Angiology
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We had previously reported on serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) as an earlier biomarker of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) than serum creatinine (SCr) in 100 patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing coronary angiography.(1) We then compared serum NGAL to serum cystatin C (CysC) in the same group of patients. The SCr, estimated glomerular filtration rate, serum NGAL, and serum CysC were measured at baseline and various time points as appropriate postprocedure. ⋯ Serum CysC increased ≥25% from baseline at 24 hours in 4 patients with CIN (P = .008). Changes in serum NGAL and serum CysC from baseline at 24 hours (▵ values) could diagnose CIN 24 hours earlier than SCr with serum NGAL showing a superior performance.
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Advanced chronic heart failure (ACHF) patients often require inotropes before transplantation or ventricular assist device implantation. Milrinone, an inotrope and vasodilator, may accumulate in cardiorenal syndrome with serious adverse effects. We investigated the potential for therapeutic drug monitoring of milrinone levels using High Performance Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-MS). 22 ACHF patients (15 males, 49±9 years) received milrinone 50 µg/kg intravenously (i.v.) during heart catheterization. ⋯ No adverse events occurred. Therapeutic levels were achieved with doses of 0.2±0.06 µg/Kg/min, below those recommended in Summary of Product Characteristics. Milrinone therapy can be noninvasively monitored by HPLC-MS, while avoiding toxicity in ACHF.
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We assessed the cost-effectiveness of cilostazol, naftidrofuryl oxalate, and pentoxifylline for intermittent claudication due to peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in adults whose symptoms continue despite a period of conventional management. A Markov decision model was developed to assess the lifetime costs and benefits of each vasoactive drug compared to no vasoactive drug and with each other. Regression analysis was undertaken to model the relationship between maximum walking distance and utility. ⋯ Naftidrofuryl oxalate is more effective and less costly than cilostazol and pentoxifylline and has an estimated cost per quality-adjusted life year gained of around £6070 compared to no vasoactive drug. The analysis uses effectiveness evidence from a network meta-analysis. In contrast to previous guidelines recommending cilostazol, the analysis suggests that naftidrofuryl oxalate is the only vasoactive drug for PAD which is likely to be cost-effective.