Efficacy of a nurse-led lipid-lowering secondary prevention intervention in patients hospitalized for ischemic heart disease: A pilot randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Lack of achievement of secondary prevention objectives in patients with ischaemic heart disease remains an unmet need in this patient population. We aimed at evaluating the six-month efficacy of an intensive lipid-lowering intervention, coordinated by nurses and implemented after hospital discharge, in patients hospitalized for an ischaemic heart disease event. METHODS: Randomized controlled trial, in which a nurse-led intervention including periodic follow-up, serial lipid level controls, and subsequent optimization of lipid-lowering therapy, if appropriate, was compared with standard of care alone in terms of serum lipid-level control at six months after discharge. RESULTS: The nurse-led intervention was associated with an improved management of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels compared with standard of care alone: LDL cholesterol levels ⩽100 mg/dL were achieved in 97% participants in the intervention arm as compared with 67% in the usual care arm ( p value <0.001), the LDL cholesterol ⩽70 mg/dL target recommended by the 2016 European Society of Cardiology guidelines was achieved in 62% vs. 37% participants ( p value 0.047) and the LDL cholesterol reduction of ⩾50% recommended by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association in 2013 was achieved in 25.6% of participants in the intervention arm as compared with 2.6% in the usual care arm ( p value 0.007). The intervention was also associated with improved blood pressure control among individuals with hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the opportunity that nurse-led, intensive, post-discharge follow-up plans may represent for achieving LDL cholesterol guideline-recommended management objectives in patients with ischaemic heart disease. These findings should be replicated in larger cohorts.

Efficacy and safety of intermittent intravenous outpatient administration of levosimendan in patients with advanced heart failure: the LION-HEART multicentre randomised trial.

AIMS: The LION-HEART study was a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of intravenous administration of intermittent doses of levosimendan in outpatients with advanced chronic heart failure. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients from 12 centres were randomly assigned at a 2:1 ratio to levosimendan or placebo groups, receiving treatment by a 6-hour intravenous infusion (0.2 µg/kg/min without bolus) every 2 weeks for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was the effect on serum concentrations of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) throughout the treatment period in comparison with placebo. Secondary endpoints included evaluation of safety, clinical events and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The area under the curve (AUC, pg.day/mL) of the levels of NT-proBNP over time for patients who received levosimendan was significantly lower than for the placebo group (344 × 103 [95% Confidence Interval (CI) 283 × 103 -404 × 103 ] vs. 535 × 103 [443 × 103 -626 × 103 ], p = 0.003). In comparison with the placebo group, the patients on levosimendan experienced a reduction in the rate of heart failure hospitalisation (hazard ratio 0.25; 95% CI 0.11-0.56; P = 0.001). Patients on levosimendan were less likely to experience a clinically significant decline in HRQoL over time (P = 0.022). Adverse event rates were similar in the two treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this small pilot study, intermittent administration of levosimendan to ambulatory patients with advanced systolic heart failure reduced plasma concentrations of NT-proBNP, worsening of HRQoL and hospitalisation for heart failure. The efficacy and safety of this intervention should be confirmed in larger trials.

Defining quantification methods and optimizing protocols for microarray hybridization of circulating microRNAs.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as promising biomarkers of disease. Their potential use in clinical practice requires standardized protocols with very low miRNA concentrations, particularly in plasma samples. Here we tested the most appropriate method for miRNA quantification and validated the performance of a hybridization platform using lower amounts of starting RNA. miRNAs isolated from human plasma and from a reference sample were quantified using four platforms and profiled with hybridization arrays and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Our results indicate that the Infinite® 200 PRO Nanoquant and Nanodrop 2000 spectrophotometers magnified the miRNA concentration by detecting contaminants, proteins, and other forms of RNA. The Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer PicoChip and SmallChip gave valuable information on RNA profile but were not a reliable quantification method for plasma samples. The Qubit® 2.0 Fluorometer provided the most accurate quantification of miRNA content, although RNA-seq confirmed that only ~58% of small RNAs in plasma are true miRNAs. On the other hand, reducing the starting RNA to 70% of the recommended amount for miRNA profiling with arrays yielded results comparable to those obtained with the full amount, whereas a 50% reduction did not. These findings provide important clues for miRNA determination in human plasma samples.

Secondary prevention strategies after an acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in the AMI code era: beyond myocardial mechanical reperfusion.

