Predicting survival in newly diagnosed idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a 3-year prospective study

The natural history of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is not well defined and its clinical course is variable. We sought to investigate the survival and incidence of acute exacerbations (AEs) and their significant predictors in newly diagnosed patients. 70 patients newly diagnosed with IPF were prospectively followed for at least 3 yrs. Baseline evaluation included Medical Research Council dyspnoea score (MRCDS), 6-min walk test, pulmonary function tests, all of which were repeated at 6 months, and high-resolution computed tomography. A retrospective cohort of 68 patients was used for confirmation. Mean survival from the time of diagnosis was 30 months, with a 3-yr mortality of 46%. A Risk stratificatiOn ScorE (ROSE) based on MRCDS > 3, 6-min walking distance ≤ 72% predicted and composite physiologic index > 41 predicted 3-yr mortality with high specificity. 6-month progression of ROSE predicted rapid progression. 3-yr incidence of AE was 18.6%, mostly occurring in the first 18 months; risk factors for AE were concomitant emphysema and low diffusing coefficient of the lung for carbon monoxide. Results were confirmed in an independent cohort of patients. In newly diagnosed IPF, advanced disease at presentation, rapid progression and AEs are the determinants of 3-yr survival. The purpose of the multifactorial ROSE is to risk-stratify patients in order to predict survival and detect rapid disease progression.     

Comparison of conventional and highly-sensitive troponin I measurement in ultra-marathon runners

Cardiac troponins are a mainstay in the diagnostic approach of patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome. Along with other causes of cardiac injury, strenuous aerobic exercise is an important source of troponin leakage from myocardium. Due to recent immunoassays development, there is no information on variation of highly-sensitive (HS) troponin I (TnI) in ultra-marathon runners. We studied 15 healthy trained Caucasian athletes before and immediately after completion of a 60 km, ultra-marathon. TnI was measured with both the conventional AccuTnI and the novel HS-AccuTnI immunoassays. At the end of the ultra-marathon the concentration of HS-AccuTnI significantly increased from the baseline value (19.2 ± 4.2 vs. 5.2 ± 0.8 ng/l; P = 0.001). The number of athletes displaying HS-AccuTnI values exceeding the 99th percentile of the reference limit was 2 (13%) pre-exercise, increasing significantly to 12 (80%; P < 0.001) post-exercise. Measurable value of AccuTnI were found in 1 (7%) and 12 (80%; P < 0.001) athletes pre- and post exercise, respectively. All AccuTnI values were below the 99th percentile reference limit pre-exercise, whereas this cut-off was overcome in 20% of athletes, post-exercise. These results suggest that the myocardium release of TnI during strenuous aerobic exercise mirrors that of troponin T. Moreover, the improved sensitivity of the HS-AccuTnI over the conventional assay makes it more suited for detecting even minor elevations of TnI in blood.     

Masked hypertension and echocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy: an updated overview

Masked hypertension (MH) is an emerging clinical entity predisposing to subclinical organ damage and to increased cardiovascular risk. We sought to review the recent literature focusing on the association between MH and echocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). A MEDLINE search was performed in order to identify relevant papers using the key words such as 'masked hypertension', 'ambulatory hypertension', 'left ventricular hypertrophy', 'cardiac damage', 'target organ damage', 'left ventricular dysfunction'. Full articles published in English language in the last decade, namely from 1 December 1999 to 31 July 2011, reporting studies in adult or elderly individuals, were considered. Checks of the reference lists of selected papers complemented the electronic search. A total of 13 studies, including 966 patients with MH (sample size range 17-222 patients, mean age range 30-70 years; men 71%) and 2640 controls with sustained normotension, controlled hypertension, and white coat hypertension were considered. The prevalence of LVH, defined according to six criteria, ranged from 7 to 66% in MH and from 0.4 to 42% in non-MH counterparts (average 29 vs. 9%, P<0.01). In conclusion, available evidence linking a selective blood pressure elevation outside office to echocardiographic LVH in clinically normotensive individuals is supported by limited evidence. Further studies are needed to expand our knowledge in this area and to explore the beneficial effects of antihypertensive treatment on subclinical cardiac damage in patients with MH.