Heart Failure Score Research Articles

Copy number variation of gasdermin D gene is associated with atrial fibrillation-related thromboembolic stroke.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the major causes of ischaemic stroke. In addition to clinical risk evaluated by the CHA2DS2-VASC score, the impact of genetic factors on the risk of AF-related thromboembolic stroke has been largely unknown. We found several copy number variations (CNVs) in novel genes that were associated with thromboembolic stroke risk in our AF patients by genome-wide approach. Among them, the gasdermin D (GSDMD) gene was related to inflammation. We aimed to test whether GSDMD deletion was associated with AF-related stroke. A total of 400 patients with documented non-familial AF were selected, of which 100 patients were diagnosed with ischaemic stroke. The baseline characteristics of age, sex, valvular heart disease, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and CHA2DS2-VASc scores were not statistically different between cases and controls. We found that individuals who carried GSDMD homozygous deletion genotype had a higher risk for ischaemic stroke (odds ratio 2.195; 95% confidence interval, 1.24-3.90; P = 0.007), even adjusted by CHA2DS2-VASc scores. We also validated the association of GSDMD with AF stroke in a large Caucasian population (UK Biobank). We found a link between the homozygous deletion of the GSDMD gene and an increased risk of stroke in patients with AF. This may implicate the use of therapy targeting GSDMD in the prevention of ischaemic stroke for AF patients.

Prediction of mortality and heart failure hospitalisations in patients undergoing M-TEER: external validation of the COAPT risk score.

A risk score was recently derived from the Cardiovascular Outcomes Assessment of the MitraClip Percutaneous Therapy for Heart Failure Patients with Functional Mitral Regurgitation (COAPT) Trial. However, external validation of this score is still lacking. We aimed to validate the COAPT risk score in a large multicentre population undergoing mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (M-TEER) for secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR). The Italian Society of Interventional Cardiology (GIse) Registry of Transcatheter Treatment of Mitral Valve RegurgitaTiOn (GIOTTO) population was stratified according to COAPT score quartiles. The performance of the COAPT score for 2-year all-cause death or heart failure (HF) hospitalisation was evaluated in the overall population and in patients with or without a COAPT-like profile. Among the 1,659 patients included in the GIOTTO registry, 934 had SMR and complete data for a COAPT risk score calculation. The incidence of 2-year all-cause death or HF hospitalisation progressively increased through the COAPT score quartiles in the overall population (26.4% vs 44.5% vs 49.4% vs 59.7%; log-rank p<0.001) and COAPT-like patients (24.7% vs 32.4% vs 52.3% vs. 53.4%; log-rank p=0.004), but not in those with a non-COAPT-like profile. The COAPT risk score had poor discrimination and good calibration in the overall population, moderate discrimination and good calibration in COAPT-like patients and very poor discrimination and poor calibration in non-COAPT-like patients. The COAPT risk score has a poor performance in the prognostic stratification of real-world patients undergoing M-TEER. However, after application to patients with a COAPT-like profile, moderate discrimination and good calibration were observed.

Comparison of Questionnaire and Performance-Based Physical Frailty Scales to Predict Survival and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Heart Failure.

Background Frailty is prevalent in older adults with heart failure and is associated with poor outcomes; however, there remains uncertainty on how to measure frailty in clinical practice. Methods and Results A multicentric prospective cohort study was assembled at 4 heart failure clinics to compare the prognostic value of 3 physical frailty scales in ambulatory patients with heart failure. Outcomes were all-cause death or hospitalization and health-related quality of life using the 36-Item Short Form survey questionnaire (SF-36) at 3 months. Multivariable regression was adjusted for age, sex, Meta-Analysis Global Group in Chronic Heart Failurescore, and baseline SF-36 score. The cohort included 215 patients (mean age 77.6 years). All 3 frailty scales were independently associated with death or hospitalization at 3 months; the adjusted odds ratios standardized per 1 SD worsening of the Short Physical Performance Battery;Fried, and strength, assistance with walking, rising from a chair, climbing stairs, and falls scales were 1.67 (95% CI, 1.09-2.55), 1.60 (95% CI, 1.04-2.46), and 1.55 (95% CI, 1.03-2.35), respectively, with C statistics of 0.77 to 0.78. All 3 frailty scales were independently associated with worsening SF-36 scores, especially the Short Physical Performance Battery, for which 1 SD worsening of frailty translated to a decrement of -5.86 (-8.55 to -3.17) and -5.51 (-7.82 to -3.21) points in the Physical Component Score and Mental Component Score. Conclusions All 3 physical frailty scales were associated with death, hospitalization, and reduced health-related quality of life in ambulatory patients with heart failure. Questionnaire or performance-based physical frailty scales can be used to offer prognostic value and a therapeutic target in this vulnerable population. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03887351.

