Aims
The aim of the present paper was to provide an up‐to‐date view on epidemiology and risk factors of heart failure (HF) development after myocardial infarction.
Methods and results
Based on ...literature review, several clinical risk factors and biochemical, genetic, and imaging biomarkers were identified to predict the risk of HF development after myocardial infarction.
Conclusions
Heart failure is still a frequent complication of myocardial infarction. Timely identification of subjects at risk for HF development using a multimodality approach, and early initiation of guideline‐directed HF therapy in these patients, can decrease the HF burden.
Abstract
The role of metformin (MET) in the treatment of patients with advanced HFrEF and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is not firmly established. We studied the impact of MET on metabolic profile, ...quality of life (QoL) and survival in these patients. A total of 847 stable patients with advanced HFrEF (57.4 ± 11.3 years, 67.7% NYHA III/IV, LVEF 23.6 ± 5.8%) underwent clinical and laboratory evaluation and were prospectively followed for a median of 1126 (IQRs 410; 1781) days for occurrence of death, urgent heart transplantation or mechanical circulatory support implantation. A subgroup of 380 patients (44.9%) had DM, 87 of DM patients (22.9%) were treated with MET. Despite worse insulin sensitivity and more severe DM (higher BMI, HbA1c, worse insulin resistance), MET-treated patients exhibited more stable HF marked by lower BNP level (400 vs. 642 ng/l), better LV and RV function, lower mitral and tricuspid regurgitation severity, were using smaller doses of diuretics (all p < 0.05). Further, they had higher eGFR (69.23 vs. 63.34 ml/min/1.73 m
2
) and better QoL (MLHFQ: 36 vs. 48 points, p = 0.002). Compared to diabetics treated with other glucose-lowering agents, MET-treated patients had better event-free survival even after adjustment for BNP, BMI and eGFR (p = 0.035). Propensity score-matched analysis with 17 covariates yielded 81 pairs of patients and showed a significantly better survival for MET-treated subgroup (p = 0.01). MET treatment in patients with advanced HFrEF and DM is associated with improved outcome by mechanisms beyond the improvement of blood glucose control.
Compared with Western Europe, the decline in cardiovascular (CV) mortality has been delayed in former communist countries in Europe, including the Czech Republic. We have assessed longitudinal trends ...in major CV risk factors in the Czech Republic from 1985 to 2016/17, covering the transition from the totalitarian regime to democracy.
There were 7 independent cross-sectional surveys for major CV risk factors conducted in the Czech Republic in the same 6 country districts within the WHO MONICA Project (1985, 1988, 1992) and the Czech post-MONICA study (1997/98, 2000/01, 2007/08 and 2016/2017), including a total of 7,606 males and 8,050 females. The population samples were randomly selected (1%, aged 25-64 years).
Over the period of 31/32 years, there was a significant decrease in the prevalence of smoking in males (from 45.0% to 23.9%; p < 0.001) and no change in females. BMI increased only in males. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly in both genders, while the prevalence of hypertension declined only in females. Awareness of hypertension, the proportion of individuals treated by antihypertensive drugs and consequently hypertension control improved in both genders. A substantial decrease in total cholesterol was seen in both sexes (males: from 6.21 ± 1.29 to 5.30 ± 1.05 mmol/L; p < 0.001; females: from 6.18 ± 1.26 to 5.31 ± 1.00 mmol/L; p < 0.001).
The significant improvement in most CV risk factors between 1985 and 2016/17 substantially contributed to the remarkable decrease in CV mortality in the Czech Republic.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography allow the characterization of arterial state and function with high confidence and thus play a key role in the understanding of arterial aging and ...its translation into the clinic. Decades of research into the development of innovative imaging sequences and image analysis techniques have led to the identification of a large number of potential biomarkers, some bringing improvement in basic science, others in clinical practice. Nonetheless, the complexity of some of these biomarkers and the image analysis techniques required for their computation hamper their widespread use. In this narrative review, current biomarkers related to aging of the aorta, their founding principles, the sequence, and postprocessing required, and their predictive values for cardiovascular events are summarized. For each biomarker a summary of reference values and reproducibility studies and limitations is provided. The present review, developed in the COST Action VascAgeNet, aims to guide clinicians and technical researchers in the critical understanding of the possibilities offered by these advanced imaging modalities for studying the state and function of the aorta, and their possible clinically relevant relationships with aging.
