Elevated Brain Natriuretic Peptide Research Articles

Prognostic role of brain natriuretic peptide in children of the first year of life with congenital heart defects: a prospective cohort study

Background. Congenital heart defects (CHD) are the most common type of developmental anomalies in children. At present the early diagnosis of congestive heart failure (CHF) and CHF-associated pathologic conditions is becoming increasingly important for optimization of protocols for following up pediatric patients in the primary health care settings.Objective. The study aimed at determining the prognostic role of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) as a diagnostic marker of CHF progression and development of CHF-associated pathological conditions in babies with CHD during the first year of life.Methods. A prospective cohort study was carried out in a total of 114 children of the first year of life. The main study group was comprised of 61 children with confirmed diagnosis of CHD, and the control group of 53 health status group I–IIA children without CHD.Results. Diagnostic role of BNP elevation > 30 pg/mL was determined. At this BNP level the risk for developing stage 2A CHF increased 7-fold (OR 7.5 [1.8–31.5]), for developing functional class (FC) 2 CHF — nearly 5-fold (OR 4.6 [1.3–16.0]), and for FC 3 CHF such risk increased 9-fold (OR 9.2 [2.3–36.1]). Our results demonstrated that the BNP level measurements can be used in clinical practice to determine the likelihood of persistence of symptoms of perinatal CNS injuries during the first year of life (OR 7.6 [1.7–34.5]) and protein and energy deficit (PED) (OR 9.5 [2.5–35.5]) in children with CHD.

Prognostic role of brain natriuretic peptide in children of the first year of life with congenital heart defects: a prospective cohort study

Background. Congenital heart defects (CHD) are the most common type of developmental anomalies in children. At present the early diagnosis of congestive heart failure (CHF) and CHF-associated pathologic conditions is becoming increasingly important for optimization of protocols for following up pediatric patients in the primary health care settings.Objective. The study aimed at determining the prognostic role of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) as a diagnostic marker of CHF progression and development of CHF-associated pathological conditions in babies with CHD during the first year of life.Methods. A prospective cohort study was carried out in a total of 114 children of the first year of life. The main study group was comprised of 61 children with confirmed diagnosis of CHD, and the control group of 53 health status group I–IIA children without CHD.Results. Diagnostic role of BNP elevation > 30 pg/mL was determined. At this BNP level the risk for developing stage 2A CHF increased 7-fold (OR 7.5 [1.8–31.5]), for developing functional class (FC) 2 CHF — nearly 5-fold (OR 4.6 [1.3–16.0]), and for FC 3 CHF such risk increased 9-fold (OR 9.2 [2.3–36.1]). Our results demonstrated that the BNP level measurements can be used in clinical practice to determine the likelihood of persistence of symptoms of perinatal CNS injuries during the first year of life (OR 7.6 [1.7–34.5]) and protein and energy deficit (PED) (OR 9.5 [2.5–35.5]) in children with CHD.

Prognostic role of brain natriuretic peptide in children of the first year of life with congenital heart defects: a prospective cohort study

Background. Congenital heart defects (CHD) are the most common type of developmental anomalies in children. At present the early diagnosis of congestive heart failure (CHF) and CHF-associated pathologic conditions is becoming increasingly important for optimization of protocols for following up pediatric patients in the primary health care settings.Objective. The study aimed at determining the prognostic role of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) as a diagnostic marker of CHF progression and development of CHF-associated pathological conditions in babies with CHD during the first year of life.Methods. A prospective cohort study was carried out in a total of 114 children of the first year of life. The main study group was comprised of 61 children with confirmed diagnosis of CHD, and the control group of 53 health status group I–IIA children without CHD.Results. Diagnostic role of BNP elevation > 30 pg/mL was determined. At this BNP level the risk for developing stage 2A CHF increased 7-fold (OR 7.5 [1.8–31.5]), for developing functional class (FC) 2 CHF — nearly 5-fold (OR 4.6 [1.3–16.0]), and for FC 3 CHF such risk increased 9-fold (OR 9.2 [2.3–36.1]). Our results demonstrated that the BNP level measurements can be used in clinical practice to determine the likelihood of persistence of symptoms of perinatal CNS injuries during the first year of life (OR 7.6 [1.7–34.5]) and protein and energy deficit (PED) (OR 9.5 [2.5–35.5]) in children with CHD.

