Evolocumab Treatment in Pediatric Patients With Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia: Pooled Data From Three Open-Label Studies

BACKGROUND

Pediatric patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) have an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and difficulty meeting low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goals. In this post hoc analysis, we evaluated pooled safety and efficacy data from 3 studies in pediatric patients with HoFH treated with the PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9) monoclonal antibody inhibitor evolocumab.

METHODS

Patients with HoFH aged 10 to 17 years received treatment with open-label evolocumab 420 mg subcutaneously monthly or biweekly in the TAUSSIG, RAMAN, or HAUSER-OLE clinical studies. All patients received background statins with or without ezetimibe. Study duration ranged from 12 to 260 weeks. The primary end point was treatment-emergent adverse events per 100 patient-years. Efficacy end points were changes from baseline to week 12 in lipids and PCSK9.

RESULTS

Of the 39 patients in the pooled analysis, 69.2% were males, median age was 13.0 years, and 79.5% (31/39) had genotyped HoFH with LDLR pathogenic variants. Overall, median exposure to evolocumab was 18.2 (Q1, Q3: 3.0, 18.5) months. Treatment-emergent adverse events with an exposure-adjusted patient incidence rate of ≥5% were upper respiratory tract infection (6.6%), influenza (5.2%), and acne (5.0%) per 100 patient-years. Exposure-adjusted patient incidence of serious treatment-emergent adverse events was 13.3% per 100 patient-years. Excluding 4 patients receiving lipoprotein apheresis, week 12 median percentage change from baseline in LDL-C was -2.9% (Q1, Q3: -21.7, 1.5); however, 42.9% (15/35) of patients achieved ≥15% reduction in LDL-C from baseline. Residual LDLR (LDL receptor) activity was not associated with a reduction in LDL-C.

CONCLUSIONS

In this pooled data analysis from 3 studies in pediatric patients with HoFH, evolocumab was well tolerated, with no new safety signals reported. These safety findings are consistent with findings from previous studies of evolocumab. Patients showed marked variability in LDL-C reduction. Results from this pooled analysis support guidelines suggesting a trial of PCSK9 inhibitor therapy regardless of estimated residual LDLR function.

REGISTRATION

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT01624142, NCT03403374, and NCT02624869.

Rationale and design of the effect of evolocumab in patients at high cardiovascular risk without prior myocardial infarction or stroke (VESALIUS-CV) trial

BACKGROUND

The reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) with evolocumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody inhibitor of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9i), reduces the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) with a prior MI, prior stroke, or symptomatic peripheral artery disease, with no offsetting safety concerns. The effect of evolocumab on CV outcomes in lower risk patients without a history of MI or stroke has not been explored.

STUDY DESIGN

VESALIUS-CV is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, global clinical trial designed to evaluate the effect of evolocumab on the risk of major cardiovascular events in patients at high cardiovascular risk but without a prior ischemic event. The study population consists of 12,301 patients with atherosclerosis or high-risk diabetes mellitus without a prior MI or stroke; an LDL-C ≥ 90 mg/dL, or non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) ≥ 120 mg/dL, or apolipoprotein B ≥ 80 mg/dL; and treated with optimized lipid-lowering therapy. Patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to evolocumab 140 mg subcutaneously every 2 weeks or matching placebo. The primary efficacy objective is to assess whether evolocumab reduces the risk of the dual primary composite endpoints of coronary heart disease (CHD) death, myocardial infarction (MI), or ischemic stroke (triple primary endpoint) and of CHD death, MI, ischemic stroke, or ischemia-driven arterial revascularization (quadruple primary endpoint). Recruitment began in June 2019 and completed in November 2021. The trial is planned to continue until at least 751 patients experience an adjudicated triple endpoint, at least 1254 experience an adjudicated quadruple endpoint, and the median follow-up is ≥4.5 years.

CONCLUSION

VESALIUS-CV will determine whether the addition of evolocumab to optimized lipid-lowering therapy reduces cardiovascular events in patients at high cardiovascular risk without a prior MI or stroke.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT03872401.

Evolocumab in paediatric heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia: cognitive function during 80 weeks of open-label extension treatment

AIMS

PCSK9 inhibition intensively lowers low density lipoprotein cholesterol and is well tolerated in adults and paediatric patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH). HAUSER-RCT showed that 24 weeks of treatment with evolocumab in paediatric patients did not affect cognitive function. This study determined the effects of 80 additional weeks of evolocumab treatment on cognitive function in paediatric patients with heterozygous FH.

METHODS AND RESULTS

HAUSER-OLE was an 80-week open-label extension of HAUSER-RCT, a randomized, double-blind, 24-week trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of evolocumab in paediatric patients (ages 10-17 years) with FH. During the OLE, all patients received monthly 420 mg subcutaneous evolocumab injections. Tests of psychomotor function, attention, visual learning, and executive function were administered at baseline and Weeks 24 and 80 of the OLE. Changes over time were analysed descriptively and using analysis of covariance. Cohen's d statistic was used to evaluate the magnitude of treatment effects. Analysis of covariance results indicated no decrease in performance across visits during 80 weeks of evolocumab treatment for Groton Maze Learning, One Card Learning accuracy, Identification speed, or Detection speed (all P > 0.05). Performance on all tasks was similar for those who received placebo or evolocumab in the RCT (all P > 0.05). For all tests, the least square mean differences between patients who received placebo vs. evolocumab in the parent study were trivial (all Cohen's d magnitude < 0.2).

CONCLUSION

In paediatric patients with FH, 80 weeks of open-label evolocumab treatment had no negative impact on cognitive function.

REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02624869.

General classification of rhinopaties: the need for standardization according to etiology and nasal cytology

BACKGROUND

Rhinitis is as an inflammation of the nasal mucosa, characterized by high prevalence, widespread morbidity, and a significant financial burden on health care systems. Nevertheless, it is often considered as no more than a mere annoyance. This point of view has progressively led to underestimate and trivialize the disease. Therefore, there are numerous, mostly overlapping classifications of rhinopaties, but clear and standardized guidelines for diagnosis and treatment are still lacking. In the context of Precision Medicine, the development of a classification system focused on the endotypes of rhinitis to be widely adopted appears of utmost importance, also by virtue of study of the nasal immunophlogosis that, thanks to nasal cytology (NC), has recently allowed to better define the different forms of rhinitis, giving a new nosological dignity to several rhinopaties.

