bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Outcomes of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators in patients with a left ventricular assist device: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Rahhal A , Alasad F , Aljundi A , Mohammad H , Aburamadan A , Chapra A , Mahfouz A , Alyafei S , Carr C , Alkhulaifi A , Omar A 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Introduction
Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators (ICDs) improve survival in advanced heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and prevent sudden cardiac death. However, the prognostic benefits of ICDs among patients with a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) remain uncertain and controversial. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness and safety of ICD implantation among LVAD recipients.

Methods
We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We searched PubMed and EMBASE for the peer-reviewed articles published in English assessing the impact of ICD implantation among LVAD recipients, till 10/01/2024. ICD implantation was defined as implantation before LVAD, simultaneous implantation with LVAD, or within 30 days of LVAD insertion. Two independent review authors assessed the quality and risk of bias of the included studies. A random-effect model was used to combine data in forest plots. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality associated with ICD implantation compared to no ICD implantation, and the secondary outcomes included ventricular arrhythmia (VT), and hemorrhagic stroke. Heterogeneity was assessed using Q test and I2, with I2 &gt; 50% indicating marked heterogeneity.

Results
A total of 13 observational studies comprising 54571 recipients of LVAD were included in the analysis of the primary outcome. All-cause mortality was similar among patients with ICD versus no ICD (Odds Ratio [OR]= 0.77; 95% CI, 0.57-1.04, I2= 89%, P=0.09), as shown in Figure 1. Likewise, ICD implantation was associated with similar rates of VT and hemorrhagic stroke (VT: OR= 1.81, 95% Cl, 0.82-4.01, I2= 90%, P=0.14; hemorrhagic stroke: OR= 1.01, 95% Cl, 0.81-1.25, I2= 0%, P= 0.95).

Conclusion
Among patients with HFrEF and LVAD as advanced heart failure therapy, ICD implantation didn’t provide additional prognostic survival benefit, suggesting possible use of LVAD without ICD implantation.Figure 1.Forest plot of mortality
Extending the window in clinical decision making: the role for Impella 5.5 in cardiogenic shock
Authors: Desai A , Sharma S , Luce C , Goswami R 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Acute decompensated heart failure (HF) refractory to medical management deteriorates quickly to cardiogenic shock, ultimately requiring mechanical circulatory support (MCS). These devices aim to provide circulatory support as a bridge to advanced therapies. We report patient outcomes with the latest minimally invasive temporary MCS device: Impella 5.5 with SmartAssist.

Methods
All patients who underwent Impella 5.5 implantation between January 2020 and December 2023 were analyzed. Duration of Impella support and peri-implant parameters were collected from electronic medical records. ANOVA was performed and utilized a p-value of &lt;0.05 as significant for statistical analysis.

Results
During our review period, a total of 99 patients were supported with Impella 5.5 in the setting of cardiogenic shock. 92 were bridged to heart transplant (BTT), of which 17 also received combined kidney transplantation. Two underwent durable VAD implantation (BTVAD), and 3 had native heart recovery (BTR) and explant. Two patients died, yielding a survival rate of 98%. For BTT group, the median age was 60 years (52-65) at implant and a median BMI of 27 kg/m² (24-31) with a mean support duration of 29 days (SD ±24). Baseline GFR was 49 mL/min/1.73m² (35-65). In the BTVAD group, the median BMI was 43 kg/m² (39-46) with an average duration of support of 22 days (SD ±8) with a GFR of 55 mL/min/1.73m² (38-73). The BTR group had a median BMI of 29 kg/m² (27-30) with an average duration of support of 15 days (SD ±7) and a lower baseline GFR of 36 mL/min/1.73m² (26 – 37) compared to BTT or BTVAD. The two patients that died were supported for an average of 42 days (SD ±9.2) and expired due to non-candidacy in the setting of newly detected prostate cancer in one patient and multi-organ failure in another. All BTVAD and BTT patients did not have a stroke or major vascular complications before terminal therapy.

