Prevalence and inter-relationship of different Doppler measures of dyssynchrony in patients with heart failure and prolonged QRS: a report from CARE-HF

Background: Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) improves mortality and morbidity in heart failure patients with wide QRS. Observational studies suggest that patients having more left ventricular dyssynchrony pre-implantation obtain greater benefit on ventricular function and symptoms with CRT.Aim: To provide an analysis of the prevalence and type of dyssynchrony in patients included in the CARE-HF trial.Methods: 100 patients 67 (58 to 71) years were examined with echocardiography including tissue doppler imaging before receiving a CRT-pacemaker. Atrio-ventricular dyssynchrony (LVFT/RR) was defined as left ventricular filling time <40% of the RR-interval. Inter-ventricular mechanical delay (IVMD) was measured as the difference in onset of Doppler-flow in the pulmonary and aortic outflow tracts >40 ms. Intraventricular (regional) dyssynchrony in a 16-segment model was expressed either as a delayed longitudinal contraction (DLC) during the postsystolic phase or by tissue synchronisation imaging (TSI) with a predefined time-difference in systolic maximal velocities >85 ms.Results: LVFT/RR was present in 34% and IVMD in 60% of patients while intra-ventricular dyssynchrony was present in 85% (DLC) and 86% (TSI) with a high agreement between the measures (Kappascore 0.86-1.00), indicating the methods being interchangeable. Patients with cardiomyopathy (53%) were more likely to have LVFT/RR <40% (45% vs. 21% (p= 0.02)) and more segments affected by intra-ventricular dyssynchrony 4(3, 5) vs. 3(1, 4), p = 0.002, compared to patients with ischemic heart disease.Conclusion: The prevalence of intra-ventricular dyssynchrony is high in patients with heart failure, wide QRS and depressed systolic function. Most important, TSI appears to be a fast and reliable method to identify patients with intra-ventricular dyssynchrony likely to benefit from CRT

Sequential biventricular pacing improves regional contractility, longitudinal function and dyssynchrony in patients with heart failure and prolonged QRS

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Aims</p> <p>Biventricular pacing (BiP) is an effective treatment in systolic heart failure (HF) patients with prolonged QRS. However, approximately 35% of the patients receiving BiP are classified as non-responders. The aim of this study is to evaluate the acute effects of VV-optimization on systolic heart function.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Twenty-one HF patients aged 72 (46-88) years, QRS 154 (120-190) ms, were studied with echocardiography, Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI) and 3D-echo the first day after receiving a BiP device. TDI was performed; during simultaneous pacing (LV-lead pacing 4 ms before the RV-lead) and during sequential pacing (LV 20 and 40 ms before RV and RV 20 and 40 ms before LV-lead pacing). Systolic heart function was studied by tissue tracking (TT) for longitudinal function and systolic maximal velocity (SMV) for regional contractility and signs of dyssynchrony assessed by time-delays standard deviation of aortic valve opening to SMV, AVO-SMV/SD and tissue synchronization imaging (TSI).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The TT mean value preoperatively was 4,2 ± 1,5 and increased at simultaneous pacing to 5,0 ± 1,2 mm (p < 0,05), and at best VV-interval to 5,4 ± 1,2 (p < 0,001). Simultaneous pacing achieved better TT distance compared with preoperative in 16 patients (76%). However, it was still higher after VV-optimization in 12 patients 57%. Corresponding figures for SMV were 3,0 ± 0,7, 3,5 ± 0,8 (p < 0,01), and 3,6 ± 0,8 (p < 0,001). Also dyssynchrony improved.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>VV-optimization in the acute phase improves systolic heart function more than simultaneous BiP pacing. Long-term effects should be evaluated in prospective randomized trials.</p

