A single centre study assessing the effectiveness of active monitoring, using telemedicine, in preventing heart failure admissions and death in a primary care population with systolic heart failure.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Bowers ◽  
Ben Lodge ◽  
Charlie Clifford ◽  
Ricardo Pio Monti ◽  
Marc Phippen ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundPatients with systolic heart failure are at high risk of admission to hospital and death. This can be reduced by ensuring that they are receiving all evidence-based heart failure medications and by detecting early signs of deterioration in their condition.MethodsWe recruited 209 primary care patients with echocardiographically proven left ventricular systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction < 40%). 84 patients consented to be actively monitored by the heart failure team using telemedicine. 125 patients consented to receiving usual care but allowing access to their medical records. The primary end-point was cardiovascular death or admission to hospital for heart failure at 1 year. Secondary end-points included the prescription of evidence-based heart failure medications and patient satisfaction at the end of the study.ResultsThere was no difference in the mortality rate between the groups (6.02% in the active group and 5.56% in control). There was a significant difference in hospital admission (10.84% in the active group and 1.59% in control; p-value of 0.0078). At the end of the study, in the active group v control group, 92% v 52% of patients were on a beta-blocker, 92% v 48% on ACE-I/ARB, and 60% v 30% on an MRA. There were no differences in the final doses achieved.ConclusionsActive telemonitoring in an elderly population with systolic heart failure did not reduce cardiovascular mortality or admission to hospital for heart failure over the 1 year of the study. It did result in more patients receiving evidence based heart failure medications.Trial registrationThis trial received ethical approval from the Health Research Authority London-City Road and Hampstead Research Ethics Committee (REC Reference: 16/L0/0070, IRAS project ID: 173818). The ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier number is: NCT04371731. This trial was retrospectively registered on 30/4/2020 and this study adheres to CONSORT guidelines

Heart ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 86 (2) ◽  
pp. 172-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
O W Nielsen ◽  
J Hilden ◽  
C T Larsen ◽  
J F Hansen

OBJECTIVETo examine a general practice population to measure the prevalence of signs and symptoms of heart failure (SSHF) and left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD).DESIGNCross sectional screening study in three general practices followed by echocardiography.SETTING AND PATIENTSAll patients ⩾ 50 years in two general practices and ⩾ 40 years in one general practice were screened by case record reviews and questionnaires (n = 2158), to identify subjects with some evidence of heart disease. Among these, subjects were sought who had SSHF (n = 115). Of 357 subjects with evidence of heart disease, 252 were eligible for examination, and 126 underwent further cardiological assessment, including 43 with SSHF.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURESPrevalence of SSHF as defined by a modified Boston index, LVSD defined as an indirectly measured left ventricular ejection fraction ⩽ 0.45, and numbers of subjects needing an echocardiogram to detect one case with LVSD.RESULTSSSHF afflicted 0.5% of quadragenarians and rose to 11.7% of octogenarians. Two thirds were handled in primary care only. At ⩾ 50 years of age 6.4% had SSHF, 2.9% had LVSD, and 1.9% (95% confidence interval 1.3% to 2.5%) had both. To detect one case with LVSD in primary care, 14 patients with evidence of heart disease without SSHF and 5.5 patients with SSHF had to be examined.CONCLUSIONSSHF is extremely prevalent in the community, especially in primary care, but more than two thirds do not have LVSD. The number of subjects with some evidence of heart disease needing an echocardiogram to detect one case of LVSD is 14.


The Clinician ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-42
Author(s):  
E. S. Trofimov ◽  
A. S. Poskrebysheva ◽  
N. А. Shostak

