Multimorbidity in patients with acute heart failure across world regions and country income levels (REPORT-HF): a prospective, multicentre, global cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Multimorbidity (two or more comorbidities) is common among patients with acute heart failure, but comprehensive global information on its prevalence and clinical consequences across different world regions and income levels is scarce. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of multimorbidity and its effect on pharmacotherapy and prognosis in participants of the REPORT-HF study. METHODS: REPORT-HF was a prospective, multicentre, global cohort study that enrolled adults (aged ≥18 years) admitted to hospital with a primary diagnosis of acute heart failure from 358 hospitals in 44 countries on six continents. Patients who currently or recently participated in a clinical treatment trial were excluded. Follow-up data were collected at 1-year post-discharge. The primary outcome was 1-year post-discharge mortality. All patients in the REPORT-HF cohort with full data on comorbidities were eligible for the present study. We stratified patients according to the number of comorbidities, and countries by world region and country income level. We used one-way ANOVA, χ2 test, or Mann-Whitney U test for comparisons between groups, as applicable, and Cox regression to analyse the association between multimorbidity and 1-year mortality. FINDINGS: Between July 23, 2014, and March 24, 2017, 18 553 patients were included in the REPORT-HF study. Of these, 18 528 patients had full data on comorbidities, of whom 11 360 (61%) were men and 7168 (39%) were women. Prevalence rates of multimorbidity were lowest in southeast Asia (72%) and highest in North America (92%). Fewer patients from lower-middle-income countries had multimorbidity than patients from high-income countries (73% vs 85%, p<0·0001). With increasing comorbidity burden, patients received fewer guideline-directed heart failure medications, yet more drugs potentially causing or worsening heart failure. Having more comorbidities was associated with worse outcomes: 1-year mortality increased from 13% (no comorbidities) to 26% (five or more comorbidities). This finding was independent of common baseline risk factors, including age and sex. The population-attributable fraction of multimorbidity for mortality was higher in high-income countries than in upper-middle-income or lower-middle-income countries (for patients with five or more comorbidities: 61% vs 27% and 31%, respectively). INTERPRETATION: Multimorbidity is highly prevalent among patients with acute heart failure across world regions, especially in high-income countries, and is associated with higher mortality, less prescription of guideline-directed heart failure pharmacotherapy, and increased use of potentially harmful medications. FUNDING: Novartis Pharma. TRANSLATIONS: For the Arabic, French, German, Hindi, Mandarin, Russian and Spanish translations of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Global Variations According to Sex in Patients Hospitalized for Heart Failure in the REPORT-HF Registry.

BACKGROUND: Previous reports suggest that risk factors, management, and outcomes of acute heart failure (AHF) may differ by sex, but they rarely extended analysis to low- and middle-income countries. OBJECTIVES: In this study, the authors sought to analyze sex differences in treatment and outcomes in patients hospitalized for AHF in 44 countries. METHODS: The authors investigated differences between men and women in treatment and outcomes in 18,553 patients hospitalized for AHF in 44 countries in the REPORT-HF (Registry to Assess Medical Practice With Longitudinal Observation for the Treatment of Heart Failure) registry stratified by country income level, income disparity, and world region. The primary outcome was 1-year all-cause mortality. RESULTS: Women (n = 7,181) were older than men (n = 11,372), were more likely to have heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction, had more comorbid conditions except for coronary artery disease, and had more severe signs and symptoms at admission. Coronary angiography, cardiac stress tests, and coronary revascularization were less frequently performed in women than in men. Women with AHF and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction were less likely to receive an implanted device, regardless of region or country income level. Women were more likely to receive treatments that could worsen HF than men (18% vs 13%; P < 0.0001). In countries with low-income disparity, women had better 1-year survival than men. This advantage was lost in countries with greater income disparity (Pinteraction < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Women were less likely to have diagnostic testing or receive guideline-directed care than men. A survival advantage for women was observed only in countries with low income disparity, suggesting that equity of HF care between sexes remains an unmet goal worldwide.

Dengue Myocarditis: A Case Report and Major Review.

Dengue is a viral disease transmitted by the bite of a female arthropod, prevalent primarily in tropical and subtropical regions. Its manifestations include asymptomatic infections, dengue fever, and a severe form called hemorrhagic dengue or dengue shock syndrome. Atypical manifestations can also occur, called expanded dengue syndrome. We describe the case of a 43-year-old man with an unusual presentation of dengue, demonstrating a workup suggestive of myocardial and pericardial damage. Symptoms and markers indicative of cardiac compromise improved after five days on anti-inflammatory treatment. Dengue myocarditis is considered an uncommon complication of dengue, although its reported incidence is likely an underestimation. In general, most cases of dengue myocarditis are self-limited, with only a minority at risk of progressing to heart failure. In order to improve recognition and prevent progression, healthcare providers should maintain a high degree of suspicion regarding potential cardiac complications in patients with dengue.

