Cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with systolic left ventricular dysfunction and symptoms of mild heart failure secondary to ischemic or nonischemic cardiomyopathy

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is beneficial in selected patients with moderate to severe heart failure (New York Heart Association [NYHA] classes III to IV). Patients with mildly symptomatic heart failure (NYHA class II) are currently not eligible for CRT and the potential beneficial effects in these patients have not been well studied. Fifty consecutive patients in NYHA class II heart failure and 50 consecutive patients in NYHA classes III to IV (control group) were prospectively included. All patients had left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction120 ms. The effects of CRT in NYHA class II patients were compared with the results obtained in both groups. The severity of baseline LV dyssynchrony (assessed with color-coded tissue Doppler imaging) was comparable between patients in NYHA class II versus those in NYHA classes III to IV (83+/-49 vs 96+/-51 ms, p=NS); resynchronization was achieved in all patients. NYHA class II patients showed a significant improvement in LV ejection fraction (from 25+/-7% to 33+/-10%, p<0.001) and reduction in LV end-systolic volume (from 168+/-55 to 132+/-51 ml, p<0.001) after CRT, similar to patients in NYHA classes III to IV. In addition, only 8% of NYHA class II patients had progression of heart failure symptoms. In conclusion, CRT had comparable effects in patients in NYHA class II and in NYHA classes III to IV heart failure in terms of LV resynchronization, improvement in LV ejection fraction, and LV reverse remodeling.     

Heart rate behaviour at different stages of congestive heart failure.

Depressed heart rate variation has been shown to predict a high mortality rate in patients with severe congestive heart failure. To determine whether the degree of altered heart rate correlates with the clinical state, 24-h Holter monitoring was performed in 21 patients (mean ejection fraction: 18 +/- 11%) at baseline and after 6 months of oral therapy. At baseline, the overall 24-h heart rate variation and night/day heart rate ratio was reduced, depending on the NYHA functional class. The typical morphology of R-R interval histograms was a sensitive marker of the clinical state at baseline: the higher the NYHA class, the smaller the R-R interval variability and standard deviation of R-R intervals (total variability NYHA III versus II: P less than 0.05). Clinical deterioration after 6 months (n = 8) was accompanied by a tendency to further shortening of the mean total R-R interval variability (676 +/- 34 to 586 +/- 25 ms). This was shown in three patients, who were reclassified to NYHA class IV. In stable patients (n = 5) and those with clinical improvement (n = 8) no significant change in R-R variability was observed. It is concluded that variations in R-R interval histogram shapes correspond to different NYHA functional classes. While severe clinical disease progression may be associated with further reductions in the heart rate variability, improvement in the clinical state of congestive heart failure is not necessarily associated with changes in heart rate behaviour.     

Antiischemic efficacy of trimetazidine in patients with ischemic heart disease,stable angina pectoris and disturbances of carbohydrate metabolism

AIM: To compare antiischemic effects of trimetazidine in patients with stable angina pectoris with and without disturbances of carbohydrate metabolism. MATERIAL: Patients with ischemic heart disease, stable class II-III angina pectoris and reproducible positive results of on-treatment exercise tests (n=40, mean age 56.7-/+1.95 years, 37 men) with normal carbohydrate metabolism (group 1, n=20) and with disturbances of carbohydrate metabolism (group 2, n=20). METHODS: All patients in addition to individually selected antianginal therapy were given trimetazidine (60 mg/day) for 2 months. Bicycle exercise tests were repeated after 1 and 2 months. Patient's diaries were used for registration of anginal attacks and nitroglycerine consumption. RESULTS: Addition of trimetazidine was associated with significant (p<0.005) prolongation of exercise duration until 1 mm-ST depression in both groups. Exercise duration was 553-/+10.5 and 555-/+10.2 s (p>0.05) at baseline, 657-/+15.3 and 695-/+10.1 s (p<0.05) after 2 months in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Other effects of trimetazidine in groups 1 and 2 included increases of total work performed during exercise test (by 14 and 22%, respectively), decreases in numbers of patients with ST depression (by 40, p<0.05, and 50%, p<0.05, respectively), numbers of anginal attacks (by 30, p<0.001, and 43%, p<0.001, respectively) and nitroglycerine pills (by 13%, p<0.001 and 51%, p<0.001, respectively). The decrease in supplemental nitroglycerine consumption was significantly more pronounced in group 2 (p<0.0001). There was no significant increment in double product in both groups. CONCLUSION: Antiischemic effect of trimetazidine was greater in patients with angina pectoris and disturbances of carbohydrate metabolism than in similar patients without such disturbances. KEY WORDS. trimetazidine; diabetes, type II, ischemic heart disease; angina pectoris.     

