Search

INTRODUCTION: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have previously demonstrated cardioprotective properties in patients with type 2 diabetes, suggesting a preventive effect on heart failure (HF). The Empire Prevent trial program investigates the therapeutic potential for HF prevention by evaluating the cardiac, metabolic, and renal effects of the SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin in patients with increased risk of developing HF, but without diabetes or established HF.METHODS: The Empire Prevent trial program is an investigator-initiated, double-blind, randomized clinical trial program including elderly and obese patients (60-84 years, body mass index >28 kg/m2) with at least one manifestation of hypertension, cardiovascular or chronic kidney disease, but no history of diabetes or HF. The aims are to investigate the effects of empagliflozin on 1) physical capacity and left ventricular and atrial structural changes with peak oxygen consumption and left ventricular mass as primary endpoints (Empire Prevent Cardiac), and 2) cardiac-adipose tissue interaction and volume homeostasis with primary endpoints of changes in epicardial adipose tissue and estimated extracellular volume (Empire Prevent Metabolic). At present, 138 of 204 patients have been randomized in the Empire Prevent trial program. Patients are randomized 1:1 to 180 days treatment with empagliflozin 10 mg daily or placebo, while undergoing a comprehensive examination program at baseline and follow-up.DISCUSSION: The Empire Prevent trial program will mark the first step towards elucidating the potential of SGLT2 inhibition for HF prevention in an outpatient setting in elderly and obese patients with increased risk of developing HF, but with no history of diabetes or established HF. Furthermore, the Empire Prevent trial program will supplement the larger event-driven trials by providing mechanistic insights to the beneficial effects of SGLT2 inhibition.TRIAL REGISTRATION: Bot

Background Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) is increasingly used for refractory out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). However, survivors managed with ECPR are at risk of poor functional status. The purpose of this study was to investigate return to work (RTW) after refractory OHCA. Methods and Results Of 44 360 patients with OHCA in the period of 2011 to 2020, this nationwide registry‐based study included 805 patients with refractory OHCA in the working age (18–65 years) who were employed before OHCA (2% of the total OHCA cohort). Demographics, prehospital characteristics, status at hospital arrival, employment status, and survival were retrieved through the Danish national registries. Sustainable RTW was defined as RTW for ≥6 months without any long sick leave relapses. Median follow‐up time was 4.1 years. ECPR and standard advanced cardiovascular life support were applied in 136 and 669 patients, respectively. RTW 1 year after OHCA was similar (39% versus 54%; P=0.2) and sustainable RTW was high in both survivors managed with ECPR and survivors managed with standard advanced cardiovascular life support (83% versus 85%; P>0.9). Younger age and shorter length of hospitalization were associated with RTW in multivariable Cox analysis, whereas ECPR was not. Conclusions In refractory OHCA‐patients employed prior to OHCA, approximately 1 out of 2 patients were employed after 1 year with no difference between patients treated with ECPR or standard advanced cardiovascular life support. Younger age and shorter length of hospitalization were associated with RTW while ECPR was not., BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) is increasingly used for refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). However, survivors managed with ECPR are at risk of poor functional status. The purpose of this study was to investigate return to work (RTW) after refractory OHCA.METHODS AND RESULTS: Of 44 360 patients with OHCA in the period of 2011 to 2020, this nationwide registry-based study included 805 patients with refractory OHCA in the working age (18-65 years) who were employed before OHCA (2% of the total OHCA cohort). Demographics, prehospital characteristics, status at hospital arrival, employment status, and survival were retrieved through the Danish national registries. Sustainable RTW was defined as RTW for ≥6 months without any long sick leave relapses. Median follow-up time was 4.1 years. ECPR and standard advanced cardiovascular life support were applied in 136 and 669 patients, respectively. RTW 1 year after OHCA was similar (39% versus 54%; P=0.2) and sustainable RTW was high in both survivors managed with ECPR and survivors managed with standard advanced cardiovascular life support (83% versus 85%; P>0.9). Younger age and shorter length of hospitalization were associated with RTW in multivariable Cox analysis, whereas ECPR was not.CONCLUSIONS: In refractory OHCA-patients employed prior to OHCA, approximately 1 out of 2 patients were employed after 1 year with no difference between patients treated with ECPR or standard advanced cardiovascular life support. Younger age and shorter length of hospitalization were associated with RTW while ECPR was not.

