Beta-Blockers in Heart Failure: Are Pharmacological Differences Clinically Important?

Beta-blockers are not an homogeneous group of agents. Only three beta-blockers, carvedilol, bisoprolol and metoprolol succinate, have had favorable effects on prognosis in controlled clinical trials in the patients with chronic heart failure. However, pharmacological differences exist between them. Metoprolol and bisoprolol are selective for beta(1)-adrenergic receptors while carvedilol blocks also beta(2)-, and alpha(1)- adrenergic receptors, and has associated antioxidant, anti-endothelin and antiproliferative properties. In COMET carvedilol was associated with a significant reduction in mortality compared to metoprolol tartrate further showing that different beta-blockers may have different effects on the outcome. These differences may be related to the ancillary properties of carvedilol or to its broader antiadrenergic profile. However, also more effective and prolonged blockade of beta1 adrenergic receptors may occur with carvedilol compared to metoprolol.     

Characteristics and Outcomes of Heart Failure–Related Intensive Care Unit Admissions in Children With Cardiomyopathy

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to describe patient characteristics and outcomes of heart failure (HF)–related intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalizations in children with cardiomyopathy (CM).Methods and ResultsA query of the Pediatric Health Information System database, a large administrative and billing database of 43 tertiary children’s hospitals, was performed. A total of 17,309 HF-related ICU hospitalizations from 2005 to 2010 of 14,985 children ≤18 years old were analyzed. Of those, 2,058 (12%) hospitalizations for CM-HF in 1,599 (11%) children were identified. Classification into CM subtypes was not possible owing to database limitations. The number of yearly CM-HF hospitalizations significantly increased during the study period (P = .036). Overall mortality was 11%, and cardiac transplantation occurred in 20% of hospitalizations. Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) was used in 261 (13%) of hospitalizations. Renal failure, MCS, respiratory failure, sepsis, and vasoactive medications were associated with mortality on multivariable analysis. Significant comorbidities associated with these hospitalizations included arrhythmias in 42%, renal failure in 13%, cerebrovascular disease in 6%, and hepatic impairment in 5%.ConclusionsHF-related ICU hospitalizations in children with cardiomyopathy are increasing. These children are at high risk for poor outcomes with an in-hospital mortality of 11%.     

CONTROVERSIES IN HEART FAILURE: Are Beneficial Effects of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors Attenuated by Aspirinin Patients with Heart Failure?

To whatever extent the improvement in symptoms and survival rendered by treatment with ACE inhibitors is attributable to their effects on the circulation and the kidneys, this benefit can be rescinded by concomitant administration of aspirin. Although some useful prostaglandin-independent actions may persist, shutting down the entire prostaglandin system and trading off a substantial portion of the potential risk reduction with forfeit of salutary hemodynamic and renal effects is a high price to pay just to suppress production of TXA2. In patients requiring treatment for heart failure, if possible, aspirin should be avoided and the integrity of prostaglandin metabolism respected; the severer the heart failure the more compelling. There are other ways to inhibit platelet aggregation, some equally effective or even better than aspirin. Orally active platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists, which may be more efficient than aspirin, have been developed and are now in clinical testing. Ticlopidine and clopidogrel, although more expensive than aspirin, are as easy to use and at least as effective as aspirin. Finally, because patients with severer heart failure are likely to be those with very low ejection fractions, these patients are good candidates for oral anticoagulation even though this treatment requires additional monitoring.     

Addition of Digoxin Improves Cardiac Function in Children With the Dilated Cardiomyopathy With Ataxia Syndrome: A Mitochondrial Cardiomyopathy

Background

The dilated cardiomyopathy with ataxia syndrome (DCMA) is a rare mitochondrial disorder characterized by progressive cardiomyopathy, prolonged QT interval and early death in childhood related to intractable heart failure. We present a case series of 9 children with DCMA who demonstrated functional improvement and favourable left ventricular remodeling only after digoxin was added to their medical therapy.

Postpartum Heart Failure Complicated With Thyroiditis: A Concealed Aggravator of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy?

The etiology of peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) remains unestablished, but the involvement of abnormal autoimmunity has been suggested. We report a case of PPCM that was triggered by postpartum thyroiditis. Despite the presence of myocardial damage indicated by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, the patient’s cardiac function completely recovered with the addition of bromocriptine to standard therapies. We discuss the role of thyroid hormones in the development of PPCM through aggravation of a prolactin-dependent antiangiogenic effect, and we argue that more attention should be paid to postpartum thyroiditis as a novel risk factor for PPCM.     

