Evolving biomarkers improve prediction of long-term mortality in patients with stable coronary artery disease: the BIO-VILCAD score.

OBJECTIVE: Algorithms to predict the future long-term risk of patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) are rare. The VIenna and Ludwigshafen CAD (VILCAD) risk score was one of the first scores specifically tailored for this clinically important patient population. The aim of this study was to refine risk prediction in stable CAD creating a new prediction model encompassing various pathophysiological pathways. Therefore, we assessed the predictive power of 135 novel biomarkers for long-term mortality in patients with stable CAD. DESIGN, SETTING AND SUBJECTS: We included 1275 patients with stable CAD from the LUdwigshafen RIsk and Cardiovascular health study with a median follow-up of 9.8 years to investigate whether the predictive power of the VILCAD score could be improved by the addition of novel biomarkers. Additional biomarkers were selected in a bootstrapping procedure based on Cox regression to determine the most informative predictors of mortality. RESULTS: The final multivariable model encompassed nine clinical and biochemical markers: age, sex, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), heart rate, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, cystatin C, renin, 25OH-vitamin D3 and haemoglobin A1c. The extended VILCAD biomarker score achieved a significantly improved C-statistic (0.78 vs. 0.73; P = 0.035) and net reclassification index (14.9%; P < 0.001) compared to the original VILCAD score. Omitting LVEF, which might not be readily measureable in clinical practice, slightly reduced the accuracy of the new BIO-VILCAD score but still significantly improved risk classification (net reclassification improvement 12.5%; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The VILCAD biomarker score based on routine parameters complemented by novel biomarkers outperforms previous risk algorithms and allows more accurate classification of patients with stable CAD, enabling physicians to choose more personalized treatment regimens for their patients.

C-reactive protein predicts mortality in patients referred for coronary angiography and symptoms of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

AIMS: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has a different pathophysiological background compared to heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Tailored risk prediction in this separate heart failure group with a high mortality rate is of major importance. Inflammation may play an important role in the pathogenesis of HFpEF because of its significant contribution to myocardial fibrosis. We therefore aimed to assess the predictive value of C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with HFpEF. METHODS AND RESULTS: Plasma levels of CRP were determined in 459 patients with HFpEF in the LUdwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health (LURIC) study using a high-sensitivity assay. During a median follow-up of 9.7 years 40% of these patients died. CRP predicted all-cause mortality with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 1.20 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.40, P = 0.018] and cardiovascular mortality with a HR of 1.32 (95% CI 1.08-1.62, P = 0.005) per increase of one standard deviation. CRP was a significantly stronger mortality predictor in HFpEF patients than in a control group of 522 HFrEF patients (for interaction, P = 0.015). Furthermore, CRP added prognostic value to N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (Nt-proBNP): the lowest 5-year mortality rate of 6.8% was observed for patients in the lowest tertile of Nt-proBNP as well as CRP. The mortality risk peaked in the group combining the highest values of Nt-proBNP and CRP with a 5-year rate of 36.5%. CONCLUSION: It was found that CRP was an independent and strong predictor of mortality in HFpEF. This observation may reflect immunological processes with an adverse impact on the course of HFpEF.

Copper, ceruloplasmin, and long-term cardiovascular and total mortality (the Ludwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health Study).

BACKGROUND: Copper and its main transport protein ceruloplasmin have been suggested to promote the development of atherosclerosis. Most of the data come from experimental and animal model studies. Copper and mortality have not been simultaneously evaluated in patients undergoing coronary angiography. METHODS AND RESULTS: We examined whether serum copper and ceruloplasmin concentrations are associated with angiographic coronary artery disease (CAD) and mortality from all causes and cardiovascular causes in 3253 participants of the Ludwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health Study. Age and sex-adjusted hazard ratios (HR) for death from any cause were 2.23 (95% CI, 1.85-2.68) for copper and 2.63 (95% CI, 2.17-3.20) for ceruloplasmin when we compared the highest with the lowest quartiles. Corresponding hazard ratios (HR) for death from cardiovascular causes were 2.58 (95% CI, 2.05-3.25) and 3.02 (95% CI, 2.36-3.86), respectively. Further adjustments for various risk factors and clinical variables considerably attenuated these associations, which, however, were still statistically significant and the results remained consistent across subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: The elevated concentrations of both copper and ceruloplasmin are independently associated with increased risk of mortality from all causes and from cardiovascular causes.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, e-selectin and C-reactive protein levels in response to 4-week very-high-fructose or -glucose diets.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: High intake of added sweeteners is considered to have a causal role in the pathogenesis of cardiometabolic disorders. Especially, high-fructose intake is regarded as potentially harmful to cardiometabolic health. It may cause not only weight gain but also low-grade inflammation, which represents an independent risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In particular, fructose has been suggested to induce plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) expression in the liver and to increase circulating inflammatory cytokines. We therefore aimed to investigate, whether high-fructose diet has an impact on PAI-1, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), e-selectin and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations in healthy humans. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We studied 20 participants (12 males and 8 females) of the TUebingen FRuctose Or Glucose study. This is an exploratory, parallel, prospective, randomized, single-blinded, outpatient, hypercaloric, intervention study. The participants had a mean age of 30.9 ± 2.1 years and a mean body mass index of 26.0 ± 0.5 kg/m(2) and they received 150 g of either fructose or glucose per day for 4 weeks. RESULTS: There were neither significant changes of PAI-1, MCP-1, e-selectin and CRP after fructose (n=10) and glucose (n=10) intervention nor treatment effects (all P>0.2). Moreover, we did not observe longitudinal associations of the inflammatory parameters with triglycerides, liver fat, visceral fat and body weight in the fructose group. CONCLUSIONS: Temporary high-fructose intake does not seem to cause inflammation in apparently healthy people in this secondary analysis of a small feeding trial.

