[Frailty in patients admitted to hospital with acute decompensated heart failure]. / Factores asociados a fragilidad en pacientes hospitalizados con insuficiencia cardiaca descompensada.

BACKGROUND: Frailty is a geriatric syndrome characterized by a progressive impairment in the subjects’ ability to respond to environmental stress. Frailty is more commonly found in heart failure (HF) patients than in general population and it is an independent predictor of rehospitalization, emergency room visits and death. AIM: To estimate the prevalence of frailty in patients with decompensated HF admitted to four hospitals in Santiago, Chile. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study. Subjects aged 60 or older consecutively admitted for decompensated HF to the study centers between August 2014 and March 2015 were included. Frailty was defined as the presence of three or more of the following criteria: unintended weight loss, muscular weakness, depression symptoms (exhaustion), reduced gait speed and low physical activity. Independent variables were tested for association using simple logistic regression. Variables associated with frailty (p < 0.05) were included in a multiple logistic regression model. RESULTS: Seventy-nine subjects were included. The prevalence of frailty was 50.6%. Frail patients were mostly female (52.6%) and older than non-frail subjects (73.7± 7.9 vs 68.2 ± 7.1; p < 0.003). Independent predictors of frailty were age (Odds raio (OR) 1.10; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.03-1.17), quality of life measured with the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (OR 1.07; IC95%: 1.03-1.11), previous hospitalizations (OR 2.56; 95%CI: 1.02-6.43) and number of medications (OR 4.46; 95%CI: 1.11-17.32). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of frailty in patients admitted to the hospital for decompensated heart failure is high. Age, quality of life, hospitalizations and polypharmacy were factors associated with frailty in this group of participants.

[Subclinical atherosclerosis among Chilean subjects classified as having a low cardiovascular Framingham risk]. / Ateroesclerosis subclínica en población de riesgo cardiovascular bajo y moderado por Framingham chileno.

BACKGROUND: Framingham risk score (FRS) has limitations and can underestimate risk. Carotid ultrasound to measure intima media thickness or plaques is recommended for cardiovascular risk assessment. AIM: To determine the prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis in asymptomatic subjects classified as low and intermediate risk. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study performed in subjects without cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular risk was estimated using the Chilean FRS and the General Cardiovascular Disease FRS. Carotid ultrasound was performed in all subjects. We defined subclinical atherosclerosis as the presence of carotid plaque or intima media thickness greater than 75th percentile by gender and age. RESULTS: We studied 203 subjects aged 47.2 ± 9.6 years (54% males). Mean intima media thickness was 0.62 ± 0.1 mm. An abnormal value was detected in 68 subjects (33%) and carotid plaques in 32 subjects (15.7%). Based on Chilean FRS, 96% were considered at low risk, 4% at intermediate, and none at high risk. In the low risk group the prevalence of abnormal intima media thickness and plaques was 40 and 14% respectively. Presence of plaques was more common in women than men (23 and 7% respectively, p < 0.01). According to the General Cardiovascular Disease FRS, 23% were at low, 39% at low intermediate and 28% at high intermediate risk. In the low risk group the prevalence of an abnormal intima media thickness was 34% and no subject had plaques. CONCLUSIONS: Carotid plaques were detected in Chilean subjects classified as having a low FRS risk. The underestimation of risk was higher in Chilean women.

Effects of trimetazidine in nonischemic heart failure: a randomized study.

