A placenta-on-a-chip model to determine the regulation of FKBPL and galectin-3 in preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific cardiovascular disorder, involving significant maternal endothelial dysfunction. Although inappropriate placentation due to aberrant angiogenesis, inflammation and shallow trophoblast invasion are the root causes of preeclampsia, pathogenic mechanisms are poorly understood, particularly in early pregnancy. Here, we first confirm the abnormal expression of important vascular and inflammatory proteins, FK506-binding protein-like (FKBPL) and galectin-3 (Gal-3), in human plasma and placental tissues from women with preeclampsia and normotensive controls. We then employ a three-dimensional microfluidic placental model incorporating human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and a first trimester trophoblast cell line (ACH-3P) to investigate FKBPL and Gal-3 signaling in inflammatory conditions. In human samples, both circulating (n = 17 controls; n = 30 preeclampsia) and placental (n ≥ 6) FKBPL and Gal-3 levels were increased in preeclampsia compared to controls (plasma: FKBPL, p < 0.0001; Gal-3, p < 0.01; placenta: FKBPL, p < 0.05; Gal-3, p < 0.01), indicative of vascular dysfunction in preeclampsia. In our placenta-on-a-chip model, we show that endothelial cells are critical for trophoblast-mediated migration and that trophoblasts effectively remodel endothelial vascular networks. Inflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor-α (10 ng/mL) modulates both FKBPL and Gal-3 signaling in conjunction with trophoblast migration and impairs vascular network formation (p < 0.005). Our placenta-on-a-chip recapitulates aspects of inappropriate placental development and vascular dysfunction in preeclampsia.

Factors contributing to variability in metformin concentration in polycystic ovary syndrome.

AIM: To investigate the factors affecting metformin concentrations after chronic administration in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), focusing on the pharmacokinetic variability and its implications for personalized therapy. METHODS: This study enrolled 53 PCOS patients undergoing long-term metformin treatment at the Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics in Nis, Serbia, from February to December 2019. Pharmacokinetic parameters were measured from blood samples, and metformin concentrations were determined with validated analytical techniques. RESULTS: There was a significant variability in metformin concentrations among PCOS patients, with body mass index (BMI) identified as a major influencing factor. Higher BMI was associated with lower plasma metformin levels, a finding suggesting an altered pharmacokinetic profile in obese patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the critical role of BMI in influencing metformin pharmacokinetics in PCOS patients and underscores the need for personalized treatment strategies in patients with PCOS.

Population Pharmacokinetic Modeling to Inform Sertraline Dosing Optimization in Patients with Depression.

Sertraline is one of the most prescribed antidepressants, but its pharmacokinetic (PK) properties are still not completely characterized. Using nonlinear mixed-effects modeling, we examined factors influencing sertraline PK variability in outpatients with major depressive disorder. Blood samples from 53 male and female adults treated with sertraline orally were collected at a steady state. Various demographic and clinical covariates were tested by stepwise regression procedure. We found that sertraline clearance is significantly influenced by serum concentrations of its main metabolite N-desmethylsertraline, whereas clearance of N-desmethylsertraline is affected by both creatinine clearance and drug daily dose. These results were confirmed by the reduction of points dispersion in goodness-of-fit plots for their predicted versus measured concentrations and with bootstrapping analyses. This finding can serve to inform sertraline dosing optimization, especially when changes in kidney function occur in treated individuals, to prevent adverse drug reactions and maximize therapeutic benefits.

Trend of Galectin-3 Levels in Patients with Non-ST-Elevation and ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Background and Objectives: Given the fact that galectin-3 has a predictive significance on the development of myocardial dysfunction after acute myocardial infarction, the aim of our study was to examine potential factors that could be important for the dynamics of the concentration of this biomarker in the early postinfarction period. Materials and Methods: This study included 89 patients with a diagnosis of stable angina pectoris (SAP) or the first non-ST elevation (NSTEMI) or ST-elevation (STEMI) myocardial infarction, who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The study group included 23 patients with the first NSTEMI and 42 patients with STEMI, while the control group consisted of 24 patients with SAP hospitalized for elective PCI without a previous MI. All patients had preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. Galectin-3 levels were determined on days 1, 5, and 30 after PCI. The significance of various independent variables as predictors of galectin-3 concentration was analyzed after a series of univariate linear regression modeling in a multivariate linear regression model. Results: The average patients' age was 63.99 ± 9.13 years. Statistically significantly higher values of C-reactive protein were established in STEMI compared to SAP (p < 0.01) or NSTEMI (p < 0.001), whereas WBC count was significantly lower in SAP than in STEMI (p < 0.001) and NSTEMI (p < 0.01) group. Although there were no statistically significant differences in measured galectin-3 concentrations between the examined groups on days 1, 5, and 30 after PCI, HTA, triglyceride level, LA size, treatment with trimetazidine and long-acting nitrates, as well as percentage of LM stenosis and E/A ratio were identified as independent predictors of galectin-3 concentration. Conclusions: In the post-MI period, very early values of galectin-3 correlate mostly with atherosclerosis factors, while on day 30 this biomarker correlates with diastolic dysfunction and "announces" left ventricular remodeling.

