Labor Market Participation Among Working-Age Heart Failure Patients With a Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Device.

PURPOSE: Labor market participation is an important rehabilitation goal for working-age patients living with heart failure (HF). Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) reduces mortality and HF hospitalizations and improves quality of life, but no studies have investigated labor market participation following CRT. We therefore aimed to describe labor market participation in patients with HF before and after CRT implantation. METHODS: This region-wide register-based cohort study comprised patients with HF aged 40 to 63 yr, with ejection fraction ≤35% and QRS duration >130 milliseconds, who received a CRT system from 2000 to 2017 in the Central Denmark Region. Using unambiguous, individual-level linkage in Danish medical and administrative registries, we assessed weekly employment status from 1 yr prior to CRT implantation until 2 to 5 yr of follow-up and conducted stratified analyses by sociodemographic and disease-related risk factors. RESULTS: We identified 546 patients, of whom 42% were in early retirement 1 yr prior to implantation. Active employment decreased from 45% to 19% from 1 yr before until implantation, declining primarily in the last 8 wk before implantation. The proportion of patients in active employment increased in the first 8 wk after CRT implantation and then stabilized, reaching 31% at 1-yr follow-up. We observed lower labor market participation in patients with older age, multimorbidity, lower educational level, and upgrade procedures, but higher in later calendar year. CONCLUSIONS: In working-age patients with HF, labor market participation increased after CRT implantation, despite many patients being retired prior to implantation. We observed differences in active employment related to several sociodemographic and disease-related factors.

Influence of multimorbidity and socioeconomic position on long-term healthcare utilization and prognosis in patients after cardiac resynchronization therapy implantation.

Aims: We aimed to investigate the influence of socioeconomic position (SEP) and multimorbidity on cross-sectional healthcare utilization and prognosis in patients after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) implantation. Methods and results: We included first-time CRT recipients with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35% implanted between 2000 and 2017. Data on chronic conditions, use of healthcare services, and demographics were obtained from Danish national administrative and health registries. Healthcare utilization (in- and outpatient hospitalizations, activities in general practice) was compared by multimorbidity categories and SEP by using a negative binomial regression model. The association between SEP, multimorbidity, and prognostic outcomes was analysed using Cox proportional hazards regression. We followed 2007 patients (median age of 70 years), 79% were male, 75% were on early retirement or state pension, 37% were living alone, and 41% had low education level for a median of 5.2 [inter-quartile range: 2.2-7.3) years. In adjusted regression models, a higher number of chronic conditions were associated with increased healthcare utilization. Both cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular hospital contacts were increased. Patients with low SEP had a higher number of chronic conditions, but SEP had limited influence on healthcare utilization. Patients living alone and those with low educational level had a trend towards a higher risk of all-cause mortality [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 1.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03-1.33, and aHR 1.09, 95% CI 0.96-1.24). Conclusion: Multimorbidity increased the use of cross-sectional healthcare services, whereas low SEP had minor influence on the utilizations. Living alone and low educational level showed a trend towards a higher risk of mortality after CRT implantation.

Employment Status Following Heart Transplantation: Data From the Danish Nationwide Social Service Payment Register During 20 years.

Most studies on vocational rehabilitation after heart transplantation (HTX) are based on self-reported data. Danish registries include weekly longitudinal information on all public transfer payments. We intended to describe 20-year trends in employment status for the Danish heart-transplant recipients, and examine the influence of multimorbidity and socioeconomic position (SEP). Linking registry and Scandiatransplant data (1994-2018), we conducted a study in recipients of working age (19-63 years). The cohort contained 492 recipients (79% males) and the median (IQR) age was 52 years (43-57 years). Five years after HTX, 30% of the survived recipients participated on the labor market; 9% were in a flexible job with reduced health-related working capacity. Moreover, 60% were retired and 10% eligible for labor market participation were unemployed. Recipients with multimorbidity had a higher age and a lower prevalence of employment. Five years after HTX, characteristics of recipients with labor market participation were: living alone (27%) versus cohabitation (73%); low (36%) versus medium-high (64%) educational level; low (13%) or medium-high (87%) income group. Heart-transplant recipients with multimorbidity have a higher age and a lower prevalence of employment. Socioeconomically disadvantaged recipients had a lower prevalence of labor market participation, despite being younger compared with the socioeconomically advantaged.

