RESUMEN
Purpose: Little is known about the mechanism underlying Sacubitril/Valsartan effects in patients with heart failure (HFrEF). Aim of the study is to assess hemodynamic vs. non-hemodynamic Sacubitril/Valsartan effects by analyzing several biological and functional parameters. Methods: Seventy-nine patients (86% males, age 66 ± 10 years) were enrolled. At baseline and 6 months after reaching the maximum Sacubitril/Valsartan tolerated dose, we assessed biomarkers, transthoracic echocardiography, polysomnography, spirometry, and carbon monoxide diffusing capacity of the lung (DLCO). Results: Mean follow-up was 8.7 ± 1.4 months with 83% of patients reaching Sacubitril/Valsartan maximum dose (97/103 mg b.i.d). Significant improvements were observed in cardiac performance and biomarkers: left ventricular ejection fraction increased (31 ± 5 vs. 37 ± 9 %; p < 0.001), end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes decreased; NT-proBNP decreased (1,196 [IQR 648-2891] vs. 958 [IQR 424-1,663] pg/ml; p < 0.001) in parallel with interleukin ST-2 (28.4 [IQR 19.4-36.6] vs. 20.4 [IQR 15.1-29.2] ng/ml; p < 0.001) and circulating surfactant binding proteins (proSP-B: 58.43 [IQR 40.42-84.23] vs. 50.36 [IQR 37.16-69.54] AU; p = 0.014 and SP-D: 102.17 [IQR 62.85-175.34] vs. 77.64 [IQR 53.55-144.70] AU; p < 0.001). Forced expiratory volume in 1 second and forced vital capacity improved. DLCO increased in the patients' subgroup (n = 39) with impaired baseline values (from 65.3 ± 10.8 to 70.3 ± 15.9 %predicted; p = 0.013). We also observed a significant reduction in central sleep apneas (CSA). Conclusion: Sacubitril/Valsartan effects share a double pathway: hemodynamic and systemic. The first is evidenced by NT-proBNP, proSP-B, lung mechanics, and CSA improvement. The latter is confirmed by an amelioration of DLCO, ST-2, SP-D as well as by reverse remodeling echocardiographic parameters.
RESUMEN
Vignati, Carlo, Massimo Mapelli, Benedetta Nusca, Alice Bonomi, Elisabetta Salvioni, Irene Mattavelli, Susanna Sciomer, Andrea Faini, Gianfranco Parati, and Piergiuseppe Agostoni. A breathtaking lift: sex and body mass index differences in cardiopulmonary response in a large cohort of unselected subjects with acute exposure to high altitude. High Alt Med Biol. 22:379-385, 2021. Background: Every year, thousands of people travel to high altitude and experience hypoxemia. At high altitude, the partial pressure of oxygen decreases. The aim of this observational study was to determine if there is a relationship between anthropometric features and basic cardiorespiratory variables, including oxygen saturation (SpO2), heart rate (HR), and blood pressure (BP), following acute exposure to high altitude. Materials and Methods: At the 3,466 m top of a cableway station, we installed an automated system for measuring peripheral SpO2, HR, BP, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI). Results: Between January and October 2020, out of 4,874 volunteers (age 39.9 ± 15.4 years, male 54.4%), 3,267 provided complete data (1,808 cases during winter and 1,459 during summer). SpO2 was 86.8% ± 6.8%. At multivariable analysis, SpO2 was significantly associated with age, sex, season, BMI, and HR but not with BP. We identified 391 (12%) subjects with SpO2 ≤80%: they were older, with a higher BMI and HR but without sex or BP differences. Finally, winter season was associated with greater frequency of SpO2 ≤80% (13.3% vs. 10.3%, p = 0.008). Conclusion: Our data show that high BMI, older age, and male sex were associated with greater degrees of hypoxemia following exposure to high altitude, particularly during the winter.
