bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reduced NT-proBNP threshold for risk prediction in high-risk elderly with subclinical heart failure: support from cardiopulmonary exercise testing
Authors: Potter E , Woessner M , Marwick T.H 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
Subclinical heart failure (HF) is divided into Stage A and B (SAHF and SBHF) depending on structural or functional cardiac abnormalities. However, risk of HF progression is not solely dependent on echocardiographic abnormalities. Data on oxygen consumption (VO2) and other prognostic cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) markers in subclinical HF, particularly in the elderly, is lacking. VO2 may refine risk prediction and provide pathological insight in subclinical HF.

Methods
Asymptomatic individuals were recruited through primary care if they were ≥65 years with ≥1 non-ischaemic risk factor for HF. Clinical evaluation determined risk profile, biometrics and NT-proBNP. Treadmill CPET was undertaken with a modified Bruce protocol. Low V02 was defined as ≤20th percentile of age and gender specific VO2 in healthy individuals. SBHF defined as systolic (global longitudinal strain, GLS ≤16%), diastolic (E/e' ≥15, E/e' &gt;10 with left atrial enlargement or impaired relaxation with other changes or left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (LV mass index &gt;95 g/m2 in women or &gt;115 g/m2 in men).

Results
Of the 91 included individuals (age 71±4 years, 53% female), 46 (51%) had SBHF, average NT-proBNP was 60pg/ml (26–99mg/ml) and did not differ by HF stage (59 [26–85] pg/ml vs. 60 [30–99] pg/ml for Stage A vs. B respectively, p=0.94). Average peak VO2 was 19.8 (16–22.6) ml/kg/min and was low in 71 (78%). VO2 did not differ by HF stage (19.9 [17.7–22.4] ml/kg/min vs. 19.7 [16–22.8] ml/kg/min for SAHF vs. SBHF respectively, p=0.62). NT-proBNP was significantly higher in those with abnormal VO2 (66 [34–110] pg/ml vs 31 [20–70] pg/ml, p=0.016). Within each HF stage, low VO2 was associated with higher NT-proBNP (Figure). Of those with NT-proBNP &gt;100pg/ml, 95% (22/23) had low VO2 compared with 72% of those ≤100pg/ml, p=0.02 (non-signifcant for 125pg/ml cut-off). No associations were found between SBHF or individual echo abnormalities and VO2. In logistic regression analysis NT-proBNP was a significant univariable predictor of low VO2 and remained significant after adjustment for other significant univariables (BMI) (OR 1.02 [95% CI 1.0001–1.03], p=0.048).

Conclusion
Low VO2 identifies a high-risk cardiac phenotype within subclinical HF stages, but is not necessarily associated with LV dysfunction. Levels of NT-proBNP beneath the cut-off used for HF exclusion may assist risk stratification in this population.
NT-proBNP by VO2 in subclinical HF

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Dr E Potter is supported by a PhD Scholarship from Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
Negative impact of skeletal muscle impairment in older patients with heart failure with reduced versus preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Konishi M , Kagiyama N , Saito H , Saito K , Ogasahara Y , Maekawa E , Kitai T , Momomura S , Tamura K , Kimura K , Kamiya K , Matsue Y 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background/Introduction
Reduced functional capacity is an important phenotype of heart failure (HF), even though it may be considered multifactorial, especially in HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Impairment in skeletal muscle may be one of extra-cardiac factors for reduced functional capacity and subsequent poor outcome.

Purpose
We sought to investigate the impact of the impairment in skeletal muscle, defined by the cut-offs proposed by the international consensus, on functional capacity and clinical outcome, in HF patients with preserved and reduced EF (HFrEF).

Methods
This is a multicenter prospective study including 1317 consecutive older (≥65 years) hospitalized patients with HF [HFpEF (ejection fraction ≥45%, n=675, 82±7 years, 46.4% male) and HFrEF (ejection fraction &lt;45%, n=642, 78±8 years, 68.4% male)].

