Racial differences in the utilization of oral anticoagulant therapy in heart failure: A study of elderly hospitalized patients

To assess racial differences in the use of oral anticoagulant therapy for patients with heart failure, we conducted a cohort study of 30 hospitals in northeast Ohio. For 12,911 Medicare enrollees consecutively admitted in 1992 through 1994 with heart failure, crude and adjusted odds of being on oral anticoagulation were determined. The crude and adjusted odds of being African Americans on oral anticoagulant therapy relative to whites were 0.57 (95% confidence interval 0.47-0.69) and 0.55 (95% confidence interval 0. 45-0.67), respectively. African-Americans with heart failure were much less likely than whites to receive oral anticoagulant therapy, even after adjusting for other variables associated with anticoagulant use.     

Serum uric acid is associated with incidence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and cardiovascular events in patients with arterial hypertension

The objective of the present study was to evaluate clinical implications of serum uric acid (UA) on the progression of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) in hypertensive patients. A total of 1009 adult patients with left ventricular hypertrophy and suspected left ventricular diastolic dysfunction were enrolled at our hospital from January 2008 to December 2011. With a median follow‐up of 7.2 years, 136 (13.2%) patients developed new‐onset HFpEF and 151 (15.0%) had major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). Compared with the lowest UA tertile of UA (<302 μmol L⁻¹), subjects in the highest tertile (>367 μmol L⁻¹) had a higher risk of developing new‐onset HFpEF (HR: 1.761, 95% CI: 1.119‐2.772, P = .015) as well as MACEs (HR: 1.664, 95% CI: 1.086‐2.547, P = .019). Our findings indicate that hyperuricemia is associated with detrimental effects in terms of the incidence of new‐onset HFpEF as well as MACEs in hypertensive patient.     

高血压患者心力衰竭严重程度与高密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平的关系

目的探讨高血压患者心力衰竭严重程度与血清HDL-C水平的关系。方法采用随机数字表随机抽取法选择高血压患者156例,分为心力衰竭组83例和心功能正常组73例。用酶法检测血清TC、TG;用磷钨酸镁沉淀法检测血清HDL-C;根据Friedewald公式计算血清LDL-C。采用超声心动图诊断并评价心力衰竭的严重程度。结果与心功能正常组比较,心力衰竭组患者血清HDL-C水平明显降低(P<0.05);心力衰竭组患者室间隔、左心室后壁、左心室舒张末内径、左心房内径、心力衰竭超声指数和心室壁节段性运动异常比率明显升高(P<0.05),LVEF明显降低(P<0.05)。Pearson直线相关分析和偏相关分析显示,高血压患者血清HDL-C与心力衰竭超声指数呈负相关(r=-0.230,P<0.05;Υ=-0.262,P<0.05)。结论高血压患者心脏收缩和(或)舒张功能衰竭的严重程度与血清HDL-C水平密切相关。     

Diastolic heart failure in the elderly

Heart failure with preserved left ventricular function is a common problem among elderly patients.Given that diastolic heart failure(DHF)occurs in up to 50% of all heart failure admissions,and that incidence increases with age,knowledge of current recommendations for its diagnosis and treatment are extremely important for the elderly population.Causes of DHF include the aging process itself,hypertension,left ventricular hypertrophy,aortic stenosis,and hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.The patient with DHF may present with signs and symptoms similar to those observed in systolic heart failure.Treatment goals for the patient with DHF include achieving normal volume status,improving relaxation of the left ventricle,regression of hypertrophy if possible,and management of any co-morbidities that may aggravate the clinical status of patients with DHF.Hopefully,in the future,further data from randomized clinical trials will allow a more defined approach to care in these patients.     

