Prevalence of Fabry Disease in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy in Turkey: Multicenter study (LVH-TR subgroup analysis).

PURPOSE: In this prospective study we aimed to determine the rate of Fabry Disease (FD) in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and to evaluate the clinical presentations of patients with FD in a comprehensive manner. In addition, we aimed to raise awareness about this issue by allowing early diagnosis and treatment of FD. METHODS: Our study was planned as national, multicenter, observational. Totally 22 different centers participated in this study. A total of 886 patients diagnosed with LVH by echocardiography (ECHO) were included in the study. Demographic data, biochemical parameters, electrocardiography (ECG) findings, ECHO findings, treatments and clinical findings of the patients were recorded. Dry blood samples were sent from male patients with suspected FD. The α-Gal A enzyme level was checked and genetic testing was performed in patients with low enzyme levels. Female patients suspected of FD were genetically tested with the GLA Gene Mutation Analysis. RESULTS: FD was suspected in a total of 143 (16.13%) patients included in the study. The α-Gal-A enzyme level was found to be low in 43 (4.85%) patients whom enzyme testing was requested. GLA gene mutation analysis was positive in 14 (1.58%) patients. Male gender, E/e' mean ,and severe hypertrophy are important risk factor for FD. CONCLUSION: In daily cardiology practice, FD should be kept in mind not only in adult patients with unexplained LVH but also in the entire LVH population. Dry blood test (DBS) should be considered in high-risk patients, and mutation analysis should be considered in required patients.

Performance of the ATRIA Bleeding Score in Predicting the Risk of In-Hospital Bleeding in Patients with ST-Elevation or Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

ABSTRACT Introduction: A clear assessment of the bleeding risk score in patients presenting with myocardial infarction (MI) is crucial because of its impact on prognosis. The Anticoagulation and Risk Factors in Atrial Fibrillation (ATRIA score is a validated risk score to predict bleeding risk in atrial fibrillation (AF), but its predictive value in predicting bleeding after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) or non-STEMI (NSTEMI) patients receiving antithrombotic therapy is unknown. Our aim was to investigate the predictive performance of the ATRIA bleeding score in STEMI and NSTEMI patients in comparison to the CRUSADE (Can Rapid risk stratification of Unstable angina patients Suppress ADverse outcomes with Early implementation of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guidelines) and ACUITY-HORIZONS (Acute Catheterization and Urgent Intervention Triage strategY-Harmonizing Outcomes with Revascularization and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction) bleeding scores. Methods: A total of 830 consecutive STEMI and NSTEMI patients who underwent PCI were evaluated retrospectively. The ATRIA, CRUSADE, and ACUITY-HORIZONS risk scores of the patients were calculated. Discrimination of the three risk models was evaluated using C-statistics. Results: Major bleeding occurred in 52 (6.3%) of 830 patients during hospitalization. Bleeding scores were significantly higher in the bleeding patients than in non-bleeding patients (all P<0.001). The discriminatory ability of the ATRIA, CRUSADE, and ACUITY-HORIZONS bleeding scores for bleeding events was similar (C-statistics 0.810, 0.832, and 0.909, respectively). The good predictive value of all three scores for predicting the risk of bleeding was observed in NSTEMI and STEMI patients as well (C-statistics: 0.820, 0.793, and 0.921 and 0.809, 0.854, and 0.905, respectively). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the ATRIA bleeding score is a useful risk score for predicting major in-hospital bleeding in MI patients. This good predictive value was also present in STEMI and NSTEMI patient subgroups.

Long-Term Prognosis of Patients with Heart Failure: Follow-Up Results of Journey HF-TR Study Population.

