High Serum Galectin-3 Level as a Potential Biomarker of Peripheral Artery Disease in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis.

Background: Galectin-3 is implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammation and atherosclerosis. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD), characterized by a reduced ankle-brachial index (ABI), is a prognostic marker for mortality in patients on hemodialysis. We investigated the relationship between serum galectin-3 levels and PAD in patients undergoing regular hemodialysis. Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study at a medical center, involving 92 participants. Serum galectin-3 levels were assessed by a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. ABI measurement was done with an automatic device based on oscillometry. Participants were categorized into two groups, normal and low ABI, based on a 0.9 cut-off point. Results: Eighteen patients (19.6%) exhibited a low ABI. In individuals with low ABIs, we observed a greater prevalence of diabetes mellitus, elevated serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, increased galectin-3 levels, and lower serum creatinine levels. Furthermore, serum galectin-3 levels (odds ratio [OR]: 1.056, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.003-1.112, p = 0.037) and CRP (per 0.1 mg/dL increment, OR: 1.195, 95% CI: 1.032-1.383, p = 0.017) were identified as independent predictors of PAD. Serum galectin-3 and log-transformed CRP levels were also independently and significantly negatively correlated with the left and right ABI values. Conclusions: Serum galectin-3 levels correlate with PAD in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis.

Ultrasensitive amplification-free detection of circulating miRNA via droplet-based processing of SERS tag-miRNA-magnetic nanoparticle sandwich nanocomplexes on a paper-based electrowetting-on-dielectric platform.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as a promising class of biomarkers for early detection of various cancers, including ovarian cancer. However, quantifying miRNAs in human blood samples is challenging owing to the issues of sensitivity and specificity. In this study, hsa-miR-200a-3p of the miR-200a sub-family, which is a biomarker of ovarian cancer, was used as the analyte to demonstrate the analytical capability of an integrated biosensing platform using an extremely sensitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) nanotag-nanoaggregate-embedded beads (NAEBs), magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), a pair of highly specific locked nucleic acid (LNA) probes, and a semi-automated paper-based electrowetting-on-dielectric (pEWOD) device to provide labor-less and thorough sample cleanup and recovery. A sandwich approach where NAEBs are modified by one LNA-1 probe and MNPs are modified by another LNA-2 probe was applied. Then, the target analyte miRNA-200a-3p was introduced to form a sandwich nanocomplex through hybridization with the pair of LNA probes. The pEWOD device was used to achieve short cleanup time and good recovery of the nanocomplex, bringing the total analysis time to less than 30 min. The detection limit of this approach can reach 0.26 fM through SERS detection. The versatility of this method without the need for RNA extraction from clinical samples is expected to have good potential in detecting other miRNAs.

Sex-Specific Left Ventricular and Aorta Size Cut-Off Values for Hemodynamically Significant Chronic Aortic Regurgitation　- Implications for Treatment in Asian Populations.

BACKGROUND: There are no sex-specific guidelines for chronic aortic regurgitation (AR). This retrospective study examined sex-specific differences and propose treatment criteria from an Asian AR cohort.Methods and Results: Consecutive 1,305 patients with moderate-severe AR or greater at 3 tertiary centers in Taiwan and Japan (2008-2022) were identified. Study endpoints were aortic valve surgery (AVS), all-cause death (ACD), and cardiovascular death (CVD). The median follow up was 3.9 years (interquartile range 1.3-7.1 years). Compared with men (n=968), women (n=337) were older, had more advanced symptoms, more comorbidities, larger indexed aorta size (iAortamax) and indexed left ventricular (LV) end-systolic dimension (LVESDi; P<0.001 for all). Symptomatic status was poorly correlated with the degree of LV remodeling in women (P≥0.18). Women received fewer AVS (P≤0.001) and men had better overall 10-year survival (P<0.01). Ten-year post-AVS survival (P=0.9) and the progression of LV remodeling were similar between sexes (P≥0.16). Multivariable determinants of ACD and CVD were age, advanced symptoms, iAortamax, LV ejection fraction (LVEF), LVESDi, LV end-systolic volume index (LVESVi), and Taiwanese ethnicity (all P<0.05), but not female sex (P≥0.05). AVS was associated with better survival (P<0.01). Adjusted LVEF, LVESDi, LVESVi, and iAortamaxcut-off values for ACD were 53%, 24.8 mm/m2, 44 mL/m2, and 25.5 mm/m2, respectively, in women and 52%, 23.4 mm/m2, 52 mL/m2, and 23.2 mm/m2, respectively, in men. CONCLUSIONS: Early detection and intervention using sex-specific cut-off values may improve survival in women with AR.

