Long-term Adverse Outcomes In Patients Research Articles

#2679 Prediction of acute eGFR decline after first initiation of RASI inhibitors and its impact on clinical outcomes

Abstract Background and Aims The objective of this study is to investigate the correlation between acute eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) decline after initiation of ACEI (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor)/ARB (angiotensin receptor blocker) medications and clinical outcomes in a real-world setting. Additionally, we aim to establish a risk prediction model to identify high-risk individuals who are more likely to experience a rapid decline in eGFR after drug initiation. Method A total of 2026 adult new users of ACEI/ARB were selected from the China Renal Data System (CRDS). Patients in acute clinical states and those using nephrotoxic drugs were excluded, and it was required that patients had at least one creatinine measurement during the baseline period and one week to four weeks after drug initiation. Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare the relative risks of adverse long-term outcomes in patients with different degrees of acute eGFR decline. A multivariable logistic regression model was employed to analyze the factors influencing acute eGFR decline. Lasso regression was used to select predictive factors, resulting in a logistic regression model with 18 predictive factors. Results Among the 2026 patients, 1148 (57%), 473 (23%), and 405 (20%) experienced eGFR decline <5% or increase, 5-20% decline, and ≥20% decline, respectively, after initiation of RASI (renin-angiotensin system inhibitor). Following adjustment for multiple variables, an eGFR decline ≥20% was found to be associated with a higher risk of long-term renal disease progression, with a hazard ratio of 1.84 (95% confidence interval 1.19-2.85), but not significantly associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events. Factors associated with an eGFR decline ≥20% after RASI initiation included higher BMI and Charlson index, more severe proteinuria, lower hemoglobin levels, presence of hypertension, diabetic nephropathy, arrhythmias, and concomitant use of thiazide diuretics or loop diuretics. The predictive model had a C-statistic of 0.75. Conclusion This study demonstrates that a short-term eGFR decline after RASI initiation is associated with a higher risk of long-term renal disease progression but not significantly associated with increased risks of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events. We have developed a prediction model to estimate the risk of eGFR decline ≥20% after the initial use of RASI, which can aid clinicians in identifying patients with poorer renal outcomes following RASI initiation and facilitate timely intervention.

Diabetic kidney disease as an independent predictor of long-term adverse outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease and diabetic mellitus.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) had been proposed as a contributor in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the relationship of DKD and the long-term adverse outcomes in patients with CAD after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was still undiscovered. Approximately 892 patients with CAD enrolled from January 2012 to December 2016. The patients were divided into two groups, the DKD group (n = 341) and the None DKD group (n = 551). The primary outcome was major adverse cardiac events (MACE) after PCI. The average follow-up time was 1,897 ± 1,276 days. Baseline data showed that some factors were significantly different between the two groups, including age, body mass index, gender (female), hypertension, smoking, stroke history, heart failure, duration of diabetic mellitus (DM), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, urinary protein/creatinine ratio, serum creatinine, hemoglobin, platelet, antiplatelet, beta blocker, statin, antihypertensive drugs, and insulin (all p < 0.005). There were significant differences between the two groups in MACE, 40.3% vs. 52.2% (p = 0.001), and in cardiovascular death events and all-cause death events (5.6% vs. 20.5%, p < 0.001 and 4.4% vs. 13.5%, p < 0.001, respectively). In the DKD group, the risk of MACE was elevated to 141.9% [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.419, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.164-1.730, p = 0.001] in the Cox univariable regression analyses; after adjusting co-variables, the Cox multivariable regression analyses demonstrated that DKD was an independent predictor for MACE (HR = 1.291, 95% CI: 1.027-1.624, p = 0.029) in patients with CAD after PCI, as well as in cardiovascular death events (HR = 2.148, 95% CI: 1.292-3.572, p = 0.003) and all-cause death events (HR = 2.229, 95% CI: 1.325-3.749, p = 0.003). This study suggests that DKD is an independent and novel predictor of long-term adverse outcomes in patients with CAD and DM who underwent PCI.