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in therapeutic management of patients with heart failure, there is still an increasing morbidity and mortality all over the world. In this study, we aimed to present the 3-year follow-up outcomes of patients included in the Journey HF-TR study in 2016 that has evaluated the clinical characteristics and management of patients with acute heart failure admitted to the hospital and present a national registry data. METHODS: The study was designed retrospectively between November 2016 and December 2019. Patient data included in the previously published Journey HF-TR study were used. Among 1606 patients, 1484 patients were included due to dropout of 122 patients due to inhospital death and due to exclusion of 173 due to incomplete data. The study included 1311 patients. Age, gender, concomitant chronic conditions, precipitating factors, New York Heart Association, and left ventricular ejection fraction factors were adjusted in the Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: During the 3-year follow-up period, the ratio of hospitalization and mortality was 70.5% and 52.1%, respectively. Common causes of mortality were acute decompensation of heart failure and acute coronary syndrome. Angiotensin receptor blockers, betablockers, statin, and sacubitril/valsartan were found to reduce mortality. Hospitalization due to acute decompensated heart failure, acute coronary syndrome, lung diseases, oncological diseases, and cerebrovascular diseases was associated with the increased risk of mortality. Implantation of cardiac devices also reduced the mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Despite advances in therapeutic management of patients with heart failure, our study demonstrated that the long-term mortality still is high. Much more efforts are needed to improve the inhospital and long-term survival of patients with chronic heart failure.

Performance of the ATRIA Bleeding Score in Predicting the Risk of In-Hospital Bleeding in Patients with ST-Elevation or Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

INTRODUCTION: A clear assessment of the bleeding risk score in patients presenting with myocardial infarction (MI) is crucial because of its impact on prognosis. The Anticoagulation and Risk Factors in Atrial Fibrillation (ATRIA score is a validated risk score to predict bleeding risk in atrial fibrillation (AF), but its predictive value in predicting bleeding after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) or non-STEMI (NSTEMI) patients receiving antithrombotic therapy is unknown. Our aim was to investigate the predictive performance of the ATRIA bleeding score in STEMI and NSTEMI patients in comparison to the CRUSADE (Can Rapid risk stratification of Unstable angina patients Suppress ADverse outcomes with Early implementation of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guidelines) and ACUITY-HORIZONS (Acute Catheterization and Urgent Intervention Triage strategY-Harmonizing Outcomes with Revascularization and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction) bleeding scores. METHODS: A total of 830 consecutive STEMI and NSTEMI patients who underwent PCI were evaluated retrospectively. The ATRIA, CRUSADE, and ACUITY-HORIZONS risk scores of the patients were calculated. Discrimination of the three risk models was evaluated using C-statistics. RESULTS: Major bleeding occurred in 52 (6.3%) of 830 patients during hospitalization. Bleeding scores were significantly higher in the bleeding patients than in non-bleeding patients (all P<0.001). The discriminatory ability of the ATRIA, CRUSADE, and ACUITY-HORIZONS bleeding scores for bleeding events was similar (C-statistics 0.810, 0.832, and 0.909, respectively). The good predictive value of all three scores for predicting the risk of bleeding was observed in NSTEMI and STEMI patients as well (C-statistics: 0.820, 0.793, and 0.921 and 0.809, 0.854, and 0.905, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the ATRIA bleeding score is a useful risk score for predicting major in-hospital bleeding in MI patients. This good predictive value was also present in STEMI and NSTEMI patient subgroups.

The Role of Systemic Immune Inflammation Index for Predicting Saphenous Vein Graft Disease in Patients with Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

As inflammation plays a significant role in the development of coronary artery disease, we hypothesized that there may be a relation between the systemic immune inflammation index (SII) and saphenous vein graft disease (SVGD). The study population consisted of 716 consecutive patients who underwent elective coronary angiography (CAG) >1 year after bypass grafting. The patients were divided into 2 groups depending on the extent of SVG patency. SII value was significantly higher in the SVGD(+) group compared with the SVGD(-) group (P < .001). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, SII (P < .001, odds ratio (OR) = 3.27, 95% CI = 1.94-5.65) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (P < .001, OR = 2.08, 95% CI = 1.59-3.11) were found to be independent predictors of SVGD. An SII value of >935 (x103/ml) has 89.2% sensitivity and 70.6% specificity for the prediction of the SVGD, and an NLR value of >4.15 has 54.6% sensitivity and 68.5% specificity for the prediction of the SVGD. The AUC of SII was found to be greater than the AUC of NLR (P = .002), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) (P = .009), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) (P = .013), MPV (P = .011), and C-reactive protein (CRP) (P = .034) in predicting SVGD. In conclusion, we demonstrated that SII, which is among the new inflammation indexes, is a more reliable predictor in determining SVGD than the NLR, PLR, and LMR.

