Relação entre o Escore de Gensini e Mortalidade Intra-Hospitalar em Pacientes com Infarto do Miocárdio com Supradesnivelamento do Segmento ST / The Relationship Between Gensini Score and In-Hospital Mortality in Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Fundamento: Até o momento, diversos escores de risco baseados em pacientes foram estabelecidos para a predição de mortalidade em pacientes com infarto do miocárdio com supradesnivelamento do segmento ST (IAMCSST). O escore de Gensini foi originalmente desenvolvido para quantificar a gravidade de doença arterial coronariana (DAC). Objetivos: Avaliar a associação entre a gravidade de DAC avaliada pelo escore de Gensini e mortalidade intra-hospitalar em pacientes com IAMCSST submetidos à intervenção coronária percutânea primária (ICP-P). Métodos: Foram incluídos 539 pacientes com IAMCSST, submetidos à ICP-P dentro das primeiras 12 horas do início dos sintomas. A gravidade da DAC foi expressa como a soma do escore de Gensini para cada lesão. Variáveis demográficas, anamnese e características clínicas dos pacientes, bem como eventos hospitalares significativos, foram obtidos de relatórios médicos. Resultados: Dos 539 pacientes, 416 (77,2%) eram do sexo masculino, e a idade média era 59,14 ± 12,68 anos. A taxa de mortalidade intra-hospitalar foi de 5,4% (29 pacientes, 16 homens). A taxa de mortalidade foi de 10,5% em pacientes do sexo feminino e 3,8% em pacientes do sexo masculino (P=0,004). Os escores de Gensini médios mostraram-se significativamente diferentes na comparação entre pacientes que sobreviveram (54,54 ± 26,34) e aqueles que foram a óbito (80,17 ± 26,51) (P = 0,001). O modelo de análise multivariada de regressão de Cox de risco proporcional revelou que o escore de Gensini (P = 0,037), o sexo feminino (P = 0,039), níveis séricos de ureia (P = 0,041), níveis de ácido úrico (P = 0,008) e FEVE (P = 0,001) estavam independentemente associados à mortalidade intra-hospitalar em pacientes com IAMCSST submetidos à ICP-P. Conclusões: O escore de Gensini está independentemente associado à mortalidade intra-hospitalar em pacientes com IAMCSST tratados com ICP-P. Portanto, o escore pode ter um papel importante na estratificação de risco de pacientes com IAMCSST

Background: To date, several validated patient-based risk scores have been established to predict mortality and morbidity in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The Gensini score was originally developed to quantify the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). Objectives: We intend to assess the association between severity of CAD assessed by Gensini score and in-hospital mortality in patients with STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (P-PCI). Methods: A total of 539 patients presenting with acute STEMI, who underwent P-PCI within the first 12 hours from the onset of symptoms, were included. The severity of CAD was expressed as the sum of the Gensini scores for each lesion. Patients' demographic variables, medical histories and clinical features, as well as in hospital major adverse events were obtained from the medical reports. Results: Of these 539 patients, 416 (77.2%) were male and mean age was 59.14 ± 12.68 years. In-hospital mortality rate was 5.4% (29 patients; 16 men). Mortality rate was 10.5% in female patients and 3.8% in males (P = 0.004). Mean Gensini scores were significantly different in the comparison between patients who survived (54.54 ± 26.34) and those who died (80.17 ± 26.51) (P = 0.001). The multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis model revealed that the Gensini score (P = 0.037), female gender (P = 0.039), serum urea levels (P = 0.041), uric acid levels (P = 0.008) and LVEF (P = 0.001) were independently associated with in-hospital mortality in patients with STEMI undergoing P-PCI. Conclusion: The Gensini score is independently associated with in-hospital mortality in STEMI patients treated with P-PCI. Therefore, it might play an important role in risk stratification of STEMI patients

Endocan: A novel inflammatory indicator in cardiovascular disease?

Endothelial dysfunction is considered as an early change in atherogenesis. Raised levels of systemic inflammatory markers are associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Endocan (previously known as endothelial cell specific molecule-1, ESM-1), is a potential immunoinflammatory marker that may be linked to CVD. Endocan is released by vascular endothelial cells in several organs. Endocan may play an important role in regulating cell adhesion and raised plasma levels may reflect endothelial dysfunction. Endocan levels are elevated in conditions such as chronic kidney disease, renal transplant rejection, tumor progression and hypertension. Endocan is a potential inflammatory and CVD marker. Further studies are needed to assess the relevance of endocan in clinical practice.

Relationship between Neutrophil-To-Lymphocyte Ratio and Electrocardiographic Ischemia Grade in STEMI / Associação entre a Relação Neutrófilos/Linfócitos e o Grau de Isquemia Eletrocardiográfica no IAMEST

Background: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been found to be a good predictor of future adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Changes in the QRS terminal portion have also been associated with adverse outcomes following STEMI. Objective: To investigate the relationship between ECG ischemia grade and NLR in patients presenting with STEMI, in order to determine additional conventional risk factors for early risk stratification. Methods: Patients with STEMI were investigated. The grade of ischemia was analyzed from the ECG performed on admission. White blood cells and subtypes were measured as part of the automated complete blood count (CBC) analysis. Patients were classified into two groups according to the ischemia grade presented on the admission ECG, as grade 2 ischemia (G2I) and grade 3 ischemia (G3I). Results: Patients with G3I had significantly lower mean left ventricular ejection fraction than those in G2I (44.58 ± 7.23 vs. 48.44 ± 7.61, p = 0.001). As expected, in-hospital mortality rate increased proportionally with the increase in ischemia grade (p = 0.036). There were significant differences in percentage of lymphocytes (p = 0.010) and percentage of neutrophils (p = 0.004), and therefore, NLR was significantly different between G2I and G3I patients (p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that only NLR was the independent variable with a significant effect on ECG ischemia grade (odds ratio = 1.254, 95% confidence interval 1.120–1.403, p < 0.001). Conclusion: We found an association between G3I and elevated NLR in patients with STEMI. We believe that such an association might provide an additional prognostic value for risk stratification in patients with STEMI when combined with standardized risk scores. .

