Advanced heart failure therapies in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: current status, challenges, and future directions.

While there has been a global decrease in rates of heart failure (HF) prevalence between 1990 and 2019, the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR) is experiencing an increase. In 2019, approximately 1,229,766 individuals lived with moderate to severe HF in the EMR. Despite the growth in the utilization of advanced heart failure (AHF) therapies in the EMR in the past two decades, current volumes are yet to meet the growing AHF burden in the region. Heart transplantation (HT) volumes in EMR have grown from 9 in the year 2000 to 179 HTs in 2019. However, only a few centers provide the full spectrum of AHF therapies, including durable mechanical circulatory support (MCS) and HT. Published data on the utilization of left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) in the EMR are scarce. Notably, patients undergoing LVAD implantation in the EMR are on average, 13 year younger, and more likely to present with critical cardiogenic shock, as compared to their counterparts in the Western world. Furthermore, AHF care in the region is hampered by the paucity of multidisciplinary HF programs, inherent costs of AHF therapies, limited access to short and long-term MCS, organ shortage, and lack of public awareness and acceptance of AHF therapeutics. All stakeholders in the EMR should work together to strategize tackling the challenging AHF burden in the region.

Red Flags in Acute Myocarditis.

Acute myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the heart that may occur in the setting of infection, immune system activation or exposure to certain drugs. Often, it is caused by viruses, whereby the clinical course is usually benign; however, it may also present with rapidly progressive fulminant myocarditis, which is associated with high morbidity and mortality. This review highlights the critical red flags - from the clinical, biochemical, imaging and histopathological perspectives - that should raise the index of suspicion of acute myocarditis. We also present an illustrative case of a young female patient with rapidly progressive cardiogenic shock requiring veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a bridge to orthotopic heart transplantation. The patient showed no clinical or echocardiographic recovery signs and eventually underwent orthotopic heart transplantation. Furthermore, we elaborate on the classifications of acute myocarditis based on clinical presentation and histopathology classifications, focusing on identifying key red flags that will inform early diagnosis and appropriate management in such challenging cases.

Expert Recommendations to Bridge Gaps in Heart Failure Patient Support in the Middle East and Africa Region.

Heart failure (HF) remains a serious health and socioeconomic problem in the Middle East and Africa (MEA). The age-standardized prevalence rate for HF in the MEA region is higher compared to countries in Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. Also cardiovascular-related deaths remain high compared to their global counterparts. Moreover, in MEA, 66% of HF readmissions are elicited by potentially preventable factors, including delay in seeking medical attention, nonadherence to HF medication, suboptimal discharge planning, inadequate follow-up, and poor social support. Patient support in the form of activation, counseling, and caregiver education has been shown to improve outcomes in patients with HF. A multidisciplinary meeting with experts from different countries across the MEA region was convened to identify the current gaps and unmet needs for patient support for HF in the region. The panel provided insights into the real-world challenges in HF patient support and contributed strategic recommendations for optimizing HF care.

The prevalence of cardiorenal anemia syndrome among patients with heart failure and its association with all-cause hospitalizations: a retrospective single-center study from the Middle East.

Background and aim: Little is known about the burden of cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) and cardiorenal anemia syndrome (CRAS) in the Middle East Region. Furthermore, whether the occurrence rates of CRAS differ across heart failure (HF) phenotypes is not widely investigated. We aimed to examine the prevalence of CRS and CRAS in patients with HF, compare characteristics of patients with CRAS-HFrEF vs. CRAS-HFpEF, and investigate anemia association with 1-year all-cause hospitalizations. Methods: HF patients who visited a multidisciplinary HF clinic at a single center between 10-2015 and 06-2022 (n = 968) were retrospectively included. Differences in rates of CRAS prevalence, and patients' characteristics of those with CRAS-HFrEF vs. CRAS-HFpEF were determined using appropriate testing methods. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) models were used to determine if anemia was associated with higher rates of hospitalization. Results: CRS was prevalent in 34.4% of subjects, while 25.3% had CRAS. CRAS prevalence rates among patients with HFpEF vs. HFrEF were comparable (27.2% vs. 24.2%, p = 0.3). Compared to patients with HFrEF-CRAS, those with HFpEF-CRAS were more likely females (p < 0.001), had a higher burden of hypertension (p = 0.01), and lower hemoglobin (p = 0.02). In an adjusted GEE model, anemia was associated with an average increase of 1.8 admissions in CRS patients (p = 0.015). Conclusion: In patients with HF, 1 in 3 patients presented with CRS, and 1 in 4 patients had CRAS. The prevalence of CRAS was comparable among those HFpEF and HFrEF. Anemia was associated with an increased rate of 1-year all-cause hospitalization in CRS patients.

