Preliminary effects of a yoga intervention for lung cancer dyads: benefits for care partners.

PURPOSE: Lung cancer is a disease with high mortality and morbidity, impacting both the patient and their closest contact, referred to in this paper as their care partner. There is limited evidence on how to support mental health and quality of life (QOL) for patient-care partner dyads during cancer treatment. This pilot study examines yoga as an intervention to improve well-being for the dyad. METHODS: A single-group, 12-week pilot trial of yoga for patients and their care partners recruited from two hospitals during cancer treatment (N = 23 patient-partner dyads or 46 individuals). Most care partners were spouses (70%), with the remainder being adult children (22%), a sibling (4%), or a friend (4%). Descriptive statistics, Cohen's d effect sizes, and paired t-tests for validated psychosocial measures were calculated at baseline and 12 weeks. RESULTS: Sixty-five percent of dyads (N = 13) completed the study, with withdrawals mostly due to disease progression. Among care partners, there was a decrease in depression symptomology on the PHQ-8 (p = 0.015, Cohen's d = 0.96) and improvement in QOL on the Caregiver QOL-Cancer scale (p = 0.001, Cohen's d = 0.61). Fifty percent of dyads experienced concordant improvement in depressive symptoms and 77% in QOL. CONCLUSION: Patient-partner yoga is a promising intervention for improving mental health and QOL for patient-partner dyads among lung cancer survivors. This study demonstrates yoga to be acceptable, feasible, and with high concordance within patient-partner dyads for improvements in QOL. Yoga shows promise for patients and care partners to alleviate the negative psychosocial impacts of lung cancer, though more research is needed to confirm effects. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03649737, 12/9/2020.

A patient with heart failure, who is frail: How does this affect therapeutic decisions?

Patients with heart failure (HF) are heterogeneous, not only related to comorbidities but also in the presentation of frailty syndrome. Frailty syndrome also affects patients with HF across the lifespan. Frailty in patients with HF has a significant impact on clinical features, diagnosis, management, adverse medical outcomes and costs. In everyday clinical practice, frail patients with HF require an individualized approach, often imposing the need to modify therapeutic decisions. The aim of this review is to illustrate how frailty and multimorbidity in HF can affect therapeutic decisions. The scientific evidence underlying this publication was obtained from an analysis of papers indexed in the PubMed database. The search was limited to articles published between 1990 and July 2022. The search was limited to full-text papers published in English. The database was searched for relevant MeSH phrases and their combinations and keywords including: "elderly, frail"; "frailty, elderly"; "frail older adults"; "frailty, older adults"; "adult, frail older"; "frailty, heart failure"; "frailty, multimorbidity"; "multimorbidity, heart failure"; "multimorbidity, elderly"; "older adults, cardiovascular diseases". In therapeutic decisions regarding patients with HF, additionally burdened with multimorbidity and frailty, it becomes necessary to individualize the approach in relation to optimization and treatment of coexisting diseases, frailty assessment, pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment and in the implementation of invasive procedures in the form of implantable devices or cardiac surgery.

Candidate biomarkers of physical frailty in heart failure: an exploratory cross-sectional study.

AIMS: Physical frailty is highly prevalent and predictive of worse outcomes in heart failure (HF). Candidate biomarker analysis may help in understanding the mechanisms underlying physical frailty in HF. We aimed to identify candidate biomarkers associated with physical frailty in HF using a multimarker strategy of distinct pathophysiological processes. METHODS AND RESULTS: We collected data and plasma samples from 113 adults with New York Heart Association Functional Class I-IV HF. Physical frailty was measured with the Frailty Phenotype Criteria. Plasma biomarkers included: N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, norepinephrine, dihydroxyphenylglycol, soluble tumour necrosis factor alpha receptor-1, adiponectin, insulin, glucose, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and myostatin. Comparative statistics and multivariate linear regression were used to test group differences and associations. The average age was 63.5 ± 15.7 years, half were women (48%), and most had a non-ischaemic aetiology of HF (73%). Physical frailty was identified in 42% and associated with female sex, higher body mass index and percent body fat, more comorbidities, and HF with preserved ejection fraction. Adjusting for Seattle HF Model projected survival score, comorbidities, body composition, and sex, physical frailty was associated with significantly lower plasma adiponectin [ß ± standard error (SE) -0.28 ± 0.14, P = 0.047], IGF-1 (ß ± SE -0.21 ± 0.10, P = 0.032), and myostatin (ß ± SE -0.22 ± 0.09, P = 0.011). In sex-stratified analyses, IGF-1 and myostatin were significantly associated with physical frailty in men but not women. CONCLUSION: We identified biomarkers involved in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle development, maintenance, and function that were associated with physical frailty in HF.

