A Novel Score for an Old Enemy: Atherogenic Plasma Index Predicts In-Stent Restenosis among Stable Angina Pectoris Patients.

Objectives: Although the association of Atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) with coronary artery disease (CAD) and atherosclerosis is known, the relationship between AIP and in-stent restenosis (ISR) remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the relationship between AIP and ISR in patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP) treated with drug-eluting stent (DES). Methods: Patients with a history of DES implantation following stable angina were evaluated between January 2015 and November 2019 in this observational and retrospective study. 608 eligible patients were dichotomized into ISR+ (n=241) and ISR- (n=367). ISR was defined as the presence of 50% or greater stenosis. AIP was defined as log [TG/HDL-C]. Results: AIP levels were significantly higher in patients who developed ISR compared with those who did not (0.33 [0.15-0.52] vs 0.06 [-0.08-0.21] respectively, p<0.001). The AUC value of AIP levels for predicting ISR was 0.746 (p<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that AIP, diabetes mellitus, higher LDL-C levels and lower LVEF values were independently associated with ISR. Conclusion: Multivariate analysis revealed that AIP was strongly independently associated with ISR. Using this novel inexpensive and easily calculable index may provide early recognition of ISR in patients with SAP who were treated with DES.

Usefulness of the SYNTAX Score II to Predict In-Hospital and Long-Term Mortality in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Objectives: The prognostic significance of SYNTAX Score II (SS-II) is well-known in patients with chronic coronary syndromes. However, its predictive ability for mortality in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (p-PCI) remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the prognostic accuracy of SS-II in STEMI patients who underwent p-PCI. Methods: A total of 743 STEMI patients treated with p-PCI were retrospectively analyzed. Study population was divided into three groups according to SS-II and defined as SS-IILOW ≤22.5 (n=245), 22.5 31 (n=255). In-hospital and long-term mortality at long-term follow-up were defined as clinical endpoints of the study. Results: The incidence of in-hospital (15% vs. 0.4% vs. 0.8%, p<0.001) and all-cause mortality (32.2% vs. 6.6% vs. 2.9%, p<0.001) were significantly higher in SS-IIHIGH group compared with the other two groups. In addition, Kaplan-Meier analysis showed statistically significantly increased incidence of death in SS-II > 31 group (P [log-rank] <0.001). SS-II >31 was defined as an independent predictor of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 5.22 95% confidence interval 2.11-12.87 p<0.001). Area under the curve values derived from ROC analysis to evaluate the predictive accuracy of SS-II, anatomical and clinical SS, modified ACEF score, and Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events risk scores for all-cause mortality were 0.82, 0.71, 0.81, 0.82, and 0.82, respectively (p<0.001). Conclusion: SS-II has an increased predictive ability for in-hospital and long-term mortality in STEMI patients undergoing p-PCI.

Catheter-directed thrombolysis in a COVID-19 patient complicated with pulmonary embolism.

Since December 2019, the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has become an important public health problem and one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. COVID-19 is highly associated with thromboembolic events, like deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (PE). Catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) provides effective reperfusion for the treatment of PE. We report a patient who was presented with intermediate-risk PE and had a saccular aneurysm of the anterior cerebral artery. The patient was suffered from recent COVID-19 infection and ischemic stroke. As the patient had high bleeding risk for full-dose systemic thrombolytic therapy, CDT was the preferred method for reperfusion. Finally, the patient was discharged from the hospital uneventfully 4 days later. In the setting of high bleeding risk, CDT seems to be an effective and safe approach in patients with intermediate-risk PE.

Evaluation of Modified ATRIA Risk Score in Predicting Mortality in Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: As the Modified Anticoagulation and Risk Factors in Atrial Fibrillation Risk Score (M-ATRIA-RS) encompasses prognostic risk factors of novel coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19), it may be used to predict in-hospital mortality. We aimed to investigate whether M-ATRIA-RS was an independent predictor of mortality in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 and compare its discrimination capability with CHADS, CHA2DS2-VASc, and modified CHA2DS2-VASc (mCHA2DS2-VASc)-RS. METHODS: A total of 1,001 patients were retrospectively analyzed and classified into three groups based on M-ATRIA-RS, designed by changing sex criteria of ATRIA-RS from female to male: Group 1 for points 0-1 (n = 448), Group 2 for points 2-4 (n = 268), and Group 3 for points ≥5 (n = 285). Clinical outcomes were defined as in-hospital mortality, need for high-flow oxygen and/or intubation, and admission to intensive care unit. RESULTS: As the M-ATRIA-RS increased, adverse clinical outcomes significantly increased (Group 1, 6.5%; Group 2, 15.3%; Group 3, 34.4%; p <0.001 mortality for in-hospital). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that M-ATRIA-RS, malignancy, troponin increase, and lactate dehydrogenase were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality (p<0.001, per scale possibility rate for ATRIA-RS 1.2). In receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the discriminative ability of M-ATRIA-RS was superior to mCHA2DS2-VASc-RS and ATRIA-RS, but similar to that Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score (AUCM-ATRIAvs AUCATRIA Z-test=3.14 p = 0.002, AUCM-ATRIAvs. AUCmCHA2DS2-VASc Z-test=2.14, p = 0.03; AUCM-ATRIAvs. AUCCCI Z-test=1.46 p = 0.14). CONCLUSIONS: M-ATRIA-RS is useful to predict in-hospital mortality among patients hospitalized with COVID-19. In addition, it is superior to the mCHA2DS2-VASc-RS in predicting mortality in patients with COVID-19 and is more easily calculable than the CCI score.