Current diagnostic algorithms for chronic heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction

Chronic heart failure remains one of the main causes of mortality and reduced life quality both in Ukraine and around the world. More than 50 % of all patients with chronic heart failure are those with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. In current guidelines, the criteria for evaluating heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction are described properly, but the issue of timely diagnosing chronic heart failure with preserved ejection fraction still remains unsolved. This review presents four diagnostic algorithms for this condition, which were presented by international scientific societies in recent years: 2021 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic heart failure; H2FPEF Score for Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (Mayo, 2018); HFA-PEFF diagnostic algorithm: a consensus recommendation from the Heart Failure Association (HFA) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) (2019); Multimodality imaging in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction: an expert consensus document of the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (2021). The main advantages, limitations and disadvantages of each one are analyzed. All steps of diagnostic evaluation are described in detail. The review is illustrated with patterns of the latest diagnostic approaches.

Abstract P178: Incremental Value of Charlson Comorbidity Index Over Disease-Centric Score in Heart Failure

Introduction: Heart Failure (HF) is a syndrome of high comorbidity and mortality. The impact of comorbidities on life expectancy in HF is well studied, but guideline-recommended disease-centric risk scores such as the Meta-analysis Global Group in Chronic Heart Failure (MAGGIC) score may not fully account for the effect of comorbidities. The Charlson Comorbidity Index (Charlson) is a validated measure that quantifies the prognostic impact of comorbidities. Objective: To examine the incremental value of Charlson over MAGGIC in predicting death in HF. Methods: In a population-based HF cohort, we computed MAGGIC and Charlson scores using electronically linked medical records. Patients were divided based on ejection fraction (EF) into reduced [EF &lt;50%, HFrEF] or preserved [EF ≥50%, HFpEF]. Cox regression was performed to assess the association between the risk scores and mortality. The incremental value of Charlson over MAGGIC was tested by calculating the area under the ROC [receiver operating characteristic] curves (AUCs) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: We studied 1,388 patients with HF validated using the Framingham criteria (mean age, 75±13 years, 48% female, mean EF, 49±17%). The median Charlson was 7.0 (interquartile range 5.0-9.0) and was higher in HFpEF than HFrEF (7.0 [5.0-9.0] vs. 6.0 [4.0-8.3] respectively. Over a median follow-up of 13.9 years (13.3-14.2), mortality was 17.4% (95% CI, 15.4 -19.3%) and 36.8% (95% CI, 34.2-39.3%) at 1, and 3 years respectively. In regression analysis, increasing MAGGIC and Charlson were independently associated with death (HR 1.09, 95% CI 1.08-1.11 and HR,1.22, 95% CI 1.20-1.24, both p &lt;0.001) irrespective of EF. Discrimination ability was improved by adding Charlson over MAGGIC (Table), reaching statistical significance at 3 years. Conclusion: In this HF cohort, the Charlson index provided an added value over MAGGIC in predicting the risk of death at 3 years. These findings emphasize the importance of accounting for comorbidities in mid-term risk stratification in HF.

