Empagliflozina para o tratamento de pacientes adultos com Insuficiência Cardíaca com Fração de Ejeção Preservada e Levemente Reduzida (FEVE > 40%) e classes funcionais NYHA II e III, adicional ao tratamento padrão / Empagliflozin for the treatment of adult patients with Heart Failure with Preserved and Slightly Reduced Functional Fraction (FEVE > 40%) and NYHA functional classes II and III, in addition to standard treatment

INTRODUÇÃO: A IC é uma síndrome clínica complexa, na qual o coração é incapaz de bombear sangue de forma a atender às necessidades metabólicas tissulares representando um desafio pelo caráter progressivo da doença, a limitação da qualidade de vida e a alta mortalidade. É a principal causa de re-hospitalização no Brasil, com elevada mortalidade em cinco anos. Constatou-se que uma em cada cinco pessoas tem chance de desenvolvê-la ao longo da vida. A empagliflozina é um inibidor competidor reversível, altamente potente e seletivo do SGLT-2 (cotransportador de sódio e glicose 2), que atua inibindo os cotransportadores do túbulo renal, impedindo a reabsorção renal de glicose. A empagliflozina também reduz a reabsorção de sódio e aumenta a entrada de sódio no túbulo distal, podendo influenciar em várias funções fisiológicas incluindo, mas não se restringindo a aumento no feedback tubuloglomerular e redução da pressão intraglomerular, diminuindo a pré e pós-carga cardíaca; a resposta da atividade simpática e o estresse da parede ventricular esquerda, conforme evidenciado pelos valores mais baixos de NT-proBNP e efeitos benéficos no remodelamento cardíaco, pressões de enchimento e função diastólica. TECNOLOGIA: Empagliflozina . PERGUNTA DE PESQUISA: Pergunta: O uso da empagliflozina é eficaz, seguro e custo-efetivo, em pacientes com fração de ejeção preservada e levemente reduzida, FEVE>40%, classes funcionais NYHA II ou III, quando comparado ao tratamento padrão isolado? EVIDÊNCIAS CIENTÍFICAS: : Para a seleção das evidências, foi conduzida uma revisão sistemática nas bases MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE®, e Cochrane CENTRAL, para identificar ensaios clínicos randomizados e revisões sistemáticas que avaliassem a eficácia e segurança da empagliflozina no tratamento de pacientes adultos, com IC com fração de ejeção preservada e levemente reduzida (FEVE > 40%) e classes funcionais NYHA II e III, adicional ao tratamento padrão. Apenas um ensaio clínico randomizado atendeu aos critérios de elegibilidade sendo multicêntrico, duplo-cego, de grupos paralelos, controlado por placebo. AVALIAÇÃO ECONÔMICA (AE): O demandante apresentou uma análise de custo-efetividade, empregando modelo de Markov, considerando um horizonte temporal por toda vida (lifetime), empregando como desfechos internações evitadas e anos de vida ganhos ajustados pela qualidade (QALY), encontrando uma RCEI para os desfechos citados de R$ 44.785,00 e R$ 34.532,00, respectivamente. Salienta-se que os resultados foram apresentados sem incidência de tributos, tais valores podem ser majorados de 18% a 30%, conforme demonstrado no parecer. ANÁLISE DE IMPACTO ORÇAMENTÁRIO (AIO): Foi apresentada uma AIO, considerando um horizonte temporal de cinco anos, comparando tratamento padrão (TP) para IC versus a adição de empagliflozina ao TP. Considerando-se um custo da tecnologia sem a incidência de tributos (ICMS e Cofins), o impacto orçamentário incremental em um cenário conservador com adoção da empagliflozina de 7% no 1º ano, chegando a 25% ao final de cinco anos, variou de R$ 8.766.709,00 a R$ 35.340.528,00, respectivamente, resultando em um valor ao final de cinco anos de R$ 101.757.335,00. Considerando-se um market share mais agressivo, com adoção da empagliflozina variando de 15% no 1º ano a 65% no quinto ano, o IO incremental variou de R$ 18.785.805,00 a R$ 91.885.373,00, respectivamente, sendo que o IO incremental em cinco anos seria de R$ 261.558.387,00. Cabe aqui também salientar que esses valores podem ser acrescidos em 18% a 30% se considerar a incidência de tributos, apresentados neste relatório pelos pareceristas. O demandante apresenta vários cenários alternativos, com base em diversos parâmetros, demonstrando uma grande variedade de cenários. MONITORAMENTO DO HORIZONTE TECNOLÓGICO: Realizaram-se buscas estruturadas nos campos de pesquisa das bases de dados ClinicalTrials.gov e Cortellis em novembro de 2022. A finerenona é um antagonista de receptor mineralocorticoide. Sua eficácia e segurança no tratamento de pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca com FEVE ≥ 40% estão sendo avaliadas em um estudo clínico de fase 3. No estudo são admitidos pacientes a partir