Biventricular pacing improves quality of life and exercise tolerance in patients with heart failure and intraventricular conduction delay

Background: Biventricular pacing improves left ventricular dysynchrony, leading to improvement in congestive heart failure symptoms. The extent of placebo effect, the predictors of response and the long term benefits are unknown. Patients and Methods: Forty-five patients with symptomatic congestive heart failure underwent implantation of a biventricular pacing system over a 30-month period (age 65 10 years, 37 men). Patients underwent implantation of a biventricular pacemaker or implantable defibrillator one month or longer after stabilization of congestive heart failure on maximal medical therapy, including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in 84% of patients and beta-blockers in 56% of patients. Three patients had New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II heart failure, 34 had NYHA class III and eight had NYHA class IV. Cardiomyopathy was ischemic in 31 patients, dilated in 12 and the result of other causes in two. The left ventricular ejection fraction was 19 5%. Results: Implantation of the biventricular pacing system was successful in 38 of 45 patients (84%). Two patients had successful implantation with a second attempt, and one patient had an epicardial lead implant. Lead dislodgement occurred in four patients, with successful repositioning in all. During a mean follow-up of 10 7 months, the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire quality of life index score improved from 62 16 to 42 22 at one month (P<0.001), but subsequently returned to intermediate levels (55 26 at three months, 48 26 at six months and 56 34 at one year, P=0.50). In seven patients with deferred device activation, quality of life scores also improved by 10 15 points from baseline to one month with VDI 35 pacing, and improved a further 15 20 points with left ventricular lead activation. The mean NYHA class fell from 3.1 0.5 at baseline to 2.7 0.7 at one month (P=0.006) and remained stable thereafter (2.8 0.9 at three months, 2.8 0.9 at six months). Six patients died during follow-up, one patient had a cardiac transplantation and subsequently died, one patient had a successful cardiac transplantation and one patient underwent insertion of a left ventricular assist device. Death occurred due to progressive heart failure in five patients, sudden death occurred in one patient and a noncardiovascular cause resulted in the death of one patient. An analysis of NYHA responders (NYHA class improvement of 1 or more at last follow-up, 44% of patients) and quality of life responders (score improvement of 10 or more at last follow-up, 57% patients) did not show any difference in age, sex, heart failure etiology, QRS width, ejection fraction or baseline NYHA class. Conclusions: Biventricular pacing improves quality of life and NYHA class in patients with advanced heart failure and intraventricular conduction delay. The attenuated benefit seen over time may be related to initial placebo effect or simple dual- chamber pacing, or the natural history of the underlying disease. Identification of patients most likely to respond to biventricular pacing was not possible.     

