Translating the 2021 ESC heart failure guideline recommendations in daily practice: Results from a heart failure survey. A scientific statement of the ESC Council for Cardiology Practice and the Heart Failure Association of the ESC.

AIMS: Real-world data show that guidelines are insufficiently implemented, and particularly guideline-directed medical therapies (GDMT) are underused in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) in clinical practice. The Council for Cardiology Practice and the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) developed a survey aiming to (i) evaluate the perspectives of the cardiology community on the 2021 ESC heart failure (HF) guidelines, (ii) pinpoint disparities in disease management, and (iii) propose strategies to enhance adherence to HF guidelines. METHODS AND RESULTS: A 22-question survey regarding the diagnosis and treatment of HFrEF was delivered between March and June 2022. Of 457 physicians, 54% were general cardiologists, 19.4% were HF specialists, 18.9% other cardiac specialists, and 7.7% non-cardiac specialists. For diagnosis, 52.1% employed echocardiography and natriuretic peptides (NPs), 33.2% primarily used echocardiography, and 14.7% predominantly relied on NPs. The first drug class initiated in HFrEF was angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ACEi/ARNi) (91.2%), beta-blockers (BB) (73.8%), mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) (53.4%), and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors (48.1%). The combination ACEi/ARNi + MRA+ BB was preferred by 39.3% of physicians, ACEi/ARNi + SGLT2 inhibitors + BB by 33.3%, and ACEi/ARNi + BB by 22.2%. The time required to initiate and optimize GDMT was estimated to be <1 month by 8.3%, 1-3 months by 52%, 3-6 months by 31.8%, and >6 months by 7.9%. Compared to general cardiologists, HF specialists/academic cardiologists reported lower estimated time-to-initiation, and more commonly preferred a parallel initiation of GDMT rather than a sequential approach. CONCLUSION: Participants generally followed diagnostic and treatment guidelines, but variations in HFrEF management across care settings or HF specialties were noted. The survey may raise awareness and promote standardized HF care.

Tailoring the Diagnostic Pathway for Medical and Surgical Treatment of Uterine Fibroids: A Narrative Review.

Uterine leiomyomas are the most common benign uterine tumors in women and are often asymptomatic, with clinical manifestation occurring in 20-25% of cases. The diagnostic pathway begins with clinical suspicion and includes an ultrasound examination, diagnostic hysteroscopy, and, when deemed necessary, magnetic resonance imaging. The decision-making process should consider the impairment of quality of life due to symptoms, reproductive desire, suspicion of malignancy, and, of course, the woman's preferences. Despite the absence of a definitive cure, the management of fibroid-related symptoms can benefit from various medical therapies, ranging from symptomatic treatments to the latest hormonal drugs aimed at reducing the clinical impact of fibroids on women's well-being. When medical therapy is not a definitive solution for a patient, it can be used as a bridge to prepare the patient for surgery. Surgical approaches continue to play a crucial role in the treatment of fibroids, as the gynecologist has the opportunity to choose from various surgical options and tailor the intervention to the patient's needs. This review aims to summarize the clinical pathway necessary for the diagnostic assessment of a patient with uterine fibromatosis, presenting all available treatment options to address the needs of different types of women.

Clinical outcomes of patients from older community hospitalized for heart failure in guideline-directed medical therapy era: Insights from the COMPASS-HF registry.

BACKGROUND: Despite strong recommendations in the latest guidelines for implementing guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) before discharge, there is a lack of data on the clinical characteristics and outcomes of older patients with heart failure (HF). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with HF in a super-aging society during the GDMT era. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the COMPASS-HF study including 305 consecutive hospitalized patients, 177 with acute HF were identified through a medical record review. The mean age of the enrolled patients was 86.2 years, and 46.3 % were men. The mean simple GDMT score, which is recognized as a useful prognostic tool for Japanese patients with HF, was 5.0. The incidences of all-cause death and HF hospitalization were 46.5 % and 19.4 %, respectively. The incidences of all-cause death and cardiovascular death were significantly lower in the high simple GDMT score group (≥5 points) than in the low simple GDMT score group (≤4 points) (p = 0.049 and p = 0.044, respectively). However, no significant differences were noted in HF hospitalization and composite events (cardiovascular death and HF hospitalization) between the groups (p = 0.564 and p = 0.086, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: While GDMT was well-implemented in the older community, the mortality rate among hospitalized patients with HF remained high. Although GDMT appears to have reduced the HF hospitalization rate, further validation and development of an optimal predictive model for elderly patients with HF are essential. X (FORMERLY TWITTER): In the older community, although the short- and long-term mortality of hospitalized patients with HF is still high even in the GDMT era, the HF hospitalization rate is suppressed, probably due to GDMT. A simple GDMT score may also be useful for stratifying the prognosis of older patients with HF. #HeartFailure#Mortality#GDMT#Fantastic4.

