10-Year Trends of Antithrombotic Therapy Status and Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Renal Dysfunction　- The Fushimi AF Registry.

BACKGROUND: Anticoagulation therapy for atrial fibrillation (AF) has undergone major changes following the introduction of direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) in 2011. However, the transition of anticoagulation therapy for AF patients with severe renal dysfunction remains to be elucidated. METHODS AND RESULTS: Follow-up data, including creatinine clearance (CrCl), were available for 3,706 patients in the Fushimi AF Registry. We divided patients into 3 groups based on CrCl as follows: (1) CrCl ≥50 mL/min; (2) 50 mL/min>CrCl≥30 mL/min; and (3) CrCl <30 mL/min. In patients with CrCl ≥50 mL/min and 50>CrCl≥30 mL/min, prescription of oral anticoagulants increased year-by-year from 2011 to 2021 with a growing proportion of DOAC; however, the prescription of oral anticoagulants remained almost unchanged in those with CrCl <30 mL/min. In patients with CrCl ≥50 mL/min and 50 mL/min>CrCl≥30 mL/min, the incidence of adverse events, including stroke/systemic embolism and major bleeding, was lower among patients enrolled after 2014 than before 2013. However, these trends were not seen in patients with CrCl <30 mL/min. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the increased use of DOAC in patients with AF since 2011, anticoagulation therapy for AF patients with severe renal dysfunction has largely remained unchanged, and a reduction in adverse events in those patients has not been observed.

Importance of non-cardiovascular comorbidities in atrial fibrillation and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

AIMS: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are interlinked and frequently coexisting conditions. To date, patients with AF and HFpEF have limited evidence guiding their management. This study aimed to investigate the predictors of adverse outcomes among patients with AF and HFpEF. METHODS: The Fushimi AF Registry is a community-based prospective survey of AF patients in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, Japan. From the registry, we explored predictors for a composite of cardiac death or HF hospitalization among AF patients with HFpEF (defined as having a prior HF hospitalization or New York Heart Association class ≥2 in association with heart disease and left ventricular ejection fraction ≥50%). Besides, we investigated whether the scoring using the predictors identified by the Fushimi AF Registry could stratify the outcomes in patients with AF and HFpEF registered in another independent Kyoto Congestive Heart Failure Registry. RESULTS: Of 755 patients with AF and HFpEF [mean age: 77.5 ± 9.9 years; female: 391 (52%); paroxysmal AF: 258 (34%); and mean CHA2DS2-VASc score: 4.5 ± 1.5], cardiac death or HF hospitalization occurred in 246 patients (33%) during the median follow-up period of 4.4 years in the Fushimi AF Registry. Using multivariate Cox regression analysis, age ≥75 years [hazard ratio (HR): 1.72, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.26-2.36] and non-cardiovascular comorbidities such as anaemia (HR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.37-2.46), chronic kidney disease (HR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.27-2.26), diabetes mellitus (HR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.15-2.09) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HR: 1.87, 95% CI: 1.08-3.22) were independent predictors of adverse outcomes. Meanwhile, cardiovascular comorbidities including coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease or cardiomyopathy were not significantly associated with adverse outcomes. These results were also the case when analysed for patients with AF and HFpEF who registered in the Kyoto Congestive Heart Failure registry (N = 878). The score assigning 1 point for each five predictors (age, anaemia, chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; ranging 0-5 points) stratified the incidence of adverse outcomes among patients with AF and HFpEF registered in the Kyoto Congestive Heart Failure Registry as well as among those in the Fushimi AF Registry (both log-rank; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Non-cardiovascular comorbidities such as anaemia, diabetes mellitus and kidney or pulmonary disease in addition to advanced age were independent predictors of adverse outcomes in patients with AF and HFpEF. Our study suggests the importance of focusing on these non-cardiovascular comorbidities for individualized risk stratification and optimal management in patients with AF and HFpEF.

Rationale and Design of a Multicenter Trial on Exploratory Analysis of the Effects of Advance Care Planning Guided by the Prediction Program of Heart Failure Prognosis on Quality of Life in Patients With Heart Failure　- ACQUAINT-Trial.

