Editor's Choice-The role of the emergency department in the management of acute heart failure : An international perspective on education and research

Emergency departments are a major entry point for the initial management of acute heart failure (AHF) patients throughout the world. The initial diagnosis, management and disposition - the decision to admit or discharge - of AHF patients in the emergency department has significant downstream implications. Misdiagnosis, under or overtreatment, or inappropriate admission may place patients at increased risk for adverse events, and add costs to the healthcare system. Despite the critical importance of initial management, data are sparse regarding the impact of early AHF treatment delivered in the emergency department compared to inpatient or chronic heart failure management. Unfortunately, outcomes remain poor, with nearly a third of patients dying or re-hospitalised within 3 months post-discharge. In the absence of robust research evidence, consensus is an important source of guidance for AHF care. Thus, we convened an international group of practising emergency physicians, cardiologists and advanced practice nurses with the following goals to improve outcomes for AHF patients who present to the emergency department or other acute care setting through: (a) a better understanding of the pathophysiology, presentation and management of the initial phase of AHF care; (b) improving initial management by addressing knowledge gaps between best practices and current practice through education and research; and (c) to establish a framework for future emergency department-based international education and research.Peer reviewe

Indications and practical approach to non-invasive ventilation in acute heart failure

In acute heart failure (AHF) syndromes significant respiratory failure (RF) is essentially seen in patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema (ACPE) or cardiogenic shock (CS). Non-invasive ventilation (NIV), the application of positive intrathoracic pressure through an interface, has shown to be useful in the treatment of moderate to severe RF in several scenarios. There are two main modalities of NIV: continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and pressure support ventilation (NIPSV) with positive end expiratory pressure. Appropriate equipment and experience is needed for NIPSV, whereas CPAP may be administered without a ventilator, not requiring special training. Both modalities have shown to be effective in ACPE, by a reduction of respiratory distress and the endotracheal intubation rate compared to conventional oxygen therapy, but the impact on mortality is less conclusive. Non-invasive ventilation is also indicated in patients with AHF associated to pulmonary disease and may be considered, after haemodynamic stabilization, in some patients with CS. There are no differences in the outcomes in the studies comparing both techniques, but CPAP is a simpler technique that may be preferred in low-equipped areas like the pre-hospital setting, while NIPSV may be preferable in patients with significant hypercapnia. The new modality 'high-flow nasal cannula' seems promising in cases of AHF with less severe RF. The correct selection of patients and interfaces, early application of the technique, the achievement of a good synchrony between patients and the ventilator avoiding excessive leakage, close monitoring, proactive management, and in some cases mild sedation, may warrant the success of the technique

Predictive value of plasma proenkephalin and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in acute kidney injury and mortality in cardiogenic shock

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent form of organ injury in cardiogenic shock. However, data on AKI markers such as plasma proenkephalin (P-PENK) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (P-NGAL) in cardiogenic shock populations are lacking. The objective of this study was to assess the ability of P-PENK and P-NGAL to predict acute kidney injury and mortality in cardiogenic shock. Results: P-PENK and P-NGAL were measured at different time points between baseline and 48 h in 154 patients from the prospective CardShock study. The outcomes assessed were AKI defined by an increase in creatinine within 48 h and all-cause 90-day mortality. Mean age was 66 years and 26% were women. Baseline levels of P-PENK and P-NGAL (median [interquartile range]) were 99 (71-150) pmol/mL and 138 (84-214) ng/mL. P-PENK > 84.8 pmol/mL and P-NGAL > 104 ng/mL at baseline were identified as optimal cut-offs for AKI prediction and independently associated with AKI (adjusted HRs 2.2 [95% CI 1.1-4.4, p = 0.03] and 2.8 [95% CI 1.2-6.5, p = 0.01], respectively). P-PENK and P-NGAL levels at baseline were also associated with 90-day mortality. For patients with oliguria 6 h before study enrollment, 90-day mortality differed significantly between patients with low and high P-PENK/P-NGAL at baseline (5% vs. 68%, p 105.7 pmol/L and P-NGAL(24h) > 151 ng/mL had unadjusted hazard ratios of 5.6 (95% CI 3.1-10.7, p <0.001) and 5.2 (95% CI 2.8-9.8, p <0.001) for 90-day mortality. The association remained significant despite adjustments with AKI and two risk scores for mortality in cardiogenic shock. Conclusions: High levels of P-PENK and P-NGAL at baseline were independently associated with AKI in cardiogenic shock patients. Furthermore, oliguria before study inclusion was associated with worse outcomes only if combined with high baseline levels of P-PENK or P-NGAL. High levels of both P-PENK and P-NGAL at 24 h were found to be strong and independent predictors of 90-day mortality.Peer reviewe

