Search

Cardio-oncology is a rapidly growing field of cardiovascular (CV) medicine that has resulted from the continuously increasing clinical demand for specialized CV evaluation, prevention and management of patients suffering or surviving from malignant diseases. Dealing with CV disease in patients with cancer requires special knowledge beyond that included in the general core curriculum for cardiology. Therefore, the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) has developed a special core curriculum for cardio-oncology, a consensus document that defines the level of experience and knowledge required for cardiologists in this particular field. It is structured into 8 chapters, including (i) principles of cancer biology and therapy; (ii) forms and definitions of cancer therapy-related cardiovascular toxicity (CTR-CVT); (iii) risk stratification, prevention and monitoring protocols for CTR-CVT; (iv) diagnosis and management of CV disease in patients with cancer; (v) long-term survivorship programmes and cardio-oncology rehabilitation; (vi) multidisciplinary team management of special populations; (vii) organization of cardio-oncology services; (viii) research in cardio-oncology. The core curriculum aims at promoting standardization and harmonization of training and evaluation in cardio-oncology, while it further provides the ground for an ESC certification programme designed to recognize the competencies of certified specialists., (© 2023 European Society of Cardiology.)

Heart failure (HF) is a major disease in our society that often presents with multiple comorbidities with mutual interaction and aggravation. The comorbidity of HF and stroke is a high risk condition that requires particular attention to ensure early detection of complications, efficient diagnostic workup, close monitoring, and consequent treatment of the patient. The bi-directional interaction between the heart and the brain is inherent in the pathophysiology of HF where HF may be causal for acute cerebral injury, and - in turn - acute cerebral injury may induce or aggravate HF via imbalanced neural and neurovegetative control of cardiovascular regulation. The present document represents the consensus view of the ESC Council on Stroke, the Heart Failure Association and the ESC Working Group on Thrombosis to summarize current insights on pathophysiological interactions of the heart and the brain in the comorbidity of HF and stroke. Principal aspects of diagnostic workup, pathophysiological mechanisms, complications, clinical management in acute conditions and in long-term care of patients with the comorbidity are presented and state-of-the-art clinical management and current evidence from clinical trials is discussed. Beside the physicians perspective, also the patients values and preferences are taken into account. Interdisciplinary cooperation of cardiologists, stroke specialists, other specialists and primary care physicians is pivotal to ensure optimal treatment in acute events and in continued long-term treatment of these patients. Key consensus statements are presented in a concise overview on mechanistic insights, diagnostic workup, prevention and treatment to inform clinical acute and continued care of patients with the comorbidity of HF and stroke., (© 2023 The Authors. European Journal of Heart Failure published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Society of Cardiology.)

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is one of the most effective therapies for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and leads to improved quality of life, reductions in heart failure hospitalization rates and all-cause mortality. Nevertheless, up to two-thirds of eligible patients are not referred for CRT. Furthermore, post-implantation follow-up is often fragmented and suboptimal, hampering the potential maximal treatment effect. This joint position statement from three European Society of Cardiology Associations, Heart Failure Association (HFA), European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) and European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI), focuses on optimized implementation of CRT. We offer theoretical and practical strategies to achieve more comprehensive CRT referral and post-procedural care by focusing on four actionable domains: (i) overcoming CRT under-utilization, (ii) better understanding of pre-implant characteristics, (iii) abandoning the term 'non-response' and replacing this by the concept of disease modification, and (iv) implementing a dedicated post-implant CRT care pathway., (© the Author(s) 2020. This article has been co-published with permission in European Journal of Heart Failure (published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Society of Cardiology) and EP Europace.)