Cardiac Dysfunction Indices and Their Prognostic Value in Acute Exacerbation COPD Patients

Introduction: The aims of this study were to characterize the left ventricular dysfunction in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD), and to investigate the role of the echocardiographic and biochemical cardiac dysfunction indices in predicting clinical outcome. Materials and Methods: This prospective cohort study was carried out on 37 AECOPD patients. Demographic and routine laboratory data were recorded. Clinical data; arterial blood gases; brain natriuretic peptide (BNP); echocardiographic examination including left ventricular (LV) systolic function, mitral valve E wave, mitral valve septal e′, E/e′ ratio (E/e′ ratio as the study LV diastolic dysfunction Index), and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion were measured on admission and on discharge. Patients’ standard spirometric reports were cited. The patients were followed up in the intensive care unit till discharge. Results: There were high E velocities and E/e′ ratios (>14) on admission with significant improvement on discharge, whereas there were insignificant changes in LV systolic function and internal dimensions. About 51.4% of participant had BNP level between 100 and 500 pg/mL. Multivariate analysis showed that both admission BNP and E/e′ ratio were independent predictor of length of stay (R2 = 88.4% and P = .000, R2 = 98.1% and P = .000), and E/é ratio and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion were independent predictors of elevated BNP (R2 = 0.930, P = .000, P = .009, respectively). None of the COPD obstructive values, admission hemodynamic parameters, and LV systolic indices had a significant impact. Reciever operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis showed that BNP level >311 pg/mL and E/e′ ratio >15.3 were the significant predictive values for length of stay. Discussion: Most of the AECOPD patients had impaired LV diastolic function and elevated BNP levels that improved after control of the exacerbation. We recommend the use of BNP and E/e′ ratio to risk stratify the AECOPD patients.

Associations of adiponectin and leptin with brain natriuretic peptide in African Americans: the Jackson Heart Study.

Linear and logistic regressions were used to test the associations between adiponectin, leptin, and plasma BNP in 3738 participants of the Jackson Heart Study (JHS), a single-site prospective cohort study of African Americans in Jackson, Mississippi. A direct relationship of adiponectin was observed in multiple multivariate-adjusted linear models: in men (β = 0.41-0.47), and in women (β = 0.32-0.38). Those in the highest quartile of adiponectin expression were twice as likely to have elevated BNP levels after adjustment [odds ratio 2.66 (95% confidence interval, 1.66-4.34)]. An inverse relationship of leptin with BNP was observed (β = -0.15) but attenuated after adjustment for aldosterone, renin, and adiponectin. Different linear associations of adiponectin and leptin with BNP were observed. Odds of elevated adiponectin were observed with elevated BNP in multivariate-adjusted models. This paradoxical relationship of adiponectin and plasma BNP is possibly explained through adiponectin resistance.

Technology Applications of Capnography Waveform Analytics for Evaluation of Heart Failure Severity

This study aimed to elucidate the influential parameter, acquired from the analyses of nasal capnography waveforms, for the elevated plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in patients (n = 34) with heart failure (HF). The capnography waveforms were analyzed to evaluate changes in end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) values and expiratory and inspiratory durations. The relationship between these parameters, estimated from capnography analyses and plasma BNP, was then evaluated. Mean ETCO2 values and BNP levels showed a strong negative correlation (R2 = 0.6355, p < 0.0001) in HF patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) (R2 = 0.6355, p < 0.0001). The ETCO2 value was the most influential parameter that indicated elevated BNP levels in HF patients with CKD (β = - 0.577; p = 0.031). The mean ETCO2 level could be a potentially influential parameter reflecting elevated BNP levels in HF patients, especially in HF patients with CKD. Respiratory parameters, acquired from detailed nasal capnography analyses, might be reasonable for evaluating the severity of HF. Graphical abstract.

Risk stratification and prognostic factors in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension and comorbidities a cross-sectional cohort study with survival follow-up

