Sacubitril/valsartan reduces indications for arrhythmic primary prevention in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: insights from DISCOVER-ARNI, a multicenter Italian register

Aims

This sub-study deriving from a multicentre Italian register [Deformation Imaging by Strain in Chronic Heart Failure Over Sacubitril-Valsartan: A Multicenter Echocardiographic Registry (DISCOVER)-ARNI] investigated whether sacubitril/valsartan in addition to optimal medical therapy (OMT) could reduce the rate of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) indications for primary prevention in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) according to European guidelines indications, and its potential predictors.

Methods and results

In this observational study, consecutive patients with HFrEF eligible for sacubitril/valsartan from 13 Italian centres were included. Lack of follow-up or speckle tracking data represented exclusion criteria. Demographic, clinical, biochemical, and echocardiographic data were collected at baseline and after 6 months from sacubitril/valsartan initiation. Of 351 patients, 225 (64%) were ICD carriers and 126 (36%) were not ICD carriers (of whom 13 had no indication) at baseline. After 6 months of sacubitril/valsartan, among 113 non-ICD carriers despite having baseline left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) ≤ 35% and New York Heart Association (NYHA) class = II-III, 69 (60%) did not show ICD indications; 44 (40%) still fulfilled ICD criteria. Age, atrial fibrillation, mitral regurgitation > moderate, left atrial volume index (LAVi), and LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) significantly varied between the groups. With receiver operating characteristic curves, age ≥ 75 years, LAVi ≥ 42 mL/m2 and LV GLS ≥-8.3% were associated with ICD indications persistence (area under the curve = 0.65, 0.68, 0.68, respectively). With univariate and multivariate analysis, only LV GLS emerged as significant predictor of ICD indications at follow-up in different predictive models.

Conclusions

Sacubitril/valsartan may provide early improvement of NYHA class and LVEF, reducing the possible number of implanted ICD for primary prevention in HFrEF. Baseline reduced LV GLS was a strong marker of ICD indication despite OMT. Early therapy with sacubitril/valsartan may save infective/haemorrhagic risks and unnecessary costs deriving from ICDs.

[Acute coronary syndrome after insect bites: a systematic review of available literature]

BACKGROUND

Kounis syndrome is a hypersensitivity coronary disorder induced by exposure to several triggers; the most common are antibiotics, followed by insect bites.

METHODS

We reviewed the literature and identified 66 patients who experienced acute coronary syndrome after insect bites.

RESULTS

The median age was 51 years, and 19.0% were women and only 12% had a history of allergy. The most involved insects were bee and wasp (86%) and the most frequent clinical manifestations were chest pain and anaphylaxis (36% and 29%, respectively). ST-segment elevation was the most common electrocardiographic finding (>70%). There was a not negligible rate of complications (15%), with a possible increased arrhythmic burden in patients without significant coronary atherosclerosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute coronary syndrome after insect bites is not so rare and it could have serious complications, with a possible increased arrhythmic burden in patients without significant coronary atherosclerosis.

Mitral anular plane excursion predicts coronary stenosis during stress echocardiography with dipyridamole

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Dipyridamole stress echocardiography (DSE) is an important tool for detecting reversible ischemia in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD); nonetheless, the results of the test are related to wall motion abnormalities, moderately operator-dependent, and left anterior descending (LAD) artery reserve, resulting in a moderate sensibility and specificity. 

Purpose

Aim Of our study was to evaluate whether an easy-to-use parameter like mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) could be useful to identify CAD during DSE. 

Methods

We prospectively enrolled 512 patients that underwent DSE for suspected CAD; rest and peak MAPSE was acquired; 148 patients were referred to perform coronary angiography, with evidence of severe coronary stenosis in 91 patients.  

The mean age was 66.7 ±11 years, male gender was prevalent (64%). 

