AIMS: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is guideline recommended for the treatment of symptomatic heart failure (HF) with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and prolonged QRS. However, patients with common comorbidities, such as persistent/permanent atrial fibrillation (AF), are often under-represented in clinical trials. METHODS: The Strategic Management to Optimize Response to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (SMART) registry (NCT03075215) was a global, multicentre, registry that enrolled de novo CRT implants, or upgrade from pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator to CRT-defibrillator (CRT-D), using a quadripolar left ventricular lead in real-world clinical practice. The primary endpoint was CRT response between baseline and 12 month follow-up defined as a clinical composite score (CCS) consisting of all-cause mortality, HF-associated hospitalization, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class and quality of life global assessment. RESULTS: The registry enrolled 2035 patients, of which 1558 had completed CCS outcomes at 12 months. The patient cohort was 33.0% female, mean age at enrolment was 67.5 ± 10.4 years and the mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 29.6 ± 7.9%. Notably, there was a high prevalence of mildly symptomatic patients (NYHA class I/II 51.3%), non-left bundle branch block (LBBB) morphology (38.0%), AF (37.2%) and diabetes mellitus (34.7%) at baseline. CCS at 12 months improved in 58.9% (n = 917) of patients; 20.1% (n = 313) of patients stabilized and 21.0% (n = 328) worsened. Several patient characteristics were associated with a lower likelihood of response to CRT including older age, ischaemic aetiology, renal dysfunction, AF, non-LBBB morphology and diabetes. Higher HF hospitalization (P < 0.001) and all-cause mortality (P < 0.001) were observed in patients with AF. These patients also had lower percentages of ventricular pacing than patients in sinus rhythm at baseline and follow-up (P < 0.001, both). A further association between AF and non-LBBB was observed with 81.4% of AF non-LBBB patients experiencing an HF hospitalization compared with 92.5% of non-AF LBBB patients (P < 0.001). Mortality between subgroups was also statistically significant (P = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: This large, global registry enrolled a CRT-D population with higher incidence of comorbidities that have been historically underrepresented in clinical trials and provides new insight into factors influencing response to CRT. As defined by CCS, 58.9% of patients improved and 20.1% stabilized. Patients with AF had particularly worse clinical outcomes, higher HF hospitalization and mortality rates and lower percentages of ventricular pacing. High incidence of HF hospitalization in patients with AF and non-LBBB in this real-world cohort suggests that ablation may play an important role in increasing future CRT response rates.
- MeSH
- Global Health MeSH
- Ventricular Function, Left * physiology MeSH
- Quality of Life * MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Follow-Up Studies MeSH
- Registries * MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy * methods MeSH
- Heart Failure * therapy physiopathology mortality MeSH
- Stroke Volume * physiology MeSH
- Treatment Outcome MeSH
- Check Tag
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Multicenter Study MeSH
BACKGROUND: Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA) improve outcomes in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) but are underused in clinical practice. Observational data suggest that hyperkalemia is the leading obstacle for the suboptimal use of MRA. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate the effects of sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (SZC) in optimizing use of spironolactone among participants with HFrEF and hyperkalemia. METHODS: REALIZE-K (Study to Assess Efficacy and Safety of SZC for the Management of High Potassium in Patients With Symptomatic HFrEF Receiving Spironolactone) was a prospective, double-blind, randomized- withdrawal trial in participants with HFrEF (NYHA functional class II-IV; left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40%), optimal guideline-directed therapy (except MRA), and prevalent or incident MRA-induced hyperkalemia. During open-label run-in, participants underwent spironolactone titration (target: 50 mg/day); those with hyperkalemia started SZC. Participants with normokalemia (potassium: 3.5-5.0 mEq/L) on SZC and spironolactone ≥25 mg/day were randomized to continued SZC or placebo for 6 months. The primary endpoint was optimal treatment response (normokalemia on spironolactone ≥25 mg/day without rescue therapy for hyperkalemia [months 1-6]). The 5 secondary endpoints were