de 40 anos de idade e classes funcionais NYHA II a IV, em uso de antidiurético a pelo menos 30 dias antes da randomização. A previsão de conclusão do estudo é setembro de 2024. CONSIDERAÇÕES FINAIS: A ICFEp e ICFElr é uma doença altamente prevalente, com grande impacto na qualidade de vida, morbidade e na mortalidade dos pacientes, e que gera custos significativos para o SUS. Os resultados apresentados por um ECR multicêntrico (EMPEROR- Preserved) mostram evidências de alta qualidade da empagliflozina reduzindo significativamente o desfecho primário "morte por causas cardiovasculares" e "hospitalização por IC", bem como para os desfechos relacionados ao seu perfil de segurança. O acréscimo de empagliflozina ao tratamento padrão resultou em redução de risco de morte cardiovascular ou hospitalização por IC (HIC) em 21%, redução de risco de HIC em 27%, além de benefício na qualidade de vida dos pacientes, proteção renal, reduzindo a piora e instalação de nefropatias. A empagliflozina apresenta bom perfil de tolerabilidade e segurança. Na análise econômica, observa-se que o uso de empagliflozina resulta em aumento da efetividade do tratamento, com ganhos em QALY e redução de hospitalizações quando comparada ao tratamento padrão isolado. RECOMENDAÇÃO PRELIMINAR DA CONITEC: Diante do exposto, o Plenário da Conitec, em sua 12ª Reunião Extraordinária, realizada no dia 29 de novembro de 2022, deliberou que a matéria fosse disponibilizada em Consulta Pública com recomendação preliminar desfavorável à incorporação no SUS de empagliflozina para o tratamento de pacientes adultos, com IC com fração de ejeção preservada e levemente reduzida (FEVE > 40%) e classes funcionais NYHA II e III, adicional ao tratamento padrão, sendo consideradas incertezas quanto a aspectos da avaliação econômica e impacto orçamentário. CONSULTA PÚBLICA: A Consulta Pública nº 99/2022 foi realizada entre os dias 23/12/2022 e 11/01/2023. Foram recebidas 422 contribuições, sendo 128 pelo Formulário para contribuições técnico-científicas e 294 pelo Formulário para contribuições sobre experiência ou opinião de pacientes, familiares, amigos ou cuidadores de pacientes, profissionais de saúde ou pessoas interessadas no tema. Das 128 contribuições técnico-científicas recebidas, 124 discordaram da recomendação preliminar da Conitec, três concordaram e uma contribuição não opinou. Os principais argumentos utilizados a favor da tecnologia foram: melhora de resultados clínicos e da qualidade de vida do paciente; redução de hospitalização proporcionando economia com o tratamento desta doença para o SUS e falta de acesso ao medicamento, devido ao alto custo e/ou ao fato de não estar disponível no SUS. Em relação às contribuições de experiência ou opinião houve predomínio de contribuições de profissionais de saúde, em que a totalidade dos respondentes discordou da recomendação preliminar da Conitec. No âmbito das opiniões e experiências positivas foram mencionados, em relação ao medicamento em avaliação, os bons resultados terapêuticos, a importância do acesso por meio do SUS, a redução de hospitalizações e da mortalidade e o incremento da qualidade de vida. Como dificuldades, destacaram-se a falta de acesso pelo SUS, especialmente por conta do custo, e os eventos adversos, quase sempre com ressalvas ao fato de serem manejáveis. Em relação a outras tecnologias, foram mencionados, basicamente, medicamentos que tiveram seus benefícios terapêuticos mencionados, mas também, a eficácia limitada e o custo elevado. RECOMENDAÇÃO FINAL DA CONITEC: Diante do exposto, os membros presentes do Comitê de Medicamentos na 117 a Reunião Ordinária, deliberaram, por unanimidade, recomendar a não incorporação da empagliflozina para o tratamento de pacientes adultos, com insuficiência cardíaca com fração de ejeção preservada e levemente reduzida (FEVE > 40%) e classes funcionais NYHA II e III, adicional ao tratamento padrão. O plenário considerou que a consulta pública não trouxe elementos suficientes para uma mudança da recomendação preliminar. Foi assinado o Registro de Deliberação nº 808/2023. DECISÃO: Não incorporar, no âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde - SUS, a empagliflozina para o tratamento de pacientes adultos com Insuficiência Cardíaca com Fração de Ejeção Preservada e Levemente Reduzida (FEVE > 40%) e classes funcionais NYHA II e III, adicional ao tratamento padrão, publicada no Diário Oficial da União nº 81, seção 1, página 111, em 28 de abril de 2023.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between all-cause mortality and statin therapy in patients with preserved ejection fraction heart failure (HFpEF).

