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AimsAccurate cardiac chamber quantification is essential for clinical decisions and ideally should be consistent across different echocardiography systems. This study evaluates variations between the Philips EPIQ CVx (version 9.0.3) and Canon Aplio i900 (version 7.0) in measuring cardiac volumes, ventricular function, and valve structures.Methods and resultsIn this gender-balanced, single-centre study, 40 healthy volunteers (20 females and 20 males) aged 40 years and older (mean age 56.75 ± 11.57 years) were scanned alternately with both systems by the same sonographer using identical settings for both 2D and 4D acquisitions. We compared left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) volumes using paired t-tests, with significance set at P < 0.05. Correlation and Bland-Altman plots were used for quantities showing significant differences. Two board-certified cardiologists evaluated valve anatomy for each platform. The results showed no significant differences in LV end-systolic volume and LV ejection fraction between platforms. However, LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) differed significantly (biplane: P = 0.018; 4D: P = 0.028). Right ventricular (RV) measurements in 4D showed no significant differences, but there were notable disparities in 2D and 4D volumes within each platform (P < 0.01). Significant differences were also found in the LV systolic dyssynchrony index (P = 0.03), LV longitudinal strain (P = 0.04), LV twist (P = 0.004), and LV torsion (P = 0.005). Valve structure assessments varied, with more abnormalities noted on the Philips platform.ConclusionAlthough LV and RV volumetric measurements are generally comparable, significant differences in LVEDV, LV strain metrics, and 2D vs. 4D measurements exist. These variations should be considered when using different platforms for patient follow-ups.

Introduction: Initial data suggest that His Bundle Pacing (HBP) could preserve long‐term cardiac structure and function better than Right Ventricular Pacing (RVP), but evidence is limited. Methods: We studied consecutive patients with baseline ejection fraction (EF) ≥ 50% who underwent HBP attempt, either successful (HBP group) or failed (RVP group). Two‐dimensional (2D) and three‐dimensional (3D) echocardiography were carried out at baseline and after 6 months of ventricular pacing burden > 20%. Results: Among 68 patients, 40 underwent successful HBP, and 28 RVP. The HBP and RVP groups did not differ for age, sex and pacing indication. At baseline, the HBP and RVP groups did not differ for 2D EF (62% vs. 62%), 3D EF (60% vs. 63%), 2D (−19% vs. −19%) and 3D global longitudinal strain (GLS) (−15% vs. −16%). After 6 months, 2D EF (−3.86%) and 3D EF (−5.71%) significantly decreased in the RVP group and did not change in the HBP group (p for interaction.006 and <.001, respectively). 2D GLS (3.08%) and 3D GLS (2.22%) significantly increased in the RVP group, but did not change in the HBP group (p for interaction.013 and <.016, respectively). Pacing induced cardiomyopathy (PICM) (EF drop ≥ 10% and EF < 50%) occurred in 14% (RVP) versus 0% (HBP) of patients (p =.025). Conclusions: Successful HBP was superior to RVP in preserving LV systolic function despite a high ventricular pacing burden, and was less frequently associated with PICM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Methods and results Conclusions Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists reduce major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and cardiovascular mortality in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, previous studies suggest the effects on heart failure outcomes vary according to left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). We aimed to evaluate the effects of exenatide on cardiovascular events according to LVEF in people with T2D.Post‐hoc analysis of the Exenatide Study of Cardiovascular Event Lowering (EXSCEL) trial evaluating the effects of once‐weekly exenatide (EQW) versus placebo on cardiovascular outcomes according to baseline LVEF (<40% or ≥40%). Outcomes were also evaluated according to New York Heart Association (NYHA) class and obesity. The main outcome was hospitalization for heart failure (HHF). A treatment‐by‐LVEF interaction was used. In EXSCEL (n = 14 752), 4749 participants had LVEF available at baseline; 455 (10%) with LVEF <40%, 4294 (90%) with LVEF ≥40%. LVEF modified the EQW effect on hHF: hazard ratio (HR) = 1.52 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.95–2.43) in participants with LVEF < 40% and HR = 0.74 (95% CI = 0.55–1.01) in those with LVEF ≥ 40% (p‐interaction = 0.012). No significant treatment‐by‐LVEF interactions (p‐interaction >0.10) were observed for MACE, cardiovascular death or all‐cause mortality. The risk of HHF was also modified by baseline NYHA class (HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.65–1.27 for NYHA class I/II; HR 1.84, 95% CI 0.95–3.59 for NYHA class III/IV; p‐interaction = 0.062), mostly driven by the LVEF <40% subgroup. Obesity did not modify the effects of EQW on HHF.The EQW effect on HHF was influenced by LVEF, with a potentially decreased risk in participants with LVEF ≥40% and increased risk in those with LVEF <40%. The risk of HHF was particularly high in participants with LVEF <40% and NYHA class III/IV. LVEF did not modify the effect of EQW on atherosclerotic outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: HF occurs in a mid-range ejection or moderately decreased ejection fraction. HFmrEF falls between 40 and 49%. An intermediate clinical entity, it is separate from HFpEF and HFrEF, yet it overlaps with both of these conditions. Methods: Record of A total 165 patients analysed for this study. Researchers compared individuals with heart failure who had varying ejection fractions via the use of a retrospective cohort study. This paper investigates the epidemiology, clinical features, prognosis, and management of HFmrEF. Results: The findings indicate that individuals with HFmrEF, which account for 10–25% of all occurrences of heart failure, have clinical characteristics that are a combination of HFpEF and HFrEF, and they have a high incidence of ischemic heart disease. It is important to note that while HFmrEF has a reduced risk of cardiovascular events compared to HFrEF, it has a risk of non-cardiovascular adverse events that is comparable to or even greater. Therapeutic responses point to the possibility of the effectiveness of medications that are HFrEF, such as inhibitors. Conclusion: HFmrEF is a helpful clinical category that brings to light the need of individualized research and treatment methods by emphasizing the need for such tactics. The phrase "mildly diminished EF" is more accurate in describing its features and provides support for treatment strategies that are more focused. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Conventional transvenous implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (TV‐ICD) is the standard device used for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Nonetheless its use is associated with lead‐related complications including infection and malfunction. A subcutaneous implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (S‐ICD) offers an alternative option without the need for a transvenous lead but has limitations. The decision to implant a TV‐ICD or S‐ICD in patients with impaired LVEF for primary prevention of SCD is controversial. Several randomised controlled trials and large observational studies have confirmed similar safety and efficacy of S‐ICDs and TV‐ICDs in such population. Methods: A literature review was conducted to compare the outcomes of subcutaneous (S‐ICD) versus transvenous (TV‐ICD) implantable cardioverter‐defibrillators. Databases including PubMed, MEDLINE, and Cochrane were searched for relevant peer‐reviewed articles. Studies were selected based on relevance and quality. Key outcomes like complication rates, efficacy, and patient survival were summarized in a comparative table. Results: Different factors that influence the choice between an TV‐ICD and S‐ICD for primary prevention of SCD in patients with LVEF are highlighted to guide selection of the appropriate device in different patient populations. Moreover, future perspective on