Cardiac-related Hospitalization Research Articles

Current echocardiographic indices for right ventricular function are inadequate to predict patient outcomes in chronic tricuspid regurgitation

Abstract Background/Introduction The presence of chronic tricuspid regurgitation (TR) can lead to pseudo-normalization of right ventricular (RV) functional indices on transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Thus, the current cutoffs for RV free wall strain (FWS), functional area change (FAC), and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) (1) are not optimal for the volume overload associated with TR (2). Purpose We aimed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the current cutoffs for RV FWS (>-23%), FAC (<35%), and TAPSE (<17 mm) in predicting adverse patient outcomes in a multi-centric population with chronic TR. We also evaluated whether interventricular septal shape was correlated with patient outcomes and aimed to develop cutoffs for this novel index. Methods We studied 753 patients (mean age 70.3 ± 15.0 years, 42.5% male) with >mild, medically managed TR who presented to our centers between 2018 and 2023. We measured TR grade (3), RV size, RV FWS, FAC, TAPSE, and eccentricity index (EI) for each patient (Figure 1). We subsequently tracked time to cardiac-related hospitalization or death, whichever came first. Using receiver operating characteristics (ROC), we estimated the area-under-the-curve (AUC) for RV FWS, FAC, and TAPSE as well as systolic and diastolic EI in predicting adverse patient outcomes. We used the modified Youden index (4) to analyze the current cutoffs for RV FWS, FAC, and TAPSE and specify novel cutoffs for all indices (including systolic and diastolic EI). Results Over a mean follow-up of 52 ± 16 months, there were 282 hospitalizations and 146 deaths across the 753 patients. AUC values for RV FWS, FAC, and TAPSE in predicting adverse clinical outcomes were 0.54, 0.62, and 0.54, respectively (p < 0.05 each, Figure 2A). Systolic and diastolic EI had the highest AUC (0.86 each, p < 0.0001) and were equivalent to one another in predicting adverse outcomes (Z-score = 0.0471, p = 0.9624) (Figure 2B). Sensitivity and specificity for the current cutoffs for RV FWS, FAC, and TAPSE are shown in Figure 2C. Using maximized Youden indices, the proposed cutoffs for normal RV FWS, FAC, TAPSE, systolic EI, and diastolic EI in chronic TR were ≤-24%, ≥38%, ≥22 mm, <1.3, and <1.3, respectively, which are all notably higher than the currently cutoffs (Figure 2C). Conclusions Given the pseudo-normalization of RV FWS, FAC, and TAPSE in chronic TR, waiting to intervene until these values become "abnormal" (per the current cutoffs) may in fact be too late. Our data suggest that the new cutoffs are needed to identify compensated RV function in the setting of TR. Moreover, interventricular septal shape (assessed via EI) predicts adverse patient outcomes with greater accuracy than conventional indices and should perhaps be incorporated in clinical decision-making.Figure 1.Eccentricity MeasurementFigure 2.ROC Curves for RV Indices

Hemodynamic Optimization by Invasive Ramp Test in Patients Supported With HeartMate 3 Left Ventricular Assist Device.

In patients supported by the HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device (HM3 LVAD), pump speed adjustments may improve hemodynamics. We investigated the hemodynamic implications of speed adjustments in HM3 recipients undergoing hemodynamic ramp tests. Clinically stable HM3 recipients who underwent routine invasive hemodynamic ramp tests between 2015 and 2022 at our center were included. Filling pressure optimization, defined as central venous pressure (CVP) <12 mm Hg and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) <18 mm Hg, was assessed at baseline and final pump speeds. Patients with optimized pressures were compared to nonoptimized patients. Overall 60 HM3 recipients with a median age of 62 years (56, 71) and time from LVAD implantation of 187 days (124, 476) were included. Optimized filling pressures were found in 35 patients (58%) at baseline speed. Speed was adjusted in 84% of the nonoptimized patients. Consequently, 39 patients (65%) had optimized pressures at final speed. There were no significant differences in hemodynamic findings between baseline and final speeds ( p > 0.05 for all). Six and 12 month readmission-free rates were higher in optimized compared with nonoptimized patients ( p = 0.03 for both), predominantly due to lower cardiac readmission-free rates ( p = 0.052). In stable outpatients supported with HM3 who underwent routine ramp tests, optimized hemodynamics were achieved in only 2 of 3 of the patients. Patients with optimized pressures had lower all-cause readmission rates, primarily driven by fewer cardiac-related hospitalizations.

