Long-term Prognostic Marker Research Articles

A-45 | Red blood cell distribution width as a long-term prognostic marker in patients with coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: An updated meta-analysis

A-45 | Red blood cell distribution width as a long-term prognostic marker in patients with coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: An updated meta-analysis

Convalescent Growth Differentiation Factor-15 and Long-Term Outcomes after an Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) has been shown to be associated with adverse clinical outcomes in patients after an acute coronary syndrome when measured soon after an event. Although dynamic in the acute phase after myocardial injury, GDF-15 has been shown to remain stable during convalescence. In this study, we aimed to assess the value of GDF-15 as a long-term prognostic marker for clinical outcomes when measured in the convalescent phase following an acute coronary syndrome. GDF-15 concentrations were measured in 1945 patients who were recruited between 2002 and 2009 to the Coronary Disease Cohort Study. For this analysis, follow-up was curtailed at 10 years and association of GDF-15 with all-cause death, cardiovascular death, recurrent myocardial infarction, and heart failure hospitalizations were assessed with multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. After 10 years of follow-up, there were 648 deaths (348 from cardiovascular causes), 500 admissions for myocardial infarction, and 436 for heart failure. Four-month convalescent GDF-15 demonstrated a robust independent association with all endpoints, which remained after adjustment for Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events score and other convalescent biomarkers. When compared to the lowest quartile of GDF-15 concentrations, those in the highest quartile had a 3-fold increased risk of all-cause death. Convalescent plasma GDF-15 is a strong and independent predictor of 10-year all-cause death, cardiovascular death, recurrent myocardial infarction, and heart failure admission following an acute coronary syndrome. ACTRN12605000431628.

Baseline serum neurofilament light chain levels differentiate aggressive from benign forms of relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis: a 20-year follow-up cohort

Background and objectivesSerum biomarkers are emerging as useful prognostic tools for multiple sclerosis (MS); however, long-term studies are lacking. We aimed to evaluate the long-term prognostic value of the serum levels of neurofilament light chain (NfL), total tau, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and chitinase 3-like-1 (CHI3L1) measured close to the time of MS onset.MethodsIn this retrospective, exploratory, observational, case and controls study, patients with relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS) with available baseline serum samples and prospectively follow-up in our MS unit for a long time were selected based on their clinical evolution to form two groups: (1) a benign RRMS (bRRMS) group, defined as patients with an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of ≤ 3 at ≥ 10 years of follow-up; (2) an aggressive RRMS (aRRMS) group, defined as patients with an EDSS score of ≥ 6 at ≤ 15 years of follow-up. An age-matched healthy control (HC) group was selected. NfL, total tau, and GFAP serum levels were quantified using a single-molecule array (SIMOA), and CHI3L1 was quantified using ELISA.ResultsThirty-one patients with bRRMS, 19 with aRRMS, and 10 HC were included. The median follow-up time from sample collection was 17.74 years (interquartile range, 14.60–20.37). Bivariate and multivariate analyses revealed significantly higher NfL and GFAP levels in the aRRMS group than in the bRRMS group. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified serum NfL level as the most efficient marker for distinguishing aRRMS from bRRMS.DiscussionThis proof-of-concept study comparing benign and aggressive RRMS groups reinforces the potential role of baseline NfL serum levels as a promising long-term disability prognostic marker. In contrast, serum GFAP, total tau, and CHI3L1 levels demonstrated a lower or no ability to differentiate between the long-term outcomes of RRMS.

Kappa free light chains index in multiple sclerosis very long-term prognosis.

The role of the kappa-free light chain (kFLC) in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and, to a lesser extent, its role as a medium-term prognostic marker have been extensively studied. This study aimed to explore its potential as a long-term prognostic marker for MS. We performed an exploratory retrospective observational study by selecting patients systemically followed up in our MS unit with available cerebrospinal fluid and serum samples at the time of initial evaluation. Two groups were defined: benign MS (bMS), defined as patients with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) ≤ 3 at 10 years of follow-up, and aggressive MS (aMS), defined as patients with EDSS ≥ 6 at 15 years of follow-up. Clinical variables were collected, and the immunoglobulin G (IgG) index, kFLC index, and oligoclonal bands (OCB) were determined for all patients and compared between the groups. Twenty bMS and 15 aMS patients were included in this study. Sixty percent (21/35) were female, and the mean age at the time of the first symptom was 31.5 ± 9.45 years, with no statistical differences between groups. Median follow-up time was 19.8 years (Interquartile range, IQR 15.9-24.6). The median EDSS scores at the last follow-up were 1.5 and 7.5 in the bMS and the aMS group, respectively. No statistically significant differences were found in the kFLC index between the two groups (136.6 vs. 140.27, p=0.59). The IgG index was positive in 62.9% of patients (55% bMS vs. 73.3% aMS, p>0.05), and OCB was positive in 88.6% (90% bMS vs. 86.7% aMS, p>0.05). A significant positive correlation was found between IgG and kFLC indices (rs = 0.85, p<0.001). Given the absence of differences between the two groups with opposite disease courses, it is unlikely that the kFLC index is a reliable and powerful marker of long-term prognosis in MS.

