The Presence of Ascending Aortic Dilatation in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Is Negatively Correlated with the Presence of Diabetes Mellitus and Does Not Impair Post-Procedural Outcomes.

Both relevant aortic valve stenosis (AS) and aortic valve insufficiency significantly contribute to structural changes in the ascending aorta (AA) and thus to its dilatation. In patients with severe AS undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), survival data regarding aortic changes and laboratory biomarker analyses are scarce. METHODS: A total of 179 patients with severe AS and an available computed tomography were included in this retrospective study. AA was measured, and dilatation was defined as a diameter ≥ 40 mm. Thirty-two patients had dilatation of the AA. A further 32 patients from the present population with a normal AA were matched to the aortic dilatation group with respect to gender, age, body mass index and body surface area, and the resulting study groups were compared with each other. In addition to echocardiographic and clinical characteristics, the expression of cardiovascular biomarkers such as brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), soluble suppression of tumorigenicity-2 (sST2), growth/differentiation of factor-15 (GDF-15), heart-type fatty-acid binding protein (H-FABP), insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGF-BP2) and soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) was analyzed. Kaplan-Meier curves for short- and long-term survival were obtained, and Pearson's and Spearman's correlations were calculated to identify the predictors between the diameter of the AA and clinical parameters. RESULTS: A total of 19% of the total cohort had dilatation of the AA. The study group with an AA diameter ≥ 40 mm showed a significantly low comorbidity with respect to diabetes mellitus in contrast to the comparison cohort with an AA diameter < 40 mm (p = 0.010). This result continued in the correlation analyses performed, as the presence of diabetes mellitus correlated negatively not only with the diameter of the AA (r = -0.404; p = 0.001) but also with the presence of aortic dilatation (r = -0.320; p = 0.010). In addition, the presence of AA dilatation after TAVR was shown to have no differences in terms of patient survival at 1, 3 and 5 years. There were no relevant differences in the cardiovascular biomarkers studied between the patients with dilated and normal AAs. CONCLUSION: The presence of AA dilatation before successful TAVR was not associated with a survival disadvantage at the respective follow-up intervals of 1, 3 and 5 years. Diabetes mellitus in general seemed to have a protective effect against the development of AA dilatation or aneurysm in patients with severe AS.

A Story of PA/BSA and Biomarkers to Diagnose Pulmonary Hypertension in Patients with Severe Aortic Valve Stenosis-The Rise of IGF-BP2 and GDF-15.

(1) Background: Currently, echocardiography is the primary non-invasive diagnostic method used to screen patients with severe aortic valve stenosis (AS) for pulmonary hypertension (PH) by estimating systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP). Other radiological methods have been a focus of research in the past couple of years, as it was shown that by determining the pulmonary artery (PA) diameter, prognostic statements concerning overall mortality could be made in these patients. This study compared established and novel cardiovascular biomarkers with the PA/BSA value to detect PH in patients with severe AS. (2) Methods: The study cohort comprised 188 patients with severe AS undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), who were then divided into two groups based on PA/BSA values obtained through CT-angiography. The presence of PH was defined as a PA/BSA ≥ 16.6 mm/m2 (n = 81), and absence as a PA/BSA < 16.6 mm/m2 (n = 107). Blood samples were taken before TAVR to assess cardiovascular biomarkers used in this study, namely brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), cardiac troponin I (cTnI), high-sensitive troponin (hsTN), soluble suppression of tumorigenesis-2 (sST2), growth/differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP), insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGF-BP2), and soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR). (3) Results: Patients with a PA/BSA ≥ 16.6 mm/m2 showed significantly higher levels of BNP (p = <0.001), GDF-15 (p = 0.040), and H-FABP (p = 0.007). The other investigated cardiovascular biomarkers did not significantly differ between the two groups. To predict a PA/BSA ≥ 16.6 mm/m2, cut-off values for the biomarkers were calculated. Here, GDF-15 (p = 0.029; cut-off 1172.0 pg/mL) and BNP (p < 0.001; cut-off 2194.0 pg/mL) showed significant results. Consequently, analyses of combined biomarkers were performed, which yielded IGF-BP2 + BNP (AUC = 0.721; 95%CI = 0.585−0.857; p = 0.004) as the best result of the two-way analyses and GDF-15 + IGF-BP2 + BNP (AUC = 0.727; 95%CI = 0.590−0.864; p = 0.004) as the best result of the three-way analyses. No significant difference regarding the 1-year survival between patients with PA/BSA < 16.6 mm/m2 and patients with PA/BSA ≥ 16.6 mm/m2 was found (log-rank test: p = 0.452). (4) Conclusions: Although PA/BSA aims to reduce the bias of the PA value caused by different body compositions and sizes, it is still a controversial parameter for diagnosing PH. Combining the parameter with different cardiovascular biomarkers did not lead to a significant increase in the diagnostic precision for detecting PH in patients with severe AS.

