Kaspar Broch

  • Consultant Cardiologist, MD, PhD
  • +47 230 73555

Kaspar Broch successfully defended his thesis "Dilated cardiomyopathy: diagnostic work-up, pathogenesis, prognosis and treatment" in February 2016.

The studies in his thesis demonstrate an increased survival rate for patients diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy. This is a heart muscle disease that causes impaired heart pump function without coronary artery disease, valve disease or high blood pressure. It is thought that many of the cases are due to viral infection or gene defects, but most often the cause remains unclear. Life prospects have previously been reported to be significantly reduced.

Physician and researcher Kaspar Broch followed 102 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy over several years. Despite extensive research into the underlying cause, this was revealed in only a small number of patients. Nevertheless, morbidity was moderate and survival was good with modern heart failure treatment in these patients. The level of a new disease marker called ST2 is elevated in patients with heart failure. In Broch's patient group, ST2 was related to the degree of heart failure, but not to the underlying cause or amount of fibrous tissue in the heart. This suggests that ST2 may not reflect the disease process in the heart, as previously thought. When interperating blood tests, it is important to keep this in mind.

Cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins can have anti-inflammatory properties. One theory has been that the effect of statins is as much due to these properties as the reduction of cholesterol itself. In a study in which 72 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy were randomly assigned to rosuvastatin or narcotic drugs, Broch and co-workers showed that although cholesterol levels dropped significantly in the statin group, neither the degree of heart failure nor the degree of inflammation was attenuated. This result suggests that statins have no intrinsic anti-inflammatory effect and cannot be used to treat heart failure of this type.

 

 

Publications 2021

Awoyemi A, Mayerhofer C, Felix AS, Hov JR, Moscavitch SD, Lappegard KT, Hovland A, Halvorsen S, Halvorsen B, Gregersen I, Svardal A, Berge RK, Hansen SH, Gotz A, Holm K, Aukrust P, Akra S, Seljeflot I, Solheim S, Lorenzo A, Gullestad L, Troseid M, Broch K (2021)
Rifaximin or Saccharomyces boulardii in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: Results from the randomized GutHeart trial
EBioMedicine, 70, 103511
DOI 10.1016/j.ebiom.2021.103511

Broch K, Anstensrud AK, Woxholt S, Andersen GO, Gullestad L (2021)
REPLY: Clarification Regarding the Lack of Heart Failure Events in the ASSAIL-MI Trial
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., 78 (6), 637-638
DOI 10.1016/j.jacc.2021.06.005

Broch K, Anstensrud AK, Woxholt S, Sharma K, Tollefsen IM, Bendz B, Aakhus S, Ueland T, Amundsen BH, Damas JK, Berg ES, Bjorkelund E, Bendz C, Hopp E, Kleveland O, Stensaeth KH, Opdahl A, Klow NE, Seljeflot I, Andersen GO, Wiseth R, Aukrust P, Gullestad L (2021)
Randomized Trial of Interleukin-6 Receptor Inhibition in Patients With Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., 77 (15), 1845-1855
DOI 10.1016/j.jacc.2021.02.049

Englund KVB, Ostby CM, Rolid K, Gude E, Andreassen AK, Gullestad L, Broch K (2021)
Intravenous iron supplement for iron deficiency in cardiac transplant recipients (IronIC): A randomized clinical trial
J. Heart Lung Transplant., 40 (5), 359-367
DOI 10.1016/j.healun.2021.01.1390

Englund KVB, Ostby CM, Tjonnas G, Gude E, Andreassen AK, Gullestad L, Broch K (2021)
Prevalence of iron deficiency in heart transplant recipients
Clin. Transplant., 35 (8), e14346
DOI 10.1111/ctr.14346

Kotchetkov R, Susman D, Bhutani D, Broch K, Dispenzieri A, Buadi FK (2021)
Chemotherapy-based approach is the preferred treatment for sporadic late-onset nemaline myopathy with a monoclonal protein
Int. J. Cancer, 148 (11), 2807-2814
DOI 10.1002/ijc.33483

Kotchetkov R, Susman D, Bhutani D, Broch K, Dispenzieri A, Buadi FK (2021)
Reply to: Comments on: Chemotherapy-based approach is the preferred treatment for sporadic late-onset nemaline myopathy with a monoclonal protein
Int. J. Cancer, 149 (3), 743-744
DOI 10.1002/ijc.33571

