Abstract Introduction Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is associated with a high mortality and rehospitalization rate. The aim of this study was to assess whether echocardiographic markers of systolic and diastolic function, and their changes under treatment during hospitalization for ADHF, would predict 12-months mortality. Methods Adult patients admitted to our emergency department for ADHF between June 2015 and January 2018 were included if a complete transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) could be obtained within 12 hours of admission. TTE was repeated upon discharge. Baseline clinical and echocardiographic characteristics were collected on admission and at discharge, and outcome at 12 months was obtained by telephone interview. All parameters are given as median [interquartile range]. Results A total of 221 patients were identified but 45 excluded because of in-hospital death (n=8), early transfer to another hospital (n=31) or refusal to perform discharge TTE (n=6), leaving 176 patients for final analysis. Age was 83 [74–87] years, 95 (54%) were men and 89 (51%) were in sinus rhythm. Baseline TTE was performed within 6.6h [4.1–11.9] of admission and median duration of hospital stay was 13 days [9–19]. Admission ejection fraction (EF) was 45% [37–54] (29% HFrEF, 37% HFmrEF, 34% HFpEF). Between admission and discharge, significant changes were observed for global longitudinal LV strain (−10.3 [−7.2 to 15.1] to −11.8% [−8.1 to 15.0], p=0.017), mitral E velocity (100 [80–124] to 96 cm/s [74–117], p=0.001), E/e' ratio (16 [12–20] to 15 [11–19], p=0.003, RV basal diameter (41 [36–45] to 41mm [34–44], p=0.007), tricuspid regurgitation gradient (41 [34–52] to 35 mmHg [28–44], p=0.0001 and vena cava diameter (22 [19–26] to 19 mm [15–23],. Deaths occurred in 35 (20%) at 12 months follow-up. In our multivariable model, none of the changes in TTE parameters was predictive of mortality. Age (OR 1.09, p0.01), LVEF (OR 0.95, p0.02) and TAPSE (OR 0.86, p0.01) measured at discharge, but not LV or RV strain, were identified as independent predictors of 12-months mortality (see figure). Survival according to LVEF and TAPSE Conclusion Several changes in TTE parameters were observed during hospitalization for ADHF, reflecting effective cardiac unloading with diuretic treatment. However, none of these changes appears to have prognostic significance. LVEF and TAPSE at discharge were identified as the only independent echocardiographic predictors of 12-months mortality, in addition to age. Acknowledgement/Funding Swiss Heart Foundation

Abstract Background Invasive pressure-flow (P/Q) relationship of the pulmonary circulation can detect the presence of pulmonary hypertension (PH) during exercise and provide information on patients' symptoms and assess disease severity. Doppler-echocardiography was reported to provide accurate but imprecise noninvasive estimates of both resting and exercise pulmonary haemodynamics. However, data on the direct comparison of invasive vs noninvasive approaches to build pressure-flow relationship are scarce. Purpose To compare echocardiographic estimates with invasive measurements of P/Q relationship of the pulmonary circulation during exercise. Methods Patients undergoing a clinically indicated right heart catheterization and echocardiography were studied at rest and during exercise. The ratio between mean pulmonary artery pressure and cardiac output at peak exercise (TPR), as well as P/Q slope throughout exercise were calculated. Both TPR and P/Q slope are abnormal when ≥3 mmHg/L/min. Echocardiographic estimates were compared with invasive measurements. Results Sixty patients were included (mean age 65±14 years, 73% female). PH was present at rest in 38 cases (63%), of precapillary origin in 23 (61%). Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction was diagnosed in 23 patients, of which 17 had no PH at rest. TPR at peak exercise and P/Q slope were abnormal (≥3 mmHg/L/min) in the majority of patients (56 and 45 subjects, respectively). Echocardiographic estimates of P/Q slope and TPR correlated significantly although weakly with invasive measurements (R2=0.38 and 0.56, respectively, p<0.001). Bias of echocardiography for P/Q slope and TPR was 1.1±4.2 and 0.4±2.9 mmHg/L/min, respectively (figure). Sensitivity of echocardiography to detect an abnormal TPR or P/Q slope (i.e. ≥3 mmHg/L/min) was 100 and 98%, respectively, faced by low specificity (0 and 33%, respectively). Figure 1 Conclusions Doppler-echocardiography can provide rather accurate and sensitive but imprecise estimates of pressure-flow relationships of the pulmonary circulation during exercise. This intrinsic imprecision may limit its use in clinical practice.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is frequent among patients with COPD awaiting lung transplantation. PH is usually of group 3 (hypoxic lung disorders) but can also be associated with left ventricular dysfunction (group 2) or less frequently with chronic thromboembolic disease. Pulmonary arterial hypertension has been associated with more frequent primary graft dysfunction (PGD) and early mortality. We aimed to investigate the impact of PH after lung transplantation in patients with COPD as the main diagnosis.

