A Novel Marker of Impaired Aortic Elasticity in Never Treated Hypertensive Patients: Monocyte/High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Ratio.

BACKGROUND: Monocyte to high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR) is generally understood to be a candidate marker of inflammation and oxidative stress. Therefore, we aimed to assess the association between MHR and aortic elastic properties in hypertensive patients. METHODS: A total of 114 newly-diagnosed untreated patients with hypertension and 71 healthy subjects were enrolled. Aortic stiffness index, aortic strain and aortic distensibility were measured by using echocardiography. RESULTS: Patients with hypertension had a significantly higher MHR compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Also, aortic stiffness index (p < 0.001) was significantly higher and aortic distensibility (p < 0.001) was lower in the hypertensive group. There was a positive correlation of MHR with aortic stiffness index (r = 0.294, p < 0.001) and negative correlation with aortic distensibility (r = -0.281, p < 0.001). In addition, MHR and high sensitivity C-reactive protein have a positive correlation (r = 0.30, p < 0.001). Furthermore, MHR was found to be an independent predictor of aortic distensibility and aortic stiffness index. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with newly-diagnosed untreated essential hypertension, higher MHR was significantly associated with impaired aortic elastic properties.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a prognostic marker in infective endocarditis: in-hospital and long-term clinical results.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an independent predictor of poor prognosis in different clinical conditions such as infectious and cardiovascular diseases. It was hypothesized that a patient's admission NLR would be predictive of an adverse clinical outcome in cases of infective endocarditis (IE). METHODS: A total of 171 patients with IE was enrolled retrospectively, and allocated to two tertiles based on admission NLR values. The high-NLR group (n = 76) was defined as having an NLR value in the third tertile (> 5.46), and the low-NLR group (n = 95) as having a value in the lower two tertiles (≤ 5.46). RESULTS: Patients in the high-NLR group had a significantly higher incidence of in-hospital mortality than the low-NLR group (39.4% versus 18.9%, p = 0.003). A high NLR was found to be an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality (odds ratio 2.53, 95% confidence interval 1.19-5.3; p = 0.01). The mean follow up was 25.5 months, and long-term follow up mortality was similar in both groups (12.9% versus 19.5%; p = 0.33). CONCLUSION: A high NLR at admission is associated with increased in-hospital mortality in patients with IE. During the long-term follow up, NLR showed no predictive indication of mortality.

Combination of hemoglobin and left ventricular ejection fraction as a new predictor of contrast induced nephropathy in patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Hemoglobin concentration (Hb) and left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) are known predictors of contrast induced nephropathy (CIN). We hypothesized that combination of Hb concentration and left ventricular EF is superior to either variable alone in predicting contrast induced nephropathy in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Consecutive patients with ACS were prospectively enrolled. Patients considered for invasive strategy were included. Baseline creatinine levels were detected on admission and 24, 48 and 72 hours after coronary intervention. 25% or 0,5 umol/L increase in creatinine level was considered as CIN. RESULTS: 268 patients with ACS (mean age 58±11 years, 77% male) were enrolled. Contrast induced nephropathy was observed in 26 (9.7%) of patients. Baseline creatinine concentration, left ventricular EF, and Hemoglobin was significantly different between two groups. Contrast volume to estimated glomerular filtration rate ratio (OR: 1.310, 95% CI: 1.077-1.593, p=0.007) and the combination of Hb and left ventricular EF (OR: 0.996, 95% CI: 0.994-0.998, p=0.001) were found to be independent predictors for CIN. Hb × LVEF ≤690 had 85% sensitivity and 57% specificity to predict CIN (area under curve: 0.724, 95% CI: 0.625-0.824, p<0.001). In addition, Hb × LVEF ≤690 had a negative predictive value of 97% in our analysis CONCLUSIONS: The combination of Hb and left ventricular EF is better than either variable alone at predicting CIN in patients with ACS that undergone percutaneous coronary intervention. The prediction was independent of baseline renal function and volume of contrast agent.

Prognostic significance of T-wave amplitude in lead aVR on the admission electrocardiography in patients with anterior wall ST-elevation myocardial infarction treated by primary percutaneous intervention.