Kvaslerud AB, Santic K, Hussain AI, Auensen A, Fiane A, Skulstad H, Aaberge L, Gullestad L, Broch K (2021)
Outcomes in asymptomatic, severe aortic stenosis
PLoS One, 16 (4), e0249610
DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0249610

Traaen GM, Aakeroy L, Hunt TE, Overland B, Bendz C, Sande LO, Aakhus S, Fagerland MW, Steinshamn S, Anfinsen OG, Massey RJ, Broch K, Ueland T, Akre H, Loennechen JP, Gullestad L (2021)
Effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure on Arrhythmia in Atrial Fibrillation and Sleep Apnea A Randomized Controlled Trial
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., 204 (5), 573-582
DOI 10.1164/rccm.202011-4133OC

Publications 2020

Broch K, Gude E, Karason K, Dellgren G, Radegran G, Gjesdal G, Gustafsson F, Eiskjaer H, Lommi J, Pentikainen M, Lemstrom KB, Andreassen AK, Gullestad L (2020)
Cholesterol lowering with EVOLocumab to prevent cardiac allograft Vasculopathy in De-novo heart transplant recipients: Design of the randomized controlled EVOLVD trial
Clin. Transplant., 34 (9), e13984
DOI 10.1111/ctr.13984

Gude E, Hoel TN, Sorensen G, Broch K, Meyer A, Fiane AE (2020)
Long-term continuous flow mechanical biventricular support: 9 years and counting
Interact Cardiovasc. Thorac. Surg., 30 (1), 81-84
DOI 10.1093/icvts/ivz231

Lekva T, Gullestad L, Broch K, Aukrust P, Andreassen AK, Ueland T (2020)
Distinct patterns of soluble leukocyte activation markers are associated with etiology and outcomes in precapillary pulmonary hypertension
Sci Rep, 10 (1), 18540
DOI 10.1038/s41598-020-75654-w

Lunde NN, Gregersen I, Ueland T, Shetelig C, Holm S, Kong XY, Michelsen AE, Otterdal K, Yndestad A, Broch K, Gullestad L, Nyman TA, Bendz B, Eritsland J, Hoffmann P, Skagen K, Goncalves I, Nilsson J, Grenegard M, Poreba M, Drag M, Seljeflot I, Sporsheim B, Espevik T, Skjelland M et al. (2020)
Legumain is upregulated in acute cardiovascular events and associated with improved outcome - potentially related to anti-inflammatory effects on macrophages
Atherosclerosis, 296, 74-82
DOI 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2019.12.008

Mayerhofer CCK, Kummen M, Holm K, Broch K, Awoyemi A, Vestad B, Storm-Larsen C, Seljeflot I, Ueland T, Bohov P, Berge RK, Svardal A, Gullestad L, Yndestad A, Aukrust P, Hov JR, Troseid M (2020)
Low fibre intake is associated with gut microbiota alterations in chronic heart failure
ESC Heart Fail., 7 (2), 456-466
DOI 10.1002/ehf2.12596

Rolid K, Andreassen AK, Yardley M, Gude E, Bjorkelund E, Authen AR, Grov I, Broch K, Gullestad L, Nytroen K (2020)
Long-term effects of high-intensity training vs moderate intensity training in heart transplant recipients: A 3-year follow-up study of the randomized-controlled HITTS study
Am. J. Transplant., 20 (12), 3538-3549
DOI 10.1111/ajt.16087

Rolid K, Andreassen AK, Yardley M, Gude E, Bjorkelund E, Authen AR, Grov I, Pettersen KI, Dall CH, Karason K, Broch K, Gullestad L, Nytroen K (2020)
High-intensity interval training and health-related quality of life in de novo heart transplant recipients - results from a randomized controlled trial
Health Qual. Life Outcomes, 18 (1), 283
DOI 10.1186/s12955-020-01536-4

Troseid M, Andersen GO, Broch K, Hov JR (2020)
The gut microbiome in coronary artery disease and heart failure: Current knowledge and future directions
EBioMedicine, 52, 102649
DOI 10.1016/j.ebiom.2020.102649

Publications 2019

Andreassen AK, Broch K, Eiskjaer H, Karason K, Gude E, Molbak D, Stueflotten W, Gullestad L, SCHEDULE SCandinavian HEart (2019)
Blood Pressure in De Novo Heart Transplant Recipients Treated With Everolimus Compared With a Cyclosporine-based Regimen: Results From the Randomized SCHEDULE Trial
Transplantation, 103 (4), 781-788
DOI 10.1097/TP.0000000000002445

