Peter V. Finn

Survival after an experimental myocardial infarction: beneficial effects of long-term therapy with captopril.

Although vasodilator therapy has been shown to improve functional capacity in patients with congestive heart failure, there is no evidence that such therapy can prolong survival. Coronary artery ligation in the rat was used to produce a wide range of myocardial infarct sizes and a resultant spectrum of left ventricular dysfunction. To determine the relationship between size of myocardial infarction and long-term survival and to test the hypothesis that long-term therapy with captopril could improve survival after myocardial infarction, 302 rats were randomly assigned to either placebo or captopril therapy 14 days after coronary artery ligation. The animals were kept in a laminar flow unit and followed daily for a 1 year period or until spontaneous death. Size of myocardial infarction was determined by planimetry of serial histologic sections of the left ventricle. One year survival in placebo-treated rats decreased markedly in direct relation to increasing size of infarction (from 71% in noninfarcted rats to only 8% in rats with large infarcts). Long-term captopril therapy prolonged the survival of rats with infarcts (p less than .02). The most marked improvement in survival was noted in the animals with infarcts of moderate size, in which 1 year survival was 21% in the placebo-treated rats and 48% in the captopril-treated rats. Thus, in this experimental preparation of myocardial infarction and left ventricular dysfunction, survival was inversely related to size of infarction. Long-term therapy with captopril, which we had previously shown to improve left ventricular function and lessen dilatation in the chronic phase of infarction, also had a pronounced effect on prolonging survival in this preparation of chronic infarction.

Cardiovascular Risk of Celecoxib in 6 Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials: The Cross Trial Safety Analysis

Background— Observational studies and randomized trials have reported increased cardiovascular risk associated with cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors. Prior placebo-controlled randomized studies had limited ability to assess the relationship of either celecoxib dose or pretreatment cardiovascular status to risk associated with celecoxib. Our aim was to assess the cardiovascular risk associated with celecoxib in 3 dose regimens and to assess the relationship between baseline cardiovascular risk and effect of celecoxib on cardiovascular events. Methods and Results— We performed a patient-level pooled analysis of adjudicated data from 7950 patients in 6 placebo-controlled trials comparing celecoxib with placebo for conditions other than arthritis with a planned follow-up of at least 3 years. Patients were administered celecoxib in 3 dose regimens: 400 mg QD, 200 mg BID, or 400 mg BID. From the pooled data, we calculated a hazard ratio for all dose regimens combined and individual hazard ratios for each dose regimen and examined whether celecoxib-related risk was associated with baseline cardiovascular risk. The primary end point was the combination of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, or thromboembolic event. With 16 070 patient-years of follow-up, the hazard ratio for the composite end point combining the tested doses was 1.6 (95% CI, 1.1 to 2.3). The risk, which increased with dose regimen (P=0.0005), was lowest for the 400-mg-QD dose (hazard ratio, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.6 to 2.0), intermediate for the 200-mg-BID dose (hazard ratio, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1 to 3.1), and highest for the 400-mg-BID dose (hazard ratio, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.5 to 6.1). Patients at highest baseline risk demonstrated disproportionately greater risk of celecoxib-related adverse events (P for interaction=0.034). Conclusions— We observed evidence of differential cardiovascular risk as a function of celecoxib dose regimen and baseline cardiovascular risk. By further clarifying the extent of celecoxib-related cardiovascular risk, these findings may help guide treatment decisions for patients who derive clinical benefit from selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition.

Effect of Celecoxib on Cardiovascular Events and Blood Pressure in Two Trials for the Prevention of Colorectal Adenomas