OBJECTIVES:Cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), a parameter of arterial stiffness, has been increasingly used for cardiovascular risk estimation. Currently used CAVI reference values are derived from ...the Japanese population. It is not clear whether the same reference values can be used in the white population. The aim of the present study was to describe cardiovascular risk factors influencing CAVI and to establish CAVI reference values.
METHODS:A total of 2160 individuals randomly selected from the Brno city population aged 25–65 years were examined. Of these, 1347 patients were free from cardiovascular disease, nondiabetic and untreated by antihypertensive or lipid-lowering drugs, forming the reference value population. CAVI was measured using the VaSera VS-1000 device (Fukuda Denshi, Tokyo, Japan).
RESULTS:At each blood pressure (BP) level, there was a quadratic association between CAVI and age, except for a linear association in the optimal BP group. Although there was no association between BP and CAVI in younger patients, there was a linear association between CAVI and BP after 40 years of age. Reference values by age and sex were established. In each age group, except for the male 60–65-year group, reference values in our population were lower than in the Japanese one with the difference ranging from −0.29 to 0.21 for men, and from −0.38 to −0.03 for women.
CONCLUSION:This is the first study providing CAVI reference values in a random sample of the white population. Our results suggest that the currently used values slightly overestimate CAVI in younger white, possibly underestimating cardiovascular risk.
Molecular signatures have recently been identified in operationally tolerant long-term kidney transplant patients; however, their expression in patients on immunosuppression remains unclear.
In this ...prospective study, the gene expression profiles of eight selected tolerance-associated genes (MS4A1, CD79B, TCL1A, TMEM176B, FOXP3, TOAG-1, MAN1A1, and TLR5) in the peripheral blood of 67 kidney transplant recipients at days 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 60, 90, and at 6 and 12 months, and in graft biopsies were measured. Similarly, using flow cytometry, CD45CD19CD3 B-cell counts were evaluated in the follow-up. Expression patterns were compared among patients with biopsy-proven acute rejection, borderline changes, and in rejection-free patients. A generalized linear mixed model with gamma distribution for repeated measures adjusted for induction therapy was used for statistical analysis of longitudinal data and Kruskal-Wallis test for case biopsy data.
Compared to patients with rejection, a significantly higher number of peripheral B cells were observed during follow-up in rejection-free patients and in patients with borderline changes. Gene expression patterns of MS4A1 (CD20), TCL1A, CD79B, TOAG-1, and FOXP3 genes were significantly higher in rejection-free patients as compared to rejection group with the highest differences during the first 3 months. In contrast, TMEM176B (TORID) was up-regulated in the rejection group. Similar trends were also observed between patients with borderline changes and acute rejection. Higher intragraft expression of TOAG-1 was observed in rejection-free patients.
These observations suggest an association of B-cell signatures, seen also in drug-free tolerant patients, with controlled alloimmune response.
Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-23 with clinical and laboratory findings, the prognostic value of FGF-23, and the ...relationship between angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) therapy, FGF-23 levels, and outcomes in patients with chronic systolic heart failure (HF). Background FGF-23 is a bone-derived hormone regulating mineral metabolism. Higher FGF-23 levels are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality or HF development. Mechanisms leading to increased FGF-23 and its prognostic value have not been thoroughly studied in HF. Methods FGF-23 was measured in 369 patients (mean age 59 ± 11 years, 84% male) with systolic HF. Patients were followed for adverse events (e.g., death, urgent heart transplantation, ventricular assist device implantation). Results Tricuspid regurgitation severity, chronic kidney disease (CKD), alkaline phosphatase concentrations, inferior vena cava dilation, and absence of ACEi therapy were independently associated with FGF-23. FGF-23 was independently associated with outcomes in patients without CKD (hazard ratio HR: 1.43, 95% confidence interval CI: 1.14 to 1.78), but not in CKD patients (HR: 1.12, 95% CI: 0.87 to 1.45). In patients without CKD and with FGF-23 in the highest tertile, ACEi therapy was associated with a lower risk of adverse events (HR: 0.42, 95% CI: 0.21 to 0.81), whereas no association was seen in the remaining patients (HR: 1.18, 95% CI: 0.52 to 2.70). Conclusions In systolic HF, elevated FGF-23 is an independent predictor of adverse events, particularly in patients with preserved renal function. The association of FGF-23 with adverse events likely reflects early alterations of renal hemodynamics and renin-angiotensin system activation. Increased FGF-23 may identify a subset of HF patients benefiting from ACEi therapy.
