Poor Nutritional Status Is Associated with Arrhythmic Events on 24-Hour Holter Recording.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is associated with cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality. Arrhythmias may be the cardiac consequences of malnutrition. OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to evaluate the association between prognostic nutritional index (PNI), Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score, and arrhythmic events on 24-h electrocardiography (ECG) Holter recording in patients without manifested arrhythmia. METHODS: In this retrospective analysis of 477 patients who underwent 24-h ECG Holter monitoring, PNI and CONUT score were calculated and patients were divided into tertiles according to PNI and into three groups according to CONUT score; 0: normal, 1-2: mild risk of malnutrition, ≥3: moderate-severe risk of malnutrition. Arrhythmic events were compared between PNI tertiles and CONUT score groups. RESULTS: Total number of premature atrial contractions, premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), PVC burden, and incidence of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) were significantly higher in patients within the lowest PNI tertile. Total number of PVCs, PVC burden, and incidence of PAF were significantly higher in patients with CONUT score ≥3. The cut-off value for PNI to predict the presence of PVC was defined as 39.41 using ROC curve analysis. The area under the curve was 0.650 (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that PNI was independent predictor of the presence of PVC and PAF. Also, CONUT score was independent predictor of the presence of PVC and PAF. Incidence of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia did not differ between PNI tertiles or CONUT score groups. CONCLUSION: Poor nutritional status, assessed by PNI and CONUT score, is associated with arrhythmic events on 24-h ECG Holter recording in patients without manifested arrhythmia.

Prognostic Nutritional Index as a New Prediction Tool for Coronary Collateral Development.

BACKGROUND: Nutritional status is a predictor of the prognosis of cardiovascular diseases. The association between the Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI), which is an immunonutritional parameter, and cardiovascular diseases has been extensively studied in the literature. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate whether PNI is associated with coronary collateral development. METHODS: This retrospective study included 172 patients with chronic total occlusion. The patients were diagnosed with stable coronary artery disease, and all patients underwent coronary angiography. PNI was calculated using serum albumin level and lymphocyte count. Collateral circulation was classified according to Rentrop grade. RESULTS: There was a positive correlation between PNI and Rentrop grade (r = 0.168, p = 0.026) and a negative correlation between C-reactive protein and PNI (r = -0.353, p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that uric acid and PNI were independent predictors of Rentrop grade (p = 0.008 and p = 0.037, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that PNI, which can easily be calculated using serum albumin level and lymphocyte count, was a predictor of coronary collateral development in terms of Rentrop grade.

Serum Paraoxonase Levels are Correlated with Impaired Aortic Functions in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.

BACKGROUND: The correlation between aortic functions and paraoxonase levels has been previously demonstrated by several earlier studies. In this study, we aimed to investigate the correlation between serum paraoxonase levels and aortic functions among patients with chronic kidney disease. METHODS: Our study enrolled 46 chronic kidney disease patients and 45 healthy controls. From these patients, serum cholesterol, creatinine, hemoglobin, and paraoxonase-1 levels were analyzed. RESULTS: Paraoxonase-1 levels were significantly lower in patients with chronic kidney disease compared to the controls (p < 0.001). Additionally, the extent of aortic stiffness index (%) was significantly higher in chronic kidney disease patients, but aortic strain and aortic distensibility were significantly higher in healthy controls (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). We further found that paraoxonase-1 levels were correlated with aortic stiffness index, aortic strain, and aortic distensibility (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that serum paraoxonase-1 levels were significantly correlated with impaired aortic functions. The results of this study highlight the impact of serum paraoxonase-1 activity on atherosclerosis and cardiovascular adverse events. KEY WORDS: Aortic functions; Atherosclerosis; Chronic kidney disease; Echocardiography; Paraoxonase.

Nutritional status and severity of coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between Nutritional Risk Index (NRI), a simple tool to assess nutritional status, and coronary artery disease severity and complexity in patients undergoing coronary angiography. METHODS: This study is a retrospective analysis of 822 patients undergoing coronary angiography. Patients with previous revascularization were excluded. Gensini and SYNTAX scores were calculated according to the angiographic images to determine atherosclerosis severity. NRI was calculated as follows: NRI = [15.19 × serum albumin (g/dl)] + [41.7 × (body weight/ideal body weight)]. In patients ≥65 years of age, Geriatric NRI (GNRI) was used instead of NRI. GNRI was calculated as follows: GNRI = [14.89 × serum albumin (g/dl)] + [41.7 × (body weight/ideal body weight)]. Patients were then divided into three groups as previously reported: NRI < 92, NRI 92-98 and NRI > 98. Gensini and SYNTAX scores were compared between three groups. RESULTS: The mean age of study population was 61.9 ± 11.1 years. NRI < 92, 92-98, and >98 was measured in 212, 321 and 289 patients, respectively. There was no difference regarding to sex, BMI, smoking, hypertension and diabetes mellitus between three groups. Patients with NRI < 92 had the highest mean Gensini score than the patients with NRI 92-98 and NRI > 98 (38.0 ± 40.6 vs. 31.17 ± 42.4 vs. 25.8 ± 38.4, P = 0.005). Also patients with NRI < 92 had the highest mean SYNTAX score than the patients with NRI 92-98 and NRI > 98 (11.8 ± 12.9 vs. 9.3 ± 12.4 vs. 7.7 ± 11.8, P = 0.001). Also, Gensini score of ≥20 and high SYNTAX score of ≥33 were associated with lower NRI (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: In our study, nutritional status evaluated by the NRI was associated with more extensive and complex coronary atherosclerosis in patients undergoing coronary angiography.