the combination of SICD with leadless pacemaker, and the latest development of the extravascular implantable cardioverter defibrillator are also discussed. Conclusions: S‐ICD offers a safe and efficacious option to primary prevention in reduced ejection fraction. Future development including incorporation of leadless pacemaker will add to the arsenal of choice to protect patients from sudden cardiac death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Combining information derived from both the amplitude and shape of right ventricular pressure waveform with other data sources provides the basis for a more comprehensive bedside assessment of right ventricular function. Continuous measurement of pressure in the right atrium and pulmonary artery has commonly been used to monitor right ventricular function in critically ill and surgical patients. This approach is largely based upon the assumption that right atrial and pulmonary arterial pressures provide accurate surrogates for diastolic filling and peak right ventricular pressures, respectively. However, due to both technical and physiologic factors, this assumption is not always true. Accordingly, recent studies have begun to emphasize the potential clinical value of also measuring right ventricular pressure at the bedside. This has highlighted both past and emerging research demonstrating the utility of analyzing not only the amplitude of right ventricular pressure but also the shape of the pressure waveform. This brief review summarizes data demonstrating that combining conventional measurements of right ventricular pressure with variables derived from waveform shape allows for more comprehensive and ideally continuous bedside assessment of right ventricular function, particularly when combined with stroke volume measurement or 3D echocardiography, and discusses the potential use of right ventricular pressure analysis in computational models for evaluating cardiac function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epilepsy is a prevalent chronic neurological disorder in children, often requiring long term antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy. These medications can have cardiovascular side effects, including the development of atherosclerotic lesions. Such effects have been reported to impact the thickness of the carotid intima-media and the ejection fraction of the heart. This study aims to compare the carotid artery intima-media thickness and ejection fraction in children with epilepsy undergoing monotherapy versus polytherapy. This cross-sectional study collected primary data from pediatric epilepsy patients at the Child Neurology Outpatient and Inpatient Installation, Department of Pediatrics, RSUD Dr. Soetomo Surabaya, from June to August 2023. Patients who met the inclusion criteria and consented to participate were included through consecutive sampling. Data analysis was performed using the paired t-test, and data processing was conducted using SPSS. The study included 30 patients, predominantly male (53.3%). The mean age was 9.33 ± 5 years in the monotherapy group and 7.29 ± 4.59 years in the polytherapy group. In the polytherapy group, the mean carotid intima-media thickness was 0.073 ± 0.13 cm, compared to 0.06 ± 0.08 cm in the monotherapy group. The mean ejection fraction was 58 ± 1.76% in the polytherapy group and 71.05 ± 3.9% in the monotherapy group. The comparison of carotid intima-media thickness showed no significant difference (p > 0.05), while the ejection fraction comparison was significantly different (p < 0.05). Polytherapy in pediatric epilepsy is associated with a significantly lower ejection fraction, indicating potential cardiovascular risks, while differences in carotid intima-media thickness were not statistically significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The concepts of myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) are now widely accepted. Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are the first-line medication for coronary spastic angina (coronary spastic angina: CSA/vasospastic angina: VSA), while β-blockers sometimes do not improve CSA/VSA. However, β-blockers are essential for managing symptoms of coronary microvascular dysfunction and considered vital for treating heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Case summary We present the case of an 83-year-old female admitted with shortness of breath persisting for over 1 year and worsening ejection fraction (EF) from 65% to 32%. On admission, she experienced chest pain at rest despite finding no significant stenosis on coronary angiography. Several days later, we performed functional coronary angiography (FCA), revealing diffuse epicardial coronary spasm upon injecting acetylcholine. The coronary flow reserve was 4.4 (≧2.0), and the microvascular resistance index was 20 (<25). We diagnosed the patient with a myocardial injury event induced by CSA/VSA and initiated dihydropyridine CCBs. A few months later, her chest pain resolved; the HF symptoms improved (NYHA: from Ⅲ to Ⅱ), accompanied by a reduction in B-type natriuretic peptide levels (from 4561.2 to 75.4 pg/mL) and EF improvement (from 32.0% to 62.6%). Discussion We managed a patient with HFrEF and MINOCA. Although CCBs are not routinely recommended for HFrEF, we added dihydropyridine CCBs to treat CSA/VSA based on comprehensive diagnostic procedures. This approach sedated chest pain and may have contributed to her EF improvement. Detailed examinations and tailored treatment strategies might be helpful for HF treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The objective of this study was to examine associations between elevated depressive symptoms and increased risk of adverse clinical events patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), as well as the potential contribution of health behaviours. Methods and results: One hundred forty‐two men and women with HFrEF were enrolled through heart failure (HF) clinics and followed over time. At baseline and 6 months, depressive symptoms were assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory‐II (BDI‐II) and HFrEF disease activity by B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP). The Self‐Care of Heart Failure Index (SCHFI) was used to assess HF self‐care behaviours. Proportional hazards regression models assessed the contribution of depressive symptoms and HFrEF disease biomarkers on death or cardiovascular hospitalization. Over a median follow‐up period of 4 years, 42 patients (30%) died, and 84 (60%) had cardiovascular hospitalizations. A 10‐point higher baseline BDI‐II score was associated with a 35% greater risk of death or cardiovascular hospitalization. Higher baseline BDI‐II scores were associated with poorer HF self‐care maintenance behaviours (R = −0.30, P < 0.001) and fewer daily steps (R = −0.19, P = 0.04), suggesting that elevated depressive symptoms may diminish important health behaviours. Increases in plasma BNP over 6 months were associated with worse outcomes. Changes in BDI‐II and plasma BNP over 6 months were positively related (R = 0.25, P = 0.004). Conclusions: This study confirms that elevated depressive symptoms are associated with an increased likelihood of adverse clinical outcomes in patients with HFrEF. Poor health behaviours may contribute to the adverse association of elevated depressive symptoms with the increased hazard of adverse clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Many patients are prescribed loop diuretics without a diagnostic record of heart failure. Little is known about their characteristics and prognosis. Methods Glasgow regional health records (2009–16) were obtained for adults with cardiovascular disease or taking loop diuretics. Outcomes were investigated using Cox models with hazard ratios adjusted for age, sex, socioeconomic deprivation, and comorbid disease (adjHR). Results Of 198 898 patients (median age 65 years; 55% women), 161 935 (81%) neither took loop diuretics nor had a diagnostic record of heart failure (reference group), 23 963 (12%) were taking loop diuretics but had no heart failure recorded, 7844 (4%) had heart failure recorded and took loop diuretics, and 5156 (3%) had heart failure recorded but were not receiving loop diuretics. Compared to the reference group, five-year mortality was only slightly higher for heart failure in the absence of loop diuretics [22%; adjHR 1.2 (95% CI 1.1–1.3)], substantially higher for those taking loop diuretics with no record of heart failure [40%; adjHR 1.8 (95% CI 1.7–1.8)], and highest for heart failure treated with loop diuretics [52%; adjHR 2.2 (95% CI 2.0–2.2)]. Conclusions For patients with cardiovascular disease, many are prescribed loop diuretics without a recorded diagnosis of heart failure. Mortality is more strongly associated with loop diuretic use than with a record of heart failure. The diagnosis of heart failure may be often missed, or loop diuretic use is associated with other conditions with a prognosis similar to heart failure, or inappropriate loop diuretic use increases mortality; all might be true. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Methods and results Conclusion We analysed baseline characteristics and guideline‐directed medical therapy (GDMT) use and decisions in the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Heart Failure (HF) III Registry.Between 1 November 2018 and 31 December 2020, 10 162 patients with acute HF (AHF, 39%, age 70 [62–79], 36% women) or outpatient visit for HF (61%, age 66 [58–75], 33% women), with HF with reduced (HFrEF, 57%), mildly reduced (HFmrEF, 17%) or preserved (HFpEF, 26%) ejection fraction were enrolled from 220 centres in 41 European or ESC‐affiliated countries. With AHF, 97% were hospitalized, 2.2% received intravenous treatment in the emergency department, and 0.9% received intravenous treatment in an outpatient clinic. AHF was seen by most by a general cardiologist (51%) and outpatient HF most by a HF specialist (48%). A majority had been hospitalized for HF before, but 26% of AHF and 6.1% of outpatient HF had de novo HF. Baseline use, initiation and discontinuation of GDMT varied according to AHF versus outpatient HF, de novo versus pre‐existing HF, and by ejection fraction. After the AHF event or outpatient HF visit, use of any renin–angiotensin system inhibitor, angiotensin receptor–neprilysin inhibitor, beta‐blocker, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist and loop diuretics was 89%, 29%, 92%, 78%, and 85% in HFrEF; 89%, 9.7%, 90%, 64%, and 81% in HFmrEF; and 77%, 3.1%, 80%, 48%, and 80% in HFpEF.Use and initiation of GDMT was high in cardiology centres in Europe, compared to previous reports from cohorts and registries including more primary care and general medicine and regions more local or outside of Europe and ESC‐affiliated countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The role of uric acid (UA) and Hyper Uricemia (HU) in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) patients have been very little studied. Aim: To evaluate the prevalence of HU and if it is associated to the functional improvement obtained or the left ventricular Ejection Fraction (EF) in CR patients after Acute or Chronic Coronary Syndrome (ACS and CCS respectively). Methods: We enrol 411 patients (62.4 ± 10.2 years; males 79.8%) enrolled in the CR program at Niguarda Hospital (Milan) from January 2012 to May 2023. HU was defined both as the classic cut-off (> 6 for females, > 7 mg/dL for males) and with the newly identified one by the URRAH study (> 5.1 for females, > 5.6 mg/dL for males). All patients performed a 6MWT and an echocardiography at the beginning and at the end of CR program. Results: Mean UA values were within the normal range (5.6 ± 1.4 mg/dL) with 19.5% (classic cut-off) HU patients with an increase to 47.4% with the newer one. Linear regression analysis showed no role for UA in determining functional improvement, while UA and hyperuricemia (classic cut-off) were associated to admission and discharge EF. The same was not with the URRAH cut-off. Conclusions: HU is as frequent in CR patients as in those with ACS and CCS. UA didn't correlate with functional recovery while it is associated with admission and discharge EF as also is for HU (classic cut-off). Whit the URRAH cut-off HU prevalence increases significantly, however, it doesn't show any significant association with EF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is emerging evidence to suggest that diet and dietary interventions can have an impact on heart failure (HF) outcomes. Currently, the restriction of salt intake is the only dietary advice that is consistently guideline-recommended for the management of HF despite conflicting evidence for its efficacy. Dietary components that have been investigated in people with HF include middle-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) salts, ketone esters and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). Supplementation with these components is thought to be cardioprotective possibly due to an increase in myocardial energy production. There have been research studies on the effectiveness of The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) in the treatment of HF, but with conflicting results. The ketogenic diet (KD) has come to the forefront of interest due to evidence indicating its effectiveness in addressing the metabolic shift that occurs in HF. However, there is a lack of randomised controlled trials (RCT) centred around the KD. In any dietary intervention, factors such as adherence and compliance affect the validity of the results. Malnutrition, sarcopenia and/or cardiac cachexia can be present in the more advanced stages of heart failure. Nutritional screening, assessment and support/intervention are important aspects of treatment in the advanced stages of heart failure. Furthermore, HF management through dietary intervention is further complicated by the presence of comorbidities, such as diabetes mellitus (DM) and coronary artery disease (CAD). Long-term studies on the use of dietary modifications in people with HF are warranted to ascertain their efficacy, safety and side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study investigates age-related differences and outcomes in patients hospitalized with heart failure with a mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF). Background: The characterization of patients with HFmrEF and the prognostic value of age has rarely been investigated. Methods: Patients with HFmrEF were retrospectively included at one institution between 2016 and 2022. The distribution of HF aetiology and prognostic outcomes were investigated comparing patients with ≤40, >40 to ≤60, >60 to ≤80, and >80 years of age. The primary endpoint was long-term all-cause mortality. Kaplan–Meier and multivariable Cox proportional regression analyses were applied for statistics. Results: For the present study, 2184 patients with HFmrEF with a median age of 76 years were included. Non-ischemic cardiomyopathy was the most common HF aetiology in patients <40 years of age, whereas patients with 60–80 years of age (60.2%) and >80 years of age (58.2%) had the higher rates of ischemic cardiomyopathies. The risk of long-term all-cause mortality at 30 months was highest in patients with >80 years of age (HR = 2.167; 95% CI 1.928–2.436; p = 0.001), even after multivariable adjustment. Furthermore, patients with >80 years of age had the highest risk of HF-related rehospitalization (HR = 1.529; 95% CI 1.293–1.807; p = 0.001). Conclusions: Ischemic cardiomyopathy represents the most common cause of HF in elderly patients with HFmrEF, whereas younger patients were more likely to suffer from non-ischemic HF aetiologies. Increasing age was an independent predictor of long-term all-cause mortality in patients hospitalized with HFmrEF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exercise intolerance is a common symptom associated with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, echocardiographic markers that can predict impaired exercise capacity are lacking. This study aimed to investigate the association between echocardiographic parameters and exercise capacity assessed by cardiopulmonary exercise testing in patients with AF. This single-center prospective study enrolled patients with AF who underwent echocardiography and cardiopulmonary exercise testing to evaluate exercise capacity at a tertiary center for AF management from 2020 to 2022. Patients with valvular heart disease, reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, or documented cardiomyopathy were excluded. Of the 188 patients, 134 (71.2%) exhibited impaired exercise capacity (peak oxygen consumption ≤85%), including 4 (2.1%) having poor exercise capacity (peak oxygen consumption <50%). Echocardiographic findings revealed that these patients had an enlarged left atrial end-systolic diameter (LA); smaller left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD); and increased relative wall thickness, tricuspid regurgitation velocity, and LA/LVEDD and E/e′ ratios. In addition, they exhibited lower peak systolic velocity of the mitral annulus and LA reservoir strain. In the multivariate regression model, LA/LVEDD remained the only significant echocardiographic parameter after adjustment for age, sex, and body mass index (P =.020). This significance persisted even after incorporation of heart rate reserve, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide level, and beta-blocker use into the model. In patients with AF, LA/LVEDD is strongly associated with exercise capacity. Further follow-up and validation are necessary to clarify its clinical implications in patient care. