Procalcitonin: a novel cardiac marker with prognostic value in acute coronary syndrome

BUN/albumin ratio predicts short-term mortality better than SYNTAX score in ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study is to compare the prognostic power of the BUN/albumin ratio (BAR) calculated on admission to the emergency department and the SYNergy between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with TAXus (SYNTAX) score calculated after coronary angiography (CAG) in predicting 30-day mortality in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

METHOD AND MATERIAL

The study was conducted prospectively between March 2021 and March 2022 in the emergency department of a tertiary hospital. Patients over the age of 18 who underwent CAG with a diagnosis of STEMI were included in the study. Demographic charecteristics, comorbidities, laboratory parameters of the patients at the time of admission and SYNTAX (SX) score were recorded in the data form.

RESULTS

A total of 1147 patients (77% male) diagnosed with STEMI were included in the study. When the receiver-operating characteristic analysis for SX score and laboratory parameters' power to predict mortality was examined, it was found that the AUC value of the BAR level (AUC: 0.736; 95% confidence interval: 0.670-0.802, P  < 0.001) was the highest. If the threshold value of the serum BAR level, which was determined to predict mortality, was taken as 4, the sensitivity was found to be 76.7% and the specificity was 56.9%. With multivariate logistic analysis, it was determined that the risk of mortality increased by 1.25 for each unit increase in the BAR value in STEMI patients ( P  < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

According to the study data, the BAR may guide the clinician in the early period as a practical and valuable predictor of 30-day mortality in patients diagnosed with STEMI.

Procalcitonin Predicts Bacterial Infection, but Not Long-Term Occurrence of Adverse Events in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

This study compiles data to determine if procalcitonin (PCT) values may predict both the risk of bacterial infection and potentially negative long-term outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). All patients with a diagnosis of ACS that had PCT levels assessed during the first 24 h of hospitalization were enrolled in this study. The primary outcome was to detect the presence of bacterial infection defined as the occurrence of fever and at least one positive blood or urinary culture with clinical signs of infection. The secondary outcome was to monitor the occurrence after 1 year of the composite outcome of all-cause mortality, stroke and myocardial infarction. Overall, 569 patients were enrolled (mean age 69.37 ± 14 years, 30% females). Of these, 44 (8%) met the criteria for bacterial infection. After multivariate analysis, PCT and SBP were found to be independent predictors of bacterial infections (OR for PCT above the cut-off 2.67, 95% CI 1.09-6.53, p = 0.032 and OR for SBP 0.98, 95% CI 0.97-0.99, p = 0.043). After 1 year, the composite outcome of all-cause death, MI and stroke occurred in 104 patients (18%). PCT was not found to be an independent predictor of these outcomes. In conclusion, when assessing ACS, we found that testing for PCT levels during hospital admissions procedures was a good predictor of bacterial infections but not of all-cause mortality, stroke, or myocardial infarction. Clinicaltrial.org identifier: NCT02438085.

Relationship between ECG Findings and Serum Biomarkers in COVID-19 Patients

Background and aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between ECG findings and blood parameters indicative of inflammation and myocardial injury in COVID-19 patients.

Methods: The study included 159 females and 194 males. Demographics, ECG findings (axis, rhythm, branch block, ST- and T-wave changes, premature ventricular contractions, early repolarization, S1Q3T3, fragmented QRS [fQRS], rate, PR, QRS, QT interval, QTc, P-wave dispersion) and albumin, D-dimer, ferritin, pro-BNP, procalcitonin, protein, troponin T, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), C-reactive protein/albumin ratio (CAR) were recorded.