Effects of nurse-led self-care interventions on health outcomes among people with heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

To estimate the effects of nurse-led self-care interventions on people with heart failure (HF). Research evidence of the effects of nurse-led HF self-care interventions on patient outcomes is scant. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Six databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, CENTRAL, CINAHL and PsycINFO) were searched from the inception to December 2022 to identify eligible studies. RCTs published in English that evaluated the impact of nurse-led HF self-care interventions on quality of life, anxiety, symptom burden, sleep quality, healthcare service utilisation and mortality were included. The risk of bias in included studies was assessed using RoB 2.0. We conducted data syntheses using the R software and graded the quality of the evidence using the GRADE approach. The systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA. Twenty-five studies with 2746 subjects were included. Our findings demonstrated, that compared to the controls, nurse-led self-care interventions improved QOL (SMD: .83, 95% CI: .50-1.15, moderate evidence), anxiety (MD: 1.39, 95% CI: .49-2.29, high evidence) and symptom burden (SMD: .81, 95% CI: .24-1.38, low evidence) in people with HF. No significant effects were found in all-cause hospital readmission and all-cause emergency department visit. Research evidence on sleep quality, cardiac-related hospital readmission, cardiac-related emergency department visit and all-cause mortality remained unclear. Our review suggests that nurse-led HF self-care interventions have favourable effects on the QOL, anxiety and symptom burden. Further, well-designed RCTs are warranted to address the gaps identified in this review. The results indicated that nurse-led HF self-care interventions could improve QOL, anxiety and symptom burden in people with HF. Nurse-led self-care intervention could be integrated into current HF management practices.

Effects of nurse-led self-care interventions on health outcomes among people with heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background Suboptimal self-care is associated with adverse patient outcomes. Nurse-led self-care interventions, strategies used to support self-care, are essential to heart failure management. However, research evidence of the effects of nurse-led heart failure self-care interventions on patient outcomes (quality of life, anxiety, symptom burden, sleep quality, healthcare service utilization, and mortality) is scant. Purpose To evaluate the effects of nurse-led self-care interventions on quality of life, anxiety, symptom burden, sleep quality, healthcare service utilization, and mortality in people with heart failure. Methods Six databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, CENTRAL, CINAHL, and PsycINFO) were searched from the inception to December 2022 to identify eligible studies. Randomized controlled trials estimating the effectiveness of nurse-led self-care interventions on quality of life, anxiety, symptom burden, sleep quality, healthcare service utilization, and mortality in people with heart failure published in English were included. The risk of bias of included studies was assessed using RoB 2.0. We conducted data syntheses by means of R software and graded the quality of the evidence using the GRADE approach. Results Twenty-five studies with 2746 subjects were included. Our findings demonstrated that compared to the controls, nurse-led self-care interventions improved quality of life (standardized mean difference [SMD]: 0.83, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.50 to 1.15, moderate certainty of evidence), anxiety (mean difference [MD]: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.10 to 2.56, high certainty of evidence), and symptom burden (SMD: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.24 to 1.38, low certainty of evidence) in people with heart failure. No significant effects were found in all-cause hospital readmission and all-cause emergency department visit. Research evidence on sleep quality, cardiac-related hospital readmission, cardiac-related emergency department visit, and all-cause mortality remained unclear. Conclusions Our review suggests that nurse-led heart failure self-care interventions have favorable effects on the quality of life, anxiety, and symptom burden. Further well-designed randomized controlled trials are warranted to address the gaps identified in this review.

FRI119 Cardiac Biomarkers In Fabry Disease Exhibit Distinct Associations With Cardiovascular Outcomes: A (Rare) Prism For Cardiovascular Endocrinology

Abstract Disclosure: E. Shemesh: None. R. Rusk: None. P. Feigin: None. P. Deegan: None. Background: Fabry disease (FD) (OMIM 301500) is a rare x-linked metabolic disorder. Cardiovascular involvement in this rare metabolic disorder is common, including hypertrophy, fibrosis, heart failure and arrythmias. Troponin concentrations are often continuously elevated in FD patients, which at times may lead to false assumptions and unnecessary invasive investigations. Furthermore, while nt-proBNP, another cardiac biomarker, is regarded by some as a valuable biomarker in FD, its concentrations might be falsely high due to renal involvement in the disease. We sought to explore the associations between these cardiac biomarkers with myocardial architecture and clinical outcomes in patients with FD. Hypothesis: Biomarkers in FD associate similarly with myocardial architecture and clinical outcomes. Results: 107 patients from a tertiary referral center in the United Kingdom were included in this study. Mean age at first visit was 44.5±17 years. Study population was composed of 40 males and 67 females. Twenty males and 43 females carried a classic mutation. At baseline, 27% had elevated troponin concentrations and 30% of patients had elevated nt-proBNP concentrations. Throughout follow-up, 17 cardiac-related hospitalizations were recorded, and 12 cardiac-related deaths occurred. While troponin and nt-proBNP concentrations at baseline were closely related (r= 0.5, p &amp;lt; 0.05), distinct associations with future occurrence of cardiac architecture pathologies were noted: elevated troponin concentrations associated with presence of late gadolinium enhancement and left ventricular hypertrophy in a statistically significant manner (late gadolinium enhancement: r=0.54, p&amp;lt;0.05; hypertrophy: r-0.45, p&amp;lt;0.05), but nt-proBNP did not. However, both biomarkers associated with adverse clinical outcomes, and nt-proBNP displayed stronger correlation with future heart failure events than troponin (r= 0.52, p&amp;lt;0.05 vs r=0.3, p&amp;lt;0.05). Neither troponin nor nt-proBNP baseline concentrations associated with the implantation of cardiac device (defibrillator or pacemaker). Conclusions: Cardiac biomarkers associate differently with myocardial architecture pathologies, but similarly with clinical outcomes in FD. Our results imply distinct roles for troponin and nt-proBNP in adverse cardiac events in FD. Presentation: Friday, June 16, 2023