Aims: We sought to determine whether atrioventricular junction ablation (AVJA) in patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and with permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) has a positive impact on ICD shocks and hospitalizations compared with rate-slowing drugs., Methods and Results: This is a pooled analysis of data from 179 international centres participating in two randomized trials and one prospective observational research. The co-primary endpoints were all-cause ICD shocks and all-cause hospitalizations. Out of 3358 CRT-ICD patients (2720 male, 66.6 years), 2694 (80%) were in sinus rhythm (SR) and 664 (20%) had permanent AF-262 (8%) treated with AVJA (AF + AVJA) and 402 (12%) treated with rate-slowing drugs (AF + Drugs). Median follow-up was 18 months. The mean (95% confidence intervals) annual rate of all-cause ICD shocks per 100 patient years was 8.0 (5.3-11.9) in AF + AVJA, 43.6 (37.7-50.4) in AF + Drugs, and 34.4 (32.5-36.5) in SR patients, resulting in incidence rate ratio (IRR) reductions of 0.18 (0.10-0.32) for AF + AVJA vs. AF + Drugs (P < 0.001) and 0.48 (0.35-0.66) for AF + AVJA vs. SR (P < 0.001). These reductions were driven by significant reductions in both appropriate ICD shocks [IRR 0.23 (0.13-0.40), P < 0.001, vs. AF + Drugs] and inappropriate ICD shocks [IRR 0.09 (0.04-0.21), P < 0.001, vs. AF + Drugs]. Annual rate of all-cause hospitalizations was significantly lower in AF + AVJA vs. AF + Drugs [IRR 0.57 (0.41-0.79), P < 0.001] and SR [IRR 0.85 (073-0.98), P = 0.027]., Conclusion: In AF patients treated with CRT, AVJA results in a lower incidence and burden of all-cause, appropriate and inappropriate ICD shocks, as well as to fewer all-cause and heart failure hospitalizations., Clinical Trial Registration: NCT00147290, NCT00617175, NCT01007474., (© 2017 The Authors. European Journal of Heart Failure © 2017 European Society of Cardiology.)

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of remote monitoring in patients with heart failure implanted with a biventricular defibrillator (CRT-D) with advanced diagnostics., Methods and Results: The MORE-CARE trial is an international, prospective, multicentre, randomized controlled trial. Within 8 weeks of de novo implant of a CRT-D, patients were randomized to undergo remote checks alternating with in-office follow-ups (Remote arm) or in-office follow-ups alone (Standard arm). The primary endpoint was a composite of death and cardiovascular (CV) and device-related hospitalization. Use of healthcare resources was also evaluated. A total of 865 eligible patients (mean age 66 ± 10 years) were included in the final analysis (437 in the Remote arm and 428 in the Standard arm) and followed for a median of 24 (interquartile range = 15-26) months. No significant difference was found in the primary endpoint between the Remote and Standard arms [hazard ratio 1.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.80-1.30, P = 0.89] or in the individual components of the primary endpoint (P > 0.05). For the composite endpoint of healthcare resource utilization (i.e. 2-year rates of CV hospitalizations, CV emergency department admissions, and CV in-office follow-ups), a significant 38% reduction was found in the Remote vs. Standard arm (incidence rate ratio 0.62, 95% CI 0.58-0.66, P < 0.001) mainly driven by a reduction of in-office visits., Conclusions: In heart failure patients implanted with a CRT-D, remote monitoring did not reduce mortality or risk of CV or device-related hospitalization. Use of healthcare resources was significantly reduced as a result of a marked reduction of in-office visits without compromising patient safety., Trial Registration: NCT00885677., (© 2016 The Authors. European Journal of Heart Failure published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Society of Cardiology.)

Aim: Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a common finding in patients with heart failure with debatable effects on prognosis. Reduction in MR is one of the mechanisms by which cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) exerts its beneficial effects. We investigated the prognostic impact of baseline MR and MR persistence after CRT on outcomes of treated patients., Methods and Results: We prospectively followed 1122 CRT patients (66.4 ± 10.3 years, 78% male) who were stratified according to baseline MR severity as having MR- (degree 0-1; n = 508, 45%) or MR+ (degrees 2-3-4; n = 614, 55%). In 916 patients (82%) with MR severity data available at 1-year follow-up, the annual mortality rate was 3.4 and 6.0 per patient-year in the MR- and MR+ group, respectively, with a 1-year incidence rate ratio (IRR) of 1.76 (P < 0.001). Similar results were observed for cardiovascular mortality (1-year IRR 1.72, P = 0.002). When considering survival according to MR severity after CRT, all-cause and cardiovascular mortality were lower in the improved than in the worsened group (1-year IRR 1.87 and 2.33, respectively; both P < 0.001). Regression analysis showed that absence of MR improvement at follow-up was a significant independent predictor of both all-cause and cardiovascular mortality., Conclusions: Baseline significant MR and absence of MR improvement after CRT are strongly predictive of less favourable long-term survival., (© 2016 The Authors. European Journal of Heart Failure © 2016 European Society of Cardiology.)

