Circulating beta-hydroxybutyrate levels in advanced heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: Determinants and prognostic impact.

Aims: Patients with heart failure (HF) display metabolic alterations, including heightened ketogenesis, resulting in increased beta-hydroxybutyrate (β-OHB) formation. We aimed to investigate the determinants and prognostic impact of circulating β-OHB levels in patients with advanced HF and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Methods And Results: A total of 867 patients with advanced HFrEF (age 57 ± 11 years, 83% male, 45% diabetic, 60% New York Heart Association class III), underwent clinical and echocardiographic examination, circulating metabolite assessment, and right heart catheterization (n = 383).

How to verify the analytical and clinical performance of ELISA immunoanalysis in the real laboratory practice. PCSK9 as an example.

Background: Manufacturers and diagnostic companies often recommend on-site verification of analytical performance in the clinical laboratory. The validation process used by manufacturers is rarely described in detail, and certain information on analytical performance is missing from the product sheet, especially for immunoanalytical methods. We describe an approach to the detailed validation of an ELISA method for the measurement of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) plasma concentrations.

Biological variation of PIVKA-II in blood serum of healthy subjects measured by automated electrochemiluminescent assay.

Background: Prothrombin/Protein Induced by Vitamin K Absence-II (PIVKA-II) is a candidate biomarker of hepatocellular cancer, recommended both for diagnostics and monitoring. The aim was to evaluate biological variation (BV) of serum PIVKA-II.

Methods: Within-subject (CV) and between-subject (CV) BV estimates were assessed in 14 healthy volunteers in a 6-week protocol.

Accuracy and Feasibility of Real-time Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Critically Ill Patients After Abdominal Surgery and Solid Organ Transplantation.

Objective: Glycemia management in critical care is posing a challenge in frequent measuring and adequate insulin dose adjustment. In recent years, continuous glucose measurement has gained accuracy and reliability in outpatient and inpatient settings. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and accuracy of real-time continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in ICU patients after major abdominal surgery.

Significant elevations of serum amylase caused by macroamylase: Case reports and detection possibilities.

Background: The presence of isolated elevated serum amylase levels can be caused by high molecular mass complexes. We describe 13 cases of hyperamylasemia detected in adult patients without clinical symptoms of a pancreatic disorder. Five of them were thoroughly examined using different tools for the detection of macrocomplexes.

Galectin-3 as an independent prognostic factor after heart transplantation.

Background: Galectin-3 (GAL3) is linked to the prognosis of patients with heart failure and after heart transplantation (HTx). We assessed the prognostic role of GAL3 in a long-term follow-up after HTx.

Methods: HTx patients (N = 121) were evaluated in a single-center, noninterventional, prospective, observational study.

Biological variation of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) in human serum.

Background: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is involved in the regulation of LDL receptors. Inhibition of PCSK9 increase uptake of LDL-particles and pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). The aim of our study was to evaluate biological variation of serum PCSK9.

Very low lipoprotein(a) and increased mortality risk after myocardial infarction.

Background: Inconclusive data exist on risk associated with Lp(a) in patients after myocardial infarction (MI). Aims of the present study were to evaluate the association of Lp(a) level with total mortality and recurrent cardiovascular events.

Design And Methods: Single center prospective registry of consecutive patients hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction between June 2017 and June 2020 at a large tertiary cardiac center with available blood samples drawn <24h of admission.

The effect of three major co-morbidities on quality of life and outcome of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

Aims: Diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and chronic kidney disease are prevalent in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). We have analysed the impact of co-morbidities on quality of life (QoL) and outcome.

Methods And Results: A total of 397 patients (58.

Changes in Sepsis Biomarkers after Immunosuppressant Administration in Transplant Patients.

Sepsis biomarkers change continuously during the postoperative period. We aimed to demonstrate the influence of immunosuppressants after transplantation (Tx) on presepsin, procalcitonin, CRP, white blood cells, and IL-6. A group of 140 patients after major surgery (86 non-Tx, 54 Tx) without any signs of sepsis or infectious complications was followed for 7 days.

Myocardial ketone body utilization in patients with heart failure: The impact of oral ketone ester.

Aims: Upregulation of ketone body (β-hydroxybutyrate, βHB) utilization has been documented in human end-stage heart failure (HF), but is unclear if this is due to intrinsic cardiac metabolic remodeling or a HF-related catabolic state. This study sought to evaluate the maximal ketone body utilization capacity and its determinants in controls and in patients with moderate HF and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Methods And Results: 19 HFrEF patients and 9 controls underwent sampling from the arterial circulation (A) and coronary sinus (CS) to measure transmyocardial extraction of energy-providing substrates and oxygen.

Spironolactone-furosemide combination therapy and acid-base disorders in liver cirrhosis patients .

