Angiotensin-converting Enzyme Inhibitors Or Angiotensin Receptor Blockers Research Articles

Use of secondary prevention medications in metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas: an analysis of 41 925 myocardial infarctions in Australia.

People in remote areas may have more difficulty accessing healthcare following myocardial infarction (MI) than people in metropolitan areas. We determined whether remoteness was associated with initial and 12-month use of secondary prevention medications following MI in Victoria, Australia. We included all people alive at least 90 days after discharge following MI between July 2012 and June 2017 in Victoria, Australia (n = 41 925). We investigated dispensing of P2Y12 inhibitors (P2Y12i), statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEIs/ARBs), and beta-blockers within 90 days after discharge. We estimated 12-month medication use using proportion of days covered (PDC). Remoteness was determined using the Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia (ARIA). Data were analysed using adjusted parametric regression models stratified by ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-STEMI (NSTEMI). There were 10 819 STEMI admissions and 31 106 NSTEMI admissions. Following adjustment across NSTEMI and STEMI, there were no medication classes dispensed in the 90-day post-discharge that differed in a clinically significant way from the least remote (ARIA = 0) to the most remote (ARIA = 4.8) areas. The largest difference for NSTEMI was ACEI/ARB, with 71% (95% confidence interval 70-72%) vs. 80% (76-83%). For STEMI, it was statins with 89% (88-90%) vs. 95% (91-97%). Predicted PDC for STEMI and NSTEMI was not clinically significant across remoteness, with the largest difference in NSTEMI being P2Y12i with 48% (47-50%) vs. 55% (51-59%), and in STEMI, it was ACEI/ARB with 68% (67-69%) vs. 76% (70-80%). Remoteness does not appear to be a clinically significant driver for medication use following MI. Possible differences in cardiovascular outcomes in metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas are not likely to be explained by access to secondary prevention medications.

Myocardial injury and related mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 during the Omicron pandemic: new perspectives and insights

Myocardial injury is one of the most common comorbidity in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients, and has poor prognosis. However, the incidence of myocardial injury in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection has not been sufficiently investigated during the Omicron wave. We conducted a retrospective study of 2690 patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infection from Tongji Hospital. The results indicated that the myocardial injury accounted for 30.8% of the total patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection and was associated with higher in-hospital mortality than those without injury before and after propensity score matching (PSM) [adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 10.61; 95% confidence interval (CI), 7.76–14.51; P ​< ​0.001; adjusted HR, 2.70; 95% CI, 1.86–3.93; P ​< ​0.001; respectively]. Further, the levels of cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α) in patients with myocardial injury were higher than those without injury, and the higher levels of cytokines in the myocardial injury group were associated with increased mortality. Administration of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEI/ARB) could significantly reduce the mortality in patients with myocardial injury (adjusted HR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.38–0.71; P ​< ​0.001). Additionally, the level of angiotensin II increased in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection was even higher in myocardial injury group compared to those without injury. Collectively, the study summarized the clinical characteristic and outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infected patients with myocardial injury during the Omicron wave in China, and validated the protective role of ACEI/ARB in improving the survival of those with myocardial injury.

The Association Between COVID-19 Mortality and ICU Admission Rates and Prior History of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor or Angiotensin Receptor Blocker Use Among Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients With Hypertension in Michigan.

Importance There are conflicting data regarding the safety of the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitoror angiotensin receptor blocker(ACEI/ARB) medications in hypertensive patients who are susceptible to COVID-19. Objective Our study assesses the association between COVID-19 severity and mortality and the use of ACEIs/ARBs among hospitalized patients with hypertension. Research design, setting, and participants This was a retrospective cohort study. Using the EPIC system of Beaumont Health, Dearborn, Michigan, we identified 5490 patients with COVID-19 who were admitted to the eight Beaumont hospitals. After excluding subjects who have no hypertension and those with missing data, we included 2129 COVID-19 patients who have hypertension. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze the association between history of ACEI/ARB use, intensive care unit (ICU) admission rate, and COVID-19 mortality. Exposure Exposure refers to the use of ACEIs/ARBs as documented in the medical recordsbefore admission to the hospitals. Main outcome The main outcome was 30-dayCOVID-19 mortality and ICU admission rates. Results There were 1281 subjects (60%) with prior ACEI/ARBuse and 848 subjects (40%) with no ACEI/ARBuse. There was no significant association between ICU admission and the use of ACEIs/ARBs (odds ratio {OR} = 0.95, 95% CI = {0.76, 1.19}, p-value = 0.6). Although the unadjusted logistic regression model demonstrated a statistically significant association between history of ACEI/ARB use and COVID-19 mortality (odds ratio = 1.31, 95% CI = {1.05, 1.66},p-value = 0.02), the adjusted logistic regression model failed to show this statistically significant association (odds ratio = 1.20, 95% CI = {0.93, 1.54}, p-value = 0.14). Moreover, we were not able to reveal a statistically significant association between 30-dayCOVID-19 survival and prior use of ACEI/ARBin the adjusted Cox proportional hazards model (hazard ratio {HR} = 1.11, 95% CI = {0.91, 1.40}, p-value = 0.14). Conclusion In this large retrospective study, we conclude that there was no statistically significant association between prior history of ACEI/ARBuse and COVID-19 ICU admission rates or mortality in hypertensive patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

