Development and Validation of a Risk Score Predicting Death Without Transplant in Adult Heart Transplant Candidates.

Importance: The US heart allocation system prioritizes medically urgent candidates with a high risk of dying without transplant. The current therapy-based 6-status system is susceptible to manipulation and has limited rank ordering ability. Objective: To develop and validate a candidate risk score that incorporates current clinical, laboratory, and hemodynamic data. Design, Setting, and Participants: A registry-based observational study of adult heart transplant candidates (aged ≥18 years) from the US heart allocation system listed between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2022, split by center into training (70%) and test (30%) datasets. Adult candidates were listed between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2022. Main Outcomes and Measures: A US candidate risk score (US-CRS) model was developed by adding a predefined set of predictors to the current French Candidate Risk Score (French-CRS) model. Sensitivity analyses were performed, which included intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABP) and percutaneous ventricular assist devices (VAD) in the definition of short-term mechanical circulatory support (MCS) for the US-CRS. Performance of the US-CRS model, French-CRS model, and 6-status model in the test dataset was evaluated by time-dependent area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for death without transplant within 6 weeks and overall survival concordance (c-index) with integrated AUC. Results: A total of 16 905 adult heart transplant candidates were listed (mean [SD] age, 53 [13] years; 73% male; 58% White); 796 patients (4.7%) died without a transplant. The final US-CRS contained time-varying short-term MCS (ventricular assist-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or temporary surgical VAD), the log of bilirubin, estimated glomerular filtration rate, the log of B-type natriuretic peptide, albumin, sodium, and durable left ventricular assist device. In the test dataset, the AUC for death within 6 weeks of listing for the US-CRS model was 0.79 (95% CI, 0.75-0.83), for the French-CRS model was 0.72 (95% CI, 0.67-0.76), and 6-status model was 0.68 (95% CI, 0.62-0.73). Overall c-index for the US-CRS model was 0.76 (95% CI, 0.73-0.80), for the French-CRS model was 0.69 (95% CI, 0.65-0.73), and 6-status model was 0.67 (95% CI, 0.63-0.71). Classifying IABP and percutaneous VAD as short-term MCS reduced the effect size by 54%. Conclusions and Relevance: In this registry-based study of US heart transplant candidates, a continuous multivariable allocation score outperformed the 6-status system in rank ordering heart transplant candidates by medical urgency and may be useful for the medical urgency component of heart allocation.

Prognosis of acute heart failure in patients followed up in nursing homes in Spain: Results from the RICA registry / Impacto pronóstico en la supervivencia de los pacientes en residencias de ancianos con insuficiencia cardiaca en España: Resultados del Registro RICA

Background: Patients with chronic diseases such as heart failure (HF) are at risk of hospital admission. We evaluated the impact of living in nursing homes (NH) on readmissions and all-cause mortality of HF patients during a one-year follow up. Methods: An observational and multicenter study from the Spanish National Registry of Heart Failure (RICA) was performed. We compared clinical and prognostic characteristics between both groups. Bivariate analyses were performed using Student's t-test and Tukey's method and a Kaplan–Meier survival at one-year follow up. A multivariate proportional hazards analysis of [Cox] regression by the conditional backward method was conducted for the variables being statistically significant related to the probability of death in the univariate. Results: There were 5644 patients included, 462 (8.2%) of whom were nursing home residents. There were 52.7% women and mean age was 79.7±8.8 years. NH residents had lower Barthel (74.07), Charlson (3.27), and Pfeiffer index (2.2), p<0.001). Mean pro-BNP was 6686pg/ml without statistical significance differences between groups. After 1-year follow-up, crude analysis showed no differences in readmissions 74.7% vs. 72.3%, p=0.292, or mortality 63.9% vs. 61.1%, p=0.239 between groups. However, after controlling for confounding variables, NH residents had a higher 1-year all-cause mortality (HR 1.153; 95% CI 1.011–1.317; p=0.034). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed worse survival in nursing home residents (log-rank of 7.12, p=0.008). Conclusions: Nursing home residents with heart failure showed higher one-year mortality which could be due to worse functional status, higher comorbidity, and cognitive deterioration.(AU)