Comparison of lung ultrasound and other volumetric methods in peritoneal dialysis patients.

ABSTRACT: Although many alternative methods are present, maintaining ideal volume status in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients still rely on clinical evaluation due to lack of an evidence-based method. Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a new method for evaluation of hidden congestion in this group.LUS findings and its relationship with other volumetric methods are investigated in this observational cross-sectional study.In this observational cross sectional study, LUS was performed to all PD patients and compared with symptoms of hypervolemia, physical examination, vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C), and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels, chest radiography, echocardiography, bioelectrical impedance analysis.Data of 21 PD patients were evaluated. There was correlation between number of B lines and VEGF-C levels (r = 0.447, P = .042), daily urine output (r = 0.582, P = .007) and left ventricle mass index (r = -0.456, P = .038). Correlations with all other parameters were not significant. Daily urine output and VEGF-C levels were significantly different when B lines were grouped into 2 according to the median level (P < .05 for all).This is the widest spectrum study looking for LUS findings and other volumetric parameters in a small PD cohort. LUS might be useful to evaluate hidden hypervolemia. Its correlation with VEGF-C level is a novel finding.

The Association between Chronic Use of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Blockers and in-Hospital Adverse Events among COVID-19 Patients with Hypertension.

OBJECTIVES: The effects of chronic renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) blockers usage on adverse outcomes and disease severity remain uncertain in COVID-19 patients with hypertension. In this study, we aimed to determine the relationship between chronic use of RAAS inhibitors and in-hospital adverse events among hypertensive patients hospitalized with COVID-19. METHODS: In this retrospective single-center study, we enrolled 349 consecutive hypertensive patients diagnosed with COVID-19 infection. All patients were chronically on angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI)/ angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) or other antihypertensive therapies before hospital admission. Adverse clinical events were defined as in-hospital mortality, admission to intensive care unit, need for high-flow oxygen and intubation. RESULTS: Patients were categorized into two groups according to the type of antihypertensive therapy. (ACEI/ARBs users, N=201; ACEI/ARB nonusers, N=148) There was no statistically significant difference between ACEI/ARBs users and ACEI/ARBs nonusers concerning adverse clinical events, such as in-hospital mortality (29 (14.4%) vs. 20 (13.5%), p=0.81), ICU admission (45(22.4%) vs. 27 (18.2%), p=0.34), need for high-flow oxygen (97 (48.3%) vs. 68 (45.9%), p=0.67) and need for intubation (32(15.9%) vs. 23(15.5%), p=0.92), respectively. Also, the severity of infection did not differ among groups. The logistic regression multivariate analysis showed that age, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, procalcitonin and ferritin levels were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that chronic use of ACEI/ARBs did not increase in-hospital adverse outcomes of hypertensive patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Although the recent data are contradictory, chronic ACEI/ARB therapy is not recommended to be discontinued in hypertensive patients during their hospitalization for COVID-19.

Assessment of the Modified CHA2DS2VASc Risk Score in Predicting Mortality in Patients Hospitalized With COVID-19.

Since the modified CHA2DS2VASC (M-CHA2DS2VASc) risk score includes the prognostic risk factors for COVID-19; we assumed that it might predict in-hospital mortality and identify high-risk patients at an earlier stage compared with troponin increase and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR). We aimed to investigate whether M-CHA2DS2VASC RS is an independent predictor of mortality in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and to compare its discriminative ability with troponin increase and NLR in terms of predicting mortality. A total of 694 patients were retrospectively analyzed and divided into 3 groups according to M-CHA2DS2VASC RS which was simply created by changing gender criteria of the CHA2DS2VASC RS from female to male (Group 1, score 0-1 (n = 289); group 2, score 2-3 (n = 231) and group 3, score ≥4 (n = 174)). Adverse clinical events were defined as in-hospital mortality, admission to intensive care unit, need for high-flow oxygen and/or intubation. As the M-CHA2DS2VASC RS increased, adverse clinical outcomes were also significantly increased (Group 1, 3.8%; group 2, 12.6%; group 3, 20.8%; p <0.001 for in-hospital mortality). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that M-CHA2DS2VASC RS, troponin increase and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality (p = 0.005, odds ratio 1.29 per scale for M-CHA2DS2VASC RS). In receiver operating characteristic analysis, comparative discriminative ability of M-CHA2DS2VASC RS was superior to CHA2DS2VASC RS score. Area under the curve (AUC) values for in-hospital mortality was 0.70 and 0.64, respectively. (AUCM-CHA2DS2-VASc vs. AUCCHA2DS2-VASc z test = 3.56, p 0.0004) In conclusion, admission M-CHA2DS2VASc RS may be a useful tool to predict in-hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19.

