PulmoCor: National registry for pulmonary hypertension

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Clinical profile and contemporary management of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: results from the CHECK-HF registry

Background: Clinical management of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) centres on treating comorbidities and is likely to vary between countries. Thus, to provide insight into the current management of HFpEF, studies from multiple countries are required. We evaluated the clinical profiles and current management of patients with HFpEF in the Netherlands. Methods: We included 2153 patients with HFpEF (defined as a left ventricular ejection fraction ≥ 50%) from the CHECK-HF registry, which included patients from 2013 to 2016. Results: Median age was 77 (IQR 15) years, 55% were women and the most frequent comorbidities were hypertension (51%), renal insufficiency (45%) and atrial fibrillation (AF, 38%). Patients between 65 and 80 years and those over 80 years had on average more comorbidities (up to 64% and 74%, respectively, with two or more comorbidities) than patients younger than 65 years (38% with two or more comorbidities, p-value < 0.001). Although no specific drugs are available for HFpEF, treating comorbidities is advised. Beta-blockers were most frequently prescribed (78%), followed by loop diuretics (74%), renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors (67%) and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs, 39%). Strongest predictors for loop-diuretic use were older age, higher New York Heart Association class and AF. Conclusion: The medical HFpEF profile is determined by the underlying comorbidities, sex and age. Comorbidities are highly prevalent in HFpEF patients, especially in elderly HFpEF patients. Despite the lack of evidence, many HFpEF patients receive regular beta-blockers, RAS inhibitors and MRAs, often for the treatment of comorbidities

The combination of carboxy-terminal propeptide of procollagen type I blood levels and late gadolinium enhancement at cardiac magnetic resonance provides additional prognostic information in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy - A multilevel assessment of myocardial fibrosis in dilated cardiomyopathy

Aims To determine the prognostic value of multilevel assessment of fibrosis in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients. Methods and results We quantified fibrosis in 209 DCM patients at three levels: (i) non-invasive late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) at cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR); (ii) blood biomarkers [amino-terminal propeptide of procollagen type III (PIIINP) and carboxy-terminal propeptide of procollagen type I (PICP)], (iii) invasive endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) (collagen volume fraction, CVF). Both LGE and elevated blood PICP levels, but neither PIIINP nor CVF predicted a worse outcome defined as death, heart transplantation, heart failure hospitalization, or life-threatening arrhythmias, after adjusting for known clinical predictors [adjusted hazard ratios: LGE 3.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.90-6.60; P < 0.001 and PICP 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.03; P = 0.001]. The combination of LGE and PICP provided the highest prognostic benefit in prediction (likelihood ratio test P = 0.007) and reclassification (net reclassification index: 0.28, P = 0.02; and integrated discrimination improvement index: 0.139, P = 0.01) when added to the clinical prediction model. Moreover, patients with a combination of LGE and elevated PICP (LGE+/PICP+) had the worst prognosis (log-rank P < 0.001). RNA-sequencing and gene enrichment analysis of EMB showed an increased expression of pro-fibrotic and pro-inflammatory pathways in patients with high levels of fibrosis (LGE+/PICP+) compared to patients with low levels of fibrosis (LGE-/PICP-). This would suggest the validity of myocardial fibrosis detection by LGE and PICP, as the subsequent generated fibrotic risk profiles are associated with distinct cardiac transcriptomic profiles. Conclusion The combination of myocardial fibrosis at CMR and circulating PICP levels provides additive prognostic value accompanied by a pro-fibrotic and pro-inflammatory transcriptomic profile in DCM patients with LGE and elevated PICP

