Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Assessment of Severity of ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Using Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Its Correlation With Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction Risk Score

Introduction ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is an acute presentation of myocardial infarction (MI). It is caused by the complete occlusion of coronary arteries by a thrombus secondary to atherosclerotic plaque formation within these vessels. The Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk score is a seven-item scale used to categorize patients based on risk and to predict mortality in acute MI patients. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an independent assessor of prognosis in cardiovascular diseases; it holds a pivotal role in inflammation and atherosclerotic plaque formation. Methodology A hospital-based cross-sectional study was undertaken among 76 patients who had acute MI, out of which 50 patients who had STEMI were included and 26 patients were excluded (13 patients had non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), four patients had unstable angina, nine patients had arrhythmias). After detailed clinical and laboratory evaluation, NLR was calculated for all 50 patients, and they were distributed into low NLR, intermediate NLR and high NLR groups based on the ratio. Patients then underwent coronary angiography, and their TIMI-STEMI score was calculated and compared with their NLR score. Using SPSS software (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA), the collected data was statistically analyzed. Results Fifty patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) based on their NLR were distributed into three categories: Category A with low NLR of <1.7 (n=2), Category B with intermediate NLR of 1.7-3 (n=10), and Category C with high NLR of >3 (n=38). In this study, there were more male patients (two in Category A, six in Category B, 28 in Category C), mean age group was 55 +/- 10 (one in Category A, five in Category B, 32 in Category C), the most common presentation was chest pain (two in Category A, nine in Category B, 37 in Category C), the most common risk factor was smoking (two in Category A, six in Category B, 15 in Category C), the angiographic TIMI-STEMI score was calculated and two, six, and two patients in Category A, Category B, Category C respectively had a low score of <4, four and 36 patients in Category B and C respectively had a high score of >4, and there was a significant correlation between high NLR and high TIMI-STEMI score (P = 0.001). Conclusion This study infers that a simple bedside parameter like the NLR, which is easily available and affordable, can predict the outcome in STEMI patients and stands on par with conventional angiographic scores.

Association between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and outcomes in hospitalized patients with left ventricular thrombus

BACKGROUND

Left ventricular thrombus (LVT) is a severe cardiovascular complication occurring in approximately 10% of patients with acute anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. This study aimed to evaluate the association between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) in patients with LVT.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This multicenter retrospective study was conducted between January 2000 and June 2022 in hospitalized patients with LVT. The outcome included in-hospital MACCE. The association between NLR and in-hospital MACCE was measured by odds ratios (ORs). The restricted cubic spline model was used for dose-response analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 197 LVT patients from four centers were included for analysis in this study. MACCE occurred in 13.7% (27/197) of the patients. After adjusting for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), D-dimer, and age, the OR for MACCE comparing first to the third tertile of NLR was 13.93 [95% confidence interval: 2.37-81.77, P  = 0.004, P -trend = 0.008]. When further adjusting for etiology and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), the association remained statistically significant. Spline regression models showed an increasing trend in the incidence of MACCEs with NLR both in crude and adjusted models. Subgroup analyses showed that a high NLR may be correlated with poorer outcomes for LVT patients older than 65 years, or with hypertension, dyslipidemia, low ejection fraction, liver, and renal dysfunctions.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, these findings suggested that higher NLR may be associated with an increased risk of in-hospital MACCE in patients with LVT.

Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio as a prognostic marker for cardiovascular outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction after percutaneous coronary intervention: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been considered a prognostic biomarker of mortality and other major cardiac events. This study investigates NLR's efficacy in predicting in-hospital and long-term outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

Electronic databases (PUBMED, Cochrane CENTRAL, ERIC, Embase, Ovid, and Google Scholar) were searched till June 2022 to identify studies having STEMI patients who underwent PCI. Risk ratios and mean differences (MDs), along with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (Cis) and standard deviations (SDs), were pooled using a random-effect model. This meta-analysis has been registered on Prospero (ID: CRD42022344072).

