Significance of Galectin-3 and N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide in the prediction of atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery.

Background: Post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a frequent complication after cardiac surgery. It is associated with prolonged hospital stay, increased morbidity, mortality rate and economic costs. The aim of the study was to determine the association between the values of Galectin3 and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) with POAF after cardiac surgery. Methods: A prospective study enrolled patients aged 18-85 years old admitted due to elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) or CABG + aortic valve replacement. The plasma Galectin-3 and NT-proBNP levels were measured one day before surgery postoperative days 1 and 7. Results: The study included a total of 103 patients. POAF was registered in 45 patients. The mean age of patients in whom POAF occurred was 68.8 years, while other patients' mean age was 65.5 years (p=0.028). Patients with POAF did not differ from the group without POAF in the values of Galectin-3 and NT-proBNP preoperatively as well as on the first and seventh postoperative days. Changes in Galectin-3 levels on the first postoperative day had statistically significant value for predicting POAF (AUC=0.627 0.509-0.745 , p<0.05). Decrease in Galectin-3 level con centration on the first postoperative day over 17% increases the risk of developing AF. Conclusions: Preoperative values of Galectin-3 and NTproBNP are not associated with POAF development after cardiac surgery.

Relevance of the TAS'/PASP Ratio as a Predictor of Outcomes in Patients with Heart Failure with a Reduced Ejection Fraction.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence that right ventricular (RV) contractile function, especially its coupling with the pulmonary circulation, has an important prognostic value in patients with left ventricular dysfunction. AIMS: This study aimed to identify the best echocardiographic parameters of RV function and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) alone or in the form of the index of right ventricular-pulmonary artery coupling (RV-PA coupling) to determine the best predictor of 1-year major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), which were defined as cardiovascular death and cardiac decompensation in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). METHODS AND RESULTS: The study enrolled 191 HFrEF patients (mean age 62.28 ± 12.79 years, 74% males, mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 25.53 ± 6.87%). All patients underwent clinical, laboratory, and transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) evaluation, focusing on assessing RV function and non-invasive parameters of RV-PA coupling. RV function was evaluated using fractional area change (FAC), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), and peak tricuspid annular systolic velocity (TAS'). PASP was estimated by peak tricuspid regurgitation velocity (TRVmax) and corrected by assumed right atrial pressure relative to the dimension and collapsibility of the inferior vena cava. The TAPSE/PASP and TAS'/PASP ratios were taken as an index of RV-PA coupling. During the follow-up (mean period of 340 ± 84 days), 58.1% of patients met the composite endpoint. The independent predictors of one-year outcome were shown to be advanced age, atrial fibrillation, indexed left atrial systolic volume (LAVI), LVEF, TAPSE/PASP, and TAS'/PASP. TAS'/PASP emerged as the strongest independent predictor of prognosis, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.67 (0.531-0.840), p < 0.001. Reconstructing the ROC curve 0.8 (0.723-0.859), p < 0.001, we obtained a threshold value of TAS'/PASP ≤ 0.19 (cm/s/mm Hg) (sensitivity 74.0, specificity 75.2). Patients with TAS'/RVSP ≤ 0.19 have a worse prognosis (Log Rank p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed previously known independent predictors of adverse outcomes in patients with HfrEF-advanced age, atrial fibrillation, LAVI, and LVEF-but non-invasive parameters of RV-PA coupling TAPSE/PASP and TAS'/PASP improved risk stratification in patients with HFrEF. Variable TAS'/PASP has been shown to be the most powerful, independent predictor of one-year outcome.

Sacubitril/valsartan for the treatment of non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: An open label randomized controlled trial (SILICOFCM).

