Sex-based Differences in Heart Failure Biomarkers.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Differences in HF biomarker levels by sex may be due to hormonal, genetic, and fat distribution differences. Knowledge of these differences is scarce, and it is not well established whether they may affect their usefulness in the management of HF. RECENT FINDINGS: The different biomarker profiles in women and men have been confirmed in recent studies: in women, markers of cardiac stretch and fibrosis (NP and galectin-3) are higher, whereas in men, higher levels of markers of cardiac injury and inflammation (cTn and sST2) are found. The use of new biomarkers, together with growing evidence that a multimarker approach can provide better risk stratification, raises the question of building models that incorporate sex-specific diagnostic criteria. More and more research are being devoted to understanding sex-related differences in HF. The aim of this review is to review the dynamics of HF biomarkers according to sex and in different situations, to learn whether these sex differences may affect their use in the diagnosis and follow-up of HF patients.

Variables affecting the quality of anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation patients newly initiating vitamin K antagonists: insights from the national and multicentre SULTAN registry.

AIMS: Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) are effective drugs reducing the risk for stroke in atrial fibrillation (AF), but the benefits derived from such therapy depend on the international normalized ratio (INR) maintenance in a narrow therapeutic range. Here, we aimed to determine independent variables driving poor anticoagulation control [defined as a time in therapeutic range (TTR) <65%] in a 'real world' national cohort of AF patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: The SULTAN registry is a multicentre, prospective study, involving patients with non-valvular AF from 72 cardiology units expert in AF in Spain. At inclusion, all patients naïve for oral anticoagulation were started with VKAs for the first time. For the analysis, the first month of anticoagulation and those patients with <3 INR determinations were disregarded. Patients were followed up during 1 year. A total of 870 patients (53.9% male, the mean age of 73.6 ± 9.2 years, mean CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED of 3.3 ± 1.5 and 1.4 ± 0.9, respectively) were included in the full analysis set. In overall, 7889 INR determinations were available. At 1-year, the mean TTR was 63.1 ± 22.1% and 49.2% patients had a TTR < 65%. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that coronary artery disease [odds ratio (OR) 1.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14-2.87; P = 0.012] and amiodarone use (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.01-2.34; P = 0.046) were independently associated with poor quality of anticoagulation (TTR <65%). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the quality of anticoagulation in AF patients newly starting VKAs is sub-optimal. Previous coronary artery disease and concomitant use of amiodarone were identified as independent variables affecting the poor quality of VKA therapy during the first year.

Clinical profile and predictors of in-hospital mortality among older patients hospitalised for COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is characterized by poor outcomes and mortality, particularly in older patients. METHODS: post hoc analysis of the international, multicentre, 'real-world' HOPE COVID-19 registry. All patients aged ≥65 years hospitalised for COVID-19 were selected. Epidemiological, clinical, analytical and outcome data were obtained. A comparative study between two age subgroups, 65-74 and ≥75 years, was performed. The primary endpoint was all cause in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: about, 1,520 patients aged ≥65 years (60.3% male, median age of 76 [IQR 71-83] years) were included. Comorbidities such as hypertension (69.2%), dyslipidaemia (48.6%), cardiovascular diseases (any chronic heart disease in 38.4% and cerebrovascular disease in 12.5%), and chronic lung disease (25.3%) were prevalent, and 49.6% were on ACEI/ARBs. Patients aged 75 years and older suffered more in-hospital complications (respiratory failure, heart failure, renal failure, sepsis) and a significantly higher mortality (18.4 vs. 48.2%, P < 0.001), but fewer admissions to intensive care units (11.2 vs. 4.8%). In the overall cohort, multivariable analysis demonstrated age ≥75 (OR 3.54), chronic kidney disease (OR 3.36), dementia (OR 8.06), peripheral oxygen saturation at admission <92% (OR 5.85), severe lymphopenia (<500/mm3) (OR 3.36) and qSOFA (Quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score) >1 (OR 8.31) to be independent predictors of mortality. CONCLUSION: patients aged ≥65 years hospitalised for COVID-19 had high rates of in-hospital complications and mortality, especially among patients 75 years or older. Age ≥75 years, dementia, peripheral oxygen saturation <92%, severe lymphopenia and qSOFA scale >1 were independent predictors of mortality in this population.

