Single-center experience with percutaneous mitral valve repair using the MitraClip in a high-risk series in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: Mitral valve regurgitation (MR) is the second most common heart valve disease in Europe. Without intervention, prognosis of severe symptomatic MR is poor. Percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral valve repair with MitraClip is a promising mitral regurgitation treatment technique in select, high-surgical-risk patients. The present objective was to describe the experience of a single center with MitraClip use in a high-risk series in Turkey. METHODS: Between May 2013 and September 2014, 28 high-surgical-risk patients with MR of at least grade 3+ and mean EuroSCORE of 26% underwent MitraClip implantation at our institution. In-hospital and follow-up safety and efficacy results are presented. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 58 years, and 75% were male. Grade 3 or 4 MR was present in all patients, and was primarily the result of restrictive functional mitral regurgitation (in 89% of cases). Mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 27% and New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification was III or IV in 89% of the population. Acute procedural success was 89%, with 47% of patients receiving a single clip, 39% receiving 2 clips, and 14% receiving 3 clips. One periprocedural death occurred, and 2 deaths occurred during follow-up (mean: 13.9 months). After 1 year, more than 75% of patients had MR severity of ≤2+ and NYHA classification of I or II, but no significant change in left ventricular volume or systolic function. Significant improvement in 6-minute walk test and quality of life was also observed. CONCLUSION: Initial experience with the MitraClip system showed promising results in patients considered high-surgical-risk, particularly in those with end-stage heart failure.

Left atrial remodeling in patients undergoing percutaneous mitral valve repair with the MitraClip system: an advanced echocardiography study.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to determine changes in left atrial (LA) function with two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE) and real-time full-volume three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) after percutaneous mitral valve repair with the MitraClip system. Furthermore, we investigated whether baseline and/or changes in LA function after MitraClip repair had any impact on prognosis. METHODS: A total of 25 consecutive patients (age: 57±12 years, 76% male) with moderate-to-severe or severe mitral regurgitation (MR) were included. Patients underwent 2DSTE and RT3DE before the clip implantation and after the 12-month follow-up. Prognostic data were also recorded via the use of telephone calls and follow-up visits for 12 months after the procedure. RESULTS: Compared with the baseline, the LA reservoir strain (LA-Res) (7.66±4.3% vs 11.15±7.5%, P<.001) and LA contraction strain (LA-Pump) (4.64±4.3% vs 7.63±5.8%, P=.001) improved significantly after MitraClip repair; significant improvements were also seen in three-dimensional (3D) minimum LA volume index (LAV min) and maximum LA volume index (LAV max). On the other hand, conventional LA indices did not change. In total, eleven major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were observed at the 1-year follow-up. In univariate analyses, the preprocedural echocardiographic parameters that were associated with the MACE within 1 year after MitraClip repair were 3D-LAV min and LA-Res. Furthermore, these indices significantly correlated with improved functional parameters and MR reduction. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, a successful MitraClip procedure can reverse the process of LA remodeling within 12 months, and this can be detected by 2DSTE and RT3DE. Also, patients with preprocedural lower LA-Res and higher 3D-LAV min had the worst prognoses at the 1-year follow-up.

A case of myocardial muscular bridging causing severe hypotension during exercise-electrocardiography test.

Outlining the severity of the myocardial bridge (MB) is a critical step for selecting the appropriate option among medical, surgical, or angioplasty-based treatments. Invasive treatments are usually preferred if treatment-resistant symptoms are observed or ischemia is proven by tests such as fractional flow reserve or myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS). In this report, we present a patient who developed severe hypotension during treadmill exercise test, even though there were no perfusion defects during adenosine-induced MPS. This case suggests MPS with adenosine is not a good choice for evaluating ischemia in MB patients, as it may cause false negative results.

Ultraslow thrombolytic therapy: A novel strategy in the management of PROsthetic MEchanical valve Thrombosis and the prEdictors of outcomE: The Ultra-slow PROMETEE trial.

