Pregnancy, Reproductive Factors, and Female Heart Failure Risk and Outcomes.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of recent evidence on female-specific risk factors related to reproductive status or pregnancy. RECENT FINDINGS: Pregnancy-related factors, including hypertensive disorders and gestational diabetes, increase the risk of heart failure in women, while breastfeeding and hormone therapy may offer protection. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, gestational diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome, placental abruption, younger maternal age at first live birth, younger maternal age at last live birth, number of stillbirths, number of pregnancies, onset of menstruation before 12 years of age, shorter reproductive age, ovariectomy, and prolonged absence of ovarian hormones may increase the risk of heart failure in women. Conversely, breastfeeding status and hormone therapy (for menopause or contraception) may serve as protective factors, while fertility treatments have no discernible effect on the risk of heart failure.

Infective endocarditis in children and adolescents: a different profile with clinical implications.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to compare pediatric infective endocarditis (IE) with the clinical profile and outcomes of IE in adults. METHODS: Prospective multicenter registry in 31 Spanish hospitals including all patients with a diagnosis of IE from 2008 to 2020. RESULTS: A total of 5590 patients were included, 49 were <18 years (0.1%). Congenital heart disease (CHD) was present in 31 children and adolescents (63.2%). Right-sided location was more common in children/adolescents than in adults (46.9% vs. 6.3%, P < 0.001). Pediatric pulmonary IE was more frequent in patients with CHD (48.4%) than in those without (5.6%), P = 0.004. Staphylococcus aureus etiology tended to be more common in pediatric patients (32.7%) than in adults (22.3%), P = 0.082. Heart failure was less common in pediatric patients than in adults, due to the lower rate of heart failure in children/adolescents with CHD (9.6%) with respect to those without CHD (44.4%), P = 0.005. Inhospital mortality was high in both children, and adolescents and adults (16.3% vs. 25.9%; P = 0.126). CONCLUSIONS: Most IE cases in children and adolescents are seen in patients with CHD that have a more common right-sided location and a lower prevalence of heart failure than patients without CHD. IE in children and adolescents without CHD has a more similar profile to IE in adults. IMPACT: Infective endocarditis (IE) in children and adolescents is often seen in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). Right-sided location is the most common in patients with CHD and heart failure is less common as a complication compared with patients without CHD. Infective endocarditis (IE) in children/adolescents without CHD has a more similar profile to IE in adults. In children/adolescents without CHD, locations were similar to adults, including a predominance of left-sided IE. Acute heart failure was the most frequent complication, seen mainly in adults, and in children/adolescents without CHD.

Diagnosis, prevention, and management of delirium in the intensive cardiac care unit.

Delirium is a frequent complication in patients admitted to intensive cardiac care units (ICCU) with potentially severe consequences including increased risks of mortality, cognitive impairment and dependence at discharge, and longer times on mechanical ventilation and hospital stay. Delirium has been widely documented and studied in general intensive care units and in patients after cardiac surgery, but it has barely been studied in acute nonsurgical cardiac patients. Moreover, delirium (especially in its hypoactive form) is commonly misdiagnosed. We propose a protocol for delirium prevention and management in ICCUs. A daily comprehensive assessment to improve detection should be done using validated scales (ie, confusion assessment method). Preventive measures are particularly relevance and constitute the basis of treatment as well, acting on reversible risk factors, including environmental interventions, such as quiet time, sleep promotion, family support, communication, and adequate treatment of pain and dyspnea. Pharmacological prophylaxis is not indicated with the exception of patients at risk of withdrawal syndrome but should only be used in patients with confirmed delirium. Dexmedetomidine is the drug of choice in patients with severe agitation, and those weaning from invasive mechanical ventilation. As the complexity of ICCUs increases, clinical scenarios posing challenges for the management of delirium become more frequent. Efforts should be done to improve the identification of patients at risk during admission in order to establish preventive interventions to avoid this complication. Patient-centered protocols will increase the awareness of the healthcare professionals for better prevention and earlier diagnosis and will positively impact on prognosis.