Abstract P177: Circulating Ketone Bodies and Mortality in Heart Failure: A Community Cohort Study

Background: Heart failure (HF) is associated with metabolic alterations, including ketogenesis. However, determinants of ketogenesis and risk of mortality in HF is not defined. Total ketone bodies (KB) include β-hydroxybutyrate, acetoacetate, and acetone and can be measured in plasma by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between KB and clinical characteristics in a community HF cohort and to assess the association between KB and all-cause mortality. Methods: A population-based cohort of 1,389 HF patients was prospectively enrolled between 2003 and 2012. Plasma KB was measured by LP4 NMR LipoProfile ® assay/test on the Vantera® NMR analyzer platform. A conditional inference tree method (ctree R Package) was used to determine optimal KB group cut points. Associations between clinical characteristics and KB were measured with Wilcoxon rank sum test and Pearson’s Chi-squared test. Kaplan-Meier method estimated survival. Cox regression analyses were used to estimate associations between KB concentrations and mortality. Results: Among the 1,382 HF patients with KB measurements, the median age was 78 years (IQR 68-84) and 52% were men. Median KB was 180 μM (IQR 134-308). Patients were divided into two groups with lower KB (≤471.5 μM) and higher KB (&gt;471.5 μM). Patients with higher KB (N=210) had lower BMI, higher BNP, and were more likely to be in the New York Heart Association class III-IV; however, these patients were less likely to have hyperlipidemia, coronary disease, or diabetes mellitus (P &lt; 0.05). Age, sex, creatinine, ejection fraction, or Meta-Analysis Global Group in Chronic HF (MAGGIC) score did not differ by KB group. Higher KB was associated with worse survival (figure). After adjustment for the MAGGIC score, higher KB was associated with increased risk of mortality (HR 1.3; 95% CI, 1.08-1.48). Conclusions: In this community HF cohort, higher KB was associated with increased mortality, independent of the MAGGIC score.

COMPARISON OF THE PREDICTIVE PERFORMANCE OF CARDIOGENIC SHOCK SCORES IN A REAL-WORLD LATIN AMERICA COUNTRY.

Background : Mortality in cardiogenic shock (CS) is up to 40%, and although risk scores have been proposed to stratify and assess mortality in CS, they have been shown to have inconsistent performance. The purpose was to compare CS prognostic scores and describe their performance in a real-world Latin American country. Methods : We included 872 patients with CS. The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI), CARDSHOCK, IABP-Shock II, Cardiogenic Shock Score, age-lactate-creatinine score, Get-With-The-Guidelines Heart Failure score, and Acute Decompensated Heart Failure National Registry scores were calculated. Decision curve analyses were performed to evaluate the net benefit of the different scoring systems. Logistic and Cox regression analyses were applied to construct area under the curve (AUC) statistics, this last one against time using the Inverse Probability of Censoring Weighting method, for in-hospital mortality prediction. Results: When logistic regression was applied, the scores had a moderate-good performance in the overall cohort that was higher AUC in the CARDSHOCK ( c = 0.666). In acute myocardial infarction-related CS (AMI-CS), CARDSHOCK still is the highest AUC (0.68). In non-AMI-CS only SCAI (0.668), CARDSHOCK (0.533), and IABP-SHOCK II (0.636) had statistically significant values. When analyzed over time, significant differences arose in the AUC, suggesting that a time-sensitive component influenced the prediction of mortality. The highest AUC was for the CARDSHOCK score (0.658), followed by SCAI (0.622). In AMI-CS-related, the highest AUC was for the CARDSHOCK score (0.671). In non-AMI-CS, SCAI was the best (0.642). Conclusions : Clinical scores show a time-sensitive AUC, suggesting that performance could be influenced by time and the type of CS. Understanding the temporal influence on the scores could provide a better prediction and be a valuable tool in CS.