Selective brain perfusion improves the neurological outcomes after extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a rat model.

BACKGROUND: The major concern in patients who have suffered from cardiac arrest (CA) and undergone successful extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (E-CPR) is poor neurological outcomes. In this study, we aimed to introduce a rat model of selective brain perfusion (SBP) during E-CPR to improve the neurological outcome after CA. METHODS: The rats underwent 7 min of untreated asphyxial CA and then were resuscitated with E-CPR for 30 min. The right external jugular vein and right femoral artery were separately cannulated to the E-CPR outflow and inflow. The right common carotid artery was cannulated from the proximal to the distal side for SBP. Subsequently, rats were removed from E-CPR, wounds were closed, and 90 min of intensive care were provided. Neurological deficit scores were tested after 4 h of recovery when the rats were mechanical ventilation-free. S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100B) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were detected through immunohistochemistry (IHC) of brain tissue. RESULTS: The rats that received SBP while resuscitated by E-CPR showed markedly better neurological performances after 4-h recovery than those resuscitated by E-CPR only. The IHC staining of GFAP and S100B in the hippocampus was low in the rats receiving SBP during E-CPR, but only GFAP showed significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: We successfully developed a novel and reproducible rat model of SBP while resuscitated by E-CPR to ameliorate the neurological performances after CA. This achievement might have opportunities for studying how to improve the neurological outcome in the clinical condition.

Selective placement of novel compression suture technique to reduce pacemaker implantation rate following surgical aortic valve replacement with rapid deployment INTUITY valve.

OBJECTIVE: The use of RDV in SAVR is associated with risk of conduction abnormality requiring PPM implantation, when compared to conventional bioprosthetic valves. We aimed to evaluate the outcome after selective placement of annular compression sutures during surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) using Intuity rapid deployment valve (RDV). METHODS: This is a retrospective study of prospectively enrolled patients receiving SAVR using Intuity RDV. Selective placement of commissural compression suture was assessed for all patients based on their annular morphology. Outcomes including operative mortality, rate of pacemaker rate, paravalvular leak and change in trans-valvular pressure gradient were analyzed. RESULTS: 56 consecutive patients underwent SAVR with the INTUITY RDV at our institution from January 2020 to November 2021. The Mean age of our cohort was 69.9 ± 10.6 years with a EuroSCORE II of 3.4 ± 2.4%. 28.6% (16/56) of patients had notable conduction abnormalities pre-operatively, which included atrial fibrillation and left/right bundle branch block. Compression sutures were selectively applied in 19/56 (33.9%) patients. Of which, 13 were bicuspid aortic valve. Post-operatively, we observed no conduction abnormality requiring PPM implantation. In addition, only 3 of the 56 (5.4%) had any degree of paravalvular leak on post-operative echocardiography (all ≤ mild). The mean reduction in trans-valvular gradient was 29.9 mmHg and the mean pressure gradient at 1 month and 1 year follow-up were 9.3 ± 3.6 mmHg and 10.2 ± 4.1 mmHg, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Selective placement of compression suture helps to avoid unnecessary oversizing, which may reduce the risk of paravalvular leak and post-operative PPM implantation.

End-stage renal disease should not Be considered a contraindication for veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to determine whether end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a true contraindication for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in adult patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult patients who received VA-ECMO at National Taiwan University Hospital between January 2010 and December 2021 were included. Patients who received regular dialysis before the index admission were included in the ESRD group. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: 1341 patients were included in the analysis, 121 of whom had ESRD before index admission. The ESRD group was older (62.3 versus 56.8 years; P < 0.01) and had more comorbidities. Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) was used more frequently in the ESRD group (66.1% versus 51.6%; P < 0.001). The ESRD group had higher in-hospital mortality rates (72.7% versus 63.3%; P = 0.03). In the ECPR subgroup, there was no difference of survival between ESRD and others(P = 0.56). In the multivariate Cox regression, ESRD was not an independent predictor for mortality (P = 0.20). CONCLUSION: ESRD was not an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality after VA-ECMO. The survival of ESRD patients was not inferior to those without ESRD when receiving ECPR. Therefore, ESRD should not be considered a contraindication to VA-ECMO in adults.

