Search

Jia Shi,1,2,&ast; Meng-Jiao Shao,3,&ast; Miao Yu,1,2 Bao-Peng Tang1,2 1Cardiac Pacing and Physiological Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, People’s Republic of China; 2Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Cardiac Electrophysiology and Cardiac Remodeling, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Cardiology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Bao-Peng Tang, Cardiac Pacing and Physiological Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, People’s Republic of China, Email tangbaopeng1111@163.comBackground: Inflammation and cardiac fibrosis are important pathogenic drivers of heart failure. The fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4) is associated with a higher degree of fibrosis. The systemic immune inflammation index (SII) is associated with a higher degree of systemic inflammation status. Previous studies have shown that they are associated with a poor prognosis for cardiovascular disease. We sought to investigate the value of FIB-4 combined with the SII as a novel inflammation-fibrosis combined index (IFCI) in predicting left ventricular reverse remodeling (LVRR) and prognosis among reduced ejection fraction heart failure (HFrEF) patients.Methods: A total of 895 patients with HFrEF were continuously recruited. Receiver operating characteristic curves were drawn to assess the abilities of inflammation-fibrosis indicators to predict LVRR. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to examine independent predictors of composite cardiac events and all-cause death.Results: After six months of follow-up, 344 (38.4%) patients experienced LVRR. The IFCI had the largest area under the curve (0.835, P < 0.001). In multivariate-adjusted logistic regression analyses, FIB-4, SII, and IFCI were predictive of LVRR (P value < 0.05). The IFCI was associated with a 3.686-fold higher risk of non-LVRR (odds ratio [OR] = 3.686, P < 0.001). Moreover, an increased IFCI predicted a poor prognosis in HFrEF patients. The highest risk of composite cardiac events (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.716, P < 0.001) was observed in the top IFCI-tertile group, and similar results were found regarding independent risk indicators of all-cause death.Conclusion: In summary, this study indicated that increased IFCI at admission offers good predictability regarding non-LVRR and predicts the risk of all-cause mortality or composite cardiovascular events due to HFrEF patients and could be used as a novel marker.Keywords: heart failure, left ventricular reverse remodeling, inflammation-fibrosis combined index, fibrosis-4 index, systemic immune inflammation index, prognosis

Background: The clinical relevance of genetic variants in nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is unsettled.Objectives: The study sought to assess the prognostic impact of disease-causing genetic variants in DCM.Methods: Baseline and longitudinal clinical data from 1,005 genotyped DCM probands were retrospectively collected at 20 centers. A total of 372 (37%) patients had pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants (genotype positive) and 633 (63%) were genotype negative. The primary endpoint was a composite of major adverse cardiovascular events. Secondary endpoints were end-stage heart failure (ESHF), malignant ventricular arrhythmia (MVA), and left ventricular reverse remodeling (LVRR).Results: After a median follow-up of 4.04 years (interquartile range: 1.70-7.50 years), the primary endpoint had occurred in 118 (31.7%) patients in the genotype-positive group and in 125 (19.8%) patients in the genotype-negative group (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.51; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.17-1.94; P = 0.001). ESHF occurred in 60 (16.1%) genotype-positive patients and in 55 (8.7%) genotype-negative patients (HR: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.16-2.41; P = 0.006). MVA occurred in 73 (19.6%) genotype-positive patients and in 77 (12.2%) genotype-negative patients (HR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.09-2.07; P = 0.013). LVRR occurred in 39.6% in the genotype-positive group and in 46.2% in the genotype-negative group (P = 0.047). Among individuals with baseline left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35%, genotype-positive patients exhibited more major adverse cardiovascular events, ESHF, and MVA than their genotype-negative peers (all P < 0.02). LVRR and clinical outcomes varied depending on the underlying affected gene.Conclusions: In this study, DCM patients with pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants had worse prognosis than genotype-negative individuals. Clinical course differed depending on the underlying affected gene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Left ventricular reverse remodeling (LVRR) after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is common in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction. • LVRR was predicted