The importance of re-evaluating the risk score in heart failure patients: An analysis from the Metabolic Exercise Cardiac Kidney Indexes (MECKI) score database

BackgroundThe role of risk scores in heart failure (HF) management has been highlighted by international guidelines. In contrast with HF, which is intrinsically a dynamic and unstable syndrome, all its prognostic studies have been based on a single evaluation. We investigated whether time-related changes of a well-recognized risk score, the MECKI score, added prognostic value. MECKI score is based on peak VO2, VE/VCO2 slope, Na+, LVEF, MDRD and Hb. MethodsA multi-centre retrospective study was conducted involving 660 patients who performed MECKI re-evaluation at least 6 months apart. Based on the difference between II and I evaluation of MECKI values (MECKI II – MECKI I = ∆ MECKI) the study population was divided in 2 groups: those presenting a score reduction (∆ MECKI <0, i.e. clinical improvement), vs. patients presenting an increase (∆ MECKI >0, clinical deterioration). ResultsThe prognostic value of MECKI score is confirmed also when re-assessed during follow-up. The group with improved MECKI (366 patients) showed a better prognosis compared to patients with worsened MECKI (294 patients) (p < 0.0001). At 1st evaluation, the two groups differentiated by LVEF, VE/VCO2 slope and blood Na+ concentration, while at 2nd evaluation they differentiated in all 6 parameters considered in the score. The patients who improved MECKI score, improved in all components of the score but hemoglobin, while patients who worsened the score, worsened all parameters. ConclusionsThis study shows that re-assessment of MECKI score identifies HF subjects at higher risk and that score improvement or deterioration regards several MECKI score generating parameters confirming the holistic background of HF.

PS-BPC05-4: DIASTOLIC FUNCTION AND STROKE VOLUME MEASURED BY ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY IS RELATED TO PROGRESSION OF FRAILTY IN ELDERLY HYPERTENSIVE OUTPATIENTS

Objective: In hypertensive patients, echocardiographic measures of cardiac structure and function were related to cognitive dysfunction and frailty in cross sectional studies; however, longitudinal relationship of these parameters has not been elucidated. We investigated whether stroke volume and diastolic function in echocardiography was predictive of worsening of cognitive function and frailty for 3 years. Design and Methods: Among 330 hypertensive patients who were registered in the frailty clinic and underwent echocardiography, 93 patients were followed up for 3 years. We evaluated stroke volume and diastolic function in echocardiography, frailty status evaluated as Kihon checklist (KCL), and cognitive function measured as mini mental state examination (MMSE) and Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA). Results: Patients’ mean age was 78.8 ± 7.1 years old (58% male). KCL score remained or decreased in 50 (54 %) patients after 3 years of follow up (7.1 ± 4.7 points to 5.7 ± 4.7), and increased in 43 (46 %) patients (6.1 ± 4.1 to 8.9 ± 4.4). Between those whose KCL score increased and remained or decreased, there were no statistical difference in history of hypertension, heart failure, diabetes mellitus, stroke and type of antihypertensives; however, MMSE and MoCA score at follow up was higher in patients whose KCL score remained or decreased (MMSE: 27.8 ± 2.5 vs 26.7 ± 3.3, p = 0.24, MoCA: 22.2 ± 4.0 vs 20.7 ± 5.2, p¬ = 0.036). Ratio between early mitral inflow velocity and mitral annular early diastolic velocity (E/e’) at baseline was lower in patients whose KCL score remained or decreased (E/e’ septal 11.8 ± 3.0 vs 14.4 ± 5.5 p = 0.01). Other value for diastolic function was not related to the change of KCL score. Logistic regression analysis revealed E/e’ septal was independently associated with an increased KCL score even after adjusting for age, sex, BMI, history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart failure, and KCL score at baseline (p = 0.036, odds ratio = 0.89). On the other hand, E/e’ was not significantly different in the parallel analysis according to domains of physical function, nutritional state, cognitive function, and depressive mood in KCL. Systolic volume in echocardiography at baseline was related to change in physical function in KCL at follow up (r = -0.226, p = 0.028). Conclusions: E/e’ in echocardiography at baseline was predictive of worsening of frailty status, measured as KCL score, at 3 years later.