tested hierarchically. Exploratory endpoints included a composite of adjudicated cardiovascular death or worsening heart failure (HF) events (hospitalizations and urgent visits). RESULTS: Overall, 203 participants were randomized (SZC: 102; placebo: 101). Higher percentage of SZC- vs placebo-treated participants had optimal response (71% vs 36%; OR: 4.45; 95% CI: 2.89-6.86; P < 0.001). SZC (vs placebo) improved the first 4 secondary endpoints: normokalemia on randomization dose of spironolactone and without rescue therapy (58% vs 23%; OR: 4.58; 95% CI: 2.78-7.55; P < 0.001); receiving spironolactone ≥25 mg/day (81% vs 50%; OR: 4.33; 95% CI: 2.50-7.52; P < 0.001); time to hyperkalemia (HR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.37-0.71; P < 0.001); and time to decrease/discontinuation of spironolactone due to hyperkalemia (HR: 0.37; 95% CI: 0.17-0.73; P = 0.006). There was no between-group difference in Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire-Clinical Summary Score at 6 months (-1.01 points; 95% CI: -6.64 to 4.63; P = 0.72). Adverse events (64% vs 63%) and serious adverse events (23% vs 22%) were balanced between SZC and placebo, respectively. Composite of cardiovascular (CV) death or worsening HF occurred in 11 (11%) participants in the SZC group (1 with CV death, 10 with HF events) and 3 (3%) participants in the placebo group (1 with CV death, 2 with HF events; log-rank nominal P = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: In participants with HFrEF and hyperkalemia, SZC led to large improvements in the percentage of participants with normokalemia while on optimal spironolactone dose, and reduced risk of hyperkalemia and down-titration/discontinuation of spironolactone. Although underpowered for clinical outcomes, more participants had HF events with SZC than placebo, which should be factored into the clinical decision making. (Study to Assess Efficacy and Safety of SZC for the Management of High Potassium in Patients With Symptomatic HFrEF Receiving Spironolactone; NCT04676646).
- MeSH
- Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists * therapeutic use administration & dosage adverse effects MeSH
- Double-Blind Method MeSH
- Hyperkalemia * drug therapy MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Prospective Studies MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Silicates * therapeutic use administration & dosage adverse effects MeSH
- Spironolactone * administration & dosage adverse effects therapeutic use MeSH
- Heart Failure * drug therapy MeSH
- Stroke Volume drug effects physiology MeSH
- Treatment Outcome MeSH
- Check Tag
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Multicenter Study MeSH
- Randomized Controlled Trial MeSH
BACKGROUND: Optimal management of outpatients with heart failure (HF) requires serially updating the estimates of their risk for adverse clinical outcomes to guide treatment. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are becoming increasingly used in clinical care. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the inclusion of PROs can improve the risk prediction for HF hospitalization and death in ambulatory patients with HF. METHODS AND RESULTS: We included consecutive patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and HF with preserved EF (HFpEF) seen in a HF clinic between 2015 and 2019 who completed PROs as part of routine care. Cox regression with a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regularization and gradient boosting machine analyses were used to estimate risk for a combined outcome of HF hospitalization, heart transplant, left ventricular assist device implantation, or death. The performance of the prediction models was evaluated with the time-dependent concordance index (Cτ). Among 1165 patients with HFrEF (mean age 59.1 ± 16.1, 68% male), the median follow-up was 487 days. Among 456 patients with HFpEF (mean age 64.2 ± 16.0 years, 55% male) the median follow-up was 494 days. Gradient boosting regression that included PROs had the best prediction performance - Cτ 0.73 for patients with HFrEF and 0.74 in patients with HFpEF, and showed very good stratification of risk by time to event analysis by quintile of risk. The Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire overall summary score, visual analogue scale and Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System dimensions of satisfaction with social roles and physical function had high variable importance measure in the models. CONCLUSIONS: PROs improve risk prediction in both HFrEF and HFpEF, independent of traditional clinical factors. Routine assessment of PROs and leveraging the comprehensive data in the electronic health record in routine clinical care could help more accurately assess risk and support the intensification of treatment in patients with HF.