MAPSE at the peak was significantly different between patients with CAD and patient without (13,4mm vs 16,81 mm , p < 0.001); in fact, patients with CAD showed a blunted or no increase of MAPSE after dipyridamole infusion, with a significative difference in Delta Mapse (Mapse peak-Mapse rest) between groups ( -0.5mm vs 2.8mm) By using a Receiver Operating Curve, the Area under the curve was 0,764 (0.682-0.846), with the best cut-off value of +0.5mm (Sensibility 77%, Specificity 62% - Figure 1), comparabale with traditional methods like LAD reserve, FE reduction or Wall Motion Score Index. 

Discussion

to our knowledge, this is the first study that compared the behavior of MAPSE during dipyridamole infusion in patients with and without coronary artery disease. MAPSE is a well-known surrogate of longitudinal systolic function and has increased sensitivity over traditional methods of systolic performance such as LV-EF: in this context, dipyridamole induced reversible ischemia could affect prematurely MAPSE then EF or wall motion abnormalities.

In our study, in patients with evidence of reversible ischemia during DSE, a blunted or no increase of MAPSE was able to predict CAD. Incorporating this easy-to-use parameter could improve the specificity of DSE and strengthen the suspect of reversible ischemia when clear wall motion abnormalities are not found.

Abstract Figure. Mean value of Mapse and ROC curve

The usefulness of dipyridamole stress echocardiography in high-risk patients before abdominal aneurism surgery

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

 Coronary artery disease (CAD) and aortic aneurysm (AA) share commons risk factors,

such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, and smoking. Cardiac

assessment before aortic abdominal aneurysm (AAA) surgery is indicated for patients with

symptomatic coronary artery disease (CAD). The usefulness of assessment of moderate/high-risk

patients is still debated. 

Purpose

the purpose of our study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of dipyridamole stress

echocardiography (DSE) for the detection of CAD in patients undergoing AAA surgery with high cardiovascular risk. 

Methods

From 2017th to 2019th 120 patients underwent surgery for aortic aneurysm (71 endovascular technique and 49 with open laparotomy). 

Of these, 74 asymptomatic patients with high cardiovascular risk underwent a pre-surgical contrast-enhanced dipyridamole stress echo (0,84 mg/kg over 6 minutes – protocol with LVO with sulfur hexafluoride), to exclude the presence of inducible myocardial ischemia, Mean follow-up was 6-24 months. 

Results

  Mean age was 77 years +/- 6.6, with male gender prevalent (83%).  No complication during DSE occurred; mean SCORE risk was 9.8% +/- 2.3%, with 63% patients with very high risk.  Only 1 patient showed inducible ischemia during stress echocardiography, with evidence of significant LAD stenosis; no myocardial infarction was reported at follow-up, while 1 ischemic stroke and 1 unplanned revascularization occurred. 

11% of patients died, of which 50% for Sars-Cov-2 disease and 12% due to post-surgery dissection while no cardiac deaths were found.

Conclusions

dipyridamole stress echo is safe in patients with surgical-class abdominal aortic aneurism; in patients with high cardiovascular risk but no symptoms reversible ischemia is rare. DSE should not be routinely performed before high-risk surgery but only in patients with cardiac symptoms.

Air pollution and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest risk

Introduction

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a leading cause of death worldwide; it accounts for up to 50% of all cardiovascular deaths.It is well established that ambient air pollution triggers fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events. However, the impact of air pollution on OHCA is still controversial. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of short-term exposure to outdoor air pollutants on the incidence of OHCA in the urban area of Piacenza, Italy, one of the most polluted area in Europe.

Methods

From 01/01/2010 to 31/12/2017 day-by-day PM10 and PM2.5 levels, as well as climatic data, were extracted from Environmental Protection Agency (ARPA) local monitoring stations. OHCA were extracted from the prospective registry of Community-based automated external defibrillator Cardiac arrest “Progetto Vita”. OHCA data were included: audio recordings, event information and ECG tracings. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the association between the risk of OHC, expressed as odds ratios (OR), associated with the PM10 and PM2.5 levels.

