High-sensitivity troponin T is a prognostic marker for patients with aortic stenosis after valve replacement surgery

A Neuronal Network-Based Score Predicting Survival in Patients Undergoing Aortic Valve Intervention: The ABC-AS Score

Background: Despite being the most commonly performed valvular intervention, risk prediction for aortic valve replacement in patients with severe aortic stenosis by currently used risk scores remains challenging. The study aim was to develop a biomarker-based risk score by means of a neuronal network. Methods: In this multicenter study, 3595 patients were divided into test and validation cohorts (70% to 30%) by random allocation. Input variables to develop the ABC-AS score were age, the cardiac biomarker high-sensitivity troponin T, and a patient history of cardiac decompensation. The validation cohort was used to verify the scores' value and for comparison with the Society of Thoracic Surgery Predictive Risk of Operative Mortality score. Results: Receiver operating curves demonstrated an improvement in prediction by using the ABC-AS score compared to the Society of Thoracic Surgery Predictive Risk of Operative Mortality (STS prom) score. Although the difference in predicting cardiovascular mortality was most notable at 30-day follow-up (area under the curve of 0.922 versus 0.678), ABC-AS also performed better in overall follow-up (0.839 versus 0.699). Furthermore, univariate analysis of ABC-AS tertiles yielded highly significant differences for all-cause (p < 0.0001) and cardiovascular mortality (p < 0.0001). Head-to-head comparison between both risk scores in a multivariable cox regression model underlined the potential of the ABC-AS score (HR per z-unit 2.633 (95% CI 2.156-3.216), p < 0.0001), while the STS prom score failed to reach statistical significance (p = 0.226). Conclusions: The newly developed ABC-AS score is an improved risk stratification tool to predict cardiovascular outcomes for patients undergoing aortic valve intervention.

Prognostic value of high-sensitive troponin T in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing valve replacement surgery

BACKGROUND

Aortic stenosis (AS) is a well-known cause of mortality. We aimed to assess the prognostic value of high-sensitive troponin T (hs-TnT) in symptomatic patients with severe AS and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study recruited patients with severe symptomatic AS fulfilling the inclusion criteria in the period between April 2020 and February 2022. Comprehensive echocardiography was done. The following parameters were assessed: AS severity, LV mass index (LVMI), left atrium volume index (LAVI), and LVEF. E/e' and LVEF were calculated using the biplane method of Simpsons. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) was assessed by speckle tracking echocardiography. Peripheral blood samples were collected for hs-TnT measurement. All patients underwent surgical AVR. The patients were followed for the following 6 months for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). MACE was defined as cardiac death, re-admission for congestive heart failure (CHF) and fatal arrhythmia.

RESULTS

One hundred and eight patients (mean age = 58.7 ± 7.68 years) with severe AS were recruited. Seventeen patients presented with MACE including 8 cardiac deaths. We divided the patients into two groups based on the normal hs-TnT values. The Kaplan-Meier curve revealed a statistically significant difference in MACE rate among troponin groups (log-rank test = 5.06, p = 0.025). There was significant difference between both groups regarding GLS with smaller GLS in negative hs-TnT group. In multivariate analysis, GLS and hs-TnT were significantly associated with MACE (p = 0.022 and < 0.01 respectively). The cutoff value of hs-TnT of 238.25 had a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity of 81% for predicting future MACE. There was a significant correlation between GLS and troponin (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

hs-TnT is associated with bad short-term prognosis after AVR. hs-TnT and GLS could be significant predictors for future MACE in patients with severe symptomatic AS and preserved LVEF who underwent AVR. Elevated hs-TnT and impaired GLS could set an indication of early intervention in asymptomatic severe AS.

Post-cardiopulmonary bypass longitudinal strain provides higher prognostic ability than baseline strain or change in strain

CONTEXT

Global longitudinal strain (GLS) measured by speckle-tracking echocardiography demonstrates excellent prognostic ability in predicting major adverse cardiac events after cardiac surgery. However, the optimal timing of intraoperative GLS measurement that provides the best prognostic value is unclear.

