Integration of Patient Reported Quality-of-life Data into Risk Assessment in Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: Optimal management of outpatients with heart failure (HF) requires serially updating the estimates of their risk for adverse clinical outcomes to guide treatment. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are becoming increasingly used in clinical care. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the inclusion of PROs can improve the risk prediction for HF hospitalization and death in ambulatory patients with HF. METHODS AND RESULTS: We included consecutive patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and HF with preserved EF (HFpEF) seen in a HF clinic between 2015 and 2019 who completed PROs as part of routine care. Cox regression with a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regularization and gradient boosting machine analyses were used to estimate risk for a combined outcome of HF hospitalization, heart transplant, left ventricular assist device implantation, or death. The performance of the prediction models was evaluated with the time-dependent concordance index (Cτ). Among 1165 patients with HFrEF (mean age 59.1 ± 16.1, 68% male), the median follow-up was 487 days. Among 456 patients with HFpEF (mean age 64.2 ± 16.0 years, 55% male) the median follow-up was 494 days. Gradient boosting regression that included PROs had the best prediction performance - Cτ 0.73 for patients with HFrEF and 0.74 in patients with HFpEF, and showed very good stratification of risk by time to event analysis by quintile of risk. The Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire overall summary score, visual analogue scale and Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System dimensions of satisfaction with social roles and physical function had high variable importance measure in the models. CONCLUSIONS: PROs improve risk prediction in both HFrEF and HFpEF, independent of traditional clinical factors. Routine assessment of PROs and leveraging the comprehensive data in the electronic health record in routine clinical care could help more accurately assess risk and support the intensification of treatment in patients with HF.

Iron deficiency and all-cause mortality after myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Data on the clinical significance of iron deficiency (ID) in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) are conflicting. This may be related to the use of various ID criteria. We aimed to compare the association of different ID criteria with all-cause mortality after MI. METHODS: Consecutive patients hospitalized for their first MI at a large tertiary heart center were included. We evaluated the association of different iron metabolism parameters measured on the first day after hospital admission with all-cause mortality. RESULTS: From the 1,156 patients included (aged 64±12 years, 25 % women), 194 (16.8 %) patients died during the median follow-up of 3.4 years. After multivariate adjustment, iron level ≤13 µmol/L (HR 1.67, 95 % CI 1.19-2.34) and the combination of iron level ≤12.8 µmol/L and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) ≥3 mg/L (HR 2.56, 95 % CI 1.64-3.99) termed as PragueID criteria were associated with increased mortality risk and had additional predictive value to the GRACE score. Compared to the model including iron level, the addition of sTfR improved risk stratification (net reclassification improvement 0.61, 95 % CI 0.52-0.69) by reclassifying patients into a higher-risk group. No association between ferritin level and mortality was found. 51 % of patients had low iron levels, and 58 % fulfilled the PragueID criteria. CONCLUSION: Iron deficiency is common among patients with the first MI. The PragueID criteria based on iron and soluble transferrin receptor levels provide the best prediction of mortality and should be evaluated in future interventional studies for the identification of patients potentially benefiting from intravenous iron therapy.

Cardio-ankle vascular index for predicting cardiovascular morbimortality and determinants for its progression in the prospective advanced approach to arterial stiffness (TRIPLE-A-Stiffness) study.

BACKGROUND: The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) measure of arterial stiffness is associated with prevalent cardiovascular risk factors, while its predictive value for cardiovascular events remains to be established. The aim was to determine associations of CAVI with cardiovascular morbimortality (primary outcome) and all-cause mortality (secondary outcome), and to establish the determinants of CAVI progression. METHODS: TRIPLE-A-Stiffness, an international multicentre prospective longitudinal study, enrolled >2000 subjects ≥40 years old at 32 centres from 18 European countries. Of these, 1250 subjects (55% women) were followed for a median of 3.82 (2.81-4.69) years. FINDINGS: Unadjusted cumulative incidence rates of outcomes according to CAVI stratification were higher in highest stratum (CAVI > 9). Cox regression with adjustment for age, sex, and cardiovascular risk factors revealed that CAVI was associated with increased cardiovascular morbimortality (HR 1.25 per 1 increase; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.03-1.51) and all-cause mortality (HR 1.37 per 1 increase; 95% CI: 1.10-1.70) risk in subjects ≥60 years. In ROC analyses, CAVI optimal threshold was 9.25 (c-index 0.598; 0.542-0.654) and 8.30 (c-index 0.565; 0.512-0.618) in subjects ≥ or <60 years, respectively, to predict increased CV morbimortality. Finally, age, mean arterial blood pressure, anti-diabetic and lipid-lowering treatment were independent predictors of yearly CAVI progression adjusted for baseline CAVI. INTERPRETATION: The present study identified additional value for CAVI to predict outcomes after adjustment for CV risk factors, in particular for subjects ≥60 years. CAVI progression may represent a modifiable risk factor by treatments. FUNDING: International Society of Vascular Health (ISVH) and Fukuda Denshi, Japan.

