scholarly journals Telemedicine in Heart Failure During COVID-19: A Step Into the Future

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregorio Tersalvi ◽  
Dario Winterton ◽  
Giacomo Maria Cioffi ◽  
Simone Ghidini ◽  
Marco Roberto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Decompensated Heart Failure ◽  
High Risk Group ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Remote Communication ◽  
Patients With Heart Failure ◽  
The Future ◽  
Heart Failure Progression ◽  
The Many

During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 worldwide pandemic, patients with heart failure are a high-risk group with potential higher mortality if infected. Although lockdown represents a solution to prevent viral spreading, it endangers regular follow-up visits and precludes direct medical assessment in order to detect heart failure progression and optimize treatment. Furthermore, lifestyle changes during quarantine may trigger heart failure decompensations. During the pandemic, a paradoxical reduction of heart failure hospitalization rates was observed, supposedly caused by patient reluctance to visit emergency departments and hospitals. This may result in an increased patient mortality and/or in more complicated heart failure admissions in the future. In this scenario, different telemedicine strategies can be implemented to ensure continuity of care to patients with heart failure. Patients at home can be monitored through dedicated apps, telephone calls, or devices. Virtual visits and forward triage screen the patients with signs or symptoms of decompensated heart failure. In-hospital care may benefit from remote communication platforms. After discharge, patients may undergo remote follow-up or telerehabilitation to prevent early readmissions. This review provides a comprehensive appraisal of the many possible applications of telemedicine for patients with heart failure during Coronavirus disease 2019 and elucidates practical limitations and challenges regarding specific telemedicine modalities.

scholarly journals Evolution of self-care in patients with heart failure at the first outpatient return and three months after hospital discharge

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debora Cristine Previde Teixeira da Cunha ◽  
Lidia Aparecida Rossi ◽  
Carina Aparecida Marosti Dessote ◽  
Fabiana Bolela ◽  
Rosana Aparecida Spadoti Dantas
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Hospital Discharge ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Decompensated Heart Failure ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Significance Level ◽  
Brazilian Version ◽  
Patients With Heart Failure ◽  
Student’S T

Objective: to analyze the evolution of self-care in hospitalized patients with decompensated heart failure, between the first return after hospital discharge (T0) and three months after this assessment (T1). Method: an observational, analytical and longitudinal study carried out in the cardiology outpatient clinics of two public hospitals in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo. The sociodemographic and clinical data were collected through interviews and consultation of medical records. Self-care was assessed using the Brazilian version of the Self-Care of Heart Failure Index-SCHFI instrument. The data were analyzed by means of the Student’s t test and paired distribution (McNemar) with a significance level of 0.05. Results: we verified an increase in the mean scores of the three subscales of SCHFI (Maintenance, Management and Confidence), when comparing the values of T0 and T1, these differences being statistically significant (p<0.001). When comparing the positive changes in self-care actions over these months, we found statistically significant changes in the Maintenance (6 out of 10 items), Management (5 out of 6 items) and Confidence (4 out of 6 items) subscales. Conclusion: self-care for heart failure improved in the period between the first return after discharge and the end of three months of follow-up. Further studies are needed to verify the variables associated with improved self-care after hospitalization.

scholarly journals Prediction of all-cause mortality with malnutrition assessed by controlling nutritional status score in patients with heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Huiyang Li ◽  
Peng Zhou ◽  
Yikai Zhao ◽  
Huaichun Ni ◽  
Xinping Luo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Patients With Heart Failure ◽  
All Cause Mortality ◽  
Conut Score

Abstract Objective: The aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate the association between malnutrition assessed by the controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score and all-cause mortality in patients with heart failure. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Settings: A comprehensively literature search of PubMed and Embase databases was performed until 30 November 2020. Studies reporting the utility of CONUT score in prediction of all-cause mortality among patients with heart failure were eligible. Patients with a CONUT score ≥2 are grouped as malnourished. Predictive values of the CONUT score were summarized by pooling the multivariable-adjusted risk ratios (RR) with 95 % CI for the malnourished v. normal nutritional status or per point CONUT score increase. Participants: Ten studies involving 5196 patients with heart failure. Results: Malnourished patients with heart failure conferred a higher risk of all-cause mortality (RR 1·92; 95 % CI 1·58, 2·34) compared with the normal nutritional status. Subgroup analysis showed the malnourished patients with heart failure had an increased risk of in-hospital mortality (RR 1·78; 95 % CI 1·29, 2·46) and follow-up mortality (RR 2·01; 95 % CI 1·58, 2·57). Moreover, per point increase in CONUT score significantly increased 16% risk of all-cause mortality during the follow-up. Conclusions: Malnutrition defined by the CONUT score is an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in patients with heart failure. Assessment of nutritional status using CONUT score would be helpful for improving risk stratification of heart failure.