Long-Term Prognostic Value of Automated Measurements in Nuclear Cardiology: Comparisons with Expert Scoring.

Background and Objectives: Automated methods for the analysis of myocardial perfusion studies have been incorporated into clinical practice, but they are currently used as adjuncts to the visual interpretation. We aimed to investigate the role of automated measurements of summed stress score (SSS), summed rest score (SRS), and summed difference score (SDS) as long-term prognostic markers of morbidity and mortality, in comparison to the prognostic value of expert reading. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted at the Nuclear Medicine Laboratory of the University of Thessaly, in Larissa, Greece. A total of 378 consecutive patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease were enrolled in the study. All participants were referred to our laboratory for the performance of stress/rest myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography. Automated measurements of SSS, SRS, and SDS were obtained by Emory Cardiac Toolbox (ECTb (Version 3.0), Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA), Myovation (MYO, Xeleris version 3.05, GE Healthcare, Chicago, IL, USA), and Quantitative Perfusion SPECT (QPS (Version 4.0), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA) software packages. Follow-up data were recorded after phone contacts, as well as through review of hospital records. Results: Expert scoring of SSS and SDS had significantly greater prognostic ability in comparison to all software packages (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). Similarly, ECTb-obtained SRS measurements had significantly lower prognostic ability in comparison to expert scoring (p < 0.001), while expert scoring of SRS showed significantly higher prognostic ability compared to MYO (p = 0.018) and QPS (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Despite the useful contribution of automated analyses in the interpretation of myocardial perfusion studies, expert reading should continue to have a crucial role, not only in clinical decision making, but also in the assessment of prognosis.

Long-term prognostic factors for PRRT in neuroendocrine tumors.

Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) is an effective and well-tolerated treatment option for patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) that prolongs progression-free survival (PFS). However, the limited overall survival (OS) rates in the prospective phase III study (NETTER1) highlighted the need to identify patient-specific long-term prognostic markers to avoid unnecessary side effects and enable better treatment stratification. Therefore, we retrospectively analyzed prognostic risk factors in NET patients treated with PRRT. A total of 62 NET patients (G1: 33.9%, G2 62.9%, and G3 3.2%) with at least 2 cycles of PRRT with [177Lu]Lu-HA-DOTATATE (mean 4 cycles) were analyzed. Of which, 53 patients had primary tumors in the gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) system, 6 had bronchopulmonary NET, and 3 had NET of unknown origin. [68Ga]Ga-HA-DOTATATE PET/CT scans were performed before PRRT start and after the second treatment cycle. Different clinical laboratory parameters, as well as PET parameters, such as SUVmean, SUVmax, and PET-based molecular tumor volume (MTV), were collected, and their impact on the OS was investigated. Patient data with a mean follow-up of 62 months (range 20-105) were analyzed. According to interim PET/CT, 16 patients (25.8%) presented with partial response (PR), 38 (61.2%) with stable disease (SD), and 7 (11.3%) with progressive disease (PD). The 5-year OS was 61.8% for all patients, while bronchopulmonary NETs showed poorer OS than GEP-NETs. Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that chromogranin A level and MTV together were highly significant predictors of therapeutic outcome (HR 2.67; 95% CI 1.41-4.91; p = 0.002). Treatment response was also influenced by the LDH level (HR 0.98; 95% CI 0.9-1.0; p = 0.007) and patient age (HR 1.15; 95% CI 1.08-1.23; p < 0.001). ROC analysis revealed baseline MTV > 112.5 ml [Sens. 91%; Spec. 50%; AUC 0.67 (95% CI 0.51-0.84, p = 0.043)] and chromogranin A >1,250.75 μg/l [Sens. 87%; Spec. 56%; AUC 0.73 (95% CI 0.57-0.88, p = 0.009)] as the best cutoff values for identifying patients with worse 5-year survival. Our retrospective analysis defined MTV and chromogranin A in combination as significant prognostic factors for long-term OS. Furthermore, an interim PET/CT after two cycles has the potential in identifying non-responders who may benefit from a change in therapy at an early stage.

