Trans-Cardiac Gradient of Secretoneurin in Patients with Takotsubo Syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Secretoneurin (SN) is a novel biomarker that provides prognostic information in patients with cardiovascular disease. In experimental models, SN production is increased in the failing myocardium. Currently, no information is available on SN production in human myocardium. Accordingly, we wanted to determine the trans-cardiac gradient of SN in patients with Takotsubo syndrome (TTS), and to correlate circulating SN concentrations with indices of cardiac structure and function. METHODS: We included 15 women diagnosed with TTS according to established criteria. Plasma SN concentrations were measured in blood samples obtained simultaneously from the aortic root and the coronary sinus. Coronary physiology was assessed by invasive measurements, and we used cardiac magnetic resonance imaging to determine left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and cardiac mass. RESULTS: Median age was 65 years and median LVEF was 45%. Median SN concentration was 39 (25th-75th percentile 31-44) pmol/L in the coronary sinus and 37 (30-41) pmol/L in the aortic root (p = 0.02 for difference). SN concentrations in the aortic root showed the highest correlations with N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide (rho = 0.47) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (rho = -0.41). In contrast, we found weak correlations between SN concentrations and index of myocardial resistance (rho = 0.12), LVEF (rho = 0.08), and cardiac mass (rho = -0.09). CONCLUSION: We demonstrate a positive trans-cardiac gradient of SN in patients with TTS, which supports the hypothesis that SN is produced and released in the human myocardium in situations of myocardial dysfunction and stress.

Microvascular function and inflammatory activation in Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine microvascular function in the acute phase of Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) and to identify inflammatory mediators that could reflect TTS-induced pathology. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study included 20 females [median age 65 years; interquarile range (IQR) = 58-70 years] with TTS according to the Mayo diagnostic criteria. During heart catheterization, we determined the index of microvascular resistance (IMR) and drew blood samples almost simultaneously from the aorta and coronary sinus. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was done in the acute phase. We present descriptive coronary physiology and cardiac MRI data and compare inflammatory biomarkers between samples from the aorta, coronary sinus, and venous samples after 3 months using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. For comparison, we also analysed the actual biomarkers in venous blood from 15 healthy female controls. A supplementary analysis explored Spearman's rank correlation between the inflammatory biomarkers, IMR, MRI data, and cardiac biomarkers. The median IMR was 16.5 mmHg·s (IQR = 10.5-28.2 mmHg·s), which was only slightly higher than that in the reference populations. Seven (35%) of the study subjects had IMR > 25 mmHg·s, suggesting a microvascular dysfunction. IMR was not affected by time from symptom onset. According to MRI, the apical region of the left ventricle was affected in 65% of the subjects. The median ejection fraction was 41% (IQR = 31-48%). Biomarker analyses revealed elevation of markers for extracellular matrix remodelling and fibrosis, inflammation, immune activation, and upstream inflammation as compared with healthy controls. Only the levels of interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonist and soluble T-cell immunoglobulin mucin domain-3 (sTIM-3) were higher in the coronary sinus than in the aorta. No variable was significantly correlated with IMR. The IL-6 level in the aorta was inversely correlated with the left ventricular ejection fraction. Growth differentiation factor-15, osteoprotegerin, and von Willebrand factor levels in both aorta and coronary sinus were positively correlated with N-terminal-pro-brain-natriuretic peptide, while the correlations of IL-6 and sTIM-3 with N-terminal-pro-brain-natriuretic peptide were restricted to the aorta and coronary sinus, respectively. While most of the markers were within normal limits after 3 months, matrix metalloproteinase-9 increased during follow-up to reach levels higher than those in the healthy controls. CONCLUSION: The median IMR was only slightly elevated in this study, but about one-third of the patients had values indicating microvascular dysfunction. The present study supports the involvement of several inflammatory pathways in TTS, including monocyte/macrophage activation, with sTIM-3 as a potential novel marker.

Effects of high-intensity interval training on cardiac remodelling, function and coronary microcirculation in de novo heart transplant patients: a substudy of the HITTS randomised controlled trial.

