Right ventricular systolic pressure – Non-invasive bedside predictor of mortality and readmission in heart failure with reduced and preserved ejection fraction hospitalization

ObjectiveTo study the prognostic role of right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) in patients with heart failure (HF).BackgroundAlthough RVSP is a readily available echocardiographic parameter, it is often underused. Its prognostic role in patients with heart failure is not well established compared with pulmonary artery pressure measured by right heart catheterization.MethodsThis single-center retrospective cohort study included patients with acute heart failure hospitalization admitted to the hospital from January 2005 to December 2018. The primary predictor was right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) obtained from bedside transthoracic echocardiography at admission. We divided RVSP into two groups, RVSP <40 mm Hg (reference group) and RVSP ≥40 mm Hg. Primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were all-cause readmission and cardiac readmission. We conducted propensity-score matching and applied cox-proportional hazard model to compute hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI).ResultsOut of 972 HF patients, 534 patients had RVSP <40 mm Hg and 438 patients had RVSP ≥40 mm Hg. Patients with RVSP ≥40 mm Hg compared with RVSP <40 mm Hg were associated with higher rates of death [HR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.22–2.09, P-value = 0.001], all-cause readmissions [HR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.09–1.73, P-value = 0.008] and cardiac readmissions [HR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.07–1.85, P-value = 0.014].ConclusionHigher RVSP (≥40 mm Hg) in HF patients was associated with higher rates of death, all-cause readmissions, and cardiac readmissions. RVSP can be considered as a prognostic marker for mortality and readmission.     

Elevated serum uric acid and risk of cardiovascular or all-cause mortality in maintenance hemodialysis patients: A meta-analysis

Background and aimsStudies have shown inconsistent results about the association between serum uric acid (SUA) levels and mortality in hemodialysis patients. We performed this meta-analysis to determine whether higher SUA values comprised a risk factor of cardiovascular or all-cause mortality in maintenance hemodialysis patients.Methods and resultsPubmed, Embase and the Cochrane library were searched up to August 31, 2020 for the longitudinal studies that investigated the association between the elevated SUA and cardiovascular or all-cause mortality risk in maintenance hemodialysis patients. Pooled adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random-effects model. We included 10 studies with an overall sample of 264,571 patients with hemodialysis in this meta-analysis. Patients with the highest SUA were associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular mortality (HR = 0.72, 95% CI 0.59–0.87) compared with patients with the lowest SUA after adjustment for potential confounders in a random effects model. Moreover, for each increase of 1 mg/dl of SUA, the overall risks of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality decreased by 6% and 9%, respectively (HR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.90–0.99; HR = 0.91, 95% CI 0.89–0.94).ConclusionElevated SUA levels are strongly and independently associated with lower risk of cardiovascular mortality in maintenance hemodialysis patients. More designed studies, especially randomized controlled trials, should be conducted to determine whether high SUA levels is an independent risk factor of all-cause mortality in hemodialysis patients.     

Characteristics and outcomes of patients with a history of cancer recruited to heart failure trials

Aims

Heart failure (HF) therapy trials usually exclude cancer patients. We examined the association between cancer history and outcomes in trial participants with HF and reduced (HFrEF) or preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Methods and results

We combined PARADIGM-HF and ATMOSPHERE, which enrolled HFrEF patients (n = 15 415) and we pooled HFpEF patients (ejection fraction ≥45%) enrolled in PARAGON-HF and CHARM-Preserved (n = 7363). The associations between cancer history, cardiovascular (CV) death, HF hospitalization, non-CV and all-cause death in these trials were examined. Incident cancer diagnoses during these trials were also measured. There were 658 (4.3%) and 624 (8.5%) patients with a cancer history in the HFrEF and HFpEF trials, respectively. HFrEF patients with a cancer history had a higher risk of HF hospitalization (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07–1.52, p = 0.007) and non-CV death (adjusted HR 1.57; 95% CI 1.16–2.12, p = 0.003) than those without. The risks of other outcomes were similar. There were no differences in the risk of any outcome in HFpEF patients with and without a cancer history. Adjusting for age and sex, the incidence of new cancer in the HFrEF and HFpEF trials was 1.09 (95% CI 0.83–1.36) and 1.07 (95% CI 0.81–1.32) per 100 person-years, respectively.