Renin-angiotensin system antagonists and mortality due to pneumonia, influenza, and chronic lower respiratory disease in patients with hypertension.

BACKGROUNDIt is controversial whether angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEI/ARB) have a potentially beneficial role in the respiratory system. This study investigated the association between ACEI/ARB medications and respiratory-related mortality in hypertensive patients in a real-world nationally representative cohort.METHODSThis was a retrospective analysis based on a prospective cohort study. A total of 10,530 patients with hypertension aged ≥ 20 years were included. The data was extracted from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey during 1988–1994 and 1999–2006. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Boards. Moreover, inform concent was taken form all the participants.RESULTSOverall, 27.7% (n = 2920) patients took ACEI/ARB agents. During a median follow-up of 12.4 years, 278 individuals died of respiratory disease, including chronic lower respiratory disease (n = 155) and influenza or pneumonia (n = 123). Compared with the patients without ACEI/ARB use, those taking ACEI/ARB were not associated with respiratory-specific mortality in a multivariable-adjusted Cox model. After 1: 1 matching, taking ACEI/ARB was also not related to respiratory mortality (Hazard ratio (HR) = 1.07, 95% CI: 0.79–1.43), influenza- or pneumonia-related (HR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.65–1.54) and chronic pulmonary mortality (HR = 1.13, 95% CI: 0.75–1.69). After separating ACEI and ARB from anti-hypertensive medications, those associations remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONSWe discovered no significant link between ACEI or ARB medication and pulmonary-related mortality in hypertensive patients. In hypertensive patients, standard ACEI/ARB administration may have little effect on the respiratory system.

Efficacy and Safety of Dapagliflozin According to Background Use of Cardiovascular Medications in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

Dapagliflozin was shown to reduce the cardiovascular (CV) and kidney outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, data are limited on the relationship of the effect and safety with the concurrent use of CV medications in patients with type 2 diabetes. To assess whether the cardiorenal efficacy and safety of dapagliflozin were consistent with and without background use of CV medications commonly used for heart failure (HF) and kidney disease in patients with type 2 diabetes. This study is a prespecified secondary analysis of DECLARE-TIMI 58, which was a randomized trial of dapagliflozin vs placebo in 17 160 patients with type 2 diabetes and either atherosclerotic disease or multiple risk factors for CV disease. Patients were stratified by baseline use of the following CV medications: angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin-receptor blockers (ACEI/ARBs), β-blockers, diuretics, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs). The study was conducted from May 2013 to September 2018, and data were evaluated for this analysis from February 2021 to May 2022. Dapagliflozin or placebo. The outcomes of interest were the composite of CV death or hospitalization for HF (HHF), HHF alone, and a kidney-specific composite outcome (persistent ≥40% decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR], end-stage kidney disease, or kidney-related death). Among 17 160 patients, 13 950 (81%) used ACEI/ARBs, 9030 (53%) used β-blockers, 6205 (36%) used diuretics, and 762 (4%) used MRAs at baseline. Changes in blood pressure and eGFR at 48 months with dapagliflozin compared with placebo did not differ regardless of concurrent therapy (placebo-corrected change, -1.6 mm Hg [95% CI, -4.2 to 1.0] to -2.6 mm Hg [95% CI, -3.3 to -2.9]; P > .05 for each interaction). Dapagliflozin consistently reduced the risk of CV death/HHF, HHF alone, and the kidney-specific composite outcome regardless of background use of selected medications (hazard ratio [HR] range: HR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.39-0.63; to HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.72-0.95; P > .05 for each interaction). In patients receiving ACEI/ARBs + β-blockers + diuretics (n = 4243), dapagliflozin reduced the risk of CV death/HHF and of the kidney-specific outcome by 24% (HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.62-0.93) and 38% (HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44-0.87), respectively. There were no significant treatment interactions with the concomitant CV medications for adverse events of volume depletion, acute kidney injury, or hyperkalemia (range: HR, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.02-0.99; to HR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.83-1.32; P > .05 for each interaction). Dapagliflozin consistently reduced the risk of CV and kidney outcomes irrespective of background use of various CV medications without any treatment interaction for key safety events. These data show the clinical benefit and safety of dapagliflozin in a broad range of patients with type 2 diabetes regardless of background therapy. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01730534.

