A dynamical measure of the black hole mass in a quasar 11 billion years ago

Tight relationships exist in the local Universe between the central stellar properties of galaxies and the mass of their supermassive black hole (SMBH)1-3. These suggest that galaxies and black holes co-evolve, with the main regulation mechanism being energetic feedback from accretion onto the black hole during its quasar phase4-6. A crucial question is how the relationship between black holes and galaxies evolves with time; a key epoch to examine this relationship is at the peaks of star formation and black hole growth 8-12 billion years ago (redshifts 1-3)7. Here we report a dynamical measurement of the mass of the black hole in a luminous quasar at a redshift of 2, with a look back in time of 11 billion years, by spatially resolving the broad-line region (BLR). We detect a 40-μas (0.31-pc) spatial offset between the red and blue photocentres of the Hα line that traces the velocity gradient of a rotating BLR. The flux and differential phase spectra are well reproduced by a thick, moderately inclined disk of gas clouds within the sphere of influence of a central black hole with a mass of 3.2 × 108 solar masses. Molecular gas data reveal a dynamical mass for the host galaxy of 6 × 1011 solar masses, which indicates an undermassive black hole accreting at a super-Eddington rate. This suggests a host galaxy that grew faster than the SMBH, indicating a delay between galaxy and black hole formation for some systems.

Biochemical Failure in Intermediate Risk Prostate Cancer: Then What? Long-Term Data from a Phase III Trial

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Aiming to determine long-term outcomes post biochemical failure (BF) in patients (pts) treated for intermediate-risk prostate cancer, we analyzed data from our prospective randomized trial (PCS III).

MATERIALS/METHODS

From December 2000 to September 2010, 600 pts with intermediate risk prostate cancer (IRPC) received prostate radiotherapy (RT) with or without short-term (6 months) androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) on a Phase III trial. We report death rate from prostate cancer, rate and timing of BF plus the final clinical outcome of patients, alive or dead, with BF. Chi-squared test was used to compare BF and prostate cancer progression (PCP) rates between patient with or without ADT.

RESULTS

Median age at randomization was 71 years (IQR 66-74). With a median follow-up (FU) of 13.5 years (IQR 11.2-17.0), 74.5% (447/600) were free from BF at last FU. Of these, 211 died, 79 stopped FU after 10 years, 9 were lost to FU, 6 withdrew from the study and 142 are still on FU, at a median follow-up of 13.2 years (IQR = 10.9 - 16.2). A total of 153 pts (25.5%) developed BF at a median time of 6.5 years post-randomization. Among BF pts, 82/153 died: we documented 32 deaths from prostate cancer (DPC) at a median time of 6 years post-BF and 50/153 pts died from other causes at a median time of 4.7 years from BF. 48/153 BF pts continue on FU: 34 show no clinical evidence of cancer, 9 developed a second cancer and 5 show clinical evidence of PCP. 20/153 pts stopped FU after 10 years: 3 of them with PCP. 3/153 pts were lost to FU: 1 after 3 years with prostate bone metastasis and 2 after 13 years of FU. In the first 5 years post-randomization, 47 pts (7.8%) presented BF with 1 (0.2%) DPC; between 6 and 10 years, there were another 84 (14%) BFs and 11 (1.8%) DPC. Finally, after 10 years and beyond, we recorded an additional 22 (3.7%) BFs and 20 (3.3%) DPC. The rate of patients who received ADT was significantly lower in patients with BF (74/153 = 48.4%) compared to patients without BF (324/447 = 72.5%), p<0.001. The rate of patients who received ADT was also significantly lower in patients with PCP (19/48 = 39.6%) compared to patients without PCP (379/552 = 68.7%), p<0.001.

CONCLUSION

In our trial for intermediate-risk prostate cancer, a quarter of the pts developed BF. Most of the BFs occurred between 5- and 10- year post-randomization. Deaths due to prostate cancer post-BF occurred at a median time of 6 years, justifying the need for long-term FU. BF and PCP were significantly higher in patients not receiving ADT.

