Anticoagulation has been shown to reduce ischemic stroke in atrial fibrillation (AF). However, concerns remain regarding their safety and efficacy in those ≥70 years of age who comprise most AF patients. Of the 4060 patients (mean age, 65 years; range, 49–80 years) in the Atrial Fibrillation Follow-up Investigation of Rhythm Management (AFFIRM) trial, 2248 (55% of 4060) were 70–80 years of age, 1901 of whom were receiving warfarin. Propensity score for warfarin use, estimated for each of the 2248 patients, were used to match 227 of the 347 no-warfarin patients (in 1:1, 1:2 or 1:3 sets) with 616 warfarin patients, who were balanced on 45 baseline characteristics. All-cause mortality occurred in 18% and 33% of matched patients receiving and not receiving warfarin, respectively, during up to six (mean, 3.4) years of follow-up (hazard ratio {HR} when warfarin use was compared with its non-use, 0.58; 95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.43–0.77; p<0.001). All-cause hospitalization occurred in 64% and 67% of matched patients receiving and not receiving warfarin, respectively (HR associated with warfarin use, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.77–1.12; p=0.423). Ischemic stroke occurred in 4% and 8% of matched patients receiving and not receiving warfarin, respectively (HR associated with warfarin use, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.31–1.04; p=0.068). Major bleeding occurred in 7% and 10% of matched patients receiving and not receiving warfarin, respectively (HR associated with warfarin use, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.44–1.22; p=0.229). In conclusion, warfarin use was associated with reduced mortality in septuagenarian AF patients but had no association with hospitalization or major bleeding.

Background

Older age is an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in patients with mild to moderate heart failure (HF). Whether older age is also an independent predictor of mortality in patients with more advanced HF is unknown.

Methods

Of the 2707 Beta-Blocker Evaluation of Survival Trial (BEST) participants with ambulatory chronic HF (New York Heart Association class III/IV and left ventricular ejection fraction <35%), 1091 were elderly (≥65 years). Propensity scores for older age, estimated for each of the 2707 patients, were used to assemble a cohort of 603 pairs of younger and older patients, balanced on 66 baseline characteristics.

Results

All-cause mortality occurred in 33% and 36% of younger and older matched patients respectively during 4 years of follow-up (hazard ratio {HR} associated with age ≥65 years, 1.05; 95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.87—1.27; P=0.614). HF hospitalization occurred in 38% and 40% of younger and older matched patients respectively (HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.84–1.21; P=0.951). Among 603 pairs of unmatched and unbalanced patients, all-cause mortality occurred in 28% and 36% of younger and older patients respectively (HR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.10–1.64; P=0.004) and HF hospitalization occurred in 34% and 40% of younger and older unmatched patients respectively (HR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.03–1.50; P=0.024).

Conclusion

Significant bivariate associations suggest that older age is a useful marker of poor outcomes in patients with advanced chronic systolic HF. However, lack of significant independent associations suggests that older age per se has no intrinsic effect on outcomes in these patients.

Objective

To investigate the diagnostic utility of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and adenosine deaminase (ADA) in tuberculous pleural effusions by determining the best cutoff levels of these two markers for pleural tuberculosis, in the context of the local epidemiological settings in Qatar.

Methods

We prospectively studied IFN-γ and ADA levels in the pleural fluid of patients presenting to Hamad General Hospital between June 1, 2009 and May 31, 2010.

Results

We studied 103 patients with pleural effusions, 72 (69.9%) with pleural tuberculosis, and 31 (30.1%) with nontuberculous etiologies. The mean IFN-γ concentration for the group with tuberculous effusions was significantly higher than that in the group with nontuberculous effusions (1.98 ± 81 vs 0.26 ± 10 pg/mL [P < 0.0001]). The mean ADA activity for the tuberculous effusions group was significantly higher than that in group with nontuberculous effusions (41.30 ± 20.09 vs 14.93 ± 14.87 U/L [P < 0.0001]). By analysis of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, the best cutoff values for IFN-γ and ADA were 0.5 pg/mL and 16.65 U/L, respectively. The results for IFN-γ vs ADA were: for sensitivity, 100% vs 86%, respectively; for specificity, 100% vs 74%, respectively; for positive predictive value, 100% vs 88.5%, respectively; and for negative predictive value, 100% vs 69.7%, respectively.

Conclusion

IFN-γ and ADA could be used as valuable parameters for the differentiation of tuberculous from nontuberculous effusion, and IFN-γ was more sensitive and specific for tuberculous effusion than ADA.