Development and validation of a prognostic score integrating remote heart failure symptoms and clinical variables in mortality risk prediction after myocardial infarction: the PragueMi score.

AIMS: While heart failure (HF) symptoms are associated with adverse prognosis after myocardial infarction (MI), they are not routinely used for patients' stratification. The primary objective of this study was to develop and validate a score to predict mortality risk after MI, combining remotely recorded HF symptoms and clinical risk factors, and to compare it against the guideline-recommended Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) score. METHODS AND RESULTS: A cohort study design using prospectively collected data from consecutive patients hospitalized for MI at a large tertiary heart centre between June 2017 and September 2022 was used. Data from 1135 patients (aged 64 ± 12 years, 26.7% women), were split into derivation (70%) and validation cohort (30%). Components of the 23-item Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire and clinical variables were used as possible predictors. The best model included the following variables: age, HF history, admission creatinine and heart rate, ejection fraction at hospital discharge, and HF symptoms 1 month after discharge including walking impairment, leg swelling, and change in HF symptoms. Based on these variables, the PragueMi score was developed. In the validation cohort, the PragueMi score showed superior discrimination to the GRACE score for 6 months [the area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) 90.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 81.8-98.4 vs. 77.4, 95% CI 62.2-92.5, P = 0.04) and 1-year risk prediction (AUC 89.7, 95% CI 83.5-96.0 vs. 76.2, 95% CI 64.7-87.7, P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: The PragueMi score combining HF symptoms and clinical variables performs better than the currently recommended GRACE score.

The prognosis of patients after myocardial infarction is heterogeneous. Thus, risk stratification is needed to identify and intervene patients at increased risk. While heart failure (HF) symptoms are associated with adverse prognosis, they are not used for patients' stratification. We have developed and internally validated the PragueMi score, which integrates clinical risk factors at the time of hospitalization and HF symptoms determined remotely by a questionnaire 1 month after hospital discharge. PragueMi score was able to better stratify patients' risk as compared with the currently recommended Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events score.

Acetylsalicylic acid use and development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy: A national prospective study using highly automated 3-D optical coherence tomography analysis.

BACKGROUND: There is conflicting evidence on the role of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) use in the development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV). METHODS: A nationwide prospective two-center study investigated changes in the coronary artery vasculature by highly automated 3-D optical coherence tomography (OCT) analysis at 1 month and 12 months after heart transplant (HTx). The influence of ASA use on coronary artery microvascular changes was analyzed in the overall study cohort and after propensity score matching for selected clinical CAV risk factors. RESULTS: In total, 175 patients (mean age 52 ± 12 years, 79% male) were recruited. During the 1-year follow-up, both intimal and media thickness progressed, with ASA having no effect on its progression. However, detailed OCT analysis revealed that ASA use was associated with a lower increase in lipid plaque (LP) burden (p = .013), while it did not affect the other observed pathologies. Propensity score matching of 120 patients (60 patient pairs) showed similar results, with ASA use associated with lower progression of LPs (p = .002), while having no impact on layered fibrotic plaque (p = .224), calcification (p = .231), macrophage infiltration (p = .197), or the absolute coronary artery risk score (p = .277). According to Kaplan-Meier analysis, ASA use was not associated with a significant difference in survival (p = .699) CONCLUSION: This study showed a benefit of early ASA use after HTx on LP progression. However, ASA use did not have any impact on the progression of other OCT-observed pathologies or long-term survival.

