (p = 0.017) for all-cause mortality.

Conclusion

In persons with type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria higher SDMA was associated with incident cardiovascular disease, all-cause mortality and deterioration in renal function. Higher ADMA was associated with all-cause mortality. SDMA and ADMA significantly improved risk prediction for all-cause mortality, and SDMA for deterioration in renal function beyond traditional risk factors.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12933-017-0569-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Epicardial, pericardial and total cardiac fat and cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetic patients with elevated urinary albumin excretion rate

Background We evaluated the association of cardiac adipose tissue including epicardial adipose tissue and pericardial adipose tissue with incident cardiovascular disease and mortality, coronary artery calcium, carotid intima media thickness and inflammatory markers. Design A prospective study of 200 patients with type 2 diabetes and elevated urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER). Methods Cardiac adipose tissue was measured from baseline echocardiography. The composite endpoint comprised incident cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality. Coronary artery calcium, carotid intima media thickness and inflammatory markers were measured at baseline. Cardiac adipose tissue was investigated as continuous and binary variable. Analyses were performed unadjusted (model 1), and adjusted for age, sex (model 2), body mass index, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, smoking, glycated haemoglobin, and systolic blood pressure (model 3). Results Patients were followed-up after 6.1 years for non-fatal cardiovascular disease ( n = 29) or mortality ( n = 23). Cardiac adipose tissue ( p = 0.049) and epicardial adipose tissue ( p = 0.029) were associated with cardiovascular disease and mortality in model 1. When split by the median, patients with high cardiac adipose tissue had a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality than patients with low cardiac adipose tissue in unadjusted (hazard ratio 1.9, confidence interval: 1.1; 3.4, p = 0.027) and adjusted (hazard ratio 2.0, confidence interval: 1.1; 3.7, p = 0.017) models. Cardiac adipose tissue ( p =  0.033) was associated with baseline coronary artery calcium (model 1) and interleukin-8 (models 1-3, all p < 0.039). Conclusions In type 2 diabetes patients without coronary artery disease, high cardiac adipose tissue levels were associated with increased risk of incident cardiovascular disease or all-cause mortality even after accounting for traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors. High cardiac adipose tissue amounts were associated with subclinical atherosclerosis (coronary artery calcium) and with the pro-atherogenic inflammatory marker interleukin-8.

Urinary biomarkers are associated with incident cardiovascular disease, all-cause mortality and deterioration of kidney function in type 2 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

We evaluated two urinary biomarkers reflecting different aspects of renal pathophysiology as potential determinants of incident cardiovascular disease (CVD), all-cause mortality and a reduced estimated GFR (eGFR) in patients with type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria but without clinical features of coronary artery disease.

METHODS

In a prospective study of 200 patients, all received multifactorial treatment. Baseline measurements of urinary hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and adiponectin were available for 191 patients. Cox models were adjusted for sex, age, LDL-cholesterol, smoking, HbA1c, plasma creatinine, systolic BP and urinary AER (UAER). The pre-defined endpoint of chronic kidney disease progression was a decline in the eGFR of >30% during follow-up. HRs per 1 SD increment of log-transformed values are presented.

RESULTS

Patients had a mean ± SD age of 59 ± 9 years with a median (interquartile range) UAER of 103 (39-230) mg/24 h. During a median 6.1 years of follow-up, there were 40 incident CVD events, 26 deaths and 42 patients reached the pre-defined chronic kidney disease progression endpoint after 4.9 years (median). Higher urinary HGF was a determinant of CVD in unadjusted (HR 1.9 [95% CI 1.3, 2.8], p = 0.001) and adjusted (HR 2.0 [95% CI 1.2, 3.2], p = 0.004) models, and of all-cause mortality in unadjusted (HR 2.3 [95% CI 1.3, 3.9], p = 0.003) and adjusted (HR 2.5 [95% CI 1.3, 4.8], p = 0.005) models. A higher adiponectin level was associated with CVD in unadjusted (HR 1.4 [95% CI 1.0, 1.9], p = 0.04) and adjusted (HR 1.4 [95% CI 1.1, 2.3], p = 0.013) models, and with a decline in the eGFR of >30% in unadjusted (HR 1.6 [95% CI 1.2, 2.2], p = 0.008) and adjusted (HR 1.5 [95% CI 1.1, 2.2], p = 0.007) models.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

In patients with type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria receiving multifactorial treatment, higher urinary HGF was associated with incident CVD and all-cause mortality, and higher adiponectin was associated with CVD and deterioration in renal function.