Anstensrud AK, Woxholt S, Sharma K, Broch K, Bendz B, Aakhus S, Ueland T, Amundsen BH, Damas JK, Hopp E, Kleveland O, Stensaeth KH, Opdahl A, Klow NE, Seljeflot I, Andersen GO, Wiseth R, Aukrust P, Gullestad L (2019)
Rationale for the ASSAIL-MI-trial: a randomised controlled trial designed to assess the effect of tocilizumab on myocardial salvage in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)
Open Heart, 6 (2), UNSP e001108
DOI 10.1136/openhrt-2019-001108

Mayerhofer CCK, Awoyemi A, Hov JR, Troseid M, Broch K (2019)
Reply: Potential risk associated with direct modulation of the gut flora in patients with heart failure
ESC Heart Fail., 6 (3), 557-558
DOI 10.1002/ehf2.12437

Troseid M, Mayerhofer CCK, Broch K, Arora S, Svardal A, Hov JR, Andreassen AK, Gude E, Karason K, Dellgren G, Berge RK, Gullestad L, Aukrust P, Ueland T (2019)
The carnitine-butyrobetaine-TMAO pathway after cardiac transplant: Impact on cardiac allograft vasculopathy and acute rejection
J. Heart Lung Transplant., 38 (10), 1097-1103
DOI 10.1016/j.healun.2019.06.003

Publications 2018

Emdin M, Aimo A, Vergaro G, Bayes-Genis A, Lupon J, Latini R, Meessen J, Anand IS, Cohn JN, Gravning J, Gullestad L, Broch K, Ueland T, Nymo SH, Rocca HPBL, de Boer RA, Gaggin HK, Ripoli A, Passino C, Januzzi JL (2018)
sST2 Predicts Outcome in Chronic Heart Failure Beyond N-proBNP and High-Sensitivity Troponin T
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., 72 (19), 2309-2320
DOI 10.1016/j.jacc.2018.08.2165

Kleveland O, Ueland T, Kunszt G, Bratlie M, Yndestad A, Broch K, Holte E, Ryan L, Amundsen BH, Bendz B, Aakhus S, Espevik T, Halvorsen B, Mollnes TE, Wiseth R, Gullestad L, Aukrust P, Damas JK (2018)
Interleukin-6 receptor inhibition with tocilizumab induces a selective and substantial increase in plasma IP-10 and MIP-1 beta in non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction
Int. J. Cardiol., 271, 1-7
DOI 10.1016/j.ijcard.2018.04.136

Kummen M, Mayerhofer CCK, Vestad B, Broch K, Awoyemi A, Storm-Larsen C, Ueland T, Yndestad A, Hov JR, Troseid M (2018)
Gut Microbiota Signature in Heart Failure Defined From Profiling of 2 Independent Cohorts
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., 71 (10), 1184-1186
DOI 10.1016/j.jacc.2017.12.057

Kvaslerud AB, Hussain AI, Auensen A, Ueland T, Michelsen AE, Pettersen KI, Aukrust P, Morkrid L, Gullestad L, Broch K (2018)
Prevalence and prognostic implication of iron deficiency and anaemia in patients with severe aortic stenosis
Open Heart, 5 (2), UNSP e000901
DOI 10.1136/openhrt-2018-000901

Mayerhofer CCK, Awoyemi AO, Moscavitch SD, Lappegard KT, Hov JR, Aukrust P, Hovland A, Lorenzo A, Halvorsen S, Seljeflot I, Gullestad L, Troseid M, Broch K (2018)
Design of the GutHearttargeting gut microbiota to treat heart failuretrial: a Phase II, randomized clinical trial
ESC Heart Fail., 5 (5), 978-985
DOI 10.1002/ehf2.12332

Publications 2017

Abraityte A, Lunde IG, Askevold ET, Michelsen AE, Christensen G, Aukrust P, Yndestad A, Fiane A, Andreassen A, Aakhus S, Dahl CP, Gullestad L, Broch K, Ueland T (2017)
Wnt5a is associated with right ventricular dysfunction and adverse outcome in dilated cardiomyopathy
Sci Rep, 7, 3490
DOI 10.1038/s41598-017-03625-9