Association between Circulating Omentin-1 Levels and Aortic Valve Sclerosis.

Background: Aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) is characterized by thickening of the valve leaflets accompanied by increased echogenicity and calcification without significant limitations in valve movements. Omentin-1 is a glycoprotein of the adiponectin family released from visceral adipose tissue, and it can be used as a biomarker of atherosclerosis, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. No studies have demonstrated any relationship between AVS and omentin-1 in the literature. We aimed to explore the association of serum omentin-1 levels with AVS. Methods: Eighty-six patients with AVS and 92 age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled into the study. The baseline clinical characteristics of the patients were recorded. Conventional 2-dimensional echocardiography was performed. Omentin-1 levels were measured. Results: The mean omentin-1 level was significantly lower in the AVS (+) group compared to the control group (78.16 ± 44.95 vs. 163.57 ± 59.84 ng/mL, p < 0.001). Omentin-1 [odds ratio (OR) = 3.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.88-5.39, p < 0.001,] and LDL-C (OR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.33-2.16, p = 0.015) were found to be independent predictors of AVS in multivariate logistic regression analysis. An omentin-1 level of < 92.45 ng/mL had 90.5% sensitivity and 71.4% specificity for the prediction of AVS (area under curve: 0.697, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our results indicated that a lower omentin-1 level was associated with an increased risk of AVS. We suggest that omentin-1 could be used as a treatment target as well as to predict AVS.

Evaluation of demographic and clinical characteristics of female patients presenting with MINOCA and differences between male patients: A subgroup analysis of MINOCA-TR registry.

OBJECTIVE: Although the prevalence and rate of myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) are higher in women than in men in previous cohorts, potential demographic and clinical differences between women who are diagnosed with MINOCA versus myocardial infarction with obstructive coronary arteries (MIOCA) have not been studied till date. In this study, we aimed to document these characteristics and to compare them between female patients with MINOCA and MIOCA. METHODS: The study was a subgroup analysis of the MINOCA-TR study. The study was a multi-center, observational cohort study that was conducted in Turkey between March 2018 and October 2018. In this study, 477 (29.3%) female patients who had been diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction were evaluated. RESULTS: Of these women, 49 (10.3%) were diagnosed with MINOCA (mean age 58.9±12.9 years) and 428 (89.7%) had a final diagnosis of MIOCA (mean age 67.4±11.8 years). The prevalence of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes mellitus was significantly lower in the MINOCA group than in the MIOCA group. In addition, the MINOCA group had higher rates of recent flu history and non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) presentation than the MIOCA group. There were significant clinical differences in patients with MINOCA in terms of sex. The female patients were older, had higher systolic blood pressures, and lower hemoglobin levels than male patients. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that the prevalence of traditional coronary artery disease risk factors was lower in female patients with MINOCA than in those who had final diagnosis of MIOCA.

Relationship between atherogenic index of plasma and stent thrombosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Stent thrombosis (ST) is an uncommon but serious complication in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This study aimed to investigate the effect of atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) on ST. METHODS: Among the 10,258 patients who underwent coronary angiography between January 2018 and December 2020, 239 patients who underwent PCI with the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) due to ST were included as the study group (ST group) and 459 patients who underwent percutaneous intervention for ACS and did not have any in-stent lesion as the control group (non-ST group). ST classification was done according to the Academic Research Consortium definition. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 63.3±10.6 years (483 male, 69.2%). The groups were similar in terms of characteristic properties, comorbidities, and the drugs being used (p>0.05 for all). Drug eluting stents were used in 86.5% of the patients. In the ST group, the median time from stent implantation to thrombosis was 285 days. Mean AIP and the ratio of triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) were statistically significantly higher in the ST group than in the controls (p<0.001 and p=0.018, respectively), and a positive correlation was observed between time from stent implantation to thrombosis and AIP and TG/HDL-C (rS=0.229, p=0.010 and rS=0.222, p=0.010, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that stent length, prior ST elevation myocardial infarction, TG/HDL-C, and AIP were independent predictors of ST. CONCLUSION: AIP is an easy calculable biomarker, and the performance of AIP to predict ST is better than TG/HDL-C.