Background: Preplanning of care is necessary for patients with endstage heart failure (HF), but advance care planning (ACP) before the loss of a patient's comprehensive capacity is not yet routine for the public or the medical community. The challenge in accurately predicting a patient's prognosis is a strong barrier to implementing ACP. To address this problem, several models for risk stratification have been proposed and are available in clinical settings. Methods and Results: We randomized the procedure to provide estimated patient survival information to attending physicians and then assessed whether there was a change in (1) the frequency of ACP initiation occurred (physician-side evaluation), and/or (2) the patients' quality of life, including mental state (patient-side evaluation). Conclusions: This multicenter, open-label, single-blinded randomized clinical trial aims to assess the hypothesis that providing information on the estimated survival of a patient to the attending physicians will improve the frequency of ACP initiation and quality of life in patients with HF.

Post-procedural Anticoagulation With Unfractionated Heparin in Acute Coronary Syndrome: Insight from the STOPDAPT-3 Trial.

The current guidelines for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) discourage the use of anticoagulation after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) without specific indications, although the recommendation is not well supported by evidence. In this post hoc analysis of the ShorT and OPtimal Duration of Dual AntiPlatelet Therapy-3 (STOPDAPT-3) trial, 30-day outcomes were compared between the 2 groups with and without post-PCI heparin administration among patients with ACS who did not receive mechanical support devices. The co-primary end points were the bleeding end point, defined as the Bleeding Academic Research Consortium type 3 or 5 bleeding, and the cardiovascular end point, defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, definite stent thrombosis, or ischemic stroke. Among 4,088 patients with ACS, 2,339 patients (57.2%) received post-PCI heparin. The proportion of patients receiving post-PCI heparin was higher among those with ST-elevation myocardial infarction compared with others (72.3% and 38.8%, p <0.001), and among patients with intraprocedural adverse angiographic findings compared with those without (67.6% and 47.5%, p <0.001). Post-PCI heparin compared with no post-PCI heparin was associated with a significantly increased risk of the bleeding end point (4.75% and 2.52%, adjusted hazard ratio 1.69, 95% confidence interval 1.15 to 2.46, p = 0.007) and a numerically increased risk of the cardiovascular end point (3.16% and 1.72%, adjusted hazard ratio 1.56, 95% confidence interval 0.98 to 2.46, p = 0.06). Higher hourly dose or total doses of heparin were also associated with higher incidence of both bleeding and cardiovascular events within 30 days. In conclusion, post-PCI anticoagulation with unfractionated heparin was frequently implemented in patients with ACS. Post-PCI heparin use was associated with harm in terms of increased bleeding without the benefit of reducing cardiovascular events. Trial identifier: STOPDAPT-3 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04609111.

Association of Regression from Sustained to Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation with Clinical Outcomes: The Fushimi AF Registry.

Some patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), albeit less frequently, may regress from sustained to paroxysmal type. We sought to investigate how the regression of AF is associated with outcomes. Among the AF patients enrolled in the Fushimi AF Registry who were identified as having sustained AF at baseline, conversion of sustained to paroxysmal AF during follow-up was defined as AF regression. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were defined as a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, systemic embolism, or hospitalization due to heart failure. Among 2,261 patients with sustained AF at baseline, AF regression was observed in 214 (9.5%) patients over a median follow-up period of 5.8 years (1.78% per patient-year). The annual incidence of MACE in patients with AF regression was significantly lower than those without (3.47% vs. 6.59% per patient-year, P < 0.001; adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.53, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.38-0.72). Furthermore, AF regression was significantly associated with reduced risk of MACE during and after the regression period from sustained to paroxysmal forms (during regression period: adjusted HR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.22-0.90; after regression period: adjusted HR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.26-0.67). The incidence of MACE was comparable between spontaneous regression (35/178: 19.7%) and therapy-associated regression (either receiving catheter ablation or antiarrhythmic drugs before the regression) (7/36: 19.4%) (P=0.98). Regression of AF was associated with a lower incidence of adverse cardiovascular events. The risk of adverse events decreased significantly during the regression period and its reduction level persisted after regression. URL: http://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index.htm Unique identifier: UMIN000005834.