RESULTS

A total of 35 studies with 28,756 patients were included. Pooled estimates revealed an increased incidence of primary outcomes; in-hospital all-cause mortality (RR = 3.52; 95% CI = 2.93-4.24), long-term all-cause mortality (HR = 1.07; 95% CI = 1.00-1.14), (RR = 3.32; 95% CI = 2.57-4.30); in-hospital cardiovascular mortality (RR = 2.66; 95% CI = 2.04-3.48), long-term cardiovascular mortality (RR = 6.67; 95% CI = 4.06-10.95); in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (RR = 1.31; 95% CI = 1.17-1.46), long-term MACE (RR = 2.92; 95% CI = 2.16-3.94); length of hospital stay (WMD = 0.60 days; 95% CI = 0.40-0.79) in patients with high NLR compared to those with a low NLR.

CONCLUSION

NLR might be a valuable tool for prognostication (in-hospital) and stratification of patients with STEMI who underwent PCI.

The Relationship between the Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index and Ischemia with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries in Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography

BACKGROUND

Ischemia with the non-obstructive coronary artery (INOCA) is an ischemic heart disease that mostly includes coronary microvascular dysfunction and/or epicardial coronary vasospasm due to underlying coronary vascular dysfunction and can be seen more commonly in female patients. The systemic immune-inflammation index (SII, platelet × neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio) is a new marker that predicts adverse clinical outcomes in coronary artery disease (CAD).

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the relationship between INOCA and SII, a new marker associated with inflammation.

METHODS

A total of 424 patients (212 patients with INOCA and 212 normal controls) were included in the study. Peripheral venous blood samples were received from the entire study population prior to coronary angiography to measure SII and other hematological parameters. In our study, the value of p<0.05' was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

The optimal cut-off value of SII for predicting INOCA was 153.8 with a sensitivity of 44.8% and a specificity of 78.77% (Area under the curve [AUC]: 0.651 [95% CI: 0.603-0.696, p=0.0265]). Their ROC curves were compared to assess whether SII had an additional predictive value over components. The AUC value of SII was found to be significantly higher than that of lymphocyte (AUC: 0.607 [95% CI: 0.559-0.654, p = 0.0273]), neutrophil (AUC: 0.559 [95%CI: 0.511-0.607, p=0.028]) and platelet (AUC: 0.590 [95% CI: 0.541-0.637, p = 0.0276]) in INOCA patients.

CONCLUSIONS

A high SII level was found to be independently associated with the existence of INOCA. The SII value can be used as an indicator to add to the traditional expensive methods commonly used in INOCA prediction.

Impact of the SGLT2-inhibitor empagliflozin on inflammatory biomarkers after acute myocardial infarction - a post-hoc analysis of the EMMY trial

BACKGROUND

SGTL2-inhibitors are a cornerstone in the treatment of heart failure, but data on patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is limited. The EMMY trial was the first to show a significant reduction in NTproBNP levels as well as improved cardiac structure and function in post-AMI patients treated with Empagliflozin compared to placebo. However, data on the potential impact of SGLT2-inhibitors on inflammatory biomarkers after AMI are scarce.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The EMMY trial is an investigator-initiated, multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, which enrolled patients after AMI, receiving either 10 mg Empagliflozin once daily or placebo over a period of 26 weeks on top of standard guideline-recommended therapy starting within 72 h after percutaneous coronary intervention. In this post-hoc subgroup analysis of the EMMY trial, we investigated inflammatory biomarkers of 374 patients. The endpoints investigated were the mean change in inflammatory biomarkers such as high-sensitive c-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), neutrophils, leukocytes, neutrophile/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) from baseline to 26 weeks.