Progression of heart failure in right univentricular pacing compared to biventricular pacing

BACKGROUND: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves hemodynamics and symptoms of heart failure by reducing ventricular dyssynchronity. Conversely, recent studies have demonstrated that right univentricular pacing in patients with an ejection fraction below 40% aggravates heart failure. In this retrospective study, we compared progression of disease in patients with mild to moderate heart failure that were treated with a right univentricular pacing device and patients with congestive heart failure that were treated with a biventricular system. METHODS: 107 patients were included. 59 received a right ventricular pacing device and 48 a biventricular system. Patients were assessed after 1 and 6 months by NYHA class, echocardiographic parameters (EF, LVEDD) and hospitalization for heart failure. RESULTS: Hospitalization for heart failure after implantation of the devices was more frequent in patients that received a conventional pacemaker with a single lead in the right ventricle than in patients that were treated with a CRT system (12% vs. 6%, p<0.05), although heart failure was more advanced in the CRT group at baseline. Ejection fraction in the right ventricular pacing group further decreased from 43%+/-4 at baseline to 38%+/-4 after 6 months (p<0.05). Left ventricular enddiastolic diameter (LVEDD) was 51+/-7 mm and 58+/-6 mm (p<0.05) at 6 months. In the CRT group, EF was 23%+/-4 at baseline and 31%+/-7 after 6 months (p<0.05.). LVEDD improved from 56+/-4 mm before implantation to 52+/-7 mm and 6 months (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Progression of heart failure symptoms in the right univentricular pacing group was more pronounced compared to the CRT group, despite the fact that patients assigned to the CRT group had more severe symptoms of heart failure at baseline. Biventricular pacing relieved symptoms of heart failure, whereas right univentricular pacing with subsequent conduction delay of the left ventricle further deteriorated pre-existing heart failure. Therefore, patients with an indication for pacemaker therapy because of bradycardia and co-existing mild to moderate heart failure might benefit from early implantation of a CRT system.     

Reduction of morbidity by immunoadsorption therapy in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND: In patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and severe congestive heart failure, immunoadsorption (IA) and subsequent IgG substitution leads to an acute and prolonged hemodynamic improvement. Goal of this study was to investigate the long-term effect of immunoadsorption on morbidity. METHODS: In a retrospective analysis of 34 patients (17 patients who have received immunoadsorption therapy and 17 control patients) were included. Inclusion criteria were DCM, left ventricular ejection fraction less than 35%, NYHA classes II-III. The average time after immunoadsorption was 3.0 years (median 2.3 years). Both groups did not differ concerning sex, age, duration of disease, medication, baseline ejection fraction and NYHA class. RESULTS: In patients who have received immunoadsorption (IA) the days of hospitalisation for congestive heart failure per year could be significantly reduced in contrast to the control patients (17.2 days prior to IA, 4.3 days after IA). Even if the procedural days for immunoadsorption were included there was still a significant reduction of hospitalisation if IA therapy was longer than 2.5 years ago. The days of hospitalisation increased gradually with time during the follow up period. IA induced an acute increase in EF (19.8-25.7%, p<0.01 vs. baseline). CONCLUSION: IA not only leads to an acute hemodynamic improvement in patients with DCM but may also reduce morbidity in these patients during the next 3 years.     

美托洛尔联合曲美他嗪治疗小儿扩张型心肌病心力衰竭疗效观察

目的观察美托洛尔联合曲美他嗪治疗小儿扩张型心肌病心力衰竭的临床疗效。方法选择轻中度收缩功能不全性心力衰竭(NYHA心功能Ⅱ～Ⅲ级)患儿64例随机分为对照组(32例)和治疗组(32例),对照组给予洋地黄制剂、利尿剂、血管扩张剂、血管紧张素转换酶抑制剂(ACEI)等常规治疗。治疗组在常规治疗基础上加用美托洛尔和曲美他嗪,疗程为6个月。结果治疗组的疗效优于对照组(P0.05),总有效率也高于对照组(P0.05);治疗组治疗前后比较,心率、血压、左室舒张末期内径、左室收缩末期内径、左室射血分数均有明显改善(P0.05)。治疗后两组比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论美托洛尔联合曲美他嗪治疗小儿扩张型心肌病心力衰竭是一种安全有效的方法。     

Effects of metabolic modulation by trimetazidine on left ventricular function and phosphocreatine/adenosine triphosphate ratio in patients with heart failure.