OBJECTIVES: Heart failure (HF) is associated with changes in myocardial metabolism that lead to impairment of contractile function. Trimetazidine (TMZ) modulates cardiac energetic efficiency and improves outcomes in ischemic heart disease. We evaluated the effects of TMZ on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), cardiac metabolism, exercise capacity, O2 uptake, and quality of life in patients with nonischemic HF. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixty patients with stable nonischemic HF under optimal medical therapy were included in this randomized double-blind study. Patients were randomized to TMZ (35 mg orally twice a day) or placebo for 6 months. LVEF, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), maximum O2 uptake in cardiopulmonary exercise test, different markers of metabolism, oxidative stress, and endothelial function, and quality of life were assessed at baseline and after TMZ treatment. Left ventricular peak glucose uptake was evaluated with the use of the maximum standardized uptake value (SUV) by 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography ((18)FDG-PET). Etiology was idiopathic in 85% and hypertensive in 15%. Both groups were similar in age, functional class, LVEF, and levels of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide at baseline. After 6 months of TMZ treatment, no changes were observed in LVEF (31 ± 10% vs 34 ± 8%; P = .8), 6MWT (443 ± 25 m vs 506 ± 79 m; P = .03), maximum O2 uptake (19.1 ± 5.0 mL kg(-1) min(-1) vs 23.0 ± 7.2 mL kg(-1) min(-1); P = .11), functional class (percentages of patients in functional classes I/II/III/IV 10/3753/0 vs 7/40/50/3; P = .14), or quality of life (32 ± 26 points vs 24 ± 18 points; P = .25) in TMZ versus placebo, respectively. In the subgroup of patients evaluated with (18)FDG-PET, no significant differences were observed in SUV between both groups (7.0 ± 3.6 vs 8.2 ± 3.4 respectively; P = .47). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with nonischemic HF, the addition of TMZ to optimal medical treatment does not result in significant changes of LVEF, exercise capacity, O2 uptake, or quality of life.

[Association of carotid intima-media thickness with traditional cardiovascular risk and metabolic factors]. / Grosor íntima media carotídeo y asociación con factores de riesgo cardiovascular tradicionales y metabólicos.

BACKGROUND: Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) is a surrogate marker of subclinical atherosclerosis and is associated with cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) AIM: To analyze the association of CVRF and metabolic factors (MF) with IMT, and if the clustering of these factors modify IMT. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross sectional study in 187 participants aged 46±10 years (53% male) without CV disease. Weight, height, waist circumference (WC), blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose and lipid profile were measured. Abdominal obesity (AOb) was defined by ATP III criteria. Mean carotid IMT was measured at the far wall of the common carotid artery. The cutoff point for an abnormally high IMT was set at the 75th IMT percentile of the sample. RESULTS: The 75th IMT percentile of the sample was 0.67 mm. In a multivariate analysis four factors were significantly related with a high IMT: age (odds ratio (OR): 5.3, confidence intervals (CI): 2.2-12.9), dyslipidemia (OR: 6.4 CI: 2.3-17.9), systolic blood pressure (OR: 2.9, CI: 1.2-7.1) and AOb (OR: 2.9 (IC: 1.1-7.2). The presence of Oto 4 of these factors was associated with an IMT increment from 0.54 to 0.71 mm (p < 0,001). CONCLUSIONS: In this sample dyslipidemia, systolic blood pressure and abdominal obesity were the main predictors of a high IMT.

[Tachycardiomyopathy as a reversible cause of heart failure: report of one case]. / Taquicardiomiopatía, causa reversible de insuficiencia cardiaca: caso clínico.

Tachycardiomyopathy is a potentially reversible cause of heart failure. It can be induced by supraventricular or ventricular arrhythmias. When these are treated, systolic function improves or normalizes. We report a 20 year-old male with deterioration of left ventricular function and dilated cardiomyopathy secondary to an incessant atrial tachycardia that was treated with radiofrequency catheter ablation. After the procedure, the patient experienced a significant improvement of his ventricular function.

[Myocardial lipids and creatine measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy among patients with heart failure]. / Determinaciones de niveles de creatina y lípidos mediante espectroscopia por resonancia magnética en miocardio de pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca no isquémica.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is characterized, among other features, by the development of alterations in myocardial energy metabolism, involving a decrease in glucose utilization and increased free fatty acid uptake by cardiomyocytes, associated with decreased deposits of high-energy phosphates (creatine phosphate/creatine transporter). Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging allows a direct and noninvasive assessment of myocardial metabolites. AIM: To measure myocardial creatine and lipids by MR spectroscopy among patients with HF. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cardiac MR spectroscopy (1.5 Tesla) with Hydrogen antenna and single voxel acquisition was performed in five patients with non-ischemic heart failure, aged 58 ± 9.7 years, (60% males) and 5 healthy volunteers matched for age and sex. We analyzed the signals of creatine (Cr), lipids (L) and water (W) in the interventricular septum, establishing the water/lipid (W/L) and water/creatine (W/Cr) index to normalize the values obtained. RESULTS: Among patients, left ventricular ejection fraction was 32 ± 6.9%, 60% were in functional capacity II, 60% had hypertension and one was diabetic. Spectroscopic curves showed a depletion of total Cr, evidenced by the W/ Cr index, among patients with heart failure, when compared with healthy controls (1.46 ± 1.21 and 5.96 ± 2.25 respectively, p < 0,05). Differences in myocardial lipid content, measured as the W/L index, were not significant (5.06 ± 2.66 and 1.80 ± 1.62 respectively, p = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with heart failure of non-ischemic etiology, there is a depletion of creatine levels measured by MR spectroscopy.