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure frequently coexist. Prediction of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) recovery after catheter ablation (CA) for AF remains difficult. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of biomarkers, alone and in combination with the Antwerp score, to predict LVEF recovery after CA for AF. Patients undergoing CA for AF with depressed LVEF (<50%) were included. Plasma levels of 13 biomarkers were measured immediately before CA. Patients were categorized into "responders" and "nonresponders" in a similar fashion to the Antwerp score performance derivation and validation cohorts. The predictive power of the biomarkers alone and combined in outcome prediction was evaluated. A total of 208 patients with depressed LVEF were included (median age 63 years; 39–19% female; median indexed left atrial volume 42 (33–52) mL/m2; median LVEF 43 (38–46)%). At a median follow-up time of 30 (20–34) months, 161 (77%) were responders and 47 (23%) were nonresponders. Of 13 biomarkers, –4—angiopoietin 2 (ANG2), growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), fibroblast growth factor 23, and myosin binding protein C3—were significantly different between responders and nonresponders (P ≤.001) and their combination could predict the end point with an area under the curve of 0.72 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.64–0.81) overall, 0.69 (95% CI 0.59–0.78) in heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction, and 0.88 (95% CI 0.77–0.98) in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Only ANG2 and GDF15 remained significantly associated with LVEF recovery after adjustment for age, sex, and Antwerp score and significantly improved the accuracy of the Antwerp score predictions (P <.001). The area under the curve of the Antwerp score in the outcome prediction improved from 0.75 (95% CI 0.67–0.83) to 0.78 (95% CI 0.70–0.86). A biomarker panel (ANG2 and GDF15) significantly improved the accuracy of the Antwerp score. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Aims The objective of this study was to examine associations between elevated depressive symptoms and increased risk of adverse clinical events patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), as well as the potential contribution of health behaviours. Methods and results One hundred forty‐two men and women with HFrEF were enrolled through heart failure (HF) clinics and followed over time. At baseline and 6 months, depressive symptoms were assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory‐II (BDI‐II) and HFrEF disease activity by B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP). The Self‐Care of Heart Failure Index (SCHFI) was used to assess HF self‐care behaviours. Proportional hazards regression models assessed the contribution of depressive symptoms and HFrEF disease biomarkers on death or cardiovascular hospitalization. Over a median follow‐up period of 4 years, 42 patients (30%) died, and 84 (60%) had cardiovascular hospitalizations. A 10‐point higher baseline BDI‐II score was associated with a 35% greater risk of death or cardiovascular hospitalization. Higher baseline BDI‐II scores were associated with poorer HF self‐care maintenance behaviours (R = −0.30, P

Introduction: The need to understand the global burden of heart failure following the pandemic has arisen as a result of an increase in papers that support cardiac involvement in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Therefore, the current study aims to provide a more thorough explanation of the function and use of cardiac biomarkers in dead and alive COVID-19 patients. Methods: All patients who were referred and admitted to Razi Hospital, Ahvaz, Iran, from March 2020 to March 2021 with a diagnosis of COVID-19 were included in this study. Results: During the study period, 753 patients were hospitalized with a diagnosis of COVID-19. In total, 157 cases died from the disease (case fatality rate: 20.84%). Pre-existing cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) were more frequent in dead cases (14% vs. 6.4%). It was observed that atrial fibrillation was normal in most of the alive cases in comparison to dead patients (P value = 0.014). Moreover, it was seen that CRP, IL-6, and procalcitonin were increased in dead patients. Also, an association was found between ejection fraction (EF) value and death rate (P value = 0.035). The higher frequency of positive troponin occurring in the dead group suggested a possible adverse effect on the mortality rate (22.3% vs. 16.4%). Conclusion: Adults with COVID-19 commonly have cardiac manifestations, including symptoms of myocardial damage. In light of the recognized utility of troponin, ejection fraction, procalcitonin, IL-6, and CRP in COVID-19 patients with suspected myocardial damage, we should develop a safe and precise diagnostic algorithm that may contain patients’ clinical histories and additional variables that may facilitate the prediction of myopericarditis.

Abstract Aims This study aimed to examine the diagnostic pathways and outcomes of patients with heart failure (HF), stratified by left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), and to highlight deficiencies in real‐world HF diagnosis and management. Methods and results We conducted a retrospective cohort study in Salford, United Kingdom, utilizing linked primary and secondary care data for HF patients diagnosed between January 2010 and November 2019. We evaluated characteristics, diagnostic patterns, healthcare resource utilization, and outcomes. Patients were categorized according to baseline (the latest measure prior to or within 90 days post‐diagnosis) as having HF with reduced EF (HFrEF), mildly reduced EF (HFmrEF), or preserved EF (HFpEF). The data encompassed a 2 year period before diagnosis and up to 5 years post‐diagnosis. A total of 3227 patients were diagnosed with HF between January 2010 and November 2019. The mean follow‐up time was 2.6 [±1.9 standard deviation (SD)] years. The mean age at diagnosis was 74.8 (±12.7 SD) years, and 1469 (45.5%) were female. HFpEF was the largest cohort (46.6%, npEF = 1505), HFmrEF constituted 16.1% (nmrEF = 520), and HFrEF 18.5% (nrEF = 596) of the population, while 18.8% (nu = 606) of patients remained unassigned due to insufficient evidence to support categorization. At baseline, measurement of natriuretic peptide (NP; brain NP and N‐terminal pro‐B‐type NP) and echocardiographic report data were available for 592 (18.3%) and 2621 (81.2%) patients, respectively. A total of 2099 (65.0%) of the HF cohort had access to a cardiology‐led outpatient clinic prior to the HF diagnosis, and 602 (18.7%) attended cardiac rehabilitation post‐diagnosis. The 5 year crude survival rate was 37.8% [95% confidence interval (CI) (35.2–40.7%)], 42.3% [95% CI (38.0–47.2%)], and 45.5% [95% CI (41.0–50.4%)] for HFpEF, HFrEF, and HFmrEF, respectively. Conclusions Low survival rates were observed across all HF groups, along with suboptimal rates of NP testing and specialist assessments. These findings suggest missed opportunities for timely and accurate HF diagnosis, a pivotal first step in improving outcomes for HF patients. Addressing these gaps in diagnosis and management is urgently needed.