AIMS: The addition of trimetazidine to standard treatment has been shown to improve left ventricular (LV) function in patients with heart failure. The aim of this study is to non-invasively assess, by means of in vivo 31P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS), the effects of trimetazidine on LV cardiac phosphocreatine and adenosine triphosphate (PCr/ATP) ratio in patients with heart failure. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twelve heart failure patients were randomized in a double-blind, cross-over study to placebo or trimetazidine (20 mg t.i.d.) for two periods of 90 days. At the end of each period, all patients underwent exercise testing, 2D echocardiography, and MRS. New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, ejection fraction (EF), maximal rate-pressure product, and metabolic equivalent system (METS) were evaluated. Relative concentrations of PCr and ATP were determined by cardiac 31P-MRS. On trimetazidine, NYHA class decreased from 3.04+/-0.26 to 2.45+/-0.52 (P = 0.005), whereas EF (34+/-10 vs. 39+/-10%, P = 0.03) and METS (from 7.44+/-1.84 to 8.78+/-2.72, P = 0.03) increased. The mean cardiac PCr/ATP ratio was 1.35+/-0.33 with placebo, but was increased by 33% to 1.80+/-0.50 (P = 0.03) with trimetazidine. CONCLUSION: Trimetazidine improves functional class and LV function in patients with heart failure. These effects are associated to the observed trimetazidine-induced increase in the PCr/ATP ratio, indicating preservation of the myocardial high-energy phosphate levels.     

心脏再同步化治疗慢性心衰的临床观察

目的观察心脏再同步化治疗(CRT)慢性心力衰竭(CHF)患者的临床疗效。方法选择2008年1月至2009年8月行CRT的患者32例,其中12例植入再同步心脏转复除颤器(CRT-D)。32例中30例为窦性心律,2例为房颤心律。随访21.5±6.2个月,观察患者NYHA心功能分级、QRS波时限、左室射血分数(LVEF)、左室舒张末内径(LVEDD)、6分钟步行距离(6MWD)、因心功不全住院时间等。结果 32例植入CRT(D)患者中,有24例临床症状明显改善,心功分级降低,LVEF和6MWD增加,QRS波时限、LVEDD减少,因心功不全住院时间明显减少约24.5%(p<0.05)。8例患者心功能没有明显改善,但因心功不全住院时间减少约8.3%(p<0.05)。4例患者记录到室性心律失常事件(12.5%),2例室速经抗心动过速起搏(ATP)有效转复,2例患者因室颤而放电,均成功转复,CRT-D均能有效识别和转复。结论 CRT可明显改善CHF患者的心功能,提高生活质量,缓解临床症状,植入CRT-D可有效预防心源性猝死(SCD)。     

双心室再同步起搏治疗宽QRS慢性心力衰竭患者的长期疗效及病死率分析

目的观察双心室同步起搏治疗慢性心力衰竭(心衰)患者的长期疗效及死亡率.方法 2001年3月至2005年2月住院患者25例,男18例,女7例,年龄34～75(61.42±10.36)岁;其中扩张性心肌病16例,高血压性心脏病3例,缺血性心肌病6例,心功能NYHA分级Ⅲ级10例、Ⅳ级15例.所有患者左室舒张末期内径(LVEDD)>60 mm,左室射血分数(LVEF)<0.40,QRS>130 ms.观察术前及术后3个月、6个月、1年、2年、3年的心功能各项参数及死亡率,平均随访时间为(20.88±11.51)个月.结果 (1)死亡率死亡5例,非心原性死亡3例,心原性猝死1例,急性心肌梗死1例.(2)术后3个月至3年,平均6 min步行距离明显增加(P<0.01).(3)NYHA心功能分级,术后3个月至3年,心功能明显改善(P<0.01),平均心功能降低1级以上.(4)LVEDD术后3个月至3年,LVEDD明显减小(P<0.05～P<0.01).(5)LVEF术后3个月至2年,LVEF明显增加(P<0.05～P<0.01);术后第3年 ,LVEF也改善,但差异无统计学意义.结论双心室同步起搏治疗宽QRS慢性心衰能明显改善患者的生活质量及心功能,减少LVEDD,逆转左室重构,长期治疗疗效巩固,并能降低心衰导致的病死率.     

