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.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the efficacy of Chinese medicine injection (CMI) for treating heart failure (HF).MethodsCNKI, WanFang Data, VIP, The Cochrane Library, PubMed, and EMbase databases were electronically searched from inception to January 2021 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on CMI for treating HF. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data, and evaluated the risk of bias of included studies. Network meta-analysis was then performed by RevMan 5.2 software and Stata 16.0 software.ResultsA total of 47 studies were included involving 4 902 patients and 5 types of CMIs, including Shenmai, Shenfu, Yiqi Fumai (lyophilized), Shengmai, and Danhong injections. The results of network meta-analysis showed that the efficacy of combined CMIs was superior to conventional Western medicine alone. For the main efficacy, Shenmai, Shengmai, and Shenfu injections had significant advantages in improving the total clinical effectiveness. Shengmai, Shenmai, and Yiqi Fumai (lyophilized) injections were significantly more effective for reducing NT pro-BNP levels than other injections. Shenfu and Shengmai injections were significantly more effective for reducing BNP levels than other injections. Shenmai, Danhong and Shengmai injections were significantly more effective for improving the left ventricular ejection fraction than the other injections. These CMIs showed similar advantages for secondary efficacy indicators as for main efficacy indicators.ConclusionsThe combined 5 types of CMIs for treating HF can improve the clinical efficacy when compared with conventional Western medicine treatment. Shenmai injection, Yiqi Fumai injection (lyophilized), and Shengmai injection, which is part of Sheng Mai San, have clear advantages in terms of the overall curative effect or on individual indices.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the efficacy of MitraClip therapy in heart failure patients with mitral insufficiency. MethodsDatabases including PubMed, The Cochrane Library (Issue 11, 2014), EMbase, CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data were searched from October 2005 to October 2015 to collect before-after controlled studies about the efficacy of MitraClip therapy in heart failure patients with mitral insufficiency. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the methodological quality of included studies. Then, meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.2 software. ResultsA total of 9 studies involving 782 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that, compared with their conditions before treatment, patients after the MitraClip implantation had a declined NYHA class Ⅲ-Ⅳ ratio (RD=0.72, 95%CI 0.60 to 0.85, P<0.000 01), increased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (MD=-2.97，95%CI -5.06 to -0.89，P<0.005) and improved performance in 6 min walk-test (6-MWT) (MD=-88.73, 95%CI -157.16 to -20.31, P=0.01). ConclusionMitraClip therapy can, to a certain extent, improve the cardiac function of patients with heart failure and mitral insufficiency. However, further studies are needed to confirm its effects on improving the long-term survival of patients.
As a novel soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator, vericiguat can improve myocardial and vascular function, reduce ventricular remodeling, myocardial hypertrophy, inflammation and fibrosis, and delay the progression of heart failure by interfering with cell signaling pathways. Vericiguat not only can significantly reduce the risk of heart failure-related hospitalization or cardiovascular death, but also is well tolerated and compliant by patients, which can increase the additional benefit and improve prognosis of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. This article will review the mechanism and research progress of vericiguat in heart failure with reduced ejectionfraction.
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.
ObjectiveTo explore the use of comprehensive treatment including drugs, devices and electrophysiology for heart failure patients with surgical indications. MethodsWe collected the clinical data of 65 consecutive cardiac surgical patients with chronic left ventricular dysfunction in our department between March 2014 and May 2016. There were 49 males and 16 females with an average age of 61.3±11.4 years ranging from 37 to 80 years. Their left ventricular ejection fraction was less than 40%. Patients with ventricular dysfunction caused by acute myocardial infarction were excluded. A comprehensive treatment strategy was performed according to patients’ individual disease.ResultsFourty patients underwent cardiopulmonary bypass with asisting time of 55-400 (148.1±69.8) min; 35 patients needed cross-clamping with time of 44-203 (95.7±39.6) min. Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) was assisted in 3 patients. Two patients died in hospital. During the follow-up of 13.4 months, the patients’ cardiac function significantly improved and the heart size reduced. Two patients died and two were readmitted for heart failure. Four patients underwent cardiac pacemaker implantation. Other patients with unstable symptoms were stabilized after medical dose adjustment.ConclusionUnder the concept of neuroendocrine inhibition, the comprehensive treatment for heart failure can effectively reduce surgical mortality and improve the patient’s quality of life.
