Validation of a New Scoring Method to Assess the Efficacy of Rapid Initiation and Titration of Combination Pharmacotherapy for Patients Hospitalized with Acute Decompensated Heart Failure with Reduced and Mildly Reduced Ejection Fraction.

Background: Despite the encouragement of early initiation and titration of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) for the treatment of heart failure (HF), most patients do not receive an adequate type and dose of pharmacotherapy in the real world. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the efficacy of titrating composite GDMT in patients with HF with reduced and mildly reduced ejection fraction and to identify patient conditions that may benefit from titration of GDMT. Methods: This was a two-center, retrospective study of consecutive patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). Patients were classified into two groups according to a scoring scale determined by combination and doses of four types of HF agents (ACEis/ARBs/ARNis, BBs, MRAs, and SGLT2is) at discharge. A score of 5 or greater was defined as titrated GDMT, and a score of 4 or less was regarded as sub-optimal medical therapy (MT). Results: A total of 979 ADHF patients were screened. After 553 patients were excluded based on exclusion criteria, 426 patients (90 patients in the titrated GDMT group and 336 patients in the sub-optimal MT group) were enrolled for the analysis. The median follow-up period was 612 (453-798) days. Following statistical adjustment using the propensity score weighting method, the 2-year composite endpoint (composite of cardiac death and HF rehospitalization) rate was significantly lower in the titrated GDMT group, at 19%, compared with the sub-optimal MT group: 31% (score 3-4 points) and 43% (score 0-2 points). Subgroup analysis indicated a marked benefit of titrated GDMT in particular patient subgroups: age < 80 years, BMI 19.0-24.9, eGFR > 20 mL/min/1.73 m2, and serum potassium level ≤ 5.5 mmol/L. Conclusions: Prompt initiation and dose adjustment of multiple HF medications, with careful monitoring of the patient's physiologic and laboratory values, is a prerequisite for improving the prognosis of patients with heart failure.

Clinical Efficacy of Pre-Hospital Electrocardiogram Transmission in Patients Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Rapid reperfusion by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) is an established strategy for the treatment of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Pre-hospital electrocardiogram (PH-ECG) transmission by the emergency medical services (EMS) facilitates timely reperfusion in these patients. However, evidence regarding the clinical benefits of PH-ECG in individual hospitals is limited.This retrospective, observational study investigated the clinical efficacy of PH-ECG in STEMI patients who underwent pPCI. Of a total of 382 consecutive STEMI patients, 237 were enrolled in the study and divided into 2 groups: a PH-ECG group (n = 77) and non-PH-ECG group (n = 160). Door-to-balloon time (D2BT) was significantly shorter in the PH-ECG group (66 [52-80] min), compared to the non-PH-ECG group (70 [57-88] minutes, P = 0.01). The 30-day all-cause mortality rate was 6% in the PH-ECG group, which was significantly lower than that in the non-PH-ECG group (16%) (P = 0.037, hazard ratio [HR]: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.15-0.98). This trend was particularly evident in severely ill patients when stratified by GRACE score.The use of PH-ECG improved the survival rate of STEMI patients undergoing pPCI due to the improved pre-arrival preparation based on the EMS information. Coordination between EMS and PCI-capable institutes is essential for the management of PH-ECG.

Safety and efficacy of uninterrupted treatment with edoxaban or warfarin during the peri-procedural period of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: The real-world safety and efficacy of uninterrupted anticoagulation treatment with edoxaban (EDX) or warfarin (WFR) during the peri-procedural period of catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) are yet to be investigated. METHODS: We conducted a two-center experience, observational study to retrospectively investigate consecutive patients who underwent CA for AF and received EDX or WFR. We examined the incidence of thromboembolic and bleeding complications during the peri-procedural period. RESULTS: The EDX and WFR groups included 153 and 103 patients, respectively (total: 256 patients). Demise or thromboembolic events did not occur in either of the groups. The incidence of major bleeding in the EDX and WFR groups was 0.7% and 2.9%, respectively. The total incidence of major/minor bleeding in the EDX and WFR groups was 7.8% and 8.7%, respectively. Of note, the incidence of bleeding complications in the uninterrupted WFR strategy group was markedly high in patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <30 (75%) or a HAS-BLED score ≥3 (60%). Patients with eGFR ≥30 and a HAS-BLED score ≤2 had a lower incidence of bleeding (<10%), regardless of the administered anticoagulation drug (EDX or WFR). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed the safety and efficacy of uninterrupted anticoagulation therapy using EDX or WFR in real-world patients undergoing CA for AF. Patients with severely impaired renal function and/or a higher bleeding risk during uninterrupted therapy with WFR were at a prominent risk of bleeding. Therefore, particular attention should be paid in the treatment of these patients.

