Cardiac diastolic dysfunction in conscious dogs with heart failure induced by chronic coronary microembolization

Left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction is a fundamental impairment in congestive heart failure (CHF). This study examined LV diastolic function in the canine model of CHF induced by chronic coronary embolization (CCE). Dogs were implanted with coronary catheters (both left anterior descending and circumflex arteries) for CCE and instrumented for measurement of LV pressure and dimension. Heart failure was elicited by daily intracoronary injections of microspheres (1.2 million, 90- to 120-microm diameter) for 24 +/- 4 days, resulting in significant depression of cardiac systolic function. After CCE, LV maximum negative change of pressure with time (dP/dt(min)) decreased by 25 +/- 2% (P < 0.05) and LV isovolumic relaxation constant and duration increased by 19 +/- 5% and 25 +/- 6%, respectively (both P < 0.05), indicating an impairment of LV active relaxation, which was cardiac preload independent. LV passive viscoelastic properties were evaluated from the LV end-diastolic pressure (EDP)-volume (EDV) relationship (EDP = be(alpha*EDV)) during brief inferior vena caval occlusion and acute volume loading, while the chamber stiffness coefficient (alpha) increased by 62 +/- 10% (P < 0.05) and the stiffness constant (k) increased by 66 +/- 13% after CCE. The regional myocardial diastolic stiffness in LV anterior and posterior walls was increased by 70 +/- 25% and 63 +/- 24% (both P < 0.05), respectively, after CCE, associated with marked fibrosis, increase in collagen I and III, and enhancement of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) protein expression. Thus along with depressed LV systolic function there is significant impairment of LV diastolic relaxation and increase in chamber stiffness, with development of myocardial fibrosis and activation of PAI-1, in the canine model of CHF induced by CCE.     

老年慢性心力衰竭程度与肠道菌群的关系

目的探讨肠道菌群与老年慢性心力衰竭程度的相关性。方法选取2019年1月至2019年11月我院心内科收治的60例老年稳定性心力衰竭患者为研究对象(CHF组),其中NYHAⅡ级患者30例,NYHAⅢ级患者30例。另选择同时期我院无任何心脏疾病和/或胃肠疾病以及肿瘤的老年患者60例作为对照组。观察各组对象肠道菌群组成情况以及超敏C-反应蛋白(hs-CRP)、B型钠尿肽(BNP)及左心室射血分数(LVEF)水平。采用Pearson检验进行相关性分析。结果对照组肠道双歧杆菌、乳杆菌和拟杆菌数量明显高于NYHAⅡ级患者,同时NYHAⅡ级患者这3种细菌数量显著高于NYHAⅢ级,差异均有统计学意义(均P0.05)。对照组对象肠道大肠埃希菌和酵母样真菌数量低于NYHAⅡ级患者,同时NYHAⅡ级患者这2种细菌数量显著低于NYHAⅢ级患者,差异均有统计学意义(均P0.05)。对照组对象hs-CRP、BNP水平显著低于NYHAⅡ级患者,NYHAⅡ级患者这2个指标的水平明显低于NYHAⅢ级患者,差异均有统计学意义(均P0.05)。对照组对象LVEF水平明显高于NYHAⅡ级患者,NYHAⅡ级患者LVEF水平显著高于NYHAⅢ级患者,差异均有统计学意义(均P0.05)。Pearson相关性分析显示,肠道双歧杆菌、乳杆菌和拟杆菌数量与hs-CRP、BNP水平呈负相关,与LVEF水平呈正相关(均P0.05);肠道大肠埃希菌和酵母样真菌的数量与hs-CRP、BNP水平呈正相关,与LVEF水平呈负相关(均P0.05)。结论慢性心力衰竭患者存在肠道菌群紊乱情况,并与病情严重程度及炎性因子水平显著相关。肠道菌群失调与慢性心力衰竭的发生发展有一定关系,肠道菌群失衡可能是促进病情发生发展的原因之一。     

