Acute kidney injury in patients with myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention using radial versus femoral access.

BACKGROUND: Data on radial access (RA) as an independent risk factor for acute kidney injury (AKI) in myocardial infarction (MI) patients are conflicting. Our aim was to assess how RA influences the incidence of AKI in MI patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: Data from 3842 MI patients undergoing PCI at our institution from January 2011 to December 2016, of which 35.8% were performed radially, were retrospectively analyzed. A propensity-matched analysis was performed to adjust for differences in the baseline characteristics between the RA and femoral access (FA) groups. The effect of RA on the incidence of AKI was observed. RESULTS: In the unmatched cohort, AKI occurred less often in the RA group [77 (5.6%) patients in the RA group compared to 250 (10.1%) patients in the FA group; p = 0.001]. After propensity-matched adjustment, the incidence of AKI was similar in the two groups. After adjustment for potential confounders, RA was not identified as an independent predictive factor for AKI in either the unmatched or the propensity-matched cohort. Bleeding, heart failure, age ≥ 70 years, renal dysfunction, and the contrast volume/GFR ratio predicted AKI in both cohorts. Additionally, diabetes, contrast volume, and hypertension were predictive of AKI in the unmatched cohort. CONCLUSION: The access site was not independently associated with the incidence of AKI in patients with MI in both a non-matched and a propensity-matched cohort. Our study result suggests that the lower incidence of AKI in patients treated with RA in an unmatched cohort might be substantially influenced by confounding factors, especially bleeding.

Influence of minor deterioration of renal function after PCI on outcome in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to assess the possible impact of a deterioration of renal function (DRF) not fulfilling the criteria for acute kidney injury after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on outcome in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) on 30-day and long-term outcomes. BACKGROUND: Data is lacking on the influence of DRF after PCI on outcome in patients with STEMI. METHODS: The present study is an analysis of 2572 STEMI patients who underwent PCI. The group with DRF (1022 patients) and the group without DRF (1550 patients) were compared. Thirty-day and long-term all-cause mortality were observed. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Similar mortality was observed in both groups at day 30 (4.2% patients with DRF died vs 3.2% without DRF; ns) but more patients had died in the DRF group (18.9% patients with DRF vs 14.0% without DRF; P = 0.001) by the end of the observation period. After adjustments, DRF did not independently predict long-term mortality. Age more than 70 years, bleeding, hyperlipidemia, renal dysfunction on admission, anemia on admission, diabetes, PCI of LAD, the use of more than 200 mL contrast, but not DRF after PCI, were identified as independent prognostic factors for increased long-term mortality. Renal dysfunction, bleeding, contrast >200 mL, hyperlipidemia, age >70 years, anemia, and PCI LAD predicted DRF. CONCLUSION: DRF identified patients at increased risk of higher long-term mortality but was not independently associated with mortality.

