Prevalence, predictors and outcomes of potential drug-drug interactions in left ventricular failure: considerable factors for quality use of medicines

Hospitalized patients with left ventricular failure (LVF) are at high risk for potential drug-drug interactions (pDDIs) and its related adverse effects owing to multiple risk factors such as old age, comorbidities and polypharmacy. This cross-sectional study conducted in two tertiary care hospitals aim to identify frequency, levels and predictors of pDDIs in LVF patients. Data about patients' demographic, hospital stay, medication therapy, sign/symptoms and laboratory test results were collected for 385 patients with LVF. Micromedex Drug-Reax® was used to screen patients' medication profiles for pDDIs. Overall prevalence and severity-wise prevalence of pDDIs were identified. Chi-square test was performed for comparative analysis of various variables. Logistic regression was applied to determine the odds-ratios (OR) for predictors of pDDIs. The prevalence of pDDIs was 96.4% (n=371). Overall 335 drug-interacting pairs were detected, which were presented in a total of 2870 pDDIs. Majority of pDDIs were of major- (48.9%) and moderate-severity (47.5%). Logistic regression analysis shows significant association of >6 all types of pDDIs with >12 drugs as compared with <8 drugs (OR=16.5; p=<0.001). Likewise, there was a significant association of >4 major-pDDIs with men as compared with female (OR=1.9; p=0.007) and >12 drugs as compared with <8 drugs (OR=10.9; p=<0.001). Hypotension (n=57), impaired renal function (23) and increased blood pressure (22) were the most frequent adverse outcomes associated with pDDIs. This study shows high prevalence of pDDIs in LVF patients. Majority of pDDIs were of major- and moderate-severity. Male patients and those prescribed greater number of medicines were more exposed to major-pDDIs

Takotsubo syndrome

Takotsubo syndrome is a reversible acute heart failure frequently precipitated by an emotional or physical stress. The clinical presentation resembles acute coronary syndrome. Pathogenesis is complex and may involve brain-heart axis and neuro-hormonal stunning of the myocardium. Coronary angiography reveals normal epicardial arteries with no obstruction or spasm. NT-ProBNP maybe remarkably elevated. Regional wall motion akinesia (RWMA) of left ventricle extends beyond the territory of one coronary artery. Reduced left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) and RWMA recover in 6–12 weeks. Prognosis is generally good. Recent meta-analysis shows in-hospital mortality of 1–4.5% and recurrence rate of 5–10% during five year follow-up.

Clinical observation of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide in patients with acute left heart failure complicated with acute myocardial infarction after percutaneous coronary intervention / 中国介入心脏病学杂志

Objective To observe the efficacy and prognosis of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide ( rhBNP) and conventional treatment in acute myocardial infarction patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention therapy complicated by acute of left heart failure. Methods Retrospective analysis of 229 cases of hospitalized patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention therapy in 24 hours after admission, complicating with acute left ventricular failure in Shenyang Military General Hospital from June 2012 to January 2014 were enrolled and devided into: the conventional heart failure therapy group (the control group, n=122) and the rhBNP plus conventional treatment group ( the treatment group, n =107 ) , according to the patient's economic conditions and wishes. Observed improvement in heart failure symptoms before and after treatment during hospitalization and follow-up and also the 30 days and 12 months mortality. Results After 72 hrs of treatment of heart failure, both groups had decrease in heart rates, systolic blood pressure and NT-proBNP levels as compared to pre-treatment levels ( all P ﹤ 0. 05 ) . The NT-proBNP levels and heart rate of the treatment group decreased more significantly compared to the control group (both P﹤0. 05). Compared with the control group, rhBNP which to be used 72 hrs, can improve the cardiac function of AMI patients with the ratio of KillipⅡ-Ⅲ(72. 9%vs. 54. 9%, P=0. 005). There was no significant differences between two groups in in-hospital mortality and early follow-up period ( 30 days ) ( P ﹥0. 05 ) . After 12 months of follow-up, the mortality of the treatment group was lower than the control group ( 6. 5% vs. 13. 9%, P = 0. 068 ) . Through logistic regression analysis, the value of NT-proBNP and whether patients were treated with rhBNP on the basis of the routine drug were independent influencing factors for mortality of 12 months. Conclusions Additional to standard conventional therapy for acute left heart failure in patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing PCI, rhBNP can lower the 12 months mortality and improve prognosis.

Effect of Wenxin Granule on the Related Indexes of Senile Patients with Primary Hypertension and Acute Left Cardiac Failure / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of Wenxin granule on the related indexes of senile patients with primary hy-pertension and acute left cardiac failure. METHODS:160 senile patients with primary hypertension and acute left cardiac failure were randomly divided into control group(80 cases)and observation group(80 cases). Control group received 12.5 mg captopril, orally,twice to 3 times a day (if patients had taken plenty of diuretic drugs,in low sodium and/or low blood volume,patients with normal or low blood pressure,the initial dose was 6.25 mg,3 times a day). Observation group additionally given 9 g of Wenxin granule,3 times a day. The treatment course for both groups was 4 weeks. SBP,DBP,PP,SDANN,SDNN-Index,RMS-SD,PNN50,improvement of cardiac functions before and after treatment,and incidence of adverse reactions in 2 groups were ob-served. RESULTS:After treatment,the SBP,DBP and PP in 2 groups were significantly lower than before,and observation group was lower than control group,SDNN,SDANN,SDNN-Index、RMSSD and PNN 50 were significantly higher than before,and ob-servation group was higher than control group,the differences were statistically significant(P0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Based on conventional treatment,wenxin granule can significantly reduce the bloop pressure of senile patients with primary hypertension and acute left cardiac failure,improve cardiac functions and inhibit autonomic disorders,with good safety.

