Predictors and prognostic implications of hospital-acquired pneumonia in patients admitted for acute heart failure.

Introduction: Data on predictors and prognosis of hospital acquired pneumonia (HAP) in patients admitted for acute heart failure (AHF) to intensive care units (ICU) are scarce. Better knowledge of these factors may inform management strategies. This study aimed to assess the incidence and predictors of HAP and its impact on management and outcomes in patients hospitalised for AHF in the ICU. Methods: this was a retrospective single-centre observational study. Patient-level and outcome data were collected from an anonymized registry-based dataset. Primary outcome was in-hospital all-cause mortality and secondary outcomes included length of stay (LOS), requirement for inotropic/ventilatory support, and prescription patterns of heart failure (HF) drug classes at discharge. Results: Of 638 patients with AHF (mean age, 71.6 ± 12.7 years, 61.9% male), HAP occurred in 137 (21.5%). In multivariable analysis, HAP was predicted by de novo AHF, higher NT proB-type natriuretic peptide levels, pleural effusion on chest x-ray, mitral regurgitation, and a history of stroke, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. Patients with HAP had a longer LOS, and a greater likelihood of requiring inotropes (adjusted odds ratio, OR, 2.31, 95% confidence interval, CI, 2.16-2.81; p < 0.001) or ventilatory support (adjusted OR 2.11, 95%CI, 1.76-2.79, p < 0.001). After adjusting for age, sex and clinical covariates, all-cause in-hospital mortality was significantly higher in patients with HAP (hazard ratio, 2.10; 95%CI, 1.71-2.84; p < 0.001). Patients recovering from HAP were less likely to receive HF medications at discharge. Discussion: HAP is frequent in AHF patients in the ICU setting and more prevalent in individuals with de novo AHF, mitral regurgitation, higher burden of comorbidities, and more severe congestion. HAP confers a greater risk of complications and in-hospital mortality, and a lower likelihood of receiving evidence-based HF medications at discharge.

Endothelial cell markers from clinician's perspective.

Endothelial cell markers are membrane-bound or cytoplasmic molecules expressed by endothelial cells, which help their easier identification and discrimination from other cell types. During vasculogenesis, endothelial cells differentiate from hemangioblasts to form new blood vessels. With the discovery of endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) and their ability to form new blood vessels, the term vasculogenesis is not only reserved for the embryonic development. Possibility of de novo blood vessel formation from EPC is now widely explored in different ischemic conditions, especially in cardiovascular medicine. Numerous clinical trials have tested enhancing tissue vascularization by delivering hematopoietic cells that expressed endothelial markers. This therapeutic approach proved to be challenging and promising, particularly for patients who have exhausted all conventional therapeutic modalities. Angiogenesis, which refers to the formation of new blood vessels from existing vasculature, is indispensable process during tumor progression and metastasis. Blockage of tumor angiogenesis by targeting and inhibiting endothelial cell has emerged as novel safe and efficacious method to control many advanced malignant diseases. Numerous clinical studies are currently testing new antiangiogenic drugs which target and inhibit endothelial cell markers, receptors or molecules which transmit receptor-mediated signals, therefore inhibiting endothelial cell proliferation, migration and vascular tube formation. Many of these drugs are now widely used in clinical settings as first- or second-line chemotherapy in advanced malignant conditions. So far, these therapeutic approaches gave modest, yet encouraging clinical improvements, prolonging survival and improving functional capacity and quality of life for many terminally ill patients. Here we present the most commonly used endothelial cell markers along with their applicability in contemporary clinical practice.

[Prevalence of renal insufficiency in individuals with obesity].

INTRODUCTION: The association of obesity with renal function disorders has been demonstrated by some studies. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of renal insufficiency (RI), measured as glomerular filtration rate (GFR) < 60 ml/min and impact of weight loss on kidney function in a cohort of 109 obese patients (body mass index - BMI > 25 kg/m2), without previous kidney disease, and who underwent the dietician's treatment. METHODS: According to body mass index (BMI), the patients were classified as overweight (25-29.9 kg/m2, 25 patients), obesity grade 1 (30-34.9 kg/m2, 37 patients), obesity grade II (35 to 39.9 kg/m2, 23 patients), and obesity grade III (> 40 kg/m2, 24 patients). Data on hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, family illness history on diabetes, obesity and hypertension, smoking and medications, lipid profile, serum creatinine (sCr) measured before and after diet, and urine examination were collected from the patients' records. GFR was estimated using MDRD formula (modification of diet in renal disease). RESULTS: The patients groups were similar in age and co-morbidities, lipids, and sCr values. In comparison to other obese patients, blood pressure was the highest in obesity grade III patients (p = 0.0001). Mean GFR rate before diet was satisfactory in all studied groups. RI was present in 12.8% patients. After diet nine patients still had GFR < 60 ml/min, while lipids decreased in all groups. Patients with the highest decrease of BMI also showed best improvement in GFR. The risk for the development of decreased GFR was higher in elderly patients (estimated rate: -0.434, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Obesity is a potentially reversible risk factor for the development of decreased GFR. The relationship between obesity and decreased GFR may be mediated by the presence of known cardiovascular risk factors. In order to clarify the obesity influence on renal functioning, further studies are needed.