Cardiovascular Comorbidities Research Articles

Impact of a dermatological rehabilitation program on cardiovascular risks of psoriasis patients.

Psoriasis vulgaris is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease, associated with multiple cardiovascular comorbidities, which can ultimately lead to increased mortality. Dermatological rehabilitation programs represent an additional therapeutic option in patients with psoriasis besides the classical outpatient or inpatient management. This study aimed to investigate the impact of dermatological rehabilitation on cardiovascular risk factors, cardiorespiratory fitness and quality of life at the Clinic of Dermatology, Bad Bentheim, Germany. This prospective study included 105 patients (age >18years) with known psoriasis and/or psoriasis (pustulosa) palmoplantaris committing to a 3-week long rehabilitation program. Various patient reported outcomes including dermatological life and quality index, patient global assessment, physical activity, pruritus and smoking and alcohol consumption history were captured. Body mass index (BMI) and physical fitness were also assessed. Study parameters were collected by telephone at baseline, at discharge, and at 3 and 6months. Significant improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness (p<0.001), BMI (p<0.001), quality of life (p<0.001), patients subjective estimation of disease severity (p<0.001) and psoriasis area and severity index (p<0.001) were shown. The findings emphasize the importance of a rehabilitation program for patients with psoriasis due to its positive and sustained effects on cardiovascular risk factors.

Chronic renal impairment predicts oncological outcomes in UTUC patients undergoing RNU.

This study aims to explore the relationship between pre-existing renal impairment and oncological outcomes in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) patients treated with radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) using data from a multicentre international registry. Data on non-metastatic UTUC patients who underwent RNU were obtained from the Clinical Research Office of the Endourology Society Urothelial Carcinomas of the Upper Tract (CROES-UTUC) Registry. Patients were categorised into normal pre-operative renal function and chronic renal impairment (CKD) groups, with CKD defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate below 60 mL/kg/1.73m². Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was employed to investigate disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Multivariable Cox regression analysis was conducted to identify confounding variables. A total of 1393 patients diagnosed with UTUC who underwent RNU between 2014 and 2019 were analysed. 875 patients (62.4%) had normal renal function, whilst 528 patients (37.6%) had CKD prior to RNU. The two groups had similar proportions of bladder cancer history, comparable cardiovascular comorbidity, similar tumour stage, and comparable proportions receiving laparoscopic or robotic-assisted RNU. In multivariable cox regression analysis, CKD was found to be associated with inferior DFS (HR = 1.419; 95%CI = 1.060-1.898; p = 0.019). Upon multivariable analysis, pre-existing renal impairment and higher T stage (HR = 4.613; 95%CI = 1.829-4.712; p < 0.001) and the use of adjuvant chemotherapy (HR = 1.858; 95%CI = 1.229-2.807; p = 0.003) were also found to associate with worse DFS. Significant cardiovascular disease and higher T stage were associated with worse OS. Existing renal impairment at baseline did not have any significant associated with OS. In this multicentre registry, preoperative chronic renal impairment was identified as an independent predictor of inferior DFS in patients undergoing RNU for non-metastatic UTUC. Preoperative CKD could serve as a clinical predictor of poorer oncological outcomes.

Laboratory and clinical haemostatic aberrations in primary dermatologic disease: A review.

Inflammatory dermatologic diseases have long been viewed as a "skin limited" disease process. Current literature on inflammatory dermatologic diseases investigates their relationship and influence on thromboembolic states and thromboembolic complications and the understanding of their pathophysiology and molecular mechanisms.Studies specifically discuss known inflammatory skin diseases including alopecia areata, vitiligo, psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, atopic dermatitis, chronic spontaneous urticaria, and autoimmune bullous diseases, and their effects on systemic inflammation, associated cardiovascular comorbidities, and thromboembolic or hypercoagulable states. The limited current literature shows potential for links between inflammatory skin diseases and hypercoagulable states. Biomarkers such as F1 + 2, D-dimer, eosinophilic cationic protein, and PAI-1 are currently being studied to outline the mechanisms connecting inflammatory skin disease to the coagulation system. Further study and larger amounts of data are needed to draw definitive conclusions, especially when interpreting biomarkers alone such as PAI-1.The mechanisms, rates of systemic inflammation, and clinical outcomes of traditionally "skin limited" inflammatory diseases remain chronically understudied in dermatology. Many organ systems have well established connections between inflammatory disease and hypercoagulable states, but there are significant gaps in the literature regarding skin diseases. There is a significant need for comprehensive investigation of molecular mechanisms behind inflammatory dermatologic disease and hypercoagulability, how hypercoagulability effects clinical outcomes, and proper intervention to optimize patient outcomes.