Results: In the study, 45% of the cases were female and 55% were male. The mean age of the included patients was 45.7 ± 24.4 years. The most frequent comorbidities were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and hypertension (HT) in both groups. The incidence of fQRS on the 1st day was significantly higher in patients with negative COVID-19 test (23% for positive RT-PCR versus 35.6% for negative RT-PCR, p = 0.016). QTc values on the 3rd and 5th day were significantly higher in patients with negative RT-PCR (p = 0.045 and p = 0.042, respectively). Albumin and procalcitonin were significantly higher in patients with positive COVID-19 test results (p = 0.018 and p <0.001, respectively). Patients with fragmented QRS presented significantly lower serum albumin (40.62 ± 4.73 g/L vs. 42.92 ± 3.72 g/L, p = 0.01), and protein levels (p = 0.02), as well as lower lymphocyte count, and significantly higher levels of C-reactive protein (47.01 ± 65.01 mg/L vs. 24.55 ± 44.17 mg/L, p = 0.001), D-dimer (p = 0.009), neutrophil count, pro-BNP (p = 0.004), troponin T (p <0.001), NRL and CAR (1.28 ± 1.83 versus 0.6 ± 1.11, p <0.001).

Conclusion: Patients with COVID-19 infection presented significantly higher levels of C-reactive protein, D-dimer, neutrophil, pro-BNP, procalcitonin, troponin T, NLR, and CAR, and significantly lower levels of albumin, lymphocyte count, and serum proteins, indicating the level of inflammation and its relationship with myocardial injury. Further follow-up studies are required, on larger patient sets, for the development of risk prediction tools in COVID-19 patients.

Meta-analysis of cardiac markers for predictive factors on severity and mortality of COVID-19

OBJECTIVES

Previous observational studies have suggested that increased cardiac markers are commonly found in COVID-19. This study aimed to determine the relationship between several cardiac markers and the severity/mortality of COVID-19 patients.

METHODS

Several cardiac markers were analysed in this meta-analysis. RevMan 5.4 was used to provide pooled estimates for standardised mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine clinical studies were included in this meta-analysis. Significantly higher CK-MB (0.64, 95% CI = 0.19-1.09), PCT (0.47, 95% CI = 0.26-0.68), NT-proBNP (1.90, 95% CI = 1.63-2.17), BNP (1.86, 95% CI = 1.63-2.09), and d-dimer (1.30, 95% CI = 0.91-1.69) were found in severe compared with non-severe COVID-19. Significantly higher CK-MB (3.84, 95% CI = 0.62-7.05), PCT (1.49, 95% CI = 0.86-2.13), NT-proBNP (4.66, 95% CI = 2.42-6.91), BNP (1.96, 95% CI = 0.78-3.14), troponin (1.64 (95% CI = 0.83-2.45), and d-dimer (2.72, 95% CI = 2.14-3.29) were found in those who died from compared with survivors of COVID-19.

CONCLUSIONS

High CK-MB, PCT, NT-proBNP, BNP, and d-dimer could be predictive markers for severity of COVID-19, while high CK-MB, PCT, NT-proBNP, BNP, troponin, and d-dimer could be predictive markers for survival of COVID-19 patients.

Biomarkers of acute myocardial infarction: diagnostic and prognostic value. Part 2 (Literature review)

In the second part of the review, we continue the discussion of biomarkers that have a diagnostic and prognostic significance in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The study of the AMI pathophysiology through the experimental and clinical research contributes to the discovery of new regulatory molecules and pathogenetic mechanisms underlying AMI. At the same time, many molecules involved in the pathogenesis of AMI can be used as effective biomarkers for the diagnosis and prediction of AMI. This article discusses in detail the diagnostic and prognostic value of inflammatory biomarkers of AMI (C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, myeloperoxidase, matrix metalloproteinases, soluble form of CD40 ligand, procalcitonin, placental growth factor) and a number of recently discovered new biomarkers of AMI (microribonucleic acids, galectin-3, stimulating growth factor expressed by gene 2, growth differentiation factor 15, proprotein convertase of subtilisin-kexin type 9).

Post-Myocardial Infarction Ventricular Remodeling Biomarkers-The Key Link between Pathophysiology and Clinic

Studies in recent years have shown increased interest in developing new methods of evaluation, but also in limiting post infarction ventricular remodeling, hoping to improve ventricular function and the further evolution of the patient. This is the point where biomarkers have proven effective in early detection of remodeling phenomena. There are six main processes that promote the remodeling and each of them has specific biomarkers that can be used in predicting the evolution (myocardial necrosis, neurohormonal activation, inflammatory reaction, hypertrophy and fibrosis, apoptosis, mixed processes). Some of the biomarkers such as creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB), troponin, and N-terminal-pro type B natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were so convincing that they immediately found their place in the post infarction patient evaluation protocol. Others that are related to more complex processes such as inflammatory biomarkers, atheroma plaque destabilization biomarkers, and microRNA are still being studied, but the results so far are promising. This article aims to review the markers used so far, but also the existing data on new markers that could be considered, taking into consideration the most important studies that have been conducted so far.