Predictive value of plasma proenkephalin and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in acute kidney injury and mortality in cardiogenic shock

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent form of organ injury in cardiogenic shock. However, data on AKI markers such as plasma proenkephalin (P-PENK) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (P-NGAL) in cardiogenic shock populations are lacking. The objective of this study was to assess the ability of P-PENK and P-NGAL to predict acute kidney injury and mortality in cardiogenic shock. Results: P-PENK and P-NGAL were measured at different time points between baseline and 48 h in 154 patients from the prospective CardShock study. The outcomes assessed were AKI defined by an increase in creatinine within 48 h and all-cause 90-day mortality. Mean age was 66 years and 26% were women. Baseline levels of P-PENK and P-NGAL (median [interquartile range]) were 99 (71-150) pmol/mL and 138 (84-214) ng/mL. P-PENK > 84.8 pmol/mL and P-NGAL > 104 ng/mL at baseline were identified as optimal cut-offs for AKI prediction and independently associated with AKI (adjusted HRs 2.2 [95% CI 1.1-4.4, p = 0.03] and 2.8 [95% CI 1.2-6.5, p = 0.01], respectively). P-PENK and P-NGAL levels at baseline were also associated with 90-day mortality. For patients with oliguria 6 h before study enrollment, 90-day mortality differed significantly between patients with low and high P-PENK/P-NGAL at baseline (5% vs. 68%, p 105.7 pmol/L and P-NGAL(24h) > 151 ng/mL had unadjusted hazard ratios of 5.6 (95% CI 3.1-10.7, p <0.001) and 5.2 (95% CI 2.8-9.8, p <0.001) for 90-day mortality. The association remained significant despite adjustments with AKI and two risk scores for mortality in cardiogenic shock. Conclusions: High levels of P-PENK and P-NGAL at baseline were independently associated with AKI in cardiogenic shock patients. Furthermore, oliguria before study inclusion was associated with worse outcomes only if combined with high baseline levels of P-PENK or P-NGAL. High levels of both P-PENK and P-NGAL at 24 h were found to be strong and independent predictors of 90-day mortality.Peer reviewe

Emergency department perspectives on B-type natriuretic peptide utility

In the emergency department (ED), patients do not present with a diagnosis. Rather they manifest a symptom for which the physician must determine the most probable cause. It is the sorting of possibly acutely fatal diagnoses that is unique to the practice of emergency medicine. Unfortunately, the historically available rapid diagnostic tools lack both sensitivity and specificity. This creates risk for the acutely ill patient in whom either a delayed or erroneous diagnosis can be associated with a startling increase in mortality. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) assessment in the ED is a valuable adjunct for increasing the accuracy of the initial clinical impression. This allows early outcome-improving interventions to proceed with greater certainty. Finally, as a prognostic marker indicative of illness severity, knowledge of BNP levels can improve the accuracy of disposition decisions

Italian RED Study Sub-Analysis: 30-Day Post-Discharge BNP Levels Predict 6-Month All-Cause Mortality and Cardiac Events

Introduction:Rehospitalization of patients after acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is a major medical problem. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels are very prognostic at discharge, but their role in the weeks after discharge have not been elucidated. Hypothesis:Our aim was to determine if BNP levels after discharge for ADHF had significant prognostic ability. Methods: This was a 8 center Italian observational study. 287 patients with ADHF were studied with physical exams, lab tests, CXR, ECGs and BNP values at admission, 24 hours, discharge, and 30/90/180-day post-discharge. In this analysis, 104 patients were included whom were all recruited at the main study site. This population had more hypertension, coronary artery disease, and beta-blocker use in the hospital. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess the ability of BNP levels at 30 days post-discharge to predict future events up to 6 months. Results: Of the 104 patients, 15 had events (all-cause mortality, re-hospiatlization, or cardiac events) within 6 months of discharge from the hospital. Logistic regression demonstrated that BNP levels 30 days post-discharge were significantly predictive of future events (OR=12.2, p=0.03)..Discharge levels were not predictive of future events. On ROC analysis, BNP values above 400 pg/mL at 30 days had the maximum area under curve at 0.780. Conclusion: Our analysis demonstrates that 30-day BNP levels post-discharge also have significant prognostic value. Patients with BNP levels greater than 400 pg/mL 1 month after discharge should be considered high risk for hospitalization and death, and considered to optimize therapeutic and preventative strategie

