The heart matters in diabetes: 10-Year outcomes of peripheral artery disease.

Objectives: Mortality rates at 10 years are higher in diabetic patients with chronic lower extremity peripheral arterial disease than in non-diabetic peripheral arterial disease patients. We tested the hypothesis that the predictors of mortality differ between diabetic and non-diabetic peripheral arterial disease patients.

Methods: We studied 331 consecutive patients who were <75 years of age, symptomatic for peripheral arterial disease, and admitted to a tertiary care hospital.

Diagnostic and prognostic accuracy of galectin-3 and soluble ST2 for acute heart failure.

Background: We aimed to compare head-to-head the diagnostic and prognostic capabilities of galectin-3, soluble ST2 (sST2) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) for heart failure (HF) in an emergency setting.

Methods: We studied 251 consecutive patients with dyspnoea as a chief compliant presenting to an emergency department. The diagnosis of HF was based on the Framingham score for HF plus echocardiographic evidence of systolic or diastolic dysfunction.

Interleukin 6, galectin 3, growth differentiation factor 15, and soluble ST2 for mortality prediction in critically ill patients.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the prognostic value of interleukin 6 (IL-6), galectin 3, growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), and soluble ST2 (sST2) in an unselected cohort of critically ill patients.

Methods: During a study period of 1 year, we recruited 530 consecutive patients admitted to a medical intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital. We examined a combination of inflammatory, renal, and cardiac biomarkers for the prediction of 90-day all-cause mortality.

Mortality rates at 10 years are higher in diabetic than in non-diabetic patients with chronic lower extremity peripheral arterial disease.

Patients with lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD) have a substantially increased risk for mortality as compared to healthy individuals. We aimed to evaluate the risk for all-cause mortality in PAD patients and in healthy controls during a 10-year follow-up period. Our hypothesis was that the mortality rates at 10 years would differ in diabetic and non-diabetic PAD patients.

Mortality rates and mortality predictors in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease stratified according to age and diabetes.

Objective: Atherosclerotic peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is one of the most prevalent, morbid, and mortal diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate mortality rates of patients with atherosclerotic PAD stratified according to age and diabetes and to determine predictors of death.

Methods: We studied 487 patients with symptomatic PAD consecutively admitted to the hospital.

Analytical characterization and clinical evaluation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for measurement of afamin in human plasma.

Background: Comparative proteomics has recently identified afamin, the newest member of the albumin gene family, as a potential biomarker for ovarian cancer. The aim of this study was the analytical and clinical evaluation of a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the determination of afamin in human plasma.

Methods: We evaluated precision, linearity, and detection limit of the assay, analyte stability and biological variability, determined reference values and quantified afamin concentrations in various diseases.

Prognostic value of soluble ST2 in an unselected cohort of patients admitted to an intensive care unit - The Linz Intensive Care Unit (LICU) study.

Background: Soluble ST2 (sST2) has emerged as a prognostic biomarker in patients with heart disease. We tested the hypothesis that sST2 is an independent predictor of mortality in patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods: We performed measurements of sST2 plasma concentrations in 530 consecutive patients admitted to a medical ICU of a tertiary care hospital during a study period of one year.

Soluble ST2 is not independently associated with androgen and estrogen status in healthy males and females.

Background: Soluble ST2 (sST2) plasma concentrations are significantly higher in healthy men than in healthy women. The reason for the sex-specific difference of sST2 plasma concentrations is not established. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of sST2 with sex-hormones in healthy males and females separately.

Long-term stability of soluble ST2 in frozen plasma samples.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term in vitro stability of soluble ST2 (sST2).

Design And Methods: EDTA plasma samples were drawn from 15 individuals with various diseases. The Presage ST2 assay was used for measurement of sST2 concentrations directly after blood collection and after storing plasma samples for 18 months at -20 degrees C and -80 degrees C.

Prognostic value of established and novel biomarkers in patients with shortness of breath attending an emergency department.

