Renal Effects of Combination Phosphodiesterase V Inhibition and Low-Dose B-Type Natriuretic Peptide in Acute Heart Failure: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Cardiorenal dysfunction with impaired cyclic GMP (cGMP) response is common in patients presenting with acute heart failure (HF). Type V phosphodiesterase (PDEV) is known to be upregulated in HF and may explain the dysfunction of renal response. The aim of this study was to determine whether B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) alone or in combination with PDEV inhibition improves renal function and increases urinary sodium and cGMP excretion in acute HF.

UK guideline on the transition and management of childhood liver diseases in adulthood.

Introduction: Improved outcomes of liver disease in childhood and young adulthood have resulted in an increasing number of young adults (YA) entering adult liver services. The adult hepatologist therefore requires a working knowledge in diseases that arise almost exclusively in children and their complications in adulthood.

Aims: To provide adult hepatologists with succinct guidelines on aspects of transitional care in YA relevant to key disease aetiologies encountered in clinical practice.

MANP in Hypertension With Metabolic Syndrome: Proof-of-Concept Study of Natriuretic Peptide-Based Therapy for Cardiometabolic Disease.

Hypertension and metabolic syndrome frequently coexist to increase the risk for adverse cardiometabolic outcomes. To date, no drug has been proven to be effective in treating hypertension with metabolic syndrome. M-atrial natriuretic peptide is a novel atrial natriuretic peptide analog that activates the particulate guanylyl cyclase A receptor.

The Cardiorenal Effects of Chronic Phosphodiesterase-V Inhibition in Preclinical Diastolic Dysfunction (Stage B Heart Failure).

Objective: To determine whether chronic phosphodiesterase-V (PDEV) inhibition with tadalafil will improve urinary sodium excretion, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), plasma cyclic guanosine 3', 5'-monophosphate (cGMP), and urinary cGMP excretion in response to volume expansion (VE) in patients with preclinical diastolic dysfunction (PDD) or stage B heart failure.

Background: PDD is defined as abnormal diastolic function with normal systolic function, without clinical heart failure. PDD is predictive of development of heart failure and all-cause mortality.

Prevalence of Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Importance: Heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is common, is frequently associated with ventricular wall thickening, and has no effective therapy. Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) can cause the HFpEF clinical phenotype, has highly effective therapy, and is believed to be underrecognized.

Objective: To examine the prevalence of ATTR-CM without and with systematic screening in patients with HFpEF and ventricular wall thickening.

Effects of phosphodiesterase V inhibition alone and in combination with BNP on cardiovascular and renal response to volume load in human preclinical diastolic dysfunction.

Preclinical diastolic dysfunction (PDD) results in impaired cardiorenal response to volume load (VL) which may contribute to the progression to clinical heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The objective was to evaluate if phosphodiesterase V inhibition (PDEVI) alone or combination PDEVI plus B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) administration will correct the impaired cardiorenal response to VL in PDD. A randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled cross-over study was conducted in 20 subjects with PDD, defined as left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) >50% with moderate or severe diastolic dysfunction by Doppler echocardiography and without HF diagnosis or symptoms.

Sex-specific cut-off values for soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (ST2) biomarker increase its cardiovascular prognostic value in the community.

Background: Suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (ST2) has important cardiovascular prognostic value in community patients; however, previous analyses have utilized non-sex specific cut-off values. We assessed whether sex-specific ST2 cut-off values would improve the prognostic utility of ST2 in the asymptomatic community.

Methods: A total of 2042 participants underwent clinical assessment and echocardiographic evaluation.

STOP-HF Trial: Higher Endogenous BNP and Cardiovascular Protection in Subjects at Risk for Heart Failure.

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) possesses blood-pressure-lowering, antifibrotic, and aldosterone-suppressing properties. In Stage A and B heart failure, the carriers of the minor C allele of the BNP genetic variant rs198389 have higher circulating levels of BNP and are at decreased risk of hypertension, new-onset left ventricular systolic dysfunction, and hospitalization for major adverse cardiovascular events. Future studies are warranted to investigate the role of BNP genetic testing and BNP-based therapy in the prevention of heart failure.

Artificial Intelligence-Augmented Electrocardiogram Detection of Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction in the General Population.

Objective: To validate an artificial intelligence-augmented electrocardiogram (AI-ECG) algorithm for the detection of preclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) in a large community-based cohort.

Methods: We identified a randomly selected community-based cohort of 2041 subjects age 45 years or older in Olmsted County, Minnesota. All participants underwent a study echocardiogram and ECG.

Synchronous neurology-primary care collaboration in a medical home.

Background: Synchronous collaboration as defined by a simultaneous encounter between primary care providers (PCPs), patients, and neurologists may improve access to neurologic expertise, care value, and satisfaction of PCPs and patients. We examined a series of synchronous collaborations and report outcomes, PCP satisfaction, downstream utilization, and illustrative case examples.

Methods: Within an outpatient collaborative primary care-neurology care model, we implemented synchronous video consultations from a central hub to satellite clinics while increasing availability of synchronous telephone and face-to-face collaboration.