Background— Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors have been shown to reduce colorectal adenomas but have been associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Methods and Results— The Adenoma Prevention With Celecoxib (APC) trial studied celecoxib 200 mg twice daily and 400 mg twice daily and the Prevention of Spontaneous Adenomatous Polyps (PreSAP) trial used 400 mg once daily to test the efficacy and safety of celecoxib against placebo in reducing colorectal adenoma recurrence after polypectomy. An independent safety committee for both studies adjudicated and categorized serious cardiovascular events and then combined individual patient data from these long-term trials to improve the estimate of the cardiovascular risk and blood pressure changes associated with celecoxib compared with placebo. For adjudicated cardiovascular events, 77% and 54% in APC and PreSAP, respectively, had 37 months of follow-up. For APC and PreSAP combined, 83 patients experienced cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or heart failure. The hazard ratio for this prespecified composite end point was 2.6 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1 to 6.1) in patients taking 200 mg twice daily, 3.4 (95% CI, 1.5 to 7.9) in patients taking 400 mg twice daily in APC, and 1.3 (95% CI, 0.6 to 2.6) in patients taking 400 mg once daily in PreSAP (P for heterogeneity=0.13 comparing the combined doses in APC with the dose in PreSAP). The overall hazard ratio for this composite end point was 1.9 (95% CI, 1.1 to 3.1). Both dose groups in APC showed significant systolic blood pressure elevations at 1 and 3 years (200 mg twice daily: 1 year, 2.0 mm Hg; 3 years, 2.6 mm Hg; 400 mg twice daily: 1 year, 2.9 mm Hg; 3 years, 5.2 mm Hg); however, the 400 mg once daily group in PreSAP did not (P<0.0001 between studies). Conclusions— Celecoxib at 200 or 400 mg twice daily or 400 mg once daily showed a nearly 2-fold–increased cardiovascular risk. The trend for a dose-related increase in cardiovascular events and blood pressure raises the possibility that lower doses or other dose intervals may be associated with less cardiovascular risk.

Body Mass Index and Prognosis in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure Insights From the Candesartan in Heart failure: Assessment of Reduction in Mortality and morbidity (CHARM) Program

Background— In individuals without known cardiovascular disease, elevated body mass index (BMI) (weight/height2) is associated with an increased risk of death. However, in patients with certain specific chronic diseases, including heart failure, low BMI has been associated with increased mortality. Methods and Results— We examined the influence of BMI on prognosis using Cox proportional hazards models in 7599 patients (mean age, 65 years; 35% women) with symptomatic heart failure (New York Heart Association class II to IV) and a broad spectrum of left ventricular ejection fractions (mean, 39%) in the Candesartan in Heart failure: Assessment of Reduction in Mortality and morbidity (CHARM) program. During a median follow-up of 37.7 months, 1831 patients died. After adjustment for potential confounders, compared with patients with BMI between 30 and 34.9, patients in lower BMI categories had a graded increase in the risk of death. The hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) were 1.22 (1.06 to 1.41), 1.46 (1.24 to 1.71), and 1.69 (1.43 to 2.01) among those with BMI of 25 to 29.9, 22.5 to 24.9, and <22.5, respectively. The increase in risk of death among patients with BMI ≥35 was not statistically significant (hazard ratio, 1.17; 95% confidence interval, 0.95 to 1.43). The association between BMI and mortality was not altered by age, smoking status, or left ventricular ejection fraction (P for interaction >0.20). However, lower BMI was associated with a greater risk of all-cause death in patients without edema but not in patients with edema (P for interaction <0.0001). Lower BMI was associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular death and noncardiovascular death. Baseline BMI did not influence the risk of hospitalization for worsening heart failure or due to all causes. Conclusions— In patients with symptomatic heart failure and either reduced or preserved left ventricular systolic function, underweight or low BMI was associated with increased mortality, primarily in patients without evidence of fluid overload (edema).

Effect of Candesartan on Cause-Specific Mortality in Heart Failure Patients The Candesartan in Heart failure Assessment of Reduction in Mortality and morbidity (CHARM) Program

Background—Patients with heart failure are at increased risk of sudden death and death attributed to progressive pump failure. We assessed the effect of candesartan on cause-specific mortality in patients enrolled in the Candesartan in Heart failure Assessment of Reduction in Mortality and morbidity (CHARM) program. Methods and Results—The CHARM program consisted of 3 component trials that enrolled patients with symptomatic heart failure: CHARM-Alternative (n=2028; LVEF=40% and ACE intolerant), CHARM-Added (n=2548; LVEF=40%, already on ACE inhibitors), and CHARM-Preserved (n=3023; LVEF >40%). Patients were randomized to candesartan, titrated to 32 mg QD, or placebo and were followed up for a median of 37.7 months. All deaths were reviewed by a blinded adjudication committee and categorized according to prespecified definitions on the basis of a narrative and source documentation. The number and rate of deaths by cause were calculated for each of the component trials and the overall program. Of all the patients, 8.5% died suddenly, and 6.2% died of progressive heart failure. Candesartan reduced both sudden death (HR 0.85 [0.73 to 0.99], P=0.036) and death from worsening heart failure (HR 0.78 [0.65 to 0.94], P=0.008). These reductions were most apparent in the patients with LVEF=40%. Conclusions—Candesartan reduced sudden death and death from worsening heart failure in patients with symptomatic heart failure, although this reduction was most apparent in patients with systolic dysfunction.

