Showing papers in "Heart in 2014"
TL;DR: There is strong evidence of the prognostic value of GLS, which appears to have superior prognosticvalue to EF for predicting major adverse cardiac events.
Abstract: Background Global longitudinal strain (GLS) is a robust, well validated and reproducible technique for the measurement of LV longitudinal deformation. We sought to assemble evidence that GLS is an accurate marker in predicting cardiovascular outcomes, compared to LVEF. Methods We undertook a systematic review of the evidence from observational studies which compared GLS against LVEF in predicting major adverse cardiac events. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. The secondary outcome was a composite of cardiac death, malignant arrhythmia, hospitalisation due to heart failure, urgent valve surgery or heart transplantation, and acute coronary ischaemic event. A random effects model was used to combine HR and 95% CIs. A meta-regression was undertaken to assess the impact of potential covariates. Results Data were collated from 16 published articles (n=5721 adults) comprising 15 prospective and 1 retrospective observational studies. The underlying cardiac conditions were heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, valvular heart disease, and miscellaneous cardiac diseases. Mortality was independently associated with each SD change in the absolute value of baseline GLS (HR 0.50, 95% CI 0.36 to 0.69; p Conclusions There is strong evidence of the prognostic value of GLS, which appears to have superior prognostic value to EF for predicting major adverse cardiac events.
801 citations
TL;DR: A unique aspect of JBS3 is the emphasis upon the lifetime risk of CVD events, so as to encompass a large pool of people in the population who have a lower 10-year risk of a CVD event but who nevertheless have a high lifetime event risk.
Abstract: In 1961, the publication of the findings of the Framingham study provided the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the USA, and the world at large with a huge return on the initial investment. Identification of the common risk factors fuelling the epidemic of cardiovascular disease (CVD) stimulated a ‘call to arms’ and the initiation of programmes to attack these targets on a national scale. This has led to stunning declines in CVD mortality over the last 40–50 years in North America, Western Europe and other high income countries. Nonetheless, this is not the time for complacency. CVD is by far and away the leading cause of deaths worldwide; the epidemic of CVD in the low and middle income countries is rampant and the alarming increases in obesity and diabetes threaten to reverse or blunt the steady decline in CVD mortality, particularly in younger people. The focus on prevention is as imperative now as it ever has been.
This is the 3rd iteration of the Joint British Societies ( JBS) recommendations for the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Current prevention strategies tend to focus upon patients at relatively short term (10-year) risks and upon specific thresholds for pharmacologic therapies, although there is considerable variability among the different guidelines. This approach is logical and has been successful in directing therapy to those at highest risk who stand to gain the greatest benefit.
A unique aspect of JBS3 is the emphasis upon the lifetime risk of CVD events, so as to encompass a large pool of people in the population who have a lower 10-year risk of a CVD event but who nevertheless have a high lifetime event risk. Such predominantly younger patients and women might be excluded from therapy based upon the ‘high risk strategy’, even though they have a high rate of …
527 citations
TL;DR: This smartphone-based home care CR programme improved post-MI CR uptake, adherence and completion and was as effective in improving physiological and psychological health outcomes as traditional CR.
Abstract: Objective Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is pivotal in preventing recurring events of myocardial infarction (MI). This study aims to investigate the effect of a smartphone-based home service delivery (Care Assessment Platform) of CR (CAP-CR) on CR use and health outcomes compared with a traditional, centre-based programme (TCR) in post-MI patients. Methods In this unblinded randomised controlled trial, post-MI patients were randomised to TCR (n=60; 55.7±10.4 years) and CAP-CR (n=60; 55.5±9.6 years) for a 6-week CR and 6-month self-maintenance period. CAP-CR, delivered in participants’ homes, included health and exercise monitoring, motivational and educational material delivery, and weekly mentoring consultations. CAP-CR uptake, adherence and completion rates were compared with TCR using intention-to-treat analyses. Changes in clinical outcomes (modifiable lifestyle factors, biomedical risk factors and health-related quality of life) across baseline, 6 weeks and 6 months were compared within, and between, groups using linear mixed model regression. Results CAP-CR had significantly higher uptake (80% vs 62%), adherence (94% vs 68%) and completion (80% vs 47%) rates than TCR (p Conclusions This smartphone-based home care CR programme improved post-MI CR uptake, adherence and completion. The home-based CR programme was as effective in improving physiological and psychological health outcomes as traditional CR. CAP-CR is a viable option towards optimising use of CR services. Trial registration number ANZCTR12609000251224.
376 citations
TL;DR: RV hypertrophy, ventricular dysfunction and atrial tachyarrhythmias are predictive of death and sustained VT in adults with repaired TOF, and may inform risk stratification and the design of future therapeutic trials.
Abstract: Objective Patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) experience increased rates of mortality and morbidity in adulthood. This study was designed to identify risk factors for death and ventricular tachycardia (VT) in a large contemporary cohort of patients with repaired TOF. Methods Subjects with repaired TOF from four large congenital heart centres in the USA, Canada and Europe were enrolled. Clinical, ECG, exercise, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and outcome data were analysed. Results Of the 873 patients (median age 24.4 years), 32 (3.7%) reached the primary outcome (28 deaths, 4 sustained VT; median age at outcome 38 years; median time from CMR to outcome 1.9 years). Cox proportionalhazards regression identified RV mass-to-volume ratio ≥0.3 g/mL (HR, 5.04; 95% CI 2.3 to 11.0; p<0.001), LV EF z score<−2.0 (HR, 3.34; 95% CI 1.59 to 7.01; p=0.001), and history of atrial tachyarrhythmia (HR, 3.65; 95% CI 1.75 to 7.62; p=0.001) as outcome predictors. RV dysfunction was predictive of the outcome similar to LV dysfunction. In subgroup analysis of 315 subjects with echocardiographic assessment of RV systolic pressure, higher pressure (HR 1.39; 95% CI 1.19 to 1.62; p<0.001) was associated with death and sustained VT independent of RV hypertrophy and LV dysfunction. Conclusions RV hypertrophy, ventricular dysfunction and atrial tachyarrhythmias are predictive of death and sustained VT in adults with repaired TOF. These findings may inform risk stratification and the design of future therapeutic trials.
