Network Meta-Analysis of Quality of Life in Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction.

Background: Although the effects of various combinations of treatments on mortality and morbidity outcomes in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) have been evaluated, the impact on quality of life is unknown. This study evaluated and compared the composite impact of pharmacological therapies on quality of life in HFrEF using a frequentist network meta-analysis and systematic review methodology.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for randomized controlled trials published between January 1, 2021 and August 10, 2024.

Ethnic differences in protein biomarkers of peripartum cardiomyopathy: a proteomic study on the EORP cohort.

Aims: The diagnosis of peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is often delayed due to the absence of disease-specific biomarkers. Recently, serum proteins-QSOX1, adiponectin (ADIPOQ) and ITIH3-have shown potential for improving diagnostic accuracy, especially when used with NT-proBNP. However, the influence of ethnicity on their expression remains unclear.

Pharmacological Treatment of Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction: An Updated Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Background: In 2022, our network meta-analysis showed that a combination of β-blockers, angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors (ARNi), mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA), and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) was most effective in reducing all-cause mortality in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). This study updates the treatment benefit by including additional large randomized controlled trials (RCTs) since 2022, including the Vericiguat Global Study in Participants with Chronic Heart Failure (VICTOR) trial.

Objectives: To evaluate and compare regimens of pharmacotherapy in patients with HFrEF.

Prioritising the primary prevention of heart failure.

Heart failure remains one of the 21st century's greatest unmet clinical and public health challenges. Heart failure is a highly prevalent chronic condition that affects approximately 55 million people worldwide. Although heart failure can be prevented, the global burden of this condition continues to grow, fuelled by an ageing population, improved survival after myocardial infarction, and increasing prevalence of metabolic and kidney disease.

Less Symptom Improvement in Patients Undergoing TAVI With Concomitant COPD, Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Failure.

Background: Comorbidities like a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) can cause similar symptoms as aortic stenosis (AS). However, how they influence symptom improvement and long-term outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is unclear.

Aims: To study the impact of COPD, AF and HF on outcomes after TAVI.

The effect of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors on HbA1c variability and cardiovascular and renal adverse outcome in patients with T2DM.

Aims: To compare the effectiveness of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors in reducing haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) variability and improving cardiovascular and renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and high HbA1c variability.

Methods: This territory-wide cohort study involved patients with T2DM and an HbA1c variability score (HVS) >60% who initiated SGLT2 inhibitors or DPP-4 inhibitors in Hong Kong between 2015 and 2022. Propensity score (PS) matching was used to adjust for confounders.

Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Asia: Opportunities and Solutions: A Narrative Review.

Importance: Asia faces a rapidly rising burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Preventive cardiology efforts may help address the CVD epidemic.

Observations: Solutions to address the CVD burden include a cardiovascular risk assessment framework, improving health screening efforts, better cardiovascular risk factor management, novel innovation strategies encompassing targeted lifestyle measures, and strengthening governmental efforts.

Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Asia: Challenges: A Narrative Review.

Importance: Asia is home to 60% of the world's population, including the world's 2 most populous countries, India (1.1B) and China (1.2B).

Activation of Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Formation in Patients with Heart Failure and a Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Introduction: Pathophysiological differences between heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) remain poorly understood. Therefore, we performed pathway analyses from whole-blood transcriptomics to distinguish HFpEF from HFrEF.

Methods And Results: Lexogen's QuantSeq was used to carry out whole-blood transcriptomics in 500 patients with HF (HFpEF n = 250, HFrEF n = 250).

Low blood pressure and the effect of empagliflozin in acute heart failure: An EMPULSE analysis.

Aims: Empagliflozin improves outcomes in acute heart failure (AHF). Patients with AHF and low blood pressure (BP) have poor prognosis. Whether empagliflozin is effective and safe in patients with AHF and low BP is currently unknown.

Prognostic Implications and Global Perspectives of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients Hospitalized for Heart Failure.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) each contributes to global disease burden and can coexist. The interplay of prior HF, prior AF, and presenting rhythm have not previously been jointly considered in prognostic implication.

Objectives: The authors sought to assess 1-year all-cause mortality according to permutations of prior HF, prior AF, and AF as presenting rhythm, in a global cohort of patients hospitalized for HF.

Triglyceride levels and its association with all-cause mortality and cardiovascular outcomes among patients with heart failure.

Remnant cholesterol, identified by triglyceride-rich lipoprotein, is a significant causal risk factor for ischemic heart diseases. The association of triglyceride levels with all-cause and cause-specific outcomes in heart failure (HF) remains unexplored. Using a previously validated territory-wide clinical information registry, all eligible patients diagnosed with HF (N = 127124) from 2000 to 2020 were included.