BACKGROUND: The AMI code is a regional network enhancing a rapid and widespread access to reperfusion therapy (giving priority to primary angioplasty) in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We aimed to assess the long-term control of conventional cardiovascular risk factors after a STEMI among patients included in the AMI code registry. DESIGN AND METHODS: Four hundred and fifty-four patients were prospectively included between June-2009 and April-2013. Clinical characteristics were collected at baseline. The long-term control of cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular morbidity/mortality was assessed among the 6-months survivors. RESULTS: A total of 423 patients overcame the first 6 months after the STEMI episode, of whom 370 (87%) underwent reperfusion therapy (363, 98% of them, with primary angioplasty). At 1-year follow-up, only 263 (62%) had adequate blood pressure control, 123 (29%) had LDL-cholesterol within targeted levels, 126/210 (60%) smokers had withdrawn from their habit and 40/112 (36%) diabetic patients had adequate glycosylated hemoglobin levels. During a median follow-up of 20 (11-30) months, cumulative mortality of 6 month-survivors was 6.1%, with 9.9% of hospital cardiovascular readmissions. The lack of assessment of LDL and HDL-cholesterol were significantly associated with higher mortality and cardiovascular readmission rates. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas implementation of the AMI code resulted in a widespread access to rapid reperfusion therapy, its long-term therapeutic benefit may be partially counterbalanced by a manifestly suboptimal control of cardiovascular risk factors. Further efforts should be devoted to secondary prevention strategies after STEMI.

Right Ventricular Response During Exercise in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

AIM: Right ventricular (RV) pump function is of essential clinical and prognostic importance in a variety of heart and lung diseases. While the evaluation of RV performance at rest has been implemented in the clinical setting, it is unknown whether this assessment during exercise may provide additional benefit. With this aim, we evaluated the exercise-induced pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP) increase during exercise in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as an expression of RV contractile reserve. METHOD: Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) with synchronic echocardiography was performed in 81 patients. Patients were classified into two groups according to an exercise-induced PASP increase above 30mmHg (High PSAP) or below 30mmHg (Low PSAP) during maximal exercise. Patients were then followed for three years. RESULTS: Sixteen patients (20%) had low PSAP and 65 (80%) showed high PSAP. These were not significant clinical and functional differences. Low PSAP was associated with a significantly lower peak VO2 (mean (SD), 35 (2) % predicted) compared to high PSAP response (peak VO2 45 (3) % predicted), p=0.045. Factors associated with mortality were age and exercise-induced PASP. Seventeen patients died during the three years of follow-up (7 (39%) in the low PSAP group and only 10 (1%) in the high PSAP group, p=0.041). CONCLUSION: Cardiopulmonary exercise testing with a synchronic echocardiography may be a useful tool for the assessment of RV contractile reserve in severe COPD patients. Exercise-induced PSAP emerges as a possible prognostic factor in these patients.

Ischemic aetiology, self-reported frailty, and gender with respect to cognitive impairment in chronic heart failure patients.

BACKGROUND: Decisive information on the parameters involved in cognitive impairment in patients with chronic heart failure is as yet lacking. Our aim was to determine the functional and psychosocial variables related with cognitive impairment using the mini-mental-state examination (MMSE) with age-and education-corrected scores. METHODS: A cohort study of chronic heart failure patients included in an integrated multidisciplinary hospital/primary care program. The MMSE (corrected for age and education in the Spanish population) was administered at enrolment in the program. Analyses were performed in 525 patients. Demographic and clinical variables were collected. Comprehensive assessment included depression (Yesavage), family function (family APGAR), social network (Duke), dependence (Barthel Index), frailty (Barber), and comorbidities. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were performed to determine the predictors of cognitive impairment. RESULTS: Cognitive impairment affected 145 patients (27.6 %). Explanatory factors were gender (OR: 2.77 (1.75-4.39) p < 0.001), ischemic etiology (OR: 1.99 (1.25-3.17) p = 0.004), frailty (OR: 1.58 (0.99 to 2.50, p =0.050), albumin > 3.5 (OR: 0.59 (0.35-0.99) p = 0.048), and beta-blocker treatment (OR: 0.36 (0.17 to 0.76, p = 0.007)). No association was found between cognitive impairment and social support or family function. CONCLUSION: The observed prevalence of cognitive impairment using MMSE corrected scores was 27.6 %. A global approach in the management of these patients is needed, especially focusing on women and patients with frailty, low albumin levels, and ischemic aetiology heart failure.