Effect of carvedilol on blood levels of cytokines and symptoms of heart failure in patients with postinfarction cardiac dysfunction.

Effect of 6 months treatment with carvedilol (25 mg/day) on blood levels of cytokines (interleukins 1alpha, 2, 6, 8, tumor necrosis factor alpha) and clinical symptoms of heart failure was studied in patients with cardiac dysfunction after myocardial infarction. Patients with NYHA class II heart failure, ejection fraction 50% and moderately lowered tolerance to physical exercise (n=21) initially had enhanced cytokine expression: blood content of interleukin (IL) 2 was 2.8 times, tumor necrosis factor (TNFalpha) 78%, IL-1alpha 60% above normal level. Therapy with carvedilol in this group was associated with decreases of Il-2 (-23.8%), TNFalpha (-16.7%), IL-1alpha (-12.5%) (p<0.05-0.01). This was accompanied by alleviation of clinical symptoms and improved exercise tolerance. Patients with NYHA class III heart failure (n=16) with low left ventricular ejection fraction (30+/-2.7%) and low exercise tolerance had high levels of all studied cytokines. Levels of IL-2, TNFalpha and IL-1alpha were most elevated (3.1, 2.8 and 2 times higher than normal values, respectively). Therapy with carvedilol was associated with improvement of clinical symptoms and exercise tolerance (+35%, p<0.05)), increase of ejection fraction (+15%, p<0.05), decrease of left ventricular end systolic volume (-17.5%, p<0.05), and lowering of blood levels of TNFalpha (-31%), IL-2 (-17.4%), IL-1alpha (-15.6%). However cytokine levels remained substantially elevated compared with normal values. Carvedilol was well tolerated, and did not cause negative metabolic effects or other complications.     

A randomized clinical trial of trimetazidine, a partial free fatty acid oxidation inhibitor, in patients with heart failure.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to assess whether the long-term addition of trimetazidine to conventional treatment could improve functional class, exercise tolerance, and left ventricular function in patients with heart failure (HF). BACKGROUND: Previous small studies have shown that trimetazidine may be beneficial in terms of left ventricular function preservation and control of symptoms in patients with post-ischemic HF. METHODS: Fifty-five patients with HF were randomly allocated in an open-label fashion to either conventional therapy plus trimetazidine (20 mg three times daily) (28 patients) or conventional therapy alone (27 patients). Mean follow-up was 13 +/- 3 months. At study entry and at follow-up, all patients underwent exercise testing and two-dimensional echocardiography. Among the others, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class and ejection fraction (EF) were evaluated. RESULTS: In the trimetazidine group, NYHA functional class significantly improved compared with the conventional therapy group (p < 0.0001). Treatment with trimetazidine significantly decreased left ventricular end-systolic volume (from 98 +/- 36 ml to 81 +/- 27 ml, p = 0.04) and increased EF from 36 +/- 7% to 43 +/- 10% (p = 0.002). On the contrary, in the conventional therapy group, both left ventricular end-diastolic and -systolic volumes increased from 142 +/- 43 ml to 156 +/- 63 ml, p = 0.2, and from 86 +/- 34 ml to 104 +/- 52 ml, p = 0.1, respectively; accordingly, EF significantly decreased from 38 +/- 7% to 34 +/- 7% (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, long-term trimetazidine improves functional class and left ventricular function in patients with HF. This benefit contrasts with the natural history of the disease, as shown by the decrease of EF in patients on standard HF therapy alone.     

