Association of plasma fibrinogen and plasminogen with prognosis of inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

Decreased low‑density lipoprotein and the presence of pulmonary arterial hypertension among newly diagnosed drug‑naïve patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: D‑dimer as a mediator

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is commonly associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The present study investigated the relationship between coagulation and changes in lipid parameters in newly-diagnosed patients with SLE in the presence of PAH and whether the coagulation parameters were mediators between lipids and PAH presence. A total of 301 subjects scheduled for new-onset drug-naïve SLE were consecutively enrolled. Baseline data for patients without PAH and with PAH were gathered and compared. Coagulation and lipid parameters were compared across patients without lipid regulating and anticoagulation medications. Multivariable logistic regression model was applied to examine potential predictors of PAH in SLE. The relationships between them were examined using Spearman's correlation analysis. The relationship between coagulation index and lipids with SLE-PAH was evaluated using mediation analysis. Female patients accounted for 88.0% of the 301 subjects, and the average age was 32 years (range, 25-45 years). A total of 40 patients (13.3%) had PAH, and the average pulmonary artery systolic pressure (sPAP) was 55.825±26.67 mmHg. Patients with PAH were older and had higher levels of fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDP), D-dimer, C-reactive protein, lower levels of complement 3, complement 4 and 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 compared with the non-PAH group. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that age and D-dimer were independent predictor factors for PAH. Among patients without lipid regulating and anticoagulation medications, patients in the PAH group had higher levels of D-dimer and FDP, and lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels compared with patients without PAH. There was also a positive relationship between sPAP and D-dimer and FDP, and a negative relationship between sPAP and total cholesterol and LDL. Mediation analysis indicated that 25.61% of the effect of low LDL on PAH presence in systemic lupus erythematosus was mediated by D-dimer. Overall, the effect of low LDL on SLE-PAH appeared to be mediated by D-dimer, which mediated 25.61% of this effect.

Evaluation and management of patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension - consensus statement from the ISHLT

ISHLT members have recognized the importance of a consensus statement on the evaluation and management of patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. The creation of this document required multiple steps, including the engagement of the ISHLT councils, approval by the Standards and Guidelines Committee, identification and selection of experts in the field, and the development of 6 working groups. Each working group provided a separate section based on an extensive literature search. These sections were then coalesced into a single document that was circulated to all members of the working groups. Key points were summarized at the end of each section. Due to the limited number of comparative trials in this field, the document was written as a literature review with expert opinion rather than based on level of evidence.

Elevated Serum Total Bilirubin Level Is Associated with Poor Outcomes in Pediatric Patients with Sepsis-Associated Liver Injury

Aims

The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of the serum total bilirubin (TBIL) level in pediatric patients with sepsis-associated liver injury (SALI).

Methods

We performed a retrospective study of patients with SALI admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) in Shanghai Children's Hospital between December 2012 and December 2015. Serum TBIL concentration was determined within 72 h after PICU admission.

Results

Seventy-two patients with SALI were included in this study. The overall mortality rate was 36.1% (26/72). The serum levels of TBIL of patients were significantly higher in the nonsurvivor group than the survivor group. Cox regression analysis indicated that the elevated serum TBIL level within 72 hours after admission was an independent risk factor of mortality in patients with SALI. Furthermore, the area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) for TBIL was 0.736 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.614–0.858, P=0.001), in which the optimal cut-off value was 64.5 μmol/L. The combined index named “TBIL” and “TBA” showed an AUC of 0.745 (0.626–0.865) for predicting the prognosis in patients with SALI. In addition, the Kaplan–Meier curve indicated that the 28-day survival rate was significantly lower in patients with higher serum TBIL levels (≥64.5 μmol/L) or higher value of TBIL and TBA (≥−0.8902).

Conclusions

Elevated serum TBIL level is associated with poor outcomes in pediatric SALI.