Testing the Effect of a Smartphone App on Hospital Admissions and Sedentary Behavior in Cardiac Rehabilitation Participants: ToDo-CR Randomized Controlled Trial.

People with coronary heart disease are at an increased risk of morbidity and mortality even if they attend cardiac rehabilitation. High sedentary behavior levels potentially contribute to this morbidity. Smartphone apps may be feasible to facilitate sedentary behavior reductions and lead to reduced health care use. We aimed to test the effect of a sedentary behavior change smartphone app (Vire app and ToDo-CR program) as an adjunct to cardiac rehabilitation on hospital admissions and emergency department (ED) presentations over 12 months. A multicenter, randomized controlled trial was conducted with 120 participants recruited from 3 cardiac rehabilitation programs. Participants were randomized 1:1 to cardiac rehabilitation plus the fully automated 6-month Vire app and ToDo-CR program (intervention) or usual care (control). The primary outcome was nonelective hospital admissions and ED presentations over 12 months. Secondary outcomes including accelerometer-measured sedentary behavior, BMI, waist circumference, and quality of life were recorded at baseline and 6 and 12 months. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the primary outcome, and linear mixed-effects models were used to analyze secondary outcomes. Data on intervention and hospital admission costs were collected, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated. Participants were, on average, aged 62 (SD 10) years, and the majority were male (93/120, 77.5%). The intervention group were more likely to experience all-cause (odds ratio [OR] 1.54, 95% CI 0.58-4.10; P=.39) and cardiac-related (OR 3.26, 95% CI 0.84-12.55; P=.09) hospital admissions and ED presentations (OR 2.07, 95% CI 0.89-4.77; P=.09) than the control group. Despite this, cardiac-related hospital admission costs were lower in the intervention group over 12 months (Aus $252.40 vs Aus $859.38; P=.24; a currency exchange rate of Aus $1=US $0.69 is applicable). There were no significant between-group differences in sedentary behavior minutes per day over 12 months, although the intervention group completed 22 minutes less than the control group (95% CI -22.80 to 66.69; P=.33; Cohen d=0.21). The intervention group had a lower BMI (β=1.62; P=.05), waist circumference (β=5.81; P=.01), waist-to-hip ratio (β=.03, P=.03), and quality of life (β=3.30; P=.05) than the control group. The intervention was more effective but more costly in reducing sedentary behavior (ICER Aus $351.77) and anxiety (ICER Aus $10,987.71) at 12 months. The intervention was also more effective yet costly in increasing quality of life (ICER Aus $93,395.50) at 12 months. The Vire app and ToDo-CR program was not an outcome-effective or cost-effective solution to reduce all-cause hospital admissions or ED presentations in cardiac rehabilitation compared with usual care. Smartphone apps that target sedentary behavior alone may not be an effective solution for cardiac rehabilitation participants to reduce hospital admissions and sedentary behavior. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) ACTRN12619001223123; https://australianclinicaltrials.gov.au/anzctr/trial/ACTRN12619001223123. RR2-10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040479.

Cardiac rehabilitation engagement and associated factors among heart failure patients: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundChronic Heart Failure (CHF) still affects millions of people worldwide despite great advances in therapeutic approaches in the cardiovascular field. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is known to improve disease-related symptoms, quality of life and clinical outcomes, yet implementation is suboptimal, a frequently low engagement in rehabilitation programs has been found globally.ObjectiveTo quantify diverse CR-engaged processes and elucidate associated factors of the various levels of CR engagement in CHF patients.MethodsDischarged patients admitted from cardiology departments between May 2022 to July 2022 were enrolled by mobile phone text messaging, CHF patients from same department between August 2022 to December 2022 were enrolled by face-to-face. Individuals who met the inclusion criteria filled the questionnaires, including the generalized anxiety disorders scale, patient health questionnaire, cardiac rehabilitation inventory, patient activation measure, Tampa scale for kinesiophobia heart, social frailty, Patient Health Engagement Scale (PHE-s®). We obtained sociodemographic characteristics and clinical data from medical records. Chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the factors associated with CR engagement phases.ResultsA total of 684 patients were included in the study. 52.49% patients were in the Adhesion phase. At the multivariate level, compared with the blackout phase process anxiety, monthly income (RMB yuan) equal to or more than 5,000 were the most important factor impacting CHF patients CR engagement. Compared with the Blackout phase, regular exercise or not, severe depression, previous cardiac-related hospitalizations 1 or 2 times, Age influenced patient CR engagement in the Arousal phase. Besides, compared with the Blackout phase, outcome anxiety and activation level were independent factors in the Eudaimonic Project phase.ConclusionThis study characterized CR engagement, and explored demographic, medical, and psychological factors—with the most important being process anxiety, monthly income, patient activation, severe depression, and previous cardiac-related hospitalizations. The associated factors of CR engagement were not identical among different phases. Our findings suggested that factors could potentially be targeted in clinical practice to identify low CR engagement patients, and strategies implemented to strengthen or overcome these associations to address low CR engagement in CHF patients.