Presurgical treatment of uterine myomas with the GnRH-antagonist relugolix in combination therapy: an observational study.

To evaluate if a preoperative medical treatment with the GnRH-antagonist relugolix in combination therapy in a series of patients with abnormal uterine bleeding associated with uterine myomas may correct the anemia before scheduled surgery for myoma-associated AUB. Thirty-one patients scheduled for surgery underwent a pre-operative three-month course with a daily oral tablet of 40 mg relugolix, 1 mg estradiol, and 0.5 mg norethindrone acetate. Hemoglobin levels, uterine volumes, largest myoma diameter, and VAS score for dysmenorrhea, pelvic pressure and bleeding discomfort, and indication to surgery were evaluated at study enrollment and at the end of therapy. Mean hemoglobin levels increased by 25%, from 9.3 ± 1.1 to 11.6 ± 1.7 g/dL after three months (p < 0.001). Uterine volume decreased from 380.7 ± 273.4 mL to 281.7 ± 198.7 mL (p < 0.001), whereas the diameter of the largest myoma decreased from 6.4 ± 2.8 cm to 5.5 ± 2.2 cm (p < 0.001). Four patients (13%), initially planned for a laparotomy procedure, were converted to a minimally-access procedure, whereas in eight patients (26%) surgery was avoided after medical therapy. Dysmenorrhea score improved from 4.7 ± 3.2 to 0.6 ± 1.1 (p < 0.0001). Pelvic pressure score decreased from 5.9 ± 2.1 to 3.1 ± 2.3 (p < 0.0001), whereas bleeding discomfort decreased from 7.4 ± 3.0 to 0.4 ± 1.6 (p < 0.0001). Preoperative GnRH-antagonist therapy may enhance hemoglobin levels, decrease uterine and myoma size, and alleviate symptoms, potentially enabling safe surgical procedures.

How to utilize current guidelines to manage patients with cancer at high risk for heart failure.

Heart failure (HF) in patients with cancer is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The success of cancer therapy has resulted in an exponential rise in the population of cancer survivors, however cardiovascular disease (CVD) is now a major life limiting condition more than 5 years after cancer diagnosis [Sturgeon, Deng, Bluethmann, et al 40(48):3889-3897, 2019]. Prevention and early detection of CVD, including cardiomyopathy (CM) and HF is of paramount importance. The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) published guidelines on Cardio-Oncology (CO) [Lyon, López-Fernández, Couch, et al 43(41):4229-4361, 2022] detailing cardiovascular (CV) risk stratification, prevention, monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment throughout the course and following completion of cancer therapy. Here we utilize a case to summarize aspects of the ESC guideline relevant to HF clinicians, with a focus on risk stratification, early detection, prevention of CM and HF, and the role for guideline directed medical therapy in patients with cancer.

