Proatrial natriuretic peptide is a better predictor of 28-day mortality in septic shock patients than proendothelin-1

Changes in inflammatory and vasoactive mediator profiles during valvular surgery with or without infective endocarditis: A case control pilot study

Background

More than 50% of patients with infective endocarditis (IE) develop an indication for surgery. Despite its benefit, surgery is associated with a high incidence of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and mortality, which may be linked to increased release of inflammatory mediators during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). We therefore assessed plasma cytokine profiles in patients undergoing valve surgery with or without IE.

Methods

We performed a prospective case-control pilot study comparing patients undergoing cardiac valve surgery with or without IE. Plasma profiles of inflammatory mediators were measured at 7 defined time points and reported as median (interquartile). The degree of MODS was measured using sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score.

Results

Between May and December 2016 we included 40 patients (20 in each group). Both groups showed similar distribution of age and gender. Patients with IE had higher preoperative SOFA (6.9± 2.6 vs 3.8 ± 1.1, p<0.001) and operative risk scores (EuroSCORE II 18.6±17.4 vs. 1.8±1.3, p<0.001). In-hospital mortality was higher in IE patients (35% vs. 5%; p<0.001). Multiple organ failure was the cause of death in all non-survivors. At the end of CPB, median levels of following inflammatory mediators were higher in IE compared to control group: IL-6 (119.73 (226.49) vs. 24.48 (40.09) pg/ml, p = 0.001); IL-18 (104.82 (105.99) vs. 57.30 (49.53) pg/ml, p<0.001); Mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM) (2.06 (1.58) vs. 1.11 (0.53) nmol/L, p = 0.003); MR- pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP) (479.49 (224.74) vs. 266.55 (308.26) pmol/l, p = 0.028). IL-1β and TNF- α were only detectable in IE patients and first after starting CPB. Plasma levels of IL-6, IL-18, MRproADM, and MRproANP during CPB were significantly lower in survivors than in those who died.

Conclusion

The presence of infective endocarditis during cardiac valve surgery is associated with increased inflammatory response as evident by higher plasma cytokine levels and other inflammatory mediators. Actively reducing inflammatory response appears to be a plausible therapeutic concept.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT02727413.

Elevated MR-proANP plasma concentrations are associated with sepsis and predict mortality in critically ill patients

Background and aims

Mid-regional pro atrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP) is an established biomarker for heart failure, based on its key role in regulating homeostasis of water balance and blood pressure. The aim of the study was to determine the value of MR-proANP as a clinical biomarker in critical illness and/or sepsis. Upon admission to the medical intensive care unit (ICU), we investigated MR-proANP plasma concentrations in 217 critically ill patients (144 with sepsis, 73 without sepsis). Results were compared with 65 healthy controls.

Results

MR-proANP plasma levels were significantly elevated in critically ill patients, when compared to healthy controls. Notably, MR-proANP levels were significantly higher in ICU patients with sepsis. MR-proANP levels were not associated with metabolic comorbidities like diabetes or obesity. In critically ill patients, MR-proANP plasma concentrations correlated with inflammatory cytokines, markers of organ dysfunction and several adipocytokines, such as resistin, retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) and adiponectin. Importantly, high MR-proANP plasma levels were associated with mortality, as MR-proANP levels above 227.0 pmol/l indicated a particularly increased mortality risk in ICU patients. The association between MR-proANP and mortality was independent of single organ failure and inflammation markers.

Conclusion

Our study emphasizes the role of circulating MR-proANP as a biomarker in critically ill patients, in which high MR-proANP indicates organ dysfunction, sepsis and mortality risk. The association between high MR-proANP and inflammatory as well as adipose tissue-derived endocrine mediators warrants further pathophysiological investigations.

C-terminal proendothelin-1 (CT-proET-1) is associated with organ failure and predicts mortality in critically ill patients

Background

Endothelin 1 (ET-1) is a strong vasoconstrictor, which is involved in inflammation and reduced tissue perfusion. C-terminal proendothelin-1 (CT-proET-1) is the stable circulating precursor protein of ET-1. We hypothesized that CT-proET-1, reflecting ET-1 activation, is involved in the pathogenesis of critical illness and associated with its prognosis.

Methods

Two hundred seventeen critically ill patients (144 with sepsis, 73 without sepsis) were included prospectively upon admission to the medical intensive care unit (ICU), in comparison to 65 healthy controls. CT-proET-1 serum concentrations were correlated with clinical data and extensive laboratory parameters. Overall survival was followed for up to 3 years.

Results

CT-proET-1 serum levels at admission were significantly increased in critically ill patients compared to controls. CT-proET-1 serum levels showed significant correlations to systemic inflammation as well as multiple markers of organ dysfunction (kidney, liver, heart). Patients with sepsis displayed higher circulating CT-proET-1 than ICU patients with non-septic diseases. CT-proET-1 levels >74 pmol/L at ICU admission independently predicted ICU death (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 2.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.30–5.47) and overall mortality during follow-up (adjusted HR 2.19, 95%-CI 1.21–3.98).

Conclusions

CT-proET-1 serum concentrations at admission are increased in critically ill patients and associated with sepsis, disease severity, organ failure, and mortality.