Objectives: Acute dyspnea is a common cause for emergency department visits. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of established and novel biomarkers in patients with acute dyspnea.

Design And Methods: We measured 10 biomarkers [B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), midregional pro-A-type natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP), midregional-proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM), copeptin, C-terminal endothelin-1 precursor fragment (CT-proET-1), soluble ST2 (sST2), chromogranin A (CgA), adiponectin, proguanylin, and prouroguanylin] in 251 consecutive patients with acute dyspnea presenting to the emergency department of a tertiary care hospital.

Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A as a marker for long-term mortality in patients with peripheral atherosclerosis: inconclusive findings from the Linz Peripheral Arterial Disease (LIPAD) study.

Background: Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) has been associated with peripheral artery disease (PAD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of PAPP-A as a marker for long-term mortality in patients with atherosclerotic PAD.

Methods: PAPP-A serum concentrations were measured using an enzymatically amplified two-step sandwich-type immunoassay in 487 consecutive patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital with symptomatic PAD.

Analytical and clinical evaluation of a novel high-sensitivity assay for measurement of soluble ST2 in human plasma--the Presage ST2 assay.

Background: The protein ST2 is a member of the interleukin-1 receptor family. Blood concentrations of the soluble isoform of ST2 (sST2) are increased in inflammatory diseases and in heart disease and are considered a prognostic marker in both. The aim of this study was the analytical and clinical evaluation of the novel Presage ST2 assay for the determination of sST2 in human plasma.

Value of adiponectin as predictor of 5-year all-cause mortality in patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease: results from the Linz Peripheral Arterial Disease (LIPAD) study.

Background: We have previously demonstrated that adiponectin is associated with amino terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). Furthermore, we have shown that NT-proBNP is a strong predictor of mortality in these patients. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the value of adiponectin as long-term prognostic marker in patients with atherosclerotic PAD in the same cohort.

Prognostic value of increased adiponectin plasma concentrations in patients with acute destabilized heart failure.

Objectives: To evaluate the prognostic value of adiponectin in patients with acute destabilized heart failure.

Design And Methods: Adiponectin was measured in 137 consecutive heart failure patients attending an emergency department. The endpoint was 1-year all-cause mortality.

Chromogranin A and C-terminal endothelin-1 precursor fragment add independent prognostic information to amino-terminal proBNP in patients with acute destabilized heart failure.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of chromogranin A (CgA) and C-terminal endothelin-1 precursor fragment (CT-proET-1) in patients with acute destabilized heart failure.

Methods: 137 consecutive patients with acute destabilized heart failure attending the emergency department of a tertiary care hospital were prospectively enrolled. Plasma concentrations of CgA, CT-proET-1, and amino-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) were measured at baseline.

Amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide as predictor of mortality in patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease: 5-year follow-up data from the Linz Peripheral Arterial Disease Study.

Background: Amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) has emerged as predictor of mortality endpoints in cardiac disease. In contrast, the prognostic value of NT-proBNP in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is unclear. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the capability of NT-proBNP as a marker for long-term prognosis in atherosclerotic PAD.

Utility of the PFA-100 instrument and the novel multiplate analyzer for the assessment of aspirin and clopidogrel effects on platelet function in patients with cardiovascular disease.

This study evaluated the utility of the PFA-100 and the Multiplate analyzer for the assessment of aspirin and clopidogrel effects on platelet function in patients with cardiovascular disease. Platelet function was determined with the PFA-100 using collagen+epinephrine (CEPI) and collagen+adenosine-5'-diphosphate (CADP) cartridges, and with whole blood impedance aggregometry using the Multiplate ASPI and ADP+PG tests (aggregation triggered with arachidonic acid and ADP+ prostaglandin E1, respectively). Four study groups were identified from the 154 patients enrolled: patients without antiplatelet therapy, patients with 100 mg aspirin daily but without clopidogrel treatment, patients with 75 mg clopidogrel daily but without aspirin treatment, and patients with both 100 mg aspirin daily plus 75 mg clopidogrel daily.

