Prognostic Role of Hyponatremia in Heart Failure Patients Depending on Renal Disease: Clinical Evidence.

AIM: Hyponatremia is very often associated with renal disease in patients with heart failure (HF) and, when present, determines a poor outcome. We investigated the role of hyponatremia in HF patients in whom the presence or absence renal insufficiency was accurately predefined. METHODS: This was a cohort study based on the Spanish National Registry on Heart Failure (RICA), a multicenter, prospective registry that enrolls patients admitted for decompensated HF who were subsequently followed up for 1 year. We classified patients into 4 groups according to the presence or absence of renal disease defined by the hematocrit, urea, and gender formula (HUGE) and then according to the presence of hyponatremia (Na ≤135 mEq/L). RESULTS: A total of 3,478 patients were included. Hyponatremia was more prevalent in the group with renal disease (22.1%) than without (18.4%). During admission, both groups with hyponatremia had more complications than those with normal serum sodium. During the 1-year follow-up, patients with hyponatremia and renal disease had a significantly worse outcome (HF mortality and readmission), HR 1.87, 95% CI 1.54-2.29, p < 0.001, compared to those with hyponatremia without renal disease, HR 1.01, 95% CI 0.79-1.3, p = 0.94. CONCLUSIONS: Hyponatremia is more prevalent in patients with renal insufficiency, and outcome is poorest when both renal disease and hyponatremia coexist. Patients with hyponatremia without renal disease show no differences in outcome compared to those without hyponatremia.

Prognosis of acute heart failure in patients followed up in nursing homes in Spain: Results from the RICA registry.

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic diseases such as heart failure (HF) are at risk of hospital admission. We evaluated the impact of living in nursing homes (NH) on readmissions and all-cause mortality of HF patients during a one-year follow up. METHODS: An observational and multicenter study from the Spanish National Registry of Heart Failure (RICA) was performed. We compared clinical and prognostic characteristics between both groups. Bivariate analyses were performed using Student's t-test and Tukey's method and a Kaplan-Meier survival at one-year follow up. A multivariate proportional hazards analysis of [Cox] regression by the conditional backward method was conducted for the variables being statistically significant related to the probability of death in the univariate. RESULTS: There were 5644 patients included, 462 (8.2%) of whom were nursing home residents. There were 52.7% women and mean age was 79.7±8.8 years. NH residents had lower Barthel (74.07), Charlson (3.27), and Pfeiffer index (2.2), p<0.001). Mean pro-BNP was 6686pg/ml without statistical significance differences between groups. After 1-year follow-up, crude analysis showed no differences in readmissions 74.7% vs. 72.3%, p=0.292, or mortality 63.9% vs. 61.1%, p=0.239 between groups. However, after controlling for confounding variables, NH residents had a higher 1-year all-cause mortality (HR 1.153; 95% CI 1.011-1.317; p=0.034). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed worse survival in nursing home residents (log-rank of 7.12, p=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Nursing home residents with heart failure showed higher one-year mortality which could be due to worse functional status, higher comorbidity, and cognitive deterioration.

The two different profiles in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and type 2 diabetes mellitus: ischemic and diabetic.

OBJECTIVE: Two profiles of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) can be discerned: those with ischemic and those with diabetic cardiomyopathy (DMC). We aim to analyze clinical differences and prognosis between patients of these two profiles. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cohort study analyzes data from the Spanish Heart Failure Registry, a multicenter, prospective registry that enrolled patients admitted for decompensated heart failure and followed them for one year. Three groups were created according to the presence of T2DM and heart disease depending on the etiology (ischemic when coronary artery disease was present, or DMC when no coronary, valvular, or congenital heart disease; no hypertension; nor infiltrative cardiovascular disease observed on an endomyocardial biopsy). The groups and outcomes were compared. RESULTS: A total of 466 patients were analyzed. Group 1 (n = 210) included patients with ischemic etiology and T2DM. Group 2 (n = 112) included patients with DMC etiology and T2DM. Group 3 (n = 144), a control group, included patients with ischemic etiology and without T2DM. Group 1 had more hypertension and dyslipidemia; group 2 had more atrial fibrillation (AF) and higher body mass index; group 3 had more chronic kidney disease and were older. In the regression analysis, group 3 had a better prognosis than group 1 (reference group) for cardiovascular mortality and HF readmissions (HR 0.44;95%CI 0.2-1; p = .049). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with T2DM and HFpEF, who had the poorest prognosis, were of two different profiles: either ischemic or DMC etiology. The first had a higher burden of cardiovascular disease and inflammation whereas the second had a higher prevalence of obesity and AF. The first had a slightly poorer prognosis than the second, though this finding was not significant.