AIM: Sacubitril/valsartan treatment reduces mortality and hospitalizations in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction but has limited application in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of sacubitril/valsartan on peak oxygen consumption (VO2) in patients with non-obstructive HCM. METHODS AND RESULTS: This is a phase II, randomized, open-label multicentre study that enrolled adult patients with symptomatic non-obstructive HCM (New York Heart Association class I-III) who were randomly assigned (2:1) to receive sacubitril/valsartan (target dose 97/103 mg) or control for 16 weeks. The primary endpoint was a change in peak VO2. Secondary endpoints included echocardiographic measures of cardiac structure and function, natriuretic peptides and other cardiac biomarkers, and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure quality of life. Between May 2018 and October 2021, 354 patients were screened for eligibility, 115 patients (mean age 58 years, 37% female) met the study inclusion criteria and were randomly assigned to sacubitril/valsartan (n = 79) or control (n = 36). At 16 weeks, there was no significant change in peak VO2 from baseline in the sacubitril/valsartan (15.3 [4.3] vs. 15.9 [4.3] ml/kg/min, p = 0.13) or control group (p = 0.47). No clinically significant changes were found in blood pressure, cardiac structure and function, plasma biomarkers, or quality of life. CONCLUSION: In patients with HCM, a 16-week treatment with sacubitril/valsartan was well tolerated but had no effect on exercise capacity, cardiac structure, or function.

Elevated Troponins after COVID-19 Hospitalization and Long-Term COVID-19 Symptoms: Incidence, Prognosis, and Clinical Outcomes-Results from a Multi-Center International Prospective Registry (HOPE-2).

Background: Acute cardiac injury (ACI) after COVID-19 has been linked with unfavorable clinical outcomes, but data on the clinical impact of elevated cardiac troponin on discharge during follow-up are scarce. Our objective is to elucidate the clinical outcome of patients with elevated troponin on discharge after surviving a COVID-19 hospitalization. Methods: We conducted an analysis in the prospective registry HOPE-2 (NCT04778020). Only patients discharged alive were selected for analysis, and all-cause death on follow-up was considered as the primary endpoint. As a secondary endpoint, we established any long-term COVID-19 symptoms. HOPE-2 stopped enrolling patients on 31 December 2021, with 9299 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, of which 1805 were deceased during the acute phase. Finally, 2382 patients alive on discharge underwent propensity score matching by relevant baseline variables in a 1:3 fashion, from 56 centers in 8 countries. Results: Patients with elevated troponin experienced significantly higher all-cause death during follow-up (log-rank = 27.23, p < 0.001), and had a higher chance of experiencing long-term COVID-19 cardiovascular symptoms. Specifically, fatigue and dyspnea (57.7% and 62.8%, with p-values of 0.009 and <0.001, respectively) are among the most common. Conclusions: After surviving the acute phase, patients with elevated troponin on discharge present increased mortality and long-term COVID-19 symptoms over time, which is clinically relevant in follow-up visits.

Direct electrochemical reduction of graphene oxide thin film for aptamer-based selective and highly sensitive detection of matrix metalloproteinase 2.

Simple and low-cost biosensing solutions are suitable for point-of-care applications aiming to overcome the gap between scientific concepts and technological production. To compete with sensitivity and selectivity of golden standards, such as liquid chromatography, the functionalization of biosensors is continuously optimized to enhance the signal and improve their performance, often leading to complex chemical assay development. In this research, the efforts are made on optimizing the methodology for electrochemical reduction of graphene oxide to produce thin film-modified gold electrodes. Under the employed specific conditions, 20 cycles of cyclic voltammetry (CV) are shown to be optimal for superior electrical activation of graphene oxide into electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ERGO). This platform is further used to develop a matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) biosensor, where specific anti-MMP2 aptamers are utilized as a biorecognition element. MMP-2 is a protein which is typically overexpressed in tumor tissues, with important roles in tumor invasion, metastasis as well as in tumor angiogenesis. Based on impedimetric measurements, we were able to detect as low as 3.32 pg mL-1 of MMP-2 in PBS with a dynamic range of 10 pg mL-1 - 10 ng mL-1. Further experiments with real blood samples revealed a promising potential of the developed sensor for direct measurement of MMP-2 in complex media. High specificity of detection is demonstrated - even to the closely related enzyme MMP-9. Finally, the potential of reuse was demonstrated by signal restoration after experimental detection of MMP-2.