卡维地洛加安体舒通治疗慢性充血性心力衰竭疗效观察

目的:观察卡维地洛加安体舒通治疗慢性充血性心力衰竭(CHF)的疗效。方法:将CHF患者63例随机分成观察组与对照组,在常规强心、利尿基础上,观察组加卡维地洛、安体舒通治疗。对照组加依那普利治疗。时间为三个月。结果:两组对CHF患者心功能均明显改善,总有效率观察组为80％,对照组为67％。观察组优于对照组,P<0.05。观察组不良反应轻,对照组有3例患者分别出现咳嗽、皮疹。结论:卡维地洛加安体舒通治疗CHF优于依那普利,且无明显不良反应。     

The predictive value of plasma catestatin for all-cause and cardiac deaths in chronic heart failure patients

Catestatin (CST) is a proteolytic fragment of Chromogranin A with a broad spectrum of activities in the cardiovascular system. The level of plasma CST increases in chronic heart failure patients, but its potential relationship to patient prognosis is unknown. In this study, we measured plasma CST levels in 202 chronic heart failure patients and followed them for a median of 52.5 months. The plasma CST level was higher in patients with all-cause death and cardiac death than in survivors. According to univariate COX regression, higher plasma CST levels predicted increased risk of all-cause and cardiac death. After adjustment for other confounding factors, plasma CST was an independent risk factor for both outcomes, and the hazard ratios (HRs) were 1.84 (95% CI: 1.02–3.32, p = 0.042) and 2.41 (95% CI: 1.26–4.62, p = 0.008) for all-cause death and cardiac death, respectively. The new risk-predictive model considering CST was superior to the previous model for both outcomes by ANOVA and likelihood ratio tests (p = 0.040 and p = 0.008, respectively). Concurrent increases in plasma BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide) and CST levels predicted the highest risk for both all-cause and cardiac deaths [HR = 5.18 (95% CI: 1.94–13.87, p = 0.001) and HR = 9.19 (95% CI: 2.75–30.78, p < 0.001), respectively]. Large-scale studies are needed to further assess the value of plasma CST in predicting heart failure prognosis.     

Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation in patients with chronic heart failure: a Dutch practice guideline

Rationale

To improve the quality of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) a practice guideline from the Dutch Royal Society for Physiotherapy (KNGF) has been developed.

Guideline development

A systematic literature search was performed to formulate conclusions on the efficacy of exercise-based intervention during all CR phases in patients with CHF. Evidence was graded (1–4) according the Dutch evidence-based guideline development criteria.

Clinical and research recommendations

Recommendations for exercise-based CR were formulated covering the following topics: mobilisation and treatment of pulmonary symptoms (if necessary) during the clinical phase, aerobic exercise, strength training (inspiratory muscle training and peripheral muscle training) and relaxation therapy during the outpatient CR phase, and adoption and monitoring training after outpatient CR.

Applicability and implementation issues

This guideline provides the physiotherapist with an evidence-based instrument to assist in clinical decision-making regarding patients with CHF. The implementation of the guideline in clinical practice needs further evaluation.

Conclusion

This guideline outlines best practice standards for physiotherapists concerning exercise-based CR in CHF patients. Research is needed on strategies to improve monitoring and follow-up of the maintenance of a physical active lifestyle after supervised CR.     

慢性充血性心力衰竭血浆血管活性水平及临床意义

目的：探讨慢性心力衰竭患者血浆B型利钠肽（BNP）、心钠素（ANF）、胱抑素C（CysC）的水平及临床意义。方法：选择70例CHF患者,按NYHA分级;20例健康者作为对照。采用放射免疫法检查BNP和ANF水平;采用免疫比浊法检查CysC。比较不同心衰等级以及不同BNP水平的上述指标的变化。结果：CHF患者血浆BNP、ANF、CysC水平与对照比较显著升高（P〈0．05）,并随NYHA等级增高而升高（P〈0．05）。与BNP〈400pg／ml组比较,400pg／ml≤BNP〈800pg／ml组和BNP≥800pg／ml组心力衰竭患者Cr、BUN水平显著增高（P〈0．05）;相反地,HDL水平显著降低。结论：血浆B型利钠肽（BNP）、心钠素（ANF）及胱抑素c参与．了CHF的发生发展过程．联合测定箕合号的变化．对CHF患者的诊断、评估及詹．险分层具有一定的临床意义．     

Plasma levels of alpha-1-antichymotrypsin are elevated in patients with chronic heart failure,but are of limited prognostic value

Background

There is increasing interest in utilising novel markers of cardiovascular disease risk in patients with chronic heart failure (HF). Recently, it was shown that alpha-1-antichymotrypsin (ACT), an acute-phase protein and major inhibitor of cathpesin G, plays a role in the pathophysiology of HF and may serve as a marker for myocardial distress.