RESULTS

Baseline median (interquartile ranges) IL-6 was 17.9 pg/mL (9.0-38.7), hsCRP 18.9 mg/L (11.2-37.1), neutrophil count 7.9 x G/L (6.2-10.1), leukocyte count 10.8 x G/L (9.1-12.8) and neutrophile/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) of 0.74 (0.67-0.80). At week 26, a significant mean reduction in inflammatory biomarkers was observed, being 35.1 ± 3.2% (p < 0.001) for IL-6, 57.4 ± 0.7% (p < 0.001) for hsCRP, 26.1 ± 0.7% (p < 0.001) for neutrophils, 20.5 ± 0.6% (p < 0.001) for leukocytes, 10.22 ± 0.50% (p < 0.001) for NLR, and - 2.53 ± 0.92% for PLR (p = 0.006) with no significant difference between Empagliflozin and placebo treatment.

CONCLUSION

Trajectories of inflammatory biomarkers showed a pronounced decline after AMI, but Empagliflozin treatment did not impact this decline indicating no central role in blunted systemic inflammation mediating beneficial effects.

Predictive value of the systemic immune inflammatory index in cardiac syndrome x

İNTRODUCTION: Patients with normal coronary arteries in whom increased vasospasm cannot be detected with the stress test should be evaluated in terms of cardiac syndrome x (CSX). İnflammatory systems are effective in endothelial activation and dysfunction in CSX. The systemic immune inflammation index (SII) is thought to be an important factor in determining the course of diseases, especially in infectious diseases or other diseases, as an indicator of the inflammation process. The aim of this study is to determine the role of SII levels in the diagnosis of CSX disease.

METHODS

The study group included 80 patients who applied to the cardiology department of Fırat University with typical anginal complaints between October 2021 and April 2022, and were diagnosed with ischemia after the myocardial perfusion scan, and then coronary angiography was performed and normal coronary arteries were observed.

RESULTS

When the study and control groups were examined according to age, gender and body mass index, hypertension, smoking, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and family history, no statistical significant difference was observed between the groups. It was observed that there was a significant difference between the high sensitive C- reactive protin levels of the individuals in the study and control groups (p = 0.028). SII levels measured in samples taken from patients were significantly higher than control subjects (p = 0.003). SII cutoff at admission was 582 with 82% sensitivity and 84% specificity (area under the curve 0.972; 95% CI:0.95-0.98;p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

It has been demonstrated that systemic SII parameters, which can be simply calculated with the data obtained from the complete blood count and do not require additional costs, can contribute to the prediction of CSX disease.

Laboratory markers at admission to predict the presence of totally occluded culprit artery in NSTEMI

A significant proportion of patients presenting with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) have a totally occluded culprit artery (OCA). If these patients do not meet very high-risk criteria, they may be deprived of an immediate invasive strategy. Therefore, there is a need for markers that can predict OCA in patients with NSTEMI. A total of 357 consecutive patients with NSTEMI but without very high-risk criteria were included in this retrospective study. Two groups were formed: NSTEMI with OCA (n = 106) and NSTEMI with patent culprit artery (PCA) (n = 251). Complete blood count (CBC) and serum biochemical parameters obtained immediately at admission were compared between the groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to predict the presence of OCA was performed for the parameters that were significantly different between the groups, and an area under the curve (AUC) > 0.7 was considered to suggest acceptable discrimination. Neutrophil count [8.13 (2.82-27.88) × 103/µL vs 5.59 (1.85-19.71) × 103/µL, P < .001] and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level [45 (12-405) U/L vs 25 (5-143) U/L, P < .001] were significantly higher in patients with OCA. The AUC was 0.750 for neutrophil count and 0.731 for AST level. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value (NPV) of elevated neutrophil and/or AST levels for the presence of OCA were 77.4%, 70.1%, 52.2%, and 88.0%, respectively. More strikingly, the specificity was 95.2% in the presence of both neutrophil and AST elevation. Elevated neutrophil and/or AST levels at admission were strongly associated with the presence of OCA in patients with NSTEMI.

Systemic immune-inflammation index predicts in-hospital and long-term outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE

This study examines the predictive value of the novel systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

METHODS

A total of 1660 patients with STEMI who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) were enrolled in the study. In-hospital and 3-year outcomes were compared between the four groups (Q1-4). The SII was calculated using the following formula: neutrophil*platelet/lymphocyte.