Introducción: Los pacientes con enfermedades crónicas como la insuficiencia cardiaca (IC) presentan mayor riesgo de ingreso. Se evaluó el impacto sobre los reingresos y la mortalidad por todas las causas de los pacientes con IC respecto a vivir o no en residencias de ancianos durante un año de seguimiento. Métodos: Estudio observacional y multicéntrico a partir del Registro Nacional de Insuficiencia Cardiaca (RICA). Se compararon las características clínicas y pronósticas entre ambos grupos. Se realizó un análisis bivariante mediante el método de t de Student y Tukey y un análisis de supervivencia mediante Kaplan-Meier al año de seguimiento, así como un análisis multivariante de riesgos proporcionales de regresión (Cox) por el método de retroceso condicional para las variables que se relacionaban de forma estadísticamente significativa con la probabilidad de muerte en el univariante. Resultados: Fueron incluidos 5.644 pacientes; 462 (8,2%) de ellos estaban en residencias, el 52,7% eran mujeres y la edad media era de 79,7±8,8 años. Los pacientes en residencias tenían menor Barthel (74,07), Charlson (3,27) y Pfeiffer (2,2) (p<0,001). El pro-BNP medio era de 6.686 pg/ml sin diferencias significativas. Tras un año de seguimiento, el análisis bruto no mostró diferencias en los reingresos (74,7 vs. 72,3%; p=0,292) ni en mortalidad (63,9 vs. 61,1%; p=0,239) entre ambos grupos. Tras controlar las variables de confusión, los pacientes en residencias presentaron una mayor mortalidad por todas las causas a un año (hazard ratio 1,153; IC 95%: 1,011-1,317; p=0,034) así como peor supervivencia en el análisis de Kaplan-Meier (log-rank 7,12; p=0,008). Conclusiones: Los pacientes con IC en residencias de ancianos mostraron una mayor mortalidad a un año, que podría deberse a un peor estado funcional, a mayor deterioro cognitivo y a más comorbilidad.(AU)

Asociación entre la velocidad estimada de onda de pulso y la muerte por todas las causas en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca / Association between estimated pulse wave velocity and all-cause death in patients with heart failure

Antecedentes La arteriosclerosis ha demostrado ser un factor de riesgo para el desarrollo de insuficiencia cardiaca y readmisión. ePWV es un indicador novedoso, no invasivo y simple de la rigidez arterial, y este estudio tiene como objetivo investigar su relación con la tasa de mortalidad por todas las causas en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca. Métodos Este estudio es un estudio de cohorte que incluyó a 1.272 pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca de los datos de NHANES de 1999 a 2018. El ePWV se dividió en tres grupos y se calculó la tasa de mortalidad acumulada de pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca utilizando curvas de supervivencia de KM. La relación entre ePWV y la tasa de mortalidad por todas las causas en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca se representó mediante un ajuste de curva suavizado. Se utilizó análisis de regresión de COX para evaluar la asociación entre ePWV y la tasa de mortalidad por todas las causas en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca. Resultados La edad promedio de la población del estudio fue de 67,8±12,6 años, con 862 hombres y 650 mujeres. Durante el período de seguimiento de 12 meses, hubo 790 casos de mortalidad por todas las causas. Se utilizó un análisis de regresión de Cox para validar la relación entre ePWV y la tasa de mortalidad por todas las causas en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca. Los pacientes con niveles más altos de ePWV tendían a tener una tasa de mortalidad por todas las causas más alta. Después del ajuste de múltiples factores, un aumento en ePWV se asoció positivamente con la tasa de mortalidad por todas las causas (HR=1,17, intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%: 1,12-1,22). En comparación con el tercil más bajo, la HR ajustada por múltiples variables y el IC del 95% para el tercil más alto de ePWV fueron 1,81 (IC del 95%: 1,45-2,27)... (AU)

Background Arteriosclerosis has been proven to be a risk factor for the development of heart failure and readmission. ePWV is a novel non-invasive and simple indicator of arterial stiffness, and this study aims to investigate its relationship with all-cause mortality rate in patients with heart failure. Methods This study is a cohort study that included 1272 patients with heart failure from NHANES data from 1999 to 2018. The ePWV was divided into three groups, and the cumulative mortality rate of heart failure patients was calculated using KM survival curves. The relationship between ePWV and all-cause mortality rate in heart failure patients was represented by a smoothed curve fitting. COX regression analysis was used to assess the association between ePWV and all-cause mortality rate in heart failure patients. Results The average age of the study population was 67.8±12.6 years, with 862 males and 650 females. During the 12-month follow-up period, there were 790 cases of all-cause mortality. Cox regression analysis was used to validate the relationship between ePWV and all-cause mortality rate in patients with heart failure. Patients with higher levels of ePWV tended to have a higher all-cause mortality rate. After adjustment for multiple factors, an increase in ePWV was positively associated with all-cause mortality rate (HR=1.17, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12-1.22). Compared to the lowest tertile, the multivariable-adjusted HR and 95%CI for the highest tertile of ePWV were 1.81 (95%CI: 1.45-2.27). Additionally, a smoothed curve fitting was used to observe the relationship between ePWV and mortality rate, where the curve demonstrated a positive correlation between ePWV and all-cause mortality rate. Furthermore, KM survival curves indicated that all-cause mortality rate increased with the increase in ePWV. Subgroup analysis suggested a correlation between ePWV and mortality rate... (AU)

Asociación entre la velocidad estimada de onda de pulso y la muerte por todas las causas en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca / Association between estimated pulse wave velocity and all-cause death in patients with heart failure