364 citations
TL;DR: In this large cohort of patients with angiographic surveillance, the impact of device development on antirestenotic efficacy is demonstrated, with sequentially improved efficacy from BMS to first generation DES to second generation DES.
Abstract: Objective Systematic investigation of restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with bare metal stents (BMS) or first or second generation drug eluting stents (DES) in large scale, broadly inclusive patient populations undergoing follow-up angiography represents a gap in our scientific knowledge. We investigated the incidence of angiographically proven restenosis and its predictors in patients undergoing PCI with stents. Methods All patients undergoing successful implantation of coronary stents for de novo lesions from 1998 to 2009 and follow-up angiography at 6–8 months at two centres in Munich, Germany were eligible for inclusion. Patients with cardiogenic shock, dialysis dependent renal insufficiency or previous cardiac transplantation were excluded. Data were prospectively collected. The incidence of restenosis, defined as diameter stenosis ≥50% in the in-segment area at follow-up angiography, and its predictors were evaluated. Results A total of 12 094 patients met inclusion criteria. Angiographic follow-up was available for 10 004 patients (77.5%) with 15 004 treated lesions. Binary restenosis was detected in 2643 (26.4%) patients. Use of first generation DES versus BMS (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.39) and second generation DES versus first generation DES (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.58 to 0.77) were independent predictors of lower rates of restenosis. At multivariate analysis, smaller vessel size (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.52 to 1.68, for each 0.5 mm decrease), total stented length (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.21 to 1.33, for each 10 mm increase), complex lesion morphology (OR 1.35, 95% 1.21 to 1.51), presence of diabetes mellitus (OR 1.32, 95% 1.19 to 1.46), and history of bypass surgery (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.20 to 1.58) were independently associated with restenosis and were similar across the spectrum of stent devices. Conclusions In this large cohort of patients with angiographic surveillance we demonstrated the impact of device development on antirestenotic efficacy, with sequentially improved efficacy from BMS to first generation DES to second generation DES. Predictors of restenosis were small vessel size, increased stented length, complex lesion morphology, diabetes mellitus, and prior bypass surgery.
337 citations
TL;DR: Non-adherence to blood pressure lowering therapy is common, particularly in patients with suboptimal blood pressure control and those referred for renal denervation, and high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry urine analysis could be used to exclude non- adherence and better stratify further investigations and intervention.
Abstract: Objectives Non-adherence to therapy is an important cause of suboptimal blood pressure control but few practical tools exist to accurately and routinely detect it. We used a simple urine-based assay to evaluate the prevalence of antihypertensive treatment non-adherence and its impact on blood pressure in a specialist hypertension centre. Methods 208 hypertensive patients (125 new referrals, 66 follow-up patients with inadequate blood pressure control and 17 renal denervation referrals) underwent assessment of antihypertensive drug intake using highperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HP LC-MS/MS) urine analysis at the time of clinical appointment. A total of 40 most commonly prescribed antihypertensive medications (or their metabolites) were screened for in spot urine samples. Results Overall, 25% of patients were totally or partially non-adherent to antihypertensive treatment (total non-adherence 10.1%, partial non-adherence 14.9%). The highest prevalence of partial and total nonadherence was among follow-up patients with inadequate blood pressure control (28.8%) and those referred for consideration of renal denervation (23.5%), respectively. There was a linear relationship between blood pressure and the numerical difference in detected/ prescribed antihypertensive medications—every unit increase in this difference was associated with 3.0 (1.1) mm Hg, 3.1 (0.7) mm Hg and 1.9 (0.7) mm Hg increase in adjusted clinic systolic blood pressure, clinic diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and 24 h mean daytime DBP (p=0.0051, p=8.62×10 −6 , p=0.0057), respectively. Conclusions Non-adherence to blood pressure lowering therapy is common, particularly in patients with suboptimal blood pressure control and those referred for renal denervation. HP LC-MS/MS urine analysis could be used to exclude non-adherence and better stratify further investigations and intervention.
325 citations
TL;DR: LA dimension and age are independently associated with AF but the literature is insufficient to create robust clinical tools to predict AF or thromboembolism; most data suggest that AF patients should be anticoagulated.
Abstract: Context HCM is commonly associated with AF. Current guidelines for AF management omit detailed advice for HCM because of a lack of clinical prediction tools that estimate the risk of developing AF and an absence of adequately powered treatment studies. Objective To critically review current literature on atrial fibrillation (AF) and thromboembolism in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and meta-analyse prevalence and incidence. Data Sources PubMed and Web of Science. Study Selection Studies investigating AF and stroke in HCM as primary or secondary endpoint. Data Extraction Two investigators independently reviewed and extracted data from the identified articles. A random effect meta-regression model and I 2 statistics were used for analysis. Results A population of 7381 patients (33 studies) revealed overall AF prevalence of 22.45% (95% CI 20.13% to 24.77%), I 2 =78.9% (p 2 =61.4% ( p 2 =86.5%, p 2 =37.9% (p=0.1). Left atrial (LA) dimension and age were common predictors for AF and thromboembolism. Meta-analysis revealed an LA diameter of 38.03 mm (95% CI 34.62% to 41.44%) in sinus rhythm and 45.37 mm (95% CI 41.64% to 49.04%) in AF. There were no randomised controlled trials of therapy; anticoagulation was associated with lower stroke incidence but data on other interventions were limited and contradictory. Conclusions AF is common in HCM and associated with high thromboembolic risk. LA dimension and age are independently associated with AF but the literature is insufficient to create robust clinical tools to predict AF or thromboembolism. Most data suggest that AF patients should be anticoagulated.