Conclusions

Although participants in HFrEF trials with a cancer history had higher risks of HF hospitalization and non-CV death than those without, the risks of CV and all-cause death were similar. Outcomes in HFpEF patients with and without a cancer history were similar. Incident cancer diagnoses were similar in HFrEF and HFpEF trials.     

Gender differences in the impact of metabolic syndrome components on mortality in older people: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and aimsThe influence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) on mortality may be influenced by age- and gender-related changes affecting the impact of individual MetS components. We investigated gender differences in the association between MetS components and mortality in community-dwelling older adults.Methods and resultsProspective studies were identified through a systematic literature review up to June 2019. Random-effect meta-analyses were run to estimate the pooled relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of all-cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality associated with the presence of MetS components (abdominal obesity, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, high fasting glycemia, and high blood pressure) in older men and women. Meta-analyses considering all-cause (103,859 individuals, 48,830 men, 55,029 women; 10 studies) and CV mortality (94,965 individuals, 44,699 men, 50,266 women; 8 studies) did not reveal any significant association for abdominal obesity and high triglycerides in either gender. Low HDL was associated with increased all-cause (RR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.02–1.32) and CV mortality (RR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.03–1.74) among women, while weaker results were found for men. High fasting glycemia was associated with higher all-cause mortality in older women (RR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.22–1.50) more than in older men (RR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.13–1.30), and CV mortality only in the former (RR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.04–1.78). Elevated blood pressure was associated with increased all-cause mortality (RR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.03–1.32) and showed marginal significant results for CV death only among women.ConclusionsThe impact of MetS components on mortality in older people present some gender differences, with low HDL cholesterol, hyperglycemia, and elevated blood pressure being more strongly associated to all-cause and CV mortality in women.     

Safety and efficacy of anticoagulant monotherapy in atrial fibrillation and stable coronary artery disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundAdjunctive use of oral anticoagulant (OAC) and antiplatelet therapy (APT) in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) is a challenge of daily practice.MethodsA comprehensive literature search of databases was performed to identify studies comparing the safety and efficacy of OAC monotherapy and combined therapy (OAC plus single (S) APT). Events including major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), all-cause mortality, stroke and major bleeding were analyzed.ResultsSeven articles comprising 11,070 subjects were identified. Combined therapy was associated with a significantly higher risk of major bleeding (pooled hazard ratio (HR) of 1.62, 95% CI 1.40–1.86, p=<0.0001) compared to the OAC monotherapy. There was no significant difference between the two comparison arms in terms of MACE (HR 1.14; 95% CI 0.97–1.34, p = 0.11), stroke (HR 1.05; 95% CI 0.77–1.43, p = 0.78) and all-cause mortality (HR 1.15; 95% CI 0.94–1.40, p = 0.16). Stratified analysis by inclusion of only patients with coronary stents attenuated the safety effect of monotherapy. Subgroup analysis based on the study design, type of OAC, major bleeding criteria and APT revealed findings consistent with the pooled HR. The combined therapy group had a 19% and 38% higher risk of MACE in studies with a history of MI (p = 0.03) and with the use of rivaroxaban (p = 0.02), respectively.ConclusionOAC monotherapy might have a lower incidence of major bleeding events with no higher overall risk of MACE, ischemic stroke and all-cause mortality compared to the combined therapy group.     

The inter-arm systolic blood pressure difference and risk of cardiovascular mortality: A meta-analysis of cohort studies

The inter-arm systolic blood pressure difference (SBPD) is recommended to be in relation to potential cardiovascular disease (CVD). Previous studies yielded controversial results about the association between an inter-arm SBPD ≥ 10 mmHg or ≥15 mmHg and the risk of cardiovascular mortality. Therefore, we conducted this meta-analysis to investigate this association. We searched PubMed and Embase databases through December 31, 2014, and examined the references of retrieved articles to identify relevant cohort studies. We utilized Newcastle–Ottawa scale to assess the quality of included studies and calculated the summary risk estimates in a fixed/random-effect model. All data analyses were conducted using STATA version 11.0. A total of seven studies were identified. Compared with participants with an inter-arm SBPD < 10 mmHg, the pooled hazard ratio (HR) of CVD mortality of those with an inter-arm SBPD ≥ 10 mmHg was 1.58 (95% CI: 1.3–1.93),and the pooled HR of cardiovascular mortality of participants with an inter-arm SBPD ≥ 15 mmHg versus those with an inter-arm SBPD < 15 mmHg was 1.88 (95% CI: 1.33–2.66). The findings from the present meta-analysis indicated that the detection of an inter-arm SBPD may define a subpopulation at high risk of CVD events.     