Abstract P2-03-11: Differential Long-Term Benefit from Adjuvant Tamoxifen Therapy in Estrogen Receptor (ER)-Positive/Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2)-Negative Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract Background: Tamoxifen is a standard endocrine therapy for both pre- and postmenopausal ER-positive breast cancer patients. Patients with ER-positive disease have a long-term risk of distant recurrence, thus, long-term follow-up studies are essential to understand true treatment benefit. Clinically used tumor characteristics are prognostic 5-10 years after primary diagnosis, however, whether these characteristics are predictive of long-term tamoxifen benefit is largely unexplored. Therefore, we aimed to determine the long-term tamoxifen therapy benefit by the clinically used tumor characteristics in pre- vs postmenopausal patients in the Stockholm tamoxifen (STO)-trials with 20-years complete follow-up. Methods: Secondary analysis of 1242 ER-positive/HER2-negative patients from the STO-trials, randomized to at least 2 years of 40 mg tamoxifen vs no endocrine therapy (control). Premenopausal lymph node-positive patients were allocated to chemotherapy as standard of care and postmenopausal high-risk patients were further randomized to chemotherapy vs radiotherapy. Tumor immunohistochemical analysis was recently conducted. Complete 20-year follow-up was obtained from Swedish high-quality registries. Long-term distant recurrence-free interval (DRFI) was assessed by multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression and time-varying analysis using flexible parametric modelling. Results: Premenopausal patients showed significantly improved long-term DRFI from tamoxifen vs control if they were lymph node-negative (Hazard Ratio [HR]=0.46; 95% CI, 0.24-0.87), PR-positive (HR=0.61; 95% CI, 0.41-0.91), or of genomic low risk (HR=0.47; 95% CI, 0.26-0.85), see Table. In postmenopausal patients, significantly improved long-term DRFI from tamoxifen vs control was seen for all good prognosis tumor characteristics, i.e. small tumor size (pT≤20mm: HR=0.55; 95% CI, 0.39-0.77), tumor grade 1-2 (HR=0.55; 95% CI, 0.41-0.73), lymph node-negative (HR=0.44; 95% CI, 0.30-0.64), PR-positive (HR=0.60; 95% CI, 0.44-0.80), Ki-67-low (&amp;lt; 15%: HR=0.51; 95% CI, 0.38-0.68), and genomic low risk (HR=0.53; 95% CI, 0.37-0.74), see Table. Also, postmenopausal patients with large tumor size (pT&amp;gt;20mm: HR=0.64; 95% CI, 0.44-0.94) and PR-negative tumors (HR=0.51; 95% CI, 0.32-0.81) showed significant long-term tamoxifen benefit. Time-varying analysis in premenopausal patients indicated that tamoxifen therapy benefit diminished over time. Significant tamoxifen benefit until year 5, 10, and 15 after primary diagnosis was observed for PR-positive, lymph node-negative, and genomic low-risk patients, respectively. Postmenopausal patients had a significant long-term tamoxifen benefit if they had tumors of small or large tumor size, tumor grade 1-2, lymph node-negative status, PR-positive status, low Ki-67 levels, or genomic low risk. Conclusions: This study suggests a differential long-term tamoxifen therapy benefit in pre- vs postmenopausal patients. Clinically defined low-risk postmenopausal patients have long-term tamoxifen benefit, whereas the benefit is absent or diminish over time for premenopausal patients. Improved long-term prognostic and endocrine therapy predictive markers in premenopausal breast cancer patients with poor prognosis and long life-expectancy is needed, which could involve molecular tools. Long-term tamoxifen benefit in premenopausal and postmenopausal breast cancer patients by the clinically used tumor characteristics. Table Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analysis of 20-year distant recurrence-free interval (DRFI) for patients with ER-positive/HER2-negative tumors, comparing patients randomized to tamoxifen vs patients randomized to no endocrine therapy (control). Adjusted for age, randomization year, tumor size, tumor grade, lymph node status, PR status, Ki-67 status, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and type of surgery. Citation Format: Annelie Johansson, Huma Dar, Anna Nordenskjöld, Gizeh Perez-Tenorio, Christina Yau, Christopher C. Benz, Laura J. Esserman, Laura Van’t Veer, Bo Nordenskjöld, Olle Stål, Tommy Fornander, Linda S. Lindström. Differential Long-Term Benefit from Adjuvant Tamoxifen Therapy in Estrogen Receptor (ER)-Positive/Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2)-Negative Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-03-11.