AIM

We aimed to summarize the current knowledge regarding rhinitis and to propose a systematic classification of rhinitis, based on both etiology and cytological findings.

Evolocumab treatment reduces carotid intima-media thickness in paediatric patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia

Background

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is characterised by high plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and increased risk of premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Previous studies show that carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) is increased in children with FH, an indicator of early ASCVD. Add-on treatment with the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor, evolocumab, substantially reduced atherosclerotic lipid levels in children with heterozygous FH (HeFH) and was safe and well tolerated. The effect of evolocumab on cIMT in paediatric patients (pts) has not been investigated.

Purpose

To investigate the effect of evolocumab treatment on cIMT progression in paediatric pts with HeFH.

Methods

HAUSER-RCT was a multicenter, randomised, placebo-controlled study in which paediatric FH pts (ages 10–17 years) received monthly subcutaneous injections of evolocumab 420 mg or placebo. Of 157 pts, 150 continued to an open-label extension study (HAUSER-OLE) during which all received up to 80 weeks of monthly evolocumab 420 mg on top of stable background statin therapy. cIMT was measured by B-mode ultrasound scanning at baseline, week 24 of the RCT, and weeks 24, 48, and 80 of the OLE. cIMT was measured on anterior, lateral, and posterior imaging angles of the right and left common carotid artery. Mean thickness at each visit and mean changes from baseline were summarised by treatment received during the RCT and artery location. In addition, the largest measurements (anterior, lateral, or posterior) from a patient's left and right carotid artery were averaged to calculate a summary score.

Results

Mean baseline cIMT summary score was 0.568 mm (SD=0.06) for 46 placebo pts and 0.586 mm (SD=0.06) for 82 evolocumab pts. During the RCT, 37 placebo pts had a mean increase of 0.006 mm (SD=0.05) from baseline to week 24; in contrast, 76 evolocumab pts had a mean decrease of 0.003 mm (SD=0.05). Although this treatment group difference was not statistically significant (P=0.403), the pattern of increased cIMT for placebo and decreased cIMT for evolocumab was consistent across artery locations (Table). During the OLE, for pts who initially received placebo, mean cIMT summary score decreased by 0.019 mm (SD=0.04, n=34) from baseline to week 80 (P=0.007) (Figure). Pts who received evolocumab in both the RCT and OLE showed continued improvement during the OLE; at week 80, mean cIMT summary score decreased by 0.012 mm (SD=0.05, n=59) from baseline (P=0.067). For all pts at week 80 (n=128), the mean decrease in LDL-C from baseline was 35.3% (SD=28.0).

Conclusions

Open-label evolocumab treatment for up to 80 weeks led to reductions in mean cIMT. In this small sample of pts with FH, the data suggest that the addition of PCSK9 inhibition to background lipid-lowering therapy has the potential to reduce the risk of ASCVD progression and future cardiovascular events in this vulnerable paediatric population.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): Amgen, Inc.

Paediatric patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia treated with evolocumab for 80 weeks (HAUSER-OLE): a single-arm, multicentre, open-label extension of HAUSER-RCT

BACKGROUND

The HAUSER-RCT study showed that 24 weeks of evolocumab (a proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 [PCSK9] inhibitor) in paediatric patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia was safe and improved lipid parameters compared to placebo. Here, we aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of evolocumab in this population for an additional 80 weeks.

METHODS

HAUSER-OLE was an 80-week, single-arm, open-label extension of HAUSER-RCT, a randomised controlled trial, and was conducted at 46 centres in 23 countries. Paediatric patients aged 10-17 years with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia who completed 24 weeks of monthly treatment with subcutaneously administered placebo or 420 mg evolocumab in HAUSER-RCT with no serious treatment-emergent adverse events were eligible to enrol in HAUSER-OLE. All patients received open-label subcutaneous evolocumab 420 mg monthly with background statins with or without ezetimibe for 80 additional weeks. The primary endpoint was treatment-emergent adverse events. Efficacy was evaluated by changes in lipids from the baseline of HAUSER-RCT to the end of HAUSER-OLE (104 weeks). This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02624869) and is now completed.

FINDINGS

Between Sept 10, 2016, and Nov 25, 2019, 157 patients were enrolled in HAUSER-RCT and received randomised treatment; 150 continued to HAUSER-OLE, received evolocumab treatment, and were included in the full analysis set, presented here. 146 (97%) of 150 patients completed the open-label extension. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events in HAUSER-OLE was 70% (105 of 150). Overall, the most common treatment-emergent adverse events were nasopharyngitis (22 [15%] of 150), headache (14 [9%]), and influenza-like illness (13 [9%]). Serious treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in four (3%) of 150 patients (perforated appendicitis and peritonitis, wrist fracture, anorexia nervosa, and headache); none was considered related to evolocumab. No treatment-emergent adverse events led to treatment discontinuation. At week 80, the mean percentage change from baseline in LDL cholesterol was -35·3% (SD 28·0).

INTERPRETATION

After 80 weeks of treatment, evolocumab was safe, well tolerated, and led to sustained reductions in LDL cholesterol in paediatric patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia. When lipid goals cannot be achieved with conventional treatments, evolocumab is an effective add-on therapy in paediatric patients.

FUNDING

Amgen.

TRANSLATIONS

For the French, Spanish, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and Dutch translations of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Long-Term Levels of LDL-C and Cognitive Function: The CARDIA Study

OBJECTIVES

It is uncertain if long-term levels of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) affect cognition in middle age. We examined the association of LDL-C levels over 25 years with cognitive function in a prospective cohort of black and white US adults.

METHODS

Lipids were measured at baseline (1985-1986; age: 18-30 years) and at serial examinations conducted over 25 years. Time-averaged cumulative LDL-C was calculated using the area under the curve for 3,328 participants with ≥3 LDL-C measurements and a cognitive function assessment. Cognitive function was assessed at the Year 25 examination with the Digit Symbol Substitution Test [DSST], Rey Auditory Visual Learning Test [RAVLT], and Stroop Test. A brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sub-study (N = 707) was also completed at Year 25 to assess abnormal white matter tissue volume (AWMV) and gray matter cerebral blood flow volume (GM-CBFV) as secondary outcomes.