Background

Right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) <20% is an independent predictor of poor outcomes in patients with advanced chronic systolic heart failure (HF). The aim of this study was to examine if the adverse effect of abnormally reduced RVEF varies by the receipt of beta-blockers.

Methods

In the Beta-Blocker Evaluation of Survival Trial (BEST), 2708 patients with chronic advanced HF and left ventricular ejection fraction <35%, receiving standard background therapy with renin-angiotensin inhibition, digoxin, and diuretics, were randomized to receive bucindolol or placebo. Of these 2008 had data on baseline RVEF, and 14% (146/1017) and 13% (125/991) of the patients receiving bucindolol and placebo respectively had RVEF <20%.

Results

Among patients in the placebo group, all-cause mortality occurred in 33% and 43% of patients with RVEF ≥20% and <20% respectively (unadjusted hazard ratios {HR}, 1.33; 95% confidence intervals {CI}, 0.99–1.78; p =0.055 and adjusted HR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.71–1.37; p =0.934). Among those receiving bucindolol, all-cause mortality occurred in 28% and 49% of patients with RVEF ≥20% and <20% respectively (unadjusted HR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.65–2.80; p <0.001 and adjusted HR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.08–2.07; p =0.016). These differences were statistically significant (unadjusted and adjusted p for interaction, 0.016 and 0.053 respectively).

Conclusions

In ambulatory patients with chronic advanced systolic HF receiving renin-angiotensin inhibition, digoxin, and diuretics, RVEF <20% had no intrinsic association with mortality. However, in those receiving additional therapy with bucindolol, RVEF <20% had a significant independent association with increased risk of mortality.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a risk factor for incident heart failure (HF) in older adults. However, to what extent this association is independent of other risk factors remains unclear. Of the 5464 community-dwelling adults ≥65 years in the Cardiovascular Health Study without baseline HF, 862 had DM (fasting plasma glucose levels ≥126 mg/dl, or treatment with insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents). Propensity scores for DM were estimated for each of the 5464 participants and were used to assemble a cohort of 717 pairs of participants with and without DM, who were balanced on 65 baseline characteristics. Incident HF occurred in 31% and 26% of matched participants with and without DM, respectively, during over 13 years of follow-up (hazard ratio {HR} when DM was compared with no DM, 1.45; 95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.14–1.86; p=0.003). Among the 5464 pre-match participants, unadjusted and multivariable-adjusted HRs for incident HF associated with DM were 2.22 (95% CI, 1.94–2.55; p<0.001) and 1.52 (95% CI, 1.30–1.78; p<0.001), respectively. All-cause mortality occurred in 57% and 47% of matched participants with and without DM respectively (HR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.13–1.61; p=0.001). Among matched participants, DM-associated HRs for incident peripheral arterial disease, incident acute myocardial infarction and incident stroke were 2.50 (95% CI, 1.45–4.32; p=0.001), 1.37 (95% CI, 0.97–1.93; p=0.072), and 1.11 (95% CI, 0.81–1.51; p=0.527), respectively. In conclusion, the association of DM with incident HF and all-cause mortality in community-dwelling older adults without HF is independent of major baseline cardiovascular risk factors.

Objectives.

Widowhood is associated with increased mortality. However, to what extent this association is independent of other risk factors remains unclear. In the current study, we used propensity score matching to design a study to examine the independent association of widowhood with outcomes in a balanced cohort of older adults in the United States.

Methods.

We used public-use copies of the Cardiovascular Health Study data obtained from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Of the 5,795 community-dwelling older men and women aged 65 years and older in Cardiovascular Health Study, 3,820 were married and 1,436 were widows or widowers. Propensity scores for widowhood, estimated for each of the 5,256 participants, were used to assemble a cohort of 819 pairs of widowed and married participants who were balanced on 74 baseline characteristics. The 1,638 matched participants had a mean (± standard deviation) age of 75 (±6) years, 78% were women, and 16% African American.

Results.

All-cause mortality occurred in 46% (374/819) and 51% (415/819) of matched married and widowed participants, respectively, during more than 11 years of median follow-up (hazard ratio associated with widowhood, 1.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.03–1.36; p = .018). Hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for cardiovascular and noncardiovascular mortalities were 1.07 (0.87–1.32; p = .517) and 1.28 (1.06–1.55; p = .011), respectively. Widowhood had no independent association with all-cause or heart failure hospitalization or incident cardiovascular events.

Conclusions.

Among community-dwelling older adults, widowhood was associated with increased mortality, which was independent of confounding by baseline characteristics and largely driven by an increased noncardiovascular mortality. Widowhood had no independent association with hospitalizations or incident cardiovascular events.

