Arterial Stiffness and Ankle-Brachial Index - Cross-Sectional Study of 259 Primary Care Patients ≥50 Year-Old.

BACKGROUND Lower-extremity arterial disease (LEAD) is the most common form of peripheral artery disease (PAD), and diagnosis relies on the ankle-brachial index (ABI). The objective of our study was to evaluate the correlation between ABI and arterial stiffness parameters, specifically focusing on PWV. Additionally, we aimed to assess the correlation between PWV and established LEAD risk factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study included primary care patients aged ≥50 years. Pulse wave velocity was measured with a Mobil-o-Graph Pulse Wave Analyzer (I.E.M. Germany). Two criteria defined abnormal PWV: 1) universal PWV threshold exceeding 10 m/s (uPWVt) and 2) surpassing an individualized threshold calculated by the device, accounting for sex, age, and blood pressure (iPWVt). RESULTS We assessed PWV in 266 individuals and both PWV and ABI in 259. Overall, 6/259 (2.3%) had a diagnosis of LEAD, 44/259(16.9%) had ABI <0.9, and 97/259 (37.5%) had PWV values above iPWVt. Among patients with Doppler ABI <0.9, 25/44 (56.8%) exhibited elevated iPWVt versus 72/215 (33.5%) in those with ABI ≥0.9 (P=0.003, r=0.18 Spearman's correlation). Among patients with ABI <0.9 19/44 (43.2%) had PWV >iPWVt (P=0.003, r=0.18). We observed significant correlation between elevated PWV (both cutoffs) and hypertension (in both P=0.009, r=0.16) and PWV >uPWVt correlated with the presence of diabetes (P=0.004, r=0.18). CONCLUSIONS Elevated PWV correlates with abnormal ABI and some cardiovascular risk factors in primary care patients aged 50 and above. Use of individualized PWV thresholds, factoring in age, appears to be a preferable approach for assessment of arterial stiffness and early diagnosis of LEAD.

The effect of serum uric acid levels on the long-term prognosis of patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death worldwide. Many studies have reported an association between serum uric acid (sUA) and CVD, and its role as a risk marker for mortality. OBJECTIVES: To assess the relationship between sUA levels and the long-term prognosis of patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted at the Clinical Hospital of Bialystok (Poland). Based on medical records, 9328 patients were hospitalized between 2011 and 2013, of which 726 had NSTEMI. The exclusion criteria were: any diagnosed neoplasms and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <15 mL/min. The average observation time was 2324 days. RESULTS: A total of 549 patients were qualified for the analysis; men were in the majority (69.03%, n = 379), and the mean age was 68.42 years (standard deviation (SD) = 11.66). The sUA norm was exceeded in 137 of the patients (24.95%). Hyperuricemia is more likely to occur in women (risk ratio (RR) = 1.52, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 1.016-2.288, p = 0.042), in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) (RR = 3.452, 95% CI = 2.432-4.854, p < 0.001) and in patients with higher body mass index (BMI)s (RR = 1.048, 95% CI = 1.008-1.090, p = 0.018). In the whole study group, during the study, 178 of the patients died (32.41.9%), more often those with hyperuricemia: (60/137 patients (43.8%)) compared to patients with normal sUA values (118/412 values (28.64%)); p < 0.001). There was a significant correlation between an increase in sUA levels and an increase in mortality (p < 0.001). Independent risk factors of death were age (RR = 1.086, 95% CI = 1.065-1.108, p < 0.001), sUA (RR = 1.245, 95% CI = 1.131-1.370, p = 0.041), ejection fraction (EF) (RR = 0.928, 95% CI = 0.910-0.946, p < 0.001) and hemoglobin concentration (RR = 0.685, 95% CI = 0.611-0.768, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Serum UA concentration is an independent risk factor of long-term mortality in patients who have undergone NSTEMI, and is associated with higher in-hospital death rates. Secondary prevention after NSTEMI should entail management of the patients' sUA levels.

Impact of renal function on patients with acute coronary syndromes: 15,593 patient-years study.

INTRODUCTION: Coexistence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the case of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) significantly worsens the outcomes. AIM: The aim of our study was to assess renal function impact on mortality among patients with ACS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was based on records of 21,985 patients hospitalized in the Medical University of Bialystok in 2009-2015. Inclusion criteria were ACS. Exclusion criteria were: death within 24 h of admission, eGFR <15 ml/min/1.73 m2, hemodialysis. Mean observation time was 2296 days. RESULTS: Criteria were met by 2213 patients. CKD occurred in 24.1% (N = 533) and more often affected those with NSTEMI (26.2 (337) vs. 21.2 (196), p = .006). STEMI patients had higher incidence of post-contrast acute kidney injury (PC-AKI) (5 (46) vs. 4.1 (53), p < .001). During the study, 705 people died (31.9%), more often with NSTEMI (33.2% (428) vs. 29.95% (277), p < .001). However, from a group of patients suffering from PC-AKI 57.6% died. The risk of PC-AKI increased with creatinine concentration (RR: 2.990, 95%CI: 1.567-5.721, p < .001), occurrence of diabetes mellitus (RR: 2.143, 95%CI: 1.029-4.463, p = .042), atrial fibrillation (RR: 2.289, 95%CI: 1.056-4.959, p = .036). Risk of death was greater with an increase in postprocedural creatinine concentration (RR: 2.254, 95%CI: 1.481-3.424, p < .001). CONCLUSION: PC-AKI is a major complication in patients with ACS, occurs more frequently in STEMI and may be a prognostic marker of long-term mortality in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). More attention should be given to the prevention and diagnosis of PC-AKI but necessary PCI should not be withheld in fear of PC-AKI.

Impact of chronic kidney disease on long-term outcome of patients with valvular heart defects.

INTRODUCTION: Valvular heart diseases (VHD) are becoming a significant problem in the Polish population. Coexistence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with VHD increases the risk of death and affects further therapeutic strategy. AIM: Analysis impact of CKD on long-term prognosis in patients with VHD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The inclusion criteria were met by 1025 patients with moderate and severe VHD. Mean observation time was 2528 ± 1454 days. RESULTS: The average age of the studied population was 66.75 (SD = 10.34), male gender was dominant 56% (N = 579). Severe aortic valve stenosis (AVS) occurred in 28.2%, severe mitral valve insufficiency (MVI) in 20%. CKD occurred in 37.1% (N = 380) patients mostly with mitral stenosis (50%, N = 16) and those with severe MVI (44.8%, N = 94). During the observational period, 52.7% (N = 540) deaths were noted. Increased risk of mortality was associated mostly with age (OR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.00-1.03, p < 0.001), creatinine (OR:1.27, 95% CI: 1.12-1.43, p < 0.001), CKD (OR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.17-1.44, p < 0.001), reduced ejection fraction (EF) (OR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.97-0.99, p = 0.01) and coexisting of AVS (OR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.04-1.35, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Mitral valve defects more often than aortic valve defects coexist with chronic kidney disease. Regardless of the stage, chronic kidney disease is an additional factor affecting the prognosis in patients with heart defects. Factors increasing the risk of death were age, creatinine concentration and reduced EF. The monitoring of renal function in patients with VHD should be crucial as well as the implementation of treatment at an early stage.