Regional expert opinion: Management of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey.

Although epidemiological data on heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are scarce in the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey (MENAT) region, Lancet Global Burden of Disease estimated the prevalence of HF in the MENAT region in 2019 to be 0.78%, versus 0.71% globally. There is also a high incidence of HFpEF risk factors and co-morbidities in the region, including coronary artery disease, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, anaemia and chronic kidney disease. For instance, 14.5-16.2% of adults in the region reportedly have diabetes, versus 7.0% in Europe. Together with increasing life expectancy, this may contribute towards a higher burden of HFpEF in the region than currently reported. This paper aims to describe the epidemiology and burden of HFpEF in the MENAT region, including unique risk factors and co-morbidities. It highlights challenges with diagnosing HFpEF, such as the prioritization of HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), the specific profile of HFpEF patients in the region and barriers to effective management associated with the healthcare system. Guidance is given on the diagnosis, prevention and management of HFpEF, including the emerging role of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors. Given the high burden of HFpEF coupled with the fact that its prevalence is likely to be underestimated, healthcare professionals need to be alert to its signs and symptoms and to manage patients accordingly. Historically, HFpEF treatments have focused on managing co-morbidities and symptoms, but new agents are now available with proven effects on outcomes in patients with HFpEF.

Worldwide and Country-Specific Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Heart Transplantation Volumes: A Longitudinal Analysis of 2020 and 2021.

COVID-19 pandemic hampered operational efficiency of heart transplant (HT) programs worldwide. Little is known about the global and country-specific changes in HT volumes during the pandemic years 2020-2021. We aimed to describe the global and country-level impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on HT volumes in 2020-2021. This is a cross-sectional study of the Global Observatory on Donation and Transplantation, including the years 2019-2021. Among 60 countries that reported HT data in the years 2019-2020, we analyzed 52 countries with ≥1 transplant during each year. Overall, the number of HTs decreased during 2020 by 9.3% (1.82 to 1.65 PMP). While 75% (n = 39/52) of countries experienced a decrease in HT volumes in 2020, volumes were maintained/increased in the remaining countries. Countries with maintained HT volumes had a higher organ donation rate in 2020 compared to those with decreased volumes (P = 0.03), the only significant predictor of change in HT volumes (P = 0.005). In 2021, a 6.6% recovery from the previous year's drop in global HT rate was noticed, reaching 1.76 HT PMP. Only 1 in 5 countries with reduced volumes in 2020 recovered their baseline volumes in 2021. Only 30.8% of countries with maintained volumes in 2020 had continued growth in HT volumes in 2021. The latter group encompassed the United States of America, the Netherlands, Poland, and Portugal. Further work should define underlying causes of this heterogeneity in HT volume during the pandemic. Identifying policies and practices that helped certain countries mitigate the effect of the pandemic on HT activities may help other countries during similar health crises in the future.

Implementation of a multidisciplinary inpatient heart failure service and its association with hospitalized patient outcomes: First experience from the Middle East and North Africa region.

