Background: Although central apneas (CA) and obstructive apneas (OA) are highly prevalent in heart failure (HF), a comparison of apnea prevalence, predictors and clinical correlates in the whole HF spectrum, including HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), mid-range EF (HFmrEF) and preserved EF (HFpEF) has never been carried out so far. Materials and methods: 700 HF patients were prospectively enrolled and then divided according to left ventricular EF (408 HFrEF, 117 HFmrEF, 175 HFpEF). All patients underwent a thorough evaluation including: 2D echocardiography; 24-h Holter-ECG monitoring; cardiopulmonary exercise testing; neuro-hormonal assessment and 24-h cardiorespiratory monitoring. Results: In the whole population, prevalence of normal breathing (NB), CA and OA at daytime was 40, 51, and 9%, respectively, while at nighttime 15, 55, and 30%, respectively. When stratified according to left ventricular EF, CA prevalence decreased (daytime: 57 vs. 43 vs. 42%, p = 0.001; nighttime: 66 vs. 48 vs. 34%, p < 0.0001) from HFrEF to HFmrEF and HFpEF, while OA prevalence increased (daytime: 5 vs. 8 vs. 18%, p < 0.0001; nighttime 20 vs. 29 vs. 53%, p < 0.0001). In HFrEF, male gender and body mass index (BMI) were independent predictors of both CA and OA at nighttime, while age, New York Heart Association functional class and diastolic dysfunction of daytime CA. In HFmrEF and HFpEF male gender and systolic pulmonary artery pressure were independent predictors of CA at daytime, while hypertension predicted nighttime OA in HFpEF patients; no predictor of nighttime CA was identified. When compared to patients with NB, those with CA had higher neuro-hormonal activation in all HF subgroups. Moreover, in the HFrEF subgroup, patients with CA were older, more comorbid and with greater hemodynamic impairment while, in the HFmrEF and HFpEF subgroups, they had higher left atrial volumes and more severe diastolic dysfunction, respectively. When compared to patients with NB, those with OA were older and more comorbid independently from background EF. Conclusions: Across the whole spectrum of HF, CA prevalence increases and OA decreases as left ventricular systolic dysfunction progresses. Different predictors and specific clinical characteristics might help to identify patients at risk of developing CA or OA in different HF phenotypes.

Obesity is related to better prognosis in heart failure with either reduced (HFrEF; left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <40%) or preserved LVEF (HFpEF; LVEF ≥50%). Whether the obesity paradox exists in patients with heart failure and mid-range LVEF (HFmrEF; LVEF 40–49%) and whether it is independent of heart failure aetiology is unknown. Therefore, we aimed to test the prognostic value of body mass index (BMI) in ischaemic and non-ischaemic heart failure patients across the whole spectrum of LVEF. Consecutive ambulatory heart failure patients were enrolled in two tertiary centres in Italy and Spain and classified as HFrEF, HFmrEF or HFpEF, of either ischaemic or non-ischaemic aetiology. Patients were stratified into underweight (BMI <18.5 kg/m²), normal-weight (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m²), overweight (BMI 25–29.9 kg/m²), mild-obese (BMI 30–34.9 kg/m²), moderate-obese (BMI 35–39.9 kg/m²) and severe-obese (BMI ≥40 kg/m²) and followed up for the end-point of five-year all-cause mortality. We enrolled 5155 patients (age 70 years (60–77); 71% males; LVEF 35% (27–45); 63% HFrEF, 18% HFmrEF, 19% HFpEF). At multivariable analysis, mild obesity was independently associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality in HFrEF (hazard ratio, 0.78 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.64–0.95), p = 0.020), HFmrEF (hazard ratio 0.63 (95% CI 0.41–0.96), p = 0.029), and HFpEF (hazard ratio 0.60 (95% CI 0.42–0.88), p = 0.008). Both overweight and mild-to-moderate obesity were associated with better outcome in non-ischaemic heart failure, but not in ischaemic heart failure. Mild obesity is independently associated with better survival in heart failure across the whole spectrum of LVEF. Prognostic benefit of obesity is maintained only in non-ischaemic heart failure.

Background: Remdesivir, an antiviral agent able to reduce inflammatory cascade accompanying severe, life-threatening pneumonia, became the first drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of hospitalized patients with coronavirus 2 related severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS CoV2). As from its previously known clinical indications, the use of remdesivir in the presence of severe renal impairment is contraindicated; however, the impact of remdesivir on renal function in aging patients has not been elucidated. Subjects and Methods: This retrospective observational study involved 109 individuals consecutively admitted in internal medicine section, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana hospital, in November–December 2020 due to a confirmed diagnosis of SARS CoV2 and receiving remdesivir according to international inclusion criteria. Biochemical variables at admission were evaluated, together with slopes of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) built during remdesivir treatment. Participants were followed until discharge or exitus. Results: Patients were stratified according to age (80 formed the study cohort and 29 served as controls); CKD stage III was present in 46% of them. No patients showed any sign of deteriorated renal function during remdesivir. Fourteen patients in the elderly cohort deceased; their eGFR at baseline was significantly lower. Recovered patients were characterized by a relevant eGFR gaining during remdesivir treatment. Conclusion: We show here for the first time as remdesivir does not influence eGFR in a cohort of elderly people hospitalized for SARS CoV2, and that eGFR gain during such treatment is coupled with a better prognosis.

Background: Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), Doppler tissue imaging–derived tricuspid lateral annular systolic wave velocity (S′), and right ventricular fractional area change (RV‐FAC) are the most widely used echocardiographic measures of right ventricular systolic function. This study aimed to compare the prognostic value of TAPSE, S′, and RV‐FAC in a large cohort of patients with chronic heart failure. Methods: Consecutive outpatients with heart failure and left ventricular ejection fraction <50% on guideline‐recommended therapies undergoing echocardiography were followed up for the end point of cardiac and all‐cause death. Results: Among 1590 patients (71±12 years, 77% men, left ventricular ejection fraction 34%±9%), 202 (13%) died from cardiac causes during a median follow‐up of 28 (interquartile range, 14–40) months. According to the recommended cut points for TAPSE (<17 mm), S′ (<9.5 cm/s), or RV‐FAC (<35%), right ventricular systolic dysfunction was found in 37%, 40%, and 35% of patients, respectively, with 21%, 31%, and 33% of discordant cases comparing TAPSE versus S′, TAPSE versus RV‐FAC, and S′ versus RV‐FAC. Both TAPSE <17 mm and RV‐FAC <35% were more accurate than S′ <9.5 cm/s in predicting the risk of cardiac death ( P <0.001), and their combination showed incremental prognostic power ( P <0.001). Adding S′ to the combination of TAPSE and RV‐FAC did not provide further incremental value ( P =0.145). Similar findings were obtained when all‐cause death was considered as the end point. Conclusions: In patients with chronic heart failure and left ventricular ejection fraction <50%, TAPSE, and RV‐FAC are more accurate than S′ in predicting the risk of cardiac and all‐cause death. Considering both RV‐FAC and TAPSE provides incremental prognostic value.