Challenges and Opportunities for Data Sharing Related to Artificial Intelligence Tools in Health Care in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Systematic Review and Case Study From Thailand.

Background: Health care systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) can greatly benefit from artificial intelligence (AI) interventions in various use cases such as diagnostics, treatment, and public health monitoring but face significant challenges in sharing data for developing and deploying AI in health care.

Objective: This study aimed to identify barriers and enablers to data sharing for AI in health care in LMICs and to test the relevance of these in a local context.

Methods: First, we conducted a systematic literature search using PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase, Web of Science, and ACM using controlled vocabulary.

Starfield's 4Cs of NCD management in primary healthcare: a conceptual framework development from a case study of 19 countries.

Introduction: Faced with a backdrop of an increasing chronic disease burden from an ageing global population compounded with rising healthcare costs, health systems are required to implement cost-effective, safe and equitable care through efficient service delivery models. One approach to achieving this is through Starfield's 4Cs of primary healthcare (PHC), which delineates the key attributes of a high-performing PHC system that upholds the pillars of care coordination, first contact of care, continuity of care and comprehensive care. Therefore, this study aims to explore and elucidate the key themes and subthemes related to and extending beyond Starfield's 4Cs of PHC by integrating findings from a comprehensive literature review and a qualitative study.

Quality of care delivery in patients with acute heart failure: insights from the international REPORT-HF registry.

Background: Heart Failure (HF) quality of care (QoC) is associated with clinical outcomes. Therefore, we investigated differences in HF QoC across worldwide regions (with differing national income) and the association of quality indicators with outcomes.

Methods: We examined the quality of care (QoC) in acute heart failure (HF) patients across different regions using quality indicators (QIs) from the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) to evaluate QoC.

Sex-specific risk factors for new-onset heart failure: the PREVEND study at 25 years.

Background And Aims: Current estimates for the lifetime risk to develop heart failure with either a reduced (HFrEF) or preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and their associated risk factors are derived from two studies from the USA. The sex-specific lifetime risk and population attributable fraction of potentially modifiable risk factors for incident HFpEF and HFrEF are described in a large European community-based cohort with 25 years of follow-up.

Methods: A total of 8558 participants from the PREVEND cohort were studied at baseline from 1997 onwards and followed until 2022 for cases of new-onset HFrEF (ejection fraction < 50%) and HFpEF (ejection fraction ≥ 50%) by assessment of hospital records.

The association between baseline viral load and long-term risk in patients with COVID-19 in Hong Kong: a territory-wide study.

COVID-19 can increase the long-term risk of multiorgan dysfunction. Few studies investigated the long-term risk in Asian populations or investigated the association between viral load and long-term risk. We aimed to investigate the post-discharge rates of hospitalization and association with baseline viral load in all patients with COVID-19 in Hong Kong.

Clinical and Proteomic Risk Profiles of New-Onset Heart Failure in Men and Women.

Background: Previous studies have examined clinical predictors of incident heart failure (HF) in men and women. However, potential mechanisms through which these clinical predictors relate to the onset of HF remain to be established.

Objectives: The authors studied the association between clinical and proteomic risk profiles of new-onset HF in men and women.

A systematic review of multimorbidity clusters in heart failure: Effects of methodologies.

Background: Clustering algorithms can identify distinct heart failure (HF) subgroups. The choice of algorithms, modelling process, and input variables can impact clustering outcomes. Therefore, we reviewed analytical methods and variables used in studies that performed clustering in patients with HF.

Hospitalized Advanced Heart Failure With Preserved vs Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction: A Global Perspective.

Background: Outcomes of hospitalized patients with heart failure (HF) and characteristics of advanced HF stage may vary across left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and world regions.

Objectives: This study sought to analyze characteristics of hospitalized advanced HF patients across LVEF spectrum, world regions, and country income.

Methods: Among 18,553 hospitalized patients with acute HF (7,902 new-onset HF and 10,651 decompensated chronic HF) enrolled in the global registry REPORT-HF (International Registry to Assess Medical Practice With Longitudinal Observation for Treatment of Heart Failure), the authors analyzed characteristics and outcomes of patients with advanced HF, defined as previously diagnosed HF; severe symptoms before current admission (NYHA functional class III/IV); and ≥1 HF-related hospitalization in the preceding 12 months, excluding the current.

GDF15 antagonism limits severe heart failure and prevents cardiac cachexia.

Aims: Heart failure and associated cachexia is an unresolved and important problem. This study aimed to determine the factors that contribute to cardiac cachexia in a new model of heart failure in mice that lack the integrated stress response (ISR) induced eIF2α phosphatase, PPP1R15A.

Methods And Results: Mice were irradiated and reconstituted with bone marrow cells.