Hospitalization is an opportunity to optimize heart failure (HF) therapy. As optimal treatment for hospitalized HF patients in sinus rhythm with heart rate≥70bpm is unclear, we investigated the ...impact of combined beta-blocker (BB) and ivabradine versus BBs alone on short and longer term mortality and rehospitalization.
A retrospective analysis was performed on 370 hospitalized HF patients with heart rate≥70bpm (150 BB+ivabradine, 220 BB alone) in the Optimize Heart Failure Care Program in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan, from October 2015 to April 2016.
At 1month, 3months, 6months and 12months, there were fewer deaths, HF hospitalizations and overall hospitalizations in patients on BB+ivabradine vs BBs alone. At 12months, all-cause mortality or HF hospitalization was significantly lower with BB+ivabradine than BBs (adjusted hazard ratio HR 0.45 (95% confidence interval CI 0.32–0.64, P<0.0001). Significantly greater improvement was seen in quality of life (QOL) from admission to 12months with BB+ivabradine vs BBs alone (P=0.0001). With BB+ivabradine, significantly more patients achieved ≥50% target doses of BBs at 12months than on admission (82.0% vs 66.6%, P=0.0001), but the effect was non-significant with BBs alone.
Heart rate lowering therapy with BB+ivabradine started in hospitalized HF patients (heart rate≥70bpm) is associated with reduced overall mortality and re-hospitalization over the subsequent 12months. A prospective randomized trial is needed to confirm the advantages of this strategy.
•Hospitalized heart failure patients with heart rate≥70 bpm have a higher mortality risk.•In those patients beta blockers (BB) + ivabradine reduced 12-month mortality/rehospitalization vs BB alone.•A large clinical trial is needed to confirm the advantages of this strategy
Objective: To assess the effect of atherosclerosis of the arteries of the lower extremities on the parameters of arterial stiffness in patients with arterial hypertension. Design and method: 120 ...patients with hypertension: group 1- patients with hypertension and manifested atherosclerosis of the lower limb arteries (AANC), group 2 - with hypertension and asymptomatic AANC, group 3 - with hypertension without AANC. The aortic augmentation index (AIXao), aortic pulse wave velocity (PWVao), the duration of the ejection period (ED) of the left ventricle (LV) and the efficiency index of subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR) were determined. Statistica 12.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results: The values of AIXao (%) in patients of the 1st group (38 29; 45 %) were significantly higher than those in patients of the 2nd (30 23;38, p < 0.017) and the 3rd (30 21;32, p < 0.017) groups, while the indices in the patients of the 2nd and 3rd groups did not differ statistically significantly. In patients of the 1st group higher values of PWVao (11 10.3;11.9) were also recorded in comparison with the third group (10.3 9,6;11.3, p = 0.03). There were no statistically significant differences between the PWVao values in patients of the 1st and 2nd (11 10.3;11.9 and 10.4 9.4;11.4, p> 0.05) groups, and also in patients of groups 2 and 3 (p > 0.05). Higher ED values were also determined in patients of group 1 compared with others group. No differences were found when comparing the SEVR (%) in patients of the 2nd and 3rd groups, at the same time, in the patients of the 1st group, the SEVR values were significantly lower as compared with the 2nd group (113 92;134 and 121 110;134, p = 0.03), and with the 3rd group (128106;138, p < 0.017). Conclusions: In patients with hypertension, the development of asymptomatic AANC did not have a significant effect on the parameters of arterial stiffness, together with the presence of concomitant clinically manifested AANC led to an increase in the rigidity of the vascular wall, which indicates a higher risk of cardiovascular complications.
Objective:
to assess the diagnostic significance of atrial and brain natriuretic peptides for the detection of chronic heart failure in comorbid patients with atrial fibrillation and chronic ...obstructive pulmonary disease.