Ticagrelor and Infection Risk in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease.

BACKGROUND: Ticagrelor has a bactericidal effect in vitro, and clinical studies suggest a beneficial effect in infections. Our aim was to determine the incidence of infections in patients treated with 3 different P2Y12 receptor inhibitors. METHODS: Retrospective registry in a cardiology department. Patients with coronary artery disease discharged on ticagrelor, prasugrel, or clopidogrel from March 2017 to June 2019 were included. The risk of infection was analyzed during the period of P2Y12 inhibitor treatment (12.4 ± 6.7 months). RESULTS: A total of 250 patients were included (ticagrelor 91 [36.4%], prasugrel 89 [35.6%], clopidogrel 70 [28.0%]). Mean age was 61.0 ± 13.1 years, and 63 (25.2%) were women. The most common reason to use these drugs was ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) (152 patients - 60.8%). STEMI was the reason to use prasugrel in 84 patients (94.4%), ticagrelor in 44 (48.4%), and clopidogrel in 24 (34.3%), p < 0.001. An infection during follow-up was seen in 87 patients (34.8%), 23 treated with ticagrelor (25.3%), 30 with prasugrel (33.7%) and 34 with clopidogrel (48.6%), p = 0.009. Ticagrelor was independently associated with a lower likelihood of infection (Hazard Ratio [HR] 0.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.28-0.95; p = 0.035) compared to prasugrel (HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.54-1.73; p = 0.909) and clopidogrel (HR = 1). CONCLUSIONS: In patients admitted with coronary artery disease patients treated with ticagrelor had a lower frequency of infections during follow-up than those treated with other P2Y12 inhibitors. Further studies are necessary to clarify the bactericidal effect of ticagrelor in this context.

Prognostic impact of hyponatraemia and hypernatraemia at admission and discharge in heart failure patients with preserved, mid-range and reduced ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: Hyponatraemia is common in patients with acute heart failure (HF). AIMS: To determine the impact of sodium disturbances on mortality and readmissions in HF with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF), preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and mid-range ejection fraction (HFmrEF). METHODS: This study was a prospective multicentre consecutive registry in 20 hospitals, including patients admitted due to acute HF in cardiology departments. Sodium <135 mmol/L was considered hyponatraemia, >145 mmol/L hypernatraemia and 135-145 mmol/L normal. RESULTS: A total of 1309 patients was included. Mean age was 72.0 ± 11.9 years, and 810 (61.9%) were male. Mean serum sodium level was 138.6 ± 4.7 mmol/L at hospital admission and 138.1 ± 4.1 mmol/L at discharge. The evolution of sodium levels was: normal-at-admission/normal-at-discharge 941 (71.9%), abnormal-at-admission/normal-at-discharge 127 (9.7%), normal-at-admission/abnormal-at-discharge 155 (11.8%) and abnormal-at-admission/abnormal-at-discharge 86 (6.6%). Hyponatraemia at discharge was more common in HFrEF (109 (20.7%)) than in HFpEF (79 (13.9%)) and HFmrEF (27 (12%)), P = 0.003. The prevalence of hypernatraemia at discharge was similar in the three groups: HFrEF (10 (1.9%)), HFpEF (12 (2.1%)) and HFmrEF (4 (1.9%)), P = 0.96. In multivariate analysis, abnormal sodium concentrations at hospital admission (hazard ratio (HR) 1.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15-1.76, P = 0.001) and discharge (HR 1.33, 95% CI 1.08-1.64, P = 0.007) were both independently associated with increased mortality and readmissions at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Hyponatraemia and hypernatraemia at admission and discharge predict a poor outcome in patients with acute HF regardless of left ventricular ejection fraction. Hyponatraemia at discharge is more frequent in HFrEF than in the other groups.

