Association between spironolactone added to beta-blockers and ACE inhibition and survival in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction: a propensity score-matched cohort study.

PURPOSE: Heart failure (CHF) guidelines recommend mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists for all symptomatic patients treated with a combination of ACE inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and beta-blockers. As opposed to both eplerenone trials, patients in RALES (spironolactone) received almost no beta-blockers. Since pharmacological properties differ between eplerenone and spironolactone, the prognostic benefit of spironolactone added to this baseline combination therapy needs clarification. METHODS: We included 4,832 CHF patients with chronic systolic dysfunction from the Norwegian Heart Failure Registry and the heart failure outpatients' clinic of the University of Heidelberg. Propensity scores for spironolactone receipt were calculated for each patient and used for matching to patients without spironolactone. RESULTS: During a total follow-up of 17,869 patient-years, 881 patients (27.0 %) died in the non-spironolactone group and 445 (28.4 %) in the spironolactone group. Spironolactone was not associated with improved survival, neither in the complete sample (HR 0.82; 95 % CI 0.64-1.07; HR 1.03; 95 % CI 0.88-1.20; multivariate and propensity score adjusted respectively), nor in the propensity-matched cohort (HR 0.98; 95 % CI 0.82-1.18). CONCLUSION: In CHF outpatients we were unable to observe an association between the use of spironolactone and improved survival when administered in addition to a combination of ACE/ARB and beta-blockers.

Assessment of self-rated health 5 years after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for severe obesity.

Background: Patients' perceptions of health change after bariatric surgery are complex. The aim of this study was to explore whether self-rated health (SRH), a widely used tool in public health research, might be relevant as an outcome measure after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) for severe obesity. Methods: This was a single-centre retrospective study of a local quality registry. SRH score was registered at baseline and 5 years after RYGB. SRH, one of the 36 items in the quality-of-life Short Form 36 (SF-36®) questionnaire, is the answer to this single question: 'In general, would you say your health is excellent (1), very good (2), good (3), fair (4) or poor (5)?' Change in SRH was analysed in relation to change in weight, co-morbidities and quality of life after 5 years. Results: Of a total of 359 patients who underwent RYGB between September 2006 and February 2011, 233 (64·9 per cent) reported on SRH before and 5 years after surgery. Of these, 180 (77·3 per cent) were women, and the mean(s.d.) age was 40(9) years. Some 154 patients (66·1 per cent) reported an improvement in SRH, 60 (25·8 per cent) had no change, and SRH decreased in 19 patients (8·2 per cent). SRH in improvers was related to better scores in all SF-36® domains, whereas SRH in non-improvers was related to unchanged or worsened scores in all SF-36® domains except physical function. Conclusion: Two-thirds of patients reported improved SRH 5 years after RYGB for severe obesity. In view of its simplicity, SRH may be an easy-to-use outcome measure in bariatric surgery.

Antecedentes: Las percepciones de los pacientes del cambio de su salud tras la cirugía bariátrica son complejas. El objetivo de este estudio fue examinar si la autovaloración de la salud (self­rated health, SRH), una herramienta ampliamente utilizada en investigación en salud pública, podría ser relevante como medida de resultado después del bypass gástrico en Y de Roux (Roux­en­Y gastric bypass, RYGB) para la obesidad severa. Métodos: Se llevó a cabo un estudio retrospectivo de un registro de calidad local de un único centro. La SRH se recogió en situación basal y a los 5 años tras el RYGB. SRH es una de las 36 preguntas del cuestionado de calidad de vida SF­36 (forma corta) y consiste en la respuesta a esta única pregunta: "En general, diría que su salud es excelente (1), muy buena (2), buena ( 3), razonable (4) o pobre (5)?". Resultados: De un total de 359 pacientes sometidos a un RYGB en el periodo entre septiembre de 2006 y febrero de 2011, 233 (65%) informaron del SRH antes y a los 5 años de la cirugía. De ellos, 180 (77,3%) eran mujeres y la edad media era de 40 (DE 9) años. La SRH mejoró en 154 (66,1%) pacientes, no experimento cambios en 60 (25,8%) y disminuyó en 19 (8,2%). En tanto que la mejoría de la SRH se relacionó con mejores puntuaciones en todos los dominios de cuestionario SF­36, la no mejoría se relacionó con puntuaciones iguales o peores en todos los dominios del SF­36, a excepción de la función física. Conclusión: Dos tercios de los pacientes reportaron mejoría de la SRH a los 5 años tras un RYGB por obesidad grave, y debido a su simplicidad, la SRH podría constituir una medida de resultado, de fácil uso, en cirugía bariátrica.