The ATRIA and Modified-ATRIA Scores in Evaluating the Risk of No-Reflow in Patients With STEMI Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

The no-reflow (NR) phenomenon is frequently encountered in acute coronary syndrome. We evaluated the association between anticoagulation and risk factors in atrial fibrillation (ATRIA) and modified ATRIA risk scores and NR in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Consecutive patients (n = 551) who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention between December 2019 and June 2020 due to STEMI were included. The mean age of the patients was 60.5 ± 10.8 years (n = 369, 67% male). The ATRIA and modified anticoagulation and risk factors in atrial fibrillation-hyperlipidemia, smoking, male (m-ATRIA-HS) scores were calculated. The NR group had higher frequency of diabetes mellitus (DM), serum creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) levels, and corrected thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count (cTFC) (P = .002, P = .006, and P < .001, respectively). In regression analysis, ATRIA, m-ATRIA-HS, thrombus grade, and cTFC were independent predictors of NR. Age, higher CK-MB, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and DM were the other predictors for NR. Pairwise comparison of receiver operating characteristics curve analysis showed that the m-ATRIA-HS (>2, area under curve [AUC]: 0.715) has better performance than ATRIA score (>1, AUC: 0.656), with a P < .022 and z statistics 2.279. In conclusion, ATRIA, especially the m-ATRIA-HS, can be used to evaluate NR risk in STEMI.

Demographic, Clinical, and Angiographic Characteristics of Atrial Fibrillation Patients Suffering From de novo Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Subgroup Analysis of the MINOCA-TR Study Population.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) prevalence in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) ranges from 3% to 25%. However demographic, clinical, and angiographic characteristics of AF patients who admitted with de novo MI are unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of patients presenting with de novo MI with AF. METHODS: The study was performed as a sub-study of the MINOCA-TR (Myocardial Infarction with Non-obstructive Coronary Arteries in Turkish Population) Registry, a multicenter, cross-sectional, observational, all-comer registry. MI patients without a known history of stable coronary artery disease and/or prior coronary revascularization were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into AF and Non-AF groups according to presenting cardiac rhythm. RESULTS: A total of 1793 patients were screened and 1626 were included in the study. The mean age was 61.5 (12.5) years. 70.7% of patients were men. The prevalence of AF was 3.1% (51 patients). AF patients were older [73.4 (9.4) vs. 61.0 (12.4) years, p<0.001] than non-AF patients. The proportion of women to men in the AF group was also higher than in the non-AF group (43.1% vs. 28.7%, p=0.027). Only 1 out of every 5 AF patients (10 patients, 19.6%) was using oral anticoagulants (OAC). CONCLUSIONS: AF prevalence in patients presenting with de novo MI was lower than previous studies that issued on AF prevalence in MI cohorts. The majority of AF patients did not have any knowledge of their arrhythmia and were not undergoing OAC therapy at admission, emphasizing the vital role of successful diagnostic strategies, patient education, and implementations for guideline adaptation.

Glasgow prognostic score as a marker of mortality after TAVI

Abstract Introduction: The Glasgow prognostic score (GPS) reflects host systemic inflammatory response and has been reported to be significant as a prognostic indicator in cancer-bearing patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of GPS in outcomes of patients with severe aortic stenosis who were treated with transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Methods: The study population consisted of 79 patients who underwent TAVI due to severe aortic stenosis between January 2018 and March 2019 in our clinic. Echocardiographic and laboratory data were recorded before the procedure and GPS was scored as 0, 1, or 2, based on serum albumin and C-reactive protein levels. European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II scoring system was used for risk stratification. The primary endpoints of the study were postoperative in-hospital mortality, hospitalization due to cardiac causes, or mortality within a year. Results: The 79 patients were classified into two groups according to outcomes. Fifteen patients (19%) reached the primary endpoints at one year of follow-up. Compared to the patients who did not reach the endpoints, these 15 patients were not different in terms of age, preoperative mean gradient, and ejection fraction (P>0.05 for all). GPS was the only laboratory parameter with statistically significant difference between the groups (P=0.008) and multivariate analysis showed that GPS was independent predictor of primary endpoints (P=0.012, odds ratio 4.51, 95% confidence interval 1.39-14.60). Conclusion: GPS is an easy, noninvasive laboratory test which may be used as a predictive biomarker for outcomes in patients undergoing TAVI.

