Search

Left bundle branch block (LBBB)-induced cardiomyopathy occurs in patients with long-standing LBBB. These patients characteristically exhibit hyperresponsiveness to cardiac resynchronization therapies (CRT). However, there is scarce information on their response to medical treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the change in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after a 3-month period following titration of guideline-directed medical therapy for heart failure.This retrospective analysis included all patients assessed in the heart failure unit of a Spanish University Hospital between 2020 and 2021, who presented with de novo ventricular dysfunction (LVEF40%) and had a history of long-standing LBBB with no other possible causes of cardiomyopathy.A total of 1497 patients were analyzed, of which 21 were finally eligible. Mean time from first diagnosis of LBBB to first consultation was 4.05± 4.1 years. Mean LVEF from first consultation to end of titration improved from 29.5±5.7% to 32.7±8.6% (P = .172), but none had recovered ventricular function at the end of follow-up. New York Heart Association functional class improved from 1.91±0.46 to 1.81±0.53 (P=.542). After CRT device implantation in 8 patients, LVEF improved by 14.5±3.5% (P=.003).Guideline-directed medical therapy seems to be ineffective in improving LVEF and functional class in patients with de novo heart failure and LBBB-induced cardiomyopathy. Based on a positive response to CRT on LVEF improvement, early CRT implantation could be a reasonable strategy for these patients.

Advanced heart failure; Inotropes; Palliative care Insuficiencia cardiaca avanzada; Inotropos; Cuidados paliativos Insuficiència cardíaca avançada; Inòtrops; Cures pal·liatives Aim Patients with advanced heart failure (AHF) who are not candidates to advanced therapies have poor prognosis. Some trials have shown that intermittent levosimendan can reduce HF hospitalizations in AHF in the short term. In this real-life registry, we describe the patterns of use, safety and factors related to the response to intermittent levosimendan infusions in AHF patients not candidates to advanced therapies. Methods and results Multicentre retrospective study of patients diagnosed with advanced heart failure, not HT or LVAD candidates. Patients needed to be on the optimal medical therapy according to their treating physician. Patients with de novo heart failure or who underwent any procedure that could improve prognosis were not included in the registry. Four hundred three patients were included; 77.9% needed at least one admission the year before levosimendan was first administered because of heart failure. Death rate at 1 year was 26.8% and median survival was 24.7 [95% CI: 20.4–26.9] months, and 43.7% of patients fulfilled the criteria for being considered a responder lo levosimendan (no death, heart failure admission or unplanned HF visit at 1 year after first levosimendan administration). Compared with the year before there was a significant reduction in HF admissions (38.7% vs. 77.9%; P < 0.0001), unplanned HF visits (22.7% vs. 43.7%; P < 0.0001) or the combined event including deaths (56.3% vs. 81.4%; P < 0.0001) during the year after. We created a score that helps predicting the responder status at 1 year after levosimendan, resulting in a score summatory of five variables: TEER (+2), treatment with beta-blockers (+1.5), Haemoglobin >12 g/dL (+1.5), amiodarone use (−1.5) HF visit 1 year before levosimendan (−1.5) and heart rate >70 b.p.m. (−2). Patients with a score less than −1 had a very low probability of response (21.5% free of death or HF event at 1 year) meanwhile those with a score over 1.5 had the better chance of response (68.4% free of death or HF event at 1 year). LEVO-D score performed well in the ROC analysis. Conclusion In this large real-life series of AHF patients treated with levosimendan as destination therapy, we show a significant decrease of heart failure events during the year after the first administration. The simple LEVO-D Score could be of help when deciding about futile therapy in this population.

To investigate a potential association between beta-blocker exposure and survival in patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM).In this real-world prospective registry of 128 consecutive patients with ATTR-CM recruited in 7 institutions in Galicia (Spain), survival of 65 patients who received beta blockers on registry enrollment was compared with that of 63 untreated controls by means of both unweighted Cox regression and Cox regression with inverse probability of treatment weighting. Tolerance to and adverse effects of beta blockers were recorded. Median study follow-up was 520 days.Patients with ATTR-CM who received beta blockers showed statistically significant lower all-cause mortality than untreated controls as evaluated by either unweighted Cox regression (hazard ratio, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.12 to 0.79) or Cox regression with inverse probability of treatment weighting (hazard ratio, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.08 to 0.41; P.001). Several sensitivity analyses confirmed the internal validity of these results. The overall frequency of beta-blocker suspension due to adverse effects was 25% (95% CI, 15.5% to 34.5%).In this real-world, prospective, multi-institutional registry, patients with ATTR-CM who received beta blockers had lower all-cause mortality than untreated controls.

