sST2 and Heart Failure-Clinical Utility and Prognosis.

New parameters and markers are constantly being sought to help better assess patients with heart failure (HF). ST2 protein has gained interest as a potential biomarker in cardiovascular disease. It is known that the IL-33/ST2L system belongs to the cardioprotective pathway, which prevents the fibrosis, hypertrophy, and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes and also inhibits the inflammatory response. Soluble ST2 (sST2) is involved in the immune response and secreted in response to the mechanical overload of the myocardium, thus providing information on the processes of myocardial remodeling and fibrosis. A total of 110 hospitalized patients diagnosed with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) were included in the study. Clinical and biochemical parameters were studied. During the follow-up, 30.9% patients died and 57.3% patients reached the composite endpoint. Using ROC curves, the reference cut-off point for sST2 was determined to be 45.818 pg/mL for all-cause deaths. Significantly higher concentrations of inflammatory parameters and natriuretic peptides were found in the group of patients with higher sST2 concentrations. sST2 protein is an independent risk factor for all-cause deaths of patients with HFrEF.

The Evaluation of Functional Abilities Using the Modified Fullerton Functional Fitness Test Is a Valuable Accessory in Diagnosing Men with Heart Failure.

The assessment of functional abilities reflects the ability to perform everyday life activities that require specific endurance and physical fitness. The Fullerton functional fitness test (FFFT) seems to be the most appropriate for assessing physical fitness in heart failure (HF) patients. The study group consisted of 30 consecutive patients hospitalized for the routine assessment of HF with a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). They formed the study group, and 24 healthy subjects formed the control group. Each patient underwent a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET), transthoracic echocardiography and FFFT modified by adding the measurement of the handgrip force of the dominant limb with the digital dynamometer. The HF patients had significantly lower peak oxygen uptake (peakVO2), maximal minute ventilation, and higher ventilatory equivalent (VE/VCO2). The concentrations of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) were significantly higher in the study group. The results of all the FFFT items were significantly worse in the study group. FFFT parameters, together with the assessment of the strength of the handgrip, strongly correlated with the results of standard tests in HF. FFFT is an effective and safe tool for the functional evaluation of patients with HFrEF. Simple muscle strength measurement with a hand-held dynamometer can become a convenient and practical indicator of muscle strength in HF patients.

Risk Factors Predisposing to Angina in Patients with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries: A Retrospective Analysis.

No hemodynamically significant atherosclerotic plaques are observed in up to 30% of patients reporting angina and undergoing coronary angiography. To investigate risk factors associated with non-obstructive coronary artery disease (NOCAD), we analyzed the medical records of, consecutively, 136 NOCAD subjects and 128 patients with significant stenosis in at least one coronary artery (the OCAD group). The blood concentrations of the TC (4.40 [3.78−5.63] mmol/L vs. 4.12 [3.42−5.01] mmol/L; p = 0.026), LDL-C (2.32 [1.80−3.50] mmol/L vs. 2.10 [1.50−2.70] mmol/L; p = 0.003), non-HDL-C (2.89 [2.29−4.19] mmol/L vs. 2.66 [2.06−3.39] mmol/L; p = 0.045), as well as the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio (1.75 [1.22−2.60] vs. 1.50 [1.10−1.95]; p = 0.018) were significantly increased in the NOCAD patients compared to the OCAD group due to the lower prevalence and intensity of the statin therapy in the NOCAD individuals (p < 0.001). Moreover, the abovementioned lipid parameters appeared to be valuable predictors of NOCAD, with the LDL-C (OR = 1.44; 95%CI = 1.14−1.82) and LDL-C/HDL-C (OR = 1.51; 95%CI = 1.13−2.02) showing the highest odds ratios. Furthermore, multivariable logistic regression models determined female sex as the independent risk factor for NOCAD (OR = 2.37; 95%CI = 1.33−4.20). Simultaneously, arterial hypertension substantially lowered the probability of NOCAD (OR = 0.21; 95%CI = 0.10−0.43). To conclude, female sex, the absence of arterial hypertension, as well as increased TC, LDL-C, non-HDL, and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio are risk factors for NOCAD in patients reporting angina, potentially as a result of poor hypercholesterolemia management.

