scholarly journals β-Blocker Doses and Heart Rate in Patients with Heart Failure: Results from the National Norwegian Heart Failure Registry

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Torfinn Eriksen-Volnes ◽  
Arne Westheim ◽  
Lars Gullestad ◽  
Eva Kjøl Slind ◽  
Morten Grundtvig
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Sinus Rhythm ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Target Dose ◽  
Β Blocker ◽  
Β Blockers

Background: Use of β-blockers and titration to the highest tolerated dose are highly recommended by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines for treatment of chronic heart failure (HF) with a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), but little attention has been paid to the achieved heart rate (HR) during this treatment. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to examine the achieved HR in relation to the use of β-blockers in these patients. Methods: All of the patients (n = 2,689) in the National Norwegian Heart Failure Registry as part of the Norwegian Cardiovascular Disease Registry with a sinus rhythm and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <40% at stable follow-up visiting specialised hospital outpatient HF clinics in Norway were included. The β-blocker doses were calculated as a percent of the target dose according to ESC HF guidelines. Differences between baseline variables according to the achieved HR were analysed by the Student’s t test for continuous variables and Pearson’s χ2 test for categorical variables. Linear regression was used to determine the predictors of HR ≥70 beats/min (bpm) in the multivariate analysis. Results: One third of the patients had a resting HR ≥70 bpm. Of the patients with an HR ≥70 bpm, 72.3% used less than the target dose of β-blocker; they were younger and had a higher NYHA class, more diabetes mellitus and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and higher N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels and estimated glomerular filtration rates compared to the patients with an HR <70 bpm. The 1-year mortality was 3.1, 3.7, 5.8, and 9.1% among the patients with an HR <70, 70–79, 80–89, and >89 bpm, respectively. Only 2 patients used ivabradine. Conclusions: In patients with HFrEF and sinus rhythm, an HR ≥70 bpm was associated with worse clinical variables and outcomes. A high proportion of the patients who had an HR ≥70 bpm was not treated with or/did not tolerate the target dose of a β-blocker, although the β-blocker dose was higher than in patients with an HR <70 bpm. This may suggest that increased efforts should be made to further increase the β-blocker dose, and treatment with ivabradine could be considered among patients with an HR ≥70 bpm.

Implementation of Guideline-Recommended Therapies for Patients With Heart Failure and Reduced Ejection Fraction: A Regional Arab Middle East Experience

Angiology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (5) ◽  
pp. 431-437
Author(s):  
Mohammad Zubaid ◽  
Wafa Rashed ◽  
Mustafa Ridha ◽  
Nooshin Bazargani ◽  
Adel Hamad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Middle East ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Angiotensin Receptor ◽  
Reduced Ejection Fraction ◽  
Patients With Heart Failure ◽  
Β Blocker ◽  
Β Blockers

We describe the characteristics of ambulatory patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) in the Gulf region (Middle East) and the implementation of guideline-recommended treatments. We included 2427 HFrEF outpatients (mean age 59 ± 13 years, 75% males and median left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] of 30%). A high proportion of patients received guideline-recommended medications (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor [ACEI]/angiotensin receptor blocker [ARB]/angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor [ARNI] 87%, β-blocker 91%, mineralocorticoid antagonist [MRA] 64%). However, only a minority of patients received guideline-recommended target doses (ACEI/ARB/ARNI 13%, β-blocker 27%, and MRA 4.4%). Old age was a significant independent predictor for not prescribing treatment ( P < .001 for ACEI/ARB/ARNI and MRA; and P = .002 for β-blockers). Other independent predictors were chronic kidney disease (for both ACEI/ARB/ARNI and MRA, P < .001) and higher LVEF ( P = .014 for β-blockers and P < .001 for MRA). Patients with HFrEF managed by heart failure specialists more often received recommended target doses of ACEI/ARB/ARNI (40% vs 11%, P < .001) and β-blockers (56% vs 26%, P < .001) compared to those treated by general cardiologists. Although the majority of our patients with HFrEF received guideline-recommended medications, the doses they were prescribed were suboptimal. Understanding the reasons behind this is important for improved practice.