Circadian Rhythm of Deaths in a Cardiology Department: A Five-Year Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have described a circadian pattern of death from cardiovascular causes with a morning peak. Our aim is to describe the daytime oscillations in mortality in hospitalized patients with cardiovascular diseases. METHODS: Our retrospective registry including all patients who died in the Cardiology Department, including the cardiac intensive care unit, Madrid, Spain. RESULTS: From a total of 500 patients, time of death was registered in 373 (74.6%), which are the focus of our study; 354 (70.8%) died in the cardiac intensive care unit and 146 (29.2%) in the conventional ward. Mean age was 74.2 ± 13.1 years, and 239 (64.1%) were male. Cardiovascular causes were the leading cause of death (308 patients; 82.6%). Mortality followed a circadian biphasic pattern with a peak at dawn (00.00-05.59 a.m.: 104 patients [27.9%]) and in the afternoon (12.00-17.59 p.m.: 135 patients [36.2%]), irrespective of the cause of death. The peak of mortality occurred in the afternoon (12.00-17.59 p.m.) in the case of cardiovascular mortality (119 deaths [38.6%]) and in the evening (18.00-23.59 p.m.) for non-cardiovascular deaths (21 deaths [32.3%], p = 0.03). This pattern was present regardless from the place of death (conventional ward or cardiac intensive care unit) and also throughout the four seasons. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality in hospitalized patients with cardiovascular diseases follows a circadian biphasic pattern.

Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Recovery in Patients with Heart Failure and Reduced Ejection Fraction Treated with Sacubitril/Valsartan.

BACKGROUND: A significant number of heart failure (HF) patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) experience ventricular function recovery during follow-up. We studied the variables associated with LVEF recovery in patients treated with sacubitril/valsartan (SV) in clinical practice. METHODS: We analyzed data from a prospective and multicenter registry including 249 HF outpatients with reduced LVEF who started SV between October 2016 and March 2017. The patients were classified into 2 groups according to LVEF at the end of follow-up (>35%: group R, or ≤35%: group NR). RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 7 ± 0.1 months, 62 patients (24.8%) had LVEF >35%. They were older (71.3 ± 10.8 vs. 67.5 ± 12.1 years, p = 0.025), and suffered more often from hypertension (83.9 vs. 73.8%, p = 0.096) and higher blood pressure before and after SV (both, p < 0.01). They took more often high doses of beta-blockers (30.6 vs. 27.8%, p = 0.002), with a smaller proportion undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy (14.8 vs. 29.0%, p = 0.028) and fewer implanted cardioverter defibrillators (ICD; 32.8 vs. 67.9%, p < 0.001), this being the only predictive variable of NR in the multivariate analysis (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.13-0.47, p < 0.0001). At the end of follow-up, the mean LVEF in group R was 41.9 ± 8.1% (vs. 26.3 ± 4.7% in group NR, p < 0.001), with an improvement compared with the initial LVEF of 14.6 ± 10.8% (vs. 0.8 ± 4.5% in group NR, p < 0.0001). Functional class improved in both groups, mainly in group R (p = 0.035), with fewer visits to the emergency department (11.5 vs. 21.6%, p = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with LVEF ≤35% treated with SV, not carrying an ICD was independently associated with LVEF recovery, which was related to greater improvement in functional class.

Clinical characteristics of patients with sustained ventricular arrhythmias after sacubitril/valsartan initiation.

Our aim was to describe the clinical profile of patients presenting sustained ventricular arrhythmias after sacubitril/valsartan (SV) initiation. All cases of sustained ventricular arrhythmias in patients receiving SV were consecutively recorded in two centers. Nineteen patients had sustained ventricular arrhythmias after SV. All were men and were previously receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, or angiotensin II receptor blockers before SV initiation. Fifteen patients (78.9%) had electrical stability in the previous 6 months. Nine patients (47.4%) initiated SV at the lowest available dose (24/26 mg). Globally, in all but five patients alive at discharge, SV was discontinued after the event. Six patients presented new arrhythmic events after discontinuation of SV. Two deaths and three heart transplants occurred (one due to heart failure and the other two due to persistent ventricular arrhythmias). All patients had a high arrhythmic risk, and 17 (89.5%) had an implanted cardioverter defibrillator. No specific triggers for the arrhythmic event were found. Male sex and previous episodes of ventricular arrhythmias could be associated with an increased risk of sustained ventricular tachycardia after SV initiation. Discontinuation of the drug might be an additional approach to enable a better control of ventricular arrhythmias in some patients.

