Christian Hassager | University of Copenhagen (original) (raw)

Papers by Christian Hassager

Resuscitation, 2016

Life threatening arrhythmias are increasingly frequent with lower body temperature. While targete... more Life threatening arrhythmias are increasingly frequent with lower body temperature. While targeted temperature management (TTM) with mild hypothermia following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is generally considered safe and has been suggested as a potential antiarrhythmic add-on therapy, it is unknown whether the level of TTM affects the burden of ventricular ectopic activity. We sought to assess the ventricular ectopic burden between patients treated with TTM at 33°C or 36°C for 24h. Continuous 12-lead digital Holter electrocardiograms performed during the intervention were analyzed blinded to treatment allocation in 115 comatose OHCA-survivors from a single center of the TTM-trial. The main study showed no difference with regards to mortality. Fifty-eight patients were randomized to 33°C and 57 to 36°C. Cardiac arrest characteristics were similar between the groups. The number of isolated ventricular ectopic beats (VEB) per hour was similar at the beginning of the maintenance phase of TTM and decreased over time in both groups (both ptime&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.001). The reduction in VEB per hour was significantly affected by target temperature (pinteraction&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.0001), with fewer VEB in the 36°C-group. The total number of isolated, couplets and number of runs of VEB per hour showed similar results, with less ventricular ectopic activity in the 36°C-group (pinteraction&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.0001). Increasing numbers of pre-hospital defibrillations (log2) were associated with a 46% increase in ventricular ectopic activity (p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.01), adjusted for potential confounders. Ventricular ectopic activity was reduced in comatose OHCA-survivors treated with TTM at 36°C compared to 33°C. Higher numbers of pre-hospital defibrillations were associated with higher incidence of ventricular ectopic activity.

Critical care medicine, Jan 14, 2015

Bradycardia is common during targeted temperature management, likely being a physiologic response... more Bradycardia is common during targeted temperature management, likely being a physiologic response to lower body temperature, and has recently been associated with favorable outcome following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in smaller observational studies. The present study sought to confirm this finding in a large multicenter cohort of patients treated with targeted temperature management at 33°C and explore the response to targeted temperature management targeting 36°C. Post hoc analysis of a prospective randomized study. Thirty-six ICUs in 10 countries. We studied 447 (targeted temperature management = 33°C) and 430 (targeted temperature management = 36°C) comatose out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients with available heart rate data, randomly assigned in the targeted temperature management trial from 2010 to 2013. Targeted temperature management at 33°C and 36°C. Endpoints were 180-day mortality and unfavorable neurologic function (cerebral performance category 3-5). Patients we...

American Heart Journal, 2014

Background Renal dysfunction in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) is an important pr... more Background Renal dysfunction in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) is an important predictor of short-and long-term outcome. Cardiac abnormalities dominated by left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy are common in patients with chronic renal dysfunction. However, limited data exists on the association between LV systolic-and diastolic function assessed by comprehensive echocardiography and renal dysfunction in contemporary unselected patients with acute MI.

BMC Cardiovascular Disorders, 2012

Background: Hypertension is a common comorbidity in patients with heart failure and may contribut... more Background: Hypertension is a common comorbidity in patients with heart failure and may contribute to development and course of disease, but the importance of a history of hypertension in patients with prevalent heart failure remains uncertain.

BMC Nephrology, 2013

Abstract Background: Renal dysfunction is associated with a variety of cardiac alterations includ... more Abstract Background: Renal dysfunction is associated with a variety of cardiac alterations including left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, LV dilation, and reduction in systolic and diastolic function. It is common and associated with an increased mortality risk in heart failure (HF) patients. This study was designed to evaluate whether severe diastolic dysfunction contribute to the increased mortality risk observed in HF patients with renal dysfunction. Methods: Using Cox Proportional Hazard Models on data (N = 669) from the EchoCardiography and Heart Outcome Study (ECHOS) study we evaluated whether estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was associated with mortality risk before and after adjustment for severe diastolic dysfunction. Severe diastolic dysfunction was defined by a restrictive left ventricular filling pattern (RF) (=deceleration time < 140 ms) by Doppler echocardiography. Results: Median eGFR was 58 ml/min/1.73 m 2 , left ventricular ejection fraction was 33% and RF was observed in 48%. During the 7 year follow up period 432 patients died. Multivariable adjusted eGFR was associated with similar mortality risk before (Hazard Ratio(HR) eGFR 10 ml increase : 0.94 (95% CI: 0.89-0.99, P = 0.024) and after (HR eGFR 10 ml increase : 0.93 (0.89-0.99), P = 0.012) adjustment for RF (HR: 1.57 (1.28-1.93), P < 0.001). Conclusions: In patients admitted with HF RF does not contribute to the increased mortality risk observed in patients with a decreased eGFR. Factors other than severe diastolic dysfunction may explain the association between renal function and mortality risk in HF patients.

