Dependence of clinical outcomes on time of hospital admission in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: There are conflicting results in studies investigating the effects of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on the prognosis of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) during or outside of usual hospital working hours. While some researchers have reported higher mortality rates in STEMI patients admitted outside of working hours, others did not find a statistically significant difference. OBJECTIVES: Investigate the short-term endpoints and long-term outcomes of STEMI patients by time of admission. DESIGN: Retrospective SETTING: Tertiary percutaneous coronary intervention center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were grouped by admission, which consisted of four intervals: 06:00 to <12:00, 12:00 to <18:00, 18:00 to <24:00, and 24:00 to <06:00. We analyzed demographic, clinical and mortality by admission time interval and mortality by multivariate analyses, including the time intervals. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical data and mortality SAMPLE SIZE: 735 patients; median (IQR) age 62 (22) years; 215 (29.3%) women. RESULTS: Patients admitted at night were 1.37 times more likely to experience pulmonary edema than patients whose symptoms started in the daytime (P=.012); 32.9% of the patients whose symptoms started at night presented with Killip class II-IV, while during the daytime, 21.4% presented with Killip class II-IV (P=.001). Among the patients, the most common was inferior STEMI (38.6%). However, no-reflow was significantly higher during the daytime compared to the nighttime (P=.12). The risk of the cardiac arrest on admission was 1.2 times higher in patients admitted at night (P=.034). Neither time interval of admission nor several other variables had an effect on clinical outcome or mortality. CONCLUSIONS: While patients admitted at night presented with pulmonary edema and cardiogenic shock more frequently, no reflow was observed during the day after the procedure. Although patients admitted at night with STEMI presented with worse clinical conditions, similar results were observed between the groups in clinical outcomes. LIMITATIONS: More "real world" results might have been obtained if the study had replicated more typical referral conditions for PCI. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

Novel predictor of pulmonary arterial hypertension: Monocyte to HDL cholesterol ratio.

Monocyte to HDL cholesterol ratio (MHR), lymphocyte to monocyte ratio (LMR), and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) have been proposed as novel systemic inflammatory markers. The aim of this study was to explore the association between MHR, LMR and NLR with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The study is a single-center, retrospective Cross-sectional study. The study group consisted of 73 patients with PAH and the control group 77 participants without cardiac pathology as determined by echocardiography. On admission, blood sampling to calculate MHR, LMR, NLR, and detailed clinical data were obtained. According to the Pearson test, systolic pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) value Higher MHR, NLR and lower LMR that indicates an enhanced inflammation were significantly increased in patients with PAH when compared with controls. Compared to many other inflammatory markers, these markers are widely available. positively correlated with the MHR and NLR (r:.35, P < .001 and r:.33, P < .001, respectively), but negatively correlated with LMR (r: -.26, P = .001). After multivariate logistic regression analysis, MHR, LMR, and NLR remained as significant predictors of PAH (OR: 2.651, 95% CI: 1.227-5.755, P = .007; OR: 0.647, 95% CI:0.450-0.931, P = .005; OR: 1.350, 95% CI: 1.054-1.650 P = .030, respectively).

Predictive Value of C-Reactive Protein to Albumin Ratio in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients Treated With Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

The present study aimed to examine the association of C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) with short-term major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). We included 539 STEMI patient treated with pPCI in this study. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to MACE development. Patients with MACE had higher CAR than those without (1.18 [0.29-1.99] vs 0.21 [0.09-0.49], P < .001). Multivariate analysis showed that The Global Record for Acute Coronary Events score, Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with TAXus and cardiac surgery (SYNTAX) score, glucose and CAR (odds ratio:1.326, 95% CI: 1.212-1452, P < .001) were independent predictors of MACE. The CAR may be proven useful for risk stratification in STEMI patients undergoing pPCI.

