Cardiac resynchronisation therapy and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in non-ischaemic systolic heart failure: extended follow-up of the DANISH trial

Background

In the Danish Study to Assess the Efficacy of Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators [ICDs] in Patients with Non-ischaemic Systolic Heart Failure on Mortality (DANISH) trial, ICD implantation did not provide an overall survival benefit in patients with non-ischaemic systolic heart failure. A high proportion of patients in the DANISH trial received a cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) device, which improves the prognosis in patients with heart failure. Therefore, it is of interest to examine whether the effect of ICD implantation in patients with non-ischaemic systolic heart failure is modified by CRT.

Purpose

Adding 4 years of additional follow-up to the DANISH trial, we examined the effect of ICD implantation according to status with respect to CRT implantation at baseline.

Methods

In the DANISH trial, 556 patients with non-ischaemic systolic heart failure were randomised to receive an ICD and 560 to receive usual clinical care (control). Patients fulfilling indications for a CRT device received a CRT-defibrillator (if randomised to ICD arm) or CRT-pacemaker (if randomised to control arm). In the ICD group, 322 patients (57.9%) received a CRT device; in the control group, 323 patients (57.7%) received a CRT device. In this extended follow-up study, patients were followed until May 18, 2020. The primary outcome was death from any cause; secondary outcomes were cardiovascular death and sudden cardiovascular death.

Results

During a median follow-up of 9.5 years, the ICD group did not have significantly lower all-cause mortality compared with the control group (hazard ratio [HR] 0.89 [95% CI, 0.74–1.08]). The results were independent of whether the patient received a CRT device at randomisation (patients with a CRT device: HR 0.92 [95% CI, 0.72–1.18]; patients without a CRT device: HR 0.86 [95% CI, 0.64–1.14]; P for interaction, 0.72). Similarly, ICD implantation did not reduce rates of cardiovascular death overall (HR 0.87 [95% CI, 0.70–1.09]), and this association was not modified by CRT (patients with a CRT device: HR 0.89 [95% CI, 0.66–1.19]; patients without a CRT device: HR 0.85 [95% CI, 0.60–1.20]; P for interaction, 0.86). The ICD group had significantly lower rates of sudden cardiovascular death in the overall population (HR, 0.60 [95% CI, 0.40–0.92]), and this association was not modified by CRT (patients with a CRT device: HR 0.69 [95% CI, 0.40–1.21]; patients without a CRT device: HR 0.51 [95% CI, 0.26–0.97]; P for interaction, 0.47). See Figure 1 for all results.

Conclusions

In this extended follow-up study of the DANISH trial, the effect of ICD implantation in patients with non-ischaemic systolic heart failure was not modified by CRT.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): The DANISH trial was supported by unrestricted grants from Medtronic, St Jude Medical, Tryg Fonden, and the Danish Heart Foundation. No further funding was obtained for this follow-up study.

Resting and exercise haemodynamic characteristics of patients with advanced heart failure and preserved ejection fraction

Aims

This study aimed to describe haemodynamic features of patients with advanced heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) as defined by the Heart Failure Association (HFA) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).

Methods and results

We used pooled data from two dedicated HFpEF studies with invasive exercise haemodynamic protocols, the REDUCE LAP‐HF (Reduce Elevated Left Atrial Pressure in Patients with Heart Failure) trial and the REDUCE LAP‐HF I trial, and categorized patients according to advanced heart failure (AdHF) criteria. The well‐characterized HFpEF patients were considered advanced if they had persistent New York Heart Association classification of III–IV and heart failure (HF) hospitalization < 12 months and a 6 min walk test distance < 300 m. Twenty‐four (22%) out of 108 patients met the AdHF criteria. On evaluation, clinical characteristics and resting haemodynamics were not different in the two groups. Patients with AdHF had lower work capacity compared with non‐advanced patients (35 ± 16 vs. 45 ± 18 W, P = 0.021). Workload‐corrected pulmonary capillary wedge pressure normalized to body weight (PCWL) was higher in AdHF patients compared with non‐advanced (112 ± 55 vs. 86 ± 49 mmHg/W/kg, P = 0.04). Further, AdHF patients had a smaller increase in cardiac index during exercise (1.1 ± 0.7 vs. 1.6 ± 0.9 L/min/m², P = 0.028).

