Background Men and women with type-2 long QT syndrome (LQT2) exhibit time-dependent differences in the risk for cardiac events. We hypothesized that data regarding the location of the disease-causing mutation in the KCNH2 channel may affect gender-specific risk in LQT2 Objectives To risk stratify LQT2 patients for life-threatening cardiac events based on clinical and genetic information. Methods The risk for life-threatening cardiac events from birth through age 40 (comprising aborted cardiac arrest [ACA] or sudden cardiac death [SCD]) years was assessed among 1,166 LQT2 males (n=490) and females (n=676) by the location of the LQTS-causing mutation in the KCNH2 channel (pre-specified in the primary analysis as pore-loop vs. nonpore-loop). Results During follow-up, the cumulative probability of life-threatening cardiac events years was significantly higher among LQT2 women (26%) as compared with men (14%; p<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that the risk for life-threatening cardiac events was not significantly different between women with and without pore-loop mutations (HR=1.20; p=0.33). In contrast, men with pore-loop mutations displayed a significant >2-fold higher risk of a first ACA or SCD as compared with those with nonpore-loop mutations (HR=2.18; p=0.01). Consistently, women experienced a high rate of life-threatening events regardless of mutation-location (pore-loop: 35%, nonpore-loop: 23%), whereas in men the rate of ACA or SCD was high among those with pore-loop mutations (28%) and relatively low among those with nonpore-loop mutations (8%). Conclusion Combined assessment of clinical and mutation-specific data can be used for improved risk stratification for life-threatening cardiac events in type-2 long QT syndrome.

BACKGROUND Men and women with type 1 long QT syndrome (LQT1) exhibit time-dependent differences in the risk for cardiac events. OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that sex-specific risk for LQT1 is related to the location and function of the disease-causing mutation in the KCNQ1 gene. METHODS The risk for life-threatening cardiac events (comprising aborted cardiac arrest [ACA] or sudden cardiac death [SCD]) from birth through age 40 years was assessed among 1051 individuals with LQT1 (450 men and 601 women) by the location and function of the LQT1-causing mutation (prespecified as mutations in the intracellular domains linking the membrane-spanning segments [ie, S2–S3 and S4–S5 cytoplasmic loops] involved in adrenergic channel regulation vs other mutations). RESULTS Multivariate analysis showed that during childhood (age group: 0–13 years) men had >2-fold (P < .003) increased risk for ACA/SCD than did women, whereas after the onset of adolescence the risk for ACA/SCD was similar between men and women (hazard ratio = 0.89 [P = .64]). The presence of cytoplasmic-loop mutations was associated with a 2.7-fold (P < .001) increased risk for ACA/SCD among women, but it did not affect the risk among men (hazard ratio 1.37; P = .26). Time-dependent syncope was associated with a more pronounced risk-increase among men than among women (hazard ratio 4.73 [P < .001] and 2.43 [P = .02], respectively), whereas a prolonged corrected QT interval (≥500 ms) was associated with a higher risk among women than among men. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that the combined assessment of clinical and mutation location/functional data can be used to identify sex-specific risk factors for life-threatening events for patients with LQT1.

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Four clinical variables can be used for improved mortality risk stratification in mild HF patients with LBBB implanted with CRT-D.

AimsThere are limited data on whether clinical presentation at first heart failure (HF) hospitalization predicts recurrent HF events. We aimed to assess predictors of recurrent HF hospitalizations in mild HF patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator or cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillator.Methods and resultsData on HF hospitalizations were prospectively collected for patients enrolled in MADIT‐CRT. Predictors of recurrent HF hospitalization (HF2) after the first HF hospitalization were assessed using Cox proportional hazards regression models including baseline covariates and clinical presentation or management at first HF hospitalization. There were 193 patients with first HF hospitalization, and 156 patients with recurrent HF events. Recurrent HF rate after the first HF hospitalization was 43% at 1 year, 52% at 2 years, and 55% at 2.5 years. Clinical signs and symptoms, medical treatment, or clinical management of HF at first HF admission was not predictive for HF2. Baseline covariates predicting recurrent HF hospitalization included prior HF hospitalization (HR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.15–2.20, P = 0.005), digitalis therapy (HR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.13–2.20, P = 0.008), and left ventricular end‐diastolic volume >240 mL (HR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.17–2.25, P = 0.004).ConclusionsRecurrent HF events are frequent following the first HF hospitalization in patients with implanted implantable cardioverter defibrillator or cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillator. Neither clinical presentation nor clinical management during first HF admission was predictive of recurrent HF. Prior HF hospitalization, digitalis therapy, and left ventricular end‐diastolic volume at enrolment predicted recurrent HF hospitalization, and these covariates could be used as surrogate markers for identifying a high‐risk cohort.