Summary. The`high and low responder phenomenon' of monocyte tissue factor (MTF) activity has been attributed to effects on monocytes by granulocytes, platelets and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). To study the possible contribution of plasma to the high and low responder phenomenon, we measured the MTF activity in isolated cryopreserved human monocytes from two donors (monocytes A and monocytes B) after incubation in a plasma environment depleted of granulocytes, platelets and LPS. In buffer only, MTF activity was 643 and 679 fM (fM final concentration of tissue factor), in normal pooled plasma, it was 1478 and 1615 fM (P 0´001), respectively, in monocytes A and in monocytes B. Incubation with individual plasma samples from healthy controls (n 43) gave a median MTF of 1355 fM (range 1044±1976 fM) and 1329 fM (range 858±1951 fM) respectively. A plasma consistently induced a higher or lower level of MTF activity in both monocytes: r 0´82 (P , 0´00001). Coumarin use did not influence the high and low responder phenomenon. In the absence of granulocytes, platelets and LPS, plasma determines the high and low responder phenomenon. This phenomenon is not influenced by coumarin treatment.
Objectives: To study the relationship between echocardiographic indices of the left atrium with plasma NT-proBNP levels in heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction. Subjects and methods: 47 patients diagnosed with HFpEF were treated at 108 Military Central Hospital, from June 2020 to June 2021. All patients were tested for NT-proBNP levels and underwent speckle tracking echocardiography according to protocol. Results: The average age was 67.04 ± 12.6 years old and males accounted for a high proportion of 78.7%. There is a positive correlation between left atrial volume index (LAVi) and NT-proBNP (r = 0.373; p = 0.01); strong negative correlation between LA reservoir function (LASr) in 4-chamber view with NT-proBNP (r = 0.610; p < 0.001), moderate negative correlation with LASr in 2-chamber view (r = 0.335; p = 0.014); positive correlation between LA reservoir function (LAScd) in 4-chamber view (r = 0.360; p = 0.013), LA contractile function (LASct) in 4-chamber view (r = 0.438; p = 0.02). Conclusion: Left atrial speckle tracking echocardiographic parameters in 4-chamber and 2-chamber views (LASr, LAScd, LASct), LAVi are related to serum NT-proBNP levels in patients with HFpEF. * Keywords: Left atrium; Speckle tracking; Echocardiography; NT-proBNP.
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