Higher copeptin levels are associated with worse outcome in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Correlation of increased copeptin levels with various cardiovascular diseases has been described. The clinical use of copeptin levels in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) has not been investigated before. HYPOTHESIS: In this study, we aimed to investigate the prognostic value of copeptin levels in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). METHODS: HCM was defined as presence of left ventricular wall thickness ≥15 mm in a subject without any concomitant disease that may cause left ventricular hypertrophy. Levels of copeptin and plasma N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were evaluated prospectively in 24 obstructive HCM patients, 36 nonobstructive HCM patients, and 36 age- and sex-matched control subjects. Blood samples were collected in the morning between 7 and 9 am after overnight fasting. Patients were followed for 24 months. Hospitalization with diagnosis of heart failure/arrhythmia, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation, and cardiac mortality were accepted as adverse cardiac events. RESULTS: Copeptin and NT-proBNP levels were higher in the HCM group compared with controls (14.1 vs 8.4 pmol/L, P < 0.01; and 383 vs 44 pg/mL, P < 0.01, respectively). Copeptin and NT-proBNP levels were higher in the obstructive HCM subgroup compared with the nonobstructive HCM subgroup (18.3 vs 13.1 pmol/L, P < 0.01; and 717 vs 223 pg/mL, P < 0.01, respectively). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, copeptin and NT-proBNP levels remained as independent predictors of heart failure (P < 0.01 for both) and adverse cardiac events (P < 0.01 for both). CONCLUSIONS: Copeptin and NT-proBNP levels were significantly higher in patients with obstructive HCM, and higher levels were associated with worse outcome.

Patient characteristics and statin discontinuation-related factors during treatment of hypercholesterolemia: an observational non-interventional study in patients with statin discontinuation (STAY study).

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify patient characteristics and statin discontinuation-related factors in patients with hypercholesterolemia. METHODS: A total of 532 patients (age mean±SD: 57.4±11.5 years; 52.4% women, 47.6% men) with hypercholesterolemia and statin discontinuation were included in this national cross-sectional non-interventional observational study. Data on socio-demographic characteristics of patients, cardiovascular risk factors, past treatment with and discontinuation of statin treatment were collected in one visit. RESULTS: Mean±SD duration of hypercholesterolemia was 4.9±4.2 years at time of discontinuation of statin treatment. Statin treatment was initiated by cardiologists in the majority of cases (55.8%), whereas discontinuation of statin treatment was decided by patients in the majority of cases (73.7%), with patients with higher (at least secondary education, 80.4%) more likely than those with lower (only primary education, 69.7%) to decide to discontinue treatment (p=0.022). Negative information about statin treatment disseminated by TV programs-mostly regarding coverage of hepatic (38.0%), renal (33.8%), and muscular (32.9%) side effects (32.9%)-was the most common reason for treatment discontinuation. CONCLUSION: The decision to discontinue statin treatment was made at the patient's discretion in 74% of cases, with higher likelihood of patients with higher educational status deciding to discontinue treatment and switch to non-drug lipid-lowering alternatives. Cardiologists were the physicians most frequently responsible for the initiation of the statin treatment; coverage of several non-life-threatening statin side effects by TV programs and patients' lack of information regarding high cholesterol and related risks were the leading factors predisposing to treatment discontinuation.

Increased Transforming Growth Factor-ß Levels Associated With Cardiac Adverse Events in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common genetic heart disease characterized by ventricular hypertrophy, myocardial fibrosis, and impaired ventricular relaxation. The exact mechanisms by which fibrosis is caused remain unknown. HYPOTHESIS: Circulating TGF-ß is related to poor prognosis in HCM. METHODS: We compared TGF-ß levels of 49 HCM patients with those of 40 non-HCM patients. We followed the patients with HCM for 18 months and divided them into 2 groups: low TGF-ß (≤ 4877 pg/mL) and high TGF-ß (> 4877 pg/mL). We compared the 2 groups in terms of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), echocardiographic parameters, and clinical outcomes including myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation, hospitalization, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, acute heart failure, and mortality. RESULTS: The HCM patients had higher TGF-ß levels than those in the control group (P = 0.005). In the follow-up, those in the high TGF-ß group had higher BNP levels, larger left-atrial size, thicker interventricular septum, NYHA class, more hospitalizations, and a greater number of clinical adverse events (P < 0.001, P = 0.01, P < 0.001, P = 0.002, P < 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively). TGF-ß level of > 4877 pg/mL can predict adverse events with a specificity of 75% and a sensitivity of 72% (P = 0.014). In multivariate regression analysis, TGF-ß, BNP, and interventricular septum thickness were significantly associated with adverse events (P = 0.028, P = 0.030, and P = 0.034, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The TGF-ß level is higher in HCM patients and associated with a poor prognosis in HCM.

