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Aims: Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an acute heart failure (AHF) syndrome mimicking the symptoms of acute myocardial infarction. Impaired outcome has been shown, making risk stratification and novel therapeutic concepts a necessity. We hypothesized insulin resistance with elevated plasma glucose and potentially myocardial glucose deprivation to contribute to the pathogenesis of TTS and investigated the therapeutic benefit of insulin in vivo. Methods and results: First, we retrospectively analysed patient data of n = 265 TTS cases (85.7% female, mean age 71.1 ± 14.1 years) with documented initial plasma glucose from the Department of Cardiology of the University Hospital Heidelberg in Germany (May 2011 to May 2021). Median split of the study population according to glucose levels (≤123 mg/dL vs. >123 mg/dL) yielded significantly elevated mean heart rate (80.75 ± 18.96 vs. 90.01 ± 22.19 b.p.m., P < 0.001), left ventricular end‐diastolic pressure (LVEDP, 18.51 ± 8.35 vs. 23.09 ± 7.97 mmHg, P < 0.001), C‐reactive protein (26.14 ± 43.30 vs. 46.4 ± 68.6 mg/L, P = 0.006), leukocyte count (10.12 ± 4.29 vs. 15.05 ± 9.83/nL, P < 0.001), peak high‐sensitive Troponin T (hs‐TnT, 515.44 ± 672.15 vs. 711.40 ± 736.37 pg/mL, P = 0.005), reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (EF, 34.92 ± 8.94 vs. 31.35 ± 8.06%, P < 0.001), and elevated intrahospital mortality (2.3% vs. 12.1%, P = 0.002) in the high‐glucose group (Student's t‐test, Mann–Whitney U test, or chi‐squared test). Linear regression indicated a significant association of glucose with HR (P < 0.001), LVEDP (P = 0.014), hs‐TnT kinetics from admission to the next day (P < 0.001), hs‐TnT the day after admission (P < 0.001), as well as peak hsTnT (P < 0.001). Logistic regression revealed significant association of glucose with a composite intrahospital outcome including catecholamine use, respiratory support, and resuscitation [OR 1.010 (1.004–1.015), P = 0.001]. To further investigate the potential role of glucose in TTS pathophysiology experimentally, we utilized an in vivo murine model of epinephrine (EPI)‐driven reversible AHF. For this, male mice underwent therapeutic injection of insulin (INS, 1 IU/kg) or/and glucose (GLU, 0.5 g/kg) after EPI (2.5 mg/kg), both of which markedly improved mean EF (EPI 34.3% vs. EPI + INS + GLU 43.7%, P = 0.025) and significantly blunted mean hs‐TnT (EPI 14 393 pg/mL vs. EPI + INS 6864 pg/mL at 24 h, P = 0.039). Particularly, insulin additionally ameliorated myocardial pro‐inflammatory gene expression, suggesting an anti‐inflammatory effect of acute insulin therapy. Conclusions: Elevated initial plasma glucose was associated with adverse outcome‐relevant parameters in TTS and may present a surrogate parameter of heightened catecholaminergic drive. In mice, insulin‐ and glucose injection both improved EPI‐induced AHF and myocardial damage, indicating insulin resistance rather than detrimental effects of hyperglycaemia itself as the underlying cause. Future studies will investigate the role of HbA1c as a risk stratifier and of insulin‐based therapy in TTS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessment of cardiovascular risk using established risk scores such as ESC SCORE2 or PROCAM insufficiently emphasise the role of genetic factors. We hypothesise that commercially available genetic assays may provide additional information on hereditary cardiovascular risk in a timely and cost-efficient manner. In a cohort of 51 patients treated for coronary artery disease (CAD) at University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany, a subgroup of patients with "unstable" CAD (i.e. recurrent acute coronary syndrome) was identified and compared to patients with "stable" disease (i.e. chronic coronary syndrome). Gene array analysis using a commercial assay for 15 potentially pathogenic polymorphisms revealed our cohort's genetic risk profile regarding atherosclerotic/thromboembolic events. Improvement of cardiovascular risk assessment based on established risk scores was analysed using net reclassification, logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Discriminatory capacity of traditional risk scores such as SCORE2 or PROCAM with regard to stable and unstable CAD groups was poor (ROC AUC <0.5). Patients with "unstable" CAD exhibited a significantly increased frequency of pathogenic eNOS 894 T and MTHFR 1298 C polymorphisms compared to "stable" CAD patients, and information on these polymorphisms individually as well as combinations with additional polymorphisms included in the assay such as ACE D/D or PAI-1 5 G variants markedly improved risk prediction compared to SCORE2/PROCAM alone (ROC AUC ≥0.75). Commercially available assays for genetic polymorphisms may provide valuable information on individual genetic cardiovascular risk, potentially guiding future primary and/or secondary preventative therapies for coronary artery disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research which analyzed guideline adherence with respect to overtreatment or undertreatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) with oral anticoagulant (OAC) drugs in the metropolitan region Rhine-Neckar, Germany. Topics include brief information on the ARENA project, overview of the study subjects, details of the research findings and indication of good guideline adherence regarding OAC treatment in AF.