RESULTS

There were 15.6%, 32.9%, 28.9%, and 22.6% participants with time-averaged cumulative LDL-C <100 mg/dL, 101-129 mg/dL, 130-159 mg/dL, and ≥160 mg/dL, respectively. Standardized differences in all cognitive function test scores ranged from 0.16 SD lower to 0.09 SD higher across time-averaged LDL-C categories in comparison to those with LDL-C < 100 mg/dL. After covariate adjustment, participants with higher versus lower time-averaged LDL-C had a lower RAVLT score (p-trend = 0.02) but no differences were present for DSST, Stroop Test, AWMV, or GM-CBFV.

CONCLUSION

Cumulative LDL-C was associated with small differences in memory, as assessed by RAVLT scores, but not other cognitive or brain MRI measures over 25 years of follow-up.

Acute arterial events across all vascular territories in the FOURIER trial

Background

In the FOURIER (Further Cardiovascular Outcomes Research With PCSK9 Inhibition in Patients With Elevated Risk) trial, adding the PCSK9 inhibitor evolocumab to statin therapy reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and cardiovascular risk. Although atherosclerotic coronary, cerebrovascular, and peripheral vascular events share a related pathobiology, the effect of aggressive LDL-C lowering with PCSK9 inhibition on the risk of acute arterial events across all three vascular beds is not well-described.

Purpose

To assess the efficacy of evolocumab on acute arterial events in all vascular territories including coronary, cerebral, and peripheral vascular beds.

Methods

In the FOURIER trial, patients (n=27,564) with stable atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and LDL-C ≥70 mg/dL on a statin were randomly assigned to evolocumab versus placebo and followed for a median of 2.2 years (1.8–2.5). Acute arterial events were defined as a composite of coronary (coronary heart disease [CHD] death, myocardial infarction [MI], or urgent coronary revascularization), cerebrovascular (ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack [TIA], or urgent cerebral revascularization), or peripheral vascular (acute limb ischemia, major amputation, or urgent peripheral revascularization) events. Cox proportional-hazard models were used to assess the efficacy of evolocumab on these outcomes. Landmark and total event analyses were also done.

Results

Of the 2,210 first acute arterial events occurring during follow-up, 74% were coronary, 22% were cerebrovascular, and 4% were peripheral vascular. Evolocumab reduced the risk of a first acute arterial event by 19% (HR 0.81, 95% CI 0.74–0.88; P&lt;0.001), with significant individual reductions in acute coronary (HR 0.83; 95% CI 0.75–0.91; P&lt;0.001), acute cerebrovascular (HR 0.77; 95% CI 0.65–0.92; P=0.004), and acute peripheral vascular (HR 0.58; 95% CI 0.38–0.88; P=0.01) events (Figure, top). The magnitude of the risk reduction with evolocumab tended to increase over time, with a 16% reduction (HR 0.84; 95% CI 0.75–0.96) in the first year followed by a 24% reduction (HR 0.76; 95% CI 0.67–0.85) thereafter (Figure, bottom). There were 3,780 total acute arterial events (first plus recurrent), with a 22% reduction with evolocumab (incidence rate ratio [RR] 0.78; 95% CI 0.70–0.87). Evolocumab prevented 496 total acute arterial events as compared to 222 first events.

Conclusions

The addition of the PCSK9 inhibitor evolocumab to statin therapy reduced the risk of acute arterial events across all vascular territories with a robust effect over time. These findings indicate a pan-vascular impact of aggressive lipid-lowering therapy on these acute and clinically meaningful events.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): The FOURIER trial was supported by Amgen.

Cardiovascular benefit of lowering LDL-C below 1 mmol/L (40 mg/dl)

Background

The 2019 ESC/EAS Dyslipidemia Guidelines recommend an LDL-C goal of &lt;1.4 mmol/L (∼55 mg/dl) for patients with very high-risk ASCVD, and &lt;1 mmol/L (∼40 mg/dl) for those with recurrent events within 2 years despite taking maximally tolerated statin therapy. The addition of PCSK9 inhibitors to statin therapy can achieve LDL-C levels well below 1 mmol/L in many patients, yet the clinical benefit of LDL-C lowering beyond this level has recently been questioned.

Methods

FOURIER was a cardiovascular outcomes trial comparing evolocumab vs. placebo in patients with stable ASCVD on optimized statin therapy with a median follow-up of 2.2 years. We performed an exploratory analysis to determine the consistency of CV risk reduction with LDL-C lowering below ∼1 mmol/L (40 mg/dl) with evolocumab. We modeled the achieved LDL-C at 48 weeks in the two treatment arms as well as the percentage of LDL-C difference between the two arms that was due to LDL-C below ∼1 mmol/L (40 mg/dl) as a function of baseline LDL-C. We then modeled the hazard ratio (HR) for the composite of CV death, MI or stroke (per 1 mmol/L reduction in LDL-C) with evolocumab vs. placebo as a function of baseline LDL-C.

Results

All 27,564 patients from FOURIER were included in this analysis. Patients with lower baseline LDL-C achieved lower LDL-C levels following evolocumab therapy, with achieved LDL-C typically being below 1 mmol/L (40 mg/dl) once the baseline LDL-C was below 2.4 mmol/L (94 mg/dl) and reaching levels approaching 0.5 mmol/L (∼20 mg/dl). Accordingly, the further baseline LDL-C levels were below 2.4 mmol/L (94 mg/dl), the greater the proportion of the difference in achieved LDL-C between the evolocumab and placebo arms was due to LDL-C levels below ∼1 mmol/L (40 mg/dl), reaching nearly 40% of the difference in LDL-C between treatment arms (Upper Panel). Despite this, the clinical benefit of LDL-C lowering was not attenuated (p=0.78) (and even appeared greater), with robust reductions in risk of CV death, MI or stroke even when LDL-C was lowered to nearly 0.5 mmol/L (∼20 mg/dl) and having close to 40% of the LDL-C difference between treatment arms due to LDL-C lowering below ∼1 mmol/L (40 mg/dl) (Lower Panel).

Conclusion

PCSK9 inhibitors added to statin therapy can achieve LDL-C well below 1 mmol/L (40 mg/dl). There is no evidence for attenuation of the clinical benefit of lowering LDL-C below this threshold. These data support lowering LDL-C to below 1 mmol/L (40 mg/dl) in patients with ASCVD.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): National Institute of Health

Effect of evolocumab on acute arterial events across all vascular territories : results from the FOURIER trial

AIMS

We assessed the impact of the proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor evolocumab on acute arterial events across all vascular territories, including coronary, cerebrovascular, and peripheral vascular beds, in patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).