Conclusion
Our center highlights the role of early Impella 5.5 placement in the stabilization of patients in cardiogenic shock, thereby providing both patients and providers time for decision-making while optimizing end-organ perfusion beyond the accepted duration of 14 days.Impella Data - Entire CohortImpella Data - Stratified by Outcome
Nationwide analysis of in-hospital mortality and renal infarction trends following cardiac output assist device placement from 2017 to 2020
Authors: Perry J , Akinti O A , Mcnamara A , Sinclair S , Adarsh Balaji A B , Kibwey Peterkin K P , Khan A 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Cardiac output assist devices (COAD) have become a crucial therapeutic option for advanced heart failure patients. However, the clinical outcomes and complications associated with cardiac output device placement, especially in relation to renal health, remain a subject of concern.

Purpose
We aimed to examine temporal trends of in-hospital mortality and renal infarct (RI) among heart failure in patients who underwent placement of cardiac output assist devices, including intra-aortic balloon pumps and impeller-based devices, between 2017 and 2020.

Methods
The National Inpatient Sample was queried from 2017 to 2020 to identify all adults who underwent COAD using the International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision codes. The Cochran-Armitage test was used to assess the linear trend of in-hospital RI among patients with COAD. Multivariate and univariate regression analysis was conducted to assess the yearly association of COAD with in-hospital mortality and RI with COAD. The Elixhauser comorbidity index was used to adjust for confounders. Linear logistic results are represented as adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with their respective 95% Confidence Intervals (CI).

Results
Of the 176,225 patients who underwent COAD, 385 (0.2%) experienced RI, predominantly male (72%) with a mean age of 58. Trend analysis showed an upward trend in RI (trend: 0.21%, p &lt; 0.001) associated with COAD from 2017 to 2020. In 2018, 0.19% of patients had RI (OR = 3, 95% CI 2.1-6.1, p &lt; 0.001), 0.23% in 2019 (OR = 4.6, 95% CI 2.5-7, p &lt; 0.001), and 0.29% in 2020 (OR = 3.6, 95% CI 2.3-5.9, p &lt; 0.001), compared to 0.17% in 2017 (OR = 2.3, 95% CI 1.1-4.7) demonstrated in Figure 1. Mortality among RI and COAD patients was 40% in 2017 (OR 3, 95% CI 1.2-8.9, p = 0.04), decreased to 24% in 2018 (OR 1.2, p = 0.69), but increased to 43% in 2019 (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.2-7.9, p = 0.01) and remained high at 42% in 2020 (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.3-6.9, p = 0.019) as illustrated in Table 1. Overall, in-hospital mortality was 38% (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.5-4, p &lt; 0.001).

Conclusions
Our study identified a rising trend in in-hospital RI rates among patients with cardiac output assist devices from 2017 to 2020, accompanied by a significant risk of in-hospital mortality. Despite these complications occurring in a small percentage of individuals, they highlight the critical need for vigilant monitoring and proactive management in this patient population.Figure 1
Reversibility of precapillary pulmonary hypertension and outcomes after heart transplantation bridged with left ventricular assist devices: insight from the UNOS
Authors: Alnsasra H , Kanneganti Perue R , Khalil F , Regev O , Kushwaha S , Briasoulis A , Asleh R 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
In light of the updated lowered threshold for diagnosing pulmonary hypertension (PH), the reversibility of precapillary PH with left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and the associated post heart transplantation (HT) outcomes remain unclear.

Purpose and methods
Using data from the United Network for Organ Sharing database, we aimed to investigate predictors of persistent precapillary PH in HT recipients bridged with LVAD, and examine the interrelated post-HT survival, using the updated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) cutoff of &gt;2 WU for precapillary PH.