Objective: to evaluate vasopressin (VP) concentration in patients with varying severity of chronic heart failure (CHF), intensity of clinical symptoms, and decreased level of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Materials and methods. In total, 120 patients (44 males, 76 females) with CHF of varying genesis (mean age 72.12 ± 10.18 years) and 30 clinically healthy individuals (18 males, 12 females) as a control group (mean age 33.4 ± 6.23 years) were examined. All patients underwent comprehensive clinical and instrumental examination in accordance with the standards for patients with CHF. The VP level was determined using ELISA. Statistical analysis was performed using the IBM SPSS Statistics v. 23 software.Results. The patients with CHF had significantly higher blood VP levels compared to the control group (72.91 ± 53.9 pg/ml versus 6.6 ± 3.2 pg/ml respectively; p <0.01). At the same time, patients with stage III CHF had significantly lower VP levels than patients with stages IIВ and IIА (35.61 ± 21.53 pg/ml versus 71.67 ± 48.31 pg/ml and 86.73 ± 59.78 pg/ml respectively; p<0.01). A similar picture was observed for the functional classes (FC). For instance, for CHF FC II and III, the VP level was 91.93 ± 67.13 pg/ml and 77.95 ± 54.01 pg/ml respectively, while for FC IV it decreased to 50.49 ± 28.18 pg/ml (p <0.01). The VP concentration in patients who subsequently perished was significantly lower than in patients who survived (48.79 ± 26.30 pg/ml versus 79.72 ± 57.73 pg/ml; p = 0.012). Moreover, in patients with LVEF <50 %, the VP level was significantly lower than in patients with LVEF >50 % (59.43 ± 42.51 pg/ml versus 86.43 ± 62.46 pg/ml respectively; p <0.05).Conclusion. The observed significant differences in VP in patients with stage III and IV CFH can indicate depletion of neurohumoral mediators in this patient category. However, a correlation between the VP level and the level of LVEF decrease can indicate a significant difference in the role of VP in CHF pathogenesis in patients with preserved and decreased LVEF. This observation requires further research.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Ali ◽  
Philip A Kalra

Abstract Background and Aims Best practice for treatment of patients with chronic heart failure involves beta-blockers and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASi) such as ACE inhibitors (ACE-i), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB), mineralocorticoid antagonists (MRA) and neprolysin inhibitor/ARB. However, use of these agents, and optimisation of their dosage, is frequently limited by hyperkalaemia, the incidence of which is increased by the co-prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Management of patients in a bespoke Hyperkalaemia Clinic can be advantageous in facilitating optimal use of RAASi. Method A Hyperkalaemia Clinic was opened in July 2019 in this tertiary renal centre within an NHS trust that hosts 4 district hospital heart failure services. Referrals of patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction whose RAASi could not be optimised because of hyperkalaemia were encouraged from heart failure specialist nurses and cardiologists. Management of the patients incorporated commencement of patiromer at 8.4g daily and increases in RAASi was usually devolved to the referring team. This report describes the activity and short-term outcomes of the first 17 months after opening of the clinic (follow up until 1st January 2021). Results 34 patients with systolic heart failure and problems with RAASi-associated hyperkalaemia were referred to the clinic. Mean age was 74 (range 44-88) years, 28% had stage 3a, 28% 3b and 8% stage 4 CKD. ACE-I or ARB were being used in 73% of patients at referral, 73% were using beta blockers and 50% MRA with loop diuretic use in 70%. At first visit 64% had normokalaemia, and 36% serum potassium 5.4-6.0 mmol/L. During follow-up, 6 (18%) patients discontinued patiromer due to gastrointestinal side effects, 3 no longer required the binder because of decrease in RAASi use and 2 patients died (one each from stroke and sepsis). One patient was switched to an alternative potassium binder. As of 1st January 2021, patiromer was still being administered to 22 (65%) patients, 8 of which had received this for &gt;12 months; all patients remained normokalaemic and none of them required magnesium supplementation. An increase in RAASi therapy had occurred in only 12 (35%) patients. Conclusion Our experience demonstrates the relative simplicity of managing hyperkalaemia via a bespoke clinic in cardio-renal patients. As this was nephrology-led, optimised management was dependent upon the assertive and collaborative involvement of the referring heart failure teams who helped with biochemical monitoring and alteration of RAASi therapy. However, less than half of the patients benefitted from an increase in RAASi therapy after normalisation of serum potassium, and there was definitely scope for improving this component of the care pathway via more direct multi-disciplinary interaction with the heart failure teams.


Circulation ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 127 (suppl_12) ◽  
Author(s):  
William E Kraus ◽  
Mark P Donahue ◽  
Svati H Shah ◽  
David J Whellan ◽  
Anne Hellkamp ◽  
...  