Remote Heart Failure Symptoms Assessment After Myocardial Infarction Identifies Patients at Risk for Death.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure is a common complication after myocardial infarction (MI) and is associated with increased mortality. Whether remote heart failure symptoms assessment after MI can improve risk stratification is unknown. The authors evaluated the association of the 23-item Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) with all-cause mortality after MI. METHODS AND RESULTS: Prospectively collected data from consecutive patients hospitalized for MI at a large tertiary heart center between June 2017 and September 2022 were used. Patients remotely completed the KCCQ 1 month after discharge. A total of 1135 (aged 64±12 years, 26.7% women) of 1721 eligible patients completed the KCCQ. Ranges of KCCQ scores revealed that 30 (2.6%), 114 (10.0%), 274 (24.1%), and 717 (63.2%) had scores <25, 25 to 49, 50 to 74, and ≥75, respectively. During a mean follow-up of 46 months (interquartile range, 29-61), 146 (12.9%) died. In a fully adjusted analysis, KCCQ scores <50 were independently associated with mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 6.05 for KCCQ <25, HR, 2.66 for KCCQ 25-49 versus KCCQ ≥50; both P<0.001). Adding the 30-day KCCQ to clinical risk factors improved risk stratification: change in area under the curve of 2.6 (95% CI, 0.3-5.0), Brier score of -0.6 (95% CI, -1.0 to -0.2), and net reclassification improvement of 0.71 (95% CI, 0.45-1.04). KCCQ items most strongly associated with mortality were walking impairment, leg swelling, and change in symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Remote evaluation of heart failure symptoms using the KCCQ among patients recently discharged for MI identifies patients at risk for mortality. Whether closer follow-up and targeted therapy can reduce mortality in high-risk patients warrants further study.

Early vascular damage in retinal microcirculation in arterial hypertension: the Czech post-MONICA study.

Retinal microcirculation reflects retinal perfusion abnormalities and retinal arterial structural changes at relatively early stages of various cardiovascular diseases. Wall-to-lumen ratio (WLR) may represent the earliest step in hypertension-mediated organ damage.Our objective was to compare functional and structural parameters of retinal microcirculation in a randomly selected urban population sample, in hypertensive and normotensive individuals. DESIGN AND METHOD: A total of 398 randomly selected individuals from an urban population aged 25-65 years, residing in Pilsen, Czech Republic, were screened for major cardiovascular risk factors. Retinal microcirculation was assessed using scanning laser Doppler flowmetry, with data evaluable in 343 patients. Complete data were available for 342 individuals divided into four groups based on blood pressure and control status of hypertension: normotensive individuals ( n  = 213), treated controlled hypertensive individuals ( n  = 30), treated uncontrolled hypertensive individuals ( n  = 26), and newly detected/untreated hypertensive individuals ( n  = 73). RESULTS: There was a tendency to higher wall thickness in treated but uncontrolled hypertensive patients (compared to normotensive and treated controlled hypertensive individuals). WLR was significantly increased in treated but uncontrolled hypertensive patients as well as in individuals with newly detected thus untreated hypertension or in patients with known but untreated hypertension. There was no difference in WLR in treated, controlled hypertensive patients compared with normotensive individuals. CONCLUSION: Our results show that an increased WLR, reflecting early vascular damage, was found in newly detected individuals with hypertension and in untreated hypertensive patients, reflecting early hypertension-mediated vascular damage. Early initiation of hypertension treatment may be warranted.

Right ventricular global dysfunction score: a new concept of right ventricular function assessment in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Background: Right ventricular (RV) function is currently being evaluated solely according to the properties of RV myocardium. We have tested a concept that in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), RV assessment should integrate the information about both RV function as well as size. Methods: A total of 836 stable patients with HFrEF (LVEF 23.6 ± 5.8%, 82.8% males, 68% NYHA III/IV) underwent echocardiographic evaluation and were prospectively followed for a median of 3.07 (IQRs 1.11; 4.89) years for the occurrence of death, urgent heart transplantation or implantation of mechanical circulatory support. Results: RV size (measured as RV-basal diameter, RVD1) was significantly associated with an adverse outcome independent of RV dysfunction grade (p = 0.0002). The prognostic power of RVD1 was further improved by indexing to body surface area (RVD1i, p < 0.05 compared to non-indexed value). A novel parameter named RV global dysfunction score (RVGDs) was calculated as a product of RVD1i and the degree of RV dysfunction (1-4 for preserved RV function, mild, moderate and severe dysfunction, respectively). RVGDs showed a superior prognostic role compared to RV dysfunction grade alone (ΔAUC >0.03, p < 0.0001). In every subgroup of RVGDs (<20, 20-40, 40-60, >60), patients with milder degree of RV dysfunction but more dilated RV had similar outcome as those with more severe degree of RV dysfunction but smaller RV size (all p > 0.50), independent of tricuspid regurgitation severity and degree of pulmonary hypertension. Conclusion: RV dilatation is a manifestation of RV dysfunction. The evaluation of RV performance should integrate the information about both RV size and function.

