bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of COVID 19 on heart failure hospitalization and management from an Asian perspective
Authors: Ruan X , Tan V.H , Huang W.L , Oh Y.Z , Teo Z.W , Ang T.B , Cao Y , Foong M.M , Huang Y.H , Yusoff N.A.B , Loh D.H.F , Lee S.S.G 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Introduction
COVID 19 is a global pandemic that has stretched healthcare resources. We explored the shift in patient demographics and clinical management of systolic heart failure (HF) patients during the COVID 19 outbreak.

Purpose
To examine the impact of COVID 19 on the hospitalization rates of decompensated systolic HF patients in a tertiary hospital in Asia and delineate differences in the clinical characteristics and management of these patients.

Methods
Data was extracted from the admission registry for systolic HF patients admitted to the tertiary hospital from January to June 2019 (pre-COVID) and the corresponding time period in 2020 during the COVID outbreak. We compared the demographics, clinical management and outcomes of these patients.

Results
There was a significant reduction in patients admitted for systolic HF during the COVID period, 174 (6.3%) compared to 240 (8.5%) pre-COVID (p=0.001). The baseline demographics were similar except for the age of patients admitted during the COVID 19 period, which were younger at 66.1±13.5 compared to 69.9±13.9 pre-COVID (p=0.007). The mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was lower during the COVID period (22.9±10.1% vs 24.9±10.1%; p=0.032). More patients during the COVID period were placed on mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (p=0.001) and SGLT2 inhibitors (p&lt;0.001). For those with recurrent admission for systolic HF, the number for HF admissions in the preceding one year was lower during COVID period compared to pre-COVID (0.2±0.5 vs 0.5±1.0 readmissions, p&lt;0.001). There was no COVID 19 infection among those admitted for systolic HF. The 30-day all-cause mortality and readmission rates were comparable between both groups. Cardiac related mortalities were higher during the COVID 19 period compared to the pre-COVID period (77.8% vs 100.0%, p=1.000). No difference was observed in the length of stay nor proportion of patients who required a higher level of care in high dependency or intensive care unit during the COVID outbreak. Those who were admitted during the COVID period were more likely first presentation of decompensated systolic HF, 119 (68.4%) compared to 135 (56.3%) pre-COVID (p=0.014).

Conclusion
Similar to the existing publications, there was a reduction in patients admitted for HF during the COVID period. However, for those who were admitted, these patients were younger and had lower LVEF. Most of them were first diagnosed with systolic HF during the hospitalizations. For those who had previous history of systolic HF, they had a lower number of HF admissions in the preceding one year compared to those who were admitted during the pre-COVID period. There was no difference in the 30-day mortality and utilization of high dependency or intensive care unit during the COVID outbreak.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
Chronic heart failure in intensive care unit: can we accurately predict the risk?
Authors: Maltes S , Maltes S , Rocha B.M.L , Cunha G.J.L , Lopes P , Moura A , Aguiar C.M.T , Coelho F , Torres J , Santos P , Monteiro F , Lamas T , Carmo E , Ferreira J , Mendes M 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Severity of disease scoring systems, namely the Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE), are widely used to predict mortality in Intensive Care Units (ICU). Yet, neither score includes chronic HF in their model. We aimed to evaluate whether these scores perform well in risk prediction of death of patients previously diagnosed with heart failure (HF).

Methodology
This is a single-center retrospective cohort of patients admitted to an ICU in 2019. Those whose admission lasted &lt;24 hours were excluded from analysis. The SAPS II and APACHE II scores were calculated using data from the first 24 hours of ICU admission, imputing the worst variable obtained within this timeframe. HF was defined according to the ESC recommendations. In order to assess the performance of the scores, Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) Curves were used to predict the risk of death in ICU in HF compared to the non-HF population.

