Characteristics of patients admitted with heart failure: Insights from the first Malaysian Heart Failure Registry.

AIMS: Heart failure (HF) is a growing health problem, yet there are limited data on patients with HF in Malaysia. The Malaysian Heart Failure (MY-HF) Registry aims to gain insights into the epidemiology, aetiology, management, and outcome of Malaysian patients with HF and identify areas for improvement within the national HF services. METHODS AND RESULTS: The MY-HF Registry is a 3-year prospective, observational study comprising 2717 Malaysian patients admitted for acute HF. We report the description of baseline data at admission and outcomes of index hospitalization of these patients. The mean age was 60.2 ± 13.6 years, 66.8% were male, and 34.3% had de novo HF. Collectively, 55.7% of patients presented with New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III or IV; ischaemic heart disease was the most frequent aetiology (63.2%). Most admissions (87.3%) occurred via the emergency department, with 13.7% of patients requiring intensive care, and of these, 21.8% needed intubation. The proportion of patients receiving guideline-directed medical therapy increased at discharge (84.2% vs. 93.6%). The median length of stay (LOS) was 5 days, and in-hospital mortality was 2.9%. Predictors of LOS and/or in-hospital mortality were age, NYHA class, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and comorbid anaemia. LOS and in-hospital mortality were similar regardless of ejection fraction. CONCLUSIONS: The MY-HF Registry showed that the HF population in Malaysia is younger, predominantly male, and ischaemic-driven and has good prospects with hospitalization for optimization of treatment. These findings suggest a need to reassess current clinical practice and guide resource allocation to improve patient outcomes.

From Primary to Tertiary Care: Expert Position Statements to Guide Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction Diagnosis.

Globally, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is quickly becoming the dominant form of heart failure (HF) in ageing populations. However, there are still multiple gaps and challenges in making a firm diagnosis of HFpEF in many low-to-middle income Asian countries. In response to this unmet need, the Malaysian HFpEF Working Group (MY-HPWG) gathered and reviewed evidence surrounding the use of different diagnostic modalities indicated for patients with HFpEF to identify diagnostic tools that could be conveniently accessed across different healthcare settings. As a result, five recommendation statements were proposed and an accompanying algorithm was developed, with the aim of improving the diagnostic rate of HFpEF. The MY-HPWG recommends using more easily accessible and non-invasive tools, such as natriuretic peptide (NP) biomarkers and basic echocardiogram (ECHO), to ensure timely HFpEF diagnosis in the primary and secondary care settings, and prompt referral to a tertiary care centre for more comprehensive assessments in uncertain cases.

Novel treatment of atrial functional tricuspid regurgitation using transcatheter bicaval valve implantation (TricValve).

Background: Transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention has recently emerged as a viable alternative to surgery for patients with symptomatic severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR). Though usually performed on the basis of compassionate grounds, we are now exploring the extension of its usage as an elective option in a patient with severe atrial functional tricuspid regurgitation. Aims: The aim of this study was to select a suitable patient and proceed with the implantation of the TricValve in order to provide symptomatic relief as well as to improve morbidity and mortality. Methods: A 67-year-old woman had underlying atrial fibrillation and severe tricuspid regurgitation. Despite optimised medical therapy, she remained symptomatic with elevated NT-proBNP levels. As the patient refused surgery on multiple occasions, we chose a percutaneous procedure guided by transoesophageal echocardiography and fluoroscopy. Results: The procedure was uneventful and the patient was discharged. At 3-month follow-up, there was marked improvement clinically and biochemically. Conclusions: Bicaval valve implantation with the TricValve is a viable alternative to surgery in patients with symptomatic severe tricuspid regurgitation. This intervention is crucial as we are now able to intervene before irreversible right ventricular dysfunction sets in.

Patient profiles on outcomes in patients hospitalized for heart failure: a 10-year history of the Malaysian population.