236 citations
TL;DR: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials of β-blockade on perioperative mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction, stroke and hypotension in non-cardiac surgery using the secure data indicates a statistically significant 27% increase in mortality from the initiation ofperioperative β- blockade that guidelines currently recommend.
Abstract: Background Current European and American guidelines recommend the perioperative initiation of a course of β-blockers in those at risk of cardiac events undergoing high- or intermediate-risk surgery or vascular surgery. The Dutch Echocardiographic Cardiac Risk Evaluation Applying Stress Echocardiography (DECREASE) family of trials, the bedrock of evidence for this, are no longer secure. We therefore conducted a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials of β-blockade on perioperative mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction, stroke and hypotension in non-cardiac surgery using the secure data. Methods The randomised controlled trials of initiation of β-blockers before non-cardiac surgery were examined. Primary outcome was all-cause mortality at 30 days or at discharge. The DECREASE trials were separately analysed. Results Nine secure trials totalling 10 529 patients, 291 of whom died, met the criteria. Initiation of a course of β-blockers before surgery caused a 27% risk increase in 30-day all-cause mortality (p=0.04). The DECREASE family of studies substantially contradict the meta-analysis of the secure trials on the effect of mortality (p=0.05 for divergence). In the secure trials, β-blockade reduced non-fatal myocardial infarction (RR 0.73, p=0.001) but increased stroke (RR 1.73, p=0.05) and hypotension (RR 1.51, p<0.00001). These results were dominated by one large trial. Conclusions Guideline bodies should retract their recommendations based on fictitious data without further delay. This should not be blocked by dispute over allocation of blame. The well-conducted trials indicate a statistically significant 27% increase in mortality from the initiation of perioperative β-blockade that guidelines currently recommend. Any remaining enthusiasts might best channel their energy into a further randomised trial which should be designed carefully and conducted honestly.
235 citations
TL;DR: Comorbidities greatly influenced clinical presentation, therapies received and the outcome of patients admitted with acute coronary syndrome and CCI seems to be an appropriate prognostic indicator for in-hospital and 1-year outcomes in ACS patients.
Abstract: Objective This study aimed to assess the impact of individual comorbid conditions as well as the weight assignment, predictive properties and discriminating power of the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) on outcome in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods A prospective multicentre observational study (AMIS Plus Registry) from 69 Swiss hospitals with 29 620 ACS patients enrolled from 2002 to 2012. The main outcome measures were in-hospital and 1-year follow-up mortality. Results Of the patients, 27% were female (age 72.1±12.6 years) and 73% were male (64.2±12.9 years). 46.8% had comorbidities and they were less likely to receive guideline-recommended drug therapy and reperfusion. Heart failure (adjusted OR 1.88; 95% CI 1.57 to 2.25), metastatic tumours (OR 2.25; 95% CI 1.60 to 3.19), renal diseases (OR 1.84; 95% CI 1.60 to 2.11) and diabetes (OR 1.35; 95% CI 1.19 to 1.54) were strong predictors of in-hospital mortality. In this population, CCI weighted the history of prior myocardial infarction higher (1 instead of −0.4, 95% CI −1.2 to 0.3 points) but heart failure (1 instead of 3.7, 95% CI 2.6 to 4.7) and renal disease (2 instead of 3.5, 95% CI 2.7 to 4.4) lower than the benchmark, where all comorbidities, age and gender were used as predictors. However, the model with CCI and age has an identical discrimination to this benchmark (areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves were both 0.76). Conclusions Comorbidities greatly influenced clinical presentation, therapies received and the outcome of patients admitted with ACS. Heart failure, diabetes, renal disease or metastatic tumours had a major impact on mortality. CCI seems to be an appropriate prognostic indicator for in-hospital and 1-year outcomes in ACS patients. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01305785
230 citations
TL;DR: Patients with severely calcified lesions have worse clinical outcomes compared to those without severe coronary calcification, and should be considered as a marker of advanced atherosclerosis.
Abstract: Objective To investigate the long- Term prognostic implications of coronary calcification in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for obstructive coronary artery disease. Methods Patient-level data from 6296 patients enrolled in seven clinical drug-eluting stents trials were analysed to identify in angiographic images the presence of severe coronary calcification by an independent academic research organisation (Cardialysis, Rotterdam, The Netherlands). Clinical outcomes at 3-years follow-up including all-cause mortality, death-myocardial infarction (MI), and the composite end-point of all-cause death-MI- Any revascularisation were compared between patients with and without severe calcification. Results Severe calcification was detected in 20% of the studied population. Patients with severe lesion calcification were less likely to have undergone complete revascularisation (48% vs 55.6%, p<0.001) and had an increased mortality compared with those without severely calcified arteries (10.8% vs 4.4%, p<0.001). The event rate was also high in patients with severely calcified lesions for the combined end-point death-MI (22.9% vs 10.9%; p<0.001) and death-MI- Any revascularisation (31.8% vs 22.4%; p<0.001). On multivariate Cox regression analysis, including the Syntax score, the presence of severe coronary calcification was an independent predictor of poor prognosis (HR: 1.33 95% CI 1.00 to 1.77, p=0.047 for death; 1.23, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.49, p=0.031 for death-MI, and 1.18, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.39, p=0.042 for death-MI- Any revascularisation), but it was not associated with an increased risk of stent thrombosis. Conclusions Patients with severely calcified lesions have worse clinical outcomes compared to those without severe coronary calcification. Severe coronary calcification appears as an independent predictor of worse prognosis, and should be considered as a marker of advanced atherosclerosis.
217 citations
TL;DR: This study found no clear evidence for pollution effects on STEMIs and stroke, which ultimately represent thrombogenic processes, though it did for pulmonary embolism.
