Serum Elabela Level Significantly Increased in Patients with Complete Heart Block

Objective

To investigate the change in serum Elabela level, a new apelinergic system peptide, in patients with complete atrioventricular (AV) block and healthy controls.

Methods

The study included 50 patients with planned cardiac pacemaker (PM) implantation due to complete AV block and 50 healthy controls with similar age and gender. Elabela level was measured in addition to routine anamnesis, physical examination, and laboratory tests. Patients were divided into two groups, with and without AV block, and then compared.

Results

In patients with AV block, serum Elabela level was significantly higher and heart rate and cardiac output were significantly lower than in healthy controls. Serum Elabela level was found to be positively correlated with high-sensitive C-reactive protein and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels, but negatively correlated with heart rate, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and cardiac output. In linear regression analysis, it was found that these parameters were only closely related to heart rate and NT-proBNP. Serum Elabela level was determined in the patients with AV block independently; an Elabela level > 9.5 ng/ml determined the risk of complete AV-block with 90.2% sensitivity and 88.0% specificity.

Conclusion

In patients with complete AV block, the serum Elabela level increases significantly before the PM implantation procedure. According to the results of our study, it was concluded that serum Elabela level could be used in the early determination of patients with complete AV block.

Increased Elabela levels in the acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction patients

Elabela is a bioactive peptide and a part of Apelinergic system. Elabela has an important role in the early embryonic stages. Elabela's beneficial effects in cardiovascular system were shown in some animal models or in vitro studies. Lately, some investigational studies in humans are started to be seen in literature. Our aims were to investigate serum Elabela levels in the first day of ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), to compare with healthy controls, and to see if there is a correlation between other cardiac biomarkers in humans.The study was planned as cross-sectional. The patients group had 124 STEMI subjects. They were grouped as inferior (n = 59) and anterior myocardial infarction (n = 65) groups, and compared with the healthy control population (n = 77). Routine blood tests and serum Elabela levels were measured. Transthoracic echocardiography performed to all subjects.Frequency of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, smoking, and hyperlipidemia in both STEMI groups were significantly higher than control subjects. Glucose, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglyceride, high sensitive C reactive protein (Hs-CRP), troponin I, N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide (NT-ProBNP), and Elabela levels were significantly higher in both STEMI groups. Other laboratory parameters were similar. Group 2 and 3 had significantly lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) than group 1. Group 3 had also significantly lower LVEF than group 2. There was a positive but moderate correlation between Elabela, troponin I, and NT-ProBNP. Elabela was negatively correlated with LVEF. This correlation was also moderate.We showed increased Elabela levels in STEMI patients in this study. Also, we observed a moderate positive correlation between troponin I, NT-ProBNP, and Elabela.

Acute Myocardial Infarction due to Multiple Thrombosis without Cardiogenic Shock

OBJECTIVE

Acute thrombotic occlusion of > 1 major coronary arteries is very rare (2.5%). Herein, we report a patient with simultaneous anterior and inferior myocardial infarction without cardiogenic shock.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTION

A 43-year-old woman was admitted with severe chest pain. Electrocardiography showed ST segment elevation in anterior and inferior derivations. There was no severe hypotension. Urgent coronary angiography showed that there were thrombotic occlusions in both left anterior descending artery and right coronary artery. Both lesions were successfully treated with coronary stenting.

CONCLUSION

If there is multiple ST segment elevation on presentation electrocardiography, clinicians should be aware of possible simultaneous coronary occlusions.

Epicardial fat thickness is associated with aortic intima-media thickness in patients without clinical manifestation of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

BACKGROUND

Although the relationship between epicardial fat thickness (EFTh) and coronary atherosclerosis is well established, this relation in the early periods of atherosclerosis has not been fully demonstrated. On the other hand, thoracic aortic intima-media thickness (IMT) rather than carotid IMT was reported as an earlier marker of preclinical atherosclerosis.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to assess the relationship between thoracic aortic IMT and EFTh in patients undergoing transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) examination for different indications.

METHODS

We included 104 patients (mean age 38±11.4 years), who underwent TEE for various indications. The patients were divided into two groups according to the median thoracic aortic IMT values (IMT normal group<10 mm and IMT abnormal group≥10 mm). EFTh was obtained using two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography on the right ventricular free wall during systole and diastole.

RESULTS

The highest EFTh values (3.3±0.96 mm vs. 4.51±0.66 mm, P<.001) were observed in the abnormal aortic IMT group. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that aortic IMT was independently correlate with EFTh (β=0.423, P<.001). Moreover, EFTh was found to be associated with history of transient ischemic attack (r=.403, P<.001) and abnormal IMT (r=.643, P<.001) in bivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

Epicardial fat thickness is independently related to the extent of subclinical thoracic aortic atherosclerosis. Increase in EFTh may be crucial marker for initial atherosclerosis.

The influence of plasma 25-(OH) vitamin D levels in acute ST elevation myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

The preventive role of acute occurring of collateral circulation (AOCC) to infarct related artery (IRA) in patients presenting with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is well known. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether there is an association between admission plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D3) levels and grade of collateralization in patients with STEMI.

