scholarly journals 575 Heart failure as the cancer for the heart: the prognostic role of the new TNM-like classification

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_G) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Severino ◽  
Andrea D’ Amato ◽  
Marco Valerio Mariani ◽  
Silvia Prosperi ◽  
Danilo Alunni Fegatelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Cardiac Death ◽  
Tnm Classification ◽  
Composite Endpoint ◽  
Staging System ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽  
Peripheral Organs

Abstract Aims Heart failure (HF) is the pandemic of the third millennium accounting for the highest mortality rate among general population, second only to lung cancer. Beside heart, HF can affect lungs and peripheral organs, such as kidney, liver, brain, erythropoiesis, leading to multiorgan dysfunction. This is similar to spread of cancer. We proposed a new staging system of HF, named HLM, analogous to TNM classification used in oncology, which refers to heart damage (H), instead of T for tumour, lung involvement (L), instead of N for lymphnodes, and malfunction (M) of peripheral organs, instead of M for metastasis. The aim of this study was a comparison of HLM score with NYHA classes, ACC/AHA stages and HF classification by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), to assess the most accurate prognosis tool for HF patients, in terms of a composite endpoint of all-cause death and hospitalization. Methods and results We performed a multicentre observational, prospective study of consecutive patients admitted for HF, or at risk for HF. All parameters for heart, lungs, and peripheral organ function were collected and examined. Each patient was classified according to HLM, NYHA, ACC/AHA scores and LVEF, at hospital admission and at discharge. The composite endpoint was all-cause death and rehospitalization; the secondary endpoints were all-cause death, cardiac death, and rehospitalization. Patients were followed up at 12 months. We enrolled 2152 patients. Among those, 1720 patients completed the 12-months follow-up. Comparing HLM with other nosologies, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was greater for HLM score than NYHA, ACC/AHA and LVEF scores regarding the composite endpoint (HLM = 0.644; NYHA = 0.580; ACC/AHA = 0.572; EF = 0.572) and all-cause death (HLM = 0.713; NYHA = 0.596; ACC/AHA = 0.594; EF = 0.565). HLM score related AUC showed statistically significant differences compared to LVEF (P < 0.001), ACC-AHA (P < 0.001), and NYHA (P < 0.001) scores’ AUC, in terms of all-cause death and the composite of all-cause death and rehospitalization, at 12 months follow-up. Moreover, the AIC and BIC values to predict the composite of all-cause death and rehospitalization, all-cause death, cardiac death and rehospitalization rate at 12 months follow-up were always lower for HLM model compared with the others. Conclusions According to our results, HLM score has greater prognostic power compared to other nosologies, in terms of composite outcome, rehospitalization, and all-cause death, as well as all-cause death, cardiac death, and rehospitalization, at 12 months follow-up in HF patients. HLM score overcomes the cardiocentric view of HF and it addresses the pathophysiological mechanisms underlining heart abnormalities. Such a multivariable, holistic staging system may be used in HF patients, in order to improve clinical management and to reduce healthcare costs.