The utility of the TIMI risk index on admission for predicting angiographic no-reflow after primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with STEMI.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) risk score (TRS), and the TIMI risk index (TRI) have been reported in coronary artery disease patients. We investigated whether admission TRI is associated with no-reflow (NRF) in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (p-PCI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients treated with p-PCI were included in the study. TRI was calculated on admission using specified variables. We defined the angiographic NRF phenomenon as a coronary TIMI flow grade of ≤2 after the vessel was recanalized or a TIMI flow grade of 3 together with a final myocardial blush grade (MBG) of <2 in a manner as described in previous studies. RESULTS: A total of 371 patients (aged 62 ± 14 years; 73/27 men to women ratio) who underwent p-PCI were enrolled in the study. In terms of age, NRF patients were older than reflow patients (P < 0.017 for MBG). Killip class III-IV designations were more common in NRF patients (P = 0.029 for MBG). TRI (P = 0.014 for MBG) values were significantly greater in the NRF group. TRI was an independent predictor of NRF according to MBG flow (P = 0.003, B = -0.035, Exp B = 0966, 95% CI, 0.944-0.988). CONCLUSION: Admission TRI may predict the development of NRF phenomenon after p-PCI in patients with acute STEMI.

Serum Levels of IL-17 and IL-23 in Patients With Rheumatic Mitral Stenosis.

Rheumatic mitral valve stenosis (RMS) is a complication of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) and leads to significant morbidity and mortality. RHD is a chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disease that is associated with cytokine activities. The etiology of RMS is not fully understood yet. Interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-23 have a key role in development of the autoimmunity. The expression of these cytokines in RMS remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the serum levels of IL-17 and IL-23 in RMS patients compared to healthy subjects.A total of 35 patients admitted to cardiology outpatient clinic between December 2014 and May 2015 who were diagnosed with RMS formed the study group. Age- and gender-matched 35 healthy subjects were included as the control group. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 18.0 and P value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant.The patients with RMS had higher WBC count, hsCRP, systolic pulmonary artery pressure (PAPs), left atrial diameter (LAD), IL-17, and IL-23 levels compared to the control subjects. The levels of IL-17 (P = 0.012) and IL-23 (P = 0.004) were significantly higher in the RMS group. Correlation analysis revealed that IL-17 and IL-23 levels had a significant correlation with each other and with hsCRP and LAD.We demonstrated that serum levels of IL-17 and IL-23 are significantly higher in patients with RMS compared to those of healthy subjects. IL-17 and IL-23 expression may have a possible role in inflammatory processes that result in RMS development.

The relationship between fibrinogen to albumin ratio and severity of coronary artery disease in patients with STEMI.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies show that serum fibrinogen levels are established risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD) and that serum albumin levels are of a higher specificity and sensitivity in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). In this study, we sought to evaluate the association between fibrinogen to albumin ratio (FAR) and the extent and severity of CAD evaluated by TAXUS Drug-Eluting Stent Versus Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery for the Treatment of Narrowed Arteries (SYNTAX) Score (SS) in patients with STEMI. METHODS: A total of 278 patients with STEMI were included in the study. FAR was calculated using specified variables. The extent and severity of CAD were evaluated using the SS. The patients were divided into low- (SS <22) and high- (SS ≥22) risk groups. A Spearman rank correlation coefficient analysis was used for the relationship between FAR and SS. The cutoff points for sensitivity and specificity of FAR in predicting SS were estimated by performing a receiver operator characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the mean age (P=.016), admission serum albumin (P=.041), serum fibrinogen (P<.001), FAR (P<.001), and SS risk groups. Positive correlation was detected between FAR and SS (r=0.458, P<.001). A cutoff level of >87 FAR predicted SS (sensitivity, 70%; specificity, 70%), and an area under the curve of 0.758 serum fibrinogen and albumin level was an independent predictor for SS in patients with STEMI (b=0.039; 95% confidence interval, 0.016-0.062; P=.001 and b=-6.906; 95% confidence interval, -12.284 to -1.527; P=.013, respectively). CONCLUSION: In the present study, we showed that FAR is significantly related to SS in predicting the severity of CAD in patients with STEMI.