Results
HFrEF patients were more likely to have low skeletal muscle mass measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (30.9% vs 22.1%, p=0.003) whereas less likely to have low muscle strength (handgrip strength; 62.9% vs 73.8%, p&lt;0.001) than HFpEF, resulting in similar prevalence of sarcopenia between the two groups (21.6% vs 18.1%, p=0.19). In HFrEF, presence of sarcopenia was an independent predictor of reduced functional capacity assessed by a 6-minute walk distance (standardized beta=−0.093, p=0.039 in multivariate linear regression analysis) and 1-year mortality (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) and 95% CI; 2.14 (1.22–3.70), p=0.009 in multivariate Cox-regression analysis). In patients with HFpEF, sarcopenia could predict mortality (aHR and 95% CI; 2.23 (1.23–3.91), p=0.009), though its association with reduced functional capacity was not significant after multivariate adjustment (standardized beta=−0.059, p=0.20). Kaplan-Meier survival curves in HFpEF and HFrEF are shown (Figure).

Conclusion(s)
In older patients with HF, sarcopenia was similarly contributed to mortality in HFpEF and HFrEF whereas its influence on functional capacity was pronounced in HFrEF.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding source: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): Japan Heart Foundation Research Grant
Gray matter atrophy but not vascular brain injury is related to cognitive impairment in patients with heart failure
Authors: Leeuwis A , Amier R.P , Marcks N , Nijveldt R , Hooghiemstra A.M , Brunner-La Rocca H.P , De Roos A , De Bresser J , Bron E.E , Niessen W.J , Buijs M , Barkhof F , Van Rossum A.C , Van Der Flier W.M 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
Cognitive impairment in heart failure (HF) interferes with the capacity to self-care and is associated with adverse health outcomes. This underlines the importance of detecting the extent and nature of cognitive impairment in HF. We report on the presence and mutual association of neuroimaging markers and cognitive impairment in patients with HF.

Method
We included 147 patients with HF (69±10yrs; 32%F; MMSE 29±1) and 121 reference participants (66±8yrs; 46%F; MMSE 29±1) from the Dutch multicenter Heart-Brain study. Brain MRI scans were rated for (lacunar) infarcts and microbleeds. Total grey and white matter volume, hippocampal volume and white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume were calculated. We used a standardized neuropsychological test battery to measure cognition and calculated compound z-scores for each cognitive domain. Associations between neuroimaging markers and cognitive functioning were investigated using linear regression analyses, with separate models for each cognitive domain. We adjusted for participant group, age, sex and education. To investigate whether associations differed according to participant group, interaction terms were included in our analyses.

Result
Patients with HF had lower total grey matter volume and more vascular brain injury compared to the reference group, including WMH (median (interquartile range) 1.7 (40) versus 0.6 (1.8), p&lt;0.001), (sub-)cortical infarcts (13% versus 3%, p&lt;0.01) and lacunar infarcts (28% versus 10%, p&lt;0.001). Cognitive impairment was found in 18% of HF, most often in the domains of memory and attention/psychomotor speed. Overall, we found associations between smaller total grey matter volume and worse global cognition, more cortical and lacunar infarcts (standardized beta [stβ] = −0.14–0.56, p&lt;0.05). Stratification for participant group showed associations between worse global cognition and smaller total (stβ=0.43, p&lt;0.01) and hippocampal (stβ=0.22, p&lt;0.05) grey matter volumes in HF. We found no association between cognition and vascular brain injury.

Conclusion
Patients with HF exhibit cognitive deficits more pronounced in the domains of memory and attention/psychomotor speed. Grey matter atrophy, but not vascular brain injury seems to be related to cognitive impairment in HF.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Cardiovasculair Onderzoek Nederland (CVON)
18F-FDG PET/CT brain glucose metabolism as a marker of different types of depression comorbidity in chronic systolic heart failure patients
Authors: Lyra V , Parissis J , Kallergi M , Rizos E , Filippatos G , Kremastinos D , Chatziioannou S 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background/Introduction
Depression comorbidity is an important issue in heart failure (HF) disease. Results from the recent prospective randomized trial MOOD-HF did not provide a rationale for the indiscriminate use of antidepressants in depressed HF patients.