Longitudinal Trends in Severe Dyslipidemia in the Czech Population: The Czech MONICA and Czech Post-MONICA Study.

Background: Severe hypercholesterolemia is associated with an increase in the risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The aim of this analysis was to assess longitudinal trends in severe dyslipidemia (defined as total cholesterol > 8 mmol/L or LDL-cholesterol > 5 mmol/L) in a representative population sample of the Czech Republic and to analyze the longitudinal trends in the basic characteristics of individuals with severe dyslipidemia. Methods: Seven independent cross-sectional surveys were organized in the Czech Republic to screen for major cardiovascular risk factors (from 1985 to 2015-2018). A total of 20,443 randomly selected individuals aged 25-64 years were examined. Results: The overall prevalence of severe dyslipidemia was 6.6%, with a significant downward trend from the fifth survey onwards (2000/2001). Over the study period of 30+ years, the individuals with severe dyslipidemia became older, increased in BMI, and did not change their smoking habits. Total cholesterol and non-HDL-cholesterol decreased significantly in both sexes throughout the duration of the study. Conclusions: Despite a significant improvement in lipids in the Czech Republic from 1985, substantially contributing to the decline in cardiovascular mortality, the number of individuals with severe dyslipidemia remained high, and in most cases, they were newly detected during our screening examinations and were thus untreated.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography for the Noninvasive Assessment of Arterial Aging: A Review by the VascAgeNet COST Action.

Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography allow the characterization of arterial state and function with high confidence and thus play a key role in the understanding of arterial aging and its translation into the clinic. Decades of research into the development of innovative imaging sequences and image analysis techniques have led to the identification of a large number of potential biomarkers, some bringing improvement in basic science, others in clinical practice. Nonetheless, the complexity of some of these biomarkers and the image analysis techniques required for their computation hamper their widespread use. In this narrative review, current biomarkers related to aging of the aorta, their founding principles, the sequence, and postprocessing required, and their predictive values for cardiovascular events are summarized. For each biomarker a summary of reference values and reproducibility studies and limitations is provided. The present review, developed in the COST Action VascAgeNet, aims to guide clinicians and technical researchers in the critical understanding of the possibilities offered by these advanced imaging modalities for studying the state and function of the aorta, and their possible clinically relevant relationships with aging.

Attenuation of Hypocretin/Orexin Signaling Is Associated With Increased Mortality After Myocardial Infarction.

Background The hypocretin/orexin system has been shown to play a role in heart failure. Whether it also influences myocardial infarction (MI) outcomes is unknown. We evaluated the effect of the rs7767652 minor allele T associated with decreased transcription of the hypocretin/orexin receptor-2 and circulating orexin A concentrations on mortality risk after MI. Methods and Results Data from a single-center, prospectively designed registry of consecutive patients hospitalized for MI at a large tertiary cardiology center were analyzed. Patients without previous history of MI or heart failure were included. A random population sample was used to compare allele frequencies in the general population. Out of 1009 patients (aged 64±12 years, 74.6% men) after MI, 6.1% were homozygotes (TT) and 39.4% heterozygotes (CT) for minor allele. Allele frequencies in the MI group did not differ from 1953 subjects from general population (χ2 P=0.62). At index hospitalization, MI size was the same, but ventricular fibrillation and the need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation were more prevalent in the TT allele variant. Among patients with ejection fraction ≤40% at discharge, the TT variant was associated with a lower increase in left ventricular ejection fraction during follow-up (P=0.03). During the 27-month follow-up, there was a statistically significant association of the TT variant with increased mortality risk (hazard ratio [HR], 2.83; P=0.001). Higher circulating orexin A was associated with a lower mortality risk (HR, 0.41; P<0.05). Conclusions Attenuation of hypocretin/orexin signaling is associated with increased mortality risk after MI. This effect may be partially explained by the increased arrhythmic risk and the effect on the left ventricular systolic function recovery.

Role of genetics in the development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy.