Results

Mean PM10 levels were 33±29 μg/m3 and the safety threshold (50 μg/m3) recommended by both WHO and Italian legislation has been exceeded for 535 days (17.5%). Mean PM 5 levels were 33±29 μg/m3. During the follow-up period, 880 OHCA were recorded on 750 days; the remaining 2174 days without OHCA were used as control days. Mean age of OHCA patients was 76±15 years; male gender was prevalent (55% male vs 45% female; <0.001). Concentration of PM10 and PM 2.5 were significantly higher on days with the occurrence of OHCA (PM10 levels: 37.7±22 μg/m3 vs 32.7±19 μg/m3; p<0.001; PM 2.5 levels: 26±16 vs 22±15 p<0.001). Risk of OHCA was significantly increased with the progressive increase of PM10 (OR: 1.009, 95% CI 1.004–1.015; p<0.001) and PM2.5 levels (OR 1.012, 95% CI 1.007–1.017; p<0.001). Interestingly, the above mentioned results remain independent even when correct for external temperature or season (PM 2.5 levels: p=0.01 – PM 10 levels: p=0.002), Moreover, dividing PM10 values in quintiles, a 1.9 fold higher risk of cardiac arrest has been showed in the highest quintile (Highest quintile cut-off: <48μg/m3)

Conclusions

In large cohort of patients from a high pollution area, both PM10 and PM2.5 levels are associated with the risk of Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

PM10 and PM2.5 levels and risk of OHCA

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Speckle-tracking during dipyridamole stress echocardiography in the detection of myocardial ischemia in patients with suspected coronary artery disease

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the incremental value of global longitudinal strain (GLS), postsystolic strain index (PSI) and prestretch (PSE) by automated function imaging with respect to wall motion (WM) and coronary flow reserve (CFR) for the diagnosis of significant coronary artery disease (CAD) during dipyridamole stress echocardiography.

Methods

We retrospectibely enrolled 227 patients with known or suspected CAD, approaching our echo lab to perform a DSE; all patient underwent coronary angiography within 1 month for clinical reasons. Obstructive CAD was defined as the evidence of >70% stenosis during coronary angiogram. Obstructive CAD was detected in 143 (63%) patients, while 84 (37%) had no significant CAD.

Global longitudinal strain, PSI and PSE were measured at rest and peak of the stress (after 6 minutes of 0,84mg/kg of dipyridamole infusion).

Results

Patient with CAD showed a significantly lower GLS at rest (−16.9±4.2 vs −18.6±3.4; p<0.01) and peak (14.9±3.8 vs −21.50±3.3; p<0.01) Figure A; the behavior of GLS was opposite, in patient with CAD showed an increase while in patient without CAD a significant decrease after dipyridamole infusion. There was also a significant difference between groups for Delta PSI (PSIpeak − PSIrest) and Delta PSE (PSEpeak − PSErest), respectively 126±145 vs −40±97, (p<0.01) and 108±163 vs −41±106 (p<0.01) Figure C. ROC analyses produced a statistically valid model: Average GLS at peak (p 0.001; AUC=0.906, cut-off value −18%, sensitivity 83% and specificity 82%); on the basis of these results, we compared WM and myocardial deformation analysis and GLS was superior to CFR LAD, Delta EF, Delta ESV and Delta WMI (Figure B).

Conclusions

GLS, PSE and PSI show an opposite response to dipyridamole, in patients with CAD in patient without CAD and show much higher sensitivity and specificity compared to the conventional parameters like WMI, EF and CFR in detecting CAD

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

[Takotsubo syndrome during SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia: a possible cardiovascular complication]

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is one of the causes of myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries, and is often triggered by physical events (e.g. acute respiratory failure), or emotional events (e.g. loss of a family member, cardiac stress induced by an acute illness). SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia currently represents a worldwide health problem; the correlations between cardiovascular disease, myocardial injury and SARS-CoV-2 infection are still unclear, but initial data show that myocardial damage represents a negative prognostic factor. Myocardial injury during SARS-CoV-2, as defined by a pathological rise in circulating troponin levels, is not an uncommon complication in hospitalized patients, and is significantly more frequent in intensive care unit patients and among those who died. In this setting, myocardial injury is mainly secondary to type 2 myocardial infarction (mismatch in myocardial oxygen supply and demand during respiratory failure); other causes include myocarditis, coronary thrombosis, sepsis or septic shock. At present, only few cases of TTS have been described during SARS-CoV-2. Here we report the case of a patient hospitalized for pneumonia and respiratory failure due to SARS-CoV-2 with subsequent onset of TTS triggered by both physical and emotional events.

