OBJECTIVES

Clinical pathways (CPs) ensure adherence to heart failure (HF) management guidelines. To optimize quality care in a low resource setting, an evidence-based care pathway for the management of acute HF was implemented at the emergency department (ED) of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), the designated national tertiary hospital and referral center. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of adults with acute HF admitted at the ED and evaluate the quality of care they received, measured using physician adherence to the hospital’s acute heart failure CP.

METHODS

This was a retrospective, descriptive cohort study. We reviewed the inpatient charts of all adult patients with acute HF admitted to the ED of the PGH and referred to the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine between December 1, 2022 and May 31, 2023. Quality of care was assessed based on adherence to quality indicators adapted from routine and conditional order sets detailed in the pathway. Descriptive statistics was utilized to describe patient characteristics, quality of care, and outcomes.

RESULTS

Two hundred thirty-six (236) patients were included, with a mean age of 51.8 years. Majority were male (53.4%); hypertension (61.4%) and ischemic heart disease (53.8%) were the most common comorbidities, and infection the most common precipitant of decompensation (60.6%). There were optimal adherence rates to routine orders, which included referrals to Internal Medicine and Cardiology, baseline vital signs monitoring, fluid intake and output monitoring, chest radiograph, complete blood count, blood urea nitrogen, sodium, potassium, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, arterial blood gas, urinalysis, and N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide. Conditional orders, such as oxygen support, focused echocardiography, thyroid - stimulating hormone, and the use of vasopressors, diuretics, and venous thromboembolism prophylactic agents, were optimally performed when warranted. However, we noted suboptimal adherence to certain resource-intensive conditional orders, such as hourly monitoring of urine output (61.4%), hooking to cardiac monitor (53.8%), and performance of 12-lead ECG within 10 minutes (56.8%). Further, only 43.9% of patients were referred to the intensive care unit. Troponin I, calcium, magnesium, and albumin were ordered in excess.

CONCLUSION

Overall adherence rate of physicians to the hospital’s Acute Heart Failure Pathway was satisfactory. Work is needed to improve adherence to hourly urine output monitoring, consistent hooking to cardiac monitor, and timely performance of 12-lead ECG – an effort that begins with expanding in-hospital diagnostic equipment and human resource supply. We recommend continuous pathway implementation with periodic evaluation and stakeholder feedback to further improve quality of care.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged: 45-64 Yrs Old ; Adult ; Albumins ; Blood ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Calcium ; Cardiology ; Chart ; Charts ; Cohort Studies ; Critical Care ; Critical Pathways ; Diagnostic Equipment ; Disease ; Diuretics ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; Emergencies ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Equipment And Supplies ; Evaluation Studies As Topic ; Feedback ; Heart ; Heart Diseases ; Heart Failure ; Hormones ; Hospitals ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Indicators And Reagents ; Infection ; Infections ; Inpatients ; Intensive Care Units ; Internal Medicine ; Lead ; Magnesium ; Male ; Medicine ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; Natriuretic Peptides ; Nitrogen ; Overall ; Oxygen ; Partial Thromboplastin Time ; Patients ; Peptides ; Philippines ; Physicians ; Potassium ; Prothrombin ; Prothrombin Time ; Quality Of Health Care ; Referral And Consultation ; Sodium ; Statistics ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Thorax ; Thromboembolism ; Thromboplastin ; Thyroid Gland ; Time ; Troponin ; Troponin I ; Universities ; Urea ; Urinalysis ; Urine ; Venous Thromboembolism ; Vital Signs ; Work ; Workforce