Association between Fibrinogen-to-Albumin Ratio and Adverse Stroke Outcomes among Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke

Introduction: Fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR) is implicated in prothrombotic states and is associated with an increased risk of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). However, studies investigating whether the prothrombotic effect of FAR is associated with long-term adverse outcomes in patients with AIS are lacking. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association based on the Third China National Stroke Registry (CNSR-III). Methods: Patients with AIS with complete laboratory data for fibrinogen and albumin in the CNSR-III were included in this study. The primary outcomes were poor functional outcomes (modified Rankin scale score 3–6) at 12 months, including disability (modified Rankin scale score 3–5), all-cause death, recurrent stroke, and combined vascular events within 1 year. Univariate and multivariate logistic or Cox regression analyses were used to investigate the association between FAR quartiles and adverse outcomes. Results: A total of 8,984 patients with AIS were enrolled in this study. After 1-year follow-up, 238 patients were lost to follow-up. A total of 1,230 (14.06%) patients had poor functional outcomes; 932 (10.37%) and 981 (10.92%) experienced stroke recurrence and combined vascular events, respectively. The adjusted odds ratios/hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals of the highest quartile of the FAR (>11.44) were 1.64 (1.35–2.00) for poor functional outcomes, 1.68 (1.34–2.10) for disability, 1.40 (1.02–1.94) for all-cause death, 1.11 (0.92–1.34) for stroke recurrence, and 1.11 (0.92–1.33) for combined vascular event, respectively. Conclusion: High FAR (>11.44) increased the risk of short- and long-term poor functional outcomes, including disability and all-cause death among patients with AIS. The FAR may play an important role in the early stratification of patients with AIS.

Abstract 15164: The Different Prognostic Values of T1 Mapping in Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the impact of T1 mapping on cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) on long-term adverse outcomes in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Background: In patients with HCM, the prognostic value of native T1 and extracellular volume fraction (ECV) for sudden cardiac death (SCD) has not been well defined. Methods: Consecutive 663 participants with HCM who underwent CMR were recruited. The follow-up endpoints included heart failure (HF)-related death and SCD or aborted SCD. Results: During the median follow-up time of 44 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 23 to 65.5 months), 55 (8.3%) participants reached the endpoint including 37 (5.6%) with SCD or aborted SCD and 18 (2.7%) with HF-related death. On Cox proportional hazards regression multivariable analyses, native T1 but not ECV was independently associated with CD (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.00; 95% confidence interval[CI] : 1.00 to 1.01; P = 0.02), while native T1 (HR: 1.01; 95%CI: 1.00 to 1.01; P = 0.008) and ECV (HR:1.15 for every 1% increase; 95%CI: 1.05 to 1.26; P = 0.003) were both independently associated with HF-related death after the adjustment for left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and LV late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) extent. Conversely, native T1(HR: 1.00; 95% CI: 1.00 to 1.01; P = 0.40) and ECV (HR: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.94 to 1.08; P = 0.81) were not associated with SCD after the adjustment for non-sustained ventricular tachycardia, history of syncope and LV LGE extent. Conclusions: In this study of patients with HCM, T1 mapping had distinct prognostic associations; native T1 and ECV were both independently associated with HF-related death, whereas T1 mapping was not independently associated with SCD or aborted SCD. These findings may indicate distinct implications for the management of left ventricular fibrosis in HCM.

Appetite Predicts Long-Term Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Recently, the nutritional status of patients has drawn attention in an aging society. Early studies have reported that nutritional status is related to long-term outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, it is not necessarily simple to evaluate the nutritional status of patients with AMI. We hypothesized that appetite before discharge can be a predictor for long-term adverse cardiovascular events in patients with AMI. This retrospective study aimed to investigate whether appetite is related to long-term adverse outcomes in patients with AMI. This study included 1006 patients with AMI, and divided them into the good appetite group (n = 860) and the poor appetite group (n = 146) according to the percentage of the dietary intake on the day before discharge. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE), which were defined as a composite of all-cause death, non-fatal MI, and re-admission for heart failure, were set as the primary outcome. The median follow-up duration was 996 days, and a total of 243 MACE was observed during the study period. MACE was more frequently observed in the poor appetite group than in the good appetite group (42.5% versus 21.0%, p < 0.001). In the multivariate COX hazard model, poor appetite was significantly associated with MACE (Hazard ratio 1.698, 95% confidence interval 1.243-2.319, p < 0.001) after controlling for multiple confounding factors. Appetite at the time of discharge was significantly associated with long-term clinical outcomes in patients with AMI. Patients with poor appetite should be carefully followed up after discharge from AMI.

Admission NLPR predicts long-term mortality in patients with acute ischemic stroke: A retrospective analysis of the MIMIC-III database.