Long term use of a non-selective beta-blocker with vasodilating properties carvedilol in patients with severe heart failure

Results of drug treatment of 51 patients (41 men, 10 women) aged 35-86 years (mean age 62 years) included into COPERNICUS trial are presented. All patients had compensated NYHA class IV chronic heart failure and left ventricular ejection fraction less than 25%. For at least 2 months the patients received therapy with diuretics and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (84%) or angiotensin receptor blockers (16%) and then were randomized to either carvedilol or placebo. Average duration of follow-up was 17 months. Carvedilol was well tolerated both during dose titration and during maintenance therapy. Addition of carvedilol to standard therapy of patients with severe heart failure was associated with increase of average ejection fraction from 21.7 to 30.3%. Rates of cardiovascular and sudden deaths, risk of hospitalization among carvedilol treated patients were 25, 33 and 57% less than among patients subjected only to standard therapy.     

Clinical, hemodynamic and neurohumoral effects of long-term therapy of patients with severe chronic heart failure with beta-adrenoblocker bisoprolol

The use of beta-adrenoblockers in conjunction with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors improves quality of life and prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure. However basic mechanisms of these positive effects in severe heart failure remain to be elucidated. METHODS: Patients (n=54) with NYHA class III-IV heart failure and left ventricular ejection fraction < or =35% were randomized either to treatment with bisoprolol (1.25-10 mg/day) (n=30) or in control group (n=24) and were followed up for 12 months. RESULTS: The use of bisoprolol was associated with significant improvement of heart failure functional class, lowering of heart rate (by 14%, p<0.01), elevation of systolic blood pressure (by 7.2+/-12.3 mm Hg, p<0.01) and increase of walking distance (by 30.1+/-29.0 m, p<0.01). No significant changes of these parameters occurred in control group. After 12 months increases of left ventricular end diastolic and end systolic volumes (by 85+/-69.2 and 71+/-51.5 ml, respectively, p<0.001) and of ejection fraction (by 5.7+/-7.3%, p<0.01) took place in bisoprolol treated patients. These changes were significantly (p<0.001) higher than those in control group. After 6 months of treatment with bisoprolol noradrenaline concentration fell from 533 to 402 pg/ml (p<0.05) while in controls it rose from 369 to 474 pg/ml, p<0.01). Decreases of plasma renin activity (from 1.2 to 0.42 ng/ml/h), plasma concentrations of angiotensin II (from 17.1 to 13.1 pg/ml) and aldosterone (from 173 to 148 pg/ml, p<0.05) were also observed in bisoprolol group. No substantial dynamics of activity of main components of renin angiotensin system took place in controls. There were no significant changes of atrial natriuretic peptide in both groups. Significant positive dynamics of parameters of heart rate variability was registered only in bisoprolol group: SDNN increased by 25% (p<0.05), high frequency spectrum by 106% (p=0.03), LF/HF ratio from 2.18+/-1.41 to 1.82+/-0.7. CONCLUSION: Long term use of bisoprolol was associated with improved clinical and hemodynamic status, increased systolic BP, blocked processes of pathological left ventricular remodeling, lowered activity of not only sympathetic-adrenal but also of main components of renin-angiotensin system and improved heart rate variability.     

Effectiveness of resynchronization therapy in patients with end-stage heart failure