Digital Health Programs to Reduce Readmissions in Coronary Artery Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BackgroundThe use of mobile health (mHealth, wireless communication devices, and/or software technologies) in health care delivery has increased rapidly in recent years. Their integration into disease management programs (DMPs) has tremendous potential to improve outcomes for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), yet a more robust evaluation of the evidence is required. ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to undertake a systematic review and meta-analysis of mHealth-enabled DMPs to determine their effectiveness in reducing readmissions and mortality in patients with CAD. MethodsWe systematically searched English language studies from January 1, 2007, to August 3, 2021, in multiple databases. Studies comparing mHealth-enabled DMPs with standard DMPs without mHealth were included if they had a minimum 30-day follow-up for at least one of all-cause or cardiovascular-related mortality, readmissions, or major adverse cardiovascular events. ResultsOf the 3,411 references from our search, 155 full-text studies were assessed for eligibility, and data were extracted from 18 publications. Pooled findings for all-cause readmissions (10 studies, n = 1,514) and cardiac-related readmissions (9 studies, n = 1,009) indicated that mHealth-enabled DMPs reduced all-cause (RR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.50-0.91) and cardiac-related hospitalizations (RR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.44-0.68) and emergency department visits (RR: 0.37; 95% CI: 0.26-0.54) compared to DMPs without mHealth. There was no significant reduction for mortality outcomes (RR: 1.72; 95% CI: 0.64-4.64) or major adverse cardiovascular events (RR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.40-1.15). ConclusionsDMPs integrated with mHealth should be considered an effective intervention for better outcomes in patients with CAD.

Sacubitril/valsartan effects on arrhythmias and left ventricular remodelling in heart failure: An observational study

AimsConflicting results have been reported in the literature on the potential antiarrhythmic effect of sacubitril/valsartan in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The objectives of this study were: 1- to evaluate the long term effects of sacubitril/valsartan on arrhythmic burden in HFrEF patients; 2- to evaluate the correlation between the reduction of premature ventricular complexes during f-up and reverse remodelling. MethodsWe identified 255 consecutive HFrEF patients treated with sacubitril/valsartan between March 2017 and May 2020 and followed by the Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplant Unit of IRCCS San Matteo Hospital in Pavia (Italy). Within this subgroup, 153 patients underwent 24 h-Holter-ECG or implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) interrogation at baseline, at 12 months (t1) and at 24 months (t2) and transthoracic echocardiography at baseline and after 12 months after the beginning of sacubitril/valsartan. Cardiac-related hospitalizations were analyzed in the 12 months preceding and during 24 months following the drug starting date. ResultsGlobal burden of 24-h premature ventricular complexes (PVC) was significantly reduced at 12 months (t1) and at 24 months (t2) as compared to the same period before treatment (1043 [304–3360] vs 768 [82–2784] at t1 vs 114 [9–333] at t2, P = 0.000). In the subgroup of patients implanted with biventricular ICD (n = 30), the percentage of biventricular pacing increased significantly (96% [94–99] vs 98% [96–99] at t1 vs 98%[97–100] at t2; P = 0.027). The burden of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia and sustained ventricular tachycardia did not change from baseline to t1 and t2, but a reduction of patients with at least one ICD appropriate shock was reported. The correlations between reduction in 24 h PVC and reduction in LV-ESVi or improvement in LVEF were not statistically significant (respectively R = 0.144, P = 0.197 and R = -0.190, P = 0.074). Heart failure related hospitalizations decreased during follow up (11.1% in the year before treatment vs 4.6% at t1 and 4.6% at t2; P = 0.040). ConclusionSacubitril/valsartan reduced the number of premature ventricular complexes and increased the percentage of biventricular pacing in a cohort of HFrEF patients already on optimal medical therapy. PVC reduction did not correlate with reverse left ventricular remodelling. Whether sacubitril/valsartan has any direct antiarrhythmic effects is an issue to be better explored in future studies.

Renal and blood pressure effects of dapagliflozin in recently hospitalized patients with heart failure with mildly reduced or preserved ejection fraction: Insights from the DELIVER trial.