Isocapnic buffering period: From physiology to clinics

Background

During cardiopulmonary exercise test, the isocapnic buffering period ranges between anaerobic threshold (AT) and respiratory compensation point (RCP). We investigated whether oxygen uptake (VO2) increase during the isocapnic buffering period (ΔVO2AT-RCP) is related to heart failure severity and prognosis.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed reduced ejection fraction heart failure patients who attained RCP at cardiopulmonary exercise test. The study endpoint was the composite of cardiovascular mortality and urgent heart transplantation/left ventricular assist device implantation. Hazard ratio was assessed to identify the increase of risk associated with ΔVO2AT-RCP (below and above the median of ΔVO2AT-RCP).

Results

AT and RCP were both identified in 782 (39.2%) out of 1995 reduced ejection fraction heart failure cases. Left ventricular ejection fraction and peak VO2 were 33 ± 9% and 16.5 ± 4.5 mL/kg per min (61 ± 16% of predicted value), suggesting moderate heart failure. At five years, endpoint did not vary between patients below and above the median ΔVO2AT-RCP (3.85 mL/min per kg (25–75th interquartile range = 2.69–5.46)). ΔVO2AT-RCP correlated with several parameters associated to heart failure prognosis, such as peak VO2, VE/VCO2 slope, brain natriuretic peptide and left ventricular ejection fraction. The ΔVO2AT-RCP value was associated with prognosis at univariate but not at multivariable analysis, where only VE/VCO2 slope endured.

Conclusion

ΔVO2AT-RCP correlates with several parameters linked to heart failure severity. Isocapnic buffering period stratifies heart failure patients, but not more than other prognostic indices.

Heart failure prognosis over time: how the prognostic role of oxygen consumption and ventilatory efficiency during exercise has changed in the last 20 years

AIMS

Exercise-derived parameters, specifically peak exercise oxygen uptake (peak VO₂ ) and minute ventilation/carbon dioxide relationship slope (VE/VCO₂ slope), have a pivotal prognostic value in heart failure (HF). It is unknown how the prognostic threshold of peak VO₂ and VE/VCO₂ slope has changed over the last 20 years in parallel with HF prognosis improvement.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Data from 6083 HF patients (81% male, age 61 ± 13 years), enrolled in the MECKI score database between 1993 and 2015, were retrospectively analysed. By enrolment year, four groups were generated: group 1 1993-2000 (n = 440), group 2 2001-2005 (n = 1288), group 3 2006-2010 (n = 2368), and group 4 2011-2015 (n = 1987). We compared the 10-year survival of groups and analysed how the overall risk (cardiovascular death, urgent heart transplantation, or left ventricular assist device implantation) changed over time according to peak VO₂ and VE/VCO₂ slope and to major clinical and therapeutic variables. At 10 years, a progressively higher survival from group 1 to group 3 was observed, with no further improvement afterwards. A 20% risk for peak VO₂ 15 mL/min/kg (95% confidence interval 16-13), 9 (11-8), 4 (4-2) and 5 (7-4) was observed in group 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively, while the VE/VCO₂ slope value for a 20% risk was 32 (37-29), 47 (51-43), 59 (64-55), and 57 (63-52), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Heart failure prognosis improved over time up to 2010 in a HF population followed by experienced centres. The peak VO₂ and VE/VCO₂ slope cut-offs identifying a definite risk progressively decreased and increased over time, respectively. The prognostic threshold of peak VO₂ and VE/VCO₂ slope must be updated whenever HF prognosis improves.

