bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prognostic implications of valvular heart disease in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation
Authors: Samaras A , Vrana E , Kartas A , Rampidis G , Doundoulakis I , Fotos G , Efthimiadis G , Karvounis H , Tzikas A , Giannakoulas G ,   MISOAC-AF
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Atrial fibrillation (AF) and valvular heart disease (VHD) are frequently encountered in clinical practice, and often coexist, especially in the elderly population. Both conditions are associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Recent guidelines suggest careful evaluation of patients with AF and VHD due to the puzzling nature of their coexistence.

Purpose
To evaluate the prognostic effect of significant valvular heart disease (sVHD) among patients with non-valvular AF.

Methods
This is a post-hoc analysis of the MISOAC-AF trial (NCT02941978). Consecutive inpatients with non-valvular AF who underwent echocardiography were included. sVHD was defined as the presence of at least moderate aortic stenosis (AS) or aortic/mitral/tricuspid regurgitation (AR/MR/TR). Cox regression analyses with covariate adjustments were used for outcome prediction.

Results
In total, 983 patients with non-valvular AF (median age 76 years) were analyzed over a median follow-up period of 32 months. sVHD was diagnosed in 575 (58.5%) AF patients. sVHD was associated with all-cause mortality (21.6%/yr vs. 1.6%/yr; adjusted HR [aHR] 1.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17–2.06; p=0.02), cardiovascular mortality (16%/yr vs. 4%/yr; aHR1.70, 95% CI 1.09–2.66; p=0.02) and heart failure-hospitalization (5.8%/yr vs. 1.8%/yr; aHR 2.53, 95% CI 1.35–4.63; p=0.02). The prognostic effect of sVHD was particularly evident in patients aged &lt;80 years and in those without history of heart failure (p for interaction &lt;0.05, in both subgroups) [Figure 1]. After multivariable adjustment, moderate/severe AS and TR were associated with mortality, while AS and MR with heart failure-hospitalization [Figure 2]. AS was the only independent predictor of valve intervention during follow-up (aHR 10.78, 95% CI 4.80–24.22; p&lt;0.001). Mixed aortic valve disease (AS+AR) had superior prognostic power across patterns of combined VHD.

Conclusions
Among patients with non-valvular AF, sVHD was highly prevalent, and beared high prognostic value across a wide spectrum of clinical outcomes. AS, MR, TR and mixed aortic valve disease were associated with worse prognosis.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None. Subgroup analyses by VHD statusPrognostic impact of valve lesions
Effect of pulmonary vein isolation on left atrial remodeling and muscle sympathetic nerve activity in patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Mukai Y , Murai H , Hirai T , Sugimoto H , Hamaoka T , Tokuhisa H , Takamura M 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) improves left ventricular function and induces left atrium reverse remodeling (LARR). CA is also associated with the modulation of ganglionated plexi in the left atrium (LA), including stretch-sensitive sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve mechanoreceptors. Increased filling pressure and enlargement of LA stimulate stretch-sensitive sympathetic nerve mechanoreceptors in heart failure, which contribute augmented sympathetic nerve activity. However, little is known about an effect of CA on the interaction between the changes of LARR and sympathetic nerve activity.

Purpose
To test the hypothesis that CA induce the reduction in sympathetic nerve activity in accordance with LARR in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Methods
This study was conducted as a retrospective, observational study. Twenty-eight AF patients (65.4±12.1 years old) were included in this study. We measured mean blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and direct recording of muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) using microneurography technique before and 12 weeks after CA. Echocardiogram was also performed to assess LARR and left ventricular function. To evaluate the interaction between LARR and MSNA, AF patients were divided into two groups by presence (LARR group; n=18) and absence (no LARR group; n=10) of LARR according to left atrium volume index (LAVi) following CA.

Results
No significant differences were observed at baseline in BP, MSNA and LAVi between two groups. BP did not change significantly after CA in both groups. HR significantly increased in the LARR group (63.1±5.7 vs 69.9±7.8, p&lt;0.01) compared to no LARR group. CA significantly reduced MSNA in the LARR group (37.8±10.1 vs 24.9±8.8 bursts/min, p&lt;0.01), but there was no significant change in the no LARR group. The septal E/e' ratio (11.3±3.8 vs 9.8±2.9, p&lt;0.05), left ventricular end-systolic volume index (LVESVi) (24.4±11.9 vs 19.6±7.8 ml/m2, p&lt;0.05) and Ln BNP (4.0±1.2 vs 3.3±1.0 log/pg/ml, p&lt;0.05) were also significantly improved in the LARR group. On the other hand, in the no LARR group, there were no significancy in the changes of the septal E/e' ratio, LVESVi and Ln BNP. LVEF was not significantly changed in both two groups.

