Relationship of interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein to the prothrombotic state in chronic atrial fibrillation

OBJECTIVES: We sought to test the hypothesis that there is a relationship between inflammation and the prothrombotic state in atrial fibrillation (AF). BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation is associated with a prothrombotic or hypercoagulable state, which may contribute to an increased risk of stroke and thromboembolism. Inflammation may be involved in the pathogenesis of AF, but the role of inflammation in the pathophysiology of the prothrombotic state of AF has not been studied in detail, despite evidence of a link between inflammation and arterial atherothrombotic disorders. METHODS: We measured plasma indexes of inflammation (C-reactive protein [CRP] and interleukin-6 [IL-6]) and the prothrombotic state, including markers of platelet activation (soluble P-selectin), endothelial damage/dysfunction (von Willebrand factor), the coagulation cascade (tissue factor [TF], fibrinogen), and indexes of blood rheology (plasma viscosity, plasma fibrinogen, and hematocrit) in 106 patients with chronic AF and 41 healthy control subjects included in a cross-sectional analysis. RESULTS: Compared with controls, AF patients had higher levels of IL-6 (p = 0.034), CRP (p = 0.003), TF (p = 0.019), and plasma viscosity (p = 0.045). Plasma IL-6 levels were higher among AF patients at "high" risk of stroke (p = 0.003). After adjusting for potential confounding clinical variables (e.g., vascular disease), AF remained significantly associated with a raised logarithmic transformation (log) of TF (p = 0.04), but the relationships between AF and log IL-6, log CRP, and plasma viscosity became nonsignificant. Among AF patients, log TF (p < 0.001) and high stroke risk (p = 0.003) were independent associates of log IL-6 (adjusted r(2) = 0.443), whereas log fibrinogen (p < 0.001) and plasma viscosity (p = 0.04) were independent associates of log CRP (adjusted r(2) = 0.259). CONCLUSIONS: Increased plasma IL-6, CRP, and plasma viscosity support the case for the existence of an inflammatory state among "typical" populations with chronic AF. These indexes of inflammation are related to indexes of the prothrombotic state and may be related to the clinical variables of the patients (underlying vascular disease and co-morbidities), rather than simply to the presence of AF itself.     

Can morbidity and mortality of SLE be improved?

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the second most common autoimmune disorder (after thyroid disease) in women of childbearing age. Lupus is increasingly being recognized throughout the world's population. The incidence and prevalence of SLE varies among racial and ethnic groups. Lupus patient survival has significantly improved over the past five decades, but a three- to fivefold increased risk of death remains compared with the general population. As lupus patients survive longer, these individuals face a range of complications from the disease itself or consequent to its treatment. Emerging data from epidemiological studies underscore the importance of incorporating race and ethnicity in understanding the risk factors leading to the significant burden of mortality and morbidity associated with this disease. This chapter describes the epidemiology of lupus with a focus on racial and ethnic differences, reviews the mortality associated with the disease, discusses selected complications associated with morbidity related to the disease and highlights areas where we can improve mortality and morbidity.     

Hepatic iron overload in blacks and whites: a comparative autopsy study

OBJECTIVE: Genetic susceptibility to iron loading is an important factor in the development of iron overload in Africans. This suggests that persons of African descent may be at risk to develop iron overload with its attendant complications, but relatively little is known about hepatic iron overload among blacks. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence, histological features, and clinical correlates of hepatic iron overload in a group of autopsied black and white veterans. METHODS: Hepatic iron concentrations (HIC) were determined on liver tissue from autopsies performed at the John Cochran Veterans Affairs Medical Center during the period 1993 to 1996. Clinical information was obtained from autopsy protocols. Sections from livers in which the HIC exceeded the upper limit of normal were examined histologically. RESULTS: Of 256 specimens, 99 were from blacks (39%), whereas 157 were from whites (61%). Thirty-one blacks (31%) had an elevated HIC versus 44 whites (28%) (ns). In the majority of these cases (18 blacks, 30 whites), the HIC was less than twice the upper limit of normal. Nine of 15 subjects with an HIC greater than twice the upper limit of normal and no evident cause of secondary iron overload were black. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of mild-to-moderate hepatic iron overload was similar in this group of black and white veterans. Because of the inherent limitations of autopsy studies, prospective assessment of iron stores in healthy blacks is needed to determine more accurately the prevalence and clinical significance of iron overload in this population.     