Relationship between metabolic syndrome and epicardial fat tissue thickness in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

OBJECTIVE: An increase in epicardial fat tissue (EFT) thickness was found to be associated with metabolic syndrome (MS) and ischemic heart disease. MS is a comorbidity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) resulting from the accompanying systemic inflammation. The aim of our study was to investigate the usefulness of EFT thickness to predict MS in COPD patients. METHODS: COPD patients admitted to our clinic during January-December 2014 and healthy controls were included in this prospective case control study. Patients with comorbidities, COPD exacerbation, and malignancies were excluded. Patients and controls were compared in terms of anthropometric measurements, MS-related examination and laboratory findings, pulmonary function tests, and EFT thickness. The correlations between EFT thickness and markers of MS in COPD were evaluated using the Student's t-test and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: COPD patients and controls were composed of 82 and 84 individuals, respectively. MS was diagnosed in 31 (37.8%) COPD patients. The EFT thickness was significantly higher in COPD patients than in the controls and was also higher in COPD patients with MS than in those without MS (all p<0.001). Each 1-mm increment of EFT raised the risk of MS two-fold (p=0.011, OR=2.08, 95% CI: 1.18-3.68). Increase in triglyceride level (p=0.004, OR=1.02, 95% CI: 1.01-1.03) and reduction in forced vital capacity (p=0.025, OR=0.26, 95% CI: 0.08-0.84) were found to be associated with increased MS risk. The cut-off value for EFT thickness in the prediction of MS in COPD patients was 6.75 mm (sensitivity: 83%, specificity: 65%). CONCLUSION: EFT thickness is a non-invasive and easily available parameter, which is valuable in the prediction of increased MS risk in COPD patients. Early diagnosis of patients at risk of MS may help to prevent ischemic heart disease in these patients.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy in Turkey: Experience of three tertiary centres.

We conducted this study to determine demographic details, and clinical presentations in patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCMP) of Turkish origin. The study population consisted of 58 patients with PPCMP treated at 3 major hospitals in Turkey, retrospectively. In this study, demographic details and initial echocardiographic data were recorded and long-term clinical status was evaluated. The mean age for the patient cohort was 31.47 ± 6.31 years. Thirty-eight patients (73.1%) were multigravida and seven patients had multifetal pregnancy (13.7%). The mean follow-up left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction increased from 31 ± 7 to 38 ± 19. A minority of patients were defined as improvers according to our pre-specified criteria. The average survival period after diagnosis of PPCMP was 20.66 ± 14.44 months. Initial values for LV end-diastolic diameter and urea were higher in the deceased patients compared with the surviving patients, respectively. Twenty-eight (48%) patients with PPCMP showed improvement in the follow-up period. Of the 58 PPCMP patients, 9 (15%) died during a mean follow-up of 32 ± 22 months.

Relationship Between Hematologic Indices and Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events Risk Score in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between hematologic indices and the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) score in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). A total of 800 patients who consecutively and retrospectively presented with STEMI within 12 hours of symptom onset. After accounting for exclusion criteria, a total of 379 patients remained in the study. We enrolled 379 patients with STEMI (mean age 61.7 ± 13.6 years; men 73%). Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), red cell distribution width (RDW), and monocyte count were associated with increased worse GRACE risk score (P = .008, P = .012, P = .005, P = .022, respectively). In multivariate linear regression analysis, NLR, PLR, RDW, and monocyte count were found to be independent predictors of GRACE risk score. We demonstrate for the first time that PLR, RDW, and monocyte were associated with the GRACE score in patients with STEMI.

Apelin Levels In Isolated Coronary Artery Ectasia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The etiopathogenesis of coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is not known completely. In most of the cases, CAE is associated with atherosclerosis; however, isolated CAE has a nonatherosclerotic mechanism. The association between atherosclerotic coronary artery disease and apelin has been examined in previous studies. However, the role of plasma apelin in isolated coronary artery ectasia has not been studied. In this study, we investigated the relationship between plasma apelin levels and isolated coronary artery ectasia. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study population included a total of 54 patients. Twenty-six patients had isolated CAE (53.6±8.1 years); 28 patients with normal coronary arteries (51.6±8.8 years) and with similar risk factors and demographic characteristics served as the control group. Apelin levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunoassay kit. RESULTS: Apelin level in the CAE group was significantly lower (apelin=0.181±0.159 ng/mL) than that in the control group (apelin=0.646±0.578 ng/mL) (p=0.033). Glucose, creatinine, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: In this study, we showed that patients with isolated CAE have decreased plasma apelin levels compared with the control group. Based on the data, a relationship between plasma apelin and isolated CAE was determined.

