Publications by authors named "Laura C Van Vark"
Background: Studies on serially measured GDF-15 (growth differentiation factor 15) in acute heart failure (HF) are limited. Moreover, several pathophysiological pathways contribute to HF. Therefore, we aimed to explore the (additional) prognostic value of serially measured GDF-15 using a multi-marker approach to more accurately predict HF risk.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAims: The relation between non-cardiac comorbidities and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with heart failure (HF) has been studied to a limited extent. To investigate the HRQoL and their determinants among HF patients with and without comorbidities.
Methods And Results: TRIUMPH (TRanslational Initiative on Unique and novel strategies for Management of Patients with Heart failure) is a Dutch prospective, multicentre study enrolling 496 acute HF patients between 2009 and 2014.
Background: Several clinical studies have evaluated the association between galectin-3 levels and outcome in patients with heart failure (HF). However, little is known about the predictive value of repeated galectin-3 measurements. This study evaluates the prognostic value of repeated time-dependent galectin-3 measurements in acute HF patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Several clinical studies have evaluated the association between ST2 and outcome in patients with heart failure (HF). However, little is known about the predictive value of frequently measured ST2 levels in patients with acute HF.
Objectives: This study sought to describe the prognostic value of baseline and repeated ST2 measurements in patients with acute HF.
Aims: Previous studies have identified candidate circulating microRNAs (circmiRs) as biomarkers for heart failure (HF) using relatively insensitive arrays, validated in small cohorts. The present study used RNA sequencing to identify novel candidate circmiRs and compared these with previously identified circmiRs in a large, prospective cohort of patients with acute HF (AHF).
Methods And Results: RNA sequencing of plasma from instrumented pigs was used to identify circmiRs produced by myocardium.
Chemokines are involved in the remodeling of the heart; however, their significance as biomarkers in heart failure is unknown. We observed that circulating CXCR3 receptor chemokines CXCL9 and CXCL10 in a rat model of heart failure were increased 1 week after myocardial infarction. CXCL10 was also increased in both remote and infarcted regions of the heart and remained elevated at 16 weeks; CXCL9 was elevated in the remote area at 1 week.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) constitute a heterogeneous group in which the treatment benefits by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitor therapy vary between individuals. Our objective was to integrate clinical and pharmacogenetic determinants in an ultimate combined risk prediction model.
Methods And Results: Clinical, genetic, and outcomes data were used from 8726 stable CAD patients participating in the EUROPA/PERGENE trial of perindopril versus placebo.
Aims: Early risk stratification is important in patients with cardiogenic shock from ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We aimed to develop a simple risk chart that includes clinical parameters that are readily available at time of hospital admission to assess risk of 30-day mortality.
Methods And Results: A series of 544 STEMI patients admitted to undergo primary percutaneous coronary intervention and presenting with cardiogenic shock were included between 2000 and 2012.
Aims: Heart failure with normal ejection fraction (HFNEF) is a major and growing public health problem, currently representing half of the heart failure burden. Although many studies have investigated the diagnostic and prognostic value of new biomarkers in heart failure, limited data are available on biomarkers other than natriuretic peptides in HFNEF. We performed a systematic review of epidemiological studies on the associations of biomarkers with the occurrence of HFNEF and with the prognosis of HFNEF patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAims: Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors are well established for the reduction in cardiovascular morbidity, but their impact on all-cause mortality in hypertensive patients is uncertain. Our objective was to analyse the effects of RAAS inhibitors as a class of drugs, as well as of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and AT1 receptor blockers (ARBs) separately, on all-cause mortality.
Methods And Results: We performed a pooled analysis of 20 cardiovascular morbidity-mortality trials.
Background: The diagnosis of noncompaction cardiomyopathy (NCCM) remains subject to controversy. Because NCCM is probably caused by an intrauterine arrest of the myocardial fiber compaction during embryogenesis, it may be anticipated that the myocardial fiber helices, normally causing left ventricular (LV) twist, will also not develop properly. The resultant LV rigid body rotation (RBR) may strengthen the diagnosis of NCCM.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAims: Evidence is accumulating that inflammation plays a role in the pathophysiology of heart failure. Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) has pro-inflammatory properties. We investigated whether Lp-PLA2 activity is associated with heart failure.
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