Serum uric acid correlates with extracellular superoxide dismutase activity in patients with chronic heart failure.

Increased serum uric acid has been identified as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, because of its antioxidant capacity, uric acid may play a beneficial role in endothelial function. This paradoxical relationship between uric acid and endothelial function in chronic heart failure patients remains poorly understood. Thirty-eight chronic heart failure patients (New York Heart Association functional class II-III, mean age 58+/-10 years and mean left ventricular ejection fraction 25+/-8%) and twelve age-and-sex-matched healthy controls were studied. Chronic heart failure patients showed higher uric acid levels (7.3+/-2.3 mg/dL vs. 6.1+/-0.2 mg/dL, p<0.05) and lower extracellular superoxide dismutase activity (136+/-36 U ml(-1) min(-1) vs. 203+/-61 U ml(-1) min(-1), p<0.01) and endothelium-dependent vasodilatation (4.0+/-1.6% v. 9.1+/-3.0%, p<0.01) when compared with control subjects. In chronic heart failure patients, correlations between both uric acid levels and extracellular superoxide dismutase activity (r=0.45; p<0.01), and uric acid and endothelium-dependent vasodilatation (r=0.35; p=0.03) were detected. These correlations were not observed in healthy individuals, suggesting a positive effect of uric acid on endothelial function partially mediated by modulation of extracellular superoxide dismutase activity in chronic heart failure.

Galectina-3: experiencia en pacientes chilenos con diagnóstico de insuficiencia cardíaca descompensada / Galectin-3 levels in patients hospitalized for decompensated heart failure

Background: Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a mediator of myocardial fibrosis involved in cardiac remodeling and a potential new prognosis marker in heart failure (HF). Aim: To measure Gal-3 at the moment of discharge in patients hospitalized for HF and its association with different variables. Material and Methods: Patients hospitalized for decompensated HF from four hospitals between August 2014 and March 2015, were included. Demographic, clinical and laboratory variables were recorded at the time of admission. At discharge, a blood sample was withdrawn to measure Gal-3 and brain natriuretic propeptide (Pro-BNP). Patients were separated in two groups, according to the level of Gal-3 (using a cutoff value of 17.8 ng/mL), comparing clinical and laboratory values between groups. Results: We included 52 patients with HF aged 70 ± 17 years (42% females). Functional capacity was III-IV in 46% of patients and the ejection fraction was 34.9 ± 13.4%. Pro-BNP values at discharge were 5,323 ± 8,665 pg/mL. Gal-3 values were 23.8 ± 16.6 ng/mL. Sixty percent of patients had values over 17.8 ng/mL. Those with elevated Gal-3 levels were older (75 ±16 and 62 ± 15 years, respectively, p = 0.025) and were hypertensive in a higher proportion (90.5% and 57.1% respectively, p = 0.021). Conclusions: In patients hospitalized for HF, Gal-3 levels are higher in older and hypertensive subjects.

Factores asociados a fragilidad en pacientes hospitalizados con insuficiencia cardiaca descompensada / Frailty in patients admitted to hospital with acute decompensated heart failure

