Clinical significance of lactate in acute cardiac patients

Lactate, as a metabolite of easy and quick assessment, has been studied over time in critically ill patients in order to evaluate its prognostic ability. The present review is focused on the prognostic role of lactate levels in acute cardiac patients(that is with acute coronary syndrome, cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrest, non including post cardiac surgery patients). In patients with STelevation myocardial infarction treated with mechanical revascularization, hyperlactatemia identified a subset of patients at higher risk for early death and in-hospital complications, being strictly related mainly to hemodynamic derangement. The prognostic impact of hyperlactatemia on mortality has been documented in patients with cardiogenic shock and in those with cardiac arrest even if there is no cut-off value of lactate to be associated with worse outcome or to guide resuscitation or hemodynamic management. Therapeutic hypothermia seems to affect per se lactate values which have been shown to progressively decrease during hypothermia. The mechanism(s) accounting for lactate levels during hypothemia seem to be multiple ranging from the metabolic effects of reduced temperatures to the hemodynamic effects of hypothermia(i.e., reduced need of vasopressor agents). Serial lactate measurements over time, or lactate clearance, have been reported to be clinically more reliable than lactate absolute value also in acute cardiac patients. Despite differences in study design, timing of lactate measurements and type of acute cardiac conditions(i.e., cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrest, refractory cardiac arrest), available evidence strongly suggests that higher lactate levels can be observed on admission in non-survivors and that higher lactate clearance is associated with better outcome.

Tissue with high intelligence quotient Adipose-derived stem cells in neural regeneration

The aim of the present review is to highlight the possible neuroregenerative potential ol adipose-derived stem cells. The key property of stem cells is plasticity including self-renewal, multilineage differentiation, and migration, whereas the required property is transplantability. For a long time, embryonic stem cells were thought to be the only source of pluripotency, a dogma that has been challenged during the last decade. Today, an alternative option might be adipose-derived stem cells, as easily accessible, ethical and autologous cellular source. Recent knowledge of adipobiology increasingly recognizes that adipose tissue is the major endo- and paracrine organ of the human body. Likewise, numerous neuropetides, neurotrophic factors, neurotransmitters, hypothalamic and steroid hormones and their receptors are shared by adipose tissue and brain. Accordingly, the regenerative potential of neuroprotective factor-secreting adipose-derived stem cells is outlined. Whether the possible benefits of adipose stem cell-based therapy may be mediated via cell transdifferentiation and/or paracrine mechanisms remains to further be evaluated.

Clinical significance of glycated hemoglobin in the acute phase of ST elevation myocardial infarction

In population-based studies,including diabetic and nondiabetic cohorts,glycated hemoglobin A1c(HbA1c) has been reported as an independent predictor of allcause and cardiovascular disease mortality.Data on the prognostic role of HbA1c in patients with acute myocardial infarction(MI) are not univocal since they stem from studies which mainly differ in patients' selection criteria,therapy(thrombolysis vs mechanical revascularization) and number consistency.The present review is focused on available evidence on the prognostic significance of HbA1c measured in the acute phase in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI) submitted to primary percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).We furthermore highlighted the role of HbA1c as a screening tool for glucose intolerance in patients with STEMI.According to available evidence,in contemporary cohorts of STEMI patients submitted to mechanical revascularization,HbA1c does not seem to be associated with short and long term mortality rates.However,HbA1c may represent a screening tool for glucose intolerance from the early phase on in STEMI patients.On a pragmatic ground,an HbA1c testhas several advantages over fasting plasma glucose or an oral glucose tolerance test in an acute setting.The test can be performed in the non-fasting state and reflects average glucose concentration over the preceding 2-3 mo.We therefore proposed an algorithm based on pragmatic grounds which could be applied in STEMI patients without known diabetes in order to detect glucose intolerance abnormalities from the early phase.The main advantage of this algorithm is that it may help in tailoring the follow-up program,by helping in identifying patients at risk for the development of glucose intolerance after MI.Further validation of this algorithm in prospective studies may be required in the contemporary STEMI population to resolve some of these uncertainties around HbA1c screening cutoff points.

Usefulness of Impella support in different clinical settings in cardiogenic shock

BACKGROUND The Impella pump has emerged as a promising tool in patients with cardiogenic shock(CS).Despite its attractive properties,there are scarce data on the specific clinical setting and the potential role of Impella devices in CS patients from routine clinical practice.METHODS This is an observational,retrospective,single center,cohort study.All consecutive patients with diagnosis of CS and undergoing support with Impella 2.5?,Impella CP?or Impella 5.0?from April 2015 to December 2020 were included.Baseline characteristics,management and outcomes were assessed according to CS severity,age and cause of CS.Main outcome measured was in-hospital mortality.RESULTS A total of 50 patients were included(median age:59.3±10 years).The most common cause of CS was acute coronary syndrome(ACS)(68%),followed by decompensation of previous cardiomyopathy(22%).A total of 13 patients(26%)had profound CS.Most patients(54%)improved pulmonary congestion at 48 h after Impella support.A total of 19 patients(38%)presented significant bleeding.In-hospital mortality was 42%.Among patients with profound CS(n=13),five patients were previously supported with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.A total of eight patients(61.5%)died during the admission,and no patient achieved ventricular recovery.Older patients(≥67 years,n=10)had more comorbidities and the highest mortality(70%).Among patients with ACS(n=34),35.3%of patients had profound CS;and in most cases(52.9%),Impella support was performed as a bridge to recovery.In contrast,only one patient from the decompensated cardiomyopathy group(n=11)presented with profound CS.In 90.9%of these cases,Impella support was used as a bridge to cardiac transplantation.There were no cases of death.CONCLUSIONS In this cohort of real-life CS patients,Impella devices were used in different settings,with different clinical profiles and management.Despite a significant rate of complications,mortality was acceptable and lower than those observed in other series.

Cardiogenic shock:approaching the truth

Cardiogenic shock(CS)is a severe clinical condition characterized initially by reduced cardiac output with abnormal organ perfusion which commonly leads to a multiorgan failure.Despite expansion of cardiac critical care units,development of reperfusion networks and progress of mechanical circulatory support(MCS),mortality of CS due to acute myocardial infarction(AMI)remains as high as 40%−50%.[1]Clinical outcomes in non-AMI patients are less established but remains similarly disappointing.