The Prognostic Impact of Pulse Pressure in Acute Heart Failure: Insights from the HEARTS Registry.

BACKGROUND: Low pulse pressure predicts long-term mortality in chronic heart failure, but its prognostic value in acute heart failure is less understood. The present study was designed to examine the prognostic value of pulse pressure in acute heart failure. METHODS: Pulse pressure was tested for its impact on short- and long-term mortality in all patients admitted with acute heart failure from October 2009 to December 2010 in eighteen tertiary centers in Saudi Arabia (n = 2609). All comparisons were based on the median value (50 mmHg). Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction was defined as less than 40%. RESULTS: Low pulse pressure was associated with increased short-term mortality in the overall population (OR = 1.61; 95 CI 1.17, 2.22; P 0.004 and OR = 1.51; 95% CI 1.13, 2.01; P = 0.005, for hospital and thirty-day mortality, respectively), and short-term and two-year mortality in the reduced ejection fraction group (OR = 1.81; 95% CI 1.19, 2.74; P = 0.005, OR = 1.69; 95% CI 1.17, 2.45; P = 0.006, and OR = 1.29; 95% CI 1.02, 1.61; P = 0.030 for hospital, thirty-day, and two-year mortality, respectively). This effect remained after adjustment for relevant clinical variables; however, pulse pressure lost its predictive power both for short-term and long-term mortality after the incorporation of systolic blood pressure in the model. Conversely, low pulse pressure was an independent predictor of improved survival at two and three years in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (OR = 0.43; 95% CI 0.24, 0.78, P = 0.005 and OR = 0.49; 95% CI 0.28, 0.88; P = 0.016, respectively). CONCLUSION: In acute heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, the prognostic value of low pulse pressure was dependent on systolic blood pressure. However, it inversely correlated with long-term survival in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

The prognostic impact of hyperglycemia on clinical outcomes of acute heart failure: Insights from the heart function assessment registry trial in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: The prognostic impact of hyperglycemia (HG) in acute heart failure (AHF) is controversial. Our aim is to examine the impact of HG on short- and long-term survival in AHF patients. METHODS: Data from the Heart Function Assessment Registry Trial in Saudi Arabia (HEARTS) for patients who had available random blood sugar (RBS) were analyzed. The enrollment period was from October 2009 to December 2010. Comparisons were performed according to the RBS levels on admission as either <11.1 mmol/L or ≥11.1 mmol/L. Primary outcomes were hospital adverse events and short- and long-term mortality rates. RESULTS: A total of 2511 patients were analyzed. Of those, 728 (29%) had HG. Compared to non-HG patients, hyperglycemics had higher rates of hospital, 30-day, and 1-year mortality rates (8.8% vs. 5.6%; p = 0.003, 10.4% vs. 7.2%; p = 0.007, and 21.8% vs. 18.4%; p = 0.04, respectively). There were no differences between the two groups in 2- or 3-year mortality rates. After adjustment for relevant confounders, HG remained an independent predictor for hospital and 30-day mortality [odds ratio (OR) = 1.6; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07-2.42; p = 0.021, and OR = 1.55; 95% CI 1.07-2.25; p = 0.02, respectively]. CONCLUSION: HG on admission is independently associated with hospital and short-term mortality in AHF patients. Future research should focus on examining the impact of tight glycemic control on outcomes of AHF patients.

Clinical Presentation, Predictors, and Outcomes Among Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonist (MRA)-Eligible Acute Heart Failure Patients in the Heart Function Assessment Registry Trial in Saudi Arabia (HEARTS).

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) therapy is indicated after myocardial infarction in patients with acute heart failure (AHF) with an ejection fraction ≤40% and lacking contraindications. We analyzed clinical presentations, predictors, and outcomes of MRA-eligible patients within a prospective registry of patients with AHF from 18 hospitals in Saudi Arabia, from 2009 to 2010. For this subgroup, mortality rates were followed until 2013, and the clinical characteristics, management, predictors, and outcomes were compared between MRA-treated and non-MRA-treated patients. Of 2609 patients with AHF, 387 (14.8%) were MRA eligible, of which 146 (37.7%) were prescribed MRAs. Compared with non-MRA-treated patients, those prescribed MRAs more commonly exhibited non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, acute on chronic heart failure, past history of ischemic heart disease, and severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction; were more commonly administered oral furosemide and digoxin; and had higher in-hospital recurrent congestive HF rates. Mortality did not significantly differ ( P > .05) between groups. In Saudi Arabia, 37.7% of eligible patients received MRA treatment, which is higher than that in developed countries. The lack of long-term survival benefit raises concerns about systematic problems, for example, proper follow-up and management after hospital discharge, warranting further investigation.

