The relationship between the systemic immune inflammatory index and computerized tomography guided coronary lesion severity in diabetic patients.

PURPOSE: The incidence of cardiovascular events is high in diabetic patients. In diabetic patients, the levels of inflammatory parameters in the circulation are increased, which is associated with poor outcome. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the systemic immune inflammatory index (SII), which is a sensitive indicator of the inflammatory response, and the severity of coronary atherosclerosis in diabetic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diabetic patients who underwent coronary computed tomography for chest pain were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups according to their median systemic immune inflammatory index values, and the predictors of SII elevation were investigated. RESULTS: A total 210 patients were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 52.6 ± 9.3 and 44.3% were male. In univariate analysis, HDL, triglyceride, lesion severity, and CAR were associated with high SII. In the regression analysis, lesion severity and lower HDL levels were determined as predictor of high SII. CONCLUSION: Inflammation plays an important role in the development of coronary atherosclerosis. Diabetic patients with elevated SII levels may require further investigation for significant atherosclerosis.

Role of Systemic Immune-Inflammatory Index in Predicting the Development of In-Hospital Malignant Ventricular Arrhythmia in Patients With ST-Elevated Myocardial Infarction.

Many complications can be observed after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII) is a sensitive indicator of the inflammatory state, and this parameter may also be associated with cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we investigated the relationship between malignant ventricular arrhythmias (MVA) development and SII in STEMI patients. A total of 1708 STEMI patients were included in the study. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the development of MVA, and predictors of MVA development were investigated. After the PSM analysis, the mean age of 158 patients was 61.6 years, and 68.4% were male. In the univariate analysis, neutrophil count, SII, C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, and CRP/albumin ratio (CAR) were associated with the development of MVA; while in the regression analysis, CAR and SII was found to be independent predictors of the development of MVA. In this study, we demonstrated that SII is a better independent predictor than other inflammatory parameters for predicting the development of MVA. This index may be useful in clinical use.

A rare cause of dyspnea: Primary large B cell lymphoma causes giant cardiac mass.

Cardiac lymphoma (CL) is a rare and life-threatening clinical condition. Most cases are diagnosed late period. Although the definitive diagnosis is made by biopsy, a biopsy could not be performed in most cardiac masses due to the high mortality rate and therefore the exact incidence is not known. In this case report, we present a case of giant CL filling both the pericardial area and right heart cavities and treated with surgical resection in a previously healthy male patient who presented with symptoms of heart failure.

The Relationships Between Chocolate Consumption and Endothelial Dysfunction in Patients with Heart Failure.

OBJECTIVE: Dietary recommendations, in addition to medications, have recently become important in the treatment of heart failure. Our study aimed to show the positive effects of both milk chocolate and dark chocolate on heart failure through endothelial functions. METHODS: Twenty patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction were included in the study. In this randomized, crossover study, some of the patients consumed milk chocolate and some consumed dark chocolate. We recorded the patients' 6-minute walking tests, flow- mediated dilatation values, plasma catechin, epicatechin, and N-terminal pro-brain natri- uretic peptide values before and after chocolate consumption. After 2 weeks, their chocolate consumption was changed. The same parameters were measured again. RESULTS: A significant decrease was observed in N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide values after consumption of both milk chocolate (356 ± 54.2 and 310 ± 72.1 pg/mL; P = .007) and dark chocolate (341 ± 57 and 301 ± 60.1 pg/mL;P=.028). Flow-mediated dilation values increased after dark chocolate consumption (8.9 ± 3% and 14 ± 4.5%; P = .019). CONCLUSION: Chocolate consumption acutely decreases N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic pep- tide values in heart failure. Dark chocolate consumption also seems to improve endothelial functions by increasing flow-mediated dilation values.