BACKGROUND: The association between genetic polymorphisms and early cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) development is relatively unexplored. Identification of genes involved in the CAV process may offer new insights into pathophysiology and lead to a wider range of therapeutic options. METHODS: This prospective study of 109 patients investigated 44 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the susceptibility loci potentially related to coronary artery disease, carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT), and in nitric oxide synthase gene. Genotyping was done by the Fluidigm SNP Type assays and Fluidigm 48.48 Dynamic Array IFC. The intima thickness progression (IT) was evaluated by coronary optical coherence tomography performed 1 month and 12 months after heart transplantation (HTx). RESULTS: During the first post-HTx year, the mean intima thickness (IT) increased by 24.0 ± 34.2 µm (p < 0.001) and lumen area decreased by ‒0.9 ± 1.8 mm2 (p < 0.001). The rs1570360 (A/G) SNP of the vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) gene showed the strongest association with intima thickness progression, even in the presence of the traditional CAV risk factors. SNPs previously related to carotid artery intima-media thickness rs11785239 (PRAG1), rs6584389 (PAX2), rs13225723 (LINC02577) and rs17477177 (CCDC71L), were among the five most significantly associated with IT progression but lost their significance once traditional CAV risk factors had been added. CONCLUSION: Results of this study suggest that genetic variability may play an important role in CAV development. The vascular endothelial growth factor A gene SNP rs1570360 showed the strongest association with intima thickness (IT) progression measured by OCT, even in the presence of the traditional CAV risk factors (Tab. 3, Fig. 3, Ref. 36). Text in PDF www.elis.sk Keywords: cardiac allograft vasculopathy, optical coherence tomography, vascular endothelial growth factor A, intimal thickening, genetic polymorphism.

Heart failure-related quality-of-life impairment after myocardial infarction.

AIMS: Recent advances in therapy led to a significant decrease in mortality and morbidity after myocardial infarction (MI). However, little is known about quality of life (QoL) after MI. We examined heart failure (HF)-related quality-of-life (QoL) impairment, its trajectories, and determinants after MI. METHODS: Data from a single-center prospectively designed registry of consecutive patients hospitalized for MI at a large tertiary cardiology center were utilized. At 1 month and 1 year after hospital discharge, patients completed the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ). RESULTS: In total, 850 patients (aged 65 ± 12 years, 27% female) hospitalized between June 2017 and October 2020 completed KCCQ at 1 month after discharge. Of these, 38.7% showed HF-related QoL impairment (KCCQ ≤ 75). In addition to characteristics of MI (MI size, diuretics need, heart rate), comorbidities as renal dysfunction and anemia were associated with QoL impairment. Of the 673 eligible, 500 patients (74.3%) completed KCCQ at 1 year after MI. On average, QoL improved by 5.9 ± 16.8 points during the first year after MI (p < 0.001); but, in 18% of patients QoL worsened. Diabetes control and hemoglobin level at the time of hospitalization were associated with QoL worsening. CONCLUSION: Two out of 5 patients after MI present with HF-related QoL impairment. In addition to guideline-directed MI management, careful attention to key non-cardiac comorbidities as chronic kidney disease, anemia and diabetes may lead to further augmentation of the benefit of modern therapies in terms of QoL.

Trajectories and determinants of left ventricular ejection fraction after the first myocardial infarction in the current era of primary coronary interventions.

Background: Left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) is an independent predictor of adverse outcomes after myocardial infarction (MI). However, current data on trajectories and determinants of EF are scarce. The present study aimed to describe the epidemiology of EF after MI. Methods: Data from a single-center prospectively-designed registry of consecutive patients hospitalized at a large tertiary cardiology center were utilized. Results: Out of 1,593 patients in the registry, 1,065 were hospitalized for MI type I (65.4% STEMI) and had no previous history of heart failure or MI. At discharge, EF < 40% was present in 238 (22.3%), EF 40-50% in 326 (30.6%) and EF > 50% in 501 (47.0%). Patients with EF < 40% were often those who suffered subacute and anterior STEMI, had higher heart rate at admission and higher maximal troponin level, and had more often HF signs requiring intravenous diuretics. Among subjects with EF < 40%, the follow-up EF was available in 166 (80% of eligible). Systolic function recovered to EF > 50% in 39 (23.1%), slightly improved to EF 40-50% in 44 (26.0%) and remained below 40% in 86 (50.9%). Systolic function improvement to EF > 40% was predicted by lower severity of coronary atherosclerosis, lower leukocyte count, and the absence of atrial fibrillation. Conclusions: Despite recent improvements in in-hospital MI care, one in five patients has systolic dysfunction at hospital discharge. Out of these, EF improves in 51%, and full recovery is observed in 23%. The severity of coronary atherosclerosis, inflammatory response to MI, and atrial fibrillation may affect EF recovery.

