scholarly journals The prognostic value of B-lines in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
N Nemeth ◽  
B Morvai-Illes ◽  
I Szabo ◽  
L Gargani ◽  
A Varga ◽  
...  

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background  Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF) is a growing healthcare burden, and its prevalence is steadily increasing. Despite its common occurrence, HFpEF remained a challenge in every aspect. The evaluation of B-lines with lung ultrasound (LUS) is a promising diagnostic and prognostic tool in this population. Objectives The aim of our study was to assess the diagnostic and prognostic performance of B-lines compared with traditional clinical, echocardiographic parameters and natriuretic peptide levels in patients with clinical suspicion of HFpEF. Methods 78 consecutive patients (70.45 ± 6.75 years, 72% female) with suspected HFpEF were prospectively enrolled. Exclusion criteria were: ejection fraction ≤55%, more than mild mitral and/or aortic valve disease, cardiomyopathy, pulmonary disease, pulmonary arterial hypertension, renal failure and anemia. All patients underwent comprehensive echocardiography, lung ultrasound exam and NT-proBNP measurement during their first appointment. Our endpoint was a composite of acute heart failure (HF),  hospitalization for the worsening HF symptoms and intensification of diuretic therapy. Also, traditional major cardiac adverse events such as death, myocardial infarction, stroke and revascularization were collected. Results We detected 11 events during 12 ± 6 months follow up. The number of B-lines showed a good correlation with NT-proBNP levels (p < 0,001, r = 0.693). B-lines were found to have similar performance to NT-proBNP in predicting events (AUC = 0.778 vs. 0.770, respectively). Those who had more than 30 B-lines on LUS had significantly worse event-free survival p = 0.004. Having more than 30 B-lines at baseline was associated with 7 times greater hazard of adverse outcomes. Conclusions LUS is a simple, feasible tool to detect pulmonary congestion in patients with HFpEF. In our prospective cohort study, LUS was found to be a useful tool for prognostic stratification. Abstract Figure. Prognostic value of B-lines

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blanka Morvai-Illés ◽  
Nóra Polestyuk-Németh ◽  
István Adorján Szabó ◽  
Magdolna Monoki ◽  
Luna Gargani ◽  
...  

Background: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a growing healthcare burden, and its prevalence is steadily increasing. Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a promising screening and prognostic tool in the heart failure population. However, more information on its value in predicting outcome is needed.Aims: The aim of our study was to assess the prognostic performance of LUS B-lines compared to traditional and novel clinical and echocardiographic parameters and natriuretic peptide levels in patients with newly diagnosed HFpEF in an ambulatory setting.Methods: In our prospective cohort study, all ambulatory patients with clinical suspicion of HFpEF underwent comprehensive echocardiography, lung ultrasound and NT-proBNP measurement during their first appointment at our cardiology outpatient clinic. Our endpoint was a composite of worsening heart failure symptoms requiring hospitalization or loop diuretic dose escalation and death.Results: We prospectively enrolled 75 consecutive patients with HFpEF who matched our inclusion and exclusion criteria. We detected 11 events on a 26 ± 10-months follow-up. We found that the predictive value of B-lines is similar to the predictive value of NT-proBNP (AUC 0.863 vs. 0.859), with the best cut-off at >15 B-lines. Having more B-lines than 15 significantly increased the likelihood of adverse events with a hazard ratio of 20.956 (p = 0.004). The number of B-lines remained an independent predictor of events at multivariate modeling. Having more than 15 B-lines lines was associated with a significantly worse event-free survival (Log-rank: 16.804, p < 0.001).Conclusion: The number of B-lines seems to be an independent prognostic factor for adverse outcomes in HFpEF. Since it is an easy-to-learn, feasible and radiation-free method, it may add substantial value to the commonly used diagnostic and risk stratification models.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
L Gargani ◽  
N Pugliese ◽  
F Frassi ◽  
S Masi ◽  
P Landi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Lung-ultrasound B-lines are the sonographic sign of pulmonary congestion and are present in patients with heart failure (HF). Their role as a diagnostic marker is quite established since they can be used for the differential diagnosis of dyspnea to both rule in or rule out HF, whereas their prognostic value at admission is less known. Purpose To assess the prognostic value of B-lines at admission in patients admitted to a Cardiology Department with a diagnosis of HF with reduced (HFrEF) and preserved (HFpEF) ejection fraction. Methods We enrolled a total of 310 consecutive in-patients (aged 69 ± 12 years, 751 males) who underwent on admission a two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic evaluation coupled with lung ultrasound assessment of B-lines, according to standardised protocols. The total number of B-line was obtained by summing the number of B-lines from 28 scanning sites on the anterior and lateral right and left hemithorax, as previously described. Results All patients were followed-up for a median period of 15 (interquartile range: 5-28) months for death and HF readmission. During the follow-up, 79 events occurred. Among standard echocardiographic parameters, ejection fraction (EF) <50%, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) < 17 mm, pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) ³35 mmHg, inferior vena cava diameter >21 mm and total B-lines ³30 were predictors of events at univariate analysis, whereas only B-lines ³30 (hazard ratio [HR] 2.06; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-4.10) and TAPSE <17 mm (HR 0.53; CI 0.29-0.97) were independent predictors at multivariate analysis. When analysing separately HFpEF patients (105 patients, 33.9%), B-lines ³30 was the only independent predictor of events (HR 6.11; CI 1.49-25.05) (Figure). Conclusions B-lines are a simple, user-friendly, bedside echographic sign of pulmonary congestion, that provides useful information not only for the diagnosis but also for the prognosis of HF patients. Their added value among standard echocardiographic parameters is stronger in patients with HFpEF compared to HFrEF. An integrated cardiopulmonary ultrasound assessment at HF admission provides excellent value for both diagnostic and prognostic stratification. Abstract P1479 Figure


