Objective To explore the predictive value of Composite Congestion Score (CCS) in predicting adverse events within 180 days in patients with acute heart failure (AHF) in emergency intensive care unit (EICU). Methods The patients with AHF who were admitted to EICU of Zigong Fourth People’s Hospital between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2020 were included consecutively. The patients were followed up for 180 days, and were divided into poor prognosis group and good prognosis group according to whether there were adverse events. Logistic regression equation was used to screen independent risk factors for predicting adverse events in patients with AHF within 180 days after leaving EICU. To compare the discrimination, calibration and clinical usefulness of independent risk factors at EICU discharge and the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Assessment SystemⅡ (APACHEⅡ) score at EICU admission to predict the occurrence of adverse events of AHF. Results A total of 71 patients were included, including 32 patients with good prognosis and 39 patients with poor prognosis. Except for age, APACHEⅡscore at EICU admission and CCS score at EICU discharge (P<0.05), there was no significant difference in other indicators between the two groups (P>0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that CCS score at EICU discharge [odds ratio (OR)=2.806, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.428, 5.512), P=0.003], age [OR=1.086, 95%CI (1.017, 1.159), P=0.013] were independent risk factors for predicting death or returning to hospital within 180 days. Among them, the CCS score at EICU discharge combining with age had a positive improvement ability compared with the CCS score at EICU discharge, the age, and the APACHE Ⅱ score at EICU admission. The calibration curves of the four scoring methods for predicting adverse events within 180 days showed that the CCS score at EICU discharge had the highest calibration and the calibration of age was the lowest. The decision curve showed that the clinical usefulness of age, the CCS score at EICU discharge and the CCS score at EICU discharge combining with age was better than the APACHE Ⅱ score at EICU admission. Conclusions The CCS score of patients with AHF at EICU discharge is closely related to adverse events within 180 days. The CCS score is designed based on clinical variables, simple and practical. The combination of age and the CCS score at EICU discharge will further enhance its clinical application value.
ObjectiveTo investigate the factors influencing myocardial recovery after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, aiming to identify patient characteristics associated with a higher potential for cardiac recovery and to inform clinical decision-making. MethodsThis retrospective study included consecutive patients with end-stage heart failure who underwent LVAD implantation at our institution between 2021 and June, 2025. Patients were categorized into three groups including a myocardial recovery group, an ongoing LVAD support group, and death group. Based on their postoperative outcomes, demographic, laboratory, and imaging data were compared among the groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of myocardial recovery. Results A total of 57 patients who received an LVAD were included. Among them, 9 (15.8%) achieved myocardial recovery, 39 (68.4%) remained on LVAD support, and 9 (15.8%) died. Multivariate analysis identified younger age (OR=0.875, P=0.004) and a smaller preoperative left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD) (OR=0.866, P=0.047) as independent predictors of myocardial recovery. Notably, all patients in the recovery group were male and had no prior implantation of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator/cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator. Furthermore, a higher preoperative prealbumin level was significantly associated with survival (OR=1.018, P=0.024). ConclusionYounger age and a smaller preoperative LVESD are key predictors for myocardial recovery following LVAD implantation. Younger patients with a smaller LVESD exhibit a greater potential for functional recovery. Preoperative nutritional status, as indicated by prealbumin levels, may be a predictor of mortality.
ObjectiveTo explore the predictive value of myocardial vitality in the improvement of cardiac function after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with ischemic heart failure.MethodsFrom December 8, 2015 to November 12, 2018, 46 patients with ischemic heart failure who underwent CABG operation alone were collected retrospectively. There were 41 males and 5 females with an average age of 60.4±8.0 years. The myocardial vitality and number of different types of myocardium were measured. The clinical data of patients in the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) improvement group (≥5%) and non-improvement group (<5%) were compared and analyzed. The correlation between each index and LVEF improvement was analyzed by logistic multivariate regression analysis, and the boundary value of hibernating myocardium between LVEF improvement and non-improvement was obtained by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.ResultsThere were significant differences in the number of hibernating myocardium (15.0%±12.3% vs. 4.3%±4.5%, P=0.000), the number of normal myocardium (74.7%±13.7% vs. 82.4%±8.6%, P=0.027), and cardiac function classification (NYHA) development (?0.7±0.7 vs. ?0.3±0.5, P=0.047) between the two groups, but there was no significant difference in other indexes between the two groups (P>0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the number of hibernating myocardium was an independent factor affecting the improvement of LVEF after CABG in patients with ischemic heart failure (OR=1.366, 95%CI 1.033-1.807, P=0.029). The ROC curve showed that the threshold value, sensitivity and specificity of hibernating myocardium were 15.0%, 43.8% and 100.0%, respectively.ConclusionThe percentage of hibernating myocardium to left ventricular wall area ≥15.0% can accurately predict the improvement of LVEF in patients with ischemic heart failure after CABG. Preoperative myocardial vitality assessment has important diagnostic value in predicting the improvement of cardiac function in patients with ischemic heart failure after simple CABG.