Conclusions

A significantly higher PCWL and lower cardiac index reserve during exercise were observed in AdHF patients compared with non‐advanced. These differences were not apparent at rest. Therapies targeting the haemodynamic compromise associated with advanced HFpEF are needed.

Resting and exercise hemodynamic determinants of daily activity measured by accelerometer in stable heart failure patients

Background

Patient-worn accelerometer is increasingly used in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) to assess daily activity and and as surrogate endpoint. We examined the association between cardiac physiology and daily activity by patient-worn accelerometer recordings in stable HFrEF patients.

Methods

In this descriptive study, physical average daily accelerometer units (PADA) and total average daily accelerometer unit (TADA) were assessed by a accelerometer recordings. Sixty three stable ambulatory patients with HFrEF, mainly men (92%), mean age 58±10 years, and ejection-fraction 26±4% underwent hemodynamic exercise testing, and accelerometry (Table 1). Patients were divided by PADA in a low and high activity level groups based on counts per minute physical activity.

Results

Patients in the low activity group were older and more frequently treated with diuretics. At rest, the low activity group was characterized by a lower cardiac index (CI) (2.2±0.4 vs. 2.4±0.4 l/min/m2, p=0.01), Stroke volume (SV) (70±19 vs. 81±17 ml, p=0.02) but not pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) (12±5 vs. 11±5 mmHg, p=0.3) (Figure 1). Low activity group reached a lower CI (4.8±1.7 vs. 6.6±1.7 l/min/m2, p&lt;0.001) and SV (94±32 vs. 121±29 ml, p&lt;0.001), but not in PCWP (31±12 vs. 27±8 mmHg, p=0.2) or arterial-venous O2 content difference (A-VO2 diff) (13.00±2.32 vs. 12.96±1.65 ml O2/dl, p=0.9) at peak exercise. The attenuated increase was associated with attenuated increase in SV rther than increase in heart rate (42±23 vs. 52±21 bpm, p=0.07). Finally, CI at peak exercise was the only independent variable associated with PADA after adjusting for age, gender, and BMI (p&lt;0.0001). The PADA and TADA were associated to functional assessments using Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire, but not with New York Heart Association class or N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) (Table 1).

Conclusion

Accelerometer-assessed activity in patients with HFrEF are associated with impairments in LV performance, SV reserve and cardiac output during exercise, to a greater extent than changes in arterial-venous O2 content difference or pulmonary vascular pressures. Accelerometer data may provide information about the functional status that we do not nessecary find in the widely used tools in both research and daily clinical practice.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): This work was supported by the Danish Heart Foundation [grant numbers 17-R116-A7714-22076, 18-R124-A8573-22107]; Steno Diabetes Center Odense, Denmark [grant number 3363] and A.P. Møller Foundation for the Advancement of Medical Science [grant number 17-L-0339]. Table 1. Baseline and regression analysisFigure 1. Change in PCWP and CI by exercise

Effect of empagliflozin in hfref patients treated with angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor an analysis of EMPIRE HF

Introduction

Inhibition of neprilysin/valsartan (ARNi) or sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) in patients with heart failure (HF) and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) has been shown to reduce the risk of Cardiovascular death and hospitalization for HF. Recent trails suggested that SGLT2 reduces the risk for cardiovascular death or hospitalization for HF, regardless of underlying ARNi treatment and that the effect may even be greater in those receiving the combination. Whether there exist an interaction between effect of ARNi and SGLT2 on functional endpoints related to mechanism of action is unknown.

Purpose

This post-hoc analysis of the randomized double-blinded Empire HF trial evaluated the influence of ARNi on the effect of the SGLT2 Empagliflozin on N-terminal prohormone B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), Left ventricular end-systolic and end-diastolic volumes index; (LVESVI) (LVEDVI), left atrial volume index (LAVI), Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) HFrEF patients.

Methods

Empire HF trial randomized 190 patients with HFrEF (LVEF ≤40%) to placebo or empagliflozin (10 mg/day), on top of recommended treatment for HFrEF, for 12 weeks of treatment. A total of 58 (31%) received ARNi at baseline and no patients initiated ARNi during study period.