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
G Agoston ◽  
L Gargani ◽  
I Szabo ◽  
B Illes ◽  
A Varga

Abstract Background Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF) is a growing healthcare burden and its prevalence is increasing. Diagnosing HFpEF is challenging. Lung ultrasound (LUS) and left atrial strain are promising tools to assess pulmonary congestion and left atrial dysfunction in outpatient settings in patients with suspected HFpEF. Aim To evaluate the correlation of LUS B-lines with left atrial strain in patients with HFpEF. Methods Thirty-six consecutive patients (24 women, mean age 70±6 years) with clinical signs of heart failure were prospectively enrolled. Exclusion criteria were: ejection fraction <55%, more than mild mitral and/or aortic valve disease, pulmonary disease, pulmonary arterial hypertension. Within one hour all patients underwent comprehensive echocardiographic evaluation including left atrial strain analysis (peak atrial longitudinal strain-PALS), lung ultrasound assessment of B-lines on the antero-lateral and posterior chest wall, and NT-proBNP levels. Results The mean ejection fraction was 65.5±8.6%. In 28 patients (85%) a significant number of B-lines (≥15) was observed. We found a positive correlation between the number of B-lines and NT-proBNP levels (p<0.0001, r: 0.76, Figure 1.), left atrial volume (p<0.05, r: 0.45), and PALS (p<0.05, r: −0.5, Figure 2.). We didn't found any correlation between the number of B-lines and E/e'ratio (p=0.1, r: 0.28), or between E/e' ratio and NT-proBNP level (p=0.2, r: 0.2). Conclusion LUS is a simple, feasible tool to detect pulmonary congestion in HFpEF and it seems to better characterize these patients. B-lines correlate well with NT-proBNP values and with parameters of left atrial dysfunction. PALS is a promising too which better reflects pulmonary congestion and elevated NT-proBNP values than the conventional echocardiographic parameter E/e'.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
G Agoston ◽  
L Gargani ◽  
I Szabo ◽  
B Illes ◽  
A Varga

