Gender-related clinical and management differences in patients with chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

AIM: Gender-related differences have been described in the clinical characteristics and management of patients with chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, published data are conflictive in this regard. METHODS: We investigated differences in clinical and management variables between male and female patients from the ATA study, a prospective, multicentre, observational study that included 1462 outpatients with chronic HFrEF between January and June 2019. RESULTS: Study population was predominantly male (70.1%). In comparison to men, women with chronic HFrEF were older (66 ± 11 years vs 69 ± 12 years, P < .001), suffered more hospitalisations and presented more frequently with NYHA class III or IV symptoms. Ischaemic heart disease was more frequent in men, whereas anaemia, thyroid disease and depression were more frequent in women. No difference was seen between genders in the use rate of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, beta-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, or ivabradine, or in the proportion of patients achieving target doses of these drugs. Regarding device therapies, men were more often treated with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and women received more cardiac resynchronisation therapy. CONCLUSION: In summary, although management seemed to be equivalent between genders, women tended to present with more symptoms, require hospitalisation more frequently and have different comorbidities than men. These results highlight the importance of gender-related differences in HFrEF and call for further research to clarify the causes of these disparities. Gender-specific recommendations should be included in future guidelines in HFrEF.

A Case of Isolated Cardiac Hydatid Cyst that Mimics Lymphoproliferative Malignancy.

Cardiac cystic echinococcosis is a rare parasitic infestation caused by Echinococcus granulosus larvae and it composes 0.5-2% of all human cystic echinococcosis cases. The left ventricle is the most common affected area followed by right ventricle, interventricular septum, left atrium, right atrium, and interatrial septum. The diagnosis is difficult because of nonspecific clinical and radiographic findings. We present a case of isolated apical cardiac cystic echinococcosis mimicking lymphoproliferative disease.

Heart rate turbulence in patients with stable coronary artery disease and its relationship with the severity of the disease.

OBJECTIVE: Heart rate turbulence (HRT) indicates the impairment of cardiac autonomic function. With the literature containing insufficient information on HRT in stable coronary artery disease (CAD), this study aimed to investigate the role of HRT in patients with stable CAD. METHODS: The study included 58 patients (mean age: 58.9 ± 10.0 years; 25 male) with documented CAD and demonstrating ventricular premature complexes on Holter monitoring, and a control group of 52 patients (mean age: 55.9 ± 9.3 years; 36 male) with no history of CAD and demonstrating ventricular premature complexes. HRT parameters such as turbulence onset (TO) and slope (TS) were analyzed. Angiographic Gensini score were used to evaluate CAD severity. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in HRT parameters between the 2 groups. TO: 0.47 ± 1.52% vs. -1.61 ± 2.0% (p=0.001) and TS: 4.7 ± 3.0 vs. 6.4 ± 3.7 ms/RR (p=0.009) in patients with CAD and control group respectively. Given also that TO ≥ 0% and TS ≤ 2.5 ms/ RR values are considered abnormal, there was significant difference between the two groups; TO abnormal: 27 patients (46.6%) vs. 7 patients (13.5%), p=0.001, and TS abnormal: 15 patients (25.9%) vs. 4 patients (7.7%), (p=0.004) in CAD patients and control group respectively. A positive correlation was detected between TO and Gensini score (r=0.282, p=0.001) and a negative correlation detected between TS and Gensini score (r=-0.287, p=0.001). CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that HRT variables are impaired in patients with stable CAD when compared to those in the control group, and that these variables also correlate with severity of CAD.

Strain analysis during exercise in patients with asymptomatic atrial septal defect.

BACKGROUND: Right ventricular (RV) deformational mechanics have been demonstrated in patients with atrial septal defect (ASD) at rest, but there is lack of information on their adaptation to exercise. The aim of this study was to assess the adaptability of RV strains and strain rates (SRs) during exercise in patients with clinically asymptomatic ASD. METHODS: Twenty patients with asymptomatic ASD and 11 age-matched controls were included. All the subjects performed incremental ergometry and underwent standard echocardiography and two-dimensional strain (S) and SR imaging by speckle tracking at rest and during submaximal exercise. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in RV strains and SRs at rest between the controls and the ASD patients. There was a significant elevation in the strains and SRs of both groups with exercise. However, the lateral and septal strains increased significantly higher than the controls in patients with ASD. But there was no significant difference in SRs during exercise in both of the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Asymptomatic ASD patients without RV overload, have same strain and SR results at rest with the controls, however, these findings worsen during submaximal exercise, when compared to the controls.