Different prognostic associations of beta-blockers and diuretics in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction with versus without high blood pressure.

OBJECTIVE: No agents have been proven to improve survival in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), but the phenotypic diversity of HFpEF suggests it may be possible to identify specific HFpEF phenotypes that will benefit from certain treatments. This study compared the risk factors for and prognostic impacts of treatments on in-hospital mortality between HFpEF patients with (+) and without (-) high blood pressure (HBP). METHODS: Data on 2238 consecutive HFpEF patients were extracted from Tokyo CCU Network data registry and analysed. HFpEF was defined as an ejection fraction greater than or equal to 50%; HBP was defined as elevated systolic blood pressure (>140 mmHg) at admission. Potential risk factors for in-hospital mortality were selected by univariate analyses and those with P < 0.10 were used in multivariate Cox regression analysis with forward selection (likelihood ratio) to identify significant factors. RESULTS: In-hospital mortality was significantly lower for HFpEF + HBP than HFpEF - HBP patients (log-rank, P < 0.001). Independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality in HFpEF + HBP patients were older age (hazard ratio 1.069) and in-hospital treatment without beta-blockers (hazard ratio 7.946), whereas older age (hazard ratio 1.035), higher C-reactive protein (hazard ratio 1.047), higher B-type natriuretic peptide (hazard ratio 1.000) and in-hospital treatment without diuretics (hazard ratio 4.201) were identified as independent risk factors in HFpEF - HBP patients. CONCLUSION: There were significant differences in prognostic factors, including beta-blocker and diuretic treatments, for in-hospital mortality between HFpEF patients with and without HBP. These findings suggest possible individualized therapies for patients with HFpEF.

Impact of Indoxyl Sulfate on Coronary Plaques in Patients on Hemodialysis.

Serum indoxyl sulfate (IS; a uremic toxin) levels, which are significantly higher in patients with chronic kidney disease, including those undergoing hemodialysis, than in the robust, are associated with both cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CVD-related mortality. Furthermore, coronary artery calcium (CAC) is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events in patients undergoing hemodialysis. This study aimed to interpret the association between serum IS levels and coronary plaque burden (CPB) or CAC.A total of 30 consecutive patients on hemodialysis, who underwent 320-row coronary multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) angiography for suspected coronary artery disease, were enrolled in this prospective study. Coronary artery percent atheroma volume (a CPB marker) and percent calcium volume (a CAC marker) assessed using MDCT were evaluated. Furthermore, various oxidative and inflammatory markers typified by serum IS levels at a dialysis-free day were measured. Using these data, we investigated correlation between the inflammatory marker IS and CPB or CAC.Multivariable analysis indicated that serum IS levels were positively correlated with CAC [partial regression coefficient, 2.89; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.35-5.43; P = 0.03] but not with CPB, even after adjustment for cofounders. Composite cardiovascular events, namely, as all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, disabling stroke, and hospital admission for other cardiovascular events, were reported to be 50% in all patients (95% CI, 32.1-67.9).In patients undergoing hemodialysis, serum IS levels were significantly associated with CAC but not with CPB.

Identifying novel phenotypes of acute heart failure using cluster analysis of clinical variables.

BACKGROUND: Acute heart failure (AHF) is a heterogeneous disease caused by various cardiovascular (CV) pathophysiology and multiple non-CV comorbidities. We aimed to identify clinically important subgroups to improve our understanding of the pathophysiology of AHF and inform clinical decision-making. METHODS: We evaluated detailed clinical data of 345 consecutive AHF patients using non-hierarchical cluster analysis of 77 variables, including age, sex, HF etiology, comorbidities, physical findings, laboratory data, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram and treatment during hospitalization. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to estimate the association between the clusters and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Three clusters were identified. Cluster 1 (n=108) represented "vascular failure". This cluster had the highest average systolic blood pressure at admission and lung congestion with type 2 respiratory failure. Cluster 2 (n=89) represented "cardiac and renal failure". They had the lowest ejection fraction (EF) and worst renal function. Cluster 3 (n=148) comprised mostly older patients and had the highest prevalence of atrial fibrillation and preserved EF. Death or HF hospitalization within 12-month occurred in 23% of Cluster 1, 36% of Cluster 2 and 36% of Cluster 3 (p=0.034). Compared with Cluster 1, risk of death or HF hospitalization was 1.74 (95% CI, 1.03-2.95, p=0.037) for Cluster 2 and 1.82 (95% CI, 1.13-2.93, p=0.014) for Cluster 3. CONCLUSIONS: Cluster analysis may be effective in producing clinically relevant categories of AHF, and may suggest underlying pathophysiology and potential utility in predicting clinical outcomes.