RESULTS

The frequency of in-hospital cardiogenic shock, acute respiratory failure, acute kidney injury, ventricular arrhythmia, stent thrombosis, recurrent myocardial infarction, major adverse cardiac events and mortality were significantly higher in the high SII groups (Q3 and Q4). Logistic regression models demonstrated that Q3 and Q4 had an independent risk of mortality and Q4 had an independent risk of cardiogenic shock compared to Q1. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the best cutoff value of SII to predict the in-hospital mortality was 1781 with 66% sensitivity and 74% specificity. Kaplan-Meier overall survivals for Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 were 97.6, 96.9, 91.6 and 81.0%, respectively. Cox proportional analysis for 3-year mortality demonstrated that Q3 and Q4 had an independent risk for mortality compared to Q1.

CONCLUSION

SII, a novel inflammatory index, was found to be a better predictor for in-hospital and long-term outcomes than traditional risk factors in patients with STEMI undergoing pPCI.

The Predictive Role of a Novel Risk Index in Patients Undergoing Carotid Artery Stenting: Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory mechanisms play an important role in both atherosclerosis and stroke. There are several inflammatory peripheral blood count markers associated with carotid artery stenosis degree, symptomatic carotid artery lesions and carotid artery stent restenosis that reported in previous studies. However, the prognostic role of the blood cell counts and their ratios in predicting in-hospital and long-term outcomes in patients undergoing carotid artery stenting (CAS) has not been comprehensively investigated. Systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) proved its' efficiency in patients with solid tumors and its' role was rarely examined in cardiovascular disorders and stroke. The current study evaluated the effect of this novel risk index on in-hospital and long-term outcomes in a large patient population who underwent CAS.

METHOD

A total of 732 patients with carotid artery stenosis who underwent CAS were enrolled to the study. SII was calculated using the following formula: neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio × total platelet count in the peripheral blood (per mm3) and the patients were stratified accordingly: T1, T2 and T3. In-hospital and 5-year outcomes were compared between the tertiles of SII.

RESULTS

During the hospitalization, major stroke, ipsilateral stoke, myocardial infarction, death and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) rates were significantly higher in high SII level (T3) compared to SII levels (T1 and 2). In long-term outcomes, ipsilateral stroke, major stroke, transient ischemic attack, death, and MACE were significantly higher in the patients with higher SII level (T3). The 5-year Kaplan-Meier overall survival for T1, T2, and T3 were 97.5%, 96.7% and 86.0% respectively. In-hospital and 5-year regression analyses demonstrated that high SII was independently associated with MACE and mortality.

CONCLUSION

SII was independently associated with in-hospital and long-term clinical outcomes in patients undergoing CAS. Immune and inflammation status, as assessed easily and quickly using SII, has a good discriminative value in these patients.

Factors Associated With Normal Flow (TIMI 3) After Thrombolysis With Streptokinase in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Prospective Observational Study

Background

Thrombolysis with streptokinase (STK) is the most widely used reperfusion strategy for ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in India. Achieving full reperfusion as evidenced by thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade 3 in coronary angiography (CAG) is associated with better outcomes. Recent studies show that hematological indices like neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and mean platelet volume (MPV) estimated before thrombolysis could predict TIMI 3 flow. We studied clinical, electrocardiographic and hematological parameters associated with TIMI 3 flow after thrombolysis with STK.

Methods

We prospectively studied 201 adult patients with STEMI presenting within 12 hours of onset of chest pain. Before thrombolysis, blood sample was collected for estimating NLR and MPV. Timing of CAG after thrombolysis was decided by consultant cardiologists. Patients were followed up for one month after discharge.

