Serum cholesterol procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured consecutively in 76 critically ill patients at admission to the intensive care unit. The presence of infection was defined according to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) criteria; in-house mortality, underlying diseases, and severity of sepsis were monitored. Nonsurvivors had significantly lower cholesterol levels compared with survivors (69 mg/dL [range, 37-88 mg/dL] vs. 96 mg/dL [range, 71-132 mg/dL], P = 0.006) whereas no significant differences were noted for serum PCT and CRP levels. In a cohort of patients with cholesterol levels of 50 mg/dL or less, 82% did not survive as compared with patients with cholesterol levels of 100 mg/dL or greater (mortality, 21%). In a control group without infection, no difference of cholesterol, PCT, or CRP was found between survivors and nonsurvivors. Our data show that low cholesterol levels in patients with infectious disease have a prognostic value and may be useful markers to identify high-risk patients already at admission.

Zusammenfassung Die Rolle von Procalcitonin (PCT)-Plasmaspiegel bei kritisch kranken Patienten wurde in den vergangenen Jahren intensiv untersucht. Insbesondere zur Erkennung von Infektionen erwiesen sich PCT-Plasmaspiegel in vielen Fällen anderen klinischen und biochemischen Markern überlegen. Neuere Untersuchungen zeigen, dass mit Hilfe der PCT-Spiegel bei bestimmten Erkrankungen die antibiotische Therapie gesteuert und damit der Antibiotika-Verbrauches reduziert werden kann. Für die Beurteilung der Prognose von kritisch kranken Intensivpatienten scheint der Parameter jedoch nur eingeschränkt verwertbar zu sein. Darüber hinaus können in seltenen Fällen falsch positive und falsch negative Werte auftreten. Trotz dieser Einschränkungen werden heutzutage PCT-Plasmaspiegel bereits vielfältig auf Intensivstationen eingesetzt. Die möglichen klinischen Anwendungen dieses Labormarkers als diagnostisches Werkzeug zur Beurteilung kritisch kranker Patienten sollen im Folgenden dargestellt werden.

Background Atrial fibrillation is the most important risk factor for left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombi, a potentially life‐threatening condition. Thrombus resolution may prevent embolic events and allow rhythm‐control strategies, which have been shown to reduce cardiovascular complications. Hypothesis There is no significant difference between phenprocoumon and non‐Vitamin K‐dependent oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in the resolution of LAA‐thrombi in a real‐world setting. Methods Consecutive patients with LAA‐thrombi from June 2013 to June 2017 were included in an observational single‐center analysis. The primary endpoint was defined as the resolution of the thrombus. The observational period was 1 year. Resolutions rates in patients on phenprocoumon or NOACs were compared and the time to resolution was analyzed. Results We identified 114 patients with LAA‐thrombi. There was no significant difference in the efficacy of resolution between phenprocoumon and NOACs (p = .499) at the time of first control which took place after a mean of 58 ± 42.2 (median 48) days. At first control most thrombi were dissolved (74.6%). The analysis after set‐time intervals revealed a resolution rate of 2/3 of LAA‐thrombi after 8–10 weeks in the phenprocoumon and NOAC groups. After 12 weeks a higher number of thrombi had resolved in the presence of NOAC (89.3%) whereas in the presence of phenprocoumon 68.3% had resolved (p = .046). Conclusion In this large observational study NOACs were found to be potent drugs for the resolution of LAA‐thrombi. In addition, the resolution of LAA‐thrombi was found to be faster in the presence of NOAC as compared to phenprocoumon.

The role of procalcitonin (PCT) plasma levels as a diagnostic tool for intensive care patients has been intensively investigated during the past years. In particular for recognition of bacterial infections, PCT levels have been shown to be superior to other clinical and biochemical markers. Furthermore, some very recent studies show that in patients with lower respiratory tract infections PCT guided antibiotic therapy reduces antibiotic use and thereby may also reduce duration of stay of patients in hospital and thus cut hospitalisation costs. However, various studies indicate that the value of PCT as a prognostic marker is limited because of false positive or negative values. Despite these limitations PCT plasma levels are currently measured in intensive care units. The present study summarises the possible clinical uses of this laboratory marker as a diagnostic tool for the assessment of critically ill patients.