[Abstract] Introduction and objectives: Recently, there have been important advances in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac amyloidosis (CA). Our aim was to provide an updated description of its 2 most frequent types: the transthyretin CA (ATTR-CA) and the light chain CA (AL-CA). Methods: Prospective registry of patients with CA diagnosed in 7 institutions in Galicia (Spain) between January 1, 2018 and June 30, 2020. Variables related to clinical characteristics, complementary tests, survival and causes of death were collected. Results: One hundred and forty-three patients with CA were consecutively included, 128 ATTR-CA (89.5%) and 15 AL-CA (10.5%). Mean age was 79.6±7.7 years and 23.8% were women. Most patients with ATTR-CA were diagnosed non-invasively (87.5%). On physical examination, 35.7, 35 and 7% had Popeye's sign, Dupuytren's contracture and macroglossia, respectively. Twelve-month and 24-month survival was 92.1 and 76.2% in the ATTR-CA group, and 78.6 and 61.1% in the AL-CA group (P=.152). The cause of death was cardiovascular in 80.8% of the cohort. Conclusions: ATTR-CA can be diagnosed non-invasively in most cases and it is the most common type of CA in routine clinical practice. Furthermore, an increase in the short-term survival of CA appears to be observed, which could be due to advances related to its diagnosis and treatment. [Resumen] Introducción y objetivos. Recientemente se han producido importantes avances en el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la amiloidosis cardiaca (AC). Nos propusimos realizar una descripción actualizada de sus 2 tipos más frecuentes: la AC por transtirretina (AC-ATTR) y la AC por cadenas ligeras (AC-AL). Métodos. Registro prospectivo de pacientes diagnosticados de AC en 7 hospitales de Galicia entre el 1 de enero de 2018 y el 30 de junio de 2020. Se recogieron variables relativas a características clínicas, pruebas complementarias, supervivencia y causas de muerte. Resultados. Se incluyeron de forma consecutiva 143 pacientes con AC, 128 AC-ATTR (89,5%) y 15 AC-AL (10,5%). La edad media fue de 79,6 ± 7,7 años y un 23,8% fueron mujeres. La mayoría de los pacientes con AC-ATTR se diagnosticaron de forma no invasiva (87,5%). En la exploración física, un 35,7, un 35 y un 7% de los pacientes presentaban el signo de Popeye, contractura de Dupuytren y macroglosia, respectivamente. La supervivencia a los 12 y 24 meses fue del 92,1 y el 76,2% en el grupo AC-ATTR, y del 78,6 y el 61,1% en el grupo AC-AL (p = 0,152). La causa de muerte fue cardiovascular en el 80,8% de la cohorte. Conclusiones. La AC-ATTR puede ser diagnosticada en la mayoría de los casos de manera no invasiva y es la forma de AC más frecuente en la práctica clínica habitual. Además, parece observarse un aumento en la supervivencia a corto plazo de la AC que en parte podría deberse a los avances relacionados con su diagnóstico y tratamiento.

Introduction and objectives In patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), several therapies have been proven to reduce mortality in clinical trials. However, there are few data on the effect of the use of evidence-based therapies on causes of death in clinical practice. Methods This study included 2351 outpatients with HFrEF ( Results Patients in REDINSCOR I more frequently received beta-blockers (85% vs 71%; P Conclusions In ambulatory patients with HFrEF, implementation of evidence-based therapies was associated with a lower risk of death, mainly due to a significant reduction in sudden cardiac death.

Introduction and objectives In patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), several therapies have been proven to reduce mortality in clinical trials. However, there are few data on the effect of the use of evidence-based therapies on causes of death in clinical practice. Methods This study included 2351 outpatients with HFrEF (< 40%) from 2 multicenter prospective registries: MUSIC (n=641, period: 2003-2004) and REDINSCOR I (n=1710, period: 2007-2011). Variables were recorded at inclusion and all patients were followed-up for 4 years. Causes of death were validated by an independent committee. Results Patients in REDINSCOR I more frequently received beta-blockers (85% vs 71%; P