Estado del hierro en la insuficiencia cardiaca crónica: impacto en síntomas, clase funcional y capacidad de ejercicio submáxima / Iron status in chronic heart failure: impact on symptoms, functional class and submaximal exercise capacity

Introducción y objetivos: Evaluar el efecto del déficit de hierro y la anemia en la capacidad de esfuerzo submáxima de pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca crónica. Métodos: Se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal unicéntrico en un grupo de pacientes estables con insuficiencia cardiaca crónica. En el momento de incluirlos en el estudio, los pacientes aportaron información basal y realizaron una prueba de marcha de 6 minutos para evaluar la capacidad de ejercicio submáxima y los síntomas desencadenados por el esfuerzo. Al mismo tiempo, se obtuvieron muestras de sangre para la evaluación serológica. El déficit de hierro se definió como un valor de ferritina < 100 ng/ml o una saturación de transferrina < 20% cuando la ferritina era < 800 ng/ml. Se efectuaron también determinaciones de otros marcadores del estado del hierro. Resultados: Se consideró aptos para la inclusión en el estudio a 538 pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca. La media de edad era 71 años y el 33% se encontraba en las clases III/IV de la New York Heart Association. La distancia media recorrida en la prueba de marcha de 6 minutos por los pacientes con alteración del estado del hierro fue 285 ± 101 m, en comparación con los 322 ± 113 m del otro grupo (p = 0,002). Los síntomas durante la prueba fueron más frecuentes en los pacientes con déficit de hierro (el 35 frente al 27%; p = 0,028) y el síntoma registrado con más frecuencia fue la fatiga. Los análisis de regresión logística multivariables mostraron que el aumento de la concentración de receptor de transferrina soluble, que indica un estado anormal del hierro, se asociaba de manera independiente con una clase avanzada de la New York Heart Association (p < 0,05). En el análisis multivariable realizado empleando modelos aditivos generalizados, el receptor de transferrina soluble y el índice de ferritina, biomarcadores que miden el estado del hierro, mostraron una asociación lineal, significativa e independiente con la capacidad de ejercicio submáxima (p = 0,03 en ambos casos). En cambio, en el análisis multivariable los valores de hemoglobina no mostraron una asociación significativa con la distancia recorrida en la prueba de marcha de 6 minutos. Conclusiones: En los pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca crónica, el déficit de hierro, pero no así la anemia, se asoció con deterioro de la capacidad de ejercicio submáxima y limitación funcional sintomática (AU)

Introduction and objectives: To evaluate the effect of iron deficiency and anemia on submaximal exercise capacity in patients with chronic heart failure. Methods: We undertook a single-center cross-sectional study in a group of stable patients with chronic heart failure. At recruitment, patients provided baseline information and completed a 6-minute walk test to evaluate submaximal exercise capacity and exercise-induced symptoms. At the same time, blood samples were taken for serological evaluation. Iron deficiency was defined as ferritin < 100 ng/mL or transferrin saturation < 20% when ferritin is < 800 ng/mL. Additional markers of iron status were also measured. Results: A total of 538 heart failure patients were eligible for inclusion, with an average age of 71 years and 33% were in New York Heart Association class III/IV. The mean distance walked in the test was 285 ± 101 meters among those with impaired iron status, vs 322 ± 113 meters (P = .002). Symptoms during the test were more frequent in iron deficiency patients (35% vs 27%; P = .028) and the most common symptom reported was fatigue. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that increased levels of soluble transferrin receptor indicating abnormal iron status were independently associated with advanced New York Heart Association class (P < .05). Multivariable analysis using generalized additive models, soluble transferrin receptor and ferritin index, both biomarkers measuring iron status, showed a significant, independent and linear association with submaximal exercise capacity (P = .03 for both). In contrast, hemoglobin levels were not significantly associated with 6-minute walk test distance in the multivariable analysis. Conclusions: In patients with chronic heart failure, iron deficiency but not anemia was associated with impaired submaximal exercise capacity and symptomatic functional limitation (AU)