Association between socioeconomic position and discontinuation of pharmacotherapy for heart failure after cardiac resynchronization therapy.

AIMS: Pharmacological therapy remains a cornerstone in heart failure (HF) treatment despite implantation of a cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between 1) drug discontinuation, and 2) long-term adherence to HF pharmacotherapy after CRT implantation and socioeconomic position and multimorbidity. METHODS AND RESULTS: We conducted a registry-based cohort study including all patients who underwent a first-time CRT implantation at Aarhus University Hospital from 2000-2017. HF pharmacotherapy included beta blockers (BBs), renin angiotensin system inhibitors (ACEI/ARB), and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs). Patients were identified using the Danish Pacemaker and ICD Registry, and information about medication and comorbidities was obtained through linkage to the Danish health registries. We identified 2,007 patients of whom 1,880 (94%) were eligible for inclusion. The cumulative incidence of drug discontinuation at 10 years was 6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 5-8%) for BB, 10% (95% CI 9-12%) for ACEI/ARB, and 24% (95% CI 20-27%) for MRAs. Living alone was associated with higher BB discontinuation rates (hazard ratio [HR] 1.83, 95%CI 1.20-2.79), whereas patients with multimorbidity were more likely to discontinue ACEI/ARB- (HR 1.92, 95%CI 1.33-2.80) and MRA therapy (HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.10-2.09). Income- and educational level did not influence drug discontinuation rates, and similar adherence patterns were observed across all strata of socioeconomic position and multimorbidity. CONCLUSION: In patients with CRTs, drug discontinuation rates were low, and adherence to HF pharmacotherapy was comparable regardless of socioeconomic position. Living alone and multimorbidity were associated with discontinuation of specific HF drugs.

Replacement of fluoroscopy by ultrasonography in the evaluation of hemidiaphragm function, an exploratory prospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Dysfunction of the diaphragm may ultimately lead to respiratory insufficiency and compromise patient outcome. Evaluation of diaphragm function is cumbersome. Fluoroscopy has been the gold standard to measure diaphragmatic excursion. Ultrasonography can visualize diaphragm excursion and holds many advantages such as no radiation exposure, increased portability and accessibility. However, correlation between fluoroscopy and ultrasonography has never been studied. We aimed to compare fluoroscopic and ultrasound measures of diaphragm excursion to determine if ultrasonography can replace fluoroscopy. METHODS: We performed ultrasound and fluoroscopy simultaneously during sniff inspiration and at total inspiratory capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure and in healthy volunteers. Cranio-caudal excursion was measured by fluoroscopy and compared directly to M-mode excursion, B-mode excursion, area change, resting thickness, thickening fraction and contraction velocity measured by ultrasonography. RESULTS: Forty-two participants were included. The Pearson correlation between M-mode and fluoroscopy excursion was 0.61. The slope was 0.9 (90%CI 0.76-1.04) in a regression analysis. Using the Bland-Altman method, the bias was - 0.39 cm (95% CI - 1.04-0.26), p = 0.24. The Pearson correlation between fluoroscopy and B-mode and area change ultrasonography was high; low for thickness and fraction. All correlations were lower during sniff inspiration compared with inspiratory capacity breathing. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography has an acceptable correlation and bias compared to fluoroscopy and can thus be used as the primary tool to evaluate diaphragm excursion.

Thoracentesis to alleviate pleural effusion in acute heart failure: study protocol for the multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled TAP-IT trial.