Comparability between Computed Tomography Morphological Vascular Parameters and Echocardiography for the Assessment of Pulmonary Hypertension in Patients with Severe Aortic Valve Stenosis-Results of a Multi-Center Study.

Background: Computed tomography (CT) of the aorta and cardiac vessels, which is performed in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis (AS) before transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), offers the possibility of non-invasive detection of pulmonary hypertension (PH), for example, by determining the diameter of the main pulmonary artery (PA), the right pulmonary artery (RPA) or the left pulmonary artery (LPA). An improvement of the significance of these radiological parameters is often achieved by indexing to the body surface area (BSA). The aim of this study was to compare different echocardiographic systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) values with radiological data in order to define potential clinical cut-off values for the presence or absence of PH. Methods: A total of 138 patients with severe AS undergoing TAVR underwent pre-interventional transthoracic echocardiography with determination of sPAP values and performance of CT angiography (CTA) of the aorta and femoral arteries. Radiologically, the PA, RPA, LPA, and ascending aorta (AA) diameters were obtained. Vascular diameters were not only indexed to BSA but also ratios were created with AA diameter (for example PA/AA-ratio). From these CT-derived vascular parameters, AUROC curves were obtained regarding the prediction of different sPAP values (sPAP 40−45−50 mmHg) and finally correlation analyses were calculated. Results: The best AUROC and correlation analyses were generally obtained at an sPAP ≥ 40 mmHg. When considering diameters alone, the PA diameter was superior to the RPA and LPA. Indexing to BSA generally increased the diagnostic quality of the parameters, and finally, in a synopsis of all results, PA/BSA had the best AUC 0.741 (95% CI 0.646−0. 836; p < 0.001; YI 0.39; sensitivity 0.87; specificity 0.52) and Spearman's correlation coefficient (r = 0.408; p < 0.001) at an sPAP of ≥40 mmHg. Conclusions: Features related to pulmonary hypertension are fast and easily measurable on pre-TAVR CT and offer great potential regarding non-invasive detection of pulmonary hypertension in patients with severe AS and can support the echocardiographic diagnosis. In this study, the diameter of the main pulmonary artery with the additionally determined ratios were superior to the values of the right and left pulmonary artery. Additional indexing to body surface area and thus further individualization of the parameters with respect to height and weight can further improve the diagnostic quality.

CT-Diagnosed Sarcopenia and Cardiovascular Biomarkers in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: Is It Possible to Predict Muscle Loss Based on Laboratory Tests?-A Multicentric Retrospective Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with severe aortic valve stenosis (AS) often present with heart failure and sarcopenia. Sarcopenia, described as progressive degradation of skeletal muscle mass, has frequently been implicated as a cause of increased mortality, prolonged hospitalization and generalized poor outcome after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). At present, sarcopenia is defined by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) based on clinical examination criteria and radiological imaging. The aim of the present study was to compare patients with Computed Tomography (CT)-diagnosed sarcopenia with regard to the expression of cardiovascular biomarkers in order to obtain additional, laboratory-chemical information. METHODS: A total of 179 patients with severe AS were included in this retrospective study. Sarcopenia was determined via CT by measurement of the psoas muscle area (PMA), which was indexed to body surface area (PMAi). According to previous studies, the lowest tertile was defined as sarcopenic. Patients with (59/179) and without sarcopenia (120/179) in the overall cohort were compared by gender-specific cut-offs with regard to the expression of cardiovascular biomarkers such as brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), soluble suppression of tumorigenicity-2 (sST2), growth/differentiation of factor-15 (GDF-15), heart-type fatty-acid binding protein (H-FABP), insulin like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGF-BP2) and soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR). Additionally, binary logistic regression analyses were calculated to detect possible predictors of the presence of sarcopenia. RESULTS: No statistical differences regarding one-year survival could be detected between sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic patients in survival curves (log rank test p = 0.179). In the entire cohort, only BNP and hemoglobin (HB) showed a statistically significant difference, with only HB emerging as a relevant predictor for the presence of sarcopenia after binary logistic regression analysis (p = 0.015). No relevant difference in biomarker expression could be found in the male cohort. Regarding the female cohort, statistically significant differences were found in BNP, HB and hematocrit (HK). In binary logistic regression, however, none of the investigated criteria could be related to sarcopenia. CONCLUSION: Regardless of gender, patients with imaging-based muscle degradation did not demonstrate significantly different cardiovascular biomarker expression compared to those without it.