Recall devices: Defects at initial visit and during remote monitoring supported follow-up.

BACKGROUND: In March 2021, Biotronik informed about the risk of premature battery depletion in a group of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. Following the manufacturers' recommendation, our center executed a recall and introduced remote monitoring (RM) in patients with susceptible devices. This study reports the rate of premature battery depletion in our center and events found in RM-supported follow-up. METHODS: Single-center observational study. RESULTS: Out of the 206 susceptible implanted devices, 125 patients appeared for the visit and RM was introduced in 107 (83%) patients. Until the visit, three (2.4%) devices required replacement due to battery depletion, and a further three (2.4%) devices had unexpected battery depletion during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The recalled devices had a higher rate of battery exhaustion than expected, while other device or lead defects were less common.

Awareness of heart failure and perception of the problem in the general population.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyse the understanding of heart failure (HF) by the general public and find the best way to raise people's awareness of this issue. METHODS: This prospective, survey-based registry involved 501 people over 18 years old. The survey included information on the participants' gender, education, place of residence, medical history, involvement in any area of healthcare, and having relatives suffering from HF. The participants were divided into three age groups, young (< 40 years), middle aged (40-65 years) and elderly (> 65 years), and two groups, depending on whether the participant's relative was a HF sufferer or not. CONCLUSION: Despite an increasing prevalence of heart failure, the general public still has insufficient knowledge on symptoms, causes and treatment methods of this disease. New methods of disseminating information should be considered in order to stop an escalating problem of low awareness of heart failure.

A Simple Risk Score Based on Routine Clinical Parameters Can Predict Frailty in Hospitalized Heart Failure Patients.

Frailty syndrome (FS) has recently attracted attention as one of the major predictors of heart failure (HF) course severity. We aimed to develop a simple tool for predicting frailty in hospitalized HF patients using routine clinical parameters. A total of 153 hospitalized patients diagnosed with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) were included in the study. Presence of FS was assessed with the SHARE-FI questionnaire. Clinical and biochemical parameters were collected. Using ROC curves and logistic regression analysis, a model predicting FS presence was developed and tested. Proposed model includes five variables with following cut-off values (1 point for each variable): age > 50 years, systolic pressure on admission < 110 mmHg, total cholesterol < 4.85 mmol/L, bilirubin ≥ 15.5 mmol/L, and alanine aminotransferase ≤ 34 U/L. Receiving 5 points was considered a high risk of FS with positive and negative predictive values (NPV), 83% and 72%, respectively, and specificity of 97%. Awarding 2 points or less ruled out FS in the studied group with negative predictive value 94%. The presented novel, simple score predicts FS in HFrEF patients with routine clinical parameters and has good positive and negative predictive values.

Appetite and Nutritional Status as Potential Management Targets in Patients with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction-The Relationship between Echocardiographic and Biochemical Parameters and Appetite.

This study aimed to investigate the role of appetite loss and malnutrition in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). In this prospective, observational, single-center study, we enrolled 120 consecutive adults with HFrEF. We analyzed the selected clinical, echocardiographic, and biochemical parameters. Appetite loss and malnutrition were assessed by CNAQ (Council on Nutrition Appetite Questionnaire) and MNA (Mini Nutritional Assessment)/GNRI (Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index) questionnaires, respectively.Most patients were men (81.7%), mean age was 55.1 ± 11.3 years, and mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 23.9 ± 8.0%. The mean CNAQ score was 28.8 ± 3.9, mean MNA-23.1 ± 2.6, and mean GNRI-113.0 ± 12.3. Based on ROC curves, we showed that a sodium concentration <138 mmol/L had the greatest discriminating power for diagnosing impaired nutritional status (MNA ≤ 23.5) with a sensitivity of 54.5% and specificity of 77.8%. The threshold of HDL <0.97 mmol/L characterized 40.7% sensitivity and 86% specificity, B-type natriuretic peptide >738.6 pg/dL had 48.5% sensitivity and 80.8% specificity, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein >1.8 mg/L had 94.9% sensitivity and 42.9% specificity, and bilirubin >15 µmol/L had 78.2% sensitivity and 56.9% specificity. Nutritional status and appetite assessed by MNA/GNRI and CNAQ questionnaires showed poor correlations with other findings in HFrEF patients.

