Analysis of Association of Brain Natriuretic Peptide Levels and Blood Pressure Variability

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels and blood pressure variability among hypertensive patients aged over 40 years. Methods: The study recruited 120 patients from a cardiology outpatient clinic who had been diagnosed with hypertension and taking antihypertensive medication for at least 6 months. Demographic and clinical information, blood pressure measurements, and blood samples were collected to measure BNP levels. The standard deviation of the mean arterial pressure over 24 hours was calculated as a measure of blood pressure variability. Linear regression was used to examine the association between BNP levels and blood pressure variability while controlling for age, sex, BMI, and medication history. Results: The study found a significant positive association between BNP levels and blood pressure variability (?=0.31, p=0.002), even after controlling for other variables. The linear regression model explained 20% of the variance in blood pressure variability (R2=0.20, F=9.52, p<0.001). Conclusion: The findings suggest that higher BNP levels are associated with increased blood pressure variability among hypertensive patients. Further studies are needed to explore the underlying mechanisms and the potential implications of this association.

N-terminal del péptido natriurético tipo B y la amplitud de distribución eritrocitaria como factor pronóstico de severidad en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca aguda descompensada

Introducción: El estudio de predictores de desenlaces negativos en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca ha incluido la combinación de péptidos natriuréticos y el ancho de distribución eritrocitaria (RDW). Objetivo: Evaluar el uso combinado de la porción N-terminal del propéptido natriurético tipo B (NT-proBNP) y el RDW como pronóstico de fallecimiento por cualquier causa, hospitalización prolongada y reingreso al año del alta en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca aguda (ICA) descompensada. Métodos: Realizamos un estudio observacional retrospectivo. Construimos un índice combinado = NT-proBNP x RDW/100. Elaboramos curvas ROC, se estimó la sensibilidad y especificidad en base a los puntos de corte y se estimó el riesgo relativo para desarrollar los desenlaces. Comparamos las áreas bajo las curvas del índice combinado versus el NT-proBNP y RDW, por separado. Resultados: Analizamos los datos de 471 pacientes. El índice combinado tuvo su mejor corte en 927,79 para pronosticar fallecimiento durante el primer año de ingreso. Aquellos con valores ≥ 927,79 tuvieron un riesgo relativo de 32,7 (IC95%: 4,8 - 222,3). Para hospitalización ≥7 días el punto de corte fue 752,67, aquellos con este valor o superiores tuvieron un riesgo relativo de 22,4 (IC95%: 9,7 - 51,8). Para pronosticar reingreso al año del alta el corte fue 858,47 y el riesgo relativo fue 4,7 (IC95%: 3,3 - 6,8). Conclusiones: El índice combinado generó riesgos relativos que muestran una fuerte fuerza de asociación para fallecimiento por cualquier causa, hospitalización ≥ 7 días y reingresos al año del alta. Sin embargo, la superioridad para discriminar no fue concluyente respecto a los componentes individuales.

Introduction: The study of predictors of negative outcomes in patients with heart failure has included the combination of natriuretic peptides and red cell distribution width (RDW). Objective: To evaluate the combined use of the amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and RDW as a prognostic factor for death from any cause, prolonged hospitalization, and readmission one year after discharge in patients with decompensated acute heart failure (AHF). Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study. We constructed a combined index = NT-ProBNP x RDW/100. ROC curves were constructed, sensitivity and specificity were estimated based on the cut-off points, and the relative risk was estimated to develop the outcomes studied. We compared the area under curve of combined index versus NT-proBNP and RDW, separately. Results: We analyzed data from 471 patients. The combined index had its best cut of 927.79 to predict death during the first year of admission. Those with values ≥ 927,79 had a relative risk of 32.7 (95% CI: 4.8 - 222.3). To predict hospitalization ≥ 7 days, the cut-off point was 752.67; those with this value or higher had a relative risk of 22.4 (95% CI: 9.7 - 51.8). To predict readmission one year after discharge, the cutoff was 858.47 and the relative risk was 4.7 (95% CI: 3.3 - 6.8). Conclusions: The combined index used generate relative risks that show a strong strength of association for death from any cause, hospitalization ≥7 days, and readmissions one year after discharge. However, the superiority to discriminate was inconclusive with respect to the individual components.

