Background Although most patients who improve in clinical status after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) also show a significant left ventricular (LV) reverse remodeling, some patients do not... Show moreBackground Although most patients who improve in clinical status after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) also show a significant left ventricular (LV) reverse remodeling, some patients do not show echocardiographic improvement. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the degree of agreement between clinical and echocardiographic response to CRT in a large cohort of heart failure patients, and to evaluate the characteristics of patients with clinical response but without echocardiographic response. Methods In 440 consecutive heart failure patients (mean age 66 +/- 11 years, 81% men) treated with CRT, agreement between clinical and echocardiographic responses at 6 months of follow-up were evaluated. The combined clinical response was defined as: >= 1-point New York Heart Association functional class improvement or >= 15% increase in 6-minute walk test. Echocardiographic response was defined by a reduction in LV end-systolic volume (LVESV) >= 15%. Results At 6 months of follow-up, clinical response was observed in 84% (n = 370) of the patients. Significant reduction in LVESV was noted in 63% (n = 276). The majority of patients who improved clinically did show LV reverse remodeling (72%, n = 268). Importantly, 28% (n = 102) of patients who improved clinically did not show significant LV reverse remodeling. The patients with clinical response but without echocardiographic response had more often ischemic heart failure as compared to patients with positive clinical and echocardiographic response (69.6% vs 57.5%; P = .021). Moreover, patients with such discordant responses had more narrow QRS complex (148 +/- 31 vs 159 +/- 31 milliseconds; P = .004), and showed less LV dyssynchrony than patients with concordant positive responses (90 +/- 77 vs 171 +/- 105 milliseconds; P < .001). Conclusions Although there is a good concordance between echocardiographic and clinical response to CRT, up to 28% of the population experienced clinical response without significant LV reverse remodeling. Subjects with such discrepant responses have more frequently ischemic heart failure and show more narrow QRS complex and less LV dyssynchrony than patients with both clinical and echocardiographic response. (Am Heart J 2010; 160: 737-43.) Show less
Kuijk, J.P. van; Voute, M.T.; Flu, W.J.; Schouten, O.; Chonchol, M.; Hoeks, S.E.; ... ; Poldermans, D. 2010
Background Major vascular surgery patients are at high risk for developing asymptomatic perioperative myocardial ischemia reflected by a postoperative troponin release without the presence of chest... Show moreBackground Major vascular surgery patients are at high risk for developing asymptomatic perioperative myocardial ischemia reflected by a postoperative troponin release without the presence of chest pain or electrocardiographic abnormalities. Long-term prognosis is severely compromised and characterized by an increased risk of long-term mortality and cardiovascular events. Current guidelines on perioperative care recommend single antiplatelet therapy with aspirin as prophylaxis for cardiovascular events. However, as perioperative surgical stress results in a prolonged hypercoagulable state, the postoperative addition of clopidogrel to aspirin within 7 days after perioperative asymptomatic cardiac ischemia could provide improved effective prevention for cardiovascular events. Study design DECREASE-VII is a phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of early postoperative dual antiplatelet therapy (aspirin and clopidogrel) for the prevention of cardiovascular events after major vascular surgery. Eligible patients undergoing a major vascular surgery (abdominal aorta or lower extremity vascular surgery) who developed perioperative asymptomatic troponin release are randomized 1: 1 to clopidogrel or placebo (300-mg loading dose, followed by 75mg daily) in addition to standard medical treatment with aspirin. The primary efficacy end point is the composite of cardiovascular death, stroke, or severe ischemia of the coronary or peripheral arterial circulation leading to an intervention. The evaluation of long-term safety includes bleeding defined by TIMI criteria. Recruitment began early 2010. The trial will continue until 750 patients are included and followed for at least 12 months. Summary DECREASE-VII is evaluating whether early postoperative dual antiplatelet therapy for patients developing asymptomatic cardiac ischemia after vascular surgery reduces cardiovascular events with a favorable safety profile. (Am Heart J 2010;160:387-93.) Show less
