Evaluation of contrast induced nephropathy related risk factors and long-term results.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to evaluate the frequency of contrast induced nephropathy (CIN), its relationship with accepted risk factors and long-term renal outcomes in patients who underwent coronary angiography (CAG). METHODS: All patients who underwent CAG between April 2020 and April 2021 were retrospectively evaluated. CIN was defined as characteristic increase in serum creatinine after CAG. RESULTS: CIN developed in 50 (5.4%) of 934 patients. The CIN rate was found to be statistically significantly higher in patients with diabetes, hypertension, heart failure and those using diuretics. Pre-procedural hemoglobin, albumin and GFR were found to be independent risk factors for CIN. After discharge, the urea and creatinine values of the patients who developed CIN were significantly higher than those who did not. CONCLUSION: We concluded that in order to reduce the development of CIN, hemoglobin and albumin levels should be evaluated with renal functions before the procedure and they should be kept within normal limits.

Comparative Analysis of Neutr ophil -to-l ympho cyte Ratio, Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index, and Prognostic Nutritional Index in Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients Treated with Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

OBJECTIVE: Acute myocardial infarction constitutes one of the leading reasons for cardiac mortality. Therefore, early identification of high-risk patients provides better prognostic accuracy. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of novel inflammatory biomarkers such as neutr ophil -to-l ympho cyte ratio, systemic immune-inflammation index, and prognostic nutritional index in acute myocardial infarction patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention and to compare their predictive abilities with each other. METHODS: A total of 828 acute myocardial infarction patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention were retrospectively analyzed. The inflammatory indices, such as neutr ophil-to-l ympho cyte ratio, systemic immune-inflammation index, and prognostic nutritional index, were calculated by admission blood tests. The study population was divided into 2 groups according to the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events, which were defined as all-cause mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and cerebrovascular events. RESULTS: Multivariate Cox regression analysis determined prognostic nutritional index as an independent predictor of major adverse cardiac event and all-cause mortality (hazard ratio: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02-1.07, P < .001 for major adverse cardiac event and hazard ratio: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02-1.09, P = .002 for all-cause mortality). Receiver operating characteristic curves revealed that the predictive value of prognostic nutritional index with both regard to major adverse cardiac event and all-cause mortality was better than the systemic immune-inflammation index and neutr ophil -to-l ympho cyte ratio (by DeLong method, area under curvePNI vs. area under curveSII z test = 2.66, P = .008; area under curvePNI vs. area under curveNLR z test = 2.8, P = .006; area under curvePNI vs. area under curveSII z test = 2.58, P = .009; area under curvePNI vs. area under curveNLR z test = 3.28, P = .001; respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Prognostic nutritional index was demonstrated as an independent predictor of major adverse cardiac events and all-cause mortality and a more powerful prognostic index than other novel inflammatory biomarkers in acute myocardial infarction patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention.

Comparison of Sequential POT-Side-POT and Kissing Balloon Techniquesin Patientswith Coronary Bifurcation Lesions Treatedwith Single-Stent Strategy; Which One is Simple and Safe? Propensity Score Analysis.

BACKGROUND: It is unknown whether the novel POT-side-POT technique is more useful than the commonly preferred kissing balloon inflation in patients with non-complex coro- nary bifurcation lesions treated with a single-stent strategy. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of POT-side-POT and kissing balloon inflation techniques in one- stent strategy for non-complex coronary bifurcation lesions. METHODS: In this study, 283 patients were retrospectively analyzed (POT-side-POT group, n = 149; KBI group, n = 134). Primary endpoints of the study were defined as follows: in- hospital and 30-day mortality, contrast-induced acute kidney injury, stent thrombosis, side branch dissection, and need for side-branch stenting. Characteristics of patients at baseline were balanced by using propensity score inverse probability weighting. RESULTS: Procedure time (minute, 30.6 ± 8.5 vs. 34.3 ± 11.6; P = .003) and contrast volume (milliliter, 153.7 ± 42.4 vs. 171.1 ± 58.2; P = .004) were significantly lower in POT-side-POT group. Besides, side branch residual stenosis and number of patients with >50% side branch residual stenosis remained significantly higher in POT-side-POT group both in general and true bifurcation subgroup analysis (20.3 ± 19.8% vs. 16.5 ± 16.4%, P=.022; 11.9% vs. 5.7%, P = .013 and 24.1 ± 23.2% vs. 18.8 ± 18.7%, P = .033; 17.6% vs. 6.6%, P = .005; respectively). Combined clinical adverse outcomes were similar between groups. Side branch dissection (10.2% vs. 20.1%, P = .001) and need for side branch stenting (12.6% vs. 19%, P=.040) reached statistically significance in kissing balloon inflation group after adjustment. CONCLUSION: POT-side-POT may be a simple and safe technique with a shorter procedure time and lower incidence of adverse clinical events in non-complex coronary bifurcationlesions treated with single-stent strategy.