Projected effectiveness of dapagliflozin in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in clinical practice.

Aim: To estimate the projected effectiveness of dapagliflozin in subjects with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction in clinical practice in Spain. Materials & methods: This multicenter cohort study included subjects aged 50 years or older consecutively hospitalized for HF in internal medicine departments in Spain. The projected clinical benefits of dapagliflozin were estimated based on results from the DAPA-HF trial. Results: A total of 1595 patients were enrolled, of whom 1199 (75.2%) were eligible for dapagliflozin. Within 1 year after discharge, 21.6% of patients eligible for dapagliflozin were rehospitalized for HF and 20.5% died. Full implementation of dapagliflozin led to an absolute risk reduction of 3.5% for mortality (number needed to treat = 28) and 6.5% (number needed to treat = 15) for HF readmission. Conclusion: Treatment with dapagliflozin in clinical practice may markedly reduce mortality and readmissions for HF.

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction is a severe disease with a high risk of hospitalization and mortality. With this condition, the heart muscle cannot pump properly. This means that not enough blood is pumped from the heart, reducing the amount of oxygen to the body. Fortunately, there are treatments that reduce this risk, in patients with heart failure. SGLT2 inhibitors, including dapagliflozin, are among the first therapies given to patients with heart failure. In this study, we investigated the potential benefits of adding dapagliflozin to the treatment of patients admitted to the hospital in Spain for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Our data showed that dapagliflozin was able to reduce the risk of further events (e.g., heart attack) in these patients.

Conduction system pacing and atrioventricular node ablation in heart failure: The PACE-FIB study design.

AIMS: Atrial fibrillation (AF) worsens the prognosis of patients with heart failure (HF). Successful treatments are still very scarce for those with permanent AF and preserved (HFpEF) or mildly reduced (HFmrEF) ejection fraction. In this study, the long-term benefits and safety profile of heart rate regularization through left-bundle branch pacing (LBBP) and atrioventricular node ablation (AVNA) will be explored in comparison with pharmacological rate-control strategy. METHODS AND RESULTS: The PACE-FIB trial is a multicentre, prospective, open-label, randomized (1:1) clinical study that will take place between March 2022 and February 2027. A total of 334 patients with HFpEF/HFmrEF and permanent AF will receive either LBBP followed by AVNA (intervention arm) or optimal pharmacological treatment for heart rate control according to European guideline recommendations (control arm). All patients will be followed up for a minimum of 36 months. The primary outcome measure will be the composite of all-cause mortality, HF hospitalization, and worsening HF at 36 months. Other secondary efficacy and safety outcome measures such as echocardiographic parameters, functional status, and treatment-related adverse events, among others, will be analysed too. CONCLUSION: LBBP is a promising stimulation mode that may foster the clinical benefit of heart rate regularization through AV node ablation compared with pharmacological rate control. This is the first randomized trial specifically addressing the long-term efficacy and safety of this pace-and-ablate strategy in patients with HFpEF/HFmrEF and permanent AF.