Estimated stroke risk, yield, and number needed to screen for atrial fibrillation detected through single time screening: a multicountry patient-level meta-analysis of 141,220 screened individuals.

BACKGROUND: The precise age distribution and calculated stroke risk of screen-detected atrial fibrillation (AF) is not known. Therefore, it is not possible to determine the number needed to screen (NNS) to identify one treatable new AF case (NNS-Rx) (i.e., Class-1 oral anticoagulation [OAC] treatment recommendation) in each age stratum. If the NNS-Rx is known for each age stratum, precise cost-effectiveness and sensitivity simulations can be performed based on the age distribution of the population/region to be screened. Such calculations are required by national authorities and organisations responsible for health system budgets to determine the best age cutoffs for screening programs and decide whether programs of screening should be funded. Therefore, we aimed to determine the exact yield and calculated stroke-risk profile of screen-detected AF and NNS-Rx in 5-year age strata. METHODS AND FINDINGS: A systematic review of Medline, Pubmed, and Embase was performed (January 2007 to February 2018), and AF-SCREEN international collaboration members were contacted to identify additional studies. Twenty-four eligible studies were identified that performed a single time point screen for AF in a general ambulant population, including people ≥65 years. Authors from eligible studies were invited to collaborate and share patient-level data. Statistical analysis was performed using random effects logistic regression for AF detection rate, and Poisson regression modelling for CHA2DS2-VASc scores. Nineteen studies (14 countries from a mix of low- to middle- and high-income countries) collaborated, with 141,220 participants screened and 1,539 new AF cases. Pooled yield of screening was greater in males across all age strata. The age/sex-adjusted detection rate for screen-detected AF in ≥65-year-olds was 1.44% (95% CI, 1.13%-1.82%) and 0.41% (95% CI, 0.31%-0.53%) for <65-year-olds. New AF detection rate increased progressively with age from 0.34% (<60 years) to 2.73% (≥85 years). Neither the choice of screening methodology or device, the geographical region, nor the screening setting influenced the detection rate of AF. Mean CHA2DS2-VASc scores (n = 1,369) increased with age from 1.1 (<60 years) to 3.9 (≥85 years); 72% of ≥65 years had ≥1 additional stroke risk factor other than age/sex. All new AF ≥75 years and 66% between 65 and 74 years had a Class-1 OAC recommendation. The NNS-Rx is 83 for ≥65 years, 926 for 60-64 years; and 1,089 for <60 years. The main limitation of this study is there are insufficient data on sociodemographic variables of the populations and possible ascertainment biases to explain the variance in the samples. CONCLUSIONS: People with screen-detected AF are at elevated calculated stroke risk: above age 65, the majority have a Class-1 OAC recommendation for stroke prevention, and >70% have ≥1 additional stroke risk factor other than age/sex. Our data, based on the largest number of screen-detected AF collected to date, show the precise relationship between yield and estimated stroke risk profile with age, and strong dependence for NNS-RX on the age distribution of the population to be screened: essential information for precise cost-effectiveness calculations.

Rational and design of the Baseline Interatrial block and Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (BIT) registry.

