Atrial Fibrillation and Older Age Predict Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels Among Patients With Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: Predictors have not been determined of serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels among patients with heart failure (HF). OBJECTIVE: The primary purpose was to evaluate history of atrial fibrillation, age, gender, and left ventricular ejection fraction as predictors of serum BDNF levels at baseline, 10 weeks, and 4 and 8 months after baseline among patients with HF. METHODS: This study was a retrospective cohort analyses of 241 patients with HF. Data were retrieved from the patients' health records (coded history of atrial fibrillation, left ventricular ejection fraction), self-report (age, gender), and serum BDNF. Linear multiple regression analyses were conducted. RESULTS: One hundred three patients (42.7%) had a history of atrial fibrillation. History of atrial fibrillation was a significant predictor of serum BDNF levels at baseline (ß = -0.16, P = .016), 4 months (ß = -0.21, P = .005), and 8 months (ß = -0.19, P = .015). Older age was a significant predictor at 10 weeks (ß = -0.17, P = .017) and 4 months (ß = -0.15, P = .046). CONCLUSIONS: Prospective studies are needed to validate these results. Clinicians need to assess patients with HF for atrial fibrillation and include treatment of it in management plans.

Computerized Cognitive Training and 24-Month Mortality in Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive dysfunction predicts mortality in heart failure (HF). Computerized cognitive training (CCT) has shown preliminary efficacy in improving cognitive function. However, the relationship between CCT and mortality is unclear. Aims were to evaluate (1) long-term efficacy of CCT in reducing 24-month mortality and (2) age, HF severity, global cognition, memory, working memory, depressive symptoms, and health-related quality of life as predictors of 24-month mortality among patients with HF. METHODS: In this prospective longitudinal study, 142 patients enrolled in a 3-arm randomized controlled trial were followed for 24 months. Logistic regression was used to achieve the aims. RESULTS: Across 24 months, 16 patients died (CCT, 8.3%; control groups, 12.8%). Computerized cognitive training did not predict 24-month mortality (odds ratio [OR], 0.65). Older age (OR, 1.08), worse global cognition (OR, 0.73), memory (OR, 0.81), and depressive symptoms (OR, 1.10) at baseline predicted 24-month mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Efficacious interventions are needed to improve global cognition, memory, and depressive symptoms and reduce mortality in HF.

Evaluating depressive symptoms, BDNF Val66Met, and APOE-ε4 as moderators of response to computerized cognitive training in heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Depressive symptoms, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met, and apolipoprotein (APOE)-ε4 may moderate response to computerized cognitive training (CCT) interventions among patients with heart failure (HF). OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine moderators of intervention response to CCT over 8 months among patients with HF enrolled in a 3-arm randomized controlled trial. Outcomes were memory, serum BDNF, working memory, instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), and health-related quality of life (HRQL). METHODS: 256 patients with HF were randomized to CCT, computerized crossword puzzles active control, and usual care control groups for 8 weeks. Data were collected at enrollment, baseline, 10 weeks, and 4 and 8 months. Mixed effects models were computed to evaluate moderators. RESULTS: As previously reported, there were no statistically significant group by time effects in outcomes among the 3 groups over 8 months. Tests of moderation indicated that depressive symptoms and presence of BDNF Val66Met and APOE-ε4 were not statistically significant moderators of intervention response in outcomes of delayed recall memory, serum BDNF, working memory, IADLs, and HRQL. In post hoc analysis evaluating baseline global cognitive function, gender, age, and HF severity as moderators, no significant effects were found. HF severity was imbalanced among groups (P = .049) which may have influenced results. CONCLUSIONS: Studies are needed to elucidate biological mechanisms of cognitive dysfunction in HF and test novel interventions to improve memory, serum BDNF, working memory, IADLs and HRQL. Patients may need to be stratified or randomized by HF severity within intervention trials.

Pulmonary hypertension in an adult with unilateral absence of left pulmonary artery.