ObjectiveTo summarize the individualized selection of surgical treatment strategies and the key points of perioperative management for patients with heart valve disease complicated with severe chronic heart failure.MethodsThe clinical characteristics of 5 male patients with valvular heart disease complicated with severe chronic heart failure (CHF) were analyzed retrospectively from June 2017 to October 2018 in Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, with an average age of 60.21 years.ResultsFive patients were given angiotensin receptor and neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI)-based anti-heart failure treatment after admission. The operation mode of these patients was decided to be valve replacement under cardiopulmonary bypass after individualized evaluation of patients’ improving symptoms. Three patients were treated with intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) early after operation to assist patients in improving cardiac function. Five patients recovered oral anti-heart failure after awakening. All patients were discharged smoothly 2 weeks after operation.ConclusionIndividualized evaluation is needed for the choice of operation timing and mode, standardized preoperative treatment for heart failure, shortening the aortic blocking time during cardiopulmonary bypass, and early application of left ventricular adjuvant drugs or instruments are all important measures to help patients recover smoothly.
As an important means of treating heart failure (HF), cardiac assist device has been widely used in clinic. This paper reviews the application status, existing problems and future development trend of cardiac assist devices, including the classification of cardiac assist devices, representative research achievements and indications of the assist devices. It also summarizes the biomechanical indexes of the heart and the new approaches and methods for treating heart failure, as well as the hemodynamic studies of cardiac assist devices in recent years. The research findings provide references for further optimization of cardiac assist device structure and clinical application of the device.
Mitral regurgitation is one of the most common valvular heart diseases, with functional mitral regurgitation being the predominant type. Ventricular functional mitral regurgitation (VFMR) occurs due to impaired left ventricular systolic function combined with left ventricular dilation, leading to mitral annular enlargement and papillary muscle displacement, which cause relative tethering of the mitral leaflets despite structurally normal valve apparatus. Patients with VFMR often present with severe heart failure, face high surgical risks, and have a poor prognosis. In recent years, mitral valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) has emerged as a well-established interventional technique, offering a new treatment option for VFMR patients and significantly improving clinical outcomes. This review focuses on the advances in the pathogenesis, epidemiological characteristics, diagnosis, and management of VFMR, particularly the application and efficacy-influencing factors of TEER.