Results

Patients on ARNi were well-treated with a similar baseline characteristic as those who were not treated with ARNi (Table 1). Patients with ARNi had a lower systolic blood pressure (P=0.01), with a higher NT-proBNP (P&lt;0.001) when compared with those not receiving ARNi. When compared to placebo, empagliflozin did not reduce the ratio of change of NT-proBNP with or without ARNi (0.94 [95% CI, 0.75 to 1.19] pg/ml; P=0.62) and (1.02 [95% CI, 0.86 to 1.22] pg/ml; P=0.78), respectively, adjusted (age, atrial fibrillation) interaction P=0.57. Empagliflozin reduced PCWP regardless of ARNi treatment (with ARNi; −4.9 [95% CI, −9.1 to −0.6] mmHg; P=0.02) and (without ARNi; −2.1 [95% CI, −3.8 to −0.4] mmHg; P=0.01), adjusted interaction P=0.20. Overall, empagliflozin was associated with a reduction in LVESVI, LVEDVI, and LAVI volumes, but no effect on LVEF. However, Empagliflozin combined with ARNi at baseline, significantly reduced LVEDVI (−11.2 [95% CI, −21.2 to −1.2] ml/m2; P=0.03), but not without ARNI (−2.9 [95% CI, −8.7 to 2.9] ml/m2; P=0.32), adjusted interaction P=0.13. Treatment-by-subgroup interaction P-values for LVESVI, LAVI, and LVEF analysis were &gt;0.05 (Figure 1). KCCQ total symptom score were significantly increased in those not receiving ARNi (5.4 [95% CI, 1.1 to 9.6]; P=0.013), but not with ARNi (−4.0 [95% CI, −10.3 to 2.3]; P=0.22), adjusted P=0.02.

Conclusion

In this post hoc analysis the effects on empagliflozin to reduce PCWP and LV volumes were not diminished in patients receiving ARNi, however KCCQ change were diminished in patients receiving ARNi.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): This work was supported by the Danish Heart Foundation [grant numbers 17-R116-A7714-22076, 18-R124-A8573-22107]; Steno Diabetes Center Odense, Denmark [grant number 3363] and A.P. Møller Foundation for the Advancement of Medical Science [grant number 17-L-0339]. Table 1. Baseline characteristicsFigure 1. Change in echo variables +/− ARNi

Increased prevalence of premature coronary atherosclerosis after preeclampsia

Background

Women with preeclampsia have increased risk of manifest coronary artery disease later in life. However, it remains unknown if and when premature coronary atherosclerotic stages can be identified. This knowledge could enable early intervention in women considered at high risk for future manifest coronary artery disease.

Purpose

Using cardiac computed tomography, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of premature coronary atherosclerosis in women with previous preeclampsia in comparison with women from the general population.

Methods

Women, aged 40–55 years, with previous preeclampsia were recruited in the CPH-PRECIOUS study and compared 1:1 with age- and parity-matched women from the CGPS. Both groups underwent a cardiac computed tomography, including a contrast-enhanced coronary computed tomography angiography and a non-contrast coronary artery calcium scoring, as well as an overall assessment of cardiovascular risk factors imbedded in an extensive questionnaire. Cardiac computed tomography examinations were analysed blindly. The main outcome of the study was the prevalence of any coronary atherosclerosis defined as any plaque at coronary computed tomography angiography or a calcium score &gt;0 in case of a non-diagnostic coronary computed tomography angiography.

Results

A total of 1,424 women were included (715 women with previous preeclampsia and 709 controls from the general population). Women with previous preeclampsia were more likely to have cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes mellitus). The prevalence of any coronary atherosclerosis was significantly higher in the preeclampsia group (27.4% vs. 20.0%) (P=0.001). A calcium score &gt;0 was also more prevalent in the preeclampsia group (16.6% vs. 11.8%) (P=0.009). Preeclampsia remained an independent risk factor for the presence of any coronary atherosclerosis after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors (age, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes, smoking, body mass index, parity) (OR=1.37, 95% CI (1.05–1.79), P=0.021).

Conclusion

Women with previous preeclampsia are more likely show premature signs of coronary atherosclerosis compared with an age- and parity matched control group from the general population. Preeclampsia is an independent risk factor for premature coronary atherosclerosis.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): The Danish Heart FoundationSkibsreder Per Henriksen, R og Hustrus FondKong Christian den Tiendes FondBrødrene Hartmanns FondHans og Nora Buchards FondArvid Nilssons FondAnita og Tage Therkelsens FondLægefondenAase og Ejnar Danielsens FondHjertecentrets Forskningsudvalg (Rigshospitalet)Direktør Kurt Bønnelycke og Hustru Fru Grethe Bønnelyckes FondLægeforeningens ForskningsfondTorben & Alice Frimodt FondHenry og Astrid Møllers Fond

One-year mortality risk after new onset comorbidity and worsening heart failure in patients with chronic heart failure

Background

Heart failure (HF) is a progressive disease characterized by risk of congestion and often accompanied by a significant burden of comorbidities. At the time of HF diagnosis, these are associated with a poor outcome, but it is relatively unknown whether hospitalization due to new-onset comorbidities carries the same subsequent mortality risk as hospitalization for worsening HF.

