Comparação entre classificação funcional e fração de ejeção em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca na Doença de Chagas / Functional classification versus ejection fraction in patients with heart failure and Chagas Disease

Introdução: A doença de Chagas é uma infecção causada pelo protozoário Trypanosoma cruzi. É considerada um importante problema de saúde do mundo, tendo como manifestações a dilatação cardíaca, arritmias e morte. A insuficiência cardíaca é uma síndrome complexa e de elevada morbimortalidade, que evolui com complicações semelhantes. Para categorizar a gravidade da insuficiência cardíaca, utilizamos a classificação funcional da New York Heart Association, para estratificar risco e terapias para cardiopatias. Além disso, a reduzida fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo, medida pelo ecocardiograma, tem relação direta com mau prognóstico. Objetivo: Comparar a relação entre a classificação funcional pela New York Heart Association e a medida da fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo em pacientes ambulatoriais chagásicos e não chagásicos. Metódos: Estudo de corte transversal na coorte, composto de pacientes acompanhados em ambulatório de insuficiência cardíaca. Foram realizadas avaliação de prontuários, entrevista clínica e verificação da classificação funcional e da fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo pelo ecocardiograma. Os dados foram arquivados em banco de dados e analisados pelo Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Resultados: No período de agosto de 2018 a julho de 2019, foram selecionados 127 indivíduos com insuficiência cardíaca. Destes, 34 (26,8%) eram portadores da doença de Chagas e 93 (73,3%) eram não Chagas. Observou-se predominância do sexo masculino (53,5%) e de idade >60 anos (61,4%). Houve predomínio da classe funcional II nos grupos. Em relação à fração de ejeção dos pacientes chagásicos e não chagas, observou-se que, respectivamente, 71% contra 93% dos pacientes tinham fração de ejeção reduzida, 21% versus 6% tinham fração de ejeção intermediária e 8% versus 1% fração de ejeção preservada. Conclusão: Houve associação entre classe funcional avançada e reduzida fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo principalmente em chagásicos, podendo ser usada para acompanhamento evolutivo ambulatorial. (AU)

Introduction: Chagas disease, an infection caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is an important health problem worldwide that causes cardiac dilation, arrhythmias, and death. Heart failure is a complex syndrome with high morbidity and mortality rates that progresses with similar complications. The New York Heart Association functional classification is used to categorize heart failure severity and stratify heart disease risks and therapies. A reduced left ventricular ejection fraction measured by echocardiography is directly related to a poor prognosis. Objective: To compare the relationship between New York Heart Association functional classification and left ventricular ejection fraction in Chagas versus no Chagas disease outpatients. Methods: Cross-sectional study in a cohort of patients followed at a heart failure clinic. Medical records, clinical interviews, functional classification, and left ventricular ejection fraction by echocardiography were analyzed. The data were filed in a database and analyzed using SPSS software. Results: A total of 127 patients with heart failure were selected from August 2018 to July 2019. Of them, 34 (26.8%) had Chagas disease and 93 (73.3%) had no Chagas disease. There was a predominance of men (53.5%) and patients aged > 60 years (61.4%). There was also a predominance of functional class II. Of the Chagas and no Chagas disease patients, 71% versus 93% had a reduced ejection fraction, 21% versus 6% had a mid-range ejection fraction, and 8% versus 1% had a preserved ejection fraction, respectively. Conclusion: There was an association between advanced functional class and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, especially in Chagas patients, information that can be used for outpatient follow-up. (AU)

The patient with left ventricular systolic dysfunction now and in the future.

This review provides a concise overview of the current understanding of chronic heart failure, focusing on the landmark clinical trials that form the basis of clinical management of patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction.

Improvement in Clinical Outcomes With Biventricular Versus Right Ventricular Pacing: The BLOCK HF Study.

BACKGROUND: Sustained right ventricular (RV) apical pacing may lead to deterioration in ventricular function and an increased risk of heart failure, especially in patients with pre-existing systolic dysfunction. The BLOCK HF (Biventricular Versus Right Ventricular Pacing in Heart Failure Patients With Atrioventricular Block) trial demonstrated that biventricular-paced patients had a reduced incidence of a composite endpoint of death, heart failure-related urgent care, and adverse left ventricular remodeling. OBJECTIVES: In a pre-specified analysis, this study examined clinical outcomes, including clinical composite score, quality of life (QOL), and change in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification. METHODS: The BLOCK HF trial randomized patients with atrioventricular block, NYHA symptom class I to III heart failure, and left ventricular ejection fraction ≤50% to biventricular or RV pacing. NYHA functional classification, QOL, and clinical composite score were assessed at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Bayesian statistical methods were used, with the pre-specified metric of benefit being a posterior probability ≥0.95. RESULTS: Patients with biventricular pacing showed greater improvement in NYHA functional class at 12 months, with 19% improved, 61% unchanged, and 17% worsened, compared with 12%/62%/23% in the RV arm. QOL was improved through 12 months. At 6 months, clinical composite score was improved/unchanged/worsened in 53%/24%/24% in the biventricular arm compared with 39%/33%/28% in the RV arm. This improvement in clinical composite score was sustained through 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with atrioventricular block and systolic dysfunction, biventricular pacing not only reduces the risk of mortality/morbidity, but also leads to better clinical outcomes, including improved QOL and heart failure status, compared with RV pacing. (Biventricular Versus Right Ventricular Pacing in Heart Failure Patients With Atrioventricular Block [BLOCK HF]; NCT00267098).

