Showing papers by "Josef Stehlik published in 2021"

Heart failure after myocardial infarction: incidence and predictors.

Abstract: Aims The aim of the present paper was to provide an up-to-date view on epidemiology and risk factors of heart failure (HF) development after myocardial infarction. Methods and results Based on literature review, several clinical risk factors and biochemical, genetic, and imaging biomarkers were identified to predict the risk of HF development after myocardial infarction. Conclusions Heart failure is still a frequent complication of myocardial infarction. Timely identification of subjects at risk for HF development using a multimodality approach, and early initiation of guideline-directed HF therapy in these patients, can decrease the HF burden.

The International Thoracic Organ Transplant Registry of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation: Thirty-eighth adult lung transplantation report - 2021; Focus on recipient characteristics.

Abstract: For over 30 years, the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) International Thoracic Organ Transplant (TTX) Registry has gathered data regarding transplant procedures, donor and recipient characteristics, and outcomes from a global community of transplant centers. Almost 70,000 adult lung transplant procedures have been reported to the Registry since its inception, each one providing an opportunity for a recipient with end-stage lung disease to regain quality of life and longevity. With each year's report, we provide more detailed analyses on a particular focus theme important to recipient outcomes. Since 2013, these have been donor and recipient age; retransplantation; early graft failure; indication for transplant; allograft ischemic time; multiorgan transplantation; and donor and recipient size matching.1-7 In response to a changing regulatory environment, the ISHLT TTX Registry is undergoing an update in data acquisition, and the patient cohort examined in this report is therefore derived from the same data source or datasets as that examined in the 2019 annual reports.2,8-10 We refer the reader to the 2019 and prior reports for a detailed description of the baseline characteristics of the cohort, and additional core analyses not directly related to the focus explored in this year's report. To complement the 2020 report which focussed on donor characteristics, the goal of this year's report was to focus entirely on changes in recipient factors over the past 3 decades and to identify important recipient characteristics and transplant processes that may influence post-transplant outcomes. Due to small numbers, heart-lung transplant recipient characteristics and transplant outcomes have not been included. This 38th annual adult lung transplant report is hence based on data submitted to the ISHLT TTX Registry on 67,493 adult recipients of deceased recipient transplants between January 1, 1992 and June 30, 2018.

Framework to Classify Reverse Cardiac Remodeling With Mechanical Circulatory Support: The Utah-Inova Stages.

Abstract: Background: Variable definitions and an incomplete understanding of the gradient of reverse cardiac remodeling following continuous flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation has limit...

Quality of Life in Patients With Heart Failure With Recovered Ejection Fraction.

Abstract: Importance Heart failure with recovered ejection fraction (HFrecEF) is a recently recognized phenotype of patients with a history of reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) that has subsequently normalized. It is unknown whether such LVEF improvement is associated with improvements in health status. Objective To examine changes in health-related quality of life in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) whose LVEF normalized, compared with those whose LVEF remains reduced and those with HF with preserved EF (HFpEF). Design, setting, and participants This prospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital from November 2016 to December 2018. Consecutive patients seen in a heart failure clinic who completed patient-reported outcome assessments were included. Clinical data were abstracted from the electronic health record. Data analysis was completed from February to December 2020. Main outcomes and measures Changes in Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire overall summary score, Visual Analog Scale score, and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System domain scores on physical function, fatigue, depression, and satisfaction with social roles over 1-year follow-up. Results The study group included 319 patients (mean [SD] age, 60.4 [15.5] years; 120 women [37.6%]). At baseline, 212 patients (66.5%) had HFrEF and 107 (33.5%) had HFpEF. At a median follow-up of 366 (interquartile range, 310-421) days, LVEF had increased to 50% or more in 35 patients with HFrEF (16.5%). Recovery of systolic function was associated with heart failure-associated quality-of-life improvement, such that for each 10% increase in LVEF, the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire score improved by an mean (SD) of 4.8 (1.6) points (P = .003). Recovery of LVEF was also associated with improvement of physical function, satisfaction with social roles, and a reduction in fatigue. Conclusions and relevance Among patients with HFrEF in this study, normalization of left ventricular systolic function was associated with a significant improvement in health-related quality of life.