Left ventricular strain-volume loops and diastolic dysfunction in suspected heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: Presence of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (DD) is key in the pathogenesis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). However, non-invasive assessment of diastolic function is complex, cumbersome, and largely based on consensus recommendations. Novel imaging techniques may help detecting DD. Therefore, we compared left ventricular strain-volume loop (SVL) characteristics and diastolic (dys-)function in suspected HFpEF patients. METHOD AND RESULTS: 257 suspected HFpEF patients with sinus rhythm during echocardiography were prospectively included. 211 patients with quality-controlled images and strain and volume analysis were classified according to the 2016 ASE/EACVI recommendations. Patients with indeterminate diastolic function were excluded, resulting in two groups: normal diastolic function (control; n = 65) and DD (n = 91). Patients with DD were older (74.8 ± 6.9 vs. 68.5 ± 9.4 years, p < 0.001), more often female (88% vs 72%, p = 0.021), and more often had a history of atrial fibrillation (42% vs. 23%, p = 0.024) and hypertension (91% vs. 71%, p = 0.001) compared to normal diastolic function. SVL analysis showed a larger uncoupling i.e., a different longitudinal strain contribution to volume change, in DD compared to controls (0.556 ± 1.10% vs. -0.051 ± 1.14%, respectively, P < 0.001). This observation suggests different deformational properties during the cardiac cycle. After adjustment for age, sex, history of atrial fibrillation and hypertension, we found an adjusted odds ratio of 1.68 (95% confidence interval 1.19-2.47) for DD per unit increase in uncoupling (range: -2.95-3.20). CONCLUSION: Uncoupling of the SVL is independently associated with DD. This might provide novel insights in cardiac mechanics and new opportunities to assess diastolic function non-invasively

Validation of the HFA-PEFF score for the diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Aims Diagnosing heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is challenging. The newly proposed HFA-PEFF algorithm entails a stepwise approach. Step 1, typically performed in the ambulatory setting, establishes a pre-test likelihood. The second step calculates a score based on echocardiography and natriuretic peptides. The aim of this study is to validate the diagnostic value and establish the clinical impact of the second step of the HFA-PEFF score. Methods and results The second step of the HFA-PEFF score was evaluated in two independent, prospective cohorts, i.e. the Maastricht cohort (228 HFpEF patients and 42 controls) and the Northwestern Chicago cohort (459 HFpEF patients). In Maastricht, the HFA-PEFF score categorizes 11 (4%) of the total cohort with suspected HFpEF in the low-likelihood (0-1 points) and 161 (60%) in the high-likelihood category (5-6 points). A high HFA-PEFF score can rule in HFpEF with high specificity (93%) and positive predictive value (98%). A low score can rule out HFpEF with a sensitivity of 99% and a negative predictive value of 73%. The diagnostic accuracy of the score is 0.90 (0.84-0.96), by the area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic curve. However, 98 (36%) are classified in the intermediate-likelihood category, where additional testing is advised. The distribution of the score shows a similar pattern in the Northwestern (Chicago) and Maastricht HFpEF patients (53% vs. 65% high, 43% vs. 34% intermediate, 4.8% vs. 1.3% low). Conclusion This study validates and characterizes the HFA-PEFF score in two independent, well phenotyped cohorts. We demonstrate that the HFA-PEFF score is helpful in clinical practice for the diagnosis of HFpEF

Validation of the HFA‐PEFF score for the diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Aims Diagnosing heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is challenging. The newly proposed HFA-PEFF algorithm entails a stepwise approach. Step 1, typically performed in the ambulatory setting, establishes a pre-test likelihood. The second step calculates a score based on echocardiography and natriuretic peptides. The aim of this study is to validate the diagnostic value and establish the clinical impact of the second step of the HFA-PEFF score. Methods and results The second step of the HFA-PEFF score was evaluated in two independent, prospective cohorts, i.e. the Maastricht cohort (228 HFpEF patients and 42 controls) and the Northwestern Chicago cohort (459 HFpEF patients). In Maastricht, the HFA-PEFF score categorizes 11 (4%) of the total cohort with suspected HFpEF in the low-likelihood (0-1 points) and 161 (60%) in the high-likelihood category (5-6 points). A high HFA-PEFF score can rule in HFpEF with high specificity (93%) and positive predictive value (98%). A low score can rule out HFpEF with a sensitivity of 99% and a negative predictive value of 73%. The diagnostic accuracy of the score is 0.90 (0.84-0.96), by the area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic curve. However, 98 (36%) are classified in the intermediate-likelihood category, where additional testing is advised. The distribution of the score shows a similar pattern in the Northwestern (Chicago) and Maastricht HFpEF patients (53% vs. 65% high, 43% vs. 34% intermediate, 4.8% vs. 1.3% low). Conclusion This study validates and characterizes the HFA-PEFF score in two independent, well phenotyped cohorts. We demonstrate that the HFA-PEFF score is helpful in clinical practice for the diagnosis of HFpEF

Importance of epicardial adipose tissue localization using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in patients with heart failure with mid-range and preserved ejection fraction