Patients recently hospitalized for heart failure (HF) often have unstable haemodynamics and experience worsening renal failure, and are at elevated risk for recurrent HF events. In DELIVER, dapagliflozin reduced HF events or cardiovascular death including among patients who were hospitalized or recently hospitalized. We examined the effects of dapagliflozin versus placebo on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) slope (acute and chronic), 1-month change in systolic blood pressure, and the occurrence of serious hypovolaemic or renal adverse events in patients with and without HF hospitalization within 30 days of randomization. The 654 (90 randomized during hospitalization, 147 1-7 days post-discharge and 417 8-30 days post-discharge) recently hospitalized patients had lower baseline eGFR compared with those without recent HF hospitalization (median [interquartile range] 55 [43, 71] vs. 60 [47, 75] ml/min/1.73 m2 ). Dapagliflozin consistently reduced the risk of all-cause (pinteraction = 0.20), cardiac-related (pinteraction = 0.75), and HF-specific (pinteraction = 0.90) hospitalizations, irrespective of recent HF hospitalization. In those recently hospitalized, acute placebo-corrected eGFR reductions with dapagliflozin were modest and similar to patients without recent hospitalization (-2.0 [-4.1, +0.1] vs. -3.4 [-3.9, -2.9] ml/min/1.73 m2 , pinteraction = 0.12). Dapagliflozin's effect to slow chronic eGFR decline was similar regardless of recent hospitalization (pinteraction = 0.57). Dapagliflozin had a minimal effect on 1-month systolic blood pressure and to a similar degree in patients with and without recent hospitalization (-1.3 vs.-1.8 mmHg, pinteraction = 0.64). There was no treatment-related excess in renal or hypovolaemic serious adverse events, irrespective of recent HF hospitalization. In patients recently hospitalized with HF, initiation of dapagliflozin had minimal effects on blood pressure and did not increase renal or hypovolaemic serious adverse events, yet afforded long-term cardiovascular and kidney protective effects. These data suggest that the benefit to risk ratio favours initiation of dapagliflozin among stabilized patients hospitalized or recently hospitalized for HF. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03619213.

Clinical course of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy away from tertiary referral care.

Data on the clinical course of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are mainly derived from tertiary HCM centre studies, and knowledge of clinical outcomes of patients leaving specialty care and returning to local physicians is limited due to gaps between clinical encounters or complete loss of follow-up. This survey aims to describe the clinical course of HCM in patients following their evaluation at a tertiary referral centre. A comprehensive outcomes survey was developed and sent to 4495 eligible patients with HCM previously evaluated at Mayo Clinic. Questions assessed general well-being, New York Heart Association class, procedures performed, and probable HCM-triggered ventricular arrhythmic events (VAEs) since last visit. In total, 2058 patients (mean age 63±15years; 42% female) responded to the survey covering a total of 10510 patient-years with an average of 5.4±6.4years of follow-up since their last on-campus/virtual visit to Mayo Clinic. During their time away from specialty care, 20% of patients reported having cardiac-related hospitalizations and 25% reported having cardiac-related procedures. Similar to high-risk referral cohorts, 5% of patients reported VAEs with an event rate of 0.98 events/100 patient-years. The prevalence of atrial fibrillation, syncope, pre-syncope, cardiac-related hospitalizations, and VAEs during time away from specialty care increased significantly with increasing New York Heart Association class (P<0.001). Acknowledging ascertainment bias, the clinical course of patients away from tertiary care may be more severe than previously anticipated. Among those with exertional symptoms, HCM-related morbidity increased substantially. Higher risk HCM patients should remain in contact with HCM specialty care.

Effectiveness of a structured pharmacist-delivered intervention for patients post-acute coronary syndromes on all-cause hospitalizations and cardiac-related hospital readmissions: a prospective quasi-experimental study

BackgroundAcute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in Qatar and globally.AimThe primary objective of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured clinical pharmacist-delivered intervention on all-cause hospitalizations and cardiac-related readmissions in patients with ACS.MethodA prospective quasi-experimental study was conducted at Heart Hospital in Qatar. Discharged ACS patients were allocated to one of three study arms: (1) an intervention group (received a structured clinical pharmacist-delivered medication reconciliation and counselling at discharge, and two follow-up sessions at 4 weeks and 8 weeks post-discharge), (2) a usual care group (received the general usual care at discharge by clinical pharmacists) or, (3) a control group (discharged during weekends or after clinical pharmacists' working hours). Follow-up sessions for the intervention group were designed to re-educate and counsel patients about their medications, remind them about the importance of medication adherence, and answer any questions they may have. At the hospital, patients were allocated into one of the three groups based on intrinsic and natural allocation procedures. Recruitment of patients took place between March 2016 and December 2017. Data were analyzed based on intention-to-treat principles.ResultsThree hundred seventy-three patients were enrolled in the study (intervention = 111, usual care = 120, control = 142). Unadjusted results showed that the odds of 6-month all-cause hospitalizations were significantly higher among the usual care (OR 2.034; 95% CI: 1.103–3.748, p = 0.023) and the control arms (OR 2.704; 95% CI: 1.456–5.022, p = 0.002) when compared to the intervention arm. Similarly, patients in the usual care arm (OR 2.304; 95% CI: 1.122–4.730, p = 0.023) and the control arm (OR 3.678; 95% CI: 1.802–7.506, p ≤ 0.001) had greater likelihood of cardiac-related readmissions at 6 months. After adjustment, these reductions were only significant for cardiac-related readmissions between control and intervention groups (OR 2.428; 95% CI: 1.116–5.282, p = 0.025).ConclusionThis study demonstrated the impact of a structured intervention by clinical pharmacists on cardiac-related readmissions at 6 months post-discharge in patients post-ACS. The impact of the intervention on all-cause hospitalization was not significant after adjustment for potential confounders. Large cost‐effective studies are required to determine the sustained impact of structured clinical pharmacist-provided interventions in ACS setting.Trial registrationClinical Trials: NCT02648243 Registration date: January 7, 2016.

