Lower Incidence Of Heart Failure Research Articles

Addition of Ezetimibe to Intensive Lipid-Lowering Therapy Is Associated With a Lower Incidence of Heart Failure in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome.

This study investigated whether intensive lipid-lowering therapy with pitavastatin and ezetimibe lowers the incidence of heart failure (HF) events in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). In the HIJ-PROPER study, 1,734 patients with ACS were randomly assigned to either pitavastatin plus ezetimibe therapy (n=864) or pitavastatin monotherapy (n=857). We examined the incidence of HF between these 2 groups over a 3.9-year period after ACS. The primary endpoint of the study was hospitalization for HF. The mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels during the follow-up period were 65.1 mg/dL in the pitavastatin plus ezetimibe group and 84.6 mg/dL in the pitavastatin monotherapy group. The incidence of HF hospitalization was significantly lower in the pitavastatin plus ezetimibe group than in the pitavastatin monotherapy group (19 [2.2%] vs. 40 [4.7%] patients; hazard ratio 0.47, 95% confidence interval 0.27-0.81; P<0.005). This trend was consistent after multivariable analysis using multiple models. Intensive lipid-lowering therapy with pitavastatin and ezetimibe is associated with a lower incidence of hospitalization for HF in patients with ACS.

Periodic Fasting and Acute Cardiac Events in Patients Evaluated for COVID-19: An Observational Prospective Cohort Study.

Periodic fasting was previously associated with greater longevity and a lower incidence of heart failure (HF) in a pre-pandemic population. In patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), periodic fasting was associated with a lower risk of death or hospitalization. This study evaluated the association between periodic fasting and HF hospitalization and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). Patients enrolled in the INSPIRE registry from February 2013 to March 2020 provided periodic fasting information and were followed into the pandemic (n = 5227). Between March 2020 and February 2023, N = 2373 patients were studied, with n = 601 COVID-positive patients being the primary study population (2836 had no COVID-19 test; 18 were excluded due to fasting <5 years). A Cox regression was used to evaluate HF admissions, MACEs, and other endpoints through March 2023, adjusting for covariables, including time-varying COVID-19 vaccination. In patients positive for COVID-19, periodic fasting was reported by 180 (30.0% of 601), who periodically fasted over 43.1 ± 19.2 years (min: 7, max: 83). HF hospitalization (n = 117, 19.5%) occurred in 13.3% of fasters and 22.1% of non-fasters [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 0.63, CI = 0.40, 0.99; p = 0.044]. Most HF admissions were exacerbations, with a prior HF diagnosis in 111 (94.9%) patients hospitalized for HF. Fasting was also associated with a lower MACE risk (aHR = 0.64, CI = 0.43, 0.96; p = 0.030). In n = 1772 COVID-negative patients (29.7% fasters), fasting was not associated with HF hospitalization (aHR = 0.82, CI = 0.64, 1.05; p = 0.12). In COVID-positive and negative patients combined, periodic fasting was associated with lower mortality (aHR = 0.60, CI = 0.39, 0.93; p = 0.021). Routine periodic fasting was associated with less HF hospitalization in patients positive for COVID-19.

Association Between Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Heart Failure Risk Following Myocardial Infarction: A Prospective Cohort Study

This study aimed to investigate the association between omega-3 fatty acid intake and the risk of heart failure among 180 patients with myocardial infarction. The patients were divided into high, moderate, and low omega-3 groups based on their dietary habits. We examined clinical outcomes, survival rates, and biomarkers associated with cardiac health. We found that administration of a high dose of omega-3 fatty acid was associated with a significantly decreased risk of heart failure. The high omega-3 group (&gt; 1,500 mg/day) exhibited a lower incidence of heart failure and higher survival rates than the moderate (800–1,500 mg/day) and low (&lt; 800 mg/day) groups. Furthermore, the high omega-3 group exhibited improved cardiac function, as assessed using biomarkers, lower incidence of rehospitalizations, and shorter hospital stays. Subgroup analyses revealed that the protective effects of omega-3 fatty acids were consistent across different age groups, sexes, and smoking statuses. The observed improvements in lipid profiles and reduced levels of inflammation provided possible mechanisms for the cardioprotective effects of omega-3 fatty acids. This study demonstrated the potential of omega-3 fatty acids in reducing heart failure risk following myocardial infarction and supported their inclusion in preventive cardiovascular strategies.

