B型钠尿肽与慢性心力衰竭患者临床预后的关系研究

目的探讨B型钠尿肽(BNP)对慢性心力衰竭(CHF)患者的临床诊断价值、心功能评价及危险分层的意义。方法入选CHF患者208例,参照美国纽约心功能分级,心功能Ⅰ级50例(1组);心功能Ⅱ级51例(2组);心功能Ⅲ级55例(3组);心功能Ⅳ级52例(4组)。血浆BNP水平测定用放射免疫法;LVEF用彩色多普勒超声心动诊断仪测定。结果 1～4组患者血浆BNP水平分别为(78.05±1 2.86)ng/L、(235.38±36.65)ng/L、(587.98±75.78)ng/L、(1203.87±189.96)ng/L,与1组比较,2、3、4组患者BNP水平随着心功能级别的递增而显著增加,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);2、3、4组患者随着BNP水平的升高,LVEF、6 min步行距离逐渐下降,随着CHF程度的加重,年住院次数增加;随访2、3、4组患者5年病死率分别为0,18.18%,44.23%;5年死亡风险随BNP水平的升高或治疗后下降幅度不明显而增大(P<0.01);BNP对LVEF<50%的CHF患者诊断敏感性、特异性分别为82.35%、75.42%;ROC曲线下面积为0.90。结论血浆BNP对CHF患者有较好的临床诊断价值,是CHF患者死亡风险较准确的评价指标之一;CHF患者血浆BNP水平与LVEF、6 min步行距离呈负相关。     

Association of elevated B-type natriuretic peptide levels with angiographic findings among patients with unstable angina and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized that elevated B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels would be associated with a greater severity of angiographic disease and a greater extent of myocardium at risk. BACKGROUND: Elevations of BNP have been associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes in patients with unstable angina and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (UA/NSTEMI). METHODS: Of the 2,220 patients with UA/NSTEMI enrolled in the Treat Angina with Aggrastat and Determine Cost of Therapy with an Invasive or Conservative Strategy-Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction-18 (TACTICS-TIMI-18) trial, 276 randomized to the invasive arm had both baseline BNP levels and angiographic core laboratory data. Patients were categorized according to their baseline BNP levels as < or =80 or >80 pg/ml. RESULTS: A total of 233 patients (84%) had BNP levels >80 pg/ml, and 43 (16%) had admission BNP levels >80 pg/ml. Patients with BNP >80 pg/ml had tighter culprit vessel stenosis on quantitative coronary angiography (median stenosis 76% vs. 67%, p = 0.004) and a higher (slower) corrected TIMI frame count (median CTFC 43 vs. 30, p = 0.018) in the culprit vessel. The median BNP level was higher in patients with a left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) versus non-LAD culprit lesion location (median BNP level 40 vs. 24 pg/ml, p = 0.005), and the culprit artery was more often the LAD in patients with BNP >80 pg/ml compared with < or =80 pg/ml (44% vs. 30%, p = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with UA/NSTEMI, elevated BNP levels are associated with tighter culprit stenosis, higher CTFC, and LAD involvement. These findings suggest that elevated BNP may be associated with a greater severity and extent of myocardial ischemic territory during the index event and may partly explain the association between elevated BNP and adverse outcomes.     

Value of plasma B-type natriuretic peptide as a marker for rejection in pediatric heart transplant recipients

We analyzed 211 consecutive plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) measurements in 59 pediatric heart transplant patients along with echocardiographic and right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy samples. Patients with a biopsy specimen negative for rejection had significantly lower BNP levels than those patients with a biopsy positive (p 相似文献   

Long-term angiographic and clinical outcome after implantation of a ballon-expandable stent in the native coronary circulation