Abstract Background Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF) is a growing healthcare burden and its prevalence is increasing. Diagnosing HFpEF is challenging. Lung ultrasound (LUS) and left atrial strain are promising screening tools to assess pulmonary congestion and left atrial dysfunction in patients with suspected HFpEF. Aim To evaluate the relationship between LUS, left atrial strain and NT-proBNP level in patients with HFpEF. Also to assess the diagnostic power of B-lines in HFpEF population. Methods Forty-seven consecutive patients (24 women, mean age 69 ± 11 years) with clinical signs of heart failure were prospectively enrolled. Exclusion criteria were: ejection fraction &lt;55%, more than mild mitral and/or aortic valve disease, pulmonary disease, pulmonary arterial hypertension. Within one hour all patients underwent comprehensive echocardiographic evaluation including left atrial strain analysis (peak atrial longitudinal strain-PALS), lung ultrasound assessment of B-lines on the antero-lateral and posterior chest wall, and NT-proBNP levels. Results In 34 patients (72%) a significant number of B-lines (≥15) were observed. We found a positive correlation between the number of B-lines and NT-proBNP levels (p &lt; 0,0001, r = 0,74, Figure 1.), left atrial volume (p &lt; 0,05, r = 0,45), and PALS (p &lt; 0,02, r = 0,4 ). We didn’t found any correlation between the number of B-lines and E/e’ ratio (p = 0,1, r = 0,28), or between E/e’ ratio and NT-proBNP level (p = 0,1, r = 0,2). We also assessed the diagnostic ability of ≥15 B-lines to predict markedly elevated pro-BNP level (≥ 220pg/ml), AUC was 0.89. If the total number of B-lines was greater or equal to 28, the sensitivity was 68% with the specificity of 100%, but if we changed the cut-off value to 12, the sensitivity grew to 89% with the specificity of 71%. (Figure 2.). Conclusion LUS is a simple, feasible tool to detect pulmonary congestion in HFpEF and it has a strong diagnostic power to predict elevated NTpro-BNP level. B-lines correlate with parameters of left atrial dysfunction. PALS is promising too, which better reflects pulmonary congestion and elevated NT-proBNP values than the conventional echocardiographic parameter E/e’. Abstract P1586 Figure. NT-pBNP vs B-lines, AUC of Blines


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Johnsen ◽  
M Sengeloev ◽  
P Joergensen ◽  
N Bruun ◽  
D Modin ◽  
...  

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 &lt;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&lt;0.001), epicardial (HR 1.20; 95% CI (1.13–1.27), per 1% decrease, p&lt;0.001), and whole wall (HR 1.20; 95% CI (1.14–1.27), per 1% decrease, p&lt;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


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


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Selvaraj ◽  
B.L Claggett ◽  
D.V Veldhuisen ◽  
I.S Anand ◽  
B Pieske ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Serum uric acid (SUA) is a biomarker of several pathobiologies relevant to the pathogenesis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), though by itself may also worsen outcomes. In HF with reduced EF, SUA is independently associated with adverse outcomes and sacubitril/valsartan reduces SUA compared to enalapril. These effects in HFpEF have not been delineated. Purpose To determine the prognostic value of SUA, relationship of change in SUA to quality of life and outcomes, and influence of sacubitril/valsartan on SUA in HFpEF. Methods We analyzed 4,795 participants from the Prospective Comparison of ARNI with ARB Global Outcomes in HF with Preserved Ejection Fraction (PARAGON-HF) trial. We related baseline hyperuricemia to the primary outcome (CV death and total HF hospitalization), its components, myocardial infarction or stroke, and a renal composite outcome. At the 4-month visit, the relationship between SUA change and Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire overall summary score (KCCQ-OSS) and several biomarkers including N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were also assessed. We simultaneously adjusted for baseline and time-updated SUA to determine whether lowering SUA was associated with clinical benefit. Results Average age was 73±8 years and 52% were women. After multivariable adjustment, hyperuricemia was associated with increased risk for most outcomes (primary outcome HR 1.61, 95% CI 1.37, 1.90, Fig 1A). The treatment effect of sacubitril/valsartan for the primary outcome was not modified by baseline SUA (interaction p=0.11). Sacubitril/valsartan reduced SUA −0.38 mg/dL (95% CI: −0.45, −0.31) compared with valsartan (Fig 1B), with greater effect in those with baseline hyperuricemia (−0.50 mg/dL) (interaction p=0.013). Change in SUA was independently and inversely associated with change in KCCQ-OSS (p=0.019) and eGFR (p&lt;0.001), but not NT-proBNP (p=0.52). Time-updated SUA was a stronger predictor of adverse outcomes over baseline SUA. Conclusions SUA independently predicts adverse outcomes in HFpEF. Sacubitril/valsartan significantly reduces SUA compared to valsartan, an effect that was stronger in those with higher baseline SUA, and reducing SUA was associated with improved outcomes. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): Novartis


Circulation ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 132 (suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Inder S Anand ◽  
Scott D Solomon ◽  
Brian Claggett ◽  
Sanjiv J Shah ◽  
Eileen O’Meara ◽  
...  