Hospitalization for acute heart failure during non-working hours impacts on long-term mortality: the REPORT-HF registry.

AIMS: Hospital admission during nighttime and off hours may affect the outcome of patients with various cardiovascular conditions due to suboptimal resources and personnel availability, but data for acute heart failure remain controversial. Therefore, we studied outcomes of acute heart failure patients according to their time of admission from the global International Registry to assess medical practice with lOngitudinal obseRvation for Treatment of Heart Failure. METHODS AND RESULTS: Overall, 18 553 acute heart failure patients were divided according to time of admission into 'morning' (7:00-14:59), 'evening' (15:00-22:59), and 'night' (23:00-06:59) shift groups. Patients were also dichotomized to admission during 'working hours' (9:00-16:59 during standard working days) and 'non-working hours' (any other time). Clinical characteristics, treatments, and outcomes were compared across groups. The hospital length of stay was longer for morning (odds ratio: 1.08; 95% confidence interval: 1.06-1.10, P < 0.001) and evening shift (odds ratio: 1.10; 95% confidence interval: 1.07-1.12, P < 0.001) as compared with night shift. The length of stay was also longer for working vs. non-working hours (odds ratio: 1.03; 95% confidence interval: 1.02-1.05, P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in in-hospital mortality among the groups. Admission during working hours, compared with non-working hours, was associated with significantly lower mortality at 1 year (hazard ratio: 0.88; 95% confidence interval: 0.80-0.96, P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Acute heart failure patients admitted during the night shift and non-working hours had shorter length of stay but similar in-hospital mortality. However, patients admitted during non-working hours were at a higher risk for 1 year mortality. These findings may have implications for the health policies and heart failure trials.

Impact of left ventricular ejection fraction phenotypes on healthcare resource utilization in hospitalized heart failure: a secondary analysis of REPORT-HF.

AIM: Evidence on healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) for hospitalized patients with heart failure (HF) and reduced (HFrEF), mildly reduced (HFmrEF) and preserved (HFpEF) ejection fraction is limited. METHODS AND RESULTS: We analysed HCRU in relation to left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) phenotypes, clinical features and in-hospital and 12-month outcomes in 16 943 patients hospitalized for HF in a worldwide registry. HFrEF was more prevalent (53%) than HFmrEF (17%) or HFpEF (30%). Patients with HFmrEF and HFpEF were older, more often women, with milder symptoms and more comorbidities, but differences were not pronounced. HCRU was high in all three groups; two or more in- and out-of-hospital services were required by 51%, 49% and 52% of patients with HFrEF, HFmrEF and HFpEF, respectively, and intensive care unit by 41%, 41% and 37%, respectively. Hospitalization length was similar (median, 8 days). Discharge prescription of neurohormonal inhibitors was <80% for each agent in HFrEF and only slightly lower in HFmrEF and HFpEF (74% and 67%, respectively, for beta-blockers). Compared to HFrEF, 12-month all-cause and cardiovascular mortality were lower for HFmrEF (adjusted hazard ratios 0.78 [95% confidence interval 0.59-0.71] and 0.80 [0.70-0.92]) and HFpEF (0.64 [0.59-0.87] and 0.63 [0.56-0.71]); 12-month HF hospitalization was also lower for HFpEF and HFmrEF (21% and 20% vs. 25% for HFrEF). In-hospital mortality, 12-month non-cardiovascular mortality and 12-month all-cause hospitalization were similar among groups. CONCLUSIONS: In patients hospitalized for HF, overall HCRU was similarly high across LVEF spectrum, reflecting the subtle clinical differences among LVEF phenotypes during hospitalization. Discharge prescription of neurohormonal inhibitors was suboptimal in HFrEF and lower but significant in patients with HFpEF and HFmrEF, who had better long-term cardiovascular outcomes than HFrEF, but similar risk for non-cardiovascular events.