Background

Heart failure (HF) patients often depend on driving for access to specialty care. We analyzed a public-use copy of the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) data to determine if HF is a risk factor for driving cessation and to identify other risk factors for driving cessation among those with HF.

Methods and results

Of the 5383 community-dwelling drivers ≥65 years (mean age, 73 years, 55% women, 13% African American), 839 had HF: 246 had baseline prevalent HF and 593 developed incident HF before driving cessation during 9 years of follow-up. Incident driving cessation occurred at rates of 3980 and 3709 per 10,000 person-years of follow-up for those with and without HF, respectively (unadjusted hazard ratio {HR} associated with HF as a time-varying variable, 2.13; 95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.83–2.47; p<0.001). This association remained unchanged after multivariable risk adjustment (HR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.21–1.68; p<0.001). Among the 839 older drivers with HF, independent predictors for incident driving cessation were age ≥75 years (HR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.44–2.73; p<0.001), female gender (HR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.37–2.74; p<0.001), difficulty walking half a mile (HR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.04–2.08; p=0.028), vision problems (HR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.07–2.02; p=0.018), and stroke as a time-varying covariate (HR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.38–2.79; p<0.001).

Conclusion

HF is an independent risk factor for incident driving cessation among community-dwelling older drivers. Several patient characteristics predicted driving cessation in older HF patients, which may be targets for interventions to prevent driving cessation among these patients.

Background

Most studies of heart failure (HF) in Medicare beneficiaries have excluded patients age <65 years. We examined baseline characteristics, quality of care, and outcomes among younger and older Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized with HF in the Alabama Heart Failure Project.

Methods

Of the 8049 Medicare beneficiaries discharged alive with a primary discharge diagnosis of HF in 1998–2001 from 106 Alabama hospitals, 991 (12%) were younger (age <65 years). After excluding 171 patients discharge to hospice care, 7867 patients were considered eligible for left ventricular systolic function (LVSF) evaluation and 2211 patients with left ventricular ejection fraction <45% and without contraindications were eligible for angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) therapy.

Results

Nearly half of the younger HF patients (45% versus 22% for ≥65 years; p<0.001) were African American. LVSF was evaluated in 72%, 72%, 70% and 60% (overall p<0.001) and discharge prescriptions of ACE inhibitors or ARBs were given to 83%, 77%, 75% and 75% of eligible patients (overall p=0.013) among those <65, 65–74, 75–84 and ≥85 years, respectively. During 9 years of follow-up, all-cause mortality occurred in 54%, 61%, 71% and 80% (overall p<0.001) and hospital readmission due to worsening HF occurred in 65%, 60%, 55% and 48% (overall p<0.001) of those <65, 65–74, 75–84 and ≥85 years, respectively.

Conclusion

Medicare beneficiaries <65 years with HF, nearly half of whom were African American, generally received better quality of care, had lower mortality, but had higher re-hospitalizations due to HF.

The comparative effectiveness of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) versus angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) in real-world older heart failure (HF) patients remains unclear. Of the 8049 hospitalized HF patients ≥65 years discharged alive from 106 Alabama hospitals, 4044 received discharge prescriptions of either ACEIs (n=3383) or ARBs (n=661). Propensity scores for ARB use, calculated for each of 4044 patients, were used to match 655 (99% of 661) patients receiving ARBs with 661 patients receiving ACEIs. The assembled cohort of 655 pairs of patients was well-balanced on 56 baseline characteristics. During over 8 years of follow-up, all-cause mortality occurred in 63% and 68% of matched patients receiving ARBs and ACEIs respectively (hazard ratio {HR} associated with ARB use, 0.86; 95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.75–0.99; p=0.031). Among the 956 matched patients with data on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), the association between ARB (versus ACEI) use was significant only in 419 patients with LVEF≥45% (HR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.51–0.84; p=0.001) but not in the 537 patients with LVEF <45% (HR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.81–1.23; p=0.999; p for interaction= 0.012). HRs (95% CIs) for HF hospitalization associated with ARBs use were 0.99 (0.86–1.14; p=0.876) overall, 0.80 (0.63–1.03; p=0.080) among those with LVEF≥45% and 1.14 (0.91–1.43; p=0.246) among those with LVEF <45% (p for interaction, 0.060). In conclusion, in older HF patients with preserved LVEF, a discharge prescription of ARBs (versus ACEI) was associated with lower mortality and a trend toward lower HF hospitalization, findings which need replication in other HF populations.