OR12-5 | LBSAT57 Long-term Follow-Up of Pheochromocytoma/Paraganglioma (PPGL) after first diagnosis: a retrospective single-center study of 173 patients

Abstract Background Pheochromocytoma (Pheo)/Paraganglioma (PGL), together PPGL, are rare but life-threatening tumors, with tumor relapse (TR) rates after initial surgery of 16.5%, and genetic mutations in about 30-40% of patients. Long-term follow-up (FU) and genetic testing in all patients are recommended. Questions remain, however, as to the most suitable duration of FU, the prognostic value of genetic diagnoses and of clinical, biochemical or radiological findings during FU, of the incidence of TR after recommended 10 years FU of low-risk sporadic Pheos, or of TR on morbidity and mortality. Objective, patients, and methods: We retrospectively determined the overall survival (OAS), progression-free survival (PFS) and tumor-recurrence (TR) in 173 patients with PPGL initially operated and followed-up at a single tertiary referral center from 1988 to 2020 by Kaplan-Meier Estimates, and assessed age, sex, hormonal activity, tumor size, and metastatic spread at first diagnosis, pathohistological PASS score, mutation-positive PPGLs (MP-PPGL), TR, and comorbidities (associated with increased cardiovascular risk) as to independent prognostic markers thereof by multivariate Cox-regression. Certificats of the Austrian death registry were also obtained. Results In 8 (5%) PPGLs there was no FU in the charts, but death certified occurring 65±28 (mean±SD, median 2.7) months after first diagnosis. Mean (±SD) age of the remaining 165 (43.9% female) patients (94.5 Pheos, 3.0% multiple PGLs, 2.5% head-and-neck PGLs) was 49(±16) years, mean (range) FU 90(3-537) months. 93 (54%) patients underwent genetic testing, 37 (40%, 21% of entire cohort) had MP-PPGL (mean±SD age 33.8±13.2 yrs, OAS 391 months). 5 of these 37 (13.5%), and 7 of 57 (12%) mutation-negative (MN-PPGL, mean±SD age 53.3±14.8 years, p&amp;lt;0.01 vs. MP-PPGL, OAS 190 months) died during FU (p=0.03). Male sex, higher age, presence of comorbidities, and primary metastatic disease were independent negative prognostic factors for OAS by univariate, but only age and metastatic disease remained significant by multivariate analysis. As to PFS, higher age and no hormonal activity were negatively associated by univariate, but not by multivariate analysis, as were all other tested parameters. Conclusions The cohort of our study is the third-largest original report on long-term FU and prognostic markers in PPGL. While others (Ayola-Ramirez et al, JECM 2011) in 371 patients found tumor size and sympathetic PGL independently associated with OAS, we did not. Patients may have harbored more aggressive tumors in that study, as higher primary metastatic spread (25% of Pheos, 60% of sympathetic PGL) was identified. We identified only age and metastatic disease as independent predictors of OAS, in line with data from Korea (Kim J H, et al., Endocrinol Metab. [Seoul]) in 1048 patients (9% with primary metastatis) and with a metaanalysis comprising 703 PPGLs (Crona J, Endocr Relat Cancer, 2019). Presentation: Sunday, June 12, 2022 12:00 p.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Combination of TyG Index and GRACE Risk Score as Long-Term Prognostic Marker in Patients with ACS Complicated with T2DM Undergoing PCI.

ObjectiveWe aimed to investigate the prognostic value of the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index combined the with Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) score in adult acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).MethodsThe study enrolled total 899 ACS patients with T2DM who underwent PCI. TyG index and the GRACE risk score were calculated and assessed by median. The correlation was analyzed by Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. The cumulative major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) curve was generated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Multivariate Cox regression was used to identify predictors of MACEs. Additionally, the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), net reclassification index (NRI) and Integrated Discrimination Improvement (IDI) were applied to analyze the performance of each single factor index and combined multivariate index in predicting MACE.ResultsIn the ACS patients with T2DM after PCI, there were significant differences in the TyG index and GRACE risk score between the MACE group and the MACE-free group (P < 0.001). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that the TyG index combined with the GRACE risk score was positively correlated with the occurrence of MACEs (log rank P < 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that the TyG index, the GRACE risk score, and the TyG index combined with the GRACE risk score were independent predictors of long-term MACEs (adjusted HR: 1.805; 95% CI: 1.479–2.203, P < 0.001; adjusted HR: 1.012; 95% CI: 1.009–1.016, P < 0.001; and adjusted HR: 2.337; 95% CI: 1.805–3.025, P < 0.001, respectively). Correlation analysis indicated that the TyG index was positively correlated with the GRACE risk score (R = 0.140, P < 0.001). The analysis of AUC, NRI and IDI revealed that the combined multivariate index performed better prognostic role than each single factor index in predicting the occurrence of MACE.ConclusionBoth the GRACE risk score and the TyG index could be significant and independent predictors of clinical outcomes in ACS patients with T2DM after PCI. A combination of them could be enhanced predictions of clinical outcomes in these patients.

