P338Combined assessment using clinical and imaging parameters to predict response to pharmacotherapy in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy

Abstract Background Normalization of left ventricular (LV) contraction is a strong surrogate marker of favorable prognosis in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Although several studies have reported the individual predictive significance of clinical and imaging parameters for LV recovery in patients with DCM, there have been no reports on the scoring systems that combine these multifactorial parameters. Methods and results In 406 idiopathic patients with DCM, there were 185 (46%) with LV recovery at 1-year follow-up after pharmacotherapy, which was defined as improvements in LV ejection fraction of ≥+10% together with absolute values of ≥50%. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that eight baseline clinical factors and the absence of late gadolinium enhancement (negative LGE) on magnetic resonance imaging were independently associated with LV recovery. The highest odds ratio for the prediction of LV recovery was negative LGE (odds ratio: 5.62, 95% confidence interval: 2.97–10.6; p<0.0001). Response score for the prediction of LV recovery that included these nine parameters had a predictive accuracy of 0.76 for LV recovery (Figure). Conclusion Combined assessment using clinical and imaging parameters has a high prognostic value for predicting response to pharmacotherapy in patients with DCM.

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The role of inflammation in recent-onset dilated cardiomyopathy

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/ehjci/ehaa946.2101 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽

Author(s):

A Chaloupka ◽

J Krejci ◽

H Poloczkova ◽

P Hude ◽

E Ozabalova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dilated Cardiomyopathy ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Pcr Analysis ◽

Myocardial Inflammation ◽

Gene Variants ◽

Absolute Increase ◽

Recent Onset ◽

Cardiotropic Viruses

Abstract Background The aetiology of recent-onset dilated cardiomyopathy (RODCM) includes inflammatory, genetic, toxic and metabolic causes. Delineating the role of inflammation on the genetic background could improve risk stratification. Purpose We aimed to ascertain the role of inflammation evaluated by serum CRP immunohistochemical and PCR analysis of endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) in conjunction with genetic testing in left ventricular reverse remodelling (LVRR) in 12-month follow-up. Methods 83 RODCM patients enrolled in this prospective observational study underwent 12-month echocardiographic follow up whole-exome sequencing, and EMB. Presence of cardiotropic viruses was determined by PCR analysis of the EMB samples. Inflammation was defined according to TIMIC immunohistochemical criteria as the presence of >7 CD3+ lymphocytes/mm2 and/or >14 infiltrating leukocytes (LCA+ cells/mm2). LVRR was defined as an absolute increase in LV ejection fraction > +10% and a relative decrease of LV end-diastolic diameter >−10% at 12 months. Results LVRR occurred in 28 (34%) of all cases. PCR analysis uncovered cardiotropic viruses in 55 (66%) patients, with highest prevalence of parvovirus B19 (47%). (Figure 1) EMB analysis detected inflammation in 28 (34%) cases and inflammation significantly positively predicted LVRR (P=0.019). Sequencing identified disease-related gene variants (ACMG class 3–5) in 45 (54%) patients. Carriers of non-titin gene variants showed a lowest probability of 12-month LVRR (19%) P=0.041. Combination of genetic findings and inflammation did not improve the prediction of LVRR in 12 months. (Table 1) Conclusion Both myocardial inflammation and disease-causing variants can be identified in a large proportion of RODCM cases. Prognostic value of CRP and virus detection is low. Non-titin disease-related variants carriers of are less likely to reach LVRR. In contrast, myocardial inflammation detected by EMB predicts favourable remodelling in 12 months. Figure 1 Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

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Myocardial work analysis in screening of familial dilated cardiomyopathy

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/ehjci/ehaa946.0092 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽

Author(s):

M Triantafyllou ◽

R Monteiro ◽

A Protonotarios ◽

T Gossios ◽

P Elliott ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Dilated Cardiomyopathy ◽

Global Longitudinal Strain ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Systemic Hypertension ◽