The neutrophil to lymphocyte*platelet ratio (NLPR) is a new index based on platelets, neutrophils, and lymphocytes associated with the prognosis of patients with infectious diseases and cancer. However, its use in acute ischemic stroke has rarely been reported. This study examined the relationship between levels of systemic immunoinflammatory indices at admission and patient outcomes at different times after onset to assess stroke prognosis by NLPR. This was a retrospective cohort study. The data from 1222 stroke patients were obtained from multi-parameter intelligent monitoring in the Intensive Care III database(MIMIC- III). Cox proportional risk model was conducted to evaluate the relation between NLPR, all-cause mortality, and ischemic. The results were further verified via a subgroup analysis. After adjusting for multiple covariates, it was found that NLPR was related with all-cause mortality in stroke patients. High NLPR was accompanied by an increase in mortality with longer follow-up (30 days: HR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.14-2.02,90 days: HR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.29-2.16, 365 days: HR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.24-1.96 and 2 years: HR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.22-1.89). The neutrophil to lymphocyte*platelet ratio (NLPR) are related to long-term adverse outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Therefore, NLPR is a promising inflammatory index for predicting the long-term prognosis of stroke.

Impact of late gadolinium-enhanced cardiac MRI on arrhythmic and mortality outcomes in nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy: updated systematic review and meta-analysis

Risk stratification based mainly on the impairment of left ventricular ejection fraction has limited performance in patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM). Evidence is rapidly growing for the impact of myocardial scar identified by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) on cardiovascular events. We aim to assess the prognostic value of LGE on long-term arrhythmic and mortality outcomes in patients with NIDCM. PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases were searched from inception to January 21, 2022. Studies that included disease-specific subpopulations of NIDCM were excluded. Data were independently extracted and combined via random-effects meta-analysis using a generic inverse-variance strategy. Data from 60 studies comprising 15,217 patients were analyzed with a 3-year median follow-up. The presence of LGE was associated with major ventricular arrhythmic events (pooled OR: 3.99; 95% CI 3.08, 5.16), all-cause mortality (pooled OR: 2.14; 95% CI 1.81, 2.52), cardiovascular mortality (pooled OR 2.83; 95% CI 2.23, 3.60), and heart failure hospitalization (pooled OR: 2.53; 95% CI 1.78, 3.59). Real-world evidence suggests that the presence of LGE on CMR was a strong predictor of adverse long-term outcomes in patients with NIDCM. Scar assessment should be incorporated as a primary determinant in the patient selection criteria for primary prophylactic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator placement.

Rate pressure product as a novel predictor of long-term adverse outcomes in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention: a retrospective cohort study

ObjectivesPrevious studies have suggested that heart rate and blood pressure play important roles in the development of adverse outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) who underwent percutaneous coronary...

Early and Late Mortality Predictors in Patients with Acute Aortic Dissection Type B.

Despite technological advances in diagnosis and treatment, in-hospital mortality with acute aortic dissection type B is still about 11%. The purpose of this study was to assess the risk factors for early and long-term adverse outcomes in patients with acute aortic dissection type B treated medically or with conventional open surgery. The present study included 104 consecutive patients with acute aortic dissection type B treated in our Center from January 1st, 1998 to January 1st, 2007. Patient demographic and clinical characteristics as well as in-hospital complications were reviewed. Univariate and multivariate testing was performed to identify the predictors of in-hospital (30-day) and late (within 9 years) mortality. 92 (88.5%) patients were treated medically, while 12 (11.5%) patients with complicated acute aortic dissection type B were treated by open surgical repair. In-hospital complications occurred in 35.7% patients, the most often being acute renal failure (28%), hypotension/shock (24%), mesenteric ischemia (12%), and limb ischemia (8%). The in-hospital mortality rate was 15.7% and the 9-year mortality rate was 51.9%. Independent predictors of early mortality in patients with acute aortic dissection type B were uncontrolled hypertension (HR-20.69) and a dissecting aorta diameter >4.75 cm (HR-6.30). Independent predictors of late mortality were relapsing pain (HR-7.93), uncontrolled hypertension (HR-7.25), and a pathologic difference in arterial blood pressure (>20 mmHg) (HR-5.33). Knowledge of key risk factors may help with a better choice of treatment and mortality reduction in acute aortic dissection type B patients.