Patient Reported Outcomes in High-Risk Prostate Cancer Patients with or without Testosterone Recovery after Androgen Deprivation Therapy

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

In a previous report from a randomized trial of 630 patients (pts), we showed that 18 months of androgen deprivation therapy (18m ADT) appears to be equally effective as 36 months (36m ADT) in high-risk prostate cancer (HRPC) pts. We performed the current analysis to evaluate quality of life (QOL) using the 25 items of EORTC PR25 validated tool in pts with or without testosterone (T) recovery after ADT.

MATERIALS/METHODS

We selectedpts with no biochemical failure to avoid subsequent T variations due to reintroduction of ADT for recurrence. Patients receiving exactly 18 or 36m of ADT, survived more than one year (y) post randomization, had T measured at baseline and during follow-up and who completed QOL questionnaire entered this review. The 25 items were regrouped into 5 scales. All items and scales scores were linearly transformed to a 0-100 points scale. Serum T was measured at baseline then at each visit. We defined unrecovered testosterone as measured below the normal level. All items and scales scores were analyzed with general linear model and repeated measures to evaluate changes between pts with or without T recovery over time. T recovery was adjusted in a multivariable model including age, initial normal/unrecovered T and ADT (18 or 36m). P-value < 0.01 was considered statistically significant and a difference in mean scores of ≥10 points was considered clinically relevant. Patient-reported outcomes were filled out before treatments, every 6m during ADT, 4m after ADT and then once a year for 5y.

RESULTS

Two hundred sixty nine of 630 pts met the eligibility criteria and were retained for the analysis. At a median follow-up of 14 years, 140/269 (52.0%) pts recovered T to normal level: 94/166 (56.6%) in 18m ADT and 46/103 (44.7%) in 36m ADT, p = 0.056. The median time to recovered T was significantly lower in 18m vs. 36m ADT (3.04 vs. 5.06 y, p<0.001). The global adherence to QOL questionnaires was 83.9% (2649/3156) and was similar between arms. Pts recovering T compared to those who did not, had a better QOL. 6/20 items [difficult to get enough sleep: get up frequently at night to urinate, blood in stool, hot flushes, feel less man, interested in sex, sexually active (with or without intercourse)] and 2/4 scales (treatment and sexual activity) were statistically significant (all p<0.01). 2 items were also clinically relevant: hot flushes and interested in sex. Hot flushes were clinically relevant (more than 10 point of difference) between 3.5 to 5y inclusively with maximum difference of 19.4 point. Interest in sex was clinically relevant with 13.1 point of difference at 3 years.

CONCLUSION

T recoverypost long-term ADT is associated with a significantly improved QOL in patients with HRPC. Considering similar prostate cancer clinical outcomes and faster T recovery, our results suggest that 18m ADT may be the most appropriate ADT treatment duration for these patients.

Phase III Study of Hypofractionated, Dose Escalation Radiotherapy vs. Conventional Pelvic Radiation Therapy followed by High Dose Rate Brachytherapy Boost for High Risk Adenocarcinoma of the Prostate (PCS VI): Acute Toxicity Results

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

The low α\β ratio of 1.2-2 for prostate cancer (PCa) suggests high radiation-fraction sensitivity and predicts a therapeutic advantage of lager fraction size. We have recently shown (PCS5) that high risk prostate cancer patients can safely and effectively be treated with moderate hypofractionated radiation therapy (HF-RT). To date there has been no phase-III randomized clinical-trial comparing moderately HF-RT with EBRT and HDR boost (HDRB). We are reporting the acute safety of EBRT+HDRB compared to moderate HF-RT in this phase III Canadian trial.

MATERIALS/METHODS

From January 2015-June 2022, 308 high-risk localized PCa patients were randomized to receive either HF-RT or EBRT+HDRB. All patients received neo-adjuvant, concurrent, and long-term adjuvant androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). EBRT+HDRB consisted of 46 Gy in 2 Gy per fraction to the pelvis and a 15 Gy in one fraction HDR boost within 3 weeks of EBRT. HF-RT include concomitant dose escalation of 68 Gy in 2.72 Gy per fraction to the prostate, and 45 Gy in 1.8 Gy per fraction to the pelvic lymph-nodes.