Pre-implant right ventricular function might be an important predictor of the response to cardiac resynchronization therapy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>Cardiac resynchronization therapy is proven efficacious in patients with heart failure (HF). Presence of biventricular HF is associated with a worse prognosis than having only left ventricular (LV) HF and pacing might deteriorate heart function. The aim of the study was to assess a possible significance of right ventricular (RV) pre-implant systolic function to predict response to CRT.</p> <p>Design</p> <p>We studied 22 HF-patients aged 72 ± 11 years, QRS-duration 155 ± 20 ms and with an LV ejection fraction (EF) of 26 ± 6% before and four weeks after receiving a CRT-device.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There were no changes in LV diameters or end systolic volume (ESV) during the study. However, end diastolic volume (EDV) decreased from 226 ± 71 to 211 ± 64 ml (p = 0.02) and systolic maximal velocities (SMV) increased from 2.2 ± 0.4 to 2.6 ± 0.9 cm/s (p = 0.04). Pre-implant RV-SMV (6.2 ± 2.6 cm/s) predicted postoperative increase in LV contractility, p = 0.032.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Pre-implant decreased RV systolic function might be an important way to predict a poor response to CRT implicating that other treatments should be considered. Furthermore we found that 3D- echocardiography and Tissue Doppler Imaging were feasible to detect short-term changes in LV function.</p

Family members' experience of a group-based multi-professional educational programme about chronic heart failure

Objective: The aim was to evaluate how family members of persons with chronic heart failure (CHF) experienced a group-based multi-professional educational programme.Methods: Family members who participated in an educational programme filled in an evaluation form directly after completing the programme (n = 53). One year after the completed programme family members (n = 11) who participated in 5-6 of six sessions were interviewed about their experience. The interviews were analysed by qualitative content analysis. Results: The evaluation form showed that most family members reported satisfaction with session structure and content, but a majority would have preferred to share the education together with the ill person. Interview findings are presented in three categories and eight subcategories identified through the analysis. Results showed that family members’ increased knowledge about heart failure and thereby attained a greater understanding of the ill person’s situation with an increased tolerance. Furthermore the family members acquired a better self-confidence and became a resource for the ill person and they described that they were more actively involved in the ill person’s self-care. Family members experienced it positive to meet others in the same situation. They also gained an insight into the importance of taking care of their own health. Conclusions: The educational programme produced valuable knowledge and understanding about heart failure among family members. With this newly acquired knowledge, family members had the possibility of working out appropriate support for the ill person. Being part of a group with others in the same situation was a positive experience

Limited value of NT-proBNP as a prognostic marker of all-cause mortality in patients with heart failure with preserved and mid-range ejection fraction in primary care: A report from the swedish heart failure register

Aim: The prognostic value of natriuretic peptides in the management of heart failure (HF) patients with ejection fraction (EF) amp;lt;40% is well established, but is less known for those with EF amp;gt;= 40% managed in primary care (PC). Therefore, the aim of this study is to describe the prognostic significance of plasma NT-proBNP in such patients managed in PC. Subjects: We included 924 HF patients (48% women) with EF amp;gt;= 40% and NT-proBNP registered in the Swedish Heart Failure Registry. Follow-up was 1100 +/- 687 days. Results: One-, three- and five-year mortality rates were 8.1%, 23.9% and 44.7% in patients with EF 40-50% (HFmrEF) and 7.3%, 23.6% and 37.2% in patients with EF amp;gt;= 50% (HFpEF) (p = 0.26). Patients with the highest mean values of NT-proBNP had the highest all-cause mortality but wide standard deviations (SDs). In univariate regression analysis, there was an association only between NT-proBNP quartiles and all-cause mortality. In HFmrEF patients, hazard ratio (HR) was 1.96 (95% CI 1.60-2.39) p amp;lt; 0.0001) and in HFpEF patients, HR was 1.72 (95% CI 1.49-1.98) p amp;lt; 0.0001). In a multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, adjusted for age, NYHA class, atrial fibrillation and GFR class, this association remained regarding NT-proBNP quartiles [HR 1.83 (95% CI 1.38-2.44), p amp;lt; 0.0001] and [HR 1.48 (95% CI 1.16-1.90), p = 0.0001], HFmrEF and HFpEF, respectively. Conclusion: NT-proBNP has a prognostic value in patients with HF and EF amp;gt;= 40% managed in PC. However, its clinical utility is limited due to high SDs and the fact that it is not independent in this population which is characterized by high age and much comorbidity.Funding Agencies|Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare; Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions; Swedish Society of Cardiology</p

The Swedish Heart Failure Registry: a living, ongoing quality assurance and research in heart failure