Abstract Su906: Patient and Arrest Characteristics Associated with Rearrest and Mortality Following Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Background: Cardiac rearrest post-return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) is a critical concern in emergency care, as it is associated with worse outcomes. Patient characteristics and arrest factors associated with rearrest remain poorly understood, making predicting rearrest after out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) challenging. Aim: To examine rearrest patterns, identify patient-specific risk factors for rearrest, and assess the impact of rearrest on patient outcomes. Hypothesis: Patients that experience rearrest after OHCA will have greater cardiac comorbidities, unfavorable arrest characteristics, and greater mortality. Methods: We performed an observational single-site clinical trial of consecutive adult EMS OHCA patients with ROSC (1/01/2018 to 3/31/24). EMS reports, continuous EMS ECG recordings, and electronic health records were analyzed to determine rearrest occurrence at any time during EMS and ED care. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and arrest/rearrest characteristics were determined. The primary outcome was survival at 6 months. Statistical significance was determined using Chi-square and logistic regression (LR) analyses. Results: We examined 344 patients with OHCA and ROSC, of whom 173 patients rearrested and 171 did not. Patients experiencing rearrest were older (p&lt;0.003) and more likely to be female (p&lt;0.013). They were also more likely to have ED resuscitation medications and interventions (epinephrine, amiodarone, lidocaine, defibrillation, all p&lt;0.001) and a higher incidence of underlying cardiovascular comorbidities, including HTN and CAD (p&lt;0.03). Notably, PEA and asystole were the most common rearrest rhythms, and time from arrest to ROSC was greater (30±16 vs. 25±15 min, p&lt;0.007) in rearrest patients vs. those who did not rearrest. Patients with rearrest were less likely to receive TTM (p&lt;0.003) and importantly, had higher rates of in-hospital and six-month mortality (both p&lt;0.001). In a LR model, no rearrest (OR 2.4, 1.1-5.2), shockable arrest rhythm (OR 9.3, 4-22), female sex (OR 3.3, 1.6-6.5), and therapeutic hypothermia (OR 3.3, 1.7-6.4), were associated with survival (all p&lt;0.04). Conclusions: Rearrest is independently associated with mortality. Increased age, male sex, and underlying cardiac comorbidities were associated with rearrest. Patient and arrest characteristics may predict rearrest. Improved understanding of why these factors promote rearrest will be important to prevent rearrest to enhance OHCA outcomes.

Influence of Injury Patterns and Management Strategies on Outcomes in Trauma Patients with Epistaxis.

Background: Epistaxis is a common emergency, particularly in the context of trauma. Understanding patterns and outcomes of epistaxis in a trauma setting can inform treatment strategies and improve patient care. Objectives: To evaluate the demographic characteristics, clinical features, and outcomes of patients treated for epistaxis following trauma. Methods: This retrospective case-control study included 1106 patients from the National Trauma Data Bank diagnosed with trauma-related epistaxis. The clinical outcomes assessed included hospital stay duration, complication rates, and mortality. Results: In comparison with younger patients, older patients were found to undergo operative intervention significantly more frequently (median age, 65 years vs 44 years; P < .001). The prevalence of cardiovascular and psychiatric comorbidities was higher in the operative group (P = .004 and P = .041, respectively). Mortality risk was not found to be independently influenced by epistaxis management approach. Conclusions: In older individuals with comorbid conditions, trauma-related epistaxis is more likely to result in operative intervention and associated complications. Nonetheless, the management of epistaxis does not appear to have a significant impact on mortality risk.

Higher non-HIV-comorbidity burden in long-term survivors.