左心室射血分数保留性心力衰竭患者预后相关生物靶向标志物的表达特征

目的分析射血分数下降的心力衰竭(heart failure with reduced ejection fraction,HFrEF)和射血分数保留(或正常)的心力衰竭(heart failure with preserved ejection fraction,HFpEF)患者生物靶向标志物表达差异情况。评估生物靶向标志物对HFpEF识别与预后判断价值。方法连续选择2015年1月至2016年5月香港大学深圳医院100例HFpEF(左心室射血分数≥50%)及310例HFrEF(左心室射血分数<50%)患者,收集患者基本临床治疗与相关生物靶向标志物,以12个月不良事件为研究终点。结果HFpEF患者中,氨基末端脑钠肽前体(N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide,NT-proBNP)浓度[1911(877~4130)pg/mL vs.3001(1498~6120)pg/mL,P<0.05]、高敏肌钙蛋白T(high-sensitivity troponin T,hsTnT)浓度[21.1(15.9~41)pg/mL vs.31.2(18.1~52.7)pg/mL,P<0.05]、高敏C-反应蛋白(high-sensitivity C-reactive protein,hs-CRP)浓度[3.6(1.7~6.9)mg/L vs.2.1(0.9~4.8)mg/L,P<0.05]明显低于HFrEF患者,而胱抑素C浓度高于HFrEF患者[1.7(1.3~2.2)mg/L vs.1.4(1.0~2.0)mg/L,P<0.05],差异有统计学意义。而且在HFpEF组中白细胞介素-6,hsTnT和尿素氮与终点事件有关,NT-proBNP对HFpEF患者远期预后无统计学意义。结论生物标志物在HFpEF与HFrEF患者中存在差异性表达情况。在HFpEF患者中,预后相关的预测因子可能进一步提高临床对于HFpEF诊断、风险评估与治疗。     

Cardiac correlates of exercise induced pulmonary hypertension in patients with chronic heart failure due to left ventricular systolic dysfunction

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) due to left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) may develop pulmonary hypertension at rest and during exercise. The cardiac correlates of pulmonary hypertension have been ascertained in the resting state, but seldom during exercise in these patients. AIMS: We sought to determine the cardiac correlates of exercise induced pulmonary hypertension in patients with LVSD by monitoring the estimated pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) by continuous Doppler echocardiography during semirecumbent bicycle exercise. METHODS: Eighty-five patients (mean age 57 +/- 13 years, 75% male) with CHF due to LVSD (LV ejection fraction [EF] <45%, mean LVEF 26 +/- 8%) were studied. RESULTS: Mitral effective regurgitant orifice area and E-wave were independent predictors of resting PASP. Resting PASP and exercise induced changes in PASP were unrelated (r =-0.08, P = 0.45). Decrease in LV end-systolic volume, increase in left atrial (LA) area, resting LV asynchrony, and decreased tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) were independent predictors of exercise PASP. CONCLUSIONS: Resting LV asynchrony, impaired LV contractile reserve, and increase in LA dilatation correlate with the severity of exercise induced pulmonary hypertension in patients with CHF due to LVSD, while right ventricular systolic dysfunction is inversely related to the severity of exercise induced pulmonary hypertension.     

老年慢性心力衰竭患者N末端钠尿肽前体与心脏功能的相关性研究

目的探讨老年慢性心力衰竭(CHF)患者N末端钠尿肽前体(NT-proBNP)与心脏功能的相关性。方法选择老年CHF患者133例为CHF组,另选正常体检者116例为对照组。2组均行超声进行心脏功能检测;采用ELISA法检测NT-proBNP水平。结果与对照组比较,CHF组患者左心室舒张末内径(LVEDD)、左心室收缩末内径(LVESD)、Tei指数及NT-proBNP明显升高,LVEF、左心室短轴缩短率(LVFS)及二尖瓣舒张早期血流峰值(E)和舒张晚期血流峰值(A)均明显降低(P<0.05)。随着心功能分级的上升,LVEDD、LVESD、Tei指数以及NT-proBNP明显升高(P<0.05),LVEF、LVFS及E/A比值明显降低(P<0.05)。NT-proBNP与LVEF、LVFS、E/A比值呈负相关,与Tei指数、LVEDD、LVESD呈正相关。多因素回归分析显示,LVEF、LVFS、心功能分级和Tei指数是影响NT-proBNP的主要因素。结论 NT-proBNP升高与老年CHF患者心脏功能损害程度相关。     

