TNF-alpha inhibitors and congestive heart failure

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors are among the new class of drugs that offer new options for psoriasis control. In addition to serving as a key mediator in psoriasis, elevated tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels have also been observed in patients with congestive heart failure, and clinical trials have been performed to examine the effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors, such as etanercept and infliximab, in such a population. Two large-scale trials examining the effects of etanercept in more than 2000 patients with heart failure did not indicate any increased risk of mortality or morbidity, and no US Food and Drug Administration warning has been issued regarding the use of etanercept in such a patient population. On the other hand, a study with infliximab showed significantly increased deaths, hospitalizations, and morbidity. Thus, infliximab>5 mg/kg is now contraindicated in patients with moderate-to-severe congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association functional class III/IV). If infliximab must be used, it should not exceed 5 mg/kg, and patients must be followed closely.     

Primary osteosarcoma of heart with severe congestive heart failure.

We present a case report on a 54-year-old woman with extraskeletal osteosarcoma of the left atrium featuring severe congestive heart failure. We resected the tumor, which occupied the left atrium and had widely infiltrated the atrial wall, but the patients died of the tumor 9 months after surgery. This is to our knowledge the 32nd case of cardiac osteosarcoma ever reported.     

Anaemia and congestive heart failure early post-renal transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Anaemia is common following renal transplantation and is associated with the development of congestive heart failure (CHF). However the prevalence of anaemia in the first year following transplantation and the association between anaemia occurring early and the development of CHF have been understudied. METHODS: In this study, 132 incident patients undergoing tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil-based renal transplantation were studied for the prevalence of, and risk factors for, anaemia and CHF in the early period post transplantation. RESULTS: Anaemia occurred in 94.5% and 53.1% of patients at 1 week and 12 months, respectively, and was associated with allograft dysfunction, hypoalbuminaemia, higher mycophenolic acid (MPA) levels, bacterial infection and hypoalbuminaemia. The association with hypoalbuminaemia may reflect the presence of chronic inflammation post-transplantation. Of patients displaying haemoglobin <11 g/dl, 41.1% and 29.4% were treated with erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESAs) at 1 and 12 months respectively. CHF developed in 26 patients beyond 1 month post-transplantation, with echocardiographic left ventricular systolic function preserved in all but one. CHF was associated with anaemia and lower haemoglobin, allograft dysfunction, duration of dialysis and left ventricular hypertrophy on echocardiography prior to transplantation, suggesting the aetiology of CHF may involve the interplay of diastolic cardiac dysfunction, pre-load mismatch and after-load mismatch. CONCLUSIONS: Modification of risk factors may improve anaemia management post transplantation. Reducing the prevalence of anaemia may in turn reduce the incidence of CHF-these observations support the need for clinical trials to determine how anaemia management may impact CHF incidence.     

Inadequate treatment of congestive heart failure in dialysis patients

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is highly prevalent in patients on renal replacement therapy and is a leading cause of death in such patients. Several studies suggest that therapeutic agents for the treatment of CHF, particularly angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and beta-blockers, are underused in end-stage renal disease patients with CHF. Although limited data are available, growing evidence suggests that therapeutic agents for CHF improve survival and are safe to use, assuming close monitoring of adverse events. The reluctance of physicians in prescribing these therapeutic agents and the reasons underlying the inconsistent use of these agents in the dialysis population need to be addressed.     

Ultrafiltration in the treatment of severe congestive heart failure

BACKGROUND: Fluid removal remains a fundamental goal in the treatment of congestive heart failure (CHF). Vacuum ultrafiltration, hemodialysis, or a combination of both was used in patients with severe CHF (NYHA class IV), severe edema, and insensitivity to pharmacological treatment with diuretics. METHODS: The aim of the study was to remove the overload fluid in eighteen patients, 13 men and 5 women, aged 38 to 83, with a man age of 66 years with intractable congestive heart failure. All patients were hospitalized because of severe congestive heart failure and did not respond to treatment with intravenous administration of a high dose of diuretics and positive inotropic agents. They thus underwent vacuum ultrafiltration (1 to 27 sessions) while in 4 of them hemodialysis was also performed because of high serum creatinine levels (over 4 mg/dl). Subclavian catheters were used in all patients and arteriovenous fistula was later performed in 2, because of the need for long term treatment. The average fluid removed was 2 L per session and the total fluid removed ranged from 4 to 29 L. RESULTS: Fourteen of the 18 patients (78%) showed significant improvement in their clinical status. Ten patients (56%) had a short term improvement but expired after 7 to 107 days of hospitalization. Four patients (22%) died after only one session of dialysis and 4 patients (22%) recovered after 8 to 23 dialysis sessions and were discharged from hospital. CONCLUSION: The majority of patients with severe chronic CHF which is intractable to conventional therapy including intravenous diuretics and inotropes improve by the use of ultrafiltration. However, a limited proportion of them survive to be discharged from the hospital.     