Atrial Fibrillation in Patients Hospitalized With Heart Failure: Patient Characteristics and Outcomes From the HEARTS Registry.

Effect of atrial fibrillation (AF) on short- and long-term outcomes in heart failure (HF) is controversial. Accordingly, we examined this relationship in a national multicenter project using data from the Hearts Function Assessment Registry Trial in Saudi Arabia that studied the clinical features and outcomes of patients admitted with de novo and acute on chronic HF. Out of 2593 patients with HF, 449 (17.8%) had AF at presentation. Patients with AF were more likely to be males and older (mean age 65.2 ± 15.0 vs 60.5 ± 14.8 years) to have a history of ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (3.1% vs 1.9%) or cerebrovascular accident (15.0% vs 8.5%). However, they were less likely to have diabetes (66.0% vs 55.9%) or coronary artery disease (55.6% vs 42.3%). The 1-, 2-, and 3-year crude mortality rates were significantly higher in patients with AF (23.2% vs 18.3%, 27.4% vs 22.3%, and 27.8% vs 23.2%, respectively). However, there was no significant difference in mortality after adjusting for covariates. Thus, in patients admitted with HF, AF upon presentation was not associated with increased mortality.

Worsening heart failure in 'real-world' clinical practice: predictors and prognostic impact.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical features, predictors, and clinical outcomes of patients hospitalized with acute heart failure (AHF), with and without worsening heart failure (WHF). METHODS AND RESULTS: We used data from a multicentre prospective registry of AHF patients created in Saudi Arabia. WHF was defined as recurrence of heart failure symptoms or signs-with or without cardiogenic shock. In-hospital short- and long-term outcomes, as well as predictors of WHF are described. Of the 2609 AHF patients enrolled, 33.8% developed WHF. WHF patients were more likely to have a history of heart failure and ischaemic heart disease. Use of intravenous vasodilators, inotropic agents, furosemide infusions, and discharge beta-blockers was significantly higher in WHF patients, while use of discharge ACE inhibitors was higher in patients without WHF. Length of hospital stay was significantly longer for WHF patients than for those without WHF [median (interquartile range) 13 (14) vs. 7 (7) days, P < 0.001]. In-hospital, 30-day, 1-year, and 2-year mortality rates were higher in WHF patients than in non-WHF patients. The adjusted odds ratios for in-hospital, 30-day, and 1-year mortality were 4.13 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.74-6.20, P < 0.001], 3.17 (95% CI 2.21-4.56, P < 0.001), and 1.34 (95% CI 1.04-1.71, P = 0.021), respectively. The strongest predictors for WHF were having ischaemic cardiomyopathy, AHF with concomitant acute coronary syndrome, and low haemoglobin. CONCLUSION: In real-world clinical practice, WHF during hospitalization for AHF is a strong predictor for short- and intermediate-term mortality, and a cause for longer hospital stays.

Acute heart failure with and without acute coronary syndrome: clinical correlates and prognostic impact (From the HEARTS registry).