Purpose
The study investigated whole-brain and regional-brain glucose metabolism in HF patients with 18F-FDG PET/CT and its association with depression comorbidity.

Methods
Twenty-nine hospitalized patients with symptomatic systolic HF disease (LVEF&lt;40%), NYHA class II-IV and mean age of 55.5±12.0 years participated in the study. All patients had echocardiography, blood sampling, HF-adapted and psychometric questionnaires before discharge and a brain 18F-FDG PET/CT scan after discharge. Semi-automated PET/CT image analysis was performed on all patients and 30 matched controls. The metabolic index SUVmean was calculated for the whole-brain and three brain regions (prefrontal cortex, amygdala and hippocampus), implicated in depression pathogenesis. A standardized SUVmean was also estimated by dividing depression-related regional-brain SUVmean with the whole-brain SUVmean.

Results
HF patients had lower average whole-brain SUVmean (3.90±1.49 vs 5.10±1.35, p=0.001), average regional-brain SUVmean (4.57±2.31 vs 9.96±3.58, p&lt;0.001) and average standardized SUVmean (1.28±0.60 vs 2.07±1.32, p&lt;0.001) compared to controls.
Whole-brain SUVmean had a statistically significant correlation to patient age (r=−0.39, p=0.031), NYHA class (p=0.027), LVEF in the major group of 21 NYHA III-IV patients (p=0.018), diabetes comorbidity (p=0.001), creatinine levels (r=−0.49, p=0.005) and depression (r=−0.36, p=0.049). Regional-brain SUVmean was correlated to whole-brain SUVmean (r=0.53, p=0.002) and depression (r=0.46, p=0.011). The standardized SUVmean, in particular, was found to be a robust index that could differentiate HF patients with “epiphenomenal” (&gt;0.93) or “real” (≤0.93) depression.

Conclusion
HF patients with more severe disease showed whole-brain and regional-brain hypometabolism in 18F-FDG PET/CT scan, which is consistent with impaired cerebral perfusion.
Depressed HF patients (Beck Depression Inventory score &gt;13) exhibited different metabolic patterns that could be used to differentiate between “epiphenomenal” and “real” depression. Namely, presence of whole-brain hypometabolism suggested “epiphenomenal” depression. Absence of whole-brain hypometabolism suggested “real” depression. When the pattern of whole-brain hypometabolism included significant relative, depression-related regional hypometabolism (standardized SUVmean ≤0.93), “real” depression was the most likely diagnosis. The distinction is important, as different types of comorbid depression suggest different treatment approach.
Summarizing figure

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding source: None
Prevalence and prognosis in cancer therapy-related cardiovascular diseases from big data of electronic health record in Japan
Authors: Nohara S , Ishii K , Shibata T , Obara H , Miyamoto T , Kakuma T , Ueno T , Fukumoto Y 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
Recent advance in cancer therapy has improved the cancer prognosis, which also increased the number of elder cancer survivors. Yet the anticancer agents have some serious side effects on cardiovascular system. Although there have been previous studies regarding cancer-specific and/or therapeutic agents-specific cardiovascular side effects in the selected patients, real-world data of the epidemiology for the impact of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in cancer survivors is still limited due to the lack of comprehensive dataset. In this regard, the electronic health record (EHR), a big data, from the National Health Insurance in Japan provides a unique opportunity to obtain the suitable dataset.

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to clarify the prevalence of various CVD after the use of anticancer agents and the prognosis in cancer survivors using EHR in Japan.

Methods
This study was a retrospective cohort study using the database of Medical Data Vision (MDV) Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan). The database covered 129 hospitals of all of the Designated Cancer Hospitals in Japan. The total number of patients was 17.85 million, which covered 14% of the total Japanese population. We extracted 140,327 cancer patients who received anticancer agents between April 2008 to January 2017. We identified CVD as pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE), atrial fibrillation (AF), ischemic heart disease (IHD), ventricular arrhythmia, pericarditis patients after the use of anticancer agents, according to International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (ICD-10) codes. Hypertension (HT) patients were also identified according to ICD-10 codes, with the use of one or more anti-HT drugs after the HT diagnosis.