BACKGROUND: Multidisciplinary care models have been associated with improved clinical outcomes and an increase in adherence to guideline-directed medical therapy among patients hospitalized with heart failure (HF). OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the association between the creation of a multidisciplinary inpatient HF service and patient outcomes at a tertiary care center in the Middle East/ North Africa. METHODS: We used electronic health records to retrospectively identify patients hospitalized for acute HF between June-2015 and June-2018. Patients were categorized by whether they were hospitalized before (n = 71) or after (n = 86) the implementation of a multidisciplinary HF team (HF-MDT), starting on 1/1/2017. The groups were compared for optimal use of guideline-directed medical therapy, hospital length of stay, 30-day hospital readmission, and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: The creation of the HF-MDT was associated with significantly better adherence to GDMT at discharge (27.5% vs. 55.4%, (OR 3.3, 95% CI [1.65-6.5]), P<0.001), shorter median hospital length of stay (8, IQR [4.8 - 19] vs. 5, IQR [3- 9], P = 0.02) and a reduction in 30-day hospital readmission (26.5% vs. 11%; OR 0.3, 95% CI [0.1-0.8], P = 0.02). However, there was no difference in-hospital mortality (10.5% vs. 3.5%; OR 0.3, 95% CI [0.1-1.2], P = 0.1). CONCLUSIONS: Implementing an HF-MDT in the care of patients hospitalized with HF is associated with better adherence to GDMT on discharge, reduced hospital length of stay, and lower 30-day readmission rates. The current data support the broader adoption of dedicated HF programs in the Middle East to improve outcomes of patients with HF.

Anticoagulation practices and complications associated with Impella® support at an advanced cardiac center in the Middle East gulf region.

Anticoagulation during Impella® support is a challenge due to its complications and inconsistent practice across the globe. This observational, retrospective chart review included all patients with Impella® support at our advanced cardiac center at a quaternary care hospital in the Middle East gulf region. The study was conducted over six years (2016-2022), a time period during which manufacturer recommendations for purge solution, anticoagulation protocols as well as Impella® place in therapy and utilization were all evolving. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of different anticoagulation practices and association with complications and outcomes. Forty-one patients underwent Impella® during the study period, including 25 patients with support for more than 12 h, and are the focus of our analysis. Cardiogenic shock (n = 25, 60.9%) was the primary indication for Impella®, followed by facilitating high-risk PCI (n = 15, 36.7%) and left ventricular afterload reduction in patients undergoing veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (n = 1, 2.4%). Our overall Impella® usage evolved over the years from a primary use to facilitate a high-risk PCI to the recent more common use of LV unloading in cardiogenic shock. No patients experienced device malfunction and the incidence of other complications including ischemic stroke and bleeding were comparable to those reported in the literature (12.2% and 24% respectively). The 30-day all-cause mortality of 41 patients was 53.6%. In line with the evolving recommendations and evidence, we observed an underutilization of non-heparin-based purge solutions and inconsistent management of anticoagulation in the setting of both Impella® and VA ECMO which necessitates more education and protocols.

Polypharmacy in cardiorenal syndrome patients.

Cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) is a term defined as complex interactions between concomitant cardiac and renal dysfunction in which disease of one organ initiates, perpetuates, and/or accelerates the decline in the other. It accounts for a third of presentations with heart failure and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. Polypharmacy (defined as using five or more medications) is common in CRS patients and is associated with worst clinical outcomes. The risk for polypharmacy increases to several fold with associated comorbidities, poses risks to the overall health of the patient, and enhances non-compliance to essential medications. Deprescribing non-essential medications, coordination between multiple specialties to mitigate the risk of polypharmacy, pharmacist- and nurse-led clinics to improve adherence to medications, use of polypills and telemonitoring are various methods to reduce polypharmacy. In this paper, we highlight different strategies to prevent polypharmacy and improve compliance and adherence to essential medications.

Prevalence and management of hyperkalemia in chronic kidney disease and heart failure patients in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Hyperkalemia is a frequent complication in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or heart failure (HF) and associated with neuromuscular manifestations, changes in the electrocardiogram, and increased risk of mortality. While data on the prevalence and management of hyperkalemia in the gulf region are scarce, risk factors such as preference for potassium-rich foods (e.g., dates and dried fruits/vegetables), periods of intense fasting (e.g., Ramadan), and diabetes (an ancestor of CKD and HF) are common. Therefore, a panel of nephrologists and cardiologists from countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) convened to collate and review available data on the prevalence, regional drivers, and current practice in the management of hyperkalemia in the region. Eventually, this review provides consensus recommendations on a balanced utilization of dietary and pharmacological options including new potassium binders for achieving and sustainably maintaining desirable serum potassium levels in countries of the GCC region. Alignment with regional habits and practice was a key aspect to facilitate the uptake of the recommendations into physicians' practice and patients' lives.