Blood-borne small metabolic intermediates have been associated with disease severity and major adverse coronary events (MACE), including mortality alone, in a cardiovascular disease population. Specifically, short chain dicarboxylacylcarnitines (SCDC), long chain dicaboxylacylcarnitines (LCDC) and long neutral amino acids (LNAA) have been the strongest and most consistent diagnostic and predictive metabolic markers in our CATHGEN cohort. HF-ACTION was a randomized controlled trial of exercise training versus usual care in patients with chronic heart failure (HF) due to left ventricular systolic dysfunction (n=2331). In the study, baseline peak VO 2 was the most significant predictor of mortality in the this population ( X 2 =153). We hypothesized that small molecule blood-borne metabolic intermediates would be associated with peak VO 2 in HF-ACTION. Peak VO 2 was measured using a standard protocol across 82 centers and quality control was ensured in a core laboratory. We measured 15 amino acids and 45 acylcarnitines from baseline plasma samples in 447 individuals in the Duke Stedman Metabolomics Laboratory. The 60 metabolites were reduced into 13 independent factors using principal components analysis that accounted for a total of 43.8% of the total variance in these sample analytes. We assessed the ability of metabolite factors to predict baseline peak VO 2 in the presence of covariates modeled as significant predictors in previous published work in this population (age, gender, race, region, BMI, diabetes, PVD, NYHA Class, LVEF, ventricular conduction and test modality—bicycle or treadmill). Five metabolite factors were significant predictors of peak VO 2 , the three strongest being SCDC (estimate in SD factor score per mL/kg/min (VO 2 ) = -1.004; p-value=0.002), LNAA (0.583; p=0.003); and LCDC (-0.903; p=0.008). The direction of change with increased peak VO 2 (related to decreased mortality in HF-ACTION) were consistent with the relation of metabolites to decreased mortality in CATHGEN. Thus, three classes of metabolic intermediates that are associated with MACE in a cardiovascular cohort study also were associated with functional capacity (peak VO 2 ). To the best of our knowledge this is the first description of molecular metabolic biomarkers that independently related, even with our strongest clinical variables in the model, to functional capacity in HF. These metabolic intermediates may be functionally related to the reductions in functional capacity in HF and therefore serve as potential targets for new diagnostics or therapeutic interventions.


Author(s):  
Eftihia Sbarouni ◽  
Panagiota Georgiadou ◽  
Maria Koutelou ◽  
Ioannis Sklavainas ◽  
Demosthenes Panagiotakos ◽  
...  

Background Biomarkers of myocardial necrosis may be increased in patients with chronic heart failure. We investigated whether ischaemia-modified albumin (IMA), a marker of ischaemia, is also elevated in patients with compensated heart failure, due to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Methods We studied 42 patients with DCM and an equal number of age-matched normal volunteers. We assessed IMA serum levels with the albumin cobalt binding test. Results IMA was 89.9 ± 13.1 (71–117) KU/L in the patient group and 93.9 ± 9.9 (76–122) KU/L in the control group, with no significant difference between the two ( P = 0.11). However, IMA differed significantly according to the New York Heart Association classification ( P = 0.003) and was negatively correlated with the left ventricular ejection fraction ( r = −0.40, P = 0.014). Conclusions We conclude that IMA, a marker of ischaemia, does not differ in patients with clinically stable DCM compared with normal subjects, but varies significantly in relation to the severity of the disease.


EP Europace ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
P Chaggar ◽  
A D Grayson ◽  
N Connor ◽  
C Hughes

Abstract INTRODUCTION  Patients with heart failure (HF) may not routinely receive review from a HF specialist and understanding of which patients may benefit from specialist therapies is not widely appreciated by non-specialists.  Therefore, there may be frequent missed opportunities for patients under non-specialist care to access prognostically important therapies.  PURPOSE To identify high-risk patients in primary care with HF and left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) that require optimisation and consideration for complex device therapy. METHODS 15 general practitioner (GP) practices across Cornwall were audited between between July 2018 and August 2019 with a total population of 215,114 patients. The total combined HF register in these practices was 2,925. A further 2,238 patients were identified using the case finder element of GRASP-HF, an electronic search tool, to identify patients with HF +/- LVSD not coded correctly in GP records. Electronic records were manually reviewed and selected patients, potentially benefitting from further optimisation, were electronically reviewed by a Consultant Cardiologists for final screening before being invited into a specialist HF clinic at their local GP practice. All patients received an up to date ECG prior to specialist review. Outcomes of each patient clinical review were followed-up for a minimum of 1 month. RESULTS From 5,163 patients audited, 157 underwent clinic review with a Consultant Cardiologist at their local GP practice and are described below. Patient characteristics Mean age was 75 years, 78% were male, 51% had ischaemic cardiomyopathy and 27% had AF. 66% had severe LVSD (EF &lt;35%), 48% had broad QRS (&gt;120ms) and only 44% were deemed to be on optimal medical therapy. Of 88 patients not fully optimised, the proportion requiring optimisation of ACEi/ARB, beta-blocker, MRA, sacubitril-valsartan and ivabradine were 57%, 30%, 36%, 7% and 1%, respectively.   Patient outcomes Median follow up period was 7 months (range 2-15).  65% of all patients required further imaging of LV function to help determine onward management.  48% were potential candidates for device therapy and 3 patients (2%) were listed directly for device therapy while 5 patients (3%) declined.  In total, following complete assessment, 18 patients (11%) received device implantation (12 CRT-P, 2 CRT-D, 2 ICD and 1 loop recorder) and 25 patients (16%) received sacubitril-valsartan.  A change in patient clinical management was instituted in 64% of patients following specialist review. CONCLUSION This comprehensive audit of GP registers demonstrates a significant burden of patients with HF and LVSD who are not appropriately coded.  This audit also identifies frequent opportunities to intensify 1st and 2nd line medical therapies and patients that may benefit from specialist therapies including complex devices.  Primary care teams would benefit from regular review of their HF registers and from specialist outreach initiatives.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  