Presenting phenotypes of acute heart failure patients in the ED. Identification and implications

BACKGROUND: There is little known about the baseline hemodynamic (HD) profiles (beyond pulse/blood pressure) of patients presenting to the Emergency department (ED) with acute heart failure (AHF). Assessing these baseline parameters could help differentiate underlying HD phenotypes which could be used to develop specific phenotypic specific approaches to patient care. METHODS: Patients with suspected AHF were enrolled in the PREMIUM (Prognostic Hemodynamic Profiling in the Acutely Ill Emergency Department Patient) multinational registry and continuous HD monitoring was initiated on ED presentation using noninvasive finger cuff technology (Nexfin, BMEYE, Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, California). Individuals with clinically suspected and later confirmed AHF were included in this analysis and initial 15minute averages for available HD parameters were calculated. K-means clustering was performed to identify out of 23 HD variables a set that provided the greatest level of inter-cluster discrimination and intra-cluster cohesions. RESULTS: A total of 127 patients had confirmed AHF. The final model, using mean normalized patient baseline HD values was able to differentiate these individuals into 3 distinct phenotypes. Cluster 1: normal cardiac index (CCI) and systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI); cluster 2: very low CI and markedly increased SVRI: and cluster 3: low CI and an elevated SVRI. These clusters were not differentiated using clinically available ED information. CONCLUSIONS: Three distinct clusters were defined using novel noninvasive presenting HD monitoring technology in this cohort of ED AHF patients. Further studies are needed to determine whether phenotypic specific therapies based on these clusters can improve outcome

Presenting hemodynamic phenotypes in ED patients with confirmed sepsis.

OBJECTIVES: To derive distinct clusters of septic emergency department (ED) patients based on their presenting noninvasive hemodynamic (HD) measurements and to determine if any clinical parameters could identify these groups. METHODS: Prospective, observational, convenience study of individuals with confirmed systemic infection. Presenting, pretreatment noninvasive HD parameters were compiled using Nexfin (Bmeye/Edwards LifeSciences) from 127 cases. Based on normalized parameters, k-means clustering was performed to identify a set of variables providing the greatest level of intercluster discrimination and intracluster cohesion. RESULTS: Our best HD clustering model used 2 parameters: the cardiac index (CI [L/min per square meter]) and systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI [dynes·s/cm 5 per square meter]). Using this model, 3 different patient clusters were identified. Cluster 1 had high CI with normal SVRI (CI, 4.03 ± 0.61; SVRI, 1655.20 ± 348.08); cluster 2 low CI with increased vascular tone (CI, 2.50 ± 0.50; SVRI, 2600.83 ± 576.81); and cluster 3 very low CI with markedly elevated SVRI (CI, 1.37 ± 0.81; SVRI, 5951.49 ± 1480.16). Cluster 1 patients had the lowest 30-day overall mortality. Among clinically relevant variables available during the initial patient evaluation in the ED age, heart rate and temperature were significantly different across the 3 clusters. CONCLUSIONS: Emergency department patients with confirmed sepsis had 3 distinct cluster groupings based on their presenting noninvasively derived CI and SVRI. Further clinical studies evaluating the effect of early cluster-specific therapeutic interventions are needed to determine if there are outcome benefits of ED HD phenotyping in these patients

Hemodynamic characteristics of suspected stroke in the emergency department

Background: Systemic hemodynamic characteristics of patients with suspected acute ischemic stroke are poorly described. The objective of this study was to identify baseline hemodynamic characteristics of emergency department (ED) patients with suspected acute stroke. Methods: This was a planned analysis of the stroke cohort from a multicenter registry of hemodynamic profiling of ED patients. The registry prospectively collected non-invasive hemodynamic measurements of patients with suspicion for acute stroke within 12 h of symptom onset. K-means cluster analysis identified hemodynamic phenotypes of all suspected stroke patients, and we performed univariate hemodynamic comparisons based on final diagnoses. Results: There were 72 patients with suspected acute stroke, of whom 38 (53%) had a final diagnosis of ischemic stroke, 10 (14%) had hemorrhagic stroke, and 24 (33%) had transient ischemic attack (TIA). Analysis defined three phenotypic clusters based on low or normal cardiac index (CI) and normal or high systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI). Patients with TIA had lower mean CI (2.3 L/min/m2) compared to hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke patients (p b 0.01). Conclusions: The study demonstrates the feasibility of defining hemodynamic phenotypes of ED patients with suspected stroke