Myocardial T2* in Patients with Cardiac Failure Secondary to Iron Overload.

Abstract Introduction: Myocardial iron overload is a well established cause of heart failure in a number of haematological disorders and is the leading cause of death in β-thalassaemia major (TM). Once overt heart failure develops prognosis is very poor and it would therefore be desirable to identify patients at risk, prior to the development of symptomatic heart failure. Myocardial iron can now be rapidly and reproducibly assessed using a validated cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) T2* technique. Left ventricular ejection fraction has been demonstrated to relate to myocardial T2* (normal >20ms), and accordingly iron overloaded patients with symptomatic heart failure are likely to have a low T2* but there are no reports of the myocardial T2* level in newly presenting patients with heart failure and the threshold for increased risk is also unknown. Purpose: To establish the distribution of myocardial T2* values in patients presenting with symptomatic heart failure secondary to iron overload. Methods: Database records of CMR T2* assessments over a 5 year period were reviewed to identify iron overloaded patients presenting with heart failure. Results: 28 patients (median age 29y, 11–79) with iron overload and documented heart failure were identified. 22 patients had thalassaemia major, 3 hereditary haemochromatosis, and 3 had miscellaneous transfusion dependent anaemias. The mean myocardial T2* in all groups was 6.8+/− 2.2ms reflecting severe iron loading by clinical criteria. See figure 1. Myocardial T2* values were similar between sub-groups as follows: TM patients 6.7+/− 2.4ms, haemochromatosis 7.7ms (6.7–7.4ms), miscellaneous 6.8ms (4.8–9.1ms). Conclusion: In this database review, the patients developing heart failure secondary to iron overload all had abnormal myocardial T2*, and overall 89% of heart failure patients had values less than 10ms, which reflects severe myocardial iron loading. This data suggests a myocardial T2* <10ms should be considered a threshold for risk of heart failure (with its attendant high mortality) and such patients should be treated aggressively with increased iron chelation. It also suggests that clinical heart failure occurs nearly exclusively in patients with severe myocardial iron loading. Distribution of myocardial T2+ values in symptomatic heart failure (n=28) Distribution of myocardial T2+ values in symptomatic heart failure (n=28)

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Temporal trends in outcome and patient characteristics in dilated cardiomyopathy, data from the Swedish Heart Failure Registry 2003–2015

BMC Cardiovascular Disorders ◽

10.1186/s12872-021-02124-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Helen Sjöland ◽

Jonas Silverdal ◽

Entela Bollano ◽

Aldina Pivodic ◽

Ulf Dahlström ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Dilated Cardiomyopathy ◽

Temporal Trends ◽

Physical Symptoms ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection ◽

Continuous Change ◽

Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Over Time

Abstract Background Temporal trends in clinical composition and outcome in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) are largely unknown, despite considerable advances in heart failure management. We set out to study clinical characteristics and prognosis over time in DCM in Sweden during 2003–2015. Methods DCM patients (n = 7873) from the Swedish Heart Failure Registry were divided into three calendar periods of inclusion, 2003–2007 (Period 1, n = 2029), 2008–2011 (Period 2, n = 3363), 2012–2015 (Period 3, n = 2481). The primary outcome was the composite of all-cause death, transplantation and hospitalization during 1 year after inclusion into the registry. Results Over the three calendar periods patients were older (p = 0.022), the proportion of females increased (mean 22.5%, 26.4%, 27.6%, p = 0.0001), left ventricular ejection fraction was higher (p = 0.0014), and symptoms by New York Heart Association less severe (p < 0.0001). Device (implantable cardioverter defibrillator and/or cardiac resynchronization) therapy increased by 30% over time (mean 11.6%, 12.3%, 15.1%, p < 0.0001). The event rates for mortality, and hospitalization were consistently decreasing over calendar periods (p < 0.0001 for all), whereas transplantation rate was stable. More advanced physical symptoms correlated with an increased risk of a composite outcome over time (p = 0.0043). Conclusions From 2003 until 2015, we observed declining mortality and hospitalizations in DCM, paralleled by a continuous change in both demographic profile and therapy in the DCM population in Sweden, towards a less affected phenotype.

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Prognostic value of atrial fibrillation in patients with heart failure and different left ventricular ejection fraction: results of the multicenter RIF-CHF register

Russian Journal of Cardiology ◽

10.15829/1560-4071-2021-4200 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

pp. 4200

Author(s):

I. V. Zhirov ◽

N. V. Safronova ◽

Yu. F. Osmolovskaya ◽

S. N. Тereschenko

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Ejection Fraction ◽

Cardiovascular Mortality ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection ◽

Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽

Reduced Ejection Fraction ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

Increased Risk

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.