AIM

Our goal was to evaluate whether GLS measured prior to cardiopulmonary bypass (pre-CPB GLS), following CPB (post-CPB GLS), or change in GLS provides the strongest association with postoperative complications.

SETTING AND DESIGN

Post hoc analysis of prospectively collected data from a clinical trial (NCT01187329). 72 patients with aortic stenosis undergoing elective AVR ± coronary artery bypass grafting between January 2011 and August 2013.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Myocardial deformation analysis from standardized transesophageal echocardiographic examinations were performed after anesthetic induction and chest closure. We evaluated the association between pre-CPB GLS, post-CPB GLS, and change in GLS (percent change from pre-CPB baseline) with postoperative atrial fibrillation and hospitalization >7 days. The association of post-CPB GLS with duration of mechanical ventilation, N-terminal pro-BNP (NT-proBNP) and troponin T were also assessed.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

Risk-adjusted odds (OR[97.5%CI] of prolonged hospitalization increased an estimated 27% (1.27[1.01 to 1.59];P_adj =0.035) per 1% decrease in absolute post-CPB GLS. Mean[98.3%CI] NT-proBNP increased 98.4[20 to 177]pg/mL; P_adj =0.008), per 1% decrease in post-CPB GLS. Pre-CPB GLS or change in GLS were not associated with any outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Post-CPB GLS provides the best prognostic value in predicting postoperative outcomes. Measuring post-CPB GLS may improve risk stratification and assist in future study design and patient outcome research.

Biomarkers Associated with Mortality in Aortic Stenosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The optimal timing of aortic valve replacement (AVR) remains controversial. Several biomarkers reflect the underlying pathophysiological processes in aortic stenosis (AS) and may be of use as mortality predictors. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the blood biomarkers utilised in AS and assess whether they associate with mortality. PubMed and Embase were searched for studies reporting baseline biomarker level and mortality outcomes in patients with AS. A total of 83 studies met the inclusion criteria and were systematically reviewed. Of these, 21 reporting brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), Troponin and Galectin-3 were meta-analysed. Pooled analysis demonstrated that all-cause mortality was significantly associated with elevated baseline levels of BNP (HR 2.59; 95% CI 1.95–3.44; p < 0.00001), NT-proBNP (HR 1.73; 95% CI 1.45–2.06; p = 0.00001), Troponin (HR 1.65; 95% CI 1.31–2.07; p < 0.0001) and Galectin-3 (HR 1.82; 95% CI 1.27–2.61; p < 0.001) compared to lower baseline biomarker levels. Elevated levels of baseline BNP, NT-proBNP, Troponin and Galectin-3 were associated with increased all-cause mortality in a population of patients with AS. Therefore, a change in biomarker level could be considered to refine optimal timing of intervention. The results of this meta-analysis highlight the importance of biomarkers in risk stratification of AS, regardless of symptom status.

High-Sensitivity Troponin T Predicts Postoperative Cardiogenic Shock Requiring Mechanical Circulatory Support in Patients With Valve Disease

BACKGROUND

Cardiogenic shock is a very serious postoperative complication in patients undergoing heart valve surgery. Mechanical circulatory support is a recognized method of treating patients with this complication. The aim of the presented study was to assess the usefulness of selected biomarkers in predicting the occurrence of postoperative cardiogenic shock requiring mechanical circulatory support.

METHODS

This prospective study was conducted on a group of 712 patients undergoing heart valve surgery. The primary end-point at the intrahospital follow-up was postoperative cardiogenic shock requiring mechanical circulatory support.

RESULTS

The postoperative cardiogenic shock requiring mechanical circulatory support occurred in 20 patients. At multivariate analysis high-sensitivity Troponin T measured immediately after surgery (OR 1.006; 95% CI 1.002-1.013; P 0.009) remained independent predictor of the primary end point.