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to examine the long-term clinical and angiographic outcome after coronary implantation.Background. Previous reports haw shown a discordance between the excellent initial angiographic results and subsequent adverse clinical events after coronary artery stenting.Methods. Single Palmaz-Schatz stents were electively implanted in the native coronary arteries of 300 consecutive patients. Angiograms were obtained at baseline, after balloon angioplasty, after stent implantation and at 6 months after implantation. Films were analyzed by a panel of engiographers utilizing en automated edge detection program, Clinical events, including death, myocardial infarction, coronary bypass surgery and repeat angioplasty, were recorded for 1 year.Results. Although there were no acute in-laboratory vessel closures, stent thrombosis occurred in 14 patients (4.7%) at a mean ±SD of 5 ± 3 days after implantation. Two hundred fifty-eight (90%) of 286 eligible patients had follow-up angiography at 6.1 ± 2.2 months after stent implantation. Minimal lumen diameter increased from 0.80 ± 039 mm at baseline to 1.65 +- 0.51 mm after angioplasty and further increased to 2.55 ± 0.49 mm after stent placement (p = 0.0001). At follow-up there was a 0.85-mm late loss in lumen diameter, with a final minimal lumen diameter at 6 months of 1.70 ± 0.71 mm. Restenosis, defined as ≥ 50% diameter stenosis at follow-up, occurred in 14% of patients with previously untreated lesions and in 39% of patients with previous angioplasty (p < 0.001). Clinical events after 1 year for the entire group of 300 patients included death in 0.7%, myocardial infarction in 3.7%, bypass grafting in 8% and repeat angioplasty in 13%. Freedom from any adverse clinical event was 80% for all treated patients and 87% for those with previously untreated lesions.Conclusions. Elective use of this balloon-expandable stent in the native coronary circulation is associated with a low restenosis rate by quantitative angiography in previously untreated lesions and a favorable clinical outcome with an excellent event-free survival rate at 1 year.     

Usefulness of an elevated B-type natriuretic peptide to predict allograft failure, cardiac allograft vasculopathy, and survival after heart transplantation

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) has emerged as an important marker of ventricular wall stress and is predictive of hemodynamic abnormalities in heart transplantation despite "preserved" systolic function. We evaluated the capacity of BNP to predict deaths due to allograft failure in 62 patients long after heart transplantation (mean 5 +/- 2.5 years). Based on the median tendency of measurement of BNP in the absence of rejection during stable surveillance, 2 distinct patient groups were identified as having low BNP (n = 39, < 250 pg/ml; median BNP 70 pg/ml) and high BNP (n = 23, > or =250 pg/ml; median BNP 592 pg/ml). No differences between the 2 BNP groups were noted with regard to age, gender, race, time after transplantation, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia with measurement of BNP. Multivariable analysis showed that decreased left ventricular ejection fraction, angiographic coronary artery disease, and increased serum creatinine were independent predictors of elevated BNP. Cardiac deaths were significantly greater in those with high BNP levels (35%) than in those with low BNP (2.5%, p = 0.01). Absence of significant angiographic coronary artery disease coupled with a BNP of < 250 pg/ml was associated with the lowest event rate (0%), whereas patients with coronary artery disease and BNP > or =250 pg/ml exhibited a 50% cardiac death rate (p <0.01 for trend). Cox's model confirmed that increased BNP and decreased left ventricular ejection fraction are independent predictors of poor survival. Survival analysis associated lower BNP levels with an excellent long-term survival rate (95%) and higher BNP levels with a markedly decreased survival rate (60%, p = 0.002). Higher BNP levels in patients long after heart transplantation are associated with allograft dysfunction and cardiac allograft vasculopathy and are strongly and independently predictive of cardiovascular death.     