Pathogenesis of Sudden Unexpected Death in a Clinical Trial of Patients With Myocardial Infarction and Left Ventricular Dysfunction, Heart Failure, or Both

Background— The frequency of sudden unexpected death is highest in the early post-myocardial infarction (MI) period; nevertheless, 2 recent trials showed no improvement in mortality with early placement of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator after MI. Methods and Results— To better understand the pathophysiological events that lead to sudden death after MI, we assessed autopsy records in a series of cases classified as sudden death events in patients from the VALsartan In Acute myocardial infarctioN Trial (VALIANT). Autopsy records were available in 398 cases (14% of deaths). We determined that 105 patients had clinical circumstances consistent with sudden death. On the basis of the autopsy findings, we assessed the probable cause of sudden death and evaluated how these causes varied with time after MI. Of 105 deaths considered sudden on clinical grounds, autopsy suggested the following causes: 3 index MIs in the first 7 days (2.9%); 28 recurrent MIs (26.6%); 13 cardiac ruptures (12.4%); 4 pump failures (3.8%); 2 other cardiovascular causes (stroke or pulmonary embolism; 1.9%); and 1 noncardiovascular cause (1%). Fifty-four cases (51.4%) had no acute specific autopsy evidence other than the index MI and were thus presumed arrhythmic. The percentage of sudden death due to recurrent MI or rupture was highest in the first month after the index MI. By contrast, after 3 months, the percentage of presumed arrhythmic death was higher than recurrent MI or rupture (&khgr;2=23.3, P<0.0001). Conclusions— Recurrent MI or cardiac rupture accounts for a high proportion of sudden death in the early period after acute MI, whereas arrhythmic death may be more likely subsequently. These findings may help explain the lack of benefit of early implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy.

Effect of the angiotensin-receptor-neprilysin inhibitor LCZ696 compared with enalapril on mode of death in heart failure patients.

AIMS The angiotensin-receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) LCZ696 reduced cardiovascular deaths and all-cause mortality compared with enalapril in patients with chronic heart failure in the prospective comparison of ARNI with an Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor to Determine Impact on Global Mortality and Morbidity in Heart Failure (PARADIGM-HF) trial. To more completely understand the components of this mortality benefit, we examined the effect of LCZ696 on mode of death. METHODS AND RESULTS PARADIGM-HF was a prospective, double-blind, randomized trial in 8399 patients with chronic heart failure, New York Heart Association Class II-IV symptoms, and left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40% receiving guideline-recommended medical therapy and followed for a median of 27 months. Mode of death was adjudicated by a blinded clinical endpoints committee. The majority of deaths were cardiovascular (80.9%), and the risk of cardiovascular death was significantly reduced by treatment with LCZ (hazard ratio, HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.72-0.89, P < 0.001). Among cardiovascular deaths, both sudden cardiac death (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.68-0.94, P = 0.008) and death due to worsening heart failure (HR 0.79, 95% CI 0.64-0.98, P = 0.034) were reduced by treatment with LCZ696 compared with enalapril. Deaths attributed to other cardiovascular causes, including myocardial infarction and stroke, were infrequent and distributed evenly between treatment groups, as were non-cardiovascular deaths. CONCLUSIONS LCZ696 was superior to enalapril in reducing both sudden cardiac deaths and deaths from worsening heart failure, which accounted for the majority of cardiovascular deaths. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION https://clinicaltrials.gov/, NCT01035255.

