Sodium-glucose cotransporter (SGLT) -2 inhibitors is a new type of oral sugar-lowering drug. Instead of relying on insulin, it lowers blood sugar by inhibiting the reabsorption of near-curvy tube glucose, which is drained from the urine. SGLT-2 inhibitors not only have a sugar-lowering effect, but also benefit significantly in cardiovascular disease, and this drug has the advantages of permeable diuretic, reducing capacity load, and improving ventricular remodeling. SGLT-2 inhibitors can improve the diastolic function of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and reduce the risk of adverse cardiovascular events. SGLT-2 inhibitors can benefit patients with HFpEF. Therefore, this article will discuss the progress of SGLT-2 inhibitors in HFpEF.
To investigate the biomechanical effects of direct ventricular assistance and explore the optimal loading mode, this study established a left ventricular model of heart failure patients based on the finite element method. It proposed a loading mode that maintains peak pressure compression, and compared it with the traditional sinusoidal loading mode from both hemodynamic and biomechanical perspectives. The results showed that both modes significantly improved hemodynamic parameters, with ejection fraction increased from a baseline of 29.33% to 37.32% and 37.77%, respectively, while peak pressure, stroke volume, and stroke work parameters also increased. Additionally, both modes showed improvements in stress concentration and excessive fiber strain. Moreover, considering the phase error of the assist device's working cycle, the proposed assist mode in this study was less affected. Therefore, this research may provide theoretical support for the design and optimization of direct ventricular assist devices.
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on the vascular endothelial function of patients with heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction (HFmrEF), and the impact of endothelial function damage on the long-term prognosis of HFmrEF. Metohds87 patients with T2DM and heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction (T2DM-HFmrEF), 98 patients with HFmrEF alone, and 70 healthy control who had been hospitalized at the department of cardiology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from December 2018 to January 2020 were included. The levels of serum TNF-α, IL-6, vWF, eNOs and E-selectin were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The oxidative stress and vascular endothelial function related indicators of the 3 groups were analyzed. The primary endpoint (all-cause death, exacerbation of heart failure and rehospitalization, or exacerbation of heart failure) and secondary endpoint events (non-fatal myocardial infarction, stable and unstable angina pectoris, or stroke) were followed up for 1 year after discharge.ResultsThe levels of TNF-α, IL-6, vWF, and E-selectin in the HFmrEF combined with diabetes group were higher than those in the HFmrEF without diabetes group (P<0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that BNP (HR=1.001, P=0.036), eNOs (HR=1.04, P<0.001), and IL-6 (HR=1.002, P<0.001) were related to the primary end point of all patients with HFmrEF. Glycated hemoglobin (HR=1.37, P=0.046), E-selectin (HR=1.01, P=0.003), vWF (HR=1.02, P=0.017), and IL-6 (HR=1.006, P=0.005) were related to the secondary end point of all patients with HFmrEF. The results of subgroup analyze showed that E-selectin (HR=1.014, P=0.012) and IL-6 (HR=1.008, P=0.007) were related to the secondary endpoint events in the HFmrEF combined with diabetes group, but were not related to the secondary end point events of the non-diabetic group (P>0.05).ConclusionsOxidative stress and vascular endothelial function damage may be involved in the pathogenesis of T2DM-HFmrEF. Serum IL-6 and E-selectin levels are related to the endpoint events in T2DM-HFmrEF patients.