Results
Among 2169 HT recipients bridged with LVAD, 1299 had PVR&gt;2 at baseline; 551 (42.4%) of whom normalized their PVR≤2 and 748 (57.6%) remained with elevated PVR&gt;2 after LVAD implantation. Female sex (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.22, 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.61-3.07, p&lt;0.001) and inotropes-treatment at-listing (aOR 1.31, 95% CI: 1.03-1.66, p=0.028) were associated with persistently elevated PVR post LVAD. Conversely, longer duration of LVAD support (aOR 0.74, 95% CI: 0.65-.84, p&lt;0.001) and use of HeartMate 2 (aOR 0.74, CI: 0.59-0. 93, p=0.011) were protective against persistently elevated PVR post-LVAD. Persistently elevated PVR &gt;2 post-LVAD was associated with increased risk of death compared to those who normalized their PVR (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.26, 95% CI: 1.01-1.57, p=0.037). However, normalized PVR post-LVAD group had comparable survival to those with PVR≤2 at baseline (aHR 0.76, 95% CI: 0.57-1.02, p=0.07).

Conclusions
Many HT recipients bridged with LVAD remain with PVR&gt;2 post-LVAD implantation, which is associated with increased risk of death post-HT compared to patients with normalized PVR post-LVAD.
Afterload mismatch is associated with gender mismatch and negatively affect long-term outcome after heart transplant
Authors: Coriano' M , Pradegan N , Golfetto A , Tarzia V , Angelini A , Gambino A , Tessari C , Fedrigo M , Toscano G , Iliceto S , Gerosa G , Tona F 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Cardiac physiology changes after heart transplant (HT), resulting in a restrictive physiology with an increase in both arterial elastance (Ea) and ventricular elastance (Ees). This leads to a higher susceptibility to develop afterload mismatch, although the early identification of this phenomenon has not yet been explored. The aim of this study is to identify the presence of afterload mismatch after HT, its determinants, and its impact on cardiac mortality.

Methods
We conducted an observational, single-centre study based on the historical cohort of patients who underwent HT from 1985 to 2015 at our institution. We included patients who had survived the first year after HT with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥ 50%, International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) cardiac allograft vasculopathy of grade 0-1, and ISHLT acute cellular rejection of grade 0-1R at 1 year after HT. Ea and Ees were calculated using a non-invasive method based on blood pressure and end-systolic volume and end-diastolic volume measured at transthoracic echocardiography. Patients were grouped in 3 categories according to the presence of increased afterload and afterload mismatch as follows: low afterload (LA - Ea lower the median), matched high afterload (MHA - Ea higher of equal than the median, Ees higher or equal than the median), afterload mismatch (AM - Ea higher or equal than the median, Ees lower than the median). The impact of AM on long-term outcome, defined as cardiac mortality, was investigated, as well as predictors of AM.

Results
The study cohort consisted of 345 HT patients. The median of Ea and Ees were 4.0mmHg/mL and 6.75mmHg/mL, respectively. 49 patients (13%) developed AM, while LA and MHA groups accounted for 49% and 36% of the cohort, respectively. Patients with AM were mostly male (91%), with ischemic heart disease (45%) and a higher percentage of left ventricular assisted device prior to HT (8%). LVEF was lower in AM (57% vs 63% and 64% for LA and MHA respectively, p &lt; 0.0001), while stroke volume was lower than LA and similar to MHA (27ml vs 35mL and 26mL for LA and MHA respectively, p = 0.0001). Predictors of AM were male recipient from male donor (Mr/Md) (β 015, p = 0.0067) and Mr from female donor (Mr/Fd) (β 0.6, p = 0.0078). After a median of 11.3-year follow-up, 59 (17%) HT recipients died. Cardiac mortality was higher in AM than in the other groups (AM median survival 17.2y vs 27.8y and 24.1y for LA and MHA respectively, log-rank p = 0.005). After adjusting for confounding variables, AM was a predictor of cardiac mortality (HR: 2.26; 95%CI 1.18 – 4.35), such as Mr/Fd (HR 2.94; 95%CI 1.18 – 4.35, p = 0.0358).