Equipotent Antihypertensive Agents Variously Affect Pulsatile Hemodynamics and Regression of Cardiac Hypertrophy in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

BACKGROUND Converting enzyme inhibitors are more effective than arteriolar vasodilators at regressing left ventricular hypertrophy in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), possibly because of nonhemodynamic factors. However, the pulsatile component of hemodynamic load has not been evaluated in this model. METHODS AND RESULTS We measured pulsatile hemodynamics in 18-month-old male SHR after 6 months of therapy with either zofenopril (Z), hydralazine (H), or water (W). Hydralazine and zofenopril reduced mean arterial pressure comparably (W, 106 +/- 23 versus H, 81 +/- 12 versus Z, 84 +/- 18 mm Hg, P = .002) yet had a differential effect on the ratio of left ventricular weight to body weight (W, 3.9 +/- 0.5 versus H, 3.3 +/- 0.4 versus Z, 2.4 +/- 0.2 g/kg, P < .005). Hydralazine-treated SHR had increased characteristic impedance (P = .0011) and a persistently low ratio of the reflected-wave transit time to left ventricular ejection time (P < .001), which contributed to early and late systolic loading, respectively, of the left ventricle. Consequently, only zofenopril-treated SHR had a significant reduction in left ventricular systolic force-time integral (P = .02), a measure of total ventricular load. There were no differences in systolic stress-time integral, suggesting that mass was appropriate to load when all elements of steady-flow and pulsatile load were considered. CONCLUSIONS A blunted reduction in total left ventricular load, due to increased pulsatile load in SHR treated with hydralazine, provided a hemodynamic basis for the differential regression of hypertrophy in this model of genetic hypertension.

Activation of Cardiac c-Jun NH2-Terminal Kinases and p38-Mitogen–Activated Protein Kinases With Abrupt Changes in Hemodynamic Load

Abstract—The role of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways as signal transduction intermediates of hemodynamic stress leading to cardiac hypertrophy in the adult heart is not fully established. In a rat model of pressure-overload hypertrophy, we examined whether activation of MAPK pathways, namely, the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK), c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), and the p38-MAPK pathways, occurs during rapid changes in hemodynamic load in vivo. A slight activation of ERK2 and marked increases in JNK1 and p38-MAPK activities were observed 30 minutes after aortic banding. The increase in p38-MAPK activity was accompanied by an increase in the phosphorylation of the p38 substrate MAPK-activated protein kinases 2 and 3. Activation of these kinases was coincident with an increase in phosphorylation of c-Jun and activating transcription factor-2 (ATF-2) and enhanced DNA binding of activator protein-1 factors. Thus, hemodynamic stress of the adult rat heart in vivo results in rapid activation of several parallel MAPK kinase cascades, particularly stress-activated MAPK and p38-MAPK and their target transcription factors c-Jun and ATF-2.

Effects of reperfusion on arrhythmias and death after coronary artery occlusion in the rat: increased electrical stability independent of myocardial salvage

OBJECTIVES This study sought to delineate salvage-dependent from salvage-independent coronary reperfusion in acute myocardial infarction and the effects on spontaneously occurring arrhythmias and arrhythmic death in rats. BACKGROUND Reperfusion of the infarct-related artery might increase electrical stability independently of salvage of ischemic myocardium. METHODS In 98 conscious rats the electrocardiogram was monitored by telemetry for 48 h after MI, and all episodes of ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF) were analyzed. Reperfusion at 45 min (RP45) (n = 15), 90 min (RP90) (n = 18) and 180 min (RP180) (n = 30) min was compared with permanent coronary artery occlusion (CAO) (n = 35) with respect to the post-reperfusion periods. RESULTS RP45, RP90 and RP180 reduced the incidence of VT by 93%, 98% and 88% and VF by 89%, 97% and 92%, respectively (all p < 0.01 vs. CAO). The all-cause mortality rate was reduced from 47% (CAO) to 8% (RP45, p < 0.05) and 0% (RP90, p < 0.01); after RP180 it was 17% (CAO 42%, p = 0.08). All reperfusion regimens reduced arrhythmic deaths: 47% to 8% (RP45, p < 0.05), 47% to 0% (RP90, p < 0.01) and 42% to 8% (RP180, p < 0.05). Infarct size was identical to that during CAO (49 +/- 10% [mean +/- SD]) and RP180 (49 +/- 10%), whereas preferentially epicardial salvage occurred at RP45 (36 +/- 8%, p < 0.001) and RP90 (38 < 10%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Early and late reperfusion reduce the incidence and duration of VT and VF in conscious rats with acute MI. Thereby, arrhythmia-related mortality is improved through the prevention of fatal VF episodes. Thus, reperfusion increases the electrical stability of the heart independently of myocyte salvage, as proposed by the open artery hypothesis.