Results
A total of 267 patients were hospitalized in ICU for a period over 24 hours in 2019 (mean age 67±16 years; 58.8% males; 21.7% with chronic HF; 33.7% admitted for sepsis). Compared to patients without HF, those with chronic HF were older (74±13 vs. 65±16 years; p&lt;0.001) and had higher risk scores (mean SAPS II: 43.2±21.7 vs. 56.5±20.7; p&lt;0.001; mean APACHE II: 19.8±10.0 vs. 25.1±10.0; p&lt;0.001). Moreover, these patients were at higher risk of meaningful events during hospitalization (e.g. acute kidney injury: 38.0 vs. 66.1%; p&lt;0.001; shock at any time: 52.4 vs. 67.8%; p=0.036). Furthermore, patients with HF had a trend towards higher mortality rates in ICU (17.3 vs. 28.8%; p=0.051) and a significantly higher death in overall hospitalization (30.8 vs. 45.8%; p=0.032). ROC curves performed well in predicting the risk of ICU death regardless of HF (SAPS II – AUC 0.78 vs. 0.81; p=0.36; APACHE II – AUC 0.75 vs. 0.78; p=0.37).

Conclusion
Approximately 1 in every 4 patients admitted to the ICU had chronic HF. Traditional risk scoring systems (SAPS II and APACHE II) performed well regardless of HF. While these results are reassuring as far as risk stratification accuracy is concerned, HF patients remained at a higher risk for worse outcomes. Therefore, prognostic tools with a therapeutic clinical applicability are urgently needed to improve the outcome of this population.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
Impact of gastrointestinal hemorrhage on hospital outcomes of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Shah K , Thyagaturu H , Mughal M , Gandhi H , Harmouch F , Modi V , Kothari J , Shirani J 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) may be at relatively high risk of gastrointestinal hemorrhage (GIH) due to acquired von Willebrand disease (aVWD) and anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation among others factors.

Purpose
We aimed to evaluate impact of GIH on in-hospital outcomes of patients with HCM.

Methods
The National Inpatient Sample reported 45,305 admissions for adults with HCM during a two-year period (2016–2017). Among them, 1,490 patients (3.3%) also had GIH. Baseline characteristics and in-hospital outcomes of the two groups were compared. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the independent impact of GIH on in-hospital outcomes of HCM patients.

Results
Out of 45,305 HCM patients, 1490 (3.2%) also had concomitant diagnosis of GIH. HCM patients with GIH were older (70±9 vs 66±23 years), were more often male (64% vs 61%), and had higher prevalence of prior myocardial infarction (12% vs 7%, p&lt;0.001) and cirrhosis (7.1% vs 2.6%, p&lt;0.001) while being less often obese (15% vs 22%, p=0.01) or having a history of congestive heart failure (30% vs 36%, p=0.03) [Table 1]. Hospital mortality was significantly higher among those with GIH (6.4% vs 3.5%, p&lt;0.001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified GIH as an independent predictor of higher in-hospital mortality [adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=1.60, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.02–2.63, p=0.001], hypovolemic shock (aOR=5.17, 95% CI=2.5–10.6, p&lt;0.001), mean length of stay (Δ +2.4 days, p&lt;0.001) and mean hospital cost (Δ +$21,162, p=0.004).

Conclusion
Adults with HCM and GIH are older, less often obese with higher prevalence of cirrhosis and prior myocardial infarction. Presence of GIH is an independent predictor of higher mortality, hypovolemic shock, length of stay and hospital cost in HCM adults admitted to hospital.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None. Table 1
Prevalence of left bundle branch block and CRT treatment in a large regional unselected ECG database
Authors: Lind S , Gatti P , Kristjansdottir I , Gadler F 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Introduction
Heart failure is a clinical syndrome in which signs and symptoms are due to functional and/or structural abnormalities of the heart which prevent the necessary supply of oxygenated blood or do so at the expense of high filling pressures. It has a prevalence of 1–2% in the western world and increasing prevalence with increasing age. While the prognosis for coronary heart disease has improved significantly, the same does not apply for heart failure, perhaps because some effective treatment methods have not been sufficiently implemented in health care. One effective but underutilized heart failure treatment is the cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT), that coordinates the contraction of the left and right ventricles via a pacemaker (PM). CRT treatment is an evidence based treatment recommended by among other the ESC guidelines for heart failure. Clinical studies have suggested decreases in mortality, hospitalization, morbidity and improvements in quality of life for heart failure patients receiving a CRT.