Prognostic Value of Combined Measurement of Brain Natriuretic Peptide and Triiodothyronine in Heart Failure

BackgroundBoth low free triiodothyronine (fT3) and high brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) have been separately described as prognostic predictors for mortality in heart failure (HF). We investigated whether their prognostic value is independent.Methods and ResultsFrom January of 2001 to December of 2006, we prospectively evaluated 442 consecutive patients with systolic HF and no thyroid disease or treatment with drugs affecting thyroid function (age 65 ± 12 years, mean ± standard deviation, 75% were male, left ventricular ejection fraction 33% ± 10%, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class I and II: 63%, NYHA class III and IV: 37%). All patients underwent full clinical and echocardiographic evaluation and assessment of BNP and thyroid function. Both cardiac and all-cause mortality (cumulative) were considered as end points. During a median 36-month follow-up (range 1–86 months), 110 patients (24.8%) died, 64 (14.4%) of cardiac causes. Univariate Cox model predictors of all-cause mortality and cardiac death were age, body mass index, creatinine, hemoglobin, ejection fraction, NYHA class, BNP, fT3, and thyroxine level. Multivariate analysis selected age, NYHA class, hemoglobin, BNP, and fT3 as independent predictors for all-cause mortality and NYHA class, BNP, and fT3 as independent predictors for cardiac mortality. Patients with low fT3 and higher BNP showed the highest risk of all-cause and cardiac death (odds ratio 11.6, confidence interval, 5.8–22.9; odds ratio 13.8, confidence interval, 5.4–35.2, respectively, compared with patients with normal fT3 and low BNP).ConclusionfT3 and BNP hold an independent and additive prognostic value in HF.     

双腔起搏患者心室起搏百分数与血浆脑钠素水平的关系

目的探讨植入双腔起搏器患者术后心室累积起搏百分数与血浆脑钠素(BNP)水平的关系。方法入选107例接受DDD(R)心脏起搏器治疗的病窦综合征患者,术后随访时,通过酶联免疫吸附法检测患者血浆BNP水平,通过程控仪获取起搏器的心室累积起搏百分数,并分析两者之间的关系。结果经过中位数为60 d的随访观察,患者术后血浆BNP水平较其术前显著增高[(72.17±21.23)ng/Lvs.(52.39±18.22)ng/L,P<0.01],心室累积起搏百分数与血浆BNP水平显著正相关(r=0.578,P<0.01)。结论心室起搏可能产生起搏依赖性的心功能损害。     

Clinical impact of serial change in brain natriuretic peptide before and after catheter ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure

BackgroundBrain natriuretic peptide (BNP) predicts the prognosis in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF); however, the level of BNP can change immediately after restoration of sinus rhythm. We aimed to investigate the clinical impact of serial change in BNP level before and after catheter ablation for AF, on the prognosis.MethodsIn this retrospective single center study, 162 consecutive patients (67±9 years, 66.7% male) with AF and concomitant HF who underwent catheter ablation were examined. We analyzed the cardiac rhythm and % change in BNP pre- and post-ablation.ResultsBNP increased by 32.7% (-4.5% to 51.3%) in patients with sinus rhythm at baseline (sinus rhythm group: N=50) and decreased by 47.6% (20.9 to 61.6%) in patients with AF rhythm at baseline. Patients with AF rhythm at baseline were categorized into two groups according to the median value of reduction in % BNP; patients with good % BNP reduction (good BNP-R group; N=56), and with poor % BNP reduction (poor BNP-R group; N=56). Although the rate of recurrence of AF after ablation was comparable between the good and poor BNP-R groups, poor BNP-R was an independent predictor of subsequent composite events including HF hospitalization, ischemic stroke, and all cause of death after ablation, even after adjusting for other confounders (hazard ratio: 6.85, 95% confidence interval: 2.16 to 21.7, p-value=0.001). In the longitudinal analysis of echocardiographic parameters, shortening of the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter with preserved ejection fraction was evident except in the poor BNP-R group.ConclusionIn patients with AF and HF, poor % BNP reduction was an independent predictor of adverse outcome, although the rate of recurrence of AF was comparable. Serial BNP measurement might help in better identification of high-risk patients in whom sinus rhythm is restored with catheter ablation.     

