Biomedical subjects

Agneta Siegbahn

Publications and source records attributed to Agneta Siegbahn.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

The intersubject variability of tissue factor mRNA production in human monocytes--relation with the toll-like receptor 4.

OBJECTIVE: Tissue factor (TF) is known as the primary initiator of blood coagulation. Previous studies have suggested a considerable variation in the monocytic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated TF antigen levels and procoagulant activities between different individuals. Our aim with the present study was to investigate the replicability of LPS induced TF mRNA production in a series of standardised experiments with the purpose to identify putative factors influencing the TF high and low response. RESULTS: A constant and reproducible production of LPS induced TF mRNA was identified in five high responders and three low responders (out of 42 individuals) and followed-up in three subsequent experiments performed over 2 years. The LPS induced TF mRNA production correlated with the corresponding expressions of interleukin-8, tumor necrosis factor-alfa and interleukin-1 beta, indicating a common pathway with the TF high and low response. A strong and significant correlation between the LPS induced TF and toll-like receptor 4 mRNA expressions was subsequently identified and replicated. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated a high and low responder phenomenon of LPS induced TF mRNA in human monocytes. The production of toll-like receptor 4 mRNA was significantly enhanced in TF high responders.

Follow-Up Studies↗

PubMed2006

The platelet inhibiting effect of a clopidogrel bolus dose in patients on long-term acetylsalicylic acid treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Addition of clopidogrel to patients treated with ASA has been shown to decrease the incidence of in-stent thrombosis after percutaneous coronary interventions. However, it has also been reported that up to 30% of patients do not achieve adequate platelet inhibition from standard dosages of ASA and clopidogrel. There is a demand for reliable methods to measure the individual platelet inhibiting effect of this combination therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The primary aim of the present investigation was to compare three methods for evaluation of the platelet inhibiting effect of a clopidogrel bolus dose in patients on long-term acetylsalicylic acid treatment. Thirty patients presenting for coronary angiography/PCI were included. Two patients were excluded due to technical problems. All patients were on 75-100 mg ASA/day for at least 8 days. Blood samples were analysed before and 16 h after a 300 mg clopidogrel bolus dose. The platelet inhibiting effect was measured with (1) Whole blood flow cytometry (17 patients); (2) a bed-side test, Platelet Mapping assay for the thrombelastograph (28 patients); and (3) PFA (Platelet function analyser) -100 (26 patients). RESULTS: With flow cytometry, the percentage of platelets expressing P-selectin (p=0.03) on their surface decreased significantly after the bolus dose of clopidogrel. There was also a reduction of platelets binding fibrinogen when stimulated with ADP. A significantly (p=0.002) increased platelet inhibition could also be demonstrated with Platelet Mapping. PFA-100 could not measure any significant platelet inhibiting effect of clopidogrel. CONCLUSION: A significant platelet inhibition could be demonstrated with flow cytometry and the Platelet Mapping assay, but not with PFA-100. However, levels of response for the individual patient with these three methods were inconsistent. Further studies are needed to evaluate how the results correlate to the clinical risk of thrombosis and bleeding.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Troponin-T and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide predict mortality benefit from coronary revascularization in acute coronary syndromes: a GUSTO-IV substudy.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to evaluate biomarkers for selection of patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (ACS) that derive mortality benefit from revascularization. BACKGROUND: Biomarkers are essential for identification of patients at increased risk, which may be reduced by revascularization. METHODS: During the initial 30 days, 2,340 patients of 7,800 (30%) with non-ST-segment elevation ACS in the GUSTO (Global Utilization of Strategies To open Occluded arteries)-IV trial underwent coronary revascularization. The 1-year mortality was calculated in 30-day survivors stratified by status of revascularization and levels of biomarkers. A propensity score for receiving revascularization was constructed and included in a survival analysis that also included the time point of revascularization as a time-dependent covariate. RESULTS: Elevation of troponin-T or N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) was associated with a high mortality. In patients with either or both of these markers elevated, a lower mortality following revascularization was observed. In contrast, patients without elevation of these markers had low 1-year mortality without any reduction in mortality following revascularization. In fact, in patients with normal levels of both troponin-T and NT-proBNP, a significant increase in 1-year mortality after revascularization was observed. Elevation of C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, creatinine clearance, and ST-segment depression was also related to a higher mortality. However, independent of these markers, mortality was lower after revascularization. CONCLUSIONS: Markers of troponin-T and NT-proBNP not only assist in risk stratification of patients with non-ST-segment elevation ACS but also appear to identify patients who have a reduced mortality associated with early coronary revascularization.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2006