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is a growing global health burden increasing in prevalence as the average age of the population rises. HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is defined as EF that is ≥50% and represents almost half of the population with HF. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis exploring an association between HFpEF and statin use on all-cause mortality and cardiovascular rehospitalisation. Searches were conducted in MEDLINE via Ovid, The Cochrane Library for clinical trials in CENTRAL and Embase via Ovid for articles published between 1 January 2000 and 2 July 2021. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and evidence rated for quality using the GRADE approach. RESULTS: A total of 19 studies were included in the review. The analysis suggests a risk reduction of 27% for the statin exposed participants compared to the statin non-exposed participants (HR 0.73, 95% CI: 0.68-0.79) with regard to all-cause mortality. There is a low level of heterogeneity (I2 = 38%) associated with this result that has been accounted for by using a random effects model, however given the included studies are observational, the quality of the evidence is rated as low. Information on rehospitalisation was insufficient for determining the impact of statin use on rehospitalisations. CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis revealed a reduction in all-cause mortality in patients with HFpEF on statin therapy. Considering the outcomes from this meta-analysis there is a need for high level studies to provide quality evidence on the use of statins in patients with HFpEF.

NR3C2 genotype is associated with response to spironolactone in diastolic heart failure patients from the Aldo-DHF trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine if variants in NR3C2, which codes the target protein of spironolactone, or CYP11B2, which is involved in aldosterone synthesis, were associated with spironolactone response, focused on the primary end point of diastolic function (E/e'), in Aldosterone Receptor Blockade in Diastolic Heart Failure (Aldo-DHF) participants. DESIGN: Post-hoc genetic analysis. DATA SOURCE: Data and samples were derived from the multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Aldo-DHF trial. PATIENTS: Aldo-DHF participants treated with spironolactone (n = 184) or placebo (n = 178) were included. INTERVENTION: Participants were genotyped for NR3C2 rs5522, NR3C2 rs2070951 and CYP11B2 rs1799998 via pyrosequencing. MEASUREMENTS: In the placebo and spironolactone arms, separate multivariable linear regression analyses were performed for change in E/e' with each single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), adjusted for age, sex, and baseline E/e'. To discern potential mechanisms of a genotype effect, associated SNPs were further examined for their association with change in blood pressure, circulating procollagen type III N-terminal peptide (PIIINP), and left atrial area. MAIN RESULTS: Carriers of the rs5522 G allele in the placebo arm had a greater increase in E/e' over the 12-month course of the trial compared to noncarriers (ß = 1.10; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.05-2.16; p = 0.04). No corresponding E/e' worsening by rs5522 genotype was observed in the spironolactone arm. None of the other genotypes were associated with change in E/e'. Compared to noncarriers, rs5522 G carriers also had a greater increase in left atrial area with placebo (ß = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.17-1.48; p = 0.01) and a greater reduction in diastolic blood pressure with spironolactone (ß = -3.56; 95% CI: -6.73 to -0.39; p = 0.03). Serum PIIINP levels were similar across rs5522 genotypes. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that spironolactone attenuates progression of diastolic dysfunction associated with the NR3C2 rs5522 G allele. Validation of our findings is needed.

