Assessment of the relationship between C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio and slow coronary flow in patients with stable angina pectoris.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between severity of coronary artery disease and inflammatory parameters has been previously demonstrated. However, there is a lack of data regarding the role of C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR) in slow coronary flow (SCF) in patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP). In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between CAR and presence of SCF in patients with SAP. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study enrolled 217 patients undergoing coronary angiography for SAP. SCF was detected in 81 (37.3%) patients, and the control group included 136 patients. All clinical, demographical, and laboratory parameters were entered into a dataset and compared between SCF group and the controls. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 66.1 ± 12.1 years (male: 57.1%). C-reactive protein and CAR were significantly higher in patients with SCF compared with controls (P = 0.004 and < 0.001, respectively). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that high CAR level was an independent determinant of SCF (odds ratio: 1.023; 95% confidence interval: 1.013-1.034; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Higher CAR level may be a valuable predictor of SCF in patients with SAP who undergo coronary angiography. Inflammation may play an important role in the pathogenesis of SCF.

Assessment of the relationship between preprocedural C-reactive protein/albumin ratio and stent restenosis in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

INTRODUCTION: Stent restenosis remains a clinical challenge for patients with ischemic heart disease, since it is associated with repeated coronary interventions as well as higher hospitalization rates and medical costs. Inflammation plays a significant role. Although an association between stent restenosis, increased C-reactive protein (CRP) and decreased albumin levels has been previously reported, no studies have investigated the ability of the CRP/albumin ratio to predict stent restenosis. METHODS: This retrospective study included 448 patients who had previously undergone primary percutaneous coronary intervention and who were referred for subsequent reintervention due to recurrence of anginal symptoms. The study population was divided into two groups based on whether the patient had developed stent restenosis. They were then stratified into three groups according to their CRP/albumin ratio. RESULTS: Out of 448 patients, stent restenosis was observed in 24.5% (n=110), as determined by coronary angiography. Patients with stent restenosis had a higher CRP/albumin ratio, greater platelet distribution width (PDW), higher CRP levels, and lower levels of both high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and serum albumin. The CRP/albumin ratio (OR: 2.289, 95% CI: 1.056-4.959; p=0.036), stent diameter, PDW and HDL cholesterol levels were found to be independent predictors of stent restenosis. A ROC curve comparison demonstrated that the CRP/albumin ratio was a better predictor of restenosis than either albumin and CRP individually, but it was not better than PDW and HDL cholesterol. CONCLUSION: As a novel inflammation-based risk score, the CRP/albumin ratio may be an easily accessible marker for assessment of stent restenosis risk.

Assessment of Relationship Between C-Reactive Protein to Albumin Ratio and Coronary Artery Disease Severity in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome.

The association of coronary artery disease (CAD) severity with increased C-reactive protein (CRP) and decreased albumin levels has been reported. However, to our knowledge, no study has investigated the usefulness of the CRP to albumin ratio (CAR) in predicting intermediate-high SYNergy between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with TAXus and cardiac surgery (SYNTAX) score (SS) and high SS II. Consecutive patients (n = 344) treated with percutaneous coronary intervention comprised the study population. The study population was divided into 2 groups according to SS >22 and mean SS II values, respectively. Patients with intermediate-high SS and high SS II had higher CAR than patients with low SS and SS II. History of diabetes mellitus, decreased albumin, lower left ventricular ejection fraction, and elevated CAR (odds ratio [OR]: 1.020; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.009-1.031; P < .001) were independent predictors of high SS. The presence of hypertension, decreased hemoglobin and albumin levels, and increased CAR (OR: 1.014; 95% CI, 1.004-1.023; P < .001) were independent predictors of SS II. In receiver operating characteristic curve comparison, CAR was superior to CRP and albumin in prediction of intermediate-high SS, but only CRP in prediction of high SS II. The CAR calculated from the admission blood samples could be a useful parameter for predicting CAD severity using SS and SS II.

Assessment of the relationship between reperfusion success and T-peak to T-end interval in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous coronary intervention.

OBJECTIVE: T-peak-T-end (TPE) interval, which represents the dispersion of repolarization, is defined as the interval between the peak and end of the T-wave, and is associated with increased malignant ventricular arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Although prolonged TPE interval is associated with poor short- and long-term outcomes, even in patients with STEMI treated with successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI), clinical, angiographic, and laboratory parameters that affect TPE remain to be elucidated. The aim of our study was to evaluate the potential relationship between prolonged TPE interval and reperfusion success using ST segment resolution (STR) in patients with STEMI undergoing pPCI. METHODS: In the current study, 218 consecutive patients with STEMI who underwent pPCI were enrolled; after exclusion, 164 patients were included in the study population. RESULTS: Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of complete (STR%≥70) or incomplete (STR%<70) STR. Preprocedural corrected TPE (cTPEPRE;116±21 ms vs. 108±21 ms; p=0.027), postprocedural TPE (TPEPOST; 107±16 ms vs. 92±21 ms; p<0.001), and postprocedural cTPE (cTPEPOST; 119±19 ms vs. 102±17 ms; p<0.001) intervals were significantly longer in patients with incomplete STR than in patients with complete STR, whereas there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of pre- and postprocedural and corrected QT intervals. cTPEPRE and cTPEPOST were found to be independent predictors for incomplete STR. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study that evaluated the relationship between TPE interval and no-reflow defined by STR in patients with STEMI who were treated with pPCI.

