CIED-based remote monitoring in heart failure using the HeartLogic™ algorithm: Which patients benefit most?

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Early identification of worsening HF enables timely adjustments to prevent hospitalization. Recent studies show the HeartLogic™ algorithm detects congestion and reduces HF events. However, it is unclear which patients benefit most. Therefore, this study aims to identify and characterize HF patients who benefit most from CIED-based remote monitoring with HeartLogic™. METHODS: In this multicenter retrospective study, patients with a CIED and HeartLogic™ algorithm under structured follow-up were included. Patients were classified as having "substantial benefit" or "no benefit" from monitoring. RESULTS: In total, 242 patients were included (male n = 190, 79%, median age 61 years [IQR 61-77]). Median follow-up was 1.2 years [IQR 1.1-2.7]. Among 378 alerts, 266 were true positive (70%) and 112 false positive (30%). Of the 242 patients, 69 (29%) were classified as having "substantial benefit", while 173 (71%) had "no benefit" from HeartLogic™ monitoring. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that patients with "substantial benefit" had higher NYHA functional class (OR 2.64, P = 0.004), higher NT-ProBNP (OR 1.02, P = 0.003), higher serum creatinine (OR 1.10, P < 0.001), lower LVEF (OR 1.19, P = 0.004), more severe mitral regurgitation (OR 2.16, P = 0.006), higher right ventricular end diastolic volume (OR 1.05, P = 0.040), higher pulmonary artery pressures (OR 1.19, P = 0.003), and were more likely to use loop diuretics (OR 2.79, P = 0.001). Among patients with "substantial benefit," the positive predictive value (PPV) of HeartLogic™ to detect congestion was 92%. CONCLUSION: The utilization of CIED-based HeartLogic™ driven HF care demonstrated pronounced efficacy, predominantly in patients exhibiting characteristics of HF at a more advanced disease stage.

Cardiovascular risk profile in two cohorts of young apparently healthy South Asian descendants in the Netherlands: still a long way to go!

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) imposes a major healthcare burden on young descendants of South Asian migrants living in the western world. In comparison to the native population, the prevalence is significantly higher and the prevalence of CVD risk factors is increasing rapidly. The cardiovascular risk profile and 10-year risk scores of South Asian descendants were evaluated in two cohorts with a 10-year time difference. METHODS: Two cross-sectional studies, conducted in 2004 and 2014, focused on asymptomatic South Asian descendants aged 18-59 years were performed. A short questionnaire, BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, and nonfasting blood tests were obtained. The cohort of 2014 was matched with the cohort of 2004, based on age, gender, and family history of CVD. RESULTS: In 2014, 674 South Asians (44% men, age 38.2 ±â€…12.0 years) were matched with 674 South Asians (44% men, age 38.3 ±â€…12.1 years) included in 2004. Notably, hypertension prevalence decreased significantly in 2014 (10.6% vs 23.1% in 2004, P  < 0.001), while mean BMI increased (26.1 vs 24.9, P  < 0.001). The mean Framingham risk score was lower in 2014 (5.31 ±â€…6.19%) than in 2004 (6.45 ±â€…8.02%, P  < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that South Asian descendants in 2014 have a lower but still high absolute risk for coronary events compared to 2004. Important differences in cardiovascular risk profile exist. Despite improvements, South Asian descendants in 2014 still face a high absolute risk for coronary events compared to 2004, indicating the necessity for continued primary prevention and lifestyle interventions.

The Potential of the HeartLogicTM Algorithm in Patients with a Left Ventricular Assist Device, an Initial Report.

BACKGROUND: Survival and quality-of-life of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) recipients improved significantly because of growing experience and technological advances. However, LVAD-related complication rates, including recurrent episodes of congestion, remain high. Early detection of fluid retention to provide a time-window for medical intervention is the pillar in preventing hospitalizations. The multisensory HeartLogicTM algorithm accurately detected impending congestion in ambulant heart failure patients. The aim of the current study is to investigate the feasibility of HeartLogicTM-driven care in LVAD patients. METHODS: Consecutive LVAD destination therapy patients were followed-up according the structured HeartLogicTM-based heart failure carepath. An alert triggered a device check-up, and the heart failure team contacted the patient to evaluate for signs and symptoms of impending congestion. An alert was adjudicated as true positive or unexplained. An episode of congestion not preceded by an alert was deemed as a false negative. RESULTS: Data from 7 patients were included: the median age was 67 years [IQR 61-71], 71% were male and 71% had a non-ischemic aetiology. Total follow-up entailed 12 patient-years. All patients experienced at least one alert. In total, 33 alerts were observed. Majority of alerts (70%, n = 23) were driven by congestion and one alerts (15%) were clinically meaningful but not primarily fluid-retention-related (e.g., altered hemodynamic triggered by a pump thrombosis). Of all the alerts, five (15%) were classified as an unexplained alert, and during follow-up, four false negative episodes were documented. CONCLUSIONS: HeartLogicTM-driven care with continuous monitoring to detect impending fluid retention in LVAD patients was feasible and deserves further prospective validation.

Relation between Coronary Artery Calcium Score and Cardiovascular Events in Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivors: A Cross-Sectional Matched Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Thoracic radiotherapy is one of the corner stones of HL treatment, but it is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events. As HL is often diagnosed at a young age, long-term follow-up including screening for coronary artery disease (CAD) is recommended. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the presence of coronary artery calcium score (CACS) in relation to cardiovascular events in HL patients treated with thoracic radiotherapy compared to a non-cancer control group. METHODS: Consecutive HL patients who underwent evaluation for asymptomatic CAD with coronary computed tomography angiography > 10 years after thoracic irradiation were included. The study population consisted of 97 HL patients matched to 97 non-cancer patients on gender, age, cardiovascular risk factors, and statin use. RESULTS: Mean age during CT scan in the HL population was 45.5 ± 9.9 and in the non-cancer population 45.5 ± 10.3 years. CACS was elevated (defined as >0) in 49 (50.5%) HL patients and 30 (30.9%) control patients. HL survivors had an odds ratio of 2.28 [95% CI: 1.22-4.28] for having a CACS > 0 compared to the matched population (p = 0.006). Prevalence of CACS > 90th percentile differed significantly: 17.1% in HL survivors vs. 4.6% in the matched population (p = 0.009). Non-obstructive coronary artery stenosis was more prevalent in the HL population than in the control population (45.7% vs. 28.4%, respectively, p = 0.01). During follow-up of 8.5 [5.3; 9.9] years, nine HL patients experienced an event including two patients with a CACS of zero. No events occurred in the control population. CONCLUSION: In a matched study population, HL survivors have a higher prevalence of a CACS > 0 and an increased risk of cardiovascular events after thoracic irradiation compared to a matched non-cancer control group.