Discordance of Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholestrol and Non-High-Density Lipoprotein Cholestrol and Coronary Artery Disease Severity.

BACKGROUND: A sizeable proportion of patients have discordant low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C). OBJECTIVES: We assessed the relationship between discordance of LDL-C and non-HDL-C and coronary artery disease (CAD) severity. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the data of 574 consecutive patients who underwent coronary angiography. Fasting serum lipid profiles were recorded, SYNTAX and Gensini scores were calculated to establish CAD complexity and severity. We determined the medians for LDL-C and non-HDL-C to examine the discordance between LDL-C and non-HDL-C. Discordance was defined as LDL-C greater than or equal to the median and non-HDL-C less than median; or LDL-C less than median and non-HDL-C greater than or equal to median. A p value < 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. RESULTS: LDL-C levels were strongly and positively correlated with non-HDL-C levels (r = 0.865, p < 0.001) but 15% of patients had discordance between LDL-C and non-HDL-C. The percentage of patients with a Gensini score of zero or SYNTAX score of zero did not differ between discordant or concordant groups (p = 0.837, p = 0.821, respectively). Mean Gensini and SYNTAX scores, percentage of patients with Gensini score ≥20 and SYNTAX score >22 were not different from group to group (p = 0.635, p = 0.733, p = 0.799, p = 0.891, respectively). Also, there was no statistically significant correlation between LDL-C and Gensini or SYNTAX scores in any of the discordant or concordant groups. Additionally, no correlation was found between non-HDL-C and Gensini or SYNTAX score. CONCLUSIONS: While there was discordance between LDL-C and non-HDL-C (15% of patients), there is no difference regarding CAD severity and complexity between discordant and concordant groups.

Impact of Admission Blood Glucose on Coronary Collateral Flow in Patients with ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

In patients with acute myocardial infarction, glucose metabolism is altered and acute hyperglycemia on admission is common regardless of diabetes status. The development of coronary collateral is heterogeneous among individuals with coronary artery disease. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether glucose value on admission is associated with collateral flow in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. We retrospectively evaluated 190 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of first STEMI within 12 hours of onset of chest pain. Coronary collateral development was graded according to Rentrop classification. Rentrop 0-1 was graded as poor collateral development, and Rentrop 2-3 was graded as good collateral development. Admission glucose was measured and compared between two groups. Mean admission glucose level was 173.0 ± 80.1 mg/dl in study population. Forty-five (23.7%) patients had good collateral development, and 145 (76.3%) patients had poor collateral development. There were no statistically significant differences in demographic characteristics between two groups. Three-vessel disease was more common in patients with good collateral development (p=0.026). Mean admission glucose level was higher in patients with poor collateral than good collateral (180.6 ± 84.9 mg/dl versus 148.7 ± 56.6 mg/dl, resp., p=0.008). In univariate analysis, higher admission glucose was associated with poor collateral development, but multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed a borderline result (odds ratio 0.994, 95% CI 0.989-1.000, p=0.049). Our results suggest that elevated glucose on admission may have a role in the attenuation of coronary collateral blood flow in acute myocardial infarction. Further studies are needed to validate our results.

Relationship between Discordance of Low-Density Lipoprotein and Non-High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Risk Stratification in Acute Myocardial Infarction