Do MCHC, MPV, and Procalcitonin Levels Determine Prognosis in Acute Coronary Syndrome?

AIM

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) continues to be the main cause of mortality and morbidity globally. The aim was to assess serum procalcitonin (PCT), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and mean platelet volume (MPV) levels in terms of complications after myocardial infarctus, triple vein coronary artery disease (TVCAD), and mortality prediction.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

This cross-sectional cohort study included 200 patients with ACS attending the emergency department of our hospital with chest pain and admitted to the cardiology clinic from January 2014 to December 2016. Patients were divided into 4 groups as inferior group, anterior group, NSTEMI group, and UA group according to diagnosis. These groups were compared in terms of complications occurring after MI, TVCAD, and mortality rates.

RESULTS

There were significant differences in terms of complications forming after ACS, TVCAD, and mortality. The inferior subgroup had high PCT and MCHC levels and was found to have more complications developing and mortality compared to other groups. Patients with high PCT and MPV values were identified to have higher mortality and TVCAD. In the anterior subgroup, ischemic heart failure was higher compared to the other groups. In the interior, anterior, and non-ST elevated myocardial infarctus (NSTEMI) groups, the 0-, 6-, and 12-hour cTnI values were significantly higher compared to the UA group, while the anterior group had a significantly higher 12-hour cTnI value compared to the NSTEMI group. Correlation analysis for PCT, MCHC, and MPV with complications developing after MI, mortality, and TVCAD found positive and statistically significant correlations.

CONCLUSION

High PCT, MCHC, and MPV levels in acute coronary syndrome may be beneficial predictive values in terms of complications that may develop, TVCAD, and mortality.

Diagnostic and prognostic value of biomarkers in acute myocardial infarction

The incidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has been increasing rapidly in recent years, seriously endangering human health. Cardiac biomarkers play critical roles in the diagnosis and prognosis of AMI. Troponin is a highly sensitive and specific biomarker for AMI diagnosis and can independently predict adverse cardiac events. Other biomarkers such as N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide and C reactive protein are also valuable predictors of cardiovascular prognosis. Recently, several novel biomarkers have been identified for the diagnosis and risk assessment in patients with AMI. A multibiomarker approach can potentially enhance the diagnostic accuracy and provide more information for the early risk stratification of AMI. In this review, we will summarise the biomarkers discovered in recent years and focus on their diagnostic and prognostic value for patients with AMI.

Elevated plasma procalcitonin level predicts poor prognosis of ST elevation myocardial infarction in Asian elderly

Previous studies have focused on relationship between plasma procalcitonin level and myocardial infarction risk, but this relationship in Asian elderly has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to reveal the association of peripheral procalcitonin concentration (both immediate and average levels) with myocardial infarction prognosis in Asian elderly. A total of 400 ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients, 400 unstable angina patients and 400 controls were included. Plasma levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and procalcitonin were measured using commercially available kits. Each myocardial infarction patient received a standard therapy and a 12-month follow-up unless major adverse cardiac events occurred. On admission, plasma procalcitonin level was higher in myocardial infarction patients than in unstable angina patients and controls (p < .001). In the follow-up period, 142 myocardial infarction patients suffered from major adverse cardiac events, and other 258 myocardial infarction patients did not. Higher admission, peak and average plasma levels of procalcitonin in the first week after chest pain onset were associated with elevated risk of major adverse cardiac events (HR: 1.46, 95%CI: 1.18-1.99; HR: 2.57, 95%CI: 1.99-3.52; HR: 2.36, 95%CI: 1.81-3.00). Plasma procalcitonin level had a positive linear correlation with plasma level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein on admission (r = 0.650, p < .001). In conclusion, peripheral concentration of procalcitonin (both immediate and average levels) might be an independent predictor for prognosis in myocardial infarction patients. Prognostic significance of procalcitonin might be implicated in inflammation.