Evaluation of the Relationship Between Bleeding Severity and Platelet Mass Index in Geriatric Patients with Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding in the Emergency Department

Aim: Platelet mass index (PMI) is closely correlated with platelet function in various diseases. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the use of PMI in predicting bleeding severity and mortality in geriatric patients with acute upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Material and Methods: This study is a retrospective study. Local ethics committee approval was obtained. It enrolled patients aged 65 years or older who presented to the emergency department (ED) with upper GI bleeding. The patients’ demographic data, comorbid disorders, results of laboratory studies and endoscopic procedures, hospital outcomes, and 30-day mortality rate were evaluated. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: This study included 167 patients. Among them, 40.1% were female, and their median age was 79 (IQR 25-75, 71-86) years. The median Rockall score was 4 (IQR 25-75, 2-5); and the 30-day mortality rate was 13.2 % (n=22). The most common causes of bleeding were duodenal/gastric ulcer and/or erosive gastritis. A comparison of the non-surviving and surviving patients showed that the non-survivor ones were hemodynamically more unstable, had a greater rate of heart failure, higher BUN, creatinine, and Rockall score, and lower platelet count, albumin, and PMI (p=0.026, p=0.029, p=0.048, p=0.018, p=0.013, p&amp;lt;0.001, p=0.025, respectively). Conclusion: Early detection and appropriate management of high-risk elderly patients may contribute to shortening the time to stabilize these patients. Our study showed that PMI was closely associated with mortality in elderly patients who had GI bleeding. We showed that, as PMI decreased, the patients had lower survival and more severe GI bleeding.

Diagnostic Scores in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

The diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) can be challenging and diagnostic scores have been proposed to help in the diagnostic process. This article reviews these scores to provide insights on their role and interpretation in clinical practice. To date, two scores have been validated for the diagnosis of HFpEF. The H2FPEF includes clinical – obesity, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, age – and echocardiographic data – pulmonary hypertension and E/e’ ratio. The HFA-PEFF uses multiple echocardiographic parameters [...]

Proteomic indicators of health relate to Alzheimer’s and neurodegenerative disease biomarkers

AbstractBackgroundPrior studies suggest that peripheral health and comorbid disease can influence Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology and neurodegenerative processes. However, no studies to date have comprehensively examined how measures of peripheral health and risk for non‐neurological disease relate to biomarkers commonly used in AD research. The present study examined the association between 16 protein‐based health indicators and plasma biomarkers of brain amyloid‐β (Aβ) accumulation, phosphorylated tau, neurodegeneration, and reactive astrogliosis.MethodPlasma‐based biomarkers of AD pathology (Aβ42/40 ratio, pTau‐181), neurodegeneration (neurofilament light chain [NfL]), and reactive astrogliosis (glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP]) were measured in Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging participants using Quanterix SIMOA assays. Concurrently, the SomaScan proteomic platform was used to measure 7000 proteins, from which 16 proteomic signatures of health and disease risk were derived (i.e., SomaSignal Tests). A subset of participants also received PiB PET scans to assess cortical amyloid. We examined the relationship between health indicators and AD/neurodegeneration biomarkers using Pearson and Spearman correlations and linear regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, race, education, and APOEe4.ResultThe primary analysis included 720 participants (Table 1). Correlation analyses revealed several strong associations between measures of health/disease risk and plasma Aβ42/40 ratio, pTau‐181, NfL, and GFAP levels (Figure 1a). Notably, higher risk scores for heart failure, primary and secondary cardiovascular disease, and kidney disease were consistently positively associated with greater pTau‐181, NfL, and GFAP, and lower with Aβ42/40 ratio. Measures of body fat percentage, lean body mass, and visceral fat were associated with pTau‐181, NfL, and GFAP, whereas resting energy rate was only associated with NfL and GFAP. These relationships were maintained after adjusting for demographic factors and APOEe4 status (Figure 1b). Only heart failure and secondary cardiovascular disease risk scores were associated with elevated cortical amyloid (PiB+; Figure 2); these measures varied positively with cortical amyloid among participants who were PiB+, but not PiB‐ (Figure 3).ConclusionIndicators of peripheral health and disease risk demonstrate robust relationships with plasma AD, neurodegeneration, and reactive astrogliosis biomarkers. Peripheral health factors, particularly cardiovascular health, may play an important role in the pathophysiology of AD.