Results
The mean follow-up period was 1.53 years and mean age (standard deviation) was 69.2 (11.6) years old. The population over 75 years old were 36.2%, while males were 59.0%. There were prostate cancer (28.3%), lung cancer (13.8%), and colon cancer (13.2%) in males, and breast cancer (43.1%), colon cancer (12.6%), and lung cancer (8.6%) in females. Among them, 3,371 patients (2.4%) were diagnosed as PTE, 2,193 patients (1.6%) as AF, 4,085 patients (2.9%) as stable coronary artery disease, 681 patients (0.5%) as acute myocardial infarction (AMI), 749 patients (0.5%) as ventricular arrhythmia, 238 patients (0.2%) as pericarditis, 7,693 patients (5.5%) as HT. The cumulative survival rate was 65.6% in all cancer patients, 50.7% in PTE, 53.4% in AF, 61.7% in stable coronary disease, 52.7% in AMI and 45.9% in HT after the use of anticancer agents.

Conclusion
This study indicated that the prevalence of each CVD was less than 10% after the use of anticancer agents, but that patients with cancer therapy-related CVD had worse prognosis.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding source: None
Depression and one-year survival of patients with heart failure in China: analysis from the China-PEACE Prospective Heart Failure study
Authors: Gao M , Xing F , Hu D , Huang X , Hu S , Li J 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
Depression is prevalent among patients with heart failure (HF), but data exploring association of depression with risk of death in patients with HF is scarce in China. We investigated the relationship between depression and all-cause mortality of heart failure in China.

Methods
In China PEACE 5p-HF Study, we prospectively enrolled patients primarily hospitalized with HF from 52 diverse hospitals throughout China during 2016–2018. All the patients were followed up for 1 year. About 10% patients in the cohort from 41 hospitals was included for the measurement of depression state at convenience. Depression was measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 depression scale (PHQ-8) at baseline. Depression state was categorized into major depressive disorder (10–24 points), minor depression (5–10 points) and no depression (0–5 points). Cox proportional hazards regression analyses, controlling for established risk factors as age, gender, LVEF, NYHA, medication use and medical history, were used to evaluate how depression were related to end point of death from any cause.

Results
Total 584 patients were included in our analysis, with median age 69 (IQR 60–77) years, and 40.8% female. Among these patients, 36.0% had major depressive disorder (n=210), 33.9% had minor depression (n=198). There were 70 (12%) patients died within 1 year after discharge. Major depressive disorder was associated with higher all-cause mortality compared with no depression (hazard ratio=2.18, 95% confidence interval 1.36–3.50, p=0.001). While minor depression was not significantly associated with all-cause mortality.

Conclusions
Major depression is an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality in hospitalized patients with HF in China. It is necessary to screen for psychological health in hospitalized patients to targeting intervention.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): National Key Research and Development Program from the Ministry of Science and Technology of China
The relationship between diastolic blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with atrial fibrillation: the Fushimi AF registry
Authors: Ikeda S , Iguchi M , Ogawa H , Aono Y , Doi K , Hamatani Y , Fujino A , An Y , Ishii M , Masunaga N , Esato M , Wada H , Hasegawa K , Abe M , Akao M 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
Hypertension is one of the major risk factors of cardiovascular events in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, relationship between diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and cardiovascular events in AF patients remains unclear.

Methods
The Fushimi AF Registry is a community-based prospective survey of AF patients in Japan. Follow-up data were available in 4,466 patients, and 4,429 patients with available data of DBP were examined. We divided the patients into three groups; G1 (DBP&lt;70 mmHg, n=1,946), G2 (70≤DBP&lt;80, n=1,321) and G3 (80≤DBP, n=1,162), and compared the clinical background and outcomes between groups.