Retrospective analysis of a novel grading system for evaluating the long-term benefit of revascularization on carotid artery stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate revascularization benefit for carotid artery stenosis, with a novel grading system containing symptoms, stenosis, plaque, and collaterals collateral compensation (SSPC grading system). METHODS: A retrospective multicenter study examined 945 consecutive patients diagnosed with carotid stenosis from January 2013 to December 2017. The cohort was classified into two groups: the revascularization group and the best medical therapy (BMT) group. Demographic, clinical, and lesion characteristics of all patients were recorded and five-year non-procedural stroke survival was calculated using Kaplan-Meier curve analyses. RESULTS: Of the 945 patients, 514 underwent carotid revascularization (483 for carotid endarterectomy [CEA] and 31 for transfemoral-carotid artery stenting [TF-CAS]) and 431 patients were treated with BMT. Patients in the revascularization group had a significantly higher proportion of preprocedural stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA) and grades of stenosis. Of the patients in the revascularization group, 3.1% were classified as SSPC I, 10.3% as SSPC II, 41.4% as SSPC III, and 45.1% as SSPC IV. Meanwhile, 17.9% were classified as SSPC I, 19.7% as SSPC II, 49.2% as class III, and 13.2% had class IV in the BMT group. Procedural stroke developed in 13 patients (2.5%) following revascularization (10 of them were non-disabling). The overall rate of freedom from any non-procedural stroke was 94.1±1.1% in the revascularization group and 89.5±1.6% in the BMT group (P=0.01). Subgroup analysis was conducted for asymptomatic carotid stenosis (ACS) and carotid near-occlusion (CNO) patients. Non-significance was noted in the rate of freedom from any non-procedural stroke between revascularization and BMT in both ACS and CNO subgroups (P=0.09 and 0.12, respectively). Of note, in ACS patients graded as SSPC III, a significant difference in stroke survival was found between the revascularization and BMT group (96.0±2.0% vs. 89.1±2.4%, P=0.04). Meanwhile, in symptomatic CNO patients, similar results were found regarding SSPC classification (94.8±3.6% vs. 63.8±14.9%, P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The SSPC grading system stratifies the patients with carotid artery stenosis and predicts the long-term benefits of revascularization. Meanwhile, potential revascularization benefits could be better attained via SSPC classes in specific patients with ACS and CNO.

Evaluating Receipt of Optimal Medical Therapy Amongst Structurally Disadvantaged Groups Undergoing Amputation.

OBJECTIVES: Optimal medical therapy (OMT) for peripheral artery disease (PAD) is associated with decreased major amputation and mortality. OMT has several components, including antiplatelet and high-intensity statin therapy, blood pressure control, etc. While there are disparities in receipt of OMT among PAD patients, it is unknown if patients from disadvantaged neighborhoods, measured by the area deprivation index (ADI), are less likely to be on OMT. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of patients that underwent major lower extremity amputation between 2015 and 2019 at two large academic healthcare systems. Primary exposure was high ADI, defined as ADI ≥60th percentile, and secondary exposure was non-Hispanic Black (NHB) race. For each analysis, the primary outcome of interest was receipt of OMT, defined here as at least one antiplatelet agent and a high-intensity statin. The exposure outcome relationship was assessed using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Among 354 patients with median age of 66 (interquartile range [IQR] 58-74), 267 (75.4%) were male, 219 (61.9%) identified as NHB and 116 (32.8%) as non-Hispanic White. Overall, 91 (25.7%) patients were on OMT at time of amputation despite 57.3% of the cohort being established with a vascular surgeon. Compared to those with low ADI, the category high ADI had a higher proportion of NHB patients (48.1% vs 70.3%, p= 0.001) and patients were more often hospitalized at the University-affiliated facilities (47.4% vs 63.0%, p= 0.004). High ADI was not associated with receipt of OMT prior to major amputation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.72, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.42-1.24). In secondary analysis, NHB race was not associated with receipt of OMT. Stratification by facility type (Veterans Affairs and University-affiliated facilities) also showed no association between high ADI or race and receipt of OMT. CONCLUSIONS: Neighborhood economic well-being is not associated with receipt of OMT prior to major amputation. While the absence of socioeconomic disparities is notable, the proportion of patients on OMT is suboptimal. Care processes should be critically evaluated and quality measures potentially created to improve the rate of receipt of OMT among patients at risk for amputation.