Objectives: High-intensity interval training (HIT) improves peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) in de novo heart transplant (HTx) recipients. It remains unclear whether this improvement early after HTx is solely dependent on peripheral adaptations, or due to a linked chain of central and peripheral adaptations. The objective of this study was to determine whether HIT results in structural and functional adaptations in the cardiovascular system. Methods: Eighty-one de novo HTx recipients were randomly assigned to participate in either 9 months of supervised HIT or standard care exercise-based rehabilitation. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiogram and the coronary microcirculation with the index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) at baseline and 12 months after HTx. Results: Cardiac function as assessed by global longitudinal strain was significantly better in the HIT group than in the standard care group (16.3±1.2% vs 15.6±2.2%, respectively, treatment effect = -1.1% (95% CI -2.0% to -0.2%), p=0.02), as was the end-diastolic volume (128.5±20.8 mL vs 123.4±15.5 mL, respectively, treatment effect=4.9 mL (95% CI 0.5 to 9.2 mL), p=0.03). There was a non-significant tendency for IMR to indicate improved microcirculatory function (13.8±8.0 vs 16.8±12.0, respectively, treatment effect = -4.3 (95% CI -9.1 to 0.6), p=0.08). Conclusion: When initiated early after HTx, HIT leads to both structural and functional cardiovascular adaptations. Trial registration number: NCT01796379.

Exploring cardiac effects after oxytocin 2.5 IU or carbetocin 100 µg: A randomised controlled trial in women undergoing planned caesarean delivery.

BACKGROUND: Oxytocin can stimulate release of myocardial biomarkers troponin I and T, prolong QTc and induce ST-depression. OBJECTIVE: To explore cardiac changes after either intravenous carbetocin or oxytocin. STUDY DESIGN: Exploratory phase 4 randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Obstetrics units of Oslo University Hospital, Norway between September 2015 and May 2018. PARTICIPANTS: Forty healthy, singleton pregnant women aged 18 to 50 years at gestational age at least 36 weeks with a planned caesarean delivery. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomised to receive either oxytocin 2.5 IU or carbetocin 100 µg immediately after delivery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary endpoint was the assessment of troponin I within 48 h of study drug administration. Troponin I and T, and creatine kinase myocardial band assessments were measured before spinal anaesthesia (baseline), and again at 4, 10 and 24 h after delivery. QTc, ST-depression and relative increase in heart rate were recorded from start of study drug administration to 10 min after delivery. All adverse events were monitored. RESULTS: Compared with the carbetocin group, higher troponin I levels were observed in the oxytocin group at 4 h and 10 h after delivery. For both treatment groups, an increase from baseline in troponin I and T was most pronounced at 10 h after delivery, and it had begun to decline by 24 h. QTc increased with time after administration of both study drugs, with a mean maximum increase of 10.4 ms observed at 9 min (P   <  0.001). No statistical differences were observed in QTc ( P  = 0.13) or ST-depression ( P  = 0.11) between the treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Oxytocin 2.5 IU and carbetocin 100 µg caused a similar increase in QTc. The trial was underpowered with regards to ST-depression and the release of myocardial biomarkers and these warrant further investigation. Data from this trial will inform a larger phase 4 trial to determine potential drug differences in troponin release. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02528136.

A randomized clinical study using optical coherence tomography to evaluate the short-term effects of high-intensity interval training on cardiac allograft vasculopathy: a HITTS substudy.

Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) remains a leading cause of long-term mortality after heart transplantation. Both preventive measures and treatment options are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of high-intensity interval training (HIT) on CAV in de novo heart transplant (HTx) recipients as assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT). The study population was a subgroup of the 81-patient HITTS study in which HTx recipients were randomized to HIT or moderate intensity continuous training (MICT) for nine consecutive months. OCT images from baseline and 12 months were compared to assess CAV progression. The primary endpoint was defined as the change in the mean intima area. Paired OCT data were available for 56 patients (n = 23 in the HIT group and n = 33 in the MICT group). The intima area in the entire study population increased by 25% [from 1.8±1.4 mm2 to 2.3±2.0 mm2 , P < .05]. The change was twofold higher in the MICT group (.6±1.2 mm2 ) than in the HIT group (.3±.6 mm2 ). However, the treatment effect of HIT was not significant (treatment effect = -.3 mm2 , 95% CI [-.825 to .2 mm2 ] P = .29). These results suggest that early initiation of HIT compared with MICT does not attenuate CAV progression in de novo HTx recipients.