脑钠素水平与急性ST段抬高心肌梗死患者疾病严重程度和预后的关系

目的探讨急性ST段抬高心肌梗死患者脑钠素水平与疾病严重程度和患者预后的关系。方法选择急性ST段抬高心肌梗死患者80例(心肌梗死组),选择同期入院的稳定性心绞痛患者20例(对照组)。心肌梗死组患者1年失访9例,其余71例患者又根据是否发生心脏不良事件分为不良事件组(25例)和无不良事件组(46例)。所有患者在入院即刻,1、2、3及5天检测脑钠素。比较不同Killip分级脑钠素水平的变化以及冠状动脉造影结果。随访1年,观察不良心脏事件,主要包括:心源性死亡,非致死性心肌梗死,因心绞痛、心力衰竭再次入院。结果与对照组比较,心肌梗死组Killip 1、2、3、4级患者脑钠素水平均明显增高(P<0.05)。Killip 1级与2级患者之间脑钠素水平差异无统计学意义,其余Killip各级患者之间脑钠素水平差异有统计学意义。单支病变和多支病变患者脑钠素水平较对照组明显增高(P<0.05)。多支病变患者脑钠素水平高于单支病变患者(P<0.05)。不良事件组患者脑钠素水平明显高于无不良事件组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论脑钠素水平与急性ST段抬高心肌梗死患者疾病严重程度和不良预后有关。     

Value of peri-procedural B-type natriuretic peptide levels in predicting cardiac events after elective percutaneous coronary intervention

OBJECTIVE: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) has diagnostic and prognostic value in a wide variety of cardiac disorders including heart failure and acute coronary syndromes. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of baseline and post-procedural BNP levels in predicting major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in stable coronary artery disease (CAD) patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: Blood samples for BNP were obtained before, 1 hour and 24 hours after PCI of stable CAD patients who underwent elective PCI for de novo lesions in native coronary arteries. Patients were followed for 12 months for the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) including cardiac death, myocardial infarction, hospitalization with angina or repeat revascularization. RESULTS: Among the 95 patients with one-year follow-up data 22 had MACE. Baseline clinical and procedural characteristics of patients with and without MACE were similar. Only EF was significantly lower (P < 0.001) and complex lesion type was significantly more common in patients with MACE (P = 0.012). All measured plasma BNP levels were significantly higher in patients with MACE compared to those free of MACE (baseline P < 0.001, 1st hour P = 0.001 and 24th hour P < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis identified the EF (P = 0.026) and 24th hour BNP (P = 0.002) as independent predictors of MACE. If baseline or post-PCI 1st hour BNP levels were put into analysis instead of post-PCI 24th hour BNP the predictive value of BNP lost its significance (both P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Post-PCI 24th hour BNP is an independent predictor of MACE during 12 months of follow-up after elective successful PCI.     

Natriuretic Peptides in Sheep with Pressure Overload Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

To examine tissue and plasma atrial (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) responses to left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) 7 sheep underwent suprarenal aortic banding (20mmHg initial pressure differential). Median survival time was 15 days. Proximal mean aortic pressure (MAP) increased from 65.1±5.0mmHg (baseline) to 111.6±7.5mmHg (day 7, p<0.0001). Distal systolic aortic pressure fell from 85.5±8.7mmHg (baseline) to 55.6±6.4mmHg (day 7, p=0.0002). Maximal plasma ANP (26.9±3.6 vs. 10.1±1.2pmol/L, p=0.005) and BNP (15.3±3.6 vs. 3.5±1.0pmol/L, p=0.006) were recorded at 15±4.0 days. Coarctation induced rapid increases in PRA and plasma aldosterone and a fall in urinary sodium. Post-mortem examination of hearts confirmed LVH. Compared with controls, tissue ANP concentration was reduced in left atrium (p=0.04) and LV (p=0.04). BNP concentration was reduced in left atrium (p=0.02) but tended to be higher in LV In conclusion, suprarenal aortic coarctation leads to progressive hypertension resulting in LVH, progressive increases in plasma ANP and BNP and, in most cases, death from heart failure.     

