Effects of empagliflozin on progression of chronic kidney disease: a prespecified secondary analysis from the empa-kidney trial

BACKGROUND

Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors reduce progression of chronic kidney disease and the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in a wide range of patients. However, their effects on kidney disease progression in some patients with chronic kidney disease are unclear because few clinical kidney outcomes occurred among such patients in the completed trials. In particular, some guidelines stratify their level of recommendation about who should be treated with SGLT2 inhibitors based on diabetes status and albuminuria. We aimed to assess the effects of empagliflozin on progression of chronic kidney disease both overall and among specific types of participants in the EMPA-KIDNEY trial.

METHODS

EMPA-KIDNEY, a randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial, was conducted at 241 centres in eight countries (Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the UK, and the USA), and included individuals aged 18 years or older with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 20 to less than 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2, or with an eGFR of 45 to less than 90 mL/min per 1·73 m2 with a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) of 200 mg/g or higher. We explored the effects of 10 mg oral empagliflozin once daily versus placebo on the annualised rate of change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR slope), a tertiary outcome. We studied the acute slope (from randomisation to 2 months) and chronic slope (from 2 months onwards) separately, using shared parameter models to estimate the latter. Analyses were done in all randomly assigned participants by intention to treat. EMPA-KIDNEY is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03594110.

FINDINGS

Between May 15, 2019, and April 16, 2021, 6609 participants were randomly assigned and then followed up for a median of 2·0 years (IQR 1·5-2·4). Prespecified subgroups of eGFR included 2282 (34·5%) participants with an eGFR of less than 30 mL/min per 1·73 m2, 2928 (44·3%) with an eGFR of 30 to less than 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2, and 1399 (21·2%) with an eGFR 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2 or higher. Prespecified subgroups of uACR included 1328 (20·1%) with a uACR of less than 30 mg/g, 1864 (28·2%) with a uACR of 30 to 300 mg/g, and 3417 (51·7%) with a uACR of more than 300 mg/g. Overall, allocation to empagliflozin caused an acute 2·12 mL/min per 1·73 m2 (95% CI 1·83-2·41) reduction in eGFR, equivalent to a 6% (5-6) dip in the first 2 months. After this, it halved the chronic slope from -2·75 to -1·37 mL/min per 1·73 m2 per year (relative difference 50%, 95% CI 42-58). The absolute and relative benefits of empagliflozin on the magnitude of the chronic slope varied significantly depending on diabetes status and baseline levels of eGFR and uACR. In particular, the absolute difference in chronic slopes was lower in patients with lower baseline uACR, but because this group progressed more slowly than those with higher uACR, this translated to a larger relative difference in chronic slopes in this group (86% [36-136] reduction in the chronic slope among those with baseline uACR <30 mg/g compared with a 29% [19-38] reduction for those with baseline uACR ≥2000 mg/g; ptrend<0·0001).

INTERPRETATION

Empagliflozin slowed the rate of progression of chronic kidney disease among all types of participant in the EMPA-KIDNEY trial, including those with little albuminuria. Albuminuria alone should not be used to determine whether to treat with an SGLT2 inhibitor.

FUNDING

Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly.

Impact of primary kidney disease on the effects of empagliflozin in patients with chronic kidney disease: secondary analyses of the EMPA-KIDNEY trial

BACKGROUND

The EMPA-KIDNEY trial showed that empagliflozin reduced the risk of the primary composite outcome of kidney disease progression or cardiovascular death in patients with chronic kidney disease mainly through slowing progression. We aimed to assess how effects of empagliflozin might differ by primary kidney disease across its broad population.

METHODS

EMPA-KIDNEY, a randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial, was conducted at 241 centres in eight countries (Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the UK, and the USA). Patients were eligible if their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 20 to less than 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2, or 45 to less than 90 mL/min per 1·73 m2 with a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) of 200 mg/g or higher at screening. They were randomly assigned (1:1) to 10 mg oral empagliflozin once daily or matching placebo. Effects on kidney disease progression (defined as a sustained ≥40% eGFR decline from randomisation, end-stage kidney disease, a sustained eGFR below 10 mL/min per 1·73 m2, or death from kidney failure) were assessed using prespecified Cox models, and eGFR slope analyses used shared parameter models. Subgroup comparisons were performed by including relevant interaction terms in models. EMPA-KIDNEY is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03594110.

FINDINGS

Between May 15, 2019, and April 16, 2021, 6609 participants were randomly assigned and followed up for a median of 2·0 years (IQR 1·5-2·4). Prespecified subgroupings by primary kidney disease included 2057 (31·1%) participants with diabetic kidney disease, 1669 (25·3%) with glomerular disease, 1445 (21·9%) with hypertensive or renovascular disease, and 1438 (21·8%) with other or unknown causes. Kidney disease progression occurred in 384 (11·6%) of 3304 patients in the empagliflozin group and 504 (15·2%) of 3305 patients in the placebo group (hazard ratio 0·71 [95% CI 0·62-0·81]), with no evidence that the relative effect size varied significantly by primary kidney disease (pheterogeneity=0·62). The between-group difference in chronic eGFR slopes (ie, from 2 months to final follow-up) was 1·37 mL/min per 1·73 m2 per year (95% CI 1·16-1·59), representing a 50% (42-58) reduction in the rate of chronic eGFR decline. This relative effect of empagliflozin on chronic eGFR slope was similar in analyses by different primary kidney diseases, including in explorations by type of glomerular disease and diabetes (p values for heterogeneity all >0·1).

INTERPRETATION

In a broad range of patients with chronic kidney disease at risk of progression, including a wide range of non-diabetic causes of chronic kidney disease, empagliflozin reduced risk of kidney disease progression. Relative effect sizes were broadly similar irrespective of the cause of primary kidney disease, suggesting that SGLT2 inhibitors should be part of a standard of care to minimise risk of kidney failure in chronic kidney disease.

FUNDING

Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, and UK Medical Research Council.