Medical Therapy and Clinical Outcomes in Cardiac Sarcoidosis Patients With Systolic Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) may result in systolic heart failure (heart failure with reduced ejection fraction [HFrEF]), but its response to guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) remains uncertain. METHODS AND RESULTS: We investigated 881 patients evaluated for CS to identify those with diagnosed CS, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤40% at diagnosis, and follow-up echocardiogram within 11-24 months. Demographics, LVEF, GDMT as quantified by Kansas City Medical Optimization (KCMO) score, and immunosuppressive treatment were recorded. The primary outcome was a composite of event-free survival (unplanned heart failure hospitalization, left ventricular assist device [LVAD]/heart transplant, or death). Seventy-nine (9%) CS patients met the inclusion criteria (35% female, median age 57 years, mean LVEF 30.9%, median New York Heart Association class II [46%], mean number of GDMT agents 1.7, and mean KCMO score 31.8). Most (87%) were treated with immunosuppressive treatment. At follow-up (median 16 months), the mean number of GDMT agents increased to 2.2 (P=0.02), and the mean KCMO score to 70.1 (P<0.001). Mean LVEF improved to 39.9% (excluding LVAD/transplant; P<0.001) and the change in LVEF was correlated with follow-up KCMO score (P<0.001). The primary outcome occurred in 13 (16%) patients and differed by KCMO score (log-rank P<0.001), but not by immunosuppressive treatment (log-rank P=0.36). CONCLUSIONS: GDMT optimization is associated with better cardiac remodeling and clinical outcomes in CS patients with HFrEF.

Impact of beta-blocker uptitration on patients after transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair for secondary mitral regurgitation: The OCEAN-mitral registry.

BACKGROUND: Optimal medical therapy for patients with secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR) undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (M-TEER) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between beta-blocker uptitration and clinical outcomes after M-TEER. METHODS: Using data from the Japanese multicenter registry, we examined 1474 patients who underwent M-TEER for SMR between April 2018 and June 2021. Beta-blocker uptitration was defined as an increased dose of beta-blockers 1 month after M-TEER compared with that before M-TEER. The 2-year clinical outcomes were compared between patients with and without beta-blocker uptitration, utilizing multivariable Cox regression analyses and propensity score matching (PSM). RESULTS: Of the 1474 patients who underwent M-TEER, 272 (18.4 %) were receiving increasing doses of beta-blockers at the 1-month follow-up. These patients had lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and higher B-type natriuretic peptide levels. Most patients in the beta-blocker uptitration group received less than the target dose of beta-blockers. Multivariable Cox regression analyses showed that beta-blocker uptitration was significantly associated with a lower risk of all-cause (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 0.55; 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 0.36-0.84; P = 0.006) and cardiovascular mortalities (adjusted HR: 0.45, 95 % CI: 0.26-0.79, P = 0.006). PSM analyses revealed consistent findings. Subgroup analyses revealed a significant interaction between beta-blocker uptitration and LVEF≤40 % (interaction P = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with SMR, beta-blocker uptitration after M-TEER was associated with better clinical outcomes, especially in the group with an LVEF≤40 %. Efforts to uptitrate guideline-directed medical therapy after M-TEER for SMR may be necessary, even if reaching the target dose proves challenging.

Guideline-directed medical therapy implementation during hospitalization for cardiogenic shock.

AIMS: Despite significant morbidity and mortality, recent advances in cardiogenic shock (CS) management have been associated with increased survival. However, little is known regarding the management of patients who survive CS with heart failure (HF) with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF, HFrEF), and the utilization of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) in these patients has not been well described. To fill this gap, we investigated the use of GDMT during an admission for CS and short-term outcomes using the Inova single-centre shock registry. METHODS: We investigated the implementation of GDMT for patients who survived an admission for CS with HFrEF using data from our single-centre shock registry from January 2017 to December 2019. Baseline characteristics, discharge clinical status, data on GDMT utilization and 30 day, 6 month and 12 month patient outcomes were collected by retrospective chart review. RESULTS: Among 520 patients hospitalized for CS during the study period, 185 (35.6%) had HFrEF upon survival to discharge. The median age was 64 years [interquartile range (IQR) 56, 70], 72% (n = 133) were male, 22% (n = 40) were Black and 7% (n = 12) were Hispanic. Forty-one per cent of patients (n = 76) presented with shock related to acute myocardial infarction (AMI), while 59% (n = 109) had HF-related CS (HF-CS). The median length of hospital stay was 12 days (IQR 7, 18). At discharge, the proportions of patients on beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEis)/angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)/angiotensin receptor/neprilysin inhibitors (ARNIs) and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) were 78% (n = 144), 58% (n = 107) and 55% (n = 101), respectively. Utilization of three-drug GDMT was 33.0% (n = 61). Ten per cent of CS survivors with HFrEF (n = 19) were not prescribed any component of GDMT at discharge. Multivariable logistic regression adjusted for baseline GDMT use revealed that patients with lower LVEF and those who transferred to our centre from an outside hospital were more likely to experience GDMT addition (P < 0.05). Patients prescribed at least one additional class of GDMT during admission had higher odds of 6 month and 1 year survival (P < 0.01): On average, 6 month survival odds were 7.1 times greater [confidence interval (CI) 1.9, 28.5] and 1 year survival odds were 6.0 times greater than those who did not have at least one GDMT added (CI 1.9, 20.5). CONCLUSIONS: Most patients who survived CS admission with HFrEF in this single-centre CS registry were not prescribed all classes or goal doses of GDMT at hospital discharge. These findings highlight an urgent need to augment multidisciplinary efforts to enhance the post-discharge medical management and outcomes of patients who survive CS with HFrEF.