CONCLUSIONS

The postoperative hs-TnT can be used to predict a postoperative cardiogenic shock requiring mechanical circulatory support.

Troponin T but not C reactive protein is associated with future surgery for aortic stenosis: a population-based nested case-referent study

AIMS

High-sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT) and high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP) may convey prognostic information in patients with aortic stenosis (AS). This study evaluated if hs-TnT and hs-CRP associate with myocardial mass, and risk of future surgery for AS.

METHODS

In total, 336 patients (48% women) with surgery for AS with previous participation in large population surveys were identified. Preoperatively, myocardial mass and the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) were assessed. Two matched referents were allocated for each case, and hs-TnT and hs-CRP were determined in stored plasma from the baseline survey. Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the risk (OR (95% CI)) related to one (natural logarithm) SD increase in hs-TnT and hs-CRP. Kaplan-Mayer and Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate time to surgery.

RESULTS

Median age (IQR) was 59.8 (10.3) years at survey, and median time between survey and surgery was 10.9 (9.3) years. Hs-TnT was independently associated with surgery for AS (1.24 (1.06-1.44)) irrespective of CAD, whereas Hs-CRP was not (1.05 (0.90-1.22)). Elevated hs-TnT levels at survey associated with shorter time to surgery (p<0.001), and with increased myocardial mass (p=0.002). Hs-CRP did not associate with time to surgery or with myocardial mass.

CONCLUSIONS

Hs-TnT-but not hs-CRP-was associated with increased risk of-and shorter time to-future surgery for AS. Hs-TnT associated with myocardial mass at surgery which indicates that hs-TnT could be a potential biomarker for determining intervention.

Long-Term Prognostic Value of High-Sensitivity Troponin T Added to N-Terminal Pro Brain Natriuretic Peptide Plasma Levels Before Valve Replacement for Severe Aortic Stenosis

Natriuretic peptide plasma levels help to manage patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). The role of troponin plasma levels in this patient cohort remains speculative. A consortium of 4 university hospital centers in Austria analyzed retrospectively 3,595 patients admitted for valve replacement because of severe AS since 2007. The aim was to compare the additive preprocedural value of high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT) to N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) plasma levels in predicting postoperative long-term survival in a large cohort undergoing either surgical (57.8%) or transcatheter (42.2%) aortic valve replacement. During a median follow-up of 2.93 (1.91 to 4.92) years, 919 patients (25.6%) died, in them 556 (15.5%) due to cardiovascular causes. Both normal hsTnT (<14 ng/l) and NT-proBNP (within age- and sex-corrected normal range) plasma levels were found in 481 patients (14.3%, group 1). Normal hsTnT but elevated NT-proBNP plasma levels were found in 748 patients (22.3%, group 2). Elevated hsTnT but normal NT-proBNP plasma levels were found in 258 patients (7.7%, group 3). Both elevated hsTnT and elevated NT-proBNP plasma levels were found in 1,869 patients (55.7%, group 4). Using Log Rank tests for comparison there was a highly significant difference in both cardiovascular mortality (p <0.0001) and all-cause mortality (p <0.0001). All-cause mortality rates after 1, 3, and 5 years were 2.1%, 5.4%, 7.7% in group 1; 4.0%, 7.5%, 11.5% in group 2; 5.8%, 8.9%, 14.0% in group 3; and 12.3%, 22.6%, 28.4% in group 4. In conclusion, hsTnT adds additional impact to NT-proBNP as a routinely available biomarker for risk stratification concerning postoperative survival in patients with severe AS admitted for valve replacement. The present study supports the concept to integrate hsTnT plasma levels in the management of severe AS.

