Clinical features, etiology, and survival in patients with restrictive cardiomyopathy: A single-center experience

BACKGROUND

Numerous prognostic factors have been proposed for cardiac amyloidosis (CA). The knowledge about other subtypes of restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is scant.

AIMS

This study aimed to elucidate the etiology and prognostic factors of RCM as well as assess cardiac biomarkers: high-sensitive troponin T (hs-TnT), growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2, as mortality predictors in RCM.

METHODS

We enrolled 36 RCM patients in our tertiary cardiac department. All patients were screened for CA. Genetic testing was performed in 17 patients without CA.

RESULTS

Pathogenic or likely pathogenic gene variants were found in 86% of patients, including 5 novel variants. Twenty patients died, and 4 had a heart transplantation during the study. Median overall survival was 29 months (8-55). The univariate Cox models analysis indicated that systolic and diastolic blood pressure, GDF-15, hs-TnT, NT-proBNP, left ventricular stroke volume, the ratio of the transmitral early peak velocity (E) estimated by pulsed wave Doppler over the early mitral annulus velocity (e'), tricuspid annulus plane systolic excursion, early tricuspid valve annular systolic velocity, the presence of pulmonary hypertension, and pericardial effusion influenced survival (P <0.05). A worse prognosis was observed in patients with GDF-15 >1316 pg/ml, hs-TnT >42 ng/l, NT-proBNP >3383 pg/ml, and pericardial effusion >3.5 mm (Kaplan-Meier analysis, log-rank test, P <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Genetic testing should be considered in every RCM patient where light-chain amyloidosis has been excluded. Survival remains poor regardless of etiology. Increased concentrations of GDF-15, hs-TNT, NT-proBNP, and pericardial effusion are associated with worse prognosis. Further studies are warranted.

Leukaemia cutis for clinicians, a literature review

Leukaemia cutis (LC) describes infiltration of the skin by leukaemia cells, resulting in clinically identifiable cutaneous lesions. LC has a wide range of clinical manifestations, which can make it difficult to distinguish LC from other skin changes. In a group of patients, LC can be the first manifestation of leukaemia, therefore skin biopsy is crucial for the diagnosis. In this mini review, we discuss various types of leukaemia most frequently represented in leukaemia cutis, in both children and adults and skin changes in multiple myeloma, focusing on the clinical presentation of LC and prognosis in patients.

All-oral ixazomib, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone for transplant-ineligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma

BACKGROUND

Novel efficacious treatments with long-term tolerability are needed for transplant-ineligible, newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients. This phase 2 study evaluated the safety and efficacy of all-oral ixazomib-cyclophosphamide-dexamethasone (ICd) followed by single-agent ixazomib maintenance.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients were randomised (1:1) to receive 4.0 mg of ixazomib, 300 (Arm A) or 400 (Arm B) mg/m² of cyclophosphamide (days 1, 8, and 15), and 40 mg of dexamethasone (days 1, 8, 15, and 22) as induction (up to 13 × 28-day cycles), followed by single-agent ixazomib maintenance (28-day cycles) until progressive disease, death, or unacceptable toxicity. Primary end-point was complete response (CR) + very good partial response (VGPR) rate for ICd induction.

RESULTS

Seventy patients were enrolled (n = 36 Arm A; n = 34 Arm B); median age was 73 years (range, 61-87). At data cut-off, 66% of patients had completed 13 induction cycles followed by ixazomib maintenance. Median overall treatment duration was 19 cycles (range, 1-29); 21% of patients discontinued treatment during induction and 3% during maintenance due to adverse events (AEs). During induction, among 67 response-evaluable patients, CR+VGPR rate was 25%, and overall response rate (ORR) was 73%. Including the maintenance phase, CR+VGPR rate was 33%, and ORR was 76%. Median progression-free survival was 23.5 months (median follow-up: 26.1 months). The most common all-grade AE was neutropenia (31%). Grade ≥3 AEs were reported by 73% of patients. Five on-study deaths occurred (not treatment-related).

CONCLUSIONS

ICd treatment followed by ixazomib maintenance is tolerable and active in elderly, transplant-ineligible NDMM patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT02046070.