Objective To summarize the clinical experiences of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) which provides temporary cardiopulmonary assist for critical patients, and preliminary analysis of the cause of failure. Methods From February 2005 to October 2008, 58 adult patients (male 42, female 16) undergoing cardiogenic shock required temporary ECMO support. Age was 44.8±17.6 years, and support duration of ECMO was 131.9±104.7 hours. There were 24 patients (41.4%) with coronary heart disease, 11 patients (19.0%) with cardiomyopathy, 10 patients (17.2%) with cardiac valve disease,and 9 patients (15.5%) with congenital heart disease. Results 22 patients died in hospital. 11 patients (50%) died of multisystem organ failure, 5 patients (22.7%) died of refractory heart failure despite the ECMO support. Another patients died of bleeding and severe pulmonary hypertension etc. The percentage for patients need cardiac resuscitation before ECMO support and patients with acute renal failure treated by continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) under ECMO support were obviously higher in dead patients than those in survivor patients (45.5% vs.19.4%, 40.9% vs. 5.6%; P=0.043，0.001). All of the discharged patients were reassessed, mean followup time were 15.6 months. Three patients died of refractory heart failure， 1 patient died of neurologic complications. The other 32 survivors were in good condition with cardiac symptom of New York Heart Association class Ⅰ or Ⅱ. Conclusion ECMO offers effective cardiopulmonary support in adults. Early intervention and control of complications could improve our results with increasing experience. Combining using CRRT during the ECMO support is associated with significantly higher mortality rate. Suffered cardiac arrest prior to ECMO also influences the survival.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the efficacy of palliative care in heart failure patients. MethodsPubMed, EMbase, CINAHL, The Cochrane Library, VIP, CNKI, CBM and WanFang Data databases were electronically searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the efficacy of palliative care in heart failure patients from inception to September 2021. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies; then, meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. ResultsA total of 11 RCTs involving 912 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that palliative care could improve the quality of life of patients with heart failure (KCCQ & McGill QoL: SMD=0.85, 95%CI 0.13 to 1.58, P=0.02; MLHFQ: SMD=?1.32, 95%CI ?2.10 to ?0.54, P=0.000 9), reduce the level of depression (SMD=?0.58, 95%CI ?0.87 to ?0.28, P=0.000 1) and anxiety (SMD=?0.51, 95%CI ?0.89 to ?0.13, P=0.008), improve the adverse symptoms (SMD=?1.46, 95%CI ?2.67 to ?0.24, P=0.02), reduce the readmission rate (RR=0.64, 95%CI 0.42 to 0.98, P=0.04) and the per hospitalization time (MD=?0.94, 95%CI ?1.28 to ?0.60, P<0.000 01). However, it had no obvious effect on the mortality of patients (RR=1.00, 95%CI 0.63 to 1.57, P=0.99). ConclusionCurrent evidence shows that palliative care can improve the quality of life, emotional state and adverse symptoms of patients with heart failure, and reduce the length of hospital stay and readmission rate. Due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high-quality studies are required to verify the above conclusion.
Objective To systematically review the influence of frailty on the prognosis of non-cardiovascular surgery heart failure (HF) patients and to provide references for its prevention and management. Methods CNKI, VIP, CBM, WanFang Data, PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library were searched to collect cohort studies on the prognosis of non-cardiovascular surgery HF patients with frailty from inception to November 1st, 2021. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. Then, meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software and Stata 14.0 software. Results A total of 20 studies involving 11 127 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that frailty increased the risk of all-cause mortality (HR=1.72, 95%CI 1.61 to 1.84, P<0.000 01), hospitalization (HR=2.06, 95%CI 1.26 to 3.37, P=0.004), and combined endpoint (HR=1.59, 95%CI 1.37 to 1.84, P<0.000 01) in non-cardiovascular surgery HF patients. Conclusion Current evidence shows that frailty can increase the risk of all-cause mortality, hospitalization, and combined endpoints in non-cardiovascular surgery HF patients. Due to the limited quantity and quality of the included studies, more high-quality studies are needed to verify the above conclusion.
Today, the morbidity and mortality of heart failure are increasing year by year in the world. Mechanical circulatory assist devices has been one of the most effective ways to treat heart failure. The experimental study and clinical application of counterpulsation technique are now becoming more and more popular.Intraaortic balloon pump is representative, and has become the most frequently used shortterm mechanical assist device to treat heart failure. Recently, paraaortic counterpulsation device and other new counterpulsation devices have been developing very rapidly. The principle of counterpulsation and its historical background, as well as the development of various counterpulsation devices are reviewed in this paper.