Abstract 257: Discharge Heart Rate and Beta-blocker Dose in Patients Hospitalized with Acute Heart Failure

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam D DeVore ◽  
Xiaojuan Mi ◽  
Robert J Mentz ◽  
Gregg C Fonarow ◽  
Melissa K Van Dyke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Beta Blocker ◽  
Beta Blockers ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Target Dose ◽  
Patients With Heart Failure ◽  
Elevated Heart Rate

Background: The SHIFT study (Systolic Heart failure treatment with the I f inhibitor ivabradine Trial) demonstrated the importance of elevated heart rate (defined as > 70 beats per minute [bpm]) despite beta-blocker use as a treatment target in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Limited data are available that describe the proportion of HFrEF patients that have an elevated heart rate despite beta-blocker therapy. Methods: We analyzed data from the Organized Program to Initiate Lifesaving Treatment in Hospitalized Patients with Heart Failure (OPTIMIZE-HF) to describe discharge heart rate as a function of beta-blocker use and dose. We included adult patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction <40% and excluded those with a history of a pacemaker or cardiac resynchronization therapy. For beta-blockers, we considered the 3 evidence-based beta-blockers as well as atenolol and described the dose at discharge as a percentage of the target daily dose (categories included no beta-blocker, <25%, 25-49%, > 50%). Results: Among 14,186 patients hospitalized with acute HFrEF between January 2003 and December 2004, the median discharge heart rate was 76 bpm (25 th -75 th percentile, 68-86). Of these, 10,264 (72%) were discharged on a beta-blocker. For patients not on a beta-blocker, the median discharge heart rate was 80 bpm (70-88), compared to 77 bpm (68-87) on <25% target dose, 75 bpm (66-84) on 25-49% target dose, and 74 bpm (66-83) on > 50% target dose (P<0.001) (Figure). For patients on > 50% target dose of a beta-blocker, 1397(65%) had a heart rate > 70 bpm. Conclusion: Despite treatment with beta-blockers, a substantial proportion of HFrEF patients have an elevated heart rate at hospital discharge.

scholarly journals Heart Rate–Induced Myocardial Ca 2+ Retention and Left Ventricular Volume Loss in Patients With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (17) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel N. Silverman ◽  
Mehdi Rambod ◽  
Daniel L. Lustgarten ◽  
Robert Lobel ◽  
Martin M. LeWinter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Sinus Rhythm ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Atrial Pacing ◽  
Preserved Ejection Fraction ◽  
Volume Loss ◽  
Heart Rates ◽  
Patients With Heart Failure

Background Increases in heart rate are thought to result in incomplete left ventricular (LV) relaxation and elevated filling pressures in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Experimental studies in isolated human myocardium have suggested that incomplete relaxation is a result of cellular Ca 2+ overload caused by increased myocardial Na + levels. We tested these heart rate paradigms in patients with HFpEF and referent controls without hypertension. Methods and Results In 22 fully sedated and instrumented patients (12 controls and 10 patients with HFpEF) in sinus rhythm with a preserved ejection fraction (≥50%) we assessed left‐sided filling pressures and volumes in sinus rhythm and with atrial pacing (95 beats per minute and 125 beats per minute) before atrial fibrillation ablation. Coronary sinus blood samples and flow measurements were also obtained. Seven women and 15 men were studied (aged 59±10 years, ejection fraction 61%±4%). Patients with HFpEF had a history of hypertension, dyspnea on exertion, concentric LV remodeling and a dilated left atrium, whereas controls did not. Pacing at 125 beats per minute lowered the mean LV end‐diastolic pressure in both groups (controls −4.3±4.1 mm Hg versus patients with HFpEF −8.5±6.0 mm Hg, P =0.08). Pacing also reduced LV end‐diastolic volumes. The volume loss was about twice as much in the HFpEF group (controls −15%±14% versus patients with HFpEF −32%±11%, P =0.009). Coronary venous [Ca 2+ ] increased after pacing at 125 beats per minute in patients with HFpEF but not in controls. [Na + ] did not change. Conclusions Higher resting heart rates are associated with lower filling pressures in patients with and without HFpEF. Incomplete relaxation and LV filling at high heart rates lead to a reduction in LV volumes that is more pronounced in patients with HFpEF and may be associated with myocardial Ca 2+ retention.