Conclusion
AM, in the context of a normal LVEF, is associated with male donor and sex mismatch, and negatively affects long-term outcome after HT.KM curvesCox proportional hazard model
Novel clinical method: left ventricular diastolic pressure curve by echocardiography
Authors: Fernandes J F , Smiseth O A , Ohte N , Wakami K , Donal E , Remme E , Lamata P 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
A non-invasive clinical method for construction of the systolic part of the left ventricular (LV) pressure curve was recently introduced. There is, however, no clinical method available to construct the LV diastolic pressure curve.

Purpose
The aim of this study was construction of patient-specific LV diastolic pressure curves from echocardiographic data and have initial validation against simultaneously acquired pressure curves by high-fidelity LV pressure catheters (micromanometers).

Methods
The study included 108 patients referred for diagnostic left heart catheterization due to suspected coronary artery disease. 81 patients were used as a training cohort. The construction of a diastolic pressure curve is based on a reference unitless pressure trace and seven key pressure-time diastolic events estimated in each patient. The reference diastolic pressure trace was generated from a group of 8 patients with LV pressures recorded by micromanometer. Each individual pressure trace from the reference cohort was first annotated with the occurrence of the key diastolic events: mitral valve (MV) opening, minimum LV pressure, peak of early-diastolic mitral flow velocity (E) and start and peak of atrial contraction-induced velocity (A), and MV closure. Then the temporal intervals between these events were normalized before calculating an averaged pressure curve (Figure 1, panels A-C).
A patient-specific LV diastolic pressure curve was constructed by adjusting the standard curve according to estimated LV pressure at the key diastolic events (shown in Figure 1D). The estimation of the pressure-time instants is based on the LV volume temporal transient, used to estimate filling flow rate (Q=dV/dt) and flow acceleration and deceleration (dQ/dt=d2V/dt2), as well as a set of biomarkers including left atrial reservoir strain, peak systolic LV pressure, and body mass index. LV volume temporal traces were generated by combining global 2D volumes with global longitudinal strain.
The ability to generate patient-specific diastolic LV pressure curves was validated in a second cohort of 7 patients studied with micromanometer-tipped catheters. Echocardiography and LV pressure were recorded from the same series of beats and recordings were done during breath-hold at end-expiration. The agreement was accessed qualitatively and considering the mean diastolic LV pressure.

Results
There was good agreement between measured and estimated LV diastolic pressure curves, qualitatively and quantitatively, via mean diastolic PLV: Bias 0.2 mmHg, limits of agreement &lt;3.2 mmHg (Figure 1D-F).

Conclusions
The results suggest that the LV diastolic pressure curve can be estimated by echocardiography. The method needs validation in larger populations.Non-invasive diastolic LV pressure curve
The impact of a dedicated heart failure clinic on patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
Authors: Almaghraby A , Alsaid M S I , Younes R , Farag M , Ahmed S 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Introduction
Heart failure (HF) is not a diagnosis but rather a syndrome with a variety of potential causes and once a patient has been diagnosed as having HF, the underlying etiology should be sought and treated.
Thus, patients with HF should be engaged in a disease management program that includes a dedicated wider healthcare team which is critical for delivering the best care for patients. A dedicated HF clinic is one of the cornerstones of this ultimate management program. This clinic is specifically made to make sure of the proper management and follow-up of those patients.
There is a scarce evidence of weather a dedicated HF clinic can alter the long-term outcomes of HF patients or not. Thus, the aim of this study is to search for the impact of a dedicated HF clinic on patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) regarding the symptoms, management received according to latest guidelines, the patients’ quality of life and impact on health care resources.

Patients and Methods
This is a single center retrospective study that included patients presented to a dedicated heart failure clinic at a secondary care hospital through a one-year period.
The study group included patients with diagnosis of HFrEF only who had one or more visit to the HF clinic.
These patients served as their own control. Hospital admissions and emergency room visits in the 12-month period preceding enrollment was compared to the number in the following year after enrollment.
Patients with incomplete data and those with ejection fraction &gt;40% were excluded.