BACKGROUND: Aortic stenosis (AS) is currently the most frequent heart valve disease. Symptomatic severe AS has a poor prognosis and transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is becoming the therapy of choice in these patients. Changes in the conduction tissue after the procedure constitute one of the main limitations of TAVI, with a frequent need for a definitive pacemaker. Interatrial block (IAB) is defined as a prolonged P-wave duration and is related with atrial fibrosis. The presence of IAB could be a marker of conduction tissue abnormalities at other levels. No study has specifically analyzed the role of IAB as a predictor of the need for permanent pacemaker in patients with AS undergoing TAVI. METHODS: The Baseline Interatrial block and Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (BIT) registry will be performed in approximately 3000 patients with severe AS treated with TAVI. A centralized analysis of baseline ECGs will study the presence and type of IAB and other ECG data (rhythm, P-wave duration, PR and QRS intervals/intraventricular conduction disorders). Clinical follow-up will be carried out by local researchers. The primary endpoint will be the requirement of permanent pacemaker during post-TAVI hospitalization. As secondary objectives, the incidence of new onset AF, stroke, or mortality during follow-up will be analyzed. Secondary endpoints will include the incidence of new onset AF, stroke, or mortality during follow-up. CONCLUSION: The BIT registry will study, for the first time, the influence of previous IAB in the need of permanent pacemaker after TAVI: This large registry will also provide information regarding the association of this and other ECG parameters with prognosis.

Impact of dynamic physical exercise on high-risk definite arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.

INTRODUCTION: Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia (ARVC/D) is an inherited cardiomyopathy characterized by ventricular arrhythmias and heart failure. The variable phenotype suggesting that determined environmental factors may have an influence. The aim of our study was to discover the impact of the dynamic physical activity on patients with high-risk definite ARVC/D. METHODS AND RESULTS: Collection of data on physical activity at the time of diagnosis was conducted at an in-person clinical interview. The intensity of the activity was classified in accordance with the mean frequency of weekly physical exercise sessions in the 10 years before diagnosis and into the following three groups of dynamic activity: high/competitive (>3 h/wk), moderate (1 to 3 h) and minimal/inactive (<1 h). Seventeen patients practiced high dynamic physical activities. The intensity of dynamic activity was classified into three groups: 8 of high intensity, 9 moderate, and 19 inactive. The first major arrhythmic event and occurrence of severe right ventricular dysfunction were earlier in the high-intensity exercise group, followed by the moderate intensity group and at a later age in the low-intensity/inactive group. CONCLUSIONS: Dynamic exercise could be directly associated with the severity of the phenotype in relation to the precocity of major ventricular arrhythmic events and right ventricular systolic dysfunction in patients with high-risk definite ARVC/D.

Frequency of different electrocardiographic abnormalities in a large cohort of Spanish workers.

AIMS: Our aim was to describe the electrocardiographic findings of a large sample of Spanish workers from several different employment sectors. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between May 2008 and November 2010, 13 495 consecutive 12-lead resting electrocardiograms (ECGs) were obtained during health examinations of working adults aged 16-74 years in 5 cities in different regions of Spain. Of those, 13 179 ECGs suitable for interpretation were included in this study. All tracings were classified by the same cardiologist, according to the Minnesota Code criteria. The mean age of the sample was 40 years, and 73.4% were male. Frequencies of complete right bundle branch block, complete left bundle branch block, and left ventricular hypertrophy were 1.1, 0.2, and 3.6%, respectively. Major Q wave abnormalities were observed in 1.7% of the subjects, T wave abnormalities in 0.7%, early repolarization in 2.4%, and other ST segment abnormalities in 0.2%. Atrial fibrillation was present in 0.08% of the workers and atrial flutter in 0.02%. Frequencies of the Wolff-Parkinson-White pattern, Brugada pattern, long QT pattern, and short QT pattern were 0.2, 0.068, 0.038, and 0.015%, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study shows the electrocardiographic findings of a large sample of Spanish workers from several different employment sectors. The frequencies of many ECG patterns related to an adverse prognosis (left ventricular hypertrophy, complete left bundle branch block, T wave abnormalities, ST segment abnormalities, and atrial fibrillation) were low.

Infective endocarditis in patients with bicuspid aortic valve: Clinical characteristics, complications, and prognosis. / Endocarditis infecciosa sobre válvula aórtica bicúspide: características clínicas, complicaciones y pronóstico.