Background Recent longitudinal analyses suggested that low levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D) predict incident cardiovascular disease in initially healthy populations. Because the... Show moreBackground Recent longitudinal analyses suggested that low levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D) predict incident cardiovascular disease in initially healthy populations. Because the prognostic value of vitamin D for the occurrence of secondary cardiovascular events remains unclear, we examined the association of baseline 25-OH-D levels with prognosis in patients with stable coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods Serum 25-OH-D levels from 1,125 CHD patients of 2 German clinics undergoing a 3-week rehabilitation program after an acute cardiovascular event were measured, and participants were followed for up to 8 years. We used multivariate Cox regression analysis to model cardiovascular event incidence (fatal and nonfatal, including myocardial infarction, stroke, and death due to cardiovascular diseases) and all-cause mortality according to 25-OH-D quartiles, categories based on cut points of 15 and 30 ng/mL, or continuous vitamin D concentrations. Results During follow-up, 148 cardiovascular events and 121 deaths were recorded. Elevation of risk for the lowest quartile or category in comparison to the highest category was weak and nonsignificant for both incidence (hazard ratio [HR](quartile1) = 1.15 [0.72-1.84], HR<15 ng/mL = 1.17 [0.61-2.23]) and mortality (HRquartile1 = 1.29 [0.77-2.14], HR<15 (ng/mL) = 1.87 [0.91-3.82]) in unadjusted Cox regression analysis and disappeared entirely after adjustment for potential confounders (cardiovascular events: HRquartile1 = 0.84 [0.47-1.50], HR<15 ng/mL = 0.90 [0.41-1.96]; mortality: HRquartile1 = 0.63 [0.33-1.21], HR<15 ng/mL = 0.93 [0.39-2.21]). Models treating vitamin D as a continuous variable likewise suggested no significant associations. Conclusions Unlike previous population-based studies, our analysis in high-risk patients with stable CHD does not support a prognostic value of baseline-25-OH-D levels for secondary cardiovascular event incidence or all-cause mortality. (Am Heart J 2010; 159: 1044-51.) Show less
Background The pathophysiology of new-onset cardiac arrhythmias is complex and may bring about severe cardiovascular complications. The relevance of perioperative arrhythmias during vascular... Show moreBackground The pathophysiology of new-onset cardiac arrhythmias is complex and may bring about severe cardiovascular complications. The relevance of perioperative arrhythmias during vascular surgery has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to assess risk factors and prognosis of new-onset arrhythmias during vascular surgery. Methods A total of 513 vascular surgery patients, without a history of arrhythmias, were included. Cardiac risk factors, inflammatory status, and left ventricular function (LVF; N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and echocardiography) were assessed. Continuous electrocardiography (ECG) recordings for 72 hours were used to identify ischemia and new-onset arrhythmias: atrial fibrillation, sustained ventricular tachycardia, supraventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify preoperative risk factors for arrhythmias. Cox regression analysis assessed the impact of arrhythmias on cardiovascular event-free survival during 1.7 years. Results New-onset arrhythmias occurred in 55 (11%) of 513 patients: atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, supraventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation occurred in 4%, 7%, 1%, and 0.2%, respectively. Continuous ECG showed myocardial ischemia and arrhythmias in 17 (3%) of 513 patients. Arrhythmia was preceded by ischemia in 10 of 55 cases. Increased age and reduced LVF were risk factors for the development of arrhythmias. Multivariate analysis showed that perioperative arrhythmias were associated with long-term cardiovascular events, irrespective of the presence of perioperative ischemia (hazard ratio 2.2, 95% CI 1.3-3.8, P=.004). Conclusion New-onset perioperative arrhythmias are common after vascular surgery. The elderly and patients with reduced LVF show arrhythmias. Perioperative continuous ECG monitoring helps to identify this high-risk group at increased risk of cardiovascular events and death. (Am Heart J 2010;159:1108-15.) Show less