Work Efficiency ◽

Work Analysis ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Global Work

Abstract Introduction Early detection of affected family relatives of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is essential in order to guide follow up, outcomes and initiate early treatment. Myocardial work analysis is a novel method which integrated strain imaging and blood pressure and has the potential to identify patients with subclinical disease. Purpose We analysed myocardial work in family relatives of DCM patients with positive genotype but negative phenotype in order to identify whether myocardial work can identify early changes. Methods Seventy-four family relatives of DCM patients attending for screening were examined. All individuals were asymptomatic with either positive (45/74, G+) or negative (29/74, G-) genotype and no echocardiographic evidence of left ventricular dilatation or systolic impairment. Non-invasive myocardial work analysis using two-dimensional (2D) speckle tracking echocardiography was analysed. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) was measured by the same vendor specific software used for myocardial work analysis. Left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) was measured with the Simpson's biplane method. The peak systolic arm cuff blood pressure (BP) measurement at the time of echocardiography was used for the myocardial work study. Results In total we included 74 individuals (37±15 years old, 50.7% women) with mean systolic and diastolic BP of 121.3±14 and 73.2±10 mmHg respectively, mean EF was 58±5% and mean GLS at 18.4±2.5%. G+ individuals had pathogenic and very likely pathogenic mutations in 8 different genes (TTN, BAG3, DSP, FLNC, LMNA, DMD, RBM20, TPM1). There was no difference in age, systemic hypertension, diabetes or medical treatment between the 2 groups. No significant difference was found among G+ and G- individuals in mean systolic and diastolic BP (121.2±14.7 vs 121.2±15.2 mmHg), mean EF (57.3±5 vs 59.1±4%), GLS (−18.2±1.5 vs −18.6±2.9%), mean global work index (1818±403 vs 1928±295 mmHg%) and global constructive work (2192±464 vs 2260±318 mmHg%). However, we found significant reduction of the global work efficiency (GWE) with a GWE of 94.4±2.7% in the G+ versus 95.9±1.6% in the G- individuals (p 0.02). Moreover, the global wasted work (GWW) was increased in the G+ with a GWW of 111±58 mmHg% versus 82±41 mmHg% in the G- individuals (p 0.03). Conclusion DCM gene carriers show, early on, decreased myocardial work efficiency and increased wasted work compared to unaffected family members, which appears to be earlier than other parameters such as EF and GLS. Myocardial work analysis could potentially recognize individuals showing early cardiac involvement and guide closer follow up and early initiation of treatment. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

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Strain parameters for predicting the prognosis of non‐ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy using cardiovascular magnetic resonance tissue feature tracking

Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance ◽

10.1186/s12968-021-00726-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Chengjie Gao ◽

Yajie Gao ◽

Jingyu Hang ◽

Meng Wei ◽

Jingbo Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Dilated Cardiomyopathy ◽

Feature Tracking ◽

Systolic Function ◽

Radial Strain ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression Model ◽

Non Ischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Abstract Background A considerable number of non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NDCM) patients had been found to have normalized left ventricular (LV) size and systolic function with tailored medical treatments. Accordingly, we aimed to evaluate if strain parameters assessed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) feature tracking (FT) analysis could predict the NDCM recovery. Methods 79 newly diagnosed NDCM patients who underwent baseline and follow-up CMR scans were enrolled. Recovery was defined as a current normalized LV size and systolic function evaluated by CMR. Results Among 79 patients, 21 (27%) were confirmed recovered at a median follow-up of 36 months. Recovered patients presented with faster heart rates (HR) and larger body surface area (BSA) at baseline (P < 0.05). Compared to unrecovered patients, recovered pateints had a higher LV apical radial strain divided by basal radial strain (RSapi/bas) and a lower standard deviation of time to peak radial strain in 16 segments of the LV (SD16-TTPRS). According to a multivariate logistic regression model, RSapi/bas (P = 0.035) and SD16-TTPRS (P = 0.012) resulted as significant predictors for differentiation of recovered from unrecovered patients. The sensitivity and specificity of RSapi/bas and SD16-TTPRS for predicting recovered conditions were 76%, 67%, and 91%, 59%, with the area under the curve of 0.75 and 0.76, respectively. Further, Kaplan Meier survival analysis showed that patients with RSapi/bas ≥ 0.95% and SD16-FTPRS ≤ 111 ms had the highest recovery rate (65%, P = 0.027). Conclusions RSapi/bas and CMR SD16-TTPRS may be used as non-invasive parameters for predicting LV recovery in NDCM. This finding may be beneficial for subsequent treatments and prognosis of NDCM patients. Registration number: ChiCTR-POC-17012586.