Cognitive impairment and the threat of dementia pandemic or the journey of hypertensive patients to self-care deficit.

In the Czech Republic, due to the population aging, the prevalence of cognitive dysfunction is increasing. Researchers estimate that by 2050 the number of patients with dementia in the Czech Republic will more than double. Since dementia cannot be cured, it is important to prevent the cognitive dysfunction development by influencing modifiable risk factors. Arterial hypertension (AH) is one of the main risk factors for the development of cognitive dysfunction and dementia. Elevated blood pressure values in youth are associated with a higher risk of cognitive decline in middle age and with the development of dementia in old age. Blood pressure control in low-risk patients with stage I hypertension reduces the risk of dementia development, including Alzheimers disease. Therefore, improving the AH control in the population since younghood will be needed to influence the emerging cognitive dysfunction pandemic.

Longitudinal trends in blood pressure, prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in the Czech population. Are there any sex differences?

Background: Hypertension is the most common cardiovascular disease which substantially increases cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Despite the broad availability of antihypertensive medication, control of hypertension is not satisfactory worldwide. Objective: The study aim was to assess longitudinal trends in blood pressure, prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in a representative population sample of the Czechia from 1985 to 2016/2017, focusing on sex differences. Methods: A total of 7,606 men and 8,050 women aged 25-64 years were screened for major CV risk factors in seven independent cross-sectional surveys run consistently in the same six country districts of the Czechia between 1985 and 2016/2017. The population samples were randomly selected. Results: Over a study period of 31/32 years, there was a significant decline in systolic and diastolic blood pressure in both sexes, whereas the prevalence of hypertension decreased only in women. There was an increase in hypertension awareness in both sexes over the entire study period with consistently higher rates in women. The proportion of individuals treated with antihypertensive drugs increased significantly in both sexes throughout the study, again with consistently higher rates in women. Control of hypertension increased significantly over the study period with consistently higher rates in women. The age-adjusted trends in blood pressure, prevalence, awareness, and treatment of hypertension were significantly different in men and women, always in favor of women. The age-adjusted trends in control of hypertension in treated patients were equally poor in both sexes. Conclusion: There are significant differences in longitudinal trends in blood pressure, prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension between men and women, always in favor of women except for the control of hypertension in treated patients, where it is equally poor in both sexes.

Metformin treatment is associated with improved outcome in patients with diabetes and advanced heart failure (HFrEF).

The role of metformin (MET) in the treatment of patients with advanced HFrEF and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is not firmly established. We studied the impact of MET on metabolic profile, quality of life (QoL) and survival in these patients. A total of 847 stable patients with advanced HFrEF (57.4 ± 11.3 years, 67.7% NYHA III/IV, LVEF 23.6 ± 5.8%) underwent clinical and laboratory evaluation and were prospectively followed for a median of 1126 (IQRs 410; 1781) days for occurrence of death, urgent heart transplantation or mechanical circulatory support implantation. A subgroup of 380 patients (44.9%) had DM, 87 of DM patients (22.9%) were treated with MET. Despite worse insulin sensitivity and more severe DM (higher BMI, HbA1c, worse insulin resistance), MET-treated patients exhibited more stable HF marked by lower BNP level (400 vs. 642 ng/l), better LV and RV function, lower mitral and tricuspid regurgitation severity, were using smaller doses of diuretics (all p < 0.05). Further, they had higher eGFR (69.23 vs. 63.34 ml/min/1.73 m2) and better QoL (MLHFQ: 36 vs. 48 points, p = 0.002). Compared to diabetics treated with other glucose-lowering agents, MET-treated patients had better event-free survival even after adjustment for BNP, BMI and eGFR (p = 0.035). Propensity score-matched analysis with 17 covariates yielded 81 pairs of patients and showed a significantly better survival for MET-treated subgroup (p = 0.01). MET treatment in patients with advanced HFrEF and DM is associated with improved outcome by mechanisms beyond the improvement of blood glucose control.