Serum Hypoalbuminemia Is a Long-Term Prognostic Marker in Medical Hospitalized Patients, Irrespective of the Underlying Disease.

Hypoalbuminemia is common in hypoalbuminemia-associated disorders (HAD), e.g., liver and kidney disease. We hypothesize that hospitalized patients with hypoalbuminemia have poor prognosis irrespective of their underlying disease. Records of patients admitted to Medicine (2010–2018), with and without HAD were analyzed, comparing low (<35 g/L) to normal serum albumin. Mann–Whitney and Chi-squared tests were used, and a logistic regression model was applied. Patients: 14,640 were admitted; 9759 were analyzed (2278 hypoalbuminemia: 736 HAD, 1542 non-HAD). All patients, and the subgroups with (as expected) and without HAD had worse outcomes. Specifically, in patients without HAD, those with hypoalbuminemia (n = 1542) vs. normal albumin (n = 6216) were older, had a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI, 5 vs. 4), longer median hospital stay (5 vs. 4), higher one year re-admission rate (49.9% vs. 39.8%), and one year mortality (48.9% vs. 15.3%, p < 0.001 for all). LR model predicting 3 month, 1 year and 5 year mortality confirmed the predictive power of albumin (1 year: OR = 4.49 for hypoalbuminema, p < 0.01). Hypoalbuminemia portends poor long-term prognosis in hospitalized patients regardless of the underlying disease and could be added to prognostic predictive models.

Characteristics and prognosis of patients hospitalized for acute myocarditis

Few data are available on the outcome and prognostic factors in acute myocarditis (AM) diagnosed by CMR. We aimed to determine the characteristics and identify the factors associated with in-hospital and 5-year prognosis in patients hospitalized at Amiens University Hospital for AM between 2010 and 2020. 185 patients hospitalized with an initial CMR-based diagnosis of AM were enrolled between January 2010 and June 2020. Analysis of clinical, biological, and imaging data were performed to identify predictors of in-hospital and long term outcomes. Mean age was 33 years old with 80% of men. Men were significantly younger than women ( P < 0.001). The most frequent symptom at presentation was chest pain (92% of patients). Mean Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) measured by CMR at admission was 55% and left ventricular dysfunction was present in 24% of patients at baseline (LVEF < 50%). A total of 27 patients (14.6%) presented at least one event during hospitalization. On multivariable regression analysis, only the absence of chest pain (OR = 0.10; 95% CI [0.015-0.074]; P = 0.023) and reduced LVEF (OR = 0.87; 95% CI [0.79-0.96] P = 0.007) were identified as independent predictive factors of in-hospital outcome. During follow-up, 15 patients experienced at least one cardiovascular event. In multivariable analysis, very extensive (≥ 20%) late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) was found to be a strong prognosticator (HR = 10.65; 95% CI [1.44-78.60]; P = 0.020; Fig. 1 ) in addition to troponin, LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes, and reduced LVEF (all P < 0.05). The 5-year event-free survival rate was 95 ± 2% in the LGE < 20% group versus 62 ± 1% in the LGE ≥ 20% group ( p Log Rank = 0.001). During hospitalization, absence of chest pain and reduced LVEF were identified as predictive factors of presenting a cardiovascular event. A very extensive LGE was a powerful long-term prognostic marker.

Effect of macrotroponin on the utility of cardiac troponin I as a prognostic biomarker for long term total and cardiovascular disease mortality.