Baseline platelet count independently predicts long-term adverse outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: a single-center retrospective cohort study

Background and purpose: The association between platelet counts (PC) with clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) has been reported by some but not all previous studies. The present study aims to investigate the association of PC with the outcomes of CAD patients who underwent PCI. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study to examine the potential impact of baseline PC with long-term outcomes in patients receiving at least one stent. The final analysis included a total of 6,046 patients. The median follow-up was 32 (1–120) months Results: All-cause mortality did not differ significantly among the four groups based on baseline PC (lowest 25%, Quartile 1 [Q1], PC &lt; 173, n = 1,473; 25%–50%, Quartile 2 [Q2], 173 ≤ PC &lt; 208, n = 1,529; 50%–75%, Quartile 3 [Q3], 208 ≤ PC &lt; 250, n = 1,507; and 75%–100%, Quartile 4 [Q4], PC ≥ 250, n = 1,537). The rate of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events was 12.8% (188/1,473) in the Q1 group, 12.8% (196/1,529) in the Q2 group, 15.1% (228/1,507) in the Q3 group, and 16.3% (150/1,537) in the Q4 group (P = 0.010). The rate of major adverse cardiovascular events was 11.3% (167/1,473) in the Q1 group, 11.6% (177/1,529) in the Q2 group, 13.9% (210/1,507) in the Q3 group, and 15.0% (231/1,537) in the Q4 group (P = 0.004). Using Q1 as reference, the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in multivariate Cox regression was 1.212 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.004–1.455, P &lt; 0.001) in Q2, 1.455 (95% CI: 1.200–1.766, P &lt; 0.001) in Q3, and 1.754 (95% CI: 1.426–2.118, P &lt; 0.001) in Q4. Using Q1 as reference, the aHR for major adverse cardiovascular events was 1.201(95% CI: 0.968–1.492, P = 0.096) in Q2, 1.489 (95% CI: 1.206–1.837, P &lt; 0.001) in Q3, and 1.847 (95% CI: 1.500–2.275, P &lt; 0.001) in Q4. Conclusion: A higher baseline PC was independently associated with an increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events and major adverse cardiovascular events, but not all-cause-mortality in CAD patients after PCI.

Local complications are related to poor long-term outcome in patients undergoing curative gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer.

The present study was performed to investigate the effects of local complications (LC) on long-term survival and cancer recurrence in patients undergoing curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer. We analyzed 2,627 patients after curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer between January 2001 and December 2006. Patients were classified into groups no complications (NC), LC, or systemic complications (SC). Among the 2,627 patients, 475 patients developed complications (LC group [n=374, 14.2%] and SC group [n=101, 3.9%]). The 5-year cancer-specific survival rate was significantly poorer in the LC group compared to the NC and SC groups (LC, 78.0%; NC, 85.4%; SC, 80.2%; P=0.007). The occurrence of LC was identified as a significant independent prognostic factor for overall and cancer-specific survival (hazard ratio [HR], 2.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.46-2.97; P=0.001 and HR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.12-2.81; P=0.015). The tumor recurrence rates were higher in the LC group than the in other two groups (LC, 23.5%; NC, 15.4%; SC, 15.8%; P<0.001). The occurrence of LC was an independent predictor of tumor recurrence in patients undergoing curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer (HR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.11-2.17; P=0.011). LC are associated with adverse long-term outcomes in patients after curative gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer.

Higher BNP/NT-pro BNP levels stratify prognosis equally well in patients with and without heart failure: a meta-analysis.

The initial and dynamic levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal-prohormone BNP (NT-proBNP) are routinely used in clinical practice to identify patients with acute and chronic heart failure. In addition, BNP/NT-proBNP levels might be useful for risk stratification in patients with and without heart failure. We performed a meta-analysis to investigate, whether the value of BNP/NT-proBNP as predictors of long-term prognosis differentiates in cohorts with and without heart failure. We systematically searched established scientific databases for studies evaluating the prognostic value of BNP or NT-proBNP. Random effect models were constructed. Data from 66 studies with overall 83846 patients (38 studies with 46099 patients with heart failure and 28 studies with 37747 patients without heart failure) were included. In the analysis of the log-transformed BNP/NT-proBNP levels, an increase in natriuretic peptides by one standard deviation was associated with a 1.7-fold higher MACE rate (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.74[1.58-1.91], P<0.0001). The effect sizes were comparable, with a substantial overlap in the confidence intervals, when comparing studies involving patients with and without heart failure (1.75[1.54-2.0], P<0.0001 vs. 1.74[1.47-2.06], P<0.0001). Similar results were observed when stratifying by quartiles of BNP/NT-proBNP. In studies using pre-defined cut-off-values for BNP/NT-proBNP, elevated levels were associated with the long-term prognosis, independent of the specific cut-off value used. BNP/NT-proBNP levels are predictors for adverse long-term outcome in patients with and without known heart failure. Further research is necessary to establish appropriate thresholds, especially in non-heart failure cohorts.