High leptin status indicates an increased risk of mortality and heart failure in stable coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Leptin is an adipocyte-derived peptide involved in energy homeostasis and body weight regulation. The position of leptin in cardiovascular pathophysiology remains controversial. Some studies suggest a detrimental effect of hyperleptinemia on the cardiovascular (CV) system, while others assume the role of leptin as a neutral or even protective factor. We have explored whether high leptin affects the mortality and morbidity risk in patients with stable coronary heart disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: We followed 975 patients ≥6 months after myocardial infarction or coronary revascularization in a prospective study. All-cause or cardiovascular death, non-fatal cardiovascular events (recurrent myocardial infarction, stroke, or any revascularization), and hospitalizations for heart failure (HF) we used as outcomes. High serum leptin concentrations (≥18.9 ng/mL, i.e., 4th quartile) were associated with worse survival, as well as with a higher incidence of fatal vascular events or hospitalizations for HF. Even after full adjustment for potential covariates, high leptin remained to be associated with a significantly increased 5-years risk of all-cause death [Hazard risk ratio (HRR) 2.10 (95%CIs:1.29-3.42), p < 0.003], CV death [HRR 2.65 (95%CIs:1.48-4.74), p < 0.001], and HF hospitalization [HRR 1.95 (95% CIs:1.11-3.44), p < 0.020]. In contrast, the incidence risk of non-fatal CV events was only marginally and non-significantly influenced [HRR 1.27 (95%CIs:0.76-2.13), p = 0.359]. CONCLUSIONS: High leptin concentration entails an increased risk of mortality, apparently driven by fatal CV events and future worsening of HF, on top of conventional CV risk factors and the baseline status of left ventricular function.

Preclinical atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events: Do we have a consensus about the role of preclinical atherosclerosis in the prediction of cardiovascular events?

Atherosclerosis has a long preclinical phase, and the risk of cardiovascular (CV) events may be high in asymptomatic subjects. Conventional risk factors provide information for the statistical probability of developing CV events, but they lack precision in asymptomatic subjects. This review aims to summarize the role of some widely publicized indicators of early atherosclerosis in predicting CV events. The earliest measurable indicator of the atherosclerotic process is endothelial dysfunction, measured by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery. However, reduced FMD is a stronger predictor of future CV events in patients with existing CV disease than in apparently healthy persons. Alternatively, measurement of carotid artery intima-media thickness does not improve the predictive value of risk factor scores, while detection of asymptomatic atherosclerotic plaques in carotid or common femoral arteries by ultrasound indicates high CV risk. Coronary calcium is a robust and validated help in the estimation of vascular changes and risk, which may improve risk stratification beyond traditional risk factors with relatively low radiation exposure. Arterial stiffness of the aorta, measured as the carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity is an independent marker of CV risk at the population level, but it is not recommended as a routine procedure because of measurement difficulties. Low ankle-brachial index (ABI) indicates flow-limiting atherosclerosis in the lower limbs and indicates high CV risk, while normal ABI does not rule out advanced asymptomatic atherosclerosis. Novel circulating biomarkers are associated with the atherosclerotic process. However, because of limited specificity, their ability to improve risk classification at present remains low.

Cardiac device-related infective endocarditis in the Czech Republic: Prospective data from the ESC EORP EURO-ENDO registry.

AIM: Understanding cardiac electronic device infective endocarditis epidemiology is essential for the management of this serious complication. Only monocentric and limited data have been published regarding patients in the Czech republic so far. The aim of this study was to describe the current profile, microbiology and clinical characteristics of this population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: National data from the prospective ESC-EORP EURO-ENDO registry were collected. 57 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of cardiac device-related infective endocarditis (CDRIE) from 11 Czech centres were included. RESULTS: Staphylococcus spp. was responsible for 43.9% of isolates, whereas Culture negative endocarditis was documented in 26.3% episodes. The most frequent complications under therapy were acute renal failure (17.5%), septic shock and heart failure (both 10.5%). Extraction of device was performed in 75.4% of all patients, and the 1-year mortality was 22.5%. CONCLUSIONS: The high proportion of culture-negative endocarditis is alarming and warrants further investigation. Cardiac device related infective endocarditis is a serious complication with a high 1-year mortality in a highly polymorbid spectrum of patients.