Unilateral absence of pulmonary artery is a rare congenital abnormality that occurs due to malformation of the sixth aortic arch during embryonic development. The clinical presentation of unilateral absence of pulmonary artery can vary based on age of diagnosis; however, in the adult population, it can present with a variety of manifestations including hemoptysis, recurrent pneumonia, and pulmonary hypertension or as an incidental finding. Diagnosis and management of unilateral absence of pulmonary artery remain a challenge. Here, we describe a case of a 37-year-old female with no known past medical history who presented with progressively worsening dyspnea and fatigue. She was incidentally found to have unilateral absence of pulmonary artery on computerized tomography angiography of the chest. Her imaging and physical exam demonstrated signs of volume overload and severe pulmonary hypertension. She received diuretics with good response and was discharged with referral to pulmonary hypertension clinic and eventual follow-up with right heart catheterization. In summary, we describe a rare congenital condition and highlight its diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

Virtual reality cognitive intervention for heart failure: CORE study protocol.

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) is a prevalent, serious chronic illness that affects 6.5 million adults in the United States. Among patients with HF, the prevalence of attention impairment is reported to range from 15% to 27%. Although attention is fundamental to human activities including HF self-care, cognitive interventions for patients with HF that target improvement in attention are scarce. The COgnitive intervention to Restore attention using nature Environment (CORE) study aims to test the preliminary efficacy of the newly developed Nature-VR, a virtual reality-based cognitive intervention that is based on the restorative effects of nature. Nature-VR development was guided by Attention Restoration Theory. The target outcomes are attention, HF self-care, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Our exploratory aims examine the associations between attention and several putative/established HF biomarkers (eg, oxygen saturation, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, apolipoprotein E, dopamine receptor, and dopamine transporter genes) as well as the effect of Nature-VR on cognitive performance in other domains (ie, global cognition, memory, visuospatial, executive function, and language), cardiac and neurological events, and mortality. Methods: This single-blinded, two-group randomized-controlled pilot study will enroll 74 participants with HF. The Nature-VR intervention group will view three-dimensional nature pictures using a virtual reality headset for 10 minutes per day, 5 days per week for 4 weeks (a total of 200 minutes). The active comparison group, Urban-VR, will view three-dimensional urban pictures using a virtual reality headset to match the Nature-VR intervention in intervention dose and delivery mode, but not in content. After baseline interviews, four follow-up interviews will be conducted to assess sustained effects of Nature-VR at 4, 8, 26, and 52 weeks. Discussion: The importance and novelty of this study consists of using a first-of-its kind, immersive virtual reality technology to target attention and in investigating the health outcomes of the Nature-VR cognitive intervention among patients with HF.

911 Calls for Emergency Medical Services in Heart Failure: A Descriptive Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is a common condition leading to activation of emergency medical services (EMS). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe reasons given by persons with HF, family members, or other caregivers for requesting EMS activation during 911 calls. METHODS: In this descriptive qualitative study, a content analysis was performed on transcribed audio files of 383 EMS requests involving 383 persons with HF in the community. RESULTS: One hundred forty-seven calls (38.4%) were placed by the family members, 75 (19.6%) were placed by the patients, 56 (14.6%) were placed by healthcare workers or personnel from living facilities, and the remaining calls (n = 105, 27.4%) were placed by others (eg, friends, neighbors, officers). Three broad categories of symptoms, signs, and events were identified as the reasons for an EMS request. Frequently reported symptoms were breathing problems (55.4%), chest pain (18.3%), and other pain (eg, head, extremities) (16.7%). Signs included decreased consciousness (15.4%), swelling (5.7%), and bleeding (5.0%). The reported events involved falls (8.1%), heart attack (6.3%), hypoxic episodes (6.0%), stroke (5.2%), and post-hospital-discharge complications (4.7%). In most calls (74.9%), multiple reasons were reported and a combination of symptoms, signs, and events were identified. Heart failure diagnosis was mentioned in fewer than 10% of the calls. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, symptoms and signs of HF exacerbation were common reasons to activate 911 calls. Falls were frequently reported. Under the duress of the emergent situations surrounding the 911 call, callers rarely mentioned the existence of HF. Interventions are needed to guide patients with HF and their family members to promote the management of HF to reduce EMS activation as well as to activate EMS quickly for acute changes in HF conditions.