Effects of phosphodiesterase V inhibition alone and in combination with BNP on cardiovascular and renal response to volume load in human preclinical diastolic dysfunction.

Preclinical diastolic dysfunction (PDD) results in impaired cardiorenal response to volume load (VL) which may contribute to the progression to clinical heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The objective was to evaluate if phosphodiesterase V inhibition (PDEVI) alone or combination PDEVI plus B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) administration will correct the impaired cardiorenal response to VL in PDD. A randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled cross-over study was conducted in 20 subjects with PDD, defined as left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) >50% with moderate or severe diastolic dysfunction by Doppler echocardiography and without HF diagnosis or symptoms. Effects of PDEVI with oral tadalafil alone and tadalafil plus subcutaneous (SC) BNP, administered prior to acute volume loading, were assessed. Tadalafil alone did not result in improvement in cardiac response to VL, as measured by LVEF, LV end diastolic volume, left atrial volume (LAV), or right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP). Tadalafil plus SC BNP resulted in improved cardiac response to VL, with increased LVEF (4.1 vs. 1.8%, p = 0.08) and heart rate (4.3 vs. 1.6 bpm, p = 0.08), and reductions in both LAV (-4.3 ± 10.4 vs. 2.8 ± 6.6 ml, p = 0.03) and RVSP (-4.0 ± 3.0 vs. 2.1 ± 6.0 mmHg, p < 0.01) versus tadalafil alone. Plasma and urinary cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) excretion levels were higher (11.3 ± 12.3 vs. 1.7 ± 3.8 pmol/ml, 1851.0 ± 1386.4 vs. 173.4 ± 517.9 pmol/min, p < 0.01) with tadalafil plus SC BNP versus tadalafil alone. There was no improvement in renal response as measured by GFR, renal plasma flow, sodium excretion, and urine flow with tadalafil plus SC BNP compared to tadalafil alone. In subjects with PDD, tadalafil alone resulted in no improvement in cardiac adaptation, while tadalafil and SC BNP resulted in enhanced cardiac adaptation to VL. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01544998.

Impact of etiology on force and kinetics of left ventricular end-stage failing human myocardium.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is associated with highly significant morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. Despite the significant advances in therapies and prevention, HF remains associated with poor clinical outcomes. Understanding the contractile force and kinetic changes at the level of cardiac muscle during end-stage HF in consideration of underlying etiology would be beneficial in developing targeted therapies that can help improve cardiac performance. OBJECTIVE: Investigate the impact of the primary etiology of HF (ischemic or non-ischemic) on left ventricular (LV) human myocardium force and kinetics of contraction and relaxation under near-physiological conditions. METHODS AND RESULTS: Contractile and kinetic parameters were assessed in LV intact trabeculae isolated from control non-failing (NF; n = 58) and end-stage failing ischemic (FI; n = 16) and non-ischemic (FNI; n = 38) human myocardium under baseline conditions, length-dependent activation, frequency-dependent activation, and response to the ß-adrenergic stimulation. At baseline, there were no significant differences in contractile force between the three groups; however, kinetics were impaired in failing myocardium with significant slowing down of relaxation kinetics in FNI compared to NF myocardium. Length-dependent activation was preserved and virtually identical in all groups. Frequency-dependent activation was clearly seen in NF myocardium (positive force frequency relationship [FFR]), while significantly impaired in both FI and FNI myocardium (negative FFR). Likewise, ß-adrenergic regulation of contraction was significantly impaired in both HF groups. CONCLUSIONS: End-stage failing myocardium exhibited impaired kinetics under baseline conditions as well as with the three contractile regulatory mechanisms. The pattern of these kinetic impairments in relation to NF myocardium was mainly impacted by etiology with a marked slowing down of kinetics in FNI myocardium. These findings suggest that not only force development, but also kinetics should be considered as a therapeutic target for improving cardiac performance and thus treatment of HF.

Improvement of Shen'ge formula on heart function in diastolic heart failure: A protocol for randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study.