Broch K, de Marchi SF, Massey R, Hisdal J, Aakhus S, Gullestad L, Urheim S (2017)
Left Ventricular Contraction Pattern in Chronic Aortic Regurgitation and Preserved Ejection Fraction: Simultaneous Stress-Strain Analysis by Three-Dimensional Echocardiography
J. Am. Soc. Echocardiogr., 30 (4), 422-U151
DOI 10.1016/j.echo.2016.11.012

Broch K, Leren IS, Saberniak J, Ueland T, Edvardsen T, Gullestad L, Haugaa KH (2017)
Soluble ST2 is associated with disease severity in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
Biomarkers, 22 (3-4), 367-371
DOI 10.1080/1354750X.2016.1278266

Holte E, Kleveland O, Ueland T, Kunszt G, Bratlie M, Broch K, Michelsen AE, Bendz B, Amundsen BH, Aakhus S, Damas JK, Gullestad L, Aukrust P, Wiseth R (2017)
Effect of interleukin-6 inhibition on coronary microvascular and endothelial function in myocardial infarction
Heart, 103 (19), 1521-1527
DOI 10.1136/heartjnl-2016-310875

Mayerhofer CCK, Ueland T, Broch K, Vincent RP, Cross GF, Dahl CP, Aukrust P, Gullestad L, Hov JR, Troseid M (2017)
Increased Secondary/Primary Bile Acid Ratio in Chronic Heart Failure
J. Card. Fail., 23 (9), 666-671
DOI 10.1016/j.cardfail.2017.06.007

Norum HM, Broch K, Michelsen AE, Lunde IG, Lekva T, Abraityte A, Dahl CP, Fiane AE, Andreassen AK, Christensen G, Aakhus S, Aukrust P, Gullestad L, Ueland T (2017)
The Notch Ligands DLL1 and Periostin Are Associated with Symptom Severity and Diastolic Function in Dilated Cardiomyopathy
J. Cardiovasc. Transl. Res., 10 (4), 401-410
DOI 10.1007/s12265-017-9748-y

Nymo SH, Aukrust P, Kjekshus J, McMurray JJV, Cleland JGF, Wikstrand J, Muntendam P, Wienhues-Thelen U, Latini R, Askevold ET, Gravning J, Dahl CP, Broch K, Yndestad A, Gullestad L, Ueland T, CORONA Study Grp (2017)
Limited Added Value of Circulating Inflammatory Biomarkers in Chronic Heart Failure
JACC-Heart Fail., 5 (4), 256-264
DOI 10.1016/j.jchf.2017.01.008

Shahini N, Michelsen AE, Nilsson PH, Ekholt K, Gullestad L, Broch K, Dahl CP, Aukrust P, Ueland T, Mollnes TE, Yndestad A, Louwe MC (2017)
The alternative complement pathway is dysregulated in patients with chronic heart failure
Sci Rep, 7, 42532
DOI 10.1038/srep42532

Publications 2016

Broch K, Murbraech K, Ragnarsson A, Gude E, Andersen R, Fiane AE, Andreassen J, Aakhus S, Andreassen AK (2016)
Echocardiographic evidence of right ventricular functional improvement after balloon pulmonary angioplasty in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension
J. Heart Lung Transplant., 35 (1), 80-86
DOI 10.1016/j.healun.2015.08.007

Broch K, Urheim S, Lonnebakken MT, Stueflotten W, Massey R, Fossa K, Hopp E, Aakhus S, Gullestad L (2016)
Controlled release metoprolol for aortic regurgitation: a randomised clinical trial
Heart, 102 (3), 191-197
DOI 10.1136/heartjnl-2015-308416

Broch K, Urheim S, Massey R, Stueflotten W, Fossa K, Hopp E, Aakhus S, Gullestad L (2016)
Exercise capacity and peak oxygen consumption in asymptomatic patients with chronic aortic regurgitation
Int. J. Cardiol., 223, 688-692
DOI 10.1016/j.ijcard.2016.08.237

Kleveland O, Kunszt G, Bratlie M, Ueland T, Broch K, Holte E, Michelsen AE, Bendz B, Amundsen BH, Espevik T, Aakhus S, Damas JK, Aukrust P, Wiseth R, Gullestad L (2016)
Effect of a single dose of the interleukin-6 receptor antagonist tocilizumab on inflammation and troponin T release in patients with non-STelevation myocardial infarction: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial(+)
Eur. Heart J., 37 (30), 2406-2413
DOI 10.1093/eurheartj/ehw171

