High levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and uric acid can predict disease severity in patients with mitral regurgitation.

INTRODUCTION: Both high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) and uric acid (UA) levels are known to be increased in heart failure patients and are associated with poorer functional capacity and adverse outcome. The role of these markers in patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) is less clear. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between hs-CRP, UA and organic MR. We also assessed whether hs-CRP and UA levels are correlated with symptoms of MR, severity of MR, LV remodeling and outcome during follow-up. METHODS: A total of 200 consecutive patients (87 men [43.5%]; mean age 61.6±12.5 years) with moderate or severe isolated and organic MR were included in the study. All the patients were assessed clinically and were managed and treated with standard medical therapy according to evidence-based practice guidelines. Patients were categorized according to New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class. We assessed and graded the severity of MR using a multiparametric approach. hs-CRP was measured with chemiluminescent immunometric assay using an IMMULITE® 1000 autoanalyzer (Siemens, Germany). Serum UA levels were analyzed using a Cobas® 6000 autoanalyzer (Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany). RESULTS: Mean UA levels increased significantly with NYHA class: 4.46±1.58 mg/dl for patients in NYHA class I, 5.91±1.69 mg/dl for class II, 6.31±2.16 mg/dl for class III and 8.86±3.17 mg/dl for class IV (p<0.001). Mean UA levels also increased significantly with increased severity of MR (moderate 5.62±1.9 mg/dl, moderate to severe 5.56±1.2 mg/dl, severe 7.38±3.4 mg/dl, p<0.001). There was a significant correlation between UA level and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (r=0.40; p<0.001), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (r=0.297; p=0.001) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (r=0.195, p=0.036), whereas hs-CRP was not correlated with these parameters. In multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis LVEF, NYHA class and UA levels were the only independent predictors of death. CONCLUSION: UA and hs-CRP levels can help identify patients with asymptomatic moderate or severe mitral regurgitation. UA levels may be useful to assess the extent of left ventricular remodeling and in the optimal timing of mitral valve surgery in certain subsets of patients.

Razão triglicérides/HDL-C e proteína C reativa de alta sensibilidade na avaliação do risco cardiovascular / Triglycerides/HDL-C ratio and high sensible C-reactive protein to the evaluation of cardiovascular risk

INTRODUÇÃO: Índices calculados a partir de medidas laboratoriais e a determinação de marcadores plasmáticos são frequentemente utilizados para a avaliação do risco cardiovascular. OBJETIVO: Utilizar a razão triglicérides/colesterol da lipoproteína de alta densidade (HDL-C), estimativa de tamanho de partículas de lipoproteína de baixa densidade (LDL) e os níveis da proteína C reativa de alta sensibilidade (PCR-as) para a avaliação clínica e laboratorial do risco cardiovascular de pacientes com doença arterial coronariana (DAC). MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Foram selecionados 60 pacientes por conveniência, 36 do sexo feminino (F) (65 ± 9 anos) e 24 do sexo masculino (M) (55 ± 10 anos) com diagnóstico de cardiopatia isquêmica estável, atendidos no Hospital Ana Neri, em Salvador, Bahia. A investigação foi realizada no Laboratório de Bioquímica Clínica da Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA). Amostras de sangue foram coletadas após 12 horas de jejum para determinação da PCR-as, do perfil lipídico e do cálculo de indicadores de risco. As determinações foram realizadas no equipamento Syncron LX®20 Beckman Coulter, USA. Foram considerados significativos os resultados da análise inferencial para p < 5 por cento. A análise dos dados foi realizada no software GraphPad Prism®, versão 4.03. RESULTADOS: A análise dos dados mostrou correlação positiva entre a PCR-as e a razão triglicérides/HDL-C apenas para o sexo feminino (r = 0,4; p = 0,0442), n = 36. A análise dos demais parâmetros não mostrou significância. CONCLUSÃO: A razão triglicérides/HDL-C e a PCR-as podem ser utilizadas como indicadores do aumento do risco cardiovascular em mulheres com DAC.

INTRODUCTION: Calculated indexes from laboratory measurements and the determination of plasma markers are commonly used in cardiovascular risk assessment. OBJECTIVE: To use triglycerides/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio, estimate of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels to the clinical and laboratorial assessment of coronary risk among patients with coronary disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty patients were chosen accordingly, 36 female (F) (65 ± 9 years of age) and 24 male (M) (55 ± 10 years of age) diagnosed with stable ischemic cardiopathy at Ana Neri Hospital, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. The investigation was carried out at the Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory of the College of Pharmacy at Federal University of Bahia (UFBA). Blood samples were collected after a 12-hour fast to determine hs-CRP, lipid profile and risk indicators. All data were assessed through Syncron LX®20 Beckman Coulter. The inferential analysis results were considered significant when p < 5 percent. Data analysis was carried out with GraphPad Prism® (4.03 version) software. RESULTS: Data analysis showed a positive correlation between hs-CRP and triglycerides/HDL-C ratio only among women (r = 0.4; p = 0.0442), n = 36. The analysis of other parameters did not show any significance. CONCLUSION: The triglycerides/HDL-C ratio and hs-CRP may be used as indicators of increase in cardiovascular risk among women with coronary artery disease (CAD).