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Abstract 17994: Echocardiographic parameters of Left Ventricular Size and Function as Predictors of Symptomatic Heart Failure in Patients with Low Normal Ejection Fraction Treated with Anthracyclines

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.130.suppl_2.17994 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽

Author(s):

Negareh Mousavi ◽

Timothy Tan ◽

Mohammad Ali ◽

Elkan F. Halpern ◽

Lin Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Ejection Fraction ◽

Longitudinal Strain ◽

Global Longitudinal Strain ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection ◽

Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽

Symptomatic Heart Failure ◽

Echocardiographic Parameters ◽

And Function

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess whether baseline echocardiographic measures of left ventricular (LV) size and function predict the development of symptomatic heart failure or cardiac death (major adverse cardiac events, MACE) in patients treated with anthracyclines who have a pre-chemotherapy left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in the low normal range (between 50-59%). Background: Anthracycline-induced symptomatic heart failure and impaired LVEF are late and often irreversible manifestations of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity. The value of echocardiographic parameters of myocardial size and function before chemotherapy to identify patients at high-risk for development of symptomatic heart failure in patients with low normal LVEF was studied. Methods: Patients with a LVEF between 50 and 59% before anthracyclines were selected. In these patients, LV volumes, LVEF and peak longitudinal strain (GLS) were measured. Individuals were followed for MACE and all-cause mortality over a median of 659 days (range; 3-3704 days). Results: Of 2234 patients undergoing echocardiography for pre-anthracycline assessment, 158 (7%) had a resting ejection fraction of 50-59%. Their average LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) was 101±22ml, LVEF was 54 ±3% and global longitudinal strain (GLS) was -17.7±2.6%. Twelve patients experienced a MACE (congestive heart failure) at a median of 173 days (range; 15-530). Age, diabetes, previous coronary artery disease, LVEDV, LVESV and GLS were all-predictive of MACE (P= 0.015, 0.0043 and 0.0065 for LVEDV, LVESV, and GLS respectively). LVEDV and GLS remained predictive of MACE when adjusted for age. Age and GLS were also predictive of overall mortality (p<0.0001 and 0.0105 respectively). Conclusions: In patients treated with anthracyclines with an LVEF of 50-59%, both baseline EDV and GLS predict the occurrence of MACE. These parameters may help target patients who could bene[[Unable to Display Character: ﬁ]]t from closer cardiac surveillance and earlier initiation of cardioprotective medical therapy.

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Interest of NT-proBNP To Detect Chemotherapy Regimens Cardiotoxicity in Patients with Hematological Malignancies: Preliminary Results.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v106.11.1331.1331 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 106 (11) ◽

pp. 1331-1331

Author(s):

Gerard Dine ◽

Vincent Genty ◽

Said Brahimi ◽

Nadia Ali Ammar ◽

William Mendes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Cardiovascular Diseases ◽

Natriuretic Peptide ◽

Hematological Malignancies ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection ◽

Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽

Plasma Fraction ◽

Increased Risk ◽

The Mean

Abstract The potential cardiotoxicity of chemotherapic drugs is well known. For example anthracycline-based regimens are extremely effective for various hematological malignancies. The main disadvantage is cardiotoxicity particularly, in elderly patients who are frequently treated with a consequent dose reduction. The diagnosis and prognosis in patients with suspected heart failure needs a specific monitoring by echocardiography during and after chemotherapy regimens. We tested the interest of NT-proBNP as alternative marker for the detection of left ventricular dysfunction. Brain or B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal fragment of B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) are considered to be valuable biomarkers for the detection of disease state in patients with suspected heart failure. Methods During 1 year, blood samples of 31 patients with hematological malignancies, treated with usual chemotherapy were selected on a routine basis. Patients had the diagnosis of acute leukemia (AL), B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL), multiple myeloma (MM) and non Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Venous blood was drawn in the early morning and centrifuged at 2000 g for 15 minutes. The obtained clear plasma fraction was stored at −20°C until the assay. All plasma samples were analyzed for NT-proBNP using an electro chemiluminescence immuno assay (proBNP kit Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany) on Elecsys 2010 analyser. All assays were performed blind to clinical informations on the patients. Results The mean age of the patients was 72 (range: 36–88). There were 15 men (48 %) and 16 women (52 %). Five patients were smokers (16 %) and 7 (22.6%) had cardiovascular diseases (4 hypertension, 2 heart failure, 1 pace maker). Only 3 patients had a subnormal renal function. There were 6 patients with AL, 6 with B-CLL, 11 with MM and 8 with NHL. The administered medications were divided in 3 cardio-toxicity stages: 10 (32.25 %) patients received stage 3 cardiotoxicity regimens, 10 (32.25 %) stage 2 and 11 (35.5 %) stage 1. Fourteen patients (45 %) died in relation with hematological malignancies and none in relation with heart failure. But treatment regimens have been reduced, discontinued, modified or stopped in 7 patients after heart failure diagnosis with echocardiography. All these patients received stage 2 or 3 cardiotoxicity chemotherapy regimens and 4 had prior cardiovascular diseases. The mean age was 74 (range: 66–82). Only one patient is alive in this subgroup. Considering the age and the heart state of our 31 patients, chemotherapeutic treatments need or not to be adjust. The cardiac risk at diagnosis was assessed by left-ventricular ejection fraction (VEF) measurement. We shows that NT-proBNP brings reliable results to assess that risk, with a positive correlation to the VEF. Figure Figure Conclusion Despite the limitations of this preliminary study the measurement of the NT-proBNP concentration at baseline and during cardiotoxic regimens in patients with hematological malignancies seems to be a promising method to identify patients with an increased risk of cardiovascular adverse effects for it evolves earlier than VEF and is very well correlate to VEF loss and cardiotoxicity.