P113 The prevalence of depression and anxiety at first presentation to rheumatology outpatients

Abstract Background/Aims Depression and anxiety are more common in patients with rheumatic diseases and have been associated with higher levels of fatigue, pain and levels of physical disability. Although this has been described in distinct rheumatic conditions, the burden of psychological morbidity across the diseases presenting to rheumatology outpatients is not as well known. The prevalence of anxiety and depression in the UK was reported to be 5.9% and 3.3% respectively. Here, we report rates of depression and anxiety in a cross-section of new patients referred to rheumatology outpatients. Methods All new patients referred to a rheumatology outpatient clinic in London, UK for a 10-week period in February to May 2019 received a digital pre-appointment questionnaire which included Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ8) and Generalised Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD7) questionnaire for detecting depression and anxiety respectively. A retrospective analysis was performed to assess the prevalence of significant depression and/or anxiety in various rheumatic diseases, defined as PHQ8 or GAD7 ≥ 10, signifying at least moderate depression or anxiety respectively. Results 464 patients completed the questionnaire, 338 female (73%), with a mean ± SD age of 44.3 ± 13.6 years. 41.2% of patients screened positive for depression and 26.5% for anxiety, with 24.4% screening positive for both. Of the patients screening positive for anxiety, 91.9% were also depressed. The four most prevalent conditions were rheumatoid arthritis (RA, 8.6%), osteoarthritis (OA, 15.3%), psoriatic arthritis (PsA, 8.4%) and fibromyalgia (FM, 24.4%). The prevalence of at least moderate depression and/or anxiety in RA, OA, PsA and FM was 22.5%, 35.2%, 46.1% and 77% respectively. Logistic regression determined odds ratios relative to RA for significant depression and/or anxiety as follows: OA 1.89 (95% CI 0.76-4.67), PsA 2.75 (1.02-7.41), FM 11.80 (4.91-28.36). Conclusion The burden of psychological illness is high across the population of patients presenting to rheumatology outpatients. Our findings show significant prevalence of psychological illness at first presentation. Early identification of psychological distress is important as it can predict adverse long-term outcomes in patients with rheumatic conditions. These results justify an integrated approach between rheumatology and mental health services. Disclosure N. Arumalla: None. R. Littlewood: None. W. Chen: None. T. Garrood: None.

Clinical value of the HATCH score for predicting adverse outcomes in patients with heart failure.

The HATCH score is employed as a risk assessment tool for atrial fibrillation (AF) development. However, the impact of the HATCH score on the long-term adverse outcomes in patients with acute heart failure (AHF) remains unknown. We investigated the clinical value of the HATCH score in patients with AHF. From a multicenter AHF registry, we retrospectively evaluated 1543 consecutive patients who required hospitalization owing to AHF (median age, 78 [69-85] years; 42.3% women) from January 2012 to December 2019. These patients were divided into five risk groups based on their HATCH score at admission (scores 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4-7). The correlation between the HATCH score and the composite outcome, including all-cause mortality and re-hospitalization due to HF, was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional-hazard analyses. The median HATCH score was 2 [1-3], and the median age was 78years (69-85years). During the follow-up period (median, 16.8months), the composite endpoint occurred in 691 patients (44.8%), including 416 (27%) patients who died (with 65 [4.2%] in-hospitalization deaths) and 455 (29.5%) patients requiring re-hospitalizations due to HF. The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a significant increase in the composite endpoint with an increasing HATCH score (log-rank, p < 0.001). The multivariate Cox regression model revealed that the HATCH score was an independent predictor of the composite endpoint (hazard ratio [HR] 1.181; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.111-1.255; p < 0.001) with all-cause mortality (HR 1.153, 95% CI 1.065-1.249; p < 0.001) and re-hospitalizations due to HF (HR 1.21; 95% CI 1.124-1.303; p < 0.001) in patients with AHF, regardless of the presence or absence of AF, ejection fraction, and etiology. The HATCH score is an independent predictor of adverse outcomes in patients with AHF.

