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Luciano Potena,
Francesco Grigioni,
Paolo Ortolani,
Gaia Magnani, Francesca Fabbri,
Marco Masetti,
Fabio Coccolo,
Francesco Fallani,
Antonio Russo,
Teresa Ionico,
Francesco Saia,
Claudio Rapezzi,
Angelo Branzi
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ABSTRACT: Statins are recommended in heart transplantation regardless of lipid levels. However, it remains unknown whether dosing should be maximized or adjusted toward a pre-defined cholesterol threshold.
This pilot, randomized, open-label study compares an early maximal dose of fluvastatin (80 mg/day) with a strategy based on 20 mg/day subsequently titrated to target low-density lipoproteins (LDL) <100 mg/dl. Efficacy outcomes consisted of achieving an LDL level of <100 mg/dl at 12 months after transplant, and change in intracoronary ultrasound parameters.
Fifty-two patients were randomized. Overall safety, and efficacy in achieving LDL targets (13 [50%] vs 14 [54%]; p = 0.8) were comparable between study arms, but 17 (65%) patients needed a dose increase in the titrated-dosing arm. Early LDL levels and average LDL burden were lower in the maximal-dosing arm (p < 0.05). Few patients developed an increase in maximal intimal thickness of >0.5 mm, with numerical prevalence in the titrated-dosing arm (3 [12.5%] vs 1 [5%]; p = 0.3). Intimal volume increased in the titrated-dosing (p < 0.01) but not in the maximal-dosing arm (p = 0.1), which accordingly showed a higher prevalence of negative remodeling (p = 0.02).
Despite being as effective as the titrated-dosing approach in achieving LDL <100 mg/dl at 12 months after transplant, the maximal-dose approach was associated with a more rapid effect and with potential advantages in preventing pathologic changes in graft coronary arteries.
The Journal of heart and lung transplantation: the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation 08/2011; 30(12):1305-11. · 3.54 Impact Factor
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Francesco Grigioni,
Andrea Barbieri,
Antonio Russo,
Letizia Reggianini,
Silvia Bonatti,
Luciano Potena, Francesca Fabbri,
Fabio Coccolo,
Gaia Magnani,
Francesca Bursi,
Carlo Magelli,
Maria G Modena,
Angelo Branzi
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ABSTRACT: Few studies are available regarding prognostic stratification of women with severe chronic heart failure (CHF). Although women seem to have a better outcome than men, this may be due to favorable baseline characteristics.
We analyzed a cohort of CHF patients referred for heart transplantation (HT) who underwent clinical/laboratory/instrumental evaluation. Women and men were frequency matched for baseline age (53 +/- 14 vs 53 +/- 9 years, p = 0.92), left ventricular ejection fraction (33 +/- 10 vs 31 +/- 8%, p = 0.90) and ischemic etiology (17 vs 22%, p = 0.50).
A total of 198 patients were analyzed (109 women matched to 89 men). In addition to matching parameters, prevalence of severe symptoms, diabetes and hypertension were also comparable (p > or = 0.25). After 3 years, cardiovascular death or need for HT (CD/HT) event-free survival was 78 +/- 4% in women and 50 +/- 6% in men (p = 0.005). On multivariate analysis, female gender was associated with a lower risk of CD/HT (relative risk [RR] 0.52; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.30 to 0.89; p = 0.017), independently of symptoms, blood pressure (BP), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and mitral regurgitation (MR). Nevertheless, CD/HT event-free survival at 3 years was 49 +/- 9% for women with New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III or IV status, who presented with either severe MR, mean BP < or =60 mm Hg or LVEDD > or =35 mm/m2.
In advanced CHF, women patients seem to have a better prognosis irrespective of baseline characteristics, supporting the hypothesis that female gender is protective against myocardial injury. However, women with severe symptoms accompanied by either hypotension, severe left ventricular enlargement or MR are at high risk and deserve cautious follow-up and consideration for HT.
The Journal of heart and lung transplantation: the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation 06/2006; 25(6):648-52. · 3.54 Impact Factor
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Francesco Grigioni,
Antonio Russo,
Luciano Potena,
Alfonso Ielasi, Francesca Fabbri,
Letizia Bacchi-Reggiani,
Samuela Carigi,
Anna C Musuraca,
Mauro Bigliardi,
Fabio Coccolo,
Gaia Magnani,
Salvatore Specchia,
Carlo Magelli,
Angelo Branzi
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ABSTRACT: Chronic heart failure (CHF) patients with intermediate cardiopulmonary capacity referred for heart transplantation are at "medium risk," and are not amenable to further stratification based solely on peak VO(2.) Accordingly, we analyzed whether time-related and/or non-time-related parameters could provide incremental prognostic information in CHF patients with intermediate cardiopulmonary capacity.
We analyzed 134 patients with a peak VO(2) of 10 to 18 ml/kg/min (age 54 +/- 9 years, 66% males) and a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 27% +/- 8% who underwent an extensive clinical/instrumental (electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, cardiopulmonary exercise test) index evaluation; for all patients, an equivalent pre-study evaluation (performed >or=6 months before) was also available.
Among index-evaluation parameters, systolic blood pressure (p < 0.001), LVEF (p = 0.036), and presence of severe mitral regurgitation (p = 0.006) independently predicted cardiac death/need for heart transplantation. Stable clinical condition from pre-study to index-evaluation accompanied by <10% QRS widening and <10% decrease in peak VO(2) provided incremental prognostic information with respect to all index-evaluation parameters (p = 0.014).
CHF patients with intermediate peak VO(2) who display "stable" CHF present a lower incidence of adverse cardiac events, particularly in the absence of hypotension, severe mitral regurgitation, and severe reduction of LVEF. Such a stratification might be clinically useful for deciding between medical treatment alone and consideration for heart transplantation.
The Journal of heart and lung transplantation: the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation 01/2006; 25(1):85-9. · 3.54 Impact Factor
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Francesco Grigioni,
Anna Chiara Musuraca,
Eliana Tossani,
Luciano Potena,
Fabio Coccolo,
Monica Naldi, Francesca Fabbri,
Antonio Russo,
Samuela Carigi,
Gaia Magnani,
Romano Zannoli,
Laura Sirri,
Silvana Grandi,
Giorgio Arpesella,
Carlo Magelli,
Angelo Branzi
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ABSTRACT: Evidence of a lack of relationship between psychiatric disorders and physical status during a heart transplantation (HT) program would configure mental well-being as an independent endpoint deserving specific interventions.
We report a prospective, longitudinal study on patients (n=127) undergoing HT in order to investigate the relationship between psychiatric disorders and physical status.
At pre-HT evaluation, at least one psychiatric disorder according to the DSM-IV diagnoses was present in 27 patients (21%); the prevalence of psychiatric disorders was not related (p > or = 0.150) to physical status (assessed by clinical, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, and hemodynamic parameters). At post-HT evaluation 1 year after HT, all clinical-instrumental parameters significantly improved (p < or = 0.016), but not the prevalence of psychiatric disorders, which were diagnosed in 34 patients (p = 0.016 vs pre-HT).
During the HT program, no significant relationship exists between physical status and prevalence of psychiatric disorders, which increases after the operation. This finding indicates the need for the mandatory provision of adequate psychological support during all of the phases of the HT experience.
Italian heart journal: official journal of the Italian Federation of Cardiology 11/2005; 6(11):900-3.