Influence of Clonal Plasma Cell Contamination of Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Autografts on Progression and Survival in Multiple Myeloma Patients After Autologous Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation in Long-term Observation

BACKGROUND

High-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (auto-PBSCT) remains the mainstay of treatment of eligible patients diagnosed multiple myeloma. The role of clonal plasma cell (CPC) contamination was found as a reason for relapse, but results in terms of survival, progression, and purging were ambiguous. Therefore, the aim of the study was to explore the influence of CPC contamination in the autograft on survival and progression after auto-PBSCT.

STUDY DESIGN

The study included 59 patients diagnosed and treated for multiple myeloma in 1998-2004. Cells with coexpression of CD38⁺⁺⁺CD138⁺⁺CD56⁺ and lacking the expression of CD45, CD19, CD10, CD20, and CD23 were considered CPC in flow cytometry.

RESULTS

The risk of death and progression after auto-PBSCT increased significantly by 10% (P < .021) and 8% (P < .034) per 1 × 10⁶/kg of the CPC number, respectively. For CPC number above 2.96 × 10⁶/kg overall survival achieved clinical significance. Two years after auto-PBSCT, the risk of death was independent of CPC number among the patients who survived (P = .70). Analogous conclusions concerned results of progression-free survival at 1 year after auto-PBSCT.

CONCLUSIONS

High clonal plasma cell contamination (>2.96 ×1 0⁶/kg; 90th percentile of CPC number) is associated with the worst progression-free survival and overall survival. Therefore purging in vitro might be considered for the patients with the highest CPC contamination. Negative consequences of CPC contamination on the risk of death are observed for only 2 years after auto-PBSCT. Thereafter only those patients who had lower CPC contamination survived.

Heart infarct as the major cause of death of hematological patients as identified by autopsy

BACKGROUND

Despite progress in diagnostic procedures, clinical diagnosis is not always confirmed by an autopsy. An autopsy is a valuable tool in evaluating diagnostic accuracy.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to compare clinical diagnoses of immediate causes of death with autopsy findings in patients with hematological malignancies or aplastic anemia.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In this study, the results of 154 autopsies (1993-2004) of patients with hematological diseases were reviewed and compared with clinical data. The most probable causes of death in the case of particular hematological diseases as well as the discordances between clinical and autopsy diagnoses and their relation to the clinical characteristic were identified in the studied cohort, which primarily included patients whose death at that particular time was not explained by the clinical course, and in 50% of cases was sudden.

RESULTS

Although various combined infections have been found to be responsible for the largest number of deaths (26.6%), the most common single cause was myocardial infarction (29 patients, 18.8%). The discordance between clinical and post-mortem diagnoses of immediate causes of death was found in 55 patients (35.7%; 95% CI 28.2-42.8%), with 50.9% of cases considered class I discrepancies according to Goldman's criteria. The myocardial infarction was found to be clinically undiagnosed in 69% of cases. In 41% of cases, it was a class I discrepant diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

This data suggests that hematological patients require special attention and probably preventive measures concerning coronary heart disease, particularly during the initiation of antineoplastic therapy.

"Cure" for multiple sclerosis (MS)-Evolving views of therapy goals in patients on different stages of the disease: A pilot study in a cohort of Polish MS patients

INTRODUCTION

New aggressive treatments promise improvement of results in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS), however, with high risk of serious complications. In this study, we analyzed patients' acceptance for risks connected with the MS treatment.

METHODS

The study was designed as a prospective nonanonymous online questionnaire. Responders were asked about the definition of the "cure" for MS and crucial goals in the treatment.

RESULTS

One hundred and eighty patients filled in the questionnaire (129 women and 51 men), and the mean age was 33 years (SD = 10.29). The MS forms were as follows: relapsing-remitting (65%), secondary progressive (14%), primary progressive (10%), and other (11%), with mean EDSS score of 3 points (SD = 2.6). For 50% of the patients, relief of symptoms such as fatigue (72%), paresis (66%), and balance disorders (65%) was synonymous with "cure." The patients with faster progression of the disease were likely to accept risky "curative" treatments-with average 68% accepted mortality risk (p = .003). Over 81% of patients accepted mortality rates over 1% for the treatment that achieves self-defined cure.

CONCLUSION

The study shows that the MS patients are likely to accept even very risky treatments as long as they promise patient-defined "cure."