Prognostic Value of the FAN Score, a Combination of the Fibrosis-4 Index, Albumin-Bilirubin Score and Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio, in Patients Hospitalized with Heart Failure.

The fibrosis-4 index, albumin-bilirubin score and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio are all prognostic markers in patients with heart failure. Recently, the FAN score, which includes all 3 of these markers, was developed as a useful risk stratification tool in patients with cancer. However, its cut-off values have not been validated for heart failure. We aimed to investigate the optimal cut-off and prognostic values of the FAN score in patients with heart failure. We analyzed 669 consecutive patients hospitalized with heart failure (age, 75.8 ± 11.3 years). Their median values of the fibrosis-4 index, albumin-bilirubin score, and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio at discharge were 2.12, -2.25, and 2.41, respectively. The FAN score for heart failure (HF-FAN score) was calculated using these median values. The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause death and heart failure rehospitalization. Patients were divided into 4 groups according to HF-FAN scores of 0 (n = 112), 1 (n = 231), 2 (n = 242) and 3 (n = 84). Patients with HF-FAN scores of 3 were older, had higher brain natriuretic peptide levels, and larger inferior vena cava diameters. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a direct correlation between higher HF-FAN scores and occurrence of the primary endpoint (log-rank P < 0.001). Cox proportional hazard analysis revealed a higher HF-FAN score was significantly associated with a worse prognosis even after adjustment for possible prognostic factors. Changing from the FAN score to HF-FAN score provided significant continuous net reclassification improvement. In conclusion, the HF-FAN score at discharge was useful for risk stratification in patients hospitalized with heart failure. The HF-FAN score might be more suitable for patients with heart failure than the FAN score.

Upgrading right ventricular pacemakers to biventricular pacing or conduction system pacing: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Guidelines recommend patients undergoing a first pacemaker implant who have even mild left ventricular (LV) impairment should receive biventricular or conduction system pacing (CSP). There is no corresponding recommendation for patients who already have a pacemaker. We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies assessing device upgrades. The primary outcome was the echocardiographic change in LV ejection fraction (LVEF). Six RCTs (randomizing 161 patients) and 47 observational studies (2644 patients) assessing the efficacy of upgrade to biventricular pacing were eligible for analysis. Eight observational studies recruiting 217 patients of CSP upgrade were also eligible. Fourteen additional studies contributed data on complications (25 412 patients). Randomized controlled trials of biventricular pacing upgrade showed LVEF improvement of +8.4% from 35.5% and observational studies: +8.4% from 25.7%. Observational studies of left bundle branch area pacing upgrade showed +11.1% improvement from 39.0% and observational studies of His bundle pacing upgrade showed +12.7% improvement from 36.0%. New York Heart Association class decreased by -0.4, -0.8, -1.0, and -1.2, respectively. Randomized controlled trials of biventricular upgrade found improvement in Minnesota Heart Failure Score (-6.9 points) and peak oxygen uptake (+1.1 mL/kg/min). This was also seen in observational studies of biventricular upgrades (-19.67 points and +2.63 mL/kg/min, respectively). In studies of the biventricular upgrade, complication rates averaged 2% for pneumothorax, 1.4% for tamponade, and 3.7% for infection over 24 months of mean follow-up. Lead-related complications occurred in 3.3% of biventricular upgrades and 1.8% of CSP upgrades. Randomized controlled trials show significant physiological and symptomatic benefits of upgrading pacemakers to biventricular pacing. Observational studies show similar effects between biventricular pacing upgrade and CSP upgrade.

