[Risk Assessment of Adverse Outcomes in Symptomatic Patients With Arterial Hypertension and Chronic Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction Using THE HFA-PEFF Algorithm].

Aim      To study the incidence of heart failure (HF) in patients with arterial hypertension (AH), symptoms of HF, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LV EF) ≥50 % using a novel, modified HFA-PEFF diagnostic algorithm and to evaluate the liver hydration status and density depending on the established HF profiles and the prognostic significance of this algorithm.Material and methods  This study included 180 patients (median age, 72 years) with AH, symptoms of HF, and LV EF ≥50 %. The incidence of chronic HF with preserved ejection fraction (CHFpEF) was studied with the stepwise, modified HFA-PEFF diagnostic algorithm, and long-term outcomes were assessed at 3, 6, and 12 months of follow-up. The hydration status was determined by a bioimpedance vector analysis, and the liver density was measured by indirect fibroelastometry. The following tests were performed for all patients: standard, general clinical and laboratory examination with evaluation of CH symptoms (including N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide test); extended echocardiography with assessment of structural and functional parameters of the heart; a KCCQ questionnaire was used for evaluation of patients' condition and quality of life (QoL). Long-term outcomes were studied by phone calls at 3, 6, and 12 months following discharge from the hospital/visit (worsened QoL, repeated hospitalization for cardiovascular causes, cardiovascular death or all-cause death).Results The following profiles were determined by the HFA-PEFF algorithm: with CHFpEF, with intermediate probability of HF, and without HF (58.9, 31.1, and 10 %, respectively). The study showed that patients with CHFpEF compared to patients of the intermediate group and without HF, had higher levels of brain natriuretic peptide, more pronounced signs of congestion according to results of the bioimpedance vector analysis and a higher liver density according to results of indirect fibroelastometry of the liver, which allowed identification of a group of patients with a high probability of CHFpEF. The diagnosis of HF by HFA-PEFF had an adverse prognostic significance with respect of worsened QoL according to the KCCQ questionnaire, and of repeated admission for HF during a year.Conclusion      In AH patients with symptoms of HF and LV EF ≥50 %, CHFpEF was detected with the HFA-PEFF algorithm in 58.9 % of cases. Patients with AH and verified CHFpEF had a high incidence of hyperhydration and increased liver density. A diagnosis of CHFpEF by the HFA-PEFF algorithm had an adverse prognostic significance with respect of long-term outcomes.

[Experience of hospital initiation of sacubitril/valsartan in a female patient after acute decompensated heart failure].

The article discusses management of a female patient with chronic heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction after an episode of acute decompensation. Replacing an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor with a representative of a new angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor class, sacubitril/valsartan, in the combination therapy allowed fast achievement and maintenance of the compensation state. The treatment was well tolerated and was not associated with clinically significant adverse effects.

[A Breakthrough in the Treatment of Patients With Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction: the Clinical Significance of the PARADIGM HF-Trial].

The implementation into clinical practice of new therapeutic strategies that could improve the prognosis of patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) remains relevant. Innovative approach is to restore imbalances of neurohumoral systems by inhibiting angiotensin II receptor and neprilysin. The review presents the role of the natriuretic peptides system in the HFrEF pathophysiology, historical approaches to neurohormonal modulation, clinical pharmacology of the first in the class of angiotensin receptor and neprilysin inhibitor sakubitril/valsartan. The results of the study PARADIGM-HF, in which sakubitril/valsartan therapy in patients with HFrEF compared with the recommended doses of enalapril was associated with the decrease of the of cardiovascular death and hospitalizations for HF by 20%, the risk of death from any cause by 16%, improvement of symptoms and exercise tolerance. Sakubitril/valsartan tolerated better than enalapril, rarely causes a cough, hyperkalemia or renal dysfunction. There was no increase in the risk of angioedema. Based on the results of the study PARADIGM-HF sakubitril/valsartan was included in the national and international guidelines for HF.