Increased level of red cell distribution width is associated with poor coronary collateral circulation in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have shown the association between various hematological parameters and cardiovascular diseases, and their prognostic value. In this study, we compared red cell distribution width (RDW), neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and mean platelet volume (MPV) measurements among patients with poor coronary collateral circulation (CCC) and well-developed CCC. STUDY DESIGN: 326 patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) were evaluated retrospectively. CCC was graded by using the Rentrop classification. The poor CCC group included patients with Rentrop 0-1 CCC, and the good CCC group included Rentrop 2-3 CCC. RESULTS: There were 171 subjects (84% male; mean age 56.6±10.4 years) in the poor CCC group, and 155 subjects (89% male; mean age 57.6±9.7 years) in the good CCC group. The total number of vessels with >95% stenosis (1.1±0.5 vs. 1.0±0.4; p=0.64) and Gensini scores (84.4±38.8 vs. 83.3±37.4; p=0.83) was not higher in the poor CCC group compared to the good CCC group. RDW was significantly higher in the poor CCC group compared to the good CCC group (14.19±1.36% vs. 13.89±1.19%; p=0.04). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, elevated levels of RDW and LDL were found to be independent predictors of poor CCC (OR 1.73, 95% CI: 1.30-2.29, p=0.01 and OR 1.01 95% CI 1.002-1.02; p=0.02, respectively). CONCLUSION: In the present study, poor CCC was found to be independently correlated with RDW, but not with any other hematological parameters in patients with stable CAD.

Dislodgement of coronary stent due to rupture of stent balloon.

Rare stent complications, including dislodgement of stent, unexpanded stent, stent fracture and stent loss etc. can occur during percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). We present a semi-expanded and dislodged stent due to rupture of stent balloon during primary PCI in this case report. An interventional cardiologist should be aware of the possibility of rare complications, such as in this case, and have enough experience and knowledge to handle them.

Lower vitamin D level is associated with poor coronary collateral circulation.

OBJECTIVES: Vitamin D regulates calcium and bone homeostasis, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion. Cross-sectional associations between lower vitamin D levels and cardiovascular diseases have been reported, but the relationship between vitamin D levels and collateral arteries in stable coronary artery disease (CAD) has not been reported before. DESIGN: Two hundred and fourteen patients with above 95% stenosis in at least one epicardial coronary artery were consecutively recruited after coronary angiography (CAG) during the winter season. The coronary collateral circulation (CCC) was graded using Rentrop classification. Poor CCC group included patients with Rentrop Grade 0-1 CCC and control group included patients with Rentrop Grade 2-3 CCC. Vitamin D and PTH levels were measured on the day of CAG. RESULTS: In the poor CCC group, vitamin D levels were lower (34 ± 25 pmol/L vs. 49 ± 33 pmol/L; p = 0.01) and the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (< 37 pmol/L) was higher (67% vs. 43%; p = 0.01) compared to the controls. PTH levels, calcium, and phosphate levels were not significantly different between the groups. Female gender, lower HDL cholesterol, and lower vitamin D levels were independently correlated with poor CCC in the study population. CONCLUSION: Lower vitamin D levels may be associated with poor collateral development in patients with stable CAD.

Impact of coronary collateral circulation and severity of coronary artery disease in the development of postoperative atrial fibrillation.

OBJECTIVES: Atrial fibrillation (AF) after cardiac surgery has been reported to be approximately 30%, making it one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality post surgery. Although various clinical and laboratory predictors and underlying mechanisms progressing to postoperative AF have been proposed, the role of ischaemia in pathogenesis is doubtful. In this study, the association of coronary collateral circulation (CCC) and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) with the development of postoperative AF was investigated. METHODS: A total of 597 patients who underwent on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery were included in the study. Pre-, peri- and postoperative variables were recorded in a computerized database. CCC and severity of CAD were documented for each patient according to Rentrop classification and Gensini score. RESULTS: Postoperative AF was observed in 96 patients (16.1%). Advanced age, female gender, presence of hypertension and low haematocrit level were significantly associated with postoperative AF. By contrast, CCC and severity of CAD were not associated with postoperative AF (P = 0.22 and 0.5, respectively). Older age and lower preoperative haematocrit levels were the major predictors of postoperative AF development in the multivariate regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: CCC and severity of CAD did not have a significant effect on the occurrence of postoperative AF, suggesting an ineffective role of myocardial ischaemia in the development of this condition.