Association between procalcitonin levels and carotid atherosclerosis in acute ischemic stroke patients

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSES

Procalcitonin has been suggested as a new risk factor in atherosclerotic disease. However, whether procalcitonin levels are associated with the risk of carotid atherosclerosis remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between procalcitonin levels and carotid atherosclerosis among patients with first-ever acute ischemic stroke.

METHODS

Two hundred and thirty consecutive patients were prospectively enrolled in this study. Serum procalcitonin concentrations were measured at admission for all patients. We also performed ultrasound examination to detect the mean carotid intima-media thickness, presence of carotid-wall thickening, plaque and significant stenosis. Multiple regression analysis was used to estimate the association between procalcitonin levels and carotid atherosclerosis.

RESULTS

The median procalcitonin concentration was 0.051 µg/L (interquartile range, 0.036-0.080 µg/L). Of the 230 patients, 102 (44.3%) had carotid-wall thickening, 113 (49.1%) had plaque and 77 (33.5%) had significant stenosis. After adjusting for all potential confounders by multiple logistic regression analysis, patients with procalcitonin levels in the fourth quartile, compared with the first quartile, were more likely to have carotid-wall thickening [odds ratio 2.288, 95% confidence intervals 1.042-5.021, P = 0.039] and significant stenosis [odds ratio 3.871, 95% confidence intervals 1.690-8.867, P = 0.003]. Furthermore, the linear regression analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between procalcitonin levels and the mean carotid intima-media thickness (β = 0.162, P = 0.012).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher procalcitonin concentrations at admission might be associated with carotid-wall thickening and significant stenosis in ischemic stroke patients.

Recent Advances in Biomarker Discovery — from Serum to Imaging-based Biomarkers for a Complex Assessment of Heart Failure Patients

Over the last years, a vast majority of serum biomarkers and imaging techniques have been used alone or combined in the diagnosis, management and prognosis of numerous pathologies. This review provides a brief insight into the novelties from the last 6 years (2010–2016) regarding serum and imaging markers in heart failure (HF). New information about natriuretic peptides (NPs), soluble ST2 (Sst2), growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), myeloperoxidase (MPO), C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), troponins (Tns), myoglobin (Mb), galectin-3 (Gal-3), micro ribonucleic acids (microRNAs) and long non-coding ribonucleic acids (IncRNAs), copectin and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) measurements were summarized in this review in order to guide the practitioner.

Inflammation biomarkers and mortality prediction in patients with type 2 diabetes (ZODIAC-27)

BACKGROUND

C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT) and pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM) are inflammation markers associated with long-term mortality risk. We compared the associations and predictive capacities of CRP, PCT and MR-proADM with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

This study included primary care treated patients with type 2 diabetes participating in the ZODIAC cohort study. A total of 1005 out of 1688 patients (60%) had complete baseline variables. Baseline CRP, PCT and MR-proADM were assessed in relation to cardiovascular and all-cause mortality with Cox proportional hazard analyses. Hazard Ratios (HR) were adjusted for age, gender, BMI, smoking, systolic blood pressure, cholesterol-HDL ratio, duration of diabetes, HbA1c, history of cardiovascular diseases, albumin-creatinine ratio and creatinine. Risk prediction capabilities were assessed with Harrell's C statistics and proportion of explained variance (R(2)).

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 11 years, 472 (47%) of 1005 patients had died. The likelihood ratio test showed that CRP and MR-proADM significantly improved prediction in cardiovascular mortality [HRs 1.20 (95%CI 1.09-1.33) and 1.56 (95%CI 1.06-2.30)] and in all-cause mortality [HRs 1.10 (95%CI: 1.03-1.18) and 1.31 (95%CI 1.02-1.69)]. Harrell's C values and R(2) measures showed slightly improved discrimination for cardiovascular mortality in patients without macrovascular disease (C: 0.80 to 0.81; R(2): 0.50 to 0.52) and MR-proADM (C: 0.80 to 0.82; R(2): 0.50 to 0.52).

