Inflammation Burden and Atrial Fibrillation Burden: A Bidirectional Relationship. / Carga Inflamatória e Carga de Fibrilação Atrial: Uma Relação Bidirecional.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) burden is defined as the proportion of time the patient remains in AF over a given period of time; thus, it is theoretically highest in permanent AF and lowest in paroxysmal AF. Inflammation is associated with the initiation and maintenance of AF. However, the relationship between systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and AF burden is unknown. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we investigated the relationship between SII and AF burden. METHODS: The present study is a cross-sectional analysis of 453 patients (252 females and 201 males, aged 44 to 94 years) with AF (138 with paroxysmal AF and 315 with permanent AF) who visited the cardiology outpatient clinic between October 2022 and June 2023. SII was calculated as (neutrophils × platelets/lymphocytes). The predictive role of SII and other inflammatory markers in the likelihood of AF pattern was evaluated by logistic regression analyses, and p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Age, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, diabetes mellitus, neutrophil, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, SII, C-reactive protein, red blood cell distribution width, hemoglobin A1c, and left atrial diameter were significantly higher in the permanent AF group. According to the logistic regression analysis, age (p = 0.038), diabetes mellitus (p = 0.024), red blood cell distribution width (p = 0.023), C-reactive protein (p = 0.010), SII (p = 0.001), and left atrial diameter (p < 0.001) significantly contributed to the prediction of the likelihood of permanent AF. CONCLUSION: SII is independently associated with the AF burden. Prospective studies are needed to determine whether SII may be useful in identifying patients at high risk for AF progression.

FUNDAMENTO: A carga de fibrilação atrial (FA) é definida como a proporção de tempo que o paciente permanece em FA durante um determinado período de tempo; portanto, é teoricamente mais elevado na FA permanente e mais baixo na FA paroxística. A inflamação está associada ao início e à manutenção da FA. No entanto, a relação entre o índice de inflamação imune sistêmica (SII, do inglês systemic immune-inflammation index) e a carga de FA é desconhecida. OBJETIVO: No presente estudo, investigamos a relação entre o SII e a carga de FA. MÉTODOS: O presente estudo é uma análise transversal de 453 pacientes (252 do sexo feminino e 201 do sexo masculino, com idade entre 44 e 94 anos) com FA (138 com FA paroxística e 315 com FA permanente) atendidos no ambulatório de cardiologia entre outubro de 2022 e junho de 2023. O SII foi calculado como (neutrófilos × plaquetas/linfócitos). O papel preditivo do SII e de outros marcadores inflamatórios na probabilidade do padrão de FA foi avaliado por análises de regressão logística, sendo considerado estatisticamente significativo o valor de p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: Idade, pressão arterial diastólica, frequência cardíaca, diabetes mellitus, neutrófilos, relação plaquetas-linfócitos, relação neutrófilos-linfócitos, SII, proteína C reativa, largura de distribuição de glóbulos vermelhos, hemoglobina A1c e diâmetro do átrio esquerdo foram significativamente maiores no grupo com FA permanente. De acordo com a análise de regressão logística, idade (p = 0,038), diabetes mellitus (p = 0,024), largura de distribuição de glóbulos vermelhos (p = 0,023), proteína C reativa (p = 0,010), SII (p = 0,001) e o diâmetro do átrio esquerdo (p < 0,001) contribuíram significativamente para a predição da probabilidade de FA permanente. CONCLUSÃO: O SII está independentemente associado à carga de FA. Estudos prospectivos são necessários para determinar se o SII pode ser útil na identificação de pacientes com alto risco de progressão da FA.

Usability of myocardial work parameters in demonstrating myocardial involvement in INOCA patients.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial work (MW) is a novel echocardiographic modality, which has been shown to have diagnostic and prognostic values in patients with cardiovascular diseases, patients with obstructive coronary artery disease, in particular. However, only a handful of studies have examined the MW analysis in ischemia with nonobstructive coronary artery (INOCA) disease. This study, therefore, aimed to detect the early left ventricular involvement in INOCA patients diagnosed by an invasive coronary angiography performing the MW analysis. METHODS: This study included a total of 119 patients with nonobstructive coronary artery disease diagnosed by invasive coronary angiography, who were checked for prior ischemia tests performing myocardial perfusion scintigraphy. Out of these 119 patients, 49 patients developed ischemia (i.e., ischemic group) diagnosed using cardiac single-photon emission computed tomography, whereas 70 patients did not (i.e., nonischemic group). The subjects were divided into three groups based on the global MW tertiles. The groups were compared in terms of the conventional, longitudinal strain, and MW findings by conducting echocardiographic examinations. RESULTS: The study subjects were divided into three groups based on the global constrictive work (GCW) value. The three groups were not statistically different in terms of the mean age of the patients (53.0 ± 12 vs. 52.4 ± 13.3 vs. 52.1 ± 12.3; p = 0.96). Furthermore, the three groups were not statistically different regarding the gender, height, weight, and laboratory parameters of the patients except albumin. There was no statistically difference among the tertiles of GCW groups in the measurements of cardiac chambers, LA diameter, interventricular septum, E wave, and A wave. Also, there was no statistical difference in tissue Doppler recordings. The parameters associated with MW were examined, three groups were not statistically different in terms of the global waste work (GWW) (116 ± 92, 122 ± 73, 135 ± 62, p = 0.52, respectively). In contrast, the three groups were different regarding the Global work index (GWI) (1716 ± 300, 1999 ± 130, 2253 ± 195, p < 0.001, respectively), GCW (1888 ± 206, 2298 ± 75, 2614 ± 155, p < 0.001, respectively), and Global work efficiency parameters (92.8 ± 3.6, 94.4 ± 3.2, 95.1 ± 1.8 p = 0.004, respectively). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the MW parameters GCW and GWI may have been used for predicting INOCA in patients.