An exploratory study of the experiences of deceased-donor liver transplant recipients and their need for psychotherapeutic support.

Aims And Objectives: This study aimed to explore the experiences of liver transplant recipients during their journey through the treatment and their need for psychotherapeutic support related to this process.

Background: Over time, measures of survival and quality of life in liver transplant recipients have continued to improve but their emotional needs remain under explored. In the longer-term recovery from transplantation, the focus shifts from physical health to psychological health.

Getting to the Heart of the Matter: A Triage Model to Improve Utilization of Cardiology Consultative Services.

Objective: To assess the impact of a triage system of emergency department (ED) referrals for outpatient cardiology appointments.

Patient And Methods: We implemented a triage system of ED referrals for outpatient cardiology appointments among patients with a cardiovascular chief complaint deemed safe to leave the ED but needing outpatient follow-up. There were 303 and 267 unique patients in the pre-triage implementation and post-triage implementation cohorts, respectively.

Cardiac Versus Renal Response to Volume Expansion in Preclinical Systolic Dysfunction With PDEV Inhibition and BNP.

Impaired cardiorenal response to acute saline volume expansion in preclinical systolic dysfunction (PSD) may lead to symptomatic heart failure. The objective was to determine if combination phosphodiesterase-V inhibition and exogenous B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) administration may enhance cardiorenal response. A randomized double-blinded, placebo-controlled study was conducted in 21 subjects with PSD and renal dysfunction.

Computerized Advisory Decision Support for Cardiovascular Diseases in Primary Care: A Cluster Randomized Trial.

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to evaluate the impact of an outpatient computerized advisory clinical decision support system (CDSS) on adherence to guideline-recommended treatment for heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and hyperlipidemia.

Methods: Twenty care teams (109 clinicians) in a primary care practice were cluster-randomized to either access or no access to an advisory CDSS integrated into the electronic medical record. For patients with an outpatient visit, the CDSS determined if they had heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, hyperlipidemia, or atrial fibrillation; and if so, was the patient receiving guideline-recommended treatment.

A Contemporary Systematic Approach to Assessing the Patient with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction: Multimodal Noninvasive and Invasive Evaluation.

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is a progressive clinical syndrome commonly associated with left ventricle dilatation and characterized by reduced cardiac output, secondary pulmonary and systemic venous congestion, and inadequate peripheral oxygen delivery. It is common yet complex and requires synthesis of evidence-based guidelines along with strong clinical acumen. The following is a review of an illustrative case that highlights the important clinical considerations in diagnosis, assessment, and management of HFrEF commonly encountered in practice.

Screening for cardiac contractile dysfunction using an artificial intelligence-enabled electrocardiogram.

Asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction (ALVD) is present in 3-6% of the general population, is associated with reduced quality of life and longevity, and is treatable when found. An inexpensive, noninvasive screening tool for ALVD in the doctor's office is not available. We tested the hypothesis that application of artificial intelligence (AI) to the electrocardiogram (ECG), a routine method of measuring the heart's electrical activity, could identify ALVD.

Neuroimaging utilization and findings in headache outpatients: Significance of red and yellow flags.

Background Neuroimaging for headache commonly exceeds published guideline recommendations and may be overutilized. Methods We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study of all outpatient community patients at Mayo Clinic Rochester who underwent a neuroimaging study for a headache indication in 2015. We assessed the neuroimaging utilization pattern, clinical application of red flags, and concordance with neuroimaging guidelines.

Hemodynamic factors associated with serum chloride in ambulatory patients with advanced heart failure.

Background: Lower serum chloride (Cl) is associated with mortality in heart failure patients and may be more prognostically relevant than sodium. However, the association of hemodynamics and Cl levels is unknown.

Methods: 438 sequential patients with advanced chronic heart failure (ACHF) underwent invasive hemodynamic assessment with measured serum Cl levels during an evaluation for ACHF.

Impact of electronic clinical decision support on adherence to guideline-recommended treatment for hyperlipidaemia, atrial fibrillation and heart failure: protocol for a cluster randomised trial.

Introduction: Clinical practice guidelines facilitate optimal clinical practice. Point of care access, interpretation and application of such guidelines, however, is inconsistent. Informatics-based tools may help clinicians apply guidelines more consistently.

Effect of integrated community neurology on utilization, diagnostic testing, and access.

Background: The primary care medical home (PCMH) aims to promote delivery of high-value health care. However, growing demand for specialists due to increasingly older adults with complicated and chronic disease necessitates development of novel care models that efficiently incorporate specialty expertise while maintaining coordination and continuity with the PCMH. We describe the effect of a model of integrated community neurology (ICN) on health care utilization, diagnostic testing, and access.

Suppression of Tumorigenicity 2 in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Background: Soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) receptor is a biomarker that is elevated in certain systemic inflammatory diseases. Comorbidity-driven microvascular inflammation is postulated to play a key role in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) pathophysiology, but data on how sST2 relates to clinical characteristics or inflammatory conditions or biomarkers in HFpEF are limited. We sought to determine circulating levels and clinical correlates of sST2 in HFpEF.