Effect of spironolactone on patients with atrial fibrillation and structural heart disease

Background:

Several studies have shown that the modulation of fibrotic scar in cardiac diseases has beneficial effects on cardiac arrhythmias. In addition, recent reports suggest a potential role of mineralocorticoid receptor upregulation in atrial fibrillation (AF). The role of spironolactone, a mineralocorticoid receptor blocker and a potent antifibrotic agent, in AF is as yet unexplored. The aim of this study was to determine if spironolactone, a mineralocorticoid receptor blocker with potent antifibrotic properties, has beneficial effects on AF.

Hypothesis:

Spironolactone therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation provides additional clinical benefits in addition to the current conventional pharmacological agents.

Methods:

A comprehensive retrospective analysis was performed on 83 patients with AF, including 23 who were treated with spironolactone for ≥3 months. The combined primary outcome of hospitalization for AF or direct current cardioversion (DCCV) was compared between patients treated with spironolactone in addition to the usual care for AF and those receiving conventional medical therapy alone.

Results:

Patients receiving spironolactone had significantly fewer primary outcome events (AF‐related hospitalizations or DCCV) (22% vs 53%, P = 0.027).

Conclusions:

Spironolactone therapy is associated with a reduction in the burden of AF, as reflected by a combination of hospitalizations for AF and DCCV. Larger randomized controlled studies should be performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of spironolactone as an adjunctive therapy for patients with AF. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. This work was supported by American Heart Association grants 0705170Y, 0830313N (RHN), and 0640084N (JAH), and National Institutes of Health grants HL‐075173, HL‐090842, and HL‐080144 (JAH). The authors have no other funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose.     

Influence of structural heart disease on characteristics of atrial fibrillation recurrence in patients with dual-chamber pacemakers

Aims

The aim of the study was to prospectively examine the influence of structural heart disease (SHD) and sinus node dysfunction (SND) on the frequency and duration of atrial fibrillation (AF) episodes in patients with implanted pacemakers.

Methods

We examined episodes of AF in 207 patients (93 with SHD; 165 with SND) with known or suspected paroxysmal AF who underwent dual-chamber pacing.

Results

Seventy-one percent of all patients experienced at least one episode of AF during follow-up, with a mean burden of 3.3 ± 6.4 h/d (median, 0.2 hours) and a mean frequency of 11.7 ± 26.0 episodes per day (median, 1.4). The proportion of episodes longer than 6 hours was greater in patients with SHD when compared to patients without SHD. In a logistic regression model adjusted for SND, gender, and the 2-way interactions of SND, sex, and SHD, SHD was a significant factor (P = .0188) with the odds ratio of having an episode longer than 6 hours 3.4 times higher for patients with SHD than for patients without SHD. Older patients with SHD had less frequent but longer episodes compared to younger patients. In patients without SHD, there was no comparable age difference. Burden, frequency, and average episode length were not influenced by the presence or absence of SND.

Conclusions

Patients with SHD have longer episodes of AF supporting the concept that SHD influences the underlying substrate to favor perpetuation.     

Right atrial appendage function in patients with chronic nonvalvular atrial fibrillation

To assess right atrial appendage (RAA) flow and its possible relationship to left atrial appendage (LAA) flow in chronic nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF), transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was performed in 26 patients with chronic nonvalvular AF (group I). For the purpose of comparison, an additional group of 27 patients with chronic valvular AF due to mitral stenosis (group II) was analyzed. The clinically estimated duration of AF in group I was significantly longer than that of group II (8.7+/-3.4 versus 2.7+/-1.1 years). Although right atrial size and RAA maximal area were larger in group I than those in group II, left atrial size was larger in group II than that in group I. Group II had larger LAA maximal areas than group I, but this difference did not reach statistical significance. The two groups were not different with respect to the RAA or LAA emptying velocities. Significant correlations were observed between echocardiographic parameters of the two atria in patients with nonvalvular AF (r range, 0.4 to 0.7). In contrast, in patients with valvular AF, no correlation was observed between the echocardiographic parameters of the two atria (appendage emptying velocity, r = 0.38, p = 0.051; atrial size, r = -0.03, p = 0.89; maximal appendage area, r = 0.07, p = 0.75, respectively). There were no significant differences in the presence of right and left atrial spontaneous echo contrast and thrombus between the groups. All of the right and left atrial thrombi were confined to their respective appendages and were found in the atria with spontaneous echo contrast. Both RAA and LAA thrombi were present in one patient. In conclusion, our findings suggest that AF could affect both atria equally in nonvalvular AF, in contrast to valvular AF. Therefore, the assessment of RAA function as well as LAA may be important in patients with chronic nonvalvular AF.     

