scholarly journals Right ventricular function and its coupling with the pulmonary circulation in acute heart failure

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Barki ◽  
M Losito ◽  
M.M Caracciolo ◽  
F Bandera ◽  
M Rovida ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The right ventricle (RV) is extremely sensitive to hemodynamic changes and increased impedance. In acute heart failure (AHF), the development of pulmonary venous congestion and the increase of left ventricular (LV) filling pressures favors pulmonary vascular adverse remodeling and ultimately RV dysfunction, leading to the onset of symptoms and to a further decay of cardiac dynamics. Purpose The aim of the study was to evaluate RV morphology and functional dynamics at admission and discharge in patients hospitalized for AHF, analyzing the role and the response to treatment of the RV and its coupling with pulmonary circulation (PC). Methods Eighty-one AHF patients (mean age 75.75±10.6 years, 59% males) were prospectively enrolled within 24–48 hours from admission to the emergency department (ED). In either the acute phase and at pre-discharge all patients underwent M-Mode, 2-Dimensional and Doppler transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), as well as lung ultrasonography (LUS), to detect an increase of extravascular lung water (EVLW) and development of pleural effusion. Laboratory tests were performed in the acute phase and at pre-discharge including the evaluation of NT-proBNP. Results At baseline we observed a high prevalence of RV dysfunction as documented by a reduced RV systolic longitudinal function [mean tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) at admission of 16.47±3.86 mm with 50% of the patients exhibiting a TAPSE<16mm], a decreased DTI-derived tricuspid lateral annular systolic velocity (50% of the subjects showed a tricuspid s' wave<10 cm/s) and a reduced RV fractional area change (mean FAC at admission of 36.4±14.6%). Furthermore, an increased pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP) and a severe impairment in terms of RV coupling to PC was detected at initial evaluation (mean PASP at admission: 38.8±10.8 mmHg; average TAPSE/PASP at admission: 0.45±0.17 mm/mmHg). At pre-discharge a significant increment of TAPSE (16.47±3.86 mm vs. 17.45±3.88; p=0.05) and a reduction of PASP (38.8±10.8 mmHg vs. 30.5±9.6mmHg, p<0.001) was observed. Furthermore, in the whole population we assisted to a significant improvement in terms of RV function and its coupling with PC as demonstrated by the significant increase of TAPSE/PASP ratio (TAPSE/PASP: 0.45±0.17 mm/mmHg vs 0.62±0.20 mm/mmHg; p<0.001). Patients significantly reduced from admission to discharge the number of B-lines and NT-proBNP (B-lines: 22.2±17.1 vs. 6.5±5 p<0.001; NT-proBNP: 8738±948 ng/l vs 4227±659 ng/l p<0.001) (Figure 1). Nonetheless, no significant changes of left atrial and left ventricular dimensions and function were noted. Conclusions In AHF, development of congestion and EVLW significantly impact on the right heart function. Decongestion therapy is effective for restoring acute reversal of RV dysfunction, but the question remains on how to impact on the biological properties of the RV. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivek Y. Reddy ◽  
Jan Petrů ◽  
Filip Málek ◽  
Lee Stylos ◽  
Steve Goedeke ◽  
...  

Background: Morbidity and mortality outcomes for patients admitted for acute decompensated heart failure are poor and have not significantly changed in decades. Current therapies are focused on symptom relief by addressing signs and symptoms of congestion. The objective of this study was to test a novel neuromodulation therapy of stimulation of epicardial cardiac nerves passing along the posterior surface of the right pulmonary artery. Methods: Fifteen subjects admitted for defibrillator implantation and ejection fraction ≤35% on standard heart failure medications were enrolled. Through femoral arterial access, high fidelity pressure catheters were placed in the left ventricle and aortic root. After electro anatomic rendering of the pulmonary artery and branches, either a circular or basket electrophysiology catheter was placed in the right pulmonary artery to allow electrical intravascular stimulation at 20 Hz, 4 ms pulse width, and ≤20 mA. Changes in maximum positive dP/dt (dP/dt Max ) indicated changes in ventricular contractility. Results: Of 15 enrolled subjects, 5 were not studied due to equipment failure or abnormal pulmonary arterial anatomy. In the remaining subjects, dP/dt Max increased significantly by 22.6%. There was also a significant increase in maximum negative dP/dt (dP/dt Min ), mean arterial pressure, systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, and left ventricular systolic pressure. There was no significant change in heart rate or left ventricular diastolic pressure. Conclusions: In this first-in-human study, we demonstrated that in humans with stable heart failure, left ventricular contractility could be accentuated without an increase in heart rate or left ventricular filling pressures. This benign increase in contractility may benefit patients admitted for acute decompensated heart failure.


1997 ◽  
Vol 272 (3) ◽  
pp. H1382-H1390 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Todaka ◽  
J. Wang ◽  
G. H. Yi ◽  
M. Knecht ◽  
R. Stennett ◽  
...  