Purpose
To find a new clinical pathway to improve CRT implementation and to evaluate if it might be optimized through ECG-based surveillance and thus improving prognosis.

Methods
In a population of approximately 2.5 million people in our region we investigated the University Hospital's ECG database between 2000 and 2018. During which time 432 108 adult patients with 1 482 489 ECG's presented to the hospital. We searched and found 5 511 unique patients with the following ECG criteria: QRS ≥150 ms at any time, LBBB and Non pace. According to the Pacemaker Registry we excluded 771 patients that had previously received a PM/CRT. We also identified patients with diagnosis of heart failure by using the ICD-10 codes (I42.0 and I50).

Results
Our final cohort consists of 4 740 patients. The median age was 75 (19–112) years, 34.5% were female and 14.9% were subsequently implanted with a CRT (60% with CRT-D). The median time to CRT implantation from the first ECG with LBBB was 244 (IQR 994) days. Of the 4 740 patients 20.6% had a previous hospitalistion for heart failure with a median delay from the hospitalisation to CRT implantation of 5 (IQR 5.4) years.

Conclusions
Our observational data from a large real-life regional ECG database show there is a considerable number of heart failure patients that could benefit from CRT treatment. Using an existing ECG database could be useful in finding patients with indication for CRT implantation. This could possibly influence morbidity and mortality in a regional heart failure population by minimizing the delay of CRT treatment.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Karolinska University Hospital Research Fund
Estimating pVO2 and prognosis through cardiac exercise stress test in a heart failure population
Authors: De Almeida J.P.L , Milner J , Rosa J , Coutinho R , Ferreira M , Goncalves L 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Compared with the cardiac exercise stress test, more commonly used to assess the presence of ischemia, the cardiopulmonary exercise test has the advantage of providing expired gas analysis. According to current guidelines, cardiopulmonary exercise testing should be considered to stratify the risk of adverse events and to provide measures of survival improvement in heart failure populations. However, cardiac exercise stress test is more readily available and widespread than cardiopulmonary exercise testing. We aimed to compare prognostic information given by estimated pVO2 – which can be obtained from cardiac exercise stress test – and real measured pVO2 – which requires cardiopulmonary exercise test – in a heart failure population.

Methods
We conducted a retrospective analysis of 214 patients with HF underwent cardiac exercise stress test and accessed their 5 year survival. Non-urgent transplanted (UNOS Status 2) patients were censored alive on the date of the transplant. Duringthe cardiopulmonary exercise test, cardiac exercise stress test data simultaneously collected. Based on protocol stage achieved, estimated METs were used to calculate estimated pVO2 (pVO2 = estimated METs x 3.5). Estimated and real pVO2 were correlated using Pearson correlation and the age-adjusted prognostic power of each was determined using Cox proportional hazardsanalysis.

Results
164 patients were male (77%) and the mean age of the population was 56±10 years. 78 (36%) patients had an ischemic etiology. Within 5 years from testing, 46 patients died (21.5%) and 55 patients (26%) were transplanted. Naughton modified (n=165) was the most commonly used protocol, followed by Naughton (n=39) and Bruce (n=10). Estimated pVO2 and measured pVO2 correlated significantly (R=0.66, p&lt;0.01) (Figure 1). Both estimated (HR=0.91, 95% CI 0.86–0.95, p&lt;0.01) and measured pVO2 (HR=0.86, 95% CI 0.80–0.91, p&lt;0.01) strongly predicted prognosis in this population.

