BackgroundThe characteristics of circulating inflammatory cells (leukocytes) in patients undergoing heart surgery remains poorly understood. Recently, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and specific monocyte subsets (based on CD14/CD16 expression) have been suggested as markers of inflammation and predictors of outcomes. The present study aims to characterize the influence cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass has on specific circulating leukocytes.MethodsAll enrolled patients had blood samples taken pre- (0 days), early post- (5 days), and late post- (90 days) surgery. Complete blood counts were performed and whole leukocyte isolations were obtained from blood samples and analyzed with flow cytometry. Fluorophore-linked antibodies (CD45, CD11b, CD14, and CD16) were added to the blood cell isolations and later assessed by flow cytometry.ResultsSeventeen patients were enrolled and samples obtained at 0, 5, and 90 days. We demonstrated a significant increase in NLR (2.2-fold; p = 0.0028) and CD16 mean fluorescence index (MFI-measure fluorescence intensity shift of CD16 in a gated cell population) early at day 5 (2.0-fold; p = 0.0051). Both NLR and CD16 MFI levels generally returned to normal by day 90. There was a significant positive correlation between NLR and CD16 MFI (r2 = 0.29; p = 0.0064). Adverse cardiovascular event (AE) was defined as prolonged length of hospitalization or readmission to hospital for cardiac reasons after discharge was seen in 59% of patients (no deaths occurred). In an unadjusted analysis of AE, we identified NLR as a likely predictor of AE, which meant that patients developing AE had a significantly higher baseline NLR (p = 0.0065), something that was not observed with CD16 MFI (p = 0.2541).ConclusionCardiac surgery is associated with a significant increase in NLR and CD16 MFI (non-classical monocytes) early after surgery corresponding to the early inflammatory phase after surgery. Furthermore, we have, for the first time, identified a significant correlation between NLR and CD16 MFI. While the mechanism for this relationship remains unclear, our findings support the use of a simple test of NLR as a biomarker of inflammation for predicting outcomes in cardiac surgery patients.

BackgroundThe objectives of the study were to characterize and quantify cellular inflammation and structural remodeling of human atria and correlate findings with molecular markers of inflammation and patient surrogate outcome.MethodsVoluntary participants undergoing heart surgery were enrolled in the study and blood samples were collected prior to surgery, and right atrium samples were harvested intraoperatively. Blood samples were analyzed by flow cytometry and complete blood counts. Atrial samples were divided for fixed fibrosis analysis, homogenized for cytokine analysis and digested for single cell suspension flow cytometry.ResultsA total of 18 patients were enrolled and samples assessed. Isolated cells from the atria revealed a CD45+ population of ~ 20%, confirming a large number of leukocytes. Further characterization revealed this population as 57% lymphocytes and 26% monocyte/macrophages (MoΦ), with the majority of the latter cells being classical (CD14++/CD16−). Interstitial fibrosis was present in 87% of samples and correlated significantly with patient age. Older patients (> 65) had significantly more atrial fibrosis and cellular inflammation. AFib patients had no distinguishing feature of atrial fibrosis and had significantly greater CD45+ MoΦ, increased expression of MMP9 and presented with a significant correlation in length of stay to CCL-2/MCP-1 and NLR (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio).ConclusionAtrial fibrosis is correlated with age and not determinate to AFib. However, severity of atrial leukocyte infiltration and markers of matrix degradation are determinant to AFib. This also correlated with CCL2 (or MCP-1) and NLR-indicative of marked inflammation. These data show the potential importance of diagnostic and prognostic assessments that could inform clinical decision making in regard to the intensity of AFib patient management.