Objective

To assess whether ACT is independently associated with long-term mortality in chronic HF patients.

Methods

ACT plasma levels were categorised into quartiles. Survival times were analysed using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards regression, without and with correction for clinically relevant risk factors, including sex, age, duration of HF, kidney function (MDRD), ischaemic HF aetiology and NT-proBNP.

Results

Twenty healthy individuals and 224 patients (mean age 71 years, 72 % male, median HF duration 1.6 years) with chronic HF were included. In total, 159 (71 %) patients died. The median survival time was 5.3 (95 % CI 4.5–6.1) years. ACT was significantly elevated in patients (median 433 μg/ml, IQR 279–680) in comparison with controls (median 214 μg/ml, IQR 166–271; p < 0.001). Cox regression analysis demonstrated that ACT was not independently related to long-term mortality in chronic HF patients (crude HR = 1.03, 95 % CI 0.75–1.41, p = 0.871; adjusted HR = 1.12, 95 % CI 0.78–1.60, p = 0.552), which was confirmed by Kaplan-Meier curves.

Conclusion

ACT levels are elevated in chronic HF patients, but no independent association with long-term mortality can be established.     

Potential of resveratrol in the treatment of heart failure

The concept of food has expanded beyond its traditional role of survival and hunger satisfaction, to include a role in the prevention and treatment of disease. Polyphenols are classes of compounds that are synthesized by plants to serve a wide variety of functions including growth pollination and defense. These compounds have recently received increased attention in medical research. In this group, one of the most studied has been resveratrol (3,5,4,-trihydroxystilbene), a polyphenol, which is found predominantly in grapes and berries. Over the past two decades, researchers have studied the ability of resveratrol to prevent or reverse the development of abnormalities in heart structure and function in animal models of heart disease and heart failure. The results from animal studies have been promising, and very recently, this knowledge has been translated into examining the efficacy of resveratrol in humans with heart disease/failure. In this review we will discuss the current status of resveratrol research on cardioprotection.     

慢性充血性心力衰竭血浆血管活性水平及临床意义

目的:探讨慢性心力衰竭患者血浆B型利钠肽(BNP)、心钠素(ANF)、胱抑素C(CysC)的水平及临床意义。方法:选择70例CHF患者,按NA分级;20例健康者作为对照。采用放射免疫法检查BNP和ANF水平;采用免疫比浊法检查Cys C。比较不同心衰等级以及不同BNP水平的上述指标的变化。结果:CHF患者血浆BNP、ANF、CysC水平与对照比较显著升高(P<0.05),并随NYHA等级增高而升高(P<0.05)。与BNP<400pg/ml组比较,400pg/ml≤BNP<800pg/ml组和BNP≥800pg/ml组心力衰竭患者Cr、BUN水平显著增高(P<0.05);相反地,HDL水平显著降低。结论:血浆B型利钠肽(BNP)、心钠素(ANF)及胱抑素C参与了CHF的发生发展过程,联合测定其含量的变化,对CHF患者的诊断、评估及危险分层具有一定的临床意义。     

Low YKL-40 in chronic heart failure may predict beneficial effects of statins: analysis from the controlled rosuvastatin multinational trial in heart failure (CORONA)

Context and objective: To evaluate if YKL-40 can provide prognostic information in patients with ischemic heart failure (HF) and identify patients who may benefit from statin therapy.

Materials and methods: The association between serum YKL-40 and predefined outcome was evaluated in 1344 HF patients assigned to rosuvastatin or placebo.

Results: YKL-40 was not associated with outcome in adjusted analysis. In YKL-40 tertile 1, an effect on the primary outcome (HR 0.50, p?=?0.006) and CV death (HR 0.54, p?=?0.040) was seen by rosuvastatin in adjusted analysis.

Conclusions: A beneficial modification of outcome was observed with statin therapy in patients with low YKL-40 levels.     