Uric acid is predictive of cardiovascular mortality and sudden cardiac death in subjects referred for coronary angiography.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: High serum uric acid (SUA) is suggested to be causally involved in the pathogenesis of vascular disease. The present study aimed to investigate whether SUA independently predicts all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality and sudden cardiac death in subjects scheduled for coronary angiography. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied participants of the LUdwigshafen RIsk and Cardiovascular health (LURIC) study. A total of 3245 individuals were included in the analysis. There was a follow-up for all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and sudden cardiac death with a mean (±standard deviation) duration of 7.3 (±2.3) years. Sex-specific quartiles of SUA were established and multivariate statistical models were used. A total of 730 deaths occurred during the follow-up. Among these, 473 (64.8%) were accounted for by cardiovascular diseases. Sudden cardiac death occurred in 184 (25.2%) cases. Adjusting for sex and age subjects in the fourth SUA quartile had increased all-cause (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.68, p < 0.001) and cardiovascular (HR = 2.00, p < 0.001) mortality compared to individuals in the first quartile. Furthermore, high SUA was a risk factor for sudden cardiac death (HR = 2.27, p < 0.001). These associations remained significant including cardiovascular risk factors and the severity of coronary atherosclerosis as covariates in the models. After additional adjustment for medication use statistical significance for the association between the SUA quartiles and all-cause mortality disappeared. CONCLUSION: High SUA independently indicates increased risk for cardiovascular and sudden cardiac death in subjects referred for coronary angiography.

[Sepsis with acral necrosis in a patient with Sharp syndrome - case 8/2010]. / Sepsis mit akralen Nekrosen bei einer Patientin mit Sharp-Syndrom - Fall 8/2010.

HISTORY AND ADMISSION FINDINGS: We report on a patient with Sharp-Syndrome who was referred to our emergency department with sepsis. In addition, the patient showed acral necrosis, particularly of the distal phalanges of the hands and of the tip of the nose. INVESTIGATIONS: Laboratory analyses showed an elevation of the inflammatory parameters (C-reactive protein elevation, leukocytosis). Furthermore, procalcitonin and the D-dimers were increased, antithrombin III, however, was decreased. The thoracic/abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed bilateral inferior lobe pneumonia with concomitant pleural effusions. As a secondary diagnostic finding the thoracic/abdominal CT and the abdominal ultrasound showed a markedly reduced size of the spleen. Finally, bacteria (Streptococcus pneumoniae) were found in the blood of the patient. DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT AND COURSE: We diagnosed pneumococcal sepsis with disseminated intravasal coagulation and acral necrosis caused by pneumonia. The immune status was impaired due to immunosuppressive therapy (prednisolon and azathioprin) and functional asplenism. The patient was stabilized with antibiotic treatment, hydration, and drotrecogin (protein C). Transiently catecholamin treatment and oxygen substitution were necessary. Alprostadil was used to treat acral circulatory disorder. CONCLUSIONS: This case report shows the importance of consequent screening for organ manifestations in autoimmune diseases. In particular, this case report highlights the relevance of prophylactic vaccination in patients with autoimmune diseases, primarily those with autosplenectomy. Furthermore, this article gives a short overview about the pathogenesis, the diagnostic criteria of the Sharp-syndrome. The frequencies of organ involvement and the treatment options are also discussed.

The L162V polymorphism of the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha gene (PPARA) is not associated with type 2 diabetes, BMI or body fat composition.

BACKGROUND: The L162V single nucleotide polymorphism in PPARA is suggested to play an important role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes, obesity, and body fat composition. However, clinical evidence is controversial. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to investigate the relationships of the L162V SNP with type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes phenotypes, adiposity, and plasma lipid levels. In addition, we studied the associations of the L162V SNP with body fat composition, intramyocellular lipids, and liver fat content. Furthermore, we examined if the L162V SNP was associated with changes in BMI, insulin secretion, insulin resistance, body fat composition, intramyocellular lipids, and liver fat content in response to lifestyle intervention. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from two large cross sectional studies, the combined TULIP/TUEF cohorts, and the LURIC study were analysed. Prospective data were obtained from TULIP participants who underwent a lifestyle intervention. A total of 4,779 subjects were studied. BMI was measured in all subjects. Type 2 diabetes was diagnosed in a subgroup of the LURIC study. In the TULIP study total body fat, non-visceral adipose tissue, and visceral adipose tissue were measured with magnetic resonance tomography. Liver fat and intramyocellular lipid content were quantified with (1)H magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion were estimated from oral glucose tolerance testing. RESULTS: The L162V SNP was neither associated with type 2 diabetes or BMI nor with body fat composition, intramyocellular lipids or liver fat content. CONCLUSIONS: According to our study, the L162V SNP does not have a strong impact on the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes or obesity.