Macrotroponin is a complex formed between endogenous cardiac troponin autoantibodies and circulating cardiac troponin (cTn). It is a recognised cause of discrepancy between current high sensitivity troponin (hs-cTn) assays; and immunoglobulin-bound (macrotroponin) and unbound cTn can coexist in varying proportions in the acute setting. Increasingly it is considered when laboratory cTn results do not match a patient's clinical picture. However, despite the better understanding of macrotroponin as an analytical interference, its clinical significance remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the potential impact of macrotroponin on the use of cTn as a long-term prognostic marker. We repeated cTnI testing after polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation on consecutive participants (n=159) with a first elevated cTn above 0.2 μg/L during their hospital admission episode. Because this paper is looking at outcomes in years, the initial data were generated at a time when non-hs-cTn assays were in use. We divided the cohort into two groups based on an exploratory PEG recovery cut-off of <34.6% to indicate the presence of possible macrotroponin and compared the overall and cardiovascular related mortality. The median follow-up time for the overall cohort was 8.35 years (8.32-8.40 interquartile range) with no difference between the two groups. The overall median survival was 8.1 years. Our findings indicate a hazard ratio of 0.54 (0.32-0.91 95% CI) for all-cause mortality and 0.48 (0.24-0.95) for cardiovascular mortality in patients with possible macrotroponin compared to those patients with troponin elevation without evidence of macrotroponin, after adjustment for common cardiovascular disease risk factors. Furthermore, an association was observed between PEG% recovery and all-cause mortality (p<0.05). This study showed that patients with macrotroponin have comparatively favourable long-term all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in a cohort of patients with elevated troponin. We illustrate the importance of recognising cTn results as being a summation of heterogeneous components, including those bound to antibodies, and the potential role of macrotroponin to further improve our interpretation and use of cTn as a biomarker.

Myocardial tissue function and characterization in patients with idiopathic cardiac magnetic resonance myopericarditis: evolutionary analysis

Abstract Introduction The identification of prognostic markers related to the occurrence of events and recovery of ventricular function may be important in patients with acute myopericarditis (AMP). There is still a lack of data related to tissue characterization by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) of AMP, evolution and definition of possible long-term prognostic markers. Purpose To evaluate the myocardial tissue characterization of CMR related to the occurrence of combined events (death from all causes, heart failure and AMP recurrence) and the increase in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with AMP. Methods Inclusion criteria were chest pain and/or electrocardiographic changes associated with elevated troponin (above the 99th percentile) in the absence of coronary stenosis and diagnosis of AMP by CMR &amp;lt;48 hours of admission confirmed by the presence of edema and/or late enhancement. After a follow-up of up to 24 months, 100 patients remained and in the assessment of the increase in LVEF (increase &amp;gt;5%), 36 cases remained, recalled for a new CMR between 6 and 18 months from the initial event. Results Significant differences in CMR were found between patients who had combined events (n=26) versus no combined events (n=74) in the following characteristics evaluated: initial LVEF (OR=0.938; CI: 0.895–0.984, p=0.008), left ventricular (LV) systolic volume index (OR=1.034; CI: 1.005–1.062, p=0.019), LV diastolic volume index (OR=1.029; CI: 1.002–1.056, p=0.038), presence of hypersignal in T2 (OR=11.325; CI: 2.247–57.075, p=0.003), presence of late anteroseptal enhancement (OR=0.160; CI: 0.037–0.685, p=0.014), basal anteroseptal (OR=0.255; CI: 0.071–0.914, p=0.036) and lateral apical (OR=5.902; CI: 1.236–28.187, p=0.026). In relation to the increase in LVEF, significant differences were found in CMR in the following characteristics evaluated: LVEF (OR=0.870; CI: 0.758–0.988, p=0.047), end systolic volume of the right ventricle (OR=1.047; CI: 1.001–1.096, p=0.047), LV systolic diameter (OR=1.283; CI: 1.034–1.593, p=0.023), LV diastolic diameter (OR=1.225; CI: 1.012–1.482, p=0.038), LV systolic volume index (OR=1.340; CI: 1.066–1.685, p=0.012), LV diastolic volume index (OR=1.111; CI: 1.017–1.213, p=0.019) and right ventricular systolic volume index (OR=1.116; CI: 1.006–1.236, p=0.037). Conclusion We observed a significant association between combined events in the long-term follow-up with initial LVEF, LV systolic and diastolic volume indexes, T2 hypersignal and the presence of mid and basal anteroseptal and lateral apical late enhancement. Already related to the increase in LVEF in evolutionary CMR, we observed a significant association with initial LVEF, end systolic volume of the right ventricle, LV systolic and diastolic diameters, LV systolic and diastolic volume indexes and right ventricle systolic volume index. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): FAPESP

Clinical profile and prognostic factors of alcoholic cardiomyopathy in tribal and non-tribal population

ObjectiveAlcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a leading cause of non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in tribal and non-tribal population. However, no study has been done depicting the correlation between clinical profile and...