Effects of heart rate on flow velocity of the left atrial appendage in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation

Background and hypothesis: Flow velocity of the left atrial appendage (LAA) is thought to be important in thrombus formation in association with blood stasis and the development of spontaneous echo contrast. The effects of heart rate on peak flow velocity of the LAA have not been studied in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillaton. Methods: Using transesophageal Doppler echocardiography, peak flow velocity of the LAA was measured at the junction between the left atrium and the LAA during left ventricular (LV) systole and diastole in 21 patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. In six cases, the average peak flow velocity of the LAA for 10 consecutive beats with moderately long R-R intervals (LI beats) was compared with those for 3-5 consecutive beats with extremely short R-R intervals (SI bets). Results: Average peak flow velocity of the LAA during LV diastole was significantly higher than that during LV systole (26.5 ± 15.7 vs. 19.3 ± 10.4 cm/s, p<0.01). In SI beats, average peak flow velocity of the LAA was significantly lower than that in LI beats (17.1 ± 12.1 vs. 21.2 ± 12.9 cm/s, p<0.01). Conclusion: An increased heart rate reduced the peak flow velocity of the LAA in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, which would promote blood stasis in the LAA.     

老年男性退行性心脏瓣膜病心房颤动患者的临床特点分析

目的探讨老年退行性心脏瓣膜病(SDHVD)患者心房颤动对心功能及血红蛋白(Hb)的影响。方法选取在广州军区广州总医院经彩色多普勒超声诊断仪诊断为SDHVD的男性患者98例,根据诊断分为心房颤动组49例及窦性心律组49例,进行血常规、利钠肽、多普勒血流显像检查。结果心房颤动组患者LVEF[(51.49±9.46)%vs(64.67±6.39)%,P=0.000]、Hb[(105.57±22.66)g/L vs(122.24±16.27)g/L,P=0.005]较窦性心律组显著降低,左心室舒张末内径[(53.78±4.75)mmvs(45.92±3.82)mm,P=0.000]、利钠肽[(1253.48±1495.21)ng/L vs(257.17±328.53)ng/L,P=0.000]较窦性心律组显著升高。相关分析显示,心房颤动组Hb与利钠肽呈显著负相关(r=-0.579,P=0.000),与LVEF呈显著正相关(r=0.501,P=0.000)。结论老年男性SDHVD患者易合并贫血、心功能不全,应加强对Hb及利钠肽的检测,及时纠正贫血及防治心功能的恶化。     

Evidence-based percutaneous closure of the left atrial appendage in patients with atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, and its prevalence is increasing. Cardioembolic stroke, most of the times secondary to thrombus formation in the left atrial appendage, is its most feared and life threatening consequence. Oral anticoagulation with vitamin-K-antagonists is currently the most used prophylaxis for stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation; unfortunately, its benefits are limited by a narrow therapeutic window and an increased risk for bleeding, making it often undesired. Percutaneous occlusion of the left atrial appendage is a novel alternative strategy for cardioembolic stroke prophylaxis in patients with atrial fibrillation at a high risk of stroke but with contraindication for long-term oral anticoagulation therapy. At present, several devices have been developed specifically for percutaneous occlusion of the left atrial appendage. Current results show good feasibility and efficacy for these devices, with a high rate of successful implantation, although also associated with the inherent potential periprocedural complications. This work reviews the current state of the art of percutaneous left atrial appendage closure for stroke prophylaxis in patients with atrial fibrillation.     