The possible differences in comorbidity burden were examined between people with longstanding HIV infection and those with shorter HIV duration of the same calendar age. We performed a single-centre retrospective cohort analysis comparing long-term HIV survivors (LTS) diagnosed with HIV before 1996 (pre-HAART), with an age-matched and gender-matched group diagnosed after 2006 [modern ART era (mART)]. Demographic and outcome data up to 1 May 2023 were obtained from electronic health records as well as from digitalized paper charts. Nine comorbidity domains were defined to overlook the comorbidity burden as on 1 May 2023: cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, neurological, oncological, liver, pulmonary, renal, psychiatric/cognitive, and metabolic. Eighty-eight LTS and 88 people diagnosed in the modern ART era were included in the analysis. Median age in both groups was 60 years. LTS had a higher mean number of comorbidity domains than controls (2.6 vs. 1.9; P = .001). In both LTS and mART groups, metabolic and cardiovascular comorbidity was most prevalent (metabolic 70.5 and 52.3%, respectively, cardiovascular 44.3 and 38.6%, respectively). When stratified according to age, the distribution of the number of comorbidities for LTS roughly resembled the 10 years older mART subgroup. In a multivariate analysis, total ART duration and age were found to be statistically significantly associated with the number of comorbidity domains. Our analysis suggests that LTS have a higher comorbidity burden compared with people diagnosed in the modern ART era of similar calendar age.

Impact of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Psoriasis and Cardiovascular Comorbidities: A Narrative Review

Impact of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Psoriasis and Cardiovascular Comorbidities: A Narrative Review

Assessment of Coronary Artery Disease in Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation: Is This Light at the End of the Tunnel?

Non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia worldwide, and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Increasing life expectancy, coupled with a surge in comorbidity burden, has resulted in a sharp increase in NVAF prevalence over the last three decades. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is an important and clinically relevant risk factor of AF. Concomitant CAD has significant implications for AF management and is a major determinant of the overall outcomes. Shared risk factors, a common pathophysiological basis, and heightened thrombogenesis culminating in cardiovascular adverse events, highlight the close association between the two. The clinical course of AF is worse when associated with CAD, resulting in poor heart rate control, increased propensity to develop stroke and myocardial infarction, increased likelihood of acute presentation with hemodynamic collapse and pulmonary edema, increased bleeding tendencies, and poor response to ablation therapies. Emerging research highlighting the significant role of underlying CAD as an independent predictor of thromboembolic risk has paved the way for the adoption of CAD beyond prior myocardial infarction into the symbol "V" of the CHA2DS2-VASc score. In our opinion, elderly patients aged >65 years with AF, with a history of one or more cardiovascular comorbidities, or evidence of atherosclerosis in other vascular beds should warrant a closer look and a dedicated effort to look for associated CAD. This would allow for a more holistic and comprehensive approach to patients with AF and ultimately help reduce the disease burden and improve the overall outcomes.

Prevalence of comorbidities among patients with rheumatoid arthritis in the UAE: a case–control study

ObjectivesData on the rate of comorbidities in Arab patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are limited, and extrapolating the prevalence of comorbidities from international studies is challenging. This study aimed to...

Clinical and social characterization of patients hospitalized for COPD exacerbation using Machine Learning tools

Objective: This study aims to employ machine learning (ML) tools to cluster patients hospitalized for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) based on their diverse social and clinical characteristics. This clustering is intended to facilitate the subsequent analysis of differences in clinical outcomes.Methods: We analysed a cohort of patients with severe COPD from two Pulmonary Departments in north-western Spain using the k-prototypes algorithm, incorporating demographic, clinical, and social data. The resulting clusters were correlated with metrics such as readmissions, mortality, and place of death. Additionally, we developed an Intelligent Clinical Decision Support System (ICDSS) using a supervised ML model (Random Forest) to assign new patients to these clusters based on a reduced set of variables.Results: The cohort consisted of 524 patients, with an average age of 70.30 ± 9.35 years, 77.67% male, and an average FEV1 of 44.43 ± 15.4. Four distinct clusters (A-D) were identified with varying clinical-demographic and social profiles. Cluster D showed the highest levels of dependency, social isolation, and increased rates of readmissions and mortality. Cluster B was characterized by prevalent cardiovascular comorbidities. Cluster C included a younger demographic, with a higher proportion of women and significant psychosocial challenges. The ICDSS, using five key variables, achieved areas under the ROC curve of at least 0.91.Conclusions: ML tools effectively facilitate the social and clinical clustering of patients with severe COPD, closely related to resource utilization and prognostic profiles. The ICDSS enhances the ability to characterize new patients in clinical settings.

