system
Medical AI Inquiry: You was designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.  Labels: OBJECTIVE, METHODS, RESULTS. Meshes: Adult, Aged, Biomarkers, Fatty Acid Binding Protein 3, Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins, Female, Heart Failure, Heart-Assist Devices, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Natriuretic Peptide, Brain, Prognosis.
user
Are high peripheral levels of h-FABP associated with poor prognosis in end-stage heart failure patients with mechanical circulatory support? Context: To associate the time-course of h-FABP and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP)after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation to outcome in end-stage heart failure patients. Patients (n = 14, NYHA class III/IV; left ventricular ejection fraction <25% were enrolled; ten survived up to 1 month after LVAD (survivors) and four died of multiorgan failure within 2 weeks (nonsurvivors). Blood samples were obtained at admission; at 4, 24 and 72 h; and at 1 and 4 weeks after LVAD. h-FABP significantly increases after surgery, decreasing since 72 h in all patients. At 72 h all survivor patients present h-FABP lower than the median value. N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide is not associated with patient outcome at any time.
assistant
High h-FABP levels, indicating the presence of more severe myocardial damage, are associated with a poor prognosis in patients with LVAD, suggesting that an early cardiac injury marker could improve the prediction of clinical outcome. Final Decision: yes