Emerging concepts in heart failure management and treatment: circulatory support with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

Circulatory support with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is being increasingly used in several critical situations but evidence of its impact on outcomes is inconsistent. Understanding of the specific indications and appropriate timing of implantation of this technology might lead to improved results. Indeed, the line between success and futility may be sometimes very thin when facing a patient in critical condition. New techniques with lighter, simpler and effective devices are being developed. Hence, ECMO has become an accessible technology that is being increasingly used outside of the operating room by heart failure specialists, critical care cardiologists and intensivists. Proper timing of utilization and choice of device may lead to better outcomes. We herein aim to improve this knowledge gap by conducting a literature review to provide simple information, evidence-based indications and a practical approach for cardiologists who may encounter acutely ill adult patients that may be ECMO candidates. This article is part of the Emerging concepts in heart failure management and treatment Special Issue: https://www.drugsincontext.com/special_issues/emerging-concepts-in-heart-failure-management-and-treatment.

Emerging concepts in heart failure management and treatment: focus on vericiguat.

The nitric oxide (NO)-soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC)-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway is dysregulated in patients with heart failure (HF) resulting in myocardial and vascular dysfunction that contributes to its progression. Vericiguat is a novel direct sGC stimulator that targets in at least two ways the NO-sGC-cGMP pathway with the subsequent restoration of cGMP activity. The VICTORIA trial assessed the effects of vericiguat (versus placebo) in 5050 patients with chronic HF (NYHA class II-IV), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <45%, elevated natriuretic peptide levels and a recent HF decompensation (hospitalized or outpatient intravenous diuretics). After a median follow-up of 10.8 months, a lower risk (10% reduction) of the primary combined outcome (cardiovascular death or HF hospitalization) was achieved (HR 0.90, 95% CI 0.83-0.98; p=0.02). The composite endpoint was driven by HF hospitalizations (HR 0.9, 95% CI 0.81-1.00; p=0.048) whilst CV death reduction was not statistically significant on its own. The target dose was achieved in 89% of patients treated with vericiguat, and no significant differences were observed in the rates of syncope or hypotension. The VICTORIA trial showed that vericiguat was safe, well tolerated and without need of laboratory testing. The aim of this review is to provide comprehensive information about vericiguat in terms of its differential mechanism of action and clinical data particularly focused on the VICTORIA trial. A comparison is also made with DAPA-HF and EMPEROR-Reduced considering that, in all these contemporary trials, a new study medication was added to the standard triple HF therapy. This is a relevant issue because the VICTORIA trial had a significant but less powerful effect than DAPA-HF and EMPEROR-Reduced on HF outcomes in a setting of more severe disease, higher event rate and shorter follow-up. In addition, relevant data on other previous studies are also provided in both HF with reduced LVEF (SOCRATES-Reduced) and HF with preserved LVEF (SOCRATES-Preserved and VITALITY-Preserved). This article is part of the Emerging concepts in heart failure management and treatment Special Issue: https://www.drugsincontext.com/special_issues/emerging-concepts-in-heart-failure-management-and-treatment.

Emerging concepts in heart failure management and treatment: focus on point-of-care ultrasound in cardiogenic shock.

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) plays a strategic role in the diagnostic and therapeutic evaluation of critically ill patients and, especially, in those who are haemodynamically unstable. In this context, POCUS allows a more precise identification of the cause, its differential diagnosis, the eventual coexistence with another entity and, finally, guiding of the therapeutic approach. It implies a portable use of ultrasound in acute settings covering different specified protocols, such as echocardiography, vascular, lung or abdominal ultrasound. This article reviews POCUS application in the emergency department or the intensive care unit, focused on severely compromised patients with cardiogenic shock with an emergent bedside assessment. Considering the high mortality rate of this entity, POCUS provides the intensivist/clinician with an appropriate tool for accurate diagnoses and a timely management plan. The authors propose practical algorithms for the diagnosis of patients using POCUS in these settings. This article is part of the Emerging concepts in heart failure management and treatment Special Issue: https://www.drugsincontext.com/special_issues/emerging-concepts-in-heart-failure-management-and-treatment.

Emerging concepts in heart failure management and treatment: focus on tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy.

Tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy is an entity characterized by reversible dysfunction of the left ventricle, which can be induced by different types of arrhythmia such as atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, incessant supraventricular tachycardia and ventricular arrhythmia (more frequent causes). Correct identification of the causative arrhythmia and normalization of the heart rate (e.g through medical treatment, electrical cardioversion, ablation) can lead to recovery of left ventricular function. Tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy should be suspected in patients with tachycardia and left ventricular dysfunction (heart failure setting), especially when there is no history of previous heart disease. Its usual phenotype is that of non-ischaemic/non-valvular dilated cardiomyopathy and it can occur in both children (main cause: permanent junctional reciprocating tachycardia) and adults (main cause: atrial fibrillation). With proper treatment, most cases recover within a few months, though there is a risk of relapse, especially when the causal arrhythmia reappears or its control is lost. This is a narrative review that comprehensively addresses the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and therapeutic management of tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy. This article is part of the Emerging concepts in heart failure management and treatment Special Issue: https://www.drugsincontext.com/special_issues/emerging-concepts-in-heart-failure-management-and-treatment.

Emerging concepts in heart failure management and treatment: focus on current guideline-directed medical therapy for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

One of the most relevant and differentiating aspects provided by the 2021 European Society of Cardiology guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic heart failure is the retraction of the historical stepped and vertical pharmacological treatment scheme for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Subsequently, it was replaced by an updated algorithm that places four therapeutic families in the same initial horizontal step with an equally high degree of recommendation (class I). In this context, these four pillars, which have demonstrated a significant reduction in mortality and hospitalizations in patients with HFrEF, include (1) angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi)/angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB)/angiotensin II receptor-neprilysin inhibitors (ARNi), (2) beta blockers, (3) mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA) and (4) sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) as the main novelty. This manuscript reviews the current therapeutic algorithm with a special focus on the therapeutic value of adding an MRA (still underused in both clinical trials and real world), changing an ACEi/ARB for an ARNi and incorporating an SGLT2i in patients with HFrEF. This article is part of the Emerging concepts in heart failure management and treatment Special Issue: https://www.drugsincontext.com/special_issues/emerging-concepts-in-heart-failure-management-and-treatment.

Association of time-to-intravenous furosemide with mortality in acute heart failure: data from REPORT-HF.

AIM: Acute heart failure can be a life-threatening medical condition. Delaying administration of intravenous furosemide (time-to-diuretics) has been postulated to increase mortality, but prior reports have been inconclusive. We aimed to evaluate the association between time-to-diuretics and mortality in the international REPORT-HF registry. METHODS AND RESULTS: We assessed the association of time-to-diuretics within the first 24 h with in-hospital and 30-day post-discharge mortality in 15 078 patients from seven world regions in the REPORT-HF registry. We further tested for effect modification by baseline mortality risk (ADHERE risk score), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and region. The median time-to-diuretics was 67 (25th-75th percentiles 17-190) min. Women, patients with more signs and symptoms of heart failure, and patients from Eastern Europe or Southeast Asia had shorter time-to-diuretics. There was no significant association between time-to-diuretics and in-hospital mortality (p > 0.1). The 30-day mortality risk increased linearly with longer time-to-diuretics (administered between hospital arrival and 8 h post-hospital arrival) (p = 0.016). This increase was more significant in patients with a higher ADHERE risk score (pinteraction  = 0.008), and not modified by LVEF or geographic region (pinteraction > 0.1 for both). CONCLUSION: In REPORT-HF, longer time-to-diuretics was not associated with higher in-hospital mortality. However, we did found an association with increased 30-day mortality, particularly in high-risk patients, and irrespective of LVEF or geographic region. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT02595814.

Efficacy of empagliflozin in heart failure with preserved versus mid-range ejection fraction: a pre-specified analysis of EMPEROR-Preserved.

The EMPEROR-Preserved trial showed that the sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor empagliflozin significantly reduces the risk of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure (HHF) in heart failure patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) > 40%. Here, we report the results of a pre-specified analysis that separately evaluates these patients stratified by LVEF: preserved (≥ 50%) (n = 4,005; 66.9%) or mid-range (41-49%). In patients with LVEF ≥ 50%, empagliflozin reduced the risk of cardiovascular death or HHF (the primary endpoint) by 17% versus placebo (hazard ratio (HR) 0.83; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.71-0.98, P = 0.024). For the key secondary endpoint, the HR for total HHF was 0.83 (95%CI: 0.66-1.04, P = 0.11). For patients with an LVEF of 41-49%, the HR for empagliflozin versus placebo was 0.71 (95%CI: 0.57-0.88, P = 0.002) for the primary outcome (Pinteraction = 0.27), and 0.57 (95%CI: 0.42-0.79, P < 0.001) for total HHF (Pinteraction = 0.06). These results, together with those from the EMPEROR-Reduced trial in patients with LVEF < 40%, support the use of empagliflozin across the full spectrum of LVEF in heart failure.

