REC: CardioClinics最新文献

In patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), experiencing heart failure (HF) decompensation represents a true turning point in the evolution of this condition, as it indicates progression of the disease, and is associated with a high risk of death and early hospitalization for HF. Alteration of the soluble nitric oxide-guanylate cyclase pathway plays a fundamental role in the etiopathogenesis and development of HFrEF. Vericiguat is an oral stimulator of the soluble nitric oxide-guanylate cyclase that allows restoring this system. The VICTORIA study was the first large clinical trial to include patients with HFrEF and recent HF decompensation, showing the beneficial effects of adding vericiguat to standard treatment. In the present work, the evidence on this drug is reviewed and a proposal for its practical management is presented. Its good safety profile, as well as the simplicity of its use, will facilitate its implementation in real life.

Introduction and objectives

Accurate risk stratification is pivotal to tailor therapy according to the prognosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients to positively impact the course of the disease. We conducted a nationwide study to assess how the current European Society of Cardiology/European Respiratory Society guidelines for risk assessment and management of PAH patients are followed in real-world practice in Spain.

Methods

Hospital-based physicians answered an online questionnaire describing their yearly caseload of PAH patients and their management of virtual cases scenarios for Word Health Organization functional class (FC) II–III PAH patients.

Results

The main tests requested for a regular risk assessment were echocardiography, 6-minute walk test, measurement of brain natriuretic peptide/N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide plasma levels and right heart catheterization. The main treatment prescribed was an oral double-combination therapy with an endothelin receptor antagonist (ERA) and a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE5i) or guanylate cyclase stimulator. Around 20% of the clinicians would also add the selective prostacyclin-receptor agonist (selexipag) to ERA and PDE5i as initial therapy for FC III patients, and nearly all clinicians (99%) would add a prostacyclin pathway agent to FC III PAH patients presenting multiple new intermediate-risk parameters despite a 6-month dual therapy with ERA and PDE5i.

Conclusions

The main decisive factor for the management of PAH patients in Spanish hospitals is their functional class and intermediate-risk parameters. Selexipag was more frequently prescribed than parenteral prostacyclin-analogs in triple-combination therapy for FC II–III PAH patients presenting low-risk and intermediate-risk parameters.

Introduction and objectives

Antiplatelet agents such as acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) play a prominent role in preventing atherothrombosis. However, low-responsive patients who will not benefit from an increased dosage of this drug, which can cause bleeding and gastrointestinal irritation, need to be identified. Drugs such as omega-3 fatty acids, which enhance the vasodilating condition and diminish platelet aggregation, can potentiate the anti-aggregating effects of ASA, avoiding its side effects. Thus, we assessed the alternative use of 200 mg/day of ASA and 100 mg/day of this drug combined with 1 g of omega-3 in 152 patients with chronic coronary artery disease.

Methods

Our analysis included platelet function (ASPItest), TBX2 concentrations (ELISA), and SNPs polymorphisms in the rs3842787 and rs3842798 regions of the PTGS1 gene of the COX-1 enzyme and the rs5918 region of the ITGB3 gene of the fibrinogen's receptor subunit glycoprotein IIIa.

Results

ASPItest detected 38 non-responders. The reduction of ASPItest values was more significant in this group than in responders and fell to levels of responders in non-responders of the 200 mg/day treatment. A rare allele of rs3842787 is associated with a worse ASPItest response, and the rare allele of the rs5918 polymorphism with a worse response related to TBX2 concentration. Both treatments showed no statistically significant difference in hematuria or bleeding, constituting safe treatment alternatives, and omega-3 treatment reduced monocyte levels.

Conclusions

Our results underscore the usefulness of pharmacogenetics for personalized treatments, avoiding gastrointestinal effects and undesirable bleeding.