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.

Evaluation of novel biomarkers for the diagnosis of acute destabilised heart failure in patients with shortness of breath.

Objective: The evaluation of novel biomarkers for the diagnosis of acute destabilised heart failure (HF).

Design: Prospectively conducted study on diagnostic accuracy.

Setting: Emergency department of a tertiary care hospital.

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.

Pro-A-type natriuretic peptide and pro-adrenomedullin predict progression of chronic kidney disease: the MMKD Study.

A-type natriuretic peptide (ANP) and adrenomedullin (ADM) are potent hypotensive, diuretic, and natriuretic peptides involved in maintaining cardiovascular and renal homeostasis. We conducted a prospective 7-year study of 177 nondiabetic patients with primary chronic kidney disease to see if ANP and ADM plasma concentrations predict the progression of their disease, using novel sandwich immunoassays covering the midregional epitopes of the stable prohormones (MRproANP and MR-proADM). Progression of chronic kidney disease was defined as doubling of baseline serum creatinine and/or terminal renal failure, which occurred in 65 patients.

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.

A variant associated with nicotine dependence, lung cancer and peripheral arterial disease.

Smoking is a leading cause of preventable death, causing about 5 million premature deaths worldwide each year. Evidence for genetic influence on smoking behaviour and nicotine dependence (ND) has prompted a search for susceptibility genes. Furthermore, assessing the impact of sequence variants on smoking-related diseases is important to public health.

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.

Scavenger receptor class B type I polymorphisms and peripheral arterial disease.

Genetic variations of the scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) have been demonstrated to be associated with plasma lipid parameters, anthropomorphic parameters, and coronary artery disease. We determined the frequency of 3 single-nucleotide polymorphisms within the SR-BI gene (SCARB1) in 354 patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and 354 controls matched for age, sex, and diabetes and related to lipids and disease state, that is, PAD. SCARB1 combined genotype exon 1/intron 5/exon 8 were found to be associated with plasma total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, respectively.

Low phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) is a risk factor for peripheral atherosclerosis.

Objective: Phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) facilitates cholesterol efflux from cells, intravascular HDL remodelling and transfer of vitamin E and endotoxin. In humans, the relationship of PLTP to atherosclerosis is unknown. However, strong coronary risk factors like obesity, diabetes, cigarette smoking and inflammation increase circulating levels of active PLTP.

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.

B-type natriuretic peptide and amino terminal proBNP predict one-year mortality in short of breath patients independently of the baseline diagnosis of acute destabilized heart failure.

Background: The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the capability of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and amino terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) as prognostic markers in patients with dyspnoea as a chief complaint.

Methods: BNP and NT-proBNP plasma concentrations were obtained from 251 short of breath patients presenting to the emergency department of a tertiary care hospital. Patients with acute coronary syndromes or trauma were excluded.

Midregional pro-A-type natriuretic peptide measurements for diagnosis of acute destabilized heart failure in short-of-breath patients: comparison with B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and amino-terminal proBNP.

Background: The aim of the present study was to assess the utility of amino-terminal pro-A-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proANP) measurements for the emergency diagnosis of acute destabilized heart failure (HF), using a novel sandwich immunoassay covering midregional epitopes (MR-proANP).

Methods: The retrospective analysis comprised 251 consecutive patients presenting to the emergency department of a tertiary care hospital with dyspnea as a chief complaint. The diagnosis of acute destabilized HF was based on the Framingham score for HF plus echocardiographic evidence of systolic or diastolic dysfunction.

Capability of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and amino-terminal proBNP as indicators of cardiac structural disease in asymptomatic patients with systemic arterial hypertension.

Background: The aim of the present study was to prospectively evaluate the diagnostic utility of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and amino-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) measurements for the detection of cardiac structural disease in asymptomatic patients with systemic arterial hypertension and to test the hypothesis that the 2 analytes are equally useful in this clinical setting.

Methods: We studied a consecutive series of 149 asymptomatic patients referred for echocardiographic evaluation of the cardiac effects of systemic arterial hypertension. Diagnosis of cardiac structural disease was based on the presence of systolic or diastolic dysfunction, left atrial dilatation, left ventricular dilatation or hypertrophy, pulmonary hypertension, and wall motion or valvular abnormalities.

Plasma B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with pleural effusions: preliminary observations.

Study Objectives: To address the value of plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) concentrations as a diagnostic tool for determining the cardiac etiology of pleural effusions, and to determine possible differences of plasma BNP concentrations before and after pleurocentesis in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF).

Design: Observational study.

Setting: Tertiary care hospital.

Factor V Leiden, prothrombin G20210A, and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T mutations are not associated with chronic limb ischemia: the Linz Peripheral Arterial Disease (LIPAD) study.

Objective: Factor V G1691A (Leiden), prothrombin G20210A, and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T mutations are considered risk factors for venous thromboembolism. It remains to be characterized whether the presence of these relatively common mutations poses a risk for peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Therefore, we intended to test, by conducting a case-control study, the hypothesis that PAD was associated with an increased prevalence of factor V G1691A, prothrombin G20210A, and MTHFR C677T mutations.

Diagnostic accuracy of B type natriuretic peptide and amino terminal proBNP in the emergency diagnosis of heart failure.

Objective: To compare head to head the diagnostic accuracy of B type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and the amino terminal fragment of its precursor hormone (NT-proBNP) for congestive heart failure (CHF) in an emergency setting.

Methods: 251 consecutive patients presenting to the emergency department with dyspnoea as a chief complaint were prospectively studied. Patients with acute coronary syndromes were excluded.