Susana Longo

The Importance of Assessing Nutritional Status in Elderly Patients with Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) is a syndrome characterized by high morbidity and mortality, despite advances in medical and device therapy that have significantly improved survival. The outcome of HF in elderly patients results from a combination of biological, functional, psychological, and environmental factors, one of which is nutritional status. Malnutrition, as well as HF, is frequently present with aging. Early detection might lead to earlier intervention. It is our goal to review the importance of nutritional status in elderly patients with HF, as well as tools for assessing it. We also propose a simple decision algorithm for the nutritional assessment of elderly patients with HF.

Early NT-proBNP Decrease With Ivabradine in Ambulatory Patients With Systolic Heart Failure

Heart rate (HR) reduction in patients with systolic heart failure (HF) is a cornerstone of current therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the short‐term effect of the HR reduction with ivabradine on N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) in outpatients with systolic HF.

Left atrial function index predicts long-term survival in stable outpatients with systolic heart failure

Aims Left atrial (LA) function index (LAFI) is a rhythm-independent index that combines LA emptying fraction (LAEF), adjusted LA volume (LAVi), and stroke volume. We evaluated LAFI as a predictor of long-term survival in outpatients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Methods and results For 3 years, we followed up 203 outpatients with a left ventricular ejection fraction <40%, who were clinically stable and on optimal therapy. The endpoint was all-cause death. LAFI was calculated as LAFI = ([LAEF × left ventricular outflow tract-velocity time integral]/[LAVi]), and was categorized into quartiles (9.26/16.56/31.92) and median (16.57). Incremental Cox regression models adjusted for significant confounders were used for survival analyses. The 3-year death rate was 30%. Higher quartiles had lower death rates (43.1%/45.1%/25.5%/6%, P < 0.001). The receiver operating characteristic curve for death was associated with LAFI (area under curve = 0.695, 95% CI 0.62–0.77, P < 0.001). In the direct comparison with LAVi and LAEF, LAFI (HRcox 0.93, 95% CI 0.89–0.97, P < 0.001) was the only predictor of survival. LAFI (HRcox 0.95, 95% CI 0.88–1.01, P = 0.099), LAFI quartiles (HR 0.29, 95% CI 0.125–0.672, P=0.004), and LAFI ≥16.57 (HRcox 0.62, 95% CI 0.38–1.02, P=0.058) were adjusted predictors of survival. Subgroup analysis by heart rhythm (sinus vs. atrial fibrillation) showed that LAFI per unit increase and LAFI quartiles were independent predictors of death in both subgroups. Conclusion LAFI determination in HFrEF stable outpatients is a predictor of long-term survival and provides increased prognostic value over a wide range of confounder risk factors.

Serial measurements of the Nt-ProBNP during the dry state in patients with systolic heart failure are predictors of the long-term prognosis.

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the long-term predictive value of serial Nt-ProBNP during dry-state in patients with systolic heart failure (SHF). Methods: Nt-ProBNP was measured quarterly during a 6-month dry-state period in 40 SHF outpatients. Events: all-cause mortality or hospitalization. Follow-up: 5 years. Results: The Nt-ProBNP >1000 pg/ml (baseline and 6 months) and the variation rate (VR) >30% were independently associated with the survival and composite endpoint curve. VR >30% added significant prognostic information to the single Nt-ProBNP 1000 pg/ml cut-off. Patients with at least one Nt-ProBNP determination >1000 pg/ml were at greater risk of death. Conclusion: Serial Nt-ProBNP measurements in patients with SHF during the dry-state are strong predictors of the long-term prognosis.