Background: Frailty is a geriatric syndrome characterized by a progressive impairment in the subjects’ ability to respond to environmental stress. Frailty is more commonly found in heart failure (HF) patients than in general population and it is an independent predictor of rehospitalization, emergency room visits and death. Aim: To estimate the prevalence of frailty in patients with decompensated HF admitted to four hospitals in Santiago, Chile. Material and Methods: Cross-sectional study. Subjects aged 60 or older consecutively admitted for decompensated HF to the study centers between August 2014 and March 2015 were included. Frailty was defined as the presence of three or more of the following criteria: unintended weight loss, muscular weakness, depression symptoms (exhaustion), reduced gait speed and low physical activity. Independent variables were tested for association using simple logistic regression. Variables associated with frailty (p < 0.05) were included in a multiple logistic regression model. Results: Seventy-nine subjects were included. The prevalence of frailty was 50.6%. Frail patients were mostly female (52.6%) and older than non-frail subjects (73.7± 7.9 vs 68.2 ± 7.1; p < 0.003). Independent predictors of frailty were age (Odds raio (OR) 1.10; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.03-1.17), quality of life measured with the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (OR 1.07; IC95%: 1.03-1.11), previous hospitalizations (OR 2.56; 95%CI: 1.02-6.43) and number of medications (OR 4.46; 95%CI: 1.11-17.32). Conclusions: The prevalence of frailty in patients admitted to the hospital for decompensated heart failure is high. Age, quality of life, hospitalizations and polypharmacy were factors associated with frailty in this group of participants.

Relationship between mechanical and metabolic dyssynchrony with left bundle branch block: evaluation by 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in patients with non-ischemic heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Ventricular dyssynchrony is a common finding in patients with heart failure (HF), especially in the presence of conduction delays. The loss of ventricular synchrony leads to progressive impairment of contractile function, which may be explained in part by segmental abnormalities of myocardial metabolism. However, the association of these metabolic disarrangements with parameters of ventricular dyssynchrony and electrocardiography (ECG) findings has not yet been studied. METHODS: Our aim was to determine the correlation between the presence of left bundle branch block (LBBB) with left ventricular (LV) mechanical synchrony assessed by multiple-gated acquisition scan (MUGA) and with patterns of 18-fluorodeoxyglucose (18FDG) uptake in patients with non-ischemic heart failure. Twenty-two patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, LV ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤45% and New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Class II or III symptoms under standard medical therapy were included, along with 10 healthy controls matched for age and gender. A 12-lead ECG was obtained to measure the length of the QRS. Mechanical LV synchrony was assessed by MUGA using phase analysis. All patients and controls underwent positron emission tomography with 18FDG to determine the distribution of myocardial glucose uptake. The standard deviation of peak (18)FDG uptake was used as an index of metabolic heterogeneity. Student's t-test and Pearson's correlation were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients with HF was 54 ± 12 years and 72% were male. The length of the QRS was 129 ± 31 milliseconds and LBBB was present in 9 patients. Patients with HF had decreased LV 18FDG uptake compared with controls (7.56 ± 3.36 vs. 11.63 ± 4.55 standard uptake value; p = 0.03). The length of the QRS interval correlated significantly with glucose uptake heterogeneity (r = 0.62; p = 0.002) and mechanical dyssynchrony (r = 0.63; p = 0.006). HF patients with LBBB showed marked glucose uptake heterogeneity compared with HF patients without LBBB (41.4 ± 10 vs 34.7 ± 4.9 ml/100 g/min, respectively; p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with non-ischemic heart failure exhibit a global decrease in myocardial glucose uptake. Within this group, subjects who also have LBBB exhibit a marked heterogeneity in segmental glucose uptake, which directly correlates with QRS duration.

Ateroesclerosis subclínica en población de riesgo cardiovascular bajo y moderado por Framingham chileno / Subclinical atherosclerosis among Chilean subjects classified as having a low cardiovascular Framingham risk

Background: Framingham risk score (FRS) has limitations and can underestimate risk. Carotid ultrasound to measure intima media thickness or plaques is recommended for cardiovascular risk assessment. Aim: To determine the prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis in asymptomatic subjects classified as low and intermediate risk. Material and Methods: Cross-sectional study performed in subjects without cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular risk was estimated using the Chilean FRS and the General Cardiovascular Disease FRS. Carotid ultrasound was performed in all subjects. We defined subclinical atherosclerosis as the presence of carotid plaque or intima media thickness greater than 75th percentile by gender and age. Results: We studied 203 subjects aged 47.2 ± 9.6 years (54% males). Mean intima media thickness was 0.62 ± 0.1 mm. An abnormal value was detected in 68 subjects (33%) and carotid plaques in 32 subjects (15.7%). Based on Chilean FRS, 96% were considered at low risk, 4% at intermediate, and none at high risk. In the low risk group the prevalence of abnormal intima media thickness and plaques was 40 and 14% respectively. Presence of plaques was more common in women than men (23 and 7% respectively, p < 0.01). According to the General Cardiovascular Disease FRS, 23% were at low, 39% at low intermediate and 28% at high intermediate risk. In the low risk group the prevalence of an abnormal intima media thickness was 34% and no subject had plaques. Conclusions: Carotid plaques were detected in Chilean subjects classified as having a low FRS risk. The underestimation of risk was higher in Chilean women.

