Aims The main terminology used to describe heart failure (HF) is based on measurement of the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). LVEF in the range of 40-49% was recently defined as HF with mid-range EF (HFmrEF) by the 2016 European Society of Cardiology guidelines. The purpose of our study was to assess the clinical profile and prognosis of patients with HF according to this new classification. Methods and results A total of 482 patients referred for HF were retrospectively included over a period of 1 year. There were 258 (53%), 115 (24%), and 109 (23%) patients with HF with reduced EF (HFrEF), HFmrEF, and HF with preserved EF (HFpEF), respectively. Patient age increased, whereas left block bundle branch, brain natriuretic peptide level, and the use of beta-blocker and furosemide decreased from HFrEF to HFpEF. After adjustment for the age, patients with HFpEF and HFmrEF were more likely to have NYHA stage 2 dyspnea, had a higher systolic blood pressure, were less likely to have spironolactone, had lower furosemide dose, and had lower haemoglobin than those with HFrEF. Cardiovascular risk factors and medical history were similar in the three groups of patients. There was a 33% death rate after a mean follow-up of 32.2 AE 14.3 months. The survival was the same among patients whatever the group of HF (P = 0.884). Conclusions Patients with HFrEF, HFmrEF, and HFpEF share the same cardiovascular risk factors, medical history, and prognosis. Patients with HFmrEF have a different clinical profile, which is nearly the same as patients with HFpEF, except for sex. These results question the relevance of this new classification of HF to stimulate research into this new group of patients.
Background
It is unclear whether HIV infection affects the long‐term prognosis after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The objective of the current study was to compare rates of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events after a first ACS between people living with HIV (PLHIV) and HIV‐uninfected (HIV−) patients, and to identify determinants of cardiovascular prognosis.
Methods and Results
Consecutive PLHIV and matched HIV− patients with a first episode of ACS were enrolled in 23 coronary intensive care units in France. Patients were matched for age, sex, and ACS type. The primary end point was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (cardiac death, recurrent ACS, recurrent coronary revascularization, and stroke) at 36‐month follow‐up. A total of 103 PLHIV and 195 HIV− patients (mean age, 49 years [SD, 9 years]; 94.0% men) were included. After a mean of 36.6 months (SD, 6.1 months) of follow‐up, the risk of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events was not statistically significant between PLHIV and HIV− patients (17.8% and 15.1%,
P
=0.22; multivariable hazard ratio [HR], 1.60; 95% CI, 0.67–3.82 [
P
=0.29]). Recurrence of ACS was more frequent among PLHIV (multivariable HR, 6.31; 95% CI, 1.32–30.21 [
P
=0.02]). Stratified multivariable Cox models showed that HIV infection was the only independent predictor for ACS recurrence. PLHIV were less likely to stop smoking (47% versus 75%;
P
=0.01) and had smaller total cholesterol decreases (–22.3 versus –35.0 mg/dL;
P
=0.04).
Conclusions
Although the overall risk of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events was not statistically significant between PLHIV and HIV− individuals, PLHIV had a higher rate of recurrent ACS.
Registration
URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT00139958.
The disorders observed were generally benign skin conditions that could be expected in a population of young men living in a closed community. They led to a high demand for care and treatment: skin diseases represented the largest specialist consultation in our institutions. Skin problems can easily be managed in an outpatient unit, which confirms the usefulness of a dedicated dermatology clinic within the outpatient consultation units of penal institutions in order to provide care of equivalent quality to that available in a free environment. The dermatologist can have an important role in the medical management and the health education of prisoners.
PMCTA is a new, minimally-invasive technique which, combined with autopsy, provides better visualization and detection of certain lesions, particularly in the case of death by falling from a great height.
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