Tissue Doppler imaging is a sensitive echocardiographic technique to detect subclinical systolic and diastolic dysfunction of both ventricles in type 1 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Subclinical left (LV) and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction has been demonstrated in type 2 diabetes mellitus and evidence indicates impaired LV diastolic function in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) as well. The aim of our study was to evaluate the role of tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) in assessment of global LV and RV function in T1DM patients. METHODS: A detailed two-dimensional, pulsed wave Doppler and pulsed wave TDI analysis was performed in 53 normotensive middle-aged T1DM patients and compared to healthy controls. RESULTS: In T1DM patients TDI analysis revealed reduced mean mitral septal and lateral E' velocities as well as reduced mean tricuspid E˙t velocity compared to healthy controls (E'sept 8.89 ± 1.89 cm/s vs. 11.50 ± 2.41 cm/s, p < 0.001; E'lat 12.29 ± 2.58 cm/s vs.15.30 ± 2.95 cm/s, p < 0,001; E't 13.56 ± 2.91 cm/s vs. 15.60 ± 2.99 cm/s, p = 0.001). Mean ratios E/E'sept, E/E'lat and E/E't were significantly higher in diabetics with cutoff value of 7.4 for E/E'sept and 3.4 for E/E't, differentiating diabetics with LV and RV diastolic impairement from matched healthy controls (sensitivity 76.5 %, specificity 73.8 % for E/E'sept and sensitivity 72.1 %, specificity 66.7 % for E/E't). Myocardial acceleration during isovolumetric contraction (IVA) measured at the septal mitral (LV IVA) and lateral tricuspid annulus (RV IVA) was the only parameter indicating reduced contractility of both ventricles in diabetics compared to controls (LV IVA 230.70 ± 61.26 cm/s(2) vs. 283.32 ± 59.74 cm/s(2), p < 0,001; RV IVA 275.48 ± 68.08 cm/s(2) vs. 316.86 ± 80.95 cm/s(2), p = 0.011). LV IVA had better diagnostic accuracy than RV IVA to predict early contractile impairement in T1DM patients (area under the curve 0.758, p < 0.001 for LV IVA and 0.648, p = 0.017 for RV IVA). CONCLUSIONS: TDI is essential to detect subclinical diastolic deterioration of both ventricles in T1DM patients. TDI-derived IVA might be useful to assess early systolic alterations of both ventricles in T1DM patients.

Left Atrial Volume Index Predicts Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence after Catheter Ablation Only in Obese Patients-Brief Report.

BACKGROUND: It has been shown that obesity and a higher body mass index (BMI) are associated with a higher recurrence rate of atrial fibrillation (AF) after successful catheter ablation (CA). The same has been proven for the left atrial volume index (LAVI). It has also been shown that there is a correlation between LAVI and BMI. However, whether the LAVI's prognostic impact on AF recurrence is BMI-independent remains unclear. METHODS: We prospectively included 62 patients with paroxysmal AF who were referred to our institution for CA. All patients underwent radiofrequency CA with standard pulmonary veins isolation. Transthoracic 2-D echocardiography was performed one day after CA to obtain standard measures of cardiac function and morphology. Recurrence was defined as documented AF within 6 months of the follow-up period. Patients were also instructed to visit our outpatient clinic earlier in case of symptoms suggesting AF recurrence. RESULTS: We observed AF recurrence in 27% of patients after 6 months. The mean BMI in our cohort was 29.65 ± 5.08 kg/cm2 and the mean LAVI was 38.04 ± 11.38 mL/m2. We further divided patients into two groups according to BMI. Even though the LAVI was similar in both groups, we found it to be a significant predictor of AF recurrence only in obese patients (BMI ≥ 30) and not in the non-obese group (BMI < 30). There was also no significant difference in AF recurrence between both cohorts. The significance of the LAVI as an AF recurrence predictor in the obesity group was also confirmed in a multivariate model. CONCLUSIONS: According to our results, the LAVI tends to be a significant predictor of AF recurrence after successful catheter ablation in obese patients, but not in normal-weight or overweight patients. This would suggest different mechanisms of AF in non-obese patients in comparison to obese patients. Further studies are needed in this regard.

A Case of Secondary Pulmonary Hypertension in a Patient With Atrial Septal Defect and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.

We report a case of a 34-year-old man with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) presenting with dyspnea, cough, and hoarse voice. The patient was found to have severe pulmonary hypertension secondary to a large atrial septal defect (ASD). In this article, we discuss the challenges patients with FAS and other patients with cognitive impairments face that could explain the first diagnosis of such a large cardiac birth defect being made in the patient's adulthood. Moreover, severe pulmonary hypertension due to ASD also presents a therapeutic dilemma, as shunt closure can lead to a worsening of the condition.

