沙库巴曲缬沙坦治疗急性失代偿射血分数降低心力衰竭患者的有效性和安全性

探讨沙库巴曲缬沙坦（S/V）治疗射血分数降低急性失代偿心力衰竭（ADHF）患者的有效性和安全性。方法 连续纳入2018年5月～2019年10月重庆4个研究中心心血管内科射血分数降低的ADHF患者,根据临床处方信息患者被分为S/V组和血管紧张素转换酶抑制剂（ACEI）/血管紧张素受体阻滞剂（ARB）组（ACEI/ARB组）。住院期间和出院后医生根据患者的一般情况和血压滴定药物剂量,随访至出院后12个月。主要有效性终点是心源性死亡和心衰（HF）住院发生率,次要有效性终点是全因死亡和全因住院发生率。安全性终点肾功能损伤、高钾血症、咳嗽、血管神经性水肿和症状性低血压发生率。结果 筛选期共纳入758例,根据入排标准排除127例,631例纳入倾向性评分,最后502例患者纳入数据分析,S/V组和ACEI/ARB组各251例。S/V组和ACEI/ARB组患者主要疗效性终点心血管死亡和HF住院发生率分别为235%和32.3%（HR:0.687; 95% CI:0.493～0.958; P=0.027）,其中心血管死亡发生率分别为48%和10.4%（HR:0.444; 95% CI: 0.235～0.840; P=0.017）,HF再住院发生率分别为18.7%和21.9%（HR:0.845; 95% CI:0.573～1.247; P=0.398）;次要疗效终点全因死亡和全因住院发生率分别为35.1%和38.2%（HR:0.891; 95% CI:0.668～1.191; P=0.4.37）,其中全因死亡发生率分别为4.8%和11.6%（HR:0.396; 95% CI:0.214～0.731; P=00005）,全因住院发生率分别为30.3%和26.7%（HR, 1.168; 95% CI:0.841～1.622; P=0.352）。安全性终点两组无显著差异。结论 与ACEI/ARB相比,S/V治疗可降低射血分数降低的ADHF患者1年心源性死亡和心衰住院复合终点,并且其安全性相当。     

Prevalence and predictors associated with severe pulmonary hypertension in COPD

Background

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is one of the most common complications of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), but its severe form is uncommon. Various factors play an important role in the occurrence and severity of pulmonary hypertension in patients.

Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Disease in China and Opportunities for Improvement: JACC International

The burden of cardiovascular (CV) disease is very high in China, due to highly prevalent and poorly controlled risk factors resulting from changing sociodemographic structure and lifestyles in its large population. Rapid economic development and urbanization have been accompanied by changing patterns, expression, and management of CV disease. However, the health care system in China lacks a hierarchical structure, with a focus on treating acute diseases in hospital while ignoring long-term management, and primary health care is too weak to effectively control CV risk factors. To address these challenges, the Chinese central government has ensured health is a national priority and has introduced reforms that include implementing policies for a healthy environment, strengthening primary care, and improving affordability and accessibility within the health system. Turning the inverted pyramid of the health care system is essential in the ongoing battle against CV disease.     

Prognostic Value of Global Longitudinal Strain in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: A Systematic Review of Existing Literature

ObjectivesThe association of left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) with clinical outcomes in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) has been examined in multiple studies. The authors conducted a systematic review aimed at summarizing and critically appraising the current evidence.BackgroundHCM is a common genetic cardiovascular disease with an estimated prevalence of 1 in 500 patients. LV-GLS derived from speckle tracking echocardiography is a sensitive noninvasive method of assessing regional left ventricular function. Several studies have suggested association of abnormal LV-GLS with outcomes in HCM patients.MethodsA computerized literature search of all English language publications in the PubMed and EMBASE databases was made looking at all randomized and nonrandomized studies conducted on patients with HCM where association of LV-GLS with clinical outcomes was studied. We then manually searched the reference lists of included articles. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses statement (PRISMA) of reporting systematic reviews was used.ResultsOur search yielded a total of 14 observational studies published between 2009 and 2017 with a total of 3,154 patients with HCM. Eleven of the 14 studies included a composite cardiac outcome which included mortality as their primary outcome of interest and 3 of the 14 studies looked at association of LV-GLS with ventricular arrhythmias and/or implantable cardiac defibrillator discharge. We noted wide variability in inclusion, methodology, follow-up, and consequently effect estimates, which was not conducive to performing a meta-analysis. However, despite the variation, all studies revealed a degree of association of abnormal LV-GLS with poor cardiac outcomes.ConclusionsOur systematic review of more than 3000 HCM patients suggests an association of abnormal LV-GLS with adverse composite cardiac outcomes and ventricular arrhythmias.     

Valsartan Dosage on Ventriculo-Vascular Coupling Index Dose-Dependency in Heart Failure Patients

PurposeHeart failure (HF) poses significant morbidity and mortality. Recently, the ventriculo-vascular coupling index (VVI) was introduced as an independent prognostic factor reflective of the overall cardiovascular performance index in HF. We aimed to determine the effectiveness of force-titration of valsartan on VVI values in HF patients.Materials and MethodsIn this multicenter and prospective observational trial, the effect of valsartan was stratified according to dosages [non-ceiling dose (NCD) vs. ceiling dose (CD)] in HF patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <55%. Biochemical studies, including N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), echocardiography with VVI, the treadmill test, and the activity scale index were assessed at baseline and after 24 weeks of treatment.ResultsOne-hundred thirty-eight patients were force-titrated to either a CD group (n=81) or a NCD group (n=57). The mean age of the study participants was 59 years and 66% were male. After 6 months of follow up, left ventricular mass index (LVMI) values had significantly improved in the CD group but not in the NCD group. Intriguingly, in HF patients with a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) (n=52, LVEF <40%), a significant improvement in VVI was only observed in the CD group (from 2.4±0.6 to 1.8±0.5, p<0.001).ConclusionCDs of valsartan for 6 months showed better improvement in VVI, as well as LVMI, in patients with HFrEF, compared with NCDs.