Influence of hydroxyethyl starch (6% HES 130/0.4) administration on hematology and clinical chemistry parameters.

Background: The chemical inertness of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) might cause interferences of the colloid with a variety of laboratory tests. We aimed to evaluate potential influences of HES 130/0.4, the newest HES type, on several common hematology and clinical chemistry parameters.

Increased plasma concentrations of soluble ST2 are predictive for 1-year mortality in patients with acute destabilized heart failure.

Background: The soluble isoform of the interleukin-1 receptor family member ST2 (sST2) has been implicated in heart failure. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the capability of sST2 as a prognostic marker in patients with acute destabilized heart failure.

Methods: sST2 plasma concentrations were obtained in 137 patients with acute destabilized heart failure attending the emergency department of a tertiary care hospital.

Increased serum lipoprotein(a) concentrations and low molecular weight phenotypes of apolipoprotein(a) are associated with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease.

Background: Increased concentrations of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] have been considered a genetically determined risk factor for coronary artery and cerebrovascular disease. Only 2 small and conflicting studies have investigated the possibility of an association of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) with high serum Lp(a) concentrations and low molecular weight (LMW) phenotypes of apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)].

Methods: We measured serum concentrations of Lp(a) and apo(a) phenotypes in 213 patients with symptomatic PAD and 213 controls matched for sex, age (within 2 years), and presence of diabetes.

Utility of whole blood impedance aggregometry for the assessment of clopidogrel action using the novel Multiplate analyzer--comparison with two flow cytometric methods.

Background: Non-responsiveness to anti-platelet therapy has been reported and has been linked to the occurrence of adverse events. No standard method to monitor clopidogrel efficacy is available at present. We aimed at comparing the utility of whole blood impedance aggregometry for the assessment of clopidogrel action using the novel Multiplate analyzer with two flow cytometric methods.

Comparative evaluation of B-type natriuretic peptide, mid-regional pro-A-type natriuretic peptide, mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin, and Copeptin to predict 1-year mortality in patients with acute destabilized heart failure.

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the capability B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) as a prognostic marker in patients with acute destabilized heart failure in comparison with mid-regional pro-A-type natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP), mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM), and the C-terminal part of the arginine vasopressin prohormone (Copeptin).

Methods And Results: BNP, MR-proANP, MR-proADM, and Copeptin plasma concentrations were obtained in 137 patients with acute destabilized heart failure attending a tertiary care hospital. The end point was defined as all-cause mortality, and the study participants were followed for 365 days.

Association of adiponectin and amino terminal proBNP in peripheral arterial disease.

Background: The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship of adiponectin, a novel adipocytokine, and amino terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

Methods: Serum concentrations of adiponectin and NT-proBNP were measured in 487 patients with symptomatic PAD from the Linz Peripheral Arterial Disease (LIPAD) study.

Results: Correlation analysis revealed an association of adiponectin and NT-proBNP (r, +0.

Hypoadiponectinemia is associated with symptomatic atherosclerotic peripheral arterial disease.

There is growing evidence that adiponectin, an adipocytokine with anti-inflammatory and antiatherogenic properties, is involved in the development of atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to examine whether serum levels of adiponectin were associated with symptomatic atherosclerotic peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Serum concentrations of adiponectin were measured in 433 patients with symptomatic PAD and 433 controls from the Linz Peripheral Arterial Disease (LIPAD) study.

Increased pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A as a marker for peripheral atherosclerosis: results from the Linz Peripheral Arterial Disease Study.

Background: The aim of the present investigation was to test the hypothesis that pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), a zinc-binding metalloproteinase implicated in acute coronary syndrome, is associated with atherosclerotic peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

Methods: The study comprised 433 patients with symptomatic atherosclerotic PAD (i.e.