CONCLUSIONS

CRP and MR-proADM, but not PCT, were independently associated with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. In patients without macrovascular diseases, CRP and MR-proADM slightly improved discrimination, in absolute sense, of patients at risk for cardiovascular mortality.

Evaluation of the Septifast MGrade Test on Standard Care Wards--A Cohort Study

Background

The immediate need for appropriate antimicrobial therapy in septic patients requires the detection of the causative pathogen in a timely and reliable manner. In this study, the real-time PCR Septifast M^Grade test was evaluated in adult patients meeting the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria that were treated at standard care wards.

Methods

Patients with clinical suspected infection, drawn blood cultures (BC), the Septifast M^Grade test (SF) and sepsis biomarkers were prospectively screened for fulfillment of SIRS criteria and evaluated using the criteria of the European Centre of Disease Control (ECDC) for infection point prevalence studies.

Results

In total, 220 patients with SIRS were prospectively enrolled, including 56 patients with detection of bacteria in the blood (incidence: 25.5%). BC analysis resulted in 75.0% sensitivity (95% confidence interval, CI: 61.6%– 85.6%) with 97.6% specificity (CI: 93.9%– 99.3%) for detecting bacteria in the blood. In comparison to BC, SF presented with 80.4% sensitivity (CI: 67.6%– 89.8%) and with 97.6% specificity (CI: 93.9%– 99.3%). BC and SF analysis yielded comparable ROC-AUCs (0.86, 0.89), which did not differ significantly (p = 0.558). A trend of a shorter time-to-positivity of BC analysis was not seen in bacteremic patients with a positive SF test than those with a negative test result. Sepsis biomarkers, including PCT, IL-6 or CRP, did not help to explain discordant test results for BC and SF.

Conclusion

Since negative results do not exclude bacteremia, the Septifast M^Grade test is not suited to replacing BC, but it is a valuable tool with which to complement BC for faster detection of pathogens.

Procalcitonin as an Early Predictor of Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes Who Underwent Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is a major issue after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), especially in the setting of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Contrast-induced acute kidney injury is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Inflammation plays an important role in the pathophysiology of CI-AKI. Procalcitonin (PCT) is introduced as a new marker of inflammation. We sought to examine whether admission PCT levels predict the development of CI-AKI. Patients (n = 814) were divided into 2 groups, namely, CI-AKI (-) and CI-AKI (+). An increase in serum creatinine of ≥0.5 mg/dL from baseline within 48 to 72 hours of contrast exposure was defined as CI-AKI. Contrast-induced acute kidney injury occurred in 96 (11.8%) patients. The PCT levels were significantly higher in patients with CI-AKI than in those without, 0.11 (0.056-0.495) vs 0.04 (0.02-0.078) µg/L; P < .001. After multivariable analysis, PCT remained a significant independent predictor of CI-AKI (odds ratio 2.544; 95% CI [1.207-5.347]; P = .014) as well as age, women, white blood cell, hemoglobin, glomerular filtration rate, creatine kinase myocarial band, and SYNTAX score. In conclusion, serum PCT levels are independently associated with a risk of CI-AKI in patients with ACS who underwent urgent PCI.

Clinical usefulness of novel serum and imaging biomarkers in risk stratification of patients with stable angina

Inflammatory mediators appear to be the most intriguing yet confusing subject, regarding the management of patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The current inflammatory concept of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD) led many investigators to concentrate on systemic markers of inflammation, as well as imaging techniques, which may be helpful in risk stratification and prognosis assessment for cardiovascular events. In this review, we try to depict many of the recently studied markers regarding stable angina (SA), their clinical usefulness, and possible future applications in the field.