Validation of a Supportive and Palliative Care Indicator Tool Among Patients Hospitalized Due to Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: Palliative care, including symptom alleviation and advance-care planning, is relevant for patients with heart failure (HF). The Supportive and Palliative Care Indicator Tool (SPICT) is a tool for identifying patients who may benefit from palliative-care assistance but has not been validated in patients hospitalized due to HF. METHODS AND RESULTS: Clinical backgrounds, symptom burdens and outcomes were evaluated using the SPICT as assessed on admission in consecutive hospitalized patients with HF. SPICT-positive was defined when 2 or more general indicators and a New York Heart Association class ≥ III were present. Of 601 patients hospitalized due to HF (mean age: 79 ± 12 years; male, 314 [52%]; and mean left ventricular ejection fraction: 44 ± 18%), 100 (17%) patients were SPICT-positive. SPICT-positive patients were older (85 ± 9 vs 78 ± 12 years; P < 0.001) and had higher clinical frailty scales (6 ± 1 vs 4 ± 1 points; P < 0.001), whereas symptom burdens assessed by the Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scale were not different (17 [13, 28] vs 20 [11, 26] points; P = 0.97) when compared with patients who were SPICT-negative. During the median follow-up period of 518 days, 178 patients (30%) died. Being SPICT-positive was independently associated with higher all-cause mortality (hazard ratio: 3.49, 95% confidence interval: 2.41-5.05; P < 0.001) after adjusting for age, sex, New York Heart Association class IV, Get-With-The-Guideline risk score, N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide levels, and left ventricular ejection fractions. CONCLUSIONS: In patients admitted for HF, being SPICT-positive was significantly associated with higher all-cause mortality rates, suggesting the utility of the SPICT as an indicator to initiate advance-care planning for end-of-life care among patients hospitalized due to HF.

Association of left atrial enlargement with heart failure events in non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction.

Aims: Atrial fibrillation (AF) increases the risk of heart failure (HF); however, little is known regarding the risk stratification for incident HF in AF patients, especially with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Methods and results: The Fushimi AF Registry is a community-based prospective survey of AF patients. From the registry, 3002 non-valvular AF patients with preserved LVEF and with the data of antero-posterior left atrial diameter (LAD) at enrolment were investigated. Patients were stratified by LAD (<40, 40-44, 45-49, and ≥50 mm) with backgrounds and HF hospitalization incidences compared between groups. Of 3002 patients [mean age, 73.5 ± 10.7 years; women, 1226 (41%); paroxysmal AF, 1579 (53%); and mean CHA2DS2-VASc score, 3.3 ± 1.7], the mean LAD was 43 ± 8 mm. Patients with larger LAD were older and less often paroxysmal AF, with a higher CHA2DS2-VASc score (all P < 0.001). Heart failure hospitalization occurred in 412 patients during the median follow-up period of 6.0 years. Larger LAD was independently associated with a higher HF hospitalization risk [LAD ≥ 50 mm: hazard ratio (HR), 2.36; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.75-3.18; LAD 45-49 mm: HR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.37-2.46; and LAD 40-44 mm: HR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.01-1.78, compared with LAD < 40 mm) after adjustment by age, sex, AF type, and CHA2DS2-VASc score. These results were also consistent across major subgroups, showing no significant interaction. Conclusion: Left atrial diameter is significantly associated with the risk of incident HF in AF patients with preserved LVEF, suggesting the utility of LAD regarding HF risk stratification for these patients.

Atrial fibrillation type and long-term clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients with heart failure: insight from JROADHF.

AIMS: Atrial fibrillation (AF) type (paroxysmal, persistent, or permanent) is important in determining therapeutic management; however, clinical outcomes by AF type are largely unknown for hospitalized patients with heart failure (HF). METHODS AND RESULTS: The Japanese Registry Of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure is a retrospective, multicenter, and nationwide registry of patients hospitalized for acute HF in Japan. Follow-up data were collected up to 5 years after hospitalization. Patients were divided based on diagnosis and AF type into 3 groups [without AF, paroxysmal AF, and sustained AF (defined as a composite of persistent and permanent AF)], and compared the backgrounds and outcomes between the groups. Of 12 895 hospitalized HF patients [mean age: 78 ± 13 years, female: 6077 (47%), and mean left ventricular ejection fraction: 47 ± 17%], 1725 had paroxysmal AF, and 3672 had sustained AF. Compared with patients without AF, sustained AF had a higher risk of the primary composite endpoint of cardiovascular (CV) death or HF hospitalization [hazard ratio (HR): 1.09, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01-1.17; P = 0.03], mainly driven by HF hospitalization [HR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.06-1.26; P < 0.001], whereas the corresponding risk for the primary endpoint in patients with paroxysmal AF was not elevated (HR: 1.03, 95% CI: 0.94-1.13; P = 0.53) after adjustment by multivariable Cox regression analysis. These results were consistent among the subgroups of patients with reduced or preserved ejection fraction (interaction P = 0.74). CONCLUSION: Among hospitalized patients with HF, sustained AF, but not paroxysmal AF, was significantly associated with a higher risk for CV death or HF hospitalization, indicating the importance of accounting for AF type in HF patients.

