The Th17/Treg imbalance exists in patients with heart failure with normal ejection fraction and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction

BackgroundImmune activation and inflammation participate in the progression of chronic heart failure (CHF), and T helper (Th) lymphocytes play critical roles in it. Th17 cells and CD4⁺CD25⁺ regulatory T (Treg) cells both come from naive Th cells, share reciprocal development pathways but exhibit opposite effects, and the balance between them controls inflammation and autoimmune diseases. We hypothesized that the Th17/Treg balance was impaired in patients with CHF.MethodsTo assess our hypothesis, patients with CHF were divided into 2 groups: heart failure with normal ejection fraction (HFNEF) group and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFREF) group. Peripheral Th17 and Treg frequencies were analyzed by flow cytometry.ResultsPatients with HFNEF and HFREF both revealed significant increase in the frequencies of Th17 and obvious decrease in the frequencies of Treg compared with the controls.ConclusionThe results indicate that the Th17/Treg imbalance exists in patients with CHF, suggesting the imbalance potentially plays a role in the pathogenesis, and the Th17/Treg balance may be a promising therapeutic approach in patients with CHF.     

Baroreflex activation therapy: a new treatment option for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction

Sympathovagal imbalance plays a major role in the progression of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Baroreflex activation therapy (BAT) by electrical stimulation of baroreceptors located at the carotid sinus can reduce sympathetic and increase parasympathetic tone. This review provides an overview on the concept of BAT in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and available preclinical and clinical data. Animal studies of BAT in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction have demonstrated a decline in plasma norepinephrine, an improved left ventricular ejection fraction, a reduced susceptibility to induced ventricular arrhythmias and a survival benefit. First clinical data from uncontrolled studies suggest a relevant improvement in muscle sympathetic nerve activity, ejection fraction, 6-min walk distance, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class and hospitalization rate. BAT appears to be safe in this severely ill patient population.     

射血分数保留和射血分数降低心衰患者临床资料分析

目的 分析射血分数保留的心衰(heart failure with preserved ejection fraction,HFPEF)与射血分数降低的心衰(heart failure with reduced ejection fraction,HFREF)患者的临床资料,并探讨两种类型心衰的差异及鉴别诊断指标.方法 回顾总结复兴医院急诊科2013年8月至2015年7月收治的心衰患者443例.根据射血分数(left ventricular ejection fraction,LVEF)将443例患者分为两组,HFPEF组(n =350)及HFREF组(n=93),比较两组患者一般情况、入院后24h实验室检测指标,以及超声心动图检查指标,并用Logistic多因素回归分析影响心衰类型的因素,建立多变量观察值的受试者工作特征曲线(ROC曲线),分析多变量联合鉴别两种不同类型心衰的敏感度和特异度.结果 HFPEF组患者年龄、女性所占比例、合并有慢性阻塞性肺疾病(chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,COPD)比例、超敏C反应蛋白(high sensitivity C-reactive protein,hs-CRP)显著高于HFREF组(P＜0.01),HFREF组患者男性所占比例、合并冠心病比例、B型钠尿肽(brain natriuretic peptide,BNP)、肌钙蛋白T(troponin T,TnT)、尿素氮(urea nitrogen,BUN)、尿酸(nric acid,UA)、糖化血红蛋白(glycosylated hemoglobin,HbA1c)高于HFPEF组(P＜0.01或P＜0.05);应用Logistic回归分析影响心衰类型的因素,联合性别、hs-CRP、BNP、BUN、UA、HbA1c作出预测HFREF概率的ROC曲线,ROC曲线下面积(AUC)为0.878,灵敏度为84.9％,特异度为77.7％.结论 联合性别及入院24 h hs-CRP、BNP、BUN、UA、HbA1c可能对心衰类型的鉴别诊断有参考价值.     

Association between lipoprotein (a) and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction development

BackgroundThe current study aimed to evaluate the relationship between baseline serum lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] level and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) development.MethodsThis was a retrospective study, and participants were enrolled from the outpatient clinic. All data were extracted from the electronic health record of the outpatient clinic system. The follow‐up was performed through reviewing the clinical notes at the outpatient clinic system, and study outcome of the current study was the first diagnosis of HFrEF. Participants were divided into low Lp(a) (<30 mg/dl, n = 336) and high Lp(a) (≥30 mg/dl, n = 584) groups.ResultsIndividuals in the high Lp(a) group were more likely to be men and have diabetes mellitus (DM) and dyslipidemia. Increased Lp(a) at baseline was positively associated with serum N‐terminal pro‐B natriuretic peptide level while negatively associated with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at follow‐up. After adjusting for covariates, per 10 mg/dl increase in baseline Lp(a) remained significantly associated with HFrEF, with odds ratio of 1.17 (95% confidence interval of 1.05, 1.46). The magnitude of association between baseline Lp(a) level and HFrEF was greater in men and in individuals with DM or coronary heart disease (CHD), while it was weaker in individuals treated with beta‐blocker at baseline.ConclusionIncreased Lp(a) at baseline was associated with HFrEF development. The adverse effects of Lp(a) were greater on men and individuals with DM or CHD, which were mitigated by beta‐blocker therapy. These findings together underscore the possibility and usefulness of Lp(a) as a new risk factor to predict HFrEF.     