Aim Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) can be considered in selected patients with refractory cardiac arrest. Given the risk of patient futility and high resource utilisation, identifying ECPR candidates, who would benefit from this therapy, is crucial. Previous ECPR studies investigating lactate as a potential prognostic marker have been small and inconclusive. In this study, it was hypothesised that the lactate level (immediately prior to initiation of ECPR) and lactate clearance (within 24 hours after ECPR initiation) are predictors of one-year survival in a large, multicentre study cohort of ECPR patients. Methods Adult patients with refractory cardiac arrest at three German and four Danish tertiary cardiac care centres between 2011 and 2021 were included. Pre-ECPR lactate and 24-hour lactate clearance were divided into three equally sized tertiles. Multivariable logistic regression analyses and Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to analyse survival outcomes. Results 297 adult patients with refractory cardiac arrest were included in this study, of which 65 (22%) survived within one year. The pre-ECPR lactate level and 24-hour lactate clearance were level-dependently associated with one-year survival: OR 5.40 [95% CI 2.30–13.60] for lowest versus highest pre-ECPR lactate level and OR 0.25 [95% CI 0.09–0.68] for lowest versus highest 24-hour lactate clearance. Results were confirmed in Kaplan-Meier analyses (each p log rank < 0.001) and subgroup analyses. Conclusion Pre-ECPR lactate levels and 24 hour-lactate clearance after ECPR initiation in patients with refractory cardiac arrest were level-dependently associated with one-year survival. Lactate is an easily accessible and quickly available point-of-care measurement which might be considered as an early prognostic marker when considering initiation or continuation of ECPR treatment., Aim: Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) can be considered in selected patients with refractory cardiac arrest. Given the risk of patient futility and high resource utilisation, identifying ECPR candidates, who would benefit from this therapy, is crucial. Previous ECPR studies investigating lactate as a potential prognostic marker have been small and inconclusive. In this study, it was hypothesised that the lactate level (immediately prior to initiation of ECPR) and lactate clearance (within 24 hours after ECPR initiation) are predictors of one-year survival in a large, multicentre study cohort of ECPR patients. Methods: Adult patients with refractory cardiac arrest at three German and four Danish tertiary cardiac care centres between 2011 and 2021 were included. Pre-ECPR lactate and 24-hour lactate clearance were divided into three equally sized tertiles. Multivariable logistic regression analyses and Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to analyse survival outcomes. Results: 297 adult patients with refractory cardiac arrest were included in this study, of which 65 (22%) survived within one year. The pre-ECPR lactate level and 24-hour lactate clearance were level-dependently associated with one-year survival: OR 5.40 [95% CI 2.30–13.60] for lowest versus highest pre-ECPR lactate level and OR 0.25 [95% CI 0.09–0.68] for lowest versus highest 24-hour lactate clearance. Results were confirmed in Kaplan-Meier analyses (each p log rank < 0.001) and subgroup analyses. Conclusion: Pre-ECPR lactate levels and 24 hour-lactate clearance after ECPR initiation in patients with refractory cardiac arrest were level-dependently associated with one-year survival. Lactate is an easily accessible and quickly available point-of-care measurement which might be considered as an early prognostic marker when considering initiation or continuation of ECPR treatment.

This study aims to describe baseline characteristics and in-hospital management of a patient cohort hospitalized with acute heart failure (AHF). Adult patients in Denmark admitted with a medical diagnosis during a 7-day period were reviewed for symptoms and clinical findings suggestive of AHF. HFpEF was defined as LVEF ≥ 45%. Of 5194 patients, 290 (6%) had AHF. Sixty-two percent (n = 179) was diagnosed with HFpEF. Compared to HFrEF patients, HFpEF patients were more often women (48% vs. 31%, p = 0.004), less likely to have ischemic heart disease (31% vs. 53%, p = 0.002) and a pacemaker/ICD (7% vs. 21%, p < 0.001/1% vs. 8%, p < 0.001). Fewer HFpEF patients received intravenous diuretics (43% vs. 73%, p < 0.001) and inotropes (2% vs. 7%, p = 0.02), while more HFpEF patients received nitro-glycerine (59% vs. 44%, p = 0.02). Intubation/NIV, ICU admission, and revascularization were used similarly. Hospitalization was shorter for HFpEF patients (4 vs. 6 days, p < 0.001), with no significant difference in survival to discharge (96% vs. 91%, p = 0.07). Of AHF admissions, nearly two-thirds was due to HFpEF. Compared to HFrEF, HFpEF patients had a lower cardiac comorbidity and a 2-day shorter hospitalization., This study aims to describe baseline characteristics and in-hospital management of a patient cohort hospitalized with acute heart failure (AHF). Adult patients in Denmark admitted with a medical diagnosis during a 7-day period were reviewed for symptoms and clinical findings suggestive of AHF. HFpEF was defined as LVEF ≥ 45%. Of 5194 patients, 290 (6%) had AHF. Sixty-two percent (n = 179) was diagnosed with HFpEF. Compared to HFrEF patients, HFpEF patients were more often women (48% vs. 31%, p = 0.004), less likely to have ischemic heart disease (31% vs. 53%, p = 0.002) and a pacemaker/ICD (7% vs. 21%, p < 0.001/1% vs. 8%, p < 0.001). Fewer HFpEF patients received intravenous diuretics (43% vs. 73%, p < 0.001) and inotropes (2% vs. 7%, p = 0.02), while more HFpEF patients received nitro-glycerine (59% vs. 44%, p = 0.02). Intubation/NIV, ICU admission, and revascularization were used similarly. Hospitalization was shorter for HFpEF patients (4 vs. 6 days, p < 0.001), with no significant difference in survival to discharge (96% vs. 91%, p = 0.07). Of AHF admissions, nearly two-thirds was due to HFpEF. Compared to HFrEF, HFpEF patients had a lower cardiac comorbidity and a 2-day shorter hospitalization. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]