Background: The impact on long-term outcomes of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) and biventricular defibrillators for cardiac resynchronization (CRT-D) devices in 'real world' patients with heart failure (HF) needs to be assessed in terms of clinical effectiveness., Methods and Results: A registry including consecutive HF patients who underwent a first implant of an ICD (891 patients) or a CRT-D device (709 patients) in 2006-2010 was followed (median 1487 days and 1516 days, respectively), collecting administrative data on survival, all-cause hospitalizations, cardiovascular or HF hospitalizations, and days alive and out of hospital (DAOH). Survival free from death/cardiac transplant was 61.9% and 63.8% at 5 years for ICD and CRT-D patients, respectively. Associated comorbidities (Charlson Comorbidity Index) had a significant impact on death/cardiac transplant, as well as on hospitalizations. The median values of DAOH% were 97.4% for ICD and 97.7% for CRT-D patients, but data were highly skewed, with the lower quartile of DAOH% values including values ranging between 0% and 52.8% for ICD and between 0% and 56.1% for CRT-D patients. Charlson Comorbidity Index was a very strong predictor of DAOH%., Conclusions: Patients who were implanted in 'real world' clinical practice with an ICD or a CRT-D device have, on average, a relatively favourable outcome, with a survival of around 62-64% at 5 years, but with an important burden of hospitalizations. Comorbidities, as evaluated by means of the Charlson Comorbidity Index, have a significant impact on outcomes in terms of mortality/heart transplant, hospitalizations and days spent alive and out of hospital., (© 2016 The Authors European Journal of Heart Failure © 2016 European Society of Cardiology.)

Aims: Implantable device telemonitoring (DTM) is a diagnostic adjunct to traditional face-to-face hospital visits. Remote device follow-up and earlier diagnoses facilitated by DTM should reduce healthcare utilization. We explored whether DTM reduces healthcare utilization over standard of care (SoC), without compromising patient outcomes., Methods and Results: This systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials on DTM in patients with heart failure consisted of 5702 patients, with a median of 117 [interquartile range (IQR) 76-331] patients per study [age 65 years (IQR 63-67)] and follow-up range of 12-36 months. DTM was associated with a reduction in total number of visits [planned, unplanned, and emergency room (ER)] [relative risk (RR) 0.56; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.43-0.73, P < 0.001]. Rates of cardiac hospitalizations (RR 0.96; 95% CI 0.82-1.12, P = 0.60) and the composite endpoints of ER, unplanned hospital visits, or hospitalizations (RR 0.99; 95% CI 0.68-1.43, P = 0.96) was similar between the DTM and the SoC groups. An increase in the total number of ER or unscheduled visits (RR 1.37; 95% CI 1.11-1.70, P = 0.004) was observed. This effect was consistent and statistically significant for all studies. Total and cardiac mortality were similar between the groups (DTM RR 0.90; 95% CI 0.69-1.16, P = 0.41; and DTM RR 0.93; 95% CI 0.51-1.69, P = 0.80). Monetary costs favoured DTM (10-55% reduction in five studies)., Conclusions: Compared with SoC, DTM is associated with a marked reduction in planned hospital visits. In addition, DTM was associated with lower monetary costs, despite a modest increase in unplanned hospital and ER visits. DTM did not compromise survival., (© 2016 The Authors European Journal of Heart Failure © 2016 European Society of Cardiology.)

