Frequency, predictors, and prognosis of ejection fraction improvement in heart failure: an echocardiogram-based registry study

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (26) ◽  
pp. 2110-2117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anukul Ghimire ◽  
Nowell Fine ◽  
Justin A Ezekowitz ◽  
Jonathan Howlett ◽  
Erik Youngson ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims To identify variables predicting ejection fraction (EF) recovery and characterize prognosis of heart failure (HF) patients with EF recovery (HFrecEF). Methods and results Retrospective study of adults referred for ≥2 echocardiograms separated by ≥6 months between 2008 and 2016 at the two largest echocardiography centres in Alberta who also had physician-assigned diagnosis of HF. Of 10 641 patients, 3124 had heart failure reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) (EF ≤ 40%) at baseline: while mean EF declined from 30.2% on initial echocardiogram to 28.6% on the second echocardiogram in those patients with persistent HFrEF (defined by <10% improvement in EF), it improved from 26.1% to 46.4% in the 1174 patients (37.6%) with HFrecEF (defined by EF absolute improvement ≥10%). On multivariate analysis, female sex [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.40–1.96], younger age (aOR per decade 1.16, 95% CI 1.09–1.23), atrial fibrillation (aOR 2.00, 95% CI 1.68–2.38), cancer (aOR 1.52, 95% CI 1.03–2.26), hypertension (aOR 1.38, 95% CI 1.18–1.62), lower baseline ejection fraction (aOR per 1% decrease 1.07 (1.06–1.08), and using hydralazine (aOR 1.69, 95% CI 1.19–2.40) were associated with EF improvements ≥10%. HFrecEF patients demonstrated lower rates per 1000 patient years of mortality (106 vs. 164, adjusted hazard ratio, aHR 0.70 [0.62–0.79]), all-cause hospitalizations (300 vs. 428, aHR 0.87 [0.79–0.95]), all-cause emergency room (ER) visits (569 vs. 799, aHR 0.88 [0.81–0.95]), and cardiac transplantation or left ventricular assist device implantation (2 vs. 10, aHR 0.21 [0.10–0.45]) compared to patients with persistent HFrEF. Females with HFrEF exhibited lower mortality risk (aHR 0.94 [0.88–0.99]) than males after adjusting for age, time between echocardiograms, clinical comorbidities, medications, and whether their EF improved or not during follow-up. Conclusion HFrecEF patients tended to be younger, female, and were more likely to have hypertension, atrial fibrillation, or cancer. HFrecEF patients have a substantially better prognosis compared to those with persistent HFrEF, even after multivariable adjustment, and female patients exhibit lower mortality risk than men within each subgroup (HFrecEF and persistent HFrEF) even after multivariable adjustment.

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 4200
Author(s):  
I. V. Zhirov ◽  
N. V. Safronova ◽  
Yu. F. Osmolovskaya ◽  
S. N. Тereschenko

Heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) are the most common cardiovascular conditions in clinical practice and frequently coexist. The number of patients with HF and AF is increasing every year.Aim. To analyze the effect of clinical course and management of HF and AF on the outcomes.Material and methods. The data of 1,003 patients from the first Russian register of patients with HF and AF (RIF-CHF) were analyzed. The endpoints included hospitalization due to decompensated HF, cardiovascular mortality, thromboembolic events, and major bleeding. Predictors of unfavorable outcomes were analyzed separately for patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction (AF+HFpEF), mid-range ejection fraction (AF+HFmrEF), and reduced ejection fraction (AF+HFrEF).Results. Among all patients with HF, 39% had HFpEF, 15% — HFmrEF, and 46% — HFrEF. A total of 57,2% of patients were rehospitalized due to decompensated HF within one year. Hospitalization risk was the highest for HFmrEF patients (66%, p=0,017). Reduced ejection fraction was associated with the increased risk of cardiovascular mortality (15,5% vs 5,4% in other groups, p<0,001) but not ischemic stroke (2,4% vs 3%, p=0,776). Patients with HFpEF had lower risk to achieve the composite endpoint (stroke+MI+cardiovascular death) as compared to patients with HFmrEF and HFrEF (12,7% vs 22% and 25,5%, p<0,001). Regression logistic analysis revealed that factors such as demographic characteristics, disease severity, and selected therapy had different effects on the risk of unfavorable outcomes depending on ejection fraction group.Conclusion. Each group of patients with different ejection fractions is characterized by its own pattern of factors associated with unfavorable outcomes. The demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with mid-range ejection fraction demonstrate that these patients need to be studied as a separate cohort.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Masuda ◽  
T Kanda ◽  
M Asai ◽  
T Mano ◽  
T Yamada ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The presence of atrial fibrillation (AF) has been demonstrated to be associated with poor clinical outcomes in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction. Objective This study aimed to elucidate the impact of the presence of atrial fibrillation (AF) on the clinical characteristics, therapeutics, and outcomes in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Methods PURSUIT-HFpEF is a multicenter prospective observational study including patients hospitalized for acute heart failure with left ventricular ejection fraction of >50%. Patients with acute coronary syndrome or severe valvular disease were excluded. Results Of 486 HFpEF patients (age, 80.8±9.0 years old; male, 47%) from 24 cardiovascular centers, 199 (41%) had AF on admission. Patients with AF had lower systolic blood pressures (142±27 vs. 155±35mmHg, p<0.0001) and higher heart rates (91±29 vs. 82±26bpm, p<0.0001) than those without. There was no difference in the usage of inotropes or mechanical ventilation between the 2 groups. A higher quality of life score (EQ5D, 0.72±0.27 vs. 0.63±0.30, p=0.002) was observed at discharge in patients with than without AF. In addition, AF patients tended to demonstrate lower in-hospital mortality rates (0.5% vs. 2.4%, p=0.09) and shorter hospital stays (20.3±12.1 vs. 22.6±18.4 days, p=0.09) than those without. During a mean follow up of 360±111 days, mortality (14.1% vs. 15.3) and heart failure re-hospitalization rates (13.1% vs. 13.9%) were comparable between the 2 groups. Conclusion In contrast to heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction, AF on admission was not associated with poor long-term clinical outcomes among HFpEF patients. Several in-hospital outcomes were better in patients with AF than in those without. Acknowledgement/Funding None


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aditi Thakkar ◽  
Maria Camila Trejo-Parades ◽  
Anantha Sriharsha Madgula ◽  
Margaret Stevenson

Abstract Hyperthyroidism is associated with multiple cardiac pathologies including dilated cardiomyopathy, isolated right ventricular heart failure, and atrial fibrillation (AF). Long standing untreated hyperthyroidism in conjunction with AF can cause severe dilated cardiomyopathy with reduced ejection fraction that is completely reversible with treatment. We present the case of a previously healthy male who presented with florid congestive heart failure (CHF) as an initial presentation for hyperthyroidism. A 37-year-old male presented to the emergency department with progressively worsening dyspnea on exertion and lower extremity edema for one month. His heart rate was noted to be 172 bpm and an EKG was done that showed AF. He was clinically noted to be in heart failure and was admitted for further management. He was started on metoprolol with good heart rate control and was started on furosemide for diuresis. A transthoracic echocardiogram was done and showed severe global hypokinesis with left ventricular ejection fraction reduced to 20% along with bi-atrial enlargement and dilated left ventricular cavity. Ischemic cardiomyopathy was ruled out with left heart catheterization. A TSH level was checked as a part of workup for non-ischemic cardiomyopathy and atrial fibrillation and was markedly reduced to &lt;0.01mIU/L with free T4 of 1.49ng/dL and free T3 of 6.7ng/dL. A diagnosis of hyperthyroid cardiomyopathy with concomitant tachycardia induced cardiomyopathy was made. Autoimmune workup was negative for anti-thyroid-peroxidase and anti-thyroid-stimulating antibodies. Ultrasound of his thyroid gland revealed multiple thyroid nodules concerning for toxic multinodular goiter. He was started on methimazole and discharged after volume optimization with diuresis to closely follow up with endocrinology and cardiology for further management. CHF can be the primary presentation in about 6% of patients with hyperthyroidism. T3 is the main thyroid hormone that binds to cardiomyocytes. It increases the expression of beta-adrenergic receptors on cardiomyocytes and subsequently increases heart rate and contractility. T3 can also cause atrial arrhythmias such as AF by decreasing the parasympathetic tone. Concomitant AF and hyperthyroidism can cause reduced ejection fraction due to tachycardia induced cardiomyopathy and dilated cardiomyopathy. Treatment mainly is with beta-blockers that slow down the heart as well decrease serum T3 levels by blocking 5-monodeiodinase which converts T4 to T3. Our patient was started on beta-blocker and methimazole with good reduction in heart rate and improvement of symptoms. Recovery of cardiac function will be assessed with longitudinal follow up. As hyperthyroidism is one of the few causes of CHF that is completely reversible, clinicians must maintain low degree of suspicion in patients with new onset heart failure especially when associated with AF.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0255271
Author(s):  
Petr Lokaj ◽  
Jindrich Spinar ◽  
Lenka Spinarova ◽  
Filip Malek ◽  
Ondrej Ludka ◽  
...  