Effectiveness and safety of morphine administration for refractory dyspnoea among hospitalised patients with advanced heart failure: the Morphine-HF study.

OBJECTIVES: Morphine is effective in alleviating dyspnoea in patients with cancer. We aimed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of morphine administration for refractory dyspnoea in patients with advanced heart failure (HF). METHODS: We conducted a multicentre, prospective, observational study of hospitalised patients with advanced HF in whom morphine was administered for refractory dyspnoea. Morphine effectiveness was evaluated by dyspnoea intensity changes, assessed regularly by both a quantitative subjective scale (Visual Analogue Scale (VAS; graded from 0 to 100 mm)) and an objective scale (Support Team Assessment Schedule-Japanese (STAS-J; graded from 0 to 4 points)). Safety was assessed by vital sign changes and new-onset severe adverse events, including nausea, vomiting, constipation and delirium based on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. RESULTS: From 15 Japanese institutions between September 2020 and August 2022, we included 28 hospitalised patients with advanced HF in whom morphine was administered (mean age: 83.8±8.7 years, male: 15 (54%), New York Heart Association class IV: 26 (93%) and mean left ventricular ejection fraction: 38%±19%). Both VAS and STAS-J significantly improved from baseline to day 1 (VAS: 67±26 to 50±31 mm; p=0.02 and STAS-J: 3.3±0.8 to 2.6±1.1 points; p=0.006, respectively), and thereafter the improvements sustained through to day 7. After morphine administration, vital signs including blood pressure, pulse rate and oxygen saturation did not change, and no new-onset severe adverse events occurred through to day 7. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested acceptable effectiveness and safety for morphine administration in treating refractory dyspnoea in hospitalised patients with advanced HF.

Utility of left ventricular ejection fraction in atrial fibrillation patients without pre-existing heart failure.

AIMS: Atrial fibrillation (AF) increases the risk of heart failure (HF); however, little focus has been placed on the prevention of HF in patients with AF. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is an established echocardiographic parameter in HF patients. We sought to investigate the association of LVEF with HF events in AF patients without pre-existing HF. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Fushimi AF Registry is a community-based prospective survey of AF patients in Fushimi-ku, Japan. In this analysis, we excluded patients with pre-existing HF (defined as having one of the following: prior HF hospitalization, New York Heart Association class ≥ 2 in association with heart disease, or LVEF < 40%). Among 3233 AF patients without pre-existing HF, we investigated 2459 patients with the data of LVEF at enrolment. We divided the patients into three groups stratified by LVEF [mildly reduced LVEF (40-49%), below normal LVEF (50-59%), and normal LVEF (≥60%)] and compared the backgrounds and incidence of HF hospitalization between the groups. Of 2459 patients [mean age: 72.4 ± 10.5 years, female: 917 (37%), paroxysmal AF: 1405 (57%), and mean CHA2 DS2 -VASc score: 3.0 ± 1.6], the mean LVEF was 66 ± 8% [mildly reduced LVEF: 114 patients (5%), below normal LVEF: 300 patients (12%), and normal LVEF: 2045 patients (83%)]. Patients with lower LVEF demonstrated lower prevalence of female and paroxysmal AF (both P < 0.01), but age and CHA2 DS2 -VASc score were comparable between the three groups (both P > 0.05). During the median follow-up period of 6.0 years, 255 patients (10%) were hospitalized for HF (annual incidence: 1.9% per person-year). Multivariable Cox regression analysis demonstrated that lower LVEF strata were independently associated with the risk of HF [mildly reduced LVEF (40-49%): hazard ratio = 2.98, 95% confidence interval = 1.99-4.45 and below normal LVEF (50-59%): hazard ratio = 2.01, 95% confidence interval = 1.44-2.82, compared with normal LVEF (≥60%)] after adjustment by age, sex, type of AF, and CHA2 DS2 -VASc score. LVEF < 60% was significantly associated with the higher risk of HF hospitalization across all major subgroups without significant interaction (P for interaction; all P > 0.05). LVEF had an independent and incremental prognostic value for HF hospitalization in addition to natriuretic peptide levels in AF patients without pre-existing HF. CONCLUSIONS: Lower LVEF was significantly associated with the higher incidence of HF hospitalization in AF patients without pre-existing HF, leading to the future risk stratification for and prevention of incident HF in AF patients.