Randomized Controlled Trial of a Cognitive Intervention to Improve Memory in Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this 3-arm randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the efficacy of computerized cognitive training (CCT) in improving primary outcomes of delayed-recall memory and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels; and the secondary outcomes were working memory, instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with heart failure (HF). METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients (n = 256) were randomly assigned to 8 weeks of CCT using BrainHQ, computerized crossword puzzles active control intervention, and usual care. All patients received weekly nurse-enhancement interventions. Data were collected at enrollment and baseline visits and at 10 weeks and 4 and 8 months. In mixed effects models, there were no statistically significant group or group-by-time differences in outcomes. There were statistically significant differences over time in all outcomes in all groups. Patients improved over time on measures of delayed-recall memory, working memory, IADLs, and HRQL and had decreased serum BDNF. CONCLUSIONS: CCT did not improve outcomes compared with the active control intervention and usual care. Nurse-enhancement interventions may have led to improved outcomes over time. Future studies are needed to test nurse-enhancement interventions in combination with other cognitive interventions to improve memory in persons with HF.

Cardiodiagnostic sex-specific differences of the female athlete in sports cardiology.

The cardiovascular care of highly active individuals and competitive athletes has developed into an important focus within the field of sports medicine. An evolving understanding of exercise-induced cardiovascular remodeling in athletes has led to a more robust characterization of physiologic adaptation versus pathological dysfunction, but this distinction is often challenging due to diagnostic commonalities. Current data reflects sporting-focused analyses of mainly male athletes, which may not be easily applicable to the female athletic heart. Increasingly female-specific cardiac dimensional and physiologic data are starting to emerge from comparative studies that may be utilized to address this growing need, and further guide individualized care. Here, we review current literature evaluating female-specific cardiovascular adaptations of the athletic heart, and formulate a discussion on cardiac remodeling, cardiodiagnostic findings, etiologic mechanisms, limitations of currently available data, and direction for future research in the cardiovascular care of female athletes.

Predictors of emergency medical services use by adults with heart failure; 2009-2017.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) necessitates frequent transport by emergency medical services (EMS), but few studies have been conducted to evaluate predictors of EMS use and of multiple EMS transports that are amenable to intervention. OBJECTIVES: To characterize prehospital clinical status of community-dwelling adults with reported HF who used EMS across 8 years and to evaluate predictors of EMS use and multiple EMS transports. METHODS: Data were from a database in a large Midwestern county. Descriptive statistics, logistic and negative binomial regression were used for analysis. RESULTS: EMS transports were evaluated for 6582 adults with 16,905 transports. The most common chief complaints were respiratory problems, feeling sick, and chest pain. Shortness of breath, chest pain, level of consciousness, age, gender, race, and hospital site predicted multiple transports. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians need to educate patients with HF about ways to manage shortness of breath and chest pain and when to activate EMS.

Design and Rationale of the Cognitive Intervention to Improve Memory in Heart Failure Patients Study.

BACKGROUND: Memory loss is an independent predictor of mortality among heart failure patients. Twenty-three percent to 50% of heart failure patients have comorbid memory loss, but few interventions are available to treat the memory loss. The aims of this 3-arm randomized controlled trial were to (1) evaluate efficacy of computerized cognitive training intervention using BrainHQ to improve primary outcomes of memory and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels and secondary outcomes of working memory, instrumental activities of daily living, and health-related quality of life among heart failure patients; (2) evaluate incremental cost-effectiveness of BrainHQ; and (3) examine depressive symptoms and genomic moderators of BrainHQ effect. METHODS: A sample of 264 heart failure patients within 4 equal-sized blocks (normal/low baseline cognitive function and gender) will be randomly assigned to (1) BrainHQ, (2) active control computer-based crossword puzzles, and (3) usual care control groups. BrainHQ is an 8-week, 40-hour program individualized to each patient's performance. Data collection will be completed at baseline and at 10 weeks and 4 and 8 months. Descriptive statistics, mixed model analyses, and cost-utility analysis using intent-to-treat approach will be computed. CONCLUSIONS: This research will provide new knowledge about the efficacy of BrainHQ to improve memory and increase serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in heart failure. If efficacious, the intervention will provide a new therapeutic approach that is easy to disseminate to treat a serious comorbid condition of heart failure.

Development of a Protocol for Successful Palliative Care Consultation in Population of Patients Receiving Mechanical Circulatory Support.