AimsPrevious studies have examined risk factors for the development of heart failure (HF) subsequent to acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Our study seeks to clarify the clinical variables that best characterize patients who remain free from HF after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery for ACS to determine novel biological factors favouring freedom from HF in prospective translational studies.Methods and resultsNova Scotia residents (1995–2012) undergoing CABG within 3 weeks of ACS were included. The primary outcome was freedom from readmission to hospital due to HF. Descriptive statistics were generated, and a Cox proportional hazards model assessed outcome with adjustment for clinical characteristics. Of 11 936 Nova Scotians who underwent isolated CABG, 3264 (27%) had a recent ACS and were included. Deaths occurred in 210 (6%) of subjects prior to discharge. A total of 3054 patients were included in the long‐term analysis. During follow‐up, HF necessitating readmission occurred in 688 (21%) subjects with a hazard ratio of 12% at 2 years. The adjusted Cox model demonstrated significantly better freedom from HF for younger, male subjects without metabolic syndrome and no history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, renal insufficiency, atrial fibrillation, or HF.ConclusionsOur findings have outlined important clinical variables that predict freedom from HF. Furthermore, we have shown that 12% of patients undergoing CABG after ACS develop HF (2 years). Our findings support our next phase in which we plan to prospectively collect blood and tissue specimens from ACS patients undergoing CABG in order to determine novel biological mechanism(s) that favour resolution of post‐ACS inflammation.

Background Patients living with chronic illnesses require long-term and often repeated interactions with the healthcare system. inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an incurable, chronic gastrointestinal disease which frequently flares and remits. The nurse navigator (NN) serves as the point of first contact for IBD connecting patients with their multidisciplinary care team in order to facilitate and expedite assessment, treatment and navigation through the healthcare system with the goal of improving disease-related outcomes while reducing healthcare system burden. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of implementation of an IBD NN role within a multidisciplinary IBD Medical home on access to care, disease-related outcomes, patient satisfaction with care, and healthcare resource use. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study comparing an IBD patient population that had access to a 24/7 NN-led helpline to a reference population who did not have access to such a service. Data between August 2017 and October 2019 were extracted from patient charts. Distribution of the number of flares and time to clinical assessment between the NN exposed cohort and a non-NN exposed cohort are planned using multivariate analysis. This is a preliminary description of the NN-exposed cohort only. Results Preliminary results identified a total of 643 patients in the NN-exposed cohort. The majority of our NN-exposed population were female (64.3%). The mean age was 46.42 ± 16.86 years. Sixty-five per cent of patients had CD, 33% UC and 2% IBDU. Of the 729 calls extracted, care coordination (39%) was the most frequent indication for calls followed by flare (25%), and medication education (16%). Patients made the majority (52.8%) of calls compared with NN initiated calls (47.2%). The mean number of calls per patient was 2.64 ± 2.51 (range 1–18) during the study period. Time to clinic assessment post flare call was on average 10.22 ± 8.51 days. Conclusion These results are descriptive of the NN-exposed cohort. Data comparing outcomes amongst the NN-exposed cohort to the non-exposed cohort will be presented at ECCO.

Background Patients living with chronic illnesses require long-term and often repeated interactions with the healthcare system. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is an incurable, chronic gastrointestinal disease which frequently flares and remits. The nurse navigator (NN) serves as the point of first contact for IBD connecting patients with their multidisciplinary care team in order facilitate and expedite assessment, treatment and navigation through the healthcare system with the goal of improving disease-related outcomes while reducing healthcare system burden. Aims The aim of this study was to assess the impact of implementation of an IBD NN role within a multidisciplinary IBD Medical home on access to care, disease related outcomes, patient satisfaction with care, and healthcare resource use. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study comparing an IBD patient population that had access to a 24/7 NN-led helpline to a reference population who did not have access to such a service. Data between August 2017 and October 2019 were extracted from patient charts. Distribution of number of flares and time to clinical assessment between the NN exposed cohort and a non-NN exposed cohort are planned using multivariate analysis. This is a preliminary description of the NN-exposed cohort only. Results Preliminary results identified a total of 643 patients in the NN-exposed cohort. The majority of our NN-exposed population were female (64.3%). The mean age was 46.42 ± 16.86 years. Sixty-five percent of patients had CD, 33% UC and 2% IBDU. Of the 729 calls extracted, care coordination (39%) was the most frequent indication for calls followed by flare (25%), and medication education (16%). Patients made the majority (52.8%) of calls compared to NN initiated calls (47.2%). The mean number of calls per patient was 2.64 ± 2.51 (range 1–18) during the study period. Time to clinic assessment post flare call was on average 10.22 ± 8.51 days. Conclusions These results are descriptive of the NN-exposed cohort. Data comparing outcomes amongst the NN-exposed cohort to the non-exposed cohort will be presented at CDDW. Funding Agencies None