INTRODUCTION: Pleural effusion is present in half of the patients hospitalised with acute heart failure. The condition is treated with diuretics and/or therapeutic thoracentesis for larger effusions. No evidence from randomised trials or guidelines supports thoracentesis to alleviate pleural effusion due to acute heart failure. The Thoracentesis to Alleviate cardiac Pleural effusion Interventional Trial (TAP-IT) will investigate if a strategy of referring patients with acute heart failure and pleural effusion to up-front thoracentesis by pleural pigtail catheter insertion in addition to pharmacological therapy compared with pharmacological therapy alone can increase the number of days the participants are alive and not hospitalised during the 90 days following randomisation. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: TAP-IT is a pragmatic, multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial aiming to include 126 adult patients with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤45% and a non-negligible pleural effusion due to heart failure. Participants will be randomised 1:1, stratified according to site and anticoagulant treatment, and assigned to referral to up-front ultrasound-guided pleural pigtail catheter thoracentesis in addition to standard pharmacological therapy or to standard pharmacological therapy only. Thoracentesis is performed according to local guidelines and can be performed in participants in the pharmacological treatment arm if their condition deteriorates or if no significant improvement is observed within 5 days. The primary endpoint is how many days participants are alive and not hospitalised within 90 days from randomisation and will be analysed in the intention-to-treat population. Key secondary outcomes include 90-day mortality, complications, readmissions, and quality of life. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study has been approved by the Capital Region of Denmark Scientific Ethical Committee (H-20060817) and Knowledge Center for Data Reviews (P-2021-149). All participants will sign an informed consent form. Enrolment began in August 2021. Regardless of the nature, results will be published in a peer-reviewed medical journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05017753.

Heart Failure in Rheumatic Disease: Secular Trends and Novel Insights.

There is a significant increase in risk of heart failure in several rheumatic diseases. Common cardiovascular risk factors and inflammatory processes, present in both rheumatic diseases and heart failure, are contributing to this increase. The opportunities for using immune-based strategies to fight development of heart failure in rheumatic diseases are evolving. The diversity of inflammation calls for a tailored characterization of inflammation, enabling differentiation of inflammation and subsequent introduction of precision medicine using target-specific strategies and immunomodulatory therapy. As the field of rheuma-cardiology is still evolving, clear recommendations cannot be given yet.

Clinical presentation and cardiac imaging findings in patient cases of perimyocarditis and pericarditis with a temporal association to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.

Aims: We aimed to investigate and present cases of perimyocarditis and pericarditis verified by cardiovascular resonance (CMR) imaging in patients with a strong temporal association to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. We sought to describe the clinical presentation including coronary artery angiography, CMR, transthoracic echocardiography, blood samples, electrocardiography, and symptoms. Methods: We included 10 patients admitted with chest pain shortly after vaccination for SARS-CoV-2, who were diagnosed with pericarditis or perimyocarditis by CMR. We reviewed the CMR, echocardiography, electrocardiography, blood samples, coronary artery angiography, vital signs and medical history. The updated Lake Louise Criteria were used to determine the diagnosis by CMR. Results: Eight patients had perimyocarditis and two patients had pericarditis. The mean age was 22 ± 5 years (range 16 to 31 years), 90% were male. The median time from vaccination to hospital admission was 4 days (range 2 to 28 days). Admissions were seen after vaccination with three different SARS-CoV-2 vaccine manufacturers. Nine Patients had ST-elevation on the initial electrocardiography. Peak troponins varied from 357 to 23,547 ng/l, with a median of 4,304 ng/l. Two patients had an LVEF <50% on echocardiography and four patients had left ventricular global longitudinal strain values <18%. CMR revealed preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), although one patient had decreased LVEF on CMR. The T1 and T2 mapping values were increased in all patients. Of the 8 patients with perimyocarditis, all patients had signs of myocardial injury in the lateral segments of the left ventricle. Conclusions: This case series of 10 patients supports the emerging evidence of an association between vaccination for SARS-CoV-2 and perimyocarditis and pericarditis, especially in young males. The temporal association was seen after vaccines from three different manufacturers. Imaging data from echocardiography and CMR displayed normal to mildly impaired cardiac function, usually with a mild disease course.

[Pregnancy after heart transplantation].

This is a case report of a 29-year-old woman who obtained pregnancy two and a half years after a heart transplant due to Danon syndrome. Pregnancy was planned and spontaneous. The fetus did not have Danon syndrome. At the frequent pregnancy visits, maternal echocardiography and fetal ultrasound examinations were reassuring. In gestational week 36+6, high blood pressure and subjective symptoms of severe pre-eclampsia occurred. A healthy boy (3,070 g) was born after an acute caesarean section. Blood pressure normalized rapidly, and the family was discharged on day four after delivery.