Clinical implications of left atrial changes after optimization of medical therapy in patients with heart failure.

Limited data exist regarding the prognostic relevance of changes in left atrial (LA) dimensions in patients with heart failure (HF). We assessed changes in LA dimension and their relation with outcomes after optimization of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) in patients with new-onset or worsening HF. Left atrial diameter was assessed at baseline and 9 months after GDMT optimization in 632 patients (mean age 65.8 ± 12.1 years, 22.3% female) enrolled in BIOSTAT-CHF. LA adverse remodelling (LAAR) was defined as an increase in LA diameter on transthoracic echocardiography between baseline and 9 months. After the 9-month visit, patients were followed for a median of 13 further months. LAAR was observed in 247 patients (39%). Larger baseline LA diameter (odds ratio [OR] 0.90; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.87-0.93; p < 0.001) and up-titration to higher doses of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEi/ARBs) (OR 0.56; 95% CI 0.34-0.92; p = 0.022) were independently associated with lower likelihood of LAAR. LAAR was associated with an increased risk of the composite of all-cause mortality or HF hospitalization (log-rank p = 0.007 and adjusted hazard ratio 1.73, 95% CI 1.22-2.45, p = 0.002). The association was more pronounced in patients without a history of atrial fibrillation (p for interaction = 0.009). Among patients enrolled in BIOSTAT-CHF, LAAR was associated with an unfavourable outcome and was prevented by ACEi/ARB up-titration. Changes in LA dimension may be a useful marker of response to treatment and improve risk stratification in patients with HF.

Capitated versus fee-for-service reimbursement and quality of care for chronic disease: a US cross-sectional analysis

BackgroundUpcoming alternative payment models Primary Care First (PCF) and Kidney Care Choices (KCC) incorporate capitated payments for chronic disease management. Prior research on the effect of capitated payments on chronic disease management has shown mixed results. We assessed the patient, physician, and practice characteristics of practices with capitation as the majority of revenue, and evaluated the association of capitated reimbursement with quality of chronic disease care.MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional analysis of visits in the United States’ National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) for patients with hypertension, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease (CKD). Our predictor was practice reimbursement type, classified as 1) majority capitation, 2) majority FFS, or 3) other reimbursement mix. Outcomes were quality indicators of hypertension control, diabetes control, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ACEi/ARB) use, and statin use.ResultsAbout 9% of visits were to practices with majority capitation revenue. Capitated practices, compared with FFS and other practices, had lower visit frequency (3.7 vs. 5.2 vs. 5.2, p = 0.006), were more likely to be located in the West Census Region (55% vs. 18% vs. 17%, p < 0.001), less likely to be solo practice (21% vs. 37% vs. 35%, p = 0.005), more likely to be owned by an insurance company, health plan or HMO (24% vs. 13% vs. 13%, p = 0.033), and more likely to have private insurance (43% vs. 25% vs. 19%, p = 0.004) and managed care payments (69% vs. 23% vs. 26%, p < 0.001) as the majority of revenue. The prevalence of controlled hypertension, controlled diabetes, ACEi/ARB use, and statin use was suboptimal across practice reimbursement types. Capitated reimbursement was not associated with differences in hypertension, diabetes, or CKD quality indicators, in multivariable models adjusting for patient, physician, and practice characteristics.ConclusionsPractices with majority capitation revenue differed substantially from FFS and other practices in patient, physician, and practice characteristics, but were not associated with consistent quality differences. Our findings establish baseline estimates of chronic disease quality of care performance by practice reimbursement composition, informing chronic disease care delivery within upcoming payment models.

