Showing papers in "European Cardiology Review in 2014"

Syncope in the Elderly.

Abstract: A rapid change in ageing demographic is taking place worldwide such that healthcare professionals are increasingly treating old and very old patients. Syncope in the elderly is a challenging presentation that is under-recognised, particularly in the acute care setting. The reason for this is that presentation in the older person may be atypical: patients are less likely to have a prodrome, may have amnesia for loss of consciousness and events are frequently unwitnessed. The older patient thus may present with a fall rather than transient loss of consciousness. There is an increased susceptibility to syncope with advancing age attributed to age-related physiological impairments in heart rate and blood pressure, and alterations in cerebral blood flow. Multi-morbidity and polypharmacy in these complex patients increases susceptibility to syncope. Cardiac causes and more than one possible cause are also common. Syncope is a major cause of morbidity and mortality and is associated with enormous personal and wider health economic costs. In view of this, prompt assessment and early targeted intervention are recommended. The purpose of this article is to update the reader regarding the presentation and management of syncope in this rapidly changing demographic.

Diabetes Mellitus and Heart Failure

Abstract: Diabetes mellitus and heart failure are two multifaceted entities characterised by high morbidity and mortality. Early epidemiological and prospective studies have observed the frequent co-existence of both conditions. Importantly, diabetes mellitus can precipitate or worsen heart failure due to the accumulation of advanced glycation end products, oxidative stress, inflammatory status impairment, decay of intracellular calcium, changes in microRNAs expression, not to mention atherosclerosis progression and coronary artery disease. Heart failure also impairs glucose metabolism through less well-known mechanisms. Attention must especially be given in the treatment as there are frequently adverse interactions between the two diseases and novel agents against diabetic cardiomyopathy are under investigation. As several missing links still exist in the connection between heart failure and diabetes mellitus we will review, in this article, the most recent data underlying the interaction of them and provide an overview of the most important clinical perspectives.

Hypertension in Chronic Kidney Disease - Role of Arterial Calcification and Impact on Treatment.

Abstract: Hypertension contributes to the progression of kidney diseases as well as to the occurrence of cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction, heart failure and stroke. The prevalence of hypertension is elevated in patients with kidney disease, and increases progressively as glomerular filtration rate falls. A better understanding of the mechanisms leading to hypertension in renal diseases has been gained in recent years; in this article we will review the pathogenesis of hypertension in chronic kidney disease (CKD) with a special focus on vascular calcification because calcification is associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular morbidity in CKD patients. Although calcification of large arteries and blood pressure increase with age, few studies have specifically investigated a possible connection between these two factors as determinants of the severity of hypertension in CKD. Finally, we will review the trends in hypertension treatment in CKD patients. Expanded understanding of the role of CKD as both a cause and a target of hypertension highlights key points of pathophysiology of hypertension and may contribute to the identification of new strategies for its prevention and treatment.

Current Treatment of Familial Hypercholesterolaemia.

Abstract: Familial hypercholesterolaemia is an autosomal-dominant disorder associated with mutations in the LDL receptor gene resulting in markedly elevated plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. FH is significantly underrecognised with as many as 1 in 300 having the heterozygous form and 1 in 1 million having the homozygous form of the disease. Early diagnosis and treatment of FH is paramount to reduce the risk of premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and death. The goal of treatment is to reduce LDL-C by 50 % from baseline levels with lifestyle modification, pharmacologic lipid-lowering therapy, LDL apheresis and in rare cases, liver transplantation. Pharmacologic treatment ranges from statin medications to newer agents such as lomitapide, mipomersin and PCSK9 inhibitors. Combination therapy is frequently required to achieve goal lipoprotein level reductions and prevent complications.

Ventricular Assist Devices - Evolution of Surgical Heart Failure Treatment.