Abstract 13977: The Impact of Left Atrial Functional Changes on Clinical Outcomes Following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Background: In patients with aortic stenosis (AS) and preserved left ventricular (LV) function, pre-intervention left atrial (LA) enlargement is common and predicts adverse events. Changes in LA function are appropriate markers of LV response to AS but have not been well explored in patients undergoing TAVI. The objectives of the current study were to evaluate changes in LA function following TAVI and their impact upon clinical outcomes. Methods: A total of 313 consecutive patients undergoing TAVI were included. There were 160 (51%) paired echocardiographic datasets with a median time of 1 (range 0-57) days pre-TAVI and a median time of 120 (1.2-810) days post-TAVI. All studies were evaluated for LA maximum volume index (LAVI max ), LA minimum volume index (LAVI min ), total emptying volume (LAEV), total emptying fraction (LAEF) and expansion index (LAEI). The pre-defined endpoints were cardiac-related hospitalization and all-cause death. Results: During a mean follow-up of 18 (±9.7) months, there were 58 deaths (18.5%) and 35 (11.2%) hospitalizations for heart failure, whereas 9 (2.9%) patients continued to report symptoms (NYHA 3). The prevalence of atrial fibrillation was 16.3% and coronary artery disease 52.7%. In a multivariate cox regression analysis, lower body surface area (HR 3.79; 95% CI 1.07-13.33, p=0.038), higher serum creatinine (HR 1.004; 95% CI 1.002-1.006, p&lt;0.001) and LV ejection fraction (EF) &lt;50% (HR 1.94; 95% CI 1.08-3.48, p=0.027) were predictors of all-cause mortality, independent of age, aortic valve area, the presence of coronary artery disease and time from index echocardiography to TAVI procedure. All LA function parameters demonstrated an improvement following TAVI (Fig. 1). In univariate cox regression analyses, baseline LA functional parameters were not associated with all-cause mortality alone or a composite of all-cause mortality and cardiac related hospitalization. Conclusions: In patients undergoing TAVI, lower body surface area, higher serum creatinine and LVEF &lt;50% were independent predictors of all-cause mortality. TAVI led to successful reverse LA functional and structural remodeling and LV functional recovery. However, pre-TAVI LA functional and structural parameters were not predictors of survival.

The prognostic value of myocardial work in patients with chronic alcohol overuse

Abstract Backgrounds Myocardial work is a novel, based on speckle tracking imagining method that evaluates left ventricle (LV) work estimated by employing blood pressure and LV global longitudinal strain (GLS). The data concerning the prognostic value of non-invasive myocardial work (MW) parameters in alcohol overusers (ALC) is insufficient. Purpose Evaluation of prognostic value of four main echocardiographic parameters describing MW in ALC patients. Methods The clinical and echocardiography data in 92 (79% men, mean age 49±13 years) ALC were collected and mean 28±16 years follow-up was performed. ALC drank at least 10 alcohol units per week (AUW, AU – 10 gram of pure ethanol), median 28 (11–50) AUW. The median time of alcohol overuse was 19 (10–28) years. Composite endpoint (CE) consisted of cardiac related hospitalization or death. At baseline during TTE examination we calculated global work effectiveness (GWE), global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW) and global wasted work (GWW). Results CE was observed in 16 (17%) individuals. Among work-related four tested parameters only GWI and GCW showed significant predictive value. Sensitivity and specificity of GWI and GCW in CE prediction were respectively 81% and 57% as well as 94% and 46%. Areas under the ROC curves (AUC) for these parameters were respectively: 0.709 for GWI and 0.710 for GCW, p=0.002 for both of them. Cut-off values for CE prediction were for GWI ≤1312 mmHg% and for GCW ≤1862 mmHg%. ROC and Kaplan-Meier curves for GWI and GCW are showed in the Graph 1 and Graph 2. Conclusions In chronic alcohol overusers, lowered GWI and GCW showed significant prognostic values for prediction of combined cardiac endpoint in mid – term observation. The predictors of CE were GWI and GCW. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Clinical significance and prognostic value of ST segment depression on ECG during exercise treadmill test in asymptomatic patients with moderate or severe aortic stenosis