Background The identification of high-risk heart failure (HF) patients makes it possible to intensify their treatment. Our aim was to determine the prognostic value of a newly developed, high-sensitivity troponin I assay (Atellica®, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics) for patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF; LVEF < 40%) and HF with mid-range EF (HFmrEF) (LVEF 40%–49%). Methods and results A total of 520 patients with HFrEF and HFmrEF were enrolled in this study. Two-year all-cause mortality, heart transplantation, and/or left ventricular assist device implantation were defined as the primary endpoints (EP). A logistic regression analysis was used for the identification of predictors and development of multivariable models. The EP occurred in 14% of the patients, and these patients had higher NT-proBNP (1,950 vs. 518 ng/l; p < 0.001) and hs-cTnI (34 vs. 17 ng/l, p < 0.001) levels. C-statistics demonstrated that the optimal cut-off value for the hs-cTnI level was 17 ng/l (AUC 0.658, p < 0.001). Described by the AUC, the discriminatory power of the multivariable model (NYHA > II, NT-proBNP, hs-cTnI and urea) was 0.823 (p < 0.001). Including heart failure hospitalization as the component of the combined secondary endpoint leads to a diminished predictive power of increased hs-cTnI. Conclusion hs-cTnI levels ≥ 17 ng/l represent an independent increased risk of an adverse prognosis for patients with HFrEF and HFmrEF. Determining a patient’s hs-cTnI level adds prognostic value to NT-proBNP and clinical parameters.


2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 521-527 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lidija Veterovska Miljkovik ◽  
Vera Spiroska

Heart failure (HF) with preserved left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (HFpEF) occurs in 40 to 60% of the patients with HF, with a prognosis which is similar to HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). HFpEF pathophysiology is different from that of HFrEF, and has been characterized with diastolic dysfunction. Diastolic dysfunction has been defined with elevated left ventricular stiffness, prolonged iso-volumetric LV relaxation, slow LV filing and elevated LV end-diastolic pressure. Arterial hypertension occurs in majority cases with HFpEF worldwide. Patients are mostly older and obese. Diabetes mellitus and atrial fibrillation appear proportionally in a high frequency of patients with HFpEF. The HFpEF diagnosis is based on existence of symptoms and signs of heart failure, normal or approximately normal ejection and diagnosing of LV diastolic dysfunction by means of heart catheterization or Doppler echocardiography and/or elevated concentration of plasma natriuretic peptide. The present recommendations for HFpEF treatment include blood pressure control, heart chamber frequency control when atrial fibrillation exists, in some situations even coronary revascularization and an attempt for sinus rhythm reestablishment. Up to now, it is considered that no medication or a group of medications improve the survival of HFpEF patients. Due to these causes and the bad prognosis of the disorder, rigorous control is recommended of the previously mentioned precipitating factors for this disorder. This paper presents a universal review of the most important parameters which determine this disorder.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A I Tarzimanova ◽  
V I Podzolkov ◽  
M V Pisarev ◽  
R G Gataulin

Abstract Objective To identify predictors of progression of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with hypertension, coronary heart disease (CHD) and chronic heart failure (CHF) with recurrent AF. Materials and methods The study included 312 patients with recurrent AF. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to the leading underlying condition: essential hypertension (n=136), CHD (n=112), and CHF (n=64). The average follow-up duration was 60±3 months. “Progression” of AF was defined as development of persistent or permanent AF. Results During the 5-year prospective follow-up in all the groups of patients with recurrent AF, progression of arrhythmia from paroxysmal or persistent to permanent form was noted. The rate of AF progression in patients with CHF was significantly higher, and its percentage was 59%. The progression percentage after 5 years was 46% (p=0.002) in patients with hypertension and 51% (p=0.008) in patients with CHD. AF progression in patients with hypertension correlated significantly with left ventricular hypertrophy (OR 1.25; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.52) and increased vascular wall stiffness (OR 2.3; 95% CI, 1.95 to 2.65). Independent predictors of arrhythmia worsening in patients with CHD were history of myocardial infarction (OR 1.23; 95% CI, 0.9 to 1.5), irreversible left ventricular (LV) hypokinesis (OR 1.41; 95% CI, 1.1 to 1.7), and increased plasma N-terminal pro–A-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proANP) (OR 1.16; 95% CI, 0.8 to 1.4). Reduced LV ejection fraction (EF) (OR 0.84; 95% CI, 0.7 to 0.89) and increased plasma N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) (NT-proBNP) (OR 2.3; 95% CI, 1.93 to 2.67) were independent predictors of AF progression from persistent to permanent form in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Conclusions Progression of AF is related to the underlying cardiovascular disease. Early vascular aging syndrome and LV hypertrophy are the main factors of AF progression in patients with hypertension. Previous myocardial infarction with irreversible hypokinesis is associated with AF progression in patients with CHD. Reduced LVEF and increased plasma BNP predict AF progression in patients with CHF.


