Relationship Between Red Cell Distribution Width and the GRACE Risk Score With In-Hospital Death in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between red cell distribution width (RDW) and Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score in patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP) and non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). We retrospectively enrolled 193 patients with UAP/NSTEMI (mean age 63.6 ± 12.6 years; men 57%) in this study. Higher RDW values were associated with increased in-hospital mortality (P = .001). There is a significant correlation between RDW and GRACE score (P < .001). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, RDW was found to be an independent predictor of high GRACE score (odds ratio: 1.513, 95% confidence interval: 1.116-2.051, P = .008). A cutoff value of >15.74 for RDW predicted high GRACE score, with a 64% sensitivity and 65% specificity. Our study results demonstrated that high RDW was an independent predictor of high GRACE score, and it is associated with in-hospital mortality in UAP/NSTEMI.

[A second percutaneous closure due to residual mitral paravalvular leak and successful treatment of device embolization]

Paravalvular leak (PVL) is a common complication after surgical valve replacement. Most PVLs remain clinically silent; however, some may require reoperation due to symptomatic PVL. Surgical closure of PVL remains the most common therapy for these defects; however, redo surgery has some disadvantages, including a high recurrence rate as well as high morbidity and mortality rates. Percutaneous closure of PVLs has emerged as an alternative to surgical closure. A 42-year-old male patient underwent a second percutaneous closure due to residual mitral paravalvular leak. During the procedure, the closure device embolized in the descending aorta. The device was captured with a snare and successfully retrieved, and then PVL was successfully occluded with another device.

Fasting, non-fasting glucose and HDL dysfunction in risk of pre-diabetes, diabetes, and coronary disease in non-diabetic adults

We determined in non-diabetic persons the risk of fasting and non-fasting glucose levels for pre-diabetes, diabetes, and coronary heart disease (CHD), including the roles of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and HDL cholesterol, and delineated risk profiles of the pre-diabetic states. Over 7¼ years, 2,619 middle-aged Turkish adults free of diabetes and CHD were studied prospectively. Using different serum glucose categories including impaired fasting glucose (IFG, 6.1-6.97 mmol/L) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), outcomes were analyzed by Cox regression. IFG was identified at baseline in 112 and IGT in 33 participants. Metabolic syndrome components distinguished individuals with IFG from those with normoglycemia. Participants with IGT tended to differ from adults in normal postprandial glucose categories in regard to high levels of triglycerides, apoA-I, and CRP. Diabetes risk, adjusted for sex, age, waist circumference, CRP, and HDL cholesterol, commenced at a fasting 5.6-6.1 mmol/L threshold, was fourfold at levels 6.1-6.97 mmol/L. Optimal glucose values regarding CHD risk were 5.0-6.1 mmol/L. Fasting and postprandial glucose values were not related to CHD risk in men; IGT alone predicted risk in women (HR 3.74 [1.16;12.0]), independent of age, systolic blood pressure, non-HDL cholesterol, waist circumference, smoking status, and CRP. HDL cholesterol was unrelated to the development of IFG, IGT, and diabetes, while CRP elevation independently predicted the development of diabetes. IGT independently predicts CHD risk, especially in women. HDL dysfunction associated with low-grade inflammation is a co-determinant of pre-diabetic states and their progression to diabetes.

Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiographic evaluation of cor triatriatum in adults

We present the cases of two adult patients with cor triatriatum due to left atrial membrane with atrioventricular septal defect and right atrial membrane. Two-dimensional and real-time three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography were performed. These noninvasive modalities provided a comprehensive anatomic and hemodynamic evaluation of the anomaly.

The predictors of poor outcomes in patients with femoral artery injuries

PURPOSE

This study investigated the predictors of poor outcomes, including limb loss and death, in patients with femoral artery injuries.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study included 158 patients aged 2-82 (mean age 28.4 ± 16.5) with femoral arterial injury (common, deep, and superficial femoral artery) that were treated surgically between 2000 and 2010. Isolated venous injuries were excluded. Demographic and clinical data of the patients, including age, gender, admission time, pulse rate and blood pressure, hematocrit value, reason of injury, associated injury, and Mangled Extremity Severity Score (MESS) were recorded.

RESULTS

Of the 158 patients, the death and amputation rates were 5.7% (9) and 5.1% (8), respectively. In logistic regression analysis, four variables (pulse rate, MESS, hematocrit, and bone trauma) were found to be independent predictors for poor outcomes. The Odd's ratios and confidence interval values of these variables were as follows: 7.24 (1.94-26.92), 21.75 (5.41-87.48), 5.93 (3.04-11.54) and 7.46 (2.09-9.56), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The MESS value, presence of bone fracture, hematocrit, and pulse rate on admission are predictive risk factors for poor outcomes in patients with femoral artery injury. Therefore, in these patients, prompt intervention by experienced surgeons is crucial for limb salvage and decreased mortality.

Relation of epicardial fat thickness and brachial flow-mediated vasodilation with coronary artery disease

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to investigate the presence of a statistical association between epicardial fat thickness (EFT) and coronary artery disease (CAD) and between flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) and CAD.

METHODS

We measured the EFT and FMD in 64 subjects with suspected stable angina pectoris. The patients were separated into two groups according to their coronary angiography results: 34 patients with CAD and 30 patients with normal coronary arteries (NCA).