Computer-assisted image analysis of preexisting histological patterns of the cephalic vein to predict wrist arteriovenous fistula non-maturation.

BACKGROUND: We used computer-assisted image analysis to determine whether preexisting histological features of the cephalic vein influence the risk of non-maturation of wrist fistulas. METHODS: This study focused on patients aged 20-80 years who underwent their first wrist fistula creation. A total of 206 patients participated, and vein samples for Masson's trichrome staining were collected from 134 patients. From these, 94 patients provided a complete girth of the venous specimen for automatic image analysis. Maturation was assessed using ultrasound within 90 days after surgery. RESULTS: The collagen to muscle ratio in the target vein, measured by computer-assisted imaging, was a strong predictor of non-maturation in wrist fistulas. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed an area under the curve of 0.864 (95% confidence interval of 0.782-0.946, p < 0.001). The optimal cut-off value for the ratio was 1.138, as determined by the Youden index maximum method, with a sensitivity of 89.0% and specificity of 71.4%. For easy application, we used a cutoff value of 1.0; the non-maturation rates for patients with ratios >1 and ≤ 1 were 51.7% (15 out of 29 patients) and 9.2% (6 out of 65 patients), respectively. Chi-square testing revealed significantly different non-maturation rates between the two groups (X2 (1, N = 94) = 20.9, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Computer-assisted image interpretation can help to quantify the preexisting histological patterns of the cephalic vein, while the collagen-to-muscle ratio can predict non-maturation of wrist fistula development at an early stage.

Effects and trend of steroid dosage reduction during cardiac surgery: A three-year retrospective analysis at a tertiary medical center.

BACKGROUND: Current adult cardiac surgery guidelines recommend against the routine use of prophylactic intravenous corticosteroids during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) due to concerns about myocardial injury, despite their potential to reduce postoperative atrial fibrillation. Traditionally, a high dose of 1,000 mg of methylprednisolone was used to attenuate the inflammatory response associated with CPB. Our institution aligned with guideline recommendations and gradually reduced methylprednisolone dosages; thus, we reevaluated the impact on postoperative clinical outcomes. METHODS: Our study reviewed 1341 cases from a total of 1680 adult cardiac surgeries performed between June 2019 and May 2022 after excluding cases with off-pump procedures, ventricular assist device implantations, heart transplants, and aortic surgeries requiring systemic circulatory arrest. The study timely sorted periods including a baseline data from 2018, and other three periods since 2019 to analyze the effects of three different methylprednisolone dosage: 0 mg, 500 mg, and 1000 mg. We assessed the annual trends in methylprednisolone administration and compared morbidity and mortality rates across the groups. RESULTS: We observed a significant decline in steroid use, with no-steroid surgeries increasing from 23% to 66.5% by period 3. Despite the decreased use of steroids, our study showed no increase in mortality, new-onset atrial fibrillation, acute kidney injury, cerebrovascular event and prolonged ventilation when compared to baseline data. Notably, less surgical site infection rate was observed in the no-steroid group. CONCLUSION: The data indicates that a reduction or discontinuation of steroids during CPB can be performed without compromising patient outcomes. This could support a transition towards a more conservative use of steroids in adult cardiac surgery, aligning with current guidelines, and potentially reducing certain postoperative complications.

Serum Endocan Is a Risk Factor for Aortic Stiffness in Patients Undergoing Maintenance Hemodialysis.