Lower blood vitamin D levels are associated with an increased incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy in patients undergoing coronary angiography.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency may be associated with an increased risk of renovascular disease. We assessed the correlation between vitamin D levels and contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients undergoing coronary angiography (CAG). METHODS: Vitamin D and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were assessed before CAG in 403 patients. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the Cockcroft-Gault equation. Patients with eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) were hydrated with 0.9%-saline at 1 mL/kg/h for 12 hours before and after CAG. CIN was defined as serum creatinine increase of > 0.5 mg/dL or > 25% within 48-72 hours after CAG. RESULTS: CIN developed in 74 participants. Baseline eGFR, blood urea and creatinine in CIN (+) and (-) groups were not significantly different (P = 0.14, P = 0.07, and P = 0.61, respectively). Total volume of contrast medium (CM) was higher in the CIN (+) group (132 ± 64 mL vs 90 ± 41 mL; P = 0.01). Vitamin D levels were lower (median 8.5 [range, 0.5-26.6] ng/mL vs 14.9 [range, 1.9-93.5] ng/mL; P = 0.01) and PTH levels were higher (median 73.9 [range, 22-530] pg/mL vs 44.2 [range, 5-361] pg/mL; P = 0.01) in the CIN (+) group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that lower vitamin D levels (odds ratio [OR], 1.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11-1.26; P = 0.01) and increased CM volume (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.008-1.017; P = 0.01) were independently correlated with CIN. In patients who had undergone percutaneous coronary intervention, lower levels of vitamin D were independently associated with CIN development. CONCLUSIONS: Lower vitamin D levels, implying possible vitamin D deficiency, are associated with a higher incidence of CIN.

Does SYNTAX score predict in-hospital outcomes in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention?

BACKGROUND: SYNTAX score (SxS) has been demonstrated to predict long-term outcomes in stable patients with coronary artery disease. But its prognostic value for patients with acute coronary syndrome remains unknown. AIM: To evaluate whether SxS could predict in-hospital outcomes for patients admitted with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who undergo primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). METHODS: The study included 538 patients with STEMI who underwent pPCI between January 2010 and December 2012. The patients were divided into two groups: low SxS (< 22) and high SxS (> 22). The SxS of all patients was calculated from aninitial angiogram and TIMI flow grade of infarct related artery was calculated after pPCI. Left ventricular systolic functions of the patients were evaluated with an echocardiogram in the following week. The rates of reinfarction and mortality during hospitalisation were obtained from the medical records of our hospital. RESULTS: The high SxS group had more no-reflow (41% and 25.1%, p < 0.001, respectively), lower ejection fraction (38.2 ± 7.5% and 44.6 ± 8.8%, p < 0.001, respectively), and greater rates of re-infarction (9.5% and 7.3%, p = 0.037, respectively) and mortality (0.9% and 0.2%, p = 0.021, respectively) during hospitalisation compared to the low SxS group. On multivariate logistic regression analysis including clinical variables, SxS was an independent predictor of no-reflow (OR 1.081, 95% CI 1.032-1.133, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: SxS is a useful tool that can predict in-hospital outcomes of patients with STEMI undergoing pPCI.

The effect of atorvastatin on P wave dispersion in hyperlipidemic patients.

AIM: P wave dispersion (PWD) has been shown to be a noninvasive predictor for the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). Atorvastatin is a 3 hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMGCoA) reductase inhibitor that lowers blood cholesterol levels. The beneficial effect of atorvastatin on atrial arrhythmias is controversial. Aim of this study was to investigate the effect of atorvastatin treatment on PWD in hyperlipidemic patients. METHODS: Seventy-nine newly diagnosed hyperlipidemic patients and 30 normolipidemic healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. All hyperlipidemic patients received atorvastatin 20-40 mg/ day according to their cholesterol levels and hypolipidemic diet treatment. Twelve-lead surface electrocardiogram (ECG) were recorded from hyperlipidemic patients before and after 6-months of atorvastatin therapy and from control group at their first visit. The P-wave duration measurements were calculated from these surfaces of ECG. RESULTS: When pretreatment PWD, P maximum and P minimum values were compared with post-treatment values, a statistically significant decrease was found after 6 months (p less than 0.001, p=0.012 and p=0.007, respectively). CONCLUSION: Atorvastatin lowered PWD significantly, so this finding may be important in the prevention of AF in hyperlipidemic patients.