Genetic variation in the interleukin-6 gene in relation to risk and outcomes in acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The concept of inflammation in the acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is today well established. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a pleiotropic, proinflammatory cytokine, seems to play an important role in the development and progression of ACS. AIM: The aim was to investigate whether IL6 polymorphisms are associated with patient/control status, outcome in patients with ACS and plasma concentrations of IL-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP). METHODS: Samples for citrated plasma and DNA were obtained on admission from 3027 patients with non-ST-elevation ACS in the FRISC-II study. A group of 447 healthy controls of similar age and gender as the patients was also recruited. Eight IL6 polymorphisms were genotyped and plasma concentrations of IL-6 and CRP measured in patients and controls. RESULTS: No associations between patient/control status, clinical outcome, ST-depression, troponin-T elevation or a history of myocardial infarction and IL6 polymorphisms were observed. In the full patient group, there was a trend towards association of the -572 G>C polymorphism with plasma concentrations of IL-6 (p=0.07). This association was statistically significant in patients with available high-sensitivity measurements of IL-6 (p=0.01). The -572 CG genotype was predictive for IL-6 levels above 5 ng/L in patients with a subsequent cardiovascular event, 2.3 (1.1-4.3) (adjusted odds ratio, 95% confidence interval). Comparison with data from HapMap showed that our panel of polymorphisms covered information on approximately 30 other IL6 variants. CONCLUSION: The -572 G>C and other polymorphisms in the study were not associated with outcome in ACS patients. However, the -572 CG genotype may contribute to a more distinct inflammatory response in patients with ACS.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2006

Soluble CD40L levels are regulated by the -3459 A>G polymorphism and predict myocardial infarction and the efficacy of antithrombotic treatment in non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Current evidence suggests the CD40-CD40L pathway as a key process in the development, progression, and outcome of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The aim was to investigate the prognostic importance of soluble (s) CD40L levels, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the CD40LG gene, and the relation between sCD40L and SNPs in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). METHODS AND RESULTS: Samples were obtained on admission from 2359 patients with non-ST elevation ACS randomized to an early invasive versus a conservative and to placebo controlled long-term dalteparin treatment in the FRISC-II study. The -3459 A>G SNP was identified as a novel regulator of sCD40L levels (P = 0.001). In the placebo-treated group, sCD40L levels above median were associated with a 2.5-fold increased risk of myocardial infarction (MI) (P < or = 0.001) but not with raised mortality. In the dalteparin treated group, sCD40L showed no association with MI (P = 0.75). Consequently, dalteparin treatment was effective in reducing the risk of MI only in patients with sCD40L levels above median. A combined assessment of troponin-T and sCD40L complemented the prognostic information on risk of MI. CONCLUSIONS: We identified a SNP in the CD40LG gene as a novel regulator of sCD40L plasma concentrations. Soluble CD40L levels above median reflect a prothrombotic state, which can be managed with the use of intense anti-thrombotic treatments.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2006

Prasugrel achieves greater inhibition of platelet aggregation and a lower rate of non-responders compared with clopidogrel in aspirin-treated patients with stable coronary artery disease.

