Structural and functional remodeling of the left atrium: clinical and therapeutic implications for atrial fibrillation

Left atrial (LA) structural and functional remodeling reflects a spectrum of pathophysiological changes that have occurred in response to specific stressors. These changes include alterations at the levels of ionic channels, cellular energy balance, neurohormonal expression, inflammatory response, and physiologic adaptations. There is convincing evidence demonstrating an important pathophysiological association between LA remodeling and atrial fibrillation (AF). Measures that will prevent, attenuate, or halt these processes of LA remodeling may have a major public health impact with respect to the epidemic of AF. In this review, we describe the mechanisms involved in LA remodeling and highlight the existing and potential therapeutic options for its reversal, and implications for AF development.     

血清N端B型脑钠肽前体水平检测在治疗ACS中的临床意义

目的：探讨血清N端B型脑钠肽（NT-pro BNP）水平检测在治疗急性冠脉综合征（ACS）中的临床意义。方法：抽选本院ICU收治的153例ACS患者,对其血清NT-pro BNP水平、冠脉病变程度Gensini评分以及左室射血分数（LVEF）进行检测和评定,并与同期93例健康体检者（对照组）和86例稳定性心绞痛患者（SAP组）进行对比研究;同时统计分析153例ACS患者经住院治疗前及治疗第7、15天血清NT-pro BNP水平变化。结果：（1）与对照组和SAP组相比,ACS患者的NT-pro BNP水平、冠脉病变程度Gensini评分明显升高,LVEF下降（P＜0.05）;且SAP、UAP、AMI组中NT-pro BNP、Gensini评分呈递增式升高,LVEF递减式下降（P＜0.05）。（2）153例ACS患者经治疗后,好转出院80例、心衰恶化39例、死亡34例。好转出院组患者在治疗第7天后血清NT-ProBNP显著下降（P＜0.05）,第7、15天均逐渐降低;而死亡组和心衰恶化组患者治疗后2个时点血清NT-ProBNP与治疗前相比呈逐渐升高趋势（P＜0.05）。结论：血清NT-pro BNP有利于ACS的临床诊断及心功能评估,可作为评估 ACS治疗预后的一个重要监测指标。     

Plasma 15-F2t-isoprostane in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension

Background

15-F_2t-isoprostane (15-F_2t-IsoP), a prostaglandin F₂-like compound, is widely recognized as a biomarker of chronic heart failure. This study investigated the potential role and prognostic significance of plasma 15-F_2t-IsoP in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH).

Methods

Plasma 15-F_2t-IsoP concentrations were determined in 80 consecutive IPAH patients at the time of their first right heart catheterization, and monitored for 30 ± 12 months. The expression of 15-F_2t-IsoP protein in autopsy lung samples was determined by immunohistochemical staining.

Results

Plasma 15-F_2t-IsoP concentrations were significantly increased in patients with IPAH compared with healthy controls (91 pg/ml vs. 30 pg/ml, respectively; P < 0.001). Patients with baseline 15-F_2t-IsoP concentrations ≥ 97 pg/ml had a significantly lower survival rate than those with lower baseline concentrations (P < 0.001). During follow-up, 15-F_2t-IsoP concentrations in survivors decreased, whereas concentrations in non-surviving patients increased further (P < 0.05). Elevated concentrations of 15-F_2t-IsoP were correlated with a severity of WHO functional class, lower 6-minute walking distance and mixed venous oxygen saturation, higher mean right atrial pressure and brain natriuretic peptide. Multivariate analysis revealed that the plasma 15-F_2t-IsoP concentration was an independent factor associated with mortality. Histological studies showed that the expression of 15-F_2t-IsoP was up-regulated in remodeled pulmonary vessels.

Conclusions

An elevated plasma 15-F_2t-IsoP concentration and a further increase during follow-up may be a risk factor for higher mortality in patients with IPAH.     

Testing a novel pictorial medication sheet to improve adherence in veterans with heart failure and cognitive impairment

Objectives(a) To evaluate efficacy of a pictorial medication sheet to improve adherence in veterans with heart failure (HF) and cognitive impairment (CI); (b) to describe acceptance of the intervention.BackgroundCI is prevalent in HF and is associated with worsened medication adherence. The Veteran's Administration has developed a medication image library; however, use of images to improve adherence has not been tested.MethodsThirty-six veterans with HF and CI were enrolled and provided pictorial medication sheets and an optional alarmed pillbox. Adherence pre-and post-intervention was determined by 30-day pill counts. Acceptance was assessed from interviews.ResultsTwenty-seven veterans (75%) completed the study. Overall medication adherence was poor, however there was significant improvement from pre-intervention (M = 79.74, SD = ±16.98) to post-intervention (M = 84.74, SD = ±10.00) adherence (t(26) = 2.16, p < .05, Cohen's d = .42).ConclusionsThis pilot study provides preliminary evidence that medication images improve adherence with complex medication regimens. The intervention was well received by patients.     