Clinical profile, anatomical features and long-term outcome of acute coronary syndromes in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients.

BACKGROUND: Long-term prognosis of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients is unknown. AIMS: To compare outcomes after ACS in HIV-infected and uninfected patients. METHODS: Retrospective observational study. HIV cases were matched with two HIV-uninfected controls for age, sex and type of ACS. RESULTS: In 92 HIV patients (mean age 51.3 ± 9.0 years, 7.6% women), the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors was high (smoking 71.7%; hypertension 41.3%; diabetes 14.1%); dyslipidaemia was more frequent (53 (57.6%) vs 79 (42.9%), P = 0.02) and obesity less common (8 (8.7%) vs 41 (22.3%), P = 0.002) than in controls. Eighty-seven (94.6%) HIV patients had undetectable viral load and 85 (92.4%) were under anti-retroviral therapy. Multivessel disease was more common in HIV patients than in controls (44 (47.8%) vs 71 (39.1%); P = 0.05) as was Killip class 3-4 on admission (9 (9.8%) vs 6 (3.3%); P = 0.04). The rate of in-hospital mortality was similar in both groups (2%), and there were no significant differences in 3-year mortality (10.2% vs 5.7%; P = 0.27). Non-cardiovascular readmissions at 3 years were more frequent in HIV patients than in controls (36.5% vs 7.4%; P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified previous coronary artery disease as the strongest predictor of mortality in HIV patients (hazard ratio 4.7, 95% confidence interval 1.4-15.7, P = 0.01), whereas HIV infection was not associated with prognosis. CONCLUSION: HIV patients with ACS had more frequent multivessel disease and heart failure than matched controls. However, in-hospital and long-term mortality was similar in both groups. Non-cardiovascular re-hospitalisations were more common in HIV patients.

Sex-mismatch influence on survival after heart transplantation: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Heart transplantation (HT) is the treatment for patients with end-stage heart disease. Despite contradictory reports, survival seems to be worse when donor/recipient sex is mismatched. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to synthesize the evidence on the effect of donor/recipient sex mismatch after HT. METHODS: We searched PubMed and EMBASE until November 2017. Comparative cohort and registry studies were included. Published articles were systematically selected and, when possible, pooled in a meta-analysis. The primary endpoint was one-year mortality. RESULTS: After retrieving 556 articles, ten studies (76 175 patients) were included in the quantitative meta-analysis. Significant differences were found in one-year survival between sex-matched and mismatched recipients (odds ratio (OR) 1.30, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25-1.35, P < .001). In female recipients, we found that sex mismatch was not a risk factor for one-year mortality (OR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.85-1.00, P = .06). However, in male recipients, we found that it was a risk factor for one-year mortality (OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.31-1.44, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Sex mismatch increases one-year mortality after HT in male recipients. Its influence in long-term survival should be further explored with high-quality studies.

Sacubitril/Valsartan in Daily Clinical Practice: Data From a Prospective Registry.

Sacubitril/valsartan (SV) is a new therapy in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Our aim was to determine the efficacy and safety of this drug daily clinical practice. We performed a multicenter registry in 10 hospitals. All patients who started SV from October 2016 to March 2017 on an outpatient basis were included. A total of 427 patients started treatment with SV. Mean follow-up was 7.0 ± 0.1 months. Forty-nine patients (11.5%) discontinued SV, and 12 (2.8%) died. SV discontinuation was associated with higher cardiovascular (hazard ratio 13.22, 95% confidence interval, 6.71-15.73, P < 0.001) and all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 13.51, 95% confidence interval 3.22-56.13, P < 0.001). Symptomatic hypotension occurred in 71 patients (16.6%). Baseline N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels, functional class, and left ventricular ejection fraction improved at the end of follow-up in patients who continued with SV (all P values ≤0.001). This improvement was not significant in patients with SV discontinuation. SV has a good tolerability in patients from daily clinical practice. SV withdrawal in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction was independently associated with increased all-cause mortality. Patients who continued with SV presented an improvement in functional class left ventricular ejection fraction and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels.

