ESC heart failure
-
Multicenter Study
The detrimental effect of COVID-19 nationwide quarantine on accelerometer-assessed physical activity of heart failure patients.
A reduction of habitual physical activity due to prolonged COVID-19 quarantine can have serious consequences for patients with cardiovascular diseases, such as heart failure. This study aimed to explore the effect of COVID-19 nationwide quarantine on accelerometer-assessed physical activity of heart failure patients. ⋯ The introduction of the nationwide quarantine due to COVID-19 had a detrimental effect on the level of habitual physical activity in heart failure patients, leading to an abrupt decrease of daily step count that lasted for at least the 3-week study period. Staying active and maintaining sufficient levels of physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic are essential despite the unfavourable circumstances of quarantine.
-
Multicenter Study
Safety of sacubitril/valsartan initiated during hospitalization: data from a non-selected cohort.
Sacubitril/valsartan is safe when initiated during hospitalization in a clinical trial setting. Its safety in real-life population is not stablished. We compared the initiation of sacubitril/valsartan during hospitalization in a non-selected population, in the PIONEER-HF trial, and in non-selected outpatients. ⋯ It is safe to initiate sacubitril/valsartan during hospitalization in daily clinical practice. Inpatients have a higher risk profile and receive low starting doses more frequently than outpatients.
-
Multicenter Study
Clinical characteristics of hospitalized heart failure patients with preserved, mid-range, and reduced ejection fractions in Japan.
There are regional differences in the patient characteristics, management, and outcomes of hospitalized patients with heart failure (HF). The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of Japanese patients who are hospitalized with HF on the basis of the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) stratum. ⋯ Our results revealed different clinical characteristics but similar mortality rates in the HFrEF, HFmrEF, and HFpEF groups. The most common cause of death and re-hospitalization after hospital discharge was HF, but non-cardiac causes also contributed to their prognosis. Integrated management approaches will be required for HF patients.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Long-term effects of patiromer for hyperkalaemia treatment in patients with mild heart failure and diabetic nephropathy on angiotensin-converting enzymes/angiotensin receptor blockers: results from AMETHYST-DN.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) in heart failure (HF) increases the risk of hyperkalaemia (HK), limiting angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-I) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) use. Patiromer is a sodium-free, non-absorbed potassium binder approved for HK treatment. We retrospectively evaluated patiromer's long-term safety and efficacy in HF patients from AMETHYST-DN. ⋯ In patients with a clinical diagnosis of HF, diabetes, CKD, and HK on ACE-I/ARB, patiromer was well tolerated and effective for HK treatment over 52 weeks.
-
In atrial fibrillation, stroke risk is assessed by the CHA2 DS2 -VASc score. Heart failure is included in CHA2 DS2 -VASc, but the rationale is uncertain. Our objective was to test if heart failure is a risk factor for stroke, independent of other risk factors in CHA2 DS2 -VASc. ⋯ A clinical diagnosis of heart failure was not an independent risk factor for stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation, which may have implications for anticoagulation management.