METHODS AND RESULTS

In the FOURIER trial, 27 564 patients with stable ASCVD on statin therapy were randomly assigned to evolocumab or placebo. Acute arterial events were a composite of acute coronary (coronary heart disease death, myocardial infarction, or urgent coronary revascularization), cerebrovascular (ischaemic stroke, transient ischaemic attack, or urgent cerebral revascularization), or peripheral vascular (acute limb ischaemia, major amputation, or urgent peripheral revascularization) events. Of the 2210 first acute arterial events, 74% were coronary, 22% were cerebrovascular, and 4% were peripheral vascular. Evolocumab reduced first acute arterial events by 19% (hazard ratio [HR] 0.81 [95% confidence interval 0.74-0.88]; P < 0.001), with significant individual reductions in acute coronary (HR 0.83 [0.75-0.91]), cerebrovascular (HR 0.77 [0.65-0.92]), and peripheral vascular (HR 0.58 [0.38-0.88]) events. There were 3437 total events (first plus recurrent), with evolocumab reducing total events by 24% (incidence rate ratio 0.76 [0.69-0.85]). The magnitude of reduction in acute arterial events with evolocumab numerically increased over time, with a 16% reduction (HR 0.84 [0.75-0.95]) in the first year followed by a 24% reduction (HR 0.76 [0.67-0.85]) thereafter.

CONCLUSION

The addition of the PCSK9 inhibitor evolocumab to statin therapy reduced acute arterial events across all vascular territories with a robust effect over time, indicating a pan-vascular impact of aggressive lipid-lowering therapy on these acute and clinically meaningful events.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01764633.

Cognition After Lowering LDL-Cholesterol With Evolocumab

BACKGROUND

The EBBINGHAUS (Evaluating PCSK9 Binding Antibody Influence on Cognitive Health in High Cardiovascular Risk Subjects) trial demonstrated that evolocumab added to a background statin did not affect cognitive performance in a subset of 1,204 patients enrolled in FOURIER (Further Cardiovascular Outcomes Research With PCSK9 inhibitors in Subjects With Elevated Risk).

OBJECTIVES

The authors describe patient-reported cognition in the entire FOURIER trial using a self-survey.

METHODS

FOURIER was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels ≥70 mg/dl or non-high-density cholesterol ≥100 mg/dl despite statin therapy. At the final visit, patients completed a 23-item survey on memory and executive domains from the Everyday Cognition (ECog) scale. Patients compared their levels of everyday function at the end of the trial with their levels at the beginning and scored as 1 (no change or improvement), 2 (occasionally worse), 3 (consistently little worse), or 4 (consistently much worse). ECog scores were compared by the 2 randomized treatment arms and by achieved LDL-C at 4 weeks.

RESULTS

A total of 22,655 patients completed ECog after a median duration of 2.2 years. The proportions of patients reporting cognitive decline (ECog score ≥2) at the end of the study were similar for placebo versus evolocumab, both for total score 3.6% versus 3.7% (p = 0.62) and for subdomains (memory, 5.8% vs. 6.0%; total executive, 3.6% vs. 3.7%). The proportion of patients reporting a decline in total cognitive score was similar among the 2,338 patients who achieved very low LDL-C levels (<20 mg/dl) compared to the 3,613 patients with LDL-C ≥100 mg/dl (3.8% vs. 4.5%, p = 0.57).

CONCLUSIONS

The addition of evolocumab to maximally tolerated statin therapy had no impact on patient-reported cognition after an average of 2.2 years of treatment, even among patients who achieved LDL-C <20 mg/dl.

Evolocumab in Pediatric Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia

BACKGROUND

Evolocumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody directed against proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9, is widely used in adult patients to lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. Its effects in pediatric patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia are not known.

METHODS

We conducted a 24-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of evolocumab in pediatric patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. Patients 10 to 17 years of age who had received stable lipid-lowering treatment for at least 4 weeks before screening and who had an LDL cholesterol level of 130 mg per deciliter (3.4 mmol per liter) or more and a triglyceride level of 400 mg per deciliter (4.5 mmol per liter) or less were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive monthly subcutaneous injections of evolocumab (420 mg) or placebo. The primary end point was the percent change in LDL cholesterol level from baseline to week 24; key secondary end points were the mean percent change in LDL cholesterol level from baseline to weeks 22 and 24 and the absolute change in LDL cholesterol level from baseline to week 24.

RESULTS

A total of 157 patients underwent randomization and received evolocumab (104 patients) or placebo (53 patients). At week 24, the mean percent change from baseline in LDL cholesterol level was -44.5% in the evolocumab group and -6.2% in the placebo group, for a difference of -38.3 percentage points (P<0.001). The absolute change in the LDL cholesterol level was -77.5 mg per deciliter (-2.0 mmol per liter) in the evolocumab group and -9.0 mg per deciliter (-0.2 mmol per liter) in the placebo group, for a difference of -68.6 mg per deciliter (-1.8 mmol per liter) (P<0.001). Results for all secondary lipid variables were significantly better with evolocumab than with placebo. The incidence of adverse events that occurred during the treatment period was similar in the evolocumab and placebo groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In this trial involving pediatric patients with familial hypercholesterolemia, evolocumab reduced the LDL cholesterol level and other lipid variables. (Funded by Amgen; HAUSER-RCT ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02392559.).

Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of Evolocumab in Patients With Hypercholesterolemia

BACKGROUND

Evolocumab and other anti-PCSK9 antibodies reduced adverse cardiovascular outcomes in clinical trials of high-risk patients over <3 years median treatment duration.

OBJECTIVES

The OSLER-1 trial (Open Label Study of Long Term Evaluation Against LDL-C Trial) evaluated longer-term effects of evolocumab during open-label hypercholesterolemia treatment for up to 5 years.

METHODS

Patients randomized to standard of care (SOC) or evolocumab 420 mg monthly (evolocumab + SOC) for year 1. After year 1, patients could enter the all-evolocumab period and receive evolocumab + SOC for an additional 4 years. The authors analyzed the persistence of lipid effects and exposure-dependent safety focusing on yearly rates of adverse events (AEs) and anti-drug antibodies over 4.951 patient-years of observation.