Abstract: Objective To inform potential pathophysiological mechanisms of air pollution effects on cardiovascular disease (CVD), we investigated short-term associations between ambient air pollution and a range of cardiovascular events from three national databases in England and Wales. Methods Using a time-stratified case-crossover design, over 400 000 myocardial infarction (MI) events from the Myocardial Ischaemia National Audit Project (MINAP) database, over 2 million CVD emergency hospital admissions and over 600 000 CVD deaths were linked with daily mean concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter less than 10 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM10), particulate matter less than 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) and sulfur dioxide (SO2), and daily maximum of 8-hourly running mean of O3 measured at the nearest air pollution monitoring site to the place of residence. Pollutant effects were modelled using lags up to 4 days and adjusted for ambient temperature and day of week. Results For mortality, no CVD outcome analysed was clearly associated with any pollutant, except for PM2.5 with arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation and pulmonary embolism. With hospital admissions, only NO2 was associated with a raised risk: CVD 1.7% (95% CI 0.9 to 2.6), non-MI CVD 2.0% (1.1 to 2.9), arrhythmias 2.9% (0.6 to 5.2), atrial fibrillation 2.8% (0.3 to 5.4) and heart failure 4.4% (2.0 to 6.8) for a 10th–90th centile increase. With MINAP, only NO2 was associated with an increased risk of MI, which was specific to non-STelevation myocardial infarction (non-STEMIs): 3.6% (95% CI 0.4 to 6.9). Conclusions This study found no clear evidence for pollution effects on STEMIs and stroke, which ultimately represent thrombogenic processes, though it did for pulmonary embolism. The strongest associations with air pollution were observed with selected non-MI outcomes.
TL;DR: The WHO classification is the best available risk assessment model for estimating cardiovascular risk in pregnant women with CHD, and none of the offspring prediction models perform adequately in this cohort.
Abstract: Objectives Adequate prepregnancy prediction of maternal cardiovascular and offspring risk is important for counselling and management of pregnancy in women with congenital heart disease (CHD). Therefore we performed a study to identify the optimal assessment strategy for estimating the risk of pregnancy in women with CHD. Methods In this prospective study, we determined the outcomes of 213 pregnancies in 203 women with CHD. The ZAHARA I (Zwangerschap bij Aangeboren HARtAfwijkingen I) and CARPREG (CARdiac disease in PREGnancy) risk scores were calculated for each pregnancy, as was the total number of cardiovascular (TPc) or offspring risk predictors (TPo) from these and other studies combined. Pregnancies were also classified according to the modified WHO classification of maternal cardiovascular risk and according to disease complexity (DC). Results Maternal cardiovascular events occurred during 22 pregnancies (10.3%). Offspring events occurred during 77 pregnancies in 81 children (37.3%). Cardiovascular and offspring event rates increased with higher risk scores, higher TPc or TPo, higher WHO class and greater DC. The highest area under the curve (AUC) for maternal cardiovascular risk was achieved by the WHO class (AUC: 0.77, p Conclusions The WHO classification is the best available risk assessment model for estimating cardiovascular risk in pregnant women with CHD. None of the offspring prediction models perform adequately in our cohort.
TL;DR: Early mortality after TAVI is mainly related to age, the severity of symptoms, comorbidities and transapical approach, and a simple score can be used to predict early mortality.
Abstract: Objective Decision making for intervention in symptomatic aortic stenosis should balance the risks of surgery and of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). We identified the factors associated with early mortality after TAVI and aimed to develop and validate a simple risk score. Methods A population of 3833 consecutive patients was randomly split into two cohorts comprising 2552 and 1281 patients, used respectively to develop and validate a scoring system predicting 30-day or in-hospital mortality. Results TAVI was performed using the Edwards Sapien prosthesis in 2551 (66.8%) patients and the Medtronic Corevalve in 1270 (33.2%). Approach was transfemoral in 2801 (73.4%) patients, transapical in 678 (17.8%), subclavian in 219 (5.7%) and other in 117 (3.1%). Early mortality was 10.0% (382 patients). A multivariate logistic model identified the following predictive factors of early mortality: age ≥90 years, body mass index 2 , New York Heart Association class IV, pulmonary hypertension, critical haemodynamic state, ≥2 pulmonary oedemas during the last year, respiratory insufficiency, dialysis and transapical or other (transaortic and transcarotid) approaches. A 21-point predictive score was derived. C-index was 0.67 for the score in the development cohort and 0.59 in the validation cohort. There was a good concordance between predicted and observed 30-day mortality rates in the development and validation cohorts. Conclusions Early mortality after TAVI is mainly related to age, the severity of symptoms, comorbidities and transapical approach. A simple score can be used to predict early mortality after TAVI. The moderate discrimination is however a limitation for the accurate identification of high-risk patients.
TL;DR: HF was the most common complication during pregnancy, and occurred typically at the end of the second trimester, or after birth, and was strongly associated with pre-eclampsia and an adverse maternal and perinatal outcome.
Abstract: Objective Heart failure (HF) is one of the most important complications in pregnant women with heart disease, causing maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity. Methods This is an international observational registry of patients with structural heart disease during pregnancy. Sixty hospitals in 28 countries enrolled 1321 women between 2007 and 2011. Pregnant women with valvular heart disease, congenital heart disease, ischaemic heart disease, or cardiomyopathy could be included. Main outcome measures were onset and predictors of HF and maternal and fetal death. Results In total, 173 (13.1%) of the 1321 patients developed HF, making HF the most common major cardiovascular complication during pregnancy. Baseline parameters associated with HF were New York Heart Association class ≥3, signs of HF, WHO category ≥3, cardiomyopathy or pulmonary hypertension. HF occurred at a median time of 31 weeks gestation (IQR 23–40) with the highest incidence at the end of the second trimester (34%) or peripartum (31%). Maternal mortality was higher in patients with HF (4.8% in patients with HF and 0.5% in those without HF p Conclusions HF was the most common complication during pregnancy, and occurred typically at the end of the second trimester, or after birth. It was most common in women with cardiomyopathy or pulmonary hypertension and was strongly associated with pre-eclampsia and an adverse maternal and perinatal outcome.