Effects of β-blockers on the Outcomes in Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Stratified by the Presence of Comorbid Conditions: a Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study (BNP-PL)

The current guidelines do not recommend β-blockers in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) unless indicated by comorbidities. However, the evidence regarding the role of β-blockers in PAH is contradictory. What are the effects of β-blockers on clinical outcomes in patients newly diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), and how do these outcomes differ based on the presence of cardiovascular comorbidities that are standard indications for β-blocker use? We analyzed data from 806 patients newly diagnosed with PAH enrolled prospectively in the Database of Pulmonary Hypertension in the Polish Population (BNP-PL). The endpoints were all-cause mortality and a composite of hospitalization due to right heart failure, syncope or death. Indications for β-blocker included hypertension, significant arrhythmia, and coronary artery disease(CAD). Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to form a control group based on age, PAH mortality risk variables and initially introduced PAH specific therapy. Out of the 806 patients, 469 (58.2%) received β-blockers at the time of PAH diagnosis. In PSM, β-blocker treatment showed a higher incidence of the composite endpoint (HR:1.44; 95% CI: 1.04-1.99; P = .03) and had neutral impact on mortality (HR, 1.22; 95% CI, 0.87-1.72; P = .25). When stratified by the presence of comorbidities, β-blockers showed adverse effects on composite endpoint in patients without comorbidities and a neutral effect in patients with at least one comorbidity INTERPRETATION: β-blockers pose significant risks in patients with PAH, especially in patients without coexisting systemic hypertension, CAD and arrhythmia.

Impact of High Troponin Level on the Outcome in COVID-19 Positive Patients.

COVID-19 is a new disease caused by the recently discovered SARS-CoV-2 virus. The COVID-19 disease manifests in several ways and it may affect various systems, including the gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiovascular, and pulmonary systems. Individuals who have ad-additional health conditions, such as cardiovascular disorders, are particularly more likely to experience illness and death. This study aimed to assess the clinical effect of COVID-19 on myocardial injury, as measured by troponin elevation, and to determine if this effect has an impact on the outcome. This retrospective study was conducted at King Saud Medical City. The electronic medical records used to identify all admitted patients between March 23 and June 15, 2020, with a laboratory-confirmed positive COVID-19 diagnosis who had troponin I measured. During the study period, 768 COVID-19-positive patients were hospitalized. Of those, 187 patients were excluded because the troponin level was not measured. The remaining 581 (75.7%) had troponin I measured. Overall, 89 of 581 (15.3%) patients died. Of those, 67.8% were in the markedly elevated cTnI group, 8.5% were in the mildly elevated cTnI group, whereas no deaths were reported in the group with normal cTnI levels. Myocardial injury was observed in COVID-19-admitted patients at a significant level that warrants attention to this consequence. In older individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular comorbidities, the diagnosis of myocardial injury was linked to a higher likelihood of being admitted to the intensive care unit, experiencing a worse prognosis, and ultimately, death.

Adherence to the 2019 ESC/EAS guidelines for dyslipidaemia management in a large rheumatoid arthritis cohort: Data from the CORDIS Study Group of the Italian Society of Rheumatology

Background/aimLipid-lowering therapy prescription is low in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, often not achieving lipid threshold target despite treatment. However, evidence derives from small, monocentric cohorts. We assessed adherence to lipid-lowering treatment for primary cardiovascular (CV) prevention in a RA cohort according to international guidelines. MethodsA cross-sectional analysis of an Italian RA cohort was performed. Disease-related features and traditional CV risk factors were collected. The 10-year CV risk was estimated by Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation 2 (SCORE-2) algorithm. The primary preventive dyslipidaemia strategy was assessed according to 2019 European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society guidelines. Results1.133 RA patients (78.2% female, aged 60.6±10.2 years) free from CV events were included. According to SCORE-2, 42.9% of patients were at moderate risk (1–5-%), 33.3% at high risk (5–10%) and 23.7% at very high risk (>10%). In the whole cohort, 12.9% of patients with <5%, 23.6% with 5–10% and 32.3% with >10% risk were on statin, respectively (p<0.001). According to 2019 ESC/EAS guidelines, 51.5% of patients had LDL-c at target. Among patients with LDL-c not at target, 76% were not on lipid-lowering treatment. At multivariate analysis, patients with higher CV risk had significantly lower probability of LDL-c at target. ConclusionIn a wide Italian RA cohort, more than 50% of patients had high or very high CV risk. In these, lipid-lowering treatment prescription is suboptimal leading to not achievement of LDL-c target. Physicians should improve lipid screening and primary prevention therapy to reduce CV risk and improve CV comorbidity in RA patients.