Prognostic Impact of Pre-Transcatheter and Post-Transcatheter Aortic Valve Intervention Troponin: A Large Cohort Study

Background Biomarkers were advocated as prognostic factors in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve intervention, with contradictory results concerning prognostic impact of troponin. Our aim was to assess the prognostic impact of preprocedural and postprocedural troponin in transcatheter aortic valve intervention. Methods and Results Preprocedural and postprocedural high-sensitivity troponin levels were measured in all patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve intervention. Primary end point was 1-year mortality. This study included 1390 patients, with a mean age of 83.4±6.8 years. Patients were divided into 3 tertiles according to preprocedural troponin values: tertile 1: 0.001 to 0.023 μg/L; tertile 2: 0.024 to 1.80 μg/L; and T3: 1.81 to 12.1 μg/L. One-year mortality was higher in patients in tertile 2 (hazard ratio, 2.1; P=0.001) and T3 (hazard ratio, 1.8; P=0.009) compared with those in tertile 1. Myocardial injury was predictive of 1-year mortality (hazard ratio, 1.7; P=0.01). This effect may be stronger in the tertile 1 subgroup (hazard ratio, 5.1; P=0.03 [ P value for interaction: 0.18]). Conclusions Elevated preprocedural troponin and myocardial injury are associated with 1-year mortality after transcatheter aortic valve intervention.

High-sensitivity troponin T and long-term adverse cardiac events among patients presenting with suspected acute coronary syndrome in Singapore

INTRODUCTION

Prognostic thresholds for 30-day major adverse cardiac events (MACE) have been studied for high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT) in patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS), but there is limited data on the prognostic performance of hsTnT for one-year MACE.

METHODS

We prospectively measured hsTnT (in ng/mL up to two decimal places) at 0, 2 and 7 hours for patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of ACS to our emergency department from March 2010 to April 2013. We assessed the prognostic performance of hsTnT cut-offs for 30-day and one-year MACE, and the utility of delta-hsTnT in predicting MACE.

RESULTS

Among 2,444 patients studied, 273 (11.2%) developed MACE (including index MACE) by 30 days and 359 (14.7%) patients developed MACE at one year. The suggested hsTnT cut-off for 30-day MACE was ≥ 10 ng/L at 0 hour (positive predictive value [PPV] 33.5%, negative predictive value [NPV] 94.5%) and 7 hours (PPV 37.3%, NPV 94.5%), and ≥ 20 ng/L at 2 hours (PPV 36.9%, NPV 96.9%). For one-year MACE, the suggested cut-off was also ≥ 10 ng/L at all readings. Plasma hsTnT ≥ 30 ng/L at any reading gave PPV > 54% and NPV > 93% for 30-day MACE. Absolute 0-2 hour and 2-7 hour delta-hsTnT ≥ 10 ng/L gave PPV > 50% for 30-day and one-year MACE.

CONCLUSION

Patients with 0-, 2- or 7-hour hsTnT ≥ 30 ng/L and 0-2 hour delta-hsTnT ≥ 10 ng/L had PPV > 50% for 30-day and one-year MACE, and should be investigated thoroughly.

The usefulness of selected biomarkers in aortic regurgitation

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to investigate the prognostic value of selected biomarkers in patients with aortic regurgitation undergoing valve surgery.

METHODS

A prospective study was conducted on a group of consecutive patients with hemodynamically significant aortic regurgitation that underwent elective aortic valve surgery. The primary endpoint was 30-day mortality and any major adverse event within 30 days.

RESULTS

The study group included 205 consecutive patients who underwent replacement or repair of the aortic valve. The primary endpoint occurred in 72 patients. At multivariate analysis red cell distribution width (RDW; p = 0.03) and high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT; p = 0.02) remained independent predictors of the major complications including death.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated preoperative RDW and hs-TnT were associated with a poorer outcome following aortic valve surgery.

