We sought to evaluate the physiological background and the effects of CD341 cell transplantation on diastolic parameters in nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy patients (DCM). We enrolled 38 DCM patients with NYHA class III and LVEF (40% who underwent transendocardial CD341 cell transplantation. Peripheral blood CD341 cells were mobilized by G-CSF, collected via apheresis, and injected transendocardially in the areas of myocardial hibernation. Patients were followed for 1 year. At baseline, estimated filling pressures were significantly elevated (E/e’ 15) in 18 patients (Group A), and moderately elevated (E/e’(15) in 20 patients (Group B). The groups did not differ in age (54± 9 years vs. 52± 10years; p=0.62), gender (male: 85% vs.78%; p=0.57), or LVEF (31± 7% vs. 34± 6%; p=0,37). When compared to Group B patients in Group A had more segments with myocardial scar (4.9± 2.7 vs. 2.7± 2.9; p=0.03), myocardial hibernation (2.2± 1.6 vs. 0.9± 1.1; p=0.02), and longer average local relaxation time on electroanatomical mapping (378± 41 ms vs. 333± 34 ms, p=0.01). During follow-up there was an improvement in diastolic parameters in Group A (E/e’: from 24.3 ± 12.1 to 16.3± 8.0; p=0.005), but not in Group B (E/e’: from 10.2± 3.7 to 13.2± 9.1; p=0.19). Accordingly, in Group A, we found an increase in 6-minute walk distance (from 463± 83 m to 546± 91 m; p=0 .03), and a decrease in NT-proBNP (from 2140± 1743 pg/ml to 863± 836 pg/ml; p=0.02). In nonischemic DCM, diastolic dysfunction appears to correlate with areas of myocardial scar and hibernation. Transendocardial CD341 cell transplantation may improve diastolic parameters in this patient cohort.
F.22 Improvement to existing health/diagnostic methods/procedures
COBISS.SI-ID: 3772588Heparin can induce the formation of antibodies against a heparin complex with a platelet factor 4 (PF4), leading to platelet activation and the development of heparin-induced thrombocytopaenia (HIT). Because screening ELISA does not discriminate between platelet activating and non-activating anti-heparin/PF4 antibodies, each positive result is confirmed by an additional functional assay. We analysed 1004 sera of patients with suspected HIT. Optical density (OD) values of ELISA-positive results were correlated with the risk for a positive result with our functional flow cytometric assay. Only 10.7% were ELISA positive and 59.8% of those were positive with the functional assay. The positive functional assay was found in 23.4% of patients with OD(1.0, in 57.7% with 1.0(OD(2.0 and in 94.1% with OD)2.0. Although our results showed that higher ELISA OD values increasethe possibility of the presence of platelet-activating anti-heparin/PF4 antibodies - , there is no need for improving ELISA cut-off value for positive result.
F.02 Acquisition of new scientific knowledge
COBISS.SI-ID: 33396185The quality standard of all products from the blood, as defined by the Council of Europe. It also relates to haematopoietic stem cells, their collection, production, storage, quality assurance and safety. The fundamental European document in the field of transfusion medicine. 19th ed. Strassbourg, CoE, 540 pages.
F.23 Development of new system-wide, normative and programme solutions, and methods
COBISS.SI-ID: 809379Background. We investigated a correlation between electromechanical properties of the myocardium and response to CD34+ cell therapy in patients with chronic heart failure. Methods and Results. We enrolled 40 patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) and 40 with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). All patients were NYHA class III and had LVEF(40%. CD34+ cells were mobilized by G-CSF and collected via apheresis. Electroanatomical mapping was performed to define areas of myocardial scar and hibernation and CD34+ cells were injected transendocardially in the hibernating areas. Patient were followed for 6 months; responders were defined as patients with LVEF increase of )5%. At baseline the groups did not differ in gender, LVEF, creatinine, NT-proBNP or electroanatomical parameters (scar area 53±18% in ICM vs. 55±23% in DCM, P=0.83; hibernating area: 23±13% vs. 22±12%, P=0.56). At 6 months we found similar rates of responders in both groups (60% in ICM vs. 65% in DCM, P=0.95). When compared to non-responders, responders had less myocardial scar (47±17% vs. 58±15%, P=0.003). Conclusion. In patients with chronic heart failure due to ICM and DCM we have observed similar electroanatomical properties of the myocardium. In both groups, lower myocardial scar burden was associated with better clinical response to CD34+ cell therapy.
F.21 Development of new health/diagnostic methods/procedures
COBISS.SI-ID: 3596972Ex vivo culturing of limbal stem cells necessitates establishment of appropriate culturing condi- tions. Different approaches of limbal stem cell transplantation have their advantages and dis- advantages. Focus of this review is comparison between the two most commonly used tech- niques for ex vivo limbal stem cell culturing and their use in ocular surface disease therapy. Ad- ditionally, we present our first results of ex vivo limbal stem cells culturing in Slovenia.
F.21 Development of new health/diagnostic methods/procedures
COBISS.SI-ID: 4074156