There is emerging evidence to suggest that diet and dietary interventions can have an impact on heart failure (HF) outcomes. Currently, the restriction of salt intake is the only dietary advice that is consistently guideline-recommended for the management of HF despite conflicting evidence for its efficacy. Dietary components that have been investigated in people with HF include middle-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) salts, ketone esters and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). Supplementation with these components is thought to be cardioprotective possibly due to an increase in myocardial energy production. There have been research studies on the effectiveness of The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) in the treatment of HF, but with conflicting results. The ketogenic diet (KD) has come to the forefront of interest due to evidence indicating its effectiveness in addressing the metabolic shift that occurs in HF. However, there is a lack of randomised controlled trials (RCT) centred around the KD. In any dietary intervention, factors such as adherence and compliance affect the validity of the results. Malnutrition, sarcopenia and/or cardiac cachexia can be present in the more advanced stages of heart failure. Nutritional screening, assessment and support/intervention are important aspects of treatment in the advanced stages of heart failure. Furthermore, HF management through dietary intervention is further complicated by the presence of comorbidities, such as diabetes mellitus (DM) and coronary artery disease (CAD). Long-term studies on the use of dietary modifications in people with HF are warranted to ascertain their efficacy, safety and side effects.

Aim: To determine the differences in comorbidities, therapy and echocardiographic measures among patients hospitalized for heart failure relative to gender. Methods: The study included patients hospitalized for heart failure at the Department of Cardiovascular Diseases of the Clinical Hospital Center Osijek in the period from 1 January 2020 to 30 March 2021. Results: There were 200 patients included in the study, of which 100 (50%) were male and 100 (50%) were female. Female patients were older, while male patients more frequently had a history of coronary artery disease. Men had a higher dose of loop diuretic on admission to the hospital. No significant difference was found in the representation of beta blockers and ACE inhibitors in therapy with regard to gender. On the other hand, men more frequently used MRA, sacubitril/valsartan and antiplatelet medication at hospital admission. Male patients had a larger left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular end-systolic diameter and a lower left ventricular ejection fraction (EF). Regarding the type of heart failure according to EF, 72% of men had HFrEF, 20% HFmrEF and 8% HFpEF. In women, 47% had HFrEF, 33% HFmrEF and 20% HFpEF. During hospitalization due to heart failure, 22 patients died, an equal number of men and women. Conclusion: This research confirmed the differences in risk factors and pathophysiology of heart failure between males and females. Medicine is progressing towards an individual approach to each patient, so further research will be needed to find the best therapy for both male and female patients. Sažetak Cilj: Odrediti razlike u komorbiditetima, terapiji i ehokardiografskim mjerenjima među pacijentima hospitaliziranima zbog zatajenja srca u odnosu na spol. Metode: Studija je uključila pacijente hospitalizirane zbog zatajenja srca na Odjelu za kardiovaskularne bolesti Kliničkog bolničkog centra Osijek u razdoblju od 1. siječnja 2020. do 30. ožujka 2021. godine. Rezultati: U studiju je bilo uključeno 200 pacijenata, od kojih je 100 (50 %) bilo muškaraca i 100 (50 %) žena. Ženske pacijentice bile su starije, dok su muškarci češće imali povijest koronarne arterijske bolesti. Muškarci su na prijemu u bolnicu primali višu dozu diuretika Henleove petlje. Nije pronađena značajna razlika u zastupljenosti beta blokatora i ACE inhibitora u terapiji s obzirom na spol. S druge strane, muškarci su češće koristili MRA, sakubitril/valsartan i antitrombocitne lijekove pri prijemu u bolnicu. Muški pacijenti imali su veći krajnji dijastolički promjer lijeve klijetke, krajnji sistolički promjer lijeve klijetke i nižu ejekcijsku frakciju (EF) lijeve klijetke. S obzirom na tip zatajenja srca prema EF-u, 72 % muškaraca je imalo HFrEF, 20 % HFmrEF, i 8 % HFpEF. Kod žena, 47 % ih je imalo HFrEF, 33 % HFmrEF i 20 % HFpEF. Tijekom hospitalizacije zbog zatajenja srca, umrla su 22 pacijenta, jednak broj muškaraca i žena. Zaključak: Ovo istraživanje potvrdilo je razlike u rizičnim čimbenicima i patofiziologiji zatajenja srca između muškaraca i žena. Medicina napreduje prema individualnom pristupu svakom pacijentu, stoga će biti potrebna daljnja istraživanja kako bi se pronašla najbolja terapija za muškarce i žene.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to systematically review the development, performance, and applicability of prognostic models developed for predicting poor events in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Databases including Embase, PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan Fang, Wei Pu, and China Biological Medicine were queried from their respective dates of inception to 1 June 2023, to examine multivariate models for prognostic prediction in HFpEF. Both forward and backward citations of all studies were included in our analysis. Two researchers individually used the Critical Appraisal and Data Extraction for Systematic Reviews of Prediction Modelling Studies (CHARMS) checklist to extract data and assess the quality of the models using the Predictive Mode Bias Risk Assessment Tool (PROBAST). Among the 6897 studies screened, 16 studies derived and/or validated a total of 39 prognostic models. The sample size ranges for model development, internal validation, and external validation are 119 to 5988, 152 to 1000, and 30 to 5957, respectively. The most frequently employed modelling technique was Cox proportional hazards regression. Six studies (37.50%) conducted internal validation of models; bootstrap and k‐fold cross‐validation were the commonly used methods for internal validation of models. Ten of these models (25.64%) were validated externally, with reported the c‐statistic in the external validation set ranging from 0.70 to 0.96, while the remaining models await external validation. The MEDIA echo score and I‐PRESERVE‐sudden cardiac death prediction mode have been externally validated using multiple cohorts, and the results consistently show good predictive performance. The most frequently used predictors identified among the models were age, n‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide, ejection fraction, albumin, and hospital stay in the last 5 months owing to heart failure. All study predictor domains and outcome domains were at low risk of bias, high or unclear risk of bias of all prognostic models due to underreporting in the area of analysis. All studies did not evaluate the clinical utility of the prognostic models. Predictive models for predicting prognostic outcomes in patients with HFpEF showed good discriminatory ability but their utility and generalization remain uncertain due to the risk of bias, differences in predictors between models, and the lack of clinical application studies. Future studies should improve the methodological quality of model development and conduct external validation of models.