Materials and methods:
120 patients depending on the presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic heart failure (CHF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) were divided into the following groups: I group (n=28) — patients with COPD without cardiovascular disease (CVD), II group — patients with CHF and COPD without AF (n=30), III group — patients with CHF and AF without COPD (n=33), IV group — patients with CHF, AF and COPD (n=29). Th e concentration of precursors of brain and atrial natriuretic peptides (NUP) (NT-proBNP and MR-proANP) was evaluated.
Results:
The level of NT-proBNP exceeded the reference values in all patients with CHF (I, II, III groups). In patients with CHF, AF and COPD the highest values of NT-proBNP concentrations were obtained, which were 2.2 times higher in the group of patients with CHF and COPD without AF (p=0.000) and 1.9 times higher in patients with CHF and AF without COPD (p=0.01). Comparative analysis of the MR-proANP level allowed to judge a higher concentration of this indicator in patients with CHF and COPD without COPD in comparison with the level of the marker in the groups of patients with CHF, AF and COPD (p=0.001), CHF and COPD without AF (p=0.000) and COPD without CVD (p=0.000).
Conclusions:
in patients with AF and COPD, the study of brain NUP NT-proBNP in connection with structural and functional changes of the right ventricle, against the background of existing cardiac arrhythmias and pulmonary pathology is preferable to determine the presence and severity of CHF. The elevated level of MR-proANP is of diagnostic value in patients with AF and CHF without COPD, due to the increased volume load on the Atria due to the presence of AF.
•A multicenter prospective observational study was performed to estimate orthostatic blood pressure responses in hospitalized and ambulatory patients with heart failure (HF) by using standardized ...methodology.•Independent of study settings, 11%–22% of patients with HF experienced classic orthostatic hypotension, and 3%–8% experienced orthostatic hypertension.•Patients with HF report variable symptoms during an active standing test; they occur predominantly during the first minute of standing and have a U-shaped association with postural changes in blood pressure.•Up to 50% of cases with an abnormal orthostatic blood pressure response are asymptomatic.•Orthostatic hypotension in ambulatory patients with HF is associated with a higher risk of death or hospitalization due to HF.
We conducted a multicenter, prospective, observational study to describe the incidence of orthostatic hypotension (OH) and orthostatic hypertension (OHtn) and its association with symptoms at standing and outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF).
321 active standing tests were performed in 87 inpatients during admission, and 316 tests were performed in 208 outpatients during follow-up. Blood pressure (BP) was measured by an automatic device 4 times in the supine position and at 1, 3 and 5 minutes of standing. Patients were queried about symptoms of orthostatic intolerance. The incidence of OH and OHtn was similar in both groups at baseline (classical OH 11%–22%, OHtn 3%–8%, depending on definition and timing). Reproducibility of BP changes with standing was low. Up to 50% of cases with abnormal responses were asymptomatic. Symptoms were variable and occurred mainly during the first minute of standing and had a U-shaped association with BP changes. OH in outpatients with HF was associated with a higher risks of death or readmission due to HF.
Patients with HF have variable hemodynamic responses and symptoms during repeated active standing tests. OH might identify outpatients with HF who are at risk of long-term negative outcomes.