Optimal Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Pacing Rate in Non-Ischemic Heart Failure Patients: A Randomized Crossover Pilot Trial

Background

The optimal pacing rate during cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is unknown. Therefore, we investigated the impact of changing basal pacing frequencies on autonomic nerve function, cardiopulmonary exercise capacity and self-perceived quality of life (QoL).

Methods

Twelve CRT patients with non-ischemic heart failure (NYHA class II–III) were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial, in which the basal pacing rate was set at DDD-60 and DDD-80 for 3 months (DDD-R for 2 patients). At baseline, 3 months and 6 months, we assessed sympathetic nerve activity by microneurography (MSNA), peak oxygen consumption (pVO₂), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (p-NT-proBNP), echocardiography and QoL.

Results

DDD-80 pacing for 3 months increased the mean heart rate from 77.3 to 86.1 (p = 0.001) and reduced sympathetic activity compared to DDD-60 (51±14 bursts/100 cardiac cycles vs. 64±14 bursts/100 cardiac cycles, p<0.05). The mean pVO₂ increased non-significantly from 15.6±6 mL/min/kg during DDD-60 to 16.7±6 mL/min/kg during DDD-80, and p-NT-proBNP remained unchanged. The QoL score indicated that DDD-60 was better tolerated.

Conclusion

In CRT patients with non-ischemic heart failure, 3 months of DDD-80 pacing decreased sympathetic outflow (burst incidence only) compared to DDD-60 pacing. However, Qol scores were better during the lower pacing rate. Further and larger scale investigations are indicated.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02258061

Plasma NT-proBNP and white matter hyperintensities in type 2 diabetic patients

Abstract

Elevated plasma N-terminal (NT)-proBNP from the heart as well as white matter hyperintensities (WMH) in the brain predict cardiovascular (CV) mortality in the general population. The cause of poor prognosis associated with elevated P-NT-proBNP is not known but WMH precede strokes in high risk populations. We assessed the association between P-NT-proBNP and WMH or brain atrophy measured with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in type 2 diabetic patients, and age-matched controls.

Methods and results

We measured P-NT-proBNP(ng/l) in 20 diabetic patients without prior stroke but with(n = 10) or without(n = 10) asymptomatic coronary artery disease(CAD) in order to include patients with a wide-ranging CV risk profile. All patients and 26 controls had a 3D MRI and brain volumes(ml) with WMH and brain parenchymal fraction(BPF), an indicator of brain atrophy, were determined.

P-NT-proBNP was associated with WMH in linear regression analysis adjusted for CV risk factors(r = 0.94, p = 0.001) and with BPF in univariate analysis(r = 0.57, p = 0.009). Patients divided into groups of increased P-NT-proBNP levels were paralleled with increased WMH volumes(geometric mean[SD];(2.86[5.11] ml and 0.76[2.49] ml compared to patients with low P-NT-proBNP 0.20[2.28] ml, p = 0.003)) and also when adjusted for age, sex and presence of CAD(p = 0.017). The association was strengthened by CV risk factors and we did not find a common heart or brain specific driver of both P-NT-proBNP and WMH. Patients and particular patients with CAD had higher WMH, however no longer after adjustment for age and sex.

Conclusion

P-NT-proBNP was associated with WMH in type 2 diabetic patients, suggesting a linkage between heart and brain disease.

Tubular markers are associated with decline in kidney function in proteinuric type 2 diabetic patients

Our aim was to investigate u-NGAL, u-KIM1 and p-FGF23 and prediction of decline in kidney function in type 2 diabetic patients with proteinuria.

METHODS

We performed a follow-up study, follow-up median (range) 3.5 (1-5) years. At baseline u-NGAL, u-KIM1 and p-FGF23 (ELISA) was measured and patients were followed yearly with estimated(e)-GFR (MDRD) and u-albumin.