BACKGROUND: T-wave positivity in aVR lead patients with heart failure and anterior wall old ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are shown to have a higher frequency of cardiovascular mortality, although the effects on patients with STEMI treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has not been investigated. In this study, we sought to determine the prognostic value of T wave in lead aVR on admission electrocardiography (ECG) for in-hospital mortality in patients with anterior wall STEMI treated with primary PCI. METHODS: After exclusion, 169 consecutive patients with anterior wall STEMI (mean age: 55 ± 12.9 years; 145 men) undergoing primary PCI were prospectively enrolled in this study. Patients were classified as a T-wave positive (n = 53, group 1) or T-wave negative (n = 116, group 2) in aVR based upon the admission ECG. All patients were evaluated with respect to clinical features, primary PCI findings, and in-hospital clinical results. RESULTS: T-wave positive patients who received primary PCI were older, multivessel disease was significantly more frequent and the duration of the patient's hospital stay was longer than T-wave negative patients. In-hospital mortality tended to be higher in the group 1 when compared with group 2 (7.5% vs 1.7% respectively, P = 0.05). After adjusting the baseline characteristics, positive T wave remained an independent predictor of in hospital mortality (odds ratio: 4.41; 95% confidence interval 1.2-22.1, P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: T-wave positivity in lead aVR among patients with an anterior wall STEMI treated with primary PCI is associated with an increase in hospital cardiovascular mortality.

Is there a relationship between severity of coronary artery disease and severity of erectile dysfunction?

INTRODUCTION: The correlation between erectile dysfunction (ED) and coronary artery disease has been emphasized and ED has been recognized as a potential independent risk factor and/or predictor of coronary artery disease (CAD). We evaluated the association between the number of occluded coronary arteries in myocardial infarction (MI) patients with the severity of ED, and investigated the influence of related risk factors in our study group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 183 male patients who underwent coronary angiography because of acute MI from November 2009 to May 2011 were included. Following the stabilization of patients after the treatment, each patient was evaluated for erectile functionality. Risk factors such as age, diabetes, smoking, waist circumference, hypertension, and hematologic parameters were recorded. RESULTS: Among 183 patients with a mean age of 55.2 years who underwent coronary angiography due to acute MI, 100 (54.64 %) had ED, while the ED rate was 45.36 % (44/97) in cases of single-vessel disease, 64.5 % (31/48) in cases of two-vessel disease, and 65.7 % (25/38) in cases of three-vessel disease. The mean IIEF score was 24.2 ± 4.3, 20.4 ± 4.9 and 20.5 ± 4.2 for single or two or three-vessel disease, respectively. The presence of hypertension aggravated ED only in patients with three-vessel disease and increased total and LDL cholesterol levels in patients with single-vessel or two-vessel disease were accompanied by significantly decreasing IIEF scores. CONCLUSION: The severity of ED correlated with the number of occluded vessels documented by coronary angiography, in male patients with acute myocardial infarction. In addition, the presence of hypertension had a significant influence over erectile function only in patients with three-vessel occlusion.

Patients with tombstoning pattern on the admission electrocardiography who have undergone primary percutaneous coronary intervention for anterior wall ST-elevation myocardial infarction: in-hospital and midterm clinical outcomes.

BACKGROUND: A tombstoning pattern (T-pattern) is associated with in-hospital poor outcomes patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), but no data are available for midterm follow-up. We sought to determine the prognostic value of a T-pattern on admission electrocardiography (ECG) for in-hospital and midterm mortality in patients with anterior wall STEMI treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: After exclusion, 169 consecutive patients with anterior wall STEMI (mean age: 55 ± 12.9 years; 145 men) undergoing primary PCI were prospectively enrolled in this study. Patients were classified as a T-pattern (n = 32) or non-T-pattern (n = 137) based upon the admission ECG. Follow-up to 6 months was performed. RESULTS: In-hospital mortality tended to be higher in the T-pattern group compared with non-T-pattern group (9.3% vs 2.1% respectively, P = 0.05). All-cause mortality was higher in the T-pattern group than non-T-pattern group for 6 month (P = 0.004). After adjusting the baseline characteristics, the T-pattern remained an independent predictor of 6-month all-cause mortality (odds ratio: 5.18; 95% confidence interval: 1.25-21.47, P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: A T-pattern is a strong independent predictor of 6-month all-cause mortality in anterior STEMI treated with primary PCI. Therefore, it may be an indicator of high risk among patients with anterior wall STEMI.