INTRODUCTION: Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most frequent congenital cardiac disease. It is associated to a higher risk of cardiovascular complications, including infective endocarditis (IE). METHODS: Retrospective, observational and single centre study that included all patients with IE diagnosed between 1996 and 2014. An analysis was made of the epidemiological, clinical, microbiological and echocardiographic data, complications during hospital admission, need for surgery, in-hospital mortality, and 1-year follow-up. Cases with endocarditis on prosthetic valves or other locations were excluded, as well as those for which the aortic valve morphology had not been accurately defined. A comparative statistical analysis was performed between BAV and tricuspid (TAV). RESULTS: Of a total of 328 cases with IE, 118 (35.67%) were on aortic valve, with 18 (16.22%) of them being BAV. The BAV cases were younger than TAV (51±19.06 vs. 60.83±15.73 years, P=.021) and they had less comorbidity (Charlson 0.67±0.77 vs. 1.44±1.64, P=.03).). There was a higher tendency of Staphylococcal origin (38.9 vs. 21.5%, P=.137), and 55.6% showed peri-valvular complications (TAV 16.1%, P=.001), in particular, abscesses (38.9 vs.16.1%, P=.047). BAV was the only predictive factor of peri-valvular complications (OR 7.87, 95% CI; 2.38-26.64, P=.001). Patients with BAV had more surgery during their admission (83.3 vs. 44.1%, P=.004), had less in-hospital mortality, with no statistical significance (5.6 vs. 25.8%, P=.069), and 1-year survival was significantly superior (93.8 vs 69.3%, P=.048). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with IE on BAV are young, with low comorbidity. They frequently present with peri-valvular complications and they often require early surgery. Compared to TAV cases, in-hospital mortality is lower and 1-year survival is significantly higher.

Type 2 diabetes is associated with decreased PGC1α expression in epicardial adipose tissue of patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Although recent studies indicate that epicardial adipose tissue expresses brown fat-like genes, such as PGC1α, UCP1 and PRDM16, the association of these genes with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) in coronary artery disease (CAD) remains unknown. METHODS: PGC1α, UCP1, and PRDM16 mRNAs expression levels were measured by real-time PCR in epicardial and thoracic subcutaneous adipose tissue from 44 CAD patients (22 with DM2 [CAD-DM2] and 22 without DM2 [CAD-NDM2]) and 23 non-CAD patients (NCAD). RESULTS: The CAD-DM2 patients had significantly lower PGC1α and UCP1 expression in epicardial adipose tissue than the CAD-NDM2 and NCAD patients. However, PGC1α and UCP1 mRNA trended upward in subcutaneous adipose tissue from CAD-DM2 patients. At multiple regression analysis, age, body mass index, left ventricular ejection fraction, UCP1 expression of epicardial adipose tissue and diabetes came out to be independent predictors of PGC1α levels. Epicardial adipose tissue PGC1α expression was dependent on the number of injured coronary arteries and logistic regression analysis showed that PGC1α expression in epicardial adipose tissue could exert a protective effect against coronary lesions. CONCLUSIONS: DM2 is associated with decreased expression of PGC1α and UCP1 mRNA in epicardial adipose tissue of patients with CAD, likely reflecting a loss of brown-like fat features. Decreased expression of PGC1α in human epicardial adipose tissue is associated with higher prevalence of coronary lesions.

Potential role of microRNA-10b down-regulation in cardiomyocyte apoptosis in aortic stenosis patients.