Global disparities in prescription of guideline-recommended drugs for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is a global challenge, with lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs) carrying a large share of the burden. Treatment for HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) improves survival but is often underused. Economic factors might have an important effect on the use of medicines. METHODS AND RESULTS: This analysis assessed prescription rates and doses of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors, ß-blockers, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists at discharge and 6-month follow-up in 8669 patients with HFrEF (1458 from low-, 3363 from middle-, and 3848 from high-income countries) hospitalized for acute HF in 44 countries in the prospective REPORT-HF study. We investigated determinants of guideline-recommended treatments and their association with 1-year mortality, correcting for treatment indication bias.Only 37% of patients at discharge and 34% of survivors at 6 months were on all three medication classes, with lower proportions in LMICs than high-income countries (19 vs. 41% at discharge and 15 vs. 37% at 6 months). Women and patients without health insurance, or from LMICs, or without a scheduled medical follow-up within 6 months of discharge were least likely to be on guideline-recommended medical therapy at target doses, independent of confounders. Being on ≥50% of guideline-recommended doses of RAS inhibitors, and ß-blockers were independently associated with better 1-year survival, regardless of country income level. CONCLUSION: Patients with HFrEF in LMICs are less likely to receive guideline-recommended drugs at target doses. Improved access to medications and medical care could reduce international disparities in outcome.

Quality of life assessed 6 months after hospitalisation for acute heart failure: an analysis from REPORT-HF (international REgistry to assess medical Practice with lOngitudinal obseRvation for Treatment of Heart Failure).

AIMS: Recovery of well-being after hospitalisation for acute heart failure (AHF) is a measure of the success of interventions and the quality of care but has rarely been quantified. Accordingly, we measured health status after discharge in an international registry (REPORT-HF) of AHF. METHODS AND RESULTS: The analysis included 4606 patients with AHF who survived to hospital discharge, had known vital status at 6 months, and were enrolled in the United States of America, Russian Federation, or Western Europe, where the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) was administered. Median age was 69 years (quartiles 59-78), 40% were women, and 34% had a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <40%, and 12% patients died by 6 months. Of 2475 patients with a follow-up KCCQ, 28% were 'alive and well' (KCCQ >75), while 43% had poor health status (KCCQ ≤50). Being 'alive and well' was associated with new-onset AHF, LVEF <40%, younger age, higher baseline KCCQ, country, and race. Associations were similar for increasing health status, with the exception of country and addition of comorbidities. CONCLUSION: In this international global registry, health status recovery after AHF hospitalisation was highly variable. Those with the best health status at 6 months were younger, had new-onset heart failure, and higher baseline KCCQ; nearly one-third of survivors were 'alive and well'. Investigating reasons for changes in KCCQ after hospitalisation might identify new therapeutic targets to improve patient-centred outcomes.

Regional differences in precipitating factors of hospitalization for acute heart failure: insights from the REPORT-HF registry.

AIMS: Few prior studies have investigated differences in precipitants leading to hospitalizations for acute heart failure (AHF) in a cohort with global representation. METHODS AND RESULTS: We analysed the prevalence of precipitants and their association with outcomes in 18 553 patients hospitalized for AHF in REPORT-HF (prospective international REgistry to assess medical Practice with lOngitudinal obseRvation for Treatment of Heart Failure) according to left ventricular ejection fraction subtype (reduced [HFrEF] and preserved ejection fraction [HFpEF]) and presentation (new-onset vs. decompensated chronic heart failure [DCHF]). Patients were enrolled from 358 centres in 44 countries stratified according to Latin America, North America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Eastern Mediterranean and Africa, Southeast Asia, and Western Pacific. Precipitants were pre-with mutually exclusive categories and selected according to the local investigator's discretion. Outcomes included in-hospital and 1-year mortality. The median age was 67 (interquartile range 57-77) years, and 39% were women. Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) was the most common precipitant in patients with new-onset heart failure in all regions except for North America and Western Europe, where uncontrolled hypertension and arrhythmia, respectively, were the most common precipitants, independent of confounders. In patients with DCHF, non-adherence to diet/medication was the most common precipitant regardless of region. Uncontrolled hypertension was a more likely precipitant in HFpEF, non-adherence to diet/medication, and ACS were more likely precipitants in HFrEF. Patients admitted due to worsening renal function had the worst in-hospital (5%) and 1-year post-discharge (30%) mortality rates, regardless of region, heart failure subtype and admission type (pinteraction >0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: Data on global differences in precipitants for AHF highlight potential regional differences in targets for preventing hospitalization for AHF and identifying those at highest risk for early mortality.

