Everolimus and long-term decline in renal function after liver transplantation: real-life experience with measured GFR.

Switching from calcineurin-inhibitors (CNI) to everolimus >6-12-months after liver transplantation (LT) seems inefficient in improving renal function, but whether everolimus halts further renal-function decline compared to low-dose CNI remains unclear. In a retrospective single-center study of everolimus after LT (2008-2016) with routine measured glomerular filtration rates (mGFR; Cr-EDTA- or iohexol clearance), we compared by propensity-score matching everolimus therapy to low-dose CNI therapy. The study comprised 36 patients with everolimus introduced on average 22 months post-LT (range 2-105 months, median follow-up 3.

Risk of Stroke in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Is Associated With Stroke in Siblings: A Nationwide Study.

Background It remains unclear whether heritable factors can contribute to risk stratification for ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We examined whether having a sibling with ischemic stroke was associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke and mortality in patients with AF. Methods and Results In this nationwide study of the Swedish population, patients with AF and their siblings were identified from the Swedish patient registers and the Swedish MGR (Multi-Generation Register).

Profiling of the plasma proteome across different stages of human heart failure.

Heart failure (HF) is a major public health problem characterized by inability of the heart to maintain sufficient output of blood. The systematic characterization of circulating proteins across different stages of HF may provide pathophysiological insights and identify therapeutic targets. Here we report application of aptamer-based proteomics to identify proteins associated with prospective HF incidence in a population-based cohort, implicating modulation of immunological, complement, coagulation, natriuretic and matrix remodeling pathways up to two decades prior to overt disease onset.

Increased vascular endothelial growth factor D is associated with atrial fibrillation and ischaemic stroke.

Objective: Vascular endothelial growth factor D (VEGF-D) has important functions in lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis. High plasma levels of VEGF-D have been associated with incidence of heart failure. The association of VEGF-D with atrial fibrillation (AF) and stroke is unclear and we hypothesised that VEGF-D could also be associated with incidence of AF and ischaemic stroke.

ST segment depression on 24-hour electrocardiography predicts incident atrial fibrillation in two population-based cohorts.

Aims: ST-depression at 24hECG has not been studied in relation to atrial fibrillation (AF) risk. We aimed to determine whether ST-depression at 24hECG was associated with incident AF in two Swedish population-based cohorts - a sub-cohort of the Malmö Diet and Cancer study (MDCS), and the cohort 'Men born in 1914', and to determine whether 24hECG could be used to predict AF development.

Methods And Results: There were 378 acceptable 24hECG recordings in the MDCS (mean age 64.

Pro-atrial natriuretic peptide and prediction of atrial fibrillation and stroke: The Malmö Preventive Project.

Background The increasing prevalence of atrial fibrillation and novel therapeutic tools to prevent cardioembolic stroke has increased the need for risk markers. Objectives This study explored the relationship between the midregional sequence of pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP) levels with the risk of atrial fibrillation and stroke, and whether measurement of MR-proANP improves the prediction of these outcomes. Methods MR-proANP was measured in fasting blood samples of 5130 subjects (69% men, mean age 69.

Orosomucoid, Carotid Plaque, and Incidence of Stroke.

Background And Purpose: Orosomucoid (α-1-acid glycoprotein) is an acute-phase protein that has been implicated in anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating, and angiogenic pathways. Orosomucoid has also been associated with coronary disease and stroke. The relationship between orosomucoid, carotid plaque, and stroke incidence were explored in this study.

Plasma natriuretic peptides and incidence of subtypes of ischemic stroke.

Background And Purpose: Natriuretic peptides predict poor outcomes in cardiovascular disease. However, the knowledge of their relationship to stroke is limited and prospective studies from the general population are few. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and midregional pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP) plasma levels and the risk for ischemic stroke and its subtypes.