The predictive value of epicardial fat volume for clinical severity of COVID-19.

Introduction: Epicardial adipose tissue serves as a source of inflammatory cytokines and mediators. Cytokine storm is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Objectives: To investigate the association between epicardial fat volume (EFV), inflammatory biomarkers and clinical severity of COVID-19. Methods: This retrospective study included 101 patients who were infected with COVID-19. Serum inflammatory biomarkers including C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), procalcitonin (PCT) and ferritin levels were measured. Computed tomography images were analyzed and semi-automated measurements for EFV were obtained. The primary composite endpoint was admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) or death. Results: The primary composite endpoint occurred in 25.1% (n=26) of patients (mean age 64.8±14.8 years, 14 male). A total of 10 patients died. EFV, CRP, PCT, ferritin and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in ICU patients. Moreover, a positive correlation was determined between EFV and CRP (r: 0.494, p<0.001), PCT (r: 0.287, p=0.005), ferritin (r: 0.265, p=0.01) and IL-6 (r: 0.311, p=0.005). On receiver operating characteristic analysis, patients with EFV >102 cm3 were more likely to have severe complications. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, EFV independently predicted admission to the ICU at a significant level (OR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01-1.03, p=0.025). Conclusion: EFV and serum CRP, IL-6, PCT and ferritin levels can effectively assess disease severity and predict the outcome in patients with COVID-19. EFV is an independent predictor of admission to the ICU in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Introdução: O tecido adiposo epicárdico é fonte de citocinas inflamatórias e mediadores. A tempestade de citocinas é uma importante causa de morbilidade e mortalidade na doença coronavírus 2019 (COVID-19). Objetivos: Investigar a associação entre volume adiposo epicárdico (VAE), biomarcadores inflamatórios e gravidade clínica da COVID-19. Métodos: Este estudo retrospetivo incluiu 101 doentes infetados com COVID-19. Foram avaliados biomarcadores inflamatórios séricos, incluindo os níveis de proteína C-reativa (PCR), de interleucina-6 (IL-6), de procalcitonina (PCT) e de ferritina. Foram analisadas imagens de tomografia computorizada (TC) e foram obtidas medições semi-automáticas do VAE. O endpoint primário composto foi a admissão na unidade de cuidados intensivos (UCI) ou morte. Resultados: O endpoint primário ocorreu em 25,1% (n=26) dos doentes (idade média 64,8±14,8 anos, 14 homens). Um total de 10 doentes morreu. Os níveis de VAE, PCR, PCT, ferritina e IL-6 foram significativamente superiores nos doentes internados na UCI. Além disso, verificou-se uma correlação positiva entre o VAE e a PCR (r: 0,494, p<0,001), PCT (r: 0,287, p=0,005), ferritina (r: 0,265, p=0,01) e IL-6 (r: 0,311, p=0,005). Na análise de regressão logistica multivariada, os doentes com VAE>102 cm3 tinham maior probabilidade de ter complicações graves. Conclusão: O VAE e os níveis séricos de PCR, IL-6, PCT e ferritina podem avaliar a gravidade da doença e prever o resultado em doentes com COVID-19. O VAE constitui um fator preditivo na admissão dos doentes hospitalizados com COVID-19 numa UCI.