The how and why of assessing frailty syndrome in cardiac surgery.

Frailty syndrome (FS) is one of the most important variables that have a proven impact on the increased risk of morbidity and mortality in cardiac surgery. However, FS assessment is not routinely incorporated into daily clinical practice or included in commonly used risk assessment models. The inclusion of FS in perioperative risk prediction models in cardiac surgery would not only allow for a more accurate assessment but could also assist in the selection of an appropriate treatment strategy while favoring the appropriate use of clinical resources. The identification of FS in the qualification process must not be seen as an absolute contraindication to cardiac surgery but as an opportunity to adequately prepare the patient for the procedure. However, the literature is heterogeneous in terms of the selection of an appropriate tool for identifying FS. Selected tools commonly used in the assessment of FS in patients with cardiovascular disease, including those of greatest relevance in cardiac surgery, are presented in this editorial.

Frailty Syndrome in Older Adults with Cardiovascular Diseases-What Do We Know and What Requires Further Research?

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) affect 60% of people over 60 years of age and are one of the main causes of death in the world. Diagnosed cardiovascular disease also triples the likelihood of Frailty syndrome (FS). FS has become increasingly relevant in cardiology and cardiac surgery and occurs in a significant number of patients with CVD, with prevalence ranging from 25% to 62%. Viewed in a multidimensional, biopsychosocial perspective, FS increases a patient's vulnerability, making them susceptible to several adverse clinical outcomes. Frailty syndrome also is a predictor of mortality in patients with CVD regardless of age, severity of disease, multi-morbidity, and disability. Frailty syndrome potentially can be prevented in patients with CVD and its early identification is important to avoid the development of disability, dependence on others and reduced quality of life. The aim of this paper is to show the relationship between FS and specific CVDs (coronary artery disease, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, heart failure) and cardiac procedures (device implantation, cardiac surgery, and transcatheter aortic valve implantation). Furthermore, we highlight those areas that require further research to fully understand the relationship between FS and CVD and to be able to minimize or prevent its adverse effects.

Geriatric Cardiology: Coming of Age.

Older adults with cardiovascular disease (CVD) contend with deficits across multiple domains of health due to age-related physiological changes and the impact of CVD. Multimorbidity, polypharmacy, cognitive changes, and diminished functional capacity, along with changes in the social environment, result in complexity that makes provision of CVD care to older adults challenging. In this review, we first describe the history of geriatric cardiology, an orientation that acknowledges the unique needs of older adults with CVD. Then, we introduce 5 essential principles for meeting the needs of older adults with CVD: 1) recognize and consider the potential impact of multicomplexity; 2) evaluate and integrate constructs of cognition into decision-making; 3) evaluate and integrate physical function into decision-making; 4) incorporate social environmental factors into management decisions; and 5) elicit patient priorities and health goals and align with care plan. Finally, we review future steps to maximize care provision to this growing population.

Exploring gender differences in trajectories of clinical markers and symptoms after left ventricular assist device implantation.