[Heart energy metabolism and its role in the treatment of heart failure]. / Metabolismo energético del corazón y sus proyecciones en el tratamiento de la insuficiencia cardíaca.

It is unknown why heart failure progresses even when patients are treated with the best therapy available. Evidences suggest that heart failure progression is due to loss of neurohumoral blockade in advanced stages of the disease and to alterations in myocardial metabolism induced, in part, by this neurohumoral activation. Alterations in cardiac energy metabolism, especially those related to substrate utilization and insulin resistance, reduce the efficiency of energy production, causing a heart energy reserve deficit. These events play a basic role in heart failure progression. Therefore, modulation of cardiac metabolism has arisen as a promissory therapy in the treatment of heart failure. This review describes myocardial energy metabolism, evaluates the role of impaired energy metabolism in heart failure progression and describes new therapies for heart failure involving metabolic intervention.

Estimación indirecta de la función renal y mortalidad por insuficiencia cardíaca: buscando el mejor predictor / Estimation of renal function and mortality in congestive heart failure: a search for the best indicator

Antecedentes: Uno de los principales predictores de eventos adversos en pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca (IC) es el deterioro de función renal luego de una hospitalización. Estudios recientes han cuestionado la utilidad de la fórmula de Cockroft-Gault (CG) para estimar la función renal en estos pacientes. Objetivo: Evaluar la utilidad de distintos modelos para determinación indirecta de función renal como pre-dictores de mortalidad alejada en sujetos con IC. Método: Estudio descriptivo analítico. Se incorporaron en forma consecutiva pacientes admitidos de 14 hospitales chilenos con el diagnóstico de IC descompensada entre enero 2002 y julio 2012. Las características de los pacientes se compararon mediante t de Student o chi cuadrado según correspondía. En base a la creatininemia al alta se estimó la tasa de filtración glomerular mediante las formulas CG, MDRD-4 y CKD-Epi. El acuerdo entre los resultados de cada fórmula se analizó mediante kappa de acuerdo para clasificación en estadios de función renal y según el método de Bland-Alt-man. Los pacientes se clasificaron por cuartiles según la estimación de cada fórmula; la sobrevida se analizó con el método de Kaplan-Meier y la capacidad de cada fórmula para predecir eventos mediante un modelo de riesgo proporcional de Cox. La mortalidad al fin del seguimiento se determinó por la base de datos del Servicio Nacional de Registro Civil e Identificación. Resultados: Se incluyeron 1584 pacientes, 45,3 por ciento de sexo femenino. La edad promedio fue de 70,5+/-20 años. La creatinina al ingreso fue 1,63+/-1,48 mg/dL y al egreso de 1,59+/-1,41 mg/dL (p=NS). Todos los modelos estimaron un porcentaje similar de población con falla renal al momento del alta (Cl Crea < 60 ml/min/1.73m2): CG 57,3 por ciento, MDRD-4 54,9 por ciento y CKD-Epi 54,9 por ciento. El clearance de creatinina estimado por CG (59,4+/-30,4 mL/min/1,74) fue mayor al estimado por CKD-Epi o MDRD-4 (54,2+/-25,1 y 57,8+/-27 mL/min/1,73m2)...

