Comparison of the effect of uric acid/albumin ratio on coronary colleteral circulation with other inflammation-based markers in stable coronary artery disease patients.

BACKGROUND: The Uric acid/Albumin ratio (UAR) has recently been identified as a prominent marker in cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we aimed to reveal the effect of UAR on coronary collateral circulation (CCC) in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) patients by comparing it with conventional inflammation-based markers. METHODS: In this study, 415 consecutive patients who underwent coronary angiography for stable angina pectoris and were found to have chronic total occlusion in at least one coronary artery were retrospectively included. The study population was divided into two groups as good CCC (Rentrop 2-3) and poor CCC (Rentrop 0-1) according to the Rentrop classification, and the groups were compared in terms of UAR and other traditional inflammation-based markers. RESULTS: In the poor CCC group, C-reactive protein/albumin ratio (CAR), monocyte/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and UAR were found to be significantly high (p < .05, for all). UAR negatively correlated with rentrop classification (r = -0.383, p < .001). In multivariate regression analysis, MHR, NLR, SII and UAR were determined as independent predictors for poor CCC (p < .05, for all). The ability of UAR to predict poor CCC was superior to uric acid and albumin alone (p < .0001, for both). In addition, UAR was found to be superior to other inflammation-based markers in predicting poor CCC (p < .005, for all). CONCLUSION: UAR was identified as a strong and independent predictor of CCC. In this context, UAR may be a useful biomarker in the risk prediction of patients with stable CAD.

Right ventricular geometry and mechanics in patients with obstructive sleep apnea living at high altitude.

PURPOSE: Repetitive obstruction of larynx during sleep can lead to daytime pulmonary hypertension and alterations in right ventricular morphology and function in a small fraction of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) patients. Environmental effects, particularly high altitude, can modify the effects of OSAS on pulmonary circulation, since altitude-related hypoxia is related with pulmonary vasoconstriction. This potential interaction, however, was not investigated in previous studies. METHODS: A total of 41 newly diagnosed OSAS patients were included in this study after pre-enrolment screening. Two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and Doppler echocardiographic data were collected after polysomnographic verification of OSAS. Three-dimensional echocardiograms were analyzed to calculate right ventricular volumes, volume indices, and ejection fraction. RESULTS: Systolic pulmonary artery pressure (38.35 ± 8.60 vs. 30.94 ± 6.47 mmHg; p = 0.002), pulmonary acceleration time (118.36 ± 16.36 vs. 103.13 ± 18.42 ms; p = 0.001), right ventricle (RV) end-diastolic volume index (48.15 ± 11.48 vs. 41.48 ± 6.45 ml; p = 0.009), and RV end-systolic volume index (26.50 ± 8.11 vs. 22.15 ± 3.85; p = 0.01) were significantly higher in OSAS patients, with similar RV ejection fraction (EF) between groups. No significant differences were noted in other two-dimensional, Doppler or speckle-tracking strain, measurements. Both RVEF and pulmonary acceleration time were predictors of disease severity. CONCLUSIONS: A greater degree of RV structural remodeling and higher systolic pulmonary pressure were observed in OSAS patients living at high altitude compared to healthy highlanders. The reversibility of these alterations with treatment remains to be studied.

Inflammation-based markers, especially the uric acid/albumin ratio, are associated with non-dipper pattern in newly diagnosed treatment-naive hypertensive patients.

OBJECTIVE: Physiologically, at night, blood pressure (BP) is expected to decrease by at least 10% in hypertensive individuals. The absence of this decrease, called non-dipper hypertension, is associated with increased end-organ damage and cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in hypertensive individuals. It is known that increased inflammatory process plays an important role in the etiopathogenesis of non-dipper hypertension pattern. In recent years, it has been shown that inflammation-based markers (IBMs) obtained by combining various inflammation-related hematological and biochemical parameters in a single fraction have stronger predictive value than single inflammatory parameters. However, until now, there has not been a study investigating the relationship of these markers with dipper/non-dipper status in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients. METHODS: Based on ambulatory BP monitoring, 217 dipper and 301 non-dipper naive hypertensive subjects were included in this study. All subjects' IBM values were compared between dipper and non-dipper hypertensive individuals. RESULTS: IBMs [C-reactive protein/albumin ratio (CAR), monocyte/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio, systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), uric acid/albumin ratio (UAR)] were significantly higher in the non-dipper group. CAR, MHR, NLR, SII, and UAR were determined as independent predictors for non-dipper pattern (P < 0.05, for all). Also, UAR's diagnostic performance for non-dipper pattern was found to be superior to other IBMs (area under the curve: 0.783, 95% confidence interval: 0.743-0.822; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest an association between elevated IBMs, particularly UAR, and the non-dipper hypertension pattern observed in our study.

