Empagliflozin and Dapagliflozin Therapies Favorably Alter QRS-T Angle and Cardiac Repolarization Parameters in Patients with Heart Failure.

Recent randomized clinical trials demonstrated that treatment with sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) reduces the risk of cardiac mortality due to sudden cardiac death and progressive pump failure in patients with heart failure (HF). Mechanisms underlying the potential anti-arrhythmic effects of SGLT2is are not well understood. We aimed to examine the effect of SGLT2i treatment on the frontal-plane QRS-T (f[QRS-T]) angle, a novel marker of myocardial repolarization and an independent predictor of adverse cardiac outcomes. The study included 106 patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) who received an SGLT2i, empagliflozin, or dapagliflozin. All study participants underwent screening 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) before and ∼90 days after treatment. We compared ECG repolarization parameters before and after treatment. During study enrollment, there were statistically significant decreases in the Tp-e/QT ratio (P ≤ .0001), Tp-e/corrected QT ratio (P = .0002), Tp-e interval (P < .0001), and f(QRS-T) angle (P = .04) in response to SGLT2i therapy. In addition, study participants experienced an improvement in functional capacity (2.06 ± 0.6 vs. 1.82 ± 0.6, P = .0001) and reduced N-terminal pro-b-type natriuretic peptide values. In this retrospective cohort study, SGLT2i therapy was associated with improved cardiac repolarization parameters in patients with HFrEF. More comprehensive studies are needed to evaluate the impact of SGLT2i on cardiac repolarization and its potential relation to cardiac arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death risk.

CRP Albumin Ratio May Predict No Reflow in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Saphenous Vein Graft Stenosis.

Many hypotheses have been proposed to explain no-reflow (NR). Some of these hypotheses, state that NR may be caused by damage to the vascular endothelium and an inflammatory process. In a recent study that did not include patients with coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), the ratio of C-reactive protein (CRP) to albumin (CAR) was found to be associated with NR. Our study aims to evaluate the relationship between CAR and NR in patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for saphenous vein graft (SVG). In this retrospective study, among the patients with CABG who underwent primary or elective coronary angiography, 242 patients who underwent PCI to the SVG were selected. The incidence of NR was 19.8% (n = 48). Diabetes mellitus, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), stent length, and CAR were found as independent predictors of NR in multivariate logistic regression analysis (P < .05). Using a cut-off level of .930, the CAR predicted NR with a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 73% (AUC: .814, 95% CI: .749-.879, P < .001). The CAR was a better predictor than both stent length and LVEF. CAR was found to be the strongest predictor of NR in our study.

Selvester Score May Be a Predictor of ICD Therapies in Patients with Non-Ischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy

ABSTRACT Introduction: The benefit of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) in patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is still an issue under discussion. Studies examining the relationship between ventricular scar tissue and ICD shock with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) are promising. CMR studies have shown that ventricular scar tissue size and Selvester score show a correlation. In the light of this information, this study aimed to investigate the potential relationship between Selvester score and ICD therapies. Methods: The study included 48 patients who had undergone ICD implantation with a diagnosis of DCM and who had undergone routine 6-month ICD control in outpatient clinic controls between December 2018 and October 2019. Selvester score and other data were compared between patients who received ICD therapy (n=10) and those who did not (n=38). Results: Selvester score (P<0.001) was higher in ICD therapy group. Positive correlation was found between ICD shock therapy and Selvester score (P=0.002, r=0.843). Selvester score was detected as an independent predictor for ICD therapy after multiple linear regression analysis (P=0.004). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that Selvester score (P<0.001) was a significant predictor of ICD therapy. Selvester score cutoff points of 5 for were calculated to estimate ICD therapy, with a sensitivity of 100% and specifity of 81%. Conclusion: In our study, it was found that a high Selvester score may be a predictor for ICD therapies in patients with DCM. As an inexpensive and non-invasive method, Selvester score can help in the decision-making in these patients.

Selvester Score May Be a Predictor of ICD Therapies in Patients with Non-Ischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

INTRODUCTION: The benefit of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) in patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is still an issue under discussion. Studies examining the relationship between ventricular scar tissue and ICD shock with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) are promising. CMR studies have shown that ventricular scar tissue size and Selvester score show a correlation. In the light of this information, this study aimed to investigate the potential relationship between Selvester score and ICD therapies. METHODS: The study included 48 patients who had undergone ICD implantation with a diagnosis of DCM and who had undergone routine 6-month ICD control in outpatient clinic controls between December 2018 and October 2019. Selvester score and other data were compared between patients who received ICD therapy (n=10) and those who did not (n=38). RESULTS: Selvester score (P<0.001) was higher in ICD therapy group. Positive correlation was found between ICD shock therapy and Selvester score (P=0.002, r=0.843). Selvester score was detected as an independent predictor for ICD therapy after multiple linear regression analysis (P=0.004). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that Selvester score (P<0.001) was a significant predictor of ICD therapy. Selvester score cutoff points of 5 for were calculated to estimate ICD therapy, with a sensitivity of 100% and specifity of 81%. CONCLUSION: In our study, it was found that a high Selvester score may be a predictor for ICD therapies in patients with DCM. As an inexpensive and non-invasive method, Selvester score can help in the decision-making in these patients.

Association of the Novel Inflammatory Marker Systemic Immune-Inflammation index and Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement for Severe Aortic Stenosis.

