Both TAVI + PCI and SAVR + CABG yield comparable long-term outcomes in intermediate-risk AS-CAD patients. Although early complications were more common with surgery, there was a trend towards improved long-term survival.

BackgroundLittle is known about the recently emerging entity, heart failure with supranormal ejection fraction (HFsnEF).ObjectiveTo describe the clinical characteristics and outcome of HFsnEF, compared to HF with mildly reduced EF (HFmrEF) and HF with preserved EF (HFpEF) patients.DesignA single center retrospective analysis.PatientsHospitalized and ambulatory heart failure (HF) patients who underwent echocardiography with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) > 40%.Main measuresClinical and echocardiographic parameters, hospitalization rates and mortality.Key resultsA total of 6,202 patients (mean age 81.4 ± 14.1 years, 52% females) were analyzed: 750 in the HFmrEF group (LVEF 41–49%), 4360 in the HFpEF group (LVEF 50–64%), and 1092 in the HFsnEF group (LVEF ≥ 65%). Patients were followed for a median of 32 (11–65) months. HFsnEF patients were older, predominantly female, exhibited higher hypertension prevalence, more severe LV hypertrophy, smaller LV dimensions, and higher filling pressures compared to the other groups (p < 0.001 for all). These features were consistent in both hospitalized and ambulatory patients. In a univariable model, HFsnEF patients had higher mortality rates compared to HFmrEF and HFpEF patients (HR 1.258, 95% CI 1.117–1.418; p < 0.001 and HR 1.112, 95% CI 1.023–1.208; p = 0.012, respectively). However, in a multivariable model, adjusted for age, sex, comorbidities, and echocardiographic parameters, there was no significant difference in the mortality rates between all groups. The total hospitalization rate was similar between the HFpEF and HFsnEF groups, and lower in the HFmrEF group (p = 0.022). However, the HFsnEF group had the lowest rate of HF-related hospitalizations (p = 0.002).ConclusionHFsnEF represents a group of patients with a distinct clinical and echocardiographic profile accompanied by worse outcomes, likely mediated by older age and a higher comorbidity burden, compared to HFmrEF and HFpEF. Therefore, the supranormal EF may serve as a marker rather than an independent prognostic factor.Graphical abstract

BackgroundFor the management of acute coronary syndrome, literature shows lower healthcare providers’ guideline adherence for women than for men. Since less is known about the management of chronic coronary syndrome (CCS), this study investigated patient-related sex differences in providers’ guideline adherence for invasive coronary angiography (CA) performed in patients with suspected CCS.MethodsUsing data from the German ENLIGHT-KHK trial, patients with suspected CCS who underwent a CA were analysed. To assess the association between patient sex and physicians’ adherence to the German National Disease Management Guideline “Chronic coronary artery disease” of 2019, binary logistic regression models were developed. Covariates included age, symptoms, risk factors, comorbidities, and non-invasive testing and its results. To examine sex differences in predictors of guideline adherence, models were run separately for women and men.ResultsTwo hundred seventy-three women and three hundred eighty-six men were included (aged 67 ± 10 years). Physicians’ guideline adherence for CA was lower for women than for men (19.4% vs. 30.1%, p = 0.002). CAs were less likely to be guideline-adherent for women with suspected CCS than men (OR 0.4, p < 0.05). Guideline adherence predictors differed between women and men. For example, men’s predictors included non-invasive testing and its results, age, typical angina and smoking; of these, only a positive non-invasive test result had an impact for women.ConclusionOur results indicate a less guideline-adherent diagnostic workup of CA for women with suspected CCS than men. This might reflect a limited awareness of CCS in women and insufficiently sex-specific guideline recommendations.Trial registrationGerman Clinical Trials Register DRKS00015638, Registered February 19, 2019; Universal Trial Number (UTN): U1111-1227-8055.Graphical abstractSupplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00392-025-02655-y.

BackgroundTricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a common comorbidity in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and represents a significant predictor of adverse outcomes. Precise risk stratification through clinical scoring systems is vital for tailoring treatment decisions in this patient population. ObjectivesTo assess the applicability of the TRI-SCORE for predicting adverse outcomes in patients with AS and concomitant moderate-to-severe TR undergoing TAVR and to compare its performance with established surgical risk scores like the EuroSCORE II and Society of Thoracic Surgeons score (STS-Score).MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of 301 patients with severe AS and concomitant TR who underwent TAVR between 2013 and 2022 at the Heart Center Bonn. According to the TRI-SCORE, patients were stratified into a low or intermediate-risk group (TRI-SCORE 0–5) and a high-risk group (TRI-SCORE 6–12). The primary endpoint was 2-year all-cause mortality. Predictive values of the TRI-SCORE were compared to the EuroSCORE II and the STS-Score for both 30-day and 2-year mortality outcomes.ResultsThe 2-year mortality rate was significantly higher in the high-risk group compared to the low or intermediate-risk group (TRI-SCORE 6–12: 40.0% vs. TRI-SCORE 0–5: 17.9%; p < 0.001). For predicting 30-day mortality, the EuroSCORE II and the STS-Score demonstrated superior predictive values, with AUCs of 78.4% and 83.0%, respectively, in comparison to the TRI-SCORE, which showed an AUC of 70.0%. Conversely, the TRI-SCORE allowed a better risk prediction with regard to 2-year all-cause mortality, achieving an AUC of 69.7%, superior to the EuroSCORE II (60.6%) and the STS-Score (62.1%).ConclusionThe TRI-SCORE is effective in predicting mid-term mortality in patients with AS and moderate-to-severe TR undergoing TAVR, demonstrating greater robustness than the EuroSCORE II and the STS-Score for this timeframe.Graphical abstract

BackgroundVasopressors and inotropes remain the cornerstone in treatment of acute myocardial infarction-related cardiogenic shock (AMI-CS). Milrinone and dobutamine are both commonly used, yet the optimal inotrope remains unclear. We aimed to identify factors associated with milrinone and dobutamine treatment and assess their effects on 30-day mortality in a large real-world cohort of AMI-CS patients. The Netherlands Heart Registration prospectively records data for percutaneous coronary intervention patients. Between 2017 and 2021, additional retrospective data on CS patients were collected by fourteen Dutch hospitals. Patients who were treated with either milrinone or dobutamine were selected; those treated with both were excluded. Missing data were imputed (30 ×) using multiple imputation, and propensity matched score analysis (PSM) was performed to evaluate the association between milrinone or dobutamine treatment and 30-day mortality.ResultsIn total, 739 patients were included (milrinone n = 247, dobutamine n = 492). Prior to matching, milrinone-treated patients exhibited more severely ill baseline and treatment characteristics, and higher 30-day mortality (50.6% vs. 41.5%, p = 0.018). After PSM, 198 patients remained in each group for analysis. Baseline characteristics were well balanced and 30-day mortality rates were similar (46.5% vs. 41.9%, p = 0.362).ConclusionIn this real-world propensity-matched cohort of AMI-CS patients, no significant difference in 30-day mortality was observed between patients treated with milrinone and dobutamine. Importantly, milrinone patients were more severely ill at baseline, indicating that the choice of inotrope may be influenced by illness severity. This comprehensive study suggests that the selection of inotrope may continue to be guided by individual patient characteristics.Graphical Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00392-025-02742-0.

IntroductionSupervised physical exercise has been shown to benefit patients with heart failure with preserved/mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFpEF/HfmrEF) by improving symptoms and diastolic function. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between unsupervised daily physical activity and changes in daily pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) in patients with stable NYHA class III heart failure (HF) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 45% or higher.MethodsDaily physical activity was monitored over a 3-month period using a Holter-ECG with an accelerometer that calculated an activity-associated, heart rate-derived metabolic equivalent of task (MET) score. PAP was measured using an implanted sensor in 17 patients.ResultsDuring 3 months of PAP monitoring in parallel with Holter ECG in our HF patients (median age 77 [IQR 72–79.5] years, LVEF 55 [49–56] %, mean cardiac index 1.9 ± 0.3), mean, diastolic, and systolic PAP remained unchanged. Patients engaged in unsupervised daily activity with a mean MET score of 5.0 ± 1.2 and a median daily duration of 41 [13–123] minutes. Intensity of daily activity was associated with a higher diastolic PAP on the following day (R2 = 0.017, p = 0.003), particularly in female patients and those with pulmonary hypertension (PH) (female: R2 = 0.044, p = 0.002; PH: R2 = 0.024, p = 0.004). Patients with longer daily activity durations had lower systolic and mean PAP (p = 0.038 and p = 0.048) and a similar diastolic PAP (p = 0.053) after 3 months.ConclusionsTracking changes in daily PAP based on intensity and duration of unsupervised daily activity using implanted sensors and a PocketECG® is feasible. While daily activity duration was not directly linked to diastolic PAP on the first day after daily activity, intensity, especially in female and PH patients, was associated with increased diastolic PAP. In addition, longer daily activity, rather than higher intensity, might be more important for lowering PAP in the long term. Further research in larger trials is warranted to confirm these findings.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00392-024-02564-6.

