Prognostic Significance of Controlling Nutritional Status Score (CONUT) in Patients Undergoing Pericardiocentesis

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition is associated with a poor prognosis in cardiovascular diseases, however the prognostic impact of the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score in patients with pericardial effusion (PE) is not known.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study conducted among 301 consecutive patients with PE who underwent pericardiocentesis. CONUT score was calculated from serum albumin level, total cholesterol level and lymphocyte count. The prognostic role of admission CONUT score on long-term mortality was evaluated.

RESULTS

The patients were divided into two groups according to long-term mortality. A total of 131 patients died during follow-up. In multivariable regression analysis, chronic heart failure [hazard ratio (HR): 3.21, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.18-8.70, p < 0.01], malignancy (HR: 5.67, 95% CI: 3.34-9.63, p < 0.01) and CONUT score (HR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.10-1.33, p < 0.01) were found to be independent predictors of long-term mortality. CONUT score was significantly higher in the patients who died (5.8 ± 2.4 vs. 3.6 ± 2.2, p < 0.01). In receiver operating characteristics analysis, a CONUT score ≥ 4.5 predicted long-term mortality with 66% sensitivity and 69% specificity (area under curve: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.67-0.79, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with PE, CONUT score is an independent prognostic factor for mortality.

Effect of chelation therapy on arrhythmogenic and basal ECG parameters of lead exposed workers

Lead exposure has etiological role on cardiovascular system diseases as hypertension, atherosclerosis, stroke, and arrhythmic events. In this study, we aimed to compare the basal and arrhythmogenic ECG parameters of lead exposed workers before and after chelation therapy and to evaluate the effect of acute change of blood lead levels on ECG. Fourty consecutive occupationally lead exposed workers were enrolled, demographic, blood, echocardiographic, and electrocardiographic data's were analyzed before and after chelation therapy. Pmax, P min, P Wave Dispersion, and QT Dispersion values which are arrhythmia predictors were significantly lower after chelation therapy compared to values before chelation therapy. Lead exposed workers are under the risk of ventricular and atrial arrythmias and chelation treatment has a positive effect on these parameters.

Performance of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio for the prediction of long-term morbidity and mortality in coronary slow flow phenomenon patients presented with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome

Introduction: In this study, we aimed to determine if neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio could predict long term morbidity and mortality in patients who hospitalized for non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) and had coronary slow flow on coronary angiography.

Methods: In this observational study, 111 patients who presented with NSTE-ACS and diagnosed with coronary slow flow phenomenon on angiographic examination were included. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) calculated as the ratio of the number of neutrophils to the number of lymphocytes. Patients classified into three groups according to NLR values. The term coronary slow flow phenomenon was depicted by calculating Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction frame count.Patients were followed up and the occurrence of recurrent angina, recurrent myocardial infarction, and long-term mortality was determined using medical records, phone calls, or face-to-face interviews. P values <0.05 considered to indicate statistical significance.

Results: Recurrent angina and myocardial infarction occurred more frequently in the highest NLR tertile compared with middle and lowest NLR tertiles. High NLR group (NLR≥ 3.88 n=38) was significantly associated with younger age and smoking status. WBC, troponin I and CRP levels increased as the NLR tertile increased. Recurrent myocardial infarction and angina showed strong relationship with increasing NLR values. In multivariate regression analyses smoking and high NLR levels were independent predictors of recurrent myocardial infarction (HR:4.64 95%CI 0.95-22.52 P=0.04, HR: 1.48 95%CI 1.16-1.90 P<0.01 respectively) in the long term follow up.

Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that high NLR values can be a valuable prognostic tool in the long term follow up of patients who presented with NSTE-ACS and diagnosed with slow flow phenomenon on coronary angiography.

An Analysis of Myocardial Efficiency in Patients with Severe Asymptomatic Mitral Regurgitation

BACKGROUND

It is difficult to determine left ventricular systolic performance in patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR) since left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) could be preserved until the end stages of the disease. Myocardial efficiency (MEf) describes the amount of external work (EW) done by the left ventricle per unit of oxygen consumed (mVO₂). In the present study, we aimed to investigate MEf in patients with asymptomatic severe MR using a novel echocardiographic method.

