High-Sensitive Troponin I and Re-Hospitalization in Patients With Decompensated Congestive Heart Failure

Patients with heart failure (HF) are frequently admitted for episodes of decompensation. Cardiac troponins are easily accessible biomarkers role of which for risk stratification of re-hospitalization among HF patients is less certain. We aimed to evaluate high-sensitive cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) levels among re-hospitalized patients with decompensated heart failure (D-HF). Consecutive subjects admitted with D-HF to 2 hospitals in Tehran, during the year 2014 were recruited. Excluded ones were patients with a suspected acute coronary syndrome or myocarditis/pericarditis, those with cardiopulmonary resuscitation/DC shock delivery, or major complications during or after hospitalization. Along with echocardiography parameters, level of hs-cTnI was checked at the first hour of hospitalization and 3 months after discharge. The patients were then categorized according to having or not having re-hospitalization during 3 months post discharge. A total of 97 patients were finally recruited. Among re-hospitalized patients, Left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction was significantly lower (38±14 % vs. 50 ± 12%; P=0.001), and LV end-systolic dimension was significantly higher (44±9 mm vs. 38±11 mm; P=0.012) compared to the other group. Moreover, levels of hs-cTnI were significantly higher among the re-hospitalized patients, both at initial visit (0.66±0.43 ng/ml vs 0.51±0.14 ng/ml, respectively; P=0.017) and at 3 months (0.59±0.48 ng/ml vs 0.48±0.23 ng/ml, respectively; P=0.030). This prospective study demonstrated that levels of hs-cTnI (both at the base and at follow up) are higher among patients who readmitted during 3 months of hospitalization for D-HF

Electrocardiographic Findings and Serum Troponin I in Carbon Monoxide Poisoned Patients

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, though with different sources, is one of the most deadly emergencies in all countries. CO can threaten men's life by several paths especially cardiac complications, which can mimic other cardiac problems such as myocardial infarction. The objective of this study was to determine ECG findings and serum troponin I levels in CO poisoned patients. In this analytical cross-sectional study, 63 CO poisoning patients were consecutively included from hospital's emergency departments. CO content was measured by a CO-oximeter and an electrocardiography was taken first thing on admission. Arterial blood gas (ABG), troponin I and other data was collected afterwards. Data were divided by age groups (adults and children) and gender. CO content was significantly higher only in subjects with normal T wave compared to patients with inverted T wave in their initial ECG (P=0.016). No other significant difference was noticed. None of the ABG findings correlated significantly with CO content. Also no significant correlation was found with CO content after stratification by gender and age groups, but pH in children (r=-0.484, P=0.026). CO content was significantly higher in adults (P=0.023), but other ABG data were not significantly different. Only 3 patients had elevated troponin I. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed no significant cutoff points in CO content for ECG changes. No significant specific change in electrocardiograms (ECG) could contribute carboxyhemoglobin content in carbon monoxide poisoned patients. In addition, no specific difference was found between adults and pediatric subjects' ECGs. All other findings seemed to be accidental

Atrial Dissociation in a Middle Aged Patient: a Case Report

Atrial dissociation is characterized by different types of P waves captured in an electrocardiogram, usually seen in critically ill or post-cardiac transplantation patients. Our case demonstrates a 55-year-old man, presenting with chest pain (unstable angina) in the emergency department with transient double-P waves; representing the phenomenon. Our case did not have any of the suggested causes or any known cardiac problems; therefore, with ruling out other differential diagnosis, researches must be done to find another explanation, if repeated

Supplemental Material, Suppl_table_1 - Effects of Long- and Intermediate-Acting Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blockers in Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 18 Prospective, Randomized, Actively Controlled Trials

<p>Supplemental Material, Suppl_table_1 for Effects of Long- and Intermediate-Acting Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blockers in Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 18 Prospective, Randomized, Actively Controlled Trials by Sandip Chaugai, Lhamo Yangchen Sherpa, Amir Ali Sepehry, Scott Reza Jafarian Kerman, and Hisatomi Arima in Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics</p

IGF-I concentration and changes in critically ill patients

Background: Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-I) is an anabolic growth factor that affects nitrogen balance and its changing trend is not clearly understood in critically ill patients. This study was carried out to evaluate the association between serum IGF-I levels and its changing trend in critically ill patients. Methods: In this nested case-control study, all consecutive patients admitted to the medical ICU of Rasoul-e-Akram and Firuzgar hospital (Tehran, Iran) from January through October 2008 were included. IGF1 concentration was meas-ured within the first 24h of ICU admission and the fourth, seventh and tenth day since admission. Patients were fol-lowed until discharge from ICU or expiration. Results: The study population consisted of 90 patients (mean age: 58.01 ± 22.56), 31 (34.4%) of who died and 59 (65.6%) were discharged. On admission, 43 patients (47.7%) had low IGF-I levels, whereas 47 (52.3%) had normal or high levels. The concentration of IGF-I was not significantly different in every 4 measurements between expired and discharged patients. Significant decrease was seen between first to fourth day IGF-I concentration (p = 0.005). Chang-ing trend was not statistically different in two groups of patients. Conclusions: There was no relation between low IGF-I concentration on admission day and increased adverse out-come, but overall these patients had lower IGF1. No clear association was found between changing trend of IGF1 and mortality. Stress on admission time may cause decreasing pattern of IGF-I in the first 4 days of admission

B-Type Natriuretic Peptides Help in Cardioembolic Stroke Diagnosis: Pooled Data Meta-Analysis.

Background and Purpose. Determining the underlying cause of stroke is important to optimize secondary prevention treatment. Increased blood levels of natriuretic peptides (B-type natriuretic peptide/N-terminal pro-BNP [BNP/NT-proBNP]) have been repeatedly associated with cardioembolic stroke. Here, we evaluate their clinical value as pathogenic biomarkers for stroke through a literature systematic review and individual participants' data meta-analysis. Methods. We searched publications in PubMed database until November 2013 that compared BNP and NT-proBNP circulating levels among stroke causes. Standardized individual participants' data were collected to estimate predictive values of BNP/NT-proBNP for cardioembolic stroke. Dichotomized BNP/NT-proBNP levels were included in logistic regression models together with clinical variables to assess the sensitivity and specificity to identify cardioembolic strokes and the additional value of biomarkers using area under the curve and integrated discrimination improvement index. Results. From 23 selected articles, we collected information of 2834 patients with a defined cause. BNP/NT-proBNP levels were significantly elevated in cardioembolic stroke until 72 hours from symptoms onset. Predictive models showed a sensitivity >90% and specificity >80% when BNP/NT-proBNP were added considering the lowest and the highest quartile, respectively. Both peptides also increased significantly the area under the curve and integrated discrimination improvement index compared with clinical models. Sensitivity, specificity, and precision of the models were validated in 197 patients with initially undetermined stroke with final pathogenic diagnosis after ancillary follow-up. Conclusions. Natriuretic peptides are strongly increased in cardioembolic strokes. Future multicentre prospective studies comparing BNP and NT-proBNP might aid in finding the optimal biomarker, the best time point, and the optimal cutoff points for cardioembolic stroke identification