BackgroundThe objective of this study was to analyze prognostic factors and risk stratification in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and comorbidities.MethodsPatients with invasively diagnosed PAH were included in the analysis. Comorbidities were clinically diagnosed as proposed in the 6th World Symposium of pulmonary hypertension. Uni- and multivariate analysis were employed for identification of factors predicting survival and time to first clinical worsening (TTCW). Risk stratification was based on parameters from ESC/ERS-guidelines 2015.ResultsIn total 142 patients were enrolled in the study, 90 of them were diagnosed as PAH without and 52 with comorbidities. All patients received targeted PAH therapy and were followed for 3.3 ± 2.4 years. In PAH patients without comorbidities survival and TTCW were significantly associated with reduced 6-min walking distance (6MWD), elevated N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), WHO-functional class (WHO-FC) and right atrial (RA) area. In the multivariate analysis, 6MWD was an independent predictor for survival (p = 0.002) and WHO-FC for TTCW (p = 0.001). In patients with PAH and comorbidities these parameters had no significant association with survival and TTCW. Average risk score was significantly associated with survival (p = 0.001) and TTCW (p = 0.013) in PAH but not in PAH with comorbidities (both p > 0.05; figure 1).ConclusionRisk stratification based on ESC/ERS-guidelines could only be confirmed in patients without comorbidities, but not in patients with PAH and comorbidities. The data of this study suggest, that a different risk stratification needs to be applied to PAH patients with comorbidities. Further studies are needed to confirm these results.Trial registrationNot applicable, retrospective registry.

The Spectrum of Pregnancy-Associated Heart Failure Phenotypes: An Echocardiographic Study.

Compare echocardiographic phenotypes of women presenting with peripartum heart failure. A retrospective case-control study of pregnant women (n = 86) presenting with PP-HF symptoms (i.e., dyspnea, PND, orthopnea) and objective examination and laboratory findings (lung congestion, elevated JVP and/or HJR, elevated brain natriuretic peptide [BNP] and pulmonary edema on chest X-ray). Three distinct phenotypes based on echocardiographically-defined LVEF were identified: (a) PP-HF with preserved ejection fraction (PP HFpEF, LVEF: > 50%); (b) PP-HF with midrange ejection fraction (PP HFmrEF, LVEF: 40-50%); c) PP-HF with reduced ejection fraction (PP HFrEF, LVEF: < 40%); these were compared with 17 pregnant subjects without PP-HF symptoms/findings. Most patients were African American (n = 63; 73%), with low prevalence of hypertension (n = 15, 17%) or diabetes mellitus (n = 5, 5%); pre-eclampsia was highly prevalent (n = 52, 60%). Echocardiographically-defined phenotypes (HFpEF, n = 37; HFmrEF, n = 18; HFrEF, n = 31) showed progressively worse abnormalities in LV remodeling (LV enlargement, LV hypertrophy), LV diastolic function, and right ventricular function; the three PP-HF groups had comparable abnormalities in increased left atrial size and estimated peak tricuspid valve regurgitation velocity. Compared to controls, all three groups had significantly increased filling pressures, LV mass index and left atrial volume index. Peripartum women presenting with the clinical syndrome of heart failure exhibit a spectrum of echocardiographic phenotypes. Significant abnormalities in LV structure, diastolic function, LA size, peak TR velocity and RV function were identified in women with preserved and mid-range EFs, suggesting pregnancy-related cardiac pathophysiologic derangements.

Clinical Characteristics, Comorbidities and Prognosis in Patients With Heart Failure With Mid-Range Ejection Fraction

BackgroundPatients with left ventricular ejection fractions between 40% and 49% either discovered de novo, having declined from ≥50%, or improved from <40% have been described as heart failure (HF) with mid-range ejection fraction (HFmrEF). Though clinical signs and symptoms are similar to other phenotypes, possible prognostic differences and therapeutic responses reinforce the need for further understanding of patients’ characteristics especially in a rural community based population. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical characteristics, comorbidities and prognosis of a rural patient population with HFmrEF. Materials and MethodsWe queried the electronic medical record from a community based university practice for all patients with a HF diagnosis. We included only those patients with >3 months follow-up and interpretable Doppler echocardiograms. We recorded demographic, Doppler-echo, and outcome variables (up to 2,083 days). ResultsThere were 633 HF patients: 42.4% with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF, EF ≥50%), 36.4% with HFmrEF, and 21.0% with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF, EF <40%). HFmrEF patients were older, had greater coronary disease prevalence, lower systolic blood pressure, elevated brain natriuretic peptide, lower hemoglobin, and higher creatinine than HFpEF. All-cause mortality was intermediate between HFrEF and HFpEF but was not significantly different. Landmark analysis revealed a trend toward greater second readmission in HFmrEF as compared to HFpEF (hazard ratio: 1.43 [0.96-2.14],P = 0.0767). ConclusionsRural patients with HFmrEF without an ambulatory HF clinic represent a higher percentage of HF patients than previously reported with greater coronary disease prevalence with comparable readmission rates and nonsignificantly different all-cause mortality.