Seasonality in Mortality in a Cardiology Department: A Five-Year Analysis in 500 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have indicated that cardiovascular mortality follows a seasonal trend. The aim of this work was to determine the evolution of mortality throughout the year in a cardiology department. METHODS: All admissions and deaths occurring in our Cardiology Department over a 5-year period (2013-2017) were recorded retrospectively. RESULTS: From a total of 17,829 hospital admissions, 500 patients died (2.8%, 0.3 patients/day). The mean age of deceased patients was 74.2 ± 13.1 years, and 186 (37.2%) were women. Mortality ranged from 0.17 deaths/day in August to 0.40 deaths/day in February (p = 0.03), and from 0.20 deaths/day in summer to 0.36 deaths/day in winter (p = 0.001). There was also a trend towards a variation in hospitalizations, with a peak in January (10.5 admissions/day) and the lowest figure in August (7.0 admissions/day), p = 0.047. We found no significant seasonal trend regarding mortality rate with respect to the number of hospital admissions (p = 0.89). The most common cause of death was refractory heart failure (267 patients [65.8%]). A noncardiac cause of death was observed in 134 patients (26.8%). CONCLUSIONS: In a cardiology department, there are twice as many deaths in winter as in summer. Hospitalizations also tend to be more frequent in winter than in summer.

Prognostic Implications of Influenza Virus Infection in a Cardiac Intensive Care Unit: Potential Impact of a Screening Program.

OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to determine the presentation and prognosis of influenza in an intensive cardiac care unit and to analyze the impact of an active surveillance program in the diagnosis. METHODS: We performed a prospective registry during the flu season in a coronary unit. In the first phase, no systematic screening was performed. Systematic influenza A and B detection was performed in a second phase for all patients admitted. RESULTS: From 227 patients, we identified 17 (7.5%) with influenza. Influenza patients were more likely to have a non-ischemic cause of admission (14 patients [82.4%] vs. 48 patients [40.3%], p = 0.002), fever (8 patients [47.1%] vs. 3 patients [2.6%], p < 0.001), and respiratory failure (7 patients [41.2%] vs. 8 patients [7%], p = 0.001). Influenza infection was an independent predictor of mortality (odds ratio 12.0, 95% confidence interval 1.9-13.6, p < 0.001). The incidence of influenza was 6.6% (6 patients) when no active screening was performed and 7.9% (11 patients) when systematic detection was performed (p = 0.005). The time to diagnosis was shorter in the systematic screening phase (0.92 ± 1.6 vs. 5.2 ± 3.8 days, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Influenza affects approximately 8% of patients admitted to an intensive cardiac care unit during the flu season, with a high mortality rate. An active surveillance program improves early detection.

Sex Influence on the Efficacy and Safety of Sacubitril/Valsartan.

BACKGROUND: Women are underrepresented in sacubitril/valsartan (SV) clinical trials. The aim of this study was to assess sex-specific differences in efficacy, tolerability, and safety of SV in real-world heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients. METHODS: A prospective registry in 10 centers including all patients who started SV during the last 6 months was analyzed in this study. RESULTS: A total of 427 patients were included, 126 (29.5%) were women. There were no substantial differences in HFrEF treatment before SV initiation, although fewer women than men carried an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (57 [45.2%] vs. 173 [58.1%], p = 0.02). SV starting dose was 24/26 mg b.i.d. in 206 patients (48.2%), 49/51 mg b.i.d. in 184 (43.1%), and 97/103 mg b.i.d. in 34 (8.2%), without relevant differences associated to sex. There were no losses during a mean follow-up of 7.0 ± 0.1 months. The proportion of patients who discontinued the drug (16 [12.7%] women vs. 33 [11.0%] men, p = 0.66) or presented SV-related adverse effects (31 [24.6%] women vs. 79 [26.5%] men, p = 0.72) was also similar in both sexes. However, female sex was an independent predictor of functional class improvement in the multivariate analysis (odds ratio 2.33, 95% confidence interval: 1.24-4.38, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: SV in women with HFrEF has a similar tolerability as in men. Females seem to have a more frequent functional class improvement than males.

