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JACC. Advances Jun 2024Emerging evidence suggests a pathophysiological link between obesity and atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the contribution of body fat distribution to left atrial (LA)...
BACKGROUND
Emerging evidence suggests a pathophysiological link between obesity and atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the contribution of body fat distribution to left atrial (LA) remodeling and its reversibility remain unclear in nonobese AF patients.
OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of body fat distribution with LA size and reverse remodeling (LARR).
METHODS
In total, 116 nonobese patients with AF (88 men, age 63 ± 11 years) who underwent first catheter ablation (CA) were included. Body fat distribution was assessed with bioelectrical impedance, and body fat percentage (BF%) and central fat percentage (CF%) were calculated. Patients were categorized by body size metrics (body mass index [BMI] and waist-to-hip [W/H] ratio) and fat parameters (BF% and CF%). Echocardiography was performed before and 6 months after CA. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the association between the 4 metrics (ie, BMI, W/H ratio, BF%, and CF%) and a lack of LARR (<15% reduction or increase in the LA volume index).
RESULTS
Body size metrics and adiposity measures were not independently associated with baseline LA size. Six months after CA, the higher W/H ratio and CF% groups exhibited persistent LA enlargement compared to their counterparts (both < 0.01). In the multivariable analysis, W/H ratio and CF% were associated with a lack of LARR (adjusted ORs of 3.86 and 2.81 per 0.10 and 10% increase, respectively, both < 0.01). The combined assessment of CF% with W/H ratio provided complementary risk stratification for persistent LA enlargement.
CONCLUSIONS
Central adiposity was associated with a lack of LARR after CA, highlighting the importance of assessing body fat distribution even in nonobese patients.
PubMed: 38938865
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacadv.2024.100973 -
JACC. Advances Jun 2024Decompensated heart failure (HF) can be categorized as de novo or worsening of chronic HF. In PARAGLIDE-HF (Prospective comparison of ARNI with ARB Given following...
BACKGROUND
Decompensated heart failure (HF) can be categorized as de novo or worsening of chronic HF. In PARAGLIDE-HF (Prospective comparison of ARNI with ARB Given following stabiLization In DEcompensated HFpEF), among patients with an ejection fraction >40% that stabilized after worsening HF, sacubitril/valsartan led to a significantly greater reduction in N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and was associated with clinical benefit compared to valsartan.
OBJECTIVES
This prespecified analysis characterized patients with de novo vs worsening chronic HF in PARAGLIDE-HF and assessed the interaction between HF chronicity and the effect of sacubitril/valsartan.
METHODS
Patients were classified as de novo (first diagnosis of HF) or chronic (known HF prior to the index event). Time-averaged proportional change in NT-proBNP from baseline to weeks 4 and 8 was analyzed using an analysis of covariance model. A win ratio consisting of time to cardiovascular death, number and times of HF hospitalizations during follow-up, number and times of urgent HF visits during follow-up, and time-averaged proportional change in NT-proBNP was assessed for each group.
RESULTS
Of the 466 participants, 153 (33%) had de novo HF and 313 (67%) had chronic HF. De novo patients had lower rates of atrial fibrillation/flutter and lower creatinine. There was a nonsignificant reduction in NT-proBNP with sacubitril/valsartan vs valsartan for de novo (0.82; 95% CI: 0.62-1.07) and chronic HF (0.88; 95% CI: 0.73-1.07), interaction = 0.66. The win ratio was nominally in favor of sacubitril/valsartan for both de novo (1.12; 95% CI: 0.70-1.58) and chronic HF (1.24; 95% CI: 0.89-1.71).
CONCLUSIONS
There is no interaction between HF chronicity and the effect of sacubitril-valsartan.
PubMed: 38938861
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacadv.2024.100984 -
JACC. Advances Mar 2024Low stroke volume index <35 ml/m despite preserved ejection fraction (paradoxical low flow [PLF]) is associated with adverse outcomes in patients with aortic stenosis...
BACKGROUND
Low stroke volume index <35 ml/m despite preserved ejection fraction (paradoxical low flow [PLF]) is associated with adverse outcomes in patients with aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) or surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). However, whether the risk associated with PLF is similar in both sexes is unknown.
OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to analyze the risk associated with PLF in severe aortic stenosis for men and women randomized to TAVR or SAVR.
METHODS
Patients with ejection fraction ≥50% from the PARTNER (Placement of Aortic Transcatheter Valves) 2 and 3 trials were stratified by sex and treatment arm. The impact of PLF on the 2-year occurrence of the composite of death or heart failure hospitalization (primary endpoint) and of all-cause mortality alone (secondary endpoint) was analyzed. Analysis of variance was used to assess baseline differences between groups. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to identify predictors of the endpoint.
RESULTS
Out of 2,242 patients, PLF was present in 390 men and 239 women (30% vs 26%, = 0.06). PLF was associated with a higher rate of NYHA functional class III to IV dyspnea (60% vs 54%, < 0.001) and a higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation (39% vs 24%, < 0.001). PLF was a significant predictor of the primary endpoint among women undergoing SAVR in multivariate analysis (adjusted HR: 2.25 [95% CI: 1.14-4.43], = 0.02) but was not associated with a worse outcome in any of the other groups (all > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
In women with PLF, TAVR may improve outcomes compared to SAVR. PLF appears to have less impact on outcomes in men.