Long-term survival outcome for pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension at a Japanese single center.

In recent years, several treatment options for patients with pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension (PH) have improved the short-term prognosis. However, the long-term survival for pre-capillary PH has not been well investigated. This study sought to investigate the long-term survival for pre-capillary PH in Kurume University Hospital. A total of 144 patients with pre-capillary PH (110 women, mean age 55.1 ± 17.9 years) were enrolled. The maximal duration of followup was 15 years with a mean followup of 5.77 years. The 15 year survival was 59.1% for pre-capillary PH, 68.5% for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), and 44.3% for chronic thromboembolic PH. The 5 year survival was 50.9% for PH due to lung disease (PH-LD), indicating the worst in the pre-capillary PH subgroups. The survival for portopulmonary hypertension was the lowest among PAH groups, and PAH associated with connective tissue disease and congenital heart disease decreased 10 years after diagnosis. A 6 min walk distance and elevated brain natriuretic peptide were significantly associated with survival outcome in pre-capillary PH patients and diastolic pulmonary arterial pressure was related to survival for PH-LD. The survivals were different among pre-capillary PH groups in our hospital. Above all, the long-term survival was better than in previous reports.

Transthoracic echocardiographic assessment of the right ventricle before and after caesarean delivery: A preliminary investigation

Transthoracic echocardiographic evaluation of the right ventricle is more difficult than the left ventricle and has not been well characterised in the parturient during delivery. As a preliminary investigation, our goal was to use bedside transthoracic echocardiography to evaluate right ventricular myocardial function before and after caesarean delivery. Term parturients undergoing caesarean delivery under spinal anaesthesia were enrolled. Echocardiography was performed pre- and postoperatively. Assessment of myocardial function included longitudinal myocardial strain using 2D-speckle tracking for both ventricles, and fractional area change for the right ventricle. Troponin-T, creatine kinase-muscle/brain and brain natriuretic peptide were measured pre- and postoperatively. One hundred patients were enrolled; 98 completed the study. Adequate images from both timepoints (pre- and postoperatively) were obtained in 85 patients for left ventricle assessment, and 66 for the right ventricle. Right ventricular fractional area change (mean (standard deviation)) (24.9% (8.9%) to 24.9% (9.2%); P = 0.99) and strain (-19.7% (6.8%) to -18.1% (6.5%); P = 0.08) measurements suggested mild baseline dysfunction and did not change after delivery. Left ventricular strain values were normal and unchanged after delivery (-23.8% (7.4%) to -24.3% (6.7%); P = 0.51). One patient had elevated troponin-T and demonstrated worse biventricular function. Elevation of brain natriuretic peptide (n=7) was associated with mildly decreased left ventricular strain, but creatine kinase-muscle/brain (n=4) was not associated with consistent changes in cardiac function. Further investigations into peripartum right ventricular function are required to validate the findings in this preliminary study. Findings of baseline mild right ventricular dysfunction and functional changes associated with troponin-T and brain natriuretic peptide warrant rigorous investigation.

Hypochloremia Is a Noninvasive Predictor of Mortality in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

BackgroundPulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a lethal disease. In resource‐limited countries PAH outcomes are worse because therapy costs are prohibitive. To improve global outcomes, noninvasive and widely available biomarkers that identify high‐risk patients should be defined. Serum chloride is widely available and predicts mortality in left heart failure, but its prognostic utility in PAH requires further investigation.Methods and ResultsIn this study 475 consecutive PAH patients evaluated at the University of Minnesota and Vanderbilt University PAH clinics were examined. Clinical characteristics were compared by tertiles of serum chloride. Both the Kaplan‐Meier method and Cox regression analysis were used to assess survival and predictors of mortality, respectively. Categorical net reclassification improvement and relative integrated discrimination improvement compared prediction models. PAH patients in the lowest serum chloride tertile (≤101 mmol/L: hypochloremia) had the lowest 6‐minute walk distance and highest right atrial pressure despite exhibiting no differences in pulmonary vascular disease severity. The 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year survival was reduced in hypochloremic patients when compared with the middle‐ and highest‐tertile patients (86%/64%/44%, 95%/78%/59%, and, 91%/79%/66%). After adjustment for age, sex, diuretic use, serum sodium, bicarbonate, and creatinine, the hypochloremic patients had increased mortality when compared with the middle‐tertile and highest‐tertile patients. The Minnesota noninvasive model (functional class, 6‐minute walk distance, and hypochloremia) was as effective as the French noninvasive model (functional class, 6‐minute walk distance, and elevated brain natriuretic peptide or N‐terminal pro–brain natriuretic peptide) for predicting mortality.ConclusionsHypochloremia (≤101 mmol/L) identifies high‐risk PAH patients independent of serum sodium, renal function, and diuretic use.