Association between body mass index and mortality in atrial fibrillation patients with and without diabetes mellitus: Insights from a multicenter registry study in China

Background and aimsThe aim of this study was to evaluate the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with and without diabetes mellitus (DM).Methods and resultsA total of 1991 AF patients were enrolled and divided into two groups according to whether they have DM at recruitment. Baseline information was collected and a mean follow-up of 1 year was carried out. The primary outcome was defined as all-cause mortality with the secondary outcomes including cardiovascular mortality, stroke and major adverse events (MAEs). Univariable and multivariable Cox regression were performed to estimate the association between BMI and 1-year outcomes in AF patients with and without DM. 309 patients with AF (15.5%) had comorbid DM at baseline. Patients with DM were more likely to have cardiovascular comorbidities, receive relevant medications but carry worse 1-year outcomes. Multivariable Cox regressions indicated that elevated BMI was related with reduced risk of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality and major adverse events. Compared to normal weight, overweight [HR (95% CI): 0.548 (0.405–0.741), p < 0.001] and obesity [HR (95% CI): 0.541 (0.326–0.898), p = 0.018] were significantly related with decreased all-cause mortality for the entire cohort. Remarkably reduced all-cause mortality in the overweight [HR (95% CI): 0.497 (0.347–0.711), p < 0.001] and obesity groups [HR (95% CI): 0.405 (0.205–0.800), p = 0.009] could also be detected in AF patients without DM, but not in those with DM.ConclusionElevated BMI was associated with reduced mortality in patients with AF. This association was modified by DM. The obesity paradox confined to AF patients without DM, but could not be generalized to those with DM.     

Statin adherence and risk of all-cause,cancer, and cardiovascular mortality among dyslipidemia patients: A time-dependent analysis

Background and aimResults have been mixed and uncertainty still remains regarding the impact of statin adherence on premature deaths. Thus, we investigated the association between statin adherence and risks of all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular mortality among dyslipidemia patients in South Korea.Methods and resultsWe used data from the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) National Sample Cohort for the years 2003–2013, which included data on 107,954 middle-aged and elderly dyslipidemia patients. Among these patients, a time-dependent Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) of all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular mortality depending on proportion of days covered (PDC) by statin medication. A total of 3073 (2.85%) individuals died within the study period. Of these individuals, 1143 (1.06%) died from cancer, and 687 (0.64%) died from cardiovascular diseases. Relative to good medication adherence (>80%), moderate (50–80%) (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.28, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.14–1.43) and poor (<50%) (HR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.41–1.78) adherence were associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality. Poor adherence was also associated with increased risk of cancer (HR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.16–1.52) and cardiovascular (HR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.06–1.51) mortality.ConclusionSuch findings reveal that relative to good statin adherence, moderate and/poor adherence is associated with increased risks of all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular mortality. Clinicians should assess for dyslipidemia, link statin adherence problems to potential mortality risk, and monitor outcomes in both medication adherence and disease complications.     

Intravenous iron in patients with heart failure and iron deficiency: an updated meta-analysis

Aims

For patients with heart failure (HF) and iron deficiency (ID), randomized trials suggest that intravenous (IV) iron reduces hospitalizations for heart failure (HHF), but uncertainty exists about the effects in subgroups and the impact on mortality. We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized trials investigating the effect of IV iron on clinical outcomes in patients with HF.

