Heart and vessels
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The response of the right ventricle (RV) to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) involves changes in contractile function, chamber size, hypertrophy, and extracellular matrix (ECM). Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a mediator of myocardial ECM metabolism and biomarker for left heart remodeling, yet its ability to reflect RV remodeling is unknown. We hypothesized that serum Gal-3 levels correlate with RV morphology and function in PAH, and that Gal-3 is associated with circulating markers of ECM. ⋯ Gal-3 levels positively correlated with the ECM markers TIMP-1 and HA but not with PIIINP. In conclusion, Gal-3 levels are associated with multiple indices of RV function and morphology. Gal-3 may represent a novel biomarker for RV remodeling and associated ECM turnover in PAH.
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Comparative Study
Utility of T-wave alternans during night time as a predictor for ventricular fibrillation in patients with Brugada syndrome.
The prognostic value of T-wave alternans (TWA) during the night time in patients with Brugada syndrome (Br-S) remains unknown. We assessed TWA for risk stratification using 24-h multichannel Holter electrocardiogram (24-M-ECG) in Br-S. We enrolled 129 patients with Br-S [grouped according to histories of ventricular fibrillation (VF), n = 16; syncope, n = 10; or no symptoms (asymptomatic), n = 103] and 11 controls. ⋯ During a mean follow-up period of 68 ± 37 months, 16 patients experienced VF episodes. The incidence of VF episodes was the highest during the night time (p < 0.001). The 3L-V2 max-TWA during the night time may be a useful predictor for VF episodes in patients with Br-S.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Different characteristics of cardiac biomarkers to decide and predict the culprit lesions in patients with suspicious acute coronary syndrome.
This multicenter prospective study was conducted to assess high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT) and other biomarkers to decide and predict culprit lesions indicated for emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with suspicious acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We have reported Hs-TnT is the most sensitive biomarker for earlier diagnosis and decision making in patients with suspected ACS. In this study, we had conducted subanalysis investigating the usefulness for prediction of ACS culprit lesion. ⋯ Meanwhile, H-FABP displayed significant correlations with number of diseased vessels and presence of thrombotic lesion. The present study first revealed different characteristics of correlation between the angiographic culprit lesions and each cardiac biomarker. For prediction of ACS lesions requiring emergency PCI, hs-TnT had the highest sensitivity with satisfied analytical precision.