Erythropoietin should be part of congestive heart failure management

BACKGROUND: Up to 64% of patients referred to nephrologists with chronic kidney insufficiency (CKI) have evidence of congestive heart failure (CHF), and most of these patients are also anemic. We have called this triad of anemia, CKI, and CHF the cardio renal anemia (CRA) syndrome. The 3 components of this syndrome form a vicious circle, with each one capable of causing or worsening the other 2. Anemia is found in one-third to one-half of CHF patients and can either cause or worsen the CHF, and can increase the mortality, hospitalization, and malnutrition in this condition. Anemia is also associated with a worsening of renal function in CHF and CKI, causing a more rapid progression to dialysis than is found in those without anemia. Uncontrolled CHF can cause rapid deterioration of renal function and may also cause anemia. Chronic kidney insufficiency can cause anemia and worsen the CHF. METHODS: Aggressive therapy of CHF with all the accepted CHF medications in the accepted doses will often fail to improve the CHF if anemia is also present but is not corrected. However, when the anemia was corrected with subcutaneous erythropoietin and, in some cases, with intravenous iron, the cardiac and patient function and quality of life improved, the need for hospitalization and for high-dose oral and intravenous diuretics was strikingly reduced, and renal function, which had previously been deteriorating, stabilized. RESULTS: Nephrologists should carefully assess the cardiac status of all CKI patients, including routinely getting an echocardiogram and possibly measuring B-type natriuretic peptide. Where CHF is present, the indicated CHF agents in the indicated doses should be used. CONCLUSION: Studies show that most cardiologists and internists do not recognize, investigate, or treat the anemia frequently seen in their CHF patients. In our experience cooperation between nephrologists and these specialists has increased their awareness about anemia, resulting in its earlier correction, and thus preventing the deterioration of the CHF, the CKI, and the anemia itself.     

Awareness of congestive heart failure in the podiatric practice

The authors review congestive heart failure and present a case report. The basic signs, symptoms, and treatment modalities are discussed in order to provide more complete knowledge of a condition commonly seen by the podiatrist. Interaction between the family physician and the podiatric physician create the necessary team to deal with cardiac decompensation.     

Nesiritide use in pediatric patients with congestive heart failure

Nesiritide (B-type natriuretic peptide) is one of the newest therapies available in the treatment of adults with decompensated congestive heart failure (CHF). It rapidly improves hemodynamics and induces diuresis in adult patients with moderate to severe CHF. This report details our experience with nesiritide in 4 pediatric cases in 3 subjects with chronic CHF of various causes. As described in adults, our patients generally diuresed and had symptomatic improvement in response to the infusion with only dose-related hypotension and asymptomatic hyponatremia as recognized side effects. Given the number of pediatric patients who progress to CHF as a result of myocarditis, cardiomyopathy, or failed palliation for complex congenital heart disease, we believe nesiritide has a role in managing acutely decompensated CHF in the pediatric population.     

Severe mitral stenosis in a parturient with congestive cardiac failure and hypoglycaemia

We report a case of maternal mortality in a 34-year-old multipara who presented at the 35th week of gestation with severe hypoglycaemia. She had no history of diabetes mellitus. This episode was a prelude to catastrophic and refractory congestive cardiac failure due to previously undiagnosed severe mitral stenosis. The rapid cardiovascular deterioration initially appeared to be consistent with amniotic fluid embolism. She also developed deranged liver function with disseminated intravascular coagulation, which mimicked acute fatty liver of pregnancy. The problems of diagnosis and management are discussed. Unfortunately the patient died before mitral valvular commissurotomy could be effected.