Main pulmonary artery diameter in combination with cardiovascular biomarkers. New possibilities to identify pulmonary hypertension in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis?

BACKGROUND: Echocardiography is currently the noninvasive method of choice to screen patients with severe aortic valve stenosis (AS) for pulmonary hypertension (PH) by estimating systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP). However, radiological options are also available by determining the main pulmonary artery (MPA) diameter in the setting of CT angiography. The aim of the present study was to compare cardiovascular biomarkers with the MPA diameter to allow other ways of detecting PH in patients with severe AS. METHODS: 194 patients with severe AS undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) were included in this study and were divided into two groups based on the CT-angiographically determined MPA diameter. In accordance with ESC guidelines, a cut-off value of 29 mm was determined in this study, with the absence of PH defined by an MPA diameter < 29 mm (n = 79/194) and the presence of PH defined by an MPA diameter ≥ 29 mm (115/194). Immediately before interventional aortic valve replacement, blood samples were drawn from the subjects and relevant cardiovascular biomarkers such as BNP, cTnI, GDF-15, H-FABP, IGF-BP2 and suPAR were assessed. RESULTS: Patients with an MPA diameter ≥ 29 mm had significantly higher BNP (p = 0.004), cTnI (p = 0.039) and HFABP (p = 0.015) plasma levels, whereas GDF-15 (p = 0.140), IGF-BP2 ( p = 0.088) and suPAR (p = 0.140) showed no significant differences. In addition, cut-off values were calculated to predict an MPA diameter ≥ 29 mm. Significant results were shown with 1634.00 pg/ml for BNP (p = 0.004), with 16.50 pg/ml for cTnI (p = 0.039) and with 1.16 ng/ml for H-FABP (p = 0.016). In a combined biomarker analysis, the 2-way combination of BNP and IGF-BP2 (AUC 0.671; 95%CI 0.538 - 0.805; p = 0.023) and the 3-way combination of BNP, H-FABP and IGF-BP2 (AUC 0.685; 95%CI 0.551 - 0.818; p = 0.015) showed the best results. Biomarker follow-up at 3 and 12 months after TAVR did not require additional information gain. Regarding 1-year survival, no significant difference could be detected between patients with an MPA diameter < 29 mm compared to patients with ≥ 29 mm (log-rank test: p = 0.262). CONCLUSIONS: The MPA diameter remains a controversial parameter for the detection of PH in patients with severe AS. Standing on its own, this non-invasive parameter may not be precise enough to detect PH accurately. Combining this parameter with several biomarkers did not provide significant additional information.

Systolic Pulmonary Artery Pressure and Cardiovascular Biomarkers-New Non-Invasive Ways to Detect Pulmonary Hypertension in Patients with Severe Aortic Valve Stenosis Undergoing TAVR?