Objective To compare the early outcomes of domestic third-generation magnetically levitated left ventricular assist device (LVAD) with or without concomitant mitral valvuloplasty (MVP). Methods The clinical data of 17 end-stage heart failure patients who underwent LVAD implantation combined with preoperative moderate to severe mitral regurgitation in Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital from May 2018 to March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into a LVAD group and a LVAD+MVP group based on whether MVP was performed simultaneously, and early outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results There were 4 patients in the LVAD group, all males, aged (43.5±5.9) years, and 13 patients in the LVAD+MVP group, including 10 males and 3 females, aged (46.8±16.7) years. All the patients were successful in concomitant MVP without mitral reguragitation occurrence. Compared with the LVAD group, the LVAD+MVP group had a lower pulmonary artery systolic pressure and pulmonary artery mean pressure 72 h after operation, but the difference was not statistically different (P>0.05). Pulmonary artery systolic pressure was significantly lower 1 week after operation, as well as pulmonary artery systolic blood pressure and pulmonary artery mean pressure at 1 month after operation (P<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in blood loss, operation time, cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic cross-clamping time, mechanical ventilation time, or ICU stay time between the two groups (P>0.05). The differences in 1-month postoperative mortality, acute kidney injury, reoperation, gastrointestinal bleeding, and thrombosis and other complications between the two groups were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusion Concomitant MVP with implantation of domestic third-generation magnetically levitated LVAD is safe and feasible, and concomitant MVP may improve postoperative hemodynamics without significantly increasing perioperative mortality and complication rates.
The Universal Definition and Classification of Heart Failure consensus has proposed the universal definition, classification and staging criteria of heart failure. The prevalence of heart failure is still increasing, and the phenotype of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is becoming more and more common. Neuro-endocrine antagonists are effective in treating patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, there is no effective drug that can improve the clinical prognosis of patients with HFpEF. The pathophysiological mechanism of HFpEF involves metabolic-inflammatory mechanism disorders, epicardial fat tissue accumulation, and coronary microvascular dysfunction. The exploratory treatment of these mechanisms requires further research to confirm whether it is beneficial to patients with HFpEF. In addition, the improvement of ejection fraction and the recovery of cardiac function in patients with HFrEF after treatment cannot interrupt the drug treatment of heart failure.
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 establish a mouse model of pressure overload-induced heart failure via suprasternal notch approach. MethodsMale mice were separated into a sham group and an experiment group. Through suprasternal notch approach, the aortic arch port between the origin of the right innominate and left common carotid arteries was partially clipped with tantalum clip, which had a remaining opening of 0.35 mm or 0.25 mm in diameter to cause progres-sively increased afterload. Echocardiography was performed 10 weeks after aortic arch clipped or sham surgery to deter-mine left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD), left ventricular posterior wall end-diastolic thickness (LVPWD), ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS). After hemodynamic recordings were completed, mouse body weight (BW) and heart weight (HW) were measured for obtaining HW/BW ratio (mg/g). After heart function examination, mice blood sample was collected for evaluation of serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). At the end, part of left ventricular free wall was excised, and hematoxylin and eosin stain was made for histopathological examination. ResultsThe HW/BW, LVEDD and serum NT-proBNP significantly increased in the experiment group compared with those in the sham group (P < 0.01, respectively). The LVPWD, EF and FS significantly decreased compared with the sham group (P < 0.01, respectively). Histopathological examination showed malalignment and rupture of cardiac muscle fibers, hypertrophy and degeneration of myocardial cells, part of which had local or patchy necrosis in left ventricule postoperatively 10 weeks. ConclusionThe model of pressure overload-induced heart failure in mice established through suprasternal approach is simple, minimally invasive and reliable.