AIMS: This study was designed to compare the degree of inhibition of platelet aggregation (IPA) of prasugrel with that of clopidogrel in stable aspirin-treated patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS AND RESULTS: Subjects (n=101) were randomly assigned to the following loading dose (LD) (day 1)/maintenance dose (MD) (days 2-28) combinations: prasugrel, 40 mg/5 mg; 40 mg/7.5 mg; 60 mg/10 mg; 60 mg/15 mg; or clopidogrel, 300 mg/75 mg. Turbidometric platelet aggregation was measured at multiple timepoints during the study. At 4 h after dosing, with 20 microM ADP, both prasugrel LDs achieved significantly higher mean IPA levels (60.6% and 68.4 vs. 30.0%, respectively; all P<0.0001) and lower percentage (3 vs. 52%, P<0.0001) of pharmacodynamic non-responders (defined as IPA <20%) than clopidogrel. Prasugrel 10 and 15 mg MDs achieved consistently higher mean IPA than clopidogrel 75 mg at day 28 (all P<0.0001). At pre-MD on day 28, there were no non-responders in the 10 and 15 mg prasugrel group, compared with 45% in the clopidogrel group (P=0.0007). CONCLUSION: In this population, prasugrel (40-60 mg LD and 10-15 mg MD) achieves greater IPA and a lower proportion of pharmacodynamic non-responders compared with the approved clopidogrel dosing.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Improved identification of patients with coronary artery disease by the use of new lipid and lipoprotein biomarkers.

Increasing attention is being directed toward new lipid and lipoprotein biomarkers as risk factors for coronary artery disease, although limited information is available on the diagnostic accuracy of these new biomarkers for the identification of patients with coronary artery disease. In the present study, levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), and oxidized LDL/HDL cholesterol were determined in 431 apparently healthy men and women without clinical evidence of coronary artery disease who were matched for age and gender with 490 men and women with coronary artery disease who participated in the Second Fragmin and Fast Revascularization During Instability in Coronary Artery Disease (FRISC-II) trial. Diagnostic accuracy was determined by receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis by measuring the area under the curve. The diagnostic accuracies of each lipid or lipoprotein biomarker (in descending order of area under the curve) were 0.867 for oxidized LDL/HDL cholesterol (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.844 to 0.890), 0.826 for oxidized LDL (95% CI 0.800 to 0.852), 0.775 for 1/HDL cholesterol (95% CI 0.745 to 0.805), 0.764 for total/HDL cholesterol (95% CI 0.733 to 0.795), 0.631 for triglycerides (95% CI 0.594 to 0.667), 0.597 for Lp-PLA2 (95% CI 0.558 to 0.615), 0.577 for LDL cholesterol (95% CI 0.539 to 0.615), and 0.520 for total cholesterol (95% CI 0.482 to 0.537). In conclusion, these findings indicate that the ratio of oxidized LDL to HDL cholesterol was a more potent biomarker for discriminating between subjects with and without coronary artery disease than traditionally measured lipids and lipoproteins and Lp-PLA2.

1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase↗

PubMed2005

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein as a predictor of outcome in patients with unstable coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: The prognostic value of circulating oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OxLDL) in patients with unstable coronary artery disease (CAD) is unknown. METHODS: Plasma levels of OxLDL were measured in 433 patients with unstable CAD included in FRISC-II (Fragmin and fast Revascularisation in Instability in Coronary artery disease trial) and in 233 of these patients at follow-up 4-7 weeks later. Mortality and myocardial infarction (MI) at 2 years of follow-up was related to above (n=226) or below (n=207) the median level of OxLDL (76 U/L) at study entry. RESULTS: After adjustment for other well-known predictors of risk, OxLDL levels >76 U/L were associated with a higher risk for recurrent MI (Odds Ratio [95% CI]: 1.90 [1.05-3.39]). When patients were divided according to troponin T (TnT) status, the prognostic value of OxLDL was most evident in the TnT negative group with a risk of MI of 16.9% in patients with elevated OxLDL compared to 1.7% (p=0.004) in those without. No association was found between levels of OxLDL and mortality. At follow-up levels of OxLDL were similar to levels during the acute phase unless patients were treated with statins in which levels were significantly lower. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated levels of OxLDL may identify patients with unstable CAD, at increased risk for future MI independent of other risk variables, particularly those without evidence of myocardial damage. OxLDL levels appear to be similar in patients during the unstable and stable phase of CAD unless statin therapy is initiated.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Usefulness of biomarkers for predicting long-term mortality in patients with diabetes mellitus and non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes (a GUSTO IV substudy).