Antecedentes La arteriosclerosis ha demostrado ser un factor de riesgo para el desarrollo de insuficiencia cardiaca y readmisión. ePWV es un indicador novedoso, no invasivo y simple de la rigidez arterial, y este estudio tiene como objetivo investigar su relación con la tasa de mortalidad por todas las causas en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca. Métodos Este estudio es un estudio de cohorte que incluyó a 1.272 pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca de los datos de NHANES de 1999 a 2018. El ePWV se dividió en tres grupos y se calculó la tasa de mortalidad acumulada de pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca utilizando curvas de supervivencia de KM. La relación entre ePWV y la tasa de mortalidad por todas las causas en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca se representó mediante un ajuste de curva suavizado. Se utilizó análisis de regresión de COX para evaluar la asociación entre ePWV y la tasa de mortalidad por todas las causas en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca. Resultados La edad promedio de la población del estudio fue de 67,8±12,6 años, con 862 hombres y 650 mujeres. Durante el período de seguimiento de 12 meses, hubo 790 casos de mortalidad por todas las causas. Se utilizó un análisis de regresión de Cox para validar la relación entre ePWV y la tasa de mortalidad por todas las causas en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca. Los pacientes con niveles más altos de ePWV tendían a tener una tasa de mortalidad por todas las causas más alta. Después del ajuste de múltiples factores, un aumento en ePWV se asoció positivamente con la tasa de mortalidad por todas las causas (HR=1,17, intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%: 1,12-1,22). En comparación con el tercil más bajo, la HR ajustada por múltiples variables y el IC del 95% para el tercil más alto de ePWV fueron 1,81 (IC del 95%: 1,45-2,27)... (AU)

Background Arteriosclerosis has been proven to be a risk factor for the development of heart failure and readmission. ePWV is a novel non-invasive and simple indicator of arterial stiffness, and this study aims to investigate its relationship with all-cause mortality rate in patients with heart failure. Methods This study is a cohort study that included 1272 patients with heart failure from NHANES data from 1999 to 2018. The ePWV was divided into three groups, and the cumulative mortality rate of heart failure patients was calculated using KM survival curves. The relationship between ePWV and all-cause mortality rate in heart failure patients was represented by a smoothed curve fitting. COX regression analysis was used to assess the association between ePWV and all-cause mortality rate in heart failure patients. Results The average age of the study population was 67.8±12.6 years, with 862 males and 650 females. During the 12-month follow-up period, there were 790 cases of all-cause mortality. Cox regression analysis was used to validate the relationship between ePWV and all-cause mortality rate in patients with heart failure. Patients with higher levels of ePWV tended to have a higher all-cause mortality rate. After adjustment for multiple factors, an increase in ePWV was positively associated with all-cause mortality rate (HR=1.17, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12-1.22). Compared to the lowest tertile, the multivariable-adjusted HR and 95%CI for the highest tertile of ePWV were 1.81 (95%CI: 1.45-2.27). Additionally, a smoothed curve fitting was used to observe the relationship between ePWV and mortality rate, where the curve demonstrated a positive correlation between ePWV and all-cause mortality rate. Furthermore, KM survival curves indicated that all-cause mortality rate increased with the increase in ePWV. Subgroup analysis suggested a correlation between ePWV and mortality rate... (AU)

Long-Term Outcomes of Resynchronization-Defibrillation for Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: The Resynchronization-Defibrillation for Ambulatory Heart Failure Trial (RAFT) showed a greater benefit with respect to mortality at 5 years among patients who received cardiac-resynchronization therapy (CRT) than among those who received implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). However, the effect of CRT on long-term survival is not known. METHODS: We randomly assigned patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II or III heart failure, a left ventricular ejection fraction of 30% or less, and an intrinsic QRS duration of 120 msec or more (or a paced QRS duration of 200 msec or more) to receive either an ICD alone or a CRT defibrillator (CRT-D). We assessed long-term outcomes among patients at the eight highest-enrolling participating sites. The primary outcome was death from any cause; the secondary outcome was a composite of death from any cause, heart transplantation, or implantation of a ventricular assist device. RESULTS: The trial enrolled 1798 patients, of whom 1050 were included in the long-term survival trial; the median duration of follow-up for the 1050 patients was 7.7 years (interquartile range, 3.9 to 12.8), and the median duration of follow-up for those who survived was 13.9 years (interquartile range, 12.8 to 15.7). Death occurred in 405 of 530 patients (76.4%) assigned to the ICD group and in 370 of 520 patients (71.2%) assigned to the CRT-D group. The time until death appeared to be longer for those assigned to receive a CRT-D than for those assigned to receive an ICD (acceleration factor, 0.80; 95% confidence interval, 0.69 to 0.92; P = 0.002). A secondary-outcome event occurred in 412 patients (77.7%) in the ICD group and in 392 (75.4%) in the CRT-D group. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with a reduced ejection fraction, a widened QRS complex, and NYHA class II or III heart failure, the survival benefit associated with receipt of a CRT-D as compared with ICD appeared to be sustained during a median of nearly 14 years of follow-up. (RAFT ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00251251.).