Aging is often associated with increased systolic blood pressure and decreased diastolic blood pressure. Isolated systolic hypertension or an elevated systolic blood pressure without an elevated diastolic blood pressure is a known risk factor for incident heart failure in older adults. In the current study, we examined whether isolated diastolic hypotension, defined as a diastolic blood pressure <60 mm Hg and a systolic blood pressure ≥100 mm Hg, is associated with incident heart failure. Of the 5795 Medicare-eligible community-dwelling adults age ≥65 years in the Cardiovascular Health Study, 5521 were free of prevalent heart failure at baseline. After excluding 145 individuals with baseline systolic blood pressure <100 mm Hg, the final sample included 5376 participants, of whom 751 (14%) had isolated diastolic hypotension. Propensity scores for isolated diastolic hypotension were calculated for each of the 5376 participants and used to match 545 and 2348 participants with and without isolated diastolic hypotension, respectively who were balanced on 58 baseline characteristics. During over 12 years of median follow-up, centrally-adjudicated incident heart failure developed in 25% and 20% of matched participants with and without isolated diastolic hypotension respectively (hazard ratio associated with isolated diastolic hypotension, 1.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.10–1.61; p=0.004). Among the 5376 pre-match individuals, multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio for incident heart failure associated with isolated diastolic hypotension was 1.29 (95% confidence interval, 1.09–1.53; p=0.003). As in isolated systolic hypertension, among community-dwelling older adults without prevalent heart failure, isolated diastolic hypotension is also a significant independent risk factor for incident heart failure.

Aims

To test the hypothesis that baseline hypoalbuminaemia is associated with incident heart failure (HF) in community-dwelling older adults.

Methods and results

Of the 5795 community-dwelling adults aged ≥65 years in the Cardiovascular Health Study, 5450 were free of centrally adjudicated prevalent HF at baseline, and also had data on baseline serum albumin. Of these, 599 (11%) had hypoalbuminaemia, defined as baseline serum albumin levels ≤3.5 mg/dL. Propensity scores for hypoalbuminaemia were calculated for each patient and used to assemble a matched cohort of 582 pairs of participants with and without hypoalbuminaemia, who were well balanced on 58 baseline characteristics. Using Cox regression models, we estimated the association of hypoalbuminaemia with centrally adjudicated incident HF during 9.6 years of median follow-up. Matched participants had a mean (±SD) age of 74 (±6) years, 62% were women, and 16% were African Americans. Incident HF occurred in 25 and 20% of matched participants with and without hypoalbuminaemia, respectively [hazard ratio when hypoalbuminaemia was compared with normoalbuminaemia, 1.40; 95% confidence interval, 1.05–1.85; P = 0.020]. Pre-match unadjusted, multivariable-adjusted, and propensity-adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for incident HF associated with hypoalbuminaemia were 1.33 (1.12–1.58; P = 0.001), 1.33 (1.11–1.60; P = 0.002), and 1.25 (1.04–1.50; P= 0.016), respectively. The combined endpoint of incident HF or all-cause mortality occurred in 59 and 50% of matched participants with and without hypoalbuminaemia, respectively (hazard ratio, 1.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.11–1.61; P= 0.002).

Conclusions

Among community-dwelling older adults without HF, baseline hypoalbuminaemia was associated with increased risk of incident HF during 10 years of follow-up.

Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) has been reported to have strong correlation with exercise capacity. However, this relationship has not been studied extensively in community-dwelling older adults. Data on pulse and tissue Doppler echocardiographic estimates of resting early (E) and atrial (A) transmitral peak inflow and early (Em) mitral annular velocities, and six-minute walk test were obtained from 89 community-dwelling older adults (mean age, 74; range, 65 -93 years; 54% women), without a history of heart failure. Overall, 47% had cardiovascular morbidity and 60% had normal diastolic function (E/A 0.75 -1.5 and E/Em <10). Among the 36 individuals with LVDD, 83%, 14% and 3% had grade I (E/A<0.75, regardless of E/Em), II (E/A 0.75–1.5 and E/Em ≥10) and III (E/A>1.5 and E/Em ≥10) LVDD respectively. Those with LVDD were older (77 versus 73 years; p=0.001) and tended to have a higher prevalence of cardiovascular morbidity (58% versus 40%; p=0.083). LVDD negatively correlated with six-minute walk distance (1013 versus 1128 feet; R=−0.25; p=0.017). This association remained significant despite adjustment for cardiovascular morbidity (R=−0.35; p=0.048), but lost significance when adjusted for age (R=−0.32; p=0.105), both age and cardiovascular morbidity (R=−0.38; p=0.161), and additional adjustment for sex, race, body mass index, and systolic blood pressure (R=−0.44; p=0.365). In conclusion, most community-dwelling older adults without heart failure had normal left ventricular diastolic function or grade-I LVDD. Although LVDD was associated with decreased performance on a six-minute walk test, that association was no longer evident after adjustment for age, body mass index and cardiovascular morbidity.