Background and Objectives: Endocan, secreted from the activated endothelium, is a key player in inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells, and angiogenesis. We aimed to investigate the link between endocan and aortic stiffness in maintenance hemodialysis (HD) patients. Materials and Methods: After recruiting HD patients from a medical center, their baseline characteristics, blood sample, and anthropometry were assessed and recorded. The serum endocan level was determined using an enzyme immunoassay kit, and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) measurement was used to evaluate aortic stiffness. Results: A total of 122 HD patients were enrolled. Aortic stiffness was diagnosed in 53 patients (43.4%), who were found to be older (p = 0.007) and have a higher prevalence of diabetes (p < 0.001) and hypertension (p = 0.030), higher systolic blood pressure (p = 0.011), and higher endocan levels (p < 0.001), when compared with their counterparts. On the multivariate logistic regression model, the development of aortic stiffness in patients on chronic HD was found to be associated with endocan [odds ratio (OR): 1.566, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.224-2.002, p < 0.001], age (OR: 1.040, 95% CI: 1.001-1.080, p = 0.045), and diabetes (OR: 4.067, 95% CI: 1.532-10.798, p = 0.005), after proper adjustment for confounders (adopting diabetes, hypertension, age, systolic blood pressure, and endocan). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.713 (95% CI: 0.620-0.806, p < 0.001) for predicting aortic stiffness by the serum endocan level, at an optimal cutoff value of 2.68 ng/mL (64.15% sensitivity, 69.57% specificity). Upon multivariate linear regression analysis, logarithmically transformed endocan was proven as an independent predictor of cfPWV (ß = 0.405, adjusted R2 change = 0.152; p < 0.001). Conclusions: The serum endocan level positively correlated with cfPWV and was an independent predictor of aortic stiffness in chronic HD patients.

Elevated Lipoprotein(a) Levels are Associated with Arterial Stiffness Measured by Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index in Patients Undergoing Peritoneal Dialysis.

Background: Arterial stiffness (AS) can be used to predict future cardiovascular diseases. High lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) levels were independently correlated with cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and death in patients with chronic renal insufficiency. The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) is a useful biomarker of arteriosclerotic disorders and has a close relationship with a variety of CV events. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between serum Lp(a) levels and AS in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) using the CAVI. Methods: A total of 86 adult patients who were on regular PD for at least 3 months were recruited in this study. The CAVI values were determined using the waveform device (VaSera VS-1000). A CAVI value of ≥ 9.0 on either side was defined as high. Serum Lp(a) levels were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Among these participants, 35 of 86 (40.7%) belonged to the high CAVI group. In contrast to those with a normal CAVI, PD recipients in the high CAVI group had higher serum levels of total cholesterol (p = 0.003), triglycerides (p = 0.044), C-reactive protein (p < 0.001), and Lp(a) (p < 0.001), whereas their albumin levels were significantly lower (p = 0.026). Based on multivariable logistic regression analysis, serum Lp(a) (odds ratio [OR] 1.025, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.010-1.040, p = 0.001), total cholesterol (OR 1.042, 95% CI 1.005-1.081, p = 0.027), and C-reactive protein (each increase 0.1 mg/dL, OR 1.217, 95% CI 1.008-1.469, p = 0.041) levels were found as the parameters that could independently predict AS in patients on PD. Further, using Spearman's correlation analysis, both the left and right CAVIs revealed a significantly positive correlation with log-transformed Lp(a) levels (r = 0.588, p < 0.001; r = 0.639, p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: Serum Lp(a) levels were postulated to participate in the pathogenic processes of AS in adult patients undergoing PD.

Impact of Previous Conventional Cardiac Surgery on the Clinical Outcomes After Heart Transplantation.

The impact of the type, purpose, and timing of prior surgery on heart transplantation (HT) remains unclear. This study investigated the influence of conventional cardiac surgery (PCCS) on HT outcomes. This study analyzed HTs performed between 1999 and 2019 at a single institution. Patients were categorized into two groups: those with and without PCCS. Short-term outcomes, including post-transplant complications and mortality rates, were evaluated. Cox proportional and Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were used to identify risk factors for mortality and assess long-term survival, respectively. Of 368 patients, 29% had PCCS. Patients with PCCS had a higher incidence of post-transplant complications. The in-hospital and 1 year mortality rates were higher in the PCCS group. PCCS and cardiopulmonary bypass time were significant risk factors for 1 year mortality (hazard ratios = 2.485 and 1.005, respectively). The long-term survival rates were lower in the PCCS group, particularly in the first year. In sub-analysis, patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and PCCS had the poorest outcomes. The era of surgery and timing of PCCS in relation to HT did not significantly impact outcomes. In conclusion, PCCS worsen the HT outcomes, especially in patients with ischemic etiology. However, the timing of PCCS and era of HT did not significantly affect this concern.