RESULTS

Of the 308 patients, 148 received HF-RT and 144 EBRT+ HDRB. The remainder either withdrew from the study or were treated with standard (2 Gy per fraction) fractionation for technical reasons. In both intention to treat and as treated analysis, using log-Rank, there were more grade 1 or worse (G1+) acute GI and GU events and more G2+ acute GI events in the HF-RT than EBRT+HDRB. As treated analysis the acute G1+ and G2+ GI events were 92 vs 77 (60.1% vs. 53.5%; p < 0.017) and 21 vs 10 (13.7% vs. 6.9%; p = 0.052), respectively for HF-RT and EBRT + HDRB. Similarly, the G1+ acute GU events were 123 vs. 101 (80.4% vs.70.1%; p < 0.001) respectively for HF-RT and EBRT+HDRB. There were only four G3 GI and one G3 GU acute toxicities in both arms. No grade 4 toxicities were reported.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study of EBRT+HDRB compared to moderate HF dose escalated RT in high-risk prostate cancer patients treated with long-term ADT and pelvic RT. Our results demonstrate that both treatment approaches are well-tolerated and that EBRT+HDRB carries less G2+ GI and G1+ GU acute toxicities.

Bioprosthetic valve fracture during valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement: multicenter propensity matched analysis

Background

Valve-in-valve (ViV) transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) can be completed by bioprosthetic valve fracture (BVF) to reduce final transvalvular gradients. The aim was to compare outcomes in ViV-TAVI patients with versus without BVF.

Methods

Consecutive patients undergoing ViV-TAVI procedure in four international centers were included, from 2010 to 2021. We used a 1:2 propensity score-matching method to compare postprocedural hemodynamic, complications, and long-term outcomes. Patients were matched for baseline characteristics, time since prior surgery, and characteristics of surgical bioprothesis (type and size).

Results

A total of 390 patients were analyzed, including 40 BVF. Propensity matching 1:2 yielded 38 patients in BVF group and 76 patients in no-BVF group. There was no difference in procedural complications rate and in-hospital deaths (5.1%) between the two groups. Post-procedural hemodynamic parameters significantly improved using BVF: aortic valve area (1.4 cm2 [IQR: 1.23 to 2.3] vs. 1.3 cm2 [IQR: 1.05 to 1.61], p=0.008), mean aortic gradient (12mmHg [IQR: 7.5 to 16.5] vs. 17mmHg [IQR: 11 to 22], p=0.008) and peak velocity (2.2m/s [IQR: 1.8 to 2.7] vs. 2.6m/s [IQR: 2.2 to 3.1], p=0.027). BVF had an additional benefit in the smallest surgical valve (≤21 mm). The use of BVF was independently associated with improved hemodynamic parameters. Overall survival in the matched cohort was 87.8±3.7% at 2-year follow-up, without difference between groups (87.5±6.9% in the BVF group vs. 88.4±4.2% in the no-BVF group, p=0.85).

Conclusion

Compared to ViV-TAVI alone, BVF was safe and improved immediate hemodynamic and long-term outcomes, especially in patients with small surgical aortic bioprosthesis.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

POS0774 ANTI-Sm AUTOANTIBODIES IDENTIFY A PHENOTYPE OF SEVERE SLE WITH AN ASSOCIATED SERUM BIOMARKER PROFILE

Background

Antibodies to Smith (Sm) have been described as one of the most specific autoantibodies for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Other than its association with lupus nephritis, there is, however, limited understanding of its clinical significance1,2.

Objectives

To describe clinical associations and serum protein profiles of anti-Sm positivity in SLE.