Dietary antioxidant intake is associated with heart failure: Results from the NHANES 2003–2019

BackgroundGrowing evidence has shown that antioxidant diets protect against heart failure (HF). However, the association between the composite dietary antioxidant index (CDAI), an important measure of overall antioxidants in the diet, and HF has received little attention. ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the CDAI and HF. MethodsA secondary cross-sectional analysis of the 2003 to 2019 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) was performed. Weighted multivariable logistic regression was used to test the association between the CDAI and HF in four different models, with subgroup analysis and an interaction test subsequently performed. ResultsA total of 37,390 participants were included. The HF groups had lower CDAI levels than those in the non-HF group (0.29 ± 0.04 vs. −0.74 ± 0.16, p < 0.0001). After adjusting for demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and disease history, a negative association was found between the CDAI and HF (OR: 0.97, 95 % CI: 0.94, 1.00). There was an inverse trend whereby increasing the CDAI was associated with decreasing the odds of HF (p for trend < 0.001). The subgroup analysis and interaction test showed no significant dependence on demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and disease history with regard to this association (all p for interaction > 0.05). ConclusionThe CDAI was inversely associated with HF in US adults, with higher CDAI levels possibly being associated with a lower incidence of HF, suggesting that dietary antioxidants may help prevent HF.

The Association of Metformin With Heart Failure in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus Receiving Anthracycline Chemotherapy

BackgroundThe prevention of heart failure (HF) is an important issue in patients treated with anthracyclines. Metformin, widely used to treat diabetes mellitus (DM), protects from anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity in vitro and in animal models. ObjectivesThe aim of our study was to test the association of metformin with the occurrence of symptomatic HF in patients with DM receiving anthracyclines. MethodsA total of 561 patients with DM received new anthracycline therapy between 2008 and 2021 in a tertiary care center; propensity score matching was used to compare patients with or without metformin treatment. The primary outcome was new onset symptomatic HF occurring within 1 year of the initiation of anthracyclines. ResultsA total of 315 patients (65 ± 11 years of age, 33.7% male) were included. Patients with and without metformin were well matched for age, sex, type of cancer, medications, and cardiovascular risk factors. Six patients treated with metformin and 17 matched patients developed HF within 1 year of anthracycline initiation. The incidence of HF in patients treated with metformin was lower than patients without metformin within 1 year after anthracyclines (cumulative incidence: 3.6% vs 10.5%; P = 0.022; HR: 0.35; 95% CI: 0.14-0.90; P = 0.029). The use of metformin (HR: 0.71; 95% CI: 0.50-1.00; P = 0.049), was also associated with lower mortality. ConclusionsThe use of metformin was associated with a lower incidence of HF and overall mortality in patients with DM receiving anthracyclines. Our findings should be further confirmed by randomized control trials.

Fibrate use is associated with a lower incidence of heart failure: A real-world study among people with type 2 diabetes

Fibrate use is associated with a lower incidence of heart failure: A real-world study among people with type 2 diabetes

Renin-angiotensin System Antagonists and Beta-blockers in Prevention of Anthracycline Cardiotoxicity: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

The evidence supporting the use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors and beta-blockers for the prevention of anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy is controversial. We performed a meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness of these drugs in preventing cardiotoxicity. The meta-analysis included prospective, randomized studies in adults receiving anthracycline chemotherapy and compared the use of RAAS inhibitors or beta-blockers versus placebo with a follow-up of 6 to 18 months. The primary outcome was change in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) during chemotherapy. Secondary outcomes were the incidence of heart failure, all-cause mortality, and changes in end-diastolic measurement. Heterogeneity was assessed by stratification and meta-regression. A significance level of p < 0.05 was adopted. The search resulted in 17 studies, totaling 1,530 patients. The variation (delta) in LVEF was evaluated in 14 studies. Neurohormonal therapy was associated with a lower delta in pre- versus post-therapy LVEF (weighted mean difference 4.42 [95% confidence interval 2.3 to 6.6]) and higher final LVEF (p < 0.001). Treatment resulted in a lower incidence of heart failure (risk ratio 0.45 [95% confidence interval 0.3 to 0.7]). There was no effect on mortality (p = 0.3). For analysis of LVEF, substantial heterogeneity was documented, which was not explained by the variables explored in the study. The use of RAAS inhibitors and beta-blockers to prevent anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity was associated with less pronounced reduction in LVEF, higher final LVEF, and lower incidence of heart failure. No changes in mortality were observed. (CRD PROSPERO 42019133615).