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists for heart failure: a real-life observational study

Aims

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) have been demonstrated to improve outcomes in reduced ejection fraction heart failure (HFrEF) patients. However, MRAs added to conventional treatment may lead to worsening of renal function and hyperkalaemia. We investigated, in a population‐based analysis, the long‐term effects of MRA treatment in HFrEF patients.

Methods and results

We analysed data of 6046 patients included in the Metabolic Exercise Cardiac Kidney Index score dataset. Analysis was performed in patients treated (n = 3163) and not treated (n = 2883) with MRA. The study endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular death, urgent heart transplantation, or left ventricular assist device implantation. Ten years' survival was analysed through Kaplan–Meier, compared by log‐rank test and propensity score matching.

At 10 years' follow‐up, the MRA‐untreated group had a significantly lower number of events than the MRA‐treated group (P < 0.001). MRA‐treated patients had more severe heart failure (higher New York Heart Association class and lower left ventricular ejection fraction, kidney function, and peak VO₂). At a propensity‐score‐matching analysis performed on 1587 patients, MRA‐treated and MRA‐untreated patients showed similar study endpoint values.

Conclusions

In conclusion, MRA treatment does not affect the composite of cardiovascular death, urgent heart transplantation or left ventricular assist device implantation in a real‐life setting. A meticulous patient follow‐up, as performed in trials, is likely needed to match the positive MRA‐related benefits observed in clinical trials.

Multiparametric prognostic scores in chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: a long-term comparison

AIMS

Risk stratification in heart failure (HF) is crucial for clinical and therapeutic management. A multiparametric approach is the best method to stratify prognosis. In 2012, the Metabolic Exercise test data combined with Cardiac and Kidney Indexes (MECKI) score was proposed to assess the risk of cardiovascular mortality and urgent heart transplantation. The aim of the present study was to compare the prognostic accuracy of MECKI score to that of HF Survival Score (HFSS) and Seattle HF Model (SHFM) in a large, multicentre cohort of HF patients with reduced ejection fraction.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We collected data on 6112 HF patients and compared the prognostic accuracy of MECKI score, HFSS, and SHFM at 2- and 4-year follow-up for the combined endpoint of cardiovascular death, urgent cardiac transplantation, or ventricular assist device implantation. Patients were followed up for a median of 3.67 years, and 931 cardiovascular deaths, 160 urgent heart transplantations, and 12 ventricular assist device implantations were recorded. At 2-year follow-up, the prognostic accuracy of MECKI score was significantly superior [area under the curve (AUC) 0.781] to that of SHFM (AUC 0.739) and HFSS (AUC 0.723), and this relationship was also confirmed at 4 years (AUC 0.764, 0.725, and 0.720, respectively).

CONCLUSION

In this cohort, the prognostic accuracy of the MECKI score was superior to that of HFSS and SHFM at 2- and 4-year follow-up in HF patients in stable clinical condition. The MECKI score may be useful to improve resource allocation and patient outcome, but prospective evaluation is needed.

Prognostic role of β-blocker selectivity and dosage regimens in heart failure patients. Insights from the MECKI score database

AIMS

The use of β-blockers represents a milestone in the treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Few studies have compared β-blockers in HFrEF, and there is little data on the effects of different doses. The present study aimed to investigate in a large database of HFrEF patients (MECKI score database) the association of β-blocker treatment with a composite outcome of cardiovascular death, urgent heart transplantation or left ventricular assist device implantation, addressing the role of β-selectivity and dosage regimens.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In 5242 HFrEF patients, we investigated the role of: (i) β-blocker treatment vs. non-β-blocker treatment, (ii) β1-/β2-receptor-blockers vs. β1-selective blockers, and (iii) daily β-blocker dose. Patients were followed for 3.58 years, and 1101 events (18.3%) were observed; 4435 patients (86.8%) were on β-blockers, while 807 (13.2%) were not. At 5 years, β-blocker-patients showed a better outcome than non-β-blocker-subjects [hazard ratio (HR) 0.48, P < 0.0001], while also considering potential confounders. A comparable prognosis was observed at 5 years in the β1-/β2-receptor-blocker (n = 2219) vs. β1-selective group (n = 2216) (HR 0.95, P = ns). A better prognosis was observed in high-dose (>2 5 mg carvedilol equivalent daily dose, n = 1005) patients than in both medium dose (12.5-25 mg, n = 1431) and low dose (<12.5 mg, n = 1960) (HR 1.97, P < 0.001; HR 1.95, P = 0.001, respectively), with no differences between the last two groups (HR 0.84, P = ns).