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Background: Thyroid dysfunction exerts a pronounced effect on the cardiovascular system, and, if comorbid with an existing cardiovascular disorder, may lead to a significant deterioration in the ...outcome, thus obviating the need for timely diagnosis and therapy optimization.Aim: To evaluate the effect of combination therapy, including thyrostatics, on the clinical symptoms of chronic heart failure (CHF), heart rate variability, NT-proBNP concentration, and structural and functional parameters of the left heart in patients with comorbid coronary artery disease (CAD) and thyrotoxicosis.Materials and methods: This open-label comparative study included 77 patients aged 45–65 years. The study group consisted of 36 patients with thyrotoxicosis, CAD and CHF II–III functional class, whereas the comparison group consisted of 41 patients with thyrotoxicosis without cardiovascular diseases. The patients were assessed clinically at baseline and after 6 months of therapy with addition of a thyrostatic, with tolerance to physical activity, measurements of NT-proBNP levels, 24-hour Holter monitoring, and echocardiography.Results: At 6 months of the combination therapy including a thyrostatic, with stable drug-induced euthyroidism, the patients in the group 1 showed an increase in the distance of a 6-minute walking test (p<0.001) and a decrease in CHF clinical symptoms. The incidence of heart rhythm disorders decreased (supraventricular extra systoles from 31% to 16%, ventricular extra systoles from 21% to 4%, atrial fibrillation from 32% to 23%; p<0.05), with a positive trend for spectral and temporal parameters of heart rate variability. The NT-proBNP level in patients with CAD, CHF and thyrotoxicosis decreased by 42.9% (p=0.001). During euthyrosis, echocardiography in the patients with ischemic CHF and concomitant thyrotoxicosis showed a significant increase in stroke volume (p=0.03), stroke ejection index (p=0.04), left ventricular ejection fraction (p=0.01), a decrease in the value of myocardial stress (p=0.02), and transmitral blood flow parameters (E/A, p<0.05). This indicates an improvement in systolic and diastolic left ventricular function after normalization of thyroid function.Conclusion: The inclusion of thyreostatics to the combination therapy and the achievement of euthyrosis have contributed to increased tolerance to physical activity, reduction of sympathetic activity level of the autonomic nervous system and frequency of heart rhythm disorders, reduced the NT-proBNP levels, improved systolic and diastolic left ventricular function in patients with ischemic CHF and concomitant thyrotoxicosis
Aims. To study influence of combined treatment with human insulin analogues (insulin aspart and insulin detemir) on glycemic control,insulin resistance and development of ischaemic heart disease ...(IHD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and frequenthypoglycemic events in comparison with that of human insulins (soluble and isophane). Materials and methods. 54 patients (mean age 61.2?0.7) with T2DM and IHD participated in this study. All included patients experiencedfrequent mild and moderate hypoglycemic events (3+ episodes per week). We analyzed frequency and severity of hypoglycemia,parameters of glycemic and lipid metabolism, number of ischaemic episodes per day, duration and depth of ST depression, circadianindex, incidence of different types of arrhythmia and conduction abnormalities as measured by Holter ECG monitoring.All patients were subdivided into two groups by random sampling: 21 patient (first group) carried on with human soluble insulin andisophane in an optimized basal-bolus regimen. In 33 patients, comprising second group, treatment was changed for combination ofinsulin aspart (NovoRapid?, Novo Nordisk, Denmark) and insulin detemir (Levemir?, Novo Nordisk, Denmark). Follow-up periodwas set to 6 months. Results. In patients with frequent hypoglycemic experience different types of arrhythmia and heart conduction abnormalities wereobserved in 75.9% of cases. Most patients had complex types of arrhythmic disorders (70.4%) with ventricular extrasystole being themost common one. Signs of myocardial ischaemia were registered in 48.1% of patients.After 6 months of follow-up patients from the second group demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in fasting and postprandiallevels of glycemia (p=0.000001). Both groups also had a significantly lower rate of hypoglycemic events. Moreover, in the second groupall episodes of hypoglycemia were mild and occurred only in 36.4% of cases. Additionally, after 6 months of treatment with humaninsulin analogues ventricular extrasystoles were registered only in 24.2% of patients, while rate and duration of ischaemic episodesdropped to 4.25?1.51 (p=0.012, comparing with first group). Conclusion. Treatment with human insulin analogues NovoRapid? and Levemir? is associated with 1.6% decrease in HbA1c levels.Mild hypoglycemia was 72.2% less frequent, as compared with rates in the group on human soluble and isophane insulin, while moderateand severe hypoglycemic events were not observed at all. In turn, decrease in frequency and severity of hypoglycemia was associatedwith substantial improvement in cardiovascular status due to lower number and duration of ischaemic episodes (including painlessvariant) and lower frequency of heart rhythm disorders.