A global perspective of racial differences and outcomes in patients presenting with acute heart failure.

Important racial differences in characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of patients with acute heart failure (AHF) have been described. The objective of this analysis of the International Registry to assess medical Practice with longitudinal observation for Treatment of Heart Failure (REPORT-HF) registry was to investigate racial differences in patients with AHF according to country income level.

Aggressive Afterload Lowering to Improve the Right Ventricle: A New Target for Medical Therapy in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension?

Despite numerous therapeutic advances in pulmonary arterial hypertension, patients continue to suffer high morbidity and mortality, particularly considering a median age of 50 years. This article explores whether early, robust reduction of right ventricular afterload would facilitate substantial improvement in right ventricular function and thus whether afterload reduction should be a treatment goal for pulmonary arterial hypertension. The earliest clinical studies of prostanoid treatment in pulmonary arterial hypertension demonstrated an important link between lowering mean pulmonary arterial pressure (or pulmonary vascular resistance) and improved survival. Subsequent studies of oral monotherapy or sequential combination therapy demonstrated smaller reductions in mean pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance. More recently, retrospective reports of initial aggressive prostanoid treatment or initial combination oral and parenteral therapy have shown marked afterload reduction along with significant improvements in right ventricular function. Some data suggest that reaching threshold levels for pressure or resistance (components of right ventricular afterload) may be key to interrupting the self-perpetuating injury of pulmonary vascular disease in pulmonary arterial hypertension and could translate into improved long-term clinical outcomes. Based on these clues, the authors postulate that improved clinical outcomes might be achieved by targeting significant afterload reduction with initial oral combination therapy and early parenteral prostanoids.

El impacto de CoViD-19 en la hipertensión arterial pulmonar

La enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (CoViD-19) está causada por el virus del síndrome respiratorio agudo severo por coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), siendo particularmente perjudicial para los pacientes con enfermedad cardiovascular subyacente, y provocando una causa de morbilidad y mortalidad significativas en todo el mundo. Este virus lleva a una neumopatía, al tiempo que causa lesiones agudas de miocardio y daño crónico al sistema cardiovascular. Como consecuencia del daño del parénquima pulmonar y de la circulación pulmonar alterada, puede desarrollarse hipertensión pulmonar (HP), con su respectiva consecuencia. La fisiopatología de este tipo de HP es compleja y multifactorial, considerándose factores potenciales para las alteraciones de la circulación pulmonar. En estudios recientes, la prevalencia evidenciada de HP en pacientes con CoViD-19 es de alrededor del 12%, pero su evolución aún no está clara. La pandemia de CoViD-19 ha tenido un impacto significativo en todos los aspectos de la HP, desde el diagnóstico y manejo hasta la observación de un mayor riesgo de muerte en pacientes con hipertensión arterial pulmonar (HAP). En una encuesta de 77 centros de atención médica integral de HAP, la incidencia de infección por CoViD-19 fue de 2,1 casos por cada 1000 pacientes con HAP, similar a la incidencia de infección por CoViD-19 en la población general. Si bien, esta pandemia ha alterado el estándar de atención médica de rutina y de manejo agudo, particularmente, en aquellos pacientes con HAP, los riesgos asociados con CoViD-19 son significativos, presentándose nuevos desafíos en el cuidado de pacientes con HP. Dado que los pacientes con HAP han demostrado tener peores resultados en el ámbito de esta pandemia, es esencial trabajar de manera proactiva para disminuir el riesgo de infección por CoViD-19, mientras se continúa brindando un alto nivel de atención médica. El impacto de CoViD-19 en la prestación de atención médica y en la sociedad en general requirió que se establecieran nuevos protocolos para el tratamiento de HAP para disminuir el riesgo de exposición o transmisión de CoViD-19. De manera similar, ha habido una disminución en las pruebas de pacientes estables. Actualmente, la forma en que brindamos la atención médica se evidencia en un aumento de las visitas de telemedicina, una menor exposición a los entornos de atención médica para los pacientes y los profesionales de la salud, ayudando a nuestra necesidad continua de brindar servicios a los pacientes dentro del entorno de CoViD-19 y adaptándonos a una forma diferente de interactuar, ampliando nuestra comprensión de la mejor manera de cuidar a nuestros pacientes.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (CoViD-19) causes severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), being particularly harmful for patients with underlying cardiovascular disease, and causing a cause of significant morbidity and mortality throughout the world. This virus leads to lung disease, while causing acute myocardial injury and chronic damage to the cardiovascular system. As a consequence of the damage to the lung parenchyma and altered pulmonary circulation, pulmonary hypertension (PH) can develop, with its respective consequence. The pathophysiology of this type of PH is complex and multifactorial, considering potential factors for alterations in pulmonary circulation. In recent studies, the evidenced prevalence of PH in patients with CoViD-19 is around 12%, but its evolution is not yet clear. The CoViD-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on all aspects of PH, from diagnosis and management to observing an increased risk of death in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). In a survey of 77 comprehensive PAH healthcare centers, the incidence of CoViD-19 infection was 2.1 cases per 1,000 PAH patients, similar to the incidence of CoViD-19 infection in the general population. Although this pandemic has altered the standard of routine medical care and acute management, particularly in those patients with PAH, the risks associated with CoViD-19 are significant, presenting new challenges in the care of patients with PH. Since PAH patients have been shown to have worse outcomes in the setting of this pandemic, it is essential to work proactively to decrease the risk of CoViD-19 infection, while continuing to provide a high level of medical care. The impact of CoViD-19 on the provision of health care and on society in general required that new protocols be established for the treatment of PAH to reduce the risk of exposure or transmission of CoViD-19. Similarly, there has been a decline in stable patient testing. Currently, the way we provide healthcare is evidenced by an increase in telemedicine visits, less exposure to healthcare settings for patients and healthcare professionals, aiding our continued need to provide services to patients. patients within the CoViD-19 environment and adapting to a different way of interacting, broadening our understanding of the best way to care for our patients