P wave peak time; a novel electrocardiographic parameter in the assessment of coronary no-reflow.

OBJECTIVES: Coronary no-reflow (NR) following primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) is associated with worsened prognosis in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Despite rapid developments in cardiovascular area; there are limited data regarding prediction of NR before pPCI. P wave duration and dispersion (PWD, PWDIS, respectively) have been studied in STEMI patients and found to be associated with reperfusion success; however none of them has been found to predict NR before PCI. In our study we aimed to evaluate whether PWD, PWDIS and a novel parameter P wave peak time (PWPT) could predict NR development in STEMI patients. METHOD: Fifty six patients who were admitted with anterior STEMI constituted study populations. The diagnosis and treatment of STEMI was made on the basis of current guidelines. P wave parameters including PWD, PWDIS and PWPT were calculated from electrocardiograms that were obtained on admission and 60 min after pPCI. RESULTS: Patients were divided into two groups according to the development of NR. We observed that PWPT that were obtained from D2 (PWPTD2) and V1 (PWPTV1) leads were longer in NR group than reflow group. There were significant correlations between PWPT and reperfusion parameters regarding percent of ST segment resolution, peak CKMB level and TIMI frame count of infarct related artery. Preprocedural PWPTD2 was found to be an independent predictor of NR development. CONCLUSION: In our study we observed that PWPT could be a useful parameter in the assessment of reperfusion success and prediction of NR development.

Assessment of Left Atrial Mechanics in Patients with Preexcitation Syndrome Scheduled for Catheter Ablation.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to test the left atrial (LA) mechanics and contraction synchrony by 2D strain imaging, in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, before and after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA). METHODS: Study population consisted of 25 patients with WPW scheduled for RFCA and 30 healthy controls. The peak LA strain at the end of the ventricular systole (LAs strain) and the LA strain with LA contraction (LAa Strain) were obtained. To assess LA dyssynchrony, septal versus lateral wall time-to-peak strain measurements were measured. RESULTS: There was no difference between the patients with WPW and control subjects with regard to peak LAs and LAa strain. Patients with WPW demonstrated higher global time-to-peak LAs and LAa strain values compared with the control group. Peak LAs strain and LAa strain values, measured before and after the RF ablation of the accessory pathway, were comparable (34.3 ± 3.92 vs. 34.6 ± 3.2, P = 0.816, 14.7 ± 2.8 vs. 15.3 ± 2.3, P = 0.052, respectively). Global time-to-peak LAs and LAa strain measurements were significantly shorter after the RFCA compared with the values obtained before the RFCA. However, septo-lateral times to peak LA strain differences were found to be comparable in both WPW versus control and pre- versus postablation groups. CONCLUSION: LA mechanical function assessed by 2D strain imaging was comparable between patients with WPW and control subjects. Patients with WPW had more prominent LA dyssynchrony during atrial pump phase as compared with the controls, a condition which could not improve after successful elimination of the accessory pathway by RFCA.

Assessment of Anti-Tissue Type Plasminogen Activator Antibodies in Patients With Prosthetic Heart Valve Thrombosis: The ATA Trial.

BACKGROUND: Thrombolysis is an effective treatment strategy for prosthetic valve thrombosis (PVT). Recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is widely used as a thrombolytic agent. Infusion of rt-PA may trigger the production of anti-tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) antibodies (ATAs). We aimed to evaluate the possible relationship between ATA levels and PVT formation, and the role of baseline ATA levels on outcomes of thrombolytic therapy in patients with PVT. METHODS: This prospective, single-center cohort study included 28 patients with PVT undergoing thrombolysis and 31 controls with normal prostheses. Plasma samples were collected from patients with PVT at baseline and at 15th, 30th, 90th, and 180th days after thrombolysis and from controls at baseline only. The ATA levels were assessed in human plasma by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Baseline ATA-immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgM were significantly higher in patients with PVT than in controls. The levels of IgM and IgG peaked at 15th and 30th days after rt-PA infusion, respectively. Subtherapeutic international normalized ratio and baseline ATA-IgM were independent predictors of PVT. Thrombolysis failed in 6 patients (21%) in whom baseline IgM levels were significantly higher than successfully lysed patients. Rethrombosis occurred in 9 patients (32%) in whom baseline IgG levels were significantly higher than those without rethrombosis. There was a moderate positive correlation between baseline and 15th-day IgM levels and the dose of rt-PA needed for successful lysis. CONCLUSION: The ATA levels tended to be higher in patients with PVT at the time of initial diagnosis compared to controls without PVT. In addition, such patients with PVT and high ATA levels may be at high risk for failed thrombolysis or rethrombosis.