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony P CARNICELLI ◽  
Robert M Clare ◽  
Paul Hofmann ◽  
Karen Chiswell ◽  
Adam D Devore ◽  
...  

Background: Several recent heart failure trials enrolled patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) who had a worsening heart failure (WHF) event. Aim: To describe the characteristics and outcomes of patients with HFrEF and a WHF event at a large tertiary medical center. Methods: We identified patients 18-85 years of age with chronic symptomatic HFrEF (EF ≤35% and ≥2 HF encounters in the prior 18 months) treated at Duke University between Jan 2009-Dec 2018 through the Duke Echo Lab Database. A WHF event was defined as either a hospitalization or ED visit for HF in the prior 12 mos. A set of exclusion criteria [e.g., renal dysfunction, left ventricular assist device (LVAD), heart transplant] were applied to patients with a WHF event to generate a patient cohort similar to those enrolled in contemporary HF trials. We did not restrict the cohort based on BP or BNP levels since these vary over time. Baseline characteristics and outcomes including death and hospitalization were assessed. Results: Of 4846 unique patients with HFrEF, 3668 (76%) had a WHF event in the year prior to index echo. Sequentially, patients with GFR <20 mL/min/1.73 m 2 (n=458), LVAD (n=291), or heart transplant (n=95) were excluded; 2824/4846 (58%) remained in the WHF study population. HFrEF patients with WHF were typically men (68%) with median age of 65 years (IQR 54, 73) and low EF (EF <25% in 57%). Coronary disease (71%), diabetes (44%), and elevated NT-proBNP (median 2405 pg/mL [698, 6841]) were common. Beta-blocker, ACEi/ARB, and MRA use were 88%, 79% and 44%, respectively. HFrEF patients with WHF had a high 30-day, 1-year, and 5-year cumulative incidence of all-cause mortality and HF hospitalization after index echo (FIGURE). Conclusions: In patients with chronic HFrEF at Duke University, 76% had a WHF event in the past year and 58% met several of the key eligibility criteria of contemporary HF trials. Patients with recent WHF had a high burden of comorbidities and very high event rates.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teng Li ◽  
Jun Huang ◽  
Jian Liang ◽  
Wenjie Peng ◽  
Ligang Ding ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The optimal treatment for patients with nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) has been a subject of debate for years. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of catheter ablation (CA) of nonparoxysmal AF in patients with HFrEF and functional mitral regurgitation (MR). Methods This single-center, retrospective, and observational study enrolled 21 consecutive patients with nonparoxysmal AF, HFrEF and functional MR underwent CA༎The ablation strategy consisted of bilateral circumferential pulmonary vein isolation and empirical linear ablations. Results After a mean follow-up of 18.2 ± 8.5 months, stable sinus rhythm (SR) was achieved in 15 patients (71.4%) after the initial procedure and 17 patients (81%) after the final procedure. The NYHA class improved from 2.7 ± 0.7 before ablation to 1.2 ± 0.4 during follow-up (p < 0.001). Left ventricular ejection fraction increased from 36.5 ± 6.3% to 54.9 ± 6.6% (p < 0.001). Among 17 patients in continuous SR after the final procedure, MR severity decreased to mild or none,and 10 patients with decreased ventricular wall motion was completely restored to normal after the procedure. No serious complications occurred. Conclusion CA may be a safe and effective method for treating nonparoxysmal AF in patients with HFrEF and functional MR. It can significantly improve HF symptoms, functional MR and left ventricular function..


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