RESULTS

A total of 1,255 patients (safety analysis population) randomized into the year 1 SOC-controlled period and received ≥1 evolocumab dose (mean ± SD age 57 ± 12 years; 53% female). A total of 1,151 patients (efficacy analysis population) progressed to the all-evolocumab period (year 2 and beyond). Evolocumab + SOC persistently lowered mean ± SE low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) by 56% ± 0.6% (n = 1,071), 57% ± 0.8% (n = 1,001), 56% ± 0.8% (n = 943), and 56% ± 0.8% (n = 803) after approximately 2, 3, 4, and 5 years, respectively, from randomization. Mean baseline LDL-C decreased from 140 to 61 mg/dl on treatment. Yearly serious AE rates during evolocumab + SOC ranged from 6.9% to 7.9%, comparable to the 6.8% rate in SOC patients during year 1. Evolocumab discontinuation due to AEs occurred in 5.7% of patients. Two SOC and 2 evolocumab + SOC patients developed new, transient, binding anti-drug antibodies; no neutralizing antibodies were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The OSLER-1 trial demonstrated consistently excellent LDL-C-lowering efficacy, tolerance, and safety of evolocumab, with no neutralizing antibodies detected, throughout the longest-duration study of a PCSK9 inhibitor reported to date. (Open Label Study of Long Term Evaluation Against LDL-C Trial [OSLER-1]; NCT01439880).

Long-term Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol-Lowering Efficacy, Persistence, and Safety of Evolocumab in Treatment of Hypercholesterolemia: Results Up to 4 Years From the Open-Label OSLER-1 Extension Study

Importance

The Open-Label Study of Long-term Evaluation Against LDL-C (OSLER-1) evaluated the durability of long-term efficacy and safety during long-term therapy with evolocumab, a monoclonal antibody against proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9).

Objective

To determine whether LDL-C level reductions with evolocumab persist across different populations. Secondary objectives included assessment of adverse events, antidrug antibodies, and factors contributing to treatment discontinuation.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This ongoing, randomized open-label extension trial (OSLER-1) was conducted at 192 sites in 18 countries. A total of 1324 of 1666 patients randomized into 1 of 5 12-week double-blind phase 2 parent studies completed a parent study and chose to participate in OSLER-1; 1255 received 1 or more evolocumab doses. As of August 2016, 812 of 1324 (61%) had 208 weeks of follow-up. This current study was conducted from October 2011 to August 2016, with a data cutoff of August 26, 2016.

Interventions

During year 1, patients were randomized to evolocumab, 420 mg, plus standard of care (SOC) or SOC alone. After year 1, all patients continuing the study received evolocumab, 420 mg, plus SOC.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Lipids, safety, and tolerability every 12 weeks. A multivariate model identified factors associated with discontinuation of evolocumab.

Results

At parent study baseline, the mean (SD) age of the population was 57.1 (11.6) years, with 52.9% being women. The median LDL-C level was 133 mg/dL (to convert to millimoles per liter, multiply by 0.0259). After 52 weeks, evolocumab plus SOC was associated with a significant reduction in LDL-C level by 61% (95% CI, -63% to -60%) vs 2% (95% CI, -5% to -0.2%) with SOC alone (P < .001). At approximately 2, 3, and 4 years of study follow-up, the median LDL-C level was reduced by 59% (95% CI, -60% to -57%), 59% (95% CI, -61% to -58%), and 57% (95% CI, -59% to -55%), respectively, from parent study baseline. For patients receiving statin therapy unchanged from baseline, at week 208, the median LDL-C level reduction was 58%. No neutralizing antibodies to evolocumab were detected. The annualized incidence of new-onset diabetes was 4% in the SOC alone group and, adjusting for duration of evolocumab exposure, 2.8% in the evolocumab plus SOC group. Neurocognitive event rates were 0% (SOC alone) and 0.4% (evolocumab plus SOC). A total of 79% of patients persisted with evolocumab treatment, with a mean exposure duration of 44 months.

Conclusions and Relevance

In the longest clinical trial exposure to a PCSK9 inhibitor to date, evolocumab produced sustained reductions in LDL-C levels. The annual frequency of adverse events did not occur more frequently with cumulative exposure during open-label observation.

Trial Registration

clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01439880.

Long-Term Treatment With Evolocumab Among Japanese Patients - Final Report of the OSLER Open-Label Extension Studies

BACKGROUND

Treatment with evolocumab reduces mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) up to 75% and cardiovascular events by 16% in the first year and 25% thereafter. Methods and Results: Japanese patients with hypercholesterolemia enrolled in the parent YUKAWA-1-2 studies could enroll, once eligible, in the OSLER studies (n=556). OSLER re-randomized patients 2:1 to evolocumab plus standard of care (SOC; evolocumab+SOC) or SOC alone for 1 year; after year 1, patients could enter the all-evolocumab+SOC open-label extension of OSLER. Patients received evolocumab+SOC from the 2nd year through up to 5 years. Long-term efficacy and safety, including antidrug antibodies, were evaluated. Of 556 patients, 532 continued to the all-evolocumab+SOC extension: mean (standard deviation [SD]) age 61 (10) years, 39% female. A total of 91% of 532 patients completed the studies. Mean (SD) LDL-C change from parent-study baseline with evolocumab from a mean (SD) baseline of 142.3 (21.3) and 105.0 (31.1) mg/dL in OSLER-1 and OSLER-2, respectively, was maintained through the end of the study: -58.0% (19.1%) at year 5 in OSLER-1, -62.7% (25.6%) at year 3 in OSLER-2. The overall safety profile of the evolocumab+SOC periods was similar to that of the year-1 controlled period. Antidrug antibodies were detected transiently in 3 patients. No neutralizing antibodies were detected.

CONCLUSIONS

Japanese patients who continued evolocumab+SOC for up to 5 years experienced sustained high LDL-C level reduction. Long-term evolocumab+SOC exposure showed no new safety signals.

Left Ventricular Reconstruction for Postinfarction Left Ventricular Aneurysm: Review of Surgical Techniques

Different surgical techniques, each with its own advantages and disadvantages, have been used to reverse adverse left ventricular remodeling due to postinfarction left ventricular aneurysm. The most appropriate surgical technique depends on the location and size of the aneurysm and the scarred tissue, the patient's preoperative characteristics, and surgeon preference. This review covers the reconstructive surgical techniques for postinfarction left ventricular aneurysm.