Clinical outcomes of primary angioplasty in ST elevation myocardial infarction patients with antecedent hypertension during hospital stay and follow-up.

Hypertension is a known risk factor for coronary artery disease. However, the number of studies focusing on the events following ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in patients with an antecedent hypertension is limited. Our aim is to evaluate the clinical outcomes of primary angioplasty in STEMI patients with antecedent hypertension during hospital stay and follow-up. A total of 373 patients (177 of whom had antecedent hypertension) who were treated by primary angioplasty because of STEMI were included in this study. All parameters were compared between the groups with and without hypertension. Hypertensive patients who received primary angioplasty were older (59.9 ± 12.6 vs. 52 ± 12.3, P < .001) and had higher rates of in-hospital mortality and major adverse cardiac events than patients without hypertension. Among STEMI patients, only history of hypertension for more than 10 years was a predictor of in-hospital mortality (odds ratio: 4.374, 95% CI 1.017-18.822, P = .04). Patients with an antecedent hypertension have higher initial risk profiles and show more negative outcomes during a 6-month follow-up period.

[Regional distribution of all-cause mortality and coronary disease incidence in Turkey: findings of Turkish Adult Risk Factor survey 2010]. / Türkiye'de ölüm ve koroner hastalik insidansinin bölgesel dagilimlari: TEKHARF 2010 taramasi sonuçlari

OBJECTIVES: We analyzed the distribution of cumulative all-cause and cardiovascular mortality and incident coronary heart disease (CHD) across the seven geographic regions of Turkey and presented overall and coronary mortality findings of the 2010 survey of the Turkish Adult Risk Factor Study. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 1406 participants were surveyed. Information on the mode of death was obtained from first-degree relatives and/or health personnel of local heath offices. Information on survivors was obtained from history, physical examination, and 12-lead electrocardiography. RESULTS: Of the surveyed participants, 686 were examined; information on health status was obtained in 577 subjects, and 32 participants (14 women, 18 men; mean age 72.3±15.6 years) were ascertained to have died. The total duration of follow-up was 2,520 person-years. Nineteen deaths were of coronary (n=16) or cerebrovascular (n=3) origin. Cumulative 20-year assessment of the entire cohort for the age bracket of 45-74 years disclosed a high coronary mortality rate, being 7.4 and 4.1 per 1000 person-years in men and women, respectively, and representing a limited decline after year 2000. Age-adjusted Cox regression analysis comprising 433 deaths and 506 incident CHD cases over a 7.3-year follow-up showed similar mortality rates across the regions, and a significantly high CHD incidence in males of the Black Sea and Marmara regions and in females of the Southeast Anatolia. Currently, 480,000 incident CHD cases are estimated yearly in Turkey. CONCLUSION: The high age-adjusted overall mortality in Turkey shows nonsignificant differences across geographic regions, whereas the age-adjusted CHD incidence is high in the Black Sea and Marmara regions.

[The impact of chronic kidney disease on in-hospital clinical outcomes in patients undergoing primary percutaneous angioplasty for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction]. / Primer anjiyoplasti uygulanan ST yükselmeli miyokart enfarktüslü hastalarda kronik böbrek hastaliginin hastaneiçi klinik sonuçlar üzerine etkisi.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the effect of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on in-hospital results in patients undergoing primary percutaneous angioplasty for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). STUDY DESIGN: The study included 2,486 patients (2,070 men, 416 women) who were treated with primary angioplasty for STEMI. Of these, 273 patients (11%) were found to have CKD (glomerular filtration rate <60 ml/min/1.73 m2) before the procedure. Patients with and without CKD were evaluated with respect to demographic and clinical features, primary angioplasty findings, and in-hospital clinical results. RESULTS: Patients with CKD exhibited a higher mean age, Killip class, and higher frequencies of female gender, diabetes, hypertension, anemia, and previous myocardial infarction (p<0.05). Angioplasty showed higher rates of right coronary artery lesion, multivessel disease, contrast nephropathy, unsuccessful procedure, and increased stenosis rate and stent length in CKD patients (p<0.05). Cardiovascular mortality occurred in 11.7% and 1.4% of patients with and without CKD, respectively (p<0.001). Patients with CKD had significantly higher incidences of target vessel revascularization, major cardiac events, stroke, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, hemodialysis, ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation, severe heart failure, cardiogenic shock, and significant hemorrhage (p<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that CKD was an independent predictor of mortality (OR=4.1, 95% CI 1.83-9.17; p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Our findings show that CKD patients undergoing primary angioplasty for STEMI have an increased risk profile and poorer in-hospital results, and that CKD represents an independent risk factor for mortality.