Abstract: End-stage heart failure represents a substantial worldwide problem for the healthcare system. Despite significant improvements (medical heart failure treatment, implantable cardioverters, cardiac resyschronisation devices), long-term survival and quality of life of these patients remains poor. Heart transplantation has been an effective therapy for terminal heart failure, but it remains limited by an increasing shortage of available donor organs along with strict criteria defining acceptable recipients. For the last 50 years, mechanical alternatives to support the circulation have been investigated; however, during the early years device development has been marked in general by slow progress. However, in the past two decades, the technology has evolved dramatically. The purpose of this review is to give a short summary on the evolution of ventricular assist device (VAD) therapy and to give perspectives for future treatment of heart failure.

The Role of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most prevalent chronic liver disease in western countries and is closely related to the metabolic syndrome. When NAFLD is associated with hepatocellular damage and inflammation (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis [NASH]) it can lead to severe liver disease. However, it has become clear that NAFLD is also associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), independently of classical known risk factors for the latter. In the current review we briefly summarise the current clinical evidence on the role of NAFLD in CVD and discuss the potential mechanisms by which NAFLD can be linked to the pathophysiology of CVD.

The Brugada Syndrome – Diagnosis, Clinical Implications and Risk Stratification

Abstract: The Brugada syndrome (BrS) is a hereditary arrhythmic syndrome manifesting as syncope or sudden cardiac death (SCD) in individuals without overt structural heart disease. Currently, its diagnosis is mainly based on the presence of a spontaneous or Na+-channel blocker induced so-called "type 1" Brugada electrocardiographic (ECG) pattern typically seen in leads V1 and V2 recorded from the 4th to 2nd intercostal spaces. Presently the main unresolved clinical problem in the BrS is the identification of patients at high risk of SCD who need implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Current guidelines recommend ICD implantation only in patients with spontaneous type 1 ECG pattern and either history of aborted cardiac arrest or documented sustained ventricular tachycardia (class I) or syncope of arrhythmic origin (class IIa) because they are at high risk of recurrent arrhythmias. However, the majority of BrS patients are asymptomatic when diagnosed and have generally low risk (0.5 % annually or lower) and therefore are not indicated for ICD. Most of SCD victims in the BrS have had no symptoms prior to the fatal event and therefore were not protected with an ICD. Currently there are no reliable methods to identify these potential victims of SCD. Although some ECG markers such as QRS fragmentation and infero-lateral early repolarisation have been demonstrated to signify increased arrhythmic risk their value still needs to be confirmed in large prospective studies. Novel risk assessment strategies need to be developed based on computerised quantitative ECG analysis of large digital ECG databases in patients with BrS and their relatives, and combined assessment of the most important factors of ventricular arrhythmogenesis.

The Emerging Role of PCSK9 Inhibitors in Preventive Cardiology

Abstract: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a most important risk factor for developing coronary artery disease (CAD) and other forms of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) and a major focus of CVD risk reduction with lifestyle and statins. Unfortunately residual risk of CVD remains in patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia and/or statin intolerance in whom adequate LDL-C lowering is not accomplished with lifestyle and statins. PCSK9 is a serine protease that binds the LDL receptor (LDL-R) and acts as a chaparone for endocytosis and shuttling the PCSK9-LDLR complex to lysosomes for degradation. In the absence of PCSK9 the LDLR-LDL-C complex dissociates and LDL-R is recycled back to the cell surface. Humanised monoclonal antibodies (evolocumab, alirocumab, bocolicumab) have been developed that increase LDL-R by ~2-fold and lower LDL-C by up to 75 percent. This effect is synergistic to that of statins with the only common adverse effect is a local injection site reaction. At present, ongoing Phase III CVD outcome trials with PCSK9 inhibitors offer promise that patients with LDL-C levels that remain elevated can decrease CVD events and related mortality.

Renal Denervation After Symplicity HTN-3 - Back to Basics. Review of the Evidence.