Abstract Objective The aim of our study was to assess longitudinal trends in major CV risk factors in a representative population sample of the Czech Republic. Methods Three cross-sectional surveys ...of CV risk factors were conducted within the WHO MONICA project in six Czech districts in 1985 ( n = 2570), 1988 ( n = 2768), and 1992 ( n = 2343). In 1997/98, 2000/01, and 2007/08, another three screenings for CV risk factors (a 1% random sample, aged 25–64, mean age 45 years) were conducted in the six original districts ( n = 1990; 2055; and 2246, respectively). Results Over a period of 22/23 years, there was a significant decrease in the prevalence of smoking in males (from 45.0 to 30.5%; p < 0.001) and no change in smoking habits in females. BMI increased in males and did not change in females. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly in both genders, while the prevalence of hypertension declined only in females. Awareness of hypertension also rose as did the proportion of individuals treated by antihypertensive drugs in both genders. Hypertension control improved in either gender. A remarkable drop in total cholesterol was seen in both sexes (males: from 6.21 ± 1.29 to 5.29 ± 1.10 mmol/L; p < 0.001; females: from 6.18 ± 1.26 to 5.30 ± 1.06 mmol/L; p < 0.001). Conclusions The striking improvement in CV risk factors documented between 1985 and 2007/8 most likely contributed to the decrease in CV mortality in the Czech Republic.
Background
Right ventricular (RV) function is currently being evaluated solely according to the properties of RV myocardium. We have tested a concept that in patients with heart failure with reduced ...ejection fraction (HFrEF), RV assessment should integrate the information about both RV function as well as size.
Methods
A total of 836 stable patients with HFrEF (LVEF 23.6 ± 5.8%, 82.8% males, 68% NYHA III/IV) underwent echocardiographic evaluation and were prospectively followed for a median of 3.07 (IQRs 1.11; 4.89) years for the occurrence of death, urgent heart transplantation or implantation of mechanical circulatory support.
Results
RV size (measured as RV-basal diameter, RVD
1
) was significantly associated with an adverse outcome independent of RV dysfunction grade (
p
= 0.0002). The prognostic power of RVD
1
was further improved by indexing to body surface area (RVD
1
i,
p
< 0.05 compared to non-indexed value). A novel parameter named RV global dysfunction score (RVGDs) was calculated as a product of RVD
1
i and the degree of RV dysfunction (1–4 for preserved RV function, mild, moderate and severe dysfunction, respectively). RVGDs showed a superior prognostic role compared to RV dysfunction grade alone (ΔAUC >0.03,
p
< 0.0001). In every subgroup of RVGDs (<20, 20–40, 40–60, >60), patients with milder degree of RV dysfunction but more dilated RV had similar outcome as those with more severe degree of RV dysfunction but smaller RV size (all
p
> 0.50), independent of tricuspid regurgitation severity and degree of pulmonary hypertension.
Conclusion
RV dilatation is a manifestation of RV dysfunction. The evaluation of RV performance should integrate the information about both RV size and function.
While determinants of aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV) are well known, much less is known about factors affecting lower-extremity pulse wave velocity (lePWV). Unlike aPWV, increased lePWV does not ...predict cardiovascular risk, but limits lower-extremity blood flow and is associated with increased left ventricular mass. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of cardiovascular risk factors on aPWV and lePWV. A total of 911 individuals from the Czech post-MONICA study (a randomly selected 1% representative population sample, mean age 54±13.5 years, 47% men) were examined. Pulse wave velocity was measured using the SphygmoCor device. Aging had a large effect on aPWV, but only a small effect on lePWV. After adjustment for covariates, we observed that hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease and dyslipidemia were positively and significantly associated with aPWV. However, only hypertension had a significant effect on lePWV. Increased ankle systolic blood pressure was associated with increased aPWV independently of brachial blood pressure. Ankle systolic blood pressure was more closely related to aPWV than lePWV. Subjects with an ankle-brachial index <1.0 had higher aPWV and lower lePWV compared with individuals with a normal ankle-brachial index. Lower-extremity arterial stiffness is affected by age and cardiovascular risk factors to a lesser extent than aortic stiffness. Increased ankle systolic blood pressure is linked not only to increased lower-extremity arterial stiffness, but also increased aortic stiffness. In subjects with a low ankle-brachial index, lower-extremity arterial stiffness is spuriously decreased.
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