Impact of phase angle on postoperative prognosis in patients with gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary-pancreatic cancer.

Phase angle (PhA), by bioelectrical impedance analysis, has been used in patients with several diseases; however, its prognostic value in patients with gastrointestinal (GI) and hepatobiliary-pancreatic (HBP) cancer is unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of PhA on postoperative short- outcomes and long-term survival in these patients. This retrospective study reviewed data from 501 patients with GI and HBP cancers who underwent first resection surgery. The data were divided into the following groups according to the preoperative PhA quartile values by sex: high-PhA group with the highest quartile (Q4), normal-PhA group with middle quartiles (Q3 and Q2), and low-PhA group with the lowest quartile (Q1). Preoperative nutritional statuses, postoperative short-term outcomes during hospitalization, and 5-y survival between three groups were compared. Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate the prognostic effect of PhA. PhA positively correlated with body weight, skeletal muscle mass, and handgrip strength, and negatively correlated with age and levels of C-reactive protein. The low-PhA group showed a higher prevalence of malnutrition (48%) than normal-PhA (25%), and high-PhA groups (9%; P < 0.001). The incidence of postoperative severe complications was 10% for all patients (14% in low-PhA, 12% in normal-PhA, and 4% in high-PhA; P=0.018). The incidence of prolonged stays in a postoperative high-care or intensive care unit was 8% in all patients (16% in low-PhA, 8% in normal-PhA, and 2% in high-PhA; P < 0.001). The 5-y survival rate was 74% in all patients (68% in low-PhA, 74% in normal-PhA, and 79% in high-PhA; P < 0.001). The multivariate analysis demonstrated that a low-PhA group was an independent risk factor for mortality (hazard ratio, 1.99; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-3.90; P=0.034). PhA is a useful short-term and long-term postoperative prognostic marker for patients with GI and HBP cancers.

Predictive role of baroreflex sensitivity in the assessment of perioperative risk. Article

Violation of baroreflex sensitivity often accompanies the progression of chronic diseases. Given the fact that baroreflex dysfunction has long been known as a long-term prognostic marker of adverse cardiovascular disease outcomes, interest in the role of baroreflex sensitivity assessment in determining perioperative risk has increased significantly over the past decades. An analysis of the literature showed that for the query “baroreflex” + “anesthesia”, an automatic search in the PubMed database allows you to select 592 research papers, of which only 28 are randomized controlled trials. A significant amount of experimental and clinical data has been accumulated, indicating an important role of baroreflex during the perioperative period. The conducted research allows us to state with confidence the fact that the sensitivity of the baroreflex, equal to 3 ms/mm Hg regardless of the method of its assessment, it is a critical value below which the baroreflex function is associated with an increase in the probability of an adverse outcome, including the development of perioperative complications. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the increase in risk with a decrease in baroreflex sensitivity include an increase in the frequency of hemodynamic critical incidents, a greater susceptibility to the negative effects of mechanical ventilation, an increase in the need for infusion-transfusion therapy, a more pronounced pain syndrome and a violation of the immune system. The negative effect of general anesthetics and neuroaxial anesthesia on baroreflex leads to a further increase in risk. Given the role of baroreflex in the pathogenesis of perioperative disorders, the assessment of baroreflex can be a key point of an individual approach to the management of the perioperative period.

Monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio as long-term prognostic marker in patients with coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

BackgroundThe relation between monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR) and coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains controversial. The present study aims to assess the prognostic value of MHR in patients with CAD who underwent PCI.MethodsA total of 673 CAD patients were retrospectively enrolled and divided into four groups according to MHR values. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to study the effects of different variables to clinical outcomes reported as major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and all-cause mortality (ACM).ResultsIn a multivariate Cox analysis, after adjustment of other confounders, MHR was found to be an independent predictor of ACM (HR: 3.655; 95% CI: 1.170–11.419, P = 0.026) and MACE (HR =2.390, 95% CI 1.379–4.143, p < 0.002). Having a MHR in the third and fourth quartile were associated with a 2.83-fold and 3.26 -flod increased risk of MACE.ConclusionsMHR is an independent predictor of ACM and MACE in CAD patients undergoing PCI.

Prognostic usefulness of ACTH in the postoperative period of Cushing's disease.