- MeSH
- Risk Assessment methods MeSH
- Patient Reported Outcome Measures * MeSH
- Hospitalization statistics & numerical data MeSH
- Quality of Life * psychology MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Follow-Up Studies MeSH
- Retrospective Studies MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Heart Failure * physiopathology psychology therapy diagnosis mortality MeSH
- Stroke Volume physiology MeSH
- Check Tag
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Malignant lymphoma survivors are at increased risk for anthracycline and/or radiotherapy-induced chronic cardiotoxicity. Proper long-term follow-up is essential for malignant lymphoma survivors after-care. This study aimed to assess TTE parameters of potential subclinical cardiotoxicity and to examine their utility in diagnosing chronic cardiotoxicity. Improvement of the diagnostic process may precede the manifestation of cardiac adverse events. Main objective of the study was to improve the identification of cancer survivors in increased risk of treatment cardiotoxicity. To achieve this goal, utility of various echocardiography parameters was examined.In this retrospective study we analysed TTE of 167 subjects with speckle tracking according to the European Society of Echocardiography guidelines during the follow-up period. 88 of them were long-term lymphoma survivors diagnosed with malignant lymphoma between the years 1994-2015. Minimum follow up period was 5 years with the median of 10 years after anti-cancer treatment cessation. TTE were performed between the years 2017-2022 at cardio-oncology outpatient office during regular follow-up period. A total of 79 volunteers with no history of chronic heart failure (CHF) or decline in LVEF, 51 (64.6%) of whom were males, with the median age of 46 (16-58) years were included in the analysis as control group. Control subjects had various indications for TTE (e.g. preoperative examination, benign palpitations, or with well controlled arterial hypertension taking two antihypertensives at most). Ischemic heart disease was ruled out by stress test. None of the control subjects had history of stroke or chronic lower limb ischemia. All control subjects were considered clinically stable with no sign of cardiac impairment caused by primary disease. Both cancer survivors and control group were divided into subgroups based on LVEF: lower normal LVEF (53-61%), and higher normal LVEF (> 61%). Survivors with lower normal LVEF (53-61%) had a statistically significant decline in GLS compared to those with higher normal LVEF (> 61%). This phenomenon was not observed in control group indicating a possible additional diagnostic value of this parameter. Inclusion of GLS assessment in follow-up TTE examination of subjects with lower normal LVEF may improve the sensitivity of detection of chronic cardiotoxicity. Patients with declined GLS and lower normal LVEF are candidates for intensified follow-up to precede manifestation of cardiac adverse events.
- MeSH
- Anthracyclines adverse effects MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Echocardiography * MeSH
- Ventricular Function, Left drug effects MeSH
- Global Longitudinal Strain MeSH
- Cardiotoxicity * etiology diagnosis MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Lymphoma * drug therapy MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Follow-Up Studies MeSH
- Cancer Survivors * MeSH
- Retrospective Studies MeSH
- Stroke Volume drug effects MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Since cell dying in heart failure (HF) may vary based on the aetiology, we examined the main forms of regulated necrosis, such as necroptosis and pyroptosis, in the hearts damaged due to myocardial infarction (MI) or pressure overload. We also investigated the effects of a drug inhibiting RIP3, a proposed convergent point for both these necrosis-like cell death modes. In rat hearts, left ventricular function, remodelling, pro-cell death, and pro-inflammatory events were investigated, and the pharmacodynamic action of RIP3 inhibitor (GSK'872) was assessed. Regardless of the HF aetiology, the heart cells were dying due to necroptosis, albeit the upstream signals may be different. Pyroptosis was observed only in post-MI HF. The dysregulated miRNAs in post-MI hearts were accompanied by higher levels of a predicted target, HMGB1, its receptors (TLRs), as well as the exacerbation of inflammation likely originating from macrophages. The RIP3 inhibitor suppressed necroptosis, unlike pyroptosis, normalised the dysregulated miRNAs and tended to decrease collagen content and affect macrophage infiltration without affecting cardiac function or structure. The drug also mitigated the local heart inflammation and normalised the higher circulating HMGB1 in rats with post-MI HF. Elevated serum levels of HMGB1 were also detected in HF patients and positively correlated with C-reactive protein, highlighting pro-inflammatory axis. In conclusion, in MI-, but not pressure overload-induced HF, both necroptosis and pyroptosis operate and might underlie HF pathogenesis. The RIP3-targeting pharmacological intervention might protect the heart by preventing pro-death and pro-inflammatory mechanisms, however, additional strategies targeting multiple pro-death pathways may exhibit greater cardioprotection.