Background: Patients with severe aortic valve stenosis (AS) frequently present with pulmonary hypertension (PH). The gold standard for detection of pulmonary hypertension is right heart catheterization, which is not routinely performed as a preoperative standard in cardiology centers today, neither before surgical valve replacement nor before transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure. Echocardiographic determination of systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) provides an opportunity to assess the presence or absence of PH. The aim of the present study was to investigate the extent to which plasma levels of common cardiovascular biomarkers behave in patients with severe AS and an sPAP < 40 mmHg in comparison to patients with an sPAP ≥ 40 mmHg. Methods: 179 patients with echocardiographic evidence of severe AS before TAVR procedure were divided into 2 groups based on sPAP. An sPAP of 40 mmHg was considered the cut-off value, with absence of PH defined by an sPAP < 40 mmHg (n = 82) and presence of PH defined by an sPAP ≥ 40 mmHg (n = 97). Directly before TAVR, a blood sample was drawn from each patient, and plasma concentrations of the cardiovascular biomarkers Soluble Suppression of Tumorigenicity-2 (sST2), Growth/Differentiation of Factor-15 (GDF-15), Heart-Type Fatty-Acid Binding Protein (H-FABP), Insulin Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 2 (IGF-BP2), Soluble Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator Receptor (suPAR), Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) and Cardiac Troponin I (cTnI) were determined. Results: Patients with an sPAP ≥ 40 mmHg had significantly higher sST2 (p = 0.010), GDF-15 (p = 0.005), IGF-BP2 (p = 0.029), suPAR (p = 0.018), BNP (p < 0.001) and cTnI (p = 0.039) plasma levels. Only for H-FABP (p = 0.069), no significant differences were discernible between the two groups. In addition, cut-off values were calculated to predict an sPAP ≥ 40 mmHg. Significant results were shown with 16045.84 pg/mL for sST2 (p = 0.010), with 1117.54 pg/mL for GDF-15 (p = 0.005), with 107028.43 pg/mL for IGF-BP2 (p = 0.029), with 3782.84 pg/mL for suPAR (p = 0.018), with 2248.00 pg/mL for BNP (p < 0.001) and with 20.50 pg/mL for cTnI (p = 0.002). Conclusions: sPAP as an echocardiographic parameter in combination with supplementary use of cardiovascular biomarkers presented here have the potential to provide more detailed information about the presence or absence of PH in a non-invasive way.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha-an underestimated risk predictor in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)?

BACKGROUND: Systemic inflammation has been identified as a major cardiovascular risk factor in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), yet currently, it is not adequately portrayed in scores for pre-interventional risk assessment. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive ability of TNF-α in TAVR. METHODS: A total of 431 patients undergoing transfemoral TAVR were enrolled in this study. Blood samples were drawn prior to intervention, 24 h post-intervention, 4, 5, and 7 days post-intervention, and 1, 3, and 6 months post-TAVR. RESULTS: In a univariate Cox proportional hazard analysis, plasma concentrations of TNF-α after 24 h and after 5 days were associated with mortality after 12 months (after 24 h: HR 1.002 (1.000-1.004), p = 0.028; after 5d: HR 1.003 (1.001-1.005), p = 0.013). This association remained significant even after correction for confounders in a multivariate Cox regression analysis. Additionally, cut-offs were calculated. Patients above the cut-off for TNF-α after 5d had a significantly worse 12-month mortality than patients below the cut-off (18.8% vs. 2.8%, p = 0.046). CONCLUSION: Plasma levels of TNF-α after 24 h and 5 days were independently associated with 12-month mortality in patients undergoing TAVR. Thus, TNF-α could represent a novel biomarker for enhanced risk stratification in these patients.

EAPCI Core Curriculum for Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (2020): Committee for Education and Training European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI). A branch of the European Society of Cardiology.

The proposed 2020 Core Curriculum for Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions aims to provide an updated European consensus that defines the level of experience and knowledge in the field of percutaneous cardiovascular intervention (PCI). It promotes homogenous education and training programmes among countries, and is the cornerstone of the new EAPCI certification, designed to support the recognition of competencies at the European level and the free movement of certified specialists in the European Community. It is based on a thorough review of the ESC guidelines and of the EAPCI textbook on percutaneous interventional cardiovascular medicine. The structure of the current core curriculum evolved from previous EAPCI core curricula and from the "2013 core curriculum of the general cardiologist" to follow the current ESC recommendations for core curricula. In most subject areas, there was a wide - if not unanimous - consensus among the task force members on the training required for the interventional cardiologist of the future. The document recommends that acquisition of competence in interventional cardiology requires at least two years of postgraduate training, in addition to four years devoted to cardiology. The first part of the curriculum covers general aspects of training and is followed by a comprehensive description of the specific components in 54 chapters. Each of the chapters includes statements of the objectives, and is further subdivided into the required knowledge, skills, behaviours, and attitudes.

Potential mechanisms of endothelialisation in individuals implanted with a leadless pacemaker systems: An experimental in vitro study.