[Primary angioplasty in women with ST-elevation myocardial infarction: in-hospital and long-term clinical results]. / ST yükselmeli miyokart enfarktüslü kadinlarda primer anjiyoplasti: Hastaneiçi ve uzun dönem klinik sonuçlar.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated in-hospital and long-term clinical results of female patients following primary angioplasty for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), in comparison with male patients. STUDY DESIGN: We reviewed 2,644 patients (2,188 males, 456 females) who underwent primary angioplasty for STEMI between October 2003 and March 2008. Data on female patients concerning demographic and clinical characteristics, primary angioplasty results, in-hospital and 25-month follow-up results were compared with those of male patients. RESULTS: Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, anemia, shock, and renal failure were more common in female patients, while smoking was more frequent in males (p<0.05). The mean age was higher in female patients (63.9±11.7 vs. 55.2±11.3 years, p<0.001). Females also presented with higher values of glucose, mean platelet volume, and platelet count, and lower hemoglobin and hematocrit values (p<0.05). The frequencies of multivessel disease and procedure failure were significantly higher, and pain-to-balloon time was significantly longer in females (p<0.05). Mortality associated with cardiovascular causes occurred in 148 patients (5.6%), being significantly higher in females (9.4% vs. 4.8%, p<0.001). In-hospital mortality, major cardiac events, stroke, cardiogenic shock, and major bleeding were more frequent in women (p<0.05). Long-term mortality rate was also significantly higher in females (10% vs. 4.5%, p<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed female gender as one of the independent predictors of mortality (odds ratio=1.75, 95% CI 1.02-2.99; p<0.04). CONCLUSION: Female patients with STEMI undergoing primary angioplasty have a higher risk profile and poorer in-hospital and follow-up clinical results. Therefore, female patients should be treated more aggressively.

Which is worst in patients undergoing primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction? Hyperglycaemia? Diabetes mellitus? Or both?

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of admission hyperglycaemia and/or diabetes mellitus (DM) on the outcomes of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: 2482 consecutive patients with STEMI (mean age 56.5 +/- 11.9, years, 2064 men) undergoing primary PCI between October 2003 and March 2008 were retrospectively enrolled into the present study. Hyperglycaemia was defined as a venous plasma glucose level > or =200 mg/dl on admission. Patients were classified into four groups: non-diabetic/non-hyperglycaemic (NDNH, n=1806) patients; diabetic/non-hyperglycaemic (DNH, n=271) patients; non-diabetic/hyperglycaemic (NDH, n=64); and diabetic/hyperglycaemic (DH, n=341). RESULTS: In-hospital mortality was higher in NDH (12.5%) compared to DH (8.5%), DNH (6.3%), and NDNH (0.9%) patients (P < 0.001). The composite end points including death, reinfarction, and target-vessel revascularization (major adverse cardiac events [MACE]) in the hospital were also higher in NDH (18.8%) compared with other patients (DH, 13.8% vs. DNH, 10.3% vs. NDNH, 3.7%, P < 0.001). The median follow-up time was 21 months.The Kaplan-Meier survival plot for long-term cardiovascular death was worst for DH patients (log rank P < 0.001). After adjustment for potentially confounding factors, NDH (OR 3.04, 95% CI 1.06-8.73; P = 0.03), and DH (OR 2.3,95% CI 1.29-4.09; P = 0.005), but not DNH (OR 1.22,95% CI 0.57-2.6; P = 0.6) status, remained independent predictors of long-term cardiovascular mortality. CONCLUSIONS: STEMI patients with NDH represent the highest risk population for in-hospital mortality, and MACE. The worst outcomes for long-term cardiovascular mortality occur in DH patients.

[The Turkish Adult Risk Factor survey 2009: similar cardiovascular mortality in rural and urban areas]. / TEKHARF 2009 taramasi: Kirsal kesim ve kentlerde benzer kardiyovasküler ölüm riski.