Results
The study included 48 patients with a mean age of 65 years, 70.8% of them were males. Most of the patients were hypertensive (77.1%), diabetic (75%) and with history of coronary artery disease (60.4%).
Symptoms improved significantly in all patients, left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction improved (31±8.1% vs 40.7±10.5%) (P&lt;0.0001).
NT-ProBNP level improved significantly (5927 ng/L vs 3135 ng/L) (P = 0.03).
The guideline directed medical therapy was used properly before and after the clinic.
There was a significant improvement in the quality of life where the KCCQ-12 score improved from 71.25±13.2 to 83.3±13.3 (P&lt;0.0001), six-minute walk test also improved significantly from 362±184 meters to 479±211 meters (P = 0.005).
Regarding the economic impact, there was no significant difference in the number of unplanned visits (20.8% vs 10.4%) (P = 0.16) but there was a significant reduction in the number of HF hospitalizations within one year (20.8% vs 6.25%) (P = 0.038)

Conclusion
Dedicated HF clinics are very important now for the proper management of HF patients where it is proved that it can improve HF symptoms, improve the quality of life measurements, maintain the proper guideline directed therapy and reduce the economic burden of HF through reducing the number of HF hospitalizations.Clinical dataOutcomes
The impact of heart failure caregiver burden and patient heart failure severity: analysis of the needs assessment tool: advanced heart failure (NAT: PD-HF)
Authors: Sato T , Nagai T , Tatsuta D , Koya J , Nishino K , Naito S , Mizuguchi Y , Temma T , Kamiya K , Narita H , Tsuruga K , Anzai T 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Not only patients with heart failure (HF), but also their caregivers have reported experiencing distress, depression, anxiety, social isolation, and health problems related to caring for a patient. Needs assessment tools have been used in clinical practice to identify patients' problems and needs from an early stage, however, their relationship with caregiver burden and the severity of the HF patients they care for has not been well investigated.

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between distress and HF severity in patients and their caregivers using the Needs Assessment Tool: Progressive Disease-Heart Failure (NAT: PD- HF).

Methods
We enrolled consecutive 106 chronic HF patients who were admitted to a university hospital and assessed needs by the NAT: PD-HF between February 2023 and July 2023. We also enrolled 95 of their caregivers. The NAT: PD-HF is administered by the health care provider in the form of an interview with the patient and their caregiver. The questionnaire consists of an assessment of the patient's well-being and an assessment of the caregiver's ability to care for the patient. The healthcare provider completes the tool by indicating the level of distress (none, mild, significant) for each section. The severity of the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification is examined in each patient.

Results
The median age was 72 years (interquartile range 59-81), and 41% were in NYHA class III or IV. The most common relationship between patients and their primary caregivers was partners (53%), followed by children (26%), parents (8%), and siblings (5%). There were 100 patients (94%) with more than mild distress, 57 with NYHA I or II and 43 with NYHA III or IV (P = 0.037). There were also 84 (88%) caregivers with more than mild distress, 47 with NYHA I or II, and 37 with NYHA III or IV of the patients they cared for (P = 0.026). Twenty-four patients (22.6%) were in severe distress, of which 10 were NYHA I or II and 14 were NYHA III or IV (P = 0.044). Among caregivers, 18 (18.9%) were in severe distress, of whom 6 with NYHA I or II and 12 with NYHA III or IV for whom they are caring (P = 0.010).

Conclusions
Regardless of the severity of HF, caregivers were found to experience distress as similar rate as that in the HF patients they cared for. The proportion of patients and caregivers experiencing distress was found to increase with the severity of HF. It is important to introduce palliative care for HF from the early stage of the disease and to support not only the patient but also the caregivers by using screening tools to identify distress.