Background: While comprehensive evidence exists regarding negative effects of depression on self-care behaviours in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), the relation between anxiety and self-care behaviours in patients with CHF is not clear. The aim of this study was to analyse the interactions between anxiety, depression and self-care behaviours in patients with CHF. Methods: The self-care behaviour of CHF outpatients was measured using the European Heart Failure Self-care Behaviour Scale (EHFScBS). The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) was used to assess anxiety, the PHQ-9 was used to measure depression severity. Differences between patients with and without anxiety were assessed with the respective tests. Associations between anxiety, self-care and other predictors were analysed using linear regressions. Results: Of the 308 participating patients, 35 (11.4%) fulfilled the PHQ criteria for an anxiety disorder. These patients took antidepressants more frequently (11.8% versus 2.3%, p = .02), had had more contacts with their general practitioner within the last year (11.8 ± 16.1 versus 6.7 ± 8.6, p = .02), and had a higher PHQ-9 depression score (12.9 ± 5.7 versus 6.5 ± 4.7, p < .01) than patients without anxiety disorder. Anxiety and self-care were negatively associated (ß = −0.144, r2 = 0.021, p = 0.015). The explanation of variance was augmented in a multivariate regression with the predictors age, sex, education, living with a partner, and New York Heart Association (NYHA) class (r2 = 0.098) when anxiety was added (r2 = 0.112). Depression further increased the explanation of variance (ß = −0.161, r2 = 0.131, p = 0.019). Conclusions: Anxiety is negatively associated with self-care behaviour in patients with CHF. However, this effect disappears behind the stronger influence of depression on self-care. The consideration of mental comorbidities in patients with CHF is important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Long axis strain (LAS) has been shown to be a fast assessable parameter representing global left ventricular (LV) longitudinal function in cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). However, the prognostic value of LAS in cardiomyopathies with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) has not been evaluated yet. Methods and results: In 146 subjects with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM, LVEF =45 %) LAS was assessed retrospectively from standard non-contrast SSFP cine sequences by measuring the distance between the epicardial border of the left ventricular apex and the midpoint of a line connecting the origins of the mitral valve leaflets in end-systole and end-diastole. The final values were calculated according to the strain formula. The primary endpoint of the study was defined as a combination of cardiac death, heart transplantation or aborted sudden cardiac death and occurred in 24 subjects during follow-up. Patients with LAS values > -5 % showed a significant higher rate of cardiac events independent of the presence of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). The multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that LVEDV/BSA (HR: 1.01, p < 0.05), presence of LGE (HR: 2.51, p < 0.05) and LAS (HR: 1.28, p < 0.05) were independent predictors for cardiac events. In a sequential cox regression analysis LAS offered significant incremental information (p < 0.05) for the prediction of outcome in addition to LGE and LVEDV/BSA. Using a dichotomous three point scoring model for risk stratification, including LVEF <35 %, LAS > -10 % and the presence of LGE, patients with 3 points had a significantly higher risk for cardiac events than those with 2 or less points. Conclusion: Assessment of long axis function with LAS offers significant incremental information for the prediction of cardiac events in NIDCM and improves risk stratification beyond established CMR parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic heart failure (CHF) patients suffer from multiple and agonizing symptoms like shortness of breath and reduced functional status, the latter of which is usually assessed using New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class. Purpose: In order to identify potentially modifiable factors of reduced functional status in patients with CHF, we investigated somatic and psychosocial correlates of NYHA functional class. We subsequently compared the results to correlates of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) as an objective parameter of disease severity. Methods: The cross-sectional study ( n = 314) was part of the German Heart Failure Network. Data were analysed using a logistic regression modelling process. Results: In the final regression model, NYHA functional class was only significantly associated with depression (odds ratio (OR) = 1.18; 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 1.09-1.27) and multimorbidity (OR = 1.17; 95 % CI = 1.04-1.32). LVEF was associated with amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) (OR = 0.60; 95 % CI = 0.44-0.82), aetiology of CHF (OR = 2.08; 95 % CI = 1.11-3.90), and smoking (OR = 2.21; 95 % CI = 1.25-3.91). Conclusions: Whereas LVEF was not related to depression, our data revealed a close association between functional status (as assessed by NYHA functional class) and depression in patients with CHF, even after adjusting for cardiac and socio-demographic variables. Different forms of underlying causal mechanisms could be suspected; it appears promising to further investigate this specific interaction. In any event, pending further investigation, our results underscore the need to examine CHF patients with respect to both somatic symptom burden and potential depressive disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background To determine the accuracy of patient self-reports of specific cardiovascular diagnoses and to identify individual patient characteristics that influence the accuracy. Methods This investigation was conducted as a part of the randomized controlled ORBITAL study. Patients with hypercholesterolemia were enrolled in 1961 primary-care centers all over Germany. Self-reported questionnaire data of 7640 patients were compared with patients' case report forms (CRFs) and medical records on cardiovascular diseases, using κ statistics and binomial logit models. Results κ values ranged from 0.89 for diabetes to 0.04 for angina. The percentage of overreporting varied from 1% for diabetes to 17% for angina, whereas the percentage of underreporting varied from 8.0% for myocardial infarction to 57% for heart failure. Individual characteristics such as choice of individual general practitioner, male gender and age were associated with the accuracy of self-report data. Conclusion Since the agreement between patient self-report and CRFs/medical records varies with specific cardiovascular diagnoses in patients with hypercholesterolemia, the adequacy of this tool seems to be limited. However, the authors recommend additional data validation for certain patient groups and consideration of individual patient characteristics associated with over- and underreporting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) indicates generalized atherosclerosis but is still underdiagnosed and undertreated. Methods. Data were collected from patients with PAD from the Department of Cardiology and Angiology, University of Heidelberg, Germany. The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and medication were documented. Results. Atherogenic risk factors, cardiovascular disease, and cerebrovascular disease were highly prevalent. By continuous care at the university clinic, in addition to family medicine treatment, the use of platelet inhibitors, antihypertensives, and lipidlowering therapy was increased. Ankle-brachial index and walking distance improved. Conclusion. Long-term treatment at the university clinic had positive effects on atherogenic risk factors. The regular use of secondary preventive medication was improved. Still, this patient population remained undertreated and showed a high incidence of vascular event rates and a need for vascular interventions. This study implies the importance of both specialists and general practitioners in the care of these individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This prospective study was performed to analyse whether routine clinical follow-up investigations at 12±6 months add to risk stratification and improve survival rates in patients with a first diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Methods: Four hundred and eighty consecutive patients (mean age 53.4±12.3 years, 369 males, mean NYHA class 2.4±0.8) with invasively confirmed DCM were included and followed for 3.9±3.5 years. Patients were requested to adhere to a follow up investigation within 6–18 months either at the referring physicians or at our out patient department. Two hundred and eighty-one of the 480 patients presented for follow up which consisted of a detailed evaluation of symptoms, standardized physical examination, 12-lead-electrocardiogram recording and echocardiography. Seventeen patients were lost for follow up, 182 did not seek specialized medical follow up. Patients outcome was assessed by structured telephone interviews. Results: Independent predictors of death or transplantation at initial diagnosis were LV–ejection fraction <30% (P=0.0001, risk ratio 2.25), LV–end diastolic pressure &ges;15 mmHg (P=0.002, risk ratio 2.0), age &ges;54 years, (P=0.04, risk ratio 1.55), and presence of left bundle branch block (P=0.046, risk ratio 1.53). On follow up investigations only deterioration of clinical status by at least one NYHA-class (P=0.001, risk ratio 2.6) and new onset or worsening of mitral regurgitation (P=0.02, risk ratio 1.8), remained independent prognostic factors for cardiac death. Patients who presented for routine follow up revealed significant better 5-year survival rates (n=281, 70%) than those who did not (n=153, 55%, P=0.005). Conclusions: Routine clinical follow up investigations within 6–18 months after first diagnosis of DCM adds to risk stratification and improves survival rates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]