The Role of Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants (NOACs) in Atrial Fibrillation: Treatment Management Based on Patient and Drug Characteristics.

Data from Turkey revealed that atrial fibrillation patient percentage under adequate anti- coagulation in Turkey is less than that in other countries due to multiple parameters such as treatment adherence problems, failure to follow guideline recommendations, negative perspective on the use of new drugs, drug costs, and payment conditions. The aim of this article is to provide physicians with a compiled resource that focuses on the differences between non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants and heterogeneity of atrial fibrilla- tion patients by reviewing the global and national data from a multidisciplinary perspective and provide guidance on the choice of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants in atrial fibrillation patients. A gastroenterologist, 2 neurologists, and 11 cardiologists from university and training and research hospitals in Turkey who are experienced in atrial fibrillation and non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant treatments gathered in 3 separate meetings to identify the review topics and evaluate the outcomes of the systematic literature search. Based on the pharmacological characteristics, clinical studies, and real-world data compari- sons, it has been revealed that non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants are not similar. Thromboembolism and bleeding risks, renal and hepatic functions, coexisting conditions, and concomitant drug usage have been shown to affect the levels of benefits gained from non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant in atrial fibrillation patients. Although Turkish patients with atrial fibrillation have been observed to be younger, they are more likely to have coexisting cardiovascular conditions compared to the atrial fibrillation patients in other countries. Selection of an appropriate non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant in line with the available evidence and recent guidelines will provide substantial benefits to atrial fibrillation patients.

Catheter-directed thrombolysis in a COVID-19 patient complicated with pulmonary embolism.

Since December 2019, the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has become an important public health problem and one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. COVID-19 is highly associated with thromboembolic events, like deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (PE). Catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) provides effective reperfusion for the treatment of PE. We report a patient who was presented with intermediate-risk PE and had a saccular aneurysm of the anterior cerebral artery. The patient was suffered from recent COVID-19 infection and ischemic stroke. As the patient had high bleeding risk for full-dose systemic thrombolytic therapy, CDT was the preferred method for reperfusion. Finally, the patient was discharged from the hospital uneventfully 4 days later. In the setting of high bleeding risk, CDT seems to be an effective and safe approach in patients with intermediate-risk PE.

Relation of a novel fibrosis marker and post-myocardial infarction left ventricular ejection fraction in revascularized patients.

Aim: To investigate the relationship between post-myocardial infarction (MI) left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and fibrosis marker HE-4 in primarily revascularized patients with ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI). Patients & methods: In 94 consecutive STEMI patients (median age 57 [IQR: 50-69] years; 77.7% male), HE-4 values were measured at hospital admission and 4 days after STEMI. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed 4 days after STEMI (median 5 days [interquartile range: 4-6]). Results: HE-4 levels 4 days after STEMI were significantly higher in the low ejection fraction group (30.1 [26.0-46.5] pmol/l vs 48.5 [32.5-85.9] pmol/l, p = 0.004). In the multivariable analysis, HE-4 values (odds ratio: 1.029, 95% CI: 1.012-1.046, p = 0.001), troponin I levels, anterior MI and diabetes mellitus were independent predictors of low LVEF after STEMI. A negative correlation existed between ΔHE-4 levels and LVEF (r: -0.337, p = 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic analysis indicated 34.01 pmol/l HE-4 at 4 days after STEMI identified patients with low LVEF (AUC = 0.707; 95% CI: 0.601-0.813; p = 0.001). Conclusion: In revascularized STEMI patients, high HE-4 levels are associated with decreased LVEF. HE-4 may represent a diagnostic marker and treatment target for patients with heart failure or left ventricular systolic dysfunction after STEMI.