Purpose

To assess one-year mortality risk after hospitalization due to new-onset chronic comorbidity compared to a hospitalization with worsening HF in a nationwide cohort of patients with HF.

Methods

In Danish administrative registers, we identified all patients, aged 40–95 years with a first-time HF diagnosis from 2000 through 2016. Patients were included if they survived the initial 120 days and collected prescribed renin-angiotensin system inhibitor and beta-blocker. In analyses stratified on age and baseline burden of comorbidity (based on Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) excluding myocardial infarction and HF, we estimated absolute one-year mortality risk continuously during follow-up, using landmarking and flexible semi-parametric methods. If a patient had a comorbidity hospitalization equivalent to an increase in his/ her CCI or a HF hospitalization, one-year mortality risk was estimated immediately hereafter. In analyses assuming constant risks during follow-up, we calculated absolute risks and risk ratios for new comorbidity- or HF hospitalizations compared to patients without events.

Results

We included 81,788 patients, median age 72 (Q1-Q3:63–80), 36% women. At baseline, 57% had CCI=0, 22% CCI=1, 9% CCI=2 and 12% CCI≥3. High age and baseline CCI were associated with increased mortality risk throughout follow-up. Both new comorbidity- and HF hospitalizations at any time during follow-up were associated with increased mortality risk (p&lt;0.001) (Figure), and the risk was approximately constant over time. Among patients with baseline CCI=0, new-onset comorbidity (incident increase in CCI) was associated with a higher mortality risk than a HF hospitalization in all age groups, risk ratios with “no event” as reference: Age 40–64: 5.4 (95%-CI: 4.5–6.4) vs 2.5 (95%-CI: 2.1–2.9); age 65–74: 4.2 (95%-CI: 3.7–4.7) vs 2.2 (95%-CI: 1.9–2.5); age 75–84: 3.4 (95%-CI: 3.2–3.7) vs 2.3 (95%-CI: 2.1–2.5) and age 85–95: 2.6 (95%-CI: 2.4–2.8) vs 2.2 (95%-CI: 2.0–2.4) (figure). Across all strata, new-onset comorbidity was associated with at least similar risk as a HF hospitalization at any time during follow-up.

Conclusions

For patients with HF, hospitalization for new-onset chronic comorbidity was associated with at least the same mortality risk as worsening HF, independently of age. This finding highlights the prognostic impact of comorbidity for patients with HF and warrants further investigations in the mechanisms underlying the mortality.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Danish Heart Foundation

P765One-year mortality risk after intensification of outpatient diuretics

Background

Mortality is increased following a hospitalization for heart failure (HF). It is not clear whether outpatient intensification of diuretic confers the same increased risk in the general population with heart failure

Purpose

This study sought to assess 1-year mortality risk after worsening HF, defined either as hospitalization due to HF or as intensified diuretic therapy in an outpatient setting, in a complete nationwide cohort of patients with HF on angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors/ angiotensin receptor blocker and beta blockers.

Methods

From nationwide administrative registers, we identified all patients in Denmark diagnosed with HF in 2001–2016 and prescribed angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor/ angiotensin receptor blocker and beta blocker within 120 days. During follow-up we defined worsening HF by the following events: Inpatient worsening (HF readmission) and outpatient worsening (intensified diuretic therapy, defined as the first event of new addition or doubled dosage of loop diuretic therapy or new onset addition of thiazide to loop diuretic therapy). Patients with a worsening event were risk set matched to two HF controls each at time of the event – based on age, sex and calendar year. One-year mortality risk was estimated with Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox regression models.