METHODS

We prospectively included 369 STEMI patients within the first 12 h of symptoms onset. Patients were divided into two groups according to their Rentrop collateralization grade to IRA: poorly developed collateral (PDC) group (Rentrop grade ≤ 1, 272 patients) and well developed collateral (WDC) group (Rentrop grade ≥ 2, 97 patients).

RESULTS

We observed that AOCC grade to IRA was negatively correlated with high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), N terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), as well as peak troponin T levels, yet positively correlated with admission plasma 25(OH)D3 level (p < 0.05, for all). In multi¬variate analysis, 25(OH)D3 levels (OR 1.246, 95% CI 1.185-1.310, p < 0.001), together with hs-CRP, NT-proBNP, and peak troponin T levels were found independent predictors of AOCC to IRA in patients with acute STEMI.

CONCLUSIONS

Admission level of plasma 25(OH)D3 levels together with cardiac risk biomarkers (troponin T, NT-proBNP, hs-CRP) are associated with collateralization grade to IRA in acute STEMI patients. In addition, 25(OH)D3 may be a promoter of AOCC in patients with acute STEMI.

Epicardial fat thickness is associated with severity of disease in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

OBJECTIVE

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are common in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the BODE index is an important tool for the prognostic assessment of COPD patients. It is well known that epicardial fat thickness (EFT) is related to CVD. However, there are very few data about the relationship between EFT and BODE index. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between EFT and BODE index in patients with COPD.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We prospectively included 157 patients with COPD and 45 controls in the present study. All patients underwent pulmonary function tests and six-minute walking test. EFT and other echocardiographic parameters were measured using transthoracic echocardiography on admission. Patients were divided into four quartiles according to the BODE index scores (Quartile-1 (Q1): 0-2 points; Quartile-2 (Q2): 3-4 points; Quartile-3 (Q3): 5-6 points; Quartile-4 (Q4): 7-10 points). High sensitive C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) and other biochemical parameters were measured in all participants.

RESULTS

COPD patients had higher EFT values compared with control group (p<0.05). When COPD patients were classified according to BODE index quartiles, the highest EFT values were observed in Q1 compared with other quartiles (p<0.05, for all). EFT values showed a decreasing trend from Q1 to Q4. Furthermore, EFT was independently associated with BODE index (β=0.405, p<0.001), Hs-CRP (β=0.300, p<0.001) and diabetes (β=0.338, p<0.001) in multivariate linear regression analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggested that EFT is independently and negatively associated with the severity of disease as indicated by BODE index in patients with COPD.

Assessment of myocardial performance index and its association with aortic elasticity in patients with ascending aortic aneurysm

OBJECTIVE

Ascending aortic aneurysms (AAA) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Nevertheless, their effects on global cardiac functions are yet to be fully understood. Myocardial performance index (MPI) has been widely used to quantitatively assess myocardial functions. The aim of this study was to evaluate left ventricular (LV) functions in patients with AAA using tissue Doppler (TD) echocardiography and MPI in addition to conventional echocardiographic methods.

METHODS

Fifty patients with AAA (33 men, 17 woman; mean age 55.5±7.90 years) were included, and 106 patients without aortic dilatation (mean age 54.1±8.18 years) were included as the control group. LV systolic and diastolic functions were analyzed using 2-dimensional, M-mode, and TD echocardiography.

RESULTS

Patients with AAA had significantly higher MPI (0.5±0.04 vs 0.4±0.05, p<0.001), TD-MPI (0.5±0.02 vs 0.4±0.03, p<0.001), and reduced aortic elasticity, as indicated by reduced aortic distensibility (AD) (1.7±1.27 vs 3.1±1.25, p<0.001). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that TD-MPI was independently correlated with reduced aortic distensibility (B=-0.006, p=0.019, 95% confidence interval,-0.011 to -0.001).

CONCLUSION

MPI and TD-MPI indicated impairment of global cardiac functions in patients with AAA, which may be attributed to reduced aortic elasticity.

Scorpion envenomation-induced acute thrombotic inferior myocardial infarction

The occurrence of a serious cardiac emergency following scorpion envenomation has rarely been reported and, when so, mostly presented as non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction, cardiogenic shock, or myocarditis. Possible mechanisms include imbalance in blood pressure and coronary vasospasm caused by the combination of sympathetic excitation, scorpion venom-induced release of catecholamines, and the direct effect of the toxin on the myocardium. We report a case of a 55-year-old man who presented with acute inferior wall myocardial infarction (MI) within 2 h of being stung by a scorpion. Coronary angiogram revealed total thrombotic occlusion of the left circumflex artery, which was treated successfully with glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor, thrombus aspiration, antivenom serum, and supportive therapy. Therefore, life-threatening MI can complicate the clinical course during some types of scorpion envenomation and should be managed as an acute coronary syndrome.