Factors predicting long-term mortality in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to elucidate the factors affecting long-term all-cause mortality in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). METHOD: We retrospectively examined 31 patients (22 males and 9 females) diagnosed with HCM from 1999 to 2013. All subjects had sinus rhythm at the time of evaluation. Four patients had history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). In addition to echocardiographic examination plasma angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity and gene polymorphism were determined. The variables that were found to be significant in mortality were then included in multivariate analysis. RESULTS: At the final follow-up examination, 12 patients had died, including 2 due to congestive heart failure and 10 due to sudden cardiac death. Patients with PAF had significantly higher mortality (P = 0.008). Moreover, left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic diameter (P = 0.04), LV systolic diameter (P = 0.001), LV mass index (P = 0.01), and left atrium diameter (P = 0.003) were found to be significantly correlated with mortality. However, no significant correlation was noted between mortality and age, type of HCM (familial/nonfamilial and obstructive/nonobstructive), ACE gene polymorphism, and plasma ACE level. In the multivariate analysis, left atrial (LA) diameter was still significantly associated with mortality. The LA diameter with a cutoff value of 4.1 cm predicted 13-year mortality with a sensitivity of 82% and specificity of 78%. CONCLUSION: Instead of the ACE genotype and activity, echocardiographic evaluation findings such as LV systolic and diastolic diameters, LV mass index, and particularly LA dimension may predict long-term mortality in patients with HCM. PAF has also significant importance in the long-term mortality in patients with HCM.

[Familial hypercholesterolemia: epidemiology, genetics, diagnosis, and screening]. / Ailevi hiperkolesterolemi: Epidemiyoloji, genetik, tani ve tarama.

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by el- evated plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and increased risk of premature coronary heart disease. There are two types of FH, namely homozygous and heterozygous FH. FH is most commonly (85%) attributable to mutations in the LDL receptor (LDL-R) gene. Other rare causes are the mutations of genes encoding apolipoprotein B (Apo B), pro-protein convertase subtilisin/ kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and LDL adaptor protein 1 (LDLRAP 1). FH is both underdiagnosed and undertreated, particu- larly among children. Approximately 20% of patients are diagnosed and, of those, only a small minority receive ap- propriate treatment. The risk of premature coronary heart disease (CHD) is elevated about 20-fold in untreated FH patients. Early diagnosis of FH enables prompt treatment and prevention of consequent morbidity and mortality from premature CHD. There is no single internationally accepted set of criteria for the clinical diagnosis of FH. The most commonly used are the US (Make Early Diagnosis to Prevent Early Death) MEDPED, the UK (Simon Broome), and the Dutch Lipid Clinic sets of criteria that have been statistically and genetically validated. For early diagnosis and prevention of CVD, testing lipid levels in all first-degree relatives of diagnosed FH patients is necessary. Genetic screening for FH is generally not needed for diagnosis or clinical management, but may be useful when the diagnosis is uncertain.

The effect of oxidative stress related with ischemia-reperfusion damage on the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation developing after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the role of oxidative stress related with ischemia- reperfusion damage on the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF) developing after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. STUDY DESIGN: In our prospective, single-center study, 118 patients who underwent elective isolated on-pump CABG surgery were included. Patients were divided into two groups according to the development of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) as Group 1: Patients who developed POAF, and Group 2: Patients who remained in sinus rhythm. In addition to preoperative demographic, laboratory, echocardiographic, intraoperative, and postoperative clinical characteristics, levels of plasma total oxidative status (TOS) after placement and removal of aortic cross clamp (ACC) were compared between the two groups. Predictors of POAF were also investigated by multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A comparison of preoperative demographic, laboratory, echocardiographic, and postoperative clinical characteristics between the two groups showed that patients in Group 1 were significantly older (65.6±7.20 vs. 59.6±9.07, p<0.001), had a lower hematocrit level (37.5±5.16 vs. 39.7±5.28; p=0.034), and an enlarged left atrium diameter (39±0.45 vs. 3.6±0.48; p=0.006). Changes in plasma TOS levels after placement and removal of ACC were statistically significant in Group 1 [13 (8.6-23), 30 (18.1-47.3); p=0.001 vs. 14 (8.8-22.2), 24 (21.4-42.7); p=0.060]. Length of stay in the intensive care unit [3 (2-14) vs. 2 (1-58); p=0.001] and length of stay in hospital [7 (6-85) vs. 7 (5-58); p=0.001] were prolonged in Group 1. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, aging (odds ratio (OR): 1.088, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.005-1.177; p=0.036), hematocrit level (OR: 0.718, 95% CI: 0.538-0.958; p=0.025), pump temperature (OR: 1.445, 95% CI: 1.059-1.972; p=0.020), and plasma TOS level (OR: 1.040, 95% CI: 1.020-1.050; p=0.040) were found to be independent predictors of POAF. CONCLUSION: Ischemia-reperfusion damage related with ACC placement may be an important factor on the pathogenesis of POAF. Minimizing the oxidative stress occurring intraoperatively should be targeted for preventing mortality and morbidity due to POAF.