Heart failure (HF) represents a global pandemic. Although in HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) randomized controlled trials have provided effective treatments, prognosis still remains poor, with signals of undertreatment. HF with mid-range EF (HFmrEF) has no evidence-based therapy, and its characterization is ongoing. Trials in HF with preserved EF (HFpEF) have failed to provide any effective treatment, but there are several concerns about their design. Thus, current challenges in the HF field are: 1) optimizing the use of existing treatments in HFrEF; 2) developing and proving efficacy of new treatments, and of new use of existing treatments in HFpEF and HFmrEF. Here we describe how registry-based research can improve knowledge addressing the unmet needs in HF, and in particular we focus on the contribution of the Swedish Heart Failure Registry to this field

Health-related quality of life and long-term morbidity and mortality in patients hospitalised with systolic heart failure

Background Health-related quality of life has been shown to impact prognosis in chronic heart failure, however with limited long-term follow-up. We analysed data spanning 8–12 years to assess the impact of health-related quality of life using the Nottingham Health Profile on first hospitalisation and mortality, for cardiovascular and all causes. Methods We included 208 patients aged ≥60 years with New York Heart Association class II–IV and left ventricular systolic dysfunction hospitalised in Stockholm during 1996–99. Data on hospital admissions, discharge diagnoses and date and cause of death were collected from administrative databases and medical records until 2007. Cox proportional hazard models were employed to analyse the time to event for mortality and hospitalisations. Results Mean age was 76 years, 58% were male and mean ejection fraction was 34%. Median survival was 4.6 years (range 6 days–11.9 years); 148 patients died. All-cause and cardiovascular mortality were determined by physical mobility (by Nottingham Health Profile), age, gender, diuretic dose and haemoglobin level. Glomerular filtration rate was significant for all-cause mortality, while atrioventricular plane displacement was predictive of cardiovascular mortality. Median time to first all-cause and cardiovascular hospitalisation was 5.7 and 11.2 months, respectively. Time to first all-cause hospitalisation was determined by physical mobility, emotional reactions, age, gender and haemoglobin level, while only physical mobility and diuretic dose predicted time to first cardiovascular hospitalisation. Conclusions In conclusion, in patients with systolic chronic heart failure, physical mobility as part of health-related quality of life is an independent prognostic marker for cardiovascular and all-cause readmissions and mortality over 12 years

Comparative associations between angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers and their combination, and outcomes in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction

Background: Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-Is) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are recommended in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFREF), but there is limited data on ARB vs. ACE-I and their combination in unselected populations. The purpose of this study was to compare the associations between the use of ACE-I, ARB and their combination, and outcomes in HFREF. Methods and results: We prospectively studied 22,947 patients with HFREF (ejection fraction b 40%) enrolled in the Swedish Heart Failure Registry who received ACE-I but not ARB (n = 15,801, 69%), ARB but not ACE-I (n = 4335, 19%), their combination (n = 571, 2%) or neither (n = 2240, 10%). As compared with ACE-I alone, the hazard ratios (HRs) for ARB alone for all-cause mortality was 0.97 (95% CI = 0.91-1.03; p = 0.27), for HF hospitalization 1.08 (CI = 1.02-1.15; p < 0.01) and for the composite outcome 1.03 (CI = 0.99-1.08; p = 0.15). ACE-I and ARB combination had for death HR = 0.98 (95% CI = 0.84-1.14; p = 0.76), for HF hospitalization HR = 1.49 (CI = 1.33-1.68; p < 0.01) and for the composite outcome HR = 1.35 (CI = 1.21-1.50; p < 0.01). Use of neither ACE-I nor ARB was associated with HR for death 1.41 (CI = 1.33-1.50; p < 0.01), for HF hospitalization 1.16 (CI = 1.08-1.25; p < 0.01) and for the composite outcome 1.28 (CI = 1.21-1.35; p < 0.01). Conclusion: This large generalizable analysis confirms the current recommendation of using ACE-I as first choice in HFREF. ARB can be considered an alternative in patients who cannot use ACE-I but should not routinely replace ACE-I. The combination of ACE-I and ARB was not associated with additional benefit over either one alone, and may potentially be harmful. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved

Lidar fluorescence measurements of algal growth on electrical insulators

Fluorescence measurements using lidar techniques have been shown to be useful for monitoring of algal growth on e.g. historical monuments. In this experiment similar measurements were performed on electrical insulators to examine the correlation between algal growth and the quality of the insulator, a factor of importance in the high-voltage grid managemen