Pragmatic Approach to Temporary Mechanical Circulatory Support in Acute Right Ventricular Failure

Acute right ventricular failure (RVF) is prevalent in multiple disease states and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. Right-sided temporary mechanical circulatory support (tMCS) devices are used to unload RV congestion and increase cardiac output in cardiogenic shock (CS) with hemodynamically significant RVF. Several RV-tMCS device platforms are available; however consensus is lacking on patient selection, timing of escalation to RV-tMCS, device management, and device weaning. The purposes of this review are to 1) describe the current state of tMCS device therapies for acute RVF with CS, 2) discuss principles of escalation to RV-tMCS device therapy, 3) examine important aspects of clinical management for patients supported by RV-tMCS devices including volume management, anticoagulation, and positive pressure ventilation, and 4) provide a framework for RV-tMCS weaning.

Laboratory Predictors of Prognosis in Cardiogenic Shock Complicating Acute Myocardial Infarction

Cardiogenic shock is a state of reduced cardiac output leading to hypotension, pulmonary congestion, and hypoperfusion of tissues and vital organs. Despite the advances in intensive care over the last years, the morbidity and mortality of patients remain high. The available studies of patients with cardiogenic shock suggest a connection between clinical variables, the level of biomarkers, the results of imaging investigations, strategies of management and the outcome of this group of patients. The management of patients with cardiogenic shock initially complicating acute myocardial infarction is challenging, and the number of studies in this area is growing fast. The purpose of this review is to summarize the currently available evidence on cardiogenic shock initially complicating acute myocardial infarction with particular attention to predictors of prognosis, focusing on laboratory variables (established and new), and to discuss the practical implementation. Currently available scoring systems developed during the past few decades predict the clinical outcome of this group of patients using some of the established biomarkers among other variables. With the new laboratory biomarkers that have shown their predictive value in cardiogenic shock outcomes, a new design of scoring systems would be of interest. Identifying high-risk patients offers the opportunity for early decision-making.

Activated protein C targets immune cells and rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts to prevent inflammatory arthritis in mice

Objectives

To investigate whether activated protein C (APC), a physiological anticoagulant can inhibit the inflammatory/invasive properties of immune cells and rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts (RASFs) in vitro and prevent inflammatory arthritis in murine antigen-induced arthritis (AIA) and CIA models.

Methods

RASFs isolated from synovial tissues of patients with RA, human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and mouse thymus cells were treated with APC or TNF-α/IL-17 and the following assays were performed: RASF proliferation and invasion by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and cell invasion assays, respectively; cytokines and signalling molecules using ELISA or western blot; Th1 and Th17 phenotypes in human PBMCs or mouse thymus cells by flow cytometry. The in vivo effect of APC was evaluated in AIA and CIA models.

Results

In vitro, APC inhibited IL-1β, IL-17 and TNF-α production, IL-17-stimulated cell proliferation and invasion and p21 and nuclear factor κB activation in RASFs. In mouse thymus cells and human PBMCs, APC suppressed Th1 and Th17 phenotypes. In vivo, APC inhibited pannus formation, cartilage destruction and arthritis incidence/severity in both CIA and AIA models. In CIA, serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, TNF-α and soluble endothelial protein C receptor were significantly reduced by APC treatment. Blocking endothelial protein C receptor, the specific receptor for APC, abolished the early or preventative effect of APC in AIA.

Conclusion

APC prevents the onset and development of arthritis in CIA and AIA models via suppressing inflammation, Th1/Th17 phenotypes and RASF invasion, which is likely mediated via endothelial protein C receptor.

Lower plasma protein C activity is associated with early myocardial necrosis and no-reflow phenomenon in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction

Background: Activity of protein C has important role in the development of early necrosis and no-reflow phenomenon in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) after successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). Methods: We examined association between plasma activity of protein C, antithrombin, coagulation factors II, VII, VIII and fibrinogen to early formation of new Q-waves (myocardial necrosis) before pPCI and early ST-segment resolution (microcirculatory reperfusion) after pPCI in patients with acute STEMI. According to ischaemic time, patients were considered as early or late presenters. 12-lead ECG was analysed for the presence of new Q-wave at admission and for significant ST-segment resolution 60 minutes after primary PCI. Results: In early presenters' group, protein C activity was significantly lower in patients who did not achieve significant ST-segment resolution after pPCI compared to patients who did (1.11 IU/L vs. 0.99 IU/L, p = .006) and in patients who had new Q-waves compared to group who had not (1.04 UI/l vs. 1.11 IU/L, p = .038). There was significant negative correlation between protein C activity and maximal CK-MB levels (R² = 0.06, p = .009) and BNP levels (R² = 0.109, p = .003) and significant positive correlation between protein C activity with LVEF (R² = 0.065, constant = 33.940, b = 11.968, p = .007) in early STEMI presenters. There were no differences between the activity of other examined haemostasis factors. Conclusion: Therefore we concluded that STEMI patients with early myocardial necrosis and no-reflow phenomenon after pPCI have lower activity of plasma protein C levels.

Predictors of Outcomes in Myocardial Infarction and Cardiogenic Shock

Myocardial infarction (MI) complicated by cardiogenic shock (MI-CS) is a major cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Predictors of outcomes in MI-CS include clinical, laboratory, radiologic variables, and management strategies. This article reviews the existing literature on short- and long-term predictors and risk stratification in MI complicated by CS.