- MeSH
- Ventricular Function, Left drug effects MeSH
- Protein Kinase Inhibitors * pharmacology MeSH
- Myocytes, Cardiac * drug effects pathology enzymology MeSH
- Rats MeSH
- MicroRNAs metabolism genetics MeSH
- Disease Models, Animal MeSH
- Necroptosis * drug effects MeSH
- Necrosis MeSH
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley MeSH
- Pyroptosis * drug effects MeSH
- Ventricular Remodeling drug effects MeSH
- Receptor-Interacting Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases * antagonists & inhibitors metabolism MeSH
- Heart Failure * pathology enzymology physiopathology drug therapy etiology genetics MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Rats MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
BACKGROUND: Right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) is common in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, and it is associated with poor prognosis. However, no biomarker reflecting RVD is available for routine clinical use. METHODS: Proteomic analysis of myocardium from the left ventricle and right ventricle (RV) of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction with (n=10) and without RVD (n=10) who underwent heart transplantation was performed. Concentrations of 2 ECM (extracellular matrix) proteins with the highest myocardial upregulation in RVD, FMOD (fibromodulin) and FBLN5 (fibulin-5), were assayed in the blood and tested in a separate cohort of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (n=232) to test for the association of the 2 proteins with RV function and long-term outcomes. RESULTS: Multivariable linear regression revealed that plasma concentrations of both FMOD and FBLN5 were significantly associated with RV function regardless of the RV function assessment method. No association of FMOD or FBLN5 with left ventricular dysfunction, cardiac index, body mass index, diabetes status, or kidney function was found. Plasma levels of FMOD and FBLN5 were significantly associated with patient outcomes (P=0.005; P=0.004). Area under the curve analysis showed that the addition of FBLN5 or FMOD to RV function assessment had a significantly higher area under the curve after 4 years of follow-up (0.653 and 0.631, respectively) compared with RV function alone (0.570; P<0.05 for both). Similarly, the combination of MAGGIC (Meta-Analysis Global Group in Chronic Heart Failure) score, FBLN5, and FMOD had a significantly larger area under the curve (0.669) than the combination of MAGGIC score+RVD grade (0.572; P=0.02). The Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that patients with the elevation of both FMOD and FBLN5 (ie, FMOD >64 ng/mL and FMOD >27 ng/mL) had a worse prognosis than those with the elevation of either FBLN5 or FMOD (P=0.03) demonstrating the additive prognostic value of both proteins. CONCLUSIONS: Our study proposes that circulating levels of FMOD and FBLN5 may serve as new biomarkers of RVD in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.
- MeSH
- Biomarkers * blood MeSH
- Extracellular Matrix Proteins blood metabolism MeSH
- Fibromodulin * MeSH
- Ventricular Function, Left physiology MeSH
- Ventricular Function, Right physiology MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Prognosis MeSH
- Calcium-Binding Proteins blood metabolism MeSH
- Proteomics * methods MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Heart Ventricles physiopathology metabolism MeSH
- Heart Failure * physiopathology metabolism blood MeSH
- Stroke Volume * physiology MeSH
- Heart Transplantation MeSH
- Check Tag
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
BACKGROUND: Growth differentiation factor (GDF)-15 is a pleiotropic cytokine that is associated with appetite-suppressing effects and weight loss in patients with malignancy. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the relationships between GDF-15 levels, anorexia, cachexia, and clinical outcomes in patients with advanced heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). METHODS: In this observational, retrospective analysis, a total of 344 patients with advanced HFrEF (age 58 ± 10 years, 85% male, 67% NYHA functional class III), underwent clinical and echocardiographic examination, body composition evaluation by skinfolds and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, circulating metabolite assessment, Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire, and right heart catheterization. RESULTS: The median GDF-15 level was 1,503 ng/L (Q1-Q3: 955-2,332 ng/L) (reference range: <1,200 ng/L). Higher GDF-15 levels were associated with more prevalent anorexia and cachexia. Patients with higher GDF-15 had increased circulating free fatty acids and beta-hydroxybutyrate, lower albumin, cholesterol, and insulin/glucagon ratio, consistent with a catabolic state. Patients with higher GDF-15 had worse congestion and more severe right ventricular dysfunction. In multivariable Cox analysis, elevated GDF-15 was independently associated with risk of the combined endpoint of death, urgent transplantation, or left ventricular assist device implantation, even after adjusting for coexisting anorexia and cachexia (T3 vs T1 HR: 2.31 [95% CI: 1.47-3.66]; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with advanced HFrEF, elevated circulating GDF-15 levels are associated with a higher prevalence of anorexia and cachexia, right ventricular dysfunction, and congestion, as well as an independently increased risk of adverse events. Further studies are warranted to determine whether therapies altering GDF-15 signaling pathways can affect metabolic status and clinical outcomes in advanced HFrEF.
