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Journal of Hypertension May 2024Pulmonary hypertension is a severe complication of bronchiectasis, characterized by elevated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and subsequent right heart failure. The...
OBJECTIVE
Pulmonary hypertension is a severe complication of bronchiectasis, characterized by elevated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and subsequent right heart failure. The association between PVR and mortality in bronchiectasis-associated pulmonary hypertension has not been investigated previously.
METHODS
In the present study, a retrospective analysis was conducted on 139 consecutive patients diagnosed with bronchiectasis-associated pulmonary hypertension based on right heart catheterization, enrolled between January 2010 and June 2023. Baseline clinical characteristics and hemodynamic assessment were analyzed. The survival time for each patient was calculated in months from the date of diagnosis until the date of death or, if the patient was still alive, until their last visit.
RESULTS
Patients with bronchiectasis-associated pulmonary hypertension exhibited estimated survival rates of 89.5, 70, and 52.9 at 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year intervals respectively, with a median survival time of 67 months. Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that increased age [(adjusted hazard ratio per year 1.042, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.008-1.076, P = 0.015] and elevated PVR (adjusted HR per 1 Wood Units 1.115, 95% CI 1.015-1.224, P = 0.023) were associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality. In contrast, higher BMI was associated with a decreased risk of all-cause death (adjusted hazard ratio per 1 kg/m2 0.915, 95% CI 0.856-0.979, P = 0.009). Receiver-operating characteristic analyses identified a cutoff value for PVR at 4 Wood Units as predictive for all-cause death within 3 years [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.624; specificity= 87.5%; sensitivity= 35.8%; P < 0.05]. Patients with a PVR greater than 4 Wood Units had a significantly higher risk of all-cause death compared with those with 4 Wood Units or less (adjusted hazard ratio 2.392; 95% CI 1.316-4.349; P = 0.019). Notably, there were no significant differences in age, sex, BMI, WHO functional class, 6-min walk distance, and NT-proBNP levels at baseline between patients categorized as having 4 Wood Units or less or greater than 4 Wood Units for PVR.
CONCLUSION
Based on these data, PVR could serve as a discriminative marker for distinguishing between nonsevere pulmonary hypertension (PVR ≤ 4 Wood Units) and severe pulmonary hypertension (PVR > 4 Wood Units). The utilization of a PVR cutoff value of 4.0 Wood Units provides enhanced prognostic capabilities for predicting mortality.
PubMed: 38860405
DOI: 10.1097/HJH.0000000000003782 -
Circulation Jun 2024
Correction to: Status and Future Directions for Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty in Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Disease With and Without Pulmonary Hypertension: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.
PubMed: 38857331
DOI: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000001261 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024This study aimed to employ plasma proteomics to investigate the molecular changes, pathway alterations, and potential novel biochemical markers associated with balloon...
BACKGROUND
This study aimed to employ plasma proteomics to investigate the molecular changes, pathway alterations, and potential novel biochemical markers associated with balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).
METHODS
Pre- and post-BPA plasma samples from five CTEPH patients in the PRACTICE study were analyzed to identify differentially expressed proteins. Proteomic and bioinformatics analyses were conducted, and the identified proteins were further validated using ELISA assays in a separate cohort of the same study. Correlation and multivariate regression analyses were performed to investigate the associations between these differentially expressed proteins and clinical parameters.
RESULTS
Significantly higher serum levels of asialoglycoprotein receptor 2 (ASGR2) were detected in 5 CTEPH patients compared to those in healthy individuals but decreased significantly after successful BPA procedures. The decrease in serum levels of ASGR2 after the completion of BPA procedures was further validated in a separate cohort of 48 patients with CTEPH [0.70 (0.51, 1.11) ng/mL vs. 0.38 (0.27, 0.59) ng/mL, < 0.001]. Significant associations were found between the pre-BPA ASGR2 level and clinical parameters, including neutrophil percentage (R = 0.285, < 0.05), platelet (PLT) count (R = 0.386, < 0.05), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) before BPA (R = -0.285, < 0.05). Significant associations were detected between post-BPA serum ASGR2 levels and lymphocyte percentage (LYM%) (R = 0.306, < 0.05), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (R = -0.294, < 0.05), and pulmonary vascular resistance after BPA (R = -0.35, < 0.05). Multivariate stepwise regression analysis revealed that pre-BPA ASGR2 levels were associated with HDL-C and PLT count (both < 0.001), while post-BPA ASGR2 levels were associated with LYM% ( < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Serum levels of ASGR2 may be a biomarker for the effectiveness of BPA treatment in CTEPH patients. The pre-BPA serum level of ASGR2 in CTEPH patients was associated with HDL-C and the PLT count. The post-BPA serum level of ASGR2 was correlated with the LYM%, which may reflect aspects of immune and inflammatory status.
Topics: Humans; Male; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Female; Biomarkers; Angioplasty, Balloon; Middle Aged; Pulmonary Embolism; Aged; Proteomics; Chronic Disease
PubMed: 38855107
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1402250 -
Pulmonary Circulation Apr 2024Prostacyclin therapy is a mainstay of the management of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Inhaled prostacyclins present safe and effective options for the...
Prostacyclin therapy is a mainstay of the management of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Inhaled prostacyclins present safe and effective options for the management of PAH that limit systemic side effects. We describe the first reported case of life-threatening bronchospasm and acute respiratory failure associated with inhaled prostacyclin administration.