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is primarily used in clinical practice to provide continuous extracorporeal respiratory and circulatory support for patients with severe heart and lung failure, thereby sustaining life. It is a key technology for managing severe heart failure and respiratory failure that are difficult to control. With the accumulation of clinical experience in ECMO for circulatory and/or respiratory support, as well as advancements in biomedical engineering technology, more portable and stable ECMO devices have been introduced into clinical use, benefiting an increasing number of critically ill patients. Although ECMO technology has become relatively mature, the timing of ECMO initiation, management of sudden complications, and monitoring and early warning of physiological indicators are critical factors that greatly affect the therapeutic outcomes of ECMO. This article reviews traditional methods and artificial intelligence techniques used in risk assessment related to ECMO, including the latest achievements and research hotspots. Additionally, it discusses future trends in ECMO risk management, focusing on six key areas: multi-center and prospective studies, external validation and standardization of model performance, long-term prognosis considerations, integration of innovative technologies, enhancing model interpretability, and economic cost-effectiveness analysis. This provides a reference for future researchers to build models and explore new research directions.
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ; Humans ; Artificial Intelligence ; Risk Assessment ; Respiratory Insufficiency/therapy* ; Heart Failure/therapy*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlation between albumin (Alb) combined with diuretic treatment and the mortality risk of septic patients with pre-existing congestive heart failure based on the United States Critical Care Medical Information Database-IV (MIMIC-IV), and to conduct the external validation. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinical data of septic patients with pre-existing congestive heart failure admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) from 2008 to 2019 in the MIMIC-IV 2.0 were extracted, including demographic characteristics, comorbidities, laboratory indicators on the first day of ICU admission, severity of illness, treatment measures, etc. For external validation, clinical data were collected from septic patients with pre-existing congestive heart failure admitted to the ICU of the Second People's Hospital of Shenzhen from October 2022 to December 2023. The patients were divided into Alb alone group and Alb combined with diuretic group. The ICU mortality was defined as the primary outcome event, and the 30-day and 60-day mortality were defined as the secondary outcomes. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was conducted to investigate the relationship between Alb combined with diuretic treatment and the mortality risk of ICU and 30 days in septic patients with pre-existing congestive heart failure, and subgroup analysis was performed. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was plotted to compared the 60-day cumulative survival rate between the Alb alone group and Alb combined with diuretic group. RESULTS: (1) Analysis results of data from MIMIC-IV: a total 1 754 patients were enrolled, of which 378 in the Alb alone group, and 1 376 in the Alb combined with diuretic group. Compared with the Alb alone group, the patients in the Alb combined with diuretic group had significantly lower ICU, 30-day, and 60-day mortality [ICU mortality: 19.11% (263/1 376) vs. 30.42% (115/378), 30-day mortality: 18.90% (260/1 376) vs. 32.54% (123/378), 60-day mortality: 24.49% (337/1 376) vs. 39.15% (148/378), all P < 0.05]. Based on the multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression adjusted models considering demographic characteristics, comorbidities, laboratory indicators, severity of illness, and treatment measures, it was shown that the use of Alb combined with diuretic was significantly associated with a reduced risk death of ICU and 30 days [ICU mortality risk: hazard ratio (HR) = 0.597, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 0.460-0.774, P < 0.001; 30-day mortality risk: HR = 0.557, 95%CI was 0.433-0.716, P < 0.001]. Subgroup analysis revealed that after adjusting for variables, regardless of gender, age, and whether or not patients had comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, severe liver disease, acute renal insufficiency, and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, the ICU mortality risk was significantly reduced in patients treated with Alb combined with diuretic (all HR < 1, P < 0.05), with no interaction observed (all P > 0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed the 60-day cumulative survival rate of patients in the Alb combined with diuretic group was significantly higher than that in the Alb alone group (Log-rank test: χ ² = 49.62, P < 0.05). (2) External validation: a total of 385 patients were enrolled, of which 144 in the Alb alone group, and 241 in the Alb combined with diuretic group. Compared with the Alb alone group, the patients of the Alb combined with diuretic group had significantly lower ICU, 30-day, and 60-day mortality [ICU mortality: 19.92% (48/241) vs. 31.25% (45/144), 30-day mortality: 19.09% (46/241) vs. 28.47% (41/144), 60-day mortality: 24.07% (58/241) vs. 34.03% (49/144), all P < 0.05]. The results of multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, subgroup analysis, and Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis were consistent with the data analysis of the MIMIC-IV database. CONCLUSIONS Combination therapy of Alb and diuretic was associated with reduced mortality risk in septic patients with pre-existing congestive heart failure.
Humans ; Heart Failure/mortality* ; Retrospective Studies ; Sepsis/drug therapy* ; Intensive Care Units ; Diuretics/therapeutic use* ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Hospital Mortality