- MeSH
- Weight Loss * MeSH
- Cachexia * etiology MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Anorexia * etiology MeSH
- Retrospective Studies MeSH
- Growth Differentiation Factor 15 * blood MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Heart Failure * complications physiopathology blood MeSH
- Stroke Volume physiology MeSH
- Check Tag
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Observational Study MeSH
BACKGROUND: Physical activity is pivotal in managing heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, and walking integrated into daily life is an especially suitable form of physical activity. This study aimed to determine whether a 6-month lifestyle walking intervention combining self-monitoring and regular telephone counseling improves functional capacity assessed by the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) in patients with stable heart failure with reduced ejection fraction compared with usual care. METHODS: The WATCHFUL trial (Pedometer-Based Walking Intervention in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction) was a 6-month multicenter, parallel-group randomized controlled trial recruiting patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction from 6 cardiovascular centers in the Czech Republic. Eligible participants were ≥18 years of age, had left ventricular ejection fraction <40%, and had New York Heart Association class II or III symptoms on guidelines-recommended medication. Individuals exceeding 450 meters on the baseline 6MWT were excluded. Patients in the intervention group were equipped with a Garmin vívofit activity tracker and received monthly telephone counseling from research nurses who encouraged them to use behavior change techniques such as self-monitoring, goal-setting, and action planning to increase their daily step count. The patients in the control group continued usual care. The primary outcome was the between-group difference in the distance walked during the 6MWT at 6 months. Secondary outcomes included daily step count and minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity as measured by the hip-worn Actigraph wGT3X-BT accelerometer, NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein biomarkers, ejection fraction, anthropometric measures, depression score, self-efficacy, quality of life, and survival risk score. The primary analysis was conducted by intention to treat. RESULTS: Of 218 screened patients, 202 were randomized (mean age, 65 years; 22.8% female; 90.6% New York Heart Association class II; median left ventricular ejection fraction, 32.5%; median 6MWT, 385 meters; average 5071 steps/day; average 10.9 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day). At 6 months, no between-group differences were detected in the 6MWT (mean 7.4 meters [95% CI, -8.0 to 22.7]; P=0.345, n=186). The intervention group increased their average daily step count by 1420 (95% CI, 749 to 2091) and daily minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity by 8.2 (95% CI, 3.0 to 13.3) over the control group. No between-group differences were detected for any other secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas the lifestyle intervention in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction improved daily steps by about 25%, it failed to demonstrate a corresponding improvement in functional capacity. Further research is needed to understand the lack of association between increased physical activity and functional outcomes. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03041610.