Biventricular pacing has been introduced to treat patients with end-stage heart failure, and short-term results of this technique are promising. Because data on longer follow-up are limited to 3-month follow-up, the sustained effect of biventricular pacing is unclear and long-term survival is unknown. Forty patients with end-stage heart failure in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III or IV with left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) <35%, QRS duration >120 ms, and left bundle branch block morphology received a biventricular pacemaker. At baseline, and at 3 and 6 months after implantation, the following parameters were evaluated: NYHA class, Minnesota quality-of-life score, QRS duration on surface electrocardiogram, 6-minute walking distance, and LVEF. Long-term follow-up was obtained for up to 2 years. All clinical parameters improved significantly at 3 months and remained unchanged at 6-month follow-up. LVEF increased from 24 +/- 9% to 34 +/- 11%. Before implantation, patients were hospitalized (for congestive heart failure) an average of 3.9 +/- 5.3 days/year compared with 0.5 +/- 1.5 days/year after implantation. Long-term follow-up showed a survival of 87.5% at 2 years. Thus, biventricular pacing resulted in improvement of symptoms and quality of life, accompanied by improvement in 6-minute walking distance and LVEF. These effects were observed at 3 months after implantation and were maintained at 6-month follow-up. Moreover, 2-year survival was excellent.     

Nebivolol in the treatment of ischemic heart disease patients with chronic heart failure

AIM: To assess effectiveness of inclusion of nebivolol in complex therapy of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) due to ischemic heart disease (IHD). MATERIAL: Patients (n=62, age 47-73 years) with NYHA class II-III CHF and left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) less than 45% receiving standard therapy +/- nebivolol (5 mg/day). The patients were followed up for 4 months. RESULTS: After 4 months improvement of clinical state, exercise tolerance, parameters of central hemodynamics and LV remodeling, lipid spectrum, rheological properties of blood and platelets haemostasis was more pronounced in a group of nebivolol treated patients. CONCLUSION: Inclusion of nebivolol in complex therapy increases efficacy of treatment of patients with CHF due to IHD.     

Effect of repeated intracoronary injection of bone marrow cells in patients with ischaemic heart failure the Danish stem cell study--congestive heart failure trial (DanCell-CHF)

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that myocardial regeneration may be achieved by a single intracoronary bone marrow derived stem cell infusion in selected patients with ischaemic heart disease. The effect is uncertain in patients with chronic ischaemic heart failure and it is not known whether repeated infusions would have additional positive effects. AIMS: To assess whether two treatments of intracoronary infusion of bone marrow stem cells, administered 4 months apart, could improve left ventricular (LV) systolic function in patients with chronic ischaemic heart failure. METHODS: The study was prospective and non-randomised, comprising an observational baseline period of 4 months followed by an interventional period of 12 months. Intracoronary bone marrow cell infusion was performed at the end of the baseline period and repeated 4 months later. RESULTS: 32 patients were included. LV ejection fraction remained unchanged (33+/-9% vs. 34+/-10% after 8 months, p=0.30). Likewise, there was no significant change in LV end-systolic volume, wall motion score index (WMSI) or contractile reserve. At 12 months, a decrease in target vessel WMSI was seen (2.17+/-0.34 vs. 2.06+/-0.46, p=0.02). Furthermore, NYHA class improved (p<0.0001). No deaths were observed. CONCLUSION: In this non-randomised study, no change in LV ejection fraction could be demonstrated after repeated intracoronary bone marrow stem cell treatment in patients with chronic ischaemic heart failure.     

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor therapy improves respiratory muscle strength in patients with heart failure

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Respiratory muscle strength has been shown to be reduced in patients with chronic heart failure. The purpose of this prospective study was to determine whether long-term therapy with the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor perindopril improves respiratory muscle strength in patients with chronic heart failure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients with stable chronic heart failure were administered perindopril, 4 mg/d, in addition to their standard therapy for a period of 6 months. Fourteen patients completed the study. Maximum inspiratory pressure (PImax) and maximum expiratory pressure (PEmax) expressed in percentage of predicted values, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) determined by means of two-dimensional echocardiography, and pulmonary volumes were obtained before and after therapy. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: As compared to baseline, there was a significant increase in both PImax and PEmax after therapy (57 +/- 27% predicted vs 78 +/- 36% predicted and 62 +/- 20% predicted vs 73 +/- 15% predicted, respectively; each p < 0.05). LVEF increased (34 +/- 5% vs 41 +/- 10%; p < 0.05); functional class improved by > or = 1 New York Heart Association (NYHA) class in five patients. There were no changes in pulmonary volumes. No correlation was found between changes in PImax and PEmax and changes in either LVEF or NYHA functional class. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with chronic heart failure, long-term therapy with the ACE inhibitor perindopril improved respiratory muscle strength, as indicated by significant increases in PImax and PEmax.     

