European journal of heart failure
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Although patients with heart failure (HF) may suffer from severe thirst, this has received little attention in scientific studies. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify and analyse data on thirst in HF. ⋯ Thirst may be increased and experienced as distressing in patients with HF, but there is limited knowledge about the causative factors. More research is needed to study the effects of thirst and effective interventions in order to relieve troublesome thirst in HF patients.
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Eur. J. Heart Fail. · Dec 2012
Multicenter StudyGrowth differentiation factor 15, ST2, high-sensitivity troponin T, and N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide in heart failure with preserved vs. reduced ejection fraction.
Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), ST2, high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT), and N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) are biomarkers of distinct mechanisms that may contribute to the pathophysiology of heart failure (HF) [inflammation (GDF15); ventricular remodelling (ST2); myonecrosis (hsTnT); and wall stress (NT-proBNP)]. ⋯ Our study provides comparative data on physiologically distinct circulating biomarkers in HFPEF, HFREF, and controls from the same community. These data suggest a prominent role for myocardial injury (hsTnT) with increased wall stress (NT-proBNP) in HFREF, and systemic inflammation (GDF15) in HFPEF.
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Eur. J. Heart Fail. · Dec 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialLeft cardiac sympathetic denervation for treatment of symptomatic systolic heart failure patients: a pilot study.
To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and potential beneficial effects of left cardiac sympathetic denervation (LCSD) in systolic heart failure (HF) patients. ⋯ LCSD was feasible and seemed to be safe in systolic HF patients. Its beneficial effects warrant the development of a larger randomized trial. Trail registration: NCT01224899.
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Eur. J. Heart Fail. · Nov 2012
Comparative StudyUtility of lung ultrasound in predicting pulmonary and cardiac pressures.
Quantification of linear lung ultrasound (LUS) artefacts (B-lines) represents a novel, non-invasive approach to assess pulmonary congestion. We investigated the relationship between the number of B-lines (vertical artefacts arising from the pleural line) and intracardiac pressures. ⋯ Easily obtainable, LUS may be useful in the estimation of right-sided cardiac pressures and PVR. Further evaluation of lung ultrasound as an adjunct to heart failure diagnosis, monitoring, and prognosis is warranted.
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Eur. J. Heart Fail. · Oct 2012
Angiotensin receptor blockers and outcomes in real-world older patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction: a propensity-matched inception cohort clinical effectiveness study.
To examine the clinical effectiveness of angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) in older patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HF-PEF). ⋯ In real-world older HF-PEF patients, ARB use was not associated with improved clinical outcomes.