MicroRNAs have been associated with cardiomyocyte apoptosis, a process involved in myocardial remodelling in aortic valve (Av) stenosis (AS). Our aim was to analyse whether the dysregulation of myocardial microRNAs was related to cardiomyocyte apoptosis in AS patients. Endomyocardial biopsies were obtained from 28 patients with severe AS (based on pressure gradients and Av area) referred for Av replacement and from necropsies of 10 cardiovascular disease-free control subjects. AS patients showed an increased (P<0.001) cardiomyocyte apoptotic index (CMAI) compared with controls. Two clusters of patients were identified according to the CMAI: group 1 (CMAI ≤ 0.08%; n=16) and group 2 (CMAI > 0.08%; n=12). Group 2 patients presented lower cardiomyocyte density (P<0.001) and ejection fraction (P<0.05), and higher troponin T levels (P<0.05), prevalence of heart failure (HF; P<0.05) and NT-proBNP levels (P<0.05) than those from group 1. miRNA expression profile analysed in 5 patients randomly selected from each group showed 64 microRNAs down-regulated and 6 up-regulated (P<0.05) in group 2 compared with group 1. Those microRNAs with the highest fold-change were validated in the full two groups corroborating that miR-10b, miR-125b-2* and miR-338-3p were down-regulated (P<0.05) in group 2 compared with group 1 and control subjects. These three microRNAs were inversely correlated (P<0.05) with the CMAI. Inhibition of miR-10b induced an increase (P<0.05) of apoptosis and increased expression (P<0.05) of apoptosis protease-activating factor-1 (Apaf-1) in HL-1 cardiomyocytes. In conclusion, myocardial down-regulation of miR-10b may be involved in increased cardiomyocyte apoptosis in AS patients, probably through Apaf-1 up-regulation, contributing to cardiomyocyte damage and to the development of HF.

microRNA-122 down-regulation may play a role in severe myocardial fibrosis in human aortic stenosis through TGF-ß1 up-regulation.

miRNAs (microRNAs) have been shown to play a role in myocardial fibrosis. The present study was designed to analyse whether alterations in miRNA expression contribute to the progression of myocardial fibrosis in AS (aortic valve stenosis) patients through up-regulation of the pro-fibrotic factor TGF-ß1 (transforming growth factor-ß type 1). Endomyocardial biopsies were obtained from 28 patients with severe AS, and from the necropsies of 10 control subjects. AS patients presented increased myocardial CVF (collagen volume fraction) and TGF-ß1 compared with the controls, these parameters being correlated in all patients. Patients were divided into two groups by cluster analysis according to their CVF: SF (severe fibrosis; CVF >15%; n=15) and non-SF (CVF ≤15%; n=13). TGF-ß1 was increased in patients with SF compared with those with non-SF. To analyse the involvement of miRNAs in SF, the miRNA expression profile of 10 patients (four with non-SF and six with SF) was analysed showing that 99 miRNAs were down-regulated and 19 up-regulated in the SF patients compared with the non-SF patients. Those miRNAs potentially targeting TGF-ß1 were validated by real-time RT (reverse transcription)-PCR in the whole test population, corroborating that miR-122 and miR-18b were down-regulated in patients with SF compared with those with non-SF and the control subjects. Additionally, miR-122 was inversely correlated with the CVF, TGF-ß1 and the TGF-ß1-regulated PCPE-1 (procollagen C-terminal proteinase enhancer-1) in all patients. Experiments in human fibroblasts demonstrated that miR-122 targets and inhibits TGF-ß1. In conclusion, for the first time we show that myocardial down-regulation of miR-122 might be involved in myocardial fibrosis in AS patients, probably through TGF-ß1 up-regulation.

[Hospital admissions and outcomes for systolic and diastolic heart failure in Spain between 2016 and 2019: A population-based study]. / Hospitalizaciones y eventos por insuficiencia cardiaca sistólica y diastólica en España entre 2016 y 2019. Un estudio de base poblacional.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In Spain there is a lack of population data that specifically compare hospitalization for systolic and diastolic heart failure (HF). We assessed clinical characteristics, in-hospital mortality and 30-day cardiovascular readmission rates differentiating by HF type. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational study of patients discharged with the principal diagnosis of HF from The National Health System' acute hospital during 2016-2019, distinguishing between systolic and diastolic HF. The source of the data was the Minimum Basic Data Set. The risk-standardized in-hospital mortality ratio and risk-standardized 30-day cardiovascular readmission ratio were calculated using multilevel risk adjustment models. RESULTS: The 190,200 episodes of HF were selected. Of these, 163,727 (86.1%) were classified as diastolic HF and were characterized by older age, higher proportion of women, diabetes mellitus, dementia and renal failure than those with systolic HF. In the multilevel risk adjustment models, diastolic HF was a protective factor for both in-hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR]: 0.79; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.75-0.83; P<.001) and 30-day cardiovascular readmission versus systolic HF (OR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.88-0.97; P=.002). CONCLUSIONS: In Spain, between 2016 and 2019, hospitalization episodes for HF were mostly due to diastolic HF. According to the multilevel risk adjustment models, diastolic HF compared to systolic HF was a protective factor for both in-hospital mortality and 30-day cardiovascular readmission.