Regional myocardial function in healthy adults: assessment through tissue Doppler echocardiography

OBJECTIVE To characterize left ventricular regional myocardial function through tissue Doppler echocardiography in healthy adults and to assess the influence of aging in this function. METHODS In 45 healthy volunteers divided in two groups (< 45 and > 45 years old) we assessed longitudinal and radial regional function (velocities, times intervals and velocity-time integrals). Data were compared in each group and between groups. RESULTS Systolic function: a). longitudinal: higher velocities and integrals in lateral and inferior walls and in basal segments, with a trend to reduction of these parameters with aging; b). radial: higher basal velocities, no significant change with aging. Diastolic function: a). longitudinal: higher velocities in lateral and inferior walls and in basal segments. With aging e and e/a velocities and integrals decreased, a increased and older individuals showed lower percentage of segments with e/a >1; b). radial: aging was associated with lower e and higher a velocities. CONCLUSION 1). Tissue Doppler echocardiography detects physiological differences between regional myocardial function of different ventricular segments, in velocities, times intervals and integrals, with physiological heterogeneity and asynchrony; 2). Many of these data are age dependent; 3). Our data contribute to define normal values, and may become useful when compared with data from populations with heart diseases.

Furosemide Prescription During the Dry State Is a Predictor of Long-Term Survival of Stable, Optimally Medicated Patients With Systolic Heart Failure

Background: Furosemide is associated with poor prognosis in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Aim: To evaluate the association between daily furosemide dose prescribed during the dry state and long-term survival in stable, optimally medicated outpatients with HFrEF. Population and Methods: Two hundred sixty-six consecutive outpatients with left ventricular ejection fraction <40%, clinically stable in the dry state and on optimal heart failure therapy, were followed up for 3 years in a heart failure unit. The end point was all-cause death. There were no changes in New York Heart Association class and therapeutics, including diuretics, and no decompensation or hospitalization during 6 months. Furosemide doses were categorized as low or none (0-40 mg/d), intermediate (41-80 mg/d), and high (>80 mg). Cox regression was adjusted for significant confounders. Results: The 3-year mortality rate was 33.8%. Mean dose of furosemide was 57.3 ± 21.4 mg/d. A total of 47.6% of patients received the low dose, 42.1% the intermediate dose, and 2.3% the high dose. Receiver operating characteristics for death associated with furosemide dose showed an area under the curve of 0.74 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.68-0.79; P < .001), and the best cutoff was >40 mg/d. An increasing daily dose of furosemide was associated with worse prognosis. Those receiving the intermediate dose (hazard ratio [HR] = 4.1; 95% CI: 2.57-6.64; P < .001) or high dose (HR = 19.8; 95% CI: 7.9-49.6; P < .001) had a higher risk of mortality compared to those receiving a low dose. Patients receiving >40 mg/d, in a propensity score–matched cohort, had a greater risk of mortality than those receiving a low dose (HR = 4.02; 95% CI: 1.8-8.8; P = .001) and those not receiving furosemide (HR = 3.9; 95% CI: 0.07-14.2; P = .039). Conclusion: Furosemide administration during the dry state in stable, optimally medicated outpatients with HFrEF is unfavorably associated with long-term survival. The threshold dose was 40 mg/d.

Nt-ProBNP, Anaemia and Renal function are independent predictors of hospitalization in outpatients with pulmonary artery hypertension

The clinical course of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is highly variable; therefore, reliable parameters are needed to characterize the severity of the disease and to detect the disease progression sensitively. In recent years, several parameters have been tested. Anaemia and renal function are unspecific markers, while Nt-ProBNP has been extensively studied and is recommended in current guidelines. However, renal function may interfere with its levels. We sought to evaluate in patients with PAH, already on specific therapy, which would be the best parameter to predict the long-term hospitalization within the routine laboratory workup. Thirty consecutive adult patients (73.3% women) with PAH, age of 63.7 ± 12.6 years, Group I PAH, on specific pulmonary vasodilator target therapy >12 months (sildenafil 83.3%, bosentan 60%; both 43.3%), stable outpatients (last hospitalization and diuretic therapy changes >3 months) were included in this 2-year clinical follow-up. Also, at inclusion sPAP and mPAP should be >35 mmHg and >25 mmHg, respectively. Our Unit routine laboratorial workup includes the determination of the Nt-ProBNP, complete blood count including haemoglobin, haematocrit, erythrocyte count, red