BACKGROUND: Leadless pacemaker technology is a promising upcoming field in clinical rhythmology. Today, the most commonly used system in the clinical setting is the Micra™ leadless pacemaker system (Medtronic). In autopsies of patients who witnessed non-pacemaker associated death, unexpected ingrowth/encapsulation within the wall of the right ventricle was reported. The occurrence of a complete encapsulation was not expected and the process of endothelialisation remains unclear. We hypothesized, that a local inflammatory response might be the cause of these findings. The aim of our experimental in-vitro study was to investigate the effect of the Micra™ system and its single components on inflammatory processes. METHODS: For this purpose, whole Micra™ pacemakers were incubated in heparin plasma from 25 healthy volunteers for 48 h at 37 °C. Furthermore, 1 g gold, steel, titanium, tungsten and nitinol wires were incubated in heparin plasma for 48 h at 37 °C as well (n = 10). To detect eventual inflammatory processes, interleukin- (IL) 1ß, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), the chemokine IL-8 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Additionally, the level of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-ß1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were analysed. RESULTS: ELISA analyses showed that the whole Micra system leads to a significant increase in the inflammatory cytokine IL-6 which correlates with the data gained by the incubation of whole blood with the different wires. In particular, 0.5 g of tungsten showed a significant rise of IL-6 which could also be found for IL-1ß and IL-8. CONCLUSIONS: The in vitro study of the Micra system showed that the material composition led to an onset of inflammatory processes in whole blood. Consequently, one may speculate that the composition of Micra pacemaker may have a local inflammatory, though subclinical, effects in patients implanted with a Micra™ pacemakers.

Disease-specific characteristics of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 levels in patients with peripheral artery disease.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is one of the most common manifestations of systemic atherosclerosis. The prevalence of unrecognized PAD is high, leading to a lack of opportunity to detect subjects at a high risk for cardiovascular events. Inflammatory processes play an important role in the disease initiation as well as in the disease progression. Vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), a biomarker of endothelial dysfunction, appears to be an important mediator in inflammatory processes. Therefore, we hypothesized that in patients with PAD, circulating VCAM-1 might be elevated due to its function in mediating adhesion of immune cells to the vascular endothelium in the process of endothelial dysfunction and inflammation, and, therefore, applicable as a diagnostic biomarker. A total of 126 non-consecutive patients were enrolled in this study, of whom 51 patients had typical clinical manifestations of PAD and as controls 75 patients with no history of PAD or cardiovascular disease. All serum samples were obtained either during hospitalization or during out-patient visits and analyzed for VCAM-1 by the ELISA. Compared with controls, median levels of VCAM-1 were significantly elevated in patients suffering from PAD (953 vs. 1352 pg/ml; p < 0.001). Furthermore, VCAM-1 appeared to be highly discriminative for the detection of PAD (AUC = 0.76; CI 0.67-0.83). We could not observe dynamics related to increasing disease stages according to Rutherford classes in patients with apparent PAD. VCAM-1 was shown to be a potential discriminator and biomarker for the severity of systemic atherosclerosis. In a logistic regression analysis, VCAM-1 was robustly associated with the diagnosis of PAD, even after correction for clinically relevant cofounders (namely age, arterial hypertension, diabetes and LDL levels). Thusly, VCAM-1 might serve as a biomarker for PAD screening and detection.

[Micra™ leadless pacemaker : Clinical experience and perspectives]. / Sondenloser Schrittmacher Micra™ : Klinische Erfahrungen und Perspektiven.

Leadless pacemakers have the potential to fundamentally change the field of device therapy. As leads and generator pockets are no longer needed with this technology, many potentially dangerous complications of conventional pacemaker systems like lead fractures, lead endocarditis or pocket infections can be effectively avoided. At present, Micra™ (Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA) is the only commercially available leadless pacemaker. Since its first-in-human implantation in 2013, thousands of these devices have been implanted worldwide. This article presents an overview of the present clinical evidence and future perspectives of this promising new technology.

Visualization and appearance of artifacts of leadless pacemaker systems in cardiac MRI : An experimental ex vivo study.