Statin Treatment and Prognosis of Elderly Patients Discharged after Non-ST Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Statins are recommended for secondary prevention. Our aims were to describe the proportion of very elderly patients receiving statins after non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NST-ACS) and to determine the prognostic implications of statins use. METHODS: This prospective registry was performed in 44 hospitals that included patients ≥80 years discharged after a NST-ACS from April 2016 to September 2016. RESULTS: We included 523 patients, the mean age was 84.2 ± 4.0 years and 200 patients (38.2%) were women. Previous statin treatment was recorded in 282 patients (53.4%), and 135 (32.5%) had LDL cholesterol levels >2.6 mmol/L. Mean LDL cholesterol levels during admission were 2.3 ± 0.9 mmol/L. Statins were prescribed at discharge to 474 patients (90.6%). Compared with patients discharged on statins, those that did not receive statins were more often frail (22 [47.8%] vs. 114 [24.4%], p < 0.01) and underwent an invasive approach less frequently (30 [61.2%] vs. 374 [78.9%], p = 0.01). During a 6-month follow-up, 50 patients died (9.5%). There was a nonsignificant trend to higher mortality in patients not treated with statins (6 [15%] vs. 44 [9.6%], p = 0.30), but statins were not independently associated with lower mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 0.79; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.30-2.11, p = 0.65), nor with a reduction in the combined endpoint mortality/hospitalizations (HR 0.89; 95% CI 0.52-1.55, p = 0.69). CONCLUSIONS: Although most octogenarians presenting a NST-ACS are already on statins before the episode, their LDL cholesterol is frequently >2.6 mmol/L. Octogenarians who do not receive statins have a high-risk profile, with significant frailty and comorbidity.

Prognostic of Interatrial Block after an Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: The influence of interatrial block (IAB) in the prognosis after an acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To assess the prognostic impact of IAB after an acute STEMI regarding long-term mortality, development of atrial fibrillation, and stroke. METHODS: Registry of 972 consecutive patients with STEMI and sinus rhythm at discharge, with a long-term follow-up (49.6 ± 24.9 months). P wave duration was analyzed using digital calipers, and patients were divided into three groups: normal P wave duration (<120 ms), partial IAB (pIAB) (P wave ≥120 ms and positive in inferior leads), and advanced IAB (aIAB) (P wave ≥120 ms plus biphasic [positive/negative] morphology in inferior leads). RESULTS: Mean age was 62.6 ± 13.5 years. A total of 708 patients had normal P wave (72.8%), 207 pIAB (21.3%), and 57 aIAB (5.9%). Patients with aIAB were older (mean age 73 years) than the rest (62 years in the other two groups, p < 0.001). They also had a higher rate of hypertension (70 vs. 55% in pIAB and 49% in normal P wave, p = 0.006) and higher all-cause mortality (26.3 vs. 12.6% in pIAB and 10.3% in normal P wave, p = 0.001). However, multivariable analysis did not show an independent association between IAB and prognosis. CONCLUSION: About a quarter of patients discharged in sinus rhythm after an acute STEMI have IAB. Patients with aIAB have a poor prognosis, although this is explained mainly by the association of aIAB with age and other variables.