Conclusion
Our study shows CA reduced MSNA accompanied by LARR in AF patients. The reduction in MSNA, septal E/e' ratio, LVESVi and Ln BNP were all more pronounced in the LARR group compared to the no LARR group. These findings suggest that LARR is associated with the reduction in MSNA in AF patients, which was attributed to CA-induced modulation of stretch-sensitive sympathetic nerve mechanoreceptors.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
Most remote monitoring alerts about atrial fibrillation are not relevant to identify clinically significant events: proposal of a new approach
Authors: Rosier A , Gentils M , Lazarus A , Moubarak G , Klaes S , Durand J , Danoun K 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices (CIEDs) are an important tool for detecting Atrial Fibrillation (AF) in implanted patients.
However AF burden values and notifications emitted by the manufacturer's platforms are not directly related to the standard classification of AF types (paroxysmal, persistent or permanent) that are used in daily practice. Moreover, AF alerts represent the most frequent notifications for implanted patients resulting in a time-consuming review for healthcare professionals.

Purpose
This study intends to compare the manufacturers' atrial burden related notifications in remotely monitored (RM) patients to the detection of clinically significant events with a new proprietary algorithm.

Methods
From 2017 to 2020, all RM patients from 57 centers with daily atrial burden measurements available for at least 30 days and at least one atrial burden related alert were enrolled.
All atrial burden related alerts emitted by the manufacturers' platforms were compared to the following clinically significant events (based on the standard classification) detected by a new proprietary algorithm: “1st recorded AT/AF episode”, “paroxysmal AF”, “increasing paroxysmal AF”, “persistent AF”, and “end of persistent AF”.

Results
This multicentric retrospective study analyzed, between 01/2017 and 10/2020, 2 463 RM patients with a Biotronik, Boston Scientific or Medtronic CIED (implantable defibrillator, pacemaker or implantable loop recorder), with a mean follow-up of 490 days [33–1386].
A total of 22 345 manufacturers' atrial burden related alerts were emitted while only 4 826 clinically significant events were detected by the algorithm: 1770 “1st recorded AT/AF episode”, 620 “Paroxysmal AF”, 252 “Increasing paroxysmal AF”, 1373 “Persistent AF”, and 811 “End of persistent AF”.
These clinically significant events represent only 22% of the total number of atrial burden related alerts emitted by the manufacturers' platforms.

Conclusion
A new AF alert algorithm could have the potential to identify clinically significant AF status change in remotely monitored implanted patients while reducing the total number of alerts generated and thus the review burden for healthcare professionals.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
Clinical application of the novel 4S-AF scheme for the characterisation of patients with atrial fibrillation: a report from the ESC-EHRA EORP Atrial Fibrillation General Long-Term (AFGen LT) registry
Authors: Ding W.Y , Proietti M , Boriani G , Marin F , Blomstrom-Lundqvist C , Fauchier L , Potpara T.S , Lip G.Y.H 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Current classification systems recommended by major international guidelines are based on a single domain of atrial fibrillation (AF): temporal pattern, symptom severity or underlying comorbidity. Lack of integration between these various elements limits our approach to patients with AF and acts as a barrier against the delivery of better holistic care. The 4S-AF classification scheme was recently introduced as a means for the characterisation of patients with AF. It comprises of 4 domains: stroke risk (St), symptoms (Sy), severity of AF burden (Sb) and substrate (Su). We sought to examine the implementation of the 4S-AF scheme in the EORP-AF General Long-Term Registry and effects of individual domains on outcomes in AF.

Methods
Patients with AF from 250 centres across 27 participating European countries were included. All patients were over 18 years old and had electrocardiographic confirmation of AF within 12 months prior to enrolment. Data on demographics and comorbidities were collected at baseline. Individual domains of the 4S-AF scheme were assessed using the CHA2DS2-VASc score (St), European Heart Rhythm Association classification (Sy), temporal classification of AF (Sb), and cardiovascular risk factors and the degree of left atrial enlargement (Su). Each of these domains were used during multivariable cox regression analysis.