Residual inflammation is a major determinant of myocardial recovery and cardiovascular outcome in takotsubo patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
L Lachmet-Thebaud ◽  
B Marchandot ◽  
K Matsushita ◽  
C Sato ◽  
C Dagrenat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Cardiac Death ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Cardiovascular Outcome ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Funding Source ◽  
Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽  
Cox Regression Analysis ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Recent insights have emphasized the importance of myocardial and systemic inflammation in Takotsubo Syndrome (TTS). Objective In a large registry of unselected patients, we sought to evaluate whether residual high inflammatory response (RHIR) could impact cardiovascular outcome after TTS. Methods Patients with TTS were retrospectively included between 2008 and 2018 in three general hospitals. 385 patients with TTS were split into three subgroups, according to tertiles of C-reactive protein (CRP) levels at discharge (CRP<5.2 mg/l, CRP range 5.2 to 19 mg/l, and CRP>19 mg/L). The primary endpoint was the impact of RHIR, defined as CRP>19 mg/L at discharge, on cardiac death or hospitalization for heart failure. Results Follow-up was obtained in 382 patients (99%) after a median of 747 days. RHIR patients were more likely to have a history of cancer or a physical trigger. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at admission and at discharge were comparable between groups. By contrast, RHIR was associated with lower LVEF at follow-up (61.7 vs. 60.7 vs. 57.9%; p=0.004) and increased cardiac late mortality (0% vs. 0% vs. 10%; p=0.001). By multivariate Cox regression analysis, RHIR was an independent predictor of cardiac death or hospitalization for heart failure (hazard ratio: 1.97; 95% confidence interval: 1.11 to 3.49; p=0.02). Conclusions RHIR was associated with impaired LVEF recovery and was evidenced as an independent factor of cardiovascular events. All together these findings underline RHIR patients as a high-risk subgroup, to target in future clinical trials with specific therapies to attenuate RHIR. Main results Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): GERCA (Groupe pour l'Enseignement, la prévention et la Recherche Cardiovasculaire en Alsace)

scholarly journals P1595 Prognostic role of late gadolinium enhancement for sudden cardiac death risk in non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
I Rodriguez Sanchez ◽  
J J Onaindia ◽  
V Gomez ◽  
U Aguirre Larrakoetxea ◽  
S Velasco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Cardiovascular Mortality ◽  
Composite Endpoint ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Heart Failure Hospitalization ◽  
Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽  
Non Ischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Abstract OBJECTIVES to evaluate the prognosis role of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) in patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDM). BACKGROUND Risk stratification in NIDM needs to be improved. METHODS We included 210 patients with NIDM and cMRI from 2005 to 2018 in our study population. Outcomes were retrospectively assessed by medical records. The pattern of LGE was classified as mid-wall, sub-epicardial, or both patterns. Primary endpoint was sudden cardiac death (SCD) or aborted SCD. Secondary endpoints were global mortality and a composite endpoint of cardiovascular mortality and heart failure hospitalization. Demographic and clinical parameters were also evaluated. Patients with LGE (LGE+) were more likely to be male (80,6% vs 66,7%, p= 0,03). No significant differences were observed between LGE+ and LGE- patients in comorbidities, NYHA class, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), or neurohormonal treatment. RESULTS Of 210 patients (71,4% men, median age 59,8 years) with a median follow up of 5,6 years (3,24-8,15), 72 patients (34,3%) had non ischemic LGE (LGE+) on cMRI. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 34%. SCD or aborted SCD occurred in 11 patients (5,2%): 6 patients (9,5%) with LGE+ vs 5 patients (4,07 %) of LGE- (p = 0,19). Patients with LGE+ had a higher risk for the composite endpoint (cardiovascular mortality and heart failure hospitalization): OR 2,45, confidence interval (CI): 1,16-5,17, (p = 0,02). LGE presence was not associated with global mortality. The subepicardial pattern of LGE was associated with SCD or aborted SCD. 3 out of 11 patients (27%), with subepicardial pattern of LGE suffered from SCD or aborted SCD (p= 0,01). CONCLUSIONS In our cohort of 210 patients with NIDM, LGE was not significatively associated with SCD or aborted SCD, probably because of a low event rate (5,2%) in a relatively small and well treated population, despite a long follow-up (5,6 years). On the other hand, LGE presence was associated with a higher risk for the composite endpoint of cardiovascular mortality and heart failure hospitalization. Finally, the subepicardial pattern of LGE identified a group of patients at high risk of SCD and aborted SCD.

