Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry
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The aim of this study is to evaluate whether it is possible to reduce the between-methods variability of troponin I (cTnI) immunoassays using mathematical algorithms calculated from the results of both patients' samples and quality control materials distributed in an external quality assessment (EQA) scheme. ⋯ Our pilot study suggests that EQA schemes for cTnI immunoassay methods, based on both quality control samples with tested commutability and robust statistical analyses, are able to evaluate between-methods variability as well as allow a reliable recalibration and harmonization of results.
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Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is defined as a dynamic change in cardiac troponin (cTn) with at least one cTn value exceeding the 99 th percentile of a reference population in combination with typical clinical symptoms. In hemodialysis (HD) patients, a broad range of cTn concentrations is found, partially due to patient-specific comorbidities. Therefore, the 99 th percentile cannot be used in HD patients and decision algorithms to diagnose AMI should be based on temporal variations of troponin. ⋯ During these events, irrespective of CAD history, cTnI increased>172% and cTnT increased>97% above baseline cTn as measured during clinically stable periods three months separate to the event. Therefore, if a HD patient has symptoms of an acute event and a cTn increase that exceeds the RCVs described here, AMI may be suspected. If the troponin increase exceeds 172% for cTnI or 97% for cTnT, AMI is likely.
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Galectin-3 plays a significant role in microglia activation. Its increased circulating concentration has been associated with some inflammatory diseases. In-hospital major adverse events (IMAEs), including acute traumatic coagulopathy, progressive hemorrhagic injury and posttraumatic cerebral infarction, have high prevalence and are strong predictors of mortality after severe traumatic brain injury (STBI). The present study was designed to investigate the relationships between plasma galectin-3 concentrations and trauma severity, in-hospital mortality and IMAEs following STBI. ⋯ Plasma galectin-3 concentrations have close relation to inflammation, trauma severity and clinical outcome, suggesting that galectin-3 should have the potential to be a good prognostic biomarker after STBI.