TL;DR: In patients with BAV, tubular ascending aorta dilatation is the most common pattern and exhibits the fastest growing rate, irrespective of valve morphology and function, and systematic follow-up is therefore warranted.
Abstract: Background Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is related to aortic dilatation, but patterns/rates are conflicting with no comparison among aneurysms of different aetiology. We sought to define ascending aorta dilatation patterns/progression rates in BAV versus other aortopathies (Marfan syndrome (MFS), degenerative aortopathy (DA)). Design and setting Retrospective, observational study. Aortic dilatation progression was evaluated in two tertiary care centres (US and European) by repeated echocardiography ≥2 years apart in adults with BAV (n=353), matched to MFS (n=50) and DA (n=51) for gender, blood pressure, and minimum follow-up time. Results At baseline, ascending aortic dilatation was present in 87% of BAV cases: tubular ascending aorta in 60% (irrespective of BAV morphology), and Valsalva sinuses dilatation in 27% (independently linked to typical BAV morphology and male gender (p=0.0001)). After 3.6±1.2 years, the aortic dilatation rate in BAV was higher than expected for the population for all aortic levels (p=0.005) and was maximal at the tubular ascending aorta for BAV (0.42±0.6 mm/year) and DA (0.20±0.3 mm/year), and was maximal at the Valsalva sinuses for MFS (0.49±0.5 mm/year). Maximal aortic dilatation rate was similar between BAV and MFS (p>0.40) and lower in DA (p=0.02) but was heterogeneous in BAV, with 43% of BAV not progressing (vs 20% of MFS, p=0.01). Aortic dilatation rate was not proportionally related to baseline aortic size or BAV type (all models p>0.40). Conclusions In patients with BAV, tubular ascending aorta dilatation is the most common pattern and exhibits the fastest growing rate, irrespective of valve morphology and function. Dilatation of the Valsalva sinuses is less common and associated with typical BAV morphology and male gender. Aortic dilatation progresses equally fast in BAV (tubular segment) and MFS (Valsalva sinuses), but a significantly higher proportion of BAV patients does not progress at all, irrespective of BAV type. Baseline aortic diameter does not proportionally predict progression rate; systematic follow-up is therefore warranted in patients with BAV.
TL;DR: Leisure-time exercise at younger age is associated with an increased risk of AF, whereas walking/bicycling at older age isassociated with a decreased risk.
Abstract: Objective This study examines the influence of physical activity at different ages and of different types, on the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF) in a large cohort of Swedish men. Methods Information about physical activity was obtained from 44 410 AF-free men, aged 45–79 years (mean age=60), who had completed a self-administered questionnaire at baseline in 1997. Participants reported retrospectively their time spent on leisure-time exercise and on walking or bicycling throughout their lifetime (at 15, 30 and 50 years of age, and at baseline (mean age=60)). Participants were followed-up in the Swedish National Inpatient Register for ascertainment of AF. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate relative risks (RR) with 95% CIs, adjusted for potential confounders. Results During a median follow-up of 12 years, 4568 cases of AF were diagnosed. We observed a RR of 1.19 (95% CI 1.05 to 1.36) of developing AF in men who at the age of 30 years had exercised for >5 h/week compared with 5 h/week at age 30 and quit exercising later in life ( 1 h/day vs almost never) and the association was similar after excluding men with previous coronary heart disease or heart failure at baseline (corresponding RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.77 to 0.998). Conclusions Leisure-time exercise at younger age is associated with an increased risk of AF, whereas walking/ bicycling at older age is associated with a decreased risk.
TL;DR: The amount of myocardial fibrosis was a strong univariable predictor of SCD risk, however, this effect was not maintained after adjusting for LV-EF and non-sustained ventricular tachycardia.
Abstract: Objective Myocardial fibrosis identified by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is associated with adverse cardiovascular events, but its value as an independent risk factor for sudden cardiac death (SCD) is unknown. We investigated the role of LGE-CMR in the risk stratification of HCM. Methods We conducted a prospective cohort study in a tertiary referral centre. Consecutive patients with HCM (n=711, median age 56.3 years, IQR 46.7–66.6; 70.0% male) underwent LGE-CMR and were followed for a median 3.5 years. The primary end point was SCD or aborted SCD. Results Overall, 471 patients (66.2%) had myocardial fibrosis (median 5.9% of left ventricular mass, IQR: 2.2–13.3). Twenty-two (3.1%) reached the primary end point. The extent but not the presence of fibrosis was a significant univariable predictor of the primary end point (HR per 5% LGE: 1.24, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.45; p=0.007 and HR for LGE: 2.69, 95% CI 0.91 to 7.97; p=0.073, respectively). However, on multivariable analysis, only LV-EF remained statistically significant (HR: 0.92, 95% CI 0.89 to 0.95; p Conclusions The amount of myocardial fibrosis was a strong univariable predictor of SCD risk. However, this effect was not maintained after adjusting for LV-EF. Further work is required to elucidate the interrelationship between fibrosis and traditional predictors of outcome in HCM.
TL;DR: This study substantiated previous findings on the increased risks for adverse outcomes in physically inactive CHD patients and found evidence of increased cardiovascular mortality in patients with daily strenuous physical activity, which warrants further investigation.