Effects of glycemic control on in-hospital mortality among acute heart failure patients with reduced, mid-range, and preserved ejection fraction.

The relationship between glycemic control and outcome in patients with heart failure (HF) remains contentious. A recent study showed that patients with HF with mid-range ejection fraction (HFmrEF) more frequently had comorbid diabetes relative to other patients. Herein, we examined the association between glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and in-hospital mortality in acute HF patients with reduced, mid-range, and preserved EF. A multicenter retrospective study was conducted on 5205 consecutive patients with acute HF. Potential risk factors for in-hospital mortality were selected by univariate analyses; then, multivariate Cox regression analysis with backward stepwise selection was performed to identify significant factors. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and log-rank testing were used to compare in-hospital mortality between groups. Across the study cohort, 44% (2288 patients) had reduced EF, 20% had mid-range EF, and 36% had preserved EF. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 4.6%, with no significant differences among the HF patients with reduced, mid-range, and preserved EF groups. For patients with HFmrEF, higher HbA1c level was a significant risk factor for in-hospital mortality (hazard ratio 1.387; 95% confidence interval 1.014-1.899; P = 0.041). In contrast, HbA1c was not an independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality in HF patients with preserved or reduced EF. In conclusion, HbA1c is an independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality in acute HF patients with mid-range EF, but not in those with preserved or reduced EF. Elucidation of the pathophysiological mechanisms behind these findings could facilitate the development of more effective individualized therapies for acute HF.

Mismatch between right- and left-sided filling pressures in heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: Mismatch between right- and left-sided filling pressures is poorly understood in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). METHODS AND RESULTS: We retrospectively analyzed 170 patients with HFpEF (EF≥40%) who underwent right heart catheterization. Low match (right atrial pressure [RAP] < 10 mm Hg and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure [PCWP] < 22 mm Hg) was 76%, high match (RAP ≥ 10 mm Hg and PCWP ≥ 22 mm Hg) was 6.5%, high-R mismatch (RAP ≥ 10 mm Hg and PCWP < 22 mm Hg) was 12%, and high-L mismatch (RAP < 10 mm Hg and PCWP ≥ 22 mm Hg) was 5.9%. Elevated PCWP was a significant predictor of the composite endpoint of death or HF hospitalization within 12months (hazard ratio 5.40, 95% confidence interval 2.17-12.5, p<0.001). Elevated RAP was not significantly associated with worse outcomes. Pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) and diastolic pressure (PADP) showed strong correlations with PCWP (PASP, r=0.738, p<0.001; PADP, r=0.834, p<0.001; RAP, r=0.638, p<0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Discordance exists between right- and left-sided filling pressures in HFpEF. Physicians may utilize pulmonary artery pressure to evaluate left-sided filling pressure, which is a significant predictor of prognosis.

Impact of Triggering Events on Outcomes of Acute Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: The onset of acute heart failure is known to be associated with increased physical activity and other specific behaviors that can trigger hemodynamic deterioration. This analysis aimed to describe the distribution of triggers in patients hospitalized for acute heart failure, and investigate their effects on in-hospital outcomes. METHODS: Consecutive patients hospitalized for acute heart failure between 2010 and 2014 were registered in a multicenter data registration system (72 institutions within Tokyo, Japan). Baseline demographics and in-hospital mortality were extracted from 17,473 patients. Patients with a trigger were grouped based on their triggering event: those with onset during (a) physical activity; (b) sleeping; (c) eating or watching television; (d) bathing or excretion (use of restrooms); and (e) engaging in other activities. These patients were compared with patients without identifiable triggers. Multiple imputation was used for missing data. RESULTS: Patients were predominantly men (57.1%), with a mean age of 76.0 ± 13.0 years; a triggering event was present in 49.1%. No significant difference in baseline characteristics was noted between groups except for younger age, higher blood pressure, and prevalence of signs of congestion in the trigger-positive group. In-hospital mortality rate was 7.9%. Presence of triggers was positively associated with a reduced risk of in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.70-0.90; P = .0003). In a delta-adjusted pattern mixture model, the effect of a triggering event on in-hospital mortality remained consistently significant. CONCLUSION: Triggering events for acute heart failure can provide additional information for risk prediction. Efforts to identify the triggers should be made to classify patients according to risk group.