One-Year Efficacy and Safety of Evolocumab in Japanese Patients - A Pooled Analysis From the Open-Label Extension OSLER Studies

BACKGROUND

Evolocumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody against PCSK9, significantly reduced low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in Japanese patients by up to 76% when administered with a statin. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of 1 year of evolocumab in a pooled analysis of patients from the 12-week YUKAWA studies who continued into the open-label extension (OLE) OSLER studies.Methods and Results:YUKAWA-1 and YUKAWA-2 were conducted in hypercholesterolemic, high-cardiovascular-risk Japanese patients who were receiving statin therapy. Patients completing these studies were eligible for an OLE study. At OLE entry, patients were re-randomized 2:1 to evolocumab+standard of care (SOC) or SOC alone (OSLER-1: evolocumab 420 mg monthly; OSLER-2: evolocumab 140 mg biweekly or 420 mg monthly). A 1-year analysis was performed on patients enrolled from the YUKAWA studies into OSLER. At parent-study baseline (YUKAWA-1 or YUKAWA-2 patients continuing into OSLER), mean (SD) age was 61 (10) years; 39% were female; mean (SD) baseline LDL-C (on statin) was 119.7 (33.0) mg/dL. Overall rates of adverse events were comparable between evolocumab+SOC and SOC alone. In YUKAWA patients receiving evolocumab+SOC, mean (SE) reductions in LDL-C from parent-study baseline to OLE 1 year were 69.1% (1.2%; OSLER-1) and 65.1% (2.2%; OSLER-2).

CONCLUSIONS

In a pooled 1-year analysis of Japanese patients in the ongoing OSLER studies, treatment with evolocumab+SOC was well tolerated and resulted in sustained LDL-C reductions at 1 year.

Similar Mortality and Morbidity of Orthotopic Heart Transplantation for Patients 70 Years of Age and Older Compared With Younger Patients

BACKGROUND

The upper age limit of heart transplantation remains controversial. The goal of the present study was to investigate the mortality and morbidity of orthotopic heart transplantation (HT) for recipients ≥70 compared with those <70 years of age.

METHODS

Of 704 adults who underwent HT from December 1988 to June 2012 at our institution, 45 were ≥70 years old (older group) and 659 were <70 years old (younger group). Survival, intraoperative blood product usage, intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stays, and frequency of reoperation for chest bleeding, dialysis, and >48 hours ventilation were examined after HT.

RESULTS

The older group had 100% 30-day and 60-day survival compared with 96.8 ± 0.7% 30-day and 95.9 ± 0.8% 60-day survival rates in the younger group. The older and younger groups had similar 1-year (93.0 ± 3.9% vs 92.1 ± 1.1%; P = .79), 5-year (84.2 ± 6.0% vs 73.4 ± 1.9%; P = .18), and 10-year (51.2 ± 10.7% vs 50.2 ± 2.5%; P = .43) survival rates. Recipients in the older group had higher preoperative creatinine levels, frequency of coronary artery disease, and more United Network for Organ Sharing status 2 and fewer status 1 designations than recipients in the younger group (P < .05 for all). Pump time and intraoperative blood usage were similar between the 2 groups (P = NS); however, donor-heart ischemia time was higher in the older group (P = .002). Older recipients had higher postoperative creatinine levels at peak (P = .003) and at discharge (P = .007). Frequency of postoperative complications, including reoperation for chest bleeding, dialysis, >48 hours ventilation, pneumonia, pneumothorax, sepsis, in-hospital and post-discharge infections, were similar between groups (P = NS for all comparisons). ICU and hospital length of stays were similar between groups (P = .35 and P = .87, respectively). In Cox analysis, recipient age ≥70 years was not identified as a predictor of lower long-term survival after HT.

CONCLUSIONS

HT recipients ≥70 years old had similar 1, 5, and 10-year survival rates compared with younger recipients. Both patient groups had similar intra- and postoperative blood utilization and frequencies of many postoperative complications. Older and younger patients had similar morbidity and mortality rates following HT. Carefully selected older patients (≥70 years) can safely undergo HT and should not be excluded from HT consideration based solely on age.

Prevalence of Warfarin Genotype Polymorphisms in Patients with Mechanical Circulatory Support

Polymorphisms for VKORC1 and CYP2C9 are associated with increased warfarin sensitivity. The prevalence of these polymorphisms in patients with mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is unknown. Polymorphisms for VKORC1 and CYP2C9 were determined in 65 patients undergoing MCS surgery. Postoperative warfarin dose, international normalized ratio (INR), and bleeding events were measured until discharge, 6 months, or composite end point (in-hospital MCS recovery, heart transplant, or death). A total of 67.7% (44/65) had at least one polymorphism: VKORC1 (44.6%), CYP2C9*2 (7.7%), CYP2C9*3 (4.6%), CYP2C9*2 and VKORC1 (3.1%), or CYP2C9*3 and VKORC1 (7.7%). At discharge or before composite end point, patients with any polymorphism received a lower mean warfarin dosage than patients having no polymorphism (3.21 ± 1.47 vs. 5.57 ± 3.72 mg, p = 0.015) and achieved a similar mean INR (2.20 ± 0.67 vs. 2.19 ± 0.69, p = 0.96). There was no significant difference in bleeding rates within 6 months or before composite end point (6.13 vs. 8.02 events/patient-year, p = 0.13). One or more polymorphisms for VKORC1 or CYP2C9 (associated with warfarin sensitivity) were found in 67.7% of MCS patients. By using a warfarin genotype-guided approach, MCS patients with polymorphisms received a lower warfarin dosage to achieve a similar INR, with similar bleeding rates, in comparison with no polymorphisms. A warfarin genotype-guided approach avoided excessive anticoagulation and its attendant bleeding risks.

Micronucleus test on Triturus carnifex as a tool for environmental biomonitoring

The amphibian micronucleus test has been widely used during the last 30 years to test the genotoxic properties of several chemicals and as a tool for ecogenotoxic monitoring. The vast majority of these studies were performed on peripheral blood of urodelan larvae and anuran tadpoles and to a lesser extent adults were also used. In this study, we developed protocols for measuring micronuclei in adult shed skin cells and larval gill cells of the Italian crested newt (Triturus carnifex). Amphibians were collected from ponds in two protected areas in Italy that differed in their radon content. Twenty-three adult newts and 31 larvae were captured from the radon-rich pond, while 20 adults and 27 larvae were taken from the radon-free site. The animals were brought to the laboratory and the micronucleus test was performed on peripheral blood and shed skins taken from the adults and on larval gills. Samples from the radon-rich site showed micronucleus frequencies higher than those from the radon-free site and the difference was statistically significant in gill cells (P < 0.00001). Moreover, the larval gills seem to be more sensitive than the adult tissues. This method represents an easy (and noninvasive in the case of the shed skin) application of the micronucleus assay that can be useful for environmental studies in situ.