ObjectivesTo analyze the usefulness of plasma ACTH in predicting CD remission after surgery and to evaluate the prognostic usefulness of ACTH measurement after the cortisol and ACTH nadir (48 h prior to discharge).DesignA prospective study was made of 65 patients with CD operated upon between 2005 and 2016.MethodsPostsurgery plasma ACTH and cortisol were measured every 6 h, in the absence of corticosteroid coverage. Hydrocortisone was started in the presence of adrenal insufficiency or cortisol <55.2 nmol/L. Plasma ACTH was again determined before discharge.Main outcome measureUsefulness of plasma ACTH in predicting CD remission.ResultsRemission at 3 months of CD was achieved in 56 of 65 cases, with late recurrence in 18 of 58 cases. Following resection, the ACTH nadir was significantly lower referred to late remission (2.8 vs 6.5 pmol/L; P = 0.031) and higher for recurrence (2.1 vs 4.8 pmol/L; P < 0.001), and identical results were obtained for the ACTH values before discharge. In the analysis of the ROC curves, nadir and before discharge ACTH values <1.9 pmol/L and <2.6 pmol/L were respectively indicative of early remission (AUC 0.827; P < 0.001); <6.2 pmol/L of remission at 3 months (AUC 0.847; P = 0.001) and >3.2 pmol/L of recurrence (AUC 0.810; P < 0.001) in both ACTH values. A time to ACTH nadir <46 h was indicative of early remission (AUC 0.751; P = 0.001), while a time >39 h was indicative of recurrence (AUC 0.773; P = 0.001).ConclusionsWe propose an ACTH value <3.3 pmol/L as a good long-term prognostic marker in the postoperative period of CD. Reaching the ACTH nadir in less time is associated to a lesser recurrence rate.

Red blood cell distribution width as long-term prognostic markers in patients with coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of red blood cell distribution width (RDW) in patients with coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).MethodsA retrospective cohort study (CORFCHD-PCI, [Identifier: ChiCTR-INR-16010153]) of 6050 patients who were hospitalized with a diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) and treated with PCI from January 2008 to December 2016 were enrolled in the study. The primary outcome was long-term mortality after PCI. Clinical follow-up data of participating patients were obtained during an outpatient examination 35.9 ± 22.6 months after PCI. Demographic and clinical data and admission laboratory parameters were recorded, and patients were categorized into two groups according to RDW level (high group ≥13.1%; low group < 13.1%).ResultsMultivariate Cox regression analysis revealed RDW as an independent prognosis factor for cardiac death. The incidence of cardiac death increased 1.33 times in patients in the high RDW group (HR, 1.331; 95% CI, 1.009–1.755, P = 0.043). Kaplan–Meier survival analysis suggested that patients with high RDW tended to have an increased accumulated risk of cardiac death. However, we did not found significant differences in the incidence of long-term mortality (adjusted HR = 1.203[0.941–1.537], P = 0.140), MACCE (adjusted HR = 1.128[0.979–1.301], P = 0.096), MACE (adjusted HR = 1.155[0.994–1.341], P = 0.059), stroke, bleeding events or readmission between the two groups.ConclusionThe baseline level of RDW is an independent predictor for cardiac death in post-PCI CAD patients.

Long-term outcomes and prognostic markers in gallbladder cancer.

Cancer-related inflammation and systemic inflammatory markers have been widely recognized as an essential part in tumor multiplication, invasion, and metastasis of tumor cells. This study aimed to estimate and compare the prognostic value of various biomarkers on overall survival (OS) in patients with gallbladder cancer patients.We performed a retrospective study of 159 patients received different therapies in West China Hospital from 2009 to 2014. The preoperative biomarker data, including neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet–lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte–lymphocyte ratio (MLR), lactate dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase, as well as other clinical information, were obtained from electronic record. And the receiver operating characteristic curves were used to analyze the optimal cut-off values of them. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazard model analysis were applied to evaluate the association between markers and OS.The optimal cut-off value was 4.39 for NLR, 181.85 for PLR, 0.30 for MLR, and 3.02 for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Kaplan–Meier analysis and univariate Cox analysis both demonstrated the significant prognostic value of NLR, MLR, and CEA. However, PLR failed to be a significant predictor of OS. The multivariate Cox analysis showed that preoperative NLR and CEA were independent prognostic factors for OS.Advanced tumor/node/metastasis stage, enhanced pretherapeutic NLR, and CEA were significantly associated with worse OS of gallbladder cancer patients. Furthermore, NLR was a better prognostic factor than CEA in advanced T (T3–T4) stage patients, while CEA was better for early T (T1–T2) stage, early N (N0–N1) stage, and early M (M0) stage patients.