Fundamento: A relação neutrófilos/linfócitos (N/L) tem sido descrita como boa preditora de eventos cardiovasculares adversos futuros em pacientes com infarto agudo do miocárdio com elevação do segmento ST (IAMEST). Mudanças na porção terminal do complexo QRS também têm sido associadas a eventos adversos após IAMEST. Objetivo: Investigar a associação entre o grau de isquemia no ECG e a relação N/L em pacientes com IAMEST para determinar fatores de risco convencionais adicionais na estratificação precoce de risco. Métodos: Pacientes com IAMEST foram investigados. O grau de isquemia foi analisado a partir do ECG obtido à admissão. A contagem de leucócitos e seus subtipos foi realizada a partir de hemograma automatizado. De acordo com o grau de isquemia presente no ECG de admissão, os pacientes foram classificados em dois grupos, isquemia grau 2 (IG2) e isquemia grau 3 (IG3). Resultados: Pacientes com IG3 apresentaram valores médios significativamente menores de fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo do que os pacientes com IG2 (44,58 ± 7,23 versus 48,44 ± 7,61; p = 0,001). Como esperado, a taxa de mortalidade intra-hospitalar aumentou proporcionalmente com o aumento no grau de isquemia (p = 0,036). Houve diferenças significativas nas porcentagens de linfócitos (p = 0,010) e de neutrófilos (p = 0,004) e, portanto, a relação N/L diferiu significativamente entre pacientes com IG2 e IG3 (p < 0,001). À análise de regressão logística multivariada, apenas a relação N/L emergiu como variável independente com efeito significativo sobre o grau de isquemia no ECG (odds ratio = 1,254; intervalo de confiança de 95% 1,120-1,403; p < 0,001). Conclusão: Nós encontramos uma associação entre IG3 e relação N/L aumentada em pacientes com IAMEST. Acreditamos que esta associação possa oferecer um valor prognóstico adicional para estratificação de risco em pacientes com IAMEST quando usado em combinação com escores de risco padronizados. .

Endocan, a novel marker of endothelial dysfunction in patients with essential hypertension: comparative effects of amlodipine and valsartan.

Vascular inflammation plays an important role in the pathophysiology of hypertension and high levels of endocan may reflect ongoing vascular inflammation in hypertensive patients. In the present hypothesis-generating study, we aimed at investigating the comparative effects of amlodipine and valsartan on endocan levels in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients. The study population consisted of 37 untreated hypertensive patients who were randomized to the two treatment arms. After baseline assessment, each patient was randomly allocated to either 10 mg daily of amlodipine (n = 18, 7 males) or 160 mg daily of valsartan (n = 19, 3 males) and treated for a 3-month period. Sphygmomanometric blood pressure (BP) and serum endocan were measured before and every 2 weeks during drug treatment. There was no statistically significant difference between the two treatment arms as far as baseline socio-demographic and clinical characteristics are concerned. After a 3-month treatment period, systolic and diastolic BP values significantly reduced by antihypertensive treatment (p < 0.001). Furthermore, endocan levels were significantly decreased in both treatment arms (p < 0.05). However, amlodipine caused a greater percent decrease in circulating endocan levels compared with valsartan at the end of the treatment period. Both drugs reduced high sensitivity C-reactive protein values. However, the statistical significant difference vs baseline was achieved only in the group treated with amlodipine. No correlation was found between endocan plasma levels and BP reduction. The results of this hypothesis-generating study suggest that amlodipine and valsartan decrease endocan levels in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients. The effects, which are more evident with amlodipine, may contribute to the anti-inflammatory effects exerted by the two drugs on the vascular target.

Increased frequency of mitral valve prolapse in patients with deviated nasal septum.

Any abnormality of collagen may affect the tissues with higher collagen content, e.g., joints, heart valves, and great arteries. Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a characteristic of generalized collagen abnormality. Nasal septum (NS) is constituted by osseous and cartilaginous septums that are highly rich in collagen. We evaluated the co-existence of deviation of NS (DNS) in patients with MVP. We retrospectively evaluated the recordings of echocardiographic and nasal examinations of subjects with MVP and DNS. We analyzed the features of MVP and anatomical classification of DNS among subjects. Totally, 74 patients with DNS and 38 subjects with normal nasal passage were enrolled to the study. Presence of MVP was significantly higher in patients with DNS compared to normal subjects (63 vs 26%, p < 0.001). Prolapse of anterior, posterior and both leaflets was higher in patients with DNS. Thickness of anterior mitral leaflet was significantly increased in patients with DNS (3.57 ± 0.68 vs 4.59 ± 1.1 mm, p < 0.001) compared to normal subjects. Type I, II, and III, IV DNS were higher in frequency in patients with MVP while type V and VI were higher in normal subjects. DNS is highly co-existent with MVP and increased thickness of mitral anterior leaflet. Generalized abnormality of collagen which is the main component of mitral valves and nasal septum may be accounted for co-existence of MVP and DNS. Also co-existence of them may exaggerate the symptoms of patients with MVP due to limited airflow through the nasal passage.