INTRODUCTION: Diastolic heart failure (DHF) is an important pathological type of heart failure, that involves multiple organ dysfunction and multiple complications. The prevalence of DHF is high, and effective treatments are lacking. Chinese herbs are an alternative therapy for DHF. Shen'ge formula (SGF) is a classical formula from which patients can benefit, but convincing evidence of its efficacy is lacking. Therefore, we designed this randomized controlled trial protocol. METHODS/DESIGN: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial will evaluate the efficacy and safety of SGF in the treatment of DHF. A total of 130 patients with DHF will be enrolled in the trial and treated with SGF granules or placebo for 12 weeks and followed up for 12 weeks. The primary outcome measurement will be to changes in plasma N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide precursor before versus after treatment, while the second primary outcome measurement will be changes in heart function before versus after treatment and the 12-week follow-up period. It will also include echocardiography, a cardiopulmonary exercise test, cardiac function grading, traditional Chinese medicine syndrome score, and the Minnesota Heart Failure Quality of Life Scale. Adverse events will be evaluated throughout the trial. DISCUSSION: The results of this trial will demonstrate whether SGF could alleviate symptoms, improve cardiac function, reduce readmission rates, and improve quality of life of patients with DHF. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Register, ChiCTR2000036533, registered on August 24, 2020.

Diastolic Heart Failure: A Review of Current and Future Treatment Options.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), often referred to as diastolic heart failure, remains one of the more challenging forms of heart failure to treat. This is a condition in which patients may or may not have signs and symptoms of heart failure, and retain a left ventricular ejection fraction greater than 50%. The challenge to treating HFpEF is due to the paucity of clinical trials with specific therapies, and those that have been completed have yielded relatively neutral results. This has resulted in treatments that are aimed more towards associated conditions, such as hypertension, rather than the underlying pathophysiology. This article will review the epidemiology and pathophysiology of HFpEF, and discuss the current therapeutic modalities, and clinical trials. In addition, we will discuss an ongoing clinical trial and the impact it may hold on future treatment options.

The effects of liraglutide and dapagliflozin on cardiac function and structure in a multi-hit mouse model of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

AIMS: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a multifactorial disease that constitutes several distinct phenotypes, including a common cardiometabolic phenotype with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Treatment options for HFpEF are limited, and development of novel therapeutics is hindered by the paucity of suitable preclinical HFpEF models that recapitulate the complexity of human HFpEF. Metabolic drugs, like glucagon-like peptide receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) and sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), have emerged as promising drugs to restore metabolic perturbations and may have value in the treatment of the cardiometabolic HFpEF phenotype. We aimed to develop a multifactorial HFpEF mouse model that closely resembles the cardiometabolic HFpEF phenotype, and evaluated the GLP-1 RA liraglutide (Lira) and the SGLT2i dapagliflozin (Dapa). METHODS AND RESULTS: Aged (18-22 months old) female C57BL/6J mice were fed a standardized chow (CTRL) or high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks. After 8 weeks HFD, angiotensin II (ANGII), was administered for 4 weeks via osmotic mini pumps. HFD + ANGII resulted in a cardiometabolic HFpEF phenotype, including obesity, impaired glucose handling, and metabolic dysregulation with inflammation. The multiple hit resulted in typical clinical HFpEF features, including cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis with preserved fractional shortening but with impaired myocardial deformation, atrial enlargement, lung congestion, and elevated blood pressures. Treatment with Lira attenuated the cardiometabolic dysregulation and improved cardiac function, with reduced cardiac hypertrophy, less myocardial fibrosis, and attenuation of atrial weight, natriuretic peptide levels, and lung congestion. Dapa treatment improved glucose handling, but had mild effects on the HFpEF phenotype. CONCLUSIONS: We developed a mouse model that recapitulates the human HFpEF disease, providing a novel opportunity to study disease pathogenesis and the development of enhanced therapeutic approaches. We furthermore show that attenuation of cardiometabolic dysregulation may represent a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of HFpEF.

Clinical, Demographic, and Imaging Correlates of Anemia in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction (from the RELAX Trial).