A doença coronavírus 2019 (CoViD-19) causa síndrome respiratória aguda grave coronavírus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), sendo particularmente prejudicial para pacientes com doença cardiovascular subjacente e causando uma importante morbidade e mortalidade em todo o mundo. Este vírus leva à doença pulmonar, enquanto causa lesão aguda do miocárdio e dano crônico ao sistema cardiovascular. Como consequência do dano ao parênquima pulmonar e da circulação pulmonar alterada, pode ocorrer hipertensão pulmonar (HP), com suas respectivas consequências. A fisiopatologia desse tipo de HP é complexa e multifatorial, considerando fatores potenciais para alterações da circulação pulmonar. Em estudos recentes, a prevalência de HP evidenciada em pacientes com CoViD-19 gira em torno de 12%, mas sua evolução ainda não está clara. A pandemia CoViD-19 teve um impacto significativo em todos os aspectos da HP, desde o diagnóstico e tratamento até a observação de um risco aumentado de morte em pacientes com hipertensão arterial pulmonar (HAP). Em uma pesquisa com 77 centros de saúde com HAP abrangentes, a incidência de infecção por CoViD-19 foi de 2,1 casos por 1.000 pacientes com HAP, semelhante à incidência de infecção por CoViD-19 na população em geral. Embora essa pandemia tenha alterado o padrão de cuidados médicos de rotina e tratamento agudo, particularmente em pacientes com HAP, os riscos associados ao CoViD-19 são significativos, apresentando novos desafios no cuidado de pacientes com HP. Como os pacientes com HAP demonstraram ter resultados piores no cenário dessa pandemia, é essencial trabalhar proativamente para diminuir o risco de infecção por CoViD-19, enquanto continua a fornecer um alto nível de cuidados médicos. O impacto do CoViD-19 na prestação de cuidados de saúde e na sociedade em geral exigiu o estabelecimento de novos protocolos para o tratamento da HAP para reduzir o risco de exposição ou transmissão do CoViD-19. Da mesma forma, houve um declínio nos testes de pacientes estáveis. Atualmente, a forma como prestamos serviços de saúde é evidenciada por um aumento nas visitas de telemedicina, menos exposição aos ambientes de saúde para pacientes e profissionais de saúde, auxiliando nossa necessidade contínua de fornecer serviços aos pacientes. Pacientes dentro do ambiente CoViD-19 e adaptando-se de uma maneira diferente de interagir, ampliando nosso entendimento sobre a melhor forma de cuidar de nossos pacientes.