Abstract: Objective To study the association of self-reported physical activity level with prognosis in a cohort of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), with a special focus on the dose–response relationship with different levels of physical activity Methods Data were drawn from a prospective cohort of 1038 subjects with stable CHD in which frequency of strenuous leisure time physical activity was assessed repeatedly over 10 years of follow-up Multiple Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess the association of physical activity level with different outcomes of prognosis (major cardiovascular events, cardiovascular mortality, all-cause mortality), with different sets of adjustments for potential confounders and taking into account time-dependence of frequency of physical activity Results A decline in engagement in physical activity over follow-up was observed For all outcomes, the highest hazards were consistently found in the least active patient group, with a roughly twofold risk for major cardiovascular events and a roughly fourfold risk for both cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in comparison to the reference group of moderately frequent active patients Furthermore, when taking time-dependence of physical activity into account, our data indicated reverse J-shaped associations of physical activity level with cardiovascular mortality, with the most frequently active patients also having increased hazards (236, 95% CI 105 to 534) Conclusions This study substantiated previous findings on the increased risks for adverse outcomes in physically inactive CHD patients In addition, we also found evidence of increased cardiovascular mortality in patients with daily strenuous physical activity, which warrants further investigation
TL;DR: In patients with ACS but no AF, the CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores predict ischaemic stroke/TIA events with similar accuracy to that observed in historical populations with non-valvular AF, but with lower absolute event rates.
Abstract: Objectives To determine the accuracy of CHADS 2 and CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc tools for predicting ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) and death in patients without a history of atrial fibrillation or flutter (AF). Methods The study included 20 970 patients without known AF enrolled in the Alberta Provincial Project for Outcomes Assessment in Coronary Heart disease (APPROACH) prospective registry who were discharged after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) between 2005 and 2011. The outcome measures were incident ischaemic stroke, TIA or death from any cause. Results Over a median follow-up of 4.1 years, 453 patients (2.2%) had a stroke (n=297) or TIA (n=156) and 1903 (9.0%) died. The incidence of stroke or TIA increased with increases in each risk score (p 2 ≥3 or CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc ≥4. Both CHADS 2 and CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc scores had acceptable discrimination performance (C-statistic=0.68 and 0.71, respectively). The mortality rate was also greater in patients with higher CHADS 2 and CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc scores (p Conclusions In patients with ACS but no AF, the CHADS 2 and CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc scores predict ischaemic stroke/TIA events with similar accuracy to that observed in historical populations with non-valvular AF, but with lower absolute event rates. Further study of the utility of the CHADS 2 and CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc scores for the assessment of thromboembolic risk and selection of antithrombotic therapy in patients without AF is warranted.
TL;DR: Significant lead-induced TR is associated with poor long-term prognosis and was independently associated with all-cause mortality and heart failure related events in a retrospective cohort of ICD or pacemaker recipients.
Abstract: Background Although the presence of an RV lead is a potential cause of tricuspid regurgitation (TR), the clinical impact of significant lead-induced TR is unknown. Objective To evaluate the effect of significant lead-induced TR on cardiac performance and long-term outcome after cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) or pacemaker implantation. Methods A retrospective cohort of 239 ICD (n=191) or pacemaker (n=48) recipients (age 60±14 years, 77% male) from a tertiary care university hospital, with an echocardiographic evaluation before and within 1–1.5 years after device implantation were included. Significant lead-induced TR was defined as TR worsening, reaching a grade ≥2 at follow-up echocardiography. During long-term follow-up (median 58, IQR 35–76 months), all-cause mortality and heart failure related events were recorded. Results Before device implantation, most patients had TR grade 1 or 2 (64.0%) or no TR (33.9%), but after lead placement, significant TR was seen in 91 patients (38%). Changes in cardiac volumes and function at follow-up were similar between patients with and without significant lead-induced TR, except for larger RV diastolic area (17±6mm 2 vs 16±5mm 2 , p=0.009), larger right atrial diameter (39±10 mm vs 36±8 mm, p Conclusions Significant lead-induced TR is associated with poor long-term prognosis.
TL;DR: A systematic review of 49 studies which examined the views and needs of patients with HF and their caregivers about the nature and determinants of effective HF self-care identifies key drivers of effective self- care.
Abstract: Context Disease management interventions for heart failure (HF) are inconsistent and very seldom incorporate the views and needs of patients and their caregivers into intervention design. Objective and data To improve intervention effectiveness and consistency, a systematic review identified 49 studies which examined the views and needs of patients with HF and their caregivers about the nature and determinants of effective HF self-care. Results The findings identify key drivers of effective self-care, such as the capacity of patients to successfully integrate self-care practices with their preferred normal daily life patterns and recognise and respond to HF symptoms in a timely manner. Conclusions Future interventions for HF self-care must involve family members throughout the intervention and harness patients’ normal daily routines.
TL;DR: The incidence of SCD in athletes is likely higher than traditional estimates which may impact the development of more effective prevention strategies, and men, African-American/black athletes and basketball players appear to be at higher risk.
Abstract: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the leading medical cause of death in athletes; however, the precise incidence is unknown. The objectives of this review were to examine studies on the rate of SCD in athletes, assess the methodological strengths and weaknesses used to arrive at estimates, compare studies in athletes with estimates in similar populations and arrive at an approximation of the incidence of SCD based on the best available evidence. A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed using key terms related to SCD in athletes. Articles were reviewed for relevance and included if they contained information on the incidence of SCD in athletes or young persons up to the age of 40. The reference list from each manuscript was reviewed for additional relevant articles. The methods for case identification were examined, as well as the inclusion and exclusion criteria and the precision of the population denominator studied. Thirteen studies were found investigating the rate of SCD in athletes who ranged in age from 9 to 40. An additional 15 incidence studies were located examining the rate of SCD in other populations under the age of 40. Rates of SCD varied from 1:917,000 to 1:3000. Studies with higher methodological quality consistently yielded incidence rates in the range of 1:40,000 to 1:80,000. Some athlete subgroups, specifically men, African-American/black athletes and basketball players, appear to be at higher risk. The incidence of SCD in athletes is likely higher than traditional estimates which may impact the development of more effective prevention strategies.