Impact of COVID-19 on Long-Term Care Service Utilization of Older Home-Dwelling Adults in Japan

OBJECTIVES

The COVID-19 outbreak severely affected long-term care (LTC) service provision. This study aimed to quantitatively evaluate its impact on the utilization of LTC services by older home-dwelling adults and identify its associated factors.

DESIGN

A retrospective repeated cross-sectional study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Data from a nationwide LTC Insurance Comprehensive Database comprising monthly claims from January 2019 to September 2020.

METHODS

Interrupted time series analyses and segmented negative binomial regression were employed to examine changes in use for each of the 15 LTC services. Results of the analyses were synthesized using random effects meta-analysis in 3 service types (home visit, commuting, and short-stay services).

RESULTS

LTC service use declined in April 2020 when the state of emergency (SOE) was declared, followed by a gradual recovery in June after the SOE was lifted. There was a significant association between decline in LTC service use and SOE, whereas the association between LTC service use and the status of the infection spread was limited. Service type was associated with changes in service utilization, with a more precipitous decline in commuting and short-stay services than in home visiting services during the SOE. Service use by those with dementia was higher than that by those without dementia, particularly in commuting and short-stay services, partially canceling out the decline in service use that occurred during the SOE.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

There was a significant decline in LTC service utilization during the SOE. The decline varied depending on service types and the dementia severity of service users. These findings would help LTC professionals identify vulnerable groups and guide future plans geared toward effective infection prevention while alleviating unfavorable impacts by infection prevention measures. Future studies are required to examine the effects of the LTC service decline on older adults.

Combination treatment with statins and bezafibrate induces myotoxicity via inhibition of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate biosynthesis and Rho activation in L6 myoblasts and myotube cells

Statins and fibrates are frequently used to treat hyperlipidemia; however, these drugs may have adverse effects such as rhabdomyolysis. The incidence of rhabdomyolysis due to fibrates and statins is low (0.0028-0.0096%) when administered as monotherapy, however it increases to 0.015-0.021% when the drugs are used in combination. The mechanism underlying myotoxicity induced by the combination of statins and fibrates is yet unclear. Here, we investigated the mechanisms underlying induced myotoxicity in rat myoblasts L6 and differentiated L6 cells (myotubes) using a combination of statins and fibrates. We found that cell death induced by a combination of fluvastatin or simvastatin with bezafibrate or fenofibrate in L6 myoblasts and myotubes was mediated by inhibition of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) production. Additionally, the drug combination inhibited Rho activation in L6 myoblasts and myotube cells. In L6 myoblasts, the combination of statins and bezafibrate enhanced p27 expression and induced G1 arrest and apoptosis. Furthermore, combined treatment suppressed Akt activation and enhanced Bim expression in L6 myotubes but did not affect extracellular regulated protein kinase 1/2 activation. These results suggested that combined administration of statins and fibrates induced death of L6 myoblasts and myotube cells by inhibiting GGPP biosynthesis and Rho pathway activation. Supplementation with GGPP may be therapeutically beneficial for preventing myotoxicity associated with combined statin and fibrates treatment.

The effectiveness of strict low-density lipoprotein cholesterol management in secondary prevention of Japanese patients

Background

In Japanese guidelines, target value of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) &lt;100mg/dL is recommended as standard management for secondary prevention of coronary artery disease. On the other hand, the guidelines also state that LDL-C targeting &lt;70mg/dL should be considered in high-risk patients. However, the effectiveness of strict LDL-C management in the prevention of long-term coronary event recurrence in Japanese patients remains unclear.

Purpose

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate whether the strict management of LDL-C targeting &lt;70 mg/dL was effective to prevent recurrence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) than standard management in patients with previous percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

From January 2007 to August 2020, we performed coronary angiography in 359 patients with previous PCI who were suspected of having signs of recurrent cardiac ischemia. Patients were stratified into three groups according to achieved LDL-C value; &lt;70mg/dL (n=57), 70 to &lt;100mg/dL (n=135) and ≥100mg/dL (n=167). In addition, patients who had previous ACS and/or diabetes mellitus were defined as high-risk group, and sub-analysis by their achieved LDL-C values was performed in high-risk group and non-high-risk group. Endpoint was recurrence of ACS. Moreover, risk factors associated with recurrent-ACS were examined in patients with LDL-C &lt;100 mg/dL.

Results

After follow-up (median 6.1 years), 99 patients (28%) had recurrent-ACS. Recurrent-ACS was significantly lower in patients with LDL-C &lt;70mg/dL than LDL-C 70 to &lt;100mg/dL and LDL-C ≥100mg/dL (p&lt;0.01 and p&lt;0.001, respectively). In sub-analysis, high-risk group with LDL-C &lt;70 mg/dL had lower incidence of recurrent-ACS than LDL-C 70 to &lt;100 mg/dL (p=0.03). Similar tendency was found in non-high-risk group (p=0.08). There was no difference of recurrent-ACS between high-risk group and non-high-risk group in patients with LDL-C &lt;70mg/dL (p=0.41). Moreover, in patients with achieved LDL-C &lt;100mg/dL (n=192), multivariate analysis identified that LDL-C (HR: 1.032, p&lt;0.01) and HbA1c (HR: 1.330, p&lt;0.01) were independent predictors of recurrent-ACS. In these patients, whether or not they were in the high-risk group was not a significant predictor (p=0.61).

Conclusions

Strict management of LDL-C targeting &lt;70 mg/dL should be considered for a wider range of Japanese patients as well as for Westerners to prevent recurrence of ACS in secondary prevention.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Probability of freedom from ACS

Efficacy and safety of abiraterone acetate plus prednisolone in patients with early metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer who failed first-line androgen-deprivation therapy: a single-arm, phase 4 study

Aim

The aim was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of abiraterone acetate plus prednisolone in patients with chemotherapy-naïve early metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer who failed first-line androgen deprivation therapy.