External validation of a heart failure risk score in patients with acute myeloid leukemia

A 21-point risk score for heart failure (HF) has been developed for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), stratifying patients into three groups: low, moderate, and high-risk. In this study, 193 patients with AML treated with anthracycline-based therapy were stratified using the risk score, and its prognostic utility for HF events and all-cause mortality at one year of follow-up were evaluated. HF occurred in 18% (34/193) of anthracycline-treated patients. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) was more negative among patients without HF events (−19 ± 3 vs. −17 ± 4%). One year incidence of HF was increased in the higher risk groups: 12% of low-risk, 24% of moderate-risk, and 50% of high-risk (p < 0.001). However, a higher risk score was not associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality. This study provides external validation of a 21-point risk score for HF events but not all-cause mortality at one year in patients with AML.

Validity and Reliability of the Integrated Palliative Care Outcome Scale in Asian Heart Failure Patients.

The Integrated Palliative Care Outcome Scale (IPOS) was developed in the United Kingdom for health assessment in advanced illness. To evaluate the validity and reliability of a culturally adapted IPOS (both patient and staff versions) for heart failure (HF). We recruited HF patients and staff from a tertiary hospital in Singapore. We collected patient IPOS, New York Heart Association (NYHA) status, Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure (MLHF) scores at baseline, and patient IPOS at follow-up. Each baseline patient IPOS was matched with a staff IPOS. Pearson correlation coefficient (r) between ESAS, MLHF, and patient IPOS was calculated to assess construct validity. The two-sample T-test assessed difference in patient and staff IPOS scores across NYHA status and care settings for known-group validity. Internal consistency of patient and staff IPOS was assessed using Cronbach's alpha (α). Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to assess test-retest reliability of patient IPOS and inter-rater reliability between patient and staff IPOS. Ninety-one patients and 12 staff participated. There was strong convergent validity of total patient IPOS with MLHF (r = 0.78) and ESAS (r = 0.81). There were statistically significant differences in total IPOS across care settings (patient-IPOS: 8.05, staff-IPOS 13.61) and NYHA (patient-IPOS: 7.52, staff-IPOS 12.71).There was high internal consistency of total patient (α = 0.83) and staff IPOS (α = 0.88) and high test-retest reliability of patient IPOS (ICC 0.81). Inter-rater reliability (ICC) ranged between 0.82 and 0.91. The IPOS was valid and reliable for HF patients in Singapore.

External validation of the ACUTE HF score for risk stratification in acute heart failure

BackgroundThe ACUTE HF score is a simple risk score that predicts the prognosis of patients with acute heart failure (HF) using clinical and echocardiographic parameters. As this score was developed for a small European population, we aimed to validate this score in an external population. Methods and resultsThis retrospective observational cohort analysis included patients hospitalized with acute HF during 2015–2019. Of 744 patients, 703 patients with available ACUTE HF scores were analyzed (75 ± 13 years; 61% male; left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] 49 ± 17%). Approximately one-third (34.4%) of the patients had reduced LVEF (<40%), and 51.4% exhibited preserved LVEF (≥50%). During a median follow-up of 452 days, primary and secondary outcomes were observed in 110 and 204 patients, respectively. The ACUTE HF score successfully stratified patients for primary (all-cause mortality) and secondary endpoints (a composite of all-cause mortality and heart failure rehospitalization) in Kaplan–Meier analyses (log-rank test, P < 0.001). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models showed that the score was significantly independently associated with both primary and secondary endpoints after adjusted by covariates (P < 0.001). ConclusionWe validated the risk prediction ability of ACUTE HF score in an Asian population. This score may be applicable in clinical practice.