Assessment of Acute Rejection by Global Longitudinal Strain and Cardiac Biomarkers in Heart-Transplanted Patients.

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS), N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (Nt-ProBNP), and Troponin T as non-invasive markers for acute cellular rejection (ACR) diagnosis and severity assessment after heart transplantation (HTx). Methods: We retrospectively included all HTx patients transplanted from 2013 to 2019. At each visit, the patients were subjected to endomyocardial biopsy (EMB), measurement of Nt-ProBNP and Troponin T, and protocoled echocardiography with assessment of LVGLS. Sudden drop in graft function (SDGF) was defined as a drop in LVGLS ≥-2% in combination with either an increase in Troponin T ≥20% or Nt-ProBNP ≥30% compared with levels at the latest visit. Results: We included 1,436 EMBs from 83 HTx patients. The biopsies were grouped as 0R (n = 857), 1R (n = 538), and ≥2R (n = 41). LVGLS was lower and Troponin T and Nt-ProBNP higher in the 2R group than in the 0R and 1R groups (LVGLS: -12.9 ± 3.8% versus -16.9 ± 3.1% and -16.1 ± 3.3%; Troponin T: 79 [33;230] ng/l versus 27 [13;77] ng/l and 27 [14;68] ng/l; Nt-ProBNP: 4,174 [1,095;9,510] ng/l versus 734 [309;2,210] ng/l and 725 [305;2,082], all p < 0.01). A SDGF was seen at 45 visits of which 19 had ≥2R ACR. EMBs showed ACR in 20 cases without SDGF. Finally, neither was SDGF seen nor did the EMB show rejection in 1,136 cases. Thus, the sensitivity of SDGF for ≥2R ACR detection was 49% (32-65) and specificity 98% (97-99). The positive predictive value (PPV) was 42% (31-55) and the negative predictive value (NPV) 98% (98-99). The diagnostic value improved in a sub-analysis excluding EMBs within 3 months after HTx, clinically interpreted false positive ≥2R ACR cases, and cases with ≥2R ACR who recently (<2 weeks) were treated with intravenous methylprednisolone due to ≥2R ACR (sensitivity 75% (48-93), specificity 97% (96-98), NPV 99% (99-100), and PPV 39% (27-52). Conclusions: Patients with ≥2R ACR have lower LVGLS and higher Troponin T and Nt-ProBNP than patients without 2R rejection. A non-invasive model combining changes in LVGLS and Troponin T or Nt-ProBNP showed excellent negative predictive value and moderate sensitivity and may be used as a gatekeeper to invasive biopsies after HTx.

[Practical use of natriuretic peptides in suspected heart failure in the primary and secundary sector].

Natriuretic peptides (NP) play a key role in the regulation of the body's water and salt balance and may effectively contribute to the diagnosis of patients with heart failure. NP-measurements are increasingly used internationally, but despite being available for more than ten years, neither a rational implementation nor clinical guidelines for use exist in Denmark. In this review, we present a practical approach to the use of NP in general practice and in the emergency department based on a newly published position paper from the Danish Society of Cardiology.

Burden of arrhythmia and silent ischemia in heart transplant patients with cardiac allograft vasculopathy.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of sudden cardiac death (SCD) following heart transplantation (HTx) accounts for approximately 10% of post-HTx deaths. Ischemia, brady- and tachy-arrhythmias caused by rejection and cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) seem related to SCD. Hence, we aimed to investigate the relation between CAV, arrhythmias and silent ischemia in long-term HTx patients. Methods. 49 HTx patients were included. Patients were CAV classified in accordance with guidelines from the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation. Patients were divided into predefined CAV groups (CAV 0, CAV 1, CAV 2 + 3). Incidences of arrhythmia and silent ischemia were detected by 48-h electrocardiogram monitoring and analyzed blinded to CAV-status. Results. Median time since transplantation was 9 years [IQR 4-14]. We observed a higher incidence of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) in CAV 2 + 3 patients than CAV 0 and 1 patients (p = .01). Likewise, isolated premature ventricular complexes (PVC) (p = .01) and PQ-interval prolongation (p = .01) were more frequent in CAV 2 + 3 patients than CAV 0 and 1 patients. Silent ischemia was only observed among CAV 3 patients (p = .04). We saw no significant difference in the incidence of supraventricular tachycardia among CAV groups (p = .21). Likewise, no difference in the right bundle branch block was observed (p = .68). Conclusion. NSVT was associated with CAV status in long-term HTx patients. Patients with moderate to severe CAV showed higher incidences of PVCs and PQ-interval prolongation than patients with mild or no CAV. Silent ischemia was only seen in patients with severe CAV.