ARNI versus ACEI/ARB in Reducing Cardiovascular Outcomes after Myocardial Infarction.

AimsThis study aimed to compare the efficacy of angiotensin receptor‐neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) therapy with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ACEI/ARB) therapy for cardiovascular outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).Methods and resultsData were collected from the Biobank of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University between January 2016 and December 2020. A total of 7556 AMI patients were screened for eligibility. Propensity score matching based on age, sex, blood pressure, kidney function, baseline left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and cardiovascular medication were conducted, resulting in 291 patients with AMI being assigned to ARNI, ACEI, and ARB group, respectively. Patients receiving ARNI had significantly lower rates of the composite cardiovascular outcome than ACEI {hazard ratio [HR] 0.51, [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.27–0.95], P = 0.02}, and ARB users [HR 0.47, (95%CI, 0.24–0.90), P = 0.02]. Patients receiving ARNI showed lower rates of cardiovascular death than ACEI [HR 0.37, (95%CI, 0.18–0.79), P = 0.01] and ARB users [HR 0.41, (95%CI, 0.18–0.95), P = 0.04]. Subgroup analysis indicated that patients with LVEF no more than 40% tend to benefit more from ARNI as compared with ACEI [HR 0.30, (95%CI, 0.11–0.86), P = 0.01] or ARB [HR 0.21, (95%CI, 0.04–1.1), P = 0.05]. Patients aged no more than 60 years exhibited reduced composite endpoints [HR for ARNI vs. ARB: 0.11, (95%CI, 0.03–0.46), P = 0.002].ConclusionsIn patients with AMI, ARNI was superior to ACEI/ARB in reducing the long‐term adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Subgroup analysis further indicates that ARNI is more likely to benefit patients with LVEF less than 40% and aged less than 60 years.

Influence of cardiovascular drugs on the efficacy and safety of dapagliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the DECLARE-TIMI 58 trial

Abstract Background In DECLARE-TIMI 58, the sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) dapagliflozin reduced the risk of the composite of cardiovascular (CV) death or hospitalization for heart failure (HHF) in a broad range of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). SGLT2i are known to have diuretic and anti-hypertensive effects. However, whether concomitant CV drugs influence the efficacy and safety of dapagliflozin in these populations is less well known. Purpose We examined whether dapagliflozin consistently reduced the risk of CV outcomes and whether the safety of dapagliflozin was similar with or without the concurrent use of various CV drugs. Methods DECLARE–TIMI 58 was a randomized trial of dapagliflozin versus placebo in patients with T2DM and either atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) or multiple risk factors for CV disease followed for a median of 4.2 years. We stratified patients by the use of CV drugs at baseline commonly used for heart failure: angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin-receptor blockers (ACEi/ARB), beta-blockers, diuretics, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA). Efficacy outcomes of interest were the composite of CV death/HHF and HHF alone. We used the Cox proportional-hazard model for these analyses. Results Of 17,160 patients, 13,950 (81%) used ACEi/ARB, 9,030 (53%) used beta-blockers, 6,967 (41%) used diuretics, and 762 (4%) used MRA at baseline. All were balanced by randomized treatment groups. Patients using CV drugs at baseline had a greater prevalence of atherosclerotic risk factors and established CV disease than those without. Dapagliflozin consistently reduced the risk of CV death/HHF regardless of the use of CV medications (Figure). For HHF alone, similar results were seen with no significant interactions for any of the classes. There were no significant treatment interactions by the concomitant use of any of CV drugs for adverse events including symptoms of volume depletion or acute kidney injury. Conclusions In this analysis from the DECLARE–TIMI 58 trial, dapagliflozin consistently reduced the risk of CV death/HHF and HHF alone irrespective of the concurrent use of various CV drugs without any treatment interaction for key safety events. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): The DECLARE–TIMI 58 trial was supported by AstraZeneca.

Association between cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular drug therapy, and in-hospital outcomes in patients with COVID-19: data from a large single-center registry in Poland.