TL;DR: AF is a substantially more common side effect of ivabradine treatment than one patient in 10 000, the risk presently reported in the product literature, and the number needed to harm for ivab radine would be 208 per year of treatment.
Abstract: Objective To quantify any risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) associated with ivabradine treatment by meta-analysis of clinical trial data. Methods Medline, Embase, Web of Knowledge and the Cochrane central register of controlled trials were searched for double-blinded randomised controlled trials of ivabradine with a minimum follow-up period of 4 weeks. For studies where AF data were unpublished, safety data were obtained from the European Medicines Agency (EMeA) website and personal communications. Studies were appraised for risk of bias using components recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration. Meta-analyses were performed of relative risk of AF and absolute risk difference of AF per year of treatment. The main outcome measure was incident AF during the follow-up period. Results AF data were available from 11 studies: one from the published report, six from the EMeA and four from personal communications. Ivabradine treatment was associated with a relative risk of AF of 1.15 (95% CI 1.07 to 1.24, p=0.0027) among 21 571 patients in the meta-analysis. From this we estimated that the number needed to harm for ivabradine would be 208 (95% CI 122 to 667) per year of treatment. Conclusions AF is a substantially more common side effect of ivabradine treatment than one patient in 10 000, the risk presently reported in the product literature. The incidence of AF has not routinely been reported in clinical trials of ivabradine.
TL;DR: Reduced serum Klotho concentrations and decreased vascular Klotha gene expression were associated with the presence and severity of CAD independently of established cardiovascular risk factors.
Abstract: Objective Klotho is involved in vascular health. We aimed to analyse in a cross-sectional study the relationship between Klotho and human coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods The study included 371 subjects who underwent coronary angiography and 70 patients who underwent elective cardiac surgery recruited between May 2008 and June 2009. The presence and severity (stenosis index) of CAD, cardiovascular risk factors, Klotho gene expression in the thoracic aorta, and serum soluble Klotho concentrations were evaluated. Results The soluble Klotho concentration was lower (p 2 =0.67, p Klotho was observed in 46 patients with significant CAD, as compared with subjects without CAD (p=0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that high Klotho gene expression was independently associated with lower risk for CAD. Conclusions Patients with significant CAD present lower soluble concentrations of Klotho, as well as reduced levels of Klotho gene expression in the vascular wall. Reduced serum Klotho concentrations and decreased vascular Klotho gene expression were associated with the presence and severity of CAD independently of established cardiovascular risk factors.
University of Lausanne1, University Hospital of Basel2, University of Porto3, University College London4, University of Toulouse5, Ghent University6, University of Bergen7, University of Copenhagen8, Queen's University Belfast9, Istituto Superiore di Sanità10, University of New South Wales11, Geneva College12, Cancer Council Victoria13, Frederiksberg Hospital14, University of Auckland15, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences16
TL;DR: CVRFs show a seasonal pattern characterised by higher levels in winter, and lower levels in summer, and this pattern could contribute to the seasonality of CV mortality.
Abstract: Objective To assess the seasonality of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) in a large set of population-based studies. Methods Cross-sectional data from 24 populationbased studies from 15 countries, with a total sample size of 237 979 subjects. CVRFs included Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference; systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure; total, high (HDL) and low (LDL) density lipoprotein cholesterol; triglycerides and glucose levels. Within each study, all data were adjusted for age, gender and current smoking. For blood pressure, lipids and glucose levels, further adjustments on BMI and drug treatment were performed. Results In the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, CVRFs levels tended to be higher in winter and lower in summer months. These patterns were observed for most studies. In the Northern Hemisphere, the estimated seasonal variations were 0.26 kg/m 2 for BMI, 0.6 cm for waist circumference, 2.9 mm Hg for SBP, 1.4 mm Hg for DBP, 0.02 mmol/L for triglycerides, 0.10 mmol/L for total cholesterol, 0.01 mmol/L for HDL cholesterol, 0.11 mmol/L for LDL cholesterol, and 0.07 mmol/L for glycaemia. Similar results were obtained when the analysis was restricted to studies collecting fasting blood samples. Similar seasonal variations were found for most CVRFs in the Southern Hemisphere, with the exception of waist circumference, HDL, and LDL cholesterol. Conclusions CVRFs show a seasonal pattern characterised by higher levels in winter, and lower levels in summer. This pattern could contribute to the seasonality of CV mortality.
TL;DR: A 1 h nurse-led transition intervention resulted in a significant improvement in self-management and cardiac knowledge scores and an educational intervention should be routine for youth with congenital or acquired heart disease.
Abstract: Objectives Adolescents with heart disease have complex health needs and require lifelong cardiology follow-up. Interventions to facilitate paediatric to adult healthcare transition are recommended, although outcomes are unknown. We sought to determine the impact of a transition intervention on improving knowledge and self-management skills among this population. Methods We conducted a clinical trial of 15–17 year olds with moderate or complex congenital heart disease (CHD) or cardiomyopathy. Participants were systematically allocated to either usual care (controls) or a 1 h nurse-led one-on-one teaching session about their heart. Allocation was determined by week of attendance in the cardiology clinic. The primary outcome was change in Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire (TRAQ) score at 6 months, possible scores ranging from 1 (low) to 5 (optimal). Cardiac knowledge (MyHeart score, range 0–100) was a secondary outcome. Analysis was intention to treat. Results Of 58 participants (48% female), 52 had CHD and 6 had cardiomyopathy. 27 were allocated to the intervention group; 3 declined the intervention and received usual care. When comparing the intervention group with the usual care group at 6 months postintervention, the mean self-management TRAQ score was 3.59 (±0.83) vs 3.16 (±1.05), respectively (p=0.048, adjusted for baseline score); the mean self-advocacy TRAQ score was 4.38 (±0.56) vs 4.01 (±0.95) (p=0.18) and the mean MyHeart score was 75% (±15) vs 61% (±25) (p=0.019). Conclusions A 1 h nurse-led transition intervention resulted in a significant improvement in self-management and cardiac knowledge scores. An educational intervention should be routine for youth with congenital or acquired heart disease. Trial registration number NCT01286480
TL;DR: In patients hospitalised for ADHF, the addition of the discharge NT-proBNP values as well as the change in NT- ProBNP to known risk markers, generates a relatively simple yet robust discharge risk score that importantly improves the prediction of adverse events.