Effect of histone methylase EZH2 on proliferation and apoptosis of hypertrophic myocardial cells of AC16 / 国际生物医学工程杂志

Objective:To explore the molecular mechanism of the effect of the histone methylase zeste gene enhancer homolog 2 (EZH2) on the proliferation and apoptosis of human hypertrophic cardiomyocytes AC16.Methods:The AC16 hypertrophic cardiomyocyte model was constructed by adding angiotensin Ⅱ to the AC16 cell culture medium. The cells were divided into four groups, including the blank control group, the angiotensin Ⅱ group, the empty vector + angiotensin Ⅱ group, and the EZH2 overexpression + angiotensin Ⅱ group. The expression levels of EZH2 and brain natriuretic peptide ( BNP) genes were measured using fluorescent quantitative PCR. The EZH2, trimethylation of lysine at position 27 of histone H3 (H3K27me3), and BNP proteins expression were detected by Western Blot. The MTS method was used to detect the proliferation of AC16 cell. The Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining method was used to detect the apoptosis of AC16 cell. Results:Compared with the blank control group, the expression levels of EZH2 and H3K27me3 in the angiotensin Ⅱ group were decreased, the expression level of BNP was increased, cell proliferation was decreased, and apoptosis was increased (all P < 0.001). Compared with the empty vector + angiotensin Ⅱ group, the expression levels of EZH2 and H3K27me3 in the EZH2 overexpression + angiotensin Ⅱ group were increased, the expression level of BNP was decreased, the cell proliferation level was increased, and the apoptosis level was decreased (all P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the angiotensin Ⅱ group and the empty vector + angiotensin Ⅱ group (all P > 0.05). Conclusions:Histone methylase EZH2 has an effect on the proliferation and apoptosis of AC16 cell, providing a reference for the treatment of myocardial hypertrophy and revealing the exact pathogenesis of myocardial hypertrophy.

Clinical value of combined plasma brain natriuretic peptide and serum cystatin C measurement on the prediction of heart failure in patients after acute myocardial infarction

This research investigated the predictive value of combined detection of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and cystatin C (Cys C) in heart failure after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Sixty-five AMI patients complicated by heart failure (HF) after PCI and 79 non-heart failure (non-HF) patients were involved in this research. The levels of Cys C and BNP were measured. Risk factors for heart failure in AMI patients after PCI were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Efficacy of BNP and Cys C on predicting heart failure were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Cys C and BNP levels were significantly higher in the HF group than in the non-HF group. BNP and Cys C levels were the independent influencing factors causing heart failure within one year after PCI. The area under the predicted curve (AUC) of Cys C, BNP, and combined Cys C and BNP were 0.763, 0.829, and 0.893, respectively. The combined detection of Cys C and BNP was highly valuable in predicting heart failure in AMI patients after PCI, which can be regarded as the serum markers for diagnosis and treatment of heart failure.

Effect of donor age on short-term survival of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis after lung transplantation / 器官移植

Objective To evaluate the effect of donor age on short-term survival of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) after lung transplantation. Methods Clinical data of 235 IPF donors and recipients of lung transplantation were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models were employed to analyze the correlation between donor age and short-term mortality rate of IPF patients after lung transplantation. Kaplan-Meier was used to draw the survival curve. Results Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that donor age was correlated with the 1-year fatality of IPF patients after lung transplantation. The 1-year fatality of recipients after lung transplantation was increased by 0.020 times if donor age was increased by 1 year (P=0.009). Oxygenation index of the donors, preoperative oxygenation index, preoperative lung allocation score, preoperative N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide, pattern of transplantation, pattern of intraoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and intraoperative blood transfusion volume of the recipients were correlated with 1-year fatality after lung transplantation (all P < 0.1). Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that there was no correlation between donor age and 30-, 90-, 180-d and 1-year fatality of IPF patients after lung transplantation (all P > 0.05). Sensitivity analysis showed that there was no significant difference in 30-, 90-, 180-d and 1-year fatality after lung transplantation among donors aged < 18, 18-33, 34-49 and ≥50 years (all P > 0.05). Conclusions Donor age exerts no effect upon short-term survival of IPF patients after lung transplantation. Considering the mechanical ventilation time, oxygenation index, infection and other factors of donors, the age range of lung transplant donors may be expanded.

Development and verification of capillary isoelectric focusing-wholecolumn imaging detection method for isoelectric point analysis of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide / 中国生物制品学杂志

@#Objective To establish and verify a capillary isoelectric focusing-whole column imaging detection(CIEFWCID) method for the analysis of isoelectric point(pI) of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide.Methods The ampholyte,space-occupying agent,protein concentration,focusing time were optimized by CIEF-WCID method,and the best condition for the detection of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide was obtained.The repeatability,precision and durability of the developed method were verified,and three batches of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide produced continuously were analyzed for pI.Results HR AESlyte 8-10.5 was selected as ampholyte,while 25 mmol/L sodium hydroxide as the space-occupying agent;The final concentration of the sample was 87.5 μg/mL and the focusing time was 8min.The relative standard deviation RSD of pI detection was 0.1% after six consecutive injections of the same sample;The RSD of pI detection of six samples was 0.1%;The pI RSD of the main peak was 0.1% at different final concentrations of the sample,and the pI RSD of the sample was 0.1% at different storage time,while the pI markers could not be changed arbitrarily.The pI was detected in three consecutive batches of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide samples.Conclusion The developed CIEF-WCID method for pI analysis of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide had good repeatability and precision and might be used for follow-up quality control of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide.

