Inotropic agents use in patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure: a retrospective analysis from a 22-year registry in a Middle-Eastern Country (1991-2013).

BACKGROUND: Data about the use of positive inotropic agents in patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is limited. METHODS: The records of 8066 patients with ADHF who were hospitalized at Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar from 1991 to 2013 were analyzed to explore demographics and clinical characteristics of the patients according to inotropic agents use. RESULTS: Eight hundred fifty eight patients [10.6%, 95% CI (10 to 11.3%)] received intravenous inotropic support. Patients receiving inotropes were more likely to be female and have preserved ejection fraction when compared to those not receiving inotropic agents. Comorbidities associated with higher likelihood of receiving inotropic treatment included acute myocardial infarction, chronic renal impairment, dyslipidemia, hypertension, obesity and hyperglycemia. Patient on inotropes were more likely to undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), intra-aortic balloon pump support and intubation. There were no differences in the mean plasma BNP and CK-MB levels between the 2 groups. Heart failure patients receiving inotropes also were more likely to have complications including ventricular tachycardia (2.0% vs. 0.9%, p = 0.003), prolonged hospital stay (8.0 vs. 5.0 days, p = 0.001), cardiac arrest (14.6% vs. 3.2%, p = 0.001) and in-hospital mortality (30.8% vs. 9.1 %, p = 0.001). Over the study period there was an increase use of inotropic agents and decreased mortality rates. CONCLUSION: Inotropic use increased over the period whereas; female gender and conventional cardiac risk factors were predictors of inotropic agents use in the study.

Beta-blocker therapy in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (B-HFpEF): A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: While beta-blockers are considered the cornerstone of treatment for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, the same may not apply to patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). To date, the benefit of beta-blockers remains uncertain, and there is no current consensus on their effectiveness. This study sought to evaluate the efficacy of beta-blockers on mortality and rehospitalization among patients with HFpEF. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized or observational cohort studies examined the efficacy of beta-blocker therapy in comparison with placebo, control, or standard medical care in patients with HFpEF, defined as left ventricular ejection fraction ≥50 %. The main endpoints were mortality (i.e., all-cause and cardiovascular), rehospitalization (i.e., all-cause and for heart failure) and a composite of the two. RESULTS: Out of the 13,189 records initially identified, 16 full-text records met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed recruiting a total of 27,188 patients. The mean age range was 62-84 years old, predominantly female, with HFpEF in which 63.4 % of patients received a beta-blocker and 36.6 % did not. The pooled analysis of included cohort studies, of variable follow-up durations, showed a significant reduction in all-cause mortality by 19 % (odds ratio (OR) 0.81; 95 % confidence interval (CI): 0.65-0.99, p = 0.044) whereas rehospitalization for heart failure (OR 1.13; 95 % CI: 0.91-1.41, p = 0.27) or its composite with all-cause mortality (OR 1.01; 95 % CI: 0.78-1.32, p = 0.92) were similar between the beta-blocker and control groups. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis showed that beta-blocker therapy has the potential to reduce all-cause mortality in patients with HFpEF based on observational studies. Nevertheless, it did not affect rehospitalization for heart failure or its composite with all-cause mortality. Large scale randomized trials are needed to clarify this uncertainty.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors improve cardiovascular outcomes post-acute coronary syndrome complicated by acute heart failure.

Background: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains a risk factor for heart failure (HF). Therefore, we aimed to assess the cardioprotective role of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors post-ACS in patients with acute HF (AHF) and diabetes. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study employing propensity score matching. This study involved patients with diabetes admitted with ACS complicated by AHF, defined as either new clinical HF requiring diuretics during the index admission or having an ejection fraction (EF) of <40%. The study population was divided into two groups; (1) SGLT2 inhibitor users and (2) SGLT2 inhibitor non-users. The Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to evaluate the outcomes. Results: A total of 465 patients (93% male; mean age, 55 ± 10 years) were included in this study. Using a 1 : 1 propensity score matching, 78 patients were included per arm with an absolute standardized difference of <0.1 for all baseline characteristics. The use of SGLT2 inhibitors resulted in lower composite outcomes of ACS, HF hospitalization, and all-cause mortality at 1 month and 12 months [1 month: 2.6% vs. 11.5%, HR = 0.20 (0.04-0.94), p = 0.041; 12 months: 14.1% vs. 23.1%, HR = 0.46 (0.22-0.99), p = 0.046]. Conclusion: The findings suggest that SGLT2 inhibitors may confer cardioprotective effects in ACS-induced AHF, thereby widening the spectrum for indications of SGLT2 inhibitors.