Optimal treatment of unligated side branch of internal mammary artery: Coil, amplatzer vascular plug or graft stent? A case report and literature review.

Coronary artery steal syndromes may occur following coronary artery bypass grafting as a result of the presence of large side-branches arising from the internal mammary artery (IMA). Coil embolization, Amplatzer Vascular Plug and graft stents are all used for the treatment of such syndromes. The literature contains limited data on the long-term success of these treatment methods. There is no large series regarding occluded IMA side branches causing coronary steal phenomena, and data on long-term follow-up of this treatment method is also very limited. This report presented two cases and their treatment, and reviewed the advantages and disadvantages of treatment methods and the factors that affect successful treatment.

The relationship between neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, platelet to lymphocyte ratio and thrombolysis in myocardial infarction risk score in patients with ST elevation acute myocardial infarction before primary coronary intervention.

INTRODUCTION: The thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) risk score is calculated as the sum of independent predictors of mortality and ischemic events in ST elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI). Several studies show that the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a prognostic inflammatory marker. In preliminary studies, platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) has been proposed as a pro-thrombotic marker. The relationship between NLR, PLR and TIMI risk score for STEMI has never been studied. AIM: To evaluate the association between TIMI-STEMI risk score and NLR, PLR and other biochemical indices in STEMI. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, we evaluated 390 patients who presented with STEMI within 12 h of symptom onset. Patients were grouped according to low and high TIMI risk scores. RESULTS: We enrolled 390 patients (mean age 61.9 ±13.6 years; 73% were men). The NLR, platelet distribution width (PDW) and uric acid level (UA) were significantly associated with a high TIMI-STEMI risk score (p = 0.016, p = 0.008, p = 0.030, respectively), but PLR was not associated with a high TIMI-STEMI risk score. Left ventricular ejection fraction was an independent predictor of TIMI-STEMI risk score. A cut-off point of TIMI-STEMI score of > 4 predicted in-hospital mortality (sensitivity 75%, specificity 70%, p < 0.001). We found that NLR, PDW, and UA level were associated with TIMI-STEMI risk score. CONCLUSIONS: Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, PDW and UA level are convenient, inexpensive and reproducible biomarkers for STEMI prognosis before primary angioplasty when these indicators are combined with the TIMI-STEMI risk score. We believe that these significant findings can guide further clinical practice.

The relationship of TIMI risk index with SYNTAX and Gensini risk scores in predicting the extent and severity of coronary artery disease in patients with STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

OBJECTIVE: The prognostic value of the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score (GRS) and the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk index (TRI) have been reported in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). In this study, we sought to evaluate the association between TRI and the extent and severity of CAD evaluated by SYNTAX score (SS) and Gensini score in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: A total of 290 patients with STEMI were included in the study. GRS and TRI were calculated on admission using specified variables. The extent and severity of CAD were evaluated using the SS and Gensini scores. The patients were divided into low (TRI ⩽19), intermediate (TRI 19-30), and high (TRI ⩾30) risk groups. A Pearson correlation analysis was used for the relationship between TRI, GRS, Gensini score and SS. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the mean age (p < 0.001), admission heart rate (p < 0.001), admission systolic blood pressure (p = 0.009), SS (p < 0.001), GRS (p < 0.001) and in-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in all patients between the low, intermediate and high TRI risk groups. There was a positive significant correlation between TRI and SS (r = 0.24, p < 0.001), Gensini score (r = 0.18, p = 0.002), GRS (r = 0.74, p = 0.001) and in-hospital MACE (r = 0.29, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: TRI is significantly related to SS and Gensini score in predicting the extent and severity of CAD in patients with STEMI.