Background: Inflammation is one of the mechanisms involved in heart failure (HF) pathophysiology. Thus, the acute phase reactant protein, orosomucoid, was associated with a worse post-discharge prognosis in de novo acute HF (AHF). However, the presence of anti-inflammatory adipokine, omentin, might protect and reduce the severity of the disease. We wanted to evaluate the value of omentin and orosomucoid combination for stratifying the risk of these patients.Methods and Results: Two independent cohorts of patients admitted for de novo AHF in two centers were included in the study (n = 218). Orosomucoid and omentin circulating levels were determined by ELISA at discharge. Patients were followed-up for 317 (3–575) days. A predictive model was determined for the primary endpoint, death, and/or HF readmission. Differences in survival were evaluated using a Log-rank test. According to cut-off values of orosomucoid and omentin, patients were classified as UpDown (high orosomucoid and low omentin levels), equal (both proteins high or low), and DownUp (low orosomucoid and high omentin levels). The Kaplan Meier determined a worse prognosis for the UpDown group (Long-rank test p = 0.02). The predictive model that includes the combination of orosomucoid and omentin groups (OROME) + NT-proBNP values achieved a higher C-index = 0.84 than the predictive model with NT-proBNP (C-index = 0.80) or OROME (C-index = 0.79) or orosomucoid alone (C-index = 0.80).Conclusion: The orosomucoid and omentin determination stratifies de novo AHF patients into the high, mild, and low risk of rehospitalization and/or death for HF. Its combination with NT-proBNP improves its predictive value in this group of patients.

Altres ajuts: AstraZeneca Farmacéutica, Spain, S.A. (ESR-17-13244). Hyperkalaemia is a growing concern in the treatment of patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) as it limits the use of some prognostic-modifying drugs and has a negative impact on prognosis. The objective of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of hyperkalaemia in outpatients with HFrEF and its impact on achieving optimal medical treatment. For this purpose, a multicentre, prospective, and observational study was carried out on consecutive HFrEF patients who were monitored as outpatients in heart failure (HF) units and who, in the opinion of their doctor, received optimal medical treatment. A total of 565 HFrEF patients were included from 16 specialised HF units. The mean age was 66 ± 12 years, 78% were male, 45% had an ischemic cause, 39% had atrial fibrillation, 43% were diabetic, 42% had a glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min/1.7 m, and the mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 31 ± 7%. Treatment at the study entry included: 76% on diuretics, 13% on ivabradine, 7% on digoxin, 18.9% on angiotensin-conversing enzyme inhibitors (ACEi), 11.3% on angiotensin receptors blockers (ARBs), 63.8% on angiotensin-neprilysin inhibitors (ARNi), 78.5% on mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and 92.9% on beta-blockers. Potassium levels in the baseline analysis were: ≤5 mEq/L = 80.5%, 5.1-5.4 mEq/L = 13.8%, 5.5-5.9 mEq/L = 4.6%, and ≥6 mEq/L = 1.06%. Hyperkalaemia was the reason for not prescribing or reaching the target dose of an MRAs in 34.8% and 12.5% of patients, respectively. The impact of hyperkalaemia on not prescribing or dropping below the target dose in relation to ACEi, ARBs, and ARNi was significantly less. In conclusion, hyperkalaemia is a frequent problem in the management of patients with HFrEF and a limiting factor in the optimisation of medical treatment.

A obesity paradox has been described following heart failure (HF). The aim of this study was to analyze the association between food intake-involved adipokines and long-term weight changes. Leptin, adiponectin, and omentin were analyzed in 92 acute HF (AHF) patients at discharge, classified on the basis of weight gains or losses > 6%. The mean follow-up was 256 ± 143 days. Leptin and adiponectin levels were similar among weight groups. However, omentin levels were higher in those patients who had gained weight (16 ± 5 ng/mL) than in those who had lost weight (12 ± 4 ng/mL) or showed no weight change (11 ± 5 ng/mL; p