Combined heart-kidney transplantation after total artificial heart insertion

We present the first single-center report of 2 consecutive cases of combined heart and kidney transplantation after insertion of a total artificial heart (TAH). Both patients had advanced heart failure and developed dialysis-dependent renal failure after implantation of the TAH. The 2 patients underwent successful heart and kidney transplantation, with restoration of normal heart and kidney function. On the basis of this limited experience, we consider TAH a safe and feasible option for bridging carefully selected patients with heart and kidney failure to combined heart and kidney transplantation. Recent FDA approval of the Freedom driver may allow outpatient management at substantial cost savings. The TAH, by virtue of its capability of providing pulsatile flow at 6 to 10 L/min, may be the mechanical circulatory support device most likely to recover patients with marginal renal function and advanced heart failure.

Prevalence of hypertension in the Gambia and Sierra Leone, western Africa: a cross-sectional study

Background

Hypertension (HTN) is one of the causes of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Africa, and may be associated with lower socio-economic status (SES). The prevalence of HTN is not well established in the Gambia or in Sierra Leone.

Methods

A cross-sectional, population-based study of adults was conducted in the Gambia in 2000 and in Sierra Leone from 2001 to 2003 and in 2009. The study was conducted as part of the annual visit to countries in western Africa sponsored by a medical delegation from California. People from the Gambia and Sierra Leone were examined by the medical delegation and blood pressures were measured.

Results

A total of 2 615 adults were examined: 1 400 females and 1 215 males. The mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) of the females was 134.3 ± 29.7 mmHg, mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was 84.5 ± 17.5 mmHg, and 46.2% were hypertensive. The mean SBP of the males was 132.8 ± 28.5 mmHg, mean DBP was 82.8 ± 16.2 mmHg, and 43.2% were hypertensive. Overall prevalence of HTN in the subjects was 44.8%. Mean SBP, mean DBP and HTN prevalence increased with age decade, both in males and females. In addition, after age adjustment (known age), females had higher mean SBP (p = 0.042), mean DBP (p = 0.001) and rate of occurrence of HTN (p = 0.016) when compared with males.

Conclusions

Prevalence rates of HTN in the Gambia and Sierra Leone were higher than 40% in males and females, and may be a major contributor to CVD in both countries. Due to the association of HTN with low SES, improvements in educational, public health, economic, non-governmental and governmental efforts in the Gambia and Sierra Leone may lead to a lower prevalence of HTN. The cause of the higher prevalence in women may be due to post-menopausal hormonal changes.

Heart transplantation for end-stage heart failure due to cardiac sarcoidosis

BACKGROUND

Cardiac sarcoidosis with end-stage heart failure has a poor prognosis without transplantation. The rates of sarcoid recurrence and rejection are not well established after heart transplantation.

METHODS

A total of 19 heart transplant recipients with sarcoid of the explanted heart were compared with a contemporaneous control group of 1,050 heart transplant recipients without cardiac sarcoidosis. Assessed outcomes included 1st-year freedom from any treated rejection, 5-year actuarial survival, 5-year freedom from cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), 5-year freedom from nonfatal major adverse cardiac events (NF-MACE), and recurrence of sarcoid in the allograft or other organs. Patients with sarcoidosis were maintained on low-dose corticosteroids after transplantation.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between the sarcoid and control groups in 1st-year freedom from any treated rejection (79% and 90%), 5-year posttransplantation survival (79% and 83%), 5-year freedom from CAV (68% and 78%), and 5-year freedom from NF-MACE (90% and 88%). Causes of death (n = 5) in the sarcoid group were coccidioidomycosis, pneumonia, rejection, hemorrhage, and CAV. No patient had recurrence of sarcoidosis in the cardiac allograft. Three of 19 patients (16%) experienced recurrence of extracardiac sarcoid, with no mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with cardiac sarcoidosis undergoing heart transplantation have acceptable long-term outcomes without evidence of recurrence of sarcoidosis in the allograft when maintained on low-dose corticosteroids. Progression of extracardiac sarcoid was uncommon, possibly related to immunosuppression. In patients with cardiac sarcoidosis, heart transplantation is a viable treatment modality.

Coronary artery bypass graft surgery using the radial artery as a secondary conduit improves patient survival

BACKGROUND

The clinical benefits of the left internal thoracic artery-to-left anterior descending coronary artery graft are well established in coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). However, limited data are available regarding the long-term outcome of the radial artery (RA) as a secondary conduit over the established standard of the saphenous venous graft.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We compared the 12-year survival outcome in a set of propensity-matched CABG patients who received either the RA or the saphenous vein as a secondary conduit. A multivariable logistic regression that included 18 baseline characteristics was used to define the propensity of receiving an RA graft. The propensity model resulted in 260 matched pairs who underwent first-time isolated CABG from 1996 to 2001 with similar preoperative characteristics (C statistic=0.86). The cumulative 12-year survival estimated by use of the Kaplan-Meier method was higher for the RA graft patients (hazard ratio 0.76; P=0.03). This survival advantage was especially significant in diabetics (P=0.005), in women (P=0.02), and in the elderly (P=0.04.) The protective effect appeared beginning at year 5 post surgical intervention.

CONCLUSION

The RA as a secondary conduit provided superior long-term survival after CABG, especially in diabetic patients, women, and the elderly. This effect was most pronounced >5 years after surgery.

Combined heart and kidney transplantation: what is the appropriate surgical sequence?

Combined heart and kidney transplantation is increasing in frequency but there are no guidelines to establish the indications, contraindications and sequence for this surgical procedure. We report our single-centre experience on 30 consecutive patients who underwent combined heart and kidney transplant in comparison with heart transplant alone. Patients had similar preoperative characteristics in both groups. Combined heart and kidney transplant is associated with the same long-term survival rate, low cellular rejection and antibody-mediated rejection rates when compared with heart transplant alone. We did not observe any difference in the outcomes related to preoperative patient characteristics. We suggest the staged surgical approach as the preferred method for transplant.

Concomitant dual intravascular and subcutaneous microsurgical implantation of xenograft tissue in a rodent model for evaluation of structural degeneration

INTRODUCTION

An economical animal model to study xenograft tissue degeneration and calcification and the durability of biological vascular patch material and bioprosthetic valve leaflets is desirable.