Aspirin does not influence the effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition on left ventricular ejection fraction 3 months after acute myocardial infarction.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible interaction between chronic aspirin therapy and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-I) on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients surviving an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Forty-two patients with reduced LVEF were recruited from the warfarin aspirin reinfarction study (WARIS-II), a randomized, open study comparing enteric coated aspirin (160 mg/d), warfarin (INR 2.8--4.2) and the combination of aspirin (75 mg/d) and warfarin (INR 2.0--2.5) on mortality, reinfarction and stroke after AMI. LVEF and relevant biochemical measurements were performed before discharge and after 3 months. The overall LVEF increased during the study period from median 35 to 39% (P<0.001). There was no difference between patients on aspirin and warfarin regarding the main end point, LVEF. Furthermore, neither endothelin-1 nor ANP showed significant differences between the treatment groups. A possible interaction between ACE-I and aspirin might theoretically lead to reduced levels of renin activity in patients on aspirin, but we did not find any such inter-group difference. In conclusion, we did not find evidence of interaction between ACE-I and low-dose aspirin.

Radiofrequency catheter ablation of two right Mahaïm-like accessory pathways in a patient with Ebstein's anomaly.

A 17-year-old woman with Ebstein's anomaly and recurrent episodes of antidromic tachycardia with two distinct morphologies is described. The tachycardias were produced by two separate Mahaïm-like accessory pathways. These were localized by their activation potentials at the anterolateral ventricular margin of the tricuspid annulus and ablated in a single session using radiofrequency current.

Prehospital delay, contributing aspects and responses to symptoms among Norwegian women and men with first time acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: In patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), the delay between the onset of symptoms and hospital admission is a critical factor in reducing morbidity and mortality. AIMS: To assess gender differences in prehospital delay among women and men with first time AMI, generate more knowledge about aspects influencing this delay and investigate responses to acute symptoms. METHODS AND RESULT: Of 738 eligible patients, 149 women and 384 men responded to a questionnaire (72%). Over half of both women and men waited over one hour before they called for medical assistance and more than half the patients had a total prehospital delay exceeding two hours. Rapid development of symptoms and symptoms matching expectations reduced, self medication and consulting the spouse increased patient delay in both genders. Calling the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) reduced and calling a general practitioner increased total prehospital delay in both genders. ST-ELEVATION: (STEMI), symptoms experienced as unbearable and attributed as cardiac reduced patient delay, and symptoms from the back, shoulders or between scapulae increased prehospital delay, only in men. CONCLUSION: How patients responded to symptoms had vital impact on prehospital delay among both genders, but the experience and interpretation of symptoms had more influence in men than in women.

[Infectious complications caused by a hemodialysis catheter. Retrospective study of septicemia related to a dual lumen polyurethane hemodialysis catheter in the subclavian vein]. / Infeksjonskomplikasjonar ved hemodialysekateter. Retrospektiv undersøking av septikemi ved bruk av dobbeltlumen polyuretan hemodialysekateter i vena subclavia.

Of 52 patients started on hemodialysis during two years, 19 used a polyurethane subclavian dual lumen hemodialysis catheter for temporary or permanent vascular access. Three of them (15.8%) got catheter sepsis, and one died. The article discusses prevention of intravascular catheter-related infection, and methods for vascular access.

[Myocardial 99mTc-pyrophosphate scintigraphy in acute heart infarct]. / Myokardscintigrafi med 99mTc-pyrofosfat ved akutt hjarteinfarkt.

50 consecutive patients hospitalized because of suspected myocardial infarction were examined by 99mTc-pyrophosphate scintigraphy. The scans were interpreted blind by one of the authors. There were positive results in 17 of 21 patients with myocardial infarction (sensitivity 0.81). However, scintigraphy was also positive in 13 patients with no evidence of myocardial infarction as assessed by ECG and enzyme criteria (specificity 0.55). We conclude that, in our hospital, 99mTc-pyrophosphate myocardial scintigraphy did not contribute valuable information to the routine diagnosis of myocardial infarction.

