Proteomic Biomarkers Are Linked to QTc Interval in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure.

Objective: This study investigates the link between circulating proteins and rate-corrected QT (QTc) interval in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and their association with cardiovascular outcomes.

Methods And Results: We analyzed 197 HFrEF patients from the prospective Serial Biomarker Measurements and New Echocardiographic Techniques in Chronic Heart Failure Patients Result in Tailored Prediction of Prognosis (Bio-SHiFT) study, all in sinus rhythm at baseline. Baseline QTc intervals were calculated and corrected for broad QRS complexes (>120 ms) using Bogossian's formula.

Associations of Genetically Predicted CKD With Urinary Tract Cancer and Lung Cancer: A Mendelian Randomization Analysis.

Rationale & Objective: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is reported to be associated with cancer, especially for urinary tract and lung cancer. However, whether this suggests causality has not been resolved. This study aimed to investigate the causal relation of CKD to overall, urinary tract, and lung cancer.

Accelerometry-defined physical activity and quality of life in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Background: Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) often reduce their physical activity due to concerns about sudden cardiac death. However, objective data on activity patterns in HCM, particularly in relation to clinical phenotype and quality of life (QoL), remain limited.

Methods: We assessed physical activity using 7-day accelerometry in 203 patients with HCM and 37 genotype-positive, phenotype-negative (G+/P-) individuals.

Achieved Ejection Fraction and Effects of Dapagliflozin in Heart Failure With Improved Ejection Fraction.

Background: Patients with heart failure with improved ejection fraction (HFimpEF) remain understudied and face residual risks comparable with those with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) consistently >40% (no prior heart failure with reduced ejection fraction). The implications of achieved LVEF after improvement on prognosis and treatment response remains unclear.

Objectives: This study examines whether the degree of LVEF improvement influences prognosis and the therapeutic effects of dapagliflozin in HFimpEF.

Natriuretic Peptide Cut Points for Heart Failure Classification in Individuals With and Without Obesity.

Background: The 2022 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology/Heart Failure Society of America guidelines introduced elevated natriuretic peptide (NP) levels as a criterion for defining stage B heart failure (HF), or pre-HF, to identify individuals at greatest risk for future HF. Given the known NP deficiency in obesity, we aimed to assess whether a single NP cut point would disproportionately up-classify individuals with versus without obesity to stage B HF.

Methods: Participants free of HF from 5 community-based cohorts were included.

Growth differentiation factor-15 and the effect of dapagliflozin in heart failure: insights from the DAPA-HF trial.

Background: Growth differentiation factor (GDF)-15, a stress-induced cytokine implicated in systemic energy homeostasis, is associated with adverse outcomes in heart failure (HF). This study evaluated the associations between baseline GDF-15 and clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction in the DAPA-HF trial. The effect of the sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor dapagliflozin on circulating GDF-15 levels and the effect of dapagliflozin on clinical outcomes in relation to baseline GDF-15 concentration were also examined.

The senescence-inducing factor IGFBP7 and risk of atrial fibrillation: findings from the PREVEND study.

Experimental evidence supports the role of cellular senescence in the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation (AF) and suggests that Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein-7 (IGFBP7) is an important senescence-inducing factor. Whether elevated IGFBP7 levels precede the development of AF remains unknown. We measured IGFBP7 levels in plasma of 5884 adult participants without prevalent AF (mean age 53.

Real-life implementation of guideline-recommended medical therapy in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: Effects on prognosis and left ventricular ejection fraction. Primary results of TITRATE-HF.

Aims: Guideline-recommended medical therapy (GRMT) improves outcomes in heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), yet implementation remains suboptimal. TITRATE-HF prospectively evaluated GRMT implementation across different HFrEF stages, and its effect on 1-year prognosis and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Methods And Results: TITRATE-HF is an observational cohort study across 48 hospitals in the Netherlands (June 2022-February 2024).

Identifying Predictors for Heart Failure Outcomes in Phospholamban p.(Arg14del)-Positive Individuals.

Background: Phospholamban (PLN) p.(Arg14del)-positive individuals are at high risk of developing PLN p.(Arg14del)-related cardiomyopathy, which can lead to progressive heart failure that is poorly amenable to standard heart failure treatment.