Background. One of the best predictors of adverse events in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) is the deterioration of renal function following hospitalization. Recent studies have questioned the usefulness of the Cockroft-Gault (CG) formula to estimate renal function in these patients. Aim: To evaluate the usefulness of different indirect methods for estimation of renal function in the prediction of late mortality in patients with CHF. Method: Consecutive patients admitted for CHF in 14 different hospitals from January 2002 and July 2012 were analyzed. Student’s t or Chi square were used as appropriate for statistical comparisons. The serum creatinine level at the time of discharge was used to estimate glomerular filtration rate (GFR) from 3 different formulae: CG, MDRD-4 and CKD-Epi. Agreement among methods for different assignment to different stages of renal failure was evaluated by the "kappa" statistics and the Bland- Altmann method. Survival according to the estimation from each formula was compared by the log-rank statistics on Kaplan-Meier’s survival curves. The ability of each formula to predict adverse events was evaluated by a Cox proportional hazards method. Mortality was obtained from de National Identification Registry. Results: 1548 patients were included, 45.3 percent of them females. Mean age was 70.5 years (SD 20). Creatinine level was 1,63+/-1,48 mg/dL at admission and 1,59+/-1,41 mg/dL at discharge (p=NS). The proportion of patients with renal failure ( creatinine clearance < 60ml/min/1.73 m2) was similar for all methods (CG: 57.3 percent, MDRD-4 54.9 percent and CKD-Epi 54.9 percent). Creatinine clearance by CG (59,4+/-30,4 mL/min/1,73m2) was higher than that estimated by CKD-EPI (54,2+/-25,1/1.73 m2) or MDRD-4 (57,8+/-27 mL/min/1,73m2). Both CKD-Epi and MDMD-4 correctly identified a subgroup of patients with lower late mortality (CKD-Epi quartiles 3 and 4, OR 0,5 IC95 percent 0,35-0,72; MDRD-4 quartiles 3 and 4...

Grosor íntima media carotídeo y asociación con factores de riesgo cardiovascular tradicionales y metabólicos / Association of carotid intima-media thickness with traditional cardiovascular risk and metabolic factors

Background: Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) is a surrogate marker of subclinical atherosderosis and is associated with cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) Aim: To analyze the association of CVRF and metabolic factors (MF) with IMT, and if the clustering of these factors modify IMT. Material and Methods: Cross sectional study in 187 participants aged 46±10years (53% male) without CV disease. Weight, height, waist circumference (WC), blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose and lipid profile were measured. Abdominal obesity (AOb) was defined by ATP III criteria. Mean carotid IMT was measured at the far watt of the common carotid artery. The cutoff point for an abnormally high IMT was set at the 75th IMT percentile of the sample. Results: The 75th IMT percentile of the sample was 0.67 mm. In a multivariate analysis four factors were significantly related with a high IMT: age (odds ratio (OR): 5.3, confidence intervals (CI): 2.2-12.9), dyslipidemia (OR: 6.4 CI: 2.3-17.9), systolic blood pressure (OR: 2.9, CI: 1.2-7.1) and AOb (OR: 2.9 (IC: 1.1-7.2). The presence of Oto 4 of these factors was associated with an IMT increment from 0.54 to 0.71 mm (p < 0,001). Conclusions: In this sample dyslipidemia, systolic blood pressure and abdominal obesity were the main predictors of a high IMT.

[Inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in patients with chronic heart failure]. / Inflamación y disfunción endotelial en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca crónica.

BACKGROUND: In chronic heart failure (CHF), endothelial dysfunction (ED) is a consequence of an imbalance of vascular tone regulating substances. The relationship between ED and inflammation has not been fully investigated. AIM: To assess the association between inflammation and ED in CHF. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty two patients aged 56+/-14 years (80% male) with a CHF in functional capacity II-III (New York Heart Association) and an ejection fraction (FE) <40% were consecutively studied. Patients were classified according to the presence or absence of ED, evaluated by reactive vasodilation measured by ultrasound, after brachial artery compression. Circulating levels of highly sensitive C reactive protein (usCRP), tumor necrosis factor a (TNFá) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were determined by ELISA. A group of 15 healthy subjects of similar age, were studied as controls. RESULTS: Sixty seven percent of patients had ED. Compared to controls, patients with CHF had higher usCRP (0.58+/-0.4 and 4.9+/-7.1 mg/dl respectively, p <0.01) and IL-6 (1.38+/-0.06 and 3.1+/-1.7 mg/dl respectively, p <0.01). Compared to patients without ED, patients with CHF and ED had higher levels of usCRP (3.0+/-0.4 and 6.0+/-5.7 mg/dl respectively, p <0.01) and TNFá (0.31+/-0.26 and 1.0+/-1.1 pg/ml, p =0.02). No differences in IL-6 were found between CHF groups. CONCLUSIONS: In CHF patients, the presence of ED was associated with increased levels of inflammatory markers.