The COVID-19 pandemic has raised awareness of the virus's long-term non-pulmonary consequences. This study examined the relationship between genetic polymorphisms of VEGF and cardiac dysfunction and subclinical atherosclerosis in patients recovering from COVID-19. This study included 67 patients previously diagnosed with COVID-19. VEGF-936C/T, VEGF-634G/C, and VEGF-2578C/A statuses were determined. Conventional echocardiography and arterial parameters assessments were performed at inclusion and at six months after the first assessment. For VEGF-936C/T, dominant and over-dominant models showed a significant increase in ejection fraction at six months after COVID (p = 0.044 and 0.048) and was also a predictive independent factor for the augmentation index (β = 3.07; p = 0.024). The dominant model showed a rise in RV-RA gradient (3.702 mmHg) (p = 0.028 95% CI: 0.040–7.363), with the over-dominant model indicating a greater difference (4.254 mmHg) (p = 0.025 95% CI: 0.624–7.884). The findings for VEGF-634G/C were not statistically significant, except for a difference in TAPSE during initial evaluation, using the codominant model. For VEGF-2578C/A, a difference in ventricular filling pressure (E/E'ratio) was best described under the recessive model. Our research suggests that the VEG-936C/T genotype may impact the baseline level and subsequent changes in cardiac function and subclinical atherosclerosis. These findings offer valuable insights into the complex correlation between genetic polymorphisms and cardiovascular disfunction in long COVID patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Understanding ejection fraction (EF) limits are crucial for the evaluation of diastolic function (DF). Therefore, in our study, we aimed to compare the DFs between patients with low-normal and high-normal EFs. Methods: A total of 70 patients who were followed in our clinic were prospectively included in our study. Those with an EF of 55-62% were included in the low-normal EF group, and those with an EF >62% were included in the high-normal EF group. Subsequently, the relationship between DF and EF was analyzed. Results: Both groups exhibited similarities in demographic characteristics, such as age, sex, and additional medical conditions, demonstrating homogeneous distribution among the groups. No statistically significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of diastolic and systolic parameters. Conclusion: No relationship was found between normal EF and DF. Nonetheless, our work can serve as a model for more extensive research on this topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The perioperative impact of calcium and vitamin D on left ventricular (LV) performance during major cardiac surgery remains unexplored. We aimed to assess the relation of calcium and vitamin D measured at different time points with the LV ejection fraction (EF), and to investigate whether changes in EF correlate with postoperative outcomes. Methods: We enrolled 83 patients, in whom ionized calcium was measured before, during, and after surgery (until discharge), vitamin D preoperatively, and EF pre- and postoperatively at 24 h. The postoperative outcomes were cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time, aortic cross-clamp time, mechanical ventilation time, vasoactive inotropic score (VIS) (intraoperative, day 0, day 1), and ICU stay time. Results: The mean age was 64.9 ± 8.5 years, with 21 of the patients (25%) having an EF < 50%. The median change from preoperative to postoperative EF was −2.0 (−10.0–0.0) % (p < 0.001). At the baseline, the EF < 50% group had significantly lower preoperative vitamin D levels than the EF ≥ 50% group (p = 0.048). The calcium trend did not differ across the groups. Preoperative EF was significantly associated with CPB time (r = 0.22, p = 0.044) and aortic cross-clamp time (r = 0.24, p = 0.031). Postoperative EF was significantly and inversely associated with intraoperative VIS (r = −0.28, p = 0.009), VIS day 0 (r = −0.25, p = 0.020), VIS day 1 (r = −0.23, p = 0.036), and ICU length of stay (r = −0.22, p = 0.047). Finally, the change in ejection fraction was significantly and inversely associated with CPB time (r = −0.23, p = 0.037), aortic cross-clamp time (r = −0.22, p = 0.044), intraoperative VIS (r = −0.42, p < 0.001), VIS day 0 (r = −0.25, p = 0.024), mechanical ventilation time (r = −0.22, p = 0.047), and ICU length of stay (r = −0.23, p = 0.039). Conclusions: The fluctuations in perioperative ionized calcium levels were not associated with the evolution of LVEF, although preoperative vitamin D levels may affect those with low EF. Correspondingly, a reduced EF significantly impacted all the studied postoperative outcomes. Further investigation into biomarkers affecting cardiac inotropic function is warranted to better understand their significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data regarding the impact of reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and/or reduced mean aortic valve gradient (AVG) on outcomes following transcatheter aortic valve intervention (TAVI) have been conflicting. We sought to assess the relationship between LVEF, AVG, and 1-year mortality in patients undergoing TAVI. We prospectively evaluated 298 consecutive adults undergoing TAVI from 2015 to 2018 at an academic tertiary medical center. Patients were categorized according to LVEF and mean AVG. The primary outcome of interest was all-cause mortality at 1 year. Of 298 adults undergoing TAVI, 66 (22.1%) had baseline LVEF ≤45% while 232 (77.9%) had baseline LVEF >45%; 173 (58.1%) had baseline AVG < 40mmHg while 125 (41.9%) had baseline AVG ≥ 40mmHg. Rates of 1-year all-cause mortality were significantly higher in patients with LVEF ≤45% (28.8% vs 12.1%, p = 0.001) and those with AVG < 40mmHg (19.7% vs 10.4%, p = 0.031) compared to those with LVEF >45% and AVG ≥ 40mmHg respectively. In multivariable analysis, higher AVG (per mmHg) (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.94–0.99, p = 0.026) was noted to be independently associated with lower rates of 1-year mortality, while LVEF was not (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.96–1.01). In this prospective, contemporary registry of adults undergoing TAVI, while 1-year unadjusted mortality rates are significantly higher in patients with reduced LVEF and reduced AVG, risk-adjusted mortality at 1 year is only higher in those with reduced AVG – not in those with reduced LVEF. • Low ejection fraction (EF) and aortic valve gradient (AVG) are common pre- transcatheter aortic valve intervention (TAVI). • Crude 1-year mortality rates following TAVI are significantly higher in patients with reduced EF and AVG at baseline. • Reduced AVG is independently associated with higher mortality at 1 year post TAVI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study aimed to examine the diagnostic pathways and outcomes of patients with heart failure (HF), stratified by left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), and to highlight deficiencies in real‐world HF diagnosis and management. Methods and results: We conducted a retrospective cohort study in Salford, United Kingdom, utilizing linked primary and secondary care data for HF patients diagnosed between January 2010 and November 2019. We evaluated characteristics, diagnostic patterns, healthcare resource utilization, and outcomes. Patients were categorized according to baseline (the latest measure prior to or within 90 days post‐diagnosis) as having HF with reduced EF (HFrEF), mildly reduced EF (HFmrEF), or preserved EF (HFpEF). The data encompassed a 2 year period before diagnosis and up to 5 years post‐diagnosis. A total of 3227 patients were diagnosed with HF between January 2010 and November 2019. The mean follow‐up time was 2.6 [±1.9 standard deviation (SD)] years. The mean age at diagnosis was 74.8 (±12.7 SD) years, and 1469 (45.5%) were female. HFpEF was the largest cohort (46.6%, npEF = 1505), HFmrEF constituted 16.1% (nmrEF = 520), and HFrEF 18.5% (nrEF = 596) of the population, while 18.8% (nu = 606) of patients remained unassigned due to insufficient evidence to support categorization. At baseline, measurement of natriuretic peptide (NP; brain NP and N‐terminal pro‐B‐type NP) and echocardiographic report data were available for 592 (18.3%) and 2621 (81.2%) patients, respectively. A total of 2099 (65.0%) of the HF cohort had access