Is sarcopenia an associated factor of increased administration of specific medications in patients with heart failure? A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundThere is controversy in relation to commonly used drugs in heart failure (HF) and their impact on muscle function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the odds of receiving specific medications often used in clinical practice by patients with HF and sarcopenia vs. without sarcopenia.MethodsA systematic literature search of cohort studies via databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library) was conducted from inception until March 2023. To determine if sarcopenia is linked to a higher number of specific HF-related medications, a meta-analysis using a random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled effects.ResultsOur main analyses showed no significant association of sarcopenia with administration of higher HF-related medication count vs. those without sarcopenia. Those with lower appendicular lean mass (ALM) had significantly lower odds of receiving angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-Is)/angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) (OR: 0.68, 95%CI 0.50–0.90, I2 = 12%, P < 0.01) vs. patients with higher ALM for which age could be an important confounder based on meta-regression. No statistically significant differences were found in relation to B-blockers OR: 0.84, 95%CI 0.63–1.12, I2 = 7%, P = 0.24) and loop diuretics (OR: 1.19, 95%CI 0.87–1.63, I2 = 0%, P = 0.27). Regarding handgrip strength, gait speed, and short physical performance battery, our narrative synthesis found mixed results.ConclusionThis systematic review and meta-analysis did not find a relationship of specific medication count in sarcopenia vs. without sarcopenia in patients with HF, although increased odds of ACE-I/ARB was shown in those with higher ALM.Systematic Review RegistrationPROSPERO (CRD42023411137)

2-year survival of patients undergoing mild hypothermia treatment after ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest is significantly improved compared to historical controls

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Therapeutic hypothermia has been proven to be effective in improving neurological outcome in patients after cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation (VF). Data concerning the effect of hypothermia treatment on long-term survival however is limited.</p> <p>Materials and methods</p> <p>Clinical and outcome data of 107 consecutive patients undergoing therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest due to VF were compared with 98 historical controls. Neurological outcome was assessed at ICU discharge according to the Pittsburgh cerebral performance category (CPC). A Kaplan-Meier analysis of follow-up data concerning mortality after 24 months as well as a Cox-regression to adjust for confounders were calculated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Neurological outcome significantly improved after mild hypothermia treatment (hypothermia group CPC 1-2 59.8%, control group CPC 1-2 24.5%; p < 0.01). In Kaplan-Meier survival analysis hypothermia treatment was also associated with significantly improved 2-year probability for survival (hypothermia 55% vs. control 34%; p = 0.029). Cox-regression analysis revealed hypothermia treatment (p = 0.031) and age (p = 0.013) as independent predictors of 24-month survival.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our study demonstrates that the early survival benefit seen with therapeutic hypothermia persists after two years. This strongly supports adherence to current recommendations regarding postresuscitation care for all patients after cardiac arrest due to VF and maybe other rhythms as well.</p

Myopericarditis as a presentation of eosinophilic granulomatosus with polyangiitis (EGPA)

A 60-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with worsening dyspnoea, cough and chest pain. This was on a background of weight loss, decreased appetite, mononeuritis multiplex, chronic eosinophilia and a single episode of a non-blanching rash. Investigations demonstrated a raised troponin and ischaemic changes on ECG, and she was therefore initially treated for a presumed myocardial infarction. However, her symptoms failed to improve with treatment for the acute coronary syndrome. A coronary angiogram revealed no significant flow-limiting disease, and further investigations yielded confirmation of raised eosinophils and a positive perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody test. An echocardiogram demonstrated a pericardial effusion, and subsequent cardiac magnetic resonance features were compatible with myopericarditis. In light of these findings, the patient was diagnosed with eosinophilic granulomatous with polyangiitis and commenced on high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide. She made an excellent recovery and remains in remission on azathioprine and a tapering dose of corticosteroids

The Impact of Frailty and Comorbidities on Heart Failure Outcomes.