Association between handgrip strength and heart failure in adults aged 45 years and older from NHANES 2011–2014

Growing evidence indicates that handgrip strength (HGS) is a conspicuous marker for assessing some diseases affecting middle-aged and elderly individuals. However, research regarding HGS and heart failure (HF) is sparse and controversial. Hence, we aimed to investigate the association between HGS and HF among adults aged 45 years and older in the United States. In this cross-sectional study, we included 4524 adults older than 45 years who were part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A generalized additive model was used to estimate the association between HGS and HF. Age, gender, race, income, education, body mass index, smoking status, drinking status, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, vigorous physical activity, total energy intake, total protein intake, total sugars intake, and total fat intake covariates were adjusted using multiple regression models. And further subgroup analysis was conducted. We documented 189 cases of HF, including 106 men and 83 women. HGS was negatively associated with HF after adjusting for all the covariates (odds ratio = 0.97, 95% confidence interval = 0.96–0.99; P < 0.001). Compared with the lowest quintile, the highest quintile was associated with an 82% lower incidence of HF (odds ratio = 0.18, 95% confidence interval = 0.08–0.43; P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that the results remained stable. In US adults older than 45, HGS was negatively associated with HF after adjusting for covariates. This finding had the potential to draw attention to the physiological and pathological effects of decreased muscle function on HF and may influence further prospective studies with intervention trials.

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery Brings Better Benefits to Heart Failure Hospitalization for Patients with Severe Coronary Artery Disease and Reduced Ejection Fraction.

Objectives: We compared the outcomes between percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) for revascularization in patients with reduced ejection fraction (EF) and severe coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: Between February 2006 and February 2020, a total of 797 patients received coronary angiograms due to left ventricular EF ≤ 40% at our hospital. After excluding diagnoses of dilated cardiomyopathy, valvular heart disease, prior CABG, acute ST-segment myocardial infarction, and CAD with low Synergy between PCI with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery (SYNTAX) score (≤22), 181 patients with severe coronary artery disease (CAD) with SYNTAX score >22 underwent CABG or PCI for revascularization. Vascular characteristics as well as echocardiographic data were compared between CABG (n = 58) and PCI (n = 123) groups. Results: A younger age (62 ± 9.0 vs. 66 ± 12.1; p = 0.016), higher new EuroSCORE II (8.6 ± 7.3 vs. 3.2 ± 2.0; p < 0.001), and higher SYNTAX score (40.5 ± 9.8 vs. 35.4 ± 8.3; p < 0.001) were noted in the CABG group compared to those in the PCI group. The CABG group had a significantly higher cardiovascular mortality rate at 1-year (19.6% vs. 5.0%, p = 0.005) and 3-year (25.0% vs. 11.4%, p = 0.027) follow-ups but a lower incidence of heart failure (HF) hospitalization at 1-year (11.1% vs. 28.2%, p = 0.023) and 3-year (3.6% vs. 42.5%, p = 0.001) follow-ups compared to those of the PCI group. Conclusions: Compared with PCI, revascularization with CABG was related to a lower incidence of HF hospitalization but a worse survival outcome in patients with severe CAD and reduced EF. CABG-associated reduction in HF hospitalization was more notable when SYNTAX score ≥33.