时间射血分数和心率射血分数对心力衰竭患者心功能评估的价值及临床意义

目的比较左心室射血分数(LVEF)及其与相应时间段内心电图QRS波时限的比值(TEF)、心率的比值(Hr EF)对心力衰竭患者心功能评估,探讨相应指标临床应用价值和意义。方法前瞻性选取咸阳市第一人民医院2015年3月至2016年6月以左心心力衰竭为主窦性心律住院患者784例。治疗前完成心功能评估及心电图和超声心动图检查。LVEF、TEF及Hr EF低值切入点分别定义为0.5、0.625 ms-1和0.667(次/min)-1。根据纽约心脏病学会(NYHA)心功能分级,按患者LVEF、TEF、Hr EF、心电图QRS波时限、心率及年龄进行分类统计,比较不同心功能时的相应指标及两者变化的相关性。结果心功能Ⅰ~Ⅳ级患者LVEF分别为:(58.29±5.12)%、(54.23±7.09)%、(45.85±5.97)%、(34.24±7.92)%,组间两两比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01);TEF依次为:(0.696±0.097)ms-1、(0.614±0.109)ms-1、(0.477±0.079)ms-1、(0.329±0.118)ms-1,组间两两比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01);Hr EF依次为:(0.851±0.125)(次/min)-1、(0.730±0.146)(次/min)-1、(0.554±0.114)(次/min)-1、(0.377±0.129)(次/min)-1,组间两两比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);QRS波时限依次为:(84.29±7.70)ms、(89.28±8.40)ms、(97.10±10.09)ms、(109.7±20.73)ms,组间均值两两比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);心率依次为:(69.39±7.81)次/min、(75.81±9.98)次/min、(84.29±9.42)次/min、(94.04±12.78)次/min,组间两两比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01)。LVEF、TEF及Hr EF均与患者心力衰竭严重程度相关,r值分别为0.710、0.720和0.711(P<0.01)。LVEF<50%者占比48.72%(382/784),TEF<0.625者占比70.28%(551/784),Hr EF<0.667者占比55.48%(435/784)。两两率间多重比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论相对于LVEF,TEF和Hr EF对心力衰竭患者心功能评估更为合理,TEF优于Hr EF。     

Approach to patients with heart failure and normal ejection fraction

Approximately 50% of patients with a firm clinical diagnosis of heart failure (HF) have a normal ejection fraction. Some patients have valvular disease, but most have underlying diastolic dysfunction that leads to pulmonary and systemic congestion and signs and symptoms of HF. Although diastolic HF is clinically and radiographically indistinguishable from HF with depressed left systolic ventricular function, knowledge of which patients are at risk of diastolic HF, the common clinical profiles, and the common echocardiographic findings enhances the clinician's ability to diagnose diastolic HF with confidence. The prognostic implications of a diagnosis of diastolic HF and the therapeutic approach to such patients are reviewed.     

伊伐布雷定对急性失代偿性左心室射血分数降低型心力衰竭患者的近期疗效

目的 对急性失代偿性射血分数降低型心力衰竭（ADHFrEF）患者在常规药物治疗基础上加用伊伐布雷定,观察伊伐布雷定的临床疗效及安全性。方法 50例ADHFrEF患者随机分入对照组和观察组。对照组给予基础抗心衰治疗,观察组在对照组治疗基础上,加用伊伐布雷定5 mg,每日两次,口服,根据心率反应调整剂量。比较两组治疗前后患者心率、血压、心功能指标、血浆生化指标、平均住院时间以及主要不良心血管事件和不良反应。结果 两组患者治疗后,平均心率（HR）、BNP水平均较治疗前显著下降,6分钟步行距离（6MD）和左心室射血分数（LVEF）较治疗前显著提高（均P<0.05）,左心室舒张末内径（LVEDD）和心室收缩末内径（LVESD）较治疗前缩小（均P<0.05）。与对照组比较,伊伐布雷定可进一步减慢心率,提高6MD和LVEF（均P<0.05）。结论 在基础抗心衰治疗基础上加用伊伐布雷定能进一步改善ADHFrEF患者心脏功能、提高患者运动耐量。     