Climacteric, 1998

Osteoporosis is a serious, frequently occurring disease. Sensitive, specific and precise biochemi... more Osteoporosis is a serious, frequently occurring disease. Sensitive, specific and precise biochemical measures of bone remodelling, thus, are important tools in the evaluation of bone loss, fracture risk and treatment response. Bone turnover is predictive of the subsequent rate of loss. A high bone turnover documented by increased levels of biochemical markers predicts an increased rate of loss in bone mass. Additionally, as a high bone turnover leads to an increase in the extent of bone resorption as well as an increase of the erosion depth, this may also cause deterioration of the bone structure, thereby leading to an increased risk of fracture. That the predictive values of bone mass and markers of bone turnover are additive suggests that these measures describe different properties of bone. Hormone replacement induces a reduction in postmenopausal bone turnover, arrests loss of bone mass and decreases fracture risk. The skeletal response to therapy is reflected by bone markers and these may be used for monitoring purposes. Those who are in most need of treatment can be identified by a combination of bone mass and bone marker measurement. Furthermore, those who need the treatment most will demonstrate the best response in terms of bone mass. Concern has arisen because of a relatively large day-to-day variation, especially in urinary markers; however, this seems to be resolved through use of the new serum markers.

Resuscitation, 2014

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is associated with a poor prognosis and predicting outcome ... more Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is associated with a poor prognosis and predicting outcome is complex with neurophysiological testing and repeated clinical neurological examinations as key components of the assessment. In this study we examine the association between different electroencephalography (EEG) patterns and mortality in a clinical cohort of OHCA-patients. From 2002 to 2011 consecutive patients were admitted to an intensive-care-unit after resuscitation from OHCA. Utstein-criteria for pre-hospital data and review of individual patients&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; charts for post-resuscitation care were used. EEG reports were analysed according to the 2012 American Clinical Neurophysiology Society&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s guidelines. A total of 1076 patients were included, and EEG was performed in 20% (n=219) with a median of 3(IQR 2-4) days after OHCA. Rhythmic Delta Activity (RDA) was found in 71 patients (36%) and Periodic Discharges (PD) in 100 patients (45%). Background EEG frequency of Alpha+ or Theta was noted in 107 patients (49%), and change in cerebral EEG activity to stimulation (reactivity) was found in 38 patients (17%). Suppression (all activity &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;10 μV) was found in 26 (12%) and burst-suppression in 17 (8%) patients. A favourable EEG pattern (reactivity, favourable background frequency and RDA) was independently associated with reduced mortality with hazard ratio (HR) 0.43 (95%CI: 0.24-0.76), p=0.004 (false positive rate: 31%) and a non-favourable EEG pattern (no reactivity, unfavourable background frequency, and PD, suppressed voltage or burst-suppression) was associated with higher mortality (HR=1.62(1.09-2.41), p=0.02) after adjustment for known prognostic factors (false positive rate: 9%). EEG may be useful in work-up in prognostication of patients with OHCA. Findings such as Rhythmic Delta Activity (RDA) seem to be associated with a better prognosis, whereas suppressed voltage and burst-suppression patterns were associated with poor prognosis.

Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 2013

This study sought to test the hypothesis that semiautomated calculation of left ventricular globa... more This study sought to test the hypothesis that semiautomated calculation of left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) can identify high-risk subjects among patients with myocardial infarctions (MIs) with left ventricular ejection fractions (LVEFs) >40%.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy is a nonpharmacological treatment option in patients with heart... more Cardiac resynchronization therapy is a nonpharmacological treatment option in patients with heart failure and left bundle branch block but response rates are still disappointing. Extent of mechanical left ventricular asynchrony as detected by tissue Doppler imaging has emerged as an independent predictor of outcome to CRT. In addition, long-term therapy delivery may be further improved through optimized lead positioning and pacemaker programming. Tissue Doppler imaging should be included in the evaluation of potential CRT candidates but standardized evaluation criteria have not yet been provided.

Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography, 2012

Heart failure (HF) complicating acute myocardial infarction (MI) is an ominous prognostic sign fr... more Heart failure (HF) complicating acute myocardial infarction (MI) is an ominous prognostic sign frequently caused by left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction. However, many patients develop HF despite preserved LV ejection fractions. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that LV longitudinal function is a stronger marker of in-hospital HF than traditional echocardiographic indices. A total of 548 patients with acute MIs were evaluated (mean age, 63.2 ± 11.7 years; 71.6% men). Within 48 hours of admission, comprehensive echocardiography with assessment of global longitudinal strain (GLS) was performed, along with measurements of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide. A total 89 patients (16.2%) had in-hospital HF assessed by Killip class &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; 1 in whom GLS was significantly impaired compared with patients without in-hospital HF (Killip class 1) (-14.6 ± 3.3% vs -10.1 ± 3.5%, P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; .0001). In stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis including age, known HF, three-vessel disease, involvement of the left anterior descending coronary artery, episodes of atrial fibrillation, renal function, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, troponin T level, LV ejection fraction, wall motion score index, and diastolic dysfunction indices, GLS emerged as the strongest marker of clinical HF (odds ratio, 1.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.33-1.62; P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; .0001). GLS remained independently associated with in-hospital HF in patients with LV ejection fractions &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; 40% (odds ratio, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.14-1.54; P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; .05) and improved the C-statistic over other important covariates significantly (0.87 [95% CI, 0.82-0.91] vs 0.82 [95% CI, 0.76-0.89], P = .02). Global longitudinal function assessed by GLS is significantly impaired in patients with MIs with in-hospital HF, and multivariate analysis suggests that reduced GLS is the single most powerful marker of manifest LV hemodynamic deterioration in the acute phase of MI.

Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging, 2013

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Ugeskrift for laeger, Jan 10, 2005

With the increasing possibilities of and clinical demand for diagnostic imaging in the management... more With the increasing possibilities of and clinical demand for diagnostic imaging in the management of acute cardiovascular disease, the probability of uncovering complicated cases increases. These cases are often challenging to the clinician in determining the best method of treatment. We present a case of pulmonary embolism in which an intracardiac thrombus entrapped in a patent foramen ovale without penetrating it was discovered. The patient received thrombolytic therapy without complications and was discharged in good condition six days after thrombolysis.

$Research paper thumbnail of Global left ventricular longitudinal strain is closely associated with increased neurohormonal activation after acute myocardial infarction in patients with both reduced and preserved ejection fraction: a two-dimensional speckle tracking study$

European Journal of Heart Failure, 2012

JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging, 2013

O B J E C T I V E S This study sought to hypothesize that global longitudinal strain (GLS) as a m... more O B J E C T I V E S This study sought to hypothesize that global longitudinal strain (GLS) as a measure of infarct size, and mechanical dispersion (MD) as a measure of myocardial deformation heterogeneity, would be of incremental importance for the prediction of sudden cardiac death (SCD) or malignant ventricular arrhythmias (VA) after acute myocardial infarction (MI).

European Heart Journal, 2014

Echocardiography (Mount Kisco, N.Y.), Jan 26, 2015

Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 2015

BACKGROUND Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) is a widely-used biomarker for prognostication of neurol... more BACKGROUND Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) is a widely-used biomarker for prognostication of neurological outcome after cardiac arrest, but the relevance of recommended cutoff values has been questioned due to the lack of a standardized methodology and uncertainties over the influence of temperature management.

Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, 2015

O ut-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is still associated with a poor prognosis despite improvem... more O ut-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is still associated with a poor prognosis despite improvement in survival in recent years. 1,2 In a previous study, we found a higher survival rate after OHCA and admission to tertiary heart centers compared with admission to nontertiary hospitals. 3 The difference in survival has also been found in several other studies from different countries, which has not been explained by differences in prehospital circumstances only. In the recent advanced life support guidelines, postresuscitation care has been included in the chain-of-survival emphasizing the treatment and prevention of the metabolic and hemodynamic disturbances that often develop as part of postcardiac arrest syndrome. The reasons for the difference in survival in tertiary centers versus nontertiary hospitals are largely unknown and have only been speculative. The establishment of high-volume cardiac arrest centers with implementation of postresuscitation management protocols with targeted temperature management, Background-Studies have found higher survival rates after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and admission to tertiary heart centers. The aim was to examine the level-of-care at tertiary centers compared with nontertiary hospitals and the association with outcome after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Methods and Results-Consecutive out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients (n=1078) without ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction admitted to tertiary centers (54%) and nontertiary hospitals (46%) were included (2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)). Patient charts were reviewed focusing on level-of-care and comorbidity. Survival to discharge differed significantly with 45% versus 24% of patients discharged alive (P<0.001), and after adjustment for prognostic factors admissions to tertiary centers were still associated with lower 30-day mortality (hazard ratio, 0.78 [0.64-0.96; P=0.02]), independent of comorbidity. The adjusted odds of predefined markers of level-of-care were higher in tertiary centers: admission to intensive care unit (odds ratio [OR], 1.8 [95% confidence interval, 1.2-2.5]), temporary pacemaker (OR, 6.4 [2.2-19])