Combined effects of nutritional status on long-term mortality in patients with non-st segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the performance of controlling nutritional status (CONUT) index, geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI), and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) scores in predicting the long-term prognosis of patients with non-ST-elevated myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: A total of 915 patients with NSTEMI (female: 48.4%; mean age: 73.1±9.0 years) who underwent PCI at Adana Numune Training and Research Hospital, Cardiology Clinic between January 2014 and January 2015 were included in this cross-sectional and retrospective study. CONUT, GNRI, and PNI scores were calculated based on the admission data derived from samples of peripheral venous blood. The mean follow-up duration was 64.5±15.4 months. RESULTS: During follow-up (mean 64.5±15.4 months), 179 patients (19.6%) died. The mean GNRI and PNI scores were significantly lower in the nonsurvivor group; however, the median CONUT score was significantly higher in the nonsurvivor group compared with the survivor group. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses have shown that GNRI score has similar performance to the CONUT score and has better performance than PNI score in predicting 5-year mortality. The Kaplan-Meier curve analysis has shown that patients with lower PNI or GNRI had higher cumulative mortality than the patients with higher PNI or GNRI. Also, the patients with higher CONUT scores had higher cumulative mortality compared with those with lower scores. The multivariate analyses have shown that GNRI (HR: 0.973), PNI (HR: 0.967), CONUT score (HR: 1.527), and body mass index (BMI) (HR: 0.818) were independent predictors of the 5-year mortality in patients with NSTEMI. CONCLUSION: In this study, we have shown that CONUT score, GNRI, and PNI values were associated with the long-term mortality in patients with NSTEMI who underwent PCI, and GNRI yielded similar results to CONUT score but was better than PNI.

Glasgow Prognostic Score as a Marker of Mortality after TAVI.

INTRODUCTION: The Glasgow prognostic score (GPS) reflects host systemic inflammatory response and has been reported to be significant as a prognostic indicator in cancer-bearing patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of GPS in outcomes of patients with severe aortic stenosis who were treated with transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). METHODS: The study population consisted of 79 patients who underwent TAVI due to severe aortic stenosis between January 2018 and March 2019 in our clinic. Echocardiographic and laboratory data were recorded before the procedure and GPS was scored as 0, 1, or 2, based on serum albumin and C-reactive protein levels. European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II scoring system was used for risk stratification. The primary endpoints of the study were postoperative in-hospital mortality, hospitalization due to cardiac causes, or mortality within a year. RESULTS: The 79 patients were classified into two groups according to outcomes. Fifteen patients (19%) reached the primary endpoints at one year of follow-up. Compared to the patients who did not reach the endpoints, these 15 patients were not different in terms of age, preoperative mean gradient, and ejection fraction (P>0.05 for all). GPS was the only laboratory parameter with statistically significant difference between the groups (P=0.008) and multivariate analysis showed that GPS was independent predictor of primary endpoints (P=0.012, odds ratio 4.51, 95% confidence interval 1.39-14.60). CONCLUSION: GPS is an easy, noninvasive laboratory test which may be used as a predictive biomarker for outcomes in patients undergoing TAVI.

Assessment of the relationship among breast milk intake, birth pattern, antibiotic use in infancy, and premature atherosclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have shown cesarean section (C-section) and antibiotic use in the infantile period lead to chronic diseases in later life. It is also known that breastfeeding, which forms the basal system of immunity, is a protector in neonates. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between breastfeeding, antibiotic use, C-section, and premature atherosclerosis. METHODS: A total of 100 patients who underwent coronary angiography and had stenosis in at least 1 epicardial vessel and 100 controls with normal coronaries were included in the study. In addition to traditional risk factors, type of delivery, breast milk intake and duration, and antibiotic use and frequency were evaluated for each participant. Lipid profile was added to the study procedure. Angiographic images of the study groups were examined to calculate the Gensini score. RESULTS: Smoking, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and family history were different between the groups. In the control group, 3 were born via C-section, whereas 26 were born via C-section in the atherosclerosis group (p<0.001). Breast milk intake and duration was also significantly higher in the control group (p=0.018). Antibiotic use was less in the control group, but there was no statistically significant difference (p=0.099). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, diabetes mellitus, smoking, and C-section were predictors of atherosclerosis (p=0.036, p=0.001, and p=0.003, respectively). In receiver operating characteristics curve analysis, the ability of C-section to predict premature atherosclerosis was superior to diabetes but not to smoking (area under curve, 0.607; p=0.023). CONCLUSION: Mode of delivery and breast milk intake should be evaluated and considered among the risk factors of premature atherosclerosis.