Changes in the pro-inflammatory cytokine production and peritoneal macrophage function in rats with chronic heart failure

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a state of immune activation, and pro-inflammatory cytokines play an important role in its development and progression. Macrophages (Mphis), when activated, are the main source of pro-inflammatory cytokines. We measured interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor - alpha (TNF-alpha) production after lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulation, as well as peritoneal Mphis migration, phagocytic capacity, chemotaxis index, and hydrogen peroxide production, in an attempt to clarify the role of this cell in an animal model of CHF. Ligature of the left coronary artery or sham operation was performed in adult Wistar rats. After 12 weeks, resident and total cell number, phagocytic capacity, chemotaxis index, and hydrogen peroxide production in Mphis were significantly higher in CHF than in control rats. The production of IL-6 and TNF- alpha was similarly significantly enhanced in CHF as compared with controls. Mphis obtained from CHF rats were more responsive to LPS, suggesting the existence, in vivo, of possible factor(s) modulating the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The results demonstrated that there is modification of peritoneal Mphis function along CHF development, possibly contributing to the pathophysiological process in the establishment of CHF.     

Plasma levels of intermedin (adrenomedullin-2) in healthy human volunteers and patients with heart failure

Intermedin/adrenomedullin-2 (IMD) is a member of the adrenomedullin/CGRP peptide family. Less is known about the distribution of IMD than for other family members within the mammalian cardiovascular system, particularly in humans. The aim was to evaluate plasma IMD levels in healthy subjects and patients with chronic heart failure. IMD and its precursor fragments, preproIMD_25–56 and preproIMD_57–92, were measured by radioimmunoassay in 75 healthy subjects and levels of IMD were also compared to those of adrenomedullin (AM) and mid-region proadrenomedullin_45–92 (MRproAM_45–92) in 19 patients with systolic heart failure (LVEF < 45%). In healthy subjects, plasma levels (mean + SE) of IMD (6.3 + 0.6 pg ml⁻¹) were lower than, but correlated with those of AM (25.8 + 1.8 pg ml⁻¹; r = 0.49, p < 0.001). Plasma preproIMD_25–56 (39.6 + 3.1 pg ml⁻¹), preproIMD_57–92 (25.9 + 3.8 pg ml⁻¹) and MRproAM_45–92 (200.2 + 6.7 pg ml⁻¹) were greater than their respective bioactive peptides. IMD levels correlated positively with BMI but not age, and were elevated in heart failure (9.8 + 1.3 pg ml⁻¹, p < 0.05), similarly to MRproAM_45–92 (329.5 + 41.9 pg ml⁻¹, p < 0.001) and AM (56.8 + 10.9 pg ml⁻¹, p < 0.01). IMD levels were greater in heart failure patients with concomitant renal impairment (11.3 + 1.8 pg ml⁻¹) than those without (6.5 + 1.0 pg ml⁻¹; p < 0.05). IMD and AM were greater in patients receiving submaximal compared with maximal heart failure drug therapy and were decreased after 6 months of cardiac resynchronization therapy. In conclusion, IMD is present in the plasma of healthy subjects less abundantly than AM, but is similarly correlated weakly with BMI. IMD levels are elevated in heart failure, especially with concomitant renal impairment, and tend to be reduced by high intensity drug or pacing therapy.     

Plasma levels and diagnostic value of catestatin in patients with heart failure

Catestatin (CST) is an endogenous neuropeptide with multiple cardiovascular activities. The study is to investigate circulating CST levels in heart failure (HF) patients and to evaluate the role of CST as a biomarker for HF. Plasma CST concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 228 HF patients and 172 controls. Plasma CST gradually increased in patients from NYHA class I to class IV. No significant differences in CST were found among NYHA I, NYHA II patients and controls. Plasma CST in NYHA III and IV patients was higher compared to other groups. Plasma CST levels in HF patients after treatment were similar to admission, but still higher than controls. In a subgroup analysis among the patients with NYHA class III or IV, patients with ischemic etiology had significantly higher CST. Plasma CST levels were similar between patients with preserved and reduced ejection fraction. Multivariable analysis showed that NYHA classes, the etiology of HF (ischemic or not) and estimated glomerular filtration rate independently predicted plasma LogCST levels (P < 0.05). The area under ROC for CST and BNP in moderate to severe HF diagnosis was 0.626 and 0.831, respectively, combining CST and BNP did not improve the accuracy.     