Methods and results

We identified randomized trials published between 1 January 2000 and 5 November 2022 investigating the effect of IV iron versus standard care/placebo in patients with HF and ID in any clinical setting, regardless of HF phenotype. Trials of oral iron or not in English were not included. The main outcomes of interest were a composite of HHF and cardiovascular death (CVD), on HHF alone and on cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Ten trials were identified with 3373 participants, of whom 1759 were assigned to IV iron. IV iron reduced the composite of recurrent HHF and CVD (rate ratio 0.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.61–0.93; p < 0.01) and first HHF or CVD (odds ratio [OR] 0.72, 95% CI 0.53–0.99; p = 0.04). Effects on cardiovascular (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.70–1.05; p = 0.14) and all-cause mortality (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.78–1.12; p = 0.47) were inconclusive. Results were similar in analyses confined to the first year of follow-up, which was less disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Subgroup analyses found little evidence of heterogeneity for the effect on the primary endpoint, although patients with transferrin saturation <20% (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.49–0.92) may have benefited more than those with values ≥20% (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.74–1.30) (heterogeneity p = 0.07).

Conclusion

In patients with HF and ID, this meta-analysis suggests that IV iron reduces the risk of HHF but whether this is associated with a reduction in cardiovascular or all-cause mortality remains inconclusive.     

Safety of coffee consumption after myocardial infarction: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and aimsThis systematic review aims to evaluate the impact of coffee consumption in patients with previous myocardial infarction (MI), in relation to all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, as well as other major cardiovascular events (MACE) such as stroke, heart failure, recurrent MI and sudden death.Methods and resultsMEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Web of Science Core Collection, SciELO Citation Database, Current Contents Connect®, KCI Korean Journal Database, African Index Medicus, and LILACS were searched for longitudinal studies evaluating the impact of coffee consumption in patients with previous myocardial infarction. We performed a random-effects meta-analysis to estimate the pooled hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The statistical heterogeneity was measured by I². A dose–response analysis was also conducted.Six prospective cohort studies were included in the primary meta-analysis. Consumption of coffee was associated with lower risk of cardiovascular mortality (HR = 0.70; 95% CI 0.54–0.91, I² = 0%; 2 studies) and was not associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 0.85; 95% CI 0.63–1.13; I² = 50%; 3 studies), recurrent MI (HR = 0.99; 95% CI 0.80–1.22; I² = 0%; 3 studies), stroke (HR = 0.97; 95% CI 0.63–1.49; I² = 39%; 2 studies) and MACE (HR = 0.96; 95% CI 0.86–1.07; I² = 0%; 2 studies). A significant non-linear inverse dose–response association was found for coffee consumption and all-cause mortality.ConclusionsConsumption of coffee was not associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events in patients with previous myocardial infarction.     

Elevated random glucose levels at admission are associated with all-cause mortality and cardiogenic shock during hospitalisation in patients with acute myocardial infarction and without diabetes: A retrospective cohort study

Background

Elevated glucose levels at admission are associated with a worse prognosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI); additionally, such elevation has a higher prognostic value for patients without diabetes.

Methods

We retrospectively recruited 2412 AMI patients without diabetes from 1 August 2011 to 10 January 2022. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality during hospitalisation, and the secondary outcomes were cardiogenic shock, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, atrioventricular block and new stroke.

Results

The mean age of participants was 65 years and 78.6% were male. Of the 2412 patients, all-cause mortality occurred in 236 patients (9.8%) during hospitalisation. In multivariate-adjusted models that corrected for variable weights, the risk of all-cause mortality increased with an increase in random glucose levels at admission; specifically, the risk of all-cause mortality increased per 1 mg/dL (odds ratio [OR] 1.006, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.004–1.008), per 9 mg/dL (OR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.04–1.08), and per 18 mg/dL (OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.07–1.16) increases in admission glucose levels. When admission glucose levels were expressed as a categorical variable, increased levels of glucose (relative to the reference glucose value <140 mg/dL) led to an increased risk of all-cause mortality; specifically, the OR of all-cause mortality for 140–200 mg/dL glucose was 1.55 (95% CI: 1.09–2.17) and the OR for glucose >200 mg/dL was 3.08 (95% CI: 2.00–4.62) (P for trend <0.001). The risk of cardiogenic shock also increased with glucose levels with an OR of 1.68 (95% CI: 1.21–2.31) for 140–200 mg/dL glucose and an OR of 3.72 (95% CI: 2.50–5.46) for >200 mg/dL, compared with that of glucose <140 mg/dL. In multivariate-adjusted spline regression models, an increased risk of all-cause mortality was observed in patients with glucose ≥122 mg/dL (OR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.38–2.38, p < 0.001) compared with the reference cohort. Furthermore, patients with glucose ≥111 mg/dL (OR: 2.36, 95% CI: 1.80–3.12) had a higher risk of cardiogenic shock than patients with glucose <111 mg/dL.