Real-World Data on the Incidence of Stroke, Myocardial Infarction, and Mortality Among Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation Patients in Türkiye: New Oral Anticoagulants-TURKey Study.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is strongly associated with an increased risk of ischemic events. Anticoagulation focuses on reducing the risk of embolism. Guideline recommended CHA2DS2-VASc scoring system is most widely used; however, different scoring systems do exist. Thus, we sought to assess the impact of anticoagulant treatment and different scoring systems on the development of stroke, myocardial infarction, and all-cause mortality in patients with nonvalvular AF. METHODS: The present study was designed as a prospective cohort study. The enrollment of the patients was conducted between August 1, 2015, and January 1, 2016. The follow-up period was defined as the time from enrollment to the end of April 1, 2017, which also provided at least 12 months of prospective follow-up for each patient. RESULTS: A total of 1807 patients with AF were enrolled. During the follow-up, 2.7% (48) of patients had stroke, 0.8% (14) had myocardial infarction, and 7.5% (136) died. The anticoagulation and risk factors in AF (ATRIA) score had a better accuracy for the prediction of stroke compared to other scoring systems (0.729, 95% CI, 0.708-0.750, P <.05). Patients under low-dose rivaroxaban treatment had significantly worse survival (logrank P <.001). Age, CHA2DS2-VASc score, R2CHADS2 score, ATRIA score, chronic heart failure, prior stroke, and being under low-dose rivaroxaban treatment were independent predictors of clinical endpoint (P <.001). CONCLUSION: Low-dose rivaroxaban treatment was independently and strongly associated with the combined clinical endpoint. Furthermore, the ATRIA score proved to be a stronger predictor of stroke in the Turkish population.

Percutaneous Treatment of Left Main Coronary Artery Compression in a Pulmonary Artery Hypertension Patient Associated with Atrial Septal Defect.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is still a fatal disease persisting with poor prognosis, despite all the advances in treatment (new agents and new combination strategies) in recent years. Patients present with different symptoms which are not specific to the disease (dyspnea, angina, palpitation, and syncope). Angina may occur secondary to myocardial ischemia due to increased right ventricular after load (oxygen supply and demand mismatch) or external compression on the left main coronary artery. Left main coronary artery compression is associated with post-exercise sudden cardiac death in pulmonary arterial hypertension patients. It should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of angina in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension and should be treated immediately. Here, we report a pulmonary arterial hypertension patient associated with secundum-type atrial septal defect presented with ostial left main coronary artery compression caused by an enlarged pulmonary artery and treated with intravascular ultrasound-guided percutaneous coronary intervention.

Gender-Related Differences in Patients with Acute Heart Failure: Observation from the Journey Heart Failure-Turkish Population Study.