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Staphylococcus aureus Carriage in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Impact on Response to Adalimumab

Dermatology ◽

10.1159/000512617 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Dimitra Stergianou ◽

Vassiliki Tzanetakou ◽

Maria Argyropoulou ◽

Theodora Kanni ◽

Pantelis G. Bagos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Clinical Response ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Hidradenitis Suppurativa ◽

Positive Culture ◽

Nasal Carriage ◽

Loss Of Response ◽

Response Score ◽

Stimulation Of

Background: Several patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) present flare-ups during treatment with adalimumab (ADA), the cause of which is not clear. ADA is the only FDA-approved biologic for the therapy of moderate-to-severe HS. A previous study of our group has shown that Staphylococcus aureus stimulation of whole blood affects the production of human β-defensin 2 and modulates HS severity. It is, therefore, hypothesized, that carriage of S. aureus may drive HS flare-ups. Objective: To explore the association between carriage of S. aureus and loss of response to ADA. Patients and Methods: Among patients with moderate-to-severe HS without carriage of S. aureus at start of treatment with ADA, we investigated for carriage of S. aureus from the nares when flare-ups occurred. Flare-ups were pre-defined as at least 25% increase of inflammatory lesions (sum of inflammatory nodules and abscesses) from baseline. Samplings were also done after completion of 12 weeks of ADA treatment from all patients who did not present flare-ups. Clinical response to ADA was assessed by the HS Clinical Response score (HiSCR). Results: Thirty-nine patients were studied; 24 with Hurley II stage HS and 15 with Hurley III stage HS. Twenty-nine patients achieved HiSCR after 12 weeks of treatment without any flare-ups; 10 patients had flare-ups and failed HiSCR. Three (10.3%) and 5 (50%) patients, respectively, had nasal carriage of S. aureus (odds ratio 8.67; 95% CI 1.54–48.49; p = 0.014). Among 32 patients reaching follow-up week 48, 20 patients achieved HiSCR and 12 had flare-ups leading to ADA failure; 2 (10%) and 5 (41.7%) patients, respectively, had positive culture for S. aureus (odds ratio 6.42; 95% CI 1.00–41.20; p = 0.05). Conclusion: Nasal carriage of S. aureus may be associated with loss of response to ADA. Findings need confirmation in larger series of patients.

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Cardiac mechanics as predictors of left ventricular reverse remodelling in patients with dilated non-ischemic cardiomyopathy

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/eurheartj/ehab724.0281 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

M Ferrandez ◽

F Islas ◽

A Travieso ◽

J Diz-Diaz ◽

A Restrepo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Ischemic Cardiomyopathy ◽

Multimodality Imaging ◽

Global Longitudinal Strain ◽

Cardiac Mechanics ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Cardiac Resynchronization ◽