Effect of cardiac resynchronization therapy on quality of life of patients with chronic heart failure

AIM: To study quality of life of heart failure patients who underwent cardiac resynchronization therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cardiac resynchronization devices were implanted to 27 consecutive patients (69.7+/-11.9 years of age) with severe heart failure (NYHA class III-IV). Follow up period was 11.6+/-4.9 months. Changes of parameters of quality of life (measured by questionnaire SF-36), ECHO-characteristics (left ventricular ejection fraction, end-diastolic diameter, end-systolic diameter, pulmonary artery blood pressure, mitral and tricuspid regurgitation), six-minute walk distance were assessed at baseline and in 2, 6, and 12 months after implantation of resynchronization device. RESULTS: Cardiac resynchronization therapy improved quality of life according to physical and emotional scales. Changes of the following hemodynamic characteristics were positive: ejection fraction (from 30.6+/-4,2% at baseline to 43.4+/-5.1, 46.8+/-0.3, 45.7+/-3.4% in 2, 6, 12 months after implantation, respectively), end-diastolic diameter (from 82+/-2 mm at baseline to 76+/-3, 73+/-2, 75+/-4 mm in 2, 6, 12 months after implantation, respectively), end-systolic diameter (from 56+/-2 mm at baseline to 53+/-2, 51+/-1, 52+/-3 mm in 2, 6, 12 months after implantation, respectively), pulmonary artery blood pressure (from 44+/-4 mm Hg at baseline to 35+/-3, 30+/-5, 34+/-4 mm Hg in 2, 6, 12 months after implantation, respectively), mitral regurgitation degree (from 2.8+/-0.2 at baseline to 2.4+/-0.2, 2.3+/-0.1, 2.5+/-0.3 in 2, 6, 12 months after implantation, respectively) and tricuspid regurgitation degree (from 2.5+/-0.1 at baseline to 2.1+/-0.2, 2.1+/-0.1, 2.2+/-0.2 in 2, 6, 12 months after implantation, respectively). Moreover, six minutes walk distance significantly improved (from 212+/-18 m at baseline to 270+/-14, 286+/-17 and 278+/-13 m in 2, 6, and 12 months after cardiac resynchronization device implantation, respectively). CONCLUSION: Cardiac resynchronization therapy improves quality of life of patients with terminal stage heart failure.     

超敏肌钙蛋白T对慢性收缩性心力衰竭患者危险分层和短期预后价值的探讨

目的 探讨超敏肌钙蛋白T（hs-TnT）对慢性收缩性心力衰竭（HF-rEF）患者危险分层和短期预后价值的影响.方法 158例HF-rEF患者入院后2h内测定血浆hs-TnT水平.经规范化治疗,随访3个月,观察终点是心血管事件（心源性死亡及心力衰竭恶化再入院）.结果 ①随着NYHA心功能分级的增高,hs-TnT水平亦呈增高趋势,Ⅱ～Ⅳ级hs-TnT水平分别为（0.011±0.740）mmol/L、（0.176±0.900）mmol/L和（0.236±0.810）mmol/L,不同级别间比较,差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）.②不同病因所致HF-rEF各亚组间hs-TnT水平无明显差异（P＞0.05）.③以hs-TnT均数0.014μg/L为界,升高hs-TnT亚组3个月内心血管事件发生率明显高于正常hs-TnT亚组（49.0％比27.8％,P＜0.01）.结论 检测超敏肌钙蛋白T升高提示短期预后不佳,主要心血管事件的增加可作为对早期HF-rEF患者危险分层的一个指标,并指导临床治疗.