Evaluation of Midodrine Utilization in Patients with Cancer and Heart Failure.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate safety and cardiovascular outcomes as well as overall survival of cancer patients with concomitant heart failure (HF) treated with midodrine for hypotension. METHODS: Adult patients diagnosed with cancer and HF who were treated with midodrine at a tertiary cancer center from 03/2013 to 08/2021 were identified. Demographic and clinical parameters were collected retrospectively. RESULTS: A total of 85 patients were included with a median age of 68 years (IQR: 60, 74; 33% female and 85% White). Of those, 31% had HFpEF (EF ≥ 50%), 42% HF with mildly reduced EF (HFmrEF; EF 41-49%), and 27% HFrEF (EF ≤ 40%). The most common indication for midodrine use was orthostatic hypotension (49%). Midodrine was continued for at least one month in 57% of the patients. Supine hypertension was the only side effect reported in 6% of patients. No statistically significant changes in NYHA class, guideline-directed medical therapy, cardiac biomarkers (NT-proBNP or troponin T), echocardiographic findings or cardiovascular hospitalizations were observed between patients who continued treatment with midodrine compared to those who stopped using midodrine over a median follow-up of 38 months. In the multivariable cox regression analysis, continuation of midodrine, compared to discontinuation, and use of midodrine for orthostatic hypotension, as opposed to other causes of hypotension, were not associated with an increased risk of mortality (HR 0.41, 95% CI 0.24-0.69, p < .0001; HR 0.34, 95% CI 0.18-0.64, p < .001, respectively). In contrast, elevated creatinine (> 1.3 for males and > 1.1 for females) was associated with an increased risk of mortality (HR 1.83, 95% CI 1.07-3.14). LVEF was not significantly associated with lower or higher risk of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, midodrine use in patients with cancer and HF was not associated with significant adverse effects, worse cardiovascular outcomes, or increased risk of mortality. Larger, prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.

The Year in Cardio-oncology 2022.

Cardiovascular disease and cancer are the leading causes of death worldwide. With advent of novel and improved cancer therapies, a growing population of cancer patients with cardiac complications is seen. Taking this into consideration, the clinical studies have also shifted their focus from the study of a single disease to the interdisciplinary study of oncology and cardiology. This current review article provides a comprehensive review of all major articles and guidelines from the year 2021-2022 in the field of cardio-oncology.

Determinants of change in code status among patients with cardiopulmonary arrest admitted to the intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: Patients with cardiopulmonary arrest often have a poor prognosis, prompting discussion with families about code status. The impact of socioeconomic factors, demographics, medical comorbidities and medical interventions on code status changes is not well understood. METHODS: This retrospective study included adult patients presenting with cardiac arrest to the intensive care unit of a hospital group between 5/1/2010-5/1/2020. We extracted chart data on socioeconomic factors, demographics, and medical comorbidities. RESULTS: We identified 1,254 patients, of which 57.5% were males. Age was different across the groups with (61.2 ± 15.5 years) and without (61.2 ± 15.5 years) code status change (p= <0.0001). Code status was changed in 583 patients (46.5%). Among patients with code status change, the highest prevalence was White patients (34.8%), followed by African Americans (30.9%), and Hispanics (25.4%). Compared to patients who did not have a code status change, those with a change in code status were older (66.7 ± 14.8 years vs 61.2 ± 15.5 years). They were also more likely to receive vasopressor/inotropic support (74.6% vs 58.5%), and broad-spectrum antibiotics (70.3% vs 57.7%). Insurance status, ethnicity, religion, education, and salary did not lead to statistically significant changes in code status. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with cardiopulmonary arrest, code status change was more likely to be influenced by the presence of medical comorbidities and medical interventions during hospitalization rather than by socioeconomic factors.