Search

The efficacy of novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in severely obese patients is uncertain as volume of distribution is related to weight, and few such patients were enrolled in the pivotal trials. As the month after direct-current cardioversion (DCCV) for atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter is a high-risk period for stroke, we sought to evaluate the safety of performing DCCV in obese patients on NOAC. All patients who underwent DCCV after ≥3 weeks of NOAC or therapeutic warfarin treatment without a previous transesophageal echocardiogram over a 3-year period at a single center were included. Obesity groups were defined as normal (body mass index [BMI] < 25), overweight (BMI 25 to

Objectives This study sought to determine the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of elective electrical cardioversion (CV) for atrial fibrillation (AF) when performed autonomously by a trained advanced practice provider (APP) using a guideline-directed protocol. Background APPs have emerged as an integral part of the cardiovascular team. Methods A licensed advanced practice nurse-clinical nurse specialist was trained and obtained credentials to perform CVs. The advanced practice nurse performed 415 CVs autonomously (APP group) in a noninvasive procedure room with an electrophysiologist (EP) immediately available in an adjacent electrophysiology laboratory. The APP performed a history and physical examination, obtained informed consent, reviewed each patient with the supervising EP, and performed the CV. An anesthesiologist administered sedation. Outcomes were compared with 387 CVs performed by an MD when the APP was not available (MD group). Patient satisfaction scores were compared before and after the APP-directed CVs were performed. Results The proportion of patients discharged in sinus rhythm was the same in the APP group as it was in the MD group (95% vs. 96%, respectively; p = 0.49). There were 4 adverse events in the CVs performed by the APP: 1 transient ischemic attack and 3 occurrences of bradycardia requiring atropine or other medication. There was 1 adverse event in the MD group, which was hypotension requiring vasopressor initiation. Patient satisfaction scores were stable after initiation of APP-driven cardioversions. Conclusions With appropriate clinical training, an APP can safely perform CVs autonomously, using a protocol that includes a guideline-directed procedural checklist and physician supervision, with excellent patient satisfaction and outcomes.

Exercise training (ET) in patients with heart failure (HF), as demonstrated in the Heart Failure: A Controlled Trial Investigating Outcomes of Exercise TraiNing (HF-ACTION), was associated with improved exercise tolerance and health status and a trend toward reduced mortality or hospitalization. The present analysis of the HF-ACTION cohort examined the effect of ET in overweight and obese subjects compared to normal weight subjects with HF. Of 2,331 subjects with systolic HF randomized to aerobic ET versus usual care in the HF-ACTION, 2,314 were analyzed to determine the effect of ET on all-cause mortality, hospitalizations, exercise parameters, quality of life, and body weight changes by subgroups of body mass index (BMI). The strata included normal weight (BMI 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m 2 ), overweight (BMI 25.0 to 29.9 kg/m 2 ), obese I (BMI 30 to 34.9 kg/m 2 ), obese II (BMI 35 to 39.9 kg/m 2 ), and obese III (BMI ≥40 kg/m 2 ). At enrollment, 19.4% of subjects were normal weight, 31.3% were overweight, and 49.4% were obese. A greater BMI was associated with a nonsignificant increase in all-cause mortality or hospitalization. ET was associated with nonsignificant reductions in all-cause mortality and hospitalization in each weight category (hazard ratio 0.98, 0.95, 0.92, 0.89, and 0.86 in the normal weight, overweight, obese I, obese II, and obese III categories, respectively; all p >0.05). Modeled improvement in exercise capacity (peak oxygen consumption) and quality of life in the ET group was seen in all BMI categories. In conclusion, aerobic ET in subjects with HF was associated with a nonsignificant trend toward decreased mortality and hospitalization and a significant improvement in quality of life across the range of BMI categories.

Novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are used in patients undergoing direct-current cardioversion (DCCV) for atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter (AF/AFL). There are concerns about their efficacy and safety in severely obese patients as volume of distribution is related to weight and few such

Heart failure (HF) is a common, disabling, and costly disease. Despite major advances in medical therapy, morbidity and mortality remain high, in part because current pharmacological regimens may not fully address some unique requirements of the heart for energy. The heart requires a continuous supply of energy-providing substrates and amino acids in order to maintain its function. In HF, defects in substrate metabolism and cardiac energy and substrate utilization may contribute to contractile dysfunction. HF is often accompanied by a deficiency in key micronutrients required for unimpeded energy transfer. Correcting these deficits has been proposed as a method to limit or even reverse the progressive myocyte dysfunction and/or necrosis in HF. This review summarizes the existing HF literature with respect to supplementation trials of key micronutrients involved in cardiac metabolism: coenzyme Q10, l-carnitine, thiamine, and amino acids, including taurine. Studies using a broader approach to supplementation are also considered. Although some of the results are promising, none are conclusive. There is a need for a prospective trial to examine the effects of micronutrient supplementation on morbidity and mortality in patients with HF.