Vitamin D and laboratory indicators of cardiovascular risk in the elderly.

The aim of this work was to study the availability of vitamin D in the population of free living elderly people in St. Petersburg and its relationship with laboratory indicators of the risk of cardiovascular complications. In winter were surveyed 209 volunteers who did not take vitamin D during the previous 6 months, with 152 women and 57 men aged 71 to 91 years. In all the examined patients the concentration of D(OH) in serum was below 30 ng/ml (analyzer and reagents «Architect i1000SR, Abbott»). No significant mutual effects were found between level 25(OH)D and lipid spectrum, hemoglobin A1C, testosterone, ultra-sensitive C-reactive protein. The close relationship between vitamin D(OH) concentration and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels was characterized by rs=0.187 (p=0.007). In older people with severe vitamin deficiency (less than 10 ng/ml), the risk of elevated BNP levels was 2.6 times higher than in those with reduced vitamin levels (20-30 ng/ml).

Utilization of Ultrasound to Assess Volume Status in Heart Failure.

Heart failure (HF) represents a significant financial burden to the US health care system, affecting approximately 5.7 million Americans. By 2030, the prevalence of HF is expected to increase by 23%. Clinicians generally evaluate volume status in patients with HF by visualizing jugular venous distension to estimate right atrial pressure; a method with an estimated accuracy of only 50%. Currently, the only endorsed methods for acute HF diagnosis in the 2017 American College of Cardiology (ACC) guidelines are brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) or N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), pre-discharge BNP or NT-proBNP, and myocardial fibrosis markers. However, serial testing of BNP to monitor therapy remains controversial. Moreover, an elevated BNP cannot be attributed solely to a cardiac cause. Given the limitations of the current methods, a robust tool is needed to reliably assess volume status in HF patients. It is now known that hemodynamic congestion from increases in intracardiac pressure occurs days to weeks prior to the onset of typical HF symptoms, such as weight gain and shortness of breath. It has been postulated that assessing the inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter with a portable ultrasound, may be the simple, reliable, and cost-effective method of evaluating right atrial pressure, and thus, the severity of HF. Given this exciting new tool in assessing volume status in patients with HF, we pose the question of whether this imaging modality can be used to risk-stratify patients and guide management. The aim of this paper is to highlight the many benefits of portable ultrasound in assessing volume status in this population, and to discuss whether this imaging modality can help guide physicians in the management of their HF patients.

Incidence of Cirrhotic Cardiomyopathy among Hundred Patients of Tamil Nadu, India- A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Cardiac dysfunction in cirrhosis may affect quality of life, prognosis and also may aggravate the course in patients undergoing invasive procedures such as surgery, insertion of a Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunts (TIPS), and liver transplantation. Aim: To evaluate the association of cardiomyopathy in cirrhotic patients of Tamil Nadu region in India. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 100 diagnosed cirrhotic patients. The patient’s cardiac status was obtained from Electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiography. Liver profile was obtained from biochemical assays and ultrasonography of abdomen. The patients were classified as per cirrhosis grading system, Child Toucotte Pugh (CTP) scoring. The association was analysed using frequency analysis, percentage analysis and Chi-square test. Results: Prolonged QTc (&gt;0.44 sec) was seen in 35% of the study population (p-value-0.014). A 10% of patients had systolic dysfunction and 25% showed diastolic dysfunction. Also, these patients showed positive troponin T and elevated Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP). The incidence of cardiomyopathy in cirrhotic patients was 28% in this study. Conclusion: This study established 28% incidence of cardiomyopathy in cirrhotic patients. This association may further be evaluated in larger study samples to provide a better prognosis and quality of life in cirrhotic patients treated with liver transplantation or other surgical procedures.