Sex differences in the relationship between body mass index and outcome in myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: The data on sex-related differences regarding the body mass index (BMI) in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) are rare and inconclusive. We aimed to assess sex differences in the relationship between BMI and 30-day mortality in men and women with MI. METHODS: A single-center retrospective study of 6453 patients with MI who underwent PCI was performed. Patients were divided into five BMI categories and these were compared. The relationship between BMI and 30-day mortality was assessed in men and women. RESULTS: An L-shaped relationship between BMI and mortality was observed in men (p=0.003) with the highest mortality rate (9.4%) in normal weight patients and the lowest in patients with obesity grade I (5.3%). In women, similar mortality was found in all BMI categories (p=0.42). After adjustment for potential confounders, the negative association between BMI category and 30-day mortality was found in men, but not in women (p=0.033 and p=0.13, respectively). Overweight men had a 33% lower risk of death within 30 days compared to normal weight patients (OR 0.67,95%CI 0.46-0.96;p=0.03). Other BMI categories in men had a similar mortality risk to the normal weight category. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the relationship between BMI and outcome in patients with MI is different in men and women. We found an L-shaped relationship between BMI and 30-day mortality in men, but no relationship was observed in women. The obesity paradox was not found in women. Sex itself could not explain this differential relationship, and the underlying cause is likely multifactorial.

Obesity and Acute Kidney Injury in Patients with ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: Data on the association between obesity and acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are sparse and inconclusive. We aimed to evaluate the association between obesity and AKI and the outcome in these patients. METHODS: A retrospective observational study of 3979 STEMI patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was performed at a single center. Patients with and without AKI were compared. Patients were also divided into three categories according to BMI, and these were compared. All-cause mortality was determined at 30 days and over a median period of 7.0 years. RESULTS: The incidence of AKI was similar in all BMI categories. There was no association between BMI categories and AKI (p = 0.089). The Spearman correlation coefficient between BMI categories and AKI showed no correlation (r = -0.005; p = 0.75). More AKI patients died within 30 days and in the long term [137 (18.5%) and 283 (38.1%) patients in the AKI group died compared to 118 (3.6%) and 767 (23.1%) in the non-AKI group; p < 0.0001]. AKI was harmful in all BMI categories (p < 0.0001) and was associated with more than a 2.5-fold and a 1.5-fold multivariable-adjusted 30-day and long-term mortality risk, respectively (aOR 2.59; 95% CI 1.84-3.64; p < 0.0001, aHR 1.54; 95% CI 1.32-1.80; p < 0.0001). BMI categories were not associated with 30-day mortality (p = 0.26) but were associated with long-term mortality (p < 0.0001). Overweight and obese patients had an approximately 25% lower long-term multivariable-adjusted risk of death than normal-weight patients. In patients with AKI, BMI was only associated with long-term risk (p = 0.022). Obesity had an additional beneficial effect in these patients, and only patients with obesity, but not overweight patients, had a lower multivariable adjusted long-term mortality risk than normal-weight patients (aHR 062; 95% CI 0.446-0.88 p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: In patients who experienced AKI, obesity had an additional positive modifying effect. Our data suggest that the incidence of AKI in STEMI patients is not BMI-dependent.

Differential impact of anemia in relation to sex in patients with myocardial infarction.