Clinical value of the HATCH score for predicting adverse outcomes in patients with heart failure

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background The HATCH score is employed as a risk assessment tool for atrial fibrillation (AF) development. However, the impact of the HATCH score on the long-term adverse outcomes in patients with acute heart failure (AHF) is unknown. Aimes To investigate the clinical value of the HATCH score in AHF. Methods From a multicenter AHF registry, we retrospectively evaluated 1,543 consecutive patients admitted with AHF (median age, 78 [69–85] years; 42.3% women) from 2012 to 2019. These patients were divided into five groups based on their HATCH score at admission (scores 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4–7). The correlation between the HATCH score and composite outcome, including all-cause mortality and re-hospitalization due to HF, was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional-hazard analyses. Results The median HATCH score was 2 [1-3]. During the follow-up period (median, 16.8 months), the composite endpoint occurred in 691 patients (44.8%), including 416 (27%) patients who died and 455 (29.5%) patients requiring re-hospitalizations due to HF. The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a significant increase in the composite endpoint with increasing HATCH score (log-rank, p &amp;lt; 0.001). The multivariate Cox regression model revealed that the HATCH score was an independent predictor of the composite endpoint (hazard ratio [HR] 1.181; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.111–1.255; p &amp;lt; 0.001) with all-cause mortality (HR 1.153, 95% CI: 1.065–1.249; p &amp;lt; 0.001) and re-hospitalizations due to HF (HR 1.21; 95% CI: 1.124–1.303; p &amp;lt; 0.001) in patients with AHF. Conclusions The HATCH score is an independent predictor of adverse outcomes in patients with AHF. Abstract Figure. Kaplan-Meier analysis for outcome

Transcriptional Active Parvovirus B19 Infection Predicts Adverse Long-Term Outcome in Patients with Non-Ischemic Cardiomyopathy.

Parvovirus B19 (B19V) is the predominant cardiotropic virus currently found in endomyocardial biopsies (EMBs). However, direct evidence showing a causal relationship between B19V and progression of inflammatory cardiomyopathy are still missing. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of transcriptionally active cardiotropic B19V infection determined by viral RNA expression upon long-term outcomes in a large cohort of adult patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy in a retrospective analysis from a prospective observational cohort. In total, the analyzed study group comprised 871 consecutive B19V-positive patients (mean age 50.0 ± 15.0 years) with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy who underwent EMB. B19V-positivity was ascertained by routine diagnosis of viral genomes in EMBs. Molecular analysis of EMB revealed positive B19V transcriptional activity in n = 165 patients (18.9%). Primary endpoint was all-cause mortality in the overall cohort. The patients were followed up to 60 months. On the Cox regression analysis, B19V transcriptional activity was predictive of a worse prognosis compared to those without actively replicating B19V (p = 0.01). Moreover, multivariable analysis revealed transcriptional active B19V combined with inflammation [hazard ratio 4.013, 95% confidence interval 1.515–10.629 (p = 0.005)] as the strongest predictor of impaired survival even after adjustment for age and baseline LVEF (p = 0.005) and independently of viral load. The study demonstrates for the first time the pathogenic clinical importance of B19V with transcriptional activity in a large cohort of patients. Transcriptionally active B19V infection is an unfavourable prognostic trigger of adverse outcome. Our findings are of high clinical relevance, indicating that advanced diagnostic differentiation of B19V positive patients is of high prognostic importance.

Superinfection of other hepatitis viruses on top of chronic hepatitis B: The more, the worse

Superinfection of other hepatitis viruses on top of chronic hepatitis B: The more, the worse

Association of Left Atrial Metrics with Atrial Fibrillation Rehospitalization and Adverse Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation following Index Hospitalization