Conclusions

Patients with AMI and without diabetes who had elevated random glucose levels at admission had a higher risk of all-cause mortality and cardiogenic shock during hospitalisation. In particular, patients with glucose ≥122 mg/dL had an increased risk of all-cause mortality, and those with glucose ≥111 mg/dL had an increased risk of cardiogenic shock.     

Risk factors for liver-related and non-liver-related mortality following a sustained virological response after direct-acting antiviral treatment for hepatitis C virus infection in a real-world cohort

A direct-acting antiviral (DAA)-induced sustained virological response (SVR) reduces the risk of mortality. However, the risk factors associated with liver-related and non-liver-related mortality following a SVR after DAA treatment are unclear. We assessed the incidence and risk factors of liver-related and non-liver-related mortality in 1180 patients who achieved a SVR after DAA treatment. During the follow-up period after DAA treatment (median duration, 1099 [range: 84–2345] days), 53 (4.5%) patients died: 15 due to liver-related mortality, 25 due to non-liver-related mortality and 13 due to unknown causes. The all-cause, liver-related and non-liver-related mortality rates were 14.9, 4.2 and 7.0/1000 person-years, respectively. In a multivariate analysis, the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after DAA treatment (p = .009; hazard ratio [HR], 31.484), an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at baseline ≤61.68 ml/min/1.73 m² (p = .015; HR, 6.607), and an α-fetoprotein level post-treatment ≥7.6 ng/ml (p = .041; HR, 18.490) were significantly associated with liver-related mortality. Furthermore, eGFR ≤67.94 ml/min/1.73 m² at baseline (p = .012; HR, 3.407) and albumin–bilirubin (ALBI) grade ≥ 2 at SVR (p = .024; HR, 3.449) were significantly associated with non-liver-related mortality. Early diagnosis and therapeutic interventions for HCC development after DAA treatment are important to reduce liver-related mortality. The ALBI grade, which reflects the hepatic functional reserve, is a useful predictor of non-liver-related mortality after a SVR induced by DAA treatment. Furthermore, the renal dysfunction caused by metabolic syndrome may affect prognosis even after eliminating hepatitis C virus.     

Low systolic blood pressure at admission predicts long-term mortality in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Background

Systolic blood pressure (SBP) at hospital admission predicts in-hospital and postdischarge mortality in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction. The relationship between admission SBP and mortality in heart failure with preserved (≥50%) ejection fraction (HFPEF) is still unclear.

Methods and Results

We aimed to investigate the relationship between admission SBP and 5-year outcome in 368 consecutive patients hospitalized for new-onset HFPEF. Five-year all-cause mortality rates according to admission SBP categories (<120, 120–139, 140–159, 160–179, and ≥180 mm Hg) were 75 ± 7%, 53 ± 6%, 52 ± 7%, 55 ± 4%, and 60 ± 7%, respectively (P = .029). Survival analysis showed an inverse relation between admission SBP and mortality with increased risk of death for SBP <120 mm Hg. SBP <120 mm Hg independently predicted 5-year all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08–2.63) and cardiovascular mortality (adjusted HR 1.89, 95% CI 1.21–2.97). In patients discharged alive, after adjustment for medical treatment at discharge, admission SBP <120 mm Hg remained predictive of all-cause mortality (adjusted HR 1.52, 95% CI 1.04–2.43) and cardiovascular mortality (adjusted HR 1.69, 95% CI 1.06–2.73). There was no interaction between any of the therapeutic classes and outcome prediction of SBP.

Conclusions

In HFPEF, low SBP (<120 mm Hg) at the time of hospital admission is associated with excess long-term mortality. Further studies are required to determine the mechanism of this association.     