Both Systemic and Pulmonary Artery Stiffness Predict Ventricular Functional Recovery after Successful Percutaneous Closure of Atrial Septal Defects in Adults

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) has become the preferred method in treatment of the majority of cases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the echocardiographic effects of percutaneous closure of secundum ASD in adults and assess which parameters predict good response to closure.

DESIGN

We prospectively included 42 patients with secundum ASD treated successfully with percutaneous device closure. All patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography examination with tissue Doppler imaging before, 24 hours after and within 3 months of intervention. Measurements of arterial stiffness were carried out using a Mobil-O-Graph arteriography system.

RESULTS

Remodeling of heart chambers occurred immediately and persisted at 3 months after ASD closure. Significant decreases were observed in right ventricle (RV) end-diastolic diameter, right atrium volume index, and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion both after the procedure and at 3 months (P < .01 for all). The RV and left ventricle (LV) tissue Doppler-myocardial performance index demonstrated to decline during follow up (P = .0001). Significant correlations were found between pulse-wave velocity, augmentation index, pulmonary artery stiffness, and LV-RV tissue Doppler-myocardial performance index at third month. Linear regression analyses showed that pulse-wave velocity is the most effective parameter of LV and pulmonary artery stiffness is the most effective parameter of RV functional recovery, respectively, assessed by tissue Doppler-myocardial performance index.

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous closure of secundum ASD in adults has various sustained benefits on multiple echocardiographic parameters within 3 months. The changes in RV and LV function after device closure were significantly correlated with the degree of pulmonary artery stiffness and pulse-wave velocity, respectively.

Coronary collateral development and arterial stiffness in patients with chronic coronary total occlusions

OBJECTIVE

Coronary collateral circulation (CCC) mainly develops through arteriogenesis in response to shear forces. Increased arterial stiffness (AS) causes decreased coronary perfusion, which may reduce shear stress, arteriogenesis, and thus collateral formation. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between CCC and AS in patients with chronic coronary total occlusion (CTO).

DESIGN

We prospectively enrolled 163 patients with CTO. Patients were divided into two groups according to their Rentrop scores: (a) poorly developed (PD) CCC group (Rentrop 0-1) and (b) well-developed (WD) CCC group (Rentrop 2-3). AS measurements were carried out using a Mobil-O-Graph arteriography system.

RESULTS

Fasting glucose, creatinine, uric acid, neutrophil count, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio were found to be higher in patients with PD-CCC. Moreover, patients with PD-CCC had significantly higher augmentation index (AIx) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) compared with WD-CCC group (27.3 ± 8.9 vs. 18.7 ± 7.4, p < 0.001 and 11.7 ± 2.6 vs. 8.5 ± 1.4, p < 0.001, respectively). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, PWV, AIx, and serum uric acid were found to be independently associated with the development of CCC.

CONCLUSION

AS parameters, such as AIx and PWV, as well as serum uric acid are independently associated with the development of CCC in stable coronary artery disease with CTO.

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level is associated with aortic distensibility and left ventricle hypertrophy in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus

We aimed to evaluate the association between serum vitamin D status and elastic properties of aorta in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). We studied 136 patients with newly diagnosed DM (mean age: 62.9 ± 10.6 years). Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was measured using a direct competitive chemiluminescent immunoassay. Aortic distensibility was calculated from the echocardiographically derived ascending aorta diameters and haemodynamic pressure measurements. Left ventricle mass index (LVMI) was determined according to the Devereux formula. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that vitamin D level is independently associated with LVMI (β = -0.259, p = 0.001), aortic distensibility (β = 0.369, p < 0.001), high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (β = -0.220, p = 0.002) and body mass index (β = -0.167, p = 0.015) in patients with DM. In diabetic patients, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level is independently associated with aortic distensibility. Vitamin D may play a role on pathogenesis of impaired elastic properties of aorta in type 2 DM.

Coronary vasospasm and acute myocardial infarction induced by a topical capsaicin patch

Capsaicin is the active component of chili peppers, which has been shown to possess several beneficial effects. Currently, the best-known medical use of capsaicin is as a topical painkiller. Drug-induced myocardial infarction is not a common phenomenon and the underlying mechanism has been related with coronary spasm in the majority of cases. We present a 29-year-old man who experienced coronary vasospasm and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) which were possibly induced by the use of a topical capsaicin patch to relieve lumbago. He presented with chest pain of one hour onset. The electrocardiogram showed ST-segment elevation in the leads II, III, and aVF, consistent with inferior wall AMI. Echocardiography confirmed inferior hypokinesia. Urgent coronary angiography showed normal right and left coronary arteries. Since he had no cardiac risk factors for coronary artery disease, nor a history of recent emotional or physical stress, or ingestion of any illicit substance, the vasospasm and subsequent AMI was attributed to the use of the capsaicin patch for six days. Upon institution of appropriate treatment and removal of the patch, no new anginal attacks or ischemic episodes were seen within a follow-up of one month. This is the first case report of AMI induced by the use of a topical capsaicin patch.