Incidencia anual de trombosis del stent confirmadas y factores clínicos predictores en pacientes con SCA tratados con ticagrelor o prasugrel / Annual incidence of confirmed stent thrombosis and clinical predictors in patients with ACS treated with ticagrelor or prasugrel

Introducción y objetivos: Hay muy poca evidencia sobre las tasas de trombosis del stent (TS) en pacientes que reciben tratamiento antiagregante plaquetario doble (TAPD) con ticagrelor o prasugrel. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar la incidencia y predictores de la TS tras un síndrome coronario agudo en pacientes que reciben TAPD con ticagrelor frente a prasugrel. Métodos: Se utilizaron datos del registro RENAMI (REgistry of New Antiplatelet therapy in patients with acute Myocardial Infarction), y se analizó en total a 4.123 pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo dados de alta con TAPD con ticagrelor o prasugrel en 11 centros de 6 países europeos. Se consideró como evento la TS confirmada en el primer año. Se realizó un análisis de riesgos competitivos mediante un modelo de regresión de Fine y Gray, siendo la muerte el evento competitivo. Resultados: Recibieron TAPD con ticagrelor 2.604 pacientes y con prasugrel, 1.519; 41 pacientes (1,10%) presentaron TS, con incidencias acumuladas similares entre ticagrelor (1,21%) y prasugrel (0,90%). Los predictores independientes de la TS fueron: la edad (sHR = 1,03; IC95%, 1,01-1,06), la elevación del segmento ST (sHR = 2,24; IC95%, 1,22-4,14), el antecedente de infarto de miocardio (sHR = 2,56; IC95%, 1,19-5,49) y la creatinina sérica (sHR = 1,29; IC95%, 1,08-1,54). Conclusiones: La TS es infrecuente en pacientes que reciben TAPD con ticagrelor y prasugrel. La edad avanzada, la elevación del segmento ST, el antecedente de infarto y la creatinina sérica son las variables que se asocian con mayor riesgo de TS

Introduction and objectives: There is little evidence on rates of stent thrombosis (ST) in patients receiving dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with ticagrelor or prasugrel. The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence and predictors of ST after an acute coronary syndrome among patients receiving DAPT with ticagrelor vs prasugrel. Methods: We used data from the RENAMI registry (REgistry of New Antiplatelet therapy in patients with acute Myocardial Infarction), analyzing a total of 4123 acute coronary syndrome patients discharged with DAPT with ticagrelor or prasugrel in 11 centers in 6 European countries. The endpoint was definite ST within the first year. A competitive risk analysis was carried out using a Fine and Gray regression model, with death being the competitive event. Results: A total of 2604 patients received DAPT with ticagrelor and 1519 with prasugrel; ST occurred in 41 patients (1.10%), with a similar cumulative incidence between ticagrelor (1.21%) and prasugrel (0.90%). The independent predictors of ST were age (sHR, 1.03; 95%CI, 1.01-1.06), ST segment elevation (sHR, 2.24; 95%CI, 1.22-4.14), previous myocardial infarction (sHR, 2.56; 95%CI, 1.19-5.49), and serum creatinine (sHR, 1.29; 95%CI, 1.08-1.54). Conclusions: Stent thrombosis is infrequent in patients receiving DAPT with ticagrelor or prasugrel. The variables associated with an increased risk of ST were advanced age, ST segment elevation, previous myocardial infarction, and serum creatinine

Utilidad de la puntuación PARIS para evaluar el equilibrio isquémico-hemorrágico con ticagrelor y prasugrel tras un síndrome coronario agudo / Usefulness of the PARIS score to evaluate the ischemic-hemorrhagic net benefit with ticagrelor and prasugrel after an acute coronary syndrome