瑞舒伐他汀治疗慢性心力衰竭80例疗效观察

目的：评价瑞舒伐他汀治疗慢性心力衰竭的疗效。方法：选取2009年6月-2010年9月住院的心力衰竭患者80例,随机分为瑞舒伐他汀治疗组和对照组,对照组采用常规内科治疗。瑞舒伐他汀治疗组在常规内科治疗的基础上加用瑞舒伐他汀治疗。观察两组患者左心室舒张末期内径（LVEDD）,左心室射血分数（LVEF及临床疗效。结果：两组治疗前LVEDD及LVEF水平比较无差异（P〉0.05）,治疗后两组LVEDD水平明显下降,LVEF水平明显升高（P〈0.05）,瑞舒伐他汀治疗后LVEDD及LVEF水平改善均明显优于对照组（P〈0.05）。瑞舒伐他汀组临床疗效高于对照组（P〈0.05）。结论：瑞舒伐他汀可以改善慢性心力衰竭患者的心脏功能。     

Fourier transform infrared evaluation of microscopic scarring in the cardiomyopathic heart: effect of chronic AT1 suppression

Our primary aim was to investigate the use of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectromicroscopy as an accurate assay of cardiac extracellular matrix remodeling. Abnormal rearrangement or remodeling of the cardiac extracellular matrix is known to contribute to cardiac dysfunction. The microscopic multifocal necrosis and scarring are modulated by chronic AT(1) receptor blockade in experimental cardiomyopathy; thus, we also wished to rationalize the spectromicroscopic differences among control, untreated cardiomyopathic (CMP), and losartan-treated cardiomyopathic (LOS) hearts according to the pathogenesis of experimental cardiomyopathy. Male UM-X7.1 cardiomyopathic Syrian hamsters at early and late (65 and 200 days) stages of cardiomyopathy were subjected to 4-week losartan (15 mg/kg/day continuous infusion) treatment. Focal collagen microdomain distribution was confirmed spectroscopically by observation of the collagen IR fingerprint in the 1000-1800 cm(-1) region. Synchrotron FTIR spectromicroscopic map data were obtained from control (F1-beta strain) hamsters, nontreated cardiomyopathic, and losartan-treated CMP animals and imaged with mapping software, according to intensity of collagen fingerprint. Compared to controls, untreated late-stage CMP myocardium was characterized by elevated levels of fibrillar collagens and this was partially normalized with a 4-week losartan treatment. FTIR spectromicroscopy revealed that elevated collagen expression in focal microdomains is present in late-stage cardiomyopathy, and 4-week AT(1) blockade is associated with attenuation of collagen absorption in these lesions.     

Intracellular magnesium in elderly patients with heart failure: Effects of diabetes and renal dysfunction

Hypomagnesemia is frequent in diabetes mellitus (DM), while renal dysfunction (RD) may be associated with hypermagnesemia. Severe cardiac arrhythmias and other adverse clinical manifestations are frequent in heart failure (HF), in DM and in RD. Depletion of intracellular magnesium (icMg), which may coexist with normal serum Mg, might contribute to these deleterious effects. However, icMg content in normomagnesemic HF patients with RD or DM has not been studied. We assessed total icMg in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 80 normomagnesemic furosemide-treated HF patients who were divided as follows: subgroups A (DM), B (RD), C (DM and RD), and D (free of DM or RD). PBMC from 18 healthy volunteers served as controls. IcMg content (μg/mg cell protein) in HF was lower compared to controls (1.68±0.2 vs. 2.4±0.39, p<0.001). In the entire HF group, a significant inverse correlation was evident between icMg and serum creatinine (r=−0.37) and daily furosemide dosages (r=−0.121). IcMg in the HF subgroups A, B, C, and D was 1.79±0.23, 1.57±0.23, 1.61±0.25, and 1.79±0.39, respectively (p=0.04 between A and B, p=0.08 between B and D, and non-significant in the remaining comparisons). Serum Mg, potassium, calcium, furosemide dosages and left ventricular ejection fraction were comparable in all subgroups. In conclusion, icMg depletion was demonstrable in PBMC, which may be responsible for some of the adverse clinical manifestations in HF patients. In particular, icMg depletion in RD might contribute to cardiac arrhythmias in this patient group. Mg supplementation to normomagnesemic HF patients might therefore prove beneficial.