Aims: Mortality after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is difficult to predict. We sought to design and validate a simple prognostic score for patients implanted with CRT, based on readily available clinical variables, including age, gender, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, presence/absence of atrial fibrillation, presence/absence of atrioventricular junction ablation, coronary heart disease, diabetes, and implantation of a CRT device with defibrillation., Methods: For predictive modelling, 5153 consecutive patients enrolled in 72 European centres (79% male; LVEF 25.9 ± 6.85%; NYHA class III-IV 77.5%; QRS 158.4 ± 32.3 ms) were randomly split into derivation (70%) and validation (30%) samples. The primary endpoint was total mortality and the secondary endpoint was cardiovascular mortality. The final predictive model fit was assessed by plotting observed vs. predicted survival., Results: In the entire cohort, 1004 deaths occurred over a follow-up of 14 409 person years. Total mortality ranged from 3.1% to 28.2% at 2 years in the first and fifth quintile of the risk score, respectively. At 5 years, total mortality was 10.3%, 18.6%, 27.6%, 36.1%, and 58.8%, from the first to the fifth quintile. Compared with the lowest quintile (Q), total mortality was significantly higher in the other four quintiles [Q2 hazard ratio (HR) = 1.71; Q3 HR = 2.20; Q4 HR = 4.03; Q5 HR = 8.03; all P < 0.001). The final model, which was based on the entire cohort using the above variables, showed a good discrimination (Harrell's c = 0.70) and high explained variation (0.26). The mean predicted survival fitted well with the observed survival for up to 6 years of follow-up., Conclusions: The VALID-CRT risk score, which is based on routine, readily available clinical variables, reliably predicted the long-term total and cardiovascular mortality in patients undergoing CRT. While this score cannot be used to predict the benefit of CRT, it may be useful for predicting survival after CRT. This may have useful implications for follow-up., (© 2015 The Authors. European Journal of Heart Failure © 2015 European Society of Cardiology.)

Aims: The purpose of this study was too describe the associated baseline features of AF patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced and preserved ejection fraction (HFrEF and HFpEF). Secondly, we assessed symptomatic status and their clinical correlates. Finally, we examined independent predictors for 'heart failure' at the 1-year follow-up period., Methods and Results: A survey of European cardiologists from nine countries, participating in the EURObservational Research Programme Pilot survey on Atrial Fibrillation (EORP-AF Pilot), was carried out. Of the whole cohort of 2972 patients, 1411 (47.5%) had a diagnosis of HF. Of the AF patients with HF, oral anticoagulants were prescribed to 82.1% and antiarrhythmic drugs in 36.7%. Independent predictors of HFpEF were high body mass index, high heart rate, high systolic blood pressure, low diastolic blood pressure, high CHA2DS2-VASc score, and absence of chronic kidney disease, sleep apnoea, or ischaemic cardiomyopathy. On multivariate stepwise regression analysis, independent predictors of the development of HF were mode of AF presentation, diuretic use, prior HF, COPD, and valvular disease. At 1 year, HF was associated with a greater risk of all-cause mortality (log-rank test, P < 0.001). When HFrEF was compared with HFpEF at 1 year, crude rates were significant for the composite endpoint of 'stroke/thrombo-embolism/transient ischaemic attack and death' (15.9% vs. 11.1%, P = 0.043)., Conclusion: We provide insights into the clinical characteristics and outcomes in AF patients with HF, who were managed by European cardiologists. Despite a high prevalence of oral anticoagulant use, 1-year mortality and morbidity remained high in AF patients with HF, whether HFrEF or HFpEF. Such patients require a holistic approach to cardiovascular risk management., (© 2015 The Authors. European Journal of Heart Failure © 2015 European Society of Cardiology.)

Aims: Myocardial contractile reserve (MCR) is a marker of myocardial viability. The impact of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) on MCR during exercise has been little studied. Our aim was to investigate the effects of CRT on global and regional MCR by exercise echocardiography., Methods and Results: Twenty-seven CRT responders (56% ischaemic) were assessed by echocardiography during rest and bicycle exercise. Images were acquired during spontaneous rhythm ('off') and active CRT ('on'). Global MCR was expressed as the change (Δ) in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and aortic velocity-time integral (VTI) from rest to exercise. Regional MCR was expressed as the change in peak systolic tissue velocity (Sm) of the septum and lateral wall. Left ventricular ejection fraction and aortic VTI increased at 'on' during rest and exercise, and the increase in global MCR during exercise was higher during 'on' than 'off' (Δ LVEF 6 ± 6 vs. 3 ± 3%; P = 0.009). Septum Sm increased during 'on' at rest, and it was still higher during exercise (P ≤ 0.01), although the absolute change from rest to exercise was similar during 'on' and 'off'. Lateral wall Sm did not change at rest during 'on', but basal lateral wall MCR during exercise was higher at 'on' than 'off' (P = 0.036)., Conclusion: In CRT responders, there is a pacing-dependent increase in global MCR during exercise. The changes in regional MCR of the septum and lateral wall show different patterns. These factors may help to understand the determinants of improved exercise tolerance in CRT responders.