BACKGROUND: Leadless pacemaker systems are an important upcoming device in clinical rhythmology. Currently two different products are available with the Micra system (Medtronic) being the most used in the clinical setting to date. The possibility to perform magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important feature of modern pacemaker devices. Even though the Micra system is suitable for MRI, little is yet known about its impact on artifacts within the images. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our ex vivo study was to perform cardiac MRI to quantify the artifacts and to evaluate if artifacts limit or inhibit the assessment of the surrounding myocardium. METHODS: After ex vivo implantation of the leadless pacemaker (LP) in a porcine model, hearts were filled with saline solution and fixed on wooden sticks on a plastic container. The model was examined at 1.5 T and at 3 T using conventional sequences and T2 mapping sequences. In addition, conventional X­rays and computed tomography (CT) scans were performed. RESULTS: Correct implantation of the LP could be performed in all hearts. In almost all MRI sequences the right ventricle and the septal region surrounding the (LP) were altered by an artifact and therefore would sustain limited assessment; however, the rest of the myocardium remained free of artifacts and evaluable for common radiologic diagnoses. A characteristic shamrock-shaped artifact was generated which appeared to be even more intense in magnitude and brightness when using 3 T compared to 1.5 T. CONCLUSION: The use of the Micra system in cardiac MRI appeared to be feasible. In our opinion, it will still be possible to make important clinical cardiac MRI diagnoses (the detection of major ischemic areas or inflammatory processes) in patients using the Micra system. We suggest the use of 1.5 T as the preferred method in clinical practice.

Analysis of novel cardiovascular biomarkers in patients with peripheral artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a common form of manifestation of atherosclerosis. PAD has a considerable impact on morbidity, hospitalization rates and health-care costs. Biomarkers have been introduced in many cardiovascular disease entities over the last years. However, an analysis on the correlation of biomarker levels and PAD is still lacking. METHODS: A total of 106 patients were enrolled in this current study, 51 that were diagnosed with PAD and 55 with excluded coronary and peripheral artery disease as controls. During outpatient visits, plasma samples of all patients were obtained and analyzed for sST2 (hemodynamics and inflammation), galectin-3 (fibrosis and remodeling), GDF-15 (remodeling and inflammation), suPAR (inflammation), and fetuin-A (vascular calcification) by use of ELISA after informed consent. RESULTS: Compared with controls, patients with PAD showed significantly higher levels of sST2 (5248 vs. 7503 pg/mL, P<0.001), suPAR (2267 vs. 2414 pg/mL, P=0.02), galectin-3 (2795 vs. 4494 pg/mL, P<0.001), and GDF-15 (549 vs. 767 pg/mL, P<0.001). Fetuin-A showed a trend towards lower levels in patients with PAD (117 vs. 100 ng/mL, P=0.119). CONCLUSIONS: Circulating levels of sST2, suPAR, galectin-3, and GDF-15 were significantly elevated in PAD patients. In contrast, fetuin-A levels showed a decrease in PAD patients indicating increased vascular calcification. Thus, by incorporating different pathophysiological processes present in PAD, tested novel biomarkers facilitate a more precise diagnosis as well as a more accurate evaluation of disease severity and progression.

Soluble ST2 predicts 1-year outcome in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

BACKGROUND: Soluble ST2 (sST2) has been introduced as a novel biomarker in patients suffering from heart failure for risk stratification. In this study, we sought to investigate whether sST2 is useful for risk stratification and prediction of mortality in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 274 patients undergoing TAVI were included in this study (149 female; age 81 ± 1 years; EUROSCORE 25 ± 1; STS score 3·8 ± 0·2). Plasma samples were obtained preinterventional and analysed for sST2. Patients were followed up 1 month and 1 year after TAVI. RESULTS: In a Cox regression analysis, sST2 plasma concentration was associated with increased mortality (changes per pg/mL sST2 concentration; HR 1·00006 95% (1·00004-1·00009); P < 0·001). A cut-off by means of the Youden Index was calculated (10 070·27 pg/mL), and patients were retrospectively divided into two cohorts, in those above (31·3%) and those below (68·7%) this value. These two groups were then compared regarding mortality both after 30 days and 1 year: whereas 1-month mortality did not differ (7·0% vs. 10·3%, OR 1·50 95% CI (0·60-3·79; P = 0·46)), patients with a sST2 concentration above the cut-off of 10 070·27 pg/mL showed a significantly worse outcome after 1 year (49·2% vs. 23·2%; OR 3·21 95% CI (1·70-6·04); P < 0·001). After correction for confounders in a multivariate Cox regression analysis, sST2 (1·0002 95% CI (1·0001-1·0003); P = 0·001) concentration remained associated with mortality. CONCLUSIONS: sST2 levels were associated with 1-year mortality after TAVI. Based on these results, we assume that sST2 might help to identify patients at high risk for death in whom conservative treatment should be considered.