The association of blood urea nitrogen to serum albumin ratio with short-term outcomes in Chinese patients with congestive heart failure: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Limited evidence exists on the prognostic outcomes of the blood urea nitrogen to serum albumin ratio (B/A ratio) in congestive heart failure (CHF), particularly in developing countries with scarce heart failure epidemiological data. We aimed to investigate the association between B/A ratio and short-term outcomes in Chinese patients with CHF. METHODS AND RESULTS: We included 1761 CHF patients with available B/A ratio data from a cohort of 2008 patients. Patients were categorized into three groups based on B/A ratio (low to high). The primary endpoint was death or readmission within 28 days, and the secondary endpoint was death or readmission within 90 days. We employed restricted cubic spline analysis, Cox proportional hazards regression, and Kaplan-Meier curves to evaluate the relationship between B/A ratio at admission and the endpoints. Even after adjusting for other variables, higher B/A ratios were associated with increased rates of 28 days and 90 days mortality or readmission (HR: 2.4, 95% CI: 1.81-3.18 and HR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.48-2.05). Significant differences in the risks of both primary and secondary endpoints were observed among the three B/A ratio groups. The association between B/A ratio and CHF was stable in the different subgroups (all P for interaction＞0.05). CONCLUSION: Higher B/A ratios are associated with an increased risk of short-term mortality or readmission in Chinese patients with CHF. The B/A ratio shows promise as a prognostic indicator for short-term outcomes in CHF patients.

Trends in sleep apnea and heart failure related mortality in the United States from 1999 to 2019.

National estimates of deaths related to both heart failure (HF) and sleep apnea (SA) are not known. We evaluated the trends in HF and SA related mortality using the CDC-WONDER database in adults aged ≥25 years in the US. All deaths related to HF and SA as contributing or underlying causes of death were queried. Between 1999 and 2019, there were a total of 6,484,486 deaths related to HF, 204,824 deaths related to SA, and 53,957 deaths related to both. There was a statistically significant increase in the age-adjusted mortality rate (AAMR) for both SA-related (average annual percent change [AAPC] 8.2%) and combined HF and SA- related (AAPC 10.1 %) deaths. Men had consistently higher AAMRs compared with women, and both groups had a similar increasing trend in AAMR. Non-Hispanic (NH) Black individuals had the highest HF and SA-related AAMR, followed by NH White and Hispanic/Latino individuals. Adults aged >75 years consistently had the highest AAMR with the steepest increase (AAPC 11.1%). In conclusion, HF and SA-related mortality has significantly risen over the past two decades with the elderly, men, and NH Black at disproportionately higher risk.

[Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection and "in situ split" Liver Resection with Fatal Outcome - A Case Report]. / SARS-CoV-2-Infektion und "In-situ-Split"-Leberresektion mit tödlichem Verlauf.

We report the perioperative course of a 47-year-old patient who underwent a two-stage liver resection for bilobar metastatic colorectal carcinoma. The respiratory asymptomatic patient was tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by PCR detection one day before the second surgical procedure. Postoperatively, the patient suffered cardiovascular arrest on postoperative day 8 and died despite immediately initiated resuscitative measures. With an initial clinical suspicion of vascular liver failure, postmortem pathologic examination revealed the underlying cause of death to be COVID-19-related myocarditis with acute right heart failure. Individual multidisciplinary risk assessment should be considered very critically when deviating from the "7-week rule" because the benefit is difficult to objectify, even in oncologic patients.

La proteína meteorin-like se asocia a un perfil de mayor riesgo y predice un peor pronóstico en pacientes con IAMCEST / Meteorin-like protein is associated with a higher risk profile and predicts a worse outcome in patients with STEMI

Introducción y objetivos: La proteína meteorin-like (Metrnl) es una citocina implicada en la atenuación de la inflamación asociada a mal pronóstico en la insuficiencia cardiaca. En este estudio se evalúan los niveles circulantes de Metrnl y su valor pronóstico en el infarto agudo de miocardio con elevación del segmento ST (IAMCEST).Métodos: Se incluyó a pacientes con IAMCEST tratados con angioplastia primaria. Se determinaron los niveles de Metrnl en sangre periférica a las 12 horas del inicio de los síntomas. El criterio de evaluación primario fue muerte por cualquier causa o infarto de miocardio no mortal a 3 años.Resultados: Se estudiaron 381 pacientes (edad media 61 años, 21% mujeres, 8% clase Killip III/IV). Los niveles de Metrnl se asociaron con la edad, los factores de riesgo cardiovascular y la extensión de la enfermedad coronaria, pero también con complicaciones del infarto, especialmente insuficiencia cardíaca y shock cardiogénico. En la regresión multivariante de Cox Metrnl fue un predictor independiente del criterio de evaluación combinado (HR = 1,86; IC95%, 1,23-2,81; p=0,003). Además, los pacientes en el tercil más alto (> 491,6 pg/ml) presentaron mayor riesgo que en los terciles inferiores (HR = 3,24; IC95%, 1,92-5,44; p <0,001), incluso después de ajustar por edad, diabetes, paro cardíaco, clase Killip-Kimball III/IV, fracción de eyección y aclaramiento de creatinina (HR = 1,90; IC95%, 1,10-3,29; p=0,021).Conclusiones: En los pacientes con IAMCEST, los niveles circulantes de Metrnl se asocian con las complicaciones durante la fase aguda y predicen de forma independiente un peor pronóstico.(AU)