OBJECTIVES: We analyzed 2009 survey of the Turkish Adult Risk Factor (TARF) Study to assess the distribution of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in urban and rural areas and sex-specific coronary mortality in the age-bracket of 45 to 74 years. STUDY DESIGN: The Marmara and Middle East regions have been surveyed every odd year in the TARF Study. In 2009, 1,655 participants were surveyed. Information on the mode of death was obtained from first-degree relatives and/or health personnel of local heath office; 960 participants underwent physical examination and ECG recording, and 572 subjects were evaluated on the basis of information obtained regarding health status. RESULTS: In the survey, 23 men and 20 women were ascertained to have died. Twenty-one deaths were attributed to coronary disease and four deaths to cerebrovascular events. Assessment of the entire cohort in the age bracket of 45-74 years after a 19-year follow-up disclosed a high coronary mortality with 7.5 per 1000 person-years in men and 3.9 in women. In a Cox regression analysis comprising 405 deaths (235 cardiovascular) and over 24,000 person-year follow-up, age-adjusted cardiovascular mortality was similar in rural and urban participants. All-cause mortality was higher in females living in urban areas than those living in rural areas (HR 1.41; 95% CI 1.02-1.96). CONCLUSION: Cardiovascular mortality both in absolute terms and as a share of overall mortality persists to be high among Turkish adults, with similar rates in urban and rural areas. Age-adjusted all-cause mortality rate is higher among urban versus rural women.

[Gastrointestinal bleeding in patients undergoing primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction: incidence, risk factors and prognosis]. / Akut miyokart enfarktüsü nedeniyle primer anjiyoplasti uygulanan hastalarda gastrointestinal kanama sikligi, risk faktörleri ve prognoz.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the incidence, predictors, and prognosis of gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). STUDY DESIGN: We reviewed 2,541 consecutive patients (2,111 males, 430 females; mean age 56.5+/-11.8 years) who underwent primary PCI for STEMI. Data on clinical, angiographic findings, and in-hospital outcomes were collected. Gastrointestinal bleeding was defined as apparent upper or lower GIB or melena requiring cessation of antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy and administration of erythrocyte infusion. RESULTS: Gastrointestinal bleeding was observed in 27 patients (1.1%). Compared to 2,514 patients without GIB, patients with GIB were older (65.9+/-13.5 years vs. 56.4+/-11.8 years; p<0.001), exhibited higher frequencies of female gender (p=0.016), renal failure (p<0.001), and admission anemia (p<0.001), and had a lower procedural success rate (77.9% vs. 91.5%; p=0.02). The development of GIB was associated with significantly higher in-hospital mortality (18.5% vs. 2.9%; p<0.001), longer hospital stay (13.1+/-6.8 days vs. 7.0+/-3.7 days, p=0.02), and increased inotropic requirement (37% vs. 6.7%; p<0.001). In multivariate analysis, inotropic requirement (OR 4.17, 95% CI 1.7-10.4; p=0.002), age above 70 years (OR 3.33, 95% CI 1.4-8.0; p=0.007), and glomerular filtration rate lower than 60 ml/min/1.73 m(2) (OR 2.96, 95% CI 1.2-7.4; p=0.02) were independent predictors of in-hospital GIB. CONCLUSION: The development of GIB is not an uncommon complication after primary PCI for STEMI. These patients have a prolonged hospital stay and increased in-hospital mortality. Increased inotropic requirement, age above 70 years, and impaired renal function are independent predictors of this complication.

Serum magnesium concentration may predict no-reflow phenomenon in primary angioplasty for ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

No-reflow phenomenon is a serious complication of percutaneous coronary intervention. Magnesium may play a role in pathogenesis of no-reflow phenomenon since it interacts with processes like platelet inhibition and endothelial-dependent vasodilatation. Relationship of serum magnesium concentration at admission and angiographic no-reflow phenomenon in ST elevation myocardial infarction patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention is investigated in the present study. A total of 2.248 consecutive patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention were analyzed. After reopening of the infarct related artery, a TIMI flow rate ≤ 2 was defined as no-reflow. No-reflow phenomenon developed in 386 (17.1 %) patients. Serum magnesium concentration was significantly lower in no-reflow group (1.87 ± 0.25 vs. 2.07 ± 0.33 mg/dL, p<0.001). ROC curve analysis showed that Mg at a cut-point of 1.92 has 71.4% sensitivity and 75.2% specificity in detecting no-reflow phenomenon. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, age, serum magnesium concentration, and stent length were found as independent predictors of no-reflow phenomenon. Serum magnesium concentration is associated with no-reflow phenomenon in ST elevation myocardial infarction patients who underwent primary PCI.