Background

Associations between coronary artery disease (CAD) and outcomes in systolic heart failure (HF) and that between coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and outcomes in patients with HF and CAD have not been examined using propensity-matched designs.

Methods

Of the 2707 patients with advanced chronic systolic HF in the Beta-Blocker Evaluation of Survival Trial (BEST), 1593 had a history of CAD, of whom 782 had prior CABG. Using propensity scores for CAD we assembled a cohort of 458 pairs of CAD and no-CAD patients. Propensity scores for prior CABG in those with CAD were used to assemble 500 pairs of patients with and without CABG. Matched patients were balanced on 68 baseline characteristics.

Results

All-cause mortality occurred in 33% and 24% of matched patients with and without CAD respectively, during 26 months of median follow-up (hazard ratio {HR} when CAD was compared with no-CAD, 1.41; 95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.11–1.81; P=0.006). HR's (95% CIs) for CAD-associated cardiovascular mortality, HF mortality, and sudden cardiac death (SCD) were 1.53 (1.17–2.00; P=0.002), 1.44 (0.92–2.25; P=0.114) and 1.76 (1.21–2.57; P=0.003) respectively. CAD had no association with hospitalization. Among matched patients with HF and CAD, all-cause mortality occurred in 32% and 39% of those with and without prior CABG respectively (HR for CABG, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.62–0.95; P=0.015).

Conclusions

In patients with advanced chronic systolic HF, CAD is associated with increased mortality, and in those with CAD, prior CABG seems to be associated with reduced all-cause mortality but not SCD.

Background

The relationship between stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and incident heart failure (HF) remains unclear.

Methods

Of the 5,795 community-dwelling adults ≥65 years in the Cardiovascular Health Study, 5,450 were free of prevalent HF and had baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR: ml/min/1.73 m2) data. Of these, 898 (16%) had CKD 3A (eGFR 45–59 ml/min/1.73 m2) and 242 (4%) had CKD stage ≥3B (eGFR <45 ml/min/1.73 m2). Data on baseline proteinuria were not available and 4,310 (79%) individuals with eGFR ≥60 ml/min/1.73 m2 were considered to have no CKD. Propensity scores estimated separately for CKD 3A and ≥3B were used to assemble two cohorts of 1,714 (857 pairs with CKD 3A and no CKD) and 557 participants (148 CKD ≥3B and 409 no CKD), respectively, balanced on 50 baseline characteristics.

Results

During 13 years of follow-up, centrally-adjudicated incident HF occurred in 19, 24 and 38% of pre-match participants without CKD (reference), with CKD 3A [unadjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.40; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20–1.63; p < 0.001] and with CKD ≥3B (HR 3.37; 95% CI 2.71–4.18; p < 0.001), respectively. In contrast, among matched participants, incident HF occurred in 23 and 23% of those with CKD 3A and no CKD, respectively (HR 1.03; 95% CI 0.85–1.26; p = 0.746), and 36 and 28% of those with CKD ≥3B and no CKD, respectively (HR 1.44; 95% CI 1.04–2.00; p = 0.027).

Conclusions

Among community-dwelling older adults, CKD is a marker of incident HF regardless of stage; however, CKD ≥3B, not CKD 3A, has a modest independent association with incident HF.

Background.

Although chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with poor physical function, less is known about the longitudinal association between CKD and the decline of instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and basic activities of daily living (BADL) among community-dwelling older adults.

Methods.

Participants were part of the prospective observational University of Alabama at Birmingham Study of Aging (n = 357). CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation. Primary outcomes were IADL and BADL decline defined as an increase in the number of activities for which participants reported difficulty after 2 years. Forward stepwise logistic regression was used to determine associations of baseline CKD and functional decline.

Results.

Participants had a mean age of 77.4 (SD = 5.8) years, 41% were African American, and 52% women. IADL decline occurred in 35% of those with CKD and 17% of those without (unadjusted odds ratio, 2.62, 95% confidence intervals [95% CI], 1.59–4.30, p < .001). BADL decline occurred in 20% and 7% of those with and without CKD, respectively (unadjusted odds ratio, 3.37; 95% CI, 1.73–6.57; p < .001). Multivariable-adjusted odds ratio's (95% CI’s) for CKD-associated IADL and BADL decline were 1.83 (1.06–3.17, p =.030) and 2.46 (1.19–5.12, p = .016), respectively. CKD Stage ≥3B (estimated glomerular filtration rate <45 mL/min/1.73 m2) was associated with higher multivariable-adjusted odds of both IADL (3.12, 95% CI, 1.38–7.06, p = .006) and BADL (3.78, 95% CI, 1.36–9.77, p = .006) decline.