- MeSH
- Walking MeSH
- Ventricular Dysfunction, Left * MeSH
- Ventricular Function, Left MeSH
- Quality of Life MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Heart Failure * therapy drug therapy MeSH
- Stroke Volume MeSH
- Life Style MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Multicenter Study MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Randomized Controlled Trial MeSH
BACKGROUND: Left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) may be associated with greater improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction and reduction in death or heart failure hospitalization compared with biventricular pacing (BVP) in patients requiring cardiac resynchronization therapy. We sought to compare the occurrence of sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF) and new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients undergoing BVP and LBBAP. METHODS: The I-CLAS study (International Collaborative LBBAP Study) included patients with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35% who underwent BVP or LBBAP for cardiac resynchronization therapy between January 2018 and June 2022 at 15 centers. We performed propensity score-matched analysis of LBBAP and BVP in a 1:1 ratio. We assessed the incidence of VT/VF and new-onset AF among patients with no history of AF. Time to sustained VT/VF and time to new-onset AF was analyzed using the Cox proportional hazards survival model. RESULTS: Among 1778 patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy (BVP, 981; LBBAP, 797), there were 1414 propensity score-matched patients (propensity score-matched BVP, 707; propensity score-matched LBBAP, 707). The occurrence of VT/VF was significantly lower with LBBAP compared with BVP (4.2% versus 9.3%; hazard ratio, 0.46 [95% CI, 0.29-0.74]; P<0.001). The incidence of VT storm (>3 episodes in 24 hours) was also significantly lower with LBBAP compared with BVP (0.8% versus 2.5%; P=0.013). Among 299 patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemakers (BVP, 111; LBBAP, 188), VT/VF occurred in 8 patients in the BVP group versus none in the LBBAP group (7.2% versus 0%; P<0.001). In 1194 patients with no history of VT/VF or antiarrhythmic therapy (BVP, 591; LBBAP, 603), the occurrence of VT/VF was significantly lower with LBBAP than with BVP (3.2% versus 7.3%; hazard ratio, 0.46 [95% CI, 0.26-0.81]; P=0.007). Among patients with no history of AF (n=890), the occurrence of new-onset AF >30 s was significantly lower with LBBAP than with BVP (2.8% versus 6.6%; hazard ratio, 0.34 [95% CI, 0.16-0.73]; P=0.008). The incidence of AF lasting >24 hours was also significantly lower with LBBAP than with BVP (0.7% versus 2.9%; P=0.015). CONCLUSIONS: LBBAP was associated with a lower incidence of sustained VT/VF and new-onset AF compared with BVP. This difference remained significant after adjustment for differences in baseline characteristics between patients with BVP and LBBAP. Physiological resynchronization by LBBAP may be associated with lower risk of arrhythmias compared with BVP.
- MeSH
- Electrocardiography MeSH
- Ventricular Fibrillation epidemiology etiology therapy MeSH
- Ventricular Function, Left MeSH
- Tachycardia, Ventricular * epidemiology etiology therapy MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy * adverse effects MeSH
- Heart Failure * epidemiology therapy MeSH
- Stroke Volume MeSH
- Treatment Outcome MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
BACKGROUND: The known impairments of the cardiovascular system in Parkinson ́s disease (PD) are caused by autonomic dysfunction and manifested mainly in postural hypotension, chronotropic insufficiency, and reduced heart rate variability. Other dysfunctions, mainly stress response, arrhythmia occurrence, and heart morphology changes, are still the subject of research. OBJECTIVES: To assess the heart rate and blood pressure reaction during exercise, advanced measurements of heart volumes and mass using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), and occurrence of arrhythmias in PD patients. METHODS: Thirty PD patients (19 men, mean age 57.5 years) without known cardiac comorbidities underwent bicycle ergometry, electrocardiogram Holter monitoring and CMR. Exercise and CMR parameters were compared with controls (24 subjects for ergometry, 20 for CMR). RESULTS: PD patients had lower baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP) (117.8 vs. 128.3 mmHg, p < 0.01), peak SBP (155.8 vs. 170.8 mmHg, p < 0.05), and lower heart rate increase (49.7 vs. 64.3 beats per minute, p < 0.01). PD patients had higher indexed left and right ventricular end-diastolic volumes (68.5 vs. 57.3, p = 0.003 and 73.5 vs. 61.0 mL/m2 , respectively) and also indexed left and right ventricular end-systolic volumes (44.1 vs. 39.0, p = 0.013 and 29.0 vs. 22.0 mL/m2 , p = 0.013, respectively). A high prevalence of atrial fibrillation (8 subjects, 26.7%) was found. CONCLUSIONS: This novel study combining functional and structural approaches showed that PD is linked with weaker blood pressure and heart rate reaction during exercise, increased myocardial mass and heart volumes compared to controls, and a high prevalence of atrial fibrillation.