The Impact of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) on Serum Apelin Levels in Patients with Aortic Valvular Stenosis

Abstract Introduction: In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) on serum apelin levels in patients with severe symptomatic aortic valve stenosis (AS). Methods: Forty-six consecutive patients (76.9±7.4 years, n=27 women) who underwent TAVI and 45 age- and sex-matched control subjects were included in the study. Echocardiographic parameters, serum apelin, pro-brain natriuretic peptide (Pro-BNP), and troponin I levels were compared between the groups. In addition, the preprocedural and first-month follow-up echocardiographic parameters and serum apelin values of TAVI patients were compared. Results: Serum median troponin I and Pro-BNP levels were significantly higher and serum apelin levels were significantly lower in TAVI patients before TAVI procedure than in the control subjects (P<0.001, for all). Median troponin I and Pro-BNP levels were significantly decreased and apelin levels were significantly increased after TAVI procedure compared to the peri-procedural levels. There was a significant and moderate negative correlation between Pro-BNP and apelin levels measured before and after TAVI procedure. A statistically significant and strong negative correlation was found between aortic valve area and Pro-BNP level before TAVI procedure, while a statistically significant but weak positive correlation was found between valve area and apelin level. Conclusion: In our study, apelin levels were significantly lower and Pro-BNP levels were higher in AS patients compared with the control group. Moreover, after TAVI procedure, a significant increase in apelin levels and a significant decrease in Pro-BNP levels were observed. There was also a negative and moderate correlation between apelin and Pro-BNP levels.

Impaired left atrial strain in the presence of interatrial block in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the most common chronic diseases, and is a risk factor for atrial cardiomyopathy. Interatrial block (IAB), as a predictor of AF, is correlated with the extent of LA fibrosis in the process of atrial cardiomyopathy. We have not encountered any study evaluating LA and LV functions with 3D-STE in the presence of IAB in the T2DM patients. The purpose of the present study was to compare the LA and LV myocardial functions in patients with T2DM with and without IAB by 3D-STE. A total of 175 consecutive patients with T2DM who were examined at outpatient clinics were enrolled in the study (85 patients with IAB and 90 patients without IAB). Surface 12-lead standard electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded. Clinical characteristics and laboratory values of the patients were obtained. Conventional 2D echocardiographic and 3D-STE analyses were performed. The mean age of the patients was 59 ± 8.7 years, and 112 (64%) of the patients were female. The LAS-r and LAS-active were significantly decreased in the IAB (+) group than in the IAB (-) group. Statistically significant strong negative linear correlations were observed between P-wave duration and 3D-LA strain values. Our results indicate that there is an impairment in LA myocardial dynamics in the presence of IAB in T2DM patients. According to these findings, we can say that it will be useful to evaluate the LA functions at the preclinical stage in the presence of IAB in patients with T2DM, when considering ischemic cardiovascular and cerebral events.

Relationship between blood viscosity and no-reflow phenomenon in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction performed in primary percutaneous coronary interventions.

Background: This study aimed to analyze the associations between no-reflow (NR) phenomenon development and whole-blood viscosity in patients with ST-elevated myocardial infarction. Methods: A total of 217 patients with ST-elevated myocardial infarction were included. whole-blood viscosity values were assessed using hematocrit and total protein values, and low shear rate (LSR) and high shear rate (HSR) were calculated. Results: The average LSR and HSR values of the study group were significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that both HSR (odds ratio: 4.957; p < 0.001) and LSR (odds ratio: 1.114; p < 0.001) were independent predictors for NR development. Conclusion: This study found that increased blood viscosity was an independent predictor for NR development.