Risk factors and predictive analysis of hyperkalemia after heart transplantation / 器官移植

Objective To analyze clinical prognosis, risk factors and predictive indexes of hyperkalemia in recipients after heart transplantation. Methods Clinical data of 158 recipients were retrospectively analyzed. According to the serum potassium levels within postoperative 1-year follow-up, all recipients were divided into the normal serum potassium level group (n=83), hyperkalemia group (n=43) and severe hyperkalemia group (n=32). The incidence and prognosis of hyperkalemia after heart transplantation were summarized. The risk factors and predictive indexes of hyperkalemia after heart transplantation were identified. Results The incidence of hyperkalemia and severe hyperkalemia within postoperative 1 year was 47.5%(75/158) and 20.3%(32/158), respectively. In the severe hyperkalemia group, the fatality was 16%(5/32), higher than 8%(7/83) in the normal serum potassium level group and 7%(3/43) in the hyperkalemia group. The mean serum creatinine (Scr) within 6 months before heart transplantation, the final total bilirubin level before heart transplantation, postoperative hemodialysis time, the Scr level and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide level at postoperative 1 d were the independent risk factors for hyperkalemia following heart transplantation (all P < 0.05). The mean Scr level within 6 months before heart transplantation, postoperative hemodialysis time, and Scr levels at postoperative 1 and 7 d could be used to predict postoperative severe hyperkalemia. Conclusions The recipients with severe hyperkalemia after heart transplantation obtain poor prognosis. The mean Scr level within 6 months before heart transplantation, the final total bilirubin level before heart transplantation, postoperative hemodialysis time, and the Scr level and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide level at postoperative 1 d are the independent risk factors for hyperkalemia after heart transplantation. Perioperative Scr level and postoperative hemodialysis time may be used to predict the incidence of severe hyperkalemia within 1 year after heart transplantation.

Diagnostic efficacy of serum NT-proBNP and D-dimer for cardiogenic cerebral embolism based on population in southern Sichuan / 中国医师杂志

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic efficacy of serum N-terminal B-type brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and D-dimer for cardiogenic cerebral embolism (CE) based on population in southern Sichuan.Methods:We selected the clinical data of 313 patients with acute cerebral infarction (ACI) for the first time, 34 patients with simple atrial fibrillation (AF) and 30 healthy people who were admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from June 2019 to April 2021. The patients with ACI were divided into four subgroups according to the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) typing: large artery atherosclerosis (LAA), CE, small artery occlusion (SAO), and indeterminate subtype (UT). The differences in clinical data in the groups were compared. At the same time, the differences of NT-proBNP and D-dimer in serum in CE group, AF group and healthy group were compared; The risk factors of CE were analyzed by binary logistic regression, and the diagnostic efficacy of serum NT-proBNP and D-dimer for CE was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.Results:The prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at admission, prothrombin time (PT), international normalized ratio (INR), fibrinogen (FIB), D-dimer, fibrinogen degradation products (FDP), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at admission, NT-proBNP and AF rate were significantly different among ACI subgroups (all P<0.05); There was no significant difference in PT and NIHSS score at admission between LAA group and CE group (all P>0.05). The prevalence of D-dimer, NT-proBNP and AF rate in CE group was significantly higher than those in other three groups (all P<0.05). The D-dimer, NT-proBNP, FDP and SBP level in CE group were significantly higher than those in AF group and healthy group (all P<0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that D-dimer and NT-proBNP were independent risk factors for CE (both P<0.05). When the optimal cut-off value of serum D-dimer was 1.015 mg/L, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.896 (95% CI: 0.856-0.935, P<0.01); the sensitivity and specificity were 0.878 and 0.833, respectively; the positive predictive value and the negative predictive value were 0.705 and 0.953, respectively. When the best cut-off value of serum NT-proBNP was 657.145 ng/L, the AUC was 0.987 (95% CI: 0.977-0.998, P<0.01); the sensitivity and specificity were 0.959 and 0.963, respectively; the positive predictive value and the negative predictive value were 0.922 and 0.981, respectively. The accuracy of the combined detection of serum D-dimer and NT-proBNP in the diagnosis of CE was higher, and the AUC was 0.988 (95% CI: 0.978-0.998, P<0.01), sensitivity of 0.960, specificity of 0.977, positive predictive value of 0.950, negative predictive value of 0.982. Conclusions:The serum levels of NT-proBNP and D-dimer in CE patients increased significantly; NT-proBNP and D-dimer are important predictors of CE and have higher diagnostic efficacy for CE. The combination of them has a higher specificity for diagnosis.