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Association of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Indicators with Heart Failure

Proceedings of IMPRS ◽

10.18060/24837 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Faheem Handoo ◽

Yuyao Liu ◽

Sonja G. Schütz ◽

Ronald D. Chervin ◽

Ivo D. Dinov

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Obstructive Sleep Apnea ◽

Sleep Apnea ◽

Ejection Fraction ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection ◽

Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽

Previous Stroke ◽

Obstructive Sleep ◽

Increased Risk

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when the airway is repeatedly blocked during sleep, resulting in frequent brief awakenings throughout the night. OSA has been found to increase the risk of many cardiovascular diseases, especially heart failure (HF). HF with reduced, preserved, and borderline ejection fraction (HFrEF, HFpEF, and HFbEF) are three subtypes common in OSA patients. The aim of this study is to further explore the relationship between OSA and HF and the influence of specific OSA measures. Methods: Electronic medical data was collected from health histories, echocardiograms, and polysomnography studies. Observations were sorted into three categories based on left ventricular ejection fraction: HFpEF (n=334), HFrEF (n=77), and HFbEF (n=37). Multinomial logistic regression was then conducted to determine the relative risk of HFpEF and HFrEF from each variable as compared to the baseline HFbEF. Results: Pacemaker presence, previous stroke, BMI, and a measure of left ventricular dysfunction (LVD), called relative wall thickness, all raised the risk of HFpEF compared to HFbEF, while another LVD measure, left ventricular end-systolic dimension, reduced it. These factors also increased risk for HFrEF, except for previous stroke and pacemaker presence, which were not significant. Relevant OSA metrices included average blood oxygen saturation and three measures of sleep apnea severity, named central apnea index, hypopnea index per hour, and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). These all decreased relative HFpEF risk, other than ESS, which raised it. Conclusions: As was expected, several standard HF predictors increased the risk of both types of HF. Surprisingly, few OSA indices had the same effect. This suggests that targeting specific OSA markers may not be effective in treating patients with any of these HF types. Future work could involve the influence of OSA and its indices on mortality, or the responses of these indicators to treatment, both topics with limited previous findings.

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Improved Endothelial Function with Combined Chelation Therapy in Thalassaemia Major.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v108.11.1770.1770 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 108 (11) ◽

pp. 1770-1770 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Mark A. Tanner ◽

Renzo Galanello ◽

Carlo Dessi ◽

Annalisa Agus ◽

Gillian C. Smith ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Placebo Group ◽