Value of serum fibrinogen levels in the assessment of mechanical prosthetic valve thrombosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The evaluation of prosthetic valve thrombosis (PVT) is crucial due to higher mortality and morbidity rates. The study aim was to assess the value of fibrinogen in the diagnosis of PVT, an important and a common cause of prosthetic valve failure. METHODS: Between December 2007 and April 2012, 154 patients with PVT and 116 control subjects with a normally functioning prosthesis were enrolled in the study. PVT was diagnosed using transesophageal echocardiography, and fibrinogen levels were measured at presentation. The patients and controls had similar demographic features. RESULTS: NYHA functional class, ineffective anticoagulation, presence of symptoms and moderate to severe left atrial spontaneous echo contrast (LASEC) were significantly different between the groups. The fibrinogen level was significantly higher in patients with PVT compared to controls (393.46 +/- 127.87 versus 276.93 +/- 69.22 mg/dl, p < 0.001). Ineffective anticoagulation, the presence of symptoms, a poor NYHA functional class, the presence of moderate to severe LASEC and elevated fibrinogen levels were independent predictors of PVT on multivariate regression analysis (p < 0.001, odds ratio (OR) 38.811, 95% confidence interval (CI): 13.319-113.091; p < 0.001, OR 6.745, CI: 2.777-16.386; p = 0.031, OR 3.557, CI: 1.126-11.239; p = 0.026, OR 3.203, CI: 1.146-8.955, and p < 0.001, OR 1.011, CI: 1.007-1.016 respectively). CONCLUSION: Besides known indicators of PVT, including ineffective anticoagulation, the presence of LASEC and decreased NYHA functional capacity, elevated fibrinogen levels may be a valuable marker for the assessment of PVT.

Real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in the assessment of mechanical prosthetic mitral valve ring thrombosis.

Although 2-dimensional (2D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is the gold standard for the diagnosis of prosthetic valve thrombosis, nonobstructive clots located on mitral valve rings can be missed. Real-time 3-dimensional (3D) TEE has incremental value in the visualization of mitral prosthesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the utility of real-time 3D TEE in the diagnosis of mitral prosthetic ring thrombosis. The clinical outcomes of these patients in relation to real-time 3D transesophageal echocardiographic findings were analyzed. Of 1,263 patients who underwent echocardiographic studies, 174 patients (37 men, 137 women) with mitral ring thrombosis detected by real-time 3D TEE constituted the main study population. Patients were followed prospectively on oral anticoagulation for 25 ± 7 months. Eighty-nine patients (51%) had thrombi that were missed on 2D TEE and depicted only on real-time 3D TEE. The remaining cases were partially visualized with 2D TEE but completely visualized with real-time 3D TEE. Thirty-seven patients (21%) had thromboembolism. The mean thickness of the ring thrombosis in patients with thromboembolism was greater than that in patients without thromboembolism (3.8 ± 0.9 vs 2.8 ± 0.7 mm, p <0.001). One hundred fifty-five patients (89%) underwent real-time 3D TEE during follow-up. There were no thrombi in 39 patients (25%); 45 (29%) had regression of thrombi, and there was no change in thrombus size in 68 patients (44%). Thrombus size increased in 3 patients (2%). Thrombosis was confirmed surgically and histopathologically in 12 patients (7%). In conclusion, real-time 3D TEE can detect prosthetic mitral ring thrombosis that could be missed on 2D TEE and cause thromboembolic events.

Assessment of right ventricular mechanics in patients with mitral stenosis by two-dimensional deformation imaging.

BACKGROUND: It is well known that right ventricular (RV) dysfunction occurs early before clinical systemic congestion in patients with mitral stenosis (MS). Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the role of two-dimensional (2D) strain imaging in the assessment of subclinical RV dysfunction. METHODS: Fifty-nine patients with isolated MS (mild and moderate) and 31 healthy control subjects constituted the study population. RV peak longitudinal strain (RV-LS) and strain rate (RV-LSr) measurements were obtained from apical four-chamber view. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in left ventricular ejection fraction (LV-EF) and RV fractional area change between control and MS groups. RV strain (23.5 ± 7.2 vs. 18.63 ± 6.3, P = 0.001) and RV strain rate (1.72 ± 0.54 vs. 1.37 ± 0.66, P = 0.01) measurements were significantly lower in patients with MS than the control group. However, RV strain and strain rate measurements were comparable between MS subgroups. Correlation analysis revealed that there was poor correlation between RV-LS/LSr and mean-maximum gradients and echoscore but moderate correlation between RV-LS and RV-Sr in systolic pulmonary artery pressure and planimetric mitral valve area. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that patients with MS had lower RV functions using 2D strain imaging and this is independent from severity of MS. In the detection of subclinical RV dysfunction in patients with MS, 2D strain imaging appears to be useful. (Echocardiography, 2012;00:1-6).