CONCLUSION

In a large population of chronic HFrEF patients, β-blockers were associated with a more favourable prognosis without any difference between β1- and β2-receptor-blockers vs. β1-selective blockers. A better outcome was observed in subjects receiving a high daily dose.

Heart failure and anemia: Effects on prognostic variables

BACKGROUND

Anemia is frequent in heart failure (HF), and it is associated with higher mortality. The predictive power of established HF prognostic parameters in anemic HF patients is unknown.

METHODS

Clinical, laboratory, echocardiographic and cardiopulmonary-exercise-test (CPET) data were analyzed in 3913 HF patients grouped according to hemoglobin (Hb) values. 248 (6%), 857 (22%), 2160 (55%) and 648 (17%) patients had very low (<11g/dL), low (11-12 for females, 11-13 for males), normal (12-15 for females, 13-15 for males) and high (>15) Hb, respectively.

RESULTS

Median follow-up was 1363days (606-1883). CPETs were always performed safely. Hb was related to prognosis (Hazard ratio (HR)=0.864). No prognostic difference was observed between normal and high Hb groups. Peak oxygen consumption (VO₂), ventilatory efficiency (VE/VCO₂ slope), plasma sodium concentration, ejection fraction (LVEF), kidney function and Hb were independently related to prognosis in the entire population. Considering Hb groups separately, peakVO₂ (very low Hb HR=0.549, low Hb HR=0.613, normal Hb HR=0.618, high Hb HR=0.542) and LVEF (very low Hb HR=0.49, low Hb HR=0.692, normal Hb HR=0.697, high Hb HR=0.694) maintained their prognostic roles. High VE/VCO₂ slope was associated with poor prognosis only in patients with low and normal Hb.

CONCLUSIONS

Anemic HF patients have a worse prognosis, but CPET can be safely performed. PeakVO₂ and LVEF, but not VE/VCO₂ slope, maintain their prognostic power also in HF patients with Hb<11g/dL, suggesting CPET use and a multiparametric approach in HF patients with low Hb. However, the prognostic effect of an anemia-oriented follow-up is unknown.

ExtraHF survey: the first European survey on implementation of exercise training in heart failure patients

AIMS

In heart failure (HF), exercise training programmes (ETPs) are a well-recognized intervention to improve symptoms, but are still poorly implemented. The Heart Failure Association promoted a survey to investigate whether and how cardiac centres in Europe are using ETPs in their HF patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The co-ordinators of the HF working groups of the countries affiliated to the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) distributed and promoted the 12-item web-based questionnaire in the key cardiac centres of their countries. Forty-one country co-ordinators out of the 46 contacted replied to our questionnaire (89%). This accounted for 170 cardiac centres, responsible for 77,214 HF patients. The majority of the participating centres (82%) were general cardiology units and the rest were specialized rehabilitation units or local health centres. Sixty-seven (40%) centres [responsible for 36,385 (48%) patients] did not implement an ETP. This was mainly attributed to the lack of resources (25%), largely due to lack of staff or lack of financial provision. The lack of a national or local pathway for such a programme was the reason in 13% of the cases, and in 12% the perceived lack of evidence on safety or benefit was cited. When implemented, an ETP was proposed to all HF patients in only 55% of the centres, with restriction according to severity or aetiology.

CONCLUSIONS

With respect to previous surveys, there is evidence of increased availability of ETPs in HF in Europe, although too many patients are still denied a highly recommended therapy, mainly due to lack of resources or logistics.