scholarly journals MANAGING HEART FAILURE WITH REDUCED EJECTION FRACTION: WHAT TO KNOW?

2021 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 205-206
Author(s):  
Tariq Ashraf ◽  
Muhammad Ishaq

The estimated population of congestive heart failure (CHF) patients in Pakistan is 28 millions.1 Besides epidemics of type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease, South Asian countries are also be at an increased risk of heart failure at earlier ages than other racial/ethnic groups.2 Heart failure sub classified into three categories: With preserved ejection fraction (LVEF>50%), Mid-range ejection fraction (LVEF41-49%), Reduced ejection fraction (LVEF<40%).3 According to studies in United States of American (USA) and United Kingdom (UK)4,5 heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) prevalence has increased due to ageing population, improved survival from myocardial infarction and high prevalence of co-morbid conditions like diabetes and obesity. With increasing number of young patients (<40 years) with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) 12%6 in our population, prevalence of heart failure with predisposing factors need to be explored. Other than diagnosing and work up of these patients, the most challenging part is the pharmacological treatment by therapeutic agents proven to reduce morbidity and mortality in HRrEF. Registries have shown under-usage of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), Beta-blockers and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA) in such patients.7 Reason of not acheving the outcomes were due to not attaining the target levels of drugs dosages.8 With recommendations from new guidelines new novel drug therapies i.e. sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, most debatable questions from the physicians are keeping in view the hemodynamic status and kidney function. Questions coming to the Physicians minds include;9 Should all guideline directed medical therapies be started together or stage wise? Which drugs should be titrated first? How quick can one up-titrate B-blockers and ARNI? At what level of kidney impairment should one stop ACE/ARB/ARNI/SGLT2 inhibitors? When should one refer these patients for cardiac resynchronization therapy device (CRTD) or Heart Transplantation? When should one repeat transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)? Physicians need to have clear answers and stance on the above queries. HFrEF is a major public health concern in our population especially with early onset of ischemic heart disease (IHD). Awareness, education and up to date knowledge regarding early diagnosis, work up and adjustments of drugs in such patients with proper follow up is important to reduce the ever rising morbidity and mortality in our population.   References Sheikh SA. Heart failure in Pakistan: A demographic survey. J Card Fail. 2006;12(8):S157. Martinez-Amezcua P, Haque W, Khera R, Kanaya AM, Sattar N, Lam CS, et al. The upcoming epidemic of heart failure in South Asia. Circ Heart Fail. 2020;13(10):e007218. Yancy CW, Jessup M, Bozkurt B, Butler J, Casey Jr DE, Colvin MM, et al. 2017 ACC/AHA/HFSA focused update of the 2013 ACCF/AHA guideline for the management of heart failure: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines and the Heart Failure Society of America. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2017;70(6):776-803. Virani SS, Alonso A, Benjamin EJ, Bittencourt MS, Callaway CW, Carson AP, et al. Heart disease and stroke statistics—2020 update: a report from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2020;141(9):e139-596. Mozaffarian D, Benjamin EJ, Go AS, Arnett DK, Blaha MJ, Cushman M, et al. Heart disease and stroke statistics—2015 update: a report from the American Heart Association. Ccirculation. 2015;131(4):e29-322. Batra MK, Rizvi NH, Sial JA, Saghir T, Karim M. Angiographic Characteristics and in Hospital Outcome of Young Patients, Age Up to 40 Versus More Than 40 Years Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention. J Pak Med Assoc. 2019;69(9):1308-12. Greene SJ, Butler J, Albert NM, DeVore AD, Sharma PP, Duffy CI, et al. Medical therapy for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: the CHAMP-HF registry. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2018;72(4):351-66. Konstam MA, Neaton JD, Dickstein K, Drexler H, Komajda M, Martinez FA, et al. Effects of high-dose versus low-dose losartan on clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure (HEAAL study): a randomised, double-blind trial. Lancet. 2009;374(9704):1840-8. Murphy SP, Ibrahim NE, Januzzi JL. Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: a review. JAMA. 2020;324(5):488-504.

Author(s):  
Rakesh Gopinathannair ◽  
Lin Y. Chen ◽  
Mina K. Chung ◽  
William K. Cornwell ◽  
Karen L. Furie ◽  
...  