Anemia is a commonly occurring comorbidity among patients of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) but limited data exists on the cardiovascular phenotype of anemia in HFpEF. We sought to characterize the clinical features, exercise capacity, and outcomes in patients with HFpEF to elucidate the phenotype and pathophysiology of anemia in HFpEF. Post hoc analyses of participants enrolled in the RELAX (Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibition to Improve Clinical Status and Exercise Capacity in Diastolic Heart Failure) trial was performed. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin <13 g/dL in men and <12 g/dL in women. Multivariate adjusted regression modeling was done to assess for differences in peak oxygen uptake. Adjusted hazard ratios were generated to assess difference in hospitalization events using a Cox proportional hazards model. Anemic HFpEF patients were more likely to be older, male, and have worse renal function (p <0.05 for all). N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, troponin I, pro-collagen III N-terminal peptide, C-telopeptide for type I collagen, uric acid, cystatin-c, and galectin-3 (p <0.05 for all) levels were higher in anemic HFpEF patients. In adjusted models, anemic HFpEF patients had worse exercise capacity (peak oxygen uptake: 11.3 vs 12.1 mL/kg/min; p = 0.004). The hazard for cardiac or renal cause of hospitalization in those with anemia was 2.0 (95% confidence interval: 0.9 to 4.3). Anemic HFpEF patients have worse exercise capacity and are more likely to be hospitalized. A better understanding of the physiologic phenotypes of HFpEF patients may allow for greater personalization of treatment and prognostication in HFpEF patients.

Implications of renin-angiotensin-system blocker discontinuation in acute decompensated heart failure with systolic dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Renin-angiotensin-system blockers (RASB) improve clinical outcomes in patients with chronic heart failure with reduced fraction; however, there remains ambiguity whether RASB therapy should be continued during the treatment of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). HYPOTHESIS: In comparison to patients with RASB use, RASB discontinuation in ADHF will be associated with worsening renal function, hypotension, and adverse long-term clinical outcomes. METHODS: Patients in the Evaluation Study of Congestive Heart Failure and Pulmonary Artery Catheterization (ESCAPE) trial were separated into four groups based on RASB use at baseline and discharge: continuation (n = 316), discontinuation (n = 21), initiation (n = 42), and nonuse (n = 23). Post-discharge outcomes were validated in an independent ADHF cohort admitted to the Cleveland Clinic (n = 253). RESULTS: RASB discontinuation and nonuse were associated with higher serial creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels than RASB continuation or initiation (P < .001 for both), but not with serial potassium and systolic blood pressure measurements. No other clinical parameter changes were significant. In comparison to RASB continuation, RASB discontinuation and nonuse was associated with ~75% increased risk of a 180-day composite of death, transplant, or rehospitalization (HR 1.87, 95% CI 1.09-3.20, P = 0.02 and HR 1.72, CI 1.04-2.82, P = .03, respectively). Post-discharge outcomes were similar in the validation cohort. CONCLUSION: Compared to RASB continuation, RASB discontinuation and nonuse were associated with higher baseline and serial creatinine levels during treatment for ADHF, but not with changes in SBP and potassium levels. Furthermore, RASB discontinuation and nonuse in ADHF were associated with an increased risk of adverse clinical outcomes.

Modelling diastolic dysfunction in induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients.

AIMS: Diastolic dysfunction (DD) is common among hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients, causing major morbidity and mortality. However, its cellular mechanisms are not fully understood, and presently there is no effective treatment. Patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) hold great potential for investigating the mechanisms underlying DD in HCM and as a platform for drug discovery. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the present study, beating iPSC-CMs were generated from healthy controls and HCM patients with DD. Micropatterned iPSC-CMs from HCM patients showed impaired diastolic function, as evidenced by prolonged relaxation time, decreased relaxation rate, and shortened diastolic sarcomere length. Ratiometric Ca2+ imaging indicated elevated diastolic [Ca2+]i and abnormal Ca2+ handling in HCM iPSC-CMs, which were exacerbated by ß-adrenergic challenge. Combining Ca2+ imaging and traction force microscopy, we observed enhanced myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity (measured as dF/Δ[Ca2+]i) in HCM iPSC-CMs. These results were confirmed with genome-edited isogenic iPSC lines that carry HCM mutations, indicating that cytosolic diastolic Ca2+ overload, slowed [Ca2+]i recycling, and increased myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity, collectively impairing the relaxation of HCM iPSC-CMs. Treatment with partial blockade of Ca2+ or late Na+ current reset diastolic Ca2+ homeostasis, restored diastolic function, and improved long-term survival, suggesting that disturbed Ca2+ signalling is an important cellular pathological mechanism of DD. Further investigation showed increased expression of L-type Ca2+channel (LTCC) and transient receptor potential cation channels (TRPC) in HCM iPSC-CMs compared with control iPSC-CMs, which likely contributed to diastolic [Ca2+]i overload. CONCLUSION: In summary, this study recapitulated DD in HCM at the single-cell level, and revealed novel cellular mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets of DD using iPSC-CMs.