BACKGROUND: In 2014, Joint Commission recommended palliative care (PC) engagement in ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation as destination therapy. Limited information is available on established PC protocols in the mechanical circulatory support (MCS) population. MEASURES: The goals of our PC consultation were to document advance care planning (ACP) discussions and designate a surrogate decision maker (SDM) before MCS implantation. A retrospective analysis compared the frequency of PC consults, ACP discussion, and SDM before and after protocol implementation. INTERVENTION: A protocol was developed to conduct interdisciplinary PC consultations for the MCS population. OUTCOMES: The percentage of PC consults placed before MCS implantation increased from 11 (17.2%) before protocol to 56 (96.6%) after protocol (P < 0.0001) and documented SDM increased from 26 (40.6%) before protocol to 57 (98.3%) after protocol (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Close PC/cardiology collaboration can substantially improve ACP discussions and SDM documentation in the MCS population. This multidisciplinary protocol facilitates successful PC consultations.

Pulse Oximeter Derived Blood Pressure Measurement in Patients With a Continuous Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device.

Currently, blood pressure (BP) measurement is obtained noninvasively in patients with continuous flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) by placing a Doppler probe over the brachial or radial artery with inflation and deflation of a manual BP cuff. We hypothesized that replacing the Doppler probe with a finger-based pulse oximeter can yield BP measurements similar to the Doppler derived mean arterial pressure (MAP). We conducted a prospective study consisting of patients with contemporary continuous flow LVADs. In a small pilot phase I inpatient study, we compared direct arterial line measurements with an automated blood pressure (ABP) cuff, Doppler and pulse oximeter derived MAP. Our main phase II study included LVAD outpatients with a comparison between Doppler, ABP, and pulse oximeter derived MAP. A total of five phase I and 36 phase II patients were recruited during February-June 2014. In phase I, the average MAP measured by pulse oximeter was closer to arterial line MAP rather than Doppler (P = 0.06) or ABP (P < 0.01). In phase II, pulse oximeter MAP (96.6 mm Hg) was significantly closer to Doppler MAP (96.5 mm Hg) when compared to ABP (82.1 mm Hg) (P = 0.0001). Pulse oximeter derived blood pressure measurement may be as reliable as Doppler in patients with continuous flow LVADs.

Genome-Wide Association Study for Anthracycline-Induced Congestive Heart Failure.

PURPOSE: Anthracycline-induced congestive heart failure (CHF) is a rare but serious toxicity associated with this commonly employed anticancer therapy. The ability to predict which patients might be at increased risk prior to exposure would be valuable to optimally counsel risk-to-benefit ratio for each patient. Herein, we present a genome-wide approach for biomarker discovery with two validation cohorts to predict CHF from adult patients planning to receive anthracycline. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We performed a genome-wide association study in 3,431 patients from the randomized phase III adjuvant breast cancer trial E5103 to identify single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes associated with an increased risk of anthracycline-induced CHF. We further attempted candidate validation in two independent phase III adjuvant trials, E1199 and BEATRICE. RESULTS: When evaluating for cardiologist-adjudicated CHF, 11 SNPs had a P value <10-5, of which nine independent chromosomal regions were associated with increased risk. Validation of the top two SNPs in E1199 revealed one SNP rs28714259 that demonstrated a borderline increased CHF risk (P = 0.04, OR = 1.9). rs28714259 was subsequently tested in BEATRICE and was significantly associated with a decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (P = 0.018, OR = 4.2). CONCLUSIONS: rs28714259 represents a validated SNP that is associated with anthracycline-induced CHF in three independent, phase III adjuvant breast cancer clinical trials. Clin Cancer Res; 23(1); 43-51. ©2016 AACR.

Competence, Compassion, and Care of the Self: Family Caregiving Needs and Concerns in Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: Family caregivers are essential to the well-being of patients with chronic heart failure (HF) because they provide care in managing complex medication regimens, dietary sodium restrictions, and symptoms. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this qualitative study was to gain a deeper understanding of the HF caregiving experience and describe the needs and concerns expressed by caregivers. METHODS: Qualitative descriptive methodology was conducted using data from responses to open-ended questions asked as part of a larger longitudinal study. The sample was 63 patients with HF and 63 family caregivers. RESULTS: Using basic content analysis, the 3 main themes of needs and concerns that emerged were competence concerns, compassion maintenance, and care of the self. Subthemes of competence concerns were doing things right, making a serious mistake, and uncertainty. CONCLUSIONS: Family caregivers of patients with HF had many needs and concerns about their competence in performing tasks, their compassion, and caring for themselves. Data can be used to design testable interventions to improve the HF caregiving experience for patients and caregivers.