Value of CHA2DS2-VASc Score for Prediction and Ruling Out of Acute Stent Thrombosis After Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Acute stent thrombosis is an important complication of stent implantation. The CHA2DS2-VASc (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥75 years, diabetes mellitus, previous stroke, vascular disease, age between 65 and 74 years, female gender) score incorporates important cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and predicts prognosis in various CV conditions. We evaluated the value of the CHA2DS2-VASc score in predicting acute stent thrombosis (ie, thrombosis during 24 hours after stent placement) in patients undergoing primary percutaneous intervention for ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction. Patients with intraprocedural stent thrombosis and complications were excluded; 48 (2.1%) of 2732 patients had acute stent thrombosis according to our definition. Median CHA2DS2-VASc score was significantly higher in this stent thrombosis group. Cumulative acute stent thrombosis rates were 0.51% for CHA2DS2-VASc score ≤1, 1.55% for ≤2, 1.80% for ≤3, 2.00% for ≤4, 2.17% for ≤5, and 2.19% for ≤6. The CHA2DS2-VASc score (odds ratio = 1.390, 95% confidence interval = 1.118-1.728; P = .003) was an independent predictor of acute stent thrombosis. The CHA2DS2-VASc score ≤1 predicted the absence of the acute stent thrombosis with 91% specificity and 36% sensitivity. Further studies are needed to establish the value of this finding in the context of current clinical practice.

Impact of day versus night as intervention time on the outcomes of primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Conflicting datas exist regarding the outcomes of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) when the intervention is performed during night hours. METHODS AND RESULTS: 2,644 consecutive patients with STEMI (mean age 56.7 +/- 11.9, years, 2,188 male) undergoing primary PCI between October 2003 and March 2008 were retrospectively enrolled into this study (single high-volume center: >3,000 PCIs/year). Day time was defined according to intervention between 08:00 am and 06:00 pm and night as intervention time between 06:00 pm and 08:00 am. 1,141 patients (43.2%) were treated during the day and 1,503 (56.8%) at night. The baseline characteristics of both groups were similar except for more frequent hypertension (42.6 vs. 36.5%; P = 0.002), women (19.7 vs. 15.4%; P = 0.003), and old (> or =75 y) patients (9.6 vs. 7.4; P = 0.046) in the day time group. Compared with those treated during night time, day time patients had longer angina-reperfusion times (mean, 205 vs. 188 minutes, P = 0.016). Door-to-balloon times were similar (P = 0.87), and less than 90 minutes in both groups. There were no differences concerning clinical events and PCI success between the two groups. Hospital mortality was 6.1% during the day and 5.2% during the night (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.7-1.36; P = 0.89). The median follow-up time was 21 months. The Kaplan-Meier survival plot for long-term cardiovascular death was not different for both groups (P = 0.78). In-hospital and long-term cardiovascular mortality was also similar in shock and nonshock subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Primary PCI can be performed safely during the night at a high-volume PCI center with suitable and effective organization of cardiology department and catheterisation laboratory with 24 hours per day, 7 days per week onsite staffing.

Ischaemic stroke complicating primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the in-hospital incidence and predictors of ischaemic stroke in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: We reviewed 2638 consecutive patients undergoing 2722 pimary PCI procedures for STEMI during in-hospital stay. Stroke was defined as any new focal neurological deficit lasting > or =24 h, occurring anytime during or after PCI until discharge. Patients with haemorrhagic stroke were excluded. Clinical characteristics and in-hospital outcome were analysed regarding ischaemic stroke in patients undergoing primary PCI. RESULTS: Ischaemic stroke was observed in 20 of the 2722 procedures, an incidence of 0.73%. Patients with ischaemic stroke were older than patients without stroke (mean age 67 +/- 9.6 vs. 56.6 +/- 11.8, P < 0.001). Compared to patients without stroke, female gender, diabetes and hypertension were more prevalent in patients with stroke. Ischaemic stroke was found to be a powerful independent predictor of in-hospital cardiovascular mortality (odds ratio [OR] 6.32, 1.15-34.7; P < 0.001). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 35% (OR 3.13, P = 0.04), contrast-induced nephropathy (OR 2.91, P = 0.04) and tirofiban use (OR 0.23, P = 0.02) were the independent predictors for in-hospital ischaemic stroke. CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that the incidence of ischaemic stroke in patients undergoing PCI for STEMI is higher and ischaemic stroke increases in-hospital mortality in these patients. Moreover, LVEF < 35% and contrast-induced nephropathy were independent predictors of ischaemic stroke, whereas tirofiban use demonstrated a protective effect to this potentially catastrophic complication.