Background: Data on the possible sex-specific effects of anemia on clinical outcome in patients with myocardial infarction are extremely sparse, conflicting, and inconclusive. We investigated the possible sex-specific effects of anemia on outcome in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: Data from 8,318 patients, who were divided into four groups: men and women with and without anemia on admission, were analyzed. The association between anemia and sex and 30-day and long-term mortality was assessed. The median follow-up time was 7 years (25th, 75th percentile: 4, 11). Results: Non-anemic men had the lowest 30-day and long-term observed mortality (4.3, 18.7%), followed by non-anemic women (7.0, 25.3%; p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001). Anemic men and women had similar mortality rates (12.8, 46.2%) and (13.4, 45.6%; p = 0.70, p = 0.80), respectively. The anemia/sex groups were independently associated with 30-day and long-term mortality (p = 0.033 and p < 0.0001, respectively). Compared to non-anemic men, non-anemic and anemic women had a similar risk of death at 30 days, but anemic men had a 50% higher risk of death (OR 1.12; 95% CI 0.83-1.52; p = 0.45, OR 1.30; 95% CI 0.94-1.79; p = 0.11, OR 1.50; 95% CI 1.13-1.98; p = 0.004, respectively). In the long term, anemic men had a 46% higher, non-anemic women 15% lower, and anemic women a similar long-term mortality risk to non-anemic men (HR 1.46; 95% CI 1.31-1.63; p < 0.0001, HR 0.85; 95% CI 0.76-0.96; p = 0.011, and HR 1.06; 95% CI 0.93-1.21; p = 0.37, respectively). Conclusion: Our result suggests that the influence of anemia in patients with MI is different in men and women, with anemia seemingly much more harmful in male than in female patients with MI.

Factors of Hospital Mortality in Men and Women with ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction - An Observational, Retrospective, Single Centre Study.

Purpose: There are well-known gender differences in mortality of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Our purpose was to assess factors of hospital mortality separately for men and women with STEMI, which are less well known. Patients and Methods: In 2018-2019, 485 men and 214 women with STEMI underwent treatment with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We retrospectively compared baseline characteristics, treatments and hospital complications between men and women, as well as between nonsurviving and surviving men and women with STEMI. Results: Primary PCI was performed in 94% of men and 91.1% of women with STEMI, respectively. The in-hospital mortality was significantly higher in women than in men (14% vs 8%, p=0.019). Hospital mortality in both genders was associated significantly to older age, heart failure, prior resuscitation, acute kidney injury, to less likely performed and less successful primary PCI and additionally in men to hospital infection and in women to bleeding. In men and women ≥65 years, mortality was similar (13.3% vs 17.8%, p = 0.293). Conclusion: Factors of hospital mortality were similar in men and women with STEMI, except bleeding was more likely observed in nonsurviving women and infection in nonsurviving men.

Lipoprotein(a) As a Risk Factor in a Cohort of Hospitalised Cardiovascular Patients: A Retrospective Clinical Routine Data Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is a well-recognised risk factor for ischemic heart disease (IHD) and calcific aortic valve stenosis (AVS). METHODS: A retrospective observational study of Lp(a) levels (mg/dL) in patients hospitalised for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in our clinical routine was performed. The Lp(a)-associated risk of hospitalisation for IHD, AVS, and concomitant IHD/AVS versus other non-ischemic CVDs (oCVD group) was assessed by means of logistic regression. RESULTS: In total of 11,767 adult patients, the association with Lp(a) was strongest in the IHD/AVS group (eß = 1.010, p < 0.001), followed by the IHD (eß = 1.008, p < 0.001) and AVS group (eß = 1.004, p < 0.001). With increasing Lp(a) levels, the risk of IHD hospitalisation was higher compared with oCVD in women across all ages and in men aged ≤75 years. The risk of AVS hospitalisation was higher only in women aged ≤75 years (eß = 1.010 in age < 60 years, eß = 1.005 in age 60-75 years, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The Lp(a)-associated risk was highest for concomitant IHD/AVS hospitalisations. The differential impact of sex and age was most pronounced in the AVS group with an increased risk only in women aged ≤75 years.

GP IIb/IIIa Receptor Inhibitors in Mechanically Ventilated Patients with Cardiogenic Shock due to Myocardial Infarction in the Era of Potent P2Y12 Receptor Antagonists.