Results

We included 74,990 patients, median age 71 years (interquartile range: 62–79), 36% women. During five years of follow up, 8,727 patients had an inpatient worsening event, and 12,290 had an outpatient worsening event as first event. Absolute risk of 1-year mortality was 22.6% (95%-confidence interval (95%-CI): 21.7%-23.5%) after inpatient worsening, 18.0% (95%-CI: 17.3%-18.7%) after outpatient worsening compared to 9.8% (95%-CI: 9.5%-10.1%) for the matched controls. In a multivariable Cox model adjusted ischemic heart disease, atrial fibrillation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes, the hazard ratio for mortality among patients experiencing inpatient worsening was 2.46 (95%-CI: 2.33–2.60) and for outpatient worsening was 1.87 (95%-CI: 1.77–1.97), compared with the matched HF controls as reference (figure 1). Among patients who had an outpatient worsening as first event, 1,245 (10.1%) had a subsequent HF readmission within one year.

Conclusion

In a nationwide cohort of patients with HF, outpatient worsening defined by a diuretic intensification was associated with almost 2-fold risk of mortality during the next year. Although HF hospitalization is associated with a higher risk, the need to intensify diuretics in the outpatient setting is a signal to review and intensify efforts to improve HF outcomes.

Acknowledgement/Funding

The Danish Heart Foundation, (grant number 17-R116-A7610-22048)

P4533Duration of heart failure and effect of defibrillator implantation in patients with non-ischemic systolic heart failure

Introduction

Patients with non-ischemic systolic heart failure have increased risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) and death from progressive pump failure. Whether the risk of SCD changes over time is unknown. We seek to investigate the relationship between duration of heart failure, mode of death, and effect of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation.

Methods

We examined the risk of all-cause death and SCD according to the duration of heart failure among patients with non-ischemic systolic heart failure enrolled in the Danish Study to Assess the Efficacy of ICDs in Patients with Non-ischemic Systolic Heart Failure on Mortality (DANISH) trial. Patients were divided according to quartiles of heart failure duration (Q1 ≤8 months, Q2 9 ≤18 months, Q3 19 ≤65 months, Q4 ≥66 months).

Results

A total number of 1116 patients were included. Patients with the longest duration of heart failure were older, more often men, had more comorbidity, and more often received cardiac resynchronizing therapy device. Doubling of heart failure duration was an independent predictor of both all-cause mortality (HR 1.26 95% CI 1.17–1.37, p<0.0001), and SCD (HR 1.29 95% CI 1.11–1.49, p=0.0009). The proportion of deaths caused by SCD was not different between heart failure quartiles (p=0.91), and the effect of ICD implantation on all-cause mortality was not modified by the duration of heart failure (p=0.59).

Duration of heart failure and death

Conclusions

Duration of heart failure predicted both all-cause mortality and risk of SCD independently of other risk indicators. However, the proportion of death caused by SCD did not change with longer duration of heart failure and the effect of ICD was not modified by the duration of heart failure.

Acknowledgement/Funding

The work was sponsored by The Danish Heart Foundation (Hjerteforeningen) and the Lundbeck Foundation (Lundbeckfonden). The DANISH trial was supported

5036Increased 1-year mortality among patients discharged following hospitalization for pericarditis - a nationwide cohort study

Background

Pericarditis accounts for 5% of all chest pain referrals to the emergency department and is generally considered a benign condition. However, recent studies suggested that pericarditis can be an early predictor of malignant disease, but data on mortality and other morbidity after incident pericarditis is lacking.

Purpose

To assess mortality risk and hospitalization patterns in patients with incident pericarditis.

Methods

In nationwide Danish registries we identified patients discharged from hospital with a first-time diagnosis of pericarditis from 1996 to 2016. Patients with prior myocarditis, heart failure, myocardial infarction and recent thoracic surgery were excluded.

The patients were risk set matched with 8 controls each from the general population on sex and year of birth. We assessed 1-year mortality risk using Kaplan Meier and logistic regression adjusted for baseline comorbidities; cerebrovascular disease, chronic obstructive lung disease, cardiac dysrhythmias, ischaemic heart disease and malignancy. We identified subsequent hospital admissions due to new onset cardiovascular-, respiratory- or malignant disease. Differences in frequencies between the pericarditis group and controls were calculated with Chi squared test.

Results

We identified 8,077 patients with pericarditis, median age 45 years (IQR: 32–59) and 75.6% were men. The absolute 1-year mortality was 2.9% in patients with pericarditis compared to 0.8% in the control group (p<0.001) (Figure 1).

The adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1-year mortality was 2.79 (95%-CI: 2.14–3.65, p<0.001). Within the first year after incident pericarditis, hospital admission due to recurrent pericarditis was observed in 10.6% of the patients. Further, we observed significantly higher frequencies of other hospital admissions compared to the matched controls; cardiovascular disease: 4.6% vs, 1.2%, p>0.001, respiratory disease: 3.4% vs. 0.7%, p>0.001) and malignant disease: 1.4% vs. 0.5%, p>0.001).

Figure 1

Conclusion

In a nationwide cohort of patients discharged from hospital with incident pericarditis, we observed more than a triple 1-year mortality compared to age- and sex matched controls. Further, we observed a higher frequency of both cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular hospital admissions, highlighting the need for more focus on underlying morbidity in patients presenting with pericarditis.

Levosimendan in Acute and Advanced Heart Failure: an Expert Perspective on Posology and Therapeutic Application

Levosimendan, a calcium sensitizer and potassium channel-opener, is widely appreciated by many specialist heart failure practitioners for its effects on systemic and pulmonary hemodynamics and for the relief of symptoms of acute heart failure. The drug’s impact on mortality in large randomized controlled trials has been inconsistent or inconclusive but, in contrast to conventional inotropes, there have been no indications of worsened survival and some signals of improved heart failure-related quality of life. For this reason, levosimendan has been proposed as a safer inodilator option than traditional agents in settings, such as advanced heart failure. Positive effects of levosimendan on renal function have also been described. At the HEART FAILURE 2018 congress of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology, safe and effective use levosimendan in acute and advanced heart failure was examined in a series of expert tutorials. The proceedings of those tutorials are summarized in this review, with special reference to advanced heart failure and heart failure with concomitant renal dysfunction. Meta-analysis of clinical trials data is supportive of a renal-protective effect of levosimendan, while physiological observations suggest that this effect is exerted at least in part via organ-specific effects that may include selective vasodilation of glomerular afferent arterioles and increased renal blood flow, with no compromise of renal oxygenation. These lines of evidence require further investigation and their clinical significance needs to be evaluated in specifically designed prospective trials.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Disease Despite Weekly Preemptive CMV Strategy for Recipients of Solid Organ and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Background

Transplant recipients presenting with cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease at the time of diagnosis of CMV DNAemia pose a challenge to a preemptive CMV management strategy. However, the rate and risk factors of such failure remain uncertain.

Methods

Solid organ transplantation (SOT) and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients with a first episode of CMV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) DNAemia within the first year posttransplantation were evaluated (n = 335). Patient records were reviewed for presence of CMV disease at the time of CMV DNAemia diagnosis. The distribution and prevalence of CMV disease were estimated, and the odds ratio (OR) of CMV disease was modeled using logistic regression.

Results

The prevalence of CMV disease increased for both SOT and HSCT with increasing diagnostic CMV PCR load and with screening intervals >14 days. The only independent risk factor in multivariate analysis was increasing CMV DNAemia load of the diagnostic CMV PCR (OR = 6.16; 95% confidence interval, 2.09–18.11). Among recipients receiving weekly screening (n = 147), 16 (10.8%) had CMV disease at the time of diagnosis of CMV DNAemia (median DNAemia load 628 IU/mL; interquartile range, 432–1274); 93.8% of these cases were HSCT and lung transplant recipients.

Conclusions

Despite application of weekly screening intervals, HSCT and lung transplant recipients in particular presented with CMV disease at the time of diagnosis of CMV DNAemia. Additional research to improve the management of patients at risk of presenting with CMV disease at low levels of CMV DNAemia and despite weekly screening is warranted.

Subsequent reproductive outcome among women with peripartum cardiomyopathy: a nationwide study

OBJECTIVE

To describe the subsequent reproductive outcome for a Danish nationwide cohort of women with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM).

DESIGN

Nationwide historic cohort study.

SETTING

Secondary and tertiary centres across Denmark.

SAMPLE

Women with PPCM.

METHODS

Sixty-one women with PPCM during 2005-2014 were identified in a nationwide, registry-based study and the diagnosis was validated through audit of patient records. A new search for subsequent reproductive outcome in this cohort from 2005-2016 was conducted in the Danish National Birth Registry and the Danish National Patient Registry. Detailed clinical data were obtained from patient records.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Sterilisations and subsequent reproductive outcomes after PPCM, including all pregnancies, miscarriages, terminations and deliveries.