The present study evaluated whether biomarkers of ischemia, inflammation, myocardial damage, and dysfunction are equally useful in patients who have diabetes mellitus (DM) for prediction of cardiac events in non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (ACS). DM was present in 1,677 of 7,800 patients (21.5%) who had non-ST-elevation ACS and were included in the Fourth Global Utilization of Strategies To Open Occluded Arteries (GUSTO IV) trial. Creatinine, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP), troponin T, C-reactive protein, and interleukin-6 were analyzed in serum samples that were obtained at a median of 9.5 hours from symptom onset. One-year mortality rates were 13.5% among patients who had DM (n = 227) and 6.9% among those who did not (n = 418, p < 0.001). The median level of NT-pro-BNP was 2 times as high in patients who had DM, whereas troponin T levels did not differ by DM status. Mortality increased with ascending quartiles of NT-pro-BNP, with 1-year mortality rates of 3.9% (n = 11) in the bottom quartile and 29% (n = 103) in the top quartile. In multivariable analyses, factors that were predictive of 1-year mortality in patients who did not have DM were also significant for those who did. Presence of ST depression > 0.5 mm had the highest odds ratio of 2.3 (95% confidence interval 1.2 to 4.6). NT-pro-BNP levels > 669 ng/L (odds ratio 2.0, 95% confidence interval 1.1 to 3.6) and interleukin-6 levels > 10 ng/L (odds ratio 1.9, 95% confidence interval 1.2 to 3.0) were significant biomarker predictors. In conclusion, DM confers a high long-term mortality in non-ST-elevation ACS. Despite a larger proportion of ST depression and increased levels of NT-pro-BNP and interleukin-6 at admission, these factors provide independent prognostic information that may improve risk stratification and guidance of treatment.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Genetic variations in the tissue factor gene are associated with clinical outcome in acute coronary syndrome and expression levels in human monocytes.

OBJECTIVE: Tissue factor (TF) has, among other factors, a prominent role in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Our goal was to investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the TF gene (F3) are associated with plasma TF, risk, and outcome in patients with ACS. Moreover, we wanted to investigate the impact of associated TF SNPs on mRNA production in human monocytes. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 725 patients with ACS [Fragmin and Fast Revascularization during Instability in Coronary Artery Disease II (FRISC-II) study] and 376 controls, 13 SNPs were genotyped and plasma TF measured. Thereafter, the 5466 A>G and the -1812 C>T were genotyped among all of the FRISC-II participants (n=3143) and assessed concerning clinical outcome. Associated SNPs were genotyped in 92 healthy blood donors for comparison of TF activity and TF mRNA expression. None of the SNPs were associated with patient/control status. The 5466 A>G SNP was associated with cardiovascular death (odds ratio, 1.8; P=0.025). The CG haplotype by -1812 C>T and 5466 A>G was associated with a 3-fold increased risk of death (P<0.001). TF mRNA and basal TF activity was significantly lower among 5466 AG carriers, whereas the increase in monocyte TF activity on lipopolysaccharide stimulation was significantly stronger (P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The 5466 AG genotype is a novel predictor of cardiovascular death in ACS and may act through a high TF response.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2005

An acute inflammatory reaction induced by myocardial damage is superimposed on a chronic inflammation in unstable coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation plays an important role in unstable coronary artery disease (CAD). We assessed the kinetics of inflammatory markers from symptom onset in patients with unstable CAD and their relation to myocardial damage. METHODS: Serial measurements of inflammatory mediators were performed in consecutive patients with unstable CAD enrolled at selected sites in the FRISC II (n = 558) and the GUSTO IV (n = 404) trials. The time from symptom onset was calculated for every serum sample (total 4400 samples). RESULTS: Median levels of interleukin 6 and C-reactive protein reached their peaks at 36 to 42 hours and at 48 to 54 hours, respectively, from symptom onset and returned to early postsymptom levels within 6 weeks. The early increase occurred almost exclusively in patients with baseline troponin T elevation (>0.01 microg/L). In contrast, median levels of fibrinogen increased continuously up to 120 hours after symptom onset, independently of myocardial damage. At 6 months, fibrinogen levels were still higher than in the early phase after symptom onset. The median levels of interleukin 6, C-reactive protein, and fibrinogen were still higher at 6 months than in healthy controls matched for age and sex to a population with unstable CAD. CONCLUSIONS: An early acute inflammatory reaction induced by myocardial damage seems to be superimposed on a chronic inflammatory condition, both of which might influence long-term outcome in unstable CAD.