RESULTS

EFT was significantly higher in the patients with CAD than the NCA group (6.43 ± 0.90 mm vs. 5.35 ± 0.75 mm, p<0.001) while FMD was significantly lower in the patients with CAD than those in the NCA group (6.41 ± 2.51% vs. 8.33 ± 3.45%, p=0.015). No significant correlation was found between EFT and FMD. After adjustment for EFT, FMD, age, sex, ejection fraction, glucose, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol through multivariate logistic regression analysis, EFT (odds ratio: 6.325, 95% confidence interval 2.289-17.476, p<0.001) and age (odds ratio: 1.093, 95% confidence interval 1.008-1.185, p=0.032) remained significant predictors of CAD. A cut-off value of EFT≥5.8mm predicted the presence of CAD with 77% sensitivity and 70% specificity.

CONCLUSION

An echocardiographic EFT assessment is independently associated with the presence of CAD. Thus, EFT may be helpful in cardiometabolic risk stratification and therapeutic interventions.

Predictors of Anticoagulant Treatment in Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation

The aim of the study was to assess the factors associated with the anticoagulation treatment in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). A total of 2242 consecutive patients who had been admitted with AF on their electrocardiogram were included in the study. After excluding valvular AF, 1745 patients with nonvalvular AF were analyzed. Mean CHA2DS2-VASc score [cardiac failure, hypertension, age ≥ 75 (doubled), diabetes, stroke (doubled), vascular disease, age 65 -74 and sex category (female)], frequency of persistent/permanent AF, hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), stroke history, body mass index, and left atrial diameter were significantly higher in patients receiving anticoagulant therapy. Stroke history, persistent/permanent AF, hypertension, DM, age, heart failure, and left atrial diameter were independent predictors of warfarin prescription. Labile international normalized ratio was the only independent negative predictor of effective treatment with warfarin. In this study, we demonstrated that stroke history, persistent/permanent AF, hypertension, DM, and left atrial diameter were positive predictors, whereas advanced age and heart failure were negative predictors of oral anticoagulant use in patients with nonvalvular AF.

Relationship between endothelial dysfunction and prosthetic heart valve thrombosis: a preliminary investigation

AIM

The etiopathogenesis of prosthetic heart valve thrombosis (PHVT) is multifactorial. Since the relationship between PHVT and endothelial function is never studied, we aimed to analyze the role of endothelial function in patients with PHVT.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty-two patients with PHVT (14 female, 31.8% with atrial fibrillation, mean age 46.0±12.2) and 22 controls with prosthetic heart valves (17 female, 36.4% with atrial fibrillation, mean age 45.7±11.5) were prospectively evaluated. Two groups had similar demographic and echocardiographic characteristics. Endothelial function was evaluated in all patients by the non-invasive measurement of flow mediated dilatation (FMD) of brachial artery. High-resolution ultrasound was used to measure brachial artery diameter at rest, during reactive hyperemia (endothelium-dependent, FMD), and following sublingual administration of nitroglycerin (endothelium-independent, nitroglycerin-mediated vasodilatation, NMD).

RESULTS

Functional capacity at presentation determined as mean NYHA functional capacity class was worse in patients with PHVT than in control group (2.1±0.6 vs. 1.3±0.6; p < 0.0001). FMD was significantly reduced in patients with PHVT compared with control group (4.01±1.52 vs. 8.48±3.37; p < 0.0001). NMD did not differ between two groups (11.77±2.30 vs. 13.38±3.50; p = 0.08). FMD level of < 5.65 predicted prosthetic valve thrombosis with an 82% sensitivity and 77% specificity (area under the curve = 0.888, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated the endothelial dysfunction in patients with PHVT compared with well-matched control group. In this study, we found that patients with PHVT have endothelial dysfunction which might contribute to the development of thrombosis.

The atrial fibrillation in Turkey: Epidemiologic Registry (AFTER)

BACKGROUND

AFTER (Atrial Fibrillation in Turkey: Epidemiologic Registry) is a prospective, multicenter study designed with the aim of describing the prevalence and epidemiology of AF practice in Turkey. This study aims to evaluate stroke risk in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) and anticoagulant drug utilization within conformity to AF guidelines.

METHODS

Patients were recruited in 17 referral hospitals reflecting all the population of 7 geographical regions of Turkey. 2242 consecutive patients who had been admitted with AF on ECG were included in the study. 1745 of these patients, who had non-valvular AF, were included in the statistical evaluation. Stroke risk was evaluated with the CHA2DS2-VASc score.

RESULTS

The average age of participants was determined to be 69.2 ± 11.5 years (56% female). Persistent-permanent AF was found to be the most common type of non-valvular AF (78%). The most common comorbid disorder was hypertension (73%). It was found that oral anticoagulant therapy was used by 40% of all patients, 37% of whom had effective INR (2.0-3.0). Upon multivariate analysis, age was found to be the only independent predictor of stroke among the variables' effects on thromboembolic events that created CHA2DS2-VASc abbreviations (OR 1.026, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that stroke risk scores should be thoroughly heeded based on guidelines, and that anticoagulation must be applied according to their guidance.