Background Weekly fish consumption has been related to a lower risk of fatal coronary heart disease (CHD) and incident stroke in populations with a low fish intake. This relation has mainly been... Show moreBackground Weekly fish consumption has been related to a lower risk of fatal coronary heart disease (CHD) and incident stroke in populations with a low fish intake. This relation has mainly been attributed to n-3 fatty acids in fish, that is, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). It is at present unclear whether alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a n-3 fatty acid from vegetable origin, could also be protective against cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). There is a need for food-based trials to establish the efficacy of low doses of n-3 fatty acids in CVD prevention. Objectives The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of an additional daily intake of 400 mg of EPA + DHA and 2 g of ALA on CVD morbidity and mortality in free-living subjects with a history of myocardial infarction. Design The multicenter Alpha Omega Trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with a 2 x 2 factorial design. Between May 2002 and December 2006, we enrolled a total of 4,837 men and women aged 60 through 80 who experienced a myocardial infarction within 10 years before entering the study. Subjects were randomized to 1 of 4 margarine spreads that were enriched with EPA + DHA and/or ALA, or placebo. Compliance was monitored via tub counts and assessment of n-3 fatty acids in plasma. Subjects were observed for 40 months for the occurrence of fatal and nonfatal CVD. Results The cohort was on average 69 years old at the start of the study and comprised 22% women. Subjects had their (last) myocardial infarction approximately 4 years before enrolment. Mean body mass index was 27.7 kg/m(2), and 17% smoked. Average serum total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were 4.7 and 1.3 mmol/L, respectively, and 85% used statins. Mean blood pressure was 142/80 mm Hg, and most subjects were on antihypertensive medication (88%). Diabetes mellitus was reported by 17% of the subjects, and 7% reported a history of stroke. The overall mortality rate during the trial period was 23 per 1,000 person-years, with approximately 40% due to CVD. Current status Follow-up of the patients was completed in November 2009, and findings will be reported in the second part of 2010. (Am Heart J 2010; 159: 539-546. e2.) Show less
Background Left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction and subclinical systolic dysfunction may be markers of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, whether these markers are useful for prediction... Show moreBackground Left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction and subclinical systolic dysfunction may be markers of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, whether these markers are useful for prediction of obstructive CAD is unknown. Methods A total of 182 consecutive outpatients (54 +/- 10 years, 59% males) without known CAD and overt LV systolic dysfunction underwent 64-slice multislice computed tomography (MSCT) coronary angiography and echocardiography. The MSCT angiograms showing atherosclerosis were classified as showing obstructive (>= 50% luminal narrowing) CAD or not. Conventional echocardiographic parameters of LV systolic and diastolic function were obtained; in addition, (1) global longitudinal strain (GLS) and strain rate (indices of systolic function) and (2) global strain rate during the isovolumic relaxation period and during early diastolic filling (indices of diastolic function) were assessed using speckle-tracking echocardiography. In addition, the pretest likelihood of obstructive CAD was assessed using the Duke Clinical Score. Results Based on MSCT, 32% of patients were classified as having no CAD, whereas 33% showed nonobstructive CAD and the remaining 35% had obstructive CAD. Multivariate analysis of clinical and echocardiographic characteristics showed that only high pretest likelihood of CAD (odds ratio [OR] 3.21, 95% 1.02-10.09, P = .046), diastolic dysfunction (OR 3.72, 95% CI 1.44-9.57, P = .006), and GLS (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.43-2.71, P < .001) were associated with obstructive CAD. A value of GLS >=-17.4 yielded high sensitivity and specificity in identifying patients with obstructive CAD (83% and 77%, respectively), providing a significant incremental value over pretest likelihood of CAD and diastolic dysfunction. Conclusions The GLS impairment aids detection of patients without overt LV systolic dysfunction having obstructive CAD. (Am Heart J 2010; 159: 148-57.) Show less