Adrenomedullin and endothelin-1 are associated with myocardial injury and death in septic shock patients

Background

Adrenomedullin and endothelin-1 are hormones with opposing effects on the cardiovascular system. Adrenomedullin acts as a vasodilator and seems to be important for the initiation and continuation of the hyperdynamic circulatory response in sepsis. Endothelin-1 is a vasoconstrictor and has been linked to decreased cardiac performance. Few studies have studied the relationship between adrenomedullin and endothelin-1, and morbidity and mortality in septic shock patients. High-sensitivity troponin T (hsTNT) is normally used to diagnose acute cardiac injury but is also prognostic for outcome in intensive care. We investigated the relationship between mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM), C-terminal pro-endothelin-1 (CT-proET-1), and myocardial injury, measured using transthoracic echocardiography and hsTNT in septic shock patients. We were also interested in the development of different biomarkers throughout the ICU stay, and how early measurements were related to mortality. Further, we assessed if a positive biomarker panel, consisting of MR-proADM, CT-proET-1, and hsTNT changed the odds for mortality.

Methods

A cohort of 53 consecutive patients with septic shock had their levels of MR-proADM, CT-proET-1, hsTNT, and left ventricular systolic functions prospectively measured over 7 days. The relationship between day 1 levels of MR-proADM/CT-proET-1 and myocardial injury was studied. We also investigated the relationship between biomarkers and early (7-day) and later (28-day) mortality. Likelihood ratios, and pretest and posttest odds for mortality were calculated.

Results

Levels of MR-proADM and CT-proET-1 were significantly higher among patients with myocardial injury and were correlated with left ventricular systolic dysfunction. MR-proADM and hsTNT were significantly higher among 7-day and 28-day non-survivors. CT-proET-1 was also significantly higher among 28-day but not 7-day non-survivors. A positive biomarker panel consisting of the three biomarkers increased the odds for mortality 13-fold to 20-fold.

Conclusions

MR-proADM and CT-proET-1 are associated with myocardial injury. A biomarker panel combining MR-proADM, CT-proET-1, and hsTNT increases the odds ratio for death, and may improve currently available scoring systems in critical care.

Pro-adrenomedullin, pro-endothelin-1, procalcitonin, C-reactive protein and mortality risk in critically ill children: a prospective study

Introduction

We tested the hypothesis that higher mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM), carboxy-terminal pro-endothelin-1 (CT-proET-1), procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) plasma concentrations would be associated with increased prediction of mortality risk scores.

Methods

Prospective observational study set in two pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). Two-hundred-thirty-eight patients were included. MR-proADM, CT-proET-1, PCT and CRP levels were compared between children with PRISM III and PIM 2 > p75 (Group A; n = 33) and the rest (Group B; n = 205).

Results

Median (range) MR-proADM levels were 1.39 nmol/L (0.52–12.67) in group A versus 0.54 (0.15–3.85) in group B (P < 0.001). CT-proET-1 levels were 172 pmol/L (27–500) versus 58 (4–447) (P < 0.001). PCT levels were 7.77 ng/mL (0.34–552.00) versus 0.28 (0.02–107.00) (P < 0.001). CRP levels were 6.23 mg/dL (0.08-28.25) versus 1.30 mg/dL (0.00-42.09) (P = 0.210). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for the differentiation of group A and B was 0.87 (95% CI:0.81–0.821) for MR-proADM, 0.86 (95% CI:0.79–0.92) for CT-proET-1 and 0.84 (95% CI:0.74–0.94) for PCT. A MR-proADM > 0.79 nmol/L had 93% sensitivity and 76% specificity to differentiate groups, whereas a CT-proET-1 > 123 pmol/L had 77% sensitivity and 84% specificity, and a PCT concentration > 2.05 ng/mL had 80% sensitivity and specificity.

Conclusions

In critically ill children, high levels of MR-proADM, CT-proET-1 and PCT were associated with increased prediction of mortality risk scores. MR-proADM, CT-proET-1 and PCT concentrations higher than 0.80 nmol/L, 123 pmol/L and 2 ng/mL, respectively, could be used by clinicians to identify critically ill children at higher prediction of risk death scores.

Precursors of adrenomedullin, endothelin and atrial natriuretic peptide as diagnostic markers of neonatal infection

AIM

To evaluate the serum levels of three precursors of vasoactive peptide as diagnostic markers for neonatal infections.

METHODS

Overall, 356 neonates (160 without infection, 114 with mild infections and 82 with severe infections) were enrolled in this study. Their serum levels of mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-pro-ADM), C-terminal pro-endothelin-1 (CT-pro-ET-1) and mid-regional pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (MR-pro-ANP) were measured by immunoassay, and receiver operating curve analysis was performed for each biomarker to evaluate their diagnostic values for neonatal infection.

RESULTS

The serum levels of MR-pro-ADM (2.079 ± 1.195 nM), CT-pro-ET-1 (109.4 ± 62.9 pM) and MR-pro-ANP (1221.4 ± 725.0 pM) in the severe infection group were significantly higher than those in the mild infection group (1.025 ± 0.421 nM, 86.7 ± 51.8 pM, and 687.6 ± 575.7 pM, respectively) and in the non-infection group (0.853 ± 0.488 nM, 51.3 ± 40.6 pM, and 943.3 ± 847.3 pM, respectively) (p < 0.01-0.001). Their areas under the curve were 0.72, 0.76 and 0.61, respectively. Among them, CT-pro-ET-1 had the highest sensitivity (82.65%), whereas MR-pro-ADM had the highest specificity (86.25%).

CONCLUSIONS

MR-pro-ADM, CT-pro-ET-1 and MR-pro-ANP may serve as useful laboratory markers to indicate bacterial infection in neonates.