Chronotropic incompetence (CI) is common in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and may be a key reason underlying exercise intolerance in these patients. However, the determinants of CI in HFpEF are unknown. We prospectively studied 157 patients with consecutive HFpEF who underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing and defined CI according to specific thresholds of the percent heart rate reserve (%HRR). CI was diagnosed as present if %HRR80 if not taking a β blocker and62 if taking β blockers. Participants who achieved inadequate exercise effort (respiratory exchange ratio ≤1.05) on cardiopulmonary exercise testing were excluded. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression was used to determine the factors associated with CI. Of the 157 participants, 108 (69%) achieved a respiratory exchange ratio1.05 and were included in the final analysis. Of these 108 participants, 70% were women, 62% were taking β blockers, and 38% had chronic kidney disease. Most patients with HFpEF met criteria for CI (81 of 108; 75%). Lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR), higher B-type natriuretic peptide, and higher pulmonary artery systolic pressure were each associated with CI. A 1-SD decrease in GFR was independently associated with CI after multivariable adjustment (adjusted odds ratio 2.2, 95% confidence interval 1.1 to 4.4, p = 0.02). The association between reduced GFR and CI persisted when considering a variety of measures of chronotropic response. In conclusion, reduced GFR is the major clinical correlate of CI in patients with HFpEF, and further study of the relation between chronic kidney disease and CI may provide insight into the pathophysiology of CI in HFpEF.

Peak exercise oxygen consumption (peak VO2) is an important discriminator of survival in patients with systolic heart failure and is used to select ambulatory patients for transplantation. The major trials assessing the relationship between peak VO2 and survival have used a variety of low-level exercise protocols. It is unknown how peak VO2 measured in this patient population by the more vigorous Bruce treadmill protocol compares with that obtained on less intense protocols.We studied 15 patients (50 +/- 12 years old) with severe heart failure (left ventricular ejection fraction 23.5% +/- 8.6%). Patients randomly performed 3 exercise tests with the Bruce treadmill, modified Naughton treadmill, and modified bicycle protocols within 14 days. To determine the ability of this patient population to perform the Bruce protocol, we also retrospectively analyzed the ability of 84 patients to perform this test on their initial evaluations at our center.All patients reached the anaerobic threshold (AT) on all 3 protocols. The Bruce and modified Naughton treadmill protocols resulted in similar peak VO2 percent predicted peak VO2, and VO2 at AT values (17.7 +/- 3.8 mL/kg/min, 57.2% +/- 21.1% and 15.4 +/- 4.1 mL/kg/min vs 18.0 +/- 4.7 mL/kg/min, 58.1% +/- 22.5% and 15.6 +/- 4.4 mL/kg/min, respectively). Peak VO2 and VO2 at AT on both treadmill protocols were higher than those obtained with bicycle testing (15.3 +/- 3.1 and 11.8 +/- 3.0 mL/kg/min, P.05). Exercise duration was shorter with the Bruce and bicycle protocols (6.2 +/- 2.2 and 6.7 +/- 2.4 minutes, respectively) compared with the modified Naughton protocol (9.7 +/- 4.3 minutes, both P.005). In addition, 79 of the 84 patients (94%) evaluated were able to complete the Bruce protocol and reach AT.The Bruce protocol was more time efficient than the modified Naughton protocol and yielded similar peak VO2, percent predicted peak VO2, and VO2 at AT values. Bicycle exercise may underestimate peak VO2 values. The form of exercise should be considered when assessing peak VO2 criteria for transplant listing.

Heart failure (HF) is a common, disabling, and costly disease. Despite major advances in medical therapy, morbidity and mortality remain high, in part because current pharmacological regimens may not fully address some unique requirements of the heart for energy. The heart requires a continuous supply of energy-providing substrates and amino acids in order to maintain its function. In HF, defects in substrate metabolism and cardiac energy and substrate utilization may contribute to contractile dysfunction. HF is often accompanied by a deficiency in key micronutrients required for unimpeded energy transfer. Correcting these deficits has been proposed as a method to limit or even reverse the progressive myocyte dysfunction and/or necrosis in HF. This review summarizes the existing HF literature with respect to supplementation trials of key micronutrients involved in cardiac metabolism: coenzyme Q10, l-carnitine, thiamine, and amino acids, including taurine. Studies using a broader approach to supplementation are also considered. Although some of the results are promising, none are conclusive. There is a need for a prospective trial to examine the effects of micronutrient supplementation on morbidity and mortality in patients with HF.

PURPOSE Exercise prescription in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) is difficult. Exercising beyond ventilatory threshold (VT) can have negative physiologic effects; therefore, exercise prescribed above VT may be detrimental. A majority of cardiac rehabilitation programs use the Karvonen/heart rate reserve (HRR) method, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and/or a percentage of oxygen consumption to prescribe exercise intensity. The purpose of this study was to determine if these methods correlate with an exercise intensity below VT in LVSD patients. METHODS The authors studied 52 patients (37 males, 15 females; age 52 +/- 13 years; left ventricular ejection fraction 27% +/- 8%) who underwent a symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise test and reached VT to determine functional capacity and exercise prescription. RESULTS Peak heart rate (HR) as well as HRR derived minimum (60%), midpoint (70%), and maximum (80%) HR were highly correlated (P < 0.001) with HR at VT. Using these three different HR cutoff formulas from HRR, 15% to 62% of patients were prescribed exercise outside the range of VT-HR +/- 10%. The midpoint (70% HRR) best predicted exercise HR in the VT-HR +/- 10% range (73% of patients). Mean oxygen consumption at VT was 83 +/- 9% of peak oxygen consumption. There was no correlation (P < 0.16) between RPE and VT. CONCLUSIONS The Karvonen/HRR method failed to estimate HR-VT +/- 10% in a large percentage of patients with LVSD. There was no correlation between RPE and VT. Based on these data, exercise training intensity should ideally be prescribed based on the HR identified at VT using cardiopulmonary exercise testing in patients with LVSD.