Introducción y objetivos: La puntuación PARIS permite una estratificación combinada de los riesgos isquémico y hemorrágico de los pacientes con cardiopatía isquémica tratados con stent coronario y tratamiento antiagregante plaquetario doble (TAPD). Se desconoce su utilidad en pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo (SCA) tratados con ticagrelor o prasugrel. Se investiga este aspecto en un registro internacional. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo multicéntrico con participación voluntaria de 11 centros de 6 países europeos. Se estudio ́a 4.310 pacientes con SCA dados de alta en TAPD con ticagrelor o prasugrel. Se definío evento isquémico como trombosis de stent o infarto de miocardio espontáneo, y evento hemorrágico según BARC (Bleeding Academic Research Consortium) tipo3 o 5. Se calculó la discriminación y la calibración para ambas vertientes de la puntuación PARIS (PARISisquémico y PARIShemorrágico). El beneficio neto isquémico-hemorrágico se obtuvo mediante la diferencia entre las probabilidades predichas de eventos isqueémicos y hemorrágicos. Resultados: Durante 17,2 ± 8,3 meses, hubo 80 eventos isquémicos (el 1,9% anual) y 66 eventos hemorrágicos (el 1,6% anual). PARISisquémico y PARIShemorrágico se asociaron con el riesgo de evetos isquémicos (sHR=1,27; IC95%, 1,16-1,39) y hemorrágicos (sHR = 1,14; IC95%, 1,01-1,30) respectivamente. La discriminación de eventos isquémicos fue discreta (índice C = 0,64) y la de eventos hemorrágicos, pobre (índice C= 0,56), con buena calibración para ambos. El beneficio neto isquémico-hemorrágico resultó negativo (más eventos hemorrágicos) en pacientes con alto riesgo hemorrágico y positivo (más eventos isquémicos) en pacientes con alto riesgo isquémico. Conclusiones: En pacientes con SCA tratados con TAPD conticagrelor o prasugrel, la escala PARIS ayuda a establecer un equilibrio apropiado del riesgo isquémico-hemorrágico

Introduction and objectives: The PARIS score allows combined stratification of ischemic and hemorrhagic risk in patients with ischemic heart disease treated with coronary stenting and dual antiplatelet therapy(DAPT). Its usefulness in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) treated with ticagrelor or prasugrel is unknown. We investigated this issue in an international registry. Methods: Retrospective multicenter study with voluntary participation of 11 centers in 6 European countries. We studied 4310 patients with ACS discharged with DAPT with ticagrelor or prasugrel. Ischemic events were defined as stent thrombosis or spontaneous myocardial infarction, and hemorrhagic events as BARC (Bleeding Academic Research Consortium) type 3 or 5 bleeding. Discrimination and calibration were calculated for both PARIS scores (PARISischemic and PARIShemorrhagic). The ischemic-hemorrhagic net benefit was obtained by the difference between the predicted probabilities of ischemic and bleeding events. Results: During a period of 17.2 ± 8.3 months, there were 80 ischemic events(1.9% per year) and 66 bleeding events (1.6% per year). PARISischemic and PARIShemorrhagic scores were associated with a risk of ischemic events (sHR, 1.27; 95%CI, 1.16-1.39) and bleeding events (sHR, 1.14; 95%CI, 1.01-1.30), respectively. The discrimination for ischemic events was modest (Cindex = 0.64) and was suboptimal for hemorrhagic events (Cindex = 0.56), where as calibration was acceptable for both. The ischemic-hemorrhagic net benefit was negative (more hemorrhagic events) in patients at high hemorrhagic risk, and was positive (more ischemicevents) in patients at high ischemic risk. Conclusions: In patients with ACS treated with DAPT with ticagrelor or prasugrel, the PARIS model helps to properly evaluate the ischemic-hemorrhagic risk