Orthostatic hypotension and age-related sarcopenia.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine the association of sarcopenia with orthostatic hypotension (OH) which is a significant precursor to falls and related injuries in elderly patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 91 outpatients (18 males, 73 females; mean age 79.3±4.0 years; range, 75 to 91 years) were prospectively enrolled and those who were eligible underwent comprehensive sarcopenia assessment including measurement of muscle mass, strength, physical performance, anthropometric measurements along with frailty tests. Patients classified as sarcopenic or non-sarcopenic based on these measurements underwent supine and standing blood pressure (BP) measurements. The frequency of OH was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Of the 91 patients, 29 (31.9%) had sarcopenia. There was no statistical difference in measurements of functional tests which consisted of gait speed, timed up-and-go test and handgrip strength. However, timed sit-to-stand test values were higher in sarcopenic patients (18.2±7.9 vs. 15.0±5.1, p=0.04). Patients with sarcopenia developed OA and intolerance more often compared to the non-sarcopenic patients (n=15 [50.0%] vs. n=14 [23.0%], p<0.01 and n=13 [44.8%] vs. n=9 [15.3%], p<0.01, respectively). The adjusted odds ratio for sarcopenia was 7.80 (95% confidence interval 1.77-34.45), p=0.007. CONCLUSION: Age-related sarcopenia increases the risk of OA in the elderly. This may in part explain the increased incidence of falls and also help identification of risky elderly patients for orthostatic BP drops.

Comparison of lung ultrasound and other volumetric methods in peritoneal dialysis patients.

ABSTRACT: Although many alternative methods are present, maintaining ideal volume status in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients still rely on clinical evaluation due to lack of an evidence-based method. Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a new method for evaluation of hidden congestion in this group.LUS findings and its relationship with other volumetric methods are investigated in this observational cross-sectional study.In this observational cross sectional study, LUS was performed to all PD patients and compared with symptoms of hypervolemia, physical examination, vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C), and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels, chest radiography, echocardiography, bioelectrical impedance analysis.Data of 21 PD patients were evaluated. There was correlation between number of B lines and VEGF-C levels (r = 0.447, P = .042), daily urine output (r = 0.582, P = .007) and left ventricle mass index (r = -0.456, P = .038). Correlations with all other parameters were not significant. Daily urine output and VEGF-C levels were significantly different when B lines were grouped into 2 according to the median level (P < .05 for all).This is the widest spectrum study looking for LUS findings and other volumetric parameters in a small PD cohort. LUS might be useful to evaluate hidden hypervolemia. Its correlation with VEGF-C level is a novel finding.

The Rate of Coronary Angiography Refusal in Older Patients with Non-ST Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome and Its Impact on All-Cause Mortality.

Objectives: Significant number older patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) cannot undergo coronary angiography (CAG) due to various comorbidities. Patient's refusal of invasive procedures is common among old patients and has not been thoroughly investigated in the context of ACS. We wanted to assess CAG refusal rate and its impact on all-cause mortality in older patients with non-ST elevation acute myocardial infarction. Methods: In this retrospective study, patients over 75 years of age admitted with acute non-ST elevation ACS were included in the study. Patients were divided into three groups based on the treatment strategy; Group 1: Those who underwent CAG; Group 2: Refused; and Group 3: Deemed unsuitable for procedure due to severe comorbidities. The primary outcomes were to assess the patient refusal rate and its impact on all-cause mortality. Results: The study included 201 elderly patients. Eighty-two (41%) patients did not undergo CAG and of those, 48 (24%) had severe comorbidities, and 34 (17%) refused the procedure. The in-hospital mortality for patients who underwent, refused, or could not undergo CAG was 5.0%, 0%, and 16.7% (p<0.01); 30-day mortality 8.5%, 9.1%, and 25% (p=0.01); and long-term mortality was 20.2%, 35.3%, and 47.9% (p<0.01), respectively. The median follow-up was 12 months. Hazard ratio of treatment refusal for long-term mortality was 1.97 (1.02-3.87, 95% CI). Conclusion: Substantial number of elderly patients with ACS refuses to undergo CAG and this leads to increased mortality. Factors affecting patient behavior and the decision-making process should be explored.

Assessment of electrocardiographic criteria for the diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy in the octogenarian population.