Lingguizhugan Decoction (LGZG) demonstrates significant efficacy in treating various cardiovascular diseases clinically, yet its precise mechanism of action remains elusive. This study aimed to elucidate the potential mechanisms and effects of LGZG on isoproterenol (ISO) continuous stimulation-induced chronic heart failure (CHF) in mice, providing direct experimental evidence for further clinical applications. In vivo, continuous ISO infusion was administered to mice, and ventricular myocytes were utilized to explore LGZG?s potential mechanism of action on the ?1-adrenergic receptor (?1-AR)/Gs/G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs)/?-arrestin signaling deflection system in the heart. The findings reveal that LGZG significantly reduced the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of hypertrophy-related biomarkers [atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)] and improved cardiac remodeling and left ventricular diastolic function in mice with ISO-induced CHF. Furthermore, LGZG inhibited the overactivation of Gs/cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) signaling and downregulated the downstream transcriptional activity of cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) and the expression of the coactivator CBP/P300. Notably, LGZG downregulated the expression of ?-arrestin1 and GRK 2/3/5 while upregulating the expression of ?1-AR and ?-arrestin2. These results suggest that LGZG inhibits Gs/cAMP/PKA signaling and ?-arrestin/GRK-mediated desensitization and internalization of ?1-AR, potentially exerting cardioprotective effects through the synergistic regulation of the ?1-AR/Gs/GRKs/?-arrestin signaling deflection system via multiple pathways.
Animals ; Heart Failure/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Mice ; Male ; G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinases/genetics* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Humans ; Isoproterenol ; Arrestins/genetics* ; Chronic Disease

Heart failure (HF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are common chronic conditions worldwide. The coexistence of HF and COPD creates a detrimental synergy that accelerates disease progression and substantially worsens patient prognosis. To guide the evidence-based management of patients with HF and COPD, experts from the Cardiac Electrophysiology and Cardiac Function Branch of the Chinese Society of Geriatrics and the COPD Group of the Chinese Thoracic Society systematically reviewed the research progress, guidelines, and expert experience, formulating this consensus. The consensus covers epidemiological data, diagnosis, drug treatment, non-pharmacological interventions, and long-term management, while highlighting the critical role of multidisciplinary collaborations. Furthermore, it introduces an integrated diagnostic framework that addresses the complex interplay between HF and COPD. The document advocates for personalized therapeutic approaches and structured follow-up protocols to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
Humans ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/complications* ; Heart Failure/complications* ; Consensus ; Quality of Life

Ambient air pollution is increasingly being recognized as a risk factor for heart failure; however, its effects on cardiac biomarkers remain unclear. This scoping review assessed the existing evidence on the association between air pollution and cardiac biomarkers in heart failure, described the key concepts, synthesized data, and identified research gaps. Following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and CNKI databases were searched for studies on air pollution, heart failure, and biomarkers. A total of 765 records were screened, and 81 full texts were assessed for eligibility, resulting in 15 studies. The results showed that the exposure to particulate matter was associated with elevated N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and troponin levels. Several studies have linked particulate matter exposure to a higher cardiovascular risk and heart failure biomarkers. Inflammatory and oxidative stress markers were consistently elevated across studies, supporting the biological relevance of these associations. However, few studies have focused specifically on populations with heart failure or clinically relevant biomarkers, and the evidence for gaseous pollutants remains inconclusive. These findings highlight the need to integrate environmental risk assessment into heart failure care and inform policy efforts to reduce the pollution-related cardiovascular burden. Further research should address these gaps through improved exposure assessments and the integration of mechanistic evidence.
Heart Failure/epidemiology* ; Biomarkers/metabolism* ; Humans ; Air Pollution/adverse effects* ; Air Pollutants/adverse effects* ; Particulate Matter/adverse effects* ; Environmental Exposure ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain/blood* ; Oxidative Stress ; Troponin/blood*