Right ventricular hemodynamics and performance in relation to perfusion during first year after heart transplantation.

AIMS: We aim to evaluate changes in invasive haemodynamics, right ventricular (RV) function, and perfusion during the first year after heart transplantation (HTx) and to determine the relation between RV function and myocardial perfusion. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty patients were prospectively enrolled at the time of HTx. Right heart catheterization (RHC), comprehensive 2D and 3D echocardiography and cardiac biomarkers were performed at baseline (≤2 weeks after HTx) and at follow-up 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after HTx. At 12 months, HTx patients were subjected to an exercise stress test with assessment of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max). RV myocardial perfusion reserve was evaluated by 15 O-H2 O positron emission tomography at baseline and at 3 and 12 months after HTx. A group of 43 healthy subjects served as echocardiographic controls and a subgroup comprising 16 healthy controls underwent exercise stress test with simultaneous RHC. At baseline, HTx patients had higher pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) and right atrial pressure (RAP) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) than healthy controls whereas cardiac index (CI) was reduced (PAWP; 14 mmHg [8;17] vs. 8 mmHg [7;10]; RAP: 7 mmHg [4;11] vs. 5 mmHg [4;6]; PVR: 1.9 wood units [1.3;2.6] vs. 1.1 wood units [1.0;1.4]; CI 2.4 L/min/m2 [2.2;2.8] vs. 3.3 L/min/m2 [2.8;.3.6], all P < 0.05). Normalization of filling pressures and CI was seen 3-6 months after HTx. During follow-up, RV function in terms of 3D ejection fraction (EF) and longitudinal strain (LS) improved in HTx patients but remained reduced compared with healthy controls at 12 months follow-up (3D RV EF: 52 ± 7% vs. 60 ± 8%; RV LS: 22 ± 4% vs. 28 ± 5%, both P < 0.001). During follow-up, RV perfusion reserve improved (baseline 2.1 ± 0.9; 3 months follow-up 3.2 ± 0.8; 12 months follow-up 3.7 ± 1.1, P < 0.0001). RV perfusion reserve significantly correlated to cardiac markers in terms of troponin T (r = -0.62, P < 0.0001), NT-proBNP (r = -0.65, P < 0.0001), RAP (r = -0.43, P < 0.01) and CI (r = 0.37, P < 0.01) and with VO2 max 12 months after HTx (r = 0.75, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Normalization of left and right atrial filling pressures is demonstrated within the first 3 to 6 months after HTx. RV function and RV perfusion reserve correlated and gradually improved during the first year after HTx but RV function remained reduced in HTx patients compared with healthy controls.