Impact on clinical events and healthcare costs of adding telemedicine to multidisciplinary disease management programmes for heart failure: Results of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The role of telemedicine in the management of patients with chronic heart failure (HF) has not been fully elucidated. We hypothesized that multidisciplinary comprehensive HF care could achieve better results when it is delivered using telemedicine. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, 178 eligible patients with HF were randomized to either structured follow-up on the basis of face-to-face encounters (control group, 97 patients) or delivering health care using telemedicine (81 patients). Telemedicine included daily signs and symptoms based on telemonitoring and structured follow-up by means of video or audio-conference. The primary end-point was non-fatal HF events after six months of follow-up. The median age of the patients was 77 years, 41% were female, and 25% were frail patients. The hazard ratio for the primary end-point was 0.35 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.20-0.59; p-value < 0.001) in favour of telemedicine. HF readmission (hazard ratio 0.39 (0.19-0.77); p-value=0.007) and cardiovascular readmission (hazard ratio 0.43 (0.23-0.80); p-value=0.008) were also reduced in the telemedicine group. Mortality was similar in both groups (telemedicine: 6.2% vs control: 12.4%, p-value > 0.05). The telemedicine group experienced a significant mean net reduction in direct hospital costs of €3546 per patient per six months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients managed in the setting of a comprehensive HF programme, the addition of telemedicine may result in better outcomes and reduction of costs.

Iron Status in Chronic Heart Failure: Impact on Symptoms, Functional Class and Submaximal Exercise Capacity.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of iron deficiency and anemia on submaximal exercise capacity in patients with chronic heart failure. METHODS: We undertook a single-center cross-sectional study in a group of stable patients with chronic heart failure. At recruitment, patients provided baseline information and completed a 6-minute walk test to evaluate submaximal exercise capacity and exercise-induced symptoms. At the same time, blood samples were taken for serological evaluation. Iron deficiency was defined as ferritin < 100 ng/mL or transferrin saturation < 20% when ferritin is < 800 ng/mL. Additional markers of iron status were also measured. RESULTS: A total of 538 heart failure patients were eligible for inclusion, with an average age of 71 years and 33% were in New York Heart Association class III/IV. The mean distance walked in the test was 285 ± 101 meters among those with impaired iron status, vs 322 ± 113 meters (P=.002). Symptoms during the test were more frequent in iron deficiency patients (35% vs 27%; P=.028) and the most common symptom reported was fatigue. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that increased levels of soluble transferrin receptor indicating abnormal iron status were independently associated with advanced New York Heart Association class (P < .05). Multivariable analysis using generalized additive models, soluble transferrin receptor and ferritin index, both biomarkers measuring iron status, showed a significant, independent and linear association with submaximal exercise capacity (P=.03 for both). In contrast, hemoglobin levels were not significantly associated with 6-minute walk test distance in the multivariable analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with chronic heart failure, iron deficiency but not anemia was associated with impaired submaximal exercise capacity and symptomatic functional limitation.

Clinical value of ankle-brachial index in asymptomatic aortic stenosis patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The study aim was to assess the prevalence and clinical value of the pathological ankle-brachial index (ABI) in asymptomatic aortic stenosis (AS) patients. METHODS: This prospective study included 203 asymptomatic AS patients, with a mean follow up of 18 ± 10.6 months. Six-minute walk tests (6MWT) and ABI measurements were performed when patients were included in the study. Study events were defined as death, hospital admission due to related symptoms, or a need for surgery. RESULTS: A total of 198 patients (95 females, 103 males; mean age 74.6 ± 9.5 years) completed the study. An abnormal ABI was found in 35.8%. Mean (± SD) values were: peak velocity Vmax 4.1 ± 0.8 m/s; maximum/mean gradient 70.5 ± 25.1/43.3 ± 16.3 mmHg; aortic valve area 0.8 ± 0.7 cm2; indexed aortic valve area 0.4 ± 0.1 cm2/m2. A pathological ABI was associated with diabetes (p = 0.01), previous peripheral vascular disease (p = 0.04) and previous stroke (p = 0.04). In multivariate analyses, diabetes was an independent factor related to pathological ABI (relative risk 1.71, 95% CI 1.22-2.19). Patients with a pathological ABI walked less in the 6MWT (263.9 m versus 328.3; p = 0.002), but did not present a worse prognosis at follow up (p = NS). CONCLUSION: Among asymptomatic AS patients, 35.8% had an abnormal ABI and this was related to previous diabetes. These patients walked less in the 6MWT but did not have a worse prognosis at follow up.

Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity is associated with coronary calcium in young and middle-aged asymptomatic adults: The Kangbuk Samsung Health Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), a convenient, non-radiating, readily available measurement of arterial stiffness, and coronary artery calcium (CAC), a reliable marker of coronary atherosclerosis, in a large sample of young and middle-aged asymptomatic adults; and to assess the incremental value of baPWV for detecting prevalent CAC beyond traditional risk factors. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 15,185 asymptomatic Korean adults who voluntarily underwent a comprehensive health screening program including measurement of baPWV and CAC. BaPWV was measured using an oscillometric method with cuffs placed on both arms and ankles. CAC burden was assessed using a multi-detector CT scan and scored following Agatston's method. RESULTS: The prevalence of CAC > 0 and CAC > 100 increased across baPWV quintiles. The multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) for CAC > 0 comparing baPWV quintiles 2-5 versus quintile 1 were 1.06 (0.87-1.30), 1.24 (1.02-1.50), 1.39 (1.15-1.69) and 1.60 (1.31-1.96), respectively (P trend < 0.001). Similarly, the relative prevalence ratios for CAC > 100 were 1.30 (0.74-2.26), 1.59 (0.93-2.71), 1.74 (1.03-2.94) and 2.59 (1.54-4.36), respectively (P trend < 0.001). For CAC > 100, the area under the ROC curve for baPWV alone was 0.71 (0.68-0.74), and the addition of baPWV to traditional risk factors significantly improved the discrimination and calibration of models for detecting prevalent CAC > 0 and CAC > 100. CONCLUSIONS: BaPWV was independently associated with the presence and severity of CAC in a large sample of young and middle-aged asymptomatic adults. BaPWV may be a valuable tool for identifying apparently low-risk individuals with increased burden of coronary atherosclerosis.

Effect of correction of anemia on echocardiographic and clinical parameters in patients with aortic stenosis involving a three-cuspid aortic valve and normal left ventricular ejection fraction.

The objective of the study is to investigate the impact of anemia (defined as hemoglobin concentration of <12 g/dl in women and 13 g/dl in men) on prognosis and to study the effect of recovery from anemia on echocardiographic and clinical parameters in patients with aortic stenosis (AS). This was a prospective study in 315 patients with moderate or severe AS. Patients with anemia received oral iron (ferrous sulfate with mucoproteose, 160 mg iron/day) and erythropoietin, if needed, or intravenous iron, if necessary. The following tests were performed before and after normalization of hemoglobin values: echocardiogram, 6-minute walk test, N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide, and measures of depression, cognitive impairment, and dependence. Patient mean age was 74 years (SD 9). Mean follow-up was 25 months (SD 8). Anemia prevalence in the overall group was 22% (n = 70). Patients who are anemic had a higher rate of complications at follow-up (mortality, hospital admission, or need for valve procedure; 80% vs 62%, p = 0.009). In total, 89% of patients recovered from anemia, with a mean time to recovery of 4.6 weeks (SD 1.4). Improvements were observed on echocardiographic parameters of peak velocity (4.1 to 3.7 m/s, p = 0.02) and mean gradient (44 to 35 mm Hg, p = 0.02). Performance on the 6-minute walk test improved from 235 to 303 m (p <0.001). Median N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide value decreased from 612 to 189 pg/dl (p <0.001). In conclusion, patients with AS and anemia have a worse prognosis than those without anemia. Resolution of anemia is associated with improvements in echocardiographic parameters and functional status, suggesting that treatment of iron deficiency is a relevant option in the management of patients with AS, particularly in nonoperable cases.

Vitamin B12 and folate deficiency in chronic heart failure.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence, clinical correlates and the effects on outcome of vitamin B12 and folic acid levels in patients with chronic heart failure (HF). METHODS: We studied an international pooled cohort comprising 610 patients with chronic HF. The main outcome measure was all-cause mortality. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 68±12 years and median serum N-terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide level was 1801 pg/mL (IQR 705-4335). Thirteen per cent of the patients had an LVEF >45%. Vitamin B12 deficiency (serum level <200 pg/mL), folate deficiency (serum level <4.0 ng/mL) and iron deficiency (serum ferritin level <100 µg/L, or 100-299 µg/L with a transferrin saturation <20%) were present in 5%, 4% and 58% of the patients, respectively. No significant correlation between mean corpuscular volume and vitamin B12, folic acid or ferritin levels was observed. Lower folate levels were associated with an impaired health-related quality of life (p=0.029). During a median follow-up of 2.10 years (1.31-3.60 years), 254 subjects died. In multivariable proportional hazard models, vitamin B12 and folic acid levels were not associated with prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin B12 and folate deficiency are relatively rare in patients with chronic HF. Since no significant association was observed between mean corpuscular volume and neither vitamin B12 nor folic acid levels, this cellular index should be used with caution in the differential diagnosis of anaemia in patients with chronic HF. In contrast to iron deficiency, vitamin B12 and folic acid levels were not related to prognosis.