Discharge treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker after a heart failure hospitalisation is associated with a better prognosis irrespective of left ventricular ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: Medical therapy could improve the prognosis of real-life patients discharged after a heart failure (HF) hospitalisation. AIM: To determine the impact of discharge HF treatment on mortality and readmissions in different left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) groups. METHODS: Multicentre prospective registry in 20 Spanish hospitals. Patients were enrolled after a HF hospitalisation. RESULTS: A total of 1831 patients was included (583 (31.8%) HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF); 227 (12.4%) HF with midrange ejection fraction (HFmrEF); 610 (33.3%) HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and 411 (22.4%) with unknown LVEF). Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) at discharge were independently associated with a reduction in: (i) all-cause mortality: hazard ratio (HR) 0.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.41-0.74, P < 0.001, with a similar effect in the four groups; (ii) mortality due to refractory HF HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.29-0.64, P < 0.001, with a similar effect in the three groups with known LVEF; (iii) mortality/HF admissions (HR 0.61; 95% CI: 0.50-0.74), more evident in HFrEF (HR 0.54; 95% CI: 0.38-0.78) compared with HRmEF (HR 0.64; 95% CI 0.40-1.02), or HFpEF (HR 0.70; 95% CI 0.53-0.92). In patients with HFrEF triple therapy (ACE inhibitor/ARB + beta blocker + mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist) was associated with the lowest mortality risk (HR 0.21; 95% CI: 0.08-0.57, P = 0.002) compared with patients that received none of these drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Discharge treatment with ACE inhibitor/ARB after a HF hospitalisation is associated with a reduction in all-cause and refractory HF mortality, irrespective of LVEF.

Clinical Profile of a Nonselected Population Treated With Sacubitril/Valsartan Is Different From PARADIGM-HF Trial.

Our aim is to describe the characteristics of the patients receiving sacubitril/valsartan (SV) in daily clinical practice. This is a prospective registry in 10 hospitals including all patients who started SV in everyday clinical practice. From October 2016 to March 2017, 427 patients started treatment with SV. The mean age was 68.1 ± 12.4 years, and 30.5% were women (22.0% in PARADIGM-HF, P < 0.001). Comparing our cohort with patients included in PARADIGM-HF, baseline treatment was different, with a lower ratio of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blockers (2.7 vs. 3.5, P < 0.001), and a higher proportion of patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillator (53.8% vs. 15%, P < 0.001), and cardiac resynchronization therapy (25.8% vs. 5%, P < 0.001). Treatment with mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists was more frequent (76.7% vs. 60.0%, P < 0.001), and the use of beta-blockers was similar (94.6% vs. 93.0%, P = 0.43). We observed more patients in functional class III-IV (30.4 vs. 24.8, P = 0.015), higher levels of Nt pro-BNP [3421 (904-4161) vs. 1631 (885-3154) pg/mL] and worse renal function (creatinine level 1.3 ± 0.7 vs. 1.1 ± 0.3 mg/dL, P < 0.001). In real life, patients receiving SV have a higher risk profile than in the pivotal trial, poorer functional class, higher levels of natriuretic peptides, and worse renal function.

Ventricular Arrhythmic Storm after Initiating Sacubitril/Valsartan.

OBJECTIVES: Sacubitril/valsartan was approved recently for the treatment of patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction. We present 6 cases of ventricular arrhythmia, that occurred shortly after sacubitril/valsartan initiation, that required drug withdrawal. Other potential triggering factors of electrical storm were ruled out and, from the arrhythmic perspective, all of the patients were stable in the previous year. Our aim is to describe the possible association of sacubitril/valsartan with arrhythmic storm. METHODS: This was an observational monocentric study performed in the first 7 months of sacubitril/valsartan commercialization in Spain (October 2016). All patients were included in the SUMA (Sacubitril/Varsartan Usado Ambulatoriamente en Madrid [Sacubitril/Valsartan Used in Outpatients in Madrid]) registry. Patients were consecutively enrolled on the day they started the drug. Ventricular arrhythmic storm was defined as ≥2 episodes of sustained ventricular arrhythmia or defibrillator therapy application in 24 h. RESULTS: From 108 patients who received the drug, 6 presented with ventricular arrhythmic storm (5.6%). Baseline characteristics were similar in the patients with and without ventricular arrhythmic storm. The total number of days that sacubitril/valsartan was administered to each patient was 5, 6, 44 (8 since titration), 84, 93, and 136 (105 since titration), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our data are not enough to infer a cause-and-effect relationship. Further investigations regarding a potential proarrhythmic effect of sacubitril/valsartan are probably needed.