Deformation analysis in advanced chronic kidney disease: an important prognostic indicator

Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with a higher incidence of cardiovascular manifestations, particularly in patients with advanced renal impairment on long-term dialysis. Cardiac deformation analysis, assessed by speckle tracking echocardiography has been shown to be a significant prognostic index in various specific populations.

Objective

To assess the prognostic value of deformation analysis measurements including both systolic parameters as left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain, and diastolic indices as left atrial (LA) strain, in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Methods

We enrolled 67 patients (mean age 62.3±11.8, 65.7% men) with end-stage renal disease. Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of pre/existing cardiac conditions, such as obstructive coronary artery disease, heart failure, severe arrhythmias or severe valvular disease were excluded from the study. A comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography study was performed at baseline. All images were stored digitally and subsequent analysis was performed offline. LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) and LA strain were calculated semi-automatically using dedicated software. The primary endpoints of the study were major adverse cardiovascular events such as all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction, and hospitalizations for cardiac adverse events. The median follow-up was five years.

Results

The study population had normal or mildly impaired systolic function with a mean LV ejection fraction (EF) of 49.17% (±10.41) while 70% of patients had reduced LV GLS, mean 14.35% (±4.49). Regarding LA parameters, 50% of our cohort had impaired LA strain: mean LA reservoir, LA conduit, and LA contractile reserve were 24.11% (±12.61), 10.56% (±5.88), and 13.60% (±9.15) respectively. The 5-year cumulative event-free survival was 58.2% (±6.7), while 30% of major events occurred in the first 2 years after baseline. Age had a moderate correlation with poor prognosis (p=0.013). Of the echocardiographic parameters LV EF, LV GLS, the conduit phase of LA strain, LA volume and various doppler parameters related to diastolic function, such as mitral E/A ratio and late mitral diastolic velocity A, were found to have a significant negative association with total prognosis (p=0.003, p=0.02, p=0.048, p=0.045, p=0.008, and p=0.017 respectively). Logistic regression analysis showed that of the different echocardiographic parameters LV EF, LV GLS, and the conduit phase of LA strain were significantly associated with the overall prognosis (p=0.009, p=0.007, p=0.05). The conduit element of LA strain was the strongest predictor among them (OR=0.77 p=0.04).

Conclusion

Left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction is a significant prognostic indicator in patients with end stage renal disease. Assessing cardiac mechanics with speckle tracking echocardiography could provide valuable information in this specific population.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

The prognostic value of left atrial strain in patients with end stage renal disease on dialysis

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with higher incidence of cardiovascular death especially as the disease progresses and the patients undergo long term dialysis treatment (1). Left ventricular (LV) dysfunction evaluated by cardiac deformation measurements with speckle tracking echocardiography seems to have an important prognostic role in several different specific populations (2-4).

Purpose

Τhe prognostic value of strain analysis measurements, including the novel diastolic parameters such as left atrial (LA) strain, in patients with end-stage renal disease on dialysis (stage 5 CKD).

Methods

 67 patients (mean age 62.3 ± 11.8, 65.7% men) with stage 5 CKD (45 on hemodialysis and 22 on peritoneal dialysis) were enrolled in the study protocol. The mean duration of dialysis was 102.48 ± 84.98 months. Patients were submitted to a transthoracic echocardiogram at rest and dobutamine stress contrast echo (DSCE) protocol. Mean follow-up lasted five years.

Results

The majority of the study population had normal or mildly impaired systolic function with a mean LV ejection fraction 49.17% (±10.41) while 70% of the patients had impaired LV global longitudinal strain, (mean 14.35%, ±4.49). Regarding LA strain parameters the mean LA reservoir, LA conduit, and LA contractile reserve were 24.11%(±12.61), 10.56% (±5.88) and 13.60% (±9.15) respectively. Thus 50% of the population had impaired LA strain. DSCE was positive for ischemia in 55.7%. The 5-year cumulative event-free survival was 58.2% (±6.7), while 30% of major events happened during the first 2 years after DSCE (see Figure). Logistic regression analysis showed that of the various echocardiographic parameters LV ejection fraction, LV global longitudinal strain, and the conduit phase of LA strain were significantly associated with DSCE result and total prognosis (p = 0.009, p = 0.007, p = 0.05, and p = 0.005, p = 0.049, p = 0.043, respectively). The conduit element of LA strain notably was the strongest predictor among them(OR = 0.76 p = 0.05 and OR = 0.72 p = 0.043, respectively).

Conclusion

 Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction is an important prognostic factor among patients with advanced CKD under long-term dialysis.  The novel echocardiographic parameters such as LA strain couldadd valuable information to the overall cardiac evaluation of this specific population. Abstract Figure.