Introduction and objectives: Meteorin-like protein (Metrnl) is a cytokine involved in the attenuation of inflammation. In patients with heart failure, high levels of this biomarker are associated with a worse outcome. In this study, we evaluated the circulating levels and prognostic value of Metrnl in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).Methods: We enrolled STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Circulating Metrnl levels were measured in peripheral blood 12hours after symptom onset. The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause mortality or nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) at 3 years.Results: We studied 381 patients (mean age 61 years, 21% female, 8% Killip class III/IV). Metrnl levels were associated with age, cardiovascular risk factors and the extent of coronary artery disease, as well as with STEMI complications, particularly heart failure and cardiogenic shock. Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that Metrnl independently predicted all-cause death or nonfatal MI at 3 years (HR, 1.86; 95%CI, 1.23-2.81; P=.003). Moreover, patients in the highest tertile (> 491.6 pg/mL) were at higher risk for the composite endpoint than those in the lowest tertiles (HR, 3.24; 95%CI, 1.92-5.44; P <.001), even after adjustment by age, diabetes mellitus, cardiac arrest, Killip-Kimball III/IV class, left ventricular ejection fraction, and creatinine clearance (HR, 1.90; 95%CI, 1.10-3.29; P=.021).Conclusions: Circulating Metrnl levels are associated with complications during the acute phase of STEMI and independently predict a worse outcome in these patients.(AU)

Exploring Heart Failure Mortality Trends and Disparities in Women: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis.

Heart failure (HF) remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in women. Population-level analyses shed light on existing disparities and promote targeted interventions. We evaluated HF-related mortality data in women in the United States to identify disparities based on race/ethnicity, urbanization level, and geographic region. We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis utilizing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research database to identify HF-related mortality in the death files from 1999 to 2020. Age-adjusted HF mortality rates were standardized to the 2000 US population. We fit log-linear regression models to analyze mortality trends. Age-adjusted HF mortality rates in women have decreased significantly over time, from 97.95 in 1999 to 89.19 in 2020. Mortality mainly downtrended from 1999 to 2012, followed by a significant increase from 2012 to 2020. Our findings revealed disparities in mortality rates based on race and ethnicity, with the most affected population being non-Hispanic Black (age-adjusted mortality rates [AAMR] 90.36), followed by non-Hispanic White (AAMR 83.25), American Indian/Alaska Native (AAMR 64.27), and Asian/Pacific Islander populations (AAMR 37.46). We also observed that nonmetropolitan (AAMR 103.36) and Midwestern (AAMR 90.45) regions had higher age-adjusted mortality rates compared with metropolitan (AAMR 78.43) regions and other US census regions. In conclusion, significant differences in HF mortality rates were observed based on race/ethnicity, urbanization level, and geographic region. Disparities in HF outcomes persist and efforts to reduce HF-related mortality rates should focus on targeted interventions that address social determinants of health, including access to care and socioeconomic status.

Evaluación poblacional del impacto del nivel socioeconómico en los resultados clínicos en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca en entornos de atención integrada / Population-based evaluation of the impact of socioeconomic status on clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure in integrated care settings

Introduction and objectives: Low socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with poor outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF). We aimed to examine the influence of SES on health outcomes after a quality of care improvement intervention for the management of HF integrating hospital and primary care resources in a health care area of 209 255 inhabitants.MethodsWe conducted a population-based pragmatic evaluation of the implementation of an integrated HF program by conducting a natural experiment using health care data. We included all individuals consecutively admitted to hospital with at least one ICD-9-CM code for HF as the primary diagnosis and discharged alive in Catalonia between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2019. We compared outcomes between patients exposed to the new HF program and those in the remaining health care areas, globally and stratified by SES.ResultsA total of 77 554 patients were included in the study. Death occurred in 37 469 (48.3%), clinically-related hospitalization in 41 709 (53.8%) and HF readmission in 29 755 (38.4%). On multivariate analysis, low or very low SES was associated with an increased risk of all-cause death and clinically-related hospitalization (all Ps <.05). The multivariate models showed a significant reduction in the risk of all-cause death (HR, 0.812; 95%CI, 0.723-0.912), clinically-related hospitalization (HR, 0.886; 95%CI, 0.805-0.976) and HF hospitalization (HR, 0.838; 95%CI, 0.745-0.944) in patients exposed to the new HF program compared with patients exposed to the remaining health care areas and this effect was independent of SES.ConclusionsAn intensive transitional HF management program improved clinical outcomes, both overall and across SES strata. (AU)