Prognostic judgments and triage decisions for patients with acute congestive heart failure

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To determine how well triage physicians judge the probability of death or severe complications that require treatment only available in an ICU to maintain life for patients with acute congestive heart failure (CHF). DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: An urban university hospital, a Veteran's Administration hospital, and a community hospital. Patients or participants: Patients were those visiting the emergency department (ED) with acute CHF, excluding those who already required a treatment only available in an ICU to maintain life, and those with possible or definite myocardial infarction. Physician participants were those caring for the patients in the ED. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: We performed chart reviews to ascertain whether each patient died or had severe complications develop by 4 days. We collected judgments of the probability of this outcome from the physicians taking care of the study patients in the ED. The prevalence of death or severe complications was 43 per 1,032 patients (4.2%). The mean +/- SD of physicians' judgments of the probability of this outcome was 32.1 +/- 28.4%. A calibration curve that stratified these judgments by decile demonstrated that physicians consistently overestimated this probability (p < 0.01). Physicians' judgments were only moderately good at discriminating which patients would have the outcome (receiver operating characteristic curve area, 0.715). Patients admitted to an ICU received the highest average predicted probability (56.4%), followed by those admitted to a telemetry unit (34.1%), to a regular hospital ward (29.8%), and those sent home (17.9%.) CONCLUSIONS: Physicians drastically overestimated the probability of a severe complication that would require critical care for patients with acute CHF who were candidates for ICU admission. Their judgments of this probability were associated with their triage decisions, as they should be according to several guidelines for ICU triage. Overestimation of the probability of severe complications may have lead to overutilization of scarce critical care resources. Current critical care triage guidelines should be revised to take this difficulty into account, and better predictive models for patients potentially requiring critical care should be developed.     

Oxidized phospholipids predict the presence and progression of carotid and femoral atherosclerosis and symptomatic cardiovascular disease: five-year prospective results from the Bruneck study.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this work was to determine the predictive value of oxidized phospholipids (OxPLs) present on apolipoprotein B-100 particles (apoB) in carotid and femoral atherosclerosis. BACKGROUND: The OxPLs are pro-inflammatory and pro-atherogenic and may be detected using the antibody E06 (OxPL/apoB). METHODS: The Bruneck study is a prospective population-based survey of 40- to 79-year-old men and women initiated in 1990. Plasma levels of OxPL/apoB and lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] were measured in 765 of 826 (92.6%) and 671 of 684 (98.1%) subjects alive in 1995 and 2000, respectively, and correlated with ultrasound measures of carotid and femoral atherosclerosis. RESULTS: The distribution of the OxPL/apoB levels was skewed to lower levels and nearly identical to Lp(a) levels. The OxPL/apoB and Lp(a) levels were highly correlated (r = 0.87, p < 0.001), and displayed long-term stability and lacked correlations with most cardiovascular risk factors and lifestyle variables. The number of apolipoprotein (a) kringle IV-2 repeats was inversely related to Lp(a) mass (r = -0.48, p < 0.001) and OxPL/apoB levels (r = -0.46, p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, OxPL/apoB levels were strongly and significantly associated with the presence, extent, and development (1995 to 2000) of carotid and femoral atherosclerosis and predicted the presence of symptomatic cardiovascular disease. Both OxPL/apoB and Lp(a) levels showed similar associations with atherosclerosis severity and progression, suggesting a common biological influence on atherogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that pro-inflammatory oxidized phospholipids, present primarily on Lp(a), are significant predictors of the presence and extent of carotid and femoral atherosclerosis, development of new lesions, and increased risk of cardiovascular events. The OxPL biomarkers may provide valuable insights into diagnosing and monitoring cardiovascular disease.     

Effect of dose on response to adrenocorticotropin in extremely low birth weight infants