Early Identification and Management of Heart Failure in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus in the United Arab Emirates: A Call to Action.

Heart failure (HF) is a common and serious complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) that remains widely under-recognized. Multidisciplinary management protocols for patients with concurrent DM and HF are not widely utilized in the Middle East/Gulf region, particularly in the United Arab Emirates. Since early identification of patients with DM and HF will likely lead to initiation of therapies known to prevent adverse cardiovascular events and subsequently improve patient prognosis, we aim to highlight the importance of early recognition of HF in diabetic patients. We will also describe existing management challenges in the region, especially the lack of multidisciplinary care and emphasize the role of newer anti-diabetic therapies in preventing and treating HF. Most importantly, this call-to-action proposes a collaborative approach to the care of diabetic patients with HF involving primary care physicians, endocrinologists, and cardiologists.

Medical decisions in organ donors and heart transplant candidates with history of COVID-19 infection: An international practice survey.

BACKGROUND: A growing proportion of transplant donors and recipients have a history of COVID-19 infection. This study sought to characterize clinical practice after recipient or donor COVID-19 infection. METHODS: An online survey was distributed to heart transplant clinicians through a professional society message board and social media. Responses were collected between September 29 and November 5, 2021. RESULTS: There were 222 health care professionals (68% transplant cardiologists, 22% transplant surgeons, 10% other) across diverse geographic regions who completed the survey. While there was significant variation in donor acceptance, as it relates to past and current COVID-19 infection, the respondents were fairly cautious: 28% would not typically accept a donor with a history of COVID-19 regardless of the infection course and > 80% would not accept donors who had evidence of myocardial dysfunction during past COVID-19 infection, or who died of COVID-19 or its complications. The timing of candidate reactivation on the waiting list after COVID-19 infection also varied and often diverged from scenarios addressed by social guidelines. Eighty-one percent of the respondents felt COVID-19 vaccine should be mandatory before transplant, but this rate varied by geographic region. CONCLUSION: Our results reflect evolving experience of the heart transplant field at a time of lack of high-quality evidence. In the absence of longer-term outcome data for donors and transplant candidates with history of COVID-19 infection, clinicians remain cautious; however, this approach will likely need to be refined as an increasing proportion of the population will continue to be infected with COVID-19.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement in a patient with critical bicuspid aortic stenosis and cardiogenic shock: case report.

Background: Cardiogenic shock (CS) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality (27-51%). Little is known about the feasibility and safety of emergency transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for critical aortic stenosis (AS) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with CS. Case summary: A 57-year-old male with history of tobacco dependence and diabetes mellitus presented with acute posterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and CS. The patient initially underwent successful primary percutaneous intervention to an anomalous circumflex artery coming off the right cusp. It was noted to have advanced CS out of proportion to his coronary anatomy. Echocardiographic assessment noted critical AS. Heart team decided to perform percutaneous aortic balloon valvuloplasty under support of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Percutaneous aortic balloon valvuloplasty was performed and was complicated by severe aortic regurgitation (AR). A balloon-expandable transcatheter heart valve was then placed with resolution of AR and stabilization of the patient. Then, the patient was subsequently decannulated within a week then was able to go home after 47 days (32 days intensive care unit). His course was notable for a minor stroke due to initial period of hypotension and CS. He was extubated and remained hospitalized for several weeks participating in rehabilitation. Follow-up echo showed a well-seated and functioning transcatheter heart valve. His left ventricular systolic function improved from 21% to 45%. Conclusion: Emergency TAVR is feasible and can be performed in a patient with AMI and CS. Early initiation of mechanical support allowed the patient to receive definitive treatment. The multidisciplinary heart team is essential and reflected in the ultimate outcome of our patient.

Clinical and Haemodynamic Effects of Arteriovenous Shunts in Patients with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction.