The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) recently became one of the leading causes of death worldwide, similar to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Coexisting CVD may influence the prognosis of patients with COVID-19. We analyzed the impact of CVD and the use of cardiovascular drugs on the in-hospital course and mortality of patients with COVID-19. We retrospectively studied data for consecutive patients admitted to our hospital, with COVID-19 between March 6th and October 15th, 2020. 1729 patients (median interquartile range age 63 [50-75] years; women 48.8%) were included. Overall, in-hospital mortality was 12.9%. The most prevalent CVD was arterial hypertension (56.1%), followed by hyperlipidemia (27.4%), diabetes mellitus (DM) (25.7%), coronary artery disease (16.8%), heart failure (HF) (10.3%), atrial fibrillation (13.5%), and stroke (8%). Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEIs/ARBs) were used in 25.0% of patients, β-blockers in 40.7%, statins in 15.6%, and antiplatelet therapy in 19.9%. Age over 65 years (odds ratio [OR], 6.4; 95% CI, 4.3-9.6), male sex (OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.1-2.0), pre-existing DM (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1-2.1), and HF (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.5-3.5) were independent predictors of in-hospital death, whereas treatment with ACEIs/ARBs (OR, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.3-0.6), β-blockers (OR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.4-0.9), statins (OR, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.3-0.8), or antiplatelet therapy (OR, 0.6; 95% CI: 0.4-0.9) was associated with lower risk of death. Among cardiovascular risk factors and diseases, HF and DM appeared to increase in-hospital COVID-19 mortality, whereas the use of cardiovascular drugs was associated with lower mortality.

Angiotensin enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers as protective factors in COVID-19 mortality: a retrospective cohort study.

Targeting the renin-angiotensin system is proposed to affect mortality due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to compare the mortality rates in COVID-19 patients who received angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEIs/ARBs) and those who did not. In this retrospective cohort study, mortality was considered as the main outcome measure. All underlying diseases were assessed by the chronic use of medications related to each condition. We defined two main groups based on the ACEIs/ARBs administration. A logistic regression model was designed to define independent predictors of mortality as well as a Cox regression analysis. In total, 2553 patients were included in this study. The mortality frequency was higher in patients with a history of underlying diseases (22.4% vs 12.7%, P value < 0.001). The mortality rate in patients who received ACEIs/ARBs were higher than non-receivers (29.3% vs. 19.5%, P value = 0.013, OR = 1.3, 95% CI 1.1, 1.7) in the univariate analysis. However, the use of ACEIs/ARBs was a protective factor against mortality in the model when adjusted for underlying conditions, length of stay, age, gender, and ICU admission (P value < 0.001, OR = 0.5, 95% CI 0.3, 0.7). The Kaplan–Meier curve showed an overall survival of approximately 85.7% after a 120-day follow-up. ACEIs/ARBs are protective factors against mortality in COVID-19 patients with HTN, and these agents can be considered potential therapeutic options in this disease. The survival probability is higher in ACEIs/ARBs receivers than non-receivers.

Importance of Blood Pressure Variability for Stroke Prevention and Management: A Letter to the Editor

To the Editor: I read with great pleasure the article by Santos et al., titled, “Trends in Antihypertensive Medication Use Among Individuals With a History of Stroke and Hypertension, 2005 to 2016” that found uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) in approximately 1 in 3 self-reported stroke survivors and increasing trends in angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEi/ARBs).1 Lack of BP control, however, may be impacted by systolic blood pressure variability (BPV), an increasingly characterized independent predictor of stroke and end-outcomes.2,3 While it is known that acute post-stroke patients may exhibit cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction, there is evidence to suggest BPV also plays a long-term, bi-directional role with stroke, both being a risk factor, independent of mean SBP, as well as a potential consequence.2 Furthermore, antihypertensive medications at this time have limited efficacy in reducing BP variability, with calcium channel blockers (CCBs) showing the most promising results.4 As a result, it is possible that consecutive BP readings may 1) inadequately represent a participant’s 24-hour mean BP, and 2) demonstrate wide variability across readings and thus skew a participant’s mean BP. Although there are no standardized guidelines for BPV measurement or classification, BPV is most often calculated as the standard deviation of multiple BP readings that are either consecutive (within visit or measurement-to-measurement variability) or across multiple visits (visit-to-visit variability). Additionally, variability can be pathological, physiological, or artificial. While we can assume that artificial variability (e.g. due to measurement technique) was minimized through quality assurance protocols, the use of all three BPs to derive a mean BP may introduce a ‘White Coat-like Effect’, the idea that initial readings are often elevated and thus should be disregarded in mean calculations.5 Furthermore, prevalence of comorbidities such as Type II diabetes and chronic kidney disease can also increase BPV and further impact prognosis of stroke survivors as per BPV.2,3 These comorbidities may have, in part, played a role in the increase in ACEi/ARB use. Whether these sources of BP variability would affect the conclusions of the study are difficult to ascertain. The study’s findings that those using CCBs had higher prevalence of uncontrolled BP suggest that BP variability may not be playing a major role. Nonetheless, measurement of BPV and BPV-based interpretation of mean BP may provide an additional opportunity for stroke prevention.