Perspectives on the value of biomarkers in acute cardiac care and implications for strategic management

Biomarkers in acute cardiac care are gaining increasing interest given their clinical benefits. This study is a review of the major conditions in acute cardiac care, with a focus on biomarkers for diagnostic and prognostic assessment. Through a PubMed search, 110 relevant articles were selected. The most commonly used cardiac biomarkers (cardiac troponin, natriuretic peptides, and C-reactive protein) are presented first, followed by a description of variable acute cardiac conditions with their relevant biomarkers. In addition to the conventional use of natriuretic peptides, cardiac troponin, and C-reactive protein, other biomarkers are outlined in variable critical conditions that may be related to acute cardiac illness. These include ST2 and chromogranin A in acute dyspnea and acute heart failure, matrix metalloproteinase in acute chest pain, heart-type fatty acid binding protein in acute coronary syndrome, CD40 ligand and interleukin-6 in acute myocardial infarction, blood ammonia and lactate in cardiac arrest, as well as tumor necrosis factor-alpha in atrial fibrillation. Endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress and inflammation are involved in the physiopathology of most cardiac diseases, whether acute or chronic. In summary, natriuretic peptides, cardiac troponin, C-reactive protein are currently the most relevant biomarkers in acute cardiac care. Point-of-care testing and multi-markers use are essential for prompt diagnostic approach and tailored strategic management.

Emerging families of biomarkers for coronary artery disease: inflammatory mediators

Introduction

Inflammation has been implicated in the development of atherosclerosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome. C-reactive protein is an established nonspecific prognostic inflammatory biomarker for patients with acute coronary syndrome in the medical literature. This has led to a concerted effort to identify circulating inflammatory biomarkers to facilitate predicting the risk for and diagnosing coronary artery disease in at-risk subjects. The objective of this study was to search after novel inflammatory biomarkers reported as useful for diagnosing coronary artery disease.

Methods

The PubMed database was searched for reports published from January 1, 2000 to June 30, 2012 of novel circulating biomarkers for coronary artery disease in addition to the established biomarker, C-reactive protein. The search terms used were “infarction”, “biomarkers”, and “markers”, and only original articles describing clinical trials that were written in English were included. All published articles were separately examined carefully after novel inflammatory markers for acute coronary syndrome. All irrelevant publications without content pertaining to inflammatory biomarkers for acute coronary syndrome were excluded from this study. Our results reflect all articles concerning biomarkers in humans.

Results

The PubMed search yielded 4,415 research articles. After further analysis, all relevant published original articles examining 53 biomarkers were included in this review, which identified 46 inflammation biomarkers useful for detecting coronary artery disease.

Conclusion

The emergence of diverse novel biomarkers for coronary artery disease has provided insight into the varied pathophysiology of this disease. Inflammatory biomarkers have tremendous potential in aiding the prediction of acute coronary syndrome and recurrent ischemic episodes, and will eventually help improve patient care and management.

Serum procalcitonin levels in the postmortem diagnosis of sepsis

Procalcitonin is regarded as a valuable marker for sepsis in living persons and even in post-mortem investigations. At the Institute of Legal Medicine, 25 autopsy cases with suspected bacterial infectious diseases or sepsis were examined using the semi-quantitative PCT-Q(®)-test (B.R.A.H.M.S., Germany) in 2010 and 2011. As controls, 75 cadavers were used for which there was no suspicion of a bacterial infectious disease or sepsis. Femoral blood was cultured from the cases and from controls, and samples from the brain, heart, lungs, liver, spleen and kidneys were examined histologically for findings seen in sepsis. Twelve cases in the sepsis/infectious disease group (48%) were classifiable as sepsis following synopsis of PCT levels, autopsy results, and histopathological and microbiological findings. This study shows that the semi-quantitative PCT-Q(®)-test is a useful supplementary marker in routine autopsy investigations, capable of classifying death as due to sepsis.

Plasma procalcitonin and the risk of cardiovascular events and death: a prospective population-based study

OBJECTIVES

A number of inflammatory biomarkers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) are independent predictors of cardiovascular risk. The inflammatory biomarker procalcitonin (PCT) has previously been shown to be associated with coronary atherosclerosis and the metabolic syndrome. We evaluated the ability of PCT to predict future cardiovascular events in a population of apparently healthy individuals.