Aim
. To assess the influence of addition of nicorandil on long-term cardiovascular complications in patients with chronic coronary artery disease (CAD) in the framework of a prospective ...observational study.
Material and methods
. Prospective observational multicenter NIKEA study included 590 patients with stable CAD. All patients were recommended to add nicorandil to their baseline therapy. After 21 months, 547 telephone contacts were made, the life status of 524 people was specified, 23 patients were lost to follow-up. The following complications were registered: death from any cause; non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI); non-fatal stroke; urgent myocardial revascularization; hospitalization due to deterioration of CAD, chronic heart failure (CHF) or atrial fibrillation (AF). In 479 patients, a telephone survey was performed to identify adherence (persistence) to nicorandil– i.e. to verify the continuing the treatment for the prescribed duration.
Results
. During the follow-up period, 15 deaths were recorded, the causes of which were as follows: 3 CAD (2 MI, 1 left ventricular aneurysm), 1 pulmonary embolism, 2 CHF; 1 stroke, 1 oncology, 1 bilateral pneumonia. In the remaining 6 cases, the causes of death were not known. Cardiovascular (CV) complications were MI (8 cases in 7 patients, 1 patient had 2 MI in the follow-up period, 3 patients from this group died), stroke in 6 patients (7 cases, 1 patient had 2 strokes, 1 patient died). Urgent percutaneous coronary intervention was performed in 3 patients (in 2 patients due to acute MI, in 1 patient due to unstable angina). During the observation period, 21 people were urgently hospitalized due to deterioration of clinical condition. According to the results of a medical survey, by the end of the follow-up period, 237 people were not adherent to prescribed nicorandil, and 242 patients took the recommended medication (adherent patients). The main cardiovascular complications and death from any cause (р<0.001) as well as the number of urgent hospitalizations (р=0.017) were significantly more common in non-adherent to nicorandil patients in comparison with adherent patients.
Conclusion
. The overall rate of CAD complications in NIKEA study was typical for patients with stable CAD receiving contemporary medical therapy. Addition of nicorandil significantly reduced the rate of CV complications in adherent patients in comparison with non-adherent patients.
Aim.
To assess quality of life (QoL) and its dynamics during nicorandil treatment in patients with stable ischemic heart disease, to study the relationship of treatment adherence and QoL indicators ...when treated with nicorandil.
Material and methods
. Observational program NIKEA included 590 patients with angina pectoris. Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) was used to assess QoL. Patients completed SAQ at the visit of inclusion (V0) and at the visit after 3 months of observation (V3). Potential and actual adherence to therapy was assessed by medical interviews at visits V0, V1 (1 month of observation) and V3. During the visit V0 417 people (from 590 ones enrolled into the study) completed SAQ (71% response); after 3 months (V3) SAQ was filled in by 454 of 552 people who came to this visit (82% response). According to the results of medical interviews, potential adherence (visit V0) was determined in all 590 patients, actual adherence to nicorandil (visits V1 and V3) was assessed in 552 patients who came to these visits. In accordance with the degree of adherence, all patients were divided into 3 groups: (1) adherent to treatment (taking nicorandil for the first three months), (2) non-adherent (who refused to take nicorandil), and (3) partially non-adherent (who started nicorandil, but for various reasons stopped taking the drug).
Results
. In all patients, regardless of their adherence to the recommended drug, there was an increase in QoL according to all five scales of the SAQ after 3 months of follow-up. Statistically significant positive dynamics of all SAQ indicators was found only in adherent patients (p<0.0001 for all aspects). Patients, who showed good adherence to nicorandil at V1, had more severe angina at the beginning of treatment (according to “Angina Stability” and “Angina Frequency” indicators). These patients also had lower QoL “Disease Perception” score and more confidence in the doctor (“Treatment Satisfaction” score) than non-adherent patients (p<0.05). In non-adherent patients a mild degree of angina was determined 2 times more often according to “Angina Frequency” indicator (p=0.03).