BACKGROUND: Gender-related clinical variations in patients with acute heart failure have been described in previous studies. However, there is still a lack of research on gender differences in patients hospitalized for acute heart failure in Türkiye. The aim of this study is to compare the clinical features, in-hospital approaches, and outcomes of male and female patients hospitalized for acute heart failure. METHODS: Differences in clinical characteristics, medication prescription, hospital management, and outcomes between males and females with acute heart failure were investigated from the Journey Heart Failure-Turkish Population study. RESULTS: Nine hundred eighteen patients (57.2%) were men and 688 (42.8%) were women. Women were older than men (70.48 ± 13.20 years vs. 65.87 ± 12.82 years; P <.001). The frequency of comorbidities such as hypertension (72.7% vs. 62.4%, P <.001), diabetes (46.5% vs. 38.5%, P = .001), atrial fibrillation (46.5% vs. 33.4%, P <.001), New York Heart Association class III-IV symptoms (80.6% vs. 71.2%, P =.001), and dyspnea in the rest (73.8% vs. 68.3%, P =.044) were more common in women on admission. Male patients were more frequently hospitalized with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (51.0% vs. 72.4%, P <.001). In-hospital mortality was higher among female patients (9.3% vs. 6.4%, P =.022). Higher New York Heart Association class, lower estimated glomerular filtration rate, higher N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide on admission, and mechanical ventilation usage were the independent parameters of in-hospital mortality, whereas the female gender was not. CONCLUSION: Our study clearly demonstrated the diversity in presentation, management, and in-hospital outcomes of acute heart failure between male and female patients. Although left ventricular systolic functions were better in female patients, in-hospital mortality was higher. Recognizing these differences in the management of heart failure in different sexes will serve better results in clinical practice.

Evaluation of primary and accessory respiratory muscles and their influence on exercise capacity and dyspnea in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Skeletal and respiratory muscle disfunction has been described in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), however, involvement of accessory respiratory muscles and their association with symptomatology in PAH is unclear. OBJECTIVES: To assess the primary and accessory respiratory muscles and their influence on exercise tolerance and dyspnea. METHODS: 27 patients and 27 healthy controls were included. Serratus anterior (SA), pectoralis muscles (PM) and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle strength were evaluated as accessory respiratory muscles, maximal inspiratory (MIP) and expiratory pressures (MEP) as primary respiratory muscles, and quadriceps as peripheral muscle. Exercise capacity was evaluated with 6-min walk test (6MWT), dyspnea with modified Medical Council Research (MMRC) and London Chest Activity of Daily Living (LCADL) scales. RESULTS: All evaluated muscles, except SCM, and 6MWT were decreased in patient group (p < 0.01). SA was the most affected muscle among primary and accessory respiratory muscles (Cohen's-d = 1.35). All evaluated muscles significantly correlated to 6MWT (r = 0.428-0.525). A multivariate model including SA, SCM and MIP was the best model for predicting 6MWT (R = 0.606; R2 = 0.368; p = 0.013) and SA strength had the most impact on the 6MWT (B = 1.242; ß = 0.340). None of the models including respiratory muscles were able to predict dyspnea, however PM and SA strength correlated to LCADL total (r = -0.493) and MMRC (r = -0.523), respectively. CONCLUSION: SCM may be excessively used in PAH since it retains its strength. Considering the relationship of accessory respiratory muscles with exercise tolerance and dyspnea, monitoring the strength of these muscles in the clinical practice may help providing better management for PAH.

Risk Assessment Tool Implementation in Congenital Heart Disease-Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Risk assessment is recommended for patients with congenital heart disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension. This study aims to compare an abbreviated version of the risk assessment strategy, noninvasive French model, and an abridged version of the Registry to Evaluate Early and Long-term Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Disease Management 2.0 risk score calculator, Registry to Evaluate Early and Long-term Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Disease Management Lite 2. METHODS: We enrolled a mixed prevalent and incident cohort of patients with congenital heart disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (n = 126). Noninvasive French model comprising World Health Organization functional class, 6-minute walk distance, and N-terminal pro-hormone of brain natriuretic peptide or brain natriuretic peptide was used. Registry to Evaluate Early and Long-term Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Disease Management Lite 2 includes functional class, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, 6-minute walk distance, brain natriuretic peptide/N-terminal pro-hormone of brain natriuretic peptide, and estimated glomerular filtration rate. RESULTS: The mean age was 32.17 ± 16.3 years. The mean follow-up was 99.41 ± 58.2 months. Thirty-two patients died during follow-up period. Most patients were Eisenmenger syndrome (31%) and simple defects (29.4%). Most patients received monotherapy (76.2%). Most patients were World Health Organization functional class I-II (66.6%). Both models effectively identified risk in our cohort (P =.0001). Patients achieving 2 or 3 noninva-sive low-risk criteria or low-risk category by Registry to Evaluate Early and Long-term Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Disease Management Lite 2 at follow-up had a significantly reduced risk of death. Registry to Evaluate Early and Long-term Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Disease Management Lite 2 approximates noninvasive French model at discriminating among patients based on c-index. Age, high risk by Registry to Evaluate Early and Long-term Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Disease Management Lite 2, and the presence of 2 or 3 low-risk criteria by noninvasive French model emerged as an independent predictors of mortality (multivariate hazard ratio: 1.031, 95% CI: 1.005-1.058, P =.02; hazard ratio: 4.258, CI: 1.143-15.860, P =.031; hazard ratio: 0.095, CI: 0.013-0.672, P =.018, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Both abbreviated risk assessment tools may provide a simplified and robust method of risk assessment for congenital heart disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension. Patients not achieving low risk at follow-up may benefit from aggressive use of available therapies.