Conclusion.

In community-dwelling older adults, CKD is associated with IADL and BADL decline.

Aims

To determine independent associations of diabetes mellitus with outcomes in a propensity-matched cohort of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and systolic heart failure (HF).

Methods and results

In the Eplerenone Post-Acute Myocardial Infarction Heart Failure Efficacy and Survival Study (EPHESUS) trial, hospitalized AMI patients complicated by left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40% and symptoms of HF receiving standard therapy were randomized 3–14 days post-AMI to receive eplerenone 25–50 mg/day (n = 3319) or placebo (n = 3313). Of the 6632 patients, 2142 (32%) had a history of diabetes, who were older and sicker. Using propensity scores for diabetes, we assembled a cohort of 1119 pairs of patients with and without diabetes who were balanced on 64 baseline characteristics. Incident fatal or nonfatal recurrent AMI occurred in 136 (12%) and 87 (8%) of matched patients with and without diabetes, respectively, during 2.5 years of follow-up [hazard ratio (HR) when diabetes was compared with no-diabetes, 1.61; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.23–2.10; P = 0.001]. Diabetes was associated with nonfatal AMI (HR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.23–2.31; P = 0.001) but not with fatal AMI (HR, 1.42; 95% CI, 0.88–2.28; P = 0.146). Hazard ratios (95% CIs) for the association of diabetes with all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, all-cause hospitalization, and cardiovascular hospitalization were 1.12 (0.93–1.37; P = 0.224), 1.11 (0.90–1.37; P = 0.318), 1.13 (1.00–1.27; P = 0.054), and 1.20 (1.01–1.44; P = 0.042), respectively.

Conclusion

In post-AMI patients with systolic HF, diabetes mellitus is a significant independent risk factor for recurrent short-term nonfatal AMI, but had no association with fatal AMI.

Many of the similarity-based virtual screening approaches assume that molecular fragments that are not related to the biological activity carry the same weight as the important ones. This was the reason that led to the use of Bayesian networks as an alternative to existing tools for similarity-based virtual screening. In our recent work, the retrieval performance of the Bayesian inference network (BIN) was observed to improve significantly when molecular fragments were reweighted using the relevance feedback information. In this paper, a set of active reference structures were used to reweight the fragments in the reference structure. In this approach, higher weights were assigned to those fragments that occur more frequently in the set of active reference structures while others were penalized. Simulated virtual screening experiments with MDL Drug Data Report datasets showed that the proposed approach significantly improved the retrieval effectiveness of ligand-based virtual screening, especially when the active molecules being sought had a high degree of structural heterogeneity.

PURPOSE

To compare the changes in the occlusal vertical dimension, activity of masseter muscles and biting force after insertion of immediate denture constructed with conventional, tooth-supported and Implant-supported immediate mandibular complete denture.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients were selected and treatment was carried out with all the three different concepts i.e, immediate denture constructed with conventional (Group A), tooth-supported (Group B) and Implant-supported (Group C) immediate mandibular complete dentures. Parameters of evaluation and comparison were occlusal vertical dimension measured by radiograph (at three different time intervals), Masseter muscle electromyographic (EMG) measurement by EMG analysis (at three different positions of jaws) and bite force measured by force transducer (at two different time intervals). The obtained data were statistically analyzed by using ANOVA-F test at 5% level of significance. If the F test was significant, Least Significant Difference test was performed to test further significant differences between variables.

RESULTS

Comparison between mean differences in occlusal vertical dimension for tested groups showed that it was only statistically significant at 1 year after immediate dentures insertion. Comparison between mean differences in wavelet packet coefficients of the electromyographic signals of masseter muscles for tested groups was not significant at rest position, but significant at initial contact position and maximum voluntary clench position. Comparison between mean differences in maximum biting force for tested groups was not statistically significant at 5% level of significance.

CONCLUSION

Immediate complete overdentures whether tooth or implant supported prosthesis is recommended than totally mucosal supported prosthesis.