Research of cedilanid in the prevention of severe pneumonia complicated with heart failure in infants / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of cedilanid in the treatment of severe pneumonia in infants and the value of preventing heart failure.Methods:A total of 80 children with severe pneumonia admitted to Dezhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital from January 2019 to December 2020 were selected and randomly divided into the control group and the observation group, with 40 cases in each group. The control group received comprehensive treatment, while the observation group was treated with cedilanid (0.01 mg/kg, one-time intravenous injection) on the basis of the control group. The efficacy of both groups was observed after 5 d of treatment. The incidence of heart failure, correction time of heart failure, improvement time of symptoms and signs, and length of hospitalization time were compared between the two groups; the inflammatory markers, myocardial markers and arterial blood gas indexes were compared between the two groups before and after the treatment.Results:The total effective rate in the observation group was higher than that in the control group, and the incidence of heart failure in the observation group was lower than that in the control group: 90.0% (36/40) vs. 72.5% (29/40), 32.5%(13/40) vs. 10.0%(4/40), the differences were statistically significant ( χ2 = 4.02, 4.10, P<0.05). The improvement time of symptoms and signs (restlessness elimination, respiratory improvement, heart rate improvement and disappearance of rhonchus in lung) in the observation group were less than those in the control group ( P<0.05). The levels of procalcitonin (PCT) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-ProBNP), myocardial troponin I(cTnI), and creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) in the observation group after treatment were lower than those in the control group: (6.15 ± 1.03) μg/L vs. (10.85 ± 2.12) μg/L, (112.02 ± 30.09) ng/L vs. (215.39 ± 55.08) ng/L, (0.68 ± 0.17) μg/L vs. (1.12 ± 0.34) μg/L, (19.05 ± 6.11) U/L vs. (28.97 ± 7.82) U/L, P<0.05. The levels of oxygen partial pressure (PaO 2), blood oxygen saturation (SaO 2) and oxygenation index (PaO 2/FiO 2) in the observation group after treatment were higher than those in the control group: (6.15 ± 1.03) μg/L vs. (10.85 ± 2.12) μg/L, (112.02 ± 30.09) ng/L vs. (215.39 ± 55.08) ng/L, (0.68 ± 0.17) μg/L vs. (1.12 ± 0.34) μg/L, (19.05 ± 6.11) U/L vs. (28.97 ± 7.82) U/L, P<0.05. Conclusions:Early application of small dose of cedilanid in infants with severe pneumonia can effectively reduce the occurrence of heart failure, improve the clinical symptoms and blood gas indicators, with significant curative effect, which is worthy of promotion.

Early-warning value of PCT/PLT ratio on sepsis-induced myocardial injury / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic and early-warning value of laboratory test indicators for sepsis-induced myocardial injury (SIMD).Methods:The clinical data of 183 patients with sepsis admitted to the Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from August 2016 to October 2020 were collected. The patient's age, gender, past medical history, vital signs and pathogen culture results were extracted. Cardiac function, blood routine, liver function, renal function, inflammatory factors, coagulation function, APACHE Ⅱ and SOFA scores were recorded at enrollment and 72 h after admission. SIMD was defined as cTnT ≥300 pg/mL and NT-proBNP ≥1243 pg/mL twice in 72 h intervals between enrolled cases, and the early-warning factors of patients with SIMD were analyzed. The differences in various indicators between the two groups were compared, and Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the diagnostic efficacy of cTnT and NT-proBNP combined for SIMD, and the correlation between PCT/PLT ratio and the occurrence of SIMD.Results:Among 250 patients, 67 patients were excluded for lack of the main indicators, and 183 patients (including 62 patients with history of cardiac disease) were enrolled finally. Among 183 patients with sepsis, 105 patients (57.38%) with cTNT ≥300 pg/mL and NT-proBNP ≥1 243 pg/mL, were diagnosed as myocardial injury; after excluding 62 patients with history of cardiac disease, 59 patients (48.76%) with cTNT ≥300 pg/mL and NT-proBNP ≥1 243 pg/mL were diagnosed as myocardial injury. Logistic regression analysis showed that increased PCT/PLT ratio ( OR=1.585, 95% CI: 1.124-2.237, P=0.009) was an independent risk factor for early-warning of SIMD. The PCT/PLT ratio ( OR= 1.850, 95% CI: 1.103-3.102, P=0.020) could stably predict the occurrence of SIMD in patients without previous history of heart disease. ROC curve analysis showed that PCT/PLT ratio could effectively predict the occurrence of SIMD (AUC=0.693, 95% CI: 0.617-0.769, P<0.001), the optimal cut-off value was 0.177 (sensitivity: 65.7%, specificity: 66.7%). The PCT/PLT ratio was still effective in predicting the occurrence of SIMD after excluding patients with previous history of heart disease (AUC=0.733, 95% CI: 0.643-0.823, P<0.001), and the optimal cut-off value was 0.429 (sensitivity: 55.9%, specificity: 83.9%). Conclusions:The combination of cTnT and NT-proBNP has certain diagnostic value for SIMD, and the PCT/PLT ratio could warn the occurrence of SIMD.