Results
A total of 6321 patients were included in the present analysis, corresponding to 57.0% of the original cohort of 11096 patients. The median age of patients was 70 (interquartile range [IQR] 62–77) years with 2615 (41.4%) females. Among these patients, 528 (8.4%) had low stroke risk (St=0), 3002 (47.5%) no or mild symptoms (Sy=0), 2558 (40.5%) newly diagnosed or paroxysmal AF (Sb=0), and 322 (5.1%) no cardiovascular risk factors or left atrial enlargement (Su=0).
Median follow-up was 24 months. Using multivariable cox regression analysis, independent predictors of all-cause mortality were (St) (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 8.21 [95% CI, 2.60–25.9]), (Sb) (aHR 1.21 [95% CI, 1.08–1.35]) and (Su) (aHR 1.27 [95% CI, 1.14–1.41]). For cardiovascular mortality and any thromboembolic event, only (Su) (aHR 1.73 [95% CI, 1.45–2.06]) and (Sy) (aHR 1.29 [95% CI, 1.00–1.66]) were statistically important, respectively. None of the domains were independently linked to ischaemic stroke or major bleeding.

Conclusion
Overall, we demonstrated that the 4S-AF scheme may be used to provide clinical characterisation of patients with AF using routinely collected data, and each of the domains within the 4S-AF scheme were independently associated with adverse long-term outcomes of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality and/or any thromboembolic event.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
The significance of the level of triiodothyronium in the diagnosis of the syndrome of “low triiodothyronine” in heart failure
Authors: Pyvovar S , Rudik I.S , Medentseva O.O 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Heart failure (HF) is an important issue in cardiology. Some patients with HF have the low T3 syndrome (LT3S). There is no consensus regarding the criteria for determining LT3S.
The purpose is to study the features of LT3S determination in HF and its relationship with the disease course.

Materials and methods
A total of 157-patients with HF and postinfarction cardiosclerosis were examined. At the I stage, all patients were divided into 2 groups: I – 122 patients with normal level of free T3f, T4f and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH); II – 35 patients with LT3S (T3f≤2.5 pmol/l and normal levels of T4f and TSH). At the II stage, 129 patients without LT3S were included into group I and 28 patients with LT3S (T3f ≤2.07 pmol/l) – into group II. Serum levels of TSH, T3f, T4f, reverse T3 (T3r) were determined. Echocardiography was performed. HF course was studied during 2 years.

Results
The frequency of LT3S (T3f &lt;2.5 pmol/l) among patients with HF is 22.3%. The risk of rehospitalization of patients according to ROC-analysis increases at the intersection of the point T3f ≤2.07 pmol/l (P=0.0017). At T3f ≤2.07 pmol/l the frequency of LT3S is 17.8%. Patients with LT3S (T3f ≤2.07 pmol/l) are younger (2.5 years younger; P=0.039), have larger end-diastolic size (by 4.8%; P=0.010) and volume (by 10.2%; P=0.012), end-systolic size (by 8.8%; P=0.003) and volume (by 20.1%; P=0.006), lower left ventricle (LV) ejection fraction (by 9.5%; P=0.033), than the patients without LT3S. The relative risk of rehospitalization in patients with LT3S (T3f ≤2.07 pmol/l) is 2.224 (P&lt;0.05).

Conclusions
The frequency of LT3S (T3f &lt;2.5 pmol/l) among patients with HF is 22.3% at level of T3f ≤2.07 pmol/l – 17.8%. The risk of rehospitalization in patients with HF increases at intersection of the point T3f ≤2.07 pmol/l. Patients with LT3S (T3f ≤2.07 pmol/l) are younger, have larger LV dilatation and lower ejection fraction, higher frequency of coronary intervention and rehospitalization risk than the patients without LT3S.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
The Impact of HbA1c level on heart failure with recovered rjection fraction in patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Yang C.D , Wang X.Q 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Heart failure (HF) with improved or recovered ejection fraction (EF, HFrecEF) has been recognized as a new type of HF with different underlying clinical phenotype, pathophysiology and prognosis. However, few studies have analyzed the relationship between type 2 diabetes and HFrecEF, and the impact of glycemic level on myocardial function recovery.