Methods

Patients with early metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer with confirmed prostate-specific antigen progression within 1-year or prostate-specific antigen progression without having normal prostate-specific antigen level (<4.0 ng/mL) during first-line androgen deprivation therapy were enrolled and administered abiraterone acetate (1000 mg) plus prednisolone (10 mg). A minimum of 48 patients were required according to Simon’s minimax design. The primary endpoint was prostate-specific antigen response rate (≥50% prostate-specific antigen decline by 12 weeks), secondary endpoints included prostate-specific antigen progression-free survival and overall survival. Safety parameters were also assessed.

Results

For efficacy, 49/50 patients were evaluable. Median age was 73 (range: 55–86) years. The median duration of initial androgen deprivation therapy was 32.4 (range: 13.4–84.1) weeks and 48 patients experienced prostate-specific antigen progression within 1-year after initiation of androgen deprivation therapy. prostate-specific antigen response rate was 55.1% (95% confidence interval: 40.2%–69.3%), median prostate-specific antigen–progression-free survival was 24.1 weeks, and median overall survival was 102.9 weeks (95% confidence interval: 64.86 not estimable [NE]). Most common adverse event was nasopharyngitis (15/50 patients, 30.0%). The most common ≥grade 3 adverse event was alanine aminotransferase increased (6/50 patients, 12.0%).

Conclusions

Abiraterone acetate plus prednisolone demonstrated a high prostate-specific antigen response rate of 55.1%, suggesting tumor growth still depends on androgen synthesis in patients with early metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. However, prostate-specific antigen–progression-free survival was shorter than that reported in previous studies. Considering the benefit–risk profile, abiraterone acetate plus prednisolone would be a beneficial treatment option for patients with chemotherapy-naive metastatic prostate cancer who show early castration resistance.

Utility of Mac-2 Binding Protein Glycosylation Isomer to Evaluate Graft Status After Liver Transplantation

Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) is a novel liver fibrosis biomarker, but there are few studies on M2BPGi in liver transplantation (LT) recipients. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of M2BPGi measurement in LT recipients. We collected the clinicopathological data of 233 patients who underwent a liver biopsy at Kyoto University Hospital after LT between August 2015 and June 2019. The median values of M2BPGi in patients with METAVIR fibrosis stages F0, F1, F2, and ≥F3 were 0.61, 0.76, 1.16, and 1.47, respectively, whereas those in patients with METAVIR necroinflammatory indexes A0, A1, and ≥A2 were 0.53, 1.145, and 2.24, respectively. Spearman rank correlation test suggested that the necroinflammatory index had a stronger correlation to the M2BPGi value than the fibrosis stage. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of M2BPGi to predict ≥A1 was 0.75, which was significantly higher than that of any other liver fibrosis and inflammation marker. Patients with a rejection activity index (RAI) of ≥3 had a higher M2BPGi value than those with RAI ≤ 2 (P = 0.001). Patients with hepatitis C virus viremia had a higher M2BPGi value than sustained virological responders or those with other etiologies. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that M2BPGi values are more strongly influenced by necroinflammatory activity and revealed M2BPGi, which has been thought to be a so-called fibrosis marker, as a disease activity marker in transplant recipients. M2BPGi measurement may be useful to detect early stage liver inflammation that cannot be detected by routine blood examination of LT recipients.

Renal arteriolar hyalinosis, not intimal thickening in large arteries, is associated with cardiovascular events in people with biopsy-proven diabetic nephropathy

AIMS

Diabetic nephropathy, a pathologically diagnosed microvascular complication of diabetes, is a strong risk factor for cardiovascular events, which mainly involve arteries larger than those affected in diabetic nephropathy. However, the association between diabetic nephropathy pathological findings and cardiovascular events has not been well studied. We aimed to investigate whether the pathological findings in diabetic nephropathy are closely associated with cardiovascular event development.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study analysed 377 people with type 2 diabetes and biopsy-proven diabetic nephropathy, with a median follow-up of 5.9 years (interquartile range 2.0 to 13.5). We investigated how cardiovascular events were impacted by two vascular diabetic nephropathy lesions, namely arteriolar hyalinosis and arterial intimal thickening, and by glomerular and interstitial lesions.

RESULTS

Of the 377 people with diabetic nephropathy, 331 (88%) and 295 (78%) had arteriolar hyalinosis and arterial intimal thickening, respectively. During the entire follow-up period, those with arteriolar hyalinosis had higher cardiovascular event rates in the crude Kaplan-Meier analysis than those without these lesions (P = 0.005, log-rank test). When fully adjusted for clinically relevant confounders, arteriolar hyalinosis independently predicted cardiovascular events [hazard ratio (HR) 1.99; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12, 3.86], but we did not find any relationship between arterial intimal thickening and cardiovascular events (HR 0.89; 95% CI 0.60, 1.37). Additionally, neither glomerular nor interstitial lesions were independently associated with cardiovascular events in the fully adjusted model.

CONCLUSIONS

Arteriolar hyalinosis, but not intimal thickening of large arteries, was strongly associated with cardiovascular events in people with diabetic nephropathy.

Effectiveness of more strict managements after achievement of standard target value of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in secondary prevention of Japanese patients

Background

In secondary prevention of coronary artery disease, target value of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) &lt;100 mg/dL is recommended as standard management in Japanese guideline. The guideline also stated that strict management of LDL-C targeting &lt;70 mg/dL is considered in some high risk patients. However, in Japanese patients, effectiveness of more strict management of LDL-C lowering therapy for prevention of long-term cardiovascular events remains unclear.

Purpose

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate whether the strict management of LDL-C targeting &lt;70 mg/dL was effective to prevent recurrence of long-term coronary events than standard management in patients with previous percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

We investigated 344 patients with previous PCI who underwent late coronary angiography to examine recurrence of cardiac ischemia beyond the early phase of restenosis from January 2007 to August 2019. Patients were stratified into three groups according to achieved LDL-C value; LDL-C &lt;70mg/dL (n=53), 70 to &lt;100mg/dL (n=130) and ≥100mg/dL (n=161). Endpoints of this study were recurrence of cardiac ischemia presenting as acute coronary syndrome (recurrence-ACS) and any late coronary revascularization.