PubMed: 38938841
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacadv.2024.100853 -
JACC. Advances Nov 2023Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is the most common form of heart failure. Obesity is a modifiable risk factor of HFpEF; however, body mass index... (Review)
Review
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is the most common form of heart failure. Obesity is a modifiable risk factor of HFpEF; however, body mass index provides limited information on visceral adiposity and patients with similar anthropometrics can present variable cardiovascular risk. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is the closest fat deposit to the heart and has been proposed as a biomarker of visceral adiposity. EAT may be particularly important for cardiac function, because of its location (under the pericardium) and because it acts as a metabolically active endocrine organ (which can produce both beneficial and detrimental cytokines). In this paper, the authors review the role of EAT in normal and pathologic conditions and discuss the noninvasive imaging modalities that allow its identification. This review highlights EAT implications in HFpEF and discuss new therapies that act on EAT and might also exert beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system.
PubMed: 38938732
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacadv.2023.100657 -
JACC. Advances Nov 2023
PubMed: 38938718
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacadv.2023.100655 -
JACC. Advances Oct 2023Handheld single-lead electrocardiographic (1L ECG) devices are increasingly used for atrial fibrillation (AF) screening, but their real-world performance is not well...
BACKGROUND
Handheld single-lead electrocardiographic (1L ECG) devices are increasingly used for atrial fibrillation (AF) screening, but their real-world performance is not well understood.
OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to quantify the diagnostic test characteristics of 1L ECG automated interpretations for prospective AF screening.
METHODS
We calculated the diagnostic test characteristics of the AliveCor KardiaMobile 1L ECG (AliveCor, US) algorithm using unblinded cardiologist overread as the gold standard using single 30s tracings administered by medical assistants among individuals aged ≥65 years participating in the VITAL-AF trial (NCT03515057) of population-based AF screening embedded within routine primary care.
RESULTS
A total of 14,230 individuals (mean age 74 ± 7 years, 60% women, 82% White) had 31,376 tracings reviewed by 13 cardiologists. A total of 24,906 (79.6%) tracings had an AliveCor interpretation of , 5,046 (16.1%) were , 797 (2.5%) were , and 573 (1.8%) were . Cardiologists read 808 (2.6%) tracings as AF. AliveCor had a PPV of 51.7% (95% CI: 47.8%-55.6%). AliveCor had an NPV of 99.8% (95% CI: 99.7%-99.8%). The AliveCor algorithm had an overall sensitivity of 51.0% (95% CI: 47.1%-54.9%) and a specificity of 98.7% (95% CI: 98.6%-98.9%). AliveCor tracings interpreted as (PPV 5.9%, 95% CI: 5.1%-6.7%) and (PPV 6.5%, 95% CI: 4.6%-8.9%) had low predictive values for AF and were increasingly prevalent at older ages (13.7% for age 65-69 years to 28.1% for age ≥85 years, < 0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
In an older primary care population undergoing AF screening with handheld 1L ECGs, automated algorithm interpretations were sufficiently accurate to exclude the presence of AF but not to establish an AF diagnosis.
PubMed: 38938363
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacadv.2023.100616 -
JACC. Advances Oct 2023
PubMed: 38938353
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacadv.2023.100603 -
JACC. Advances Oct 2023Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of readmission after cardiac surgery, yet risk factors for HF readmission after cardiac surgery remain poorly characterized.
BACKGROUND
Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of readmission after cardiac surgery, yet risk factors for HF readmission after cardiac surgery remain poorly characterized.
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with 30-day HF-specific readmissions after cardiac surgery using a national database.
METHODS
We queried the 2016 to 2018 National Readmissions Database to identify U.S. patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), mitral valve repair/replacement, and/or aortic valve repair/replacement. Exclusion criteria included history of ventricular assist device or heart transplant, dialysis-dependent renal insufficiency, and death during index admission. Clinical variables were defined using International Classification of Diseases-10th Revision codes. The primary outcome was a 30-day readmission for HF following discharge. Multivariable logistic regression was used to account for relevant clinical and demographic covariates and identify independent risk factors for HF readmissions following cardiac surgery.
RESULTS
Our study included 394,050 patients who underwent cardiac surgery (mean age 66 ± 12 years, 63% isolated CABG, 27% isolated valve, 11% CABG + valve). Of these patients, 7,318 were readmitted within 30 days of discharge for a principal diagnosis of HF. Independent risk factors of HF-specific readmission included older age, female sex, prolonged length of stay, comorbid congestive HF, nondialysis dependent chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic liver disease, obesity, atrial fibrillation, and acute kidney injury. Prior CABG was marginally protective for HF-specific readmission.
CONCLUSIONS
Using a national registry, we identified risk factors associated with HF readmission after cardiac surgery. Further analysis of these risk factors and their association with HF readmission is warranted.
PubMed: 38938350
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacadv.2023.100599 -
Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Anticoagulation in Atrial Fibrillation Patients With Cancer.JACC. Advances Oct 2023
PubMed: 38938346
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacadv.2023.100611 -
JACC. Advances Oct 2023
PubMed: 38938340
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacadv.2023.100621