Post-infarction left ventricle to right atrium fistula diagnosed by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography.

This is a report of a 63-year-old man who in the course of an inferior wall myocardial infarction developed a left ventricular aneurysm with communication to the right atrium and a haemodynamically significant intracardiac shunt. The unusual complication of a myocardial infarction was correctly diagnosed by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography, and later a successful surgical repair was done.

Intra- and inter-observer reproducibility of transthoracic pulmonary venous Doppler flow indices after acute myocardial infarction.

AIMS: To examine the intra- and inter-observer reproducibility of pulmonary venous flow indices in patients with acute myocardial infarction. METHODS: Two investigators, blinded to the results of the other examination, each examined 28 clinically stable post infarction patients in sinus rhythm. The two stored digital Doppler recordings from each patient were analysed in a blinded manner by both investigators to obtain the intra- and inter-observer reproducibility including both a new recording and new measurements. RESULTS: The intra- and inter-observer coefficients of variation for the different variables ranged between 5-15% and 8-23% respectively. For some of the indices there was a difference in means between the observers, and the indices were influenced in different degree by a new measurement and new recording. The degree of variability found in this study indicates wide relative limits of agreement, ranging from +/-10% to +/-45%. CONCLUSION: The reproducibility of pulmonary venous flow indices was only moderate with relatively wide limits of agreement. The reproducibility was, however, comparable to other echocardiographic measurements of left ventricular dimensions and function.

[Normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism. Skeletal scintigraphy findings indicated a metastatic malignant disease]. / Normokalsemisk primaer hyperparatyreoidisme. Skjelettscintigrafifunn indikerte metastaserande malign sjukdom.

The article reports a patient with skeletal pain were radionuclide skeletal images (100 MBq 99mTc-methylenediphosphonate) suggested a metastatic neoplastic lesion as the underlying cause. Further examination revealed that the patient suffered from normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism, and after removal of an adenoma of the parathyroid gland the images normalised and the skeletal pain disappeared.

[Familial protein C-deficiency--a clinical presentation]. / Familiaer protein C-mangel--klinisk presentasjon.

Protein C is a hepatic vitamin K-dependent protein which on activation, inhibits activated factor V and VIII and involves fibrinolytic activity. Protein C deficiency is associated with increased risk of thromboembolic complications. The article presents a family with hereditary protein C deficiency and discusses information concerning and follow-up of the family members.

[Pathologic urine findings related to medication]. / Patologiske urinfunn relatert til medikamentbruk.

We examined urine specimens from 144 consecutive patients attending a rheumatological department. Transient abnormal findings were frequent, but most urine samples normalized spontaneously. We found no association with use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but there was an association between pathological urine findings and the combined use of such drugs and systemic steroids.

Intra- and interhospital repeatability of radionuclide left ventricular ejection fraction in post-infarction patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate intra- and interobserver and interhospital repeatability of radionuclide left ventricular ejection fraction in post-infarction patients. DESIGN: The study comprised 131 patients who were examined in three different hospitals 2-7 days post infarction. The radionuclide examinations were conducted in a standardized manner, and different observers carried out repeated measurements blind on the stored raw data. RESULTS: The coefficients of variation were between 1.5% and 6.2%, and limits of agreement between +/- 0.012 and 0.056. There were no significant differences between the intra- and interobserver or interhospital repeatability in average, but some significant differences between individual observers were noted. CONCLUSION: The repeatability of LVEF was acceptable, with limits of agreement in the range +/- 0.012-0.056. Some differences between observers and hence hospitals were noted, which may be of clinical relevance.

Differences between echocardiographic measurements of left ventricular dimensions and function by local investigators and a core laboratory in a 2-year follow-up study of patients with an acute myocardial infarction.