Introduction and objectives Contemporary data on the incidence and prognosis of heart failure (HF) and the influence of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in the setting of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are scant. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between LVEF and HF with long-term prognosis in a cohort of patients with ACS. Methods This is a retrospective observational study of 6208 patients consecutively admitted for ACS to 2 different Spanish hospitals. Baseline characteristics were examined and a follow-up period was established for registration of death and HF rehospitalization as the primary endpoint. Results Among the study participants, 5064 had ACS without HF during hospitalization: 290 (5.8%) had LVEF < 40%, 540 (10.6%) LVEF 40% to 49%, and 4234 (83.6%) LVEF ≥ 50%. The remaining 1144 patients developed HF in the acute phase: 395 (34.6%) had LVEF < 40%, 251 (21.9%) LVEF 40% to 49%, and 498 (43.5%) LVEF ≥ 50%. Patients with LVEF 40% to 49% had a demographic and clinical profile with intermediate features between the LVEF < 40% and LVEF ≥ 50% groups. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that mortality and HF readmissions were statistically different depending on LVEF in the non-HF group but not in the HF group. Left ventricular ejection fraction ≥ 50% was an independent prognostic factor in the non-HF group only. Conclusions In ACS, long-term prognosis is considerably worse in patients who develop HF during hospitalization than in patients without HF, irrespective of LVEF. This parameter is a strong prognostic predictor only in patients without HF.

Contemporary data on the incidence and prognosis of heart failure (HF) and the influence of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in the setting of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are scant. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between LVEF and HF with long-term prognosis in a cohort of patients with ACS.This is a retrospective observational study of 6208 patients consecutively admitted for ACS to 2 different Spanish hospitals. Baseline characteristics were examined and a follow-up period was established for registration of death and HF rehospitalization as the primary endpoint.Among the study participants, 5064 had ACS without HF during hospitalization: 290 (5.8%) had LVEF40%, 540 (10.6%) LVEF 40% to 49%, and 4234 (83.6%) LVEF ≥ 50%. The remaining 1144 patients developed HF in the acute phase: 395 (34.6%) had LVEF40%, 251 (21.9%) LVEF 40% to 49%, and 498 (43.5%) LVEF ≥ 50%. Patients with LVEF 40% to 49% had a demographic and clinical profile with intermediate features between the LVEF40% and LVEF ≥ 50% groups. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that mortality and HF readmissions were statistically different depending on LVEF in the non-HF group but not in the HF group. Left ventricular ejection fraction ≥ 50% was an independent prognostic factor in the non-HF group only.In ACS, long-term prognosis is considerably worse in patients who develop HF during hospitalization than in patients without HF, irrespective of LVEF. This parameter is a strong prognostic predictor only in patients without HF.

Background: Hyperadiponectinemia is an indicator of worse outcomes in advanced heart failure (HF), its role in de novo HF is less clear. Objective: Because this protein is a hormone with starvation properties, we wanted to know its association with nutritional state and its regulator factors in de novo HF. Methods: Adiponectin circulating levels were determined by ELISA at discharge in patients admitted for de novo HF (n=74). Nutritional status was determined by CONUT score. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were employed to calculate the estimated hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for death or all-cause readmission. Stromal vascular cells (SVC) of EAT and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) from patients (n=5) underwent heart surgery were induced to adipogenesis for 18 days. Then, cells were cultured with complete or starved medium for 8 hours. At the end, adiponectin expression levels were analysed by real time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Patients were grouped regarding nutritional status. There was a strong association between high adiponectin levels and failing nutritional status. Those patients with worse nutritional state had the highest adiponectin and proBNP levels at discharge (p

Resumen Introduccion y objetivos La guia de insuficiencia cardiaca de la Sociedad Europea de Cardiologia define un nuevo grupo de pacientes con fraccion de eyeccion del ventriculo izquierdo intermedia (40-49%) (ICFEi) cuyas caracteristicas y pronostico no estan bien definidos. Nuestro objetivo es analizar este grupo en pacientes hospitalizados por insuficiencia cardiaca (Registro REDINSCOR II ). Metodos Estudio observacional prospectivo de 1.420 pacientes clasificados segun la fraccion de eyeccion: deprimida (ICFEd), Resultados La distribucion de pacientes fue: 583 (41%) con ICFEd, 227 (16%) con ICFEi y 610 (43%) con ICFEc. El grupo con ICFEi se parece mas al de ICFEc en cuanto a edad, prevalencia de hipertension arterial y fibrilacion auricular, aunque comparte con la ICFEd el predominio de varones, la etiologia isquemica y el mayor uso de farmacos clase I para ICFEd. Las demas caracteristicas fueron intermedias. No se detectaron diferencias entre los 3 grupos en la mortalidad total, las causas de muerte y los reingresos por insufiencia cardiaca. Esta similitud en el pronostico se confirmo en el analisis ajustado por puntuacion de propension. Conclusiones El grupo de pacientes con ICFEi comparte caracteristicas con los de ICFEc e ICFEd, aunque esta mas proximo al de ICFEc. La mortalidad total, las causas de muerte o las rehospitalizaciones por insuficiencia cardiaca eran similares en los 3 grupos.