DESIGN

We measured plasma PCT levels in 3713 subjects with no previous history of cardiovascular disease, randomly selected from the Malmö Diet and Cancer cohort. The correlation between PCT concentration and the incidence of coronary events, stroke and cardiovascular death over a median follow-up period of 13.7 years was studied using a Cox regression analysis corrected for age, sex, CRP level, traditional risk factors and renal function.

RESULTS

Age and sex were strong determinants of PCT; the concentration of PCT was significantly higher in men than in women. PCT was associated with several of the established cardiovascular risk factors (CRP, hypertension, diabetes and renal function) as determined by multivariate linear regression. Of note, PCT was inversely correlated with HDL and smoking. We found significant correlations between PCT levels, coronary events and cardiovascular death. However, these relationships lost statistical significance when the analysis was corrected for CRP and the traditional risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the largest population-based prospective study to demonstrate a positive association between plasma PCT levels and cardiovascular risk in subjects with no previous history of acute cardiovascular events. However, the high degree of covariation between PCT and other cardiovascular risk factors limits the value of PCT as an independent cardiovascular risk predictor.

Cardiac biomarkers in acute myocardial infarction

Each year, a large number of patients are seen in the Emergency Department with presentations necessitating investigation for possible acute myocardial infarction. Patients can be stratified by symptoms, risk factors and electrocardiogram results but cardiac biomarkers also have a prime role both diagnostically and prognostically. This review summarizes both the history of cardiac biomarkers as well as currently available (established and novel) assays. Cardiac troponin, our current "gold standard" biomarker criterion for the diagnosis of myocardial infarction has high sensitivity and specificity for this diagnosis and therapies instituted in patients with elevated troponin have been shown to influence outcomes. Other markers of myocardial necrosis, inflammation and neurohormonal activity have also been shown to have either diagnostic or prognostic utility, but none have been shown to be superior to troponin. The measurement of multiple biomarkers and the use of point of care markers may accelerate current diagnostic protocols for the assessment of such patients.

The impact of admission procalcitonin on prognosis in acute coronary syndromes: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

Available evidence on the prognostic role of procalcitonin levels in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) is so far controversial.

AIMS

To evaluate the association between procalcitonin, major cardiovascular events (MACE) and total mortality in acute coronary syndromes.

METHODS

Procalcitonin levels were measured in 247 patients admitted to our Intensive Cardiac Care Unit (ICCU) with ACS. Three subgroups were considered according to procalcitonin levels.

RESULTS

At Cox regression analysis, procalcitonin levels were both an unadjusted and an adjusted predictor (corrected for diagnosis and TnI) of intra-ICCU mortality and of 1-year follow-up MACE and total mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

In ACS, admission procalcitonin values identify a "higher risk" group of patients for short and long-term mortality.

Association of serum procalcitonin with cardiovascular prognosis in coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

Procalcitonin (PCT) is an established biomarker for the diagnosis of sepsis. Evidence is growing that PCT concentration correlates with the extent of atherosclerosis and prognosis in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 2,131 patients with CAD were followed up for a median of 3.6 years. During follow-up, death from cardiovascular causes was registered in 95 patients and non-fatal myocardial infarction in 85 patients. Median and quartile 1 and 3 are reported for PCT concentration. Patients who died of cardiovascular causes had higher PCT concentrations [0.021 (0.012/0.036) ng/ml vs. 0.015 (0.010/0.023) ng/ml; P<0.0001]. Patients with acute coronary syndrome had increased concentrations of PCT in relation to patients with stable angina [0.016 (0.011/0.027) ng/ml vs. 0.014 (0.009/0.014) ng/ml; P for trend <0.0001]. PCT concentration across quartiles was associated with the event rate (P=0.026; log-rank test) and mortality (P=0.00018). On Cox regression analysis, elevated PCT concentration was related to cardiovascular mortality [hazard ratio (HR), 1.34; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08-1.65, P=0.0070], but not to cardiovascular events (HR, 1.09; 95%CI: 0.93-1.28, P=0.28). After adjustment for C-reactive protein (CRP), PCT did not provide additional prognostic information.

CONCLUSIONS

PCT is associated with future cardiovascular mortality in patients with CAD, but PCT is not superior to CRP for prediction of outcome.