Results
The proportion of female was grater in G1 group, and the patients in G1 group were older and had higher prevalence of heart failure (HF), diabetes mellitus (DM), chronic kidney disease (CKD). Prescription of beta blockers was higher in G1 group, but that of renin-angiotensin system-inhibitors and calcium channel blocker was comparable. During the median follow-up of 1,589 days, in Kaplan-Meier analysis, the incidence rates of cardiovascular events (composite of cardiac death, ischemic stroke and systemic embolism, major bleeding and HF hospitalization during follow up) were higher in G1 group and G3 group than G2 group (Figure 1). When we divided the patients based on the systolic blood pressure (SBP) at baseline (≥130 mmHg or &lt;130 mmHg), the incidence of rates of cardiovascular events were comparable among groups. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis including female gender, age (≥75 years), higher SBP (≥130 mmHg), DM, pre-existing HF, CKD, low left ventricular ejection fraction (&lt;40%) and DBP (G1, G2, G3) revealed that DBP was an independent determinant of cardiovascular events (G1 group vs. G2 group; hazard ratio (HR): 1.40, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.19–1.64, G3 group vs. G2 group; HR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.01–1.49). When we examined the impact of DBP according to 10 mmHg increment, patients with very low DBP (&lt;60 mmHg) (HR: 1.50,95% CI:1.24–1.80) and very high DBP (≥90 mmHg) (HR: 1.51,95% CI:1.15–1.98) had higher incidence of cardiovascular events than patients with DBP of 70–79 mmHg (Figure 2). However, when we examined the impact of SBP according to 20 mmHg increment, SBP at baseline was not associated with the incidence of cardiovascular events (Figure 3).

Conclusion
In Japanese patients with AF, DBP exhibited J curve association with higher incidence of cardiovascular events.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding source: None
Adverse cardiovascular outcome predicted by left atrial strain in acute decompensated heart failure
Authors: Barki M , Losito M , Carrozzo M , Caracciolo M.M , Rovida M , Bandera F , Alfonzetti E , Guazzi M 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
A significant proportion of patients hospitalized for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) are readmitted to the hospital within 30 days, resulting in a major social and economic burden. Thus, risk stratification and identification of targets of therapy is of basic importance. Non-invasive imaging modality such as transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) represents a cornerstone tool to approach this clinical scenario for early recognition of high-risk patients.

Purpose
To define whether left atrial (LA) dynamics, evaluated by means of speckle tracking echocardiography (STE), may represent a predictor of cardiac events and early re-hospitalization in patients admitted to the emergency department (ED) for ADHF, in comparison with other non-invasive established prognostic index in heart failure (HF) such as NT-proBNP, B-lines at lung ultrasonography (LUS) and right ventricular (RV) to Pulmonary Circulation (PC) uncoupling evaluated through Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion (TAPSE)/Pulmonary Arterial Systolic Pressure (PASP) ratio.

Methods
Seventy patients (mean age 75.6±11 years, 57% males) presenting with ADHF were prospectively enrolled within 24–48 hours from admission. In the acute phase and at pre-discharge the following variables have been collected: NT-proBNP, B-lines, TAPSE/PASP ratio, Left Atrial Volume indexed (LAVi) and global-peak atrial longitudinal strain (G-PALS).

Results
During a median follow-up of nine months we observed 18 events consisting of 7 deaths, 8 re-hospitalizations for ADHF, 1 re-hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome, 1 stroke and 1 mitral valve replacement. Multivariate Cox-regression analysis identified LAVi and GPALS at discharge, along with NT-proBNP, B-lines and TAPSE/PASP ratio, as independent predictors of major adverse CV events (LAVi: p=0.04; GPALS: p=0.05; NT-proBNP: p&lt;0.001; B-lines: p=0.03; TAPSE/PASP: p&lt;0.001) (Table 1).

Conclusions
Short-term re-hospitalization in ADHF is crucial and the identification of a higher risk through sensitive and potentially new hemodynamic phenotypes is of relevance. Our findings, although preliminary, may suggest a primary role of LA dynamics in this context.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding source: None