OBJECTIVE

A cost-effective model to analyze xenograft degeneration, calcification, immunologic reaction, and anticalcification treatment was developed. Furthermore, a technique for implant into the vascular lumen of the abdominal aorta in rats is presented.

METHODS

Twelve Lewis rats were used as recipients. The microsurgical procedure was performed using a high-definition optical system. Anesthesia was induced and maintained with isoflurane inhalation. The suprarenal and infrarenal portion of the abdominal aorta was isolated, the abdominal aorta was cross-clamped, and a 4-mm square portion of the abdominal aorta was removed. Subsequently, a complementary-sized piece of porcine or bovine glutaraldehyde-fixed bioprosthetic valve leaflet tissue was sutured as a patch in the abdominal aorta.

RESULTS

The mean operating time was 45 ± 10 minutes and the mean ischemic time was 25 ± 5 minutes. Early and 3-month survivals were 100%. One rat had intraoperative bleeding. No paralysis or thrombosis was observed.

CONCLUSION

Feasibility and reproducibility of removing a portion of the abdominal aorta and replacing it with a patch of xenograft tissue was demonstrated in a rodent model with 100% survival at 3 months. Concomitant dual intravascular and subcutaneous microsurgical implantation of xenograft tissue in a small-animal (rat) model is a cost-effective approach for investigation of xenograft tissue degeneration.

Prophylaxis of cytomegalovirus disease in mismatched patients after heart transplantation using combined antiviral and immunoglobulin therapy

BACKGROUND

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common cause of infection and morbidity after heart transplantation. Seronegative recipients (R-) of seropositive donor hearts (D+) are at high risk for CMV disease. We compared three different CMV prophylaxis regimens using combined antiviral and immunoglobulin therapy.

METHODS

In 99 patients who survived more than 30 days after heart transplant, all received induction with antilymphocytic therapy and triple-drug therapy. In group A, D+R- patients received one dose of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) followed by one dose of CMV-specific immunoglobulin (CMV-IVIG), and intravenous ganciclovir (GCV) for 4 weeks followed by 11 months of oral acyclovir (ACV). In group B, D+R- patients received one dose IVIG followed by five doses of CMV-IVIG and intravenous GCV for 14 weeks followed by 9 months of oral ACV. In group C, D+R- patients were treated with the same regimen as for group B, except oral ACV was replaced with oral GCV.

RESULTS

The actuarial freedom from CMV disease for D+R- patients at 1 month, 1 year, and 2 years after transplantation in group A was 100%, 25% ± 15%, and 25% ± 15%, respectively; group B was 100%, 67% ± 27%, and 67% ± 27%; group C was 100%, 83% ± 15%, and 83% ± 15% (P < .01, groups B and C vs group A). By comparison, the actuarial freedom from CMV disease for seropositive recipients (D-R+ or D+R+) at 1 month, 1 year, and 2 years in group A was 100%, 87% ± 7%, and 82% ± 8%, respectively; group B was 100%, 88% ± 8%, and 75% ± 11%; group C was 100%, 72% ± 9%, and 72% ± 9% (P = NS among groups). Rejection rates did not differ among the three groups.

CONCLUSIONS

A longer course of intravenous GCV with multiple doses of CMV-IVIG was a more effective prophylaxis regimen against CMV disease for the high-risk group of seronegative recipients of seropositive donor hearts.

Improvement of human corneal endothelium in culture after prolonged hypothermic storage

PURPOSE

To evaluate whether the organ culture method for human cornea preservation may be applied to corneas stored for several days at 4 degrees C.

METHODS

The cell density, viability, and morphology of corneal endothelium were examined in 140 human corneas stored at 4 degrees C for the minimal time required for transport to the bank and for the preliminary controls of cornea status (1.6 +/- 1.1 days) and in 46 corneas preserved at 4 degrees C for 6.1 +/- 1.9 days in Optisol-GS. The evaluation was repeated after 19.7 +/- 9.1 days of incubation at 31 degrees C in a culture medium containing 2% newborn calf serum.

RESULTS

After the hypothermic storage the corneal endothelium had a mean density of 2475 +/- 159 cells/mm2 without significant difference between the short and the long-term incubation. Several corneas of the two groups showed signs of endothelium degeneration and were positive to trypan blue test. After the incubation at 31 degrees C, the corneas with endothelial degeneration decreased by 52.2% and those positive to trypan blue decreased by 21.7%. Polymorphism (enlarged endothelial cells) increased from 9.6% to 14.5% of the corneas. The remodeling of the endothelium led to a 6.7% decrease in cell density. These results were similar after short-term and long-term storage at 4 degrees C.

CONCLUSIONS

Organ culture was effective in improving corneal endothelium when the hypothermic storage was prolonged to the upper temporal limit for this procedure (7-10 days). These results may encourage the possibility of an eye bank to allocate the available cornea pool, thus decreasing the risk of discarding precious material.

Improvement of human corneal endothelium in culture after prolonged hypothermic storage

PURPOSE

To evaluate whether the organ culture method for human cornea preservation may be applied to corneas stored for several days at 4 degrees C.

METHODS

The cell density, viability, and morphology of corneal endothelium were examined in 140 human corneas stored at 4 degrees C for the minimal time required for transport to the bank and for the preliminary controls of cornea status (1.6 +/- 1.1 days) and in 46 corneas preserved at 4 degrees C for 6.1 +/- 1.9 days in Optisol-GS. The evaluation was repeated after 19.7 +/- 9.1 days of incubation at 31 degrees C in a culture medium containing 2% newborn calf serum.

RESULTS

After the hypothermic storage the corneal endothelium had a mean density of 2475 +/- 159 cells/mm2 without significant difference between the short and the long-term incubation. Several corneas of the two groups showed signs of endothelium degeneration and were positive to trypan blue test. After the incubation at 31 degrees C, the corneas with endothelial degeneration decreased by 52.2% and those positive to trypan blue decreased by 21.7%. Polymorphism (enlarged endothelial cells) increased from 9.6% to 14.5% of the corneas. The remodeling of the endothelium led to a 6.7% decrease in cell density. These results were similar after short-term and long-term storage at 4 degrees C.

CONCLUSIONS

Organ culture was effective in improving corneal endothelium when the hypothermic storage was prolonged to the upper temporal limit for this procedure (7-10 days). These results may encourage the possibility of an eye bank to allocate the available cornea pool, thus decreasing the risk of discarding precious material.