BackgroundSeveral markers detected on the routine 12‐lead ECG are associated with future heart failure events. We examined whether these markers are able to separate the risk of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) from heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).Methods and ResultsWe analyzed data of 6664 participants (53% female; mean age 62±10 years) from MESA (Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) who were free of cardiovascular disease at baseline (2000–2002). A competing risks analysis was used to compare the association of several baseline ECG predictors with HFrEF and HFpEF detected during a median follow‐up of 12.1 years. A total of 127 HFrEF and 117 HFpEF events were detected during follow‐up. In a multivariable adjusted model, prolonged QRS duration, delayed intrinsicoid deflection, left‐axis deviation, right‐axis deviation, prolonged QT interval, abnormal QRS‐T axis, left ventricular hypertrophy, ST/T‐wave abnormalities, and left bundle‐branch block were associated with HFrEF. In contrast, higher resting heart rate, abnormal P‐wave axis, and abnormal QRS‐T axis were associated with HFpEF. The risk of HFrEF versus HFpEF was significantly differently for delayed intrinsicoid deflection (hazard ratio: 4.90 [95% confidence interval (CI), 2.77–8.68] versus 0.94 [95% CI, 0.29–2.97]; comparison P=0.013), prolonged QT interval (hazard ratio: 2.39 [95% CI, 1.55–3.68] versus 0.52 [95% CI, 0.23–1.19]; comparison P<0.001), and ST/T‐wave abnormalities (hazard ratio: 2.47 [95% CI, 1.69–3.62] versus 1.13 [95% CI, 0.72–1.77]; comparison P=0.0093).ConclusionsMarkers of ventricular repolarization and delayed ventricular activation are able to distinguish between the future risk of HFrEF and HFpEF. These findings suggest a role for ECG markers in the personalized risk assessment of heart failure subtypes.

This study indicates that the burden of arrhythmia in patients with anthracycline-related cardiomyopathy is not different from cancer and non-cancer patients with IHD-related LVD or DCM.

sCD40L levels are significantly higher in NVAF patients than in NSR controls but only for up to 1 year after development of dysrhythmia. An sCD40L concentration of 552 pg/ml can help to assess development or recurrence of asymptomatic NVAF.

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Background Obesity is a risk factor for non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. Adiponectin, a unique biomarker of adipose tissue, has antiinflammatory, insulin-sensitizing, and antiatherogenic properties and is known to be higher in women. The relationship between adiponectin, gender, and thromboembolic risk in atrial fibrillation however is unknown. Methods The relationship between gender, adiponectin levels, and echocardiographic measures of blood stagnation and left atrial appendage thrombus (LAAT) was assessed in 209 patients with NVAF (55 women and 154 men; mean age 63±14 years) compared to 70 normal sinus rhythm controls (29 women and 41 men; mean age 64±14 years). Total adiponectin was measured by solid-phase ELISA. Demographic and clinical variables of CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc were collected, and spontaneous echocardiographic contrast (SEC), left atrial appendage emptying velocity (LAAEV) and left atrium volume index (LAVI) were measured prospectively. Results Elevated adiponectin was associated with advanced cardiovascular pathology and permanent arrhythmia but only in men with NVAF. In NVAF men, a step-wise increase in adiponectin levels was noted relative to increasing intensity of SEC and decreasing LAAEV. Adiponectin level >16657 ng/ml predicted LAAT (OR: 3.66; 95%Cl: 1.21-11.48); p=0.022) after adjustment for CHADS2 score in men but not in women with NVAF. Conclusions There is a direct correlation between elevated adiponectin level and the degree of left atrial blood stasis in men but not women with NVAF. High adiponectin levels can be used as an important variable in the prediction of LAAT.