AIMS: Heart failure (HF) affects an estimated 38 million people worldwide and is the leading cause of hospitalization among adults and the elderly. Evidence suggests that there may be regional and ethnic differences in the prevalence, outcomes and management of HF. The aim of this study was to understand the disease burden and treatment patterns of patients hospitalized for HF in multi-ethnic Malaysia. METHODS AND RESULTS: A retrospective, non-interventional study was conducted utilizing 10 years of medical records from the National Heart Institute Malaysia (IJN) from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2018. Of the 4739 patients in the IJN database, 3923 were eligible and were included in this analysis. The study recorded a high male prevalence (72.3%) with a mean age of 62.0 (±13.26) years. The 30-day and 1-year rehospitalization rate was 6.8% and 24.7%, respectively. In-hospital mortality was 7.2% with 27.0% due to cardiovascular causes and 14.2% non-cardiovascular causes. The 30-day and 1-year rehospitalization rates were significantly higher in patients with lower systolic blood pressure (SBP, P < 0.001 and P = 0.002), diastolic blood pressure (DBP, P < 0.001 and P = 0.017), sodium (P < 0.001 and P = 0.029) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, P < 0.001 and P = 0.002) and higher urea (P < 0.001 for both), serum creatinine (P < 0.001 and P = 0.003), and uric acid (P < 0.001 for both), respectively. Risk of hospitalization within 1 year varied significantly by ethnicity and was relatively higher in Indian (28.3%), followed by Malay (24.4%) and Chinese (21.9%; P = 0.008). In-hospital mortality within 1-year post-index date was higher in patients with lower weight (P = 0.002), body mass index (P = 0.009), SBP (P < 0.001), DBP (P < 0.001), sodium (P < 0.001), eGFR (P < 0.001) and higher heart rate (P = 0.039), urea (P < 0.001), serum potassium (P = 0.038), serum creatinine (P < 0.001), and uric acid (P < 0.001). In-hospital mortality within 1-year post-index date was also higher in patients with severe or end-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) compared with mild/moderate CKD (P < 0.001) and in patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) compared with those with mid-range or preserved ejection fraction (P < 0.001). The most commonly prescribed HF medications at discharge were loop diuretics (89.2%), ß-blockers (68.5%), mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (56.2%), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (31.5%), and angiotensin receptor blockers (20.8%). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a greater understanding of the characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcome of hospitalized HF patients in a leading referral centre in Malaysia and will aid the implementation of meaningful interventions to improve patient outcome for HF patients.

The Great Asian Mismatch: Training Versus Care in Heart Failure.

The prevalence of heart failure (HF) in South-East Asia is relatively higher than in Western countries, and yet there is a lack of established fellowship programs within the region to help cultivate HF specialists. Part of this may be due to a misunderstanding that HF training and curricula require the incorporation of advanced therapies, such as ventricular assist device implantation and heart transplantation, which are rarely performed in this region. Developing a structured curriculum tailored to the needs of HF care in South-East Asia may help to provide for this subspecialty the much-needed and long-overdue recognition it deserves. Collaboration between local societies and their international counterparts is an important starting point. Customization of local and regional curricula, depending on local needs and capabilities, allows for the gap in this Great Asian Mismatch to be bridged and to ensure that equitable training is delivered for all.

Oxidative status and reduced glutathione levels in premature coronary artery disease and coronary artery disease.

Identifying patients at risk of developing premature coronary artery disease (PCAD) which occurs at age below 45 years old and constitutes approximately 7-10% of coronary artery disease (CAD) worldwide remains a problem. Oxidative stress has been proposed as a crucial step in the early development of PCAD. This study was conducted to determine the oxidative status of PCAD in comparison to CAD patients. PCAD (<45 years old) and CAD (>60 years old) patients were recruited with age-matched controls (n = 30, each group). DNA damage score, plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl content were measured for oxidative damage markers. Antioxidants such as erythrocyte glutathione (GSH), oxidised glutathione (GSSG), and glutathione peroxidase activity (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were also determined. DNA damage score and protein carbonyl content were significantly higher in both PCAD and CAD when compared to age-matched controls while MDA level was increased only in PCAD (p<.05). In contrast, GSH, GSH/GSSG ratio, α-tocotrienol isomer, and GPx activity were significantly decreased, but only in PCAD when compared to age-matched controls. The decrease in GSH was associated with PCAD (OR = 0.569 95%CI [0.375 - 0.864], p = .008) and cut-off values of 6.69 µM with areas under the ROC curves (AUROC) 95%CI: 0.88 [0.80-0.96] (sensitivity of 83.3%; specificity of 80%). However, there were no significant differences in SOD and CAT activities in all groups. A higher level of oxidative stress indicated by elevated MDA levels and low levels of GSH, α-tocotrienol and GPx activity in patients below 45 years old may play a role in the development of PCAD and has potential as biomarkers for PCAD.