We studied the impact of baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP) on outcomes in mild to moderate chronic systolic and diastolic heart failure (HF) patients in the Digitalis Investigation Group trial using propensity-matched design. Of the 7788 patients, 7785 had baseline SBP data and 3538 had SBP ≤120 mm Hg. Propensity scores for SBP ≤120 mm Hg, calculated for each of the 7785 patients, were used to assemble a matched cohort of 3738 patients with SBP ≤120 and >120 mm Hg who were well-balanced on 32 baseline characteristics. All-cause mortality occurred in 35% and 32% of matched patients with SBP ≤120 and >120 mm Hg respectively during 5 years of follow-up (hazard ratio {HR} when SBP ≤120 was compared with >120 mm Hg, 1.10; 95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.99–1.23; p=0.088). HRs (95% CIs) for cardiovascular and HF mortality associated with SBP ≤120 mm Hg were 1.15 (1.01–1.30; p=0.031) and 1.30 (1.08–1.57; p=0.006). Cardiovascular hospitalization occurred in 53% and 49% of matched patients with SBP ≤120 and >120 mm Hg respectively (HR for SBP ≤120 was compared with >120 mm Hg, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.03–1.24; P=0.008). HRs (95% CIs) for all-cause and HF hospitalization associated with SBP ≤120 mm Hg were 1.10 (1.02–1.194; p=0.017) and 1.21 (1.07–1.36; p=0.002). In conclusion, in patients with mild to moderate chronic systolic and diastolic HF, baseline SBP ≤120 mm Hg was associated with increased cardiovascular and HF mortality and all-cause, cardiovascular and HF hospitalization that was independent of other baseline characteristics.

Background

The impact of gender on major natural history endpoints in heart failure (HF) has not been examined in a propensity-matched study.

Methods

Of the 7788 chronic systolic and diastolic HF patients in the Digitalis Investigation Group trial 1926 were women. Propensity scores for female gender were used to assemble a cohort of 1669 pairs of men and women who were well-balanced on 32 measured baseline characteristics. Matched hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for outcomes associated with female gender were calculated using stratified Cox regression models.

Results

All-cause mortality occurred in 36% (rate, 1256/10,000 person-years) and 30% (rate, 1008/10,000 person-years) of matched men and women respectively during 5 years of follow up (HR when women were compared with men, 0.82, 95% CI, 0.72–0.94, P=0.004). Female gender was also associated with reduced cardiovascular mortality (matched HR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.73–0.99, P=0.037) and a trend toward reduced non-cardiovascular mortality (matched HR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.53–1.00; P=0.053). All-cause hospitalization occurred in 67% (rate, 4003/10,000 person-years) and 65% (rate, 3762/10,000 person-years) matched male and female patients respectively (HR for women, 1.03, 95% CI, 0.93–1.15, P=0.538). Female gender was not associated with cardiovascular or HF hospitalization but was associated with hospitalization due to unstable angina pectoris (matched HR, 1.38; 95%CI, 1.11–1.72; P=0.003) and stroke (matched HR, 0.65; 95%CI, 0.46–0.92; P=0.014).

Conclusions

In patients with chronic HF, female gender has a significant independent association with improved survival but has no association with all-cause, cardiovascular, or HF hospitalizations.

Background and Purpose

Our goal was to investigate whether certain metabolites, specific to neurons, glial cells, or the neuronal-glial neurotransmission system, in primary motor cortices (M1), are altered and correlated with clinical motor severity in chronic stroke.

Methods

Fourteen survivors of a single ischemic stroke located outside the M1 and 14 age-matched healthy control subjects were included. At >6 months after stroke, N-acetylaspartate, myo-inositol, and glutamate/glutamine were measured using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (in-plane resolution=5×5 mm2) in radiologically normal-appearing gray matter of the hand representation area, identified by functional MRI, in each M1. Metabolite concentrations and analyses of metabolite correlations within M1 were determined. Relationships between metabolite concentrations and arm motor impairment were also evaluated.

Results

The stroke survivors showed lower N-acetylaspartate and higher myo-inositol across ipsilesional and contral-esional M1 compared with control subjects. Significant correlations between N-acetylaspartate and glutamate/glutamine were found in either M1. Ipsilesional N-acetylaspartate and glutamate/glutamine were positively correlated with arm motor impairment and contralesional N-acetylaspartate with time after stroke.

Conclusions

Our preliminary data demonstrated significant alterations of neuronal-glial interactions in spared M1 with the ipsilesional alterations related to stroke severity and contralesional alterations to stroke duration. Thus, MR spectroscopy might be a sensitive method to quantify relevant metabolite changes after stroke and consequently increase our knowledge of the factors leading from these changes in spared motor cortex to motor impairment after stroke.