Plasma brain injury markers are associated with volume status but not muscle health in heart failure patients

Background: Neurofilament light chain protein (NfL) and tau are plasma biomarkers of neuronal injury which can be elevated in patients with neurodegenerative diseases. N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is an established marker of volume status in patients with heart failure (HF) and plasma cBIN1 score (CS) is an emerging biomarker of cardiac muscle health. It is not known if, in HF patients, there is a correlation between cardiac markers and brain injury markers.Methods: We studied ambulatory HF patients with either preserved and reduced ejection fraction (N = 50 with 25 HFrEF and 25 HFpEF) and age and sex matched healthy controls (N = 50). Plasma NT-proBNP and CS were determined using commercial kits. A bead-based ELISA assay was used to quantify femtomolar concentrations of plasma neuronal markers NfL and total tau.Results: Plasma levels of NT-proBNP and CS in heart failure patients were significantly higher than those from healthy controls. In both patients with HFrEF and HFpEF, we found independent and direct correlations between the volume status marker NT-proBNP, but not the cardiomyocyte origin muscle health marker CS, with NfL (r = 0.461, p = 0.0007) and tau (r = 0.333, p = 0.0183).Conclusion: In patients with HF with or without preserved ejection fraction, plasma levels of NfL and tau correlate with volume status rather than muscle health, indicating volume overload-associated neuronal injury.

Randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial on Hominis placenta extract pharmacopuncture for hot flashes in peri- and post-menopausal women

BackgroundHominis placenta pharmacopuncture is widely used for climacteric symptoms. This study examined the efficacy and safety of pharmacopuncture with PLC (the extract of Hominis placenta) on hot flashes for perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. MethodsThis study was a randomized placebo-controlled single-blind trial, which recruited 128 perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, randomly assigned to receive pharmacopuncture with PLC or normal saline (NS) for eight weeks. The primary outcome was the mean changes in the hot flash score (HFS) and the secondary outcomes were the mean changes in the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, and estradiol (E2) levels from baseline to eight weeks. Missing values were imputed using the last-observation-carried-forward method. ResultsAfter treatment (week 9), the HFS decreased significantly in both groups (p = 0.000). The residual HFS was 47.09 ± 41.39% and 56.45 ± 44.92 % in the PLC and control groups, respectively (p = 0.262). One month after the treatment (week 13), the score of the PLC group was reduced, but the score increased in the control group (p = 0.077). There were no statistically significant differences in the mean changes in MRS, FSH, and E2 between the two groups. No serious adverse events related to this trial were noted. ConclusionIn this study, Hominis placenta extract pharmacopuncture did not differ significantly from NS in reducing the hot flash score. While this therapy appears safe, the potential for long-term effect of PLC extract needs to be examined in a large randomized controlled trial with appropriate controls. Trial registrationClinical Research Information Service, Republic of Korea, KCT0 0 03533.

Associations of Childhood Maltreatment and Genetic Risks With Incident Heart Failure in Later Life.

Background We aimed to determine the associations of childhood maltreatment with incident heart failure in later life and explore the potentially modifying effects of genetic risk for heart failure on the associations. Methods and Results This cohort study included adults free of heart failure at baseline enrolled between 2006 and 2010 in the UK Biobank. Childhood maltreatment was retrospectively assessed with the online Childhood Trauma Screener in 2016. Five types of childhood maltreatment (range, 0-5), including physical abuse, physical neglect, emotional abuse, emotional neglect, and sexual abuse, were combined into a total score. A weighted polygenic risk score for heart failure was constructed. Incident all-cause heart failure was prospectively ascertained via hospital inpatient and death records, followed up to May 31, 2021. A total of 153 287 adults (mean [SD] age, 55.9 [7.7] years; 43.6% male) were included. Over a median of 12.2 years (interquartile range, 11.5-12.9 years) of follow-up, 2352participants had incident heart failure. Childhood maltreatment was associated with a greater risk of incident heart failure in a dose-response manner. One additional type of childhood maltreatment was associated with a 15% increase in the risk of developing heart failure (hazard ratio [HR], 1.15 [95% CI, 1.07-1.23]). There was no statistically significant interaction between genetic risk and childhood maltreatment (Pinteraction=0.218). Among participants with high genetic risk, those with 3 to 5 types of childhood maltreatment had a double hazard (HR, 2.00 [95% CI, 1.43-2.80]) of developing heart failure when taking those without any childhood maltreatment as the reference. Conclusions Irrespective of genetic risk for heart failure, childhood maltreatment was associated with an increased risk of incident heart failure in a dose-dependent manner.