Biomarkers of nondipper hypertension in prehypertensive and hypertensive patients.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation of gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) with nondipper hypertension. Methods: This study included a total of 409 patients. Patients were grouped into hypertension, prehypertension and normotensive groups, according to their clinical blood pressure. All patients were also followed by ambulatory blood pressure. Results: Mean PLR and NLR were higher in the nondippers compared with dippers among both prehypertensive and hypertensive patients. In addition, PLR (OR: 1.011; 95% CI: 1004-1017; p = 0.001), NLR (OR: 2.296, 95% CI: 1634-3225; p < 0.001), and GGT (OR: 1.067; 95% CI: 1042-1092; p < 0.001) were found to be associated with nondipper pattern among whole study population. Conclusion: The PLR, NLR and GGT values are easily accessible and fairly useful, independently associated with nondipper hypertension for both hypertensive and prehypertensive patients.

CHA2DS2-VASc score predicts contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, who have undergone primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: We aimed to investigate the predictive value of the CHA2DS2-VASc score in the development of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). METHODS: A total of 2972 patients who had been diagnosed with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and who had undergone primary coronary angioplasty were included in the study. The patients were divided into three groups according to the CHA2DS2-VASc score, i.e.: low risk (1 point), intermediate risk (2 points), and high risk (≥ 3 points). The groups were followed with regard to CIN development. RESULTS: The median CHA2DS2-VASc score was significantly higher in the CIN(+) group compared to the CIN(-) group (3 vs. 2, p < 0.001). The rate of CIN was 3.32-fold higher (OR 3.32, 95% CI 1.98-5.55, p < 0.001) in the high-risk group (CHA2DS2-VASc ≥ 3) compared to the low-risk group (CHA2DS2-VASc = 1). Age (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.14-1.36, p < 0.001), female gender (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.23-1.89, p < 0.001), hypertension (OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.265-1.78, p < 0.001), peak creatinine kinase-MB (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.10-1.21, p < 0.001), and the Killip score > 1 (OR 4.25, 95% CI 3.10-5.82, p < 0.001) were found to be independent predictors for CIN development. CONCLUSIONS: The CHA2DS2-VASc score is an independent and strong predictor of CIN development in patients with acute STEMI.

A Novel Risk Scoring System to Predict Cardiovascular Death in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction: CHA2DS2-VASc-CF Score.

The present study aimed to determine the long-term prognostic validity of the CHA2DS2-VASc score in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In addition, we formulated a novel scoring system, the CHA2DS2-VASc-CF (which includes cigarette smoking and a family history of coronary artery disease as risk factors). This study included 4373 consecutive patients with AMI who presented to the emergency department of our hospital and underwent cardiac catheterization procedures between December 2009 and September 2016. Among these patients, 1427 were diagnosed with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and 2946 were diagnosed with non-STEMI. The study included 4373 patients. The study population was divided into 2 groups according to the occurrence of cardiovascular death during the follow-up period. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the CHA2DS2-VASc-CF score, CHA2DS2-VASc score, major adverse cardiac events, current cigarette smoking, older age, hypertension, and family history of coronary artery disease were significantly higher, and that the left ventricular ejection fraction and glomerular filtration rate were significantly lower in the cardiovascular death (+) group. Using a cutoff score of >3 for the CHA2DS2-VASc-CF score, long-term cardiovascular death was predicted with a sensitivity of 78.4% and specificity of 76.4%. The CHA2DS2-VASc-CF score is suitable for use in all patients with AMI, regardless of the type of treatment, presence of atrial fibrillation, and type of AMI. This risk score, which is easy to calculate, provides important prognostic data. In the future, we think that interventional cardiologists will be able to use this novel scoring system to identify patients with a high risk of long-term cardiovascular death.