Sacubitril-valsartan improves conduit vessel function and functional capacity and reduces inflammation in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

Abstract: We observed an approximately twofold improvement in conduit vessel function (brachial artery FMD), increased functional capacity (6MWT distance), and a reduction in inflammation (TNF-α and IL-18) f...

New Onset Diabetes Mellitus After Adult Heart Transplantation and the Risk of Renal Dysfunction or Mortality.

Abstract: Background Diabetes mellitus (DM) may occur either pre-heart transplant (HT) or as new onset DM post-HT We sought to define the contemporary incidence of post-HT DM, evaluate risk factors for post-HT DM, and assess the impact of post-HT DM on major outcomes Methods The cohort included International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) Thoracic Organ Transplant Registry adult primary HT-alone recipients, transplanted January 1995-June 2017, who survived to 1 year post-HT DM status was characterized as (1) No DM pre- or post-HT; (2) Pre-HT DM; or (3) Post-HT DM (onset within 5 years of HT) Cox proportional hazards models were constructed to identify risk factors for post-HT DM onset, as well as risk factors for post-HT severe renal dysfunction and death/retransplantation Results Of 26 263 eligible subjects, 57% had no DM pre- or post-HT, 22% had pre-HT DM; 21% had new onset post-HT DM Risk factors for the development of post-HT DM included use of tacrolimus or steroids at 1-year post-HT, as well as with higher recipient age, female sex, ischemic cardiomyopathy, higher body mass index (BMI), pre-HT dialysis, and pre-HT steroid use Post-HT DM within 5 years was associated with increased subsequent severe renal dysfunction (hazard ratio, HR, 189; 95% CI 177, 201) and death/retransplantation (HR 138; 95% CI 132, 145), compared to patients without post-HT DM Conclusions Post-HT DM is common, occurring in 21% of recipients within 5 years of HT Post-HT DM is associated with increased risk of severe renal dysfunction and death or retransplantation

A challenge to equity in transplantation: Increased center-level variation in short-term mechanical circulatory support use in the context of the updated U.S. heart transplant allocation policy.

Abstract: BACKGROUND The United States National Organ Procurement Transplant Network (OPTN) implemented changes to the adult heart allocation system to reduce waitlist mortality by improving access for those at greater risk of pre-transplant death, including patients on short-term mechanical circulatory support (sMCS). While sMCS increased, it is unknown whether the increase occurred equitably across centers. METHODS The OPTN database was used to assess changes in use of sMCS at time of transplant in the 12 months before (pre-change) and after (post-change) implementation of the allocation system in October 2018 among 5,477 heart transplant recipients. An interrupted time series analysis comparing use of bridging therapies pre- and post-change was performed. Variability in the proportion of sMCS use at the center level pre- and post-change was determined. RESULTS In the month pre-change, 9.7% of patients were transplanted with sMCS. There was an immediate increase in sMCS transplant the following month to 32.4% - an absolute and relative increase of 22.7% and 312% (p < 0.001). While sMCS use was stable pre-change (monthly change 0.0%, 95% CI [-0.1%,0.1%]), there was a continuous 1.2%/month increase post-change ([0.6%,1.8%], p < 0.001). Center-level variation in sMCS use increased substantially after implementation, from a median (interquartile range) of 3.85% (10%) pre-change to 35.7% (30.6%) post-change (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Use of sMCS at time of transplant increased immediately and continued to expand following heart allocation policy changes. Center-level variation in use of sMCS at the time of transplant increased compared to pre-change, which may have negatively impacted equitable access to heart transplantation.

Many heart transplant biopsies currently diagnosed as no rejection have mild molecular antibody-mediated rejection-related changes.