BACKGROUND: Little is know about the outcomes of acute heart failure (AHF) with acute coronary syndrome (ACS-AHF), compared to those without ACS (NACS-AHF). METHODS: We conducted a prospective registry of AHF patients involving 18 hospitals in Saudi Arabia between October 2009 and December 2010. In this sub-study, we compared the clinical correlates, management and hospital course, as well as short, and long-term outcomes between AHF patients with and without ACS. RESULTS: Of the 2609 AHF patients enrolled, 27.8 % presented with ACS. Compared to NACS-AHF patients, ACS-AHF patients were more likely to be old males (Mean age = 62.7 vs. 60.8 years, p = 0.003, and 73.8 % vs. 62.7 %, p < 0.001, respectively), and to present with De-novo heart failure (56.6 % vs. 28.1 %, p < 0.001). Additionally they were more likely to have history of ischemic heart disease, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and less likely to have chronic kidney disease (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). The prevalence of severe LV systolic dysfunction (EF < 30 %) was higher in ACS-AHF patients. During hospital stay, ACS-AHF patients were more likely to develop shock (p < 0.001), recurrent heart failure (p = 0.02) and needed more mechanical ventilation (p < 0.001). ß blockers and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme inhibitors were used more often in ACS-AHF patients (p = 0.001 and, p = 0.004 respectively). ACS- AHF patients underwent more coronary angiography and had higher prevalence of multi-vessel coronary artery disease (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). The unadjusted hospital and one-month mortality were higher in ACS-AHF patients (OR = 1.6 (1.2-2.2), p = 0.003 and 1.4 (1.0-1.9), p = 0.026 respectively). A significant interaction existed between the level of left ventricular ejection fraction and ACS-AHF status. After adjustment, ACS-AHF status was only significantly associated with hospital mortality (OR = 1.6 (1.1-2.4), p = 0.019). The three-years survival following hospital discharge was not different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: AHF patients presenting with ACS had worse hospital prognosis, and an equivalent long-term survival compared to AHF patients without ACS. These findings underscore the importance of timely recognition and management of AHF patients with concomitant ACS given their distinct presentation and underlying pathophysiology compared to other AHF patients.

Sex Differences in Patients With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure: Insights From the Heart Function Assessment Registry Trial in Saudi Arabia.

We assessed sex-specific differences in clinical features and outcomes of patients with acute heart failure (AHF). The Heart function Assessment Registry Trial in Saudi Arabia (HEARTS), a prospective registry, enrolled 2609 patients with AHF (34.2% women) between 2009 and 2010. Women were older and more likely to have risk factors for atherosclerosis, history of heart failure (HF), and rheumatic heart and valve disease. Ischemic heart disease was the prime cause for HF in men and women but more so in men (P < .001). Women had higher rates of hypertensive heart disease and primary valve disease (P < .001, for both comparisons). Men were more likely to have severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction. On discharge, a higher use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, ß-blockers, and aldosterone inhibitors was observed in men (P < .001 for all comparisons). Apart from higher atrial fibrillation in women and higher ventricular arrhythmias in men, no differences were observed in hospital outcomes. The overall survival did not differ between men and women (hazard ratio: 1.0, 95% confidence interval: 0.8-1.2, P = .981). Men and women with AHF differ significantly in baseline clinical characteristics and management but not in adverse outcomes.

Prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea among patients with coronary artery disease in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Despite the association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and coronary artery disease (CAD), few studies have investigated this issue in Saudi Arabia. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify the prevalence of OSA among CAD patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional (descriptive) study conducted at King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from April 2012 to December 2013. All consecutive patients referred to the cardiac catheterization lab for coronary angiography who exhibited evidence of CAD were included in this study. This study was conducted in two stages. During the first stage, each participant was interviewed individually. The administered interview collected data pertaining to demographics, comorbidities, and the STOP-BANG questionnaire score. The second stage of this study consisted of a diagnostic overnight polysomnography (PSG) of 50% of the subjects at high risk for OSA according to the STOP-BANG questionnaire. RESULTS: Among the patients with CAD (N = 156), 128 (82%) were categorized as high risk for developing OSA. PSG was conducted on 48 patients. The estimated prevalence of OSA in the study sample was 56.4%. Approximately 61% of the documented sleep apnea patients suffered from moderate to severe OSA. CONCLUSION: This local study concurs with reports in the literature indicating that OSA is very common among CAD patients.

Long-Term Mortality Rates in Acute De Novo Versus Acute-on-Chronic Heart Failure: From the Heart Function Assessment Registry Trial in Saudi Arabia.

AIM: The heart function assessment registry trial in Saudi Arabia (HEARTS) is a national multicenter project that compared de novo versus acute-on-chronic heart failure (ACHF). METHODS AND RESULTS: This is a prospective registry in 18 hospitals in Saudi Arabia between October 2009 and December 2010. The study enrolled 2610 patients: 940 (36%) de novo and 1670 (64%) ACHF. Patients with ACHF were significantly older (62.2 vs 60 years), less likely to be males (64% vs 69%) or smokers (31.6% vs 36.7%), and more likely to have history of diabetes mellitus (65.7% vs 61.3%), hypertension (74% vs 65%), and severe left ventricular dysfunction (52% vs 40%). The ACHF group had a higher adjusted 3-year mortality rate (hazard ratio, 1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3-2.0; P < .001). CONCLUSION: Patients with ACHF had significantly higher long-term mortality rates than those with de novo acute heart failure (HF). Multidisciplinary HF disease management programs are highly needed for such high-risk populations.