HLM, a TNM-like classification for heart failure, compared with other nosologies at 12 months follow-up

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
P Severino ◽  
M Pucci ◽  
M.V Mariani ◽  
A D'Amato ◽  
F Infusino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Cardiac Death ◽  
Cancer Metastasis ◽  
Tnm Classification ◽  
Staging System ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Peripheral Organs ◽  
Cerebrovascular Events ◽  
Kidney Liver

Abstract Background Heart failure (HF) is the pandemic of the third millennium with the highest mortality among general population, while lung cancer is the second most common cause of death. As cancer, HF can affect close organs, as lungs, or can reach peripheral organs (kidney, liver, brain), leading to multi-organ dysfunction, like cancer metastasis. Purpose We proposed a new staging system named HLM, analogous to TNM classification used in oncology, which refers to heart damage (H), lung involvement (L), and malfunction (M) of peripheral organs. The aim of this study is a comparison between HLM and NYHA, ACC/AHA and MAGGIC scores to assess the most accurate prognosis of HF patients in terms of rehospitalization for acute HF (AHF) or major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), and cardiac death. Methods We performed a single-center observational study of HF patients. All parameters for heart, lungs and peripheral organs function were examined. Each patient was classified according to HLM, NYHA, ACC/AHA and MAGGIC score at the entrance and at the discharge. Rehospitalization for MACCE or AHF and cardiac death were checked at 12 months follow up. Results We enrolled 2054 patients: 68.5% males, 31.3% females, mean age 70.18±7.48 years. Among them, overall survival curves regarding rehospitalization for MACCE, AHF and cardiac death at 12 months, show that HLM classification is as valid as the others (p<0.001). In particular, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) is greater for HLM than NYHA, ACC/AHA and MAGGIC score in terms rehospitalisation for MACCE (HLM=0.687; NYHA=0.642; ACC/AHA=0.604; MAGGIC=0.657) or AHF (HLM=0.662; NYHA=0.652; ACC/AHA=0.604; MAGGIC=0.662) and cardiac death (HLM=0.783; NYHA=0.712; ACC/AHA=0.623; MAGGIC=0.737). Conclusion(s) According to our results, HLM classification has greater prognostic power compared to other nosologies in terms of rehospitalization for MACCE, AHF and cardiac death for HF patients, thanks to a more accurate evaluation of the systemic impact of heart failure. Such a multivariable, holistic approach should be used in HF patients, rather than a “cardiocentric” approach, in order to address the pathophysiological mechanisms underlining heart abnormalities, improving clinical management and costs. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

scholarly journals Biomarkers-based personalized follow-up in chronic heart failure improves patient’s outcomes and reduces care associate cost

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Leon-Justel ◽  
Jose I. Morgado Garcia-Polavieja ◽  
Ana Isabel Alvarez-Rios ◽  
Francisco Jose Caro Fernandez ◽  
Pedro Agustin Pajaro Merino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Ed Visits ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Heart failure (HF) is a major and growing medical and economic problem, with high prevalence and incidence rates worldwide. Cardiac Biomarker is emerging as a novel tool for improving management of patients with HF with a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF). Methods This is a before and after interventional study, that assesses the impact of a personalized follow-up procedure for HF on patient’s outcomes and care associated cost, based on a clinical model of risk stratification and personalized management according to that risk. A total of 192 patients were enrolled and studied before the intervention and again after the intervention. The primary objective was the rate of readmissions, due to a HF. Secondary outcome compared the rate of ED visits and quality of life improvement assessed by the number of patients who had reduced NYHA score. A cost-analysis was also performed on these data. Results Admission rates significantly decreased by 19.8% after the intervention (from 30.2 to 10.4), the total hospital admissions were reduced by 32 (from 78 to 46) and the total length of stay was reduced by 7 days (from 15 to 9 days). The rate of ED visits was reduced by 44% (from 64 to 20). Thirty-one percent of patients had an improved functional class score after the intervention, whereas only 7.8% got worse. The overall cost saving associated with the intervention was € 72,769 per patient (from € 201,189 to € 128,420) and €139,717.65 for the whole group over 1 year. Conclusions A personalized follow-up of HF patients led to important outcome benefits and resulted in cost savings, mainly due to the reduction of patient hospitalization readmissions and a significant reduction of care-associated costs, suggesting that greater attention should be given to this high-risk cohort to minimize the risk of hospitalization readmissions.