A Breathtaking Case of Pulmonary Hypertension with Frightening Complications and Intertwining Different Etiologies.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a major health problem with increasing awareness. Although most common cause of PH is left heart disease (Group 2 PH), life-threatening complications occur mostly in Group 1 (pulmonary arterial hypertension) and Group 4 (chronic thromboembolic PH) patients. Although external compression of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) due to pulmonary artery dilatation is rare, it is a life-threatening complication since it causes myocardial ischemia and sudden cardiac death. In addition, PH is more than a single clinical entity due to its complex mechanism in which more than one subgroup may develop over time in the same patient. This complex mechanism challenges us when diagnosing the patient and faces us with life-threatening complications. In this case; we report a pulmonary arterial hypertension patient applied to our clinic with progressive dyspnea and recent angina, after detection of LMCA ostial stenosis, the patient was treated with intravascular ultrasound-guided stent implantation. In the further follow-ups, the patient underwent the pulmonary endarterectomy operation due to the diagnosis of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension secondary to newly diagnosed primary antiphospholipid syndrome.

Six-Minute Walk Test: How to do Guide for Performing a Reliable Test, Interpretation, and Prognostication in Pulmonary Hypertension.

Six-minute walk test (6MWT) is the most widely used exercise capacity measurement worldwide in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). Although cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is the gold standard for the assessment of exercise capacity in cardiovascular diseases; the limited accessibility of the device, the need for experience in interpreting the results, and the difficulties in performing CPET in advanced PH have aroused the interest in the application of easier methods for the measurement of exercise capacity. Since then, accumulated data proved that; 6-minutes walking distance (6MWD) can be used to determine exercise capacity and is highly correlated with maximum oxygen consumption (peak VO2) detected by CPET in patients with heart failure and/or PH. Moreover, 6MWT is very easy and practical to apply in all PH subgroups. This review is focused on the application of a reliable 6MWT and the interpretation of the results in patients with PH.

Long-Term Prognosis of Patients with Heart Failure: Follow-Up Results of Journey HF-TR Study Population.

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in therapeutic management of patients with heart failure, there is still an increasing morbidity and mortality all over the world. In this study, we aimed to present the 3-year follow-up outcomes of patients included in the Journey HF-TR study in 2016 that has evaluated the clinical characteristics and management of patients with acute heart failure admitted to the hospital and present a national registry data. METHODS: The study was designed retrospectively between November 2016 and December 2019. Patient data included in the previously published Journey HF-TR study were used. Among 1606 patients, 1484 patients were included due to dropout of 122 patients due to inhospital death and due to exclusion of 173 due to incomplete data. The study included 1311 patients. Age, gender, concomitant chronic conditions, precipitating factors, New York Heart Association, and left ventricular ejection fraction factors were adjusted in the Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: During the 3-year follow-up period, the ratio of hospitalization and mortality was 70.5% and 52.1%, respectively. Common causes of mortality were acute decompensation of heart failure and acute coronary syndrome. Angiotensin receptor blockers, betablockers, statin, and sacubitril/valsartan were found to reduce mortality. Hospitalization due to acute decompensated heart failure, acute coronary syndrome, lung diseases, oncological diseases, and cerebrovascular diseases was associated with the increased risk of mortality. Implantation of cardiac devices also reduced the mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Despite advances in therapeutic management of patients with heart failure, our study demonstrated that the long-term mortality still is high. Much more efforts are needed to improve the inhospital and long-term survival of patients with chronic heart failure.