Conclusions
Estimated pVO2 correlated with measured pVO2 and strongly predicted prognosis in this heart failure population. Because it can be obtained from conventional cardiac exercise testing, it may become an alternative prognostic tool to cardiopulmonary testing.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1. Measured vs estimated pVO2
Global longitudinal strain predicts clinical disease progression in stable asymptomatic heart failure patients better than left ventricular ejection fraction
Authors: Marschall A , Del Castillo Carnevali H , Fernandez Pascual C , Lorente Rubio A , Morales Gallardo M.J , Dejuan Bitria C , Delgado Calva F.A , Duarte Torres J , Biscotti Rodil B , Rodriguez Torres D , Rueda Linares A , Gomez Sanchez I , Basabe Velasco E , Alvarez Anton S , Marti Sanchez D 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Previous studies have shown that left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) is a feasible and reliable predictor for outcomes in heart failure (HF) patients with greater accuracy than LV ejection fraction (LVEF). However, these studies rarely included stable or asymptomatic patients.

Purpose
To assess the predictive value of GLS, as compared to LVEF, in asymptomatic stable HF patients.

Methods
This is a retrospective study, including patients with HF with reduced and mid-range ejection fraction (HFrEF: LVEF&lt;40%; HFmrEF: LVEF 40–49%) in NYHA I with no history of decompensation within the previous 6 months. All patients underwent comprehensive baseline echocardiographic assessment. The primary endpoint was the composite of cardiovascular death, hospitalization and need for intensification of HF treatment within a 12 month follow-up period.

Results
Out of 837 patients with LVEF &lt;50% that underwent follow-up in our HF unit between January 2016 and December 2017, 153 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 74 (±10.2) years and 82% were male. The cumulative incidence of HF progression was 17.8%, with a median time to event of 193 days. Death and hospitalization due to HF accounted for three-quarters of the events. The mean LVEF was 40.9% (± 6.96),without significant differences between patients with and without clinical progression (39.5% vs 43%, p=0.093). We did not find significant differences between the two groups, concerning LV and atrial dimensions, as well as mitral inflow, PSAP and tricuspid annular systolic plane excursion (TAPSE). LV GLS was significantly lower (i.e. less negative) in patients that presented clinical progression, that in patients without disease progression (−7.7 vs −12.2, p&lt;0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve and univariate Cox regression analysis identified GLS as the most accurate predictor for clinical progression among all continuous variables (AUC: 0.809, cut-off: −8.5%, sensitivity: 74.1%, specificity: 89%, HR: 14.78 (95% CI: 6.2–35.1), p&lt;0.001). LVEF predicted HF progression less precisely (AUC: 0.654, cut-off: 42%, sensitivity: 70.4%, specificity: 54%, HR: 2.38 (95% CI: 1.1–5.2), p=0.03).

Conclusion
In asymptomatic stable HF patients (in NYHA I), LV GLS showed to be a more accurate predictor of clinical disease progression than LVEF.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None. Global longitudinal strain (GLS)Receiver operating characteristic (ROC)
Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors improve cardiovascular outcomes in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction regardless of ischemic etiology
Authors: Patoulias D , Boulmpou A , Tsavousoglou C , Toumpourleka M , Siskos F , Nikolaidis A , Papadopoulos C.E , Vassilikos V , Doumas M 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Coronary artery disease remains the main underlying cause of heart failure (HF), despite the progress in prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors have been shown to improve surrogate cardiovascular outcomes in patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), regardless of diabetes status.

Purpose
We sought to determine the effect of SGLT-2 inhibitors on the primary composite endpoint (cardiovascular death or hospitalization for HF) across the two hallmark trials in the HFrEF population (EMPEROR Reduced and DAPA-HF), according to ischemic or non-ischemic etiology of HF.

Methods
We pooled data from EMPEROR reduced and DAPA-HF trials in a total of 8,474 patients with HFrEF, performing a sub-analysis according to the presence of ischemic cardiomyopathy as the underlying cause of HFrEF.

Results
Treatment with SGLT-2 inhibitors resulted in a significant decrease in the risk for the primary composite outcome in patients with HFrEF of ischemic etiology, equal to 18% (RR=0.82, 95% CI: 0.73–0.92, I2=0%). In patients with HFrEF of non-ischemic etiology, SGLT-2 inhibitors produced a significant decrease in the risk for the primary composite outcome equal to 18% (RR=0.72, 95% CI: 0.63–0.82, I2=0%). Despite the greater effect in patients with non-ischemic HFrEF, no subgroup difference was detected (p=0.16). Generated results are summarized in Figure 1.