Aims

Abnormally low right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) is a predictor of poor outcomes in chronic heart failure (HF) patients with low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). However, little is known about the relationship between LVEF and RVEF in these patients.

Methods and results

Of the 2707 Beta-blocker Evaluation of Survival Trial (BEST) participants with ambulatory chronic HF, New York Heart Association class III–IV symptoms, and LVEF ≤35%, 2008 patients had gated-equilibrium radionuclide angiographic data on baseline LVEF and RVEF. Patients were categorized into quartiles by LVEF ≥29% (n= 507), 23–28% (n= 513), 17–22% (n= 538), and <17% (n= 450). Logistic regression models were used to determine the association of LVEF quartiles (reference, ≥29%) with abnormally low RVEF (<20%). The prevalence of RVEF <20% for patients with LVEF quartiles ≥29, 23–28, 17–22, and <17% were 3, 6, 15, and 32%, respectively. Unadjusted odds ratios [95% confidence intervals (CIs)] for RVEF <20% (vs. ≥20%) associated with LVEF quartiles 23–28, 17–22, and <17% (reference, ≥29%) were 2.18 (1.14–4.17; P= 0.018), 6.32 (3.54–11.30; P< 0.001), and 16.67 (9.46–29.39; P< 0.001), respectively. Respective multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (95% CIs) were 1.82 (0.94–3.54; P= 0.076), 4.55 (2.48–8.35; P< 0.001), and 10.53 (5.70–19.44; P< 0.001), respectively. Heart failure symptoms and signs had unadjusted associations with low RVEF, but lacked intrinsic associations.

Conclusion

In patients with advanced systolic HF, LVEF has a strong dose-dependent relationship with RVEF which is independent of other characteristics, and low LVEF is useful as a surrogate marker of abnormally low RVEF in these patients.

The Southeastern region of the United States is known as the “Stroke Belt” because of the excess stroke mortality in this region as compared to the rest of the country. However, whether a similar geographic variation in heart failure mortality exists is unknown. Using the CDC WONDER’s publicly-available compressed mortality data files and the 2000 United States population as the standard, we estimated age-adjusted heart failure and stroke mortality rates per 100,000 for individuals of all ages, both sexes and all races during 1979–1998 in the United States, and mapped them at the state level. The age-adjusted heart failure mortality rate for the six contiguous Southeastern states (Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Georgia) was 31.0/100,000, which was 69% higher than the national rate of 18.3/100,000. This geographic disparity was similar among African Americans (32.9/100,000 in the Southeast versus 21.7/100,000 nationally) and whites (30.8/100,000 in the Southeast versus 18.1/100,000 nationally). These findings suggest that in addition to the “Stroke Belt”, the Southeastern region of the United States may also be burdened by a “Heart Failure Belt”. To better understand the causes of the excess stroke mortality in the “Stroke Belt”, the National Institutes of Health has funded the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study (N=30,239, over half from the Southeastern region), which provide a unique opportunity to study the underlying causes of excess heart failure mortality in the “Heart Failure Belt”.

Aim

To determine if the association between hyperuricaemia and poor outcomes in heart failure (HF) varies by chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods and results

Of the 2645 systolic HF patients in the Beta-Blocker Evaluation of Survival Trial with data on baseline serum uric acid, 1422 had hyperuricaemia (uric acid ≥6 mg/dL for women and ≥8 mg/dL for men). Propensity scores for hyperuricaemia, estimated for each patient, were used to assemble a matched cohort of 630 pairs of patients with and without hyperuricaemia who were balanced on 75 baseline characteristics. Associations of hyperuricaemia with outcomes during 25 months of median follow-up were examined in all patients and in those with and without CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate of <60 mL/min/1.73 m2). Hyperuricaemia-associated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for all-cause mortality and HF hospitalization were 1.44 (1.12–1.85, P = 0.005) and 1.27 (1.02–1.58, P = 0.031), respectively. Hazard ratios (95% CIs) for all-cause mortality among those with and without CKD were 0.96 (0.70–1.31, P = 0.792) and 1.40 (1.08–1.82, P = 0.011), respectively (P for interaction, 0.071), and those for HF hospitalization among those with and without CKD were 0.99 (0.74–1.33, P = 0.942) and 1.49 (1.19–1.86, P = 0.001), respectively (P for interaction, 0.033).

Conclusion

Hyperuricaemia has a significant association with poor outcomes in HF patients without CKD but not in those with CKD, suggesting that hyperuricaemia may predict poor outcomes when it is primarily a marker of increased xanthine oxidase activity, but not when it is primarily due to impaired renal excretion of uric acid.