Lay abstract Following a heart attack, surgeons can attempt to repair the damage using a procedure called a percutaneous coronary intervention. In some cases, blood flow does not return to the heart tissue as expected ('failure of reperfusion') after this procedure, which is known as the no-reflow (NR) phenomenon. In this study, the researchers investigated whether there was a link between patients who had experienced a type of heart attack called an ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) and developed NR, and the viscosity (thickness) of their blood. The researchers looked at the viscosity of whole-blood samples from 98 STEMI patients with NR and 119 control individuals matched for age and gender. They found that whole-blood samples could be used to predict the likelihood of a STEMI patient experiencing NR.

Mortal Interaction Between Hemophagocytic Syndrome and Newly Developed Heart Failure. / Interação Letal entre Síndrome Hemofagocítica e Insuficiência Cardíaca Recentemente Desenvolvida.

BACKGROUND: Hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) ia s devastating hyperinflammatory syndrome. Heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) status is closely correlated with increased inflammation, both systemic and intramyocardial. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine mortality predictors and reliable follow-up parameters in HPS that developed HFpEF during the clinical course. METHOD: Thirty-nine patients, diagnosed as HPS, according to HLH 2004 diagnostic criteria, with an HScore of ≥169 and proven bone marrow aspiration or biopsy, were recruited retrospectively. Both traditional, serum C-reactive protein, albumin and ferritin levels with lymphocyte, and platelet counts, as well as non-traditional risk factors, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte count (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte count (MLR), mean platelet volume (MPV), and N-Terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP), were investigated retrospectively. The relationship between time-changed laboratory values both among themselves and with mortality. The overall significance level was set at 5%. RESULTS: This study showed that temporal change of cardiothoracic ratio (CTR), serum NTproBNP, ferritin, CRP, and albumin levels were detected as mortality predictors (p<0.05, for all) in the univariate analysis. Lymphocyte and platelet counts with NLR and MPV values were also significant (p<0.05). The relationship between NT-proBNP and increased systemic inflammatory markers proved to be significant. In addition to traditional risk factors, serum ferritin levels, NLR, MLR, and MPV levels also proved to be significantly correlated with each other. CONCLUSION: Accompanied by reliable follow-up parameters, rapid diagnosis and aggressive anti-inflammatory treatment with tight volume control can be life-saving in HPS patients who suffer from HFpEF. Close monitoring of inflammation may predict the outcome of patients suffering from HFpEF.

FUNDAMENTO: A síndrome hemofagocítica (SHF) é uma síndrome hiperinflamatória debilitante. O status da insuficiência cardíaca (IC) com fração de ejeção preservada (ICFEP) está intimamente relacionado ao aumento da inflamação sistêmica e intramiocárdica. OBJETIVOS: este estudo pretende determinar os preditores de mortalidade e os parâmetros de monitoramento confiáveis nos casos de SHF que desenvolveram a ICFEP durante seu curso clínico. MÉTODOS: Trinta e nove pacientes, diagnosticados com SHF de acordo com os critérios diagnósticos do estudo HLH 2004 com Hscore ≥169, e com aspiração ou biópsia de medula óssea comprovada, foram recrutados retrospectivamente. Foram investigados retrospectivamente os fatores de risco tradicionais, como proteína C reativa sérica, níveis de albumina e ferritina com contagens de linfócitos e plaquetas, e fatores não tradicionais, como relação neutrófilolinfócito (NLR), relação linfócito-monócito (MLR), volume plaquetário médio (MPV) e pró-peptídeo natriurético cerebral N-terminal (NTproBNP). Analisou-se a relação entre os valores laboratoriais alterados ao longo do tempo entre si e com a mortalidade. O nível de significância geral foi de 5%. RESULTADOS: Foi demonstrado que a alteração temporal dos níveis de índice cardiotorácico (ICT), NTproBNP sérico, ferritina, PCR e albumina foram detectados como sendo preditores de mortalidade (p<0,05, para todos) em análise univariada. As contagens de linfócitos e plaquetas com valores de NLR e MPV também foram significativos (p<0,05). A relação entre NT-proBNP e o aumento dos marcadores inflamatórios sistêmicos também foi considerada significativa. Além de fatores de risco tradicionais, os níveis de ferritina sérica, e os níveis de NLR, MLR e MPV foram considerados significativamente correlacionados entre si. CONCLUSÃO: Acompanhado de parâmetros de monitoramento confiáveis, o diagnóstico rápido e o tratamento antiinflamatório agressivo com controle rígido de volume podem salvar vidas de pacientes com SHF que sofrem de complicações por ICFEP. O monitoramento rígido da inflamação pode prever o resultado do paciente que sofre de ICFEP.