Disruption of the endothelial glycocalyx layer is associated with idiopathic complete atrioventricular block in the elderly population: An observational pilot study.

Idiopathic atrioventricular block (iCAVB) is the most common reason for the need for a permanent pacemaker in the elderly population. The fibrotic process that occurs in the conduction system of the heart with aging is the main pathogenesis in the development of iCAVB. However, the processes that trigger the development of iCAVB in the elderly population have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we aimed to reveal the possible relationship between the endothelial glycocalyx (EG) layer and idiopathic complete atrioventricular block. A group of 68 consecutive patients who developed iCAVB and a group of 68 healthy subjects matched for age, sex, and cardiovascular risk factors were included in the study. The groups were compared for clinical, laboratory, and levels of Syndecan-1 (SDC1), an EG layer marker. In the study, SDC1 levels were found to be significantly higher in the iCAVB group compared to the control group (23.7 ± 7.5 vs 16.7 ± 5.2; p = 0.009). In multivariable regression analysis, SDC1 was determined as an independent potential predictor for iCAVB (OR: 1.200; 95% CI: 1.119-1.287; p < 0.001). In the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, SDC1 predicted iCAVB with 74% sensitivity and 72% specificity at the best cut-off value of 18.5 ng/mL (area under the curve: 0.777; confidence interval: 0.698-0.856; p < 0.001). Disruption of the endothelial glycolic layer may be one of the main triggering factors for the process leading to iCAVB.

Comparison of the effect of uric acid/albumin ratio on coronary slow flow with other inflammation-based markers.

Background: Many inflammation-based markers (IBMs) have been shown to be closely related to coronary slow flow (CSF), but the effect of the uric acid/albumin ratio (UAR) on CSF and its relationship with other IBMs are not clearly known. In this study, we aimed to compare the effects of UAR and other IBMs on CSF. Methods: After the exclusion criteria, 126 patients with CSF detected on coronary angiography and 126 subjects with normal coronary flow as the control group were included in the study. Results: UAR was determined as an independent predictor for CSF. In addition, the UAR was superior to other IBMs in detecting CSF (p < 0.05 for all). Conclusion: This study is the first to investigate the effect of UAR on CSF in comparison with other IBMs.

Non-Dipper Blood Pressure Impact on Coronary Slow Flow in Hypertensive Patients With Normal Coronary Arteries.

OBJECTIVE: Coronary slow flow (CSF) is linked to myocardial ischemia, malignant arrhythmias, and cardiovascular mortality. On the other hand, hypertension (HTN) is an important risk factor for vascular disorders. There is limited research on the relationship between CSF and HTN. This study aimed to investigate TIMI frame count (TFC), which is an indicator of CSF, in dipper and non-dipper hypertensive individuals with normal coronary arteries. METHODS: The study was conducted as a retrospective observational study. Patients diagnosed with CSF and dipper or non-dipper hypertension were included in this study. Blood tests were routinely conducted for all patients. ECG was conducted for each patient, and echocardiography was performed. Coronary artery images were obtained in the CAG laboratory. Blood pressure (BP) measurements were obtained from the ambulatory Holter records. The patients were separated into two groups based on ambulatory Holter monitoring. The relationship between CSF and HTN was also examined. RESULTS: A total of 71 patients, comprising 25 women (37.2%) and 46 men (62.8%) with an average age of 52.75±9.42 years, were enrolled in the research. Based on ambulatory BP, the individuals were separated into two groups: non-dipper (n=36) and dipper (n=35). The pulse rate was significantly higher in the non-dipper group (p<0.001). In terms of mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure, there were no substantial differences across the groups (p = 0.326 and p = 0.654, respectively). The daytime mean systolic and diastolic BP did not significantly differ across the groups (p = 0.842 and p = 0.421). The dipper group had substantially lower nighttime systolic and diastolic BP values (p <0.001). The LAD, Cx, and RCA TIMI frame scores were significantly lower in the dipper group (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: In this study, non-dipper patients had a greater CSF rate than dipper.

Relationship Between Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence and Frontal QRS-T Angle After Effective Cardioversion.