scholarly journals Systolic blood pressure and outcome in patients admitted with acute heart failure: a pooled analysis from 4 randomized clinical trials

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Grand ◽  
K Miger ◽  
A Sajadieh ◽  
L Kober ◽  
C Torp-Pedersen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Composite Endpoint ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Term Outcome ◽  
Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽  
Long Term Outcome ◽  
All Cause Mortality ◽  
Short And Long Term

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): The Danish Heart Foundation Background In acute heart failure (AHF), low systolic blood pressure (SBP) has been associated with poor outcome. Less is known of the risk related to normal versus elevated SBP and interaction with left ventricular ejection fraction. Purpose The aim of the present study was to assess the association between baseline SBP and short- and long-term outcome in a large cohort of AHF-patients. Methods A pooled cohort of four randomized controlled trials investigating the vasodilator serelaxin versus placebo in patients admitted with AHF and an SBP from 125 to 180 mmHg. Endpoints were 180-day all-cause mortality and a short-term composite endpoint (worsening heart failure, all-cause mortality or hospital readmission for HF through Day 14). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was categorized into HFrEF (<40%) and HFpEF (= >40%). Multivariable Cox regression was used and adjusted for age, sex, baseline body mass index, HFrEF, serum estimated glomerular filtration rate, allocated treatment (placebo/serelaxin), diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and atrial fibrillation/flutter. Measurements and Main Results A total of 10.533 patients with a mean age of 73 (±12) years and median SBP of 140 (130-150) mmHg were included within mean 8.2 hours from admission. LVEF was assessed in 8493 (81%), and of these, 4294 (51%) had HFrEF. Increasing SBP as a continuous variable was inversely associated with 180-day mortality (HRadjusted: 0.93 [0.88-0.98], p = 0.004 per 10 mmHg increase) and with the composite endpoint (HRadjusted: 0.90 [0.85-0.95], p < 0.0001 per 10 mmHg increase). A significant interaction was observed regarding LVEF, revealing that SBP was not associated with mortality in patients with HFpEF  (HRadjusted: 1.01 [0.94-1.09], p = 0.83 per 10 mmHg increase), but SBP was associated with increased mortality in HFrEF (HRadjusted: 0.80 [0.73-0.88], p < 0.001 per 10 mmHg increase) (Figure). Conclusions Elevated SBP is independently associated with favorable short- and long-term outcome in AHF-patients. The association between SBP and mortality was, however, not present in patients with preserved LVEF. Abstract Figure. Survival plots by SBP and LVEF

4181Prognosis of patients with mid-range left ventricular ejection fraction treated with PCI: insight from the global leaders study

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
P Chichareon ◽  
R Modolo ◽  
N Kogame ◽  
M Tomaniak ◽  
E Teiger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Stent Thrombosis ◽  
Composite Endpoint ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽  
All Cause Mortality