Imaging Parameters ◽

Reverse Remodelling

Abstract Background and purpose The appearance of left ventricular reverse remodelling (LVRR) is associated with a better prognosis in patients with dilated non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (DCM). Our aim was to identify cardiac imaging parameters, including speckle tracking by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and feature tracking by CMR, associated with LVRR in a prospective cohort of patients with DCM. Methods From 2014 to 2021, 182 patients with DCM and left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) <40% were prospectively evaluated in our hospital. LVRR was defined as an increase in LVEF ≥10 points or absolute LVEF ≥50%, associated with a reduction in left ventricular end- diastolic diameter ≥10%. Patients underwent multimodality imaging evaluation including CMR with a 1.5 Tesla scanner, and TTE. Cardiac mechanics, including global longitudinal strain (GLS), strain rate (SR) and mechanical dispersion (MD) were measured. Results Median age of our cohort was 62.3 (14.4) years, and 67.7% were male. Most patients (>90%) were treated with beta-blockers or RASS blockers, and 67% with mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. 30% had cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and 37% had ICD as primary prevention. Mean LVEF was 31.3%. During a mean follow-up period of 35.9 (35.4) months, 38.3% of patients had LVRR. Age and gender distribution were similar in both groups. Regarding cardiovascular risk factors and pharmacological treatment, no differences were found between patients with and without LVRR. Baseline CRT therapy was not associated with LVRR (22.6% vs 34.7%; p=0.249). However, there was a trend towards higher LVRR in those who received CRT during follow-up 18.8% vs 0%; p=0.069). Patients who experienced LVRR had lower basal LVEF (23.4% vs 29%; p<0.008), as well as poorer RV function, including lower RVEF (40.5% vs 51%; p=0.006) and lower TAPSE (16 mm vs 19 mm; p=0.021). Regarding cardiac mechanics, those patients with lower GLS (−9% vs −12%; p=0.001), and higher MD (73 mm vs 55 mm; p=0,050) had LVRR more frequently during follow-up. The presence of a left bundle branch block (LBBB) contraction pattern by strain was associated with higher rate of LVRR (83.3% vs 30.4%; p=0.011). The burden of fibrosis measured by LGE with CMR was not associated with LVRR (14% vs 12%; p=NS). Patients with LVRR had a lower cardiovascular mortality (3.3 vs 14.3%; p=0.117), lower mortality due to heart failure (0% vs 12.2%; p=0.046), less heart failure hospitalizations (20% vs 46.9%; p=0.016), and a lower incidence of ventricular tachyarrhythmias (3.3% vs 18.4%; p=0.051). Conclusions LVRR in patients with DCM receiving optimized medical therapy is associated with a better prognosis. Imaging parameters, including a lower basal LVEF, RVEF, GLS and higher MD, as well as LBBB echo pattern, were associated with a higher frequency of LVRR, and might help to identify patients who could benefit from CRT/and may be helpful to stratify patients's risk. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

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Abstract 17607: MicroRNA Expression Profiles in Endomyocardial Biopsies From Patients With Myocarditis - Association With Left Ventricular Function and Clinical Events

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.132.suppl_3.17607 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 132 (suppl_3) ◽

Author(s):

Christian Besler ◽

Daniel Urban ◽

Stefan Watzka ◽

Karin Klingel ◽

Reinhard Kandolf ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dilated Cardiomyopathy ◽

Expression Profiles ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Lv Function ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Skeletal Muscle Function ◽

Cardiovascular Pathology ◽

Clinical Events ◽

Kaplan Meier

Background: Myocarditis represents an important cause of chronic dilated cardiomyopathy. Predicting the clinical course of patients with myocarditis is difficult and the prognostic value of current histological markers remains controversial. We tested whether expression of selected microRNAs (miRNAs) in endomyocardial biopsies is related to left ventricular (LV) function and clinical events in patients with myocarditis. Methods: Endomyocardial biopsies were obtained from patients with non-inflammatory dilated cardiomyopathy (n=22) and histologically proven myocarditis (n=81). Based on literature search, we predefined a set of 6 miRNAs implicated in inflammation (miR-155, miR-146b), heart failure (miR-21, miR-133a), endothelial cell (miR-126) and skeletal muscle function (miR-206). Expression of these miRNAs in endomyocardial biopsies was quantified by RT-PCR. Results: Expression of miR-133a, miR-206 and miR-155 was markedly upregulated in endomyocardial biopsies from patients with myocarditis as compared to patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, irrespective of viral or non-viral etiology. Levels of miR-133a (R=0,68, P<0,01) and miR-155 (R=0,65, P<0,01) significantly correlated with CD68 cell count in endomyocardial biopsies from patients with myocarditis. Patients with myocarditis and preserved LV function at study entry displayed higher endomyocardial expression of miR-133a than patients with reduced LV function. Higher expression levels of miR-133a were associated with improved LV function during a mean follow-up of 3,1 years. Importantly, in a Kaplan-Meier estimate, patients with myocarditis and miR-133a levels above median showed longer survival free of death and malignant arrhythmias. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that in a predefined set of miRNAs, relevant to cardiovascular pathology, endomyocardial miR-133a levels correlate with macrophage infiltration, improved LV function and clinical outcome in a comparatively large cohort of patients with histologically proven myocarditis. miR-133a may serve as a potential novel biomarker and therapeutic target in human myocarditis.