Results

Of 201 patients, 162 (81%) had relief of chest pain and 131 (65%) had ST segment recovery of ≥50% at 90 minutes after thrombolysis. CAG was performed within median (IQR) of four (3-5) days after thrombolysis. TIMI 3 flow was observed in 112 (56%) patients. NLR and MPV had no significant association with TIMI 3 flow. In multivariable analysis, ST-segment recovery of ≥50% at 90 minutes was associated with TIMI 3 flow (adjusted OR 3.47, 95% CI: 1.84-6.53, P= <0.001). Of 198 patients followed up for one month after discharge, 13 (6.5%) died.

Conclusions

In patients with STEMI, ST-segment recovery of ≥50% at 90 minutes after thrombolysis with STK predicted TIMI 3 flow independently. NLR and MPV values were not predictive of TIMI 3 flow.

Systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) predicted clinical outcome in patients with coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

This study examines the predictive value of a novel systemic immune-inflammation index (SII, platelet × neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio) in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients.

METHODS

A total of 5602 CAD patients who had undergone a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were enrolled. They were divided into two groups by baseline SII score (high SII vs low SII) to analyse the relationship between SII groups and the long-term outcome. The primary outcomes were major cardiovascular events (MACE) which includes nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), nonfatal stroke and cardiac death. Secondary outcomes included a composite of MACE and hospitalization for congestive heart failure.

RESULTS

An optimal SII cut-off point of 694.3 × 10⁹ was identified for MACE in the CAD training cohort (n = 373) and then verified in the second larger CAD cohort (n = 5602). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that a higher SII score (≥694.3) was independently associated with increased risk of developing cardiac death (HR: 2.02; 95% CI: 1.43-2.86), nonfatal MI (HR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.09-1.85), nonfatal stroke (HR: 1.96; 95% CI: 1.28-2.99), MACE (HR: 1.65; 95% CI: 1.36-2.01) and total major events (HR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.32-1.77). In addition, the SII significantly improved risk stratification of MI, cardiac death, heart failure, MACE and total major events than conventional risk factors in CAD patients by the significant increase in the C-index (P < .001) and reclassification risk categories by significant NRI (P < .05) and IDI (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

SII had a better prediction of major cardiovascular events than traditional risk factors in CAD patients after coronary intervention.

Association of NPAC score with survival after acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Risk stratification in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is important for guiding clinical management. Current risk scores are mostly derived from clinical trials with stringent patient selection. We aimed to establish and evaluate a composite scoring system to improve short-term mortality classification after index episodes of AMI, independent of electrocardiography (ECG) pattern, in a large real-world cohort.

METHODS

Using electronic health records, patients admitted to our regional teaching hospital (derivation cohort, n = 1747) and an independent tertiary care center (validation cohort, n = 1276), with index acute myocardial infarction between January 2013 and December 2017, as confirmed by principal diagnosis and laboratory findings, were identified retrospectively.

RESULTS

Univariate logistic regression was used as the primary model to identify potential contributors to mortality. Stepwise forward likelihood ratio logistic regression revealed that neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, peripheral vascular disease, age, and serum creatinine (NPAC) were significant for 90-day mortality (Hosmer- Lemeshow test, p = 0.21). Each component of the NPAC score was weighted by beta-coefficients in multivariate analysis. The C-statistic of the NPAC score was 0.75, which was higher than the conventional Charlson's score (C-statistic = 0.63). Judicious application of a deep learning model to our dataset improved the accuracy of classification with a C-statistic of 0.81.

CONCLUSIONS

The NPAC score comprises four items from routine laboratory parameters to basic clinical information and can facilitate early identification of cases at risk of short-term mortality following index myocardial infarction. Deep learning model can serve as a gatekeeper to facilitate clinical decision-making.

Association of eosinophil-to-monocyte ratio with 1-month and long-term all-cause mortality in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Background

To determine the relationship between eosinophil-to-monocyte ratio (EMR) on admission and one-month and long-term all-cause mortality in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (P-PCI).