Revisiting Beta-Blocker Therapy in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a heterogenous disorder and tends to be predominant in elderly, female, and obese patients. HFpEF has been classified using various cut-offs of left ventricular ejection fraction in the published studies with a current cut-off of ≥50%. The evidence of beta-blocker therapy in HFpEF patients showed conflicting findings with variably reported efficacy. This review aims to examine the published studies on the use of beta blockers for the treatment of patients with HFpEF.

Revisiting nitrates use in pre-shock state of contemporary cardiogenic shock classification.

Patients at each shock stage may behave and present differently with a spectrum of shock severity and adverse outcomes. Shock severity, shock aetiology, and several factors should be integrated in management decision-making. Although the contemporary shock stages classification provided a standardized shock severity assessment, individual agents or management strategy has not yet been studied in the context of each shock stage. The pre-shock state may comprise a wide range of presentations. Nitrate therapy has potential benefit in myocardial infarction and acute heart failure. Herein, this review aims to discuss the potential use of nitrate therapy in the context of the pre-shock state or stage B of the contemporary shock classification given its various presentations.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Presenting with Acute Decompensated Cardiac Failure.

We report the case of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in a 29-year-old male with no past medical history who presented with symptoms and signs of heart failure due to possible infiltrative cardiomyopathy as suggested by echocardiography. Workup including different imaging modalities confirmed the diagnosis of ALL. The patient completed his treatment course with a resolution of heart failure symptoms and normalization of cardiac function which was confirmed by different imaging modalities.

Gender Association with Incidence, Clinical Profile, and Outcome of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Middle East Perspective.

Background: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a leading cause of death worldwide. However, there is limited information on the outcome of the OHCA in the Middle East population, and limited studies have been carried out in the Arab Gulf countries. Hence, we aim to study the incidence and rate of survival in the OHCA setting and to assess the impact of gender on the clinical outcome following OHCA. Methods: Retrospective analysis of a prospective registry of all eligible, consecutive, and nontraumatic adult patients who successfully resuscitated (return of spontaneous circulation) from "Cardiac Arrest" occurring outside the hospital, Hospitalized in Doha, Qatar from January 1991 to June 2010. Results: A total of 41,453 consecutive patients were admitted during the study, of whom 987 (2.4%) had a diagnosis of OHCA. Among them, 269 (27.3%) were women and 718 (72.7%) were men. Although the mortality rate was higher in females than in males (65.4% vs. 57.7%, P = 0.03), the logistic regression analysis did not show gender as an independent predictor of death in this clinical setting. Conclusion: In this sample of the state population, women who have OHCAs had a lower rate of survival, but gender was not an independent predictor of mortality following OHCA.

Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in the Young: A 23-Year Middle Eastern Experience.

BACKGROUND: Worldwide, limited data are available about young patients (≤40 years) who present with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). We compared demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, and outcome in younger patients (≤40 years) versus older patients (>40 years) with OHCA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of a registry of patients hospitalized with OHCA over a 23-year period (1991-2013) in Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar. RESULTS: Of 1146 patients admitted to our institution with OHCA, 159 patients (13.9%) were 40 years of age or younger. Compared to the older group (>40 years), younger group patients were more likely to be males (84.9% vs. 71.5%; P = 0.001) and to be smokers (27.7% vs. 19.7%; P = 0.012). They are less likely to have diabetes (6.3% vs. 49.2%; P = 0.001), hypertension (8.3% vs. 49.9%; P = 0.001), prior myocardial infarction (3.1% vs. 23.4%; P = 0.001), or chronic renal disease (0% vs. 8.5%; P = 0.001). There was no significant difference in ejection fraction, ST-elevation myocardial infarction (13.2% vs. 15.7%; P = 0.41), utilization of inotropes (36.5% vs. 44%; P = 0.08), or utilization of reperfusion therapy (thrombolytic: 16.4% vs. 12.2%, P = 0.14, and percutaneous intervention: 6.3% vs. 5.3%, P = 0.60, for the younger and older groups, respectively); on the other hand, younger patients were more likely to receive antiarrhythmic medications (33.3% vs. 21.2%; P = 0.001). Inhospital mortality was lower in the younger group (52.1% vs. 68.3%; P = 0.001) even after adjustment for baseline variables. CONCLUSION: In the Middle East it is not uncommon to present with OHCA in young age. These patients are predominantly males, more likely to present with arrhythmia and they have a better survival rate.