Efficacy of Statin Therapy in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Since the evidence regarding statin therapy in PAH has not been conclusive, we assessed the impact of statin therapy in PAH through a systematic review and meta-analysis of available studies. We searched selected databases up to August 1, 2015 to identify the studies investigating the effect of statin administration on PAH. Meta-analysis was performed using either a fixed-effects or random-effect model according to I(2) statistic. Meta-analysis of 8 studies with 665 patients did not suggest any significant improvement in 6-min walking distance (6MWD) by statin therapy (weighed mean difference [WMD]: -6.08 m, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -25.66, 13.50, p = 0.543; Q = 8.41, I(2) = 28.64%). Likewise, none of the other indices including pulmonary arterial pressure (WMD: -0.97 mmHg, 95%CI: -4.39, 2.44, p = 0.577; Q = 14.64, I(2) = 79.51%), right atrial pressure (WMD: 1.01 mmHg, 95%CI: -0.93, 2.96, p = 0.307; Q = 44.88, I(2) = 95.54%), cardiac index (WMD: 0.05 L/min/m(2), 95%CI: -0.05, 0.15, p = 0.323; Q = 3.82, I(2) = 21.42%), and pulmonary vascular resistance (WMD: -1.42 dyn*s/cm(5), 95%CI: -72.11, 69.27, p = 0.969; Q = 0.69, I(2) = 0%) was significantly altered by statin therapy. In conclusion, the results of the meta-analysis did not show a statistically significant effect of statin therapy in the improvement of 6MWD, pulmonary arterial pressure, right atrial pressure, cardiac index and pulmonary vascular resistance.

Coagulation-Fibrinolysis System and Postoperative Outcomes of Patients With Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension

BACKGROUND

The postoperative changes in the coagulation-fibrinolysis system and the association between the system and postoperative course of patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) who have undergone pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) remain unclear.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Between 1986 and 2013, 117 patients (55.1±11.2 years, preoperative mean pulmonary arterial pressure 46.5±10.5 mmHg) underwent PEA, and 15 patients died during the perioperative period. We studied the association between the preoperative coagulation-fibrinolysis markers and surgical outcomes of all patients, and the long-term outcomes of the 102 survivors from the date of PEA. We also investigated the postoperative changes in coagulation-fibrinolysis markers and their association with residual pulmonary hypertension (PH) in 20 consecutive patients. Only an elevated factor VIII level was associated with perioperative death. Thrombomodulin and plasminogen values were significantly increased after PEA. Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that D-dimer positivity at follow-up was a risk factor for residual PH. Patients with both an elevated fibrinogen level (≥291 mg/dl [median]) and decreased plasminogen activity (<100% [median]) had significantly worse disease-specific survival than the other patients (5-year disease-specific survival: 84.0% vs. 100%, respectively; P=0.0041 [log-rank test]).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperatively high fibrinogen and low plasminogen values in patients with CTEPH are associated with poor long-term postoperative outcome. PEA benefited not only the pulmonary hemodynamics but also the coagulation-fibrinolysis system of patients.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary arterial hypertension: a review of the literature and novel therapeutic approaches

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension is defined as pulmonary hypertension (PH) caused by single or recurrent pulmonary emboli and is characterized by chronic obstruction of the pulmonary arteries leading to increased vascular resistance and PH. Also, progressive remodeling may occur in occluded and nonoccluded territories. Better understanding of the underlying mechanisms and risk factors could improve diagnosis and allow appropriate interventions. Pulmonary endarterectomy is an established approach and is considered the definitive treatment for chronic PH, resulting from thromboembolic disease. Furthermore, percutaneous transluminal pulmonary angioplasty is technically feasible, especially for those with peripheral-type of the disease. In addition, several agents, including prostanoids, endothelin receptor antagonists and phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors, have been tested in selected patients yielding promising results. Several novel agents are under investigation, and extensive research is currently in progress aiming to resolve uncertainties in the understanding and treatment of the disease.