Differences in neurohormonal activity partially explain the obesity paradox in patients with heart failure: The role of sympathetic activation.

BACKGROUND: Obese patients with chronic Heart Failure (HF) have better outcome than their lean counterparts, although little is known about the pathophysiology of this obesity paradox. Our aim was to evaluate the hypothesis that patients with chronic HF and obesity (defined as body mass index (BMI)≥30kg/m(2)), may have an attenuated neurohormonal activation in comparison with non-obese patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: The present study is the post-hoc analysis of a cohort of 742 chronic HF patients from a single-center study evaluating sympathetic activation by measuring baseline levels of norepinephrine (NE). Obesity was present in 33% of patients. Higher BMI and obesity were significantly associated with lower NE levels in multivariable linear regression models adjusted for covariates (p<0.001). Addition to NE in multivariate Cox proportional hazard models attenuated the prognostic impact of BMI in terms of outcomes. Finally, when we explored the prognosis impact of raised NE levels (>70th percentile) carrying out a separate analysis in obese and non-obese patients we found that in both groups NE remained a significant independent predictor of poorer outcomes, despite the lower NE levels in patients with chronic HF and obesity: all-cause mortality hazard ratio=2.37 (95% confidence interval, 1.14-4.94) and hazard ratio=1.59 (95% confidence interval, 1.05-2.4) in obese and non-obese respectively; and cardiovascular mortality hazard ratio=3.08 (95% confidence interval, 1.05-9.01) in obese patients and hazard ratio=2.08 (95% confidence interval, 1.42-3.05) in non-obese patients. CONCLUSION: Patients with chronic HF and obesity have significantly lower sympathetic activation. This finding may partially explain the obesity paradox described in chronic HF patients.

Incremental pacing maneuver for atrial flutter recurrence reduction after ablation: Vallès: yield of incremental pacing after flutter ablation.

BACKGROUND: A < 20 ms increase in the interval between cavo-tricuspid isthmus (CTI) double potentials during incremental pacing (IP) is a highly specific marker differentiating functional from complete CTI block during typical flutter (AFL) ablation. Long-term effects of IP remain unclear. We aimed to assess the impact of IP in reducing AFL recurrences after CTI ablation. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-four patients (age 67 ± 13 years, 78% males) undergoing successful CTI ablation were included and divided into 2 groups: Group 1 (n = 68), in which ablation was performed before the IP maneuver was incorporated, with CTI block confirmed by at least 1 non-local and 1 local electrogram-based previously established criteria; and Group 2 (n = 66), in which IP maneuver was used to confirm complete CTI block. RESULTS: No intergroup differences were noted in baseline characteristics, ablation settings and fluoroscopy/radiofrequency times. Long-term AFL recurrences were observed in 14 out of 134 patients (10.4%), and were more common in Group 1 (19%, vs 1.5% among Group 2 patients, p < 0,001). Despite a longer follow-up period among the former group (1603 ± 734 vs. 964 ± 289 days, respectively), the adjusted AFL recurrence rate was still higher among Group 1 patients (4.3%/year vs. 0.6%/year, p < 0,001). Cox-regression analysis confirmed inclusion in Group 1 as the only predictor of AFL recurrences (HR = 8.2, CI 1.04-64.7, p = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of the IP maneuver for the diagnosis of complete CTI block reduces AFL long-term recurrences after ablation.

Iron deficiency and health-related quality of life in chronic heart failure: results from a multicenter European study.

Patients affected by chronic heart failure (CHF) present significant impairment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Iron deficiency (ID) is a common comorbidity in CHF with negative impact in prognosis and functional capacity. The role of iron in energy metabolism could be the link between ID and HRQoL. There is little information about the role of ID on HRQoL in patients with CHF. We evaluate the impact of ID on HRQoL and the interaction with the anaemia status, iron status, clinical baseline information and HRQoL, measured with the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire (MLHFQ) was obtained at baseline in an international cohort of 1278 patients with CHF. Baseline characteristics were median age 68 ± 12, 882 (69%) were males, ejection fraction was 38% ± 15 and NYHA class was I/II/III/IV (156/247/487/66). ID (defined as ferritin level< 100 µg/L or serum ferritin 100-299 µg/L in combination with a TSAT<20%) was present in 741 patients (58%). 449 (35%) patients were anaemic. Unadjusted global scores of MLHFQ (where higher scores reflect worse HRQoL) were worse in ID and anaemic patients (ID+: 42 ± 25 vs. ID-: 37 ± 25; p-value=0.001 and A+: 46 ± 25 vs. A-: 37 ± 25; p-value<0.001). The combined influence of ID and anaemia was explored with different multivariable regression models, showing that ID but not anaemia was associated with impaired HRQoL. ID has a negative impact on HRQoL in CHF patients, and this is independent of the presence of anaemia.