Population pharmacokinetic analysis of bisoprolol in type 2 diabetic patients with hypertension.

PURPOSE: Given that it has been reported that type 2 diabetes mellitus may affect the pharmacokinetics of a large number of drugs and that there are still no published population pharmacokinetic (PopPK) analyses in routinely treated patients with hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus as comorbid condition, the aim of this study was to determine PK variability of bisoprolol in 70 Serbian patients using the PopPK approach. METHODS: PopPK analysis was conducted using a nonlinear mixed effects model (NONMEM), version 7.3.0 (Icon Development Solutions). In our patients, a total daily dose of bisoprolol ranged from 1.25 to 10 mg. The drug was administrated orally as a single daily dose or in two divided doses per day. RESULTS: A wide range of the drug concentrations were noted (1-103 ng/mL) in the population consisted of the adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. From a total of 21 separately assessed covariates, our results indicated that only creatinine clearance could have a potential impact on the variability of the clearance of bisoprolol. CONCLUSION: Routine assessment of renal function should be carried out before the initiation of treatment with bisoprolol in order to individualize the dose and to prevent possible accumulation and adverse drug reactions.

Population Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Bisoprolol in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome.

To date, many questions about the extent and cause of pharmacokinetic (PK) variability of even the most widely studied and prescribed ß1-adrenergic receptor blockers, such as metoprolol and bisoprolol, remain unanswered. Given that there are still no published population pharmacokinetic (PopPK) analyses of bisoprolol in routinely treated patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), the aim of this study was to determine its PK variability in 71 Serbian patients with ACS. PopPK analysis was conducted using a nonlinear mixed-effects model (NONMEM), version 7.3.0 (Icon Development Solutions). In each patient, the same formulation of bisoprolol was administered once or twice daily at a total daily dose of 0.625-7.5 mg. We separately assessed the effects of 31 covariates on the PKs of bisoprolol, and our results indicated that only 2 covariates could have possible influence on the variability of the clearance of bisoprolol: the mean daily dose of the drug and smoking habits of patients. These findings suggest that possible autoinduction of drug metabolism by higher total daily doses and induction of cytochrome P450 isoform 3A4 (CYP3A4) by cigarette smoke in liver could be the potential causes of increased total clearance of bisoprolol in patients with ACS.

The association between clopidogrel and 2-oxo-clopidogrel plasma levels and the long-term clinical outcome after acute myocardial infarction
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A significant number of ischemic events occur after acute myocardial infarction (MI), even when adhering to dual antiplatelet therapy including aspirin and clopidogrel. The aim of our study was to investigate the association between the concentration of the prodrug clopidogrel and its intermediary metabolite 2-oxo-clopidogrel plasma as well as demographic and clinical factors, and the long-term clinical outcome in patients with their first acute MI, ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) or non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction NSTEMI, treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 172 consecutive patients with their first acute MI, 88 STEMI, and 84 NSTEMI, treated with PCI. On the third day of hospitalization, blood samples were collected from each patient to measure the concentration of clopidogrel and its metabolite 2-oxo-clopidogrel using the UHPLC-DAD-MS method. The following clinical outcomes were registered during the 28-month follow-up: mortality from cardiovascular causes, nonfatal MI, nonfatal stroke, and hospitalization for urgent myocardial revascularization or heart failure. RESULTS: Lower dose-adjusted clopidogrel concentrations (p < 0.05) were measured in NSTEMI patients with a composite of the hard clinical endpoint events of cardiovascular mortality, non-fatal MI, or a nonfatal stroke. During the follow-up, there was a 3.4 times higher risk of hard clinical endpoint events (p < 0.05) for each unit decrement of the dose-adjusted clopidogrel plasma concentration. Lower dose-adjusted concentrations of clopidogrel in these patients were associated with lower left ventricular ejection fraction (p < 0.001), and fentanyl (p < 0.001) and pantoprazole administration (p < 0.01) during the acute phase of MI. CONCLUSION: In patients with acute MI treated with PCI, lower dose-adjusted clopidogrel and dose-adjusted 2-oxo-clopidogrel plasma concentrations were associated with an increased risk of ischemic events.
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Galectin-3 in Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