by non-paroxysmal AF without apparent structural heart disease. • Recurrence as persistent AF was associated with LVRR but paroxysmal AF was not. • Patients with LVRR experienced less heart failure hospitalizations and cardiovascular deaths. Left ventricular (LV) reverse remodeling (LVRR) after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AFCA) has not been fully described. This study investigated the predictors and clinical outcomes of LVRR after AFCA in patients with LV systolic dysfunction. Of 3319 consecutive patients who underwent first-time AFCA between January 2012 and October 2019, 376 with a baseline LV ejection fraction of <50% were retrospectively evaluated. They were subjected to 256-slice multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scanning at baseline and 3 months after AFCA. The LVRR was defined as a decrease in the LV end-systolic volume of ≥15%. The prevalence of LVRR was 83% (n = 306). Multivariate logistic regression analysis including age, body mass index, diabetic status, beta-blocker use, and LV diastolic diameter revealed that the predictors of LVRR were non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) (odds ratio, 2.68; 95% confidence interval, 1.42–5.05; p = 0.002) and absence of apparent underlying structural heart disease (4.81; 2.31–10.0; p <0.001). The prevalence of LVRR differed depending on AF recurrence pattern prior to the post-MDCT [no episode vs. paroxysmal episode (lasting <7 days) vs. persistent episode (lasting ≥7 days), 84% vs. 81% vs. 63%, respectively, p = 0.023]. During a median follow-up of 32 months, the incidence of paroxysmal form of AF recurrence was similar, whereas persistent form of AF recurrence was less frequent in patients with LVRR (10.5% vs. 18.6%, p = 0.018). Heart failure hospitalizations (2.3% vs. 15.7%, p <0.001), cardiovascular deaths (0.7% vs. 4.3%, p = 0.015), and all-cause deaths (1.3% vs. 5.7%, p = 0.018) were similarly less frequent in those with LVRR. LVRR after AFCA, which was predicted by non-paroxysmal AF without any apparent structural heart disease at baseline, was associated with persistent form of AF recurrence prior to the evaluation. LVRR was associated with favorable clinical outcomes. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The number of elderly heart failure patients is rapidly increasing in Japan. • The management of elderly heart failure patients is a critical issue. • Our findings showed that the indication of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) should not be determined by age. • CRT is a useful tool in heart failure pandemic era. The number of heart failure (HF) patients has been rapidly increasing in Japan, and considering the most explosive aging occurring in Asia, the management of elderly HF patients and longer life expectancy are critical issues. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the mid-term prognosis after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) implantation was influenced by age and to investigate, in detail, the difference in the change ratio of echocardiographic parameters according to the age group of interest. This retrospective analysis included 173 patients who underwent CRT implantation in our hospital from February 2008 to March 2019. Eighty patients (46%) were classified into the elderly group (≥75 years) and the rest in the non-elderly group. The study population was also classified with propensity score matching. The mid-term prognosis including all-cause death and hospitalization for HF, and the ratio of CRT responders were compared between the 2 groups. CRT response was defined as left ventricular (LV) end-systolic volume reduction ≥15% at follow-up echocardiography within a year. During a median follow-up of 1057 [interquartile range: 412, 2107] days, adverse events were not significantly different between the 2 groups before and after matching (before matching; all-cause death: log-rank p = 0.323, hospitalization for HF: log-rank p = 0.376, after matching; all-cause death: log-rank p = 0.325, hospitalization for HF: log-rank p = 0.516). Moreover, the rate of CRT responders was not significantly different between the 2 groups before and after matching (before matching, p = 0.718; after matching, p = 0.666). In elderly HF patients, CRT provided the same clinical benefits as in non-elderly HF patients, furthermore, there was a similar trend in LV reverse remodeling between the 2 groups. The present study demonstrated that the indication of CRT implantation should not be determined by age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The clinical significance of electrocardiogram in the assessment of patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM) is currently unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of recording serial changes in Sokolow-Lyon voltage (∆%QRS-voltage) in one year to estimate left ventricular reverse remodeling (LVRR) and predict a prognosis of IDCM patients under tailored medical therapy.Methods: Sixty-eight consecutive