Methods

A total of 426 consecutive STEMI patients treated with P-PCI were enrolled and categorized in terms of tertiles of EMR on admission between September 2015 and October 2017. Final follow-up for long-term outcomes was January 2017.

Results

As EMR decreased, all-cause mortality at 1 month (mean, 29.5±3.5 days) and at mean 14.1±7.8 months follow-up increased (P=0.012, P=0.003, respectively). Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed EMR was associated with 1-month and long-term all-cause mortality (P=0.048, P=0.015, respectively). In multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis, EMR was independently associated with one-month and long-term mortality (hazard ratio =0.097; 95% CI, 0.010-0.899; P=0.04; hazard ration =0.176; 95% CI, 0.045-0.694; P=0.013). The area under the curve of EMR for the prediction of 1-month and long-term total mortality in receiver operating characteristic analysis was 0.789 (95% CI, 0.658-0.921; P=0.003) and 0.752 (95% CI, 0.619-0.884; P=0.001), respectively.

Conclusions

EMR on admission was independently correlated with 1-month and long-term all-cause mortality in STEMI patients undergoing P-PCI, suggesting EMR as a potential simple, useful, and inexpensive index for risk stratification of STEMI patients.

Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio as a predictor of myocardial damage and cardiac dysfunction in acute coronary syndrome patients

Background

Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in peripheral blood is established to correlate with the morbidity and mortality of heart disease patients. We aimed to define the severity of inflammation (NLR) by observing the association of NLR with cardiac functions or myocardial damage parameters in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Methods

Data from 715 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within 72 hours of incidence in 2016 were analysed retrospectively.

Results

The NLR ranges from 0.50 to 46 (medium ± SD, 2.76 ± 2.96) in 715 patients. NLR positively correlated with myocardial damage (NLR vs. CK-mB: p < 0.0001) but negatively correlated with myocardial function (NLR vs. EF: p < 0.0001; NLR vs. FS: p < 0.0001). Myocardial damage markers (CK, CK-mB, ASL, LDH) were significantly increased, and cardiac contractile parameters (EF and FS) were reduced at NLR > 2.76 compared to those of NLR < 2.76. ELISA analysis has shown that IL-10 was significantly increased when NLR ≥ 4.6 and TGF-β was increased at NLR > 4. The correlation was diminished between NLR and CK-mB at NLR > 2.76 or at NLR > 4, but that of NLR and EF or FS was maintained in NLR > 2.76 and at NLR > 4. EF and FS were comparable between NLR > 2.76 and NLR > 4. But myocardial damage parameters increased significantly at NLR > 4 compared to those of NLR > 2.76.

Conclusion

NLR is a strong predictor of myocardial damage in acute myocardial patients. High NLR are associated with myocardial dysfunction in all the patients. Severe inflammation (NLR) can predict the consequence of the heart in patients with coronary syndrome.

Coenzyme Q10 Regulates Antioxidative Stress and Autophagy in Acute Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

Background

Oxidative stress and autophagy both play key roles in continuous cardiomyocyte death and cardiac dysfunction after reperfusion therapy for acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. Coenzyme Q10 (CQ10), which is a fat-soluble quinone antioxidant, is involved in the pathophysiological processes of neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, diabetes, heart failure, and other diseases. Our objective was to determine if, and by what mechanism, CQ10 can ameliorate acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury and improve heart function.

Methods and Results

Fat-soluble CQ10 in soybean oil solvent was preconditioned in rats with acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury by intraperitoneal injection. Oxidant and antioxidant levels were compared between the preconditioned and control groups. Autophagy was measured by Western blotting analysis of autophagy proteins. Proapoptotic proteins and immunofluorescence were used to assess cell apoptosis. Infarct size was determined by triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining and Evans blue staining and visualized myocardial pathology by tissue staining. Finally, we assessed cardiac function by electrocardiography (ECG) and hemodynamics.

