Impact of congestive heart failure in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes

The presence of congestive heart failure (CHF) has been associated with treatment disparities and worse outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, but the incidence and effect of CHF in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE ACSs) has not been well characterized. We evaluated 45,744 patients with NSTE ACS (positive cardiac markers and/or ischemic ST-segment changes) who were treated at 424 hospitals in the CRUSADE Quality Improvement Initiative between March 2000 and March 2003. Treatment patterns and in-hospital outcomes in patients with signs of CHF on presentation and those who developed in-hospital CHF were compared with those in patients without CHF. In total, 10,398 patients (22.7%) had signs of CHF on presentation, and 1,664 patients (3.6%) later developed in-hospital CHF. Compared with patients without CHF, early (<24 hours from presentation) medications and invasive cardiac procedures were used less often in patients with signs of CHF on presentation. Likewise, patients with in-hospital CHF were less likely than those without CHF to receive acute antiplatelet agents and undergo cardiac catheterization but more likely to receive acute beta blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and heparin and to undergo coronary artery bypass grafting. Adjusted mortality was higher in patients with signs of CHF on presentation (odds ratio 2.64, 95% confidence interval 2.31 to 3.01) and those with in-hospital CHF (odds ratio 4.93, 95% confidence interval 4.05 to 5.99) than in patients without CHF. In conclusion, CHF occurs frequently in patients with NSTE ACS but is associated with less aggressive treatment and a higher risk of mortality. Further study is needed to determine the causes of these treatment differences and the optimal therapeutic approach for patients with NSTE ACS and concomitant CHF.     

培哚普利对急性冠状动脉综合征患者白介素-6和肿瘤坏死因子-α水平的影响

目的　观察急性冠状动脉综合征患者使用培哚普利治疗后白介素 - 6( IL- 6)和肿瘤坏死因子 ( TNF- α)水平的变化。方法　选择 10 0例诊断为不稳定型心绞痛 ( 73例 )和急性心肌梗死 ( 2 7例 )的病人分为两组 ,A组 ( 5 0例 )接受培哚普利治疗 2周 ,B组 ( 5 0例 )未接受培哚普利治疗。入院时和治疗 2周后分别检测 IL- 6和 TNF- α浓度。结果　入院时 A组 IL- 6和 TNF- α水平与 B组相比无显著性差异 ( 60 8.4± 112 .3 pg/ ml vs5 83 .1± 10 6.4pg/ m l,46.0±10 .4pg/ ml vs 44 .1± 8.8pg/ ml,P>0 .0 5 ) ,治疗两周后两组 IL - 6和 TNF-α水平均有降低 ,而 A组病人两周后 IL -6和 TNF- α水平与 B组相比有显著降低 ( 2 40 .5± 5 0 .4pg/ ml vs414.3± 98.6pg/ m l,16.2± 3 .5 pg/ m l vs3 2 .7± 6.2 pg/ ml,P<0 .0 5 )。结论　急性冠状动脉综合征患者应用培哚普利治疗后 IL - 6和 TNF-α水平降低 ,提示培哚普利可能有直接抗炎作用     

Circulating interleukin-6 family cytokines and their receptors in patients with congestive heart failure

gp130 is a common signal-transducing receptor subunit for the interleukin (IL)-6 cytokine family. Studies in genetically engineered animal models have demonstrated a critical role for the gp130-dependent cardiomyocyte survival pathway in the transition to heart failure. In the present study, we examined plasma levels of the IL-6 family of cytokines and the soluble form of their receptors in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). Circulating levels of the IL-6 family of cytokines, soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R), and soluble gp130 (sgp130) were examined in 48 patients with various degrees of CHF, including dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM), and valvular cardiomyopathy (VCM). Circulating levels of IL-6, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and sgp130 significantly increased in association with the severity of CHF. No significant difference was observed in the circulating levels of sIL-6R and IL-11 among these patients. Interestingly, DCM patients showed higher circulating sgp130 levels than patients with ICM or VCM. Our findings suggest that gp130 expression in the heart is likely to be dynamic, and that the IL-6 family of cytokines and their common receptor gp130 participates in the pathogenesis of CHF, especially in DCM.     