Diabetic microvascular complications are associated with reduced global longitudinal strain independent of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease in asymptomatic patients with diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Reduced left ventricular function, assessed by global longitudinal strain (GLS), is sometimes observed in asymptomatic patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and is often present in patients with diabetes-related microvascular complications. Our aim was to assess the association between microvascular complications, coronary artery plaque burden (PB) and GLS in asymptomatic patients with DM and non-obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: This cross-sectional study included patients with DM without any history, symptoms or objective evidence of obstructive CAD. All patients were identified in the outpatient Clinic of Endocrinology at Odense University Hospital Svendborg. An echocardiography and a coronary computed tomography angiography were performed to assess GLS and the degree of CAD, respectively. A coronary artery stenosis < 50% was considered non-obstructive. A linear regression model was used to evaluate the impact of potential confounders on GLS with adjustment of body mass index (BMI), mean arterial pressure (MAP), microvascular complications, type of diabetes, tissue Doppler average early diastolic mitral annulus velocity (e') and PB. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty-two patients were included, of whom 172 (77%) had type 2 DM and 50 (23%) had type 1 diabetes. One hundred and eleven (50%) patients had microvascular complications. GLS decreased as the burden of microvascular complications increased (P-trend = 0.01): no microvascular complications, GLS (- 16.4 ± 2.5%), 1 microvascular complication (- 16.0 ± 2.5%) and 2-3 microvascular complications (- 14.9 ± 2.8%). The reduction in GLS remained significant after multivariable adjustment (ß 0.50 [95% CI 0.11-0.88], p = 0.01). BMI (ß 0.12 [95% CI 0.05-0.19]) and MAP (ß 0.05 [95% CI 0.01-0.08]) were associated with reduced GLS. In addition, an increased number of microvascular complications was associated with increased PB (ß 2.97 [95% CI 0.42-5.51], p = 0.02) in a univariable linear regression model, whereas there was no significant association between PB and GLS. CONCLUSIONS: The burden of microvascular complications was associated with reduced GLS independent of other cardiovascular risk factors in asymptomatic patients with DM and non-obstructive CAD. In addition, the burden of microvascular complications was associated with increasing PB, whereas PB was not associated with GLS.

Similar lipid level changes in early rheumatoid arthritis patients following 1-year treat-to-target strategy with adalimumab plus methotrexate versus placebo plus methotrexate: secondary analyses from the randomised controlled OPERA trial.

To compare changes in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and other lipids in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) randomised to a 1-year treat-to-target strategy with either adalimumab plus methotrexate or placebo plus methotrexate. Prespecified secondary analyses from the OPERA trial, where 180 early and treatment-naïve RA patients received methotrexate 20 mg once weekly in combination with either placebo or subcutaneous adalimumab 40 mg every other week. Serum lipid levels were measured at baseline and after 1 year. Changes in lipid levels were analysed using mixed linear models based on the intention-to-treat (ITT) population. Overall, 174 patients were included in the ITT population (adalimumab plus methotrexate n = 86; placebo plus methotrexate n = 88). Differences between changes in lipid levels were low-density lipoprotein cholesterol 0.18 mmol/l [95% CI - 0.05 to 0.42], total cholesterol 0.27 mmol/l [- 0.002 to 0.54], high-density lipoprotein cholesterol 0.05 mmol/l [- 0.06 to 0.15], triglycerides 0.11 mmol/l [- 0.08 to 0.29], very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol 0.03 mmol/l [- 0.05 to 0.12], and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol 0.22 mmol/l [- 0.02 to 0.46]. In early RA patients treated to tight control of inflammation over a period of 1 year with either adalimumab plus methotrexate or placebo plus methotrexate, changes in lipid levels were similar. Trial registration number: NCT00660647.