RESULTS

We included 177 patients (44 women), mean age (SD) 59 (9) years. eGFR 90 (24) ml/min/1.73 m(2) at baseline, u-albumin: median (interquartile range) 104 (39-238) mg/24 h. Patients with levels of u-KIM1 in the highest quartile had a greater decline in eGFR than patients with the lowest quartile 6.0 (5.4) versus 3.2 (5.5) ml/min/1.73 m(2) per year (p=0.02). u-NGAL in the highest versus lowest quartile eGFR decline: 5.1 (4.7) and 2.8 (7.1)ml/min/1.73 m(2) per year (p=0.07). Higher values of u-NGAL and u-KIM1 were associated with enhanced decline in eGFR (R=0.16 and R=0.19, p<0.05), however not after adjustment for progression promoters. p-FGF23 was not predictive of decline in eGFR.

CONCLUSION

Higher levels of markers of tubular damage are associated with a faster decline in eGFR. However, since this is not independent of known progression promoters, measurement of tubular markers does not give additional prognostic information.

Voltage-guided ablation technique for cavotricuspid isthmus-dependent atrial flutter: refining the continuous line

Ablation of the cavotricuspid isthmus has become first-line therapy for "isthmus-dependent" atrial flutter. The goal of ablation is to produce bidirectional cavotricuspid isthmus block. Traditionally, this has been obtained by creation of a complete ablation line across the isthmus from the ventricular end to the inferior vena cava. This article describes an alternative method used in our laboratory. There is substantial evidence that conduction across the isthmus occurs preferentially over discrete separate bundles of tissue. Consequently, voltage-guided ablation targeting only these bundles with large amplitude atrial electrograms results in a highly efficient alternate method for the interruption of conduction across the cavotricuspid isthmus. Understanding the bundle structure of conduction over the isthmus facilitates more flexible approaches to its ablation and targeting maximum voltages in our hands has resulted in reduction of ablation time and fewer recurrences.

NT-proBNP, echocardiographic abnormalities and subclinical coronary artery disease in high risk type 2 diabetic patients

Background

Intensive multifactorial treatment aimed at prevention of cardiovascular (CV) disease may reduce left ventricular (LV) echocardiographic abnormalities in diabetic subjects. Plasma N-terminal (NT)-proBNP predicts CV mortality in diabetic patients but the association between P-NT-proBNP and the putative residual abnormalities in such patients are not well described. This study examined echocardiographic measurements of LV hypertrophy, atrial dilatation and LV dysfunction and their relation to P-NT-proBNP levels or subclinical coronary artery disease (CAD) in type 2 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria receiving intensive multifactorial treatment.

Methods

Echocardiography including tissue Doppler imaging and P-NT-proBNP measurements were performed in 200 patients without prior CAD. Patients with P-NT-proBNP > 45.2 ng/L and/or coronary calcium score ≥ 400 were stratified as high risk patients for CAD(n = 133) and examined for significant CAD by myocardial perfusion imaging and/or CT-angiography and/or coronary angiography.

Results

LV mass index was 41.2 ± 10.9 g/m^2.7 and 48 (24%) patients had LV hypertrophy. LA and RA dilatation were found in 54(27%) and 45(23%) patients, respectively, and LV diastolic dysfunction was found in 109(55%) patients. Patients with increased P-NT-proBNP levels did not have more major echocardiographic abnormalities. In 70(53%) of 133 high risk patients significant CAD was demonstrated and patients with LV hypertrophy had increased risk of significant CAD(adjusted odd ratio[CI] was 4.53[1.14-18.06]).

Conclusion

Among asymptomatic type 2 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria that received intensive multifactorial treatment, P-NT-proBNP levels is not associated with echocardiographic abnormalities. LV diastolic dysfunction was frequently observed, whereas LV hypertrophy was less frequent but associated with significant CAD.