BACKGROUND: Low-dose (25mg), slow infusion (6hours) of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) with repetition as needed has been shown to provide effective and safer thrombolysis in patients with prosthetic valve thrombosis (PVT). Further prolonging the infusion time may be rational with regard to reducing complication rates without reducing success rates. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of ultraslow (25hours) infusion of low-dose (25mg) alteplase (t-PA) for PVT. METHODS AND RESULTS: Transesophageal echocardiography-guided thrombolytic therapy (TT) was administered to 114 patients with PVT in 120 different episodes between 2009 and 2013 in a single center. Prosthetic valve thrombosis was obstructive in 77 (64.2%) and nonobstructive in 43 (35.8%) episodes. Ultraslow infusion (25hours) of low-dose (25mg) t-PA, as the TT regimen, was used in all patients admitted with PVT. The end points were thrombolytic success, mortality, and complication rates. The overall success rate of TT was 90% (95% CI 0.85-0.95). The univariate predictors of an unsuccessful result were higher New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, thrombus cross-sectional area, duration of suboptimal anticoagulation, lower baseline valve area, and presence of atrial fibrillation. The NYHA class was the only independent predictor of TT failure by multiple variable analysis. The overall complication rate was 6.7% (3.3% nonfatal major, 2.5% minor, and 0.8% death). The predictors of complications were presence of atrial fibrillation, higher NYHA class, and thrombus area. CONCLUSION: Ultraslow (25hours) infusion of low-dose (25mg) t-PA without bolus appears to be associated with quite low nonfatal complications and mortality for PVT patients without loss of effectiveness, except for those with NYHA class IV.

The relationship between rheumatoid factor levels and coronary artery lesion complexity and severity in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

INTRODUCTION: The relation between serum rheumatoid factor levels and the extent, severity, and complexity of coronary artery disease has not been adequately studied. AIM: Therefore, we assessed the relationship between the severity of coronary artery disease assessed by SYNTAX score and serum rheumatoid factor levels in patients with stable coronary artery disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We enrolled 268 consecutive patients who underwent coronary angiography. Patients with acute coronary syndrome and chronic immune disorders were excluded. Baseline serum rheumatoid factor levels were measured and the SYNTAX score was calculated from the study population. RESULTS: Patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 was defined as low SYNTAX score < 22, and group 2 was defined as intermediate and high SYNTAX score > 22. Serum rheumatoid factor levels were significantly higher in the intermediate and high-SYNTAX score group than in the low-SYNTAX score group (16.4 ±9 IU/mlvs. 11.36 ±5 IU/ml, p < 0.001). Also, there was a significant correlation between rheumatoid factor and CRP levels with the SYNTAX score r = 0.411; p < 0.001 and r = 0.275; p < 0.001, respectively. On multivariate linear regression analysis, rheumatoid factor (ß = 0.101, p < 0.001) was an independent risk factor for intermediate and high SYNTAX score in patients with stable coronary artery disease. In receiver operator characteristic curve analysis, optimal cut-off value of rheumatoid factor to predict high SYNTAX score was found to be 10.5 IU/ml, with 69% sensitivity and 61% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: The rheumatoid factor level was independently associated with the extent, complexity, and severity of coronary artery disease assessed by SYNTAX score in patients with stable coronary artery diseases.

The relation of platelet-lymphocyte ratio and coronary collateral circulation in patients with stable angina pectoris and chronic total occlusion.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the relationship between the platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and coronary collateral circulation (CCC) in patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP) and chronic total occlusion (CTO). METHODS: A total of 294 patients with both SAP and CTO were classified according to their Rentrop collateral grades as either poor (Rentrop grades/0-1) or good (Rentrop grades/2-3). RESULTS: The PLR values were significantly higher in patients with poor CCC than in those with good CCC (156.8 + 30.7 vs 132.1 + 24.4, P < 0.001). In regression analysis, PLR (unit = 10) [odds ratio 1.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.33 -1.65; P < 0.001] and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were found to be the independent predictors of poor CCC. In receiver operator characteristic curve analysis, optimal cut-off value of PLR to predict poor CCC was found as 138.1, with 76% sensitivity and 65% specificity. CONCLUSION: PLR may be an important, simple, and cost effective tool predicting the degree of collateralization in patients with SAP and CTO.

