| 1. |
- Ahmeti, Artan, et al.
(author)
-
Quality of life questionnaire predicts poor exercise capacity only in HFpEF and not in HFrEF
- 2017
-
In: BMC Cardiovascular Disorders. - : BioMed Central. - 1471-2261 .- 1471-2261. ; 17
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) is the most widely used measure of quality of life (QoL) in HF patients. This prospective study aimed to assess the relationship between QoL and exercise capacity in HF patients.Methods: The study subjects were 118 consecutive patients with chronic HF (62 +/- 10 years, 57 females, in NYHA I-III). Patients answered a MLHFQ questionnaire in the same day of complete clinical, biochemical and echocardiographic assessment. They also underwent a 5 min walk test (6-MWT), in the same day, which grouped them into; Group I: <= 300 m and Group II: > 300 m. In addition, left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF), divided them into: Group A, with preserved EF (HFpEF) and Group B with reduced EF (HFrEF).Results: The mean MLHFQ total scale score was 48 (+/- 17). The total scale, and the physical and emotional functional MLHFQ scores did not differ between HFpEF and HFpEF. Group I patients were older (p = 0.003), had higher NYHA functional class (p = 0.002), faster baseline heart rate (p = 0.006), higher prevalence of smoking (p = 0.015), higher global, physical and emotional MLHFQ scores (p < 0.001, for all), larger left atrial (LA) diameter (p = 0.001), shorter LV filling time (p = 0.027), higher E/e' ratio (0.02), shorter isovolumic relaxation time (p = 0.028), lower septal a' (p = 0.019) and s' (p = 0.023), compared to Group II. Independent predictors of 6-MWT distance for the group as a whole were increased MLHFQ total score (p = 0.005), older age (p = 0.035), and diabetes (p = 0.045), in HFpEF were total MLHFQ (p = 0.007) and diabetes (p = 0.045) but in HFrEF were only LA enlargement (p = 0.005) and age (p = 0.013. A total MLHFQ score of 48.5 had a sensitivity of 67% and specificity of 63% (AUC on ROC analysis of 72%) for limited exercise performance in HF patients.Conclusions: Quality of life, assessment by MLHFQ, is the best correlate of exercise capacity measured by 6-MWT, particularly in HFpEF patients. Despite worse ejection fraction in HFrEF, signs of raised LA pressure independently determine exercise capacity in these patients.
|
|
| 2. |
- Bajraktari, Gani, et al.
(author)
-
Combined electrical and global markers of dyssynchrony predict clinical response to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
- 2014
-
In: Scandinavian Cardiovascular Journal. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1401-7431 .- 1651-2006. ; 48:5, s. 304-310
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AIM: To assess potential additional value of global left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony markers in predicting cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) response in heart failure (HF) patients. METHODS: We included 103 HF patients (mean age 67 +/- 12 years, 83% male) who fulfilled the guidelines criteria for CRT treatment. All patients had undergone full clinical assessment, NT-proBNP and echocardiographic examination. Global LV dyssynchrony was assessed using total isovolumic time (t-IVT) and Tei index. On the basis of reduction in the NYHA class after CRT, patients were divided into responders and non-responders. RESULTS: Prolonged t-IVT [0.878 (range, 0.802-0.962), p = 0.005], long QRS duration [0.978 (range, 0.960-0.996), p = 0.02] and high tricuspid regurgitation pressure drop [1.047 (range, 1.001-1.096), p = 0.046] independently predicted response to CRT. A t-IVT >= 11.6 s/min was 67% sensitive and 62% specifi c (AUC 0.69, p = 0.001) in predicting CRT response. Respective values for a QRS >= 151 ms were 66% and 62% (AUC 0.65, p = 0.01). Combining the two variables had higher specifi city (88%) in predicting CRT response. In atrial fibrillation (AF) patients, only prolonged t-IVT [0.690 (range, 0.509 -0.937), p = 0.03] independently predicted CRT response. CONCLUSION: Combining prolonged t-IVT and the conventionally used broad QRS duration has a significantly higher specifi city in identifying patients likely to respond to CRT. Moreover, in AF patients, only prolonged t-IVT independently predicted CRT response.
|
|
| 3. |
|
|
| 4. |
|
|
| 5. |
- Bajraktari, Gani, et al.