Long-term cardiovascular outcomes of immune checkpoint inhibitor-related myocarditis: A large single-centre analysis.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are the cornerstone of modern oncology; however, side effects such as ICI-related myocarditis (irM) can be fatal. Recently, Bonaca proposed criteria for irM; however, it is unknown if they correlate well with cardiovascular (CV) ICI-related adverse events. Additionally, whether incident irM portends worse long-term CV outcomes remains unclear. We aimed to determine the incidence of long-term CV comorbidities and CV mortality among irM patients. The ICI-related adverse event (irAE) registry was queried to identify irM patients by using Bonaca criteria. Random controls were selected after excluding patients with other concomitant irAEs. Patients' demographics, comorbidities and myocarditis presenting features were gathered. Outcomes included 2-year freedom from CV comorbidities (composite of atrial fibrillation, stroke, myocardial infarction and heart failure) and freedom from CV death. IrM was treated as a time-varying covariate. Seventy-six patients developed irM at a median of 167days (mean age 69, 63.2% male, 47% lung cancer). Majority of patients had new wall motion abnormalities or EKG changes on presentation. Mean LVEF was 43%, median peak TnT was 0.81, and median NTproBNP was 2057 at irM onset. Two-year freedom from CV comorbidities (67% vs 86.8%, P<0.001) and death (93.4% vs 99.3%, P=0.003) was lower among irM patients. Incident irM was an independent predictor of CV death (HR 8.28, P=0.048), but not CV comorbidities (HR 2.21, P=0.080). This is the largest case-control study on irM highlighting worse long-term CV outcomes. Future studies are needed to establish appropriate therapeutic strategies and efficient screening strategies for irM survivors.

The Impact of Poor Air Quality on Hospitalisation of Multi-morbid Patients: A Systematic Review

Abstract Background Exposure to poor air quality worsen existing health conditions, particularly amongst vulnerable patients, leading to increased healthcare utilization. We conducted a systematic review to explore the impact of exposure to poor quality on healthcare requirements in multi-morbid patients. Methods We searched six major databases (Medline via Ovid, Embase via Ovid, Web of Science, CINAHL, Global Health, and Scopus) using search terms grouped into sets relating to ‘air pollution,’ ‘multimorbidity,’ “association” and ‘hospitalisation.’ We were interested in the impact of common air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, O3, and CO) and articles were screened independently by two researchers. The review was registered with The International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42022369757) and followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Results A total of nineteen studies were included. All six air pollutants increased hospitalisation amongst multi-morbid patients, especially those with diabetes and cardiovascular comorbidity. Females and the elderly (&amp;gt;65 years old) were the most vulnerable to the effects of air pollution, with an increase in hospitalisations of 9.23% and 6.35% when exposed to PM2.5 and PM10, respectively. Patients &amp;gt;65 years had a higher likelihood of hospitalisation for ischemic and haemorrhagic stroke when exposed to PM2.5 or PM10 at warm season. Patients (≥70 years) who had cardiovascular and pulmonary comorbidity were 3.9% more likely to be hospitalised for a cardiopulmonary event with a rise in NO2 levels. We found an intersectional effect (referred to as “the CADC effect” - Climatic changes, Air pollutant, Demographics, Chronic conditions) that influenced the likelihood of hospitalisation. Conclusions Future research is required to further understand this CADC effect in other high-risk population. Key messages • Females, elderly, those with cardiovascular, and pulmonary comorbidity are at the highest risk of hospitalisation with poor air quality. • The CADC effect explains the intersectional effect between hospitalisation in multimorbid patients, patients demographics and chronic conditions, and air pollution and temperature effects.