Heart transplantation remains the treatment of choice in selected patients with severe heart failure (HF) despite optimal medical therapy. Since long-term survival after HTX is improving, there is a growing need for evidence-based strategies that reduce long-term mortality resulting from both immunological and non-immunological risk. This manuscript summarizes recommendations for treatment of transplant vasculopathy, malignancy after transplantation, and prevention of corticosteroid induced bone disease. Based on actual understanding of cardiovascular risk factors in the population, preservation of renal function, prevention and treatment of hyperlipidemia and diabetes, as well as blood pressure control play an important role in the long-term follow-up after heart transplantation.

Les maladies cardiovasculaires ischémiques constituent l’une des causes majeures de morbi-mortalité dans les pays industrialisés. Or celles-ci sont l’expression de l’athérosclérose qui se développe à la faveur de facteurs pro- et anti-athérogènes multiples. Maladie focale et disséminée de la paroi artérielle, l’athérosclérose évolue silencieusement pendant de nombreuses années jusqu’à l’apparition inopinée d’une première manifestation clinique tels un syndrome coronarien aigu ou un AVC. Cette présentation aura pour objet de répondre aux questions suivantes : – que nous disent les guidelines concernant l’identification des patients à risque et le choix des mesures préventives ? – quelle fiabilité accorder à la stratification du risque cardiovasculaire proposée dans les guidelines ? – comment optimiser l’identification des patients à haut risque nécessitant un traitement intensif à l’aide de l’ultrasonographie artérielle fémoro-carotidienne ? – quelle place accorder à l’ultrasonographie artérielle pour améliorer le monitoring thérapeutique ?

With the advent of new technologies, experience with long-term mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is rapidly growing. Candidates to MCS are selected based on concepts, strategies and classifications that are specific to this indication. As results drastically improve, supported by stronger scientific evidence, the trend is towards earlier implantation. An adequate pre-implant follow-up is mandatory in order to avoid missing the best window of opportunity for implantation. While on chronic support, the hemodynamic profile of patients with continuous-flow ventricular assist devices is unique and remarkably influenced by the hydration status. Optimal management of these patients from the pre-implant phase to the long-term support phase requires a multidisciplinary approach that is similar to that already long validated for organ transplantation.

Pulmonary hypertension is a frequent complication of left heart disease arising from a wide range of cardiac disorders and is associated with poor prognosis. Its pathophysiology is complex with both passive mechanisms of elevated filling pressures in left cavities and occasionally reactive mechanisms of arterial vasoconstriction and remodelling to interplay. This stage, called <> pulmonary hypertension, further worsens the heart failure patients' prognosis but is still a matter of debate concerning the criteria to apply for its diagnosis and concerning the best way to manage it. This article gives an overview of the importance and pathophysiology of pulmonary hypertension associated with left heart disease, and discusses the challenges associated with its diagnosis and treatment.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rapidly progressive disease, ultimately leading to right heart failure and death. Accumulating evidence indicates that intervention early in disease progression results in better outcomes than delaying treatment. In this review we will discuss the assessments and strategies that can be used to monitor disease progression and guide clinical management. Many tools, such as symptoms, functional classification, exercise capacity, haemodynamic measures, findings on cardiac imaging and levels of biomarkers, have shown to be prognostic for survival both at diagnosis and during treatment. However, attempts to define goal thresholds have produced a variety of results. Several groups have developed risk calculators to estimate individual patients' mortality risk, but the accuracy of these tools across different patient populations remains unknown. What is clear is the importance of regularly assessing a range of parameters and then tailoring treatment goals to each patient. In addition, the use of a multidisciplinary team approach is crucial in order to support patients through all aspects of managing their condition. There is still an urgent need for prospective collaborative initiatives to assess novel goals and improve treatment strategies that would allow physicians to personalise and optimise clinical management for their patients with PAH.