Objective: To investigate the association between GP IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitors (GPI) and mortality and bleeding in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) due to myocardial infarction (MI) who were mechanically ventilated on admission. Methods: We retrospectively divided 153 patients into two groups (with or without GPI). Thirty-day and one-year all-cause mortality and bleeding were studied. Results: The observed 30-day and one-year all-cause mortality were similar in both groups [54 (69.2%) with GPI vs. 62 (82.7%) without GPI; p = 0.06, and 60 (76.9%) with GPI vs. 64 (85.3%) without GPI; p = 0.22, respectively]. Patients with GPI suffered fewer unsuccessful PCI (TIMI 0/1 was 10% in the GPI group vs. 57% in the group without GPI), experienced more improvements in TIMI ≥ 1 flow [68 (87.2%) in the GPI group vs. 38 (50.7%) without GPI; p < 0.0001], and they achieved better cerebral performance category (CPC) scores (1.61 ± 0.99 with GPI vs. 2.76 ± 1.64 without GPI; p = 0.005). The bleeding rate was similar in patients with and without GPI [33 (42.3%) vs. 31 (41.3%): p = 1.00], in patients with P2Y12 receptor antagonists (P2Y12) [18 (46.1%) with GPI vs. 21 (46.7%) without GPI; p = 1.00], and in patients with potent P2Y12 [8 (30.8%) with GPI vs. 9 (37.5%) without GPI; p = 0.77]. Conclusions: Due to the study design (limited sample size, retrospective inclusion with high risk of selection bias), our analysis does not allow us to draw conclusions about the effectiveness of GPI in this context. Despite all these limitations, GPI were associated with improved TIMI flow after PCI in our multivariable model without increasing bleeding rates. In addition, better CPC scores were observed, but no association between GPI and outcome was found. Our analysis suggests that selective use of GPI may be beneficial in mechanically ventilated patients with MI in CS without additional bleeding risk, even in the era of potent P2Y12.

Differential associations between body mass index and outcome in different age groups in patients with myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between age and body mass index (BMI) and mortality in patients with myocardial infarction (MI). Methods We divided 6453 patients into three age groups (<60, 60-75, >75 years) and five BMI categories. Thirty-day and long-term all-cause mortality were assessed. RESULTS: No association was found between the BMI category and 30-day mortality in any age group. The association between BMI and long-term multivariable-adjusted mortality risk was age-dependent. Overweight patients had a lower risk than patients with BMI <25 kg/m2 in all age groups (HR 0.62; 95%CI 0.45-0.85; p = 0.003, HR 0.78; 95%CI 0.65-0.93; p = 0.005, HR 0.82; 95%CI 0.70-0.95; p = 0.011 for ages <60, 60-75, >75 years, respectively). The lower risk of death as a function of BMI shifted upward with age, and the risk was also lower in patients with obesity grade I (HR 0.81; 95% CI 0.66-0.98; p = 0.035 and HR 0.78; 95% CI 0.63-0.97; p = 0.023 for ages 60-75, >75 years, respectively). Excessive obesity was harmful only in the oldest group. Patients with obesity grade III had more than a 2.5 times higher mortality risk than patients with BMI <25 kg/m2 only in this group (HR 2.58; 95%CI 1.27-5.24; p = 0.009). An obesity paradox was found in all age groups. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that moderate weight gain with age improves long-term survival after MI and that the magnitude of this "protective" weight gain is greater in older compared to younger patients. However, excessive weight gain (obesity grade III) is particularly harmful in the oldest age group. The exact relationship between BMI, age, and mortality remains unclear.

Mitral Annular Plane Systolic Excursion (MAPSE) as a Predictor of Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence in Patients after Pulmonary Vein Isolation.