Repetitive use of levosimendan in clinical practice: a case series.

Levosimendan was developed as a treatment for acute decompensation of severe heart failure (HF). Its use has evolved during recent years, and new HF treatment strategies in different settings have been developed. This case series aimed to show indications for the use of levosimendan and to discuss the treatment response in various settings. Repetitive levosimendan infusions were found to be safe and effective. They seemed to prolong the time of clinical stability, although they did not alter the eventual natural history of HF, with increasing frequency of hospitalisations and rising natriuretic peptide levels.

Cardiac Cachexia: A Well-Known but Challenging Complication of Heart Failure.

Heart failure (HF) is a common complication of various cardiac diseases, and its incidence constantly increases. This is caused mainly by aging of populations and improvement in the treatment of coronary artery disease. As HF patients age, they tend to develop comorbidities, creating new problems for health-care professionals. Sarcopenia, defined as the loss of muscle mass and function, and cachexia, defined as weight loss due to an underlying illness, are muscle wasting disorders of particular relevance in the heart failure population, but they go mostly unrecognized. The coexistence of chronic HF and metabolic disorders facilitates the development of cachexia. Cachexia, in turn, significantly worsens a patient's prognosis and quality of life. The mechanisms underlying cachexia have not been explained yet and require further research. Understanding its background is crucial in the development of treatment strategies to prevent and treat tissue wasting. There are currently no specific European guidelines or recommended therapy for cachexia treatment in HF ("cardiac cachexia").

Clinical value of soluble ST2 in cardiology.

We are constantly looking for new parameters and markers that can help in the assessment of patients with various diseases, including cardiac disorders; this can translate into better care and improved prognosis. Suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (ST2) has recently gained interest as a potential biomarker in many fields: it is involved in many inflammatory diseases and allergies, including asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, and it participates in cardiovascular pathophysiology. Suppression of tumorigenicity 2 is being investigated as a promising biomarker in heart diseases. The interaction of interleukin 33 (IL-33) and ST2L is part of a cardioprotective pathway that prevents fibrosis and inhibits inflammatory response, hypertrophy and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes. In this review, we try to summarize the current knowledge about the usefulness of soluble ST2 (sST2) in cardiology. Clinical data show promising results for the possibility of using sST2 in various diseases, such as arrhythmia, hypertension, myocarditis, acute aortic syndrome, and coronary artery disease (CAD). This novel biomarker may also play a role in heart transplantation and perioperative care.

Relationship between Nutritional Status and Clinical and Biochemical Parameters in Hospitalized Patients with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction, with 1-year Follow-Up.

Heart Failure (HF) is a cardiovascular disease with continually increasing morbidity and high mortality. The purpose of this study was to analyze nutritional status in patients diagnosed with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and evaluate the impact of malnutrition on their prognosis. The Polish version of MNA form (Mini Nutritional Assessment) was used to assess the patients' nutritional status. The New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, exacerbation of HF, chosen echocardiographic and biochemical parameters, e.g., natriuretic peptides or serum albumin, were also analyzed. Among the 120 consecutive patients, 47 (39%) had a normal nutritional status, 62 (52%) were at risk of malnutrition and 11 (9%) were malnourished. The patients with malnutrition more frequently presented with HF exacerbation in comparison to those with normal nutritional status (82% vs. 30% respectively, p = 0.004). There were no significant differences between the investigated groups as to natriuretic peptides; however, both the malnourished patients and those at risk of malnutrition tend to show higher B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and NT-proBNP concentrations. During the average 344 days of follow-up 19 patients died and 25 were hospitalized due to decompensated HF. Malnutrition or being at risk of malnutrition seems to be associated with both worse outcomes and clinical status in HFrEF patients.

Heart Failure and Problems with Frailty Syndrome: Why it is Time to Care About Frailty Syndrome in Heart Failure.

Frailty syndrome (FS) is an independent predictor of mortality in cardiovascular disease and is found in 15-74% of patients with heart failure (HF). The syndrome has a complex, multidimensional aetiology and contributes to adverse outcomes. Proper FS diagnosis and treatment determine prognosis and support the evaluation of treatment outcomes. Routine FS assessment for HF patients should be included in daily clinical practice as an important prognostic factor within a holistic process of diagnosis and treatment. Multidisciplinary team members, particularly nurses, play an important role in FS assessment in hospital and primary care settings, and in the home care environment. Raising awareness of concurrent FS in patients with HF patients and promoting targeted interventions may contribute to a decreased risk of adverse events, and a better prognosis and quality of life.