PubMed: 38854955
DOI: 10.1002/pul2.12396 -
Kardiologia Polska Jun 2024
PubMed: 38845432
DOI: 10.33963/v.phj.100678 -
Pediatric Cardiology Jun 2024This is a case of an infant with duct-dependent pulmonary circulation, who required 6 stents delivered over three procedures to fully stent the arterial duct, which...
This is a case of an infant with duct-dependent pulmonary circulation, who required 6 stents delivered over three procedures to fully stent the arterial duct, which originated in a very unusual fashion. The attainable angiographic projections were unable to profile its origin, and only a CT scan was ultimately able to delineate the (stenotic) ductal origin from the aorta.
PubMed: 38842559
DOI: 10.1007/s00246-024-03527-4 -
Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica Jun 2024Platelet transfusions are frequently used in the intensive care unit (ICU), but current practices including used product types, volumes, doses and effects are unknown.
BACKGROUND
Platelet transfusions are frequently used in the intensive care unit (ICU), but current practices including used product types, volumes, doses and effects are unknown.
STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS
Sub-study of the inception cohort study 'Thrombocytopenia and Platelet Transfusions in the ICU (PLOT-ICU)', including acutely admitted, adult ICU patients with thrombocytopenia (platelet count <150 × 10/L). The primary outcome was the number of patients receiving platelet transfusion in ICU by product type. Secondary outcomes included platelet transfusion details, platelet increments, bleeding, other transfusions and mortality.
RESULTS
Amongst 504 patients with thrombocytopenia from 43 hospitals in 10 countries in Europe and the United States, 20.8% received 565 platelet transfusions; 61.0% received pooled products, 21.9% received apheresis products and 17.1% received both with a median of 2 (interquartile range 1-4) days from admission to first transfusion. The median volume per transfusion was 253 mL (180-308 mL) and pooled products accounted for 59.1% of transfusions, however, this varied across countries. Most centres (73.8%) used fixed dosing (medians ranging from 2.0 to 3.5 × 10 platelets/transfusion) whilst some (mainly in France) used weight-based dosing (ranging from 0.5 to 0.7 × 10 platelets per 10 kg body weight). The median platelet count increment for a single prophylactic platelet transfusion was 2 (-1 to 8) × 10/L. Outcomes of patients with thrombocytopenia who did and did not receive platelet transfusions varied.
CONCLUSIONS
Among acutely admitted, adult ICU patients with thrombocytopenia, 20.8% received platelet transfusions in ICU of whom most received pooled products, but considerable variation was observed in product type, volumes and doses across countries. Prophylactic platelet transfusions were associated with limited increases in platelet counts.
PubMed: 38840310
DOI: 10.1111/aas.14467 -
Interventional Cardiology Clinics Jul 2024Since PDA stenting was first attempted in the early 1990s, significant technical advancements have improved outcomes and some centers have even transitioned to exclusive... (Review)
Review
Since PDA stenting was first attempted in the early 1990s, significant technical advancements have improved outcomes and some centers have even transitioned to exclusive PDA stenting for all infants with duct-dependent pulmonary circulation. In addition to its use in infants with duct-dependent pulmonary circulation, PDA stenting has also been adapted as a percutaneous palliative option for suprasystemic pulmonary arterial hypertension and as a component of the hybrid procedure. In this article, the authors aim to review indications and outcomes for PDA stenting, describe the procedure, and discuss future directions.
Topics: Humans; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent; Stents; Cardiac Catheterization; Palliative Care; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38839174
DOI: 10.1016/j.iccl.2024.02.002 -
Interventional Cardiology Clinics Jul 2024Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common congenital birth defect with an incidence of 1 in 100. Current survival to adulthood is expected in 9 out of 10... (Review)
Review
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common congenital birth defect with an incidence of 1 in 100. Current survival to adulthood is expected in 9 out of 10 children with severe CHD as the diagnostic, interventional, and surgical success improves. The adult CHD (ACHD) population is increasingly diverse, reflecting the broad spectrum of CHD and evolution of surgical techniques to improve survival. Similarly, transcatheter interventions have seen exponential growth and creativity to reduce the need for repeat sternotomies. This article focuses on newer data and evolving techniques for transcatheter interventions specific to certain ACHD populations.
Topics: Humans; Heart Defects, Congenital; Cardiac Catheterization; Adult; Cardiac Surgical Procedures
PubMed: 38839171
DOI: 10.1016/j.iccl.2024.03.004 -
Mucosal Immunology Jun 2024The complement system is an evolutionarily conserved arm of innate immunity, which forms one of the first lines of host response to pathogens and assists in the... (Review)
Review
The complement system is an evolutionarily conserved arm of innate immunity, which forms one of the first lines of host response to pathogens and assists in the clearance of debris. A deficiency in key activators/amplifiers of the cascade results in recurrent infection, whereas a deficiency in regulating the cascade predisposes to accelerated organ failure, as observed in colitis and transplant rejection. Given that there are over 60 proteins in this system, it has become an attractive target for immunotherapeutics, many of which are United States Food and Drug Administration-approved or in multiple phase 2/3 clinical trials. Moreover, there have been key advances in the last few years in the understanding of how the complement system operates locally in tissues, independent of its activities in circulation. In this review, we will put into perspective the abovementioned discoveries to optimally modulate the spatiotemporal nature of complement activation and regulation at mucosal surfaces.
PubMed: 38838816
DOI: 10.1016/j.mucimm.2024.05.006