Are There Any Significant Differences Between Females and Males in the Management of Heart Failure? Gender Aspects of an Elderly Population With Symptoms Associated With Heart Failure

BackgroundAn increasing interest has been shown in potential gender differences in treating patients with heart failure (HF), a serious condition for the individual. To evaluate whether there are any differences in the prevalence of HF, cardiac function, biomarkers, and the treatment of HF with respect to gender.Methods and ResultsAll persons ages 70 to 80 in a rural municipality were invited to participate in the project; 876 persons accepted. Three cardiologists evaluated the patients including a new history, clinical examination, electrocardiogram, chest x-ray, blood samples, and Doppler echocardiography to assess both systolic and diastolic function. The patients were followed during a mean period of 8 years.ConclusionFemales had hypertension more frequently and included fewer smokers than their male counterparts. A female preponderance was seen in those with preserved systolic function, whereas males predominated among those with systolic dysfunction. During the follow-up period, 20% of the males and 14% of the females died of cardiovascular diseases. The results did not show any inferior treatment of females with HF, but it clearly was more difficult to correctly classify female patients presenting with symptoms of HF.     

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers in Acute Coronary Syndrome: Implications for Platelet Reactivity?

Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy - In patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are preferred over angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). However,...     

Comorbidities in Heart Failure: Are There Gender Differences?

Compared to men, women with heart failure (HF) are often older, smoke less, and have more preserved ejection fraction (EF) and hypertensive HF rather than HF of ischemic etiology. Gender-stratified outcomes on comorbidities data in HF are scarce. Women have traditionally been underrepresented in HF trials. Although data suggest that overall prognosis may be better in women, they experience lower quality of life with greater functional impairment from HF compared to men. Gender differences have been reported for comorbid diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, renal dysfunction, anemia, and depression and may explain gender disparity in outcomes. However, possible confounding of comorbidities with known prognostic determinants in HF (such as EF) as well as gender differences in the utilization of medical therapies obscures interpretation. In this review, we will explore the evidence for gender differences in non-cardiovascular comorbidities in HF. Our findings may guide clinicians to individualize HF care, according to best practice, in the hope of improving prognosis for this chronic and debilitating condition.     

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors in Hypertension: To Use or Not to Use?

Most guidelines for the management of patients with cardiovascular disease recommend angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors as first-choice therapy, whereas angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are merely considered an alternative for ACE inhibitor–intolerant patients. The aim of this review was to compare outcomes and adverse events between ACE inhibitors and ARBs in patients. In patients with hypertension and hypertension with compelling indications, we found no difference in efficacy between ARBs and ACE inhibitors with regard to the surrogate endpoint of blood pressure and outcomes of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction, heart failure, stroke, and end-stage renal disease. However, ACE inhibitors remain associated with cough and a very low risk of angioedema and fatalities. Overall withdrawal rates because of adverse events are lower with ARBs than with ACE inhibitors. Given the equal outcome efficacy but fewer adverse events with ARBs, risk-to-benefit analysis in aggregate indicates that at present there is little, if any, reason to use ACE inhibitors for the treatment of hypertension or its compelling indications.     

Is Heart Failure Associated With Risk of Suicide?

Background

The high prevalence of heart failure (HF) in developed countries imposes a substantial burden on health care resources. Depression is widely recognized as a risk factor associated with HF. This study examined the relationship between suicide and HF after controlling for depression and other comorbidities.

Is Heart Rate a Norepiphenomenon in Heart Failure?

There has been an increased focus on heart rate as a target in the management of cardiovascular disease and more specifically in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in recent years with several studies showing the benefit of a lower resting heart rate on outcomes. This review paper examines the pathophysiology behind the benefits of lowering heart rate in heart failure and also the evidence for and against the pharmacological agents available to achieve this.     

B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Levels and Mortality in Patients With and Without Heart Failure

Background

Circulating B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) concentrations strongly predict mortality in patients with heart failure (HF). Both cardiac and extracardiac stimuli influence BNP levels, suggesting that BNP might have similar prognostic value in patients without HF.