BACKGROUND: Although there are several electrocardiographic (ECG) diagnostic criteria for identifying left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), the sensitivity of these criteria remains low. Recently, the Peguero-Lo Presti criterion provides a higher sensitivity than the current criteria. We aimed to test this ECG criterion prospectively, in the octogenarian population. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled outpatients over 80 years of age who were referred to our echocardiography laboratory. The Peguero-Lo Presti criterion was assessed along with other established ECG criteria. Left ventricular mass was calculated by echocardiography. Performance of ECG indices in diagnosing LVH were evaluated. RESULTS: Overall, 119 patients were included in the study. The sensitivity and specificity of the Peguero-Lo Presti criterion were 62.5% and 87.3%, respectively. In addition, the highest sensitivity belonged to the Peguero-Lo Presti criterion, and the highest AUC value was also seen in this criterion (AUC: 0.787, 95% CI, 0.698-0.876, P < .001). CONCLUSION: The Peguero-Lo Presti criteria showed the highest sensitivity for LVH detection, and it outperformed the other validated criteria in this octogenarian population. The Peguero-Lo Presti criteria seemed to be more effective for diagnosing LVH in this setting.

Comparing the Prognostic Value of Hematological Indices in Patients With ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: "A Head to Head" Analysis.

Although there are reviews and meta-analyses focusing on hematological indices for risk prediction of mortality in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), there are not enough data with respect to direct to head-to-head comparison of their predictive values. We aimed to investigate which hematological indices have the most discriminatory capability for prediction of in-hospital and long-term mortality in a large STEMI cohort. We analyzed the data of 1186 patients with STEMI. In-hospital and long-term all-cause mortality was defined as the primary end point of the study. In-hospital mortality rate was 8.6% and long-term mortality rate 9.0%. Although the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and age were found to be independent predictors of in-hospital mortality in the multivariate regression analyses; Cox regression analysis revealed that age, ejection fraction, red cell distribution width (RDW), and monocyte to high-density lipoprotein ratio (MHDLr) were independently associated with long-term mortality. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio had the highest area under curve value in the receiver operating characteristic curve analyses for prediction of in-hospital mortality. In conclusion, while NLR may be used for prediction of in-hospital mortality, RDW and MHDLr ratio are better hematological indices for long-term mortality prediction after STEMI than other most common indices.

The relation between left ventricular global longitudinal strain and troponin levels in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia.

Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) from two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) provides a more accurate estimation of subclinical myocardial dysfunction. In patients with COVID-19, elevated high sensitive troponin (hs-TnI) levels are frequent independent from the underlying cardiovascular disease. However, the relationship between high troponin levels and LVGLS in such patients remains unknown. We aimed to investigate the relation between troponin levels and LVGLS values in patients with COVID-19. A total of thirty-eight patients diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia who underwent echocardiography examination within the first week of hospital admission were enrolled in our study. Patients were divided into two groups according to their hs-TnI levels. Conventional left venticular (LV) function parameters, including ejection fraction, LV diastolic and systolic volumes were obtained and LVGLS was determined using 2D-STE. Frequency of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and current smoking were similar among groups. Compared with the patients in the negative troponin group, those in the positive troponin group were more likely to have a higher age; higher levels of D-dimer, C-reactive protein and ferritin; higher need for high-flow oxygen, invasive mechanical ventilation therapy or both; and a higher number of intensive care unit admissions. There was no statistically significant difference in LVGLS and ejection fraction values between the two groups.(- 18.5 ± 2.9, - 19.8 ± 2.8, p = 0.19; 55.2 ± 9.9, 59.5 ± 5.9, p = 0.11 respectively). Despite troponin increase is highly related to in-hospital adverse events; no relevance was found between troponin increase and LVGLS values of COVID-19 patients.

The Association between Chronic Use of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Blockers and in-Hospital Adverse Events among COVID-19 Patients with Hypertension.

OBJECTIVES: The effects of chronic renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) blockers usage on adverse outcomes and disease severity remain uncertain in COVID-19 patients with hypertension. In this study, we aimed to determine the relationship between chronic use of RAAS inhibitors and in-hospital adverse events among hypertensive patients hospitalized with COVID-19. METHODS: In this retrospective single-center study, we enrolled 349 consecutive hypertensive patients diagnosed with COVID-19 infection. All patients were chronically on angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI)/ angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) or other antihypertensive therapies before hospital admission. Adverse clinical events were defined as in-hospital mortality, admission to intensive care unit, need for high-flow oxygen and intubation. RESULTS: Patients were categorized into two groups according to the type of antihypertensive therapy. (ACEI/ARBs users, N=201; ACEI/ARB nonusers, N=148) There was no statistically significant difference between ACEI/ARBs users and ACEI/ARBs nonusers concerning adverse clinical events, such as in-hospital mortality (29 (14.4%) vs. 20 (13.5%), p=0.81), ICU admission (45(22.4%) vs. 27 (18.2%), p=0.34), need for high-flow oxygen (97 (48.3%) vs. 68 (45.9%), p=0.67) and need for intubation (32(15.9%) vs. 23(15.5%), p=0.92), respectively. Also, the severity of infection did not differ among groups. The logistic regression multivariate analysis showed that age, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, procalcitonin and ferritin levels were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that chronic use of ACEI/ARBs did not increase in-hospital adverse outcomes of hypertensive patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Although the recent data are contradictory, chronic ACEI/ARB therapy is not recommended to be discontinued in hypertensive patients during their hospitalization for COVID-19.