Cardiovascular comorbidities and risk stratification in normotensive acute pulmonary embolism patients with right ventricular dysfunction and normal cardiac troponin: insights from a regional registry

Abstract Background Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) management guidelines categorize normotensive patients with right ventricle dysfunction (RVD) and normal cardiac troponin (cTn) as intermediate low risk. This study explores the prevalence of cardiovascular comorbidities and their impact on risk stratification in this specific cohort. Purpose To investigate the characteristics of normotensive acute PE patients with RVD and normal cTn, emphasizing the role of pre-existing cardiovascular diseases in determining the intermediate-low risk status. Methods A total of 1675 PE patients from a regional registry were screened, excluding high-risk and intermediate-high-risk cases. Among the remaining 400 normotensive patients with RVD, 353 with echocardiography and normal cTn were included. Patients were categorized into low or intermediate-low risk based on RVD presence. Cardiovascular comorbidities were assessed, and logistic regression analyzed their association with intermediate-low risk. Results Intermediate-low-risk patients (n=137) exhibited significantly higher rates of chronic heart failure, arterial hypertension, coronary artery disease, diabetes, and atrial fibrillation compared to low-risk patients (n=216). A substantial 77.4% of intermediate-low-risk patients had at least one cardiovascular comorbidity, significantly elevating the risk of RV dysfunction (adjusted OR 2.954, p&amp;lt;0.001). The all-cause hospital mortality was 5.1% in intermediate-low-risk and 1.4% in low-risk PE. Conclusions Normotensive acute PE patients with RVD and normal cTn are predominantly burdened with chronic cardiovascular conditions. The majority of intermediate-low-risk patients have at least one cardiovascular comorbidity, indicating an increased risk of death during hospitalization compared to low-risk patients. This study underscores the necessity for nuanced risk stratification considering pre-existing cardiovascular diseases for tailored and effective management. These findings have important implications for optimizing treatment strategies and improving outcomes in this high-risk population.

Prevalence of cardiovascular comorbidities among hospitalized patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and factors associated with a higher case-fatality rate

Abstract Background Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is proven to be a catalyst for sudden cardiac death among affected population. However, the prevalence of cardiovascular comorbidities (CVC) and their association with in-hospital mortality has not been established among hospitalized patients with HCM. Methods National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database was queried from 2016 to 2020 to identify hospitalized patients with a diagnosis of HCM. The prevalence of CVC and case-fatality rate was determined for this patient population using univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression. Results Weighted data was analyzed for a total of 278,995 admission cases with HCM. Crude in-hospital mortality rate increased from 16.4% to 22.9% during the study period. Atrial fibrillation (42.1%), HFpEF (28.1%), and cardiorenal syndrome (16.6%) were the most common CVC among hospitalized patients with HCM. The case-fatality rate was the highest among HCM patients hospitalized due to cardiac arrest (41%) followed by cardiac tamponade (13.7%) and STEMI (10.2%). Increasing age (aOR: 1.02, 95%CI: 1.02-1.03, p&amp;lt;0.0001), Asian/Pacific Islander race (aOR: 1.7, 95%CI: 1.1-2.4-, p=0.007), cerebrovascular accident (aOR: 2.3, 95%CI: 1.7-3.01, p&amp;lt;0.0001), NSTEMI (aOR: 1.8, 95%CI: 1.3-2.4, p&amp;lt;0.0001), peripheral vascular diseases (aOR: 1.3, 95%CI: 1.03-1.6, p=0.03), cardiorenal syndrome (aOR: 1.4, 95%CI: 1.2-1.8, p&amp;lt;0.0001), and cardiac arrest (aOR: 26.6, 95%CI: 20.9-33.9, p&amp;lt;0.0001). Among HCM patients with acute myocardial infarction requiring revascularization procedures, in-hospital mortality rate was significantly lower among those undergoing PCI than CABG (8.5% vs. 37.5%, p=0.008 for STEMI and 1.8% vs. 4.9%, p=0.04 for NSTEMI). Conclusions Mortality rate among hospitalized patients with HCM has been slightly on the rise over the last half century. Although aging population might be a contributing factor, comorbid end-organ damages including CVA, NSTEMI, and cardiorenal syndrome have demonstrated substantial association with in-hospital mortality in addition to cardiac arrest. For HCM patients requiring revascularization procedures, PCI seems to be associated with a lower mortality rate than its competitor CABG.