Results

During average 7.1 years follow-up, 200 patients (58%) underwent any late coronary revascularization. In 94 of those patients, recurrence-ACS was observed. The incidence of recurrence-ACS was significantly lower in patients with achieved LDL-C &lt;70mg/dL than in those with LDL-C 70 to &lt;100mg/dL and LDL-C ≥100mg/dL (p=0.009 and p=0.001, respectively), however, there was no difference between patients with LDL-C 70 to &lt;100mg/dL and LDL-C ≥100mg/dL (p=0.140). Any late revascularization was significantly lower in patients with achieved LDL-C &lt;70mg/dL and in those with LDL-C 70 to &lt;100mg/dL than in those with LDL-C ≥100mg/dL (p=0.002 and p&lt;0.001, respectively), however, no difference was found between patients with LDL-C &lt;70mg/dL and LDL-C 70 to &lt;100mg/dL (p=0.119). Moreover, in patients with achieved LDL-C &lt;100mg/dL (n=183), multivariate analysis identified that LDL-C (HR 1.035, p=0.007) and HbA1c (HR 1.338, p=0.001) were independent predictors of recurrence-ACS. In contrast, only using statins (HR 0.461, p=0.009) was an independent predictor of recurrence-ACS in patients with achieved LDL-C ≥100mg/dL.

Conclusions

LDL-C was the important residual risk of recurrence-ACS even after recommended standard LDL-C lowering management had been achieved. More strict management of LDL-C targeting to &lt;70mg/dL should be considered to prevent recurrence-ACS for wider range of Japanese patients in secondary prevention.

Incidence of late coronary events

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Classification of HFrEF based on echocardiography using machine learning to predict future HFrecEF events

Background

In recent years, there have been sporadic reports of heart failure with recovered ejection fraction (HFrecEF), wherein the left ventricular EF (LVEF) has been improved by considering temporal changes in the LVEF. Although patients with HFrecEF are known to have a better prognosis than other groups, the type of heart failure associated with reduced EF (HFrEF) that subsequently transitions to HFrecEF is yet to be determined.

Purpose

In this study, we examined whether it is possible to predict future HFrecEF events by stratifying the HFrEF using machine learning based on previously recorded echocardiographic indices.

Methods

For 162 patients, with HFrEF and a history of hospitalization owing to heart failure, who underwent echocardiography in a stable hemodynamic state, stratification was performed via machine learning. Regarding temporal changes in the LVEF, 73 patients who underwent another echocardiography under stable conditions were investigated (52 with continued HFrEF and 21 with HFrecEF, with a median follow up of 397 days). HFrEF was defined as a condition for patients with an LVEF of less than 50%, and HFrecEF was defined as a condition for patients who initially had an LVEF of less than 50% but later improved. Patients with severe valvular disease, acute myocardial infarction, acute myocarditis, acute pulmonary embolism, post-cardiac surgery, and pericardial disease were excluded from this group. The random forest method was used as a classification method for machine learning.

Results

When 162 patients with HFrEF were stratified using machine learning, 63 were classified into Cluster 1 and 99 into Cluster 2. Cluster 1 patients showed a significantly higher tendency to transition to HFrecEF than Cluster 2 patients (p=0.001). The Gini coefficient was calculated to identify echocardiographic indices that are important for the purpose of stratification. As a result, LVEF, left ventricular endo-diastolic volume (LVEDV), the thickness of interventricular septum (IVSth), E/A ratio, and the maximum diameter of the inferior vena cava were found to be particularly important. Compared to Cluster 2 patients, Cluster 1 patients exhibited a significantly higher LVEF (41.5±5.9% vs 27.0±7.6%, p&lt;0.001), lower LVEDV (93.6±36.8 mL vs 141.1±51.7 mL, p&lt;0.001), and a higher IVSth (10.8±2.6 mm vs 9.4±2.5 mm, p&lt;0.001).

Conclusion

Stratifying HFrEF via machine learning based on echocardiographic indices can help predict temporal changes in the LVEF and deduce the echocardiographic indices useful for improving LVEF.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

P1354 Prognostic value of the left ventricular longitudinal and circumferential function in patients with takotsubo syndrome during the acute phase

Background

Takotsubo syndrome is generally considered a benign disease with a reversible condition; however, hemodynamic and electrical instability during the acute phase exposes patients to the risk of serious adverse in-hospital events. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of the left ventricular longitudinal and circumferential function in patients with TTS during the acute phase.

Methods

We divided the 27 patients with TTS (77.4 ± 10.2 years old, 21 females) into two groups; the severe group (SG) of 9 patients (in-hospital death, mechanical assist devices such as IABP or ECMO, oozing rupture) and non-severe group (NSG) of 18 patients. The echocardiographic examination on admission, catheter hemodynamic assessment, and laboratory data, and ST-T change in electrocardiogram were compared between two groups.

Results

There were no differences in age, laboratory data, electrocardiogram findings between the two groups. The LVEF was lower in SG (35.3 ± 6.1% vs. 45.9 ± 13.5%, p = 0.03). The index of Ballooning, the ratio of the systolic left ventricular diameter of ballooning segments to that of basal segments, was higher in SG (2.07 ± 0.61% vs.1.60 ± 0.32%, p = 0.016). The circumferential fractional shortening (CFS) of ballooning segments was lower in SG (4.6 ± 3.2% vs. 18.2 ± 8.2%, p = 0.00007), CFS of basal segments was not different between the two groups, and the ratio of CFS of ballooning segments to CFS of basal segments (CFS imbalance index) was lower in SG (5.60 ± 3.84 vs. 10.83 ± 3.92, p = 0.00003). The left ventricular longitudinal fractional shortening was lower in SG (0.12 ± 0.09 vs. 0.46 ± 0.19, p = 0.00003). The absolute value of GLS was lower in SG (7.6 ± 4.3% vs. 13.0 ± 3.6%, p = 0.002). In all three cases of in-hospital death, the CFS imbalance index was lower than 0.14.