Relation of coronary collateral circulation with epicardial fat volume in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVE: To investigated the relationship between epicardial fat volume (EFV) and coronary collateral circulation (CCC) in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: The study population consisted of 152 consecutive patients with CAD who underwent coronary angiography and were found to have at least 95% significiant lesion in at least one major coronary artery. EFV was assessed utilizing 64-multislice computed tomography. The patients were classifield into impaired CCC group (Group 1, Rentrop grades 0-1, n = 58), or adequate CCC (Group 2, Rentrop grades 2-3, n = 94). RESULTS: The EFV values were significantly higher in paitients with adequate CCC than in those with impaired CCC. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, EFV (OR = 1.059; 95% CI: 1.035-1.085; P = 0.001); and presence of angina were independent predictors of adequate CCC. In receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis, the EFV value > 106.5 mL yielded an area under the curve value of 0.84, with the test sensitivity of 49.3%, and with 98.3% specifity. CONCLUSIONS: High EFV, and the presence of angina independently predict adequate CCC in patients with stable coronary artery disease. This association offers new diagnostic opportinities to assess collateral flow by conventional ultrasound techniques.

Epicardial fat tissue thickness in preeclamptic and normal pregnancies.

Background. Epicardial fat tissue, another form of visceral adiposity, has been proposed as a new cardiometabolic risk factor, and the possible association of epicardial fat with hypertension has been shown in some recent studies. Although epicardial fat thickness (EFT) is associated with hypertension, the relationship between preeclampsia and EFT is still unknown. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the association between the echocardiographic EFT and the severity of preeclampsia in pregnant women. Methods. Forty women with preeclampsia were recruited and thirty-five normal pregnant women were matched for both maternal age and gestastional age served as control. The materials were collected immediately after delivery of the fetus, before placenta expulsion and before clamping of the umblical cord in patients and controls whom were in fasting state. Total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and triglyceride levels (TG) and low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels were assessed. EFT was measured by using transthoracic echocardiography. Results. Among the preeclamptic women, 12 were diagnosed with severe preeclampsia and 28 mild preeclampsia. There were no statistically significant differences between patients with preeclampsia and normal pregnancy except when they are divided according to systolic and diastolic blood pressure, proteinuria levels, and parity and EFT levels. Among women with preeclampsia (n = 40), 30% had severe disease. Women with mild and severe preeclampsia had significiantly higher blood pressures at delivery and earlier gestational ages in comparison to control subjects. Although TG, VLDL and LDL, HDL, and HOMA-IR levels (P > 0.05) were comparable between preeclampsia and normal pregnancies, EFT levels were significiantly higher in patients with preeclampsia. Moreover, in subgroup analysis, patients with severe preeclampsia had higher EFT levels (P < 0.05) in comparison with mild preeclampsia. Conclusions. EFT levels measured at delivery were increased in patients with preeclampsia, and patients with increased levels of EFT levels had a substantially higher probability of the disease severity in comparison to those with mild preeclampsia and controls.

Left main coronary artery arising from right sinus of Valsalva: a rare congenital anomaly associated with distal vasospasm.

A 50 year-old female patient was admitted to our outpatient clinic with a two year history of chest pain and dyspnoea on exertion. Echocardiography revealed apical hypokinesia with an ejection fraction of 50% on the left ventricle. Coronary angiography revealed that the left main coronary artery was arising from the right sinus of Valsalva and than coursing posterior to the aorta. There were significant stenoses at the proximal right coronary artery (RCA) and the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). The RCA lesion disappeared after intracoronary nitroglycerine administration, and the LAD lesion disappeared the next day when the patient was due to undergo percutaneous intervention. Stress myocardial perfusion scintigraphy revealed anteroseptal ischaemia consistent with reversible ischaemia.

Homocysteine levels in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

OBJECTIVES: Increased homocysteine (HCY) levels are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Plasma HCY is increased in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients, and previous studies suggest that hyperhomocysteinemia causes adverse cardiac remodeling and affects pump function. We aimed to evaluate the HCY levels in patients with diastolic heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). METHODS: We prospectively studied 68 patients (39 females and 29 males) who were hospitalized for symptomatic heart failure, as well as 40 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects who comprised the control group. CHF was diagnosed in all cases based on Framingham diagnostic criteria. CHF with preserved LVEF was defined as cases with CHF with an LVEF of 50% or more. Patients with regional left ventricular wall motion abnormalities, atrial fibrillation, and renal failure were excluded. RESULTS: The mean age was 65.5 ± 9.6 years in the heart failure group and 65.2 ± 9.7 years in the control group. The mean LVEF was 59.8 ± 5.3 in the heart failure group and 61.4 ± 5.2 in the control group. The mean total fasting HCY concentrations were significantly higher in patients with heart failure (16.9 ± 5.27 µmol/l vs. 10.15 ± 3.49 µmol/l, respectively; p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis indicated that NT-proBNP, hs-CRP, E/A ratio, and HbA1C were independently associated with hyperhomocysteinemia. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that hyperhomocysteinemia is prevalent in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Larger scale studies are needed to clarify its pathogenic mechanisms and effects on the natural history of heart failure.