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
O.M Aldaas ◽  
F Lupercio ◽  
C.L Malladi ◽  
P.S Mylavarapu ◽  
D Darden ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Catheter Ablation ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Preserved Ejection Fraction ◽  
Patients With Heart Failure ◽  
One Year

Abstract Background Catheter ablation improves clinical outcomes in symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, the role of catheter ablation in HF patients with a preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is less clear. Purpose To determine the efficacy of catheter ablation of AF in patients with HFpEF relative to those with HFrEF. Methods We performed an extensive literature search and systematic review of studies that compared AF recurrence at one year after catheter ablation of AF in patients with HFpEF versus those with HFrEF. Risk ratio (RR) 95% confidence intervals were measured using the Mantel-Haenszel method for dichotomous variables, where a RR&lt;1.0 favors the HFpEF group. Results Four studies with a total of 563 patients were included, of which 312 had HFpEF and 251 had HFrEF. All patients included were undergoing first time catheter ablation of AF. Patients with HFpEF experienced similar recurrence of AF one year after ablation on or off antiarrhythmic drugs compared to those with HFrEF (RR 0.87; 95% CI 0.69–1.10, p=0.24), as shown in Figure 1. Recurrence of AF was assessed with electrocardiography, Holter monitoring, and/or event monitoring at scheduled follow-up visits and final follow-up. Conclusion Based on the results of this meta-analysis, catheter ablation of AF in patients with HFpEF appears as efficacious in maintaining sinus rhythm as in those with HFrEF. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

scholarly journals Aspartate aminotransferase to alanine aminotransferase ratio is associated with frailty and mortality in older patients with heart failure

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daichi Maeda ◽  
Nobuyuki Kagiyama ◽  
Kentaro Jujo ◽  
Kazuya Saito ◽  
Kentaro Kamiya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Early Recognition ◽  
Walk Distance ◽  
Failure Data ◽  
Patients With Heart Failure ◽  
All Cause Mortality ◽  
One Year ◽  
Independent Marker

AbstractFrailty is a common comorbidity associated with adverse events in patients with heart failure, and early recognition is key to improving its management. We hypothesized that the AST to ALT ratio (AAR) could be a marker of frailty in patients with heart failure. Data from the FRAGILE-HF study were analyzed. A total of 1327 patients aged ≥ 65 years hospitalized with heart failure were categorized into three groups based on their AAR at discharge: low AAR (AAR < 1.16, n = 434); middle AAR (1.16 ≤ AAR < 1.70, n = 487); high AAR (AAR ≥ 1.70, n = 406). The primary endpoint was one-year mortality. The association between AAR and physical function was also assessed. High AAR was associated with lower short physical performance battery and shorter 6-min walk distance, and these associations were independent of age and sex. Logistic regression analysis revealed that high AAR was an independent marker of physical frailty after adjustment for age, sex and body mass index. During follow-up, all-cause death occurred in 161 patients. After adjusting for confounding factors, high AAR was associated with all-cause death (low AAR vs. high AAR, hazard ratio: 1.57, 95% confidence interval, 1.02–2.42; P = 0.040). In conclusion, AAR is a marker of frailty and prognostic for all-cause mortality in older patients with heart failure.

Prevalence and prognostic impact of somatic mutations in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
D.J Vazquez Andres ◽  
A Hernandez Vicente ◽  
M Diez Diez ◽  
M Gomez Molina ◽  
A Quintas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Somatic Mutations ◽  
Myocardial Dysfunction ◽  
Study Endpoint ◽  
Prognostic Impact ◽  
Reduced Ejection Fraction ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Patients With Heart Failure

Abstract Introduction Somatic mutations in hematopoietic cells are associated with age and have been associated with higher mortality in apparently healthy adults, especially due to atherosclerotic disease. In animal models, somatic mutations are associated with atherosclerosis progression and myocardial dysfunction, especially when gene TET2 is affected. Preliminary clinical data, referred to ischemic heart failure (HF), have associate the presence of these acquired mutations with impaired prognosis. Purpose To study the prevalence of somatic mutations in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and their impact on long-term prognosis. Methods We studied a cohort of elderly patients (more than 60 years old) hospitalized with HFrEF (LVEF&lt;45%). The presence of somatic mutations was assessed using next generation sequencing (Illumina HiSeq 2500), with a mutated allelic fraction of at least 2% and a panel of 55 genes related with clonal hematopoiesis. Patients were followed-up for a median of three years. The study endpoint was a composite of death or readmission for worsening HF. Kaplan-Meier analysis (log-rank test) and Cox proportional hazards regression models were performed adjusting for age, sex and LVEF. Results A total of 62 patients (46 males (74.2%), age 74±7.5 years) with HFrEF (LVEF 29.7±7.8%) were enrolled in the study. The ischemic etiology was present in 54% of patients. Somatic mutations in Dnmt3a or Tet2 were present in 11 patients (17.7%). No differences existed in baseline characteristics except for a higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation in patients with somatic mutations (70% vs. 40%, p=0.007). During the follow-up period, 40 patients (64.5%) died and 38 (61.3%) had HF re-admission. The KM survival analysis for the combined event is shown in Figure 1. Compared with patients without somatic mutations and after adjusting for covariates, there was an increased risk of adverse outcomes when the somatic mutations were present (HR 3.6, 95% CI [1.6, 7.8], p=0.0014). This results remains considering death as a competing risk (Gray's test p=0.0097) and adjusting for covariates (HR = 2.21 95% CI [0.98, 5], p=0.0556). Conclusions Somatic mutation are present in patients with HFrEF and determine a higher risk of adverse events in the follow-up. Further studies are needed to assess the clinical implications of these findings. Figure 1 Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