Frailty is a multisystemic process leading to reduction of physiological reserve and a reduction in physical activity. Heart failure (HF) is recognised as a global cause of morbidity and mortality, increasing in prevalence over recent decades. Because of shared phenotypes and comorbidities, there is significant overlap and a bidirectional relationship, with frail patients being at increased risk of developing HF and vice versa. Despite this, frailty is not routinely assessed in patients with HF. Identification of these patients to direct multidisciplinary care is key, and the development of a frailty assessment tool validated in a large HF population is also an unmet need that would be of considerable benefit in directing multidisciplinary-team management. Non-pharmacological treatment should be included, as exercise and physical rehabilitation programmes offer dual benefit in frail HF patients, by treating both conditions simultaneously. The evidence for nutritional supplementation is mixed, but there is evidence that a personalised approach to nutritional support in frail HF patients can improve outcomes

Association Between Cirrhosis and 30-Day Rehospitalization After Index Hospitalization for Heart Failure.

There are limited data on clinical outcomes in patients re-admitted with decompensated heart failure (HF) with concomitant liver cirrhosis. We conducted a cross sectional analysis of the Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) years 2010 thru 2012. An Index admission was defined as a hospitalization for decompensated heart failure among persons aged ≥ 18 years with an alive discharge status. The main outcome was 30 - day all-cause rehospitalization. Survey logistic regression provided the unadjusted and adjusted odds of 30 - day rehospitalization among persons with and without cirrhosis, accounting for age, gender, kidney dysfunction and other comorbidities. There were 2,147,363 heart failure (HF) hospitalizations among which 26,156 (1.2%) had comorbid cirrhosis. Patients with cirrhosis were more likely to have a diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) during their index hospitalization (18.4% vs 15.2%). There were 469,111 (21.9%) patients with readmission within 30 - days. The adjusted odds of a 30 - day readmission was significantly higher among patients with cirrhosis compared to without after adjusting for comorbid conditions (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR], 1.3; 95% Confidence Interval [CI}: 1.2 to 1.4). The relative risk of 30 - day readmission among those with cirrhosis but without renal disease (aOR, 1.3; 95% CI: 1.3 to 1.3) was lower than those with both cirrhosis and renal disease (aOR, 1.8; 95% CI: 1.6 to 2.0) when compared to persons without either comorbidities. Risk of 30 - day rehospitalization was significantly higher among patients with heart failure and underlying cirrhosis. Concurrent renal dysfunction among patients with cirrhosis hospitalized for decompensated HF was associated with a greater odds of rehospitalization

Exercise and nutritional interventions on sarcopenia and frailty in heart failure: a narrative review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses

The purpose of this review is to describe the present evidence for exercise and nutritional interventions as potential contributors in the treatment of sarcopenia and frailty (i.e. muscle mass and physical function decline) and the risk of cardiorenal metabolic comorbidity in people with heart failure (HF). Evidence primarily from cross‐sectional studies suggests that the prevalence of sarcopenia in people with HF is 37% for men and 33% for women, which contributes to cardiac cachexia, frailty, lower quality of life, and increased mortality rate. We explored the impact of resistance and aerobic exercise, and nutrition on measures of sarcopenia and frailty, and quality of life following the assessment of 35 systematic reviews and meta‐analyses. The majority of clinical trials have focused on resistance, aerobic, and concurrent exercise to counteract the progressive loss of muscle mass and strength in people with HF, while promising effects have also been shown via utilization of vitamin D and iron supplementation by reducing tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐a), c‐reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) levels. Experimental studies combining the concomitant effect of exercise and nutrition on measures of sarcopenia and frailty in people with HF are scarce. There is a pressing need for further research and well‐designed clinical trials incorporating the anabolic and anti‐catabolic effects of concurrent exercise and nutrition strategies in people with HF

Polypharmacy in Older People With Heart Failure: Roles of the Geriatrician and Pharmacist.

Heart failure (HF) is a common health condition that typically affects older adults. Many people with HF are cared for on an inpatient basis, by noncardiologists, such as acute medical physicians, geriatricians and other physicians. Treatment options for HF are ever increasing, and adherence to guidelines for prognostic therapy contributes to polypharmacy, which is very familiar to clinicians who care for older people. This article explores the recent trials in both HF with reduced ejection fraction and HF with preserved ejection fraction and the limitations of international guidance in their management with respect to older people. In addition, this article discusses the challenge of managing polypharmacy in those with advanced age, and the importance of involving a geriatrician and pharmacist in the HF multidisciplinary team to provide a holistic and person-centred approach to optimisation of HF therapies