Conclusion

In patients with TTS, left ventricular longitudinal and circumferential function could be related to serious adverse in-hospital events.

P1520 Aortic flow reversal caused by aortic regurgitation deteriorates renal function

Background

Chronic kidney disease is a growing public health problem. Renal dysfunction is known as a strong risk factor for cardiovascular disease and end-stage renal failure. The presence of pan-diastolic flow reversal in the abdominal aorta is a very specific sign of severe aortic regurgitation (AR). A higher aortic reverse/forward flow ratio is associated with lower intrarenal forward flow. However, the influence of AR on renal function has been poorly understood. We hypothesized that the aortic flow reversal reduces the renal artery forward flow and accordingly leads to renal dysfunction in patients with severe AR.

Methods

The study consisted of 21 consecutive patients (mean age 69 ± 11 years) with severe AR who underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR). We compared echocardiographic indices and the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) before and 603 ± 541 days after AVR.

Results

Blood pressure was 122 ± 16/54 ± 8 mmHg before AVR and 123 ± 16/76 ± 11 mmHg after AVR. After AVR, left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic dimension decreased from 57 ± 9 to 44 ± 5 mm and LV ejection fraction increased from 58 ± 12 to 60 ± 11 %. Estimated GFR significantly increased from 62.9 ± 18.9 to 71.8 ± 18.1 mL/min per 1.73 m2 after AVR (p = 0.003).

Conclusions An increase in aortic flow reversal caused by severe AR reduces forward flow into the kidney and thereby deteriorates renal function. This study demonstrated a key mediating role of central hemodynamic factors, particularly an exaggerated aortic flow reversal in renal dysfunction and severe AR.

P794Long-term prognostic value of the combination of AHEAD score and wasting syndrome in patients admitted for acute decompensated heart failure with reduced or preserved LV ejection fraction

Background

Comorbidities are associated with poor clinical outcome in heart failure patients (pts). AHEAD (A: atrial fibrillation; H: hemoglobin; E: elderly; A: abnormal renal parameters; D: diabetes mellitus) score has been related to clinical outcomes in acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) pts. On the other hand, heart failure is one of a number of disorders associated with the development of wasting syndrome. Previous studies have reported reduced mortality rates in heart failure patients with increased body mass index (BMI), so-called, obesity paradox. We sought to investigate the prognostic value of the combination of AHEAD score and the cachectic state in ADHF pts, relating to reduced or preserved LVEF (HFrEF or HFpEF).

Methods and results

We studied 303 pts admitted for ADHF and discharged with survival (HFrEF (LVEF <50%); n=163, HFpEF (LVEF ≥50%; n=140). We evaluated AHEAD score (range 0–5, atrial fibrillation, hemoglobin <13 mg/dL for men and 12 mg/dL for women, age >70 years, creatinine >130 μmol/L, and diabetes mellitus) and wasting syndrome was defined as BMI <20 kg/m2 and serum albumin level (Alb) <3.2 g/dl at the discharge. During a follow-up period of 5.1±4.2 years, 121 pts died. At multivariate Cox analysis, AHEAD score and wasting syndrome was significantly and independently associated with the total mortality, in pts with not only HFrEF but also HFpEF. Pts with both high AHEAD score (≥3: AUC 0.625 [0.542–0.709] in HFrEF and ≥3: AUC 0.611 [0514–0.708] in HFpEF, by ROC curve analysis) and wasting syndrome had a higher risk of mortality than those with either and none of them in HFrEF (71% vs 51% vs 40%, p<0.0001, respectively) and HFpEF (78% vs 33% vs 24%, p<0.0001, respectively).

Conclusion

The combination of AHEAD score and wasting syndrome would be useful for stratifying patients at risk for the mortality in ADHF pts, regardless of HFrEF or HFpEF.

P642What is the most important residual risk after achievement of appropriate low-density lipoprotein cholesterol lowering therapy in secondary prevention of Japanese patients?

Background

In secondary prevention of coronary artery disease, target value of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) <100mg/dL with using statins is recommended as standard therapy in Japanese guideline. However, impact of residual risks after achievement of standard LDL-C lowering therapy was not fully examined. Furthermore, there is little information whether more strict management of LDL-C lowering is effective to prevent long-term cardiovascular events than standard management.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between residual risks after achievement of standard LDL-C lowering therapy and long-term coronary events in secondary prevention of Japanese patients.

Methods

From January 2007 to August 2018, 333 patients with previous percutaneous coronary intervention underwent late coronary angiography to examine recurrence of cardiac ischemia beyond the early phase of restenosis. We defined appropriate LDL-C lowering therapy as achieved LDL-C <100mg/dL with using statins. Patients whose achieved LDL-C was <100mg/dL with using statins were classified as Appropriate-group (n=139), and patients who were not using statins or whose achieved LDL-C was ≥100mg/dL were classified as Inappropriate-group (n=194). Endpoints of the study were recurrence of cardiac ischemia as acute coronary syndrome (recurrence-ACS) and any late coronary revascularization.

Results

During average 7.1 years follow-up, 195 patients (59%) underwent any late coronary revascularization. In 91 of those patients, clinical presentation of recurrence-ACS was observed. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis revealed that the incidence of recurrence-ACS and any late coronary revascularization were significantly lower in Appropriate-group than in Inappropriate-group (p=0.017 and p<0.001, respectively). In Appropriate-group, recurrence-ACS was significantly lower in patients with achieved LDL-C <70mg/dL than in those with LDL-C 70 to <100mg/dL (p=0.042), however, any late revascularization was not different between the two groups. On the other hand, in Inappropriate-group, recurrence-ACS was significantly lower in patients with using statins than in those without using statins (p=0.038), and any late revascularization was less frequent in patients with achieved LDL-C <100mg/dL than in those with LDL-C ≥100mg/dL (p=0.035). Moreover, multivariate analysis identified that only LDL-C was an independent predictor of recurrence-ACS in Appropriate-group (HR: 1.047, p=0.006), in contrast, LDL-C (HR: 1.008, p=0.020), using statins (HR: 0.555, p=0.034) and triglyceride (HR: 1.003, p=0.038) were independent predictors of recurrence-ACS in Inappropriate-group.