Guideline-directed medical therapy prescribing patterns and in-hospital outcomes among heart failure patients during COVID-19.

Study objective: The association of prior to admission guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) use in patients hospitalized with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF, ejection fraction ≤40 %) and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) with in-hospital outcomes has not been well studied. Design/setting/participants/interventions/outcome measures: Using the American Heart Association's Get With The Guidelines Heart Failure Registry, we identified HFrEF patients presenting with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) and compared rates of GDMT prescription between those presenting prior to and during the pandemic. In a subgroup of patients with a concomitant COVID-19 diagnosis, we evaluated the association of prior to admission GDMT use with in-hospital mortality and severe COVID-19. Results: 23,899 patients were admitted with HFrEF during the pandemic (2/16/20-3/24/21) and 26,459 patients were admitted in the year prior (2/16/19-2/15/20). In this overall cohort, prior to admission ACEI/ARB/ARNI (45.6 % vs 48.1 %, p < 0.0001) and BB (56.9 % vs 62.4 %, p < 0.0001) use was lower among admitted HFrEF patients during the pandemic when compared to the year prior. Rates of ACEI/ARB/ARNI, MRA, and triple therapy (ACE/ARB/ARNI + BB + MRA) prescription at discharge were higher during the pandemic compared to the year prior. Among a subgroup of those with HFrEF and COVID-19 (n = 333), prior to admission GDMT use was not associated with in-hospital mortality or severe COVID-19. Conclusion: We found no association between prior to admission GDMT use and in-hospital mortality or severe COVID-19 among HFrEF patients admitted with ADHF and COVID-19. GDMT prescription at discharge for HFrEF patients overall has remained either similar or improved during the pandemic.

Protocol-driven approach to guideline-directed medical therapy optimization for heart failure: A real-world application to recovery.

The objective of our study was to evaluate the real-world effects of an aggressive, personalized protocol for guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) titration in patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). We conducted a two-center retrospective cohort study. Patients with HFrEF who presented to a HF clinic from January 2020 to December 2022 were placed on a GDMT protocol. 180 patients were included in the study. Mean GDMT score significantly increased from 4.7 to 5.9 (p < 0.001) between initial and final visits. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) significantly increased from 28 % to 33 % (+5 %, p < 0.001). 27 (15.7 %) of the 172 patients with complete New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification data had improvement by at least 1 class, while 2 (1.2 %) patients had worsening NYHA classification. 140 (77.8 %) patients had no unplanned hospitalizations between visits. 21 (11.7 %) patients had an unplanned hospitalization for acute HF during the study period with a mean time from first clinic visit to hospitalization of 183 days (range: 13-821 days). 2 (1.1 %) patients were hospitalized due to GDMT-associated adverse drug events (i.e. hypotension, hyperkalemia). 7 (3.9 %) patients died during the study period, which was lower than the predicted 1-year death rate for our cohort (12.3 %) using the MAGGIC score. In conclusion, an aggressive, personalized protocol for GDMT titration in patients with HFrEF led to significant improvements in LVEF, NYHA classification, hospitalization, and mortality in a real-world setting. This protocol may help serve as a road map to lessen the gap between clinical knowledge and practice surrounding optimization of GDMT and move HFrEF patients toward a path to recovery.