Abstract Background Heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction (left ventricular ejection fraction between 40 to 49%) was introduced in the 2016 European Society of Cardiology guidelines for heart failure. The prognosis of the mid-range of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was less well assessed in patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Purpose We aimed to assess the 2-year outcomes of patients with mid-range ejection fraction (LVEF between 40 to 49%) after PCI compared with reduced LVEF (<40%) and preserved LVEF (≥50) in the GLOBAL LEADERS study. Methods The GLOBAL LEADERS study was a multicenter, randomized trial comparing the efficacy and safety of two antiplatelet strategies in all-comers patients undergoing PCI with biolimus-A9 eluting stent. Patients with available information of LVEF were eligible in the present analysis. Patients were classified according to their LVEF into three groups; preserved (LVEF ≥50), mid-range (LVEF 40–49%) and reduced (LVEF <40%) left ventricular ejection fraction. Clinical outcomes at 2 years after PCI were compared among three groups in the multivariable Cox regression analysis. The primary outcome of present study was all-cause mortality at 2 years after PCI. The secondary outcomes were patient-oriented composite endpoint (POCE). Individual components of the composite endpoint, definite or probable stent thrombosis and bleeding academic research consortium (BARC) type 3 or 5 were also reported. Results Out of 15968 patients included in the GLOBAL LEADERS study, information of LVEF was available in 15008 patients (93.99%); 12,128 patients (80.81%) were in the group of preserved LVEF, 1,737 patients (11.57%) were in the mid-range LVEF group and 1,143 patients (7.62%) were in the reduced LVEF group. The risk of all-cause mortality and POCE at 2 years were significantly different among the three groups. In an adjusted model, compared with the group of preserved LVEF, the hazard ratio for the all-cause mortality at 2 years rose from 1.89 (95% CI, 1.46–2.45) to 3.72 (95% CI, 2.95–4.70) in the group of mid-range and reduced LVEF respectively. Similar rises were observed for the POCE at 2 years from 1.27 (95% CI, 1.11–1.44) in the group of mid-range LVEF to 1.63 (95% CI, 1.42–1.87) in the group of reduced LVEF. The risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, and definite or probable stent thrombosis in patients with mid-range LVEF was not different from patients with reduced LVEF (see figure). A similar risk of revascularization was observed among the three groups. Outcomes among three LVEF categories Conclusion Patients with mid-range LVEF undergoing PCI had a different prognosis from patients with reduced LVEF and preserved LVEF in term of survival and composite ischemic endpoints at 2 years.

scholarly journals Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Ischemic versus Non-Ischemic Cardiomyopathy after Angiotensin-Neprilysin Inhibition Therapy

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (21) ◽  
pp. 4989
Author(s):  
Mohammad Abumayyaleh ◽  
Christina Pilsinger ◽  
Ibrahim El-Battrawy ◽  
Marvin Kummer ◽  
Jürgen Kuschyk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Ischemic Cardiomyopathy ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias ◽  
Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽  
One Year ◽  
The Impact

Background: The angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) decreases cardiovascular mortality in patients with chronic heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Data regarding the impact of ARNI on the outcome in HFrEF patients according to heart failure etiology are limited. Methods and results: One hundred twenty-one consecutive patients with HFrEF from the years 2016 to 2017 were included at the Medical Centre Mannheim Heidelberg University and treated with ARNI according to the current guidelines. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was numerically improved during the treatment with ARNI in both patient groups, that with ischemic cardiomyopathy (n = 61) (ICMP), and that with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (n = 60) (NICMP); p = 0.25. Consistent with this data, the NT-proBNP decreased in both groups, more commonly in the NICMP patient group. In addition, the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and creatinine changed before and after the treatment with ARNI in both groups. In a one-year follow-up, the rate of ventricular tachyarrhythmias (ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation) tended to be higher in the ICMP group compared with the NICMP group (ICMP 38.71% vs. NICMP 17.24%; p = 0.07). The rate of one-year all-cause mortality was similar in both groups (ICMP 6.5% vs. NICMP 6.6%; log-rank = 0.9947). Conclusions: This study shows that, although the treatment with ARNI improves the LVEF in ICMP and NICMP patients, the risk of ventricular tachyarrhythmias remains higher in ICMP patients in comparison with NICMP patients. Renal function is improved in the NICMP group after the treatment. Long-term mortality is similar over a one-year follow-up.

Abstract 107: Predictors and Frequency of ICD Implantation for Primary Prevention in ICD Eligible Patients: Results from a Prospective Multicenter Registry

2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rory Hachamovitch ◽  
Benjamin Nutter ◽  
Manuel D Cerqueira ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Primary Prevention ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Myocardial Imaging ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Study Cohort ◽  
Icd Implantation ◽  
Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽  
Multicenter Registry

