Relation between Mid-Regional Pro-Adrenomedullin in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure and the Dose of Diuretics in 2-Year Follow-Up-Data from FAR NHL Registry.

Background and Objectives: The aim of this paper is to evaluate the impact of humoral substance mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM) on the two-year survival of patients with chronic heart failure and relate it to the dosage of furosemide. Materials and Methods: The data is taken from the stable systolic heart failure (EF < 50%) FAR NHL registry (FARmacology and NeuroHumoraL activation). The primary endpoint at two-year follow-up was death, heart transplantation, or LVAD implantation. Results: A total of 1088 patients were enrolled in the FAR NHL registry; MR-proADM levels were available for 569 of them. The mean age was 65 years, and 81% were male. The aetiology of HF was ischemic heart disease in 53% and dilated cardiomyopathy in 41% of patients. The mean EF was 31 ± 9%. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.001) were obtained in several parameters: patients with higher MR-proADM levels were older, rated higher in NYHA class, suffered more often from lower limb oedema, and had more comorbidities such as hypertension, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, and renal impairment. MR-proADM level was related to furosemide dose. Patients taking higher doses of diuretics had higher MR-proADM levels. The mean MR-proADM level without furosemide (n = 122) was 0.62 (±0.55) nmol/L, with low dose (n = 113) 1−39 mg/day was 0.67 (±0.30) nmol/L, with mid dose (n = 202) 40−79 mg/day was 0.72 (±0.34) nmol/L, with high dose (n = 58) 80−119 mg/day was 0.85 (±0.40) nmol/L, and with maximum dose (n = 74) ≥120 mg/day was 1.07 (±0.76) nmol/L, p < 0.001. Patients with higher MR-proADM levels were more likely to achieve the primary endpoint at a two-year follow-up (p < 0.001) according to multivariant analysis. Conclusions: Elevated plasma MR-proADM levels in patients with chronic heart failure are associated with an increased risk of death and hospitalization. Higher MR-proADM levels in combination with increased use of loop diuretics reflect residual congestion and are associated with a higher risk of severe disease progression.

[Rivaroxaban use in prevention of stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation in clinical practice, results of observational studies and our experience]. / Pouzití rivaroxabanu v prevenci cévní mozkové príhody u nevalvulární fibrilace síní v praxiVýsledky observacních studií a nase zkusenosti.

Rivaroxaban is direct oral factor Xa inhibitor indicated for tromboembolic event rate reduction in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Knowledge of rivaroxaban efficacy and safety comes from a phase III randomized clinical trial ROCKET AF. In the present, we have more evidence of rivaroxaban efficacy from real-life clinical studies. XANTUS study was first international prospective observational real-life study documenting use of rivaroxaban in stroke prevention in a broad population of patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. The incidence of major bleed-ing and tromboembolic events was in real clinical practice low. RELIEF study was a second important study describing use of rivaroxaban in real-life clinical practice. The aim of this rectrospective study was to compare effectiveness of newly indicated rivaroxaban treatment with the vitamin K antagonists treatment. Our experience shows low incidence of bleeding with this therapy too.Key words: anticoagulation therapy - non-valvular atrial fibrillation - real-life studies - rivaroxaban.

Reaching target lipid levels in patients at high risk of cardiovascular event: the experience of a Canadian tertiary care lipid clinic.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the proportion of high risk patients followed at a tertiary care lipid clinic who met recommended lipid targets and to identify predictors of reaching goal lipid levels. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of 502 high risk patients followed between 1983 and 2003. Clinical and demographic data and fasting lipid profiles were extracted from each patient's first two clinic visits as well as the most recent visit. RESULTS: All patients in this study were at high risk of cardiovascular events due to dyslipidemia. At "Visit 1", only 55 (11.0%) of patients were at target TC/HDL-C < 4.0, and 97 (19.3%) of patients met target LDL-C < 2.5 mmol/l. At "Visit 3", 229 (45.8%) patients reached TC/HDL-C target, and 216 (43.2%) patients were at LDL-C target. The mean change in lipid values between Visit 1 and Visit 3 was significant (p = 0.0002) for LDL-C and (p < 0.0001) for TC/HDL-C. The use of statins, niacin, or salmon oil were all significantly associated with reaching TC/HDL-C target and LDL-C target, as well male gender, diabetes mellitus and peripheral vascular disease were also associated with reaching LDL-C target. Increasing age and lower body mass index were associated with reaching goal TC/HDL-C. CONCLUSIONS: The mean absolute changes in lipid values were significant and median lipid levels approached target levels in patients followed at specialized clinic, however the majority of high risk patients are not meeting goal lipid levels.