Ejection Fraction ◽

Endothelial Function ◽

Chelation Therapy ◽

Combined Treatment ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection ◽

Iron Loading ◽

Myocardial Iron ◽

Ventricular Ejection Fraction

Abstract Background: In β-thalassemia major (TM) myocardial iron toxicity is the dominant cause of ventricular dysfunction, with heart failure responsible for the majority of deaths. Abnormal endothelial function has also been described in these patients and could further contribute to cardiovascular complications. Endothelial function can be determined by measurement of flow mediated dilatation of the brachial artery (FMD). This can be assessed reproducibly by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). Aims: To report the changes in endothelial function, LV ejection fraction and ferritin from a randomized placebo controlled trial comparing combined chelation therapy (deferiprone and deferoxamine) with deferoxamine monotherapy. Methods: 65 patients (male 27, female 38, age 28.7+/−4.8years) with mild-moderate myocardial iron loading (heart T2* 8–20ms) were randomized to receive either deferoxamine with placebo (placebo group), or deferoxamine with deferiprone (combined group). FMD was assessed at baseline and after 12 months. Results: There were significant improvements in endothelial function in the combined treatment group compared with the placebo group (+8.8% vs 3.1% p=0.013). This was in accord with improvements in the combined group in left ventricular ejection fraction (+2.4% vs +0.6%, p=0.02), and serum ferritin (−870 vs −194 μg/L; p<0.001). These findings were in accord with improved myocardial T2* in the combined group (+43% vs +23%, p=0.017), Conclusion: In patients with mild-moderate cardiac iron loading, the combined therapy of deferiprone and deferoxamine is superior to deferoxamine alone in improving endothelial function, cardiac function and ferritin, as well as reducing myocardial iron.

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The Interrelationship between Ventilatory Inefficiency and Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction in Terms of Cardiovascular Outcomes in Heart Failure Outpatients

Diagnostics ◽

10.3390/diagnostics10070469 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 469

Author(s):

Shyh-Ming Chen ◽

Lin-Yi Wang ◽

Po-Jui Wu ◽

Mei-Yun Liaw ◽

Yung-Lung Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽

Ejection Fraction ◽

Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Ventricular Ejection ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection ◽

Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽

Primary Endpoints ◽

Increased Risk

The relationship between left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and cardiovascular (CV) outcome is documented in patients with low LVEF. Ventilatory inefficiency is an important prognostic predictor. We hypothesized that the presence of ventilatory inefficiency influences the prognostic predictability of LVEF in heart failure (HF) outpatients. In total, 169 HF outpatients underwent the cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) and were followed up for a median of 9.25 years. Subjects were divided into five groups of similar size according to baseline LVEF (≤39%, 40–58%, 59–68%, 69–74%, and ≥75%). The primary endpoints were CV mortality and first HF hospitalization. The Cox proportional hazard model was used for simple and multiple regression analyses to evaluate the interrelationship between LVEF and ventilatory inefficiency (ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide (VE/VCO2) at anaerobic threshold (AT) >34.3, optimized cut-point). Only LVEF and VE/VCO2 at AT were significant predictors of major CV events. The lower LVEF subgroup (LVEF ≤ 39%) was associated with an increased risk of CV events, relative to the LVEF ≥75% subgroup, except for patients with ventilatory inefficiency (p = 0.400). In conclusion, ventilatory inefficiency influenced the prognostic predictability of LVEF in reduced LVEF outpatients. Ventilatory inefficiency can be used as a therapeutic target in HF management.

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P1575Cardiovascular toxicity following modern multiple myeloma therapy in Japanese cohort

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/eurheartj/ehz748.0335 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

T Shibata ◽

S Nohara ◽

K Nagafuji ◽

Y Fukumoto

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Multiple Myeloma ◽

Troponin I ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection ◽

Prior History ◽

Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽

Increased Risk ◽

History Of

Abstract Background Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell dyscrasia accounting for approximately 13% of hematologic malignancies. Patients with MM have an increased risk of cardiovascular adverse events (CAEs) due to disease burden and/or anti-myeloma treatment-related risk factors. However, little is known about the incidence of cardiovascular toxicity of patients with MM. Methods We analyzed 42 consecutive patients (Male/Female 22/20, age 67±10 years old) who received anti-MM therapies between October 2016 and September 2018 from our University Cardio-REnal Oncology (CREO) registry. We examined the incidence of CAEs through January 2019 including congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy (CHF/CM), ischemic cardiac event, newly symptomatic arrhythmias included atrial fibrillation or flutter requiring treatment, and venous thromboembolism (VTE). Results Within the 408-day median follow-up period (range 15–844 days), CAEs occurred in 23.8% (n=10); CHF/CM in 11.9%, newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation in 4.8%, VTE in 4.8%, vasospastic angina in 2.4%, and death in 28.6%. There were no significant differences between CAEs group and non-CAEs group in terms of sex, body mass index (BMI), incidence of hypertension, ischemic heart disease, prior history of heart failure, cardiovascular medications, left ventricular ejection fraction, serum high-sensitivity troponin-I, estimated glomerular filtration rate, blood urea nitrogen and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels at the time of enrollment. The use of various types of proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory drugs were not associated with the increased risk of CAEs. By multivariate analysis, a history of prior anti-myeloma therapies was identified as an independent risk factor for CAEs. Conclusion CAEs were significantly associated with the recurrent MM in Japanese MM patients.

