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Background: Lower (worse) left atrial (LA) function is associated with higher dementia risk. It is unclear whether lower LA function is associated with vascular brain injury on brain MRI, an established correlate for higher dementia risk. Using data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, we assessed the cross-sectional association between LA function measures and brain MRI markers of vascular brain injury (cerebral microbleeds, brain infarcts). Hypothesis: Participants with lower LA function will be more likely to have presence of > 1 cerebral microbleed or brain infarct. Methods: ARIC participants who had both an echocardiogram and brain MRI at visit 5 (2011-13) were included. We excluded those with prevalent dementia, stroke, or atrial fibrillation. LA function measures were obtained from 2D-echocardiograms and assessed in quartiles (highest quartile was the reference). Brain MRI measures were assessed as the presence or absence of > 1 cerebral microbleed or brain infarct. Logistic regression was used. Results: Of the 1502 participants (mean [SD] age 76 [5], 60% female, 27% Black) in this analysis, 345 (23%) and 351 (23%) had > 1 cerebral microbleed or brain infarct present. Compared to the highest quartile, lower LA reservoir and conduit strain quartiles were associated with higher odds of cerebral microbleeds. LA contractile strain was not associated with cerebral microbleeds. Compared to the highest quartile, the lowest LA conduit strain quartile, but not reservoir strain, was associated with higher odds of brain infarcts. LA contractile strain was inversely associated with brain infarcts. Conclusion: In this community-based cohort, lower LA function was cross-sectionally associated with cerebral microbleeds and brain infarcts. The inverse relationship with LA contractile strain may be due to contractile function compensating for a decrease in early diastolic filling. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.

ImportanceTransthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is a form of heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Technetium Tc 99m pyrophosphate scintigraphy (PYP) enables ATTR-CM diagnosis. It is unclear which patients with HFpEF have sufficient risk of ATTR-CM to warrant PYP.ObjectiveTo derive and validate a simple ATTR-CM score to predict increased risk of ATTR-CM in patients with HFpEF.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsRetrospective cohort study of 666 patients with HF (ejection fraction ≥ 40%) and suspected ATTR-CM referred for PYP at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, from May 10, 2013, through August 31, 2020. These data were analyzed September 2020 through December 2020. A logistic regression model predictive of ATTR-CM was derived and converted to a point-based ATTR-CM risk score. The score was further validated in a community ATTR-CM epidemiology study of older patients with HFpEF with increased left ventricular wall thickness ([WT] ≥ 12 mm) and in an external (Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois) HFpEF cohort referred for PYP. Race was self-reported by the participants. In all cohorts, both case patients and control patients were definitively ascertained by PYP scanning and specialist evaluation.Main Outcomes and MeasuresPerformance of the derived ATTR-CM score in all cohorts (referral validation, community validation, and external validation) and prevalence of a high-risk ATTR-CM score in 4 multinational HFpEF clinical trials.ResultsParticipant cohorts included were referral derivation (n = 416; 13 participants [3%] were Black and 380 participants [94%] were White; ATTR-CM prevalence = 45%), referral validation (n = 250; 12 participants [5%]were Black and 228 participants [93%] were White; ATTR-CM prevalence = 48% ), community validation (n = 286; 5 participants [2%] were Black and 275 participants [96%] were White; ATTR-CM prevalence = 6% ), and external validation (n = 66; 23 participants [37%] were Black and 36 participants [58%] were White; ATTR-CM prevalence = 39%). Score variables included age, male sex, hypertension diagnosis, relative WT more than 0.57, posterior WT of 12 mm or more, and ejection fraction less than 60% (score range −1 to 10). Discrimination (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC] 0.89; 95% CI, 0.86-0.92; P < .001) and calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow; χ2 = 4.6; P = .46) were strong. Discrimination (AUC ≥ 0.84; P < .001 for all) and calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow χ2 = 2.8; P = .84; Hosmer-Lemeshow χ2 = 4.4; P = .35; Hosmer-Lemeshow χ2 = 2.5; P = .78 in referral, community, and external validation cohorts, respectively) were maintained in all validation cohorts. Precision-recall curves and predictive value vs prevalence plots indicated clinically useful classification performance for a score of 6 or more (positive predictive value ≥25%) in clinically relevant ATTR-CM prevalence (≥10% of patients with HFpEF) scenarios. In the HFpEF clinical trials, 11% to 35% of male and 0% to 6% of female patients had a high-risk (≥6) ATTR-CM score.Conclusions and RelevanceA simple 6 variable clinical score may be used to guide use of PYP and increase recognition of ATTR-CM among patients with HFpEF in the community. Further validation in larger and more diverse populations is needed.