This study investigated whether the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) is an independent predictor of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for severe aortic stenosis. TAVR patients (n = 130) were included in the study. The patients were divided into 2 groups: those who developed CIN [CIN (+)] and those who did not [CIN (-)]. The SII was calculated as the ratio of the product of the total neutrophil count and the total platelet count to the lymphocyte count. CIN developed in 20 (15.3%) patients after TAVR. White blood cell count (7.66 ± 1.75 vs 6.78 ± 1.71 103/mm3P = .038), neutrophil count (5.1 (3.9-6.7) vs 4.2 (3.5-5.1) 103/mm3P = .024), neutrophillymphocyte ratio (4.20 (2.39-7.00) vs 2.75 (2.06-3.88), P = .010) and SII index (1069 (616-1514) vs 598 (426-955), P = .003) were at higher levels in patients with CIN. In addition, the SII index was an independent predictor for the development of CIN. The SII index, which can be easily calculated from a complete blood count, is an independent predictor of CIN in patients undergoing TAVR for severe aortic stenosis.

Polypharmacy, potentially inappropriate prescribing and medication complexity in Turkish older patients in the community pharmacy setting.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate polypharmacy, potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) and medication complexity in Turkish older patients in the community pharmacy setting and to determine the factors associated with PIP. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the community pharmacy setting in Istanbul. Older patients (≥65 years old) who chronically used at least one medication and visited the community pharmacy for any reason in the past 4 months were invited in this study. PIP was determined by using the Ghent Older People's Prescriptions Community Pharmacy Screening (GheOP3S)-tool. The Turkish version of the Medication Regimen Complexity Index (MRCI) was used to determine medication complexity. RESULTS: Polypharmacy (defined as the concurrent use of five or more medications) was found in 69.0% of 158 patients. A total of 398 PIPs were detected and 83.5% (n = 132) of older patients had at least one PIP. The median (IQR) MRCI score was 12.5 (7.0-19.6). The factors associated with having ≥2 PIP were advanced age (≥75 years old) (OR = 2.87, 95% CI 1.41-5.81; p < 0.05), higher number of chronic diseases (when ≥3, OR = 8.51, 95% CI 3.66-19.76; p < 0.05), receiving polypharmacy (OR = 8.92, 95% CI 4.09-19.46; p < 0.05), and higher MRCI scores (when MRCI ≥12.5, OR = 4.40, 95% CI 2.22-8.71; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: More than half of the Turkish older patients had polypharmacy and the rate of PIP was high. A higher number of PIP was associated with advanced age, higher number of chronic diseases, polypharmacy, and more complex medication regimens.

Monocyte-to-HDL-cholesterol ratio is associated with Ascending Aorta Dilatation in Patients with Bicuspid Aortic Valve.

BACKGROUND: The importance of monocyte count-to-HDL-cholesterol ratio (MHR) in cardio- vascular diseases has been shown in various studies. Ascending aortic dilatation (AAD) is a common complication in the patients with bicuspid aortic valve. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between MHR and the presence of aortic dilatation in the patients with bicuspid aortic valve. METHODS: The study population included totally 347 patients with bicuspid aortic valve.169 patients with aortic dilatation (ascending aorta diameter ≥ 4.0 cm) and 178 patients with no aortic dilatation. Echocardiographic and laboratory measurement was done and compared between groups. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 44.7 ± 15.4 years and average ascending aorta diameter was 3.2 ± 0.3 cm in dilatation negative group and 4.4 ± 0.4 cm in positive group. MHR was significantly increased in in patients with aortic dilatation. MHR and uric acid level was independently associated with the presence of aortic dilatation in the patients with bicuspid aortic valve. CONCLUSION: We found a significant relationship between MHR and aortic dilatation in the patients with bicuspid aortic valve.

Evaluation of frontal plane QRS-T angle in patients with slow coronary flow.

Objectives. Frontal plane QRS-T angle is a novel marker of myocardial repolarization, and an increased frontal plane QRS-T angle is associated with adverse cardiac outcomes. Slow coronary flow may cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias by causing electrical abnormalities and altering ventricular repolarization. We aimed to evaluate the frontal plane QRS-T angle in patients with slow coronary flow. Design. A total of 60 consecutive patients with slow coronary flow and 60 consecutive patients with normal coronary flow were enrolled into the study. Laboratory and some electrocardiography parameters including frontal plane QRS-T angle were compared between the two groups. Results. We have found that the angle of frontal QRS-T was higher in the group with slow coronary flow (p < .001). In addition, there was a negative correlation between thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count and frontal QRS-T angle (r = -0.496, p < .001). Conclusions. In conclusion, increased frontal plane QRS-T angle might be an important indicator of slow coronary flow.

Association of Prediabetes With Higher Coronary Atherosclerotic Burden Among Patients With First Diagnosed Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with more extensive coronary atherosclerosis and more vulnerable plaque phenotypes. However, DM should not be considered a homogeneous and purely binary entity in terms of risk assessment. We evaluated the impact of prediabetic status on coronary atherosclerosis burden in patients with first-time acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who underwent urgent coronary angiography. The patients were divided into DM, prediabetes, and control groups. The 3-vessel disease (TVD) rates and SYNTAX and Gensini scoring systems for defining atherosclerotic burden were compared. The study was conducted in 469 consecutive patients admitted with a diagnosis of ACS. Of these, 250 patients were admitted at the first occurrence of ACS undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography. SYNTAX and Gensini scores and TVD rates were higher in prediabetic patients than in nondiabetic patients ( P = .004, P = .008, and P = .014, respectively), but similar in prediabetic and diabetic patients ( P = .912, P = .773, and P = 1.000, respectively). Coronary atherosclerosis burden is more advanced in prediabetic patients than in nondiabetic patients and is comparable between prediabetic and diabetic patients at first presentation of ACS. Cardiologists should not miss the opportunity to diagnose prediabetes and DM when patients present with an ACS.