Rol de los péptidos natriuréticos en insuficiencia cardíaca: El fino equilibrio entre la medicina de precisión y la optimización de los recursos

La insuficiencia cardíaca constituye la fase final de la mayoría de las patologías cardiovasculares. Si bien el interrogatorio, el conocimiento de los antecedentes personales y familiares del paciente, sumados al examen físico detallado, contribuyen en sobremanera al diagnóstico; muchas veces el diagnóstico diferencial del síndrome de insuficiencia cardíaca no nos permite diferenciar entre los cuadros compensados de aquellos portadores de insuficiencia cardíaca en las primeras fases de la descompensación o nos llevan a la duda entre diagnósticos diferenciales. La falta de disponibilidad de camas de hospitalización, problemas de cobertura médica o incluso problemas sociales o psicológicos, obligan muchas veces a la determinación de altas precoces con el riesgo presente de descompensaciones e internaciones reiteradas. Evitar descompensaciones frecuentes es el trabajo silencioso que debe realizar el médico para tratar de detectar precozmente con la finalidad de enlentecer o detener el progreso de la enfermedad cardiovascular, evitando estudios e internaciones costosas. Entre el armamento necesario para cumplir con esta finalidad se encuentra el dosaje de péptidos natriuréticos. La presente revisión trata de resumir los datos disponibles que valoran el control de los niveles de péptidos natriuréticos en nuestra asistencia de los pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca.

Heart failure constitutes the final stage of most cardiovascular diseases. Although the questioning, the knowledge of the patient s personal and family history, added to the detailed physical examination, greatly contribute to the diagnosis; Many times the differential diagnosis of heart failure syndrome does not allow us to differentiate between the compensated conditions of those with heart failure in the early stages of decompensation or leads us to doubt between differential diagnoses. The lack of availability of hospital beds, problems of medical coverage or even social or psychological problems, often force the determination of early discharges with the present risk of decompensation and repeated hospitalizations. Avoiding frequent decompensations is the silent work that the physician must do to try to detect it early in order to slow down or stop the progress of cardiovascular disease, avoiding expensive studies and hospitalizations. Among the weapons necessary to fulfill this purpose is the dosage of natriuretic peptides. This review attempts to summarize the available data that assess the control of natriuretic peptide levels in our care of patients with heart failure.

A insuficiência cardíaca constitui o estágio final da maioria das doenças cardiovasculares. Apesar do questionamento, o conhecimento da história pessoal e familiar do paciente, somado ao exame físico detalhado, contribuem muito para o diagnóstico; Muitas vezes, o diagnóstico diferencial da síndrome da insuficiência cardíaca não nos permite diferenciar as condições compensadas dos portadores de insuficiência cardíaca nos estágios iniciais de descompensação ou nos leva à dúvida entre os diagnósticos diferenciais. A falta de disponibilidade de leitos hospitalares, problemas de cobertura médica ou mesmo problemas sociais ou psicológicos, muitas vezes obrigam à determinação de altas precoces com o risco atual de descompensação e hospitalizações repetidas. Evitar descompensações frequentes é o trabalho silencioso que o médico deve fazer para tentar detectá-la precocemente, a fim de retardar ou interromper o progresso das doenças cardiovasculares, evitando estudos e internações dispendiosas. Entre as armas necessárias para cumprir esse propósito está a dosagem de peptídeos natriuréticos. Esta revisão tenta resumir os dados disponíveis que avaliam o controle dos níveis de peptídeo natriurético em nosso tratamento de pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca.

Empagliflozin in Heart Failure with a Preserved Ejection Fraction.

BACKGROUND: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors reduce the risk of hospitalization for heart failure in patients with heart failure and a reduced ejection fraction, but their effects in patients with heart failure and a preserved ejection fraction are uncertain. METHODS: In this double-blind trial, we randomly assigned 5988 patients with class II-IV heart failure and an ejection fraction of more than 40% to receive empagliflozin (10 mg once daily) or placebo, in addition to usual therapy. The primary outcome was a composite of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure. RESULTS: Over a median of 26.2 months, a primary outcome event occurred in 415 of 2997 patients (13.8%) in the empagliflozin group and in 511 of 2991 patients (17.1%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.69 to 0.90; P<0.001). This effect was mainly related to a lower risk of hospitalization for heart failure in the empagliflozin group. The effects of empagliflozin appeared consistent in patients with or without diabetes. The total number of hospitalizations for heart failure was lower in the empagliflozin group than in the placebo group (407 with empagliflozin and 541 with placebo; hazard ratio, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.61 to 0.88; P<0.001). Uncomplicated genital and urinary tract infections and hypotension were reported more frequently with empagliflozin. CONCLUSIONS: Empagliflozin reduced the combined risk of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure in patients with heart failure and a preserved ejection fraction, regardless of the presence or absence of diabetes. (Funded by Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly; EMPEROR-Preserved ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03057951).