Impact of stent type and prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy on long-term clinical outcomes in hemodialysis patients with coronary artery disease.

The aim of this study was to address 7-year clinical outcomes and impact of prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after coronary stenting in hemodialysis patients. Our study included 123 consecutive hemodialysis patients who had undergone percutaneous coronary intervention with a drug-eluting stent (DES) or bare-metal stent (BMS) (DES: 64, BMS: 59) in our institution. We compared long-term clinical outcomes following DES with BMS implantation as well as clinical outcomes in patients on DAPT for ≥1 year (DAPT on group, 89) with those on DAPT for <1 year (DAPT off group, 34). We evaluated bleeding events and major adverse cardiac events (MACE), including cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization, and stent thrombosis. At 1 year after stenting, the incidence of MACE was significantly lower in the DES group than in the BMS group (DES versus BMS: 33.2 versus 51.8%; p = 0.045). However, this advantage of DES disappeared by the 7th year (DES versus BMS: 66.0 versus 70.0%; p = 0.42). The cumulative incidence of MACE beyond 1 year was significantly higher in the DAPT on group than in the DAPT off group (DAPT on versus DAPT off: 51.3 versus 18.5%; p = 0.047). The bleeding events in the DAPT on group were 5.1 times greater than in the DAPT off group (DAPT on versus DAPT off: 16.4 versus 3.2%; p = 0.06). Use of DES and prolonged DAPT did not improve 7-year clinical outcomes in hemodialysis patients with coronary artery disease.

Hemodynamic correlates of nutritional indexes in heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition in heart failure (HF) is related to altered intestinal function, which could be due to hemodynamic changes. We investigated the usefulness of novel nutritional indexes in relation to hemodynamic parameters. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 139 HF patients with reduced ejection fraction who underwent right heart catheterization. We investigated correlations between right side pressures and nutritional indexes, which include controlling nutritional (CONUT) score and geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to investigate the prognostic accuracy of CONUT score and GNRI for a composite of death or HF hospitalization in 12 months. Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate whether hemodynamic correlates were associated with malnutrition, which was defined based on CONUT sore or GNRI. RESULTS: Higher right side pressures were positively correlated with worse nutritional status according to CONUT score, but were negatively correlated with worse nutritional status according to GNRI. Area under ROC curve for the composite endpoint was 0.746 in CONUT score and 0.576 in GNRI. The composite endpoint occurred in 40% of CONUT score≥3 and in 11% of CONUT score<3 (p<0.001). These relationships were also investigated with GNRI (40% of GNRI<95 vs. 17% of GNRI≥95, p=0.002). In multivariate analysis, higher right atrial pressure was significantly associated with higher CONUT score, while no hemodynamic parameter was related to GNRI. CONCLUSIONS: CONUT score was associated with right side congestion, while no association between GNRI and right side congestion was noted. CONUT score had better predictive value than GNRI.

Association of Dyslipidemia and Sex With Coronary Artery Calcium Assessed by Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography.

Previous studies reporting that statin increases coronary artery calcium (CAC) were conducted exclusively on patients with statin as a prevention, regardless of the presence or absence of dyslipidemia. The impact of sex on CAC has not been fully evaluated. We aimed to determine the association of dyslipidemia and sex with CAC using 320-row multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT).Of the 356 consecutive patients who underwent coronary MDCT, 251 patients were enrolled, after excluding those with prior stenting and/or coronary bypass grafting or images showing motion artifacts. The primary outcome measures were the percent calcium volume (PCV) and percent atheroma volume (PAV) per coronary vessel.Multivariable analyses indicated that PCV was significantly higher in dyslipidemia patients without statins than in the subjects without dyslipidemia [partial regression coefficient (PRC): 2.59, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.83 to 4.34, P = 0.004]. In contrast, PCV was similar in dyslipidemia patients taking statins and those without dyslipidemia (PRC: -1.09, 95% CI: -2.82 to 0.65, P = 0.22). There was no significant difference in PCV between men and women, although women exhibited a significantly lower PAV (PRC: -2.87, 95% CI: -4.54 to -1.20, P = 0.001).In low-risk patients, these results could be translated into hypotheses, which should be tested in future prospective studies. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in CAC between men and women, but women had lower PAV than men.