Clinical significance of ST-segment depression during atrial fibrillation rhythm for subsequent heart failure events.

Aims: The clinical significance of ST-segment depression during atrial fibrillation (AF) rhythm has not been fully evaluated. The aim of the present study was to explore the association of ST-segment depression during AF rhythm with subsequent heart failure (HF) events. Methods and results: The study enrolled 2718 AF patients whose baseline electrocardiography (ECG) was available from a Japanese community-based prospective survey. We assessed the association of ST-segment depression in baseline ECG during AF rhythm with clinical outcomes. The primary ednpoint was a composite HF endpoint: cardiac death or hospitalization due to HF. The prevalence of ST-segment depression was 25.4% (upsloping 6.6%, horizontal 18.8%, downsloping 10.1%). Patients with ST-segment depression were older and had more comorbidities than those without. During the median follow-up of 6.0 years, the incidence rate of the composite HF endpoint was significantly higher in patients with ST-segment depression than those without (5.3% vs. 3.6% per patient-year, log-rank P < 0.01). The higher risk was present in horizontal or downsloping ST-segment depression, but not in upsloping one. By multivariable analysis, ST-segment depression was an independent predictor for the composite HF endpoint (hazard ratio 1.23, 95% confidence interval 1.03-1.49, P = 0.03). In addition, ST-segment depression at anterior leads, unlike inferior or lateral leads, was not associated with higher risk for the composite HF endpoint. Conclusion: ST-segment depression during AF rhythm was associated with subsequent HF risk; however, the association was affected by type and distribution of ST-segment depression.

Differential response to isometric handgrip depending on the heart failure condition in patients with functional mitral regurgitation: a case report.

Background: Functional mitral regurgitation (MR) changes dynamically depending on the loading conditions and can cause acute heart failure (HF). Isometric handgrip is a simple stress test and can be performed during early phase of acute HF for the evaluation of MR. Case summary: A 70-year-old woman with a prior myocardial infarction four months before, and with history of recurrent HF admission with functional MR, who received optimal HF medications, was hospitalized for acute HF. On the following day of the admission, isometric handgrip stress echocardiography was performed to evaluate functional MR. During the handgrip, MR deteriorated from moderate to severe and the tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient increased from 45 to 60 mmHg. After HF stabilization 2 weeks after admission, repeat handgrip stress echocardiography showed that the degree of MR did not significantly change being moderate and the tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient was only mildly elevated from 25 to 30 mmHg. She underwent transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral repair, and thereafter she has not experienced the rehospitalization for acute HF. Discussion: Exercise stress test is recommended for the evaluation of functional MR in HF patients; however, exercise tests are difficult to perform during the early phase of acute HF. In this regard, handgrip test is an option to investigate the exacerbating impact of functional MR during early-phase acute HF. This case indicated that response to isometric handgrip can vary depending on HF condition, highlighting the importance of taking into account the timing of the handgrip procedure in patients with functional MR and HF.

Clinical application of artificial intelligence algorithm for prediction of one-year mortality in heart failure patients.