A multiparametric clinical and echocardiographic score to risk stratify patients with chronic systolic heart failure: derivation and testing.

Although echo Doppler and biomarkers are the most common examinations performed worldwide in heart failure (HF), they are rarely considered in risk scores. In outpatients with chronic HF and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤45%, data on clinical status, echo Doppler variables, aminoterminal pro-type B natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and drug therapies were combined to build up a multiparametric score. We randomly selected 250 patients to produce a derivation cohort and 388 patients were used as a testing cohort. Follow-up lasted 29 ± 23 months. The univariable predictors that entered into the multivariable Cox model were as follows: furosemide daily dose >25 mg, inability to tolerate angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, inability to tolerate ß-blockers, age >75 years, New York Heart Association (NYHA) >2, eGFR<60 mL/min, NT-proBNP plasma levels above the median, tricuspid plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) ≤14 mm, LV end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVi) >96 mL/m(2) , moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation (MR) and LVEF <30%. The scores of prognostic factors were obtained with the respective odds ratio divided by the lower odd ratio: 4 points for furosemide dose, 3 points for age, NT-proBNP, LVEDVi, TAPSE, 2 points for inability to tolerate ß-blockers, inability to tolerate ACE inhibitors, NYHA, eGFR<60 mL/min, moderate-to-severe MR, 1 point for LVEF. The multiparametric score predicted all-cause mortality either in the derivation cohort (68.4% sensitivity, 79.5% specificity, area under the curve [AUC] 78.7%) or in the testing cohort (73.7% sensitivity, 71.3% specificity, AUC 77.2%). All-cause mortality significantly increased with increasing score both in the derivation and in the testing cohort (P < 0.0001). In conclusion, this multiparametric score is able to predict mortality in chronic systolic HF.

Signs and symptoms of heart failure: are you asking the right questions?

BACKGROUND: Patients may not verbalize common and atypical signs and symptoms of heart failure and may not understand their association with worsening disease and treatments. OBJECTIVES: To examine prevalence of signs and symptoms relative to demographics, care setting, and functional class. METHODS: A convenience sample of 276 patients (164 ambulatory, 112 hospitalized) with systolic heart failure completed a 1-page checklist of signs and symptoms experienced in the preceding 7 days (ambulatory) or in the 7 days before hospitalization. Demographic and medical history data were collected. RESULTS: Mean age was 61.6 (SD, 14.8) years, 65% were male, 58% were white, and 45% had ischemic cardiomyopathy. Hospitalized patients reported more sudden weight gain, weight loss, severe cough, low/orthostatic blood pressure, profound fatigue, decreased exercise, restlessness/confusion, irregular pulse, and palpitations (all P < .05). Patients in functional class IV reported more atypical signs and symptoms of heart failure (severe cough, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea or loss of appetite, and restlessness, confusion, or fainting, all P

The impact of B-type natriuretic peptide, New York Heart Association classification and depression on quality of life in nonhospitalized heart failure patients.

Healthcare providers should be concerned with improving the quality of life (QOL) of patients with heart failure (HF) because disease-specific QOL is linked to disease progression. The present study investigated the significance of elevated b-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), NYHA classification and depression to HF-related QOL to develop better management strategies. Outpatient subjects with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (n=108; mean age=64.9+/-12) completed the self-administered Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Functional status was measured using the New York Heart Association Classification (NYHA) and BNP concentrations were measured in plasma samples. Multiregression analysis determined that plasma BNP levels did not contribute significantly to the total QOL score while depression (r=0.63, t ratio=7.43, P<.0001) and NHYA class (r=0.47, t ratio=3.31, P<.001) were significant contributors. NYHA III subjects exhibited worse depression scores (II 15+/-7 and III: 22+/-10, P<.001) and elevated plasma BNP (II: 2.0+/-0.5 and III: 2.4+/-0.6, P<.001). Low-cost psychological assessments are recommended to evaluate depression and suggest that those HF patients with NYHA III be closely monitored for depression and reduced QOL.