(author)
-
Comparison of drug-eluting balloon versus drug-eluting stent treatment of drug-eluting stent in-stent restenosis : A meta-analysis of available evidence
- 2016
-
In: International Journal of Cardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-5273 .- 1874-1754. ; 218, s. 126-135
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: In-stent restenosis (ISR) remains an important concern despite the recent advances in the drug-eluting stent (DES) technology. The introduction of drug-eluting balloons (DEB) offers a good solution to such problem.OBJECTIVES: We performed a meta-analysis to assess the clinical efficiency and safety of DEB compared with DES in patients with DES-ISR.METHODS: A systematic search was conducted and all randomized and observational studies which compared DEB with DES in patients with DES-ISR were included. The primary outcome measure-major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE)-as well as individual events as target lesion revascularization (TLR), stent thrombosis (ST), myocardial infarction (MI), cardiac death (CD) and all-cause mortality, were analyzed.RESULTS: Three randomized and 4 observational studies were included with a total of 2052 patients. MACE (relative risk [RR]=1.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.68 to 1.46, P=0.99), TLR (RR=1.15 [CI 0.79 to 1.68], P=0.44), ST (RR=0.37[0.10 to 1.34], P=0.13), MI (RR=0.97 [0.49 to 1.91], P=0.93) and CD (RR=0.73 [0.22 to 2.45], P=0.61) were not different between patients treated with DEB and with DES. However, all-cause mortality was lower in patients treated with DEB (RR=0.45 [0.23 to 0.87, P=0.019) and in particular when compared to only first generation DES (RR 0.33 [0.15-0.74], P=0.007). There was no statistical evidence for publication bias.CONCLUSIONS: The results of this meta-analysis showed that DEB and DES have similar efficacy and safety for the treatment of DES-ISR.
|
|
| 6. |
- Bajraktari, Gani, et al.
(author)
-
Complete revascularization for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and multivessel coronary artery disease : a meta-analysis of randomized trials
- 2018
-
In: Coronary Artery Disease. - : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. - 0954-6928 .- 1473-5830. ; 29:3, s. 204-215
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: Despite the recent findings in randomized clinical trials (RCTs) with limited sample sizes and the updates in clinical guidelines, the current available data for the complete revascularization (CR) in hemodynamically stable patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) at the time of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are still contradictory.Aim: The aim of this meta-analysis of the existing RCTs was to assess the efficacy of the CR versus revascularization of infarct-related artery (IRA) only during primary PCI in patients with STEMI and multivessel disease (MVD).Patients and methods: We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Google Scholar, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and ClinicalTrials.gov databases aiming to find RCTs for patients with STEMI and MVD which compared CR with IRA-only. Random effect risk ratios (RRs) were calculated for efficacy and safety outcomes.Results: Ten RCTs with 3291 patients were included. The median follow-up duration was 17.5 months. Major adverse cardiac events (RR=0.57; 0.43-0.76; P<0.0001), cardiac mortality (RR=0.52; 0.31-0.87; P=0.014), and repeat revascularization (RR=0.50; 0.30-0.84; P=0.009) were lower in CR compared with IRA-only strategies. However, there was no significant difference in the risk of all-cause mortality, recurrent nonfatal myocardial infarction, stroke, major bleeding events, and contrast-induced nephropathy.Conclusion: For patients with STEMI and MVD undergoing primary PCI, the current evidence suggests that the risk of major adverse cardiac events, repeat revascularization, and cardiac death is reduced by CR. However, the risk for all-cause mortality and PCI-related complications is not different from the isolated culprit lesion-only treatment. Although these findings support the cardiac mortality and safety benefit of CR in stable STEMI, further large trials are required to provide better guidance for optimum management of such patients.
|
|
| 7. |
|
|
| 8. |
- Bajraktari, Gani, et al.