Risk prediction for heart failure (HF) using machine learning methods (MLM) has not yet been established at practical application levels in clinical settings. This study aimed to create a new risk prediction model for HF with a minimum number of predictor variables using MLM. We used two datasets of hospitalized HF patients: retrospective data for creating the model and prospectively registered data for model validation. Critical clinical events (CCEs) were defined as death or LV assist device implantation within 1 year from the discharge date. We randomly divided the retrospective data into training and testing datasets and created a risk prediction model based on the training dataset (MLM-risk model). The prediction model was validated using both the testing dataset and the prospectively registered data. Finally, we compared predictive power with published conventional risk models. In the patients with HF (n = 987), CCEs occurred in 142 patients. In the testing dataset, the substantial predictive power of the MLM-risk model was obtained (AUC = 0.87). We generated the model using 15 variables. Our MLM-risk model showed superior predictive power in the prospective study compared to conventional risk models such as the Seattle Heart Failure Model (c-statistics: 0.86 vs. 0.68, p < 0.05). Notably, the model with an input variable number (n = 5) has comparable predictive power for CCE with the model (variable number = 15). This study developed and validated a model with minimized variables to predict mortality more accurately in patients with HF, using a MLM, than the existing risk scores.

Proteinuria is independently associated with heart failure events in patients with atrial fibrillation: the Fushimi AF registry.

AIMS: Previous studies have shown that proteinuria is independently associated with the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF), and is also associated with the incidence of cardiovascular events such as stroke and thromboembolism in patients with AF. However, the association of proteinuria with heart failure (HF) events in patients with AF remains unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Fushimi AF Registry is a community-based prospective study of patients with AF. Of the entire cohort of 4489 patients, 2164 patients had available data of proteinuria. We compared the clinical background and outcomes between patients with proteinuria (n = 606, 28.0%) and those without (n = 1558, 72.0%). Patients with proteinuria were older and had a higher prevalence of major co-morbidities. During the median follow-up of 5.0 years, the incidence rates of HF events (composite of cardiac death or HF hospitalization) were higher in patients with proteinuria than those without (4.1% vs. 2.1% person-year, P < 0.01). Multivariate analyses revealed that proteinuria was an independent risk factor of the incidence of HF events [adjusted hazard ratio (HR): 1.40, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13-1.74]. This association was consistent among the various subgroups, except for the age subgroup in which there was a significant interaction (P < 0.01) between younger (<75 years) (unadjusted HR: 3.03, 95% CI: 2.12-4.34) and older (≥75 years) patients (unadjusted HR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.23-2.05). CONCLUSION: Our community-based large prospective cohort suggests that proteinuria is independently associated with the incidence of HF events in Japanese patients with AF.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome and lymphohistiocytic myocarditis after Covid-19 vaccine in a middle-aged woman.

We describe a 51-year-old otherwise healthy woman hospitalized for hypotension, fever, and weakness 4 days after the second-dose Covid-19 mRNA vaccine. Elevated inflammatory markers, natriuretic peptide levels and troponin levels, and slightly reduced left ventricular ejection fraction of 50% were noted. We also found the multiple organ damage, including mucocutaneous, gastrointestinal, and neurologic systems. In addition, we revealed the positive results for anti-nucleocapsid SARS-CoV-2 IgG, albeit negative for SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction testing, suggesting the prior asymptomatic Covid-19 infection. We finally diagnosed her as multisystem inflammatory syndrome after vaccination. Of note, we obtained myocardial specimen from the patients and demonstrated the lymphohistiocytic myocarditis, which is a rare form of myocarditis.

Association of intravenous heparin administration with in-hospital clinical outcomes among hospitalized patients with acute heart failure.

BACKGROUNDS: Patients with acute heart failure (AHF) possess a high risk for thromboembolism, and thromboembolism prophylaxis using heparin has been recommended by the guidelines. METHODS: Among 4056 patients enrolled in the KCHF Registry, the current study population consisted of 2525 patients after excluding patients with acute coronary syndrome and oral anticoagulants on admission and those with mechanical circulatory supports. There were 789 patients (31%) with heparin administration within 24 h after admission, and 1736 patients (69%) without. RESULTS: The baseline characteristics included mean age: 78 ± 13 years, New York Heart Association class IV: 51%, ischemic etiology: 30%, atrial fibrillation: 31% and mean left ventricular ejection fraction: 45%. During median hospitalization length of 16 days, 161 patients had all-cause death, 34 patients developed ischemic stroke, and 48 patients developed major bleeding. Multivariable logistic regression analyses demonstrated that heparin administration compared with no heparin administration was not associated with a lower risk for all-cause death (OR: 1.39, 95%CI: 0.90-2.15; P = 0.14), nor for ischemic stroke (OR: 1.14, 95%CI: 0.53-2.43; P = 0.74), but was associated with a higher risk for major bleeding (OR: 2.88, 95%CI: 1.54-5.41; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with AHF, heparin administration within 24 h after admission was not associated with a lower risk of all-cause death and ischemic stroke, but was associated with a higher risk of major bleeding during hospitalization. Our study raises questions about the routine use of heparin for thromboembolism prophylaxis in hospitalized patients with AHF. Further studies are warranted to address the utility of anticoagulant therapy in these patients.