AIMS: To examine differences in measurements of left ventricular dimensions and function, and prognostic value between local investigators and a core laboratory in a multicentre serial echocardiographic study. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seven hundred and fifty-six patients with acute myocardial infarction and preserved left ventricular function were examined at baseline and after 3 months with measurements by the biplane Simpson's method, and followed prospectively from 3 to 24 months. At baseline and 3 months local investigators relative to the core laboratory measured lesser end-diastolic volume by 8 and 6 ml (P<0.001), end-systolic volume by 3 and 2 ml (P<0.01), and ejection fraction by 0.0 and 0.6% (P<0.01), respectively. Local investigators and the core laboratory measured an increase in left ventricular end-diastolic volume of 8.6 and 6.9 ml, and in left ventricular end-systolic volume of 5.2 and 4.3 ml, and a decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction of 0.6 and 0.0%. Using the Cox proportionate hazards model, the prognostic value for subsequent clinical endpoints was significant both for the 3-month values (P<0.05) and changes (P<0.005) measured by the core laboratory, but not by local investigators. CONCLUSION: Only measurements in the core laboratory had significant prognostic value for subsequent clinical endpoints. These results strongly support the use of a core laboratory in studies employing echocardiographic measurements.

[Chronic left heart ventricle failure and inotropic stimulation]. / Kronisk venstre ventrikkel-svikt og inotrop stimulering.

Congestive left heart failure can be treated using three main strategies: change preload to optimize the Frank-Starling relationship, decrease after-load to reduce external work and increase cardiac contractility by inotropic stimulation. The third option is reviewed in this article, which discusses the pharmacological and clinical effects of different inotropic drugs as known in 1994. It is concluded that digitalis should be considered apart from other inotropic drugs. Even when in sinus rhythm, digitalis seems reasonable as an adjuvans to after-load reduction and diuretics. Chronic use of other inotropic drugs for congestive left heart failure is not recommended.

[Chronic heart failure. A management program. Proposal for diagnosis and treatment]. / Kronisk hjertesvikt. Handlingsprogram. Forslag til undersøkelser og behandling.

An expert meeting on the treatment of heart failure was organized by the Swedish Medical Products Agency in 1992. There were four participants from Norway. Two of these (AW, JK), in cooperation with a group of cardiologists with a special interest in heart failure, present in this article a modified Norwegian programme for treatment of chronic heart failure. When evaluating risk for patients with chronic heart failure, it is necessary to take into account both symptoms and left ventricular systolic function determined by ejection fraction. Specific recommendations are made for treatment of asymptomatic patients with left ventricular dysfunction and for symptomatic patients with mild, moderate and severe heart failure.

[Treatment of heart failure with beta-blockaders]. / Betablokkerbehandling av hjertesviktpasienter.

Since 1975 several studies have indicated that treatment with beta-adrenergic blocking drugs has a positive effect on prognosis in patients with left ventricular dysfunction. After myocardial infarction, treatment with timolol and propranolol improves prognosis in patients with symptoms of cardiomegaly and heart failure. In patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, treatment with metoprolol improves the left ventricular ejection fraction and symptoms of heart failure, and may have a positive effect on prognosis. Recent studies of patients with chronic congestive heart failure also indicate that carvedilol has a positive effect on mortality and morbidity. The authors review some relevant studies, to stimulate the use of beta-adrenergic blocking drugs to treat certain types of heart failure.

[Calcium channel blockers in heart failure]. / Kalsiumkanalblokkarar ved hjartesvikt.

Patients with heart failure are particularly susceptible to the negative effects of calcium channel blockers because the failing heart demonstrates a defect in the delivery of calcium to the contractile proteins, and an attenuation of the normal sympathetic reflexes. Currently these drugs have no place in the treatment of heart failure caused by systolic dysfunction of the left ventricle. Calcium channel blockers should probably not be described for patients with coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction. When the patient needs additional treatment for angina and beta-blockers or nitrates have not given satisfactory results, it may be appropriate to prescribe amlodipine or felodipine.

[Chronic heart failure--suggestion to a management program]. / Kronisk hjertesvikt--forslag til handlingsprogram.

In 1994, a Norwegian programme for diagnosis and treatment of chronic heart failure was published. Recently the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association and the Task Force on Heart Failure of the European Society of Cardiology have published similar guidelines. In this article, the Working Group on Heart Failure of the Norwegian Society of Cardiology presents an updated programme for evaluation and management of patients with chronic heart failure.