Conclusion
. The results of the study confirm the interrelation and mutual influence of the QoL indicators and treatment adherence to nicorandil. Effective treatment with nicorandil in patients with lower health-related QoL indicators could increase treatment adherence. On the other hand, the mild degree of angina, the low level of confidence in the treating doctor, the side effects of the new drug reduce medication adherence of patients, which, as a result, negatively affects the QoL of these patients
Working Group of the NIKEA Program. Ekaterinburg: Akulina E.N.; Izhevsk: Shinkareva S. E., Grebnev S.A.; Krasnodar: Kudryashov E.A., Fendrikova A.V.; Krasnoyarsk: Nemik D.B., Pitaev R.R., Altaev ...V.D., Samokhvalov E.V., Stolbikov Y.Y.; Moscow: Dmitrieva N.A., Zagrebelnyy A.D., Zakharova A.V., Balashov I.S., Leonov A.S., Sladkova T.A., Zelenova T.I., Shestakova G.N., Kolganova E.V., Maksimova M.A.; Novosibirsk: Moskalenko I.V., Shurkevich A.A.; Omsk: Loginova E.N., Gudilin V.A.; Orel: Zhuravleva L.L., Lobanova G.N., Luneva M.M.; Orenburg: Kondratenko V.Y.; Rostov-on-Don: Kalacheva N.M., Kolomatskaia O.E., Dubishcheva N.F., Romadina G.V., Chugunova I.B., Skarzhinskaia N.S.; Ryazan: Bulanov A.V., Trofimova Y.M., Nikolaeva A.S.; St. Petersburg: Savinova E.B., Ievskaia E.V., Vasileva L.B.; Tula: Zubareva L.A., Berberfish L.D., Gorina G.I., Nadezhkina K.N., Iunusova K.N., Nikitina V.F., Dabizha V.G., Renko I.E., Soin I.A.Aim. To study the adherence to treatment and the factors that affect it in patients with stable coronary heart disease during the treatment with nicorandil. Material and methods. The use of nicorandil in addition to standard antianginal therapy was recommended to patients (n=590) in a prospective, observational, multicenter NIKEA study. Patients completed original questionnaires on adherence, including a Morisky-Green test at the enroll visit. The questionnaires were filled by 423 patients (73% response). The factors that influence adherence were studied.Results. All patients were divided into 3 groups, depending on the adherence to the use of nicorandil: immediately refused to take the drug (n=150; group 1); started, but stopped taking nicorandil in the first 3 months of observation (n=75; group 2); who took nicorandil for 3 months (n=327; group 3). Potentially adherents (intention to treat) were 582 out of 590 (98.6%) patients, and actually adherents – only 327 of 552 (59.2%) patients. The main reason for non-adherence to the beginning of therapy is polypharmacy; to the continuation of the treatment that had just started – adverse events; for termination of long-term therapy – polypharmacy, adverse events and insufficient effectiveness of treatment. Group 3 had initially more severe angina pectoris: more number of angina attacks (p=0.014) and the need of short-acting nitrates (p<0.0001). Patients of the group 1 compared to the patients of group 3 did not visit the doctors more often or attended them only when necessary, violated the medical prescriptions for taking medications (p<0.05). According to the results of the Morisky-Green test, 150 patients (36.2%) were not are committed to medical recommendations, 264 (63.8%) – are committed. Women were more adherent than men (p=0.47); patients with class I angina were more adherent than patients with class III angina (p=0.027), and patients who regularly attended the treating physician (more often than once a month) were more committed to medical recommendations than patients, not visiting the treating physician (p=0.004).Сonclusion. The levels of overall adherence according to Morisky-Green test, the potential adherence according to the survey and the actual adherence of patients to treatment vary considerably. The leading cause of non-adherence at the beginning of therapy is polypharmacy, for the continuation of the recently started treatment – the adverse events; for long-term sustained treatment – equally polypharmacy, drug adverse events and the lack of treatment efficacy.
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