Objective To evaluate the efficacy of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide (rhBNP) on Chinese patients with congestive heart failure by meta analysis. Methods Both foreign language databases including PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library (Issue 3, 2009) and Chinese databases involving CBM, VIP and CJFD were searched to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that reported the effect of rhBNP on the heart function (left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and the recent level of improvement in cardiac function) and its side effects of Chinese patients with congestive heart failure. Two reviewers assessed the quality of each trial and extracted data independently. The Cochrane Collaboration’s RevMan 4.2.8 software was used for statistical analysis. Results Nineteen RCTs were included, all of which came from internal. The methodological quality of the included studies was good. The baseline data of each trial were comparable. The results of meta-analyses showed: (1) the improvement of LVEF was higher in the rhBNP group than that in the blank control group (WMD=7.22, 95%CI 3.15 to 11.291, P=0.000 5). The level of improvement in cardiac function was better in the rhBNP group than those in the blank control group (OR=5.48, 95%CI 1.61 to 18.65, P=0.007), the nitroglycerin group (OR=3.60, 95%CI 2.02 to 6.41, Plt;0.000 1), and the sodium nitroprusside group (OR=3.21, 95%CI 0.12 to 85.20, P=0.49). The incidence of side effects was lower in the rhBNP group than that in the nitroglycerin group (OR=0.23, 95%CI 0.11 to 0.47, Plt;0.000 1), and the sodium nitroprusside group (OR=0.30, 95%CI 0.11 to 0.82, P=0.02). Moreover, the results of sensitivity analysis were also consistent with the above findings. Conclusion Recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide can effectively improve the hemodynamics and cardiac function level of Chinese population of patients with heart failure. The treatment doses are safe and tolerant, so it is recommended to clinical use.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the difference in 30-day readmission rates among acute heart failure patients between real-world studies vs. randomized controlled trials (RCTs). MethodsPubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, CNKI, CBM, VIP and WanFang Data databases were electronically searched to collect clinical studies on 30-day readmission rates in patients with acute heart failure from inception to April 12th, 2021. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Meta-analysis was then performed using Stata 16.0 software. ResultsA total of 33 real-world studies and 11 RCTs involving 106 722 subjects were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that the 30-day heart failure-related readmission rates in the real-world studies and RCTs were 10.8% (95%CI 9.3% to 12.3%) and 6.9% (95%CI 5.3% to 8.4%), respectively. The 30-day all-cause readmission rates in real-world studies and randomized controlled studies were 18.6% (95%CI 15.7% to 21.4%) and 14.2% (95%CI 12.0% to 16.3%), respectively. There were statistically significant differences between two kinds of studies (P<0.05). ConclusionsCurrent evidence suggests that the 30-day heart failure-related and all-cause readmission rates in patients of acute heart failure in real-world studies are significantly higher than those in patients of RCTs. Due to the limited quality and quantity of included studies, more high-quality studies are required to verify the above conclusions.
ObjectivesTo systematically review the efficacy of Qiliqiangxin capsule on cardiac function in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).MethodsCNKI, VIP, WanFang Data, CBM, EMbase, PubMed and The Cochrane Library databases were electronically searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of Qiliqiangxin capsule for HFpEF from inception to August 1st, 2020. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed risk of bias of included studies. Meta-analysis was performed by RevMan5.3 software.ResultsA total of 24 RCTs involving 2 021 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that Qiliqiangxin capsule combined with conventional western medicine could improve E/A wave ratio (MD=0.17, 95%CI 0.13 to 0.21, P<0.000 01), reduce E/e' wave ratio (MD=?2.16, 95%CI ?3.23 to ?1.08, P<0.000 1), BNP (MD=?240.43, 95%CI ?357.66 to ?123.20, P<0.000 1), and NT-proBNP (MD=?200.64, 95%CI ?290.02 to ?111.27, P<0.000 1). However, there were no statistically significant differences between two groups in re-hospitalization rate (RR=0.57, 95%CI 0.27 to 1.19, P=0.13), mortality (RR=0.33, 95%CI 0.04 to 3.05, P=0.33), and incidence of adverse events (RR=0.59, 95%CI 0.26 to 1.34, P=0.20).ConclusionsThe present evidence shows that Qiliqiangxin capsule combined with conventional western medicine can improve neuroendocrine disorders and cardiac structure in patients with HFpEF, and further improve cardiac diastolic function. Due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high quality studies are required to verify above conclusions.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of statins on amino-terminal brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), grade of New York Heart Association (NYHA), and ejection fraction (EF) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) using marginal structural model. MethodsA total of 297 patients with CHF from two medical centers in Shanxi province were sequentially enrolled from January 2018 to December 2020. The medical records were collected. Confounding factors were analyzed by t-test, Chi-square test and logistic regression. The random forest algorithm was used to estimate the weight of inverse probability. The marginal structural model was applied to evaluate the effects of statins. ResultsUsing logistic regression to exclude the influence of baseline confounders, the results showed that statins had no significant effect on the level of NT-proBNP in patients with CHF. The marginal structural model which excluded the influence of baseline confounders, time-dependent confounders and treatment conversion factors showed that statins significantly reduced NT-proBNP (OR=0.699, 95%CI 0.528 to 0.926, P=0.012). Statins had no significant effects on NYHA and EF. ConclusionStatins can effectively reduce the level of NT-proBNP in patients with CHF.