Introduction: Catheter ablation (CA) with pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) has become widely used in the past years for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). Mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) is the parameter that measures left ventricular longitudinal function, and it appears to be a good early marker of LV dysfunction. It is practically independent of poor image quality. The aim of our study was to analyse the role of echocardiographic variables, especially MAPSE in predicting the outcome of CA in patients with AF. Materials and Methods: We prospectively included 40 patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF that were referred for CA. All patients underwent radiofrequency CA with PVI. Standard transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiography was conducted one day after CA. Demographic data and the patients' characteristics were noted. The endpoint of our study was to estimate the AF recurrence rate diagnosed by ECG within 6 months of the follow-up period. Results: 40 patients, mainly male (67.5%) with an average age of 61.43 ± 8.96 years were included in our study. The majority of patients had paroxysmal AF prior to ablation (77.5%). The AF recurrence rate was 20% after 6 months of follow-up. Lateral MAPSE in the AF-free group was greater than those who relapsed (1.57 ± 0.24 vs. 1.31 ± 0.25; p = 0.012). Patients who remained AF-free after a 6-month follow-up period had a significantly smaller left ventricular volume index (LAVI) than those who relapsed (34.29 ± 6.91 ml/m2 vs. 42.90 ± 8.43 ml/m2; p = 0.05). We found a significant reverse relationship between LAVI and MAPSE (p = 0.020). Conclusion: MAPSE and LAVI present risk factors for AF recurrence, specifically reduced MAPSE and larger LAVI, are related to AF recurrence after CA. In the future, MAPSE could play a significant role when predicting the CA outcome in patients with AF.

Untangling the relationship between hemoglobin, peak troponin level, and mortality in patients with myocardial infarction.

Patients with a history of myocardial infarction (MI) and lower admission hemoglobin (aHb) levels have a worse outcome than patients with higher aHb, but lower or similar peaks in enzymatic infarct size. Hemoglobin levels are positively correlated with body surface area (BSA), which is positively correlated with cardiac mass. We hypothesized that patients with lower aHb suffer comparatively greater myocardial injury. We examined the relationships between aHb, and troponin (Tn) normalized to BSA (Tn/BSA) and its association with 30-day mortality. Data from 6055 patients, who were divided into seven groups based on their aHb at 10g/L intervals, were analyzed, and the groups were compared. The relationships between aHb and Tn/BSA and between Tn/BSA and 30-day mortality were assessed. Patients with higher aHb levels had greater BSA (p<0.0001). A negative relationship between aHb and log10Tn/BSA was observed in the entire group, and in men and women separately (p<0.0001, p<0.0001, and p=0.013, respectively). The log10Tn/BSA value was associated with 30-day mortality in the entire group, and in men and women separately (p<0.0001, p=0.014, and p<0.0001, respectively). Our finding suggests that a similar peak Tn value in patients with lower aHb means comparatively greater myocardial injury relative to cardiac mass. This hypothesis helps to explain the worse outcomes in patients with lower aHb. According to our findings, troponin should be indexed to BSA to provide comparable information on cardiac injury relative to cardiac mass. Whether this relationship is causal remains to be clarified.

Lipoprotein(a) in Cardiovascular Diseases: Insight From a Bibliometric Study.

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a complex polymorphic lipoprotein comprised of a low-density lipoprotein particle with one molecule of apolipoprotein B100 and an additional apolipoprotein(a) connected through a disulfide bond. The serum concentration is mostly genetically determined and only modestly influenced by diet and other lifestyle modifications. In recent years it has garnered increasing attention due to its causal role in pre-mature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and calcific aortic valve stenosis, while novel effective therapeutic options are emerging [apolipoprotein(a) antisense oligonucleotides and ribonucleic acid interference therapy]. Bibliometric descriptive analysis and mapping of the research literature were made using Scopus built-in services. We focused on the distribution of documents, literature production dynamics, most prolific source titles, institutions, and countries. Additionally, we identified historical and influential papers using Reference Publication Year Spectrography (RPYS) and the CRExplorer software. An analysis of author keywords showed that Lp(a) was most intensively studied regarding inflammation, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular risk assessment, treatment options, and hormonal changes in post-menopausal women. The results provide a comprehensive view of the current Lp(a)-related literature with a specific interest in its role in calcific aortic valve stenosis and potential emerging pharmacological interventions. It will help the reader understand broader aspects of Lp(a) research and its translation into clinical practice.

Effect of diet-induced weight loss on endothelial dysfunction: early improvement after the first week of dieting.