First clinical trial with etomoxir in patients with chronic congestive heart failure

2000 ◽  
Vol 99 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan SCHMIDT-SCHWEDA ◽  
Christian HOLUBARSCH
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Sarcoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Stroke Volume ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Ventricular Ejection Fraction

In the failing human myocardium, both impaired calcium homoeostasis and alterations in the levels of contractile proteins have been observed, which may be responsible for reduced contractility as well as diastolic dysfunction. In addition, levels of a key protein in calcium cycling, i.e. the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase, and of the α-myosin heavy chain have been shown to be enhanced by treatment with etomoxir, a carnitine palmitoyltransferase inhibitor, in normal and pressure-overloaded rat myocardium. We therefore studied, for the first time, the influence of long-term oral application of etomoxir on cardiac function in patients with chronic heart failure. A dose of 80 mg of etomoxir was given once daily to 10 patients suffering from heart failure (NYHA functional class II–III; mean age 55±4 years; one patient with ischaemic heart disease and nine patients with dilated idiopathic cardiomyopathy; all male), in addition to standard therapy. The left ventricular ejection fraction was measured echocardiographically before and after a 3-month period of treatment. Central haemodynamics at rest and exercise (supine position bicycle) were defined by means of a pulmonary artery catheter and thermodilution. All 10 patients improved clinically; no patient had to stop taking the study medication because of side effects; and no patient died during the 3-month period. Maximum cardiac output during exercise increased from 9.72±1.25 l/min before to 13.44±1.50 l/min after treatment (P < 0.01); this increase was mainly due to an increased stroke volume [84±7 ml before and 109±9 ml after treatment (P < 0.01)]. Resting heart rate was slightly reduced (not statistically significant). During exercise, for any given heart rate, stroke volume was significantly enhanced (P < 0.05). The left ventricular ejection fraction increased significantly from 21.5±2.6% to 27.0±2.3% (P < 0.01). In acute studies, etomoxir showed neither a positive inotropic effect nor vasodilatory properties. Thus, although the results of this small pilot study are not placebo-controlled, all patients seem to have benefitted from etomoxir treatment. Etomoxir, which has no acute inotropic or vasodilatory properties and is thought to increase gene expression of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase and the α-myosin heavy chain, improved clinical status, central haemodynamics at rest and during exercise, and left ventricular ejection fraction.

β-Blockade in Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction: Does Heart Rate Control Influence Readmissions?

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-45
Author(s):  
Ryan E. Owens ◽  
Jennifer D. Twilla ◽  
Timothy H. Self ◽  
Abdulrahman I. Alshaya ◽  
Carlvin J. Metra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Hospital Readmissions ◽  
Maximum Tolerated Dose ◽  
Target Dose ◽  
Readmission Rates ◽  
Reduced Ejection Fraction ◽  
Β Blocker ◽  
The Impact

Background: Raised resting heart rate (HR), >70 beats per minute (bpm), has been shown to be a risk factor for adverse cardiovascular outcomes and hospital readmissions, specifically in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HF rEF). Given their mortality benefit, β-blockers are recommended in HF rEF, with a goal to titrate to a maximum tolerated dose rather than a specific HR target. Objective: To determine the impact of optimal HR control achievement prior to hospital discharge on hospital readmissions in patients with HF rEF receiving β-blockade. Methods: A retrospective study of patients admitted to 5 adult hospitals within a large urban health-care system, between 2013 and 2015, was conducted. Patients were identified via International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision ( ICD-9) coding for acute on chronic HF rEF. Results: Of the 225 patients included, 20% achieved optimal HR control (n = 46, HR <70 bpm; n = 179, HR ≥70 bpm) and only 15% received β-blocker titration during hospital admission. Of note, 25% of patients receiving ≥50% target dose (n = 79) and 28% receiving 100% target dose (n = 39) achieved optimal HR control. At 30 days, patients with an HR <70 bpm versus HR ≥70 bpm exhibited similar readmission rates (9% vs 11%, respectively; P > .99) and ED visits (11% vs 8%, respectively; P = .57). Conclusions: Readmission rates were similar among patients with HF rEF despite the majority failing to achieve optimal HR control from β-blockade. However, β-blocker dosing remains suboptimal relative to guideline-recommended target doses. Opportunities exist for inpatient clinicians to optimize β-blockade in an attempt to achieve HR control.

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