A Body Shape Index is positively associated with all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality in the Chinese population with normal weight: A prospective cohort study

Background and aimA body shape index (ABSI) is a valuable predictor of mortality in the Western population, but similar evidence in the general Chinese population is limited. This study aims to evaluate the association between the ABSI and all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in the Chinese population with normal weight.Methods and results9046 participants with normal BMI (18.5–24.9 kg/m²) from the China Hypertension Survey were enrolled. The baseline ABSI was calculated as waist circumference/(BMI^2/3height^1/2). Cox proportional hazards regression was performed to evaluate the association of the ABSI with all-cause and CVD mortality. Over an average follow-up of 5.4 years, 686 all-cause and 215 CVD deaths occurred. A 0.01-unit increment in the ABSI was associated with a 31% greater risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.31; 95% CI: 1.12, 1.48) and CVD mortality (HR, 1.30; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.58). Compared with quartile 1 of the ABSI, the adjusted HRs of all-cause mortality for quartiles 2–4 were, respectively, 1.25 (95% CI: 0.98, 1.59), 1.28 (95% CI: 0.99, 1.67), and 1.54 (95% CI: 1.17, 2.03) (P_trend = 0.004), and those of CVD mortality for quartiles 2–4 were, respectively, 1.28 (95% CI: 0.88, 1.83), 1.42 (95% CI: 0.97, 2.08), and 1.45 (95% CI: 0.98, 2.170) (P_trend = 0.043). The dose–response analysis showed a linear positive association of the ABSI with all-cause (P_nonlinearity = 0.158) and CVD mortality (P_nonlinearity = 0.213).ConclusionThe ABSI was positively associated with all-cause and CVD mortality among the general Chinese population with normal BMI. The data suggest that the ABSI may be an effective tool for central fatness for mortality risk assessment.     

Inotrope Use and Outcomes Among Patients Hospitalized for Heart Failure: Impact of Systolic Blood Pressure,Cardiac Index,and Etiology

BackgroundInotropes are widely used in hospitalized systolic heart failure (HF) patients, especially those with low systolic blood pressure (SBP) or cardiac index. In addition, inotropes are considered to be harmful in nonischemic HF.Methods and ResultsWe examined the association of in-hospital inotrope use with (1) major events (death, ventricular assist device, or heart transplant) and (2) study days alive and out of hospital during the first 6 months in the Evaluation Study of Congestive Heart Failure and Pulmonary Artery Catheterization Effectiveness, which excluded patients with immediate need for inotropic therapy. Predefined subgroups of interest were baseline SBP <100 versus ≥100 mm Hg, cardiac index <1.8 vs ≥1.8 L min⁻¹ m⁻², and ischemic versus nonischemic HF etiology. Inotropes were frequently used in both the <100 mm Hg (88/165 [53.3%]) and the ≥100 mm Hg (106/262 [40.5%]) SBP subgroups and were associated with higher risk for major events in both subgroups (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 2.85, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.59–5.12 [P < .001]; and HR 1.86, 95% CI 1.02–3.37 [P = .042]; respectively). Risk with inotropes was more pronounced among those with cardiac index ≥1.8 L min⁻¹ m⁻² (n = 114; HR 4.65, 95% CI 1.98–10.9; P < .001) vs <1.8 L min⁻¹ m⁻² (n = 82; HR 1.48, 95% CI 0.61–3.58; P = .39). Event rates were higher with inotropes in both ischemic (n = 215; HR 2.64, 95% CI 1.49–4.68; P = .001) and nonischemic (n = 216; HR 2.19, 95% CI 1.18–4.07; P = .012) patients. Across all subgroups, patients who received inotropes spent fewer study days alive and out of hospital.ConclusionsIn the absence of cardiogenic shock or end-organ hypoperfusion, inotrope use during hospitalization for HF was associated with unfavorable 6-month outcomes, regardless of admission SBP, cardiac index, or HF etiology.     

Is systolic blood pressure below 150 mm Hg an appropriate goal for primary prevention of cardiovascular events among elderly population?