Objective To investigate the ameliorative effects of the traditional Chinese medicine formula Fuling Yin on heart failure and its potential mechanisms at the mitochondrial level. Methods Ninety SD rats were randomly divided into a blank control group (n=15) and a modeling group (n=75) using a random number table method. A chronic heart failure model was established in the modeling group by intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin hydrochloride. One rat from the blank control group and five rats from the modeling group were randomly selected to verify the success of modeling. After confirming that the model was successfully established, the rest successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into the model group, positive drug (trimetazidine) group, and Fuling Yin low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (n=14 per group). Treatment groups were administered the respective drugs via gavage daily, while the blank control group and model group received an equal volume of pure water for 4 consecutive weeks. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography. Heart weight index (HWI) was calculated. Serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels and myocardial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Histopathological changes were observed via hematoxylin-eosin staining. Mitochondrial ultrastructure was examined using transmission electron microscopy. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening were detected by JC-1 fluorescence probe and colorimetric assay, respectively. The expression of apoptosis-related proteins, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), and key proteins of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway were determined by Western Blot. Results Compared with the blank control group, the HWI and serum BNP levels in the model group were increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the HWI and serum BNP levels in Fuling Yin groups were decreased (P<0.01). Pathological and ultrastructural observations showed disordered myocardial fiber arrangement, mitochondrial swelling, and cristae rupture in the model group; whereas in the Fuling Yin groups, myocardial pathological injury was alleviated, mitochondrial swelling was reduced, and membrane structure tended to be intact. Regarding mechanism indicators, compared with the model group, the myocardial ATP content increased, the red fluorescence intensity of MMP enhanced, and the mPTP opening degree decreased in the Fuling Yin groups (P<0.01). Additionally, the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio decreased, and caspase-3 protein expression was downregulated (P<0.01). Furthermore, PGC-1α protein expression was upregulated, while the expression of MAPK proteins was downregulated (P<0.01). Conclusions Fuling Yin can alleviate myocardial injury and delay ventricular remodeling in doxorubicin-induced heart failure rats. Its mechanism may be related to regulating the PGC-1α/MAPK signaling pathway to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis, thereby inhibiting mitochondria-mediated cardiomyocyte apoptosis.
ObjectivesTo systematically review the efficacy of high-intensity intermittent exercise (HIIE) on cardiac function, exercise capacity, quality of life and depression in patients with heart failure.MethodsPubMed, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, EBSCOhost, EMbase, CBM, CNKI, WanFang Data and VIP databases were electronically searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on HIIE on cardiac function, exercise capacity, quality of life and depression in patients with heart failure from inception to April, 2019. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias of included studies. Then, RevMan 5.3 software and Stata 15.1 software were used for meta-analysis.ResultsA total of 16 RCTs involving 549 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that, compared with the control group, HIIE could increase peak oxygen consumption (MD=2.04, 95%CI 0.74 to 3.33, P=0.002), peak work rate (MD=12.85, 95%CI 1.17 to 24.52, P=0.03), left ventricular ejection fraction (MD=4.24, 95% CI 1.40 to 7.07, P=0.003), quality of life (MD=7.32, 95%CI 1.41 to 13.22, P=0.02), and the six minute walk distance (MD=42.46, 95%CI 20.40 to 64.52, P=0.000 2). However, there was no significant difference between two groups in the depression score (SMD=0.39, 95%CI ?0.52 to 1.31, P=0.40) and VE/VCO2 Slope (MD=0.12, 95%CI ?1.02 to 1.26, P=0.84).ConclusionsCurrent evidence shows that compared with routine exercise or moderate intensity exercise, HIIE can improve exercise capacity, quality of life and cardiac function in patients with heart failure, but there is no significant difference in improving depression. Due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high quality studies are required to verify above conclusion.
Abstract: The ventricle assist device has emerged as an important therapeutic option in the treatment of both acute and chronic heart failure. The blood pumps which are the major components of ventricle assist devices have also progressed to the third generation. The magnetic and/or liquid levitation technologies have been applied into the third generation blood pumps. The impellers which drive blood are levitated in the blood pumps. The third generation blood pumps are mainly composed of the levitation system and the driving system. The development of the third generation blood pumps has three stages: the stage of foreign motor indirectly driving the impeller with the levitation and driving system separated, the stage of motor directly driving the impeller with the levitation and driving system separated, and the stage of levitation system integrated with the driving system. As the impellers do not contact with other structures, the third generation blood pumps possess the advantages of low thrombosis, less hemolysis and high energy efficiency ratio. Currently most of the third generation blood pumps are in the research stage, but a few number of them are used in clinical trials or applying stage. In this article, the history, classification, mechanism and research situation of the third generation blood pumps are reviewed.