Objective: Respiratory alkalosis (RA) and dilutional hyperchloremic acidosis (DHA) are the most common acid-base balance (ABB) disorders in patients with liver cirrhosis. The aims of this study were to clarify whether RA develops in relation to DHA via respiratory compensation of metabolic acidosis and whether spironolactone in combination with low-dose furosemide - diuretics known to ameliorate DHA - positively affects RA in liver cirrhosis patients.

Materials And Methods: 59 patients with advanced cirrhosis were divided into two groups.

[Presepsin: what is important for correct interpretation].

Introduction: Presepsin (soluble CD14 subtype) is a new biomarker of infection and sepsis. Correct interpretation is based on the knowledge of analytical reliability, biological variation, decision limits, and diagnostic effectivity.

Aim: The aim of the study was to verify analytical precision of presepsin measurements, to assess biological variation in healthy subjects, to verify reference and decision limits, to assess diagnostic effectivity, and to compare data with commonly used septic biomarkers - procalcitonin (PCT), CRP and interleukin 6 (IL6).

The Role of GDF-15 in Heart Failure Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background: Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a stress-inducible cytokine and member of the transforming growth factor-β cytokine superfamily that refines prognostic assessment in subgroups of patients with heart failure (HF). We evaluated its role in HF patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD, estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m).

Biological variation of intact fibroblast growth factor 23 measured on a fully automated chemiluminescent platform.

Background: Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), a potent regulator of phosphate and vitamin D metabolism, is a new biomarker of kidney, bone and cardiovascular disorders. The aim of this study was to assess the biological variation of intact fibroblast growth factor 23 (iFGF23).

Methods: The within-subject (CV) and between-subject (CV) biological variations were assessed in 14 healthy volunteers in a six-week protocol (seven samples).

Tacrolimus has immunosuppressive effects on heavy/light chain pairs and free light chains in patients after heart transplantation: A relationship with infection.

The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between tacrolimus (TAC) immunosuppressive treatment and serum concentrations of immunoglobulin heavy/light chain pairs (sHLC) and free light chains (sFLC) in patients after heart transplantation (HTX) and to use these biomarkers to predict the risk of infection in these patients. A total of 88 patients with an immunosuppressive regimen involving tacrolimus who underwent HTX were analyzed over 24 months of follow-up. sFLC and sHLC levels were determined before and at three time points after HTX.

Enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) score: Reference ranges, biological variation in healthy subjects, and analytical considerations.

Background: The Enhanced Liver Fibrosis score has been recognized as a non-invasive test for liver fibrosis. However, reference intervals, biological variation and analytical performance have not been studied in detail so far. The aim was to acquire data that are essential for correct interpretation.

Falsely elevated human epididymis protein 4 results and Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm in polymorbid women after solid organ transplantation: A pilot and case-control study.

Background: Cancer prevention is essential after transplantation (Tx). The use of HE4 and Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm (ROMA) is recommended as a tool for selective ovarian cancer screening; however, creatinine is a known confounder. This study assessed the reliability of HE4, CA125, and ROMA after Tx.

[Remarks on biomarkers of cardiovascular risk].

Authors describe state-of-the-art in the routine laboratory diagnostics of cardiovascular risk with special emphasis on metrology, traceability, external quality assessment, biological variation, and reference change value. While analytical quality of total cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, and HbA1c is satisfactory, improvements are needed for HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein A1, apolipoprotein B, Lp(a), and LpPLA2 measurements. Biological variation is a strong player in the lipid diagnostics, because reference change value is above 20 % for majority of biomarkers.

Free light chain and intact immunoglobulin abnormalities in heart transplant recipients: Two year follow-up timelines and clinical correlations.

Objectives: To assess the timelines of serum free light chain (sFLC) concentrations and the kappa/lambda light chain (K/L) ratio in heart transplant (HTX) recipients. To analyze the performance of serum protein electrophoresis (SPE), serum immunofixation (sIFE) and sFLC measurements for gammopathy detection following a HTX.

Methods: A total of 96 patients who underwent a HTX were analyzed during a two-year follow-up period.

Analysis of Four Automated Urinalysis Systems Compared to Reference Methods.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare four automated urinalysis systems: the Iris iQ200 Sprint (Iris Diagnostics, U.S.A.

[The common position of the Czech professional associations on the consensus of the European Atherosclerosis Society and the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine regarding investigation on blood lipids and interpretation of their levels].

The aim of this opinion is to summarize and to comment the consensus of the European Atherosclerosis Society and European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, which covers two main areas: 1) whether it is necessary / required to be fasting or non-fasting before blood sampling for lipids measurement, and what are the changes in the concentration of blood lipids during the day; 2) What decision limits (cut off value) of lipids and lipoproteins should be reported from laboratories and what is the recommended procedure for people with extreme / critical blood lipid values. Following parameters are discused: total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoprotein A1, apolipoprotein B, lipoprotein(a). This opinion should be the object of interest both for professionals in clinical laboratories and for physicians in hospitals and out-patients departments.