The effect of perindopril on echocardiographic parameters, NYHA functional class and serum NT-proBNP values in patients with diastolic heart failure.

INTRODUCTION: Growing evidence has demonstrated that diastolic heart failure occurs in about half of heart failure (HF) patients. We investigated the effects of perindopril on echocardiographic parameters, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class and serum N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels in patients with diastolic heart failure. METHODS: In total, 108 diastolic heart failure patients aged ≥ 50 years, who had diastolic dysfunction with an ejection fraction ≥ 50%, were enrolled and randomised to one of the two study groups. Perindopril was initiated in the study group and the control group was given standard therapy. Echocardiographic parameters, NT-proBNP levels and NYHA classes were recorded. The patients were followed for 11 (three to 16) months. Eighty-eight patients completed the study. RESULTS: Although diastolic parameters were not changed, A' (septal) velocity (10.8 vs 9.9 cm/s) and Sm (septal) velocity (8.5 vs 7.6 cm/s) were significantly increased in the perindopril compared to the control group. A significant increase in A' (septal) velocity (+0.61 vs -0.28 cm/s, p = 0.04) and a slight increase in Sm (septal) velocity (+0.99 vs 0.36 cm/s, p = 0.054) were noted in the perindopril group. CONCLUSIONS: Tissue Doppler septal late diastolic velocities and septal systolic myocardial velocities increased in the perindopril group but NT-proBNP levels, and NYHA class was not changed in this study population.

The Drug Candidate BGP-15 Delays the Onset of Diastolic Dysfunction in the Goto-Kakizaki Rat Model of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy.

Background and Aims: Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is an emerging problem worldwide due to an increase in the incidence of type 2 diabetes. Animal studies have indicated that metformin and pioglitazone can prevent DCM partly by normalizing insulin resistance, and partly by other, pleiotropic mechanisms. One clinical study has evidenced the insulin-senzitizing effect of the drug candidate BGP-15, along with additional animal studies that have confirmed its beneficial effects in models of diabetes, muscular dystrophy and heart failure, with the drug affecting chaperones, contractile proteins and mitochondria. Our aim was to investigate whether the inzulin-senzitizer BGP-15 exert any additive cardiovascular effects compared to metformin or pioglitazone, using Goto-Kakizaki (GotoK) rats. Methods: Rats were divided into five groups: (I) healthy control (Wistar), (II) diseased (GotoK), and GotoK rats treated with: (III) BGP-15, (IV) metformin, and (V) pioglitazone, respectively, for 12 weeks. Metabolic parameters and insulin levels were determined at the endpoint. Doppler echocardiography was carried out to estimate diabetes-associated cardiac dysfunction. Thoracotomy was performed after the vascular status of rats was evaluated using an isolated aortic ring method. Furthermore, western blot assays were carried out to determine expression or phosphorylation levels of selected proteins that take part in myocyte relaxation. Results: BGP-15 restored diastolic parameters (e'/a', E/e', LAP, E and A wave) and improved Tei-index compared to untreated GotoK rats. Vascular status was unaffected by BGP-15. Expression of sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA2a) and phosphodiesterase 9A (PDE9A) were unchanged by the treatments, but the phosphorylation level of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) and phospholamban (PLB) increased in BGP-15-treated rats, in comparison to GotoK. Conclusions: Even though the BGP-15-treatment did not interfere significantly with glucose homeostasis and vascular status, it considerably enhanced diastolic function, by affecting the SERCA/phospholamban pathway in GotoK rats. Although it requires further investigation, BGP-15 may offer a new therapeutic approach in DCM.

Comparison and analysis of statins drug use in the treatment of diastolic dysfunction in patients.

Statins have multiple anti lipid effects, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation and anti arteriosclerosis, which are beneficial to improve cardiac function. Statins can effectively improve left ventricular remodeling and protect ventricular diastolic function. In this study, the effects of statin therapy on diastolic function and BNP level and exercise tolerance after exercise were observed by statins in patients with diastolic dysfunction. The results showed that after atorvastatin treatment, the exercise BNP decreased in the treatment group, which was significantly different from that before treatment and in the control group (P<0.05). This study demonstrated that atorvastatin was used to treat patients with diastolic dysfunction and exercise hypertension by lowering blood pressure and reducing exercise SBP, anti-inflammatory and improving vascular endothelial function.