Conclusions
SGLT-2 inhibitors improve surrogate cardiovascular outcomes both in patients with ischemic and non-ischemic HFrEF.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1
Value of echocardiography using knowledge-based reconstruction in determining right ventricular volumes in pulmonary sarcoidosis: comparison with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Mathijssen H , Huitema M.P , Bakker A.L.M , Akdim F , Van Es H.W , Grutters J.C , Post M.C 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction in sarcoidosis is associated with adverse outcomes. Assessment of RV function by conventional transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is challenging due to the complex RV geometry. Knowledge-based reconstruction (KBR) combines TTE measurements with three-dimensional coordinates to determine RV volumes.

Purpose
The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy of TTE-KBR compared to the gold standard cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) in determining RV dimensions in pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Methods
Pulmonary sarcoidosis patients prospectively received same-day TTE and TTE-KBR. If performed, CMR within three months after TTE-KBR was used as reference standard. Outcome parameters included RV end-diastolic volume (RVEDV), end-systolic volume (RVESV), stroke volume (RVSV) and ejection fraction (RVEF).

Results
282 patients underwent same day TTE and TTE-KBR. In total, 122 patients received a CMR within 90 days of TTE and were included. TTE-KBR measured RVEDV and RVESV showed strong correlation with CMR measurements (R=0.73, R=0.76), while RVSV and RVEF correlated weakly (R=0.46, R=0.46). Bland-Altman analyses (mean bias ±95% limits of agreement), showed good agreement for RVEDV (ΔRVEDVKBR-CMR, 5.67±55.4mL), while RVESV, RVSV and RVEF showed poor agreement (ΔRVESVKBR-CMR, 21.6±34.1mL; ΔRVSVKBR-CMR, −16.1±42.9mL; ΔRVEFKBR-CMR, −12.9±16.4%). Image quality, time to CMR and learning curve showed no impact.

Conclusions
TTE-KBR is convenient and shows good agreement with CMR for RVEDV. However, there is poor agreement for RVESV, RVSV and RVEF. The use of TTE-KBR does not seem to provide additional value in the determination of RV dimensions in pulmonary sarcoidosis patients.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): ZonMW (The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development) Figure 1. Correlation plotsFigure 2. Bland-Altman plots
Non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants versus warfarin for treating left ventricular thrombus
Authors: Kam K.K.H , Chan J.S.K , Lee A.P.W 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Left ventricular thrombus (LVT) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Traditionally treated with anticoagulation by Warfarin, it is unclear if non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOAC) are comparably efficacious and safe. Such data is also scarce in Asian patients.

Purpose
To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of NOAC with warfarin for managing LVT.

Methods
Clinical and echocardiographic records of all adult patients with echocardiography-confirmed LVT during January 2011 to January 2020 were retrieved. Any discontinuation of anticoagulation at one year was recorded. Outcomes of patients on NOAC were compared to those on warfarin. The primary outcomes were cumulative mortality and net adverse clinical events (NACE; any of cerebrovascular accident, systemic thromboembolism, intracranial haemorrhage, fatal bleeding, and overt bleeding). Secondary outcomes were complete LVT resolution and percentage reduction in LVT size at three-month follow-up, and the components of NACE.

Results
In total, 43 patients were included; 28 were treated by warfarin and 15 by NOAC, with mean follow-up periods of 20±12 months and 22±9 months respectively (p=0.522). Significantly fewer NACE were observed in the NOAC cohort (p=0.046; Figure 1), with a trend for lower cumulative mortality (p=0.058; Figure 2). There were no significant differences in the secondary outcomes. Additionally, given resolution of LVT, discontinuation of anticoagulation by one year was not associated with significantly different outcomes.

Conclusion
NOAC may be an efficacious and safe alternative to warfarin for treating LVT. Further studies are required to confirm our findings and delineate the optimal duration of anticoagulation.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: Other. Main funding source(s): Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government Health and Medical Research Fund Figure 1Figure 2