Microcirculatory Resistance Predicts Allograft Rejection and Cardiac Events After Heart Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Single-center data suggest that the index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) measured early after heart transplantation predicts subsequent acute rejection. OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to validate whether IMR measured early after transplantation can predict subsequent acute rejection and long-term outcome in a large multicenter cohort. METHODS: From 5 international cohorts, 237 patients who underwent IMR measurement early after transplantation were enrolled. The primary outcome was acute allograft rejection (AAR) within 1 year after transplantation. A key secondary outcome was major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (the composite of death, re-transplantation, myocardial infarction, stroke, graft dysfunction, and readmission) at 10 years. RESULTS: IMR was measured at a median of 7 weeks (interquartile range: 3-10 weeks) post-transplantation. At 1 year, the incidence of AAR was 14.4%. IMR was associated proportionally with the risk of AAR (per increase of 1-U IMR; adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-1.06; p < 0.001). The incidence of AAR in patients with an IMR ≥18 was 23.8%, whereas the incidence of AAR in those with an IMR <18 was 6.3% (aHR: 3.93; 95% CI: 1.77-8.73; P = 0.001). At 10 years, MACE occurred in 86 (36.3%) patients. IMR was significantly associated with the risk of MACE (per increase of 1-U IMR; aHR: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01-1.04; P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: IMR measured early after heart transplantation is associated with subsequent AAR at 1 year and clinical events at 10 years. Early IMR measurement after transplantation identifies patients at higher risk and may guide personalized posttransplantation management.

Prognostic value of comprehensive intracoronary physiology assessment early after heart transplantation.

AIMS: We evaluated the long-term prognostic value of invasively assessing coronary physiology after heart transplantation in a large multicentre registry. METHODS AND RESULTS: Comprehensive intracoronary physiology assessment measuring fractional flow reserve (FFR), the index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR), and coronary flow reserve (CFR) was performed in 254 patients at baseline (a median of 7.2 weeks) and in 240 patients at 1 year after transplantation (199 patients had both baseline and 1-year measurement). Patients were classified into those with normal physiology, reduced FFR (FFR ≤ 0.80), and microvascular dysfunction (either IMR ≥ 25 or CFR ≤ 2.0 with FFR > 0.80). The primary outcome was the composite of death or re-transplantation at 10 years. At baseline, 5.5% had reduced FFR; 36.6% had microvascular dysfunction. Baseline reduced FFR [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 2.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.88-6.15; P = 0.088] and microvascular dysfunction (aHR 0.88, 95% CI 0.44-1.79; P = 0.73) were not predictors of death and re-transplantation at 10 years. At 1 year, 5.0% had reduced FFR; 23.8% had microvascular dysfunction. One-year reduced FFR (aHR 2.98, 95% CI 1.13-7.87; P = 0.028) and microvascular dysfunction (aHR 2.33, 95% CI 1.19-4.59; P = 0.015) were associated with significantly increased risk of death or re-transplantation at 10 years. Invasive measures of coronary physiology improved the prognostic performance of clinical variables (χ2 improvement: 7.41, P = 0.006). However, intravascular ultrasound-derived changes in maximal intimal thickness were not predictive of outcomes. CONCLUSION: Abnormal coronary physiology 1 year after heart transplantation was common and was a significant predictor of death or re-transplantation at 10 years.

A study protocol for the cardiac effects of a single dose of either oxytocin 2.5 IU or carbetocin 100 µg after caesarean delivery: a prospective randomized controlled multi-centre trial in Norway.

Background: Both oxytocin and carbetocin are used to prevent uterine atony and post-partum haemorrhage after caesarean delivery in many countries, including Norway. Oxytocin causes dose-dependent ST-depression, troponin release, prolongation of QT-time and arrythmia, but little is known about myocardial effects of carbetocin. We have previously demonstrated comparable vasodilatory effects of oxytocin and carbetocin and are now undertaking a Phase 4 trial to investigate whether carbetocin causes similar changes to myocardial markers compared with oxytocin. Methods: Our randomized controlled trial will be conducted at three obstetrics units at Oslo University Hospital and Akershus University Hospital, Norway. Planned enrolment will be of 240 healthy, singleton pregnant women aged 18 to 50 years undergoing planned caesarean delivery. Based on pilot study data, each participant will receive a one-minute intravenous injection of either oxytocin 2.5 IU or carbetocin 100 µg during caesarean delivery. The prespecified primary outcome is the change from baseline in high-sensitive troponin I plasma concentrations at 6-10 hours after study drug administration. Secondary outcomes include uterine tone grade at 2.5 and five minutes after study drug administration, adverse events for up to 48 hours after study drug administration, estimated blood loss within eight hours of delivery, need for rescue treatment and direct/indirect costs. Enrolment and primary analysis are expected to be completed by the end of 2021. Discussion: Women undergoing caesarean delivery should be assessed for cardiovascular risk particularly as women with an obstetric history of pregnancy induced hypertension, gestational diabetes mellitus, preterm birth, placental abruption, and stillbirth are at increased risk of future cardiovascular disease. Any additional ischaemic myocardial risk from uterotonic agents will need to be balanced with the benefit of reducing the risk of postpartum haemorrhage. Any potential cardiotoxicity difference between oxytocin and carbetocin will help inform treatment decisions for pregnant women. Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03899961 (02/04/2019).