Insights on prevalence and incidence of anemia and rapid up-titration of oral heart failure treatment from the STRONG-HF study.

BACKGROUND: Anemia is one of the most frequent comorbidities in patients with heart failure (HF), which potentially can interfere with the effect of guideline-recommended HF medical therapy and can be associated with the use of neurohormonal blockers. AIM: The aim of this analysis was to determine the prevalence and changes of anemia status in the STRONG-HF study, its association with clinical endpoints, and possible interaction of the presence of anemia with the efficacy and safety of high-intensity HF treatment. METHODS: The design and main results of the study have been previously described. Patients were randomized within 2 days prior to anticipated hospital discharge after HF worsening in a 1:1 fashion to either high-intensity care (HIC) or usual care (UC). Baseline characteristics, clinical and safety outcomes, and treatment effect of HIC vs. UC on the primary and secondary outcomes were compared in groups based on baseline anemia. In addition, dynamics of hemoglobin during the study follow-up and predictors of incident anemia at 90 days were investigated. RESULTS: The proportion of anemia in 1077 STRONG-HF patients at enrollment was 27.2%, while at 90 days, it changed to 32.1%. The primary composite outcome occurred in 18.2% of patients without baseline anemia, and 22.5% of patients with baseline anemia (unadjusted HR 1.27; 95% CI 0.90-1.80), a difference that did not reach statistical significance. However, patients with baseline anemia had significantly less improvement of EQ-VAS questionnaire values from baseline to day 90 (adjusted LS-Mean difference -2.34 (-4.37, -0.31), P = 0.02). During the study, anemia developed in 19.4 and 14.6% in HIC and UC groups, respectively. The opposite phenomenon-recovery of anemia-occurred in 27.6 and 28.8% in HIC and UC groups (P = 0.1379). The predictors of incident anemia at 90 days were male sex, geographical region other than Europe, ischemic etiology, higher glucose, and elevated uric acid at baseline. The percentages of optimal doses of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, beta-blockers, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists were not different between anemic and non-anemic patients. High-intensity care strategy did not increase rate of incident anemia at 90 days and reduced the rate of primary and secondary endpoints regardless of baseline hemoglobin. CONCLUSION: Hemoglobin level and status of anemia have a dynamic nature in the acute HF patients in the post-discharge period dependent on multiple factors. High-intensity HF treatment is safe and beneficial regardless of baseline hemoglobin level and presence of anemia. The improvement of quality of life is significantly lower in anemic HF patients implying specific attention to correction of this condition.

Use of Guideline-Recommended Heart Failure Drugs in High-, Middle-, and Low-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Optimal use of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) can prevent hospitalization and mortality among patients with heart failure (HF). We aimed to assess the prevalence of GDMT use for HF across geographic regions and country-income levels. We systematically reviewed observational studies (published between January 2010 and October 2020) involving patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction. We conducted random-effects meta-analyses to obtain summary estimates. We included 334 studies comprising 1,507,849 patients (31% female). The majority (82%) of studies were from high-income countries, with Europe (45%) and the Americas (33%) being the most represented regions, and Africa (1%) being the least. Overall prevalence of GDMT use was 80% (95% CI 78%-81%) for ß-blockers, 82% (80%-83%) for renin-angiotensin-system inhibitors, and 41% (39%-43%) for mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. We observed an exponential increase in GDMT use over time after adjusting for country-income levels (p < 0.0001), but significant gaps persist in low- and middle-income countries. Multi-level interventions are needed to address health-system, provider, and patient-level barriers to GDMT use.

Heart failure in Europe: Guideline-directed medical therapy use and decision making in chronic and acute, pre-existing and de novo, heart failure with reduced, mildly reduced, and preserved ejection fraction - the ESC EORP Heart Failure III Registry.

AIMS: 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. METHODS AND RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSION: 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.

Barriers to adherence to secondary prevention therapy in patients with ischemic heart disease: a cross-sectional study of a Mexican reference center.