Target organ damage in relation to intensity of cigarette smoking, statin therapy and the endogenous testosterone in middle aged hypertensive men with erectile dysfunction

Background

Target organ damage (TOD) amplifies cardiovascular risk in essential hypertension. Erectile dysfunction (ED) refers to microvascular disease and frequently accompanies the hypertensive middle aged male population. Endogenous testosterone (TT) and statins exhibit vasoprotective effects while cigarette smoking typically relates to an adverse cardiovascular outcome.

Purpose

To investigate TOD in relation to cigarette smoking, statin therapy and TT in essential hypertension middle aged males with ED.

Methods

223 hypertensive ED males (mean age: 59 yo) with no history of diabetes mellitus or overt cardiovascular disease enrolled the study. There were all screened for the presence of microalbuminuria, defined as urinary albumin loss 30 – 300 mg in a 24 h urine volume collection. Among them 96 (43%) were current cigarette smokers. Intensity of smoking referred in terms of packs per year. The presence and severity of ED was assessed by the SHIM-5 score (range 0–25), higher values indicate better erectile ability. All underwent a non invasive evaluation of the carotid – femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), estimation of central pressures and augmentation index (AIx) a parameter of wave reflection amplification (Sphygmocor device).Moreover left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was assessed by 2D echocardiography (Devereux formula) and intima-media thickness (cIMT) of the common carotid artery by vascular ultrasound imaging. cIMT is a marker of atheromatosis.

Results

Microalbuminuria detected in 89 (40%) patients was positively related to other parameters of TOD such as PWV, cIMT, LVMI (all p<0,005) and smoking habits (p=0,02) and negatively to the SHIM-5 score, TT and statin use (all p<0,01). A notably negative correlation to the intensity of smoking was the SHIM-5 score (p=0,013) and a positive the cIMT (p=0,001). Statins were positively related to TT (p=0,006).In linear regression analysis, relation of packs per year remained significant regarding microalbuminuria and the SHIM-5 after adjustment for age, body mass index, PWV, LVMI, central systolic, diastolic and pulse blood pressure. Similarly, relation of statins, TT and microalbuminuria remained significant after adjustment for age, LVMI, PWV, AIx and smoking status.

Conclusion

Intensive cigarette smoking accelerates silent kidney damage and sabotages erectile performance in hypertensive middle aged men with ED independently of the central hemodynamic load. Statins protect from microvascular kidney damage and the decline of testosterone probably by enhancing endothelial physiology. In such population group, simple and clinically oriented criteria may reveal early diagnosis of target organ damage and guide appropriate life-style modifications and further therapeutic judgments.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1

Diagnosis of pituitary adenomas on touch preparations assisted by immunocytochemistry

Touch preparations from surgically removed pituitary adenomas were studied by both routine staining and immunocytochemistry for all anterior pituitary hormones. The results were correlated with the histologic, histochemical, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural findings. Several features were recognized, some of them applicable in diagnosing various adenoma types: high cellularity, cell monomorphism, nuclear irregularities and heterogeneity of immunoreactivity, all major diagnostic criteria of pituitary adenoma. The presence of numerous fibrous bodies associated with nuclear pleomorphism, multinucleation and peripheral displacement of nuclei, in association with growth hormone (GH) immunopositivity, represent diagnostic criteria for sparsely granulated GH cell adenoma. The "Golgi" pattern of prolactin (PRL) immunopositivity in conjunction with the small size of cell and nucleus and the presence of microcalcifications represents diagnostic features of PRL-secreting adenoma. Cytoplasmic accumulation of hyaline material in association with peripheral distribution of periodic acid-Schiff stain and adrenocorticotropic hormone immunoreactivity is characteristic of sparsely granulated corticotroph cell adenoma. Knowledge and application of the described features may contribute significantly to the diagnostic approach to pituitary adenomas.

Interleukin-6, a growth promoting cytokine, is present in human pituitary adenomas: an immunocytochemical study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in human pituitary adenomas.

DESIGN

Immunocytochemistry was performed in 15 cases of pituitary adenomas obtained at transsphenoidal surgery.

PATIENTS

Fifteen cases of pituitary adenomas were examined; these included five GH-secreting adenomas, four prolactinomas, four ACTH-secreting adenomas and two null-cell ('functionless') adenomas.

MEASUREMENTS

Each tumour was stained for the presence of IL-6 by means of the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) technique, and was also stained for GH, prolactin, ACTH and alpha-subunit by conventional immunocytochemistry.

RESULTS

Fourteen of the 15 tumours examined, excepting one GH-secreting tumour, demonstrated clusters of IL-6 positively stained cells; the specificity of the staining was established by a significant decrease in staining in parallel sections of all tumours studied when the anti IL-6 antibody was preabsorbed with recombinant human IL-6.

CONCLUSIONS

It is concluded that IL-6 immunoreactivity is present in human pituitary tumours, and is independent of the specific secretory cell product. The role of this cytokine in the pathogenesis of such tumours requires further investigation.