Nesiritide in congestive heart failure associated with acute coronary syndromes: a pilot study of safety and efficacy

BACKGROUND: To compare the safety and efficacy of nesiritide versus intravenous nitroglycerin (NTG) in patients with acute coronary syndromes enrolled in the Vasodilation in the Management of Acute Congestive heart failure trial.Methods and results Retrospective review of Vasodilation in the Management of Acute Congestive heart failure trial data for heart failure associated with prospectively diagnosed acute coronary syndromes. Sixty-one patients were included; 34 received nesiritide and 27 received NTG. Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure was measured in right heart-catheterized patients (11 nesiritide, 9 NTG). Death at 6 months occurred in 2 nesiritide and 5 NTG patients (P>.2). Hypotension occurred in 4 nesiritide and 3 NTG patients (P>.6). At 24 hours, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure improvements persisted (P=.001) in the nesiritide group, whereas the NTG group had returned to baseline (P>.1). In non-right heart-catheterized patients, 24-hour dyspnea scores were at least moderately improved in all nesiritide and 71% of NTG (P=.031). At least minimal dyspnea improvement was seen in 100% of nesiritide versus 71% of NTG patients (P>.3), and 6-hour global clinical scores were at least moderately better in 75% of nesiritide versus 32% of NTG (P=.031). In non-right heart-catheterized patients, there were no 30-day readmissions with nesiritide versus 17% with NTG (P>.2). CONCLUSIONS: Nesiritide is as safe as NTG in heart failure patients with acute coronary syndromes.     

充血性心衰患者TNF-α和IL-6变化及临床意义

目的探讨充血性心衰患者肿瘤坏死因子(TNF-α),白细胞介素-6(IL-6)的变化及意义.方法以56例充血性心衰患者和30例健康体检者为研究对象,采用酶联免疫双抗体夹心法测定血清TNF-α、IL-6浓度,用二维心脏超声测定左室射血分数(LVEF).结果①血清IL-6、TNF-α、去甲肾上腺素(NE)在CHF各组均升高,但心功能Ⅱ级组与对照组比较差异不显著(P＞0.05);心功能Ⅲ级,Ⅳ级组IL-6、TNF-α、NE明显高于心功能Ⅱ级和对照组(P＜0.05).IL-6、TNF-α、NE与LVEF呈高度负相关(r=-0.63,P＜0.01;r=-0.54,P＜0.05;r=-0.58,P＜0.01).②随心衰程度加重,血清TNF-α、IL-6和NE浓度越高.TNF-α与NE,IL-6与NE明显正相关(r=0.57,P＜0.01;r=0.51,P＜0.05).③随心衰程度加重,血清IL-6与TNF-α浓度越高,且二者呈正相关(r=0.39,P＜0.05).结论CHF患者血清TNF-α和IL-6浓度升高,尤其中重度CHF患者更加明显,并与LVEF呈负相关,提示血清IL-6、TNF-α水平可作为CHF严重程度的判断与预后指标.     

Use of intravenous morphine for acute decompensated heart failure in patients with and without acute coronary syndromes