Vitamin D levels and asymptomatic coronary artery disease in type 2 diabetic patients with elevated urinary albumin excretion rate

OBJECTIVE

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in type 2 diabetic patients. Severe vitamin D deficiency has been shown to predict cardiovascular mortality in type 2 diabetic patients.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We investigated the association among severe vitamin D deficiency, coronary calcium score (CCS), and asymptomatic CAD in type 2 diabetic patients with elevated urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER) >30 mg/24 h. This was a cross-sectional study including 200 type 2 diabetic patients without a history of CAD. Severe vitamin D deficiency was defined as plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (p-25[OH]D3) <12.5 nmol/L. Patients with plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide >45.2 ng/L or CCS ≥400 were stratified as being high risk for CAD (n= 133). High-risk patients were examined by myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI; n = 109), computed tomography angiography (n = 20), or coronary angiography (CAG; n = 86). Patients' p-25(OH)D3 levels were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

The median (range) vitamin D level was 36.9 (3.8-118.6) nmol/L. The prevalence of severe vitamin D deficiency was 9.5% (19/200). MPI or CAG demonstrated significant CAD in 70 patients (35%). The prevalence of CCS ≥400 was 34% (68/200). Severe vitamin D deficiency was associated with CCS ≥400 (odds ratio [OR] 4.3, 95% CI [1.5-12.1], P = 0.005). This association persisted after adjusting for risk factors (4.6, 1.5-13.9, P = 0.007). Furthermore, severe vitamin D deficiency was associated with asymptomatic CAD (adjusted OR 2.9, 1.02-7.66, P = 0.047).

CONCLUSIONS

In high-risk type 2 diabetic patients with elevated UAER, low levels of vitamin D are associated with asymptomatic CAD.

NT-proBNP levels, atherosclerosis and vascular function in asymptomatic type 2 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria: peripheral reactive hyperaemia index but not NT-proBNP is an independent predictor of coronary atherosclerosis

Intensive multifactorial treatment aimed at cardiovascular (CV) risk factor reduction in type 2 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria can diminish fatal and non-fatal CV. Plasma N-terminal (NT)-proBNP predicts CV mortality in diabetic patients but the utility of P-NT-proBNP in screening for atherosclerosis is unclear. We examined the interrelationship between P-NT-proBNP, presence of atherosclerosis and/or vascular dysfunction in the coronary, carotid and peripheral arteries in asymptomatic type 2 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria that received intensive multifactorial treatment.

METHODS AND RESULTS

P-NT-proBNP was measured in 200 asymptomatic type 2 patients without known cardiac disease that received intensive multifactorial treatment for CV risk reduction. Patients were examined for coronary, carotid and peripheral atherosclerosis, as defined by coronary calcium score≥400, carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT)>0.90 mm, ankle-brachial index<0.90, and/or toe-brachial index<0.64, respectively. Carotid artery compliance was also determined and the reactive hyperaemia index (RHI) measured by peripheral artery tonometry was used as a surrogate for endothelial function.P-NT-proBNP was associated with atherosclerosis in the unadjusted analysis, but not after adjustment for conventional risk factors. P-NT-proBNP was not associated with vascular dysfunction. The prevalence of atherosclerosis in the coronary, carotid and peripheral arteries was 35%, 10% and 21% of all patients, respectively. In total 49% had atherosclerosis in one territory and 15.6% and 1.0% in two and three territories. Low RHI was an independent predictor of coronary atherosclerosis (odds ratio [CI], 2.60 [1.15-5.88] and systolic blood pressure was the only independent determinant of CIMT (0.02 mm increase in CIMT per 10 mmHg increase in systolic blood pressure [p=0.003]).

CONCLUSIONS

Half of asymptomatic patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and microalbuminuria had significant atherosclerosis in at least one vascular territory despite receiving intensive multifactorial treatment for CV risk reduction. Coronary atherosclerosis was most prevalent, whereas carotid disease was more rarely observed. RHI but not plasma NT-proBNP was predictive of coronary atherosclerosis.

Osteoprotegerin and coronary artery disease in type 2 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria

Objective

Plasma osteoprotegerin (P-OPG) is an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease in diabetic and other populations. OPG is a bone-related glycopeptide produced by vascular smooth muscle cells and increased P-OPG may reflect arterial damage. We investigated the correlation between P-OPG and coronary artery disease (CAD) in asymptomatic type 2 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria.