Machine Learning Risk Prediction for Incident Heart Failure in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) increases the risk of heart failure (HF); however, little focus is placed on the risk stratification for, and prevention of, incident HF in patients with AF. Objectives: This study aimed to construct and validate a machine learning (ML) prediction model for HF hospitalization in patients with AF. Methods: The Fushimi AF Registry is a community-based prospective survey of patients with AF in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, Japan. We divided the data set of the registry into derivation (n = 2,383) and validation (n = 2,011) cohorts. An ML model was built to predict the incidence of HF hospitalization using the derivation cohort, and predictive ability was examined using the validation cohort. Results: HF hospitalization occurred in 606 patients (14%) during a median follow-up period of 4.4 years in the entire registry. Data of transthoracic echocardiography and biomarkers were frequently nominated as important predictive variables across all 6 ML models. The ML model based on a random forest algorithm using 7 variables (age, history of HF, creatinine clearance, cardiothoracic ratio on x-ray, left ventricular [LV] ejection fraction, LV end-systolic diameter, and LV asynergy) had high prediction performance (area under the receiver operating characteristics curve [AUC]: 0.75) and was significantly superior to the Framingham HF risk model (AUC: 0.67; P < 0.001). Based on Kaplan-Meier curves, the ML model could stratify the risk of HF hospitalization during the follow-up period (log-rank; P < 0.001). Conclusions: The ML model revealed important predictors and helped us to stratify the risk of HF, providing opportunities for the prevention of HF in patients with AF.

Caseous calcification of mitral annulus evaluated by multi-modality imaging including cardiac magnetic resonance parametric mapping.

We report an 85-year-old woman with caseous calcification of mitral annulus (CCMA), a rare variant of mitral annular calcification with caseous degeneration, in which imaging findings were useful for elucidating the pathogenesis and diagnosis. Since the CCMA is considered to be benign, it is important for clinicians to differentiate CCMA from other cardiac masses using multi-modality imaging in order to avoid unnecessary surgery. To the best of our knowledge, there is a paucity of literature regarding cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) parametric mapping, an emerging technique, for evaluating CCMA. In the present case, by using multi-modality imaging including CMR parametric mapping, we were able to characterize the abnormal structure at mitral annulus non-invasively, and diagnosed the structure as CCMA. CMR with parametric mapping may have a role in the identification and definition of cardiac masses including CCMA. Learning objective: Caseous calcification of mitral annulus (CCMA) is a rare variant of mitral annular calcification, but is not infrequently encountered in daily practice. Multi-modality imaging including cardiac magnetic resonance is useful for the diagnosis of CCMA. Differential diagnosis of cardiac masses at the mitral annulus including CCMA is important, and clinicians need to know the multi-modality imaging findings related to CCMA.

A case of infective endocarditis mimicking antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is not a common disease, but it remains a serious condition. Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) are often positive in IE, and discrimination between IE and ANCA-associated vasculitis is important because misdirected selection of therapy can lead to catastrophic consequences. We report a case of IE mimicking ANCA-associated vasculitis in which we were able to make a correct diagnosis and perform treatment. This case suggests that it is important to consider IE as a differential diagnosis in ANCA-positive patients. Learning objective: Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) are associated with primary systemic vasculitis. However, ANCA have also been described in other conditions and infective endocarditis (IE) was considered an important cause of ANCA.Discrimination between IE and ANCA-associated vasculitis is important, although it is sometimes difficult. We report a case of IE mimicking ANCA-associated vasculitis. ANCA-positive patients with nonspecific symptoms should be suspected of having IE, checked for heart murmurs, and tested by echocardiography and blood cultures.