Abciximab↗

PubMed2005

Regulation of chemotaxis by the cytoplasmic domain of tissue factor.

We previously demonstrated that FVIIa bound to tissue factor (TF) induces a hyperchemotactic response towards PDGF-BB. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of the cytoplasmic domain of TF in cell migration. Porcine aortic endothelial (PAE) cells expressing human PDGF beta-receptors (PAE/PDGFRbeta) were transfected for expression of human wildtype TF (PAE/PDGFRbeta,TF), a construct lacking the cytoplasmic domain (PAE/PDGFRbeta,TFDeltacyto), a construct with alanine replacement of serine 258 (PAE/PDGFRbeta,TFS258A), or a construct with alanine replacement of serine 253, 258 and 263 in the cytoplasmic domain (PAE/PDGFRbeta,TF3SA). All stably transfected cell lines expressed functional TF. Chemotaxis was analyzed in a modified Boyden chamber assay. PAE/PDGFRbeta,TF cells stimulated with FVIIa migrated towards a 100-fold lower concentration of PDGF-BB than in the absence of FVIIa, however, hyperchemotaxis was not seen in PAE/PDGFRbeta,TFDeltacyto cells. PAE/PDGFRbeta/TFS258A and PAE/PDGFRbeta,TF3SA cells responded to low levels of PDGF-BB, but migrated a significantly shorter distance than PAE/PDGFRbeta,TF cells. Thus, hyperchemotaxis towards PDGF-BB is likely to depend in part on phosphorylation of the cytoplasmic domain of TF. We conclude that the cytoplasmic domain of TF plays a pivotal role in modulating cellular migration response. Our results suggest that the FVIIa/TF complex mediates intracellular signaling by alternative signal transduction pathway(s).

Animals↗

PubMed2004

[Prognosis in unstable coronary artery disease. Multimarker strategy is the best basis for the therapeutic choice].

Patients with unstable coronary artery disease have a serious but variable prognosis. An early and specific prediction of risk is essential for stratification of treatment. Serum was obtained at a median of 9.5 hours from symptom onset in 7800 patients with unstable coronary artery disease included in the GUSTO-IV trial for analyses of creatinine, troponin-T, C-reactive protein (CRP) and N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). Quartiles of troponin-T were related to an increased mortality and to an increased incidence of myocardial infarction. Increasing quartiles of C-reactive protein were also related to an increased mortality but there was no relation to the incidence of myocardial infarction. On multivariate analysis, troponin-T was the strongest marker for prediction of myocardial infarction, but reduced creatinine clearance and ST-depression at admission were also significant predictors. Prediction of subsequent mortality was possible with several risk indicators. Elevation of NT-proBNP was the strongest predictor of short and long-term mortality with a continuous increase in one-year mortality in relation to the levels. Also reduced creatinine clearance, elevation of CRP, troponin-T, ST-depression and clinical factors indicating a history of cardiovascular disease provided independent prognostic information on long-term mortality. A multimarker strategy with creatinine clearance, troponin, CRP and NT-proBNP together with ischemic ECG changes and clinical background characteristics provides the best prognostic information for choice of treatment in patients with unstable coronary artery disease.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Activation of the inflammation, coagulation, and fibrinolysis systems, without influence of abciximab infusion in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes treated with dalteparin: a GUSTO IV substudy.