Background . The use of implantable cardiac defibrillators has been associated with improved survival in several well-defined patient (pt) subsets. Its utilization for primary prevention in eligible pts, however, is unclear. We sought to examine the frequency of ICD implantation (ICD-IMP) for primary prevention in a cohort prospectively enrolled in a prospective, multicenter registry of ICD candidates. Methods . We identified 961 pts enrolled in the AdreView Myocardial Imaging for Risk Evaluation in Heart Failure (ADMIRE-HF) study, a prospective, multicenter study evaluating the prognostic usefulness of 123I-mIBG scintigraphy in a heart failure population. Inclusion criteria limited patients to those meeting guideline criteria for ICD implantation; these criteria included left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35% and New York Heart Association functional class II-III. We excluded pts with an ICD at the time of enrollment, leaving a study cohort of 934 patients. Pts were followed up for 24 months after enrollment. Pts undergoing ICD-IMP after enrollment for secondary prevention were censored at the time of intervention. The association between ICD-IMP utilization and demographic, clinical, laboratory, and imaging data was examined using Cox proportional hazards analysis (CPH). Results . Of 934 pts, 196 (21%) were referred for ICD-IMP over a mean follow-up of 612±242 days. Implantations occurred 167±164 days after enrollment. Patients referred for ICD were younger (61±12 vs. 63±12), but did not differ with respect to proportion female (17% vs. 21%), African-American race (12% vs. 15%), diabetics (37% vs. 36%) (All p=NS). The frequency of ICD-IMP did not differ as a function of age, race, sex, LVEF, or imaging result (All p=NS). CPH revealed that a model including age, race, sex, diabetes, smoking, BMI, NYHA class, hypertension, heart failure etiology, and prior MI identified none of these as predictive of ICD-IMP. Conclusion: This analysis of prospective registry data reveals that in patients who are guideline-defined candidates for ICD-IMP, only about one in five receive an ICD over a two year follow-up interval. Multivariable modeling failed to identify any factor associated with ICD use.

Abstract P232: Screening Past B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) Values to Identify Candidates for Treatment of Systolic Dysfunction

2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Parisa Gholami ◽  
Shoutzu Lin ◽  
Paul Heidenreich
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean

Background: BNP testing is now common though it is not clear if the test results are used to improve patient care. A high BNP may be an indicator that the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is low (<40%) such that the patient will benefit from life-prolonging therapy. Objective: To determine how often clinicians obtained a measure of LVEF (echocardiography, nuclear) following a high BNP value when the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was not known to be low (<40%). Methods and Results: We reviewed the medical records of 296 consecutive patients (inpatient or outpatient) with a BNP values of at least 200 pg/ml at a single medical center (tertiary hospital with 8 community clinics). A prior diagnosis of heart failure was made in 65%, while 42% had diabetes, 79% had hypertension, 59% had ischemic heart disease and 31% had chronic lung disease. The mean age was 73 ± 12 years, 75% were white, 10% black, 15% other and the mean BNP was 810 ± 814 pg/ml. The LVEF was known to be < 40% in 84 patients (28%, mean BNP value of 1094 ± 969 pg/ml). Of the remaining 212 patients without a known low LVEF, 161 (76%) had a prior LVEF >=40% ( mean BNP value of 673 ± 635 pg/ml), and 51 (24%) had no prior LVEF documented (mean BNP 775 ± 926 pg/ml). Following the high BNP, a measure of LVEF was obtained (including outside studies documented by the primary care provider) within 6 months in only 53% (113 of 212) of those with an LVEF not known to be low. Of those with a follow-up echocardiogram, the LVEF was <40% in 18/113 (16%) and >=40% in 95/113 (84%). There was no significant difference in mean initial BNP values between those with a follow-up LVEF <40% (872 ± 940pg/ml), >=40% (704 ± 737 pg/ml), or not done (661 ± 649 pg/ml, p=0.5). Conclusions: Follow-up measures of LVEF did not occur in almost 50% of patients with a high BNP where the information may have led to institution of life-prolonging therapy. Of those that did have a follow-up study a new diagnosis of depressesd LVEF was noted in 16%. Screening of existing BNP and LVEF data and may be an efficient strategy to identify patients that may benefit from life-prolonging therapy for heart failure.

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