Effect of Heart Failure Secondary to Ischemic Cardiomyopathy on Body Weight and Blood Pressure.

Both the obesity paradox and blood pressure (BP) paradox remain ill defined. Because both obesity and hypertension are well-known predictors of coronary artery disease (CAD) and acute heart failure (HF), in the present study, we compared the obesity paradox and the BP paradox between patients with acute HF with and without a history of CAD. A multicenter retrospective study was conducted on 3,204 consecutive patients with acute HF. Potential risk factors for in-hospital mortality were selected by univariate analyses; multivariate Cox regression analysis with backward stepwise selection was then used to identify significant factors. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and log-rank testing were used to compare in-hospital mortality between groups. Across the study cohort, 27% of patients had a history of CAD, and the all-cause in-hospital mortality rate was 5%. In-hospital mortality was significantly lower for patients with obesity than in those without obesity (log-rank, p = 0.033). However, this obesity paradox disappeared in the group with HF and CAD (log-rank, p = 0.740). In contrast, in-hospital mortality was significantly lower for patients with high BP at admission, regardless of the presence of a history of CAD (log-rank, p <0.001 for both groups). In conclusion, a history of CAD canceled the obesity paradox in patients with acute HF, whereas the BP paradox persisted regardless of a history of CAD.

Relative atherosclerotic plaque volume by CT coronary angiography trumps conventional stenosis assessment for identifying flow-limiting lesions.

The new methods for diagnosing the ischemia with coronary computed tomographic angiography (CTA) as a noninvasive test have been investigated. To compare the relative plaque volume to quantitative CTA and quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) for detecting flow-limiting coronary artery stenoses. We studied 49 patients with 55 intermediate lesions (30-69% diameter stenosis) who underwent CTA, coronary angiography (CAG), and FFR. CTA and QCA measures included lesion length, percent diameter stenosis (%DS), minimal lumen diameter (MLD), target main vessel percent plaque volume (%PV), lesion %PV, target main vessel percent lumen volume (%LV), and lesion %LV. FFR ≤0.80 was considered diagnostic of a flow-limiting lesion. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to determine the accuracy of detecting flow-limiting lesions. We also investigated the AUC of discrimination of flow-limiting lesion according to calcium score. Eighteen of 55 lesions (32.7%) had an FFR ≤0.80. Only vessel %PV differentiated between lesions with and without flow obstruction (67.6 vs. 62.7%, p = 0.018). The AUC for vessel %PV was greatest (0.76; 95% CI 0.61-0.87). The AUC for the discrimination of the flow-limiting lesions according to low calcium score (≤400) improved to 0.82 (95% CI 0.57-0.94). In intermediate coronary artery stenoses, vessel %PV is more accurate than conventional stenosis assessment for detecting flow-limiting lesions. In low calcium score, vessel %PV is more useful for diagnosis of ischemic heart disease compared with conventional quantitative measures.

Effects of Long-Acting Loop Diuretics in Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction Patients With Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy.

There have been no reports evaluating the impact of long-acting loop diuretics (LLD) on the outcome of heart failure (HF) and arrhythmia treatment in HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients implanted with a cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device.This was a prospective, single-blind, randomized crossover study. We allocated 21 consecutive CRT implanted patients into 2 groups. The furosemide group received furosemide as a first treatment and azosemide as a second treatment. The azosemide group received this treatment in the reverse order. The first treatment was given to each group for 6 months and the second treatment continued for an additional 6 months. We combined the data of each medication regimen in each group and analyzed it at baseline, 6 months, and 1 year. The primary endpoints were the variation of fluid index and thoracic impedance measured by CRT at 6 months.The baseline characteristics were similar for both groups. The difference in the primary endpoints was not statistically significant between the 2 medication arms (fluid index: -29.6 ± 64.4 versus 16.2 ± 48.2; P = 0.22, thoracic impedance: -0.49 ± 17.8 versus 2.45 ± 12.5; P = 0.56). Likewise, the clinical outcome of HF and the CRT derived parameters in both arms were comparable.HFrEF patients taking LLD after CRT implantation might be comparable to those taking short-acting loop diuretics in the treatment of HF and HF-associated arrhythmias.

Predictors of cardiac benefits of renal artery stenting from a multicentre retrospective registry.