E／Ea对左心室射血分数正常的心力衰竭患者的诊断意义

目的分析左心室射血分数正常的心力衰竭（heartfailurewithnormalejectionfraction,HFNEF）患者的临床特点及E／Ea指数对其的诊断意义。方法将100例心力衰竭患者分为HFNEF组53例和射血分数降低的心力衰竭（heartfailurewithreducedejectionfraction,HFREF）组47例,并选择同期健康体检者50名作为对照组。比较各组临床特征及左心室功能指标的差异。结果（1）HFNEF组患者女性患者比例明显多于HFREF组,差异有统计学意义[58．5％（31／53）US．42．5％（20／47）,P〈0．05];HFNEF组高血压性心脏病患者比例高于HFREF组[64．2％（34／53）US．31．9％（15／47）,P〈0．05],而HFREF组冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病（冠心病）患者比例高于HFNEF组,差异有统计学意义[44．7％（21／47）US．26．4％（14／53）,P〈0．05]。（2）正常对照组、HFNEF组、HFREF组的心室收缩期速度峰值（sm）依次下降,心脏功能舒张期Ea依次减低,E／Ea指数依次升高。（3）患者心室收缩期速度峰值Sm值与血浆脑钠肽浓度呈线性负相关关系（r=-0．29,P〈0．05）,E／Ea指数与血浆脑钠肽浓度呈正相关关系（r=O．617,P〈0．05）。结论E／Ea值是早期监测HFNEF患者心脏功能衰竭的重要指标。     

Cross sectional study estimating prevalence of heart failure and left ventricular systolic dysfunction in community patients at risk

OBJECTIVE—To examine a general practice population to measure the prevalence of signs and symptoms of heart failure (SSHF) and left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD).
DESIGN—Cross sectional screening study in three general practices followed by echocardiography.
SETTING AND PATIENTS—All patients  50 years in two general practices and  40 years in one general practice were screened by case record reviews and questionnaires (n = 2158), to identify subjects with some evidence of heart disease. Among these, subjects were sought who had SSHF (n = 115). Of 357 subjects with evidence of heart disease, 252 were eligible for examination, and 126 underwent further cardiological assessment, including 43 with SSHF.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES—Prevalence of SSHF as defined by a modified Boston index, LVSD defined as an indirectly measured left ventricular ejection fraction  0.45, and numbers of subjects needing an echocardiogram to detect one case with LVSD.
RESULTS—SSHF afflicted 0.5% of quadragenarians and rose to 11.7% of octogenarians. Two thirds were handled in primary care only. At  50 years of age 6.4% had SSHF, 2.9% had LVSD, and 1.9% (95% confidence interval 1.3% to 2.5%) had both. To detect one case with LVSD in primary care, 14 patients with evidence of heart disease without SSHF and 5.5 patients with SSHF had to be examined.
CONCLUSION—SSHF is extremely prevalent in the community, especially in primary care, but more than two thirds do not have LVSD. The number of subjects with some evidence of heart disease needing an echocardiogram to detect one case of LVSD is 14.


Keywords: heart failure; left ventricular systolic dysfunction     

探讨心衰超声指数评价慢性心力衰竭患者的临床运用价值

目的：探讨心衰超声指数评价慢性心力衰竭患者的临床运用价值。方法：选取2013年4月—2014年4月符合诊断标准的84例慢性心力衰竭患者(观察组)按照患者的临床症状分为I、II、III、IV级,另取40例门诊体检者(对照组)。对各级慢性心力衰竭患者、门诊体检者进行心衰超声指数评分,与氨基末端脑钠肽前体(NT-ProBNP)水平、左室射血分数、左房内径、左室舒张末径、纽约心功能分级进行比较。结果：门诊体检者、心功能I、II、III、IV级的慢性心力衰竭患者的心衰超声指数分别为0、1.43±0.87、2.15±0.96、3.27±1.02、5.46±1.43,各组具有统计学差异(P<0.05);门诊体检者、心功能I、II、III、IV级的慢性心力衰竭患者的NT-ProBNP水平、左室射血分数、左房内径、左室舒张末径均具有统计学差异(P<0.05);纽约心功能分级越严重,心衰超声指数越大(P<0.05)。结论：心衰超声指数与氨基末端脑钠肽前体水平、左室射血分数、左房内径、左室舒张末径、纽约心功能分级具有相关性,心衰超声指数可用于评价与诊断慢性心力衰竭患者的心功能。     

增益指数与原发性高血压左室肥厚及心脏功能相关性研究

目的探讨桡动脉增益指数(radial augmentation index,AIr)与原发性高血压患者左室肥厚和心脏功能的关系。方法前瞻性选取2009年1月至3月在北京大学第三医院心内科住院的患原发性高血压、超声心动图测定的左室射血分数(left ventricular ejection fraction,LVEF)≥50%的患者共102例,分析心率为75次/min标准化的桡动脉增益指数(AIrP75)和超声心动图测量的心脏结构及功能指标的关系。结果 102例患者中男性占68.6%,平均年龄(65.0±9.6)岁。AIrP75与心肌收缩期运动速度峰值(peakmyocardial systolic velocity,Sm)呈负相关(r=-0.24,P=0.017),与左室心肌重量指数(left ventricular massindex,LVMI)呈正相关(r=0.22,P=0.027)。将AIrP75与患者的临床特征及生化指标代入多元线性回归方程,结果显示AIrP75仍与LVMI(β=0.354,s=0.164,sβ=0.214,95%CI 0.028～0.681,P=0.034)及Sm(β=-0.042,s=0.020,sβ=-0.209,95%CI-0.082～-0.002,P=0.040)独立相关。结论本研究结果显示脉搏波增益指数(AIrP75)与左室射血分数正常的原发性高血压患者左室肥厚和心肌收缩功能受损独立相关,提示动脉僵硬度增加可能是原发性高血压患者心脏结构和(或)功能受损的早期标志。     

辛伐他汀与福辛普利对慢性心力衰竭大鼠心肌结缔组织生长因子的影响

目的探讨辛伐他汀和福辛普利单用及联合应用对慢性心力衰竭大鼠左心室心肌结缔组织生长因子(connectivetissue growth factor,CTGF)的影响。方法利用肾上腹主动脉缩窄法制作慢性心力衰竭模型,雄性Wistar大鼠50只随机分为假手术组、模型组、辛伐他汀组、福辛普利组、联合用药组(辛伐他汀+福辛普利),每组10只。观察各组大鼠左心室重量指数(LVMI)、左心室舒张末压(LVEDP)、左心室压力最大上升及下降速率(±dp/dt_(max));SP法检测各组大鼠左心室心肌CTGF表达,Western blot检测各组大鼠左心室心肌CTGF蛋白表达水平,RT-PCR测定各组大鼠左心室心肌CTGF mRNA水平。结果与假手术组比较,模型组LVEDP、LVMI明显升高,±dp/dt_(max)明显下降,左心室心肌CTGF蛋白及mRNA表达明显升高(P<0.01);与模型组比较,辛伐他汀组、福辛普利组和联合用药组±dp/dt_(max)明显升高,LVMI、LVEDP明显下降,左心室心肌CTGF蛋白及mRNA表达明显下降,其中联合用药组表达水平最低(P<0.01)。结论辛伐他汀与福辛普利单用及联合应用均可有效改善心功能、消退心肌肥厚,联合用药对心肌纤维化抑制作用优于单独用药。     

Sex differences in cardiac adaptation to essential hypertension

Left ventricular functional and structural adaptations to mild essential hypertension were assessed by 2D-guided M-mode echocardiography in a population of premenopausal and postmenopausal women (n = 29) who were matched with the same number of men with regard to mean arterial pressure, age and race. Premenopausal women had a thinner posterial wall (P less than 0.05), a smaller left ventricular systolic and diastolic diameter, and a smaller left ventricular mass than men with the same level of arterial pressure. Left ventricular performance indices, ejection fraction, velocity of circumferential fibre shortening, and the ratio of the end-systolic wall stress to the end-systolic volume index (a load-insensitive contractility index) were higher in women than in men. These sex differences were most pronounced before the menopause and tended to disappear thereafter. We conclude that in the presence of the same level of arterial pressure, women have smaller left ventricular dimensions and enhanced ventricular performance compared with men. These differences in cardiac adaptations between the genders may account for the lower risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in premenopausal women with essential hypertension.     

Diagnosing diastolic heart failure

BACKGROUND: increasing evidence supports the existence of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction as an important cause of congestive heart failure, present in up to 40% of heart failure patients. AIM: to review the pathophysiology of LV diastolic dysfunction and diastolic heart failure and the currently available methods to diagnose these disorders. RESULTS: for diagnosing LV diastolic dysfunction, invasive hemodynamic measurements are the gold standard. Additional exercise testing with assessment of LV volumes and pressures may be of help in detecting exercise-induced elevation of filling pressures because of diastolic dysfunction. However, echocardiography is obtained more easily, and will remain the most often used method for diagnosing diastolic heart failure in the coming years. MRI may provide noninvasive determination of LV three-dimensional motion during diastole, but data on correlation of MRI data with clinical findings are scant, and possibilities for widespread application are limited at this moment. CONCLUSIONS: in the forthcoming years, optimal diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for patients with primary diastolic heart failure have to be developed. Therefore, future heart failure trials should incorporate patients with diastolic heart failure, describing precise details of LV systolic and diastolic function in their study populations.     

Long-term follow-up of cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with end-stage heart failure

Long-term follow-up of cardiac resynchronization therapy. INTRODUCTION: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has been introduced to treat patients with end-stage heart failure, and results of this technique are promising. The aim of our study was to assess the sustained benefit of CRT in a large patient cohort with end-stage heart failure at long-term follow-up. In addition, the prognosis of responders and nonresponders was evaluated. METHODS AND RESULTS: 125 patients with end-stage heart failure, NYHA class III or IV, LVEF<35%, QRS duration>120 msec and left bundle branch block morphology received a biventricular device. At baseline and 6 months after implantation the following parameters were evaluated: NYHA class, Minnesota Quality of life score, QRS duration on surface ECG, 6-minute walking distance and LVEF. Follow-up was obtained up to 3 years. After 6 months, patients were divided in clinical responders and nonresponders according to improvement in NYHA class. All clinical parameters improved significantly at 6-month follow-up. Hospitalization for heart failure was 3.8+/-4.9 days/year before and 0.7+/-1.6 days/year after CRT. Survival at 1-, 2-, and 3-year follow-up was 93%, 88%, and 85%, respectively. Responders (78%) showed a significantly better survival than nonresponders at 2- and 3-year follow-up (96% and 93% for responders versus 81% and 73% for nonresponders, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The improvement in functional status and symptoms after CRT is maintained at long-term follow-up (up to 3 years). The clinical improvement was associated with a significant reduction in hospitalization rate which was also maintained over the years. Preimplantation selection of responders may result in even better long-term survival.     

慢性收缩性心力衰竭患者血清miR-129表达与心功能的关系

目的 探讨慢性收缩性心力衰竭(CSHF)患者血清微小RNA-129(miR-129)表达水平并分析其与心功能指标的关系.方法 选取2016年5月-2018年10月在武汉市第六医院收治的103例CSHF患者为观察组,依据纽约心脏病协会(NYHA)标准将其分为三组:NYHAⅡ级组(33例)、NYHAⅢ级(28例)、NYHA...     

Three dimensional echocardiography documents haemodynamic improvement by biventricular pacing in patients with severe heart failure

OBJECTIVES—To quantify the short term haemodynamic effects of biventricular pacing in patients with heart failure and left bundle branch block by using three dimensional echocardiography.DESIGN—Three dimensional echocardiography was performed in 15 consecutive heart failure patients (New York Heart Association functional class III or IV) with an implanted biventricular pacing system. Six minute walk tests were performed to investigate the effect of biventricular pacing on exercise capacity. Data were acquired at sinus rhythm and after short term (2-7 days) biventricular pacing.RESULTS—Compared with baseline values, biventricular pacing significantly reduced left ventricular end diastolic volume (EDV) by mean (SD) 4.0 (5.1)% (p < 0.01) and end systolic volume (ESV) by 5.6 (6.4)% (p < 0.02). Mitral regurgitant fraction was significantly reduced by 11 (12.1)% (p < 0.003) and forward stroke volume (FSV) increased by 13.9 (18.6)% (p < 0.02). Exercise capacity was significantly improved with biventricular pacing by 48.4 (43.3)% (p < 0.00001). Regression analyses showed that the percentage increase in FSV independently predicted percentage improvement in walking distance (r² = 0.73, p < 0.0002). Both basal QRS duration and QRS narrowing predicted pacing efficacy, showing a significant correlation with %ΔEDV, %ΔESV, and %ΔFSV.CONCLUSIONS—In five of 15 consecutive patients with heart failure and left bundle branch block, biventricular pacing induced a more than 15% increase in FSV, which predicted a more than 25% increase in walking distance and was accompanied by an immediate reduction in left ventricular chamber size and mitral regurgitation.     

Evaluation of left ventricular function and mitral regurgitation during left ventricular-based pacing in patients with heart failure

BACKGROUND: Beneficial effects of left ventricular (LV)-based pacing on acute hemodynamic parameters were reported in several series, but only a few studies examined the long-term effects of this new pacing procedure. AIMS: To assess long-term effects of permanent LV-based pacing on LV function and mitral regurgitation (MR) in patients with refractory congestive heart failure (CHF). METHODS: A prospective evaluation of LV function and MR was performed in 23 patients with severe but stable CHF and left bundle branch block (mean QRS: 186+/-31 ms) by radionuclide and echocardiographic techniques at baseline and 6 months after implantation of a permanent LV-based (LV alone: 13 patients; biventricular: 10 patients) pacemaker programmed either in a DDD mode (sinus rhythm; n=14) or in a VVIR mode (atrial fibrillation; n=9). RESULTS: Compared to baseline, the 6 months follow-up visit demonstrated a significant increase in radionuclide derived LV ejection fraction from 23.3+/-7 to 26.2+/-7% (P<0.01) and in echocardiographic LV fractional shortening from 13+/-4 to 16+/-6% (P<0.05), without any change in cardiac index, a significant decrease in LV end-diastolic diameter (from 73.2+/-6 to 71.2+/-7 mm; P<0.05), end-systolic diameter (from 63.6+/-6 to 60.2+/-8 mm; P<0.05) and color Doppler MR jet area (from 11.5+/-6 to 6.6+/-4 cm(1); P<0.001). A comparison of patients with LV pacing alone and patients with biventricular pacing showed similar beneficial effects of pacing on MR severity in the two subgroups and a non-significant trend for a better improvement of LV function during biventricular pacing. CONCLUSION: Thus, in patients with severe CHF and left bundle branch block, permanent LV-based pacing may significantly improve LV systolic function and decrease MR.     

心力衰竭发作前左室射血分数正常的冠心病患者的临床特点和长期预后

目的了解心力衰竭发作前左室射血分数(LVEF)正常的冠心病患者的临床特点和长期预后。方法选择DESIRE(Drug-Eluting Stent I mpact on Revascularization)数据库中LVEF≥50%的患者的病例资料进行分析,了解患者的临床特征、住院和随访死亡率。结果在DESIRE注册的LVEF≥50%的2714例血运重建术后的冠心病患者中,35例在住院期间发生心力衰竭,88.6%心力衰竭患者合并多支血管病变,肾小球滤过率<60ml/min者占37.1%。这些患者血运重建术后住院死亡率显著高于其他患者(14.3%vs1.2%,P<0.001);出院后平均随访(475±244)d,心力衰竭发作前LVEF正常的患者随访死亡率显著高于其他患者(21.4%vs2.6%,P<0.001)。结论心力衰竭发作前LVEF正常的冠心病患者多数冠状动脉病变弥漫,肾功能受损的发生率较高。这些患者行血运重建术后院内死亡率和长期随访死亡率高,提示这组患者病情重,应加强药物治疗。