Comparision of the clinical efficacy of isoket and nitroglycerin in the treatment of coronary heart complicated with acute left ventricular failure / 中国基层医药

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy of isoket and nitroglycerin in the treatment of coronary heart disease complicated with acute left ventricular failure.Methods 120 cases of coronary herrt disease complicated with acute left ventricular failure were randomly divided into isoket group (observation group) and nitroglycerin group(control group),each group had 60 cases.The clinical efficacy and adverses reactions were compared between the two groups.Results The total effective rate of the observation group was 95.0％,which was significantly higher than 75.0％ of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P ＜0.05).The incidence rate of adverse reactions in the observation group was 3.3％,which was significantly lower than 15.0％ of the control group,the difference was statistically significant(P ＜0.05).Conclusion Isoket can significantly improve the clini cal symptoms of coronary heart disease complicated with acute left ventricular failure,and it has lower incidence rate of adverse reactions,which is worth to be further promoted in clinical.

Clinical study on mechanical ventilation for acute left ventricular failure / 中国综合临床

Objective To research the clinical value of mechanical ventilation in the treatment of acute left ventricular failure.Methods Of 74 case with acute left ventricular failure,26 cases recevived routine treatment including nasal-catheter inhale of oxygen or veil inhale of oxygen and inotropic agent,diuretic,and dilation as well as sedative while the mechanical ventilation group were treated only with mechanical ventilation depending on the condition.The clinical indications,parameters of blood gas analysis and hemodynamies were compared before and after treatment.Results 18 cases from routine treatment group died(70.9%)and 5 died in mechanical ventilation group (10.4%).There was significant difference in heart rates (HR),central venous pressure (CVP),the mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and some parameters of blood gas analysis before and after the treatment (P<0.05 or P<O.01),after treatments,HR,CVP,pH,PCO2,PO2,HCO3-,SO2 were more improved in mechanical ventilation group than in routine treatment group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusioils Prompt endotracheal intubation for mechanical ventilation is an effective procedure in correcting hypoxemia and hypercarbia induced by acute left ventricular failure.It Can correct severe hypoxemic conditions in a short time and may serve as the key procedure in successfully rescuing patients with acute left vertrieular failure.

Leptin levels in different forms of Chagas' disease

Leptin is produced primarily by adipocytes. Although originally associated with the central regulation of satiety and energy metabolism, increasing evidence indicates that leptin may be an important mediator in cardiovascular pathophysiology. The aim of the present study was to investigate plasma leptin levels in patient with Chagas' heart disease and their relation to different forms of the disease. We studied 52 chagasic patients and 30 controls matched for age and body mass index. All subjects underwent anthropometric, leptin and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) measurements and were evaluated by echocardiography, 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), and chest X-ray. All patients had fasting blood samples taken between 8:00 and 9:00 am. Chagasic patients were divided into 3 groups: group I (indeterminate form, IF group) consisted of 24 subjects with 2 positive serologic reactions for Chagas' disease and no cardiac involvement as evaluated by chest X-rays, ECG and two-dimensional echocardiography; group II (showing ECG abnormalities and normal left ventricular systolic function, ECG group) consisted of 14 patients; group III consisted of 14 patients with congestive heart failure (CHF group) and left ventricular dysfunction. Serum leptin levels were significantly lower (P < 0.001) in the CHF group (1.4 ± 0.8 ng/mL) when compared to the IF group (5.3 ± 5.3 ng/mL), ECG group (9.7 ± 10.7 ng/mL), and control group (8.1 ± 7.8 ng/mL). NT-proBNP levels were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in the CHF group (831.8 ± 800.1 pg/mL) when compared to the IF group (53.2 ± 33.3 pg/mL), ECG group (83.3 ± 57.4 pg/mL), and control group (32 ± 22.7 pg/mL). Patients with Chagas' disease and an advanced stage of CHF have high levels of NT-ProBNP andlow plasma levels of leptin. One or more leptin-suppressing mechanisms may operate in chagasic patients.

The Effects of Cilazapril on Left Ventricular Remodeling after Coronary Intervention in Patients with Ischemic Heart Failure

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) is known to be effective in the prevention of left ventricular failure (LVF) after acute myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of an ACEI, Cilazapril, on left ventricular remodeling in patients with ischemic LVF, who underwent coronary interventions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cilazapril, 2.5 - 5.0 mg per day was administ-ered 12 weeks after coronary interventions in 25 patients (18 M, 7 F, 61.5+/-9 years) with impaired LV function (ejection fraction< or = 50%). Fifteen patients (9 M, 6 F, 59.4+/-7 years) without ACEI were compared by clinical examinations, blood chemistry, electrocardiogram and echocardiogram with Cilzapril group at 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after intervention. RESULTS: Blood pressure and heart rate were not changed after Cilazapril. LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) decreased from 153.1+/-38.7 to 135.6+/-25.5 ml and end-systolic volume from 84.9+/-34.7 to 72.6+/-25.1 ml after 12-week Cilazapril p=0.003, p=0.001. Ejection fraction (EF) was increased from 44.4+/-3.2 to 52.4+/-2.8% after 12 weeks of Cilazapril p=0.034. In control group, LVEDV was changed from 152.7+/-44.6 to 143.6+/-28.7 ml, which failed to show significant reduction. Side effects of Cilazapril were 3 dry cough (3/25, 12%) and 1 facial edema, 1 hypotension and 1 dizziness. CONCLUSION: Cilazapril is a beneficial adjunctive therapeutic agent in patients with ischemic left ventricular failure for the prevention of ventricular dilatation, especially after coronary intervention.