BACKGROUND: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of heart failure (HF) with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) >40%, but whether this is due to a regional or global effect of EAT remains unclear. HYPOTHESIS: Regional EAT is associated with alterations in local cardiac structure and function. METHODS: Patients with HF and LVEF >40% were studied. Cardiac Magnetic Resonance imaging was used to localize EAT surrounding the right ventricle (RV) and LV separately, using anterior‐ and posterior interventricular grooves as boundaries. Atrial‐ and ventricular EAT were differentiated using the mitral‐valve position. All EAT depots were related to the adjacent myocardial structure. RESULTS: 102 consecutive HF patients were enrolled. The majority of EAT was present around the RV (42% of total EAT, p 40%. These data support the hypothesis that regional EAT is involved in the pathophysiology of HF with LVEF >40%

Iron deficiency impacts prognosis but less exercise capacity in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Aims Whether and how iron deficiency (ID) impacts patients with heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remain unclear. The aim of our study was to investigate the impact of ID on functional status, exercise capacity, and prognosis in HFpEF.Methods and results The study population consisted of 300 HFpEF patients. ID was defined as serum ferritin <100 mu g/L or 100-300 mu g/L and transferrin-saturation <20%. Baseline functional status, quality of life (HADS score and EQ 5D index), 6 min walking test, echocardiography, and outcome (all-cause mortality and combined all cause-mortality and HF hospitalization) were evaluated. ID was found in 159 (53%) patients. Patients with ID had a worse prognosis with a higher combined endpoint of all-cause mortality and HF hospitalization after 4 years of follow-up (log rank = 0.008). Pulmonary hypertension, depression, and thyroid disease were more prevalent in the ID group. Multivariable analysis showed that ID was independently associated with body mass index (P = 0.003), pulmonary hypertension (P = 0.008), and thyroid disease (P = 0.01). Although patients with ID had a lower exercise capacity compared with patients without ID (393 m [294-455] vs. 344 m [260-441], P = 0.008), there was no significant correlation after multivariable correction for age, BMI, NT-proBNP, DM, and depression.Conclusions Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction patients with ID have a worse prognosis and impaired exercise capacity compared with those without ID. However, although a trend was observed, after multivariable correction ID was no longer significantly associated with a reduced exercise capacity. This reflects that impaired exercise capacity in HFpEF is complex and seems multifactorial. Interestingly, pulmonary hypertension was an independent predictor of both ID and exercise capacity

EUK-8, a superoxide dismutase and catalase mimetic, reduces cardiac oxidative stress and ameliorates pressure overload-induced heart failure in the harlequin mouse mutant

The purpose of this study was to identify apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) as a cardiac mitochondrial antioxidant and assess the efficacy of EUK-8, a salen-manganese catalytic free radical scavenger, to protect the AIF-deficient myocardium against pressure overload.Oxidative stress has been postulated to provoke cell death and pathologic remodeling in heart failure. We recently characterized the apoptosis-inducing factor-deficient harlequin (Hq) mouse mutant to display excessive pressure overload-induced oxidative stress, cell death, accelerated progression to heart failure, and a reduced capacity of subsarcolemmal mitochondria to scavenge free radicals, suggesting a role for AIF as a novel mitochondrial antioxidant.Oxidative stress-sensitized Hq mutant mice and their wild-type (WT) counterparts were given low-dose EUK-8 (25 mg/kg/day), an antioxidant with superoxide dismutase, catalase, and oxyradical scavenging properties, or vehicle for 4 weeks, and subjected to pressure overload (transverse aortic constriction) for 4 weeks. Myocardial geometry and function was serially assessed by echocardiography.EUK-8 ameliorated survival in Hq and WT mice subjected to pressure overload. EUK-8 also improved left ventricular end-systolic dimensions and fractional shortening, prevented myocardial oxidant stress, attenuated necrotic and apoptotic cell death, and attenuated cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in both mutant and WT mice.The protection against pressure overload-induced heart failure in Hq mice by EUK-8 substantiates the notion that AIF functions as an important mitochondrial antioxidant in the heart. Furthermore, because antioxidant treatment protected both the oxidative stress-prone Hq mouse model and WT mice against pressure overload-induced maladaptive left ventricular remodeling and cardiac decompensation, it may be useful as a novel therapeutic tool in the treatment of human heart failure