Background: Current guidelines regarding the use of intravenous morphine (IM) in the management of patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) are discordant; whereas the American guidelines reserve IM for terminal patients, the European guidelines recommend its use in the early stage of treatment. Our aim was to determine the impact of IM on outcomes of ADHF patients. Methods: Stepwise logistic regression and propensity score analysis of ADHF patients with and without use of IM was performed in a national heart failure survey. Results: Of the 4102 enrolled patients, we identified 2336 ADHF patients, of whom 218 (9.3%) received IM. IM patients were more likely to have acute coronary syndromes, acute rather than exacerbation of chronic heart failure, and diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia. They had higher heart rate, were less likely to receive diuretics and more likely to receive aspirin and statins. Unadjusted in-hospital mortality rates were 11.5% versus 5.0% for patients who did or did not receive IM, and the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for in-hospital death was: 2.0 (1.1–3.5, P = 0.02). Using propensity analysis, we identified 218 matched pairs of patients who did or did not receive IM. In multivariable analysis accounting for the propensity score (c-statistic 0.82), IM was not associated with increased in-hospital death (OR: 1.2 (0.6–2.4), P = 0.55). Conclusion: IM was used sparingly in our ADHF cohort, and was independently associated with increased in-hospital death in multivariable analysis, but not in propensity score analysis. Thus, IM may be used in ADHF, but with caution. Further randomized trials are warranted.     

心力衰竭患者IL-6表达和自然杀伤细胞活性的变化

目的探讨充血性心力衰竭(CHF)患者自然杀伤细胞(NK)活性的变化。方法应用流式细胞仪测定CHF患者全血NK细胞数目,酶联免疫吸附法测定血清、培养上清液中白细胞介素6(IL-6)含量,改良MTT法测定NK细胞杀伤活性。结果CHF患者循环NK细胞数目和NK细胞杀伤活性显著降低,并与心衰程度呈负相关(P均<0.01);CHF患者血清、培养上清液和IL-2刺激后上清液中IL-6显著增加(P均<0.01),并与心衰程度呈正相关(P均<0.01)。结论NK细胞数目和活性下降可能是CHF患者免疫功能异常的机制之一。     

Prior heart failure among patients with acute coronary syndromes is associated with a higher incidence of in-hospital heart failure

BACKGROUND: There are few data regarding the impact of prior heart failure (P-HF) on the presentation, course and outcomes of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). METHODS AND RESULTS: We prospectively analyzed all ACS patients admitted in all cardiology wards in Israel during February and March, 2004. Of the 2098 patients, 156(7.4%) had P-HF. These patients were older (75 [66.5-81] versus 63 [53-74] years, (P<0.001)) and more often female (38.5% versus 25.0%, P<0.001)), with a higher prevalence of coronary artery disease risk factors, prior cardiac disease and procedures, and other co-morbidities. They more often presented with atypical angina and heart failure and less with ST-elevation (18.6% versus 51.3%, p<0.0001). In-hospital heart failure developed more frequently (15.4% versus 6.1%, p = 0.00001), including cardiogenic shock (7.1% versus 2.9%, p = 0.005), as did persistent atrial fibrillation (6.4% versus 0.7%, p<0.001), but not ischemic complications. After adjustment for differences, P-HF was not independently associated with 30 day or six-month mortality, but at one-year follow-up, it was (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.0-2.5). P-HF was also independently associated with increased incidence of heart failure upon admission or thereafter in-hospital (OR = 4.3, 95% CI 2.8-6.6). CONCLUSIONS: P-HF ACS patients had high-risk features, lower incidence of ST-elevation, and higher one-year adjusted mortality. P-HF was also independently associated with in-hospital heart failure, suggesting they should be monitored vigilantly.     

曲美他嗪治疗冠心病心力衰竭的临床观察

目的:观察曲美他嗪治疗冠心病伴慢性心功能不全的临床疗效。方法:152例冠心病合并慢性心功能不全的患者,随机被分为对照组(常规治疗)和曲美他嗪组(常规治疗加曲美他嗪20mg,1次/d),各76例,观察3个月。结果:曲美他嗪组的心衰缓解情况、超声心动图的心功能指标均显著优于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:常规药物联合曲美他嗪治疗冠心病伴慢性心功能不全是一种疗效确切,安全简便的方法,值得临床推广使用。     