Objectives. In patients with asymptomatic moderate or severe aortic stenosis (AS), exercise testing is used for evaluating the need for aortic valve intervention. Expert opinions about the clinical significance and prognostic value of ST segment depression on electrocardiography (ECG) during exercise testing in AS is conflicting and there are no large studies exploring this issue. We aimed to explore the association of ST segment depression >5 mm during exercise treadmill test (ETT) with all-cause mortality, aortic valve replacement (AVR) or cardiac-related hospitalization. Design. We performed a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of a total of 315 patients (mean age 65 ± 12 years, 67% men) with asymptomatic moderate (n = 209; 66%) or severe (n = 106; 34%) AS. All patients underwent clinical evaluation, echocardiography and ETT. Results. During a mean follow-up of 34.9 ± 34.6 months, 29 (9%) patients died and 235 (74%) underwent AVR. The prevalence of ST segment depression (>5 mm) was 13% (n = 41) in the total study population and was comparable in patients with revealed symptoms (17.6%, n = 16) versus without revealed symptoms (11.3%, n = 25; p = .132). ST segment depression on ETT was strongly associated with aortic valve area. In univariate Cox regression analysis, ST segment depression was not associated with cardiac related hospitalizations (HR 1.65; 95% CI 0.89–3.10, p = .113), all-cause mortality (HR 1.37; 95% CI 0.47–3.98, p = .564) or AVR (HR 1.30; 95% CI 0.89–1.91, p = .170). Conclusion. In patients with moderate or severe AS, ST segment depression during ETT is non-specific, carries no prognostic risk and should be used with caution in the clinical interpretation of exercise test.

Health literacy and long-term health outcomes following myocardial infarction: protocol for a multicentre, prospective cohort study (ENHEARTEN study)

IntroductionLow health literacy is common in people with cardiovascular disease and may be one factor that affects an individual’s ability to maintain secondary prevention health behaviours following myocardial infarction (MI)....

The Ratio of Hemoglobin to Red Cell Distribution Width: A Strong Predictor of Clinical Outcome in Patients with Heart Failure.

Background: Hemoglobin (Hb) is a standard and widely available clinical parameter that predicts clinical outcomes in heart failure (HF) patients. Red cell distribution width (RDW) is also a routinely measured clinical parameter that is predictive of clinical outcomes in HF. The ratio between Hb and RDW has yet to be evaluated in HF. Methods: We evaluated the predictive value of the Hb/RDW ratio on clinical outcomes in patients with HF. All patients diagnosed with chronic HF at a health maintenance organization were evaluated for Hb/RDW ratio and followed for cardiac-related hospitalizations and death. Results: The study cohort included 6888 HF patients. The mean Hb/RDW ratio was 0.85 ± 0.18; median was 0.85 (interquartile range 0.72–0.98). Patients with a lower Hb/RDW ratio were more likely to be women and had more comorbidities. The overall two year-mortality rate was 23.2%. Decreasing quantiles of the Hb/RDW ratio were associated with reduced survival rates and reduced event-free survival from death or cardiovascular-hospitalizations. Multivariable Cox regression analysis after adjustment for significant predictors demonstrated that low Hb/RDW ratio was a significant predictor of mortality, with a graded increased risk as Hb/RDW ratio decreased. Lower Hb/RDW ratio was also a significant independent predictor of the combined endpoint of death or cardiovascular hospitalizations. A sensitivity analysis evaluating Hb/RDW ratio as a continuous parameter using restricted cubic splines demonstrated a continuous increase in the mortality risk with decreasing Hb/RDW ratio, p < 0.0001 for the linear model. Conclusions: Hb/RDW ratio is a significant prognostic tool for predicting HF mortality and cardiovascular hospitalizations.

Abstract 10555: Genetic Testing Underutilization in Patients with Cardiomyopathy: A Real-World Data Analysis