OBJECTIVE: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and galectin-3 is possibly involved in its occurrence. Galectin-3 has been shown to play a central role in fibrosis and tissue remodeling and has a role in inflammatory and proliferative responses. The aim of our study was to measure galectin-3 levels in patients with myocardial infarction and to compare its levels in patients with or without AF, in order to investigate the potential predictive role of galectin-3 in this setting. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study included 51 consecutive AMI patients with AF; 27 AMI patients (52.9%) had permanent/persistent AF, and 24 patients (47.1%) had paroxysmal AF. Thirty-eight consecutive AMI patients without AF were used as a control group. Blood samples were obtained from venous blood on the third day after reperfusion. RESULTS: Patients with AF had higher levels of C-reactive protein (p < 0.01) and galectin-3 (p < 0.05) than those without AF. Patients with high galectin-3 had 4.4 times greater odds of having AF. Galectin-3 levels were lower in patients without AF (p < 0.01) than in those with permanent/persistent AF. CONCLUSION: AMI patients with AF had higher levels of galectin-3 than those without this arrhythmia. This biomarker of inflammation and fibrosis could be a potential target for treating AMI patients at high risk.

P-Glycoprotein Polymorphism C3435T Is Associated with Dose-Adjusted Clopidogrel and 2-Oxo-Clopidogrel Concentration.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: One of the most common polymorphisms of ABCB1 gene, a synonymous mutation C3435T (rs1045642), is associated with increased in vivo activity. The main goal of this study was to determine the association of C3435T polymorphism with clopidogrel and 2-oxo-clopidogrel concentrations in plasma. METHODS: The patients were recruited upon acute myocardial infarction diagnosis. They were all tested for ABCB1 C3435T polymorphism. In plasma, drawn 1 h after the drug administration, concentrations of clopidogrel and 2-oxo-clopidogrel were measured using UHPLC-DAD-MS analysis. RESULTS: Due to differences in the maintenance doses, we have calculated the dose-adjusted concentrations of clopidogrel (0.2 ng/ml/mg (0.1-0.4)) and 2-oxo-clopidogrel (2.1 ng/ml/mg (0.5-4.6)). Patients carrying at least one C allele achieved significantly higher serum concentration of clopidogrel (p < 0.001), as well as dose-adjusted clopidogrel (p < 0.001) and 2-oxo-clopidogrel concentrations (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The ABCB1 3435CC genotype is associated with increased clopidogrel and 2-oxo-clopidogrel dose-adjusted concentrations. Therefore, the ABCB1 C3435T genotyping should be one of the parameters taken into account when deciding about the dosing regimen of clopidogrel.

Population Pharmacokinetics of Bisoprolol in Hemodialysis Patients with Hypertension.

The aim of our study was to estimate clearance of bisoprolol and reveal the factors that could influence its pharmacokinetic (PK) variability in hypertensive patients on hemodialysis, using the population PK analysis. Parameters associated with plasma concentration of bisoprolol at steady state were analyzed in 63 patients (mean age 62.12 years, mean total weight 69.63 kg) who were hypertensive and on hemodialysis due to severe renal failure using non-linear mixed-effect modeling with ADVAN1 subroutine. The final regression model for the clearance of the drug included only creatinine clearance (CLcr) out of 12 tested covariates. The equation that describes CL of bisoprolol is the following: CL (l/h) = 0.12 + 6.33 * CLcr. These findings suggest that the routine measuring of serum creatinine level may be used to facilitate administration of bisoprolol in patients on hemodialysis.