Sarcopenia and Its Prognostic Role on Hospitalization and In-Hospital Mortality in Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients with At Least One Cardiovascular Risk Factor.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 infection is a global pandemic that has affected the whole world population. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic role of cross-sectional area, muscle index, and muscle attenuation values in computed tomography-based skeletal groups [erector spinae muscle, pectoralis muscle, and total skeletal muscle] of patients hospitalized for coronavirus disease 2019 and with at least 1 cardiovascular risk factor. METHODS: A total of 232 patients with coronavirus disease 2019 and at least 1 cardiovascular risk factor were enrolled in the study, retrospectively. The cross-sectional area, muscle index, and attenuation of erector spine muscle, pectoralis muscle, and total skeletal muscle were automatically measured on computed tomography images. The study population was assigned into tertiles on the basis of the total SMcsa index. The relationship between the values obtained and the length of hospital stay, admission to intensive care unit, the need for invasive mechani cal ventilation, and mortality was investigated. RESULTS: Admission to intensive care unit, need for invasive mechanical ventilation, and mor tality were higher at tertile 3 groups than in the other groups (all P values <.001). Statistically, all muscle measurements were significantly lower in tertile 3 (P <.001). Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and total SMcsa index were predictors of in-hospital mortality in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 on the basis of Cox regression analysis. In the Kaplan-Meier analysis for the proportion of survivors relative to the total SMcsa index, tertile 3 had the highest mortal ity (survival rates 57%, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Sarcopenia and attendant cardiovascular comorbidities can effectively assess dis ease severity and predict outcome in patients with coronavirus disease 2019.

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.

Effect of chelation therapy on arrhythmogenic and basal ECG parameters of lead exposed workers.

Lead exposure has etiological role on cardiovascular system diseases as hypertension, atherosclerosis, stroke, and arrhythmic events. In this study, we aimed to compare the basal and arrhythmogenic ECG parameters of lead exposed workers before and after chelation therapy and to evaluate the effect of acute change of blood lead levels on ECG. Fourty consecutive occupationally lead exposed workers were enrolled, demographic, blood, echocardiographic, and electrocardiographic data's were analyzed before and after chelation therapy. Pmax, P min, P Wave Dispersion, and QT Dispersion values which are arrhythmia predictors were significantly lower after chelation therapy compared to values before chelation therapy. Lead exposed workers are under the risk of ventricular and atrial arrythmias and chelation treatment has a positive effect on these parameters.

Relationship Between C-Reactive Protein to Albumin Ratio and Infarct-Related Artery Patency in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

The C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) is a predictive marker of systemic inflammatory state in atherosclerotic coronary disease when compared with the predictive value of these 2 markers separately. We investigated the relationship between CAR and infarct-related artery (IRA) patency in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The study population (n = 1047) was divided into 2 groups according to IRA patency which was assessed by the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade. Nonpatent flow was defined as TIMI grade 0 (no-reflow), 1, and 2 flows, and normal flow was defined as TIMI 3 flow. There was a significant positive correlation between CAR and SYNTAX score (r = 0.312, P < .001) and a negative correlation between CAR and TIMI grade flow (r = -0.210, P < .001). At a cutoff level of 0.693, the CAR predicted TIMI no-reflow with a sensitivity of 65.4% and a specificity of 65.5% (area under the curve: 0.670, 95% CI: 0.62-0.71, P < .001). Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that CAR was an independent predictor of IRA patency (0.003 [0.001-0.029]; P < .001). A higher CAR is a significant and independent predictor of IRA patency in patients with STEMI.

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.

Assessment of Pulmonary Arterial Hemodynamic and Vascular Changes by Pulmonary Pulse Transit Time in Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection.

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary arterial hypertension and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a well-known association. Pulmonary pulse transit time (pPTT) is a recent echocardiographic marker that might be used for evaluation of pulmonary arterial stiffness (PAS) in patients with HIV infection. We aimed to investigate whether pPTT elevated in patients with HIV infection compared to healthy controls and its association with echocardiographic indices of right ventricular functions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty HIV (+) patients from infectious disease outpatient clinics and fifty age- and sex-matched HIV (-) healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. pPTT was measured from pulmonary vein flow velocity as the time interval between the R-wave in the electrocardiography and corresponding peak late systolic was then calculated as the mean from two separate pw-Doppler measurements. RESULTS: pPTT, tricuspid annular peak systolic excursion (TAPSE) and right ventricle fractional area change (FAC) were significantly lower in patients with HIV than control patients (177.1 ± 34.9 vs. 215.7 ± 35.7 msn, P < 0.001; 2.33 ± 0.28 vs. 2.19 ± 0.22, P = 0.039; 45 [4.25] vs. 41.1 [4.0], P = 0.032, respectively). pPTT was positively correlated with FAC, TAPSE and cluster of differentiation 4 count (r = 0.210; P = 0.036, r = 0.256; P = 0.041, r = 0.304; P = 0.044, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our study showed that pPTT, TAPSE, and right ventricle FAC levels were lower in patients with HIV infection. pPTT is an important predictor in patients with HIV expected to develop pulmonary vascular pathology.