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432 Traditional markers of myocardial dysfunction fail to detect marked reductions in physical capacity amoung chemotherapy patients

European Heart Journal - Cardiovascular Imaging ◽

10.1093/ehjci/jez319.245 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

E Howden ◽

S Foulkes ◽

L Wright ◽

K Janssens ◽

H Dillon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Cardiovascular Function ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Cardiac Biomarkers ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection ◽

Lv Function ◽

Cell Transplant ◽

Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽

Increased Risk

Abstract Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is the current standard of care for evaluating chemotherapy-associated cardiotoxicity but changes in LVEF are poorly associated with outcomes and long-term heart failure risk. We sought to compare a more global measure of integrative cardiovascular function (VO2peak) that is strongly associated heart failure and early mortality risk with LVEF, global longitudinal strain (GLS) and cardiac biomarkers. Methods 95 patients who were due to commence anti-cancer treatment (n = 58 anthracycline chemotherapy for breast cancer; n = 25 Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor and n = 12 allogeneic stem cell transplant for haematological cancers) completed a pre-treatment and follow-up assessment within 6 months of initiating treatment. Changes in echocardiographic measures of LV function (LVEF, GLS), cardiac biomarkers (troponin and BNP) and cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET, VO2peak) were measured. Results Of 95 participants who underwent baseline testing, follow-up CPET and echocardiography data was available in 89 participants. LV function was normal prior to treatment (LVEF 61.5 ± 5.9%; GLS -19.4 ± 2.3) but VO2peak (23.4 ± 6.5ml/kg/min) was only 83 ± 21% (range 47-146%) of age-predicted. After treatment, we observed marked reductions in fitness (Δ-2.1 ± 3.7 ml/kg/min or -9 ± 15%, P < 0.001) which was associated with small non-clinically significant changes in LV function (LVEF Δ-2.4 ± 6.4% P = 0.001; GLS Δ-0.5 ± 1.9 P = 0.018). Troponin was increased significantly (4.0 ± 5.5 to 23.5 ± 22.5ng/ml, P < 0.001), with no change in BNP (37.5 ± 31.4 to 32.7 ± 22.0pg/ml, P = 0.87). Current diagnostic criteria for cardiac toxicity were not met in any patient despite some patients developing disabling reductions in functional capacity (VO2peak < 16ml/min/kg). Conclusion Despite normal resting LV function prior to commencing treatment VO2peak was below age predicted. Treatment further impaired exercise cardiovascular function with minimal impact on resting measures of LV function. The assessment of cardiovascular function using CPET prior to, and following chemotherapy may be a more sensitive means of identifying patients at increased risk of future heart failure.

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Neopterin is Associated with Disease Severity and Outcome in Patients with Non-Ischaemic Heart Failure

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm8122230 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (12) ◽

pp. 2230

Author(s):

Lukas Lanser ◽

Gerhard Pölzl ◽

Dietmar Fuchs ◽

Günter Weiss ◽

Katharina Kurz

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Disease Severity ◽

Immune Activation ◽

Nyha Class ◽

Heart Association ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection ◽

Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Patients With Heart Failure

Inflammation and immune activation play an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiac remodelling in patients with heart failure. The aim of this study was to assess whether biomarkers of inflammation and immune activation are linked to disease severity and the prognosis of heart failure patients. In 149 patients (65.8% men, median age 49.7 years) with heart failure from nonischaemic cardiomyopathy, the biomarkers neopterin and C-reactive protein were tested at the time of diagnosis. Patients were followed-up for a median of 58 months. During follow-up, nineteen patients died, five had a heart transplantation, two needed a ventricular assistance device, and twenty-one patients had to be hospitalised because of heart failure decompensation. Neopterin concentrations correlated with N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentrations (rs = 0.399, p < 0.001) and rose with higher New York Heart Association (NYHA) class (I: 5.60 nmol/L, II: 6.90 nmol/L, III/IV: 7.80 nmol/L, p = 0.033). Higher neopterin levels were predictive for an adverse outcome (death or hospitalisation due to HF decompensation), independently of age and sex and of established predictors in heart failure such as NYHA class, NT-proBNP, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LV-EF) (HR 2.770; 95% CI 1.419–5.407; p = 0.003). Patients with a neopterin/eGFR ratio ≥ 0.133 (as a combined marker for immune activation and kidney function) had a more than eightfold increased risk of reaching an endpoint compared to patients with a neopterin/eGFR ratio ≤0.065 (HR 8.380; 95% CI 2.889–24.308; p < 0.001). Neopterin is associated with disease severity and is an independent predictor of prognosis in patients with heart failure.

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