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P337Natural history, reversibility and arrhythmias associated with truncating titin variants in dilated cardiomyopathy

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/eurheartj/ehz747.0171 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

C R Vissing ◽

T B Rasmussen ◽

M S Olesen ◽

L N Pedersen ◽

A Dybro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dilated Cardiomyopathy ◽

Medical Therapy ◽

Ventricular Arrhythmias ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection ◽

Reverse Remodeling ◽

Absolute Increase ◽

The Mean

Abstract Background Truncating genetic variants in titin (TTNtv) are identified in 15–25% of patients with primary dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Previous genotype/phenotype studies have reported conflicting results regarding disease severity and pathologic features associated with TTNtv. Purpose To investigate the natural history, reversibility and burden of arrhythmias associated with TTNtv in a Danish cohort with long-term follow-up. Methods Patients with DCM, recruited from two Danish tertiary centers, were included based on the presence of a TTNtv in a cardiac expressed titin exon. Data on patients' medical history including symptoms, demography, family history, comorbidities, treatment, ECG features, and echocardiograms were registered. Outcome data including all-cause mortality, need of heart transplantation (HTX) or left ventricular assist device (LVAD), and presence of ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias were registered. Left ventricular reverse remodeling (LVRR) was defined as an absolute increase in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥10% points or normalization. Results A total of 104 patients (71 men, 69%; 72 probands) with definite TTNtv-DCM were included. The mean age at DCM diagnosis was (mean±SD) 45±13 years (43±13 for men; 49±14 for women, p<0.04) and median follow-up was 8.1 years. The mean LVEF was 28±13% at time of diagnosis (26±12% for men; 30±13% for women, p=0.173). During follow-up, 31 patients (30%; 24 men) died or needed HTX/LVAD. Medical therapy was associated with LVRR in 79% of patients 3.6 years after diagnosis. LVRR was maintained long-term in 64% of patients. Women had a better response to medical therapy compared to men (mean LVEF increase 19%; vs 15% in men, p<0.04). Atrial fibrillation/flutter was observed in 40% of patients and ventricular arrhythmias in 23% of patients. Men had an earlier occurrence of both supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias (p=0.005) with half of the men having experienced an arrhythmia at the age of 54 years. Freedom from arrhythmias with age Conclusion TTNtv leads to a DCM phenotype associated with a marked gender-difference in age at DCM diagnosis and high burden of both supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias. Importantly, the DCM-TTNtv phenotype was associated with a high degree of reversibility of systolic function following medical therapy.

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P1573 Late recovery of left ventricular function in patients with non-severe ischemic mitral regurgitation and multivessel disease qualified to cardiosurgery treatment

European Heart Journal - Cardiovascular Imaging ◽

10.1093/ehjci/jez319.993 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

R Piatkowski ◽

J Kochanowski ◽

M Budnik ◽

M Grabowski ◽

P Scislo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

Left Ventricle ◽

Mitral Regurgitation ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation ◽

Multivariable Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Late Recovery

Abstract Late recovery of left ventricular function in patients with non-severe ischemic mitral regurgitation and multivessel disease qualified to cardiosurgery treatment. Purpose In patients (pts) after myocardial infarction (MI) with chronic left ventricle (LV) dysfunction, the presence and degree of ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) are predominantly related to LV remodelling and mitral valvular deformation. The aim of this study was to compare functional recovery (LVFR) as well as reverse remodelling of the left ventricle (LVRR) in pts with non-severe IMR qualified for cardiosurgical treatment - coronary artery bypass grafting alone (CABGa) or CABG with mitral repair (CABGmr in the 12-month follow-up. Materials and methods A total of 100 pts (mean age 64,4 ± 7,9 years) after MI, eligible for CABG, were included in a prospective study. Echo and clinical assessment were performed before and 12-months after surgery. Pts were referred for CABG a(gr.1; n = 74) or CABGmr (gr.2; n = 26) based on clinical assessment, 2D echo at rest and exercise and myocardial viability assessment (low dose dobutamine - dbx). Effective regurgitation orifice area (EROA) was used for quantitative IMR assessment. An increase in EF≥ 5% (ΔEF) from baseline value was considered as LVFR. A decrease in LV end-systolic volume > 15% from baseline value was considered as LVRR. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the strongest factors of lack of LVFR and LVRR. Results An LVFR was observed, at late control, in 35 (49%) of pts in the CABGa group and in 11 (48%) of pts in CABGmr group (p = 0,948). LVRR was observed in 41 (56%) of pts in the CABGa group and in 16 (70%) of pts in CABGmr group 12 months follow-up (p = 0,5). In pts with LVFR, there was a lower incidence of at least moderate IMR at follow-up (ΔEF dbx≥5% vs ΔEFdbx < 5%:11% vs 30% pts; p = 0,05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that in both CABGa and CABGmr group only preoperative age and EF changes during stress echo remained the independent predictors of the lack of LVFR in 12 months follow-up (table 1). Conclusions 1. LVFR and LVRR were reported in most of the pts in both analyzed groups. 2. Preoperative assessment of changes EF during dbx (ΔEFdbx)can be used to identify pts with IMR at increased risk of lack of improvement in LV function and risk of residual IMRin 12-month f-up after surgery. Parameters Odds ratio (OR) Odds ratio (OR) p CABGa vs CABGmr 0,644 0,215 - 1,927 0,432 Age (increase by every 5 years) 1,11 1,039 - 1,879 0,003 ΔEF dbx (increase by every 5%) 0,21 0,096 - 0,46 <0,001 Table 1. Prognostic factors lack improvement in left ventricle function.