Background The contribution of atrial cardiopathy to dementia risk is uncharacterized. We aimed to evaluate the association of atrial cardiopathy with incident dementia and potential mediation by atrial fibrillation (AF) and stroke. Methods and Results We conducted a prospective cohort analysis of participants in the ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) study attending visit 5 (2011–2013). We used Cox regression to determine the association between atrial cardiopathy and risk of dementia. Structural equation modeling methods were used to determine potential mediation by AF and/or stroke. Atrial cardiopathy was defined if ≥1 of the following at visit 5: P‐wave terminal force >5000 mV·ms in ECG lead V1, NT‐proBNP (N‐terminal pro–brain natriuretic peptide) >250 pg/mL or left atrial volume index ≥34 mL/m 2 by transthoracic echocardiography. We repeated our analysis necessitating ≥2 markers to define atrial cardiopathy. The prevalence of atrial cardiopathy was 34% in the 5078 participants (mean age 75 years, 59% female, 21% Black adults), with 763 participants developing dementia. Atrial cardiopathy was significantly associated with dementia (adjusted HR, 1.35 [95% CI, 1.16–1.58]), with strengthening of the effect estimate when necessitating ≥2 biomarkers (adjusted HR, 1.54 [95% CI, 1.25–1.89]). There was an increased risk of dementia among those with atrial cardiopathy when excluding those with AF (adjusted HR, 1.31 [95% CI, 1.12–1.55]) or stroke (adjusted HR, 1.28 [95% CI, 1.09–1.52]). The proportion of the effect mediated by AF was 4% ( P =0.005), and 9% was mediated by stroke ( P =0.048). Conclusions Atrial cardiopathy was significantly associated with an increased risk of dementia, with only a small percent mediation of the effect by AF or stroke.

Introduction: The incidence of heart failure (HF) is higher in black than in white Americans, but the causes are unclear. We proposed that ethnic differences in ventricular-arterial interaction may contribute to this differential HF risk. Methods: We studied measures of arterial elastance (Ea) and left ventricle (LV) end-systolic elastance (Ees) in 5767 community-based elderly participants (76±5 years, 41% male, 22% black) who underwent echocardiography in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Community (ARIC) Study. Results: Black participants were more frequently women (66 vs 57%) and had a higher prevalence of obesity (46 vs 31%), hypertension (94 vs 80%), and diabetes mellitus (47 vs 34%). Adjusting for these baseline differences, the prevalence of LV hypertrophy was similar, but Ea, Ees and Ea/Ees ratio were higher in blacks than whites, particularly in black women (Figure). Ea was positively associated with LV mass index and E/e’ ratio in blacks, but not in whites (p for interaction < 0.001). Conclusion: These community-based data demonstrate that ventricular-arterial stiffening is greater in black than white Americans, coupled with more ventricular remodeling and dysfunction. The heightened afterload dependence in blacks suggests greater potential for risk reduction with anti-hypertensive therapy.

Background Little is known about the impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Methods and Results We examined outcomes in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, according to COPD status, in the PARAGON‐HF (Prospective Comparison of Angiotensin Receptor Neprilysin Inhibitor With Angiotensin Receptor Blocker Global Outcomes in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction) trial. The primary outcome was a composite of first and recurrent hospitalizations for heart failure and cardiovascular death. Of 4791 patients, 670 (14%) had COPD. Patients with COPD were more likely to be men (58% versus 47%; P <0.001) and had worse New York Heart Association functional class (class III/IV 24% versus 19%), worse Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire Clinical Summary Scores (69 versus 76; P <0.001) and more frequent history of heart failure hospitalization (54% versus 47%; P <0.001). The decrement in Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire Clinical Summary Scores with COPD was greater than for other common comorbidities. Patients with COPD had echocardiographic right ventricular enlargement, higher serum creatinine (100 μmol/L versus 96 μmol/L) and neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (2.7 versus 2.5), than those without COPD. After multivariable adjustment, COPD was associated with worse outcomes: adjusted rate ratio for the primary outcome 1.51 (95% CI, 1.25–1.83), total heart failure hospitalization 1.54 (95% CI, 1.24–1.90), cardiovascular death (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.42; 95% CI, 1.10–1.82), and all‐cause death (adjusted HR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.25–1.84). COPD was associated with worse outcomes than other comorbidities and Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire Clinical Summary Scores declined more in patients with COPD than in those without. Conclusions Approximately 1 in 7 patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction had concomitant COPD, which was associated with greater functional limitation and a higher risk of heart failure hospitalization and death. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT01920711 .