Abstract Background: Sizeable proportion of patients have discordant low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (NHDL-C). It has been shown that discordance of LDL-C and NHDL-C either underestimates or overestimates coronary risk. Objectıve: We assessed whether this discordance has an impact on GRACE and TIMI risk scores in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the data of 198 consecutive patients with AMI. Fasting serum lipid profiles were recorded, GRACE and TIMI scores were calculated. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to LDL-C and NHDL-C percentiles: Discordant group: LDL-C<NHDL-C (n=38), concordant group: LDL-C=NHDL-C (n=112) and discordant group LDL-C>NHDL-C (n=48). GRACE and TIMI scores, mortality and cardiovascular events (heart failure, non-fatal myocardial infarction and angina) at sixth month were compared between these three groups. Differences between these groups were analyzed with One-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis rank test, and with chi-square for percentages. Also, post hoc LSD or Conover-Iman's non-parametric multiple comparison test were used. A p value <0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. Results: TIMI risk score didn't differ between discordant or concordant groups. Mean GRACE (death) and GRACE (death and MI) scores were higher in group with LDL-C<NHDL-C than with LDL-C=NHDL-C and LDL-C>NHDL-C (p=0.029 and 0.008, respectively). Cardiovascular events and mortality at sixth month were not different among groups (p=0.473 and p=0.176, respectively). Conclusion: GRACE score was higher in discordant group with LDL-C<NHDL-C, but there is no difference regarding TIMI scores between discordant and concordant groups in AMI patients.

Discordance of Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholestrol and Non-High-Density Lipoprotein Cholestrol and Coronary Artery Disease Severity / Discordância entre Colesterol LDL e Não-HDL e Gravidade da Doença Arterial Coronária

Abstract Background: A sizeable proportion of patients have discordant low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C). Objectives: We assessed the relationship between discordance of LDL-C and non-HDL-C and coronary artery disease (CAD) severity. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the data of 574 consecutive patients who underwent coronary angiography. Fasting serum lipid profiles were recorded, SYNTAX and Gensini scores were calculated to establish CAD complexity and severity. We determined the medians for LDL-C and non-HDL-C to examine the discordance between LDL-C and non-HDL-C. Discordance was defined as LDL-C greater than or equal to the median and non-HDL-C less than median; or LDL-C less than median and non-HDL-C greater than or equal to median. A p value < 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. Results: LDL-C levels were strongly and positively correlated with non-HDL-C levels (r = 0.865, p < 0.001) but 15% of patients had discordance between LDL-C and non-HDL-C. The percentage of patients with a Gensini score of zero or SYNTAX score of zero did not differ between discordant or concordant groups (p = 0.837, p = 0.821, respectively). Mean Gensini and SYNTAX scores, percentage of patients with Gensini score ≥20 and SYNTAX score >22 were not different from group to group (p = 0.635, p = 0.733, p = 0.799, p = 0.891, respectively). Also, there was no statistically significant correlation between LDL-C and Gensini or SYNTAX scores in any of the discordant or concordant groups. Additionally, no correlation was found between non-HDL-C and Gensini or SYNTAX score. Conclusions: While there was discordance between LDL-C and non-HDL-C (15% of patients), there is no difference regarding CAD severity and complexity between discordant and concordant groups.

Resumo Fundamento: Uma proporção considerável de pacientes apresenta níveis discordantes de colesterol de lipoproteína de baixa densidade (LDL) e de não alta densidade (não HDL). Objetivos: Avaliar a relação da discordância entre colesterol LDL e não HDL com a gravidade da doença arterial coronariana (DAC). Métodos: Avaliamos retrospectivamente os dados de 574 pacientes submetidos consecutivamente à angiografia coronariana. Foram registrados os perfis lipídicos séricos em jejum, e depois foram calculados os escores SYNTAX e Gensini para estabelecer a complexidade e a gravidade da DAC. Determinamos as medianas para colesterol LDL e não-HDL para examinar a discordância entre ambos. Discordância foi definida como LDL maior ou igual à mediana e não-HDL menor que mediana; ou LDL menor que a mediana e não-HDL maior ou igual à mediana. Valor de p < 0,05 foi aceito como estatisticamente significante. Resultados: Os níveis de colesterol LDL estiveram forte e positivamente correlacionados com os níveis de colesterol não-HDL (r = 0,865, p < 0,001), mas 15% dos pacientes apresentaram discordância entre LDL e não-HDL. A porcentagem de pacientes com escore Gensini ou SYNTAX zero não diferiu entre os grupos discordantes ou concordantes (p = 0,837, p = 0,821, respectivamente). Escores médios de Gensini e SYNTAX, porcentagem de pacientes com escore Gensini ≥ 20 e SYNTAX > 22 não foram diferentes de grupo para grupo (p = 0,635, p = 0,733, p = 0,799, p = 0,891, respectivamente). Além disso, não houve correlação estatisticamente significativa entre os escores de cholesterol LDL e Gensini ou SYNTAX em nenhum dos grupos discordantes ou concordantes. Também não foi encontrada correlação entre cholesterol não HDL e escore Gensini ou SYNTAX. Conclusões: Embora tenha havido discordância entre colesterol LDL e não-HDL (15% dos pacientes), não há diferença quanto à gravidade e complexidade da DAC entre os grupos discordantes e concordantes.