Autoantibodies to the Atheroma Component Beta2-Glycoprotein I and Risk of Symptomatic Peripheral Artery Disease

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is mostly related to atherosclerosis. Autoimmunity and, in particular, antibodies to cardiolipin (aCL) and phospholipid cofactors such as beta2-glycoprotein I (beta2-gpI) might influence the development of atheroma. Beta2-glycoprotein I (beta2-gpI) has been found in atheroma. It has previously been shown that immunoglobulin A (IgA) anti-beta2-gpI antibodies are associated with a risk of cerebral ischemia and myocardial infarction. This case control study aimed to determine whether elevated levels of aCL/anti-beta2-gpI antibodies are associated with a risk of symptomatic PAD (sPAD). Cases comprised a nonselected population of patients with sPAD (intermittent claudication or critical ischemia). Patient recruitment was based on arteriography changes. Controls were selected from patients admitted to orthopedic wards as a result of fractures or muscle-ligamentous disorders. Age, sex, race, hypertension, smoking, diabetes mellitus, and hypercholesterolemia were evaluated as risk factors in both groups. IgG/IgM/IgA aCL and anti-beta2-gpI were detected by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbant assays (ELISA). To estimate the grade of association of antibodies with sPAD, odds ratios (OR) were calculated. Logistic regression was utilized for adjustment of confounding factors. Seventy-seven cases and 93 controls were studied. The mean age was 61.5 years for cases and 47.5 years for controls (p <0.001). Among the risk factors evaluated, the presence of hypertension showed the strongest association with sPAD (OR 12.1; 95%CI 5.8—30). The presence of IgA anti-beta2-gpI was independently associated with sPAD (OR 5.4; 95%CI 1.8—15.8; p = 0.01). IgA aCL was strongly associated with the outcome (nonadjusted OR 11.5 after Agresti correction). IgA aCL and IgA anti-beta2-gpI antibodies were not associated with any known risk factors for sPAD or with arteriography changes. The occurrence of these autoantibodies might represent one of the links between autoimmunity and atherosclerosis in patients with sPAD.

[Thrombolytic therapy in deep venous thrombosis. Initial clinical experience]

Four cases of proximal deep venous thrombosis treated with streptokinase and tissue plasminogen activator are reported. Therapy monitorization was performed by ultrasonography with color Doppler and thrombolytic agents were used by venous infusion. There was complete lysis in two cases, and the mean rate of venous recanalization was 88%. Reversible hemorrhagic complications were observed in two patients, and late ultrasonographic control (after six months) demonstrated venous insufficiency in one case.

[Prolonged mechanical ventilation following heart surgery]

PURPOSE

To study the causes of difficulty or impossible weaning of cardiac surgical patients undergoing mechanical ventilation in the postoperative period and their outcome.

METHODS

Three hundred and forty three consecutive adult patients submitted to open heart surgery were retrospectively studied and classified in three groups: I--patients in mechanical ventilation more than 24 hours; II--patients in mechanical ventilation less than 24 hours and reintubated some time after this period; III--patients successfully extubated in the first 24 hours of ventilation.

RESULTS

The authors were able to identify the following preoperative factors associated with prolonged postoperative ventilation: cardiac failure, pulmonary hypertension, smoking, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and previous open heart surgery. Significant factors in the immediate postoperative period (1st 24 hours) were: atelectasis, low output syndrome, perioperative myocardial infarction, reoperation for excessive bleeding, pleural effusion and cardiac arrest. This group of patients had a significant increase in nosocomial pneumonia, multiple organ failure (MOF) and surgical mortality.

CONCLUSION

Pre and postoperative factors were identified associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation in the postoperative period and responsible by significant morbidity as such pulmonary infection, MOF and increase in mortality.