Persistently increased serum concentrations of cardiac troponin in patients with acutely decompensated heart failure are predictive of adverse outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Persistently increased serum concentrations of cardiac troponin (cTn) are a prognostic marker in patients suffering from chronic congestive heart failure (CHF), but the significance in acute cardiac decompensation is unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: Serial blood samples were collected from 52 patients presenting with acute cardiac decompensation in the absence of an acute coronary event. Serial serum concentrations of cTnI, creatine kinase (CK)-MB, and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were measured by rapid assay. BNP and CK-MB steadily decreased from 902+/-529 pg/ml and 2.3+/-1.6 ng/ml at baseline to 453+/-427 pg/ml and 1.2+/-1.6 ng/ml on day 7, respectively, (p<0.0001 for both comparisons). In contrast, cTnI did not decrease significantly and, in 17 patients (35%), increased from 0.063+/-0.047 ng/ml at baseline to 0.167+/-0.181 ng/ml on day 1 (p<0.05). By single variable regression analysis, systolic blood pressure (SBP), use of inotropes or inodilators, vasodilators, and an initially elevated cTnI were predictors of elevated cTnI on day 1. By multiple variable analysis, an elevated SBP (as a mitigating factor) (odds ratios (OR) 0.12; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.02-0.76; p=0.0248), and high baseline cTnI (OR 13.85; 95%CI: 1.97-97.54; p=0.0083) were significant predictors of an elevated cTnI on day 1. Patients with elevated cTnI on day 1 had higher rates of worsening CHF and death from CHF than patients without such an increase (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Persistently increased serum concentrations of cTn in patients with acutely decompensated heart failure are predictive of adverse outcomes.     

Septal rebound stretch is a strong predictor of outcome after cardiac resynchronization therapy

BackgroundSeptal rebound stretch (SRSsept) is a distinctive characteristic of discoordination-related mechanical inefficiency. We assessed how intermediate- and long-term outcome after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) relate to baseline SRSsept.Methods and ResultsA total of 101 patients (age 65 ± 11 years, 69 men, 18 New York Heart Association (NYHA) class IV, QRS 173 ± 23 ms) scheduled for CRT underwent clinical assessment, echocardiography, and brain-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) measurements before and 6.4 ± 2.3 months after CRT. Baseline SRSsept (all systolic stretch after initial shortening in the septum) was quantified by speckle tracking echocardiography. Primary composite end point was death, urgent cardiac transplantation, or left ventricular assist device implantation at the end of the study. Secondary end points were intermediate-term (6 months) response, quantified as decreases in left ventricular end-systolic volume (ΔLVESV) and BNP (ΔBNP). After a mean clinical follow-up of 15.6 ± 9.0 months; 23 patients had reached the primary end point. Baseline SRSsept (hazard ratio [HR] 0.742; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.601–0.916, P < .01]) was independently associated with a better outcome and NYHA class (HR 5.786: 95% CI 2.341–14.299, P < .001) with a worse outcome. Contrary to baseline NYHA class, baseline SRSsept was an independent predictor of both ΔLVESV (beta 0.53; P < .001) and ΔBNP (beta 0.29; P < .01). Intermediate-term ΔLVESV and ΔBNP were associated with a favorable long-term outcome.ConclusionsSRSsept at baseline is a strong, independent predictor of long-term prognosis after CRT and of improvements in left ventricular remodeling and neurohormonal activation at intermediate term.     