RESULTS

Of 61 women with PPCM, 13 (21%) had a total of 16 subsequent pregnancies resulting in one miscarriage, seven early terminations, one ectopic pregnancy and seven liveborn children. There were no maternal deaths or significant cardiac events during pregnancy, but one woman, who gave birth to a liveborn child, had a relapse of PPCM 7 weeks postpartum. None of the six women who had a first trimester termination, experienced relapse of PPCM. Of the 13 women with a subsequent pregnancy, 62% had prior to this been advised against a new pregnancy due to the risk of recurrent PPCM. A total of four women (6.6%) were sterilised.

CONCLUSION

Peripartum cardiomyopathy affects women's reproduction with few subsequent pregnancies resulting in a liveborn child. The finding of a 1/7 relapse among women with recovered LVEF is in accordance with most previous studies.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Outcome in pregnancies after peripartum cardiomyopathy: results from the first nationwide study.

The clinical utility of FDG PET/CT among solid organ transplant recipients suspected of malignancy or infection

PURPOSE

Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients are at high risk of developing infections and malignancies. 18F-FDG PET/CT may enable timely detection of these diseases and help to ensure early intervention. We aimed to describe the clinical utility of FDG PET/CT in consecutive, diagnostic unresolved SOT recipients transplanted from January 2004 to May 2015.

METHODS

Recipients with a post-transplant FDG PET/CT performed as part of diagnostic work-up were included. Detailed chart reviews were done to extract relevant clinical information and determine the final diagnosis related to the FDG PET/CT. Based on á priori defined criteria and the final diagnosis, results from each scan were classified as true or false, and diagnostic values determined.

RESULTS

Among the 1,814 recipients in the cohort, 145 had an FDG PET/CT performed; 122 under the indication of diagnostically unresolved symptoms with a suspicion of malignancy or infection. The remaining (N = 23) had an FDG PET/CT to follow-up on a known disease or to stage a known malignancy. The 122 recipients underwent a total of 133 FDG PET/CT scans performed for a suspected malignancy (66 %) or an infection (34 %). Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the FDG PET/CT in diagnosing these conditions were 97, 84, 87, and 96 %, respectively.

CONCLUSION

FDG PET/CT is an accurate diagnostic tool for the work-up of diagnostic unresolved SOT recipients suspected of malignancy or infection. The high sensitivity and NPV underlines the potential usefulness of PET/CT for excluding malignancy or focal infections in this often complex clinical situation.

Everolimus Initiation With Early Calcineurin Inhibitor Withdrawal in De Novo Heart Transplant Recipients: Three-Year Results From the Randomized SCHEDULE Study

In a randomized, open-label trial, de novo heart transplant recipients were randomized to everolimus (3-6 ng/mL) with reduced-exposure calcineurin inhibitor (CNI; cyclosporine) to weeks 7-11 after transplant, followed by increased everolimus exposure (target 6-10 ng/mL) with cyclosporine withdrawal or standard-exposure cyclosporine. All patients received mycophenolate mofetil and corticosteroids. A total of 110 of 115 patients completed the 12-month study, and 102 attended a follow-up visit at month 36. Mean measured GFR (mGFR) at month 36 was 77.4 mL/min (standard deviation [SD] 20.2 mL/min) versus 59.2 mL/min (SD 17.4 mL/min) in the everolimus and CNI groups, respectively, a difference of 18.3 mL/min (95% CI 11.1-25.6 mL/min; p < 0.001) in the intention to treat population. Multivariate analysis showed treatment to be an independent determinant of mGFR at month 36. Coronary intravascular ultrasound at 36 months revealed significantly reduced progression of allograft vasculopathy in the everolimus group compared with the CNI group. Biopsy-proven acute rejection grade ≥2R occurred in 10.2% and 5.9% of everolimus- and CNI-treated patients, respectively, during months 12-36. Serious adverse events occurred in 37.3% and 19.6% of everolimus- and CNI-treated patients, respectively (p = 0.078). These results suggest that early CNI withdrawal after heart transplantation supported by everolimus, mycophenolic acid and steroids with lymphocyte-depleting induction is safe at intermediate follow-up. This regimen, used selectively, may offer adequate immunosuppressive potency with a sustained renal advantage.

Hyponatraemia at hospital admission is a predictor of overall mortality

BACKGROUND

Hyponatraemia is a prognostic marker of increased mortality and morbidity in selected groups of hospitalised patients. The aim of the present study was to examine the prevalence and prognostic significance of hyponatraemia at hospital admission in an unselected population with a broad spectrum of medical and surgical diagnoses.