Introduction: Professional guidelines support genetic testing (GT) for dilated, hypertrophic, restrictive, arrhythmogenic, and peripartum cardiomyopathy to confirm a diagnosis, guide management, enable clinical trials, and/or allow more informed genetic counseling. Analysis of de-identified data from a commercial laboratory showed that 1 in 4 individuals who had cardiomyopathy GT billed to a national health insurer had a positive result; however, which patients undergo GT is largely unknown. Hypothesis: GT is underutilized in patients with genetic cardiomyopathy. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using commercial and Medicare claims data from the UnitedHealth Group Clinical Discovery Database. The GT-cohort (index: GT dates 1/1/2017-12/31/2020) included patients with 12-months pre-index data including ≥1 ICD-10 codes associated with genetic or unspecified cardiomyopathy and GT Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s). The non-GT cohort (index: outpatient visit dates 1/1/2017-12/31/2020 with 12-month pre-index data) had the same ICD codes, but no GT CPT code. Individuals with a personal and/or family history of cancer were excluded to avoid patients who had GT for cancer. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to examine factors associated with GT. Results: Of 300,127 patients with cardiomyopathy, 3,287 (1.1%) had a GT CPT code. Factors that predicted a higher likelihood of GT (p &lt; 0.05) included being younger, living in an area with a higher education level, commercial insurance, no diagnosis of diabetes or myocardial infarction, diagnosis of mild liver disease, a higher number of outpatient medical and cardiology visits, cardiac-related hospitalizations (shorter length-of-stay), a higher number of 30-day all-cause readmissions, a higher number of cardiomyopathy diagnoses, and except for peripartum, all genetic cardiomyopathy types. Conclusions: Only 1.1% of patients with a cardiomyopathy ICD code had a GT claim. Considering a potential 25% testing yield, a larger portion could have benefited from a genetics guided diagnosis. More research is needed to investigate barriers related to GT and improve our ability to identify those who could benefit from cardiomyopathy genetic testing.

Comparison of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Outcomes Between Normal-Flow, Low-Gradient Severe Aortic Stenosis and Normal-Flow, High-Gradient Severe Aortic Stenosis

BackgroundNormal flow low gradient severe aortic stenosis (NFLG-AS) with preserved ejection fraction is the most prevalent form of low gradient severe aortic stenosis. Despite the increased prevalence, the clinical outcomes and management strategy of NFLG-AS remain controversial. Therefore, our study aimed to evaluate transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) outcomes of patients with NFLG-AS compared with normal flow high gradient severe aortic stenosis (NFHG-AS). MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of 394 patients who underwent TAVI between January 2011 to September 2020. Among 394 patients, 232 patients had NFLG-AS, and 162 patients had NFHG-AS. The primary outcomes included all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality. In addition, multiple secondary outcomes were evaluated, including stroke, myocardial infarction, duration of hospital stay, new-onset atrial fibrillation, temporary or permanent pacemaker requirement, major bleeding, blood transfusion, vascular complications, acute kidney injury, hemodialysis requirement, symptom improvement, and repeat hospitalizations due to any cardiac disease. ResultsThe cumulative six months incidence of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality were similar between and NFLG-AS and NFHG-AS (4.32% vs. 5.17%, P = 0.71 and 2.47% vs. 2.59%, P = 0.94 respectively). There was no difference in the rates of stroke, myocardial infarction, duration of hospital stay, new-onset atrial fibrillation, temporary or permanent pacemaker requirement, major bleeding, blood transfusion, vascular complications, acute kidney injury, hemodialysis requirement, and symptom improvement between the two groups. However, patients with NFLG-AS compared to NFHG-AS had more frequent cardiac-related repeat hospitalizations (19.14% vs. 11.64%, P = 0.04%). ConclusionThere was no significant difference in all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality between NFLG-AS and NGHG-AS six months post-TAVI. However, patients undergoing TAVI with NFLG-AS had significantly higher rates of cardiac-related repeat hospitalizations.

Prognostic value of signs and symptoms in heart failure patients using remote telemonitoring

Introduction Heart failure is a serious burden on health care systems due to frequent hospital admissions. Early recognition of outpatients at risk for clinical deterioration could prevent hospitalization. Still, the role of signs and symptoms in monitoring heart failure patients is not clear. The heart failure coach is a web-based telemonitoring application consisting of a 9-item questionnaire assessment of heart failure signs and symptoms and developed to identify outpatients at risk for clinical deterioration. If deterioration was suspected, patients were contacted by a heart failure nurse for further evaluation. Methods Heart failure coach questionnaires completed between 2015 and 2018 were collected from 287 patients, completing 18,176 questionnaires. Adverse events were defined as all-cause mortality, heart failure- or cardiac-related hospital admission or emergency cardiac care visits within 30 days after completion of each questionnaire. Multilevel logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association between the heart failure coach questionnaire items and the odds of an adverse event. Results No association between dyspnea and adverse events was observed (odds ratio 1.02, 95% confidence interval 0.79–1.30). Peripheral edema (odds ratio 2.21, 95% confidence interval 1.58–3.11), persistent chest pain (odds 2.06, 95% confidence interval 1.19–3.58), anxiety about heart failure (odds ratio 2.12, 95% confidence interval 1.44–3.13), and extensive struggle to perform daily activities (odds ratio 2.23, 95% confidence interval 1.38–3.62) were significantly associated with adverse outcome. Discussion Regular assessment of more than the classical signs and symptoms may be helpful to identify heart failure patients at risk for clinical deterioration and should be an integrated part of heart failure telemonitoring programs.