托伐普坦对左室射血分数降低心衰患者预后的影响

目的:比较传统利尿剂联用与不联用托伐普坦在治疗左室射血分数降低的慢性失代偿心衰时的近期和远期疗效,探索托伐普坦对慢性失代偿性心衰患者预后的影响。方法:选择同济大学附属东方医院心内科及上海市浦东新区唐镇社区卫生服务中心2013年2月至2015年5月收治的慢性失代偿期心衰患者115例。所有患者在接受标准抗心衰药物治疗的基础上,根据是否联用托伐普坦,分为标准治疗组(n=68)及托伐普坦组(n=47)。在用药前及用药后1周内记录患者体质量,计算血清渗透压,进行重复测量方差分析;并对所有纳入患者进行为期2年的随访,绘制Kaplan-Meier生存曲线,分析两组患者的心衰再住院率、非致死性心梗发生率、心血管死亡率和全因死亡率,并对可能影响预后的因素进行Cox多因素回归分析。结果:两组患者的基线资料差异无统计学意义。治疗后,托伐普坦组患者的体质量及氨基末端B型脑钠肽前体(N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide,NT-proBNP)低于标准治疗组(P0.05);托伐普坦组患者的平均住院时间短于标准治疗组(P0.01),心衰再住院率低于标准治疗组(P0.05);两组患者的非致死性心梗发生率、心血管死亡率及全因死亡率差异无统计学意义。结论:在进行标准抗心衰药物治疗的基础上,托伐普坦可改善慢性失代偿性心衰患者的临床症状,减少平均住院时间及心衰再住院率,不影响患者的非致死性心梗发生率、心血管死亡率及全因死亡率。     

Determination of coronary calcium with multi-slice spiral computed tomography: a comparative study with electron-beam CT

Electron-beam Computed Tomography (EBCT) has been used for years to quantify coronary artery calcification as a marker of coronary atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of a new scanner, the Multi-slice Spiral CT (MSCT), for the assessment of coronary calcification and to compare this new technique to EBCT. The study population consisted of 99 male patients, aged 60 ± 10 years with suspected or known coronary artery disease. With EBCT 40 axial slices, ECG-triggered (scan time = 100 ms, slice thickness = 3 mm), were acquired in one breath-hold (35 ± 5 s). For MSCT simultaneous acquisition of four axial slices (scan time = 250 ms, slice thickness = 2.5 mm), allowed the entire heart (48 slices) to be covered in one breath-hold of 25 ± 5 s. For quantification of coronary calcium the Volumetric Calcium Score (VCS) was calculated. There was an excellent correlation for the VCS (r = 0.994, p = 0.01, mean difference = 97 ± 115) between both scanners. Comparison of low (1–100), moderate (101–400), high (401–1000) and very high score values (>1000) showed no significant differences. The number of calcified lesions and densities were statistically not different. Mean variability of the two scans was 17%. The MSCT scanner is equivalent to EBCT for the determination and quantification of coronary calcium and can therefore be used for calcium screening. With application of the spiral mode technique further improvement in variability can be expected, thus allowing for follow-up studies to determine progression or regression of atherosclerosis with high accuracy.     

Comparison of gated single-photon emission computed tomography with magnetic resonance imaging for evaluation of left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

To prospectively compare the left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), end-systolic volume (LVESV), and ejection fraction (LVEF) obtained from gated perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (GSPECT) with those obtained from cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC). Twenty-one patients with IDC (6 females) with a median age of 45 years (range 17–65) were scheduled for ^99mTc-tetrofosmin-GSPECT and MRI within a 3 h interval. In both methods LV volumes were analyzed with the Simpson method. Both GSPECT and MRI were successfully completed in 90% of patients. Close linear correlations were observed between the two methods in LVEDV (R = 0.918; P < 0.001) and LVESV (R = 0.946; P < 0.001), but correlations were significantly weaker in LVEF (R = 0.323; P = 0.082). LVEDV and LVESV were smaller in GSPECT than in MRI (161 ± 73 vs. 214 ± 87 ml, P < 0.001, and 116 ± 64 vs. 138 ± 72 ml, P < 0.001, respectively). In 4 patients (21%) the LVEDV index was considered normal by GSPECT and increased by MRI, if MRI-derived normal values were used. No difference was found between GSPECT and MRI when LVEF_MRI was ≤40%, but GSPECT showed smaller LVEF when LVEF_MRI was over 40% (33 ± 11 vs. 50 ± 5%; P < 0.05). The finding of increased LVEDV in GSPECT is reliable compared with MRI. However, LV volumes were underestimated by GSPECT and no direct comparisons can be made between methods in follow up studies. Abnormal results should be confirmed by another imaging modality, such as MRI, if these findings have therapeutic consequences.     