B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Levels Predict Ventricular Arrhythmia Post Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels have been shown to predict ventricular arrhythmia (VA) and sudden death in patients with heart failure. We sought to determine whether BNP levels before left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation can predict VA post LVAD implantation in advanced heart failure patients. We conducted a retrospective study consisting of patients who underwent LVAD implantation in our institution during the period of May 2009-March 2013. The study was limited to patients receiving a HeartMate II or HeartWare LVAD. Acute myocardial infarction patients were excluded. We compared between the patients who developed VA within 15 days post LVAD implantation to the patients without VA. A total of 85 patients underwent LVAD implantation during the study period. Eleven patients were excluded (five acute MI, four without BNP measurements, and two discharged earlier than 13 days post LVAD implantation). The incidence of VA was 31%, with 91% ventricular tachycardia (VT) and 9% ventricular fibrillation. BNP remained the single most powerful predictor of VA even after adjustment for other borderline significant factors in a multivariate logistic regression model (P < 0.05). BNP levels are a strong predictor of VA post LVAD implantation, surpassing previously described risk factors such as age and VT in the past.

B-type natriuretic peptide-guided therapy and length of hospital stay post left ventricular assist device implantation.

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)-guided therapy during the early postoperative period following left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation has not been well described in the literature. We conducted a retrospective cohort study consisting of consecutive patients who underwent LVAD implantation at our institution during May 2009 to March 2013. The study was limited to patients receiving HeartMate II (Thoratec) or HVAD (HeartWare) LVADs. Patients with acute myocardial infarction were excluded. We compared between patients with multiple postoperative BNP tests (BNP-guided therapy) and earlier period patients who typically had only a baseline BNP measurement (non-BNP-guided therapy). A total of 85 patients underwent LVAD implantation during the study period. Eight patients were excluded (five acute myocardial infarction, three without BNP measurements). The only differences in the baseline characteristics of BNP versus non-BNP-guided therapy included age and female gender. The postoperative length of hospital stay (LOS) in the BNP-guided therapy group was 5 days shorter when compared with the non-BNP-guided therapy group. In multivariate analysis, BNP-guided therapy remained a significant predictor of reduced LOS. The use of repeated BNP measurements during the early postoperative period was associated with a significantly lower LOS post LVAD implantation.

Database queries for hospitalizations for acute congestive heart failure: flexible methods and validation based on set theory.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Electronic health records databases are increasingly used for identifying cohort populations, covariates, or outcomes, but discerning such clinical 'phenotypes' accurately is an ongoing challenge. We developed a flexible method using overlapping (Venn diagram) queries. Here we describe this approach to find patients hospitalized with acute congestive heart failure (CHF), a sampling strategy for one-by-one 'gold standard' chart review, and calculation of positive predictive value (PPV) and sensitivities, with SEs, across different definitions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used retrospective queries of hospitalizations (2002-2011) in the Indiana Network for Patient Care with any CHF ICD-9 diagnoses, a primary diagnosis, an echocardiogram performed, a B-natriuretic peptide (BNP) drawn, or BNP >500 pg/mL. We used a hybrid between proportional sampling by Venn zone and over-sampling non-overlapping zones. The acute CHF (presence/absence) outcome was based on expert chart review using a priori criteria. RESULTS: Among 79,091 hospitalizations, we reviewed 908. A query for any ICD-9 code for CHF had PPV 42.8% (SE 1.5%) for acute CHF and sensitivity 94.3% (1.3%). Primary diagnosis of 428 and BNP >500 pg/mL had PPV 90.4% (SE 2.4%) and sensitivity 28.8% (1.1%). PPV was <10% when there was no echocardiogram, no BNP, and no primary diagnosis. 'False positive' hospitalizations were for other heart disease, lung disease, or other reasons. CONCLUSIONS: This novel method successfully allowed flexible application and validation of queries for patients hospitalized with acute CHF.