Introducción y objetivos: El nivel socioeconómico (NSE) bajo se asocia con malos resultados en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca (IC). Nuestro objetivo es examinar la influencia del NSE en los resultados de salud tras una intervención de mejora de la calidad en el abordaje de la IC en un área de salud integrada de 209.255 habitantes.MétodosSe efectuó una evaluación pragmática poblacional utilizando bases de datos administrativas y sanitarias. Se incluyó a todas las personas consecutivas hospitalizadas con un código CIE-9-CM de IC como diagnóstico principal y dadas de alta vivas en Cataluña entre el 1 de enero de 2015 y el 31 de diciembre de 2019. Se compararon los resultados entre los pacientes expuestos al nuevo programa de IC y los de las demás áreas asistenciales, en general y según su NSE.ResultadosSe incluyó a 77.554 pacientes. Los eventos adversos fueron: muerte en 37.469 (48,3%), hospitalización clínicamente relacionada en 41.709 (53,8%) y reingreso por IC en 29.755 (38,4%). El NSE bajo o muy bajo se asoció con un mayor riesgo de eventos clínicos adversos (p <0,05). Se observó una reducción significativa del riesgo de muerte (HR=0,812; IC95%, 0,723-0,912), hospitalización relacionada con la clínica (HR=0,886; IC95%, 0,805-0,976) y por IC (HR=0,838; IC95%, 0,745-0,944) en los pacientes expuestos al nuevo programa frente a los de las demás áreas sanitarias y este efecto fue independiente del NSE.ConclusionesUn programa de atención transicional para la IC mejoró los resultados clínicos, tanto en general como en todos los estratos de NSE. (AU)

Health and Economic Evaluation of Sacubitril-Valsartan for Heart Failure Management.

Importance: The US Food and Drug Administration expanded labeling of sacubitril-valsartan from the treatment of patients with chronic heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (EF) to all patients with HF, noting the greatest benefits in those with below-normal EF. However, the upper bound of below normal is not clearly defined, and value determinations across a broader EF range are unknown. Objective: To estimate the cost-effectiveness of sacubitril-valsartan vs renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASis) across various upper-level cutoffs of EF. Design, Setting, and Participants: This economic evaluation included participant-level data from the PARADIGM-HF (Prospective Comparison of ARNI With ACEI to Determine Impact on Global Mortality and Morbidity in Heart Failure) and the PARAGON-HF (Prospective Comparison of ARNi with ARB Global Outcomes in HF With Preserved Ejection Fraction) trials. PARADIGM-HF was conducted between 2009 and 2014, PARAGON-HF was conducted between 2014 and 2019, and this analysis was conducted between 2021 and 2023. Main Outcomes and Measures: A 5-state Markov model used risk reductions for all-cause mortality and HF hospitalization from PARADIGM-HF and PARAGON-HF. Quality-of-life differences were estimated from EuroQol-5D scores. Hospitalization and medication costs were obtained from published national sources; the wholesale acquisition cost of sacubitril-valsartan was $7092 per year. Risk estimates and treatment effects were generated in consecutive 5% EF increments up to 60% and applied to an EF distribution of US patients with HF from the Get With the Guidelines-Heart Failure registry. The base case included a lifetime horizon from a health care sector perspective. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were estimated at EFs of 60% or less (base case) and at various upper-level EF cutoffs. Results: Among 13 264 total patients whose data were analyzed, for those with EFs of 60% or less, sacubitril-valsartan was projected to add 0.53 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) at an incremental lifetime cost of $40 892 compared with RASi, yielding an ICER of $76 852 per QALY. In a probabilistic sensitivity analysis, 95% of the values of the ICER occurred between $71 516 and $82 970 per QALY. Among patients with chronic HF and an EF of 60% or less, treatment with sacubitril-valsartan vs RASis would be at least of economic intermediate value (ICER <$180 000 per QALY) at a sacubitril-valsartan cost of $10 242 or less per year, of high economic value (ICER <$60 000 per QALY) at a cost of $3673 or less per year, and cost-saving at a cost of $338 or less per year. The ICERs were $67 331 per QALY, $59 614 per QALY, and $56 786 per QALY at EFs of 55% or less, 50% or less, and 45% or less, respectively. Treatment with sacubitril-valsartan in only those with EFs of 45% or greater (up to ≤60%) yielded an ICER of $127 172 per QALY gained; treatment was more cost-effective in those at the lower end of this range (ICER of $100 388 per QALY gained for those with EFs of 45%-55%; ICER of $84 291 per QALY gained for those with EFs of 45%-50%). Conclusions and Relevance: Cost-effectiveness modeling provided an ICER for treatment with sacubitril-valsartan vs RASis consistent with high economic value for patients with reduced and mildly reduced EFs (≤50%) and at least intermediate value at the current undiscounted wholesale acquisition cost price at an EF of 60% or less. Treatment was more cost-effective at lower EF ranges. These findings may have implications for coverage decisions and value assessments in contemporary clinical practice guidelines.