Obesity is associated with impaired endothelial function, and this may lead to increased cardiovascular risk. To gain insight into the beneficial effects of diet-induced weight loss on endothelial function, endothelium-dependent, flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery and several metabolic and inflammatory markers were assessed in 40 obese women (BMI 34.9 ± 4.88 kg/m(2)) at baseline, after the 1st week and after 5 months on a low-calorie diet of 5.0 MJ/day. Twenty lean women served as controls. At entry, the obese women had a lower FMD than the lean women (7.7 ± 1.8 vs. 11.5 ± 4.2%, p < 0.001). After 1 week of the intervention and 4% reduction of BMI, FMD improved by 22% (p = 0.005), and a decrease in circulating triglycerides, insulin, leptin, tissue type plasminogen activator and its inhibitor, von Willebrand factor, C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 was observed. Improvement of FMD was associated only with a decrease in BMI (r = 0.39, p = 0.03). Twenty-two women completed the weight reduction program and reduced their BMI by 16%. FMD was further improved by 64% (to 12.4 ± 5.3%, p = 0.001) and became comparable to that of lean women. None of the significant changes in the observed parameters was associated with improvement of FMD at the end of the program. Improvements in obesity-related endothelial dysfunction began in the 1st week of dieting and continued during the following months of this simple non-pharmacological lifestyle modification to reach normalisation of endothelial function. The favourable effect of dieting on endothelial function is independent of the accompanying improvement of classical risk factors.

Rosemary extracts improve flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery and plasma PAI-1 activity in healthy young volunteers.

Polyphenol antioxidants decrease the risk of atherosclerosis. The study aimed to evaluate prospectively in healthy young participants the effect of oral rosemary extracts (RE), consisting of diphenols, upon endothelial dysfunction (ED), preceding structural atherosclerosis. Nineteen healthy young volunteers were studied prospectively, who received oral RE (77.7 mg) for 21 days, consisting of active substances carnosol (0.97 mg), carnosic (8.60 mg) and rosmarinic acid (10.30 mg). Before and after RE treatment, the study evaluated fasting serum levels of plasminogen-activator-inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), inter-cellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), fibrinogen, high-sensitivity capsular reactive protein (hs-CRP), tumor-necrosis factor α (TNF-α), the lipid profile and ED, characterized as flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) in the brachial artery of < 4.5%, estimated by ultrasound measurements. After 21 days, any side effects were registered, the mean FMD increased nonsignificantly (6.51 ± 5.96% vs 7.78 ± 4.56%, p = 0.546) and ED decreased significantly (66.6% vs 16.6%, p = 0.040). Among the serum markers, only the mean PAI-1 level decreased significantly (4.25 ± 1.46 U/mL vs 3.0 ± 0.61 U/mL, p = 0.012) after 21-day RE supplementation. It is concluded that oral RE supplementation has the potential to improve serum PAI-1 activity and ED in young and healthy individuals.

The Role of Environmental PM2.5 in Admission Acute Heart Failure in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction patients - An Observational Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Air pollution with increased concentrations of fine (<2.5 µm) particulate matter (PM2.5) increases the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Even short-term increase of PM2.5 may help trigger ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and heart failure (HF) in susceptible individuals, even in areas with good air quality. PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of PM2.5 levels ≥20 µg/m3 in admission acute HF in STEMI patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 290 STEMI patients with the leading reperfusion strategy primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI), we retrospectively studied independent predictors of admission acute HF and included admission demographic and clinical data as well as ambient PM2.5 levels ≥20 µg/m3. We defined admission acute HF in STEMI patients as classes II-IV by Killip Kimball classification. RESULTS: Acute admission HF was observed in 34.5% of STEMI patients. PPCI was performed in 87.1% of acute admission HF patients and in 94.7% non-HF patients (p= 0.037). Significant independent predictors of acute admission HF were prior diabetes (OR 2.440, 95% CI 1.100 to 5.400, p=0.028), admission LBBB (OR 10.190, 95% CI 1.160 to 89.360, p=0.036), prior resuscitation (OR 2.530, 95% CI 1.010 to 6.340, p=0.048), admission troponin I≥5µg/l (OR 3.390, 95% CI 1.740 to 6.620, p<0.001), admission eGFR levels (0.61, 95% CI 0.52 to 0.72, p < 0.001), and levels of PM2.5 ≥20 µg/m3 (OR 2.140, 95% CI 1.005 to 4.560, p=0.049) one day before admission. CONCLUSION: Temporary short-term increase in PM2.5 levels (≥20 µg/m3) one day prior to admission in an area with mainly good air quality was among significant independent predictors of acute admission HF in STEMI patients.