Conclusions

LDL-C was the most important residual risk of recurrence-ACS even after recommended standard therapy has been achieved. More strict management of LDL-C targeting to <70mg/dL should be considered in secondary prevention of Japanese patients.

P787Long-term prognostic value of the combination of fibrosis-4 index and acute kidney injury in patients with admitted for acute decompensated heart failure

Background

Liver dysfunction in patients with heart failure (HF) is caused by liver congestion, which is related to liver stiffness. It was reported that liver stiffness assessed by non-invasive fibrosis marker such as Fibrosis-4 (FIB4) index (based on age, aspartate aminotransferase [AST] and alanine aminotransferase [ALT] levels, and platelet counts) predicts mortality in HF pts. Acute kidney injury (AKI) during HF treatment is associated with poor outcome in pts admitted for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). However, there is no information available on the long-term prognostic significance of the combination of FIB4 index and AKI in ADHF pts.

Methods and results

We studied 299 ADHF pts with survival discharge. FIB4 index was calculated by the formula: age (yrs) × AST[U/L]/(platelets [103/μL] × (ALT[U/L])1/2). AKI during ADHF treatment was defined according to AKI Network criteria (stage 1: mild, stage 2: moderate, stage 3: severe). During a follow-up period of 4.3±3.3 yrs, 94 pts died. At multivariate Cox analysis, FIB4 index and stage2/3 AKI, but not stage1 AKI, significantly associated with total mortality, independently of prior HF hospitalization and serum sodium and blood urea nitrogen levels after adjustment with BMI, systolic blood pressure, hemoglobin, serum creatinine and albumin levels, left ventricular end-diastolic and left atrial dimension indexes. Pts with both greater FIB4 index (&gt;2.674: median) and stage 2/3 AKI had a significantly higher risk of total mortality than those with none of them. Adjusted hazard ratio in pts with both greater FIB4 index and stage 2/3 AKI was 3.5 (95% CI 1.6–7.7), which was two-fold of that in pts with either of them (1.7 [95% CI 1.1–2.7]).

Conclusion

The combination of FIB4 index and moderate to severe AKI might identify higher risk subset for total mortality in ADHF pts.

P791Long-term prognostic value of pulmonary-systemic pressure ratio in patients admitted for acute decompensated heart failure with reduced or preserved left ventricular ejection fraction

Background

Concomitant presence of pulmonary hypertension in heart failure is associated with increased adverse events and may be related to interventricular uncoupling and impaired cardiac efficiency. It has recently been shown that an increased mean pulmonary artery pressure to mean systemic arterial pressure ratio (MPS ratio), a marker of interventricular coupling and efficiency, is associated with worse clinical outcomes in patients with advanced heart failure. However, there is little information available on the long-term prognostic value of MPS ratio in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), relating to reduced or preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF or HFpEF).

Methods and results

We studied 240 patients admitted for ADHF, who underwent right heart catheterization and were discharged with survival (HFrEF (LVEF≤40%); n=110, HFpEF (LVEF>40%); n=130). MPS ratio was obtained at the admission. During a mean follow-up period of 5.2±4.4 yrs, 59 patients had cardiovascular death (CVD). In both groups with HFrEF and HFpEF, MPS ratio was significantly greater in patients with than without CVD (HFrEF; 0.453±0.101 vs 0.382±0.116, p=0.0035, HFpEF; 0.374±0.118 vs 0.323±0.083, p=0.0091). At multivariate Cox regression analysis, MPS ratio was significantly associated with CVD, independently of eGFR and serum sodium level in HFrEF and HFpEF groups. Patients with high MPS ratio (>0.386 in HFrEF and >0.415 in HFpEF determined by ROC curve analysis) had a significantly increased risk of CVD than those with low MPS ratio in both groups.

Conclusions

MPS ratio could provide the long-term prognostic information in patients admitted for ADHF, regardless of reduced or preserved LVEF.

P5409Plasma volume status provides the additional prognostic information to the Get With the Guidelines-Heart Failure risk score in acute decompensated heart failure patients

Background

The Get with The Guidelines (GWTG) heart failure (HF) risk score was developed in the GWTG inpatient HF registry to predict in-hospital mortality and also reported to be associated with post-discharge long-term outcomes. Plasma volume (PV) expansion plays an essential role in HF. Recently, it has been reported that PV is estimated by a simple formula based on hematocrit and body weight, not using radioisotope assays, and PV status provides prognostic information in patients (pts) with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). However, there is no information available on the long-term prognostic value of the combination of PV status and GWTG-HF risk score in pts admitted for ADHF.

Methods and results

We studied 301 ADHF pts discharged with survival. Variables required for the GWTG-HF risk score were race, age, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, serum levels of blood urea nitrogen and sodium, and the presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. PV status was calculated as the following: Actual PV = (1 − hematocrit) x [a + (b x body weight)] (a=1530 in males and a=864 in females, b=41 in males and b=47.9 in females), Ideal PV = c x body weight (c=39 in males and c=40 in females), and PV status = [(actual PV − ideal PV)/ideal PV] x 100(%). During a follow-up period of 4.3±3.2 yrs, 95 pts had all-cause death (ACD). At multivariate Cox analysis, GWTG-HF risk score and PV status were significantly associated with the total mortality, independently of eGFR and the prior history of heart failure hospitalization, after the adjustment with serum albumin level and anemia. Pts with both high GWTG-HF risk score (≥39 by ROC analysis; AUC 0.655 [0.586–0.724]) and greater PV status (≥8.1% by ROC analysis; AUC 0.624 [0.566–0.692]) had a significantly higher risk of ACD than those with either or none of them (58% vs 30% vs 21%, p<0.0001, respectively).