Abstract: Renal sympathetic denervation (RDN) has been proposed as a new treatment modality in patients with apparent treatment resistant hypertension, a condition defined as office blood pressure elevation despite prescription of at least three antihypertensive drugs including a diuretic. However, the impressive fall in blood pressure reported after RDN in Symplicity HTN-2, the first randomised study, and multiple observational studies has not been confirmed in the US sham-controlled trial Symplicity HTN-3 and four subsequent prospective randomised studies, all published or presented in 2014. The blood pressure reduction documented in earlier studies may be largely due to non-specific effects such as improvement of drug adherence in initially poorly adherent patients (Hawthorne effect), placebo effect and regression to the mean. The overall blood pressure lowering effect of RDN seems rather limited and the characteristics of true responders remain largely unknown. Accordingly, RDN is not ready for clinical practice. In most patients with apparent drug-resistant hypertension, drug monitoring and subsequent improvement of drug adherence may prove more effective and cost-beneficial to achieve blood pressure control. In the meantime, research should aim at identifying characteristics of those few patients adherent to drug treatment and with true resistant hypertension who may respond to RDN.

Mitral Regurgitation – A Multidisciplinary Challenge

Abstract: Mitral regurgitation is an increasing valvular disease that represents a difficult management challenge. Surgical treatment for degenerative mitral regurgitation is the standard of care treatment. Percutaneous therapies have emerged rapidly over the past years as an option for treatment of mitral regurgitation for selected, predominantly high-risk patients. Catheter-based devices mimic these surgical approaches with less procedural risk. Mitraclip® implantation mimics the surgical edge-to-edge leaflet repair technique, reducing the regurgitant area. We review the increasing evidence with the Mitraclip device reported to date.

Clinical Use of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance in Systemic Heart Disease.

Abstract: A systemic disease is one that affects a number of organs and tissues, or the body as a whole. Systemic diseases include endocrine, metabolic, nutritional, multisystem (rheumatic) and HIV disease. Cardiovascular involvement is a common and underestimated problem in systemic diseases, and may present with disease associated cardiac involvement at diagnosis or later in the course of the systemic disease. The cardiac involvement in these diseases is usually silent or oligo-symptomatic and includes different pathophysiological mechanisms such as, myocardial inflammation, infarction, diffuse, subendocardial vasculitis, valvular disease and different patterns of fibrosis. Furthermore, acuity of heart involvement may be underestimated due to non-specific cardiac signs, and finally, most of patients are female and unable to exercise, due to arthritis or muscular discomfort/weakness or may have limited acoustic window, due to increased breast size. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), due to its ability to reliably assess cardiac anatomy, function, inflammation, stress perfusion-fibrosis, aortic distensibility, and iron and fat deposition, constitutes an excellent tool for early diagnosis of heart involvement, risk stratification, treatment evaluation and long-term follow-up of patients with cardiac disease due to systemic diseases.

Gaps in the Heart Failure Guidelines

Abstract: There are still many aspects of heart failure care for which gaps remain in the evidence base, resulting in gaps in the guidelines. We aim to highlight these guideline gaps including areas that warrant further research and other areas where new data are forthcoming.

Echocardiographic Evaluation of Aortic Stenosis - Normal Flow and Low Flow Scenarios.

Abstract: The echocardiographic evaluation of the patient with aortic stenosis (AS) has evolved in recent years, beyond confirming the diagnosis and measuring the resting mean pressure gradient or valve area. New echocardiographic approaches have developed to address the clinical dilemmas related to discordant haemodynamic data, asymptomatic haemodynamically severe AS and low-flow, low-gradient AS in order to better evaluate the disease severity, enhance the risk stratification of patients and provide important prognostic information. This article reviews the echocardiographic evaluation of the AS patient and focuses on the echocardiographic assessment of the haemodynamic severity, the prediction of clinical outcome and the use of echocardiography to guide patient management in the presence of normal flow and low flow scenarios.

Statins: Practical Considerations – A Review

Abstract: Statins are currently the most efficacious and widely prescribed lipid-lowering medications. The 2013 ACC/AHA cholesterol guidelines provide a dramatic shift in treatment approach with a focus on fixed-dose statins matched to individual risk scores. Statin intolerance is not uncommon and can be challenging to diagnose and manage; however, several therapeutic strategies have been successful in achieving statin tolerance. Statin use is also associated with liver enzyme elevations and increased risk of incident diabetes, but studies show these individuals benefit from statins. Several guidelines exist and statin use is expected to increase with the new cholesterol guidelines bringing along new challenges for prescribers. This review article will provide practical considerations for statin use and management of statin intolerance.