Sex-based differences in clinical features, management, and 28-day and 7-year prognosis of first acute myocardial infarction. RESCATE II study.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: To analyze sex-based differences in clinical characteristics, management, and 28-day and 7-year prognosis after a first myocardial infarction. METHODS: Between 2001 and 2003, 2042 first myocardial infarction patients were consecutively registered in 6 Spanish hospitals. Clinical characteristics, management, and 28-day case-fatality were prospectively recorded. Seven-year vital status was also ascertained by data linkage with the National Mortality Index. RESULTS: The registry included 449 women and 1593 men with a first myocardial infarction. Compared with men, women were older, had a higher prevalence of hypertension and diabetes, and were more likely to receive angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors but were less likely to receive beta-blockers or thrombolysis. No differences were observed in use of invasive procedures. More women had non-ST-segment elevation and unclassified myocardial infarction than men (37.9% vs 31.3% and 9.8% vs 6.1%, respectively; both P<.001). Case-fatality at 28 days was similar in women and men (5.57% vs 4.46%; P=.39). After multivariate adjustment, the odds ratio of 28-day mortality for men was 1.06 (95% confidence interval: 0.49-2.27; P=.883) compared with women. After multivariate adjustment, men had higher 7-year mortality than women, hazard ratio 1.93 (95% confidence interval: 1.46-2.56; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: There are demographic and clinical differences between men and women with a first myocardial infarction. The short-term prognosis of a first myocardial infarction in this century is similar in both sexes. However, the long-term vital prognosis after a first myocardial infarction is worse in men than in women. These results are observed in both ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction events.

Prognostic value of NT-proBNP and an adapted monin score in patients with asymptomatic aortic stenosis.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to assess the prognostic value of NT-proBNP in patients with asymptomatic moderate/severe aortic stenosis and to validate an adapted Monin score using natriuretic peptide levels in our setting. METHODS: Prospective study of 237 patients with degenerative asymptomatic moderate/severe aortic stenosis. NT-proBNP was determined in all patients, who were then followed up clinically. The adapted Monin score was defined as follows: (peak velocity [m/s]×2)+(logn NT-proBNP×1.5)(+1.5 if woman). A clinical event was defined as surgery, hospital admission due to angina, heart failure or syncope, or death. RESULTS: A total of 51% were women, and the mean age was 74 years. Mean (SD) echocardiographic values were as follows: peak velocity 4.14 (0.87) m/s; mean gradient, 43.2 (16.0) mmHg; aortic valve area, 0.87 (0.72) cm(2), and aortic valve area index, 0.49 (0.14) cm(2)/m(2). The median NT-pro-BNP value was 490.0 [198.0-1312.0] pg/mL. There were 153 events during follow-up (median 18 months). The optimum NT-proBNP cut-point was 515 pg/mL, giving event-free survival rates at 1 and 2 years of 93% and 57%, respectively, in patients with NT-proBNP <515 pg/mL compared with 50% and 31% in those with NT-proBNP >515 pg/mL. Patients were divided into quartiles based on the Monin score. Event-free survival at 1 and 2 years was 87% and 79% in the first quartile, compared with 45% and 28% in the fourth quartile, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: NT-proBNP determination provides prognostic information in patients with asymptomatic moderate/severe aortic stenosis. The adapted Monin score is useful in our setting and allows a more precise prognosis than does the use of NT-proBNP alone.