Clinical utility of simple subjective gait speed for the risk stratification of heart failure in a primary prevention setting

Little is known regarding the relationship between self-reported gait speed and the subsequent risk of heart failure (HF) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). We sought to clarify the clinical utility of self-reported gait speed in primary CVD prevention settings. This is an observational cohort study using the JMDC Claims Database, which is an administrative health claims database. Data were collected between January 2005 and April 2020. Medical records of 2,655,359 participants without a prior history of CVD were extracted from the JMDC Claims Database. Gait speed was assessed using information from questionnaires provided at health check-ups, and study participants were categorized into fast or slow gait speed groups. The primary outcome was HF. The secondary outcomes included myocardial infarction (MI), angina pectoris (AP), and stroke. The median age was 45.0 years, and 55.3% of participants were men. 46.1% reported a fast gait speed. The mean follow-up period was 1180 ± 906 days. HF, MI, AP, and stroke occurred in 1.9%, 0.2%, 1.9%, and 1.0% of participants, respectively. Multivariable Cox regression analyses showed that, compared with slow gait speed, fast gait speed was associated with a lower incidence of HF, MI, AP, and stroke. The discriminative predictive ability for HF significantly improved by adding self-reported gait speeds to traditional risk factors (net reclassification improvement 0.0347, p < 0.001). In conclusion, our analysis demonstrated that subjective gait speed could be a simple method to stratify the risk of HF and other CVD events in the general population. Further investigations are required to clarify the underlying mechanism of our results and to develop a novel approach for primary CVD prevention.

Effect of medical treatment on heart failure incidence in patients with a systemic right ventricle

To date, clinical trials have been underpowered to demonstrate a benefit from ACE inhibitors (ACEis) or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) in preventing systemic right ventricle (sRV) failure and disease progression in patients with transposition of the great arteries (TGA). This observational study aimed to estimate the effect of ACEi and ARB on heart failure (HF) incidence and mortality in a large population of patients with an sRV. Data on all patients with an sRV under active follow-up at two tertiary centres between January 2007 and September 2018 were studied. The effect of ACEi and ARB on the incidence of HF and mortality was estimated using a propensity score weighting approach to control confounding. Among the 359 patients with an sRV (32.2 (IQR 26.4–38.3) years, 59.3% male, 66% complete TGA with atrial switch repair and 34% congenitally corrected TGA), 79 (22%) had a moderate to severe sRV dysfunction and 138 (38%) were treated with ACEi or ARB. Fourteen (3.6%) patients died, 8 (2.1%) underwent heart transplantation and 46 (11.8%) had a new HF event over a median follow-up of 7.1 (IQR 4.0–9.4) years. On multivariate Cox analysis with adjustment using propensity score weighting approaches, ACEi or ARBs treatment was not significantly associated with a lower HF incidence or mortality in patients with an sRV. Despite significant neurohormonal activation described in patients with an sRV, there is still no evidence of a beneficial effect of ACEi or ARB on morbidity and mortality in this population.

Treatment of acute myocardial infarction in Peru and its relationship with in-hospital adverse events: results from the second peruvian registry of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (PERSTEMI-II).

ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), is an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and myocardial reperfusion, when adequate, reduces the complications of this entity. The aim of the study was to describe the clinical and treatment characteristics of STEMI in Peru and the relationship of successful reperfusion with in-hospital adverse events. Prospective, multicenter cohort of STEMI patients attended during 2020 in public hospitals in Peru. We evaluated the clinical, therapeutic characteristics and in-hospital adverse events, also the relationship between successful reperfusion and adverse events. A total of 374 patients were included, 69.5% in Lima and Callao. Fibrinolysis was used in 37% of cases (pharmacoinvasive 26% and fibrinolysis alone 11%), primary angioplasty with < 12 hours of evolution in 20%, late angioplasty in 9% and 34% did not access adequate reperfusion therapies, mainly due to late presentation. Ischemia time was longer in patients with primary angioplasty compared to fibrinolysis (median 7.7 hours (RIQ 5-10) and 4 hours (RIQ 2.3-5.5) respectively). Mortality was 8.5%, the incidence of post-infarction heart failure was 27.8% and of cardiogenic shock 11.5%. Successful reperfusion was associated with lower cardiovascular mortality (RR:0.28; 95%CI: 0.12-0.66, p=0.003) and lower incidence of heart failure during hospitalization (RR: 0.61; 95%CI: 0.43-0.85, p=0.004). Fibrinolysis continues to be the most frequent reperfusion therapy in public hospitals in Peru. Shorter ischemia-to-reperfusion time was associated with reperfusion success, and in turn with fewer in-hospital adverse events.