Comparing long‐term outcomes between drug‐eluting and bare‐metal stents in the treatment of cardiac allograft vasculopathy

Background: Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is the leading cause of death after the first year following heart transplantation. We compared restenosis rates, mortality, and other major adverse cardiac events (MACE) between transplant recipients treated with DES and BMS for CAV. Methods: All patients from our heart transplant registry undergoing PCI with stenting for CAV were identified. Procedural data, baseline clinical characteristics, yearly coronary angiography, cardiac events and death were prospectively collected. Primary outcome was in‐stent restenosis (ISR). Secondary outcomes were in‐segment restenosis, target vessel revascularization (TVR), all‐cause mortality and combined MACE. Results: 36 lesions in 25 patients treated with DES were compared with 31 BMS‐treated lesions in 19 patients. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics. 12‐month incidence of ISR was 0% with DES vs. 12.9% with BMS, P = 0.03. Over mean (±standard error) follow‐up of 51.1 ± 7.5 months this difference was significant for vessels ≤3 mm in diameter, hazard ratio (HR) DES vs. BMS 0.37 (95% CI 0.11 to 0.95) P = 0.037; but not for vessels >3 mm P = 0.45. However, there was no difference in overall longterm patency because of similar rates of in‐segment restenosis between DES and BMS, HR 1.13 (95% CI 0.43 to 2.97) P = 0.81. Also, the rates of TVR, death from any cause and combined MACE were similar; log rank P 0.88, 0.67, and 0.85, respectively. Conclusion: This study suggests that after PCI for cardiac allograft vasculopathy, despite a lower in‐stent restenosis rate in DES compared with BMS, in‐segment restenosis and clinical cardiac endpoints are similar. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Efficacy and safety of carvedilol for heart failure in children and patients with congenital heart disease

There have been few reports describing the use of carvedilol in children or patients with congenital heart disease. Therefore, its optimal regimen, efficacy, and safety in these patients have not been adequately investigated. Subjects were 27 patients with two functioning ventricles, for whom carvedilol was initiated (from December 2001 to December 2005) to treat heart failure. All patients had failed to respond to conventional cardiac medication. They consisted of 12 males and 15 females, aged 23 days to 47 years (median age: 2 years). Heart failure due to ischemia (myocardial infarction, intraoperative ischemic event) or due to myocardial disease (cardiomyopathy, myocarditis), and heart failure with atrial or ventricular tachyarrhythmia represented 70% of all cases. Carvedilol was initiated at a dose of 0.02–0.05 mg/kg/day, which was increased by 0.05–0.1 mg/kg/day after 2 days, 0.1 mg/kg/day after 5 days, and 0.05–0.1 mg/kg/day every month thereafter with a target dose of 0.8 mg/kg/day. This study retrospectively assessed the efficacy and adverse reactions based on changes of symptoms, cardiothoracic ratio (CTR), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and human atrial natriuretic peptide (hANP)/b-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) blood levels. The mean follow-up period was 10.2 months (range: 1–46 months). Twenty-six (96.3%) patients showed improvement in symptoms and were discharged from the hospital. However, the remaining one patient failed to respond and died. Significant cardiovascular adverse reaction was seen in none of the patients. The mean CTR decreased from 61.8% ± 5.3% before treatment to 57.6% ± 7.4% after treatment (P < 0.05, n = 25), and the mean LVEF improved from 41.4% ± 23.1% to 61.1% ± 10.1% (P < 0.05, n = 10), respectively. Mean hANP and BNP levels showed a decrease from 239.1 pg/ml to 118.3 pg/ml and a significant decrease from 437.9 pg/ml to 120.5 pg/ml, respectively (P < 0.05, n = 10). Improvements in these data were also demonstrated when analyzed individually among the pediatric group (aged younger than 18) and the congenital heart disease group. Initiation of carvedilol at a lower dose with more gradual dose escalation, compared with previously reported regimens, might have efficacy with low incidence of adverse effects in pediatric patients and patients with congenital heart disease. Carvedilol may be effective in treating heart failure in children due to ischemia, myocardial disease, and complicated by tachyarrhythmia.     