Exercise training improves functional class in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) via effects on the periphery with no previously documented effect on intrinsic left ventricular (LV) properties. However, because methods used to evaluate in vivo LV function are limited, it is possible that some effects of exercise training on the failing heart have thus far eluded detection. Twelve dogs were instrumented for cardiac pacing and hemodynamic recordings. Hearts were paced rapidly for 4 wk. Six of the dogs received daily treadmill exercise (CHF(EX), 4.4 km/h, 2 h/day) concurrent with rapid pacing, while the other dogs remained sedentary (CHFs). Hemodynamic measurements taken in vivo at the end of 4 wk revealed relative preservation of maximum rate of pressure rise (2,540 +/- 440 vs. 1,720 +/- 300 mmHg/s, P < 0.05) and LV end-diastolic pressure (9 +/- 5 vs. 19 +/- 4 mmHg, P < 0.05) in CHF(EX) compared with CHFs. The hearts were then isolated and cross perfused for in vitro measurement of isovolumic pressure-volume relations; these results were compared with those of six normal dogs (N). Systolic function was similarly depressed in both groups of pacing animals [end-systolic elastance (Ees) values of 1.66 +/- 0.47 in CHFs, 1.77 +/- 0.38 in CHF(EX), and 3.05 +/- 0.81 mmHg/ml in N, with no changes in volume axis interceptors of the end-systolic pressure-volume relationship]. The diastolic myocardial stiffness constant, k, was elevated in CHFs and was normalized by exercise training (32 +/- 3 in CHFs, 21 +/- 3 in CHF(EX), 20 +/- 4 in N). Thus daily exercise training preserved in vivo hemodynamics during 4 wk of rapid cardiac pacing and was accompanied by a significant change in diastolic myocardial stiffness in vitro. These findings suggest that changes in heart function may contribute to the overall beneficial hemodynamic effects of exercise training in CHF by a significant effect on diastolic properties.


2000 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 325-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Mihaylov ◽  
H. Reintke ◽  
P. Blanksma ◽  
E.D. De Jong ◽  
J. Elstrodt ◽  
...  

The goal of the present study was to develop a large animal model of acute ischemic left ventricular heart failure (LVHF) that can be used to assess the influence of the PUCA pump on the heart and circulatory system under realistic conditions. We tested the hypothesis that mild stenosis of the coronary artery in combination with mild ventricular pacing induces an acute heart failure condition, whereas the separate phenomena themselves do not lead to impaired heart function. Mean aortic pressure (AoP), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), stroke volume (SV) and myocardial systolic shortening (MSS) were compared 30 minutes after a pacemaker (PM) induced tachycardia in anaesthetized sheep (n=3) without and with ± 50% stenosis of the proximal LCx. All parameters measured restored to basic levels when stenosis was absent. When the LCx was partially occluded, mild PM-induced tachycardia resulted in decreased AoP (P=0.045) as well as in decreased SV (P=0.048); the LVEDP remained high (P=0.002). Also the recovery of MSS was impaired when stenosis was present (P=0.002). These values indicate that acute heart failure conditions were present. The technique used proved to be safe and allowd fine-tuning of the demand ischemia by adapting heart frequency to the required heart failure conditions. The model can be used to study the effect of LV mechanical support during acute heart failure conditions.


2016 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 318-320
Author(s):  
Frigy Attila ◽  
Kocsis Ildikó ◽  
Fehérvári Lajos ◽  
Szabó István Adorján

AbstractOptimal timing of hospital discharge in patient with acute heart failure (AHF) is an important factor of preventing rehospitalizations.Aim. To evaluate the value of a simplified lung ultrasound (LUS) protocol in assessing pre-discharge status of patients with AHF, correlating the US findings with the values of NT-proBNP levels.Methods. 24 patients (18 men, 6 women, mean age 68,2 years) hospitalized with acute heart failure underwent LUS examination in the afternoon of the day before hospital discharge, applying a simplified LUS protocol, using three basal examination areas on the right side (anterior, lateral and posterior) and two basal examination areas on the left side (lateral and posterior). The LUS score was represented by the sum of B lines. In the next morning the value of NT-proBNP was also determined. The correlation between LUS findings and NT-proBNP values was analyzed using Fisher's exact test (significant if alpha<0,05).Results. 6 patients had <15 B lines, 16 patients had >15 B lines and 2 patients had pleural effusion on LUS, while 16 patients had the value of NT-proBNP >1000pg/ml at discharge. The results of LUS examination correlated significantly (p=0.0013) with the NT-proBNP values – only one patient not having increased NT-proBNP in the group with >15 B lines.Conclusions. Despite a relatively good clinical status, the majority of patients had high NT-proBNP values at the time of hospital discharge. LUS proved to be a useful tool in identifying patients with subclinical congestion reflected also by the high NT-proBNP levels. These patients may need a prolongation of hospitalization and/or a more careful follow-up to prevent early readmission.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Heyun Nie ◽  
Shuqing Li ◽  
Meilu Liu ◽  
Weifeng Zhu ◽  
Xu Zhou ◽  
...  