Clinical research progress on brain natriuretic peptide and amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were the main members of the natriuretic peptide family. BNP has the effects of diuretic sodium, reducing sympathetic nervous system activity, dilating blood vessels, and improving the pathological remodeling of heart. Plasma BNP/NT-proBNP levels have been widely used in the diagnosis, severity assessment, prognosis prediction and treatment guidance of heart failure. In recent years, BNP/NT-proBNP has become a research hotspot in the diagnosis and and prognosis judgment of atrial fibrillation, recurrence of atrial fibrillation after radiofrequency ablation and cardioversion and congenital heart disease in infants and children, prediction of postoperative complications, and drug development. This article reviews the latest advances in clinical application and research progress on BNP/NT-proBNP.

Diagnosis and treatment of Takotsubo syndrome after liver transplantation and literature review / 器官移植

Objective To summarize the experience of diagnosis and treatment of Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) after liver transplantation. Methods Clinical data of one TTS patient after liver transplantation was retrospectively analyzed. Clinical features, diagnosis and treatment strategies were summarized, and literature review was conducted. Results A 43-year-old female patient successfully underwent split liver transplantation due to primary biliary cirrhosis for 8 years. At postoperative 3 d, the patient developed anxiety, irritation, dyspnea, disorientation, hypotension, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) of > 35 000 pg/mL, creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) of 5.9 U/L and troponin I (TnI) of 1.78 μg/L. Electrocardiogram indicated the signs of sinus rhythm. Echocardiography indicated diffuse weakening of the left ventricular wall motion and spherical dilatation of the apex, accompanied with moderate and severe regurgitation of the mitral valve and tricuspid valve. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) declined to 23%, whereas no abnormal segmental motion of ventricular wall or corresponding electrocardiogram changes were observed. The possibility of acute coronary syndrome was excluded. The InterTAK diagnostic score was 73. The diagnosis of TTS after liver transplantation was considered. Metoprolol, coenzyme Q10, recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide, deacetyl lanatoside and lorazepam were given. Echocardiography at postoperative 10 d showed that the left ventricular function was significantly improved and the LVEF recovered to 50%. The patient was discharged 40 d after liver transplantation. The liver function was recovered well. During postoperative follow-up, she was given with metoprolol till the submission date, and no recurrence was reported. Conclusions TTS after liver transplantation is rare in clinical practice. It is difficult to make the diagnosis. The condition of TTS is severe and clinical prognosis is poor. Prompt diagnosis and interventions should be implemented.

Assessment of clinical and laboratorial parameters and the usefulness of the Brain Natiuretic Peptide as a predictor for successful extubation in the ICU

Introduction: Identification of predictors for successful extubation in an Intensive Care Unity and use of Brain Natriuretic Peptides (BNP) in predicting mechanical ventilation weaning and extubation outcome. Aims: Evaluation of the effect of variables such as patient ́s age, severity score, use of sedation, use of vasoactive drugs, hydric balance, blood gas data, days under mechanical ventilation, the occurrence of adverse events and plasma BNP levels on the success of extubation.Method: A prospective cohort study of adult patients admitted to a 12- bed-general ICU, from April 1st 2016 to August 10th 2017, under mechanical ventilation for > 24 h, accompanied until discharge or death. Clinical variables were analyzed and BNP was assessed before initiation of Spontaneous Breathing Trial (SBT) and then again before extubation. Statistical Analysis: a descriptive and comparative data analysis, univariate and logistic regression analysis for verification of variables independently related to successful extubation (p < 0.05).Results: Study of 105 patients, mean age of 53.9 ± 19.8 years, 81% of success in extubation; the overall mortal-ity rate of 11.4%; variables associated to successful extubation: age, APACHE II, SAPS II, days of hospitalization before ICU admittance, days under mechanical ventilation, days of stay in ICU and occurrence of nosocomial infec-tion (p < 0.05); BNP levels were lower in patients with successful extubation although not statistically significant; multivariate analysis showed that patient's age and days of hospitalization before ICU admittance were each in-dependently linked to extubation failure; APACHE II score and days of hospitalization before ICU admittance were each independently associated to risk of death.Conclusion: Despite being older and with higher severity scores, patients had a higher success rate in extubation than found in similar studies. However, the mortality rate in cases of failed extubation was higher. Data obtained was in agreement to studies that suggested that patient ́s age, severity score, days of hospitalization before ICU admittance, days of stay in ICU, days under MV and infection occurrence were all variables associated as much extubation failure as to risk of death. A direct association between BNP levels and successful extubation and the usefulness of assessing BNP in the conduction of WMV was not confirmed. (AU)