Assessment of the Modified CHA2DS2VASc Risk Score in Predicting Mortality in Patients Hospitalized With COVID-19.

Since the modified CHA2DS2VASC (M-CHA2DS2VASc) risk score includes the prognostic risk factors for COVID-19; we assumed that it might predict in-hospital mortality and identify high-risk patients at an earlier stage compared with troponin increase and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR). We aimed to investigate whether M-CHA2DS2VASC RS is an independent predictor of mortality in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and to compare its discriminative ability with troponin increase and NLR in terms of predicting mortality. A total of 694 patients were retrospectively analyzed and divided into 3 groups according to M-CHA2DS2VASC RS which was simply created by changing gender criteria of the CHA2DS2VASC RS from female to male (Group 1, score 0-1 (n = 289); group 2, score 2-3 (n = 231) and group 3, score ≥4 (n = 174)). Adverse clinical events were defined as in-hospital mortality, admission to intensive care unit, need for high-flow oxygen and/or intubation. As the M-CHA2DS2VASC RS increased, adverse clinical outcomes were also significantly increased (Group 1, 3.8%; group 2, 12.6%; group 3, 20.8%; p <0.001 for in-hospital mortality). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that M-CHA2DS2VASC RS, troponin increase and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality (p = 0.005, odds ratio 1.29 per scale for M-CHA2DS2VASC RS). In receiver operating characteristic analysis, comparative discriminative ability of M-CHA2DS2VASC RS was superior to CHA2DS2VASC RS score. Area under the curve (AUC) values for in-hospital mortality was 0.70 and 0.64, respectively. (AUCM-CHA2DS2-VASc vs. AUCCHA2DS2-VASc z test = 3.56, p 0.0004) In conclusion, admission M-CHA2DS2VASc RS may be a useful tool to predict in-hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19.

Prognostic Value of the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Patients With Myocardial Infarction With Non-obstructive Coronary Arteries.

Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) is a heterogeneous entity with an inflammatory etiopathogenesis. This study investigated the prognostic value of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in patients with MINOCA. Coronary angiographies performed between June 2015 and August 2018 were analyzed retrospectively and included 72 patients with MINOCA and 248 controls with normal coronary angiograms. The predictors of mortality were determined by univariate Cox regression analysis. The mean age of the subjects was 46 ± 9 years, and 176 (55%) were female. Median follow-up was 21 (max: 42) months. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was significantly higher in the MINOCA group than in the controls (P < .01). During long-term follow-up, the number of deaths was 6 in the MINOCA group and none in the control patients (P < .01). Univariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the NLR (hazard ratio: 1.24, 95% confidence interval: 1.09-1.41, P = .001) was a predictor of mortality in patients with MINOCA. Kaplan-Meier analysis also showed that patients with MINOCA had relatively higher mortality rate (long-rank test; P < .01). In conclusion, the NLR is significantly higher in patients with MINOCA compared with controls, and it is a predictor of long-term mortality.

Prognostic impact of infection in octogenarians with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

PURPOSE: Contemporary studies assessing outcomes in octogenarian patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and infection are scarce. This study investigated the impact and prognostic value of infection on long-term mortality in octogenarian patients with STEMI. METHODS: A total of 1564 patients admitted with STEMI between May 2015 and September 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, and 110 octogenarians were identified and included. Predictors of mortality were determined by multivariate Cox regression analysis. Survival curves were generated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 85 ± 4 years, and 58 (52%) were male. Median follow-up was 41 months. Patients with infection had higher rates of in-hospital (16.4% vs. 8.2%, p = 0.001) and long-term (33.6% vs. 20%, p = 0.001) mortality. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that infection (HR 3.16; 95% CI 1.52-6.59; p = 0.002) and C-reactive protein levels (HR 0.99; 95% CI 0.98-1.00; p = 0.042) were independent predictors of mortality in patients with infection. Kaplan-Meier analysis also showed that patients with infection had a significantly higher mortality rate (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Infection is an independent predictor of long-term mortality in octogenarian patients with STEMI.