Rosuvastatin alters the genetic composition of the human gut microbiome.

The gut microbiome contributes to the variation of blood lipid levels, and secondary bile acids are associated with the effect of statins. Yet, our knowledge of how statins, one of our most common drug groups, affect the human microbiome is scarce. We aimed to characterize the effect of rosuvastatin on gut microbiome composition and inferred genetic content in stool samples from a randomized controlled trial (n = 66). No taxa were significantly altered by rosuvastatin during the study. However, rosuvastatin-treated participants showed a reduction in the collective genetic potential to transport and metabolize precursors of the pro-atherogenic metabolite trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO, p < 0.01), and an increase of related metabolites betaine and γ-butyrobetaine in plasma (p < 0.01). Exploratory analyses in the rosuvastatin group showed that participants with the least favorable treatment response (defined as < median change in high-density/low-density lipoprotein (HDL/LDL) ratio) showed a marked increase in TMAO-levels compared to those with a more favorable response (p < 0.05). Our data suggest that while rosuvastatin has a limited effect on gut microbiome composition, it could exert broader collective effects on the microbiome relevant to their function, providing a rationale for further studies of the influence of statins on the gut microbiome.

Index of microvascular resistance to assess the effect of rosuvastatin on microvascular function in women with chest pain and no obstructive coronary artery disease: A double-blind randomized study.

INTRODUCTION: Many women undergoing coronary angiography for chest pain have no or only minimal coronary artery disease (CAD). However, despite the lack of obstructive CAD, they still have an increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events. Pleiotropic effects of statins may influence microvascular function, but if statins improve microvascular function in unselected chest pain patients is not well studied. This study assessed microvascular function by using the thermodilution-derived test "the index of microvascular resistance" (IMR) with the aim of determining the (i) IMR level in women with chest pain and non-obstructive CAD and if (ii) IMR is modified by high-dose statin treatment in these patients. Additional objectives were to identify the influence of statins on the health status as assessed with generic health questionnaires and on biomarkers of endothelial activation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was a randomized, double-blind, single-center trial comparing 6 months of rosuvastatin treatment with placebo. In total, 66 women without obstructive CAD were included. Mean age was 52.7 years and 55.5 years in the placebo and rosuvastatin group, respectively. Microvascular function was assessed using the IMR, health status was assessed using the SF-36 and EQ-5D questionnaires, and biochemical values were assessed at baseline and 6 months later. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: In the placebo group IMR was 14.6 (SD 5.7) at baseline and 14.4 (SD 6.5) at follow-up. In the rosuvastatin group IMR was 16.5 (SD 7.5) at baseline and 14.2 (SD 5.8) at follow-up. IMR did not differ significantly between the two study groups at follow-up controlled for preintervention values. C-reactive protein (CRP) was comparable between the groups at baseline, while at follow-up CRP was significantly lower in the rosuvastatin group compared to placebo [0.6 (±0.5) mg/L vs. 2.6 (±3.0) mg/L; p = 0.002]. Whereas rosuvastatin treatment for 6 months attenuated CRP levels, it did not improve microvascular function as assessed by IMR (Clinical Trials.gov NCT01582165, EUDRACT 2011-002630-39.3tcAZ).