Safety and Tolerability of Neurohormonal Antagonism in Cardiac Amyloidosis

BackgroundDrugs for neurohormonal antagonism are usually denied to patients with cardiac amyloidosis (CA) because of safety concerns. MethodsPatients diagnosed with CA at a tertiary referral centre from 2009 to 2019 were enrolled. In the absence of contraindications, beta-blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEi/ARB), and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA) were started or up-titrated. Results99 patients were evaluated (72% men, age 80 years [72,83], 33% light-chain and 67% transthyretin amyloidosis); 56% were started on or underwent up-titration of a beta-blocker, 25% of ACEi/ARB, and 39% of MRA; beta-blockers were then prescribed to 87% of patients, ACEi/ARB to 75%, and MRA to 63%, with median bisoprolol, ramipril, valsartan, and spironolactone daily equivalent doses of 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 80 mg, and 25 mg, respectively. Patients starting or starting/up-titrating a beta-blocker did not show a higher frequency of hypotension, fatigue, syncope, symptomatic bradycardia, need for pacemaker implantation, or HF hospitalization. Lower stroke volume and cardiac output (CO) predicted HF hospitalization regardless of amyloidosis type; lower left ventricular ejection fraction predicted hypotension, and lower CO and diastolic blood pressure predicted syncope. Patients who had an ACEi/ARB or MRA being started or up-titrated did not experience more adverse events than other patients. ConclusionsACEi/ARB and MRA can be safely used in CA, provided that no contraindications are present, treatment is started at a low dose and slowly up-titrated, and patients are monitored quite closely. Beta-blocker therapy is less tolerated in patients with AL amyloidosis and/or worse haemodynamic function.

Foreword

Guidelines previously recommended use of dual antiplatelet therapy, statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEI/ARB) and beta blockers (five classes of drugs) in patients without contraindications or intolerance after acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, recent guidelines have taken a more nuanced view regarding the use of ACEI/ARB and beta blockers. Our aim was to develop a composite post-discharge medication indicator, based on available evidence, to support quality improvement.4,112 consecutive post-ACS patients who underwent coronary angiography and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) assessment in 2015–16 were recorded in the All New Zealand ACS Quality Improvement (ANZACS-QI) registry. Patients receiving coronary artery bypass grafting were excluded. Three composite indicator algorithms that took into account known contraindications/intolerances were compared across NZ District Health Boards (DHBs):1.Five-drug-class indicator: aspirin, a second antiplatelet agent, statin, ACEI/ARB and a beta blocker.2.An indicator based on the 2016 National Heart Foundation of Australia & Cardiac Society of NZ and Australia recommendations (NHFA/CSANZ indicator): aspirin, a second antiplatelet agent and a statin. Those with high-risk features (LVEF < 40%, clinical heart failure, anterior myocardial infarct, diabetes or hypertension) should receive an ACEI/ARB and those with LVEF < 40% a beta blocker.3.ANZACS-QI modified NHFA/CSANZ indicator: aspirin, a second antiplatelet agent, statin and an ACEI/ARB (four classes), and those with LVEF < 40% a beta blocker (five classes).Overall and individual DHB performance was highest (74%, DHB range 52–84%) when reported using the NHFA/CSANZ indicator, and slightly lower (69%, DHB range 48–78%) on the ANZACS-QI indicator. Performance was lowest using the older five-drug-class indicator (65%, DHB range 48–77%).We have developed a composite post-discharge medication indicator appropriate for use in identifying gaps in evidence-based management across NZ, which is now being reported regularly to DHBs.