Two-dimensional strain and strain rate imaging of the left atrium and left ventricle in adult patients with atrial septal defects before and after the later stage of percutaneous device closure.

AIM: Atrial septal defect (ASD) causes chronic volume overload of the right heart. The potential adverse effects of this long-standing volume overload to left atrium (LA) and left ventricle (LV) and their response to ASD closure has been poorly studied. METHODS: We studied 20 ASD patients before the procedure, at the 24-hour and 1 month following the percutaneous closure. Twenty age-matched controls served as the control group. The analysis for atrial deformation was performed on the lateral wall, mid segment of the LA from apical four-chamber view. Peak longitudinal strain (S) and strain rate (SR) during LA reservoir, passive emptying, atrial contraction phases and LV global longitudinal systolic S and SR were measured. RESULTS: Peak S and SR at LA reservoir, conduit and late contraction phases in ASD patients were similar to controls. All of these parameters increased immediately after the closure of the defect. Similarly, SLV and SRLV in ASD patients were not significantly different from the controls and significantly increased after the closure. But LA S, SR and LV S, SR results decreased in 1 month after the closure. SLV in ASD patients was significantly correlated with echocardiographic findings and the invasively measured defect size. CONCLUSION: LA and LV S and SR are not significantly affected in ASD patients. However, correction of the long-standing volume overload by percutaneous closure causes an early increase in LA and LV longitudinal deformation that correlates with the magnitude of the atrial septal defect. But this increase decreased in 1 month after closure.

Relationship of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio with the presence, severity, and extent of coronary atherosclerosis detected by coronary computed tomography angiography.

We evaluated whether the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was associated with the presence, severity, and extent of coronary atherosclerotic plaques detected by computed tomography angiography (CTA). We studied 238 patients who underwent dual-source 64-slice CTA for the assessment of coronary artery disease. Coronary arteries were evaluated on 16-segment basis and critical plaque was described as luminal narrowing >50%. In regression analysis, being in the third NLR tertile increased the risk of coronary atherosclerosis (odds ratio [OR], 2.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15-4.43; P = .023). When the severity of coronary atherosclerosis was assessed, being in the third NLR tertile increased the risk of critical luminal stenosis (OR, 2.60; 95% CI, 1.19-5.69; P = .017). Although plaque morphology was not associated with NLR, the extent of coronary atherosclerosis was increased with higher NLR tertiles (P = .001). Our results suggest that a higher NLR may be a useful additional measure to assess cardiovascular risk in clinical practice.

Predictors of coronary artery aneurysm after stent implantation in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

The clinical and angiographic predictors of coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) formation in patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are not clear. This study aims to assess the predictors of CAA formation after primary PCI. 3,428 patients who underwent PCI for STEMI were enrolled. The average period of follow-up was mean 48 months (range 35-56 months) after PCI. During this time, 1,304 patients were underwent follow-up coronary angiography. CAA was detected in 21 patients (1.6 %). CAA occurred at the segment of stent implantation in all patients. The clinical and angiographic data were compared between patients with CAA group (n = 21) and without CAA group (n = 1,283). Patients who developed CAA had longer reperfusion time, higher high-sensitiviy C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio than those who had without CAA. Angiographically, CAA developed proximally located lesions and lesion length was significantly greater in patients with CAA than without CAA. Statin and beta-blocker discontinuation were found higher in stent-associated CAA. Every 1 mg/l increase in hs-CRP and implantation of drug eluting stent (DES) were independent predictor of CAA formation after STEMI. Baseline elevated inflammation status and DES implantation in the setting of STEMI may predict the CAA formation.

Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio is related to the severity of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess whether NLR levels are associated with echocardiographic parameters, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, or B- type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). DESIGN: Eighty-seven patients with idiopathic DCM were included prospectively from 2009 to 2014. Patients with acute decompensated heart failure and conditions that alter the total or differential white blood cell counts were excluded. Blood samples were collected before echocardiographic investigation on admission. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant correlation between neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and NYHA functional class (r = 0.68, p < 0.001), BNP levels (r = 0.61, p < 0.001) and various echocardiographic parameters. NLR was significantly higher in patients in NYHA functional class III or IV (n = 39) than among those categorized as NYHA class I or II (n = 48), (3.3 ± 1.0 vs 2.1 ± 0.6; p < 0.001). The NLR cutoff value predicting severe chronic HF was 2.25 with 82% sensitivity and 65% specificity (p < 0.001). On multivariate linear regression analysis NLR (p = 0.025), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (p = 0.041) and left atrial volume index (LAVI) (p = 0.001) were found to be independent positive predictors of BNP levels. CONCLUSION: Neutrophil/Lymphocyte ratio is associated with the severity of chronic heart failure in patients with idiopathic DCM.

Effect of increased severity of mitral regurgitation and preprocedural right ventricular systolic dysfunction on biventricular and left atrial mechanical functions following percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty.

BACKGROUND: Severe mitral stenosis (MS) may impair left atrial (LA) pump function, and increase LA and pulmonary venous pressure resulting in right ventricular (RV) systolic dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate biventricular and LA function after percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty (PMBV) by tissue Doppler (TDI) and speckle tracking echocardiography (STE). METHODS: Twenty-eight consecutive patients with severe symptomatic rheumatic MS (11 men, mean age: 39 ± 7 years) who were referred for PMBV were included in the study. In addition to conventional echocardiography, all patients underwent TDI and two-dimensional (2D) (STE) to assess left ventricular (LV), LA, and RV function before and 3 months after PMBV. Severity of mitral regurgitation (MR) was graded by the ratio of MR jet area to LA area (JA/LAA) method and any postprocedural progression of the JA/LAA ratio was defined as worsening of MR. Peak systolic velocity of tricuspid lateral annulus (RVs) <11.5 cm/sec was accepted as RV dysfunction. RESULTS: Left atrial diameter and area were decreased, while LV dimensions were unchanged following the valvuloplasty. PMBV improved STE-based LV mechanical indices, LA reservoir and conduit function, and RV free wall basal longitudinal strain (LS) and displacement. Increased severity of MR was detected in 6 patients, and PMBV did not improve the STE-based RV or LV function in these patients, while LA reservoir and conduit function were both improved independent of MR worsening. There was significant improvement in RVs and RV basal LS in the 15 patients with preprocedural RV systolic dysfunction, while the improvement in patients with normal preprocedural RV function was not significant. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty may improve both LA and biventricular function in patients with severe symptomatic MS. Both TDI and STE are useful to determine biventricular and LA function after PMBV. Although the number of patients was insufficient, worsening of MR after PMBV may limit the improvement in RV and LV function, while preprocedural RV dysfunction does not seem to limit the improvement in RV function and pulmonary artery systolic pressure. Large scale follow-up studies are required to see whether the changes observed in cardiac mechanics are persistent.

[Evaluation of the long-term effect of percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty on right ventricular function using tissue Doppler imaging in patients with mitral stenosis]. / Mitral darligi olan hastalarda perkütan valvüloplastinin sag kalp fonksiyonlari üzerine uzun dönem etkisinin doku Doppler görüntüleme ile degerlendirilmesi.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the effects of percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty (PMBV) on right ventricular function in the long term using tissue Doppler imaging. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-seven patients who underwent successful PMBV were enrolled in the study. Echocardiographic examination, including color tissue Doppler imaging, was done from the lateral tricuspid annulus 24 hours before the intervention, and the examination was repeated 24 hours and 6 months after the intervention. RESULTS: At 24 hours after the intervention, S wave velocity and A' wave velocity were seen to have increased significantly (9.52±1.85 cm/s vs. 10.92±1.20 cm/s, p=0.012; -10.44±2.64 cm/s vs. -11.73±2.05 cm/s, p=0.029, respectively). E' wave velocity and E'/A' ratio did not change significantly (p>0.05 for both). In the late period, S wave velocity was similar to the value in the early period and significantly higher than the basal level (9.52±1.85 cm/s vs. 10.69±1.72 cm/s, p=0.023). However, A' wave velocity in the late period was decreased compared to the early period and was not different from the basal level (-10.44±2.64 cm/s vs. -10.74±2.63 cm/s, p>0.05). The increase in E' wave velocity in the late period when compared to the basal level was found to be statistically significant (-7.85±1.54 cm/s vs. -9.21±1.81 cm/s, p=0.046). CONCLUSION: Right ventricular systolic function improved in the early period, and this improvement was seen to continue in the late period of PMBV. Diastolic function did not improve in the early period, but did improve in the late period. Right atrium systolic function improved in the early period; however, in the late period, levels were similar to the basal levels.