Methods

Patients fulfilling SLE classification criteria who were followed longitudinally in a prospective multicentre cohort were studied according to their baseline anti-Sm antibody status. Comparison between Sm+ and Sm- patients was made using descriptive statistics. Clinical associations of Sm positivity with patient disease characteristics were studied using logistic regression. In a subset, 211 serum analytes were measured using Quantibody, Luminex and ELISA assays. Associations between serum proteins and Sm positivity were studied using Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) penalised regression, adjusting for demographics (age, sex, ethnicity) and medication use

Results

383 patients were studied with median (IQR) follow-up of 4.9 (2,9) years; 65 (17%) had positive anti-Sm antibodies. Sm+ patients were significantly more likely to be of non-European ancestry (OR 2.73, 95% CI 1.55-4.82, p<0.001), and to be positive for anti-dsDNA antibodies (OR 2.8, 95% CI 2.3-3.4, p<0.001), anti-RNP antibodies (OR 15.7, 95% CI 13.9-17.8, p<0.001), direct anti-globulin test (OR 2.36, 95% CI 2.07-2.7, p<0.001) and hypocomplementemia (OR 7.73, 95% CI 5.1-11.7, p<0.001). Sm+ patients were significantly more likely to have active disease during the observation period in a range of organ domains, including mucocutaneous, renal, vasculitis and fever.

More Sm+ patients had episodes of High Disease Activity Status (HDAS, SLEDAI-2K ≧10)3 (OR 3.07, 95% CI 1.70-5.54, p<0.001) and persistent active disease (time-adjusted mean SLEDAI-2K > 4) (OR 3.23. 95% CI 1.84-5.70, p<0.001). Conversely, fewer Sm+ patients attained LLDAS for ≥50% observed time (19.7% vs 41.8%, p=0.002). Sm+ patients were more likely to be treated with glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants, and rituximab. There was no significant difference in damage accrual between Sm + and Sm - patients.

In serum protein analysis (n=197, 29 Sm+), LASSO modelling retained 3 proteins associated with Sm+ status, CXCL13, IL1RL1 and FLT1, along with Asian ethnicity and age. In analysis including pairwise interaction between predictors, 28 Sm+ associated proteins were identified, including CCL4, VCAM1, IL1RL1, Fcg R IIB/C, TDGF1, CEACAM1, TIMP1, BMP5, GDF15, and TNFRSF17.

Conclusion

Anti-Sm autoantibodies, present in 17% of SLE patients, were strongly associated with classical disease manifestations, more severe disease activity, and a specific serological and proteomic profile. These findings suggest anti-Sm+ SLE as a specific disease subset.

References

[1]Barada, FA., B.S. Andrews, J.S. Davis, R.P. Taylor, Antibodies to Sm in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Correlation of Sm antibody titers with disease activity and other laboratory parameters. Arthritis Rheum, 1981. 24:1236-1244

[2]Arroyo-Avilla, M, Y. Santiago-Casas, G.McGwin, R.S. Cantor, M. Petri, R. Ramsey-Goldman, J.D. Reveille, R.P.Kimberly, G.S. Alarcon, L.M.Vila, E.E. Brown. Clinical Associations of anti-Smith antibodies in PROFILE: a multi-ethnic lupus cohort. 2015. 34:1217-1223

[3]Koelmeyer, R., H.T. Nim, M. Nikpour, Y.B. Sun, A. Kao, O. Guenther, E. Morand, and A. Hoi, High disease activity status suggests more severe disease and damage accrual in systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus Sci Med, 2020. 7(1).

Acknowledgements

I would like to acknowledge participants and clinicians involved with the Australian Lupus Registry & Biobank

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

Cerebrovascular events after transcatheter mitral valve repair or guideline-directed medical therapy in patients with mitral regurgitation and heart failure in the COAPT trial

Background

Our knowledge regarding the risk of cerebrovascular events (CVE) in patients with heart failure (HF) and severe secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR) treated by transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVr) is limited.

Purpose

To examine the incidence, predictors, timing, and prognostic impact of CVE in patients with heart failure and SMR treated with TMVr vs guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) alone.

Methods

In the COAPT trial, 614 patients with HF with moderate-to-severe or severe SMR were randomized to TMVr with the MitraClip + GDMT vs GDMT alone. After 2 years, patients who were randomized to GDMT alone could crossover and undergo TMVr. CVE (defined as stroke or TIA) were adjudicated by an independent clinical events committee.