Clinical phenotypes in relation to outcomes in heart failure patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy and defibrillators (CRT-D): an unsupervised cluster analysis

Abstract Background Patients with heart failure undergoing CRT are an heterogenous and complex population. Selecting patients before implantation is essential to obtain a favorable response to CRT-D. Data-driven cluster analysis may be an approach to identify different patients’ phenotypic categories. Purpose To identify different clusters of patients with CRT-D who share similar clinical phenotypes, and to evaluate the associations between clusters and clinical outcomes, using cluster analysis. Methods Three agglomerative hierarchical cluster analysis were performed in CRT-D patients seen between 2010 and 2019 in French hospitals. Associations between clusters and death at one year and death during whole follow-up (FU) were evaluated using Cox regression analyses. Results The study included 23,029 CRT-D patients with no prior history of VT/VF/cardiac arrest (mean age 67.7 ± 9.9 years; 78.8 % male), who were analyzed in relation to 3 ways, as follows: the first group was a 50% random sample of all patients (n = 11,514), the second group included patients dead at 1 year (n = 1,604) and the third group included those alive at 3 years FU (n = 14,228). A cluster analysis was performed on each group. Four clusters were identified in the first group: Cluster 1 identified young patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and low prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD), cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and comorbidities (chronic kidney disease, lung and liver disease) (low-risk phenotype); Cluster 2 was composed of male patients with CAD but low burden of CV risk factors and comorbidities (CAD phenotype); Cluster 3 included CRT recipients with several CV risk factors but low prevalence of comorbidities (CV risk factors phenotype); Cluster 4 identified old patients with high prevalence of CAD, atrial fibrillation, CV risk factors and comorbidities (clinical complex phenotype). These phenotypes were maintained in the other two groups (dead at 1 year and alive at 3 years FU), with the highest consistency for low-risk and high-risk phenotypes(Cluster 1 and 4 respectively). Compared with Cluster 1, Clusters 2, 3 and 4 were independently associated with an increased risk of all-cause death at 1-year FU and during the whole FU (Cluster 2: HR 1.21, 95% CI 1.08 - 1.36; Cluster 3: HR 1.15, 95%CI 1.04 - 1.26; and Cluster 4: HR 1.79, 95%CI 1.65 - 1.96). There were high prevalences of CAD, atrial fibrillation, mitral regurgitation, and comorbidities (which are all predictors of CRT-nonresponse) not only in Cluster 4 at baseline, but also among patients who died at 1-year FU in all 4 clusters. Conclusion Cluster analysis identified four statistically driven groups of CRT recipients, with specific clinical phenotypes and associated with different risks for all-cause death. Identifying those patients at higher risk of adverse events might help in the selection of patients with heart failure undergoing CRT-D implantation, especially in relation to CRT-nonresponse.Risk of all-cause death in 4 clusters

Hemoglobin/creatinine ratio as long- term prognostic marker in acute coronary syndromes: a praise registry study