Effect of blood donation-mediated volume reduction on regional right ventricular deformation in healthy subjects.

Strain (S) and strain rate (SR) are known to be altered in diseases associated with right ventricular (RV) pressure/volume overload and RV myocardial dysfunction; however determinants of S/SR are incompletely understood. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of blood donation-mediated volume reduction on regional RV deformation in healthy young adults. Study population was composed of 61 consecutive healthy subjects who were volunteers for blood donation. All underwent standard echocardiography and two-dimensional S and SR imaging by speckle tracking before and after 450 mL blood donation. We found no change in RV lateral wall SR in all three segments. However, the S in the apical and mid segments of the RV lateral wall immediately decreased after blood donation [-26.2 ± 3.3 vs. -23.2 ± 3.3 % (p < 0.0001) and -28.2 ± 3.4 vs. -27.1 ± 3.2 % (p = 0.009), respectively], whereas no change was observed in the basal segment. Moreover, changes in systolic S on the apical segment of the RV lateral wall before and after blood donation were significantly correlated with the changes in the RV size [end-diastolic area index, r = - 0.369 (p = 0.003) and end-systolic area index, r = - 0.319 (p = 0.012)] and changes in the stroke volume index [r = - 0.436 (p < 0.001)]. Blood donation-mediated volume reduction in healthy subjects caused a regional difference in RV longitudinal deformation with the lower mid and apical S that was related to parameters of volume load severity. However, RV systolic SR was found to be resistant to the effects of volume depletion.

Factor XIII Val34Leu polymorphism in patients with cardiac syndrome X.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to examine the frequency of factor XIII polymorphism among patients with cardiac syndrome X (CSX). METHODS: This study was designed as a cross-sectional and observational study. Forty-eight female patients with CSX and 36 controls matched by age, gender, diabetes, and hypertension were studied. CSX was defined as typical chest pain during rest or effort, abnormal test result for exercise ECG, and presence of angiographically normal epicardial coronary arteries after ruling out inducible spasm. Factor XIII gene polymorphism was investigated by using CVD Strip Assay (ViennaLab Diagnostic GmbH) commercial kit. RESULTS: The frequency of factor XIII (Val/Leu + Leu/Leu) mutation was significantly higher in patients with CSX (43%) than in controls (19%) (p = 0.02). Frequency of the Leu allele was significantly higher in the patient group (23.5% vs. 11.1%, p = 0.04). Factor XIII (Val/Leu + Leu/Leu) mutation (p = 0.01, OR = 3.42; 95% CI 1.22-9.58) and smoking (p = 0.04, OR = 3.33, 95% CI 1.05-10.58) were identified as independent predictors of the disease in multivariate regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that there is an evidence for association between factor XIII Val34Leu polymorphism and CSX.

Decreased plasma adiponectin is associated with impaired left ventricular longitudinal systolic function in hypertensive patients: a two-dimensional speckle tracking study.

The influence of plasma adiponectin levels on myocardial contractile function has not been fully examined. We aimed to investigate the relationship between three-directional systolic function and plasma adiponectin levels in asymptomatic hypertensive patients using two- dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography. The study population consisted of 78 patients with hypertension and 40 healthy controls. Longitudinal strain was significantly reduced in all patients, including those without LV hypertrophy (p=0.009). In multiple-regression analysis, plasma adiponectin levels (ß=-0.273, p=0.008) and LV mass index (ß=0.458, p<0.001) independently correlated with LV longitudinal strain. Decreased plasma adiponectin concentrations were associated with the progression of LV hypertrophy with impaired LV longitudinal systolic function.