Microvascular dysfunction across organs in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: the PROSE-HFpEF case-control study.

Background: Systemic microvascular dysfunction is proposed as a key pathophysiological process in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). This study compared microvasculature across vascular beds in HFpEF patients and controls.

Methods: This prospective, case-control study included subjects ≥ 60years.

Mechano-energetic uncoupling in heart failure.

Heart failure (HF) is a major global and life-threatening disease. Despite advances in therapies, the prevalence of HF is increasing owing to an ageing population and the pervasive pandemic of obesity and metabolic disorders, which have transformed the pathophysiology of HF. Changes in cardiac energy metabolism and the related energy deficit crucially contribute to the severity and type of HF.

How to facilitate seamless translation from basic concepts to new heart failure drugs. A scientific statement of the Heart Failure Association of the ESC.

A rift has opened and is widening between basic research (bench) and clinical research and patients (bed) who need their new treatments, diagnostics and preventive strategies. This problem involving the 'translation' of basic scientific findings into clinical applications and potential treatments or biomarkers for a condition like heart failure is widely recognized both in academia and industry. Despite the attempts that have been made by both sides to improve this situation, the high attrition rates of drug development and the problem with reproducibility and translatability of preclinical findings to human applications still persist.

Nicotinamide-N-methyltransferase inhibition improves cardiac function and structure in a heart failure with preserved ejection fraction mouse model.

HFpEF is a major and global disease with limited treatment options and novel therapeutics are eagerly awaited. A potential treatment option may be Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) inhibition. This study aimed to investigate the cardiac protective effects of the NNMT enzyme inhibitor AMO-NAM in a HFpEF mouse model.

Genotype-negative hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: Exploring the role of cardiovascular risk factors in disease expression.

Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common inherited myocardial disease. An inheritable cause is identified in approximately half of patients. Earlier research has identified clinical differences between genotype-positive (G+) and genotype-negative (G-) HCM patients, which this study aimed to further explore.

Cellular Adhesion Molecules and Adverse Outcomes in Chronic Heart Failure: Findings From the DAPA-HF Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) and intracellular cell adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) are responsible for immune cell-cell interactions. Systemic levels of VCAM-1 are associated with incident heart failure (HF).

Objectives: To determine if VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 levels are associated with progression of established HF.

Heart failure: assessment of the global economic burden.

Background And Aims: Heart failure (HF) is a major public health issue, imposing substantial costs on healthcare systems and societies. This study aimed to provide a contemporary overview of its global economic impact.

Methods: A systematic search of four databases was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

Assessing the psychometric properties of generic (EQ-5D-5L) and disease-specific (KCCQ) quality of life in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the AFFECT-HCM study.

Background: To assess the psychometric properties (content validity, reliability and construct validity) of generic and disease-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) instruments in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and genotype-positive, phenotype-negative (G+/P-) individuals.

Methods: As part of the multicentre, observational AFFECT-HCM study, HRQoL was measured using the generic EuroQoL-5 Dimension-5 Level (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire, the Visual Analogue Scale (EQ VAS) and the disease-specific Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ). The study included G+/P- individuals and HCM patients.

The Association Between Serially Measured Circulating Biomarker Patterns and Pulmonary Artery Pressures Measured by Invasive Hemodynamic Monitoring.

Background: Invasive hemodynamic monitoring devices provide relevant insights into the hemodynamic status of heart failure (HF) patients. Additionally, circulating biomarkers have been advocated as additives in HF management by offering prognostic information and therapeutic targets. However, limited data exist correlating serially measured biomarkers to hemodynamic pressures provided by invasive sensors.

Hexagonal Multielectrode Design for Recording Local Electrograms With Superior Characteristics.

Electrograms recorded with a local coaxial reference offer advantages over bipolar electrograms for activation mapping but require more electrodes. We demonstrate that these coaxial electrograms can be recorded with a triangular local reference that can be efficiently created using hexagonal multielectrode grids. Triangular and cross-shaped local references recorded with a custom multielectrode were virtually indistinguishable.