Conclusion

PV status would provide the additional long-term prognostic information to GWTG-HF risk score in ADHF pts.

P2810Clinical outcomes 1 year after filter protection during percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with attenuated plaque identified by intravascular ultrasound

Background

In the VAMPIRE 3 (VAcuuM asPIration thrombus REemoval 3) trial, we have previously shown that selective use of distal filter protection during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) decreased the incidence of no-reflow phenomenon and was associated with fewer in-hospital serious adverse cardiac events than conventional PCI in patients with attenuated plaque ≥5mm. However, whether the early efficacy of distal embolic protection translate into long term clinical benefit is unknown.

Methods

Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with attenuated plaque ≥5mm were assigned to distal protection (DP) (n=98) or conventional treatment (CT) (n=96). The primary end point of the incidence of no-reflow phenomenon during PCI and the secondary end point of in-hospital serious adverse cardiac events has been reported previously. The rate of a major adverse events, a composite of death from any cause, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or unplanned target vessel revascularization (TVR) at 1 year was the prespecified secondary end point of the trial. All clinical endpoint events were adjudicated by an independent Clinical Event Committee.

Results

Major adverse events at 1 year occurred in 12 patients (12.2%) in the DP group and in 3 patients (3.1%) in the CT group (P=0.029). The difference was driven by a higher risk of TVR (11 [11.2%] vs. 2 [2.1%], p=0.018) in the DP group compared with the CT group. In patients treated with bare metal stents (n=42), major adverse events occurred in 25.0% of the patients in the DP group and in none of the patients in the CT group (P=0.029), whereas in patients treated with drug eluting stents (n=152), rates of major adverse events were similar between the groups (8.1% vs. 3.9%, p=0.32). Rates of cardiac death were not significantly different (1.0% vs. 1.0%, p=1.00). No definite stent thrombosis was observed in either group.

Conclusions

In the VAMPIRE 3 trial of patients with ACS with attenuated plaque ≥5mm, the 1-year rates of major adverse events in the distal protection group were higher than in the conventional treatment group. This effect could be mitigated by the use of drug eluting stents.

Acknowledgement/Funding

This work was supported in part by a grant from Nipro, Boston Scientific Corporation, and Japan Lifeline.

P795Long-term prognostic value of the combination of plasma volume status and pulmonary-systemic pressure ratio in patients admitted with acute decompensated heart failure

Background

Plasma volume (PV) expansion plays an essential role in heart failure and PV status provides prognostic information in patients (pts) with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). On the other hand, concomitant presence of pulmonary hypertension in heart failure is associated with increased adverse events and may be related to interventricular uncoupling and impaired cardiac efficiency. It has recently been shown that an increased mean pulmonary artery pressure to mean systemic arterial pressure ratio (MPS ratio), a marker of interventricular coupling and efficiency, is associated with worse clinical outcomes in patients with advanced heart failure. However, there is no information available on the long-term prognostic value of the combination of PV status and MPS ratio in pts admitted for ADHF.

Methods

We studied 248 pts admitted for ADHF, who underwent right heart catheterization at the admission and were discharged with survival. PV status and MPS ratio were obtained at the admission. PV status was calculated as the following: Actual PV = (1 − hematocrit) x [a + (b x body weight)] (a=1530 in males and a=864 in females, b=41 in males and b=47.9 in females), Ideal PV = c x body weight (c=39 in males and c=40 in females), and PV status = [(actual PV − ideal PV)/ideal PV] x 100(%). The study endpoint was cardiovascular death (CVD).

Results

During a mean follow-up period of 5.2±4.4 yrs, 62 pts had CVD. PV status (10.0±16.2 vs 5.0±15.3%, p=0.03) and MPS ratio (0.408±0.114 vs 0.347±0.102, p=0.0001) were significantly greater in patients with than without CVD. At multivariate Cox regression analysis, PV status and MPS ratio were significantly associated with CVD, independently of prior heart failure hospitalization, eGFR, and serum sodium level and anemia. Patients with greater PV status (> median value = 4.6%) and MPS ratio (> median value = 0.346) had a significantly higher CVD risk than those with either and none of them (44% vs 22% vs 14%, p<0.0001, respectively).

Conclusions

The combination of PV status and MPS ratio might be useful for stratifying patients at risk for CVD in patients with ADHF.

P1031The impact of the duration of atrial fibrillation persistence for arrhythmia free survival in patients undergoing catheter ablation

Background

Catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) is a curable treatment option. However, AF recurrence after CA remains an important problem. Although the success rate has been improved after catheter ablation (CA) in patients with paroxysmal AF (PAF), outcome data after CA for persistent AF (PeAF) are highly variable. Previous studies showed the PeAF is one of independent predictors for AF recurrence in comparison to PAF. However, there are little information available on the prognostic significance of AF duration after CA for AF. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of AF duration on long-term outcomes of AF ablation in patients with PeAF compared with PAF.

Methods

We enrolled 778 consecutive patients, who were referred our institution between August 2015 and December 2017 for undergoing the first time CA for AF. We divided 5 groups (Group 1; PAF (n=442), Group 2; PeAF duration ≤6 months (n=198), Group 3; PeAF duration of 6 months to 2 years (n=87), Group 4; PeAF duration of 2–5 years (n=30) and Group 5; PeAF duration ≥5 years (n=21)). All patients followed up for at least 1 year. Outcome data on recurrence of AF after ablation were collected.