Implications of Cardiac Markers in Risk-Stratification and Management for COVID-19 Patients

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has resulted in high mortality worldwide. However, information regarding cardiac markers for precise risk-stratification is limited. We aimed to discover a sensitive and reliable early-warning biomarker for optimizing management and improving COVID-19 patients’ prognosis. Methods: This single-center case series was conducted between February 4 and April 10, 2020. In total, 2,954 consecutive COVID-19 patients who were receiving treatment at Wuhan Huoshenshan Hospital in China were included in the retrospectively selected cohort. All patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 and treated at the study site. Data of serum levels of cardiac markers, coronary artery disease (CAD) diagnosis, and survival were collected after admission. Single-cell RNA-sequencing was performed to analyze severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) receptor expression.Findings: Median patient age was 60 years (range, 50-68 years); 1,461 (49.5%) were female, and 1,515 (51.3%) patients were in a severe/critical condition. Compared to mild/moderate patients (1,439, 48.7%), severe/critical patients showed significantly higher levels of cardiac markers within the first week after admission. Among severe/critical COVID-19 patients, those with abnormal serum levels of brain natriuretic peptide had a significantly higher mortality rate than patients with normal levels. Severe/critical COVID-19 patients with pre-existing CAD (165/1,155 [10.9%]) had more cases of abnormal brain natriuretic peptide levels than those without CAD. Enhanced SARS-CoV-2 receptor expression was observed in patients with CAD. Regression analysis revealed that patients with elevated brain natriuretic peptide levels were at a higher risk of death (hazards ratio, 1.001 [95% confidence interval, 1.0003-1.002]).Interpretation: Brain natriuretic peptide is an effective biomarker for risk assessment in COVID-19 patients with or without pre-existing CAD. The detection of BNP is widely used in clinical practice and can be easily implemented in hospitals at all levels.Funding Statement: This research was supported by grants from National Nature Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 31771334, 81970428, 91959113, 81972358, 81572893), the Key Research Plan of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 81820108002), the Major Research Plan of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 91649125, 91639204), Key Foundation of Wuhan Huoshenshan Hospital (Grant No. 2020[18]), Key Research & Development Program of Jiangsu Province (Grant Nos. BE2017733, BE2018713), Medical Innovation Project of Logistics Service (Grant No. 18JS005), Basic Research Program of Jiangsu Province (Grant No. BK20180036), and the Natural Science Foundation of the Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions of China (Grant No.18KJB180014).Declaration of Interests: The authors declare no competing interests.Ethics Approval Statement: The study design was approved by the institutional ethics board. Written informed consent was waived due to the urgency of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A081 Percutaneous Closure of a Rapid Deployment Aortic Valve Paravalvular Leak Using Intracardiac Echocardiography

Paravalvular leak (PVL) is associated with poor outcomes and may be more common following rapid deployment valves. We present the first reported percutaneous closure of such a PVL using intracardiac echocardiography (ICE). A 76 year-old man underwent aortic valve replacement with 27mm Edwards Intuity rapid deployment valve in October 2018 for severe aortic stenosis. During follow-up, he developed worsening breathlessness (NYHA Class III) and diastolic murmur. Blood tests revealed elevated brain natriuretic peptide (189pmol/L) and evidence of haemolysis (haemoglobin 95g/L, bilirubin 34mmol/L, lactate dehydrogenase 800U/L, haptoglobin <0.07g/L). Transoesophageal echocardiogram confirmed moderate-severe paravalvular aortic regurgitation through a crescent-shaped defect. His case was discussed at the heart team meeting and percutaneous closure was recommended. The procedure was performed under local anaesthetic using fluoroscopic and ICE guidance. Two 8Fr femoral arterial and one 10Fr femoral venous sheath were used for access. The ICE catheter (10Fr Siemens AcuNav) was positioned in the right atrium to localise and measure the defect size at 20x3mm. This was closed using two overlapping 12x5mm Amplatzer Vascular Plug-III (Abbott, USA) devices, deployed simultaneously. Excellent result was confirmed on ICE, with stable device position and trivial residual leak. Arterial sites were closed using Terumo Angio-Seals and femoral vein by manual compression. There were no procedural complications. The patient had significant clinical and biochemical improvement. Percutaneous closure of rapid deployment aortic valve paravalvular leak with ICE guidance appears safe and effective; and may obviate the need for general anaesthesia.