Long-term improvement in cardiac magnetic resonance in β-thalassemia major patients treated with deferasirox extends to patients with abnormal baseline cardiac function

The management of iron overload in thalassemia has changed dramatically since the implementation of magnetic resonance imaging, which allows detection of preclinical iron overload and prevention of clinical complications. This study evaluated the effect of deferasirox (DFX), the newest once-daily oral chelator, on cardiac function, iron overload and cardiovascular events over a longer follow up in a “real world” setting. Longitudinal changes in cardiac magnetic resonance T2*, cardiac function parameters and cardiovascular clinical events were assessed in a cohort of 98 TM patients exposed to DFX for a mean of 6.9 years (range 1.8-11.6 years). No cardiac death or incident heart failure occurred. Cardiac T2* significantly increased (+2.6 ± 11.9 msec; P = 0.035) in the whole population, with a significantly greater increase (+11.6 ± 15.5 msec, P = 0.019) in patients with cardiac iron overload (T2* <20 ms). A significant improvement in left-ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (from 50.6 ± 6 to 60.2 ± 5; P = 0.001) was observed in 11 (84.6%) out of 13 patients who normalized cardiac function (LVEF >56%). Arrhythmias were the most frequent cardiac adverse event noted but none led to DFX discontinuation. Our data indicate that DFX is effective in maintaining cardiac iron level in the normal range and in improving cardiac iron overload. No heart failure or cardiac death was reported over this longer observation up to 12 years. For the first time, a DFX-induced improvement in LVEF was observed in a subgroup of patients with abnormal cardiac function at baseline, a preliminary observation which deserves further evaluation.     

Loss of systemic endothelial function post-PCI

To investigate loss of systemic endothelial function post-PCI and evaluate the putative therapeutic effect of BNP. Loss of endothelial function (LEF) post-PCI may contribute to both acute and long-term complications. A protective effect of BNP on endothelium was suggested previously. Flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) of the brachial artery, as well as plasma levels of endothelin, BNP, Pro BNP and corin were measured before and following routine PCI. 49 patients with normal baseline endothelial function were recruited. 30 patients developed LEF and were randomized to i.v. nesiritide (the commercially available recombinant form of human BNP) or saline infusion for 3 h. Patients who developed LEF post-PCI had reduced baseline plasma corin levels and their BNP/ProBNP ratio was reduced after the procedure. Nesiritide infusion significantly improved FMD both immediately (Nesiritide versus saline: 2.87±0.78% versus 0.51±0.25%, P=0.007) and 24 h after the treatment (2.52±0.69% versus 0.72±0.32%, P=0.025). The elevated plasma ET-1 was reduced by Nesiritide (0.38±0.11 fmol/ml 24 h post-PCI versus 0.16±0.02 fmol/ml 24 h post BNP, P=0.047), but remained unchanged in saline group (0.39±0.21 fmol/ml versus 0.42±0.23 fmol/ml, P=0.749). Systemic LEF post-PCI is a frequent event. It may be related to impaired cleavage of ProBNP to BNP. Short-term i.v. nesiritide improves systemic LEF post-PCI.     

Initial Intravascular Ultrasound Without a Routine Early Baseline Study in the Evaluation of Cardiac Transplant Vasculopathy has Prognostic Valve

BackgroundAbnormal minimal intimal thickening (MIT) on intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) defined as difference of ≥0.5 mm between baseline and one-year post-transplantation has been shown to have prognostic value. The goal of this retrospective cohort study was to evaluate whether abnormal MIT found on routine IVUS studies in cardiac transplant patients after 6 months without an early baseline study (modified MIT or MMIT), has any prognostic value. Furthermore, we evaluated the prognostic effect of serial IVUS performed beyond one year.MethodsA cohort of 149 cardiac transplant patients who underwent IVUS examination > 6 months post-transplant were evaluated retrospectively. Of these 149 patients, 109 patients underwent a subsequent IVUS study approximately 1 year following the initial study. MMIT values of ≥0.5 mm without an early baseline study were correlated with major adverse cardiac event (MACE).ResultsThe all-cause mortality was 4.7% (5/107) in patients with MMIT of <0.5 mm vs. 14.6% (6/41) in patients with MMIT of ≥0.5 mm [hazards ratio (HR): 3.2; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.002–12.17; p = 0.039]. The overall MACE rate was 8.4% (9/107) in patients with MMIT of <0.5 mm vs. 24.4% (10/41) in patients with MMIT of ≥0.5 mm [HR: 6.7; 95% CI: 1.30–9.42; p = 0.009]. After adjusting for age, abnormal MMIT remained a significant independent predictor of MACE (HR: 3.93; CI 1.21–12.81; p = 0.023).ConclusionsThe presence of abnormal MMIT noted on IVUS performed after 6 months post-transplantation without a routine baseline IVUS carries important prognostic value.     