Background: Plasma natriuretic peptides (NP) are helpful in the diagnosis of heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and predict adverse outcomes. Levels of NP beyond a certain cut-off level are often used as inclusion criteria in clinical trials to ensure that the patients have HF, and to select patients at higher risk. Whether treatments have a differential effect on outcomes across the spectrum of NP levels is unclear. In the I-Preserve trial a benefit of irbesartan on all outcomes was only seen in HFpEF patients with low but not high NP levels. We hypothesized that in the Treatment of Preserved Cardiac Function Heart Failure with an Aldosterone Antagonist (TOPCAT) trial, spironolactone might have a greater benefit in patients with lower NP levels. Methods and Results: BNP (n=468) or NT-proBNP (n=400) levels were available at baseline in 868 patients with HFpEF enrolled in the natriuretic peptide stratum (BNP ≥100 pg/mL or an NT- proBNP ≥360 pg/mL) of the TOPCAT trial. In a multi-variable Cox regression model, that included age, gender, region (Americas vs. Russia/Georgia), atrial fibrillation, diabetes, eGFR, BMI and heart rate, higher BNP or NT-proBNP as a continuous, standardized log-transformed variable or grouped by terciles (see Figure for BNP & NT-proBNP tercile values) was independently associated with an increased risk of the primary endpoint of cardiovascular mortality, aborted cardiac arrest, or hospitalization for heart failure (Figure-1). There was a significant interaction between the effect of spironolactone and baseline BNP or NT-proBNP terciles for the primary outcome (P=0.02, Figure-2), with greater benefit of the drug in the lower compared to higher NP terciles. Conclusions: The benefit of spironolactone in lower risk HFpEF patients may indicate effects of the drug on early, but not late higher-risk stage of the disease. These findings question the strategy of using elevated NP as a patient selection criterion in HFpEF trials.


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kumpei Ueda ◽  
Shungo Hikoso ◽  
Daisaku D Nakatani ◽  
Shunsuke Tamaki ◽  
Masamichi Yano ◽  
...  

Background: An elevated pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP), a surrogate of left ventricular filling pressure, is associated with poor outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF). In addition, obesity paradox is well recognized in HF patients and body mass index (BMI) also provides a prognostic information. However, there is little information available on the prognostic value of the combination of the echocardiographic derived PAWP and BMI in patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Methods and Results: Patients data were extracted from The Prospective mUlticenteR obServational stUdy of patIenTs with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (PURSUIT HFpEF) study, which is a prospective multicenter observational registry for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) patients with HFpEF. We analyzed 548 patients after exclusion of patients undergoing hemodialysis, patients with in-hospital death, missing follow-up data, or missing data to calculate PAWP or BMI. Body weight measurement and echocardiography were performed just before discharge. PAWP was calculated using the Nagueh formula [PAWP = 1.24* (E/e’) + 1.9] with e’ = [(e’ septal + e’ lateral ) /2]. During a mean follow up period of 1.5±0.8 years, 86 patients had all-cause death (ACD). Multivariate Cox analysis showed that both PAWP (p=0.020) and BMI (p=0.0001) were significantly associated with ACD, independently of age and previous history of HF hospitalization, after the adjustment with gender, left ventricular ejection fraction, NT-proBNP and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis revealed that there was a significant difference in the risk of ACD when patients were stratified into 3 groups based on the median values of PAWP (17.3) and BMI (21.4). Conclusions: The combination of the echocardiographic derived PAWP and BMI might be useful for stratifying ADHF patients with HFpEF at risk for the total mortality.


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