Assessment of a new electrocardiographic criterion for the diagnosis of left ventricle hypertrophy: A prospective validation study.

OBJECTIVE: Many criteria have been developed to predict left ventricular hypertrophy using an electrocardiogram (ECG). However, one major common limitation of all has been their low sensitivity. Based on that, recently, a novel criterion has been proposed, which is believed to have higher sensitivity without a compromise in specificity. Therefore, in our study, we aimed to test this novel ECG criterion prospectively in large, unselected cardiac patients. METHODS: Patients who were referred to our echocardiography laboratory due to various etiologies were prospectively enrolled. The novel Peguero-Lo Presti criterion was assessed along with other established ECG criteria. The left ventricular mass index was calculated using echocardiography. The performance of each index was evaluated. RESULTS: Overall, 767 patients were enrolled in this study. The sensitivity and specificity of the Peguero-Lo Presti criterion were 17.5% and 94.5%, respectively. Although the highest sensitivity belonged to the Peguero-Lo Presti criterion, in ROC analysis, it showed modest predictive capability, which was similar to the established Cornell voltage criterion (AUC=0.64 [0.56-0.68 95% CI], p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Although this novel criterion had higher sensitivity, the overall performance was similar to the current indices. Further adjustments, particularly based on age and body mass index, may yield better results.

Clinical characteristics and intermediate-term outcomes of young patients with uncomplicated myopericarditis.

OBJECTIVE: Although the long-term prognosis of myopericarditis is good, recurrence continues to be a problem. In addition, there are concerns regarding the safety of the empirical use of anti-inflammatory drugs. This study was an investigation of the clinical outcomes of young patients with uncomplicated myopericarditis, the majority of whom received both nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and colchicine. METHODS: Patients aged 18 to 40 years who were admitted between May 2015 and May 2018 due to myopericarditis and had normal left ventricular function were included in the study. The primary outcome of the research was analysis of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs): all-cause mortality, myopericarditis recurrence, development of significant arrhythmia, heart failure, and cardiac tamponade. A total of 60 patients were included in the study. The median duration of follow-up was 19 months. RESULTS: A MACE occurred in 11.7% of the patients. None of the patients experienced heart failure, significant arrhythmia, cardiac tamponade, or all-cause mortality. Recurrence of myopericarditis was the only MACE observed. Most patients were treated with both nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and colchicine (96% and 95% of the patients, respectively). Univariate cox regression analysis indicated that only the maximum in-hospital C-reactive protein (CRP) level was associated with recurrence (hazard ratio: 1.01, 95% confidence interval: 1.01-1.02; p=0.04). CONCLUSION: The intermediate-term prognosis of myopericarditis patients was excellent in terms of mortality. However, recurrence remains a challenge. The role of CRP, particularly in recurrence, should be explored further.

Acute effects of synthetic cannabinoids on ventricular repolarization parameters.

OBJECTIVE: An association between ventricular repolarization parameters (VRPs) and ventricular arrhythmias has been demonstrated in previous studies. However, there are limited data related to a relationship between synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) and VRPs. The aim of this study was to analyze the acute effects of SCs on VRPs using electrocardiogram (ECG) measurements of the T-peak to T-end interval (Tp-e), Tp-e/QT ratio, and Tp-e/corrected QT (QTc) ratio. METHODS: The present study included 58 patients who were admitted to the emergency department who used SCs (SC +) between 2014 and 2016, and 50 healthy control subjects (SC -). The QT and QTc intervals, Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT, and Tp-e/QTc ratios were measured from a 12-lead ECG. These parameters were compared between groups and correlation analysis was performed. RESULTS: The Tp-e and QTc intervals were significantly higher in SC + patients when compared with the SC- group (92.2±177;10.0, 77.4 ±177;9.3, p<0.001; 434.5±177;30.8, 410.9±177;27.3, p<0.001, respectively). Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc ratios were greater in SC + patients in comparison with SC - participants (0.26±177;0.02, 0.22±177;0.02, p<0.001; 0.21±177;0.02, 0.18±177;0.02, p<0.001, respectively). Significant correlations were found between the use of SCs and the Tp-e interval (r=0.610; p<0.001), Tp-e/QT (r=0.655; p<0.001) and Tp-e/ QTc ratios (r=0.437; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc ratios were greater in subjects who used SCs. Therefore, SC users might have an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmia.