Modification, validation and comparison of Naples prognostic score to determine in-hospital mortality in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

AIM: The relationship between inflammatory status and poor outcomes in acute coronary syndromes is a significant area of current research. This study investigates the association between in-hospital mortality and the modified Naples prognostic score (mNPS) as well as other inflammatory biomarkers in STEMI patients. METHODS: This single-centre, cross-sectional study included 2576 consecutive STEMI patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention between January 2022 and November 2023. Participants were randomly divided into derivation and validation cohorts in a 6:4 ratio. The following inflammatory indices were calculated: pan-immune-inflammation value (PIV), systemic immune-inflammation-index (SII), systemic inflammation-response index (SIRI) and conventional NPS. The mNPS was derived by integrating hs-CRP into the conventional NPS. The performance of these indices in determining in-hospital mortality was assessed using regression, calibration, discrimination, reclassification and decision curve analyses. RESULTS: Inflammatory biomarkers, including PIV, SII, SIRI, NPS and mNPS, were significantly higher in patients who died during in-hospital follow-up compared to those discharged alive in both the derivation and validation cohorts. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed separately for the derivation and validation cohorts. In the derivation cohort, mNPS was associated with in-hospital mortality (aOR = 1.490, p < .001). Similarly, in the validation cohort, mNPS was associated with in-hospital mortality (aOR = 2.023, p < .001). mNPS demonstrated better discriminative and reclassification power than other inflammatory markers (p < .05 for all). Additionally, regression models incorporating mNPS were well-calibrated and showed net clinical benefit in both cohorts. CONCLUSION: mNPS may be a stronger predictor of in-hospital mortality in STEMI patients compared to the conventional scheme and other inflammatory indices.

Inflammatory Markers as Predictors of Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence: Exploring the C-Reactive Protein to Albumin Ratio in Cryoablation Patients.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac rhythm disorder associated with hemodynamic disruptions and thromboembolic events. While antiarrhythmic drugs are often recommended as the initial treatment, catheter ablation has emerged as a viable alternative. However, the recurrence of AF following ablation remains a challenge, and there is growing interest in exploring inflammatory markers as predictors of recurrence. METHODS: This retrospective, cross-sectional analysis included 249 patients who underwent cryoablation for paroxysmal AF. The relationship between the 'C-reactive protein (CRP) to albumin ratio (CAR)' and AF recurrence was examined. RESULTS: Two hundred and forty-nine patients with paroxysmal non-valvular atrial fibrillation were included. They were divided into two groups: those without recurrence (Group 1) and those with recurrence (Group 2). Significant differences were observed in age (57.2 ± 9.9 vs. 62.5 ± 8.4, p = 0.001) and left atrial size (4.0 ± 0.5 vs. 4.2 ± 0.7, p = 0.001) between the two groups. In blood parameters, significant differences were found in CRP (5.2 ± 1.3 vs. 9.4 ± 2.8, p < 0.001) and neutrophil counts (5.1 ± 2.2 vs. 6.7 ± 3.6, p = 0.001). In univariate regression analysis, age (OR: 1.058, CI: 1.024-1.093, p = 0.001), WBC count (OR: 1.201, CI: 1.092-1.322, p < 0.001), neutrophil count (OR: 1.239, CI: 1.114-1.378, p = 0.001), CAR (OR: 1.409, CI: 1.183-1.678, p < 0.001), and left atrial diameter (OR: 0.968, CI: 0.948-0.989, p = 0.002) showed significant associations with AF recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Inflammation plays a crucial role in the initiation and progression of AF. This study demonstrated that along with age, the CAR can serve as an independent predictor of AF recurrence following cryoablation.

Gender-Dependent Comparison of Coronary Computed Tomography Angiographic Characteristics among Patients with Suspected Atherosclerosis: A Single-Center Experience.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to examine gender-based differences in coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors, the presence and severity of atherosclerosis, and the distribution of plaque type in patients presenting with chest pain. METHODS: A total of 1496 patients who applied to our cardiology outpatient clinic with chest pain and underwent computed coronary tomographic angiography (CTA) between August 2020 and October 2021 were included in the study. Plaque characteristics, Agatston score, and Coronary Artery Disease-Reporting and Data System (CAD-RADS) score obtained from the patients' CTAs were compared by gender. RESULTS: Of the 1496 patients evaluated, 47.9% were female. Coronary atherosclerosis was detected in 35.4% of females and 52.9% of males (P <0.001). Diabetes mellitus [155 (21.8%) vs. 123 (15.7%); P <0.001] and hypertension [271 (38.1%) vs. 249 (32%); P <0.001] rates were higher in females than in males. Plaque burden and high-risk plaque rate were found to be higher in males (P <0.001). Next, the rate of moderate-to-high coronary artery stenosis (CAD-RADS ≥3) was observed at 21.6% in men and 12.2% in women (P <0.001). Agatston score was found to be higher in males than in females for all age groups (P <0.001). The severity of CAD increased sharply with age in females (P interaction = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Although female patients demonstrated higher rates of traditional risk factors, the male gender was associated with increased coronary plaque burden, high-risk plaque, CADRADS, and Agatston scores. Therefore, patient-based approaches that consider gender-related differences could provide effective treatment and follow-up.

Relationships among oncostatin M, insulin resistance, and chronic inflammation: a pilot study

ABSTRACT Objective Activated macrophages (M1-type macrophages) in adipose tissue secrete many proinflammatory cytokines that induce insulin resistance (IR). Oncostatin M (OSM), a member of the interleukin-6 (IL-6) family of Gp130 cytokines, plays an important role in a variety of biological functions, including the regulation of inflammatory responses. Proinflammatory cytokines released in patients with IR trigger a chronic, low-grade inflammatory reaction in blood vessel walls. This inflammator response leads to endothelial damage, which is the main mechanism for atherosclerosis and many cardiovascular diseases. Animal studies have reported a relationship between OSM and IR. To the best of our knowledge, however, few clinical studies have examined this topic. Therefore, we studied the relationship between serum levels of OSM and IR. Subjects and methods This prospective cross-sectional case-control study enrolled 50 people with IR (according to the HOMA-IR and QUICKI indices) and 34 healthy controls. The fasting blood concentrations of insulin, glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglyceride, total cholesterol, C-reactive protein (CRP), and OSM were determined. Results There were no significant differences between the two groups in age, sex, and HbA1c levels. Univariate analyses showed that waist circumference (WC) and levels of fasting glucose, insulin, CRP, HDL-C, OSM, HOMA-IR, and QUICKI differed between the two study groups. In multivariate analyses, both IR indices (QUICKI and HOMA) and OSM differed between the two groups. Conclusion OSM was correlated with the IR indices (QUICKI and HOMA). For simplicity, it might replace the other IR indices in the future. Further detailed studies are needed to confirm this.

Relationships among oncostatin M, insulin resistance, and chronic inflammation: a pilot study.

Objective Activated macrophages (M1-type macrophages) in adipose tissue secrete many proinflammatory cytokines that induce insulin resistance (IR). Oncostatin M (OSM), a member of the interleukin-6 (IL-6) family of Gp130 cytokines, plays an important role in a variety of biological functions, including the regulation of inflammatory responses. Proinflammatory cytokines released in patients with IR trigger a chronic, low-grade inflammatory reaction in blood vessel walls. This inflammator response leads to endothelial damage, which is the main mechanism for atherosclerosis and many cardiovascular diseases. Animal studies have reported a relationship between OSM and IR. To the best of our knowledge, however, few clinical studies have examined this topic. Therefore, we studied the relationship between serum levels of OSM and IR. Subjects and methods This prospective cross-sectional case-control study enrolled 50 people with IR (according to the HOMA-IR and QUICKI indices) and 34 healthy controls. The fasting blood concentrations of insulin, glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglyceride, total cholesterol, C-reactive protein (CRP), and OSM were determined. Results There were no significant differences between the two groups in age, sex, and HbA1c levels. Univariate analyses showed that waist circumference (WC) and levels of fasting glucose, insulin, CRP, HDL-C, OSM, HOMA-IR, and QUICKI differed between the two study groups. In multivariate analyses, both IR indices (QUICKI and HOMA) and OSM differed between the two groups. Conclusion OSM was correlated with the IR indices (QUICKI and HOMA). For simplicity, it might replace the other IR indices in the future. Further detailed studies are needed to confirm this.

Endovascular Repair of Iliac Artery Aneurysms: A Single Center Experience in 10-Years.

OBJECTIVES: Isolated iliac artery aneurysms (IAAs) are rare, but nonetheless life-threatening when ruptured. The endovascular approach has taken over open repairs in time. The reported data is constituted of a retrospective series. We reviewed our 10-year-long experience with elective endovascular treatment of iliac aneurysms. METHODS: Data regarding 22 patients with 24 IAAs treated with endovascular stent grafting between 2005 and 2015 were reviewed. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients (aged 68.4 ± 9.6 years, range 50-82) with 24 unilateral or bilateral iliac aneurysms were treated. Twenty patients (91%) were male. Two patients with unilateral IAA had prior abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) surgical repair. The mean aneurysm diameter was 4.8 ± 2.1 (3.8 to 7.1) mm. Procedural success rate was 100%, only one patient with an iliovenous fistula had periprocedural type II endoleak. Internal iliac artery coil occlusion was applied in 16 of 24 procedures (66%). Thirty-day mortality included one patient (4%). CONCLUSION: Endovascular repair is the preferred approach for isolated IAAs. Because of the retrospective nature of data sets, larger cohorts are necessary for better definition of morbidity and mortality rates.