Atrial fibrillation and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction are increasing in prevalence worldwide. Atrial fibrillation can precipitate and can be a consequence of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and cardiomyopathy. Atrial fibrillation and heart failure, when present together, are associated with worse outcomes. Together, these 2 conditions increase the risk of stroke, requiring oral anticoagulation in many or left atrial appendage closure in some. Medical management for rate and rhythm control of atrial fibrillation in heart failure remain hampered by variable success, intolerance, and adverse effects. In multiple randomized clinical trials in recent years, catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction has shown superiority in improving survival, quality of life, and ventricular function and reducing heart failure hospitalizations compared with antiarrhythmic drugs and rate control therapies. This has resulted in a paradigm shift in management toward nonpharmacological rhythm control of atrial fibrillation in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. The primary objective of this American Heart Association scientific statement is to review the available evidence on the epidemiology and pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation in relation to heart failure and to provide guidance on the latest advances in pharmacological and nonpharmacological management of atrial fibrillation in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction. The writing committee’s consensus on the implications for clinical practice, gaps in knowledge, and directions for future research are highlighted.


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_G) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Riccardo Pugliese ◽  
Alessio Balletti ◽  
Silvia Armenia ◽  
Nicolò De Biase ◽  
Francesco Faita ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims Ventricular–arterial coupling (VAC) can be evaluated as the ratio between arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity, PWV) and myocardial deformation (global longitudinal strain, GLS). To evaluate VAC across the spectrum of heart failure (HF). Methods and results We introduced a Doppler-derived, single-beat technique to estimate aortic arch PWV (aa-PWV) in addition to tonometry-derived carotid-femoral PWV (cf-PWV). We measured PWVs and GLS in 155 healthy controls, 75 subjects at risk of developing HF (American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Stage A-B) and 236 patients in HF Stage C with preserved (HFpEF, n = 104) or reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF, n = 132). We evaluated peak oxygen consumption (VO2) and peripheral extraction (AVO2diff) using combined cardiopulmonary-echocardiography exercise stress. aa-PWV was obtainable in all subjects and significantly lower than cf-PWV in all subgroups (P &lt; 0.01). PWVs were directly related and increased with age (all P &lt; 0.0001). cf-PWV/GLS was similarly compromised in HFrEF (1.08 ± 0.36) and HFpEF (1.05 ± 0.22), while aa-PWV/GLS was more impaired in HFpEF (0.69 ± 0.11) than HFrEF (0.60 ± 0.15; P &lt; 0.01). Stages A and B had values of cf-PWV/GLS and aa-PWV/GLS (0.66 ± 0.25 and 0.47 ± 0.12) higher than controls (0.47 ± 0.10 and 0.40 ± 0.10) but lower than Stage C (all P &lt; 0.01). Peak AVO2diff was inversely related with cf-PWV/GLS and aa-PWV/GLS (all P &lt; 0.01). cf-PWV/GLS and aa-PWV/GLS independently predicted peak VO2 in the overall population (adjusted R2 = 0.32 and 0.35; all P &lt; 0.0001) but only aa-PWV/GLS was independently associated with flow reserve during exercise (R2 = 0.51; P &lt; 0.0001). Conclusions Abnormal VAC is directly correlated with greater severity of HF and worse functional capacity. HFpEF shows a worse VAC than HFrEF when expressed by aa-PWV/GLS.


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (20) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Beaton ◽  
Flavia B. Kamalembo ◽  
James Dale ◽  
Joseph H. Kado ◽  
Ganesan Karthikeyan ◽  
...  

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) affects ≈40 million people and claims nearly 300 000 lives each year. The historic passing of a World Health Assembly resolution on RHD in 2018 now mandates a coordinated global response. The American Heart Association is committed to serving as a global champion and leader in RHD care and prevention. Here, we pledge support in 5 key areas: (1) professional healthcare worker education and training, (2) technical support for the implementation of evidence-based strategies for rheumatic fever/RHD prevention, (3) access to essential medications and technologies, (4) research, and (5) advocacy to increase global awareness, resources, and capacity for RHD control. In bolstering the efforts of the American Heart Association to combat RHD, we hope to inspire others to collaborate, communicate, and contribute.


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