to a cardiology‐led outpatient clinic prior to the HF diagnosis, and 602 (18.7%) attended cardiac rehabilitation post‐diagnosis. The 5 year crude survival rate was 37.8% [95% confidence interval (CI) (35.2–40.7%)], 42.3% [95% CI (38.0–47.2%)], and 45.5% [95% CI (41.0–50.4%)] for HFpEF, HFrEF, and HFmrEF, respectively. Conclusions: Low survival rates were observed across all HF groups, along with suboptimal rates of NP testing and specialist assessments. These findings suggest missed opportunities for timely and accurate HF diagnosis, a pivotal first step in improving outcomes for HF patients. Addressing these gaps in diagnosis and management is urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: An ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a clinical syndrome defined by symptoms of myocardial ischemia, persistent electrocardiographic ST-segment elevation and subsequent release of biomarkers suggestive of myocardial necrosis. In clinical practice, echocardiography has become essential in evaluating patients after acute myocardial infarction. We aimed to assess clinical and echocardiographic parameters that may affect LV function recovery in patients after STEMI. Methods: This study is a retrospective observational study from a tertiary referral center in Israel. We collected patients that were admitted with STEMI and a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) below 35% on preliminary echocardiography at the index hospitalization and compared the findings to a follow-up study performed within 1–6 months after that event, in order to see if there are predictors of LVEF change > 10% within 90 days following STEMI. Results: This study included 101 patients that were admitted between 2016 and 2021. Within a median follow-up of 9.7 weeks (IQR 5.9–17.1), 27 (25.2%) patients had improved their LVEF, and 74 (69.2%) had no change or further reduced LVEF. Compared to patients without LVEF improvement, those with improved LVEF were more likely to be female (29.6% vs. 9.5%, p = 0.01), less likely to suffer from hypertension (33.3% vs. 56.8%, p = 0.04) and had marginally higher rates of thrombolysis treatment (14.1% vs. 4.1%, p = 0.06). Conclusions: in the population of STEMI patients with residual LVEF < 35%, approximately a quarter will improve at least 10% in their follow-up LVEF, and there were no clear echocardiographic predictors for this improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to evaluate the effect of the SYNTAX score (SS) calculated before percutaneous intervention on survival in a group of young patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our study is a retrospective study. Patients between the ages of 18 and 45 who applied to Private Yalova Atakent Hospital Cardiology Clinic with ACS and underwent percutaneous coronary intervention between 01.01.2017 and 01.12.2023 were included in the study. Patients aged 45 and under who presented with acute syndrome and underwent coronary angiography were evaluated. Patients' history of major cardiac adverse events (MACE) was evaluated. Demographic characteristics, laboratory findings, echocardiographic parameters, and SS of the patients were recorded. SS was calculated from the coronary angiography images of the patients. RESULTS: 140 patients were included in the study. 70.0% (n=98) of the cases were diagnosed with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STE-MI), 28.6% (n=40) with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTE-MI)-unstable angina pectoris (USAP), and 1.4% with cardiac arrest (n=2). 28.6% (n=40) of the patients had MACE. There was a statistically significant correlation between SS and MACE (r=0.525 p=0.001). An SS value of 23.15 had 77.5% sensitivity and 60.8% specificity in predicting MACE. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between SS and ejection fraction (EF) (r=-0.584, p=0.001). EF<40.5 predicted mortality with 77.7% sensitivity and 69.4% specificity (AUC 0.710, p=0.01, 95% CI 0.615-0.825). CONCLUSIONS: SYNTAX Score and EF have predictive value in predicting MACE and mortality in young ACS patients. Different scoring systems are needed to predict MACE and mortality after ACS in young patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a clinical syndrome characterized by structural and functional cardiac abnormalities. It is classified into three main phenotypes: HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF), and HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Objective: To evaluate the various phenotypes and treatment strategies for HF among a contemporary cohort of Egyptian patients. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional, multi-center study was conducted on 510 HF patients at Al Nasr Hospital in Port Said over 12 months. Patients were grouped based on ejection fraction: HFrEF (43.2%), HFmrEF (23.3%), and HFpEF (33.5%). Data on demographics, comorbidities, medications, and non-pharmacological treatments were collected Results: Males were predominant in HFrEF (78.6%) while HFpEF was more common among females (35.1%, P < 0.01). Prior HF hospitalization was highest in HFrEF (89.5%, P < 0.001). HFrEF patients had lower eGFR (78 ±26 ml/min, P = 0.003), higher use of beta-blockers (P < 0.001) and angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) (49.5%, P < 0.001), and more frequent revascularization. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors were underutilized due to cost (P < 0.001). Conclusion: HFrEF is more prevalent in males, while HFpEF is more common in females and associated with higher systolic blood pressure (SBP) and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). The significant underutilization of SGLT2 inhibitors and ARNI highlights the need for improved accessibility to advanced HF therapies in Egypt. Tailored management strategies are essential for optimizing care based on HF phenotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Fortilin is a multifunctional protein that protects cells against apoptosis. We aimed to investigate the levels of fortilin in patients with heart failure. Methods: Patients with ejection fraction (EF) below 40% were divided into two groups according to coronary angiography results: those with ischemic heart failure (Group 1) and those with non-ischemic heart failure (Group 2). Patients with normal anatomy and EF over 50% were included in the control group (Group 3). Results: A total of 119 patients were prospectively included in the study. A total of 81 patients (41 patients with ischemic heart failure and 40 patients with non-ischemic heart failure) were included in the heart failure group. 38 patients with EF >50 and normal coronary anatomy were included in the control group. There was no significant difference in serum fortilin levels between the study groups (Group 1: 5.5 ± 2.6 ng/mL, Group 2: 6.1 ± 3.8 ng/mL, and Group 3: 5.6 ± 3.6 ng/mL; P=0.693). Fortilin did not show a correlation with any other variables. Conclusion: In our study, there was no significant difference in fortilin levels between the groups, and no relationship was found between coronary ischemia and fortilin levels in heart failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: End-stage renal disease is a major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, which can be partially eliminated by kidney transplantation. Systolic heart failure might be considered contraindication for kidney transplant, although some patients demonstrate myocardial recovery post-transplant. We aimed to identify and characterize the phenomenon of reverse myocardial remodeling in kidney transplanted patients. Methods: The study is a retrospective cohort of patients undergoing kidney transplants between 2016 and 2019 (n = 604) at Rabin Medical Center. Patients were assessed according to availability of two echocardiographic examinations: pre- and post-kidney transplant. The change in estimated ejection fraction (EF) and possible predictors of myocardial recovery were examined. Results: Data of 293 patients was available for the final analysis. Eighty-one (28%) patients had a LVEF improvement equal to or above 5%, whereas 36 (12%) patients had a LVEF improvement of 10% or more post-transplantation. Twenty-five patients (8.5%) had moderate or severe systolic heart failure with LVEF reduced to 40% or less at baseline. 