Objective: This article aims to assess the adherence level to second-line therapy for cardiovascular prevention in a tertiary hospital in Mexico City and identify key barriers to adequate pharmacological adherence. Methods: A single-center prospective cross-sectional study was conducted between August 2018 and February 2020. Sociodemographic data were collected, and the Morisky medication adherence scale was performed. Directed interviews during medical consultations were also conducted to determine reasons for non-adherence. Results: Showed that out of 991 patients included with a median age of 65 (58.72) years, 70.3% exhibited inadequate adherence, with forgetfulness being the most common reason (55.4%). Patients receiving combined therapy with coronary revascularization showed higher adherence compared to those on optimal medical therapy alone. Low educational level (OR 1.68, IC 95% 1.23-2.23, p = 0.0001) and the use of optimal medical therapy alone (OR 1.2, I 95% 1.11-2.007 p = 0.007) were identified as predictors of poor adherence. Conclusion: Among patients with ischemic heart disease and pharmacological therapy for secondary prevention, inadequate adherence is observed in 70% of cases. Factors associated with poor pharmacological adherence were low educational level and prescription of medical therapy without revascularization.

Objetivo: Determinar el nivel de adherencia a la terapia secundaria de prevención cardiovascular en un hospital terciario de la Ciudad de México e identificar las barreras que contribuyen a la inadecuada adherencia farmacológica. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal entre agosto de 2018 y febrero de 2020. Se obtuvieron los datos sociodemográficos, la escala de adherencia a la medicación de Morisky, y se realizó una entrevista sobre las razones de la no adherencia. Resultados: 991 pacientes fueron incluidos con una mediana de edad de 65 (58,72) años. La adherencia inadecuada fue de 70.3%, siendo el olvido la causa más frecuente (55.4%). Aquellos pacientes en terapia farmacológica combinada con revascularización coronaria fueron más adherentes que aquellos en terapia médica óptima. El bajo nivel educativo (OR 1.68, IC95%1.23-2.3, p = 0.001) y el uso de tratamiento médico óptimo solo (OR 1.52, IC95%1.11-2.07, p = 0.007) fueron predictores de mala adherencia. Conclusión: En pacientes con cardiopatia isquemica y terapia farmacológica para prevención secundaria se observa adherencia inadecuada en 70%. Los factores asociados a mala adherencia farmacológica fueron el bajo nivel educativo y la prescripción de tratamiento médico sin revascularización.

In-Hospital Mortality and Treatment in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome With and Without Standard Modifiable Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Findings From the CCC-ACS Project.

BACKGROUND: Patients with acute coronary syndrome without standard modifiable cardiovascular risk factors (SMuRFs; hypertension, smoking, dyslipidemia, diabetes) have not been well studied, with little known about their characteristics, quality of care, or outcomes. We sought to systematically analyze patients with ACS without SMuRFs, especially to evaluate the effectiveness of guideline-directed medical therapy for these patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the CCC-ACS (Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China-Acute Coronary Syndrome) project (2014-2019), we examined the presence and absence of SMuRFs and features among 89 462 patients with initial acute coronary syndrome. The main outcome was in-hospital all-cause mortality. Among eligible patients, 11.0% had none of the SMuRFs (SMuRF-less). SMuRF-less patients had higher in-hospital mortality (unadjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.49 [95% CI, 1.19-1.87]). After adjustment for clinical characteristics and treatments, the associations between SMuRF status and in-hospital mortality persisted (adjusted HR, 1.35 [95% CI, 1.07-1.70]). Guideline-directed optimal medical therapy (receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, ß-blockers, and statins) was not associated with lower mortality (adjusted HR, 0.98 [95% CI, 0.58-1.67]) in SMuRF-less patients, unlike the association in patients with SMuRFs (adjusted HR, 0.80 [95% CI, 0.66-0.98]). Sensitivity analyses were consistent with these results. CONCLUSIONS: SMuRF-less patients were associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality. Guideline-directed medical therapy was less effective in SMuRF-less patients than in patients with SMuRFs. Dedicated studies are needed to confirm the optimal therapy for SMuRF-less patients. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT02306616.