Aims To identify variables predicting ejection fraction (EF) recovery and characterize prognosis of heart failure (HF) patients with EF recovery (HFrecEF). Methods and results Retrospective study of adults referred for ≥2 echocardiograms separated by ≥6 months between 2008 and 2016 at the two largest echocardiography centres in Alberta who also had physician-assigned diagnosis of HF. Of 10 641 patients, 3124 had heart failure reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) (EF ≤ 40%) at baseline: while mean EF declined from 30.2% on initial echocardiogram to 28.6% on the second echocardiogram in those patients with persistent HFrEF (defined by <10% improvement in EF), it improved from 26.1% to 46.4% in the 1174 patients (37.6%) with HFrecEF (defined by EF absolute improvement ≥10%). On multivariate analysis, female sex [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.40–1.96], younger age (aOR per decade 1.16, 95% CI 1.09–1.23), atrial fibrillation (aOR 2.00, 95% CI 1.68–2.38), cancer (aOR 1.52, 95% CI 1.03–2.26), hypertension (aOR 1.38, 95% CI 1.18–1.62), lower baseline ejection fraction (aOR per 1% decrease 1.07 (1.06–1.08), and using hydralazine (aOR 1.69, 95% CI 1.19–2.40) were associated with EF improvements ≥10%. HFrecEF patients demonstrated lower rates per 1000 patient years of mortality (106 vs. 164, adjusted hazard ratio, aHR 0.70 [0.62–0.79]), all-cause hospitalizations (300 vs. 428, aHR 0.87 [0.79–0.95]), all-cause emergency room (ER) visits (569 vs. 799, aHR 0.88 [0.81–0.95]), and cardiac transplantation or left ventricular assist device implantation (2 vs. 10, aHR 0.21 [0.10–0.45]) compared to patients with persistent HFrEF. Females with HFrEF exhibited lower mortality risk (aHR 0.94 [0.88–0.99]) than males after adjusting for age, time between echocardiograms, clinical comorbidities, medications, and whether their EF improved or not during follow-up. Conclusion HFrecEF patients tended to be younger, female, and were more likely to have hypertension, atrial fibrillation, or cancer. HFrecEF patients have a substantially better prognosis compared to those with persistent HFrEF, even after multivariable adjustment, and female patients exhibit lower mortality risk than men within each subgroup (HFrecEF and persistent HFrEF) even after multivariable adjustment.

IMPORTANCE Pragmatic trials test interventions using designs that produce results that may be more applicable to the population in which the intervention will be eventually applied. OBJECTIVE To investigate how pragmatic or explanatory cardiovascular (CV) randomized clinical trials (RCT) are, and if this has changed over time.

Background: Hypertension is a major cause of cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and death. Several studies have demonstrated the efficacy of home blood pressure telemonitoring (HBPT) for blood pressure (BP) control and outcomes, but the effects of this intervention remain unclear in patients with CKD. Objective: To determine the impact of HBPT on cardiovascular–related and kidney disease–related outcomes in patients with CKD. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Setting: All studies that met our criteria regardless of country of origin. Participants: Patients with chronic kidney disease included in studies using HBPT for BP assessment and control. Measurements: Descriptive and quantitative analysis of our primary and secondary outcomes. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL Plus, PsycINFO, Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science, and gray literature from inception for observational and randomized controlled studies in nondialysis (ND) CKD using HBPT for BP control. We selected studies that used HBPT as intervention (with or without a control arm) for BP control in ND-CKD populations. The primary outcome was change in mean systolic BP (SBP) and mean diastolic BP (DBP). Results: We selected 7 studies from 1669 articles that were initially identified. Overall, pooled estimates in the mean difference (MD) for SBP and DBP were −8.8 mm Hg; 95% confidence interval (CI): −16.2 to −1.4; P = .02 and −2.4 mm Hg; 95% CI: −3.8 to −1.0; P < .001, respectively. For studies comparing intervention with usual care (UC), pooled estimate in MD for SBP was −8.0 mm Hg ( P = .02) with no significant reduction for DBP (−2.6 mm Hg; P = .18). In studies without a UC arm, both SBP and DBP were not significantly reduced ( P > .05). The pooled estimate in MD for estimated glomerular filtration rate showed a significant improvement (5.4 mL/min/1.73 m2; P < .001). Limitations: Heterogeneity and few available studies for inclusion limited our ability to identify a robust link between HBPT use and BP and kidney function improvement. Conclusion: Home blood pressure telemonitoring is associated with mild lowering of BP and moderately improved kidney function in patients with CKD. However, larger studies with improved designs and prolonged interventions are still needed to assess the effects of HBPT on patients’ outcomes. PROSPERO registration ID CRD42020190705

Background: Hypertension, together with poorly controlled blood pressure (BP) are known risk factors for kidney disease and progression to kidney failure as well as increased cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality. Several studies in patients without kidney disease have demonstrated the efficacy of home BP telemonitoring (HBPT) for BP control. Objective: The primary aim of this study is to assess the mean difference in systolic BP (SBP) at 12 months, from baseline in remote dwelling patients with hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Northern Alberta, Canada, comparing HBPT + usual care versus HBPT + a case manager. Other secondary objectives, including cost-effectiveness and acceptability of HBPT as well as occurrence of adverse events will also be assessed. Methods Design: This study is designed as a pragmatic randomized controlled trial (RCT) of HBPT plus clinical case management compared to HBPT with usual care. Setting: Peace River region in Northern Alberta Region, Canada. Patients: Primary care patients with CKD and hypertension. Measurements: Eligible patients will be randomized 1:1 to HBPT + BP case management versus HBPT + usual care. In the intervention arm, BP will be measured 4 times daily for 1 week, with medications titrated up or down by the study case manager until guideline targets (systolic BP [SBP]: <130 mmHg) are achieved. Once BP is controlled, (ie, to guideline-concordant targets), this 1-week protocol will be repeated every 3 months for 1 year. Patients in the control arm will also follow the same BP measurement protocol; however, there will be no interactions with the case manager; they will share their BP readings with their primary care physicians or nurse practitioners at scheduled visits. Limitations: Potential limitations of this study include the relatively short duration of follow-up, possible technological pitfalls, and need for patients to own a smartphone and have access to the internet to participate. Conclusions: As this study will focus on a high-risk population that has been characterized by a large care gap, it will generate important evidence that would allow targeted and effective population-level strategies to be implemented to improve health outcomes for high-risk hypertensive CKD patients in Canada’s remote communities. Trial Registration: www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT number: NCT04098354)