Recently, Joint National Committee has changed the optimal therapeutic goal of systolic blood pressure (SBP) up to 150 mm Hg for elderly population. We aimed to investigate impact of different blood pressure (BP) categories on risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality among elderly. The present study included 1845 participants, aged ≥60 years (mean age = 65 years), free of CVD at baseline, who had undergone health examinations between January 1999 and 2001, and were followed up until March 2010. Cox proportional hazard regression was performed to assess the hazard ratios (HRs) of BP categories for CVD and mortality events, considering those with optimal BP (SBP <120 mm Hg and diastolic BP [DBP] <80 mm Hg) as reference. During a median of 10 years follow-up, 380 cases of first CVD and 260 cases of mortality events occurred. In multivariable adjusted model, prehypertensive group (SBP between 120–129 mm Hg or DBP between 80–85 mm Hg) could not predict CVD (HR, 0.87 [0.61–1.24]) nor mortality events (HR, 0.86 [0.58–1.34]). Those with SBP between 140 mm Hg and 150 mm Hg (group 3) were at higher risk for developing CVD (HR, 1.79 [1.17–2.74]), but there were no significant risk for total mortality (HR, 1.13 [0.65–1.97]). Hypertensive group (SBP ≥150 mm Hg or DBP ≥90 mm Hg or taking antihypertensive drugs) was associated with increased risk of both CVD (HR, 1.73 [1.24–2.42]) and mortality events (HR, 1.49 [1.00–2.23]).However, Joint National Committee 8 suggested no more benefit with lowering SBP <150 mm Hg, but the results of this study imply that those with SBP between 150 mm Hg and 140 mm Hg are still at elevated risk for CVD/coronary heart disease events.     

Tricuspid Regurgitation Is Associated With Increased Risk of Mortality in Patients With Low-Flow Low-Gradient Aortic Stenosis and Reduced Ejection Fraction: Results of the Multicenter TOPAS Study (True or Pseudo-Severe Aortic Stenosis)

ObjectivesThis study sought to examine the impact of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) on mortality in patients with low-flow, low-gradient (LF-LG) aortic stenosis (AS) and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).BackgroundTR is often observed in patients with LF-LG AS and low LVEF, but its impact on prognosis remains unknown.MethodsA total of 211 patients (73 ± 10 years of age; 77% men) with LF-LG AS (mean gradient <40 mm Hg and indexed aortic valve area [AVA] ≤0.6 cm²/m²) and reduced LVEF (≤40%) were prospectively enrolled in the TOPAS (True or Pseudo-Severe Aortic Stenosis) study and 125 (59%) of them underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR) within 3 months following inclusion. The severity of AS was assessed by the projected AVA (AVA_proj) at normal flow rate (250 ml/s), as previously described and validated. The severity of TR was graded according to current guidelines.ResultsAmong the 211 patients included in the study, 22 (10%) had no TR, 113 (54%) had mild (grade 1), 50 (24%) mild-to-moderate (grade 2), and 26 (12%) moderate-to-severe (grade 3) or severe (grade 4) TR. During a mean follow-up of 2.4 ± 2.2 years, 104 patients (49%) died. Univariable analysis showed that TR ≥2 was associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.82, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22 to 2.71; p = 0.004) and cardiovascular mortality (HR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.20 to 2.83; p = 0.005). After adjustment for age, sex, coronary artery disease, AVA_proj, LVEF, stroke volume index, right ventricular dysfunction, mitral regurgitation, and type of treatment (AVR vs. conservative), the presence of TR ≥2 was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality (HR: 1.88, 95% CI: 1.08 to 3.23; p = 0.02) and cardiovascular mortality (HR: 1.92, 95% CI: 1.05 to 3.51; p = 0.03). Furthermore, in patients undergoing AVR, TR ≥3 was an independent predictor of 30-day mortality compared with TR = 0/1 (odds ratio [OR]: 7.24, 95% CI: 1.56 to 38.2; p = 0.01) and TR = 2 (OR: 4.70, 95% CI: 1.00 to 25.90; p = 0.05).ConclusionsIn patients with LF-LG AS and reduced LVEF, TR is independently associated with increased risk of cumulative all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality regardless of the type of treatment. In patients undergoing AVR, moderate/severe TR is associated with increased 30-day mortality. Further studies are needed to determine whether TR is a risk marker or a risk factor of mortality and whether concomitant surgical correction of TR at the time of AVR might improve outcomes for this high-risk population.     