Methods

P-OPG was measured in 200 asymptomatic diabetic patients without known cardiac disease. Patients with P-NT-proBNP >45.2 ng/l and/or coronary calcium score (CCS) ≥400 were stratified as high risk of CAD (n = 133), and all other patients as low risk patients (n = 67). High risk patients were examined by myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI; n = 109), and/or CT-angiography (n = 20), and/or coronary angiography (CAG; n = 86). Significant CAD was defined by presence of significant myocardial perfusion defects at MPI and/or >70% coronary artery stenosis at CAG.

Results

Significant CAD was demonstrated in 70 of the high risk patients and of these 23 patients had >70% coronary artery stenosis at CAG. Among high risk patients, increased P-OPG was an independent predictor of significant CAD (adjusted odds ratio [CI] 3.11 [1.01-19.54] and 3.03 [1.00-9.18] for second and third tertile vs.first tertile P-OPG, respectively) and remained so after adjustments for NT-proBNP and CCS. High P-OPG was also associated with presence of >70% coronary artery stenosis(adjusted odds ratio 14.20 [1.35-148.92] for third vs. first tertile P-OPG), and 91% of patients with low (first tertile) P-OPG did not have >70% coronary artery stenosis.

Conclusions

Elevated P-OPG is an independent predictor of the presence of CAD in asymptomatic type 2 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria.

Effect of adjunct metformin treatment on levels of plasma lipids in patients with type 1 diabetes

BACKGROUND

In addition to its glucose-lowering effect, metformin treatment has been suggested to improve lipidaemia in patients with type 2 diabetes. In contrast, in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1DM), information about the effect of metformin treatment on lipidaemia is limited. In this study, we report the effect of a 1-year treatment with metformin vs. placebo on plasma lipids in T1DM patients and persistent poor glycaemic control.

METHODS

One hundred T1DM patients with haemoglobinA(1c) (HbA(1c)) > or =8.5% during the year before enrolment entered a 1-month run-in period on placebo treatment. Thereafter, patients were randomized (baseline) to treatment with either metformin (1000 mg twice daily) or placebo for 12 months (double masked). Patients continued ongoing insulin therapy and their usual outpatient clinical care. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and after 1 year.

RESULTS

After 1 year, in those patients who did not start or stop statin therapy during the trial, metformin treatment significantly reduced total and LDL cholesterol by approximately 0.3 mmol/l compared with placebo (p = 0.021 and p = 0.018 respectively). Adjustment for statin use or known cardiovascular disease did not change conclusions. In statin users (metformin: n = 22, placebo: n = 13), metformin significantly lowered levels of LDL and non-HDL cholesterol by approximately 0.5 mmol/l compared with placebo (adjusted for changes in statin dose or agent: p = 0.048 and p = 0.033 respectively). HbA(1c) (previously reported) was not significant different between treatments.

CONCLUSION

In patients with poorly controlled T1DM, at similar glycaemic levels, adjunct metformin therapy during 1 year significantly lowered levels of proatherogenic cholesterolaemia independent of statin therapy.

Time to consider ACE insertion/deletion genotypes and individual renoprotective treatment in diabetic nephropathy?

One reason for the inadequacy of current renoprotective therapy and the persistent poor renal prognosis in diabetic nephropathy is the large interindividual variation in response to treatment. Genetic as well as non-genetic factors are known to influence treatment efficacy. This Commentary summarizes the impact of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion polymorphism in the ACE gene on initiation and progression of diabetic nephropathy.

[Pseudomonas aeruginosa as the cause of meningitis in a patient with epidural catheter]

A case of epidural infection following epidural catheterization is presented. The clinical signs initially were backpain and a small swelling at the site of insertion. Treatment with dicloxacillin was begun, presuming a Staphylococcus-infection. The symptoms persisted. Weeks later the patient developed meningitis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was cultivated. Antibiotic treatment was changed to ceftazidime, netilmycin and ciprofloxacin. Complete recovery followed.