Role of percutaneous pulmonary artery cannulation in extracorporeal life support for acute cardiac failure: A single-center case series.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary artery (PA) cannulation is an effective extracorporeal life support (ECLS) management for left ventricular (LV) decompression or right ventricular (RV) support. This case series explores the results of PA cannulation during ECLS for acute cardiac failure. METHODS: Patients receiving percutaneous PA cannulation between January 2017 and December 2020 in a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. Patients receiving PA cannulation by a surgical cutdown method were excluded. Based on the hemodynamic needs of the patients, percutaneous PA cannulation was applied with ECLS for LV unloading and/or RV support. The primary endpoint was the successful weaning from circulatory support. The secondary endpoints included 30-day or in-hospital mortality, significant periprocedural complications, and successful hospital discharge without major complications. RESULTS: Fifteen patients (13 men, age range 11.2-70.8 years) presented acute heart failure and were initially managed by conventional ECLS mode. Percutaneous PA cannulation was performed for LV unloading in 13 patients (86.67%) and isolated RV circulatory support in two patients (13.33%). Weaning from circulatory support was achieved in 11 patients (73.33%). No significant periprocedural complication, including bleeding, infection, or vascular event requiring surgical exploration, was reported. The 30-day or in-hospital mortality rate was 33.33%. Eight cases (53.33%) were successfully discharged without major complications, including permanent stroke or the need for long-term hemodialysis. CONCLUSIONS: PA cannulation, especially percutaneously performed, was effective and safe for LV unloading and/or RV support during ECLS. Further investigation is required to confirm the efficacy and safety of our approach and management in a larger patient population.

Validation of the European system for cardiac operative risk evaluation II in a large Taiwan cardiac surgical centre.

BACKGROUND: The European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE II) is a well-established scoring system for predicting mortality in cardiac surgery. This system was derived predominantly from a European patient cohort; however, no validation of this system has been conducted in Taiwan. We sought to assess the performance of EuroSCORE II at a tertiary centre. METHODS: The 2161 adult patients receiving cardiac surgery between 2017 and 2020 in our institution were included. RESULTS: Overall, the in-hospital mortality rate was 7.89%. The performance of EuroSCORE II was assessed using the area under the receiver operator curve (AUC) for discrimination and the Hosmer-Lemeshow (H-L) test for calibration. Data were analysed for type of surgery, risk stratification, and status of the operation. EuroSCORE II had good discriminative power (AUC=0.854, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.822-0.885) and good calibration (χ2=5.19, p=0.82) for all types of surgery except ventricular assist devices (AUC=0.618, 95% CI: 0.497-0.738). EuroSCORE II also showed good calibration for most types of surgery except coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) combined procedure (P=0.033), heart transplantation (HT) (P=0.017), and urgent operation (P=0.041). EuroSCORE II significantly underestimated the risk for CABG combined procedure and urgent operations, and overestimated the risk for HT. CONCLUSION: EuroSCORE II had satisfactory discrimination and calibration power to predict surgical mortality in Taiwan. However, the model is poorly calibrated for CABG combined procedure, HT, urgent operation, and, likely, lower- and higher-risk patients.

Resistin: A Potential Indicator of Aortic Stiffness in Non-Dialysis Chronic Kidney Disease Patients.

Background and Objectives: In the progression and development of atherosclerosis, resistin plays a significant role. Chronic kidney disease (CKD), frequently associated with atherosclerosis, exhibits a marked increase in morbidity and mortality rates. This study set out to explore the association between aortic stiffness and serum levels of resistin in non-dialysis-dependent CKD patients ranging from stages 3 to 5. Materials and Methods: We collected fasting blood samples from 240 CKD patients across stages 3 to 5. The concentration of resistin in serum was determined using a commercially available enzyme immunoassay kit. Those patients who exhibited a carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) greater than 10 m/s were identified as the aortic stiffness group. Results: Out of the 240 CKD patients, 88 (36.7%) were classified within the aortic stiffness group. This group demonstrated higher incidences of diabetes, advanced age, increased body weight, body mass index, body fat mass, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, and serum resistin levels. Multivariate logistic regression analysis highlighted resistin, diabetes, and body weight as independent predictors of aortic stiffness. Additionally, body fat mass, logarithmically transformed cfPWV (log-cfPWV) values and log-triglyceride levels were independent predictors of log-resistin levels by multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis. Conclusions: In CKD patients from stages 3 to 5, a positive correlation exists between elevated serum resistin levels and cfPWV values, identifying resistin as a potential predictor of aortic stiffness.

