Dapagliflozin Impact on the Exercise Capacity of Non-Diabetic Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction Patients.

Background: Dapagliflozin has been shown to reduce morbidity and mortality in Heart Failure with reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF), but its impact on exercise capacity of non-diabetic HF outpatients is unknown. Methods: Adult non-diabetic HF patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <50% were randomized 1:1 to receive dapagliflozin 10 mg or to continue with HF medication. Patients underwent an initial evaluation which was repeated after 6 months. The variation of several clinical parameters was compared, with the primary endpoint being the 6 month peak oxygen uptake (pVO2) variation. Results: A total of 40 patients were included (mean age 61 ± 13 years, 82.5% male, mean LVEF 34 ± 5%), half being randomized to dapagliflozin, with no significant baseline differences between groups. The reported drug compliance was 100%, with no major safety events. No statistically significant difference in HF events was found (p = 0.609). There was a 24% reduction in the number of patients in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III in the treatment group as opposed to a 15.8% increase in the control group (p = 0.004). Patients under dapagliflozin had a greater improvement in pVO2 (3.1 vs. 0.1 mL/kg/min, p = 0.030) and a greater reduction in NT-proBNP levels (−217.6 vs. 650.3 pg/mL, p = 0.007). Conclusion: Dapagliflozin was associated with a significant improvement in cardiopulmonary fitness at 6 months follow-up in non-diabetic HFrEF patients.

When "Wait and See" may be the Best Option: Two Case Reports of Left Main Artery Spontaneous Dissection.

INTRODUCTION: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is frequently underdiagnosed, and the most appropriate management is unknown, particularly in high-risk anatomical subsets. CASE REPORTS: Two cases of females in their 60-70s with few cardiovascular risk factors or relevant past medical history, who presented acute myocardial infarction, have been presented. Both were submitted to invasive coronary angiography, with a suspicion of SCAD in both cases, which was later supported by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). They were managed conservatively under close monitoring, with a favorable outcome. Repeated CCTA showed significant improvement, and both patients remained asymptomatic and free from complications 6 and 12 months after the initial event. CONCLUSION: The recognition of spontaneous coronary artery dissection is essential for the correct management of these cases because, unlike acute coronary syndrome due to atherosclerotic disease, the results of revascularization in those patients are suboptimal and conservative management is probably the best option, even in patients with high-risk anatomy.

Impact of Cardiorespiratory Fitness on the Obesity Paradox in Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction. / O Impacto da Aptidão Cardiorrespiratória no Paradoxo da Obesidade em Insuficiência Cardíaca com Fração de Ejeção Reduzida.

BACKGROUND: Higher body mass index (BMI) has been associated with improved outcomes in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. This finding has led to the concept of the obesity paradox. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of exercise tolerance and cardiorespiratory capacity on the obesity paradox. METHODS: Outpatients with symptomatic heart failure and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 40%, followed up in our center, prospectively underwent baseline comprehensive evaluation including clinical, laboratorial, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, and cardiopulmonary exercise testing parameters. The study population was divided according to BMI (< 25, 25 - 29.9, and ≥ 30 kg/m2). All patients were followed for 60 months. The combined endpoint was defined as cardiac death, urgent heart transplantation, or need for mechanical circulatory support. P value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: In the 282 enrolled patients (75% male, 54 ± 12 years, BMI 27 ± 4 kg/m2, LVEF 27% ± 7%), the composite endpoint occurred in 24.4% during follow-up. Patients with higher BMI were older, and they had higher LVEF and serum sodium levels, as well as lower ventilatory efficiency (VE/VCO2) slope. VE/VCO2 and peak oxygen consumption (pVO2) were strong predictors of prognosis (p < 0.001). In univariable Cox regression analysis, higher BMI was associated with better outcomes (HR 0.940, CI 0.886 - 0.998, p 0.042). However, after adjusting for either VE/VCO2 slope or pVO2, the protective role of BMI disappeared. Survival benefit of BMI was not evident when patients were grouped according to cardiorespiratory fitness class (VE/VCO2, cut-off value 35, and pVO2, cut-off value 14 mL/kg/min). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that cardiorespiratory fitness outweighs the relationship between BMI and survival in patients with heart failure.

FUNDAMENTO: Índice de massa corporal (IMC) elevado tem sido associado a desfechos melhores em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca com fração de ejeção reduzida. Este achado tem levado ao conceito do paradoxo da obesidade. OBJETIVO: Investigar o impacto de tolerância ao exercício e capacidade cardiorrespiratória no paradoxo da obesidade. MÉTODO: Pacientes ambulatoriais com insuficiência cardíaca sintomática e fração de ejeção ventricular esquerda (FEVE) ≤ 40%, acompanhados no nosso centro, foram prospectivamente submetidos à avaliação abrangente de linha de base incluindo parâmetros clínicos, laboratoriais, eletrocardiográficos, ecocardiográficos e de exercício cardiopulmonar. A população do estudo foi dividida de acordo com o IMC (< 25, 25 ­ 29,9 e ≥ 30 kg/m2). Todos os pacientes foram acompanhados durante 60 meses. O desfecho composto foi definido como morte cardíaca, transplante cardíaco urgente ou necessidade de suporte circulatório mecânico. Valores de p < 0,05 foram considerados significativos. RESULTADOS: Dos 282 pacientes incluídos (75% masculino, 54 ± 12 anos, IMC 27 ± 4 kg/m2, FEVE 27% ± 7%), o desfecho composto ocorreu em 24,4% durante o acompanhamento. Os pacientes com IMC elevado eram mais velhos e apresentavam FEVE e níveis séricos de sódio mais elevados, bem como menor inclinação de eficiência ventilatória (VE/VCO2). VE/VCO2 e consumo de oxigênio de pico (VO2p) eram fortes preditores prognósticos (p < 0,001). Na análise univariada de regressão de Cox, o IMC elevado foi associado a desfechos melhores (razão de risco 0,940, intervalo de confiança 0,886 ­ 0,998, p 0,042). Porém, após ajustar para ou inclinação VE/VCO2 ou VO2p, o papel protetor do IMC sumiu. O benefício de sobrevida do IMC não foi evidente quando os pacientes foram agrupados de acordo com a classe de aptidão cardiorrespiratória (VE/VCO2, valor de corte de 35, e VO2p, valor de corte de 14 mL/kg/min). CONCLUSÃO: Estes resultados sugerem que a aptidão cardiorrespiratória supera a relação entre o IMC e a sobrevida em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca.