Prognostic significance of medical therapy in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

AIMS: The use of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) among patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) remains suboptimal. The SMYRNA study aims to identify the clinical factors for the non-use of GDMT and to determine the prognostic significance of GDMT in patients with HFrEF in a real-life setting. METHODS AND RESULTS: The SMYRNA study is a prospective, multicentre, and observational study that included outpatients with HFrEF. Patients were divided into three groups according to the status of GDMT at the time of enrolment: (i) patients receiving all classes of HF medications including renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors, beta-blockers, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs); (ii) patients receiving any two classes of HF medications (RAS inhibitors and beta-blockers, or RAS inhibitors and MRAs, or beta-blockers and MRAs); and (iii) either patients receiving class of HF medications (only one therapy) or patients not receiving any class of HF medications. The primary outcome was a composite of hospitalization for HF or cardiovascular death. The study population consisted of 1062 patients with HFrEF, predominantly men (69.1%), with a median age of 68 (range: 20-96) years. RAS inhibitors, beta-blockers, and MRAs were prescribed in 76.0%, 89.4%, and 55.1% of the patients, respectively. The proportions of patients receiving target doses of guideline-directed medications were 24.4% for RAS inhibitors, 11.0% for beta-blockers, and 11.1% for MRAs. Overall, 491 patients (46.2%) were treated with triple therapy, 353 patients (33.2%) were treated with any two classes of HF medications, and 218 patients (20.6%) were receiving only one class of HF medication or not receiving any HF medication. Patient-related factors comprising older age, New York Heart Association functional class, rural living, presence of hypertension, and history of myocardial infarction were independently associated with the use or non-use of GDMT. During the median 24-month period, the primary composite endpoint occurred in 362 patients (34.1%), and 177 of 1062 (16.7%) patients died. Patients treated with two or three classes of HF medications had a decreased risk of hospitalization for HF or cardiovascular death compared with those patients receiving ≤1 class of HF medication [hazard ratio (HR): 0.65; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.49-0.85; P = 0.002, and HR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.47-0.79; P < 0.001, respectively]. CONCLUSIONS: The real-life SMYRNA study provided comprehensive data about the clinical factors associated with the non-use of GDMT and showed that suboptimal GDMT is associated with an increased risk of hospitalization for HF or cardiovascular death in patients with HFrEF.

Prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and its impact on quality of life and functional exercise capacity in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

BACKGROUND: In pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), pathophysiological consequences of the disease and the drugs used to treat PAH may adversely affect musculoskeletal system. Aim of the study was to evaluate musculoskeletal pain prevalence and its impact on quality of life (QoL) and exercise capacity in PAH patients. METHODS: 61 PAH patients were evaluated with Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) for musculoskeletal pain presence, EmPHasis-10 and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) for QoL, 6-min walk test (6MWT) for functional exercise capacity and International Physical Activity Questionnaire- Short Form (IPAQ-SF) for physical activity participation. RESULTS: 77% of PAH patients reported musculoskeletal pain. Pain prevalence was highest at low back (38%), followed by knees (36%), shoulders (36%) and neck (33%). Hemodynamic indicators of PAH severity were associated with pain presence in various parts of the body. Patients receiving any PAH-specific drug were more likely to experience pain compared to the patients whose drug therapy has not yet been initiated (RR = 1.6-2.0). Pain presence in neck, shoulder, low back and knees significantly correlated to worse QoL scores in both EmPHasis-10 and MLHFQ (p < 0.05). Pain presence in knees had the strongest influence on QoL, and it was the only significant correlate of 6MWT (r = -0.424) and IPAQ-SF (r = -0.264) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Musculoskeletal pain is a common complaint in PAH patients, which significantly impairs QoL and physical functioning. Treatment strategies should include a more comprehensive assessment for musculoskeletal pain complaints of these patients and address pain presence accordingly, which may help providing a better management for PAH.