Cardiac involvement in MRI in young population after COVID-19: A single tertiary center experience.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) causes morbidity and mortality in an increasing number of people worldwide. Although it mainly affects the respiratory system, it influences all organs, including the heart. It is associated with a broad spectrum of widespread cardiovascular problems ranging from mild myocardial injury to fulminant myocarditis. We aimed to evaluate the presence and prevalence of cardiac involvement in asymptomatic or symptomatic patients after they recovered from COVID 19 infection. METHODS: A total of 100 consecutive patients with COVID-19 proven by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), under 40 years of age and without any known additional chronic diseases were analyzed retrospectively for cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) results and symptoms. RESULTS: Cardiac involvement was detected in 49 out of 100 patients on CMR imaging. In the cardiac involvement group, the number of patients with chest pain and/or dyspnea was 41 (84%), which was statistically significant (p = 0.001). Twenty-four patients (47%) in the without cardiac involvement group were asymptomatic and this was also statistically significant (p = 0.001). LV ejection fraction was statistically significantly lower in the group with cardiac involvement (61% vs 66%, p = 0.001). LV stroke volume and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) were statistically significantly lower in patients with cardiac involvement (p = 0.028 and p = 0.019, respectively). CONCLUSION: Based on single center experience, myocardial involvement is common in symptomatic patients after COVID-19. More studies are needed for long-term side effects and clinical results in these patients.

Left main coronary artery stenosis treated with renal stents after Cabrol operation.

Cabrol procedure is an alternative technique of anastomosing coronary arteries to the aortic root graft by an extra graft, if direct implantation of coronary arteries to the aortic root graft is not possible. The left main coronary artery stenosis is a rarely seen complication after aortic root operations. Treatment of large coronary arteries with renal stents is a challenging procedure. Herein, we, for the first time in the literature, present a case of left main coronary artery stenosis treated with renal stents after Cabrol operation.

Diurnal rhythm of blood pressure in patients with polycythemia vera.

AIMS: Polycythemia vera increases the risk of hypertension, but there is limited information about the effect on daily blood pressure fluctuations. This study aimed to demonstrate how diurnal blood pressure rhythm is affected in polycythemia vera patients. METHODS: Fifty (50) patients (33 men; mean age 48 ± 15 years) with a diagnosis of polycythemia vera and 51 age and sex-matched healthy subjects for the control group were prospectively evaluated. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were evaluated by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) as average 24-hour, daytime and nighttime measures. RESULTS: Average 24-hour SBP and DBP, daytime SBP and DBP were similar in both groups. However, nighttime SBP and DBP were significantly higher in the polycythemia vera group compared with the control group (125.3 ± 17.2 and 73.7 ± 12.2 vs. 118.9 ± 12.2 and 69.5 ± 8.5; P = 0.034 and P = 0.044). Both nocturnal SBP fall and nocturnal DBP fall were blunted in the polycythemia vera group compared with the control group (-6.9 ± 8.9 and -11.3 ± 12.2 vs. -11.6 ± 7.7 and -16.3 ± 12.0, respectively). Both hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were positively correlated with nocturnal SBP fall (r = 0.306, P = 0.002 and r = 0.355, P < 0.001; respectively) in all patients. CONCLUSION: We found that the polycythemia vera group had significantly decreased nocturnal dipping compared with healthy controls. The SBP fall was also positively correlated with hemoglobin and hematocrit levels.