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Atrial fibrillation and atrial tachycardias (AF/AT) have been reported as a common condition in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). As yet, limited data exists about the significance of the borderline post-capillary pressure component on the occurrence of AF / AT in patients with isolated pre-capillary PH. We retrospectively studied the prevalence of AF / AT in 333 patients (mean age 61±15 years, 44 % males) with pre-capillary idiopathic / familiar pulmonary arterial hypertension, and inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. The prevalence of AF / AT was analyzed in different categories of pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP). In the study population overall, the mean PAWP was 10.5±3 mmHg, median of 11 mmHg, range 2-15 mmHg. AF / AT was diagnosed in 79 patients (24 %). The proportion of AF / AT among patients with PAWP below the median (≤11 mmHg) was lower than in subjects with PAWP between 12 and 15 mmHg, 30 (16 %) vs. 46 (35 %), p=0.0001. Compared to the patients with PAWP≤11 mmHg, subjects with PAWP between 12 and 15 mmHg were older (65±13 years vs. 58±16), with more prevalent arterial hypertension [100 (70 %) vs. 106 (55 %)] and diabetes mellitus [50 (35 %) vs. 48 (25 %)], showed larger size of the left atrium (42±7 vs. 40±6 mm), and higher values of right atrium pressure (12±5 vs. 8±5 mmHg), p<0.05 in all comparisons. The prevalence of AF / AT in the group studied increased with the growing post-capillary component. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Placental growth factor [PlGF) is a cardiovascular (CV) risk marker, which is related to left ventricle hypertrophy (LVH) in animal models. Currently there are no data available regarding the possible relationship of PlGF and the development of LVH or diastolic dysfunction in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the relationship of PlGF to other CV risk factors in CKD patients. The aim of our study was to determine the possible association of PlGF and several other CV risk markers to echocardiographic parameters in CKD population.Methods: We prospectively examined selected laboratory (PlGF, fibroblast growth factor-23 -FGF23, vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, extracellular newly identified RAGE-binding protein - EN-RAGE, B-type natriuretic peptide - BNP) and echocardiographic parameters in 62 patients with CKD 2-4. Mean follow-up was 36 ±10 months. Laboratory and echocardiographic data were collected 2-3 times, at the shortest interval of 12 months apart. Multivariate regression analysis was used to detect independent correlations of variables.Results: Increased left ventricular mass index (LVMI, g/m2.7) was found in 29% patients with CKD 2-4, left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction was detected in 74.1% patients (impaired LV relaxation in 43.5% patients and pseudonormal pattern in 30.6% patients). After 36 ± 10 months increased LVMI was found in 37.1% patients with CKD 2-4, LV diastolic dysfunction was detected in 75.8% patients (impaired LV relaxation in 43.5% patients and pseudonormal pattern in 32.3% patients). Following independent correlations were found: LVMI was related to PlGF, cholesterol, BNP, systolic blood pressure and serum creatinine. EN-RAGE correlated positively with left atrial diameter and inversely with E/A ratio. During the follow-up we found a significant increase in LVMI and left atrial diameter, whereas a significant decrease in LVEF was noted.Conclusion: According to our data, PlGF is independently related to increased LV mass in CKD, whereas EN-RAGE is more likely related to diastolic dysfunction in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]