Population pharmacokinetics of bisoprolol in patients with chronic heart failure.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to develop a population pharmacokinetic (PK) model for clearance of bisoprolol in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). METHODS: Parameters associated with the plasma concentrations of bisoprolol at steady-state were analyzed in 61 patients (mean age 66.21 ± 9.49 years; mean total body weight 8.90 ± 12.26 kg) with CHF using non-linear mixed-effect modeling (NONMEM). A validation set of 17 patients with heart failure was used to estimate the predictive performance of the pharmacokinetic model. RESULTS: The typical mean value for bisoprolol clearance (CL), estimated by the base model (without covariates), in our population was 11.4 l h(-1). In the full model, covariates such as bisoprolol total daily dose (DD) and creatinine clearance were included. The final regression model for the clearance of bisoprolol was the following: CL (l h(-1)) = 4.68 + 0.859 * DD. CONCLUSION: The derived PK model describes the clearance of bisoprolol in patients with CHF, showing that the total daily dose of bisoprolol is the most important covariate. This finding will provide the basis for future PK studies on beta blockers in this specific patient population and lead to better overall management of heart failure.

FK506-Binding Protein like (FKBPL) Has an Important Role in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction Pathogenesis with Potential Diagnostic Utility.

Heart failure (HF) is the leading cause of hospitalisations worldwide, with only 35% of patients surviving the first 5 years after diagnosis. The pathogenesis of HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is still unclear, impeding the implementation of effective treatments. FK506-binding protein like (FKBPL) and its therapeutic peptide mimetic, AD-01, are critical mediators of angiogenesis and inflammation. Thus, in this study, we investigated-for the first time-FKBPL's role in the pathogenesis and as a biomarker of HFpEF. In vitro models of cardiac hypertrophy following exposure to a hypertensive stimulus, angiotensin-II (Ang-II, 100 nM), and/or AD-01 (100 nM), for 24 and 48 h were employed as well as human plasma samples from people with different forms of HFpEF and controls. Whilst the FKBPL peptide mimetic, AD-01, induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in a similar manner to Ang-II (p < 0.0001), when AD-01 and Ang-II were combined together, this process was abrogated (p < 0.01-0.0001). This mechanism appears to involve a negative feedback loop related to FKBPL (p < 0.05). In human plasma samples, FKBPL concentration was increased in HFpEF compared to controls (p < 0.01); however, similar to NT-proBNP and Gal-3, it was unable to stratify between different forms of HFpEF: acute HFpEF, chronic HFpEF and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). FKBPL may be explored for its biomarker and therapeutic target potential in HFpEF.

Galectin-3 as a Prognostic Biomarker in Patients with First Acute Myocardial Infarction without Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a biomarker involved in a wide range of diseases including cardiac remodeling following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Identification of prognostic markers in patients with AMI can guide strategies towards improved survival and quality of life. METHODS: Our study included 59 patients with AMI and a preserved ejection fraction. We determined the Gal-3 plasma concentration within 24 h of chest pain onset from the aortic root, femoral/radial artery, coronary sinus and cubital vein. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) were evaluated at six months follow-up. RESULTS: MACE at six months post-AMI was recorded in 20 patients (34%). The Gal-3 plasma concentration from the aortic root and the femoral/radial artery were independent predictors of MACE at six months follow-up after the first AMI (OR 1.228; 95%CI: 1.011-1.491; p = 0.038; OR 3.438; 95%CI: 1.275-9.265; p = 0.015). ROC analysis identifies the Gal-3 plasma concentration from the aortic root as a better predictor of MACE or death (cut-off ≥ 10.86 ng/mL; AUC 0.858; 95%CI: 0.744-0.973; p < 0.001) than Gal-3 plasma concentration from the femoral/radial artery (cut-off ≥ 10.18 ng/mL; AUC 0.742; 95%CI: 0.596-0.888; p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: the Gal-3 plasma concentration in patients with AMI determined during coronary angiography, especially from the aortic root, within 24 h after chest pain onset is a valuable biomarker of prognosis at six months follow-up.

Systemic Biomarkers and Unique Pathways in Different Phenotypes of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) accounts for around 50% of all heart failure cases. It is a heterogeneous condition with poorly understood pathogenesis. Here, we aimed to identify unique pathogenic mechanisms in acute and chronic HFpEF and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). We performed unbiased, comprehensive proteomic analyses of plasma samples from gender- and BMI-matched patients with acute HFpEF (n = 8), chronic HFpEF (n = 9) and HCM (n = 14) using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Distinct molecular signatures were observed in different HFpEF forms. Clusters of biomarkers differentially abundant between HFpEF forms were predominantly associated with microvascular inflammation. New candidate protein markers were also identified, including leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein 1 (LRG1), serum amyloid A1 (SAA1) and inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 3 (ITIH3). Our study is the first to apply systematic, quantitative proteomic screening of plasma samples from patients with different subtypes of HFpEF and identify candidate biomarkers for improved management of acute and chronic HFpEF and HCM.