METHODS

A total of 27 patients with severe asymptomatic MR and 26 healthy volunteers were included in this cross-sectional study. EW was measured using stroke volume and blood pressure, while mVO₂ was estimated using double product and left ventricular mass.

RESULTS

There were no differences between the groups with regards to EF (66% ± 5% vs. 69% ± 7%), while MEf was significantly reduced in patients with severe MR (25% ± 11% vs. 44% ± 12%, p < 0.001). This difference was maintained even after adjustment for age, gender and body surface area (adjusted x-: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.39–0.49 for controls and adjusted x-: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.19–0.29 for patients with severe MR). Further analysis showed that this reduction was due to an increase in total mVO₂ in the severe MR group. MEf of thepatients who were both on β-blockers and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers were higher than those who were not on any drugs, but this difference was not statistically significant (32% ± 15% vs. 23% ± 9%, p = 0.41).

CONCLUSIONS

MEf was significantly lower in patients with asymptomatic severe MR and preserved EF.

Left main coronary artery stenosis treated with renal stents after Cabrol operation

Cabrol procedure is an alternative technique of anastomosing coronary arteries to the aortic root graft by an extra graft, if direct implantation of coronary arteries to the aortic root graft is not possible. The left main coronary artery stenosis is a rarely seen complication after aortic root operations. Treatment of large coronary arteries with renal stents is a challenging procedure. Herein, we, for the first time in the literature, present a case of left main coronary artery stenosis treated with renal stents after Cabrol operation.

Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Predicts Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury in Patients with ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Treated with Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

  Background: Development of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated via primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), which is a marker of inflammation, has been demonstrated to be associated with the development of major adverse cardiovascular outcomes in many studies. From this point of view, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the predictive value of the NLR as regards the occurrence of CI-AKI in patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI. Methods: This study was conducted at Dr. Siyami Ersek Training and Research Hospital from May 2008 to June 2016. A total of 2000 patients with STEMI treated via primary PCI were enrolled in the study. The NLR was calculated as the ratio of the number of neutrophils to the number of lymphocytes. All venous blood samples were obtained within 8 hours after admission. CI-AKI was the primary end point of the study. Then, the relationship between CI-AKI and the NLR was assessed. Results: CI-AKI was detected in 148 (7.4%) patients. The patients who developed CI-AKI had a significantly higher NLR than those who did not (7.08±4.43 vs. 6.18±3.98; P=0.011). In the multivariate logistic regression analyses, the NLR remained a significant independent predictor of CI-AKI (OR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.21–2.61, and P=0.003). Conclusion: The NLR may be a significant independent predictor of CI-AKI in patients with STEMI treated via primary PCI and higher NLR values could be independently associated with a greater risk for CI-AKI.   J Teh Univ Heart Ctr 2019;14(2):59-66   This paper should be cited as: Tanık VO, Çınar T, Velibey Y, Öz A, Kalenderoğlu K, Gümüşdağ A, Aruğaslan E, Keskin M, Eren M. Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Predicts Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury in Patients with ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Treated with Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.  J Teh Univ Heart Ctr 2019;14(2):59-66.

Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Predicts Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury in Patients with ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Treated with Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background: Development of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated via primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), which is a marker of inflammation, has been demonstrated to be associated with the development of major adverse cardiovascular outcomes in many studies. From this point of view, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the predictive value of the NLR as regards the occurrence of CI-AKI in patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI. Methods: This study was conducted at Dr. Siyami Ersek Training and Research Hospital from May 2008 to June 2016. A total of 2000 patients with STEMI treated via primary PCI were enrolled in the study. The NLR was calculated as the ratio of the number of neutrophils to the number of lymphocytes. All venous blood samples were obtained within 8 hours after admission. CI-AKI was the primary end point of the study. Then, the relationship between CI-AKI and the NLR was assessed. Results: CI-AKI was detected in 148 (7.4%) patients. The patients who developed CI-AKI had a significantly higher NLR than those who did not (7.08±4.43 vs. 6.18±3.98; P=0.011). In the multivariate logistic regression analyses, the NLR remained a significant independent predictor of CI-AKI (OR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.21-2.61, and P=0.003). Conclusion: The NLR may be a significant independent predictor of CI-AKI in patients with STEMI treated via primary PCI and higher NLR values could be independently associated with a greater risk for CI-AKI.