左房内径及其有效不应期与心房颤动的关系

目的探讨左房内径(LAD)及其有效不应期(ERP)变化与心房颤动(简称房颤)的关系。方法应用彩色多普勒超声心动图仪测定151例房颤患者及160例健康体检者LAD、左室后壁厚度、室间隔厚度、射血分数(EF)值。采用食管调搏S1S2扫描的方法测定左房ERP,观察ERP频率适应性。结果房颤组LAD较对照组显著增加(38.81±9.64mmvs26.88±6.72mm),且持续性房颤患者LAD较阵发性房颤患者显著增加。房颤有左室肥厚(LVH)者LAD较非LVH者显著扩大,左房显著扩大者(≥40mm)其EF、每搏输出量下降最明显。房颤组左房ERP较对照组显著缩短,且频率适应性减退。结论LAD扩大及其电重构与房颤发生相关,LAD扩大与LVH及心功能减退有关。     

Left atrial appendage occlusion for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a commonly sustained atrial arrhythmia with associated morbidity and mortality. AF is associated with increased risk of thromboembolism and stroke, requiring use of anticoagulation. Anticoagulation decreases the risk of stroke but is associated with a higher risk of bleeding, necessitating discontinuation in some patients. The left atrial appendage is the likely source of thrombus in the majority of patients with AF. This has led to the development of left atrial appendage occlusion as a means to reduce stroke risk in patients who have a contraindication to long‐term anticoagulation. Multiple implantable devices have surfaced in the last few years, with some promising prospects. The main purpose of this review is to highlight the indications and use of these devices for left atrial appendage occlusion.     

老年心房颤动患者左心房内径及其电活动变化的临床研究

目的探讨老年心房颤动(房颤)患者左心房内径、电活动变化及其意义。方法142例老年非瓣膜性房颤患者(房颤组)进行彩色多普勒超声心动图仪及三导心电图仪检查,测定左心房内径(LAD)、左心室舒张期末内径、左心室后壁厚度、室间隔厚度、左心室射血分数(LVEF)及房颤的检出。采用食管调搏的方法测定左心房电生理特性,以400ms起搏周长(PCL)对左心房进行S1S2扫描,测定基础状态左心房有效不应期(LAERP);以3种不同起搏周长(400、500、600ms)对左心房进行S1S2扫描,观察LAERP频率适应性。150例健康体检者为正常对照组。结果房颤组患者LAD较正常对照组显著增加,其中左心房扩大(LAD>32mm)者占95.07%,且持续性房颤患者LAD较阵发性房颤患者显著增加。左心室肥厚患者LAD较无左心室肥厚患者显著扩大,左心房扩大与心功能降低有关,其中左心房显著扩大者(LAD≥40mm)其LVEF、每搏输出量下降最明显。房颤组患者LAERP较正常对照组显著缩短,LAERP频率适应性较正常对照组减退。结论LAD扩大及其电重构与房颤发生密切相关,LAD扩大与左心室肥厚及心功能减退有关。     

Left atrial dimension and atrial fibrillation in surgical heart disease patients

Objective The effect of left atrial (LA) dimension on the occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) has been examined in some small studies.Less is known about the relationship of LA dimension,hemodynamic with AF during echocardiographic evaluation,especially,the flow dynamics in LA poorly described.The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between LA dimension and the occurrence of AE Methods Two hundred and forty-five consecutive patients with heart disease scheduled to undergo open heart surgery were prospectively enrolled in the study.Patients were divided into 2 groups according to atrial fibrillation:AF group (n=148,99 men and 49 women,with a mean age 59.3+8.4 years),and no-AF group (n= 97,60 men and 37 womem).Echocardiography was performed before surgery.All measurements were performed following the American Society of Echocardiography recommendations.Results There were more patients with congestive heart failure in AF group than in no-AF group (45.9% vs 39.1%,P ＜0.05).The mean LA volume was 49.2±12.2 ml/m2 in AF group and 33.1±10.8 ml/m2 in no-AF group.There were also significant differences between two groups in left atrial end systolic dimension (LAESD) (50±13mm vs 27±14mm),left atrial end diastolic dimension (LAEDD) (79±17mm vs 53±13mm),PA pressure ( 41.3+11.6 mmHg vs 37.5±10.4 mmHg),and ratio of mitral E velocity and septal mitral annulus motion velocity (E/E') .The percentage of abnormal diastolic function grades (DGF) was also higher in AF than in no-AF group (89.9% versus 59.8% );.Conclusion Atrial fibrillation is associated more frequently with an increased LA dimension and more severe atrial hemodynamics disorder.(J Geriatr Cardiol 2008;5:11-4)     