Background New treatment strategies are needed to improve the prognosis in acute heart failure (AHF), recently PIONEER-HF results have been published showing in a selected group of patients a potential use of sacubitril/valsartan with safety in this scenario Purpose To evaluate the impact of PIONEER-HF potential indication in daily practice after AHF hospitalization at discharge Methods We included a subgroup of 909 patients consecutively admitted with AHF between October 2013 and December 2014 from a national multicentre, prospective registry with the complete data for this analysis. In the trial left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤40% and natriuretic peptides at admission with values of NT-ProBNP≥1600 pg/ml were needed to be included. The clinical and analytic stability at discharge to safely start sacubitril/valsartan was considered as MDRD estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate≥30 mL/min/1.73 m2, Systolic Blood Pressure ≥100 mmHg and Potassium ≤5.2 mmol/L. Results The mean age was 72.1±12.01 years. Of these, 373 (38.8%) were female, 734 (76,6%) were hypertensive, 462 (48.2%) had diabetes and 282 (29.9%) coronary artery disease. At admission atrial fibrillation was found in 403 patients (40.1%) and 409 (45%) had reduced LVEF. The mean levels of NT-ProBNP 7259.4±9437.1 pg/ml. In this group of patients, the in-hospital mortality was 28 (2.9%) and the 1 year follow up mortality was 197 (20.5%) and the heart failure rehospitalizations in 1 year were 303 (31,5%). In table 1 the percentage of patients that fulfil the needed criteria for the application of PIONEER HF is shown. In our registry 235 patients (25.9%) could be potential users of sacubitril/valsartan after the acute phase of hospitalization Table 1 Elements to stablish indication Number of patients (%) NT-ProBNP ≥1600 pg/ml at admission 730 (80.3%) MDRD estimated GFR ≥30 mL/min/1.73 m2 at discharge 798 (87.8%) Systolic Blood Pressure ≥100 mmHg at discharge 755 (83.1%) Serum Potassium ≤5.2 mmol/L at discharge 856 (94.2%) Clinical and analytic stability at discharge 636 (70%) Left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40% 409 (45%) PIONEER HF Criteria 235 (25.9%) GFR: Glomerular Filtration Rate. Conclusions In our cohort of AHF patients around 1 out 4 could be treated with sacubitril/valsartan at discharge if we apply the PIONEER HF criteria in a contemporary setting, this finding could have potential implications in the prognosis and current costs of care in a population with high morbidity and mortality. Acknowledgement/Funding Heart Failure Program of the Red de Investigaciόn Cardiovascular del Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain (RD12/0042) and FEDER

Background: Hyperadiponectinemia is an indicator of worse outcomes in advanced heart failure (HF), its role in de novo HF is less clear. Objective: Because this protein is a hormone with starvation properties, we wanted to know its association with nutritional state and its regulator factors in de novo HF. Methods: Adiponectin circulating levels were determined by ELISA at discharge in patients admitted for de novo HF (n=74). Nutritional status was determined by CONUT score. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were employed to calculate the estimated hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for death or all-cause readmission. Stromal vascular cells (SVC) of EAT and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) from patients (n=5) underwent heart surgery were induced to adipogenesis for 18 days. Then, cells were cultured with complete or starved medium for 8 hours. At the end, adiponectin expression levels were analysed by real time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Patients were grouped regarding nutritional status. There was a strong association between high adiponectin levels and failing nutritional status. Those patients with worse nutritional state had the highest adiponectin and proBNP levels at discharge (p