Results

There were no significant differences in baseline clinical characteristics before CA among 5 groups, except for the prevalence of congestive heart failure, left atrial diameter and left ventricular ejection fraction. During a mean follow-up period of 511±298 days, 217 patients had AF recurrence. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that AF recurrence was significantly higher in group 2 compared to group 1 (31% vs 20%, p=0.002) and in group 4 compared to group 3 (83% vs 30%, p<0.0001). However, AF recurrence was no significantly differences between groups 2 and 3 (31% vs 30%, p=0.76) and between groups 4 and 5 (83% vs 81%, p=0.45). Of 217 patients with AF recurrence, 154 patients had undergone multiple procedures. After last procedures, during a mean follow-up period of 546±279 days, 61 patients had AF recurrence. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that AF recurrence was significantly higher in group 2 compared to group 1 (10% vs 3%, P=0.0005) and in group 4 compared with group 3 (35% vs 10%, p=0.0001). However, AF recurrence was no significantly difference between groups 2 and 3 (10% vs 10%, p=0.91) and between groups 4 and 5 (47% vs 35%, p=0.47).

AF Free Survival Curve

Conclusion

Although patients with PeAF within 2 years had significantly higher AF recurrence compared to PAF, AF ablation might still be a good contributor as the first line approach to improve outcomes in patient with PeAF within 2 years.

P2478Prognostic impact and severity assessment of combinational elastography in heart failure patients

Background

Heart failure (HF) causes liver congestion, which is thought to increase liver stiffness. Elastography is a noninvasive method of measuring organ stiffness that was originally developed to evaluate fibrosis caused by liver diseases such as cirrhosis. There are two main techniques of elastography: shear wave imaging and strain imaging. Shear wave imaging varies significantly due to the influence of not only fibrosis but also congestion, inflammation, and jaundice. In contrast, strain imaging in chronic liver disease reflects only the progression of liver fibrosis. We previously presented a method that is measuring both shear wave and strain imaging (combinational elastography) for assessing liver congestion. This study demonstrates the prognostic impact and severity assessment of combinational elastography in HF patients.

Methods

This study included 144 HF patients (age 76.4±12.3, men 67). The velocity of shear wave (Vs) values was measured with shear wave imaging. Fibrosis index (F Index) was calculated by measuring both shear wave and strain imaging.

Results

During a median follow-up of 161 days, 14 deaths or hospitalization for HF was observed. A multivariable cox regression analysis demonstrated that high vs values was dependently correlated with higher mortality rate and HF hospitalization (hazard ratio: 2.31; 95% confidence interval: 1.09–4.89; p=0.029). The Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that high vs (>1.87 m/s) was associated with higher hospitalization rates for HF compared with low vs (≤1.87 m/s, log rank test, p<0.001). F index showed graded elevation as stage of HF progressed (stage A or B, C, D: 1.19±0.43, 1.38±0.56, 2.8±1.32; p<0.001).

Conclusion

Combinational elastography can predict the severity of HF.

Efficiency of acoustic radiation force impulse imaging for the staging of graft fibrosis after liver transplantation

AIM

Liver biopsy is the gold standard for assessing liver fibrosis (LF) after liver transplantation (LT), but its invasiveness limits its utility. This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of liver stiffness measurement (LSM) using acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging to assess LF after LT.

METHODS

Between September 2013 and January 2017, 278 patients who underwent liver biopsy after LT in Kyoto University Hospital (Kyoto, Japan) were prospectively enrolled. Liver stiffness measurement was carried out using ARFI imaging; its value was expressed as shear wave velocity (Vs) [m/s]. The LF was evaluated according to METAVIR score (F0-F4). The diagnostic performance of Vs for F2≤ and F3≤ was assessed and compared with that of laboratory tests using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

RESULTS

The median Vs values increased according to the progression of LF (F0, 1.18 (0.78-1.92); F1, 1.35 (0.72-3.54); F2, 1.55 (1.05-3.37); F3, 1.84 (1.41-2.97)). The Vs had the highest area under the ROC curve (AUROC) for the prediction of both F2 ≤ and F3 ≤ fibrosis (F2, 0.77; and F3, 0.85). With the cut-off value of Vs >1.31, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 89.4%, 53.3%, 37.3%, and 94.2% in predicting F2≤, respectively. Shear wave velocity diagnosed LF better than any laboratory tests regardless of the type of primary disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Acoustic radiation force impulse helps to assess graft LF after LT. The high sensitivity suggested that ARFI might reduce the frequency of liver biopsies by detecting patients who are unlikely to have significant fibrosis after LT. (Unique trial no. UMIN R000028296.).

Clinical and Pathological Analyses of Cases of Acute Vascular Rejection After Kidney Transplantation

BACKGROUND

We performed a clinical and pathological analysis of cases of acute vascular rejection (AVR), characterized by intimal arteritis and transmural arteritis (Banff v score) after kidney transplantation, in an attempt to clarify the mechanisms underlying the development and prognostic significance of AVR.

METHODS

AVR (Banff score: v >0) was diagnosed in 31 renal allograft biopsy specimens (BS) obtained from 31 renal transplant patients receiving follow-up care at the Department of Urology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, between January 2010 and April 2016.

RESULTS

AVR was diagnosed at a median of 124.6 days after transplantation. Among the 31 BS showing evidence of AVR, AVR was mild (v1 in Banff's classification) in 25 cases, moderate (v2) in 6, and severe (v3) in none. We classified the 31 BS with evidence of AVR by their overall histopathological features as follows: isolated v lesions were observed in 6 BS, acute antibody-mediated rejection (AAMR) in 7, acute T-cell-mediated rejection (ATCMR) in 12, and both ATCR and AAMR in 6. Loss of the renal allograft occurred during the observation period in 3 patients, and, of the remaining cases with functioning grafts, deterioration of renal allograft function after biopsy occurred in only 2 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of our study suggest that ATCMR contributes to AVR in 40% to 60% of cases, AAMR in 20% to 40% of cases, and isolated v lesions in 20% of cases. The prognosis of the patient with the graft that had AVR was relatively good under the present immunosuppression protocol and current anti-rejection therapies.