Objective To investigate the effects of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy(LSG)on the cardiac structure and function in obese patients with heart failure(HF)and compare the efficacy of LSG across obese patients with different HF types.Methods This study included 33 obese patients with HF who underwent LSG.The clinical indicators were compared between before operation and 12 months after operation.Repeated measures analysis of variance was employed to evaluate the changes in echocardiographic parameters before operation and 3,6,and 12 months after operation.Patients were allocated into a HF with preserved ejection fraction group(n=17),a HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction group(n=5)and a HF with reduced ejection fraction(HFrEF)group(n=11)based on left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)before operation for subgroup analyses of the effects of LSG on the cardiac structure and function of obese patients with HF.The paired samples t-test was conducted to assess the degree of cardiac structural and functional alterations after LSG.Results The 33 patients included 69.7% males,with an average age of(35.3±9.9)years,and a body mass index(BMI)of(51.2±9.8)kg/m².The median follow-up was 9.0(5.0,13.3)months.Compared with the preoperative values,the postoperative BMI(P=0.002),body surface area(BSA)(P=0.009),waist circumference(P=0.010),hip circumference(P=0.031),body fat content(P=0.007),and percentage of patients with cardiac function grades Ⅲ-IV(P<0.001)decreased.At the 12-month follow-up left atrial diameter(P=0.006),right atrial long-axis inner diameter(RAD1)(P<0.001),right atrial short-axis inner diameter(RAD2)(P<0.001),right ventricular inner diameter(P=0.002),interventricular septal thickness at end-diastolic(P=0.002),and left ventricular end-diastolic volumes(P=0.004)and left ventricular end-systolic volumes(P=0.003) all significantly reduced compared with preoperative values.Additionally,left ventricular fractional shortening and LVEF improved(both P<0.001).Subgroup analyses revealed that cardiac structural parameters significantly decreased in the HF with preserved ejection fraction,HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction,and HFrEF subgroups compared with preoperative values.Notably,the HFrEF group demonstrated the best performance in terms of left atrial diameter(P=0.003),left ventricular inner diameter at end-diastole(P=0.008),RAD1(P<0.001),RAD2(P=0.004),right ventricular inner diameter(P=0.019),left ventricular end-diastolic volume(P=0.004)and left ventricular end-systolic volume(P=0.001),cardiac output(P=0.006),tricuspid regurgitation velocity(P=0.002),and pulmonary artery systolic pressure(P=0.001) compared to preoperatively.Postoperative left ventricular fractional shortening(P<0.001,P=0.003,P<0.001)and LVEF(P<0.001,P=0.011,P=0.001)became higher in all the three subgroups than the preoperative values.Conclusions LSG decreased the body weight,BMI,and BSA,improved the cardiac function grade,reversed the enlargement of the left atrium and left ventricle,reduced the right atrium and right ventricle,and enhanced the left ventricular systolic function.It was effective across obese patients with different HF types.Particularly,LSG demonstrates the best performance in improving the structures of both atria and ventricles in obese patients with HFrEF.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Gastrectomy/methods* ; Heart Failure/complications* ; Adult ; Obesity/physiopathology* ; Laparoscopy ; Middle Aged ; Heart/physiopathology* ; Stroke Volume

INTRODUCTION

Heart failure (HF) is a common cause of hospitalization, heart failure-related readmission, poor quality of life, and mortality. It also poses a substantial economic burden. The heart failure clinical practice guideline (HFCPG) was developed to provide evidence-based recommendations on the diagnosis and management of chronic HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) among adult Filipino patients in the outpatient setting for primary care physicians.

METHODS

The GRADE approach and an Evidence-to-Decision framework were used to evaluate the evidence and formulate recommendations. The strength and direction of each recommendation were determined through voting, with consensus reached if 75% of all CP members agreed.

