RESUMEN
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) is pivotal in diagnosing coronary artery disease (CAD). We explored the link between CAD severity and two biomarkers, Pan-Immune Inflammation Value (PIV) and Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP), in stable CAD patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: A retrospective observational study of 409 CCTA patients with stable angina pectoris. Logistic regression identified predictors of severe CAD, stratified by CAD-RADS score. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves evaluated predictive performance. PIV and AIP were significant predictors of severe CAD (PIV: OR 1.002, 95% CI: 1.000-1.004, p < 0.021; AIP: OR 0.963, 95% CI: 0.934-0.993, p < 0.04). AUC values for predicting severe CAD were 0.563 (p < 0.001) for PIV and 0.625 (p < 0.05) for AIP. Combined with age, AUC improved to 0.662 (p < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: PIV and AIP were associated with severe CAD, with AIP demonstrating superior predictive capability. Incorporating AIP into risk assessment could enhance CAD prediction, offering a cost-effective and accessible method for identifying individuals at high risk of coronary atherosclerosis.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Therefore, identifying high-risk patients may optimize treatment for HF patients and reduce adverse events. The aim of this study was to assess the role of the CHA2DS2-VASc score to predict mortality in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). METHODS: A total of 106 patients with reduced LVEF were enrolled in this study. All patients completed a one-year follow-up, and a CHA2DS2-VASc score was calculated for each patient. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (19.8%) died during the 1-year follow-up. We found that baseline functional status, CHA2DS2-VASc score, brain natriuretic peptide, blood urea and hemoglobin levels were associated with mortality. In the multivariate analysis, CHA2DS2-VASc score and functional capacity were the only predictors of 1-year mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Use of the CHA2DS2-VASc score appears to be feasible for risk stratification and mortality prediction in patients with reduced LVEF.
RESUMEN
Sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA) is a rare disease that is mostly congenital in origin. The rupture of a SVA may occur and can eventually lead to death unless definite surgical treatment occurs. In this article, a ruptured and percutaneously treated SVA in a subject who underwent two consecutive corrective open cardiac surgeries due to a congenital heart disease was examined. An 18-year-old male was referred because of the complaint of dyspnea and fatigue. He underwent a complete repair of tetrology of Fallot before and a redo-repair of residual VSD three years before. A ruptured SVA was detected by transthoracic echocardiography and aortography. Percutaneous closure was successful by an Amplatzer muscular VSD occluder. Percutaneous treatment of a ruptured SVA may be an alternative technique to surgery in selected cases.