Abstract: Background The Molecular Microscope (MMDx) system classifies heart transplant endomyocardial biopsies as No-rejection (NR), Early-injury, T cell-mediated (TCMR), antibody-mediated (ABMR), mixed, and possible rejection (possible TCMR, possible ABMR). Rejection-like gene expression patterns in NR biopsies have not been described. We extended the MMDx methodology, using a larger data set, to define a new “Minor” category characterized by low-level inflammation in non-rejecting biopsies. Methods Using MMDx criteria from a previous study, molecular rejection was assessed in 1,320 biopsies (645 patients) using microarray expression of rejection-associated transcripts (RATs). Of these biopsies, 819 were NR. A new archetypal analysis model in the 1,320 data set split the NRs into NR-Normal (N = 462) and NR-Minor (N = 359). Results Compared to NR-Normal, NR-Minor were more often histologic TCMR1R, with a higher prevalence of donor-specific antibody (DSA). DSA positivity increased in a gradient: NR-Normal 24%; NR-Minor 34%; possible ABMR 42%; ABMR 66%. The top 20 transcripts distinguishing NR-Minor from NR-Normal were all ABMR-related and/or IFNG-inducible, and also exhibited a gradient of increasing expression from NR-Normal through ABMR. In random forest analysis, TCMR and Early-injury were associated with reduced LVEF and increased graft loss , but NR-Minor and ABMR scores were not. Surprisingly, hearts with MMDx ABMR showed comparatively little graft loss. Conclusions Many heart transplants currently diagnosed as NR by histologic or molecular assessment have minor increases in ABMR-related and IFNG-inducible transcripts, associated with DSA positivity and mild histologic inflammation. These results suggest that low-level ABMR-related molecular stress may be operating in many more hearts than previously estimated. (ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT02670408).

Sympathoinhibitory effect of sacubitril-valsartan in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: A pilot study.

Abstract: Chronic sympathetic nervous system (SNS) overactivity, characteristic of heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), is associated with poor prognosis and contributes to increased mortality risk. Sacubitril-valsartan is a recently approved, first-in-class, angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) drug that markedly reduces the risks of death from cardiovascular causes and hospitalization for HF in patients with HFrEF, but the physiological mechanisms underlying these benefits are not fully understood. This single-arm, open-label, prospective study sought to test the hypothesis that short-term treatment with sacubitril-valsartan reduces SNS activity, measured directly via muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), in patients with HFrEF. MSNA, heart rate (HR), and arterial blood pressure (BP) were assessed in stable Class II and III patients with HFrEF (n = 9, 69 ± 8 yrs.; 28.6 ± 3.6 kg/m2) on contemporary, guideline-directed medical treatment who were subsequently started on sacubitril-valsartan. These measurements were repeated after two months of treatment with sacubitril-valsartan. Sacubitril-valsartan reduced MSNA burst frequency (baseline: 43 ± 10 bursts/min; 2-month: 36 ± 10 bursts/min, p = 0.05) and burst incidence (baseline: 68 ± 16 bursts/100 heartbeats; 2-month: 55 ± 16 bursts/100 heartbeats, p = 0.02), while HR and BP were unchanged following the treatment (p > 0.05). These preliminary findings provide new evidence regarding the ability of sacubitril-valsartan to rapidly reduce SNS activity in patients with HFrEF, suggesting the presence of a novel sympathoinhibitory effect of this new drug class.

Feasibility of Assessing Adolescent and Young Adult Heart Transplant Recipient Mental Health and Resilience Using Patient-Reported Outcome Measures.