CONTEXT: Various cosyntropin doses are used to test adrenal function in premature infants, without consensus on appropriate dose or adequate response. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to test the cortisol response of extremely low birth weight infants to different cosyntropin doses and evaluate whether these doses differentiate between groups of infants with clinical conditions previously associated with differential response to cosyntropin. DESIGN: The design was a prospective, nested study conducted within a randomized clinical trial of low-dose hydrocortisone from November 1, 2001, to April 30, 2003. SETTING: The setting was nine newborn intensive care units. PATIENTS: The patients included infants with 500-999 g birth weight. INTERVENTION: The drug used was cosyntropin, at 1.0 or 0.1 microg/kg, given between 18 and 28 d of birth. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: We measured the cortisol response to cosyntropin. RESULTS: Two hundred seventy-six infants were tested. Previous hydrocortisone treatment did not suppress basal or stimulated cortisol values. Cosyntropin, at 1.0 vs. 0.1 microg/kg, yielded higher cortisol values (P < 0.001) and fewer negative responses (2 vs. 21%). The higher dose, but not the lower dose, showed different responses for girls vs. boys (P = 0.02), infants receiving enteral nutrition vs. not (P < 0.001), infants exposed to chorioamnionitis vs. not (P = 0.04), and those receiving mechanical ventilation vs. not (P = 0.02), as well as a positive correlation with fetal growth (P = 0.03). A response curve for the 1.0-microg/kg dose for infants receiving enteral nutrition (proxy for clinically well infants) showed a 10th percentile of 16.96 microg/dl. Infants with responses less than the 10th percentile had more bronchopulmonary dysplasia and longer length of stay. CONCLUSIONS: A cosyntropin dose of 0.1 microg/kg did not differentiate between groups of infants with clinical conditions that affect response. We recommend 1.0 microg/kg cosyntropin to test adrenal function in these infants.     

Valve Strain Quantitation in Normal Mitral Valves and Mitral Prolapse With Variable Degrees of Regurgitation

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to quantitate patient-specific mitral valve (MV) strain in normal valves and in patients with mitral valve prolapse with and without significant mitral regurgitation (MR) and assess the determinants of MV strain.BackgroundFew data exist on MV deformation during systole in humans. Three-dimensional echocardiography allows for dynamic MV imaging, enabling digital modeling of MV function in health and disease.MethodsThree-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography was performed in 82 patients, 32 with normal MV and 50 with mitral valve prolapse (MVP): 12 with mild mitral regurgitation or less (MVP ? MR) and 38 with moderate MR or greater (MVP + MR). Three-dimensional MV models were generated, and the peak systolic strain of MV leaflets was computed on proprietary software.ResultsLeft ventricular ejection fraction was normal in all groups. MV annular dimensions were largest in MVP + MR (annular area: 13.8 ± 0.7 cm²) and comparable in MVP ? MR (10.6 ± 1 cm²) and normal valves (10.5 ± 0.3 cm²; analysis of variance: p < 0.001). Similarly, MV leaflet areas were largest in MVP + MR, particularly the posterior leaflet (8.7 ± 0.5 cm²); intermediate in MVP ? MR (6.5 ± 0.7 cm²); and smallest in normal valves (5.5 ± 0.2 cm²; p < 0.0001). Strain was overall highest in MVP + MR and lowest in normal valves. Patients with MVP ? MR had intermediate strain values that were higher than normal valves in the posterior leaflet (p = 0.001). On multivariable analysis, after adjustment for clinical and MV geometric parameters, leaflet thickness was the only parameter that was retained as being significantly correlated with mean MV strain (r = 0.34; p = 0.008).ConclusionsMVs that exhibit prolapse have higher strain compared to normal valves, particularly in the posterior leaflet. Although higher strain is observed with worsening MR and larger valves and annuli, mitral valve leaflet thickness—and, thus, underlying MV pathology—is the most significant independent determinant of valve deformation. Future studies are needed to assess the impact of MV strain determination on clinical outcome.     

Loss of Rh Antigen Activity Following the Action of Phospholipase A2 on Red Cell Stroma

Abstract. The degradation of red cell stroma phospholipids by phospholipase A₂ is accompanied by a concomitant fall in the activity of the Rh antigens, c, D and e. The action of phospholipase C on stroma also brings about a fall in D antigen activity. Anti-D bound to the red cells protects the D antigen from inactivation by phospholipase A₂.     

Mutant SOD1 in cell types other than motor neurons and oligodendrocytes accelerates onset of disease in ALS mice

Dominant mutations in ubiquitously expressed superoxide dismutase (SOD1) cause familial ALS by provoking premature death of adult motor neurons. To test whether mutant damage to cell types beyond motor neurons is required for the onset of motor neuron disease, we generated chimeric mice in which all motor neurons and oligodendrocytes expressed mutant SOD1 at a level sufficient to cause fatal, early-onset motor neuron disease when expressed ubiquitously, but did so in a cellular environment containing variable numbers of non-mutant, non-motor neurons. Despite high-level mutant expression within 100% of motor neurons and oligodendrocytes, in most of these chimeras, the presence of WT non-motor neurons substantially delayed onset of motor neuron degeneration, increasing disease-free life by 50%. Disease onset is therefore non-cell autonomous, and mutant SOD1 damage within cell types other than motor neurons and oligodendrocytes is a central contributor to initiation of motor neuron degeneration.