Protein Carbonyl Content Is a Predictive Biomarker of Eccentric Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Hemodialysis Patients.

High prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and elevated oxidative stress are associated with poor outcomes in chronic hemodialysis patients. Abnormal left ventriculаr geomеtry and different geometric patterns play an important role as well. Our study analyzed the role of oxidative stress on myocardial remodeling in these patients. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC) content, and total antioxidative capacity (TAC) were investigated in 104 hemodialysis patients together with transthoracic echocardiography. Compared to patients with normal ventricular geometry, patients with LVH had increased MDA and PC plasma concentration. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that protein carbonyls, as biomarkers of oxidative protein modification, were an independent predictor of eccentric hypertrophy (eLVH), including higher LV end-diastolic diameter and LV end-diastolic volume, (ß = 0.32 and ß = 0.28, p < 0.001 for both). The incidence of eLVH increased progressively from the lowest to the highest baseline PC tertile (p < 0.001 for the trend) and the subjects in the former group showed a 76% greater risk of developing eLVH compared to their counterparts. After further adjustment for the potential mediators, PCs carried eLVH odds (95% confidence interval (CI)) of 1.256 (0.998-1.514), per standard deviation increase. High plasma protein carbonyls levels are a significant independent predictor of eccentric LVH in chronic hemodialysis patients.

Association between Galectin-3 levels within central and peripheral venous blood, and adverse left ventricular remodelling after first acute myocardial infarction.

Our study investigates association between Galectin-3 levels and adverse left ventricular remodelling (LVR) at six months. Fifty-seven patients following first acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were enrolled in this study and blood samples collected on day 1 from the femoral vein and artery, the right atrium near the coronary sinus and the aortic root, and on day 30, from the cubital vein. Patients with LVESV ≥20% at six months, were included in the LVR group. On day 1, Galectin-3 plasma levels in the femoral vein (10.34 ng/ml ± 3.81 vs 8.22 ng/ml ± 2.34, p = 0.01), and near coronary sinus (10.7 ng/ml ± 3.97 vs 8.41 ng/ml ± 2.56, p = 0.007) were higher in the LVR group. Positive correlations between Galectin-3 levels from aortic root and coronary sinus, aortic root and femoral vein, and coronary sinus and femoral vein, were observed in both groups. On day 30, Galectin-3 concentration in the cubital vein was an independent risk factor of LVR six months post-AMI, demonstrating 1.5-fold increased risk. Day-30 Galectin-3 also showed positive correlations with echocardiography parameters indicative of diastolic and systolic dysfunction. Determining Galectin-3 plasma concentration on day 30 following AMI could have beneficial prognostic value in predicting LVR.

The association of clopidogrel and 2-oxo-clopidogrel plasma levels and the 40 months clinical outcome after primary PCI.

Background A significant number of ischemic events occur even when adhering to dual antiplatelet therapy including aspirin and clopidogrel. Objectives The aim of our study was to determine predictors of long-term patient clinical outcome, among variables such as prodrug clopidogrel and intermediary metabolite 2-oxoclopidogrel concentrations, as well as patients' clinical characteristics. Setting Department for the Treatment of Acute Coronary Syndrome in tertiary teaching hospital, Serbia. Methods This study enrolled 88 consecutive patients with first STEMI, treated with primary PCI, within 6 h of the chest pain onset and followed them 40 months. On the third day of hospitalization, blood samples were collected from each patient to measure clopidogrel and its metabolite 2-oxo-clopidogrel concentration by UHPLC-DAD-MS method. Main outcome measure Mortality from cardiovascular causes, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke or hospitalization for urgent myocardial revascularization or heart failure. Results The composite clinical outcome of cardiovascular mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or hospitalization for urgent myocardial revascularization or heart failure, was registered in 31 patients (35.2%) during the 40-month follow-up. Lower clopidogrel (p < 0.05) and dose-adjusted clopidogrel concentrations (p < 0.05) were associated with the higher incidence of composite outcome events. Their low plasma concentrations may be predicted by fentanyl administration (p < 0.001) and creatinine clearance (p < 0.01). The decrease in dose-adjusted clopidogrel unit for each ng/ml/mg increases the risk 21.7 times (p < 0.05). Conclusion Clopidogrel dose-adjusted plasma concentration in STEMI patients, as well as multivessel coronary artery disease, showed significance in predicting an unfavorable composite clinical outcome after 40-month follow-up.