Influence of Donor Transmitted and Rapidly Progressive Coronary Vascular Disease on Long-Term Outcomes After Heart Transplantation: A Contemporary Intravascular Ultrasound Analysis

BackgroundDonor-transmitted atherosclerosis (DTA) and rapidly progressive cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) at 1 year are intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-derived measures shown to predict adverse cardiovascular outcomes in the setting of early generation immunosuppressive agents. Given the paucity of data on the prognostic value of IVUS-derived measurements in the current era, we sought to explore their association with adverse outcomes after heart transplantation.Methods and ResultsThis is a retrospective cohort analysis of patients who underwent heart transplantation at our center between January 2009 and June 2016 with baseline and 1-year IVUS. Five IVUS sections were prospectively analyzed for intimal thickness and lumen area. DTA was defined as maximum intimal thickness of 0.5 mm or greater at baseline, and rapidly progressive CAV as an increase in maximum intimal thickness by 0.5 mm or more at 1 year. Our primary analysis assessed the relationship of IVUS and other clinical data on a composite outcome: coronary intervention, CAV stage 2 or 3 (defined by the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation 2010 nomenclature), or cardiovascular death. Among 249 patients (mean age 51.0 ± 12.2 years and 74.3% male) included in the analysis, DTA was detected in 118 patients (51.4%). Over a median follow-up of 6.1 years (interquartile range 4.2–8.0 years), 45 patients met the primary end point (23 percutaneous coronary intervention, 11 CAV 2 or 3, and 11 cardiovascular deaths as first event). DTA and rapidly progressive CAV were not associated with the primary end point, all-cause mortality, or retransplantation. In an additional analysis including post-transplant events, incident rejection was strongly associated with poor outcomes, although cytomegalovirus infection was not.ConclusionsIn this contemporary cohort, IVUS-derived DTA and rapidly progressive CAV were not associated with medium- to long-term adverse events after heart transplantation.     

利钠肽与急性心肌梗死后心功能不全和住院病死率相关性研究

目的探讨急性心肌梗死(AMI)患者血浆利钠肽浓度与其急性期心力衰竭和住院病死率之间的相关性。方法选择初发AMI患者294例,其中住院期间存活272例,死亡22例;LVEF≥40%262例,<40%32例;Killip分级Ⅰ级152例,Ⅱ级99例,Ⅲ～Ⅳ级43例。记录发病14～18h血浆利钠肽浓度,发病24～48 h超声心动图检查测定LVEF和左心室二尖瓣舒张早期血流峰值(E)和舒张晚期血流峰值(A)比值(E/A),对各因素间的利钠肽浓度进行比较。结果血浆利钠肽随着Killip分级Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ～Ⅳ级逐渐升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。AMI后急性期心功能Killip分级及肌酸激酶同工酶峰值与利钠肽呈正相关,E/A与利钠肽呈负相关。死亡患者血浆利钠肽明显高于存活患者[(2399.0±1626.0)ng/L vs(480.8±676.0)ng/L,P<0.01]。利钠肽是AMI患者住院死亡的强预测因素(OR=1.259,P=0.028)。结论血浆利钠肽在AMI后的高危患者中明显升高,与急性期心功能Killip分级、舒张功能及死亡均显著相关,可以尝试用于AMI后心功能不全及死亡危险性的早期预后评估。