Background. Yiqi Fumai injection (YQFM) is a traditional Chinese medicine widely used for cardiovascular diseases in China. This systematic review aimed to evaluate whether YQFM could be an effective and safe complementary therapy for chronic heart failure (CHF). Methods. Eight electronic literature databases were searched up to March 31, 2020. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing YQFM + conventional treatment with conventional treatment alone for CHF were included. The primary outcome was response to treatment, which was graded by improvements in heart function based on the New York Heart Association (NYHA) criteria, while the secondary outcomes included the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), cardiac output, left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD), amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), 6-minute walk test performance (6MWT), quality of life (QoL) as assessed by the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire, and adverse reactions. Data from individual RCTs were pooled by a random-effects meta-analysis with effect measures of proportional odds ratios (pORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for the ordinal outcomes and the mean difference (MD) and 95% CI for the continuous outcomes. Results. In total, 33 RCTs involving 3070 patients with an overall moderate-to-high risk of bias were selected. The meta-analysis showed that compared with conventional treatment alone, YQFM plus conventional treatment had a significantly higher likelihood of improving the response to treatment (pOR 1.88, 95% CI 1.47 to 2.42, I2 = 0%). YQFM also significantly improved the LVEF (MD 5.53%, 95% CI 4.73 to 6.33, I2 = 82%), cardiac output (MD 0.32 L/min, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.45, I2 = 47%), and LVESD (MD −3.73 mm, 95% CI −5.51 to −1.95, I2 = 22%), reduced the NT-proBNP levels (MD −341.83 pg/mL, 95% CI −417.89 to −265.77, I2 = 88%), and improved the 6MWT (MD 61.86 m, 95% CI 45.05 to 78.67, I2 = 64%) and QoL (MD −9.82, 95% CI −14.17 to −5.46, I2 = 81%). No serious adverse events related to YQFM were reported. Conclusion. Although limited by a moderate-to-high risk of bias, the current evidence suggests that YQFM as a complementary treatment significantly improves heart function and related indicators in patients with CHF. The clinical use of YQFM needs careful safety monitoring. Well-designed studies are still required to further evaluate the efficacy and safety of YQFM for CHF.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 513-521
Author(s):  
Moritz Lindner ◽  
Richard Thomas ◽  
Brian Claggett ◽  
Eldrin F Lewis ◽  
John Groarke ◽  
...  

Background: Although pleural effusions are common among patients with acute heart failure, the relevance of pleural effusion size assessed on thoracic ultrasound has not been investigated systematically. Methods: In this prospective observational study, we included patients hospitalised for acute heart failure and performed a thoracic ultrasound early after admission (thoracic ultrasound 1) and at discharge (thoracic ultrasound 2) independently of routine clinical management. A semiquantitative score was applied offline blinded to clinical findings to categorise and monitor pleural effusion size. Results: Among 188 patients (median age 72 years, 62% men, 78% white, median left ventricular ejection fraction 38%), pleural effusions on thoracic ultrasound 1 were present in 66% of patients and decreased in size during the hospitalisation in 75% based on the pleural effusion score ( P<0.0001). Higher values of the pleural effusion score were associated with higher pleural effusion volumes on computed tomography ( P<0.001), higher NT-pro brain natriuretic peptide values ( P=0.001) and a greater number of B-lines on lung ultrasound ( P=0.004). Nevertheless, 47% of patients were discharged with persistent pleural effusions, 19% with large effusions. However, higher values of the pleural effusion score on thoracic ultrasound 2 did not identify patients at increased risk of 90-day heart failure rehospitalisations or death (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.92–1.19; P=0.46) whereas seven or more B-lines on lung ultrasound at discharge were independently associated with adverse events (adjusted HR 2.43, 95% CI 1.11–5.37; P=0.027). Conclusion: Among patients with acute heart failure, pleural effusions are associated with other clinical, imaging and laboratory markers of congestion and improve with heart failure therapy. The prognostic relevance of persistent pleural effusions at discharge should be investigated in larger studies.


Angiology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 323-332
Author(s):  
Mostafa Q. AlShamiri ◽  
Khalid F. AlHabib ◽  
Waleed AlHabeeb ◽  
Ismail R. Raslan ◽  
Anhar Ullah ◽  
...  