Taquicardiomiopatía, causa reversible de insuficiencia cardiaca: caso clínico / Tachycardiomyopathy as a reversible cause of heart failure: Report of one case

Tachycardiomyopathy is a potentially reversible cause of heart failure. It can be induced by supraventricular or ventricular arrhythmias. When these are treated, systolic function improves or normalizes. We report a 20year-old male with deterioration of left ventricular function and dilated cardiomyopathy secondary to an incessant atrial tachycardia that was treated with radiofrequency catheter ablation. After the procedure, the patient experienced a significant improvement of his ventricular function.

[Oxidative stress and inflammation in heart failure: mechanisms of damage and therapeutic alternatives]. / Estrés oxidativo e inflamación en insuficiencia cardiaca: Mecanismos de daño y alternativas terapéuticas.

Despite advances in treatment, chronic heart failure still is associated with a poor prognosis and remains a leading cause of cardiovascular death. Cumulating evidence suggests that imbalances in redox state lead to a higher generation of reactive oxygen species. This phenomenon, along with pro-inflammatory cytokine activation and extra cellular matrix alterations with reactive fibrosis, play an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of heart failure, through the development of endothelial and myocardial dysfunction. The understanding of the underlying phenomena and the metabolic pathways involved will allow further development of therapies aiming to change the natural history of heart failure.

A wireless pressure sensor for monitoring pulmonary artery pressure in advanced heart failure: initial experience.

Hemodynamic goals have been used in the past to guide therapy in patients with heart failure (HF). For HF patients whose signs and symptoms of congestion do not resolve with initial therapy it appears reasonable to consider hemodynamic monitoring at experienced sites. It has been suggested that implantable hemodynamic sensors may enable frequent monitoring of hemodynamic changes in HF patients and be used in tailoring vasodilator. We present the first human case of radio-frequency based, wireless pressure sensor for the monitoring of pulmonary artery pressure in patients with advanced HF. This sensor is delivered into the pulmonary artery via percutaneous venous access.

Comparison of a radiofrequency-based wireless pressure sensor to swan-ganz catheter and echocardiography for ambulatory assessment of pulmonary artery pressure in heart failure.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this work was to evaluate the accuracy of a new heart failure (HF) sensor (HFS) (Heart Failure Sensor, CardioMEMS Inc., Atlanta, Georgia) pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) monitoring compared with Swan-Ganz (SG) (Hospira, Inc., Lake Forest, Illinois) catheterization and echocardiography (ECHO) in ambulatory HF patients. BACKGROUND: There is an increasing interest in the development of ambulatory monitoring devices aiming to adjust therapy and prevent hospitalizations in HF patients. METHODS: Twelve patients with HF and New York Heart Association functional class II to IV were included in this study. The HFS was deployed into the pulmonary artery under angiography, allowing wireless PAP measurement. Two independent blind operators performed 3 HFS measurements at each visit, with simultaneous ECHO at 2, 14, 30, 60, and 90 days. Swan-Ganz catheterization was performed at 0 and 60 days. Linear regression was used as a measure of agreement. Variability between methods and interobserver variability were evaluated by Bland-Altman analysis. RESULTS: Mean age was 63 +/- 14.6 years. Systolic PAP was 64 +/- 22 mm Hg and 58 +/- 22 mm Hg for HFS and SG, respectively (p < 0.01). Both methods showed a significant correlation (r2 = 0.96 baseline, r2 = 0.90 follow-up, p < 0.01), with a mean difference of 6.2 +/- 4.5 mm Hg. Diastolic PAP was 23 +/- 14 mm Hg and 28 +/- 16 mm Hg for HFS and SG, respectively (r2 = 0.88 baseline, r2 = 0.48 follow-up, p < 0.01), with a mean difference of -1.6 +/- 6.8 mm Hg. Systolic PAP was 60 +/- 20 mm Hg and 62 +/- 12 mm Hg for HFS and ECHO, respectively (r2 = 0.75, p < 0.01), with a mean difference of -2.6 +/- 11 mm Hg. There was no significant interobserver difference. CONCLUSIONS: The HFS provides an accurate method for PAP assessment in the intermediate follow-up of HF patients.