AIMS: Despite well-known gender differences in heart failure, it is unknown if clinical markers and symptoms differ between women and men after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. Our aim was to examine gender differences in trajectories of clinical markers (echocardiographic markers and plasma biomarkers) and symptoms from pre- to post-LVAD implantation. METHODS AND RESULTS: This was a secondary analysis of data collected from a study of patients from pre- to 1, 3, and 6 months post-LVAD implantation. Data were collected on left ventricular internal end-diastolic diameter (LVIDd) and ejection fraction (LVEF), plasma N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and soluble suppressor of tumorigenicity (sST2). Physical and depressive symptoms were measured using the Heart Failure Somatic Perception Scale and Patient Health Questionnaire-9, respectively. Latent growth curve modelling was used to compare trajectories between women and men. The average age of the sample (n = 98) was 53.3 ± 13.8 years, and most were male (80.6%) and had non-ischaemic aetiology (65.3%). Pre-implantation, women had significantly narrower LVIDd (P < 0.001) and worse physical symptoms (P = 0.041) compared with men. Between pre- and 6 months post-implantation, women had an increase in plasma sST2 followed by a decrease, whereas men had an overall decrease (slope: P = 0.014; quadratic: P = 0.011). Between 1 and 6 months post-implantation, women had a significantly greater increase in LVEF (P = 0.045) but lesser decline in plasmoa NT-proBNP compared with men (P = 0.025). CONCLUSION: Trajectories of clinical markers differed somewhat between women and men, but trajectories of symptoms were similar, indicating some physiologic but not symptomatic gender differences in response to LVAD.

Feasibility and potential benefits of partner-supported yoga on psychosocial and physical function among lung cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with lung cancer experience significant declines in psychosocial and physical function during and after treatment that impact quality of life (QOL) and survival. Yoga is a potential strategy to mitigate functional decline among patients with lung cancer. METHODS: A single group 12-week pilot trial of low-moderate intensity yoga among patients with stage I-IV lung cancer and their partners (n = 46; 23 patient-partner dyads) during cancer treatment from two hospital systems. Feasibility, acceptability, descriptive statistics, and Cohen d effect sizes were calculated at 6 and 12-weeks for psychosocial and physical outcomes using validated questionnaires and assessments. RESULTS: At 6 and 12-weeks, retention was 65% and withdrawals were mainly due to disease progression. Among study completers (n = 26; 13 dyads) adherence was 80%. Comparing baseline to 12-week measurements, fatigue, depression symptoms, and sleep disturbance improved in 54% of participants for all three measures (Cohen's d = 0.40-0.53). QOL improved in 77% of participants (Cohen's d = 0.34). Upper and lower body flexibility, and lower body strength improved in 92%, 85% and 77% of participants, respectively (Cohen's d = 0.39-1.08). Six-minute walk test improved in 62% of participants an average of 32 meters (SD = 11.3; Cohen's d = 0.17). No serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with stage I-IV lung cancer including active treatment, a 12-week partner-supported yoga program is feasible, acceptable, and improved psychosocial and physical function. Low-intensity yoga may be a complimentary approach to reduce the effects of cancer treatment, however, more research is needed to determine the efficacy of partner-supported yoga to mitigate functional decline.

Precision and accuracy: comparison of point-of-care and laboratory glucose concentrations in cardiothoracic surgery patients.

BACKGROUND: There have been variable results on the practice of tight glycemic control, and studies have demonstrated that point-of-care (POC) glucometers have variable accuracy. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the difference between blood glucose concentrations obtained from POC glucometers as compared with laboratory results in cardiothoracic surgery (CTS) patients. METHODS: This was a descriptive study on a convenience sample of 46 CTS patients. A single sample of arterial blood was collected and analyzed at the bedside with the POC glucometer and in the laboratory to obtain a serum glucose concentration and hematocrit (Hct). A paired t test was used to compare the mean differences along with Spearman ρ correlation to examine the relationship between difference scores and Hct. RESULTS: The POC glucose was significantly higher than the laboratory result (t = 8.5, P < .001) with a mean of 12.3 (SD, 9.8) mg/dL. Spearman ρ correlation between the difference scores and Hct was -0.43, P = .003. Using a tercile split, groups with Hct of less than 26% (n = 16) and greater than 29% (n = 15) were identified. The unpaired t test on the mean difference scores of these 2 groups was t = -2.7, P < .01, with an overall mean difference 8.6 mg/dL (95% confidence interval, -15 to -2.2). The mean difference was 16.3 in the low-Hct group and 7.8 in the high-Hct group. CONCLUSIONS: Point-of-care glucometer results differ significantly from laboratory glucose concentrations, with the difference widening as the Hct decreases. This raises the concern about using POC devices to provide tight glycemic control in CTS patients.