Inhibition of prolyl hydroxylases alters cell metabolism and reverses pre-existing diastolic dysfunction in mice.

BACKGROUND: Diastolic dysfunction is emerging as a leading cause of heart failure in aging population. Induction of hypoxia tolerance and reprogrammed cell metabolism have emerged as novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the present study, we showed that deletion of sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) resulted in a diastolic dysfunction together with a significant increase in the expression of prolyl hydroxylases (PHD) 1 and 2. We further investigated the involvement of PHD in the development of diastolic dysfunction by treating the 12-14 months old mice with a PHD inhibitor, dimethyloxalylglycine (DMOG) for 2 weeks. DMOG treatment increased the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α in the endothelium of coronary arteries. This was accompanied by a significant improvement of coronary flow reserve and diastolic function. Inhibition of PHD altered endothelial metabolism by increasing glycolysis and reducing oxygen consumption. Most importantly, treatment with DMOG completely reversed the pre-existing diastolic dysfunction in the endothelial-specific SIRT3 deficient mice. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that inhibition of PHD and reprogrammed cell metabolism can reverse the pre-existed diastolic dysfunction in SIRT3 deficient mice. Our study provides a potential therapeutic strategy of induction of hypoxia tolerance for patients with diastolic dysfunction associated with coronary microvascular dysfunction, especially in the aging population with reduced SIRT3.

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonism improves diastolic dysfunction in chronic kidney disease in mice.

Managing the cardiovascular complications of renal failure is a major therapeutic challenge in clinical practice. Mineralocorticoid Receptor (MR) blockade is a highly effective strategy for the management of heart failure, but the use of MR antagonists (MRA) is limited by their side effects rendering them contraindicated in patients with renal failure. Finerenone is a new non-steroidal MRA that shows fewer hyperkaliaemic events than the traditional steroidal MRAs and could therefore represent an alternative to these molecules in patients with damaged kidney function. The aim of this study is to characterize the effects of Finerenone on the cardiac complications of renal failure in a mouse model of chronic kidney disease (CKD). CKD was induced by subtotal nephrectomy (Nx), and finerenone was administered at a low dose (2.5 mg/kg/d) from week 4 to week 10 post-Nx. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography and invasive hemodynamics while cardiac fibrosis was measured by Sirius Red staining. Renal failure induced cardiac systolic and diastolic dysfunctions in the untreated CKD mice, as well as minor changes on cardiac structure. We also observed alterations in the phosphorylation of proteins playing key roles in the calcium handling (Phospholamban, Calmodulin kinase II) in these mice. Finerenone prevented most of these lesions with no effects on neither the renal dysfunction nor kaliemia. The benefits of finerenone suggest that activation of MR is involved in the cardiac complication of renal failure and strengthen previous studies showing beneficial effects of MRA in patients with CKD.

Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: Diagnosis and Management.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, also referred to as diastolic heart failure, causes almost one-half of the 5 million cases of heart failure in the United States. It is more common among older patients and women, and results from abnormalities of active ventricular relaxation and passive ventricular compliance, leading to a decline in stroke volume and cardiac output. Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction should be suspected in patients with typical symptoms (e.g., fatigue, weakness, dyspnea, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, edema) and signs (S3 heart sound, displaced apical pulse, and jugular venous distension) of chronic heart failure. Echocardiographic findings of normal ejection fraction with impaired diastolic function confirm the diagnosis. Measurement of natriuretic peptides is useful in the evaluation of patients with suspected heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in the ambulatory setting. Multiple trials have not found medications to be an effective treatment, except for diuretics. Patients with congestive symptoms should be treated with a diuretic. If hypertension is present, it should be treated according to evidence-based guidelines. Exercise and treatment by multidisciplinary teams may be helpful. Atrial fibrillation should be treated using a rate-control strategy and appropriate anticoagulation. Revascularization should be considered for patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and coronary artery disease. The prognosis is comparable to that of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and is worsened by higher levels of brain natriuretic peptide, older age, a history of myocardial infarction, and reduced diastolic function.