Growth differentiation factor-15 in Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: Diagnostic and prognostic value

Background

Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), a stress responsive cytokine, has emerged as a marker of adverse outcome in various cardiovascular diseases. Since GDF-15 has not been evaluated in patients with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC), the present study sought to investigate the diagnostic and prognostic value in this patient cohort.

Methods

A total of 22 patients presenting with TTC were matched for age and gender with 22 ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. GDF-15 concentrations were measured at admission and 1 day thereafter. The primary clinical endpoint of the TTC cohort was the composite of death, cardiogenic shock, or new congestive heart failure within 6 months.

Results

TTC patients showed significantly higher GDF-15 values on admission compared to patients presenting with STEMI (median 3047 ng/l [interquartile range 2256–7572] versus median 1527 ng/l [interquartile range 1152–2677]; p = 0.002). TTC patients with a biventricular ballooning pattern and patients experiencing major adverse cardiac events during the first 6 months after acute presentation showed significantly higher GDF-15 concentrations on admission (p = 0.008 and p = 0.005, respectively). Biventricular ballooning was identified as a predictor for elevated GDF-15 values on admission (p = 0.03). High GDF-15 levels on admission were the only significant predictor for the combined clinical endpoint in multivariable regression analysis (p = 0.02).

Conclusion

TTC patients showed markedly high, but transient elevation of GDF-15 levels. Biventricular ballooning was associated with particularly high GDF-15 concentrations. Elevated GDF-15 values on admission were a strong predictor of adverse clinical outcome.     

血浆Hcy、H-FABP、BNP对冠心病心绞痛患者并发心力衰竭的预测价值

目的研究血浆同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)、心型脂肪酸结合蛋白(H-FABP)、脑利钠肽(BNP)对冠心病心绞痛患者并发心力衰竭的预测价值。方法从2016年2月至2018年2月我院接收的冠心病心绞痛并发心力衰竭患者中抽取300例,设为A组;选取同期冠心病心绞痛未并发心力衰竭患者300例,设为B组。检测和比较两组患者的血浆Hcy、HFABP、BNP水平。结果A组患者的血浆Hcy、H-FABP、BNP水平均明显高于B组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。随着NYHA心功能分级的增加,冠心病心绞痛并发心力衰竭患者血浆Hcy、H-FABP、BNP水平呈现上升趋势;不同NYHA心功能分级的冠心病心绞痛并发心力衰竭患者的血浆Hcy、H-FABP、BNP水平比较,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论血浆Hcy、H-FABP、BNP对冠心病心绞痛患者并发心力衰竭的预测价值显著,可作为冠心病心绞痛患者并发心力衰竭诊治的重要监测指标。     

Effects of nocturnal oxygen therapy on heart function in SDB patients undergoing dialysis

Abstract

There is a close relationship between sleep disordered breathing (SDB) and heart failure. We performed home oxygen therapy (HOT) in patients with SAS undergoing dialysis, and investigated its effects on the heart function. The subjects were 10 SDB patients on dialysis. On retiring at night, oxygen was transnasally administered at 1.0?L/min. The human atrial natriuretic peptide (hANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), total protein, Alb, cholesterol and phosphorus levels were measured before the start of oxygen therapy and after 6 weeks. The mean SpO₂ increased from 93.5% [91.5, 97.0] to 96.3% [94.8, 97.4] (median [interquartile range]) (p?=?0.015). The hANP (p?=?0.0039), BNP (p?=?0.0098) and serum Alb (p?=?0.015) levels significantly improved. There were no significant changes in the cholesterol, phosphorus or total protein levels. These results suggest that nocturnal oxygen therapy improves indices of heart failure, contributing to the prevention and treatment of heart failure in dialysis patients with SDB.     

急性冠脉综合征PCI前后BNP变化分析

目的 探讨急性冠脉综合征急诊PCI前后BNP变化并进行分析.方法 2008年1月至2009年6月收治的急性冠脉综合征患者128例,根据病情及治疗情况分为PCI治疗组68例和药物保守治疗组60例,观察治疗前、治疗18 h、治疗4周脑利钠肽素变化.结果 经统计学分析比较PCI治疗组与药物保守治疗组治疗前P>0.05,治疗18 h与治疗4周两组比较P<0.05有显著差异性.结论 所有急性冠脉综合征患者中BNP均显著升高,充分说明BNP在急性冠脉综合征早期诊断中有这良好的临床指导意义,可以做为临床对急性冠脉综合征诊断中常规检查.经PCI治疗后,BNP值下降明显优于药物保守治疗,P<0.05有显著差异性.说明在对急性冠脉综合征治疗中早期应用PCI治疗能够明显改善冠脉循环,促进疾病的康复.