Endpoint design for future renal denervation trials - Novel implications for a new definition of treatment response to renal denervation.

BACKGROUND: Defining an adequate endpoint for renal denervation trials represents a major challenge. A high inter-individual and intra-individual variability of blood pressure levels as well as a partial or total non-adherence on antihypertensive drugs hamper treatment evaluations after renal denervation. Blood pressure measurements at a single point in time as used as primary endpoint in most clinical trials on renal denervation, might not be sufficient to discriminate between patients who do or do not respond to renal denervation. METHODS: We compared the traditional responder classification (defined as systolic 24-hour blood pressure reduction of -5mmHg six months after renal denervation) with a novel definition of an ideal respondership (based on a 24h blood pressure reduction at no point in time, one, or all follow-up timepoints). RESULTS: We were able to re-classify almost a quarter of patients. Blood pressure variability was substantial in patients traditionally defined as responders. On the other hand, our novel classification of an ideal respondership seems to be clinically superior in discriminating sustained from pseudo-response to renal denervation. CONCLUSION: Based on our observations, we recommend that the traditional response classification should be reconsidered and possibly strengthened by using a composite endpoint of 24h-BP reductions at different follow-up-visits.

Analysis of Ambient Influences Affecting Interleukin-6 Secretion in the Context of Clinical Trials of Stem Cell Therapy for Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: Contradictory results of large clinical trials of stem cell therapy in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have impeded a wider clinical use. As signalling via paracrine factors in AMI has received more and more attention recently, we sought to compare processing protocols with special emphasis on interleukin-6 (IL-6), a factor of major relevance for triggering cardioprotective signals via STAT3 and PI3K. METHODS: Bone marrow and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were processed according to protocols used in the REPAIR-AMI and ASTAMI study. RESULTS: Keeping cells at higher temperatures significantly boosted secretion of IL-6. Moreover, the use of autologous serum and X-Vivo medium was superior over reagents used in the protocol of the ASTAMI study. CONCLUSIONS: External influencing factors (higher temperature, use of a modern cell culture medium supplemented with serum) led to higher concentrations of IL-6. These results could provide an explanation for the superior results found in the REPAIR-AMI study.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects and Prediction of Blood Pressure Response by Baseline Inflammatory State in Catheter-Based Renal Denervation.

This retrospective analysis aimed to examine off-target effects on inflammatory and renal function parameters in n=78 subsequent patients treated with renal denervation (RDN) for resistant hypertension. Ambulatory and office blood pressure (ABP/OBP), serum creatinine, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), cystatin C, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and white blood cell count (WBC) were assessed before, 6 and 12 months after RDN. ABP was significantly reduced by -8.2/-3.8 mm Hg (P=.002/.021) at 1 year after RDN, while an initial OBP reduction was not sustained during follow-up. IL-6 levels significantly decreased by -0.5 pg/mL (P=.042) and by -1.7 pg/mL (P<.001) at 6 and 12 months, baseline IL-6 levels possibly predicting ABP response to RDN (r=-0.295; P=.020). Concurrently, leukocyte count was reduced by -0.5 × 103 /µL (P=.017) and -0.8 × 103 /µL (P<.001), respectively. Serum creatinine and GFR remained unchanged, but we observed a significant increase in cystatin C by 0.04 mg/L (P=.026) and 0.14 mg/L (P<.001) at 6 and 12 months after the intervention.