Cardiac (tele)rehabilitation in routine clinical practice for patients with coronary artery disease: protocol of the REHAB + trial.

Introduction: Cardiac rehabilitation programs face the challenge of suboptimal participation, despite being a level Ia recommendation. Cardiac telerehabilitation, with its potential to engage patients who might otherwise not show interest, necessitates the adaption of existing center-based cardiac rehabilitation programs to facilitate rehabilitation at home. REHAB + is a mobile cardiac telerehabilitation program cocreated with patients and rehabilitation centers, aiming to future-proof cardiac rehabilitation and improve accessibility. The REHAB + application enables users to remotely communicate with their coach, receive on-demand feedback on health goal progression, and reduces the need for frequent in-person meetings at the cardiac rehabilitation center. The REHAB + study seeks to compare patient-related outcomes and characteristics of patients between those offered the option to participate in cardiac telerehabilitation and those attending center-based cardiac rehabilitation over a twelve-month period. Methods: The REHAB + study is a multicenter, prospective, matched controlled, observational study that includes (N)STEMI patients eligible for cardiac rehabilitation. We aim to enroll 300 participants for cardiac telerehabilitation and 600 for center-based cardiac rehabilitation. Participants opting for cardiac telerehabilitation (REHAB+) will be matched with center-based cardiac rehabilitation participants. Additionally, characteristics of patients unwilling to participate in either center-based rehabilitation or telerehabilitation but are willing to share their demographics will be collected. The primary endpoint is quality of life measured with the SF-36 questionnaire at three and twelve months, with patient-related characteristics driving intervention choice as the most important secondary endpoint. Secondary endpoints include physical activity, modifiable risk factors, and digital health experience. The trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov with registration number NCT05207072. Discussion: The REHAB + trial is unique by offering patients freedom to choose between cardiac telerehabilitation and center-based rehabilitation. The integration of digital components into cardiac rehabilitation has the potential to complement behavioral change strategies for specific patient groups. Offering patients the option of cardiac telerehabilitation next to center-based rehabilitation could enhance overall cardiac rehabilitation participation rates.

Index and Repeat Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation in Older versus Younger Patients: A Propensity-Score Matching Analysis.

Catheter ablation is a well-established rhythm control therapy in atrial fibrillation (AF). Although the prevalence of AF increases dramatically with age, the prognosis and safety profile of index and repeat ablation procedures remain unclear in the older population. The primary endpoint of this study was to assess the arrhythmia recurrence, reablation and complication rates in older patients. Secondary endpoints were the identification of independent predictors of arrhythmia recurrence and reablation, including information on pulmonary vein (PV) reconnection and other atrial foci. Older (n=129, ≥70 years) and younger (n=129, <70 years) patients were compared using a propensity-score matching analysis based on age, gender, obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, dilated left atrium, severe obstructive sleep apnea, cardiac disease, left systolic ventricular function, AF pattern and ablation technique. Arrhythmia recurrence and reablation were evaluated in both groups using a Cox regression analysis in order to identify predictors. During a 30-month follow-up period, there were no significant differences between older and younger patients in the arrhythmia-free survival (65.1% and 59.7%; log-rank test p=0.403) and complication (10.1% and 10.9%; p>0.999) rates after the index ablation. However, the reablation rate was significantly different (46.7% and 69.2%; p<0.05, respectively). In those patients who underwent reablation procedure (redo subgroups), there were no differences in the incidence of PV reconnection (38.1% redo-older and 27.8% redo-younger patients; p=0.556). However, the redo-older patients had lower reconnected PVs per patient (p<0.01) and lower atrial foci (2.3 and 3.7; p<0.01) than the redo-younger patients. A further important finding was that age was not an independent predictor of arrhythmia recurrence or reablation. Our data reveal that the AF index ablation in older patients had a similar efficacy and safety profile to younger patients. Therefore, age alone must not be considered a prognostic factor for AF ablation but the presence of limiting factors such as frailty and multiple comorbidities.