BACKGROUND: In acute coronary syndromes, the inflammation and the coagulation systems are activated, implying an impaired outcome. In addition to platelet inhibition, recent evidence suggests that the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitor abciximab attenuates inflammation and coagulation activity. METHODS: The Swedish Global Utilization of Strategies To open Occluded arteries-IV (GUSTO-IV) substudy included 404 patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes. In addition to aspirin and dalteparin, all patients were randomized to receive abciximab infusion for 24 hours or 48 hours or corresponding placebo without early coronary revascularization. Plasma samples were obtained at baseline and 24, 48, and 72 hours. RESULTS: The median levels of the coagulation markers thrombin/antithrombin complex and soluble fibrin increased significantly from 3.1 to 3.7 ug/L (baseline to peak; P <.001) and from 20 to 23 nmol/L (P <.001), respectively. The fibrinolysis marker, tissue plasminogen-activator, also increased its median levels, from 11.7 to 17.5 ug/L (P <.001), whereas the median level of plasminogen-activator-inhibitor was unchanged. The inflammatory markers interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, and fibrinogen also increased their median levels (5.4-7.8 ng/L, P <.001; 4.4-8.7 mg/L, P <.001; 3.3-3.9 g/L, P <.001). However, there were no differences in median levels or in changes of median levels of any marker at any point between the placebo group and any of the abciximab groups. CONCLUSIONS: In non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome, there was a simultaneous activation of the inflammation, coagulation, and fibrinolysis systems, despite aspirin and dalteparin treatment. Prolonged treatment with abciximab had no influence of the activation of these systems.

Abciximab↗

PubMed2004

Myocardial damage, coagulation activity and the response to thrombin inhibition in unstable coronary artery disease.

Unstable coronary artery disease is in most cases associated with plaque rupture, activation of the coagulation system and subsequent intracoronary thrombus formation which may cause myocardial cell damage. The aim of the present analysis was to assess the relation between troponin T, markers of coagulation activity, i.e. prothrombin fragment 1+2, thrombin-antithrombin complex, soluble fibrin and D-dimer, and ischemic events, i.e. death, myocardial (re-)infarction or refractory angina. 320 patients with unstable coronary artery disease were randomized to 72 hours infusion with inogatran, a low molecular weight direct thrombin inhibitor, or unfractionated heparin. Patients with elevated troponin levels had higher levels of prothrombin fragment 1+2, soluble fibrin and D-dimer before, during, and at 24 hours after cessation of anticoagulant treatment. These troponin-positive patients tended to have worse short-term clinical outcome, without relation to markers of coagulation activity. Troponin-negative patients with unchanged or early increased thrombin generation during treatment had a cluster of ischemic events within 24 hours after cessation of the study drug. The 30-day ischemic event rate was 19 % in troponin-negative patients with unchanged or early increased prothrombin fragment 1+2, and 5.7 % in patients with decreased prothrombin fragment 1+2, p=0.006, and similarly 15 % in troponin-negative patients with unchanged or early increased thrombin-antithrombin complex and 4.5 % in patients with decreased thrombin-antithrombin complex, p=0.02. In conclusion, in unstable coronary artery disease a troponin elevation indicates higher risk and higher coagulation activity. However, among the troponin negative patients, with a lower risk and lower coagulation activity, a part of the patients seem to be non-responders to treatment with a thrombin inhibitor expressed as unchanged or raised coagulation activity and a raised risk of ischemic events early after cessation of treatment.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in relation to inflammation, myocardial necrosis, and the effect of an invasive strategy in unstable coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to examine whether measurements of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), in addition to cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), improve the ability to identify high-risk patients who benefit from an early invasive strategy. BACKGROUND: Biochemical indicators of cardiac performance (e.g., NT-proBNP), inflammation (e.g., IL-6), and myocardial damage (e.g., cTnT) predict mortality in unstable coronary artery disease (UCAD) (i.e., unstable angina or non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction [MI]). In these patients, an early invasive treatment strategy improves the outcome. METHODS: Levels of NT-proBNP, cTnT, and IL-6 were measured in 2,019 patients with UCAD randomized to an invasive or non-invasive strategy in the FRagmin and fast revascularization during InStability in Coronary artery disease (FRISC-II) trial. Patients were followed up for two years to determine death and MI. RESULTS: Patients in the third NT-proBNP tertile had a 4.1-fold (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.4 to 7.2) and 3.5-fold (95% CI 1.8 to 6.8) increased mortality in the non-invasive and invasive groups, respectively. An increased NT-proBNP level was independently associated with mortality. In patients with increased levels of both NT-proBNP and IL-6, an early invasive strategy reduced mortality by 7.3% (risk ratio 0.46, 95% CI 0.21 to 1.00). In patients with lower NT-proBNP or IL-6 levels, the mortality was not reduced. Only elevated cTnT was independently associated with future MI and a reduction of MI by means of an invasive strategy. CONCLUSIONS: N-terminal proBNP is independently associated with mortality. The combination of NT-proBNP and IL-6 seems to be a useful tool in the identification of patients with a definite survival benefit from an early invasive strategy. Only cTnT is independently associated with future MI and a reduction of MI by an invasive strategy.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and other risk markers for the separate prediction of mortality and subsequent myocardial infarction in patients with unstable coronary artery disease: a Global Utilization of Strategies To Open occluded arteries (GUSTO)-IV substudy.