Abstract: Background Models to stratify risk for patients hospitalised for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) do not include the change in N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels during hospitalisation. Objective The aim of our study was to develop a simple yet robust discharge prognostication score including NT-proBNP for this notorious high-risk population. Design Individual patient data meta-analyses of prospective cohort studies. Setting Seven prospective cohorts with in total 1301 patients. Patients Our study population was assembled from the seven studies by selecting those patients admitted because of clinically validated ADHF, discharged alive, and NT-proBNP measurements available at admission and at discharge. Main outcome measures The endpoints studied were all-cause mortality and a composite of all-cause mortality and/or first readmission for cardiovascular reason within 180 days after discharge. Results The model that incorporated NT-proBNP levels at discharge as well as the changes in NT-proBNP during hospitalisation in addition to age ≥75 years, peripheral oedema, systolic blood pressure ≤115 mm Hg, hyponatremia at admission, serum urea of ≥15 mmol/L and New York Heart Association (NYHA) class at discharge, yielded the best C-statistic (area under the curve, 0.78, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.82). The addition of NT-proBNP to a reference model significantly improved prediction of mortality as shown by the net reclassification improvement (62%, p Conclusions In patients hospitalised for ADHF, the addition of the discharge NT-proBNP values as well as the change in NT-proBNP to known risk markers, generates a relatively simple yet robust discharge risk score that importantly improves the prediction of adverse events.
TL;DR: Large-extent LGE correlates with absence of LV functional improvement and high incidence of adverse outcomes in patients with CS after steroid therapy, including cardiac death, hospitalisation for heart failure, and life-threatening arrhythmias.
Abstract: Background Gadolinium-enhanced cardiovascular magnetic resonance is an emerging tool for the diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis (CS); however, the correlations between extent of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and efficacy of steroid therapy and adverse outcomes in patients with CS remain unclear. Objective We aimed to clarify the prognostic impact of extent of LGE in patients with CS. Methods Before the start of steroid therapy, 43 consecutive LGE-positive patients with CS were divided into two groups based on the extent of LGE by a median value: small-extent LGE (LGE mass Results Among the 6 patients who died from heart disorders, 11 patients who were hospitalised because of heart failure and 6 patients who suffered life-threatening arrhythmia during the follow-up period, large-extent LGE predicted higher incidences of cardiac mortality and hospitalisation for heart failure. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that large-extent LGE was independently associated with combined adverse outcomes including cardiac death, hospitalisation for heart failure, and life-threatening arrhythmias. In the small-extent LGE group, LV end-diastolic volume index significantly decreased and LVEF significantly increased after steroid therapy, whereas in the large-extent LGE group, neither LV volume nor LVEF changed substantially. Conclusions Large-extent LGE correlates with absence of LV functional improvement and high incidence of adverse outcomes in patients with CS after steroid therapy.
TL;DR: Fat percentage does not add to prediction of mortality or CVD in middle-aged and older-aged adults and WHR appeared to have the best predictive value among three indices.
Abstract: Objective To study the utility of body fat percentage in predicting health outcomes when other obesity indices are considered. Methods We conducted a prospective cohort study to evaluate the independent utility of body fat percentage and other obesity indices in predicting mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Results We prospectively followed 15 062 European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC)-Norfolk participants who attended a health examination during 1997–2000 for all-cause mortality and incidence of CVD up to end of December 2011 and end of March 2009, respectively. During the follow-up, 2420 died and 4665 had incident CVD. After exclusion of prior stroke, myocardial infarction and cancer and adjusting for potential confounders, body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), the HR of mortality for men were 0.86 (0.68 to 1.09), 0.81 (0.61 to 1.07) and 0.76 (0.55 to 1.05) and for women were 0.91 (0.70 to 1.17), 0.75 (0.55 to 1.02) and 0.87 (0.61 to 1.23) for second, third and fourth quartile compared with the first (bottom) quartile of body fat percentage. The respective HRs for incident CVD were 0.99 (0.83 to 1.19), 0.85 (0.69 to 1.04) and 0.81 (0.64 to 1.03) for men and 0.98 (0.82 to 1.17), 0.89 (0.73 to 1.10) and 1.02 (0.81 to 1.29) for women. In contrast, higher BMI and WHR were associated with an increased risk of both outcomes and WHR appeared to have the best predictive value among three indices. Conclusions Once BMI and WHR are taken into account, fat percentage does not add to prediction of mortality or CVD in middle-aged and older-aged adults.
TL;DR: Current understanding of mechanisms of aneurysmal initiation and progression is overviewed and medical therapies that have been investigated clinically are summarized, as well as future therapeutic targets are highlighted.
Abstract: Aneurysms are common in the abdominal and thoracic regions of the aorta. While generally asymptomatic, progression of aneurysms is associated with the devastating consequences of aortic rupture. Current therapeutic options to prevent rupture are restricted to surgical repair, as there remains a lack of validated pharmaceutical approaches. Absence of proven medical therapies may be a consequence of the paucity of knowledge on mechanisms of aneurysmal initiation, progression and rupture. Many potential therapeutic targets have been identified in several widely used animal models of these diseases. A small number of these targets are currently under clinical evaluation, while many more are in preclinical stages of evaluation. The purpose of this review is to: (1) overview current understanding of mechanisms of aneurysmal initiation and progression and (2) summarise medical therapies that have been investigated clinically, as well as highlight future therapeutic targets.