Bundle approach used to achieve zero central line-associated bloodstream infections in an adult coronary intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: Central venous catheterisation is commonly used in critical patients in intensive care units (ICU). It may cause complications and attribute to increase mortality and morbidity. At coronary ICU (CICU) of cardiac hospital, central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rate was 2.82/1000 central line days in 2015 and 3.11/1000 central line days in 2016. Working in collaboration with Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), we implemented evidence-based practices in the form of bundles in with the aim of eliminating CLABSI in CICU. METHODS: In collaboration with IHI, we worked on this initiative as multidisciplinary team and tested several changes. CLABSI prevention bundles were tested and implemented, single kit for line insertion, simulation-based training for line insertions, standardised and real-time bundle monitoring by direct observations are key interventions tested. We used model for improvement and changes were tested using small Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles. Surveillance methods and CLABSI definition used according to National Healthcare Safety Network. RESULTS: The CLABSI rate per 1000 patient-days dropped from 3.1 per 1000 device-days to 0.4 per 1000 device-days. We achieved 757 days free of CLABSI in the unit till December 2018 when a single case happened. After that we achieved 602 free days till July 2020 and still counting. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of evidence-based CLABSI prevention bundle and process monitoring by direct observation led to significant and subsequently sustained improvement in reducing CLABSI rate in adult CICU.

Cardiovascular Manifestations of COVID-19.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is the cause of COVID-19, was first reported in Wuhan, China. SARS-CoV-2 especially involves alveolar epithelial cells, which results in respiratory symptoms more severe in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) probably linked with increased secretion of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in these patients compared with healthy individuals. Cardiac manifestations may contribute to overall mortality and even be the primary cause of death in many of these patients. A higher prevalence of hypertension (HTN) followed by diabetes mellitus and CVD was observed in COVID-19 patients. A higher case-fatality rate was seen among patients with pre-existing comorbid conditions, such as diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, HTN, and cancer, compared to a lesser rate in the entire population. Cardiovascular (CV) manifestations of COVID-19 encompass a wide spectrum, including myocardial injury, infarction, myocarditis-simulating ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, nonischemic cardiomyopathy, coronary vasospasm, pericarditis, or stress (takotsubo) cardiomyopathy. This review is intended to summarize our current understanding of the CV manifestations of COVID-19 and also to study the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and CVDs and discuss possible mechanisms of action behind SARS-CoV-2 infection-induced damage to the CV system.

Myocarditis and Pericarditis in Patients with COVID-19.

COVID-19 has been associated with a variety of cardiac manifestations. Myocarditis and pericarditis have been reported as one of the many cardiac manifestations in association with COVID-19. We describe below three cases of myocarditis, pericarditis with associated pericardial effusion and myopericarditis, respectively, in the setting of COVID-19. Although these entities may occur in isolation, they often occur in association to varying degrees. It could either be the initial diagnosis at the time of presentation or it could occur later in the course of COVID-19 infection. Pericarditis may occasionally be associated with significant pericardial effusion and tamponade requiring therapeutic pericardiocentesis. The assessment of pericardial effusion has been found to be exudative and is usually negative for SARS-CoV-2. Treatment of pericarditis with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, colchicine, and corticosteroids has proven to be safe in COVID-19. Myocarditis may present with severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction and cardiogenic shock requiring inotropes and mechanical circulatory support.