Interação Letal entre Síndrome Hemofagocítica e Insuficiência Cardíaca Recentemente Desenvolvida / Mortal Interaction Between Hemophagocytic Syndrome and Newly Developed Heart Failure

Resumo Fundamento: A síndrome hemofagocítica (SHF) é uma síndrome hiperinflamatória debilitante. O status da insuficiência cardíaca (IC) com fração de ejeção preservada (ICFEP) está intimamente relacionado ao aumento da inflamação sistêmica e intramiocárdica. Objetivos: este estudo pretende determinar os preditores de mortalidade e os parâmetros de monitoramento confiáveis nos casos de SHF que desenvolveram a ICFEP durante seu curso clínico. Métodos: Trinta e nove pacientes, diagnosticados com SHF de acordo com os critérios diagnósticos do estudo HLH 2004 com Hscore ≥169, e com aspiração ou biópsia de medula óssea comprovada, foram recrutados retrospectivamente. Foram investigados retrospectivamente os fatores de risco tradicionais, como proteína C reativa sérica, níveis de albumina e ferritina com contagens de linfócitos e plaquetas, e fatores não tradicionais, como relação neutrófilolinfócito (NLR), relação linfócito-monócito (MLR), volume plaquetário médio (MPV) e pró-peptídeo natriurético cerebral N-terminal (NTproBNP). Analisou-se a relação entre os valores laboratoriais alterados ao longo do tempo entre si e com a mortalidade. O nível de significância geral foi de 5%. Resultados: Foi demonstrado que a alteração temporal dos níveis de índice cardiotorácico (ICT), NTproBNP sérico, ferritina, PCR e albumina foram detectados como sendo preditores de mortalidade (p<0,05, para todos) em análise univariada. As contagens de linfócitos e plaquetas com valores de NLR e MPV também foram significativos (p<0,05). A relação entre NT-proBNP e o aumento dos marcadores inflamatórios sistêmicos também foi considerada significativa. Além de fatores de risco tradicionais, os níveis de ferritina sérica, e os níveis de NLR, MLR e MPV foram considerados significativamente correlacionados entre si. Conclusão: Acompanhado de parâmetros de monitoramento confiáveis, o diagnóstico rápido e o tratamento antiinflamatório agressivo com controle rígido de volume podem salvar vidas de pacientes com SHF que sofrem de complicações por ICFEP. O monitoramento rígido da inflamação pode prever o resultado do paciente que sofre de ICFEP.

Abstract Background: Hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) ia s devastating hyperinflammatory syndrome. Heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) status is closely correlated with increased inflammation, both systemic and intramyocardial. Objectives: This study sought to determine mortality predictors and reliable follow-up parameters in HPS that developed HFpEF during the clinical course. Method: Thirty-nine patients, diagnosed as HPS, according to HLH 2004 diagnostic criteria, with an HScore of ≥169 and proven bone marrow aspiration or biopsy, were recruited retrospectively. Both traditional, serum C-reactive protein, albumin and ferritin levels with lymphocyte, and platelet counts, as well as non-traditional risk factors, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte count (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte count (MLR), mean platelet volume (MPV), and N-Terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP), were investigated retrospectively. The relationship between time-changed laboratory values both among themselves and with mortality. The overall significance level was set at 5%. Results: This study showed that temporal change of cardiothoracic ratio (CTR), serum NTproBNP, ferritin, CRP, and albumin levels were detected as mortality predictors (p<0.05, for all) in the univariate analysis. Lymphocyte and platelet counts with NLR and MPV values were also significant (p<0.05). The relationship between NT-proBNP and increased systemic inflammatory markers proved to be significant. In addition to traditional risk factors, serum ferritin levels, NLR, MLR, and MPV levels also proved to be significantly correlated with each other. Conclusion: Accompanied by reliable follow-up parameters, rapid diagnosis and aggressive anti-inflammatory treatment with tight volume control can be life-saving in HPS patients who suffer from HFpEF. Close monitoring of inflammation may predict the outcome of patients suffering from HFpEF.