Cardiac myosin-binding protein C is a novel marker of myocardial injury and fibrosis in aortic stenosis

Objective

Cardiac myosin-binding protein C (cMyC) is an abundant sarcomeric protein and novel highly specific marker of myocardial injury. Myocyte death characterises the transition from hypertrophy to replacement myocardial fibrosis in advanced aortic stenosis. We hypothesised that serum cMyC concentrations would be associated with cardiac structure and outcomes in patients with aortic stenosis.

Methods

cMyC was measured in two cohorts in which serum had previously been prospectively collected: a mechanism cohort of patients with aortic stenosis (n=161) and healthy controls (n=46) who underwent cardiac MRI, and an outcome cohort with aortic stenosis (n=104) followed for a median of 11.3 years.

Results

In the mechanism cohort, cMyC concentration correlated with left ventricular mass (adjusted β=11.0 g/m² per log unit increase in cMyC, P<0.001), fibrosis volume (adjusted β=8.0 g, P<0.001) and extracellular volume (adjusted β=1.3%, P=0.01) in patients with aortic stenosis but not in controls. In those with late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) indicative of myocardial fibrosis, cMyC concentrations were higher (32 (21–56) ng/L vs 17 (12–24) ng/L without LGE, P<0.001). cMyC was unrelated to coronary calcium scores. Unadjusted Cox proportional hazards analysis in the outcome cohort showed greater all-cause mortality (HR 1.49 per unit increase in log cMyC, 95% CI 1.11 to 2.01, P=0.009).

Conclusions

Serum cMyC concentration is associated with myocardial hypertrophy, fibrosis and an increased risk of mortality in aortic stenosis. The quantification of serum sarcomeric protein concentrations provides objective measures of disease severity and their clinical utility to monitor the progression of aortic stenosis merits further study.

Clinical trial registration

NCT1755936; Post-results.

Impact of Aging on High-sensitivity Cardiac Troponin T in Patients Suspected of Acute Myocardial Infarction

Objective High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) is widely used for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The current cut-off value of 0.014 ng/mL was determined based on the 99th percentile of a normal reference population; however, little data exist regarding the appropriate cut-off value in the elderly (≥75 years). Accordingly, we aimed to investigate the accuracy of the current cut-off value in an elderly population. Methods We assessed 355 consecutive patients (mean age =66.7±16.1 years, male =210) whose hs-cTnT levels were measured at Kanazawa University Hospital from January 2014 to July 2015. Twenty-six patients were eventually diagnosed with AMI. Hs-cTnT was measured during a visit to the emergency or outpatient department. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were assessed to determine the appropriate cut-off levels, yielding the maximum sensitivity and specificity while dividing the subjects into two groups according to ages (≥75 or ≤74 years). Results The appropriate overall cut-off value was 0.038, the sensitivity and specificity of which were 85% and 89%, respectively, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.945 overall. The conventional cut-off value (99th percentile: 0.014 ng/mL) provided low specificity, particularly in the elderly or those with renal dysfunction. In contrast, a calculated appropriate cut-off provided higher sensitivity with significantly larger c-statistics in the elderly (0.940 vs. 0.629, p<0.001). Conclusion When measuring hs-cTnT, careful assessments are needed in elderly subjects.

Troponin elevations in patients with chronic cardiovascular disease: An analysis of current evidence and significance

Serum troponin elevation above the 99^th percentile of the upper reference limit in healthy subjects (<0.01 ng/ml measured using currently available high-sensitivity cardiac troponin laboratory assays) is required to establish the diagnosis the diagnosis of myocardial necrosis in acute cardiovascular syndromes, as well as guide prognosis and therapy. In the perioperative period, for patients with cardiac disease undergoing noncardiac surgery, it is a particularly critical biomarker universally used to assess the myocardial damage. The value of troponin testing and elevation (as well as its significance) in patients with chronic cardiac valvular, vascular, and renal disease is relatively less well understood. This evidence-based review seeks to examine the currently available data assessing the significance of troponin elevation in certain chronic valvular and other disease states.