Risk factors for hospital readmission in adult patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review was to identify and synthesize evidence on risk factors associated with hospital readmission within the first year after heart failure hospitalization among patients with heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. INTRODUCTION: Heart failure is associated with a high risk of hospital readmission. Readmissions are associated with higher mortality and health care costs. It is a high health care priority to identify vulnerable patients with heart failure who may potentially benefit from targeted personalized care interventions aiming to reduce readmissions. INCLUSION CRITERIA: This review considered studies including adult patients who had heart failure with a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 40% who were discharged after a heart failure hospitalization. The authors included studies with experimental and observational designs evaluating risk factors for i) all-cause hospital readmission, ii) heart failure hospital readmission, and iii) composite outcomes within seven, 15, 30, 60, 90, 180, and 365 days after hospital discharge. Composite outcomes included end points where all-cause readmission and/or heart failure readmission were part of a defined end point (i.e. all-cause readmission or mortality; heart failure readmission or mortality; cardiovascular readmission; cardiovascular readmission or mortality; and readmission, mortality, or cardiac transplant). Studies reporting all-cause readmission and/or heart failure readmission as a primary outcome, secondary outcome, or part of a composite outcome were included. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL, PsycINFO, OpenGrey, MedNar, DART-Europe, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, and the Grey Literature Report in Public Health were searched to find both published and unpublished studies in English, Swedish, Norwegian, or Danish from 2000 to June 2018. Study selection, critical appraisal, data extraction, and data synthesis followed the JBI approach for systematic reviews. Statistical pooling was not possible due to clinical and methodological heterogeneity of the studies included and the lack of risk factors reported more than once. A narrative summary of the findings was performed. RESULTS: Fifty-two studies, including one randomized controlled trial and 51 cohort studies with a total of 128,186 participants, were included. Risk factors for readmission were reported for 30-day outcome in 16 studies, 60-day in three studies, 90-day in 15 studies, 180-day in 12 studies, and 365-day outcome in 15 studies. Based on multivariable analyses from 43 cohort studies and results from one randomized controlled trial, the authors identified several factors associated with higher risk of all-cause readmission, heart failure readmission, and composite outcomes (e.g. readmission or death) within 30, 60, 90, 180, and 365 days after discharge for a heart failure hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: This review provides a comprehensive overview of factors associated with a clinical outcome after a heart failure hospitalization in patients with heart failure with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 40%. Owing to the heterogeneity of variables investigated and the lack of comparability of findings, the clinical impact of the identified risk factors remains uncertain. This review highlights research gaps and the need for a standardized way to define and measure all-cause readmission, heart failure readmission, and composite end points in clinical research to improve study quality and enable comparison of findings between studies.

Atypical manifestations of COVID-19 in general practice: a case of gastrointestinal symptoms.

During the previous months, we have seen the rapid pandemic spread of SARS-CoV-2. Despite being considered a respiratory virus, it has become clear that other clinical presentations are possible and some of these are quite frequent. In this paper, a case of a man in his late 70s showing atypical symptoms in general practice is presented. Apart from fever, the patient complained of diarrhoea, borborygmus, loss of appetite and nausea. He developed no respiratory symptoms during his disease. Due to his symptoms, malignant disease was suspected, and he was referred for further testing which revealed typical COVID-19 findings on a chest CT scan. The occurrence of atypical symptoms is discussed, including the importance of recognising these in an ongoing pandemic.

Heart failure etiology and risk of right heart failure in adult left ventricular assist device support: the European Registry for Patients with Mechanical Circulatory Support (EUROMACS).

Objectives: Development of right ventricular failure (RVF) after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation remains a leading cause of perioperative morbidity, end-organ dysfunction and mortality. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the etiology of HF (ischemic HF versus non-ischemic HF) affects the risk of RVF within admission for LVAD implantation and during long-term follow-up. Methods: Between January 2011 and June 27, 2018, 3536 patients were prospectively enrolled into EUROMACS registry. Adult patients (>18 years) who received a first time LVAD were included. When excluding patients with congenital, restrictive, hypertrophic, valvular cardiomyopathies, and myocarditis the total population consisted of 2404 patients. Results: The total cohort consists of 2404 patients. Mean age were 55 years and predominantly male sex [2024 (84.2%)]. At the time of LVAD implantation 1355 (56.4%) patients had ischemic HF and 1049 (43.6%) patients had non-ischemic HF. The incidence of RVF was significantly increased in the non-ischemic HF group in the adjusted model (p = .026). The relative risk difference for RVF in patients with non-ischemic HF was in the adjusted model increased by an absolute value of 5.1% (95% CI: 0.61-9.6). In the ischemic HF group 76 patients (13.4%) developed late RVF and 62 patients (14.8%) in the non-ischemic HF group (p = .56). No differences in occurrence of RVF between HF etiology was observed after 2 and 4 years of follow-up, respectively (crude: p = .25, adjusted (sex and age) p = .2 and crude: p = .59, adjusted (sex and age) p = .44). Conclusions: Patients with non-ischemic HF undergoing LVAD had an increased incidence of early RVF compared to patients with ischemic HF in a large European population. During follow-up after discharge 14% patients developed RVF. We recommend HF etiology to be considered in identifying patients who are at risk for postoperative RVF after LVAD implantation.