RESULTS

The HFCPG provides 19 recommendations and one good practice statement in response to 14 identified clinical questions. Careful history-taking and physical examination, use of chest x-ray to detect cardiomegaly and/or pulmonary congestion, two-dimensional echocardiography for HF diagnosis, and baseline determination of serum sodium, potassium, and creatinine to guide management have been highly recommended; however, the 12-lead electrocardiogram should not be solely used for HF diagnosis. Judicious use of diuretics to relieve congestion, use of selected beta-blockers, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and SGLT2 inhibitors are strongly recommended for the treatment of HFrEF.

CONCLUSION

HFrEF is a complex condition that requires early recognition and careful management. Guideline-directed medical therapies, particularly the evidence-based pillars of treatment, are recommended, as well as early discussion of palliative care, timely determination of advanced heart failure and the need for referral to higher levels of care.

Human ; Heart Failure ; Outpatient Care ; Ambulatory Care ; Primary Health Care

INTRODUCTION

Heart failure (HF) remains a significant global health issue, affecting approximately 64 million individuals worldwide. In the Philippines, the prevalence aligns with global estimates, disproportionately affecting older populations.

METHODOLOGY

The Philippine National Heart Failure Network (PNHFN) conducted a cross-sectional survey from November 2021 to March 2022 to assess the landscape of HF management among medical professionals across the country.

RESULTS

A total of 1,649 physicians responded, primarily cardiologists (64%), internal medicine specialists (27%), and general practitioners (12%). While diagnostic tools such as electrocardiography (92%) and 2D echocardiography (85%) were widely available, advanced imaging modalities and specialized cardiac procedures, including cardiac catheterization and heart failure implantable devices, were less accessible outside metropolitan areas. Essential HF medications, including renin-angiotensin system blockers (84%), beta-blockers, and diuretics, were commonly prescribed; however, newer pharmacologic options such as sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors remained underutilized.

CONCLUSION

Cardiac rehabilitation was accessible to less than half of respondents (48%), with unavailability cited as a major barrier. Despite these challenges, 97% of participants supported the establishment of HF programs to improve patient care and provider support. The findings highlight the need for improved access to advanced diagnostic and therapeutic modalities, enhanced education on guideline-directed HF management, and expanded infrastructure to bridge gaps in care delivery. Strengthening national HF initiatives and fostering collaboration among stakeholders are crucial in optimizing HF management and patient outcomes in the Philippines.

Human ; Heart Failure ; Philippines ; Healthcare Infrastructure ; Public Health Infrastructure

INTRODUCTION

Sinus of Valsalva aneurysms (SOVA) are rare conditions in which a portion of the aortic root dilates due to weakness of the aortic wall, which can eventually lead to rupture, leading to a shunt from the aorta into any one of the cardiac chambers. Some patients can present asymptomatically and are diagnosed incidentally, while others can present with precipitous courses with symptoms of chest pain, palpitations and heart failure. When left untreated, these patients have poor prognosis.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A total of six patients are presented in this case series. These patients were seen in a national tertiary hospital from 2018 to 2024. The patients had varied characteristics, with ages ranging from 24-57 years old. Most of the patients were males. The presenting symptoms are also varied, with dyspnea being the most common symptom and a murmur being the most common sign. The most commonly involved sinus was the right coronary sinus draining into the right ventricle, with half of the patients presenting with concomitant ventricular septal defects. Five out of the six patients underwent successful open repair of their ruptured SOVAs and were eventually discharged.

DISCUSSION

Early identification of the cardiac lesion is important to clinch the diagnosis and plan for eventual definitive management. Imaging studies such as transthoracic echocardiogram are needed to visualize the defect, which is classically described as a windsock deformity. Transesophageal echocardiography may present clearer images to assess the anatomy better preoperatively. Medical management is usually done to bridge the patient to more definitive therapy, either through endovascular closure if the anatomy permits it or through surgical repair. Urgent and timely repair is needed to ensure improved survival in these patients.

Human ; Sinus Of Valsalva ; Aneurysm ; Rupture ; Chest Pain ; Heart Failure