Effects of Adding Respiratory Training to Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment on Exhaled Nitric Oxide Level and Cardiopulmonary Function in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Limited research exists regarding nonpharmacologic management of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), except for exercise training. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) alone and combined with respiratory training on fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), and cardiopulmonary function in patients with PAH. This single-blind, prospective, randomized controlled study included 54 patients with PAH who were randomly allocated to OMT, combined intervention, and control groups. The OMT group (n = 16) and combined intervention group (n = 16) received OMT and yoga respiratory training plus OMT, respectively, twice a week for 8 weeks. The control group (n = 16) received no intervention. All patients undertook an educational lecture. FeNO level, pulmonary function, 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures, and handgrip strength were assessed at baseline and 8 weeks. Combined intervention and OMT groups significantly improved all outcome measures after 8 weeks of treatment (p <0.01), except mean forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of forced vital capacity, which did not change in the OMT group (p >0.05). The control group showed significant deteriorations in 6MWD, inspiratory and peripheral muscle strength, and pulmonary function except peak expiratory flow at 8 weeks (p <0.05). The combined intervention group revealed significantly greater improvements of FeNO, 6MWD, respiratory and peripheral muscle strength, and pulmonary function except mean forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of forced vital capacity compared with the OMT group (p <0.05). All outcomes significantly improved in both intervention groups versus the control group (p <0.05). Our study demonstrated that adding respiratory training to OMT provided further benefit to FeNO level and cardiopulmonary function compared with OMT alone and that the OMT might be a useful and safe intervention for patients who cannot attend cardiac rehabilitation programs.

C-Reactive Protein/Albumin Ratio Predicts Acute Kidney Injury in Patients With Moderate to Severe Chronic Kidney Disease and Non-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the predictive value of admission C-reactive protein/albumin ratio (CAR) for acute kidney injury (AKI) in cases with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease (CKD) not on dialysis who presented with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and underwent coronary angiography (CAG). This cross-sectional and observational study included 420 NSTEMI patients. The study population was categorized based on the CAR tertiles as groups T1, T2, and T3. The primary outcome of the study was AKI development; 92 (21.9%) cases developed AKI. The frequency of AKI was significantly higher in the T3 group compared with the T2 and T1 groups (34% vs 17% vs 14%, P < .001). Age, estimated glomerular filtration rate, contrast media volume, and CAR (odds ratio: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.17-1.57; P < .01) were significant predictors of AKI. In a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, CAR levels >0.20 predicted AKI development with a sensitivity of 74% and a specificity of 45%. We observed that the CAR may be a promising inflammatory parameter for AKI in NSTEMI patients with moderate to severe CKD after CAG.

The Safety and Tolerability of Nebivolol in Hypertensive Patients with Coronary Artery Disease and Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction ≥ 40%: A Population-Based Cohort Study (Nebivolol-TR Study).

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the safety and tolerability of nebivolol in hypertensive patients with coronary artery disease and left ventricular ejection fraction ≥ 40% in a Turkish cohort. METHODS: A total of 1015 hypertensive patients and coronary artery disease with left ventricular ejection fraction ≥ 40% were analyzed from 29 different centers in Turkey. Primary outcomes were the mean change in blood pressure and heart rate. Secondary outcomes were to assess the rate of reaching targeted blood pressure (<130/80 mmHg) and heart rate (<60 bpm) and the changes in the clinical symptoms (angina and dyspnea). Adverse clinical events and clinical outcomes including cardiovascular mortality, cardiovascular hospital admissions, or acute cardiac event were recorded. RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 60.3 ± 11.5 years (male: 54.2%). During a mean follow-up of 6 months, the mean change in blood pressure was -11.2 ± 23.5/-5.1 ± 13.5 mmHg, and the resting heart rate was -12.1 ± 3.5 bpm. Target blood pressure and heart rate were achieved in 76.5% and 37.7% of patients. Angina and functional classifications were improved by at least 1 or more categories in 31% and 23.2% of patients. No serious adverse events related to nebivolol were reported. The most common cardiovascular side effect was symptomatic hypotension (4.2%). The discontinuation rate was 1.7%. Cardiovascular hospital admission rate was 5% and hospitalization due to heart failure was 1.9% during 6 months' follow-up. Cardiovascular mortality rate was 0.1%. CONCLUSION: Nebivolol was well tolerated and safe for achieving blood pressure and heart rate control in hypertensive patients with coronary artery disease and heart failure with preserved or mildly reduced ejection fraction.