Determinants of Improvement of Mid-term Ejection Fraction in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Persistent severe left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, whereas mid-term recovery of LV systolic function after AMI is associated with better long-term outcomes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the determinants of mid-term improvement of LV ejection fraction (EF) in AMI patients. We included 210 AMI patients who had modified Simpson EF both at the index admission and mid-term follow up. The difference of EF between the index admission and mid-term follow-up was calculated in all study patients. The EF improvement group was defined as mid-term ≥ 10% EF increase compared with the index admission EF. Of 210 AMI patients, 46 (21.9%) were allocated to the EF improvement group and 164 (78.1%) to the non-EF improvement group. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) at the timing of admission was significantly greater in the EF improvement group (735.8 ± 1077.6 pg/mL) than in the non-EF improvement group (239.0 ± 419.8 pg/mL) (P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that log10 BNP at the timing of admission (OR 3.36, 95% CI 1.69-6.66, P < 0.001) and left main trunk-left anterior descending artery (LM-LAD) as the infarct-related artery (OR 3.34, 95% CI 1.59-7.02, P = 0.001) were significantly associated with EF improvement. In conclusion, elevated BNP at the timing of admission and LM-LAD as the infarct-related artery were significantly associated with mid-term LVEF recovery. Our results support aggressive acute treatment for those severe AMI, because the possibility of mid-term LVEF recovery is greater compared with other AMI.

Impact of oxidative posttranslational modifications of SERCA2 on heart failure exacerbation in young patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy: A pilot study

BackgroundOxidative posttranslational modifications (OPTM) impair the function of Sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum (SR) calcium (Ca2+) ATPase (SERCA) 2 and trigger cytosolic Ca2+ dysregulation. We investigated the extent of OPTM of SERCA2 in patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM). Methods and resultsEndomyocardial biopsy (EMB) was obtained in 40 consecutive patients with NICM. Total expression and OPTM of SERCA2, including sulfonylation at cysteine-674 (S-SERCA2) and nitration at tyrosine-294/295 (N-SERCA2), were examined by immunohistochemical analysis. S-SERCA2 increased in the presence of late gadolinium enhancement on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. S-SERCA2/SERCA2 and N-SERCA2/SERCA2 correlated with cardiac fibrosis evaluated by Masson’s trichrome staining of EMB. SERCA2 expression modestly increased in parallel with an upward trend in OPTM of SERCA2 with aging. This tendency became prominent only in patients aged >65 years. OPTM of SERCA2 positively correlated with brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) values only in patients aged ≤65 years. Composite major adverse cardiac events (MACE) increased more in the high OPTM group of younger patients; however, MACE-free survival was similar irrespective of the extent of OPTM in older patients. ConclusionsOPTM of SERCA2 correlate with myocardial fibrosis in NICM. In younger patients, OPTM of SERCA2 correlate with elevated BNP and increased composite MACE.

Efficacy of visceral fat estimation by dual bioelectrical impedance analysis in detecting cardiovascular risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes

BackgroundVisceral fat area (VFA) is a good surrogate marker of obesity-related disorders, such as hypertension, dyslipidemia and glucose intolerance. Although estimating the VFA by X-ray computed tomography (CT) is the primary index for visceral obesity, it is expensive and requires invasive radiation exposure. Dual bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a simple and reliable method to estimate VFA; however, the clinical usefulness of dual BIA remains unclear in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).MethodsWe estimated the VFAs by dual BIA and CT in 98 patients with T2D and assessed anthropometric parameters, blood test results, and the presence of comorbid hypertension and dyslipidemia. We compared the correlation between the VFAs examined by dual BIA and CT. Furthermore, we performed the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses for the VFAs to detect the presence of comorbid hypertension and/or dyslipidemia with T2D, which are major comorbidities of visceral obesity, and estimated the area under the curve (AUC).ResultsThe measurement error between the VFAs by dual BIA and CT was significantly higher among patients with brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) ≥ 100 pg/mL than those with BNP < 100 pg/mL (39.2% ± 31.1% vs. 24.1% ± 18.6%, P < 0.05). After excluding patients with BNP ≥ 100 pg/mL, the VFA by dual BIA significantly correlated with the VFA by CT (r = 0.917; P < 0.0001). The AUC in the ROC analysis for the VFA by dual BIA to detect the presence of comorbid hypertension and/or dyslipidemia with T2D was almost equivalent to that for the VFA by CT.ConclusionsIn patients with T2D without elevated BNP > 100 pg/mL as indicator for fluid accumulation interfering with BIA, estimation of the VFA by dual BIA significantly correlated with that by CT and also detected comorbid hypertension and/or dyslipidemia with T2D equivalent to those detected by CT. Hence, dual BIA could be an alternative to CT as a standard method for estimating the VFA in patients with diabetes.