Immunomodulating therapy: new treatment modality in congestive heart failure

Accumulating evidence indicates that inflammatory cytokines play a pathogenic role in congestive heart failure (CHF) by influencing heart contractility, inducing hypertrophy, and promoting apoptosis or fibrosis, contributing to the continuous myocardial remodeling process. Traditional cardiovascular drugs seem to have little influence on the overall cytokine network, and immunomodulatory therapy has emerged as a possible new treatment modality in CHF. Several animal studies have suggested that modulation of inflammatory cytokines may improve cardiac performance. The authors have recently demonstrated that intravenous immunoglobulin enhances the left ventricular ejection fraction in CHF patients, and that this is significantly correlated with anti-inflammatory effects of such therapy. While intravenous immunoglobulin is not necessarily the drug of choice, this study suggests a potential role for immunomodulatory therapy in CHF in addition to optimal cardiovascular treatment regimens. Further research will more precisely identify the most important actors in the immunopathogenesis of CHF and contribute to the development of more specific immunomodulating agents for this disorder.     

Hemofiltration as short-term treatment for refractory congestive heart failure

Hemofiltration has been suggested as a new therapeutic tool in refractory heart failure. In this study, 11 patients with primary or ischemic heart disease in New York Heart Association class IV, in whom there was no response to medical treatment, were subjected to hemofiltration. The pathophysiologic adjustments promoted by subtraction of plasma water were investigated, and guidelines for an appropriate use of this procedure in heart failure are provided. Fluid was removed from plasma at a rate of 500 ml/hour until either normalization of the right atrial pressure (which was increased in all cases) was achieved or the hematocrit exceeded 50 percent. According to these criteria, the duration of treatment ranged from four to six hours and the total amount of fluid removed was 2,000 to 3,000 ml. In each case, hemofiltration promoted relief of dyspnea and of clinical and radiographic evidence of lung congestion and pleural effusion, and substantially reduced the dependent edema and abdominal girth. These effects were paralleled by progressive decrease of the right (-70 percent) and left (-45 percent) ventricular filling pressures and of the pulmonary arterial pressure and arteriolar resistance, without significant variations in heart rate, aortic pressure, cardiac index, and systemic vascular resistance. Changes in the right atrial and wedge pulmonary pressures are interpreted as reflecting a combined effect of a decrease in pressure on the outside of the heart due to fluid reabsorption (from lung interstitial spaces and pericardial, pleural and abdominal cavities) and of intravascular volume subtraction. The arterial partial pressure of oxygen was raised, the partial pressure of carbon dioxide and pH were unchanged, and urinary output was substantially enhanced by the procedure. The study indicates that: hemofiltration may be a short-term treatment for refractory cardiac insufficiency with overhydration; a filtration rate of 500 ml/hour is effective and safe; and the central venous pressure may be a reliable guide to volume subtraction.     

Exercise in the geriatric patient with congestive heart failure

The benefits of exercise in the elderly patient with heart failure have been well documented, but the studies have been limited by restrictive inclusion criteria. Most studies have involved patients who are younger and healthier than those normally seen in clinical practice. Improvements in neurohormonal, metabolic, and vascular status have been well documented in the relatively young patients who have been evaluated. Consequently, peak exercise time, oxygen consumption, submaximal exercise, and quality of life have also improved. Studies suggest that older, more severely limited patients may also benefit from exercise. However, they are less likely to tolerate an exercise program and may not improve their quality of life if the exercise is excessive. Caution is warranted when exercise is prescribed to elderly patients with heart failure.     

心脏再同步化治疗在严重心力衰竭中的应用

心力衰竭是各种心脏病的终末阶段,用心脏再同步化(CRT)的技术治疗中重度心力衰竭患者是一个新的治疗方法。CRT又名心房同步双心室起搏装置,近年来一系列短期和长期的临床试验已报道了这项治疗的临床效益,认为是严重心力衰竭合并心电学异常患者的一种理想的非药物辅助治疗选择。文章综述了心脏再同步化治疗的机制,相关的临床试验,临床思考和存在的技术问题,同时强调该方法目前还处于探索研究阶段,但已显示其光明的前景。     

Surgical treatment of congestive heart failure

Cardiac transplantation is the definitive surgical treatment for patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction and congestive heart failure. Unfortunately, however, the supply of donor hearts remains severely limited, so transplantation is an option for only a minority of these patients. Even after being approved for a heart transplant, patients often have a long wait until a suitable donor heart can be found. This waiting period entails a significant mortality rate. Because the supply of donor hearts is not expected to increase, surgeons have introduced several alternatives to heart transplantation, including partial left ventriculectomy, mitral valve repair, myocardial revascularization, and endoventricular circular patch plasty. For maximal benefit, surgeons must refine the selection criteria for determining which patients are the best candidates for each of these procedures.     