Results

A total of 43 CVE occurred in 42 patients within 3-year follow-up (34 strokes and 9 TIAs; 1 patient had both). CVE occurred in 10.0% (n=20) of patients randomized to TMVR and 11.3% (n=22) of patients randomized to GDMT alone (p=0.53) (Figure). Of the 22 CVE in the GDMT alone group, 3 occurred after the patient had crossed over to TMVr. The incidence rates in the TMVr and GDMT groups were similar within the first 3 months (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 0.78, 95% CI 0.17–3.48, p=0.74) and between 3 months and 3 years (IRR 0.83, 95% CI 0.43–1.60, p=0.58) after randomization. After multivariable adjustment, baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was associated with CVE in the overall population (HR per 5 ml/min increase in eGFR 0.91, 95% CI 0.84–0.99, p=0.03). Peripheral vascular disease was associated with CVE in patients treated by GDMT (HR=3.21, 95% CI [1.35, 7.67]) but not TMVr (HR 0.53 95% CI 0.12–2.24; p-interaction=0.04). In contrast, baseline chronic oral anticoagulation use was associated with a reduced risk of CVE in patients in the TMVr group (HR 0.18, 95% CI 0.05–0.63) but not in the GDMT alone group (HR 1.66, 95% CI 0.70–3.94; p-interaction=0.004). In a time-adjusted multivariable analysis, CVE was associated with a higher risk of death (HR 2.51, 95% CI 1.54–4.08; p=0.0002), a risk that was marked in the first 30 days after the event (HR 14.21, 95% CI 7.30–27.97, p&lt;0.0001), and declined thereafter (HR 1.37, 95% CI 0.72–2.59, p=0.34).

Conclusions

In patients with HF and severe SMR, CVE at 3 years was not infrequent, increased linearly over time, was similar after treatment with the MitraClip and GDMT alone, and was associated with a marked increase in all-cause death. Whether anticoagulation is especially effective at preventing CVE in patients treated by TMVr, as suggested by this report, warrants further study.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): Abbott Figure 1

P1838Thrombocytopenia under ECMO and Shear-induced shedding of platelet receptor Glycoprotein-(GP)Ialpha

Background

Several mechanisms are suspected to thrombocytopenia under Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) such as platelet-consumption or sepsis. Shedding of glycoprotein-(GP)Ibα is a recently identified mechanism of platelet clearance. ECMO generates high shear stress forces that could impact GPIbα-shedding. We hypothesized that ECMO continuous-flow devices could directly induce thrombocytopenia through shear-induced GPIbα-shedding.

Aims

Determine if ECMO induce GpIb-shedding in vitro and in vivo and determinates the kinetic evolution of platelet-count and GpIb-shedding after patient's implantation.

Methods

Platelet GPIbα-shedding was first investigated in vitro using a high-shear pump loop model. Plasma with normal platelet count (plasma-NPC) was obtained by dilution of platelet-rich plasma obtained from healthy donors in fresh-frozen-plasma. Samples were collected before and after (5, 30, 60 and 180 min) perfusion at 37°C of plasma-NPC at intermediate and high speed (2.6 and 3.6 L min–1 respectively, n=4 each). Platelet count and GPIbα-shedding were next investigated in 20 ECMO patients before/after implantation (WITECMO trial) and in 20 healthy volunteers. The geometric mean-fluorescence-intensity (gMFI) of platelet GPIbα (PE-staining) and GPIX (FITC-staining) was measured with a Navios flow cytometer (Beckman Coulter, Miami, FL). Results are expressed as GPIbα/GPIX gMFI-ratio.