Background: The magnitude and the prognostic impact of recovering left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with heart failure (HF) and systolic dysfunction is unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with HFrecEF in an HF population. Methods: 449 consecutive patients were selected with the diagnosis of HF and an evaluation of LVEF in the 6 months prior to selection who were referred to two HF units. Patients with systolic dysfunction were only considered if a second echocardiogram was performed during the follow-up. Results: At the time of diagnosis, 207 patients had LVEF > 40% (HFpEF) and 242 had LVEF ≤ 40% (HFrEF). After 1 year, the LVEF was re-evaluated in all 242 patients with a LVEF ≤ 40%: in 126 (52%), the second LVEF was > 40% (HFrecEF), and the remaining 116 (48%) had LVEF ≤ 40% (HFrEF). After 1800 ± 900 days of follow-up patients with recovered LVEF had a significantly lower mortality rate (HFpEF vs. HFrecEF: hazard ratio [HR] = 2.286, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.264–4.145, p = 0.019; HFrEF vs. HFrecEF: HR = 2.222, 95% CI 1.189–4.186, p < 0.001) and hospitalization rate (HFpEF vs. HFrecEF: HR = 1.411, 95% CI 1.046–1.903, p = 0.024; HFrEF vs. HFrecEF: HR = 1.388, 95% CI 1.002–1.924, p = 0.049). The following are predictors of LVEF recovery: younger age, lower functional class, treatment with renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitors and beta-blockers, absence of defibrillator use, and non-ischemic etiology. Conclusions: Patients with HF and reduced LVEF who were re-evaluated after 1 year, had significant improvement in their LVEF and had a more favourable prognosis than HF with preserved and reduced ejection fraction.

Background: The intermediate group of patients with heart failure (HF) and mid-range left ventricular ejection fraction (HFmrEF) may constitute a specific phenotype, but a direct evidence is lacking. This study aimed to know whether this HF category is accompanied by a particular clinical phenotype and prognosis. Methods and results: This study includes 3446 ambulatory patients with chronic HF from two national registries. According to EF at enrollment, patients were classified as reduced (HFrEF, = 50%). Patients were followed-up for a median of 41 months and the specific cause of death was prospectively registered. Patients with HFmrEF represented 13% of population and they exhibited a phenotype closer to HFrEF, except for a higher rate of coronary revascularization and diabetes, and a less advanced HF syndrome. The observed all-cause mortality was higher among HFrEF (33.0%), and similar between HFmrEF (27.8%) and HFpEF (28.0%) (p = 0.012); however, the contribution of each cause of death differed significantly between categories (p < 0.001). After propensity score matching, the risk of cardiovascular death, HF death or sudden cardiac death did not differ between HFmrEF and HFrEF in paired samples; however, patients with HFmrEF were at higher risk of cardiovascular death (sHR 1.71, 95% CI 1.13-2.57, p = 0.011) and sudden cardiac death (sHR 2.73, 95% CI 1.07-6.98, p = 0.036) than patients with HFpEF. Conclusions: Patients in the intermediate category of HFmrEF conform a phenotype closer to the clinical profile of HFrEF, and associated to higher risk of sudden cardiac death and cardiovascular death than patients with HFpEF. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Background Malnutrition is common in hospitalized heart failure (HF) patients and predicts adverse outcomes. The relationship between nutritional status and outcomes in HF has been partially studied. Our aim was to determine the relationship between the nutritional status and the long-term prognosis in patients hospitalized for acute HF. Methods We analyzed 145 patients admitted consecutively to a cardiology department for acute HF. Nutritional status was measured with the CONUT method, a validated scale based on laboratory testing (albumin; cholesterol; lymphocytes) during hospitalization. Patients were classified as normal, mildly, moderately or severely malnourished, and followed in a HF clinic. Results The mean aged of the population was 69.6years and 61% of patients were men, 54 had previous HF hospitalization (37%), 112 had hypertension (77%), 67 were diabetic (46%) and 135 had class III or IV NYHA (93%). Forty eight patients (33%) had normal nutritional status, 75 were mildly malnourished (52%), and 22 were moderately or severely malnourished (15%). Age, sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or NYHA class among the three groups were not statistically different. ProBNP was directly correlated with the nutritional status. After a mean follow-up of 326days, 27 had a HF hospitalization (19%) and 61 (42,1%) had a hospitalization not related to HF. The analysis by Kaplan-Meier curves and log rank test showed that these differences were statistically significant. Conclusion Malnutrition is common in patients hospitalized for HF. It seems to be a mediator of disease progression and determines a poor prognosis especially in advanced stages.