13 of them (52%) had a LVEF improvement of ≥5%, and 10 patients (40%) had an improvement of ≥10% in their EF. Cox regression analyses identified female gender as the only independent variable associated with LVEF improvement of at least 10%. Conclusion: Renal transplantation might lead to improved LV systolic function in some patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The purpose of this study was to systematically review the development, performance, and applicability of prognostic models developed for predicting poor events in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Databases including Embase, PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan Fang, Wei Pu, and China Biological Medicine were queried from their respective dates of inception to 1 June 2023, to examine multivariate models for prognostic prediction in HFpEF. Both forward and backward citations of all studies were included in our analysis. Two researchers individually used the Critical Appraisal and Data Extraction for Systematic Reviews of Prediction Modelling Studies (CHARMS) checklist to extract data and assess the quality of the models using the Predictive Mode Bias Risk Assessment Tool (PROBAST). Among the 6897 studies screened, 16 studies derived and/or validated a total of 39 prognostic models. The sample size ranges for model development, internal validation, and external validation are 119 to 5988, 152 to 1000, and 30 to 5957, respectively. The most frequently employed modelling technique was Cox proportional hazards regression. Six studies (37.50%) conducted internal validation of models; bootstrap and k‐fold cross‐validation were the commonly used methods for internal validation of models. Ten of these models (25.64%) were validated externally, with reported the c‐statistic in the external validation set ranging from 0.70 to 0.96, while the remaining models await external validation. The MEDIA echo score and I‐PRESERVE‐sudden cardiac death prediction mode have been externally validated using multiple cohorts, and the results consistently show good predictive performance. The most frequently used predictors identified among the models were age, n‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide, ejection fraction, albumin, and hospital stay in the last 5 months owing to heart failure. All study predictor domains and outcome domains were at low risk of bias, high or unclear risk of bias of all prognostic models due to underreporting in the area of analysis. All studies did not evaluate the clinical utility of the prognostic models. Predictive models for predicting prognostic outcomes in patients with HFpEF showed good discriminatory ability but their utility and generalization remain uncertain due to the risk of bias, differences in predictors between models, and the lack of clinical application studies. Future studies should improve the methodological quality of model development and conduct external validation of models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Higher left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) is related to unfavourable prognosis in patients with heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The cause of this finding needs to be haemodynamically explained. Thus, we investigated this crucial issue from the perspective of LV–arterial (A) and right ventricular (RV)–pulmonary arterial (PA) coupling. Methods and results Study patients were derived from our prospective cohort study of patients hospitalized due to acute decompensated HF and LVEF > 40%. We divided the 255 patients into three groups: HF with mildly reduced EF (HFmrEF), HFpEF with 50% ≤ LVEF < 60%, and HFpEF with LVEF ≥ 60%. We compared LV end-systolic elastance (Ees), effective arterial elastance (Ea), and Ees/Ea as a representative of LV–A coupling among groups and compared the ratio of tricuspid annular plane excursion to peak pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (TAPSE/PASP) as a representative of RV–PA coupling. All-cause death and readmission due to HF-free survival was worse in the group with a higher LVEF range. Ees/Ea was greater in HFpEF patients with LVEF ≥ 60% (2.12 ± 0.57) than in those with 50% ≤ LVEF < 60% (1.20 ± 0.14) and those with HFmrEF (0.82 ± 0.09) (P < 0.001). PASP was increased in the groups with higher LVEF; however, TAPSE/PASP did not differ among groups (n = 168, P = 0.17). In a multivariate Cox proportional hazard model, TAPSE/PASP but not PASP was significantly related to event-free survival independent of LVEF. Conclusion HFpEF patients with higher LVEF have unfavourable prognosis and distinctive LV–A coupling: Ees/Ea is elevated up to 2.0 or more. Impaired RV–PA coupling also worsens prognosis in such patients. Clinical trial registration URL: https://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index.htm Unique identifier: UMIN000017725. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundDiastolic dysfunction emerges early in patients with cardiac insufficiency and is prevalent, underscoring the importance of its early identification and intervention in the prevention of heart failure. The study leverages the convenience and accuracy of measuring peripheral arterial sclerosis to facilitate the early detection of diastolic dysfunction, which is instrumental in mitigating and delaying the onset and progression of heart failure, holding significant clinical relevance.MethodsThis research enrolled 556 patients suspected of experiencing Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) and stratified them into Groups A, B, C, and D according to the severity of coronary artery stenosis. The diastolic function of the left ventricle was indicated by the relaxation time constant, denoted as T value, which measures the temporal span from the peak rate of left ventricular pressure rise (dp/dt) to the end-diastolic pressure.ResultsThe T value of the left ventricle demonstrated a significant correlation with the Gensini Score and the T values across various peripheral arteries (P

Background Optimal medical treatment can lead to improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with heart failure with reduced EF (HFrEF). We investigated the characteristics, predictors, and outcomes of HFrEF according to the 1‐year LVEF following angiotensin receptor–neprilysin inhibitors therapy (ARNI). Methods and Results Using the STRATS‐HF‐ARNI (Strain for Risk Assessment and Therapeutic Strategies in Patients With Heart Failure Treated With Angiotensin Receptor‐Neprilysin Inhibitor) registry, we identified 1074 patients with HFrEF who took ARNI and underwent baseline and 1‐year echocardiography. Patients were classified as HF with improved ejection fraction (HFimpEF) and persistent HFrEF (perHFrEF) (1‐year LVEF >40% and ≤40%). The primary and secondary outcomes were all‐cause and cardiac mortality from the 1‐year follow‐up. Among 1074 included patients, 498 (46.4%) had HFimpEF, and 576 (53.6%) had perHFrEF. Older age, male sex, and large LV end‐diastolic volumes were positive predictors of perHFrEF, whereas atrial fibrillation and high systolic blood pressure were identified as inverse predictors. Patients with HFimpEF showed lower all‐cause and cardiac mortality rates (both log‐rank P

Introduction: This study aims to determine the effect of high-intensity physical exercise on various cardiopulmonary parameters and HRQOL in heart disease patients. Methodology: We searched databases including PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar using the PRISMA checklist to find research publications between year 2004 and 2024. R software 4.3.0 was utilised to perform the meta-analysis, and Cochrane’s ROB tool 2.0 was employed for the quality appraisal. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics. A funnel plot and Egger's test were used to evaluate publication bias. Results: 22 articles in this meta-analytic study discovered that there was a substantial difference in the two patient groups' LVEF [2.41, (−1.29; 6.12), p

The article highlights the limitations of using ejection fraction (EF) as a standalone metric for cardiac health, advocating for the inclusion of an associated companion (EFC) metric to provide a more comprehensive assessment. Topics include the analysis of cardiac patients, particularly those with acute myocardial infarction, the distribution of EFC for patients with mid-range EF values, and the importance of combining EF and EFC to accurately locate individual patient profiles.