Population Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Bisoprolol in Patients with Stable Coronary Artery Disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Bisoprolol is a selective beta adrenergic antagonist commonly used in treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of our analysis was to estimate and identify different factors that could affect bisoprolol clearance (CL) and develop a population pharmacokinetic model in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: Population pharmacokinetic analysis was performed by using sixty-six plasma concentrations from the same number of patients (mean age 60.26 ± 9.68 years; mean total body weight 80.37 ± 12.93 kg) with CAD. We examined the effects of various clinical and demographic parameters using nonlinear mixed-effect modeling (NONMEM) with ADVAN1 with TRANS2 subroutine. The pharmacokinetics of bisoprolol in patients with CAD were suitably defined by an oral one-compartment model. RESULTS: The typical mean value for bisoprolol CL, estimated by the base model, in the target population was 6.76 l/h. The only demographic covariate which affected bisoprolol pharmacokinetic variability was creatinine clearance (CLcr). The final model of bisoprolol clearance was described by following equation: CL (l/h) = 2.83 + 0.0385 × CLcr (ml/min). Validation of the final model was performed in a group of 17 patients using the validation set and bootstrapping analysis. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that one of the causes of clearance of bisoprolol variability in patients with CAD is the difference in renal function.

The Association between Galectin-3 and hs-CRP and the Clinical Outcome after Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction with Preexisting Atrial Fibrillation.

Increased galectin-3 plasma concentration has been linked to an unfavorable outcome in patients with heart failure or atrial fibrillation (AF). There are no published data about the prognostic utility of galectin-3 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) for long-term clinical outcome in the Non-ST elevation acute myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients with preexisting AF. Thirty-two patients with the first acute NSTEMI and preexisting AF and 22 patients without preexisting AF, were prospectively followed for fifteen months. Patients with AF had significantly higher galectin-3 plasma levels (p < 0.05) and hs-CRP concentration (p < 0.01), compared with patients without AF. Galectin-3 plasma concentration was not a significant covariate of the composite outcomes (p = 0.913). Patients with high hs-CRP (above 4.55 mg/L) showed 2.5 times increased risk (p < 0.05) of the composite outcome occurrence (p < 0.05). Besides, three-vessel coronary artery disease, creatinine serum level, and creatinine clearance were significant covariates (p < 0.05; p < 0.05; p < 0.01) of the composite outcome, respectively. Creatinine clearance, solely, has been shown to be an independent predictor of unfavorable prognosis after a 15-month follow-up. Galectin-3 and hs-CRP plasma levels were elevated in NSTEMI patients with AF, but with differential predictive value for an unfavorable clinical outcome. Only hs-CRP was associated with increased risk of composite outcome occurrence.

An inverse correlation between TNF alpha serum levels and heart rate variability in patients with heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence indicates that chronic heart failure (CHF) is accompanied by both activation of the immune system and autonomic imbalance. There is a growing body of evidence that increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines and other inflammatory markers have important roles as mediators of disease progression and markers of mortality in patients with CHF. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate connection between autonomic imbalance [obtained by analysis of heart rate variability (HRV)] and activation of the immune system [as measured by serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α] in patients with chronic heart failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 21 patients with CHF and 8 age- and gender-matched healthy control subjects. We assessed HRV by 24-hour electrocardiographic Holter monitoring and measured serum levels of TNF-α using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Clinical assessment and echocardiography were also performed. RESULTS: There was an inverse correlation between serum level of TNF-α and a time-domain parameter of HRV - SDNN (r=-0.542, p<0.05). A similar result was found for HRV triangular index, a geometric measure of HRV (r=-0.556; p<0.05). The correlation was stronger for subjects with a diabetes mellitus, females, and TNFA2 allele carriers (an "A" at position -308A). The pNN50, indirect marker of cardiac vagal activity, was not significantly associated with serum concentration of TNF-α. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate that increased serum TNF-α level is significantly associated with reduced HRV indices, suggesting that activation of the immune system in patients with CHF is closely related to autonomic imbalance.