(author)
-
Echo- and B-Type Natriuretic Peptide-Guided Follow-Up versus Symptom-Guided Follow-Up : Comparison of the Outcome in Ambulatory Heart Failure Patients
- 2018
-
In: Cardiology Research and Practice. - : HINDAWI LTD. - 2090-8016 .- 2090-0597.
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Recent European Society of Cardiology and American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Guidelines did not recommend biomarker-guided therapy in the management of heart failure (HF) patients. Combination of echo- and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) may be an alternative approach in guiding ambulatory HF management. Our aim was to determine whether a therapy guided by echo markers of left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP), lung ultrasound (LUS) assessment of B-lines, and BNP improves outcomes of HF patients. Consecutive outpatients with LV ejection fraction (EF) <= 50% have been prospectively enrolled. In Group I (n=224), follow-up was guided by echo and BNP with the goal of achieving E-wave deceleration time (EDT) >= 150 ms, tissue Doppler index E/e' < 13, B-line numbers < 15, and BNP <= 125 pg/ml or decrease > 30%; in Group II (n=293), follow-up was clinically guided, while the remaining 277 patients (Group III) did not receive any dedicated follow-up. At 60 months, survival was 88% in Group I compared to 75% in Group II and 54% in Group III (chi(2) 53.5; p<0.0001). Survival curves exhibited statistically significant differences using Mantel-Cox analysis. The number needed to treat to spare one death was 7.9 (Group I versus Group II) and 3.8 (Group I versus Group III). At multivariate Cox regression analyses, major predictors of all-cause mortality were follow-up E/e' (HR: 1.05; p=0.0038) and BNP > 125 pg/ml or decrease <= 30% (HR: 4.90; p=0.0054), while BNP > 125 pg/ml or decrease <= 30% and B-line numbers >= 15 were associated with the combined end point of death and HF hospitalization. Evidence-based HF treatment guided by serum biomarkers and ultrasound with the goal of reducing elevated BNP and LVFP, and resolving pulmonary congestion was associated with better clinical outcomes and can be valuable in guiding ambulatory HF management.
|
|
| 9. |
- Bajraktari, Gani, et al.
(author)
-
Gender related predictors of limited exercise capacity in heart failure
- 2013
-
In: IJC Heart & Vessels. - : Elsevier. - 2214-7632. ; 1, s. 11-16
-
Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of gender on the prediction of limited exercise capacity in heart failure (HF) patients assessed by 6 minute walk test (6-MWT).Methods In 147 HF patients (mean age 61 ± 11 years, 50.3% male), a 6-MWT and a Doppler echocardiographic study were performed in the same day. Conventional cardiac measurements were obtained and global LV dyssynchrony was indirectly assessed using total isovolumic time − t-IVT [in s/min; calculated as: 60 − (total ejection time − total filling time)] and Tei index (t-IVT/ejection time). Patients were divided into two groups according to gender, which were again divided into two subgroups based on the 6-MWT distance (Group I: ≤ 300 m, and Group II: > 300 m).Results Female patients were younger (p = 0.02), and had higher left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction — EF (p = 0.007) but with similar 6-MWT distance to male patients (p = 68). Group I male patients had lower hemoglobin level (p = 0.02) and lower EF (p = 0.03), compared with Group II, but none of the clinical or echocardiographic variables differed between groups in female patients. In multivariate analysis, only t-IVT [0.699 (0.552–0.886), p = 0.003], and LV EF [0.908 (0.835–0.987), p = 0.02] in males, and NYHA functional class [4.439 (2.213–16.24), p = 0.02] in females independently predicted poor 6-MWT distance (< 300 m).Conclusion Despite similar limited exercise capacity, gender determines the pattern of underlying cardiac disturbances; ventricular dysfunction in males and subjective NYHA class in female heart failure patients.
|
|
| 10. |
|
|