SARS-CoV-2 Infection in the Heart Transplant Recipient.

Review of the literature and reported case series has not reported an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in heart transplant recipients. However, this population is at increased risk of a more severe infection with increased mortality because of age and the presence of multiple comorbid conditions There is no significant difference in presenting symptoms in transplant recipients as compared to nontransplant patients, although diarrhea has been reported to be more frequent in transplant patients, a common side effect of immunosuppressive medications. Standard preventive measures have been shown to be equally protective in heart transplant recipients. Risk factors for severe disease and mortality are similar in both transplant recipients and nontransplant patients and include older age and the presence of comorbidities hypertension being the most common. The SARS-CoV-2 infection did not increase the risk of transplant allograft rejection. Currently, there are no specific treatment recommendations for SARS-CoV-2 infection in transplant recipients. However, the International Society of Heart and Lung and Transplant has issued guidance on how to modulate immunosuppressive therapy during SARS-CoV-2 infection.

COVID-19 and Heart Failure: The Big Challenge.

Patients with chronic heart failure (HF) are among the most vulnerable populations in the COVID era. HF patients infected with COVID-19 are at a significant risk of severe illness and death. They usually present with shortness of breath and radiologic signs of an acute decompensation, which can mask the manifestations of COVID-19. Delay in the diagnosis increases the risk of individual poor outcomes and jeopardizes healthcare workers if protective and isolation measures are not established promptly. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic is forcing health-care systems to modify the delivery of care to patients. Outpatient services are being done virtually, and elective procedures postponed. These may have an impact on the quality of life and survival of chronic HF patients. We present two cases of patients with the previous history of HF who developed an acute exacerbation secondary to COVID-19 infection. In this review, we focused on the main challenges physicians face when dealing with COVID-19 in chronic HF patients at the individual and system levels.

The Impact of COVID-19 Outbreak on Cardiovascular Admissions.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused major disruption in the health care deliveries and activities worldwide including hospital admission. METHOD: We used hospitals discharged coded data from January 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 to examine the impact of COVID-19 outbreak on the pattern of cardiovascular admission among Hamad Medical Corporation hospitals in the State of Qatar. RESULTS: In this retrospective observational study, we documented significant changes in the pattern of cardiovascular admissions in our hospitals. There was a significant reduction in hospitalizations of various subsets of cardiac disease. Admissions for acute myocardial infarction dropped by 31%, acute decompensated dropped by 48%, unstable angina dropped by 79% and arrythmia by 80%. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention procedures declined briefly. However, the total deaths remained the same despite the increase in mortality rate due to reduced admissions number. CONCLUSION: We postulate the fear of contracting the disease and the lock-down mentality during COVID-19 outbreak contribute to reduction of cardiovascular admission to our hospital.

STEMI after Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography in Hyperthyroid State.

Uncontrolled hyperthyroidism has been associated with significant changes in cardiovascular hemodynamics. We report a case of a 39-year-old male who has been recently diagnosed with severe hyperthyroidism. He was undergoing dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) for evaluation of symptoms suggestive of stable angina. The exam was complicated by ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction- (STEMI-) required coronary angiography that showed mild coronary artery disease.

Clinical Profile, Management, and Outcome in Patients With Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest and ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Insights From a 20-Year Registry.

AIM OF THE STUDY: We studied the clinical profile, management, and outcomes of patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) with and without ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the 20-year registry data (January 1991- June 2010) was conducted on patients with cardiac disease hospitalized at Hamad General Hospital and Qatar Heart Hospital, Doha, Qatar. RESULTS: A total of 987 patients with OHCA were admitted to the cardiology department during the study period; among them, 296 (30%) patients had STEMI. Compared to the patients with OHCA without STEMI, the patients who had OHCA with STEMI were younger (53 ± 13 vs 58 ± 16 years; P = .001), more likely to be male (78% vs 34%; P = .001), smokers (35% vs 14%) but less likely to have hypertension (30% vs 48%; P = .001), diabetes (32% vs 47%, P = .001), and chronic renal failure (3.4% vs 9%; P = .002). The use of thrombolytic treatment in patients with STEMI increased from 21.6% (period 1991-1095) to 44.4% (period 2006-2010); P = .04. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous coronary intervention had increased significantly during the last quarter of the study. There was a decline in the in-hospital mortality among patients with STEMI during the last quarter of the study.