Purpose
In the present study, we sought to investigate the relation between HbA1c level and HFrecEF in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods
A total of 796 HF patients with reduced left-ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF, &lt;40%) and type 2 diabetes were consecutively enrolled from August 2012 to July 2020. During follow-up for up to 24 months, patients were classified into HFrecEF for whom developed recovered LVEF (≥40% and absolute increase ≥5%) and HFrEF for whose LVEF was persistently reduced (&lt;40%). The relation between HbA1c and the recovery of LV function was analyzed.

Results
HF patients with type 2 diabetes had significantly lower rates of LVEF recovery when having higher versus lower HbA1c levels in the baseline (the lowest tertile: 62.4%, intermediate tertile: 50.4%, the highest tertile: 46.8%; P&lt;0.001). There were stepwise decreases in changes of LVEF (P&lt;0.001) and increases in changes of LV end-systolic diameter (LVESD; P=0.093) with increasing tertiles of LVEF during follow-up. In the subgroup analysis, the impact of HbA1c on LVEF recovery was more prominent in patients with ischemic heart disease (P&lt;0.001) than those with dilated cardiomyopathy (P=0.536). A significant interaction term was present between HbA1c and etiology of heart failure with regard to LVEF recovery (P=0.012). After multivariate adjustment of conventional confounding factors, high HbA1c level remained to be an independent risk factor lower incidence of HFrecEF in patients type 2 diabetes.

Conclusions
Our study suggests that optimal glycemic control is an independent predictor for incidence of HFrecEF in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): National Natural Science Foundation of China, Shanghai Municipal Commission of Health and Family Planning
Impact of Multimodality Imaging on the Diagnosis of Left Ventricular Apical Thrombus in Patients after Anterior MI
Authors: Atici A , Asoglu R , Ali Barman H , Faruk Baycan Ö 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
The presence of the left ventricle (LV) apical thrombus is one of the most critical complications of anterior myocardial infarction. Due to the high risk of systemic embolization, the determination of LV apical thrombus (LVAT) is essential.

Purpose
We aimed to compare the Two-Dimensional Echocardiography (2DE), contrast-2DE and Real-time Three-Dimensional Echocardiography (RT-3DE) in the diagnosis of LVAT and determine which imaging modality is superior.

Methods
The study was designed as a prospective cohort study, and 161 patients were included. Patients with low ejection fraction (&lt;40%) and LV apical wall motion abnormality (severe hypokinetic, akinetic or dyskinetic) were included. 2DE, contrast-2DE, RT-3DE, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) were performed to all patients within one month after anterior MI.

Results
Transthoracic 2DE detected thrombi in 29 patients, contrast 2DE detected thrombi in 33 patients, RT-3DE detected thrombi in 32 patients, and MRI detected thrombi in 28 patients. While MRI is accepted as the gold standard for non-invasive imaging, the specificity of detecting thrombus with 2DE is 90%, and the sensitivity is 57%, contrast-2DE had 82% sensitivity and 92% specificity for the detection of LVAT. The specificity for detecting thrombus with RT-3DE is 93%, and the sensitivity is 85%. Accuracy was 84%, 90% and 92% with 2DE, contrast 2DE and RT-3DE, respectively.

Conclusion
We found that RT-3DE was more sensitive and more specific than 2DE and contrast-2DE in the diagnosis of LVAT. The diagnostic accuracy of RT-3DE was higher than 2DE and contrast-2DE for LVAT.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
Clinical effects of the enhanced external counterpulsation therapy in patients with ischemic chronic heart failure exacerbation COVID-19
Authors: Shashenkov I , Gabrusenko S.A , Babak S.L , Maliavin A.G 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Objectives
The aim of the study was to assess the effects of the enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) therapy as a rehabilitation method in patients with ischemic chronic heart failure (CHF) after COVID-19.

Methods
54 (n=54) stable symptomatic CHF (NYHA, functional class I-II; 35%≤LVEF≤50%) subjects (44 male and 10 female; mean age 61±9,8) with prior anamnesis of CAD, at least one myocardial infarction got the exacerbation of CHF after COVID-19 episode. They were randomized in a 2:1 manner into either 35 1-hour 250–300 mm Hg sessions of EECP (n=36; 30 male, 6 female) or Sham-EECP (n=18; 14 male, 4 female). All subjects had been received optimal CHF and CAD drug therapy. At baseline, a month and half a year after EECP course every subject was examined with echocardiography and 6-minute walk test.