Effect of medical treatment on heart failure incidence in patients with a systemic right ventricle

BackgroundTo date, clinical trials have been underpowered to demonstrate a benefit from ACE inhibitors (ACEis) or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) in preventing systemic right ventricle (sRV) failure and disease...

Comparison between intracoronary versus intravenous bolus injection of tirofiban on infarct size during primary PCI in patients with acute anterior ST segment elevation myocardial infarction

Abstract Background The latest guidelines considered glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (GPI) as a bailout strategy in selected situations in patients presented with acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) however, did not recommend route of administration over another and did not correlate it to infarct size. Infarct size correlates generally with prognosis following acute myocardial infarction and Reduction in infarct size can boost clinical outcomes and decrease rate of heart failure hospitalization. Purpose To evaluate intracoronary vs intravenous use of tirofiban on reduction of infarct size in STEMI treated with primary PCI. Methods Between February, 2018, and October, 2019, one hundred patients presented within 6 hours of anterior STEMI undergoing primary PCI after exclusion of (rescue PCI, TIMI flow less than II post PCI, Previous MI, Stent thrombosis, Previous CABG, Significant left main occlusion, Pulmonary edema and Cardiogenic shock). Group (A): 50 patients who were treated by intracoronary bolus infusion of tirofiban followed by IV maintenance dose infusion of tirofiban. Group (B): 50 patients who were treated by intravenous bolus infusion of tirofiban followed by IV maintenance dose infusion of tirofiban. Primary endpoint: Infarct size was assessed 1 month after randomization by SPECT. Secondary endpoint: Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) during hospital stay (cardiac death, MI, stroke or target vessel revascularization), heart failure and bleeding. Results Patients randomized to intracoronary tirofiban compared with intravenous tirofiban had a significant decrease in the primary end point of infarct size (mean [SD], 14.46% [7.79%] vs 18.06% [7.83%]; P=0.02). Also associated with lower incidence of heart failure (number [%], 8 [16%] vs 17 [34%]; P=0.037). There were no significant differences in any of the MACE or bleeding between the randomized groups at 30 days. Conclusions In patients with anterior STEMI presenting early after symptom onset, intracoronary tirofiban administration when compared to intravenous route during primary PCI resulted in infarction size reduction and lower heart failure incidence mainly driven by enhanced left ventricular systolic function however no distinction between two strategies on MACE or bleeding risk. Results Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Analysing the risk factors of doxorubicin-associated heart failure by a retrospective study of integrated, nation-wide databases

The incidence of dilated cardiomyopathy after anthracycline chemotherapy is mainly influenced by anthracycline cumulative dose. Previous researches showed doxorubicin treatment under cumulative dose of 450 mg/m2 associated with a low incidence of heart failure. Nowadays, doxorubicin is administered with a lower dose, the development of heart failure is largely determined by other factors. Our purpose was to identify the risk factors for heart failure due to doxorubicin therapy. With the use of the Hungarian financial healthcare databases merged with the National Cancer Registry, we performed a retrospective study. All the patients having confirmation for breast carcinoma between 2004 and 2015 were enrolled. The subjects with a preceding period characterized by any chemotherapy or diagnoses suggesting heart failure were excluded. Heart failure outcome event was defined by the assignment of I50 diagnosis code at hospital discharge or in autopsy reports. We used multivariate binary logistic regression to calculate odds ratios for heart failure. Besides the baseline characteristics, oncological state and cumulative doses of the chemotherapies were also taken into account. Among the analysed 3288, doxorubicin-treated patients, heart failure cumulative incidence was 6.2%. Doxorubicin cumulative dose over 400 mg/m2 increased the risk. The heart failure incidence was essentially influenced by age, even over 50 years the risk rose. Diabetes mellitus and the treatments with pyrimidine-analogues, carboplatin or bevacizumab were also associated with higher risk. By the integration of national financial and clinical databases, we could identify the risk factors for doxorubicin-associated heart failure. Orv Hetil. 2020; 161(26): 1094-1102.