心力衰竭患者白细胞介素6表达和自然杀伤细胞活性的变化

目的探讨充血性心力衰竭(CHF)患者自然杀伤(NK)细胞活性的变化.方法选择NYHA Ⅱ～Ⅳ级的CHF患者48例作为观察组,30例健康体检者作为对照组.应用流式细胞仪测定全血NK细胞数目,并应用酶联免疫吸附法测定血清、培养上清中白细胞介素6(IL-6)含量,应用改良MTT法测定NK细胞杀伤活性.结果①CHF患者循环NK细胞和NK细胞杀伤活性显著降低,并与CHF程度呈负相关(r=-0.873,-0.949,均P＜0.01);②CHF 患者血清、培养上清和IL-2刺激后上清中IL-6显著增加(均P＜0.01),并与CHF程度呈正相关(r=0.988,0.984,0.982;均P＜0.01);③IL-2 刺激可能使CHF患者NK细胞杀伤活性增强(P＜0.01).结论NK细胞数目和活性下降可能是CHF患者免疫功能异常的机制之一;IL-2刺激可使CHF患者NK细胞杀伤活性增强;调节细胞免疫功能治疗可能改善CHF患者预后.     

Relationship between interleukin-6 production in the lungs and pulmonary vascular resistance in patients with congestive heart failure

STUDY OBJECTIVES: We evaluated whether interleukin (IL)-6 is produced in the pulmonary circulation and investigated the relationship between IL-6 spillover in the lung and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS: Blood samples were obtained from the main pulmonary artery and pulmonary capillary wedge region in 50 patients with symptomatic left ventricular dysfunction, who had undergone cardiac catheterization, and 9 age-matched control subjects. Plasma IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, norepinephrine (NE), endothelin-1, atrial and brain natriuretic peptide, and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels were determined. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Plasma IL-6 concentrations were significantly higher in the pulmonary capillary wedge region than in the main pulmonary artery in both control subjects and patients with CHF. IL-6 production in the lung increased markedly in patients with severe CHF compared with control subjects and patients with mild CHF. Among hemodynamic variables, neurohumoral factors, and medications, plasma NE levels (p < 0.0001) showed an independent and significant positive relationship with IL-6 production in the lung, and treatment with beta-blockers (p = 0.004) showed an independent and significant negative relationship with IL-6 production in the lung. There was a significant positive correlation between IL-6 production in the lung and both PVR (r = 0.43; p = 0.001) and cGMP production in the lung (r = 0.498; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: IL-6 production in the pulmonary circulation increases with the severity of CHF and is mainly associated with the activation of the sympathetic nervous system. The local production of IL-6 in the lung may modify PVR in patients with CHF.     

冠心病和充血性心力衰竭患者的心率变异性

本文采用标准差法及心率变指数法分析了冠心病、充血性心力衰竭及正常人各５０例的心率变异性，结果发现冠心病及充血性心力衰竭者的心率变异值显著低于正常人。心衰组中，心衰程度越重者，心率弈异赵低。且心率变异与心胸比值及ＰＥＰ／ＬＶＥＴ呈负相关，与心脏指数呈正相关。急性心肌梗死者的心率变趔氏于陈旧性心肌梗死和心绞痛者。２４例心肌梗死者查心室晚电位，晚电位阳性者的心率变异值显著低于晚电位阴性者，提示两者结合可     

Clinical diagnosis of congestive heart failure in patients with acute dyspnea

The validity and utility of physical examination maneuvers were determined in diagnosing congestive heart failure (CHF) in patients with acute dyspnea. Fifty one patients presented to the emergency room with the chief complaint of shortness of breath. History and physical examination were obtained independently, and the physical examination included hepatojugular reflux and the Valsalva maneuver. The diagnosis of CHF was made by predetermined criteria, and was compared with the diagnosis of the emergency room (ER) physician and with the response to bedside maneuvers. The hepatojugular reflux and Valsalva maneuvers were valid in the diagnosis of congestive heart failure in acutely dyspneic patients. Although these maneuvers rarely added to the routine assessment of patients in this study, they may provide a useful, noninvasive adjunct to clinical diagnosis in problematic cases.