European Society of Cardiology heart failure guidelines include a new patient category with mid-range (40%-49%) left ventricular ejection fraction (HFmrEF). HFmrEF patient characteristics and prognosis are poorly defined. The aim of this study was to analyze the HFmrEF category in a cohort of hospitalized heart failure patients (REDINSCOR II Registry).A prospective observational study was conducted with 1420 patients classified according to ejection fraction as follows: HFrEF,40%; HFmrEF, 40%-49%; and HFpEF, ≥ 50%. Baseline patient characteristics were examined, and outcome measures were mortality and readmission for heart failure at 1-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up. Propensity score matching was used to compare the HFmrEF group with the other ejection fraction groups.Among the study participants, 583 (41%) had HFrEF, 227 (16%) HFmrEF, and 610 (43%) HFpEF. HFmrEF patients had a clinical profile similar to that of HFpEF patients in terms of age, blood pressure, and atrial fibrillation prevalence, but shared with HFrEF patients a higher proportion of male participants and ischemic etiology, and use of class I drugs targeting HFrEF. All other features were intermediate, and comorbidities were similar among the 3 groups. There were no significant differences in all-cause mortality, cause of death, or heart failure readmission. The similar outcomes were confirmed in the propensity score matched cohorts.The HFmrEF patient group has characteristics between the HFrEF and HFpEF groups, with more similarities to the HFpEF group. No between-group differences were observed in total mortality, cause of death, or heart failure readmission.

Introduccion y objetivos El impacto negativo de la insuficiencia renal (IR) en la supervivencia de los pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca congestiva (ICC) se ha descrito en ensayos clinicos realizados, principalmente, en pacientes con funcion sistolica deprimida (FS-D). El objetivo es valorar las caracteristicas clinicas y el pronostico en pacientes hospitalizados por ICC y diferentes grados de disfuncion renal en los grupos con FS-D y funcion sistolica preservada (FS-P). Pacientes y metodo Se analizo a 552 pacientes ingresados entre el ano 2000 y el 2002 en el servicio de cardiologia con ICC. La funcion renal se valoro utilizando la tasa de filtracion glomerular (TFG) y se consideraron 3 grupos: TFG > 60, 30-60 y Resultados La IR grave se asocio con el perfil de riesgo cardiovascular mas adverso: mayor edad, mayor prevalencia de factores de riesgo cardiovascular, anemia, marcadores de inflamacion y una menor prescripcion de inhibidores de la enzima de conversion de la angiotensina (IECA). Los pacientes con IR grave tenian una supervivencia inferior a la de los otros grupos (riesgo relativo ([RR] = 2,4; intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%, 1,3-4,4), tanto en FS-D (RR = 3,8; IC del 95%, 1,4-10,6) como en FS-P (RR = 2,9; IC del 95%, 1,2-6,9) e independiente de otras variables con influencia pronostica. La prescripcion de IECA en los enfermos con IR atenuo el impacto negativo de esta sobre el pronostico. Conclusiones La IR es un predictor comun y potente de mortalidad en pacientes hospitalizados por ICC, tanto con FS-P como FS-D, y se asocia con un perfil de riesgo mas elevado.

Introduction and objectives. Most clinical trials that demonstrated the negative impact of renal failure on survival in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) included a relatively small proportion of subjects with a high creatinine level and were performed in patients with depressed left ventricular systolic function. Our aim was to investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of hospitalized CHF patients with depressed or preserved systolic function and different degrees of renal dysfunction. Patients and method. The study included 552 consecutive CHF patients admitted to a hospital department of cardiology between 2000-2002. Renal function was determined from the estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and patients were divided into three groups: GFR>60, GFR 30-60, and GFR

Las alteraciones del metabolismo de los hidratos de carbono (glucemia basal alterada, intolerancia a la glucosa y diabetes mellitus) constituyen uno de los problemas de salud con mayor tasa de crecimiento en los ultimos anos. Dichas alteraciones suelen coexistir con varios de los factores de riesgo clasicos (hipertension arterial, dislipemia, obesidad, etc.), asi como con otros determinantes del riesgo cardiovascular (elevacion de marcadores de inflamacion, hipofibrinolisis, aumento de la trombogenicidad, etc.). Estas alteraciones constituyen lo que en su conjunto conocemos como sindrome metabolico, y su nexo patogenetico es la resistencia a la accion periferica de la insulina. La resistencia insulinica tiene un papel determinante en el inicio, la progresion y la inestabilizacion del proceso aterosclerotico, asociandose con una mayor incidencia de enfermedades cardiovasculares. Se ha observado que el control glucemico constituye una medida insuficiente a la hora de frenar el dano vascular, por lo que se necesita una intervencion multidisciplinaria encaminada a controlar los multiples factores de riesgo desde fases precoces de la enfermedad. En la actualidad son cada vez mayores las evidencias sobre el efecto positivo de algunos farmacos, que modifican la condicion subyacente de resistencia insulinica, a la hora de frenar tanto la progresion a diabetes tipo 2 como el desarrollo del dano vascular.