Introdução: Identificação de fatores preditivos do sucesso da extubação em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva e uso do Peptídeo Natriurético Cerebral (BNP) como preditor do sucesso do desmame da ventilação mecânica e extubação.Objetivo: Avaliação do efeito de variáveis como idade, escores de gravidade, uso de sedação, uso de drogas va-soativas, balanço hídrico, gasometria, dias sob ventilação mecânica, ocorrência de eventos adversos e níveis plas-máticos de BNP no sucesso da extubação .Método: Estudo de coorte prospectivo de pacientes adultos internados em UTI geral com 12 leitos, de 1º de abril de 2016 a 10 de agosto de 2017, sob ventilação mecânica (VM) por > 24 horas, acompanhados até a alta ou óbito. Variáveis clínicas foram analisadas e o BNP dosado antes do início do Teste de Respiração Espontânea (TRE) e, novamente, antes da extubação. Análise estatística: análise descritiva e comparativa dos dados, análise univariada e regressão logística para verificação de variáveis independentemente relacionadas ao sucesso da extubação (p <0,05).Resultados: Avaliados 105 pacientes, idade média 53,9 ± 19,8 anos, sucesso na extubação de 81%; taxa de mortalidade geral de 11,4%; variáveis associadas ao sucesso da extubação: idade, APACHE II, SAPS II, dias de internação antes da admissão na UTI, dias em ventilação mecânica, dias de permanência na UTI e ocorrência de infecção hospitalar (p <0,05); os níveis de BNP foram mais baixos em pacientes com sucesso da extubação, embora não estatisticamente significativos; a análise multivariada mostrou que as variáveis, idade e dias de internação, antes da admissão na UTI, estavam, independentemente, ligadas ao fracasso da extubação; as variáveis APACHE II e dias de internação antes da admissão na UTI estavam, independentemente, associados ao risco de morte.Conclusão: Apesar de mais velhos e com escores de gravidade mais elevados, nossos pacientes apresentaram maior taxa de sucesso na extubação quando comparados a estudos semelhantes. No entanto, a taxa de mortalidade em casos de falha da extubação foi maior. Os dados obtidos estão de acordo com estudos que sugerem que variá-veis como idade, escores de gravidade, dias de internação antes da admissão na UTI, dias de permanência na UTI, dias em VM e ocorrência de infecção estão associadas tanto ao fracasso de extubação quanto ao risco de morte. Não foi possível confirmar a associação direta entre os níveis plasmáticos de BNP e o sucesso da extubação, assim como sua utilidade na condução do desmame da ventilação mecânica. (AU)

Does decreased snx10 serve as a novel risk factor in atrial fibrillation of the valvular heart disease? - a case-control study

Abstract Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia. Sorting nexin 10 (SNX10) has been reported to be an important regulator in embryonic development and human diseases, however, little is known about its role in cardiac disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of SNX10 expression in AF. Methods: Nineteen valvular heart disease patients with AF and nine valvular heart disease patients with sinus rhythm (SR) were enrolled. Atrial tissue samples from patients undergoing open heart surgery were examined. Atrial tissues of normal hearts were obtained from two cases' autopsies. The SNX10 expression and its associations with the degree of fibrosis were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and Masson's trichrome staining. Results: SNX10 expression was detected in the cytoplasm of cardiac cells in human myocardial tissue. The SNX10 expression level was higher in the SR group than in the AF group (P=0.023). SNX10 expression was negatively associated with the degree of fibrosis (P=0.017, Spearman rho=-0.447), the New York Heart Association degree (P=0.003, Spearman rho=-0.545), left atrial diameter (P=0.038, Spearman rho=-0.393), right atrial diameter (P=0.043, Spearman rho=-0.386), and the brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level 24 hours after surgery (P=0.030, Spearman rho=-0.426), but not the BNP level before surgery and 72 hours after surgery. No statistical significance was observed between SNX10 and the level of troponin T and C-reactive protein. Conclusion: Decreased SNX10 might serve as a potential risk factor in AF of the valvular heart disease.