Implantation depth measured by 64-slice computed tomography is associated with permanent pacemaker requirement following transcatheter aortic valve implantation with the Core Valve(®) system.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are at increased risk for post-interventional conduction disturbances leading to pacemaker (PM) implantation. We analyzed the association between implantation depth within the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT), measured by 64-slice computed tomography (CT), and 'index electrocardiographic (ECG) changes' (new onset atrioventricular-block grade II or III or left bundle branch block with PR interval prolongation >200ms). METHODS: We evaluated patients who underwent TAVI with the Core Valve(®) revalving system (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) for treatment of severe aortic stenosis at our department. Patients with a prior PM implantation and patients for whom no CT scan was available after 3 months were excluded from analysis. We assessed implantation depth of the prosthesis within the LVOT as possible risk factors for the development of post-interventional 'index ECG changes' resulting in PM implantation and compared it with individual patient data as well as echocardiographic and electrocardiographic parameters. RESULTS: The final study cohort comprised 53 patients for whom a 64-slice CT scan was available (mean age 81.7±5.1 years, 36% male). Twenty-eight of these finally underwent PM implantation due to 'index ECG changes' within the first 48hours after TAVI. Univariate logistic regression analysis could identify implantation depth of the prosthesis as the only significantly correlated risk factor for PM need in our cohort (OR 1.27, 95% CI: 1.08-1.51, p=0.004). A cut-off value of 6mm predicted this need with a sensitivity of 89% and specificity of 40%. CONCLUSION: Implantation depth of the Core Valve(®) into the LVOT was associated with post-procedural PM requirement. Thereby, a cut-off value of 6mm, as measured by 64-slice CT, proved useful to define patients at risk for PM requirement.

Predictors of response to renal denervation for resistant arterial hypertension: a single center experience.

BACKGROUND: Renal denervation (RDN) has been shown to reduce blood pressure in patients with resistant arterial hypertension (RAH). We aimed to investigate predictors for response to RDN. METHODS: Patients suffering from RAH underwent RDN after exclusion of secondary causes of hypertension. Ambulatory blood pressure measurement (ABPM) for 24 h was performed at baseline, 6 and 12 months after RDN. Response was defined as a at least 5 mmHg 24 h SBP drop at 6 months. A linear regression model was used to analyze an association between baseline variables and response to RDN. RESULTS: In total, 45.6% of patients were responders to RDN. In those, there was a significant reduction in ABPM values at 6 and 12 months (12 months: 24 h SBP: -17.2 ±â€Š9.0 mmHg, P < 0.01; 24 h DBP: -9.0 ±â€Š11.6 mmHg, P < 0.01). Per 10 mmHg increase in baseline 24 h SBP, there was a 5.5 mmHg 24 h SBP reduction at 6 months. Per kg/m increase in BMI, 24 h SBP increased by 0.7 mmHg at 6 months. Per increment in antihypertensive drugs used at baseline, there was a 2.7 mmHg 24 h SBP reduction at 6 months. CONCLUSION: Out of a wide range of baseline variables, elevated systolic ABPM values, BMI and the number of antihypertensive drugs used were associated with response. One has to consider the Hawthorne effect, the regression to the mean phenomenon, the actual effect of sympathetic denervation and the interaction of therapy modification when interpreting data from RDN registries without a control arm.

Influence of pseudo-resistance on the effect of renal denervation on 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure levels.

BACKGROUND: Renal denervation (RDN) is a promising treatment option in addition to medical antihypertensive treatment in patients suffering from resistant hypertension. Despite the growing interest in RDN, the negative result of the Symplicity HTN-3 trial led to a debate on the efficacy of RDN. METHODS: We systematically investigated the effects of RDN, evaluated by 24-hr ambulatory blood pressure measurements (ABPM), in a consecutive series of patients with resistant hypertension, which was defined by a mean office systolic blood pressure (SBP) >160 mm Hg (>150 mm Hg in patients with diabetes). Patients with a mean 24-hr SBP of less than 130 mm Hg at baseline were classified as pseudo-resistant, while all other patients were classified as true-resistant. After six months, we analyzed the response rates in true-resistant and in pseudo-resistant patients, respectively, by the means of 24-hr ABPM. Thereby, patients with a reduction of more than 5 mm Hg in 24-hr SBP were classified as responders. RESULTS: RDN was performed in 106 patients. By 24-hr ABPM, 20 patients (18.9%) were classified as pseudo-resistant patients. In this cohort, we only found two responders (response rate 10%) six months after RDN. By contrast, in true-resistant patients, the response rate was almost 60% and the mean BP reduction was -18.6/-9 mm Hg in 24-hr ABPM. CONCLUSIONS: We found a significant BP reduction in almost 60% of patients with true-resistant hypertension, but only in 10% in patients with pseudo-resistant hypertension. According to our results, patient selection seems to be crucial for acceptable response rates after RDN.