OBJECTIVE: Maintaining sinus rhythm is important in the management of atrial fibrillation (AF). After cardioversion, there is a significant probability of AF recurrence. There is limited research on the relationship between AF recurrence and ECG parameters. This study aimed to evaluate whether the frontal plane QRS-T angle (fQRS-T), a predictor of ventricular heterogeneity, could be used to predict AF recurrence following cardioversion. METHODS: The study was conducted as a retrospective observational study. Patients diagnosed with acute-onset AF for the first time were included in the study. All patients underwent an ECG after cardioversion, and ECG parameters were evaluated. The patients were separated into two groups based on the presence of AF recurrence during hospitalization after cardioversion. The relationship between the fQRS-T and AF recurrence was also examined. RESULTS: A total of 162 patients, comprising 68 women (41.9%) and 94 men (58.1%) with an average age of 59.4±6.5 years, were enrolled in the research. Based on the patient monitoring device findings, patients were separated into two groups: non-recurrent AF (n=118) and recurrent AF (n=44). P-wave duration was significantly longer in the recurrence group (p=0.009). The recurrence group's mean fQRS-T was significantly higher (p<0.001). AF recurrence was substantially higher in patients with fQRS-T >90 ° compared to those with fQRS-T ≤90 ° (56.1% vs. 14.2%, p <0.001). Increased fQRS-T>93.7 ° indicated AF recurrence with 78.3% sensitivity and 83.4% specificity (AUC {area under curve}:0.748, p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, fQRS-T was revealed to be an early indicator of recurrent AF (OR: 1.882, 95%CI: 1.358-2.881, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The fQRS-T, an easily determinable parameter from automatic identification ECG recordings, may be useful for predicting the early return of AF after successful cardioversion.

Thrombus at ostium of coronary sinus discovered during evaluation for cardiac resynchronization therapy.

A 50-year-old male patient with dilated cardiomyopathy was evaluated for cardiac resynchronization therapy. A transthoracic echocardiogram revealed a mass in close proximity to the coronary sinus ostium.The mass was considered to be a thrombus and found to have disappeared at the repeat echocardiogram performed following a month of anticoagulation therapy with warfarin. In this case report, we aim to emphasize the importance of coronary sinus imaging, especially during echocardiographic evaluation for cardiac asynchrony.

Prevalence of mitral valve prolapse in residents living at moderately high altitude.

OBJECTIVE: Prolapse of mitral valve leaflets is a frequent disorder and the most common cause of severe mitral regurgitation in western countries. However, little is known about the effects of altitude on mitral valve prolapse. We studied the prevalence and echocardiographic characteristics of mitral valve prolapse at moderately high altitude and sea level. METHODS: A total of 936 consecutive subjects who were admitted to 2 study institutions at Kars, Turkey (1750 m) and Istanbul, Turkey (7 m) were enrolled in this study to determine prevalence of mitral valve prolapse. Demographic and 2-dimensional echocardiographic characteristics of participants were recorded. RESULTS: Prevalence of mitral valve prolapse was found to be significantly higher in people living at moderate altitude compared with those living at sea level (6.2% vs 2.0%; P = .007). Overall echocardiographic features regarding valve thickness (4.1 ± 0.80 mm vs 3.6 ± 0.66 mm; P = 0.169), maximal valve prolapse (4.6 ± 2.08 mm vs 3.9 ± 0.91 mm; P = .093), and frequency of mitral regurgitation (89% vs 73%; P = .65) were similar between groups, although anterior valve prolapse was seen more frequently at moderate altitude (50% vs 11%; P = .056) and posterior leaflet prolapse was significantly more frequent at sea level (66% vs 10%; P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: Mitral valve prolapse is more frequently observed at moderately high altitudes. Further studies are needed to determine clinical importance of our findings.

The relationship between eosinophilia and slow coronary flow.

AIM: The pathophysiology of slow coronary flow (SCF) involves atherosclerosis, small vessel dysfunction, platelet function disorders, and inflammation. It has been known that eosinophils also play a significant role in inflammation, vasoconstriction, thrombosis, and endothelial dysfunction. We propose to evaluate the relationship between eosinophilia and SCF. METHODS: All patients who underwent coronary angiography between January 2011 and December 2013 were screened retrospectively. Of 6,832 patients, 102 patients with SCF (66 males, mean age 52.2±11.7 years) and 77 control subjects with normal coronary angiography (50 males, mean age 50.7±8.1 years) were detected. Baseline characteristics, hematological test results, and biochemical test results were obtained from the hospital database. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics of the study groups were comparable between groups. There was no significant difference between groups regarding leukocyte count, paletelet count, and mean platelet volume. However, patients with SCF had a higher eosinophil count than the controls (0.24±0.17×10(3)/µL vs 0.16±0.15×10(3)/µL, P=0.002). In addition, eosinophil count was found to be correlated with thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count in the SCF group (r=0.3, P<0.01). There was no significant correlation between eosinophil count and the number of coronary arteries showing slow flow. CONCLUSION: Patients with SCF have higher blood eosinophil count, and this may play an important role in the pathogenesis of SCF. Elevated baseline eosinophil count may indicate the presence of SCF.