Efficacy of an integrated hospital-primary care program for heart failure: a population-based analysis of 56,742 patients.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The efficacy of heart failure programs has been demonstrated in clinical trials but their applicability in the real world practice setting is more controversial. This study evaluates the feasibility and efficacy of an integrated hospital-primary care program for the management of patients with heart failure in an integrated health area covering a population of 309,345. METHODS: For the analysis, we included all patients consecutively admitted with heart failure as the principal diagnosis who had been discharged alive from all of the hospitals in Catalonia, Spain, from 2005 to 2011, the period when the program was implemented, and compared mortality and readmissions among patients exposed to the program with the rates in the patients of all the remaining integrated health areas of the Servei Català de la Salut (Catalan Health Service). RESULTS: We included 56,742 patients in the study. There were 181,204 hospital admissions and 30,712 deaths during the study period. In the adjusted analyses, when compared to the 54,659 patients from the other health areas, the 2083 patients exposed to the program had a lower risk of death (hazard ratio=0.92 [95% confidence interval, 0.86-0.97]; P=.005), a lower risk of clinically-related readmission (hazard ratio=0.71 [95% confidence interval, 0.66-0.76]; P<.001), and a lower risk of readmission for heart failure (hazard ratio=0.86 [95% confidence interval, 0.80-0.94]; P<.001). The positive impact on the morbidity and mortality rates was more marked once the program had become well established. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of multidisciplinary heart failure management programs that integrate the hospital and the community is feasible and is associated with a significant reduction in patient morbidity and mortality.

Eficacia de un programa integrado hospital-atención primaria para la insuficiencia cardiaca: análisis poblacional sobre 56.742 pacientes / Efficacy of an Integrated Hospital-primary Care Program for Heart Failure: A Population-based Analysis of 56 742 Patients

Introducción y objetivos: Los programas de insuficiencia cardiaca han demostrado su eficacia en ensayos clínicos, aunque su aplicabilidad en un entorno de práctica real es más controvertida. Este estudio evalúa la factibilidad y la eficacia de un programa integrado hospital-atención primaria para la gestión de pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca en un área integral de salud de 309.345 habitantes. Métodos: Para el análisis, se incluyó a todos los pacientes consecutivos ingresados por insuficiencia cardiaca como diagnóstico principal y dados de alta vivos en todos los hospitales de Cataluña durante el periodo 2005-2011, en el que se implantó el programa y se comparó la mortalidad y los reingresos entre los pacientes expuestos al programa y todos los pacientes de las demás áreas integrales de salud del Servei Català de la Salut. Resultados: Se incluyó en el estudio a 56.742 pacientes. Se produjeron 181.204 hospitalizaciones y 30.712 defunciones en ese periodo. En los análisis ajustados, los 2.083 pacientes expuestos al programa, respecto los 54.659 pacientes de las otras áreas sanitarias, tuvieron menor riesgo de muerte (hazard ratio = 0,92 [intervalo de confianza del 95%, 0,86-0,97]; p = 0,005), menor riesgo de reingreso clínicamente relacionado (hazard ratio = 0,71 [intervalo de confianza del 95%, 0,66-0,76]; p < 0,001) y menor riesgo de rehospitalización por insuficiencia cardiaca (hazard ratio = 0,86 [intervalo de confianza del 95%, 0,80-0,94]; p < 0,001). Se observó que el impacto positivo en la morbimortalidad fue más notorio en el periodo de consolidación del programa. Conclusiones: La implantación de programas multidisciplinarios para la gestión de la insuficiencia cardiaca que integran hospital y comunidad es factible y se asocia a una reducción significativa de la morbimortalidad de los pacientes (AU)

Introduction and objectives: The efficacy of heart failure programs has been demonstrated in clinical trials but their applicability in the real world practice setting is more controversial. This study evaluates the feasibility and efficacy of an integrated hospital-primary care program for the management of patients with heart failure in an integrated health area covering a population of 309 345. Methods: For the analysis, we included all patients consecutively admitted with heart failure as the principal diagnosis who had been discharged alive from all of the hospitals in Catalonia, Spain, from 2005 to 2011, the period when the program was implemented, and compared mortality and readmissions among patients exposed to the program with the rates in the patients of all the remaining integrated health areas of the Servei Català de la Salut (Catalan Health Service). Results: We included 56 742 patients in the study. There were 181 204 hospital admissions and 30 712 deaths during the study period. In the adjusted analyses, when compared to the 54 659 patients from the other health areas, the 2083 patients exposed to the program had a lower risk of death (hazard ratio = 0.92 [95% confidence interval, 0.86-0.97]; P = 0.005), a lower risk of clinically-related readmission (hazard ratio = 0.71 [95% confidence interval, 0.66-0.76]; P < 0.001), and a lower risk of readmission for heart failure (hazard ratio = 0.86 [95% confidence interval, 0.80-0.94]; P < 0.001). The positive impact on the morbidity and mortality rates was more marked once the program had become well established. Conclusions: The implementation of multidisciplinary heart failure management programs that integrate the hospital and the community is feasible and is associated with a significant reduction in patient morbidity and mortality (AU)