Monomorphic and propafenone-induced polymorphic ventricular tachycardia in Brugada syndrome: a case report.

A 24-year-old man without structural heart disease was admitted following recurrent syncopes. His baseline ECG revealed a right bundle-branch block (RBBB) pattern. Spontaneous monomorphic and polymorphic ventricular tachycardias (VT) were observed during monitoring. The provocation test by propafenone brought out recurrent spontaneous polymorphic VT and provocation by ajmaline caused an ST elevation in V2. Programmed ventricular stimulation test during the electrophysiologic study revealed both monomorphic and polymorphic VT. The patient received an internal cardioverter/defibrillator with the diagnosis of Brugada syndrome.

The anatomic barriers in the coronary sinus: implications for clinical procedures.

BACKGROUND: Coronary sinus (CS) catheterization is often used in cardiac resynchronization therapy. Failure to enter the CS is the most common reason for LV pacing lead implant failure. METHODS: We evaluated the anatomic barriers, Thebesian and Vieussens valves, the CS and its tributaries in 52 adult human cadaver hearts. RESULTS: The average diameter of CS ostiums was 9.47 mm. In 20 of the hearts heavier than 300 g, the average CS os diameter was 10.76 mm, whereas in the remaining hearts was 8.72 mm (p<0.005). The Thebesian valves were observed in 35(67%) of the hearts. In 39(75%) of the hearts Vieussens valves were observed and noted that 6(11%) of them were qualitatively well developed and 33(63%) diminutive. Twenty cases (38%) had 3 vein branches, 19(37%) had 4 branches, 6(11%) had 5 branches, 6(11%) had 2 branches and 1(2%) had 6 branches between great and middle cardiac veins. The anatomic barriers in coronary sinus i.e., Thebesian and Vieussens valves and their branchings were evaluated and found optimal, suboptimal and worst for catheterization in 33, 15 and 4 Thebesian valves; 40, 8, 4 Vieussens valves, respectively. The coronary sinus tributaries between great and middle cardiac veins were found to be optimal, suboptimal and worst for catheterization in 88, 60 and 38 veins, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Careful evaluation of anatomic barriers is important for treatment success. Thus, knowledge of these functional anatomic features and barriers allows for better utilization of the human coronary sinus for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

QT dispersion in the risk stratification of patients with unstable angina: correlation with clinical course, troponin T and scintigraphy.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to evaluate the potential prognostic usefulness of QT dispersion (QTd) in patients with unstable angina. METHODS AND RESULTS: QTd was calculated and plasma troponin T (TnT) level was measured and rest perfusion imaging with Tc-99m sestamibi was performed in 62 patients admitted with chest pain at rest. All patients had a follow-up during one month in order to assess cardiac events. Cardiac events occurred in 41 patients (no deaths, 11 myocardial infarctions (MI), 4 urgent and 26 planned revascularizations). The mean QTd in patients with cardiac events was significantly higher than in those without cardiac events (68 +/- 28 vs. 54 +/- 14 ms; p = 0.01). When patients were divided into subgroups according to the cardiac events, the mean QTd in MI and revascularization were 90 +/- 25 ms and 60 +/- 25 ms, respectively. QTd in patients with MI was higher than in patients without cardiac events (p = 0.001). There was no significant difference in QTd between the revascularization subgroup and patients without cardiac events. Nineteen patients with elevated TnT had a greater QTd compared to patients with normal TnT (74 +/- 29 vs. 56 +/- 20 ms; p = 0.008). Additionally, the mean QTd in 46 patients with perfusion defects was slightly higher than in patients without (66 +/- 27 vs. 53 +/- 17 ms; p = 0.03). There was also a moderate correlation between QTd and the number of perfusion defects (r = 0.31, p = 0.01). On the other hand, most of the patients who had a MI or urgent revascularization had a QTd greater than 75 ms. CONCLUSION: The measurement of QTd in patients with unstable angina may help to stratify patients at high risk for cardiac events, in particular MI and urgent revascularization.