Neurological outcome in patients after successful resuscitation in out-of-hospital settings.

Neurological outcome is an important determinant of death in admitted survivors after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Studies demonstrated several significant pre-hospital predictors of ischemic brain injury (time to resuscitation, time of resuscitation, and cause of OHCA). Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between post-resuscitation clinical parameters and neurological outcome in OHCA patients, when all recommended therapeutic strategies, including hypothermia, were on board. We retrospectively included consecutive 110 patients, admitted to the medical ICU after successful resuscitation due to OHCA. Neurological outcome was defined by cerebral performance category (CPC) scale I-V. CPC categories I-II defined good neurological outcome and CPC categories III-V severe ischemic brain injury. Therapeutic measures were aimed to achieve optimal circulation and oxygenation, early percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in acute coronary syndromes (ACS), and therapeutic hypothermia to improve survival and neurological outcome of OHCA patients. We observed good neurological outcome in 37.2% and severe ischemic brain injury in 62.7% of patients. Severe ischemic brain injury was associated significantly with known pre-hospital data (older age, cause of OHCA, and longer resuscitations), but also with increased admission lactate, in-hospital complications (involuntary muscular contractions/seizures, heart failure, cardiogenic shock, acute kidney injury, and mortality), and inotropic and vasopressor support. Good neurological outcome was associated with early PCI, dual antiplatelet therapy, and better survival. We conclude that in OHCA patients, post-resuscitation early PCI and dual antiplatelet therapy in ACS were significantly associated with good neurological outcome, but severe ischemic brain injury was associated with several in-hospital complications and the need for vasopressor and inotropic support.

Statins and amiodarone improve freedom from recurrence of atrial fibrillation after successful cardioversion.

BACKGROUND: Amiodarone is effective in preventing atrial fibrillation (AF). Recently, the possible antiarrhythmic effects of statins have been revealed. We hypothesized that statins added to amiodarone may reduce the recurrence rate of AF after successful electrical cardioversion (EC). MATERIAL/METHODS: The retrospective analysis included 198 consecutive patients (63+/-10 years; 56% men) with persistent AF (lasting at least one month, average 5.8+/-7.6 months) who underwent successful EC. All patients were put on long-time treatment with amiodarone according to standard protocol prior to EC; 50 patients (25%) also received statin therapy. AF recurrence was recorded in the following two years. RESULTS: Recurrence of AF occurred less frequently in patients receiving statins and amiodarone than in those receiving amiodarone only (24 (48.0%) vs. 95 (64.1%) patients). The mean AF-free period was significantly prolonged in the statin-amiodarone group (513+/-38 days vs. 374+/-25 days, log rank test P<0.02). Cox univariate analysis showed that treatment with statins and the duration of AF before EC were significant predictors for AF recurrence. After adjustment for other potential confounders, statin therapy proved to be a statistically significant predictor of sinus rhythm maintenance (adjusted OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.93, P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that adding statins to amiodarone significantly decreases the recurrence rate of AF after successful EC in patients with persistent AF. Our findings urge for prospective randomized studies to be performed in order to confirm these results and elucidate the role of statins in AF prevention.