patients with mild symptoms (52.1 ± 13 years old; 69% men; NYHA I/II/III/IV; 33/29/6/0) underwent electrocardiography and echocardiography at baseline and 12 month follow-up (follow-up period: 3.9 years).Results: LVRR was observed in 30 patients (44.1%). The ∆%QRS-voltage was significantly lower in the LVRR group (LVRR; -26.9%, non-LVRR: -9.2%, p < .001). Univariate analysis showed that ∆%QRS-voltage correlated with ∆%LV end-diastolic diameter (r = .634, p < .001), and with ∆%LV ejection fraction and ∆%LV mass index (r = -.412, p < .001; r = .429, p < .001 respectively). Using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for the estimation of LVRR, ∆%QRS of -14.7% showed optimal sensitivity (63.2%) and specificity (83.3%) (AUC = 0.775, p < .001). The composite endpoints of cardiac death (n = 0), hospitalization for advanced heart failure (n = 11) and fatal arrhythmia (n = 2) were observed in 13 patients during the follow-up period. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed significantly higher event-free rate in patients of the low ∆%QRS-voltage group (<-14.7%) (83%) than those of the high group (66%, p = .022).Conclusions: The present study showed that decrease in Sokolow-Lyon voltage is associated with improvement in cardiac function and favorable prognosis in IDCM patients on medical therapy, suggesting that this index is a feasible marker for response to treatment of IDCM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although an increased heart rate (HR) is a strong predictor of poor prognosis in cases of chronic heart failure (HF), the clinical value of HR as a predictor in acute decompensated HF (ADHF) is unclear. Seventy-eight patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM) with sinus rhythm who were first hospitalized for ADHF from 2002 to 2010 were retrospectively investigated after exclusion of patients with tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy. The patients were divided into two groups stratified by HR on admission with a median value of 113 beats/min (Group H with HR ≥ 113 beats/min; Group L with HR < 113 beats/min). Despite similar backgrounds, including pharmacotherapy for HF, HR changes responding to titration of β-blocker (BB) therapy and myocardial interstitial fibrosis, left ventricular (LV) ejection fractions improved more significantly 1 year later in Group H than in Group L (57 % ± 11 % vs. 46 % ± 12 %, P < 0.001). Cardiac event-free survival rates were also significantly improved in Group H ( P = 0.038). Multiple regression analysis revealed that only the peak HR on admission was an independent predictor of LV reverse remodeling (LVRR) 1 year later ( β = 0.396, P = 0.005). High HR on first admission for ADHF is a strong predictor of LVRR, with a better prognosis in the event of NIDCM in response to optimal pharmacotherapy, independent of pre-existing myocardial damage and subsequent HR reduction by BB therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and prognostic role of left ventricular reverse remodeling (LVRR) in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM). Background: Tailored medical therapy can lead to LVRR in IDCM. The prevalence and prognostic impact of LVRR remain unclear. Methods: We consecutively enrolled 361 IDCM patients. LVRR was defined as a left ventricular ejection fraction increase of ≥10 U or a left ventricular ejection fraction of ≥50% and a decrease in indexed left ventricular end-diastolic diameter of ≥10% or indexed left ventricular end-diastolic diameter of ≥33 mm/m2 at 24 months (range 9 to 36 months). Follow-up echocardiographic data were available for 242 patients (67%), 34 (9%) died/underwent heart transplantation (HTx) before re-evaluation, and 85 (24%) did not have a complete re-evaluation. After re-evaluation, the surviving patients were followed for 110 ± 53 months; there were 55 deaths (23%) and 32 HTx (13%). Results: LVRR was found in 89 of 242 patients (37%). Baseline predictors of LVRR were higher systolic blood pressure (p = 0.047) and the absence of left bundle branch block (p = 0.009). When added to a prognostic baseline model including male sex, heart failure duration, New York Heart Association functional classes III to IV, LVEF, significant mitral regurgitation, and beta-blockers, LVRR, New York Heart Association functional classes III to IV, and significant mitral regurgitation after 24 months emerged as independent predictors of death/HTx and heart failure death/HTx. The model including follow-up variables showed additional prognostic power with respect to baseline model (for death/HTx, area under the curve: 0.80 vs. 0.70, respectively, p = 0.004). Furthermore, only LVRR was significantly associated with sudden death/major ventricular arrhythmia in the long-term. Conclusions: LVRR characterized approximately one-third of IDCM patients surviving 2 years while receiving optimal medical therapy and allowed a more accurate long-term prognostic stratification of the disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]