Epidemiology, management, and outcomes of heart failure in Tunisia: Results from the Nature-HF registry

Contemporary data on the epidemiology of heart failure (HF) in Tunisia are scarce. The Nature-HF Registry was designed to investigate clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes of patients hospitalized for HF in Tunisia. Data were collected prospectively on patients with a primary discharge diagnosis of HF who were enrolled from 19 participating hospitals from OCTOBER 2017 to January 2019. A total of 2040 patients were enrolled. The mean age was 63.6 ± 12.6 years, 70.9% were male, and 7.7% had preserved ejection fraction. Common comorbidities included hypertension (42.1%), coronary artery disease (46.2%), and atrial fibrillation (19.5%). The overall use of diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEI/ARB), and β-blockers at admission was 55%, 67.8%, and 65.1%, respectively, which was lower than in other registries. For patients discharged alive, ACEI/ARB, β-blocker, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist use in patients with reduced ejection fraction was 35.0%, 37.2%, and 21.5%, respectively; device use was much lower. The median length of hospital stay was 6 days (range 2 days-55 days) days, and in-hospital mortality at inclusion was 0.25%. Predictors of mortality included age, diuretics use, low use of ACE or ARB, QRS length > 120 ms and rehospitzalisation. Several important findings in patient profile and treatment patterns among Tunisian patients with HF were noted. We identified key areas for improving hospital-based HF medical care in Tunisia. These data also underscore the need for specific regional characterization of HF.

Renin-Angiotensin Inhibition and Outcomes in Nursing Home Residents With Heart Failure.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEIs-ARBs) improve outcomes in heart failure (HF). Less is known about this association in nursing home (NH) residents. Of the 8024 hospitalized HF patients, 542 were NH residents, of whom 250 received ACEIs-ARBs. We assembled a propensity score-matched cohort of 157 pairs of NH residents receiving and not receiving ACEIs-ARBs balanced on 29 baseline characteristics (mean age, 83 years, 74% women, 17% African American), in which we estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for outcomes associated with ACEI-ARB use. We then checked for interaction in a matched cohort of 5130 patients (378 were NH residents) assembled from the 8024 patients. Among 314 matched NH residents, HRs (95% CIs) for 30-day all-cause readmission, HF readmission, and all-cause mortality were 0.78 (0.47-1.28), 0.68 (0.29-1.60), and 1.26 (0.70-2.27), respectively. Respective HRs (95% CIs) at 1 year were 0.76 (0.56-1.02), 0.68 (0.42-1.09), and 1.04 (0.78-1.38). Among 5130 matched patients, ACEI-ARB use was associated with a significantly lower risk of all outcomes at both times, with no significant interactions, except for 1-year mortality, which was only significant in the non-NH subgroup (P for interaction, 0.026). We found no evidence that the use of ACEIs or ARBs is associated with improved outcomes in patients with HF in the NH setting. However, we also found no evidence that this association is different in NH residents with HF versus non-NH patients with HF. Future larger studies are needed to demonstrate effectiveness of these drugs in the NH setting.

Benefits of Neurohormonal Therapy in Patients With Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Devices.

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have dramatically improved short-term outcomes among patients with advanced heart failure. While neurohormonal blockade (NHB) is the cornerstone of treatment for patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, its effect after LVAD placement has not been established. We reviewed medical records of 307 patients who underwent primary LVAD implantation from January 2006 to September 2015 at two institutions in the United States. Patients were followed for at least 2 years post-LVAD implantation or until explantation, heart transplantation, or death. Cox regression analysis stratifying on center was used to assess associations with mortality. Neurohormonal blockade use was treated as a time-dependent predictor. Stepwise selection indicated treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEIs/ARBs) (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.53 [0.30-0.95], p = 0.03), age at the time of implantation (HR = 1.28 [1.05-1.56] per decade, p = 0.02), length of stay postimplantation (HR = 1.16 [1.11-1.21] per week, p < 0.01) and INTERMACS profile of 1 or 2 (HR = 1.86 [1.17-2.97], p < 0.01) were independent predictors of mortality. In this large, retrospective study, treatment with ACEIs or ARBs was an independent factor associated with decreased mortality post-LVAD placement.

Trends in medication adherence in HIV patients in the US, 2001 to 2012: an observational cohort study.

IntroductionAdherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is essential to reduce HIV‐related morbidity and mortality as well as the risk of virological failure and HIV transmission. We determined the trends in ART adherence during the periods of therapeutic advances, wider use of ART and greater attention to ART adherence. To understand the general trends in medication adherence, we compared ART adherence with medications for other common chronic conditions.MethodsA retrospective cohort study using Medicaid claims between 2001 and 2012 from 14 US states with the highest HIV prevalence. Medicaid is the largest source of care for HIV patients in the US. We identified Medicaid beneficiaries with HIV who initiated ART between 2001 and 2010 (n=23,343). Comparison groups included (1) HIV‐ persons who initiated a statin, angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ACEI/ARB), or metformin and (2) HIV+ persons who initiated these control medications while on and not on ART. We estimated adjusted odds of >90% medication implementation during the two years following initiation.ResultsThe proportion of HIV+ persons with >90% ART implementation increased from 33.5% in those who initiated in 2001 to 46.4% in 2005 and 52.4% in 2010. ART initiators in 2007 to 2010 had 53% increased odds of >90% implementation compared to those in 2001 to 2003 (adjusted OR 1.53, 99% CI: 1.34 to 1.75). Older age, male, White race, newer ART regimens and absence of substance use indicators were also associated with increased odds of >90% ART implementation. No or minimal improvements were found in the implementation of control medications in HIV‐ persons. For HIV‐ persons, the adjusted ORs comparing 2007–2010 to 2001–2003 were 1.06, 1.01 and 1.19 for statins, ACEI/ARB, metformin respectively. HIV+ persons who were on ART had, on average, 15.0 (SD: 4.2) and 16.1 (SD: 3.4) percentage points higher >90% implementation rates of concurrent statins, ACEI/ARB or metformin compared to HIV‐ persons and HIV+ persons who were not on ART respectively.ConclusionsAdherence to ART substantially improved between 2001 and 2012. Nevertheless, the absolute rates of >90% implementation were low for all groups examined. Substantial disparities by age, sex and race were present, drawing attention to the need to continue to enhance medication adherence. Further studies are required to examine whether these trends and disparities persist in the most recent period.

Prescribing Performance Post-Acute Coronary Syndrome Using a Composite Medication Indicator: ANZACS-QI 24

Guidelines previously recommended use of dual antiplatelet therapy, statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEI/ARB) and beta blockers (five classes of drugs) in patients without contraindications or intolerance after acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, recent guidelines have taken a more nuanced view regarding the use of ACEI/ARB and beta blockers. Our aim was to develop a composite post-discharge medication indicator, based on available evidence, to support quality improvement. 4,112 consecutive post-ACS patients who underwent coronary angiography and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) assessment in 2015-16 were recorded in the All New Zealand ACS Quality Improvement (ANZACS-QI) registry. Patients receiving coronary artery bypass grafting were excluded. Three composite indicator algorithms that took into account known contraindications/intolerances were compared across NZ District Health Boards (DHBs): RESULTS: Overall and individual DHB performance was highest (74%, DHB range 52-84%) when reported using the NHFA/CSANZ indicator, and slightly lower (69%, DHB range 48-78%) on the ANZACS-QI indicator. Performance was lowest using the older five-drug-class indicator (65%, DHB range 48-77%). We have developed a composite post-discharge medication indicator appropriate for use in identifying gaps in evidence-based management across NZ, which is now being reported regularly to DHBs.

Relationship between Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Gene Polymorphism and Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque: A Study Based on Vessel Wall Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Objective To investigate the relationship between angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE) gene polymorphism and carotid plaque composition,vessel wall morphology,and clinical symptoms based on vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging. Methods Totally 75 hypertensive patients(75 internal carotid artery plaques) with maximum plaque thickness≥1.5 mm,according to the ACE insertion(I) or deletion(D) gene polymorphism,were divided into ACE 2 genotype group(n=37) and ACE ID/DD genotype group(n=38). The influences of plaque composition,vessel wall morphology,clinical symptoms,and use of ACE inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker(ACEI/ARB) on vessel wall morphology were analyzed. Results Compared with ACE 2 genotype group,the ACE ID/DD genotype group had significantly higher incidence of ischemic stroke(Χ2=3.921,P=0.048). The plaque composition and vessel wall morphology showed no significant difference between these two groups. Inside ACE ID/DD genotype group,the carotid remodeling index was significantly lower in users of ACEI/ARB than non-users of ACEI/ARB(1.85±0.60 vs. 2.48±0.40;t=3.854,P=0.001).Conclusion In primary hypertension,ACE ID/DD genotype may be associated with carotid atherosclerotic plaque.