Introduction: Obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM) consists of a constellation of LV hypercontractility, LV outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO), and impaired relaxation, often resulting in dyspnea and reduced exercise capacity. In healthy dogs, the novel myosin modulator mavacamten (MAVA), decreased LV hypercontractility and improved compliance. In the PIONEER-HCM clinical study, improvements in post-exercise LVOT gradient, exercise capacity, and symptoms were reported. To examine whether MAVA could also limit residual myosin-actin cross-bridges during diastole, and improve LV compliance, its effects on diastolic indices were evaluated. Methods: In PIONEER-HCM, an open-label, multi-site, prospective study, oHCM subjects received MAVA for 12 weeks at either 10-20 mg/d (n = 11, Cohort A; 10 completed) or at 2-5 mg/d (n = 10, Cohort B). Echo-Doppler indices of LV filling and relaxation were compared at baseline to week 12. The p-values are from Wilcoxon signed rank tests, evaluating the distribution of within-subject 12-wk changes from baseline around a null of zero. Results: MAVA reduced hypercontractility in a dose-dependent fashion, with relief of LVOTO in all subjects achieving plasma MAVA concentration >350 ng/ml (data previously reported). There was also an increase in mitral annular velocity during early diastole (e’ lat ). There was a concomitant reduction in E/e’ lat and increase in LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) consistent with improved LV compliance (Table). MAVA improved dyspnea score with a trend towards reduction in NT-proBNP. Conclusions: Administration of MAVA is associated with improvement in measures of myocardial relaxation (e’ lat ) and compliance in parallel with reduction in LVOT gradient. These findings are consistent with preclinical findings reported in healthy dogs and support additional evaluation of MAVA in patients with obstructive or non-obstructive HCM.

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a risk factor for cognitive decline, possibly from silent brain infarction. Left atrial changes in structure or function (atrial cardiopathy) can lead to AF but may impact cognition independently. It is unknown if AF or atrial cardiopathy also acts on Alzheimer disease–specific mechanisms, such as deposition of β‐amyloid. Methods and Results A total of 316 dementia‐free participants from the ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) study underwent florbetapir positron emission tomography, electrocardiography, and 2‐dimensional echocardiography. Atrial cardiopathy was defined as ≥1: (1) left atrial volume index >34 mL/m 2 ; (2) P‐wave terminal force >5000 µV×ms; and (3) serum NT‐proBNP (N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide) >250 pg/mL. Cross‐sectional associations between global cortical β‐amyloid (>1.2 standardized uptake value ratio) and adjudicated history of AF and atrial cardiopathy, each, were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression. Participants (mean age, 76 years) were 56% women and 42% Black individuals. Odds of elevated florbetapir standardized uptake value ratio were significantly increased among those with atrial cardiopathy (odds ratio, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.02–3.22) and doubled for those with enlarged left atrial volume index after adjustment for demographics/risk factors (95% CI, 1.04–4.61). There was no association between P‐wave terminal force or NT‐proBNP and elevated florbetapir standardized uptake value ratio, nor between AF and elevated standardized uptake value ratio. Conclusions Among healthy, nondemented community‐dwelling older individuals, we report an association between atrial cardiopathy, left atrial volume index, and elevated brain amyloid, by positron emission tomography, without a similar association in individuals with AF. Potential limitations include reverse causation and survival bias. Ongoing work will help determine if changes in cardiac structure and function precede or occur simultaneously with amyloid deposition.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a risk factor for cognitive decline, perhaps due to silent cerebral infarction, but it is unknown if it also acts on Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)-specific mechanisms, such as deposition of β-amyloid (Aβ). Left atrial changes in structure or function, or atrial cardiopathy, can lead to AF but may cause infarcts independently, and thus might also impact cognition. We hypothesize that Aβ is associated with AF and atrial cardiopathy, independent of AF, when defined similarly to an ongoing clinical trial (ARCADIA). Methods: 321 participants without dementia from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study underwent florbetapir (FBP) PET, electrocardiogram and 2D echocardiography. Atrial cardiopathy was defined as ≥1 of: 1) left atrial volume index (LAVI) >34 ml/m2; 2) P-wave terminal force >5000 uV x ms and 3) serum NT proBNP>250 pg/mL. Cross-sectional associations between global cortical Aβ (>1.2 standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR)) and adjudicated history of atrial fibrillation and atrial cardiopathy, each, were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression. Results: Participants, with mean age 76 y, were 56% female and 42% black. Odds of elevated FBP SUVR was increased for those with atrial cardiopathy (Model 3) and nearly doubled among those with enlarged LAVI that remained significant after sequential adjustment, including AF (Table). There was no significant association between either P-wave terminal force or NT proBNP and elevated FBP SUVR (Table), nor between elevated SUVR and AF. Conclusions: In this cross-sectional analysis of a cohort of healthy, nondemented community-dwelling older individuals, we report a significant association between atrial cardiopathy as well as LAVI and elevated amyloid, by PET, without a similar association in individuals with AF. Potential limitations include reverse causation and survival bias. Ongoing work will help determine if changes in cardiac structure and function precede, or occur simultaneously with amyloid deposition.

