Diagnostic utility of biomarkers of left ventricular stress in patients with aortic stenosis and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction.

INTRODUCTION: Aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common acquired valvular heart disease. The early identification of patients with severe AS is crucial. NT-proBNP is a well-known biomarker of pressure overload, and its role in patients with AS has been demonstrated in previous studies. Another, less well-known biomarker of pressure overload is sST2 protein, and its role in AS is unclear. AIM: To evaluate the utility of sST2 protein, NT-proBNP and selected clinical parameters in the assessment of degenerative AS severity in a population with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty-nine consecutive patients (mean age: 68.42 ±12.58 years, 55.07% male) with symptomatic degenerative AS and preserved LVEF ≥ 45% were prospectively included. At enrollment complete transthoracic echocardiographic examination, ECG analysis, and standard laboratory tests including NT-proBNP were performed and blood samples for sST2 were obtained. RESULTS: There were 43 (62.32%) patients with severe AS. The multivariate stepwise linear regression models revealed that only systolic blood pressure (SBP), Sokolow-Lyon index and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) were independently associated with severe AS. Spearman correlation coefficients analysis showed no correlations between sST2 levels and a mild to moderate correlation between NT-proBNP concentration and parameters of AS severity. However, levels of NT-proBNP (p = 0.1857) and sST2 (p = 0.7851) did not differentiate patients according to severity of AS. CONCLUSIONS: In the study population with degenerative AS and preserved LVEF neither the NT-proBNP nor sST2 concentrations can be used to differentiate patients according to the severity of AS.

New oral anticoagulants - a practical guide.

Oral direct inhibitors of thrombin and activated factor Xa are approved as new anticoagulant drugs. In contrast to vitamin K antagonists (VKA) and heparins, the new agents have single targets in the coagulation cascade and more predictable pharmacokinetics, but they lack validated and available antidotes. Unlike VKA, they do not require routine monitoring of coagulation. However, the measurement of their pharmacologic effects might be of value in selected patients. They interfere with the routine coagulation tests, which should be interpreted with caution. Specific tests exist and can be used in case of emergencies. Adequate supportive care and temporary removal of all antithrombotic agents constitute the basis for management of serious bleeding complications. The administration of coagulation factors, such as fresh frozen plasma, prothrombin complex concentrates or recombinant activated FVII, can benefit in life-threatening bleeding or emergency surgery. Specific antidotes for non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants are in clinical development. This review aims at answering in a brief and simplified manner some clinical questions.

Single sST2 protein measurement predicts adverse outcomes at 1-year follow-up in patients with chronic heart failure.

INTRODUCTION: sST2 protein is a new biomarker. Its prognostic value in chronic heart failure (CHF) is still unclear. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the value of sST2 protein in patients with CHF during 1-year follow-up after hospitalization for prediction of adverse events: cardiovascular death, rehospitalization, an increase in diuretic doses, and/or worsening of the New York Heart Association functional class, defined as the composite endpoint. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study involved 145 consecutive patients (mean age, 62.16 ±11.25 y; men, 82.76%) with left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction of 30% or less and symptomatic CHF. We analyzed clinical and biochemical data along with the serum concentrations of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and sST2. The optimal cut-off points for significant predictors of the composite endpoint were determined using receiver operating characteristi c curves. RESULTS: Patients with elevated levels of sST2 and NT-proBNP had more than a 4-fold higher risk of composite endpoint (odds ratio [OR], 4.033; 95%CI, 1.540-10.559) compared with patients in whom both biomarkers were below the cut-off points. The C-statistic for predicting the composite endpoint was improved when both biomarkers were incorporated into the model (C-statistic, 0.692; P = 0.0001) compared with an individual analysis for NT-proBNP (C-statistic, 0.606; P = 0.009) and sST2 (C-statistic, 0.613; P = 0.003). Moreover, after the addition of sST2 to NT-proBNP, the continuous net reclassification improvement index (OR, 0.256; 95% CI, 0.090-0.401; P = 0.007) and the integrated discrimination improvement index (OR, 0.104; 95% CI 0.011-0.221; P = 0.007) significantly improved. CONCLUSIONS: A single measurement of sST2 levels on admission in patients with poor LV systolic function and stable CHF is useful in short-term risk stratification and, in combination with NT-proBNP, it could be more useful in identifying patients with unfavorable c ourse of CHF.

Truly low and high thromboembolic risk - impact of risk scores in real life.

BACKGROUND: Anticoagulation therapy is followed by analysis of factors used in the CHA2DS2-VASc score and assessing the risk of bleeding (HAS-BLED). THE AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study was to evaluate in 'real life' risk stratification scores in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF). MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 81 consecutive patients who had not yet received anticoagulation, 68 were finally enrolled after exclusion criteria. Patients were analyzed related to risk scores: CHADS2 ≥ 2 (group I) vs. CHADS2 < 2 and CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥ 2 (group II) and gender. Patients at high thromboembolic risk were treated with warfarin, after consideration of the patient's decision. RESULTS: At high risk of thromboembolic complications were 61 patients (90%). In 26 subjects (43%, 15 women - 57%) indication for anticoagulation was established by CHA2DS2-VASc. When compared to CHADS2 ≥ 2, these patients were younger (72 ±10 years vs. 63 ±10 years, p = 0.0002), less frequently burdened with arterial hypertension (p = 0.03) and had lower risk in HAS-BLED (1.23 ±0.65 vs. 0.81 ±0.49, p = 0.03). Seven patients (10%) did not require anticoagulation (CHA2DS2-VASc = 0). Compared to men, women more often had ischemic stroke (2 vs. 18%, p = 0.03), but less coronary artery disease (58 vs. 25%, p = 0.005). During 18 months on warfarin, bleeding occurred in 9 patients (13%, 6 women). On dual antiplatelet therapy were 11 patients (16%). No thromboembolic complications were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED schemata easily identify real low and high thromboembolic risk patients and bleeding risk. It seems that women present higher risk of bleeding, but less frequent use of antiplatelet therapy.

Giant aneurysm of the right coronary artery and magnetic resonance coronary angiography.

Coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) is generally defined as coronary dilatation that exceeds the diameter of normal adjacent segments or the diameter of the patient's largest coronary vessel by 1.5 times. The prime cause of CAAs is atherosclerosis, and the most commonly affected artery is the right coronary artery. CAAs are quite commonly detected during X-ray coronary angiography. However, Coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) is generally defined as coronary dilatation that exceeds the diameter of normal adjacent segments or the diameter of the patient's largest coronary vessel by 1.5 times. The prime cause of CAAs is atherosclerosis, and the most commonly affected artery is the right coronary artery. CAAs are quite commonly detected during X-ray coronary angiography. However, giant CAAs, especially with the diameter exceeding 100 mm, are extremely rare. The treatment method of choice of giant CAAs is the excision of aneurysm with coronary artery bypass grafting. We present a case of a 41-year-old apparently healthy woman with a giant right CAA. This was detected by noninvasive methods, including magnetic resonance coronary angiography, and its maximum diameter exceeded 100 mm. In emergency, the aneurysmal sac was excised and the aortocoronary saphenous vein graft was performed. We also present a review of the published studies of giant CAAs with the diameter exceeding 100 mm.