Lipid Paradox in Acute Myocardial Infarction—The Association With 30-Day In-Hospital Mortality:

Relationship between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and severe acute pancreatitis ("the lipid paradox")

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and the development of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 674 patients with acute pancreatitis were enrolled. Non-linearity in the relationship between LDL-C and SAP was assessed by restricted cubic spline analysis. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses were used to identify independent risk factors of SAP.

RESULTS

The restricted cubic spline analysis suggested a nonlinear association between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), LDL-C and triglyceride levels and incidence of SAP. The incidence of SAP in patients with low LDL-C (<90 mg/dL), moderate LDL-C (90-150 mg/dL) and high LDL-C (>150 mg/dL) levels was 15.1%, 3.7% and 9.8%, respectively. Multivariable analysis confirmed that low LDL-C levels (odds ratio [OR] 3.05; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.35-6.90), high LDL-C levels (OR 4.42; 95% CI 1.41-13.87) and low HDL-C levels (OR 6.90; 95% CI 2.61-18.23) but not high triglyceride levels (OR 1.05; 95% CI 0.40-2.72) were associated with the development of SAP.

CONCLUSION

Both low LDL-C (<90 mg/dL) and high LDL-C (>150 mg/dL) levels within 24 hours from admission are independently associated with an increased risk of SAP.

The "cholesterol paradox" among inpatients - retrospective analysis of medical documentation

Introduction

There is evidence of positive relationships between cholesterol concentration and risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, higher mortality in patients with a low cholesterol level has been reported (the “cholesterol paradox”).

Material and methods

Medical records of 34 191 inpatients between 2014 and 2016 were reviewed and the relationships between total (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) cholesterol and triglyceride blood concentrations and all-cause in-hospital death and readmission within 14 and 30 days and 1 year were determined in univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

Patients with TC in the lower quartile and LDL-C < 70 mg/dl had greater risk of the outcomes measured than individuals with a TC level in the remaining quartiles and LDL-C ≥ 70 mg/dl. Moreover, patients with TC in the highest quartile, OR (95% CI): 0.36 (0.13–0.99), p < 0.05, and LDL-C ≥ 115 mg/dl, OR (95% CI): 0.53 (0.37–0.77), p < 0.05, had the lowest all-cause in-hospital mortality. However, multivariate analysis using logistic regression and a Cox proportional hazard model showed no significant influence of blood lipid levels on the occurrence of the outcomes measured.

Conclusions

A significant effect of a “cholesterol paradox” linking better prognosis with higher blood lipid concentration was found only in univariate analysis but, after adjustment for clinical characteristics in multivariate analysis, the plasma lipid level had a neutral influence on the occurrence of the measured outcomes. This suggests that a low cholesterol level should be interpreted as a biomarker of illness severity.

Predictors of adverse outcome in patients with myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary artery (MINOCA) disease

BACKGROUND

Myocardial infarction (MI) with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCAs) is an increasingly recognized entity. No previous study has evaluated predictors for new major adverse cardiacvascular events (MACEs) and death in patients with MINOCA.

METHODS

We conducted an observational study of MINOCA patients recorded between July 2003 and June 2013 and followed until December 2013 for outcome events. Out of 199,163 MI admissions, 9092 consecutive unique patients with MINOCA were identified. The mean age was 65.5 years and 62% were women. MACE was defined as all-cause mortality, rehospitalization for acute MI, ischemic stroke and heart failure. Hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval (HR; 95% CI) was calculated using Cox-regression.

RESULTS

A total of 2147 patients (24%) experienced a new MACE and 1254 patients (14%) died during the mean follow-up of 4.5 years. Independent predictors for MACE after adjustment, were older age (1.05; 1.04-1.06), diabetes (1.44; 1.21-1.70), hypertension (1.25; 1.09-1.43), current smoking (1.38; 1.15-1.66), previous myocardial infarction (1.38; 1.04-2.82), previous stroke (1.69; 1.35-2.11), peripheral vascular disease (1.55; 1.97-2.23), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (1.63; 1.32-2.00), reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (2.00; 1.54-2.60), lower level of total cholesterol (0.88; 0.83-0.94) and higher level of creatinine (1.01; 1.00-1.03). Independent predictors for all cause death were age, current smoking, diabetes, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, previous stroke, reduced left ventricular fraction, lower level of total cholesterol and higher levels of creatinine and CRP.

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical factors predicting new MACE and death of MINOCA patients seem to be strikingly similar to factors previously shown to predict new cardiovascular events in patients with MI and obstructive coronary artery disease.

The Heart as a Psychoneuroendocrine and Immunoregulatory Organ

The heart can be viewed not just as muscle pump but also as an important checkpoint for a complex network of nervous, endocrine, and immune signals. The heart is able to process neurological signals independently from the brain and to crosstalk with the endocrine and immune systems. The heart communicates with the psyche through the neuro-endocrine-immune system in a highly integrated way, in order to maintain the homeostasis of the whole body with peculiarities specific to males and females.

Predictors of acute pancreatitis with low elevation of serum amylase

Background and aims

Serum amylase is a traditional measure used to establish the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis (AP). The current study aimed to assess the predictors and clinical outcome of AP with low serum amylase.

Methods

All patients were divided into two groups, based on their serum amylase level within the first 2 days after hospital admission: group 1 (amylase ≥300 U/L) and group 2 (amylase <300 U/L). Clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups before and after 1:1 propensity score matching. Clinical and biochemical parameters were collected and evaluated as potential predictors of AP with low serum amylase.

Results

A total of 464 patients were enrolled. After propensity score matching according to age, gender, time interval before admission, hematocrit, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, 108 matched pairs of patients were selected. There was no significant statistical difference between group 2 and group 1 with respect to severity of AP, median days of stay in hospital and death. Multivariate analysis indicated that biliary etiology (odds ratio [OR]: 0.499; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.265-0.942; P=0.003), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (OR: 1.009; 95% CI: 1.002-1.017; P=0.017) and triglyceride levels (OR: 1.001; 95% CI: 1.0001-1.001; P=0.015) were independently associated with development of AP along with low serum amylase.

Conclusion

Serum amylase level was not related to the severity of AP, median hospital stay (days) and death. Biliary etiology, LDL-C and triglyceride levels were independently associated with the development of AP with lower elevation of serum amylase.

Acute Myocardial Infarction in Women: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in American women. Since 1984, the annual cardiovascular disease mortality rate has remained greater for women than men; however, over the last decade, there have been marked reductions in cardiovascular disease mortality in women. The dramatic decline in mortality rates for women is attributed partly to an increase in awareness, a greater focus on women and cardiovascular disease risk, and the increased application of evidence-based treatments for established coronary heart disease. This is the first scientific statement from the American Heart Association on acute myocardial infarction in women. Sex-specific differences exist in the presentation, pathophysiological mechanisms, and outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction. This statement provides a comprehensive review of the current evidence of the clinical presentation, pathophysiology, treatment, and outcomes of women with acute myocardial infarction.