scholarly journals Qualitative study to explore what patients with heart failure find significant during integrated palliative care sessions in a Danish clinic

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. e043955
Author(s):  
Stine Gundtoft Roikjær ◽  
Charlotte Paaske Simonÿ ◽  
Helle Ussing Timm
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Interview Study ◽  
Exclusion Criterion ◽  
Semistructured Interview ◽  
Patients With Heart Failure ◽  
New Diagnosis ◽  
Medical Perspective

ObjectiveIn the field of palliative care (PC) as it is integrated into heart failure (HF) treatment, it is essential to explore the patient experience and build on this knowledge for the further development of PC practice and policy. Based on an intervention study, this paper explores what patients with HF find significant in integrated sessions using a narrative S’ approach.DesignWe conducted a semistructured interview study with a qualitative analysis focused on meaning making. The study follows the guidelines of Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research.Participants and settingThe inclusion criteria for the PC intervention were (1) a new diagnosis of HF, (2) follow-up treatment at this local Danish HF clinic and (3) informed consent to participate in the integrated PC intervention. The only exclusion criterion was if the patient was already engaged in a PC programme. 20 patients agreed to participate in the intervention, and 12 of these completed the S’ approach sessions and participated in this interview study.ResultsOverall, the analysis showed that the integrated S’ approach sessions were successful in joining an embodied patient perspective with a medical perspective. The thematic analysis resulted in three themes supporting the overall findings: sessions bring comfort, telling your story provides a sense of meaningfulness, and integrating perspectives of HF into everyday life.ConclusionThe method using the S’ approach in integrated PC and HF sessions was significant in various ways. First, patients experienced a calm and safe atmosphere and perceived that the nurse was truly interested in them. Second, the integrated sessions based on the S’ approach were able to bring comfort to lived physical, psychosocial and existential issues. Last, it allowed patients to combine their embodied understanding of HF with a medical perspective, thereby finding meaning in the sense of how everything is connected.

Abstract 13497: Prognostic Value of the Combination of the Echocardiographic Derived Pulmonary Artery Wedge Pressure and Body Mass Index in Patients With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: Insights From PURSUIT-HFpEF Registry

Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kumpei Ueda ◽  
Shungo Hikoso ◽  
Daisaku D Nakatani ◽  
Shunsuke Tamaki ◽  
Masamichi Yano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Prognostic Value ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Preserved Ejection Fraction ◽  
Pulmonary Artery Wedge Pressure ◽  
Patients With Heart Failure ◽  
Wedge Pressure

Background: An elevated pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP), a surrogate of left ventricular filling pressure, is associated with poor outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF). In addition, obesity paradox is well recognized in HF patients and body mass index (BMI) also provides a prognostic information. However, there is little information available on the prognostic value of the combination of the echocardiographic derived PAWP and BMI in patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Methods and Results: Patients data were extracted from The Prospective mUlticenteR obServational stUdy of patIenTs with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (PURSUIT HFpEF) study, which is a prospective multicenter observational registry for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) patients with HFpEF. We analyzed 548 patients after exclusion of patients undergoing hemodialysis, patients with in-hospital death, missing follow-up data, or missing data to calculate PAWP or BMI. Body weight measurement and echocardiography were performed just before discharge. PAWP was calculated using the Nagueh formula [PAWP = 1.24* (E/e’) + 1.9] with e’ = [(e’ septal + e’ lateral ) /2]. During a mean follow up period of 1.5±0.8 years, 86 patients had all-cause death (ACD). Multivariate Cox analysis showed that both PAWP (p=0.020) and BMI (p=0.0001) were significantly associated with ACD, independently of age and previous history of HF hospitalization, after the adjustment with gender, left ventricular ejection fraction, NT-proBNP and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis revealed that there was a significant difference in the risk of ACD when patients were stratified into 3 groups based on the median values of PAWP (17.3) and BMI (21.4). Conclusions: The combination of the echocardiographic derived PAWP and BMI might be useful for stratifying ADHF patients with HFpEF at risk for the total mortality.

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