The impact of the Naples Prognostic Score on the short- and long-term prognosis of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative systemic inflammation and nutritional status have been shown to affect prognosis in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). In this study, we investigated the effect of the Naples Prognostic Score (NPS), which consists of four different parameters including these two components on short- and long-term prognosis in patients undergoing TAVI. METHODS: In 343 patients (mean age 78.1 ±â€Š8.4 years, 51.3% female) who underwent TAVI, the NPS score was calculated from the blood tests obtained before the procedure and the study population was divided into three according to the NPS value: those with 0 and 1 were divided into Group-1, those with 2 into Group-2, and those with 3 and 4 into Group-3. The relationship between NPS group and in-hospital adverse events and long-term survival was evaluated. RESULTS: Systolic pulmonary artery pressure, STS score, presence of chronic lung disease and being in NPS Group-3 [adjusted odds ratio (adjOR): 3.93, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.02-15.17), P  = 0.047] were found to be independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. According to the multivariate Cox-regression model, both Group-2 NPS [adjusted hazard ratio (adjHR): 4.81, 95% CI (1.09-21.14), P  = 0.037] and Group-3 NPS [adjHR: 10.1, 95% CI (2.31-43.36), P  = 0.002] was an independent predictor of 2-year all-cause mortality after TAVI. There was no significant difference in perioperative adverse events between the groups except for postprocedural acute kidney injury. According to receiver-operating characteristic analysis, the optimal predictive value of NPS for in-hospital and long-term mortality was 2.5. CONCLUSION: In patients who will be candidates for TAVI, NPS is a simple and effective tool for determining both short- and long-term prognosis.

PrevAleNce and Associated factors of inappropriaTe dosing of direct Oral anticoaguLants In pAtients with Atrial Fibrillation: the ANATOLIA-AF Study.

PURPOSE: Inappropriate dosing of direct oral anticoagulants is associated with an increased risk of stroke, systemic embolism, major bleeding, cardiovascular hospitalization, and death in patients with atrial fibrillation. The main goal of the study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of inappropriate dosing of direct oral anticoagulants in real-life settings. METHODS: This study was a multicenter, cross-sectional, observational study that included 2004 patients with atrial fibrillation. The study population was recruited from 41 cardiology outpatient clinics between January and May 2021. The main criteria for inappropriate direct oral anticoagulant dosing were defined according to the recommendations of the European Heart Rhythm Association. RESULTS: The median age of the study population was 72 years and 58% were women. Nine-hundred and eighty-seven patients were prescribed rivaroxaban, 658 apixaban, 239 edoxaban, and 120 dabigatran. A total of 498 patients (24.9%) did not receive the appropriate dose of direct oral anticoagulants. In a logistic regression model, advanced age, presence of chronic kidney disease and permanent atrial fibrillation, prescription of reduced doses of direct oral anticoagulants or edoxaban treatment, concomitant use of amiodarone treatment, and non-use of statin treatment were significantly associated with potentially inappropriate dosing of direct oral anticoagulants. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that the prevalence of inappropriate direct oral anticoagulant dosing according to the European Heart Rhythm Association recommendations was 24.9% in patients with atrial fibrillation. Several demographic and clinical factors were associated with the inappropriate prescription of direct oral anticoagulants.

Crochetage sign may predict late atrial arrhythmias in patients with secundum atrial septal defect undergoing transcatheter closure.

BACKGROUND: Atrial arrhythmias are well-known complications of atrial septal defect (ASD), and associated with substantial morbidity. After ASD closure, right atrial and ventricular enlargement regresses, however, the risk of atrial arrhythmia development continues. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the Crochetage sign, which is a possible reflection of heterogeneous ventricular depolarization due to long-term hemodynamic overload, and the development of late atrial arrhythmia after ASD closure. METHODS: This retrospective study included a total of 314 patients (mean age: 39.5 (30-50) years; male: 115) who underwent percutaneous device closure for secundum ASD. The study population was divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of the Crochetage sign. The Crochetage sign was defined as an M-shaped or bifid pattern notch on the R wave in one or more inferior limb leads. Cox-regression analysis was performed to determine independent predictors of late atrial arrhythmia development. RESULT: Fifty-seven patients (18.1%) presented with late atrial arrhythmia. Of these 57 patients, 30 developed new-onset atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter (AF/AFL), and 27 patients with pre-procedure paroxysmal AF/AFL had a recurrence of AF/AFL during follow-up. History of paroxysmal AF/AFL before the procedure (HR: 4.78; 95% CI 2,52-9.05; p < 0.001), the presence of Crochetage sign (HR: 3.90; 95% CI 2.05-7.76; p < 0.001), and older age at the time of ASD closure (HR: 1.03; 95% CI 1.01-1.06; p = 0.002) were found as independent predictors for late atrial arrhythmia. CONCLUSION: The presence of Crochetage sign may be used to predict the risk of late atrial arrhythmia development after transcatheter ASD closure.