Absence of obesity paradox in Saudi patients admitted with acute coronary syndromes: insights from SPACE registry.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To describe the distribution of body mass index (BMI) and its relationship with clinical features, management, and in-hospital outcomes of patients admitted with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). DESIGN AND SETTINGS: The Saudi Project for Assessment of Coronary Events is a prospective registry. ACS patients admitted to 17 hospitals from December 2005-2007 were included in this study. METHODS: BMI was available for 3469 patients (68.6%) admitted with ACS and categorized into 4 groups: normal weight, overweight, obese, and morbidly obese. RESULTS: Of patients admitted with ACS, 72% were either overweight or obese. A high prevalence of diabetes (57%), hypertension (56.6%), dyslipidemia (42%), and smoking (32.4%) was reported. Increasing BMI was significantly associated with diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Overweight and obese patients were significantly younger than the normal-weight group (P=.006). However, normal-weight patients were more likely to be smokers and had 3-vessel coronary artery disease, worse left ventricular dysfunction, and ST elevation myocardial infarction. Glycoprotein IIb-IIIa antagonists were used significantly more in overweight, obese, and morbidly obese ACS patients than in normal-weight patients (P≤.001). Coronary angiography and percutaneous intervention were reported more in overweight and obese patients than in normal-weight patients (P≤.001). In-hospital outcomes were not significantly different among the BMI categories. CONCLUSION: High BMI is prevalent among Saudi patients with ACS. BMI was not an independent factor for in-hospital outcomes. In contrast with previous reports, high BMI was not associated with improved outcomes, indicating the absence of obesity paradox observed in other studies.

Clinical features, management, and short- and long-term outcomes of patients with acute decompensated heart failure: phase I results of the HEARTS database.

AIMS: The HEart function Assessment Registry Trial in Saudi Arabia (HEARTS) is a national multicentre project, studying clinical features, management, short- and long-term outcomes, and mortality predictors in patients admitted with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). METHODS AND RESULTS: Our prospective registry enrolled 2610 ADHF patients admitted to 18 hospitals in Saudi Arabia between October 2009 and December 2010, and followed mortality rates until January 2013. The patients included 66% men and 85.5% Saudis, with a median age (interquartile range) of 61.4 (15) years; 64% had acute on chronic heart failure (HF), 64.1% diabetes mellitus, 70.6% hypertension, and 55.7% CAD. Exacerbating factors for hospital admission included acute coronary syndromes (37.8%), infections (20.6%), non-compliance with low-salt diet (25.2%), and non-compliance with HF medications (20%). An LVEF<40% was found in 73%. In-hospital use of evidence-based medications was high. All-cause cumulative mortality rates at 30 days, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years were 8.3, 13.7, 19.5, 23.5, and 24.3%, respectively. Important independent predictors of mortality were history of stroke, acute on chronic HF, systolic blood pressure<90 mmHg upon presentation, estimated glomerular filtration rate<60 mL/min, and haemoglobin<10 g/dL. CONCLUSION: Patients with ADHF in Saudi Arabia presented at a younger age and had higher rates of CAD risk factors compared with those in developed countries. Most patients had reduced LV systolic function, mostly due to ischaemic aetiology, and had poor long-term prognosis. These findings indicate a need for nationwide primary prevention and HF disease management programmes.

Short-term and long-term adverse cardiovascular events across the glycaemic spectrum in patients with acute coronary syndrome: the Gulf Registry of Acute Coronary Events-2.