4517 Gender Disparities: Heart Failure in Puerto Rican Women

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Women within the ages of 65-75 have a lower incidence of heart failure than men.However,after the age of 75, the incidence of HF in womentriples,matchingthat of men.(Lloyd-Jones etal., 2002)Overall, women with heart failure live longer at the expense of presenting moresevere symptoms and poorer perceived quality of life.Generally, women with heart failurereceive suboptimal treatment throughout their lifetime. In fact, women are more likely todevelop heart failure after myocardial infarction. This trend is, in part, because physicians areless strict when treating them.(Chou et al., 2007)Studies in heart failure by ethnicity have shown that, despite equal access to healthcare, Hispanic women have higher rates of readmission than Non-Hispanic-white (NHW) women. (Durstenfeld, Ogedegbe, Katz, Park, &amp;Blecker, 2016)One study in Boston demonstrated that Puerto Rican Women have higher rates of diabetes, obesity, and chronic kidney disease compared to blacks and NHW women.(Todorova, Tejada, &amp; Castaneda-Sceppa, 2014)These are cardiovascular risk factors that warrant further study in Puerto Rican women living on the island, but data are lacking. Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the gender disparities in presentation, management, and outcomes in Puerto Rican Hispanic hospitalized for heart failure METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: To this end, we will perform a secondary analysis of data from the PR CardiovascularSurveillance Study (PRCSS). We will extract personal data from 4,461 medical records of patients admitted with heart failure (ICD-9 Codes 428) at 21 hospitals in Puerto Rico, during theyears2007, 2009 and 2011. For statistical methods, we will implement chi-square and t-tests at a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: We expect to find that women will have: fewer interventions, less optimized heart failure medication, higher BNP, older age of diagnosis, but paradoxically better outcome than male counterparts of the same age. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: With this study, we would like to raise awareness about gender-specific health disparities Puerto Rican Hispanic women with heart failure experience while hospitalized.

Anti-inflammatory diet and risk of heart failure: two prospective cohort studies.

The impact of the anti-inflammatory potential of diet on risk of heart failure (HF) and the potential modification of this association by smoking, a trigger of systemic inflammation, has not been previously investigated. We examined the association between anti-inflammatory potential of diet and risk of HF taking into account smoking status. The study population included the Cohort of Swedish Men (40 514 men) and the Swedish Mammography Cohort (34 809 women), age 45-83 years, without HF, ischaemic heart disease, or cancer at baseline. Anti-inflammatory potential of diet was estimated using an anti-inflammatory diet index (AIDI; 0-16 scores). Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) adjusted for HF risk factors. Over a mean follow-up of 14.9 years (1 119 110 person-years, 1998-2014), 8161 new HF diagnoses (4443 in men, 3718 in women) were identified. Compared to the lowest quintile of the AIDI (scores ≤4), the HRs for men and women in the highest quintile (scores ≥8) were 0.92 (95% CI 0.84-1.02; P-trend=0.02) and 0.86 (95% CI 0.78-0.96; P-trend=0.001), respectively. An inverse association between the AIDI and HF incidence was observed in current and ex-smokers but not in never-smokers (P-interaction=0.046). Comparing extreme quintiles, the HRs were 0.86 (95% CI 0.74-1.00; P-trend=0.007) in current smokers, 0.81 (95% CI 0.71-0.92; P-trend=0.001) in ex-smokers, and 0.95 (95% CI 0.86-1.06; P-trend=0.10) in never-smokers. These results suggest that adherence to a diet with high anti-inflammatory potential may be associated with lower HF incidence in current and ex-smokers.