The Effects of a Therapeutic Strategy Guided by Lung Ultrasound on 6-Month Outcomes in Patients with Heart Failure: Results from the EPICC Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Pulmonary congestion (PC) is associated with an increased risk of hospitalization and death in patients with heart failure (HF). Lung ultrasound is highly sensitive for detecting PC. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether lung ultrasound-guided therapy improves 6-month outcomes in patients with HF. Methods: A randomized, multicenter, single-blind clinical trial in patients discharged after hospitalization for decompensated HF. Participants were assigned 1:1 to receive treatment guided according to the presence of lung ultrasound signs of congestion (semi-quantitative evaluation of B lines and the presence of pleural effusion) versus standard of care (SOC). The primary endpoint was the combination of cardiovascular death, readmission, or emergency department or day hospital visit due to worsening HF at 6 months. In September 2020, after an interim analysis, patient recruitment was stopped. Results: A total of 79 patients were randomized (mean age 81.2 +/− 9 years) and 41 patients (51.8%) showed a left ventricular ejection fraction >50%. The primary endpoint occurred in 11 patients (29.7%) in the SOC group and in 11 patients (26.1%) in the LUS group (log-rank = 0.83). Regarding nonserious adverse events, no significant differences were found. Conclusions: LUS-guided diuretic therapy after hospital discharge due to ADHF did not show any benefit in survival or a need for intravenous diuretics compared with SOC.

Impact of variations in blood pressure with orthostatism on mortality: the HOMO study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of orthostatic hypotension (OH) and orthostatic hypertension (OHT) on all-cause mortality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of, 1176 adults from the community over 18 years of age were included in this ambispective study. The mean follow-up was 9.4 years. OH and OHT were defined as a decrease or an increase, respectively, in systolic blood pressure (BP) of at least 20 mmHg and/or diastolic BP of at least 10 mmHg from sitting to standing position at 1 and/or 3 min after standing. The impact of systolic or diastolic OH and systolic or diastolic OHT at 1 and 3 min after standing was also analyzed separately. RESULTS: In total, 135 individuals died during the follow-up. Neither OH [hazard ratio (HR) 1.23; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.72-2.10] nor OHT (HR 0.90; 95% CI: 0.59-1.38) was associated with all-cause mortality in the adjusted models. In contrast, systolic OHT at 3 min (HR 2.31; 95% CI: 1.14-4.68) was independently associated with global mortality. CONCLUSION: Systolic OHT at 3 min is associated with all-cause mortality. The determination of this parameter could add valuable prognostic information during the routine examination of patients.

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in heart failure and serum sodium levels.

AIMS: To determine whether there are differences in blood pressure profile on dynamic assessment by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) according to serum sodium levels in stable heart failure patients. METHODS: Data were collected from the Spanish National Registry on Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring in Heart Failure (DICUMAP). Patients underwent ABPM by the oscillometric principle using a Spacelabs 90121 monitor. The sample was divided into three groups according to sodium levels and their clinical and laboratory data and echocardiographic findings were analyzed. Robust statistical methods were used to compare the groups in univariate and multivariate models. RESULTS: A total of 175 patients (44.57% male) were analyzed. We found a predominance of anomalous circadian blood pressure profiles in all three groups, with a significantly higher percentage of risers in the lowest serum sodium group (p=0.05). In addition, in this group there were significant differences in mean 24-hour systolic blood pressure (SBP) (24-h SBP, p=0.05) and in mean daytime SBP (dSBP, p=0.008), with significant differences in nocturnal fall in SBP (p=0.05) and in diastolic blood pressure (p=0.005). In multivariate analysis a significant relationship was found between sodium levels and 24-h SBP (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.95-0.99, p=0.01) and dSBP (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.94-0.99, p=0.004). CONCLUSION: A relationship was found between lower sodium levels and lower systolic blood pressure, especially during waking hours, with a lower decline between daytime and night-time blood pressure.

High serum osmolarity at admission determines a worse outcome in patients with heart failure: Is a new target emerging?