OBJECTIVES: There have been limited data regarding the prediction of cardiac benefits after renal artery stenting for patients with atherosclerotic renal artery disease (ARAD). The aim of this multicentre retrospective study was to identify clinical or echocardiographic factors associated with improvements of cardiac symptoms after renal artery stenting. METHODS: We enrolled 58 patients with de novo ARAD undergoing successful renal artery stenting for heart failure, angina or both between January 2000 and August 2015 at 13 hospitals. RESULTS: Improvement of cardiac symptoms was observed in 86.2% of patients during a mean follow-up of 6.0±2.7 months. Responders demonstrated significantly lower New York Heart Association functional class, higher estimated glomerular filtration rate, lower serum creatinine and lower interventricular septal wall thickness (IVS), lower left ventricular mass index, lower left atrial dimension and lower E-velocity than non-responders. Backward stepwise multivariate analysis identified IVS as an independent predictor of improvement of cardiac symptoms (OR 0.451, 95% CI 0.209 to 0.976; p=0.043). According to receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, an IVS cut-off of 11.9 mm provided the best predictive value, with sensitivity of 71.4%, specificity of 75.5% and accuracy of 73.5%. The positive predictive value was 74.5% and the negative predictive value was 72.5%. CONCLUSIONS: This multicentre retrospective study shows that the echocardiographic index of IVS is an independent predictor for improvement of cardiac symptoms after renal artery stenting.

Correlation of Pre- and In-Hospital Systolic Blood Pressure in Acute Heart Failure Patients and the Prognostic Implications　- Report From the Tokyo Cardiac Care Unit Network Emergency Medical Service Database.

BACKGROUND: Systolic blood pressure (SBP) is an important prognostic indicator for patients with acute heart failure (AHF). However, its changes and the effects in the different phases of the acute management process are not well known.Methods and Results:The Tokyo CCU Network prospectively collects on-site information about AHF from emergency medical services (EMS) and the emergency room (ER). The association between in-hospital death and SBP at 2 different time points (on-site SBP [measured by EMS] and in-hospital SBP [measured at the ER; ER-SBP]) was analyzed. From 2010 to 2012, a total of 5,669 patients were registered and stratified into groups according to both their on-site SBP and ER-SBP: >160 mmHg; 100-160 mmHg; and <100 mmHg. In-hospital mortality rates increased when both on-site SBP and ER-SBP were low. After multivariate adjustment, both SBPs were inversely associated with in-hospital death. Notably, the risk for patients with ER-SBP of 100-160 mmHg (intermediate risk) differed according to their on-site SBP; those with on-site SBP <100 or 100-160 mmHg were at higher risk (OR, 7.39; 95% CI, 4.00-13.6 and OR, 2.73; 95% CI, 1.83-4.08, respectively [P<0.001 for both]) than patients with on-site SBP >160 mmHg. CONCLUSIONS: Monitoring changes in SBP assisted risk stratification of AHF patients, particularly patients with intermediate ER-SBP measurements. (Circ J 2016; 80: 2473-2481).

Effects of ß-blockers on left ventricular remodeling in patients with preserved ejection fraction after acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: The effects of ß-blockers on left ventricular (LV) remodeling have been established in patients with reduced ejection fraction (EF) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In AMI patients with preserved EF, additional effects of ß-blockers on reperfusion therapy and current medical treatment have not been elucidated. METHODS: Patients with preserved EF (≥40%), who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for AMI and obtained complete coronary revascularization were enrolled retrospectively. These were divided into groups treated with or without ß-blockers at discharge. Echocardiography was performed on admission and 8months after PCI to observe LVEF, LV end diastolic volume index (LVEDVI), LV end systolic volume index (LVESVI), LV end diastolic diameter (LVDd), and LV end systolic diameter (LVDs). RESULTS: A total of 114 patients were enrolled; 81 were treated with ß-blockers (ß-blocker group) and 33 were treated without ß-blockers (non-ß-blocker group). All patients were prescribed antiplatelets and 96% took either an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin II receptor blocker. At follow-up, EF improved in both groups (2.6% in the ß-blocker group and 4.6% in the non-ß-blocker group). In the ß-blocker group, neither LVEDVI nor LVESVI decreased. However, both LVEDVI (-4.3ml/m(2)) and LVESVI (-4.1ml/m(2)) improved in the non-ß-blocker group. There were significant increases in LVDd (2.1mm) and LVDs (2.2mm) in the ß-blocker group, whereas these parameters did not significantly change in the non-ß-blocker group. CONCLUSIONS: Effects of ß-blockers on LV remodeling were uncertain in AMI patients with preserved EF, who obtained complete coronary revascularization and received optimal medical treatment.