BACKGROUND: Biochemical markers are useful for prediction of cardiac events in patients with non-ST-segment-elevation acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The associations between N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and other biochemical and clinical risk indicators, as well as their prognostic value concerning the individual end points of death and myocardial infarction (MI), were elucidated in a large cohort of ACS patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: NT-proBNP, troponin T, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were analyzed in blood samples obtained at a median of 9.5 hours from symptom onset in 6809 of 7800 ACS patients in the Global Utilization of Strategies To Open occluded arteries-IV (GUSTO-IV) trial. Levels of NT-proBNP were correlated independently with age, female gender, low body weight, diabetes, renal dysfunction, history of MI, heart failure, heart rate, ongoing myocardial damage, and time since onset of ischemia. Increasing quartiles of NT-proBNP were related to short- and long-term mortality that reached 1.8%, 3.9%, 7.7%, and 19.2%, (P<0.001), respectively, at 1 year. Levels of troponin T, CRP, heart rate, and creatinine clearance, in addition to ST-segment depression, were also correlated independently with 1-year mortality, but NT-proBNP was the marker with the strongest relation. In contrast, only troponin T, creatinine clearance, and ST-segment depression were independently related to future MI. The combination of NT-proBNP and creatinine clearance provided the best prediction, with a 1-year mortality of 25.7% with both markers in the top quartile vs 0.3% with both markers in the bottom quartile. CONCLUSIONS: The use of NT-proBNP appears to add critical prognostic insight to the assessment of patients with ACS.

Abciximab↗

PubMed2003

Troponin and C-reactive protein have different relations to subsequent mortality and myocardial infarction after acute coronary syndrome: a GUSTO-IV substudy.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to evaluate C-reactive protein (CRP) and troponin T (TnT) as predictors of risk of the individual end points of mortality and myocardial infarction (MI) in a large cohort of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). BACKGROUND: Both CRP and TnT predict risk of future coronary events in patients with ACS. However, the relationships between the levels of the markers and the individual end points are still unclear. METHODS: Baseline levels of CRP and TnT were determined in 7,108 patients with ACS not undergoing early revascularization in the Global Use of Strategies To Open occluded arteries trial IV (GUSTO-IV) trial and related to outcome at 30 days. RESULTS: Quartiles of TnT related to 30-day mortality, which was 1.1%, 3.7%, 3.7%, and 7.4% (p < 0.001) and to the rate of MI: 2.5%, 6.7%, 7.2%, and 5.6% (p < 0.001). Quartiles of CRP also related to 30-day mortality, which was 2.0%, 3.3%, 3.9%, and 6.3% (p < 0.001), whereas there was no relationship to the 30-day rate of MI: 5.6%, 4.7%, 5.2%, and 5.9% (p = 0.48). On multivariable analysis, both TnT and CRP were independent predictors of mortality, but only TnT was a predictor of MI. The combination of CRP and TnT provides an even better risk stratification of mortality, with 0.3% and 9.1% death rates, respectively, when both markers are in the bottom versus top quartiles. CONCLUSIONS: In ACS, baseline levels of TnT and CRP are independently related to 30-day mortality. Any detectable elevation of TnT, but not of CRP, is also associated with an increased risk of subsequent MI. Regarding mortality, the combination of both markers provides a better risk stratification than either one alone.

Acute Disease↗