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia encountered in clinical practice, with significant clinical and economic burdens, largely driven by adverse cardiovascular outcomes and AF-related hospitalization. Left atrial (LA) parameters have been shown to have prognostic value in cardiovascular disease states. We sought to evaluate the prognostic value of measures of LA size and function, as measured through LA volume index and LA emptying fraction (LAEF), respectively, for AF rehospitalization and long-term adverse outcomes in patients with nonvalvular AF following index hospitalization. In this retrospective study, 594 consecutive patients (mean age, 67.8±13.6years, 53% men) admitted to a tertiary referral center with nonvalvular AF were assessed. Patients who underwent transthoracic echocardiography during their index admission and had complete follow-up data were included and followed for a mean period of 33.18±21.27months for the primary outcome of AF rehospitalization. The secondary outcome was a composite of all-cause death and major adverse cardiovascular events. The primary outcome occurred in 250 (42%) patients, and the secondary outcome occurred in 219 (37%) patients. On multivariable regression analysis, LAEF had an independent association with AF rehospitalization (hazard ratio [HR]=0.967; 95% CI, 0.953-0.982; P<.01), and time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves demonstrated LAEF to have strong diagnostic accuracy in predicting early and intermediate AF rehospitalization. Both LA volume index (HR=1.014; 95% CI, 1.003-1.026; P=.01) and LAEF (HR=0.982; 95% CI, 0.970-0.993; P<.01) were associated with all-cause death and major adverse cardiovascular events. Adverse LA remodeling, as reflected through LA enlargement and reduced LA mechanical function, is associated with AF rehospitalization and long-term adverse cardiovascular outcomes in hospitalized patients with nonvalvular AF.

Monocyte-to-albumin ratio as a novel predictor of long-term adverse outcomes in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: Monocyte count and serum albumin (Alb) have been proven to be involved in the process of systemic inflammation. Therefore, we investigated the prognostic value of monocyte-to-albumin ratio (MAR) in patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Methods: We enrolled a total of 3561 patients in the present study from January 2013 to December 2017. They were divided into two groups according to MAR cut-off value (MAR < 0.014, n=2220; MAR ≥ 0.014, n=1119) as evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The average follow-up time was 37.59 ± 22.24 months.Results: The two groups differed significantly in the incidences of all-cause mortality (ACM; P<0.001), cardiac mortality (CM; P<0.001), major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs; P=0.038), and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs; P=0.037). Multivariate Cox regression analyses revealed MAR as an independent prognostic factor for ACM and CM. The incidence of ACM increased by 56.5% (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.565; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.086–2.256; P=0.016) and that of CM increased by 76.3% (HR = 1.763; 95% CI, 1.106–2.810; P=0.017) in patients in the higher-MAR group. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis suggested that patients with higher MAR tended to have an increased accumulated risk of ACM (Log-rank P<0.001) and CM (Log-rank P<0.001).Conclusion: The findings of the present study suggested that MAR was a novel independent predictor of long-term mortality in patients who underwent PCI.

Circulating progenitor cells are associated with plaque progression and long-term outcomes in heart transplant patients.

Circulating progenitor cells (CPCs) play a role in vascular repair and plaque stability, while osteocalcin (OC) expressing CPCs have been linked to unstable plaque and adverse cardiovascular outcomes. However, their role in cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) has not been elucidated. This cohort study aimed to investigate the contribution of CPCs on CAV progression and cardiovascular events after heart transplantation. A total of 80 heart transplant patients (mean age 55 ± 14 years, 72% male) undergoing annual intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) had fresh CPCs marked by CD34, CD133, and OC counted in peripheral blood using flow cytometry, on the same day as baseline IVUS. CAV progression was assessed by IVUS as the change (Δ) in plaque volume divided by segment length (PV/SL), adjusted for the time between IVUS measurements [median 3.0, interquartile range (2.8-3.1) years] and was defined as ΔPV/SL that is above the median ΔPV/SL of study population. Major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) were defined as any incident of revascularization, myocardial infarction, heart failure admission, re-transplantation, stroke, and death. Patients with higher CD34+CD133+ CPCs had a decreased risk of CAV progression [odds ratio 0.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.37-0.92), P = 0.01] and MACE [hazard ratio (HR) 0.79, 95% CI (0.66-0.99), P = 0.05] during a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 8.0 years (7.2-8.3). Contrarily, higher OC+ cell counts were associated with an increased risk of MACE [HR 1.26, 95% CI (1.03-1.57), P = 0.02]. Lower levels of CD34+CD133+ CPCs are associated with plaque progression and adverse long-term outcomes in patients who underwent allograft heart transplantation. In contrast, higher circulating OC+ levels are associated with adverse long-term outcomes. Thus, CPCs might play a role in amelioration of transplant vasculopathy, while OC expression by these cells might play a role in progression.