Murbraech K, Holte E, Broch K, Smeland KB, Holte H, Rosner A, Lund MB, Dalen H, Kiserud C, Aakhus S (2016)
Impaired Right Ventricular Function in Long-Term Lymphoma Survivors
J. Am. Soc. Echocardiogr., 29 (6), 528-536
DOI 10.1016/j.echo.2016.02.014

Norum HM, Gullestad L, Abraityte A, Broch K, Aakhus S, Aukrust P, Ueland T (2016)
Increased Serum Levels of the Notch Ligand DLL1 Are Associated With Diastolic Dysfunction, Reduced Exercise Capacity, and Adverse Outcome in Chronic Heart Failure
J. Card. Fail., 22 (3), 218-223
DOI 10.1016/j.cardfail.2015.07.012

Publications 2015

Broch K, Andreassen AK, Hopp E, Leren TP, Scott H, Muller F, Aakhus S, Gullestad L (2015)
Results of comprehensive diagnostic work-up in 'idiopathic' dilated cardiomyopathy
Open Heart, 2 (1), UNSP e000271
DOI 10.1136/openhrt-2015-000271

Broch K, Andreassen AK, Ueland T, Michelsen AE, Stueflotten W, Aukrus P, Aakhus S, Gullestad L (2015)
Soluble ST2 reflects hemodynamic stress in non-ischemic heart failure
Int. J. Cardiol., 179, 378-384
DOI 10.1016/j.ijcard.2014.11.003

Broch K, Murbraech K, Andreassen AK, Hopp E, Aakhus S, Gullestad L (2015)
Contemporary Outcome in Patients With Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Am. J. Cardiol., 116 (6), 952-959
DOI 10.1016/j.amjcard.2015.06.022

Publications 2014

Broch K, Al-Ani A, Gude E, Gullestad L, Aakhus S (2014)
Echocardiographic evaluation of left ventricular filling pressure in heart transplant recipients
Scand. Cardiovasc. J., 48 (6), 349-356
DOI 10.3109/14017431.2014.981579

Broch K, Askevold ET, Gjertsen E, Ueland T, Yndestad A, Godang K, Stueflotten W, Andreassen J, Svendsmark R, Smith HJ, Aakhus S, Aukrust P, Gullestad L (2014)
The Effect of Rosuvastatin on Inflammation, Matrix Turnover and Left Ventricular Remodeling in Dilated Cardiomyopathy: A Randomized, Controlled Trial
PLoS One, 9 (2), e89732
DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0089732

Publications 2012

Broch K, Eek C, Wergeland R, Ueland T, Skardal R, Aukrust P, Skulstad H, Gullestad L (2012)
NT-proBNP predicts myocardial recovery after non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome
Scand. Cardiovasc. J., 46 (2), 65-71
DOI 10.3109/14017431.2011.652981

Broch K, Ueland T, Nymo SH, Kjekshus J, Hulthe J, Muntendam P, McMurray JJ, Wikstrand J, Cleland JG, Aukrust P, Gullestad L, CORONA Study Grp (2012)
Soluble ST2 is associated with adverse outcome in patients with heart failure of ischaemic aetiology
Eur. J. Heart Fail., 14 (3), 268-277
DOI 10.1093/eurjhf/hfs006

Publications 2011

Ueland T, Aukrust P, Broch K, Aakhus S, Skardal R, Muntendam P, Gullestad L (2011)
Galectin-3 in heart failure: high levels are associated with all-cause mortality
Int. J. Cardiol., 150 (3), 361-364
DOI 10.1016/j.ijcard.2011.05.081

Ueland T, Dahl CP, Gullestad L, Aakhus S, Broch K, Skardal R, Vermeer C, Aukrust P, Schurgers LJ (2011)
Circulating levels of non-phosphorylated undercarboxylated matrix Gla protein are associated with disease severity in patients with chronic heart failure
Clin. Sci., 121 (3-4), 119-127
DOI 10.1042/CS20100589

Publications 2009

Arora S, Aukrust P, Ueland T, Broch K, Simonsen S, Gude E, Fiane AE, Geiran O, Wergeland R, Andreassen AK, Gullestad L (2009)
Elevated serum uric acid levels following heart transplantation predict all-cause and cardiac mortality
Eur. J. Heart Fail., 11 (10), 1005-1013
DOI 10.1093/eurjhf/hfp115

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