Nt probnp

The study involved patients hospitalised for an acute attack of TS from May 2006 to August 2013 at the Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology of the University Hospital Brno. A total of 24 patients (23 women, 1 man) were admitted to the coronary acute unit with suspected acute coronary syndrome, and subsequently were diagnosed with TS according to the Mayo Clinic criteria [3 (link)]. ECG changes, hs-troponin T levels (Roche Diagnostics, Indianapolis, IN, USA, with the cut-off value at 14 ng/L), NT-proBNP (Roche Diagnostics, Indianapolis, IN, USA; with the cut-off value at 100 pg/mL), C-reactive protein (Roche, Basel, Switzerland, with the cut-off value at 5 mg/L) (all biomarkers were measured at admission), coronary angiography finding, and left ventricular function (assessed by echocardiography and left ventriculography) were evaluated in all patients. The study involved only patients with a history of TS and a documented recovery of left ventricular function. Some patients were also examined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in order to rule out ischaemic aetiology or acute myocarditis. The control group was composed of 27 healthy volunteers (20 women, 7 men) who had a similar environmental burden with metals according to the questionnaire.

The six-minute walk test (6MWT) was performed by qualified medical personnel in accordance with applicable standards of the American Society of Cardiology [14 (link)]. The degree of myocardial necrosis was assessed by measurement of the ultra-sensitive troponin level (Roche, Mannheim, Germany; plasma, normal values < 0.003 ng/mL), and the severity of cardiac failure by measurement of the NTproBNP level (Roche, Mannheim, Germany; serum, normal values < 125 pg/mL).

For each patient, the circumstances of insertion and the parameters related to indwelling catheters were recorded including fluid infusion quantity, antibiotic utilization, indwelling days, maintenance frequency and material, fever, and blood culture. Sampling of each removed catheter was conducted to monitor catheter-related infections. Strict aseptic procedures were carried out to avoid contaminating the wound near the insertion site. Ultrasound screening was performed, and the cardiac parameter (LA diameter, LA diameter, LV systolic dimension, ventricular septal thickness, and ventricular septal thickness) were recorded every 3 days. For patients with suspected infection, the level of PCT and NT-proBNP (Roche Diagnostics) were monitored every day until infection was controlled.

Blood samples were obtained at the time of cardiac imaging, processed within 60 min of phlebotomy, and stored at −80 degrees Celsius prior to analysis. Assays for NT-proBNP (Roche, Indianapolis, IN), galectin-3, soluble ST, and supersensitive cardiac troponin I (Singulex, Atlanta, Georgia, USA) were performed by the biomarker core laboratory blinded to clinical and genetic status.

The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was derived from the 2D-guided M-mode echocardiography^{16 (link)}. E/A was the ratio of left ventricular early (E) to late (A) filling flow velocity, and septal E/e′ represented the ratio of early ventricular filling flow velocity (E) to the septal mitral annulus tissue velocity (e′). HFrEF was defined as subjects with a LVEF < 50%^{17 (link)}. According to modified glomerular filtration rate estimating equation for Chinese patients, estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR) rate was calculated^{18 (link)}. The stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD) was based on KDOQI guidelines^{19 (link)}. The commercialized measure for N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP; Roche Diagnostics, Basel, Switzerland) was available for patients hospitalized after 2009.