Delphi consensus on oral anticoagulation management in special clinical situations in the cardiology setting.

Background: Management of oral anticoagulation (OAC) can be challenging, such as in complex cases of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).Materials & methods: A Delphi study comprising two rounds was used for gathering expert opinion through an online questionnaire (83 items grouped in 8 dimensions) on OAC management in specific clinical settings.Results: Consensus was reached for 79 items (95%) in round 1. Experts recommended direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for pericardioversion, uninterrupted OAC for catheter ablation, and dual therapy with a DOAC and clopidogrel after percutaneous coronary intervention. They also recommended restarting OAC with a DOAC after an intracranial haemorrhage.Conclusion: The expert-based recommendations obtained may contribute to standardizing and guiding the management of OAC in complex clinical situations in cardiology.

[Box: see text].

Factors associated with disease progression in patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure anticoagulated with rivaroxaban.

BACKGROUND: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) have a high risk of thromboembolism and other outcomes and anticoagulation is recommended. HYPOTHESIS: This study was aimed to explore the risk factors associated with HF worsening in patients with AF and HF taking rivaroxaban in Spain. METHODS: Multicenter, prospective, observational study that included adults with AF and chronic HF, receiving rivaroxaban ≥4 months before entering. HF worsening was defined as first hospitalization or emergency visit because of HF exacerbation. RESULTS: A total of 672 patients from 71 Spanish centers were recruited, of whom 658 (97.9%) were included in the safety analysis and 552 (82.1%) in the per protocol analysis. At baseline, mean age was 73.7 ± 10.9 years, 64.9% were male, CHA2 DS2 -VASc was 4.1 ± 1.5, HAS-BLED was 1.6 ± 0.9% and 51.3% had HF with preserved ejection fraction. After 24 months of follow-up, 24.9% of patients developed HF worsening, 11.6% died, 2.9% had a thromboembolic event, 3.1% a major bleeding, 0.5% an intracranial bleeding and no patient had a fatal hemorrhage. Older age, the history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the previous use of vitamin K antagonists, and restrictive or infiltrative cardiomyopathies, were independently associated with HF worsening. Only 6.9% of patients permanently discontinued rivaroxaban treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately one out of four patients with HF and AF treated with rivaroxaban developed a HF worsening episode after 2 years of follow-up. The identification of those factors that increase the risk of HF worsening could be helpful in the comprehensive management of this population.

Multidisciplinary Management of Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Cardiovascular Disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) frequently coexist, increasing the prevalence of both entities and impacting on symptoms and prognosis. CVD should be suspected in patients with COPD who have high/very high risk scores on validated scales, frequent exacerbations, precordial pain, disproportionate dyspnea, or palpitations. They should be referred to cardiology if they have palpitations of unknown cause or angina pain. COPD should be suspected in patients with CVD if they have recurrent bronchitis, cough and expectoration, or disproportionate dyspnea. They should be referred to a pulmonologist if they have rhonchi or wheezing, air trapping, emphysema, or signs of chronic bronchitis. Treatment of COPD in cardiovascular patients should include long-acting muscarinic receptor antagonists (LAMA) or long-acting beta-agonists (LABA) in low-risk or high-risk non-exacerbators, and LAMA/LABA/inhaled corticosteroids in exacerbators who are not controlled with bronchodilators. Cardioselective beta-blockers should be favored in patients with CVD, the long-term need for amiodarone should be assessed, and antiplatelet drugs should be maintained if indicated.