Aims: Heart failure and atrial fibrillation (AF) frequently coexist and AF worsens heart failure prognosis. Device-based diagnostics derived from implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) interrogation provide an accurate method for detecting AF episodes. This study sought to determine clinical and echocardiographic predictors of AF occurrence, including an index of total atrial conduction time derived by tissue Doppler imaging (PA-TDI duration), in patients with heart failure. Moreover, the role of PA-TDI duration on the prediction of AF occurrence in subgroups of patients with and without history of AF was explored., Methods and Results: A cohort of 495 heart failure patients who underwent ICD implantation was studied. Baseline echocardiographic parameters of systolic and diastolic function were evaluated together with clinical parameters. Furthermore, PA-TDI duration was measured. All patients were prospectively followed up after ICD implantation for AF occurrence detected by ICD interrogation. A total of 142 (29%) patients experienced AF over a follow-up period of 16.4 ± 11.2 months. PA-TDI duration was longer in patients with AF occurrence when compared with patients without AF occurrence (154 ± 27 vs. 135 ± 24 ms, P < 0.001). On Cox-multivariable analysis, female gender [hazard ratio = 1.60; 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 1.09-2.35; P = 0.017], history of AF (hazard ratio = 2.22; 95% CI, 1.51-3.27; P < 0.001), and PA-TDI duration (hazard ratio = 1.27; 95% CI, 1.13-1.42; P < 0.001) were independent predictors of AF occurrence. In the subgroups of patients with and without history of AF, PA-TDI duration remained an independent predictor of AF occurrence., Conclusion: PA-TDI duration may be useful to risk-stratify for AF occurrence in heart failure patients with and without a history of AF.

Background: Relatively limited and conflicting data are available on the effects of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) on coronary blood flow (CBF)., Aims: To investigate changes in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) flow under different CRT pacing modes by means of transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTE)., Methods: Twenty-two responders to CRT (67+/-11 years) with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy underwent TTE assessment of LAD flow and Tissue Velocity Imaging during 4 programming modes: intrinsic conduction (IC), right ventricular pacing (RV), simultaneous biventricular pacing (BVP), BVP with left ventricular (LV) pre-activation., Results: Mean coronary flow velocity (CFV) was increased by simultaneous BVP (p=0.0063 vs. IC) and BVP with LV pre-activation (p<0.0001 vs. IC; p=0.027 vs. simultaneous BVP). Peak CFV and LAD flow velocity/time integral were highest during BVP with LV pre-activation. A reduction in septal-to-lateral delay and an increase in peak systolic velocity in the basal septum were observed during simultaneous BVP and BVP with LV pre-activation., Conclusions: In CRT responders with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, an increase in LAD flow, assessed by TTE, was observed during simultaneous BVP and BVP with LV pre-activation. This was associated with an improvement in regional myocardial contraction and a decrease in intraventricular dyssynchrony.

Background: Haemodynamic and functional effects of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) have been studied mostly at rest. CRT effects on left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony and function during stress have not been evaluated in detail., Aims: We studied the electromechanical effects of CRT at rest and during Dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE), during active and withheld CRT., Methods: Twenty-one responders to CRT (62+/-12 yr) were assessed by walking test, quality of life, and BNP with active CRT ("on") and 2 weeks after pacing withdrawal ("off"). DSE (10 microg/kg/min) was performed both at "on" and "off" to evaluate dyssynchrony parameters, systolic and diastolic function., Results: At rest, CRT withdrawal was associated with an increased interventricular mechanical delay (IVMD, from 21+/-18 ms to 49+/-24 ms, p<0.001) and impaired intraventricular synchrony. There was a significant decrease in LV systolic function and LV filling time. Dobutamine infusion had no impact on inter- and intraventricular synchrony. During stress, there was an improvement in LV performance both at "on" and "off". However, LV dp/dt, aortic VTI, cardiac output, mean systolic peak velocities and LV filling time during dobutamine stress were significantly greater with CRT "on"., Conclusion: In long-term responders, CRT improves LV performance both at rest and during dobutamine stress. This is attributable to an improvement in LV synchrony, which is maintained during stress.

The possibility of using implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) for primary prevention of sudden death in selected high-risk patients has prompted a series of prospective controlled studies. Recently, the MADIT II study highlighted the possibility of effective primary prevention of sudden death in patients with coronary artery disease selected by straightforward clinical data and without expensive screening (electrophysiological study). For patients with previous myocardial infarction and low left ventricular ejection fraction (