Polymorphisms on PAI-1 and ACE genes in association with fibrinolytic bleeding after on-pump cardiac surgery

Publisher Copyright: © 2015 Ozolina et al.Background: Carriers of plasminogen activator inhibitor -1 (PAI-1) -675 genotype 5G/5G may be associated with lower preoperative PAI-1 plasma levels and higher blood loss after heart surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). We speculate if polymorphisms of PAI-1 -844 A/G and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) intron 16 I/D also might promote fibrinolysis and increase postoperative bleeding. Methods: We assessed PAI-1 -844 A/G, and ACE intron 16 I/D polymorphisms by polymerase chain reaction technique and direct sequencing of genomic DNA from 83 open heart surgery patients that we have presented earlier. As primary outcome, accumulated chest tube drainage (CTD) at 4 and 24 h were analyzed for association with genetic polymorphisms. As secondary outcome, differences in plasma levels of PAI-1, t-PA/PAI-1 complex and D-dimer were determined for each polymorphism. SPSS® was used for statistical evaluation. Results: The lowest preoperative PAI-1 plasma levels were associated with PAI-1 -844 genotype G/G, and higher CTD, as compared with genotype A/A at 4 and 24 h after surgery. Correspondingly, 4 h after the surgery CTD was higher in carriers of ACE intron 16 genotype I/I, as compared with genotype D/D. PAI-1 plasma levels and t-PA/PAI-1 complex reached nadir in carriers of ACE intron 16 genotype I/I, in whom we also noticed the highest D-dimer levels immediately after surgery. Notably, carriers of PAI-1 -844 genotype G/G displayed higher D-dimer levels at 24 h after surgery as compared with those of genotype A/G. Conclusions: Increased postoperative blood loss secondary to enhanced fibrinolysis was associated with carriers of PAI-1 -844 G/G and ACE Intron 16 I/I, suggesting that these genotypes might predict increased postoperative blood loss after cardiac surgery using CPB.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Metabolic syndrome: definitions and controversies

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complex disorder defined by a cluster of interconnected factors that increase the risk of cardiovascular atherosclerotic diseases and diabetes mellitus type 2. Currently, several different definitions of MetS exist, causing substantial confusion as to whether they identify the same individuals or represent a surrogate of risk factors. Recently, a number of other factors besides those traditionally used to define MetS that are also linked to the syndrome have been identified. In this review, we critically consider existing definitions and evolving information, and conclude that there is still a need to develop uniform criteria to define MetS, so as to enable comparisons between different studies and to better identify patients at risk. As the application of the MetS model has not been fully validated in children and adolescents as yet, and because of its alarmingly increasing prevalence in this population, we suggest that diagnosis, prevention and treatment in this age group should better focus on established risk factors rather than the diagnosis of MetS

Homocysteine and Coronary Heart Disease: Meta-analysis of MTHFR Case-Control Studies, Avoiding Publication Bias

Robert Clarke and colleagues conduct a meta-analysis of unpublished datasets to examine the causal relationship between elevation of homocysteine levels in the blood and the risk of coronary heart disease. Their data suggest that an increase in homocysteine levels is not likely to result in an increase in risk of coronary heart disease

Exacerbação aguda da DPOC: mortalidade e estado funcional dois anos após a alta da UTI Patients admitted to the ICU for acute exacerbation of COPD: two-year mortality and functional status

OBJETIVO: Determinar a taxa de mortalidade de pacientes com DPOC e avaliar o estado funcional dos sobreviventes dois anos após a alta da UTI. MÉTODOS: Estudo de coorte prospectiva realizada nas UTIs de dois hospitais na cidade de Porto Alegre (RS) com pacientes com exacerbação aguda de DPOC e internados em UTI entre julho de 2005 e julho de 2006. Dois anos após a alta, os sobreviventes foram entrevistados via telefone. Os dados obtidos foram utilizados na determinação dos escores da escala de Karnofsky e de uma escala de atividades de vida diária (AVD). RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 231 pacientes. A mortalidade hospitalar foi de 37,7% e a mortalidade extra-hospitalar foi de 30,3%. Dos 74 sobreviventes, foram entrevistados 66 (89%). A média de idade dos pacientes no momento da internação na UTI era de 74 ± 10 anos e a do escore Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II era de 18 ± 7. Tinham duas ou mais comorbidades 87,8% dos pacientes. Dos 66 entrevistados, 57 (86,3%) viviam em suas casas, 58 (87,8%) eram capazes de realizar seu autocuidado, 12 (18,1%) utilizavam oxigenoterapia, e 4 (6,1%) necessitavam suporte ventilatório. Houve uma significante redução na qualidade de vida e na autonomia, segundo os escores da escala de Karnofsky (85 ± 9 vs. 79 ± 11; p = 0,03) e de AVD (29 ± 5 vs. 25 ± 7; p = 0,01), respectivamente. CONCLUSÕES: A mortalidade desta amostra de pacientes foi muito elevada nos primeiros dois anos. Embora houvesse evidente redução do estado funcional dos sobreviventes, os mesmos preservaram a capacidade de realizar seu autocuidado<br>OBJECTIVE: To assess ICU patients with COPD, in terms of in-hospital characteristics, two-year mortality and two-year functional status of survivors. METHODS: A prospective cohort study involving patients with acute exacerbation of COPD admitted to the ICUs of two hospitals in the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil, between July of 2005 and July of 2006. At two years after discharge, survivors were interviewed by telephone in order to determine Karnofsky scores and scores on a scale regarding activities of daily living (ADL). RESULTS: The sample comprised 231 patients. In-hospital mortality was 37.7%, and two-year post-discharge mortality was 30.3%. Of the 74 survivors, 66 were interviewed (89%). The mean age at ICU admission was 74 ± 10 years, and the mean Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score was 18 ± 7. Two or more comorbidities were present in 87.8% of the patients. Of the 66 interviewees, 57 (86.3%) lived at home, 58 (87.8%) were self-sufficient, 12 (18.1%) required oxygen therapy, and 4 (6.1%) still required ventilatory support. There was a significant reduction in the quality of life and autonomy of the survivors, as evidenced by the Karnofsky scores (85 ± 9 vs. 79 ± 11, p = 0.03) and ADL scale scores (29 ± 5 vs. 25 ± 7; p = 0.01), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this patient sample, two-year mortality was quite high. Although there was a noticeable reduction in the functional status of the survivors, they remained self-sufficien