Albumin use and mortality among intensive care patients with acute heart failure: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Hypoproteinemia is common in patients with acute heart failure, especially in the intensive care unit (ICU). We assessed short-term mortality in patients with acute heart failure for albumin and nonalbumin users. METHODS: Our study was a retrospective, observational and single-center study. We included patients with acute heart failure from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-IV and compared short-term mortality and length of hospital stay in patients with and without albumin use. We used propensity score matching (PSM) to adjust for confounders, a multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression model, and performed subgroup analysis. RESULTS: We enrolled 1706 patients with acute heart failure (318 albumin users and 1388 nonalbumin users). The 30-day overall mortality rate was 15.1% (258/1706). After PSM, the 30-day overall mortality was 22.9% (67/292) in the nonalbumin group and 13.7% (40/292) in the albumin group. In the Cox regression model, after propensity matching, the albumin use group was associated with a 47% reduction in 30-day overall mortality [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.53, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.36-0.78, P = 0.001]. In subgroup analysis, the association was more significant in males, patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), and nonsepsis patients. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our investigation suggests that the use of albumin was associated with lower 30-day mortality in patients with acute heart failure, especially in males, those aged >75 years, those with HFrEF, those with higher N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels, and those without sepsis.

Improvement of left ventricular ejection fraction in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: Predictors and clinical impact / Impacto clínico a medio plazo de la mejoría de la fracción de eyección ventricular izquierda en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca con fracción de eyección reducida

Background A percentage of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) improve left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in the evolution. This entity, defined for the first time in an international consensus as heart failure with improved ejection fraction (HFimpEF), could have a different clinical profile and prognosis than HFrEF. Our main aim was to analyze the differential clinical profile between the two entities, as well as the mid-term prognosis. Material-methods Prospective study of a cohort of patients with HFrEF who had echocardiographic data at baseline and follow-up. A comparative analysis of patients who improved LVEF with those who did not was made. Clinical, echocardiographic and therapeutic variables were analyzed, and the mid-term impact in terms of mortality and hospital readmissions for HF was assessed. Results Ninety patients were analyzed. Mean age was 66.5(10.4) years, with a male predominance (72.2%). Forty five patients (50%) improved LVEF (Group-1,HFimpEF) and forty five patients (50%) sustained reduced LVEF (Group-2,HFsrEF). The mean time to LVEF improvement in Group-1 was 12.6(5.7) months. Group-1 had a more favorable clinical profile: lower prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, higher prevalence of de novo HF (75.6% vs. 42.2%; p<0.05), lower prevalence of ischemic etiology (22.2% vs. 42.2%; p<0.05), with less basal dilatation of the left ventricle. At the end of follow-up (mean 19(1) months) Group-1 had a lower hospital readmission rate (3.1% vs. 26.7%; p<0.01), as well as lower mortality (0% vs. 24.4%; p<0.01). Conclusion Patients with HFimpEF seem to have a better mid-term prognosis in terms of reduced mortality and hospital admissions. This improvement could be conditioned by the clinical profile of patients HFimpEF (AU)

Introducción Un porcentaje de pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca y fracción de eyección reducida (IC-FEr) mejoran la fracción de eyección ventricular izquierda (FEVI) en la evolución. Esta entidad se ha definido por primera vez en un consenso internacional como insuficiencia cardiaca y fracción de eyección mejorada (IC-FEm), y podría tener un perfil y pronóstico diferente que IC-FEr. Nuestro objetivo fue analizar el perfil de ambas entidades y su pronóstico a medio plazo. Material y métodos Estudio prospective de una cohorte de pacientes con IC-FEr que tenían datos ecocardiográficos basales y en el seguimiento. Se hizo un análisis comparativo de pacientes con IC-FEm y pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca y IC-FEpr. Se analizaron variables clínicas, ecocardiográficas y de tratamiento; el impacto clínico a medio plazo se analizó en términos de mortalidad y reingresos hospitalarios por insuficiencia cardiaca. Resultados Se analizaron 90 pacientes, edad media 66,5 (10,4) años (72,2% mujeres). La mitad de los pacientes mejoraron su FEVI, con un tiempo medio hasta la mejoría de 12,6 (5,7) meses. El grupo IC-FEm tenía un perfil clínico más favorable: menor proporción de factores de riesgo cardiovascular, prevalencia más elevada de IC-novo (75,6 vs. 42,2%; p < 0,05), y menor proporción de isquemia (22,2 vs. 42.2%; p < 0,05). Los pacientes con IC-FEm en el seguimiento a medio plazo tenían menor tasa de reingresos (3,1 vs. 26,7%; p < 0,01), y mortalidad (0 vs. 24,4%; p < 0,01). Conclusión Pacientes con IC-FEm parecen tener un mejor pronóstico en términos de mortalidad y reingresos hospitalarios por insuficiencia cardiaca (IC). Esta mejoría clínica podría estar condicionada por el perfil de los pacientes con IC-FEm (AU)

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors vs. sitagliptin in heart failure and type 2 diabetes: an observational cohort study.