Acute aortic dissection with a dangerous duo in an adolescent boy.

Acute type II aortic dissection and aortic coarctation are rare combined disorders. This report is of a patient with coarctation, a bicuspid aortic valve and type II dissection, who underwent emergency repair for the dissection, with aortic valve preservation. Repair of the coarctation was planned for a future occasion. The optimal sequence and timing of the repair, the best surgical technique, adequacy of blood perfusion, and the most appropriate arterial cannulation site are important issues in the repair of aortic dissection secondary to aortic coarctation.

Predictors and long-term prognostic significance of angiographically visible distal embolization during primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to identify the predictors of angiographically visible distal embolization (AVDE) during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (p-PCI) as well as to assess its impact on short- and long-term clinical outcomes in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). STUDY DESIGN: We retrospectively enrolled 2007 patients with STEMI who underwent p-PCI. We assessed the clinical and angiographic characteristics of patients in order to identify the predictors of AVDE and compared the outcomes of patients with and without AVDE during p-PCI. RESULTS: Distal embolization developed in 135 (6.7%) patients. Age (for each 10- year increase, Odds Ratio (OR) 1.34, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.16-1.52, p<0.001), treatment of right coronary artery (OR 2.52, 95% CI 1.30-4.87, p=0.034), repeated balloon dilatation (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.16-2.94, p=0.009), cut-off occlusion pattern (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.38-3.42, p=0.001), lesion length >15 mm (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.09-2.58, p=0.019), and reference vessel diameter >3.5 mm (OR 5.08, 95% CI 3.32-7.65, p<0.001) were independent predictors of AVDE. In-hospital (8.1% vs. 3.8%, p=0.014) and one-month (10.8% vs. 4.9%, p=0.004) all-cause mortality rates were higher in patients with AVDE. At the long-term follow-up (median: 42 months), both all-cause (21.5% vs. 10.4%, p<0.001) and cardiac mortality rates (18.4% vs. 8.0%, p<0.001) were higher in patients with AVDE. CONCLUSION: AVDE is associated with worse clinical outcome at both the short- and long-term follow-up of STEMI patients treated early with p-PCI.

Adding lipoprotein(a) levels to the GRACE score to predict prognosis in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: High levels of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] are known to be a cardiovascular risk factor associated with premature coronary artery disease. In predicting the long term prognosis in acute coronary syndromes (ACS), the relationship between Lp(a) and risk scoring systems remains unclear. AIM: We investigated whether adding Lp(a) to the GRACE scoring system has an incremental value in predicting prognosis in ACS. METHODS: 115 patients (mean age 64 ± 11 years) with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS) were enrolled in this prospective study. Patients were categorised into quartiles according to the Lp(a) levels. Statistically significant variables in the univariate analysis (haemoglobin, creatinine, age, left ventricular ejection fraction, previous myocardial infarction (MI) history, Killip class) were included in the multivariate analysis to determine the independent predictors of cardiovascular outcomes (mortality, rehospitalisation) with and without Lp(a) quartiles for one year follow-up. RESULTS: Previous MI history and Lp(a) quartile were detected as independent predictors of combined cardiovascular events (OR: 2.969 [95% CI 1.413-6.240] and OR: 6.279 [95% Cl 1.363-28.927] respectively). Lp(a) quartile also remained as an independent predictor for prognosis when added to a model based on GRACE risk score (OR: 2.589 [95% CI 1.402-4.780]). Serum Lp(a) levels were moderately correlated with GRACE risk score (r = 0.371; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Lipoprotein(a) has an additional prognostic value over GRACE risk score in predicting one-year adverse outcomes in NSTE-ACS. The combination of serum Lp(a) with GRACE risk score could provide enhanced risk stratification in patients with ACS.