Clinical value of sST2 in replacement of NT-proBNP in cardiac function evaluation in renal failure patients after cardiac surgery / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To explore the clinical value of soluble suppression of tumorigenesis-2 (sST2) in replacement of N-terminal fragment of the brain natriuretic peptide precursor (NT-proBNP) in cardiac function evaluation in renal failure patients after cardiac surgery. Methods    Sixty patients with renal insufficiency after cardiac surgery from January 2019 to June 2019 were divided into a test group, including 34 males and 26 females, with an average age of 49-78 (63.3±4.5) years. Another 60 patients with normal renal function were divided into a control group, including 37 males and 23 females, with an average age of 53-77 (61.7±3.8) years. The perioperative left ventricular ejection fraction, cardiac troponin T, creatine kinase-MB, sST2 and NT-proBNP were compared. Results    In patients of the test group, the NT-proBNP level increased significantly during perioperative period, and the change range was different from other cardiac function indexes. The change of sST2 in perioperative period was similar to other cardiac function indexes, which could reflect the change degree of cardiac function after operation. Conclusion    sST2 is more important to reflect the change degree of cardiac function in patients with renal dysfunction after cardiac surgery than NT-proBNP.

Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of N-Terminal Brain Natriuretic Peptide in Patients of Heart Failure.

Heart failure is a clinical condition in which a deviation in normal cardiac structure or function is accountable for the incapability of the heart to eject or fill with blood at a proportion proportionate to the requirements of the metabolizing tissues. The detection of heart failure is based on clinical symptoms, signs, chest x rays and reaction to the treatment. BNPs are released by the heart ventricles in reaction to volume load or pressure load physiologically and they function to counteract rennin angiotensin system, cause vasodilatation and natriuresis. The BNP evaluation has gained approval already in the recommendations of European Society of Cardiology for the detection of heart failure. We wanted to study the potential of a new unconventional assay plasma N-Terminal pro BNP in detecting cardiac failure, and correlate the levels of plasma N-Terminal pro BNP with the severity of the cardiac failure and levels of plasma N-Terminal Pro BNP with systolic and diastolic dysfunction. MethodsIt was an analytical cross-sectional study conducted among 50 patients with clinical features of cardiac failure attending medicine OPD and emergency department of the hospital for the duration of 18 months and an equal number of age and sex equivalent fit controls. In subjects with clinical features of heart failure, and in healthy controls, 2 mL of blood sample is drawn for assay of plasma N-Terminal pro BNP within half an hour of presentation. Using biomedical kit plasma N-T pro BNP concentration was measured. The entire period of the assay is 18 min. Detectability range by this method of N-T proBNP is 5 pg/mL to 35,000 pg/mL. ResultsCases comprised of 28 males and 22 females with a mean age 50.80 (13.11) years while controls comprised of 28 males and 22 females with a mean age 50.86 (12.7) years. There was a statistically noteworthy difference in Mean N-T pro BNP between case and control groups, NYHA Class, and age group. Mean N-T pro-BNP is not significantly different at discharge and on 2nd follow-up. For the rest of the diagnoses, there is a notable difference in Mean N-T pro BNP at discharge and on 2nd follow-up. ConclusionsPlasma N-Terminal pro BNP levels are useful from therapeutic point of view (aggressive therapy if needed e.g. Heart transplantation / bilateral pacemaker or invasive therapy may be planned by N-T pro BNP levels).

Etiological profile in patients with heart failure

Background: The incidence and prevalence rates of heart failure (HF) are increasing worldwide. The prevalence of HF rises exponentially with increasing age and affects 4% to 8% of people older than 65. The leading causes of HF in India include coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes, hypertension, rheumatic valvular heart diseases and primary cardiac muscle diseases. Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is still a common cause of HF in India. Epidemiological studies have estimated that 1.5% to 2% population experience HF and it is the main reason for hospital admission of elderly patients. The objective of this study was to establish the etiological factors of heart failureMethods: A cross sectional study of 150 patients above the age of 18 years presented with heart failure diagnosed clinically on the basis of Framingham heart failure criteria and echocardiography, done over a period of one year in department of medicine in BRD medical college Gorakhpur Uttar Pradesh.Results: A total of 150 patients were include in this analysis the majority of patients were male (57.3%). Age of patients ranged from 18 - 70 years and 84% patients were above the age of 40 years.Conclusions: Heart failure was more prevalent in elderly male above 40 years of age. Myocardial infarction, DCMP, rheumatic heart disease and hypertensive heart failure are the common etiology leading to heart failure.