ABSTRACT Aims Left atrial (LA) mechanical function may play a significant role in the development and progression of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate association of impaired LA function with outcomes in HFpEF. Methods and results Multiple databases were searched for original studies measuring different phases of LA function in HFpEF patients. Comparative LA function between HFpEF patients and healthy controls was assessed by pooling weighted mean differences (WMD). Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals were pooled to evaluate the prognostic utility of LA function. Twenty-two studies (2 trials, 20 observational) comprising 1974 HFpEF patients and 751 healthy controls were included. HFpEF patients had decreased LA reservoir [WMD = −12.21% (−15.47, −8.95); P &lt; 0.001], LA conduit [WMD = −5.68% (−8.56, −2.79); P &lt; 0.001], and pump [WMD = −11.07% (−14.81, −7.34); P &lt; 0.001] emptying fractions compared with controls. LA reservoir [WMD = −13.38% (−16.07, −10.68); P &lt; 0.001], conduit [WMD = −4.09% (−6.77, −1.42); P = 0.003], and pump [WMD = −3.53% (−4.47, −2.59); P &lt; 0.001] strains were also significantly lower in HFpEF patients. Decreased LA reservoir strain [HR 1.24 (1.02, 1.50); P = 0.03] was significantly associated with risk of composite all-cause mortality or heart failure hospitalization. Conclusions Impaired LA function appears to have diagnostic and prognostic value in HFpEF, but whether indices of LA function truly refine discrimination for diagnosis or prognosis remains to be fully determined. Larger studies are needed to better evaluate associations between LA function and clinical outcomes and the role of LA function as a target for novel HFpEF therapies.

Background: Unlike heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, there is no approved treatment for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, the predominant phenotype in women. Therefore, there is a greater heart failure therapeutic deficit in women compared with men. Methods: In a prespecified subgroup analysis, we examined outcomes according to sex in the PARAGON-HF trial (Prospective Comparison of ARNI With ARB Global Outcomes in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction), which compared sacubitril-valsartan and valsartan in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. The primary outcome was a composite of first and recurrent hospitalizations for heart failure and death from cardiovascular causes. We also report secondary efficacy and safety outcomes. Results: Overall, 2479 women (51.7%) and 2317 men (48.3%) were randomized. Women were older and had more obesity, less coronary disease, and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate and NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide) levels than men. For the primary outcome, the rate ratio for sacubitril-valsartan versus valsartan was 0.73 (95% CI, 0.59–0.90) in women and 1.03 (95% CI, 0.84–1.25) in men ( P interaction = 0.017). The benefit from sacubitril-valsartan was attributable to reduction in heart failure hospitalization. The improvement in New York Heart Association class and renal function with sacubitril-valsartan was similar in women and men, whereas the improvement in Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire clinical summary score was less in women than in men. The difference in adverse events between sacubitril-valsartan and valsartan was similar in women and men. Conclusions: As compared with valsartan, sacubitril-valsartan seemed to reduce the risk of heart failure hospitalization more in women than in men. Whereas the possible sex-related modification of the effect of treatment has several potential explanations, the present study does not provide a definite mechanistic basis for this finding. Clinical Trial Registration: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT01920711.