Impact of depression on circulating endothelial progenitor cells in patients with acute coronary syndromes

Aims: Depression has been identified as a risk factor for an adverse prognosis and reduced survival in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The number of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) is an independent predictor of clinical outcomes in patients with ACS. The aim was to evaluate the impact of depression on EPC levels in patients with ACS. Methods: Out of 74 ACS patients [23 non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), 48 STEMI], 36 had a diagnosis of major depressive episode (MDE) according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th edition (DSM-IV) criteria at the time of the inclusion in the study. Control groups were as follows: 15 healthy individuals and 18 patients with current MDE without a history of cardiovascular diseases. EPCs were defined as CD34RCD133RKDRR and evaluated by flow cytometry. All patients underwent standardized cardiological and psychopathological evaluations. Parametric and nonparametric statistical tests were performed wherever appropriate. Results: ACS patients with MDE showed a significant decrease in circulating EPC number compared with ACS patients without MDE (P <0.001). The ACS study population was then subdivided into STEMI and NSTEMI groups, and inside each group again patients with MDE showed a significant decrease in circulating CD34RCD133RKDRR EPCs compared with others (P <0.001). Conclusion: We showed that ACS patients with MDE have a reduced number of circulating CD34RCD133RKDRR cells compared with ACS patients without MDE, suggesting that the presence of MDE reduces the response of bone marrow to acute ischemic events. Considering the reparative role of EPCs in ACS patients, we suppose that patients with MDE might be protected less than patients without MDE

Safety of MF-59 adjuvanted vaccine for pandemic influenza: results of the vaccination campaign in an Italian health district

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of pandemic H1N1 influenza in 2009 led health authorities to promptly start massive vaccination campaigns. Due to the need of shortening time for development and approval, the pandemic vaccine was prepared by mock-up strategy, and limited safety data were available upon starting vaccine administration. AIMS: To determine the frequencies and clinical features of adverse events (AEs) observed in a population of subjects of an Italian health district receiving pandemic vaccination. The risk for the development of at least one AE was calculated for patients receiving H1N1 vaccine only or H1N1+seasonal vaccine. METHODS: This prospective observational study was performed on the population of La Spezia Health District scheduled to receive pandemic MF-59-adjuvanted H1N1 vaccine. Subjects were enrolled at the time of vaccine administration and followed up at least for 6 months. The study population was stratified in two subgroups defined by administration of H1N1 vaccine only or H1N1+seasonal vaccine. AEs were recorded during the first hour following vaccine administration (early AEs) and through periodic telephonic interviews (delayed AEs). RESULTS: An overall number of 506 subjects receiving pandemic vaccine were enrolled (H1N1 only: 131 subjects; H1N1+seasonal: 375 subjects). 233 AEs occurred throughout the study period. Among them, 211 were resolved, while 22 were ongoing at the last available follow-up. Adjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) for the development of at least one AE was 1.14 (0.77-1.69) for H1N1 only group vs H1N1+seasonal group. Patients with a nervous system AE were more frequent in the H1N1+seasonal group (adjusted IRR: 2.33; 95%CI: 1.04-5.23). Only two cases of ischemic stroke, both in the H1N1+seasonal vaccine group, occurred in patients with cardiovascular risk factors, were classified as serious AEs. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, the MF59-adjuvanted H1N1 vaccine was generally well tolerated. AEs were usually transient and mild to moderate in intensity. Our findings support the validity of mock-up strategy for rapid development of a safe vaccine in the emergency of a pandemic influenza

Influence of depression and anxiety on circulating endothelial progenitor cells in patients with acute coronary syndromes

OBJECTIVES: Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are related to endothelial function and progression of coronary artery disease. There is evidence of decreased numbers of circulating EPCs in patients with a current episode of major depression. We investigated the relationships between the level of circulating EPCs and depression and anxiety in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS: Patients with ACS admitted to three Cardiology Intensive Care Units were evaluated by the SCID-I to determine the presence of lifetime and/or current mood and anxiety disorders according to DSM-IV criteria. The EPCs were defined as CD133(+) CD34(+) KDR(+) and evaluated by flow cytometry. All patients underwent standardized cardiological and psychopathological evaluations. Parametric and nonparametric statistical tests were performed where appropriate. RESULTS: Out of 111 ACS patients, 57 were found to have a DSM-IV lifetime or current mood or anxiety disorder at the time of the inclusion in the study. The ACS group with mood or anxiety disorders showed a significant decrease in circulating EPC number compared with ACS patients without affective disorders. In addition, EPC levels correlated negatively with severity of depression and anxiety at index ACS episode. CONCLUSIONS: The current study indicates that EPCs circulate in decreased numbers in ACS patients with depression or anxiety and, therefore, contribute to explore new perspectives in the pathophysiology of the association between cardiovascular disorders and affective disorders

Long-term outcome of COVID-19 patients treated with helmet noninvasive ventilation vs. high-flow nasal oxygen: a randomized trial

Abstract Background Long-term outcomes of patients treated with helmet noninvasive ventilation (NIV) are unknown: safety concerns regarding the risk of patient self-inflicted lung injury and delayed intubation exist when NIV is applied in hypoxemic patients. We assessed the 6-month outcome of patients who received helmet NIV or high-flow nasal oxygen for COVID-19 hypoxemic respiratory failure. Methods In this prespecified analysis of a randomized trial of helmet NIV versus high-flow nasal oxygen (HENIVOT), clinical status, physical performance (6-min-walking-test and 30-s chair stand test), respiratory function and quality of life (EuroQoL five dimensions five levels questionnaire, EuroQoL VAS, SF36 and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for the DSM) were evaluated 6 months after the enrollment. Results Among 80 patients who were alive, 71 (89%) completed the follow-up: 35 had received helmet NIV, 36 high-flow oxygen. There was no inter-group difference in any item concerning vital signs (N = 4), physical performance (N = 18), respiratory function (N = 27), quality of life (N = 21) and laboratory tests (N = 15). Arthralgia was significantly lower in the helmet group (16% vs. 55%, p = 0.002). Fifty-two percent of patients in helmet group vs. 63% of patients in high-flow group had diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide < 80% of predicted (p = 0.44); 13% vs. 22% had forced vital capacity < 80% of predicted (p = 0.51). Both groups reported similar degree of pain (p = 0.81) and anxiety (p = 0.81) at the EQ-5D-5L test; the EQ-VAS score was similar in the two groups (p = 0.27). Compared to patients who successfully avoided invasive mechanical ventilation (54/71, 76%), intubated patients (17/71, 24%) had significantly worse pulmonary function (median diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide 66% [Interquartile range: 47–77] of predicted vs. 80% [71–88], p = 0.005) and decreased quality of life (EQ-VAS: 70 [53–70] vs. 80 [70–83], p = 0.01). Conclusions In patients with COVID-19 hypoxemic respiratory failure, treatment with helmet NIV or high-flow oxygen yielded similar quality of life and functional outcome at 6 months. The need for invasive mechanical ventilation was associated with worse outcomes. These data indicate that helmet NIV, as applied in the HENIVOT trial, can be safely used in hypoxemic patients. Trial registration Registered on clinicaltrials.gov NCT04502576 on August 6, 202