左心耳封堵术在心房颤动患者中的应用价值

心房颤动是临床最常见的快速性心律失常。而血栓栓塞是心房颤动的主要危害之一,长期口服抗凝药物是预防栓塞的主要方法。但由于其存在较大的局限性,严重限制了其临床应用。     

充血性心力衰竭对非瓣膜性房颤患者左心耳血栓形成的预测价值研究

目的：探讨非瓣膜性心房颤动（NVAF）患者左心耳（LAA）血栓形成与CHA2DS2-VASc评分各项危险因子的关系。方法: 连续入选贵州省人民医院2017年8月至2018年3月拟行射频消融术治疗的NVAF患者97例，计算CHA2DS2-VASc评分。行经食道超声心动图（TEE）和/或左心房计算机断层扫描增强成像判断患者LAA有无血栓形成，据此分为血栓组及非血栓组。比较、分析两组患者CHA2DS2-VASc评分及其各项指标的差别及与LAA血栓形成的关系。结果: 97例患者中，血栓组14例（14.4%），非血栓组83例（85.6%）。两组患者的CHA2DS2-VASc评分分布不相同（z=3.035，P=0.002）；血栓组的充血性心力衰竭（CHD）发生率明显高于非血栓组（50.0% vs 7.2%；P＜0.01）；血栓组患者的平均年龄较非血栓组大7.6岁（65.6岁vs 58.0岁，P＜0.05）。该评分的其它各项指标（性别、高血压、糖尿病、中风/TIA/TE、血管疾病）在两组患者中的分布皆无明显差异（皆P＞0.05）。线性趋势?2检验提示CHA2DS2-VASc评分总分与LAA血栓形成有显著相关性，随此评分增高，LAA血栓发生率趋高（?2=14.096，P＜0.001）。Logistic回归分析显示，除CHA2DS2-VASc评分总分外（P=0.004，OR 2.101，95%CI 1.259-3.505），CHD（P=0.045，OR 0.219，95%CI 0.050-0.969）为LAA血栓形成的独立危险因素。结论：CHD为NVAF患者LAA血栓形成的独立预测因子。     

结构重构相关因子对无结构性心脏病房颤患者左房结构重构程度的预测

目的:探讨无结构性心脏病房颤患者的左房或右房基质金属蛋白酶-9（MMP-9）、金属蛋白酶组织抑制因子-1（TIMP-1）、转化生长因子-β1（TGF-β1）和碱性成纤维细胞生长因子（bFGF）血清水平与心房结构重构的关系。方法: 通过ELISA方法检测42例无结构性心脏病房颤患者及17例阵发性室上速或预激综合征患者左房和右房中血清的MMP-9、TIMP-1、TGF-β1和bFGF水平,并使用超声心动图测量左心房长径。分析血清中上述细胞因子的水平与房颤左房结构重构程度的关系。结果: 房颤组左房内径(36±7) mm显著高于对照组(31±4) mm（P<0.01）;房颤组左房血清MMP-9为(3037±804) ng/L,明显高于对照组(2439±663) ng/L（P<0.01）和右房(2635±9308) ng/L（P<0.05）,但右房血清MMP-9与对照组相比未见显著性差异;与对照组相比,房颤组TIMP-1明显降低（P<0.05）,TGF-β1明显升高（P<0.01）,bFGF无显著性差异;MMP-9/TIMP-1与左房内径呈正相关。结论: MMP-9、TIMP-1和TGF-β1与房颤相关,并可提示房颤的结构重构程度。