AIMS: The effectiveness of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) in patients with heart failure (HF) in routine clinical practice is not extensively studied. This study aimed to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of SGLT2i vs. sitagliptin in older adults with HF and type 2 diabetes and to investigate whether there were any differences between agents within the SGLT2i class or for reduced and preserved ejection fraction. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using Medicare claims data (April 2013 to December 2019), 16 253 SGLT2i initiators vs. 43 352 initiators of sitagliptin aged ≥65 years with type 2 diabetes and HF were included. The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause mortality, hospitalization for HF or urgent visit requiring intravenous diuretics; secondary outcomes included its individual components. Propensity score fine stratification weighted Cox regression was used to adjust for 100 pre-exposure characteristics. Mean age was 74 years; 49.8% were women. Initiation of SGLT2i vs. sitagliptin was associated with a lower risk of the primary composite outcome [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 0.72; 95% confidence interval 0.67-0.77]. The adjusted HRs were 0.70 (0.63-0.78) for all-cause mortality, 0.64 (0.58-0.70) for hospitalization for HF, and 0.77 (0.69-0.86) for urgent visit requiring intravenous diuretics. Similar associations with the primary composite outcome were observed for all three agents within the SGLT2i class, for reduced and preserved ejection fraction, and subgroups based on demographics, comorbidities, and other HF treatments. Bias-calibrated HRs for the primary endpoint using negative and positive control outcomes ranged between 0.81 and 0.89, suggesting that the observed benefit could not be fully explained by residual confounding. CONCLUSION: In routine US clinical practice, SGLT2i demonstrated robust clinical effectiveness in older adults with HF and type 2 diabetes compared with sitagliptin, with no evidence of heterogeneity across the SGLT2i class or across ejection fraction.

Exploring Disparities in Mortality Rates Among Heart Failure Patients With Primary Diagnosis of Cardiac Arrest: A Nationwide Analysis of 2016-2020 Data.

Cardiac arrest is a dangerous threat to patients with heart failure. In this analysis, the authors aim to investigate the disparities between patients with heart failure who died with a diagnosis of cardiac arrest in terms of race, income, sex, hospital location, hospital size, hospital region, and insurance. Do social determinants of life impact cardiac arrest in patients with heart failure? A total of 8840 patients with heart failure who had a primary diagnosis of cardiac arrest, were admitted non-elective, were adults, and died during the admission were included in this study. A total of 215 (2.43%) patients had cardiac arrest due to cardiac cause, 95 (1.07%) had cardiac arrest due to other specified causes, and 8530 (96.49%) patients had cardiac arrest due to unspecified cause. The study group had a mean age of 69 years and had more males (53.91%). In terms of cardiac arrest due to any cause among adult patients with heart failure, the difference was significantly different in female patients (OR 0.83, p-value = 0.001, 95% CI 0.74-0.93), Black patients (OR 1.44, p-value < 0.001, 95% CI 1.25-1.67), Asian patients (OR 1.66, p-value = 0.002, 95% CI 1.20-2.29), Native American patients (OR 1.96, p-value = 0.022, 95% CI 1.10-3.48), other race patients (OR 1.59, p-value = 0.007, 95% CI 1.14-2.23), patients on hospital from south region (OR 1.59, p-value = 0.007, 95% CI 1.14-2.23), patients from large hospitals (OR 1.21, p-value = 0.015, 95% CI 1.04-1.41), and patients from teaching hospitals (OR1.19, p-value = 0.018, 95% CI 1.03-1.37). In terms of cardiac arrest due to cardiac cause among adult patients with heart failure, there was no significant difference in the variables analyzed. In terms of cardiac arrest due to other specified causes among adult patients with heart failure, the difference was significantly different in female patients (OR 0.19, p-value = 0.024, 95% CI 0.04-0.80), and urban-based hospitals (OR 0.10, p-value = 0.015, 95% CI 0.02-0.64). In terms of cardiac arrest due to unspecified causes among adult patients with heart failure, the difference was significantly different in female patients (OR 0.84, p-value = 0.004, 95% CI 0.75-0.95), Black patients (OR 1.46, p-value < 0.001, 95% CI 1.26-1.69), Asian patients (OR 1.60, p-value = 0.006, 95% CI 1.14-2.23), Native American patients (OR 2.06, p-value = 0.014, 95% CI 1.16-3.67), other race patients (OR 1.58, p-value = 0.010, 95% CI 1.12-2.23), patients on the hospital from the south region (OR 1.25, p-value = 0.014, 95% CI 1.05- 1.48), patients on the hospital from Midwest region (OR 1.22, p-value = 0.033, 95% CI 1.02-1.46), patients from large hospitals (OR 1.21, p-value = 0.016, 95% CI 1.04-1.41), patients from teaching hospitals (OR 1.18, p-value = 0.022, 95% CI 1.02-1.36), patients from urban hospitals (OR 1.37, p-value = 0.023, 95% CI 1.04-1.80). In conclusion, it is imperative for physicians to remain cognizant of health disparities while assessing patients to preempt bias during the evaluation process. The present analysis convincingly demonstrates the influence of gender, race, and hospital location on the incidence of cardiac arrest in individuals afflicted with heart failure. Nonetheless, the paucity of cases pertaining to cardiac arrest attributed to cardiac causes or other specified etiologies considerably compromises the analytical robustness for this particular subtype of cardiac arrest. Thus, further investigations are warranted to ascertain the underlying factors contributing to such disparities among patients with heart failure, while concurrently necessitating physicians' awareness regarding the potential existence of bias in their evaluative endeavors.