BACKGROUND: Limited data exist on the prognostic impacts of diabetes mellitus (DM) and new-onset hyperglycaemia (NOH) on cardiovascular outcomes in Middle Eastern patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Here, we explored this relationship in a large contemporary Middle Eastern ACS registry: the second Gulf Registry of Acute Coronary Events (Gulf RACE-2). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our analysis included 6362 consecutive ACS patients enrolled from October 2008 to June 2009, with or without a known DM diagnosis, and with an available fasting blood sugar measurement from the index hospitalization. Baseline demographics, risk factors for atherosclerosis, medical history, investigations and therapies were registered. Adverse hospital outcomes, as well as short-term and long-term mortalities were compared. Comparisons for categorical data were performed using χ or Fisher's exact tests, whereas analysis of variance or the Kruskal-Wallis test was used for continuous variables. Multiple logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratio. RESULTS: Almost half of the ACS cohort had been diagnosed previously with DM, and 8.8% had NOH. DM patients were more frequently older, female and Arab Gulf nationals. Compared with nondiabetic patients, DM patients had higher rates of adverse in-hospital clinical events, and 30-day and 1-year mortality. NOH was an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality, major bleeding and cardiogenic shock. Patients with NOH had higher in-hospital mortality (8.29 vs. 5.37%, P=0.035), ventricular arrhythmia (4.97 vs. 1.91%, P<0.001) and cardiogenic shock rates (6.45 vs. 4.12%, P=0.019) compared with DM patients not requiring insulin. CONCLUSION: DM was very common among ACS patients in the Arab Gulf area, and ACS patients with NOH were at a higher risk compared with euglycaemic patients and diabetic patients not requiring insulin. Further studies are needed to examine the clinical impact of in-hospital intensive glycaemic control in these patients and to explore the long-term glycaemic status of ACS patients with NOH.

Are acute coronary syndrome patients admitted during off-duty hours treated differently? An analysis of the Saudi Project for Assessment of Acute Coronary Syndrome (SPACE) study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: It is often suggested that acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients admitted during off-duty hours (OH) have a worse clinical outcome than those admitted during regular working hours (RH). Our objective was to compare the management and hospital outcomes of ACS patients admitted during OH with those admitted during RH. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective observational study of ACS patients enrolled in the Saudi Project for Assessment of Acute Coronary Syndrome study from December 2005 to December 2007. PATIENTS AND METHODS: ACS patients with available date and admission times were included. RH were defined as weekdays, 8 AM-5 PM, and OH was defined as weekdays 5 PM-8 AM, weekends, during Eid (a period of several days marking the end of two major Islamic holidays), and national days. RESULTS: Of the 2825 patients qualifying for this analysis, 1016 (36%) were admitted during RH and 1809 (64%) during OH. OH patients were more likely to present with heart failure and ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and to receive fibrinolytic therapy, but were less likely to undergo primary percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). The median door to balloon time was significantly longer (P<.01) in OH patients (122 min) than in RH patients. No differences were observed in hospital outcomes including mortality between the two groups, except for higher heart failure rates in OH patients (11.1% vs 7.2%, P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: STEMI patients admitted during OH were disadvantaged with respect to use and speed of delivery of primary PCI but not fibrinolytic therapy. Hospitals providing primary PCI during OH should aim to deliver it in a timely manner throughout the day.

Design and preliminary results of the heart function assessment registry trial in Saudi Arabia (HEARTS) in patients with acute and chronic heart failure.

AIMS: The heart function assessment registry trial in Saudi Arabia (HEARTS) is the first multicentre national quality improvement initiative in the Arab population to study the clinical features, management, and outcomes of inpatients admitted with acute heart failure (AHF) and outpatients with high-risk chronic heart failure (HCHF). METHODS AND RESULTS: We conducted a prospective pilot phase for the registry that included consecutive patients with AHF and HCHF in five tertiary care hospitals in Saudi Arabia between October 2009 and December 2010. The study enrolled 1090 patients, 722 (66.2%) of whom were admitted with AHF and 368 (33.8%) had HCHF. The mean age ± SD of AHF patients was 60.6 ± 15.3 years; 65.2% were men, 55.3% were de novo heart failure, 60.7% had diabetes mellitus, 72.5% had moderate or severe left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction, and 51.5% had coronary artery disease as the main aetiology. More than 80% of AHF and HCHF patients were treated with beta-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers. Patients with HCHF had a similar clinical profile, but only one-third had implantable cardioverter defibrillators. In-hospital mortality was 5.3% for AHF patients and 7.5% at 30 days after hospital discharge. CONCLUSION: Heart failure patients in Saudi Arabia present at a relatively younger age, have a much higher rate of diabetes mellitus, and predominantly have LV systolic dysfunction, which is mainly ischaemic in origin, compared with patients in developed countries. The preliminary results of the study show potential targets for improvement in care.