The importance of hematologic indices in the risk stratification of patients with acute decompensated systolic heart failure.

OBJECTIVES: In patients with heart failure, a variety of hemogram parameters are known to be of prognostic significance. This study aimed to investigate which of these parameters is/are useful in predicting one-year all-cause mortality in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). STUDY DESIGN: Patients who were hospitalized between September 2012-March 2013 in our hospital with systolic-ADHF with ejection fraction ≤40%, symptoms, and findings of congestion were enrolled retrospectively in the study. The study population was divided into two groups based on one-year-mortality. RESULTS: 119 patients with ADHF (mean-age 67±14 years; 55% male) were enrolled in the study. One-year-mortality occurred in 29% of patients. Hemoglobin levels, platelet, basophil and lymphocyte counts were significantly lower, while red-cell distribution width (RDW) was found to be significantly higher in the one-year-mortality group. Neutrophil, monocyte, and eosinophil counts were similar in the two groups. Furthermore, lower estimated glomerular-filtration-rate (eGFR) and unused angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEI/ARB) were associated with mortality. Age, presence of hypertension, right-ventricular diameter, eGFR, ACE/ARB treatment, hemoglobin levels, RDW and platelet, leukocyte, lymphocyte, basophil, neutrophil, monocyte, and eosinophil-counts were found to have prognostic significance in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, decreased platelet, lymphocyte-counts and hemoglobin level on admission and unused ACE/ARB treatment at discharge (p<0.05) were found to be independent factors predicting one-year-mortality. CONCLUSION: Among hematological indices; hemoglobin level, platelet and lymphocyte counts are readily available, useful and inexpensive markers for the prediction of one-year all-cause mortality in ADHF patients.

An epidemiological study to evaluate the use of vitamin K antagonists and new oral anticoagulants among non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients in Turkey- AFTER-2 study design.

OBJECTIVES: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common causes of preventable ischemic stroke and is related to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. There is a lack of data in Turkey on the use of new oral anticoagulants (NOACs), and time in therapeutic INR range (TTR) in vitamin K antagonist users and AF management modality. In this multi-center trial, we aimed to analyze, follow and evaluate the epidemiological data in non-valvular AF patients. STUDY DESIGN: Four thousand one hundred consecutive adult patients from 42 centers with at least one AF attack identified on electrocardiography will be included in the study. Patients with rheumatic mitral valve stenosis and prosthetic valve disease will be excluded from the study. At the end of one year, the patients will be evaluated in terms of major cardiac end points (death, transient ischemic attack, stroke, systemic thromboembolism, major bleeding and hospitalization). RESULTS: First results are expected in June 2015. Data about major cardiovascular end-points will be available in January 2016. CONCLUSION: The rates and kind of oral anticoagulant use, TTR in vitamin K antagonist users and main management modality applied in non-valvular AF patients will be determined by AFTER-2 study. In addition, the rate of major adverse events (MACEs) and the independent predictors of these MACEs will be detected (AFTER-2 Study ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02354456.).

The association between platelet/lymphocyte ratio and coronary artery disease severity.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to explore the association between platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and the severity of atherosclerosis in coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: Clinical and laboratory data of 388 patients who underwent coronary angiography were evaluated retrospectively. Gensini score, which indicates the severity of atherosclerosis, was calculated for all of the patients. Patients with CAD were categorized as mild and severe atherosclerosis, according to their Gensini score. Eighty patients with normal coronary arteries formed the control group. Mean PLR values of the three study groups were compared. Also, PLR value was tested for whether it showed a positive correlation with Gensini score. RESULTS: The mean PLR of the severe atherosclerosis group was significantly higher than that of the mild atherosclerosis and controls groups (p<0.001). Also, PLR was positively correlated with Gensini score in CAD patients. A cut-off value of 111 for PLR predicted severe atherosclerosis with 61% sensitivity and 59% specificity. Pre-procedural PLR level was found to be independently associated with Gensini score, together with WBC, age, and low HDL level, in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that high PLR appears to be additive to conventional risk factors and commonly used biomarkers in predicting severe atherosclerosis.