Association of the CHA2DS2VASc Score with Acute Stent Thrombosis in Patients with an ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction Who Underwent a Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we aimed to determine the predictive value of the CHA2DS2VASc score for acute stent thrombosis in patients with an ST elevation myocardial infarction treated with a primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI).

METHODS

This was a retrospective study conducted among 3,460 consecutive patients with STEMI who underwent a pPCI. The stent thrombosis was considered a definite or confirmed event in the presence of symptoms suggestive of acute coronary syndrome and angiographic confirmation of stent thrombosis based on the diagnostic guidelines of the Academic Research Consortium. The stent thrombosis was classified as acute if it developed within 24 h.

RESULTS

The mean CHA2DS2VASc score was 3.29 ± 1.73 in the stent thrombosis group, whereas it was 2.06 ± 1.14 in the control group (p < 0.001). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, CHA2DS2VASc scores ≥ 4 were independently associat ed with acute stent thrombosis (OR = 1.64; 95% CI 1.54-1.71, p < 0.001). In a receiver operating characteristic curve ana-lysis, the best cut-off value for the CHA2DS2VASc score was ≥4, with 60% sensitivity and 73% specificity. Of note, pa tients with a CHA2DS2VASc score of 4 had a 4.3 times higher risk of acute stent thrombosis compared to those with a CHA2DS2VASc score of 1.

CONCLUSIONS

The CHA2DS2VASc score may be a significant independent predictor of acute stent thrombosis in patients with STEMI treated with a pPCI. Therefore, the CHA2DS2VASc score may be used to assess the risk of acute stent thrombosis in patients with STEMI following a pPCI.

Neurologic outcome in patients with cardiac arrest complicating ST elevation myocardial infarction treated by mild therapeutic hypothermia: The experience of a tertiary institution

OBJECTIVE

Therapeutic hypothermia improves neurologic prognosis after cardiac arrest. The aim of this study was to report clinical experience with intravascular method of cooling in patients with cardiac arrest resulting from ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

METHODS

Thirteen patients (11 male, 2 famele; mean age was 39.6±9.4 years) who had undergone mild therapeutic hypothermia (MTH) by intravascular cooling after cardiac arrest due to STEMI were included. Clinical, demographic, and procedural data were analyzed. Neurologic outcome was assessed by Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) score.

RESULTS

Anterior STEMI was observed in 9 patients. One patient died of cardiogenic shock complicating STEMI. Mean cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) duration and door-to-invasive cooling were 32.9±20.1 and 286.1±182.3 minutes, respectively. Precooling Glasgow Coma Scale score was 3 in 9 subjects. Twelve patients were discharged, 11 with CPC scores of 1 at 1-year follow-up. No major complication related to procedure was observed.

CONCLUSION

In comatose survivors of STEMI, therapeutic hypothermia by intravascular method is a feasible and safe treatment modality.

Successful management of left main coronary artery thrombus with intracoronary thrombolysis

The management of valvular heart diseases with mechanical valves has been performed for several years. Warfarin has been used in patients with mechanical heart valves to protect against thromboembolic complications; nevertheless, in these patients, thromboembolic event rates range from 0.5% to 1.7%. Acute occlusive embolism to the coronary arteries due to a mechanical valve is an uncommon occurrence. In this report, we present a case of a left coronary system occlusion due to thrombus embolization from a prosthetic aortic valve, which was successfully treated by thrombolytic therapy.