Impaired left ventricular filling is associated with decreased pulse oximetry values.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between echocardiographic measures of diastolic left ventricular dysfunction and decreased arterial oxyhaemoglobin saturation measured with pulse oximetry (SpO2). DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional population-based survey of Norwegian adults. Values obtained using echocardiography, pulse oximetry, and spirometry were included. The primary outcome was abnormal mitral Doppler inflow, defined as normal: E/A ratio 0.75-1.5 and EDT ≥ 140 ms; abnormal: E/A ratio <0.75 or >1.5 or EDT <140 ms. The associations between this outcome and possible predictors, including SpO2 ≤ 95%, were analysed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 1782 participants aged 50 years or older (54% women, mean age 67.5 years) were included in the analysis. Abnormal mitral Doppler inflow was found in 595 participants. After adjusting for age, gender, previous myocardial infarction, smoking history, dyspnoea, obesity, and decreased lung function, SpO2 ≤ 95% predicted abnormal mitral Doppler flow with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.6 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-2.4]. Hypertension and BMI > =30 were also significant predictors of impaired filling, with OR of 1.7 (95% CI 1.1-2.7) OR and 1.5 (95% CI 1.2-1.9), respectively. CONCLUSION: Decreased SpO2 was a significant predictor of abnormal mitral Doppler flow. Diastolic dysfunction should be considered when SpO2 ≤ 95% is found.

Index of microvascular resistance after early conversion from calcineurin inhibitor to everolimus in heart transplantation: A sub-study to a 1-year randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Microvascular function in transplanted hearts can be evaluated by methods used in routine left heart catheterization follow-up after heart transplantation (HTx). This sub-study of a randomized study compared the effects of everolimus (EVR) and calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) treatment on microvascular function as expressed by the index of microvascular resistance (IMR) at 1 year after HTx. A secondary objective was to compare the change in IMR from 7-11 weeks to 1 year after HTx between randomized groups. METHODS: There were 70 HTx recipients included and randomly assigned to combination therapy (EVR and CNI with early CNI withdrawal) vs conventional CNI treatment. Coronary physiologic assessment was performed 7-11 weeks and 1 year after HTx. A linear mixed model was used to assess the group difference at 1 year and the difference in IMR change between 7-11 weeks and 1 year after HTx. RESULTS: At 1 year, there was no significant difference in IMR between the EVR group (17.5 mm Hg∙sec ± 8.9) (mean ± SD) and the CNI group (14.9 mm Hg∙sec ± 6.6, p = 0.17). The difference in IMR change between the 2 treatment arms was 1.6 mm Hg∙sec (95% confidence interval, -2.8 to 5.9; p = 0.49). Spearman's rank correlation coefficient at 1 year after HTx between IMR and maximal intimal thickness as assessed with intravascular ultrasound in the left anterior descending artery was -0.13 (p = 0.28). CONCLUSIONS: In this prospective, open, randomized study comparing early CNI withdrawal with mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors immunosuppression during the first year after HTx, early transition from CNI-based immunosuppression to EVR-based treatment did not result in differences in microvascular function as assessed by the IMR.

Design and rationale of the HITTS randomized controlled trial: Effect of High-intensity Interval Training in de novo Heart Transplant Recipients in Scandinavia.

There is no consensus on how, when, and at what intensity exercise should be performed and organized after heart transplantation (HTx). Most rehabilitation programs are conducted in HTx centers, which might be impractical and costly. We have recently shown that high-intensity interval training (HIT) is safe, well tolerated, and efficacious in maintenance HTx recipients, but there are no studies among de novo patients, and whether HIT is feasible and superior to moderate training in HTx recipients is unclear. A total of 120 clinically stable HTx recipients older than 18 years will be recruited from 3 Scandinavian HTx centers. Participants are randomized to HIT or moderate training, shortly after surgery. All exercises are supervised in the patients' local communities. Testing at baseline and follow-up includes the following: VO2peak (primary end point), muscle strength, body composition, quality of life, myocardial performance, endothelial function, biomarkers, and progression of cardiac allograft vasculopathy. A subgroup (n = 90) will also be tested at 3-year follow-up to assess long-term effects of exercise. So far, the HIT intervention is well tolerated, without any serious adverse events. We aim to test whether decentralized HIT is feasible, safe, and superior to moderate training, and whether it will lead to significant improvement in exercise capacity and less long-term complications.

Reference interval for the index of coronary microvascular resistance.

AIMS: The index of microvascular resistance (IMR) is a relatively new tool that is used to assess microvascular function during routinely performed left heart catheterisations. In order to establish a reference interval for IMR, we investigated a subset of arrhythmia patients with structurally normal hearts and no or minimal coronary artery disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: Physiological variables, including IMR, were measured in 20 otherwise healthy patients aged 40-60 years (10 males and 10 females) who had been referred for electrophysiological evaluation of suspected atrioventricular nodal re-entry tachycardia. IMR values were non-normally distributed with a median value of 12.6. We established a reference interval, that would be relevant to 95% of the population, of 7.3 (90% CI: 6.6-8.0) - 27.2 (90% CI: 20.8-33.7), using Box-Cox transformation and the robust Horn method. Spearman's rank correlation analysis revealed no significant relationship between IMR and several different variables. CONCLUSIONS: A reference interval for IMR was established in a population of patients aged 40-60 years with structurally normal hearts, considered to be representative of the general population. IMR was not related to sex, age or any of the other variables tested, suggesting that this reference range can be applied to the general population.

