Prognostic value of sST2 added to BNP in acute heart failure with preserved or reduced ejection fraction

Abstract Objective To assess the prognostic value of B-lines integrated with echocardiography in patients admitted to a Cardiology Department, with and without acute heart failure (AHF). Background Lung-ultrasound (LUS) B-lines are sonographic signs of pulmonary congestion and can be used in the differential diagnosis of dyspnea to rule in or rule out AHF. Their prognostic value at admission is less established, as well as the different role in AHF with reduced and preserved ejection fraction (HFrEF and HFpEF), or patients admitted for cardiac conditions but without overt signs and symptoms of AHF. Methods A total of 1021 consecutive in-patients (69±12 years) admitted for various cardiac conditions were enrolled. Patients were classified into three groups: 1) acute HFrEF; 2) acute HFpEF; 3) no AHF. All patients underwent on the admission an echocardiogram coupled with LUS, according to standardised protocols. Results Patients were followed-up for a median of 14.4 months (interquartile range: 4.6–24.3) for death and HF readmission (composite endpoint). During the follow-up, 126 events occurred. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses showed admission B-lines >30 identified patients with worse outcome at follow-up in the overall population and each of the three groups (Figure). At multivariable analysis (Table), admission B-lines >30, EF <50%, tricuspid regurgitation velocity >2.8 m/s and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) <17 mm resulted in independent predictors of the composite endpoint. B-lines >30 had a strong predictive value in HFpEF and non-AHF, but not in HFrEF. Conclusions Ultrasound B-lines can detect subclinical pulmonary interstitial edema in patients thought to be free of congestion, and provide useful information not only for the diagnosis but also for the prognosis in different cardiac conditions. Their added prognostic value among standard echocardiographic parameters is stronger in patients with HFpEF compared to HFrEF. Figure 1 Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Download Full-text

Levosimendan use in patients with acute heart failure and reduced ejection fraction with or without severe renal dysfunction in critical cardiac care units: a multi-institution database study

Annals of Intensive Care ◽

10.1186/s13613-021-00810-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Cze-Ci Chan ◽

Kuang-Tso Lee ◽

Wan-Jing Ho ◽

Yi-Hsin Chan ◽

Pao-Hsien Chu

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Renal Function ◽

Ejection Fraction ◽

Acute Heart Failure ◽

Cardiac Care ◽

Chang Gung Memorial Hospital ◽

Research Database ◽

Cohort Entry ◽

Reduced Ejection Fraction ◽

Abnormal Renal Function

Abstract Background Acute heart failure is a life-threatening clinical condition. Levosimendan is an effective inotropic agent used to maintain cardiac output, but its usage is limited by the lack of evidence in patients with severely abnormal renal function. Therefore, we analyzed data of patients with acute heart failure with and without abnormal renal function to examine the effects of levosimendan. Methods We performed this retrospective cohort study using data from the Chang Gung Research Database (CGRD) of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (CGMH). Patients admitted for heart failure with LVEF ≤ 40% between January 2013 and December 2018 who received levosimendan or dobutamine in the critical cardiac care units (CCU) were identified. Patients with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) were excluded. Outcomes of interest were mortality at 30, 90, and 180 days after the cohort entry date. Results There were no significant differences in mortality rate at 30, 90, and 180 days after the cohort entry date between the levosimendan and dobutamine groups, or between subgroups of patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥ 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 and eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 or on dialysis. The results were consistent before and after propensity score matching. Conclusions Levosimendan did not increase short- or long-term mortality rates in critical patients with acute heart failure and reduced ejection fraction compared to dobutamine, regardless of their renal function. An eGFR less than 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 was not necessarily considered a contraindication for levosimendan in these patients.

Download Full-text

Prognostic value of global longitudinal layer specific strain for patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/ehjci/ehaa946.0117 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽

Author(s):

C Johnsen ◽

M Sengeloev ◽

P Joergensen ◽

N Bruun ◽

D Modin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Ejection Fraction ◽

Prognostic Value ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Volume Index ◽

Funding Source ◽

Reduced Ejection Fraction ◽

Patients With Heart Failure ◽

All Cause Mortality ◽

Echocardiographic Parameters

Abstract Background Novel echocardiographic software allows for layer-specific evaluation of myocardial deformation by 2-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography. Endocardial, epicardial- and whole wall global longitudinal strain (GLS) may be superior to conventional echocardiographic parameters in predicting all-cause mortality in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of endocardial-, epicardial- and whole wall GLS in patients with HFrEF in relation to all-cause mortality. Methods We included and analyzed transthoracic echocardiographic examinations from 1,015 patients with HFrEF. The echocardiographic images were analyzed, and conventional and novel echocardiographic parameters were obtained. A p value in a 2-sided test <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Cox proportional hazards regression models were constructed, and both univariable and multivariable hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated. Results During a median follow-up time of 40 months, 171 patients (16.8%) died. A lower endocardial (HR 1.17; 95% CI (1.11–1.23), per 1% decrease, p<0.001), epicardial (HR 1.20; 95% CI (1.13–1.27), per 1% decrease, p<0.001), and whole wall (HR 1.20; 95% CI (1.14–1.27), per 1% decrease, p<0.001) GLS were all associated with higher risk of death (Figure 1). Both endocardial (HR 1.12; 95% CI (1.01–1.23), p=0.027), epicardial (HR 1.13; 95% CI (1.01–1.26), p=0.040) and whole wall (HR 1.13; 95% CI (1.01–1.27), p=0.030) GLS remained independent predictors of mortality in the multivariable models after adjusting for significant clinical parameters (age, sex, total cholesterol, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, ischemic cardiomyopathy, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and diabetes) and conventional echocardiographic parameters (left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, LV mass index, left atrial volume index, deceleration time, E/e', E-velocity, E/A ratio and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion). No other echocardiographic parameters remained an independent predictors after adjusting. Furthermore, endocardial, epicardial and whole wall GLS had the highest C-statistics of all the echocardiographic parameters. Conclusion Endocardial, epicardial and whole wall GLS are independent predictors of all-cause mortality in patients with HFrEF. Furthermore, endocardial, epicardial and whole wall GLS were superior prognosticators of all-cause mortality compared with all other echocardiographic parameters. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): Herlev and Gentofte Hospital

Download Full-text