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Use of Cardiac Biomarkers for Monitoring Improvement of Left Ventricular Function by Immunoadsorption Treatment in Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Biomolecules ◽

10.3390/biom9110654 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. 654

Author(s):

Weinmann ◽

Werner ◽

Koenig ◽

Rottbauer ◽

Walcher ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dilated Cardiomyopathy ◽

Troponin I ◽

Troponin T ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Cardiac Biomarkers ◽

Lv Function ◽

Long Term Follow Up ◽

Acute Changes

Immunoadsorption and subsequent administration of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) have shown beneficial effects on cardiac function and symptoms in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. Biomarkers play an emerging role in disease monitoring and outcome prediction of heart failure (HF) patients. We aimed to analyze cardiac biomarkers as predictor for improvement of left ventricular (LV) function after immunoadsorption treatment in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Thirty-one patients with dilated cardiomyopathy on optimized HF pharmacotherapy received a single cycle of immunoadsorption for five days followed by IVIG administration. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and heart failure biomarkers (hs troponin T, hs troponin I, NT-proBNP and sST2) were evaluated before treatment, after the last cycle of immunoadsorption and during a median follow-up of 30.5 months. We correlated HF biomarkers before immunoadsorption and acute changes of HF biomarkers by immunoadsorption with LV improvement during the long-term follow-up. LV function improved significantly after immunoadsorption from 28.0 to 42.0% during the long-term follow-up (p < 0.0001). Evaluation of biomarker levels showed a significant decrease for hs troponin I (from 9.2 to 5.5 ng/L, p < 0.05) and NT-proBNP (from 789.6 to 281.2 pg/mL, p < 0.005). Correlation of biomarker levels before immunoadsorption and LVEF at the long-term follow-up show good results for hs troponin T (r = −0.40, r2 = 0.16, p < 0.05), hs troponin I (r = −0.41, r2 = 0.17, p < 0.05) and sST2 (r = −0.46, r2 = 0.19, p < 0.05). Correlation of biomarker levels before immunoadsorption and the individual increase in LV function was significant for hs troponin T (r = −0.52, r2 = 0.27, p < 0.005) and hs troponin I (r = −0.53, r2 = 0.29, p < 0.005). To imply a tool for monitoring outcome immediately after immunoadsorption treatment, we investigated the correlation of acute changes of biomarker levels by immunoadsorption treatment and individual increase in LV function. A drop in hs troponin T (r = −0.41, r2 = 0.17, p < 0.05) and hs troponin I (r = −0.53, r2 = 0.28, p < 0.005) levels demonstrate a good correlation to improvement in LVEF during the long-term follow-up. Conclusion: Hs troponin T and I levels correlate with LV function improvement during long-term follow-up. Acute decrease of troponins by immunoadsorption treatment is paralleled by individual improvement of LVEF at the long-term follow-up. Thus, troponins could serve as a monitoring tool for the improvement of LV function after immunoadsorption treatment in dilated cardiomyopathy.

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