Results
All 36 active EECP treatment group subjects improved by at least 1 NYHA class, 66% of them had no heart failure symptoms post treatment (p&lt;0.01). 84% of treatment group pts. had sustained NYHA class improvement at half a year follow-up (p&lt;0.01), compared with baseline. There was significant difference between LVEF 44±6,5% at baseline vs post-EECP LVEF 50±4,6% (p&lt;0.01) in active EECP treatment group subjects. At the same time there were no significant changes of NYHA class and LVEF in Sham-EECP subjects. No one subject dies after half a year of follow up.

Conclusions
Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) therapy sustainably improves NYHA functional class and LVEF in patients with ischemic CHF exacerbation after COVID-19.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
Trends, risk factors and mortality of unplanned 30-day readmission after heart transplantation
Authors: Alvarez P , Malik A , Briasoulis A 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Introduction
Outcomes after heart transplantation have improved, but the burden of readmissions is understudied. We sought to examine the incidence, risk factors, and associated mortality of unplanned 30-day readmissions following heart transplantation.

Methods
This cohort study examined patient data from the United States population-based Nationwide Readmissions Database. All adults (age ≥18 years) who underwent isolated heart transplantation in US hospitals between January to November of 2012 to 2018 were included. The primary outcomes were 30-day readmission rates and readmission mortality.

Results
A total of 14,784 patients who underwent heart transplantation from 2012 to 2018 were included in our analysis. A total of 3299 (22.3%) patients were readmitted within 30 days after discharge. The median time from discharge to readmission was 9 days, and approximately 70% of the readmissions occurred within 15 days. After multivariable analysis, only CKD (Hazard ratio (HR): 1.11 95% CI 1.00–1.23) and length of stay (HR: 1.002; 95% CI 1.001–1.003; p&lt;0.001) were associated with increased 30-day post-heart transplantation readmission. Readmissions diagnoses were heart transplantation complications, heart transplant rejection, postoperative infection, acute kidney injury, heart failure, pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, and pericardial effusion. The overall incidence of infection as a cause of readmission was 24.9%, with an associated mortality of 2.6% and a Median LOS of 7 days (4–14). The overall incidence of rejection was 38.0%, with a mortality of 1.2% and a median LOS of 5 days (3–8).

Conclusion
Approximately 1 in 5 patients will be readmitted within 30 days after heart transplantation, and most of those readmissions will occur during the first two weeks after discharge. Readmissions were associated with a low mortality rate.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
Potential benefits of ticagrelor plus aspirin in Chinese patients with stable coronary artery disease and diabetes
Authors: Sun W , Yan B 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Purpose
Ticagrelor plus aspirin has been shown to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular (CV) events compared to asprin alone in patients with stable coronary artery disease and diabetes in the THEMIS trial. This study aimed to estimate the potential CV benefit of adding ticagrelor to aspirin among a THMEIS-like Chinese population.

Methods
We retrospectively analyzed 13,322 patients with stable coronary artery disease and diabetes from 16 public hospitals in Hong Kong between August 2015 and July 2020. 5,642 (42.4%) patients who met inclusion and exclusion criteria of the THEMIS trial were included in final analysis. Estimated absolute risk reduction (eARR) in major adverse CV event (MACE, composite of myocardial infarction (MI), ischemic stroke or CV death) and number needed to treat (eNNT) were extrapolated based on results of the THEMIS trial.

Results
Of 5,642 THEMIS-like patients (62.1% male; mean age 69.6±10.4 years), 26.5% had history of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). During a median follow-up of 17.5 (IQR: 9.3–41.3) months, rates of MACE, MI, stroke and CV-death were 10.7% (n=605), 5.3% (n=298), 2.5% (n=139) and 5.5% (n=308), respectively. Kaplan-Meier estimates at 36 months stratified by history of PCI or not were 16.9% vs. 14.0% for MACE and 9.0% vs 6.7% for MI (both Log-rank p&lt;0.01). Among THEMIS-like and THEMIS-PCI-like patients, eARR with ticagrelor plus aspirin was 1.4% (eNNT=71) and 1.6% (eNNT=63) for MACE and 1.5% (eNNT=67) and 1.9% (eNNT=53) for MI, respectively.

Conclusion
Approximately one third of Chinese patients with stable coronary artery disease and diabetes met THEMIS trial criteria. Combined therapy of ticagrelor and aspirin might provide similar clinical benefit in our population observed in the THEMIS trial, with low number needed to treat, especially in patients with previous PCI.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.