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) therapy is indicated after myocardial infarction in patients with acute heart failure (AHF) with an ejection fraction ≤40% and lacking contraindications. We analyzed clinical presentations, predictors, and outcomes of MRA-eligible patients within a prospective registry of patients with AHF from 18 hospitals in Saudi Arabia, from 2009 to 2010. For this subgroup, mortality rates were followed until 2013, and the clinical characteristics, management, predictors, and outcomes were compared between MRA-treated and non-MRA-treated patients. Of 2609 patients with AHF, 387 (14.8%) were MRA eligible, of which 146 (37.7%) were prescribed MRAs. Compared with non-MRA-treated patients, those prescribed MRAs more commonly exhibited non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, acute on chronic heart failure, past history of ischemic heart disease, and severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction; were more commonly administered oral furosemide and digoxin; and had higher in-hospital recurrent congestive HF rates. Mortality did not significantly differ ( P > .05) between groups. In Saudi Arabia, 37.7% of eligible patients received MRA treatment, which is higher than that in developed countries. The lack of long-term survival benefit raises concerns about systematic problems, for example, proper follow-up and management after hospital discharge, warranting further investigation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingtao Na ◽  
Haifeng Jin ◽  
Xin Wang ◽  
Kan Huang ◽  
Shuang Sun ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Heart failure (HF) is a clinical syndrome characterized by left ventricular dysfunction or elevated intracardiac pressures. Research supports that microRNAs (miRs) participate in HF by regulating  targeted genes. Hence, the current study set out to study the role of HDAC3-medaited miR-18a in HF by targeting ADRB3. Methods Firstly, HF mouse models were established by ligation of the left coronary artery at the lower edge of the left atrial appendage, and HF cell models were generated in the cardiomyocytes, followed by ectopic expression and silencing experiments. Numerous parameters including left ventricular posterior wall dimension (LVPWD), interventricular septal dimension (IVSD), left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular end systolic diameter (LVESD), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS), left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LEVDP), heart rate (HR), left ventricular pressure rise rate (+ dp/dt) and left ventricular pressure drop rate (-dp/dt) were measured in the mice. In addition, apoptosis in the mice was detected by means of TUNEL staining, while RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis were performed to detect miR-18a, HDAC3, ADRB3, cMyb, MMP-9, Collagen 1 and TGF-β1 expression patterns. Dual luciferase reporter assay validated the targeting relationship between ADRB3 and miR-18a. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was determined by means of flow cytometry. Results HDAC3 and ADRB3 were up-regulated and miR-18a was down-regulated in HF mice and cardiomyocytes. In addition, HDAC3 could reduce the miR-18a expression, and ADRB3 was negatively-targeted by miR-18a. After down-regulation of HDAC3 or ADRB3 or over-expression of miR-18a, IVSD, LVEDD, LVESD and LEVDP were found to be decreased but LVPWD, LVEF, LVFS, LVSP, + dp/dt, and −dp/dt were all increased in the HF mice, whereas fibrosis, hypertrophy and apoptosis of HF cardiomyocytes were declined. Conclusion Collectively, our findings indicate that HDAC3 silencing confers protection against HF by inhibiting miR-18a-targeted ADRB3.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
N.R Pugliese ◽  
M Mazzola ◽  
G Bandini ◽  
G Barbieri ◽  
S Spinelli ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims Our aim was to assess the dynamic changes of pulmonary congestion (PC) through variations of sonographic B-lines, in addition to conventional clinical, biohumoral and echocardiographic findings, to improve prognostic stratification of patients admitted for acute heart failure with reduced and preserved ejection fraction (HFrEF, HFpEF). Methods In this multicenter, prospective, observational study, lung ultrasound was performed in all patients at admission and before discharge by trained investigators, blinded to clinical findings and outcomes. Results We enrolled 208 consecutive patients admitted for acute heart failure (125 HFrEF, 83 HFpEF, mean age 75.9±11.7 years, 36% females, mean ejection fraction 38%). After 180-day follow-up, 38 composite endpoint events occurred (cardiovascular deaths or HF re-hospitalisations). In a multivariate model, B-lines at discharge had independent prognostic value in the overall population together with NT-proBNP, moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation (MR) and inferior vena cava diameter at admission. When dividing the population in HFrEF and HFpEF, B-lines at discharge was the only independent parameter to predict events in all subgroups. At ROC analysis, a cut-off of B-lines&gt;15 at discharge displayed the highest accuracy in predicting adverse events (AUC=0.80, p&lt;0.0001). The identification of patients unable to halve B-lines during hospitalization (ΔB-lines%), in addition to B-lines &gt;15 at discharge, improved event classification (integrated discrimination improvement=4%, p=0.01; continuous net reclassification improvement=22.8%, p=0.04). Conclusions The presence of residual subclinical sonographic PC at discharge predicts adverse events in the whole spectrum of acute HF patients, independently of conventional biohumoral and echocardiographic parameters. The dynamic evaluation of pulmonary decongestion during hospital stay can further improve patient risk stratification. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


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