Red Blood Cell Transfusion Dependency and Hyperferritinemia Are Associated with Impaired Survival in Patients Diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndromes: Results from the First Polish MDS-PALG Registry

BACKGROUND

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of clonal stem cell disorders characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis, cytopenias and a risk of progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Anemia is the most frequent cytopenia diagnosed in patients with MDS. Regular RBC transfusions are the only treatment option for about 40% of patients. Transfusion-dependent patients develop secondary iron overload. The influence of serum ferritin (SF) concentration on survival and acute myeloid leukemia transformation in MDS patients remains controversial. The data for the Central European population is scarce and so far there is no description for Poland.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to perform a retrospective analysis of the relationship of SF concentration with red blood cell transfusion dependency, survival and transformation to acute myeloid leukemia.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated the data of the 819 MDS patients (58% male; median age 70 years) included in the MDS Registry of the MDS Section of the Polish Adult Leukemia Group (PALG).

RESULTS

Analyses were performed on 190 patients diagnosed with MDS, maximal 6 months before inclusion to the registry in order to avoid selection bias (a shorter survival of higher risk MDS patients). Patients with hyperferritinemia higher than 1000 ng/L vs. patients with SF concentration lower than 1000 ng/L had a median survival of 320 days vs. 568 days, respectively (p log-rank = 0.014). The following factors were found to significantly worsen survival: RBC-transfusion dependence (p = 0.0033; HR 2.67L), platelet transfusion dependence (p = 0.0071; HR 3.321), hemoglobin concentration lower than 10 g/dL (p = 0.0036; HR 2.97), SF concentration higher than 1000 ng/L (p = 0.0023; HR = 2.94), platelet count lower than 10 G/L (p = 0.0081 HR = 5.04), acute leukemia transformation (p = 0.0081; HR 1.968).

CONCLUSIONS

Taking into account the relatively low number of patients in previous studies exploring hyperferritinemia in MDS, the results of the first Polish MDS Registry provide important insights. Hyperferritinemia higher than 1000 ng/L can be an important indicator of poor prognosis in MDS.

Relationship Between Distortion Product - Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAEs) and High-Frequency Acoustic Immittance Measures

BACKGROUND Pathologies that alter the impedance of the middle ear may consequently modify the DPOAE amplitude. The aim of this study was to correlate information from 2 different clinical procedures assessing middle ear status. Data from DPOAE responses (both DP-Gram and DP I/O functions) were correlated with data from multi-component tympanometry at 1000 Hz. MATERIAL AND METHODS The subjects were divided into a double-peak group (DPG) and a single-peak group (SPG) depending on 1000 Hz tympanogram pattern. Exclusion criteria (described in the Methods section) were applied to both groups and finally only 31 ears were assigned to each group. The subjects were also assessed with traditional tympanometry and behavioral audiometry. RESULTS Compared to the single-peak group, in terms of the 226 Hz tympanometry data, subjects in the DPG group presented: (i) higher values of ear canal volume; (ii) higher peak pressure, and (iii) significantly higher values of acoustic admittance. DPOAE amplitudes were lower in the DPG group only at 6006 Hz, but the difference in amplitude between the DPG and SPG groups decreased as the frequency increased. Statistical differences were observed only at 1001 Hz and a borderline difference at 1501 Hz. In terms of DPOAE I/O functions, significant differences were observed only in 4 of the 50 tested points. CONCLUSIONS The 1000-Hz tympanometric pattern significantly affects the structure of DPOAE responses only at 1001 Hz. In this context, changes in the properties of the middle ear (as detected by the 1000 Hz tympanometry) can be considered as prime candidates for the observed variability in the DP-grams and the DP I/O functions.

Co-infections with cytomegalovirus and human herpesvirus type 7 in adult Polish allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients

Human herpesvirus 7 (HHV-7) is widespread around the world and may also be a possible cofactor for cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. In case of viral diseases where specific treatment is available, real-time PCR assays constitute reliable diagnostic tools enabling timely initiation of appropriate therapy and rapid assessment of the efficacy of antiviral treatment strategies. The presence of CMV and HHV-7 was confirmed by the detection of viral DNA isolated from 1,027 plasma samples. A group of 69 allogeneic HSCT (alloHSCT) recipients was examined in early post-transplant period using quantitative real-time PCR methods. Within the study period, 62 % of patients had at least once CMV DNA-emia, while HHV-7 DNA was found in 43 % of subjects. Co-infection between these β-herpesviruses was detected in the plasma samples collected from 18 patients (26 %). Patients with concomitant HHV-7 DNA-emia had significantly higher number of CMV DNA copies compared with those without HHV-7 infection (1986 vs. 432 copies/ml, p < 0.001) but there was no difference in duration of CMV DNA-emia between these groups. On the other hand, while the load of HHV-7 DNA was comparable between patients with CMV DNA-emia and without CMV DNA-emia, the duration of HHV-7 DNA-emia was significantly longer in the first group (38.5 vs. 14 days, p < 0.001). HHV-7 DNA-emia is very frequently detected in Polish alloHSCT recipients. In those, who have subsequent CMV reactivation, the coexistence of the viruses may negatively affect the kinetics of infection with either of them. Therefore the investigation of concomitant HHV-7 DNA-emia could affect the prognosis of post-transplant patients suffering from CMV reactivation.

The relationship between distortion product otoacoustic emissions and extended high-frequency audiometry in tinnitus patients. Part 1: normally hearing patients with unilateral tinnitus

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) and extended high-frequency (EHF) thresholds in a control group and in patients with normal hearing sensitivity in the conventional frequency range and reporting unilateral tinnitus.

MATERIAL/METHODS

Seventy patients were enrolled in the study: 47 patients with tinnitus in the left ear (Group 1) and 23 patients with tinnitus in the right ear (Group 2). The control group included 60 otologically normal subjects with no history of pathological tinnitus. Pure-tone thresholds were measured at all standard frequencies from 0.25 to 8 kHz, and at 10, 12.5, 14, and 16 kHz. The DPOAEs were measured in the frequency range from approximately 0.5 to 9 kHz using the primary tones presented at 65/55 dB SPL.

RESULTS

The left ears of patients in Group 1 had higher median hearing thresholds than those in the control subjects at all 4 EHFs, and lower mean DPOAE levels than those in the controls for almost all primary frequencies, but significantly lower only in the 2-kHz region. Median hearing thresholds in the right ears of patients in Group 2 were higher than those in the right ears of the control subjects in the EHF range at 12.5, 14, and 16 kHz. The mean DPOAE levels in the right ears were lower in patients from Group 2 than those in the controls for the majority of primary frequencies, but only reached statistical significance in the 8-kHz region.

CONCLUSIONS

Hearing thresholds in tinnitus ears with normal hearing sensitivity in the conventional range were higher in the EHF region than those in non-tinnitus control subjects, implying that cochlear damage in the basal region may result in the perception of tinnitus. In general, DPOAE levels in tinnitus ears were lower than those in ears of non-tinnitus subjects, suggesting that subclinical cochlear impairment in limited areas, which can be revealed by DPOAEs but not by conventional audiometry, may exist in tinnitus ears. For patients with tinnitus, DPOAE measures combined with behavioral EHF hearing thresholds may provide additional clinical information about the status of the peripheral hearing.

Hearing threshold prediction with Auditory Steady State Responses and estimation of correction functions to compensate for differences with behavioral data, in adult subjects. Part 1: Audera and CHARTR EP devices

Background

The objective of the study was the evaluation and comparison of hearing threshold values extrapolated from Auditory Steady State Responses, using 2 commercial systems and the estimation of correction factors applicable to the ASSR data.

Material/Methods

One hundred ten subjects participated to the study. All subjects were initially examined with otoscopy, pure-tone audiometry and admittance. Data were acquired by 2 clinical systems the Audera (Viasys) and the CHARTR EP (ICS), using identical protocols. The acoustic stimuli consisted of single carrier frequencies at 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz modulated at 40 Hz.

Results

The data show that the threshold estimates from both devices differ significantly from the measured behavioral thresholds. The ICS device presented significantly larger mean-ASSR estimated hearing level values at the tested frequencies, implying an underestimation of the hearing threshold. Both sets of prediction errors overestimated hearing levels for the normal group. The prediction errors were in all cases greater for the Audera than for the ICS.

Conclusions

The errors encountered in the estimates of the 2 widely-used commercial devices suggest that the current ASSR protocols are not ready for a wide-range use and that significant developments in the area of threshold prediction / precision are necessary. If, on the other-hand, the ASSR predicted threshold is used on a purely consulting basis, as in hearing-aid fitting, then such errors might be acceptable in a clinical setting.