Results

A significant time-dependent loss of GPIbα/GPIX gMFI-ratio was already apparent after 30 min in vitro and was significantly more pronounced at high-speed compared to intermediate-speed (pANOVA<0.001 and p<0.01 at 180 min respectively). GPIbα/GPIX gMFI-ratio was significantly increased in ECMO patients compared to healthy subjects 1- and 24-hour after implantation (p<0.001). A significantly lower platelet count was observed 1 hour after ECMO implantation (−23% vs baseline, p<0.01) with a further significant decrease at 24-hours (−53% vs baseline, p<0.0001).

Figure 1. A. Significant time-dependent loss of platelet GPIbα/GPIX gMFI-ratio (pANOVA <0.001) assessed by flow-cytometry after 30 min of perfusion at 3.6 L/min with a high-shear continuous-flow device in vitro. B. Representative experiment showing the apparition of a platelet sub-population with loss of GPIbα expression after 30 min of perfusion at 3.6 L/minwith a high-shear continuous-flow device in vitro.

P3737Predictors, feasibility and outcomes of coronary interventions up to 3 years after TAVI with a balloon-expandable valve. Results from a large European multicenter registry

Background/Introduction

Coronary artery disease (CAD) and aortic stenosis often coexist. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is emerging as a favorable treatment for younger and lower surgical risk patients. The need for coronary angiography (CA) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) after TAVI will thus increase.

Purpose

We retrospectively evaluated the outcome of PCI performed after TAVI with the balloon-expandable SAPIEN 3 transcatheter heart valve in the SOURCE 3 European registry.

Methods

Cardiovascular (CV) mortality was computed at 3 years for patients with PCI and for those without. Univariate and Cox multivariate models were developed to assess the potential impact of PCI on CV mortality.

Results

Out of 1939 TAVI patients, 44 (2.3%) underwent PCI within 3 years after TAVI (mean interval from TAVI: 428±341 days). Patients with PCI were 80.9 years old and 63.6% were male. They had higher baseline logistic EuroSCORE (22.6% vs. 18.3%, p=0.007), higher rate of prior CAD diagnosis (72.7% vs. 51.0%, p=0.005), prior PCI (45.5% vs. 33.6%, p=0.108) and previous CABG (25.0% vs. 11.0%, p=0.013) than other patients of the cohort. Coronary access (ability to cannulate selectively the coronaries) was feasible in 100% of patients; PCI was successful in all but one case. The univariate model showed that CV mortality was slightly higher in patients undergoing PCI compared with those without PCI (Hazard Ratio: 1.86 [0.96–3.59], p=0.07); CV mortality rate was even lower with the multivariate model (HR: 1.39, p=0.52).

Conclusions

Interventions of CA and PCI after TAVI with a balloon-expandable valve was feasible and successful in all but one case in this large European registry. There was a trend towards a worse CV mortality at 3 years in patients needing PCI, which did not reach statistical significance likely because of the low incidence of PCI in our TAVI population.

Acknowledgement/Funding

The SOURCE 3 registry is sponsored by Edwards Lifesciences

Test of the Einstein Equivalence Principle near the Galactic Center Supermassive Black Hole

During its orbit around the four million solar mass black hole Sagittarius A* the star S2 experiences significant changes in gravitational potential. We use this change of potential to test one part of the Einstein equivalence principle: the local position invariance (LPI). We study the dependency of different atomic transitions on the gravitational potential to give an upper limit on violations of the LPI. This is done by separately measuring the redshift from hydrogen and helium absorption lines in the stellar spectrum during its closest approach to the black hole. For this measurement we use radial velocity data from 2015 to 2018 and combine it with the gravitational potential at the position of S2, which is calculated from the precisely known orbit of S2 around the black hole. This results in a limit on a violation of the LPI of |β_{He}-β_{H}|=(2.4±5.1)×10^{-2}. The variation in potential that we probe with this measurement is six magnitudes larger than possible for measurements on Earth, and a factor of 10 larger than in experiments using white dwarfs. We are therefore testing the LPI in a regime where it has not been tested before.