Abstract: Background Although adolescents and young adults may be particularly prone to mental health symptoms after heart transplant, screening practices are variable. Objective To assess the feasibility of using patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures to assess mental health, functional status, and resiliency in posttransplant adolescents and young adult patients. Methods Patients transplanted between ages 15 and 25 years at 3 centers completed 6 PRO instruments via web-based platforms: PROMIS instruments for anxiety, depression, satisfaction with social roles, and physical functioning; the Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, version 5; and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-10. Feasibility (completion, time to completion, and measure missingness) and PRO results were described and compared between patients with congenital heart disease and cardiomyopathy. Results Nineteen patients (median age at transplant 17.7 y [interquartile range 16.3, 19.2 y], 84% male) were enrolled at an average of 3 ± 1.8 years after transplant. Enrollment was 90% among eligible patients. Measure missingness was zero. The average completion time was 12 ± 15 minutes for all instruments. Timely PRO completion was facilitated by in-clinic application. The PRO results indicated that 9 patients (47%) had at least mild posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (≥11 points on Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, version 5). Among them, 4 patients had scores >28 suggestive of probable posttraumatic stress disorder. Two (11%) and 6 (32%) patients had anxious and depressive symptoms, respectively. The cardiomyopathy cohort had a higher median Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, version 5 score than that of the congenital heart disease subgroup (11.0 vs 6.0; P = 0.015). Twelve (63%) had resiliency scores that were lower than the population average. No significant differences were found in PRO results between patients with cardiomyopathy and congenital heart disease apart from the posttraumatic stress disorder assessment. Conclusions This novel PRO-based approach to psychiatric screening of adolescents and young adult patients after transplant appears feasible for assessing mental health, functional status, and resiliency, with excellent enrollment and completion rates. These instruments characterized the burden of mental health symptoms within this adolescents and young adult heart transplant cohort, with a high prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. Resiliency scores were lower than in a comparison population. Electronically-administered PRO administration could facilitate more consistent mental health screening in this at-risk group.

Vascular Function in Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device Recipients: Effect of a Single Pulsatility Treatment Session

Abstract: Vascular function is further attenuated in patients with chronic heart failure implanted with a continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD), likely due to decreased arterial pulsatility, ...

Pain in Homebound Older Adults with Heart Failure after Hospital Discharge.

Abstract: Pain is not uncommon in older adult patients with heart failure (HF) and has been identified as a risk factor for rehospitalization of homebound patients with HF. Little is known about the pain experiences and management of older adults with HF after hospital discharge. We sought to describe pain and other symptoms among homebound older adults with HF using a qualitative and descriptive approach. We conducted semistructured interviews to obtain qualitative data and used the Brief Pain Instrument-Short Form and the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale to obtain descriptive data on symptom burden. We interviewed 18 participants within 10 days after hospital discharge. Participants' mean age was 75.8 ± 9.0 years; 78% were White. The mean pain score at its worst was 5.2 ± 3.1, and for pain interfering with sleep was 4.3 ± 3.41. Most participants managed pain with medications. Using thematic analysis of qualitative data, we identified three distinct categories: (1) the diversity of patients' pain experiences, (2) the diversity of pain management routines, and (3) patients' experiences with healthcare providers' pain assessment and management practices. Our findings show that homebound older adults with HF experience various pain symptoms and receive inconsistent education about how to manage pain from healthcare providers. This study supports the need for better pain assessment and education about the appropriate use of pain medications and nonpharmacologic approaches to pain control for homebound older adults with HF.

Home Healthcare Nursing Visits for Nonhomebound Patients With Heart Failure After Hospital Discharge: A Quality-Improvement Pilot Project.

Abstract: Frequent rehospitalizations among patients with heart failure (HF) result in patient burden and high cost. Homebound patients with HF qualify for home healthcare after hospital discharge. It is not known if nonhomebound patients with HF could also benefit from home healthcare nursing (HHN) visits to improve the transition from hospital to home. The purpose of this quality-improvement pilot study was to assess the impact of HHN visits provided to nonhomebound HF patients after hospital discharge on 30-day rehospitalization rates. We included patients with HF who were ineligible for home healthcare services due to their nonhomebound status. Home healthcare nurses followed a modified version of the discharge checklist from the American Heart Association's Rise Above Heart Failure materials, and provided education as appropriate based on patients' responses. We enrolled 68 patients in the study. The mean age was 60.2 years; 61.8% were male and 77.9% were White. Based on patient responses to the checklist, key areas addressed during HHN visits were medication management and HF self-care. In the HHN visit group, 15% of the patients experienced rehospitalization within 30 days, compared with 23% in the non-HHN visit group among 540 patients discharged in the same time frame who met the inclusion criteria but were not enrolled in the study (p = .12). Our pilot data show that HHN visits for nonhomebound patients are feasible and result in a numerically lower 30-day rehospitalization rate after discharge. Further study is needed to confirm the clinical efficacy of this approach.