Impact of duration of mechanical support on heart transplantation: Hasty transplantation may not have a good long-term outcome.

BACKGROUND: Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) has been widely utilized in critically ill cardiac transplant candidates. Few studies have investigated the impact of duration of MCS before heart transplantation (HTx) on long-term patient survival. METHODS: A retrospective HTx database was reviewed between 2009 and 2019. Patients who did not or did undergo MCS before HTx were categorized into two groups: (1) A (did not) and (2) B (did), respectively. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to assess the cutoff level of MCS duration before HTx in evaluating 5-year survival. RESULT: A total of 270 HTx patients (group A: 120, group B: 150) were analyzed. Group B patients had a higher percentage of blood type O, a higher incidence of resuscitation, a shorter listing duration, and a higher likelihood of having United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) 1A status than group A. The ROC curve revealed 24 days as a good cut-off level for determining the best MCS before HTx timing. Group B was categorized into two subgroups: (1) B1 (MCS < 24 days, n = 65) and (2) B2 (MCS > 24 days, n = 85). B2 had a higher incidence of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), hemodialysis, longer waiting time after MCS, and better ventricular assist device implantation than B1. However, the survival curves showed that B1 outcomes were significantly worse than in groups A and B2. Groups A and B2 had similar survival curves without an increased incidence of infection. CONCLUSION: The preliminary data demonstrated that a longer duration of MCS may be associated with better outcomes than urgent HTx.

Impact of Pretransplant Renal Replacement Therapy on Clinical Outcome After Isolated Heart Transplantation.

End stage renal disease (ESRD) is a contraindication to isolated heart transplantation (HT). However, heart candidates with cardiogenic shock may experience acute kidney injury and require renal replacement therapy (RRT) and isolated HT as a life-saving operation. The outcomes, including survival and renal function, are rarely reported. We enrolled 569 patients undergoing isolated HT from 1989 to 2018. Among them, 66 patients required RRT before HT (34 transient and 32 persistent). The survival was worse in patients with RRT than those without (65.2% vs 84.7%; 27.3% vs 51.1% at 1- and 10-year, p < 0.001 and p = 0.012, respectively). Multivariate Cox analysis identified pre-transplant hyperbilirubinemia (Hazard ratio (HR) 2.534, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.098-5.853, p = 0.029), post-transplant RRT (HR 5.551, 95%CI 1.280-24.068, p = 0.022) and post-transplant early bloodstream infection (HR 3.014, 95%CI 1.270-7.152, p = 0.012) as independent risk factors of 1-year mortality. The majority of operative survivors (98%) displayed renal recovery after HT. Although patients with persistent or transient RRT before HT had a similar long-term survival, patients with persistent RRT developed a high incidence (49.2%) of dialysis-dependent ESRD at 10 years. In transplant candidates with pretransplant RRT, hyperbilirubinemia should be carefully re-evaluated for the eligibility of HT whereas prevention and management of bloodstream infection after HT improve survival.

Impact of pre-transplant bloodstream infection on clinical outcomes after heart transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Active bloodstream infection (BSI) is a contraindication for heart transplantation (HT). However, some critical patients with BSI may undergo HT as a life-saving procedure. We aimed to investigate the impact of pre-transplant BSI on the clinical outcomes after HT. METHODS: We enrolled 511 consecutive patients who underwent HT between 1999 and 2019. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of BSI within 30 days preoperatively. Forty-three patients (8.4%) with BSI who were clinically stable and had no metastatic infection were considered for HT on an individual basis. In-hospital mortality, incidence of early postoperative BSI, length of postoperative hospital stays, and long-term survival were compared between the groups. Logistic and Cox regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for in-hospital and 1-year mortality. RESULTS: Patients with pre-transplant BSI had a high incidence of previous cardiopulmonary resuscitation, pre-transplant ventilator use, mechanical circulatory support use, renal replacement therapy, United Network for Organ Sharing status 1A, and a prolonged preoperative hospital waiting period. The in-hospital mortality rate was higher in patients with pre-transplant BSI (21% vs. 12%, p = .081), and the mortality rate was very high (33.3%) for those with BSI 0-15 days before HT. In addition, patients with pre-transplant BSI had a significantly longer postoperative hospital stay than patients in the control group. However, long-term survival was similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although pre-transplant BSI was associated with higher in-hospital mortality and prolonged postoperative hospital stay, patients who survived the early period had a similar long-term prognosis.