High-sensitive troponin T and N-terminal-brain-natriuretic-peptide predict outcome in symptomatic aortic stenosis.

OBJECTIVES: Aortic stenosis (AS) and atherosclerosis share similarities when it comes to risk factors and disease progression. Like in other heart diseases, we hypothesized that biomarkers like high-sensitive troponin T (hsTnT), N-terminal-pro-brain-natriuretic-peptide (NT-proBNP) and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) could be useful in risk stratification. DESIGN: A total of 136 patients (57% men, mean age 74 years), referred for evaluation of AS (valve area 0.62 cm(2), left ventricular ejection fraction 64%) were consecutively enrolled in the study. The relationship between hsTnT, hsCRP and NT-proBNP, different echocardiographic parameters of AS and cardiac function were investigated as well as their relation to all-cause mortality. RESULTS: In contrast to hsCRP, hsTnT and NT-proBNP were individually correlated with prognosis. Regression analysis identified diabetes and the combination of hsTnT and NT-proBNP as significant predictors of all-cause mortality. When analyzing patients without surgery separately, only the combination of hsTnT and NT-proBNP were identified as a significant predictor of all-cause mortality in multivariable analysis. CONCLUSION: The combination of NT-proBNP and hsTnT came out as the strongest predictor of outcome irrespective of surgical treatment or not and could be of particular interest in risk-stratification in AS-patients. The results should be confirmed in prospective studies both in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.

[Treatment of idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension]. / Behandling av idiopatisk pulmonal arteriell hypertensjon.

BACKGROUND: In the past 5-10 years, drug treatment of idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension has evolved considerably. Experience and results from use of such updated treatment in Norway has not been reported. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 32 patients newly diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension, were consecutively assessed with respect to hemodynamics and physical capacity. The results after three months were compared with those after 12 months. Observed survival was compared with estimated survival from the time when only conventional treatment was available. RESULTS: The patients (78% women) were 42 ± 14 years, had dyspnea in NYHA class 2.9 ± 0.4 and a maximal oxygen uptake of 12.0 ± 3.9 ml/kg/min (37 ± 13% of the expected). Updated treatment led to significantly improved hemodynamics and physical capacity, which persisted during follow-up. During 43 ± 31 months follow-up, seven patients died while two underwent bilateral lung transplantation. Observed transplantation-free survival was 81% after one, two and three years, while that for estimated transplantation-free survival was 70%, 58% and 49% respectively. INTERPRETATION: Treatment of idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension with updated treatment improves hemodynamics and thereby symptoms. Mortality remains high, but is probably lower than it was when only conventional treatment was available.

[Arginine vasopressin antagonism--new treatment option in chronic heart failure]. / Vasopressinantagonisme--nytt behandlingsprinsipp ved hjertesvikt.

BACKGROUND: In spite of recent therapeutic advances, chronic heart failure is a frequent cause of hospitalisation and death. Inhibition of arginine vasopressin is a new, promising treatment option. We here present an overview of how vasopressin antagonists are used in chronic heart failure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This article is based on a review of relevant literature found by searching Google and PubMed and studies of reference lists in identified articles. RESULTS AND INTERPRETATION: In chronic heart failure, different neurohormonal systems are activated. Inhibition of these by beta-adrenergic blockers, angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers and aldosterone inhibitors improve prognosis and reduce hospital admissions. Fluid retention and oedema are usually controlled with loop diuretics, but this treatment does probably not improve the prognosis and is potentially harmful. On the other hand, inhibition of arginine vasopressin seems to have no harmful haemodynamic consequences and may theoretically represent a step forward. As opposed to traditional diuretics, vasopressin antagonists increase excretion of free water without causing loss of electrolytes or reduced renal function. Studies in animals and the early human studies are promising. Ongoing phase III studies will hopefully clarify whether arginine vasopressin inhibition can reduce morbidity and mortality in heart failure.