BackgroundDespite scarce data, invasive mechanical ventilation (MV) is widely suggested as first-line ventilatory support in cardiogenic shock (CS) patients. We assessed the real-life use of different ventilation strategies in CS and their influence on short and mid-term prognosis.MethodsFRENSHOCK was a prospective registry including 772 CS patients from 49 centers in France. Patients were categorized into three groups according to the ventilatory supports during hospitalization: no mechanical ventilation group (NV), non-invasive ventilation alone group (NIV), and invasive mechanical ventilation group (MV). We compared clinical characteristics, management, and occurrence of death and major adverse event (MAE) (death, heart transplantation or ventricular assist device) at 30 days and 1 year between the three groups.ResultsSeven hundred sixty-eight patients were included in this analysis. Mean age was 66 years and 71% were men. Among them, 359 did not receive any ventilatory support (46.7%), 118 only NIV (15.4%), and 291 MV (37.9%). MV patients presented more severe CS with more skin mottling, higher lactate levels, and higher use of vasoactive drugs and mechanical circulatory support. MV was associated with higher mortality and MAE at 30 days (HR 1.41 [1.05–1.90] and 1.52 [1.16–1.99] vs NV). No difference in mortality (HR 0.79 [0.49–1.26]) or MAE (HR 0.83 [0.54–1.27]) was found between NIV patients and NV patients. Similar results were found at 1-year follow-up.ConclusionsOur study suggests that using NIV is safe in selected patients with less profound CS and no other MV indication.NCT02703038Graphical abstractSupplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00392-024-02551-x.

Abstract Background Ferritin is commonly used to evaluate iron stores and guide therapeutic decisions regarding intravenous iron supplementation. However, in the context of AHF, inflammation-driven upregulation of ferritin might disrupt its correlation with iron stores, restricting iron bioavailability and potentially amplifying the inflammatory response. Aim This study aims to assess the clinical and prognostic associations of ferritin levels in an AHF cohort and to determine whether the prognostic value of ferritin is influenced by the presence of infection, inflammatory activation, and other markers of iron deficiency. Methods The association between ferritin and clinical outcomes (180 days) in AHF was evaluated in a cohort of 526 patients from the EDIFICA registry. Results The median ferritin plasma concentration at admission was 180 pg/mL. Patients with higher ferritin levels at admission were predominantly men, exhibiting a high prevalence of chronic kidney disease and alcohol consumption, and presenting with lower blood pressure and a higher incidence of clinical infection. Higher ferritin levels were associated with increased risk of the composite of heart failure hospitalization or cardiovascular death (Tertile 2: HR 1.75; 95% CI 1.10–2.79; p = 0.017; Tertile 3: HR 1.79; 95% CI 1.08–2.97; p = 0.025), independently of classical HF prognostic factors, inflammatory and iron-related markers. No significant associations were found between admission serum iron or transferrin saturation tertiles, iron status categories, or guideline-defined iron deficiency (ID) criteria and the primary composite outcome. However, at discharge, patients who met the criteria for defective iron utilization, low iron storage, or guideline-defined ID had a lower risk of the composite endpoint compared to those with normal iron utilization or who did not meet the guideline-defined ID criteria, respectively. Conclusions Elevated ferritin levels are independently associated with poor prognosis in AHF. Low ferritin levels are associated with a favorable outcome and do not carry significant value in identifying ID in this population.

Background and aimsThe impact of mitral regurgitation (MR) in asymptomatic patients is not well defined. We aimed to determine the prevalence of MR-related complications and their association with 10-year survival in a large unselected asymptomatic MR cohort.MethodsHealth insurance claims data from Germany’s second largest health insurance fund, BARMER, which maintains longitudinal data on 8.7 million German residents, were retrospectively analyzed. All patients with an outpatient diagnosis of MR in a minimum of two quarters during a calendar year and first recorded diagnosis between 2008 and 2011 were included. Patients with any complication attributable to MR or mitral valve intervention at index were excluded. Outcomes were compared between study group and age- and sex-matched controls (i.e., without known cardiac disease). MR-related complications of interest were new congestive heart failure, new-onset atrial fibrillation, pulmonary hypertension, or cardiac decompensation.ResultsA total of 56,577 individuals (median age 68 years, 67% female) with asymptomatic MR were identified. At 10 years, MR-related complications were more frequent in the study group vs. control group (46.5% vs. 20.8%, OR 3.31, P < 0.0001). Furthermore, MR-related complications were more common in male vs. female patients with an asymptomatic MR (OR 2.65, P < 0.0001). The occurrence of at least one MR-related complication was associated with a reduced 10-year survival (OR 1.80, P < 0.0001).ConclusionsAlmost half of patients with asymptomatic MR experience complications during a 10 year follow-up which result in impaired survival. These results imply the necessity of long-term disease management program. Furthermore, decision-making process and timing for mitral valve intervention in asymptomatic patients should be reevaluated.Graphical