Fasting Levels of High-Sensitivity Growth Hormone Predict Cardiovascular Morbidity and Mortality : The Malmö Diet and Cancer Study

Background

Both pathological excess and deficiency of growth hormone (GH) are associated with cardiovascular mortality.

Objectives

The goal of this study was to test whether fasting levels of growth hormone measured with a high-sensitivity assay (hs-GH) predict cardiovascular morbidity and mortality at the population level.

Methods

We studied 4,323 participants (age 46 to 68 years; mean age 58 years; 59% women) of the Swedish, population-based Malmö Diet and Cancer study examined in 1991 to 1994. Using multivariate-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models, we related baseline levels of fasting hs-GH to incidence of coronary artery disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, all-cause mortality, and cardiovascular mortality.

Results

During a median follow-up of 16.2 years, hs-GH (hazard ratio [HR]/SD increment of natural logarithm of fasting hs-GH) was independently associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease (397 events; HR: 1.11; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01 to 1.23; p = 0.04), stroke (251 events; HR: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.34; p = 0.01), congestive heart failure (107 events; HR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.03 to 1.52; p = 0.02), all-cause mortality (645 events; HR: 1.17; 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.26; p < 0.001) and cardiovascular mortality (186 events; HR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.24 to 1.66; p < 0.001). The addition of hs-GH to a model with conventional cardiovascular risk factors significantly reclassified risk, with a category-free net reclassification improvement (>0) of 0.542 (95% CI: 0.205 to 0.840) in cardiovascular mortality.

Conclusions

Higher values of hs-GH were associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.     

The interaction between hyperuricemia and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol increases the risk of 1-year post-discharge all-cause mortality in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients

Background and aimsHyperuricemia is a known risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, but little is known on whether the association between hyperuricemia and poor outcomes in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is modified by low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c). This study aimed to investigate the effect of the interaction between hyperuricemia and LDL-c on the risk of 1-year post-discharge all-cause mortality in STEMI patients.Methods and resultsA total of 1396 STEMI patients were included. Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine the association between hyperuricemia and 1-year all-cause mortality in the overall population and subgroups stratified based on LDL-c levels (<3.0 mmol/L or ≥3.0 mmol/L). Multivariate analysis indicated that hyperuricemia was associated with 1-year mortality (HR: 2.66; 95% CI: 1.30–5.47; p = 0.008). However, the prognostic effect of hyperuricemia was only observed in patients with LDL-c level ≥3.0 mmol/L (HR: 12.90; 95% CI: 2.98–55.77; p < 0.001), but not in those with LDL-c level <3.0 mmol/L (HR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.30–2.79, p = 0.875). The interaction between hyperuricemia and LDL-c levels had a significant effect on 1-year mortality.ConclusionHyperuricemia was associated with increased 1-year post-discharge mortality in patients with LDL-c level≥ 3.0 mmol/L, but not in those with LDL-c level< 3.0 mmol/L.     

Clinical utility of haematological inflammatory biomarkers in predicting 30-day mortality in hospitalised adult patients with COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a multisystem disease affecting respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neurological, immunological and haematological systems. The most important indices that have been studied are platelet (PLT) indices in addition to the PLT count and red blood cell distribution width (RDW). This retrospective study included 95 patients with COVID-19 and was conducted at the Hospital Isolation, Scientific and Medical Research Centre and Clinical Pathology Department at Zagazig University Hospitals, Egypt over 6 months from March to August 2021. All patients on admission had a full blood count, which included white blood cell (WBC) count, haemoglobin, RDW, PLT count and its indices in addition to PLT-to-WBC ratio (PWR) and PLT-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), which were calculated for all the study patients. There were significant linear correlations for higher levels of the PLR, PWR and RDW and mortality rate (p = 0.03, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001 respectively). Moreover, on multivariable analysis the RDW, PLT count and PWR levels were independent prognostic predictors for mortality with a hazard ratio [HR] of 1.25 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09–1.44, p = 0.002), 1.00 (95% CI 0.99–1.00, p = 0.03) and 2.3 (95% CI 1.21–4.48, p = 0.01) respectively. The RDW and PLT indices are accessible predictors that can be valuable prognostic factors for survival assessment and risk stratification of COVID-19.