Novel predictors of infarct-related artery patency for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, uric acid, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio.

OBJECTIVE: The neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and uric acid (UA) are inflammatory markers in cardiovascular disease. However, there are not enough data on infarct-related artery (IRA) patency in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We aimed to investigate the association of NLR, PLR, and UA with IRA patency before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in STEMI. METHODS: The study was designed as a retrospective study. Three hundred and twenty-four consecutive patients with STEMI were divided into two groups according to pre-PCI Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction flow grade (TIMI). Patients with a TIMI flow grade of into the spontaneous reperfusion (SR) group, while patients with TIMI flow grade of 0, 1 and 2 were placed into the non-SR group. The χ2 and independent-samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, multivariate logistic regression analysis, and receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: PLR, NLR, and UA values in the SR group were lower than in the non-SR group (p<0.004, p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively). In the multivariate analysis, serum UA level and PLR were found to be independent predictors of pre-PCI IRA patency. In the ROC curve analysis, PLR >190, UA>5.75 mg/dL, and NLR>4.2 predicted non-SR. The sensitivity and specificity of the association between low IRA TIMI flow grade and PLR were 88% and 84%, 72% and 66% for UA, and 74% and 44% for NLR, respectively. CONCLUSION: We determined that PLR and UA are novel predictors of IRA patency before PCI. We suggest that PLR and UA may be used in risk-stratifying STEMI.

The association between the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and functional capacity in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

OBJECTIVE: The neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an inexpensive, readily available and reliable inflammatory marker, which has a predictor value in different cardiovascular disorders. Functional capacity is one of the most important prognostic factors in patients with heart failure, which is usually stated as metabolic equivalents (MET). The goal of the study was to investigate the relationship between the NLR and functional capacity (FC) in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC). METHODS: Treadmill test according to modified-Bruce protocol was performed in 37 patients with IDC (mean age 46.7±11.7 years, 81.1% male) to assess their functional capacity. Baseline clinical and echocardiographic variables were obtained. Hematological and biochemical parameters were measured using standard techniques. RESULTS: The patients were divided into low (<5 MET, n=18) and high (>5 MET, n=19) FC groups according to their functional status in the exercise test. The 2 groups were similar regarding age, gender and the presence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus. There was no significant difference between groups regarding echocardiographic parameters such as left ventricular ejection fraction and diameters. However, the NLR was significantly higher in low FC group compared to high FC group (3.62±2.24 vs. 2.24±0.67, p=0.002; respectively). There were significant negative correlations between the NLR, MET and left ventricular ejection fraction (r=-0.405, p=0.013 and r=-0.028, p=0.028; respectively). Diastolic dysfunction was present in all the patients with low functional capacity. A cut-off point of 2.26 for the NLR had 83% sensitivity and 69% specificity in predicting poor FC. After multivariate analysis, only the NLR remained significant predictor of poor functional status. CONCLUSION: We detected a significant association between the NLR and low FC, both of which has predictive and prognostic value in patients with heart failure. Functional capacity may depend on diastolic function rather than left ventricular ejection fraction in patients with IDC.

The Utility of the Platelet-Lymphocyte Ratio for Predicting No Reflow in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the utility of the preprocedural platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) for predicting no reflow in patients undergoing primary percutaneous intervention (PCI) for the treatment of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. The thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grades of 287 patients treated with primary PCI were assessed retrospectively. Patients were divided into 3 tertiles based upon preprocedural PLR. Pre- and postprocedural TIMI flow grades were evaluated. No reflow developed in 6, 14, and 43 patients in the lower, middle, and higher tertiles, respectively (P < .001). After multivariate analysis, PLR remained a significant predictor of no reflow together with neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR). A cutoff value of 160 for PLR and 5.9 for NLR predicted no reflow with sensitivities and specificities of 75% and 71% and 74% and 70%, respectively. In conclusion, high preprocedural PLR and NLR levels are significant and independent predictors of no reflow in patients undergoing primary PCI.