Background: Increased resting heart rate is associated with cardiovascular outcomes in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Despite high volume prescribers of beta blockers patients does not achieve recommended target heart rate. The primary objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of ivabradine as adjunct therapy with beta blockers in south east Asian population systolic heart failure and left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Methodology: This single center, open labelled, randomized study included 113 patients in sinus rhythm with HFrEF and left ventricular systolic dysfunction from outpatient department. Ivabradine was initiated in 45% patients with SR. Patients with LVEF < 35% by Teichholz method, NHYA class II-III, sinus rhythm and resting HR > 70 bpm, already on bisoprolol 5 mg were divided into 2 groups; Group 1 (n= 56) patients were uptitrated to bisoprolol 10 mg and Group 2 (n= 57) patients received ivabradine 5 mg b.i.d in addition to bisoprolol 5 mg. Blood samples for NTproBNP level, an ECG, echocardiogram, NYHA functional class, systolic and diastolic BP were taken at baseline and at the end of 6 months follow-up in both groups Results: After 6 months HR decreased significantly from 94.82±7.03 to 68.75±5.35 bpm (p < 0.0001), with more patients in NHYA functional Class I than Class II and III and decrease in BNP level from 969.8.3±348.9 to 348.6±230.2 pg/ml (p < 0.0001) in group 2 patients. A significant increase in LVEF was observed with the addition of ivabradine from 31.40±5.37 to 41.68±5.33 % (p < 0.0001). However, mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure was not affected by the addition of ivabradine. Conclusion: This study concludes that patients with HFrEF demonstrated good tolerability, efficacy and NYHA functional class with the combination of ivabradine and bisoprolol therapy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-173
Author(s):  
Irina CUCIUREANU ◽  
◽  
Cristian Alexandru ION ◽  
Anamaria-Georgiana AVRAM ◽  
Maria Suzana GUBERNA ◽  
...  

Objective: The importance of the NT-proBNP value in detecting patients at risk of developing heart failure (HF) and its importance in guiding medical management to prevent the development of HF. Material and methods: The study is a prospective study and includes 314 patients who was presented at the Bagdasar-Arseni Emergency Hospital for cardiology consultation, by appointment, for a period of 3 years. The inclusion criteria were as follows: essential hypertension (diagnosed more than 5 years before), diabetes mellitus (insulin-deficient or under treatment with oral ant diabetics diagnosed more than 5 years before), ischemic heart disease, mild or moderate valvulopathy (mild or moderate mitral regurgitation and large or moderate aortic stenosis) and permanent or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Exclusion criteria were as follows: a previous diagnosis of heart failure or left ventricular systolic dysfunction, and the presence of signs or symptoms of heart failure at the time of enrollment in the study. Patients were randomized into 2 groups, a control group and a intervention group. Patients in the intervention group were managed according to the NT-proBNP value, and patients in the control group received the conventional intervention. Patients were monitored for 3 years and the following objectives were pursued: new diagnosis of heart failure, systolic or diastolic dysfunction of the left ventricle and hospitalization for cardiovascular pathology. Results: After 3 years, in the control group there were 40 patients (25.5%) who developed HF, compared to 28 patients (17.8%) in the intervention group. In the control group, 60 patients (38.2%) were diagnosed with left ventricular systolic dysfunction, compared to 43 patients (27.4%) in the intervention group. Regarding left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, in the control group there were 98 patients (62.4%), and in the intervention group there were 80 patients (51.0%). Also, the rate of hospitalizations for cardiovascular pathology was higher in the control group, 56 patients (35.7%), compared to 33 patients (21.0%) in the intervention group. Discussions: The incidence of heart failure, left ventricular systolic or diastolic dysfunction, or hospitalizations for cardiovascular events, was lower in the intervention group, in which patients were managed according to the NT-proBNP value, compared to patients in the control group who received conventional intervention. Conclusions: The NT-proBNP biomarker may be useful in the medical management of patients for the prevention of heart failure.


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