Post-exercise ankle blood pressure and ankle to brachial index after heavy load bicycle exercise

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommendations for diagnosing peripheral artery disease (PAD) after exercise are a decrease >20% of ankle brachial index (ABI) or >30 mm Hg of ankle systolic blood pressure (ASBP) from resting values. We evaluated ABI and ASBP values during incremental maximal exercise in physically active and asymptomatic patients. Patients (n = 726) underwent incremental bicycle tests with pre- and post-exercise recording of all four limbs arterial pressures simultaneously. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to define the correlation between post-exercise ABI with various clinical factors, including age. Thereafter, the population was divided into groups of age: less than 40 (G < 40), from 40 to 44 (G40/44) from 45 to 49 (G45/49), from 50 to 54 (G50/54), from 55 to 59 (G55/59), from 60 to 64 (G60/64), and 65 and above (G ≥ 65) years. Results are mean ± SD. * is two-tailed P < .05 for ANOVA with Dunnett's post-hoc test from G40. Changes from rest in ASBP were -3 ± 22 (G < 40), -2 ± 20 (G40/44), 4 ± 22* (G45/49), 10 ± 25* (G50/54), 18 ± 21* (G55/59), 23 ± 27* (G60/64), and 16 ± 22* (G ≥ 65) mm Hg. Decreases from rest in ABI were 32 ± 9 (G < 40), 33 ± 9 (G40/44), 29 ± 8 (G45/49), 27 ± 10* (G50/54), 24 ± 7* (G55/59), 22 ± 12* (G60/64), and 21 ± 12* (G ≥ 65) % of resting ABI. Maximal incremental exercise results in ABI and ASBP changes are mostly dependent on age. The AHA limits for post-exercise ABI are inadequate following maximal incremental bicycle testing. Future studies detecting PAD in active patients should account for the effect of age.

[Pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy]

Pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy syndrome is a rare clinicopathological entity in which tumor cell micro-emboli in the pulmonary microcirculation induced thrombotic microangiopathy. This can cause respiratory failure, and acute or sub-acute right heart failure. Histological features include micro tumor emboli in the small arteries and arterioles of the lung associated with thrombus formation and fibro-cellular and fibro-muscular intimal proliferation. The diagnosis is however extremely difficult to make before death. Thus, most of the observations reported are based on autopsy data. Very rare diagnostic observations made before death suggest the potential effectiveness of chemotherapy. Many details remain to be elucidated, interdisciplinary research is a priority with close collaboration between pathologists and clinicians to better understand this, often fatal, syndrome. It may be that the use of targeted therapies will improve the very poor prognosis allowing survival of several weeks or months after diagnosis.

Towards single egg toxicity screening using microcoil NMR

Planar NMR microcoils are evaluated, their application to single eggs is demonstrated, and their potential for studying smaller single cells is discussed.

Noninvasive ventilation during acute respiratory distress syndrome in patients with cancer: Trends in use and outcome

PURPOSE

The objectives of our study were to describe the outcome of patients with malignancies treated for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with noninvasive ventilation (NIV) and to evaluate factors associated with NIV failure.

METHODS

Post hoc analysis of a multicenter database within 20 years was performed. All patients with malignancies and Berlin ARDS definition were included. Noninvasive ventilation use was defined as NIV lasting more than 1 hour, whereas failure was defined as a subsequent requirement of invasive ventilation. Conditional backward logistic regression analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

A total of 1004 met the Berlin definition of ARDS. Noninvasive ventilation was used in 387 patients (38.6%) and NIV failure occurred in 71%, with an in-hospital mortality of 62.7%. Severity of ARDS defined by the partial pressure arterial oxygen and fraction of inspired oxygen ratio (odds ratio [OR], 2.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15-4.19), pulmonary infection (OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.08-3.03), and modified Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.06-1.21) were associated with NIV failure. Factors associated with hospital mortality were NIV failure (OR, 2.52; 95% CI, 1.56-4.07), severe ARDS as compared with mild ARDS (OR, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.05-1.19), and modified SOFA score (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.05-1.19).

CONCLUSION

Noninvasive ventilation failure in ARDS patients with malignancies is frequent and related to ARDS severity, SOFA score, and pulmonary infection-related ARDS. Noninvasive ventilation failure is associated with in-hospital mortality.