Association of Fitness and Grip Strength With Heart Failure: Findings From the UK Biobank Population-Based Study

ObjectiveTo investigate the associations of objectively measured cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and grip strength (GS) with incident heart failure (HF), a clinical syndrome that results in substantial social and economic burden, using UK Biobank data. Patients and MethodsOf the 502,628 participants recruited into the UK Biobank between April 1, 2007, and December 31, 2010, a total of 374,493 were included in our GS analysis and 57,053 were included in CRF analysis. Associations between CRF and GS and incident HF were investigated using Cox proportional hazard models, with adjustment for known measured confounders. ResultsDuring a mean of 4.1 (range, 2.4-7.1) years, 631 HF events occurred in those with GS data, and 66 HF events occurred in those with CRF data. Higher CRF was associated with 18% lower risk for HF (hazard ratio [HR], 0.82; 95% CI, 0.76-0.88) per 1–metabolic equivalent increment increase and GS was associated with 19% lower incidence of HF risk (HR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.77-0.86) per 5-kg increment increase. When CRF and GS were standardized, the HR for CRF was 0.50 per 1-SD increment (95% CI, 0.38-0.65), and for GS was 0.65 per 1-SD increment (95% CI, 0.58-0.72). ConclusionOur data indicate that objective measurements of physical function (GS and CRF) are strongly and independently associated with lower HF incidence. Future studies targeting improving CRF and muscle strength should include HF as an outcome to assess whether these results are causal.

Efficacy and safety of new-generation atrial antitachycardia pacing for atrial tachyarrhythmias in patients implanted with cardiac resynchronization therapy devices

BackgroundAtrial tachyarrhythmias (ATAs) have a significant negative impact on the prognosis of patients implanted with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices. New-generation atrial antitachycardia pacing (Reactive ATP, Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA) is effective in managing ATAs in patients implanted with pacemakers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Reactive ATP in patients implanted with CRT devices. MethodsThis was a single-center retrospective study involving 72 CRT patients with a history of ATAs [44 patients with a device capable of Reactive ATP (ATP group) and 28 patients with a device without ATP function (Control group)]. The atrial fibrillation (AF) burden, the biventricular pacing rate, and clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups. ResultsAt baseline, there was no significant difference in the AF burden and biventricular pacing rate between the ATP and Control groups. During the 832±489 days of the follow-up period, 23 of the 44 patients (52%) received a total of 2862 ATP deliveries and the median ATP success rate was 23.6% (interquartile range: 12.5–50.0%) in the ATP group. The AF burden was significantly decreased only in the ATP group 6 months after ATP was programmed (from 6.1±18.2% to 2.0±5.4%, p=0.0083) and maintained low throughout the follow-up period. Moreover, there were no Reactive ATP-related complications observed. Patients in the ATP group showed a significantly lower incidence of heart failure (HF) hospitalization (log-rank, p=0.041) and ventricular arrhythmias (log-rank, p=0.039) than those reported in the Control group. ConclusionsReactive ATP successfully and safely reduced AF burden, and was associated with a lower incidence of HF hospitalization in patients implanted with CRT devices.

Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation is associated with lower incidence of heart failure and death.

Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (CAF) improves symptoms, but whether CAF improves outcome is less clear. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether CAF is associated with improved outcome in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with previous direct current (DC) cardioversion. We performed a nationwide cohort study including all patients who underwent their 1st direct current cardioversion for AF in the period 2003-15 (N = 25 439). End points were all-cause death, cardiovascular death, stroke/thromboembolism, and incident heart failure (HF). Catheter ablation for AF was treated as a time-varying covariate and the association with outcome was assessed using Cox regression. We also constructed a propensity-matched cohort and assessed the association between CAF and outcome. Median follow-up was 5.3 years (inter-quartile range 3.0-8.7 years). A total of 3509 patients (13.8%) underwent CAF during the study period. Following adjustment for age, gender, comorbidities, medications, educational level, household income, and CHA2DS2VASc score, CAF was associated with reduced risks of all-cause death, cardiovascular death, and incident HF [all-cause death: hazard ratio (HR) 0.69, P < 0.001; cardiovascular death: HR 0.68, P = 0.003; incident HF: HR 0.76, P = 0.011]. Catheter ablation for AF was not associated with a reduced risk of stroke/thromboembolism. These results were replicated in a propensity-matched cohort. In AF patients with a prior DC cardioversion, CAF was associated with a reduced risk of all-cause and cardiovascular death. This may be due to a reduced risk of HF.