Cardiac resynchronization induces major structural and functional reverse remodeling in patients with New York Heart Association class I/II heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves LV structure, function, and clinical outcomes in New York Heart Association class III/IV heart failure with prolonged QRS. It is not known whether patients with New York Heart Association class I/II systolic heart failure exhibit left ventricular (LV) reverse remodeling with CRT or whether reverse remodeling is modified by the cause of heart failure. METHODS AND RESULTS: Six hundred ten patients with New York Heart Association class I/II heart failure, QRS duration > or =120 ms, LV end-diastolic dimension > or =55 mm, and LV ejection fraction < or =40% were randomized to active therapy (CRT on; n=419) or control (CRT off; n=191) for 12 months. Doppler echocardiograms were recorded at baseline, before hospital discharge, and at 6 and 12 months. When CRT was turned on initially, immediate changes occurred in LV volumes and ejection fraction; however, these changes did not correlate with the long-term changes (12 months) in LV end-systolic (r=0.11, P=0.31) or end-diastolic (r=0.10, P=0.38) volume indexes or LV ejection fraction (r=0.07, P=0.72). LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volume indexes decreased in patients with CRT turned on (both P<0.001 compared with CRT off), whereas LV ejection fraction in CRT-on patients increased (P<0.0001 compared with CRT off) from baseline through 12 months. LV mass, mitral regurgitation, and LV diastolic function did not change in either group by 12 months; however, there was a 3-fold greater reduction in LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volume indexes and a 3-fold greater increase in LV ejection fraction in patients with nonischemic causes of heart failure. CONCLUSIONS: CRT in patients with New York Heart Association I/II resulted in major structural and functional reverse remodeling at 1 year, with the greatest changes occurring in patients with a nonischemic cause of heart failure. CRT may interrupt the natural disease progression in these patients. Clinical Trial Registration- Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00271154.

[BNP and echocardiography can predict the occurrence of acute cardiac decompensation during titration of bisoprolol in chronic systolic heart failure]. / Le BNP et l'échocardiographie prédisent la survenue de décompensation cardiaque aigue au cours de la titration du bisoprolol dans l'insuffisance cardiaque chronique systolique.

OBJECTIVES: Based on the fact that NYHA class, plasma BNP level, and echocardiographic indices of left ventricular filling pressures are prognostic factors in chronic systolic heart failure, we evaluated their predictive value for acute decompensation following initiation and titration of bisoprolol in this illness. METHODS AND RESULTS: Bisoprolol was initiated and/or increased according to the ESC/ACC/AHA recommendations in 50 patients with stable chronic systolic heart failure (age: 60+/-2 years, males: 88%) in NYHA class? 2 with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)<40% and a plasma creatinine<250 micromol/l. The clinical parameters, plasma BNP levels and echocardiographic indices were measured blind on the same day, on admission and then once a week for three weeks. On admission, the NYHA was 2.9+/-0.1, mean plasma creatinine 99+/-3 micromol/l, plasma BNP 503+/-57 pg/ml, LVEF 29+/-1%, E/A ratio 1.9+/-0.2, E/Ea ratio 8.8+/-0.3, E wave deceleration time 155+/-9 ms, systolic pulmonary artery pressure 40+/-2 mmHg and the diameter of the inferior vena cava was 16+/-1 mm. Over the course of follow up, an episode of acute decompensation occurred in 16% of the patients (8/50). Using univariate analysis, age and initial (admission) values for NYHA class, blood pressure, plasma BNP level, E/A ratio, E wave deceleration time, E/Ea ratio and the systolic pulmonary arterial pressure allowed prediction of the occurrence of acute decompensation following initiation and titration of bisoprolol. The use of the initial value of NYHA class alone allowed prediction of the occurrence of acute decompensation in just 56% of the patients, and the absence of an occurrence of acute decompensation in 93% of them. Normal results for the echocardiographic indices (systolic pulmonary arterial pressure<40 mmHg or E/A ratio<1.4 or E wave deceleration time>145 ms) as recorded on admission were associated with the absence of an occurrence of acute decompensation is 100% of cases. The combined use of NYHA class>3 and either a BNP>398 pg/ml or echocardiographic indices in favour of an elevation in left ventricular filling pressures (systolic pulmonary arterial pressure>40 mmHg, E/A ratio>1.4 or E wave deceleration time<145 ms) allowed prediction of the occurrence of acute heart failure in 100% of cases CONCLUSION: The combined use of NYHA class, BNP level and echocardiographic indices for measuring left ventricular filling pressures is more pertinent than the isolated use of clinical parameters for predicting tolerance to bisoprolol in chronic heart failure with a LVEF<40%.