METHODS

Consecutive patients >40 years of age admitted to a general district hospital in Greater Copenhagen between 1 April 1998 and 31 March 1999. Median follow-up time was 5.16 years (range 0-4372 days). Plasma sodium measurements were available in 2960 patients, and hyponatraemia defined as P-Na(+) <137 mmol/L at hospital admission was present in 1105 (37.3 %) patients.

RESULTS

One-year mortality was higher for hyponatraemic patients than for normonatraemic patients: 27.5% versus 17.7%. Moreover, hyponatraemia was an independent predictor of short and long-term all-cause mortality after 1 year and after the entire observation period respectively: hazard ratio (HR) 1.6 (95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.4-1.9, P < 0.0001) and HR 1.4 (95 % CI 1.3-1.6, P < 0.0001). Patients with hyponatraemia had longer hospitalisations than patients with normonatraemia: 7.6 (±0.38) days vs 5.6 (±0.21) days, P < 0.001. There was no interaction between hyponatraemia at admission and any admission diagnoses (P > 0.05 for all interaction analyses).

CONCLUSION

Hyponatraemia is associated with increased all-cause mortality and longer admission length independently of diagnosis and clinical variables.

The Effect of Everolimus Initiation and Calcineurin Inhibitor Elimination on Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy in De Novo Recipients: One-Year Results of a Scandinavian Randomized Trial

Early initiation of everolimus with calcineurin inhibitor therapy has been shown to reduce the progression of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) in de novo heart transplant recipients. The effect of de novo everolimus therapy and early total elimination of calcineurin inhibitor therapy has, however, not been investigated and is relevant given the morbidity and lack of efficacy of current protocols in preventing CAV. This 12-month multicenter Scandinavian trial randomized 115 de novo heart transplant recipients to everolimus with complete calcineurin inhibitor elimination 7-11 weeks after HTx or standard cyclosporine immunosuppression. Ninety-five (83%) patients had matched intravascular ultrasound examinations at baseline and 12 months. Mean (± SD) recipient age was 49.9 ± 13.1 years. The everolimus group (n = 47) demonstrated significantly reduced CAV progression as compared to the calcineurin inhibitor group (n = 48) (ΔMaximal Intimal Thickness 0.03 ± 0.06 and 0.08 ± 0.12 mm, ΔPercent Atheroma Volume 1.3 ± 2.3 and 4.2 ± 5.0%, ΔTotal Atheroma Volume 1.1 ± 19.2 mm(3) and 13.8 ± 28.0 mm(3) [all p-values ≤ 0.01]). Everolimus patients also had a significantly greater decline in levels of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor-1 as compared to the calcineurin inhibitor group (p = 0.02). These preliminary results suggest that an everolimus-based CNI-free can potentially be considered in suitable de novo HTx recipients.

Clinical Application of Variation in Replication Kinetics During Episodes of Post-transplant Cytomegalovirus Infections

Background

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in transplant recipients is reported to replicate with a doubling time of 1.2–2 days, and weekly screening is recommended for early diagnosis. We re-evaluated these features in our cohort of transplant recipients.

Methods

The CMV doubling time of the first CMV infection in the first year post-transplant could be calculated for 193 recipients of haematopoietic stem cell or solid organ transplantation. Factors determining the proportion of recipients with a high diagnostic CMV viral load (≥ 18,200 IU/mL) were explored using mathematical simulation.

Findings

The overall median doubling time was 4.3 days (IQR 2.5–7.8) and was not influenced by prior CMV immunity, or type of transplantation (p > 0.4). Assuming a fixed doubling time of 1.3 days and screening intervals of 7 or 10 days, 11.1% and 33.3% were projected to have a high CMV viral load at diagnosis, compared to 1.4% and 4.3% if the doubling time varies as observed in our cohort. Consistently, 1.9% of recipients screened weekly had a high diagnostic virus load.

Interpretation

Screening intervals can be extended to 10 days in cohorts with comparable CMV doubling time, whereas shorter than 7 days is required in cohorts with shorter doubling times to maintain pre-emptive screening quality.

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CMV doubling time was longer than previously reported, and not influenced by type of transplantation or prior CMV immunity.

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In cohorts with comparable CMV doubling time, intervals between screening with CMV PCR may be extended from 7 to 10 days.