Impact of digoxin on risk of death in heart failure patients treated with b-blockers. Results from Polish part of ESC Heart Failure Long-Term Registry.

BACKGROUND: Digoxin is used in the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF). It was reported to increase the risk of death in HF. Studies on digoxin are based mainly on patients treated some years ago, before the era of common b-blocker use. AIM: This study aims to show the influence of digoxin in a modern cohort of HF patients on top of the contemporary guideline-directed treatment. METHODS: This study retrospectively analyses the Polish part of the European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure Long-Term Registry. It includes 912 patients treated for HF between February 2012 and January 2013, and followed until May 2014. At baseline, 19.1% took digoxin, 89.6% angiotensin convertase enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, 91.9% b-blockers, and 69.4% mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. RESULTS: Digoxin is associated with increased risk of death after adjustment for significant covariates in patients who have HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) but no AF history (hazard ratio [HR] 2.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23-5.19; p = 0.011), and it does not influence significantly the risk of hospitalisation (adjusted HR 1.46, 95% CI 1.05-1.72; p = 0.11). Digoxin use shows no significant association with the risk of death or hospitalisation in patients with AF and HFrEF or HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Patients on digoxin present a significantly worse clinical status with lower left ventricular ejection fraction and higher New York Heart Association class, and fewer of them received the guideline-directed treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Digoxin is associated with increased risk of death in HFrEF patients without AF history receiving the guideline- -directed treatment. Digoxin seems to be employed in patients with worse clinical status, which may at least partially explain its association with increased risk of death.

Comparison of prognostic values of cardiopulmonary and heart rate parameters in exercise testing in men with heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is the gold standard in the evaluation of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). However, this test is relatively expensive, assessment of its results requires experience, and in Poland it is available only in tertiary health care centers. Many heart rate (HR) parameters taken during a standard electrocardiographic (ECG) exercise test also shows prognostic values. Thus, the aim of this study is to compare prognostic values of ventilatory and HR parameters in exercise testing in CHF patients, and to find out if HR parameters can be used instead of ventilatory in the evaluation of a prognosis. METHODS: One hundred thirty two men (mean age 49 ± 11 years) with CHF with reduced left ventricu-lar ejection fraction (< 45%) underwent a treadmill CPET using a modified Bruce's protocol, during which both HR and ventilatory parameters were measured. The patients were followed for 27 ± 13 months after CPET. RESULTS: Mortality was 28% (n = 37). Non-survivors demonstrated significantly shorter exercise time (342 ± 167 vs. 525 ± 342 s, p < 0.001), lower maximal HR (122 ± 22 vs. 138 ± 21 bpm, p < 0.001), smaller difference between maximal HR and at rest (36 ± 19 vs. 52 ± 21 bpm, p < 0.001), and lower HR recovery rate (HRR; 16 ± 10 vs. 24 ± 13 bpm, p = 0.002), chronotropic index (CHI; 0.45 ± 0.23 vs. 0.61 ± 0.23, p < 0.001), peak oxygen consumption (13.82 ± 4.62 vs. 18.54 ± 5.68 mL/kg/min, p < 0.001) and oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) value (1.56 ± 0.58 vs. 1.94 ± 0.63, p = 0.001), and higher ventilation to carbon dioxide production (VE/VCO2) slope value (40.56 ± 9.11 vs. 33.33 ± 7.36, p < 0.001). Two parameters that showed good prognostic value and availability in a routine CPET were chosen for receiver operating characteristic analysis, VE/VCO2 slope and CHI, which showed cut-off values of 35 (sensitivity 74%, specificity 71%, p < 0.001) and 64 (sensitivity 74%, specificity 68%, p < 0.001) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Heart rate parameters show significant prognostic values; CHI is the best of them, however, it is weaker than VE/VCO2 slope. HR parameters show somewhat weaker prognostic values in comparison with ventilatory parameters, yet they may be useful in cases of CPET unavailability.