Cardiac magnetic resonance strain imaging in acute myocarditis with preserved ejection fraction: promising and evolving

The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging -     

Prognostic significance of myocardial energy expenditure and myocardial efficiency in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction

In heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients, myocardial blood flow (MBF), myocardial energy expenditure (MEE), myocardial efficiency has been poorly evaluated because of the necessity of invasive procedures in the determination of these parameters. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) can provide reliable data for MEE, MBF (via coronary sinus (CS) flows). Also, myocardial efficiency can be evaluated by the MEE to MBF ratio. We aim to assess MBF, MEE and energy efficiency and the prognostic value of these parameters in HFrEF. In this prospective study, a total of 80 patients with HFrEF due to either ischemic or non-ischemic etiology and 20 healthy control subjects were included. Median follow-up duration was 901 (27–1004) days. MBF was calculated via coronary sinus blood flow. MEE was measured from circumferential end-systolic stress, stroke volume and left ventricular ejection time. MEE to MBF ratio was determined as MEf. Primary composite end-point (CEP) was cardiovascular mortality, heart transplantation or mechanical circulatory support. MEE and MEf were lower and MBF per minute was higher in HF group compared to control subjects whereas MBF per 100 g left ventricular mass was not different. MEE and MEf have significantly negative correlation with troponin I, BNP, uric acid and positive correlation with epicardial fat thickness. In Cox regression analysis, per one calorie decrease of MEE was associated 4.3 times increased risk [HR 4.396 (95% CI 1.230–15.716)] and per one percent decrease of MEf was associated 3.3 times increased risk of CEP [HR 3.343 (95% CI 1.025–10.905)]. Our study demonstrated that while MEE and MEf diminished in HFrEF, MBF preserved with the symptomatic progression of HF. MEE and MEf were found to be associated with important prognostic markers and independent predictors of CEP in HFrEF. Evaluation of MEE, MBF and MEf with echocardiography may provide an additional data regarding prognostic assessment of HFrEF population.     

实时三维超声心动图评估射血分数减低的左心力衰竭患者的右心室重构

目的 采用单心动周期实时三维超声心动图(sRT-3DE)结合传统二维超声心动图探讨左心室射血分数(LVEF)减低的左心力衰竭患者肺高压(PH)对右心室重构的影响。方法 对sRT-3DE检查LVEF<50%的60例患者(病例组)根据肺动脉收缩压(PASP)及肺血管阻力(PVR)不同分为3个亚组:HF-NPH亚组15例,HF-PPH亚组15例,HF-RPH亚组30例,正常健康人35名为对照组。对两组行常规二维超声及sRT-3DE检查,分析获得三维、二维及多普勒超声参数,进行组间对比分析和相关性分析。结果 与对照组比较:病例组右心室舒张末期容积指数(EDVI)、收缩末期容积指数(ESVI)、基底部横径(D1)、长径(LD)、D1/中间横部径(D2)、射血分数(EF)减小。与HF-NPH亚组比较,HF-PPH亚组右心室ESVI、D1/D2、LD/D2增大。与HF-PPH亚组比较,HF-RPH亚组右心室EDVI、ESVI、D2增大,右心室EF、LD/D2减低。PVR与PASP、右心室EF与左心室EF、右心室LD与左心室LD呈正相关性(r=0.765、0.628、0.725;P均<0.01),PVR与右心室EF呈负相关(r=-0.715,P<0.01),且高于与PASP的相关性(r=-0.623,P<0.01)。结论 sRT-3DE结合传统二维及多普勒超声可准确评估左心力衰竭患者的右心室重构,有助于判断右心室结构和功能状态。     

Metoprolol vs. diltiazem in the acute management of atrial fibrillation in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction

Objective

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of metoprolol versus diltiazem in the acute management of atrial fibrillation (AF) with rapid ventricular response (RVR) in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

沙库巴曲缬沙坦对慢性射血分数降低的心力衰竭患者超声参数的影响

目的 评价沙库巴曲缬沙坦对慢性射血分数降低的心力衰竭(HFrEF)患者超声参数的影响.方法 选取2018年7月—2020年12月慢性HFrEF患者50例为研究对象.在开始使用沙库巴曲缬沙坦前均行临床检查、超声心动图和彩色多普勒超声评估,3个月时重复相同检查.采用纽约心脏病协会(NYHA)分级进行心功能评价.结果 研究期...