Biomarkers May Help Heart Failure Risk Prediction

After accounting for the clinical risk score, several echocardiographic findings were independently associated with incident heart failure HRs 1.11 to 2.91, P≤0.001 for all:

  • Reduced left ventricular ejection fraction
  • Abnormal mitral inflow E/A peak velocity ratio a measure of diastolic function
  • Enlarged left atrium Increased left ventricular mass

These variables were used to create an echocardiographic score.Elevated levels of NT-proBNP also were independently associated with heart failure risk HR 1.61 as a continuous variable and HR 2.7 for values greater than 190 pg/mL, P

via Medical News:Biomarkers May Help Heart Failure Risk Prediction – in Cardiovascular, CHF from MedPage Today.

Truth AND Consequences

Medical News: Cardiologist Who Revealed Echo Errors Out of a Job – in Cardiovascular, Atherosclerosis from MedPage Today

In an e-mail, an Aurora spokesman said Sagar’s firing was not related to her presentation.

“Dr. Sagar’s contract was terminated for a number of reasons, none related to her study. This was in no way a retaliatory action. As a matter of fact, the study supported our quality improvement initiatives and has resulted in heightened standards in the echo lab.”

If an employee termination is not a retaliatory action then why does an official spokesperson even mention the thought and go on to elaborate further?  Sadly, stories like this no longer surprise me.