The Evolving Field of Acute Coronary Syndrome Management: A Critical Appraisal of the 2023 European Society of Cardiology Guidelines for the Management of Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Acute coronary syndromes (ACS), encompassing conditions like ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS), represent a significant challenge in cardiovascular care due to their complex pathophysiology and substantial impact on morbidity and mortality. The 2023 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines for ACS management introduce several updates in key areas such as invasive treatment timing in NSTE-ACS, pre-treatment strategies, approaches to multivessel disease, and the use of imaging modalities including computed tomography (CT) coronary angiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and intracoronary imaging techniques, such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). They also address a modulation of antiplatelet therapy, taking into consideration different patient risk profiles, and introduce new recommendations for low-dose colchicine. These guidelines provide important evidence-based updates in practice, reflecting an evolution in the understanding and management of ACS, yet some potentially missed opportunities for more personalized care and technology adoption are discussed.

Decreased Nox4 levels in the myocardium of patients with aortic valve stenosis.

The NADPH oxidases are a key family of ROS (reactive oxygen species)-producing enzymes which may differentially contribute to cardiac pathophysiology. Animal studies show uncertain results regarding the regulation of cardiac Nox4 by pressure overload and no data are available on human myocardial Nox4. In the present study, we evaluated Nox4 expression and its relationship with myocardial remodelling and LV (left ventricular) function in patients with severe AS (aortic valve stenosis). Endomyocardial biopsies from 34 patients with AS were obtained during aortic valve replacement surgery. LV morphology and function were assessed by echocardiography. Myocardial samples from subjects deceased of non-CVDs (cardiovascular diseases) were analysed as controls. Nox4 localization was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and quantified by Western blot. Myocardial capillary density, fibrosis and cardiomyocyte dimensions and apoptosis were assessed histologically to evaluate myocardial remodelling. Nox4 was present in samples from all subjects and expressed in cardiomyocytes, VSMCs (vascular smooth muscle cells), endothelium and fibroblasts. Nox4 levels were reduced 5-fold in AS patients compared with controls (P<0.01). Nox4 levels directly correlated with cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area (r=0.299, P<0.05) and diameter (r=0.406, P<0.05) and capillary density (r=0.389, P<0.05), and inversely with cardiomyocyte apoptosis (r=-0.316, P<0.05) in AS patients. In addition, Nox4 levels correlated with echocardiographic parameters (LV ejection fraction: r=0.353, P<0.05; midwall fractional shortening: r=0.355, P<0.05; deceleration time: r=-0.345, P<0.05) in AS patients. Nox4 is expressed in human myocardium and reduced in AS patients. The observed associations of Nox4 with cardiomyocyte parameters and capillary density in AS patients suggest a potential role of Nox4 deficiency in the myocardial remodelling present in the human pressure-overloaded heart.

Treatment of hypertriglyceridaemia with icosapent ethyl in patients with high/very high cardiovascular risk. Consensus document of the Sociedad Española de Cardiología [Spanish Society of Cardiology] and the Sociedad Española de Diabetes [Spanish Diabetes Society].

The Working Groups of Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy of the Sociedad Española de Cardiología and Cardiovascular Disease of the Sociedad Española de Diabetes have prepared a consensus document on the treatment of hypertriglyceridaemia in patients with high/very-high-cardiovascular risk with icosapent ethyl, a highly purified and stable eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester. This document is necessary since there are differences among the three main omega-3 fatty acids and there is large-scale clinical evidence with icosapent ethyl that demonstrates that in addition to its efficacy in lowering triglyceridaemia, it reduces the risk of cardiovascular events in both patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and in those with type 2 diabetes, with a good safety profile. The number needed to treat to avoid a major cardiovascular event is analysed, comparing it with other pivotal studies of pharmacological intervention in cardiovascular prevention, and an estimate of the Spanish population likely to be treated with ethyl icosapent is carried out. These recommendations are of interest to all clinicians who manage patients with lipid metabolism disorders, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.