Antiplatelet and Lipid-lowering Drugs in Hypertension.

Abstract: Antiplatelet therapy, and low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in particular, is recommended in hypertensive patients with previous cardiovascular events and is considered in hypertensive patients with reduced renal function or a high cardiovascular (CV) risk, provided blood pressure is well-controlled. Acetylsalicylic acid is not recommended in low-to-moderate risk hypertensive patients in whom absolute benefit and harm are equivalent. Further trials evaluating antithrombotic therapy including newer agents in hypertension are needed. Women at high and moderate risk of pre-eclampsia are advised to take a low dose of ASA daily from 12 weeks of gestation until delivery. In addition to their lipid-lowering effects, statins induce a small blood pressure reduction. The 2013 European Society of Hypertension (ESH)/European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines recommend using statin therapy in hypertensive patients at moderate-to-high CV risk to achieve the target low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol value <3 mmol/l (115 mg/dl). For individuals with manifest CV disease or at very high CV risk, a more aggressive LDL target of <1.8 mmol/l (70 mg/dl) is recommended.

Diabetes Management - Lowering Cardiovascular Risk.

Abstract: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common diseases to plague the present day. Sixty percent of mortality in diabetic patients is caused by coronary artery disease. Numerous studies have shown that improving glycaemic control helps manage microvascular complications. On the other hand, some studies have shed light on the fact that a too tight glycaemic control can have adverse effects, especially on patients with high cardiovascular risk. Thus 'the lower the better' attitude should be exchanged for 'the earliest the best' attitude. A multidisciplinary approach should therefore be undertaken in order to achieve a proper management of the cardiovascular risk for diabetic patients. This includes using hypoglycaemic agents, antihypertensive medication and statins to balance the myriad of cardiovascular risk factors.

Evaluation and Management of ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction and Shock.

Abstract: Cardiogenic shock is the deadliest complication of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Prompt recognition and intervention are critical for patient survival. The diagnosis of cardiogenic shock is primarily a clinical one based on signs and symptoms of low cardiac output and heart failure, and can be confirmed with placement of a pulmonary arterial catheter. Vasopressor and inotropic therapies are typically required, and in severe cases, an intra-aortic balloon pump can provide additional haemodynamic support. Although mortality for cardiogenic shock associated with ST-elevation myocardial infarction remains high, early reperfusion strategies primarily via percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass graft surgery have led to improved outcomes.

Update on Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy for Heart Failure

Abstract: Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) is well accepted therapy for the treatment of symptomatic systolic heart failure in defined patient subgroups. Large clinical trials over the past 20 years have shown that patients with a left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction and interventricular conduction delay benefit from this therapy. Recent advances in this field include the expansion indications for CRT to patients with mild heart failure and to those with a mildly depressed ejection fraction that require frequent right ventricular pacing. In addition, although CRT guidelines have included indications in atrial fibrillation, it is now clear that this is most effective when pacing is utilised nearly 100 % of the time, often requiring atrioventricular (AV) junction ablation. Strategies for optimising LV lead placement based on identifying late mechanical contraction or electrical delay are promising for maximising CRT response. Finally, the role of routine AV delay optimisation is no longer recommended based on the results of multicentre trials.

Rhythm Management of the Atrial Fibrillation Patient: Practical Implementation of the 2012 ESC Guidelines

Abstract: A symposium at the 2014 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) congress reviewed the 2012 update of the ESC guideline on rhythm management of atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. The guidelines now include catheter ablation of AF as first-line therapy in selected patients with symptomatic, paroxysmal AF. A panel comprising electrophysiologists and cardiologists discussed four clinical cases that illustrated the challenges faced in the day-to-day treatment of AF patients and how these guidelines can help inform treatment decisions. Among the key discussions were the importance of early treatment of AF and the dilemma faced in treating AF patients with recently implanted stent, where the risk of stroke must be balanced against the risk of stent thrombosis. The panel considered that among selected patients with paroxysmal AF and no structural heart disease, catheter ablation is reasonable as first-line therapy.