The arteriovenous shunt (AVS) is the most commonly used vascular access in patients receiving regular haemodialysis. The AVS may have a significant haemodynamic impact on patients with heart failure. Many studies have sought to understand the effect of AVS creation or closure on heart structure and functions, most of which use non-invasive methods, such as echocardiography or cardiac MRI. Data are mainly focused on heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and there are limited data on heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. The presence of an AVS has a significant haemodynamic impact on the cardiovascular system and it is a common cause of high-output cardiac failure. Given that most studies to date use non-invasive methods, invasive assessment of the haemodynamic effects of the AVS using a right heart catheter may provide additional valuable information.

Temporal Trends in Brain-Death Organ Donation in Asia: Results From the Global Observatory on Donation and Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Organ shortage is the main limiting factor for further dissemination of organ transplantation therapies; implementation of brain-death (BD) criteria for organ donation purposes is essential for overcoming this limitation. Investigating and characterizing the effects of this intervention on organ availability and subsequent orthotopic organ transplantation in Asia, the world's most populous continent, should shed light on a global issue. The aim of this study was to describe temporal trends in brain-death donors (BDDs) and deceased-donor transplants (DDTs) in the Asian continent. METHODS: We used data from the Global Observatory on Donation and Transplantation (GODT), the world's most comprehensive source of data relating to organ donation and transplantation activities. Available data on the number of BDDs and DDTs in 48 Asian countries was collated and analyzed for the years 2000-2019. RESULTS: The number of BDDs in Asia increased progressively, from 25 BBDs in 2000 to 5357 in 2019. The number of DDTs increased concomitantly, albeit with an initial decline between 2004 and 2008, with an exponential increase in the number of kidney and liver transplants, followed by heart and lung transplants. Data from the latest year with complete data (2019) demonstrated 25,557 deceased-donor organs were transplanted, representing a >3-fold increase in the number of transplanted organs compared with the nadir in 2008. CONCLUSION: Although the Asian continent has noticed a rapid increase in BD transplantation activities during the past 2 decades, it is self-evident that further dissemination and adoption of BD donation are fundamental to reducing organ shortage gap.

Heart failure and COVID-19.

Heart failure is a common disease state that can be encountered at different stages in the course of a COVID-19 patient presentation. New or existing heart failure in the setting of COVID-19 can present a set of unique challenges that can complicate presentation, management, and prognosis. A careful understanding of the hemodynamic and diagnostic implications is essential for appropriate triage and management of these patients. Abnormal cardiac biomarkers are common in COVID-19 and can stem from a variety of mechanisms that involve the viral entry itself through the ACE2 receptors, direct cardiac injury, increased thrombotic activity, stress cardiomyopathy, and among others. The cytokine storm observed in this pandemic can be a culprit in many of the observed mechanisms and presentations. A correct understanding of the two-way interaction between heart failure medications and the infection as well as the proposed COVID-19 medications and heart failure can result in optimal management. Guideline-directed medical therapy for heart failure should not be interrupted for theoretical concerns but rather based on tolerance and clinical presentation. Initiating specific cardiac or heart failure medications to prevent the infection or mitigate the disease is also not an evidence-based practice at this time. Heart failure patients on advanced therapies including those with heart transplantation will particularly benefit from involving the advanced heart failure team members in the overall management if they contract the virus.

Traveling for heart transplantation and returning with COVID-19: a logistical, clinical, and pharmacotherapeutic challenge from the Middle East.

Heart transplantation (HT) has become a standard option for patients with end-stage heart failure (HF). However, the scarcity of donor availability remains a major hurdle for receiving this novel therapy, especially in the context of the rapidly spreading severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19) pandemic. We report the case of a patient in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with advanced HF who was glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficient and had a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy, chronic kidney disease stage II, and hyperlipidemia. He was referred for HT abroad and was subsequently caught in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York, the US state most affected by the crisis at the time. Despite limited experience with favipiravir, we judged it to be the most appropriate agent with this patient's complex history given the lower risk for QT prolongation, no need for renal-dose adjustment, and no reported drug-drug interactions. Given the limited clinical experience with this agent, particularly for our patient, we decided to adopt strategies to mitigate and monitor the potential for QT prolongation. We outline the logistical, clinical, and pharmacological challenges that the poly-morbid patient and our HT program in the Middle-East faced under those novel circumstances.