Association of serum fibroblast growth factor 21 levels with skeletal muscle mass and mortality in chronic hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a hormone that modulates metabolic pathways, which acts as a myokine under metabolic stress. We aimed to explore the association of serum FGF21 levels with skeletal muscle mass and mortality in patients on hemodialysis (HD). METHODS: Baseline serum FGF21 levels were measured, and a portable whole-body bioelectrical impedance device was used to assess skeletal muscle mass. One hundred twenty-four patients undergoing chronic HD were categorized into high- and low-FGF21 groups according to the median FGF21 value. RESULTS: Patients with low FGF21 values had lower body weight, body mass index, skeletal muscle mass index (SMI = skeletal muscle mass/height2), and serum triglyceride levels. Log serum FGF21 levels revealed a modest but positive correlation with SMI (r = 0.30, p = 0.001) and independently predicted SMI after multiple adjustment (ß = 1.59, p = 0.027). During a median follow-up period of 66 months, all-cause mortality and cardiovascular death rates did not differ significantly between the high- and low-FGF21 groups. We also failed to demonstrate FGF21 as an independent predictor of all-cause mortality. CONCLUSION: Serum FGF21 levels exhibited a positive association with skeletal muscle mass but were not predictive of mortality in patients undergoing chronic HD.

Outcome of urgent desensitization in sensitized heart transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Sensitization, the presence of preformed anti-human antibody in recipients, restricts access to ABO-compatible donors in heart transplant. Desensitization therapy works by reducing preformed antibodies to increase the chances of a negative crossmatch or permit safe transplantation across positive crossmatch. There is no consensus regarding the desensitization protocol in cardiac patients, and the outcome of desensitization remains under debate. METHODS: Twenty-five consecutive sensitized heart transplant recipients received perioperative desensitization in our institution from 2012 to 2019. One-year patient survival and graft rejection rate were analyzed and compared between sensitized recipients and non-sensitized recipients. RESULTS: Within the first year after transplant, patient survival in sensitized recipients was 76%. Infection was the major cause of death. The cumulative incidence of rejection was 8% for antibody-mediated rejection and 16% for acute cellular rejection. No significant difference in 1-year survival or rejection rate could be demonstrated between sensitized and nonsensitized recipients. CONCLUSION: Acceptable early outcomes in patient survival and graft rejection could be anticipated in sensitized heart transplant recipients under a perioperative algorithm using complement-dependent cytotoxicity crossmatch- or panel-reactive antibody-directed urgent immunomodulation strategies, while infection remains the major concern.

Serum Sclerostin Level Is Negatively Associated with Bone Mineral Density in Hemodialysis Patients.

Background and Objectives: Sclerostin and Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) modulate osteoblastogenesis, but their role in bone loss in hemodialysis (HD) patients is inconclusive. This study investigated relationships among lumbar bone mineral density (BMD), serum sclerostin, and DKK1 in HD patients. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were obtained from 75 HD patients. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measured lumbar BMD of the lumbar vertebrae (L2−L4). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed serum sclerostin and DKK1 concentrations. Results: There were 10 (13.3%), 20 (26.7%), and 45 (60%) patients defined as presenting with osteoporosis, osteopenia, or normal BMD, respectively. Age, alkaline phosphatase, urea reduction rate, fractional clearance index for urea, sclerostin level, and percentage of female patients are significantly negatively associated with the lumbar BMD and T-score, while the body mass index and waist circumference significantly positively associated with the lumbar BMD and T-score. Multivariate forward stepwise linear regression analysis indicated that serum sclerostin (ß = −0.546, adjusted R2 change = 0.454; p < 0.001), age (ß = −0.216, adjusted R2 change = 0.041; p = 0.007), and percentage of female HD patients (ß = −0.288, adjusted R2 change = 0.072; p = 0.0018) were significantly negatively associated with lumbar BMD in HD patients. Conclusions: Advanced age, female gender, and serum sclerostin level, but not DKK1, were negatively associated with BMD in HD patients.