Effect of chronic toluene exposure on heart rhythm parameters.

BACKGROUND: Toluene is used extensively in various industrial processes, and an increasing number of workers are getting exposed to its vapor. Cardiac abnormalities that have been reported in association with toluene exposure (in toxic doses) are atrioventricular conduction abnormalities, sinus bradycardia, ventricular tachycardia, recurrent myocardial infarction, dilated cardiomyopathy, and coronary vasospasm. HYPOTHESIS: We aimed to investigate the effects of chronic toluene exposure on cardiac rhythm. METHODS: In this study, 40 workers in the polishing industry with more than 3 months of exposure to a mixture of organic solvents including toluene and 38 control subjects working in other fields who were matched by age, sex, smoking, habits, and living accommodation were investigated. Twelve-lead surface electrocardiogram and 24-hour Holter recordings were performed to determine QRS duration, PR duration (P and R wave interval on electrocardiograms), P wave dispersion, corrected QT dispersion, and heart rate variability parameters. RESULTS: The maximum heart rate was significantly lower in the toluene-exposed group compared to the control group (130.5 ± 15.1 vs 138.6 ± 16.0, P = 0.02). Corrected low frequency (cLF) and cLF/corrected high frequency (cHF) were also significantly lower in toluene-exposed group (43.6 ± 7.2 vs 50.7 ± 10.5, P = 0.01 and 1.4 ± 0.4 vs 2.2 ± 1.0, P < 0.01, respectively). Mean cHF, root-mean-square successive difference, and standard deviation of all five-minute NN interval means values were significantly higher in the toluene-exposed group (32.8 ± 8.1 vs 25.4 ± 8.2, P ≤ 0.01; 74.0 ± 46.1 vs 60.3 ± 59.4, P = 0.02; and 149.5 ± 77.0 vs 108.9 ± 43.2, P = 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study implies that chronic toluene exposure disturbs cardiac autonomy, particularly by suppressing sympathetic activity, and parasympathetic suppression also occurs with increased exposure duration. We also demonstrated that chronic toluene exposure was not associated with major cardiac arrhythmias and rhythm conduction system disorders.

The impact of infection on mortality in octogenarians who were admitted due to acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of coronary artery disease is on the rise as the life expectancy of the population increases. However, treatment of acute coronary syndrome in the elderly patients has its own problems that have not been thoroughly addressed in the clinical trials. Since these patients are generally fragile and have multiple co-morbidities, the course of acute coronary syndrome can frequently be complicated. Infection, which co-exists either at the initial presentation or is acquired during the hospital stay, is a condition about which there is little published data. Therefore, in our study, we wanted to assess the impact of infection on mortality in octogenarians who have acute coronary syndrome METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 174 octogenarians who had been admitted to the coronary care unit with acute coronary syndrome. All-cause mortality was defined as the primary endpoint of the study. RESULTS: Overall 53 octogenarian patients (30.5%) had an infection along with acute coronary syndrome. The mean duration of follow-up was 10 months (1-25 months). Both in-hospital and long-term mortality were higher in these patients (18.9% vs 6.6%, p = 0.01; 52.8% vs 27.5%, p < 0.01; respectively). Kaplan-Meier analysis also showed lower cumulative survival. (p [log-rank] = 0.002). In multivariate Cox regression analysis; undergoing coronary angiography, infection (HR 1.96, 95% CI 1.15-3.34, p = 0.01), left ventricular ejection fraction and maximum C reactive protein levels were found as independent predictors of long-term survival. CONCLUSION: Infection in octogenarians who were admitted due to acute coronary syndrome was frequent and increased their mortality substantially.

Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury Is Associated With Long-Term Adverse Events in Patients With Acute Coronary syndrome.

Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is associated with increased mortality, morbidity, and prolonged hospitalization. Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have a 3-fold higher risk of developing CI-AKI. The aim of our study was to evaluate the predictors of CI-AKI and long-term prognosis in patients with ACS who developed CI-AKI (1083 patients were enrolled). Contrast-induced acute kidney injury was defined as an increase of ≥0.5 mg/dL and/or an increase of ≥25% of pre-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to post-PCI serum creatinine levels within 48 to 72 hours after the procedure. Primary end point was defined as all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, and cerebrovascular event at long-term follow-up (36 ± 12 months). Contrast-induced acute kidney injury occurred in 178 (16.4%) of the 1083 patients. The primary end points were significantly high in patients with ACS who developed CI-AKI ( P < .001). The occurrence of CI-AKI was identified as an independent predictor of primary end point. Risk of CI-AKI development was more frequently seen in patients with ACS. Also, patients who developed CI-AKI have worse prognosis at long-term follow-up. Additional preventive treatment strategies need to be developed in this group of patients.