Left Bundle Branch Block in Acute Cardiac Events: Insights From a 23-Year Registry.

Between 1991 and 2013, we evaluated the demographics, presentations, and final diagnosis of patients hospitalized with acute cardiac events and left bundle branch block (LBBB). Of 50 992 patients, 768 (1.5%) had LBBB. Compared with non-LBBB patients, patients with LBBB were mostly older, female, diabetic, and had hypertension and chronic kidney failure (CKF; P < .001 for all). Dyspnea (P < .001) and dizziness (P = .037) were more frequent in patients with LBBB. The most frequent cause of admission with LBBB was congestive heart failure (CHF; 54.2%), followed by ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI; 13.3%), valvular heart disease (9.4%), unstable angina (8.3%) and Non-STEMI (7.7%). On multivariate analysis, CKF (odds ratio [OR]: 2.02, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09-3.70) and LBBB (OR: 2.96, 95% CI: 2.01-4.42) were predictors of in-hospital mortality in the entire study population. Further analysis of patients with LBBB showed that CKF (OR: 2.93, 95% CI: 1.40-6.12) was the only predictor of in-hospital mortality. Regardless the presenting symptoms, CHF was the final diagnosis in most cases with LBBB.

Clinical profile, management, and outcome in patients with out of hospital cardiac arrest: insights from a 20-year registry.

BACKGROUND: There is limited information regarding the clinical characteristics and outcome of out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in Middle Eastern patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcomes in patients admitted following OHCA at a single center in the Middle East over a 20-year period. METHODS: The data used for this hospital-based study were collected for patients hospitalized with OHCA in Doha, Qatar, between 1991 and 2010. Baseline clinical characteristics, in-hospital treatment, and outcomes were studied in comparison with the rest of the admissions. RESULTS: A total of 41,453 consecutive patients were admitted during the study period, of whom 987 (2.4%) had a diagnosis of OHCA. Their average age was 57±15 years, and 72.7% were males, 56.5% were Arabs, and 30.9% were South Asians. When compared with the rest of the admissions taken as a reference, patients with OHCA were more likely to have diabetes mellitus (42.8% versus 39.1%, respectively, P=0.02), prior myocardial infarction (21.8% versus 19.2%, P=0.04), and chronic renal failure (7.4% versus 3.9%, P=0.001), but were less likely to have dyslipidemia (16.9% versus 25.4%, P=0.001). Further, 52.6% of patients had preceding symptoms, the most common of which was chest pain (27.2%) followed by dyspnea (24.8%). An initially shockable rhythm (ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia) was present in 25.1% of OHCA patients, with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction documented in 30.0%. Severely reduced left ventricular systolic function (ejection fraction ≤35%) was present in 53.2% of OHCA patients; 42.9% had cardiogenic shock requiring use of inotropes at presentation. An intra-aortic balloon pump was inserted in 3.6% of cases. Antiarrhythmic medications were used in 27.4% and thrombolytic therapy in 13.9%, and 10.8% underwent a percutaneous coronary procedure (coronary angiography ± percutaneous coronary intervention). The in-hospital mortality rate was 59.8%. CONCLUSION: OHCA was associated with higher incidences of diabetes, prior myocardial infarction, and chronic kidney disease as compared with the remaining admissions. Approximately half of the patients had no preceding symptoms. In-hospital mortality was high (59.8%), but similar to the internationally published data.

Adenosine-induced worsening of supraventricular tachycardia.

An approximately 20-year-old to 30-year-old patient presented with a haemodynamically stable supraventricular tachycardia . The patient was managed with intravenous adenosine primarily, with two bolus doses of 6 and 12 mg. This, however, caused a rare paradoxical surge of tachycardia with mild haemodynamic compromise. The patient further required a combination of Metoprolol and Verapamil administration to slow down and reverse the arrhythmia. Following this the patient remained stable with no further episodes till discharge.