Abstract Introduction Anemia and renal impairment are key determinants of adverse outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The hemoglobin/creatinine (Hb/Cr) ratio, a simple and universally accessible index that combines these two factors, was found to predict adverse outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease. There is limited evidence on the performance of the Hb/Cr ratio in predicting long-term adverse outcomes in the specific setting of ACS. Purpose To evaluate the long-term prognostic impact of the Hb/Cr ratio in patients with ACS. Methods Out of the 23,270 ACS patients enrolled in the international PRAISE registry between 2003 and 2019, 3.465 were excluded due to missing data and 19.805 were included in this analysis. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality at one year follow-up. Secondary endpoints were major bleeding and the composite of all-cause mortality or reinfarction at one year follow-up. A cut-point analysis according to Liu’s method was run to evaluate the best discriminative value of the Hb/Cr ratio for the prediction of all-cause mortality. Results The cut-point analysis showed that a cut-off value of 13.79 represented the most discriminative in predicting all-cause mortality at one year (CI 13.35–14.23; AUC 0.66), and that mortality increased exponentially when the ratio was &amp;lt;12.4. On the basis of this discriminative value, we divided our population into low vs. high Hb/Cr groups. The former included 5,874 (29.7%) patients, while the latter included 13,931 (70.3%). Patients in the low Hb/Cr group were older, more frequently female, and had a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, comorbidities, and history of coronary artery disease. Conversely, patients in the high Hb/Cr group were mostly men and more frequently admitted with a STEMI diagnosis. One year post-discharge from ACS, all-cause mortality (8.3% vs. 2.3%; p &amp;lt; 0.001), major bleeding (5.4% vs. 2.2%; p &amp;lt; 0.001) and the composite of all-cause mortality or reinfarction (11.6% vs. 4.7%; p &amp;lt; 0.001) were significantly higher in the low Hb/Cr group. Bivariate regression analysis showed that Hb/Cr ratio was inversely associated with all-cause mortality (OR 0.85; CI 0.84 – 0.86; p &amp;lt; 0.0001), major bleeding (OR 0.91; CI 0.89-0.92; p &amp;lt; 0.0001), and the composite of all-cause mortality or reinfarction (OR 0.89; CI 0.88-0.90; p &amp;lt; 0.0001). This association held strongly true even after an extensive adjustment for several covariates, including cardiovascular risk factors, comorbidities, and discharge medical therapy: all-cause mortality (OR 0.95; CI 0.92 – 0.97; p &amp;lt; 0.0001), major bleeding (OR 0.92; CI 0.89-0.95; p &amp;lt; 0.0001), composite of all-cause mortality or reinfarction (OR 0.96; CI 0.94-0.98; p &amp;lt; 0.0001). Conclusions HB/Cr ratio appears to be inversely associated with long-term adverse outcomes among ACS patients. Further research is warranted before routinely considering this index in clinical practice.

Association between impaired left ventricular global longitudinal strain and B-type natriuretic peptide in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Abstract Background Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) is considered valuable in explaining impaired left ventricular contractility in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) with preserved ejection fraction and is associated with worse outcome. Elevated B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a biomarker of increased LV wall stretch and a risk factor of heart failure, mortality, and other adverse cardiovascular events. However, relationship between GLS and BNP has not received sufficient attention in the obstructive variant of HCM. Purpose This study aimed to determine the association between echocardiographic LV-GLS and plasma BNP in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). Methods A total of 145 consecutive patients (32% females) with symptomatic HOCM were enrolled in the retrospective study. HOCM was defined with a maximum end-diastolic wall thickness ≥15mm without other etiologies for LV hypertrophy, and peak LV outflow tract (LVOT) gradient ≥30mmHg. The echocardiographic parameters regarding LV geometry, loading conditions, and GLS were evaluated according to guidelines. Patients were divided into two groups according to absolute GLS values (greater or lower than median LV-GLS). Patient baseline clinical data, echocardiographic parameters, and BNP were compared. Univariate and multivariable regression analysis were applied to identify the independent determinator of LV-GLS. Results The median value of LV-GLS of this study cohort was -13.4%. Eighty-one patients (47.6±13.4 years-old) had a |GLS|≥13.4% and 64 individuals (48.7±12.6 years-old) had a |GLS|&amp;lt;13.4%. No differences were found in age, gender, physical examinations, LVEF, cardiovascular comorbidities, or active medications between the two groups, except for body mass index (BMI). Patients with |GLS|≥13.4% had statistically lower BMI (24.58±2.42 vs. 26.00±3.12kg/m², p=0.030). BNP was found significantly elevated in patients with |GLS|&amp;lt;13.4% when compared with individuals with |GLS|≥13.4% {median (IQR); 550.05 (214.50, 899.35) vs. 182.40 (78.90, 479.90)pg/mL, p=0.004}. In univariate regression analysis, decreased |GLS| was associated with male gender, maximum and mean LV wall thickness, peak LVOT gradient, reduced mitral annular e’ velocity, elevated BNP and cardiac troponin I. In multivariable regression analysis, GLS was found independently associated with mean LV wall thickness and BNP. Conclusions In patients with symptomatic HOCM with preserved ejection fraction, impaired LV-GLS was found to be associated with plasma BNP and mean LV wall thickness, independent of gender, age, loading conditions, LVEF, or LVOT gradient. Reduced GLS may be a more sensitive surrogate in assessing increased myocardial wall tension or stretch, rather than LV contractility in these patients. Therefore, the interpretation of GLS in HOCM should shift away from systolic interest toward emphasizing its potential value in risk stratification of diastolic heart failure with preserved LVEF.Figure 1