AIMS: The osmolarity of human serum is restricted to a tightly regulated range, and any deviation has clinical implications. Our aim in this study was to establish whether differences in serum osmolarity in heart failure (HF) patients are related with a worse outcome. METHODS: We evaluated the prognostic value of serum osmolarity in patients with HF from the Spanish National Registry on Heart Failure (RICA), a multicenter, prospective registry that enrolls patients admitted for decompensated HF and follows them for 1year. Patients were divided into quartiles according to osmolarity levels. Primary endpoint was the combination of all-cause mortality and hospital readmissions for HF. RESULTS: A total of 2568 patients (47.46% men) were included. Patients with higher osmolarity were older, presented more comorbidities (especially diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease), and consequently had higher levels of glucose, urea, creatinine and potassium. During the 1-year follow-up, mortality among the quartiles was 18% (Q1), 18% (Q2), 23% (Q3) and 28% (Q4), p<0.001. After adjusting for baseline characteristics, high serum osmolarity was significantly associated with all-cause mortality (RR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.03, p<0.001). We also found a significant increase in the combined endpoint of mortality and readmission among quartiles with higher osmolarity (p<0.001). Diabetes, eGFR, Barthel index, systolic blood pressure, body mass index, hemoglobin, NYHA class and beta-blocking agents were also independently associated with the primary endpoint. CONCLUSIONS: In patients admitted for decompensated HF, high serum osmolarity predicts a worse outcome, and is associated with a higher comorbidity burden, supporting its use as a candidate prognostic target in HF.

[Right heart failure after pacemaker implantation]. / Insuficiencia cardiaca derecha tras el implante de un marcapasos.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) secondary to interference pacemaker (PM) cable is a rare cause of progressive right heart failure (HF), which can worsen patient outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present 3 clinical cases of right HF secondary to TR after PM implantation. RESULTS: In these patients the clinic is right HF, which can appear early, as in our second patient, or after years of implementation of the PM, as in the first and third patients. The diagnosis is confirmed by echocardiography, the most accurate 3D, followed by transesophageal. The 2D transthoracic can not detect it, because it has low sensitivity for TR associated with PM. Medical treatment is always the first choice, since any other procedure carries significant morbidity and mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Probably this is a condition that we will diagnose with increasing frequency, because there are more and more patients with devices and, at the same time, the diagnostic tools are improving.

[Consensus on improving the care integrated of patients with acute heart failure]. / Consenso para la mejora de la atención integral a los pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca aguda.

EN: Acute heart failure (AHF) requires considerable use of resources, is an economic burden, and is associated with high complication and mortality rates in emergency departments, on hospital wards, or outpatient care settings. Diagnosis, treatment, and continuity of care are variable at present, leading 3 medical associations (for cardiology, internal medicine, and emergency medicine) to undertake discussions and arrive at a consensus on clinical practice guidelines to support those who manage AHF and encourage standardized decision making. These guidelines, based on a review of the literature and clinical experience with AHF, focus on critical points in the care pathway. Regarding emergency care, the expert participants considered the initial evaluation of patients with signs and symptoms that suggest AHF, the initial diagnosis, first decisions about therapy, monitoring, assessment of prognosis, and referral criteria. For care of the hospitalized patient, the group developed a protocol for essential treatment. Objectives for the management and treatment of AHF on discharge were also covered through the creation or improvement of multidisciplinary care systems to provide continuity of care.

ES: La insuficiencia cardiaca aguda (ICA) supone un elevado uso de recursos, carga económica y morbimortalidad, tanto en los servicios de urgencias como durante la hospitalización o durante su control ambulatorio. La variabilidad actual existente en el diagnóstico, tratamiento y la continuidad asistencial ha inducido que diferentes sociedades científicas (cardiología, medicina interna y urgencias) redacten este documento de consenso sobre recomendaciones prácticas que den soporte a todos los profesionales intervinientes en el manejo de la ICA y permita homogeneizar la toma de decisiones. El enfoque de estas recomendaciones, basadas en la revisión de la literatura y la experiencia clínica, se ha realizado abarcando diferentes puntos críticos del proceso asistencial de los pacientes con ICA: en el servicio de urgencias, en cuanto a la evaluación inicial del paciente con clínica sugestiva de ICA, orientación diagnóstica, primeras decisiones terapéuticas, monitorización, evaluación del pronóstico y criterios de derivación; durante la hospitalización, con el desarrollo de un protocolo básico terapéutico; tras el alta, con la definición de objetivos de manejo y tratamiento de la ICA al alta del paciente; y de forma global, mediante la mejora o creación de una organización en la atención multidisciplinar y la continuidad asistencial en la ICA.