O Impacto da Aptidão Cardiorrespiratória no Paradoxo da Obesidade em Insuficiência Cardíaca com Fração de Ejeção Reduzida / Impact of Cardiorespiratory Fitness on the Obesity Paradox in Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction

Resumo Fundamento: Índice de massa corporal (IMC) elevado tem sido associado a desfechos melhores em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca com fração de ejeção reduzida. Este achado tem levado ao conceito do paradoxo da obesidade. Objetivo: Investigar o impacto de tolerância ao exercício e capacidade cardiorrespiratória no paradoxo da obesidade. Método: Pacientes ambulatoriais com insuficiência cardíaca sintomática e fração de ejeção ventricular esquerda (FEVE) ≤ 40%, acompanhados no nosso centro, foram prospectivamente submetidos à avaliação abrangente de linha de base incluindo parâmetros clínicos, laboratoriais, eletrocardiográficos, ecocardiográficos e de exercício cardiopulmonar. A população do estudo foi dividida de acordo com o IMC (< 25, 25 - 29,9 e ≥ 30 kg/m2). Todos os pacientes foram acompanhados durante 60 meses. O desfecho composto foi definido como morte cardíaca, transplante cardíaco urgente ou necessidade de suporte circulatório mecânico. Valores de p < 0,05 foram considerados significativos. Resultados: Dos 282 pacientes incluídos (75% masculino, 54 ± 12 anos, IMC 27 ± 4 kg/m2, FEVE 27% ± 7%), o desfecho composto ocorreu em 24,4% durante o acompanhamento. Os pacientes com IMC elevado eram mais velhos e apresentavam FEVE e níveis séricos de sódio mais elevados, bem como menor inclinação de eficiência ventilatória (VE/VCO2). VE/VCO2 e consumo de oxigênio de pico (VO2p) eram fortes preditores prognósticos (p < 0,001). Na análise univariada de regressão de Cox, o IMC elevado foi associado a desfechos melhores (razão de risco 0,940, intervalo de confiança 0,886 - 0,998, p 0,042). Porém, após ajustar para ou inclinação VE/VCO2 ou VO2p, o papel protetor do IMC sumiu. O benefício de sobrevida do IMC não foi evidente quando os pacientes foram agrupados de acordo com a classe de aptidão cardiorrespiratória (VE/VCO2, valor de corte de 35, e VO2p, valor de corte de 14 mL/kg/min). Conclusão: Estes resultados sugerem que a aptidão cardiorrespiratória supera a relação entre o IMC e a sobrevida em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca.

Abstract Background: Higher body mass index (BMI) has been associated with improved outcomes in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. This finding has led to the concept of the obesity paradox. Objective: To investigate the impact of exercise tolerance and cardiorespiratory capacity on the obesity paradox. Methods: Outpatients with symptomatic heart failure and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 40%, followed up in our center, prospectively underwent baseline comprehensive evaluation including clinical, laboratorial, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, and cardiopulmonary exercise testing parameters. The study population was divided according to BMI (< 25, 25 - 29.9, and ≥ 30 kg/m2). All patients were followed for 60 months. The combined endpoint was defined as cardiac death, urgent heart transplantation, or need for mechanical circulatory support. P value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: In the 282 enrolled patients (75% male, 54 ± 12 years, BMI 27 ± 4 kg/m2, LVEF 27% ± 7%), the composite endpoint occurred in 24.4% during follow-up. Patients with higher BMI were older, and they had higher LVEF and serum sodium levels, as well as lower ventilatory efficiency (VE/VCO2) slope. VE/VCO2 and peak oxygen consumption (pVO2) were strong predictors of prognosis (p < 0.001). In univariable Cox regression analysis, higher BMI was associated with better outcomes (HR 0.940, CI 0.886 - 0.998, p 0.042). However, after adjusting for either VE/VCO2 slope or pVO2, the protective role of BMI disappeared. Survival benefit of BMI was not evident when patients were grouped according to cardiorespiratory fitness class (VE/VCO2, cut-off value 35, and pVO2, cut-off value 14 mL/kg/min). Conclusion: These results suggest that cardiorespiratory fitness outweighs the relationship between BMI and survival in patients with heart failure.

Heart failure units: State of the art in disease management. / Unidades de insuficiência cardíaca: estado da arte na abordagem da insuficiência cardíaca.

The prevalence of heart failure has increased over the past decades and is a major social and economic burden on healthcare services. Patient quality of life is severely impaired and heart failure is one of the main causes of death in Portugal. The functional organization of multidisciplinary teams engaged in the treatment of these patients is essential to improve health care provision and outcomes, specifically reducing mortality, hospital admissions, and improving quality of life. We describe current approaches to heart failure management and discuss the organization of heart failure units and cooperation among these units and also with other healthcare professionals.