Serum low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 level and its clinical significance in patients with acute myocardial infarction / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of serum low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6) level in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).Methods One hundred and fifty patients with AMI were selected as the AMI group and 150 patients with suspected coronary heart disease without coronary artery stenosis were selected as control group from January 2017 to December 2018 in Quzhou People's Hospital of Zhejiang.The serum LRP6 levels were determined by Western blot.The serum B-type brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results The levels of total cholesterol (TC),triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in AMI group were higher than those in the control group [(4.42 ± 0.79) mmol/L vs.(3.79 ± 0.82) mmol/L,(1.52 ± 0.33) mmol/L vs.(1.37 ± 0.38) mmol/L,(3.15 ± 0.34) mmol/L vs.(2.91 ± 0.28) rmol/L],and the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was lower than that in control group [(0.95 ± 0.26) mmol/L vs.(1.21 ± 0.33) mmol/L],and there were significant differences (P ＜ 0.05).The level of serum LRP6 and left ventricular ejection fractionin in AMI group were lower than those in control group [0.12 ± 0.03 vs.0.38 ± 0.07,(53.27 ± 6.89)％ vs.(66.82 ± 7.35)％],and the BNP and cTnI levels were higher than those in control group [(78.16 ± 5.27) ng/L vs.(7.13 ± 1.24) ng/L,(125.83 ± 3.26) ng/L vs.(0.71 ± 0.24) ng/L],and there were significant differences (P ＜ 0.05).The serum LRP6 level was negatively correlated with LDL-C,BNP,cTnI and SYNTAX scores (r =-0.587,-0.523,-0.542,-0.583,P＜ 0.05),and was positively correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction (r=0.515,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Serum LRP6 level is decreased in patients with AMI.Serum LRP6 is closely related to the severity of AMI and the extent of coronary artery disease.

Meta-Analysis for Effect of Danhong Injection on Cardiac Function and TIMI During Perioperative PCI in Acute Myocardial Infarction / 中国实验方剂学杂志

<b>Objective::Evaluate the effects of Danhong injection for perioperative percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on cardiac function and thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). <b>Method::Computer retrieving CNKI, Wanfang database, VIP database, PubMed, CBM, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, gathering Danhong injection in percutaneous coronary intervention perioperative application in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction clinic trials. The Cochrane risk evaluation is adopted to improve the quality of literature evaluation, with Revman 5.3 software for Meta-analysis. <b>Result::Participants included in 12 clinic trials contains a total of 1 131 patients, including 569 patients in Danhong treatment and 562 patients in control group. The results showed that compared with conventional treatment, Danhong injection treated patients had LVEF increased obviously [mean difference (MD)=6.62, 95% confidence interval (CI) (4.91, 8.34), <italic>P</italic><0.000 01], the number of TIMI class 3 patients significantly increased[relative risk (RR)=0.22, 95%CI(0.12, 0.41), <italic>P</italic><0.000 01], and BNP levels significantly decreased [MD=151.86, 95%CI (-247.00, -56.72), <italic>P</italic>=0.002]. <b>Conclusion::Danhong injection can improve the function of acute myocardial infarction after percutaneous coronary intervention.

Preparation and purification of recombinant proteins of elastin-like polypeptide for displaying two epitopes of NT-proBNP / 吉林大学学报(医学版)

Objective: To use Escherichia coli ( E. coli) to prepare the recombinant proteins of elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) for displaying the two epitopes of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP)» and to provide the basis for the low-cost and high-efficiency preparation of NT-proBNP detection calibrator. Methods: The epitopes of 13 20 and 63 71 amino acid residues of NT-proBNP were designed and fused with ELP by flexible chain; three kinds of fusion proteins were obtained. The genes encoding the three fusion proteins mentioned above were synthesized by genetic engineering technique and cloned into the pET-28a ( +) vector; the recombinant proteins were induced and expressed automatically in F. coli BL21 (DE3), the recombinant proteins were purified with inverse transition cycling (ITC), and the abilities of their antibodies specificly binding epitopes were detected by Western blotting and ELISA methods. Results: Three kinds of vectors of ELP for displaying NT-proBNP epitopes were successfully constructed, and the corresponding recombinant proteins were expressed in the E. coli. The western blotting and direct ELISA results showed that the specific epitopes displayed by ELP had the better binding ability with the relative antibodies. The results of Sandwich ELISA showed that the protein concentrations of recombinant proteins of ELP for displaying two epitopes of NT-proBNP had a double logarithmic linear dose-dependent relationship with the absorbance (A) value at 450 nm ( r=0.919 1-P<0.01). Conclusion: The ELF is successfully used to display the two epitopes of NT-proBNP. and lay a foundation for the low-cost and high-efficiency preparation of the NT-proBNP detection calibrator.