Relation Between Serum Uric Acid to Albumin Ratio and Severity of Chronic Coronary Artery Disease.

Uric acid (UA) to albumin ratio (UAR) is an emerging marker to predict coronary artery disease (CAD)-related events. There is limited data on the relationship between UAR and the severity of the disease in chronic CAD patients. We aimed to evaluate UAR as an indicator for CAD severity using the Syntax score (SS). We retrospectively enrolled 558 patients with stable angina pectoris and underwent coronary angiography (CAG). Patients were divided into 2 groups, according to CAD severity: low SS (≤22) and intermediate-high SS (>22) groups. UA levels were higher and albumin levels were lower in the intermediate-high SS score group (P < .001). UAR levels were significantly higher in the intermediate-high SS group (P < .001). Also, there was a significant correlation between UAR levels and SS (r = .55, 95% confidence interval (CI): .49-.60, P < .001). In multivariable analysis, UAR >1.34 (Odds ratio, 3.8 [2.3-6.2]; P < .001) was an independent predictor of intermediate-high SS while albumin and UA levels were not. In conclusion, UAR predicted disease burden in chronic CAD patients. It may prove useful as a simple and readily available marker to select patients for further evaluation.

An error in interpretation and real extraordinary electrocardiographic changes in patient with acute traumatic spondylolisthesis.

BACKGROUND: Acute cervical spinal trauma may lead to cardiac effects by influencing cardiac sympathetic preganglionic fibers. Some of these effects, which are vital, may occur in ECG. CASE PRESENTATION: A 52-year-old female patient admitted to the emergency department with acute traumatic spondylolisthesis at C6-C7 level and paraplegia. Positive QRS complex, ST segment depressions and prolongation of QTc interval were observed on ECG according to sudden autonomic disruption because of sympathetic nerve compression. It was mentioned that changes in QRS complex axis was normal which was dependent to the ECG display format of Cabrera sequence used differently from the classical system. After surgical correction, evident ST depressions were recovered and QTc intervalwas narrowed but still prolonged in control ECG. CONCLUSIONS: Autonomic dysfunction can lead to extraordinary electrocardiographic presentation including widespread ST depressions with prolonged QTc interval. However, when evaluating the changes in the ECG, attention should be paid to ECG display format to avoid errors in interpretation.

CHA2DS2-Vasc score and saphenous vein graft disease in patients with coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

BACKGROUND: Saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) are still frequently used in coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). However, the patency rate of SVGs is lower than arterial grafts. CHA2DS2-VASc score gives important information about the prognosis of various cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between CHA2DS2-VASc score and saphenous vein graft disease (SVGD) in patients with history of CABG surgery. METHODS: A total of 241 patients who had undergone CABG surgery and who underwent coronary angiography due to stable angina pectoris symptoms were reviewed retrospectively. SVGD was defined as ≥50% stenosis in at least one SVG. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of SVGD. RESULTS: It was found that CHA2DS2-VASc scores were significantly higher in SVGD group. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, time interval after CABG [odds ratio (OR) = 1.077, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.004-1.155; P = 0.037], and CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥ 4 (OR = 10.10, 95% CI 4.739-21.276; P < 0.001) were found to be independent predictors of SVGD. CONCLUSION: For the first time, our results have suggested that CHA2DS2-VASc score, which is commonly used in daily clinical practice and easy to calculate, can provide useful information for the risk assessment of patients with SVGs.