Pharmacologic treatment of congestive heart failure

Congestive heart failure is a clinical syndrome producing symptomatic deterioration, functional impairment, and shortened life span. The syndrome is complex in that it includes both peripheral and cardiac effects which contribute to the progression of heart failure. In the periphery, elevations in thesympathetic nervous system and renin-angiotensin system increase afterload and contribute to further salt and water retention. The central cardiac abnormalities include remodeling of the heart and downregulation of beta receptors. Traditional heart failure therapy has included treatment of fluid retention with diuretics, although their effect on mortality has never been addressed. The most proven therapy in heart failure is treatment with vasodilators, particularly angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Improved survival with ACE-inhibitor therapy has been demonstrated in patients with severe heart failure (CONSENSUS), mild to moderate heart failure (SOLVD), and in comparison with vasodilator therapy with hydralazine isosorbide dinitrate (VHeFT II). Improved survival has also been noted in postmyocardial infarction when the ejection fraction is decreased (SAVE). The ACE inhibitors have now become standard therapy for heart failure regardless of severity. Additive vasodilator therapy with calcium-channel antagonists is under investigation. Inotropic therapy is controversial at present because of disappointing mortality results. The clinical mainstay digitalis remains without convincing mortality reduction data. Other inotropic agents, particularly phosphodiesterase inhibitors, have shown uniformly negative survival results. However, the new mixed action agents vesnarinone and pimobenden have shown favorable data, with vesnarinone demonstrating a mortality reduction effect. Beta-blocker therapy in heart failure has also found renewed interest, particularly with the new agents carvedolol and bucindolol which also have vasodilating properties.     

Exercise training in congestive heart failure: risks and benefits

After decades of concern about the safety and effectiveness of exercise training in patients with heart failure (HF) due to reduced ejection fraction, initial research demonstrated the feasibility and physiologic benefits associated with such an intervention. Subsequent controlled studies confirmed these results and suggested improved clinical outcomes as well. This review summarizes the findings from single-site and multisite trials and meta-analyses that addressed the effects of exercise training on exercise capacity and clinical outcomes. Conclusions from these studies indicate that exercise is safe, improves health status and exercise capacity, attenuates much of the abnormal physiology that develops with HF, and yields a modest reduction in clinical events. Future research needs to identify which patient subgroups might benefit the most, the optimal exercise dose needed to lessen disease-related symptoms and maximize clinical benefit, and the effects of exercise training in patients with HF and preserved ejection fraction.     

Autotransplantation of the heart as the method of treatment of congestive heart failure

Congestive heart failure with preserved or moderately lowered left ventricular pump function in some patients is caused by mitral regurgitation. Its consequences are left atrial dilation, pulmonary hypertension, tricuspid regurgitation, thromboembolic complications, disturbances of rhythm with elevated risk of sudden death. As efficacy of drug treatment and electroimpulse therapy is small surgery is the method of choice and one of alternatives - autotransplantation of the heart. Here we present a successful experience of application of this technique in a patient with moderately lowered left ventricular function, extreme degree of mitral and tricuspid regurgitation, atriomegaly, atrial fibrillation, and pronounced manifestations of congestive heart failure.     

Ibopamine-induced reversible leukopenia during treatment for congestive heart failure

Reversible leukopenia was documented in an 81-year-old womantreated with adjunctive ibopamine 100 mg t.i.d. for chroniccongestive heart failure. Her antecedent medical history includedstable, mild renalfunction impairment, mitral regurgitation,atrial fibrillation, recurrent transient ischaemic attacks andcholelithiasis. The drugs concomitantly used were digoxin, isosorbidedinitrate, frusemide, urapidil and chlorthalidone in conjunctionwith oral potassium substitution. Upon withdrawal of ibopamine but continuation of all other drugs,the patient recovered from the blood dyscrasia within 5 daysand showed resolution of symptoms. Measurements of protectedisolation and selective intestinal decontamination were taken.No complications resulting from secondary infection occurred. After withdrawal of ibopamine and under continuation of allother concomitant medications her body weight continued to decreaseduring the following few days, her symptoms were alleviatedand she was discharge to a nursing home.     

Economic implications of treatment guidelines for congestive heart failure

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is the most common cause of cardiovascular hospital admission. A significant proportion of the costs of CHF is due to hospitalizations. The present study evaluated the economic impact of a modest increase in the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, beta-blockers, spironolactone and digoxin on CHF hospitalizations. Patients with CHF were identified through the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) database. The efficacy of ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, spironolactone and digoxin in the first year of treatment were retrieved from the Survival and Ventricular Enlargement (SAVE) trial, a meta-analysis, the Randomized Aldactone Evaluation Study (RALES) and the Digitalis Investigation Group (DIG) trial, respectively. Cost of CHF hospitalization was based on the National List of Provincial Costs. Costs of drug treatment were based on the 2002 Alberta Health and Wellness Drug Benefit list. Physician visits for drug titration were also included in the model. A total of 85,679 patients with CHF were identified with a total of 106,130 hospital discharges. A 10% increase in use of ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, spironolactone and digoxin would incur in a total cost due to avoidable hospital admissions of 0.4 million dollars, 1.3 million dollars, 3.7 million dollars and 1.2 million dollars, respectively. Similarly, the costs of drug treatment would be 2.2 million dollars, 1.3 million dollars, 0.3 million dollars and 0.5 million dollars, respectively. An increase in the use of the above medications would save 6.6 million dollars due to avoidable hospital admissions. The total cost of drug treatment was 4.3 million dollars, giving a net savings of 2.3 million dollars in the first year. The implementation of evidence-based therapy for CHF treatment is not only clinically efficacious, but also economically attractive.     

美托洛尔治疗慢性充血性心力衰竭分析

目的　探讨美托洛尔在心力衰竭 (心衰 )治疗中的作用。方法　选择慢性充血性心力衰竭患者 5 3例 ,随机分为两组 ,在常规强心、利尿、扩血管治疗基础上 ,治疗组加用美托洛尔 ,治疗后 4周、8周比较两组患者的临床指标改变。结果　两组患者的临床指标在治疗后 4周、8周均较治疗前有明显改善 ,但治疗组较对照组改善更为显著。结论　在常规抗心衰治疗基础上加用美托洛尔可明显改善患者心功能