Conclusions

This study reveals that CQ10 preconditioning regulates antioxidant levels and the oxidant balance, enhances autophagy, reduces myocardial apoptosis and death, and improves cardiac function in rats with acute ischemia-reperfusion injury. These results imply that CQ10 protects against acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury via the antioxidative stress and autophagy pathways.

Association of lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio with in-hospital and long-term major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events in patients with ST-elevated myocardial infarction

In recent years, lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) has become a novel indirect marker of inflammation, which has been demonstrated to be associated with poor prognosis of oncology and cardiovascular disease. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between LMR on admission and in-hospital and long-term major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) in patients with ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).A total of 306 STEMI patients were enrolled and grouped according to tertiles of LMR from the blood samples obtained in the emergency room on admission. Total white blood cell count, differential count of neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, and other factors were evaluated.The median follow-up period was 21 months (1-36 months). As the LMR decreased, in-hospital nonfatal myocardial infarction and cardiovascular mortality increased (P = .002, P = .009, respectively). And long-term stroke/TIA, TVR, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and cardiovascular mortality also increased with decreasing LMR (P = .012, P = .001, P = .003, P = .002, respectively). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of LMR for predicting MACCE showed the sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 78% and the optimal cut-off value was determined as 2.62. In multivariate analysis, after adjusting for confounders, LMR was an independent predictor of in-hospital and long-term MACCE (odds ratio [OR] 1.192 [1.069-1.315] P < .001, OR 1.239 [1.125-1.347] P < .001, respectively).The LMR is an independent predictor of in-hospital and long-term MACCE in patients with STEMI after primary PCI. Our results suggest that this simple, inexpensive, relatively available inflammatory marker may have significant effects on the treatment and prognosis in patients with STEMI.

Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio Is Related to Electrocardiographic Sign of Spontaneous Reperfusion in Patients with ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

ST-segment resolution ≥70% on consecutive electrocardiograms (ECGs) before administration of definitive reperfusion therapy is considered as an electrocardiographic sign of spontaneous reperfusion (SR) in STEMI patients and it indicates not only the patency of the infarct-related artery (IRA) but also the microvascular and myocardial reperfusion. Neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratio has been demonstrated to be associated with the patency of the IRA and no-reflow in patients with STEMI before mechanical reperfusion therapy. However, the association between N/L ratio and ST-segment resolution in STEMI patients with SR was not investigated. The aim of this study was to focus on the relation between N/L ratio and ST-segment resolution in STEMI patients with SR.

METHODS

One hundred sixty two consecutive patients with their first diagnosed STEMI were enrolled in this study. ECGs of all the patients at admission and 1 h later were obtained. According to electrocardiographic sign of SR, the patients were divided into two groups as SR group and non-SR group. Clinical data between two groups were evaluated.

RESULTS

Patients in SR group had lower neutrophil counts, higher lymphocyte counts, and lower N/L ratio than patients in non-SR group. Moreover, after undertaking primary PCI, patients in SR group had lower peak cTnT value and higher LVEF than patients in non-SR group. Furthermore, N/L ratio was an independent predictor of electrocardiographic sign of SR in patients with STEMI.

CONCLUSION

N/L ratio, an easily available laboratory data, may be related to microvascular reperfusion in STEMI patients with electrocardiographic sign of SR.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio for the assessment of hospital mortality in patients with acute pulmonary embolism

INTRODUCTION

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), which is an essential marker of inflammation, has been shown to be associated with adverse outcomes in various cardiovascular diseases in the literature. In this study we sought to evaluate the association between NLR and prognosis of acute pulmonary embolism (APE).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated blood counts and clinical data of 142 patients with the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) from Ondokuz Mayis University Hospital between January 2006 and December 2012. The patients were divided into two groups according to NLR: NLR < 4.4 (low NLR group, n = 71) and NLR ≥ 4.4 (high NLR group, n = 71).

RESULTS

Massive embolism (66.2% vs. 36.6%, p < 0.001) and in-hospital mortality (21.1%, 1.4%, p < 0.001) were higher in the high NLR group. In multivariate regression analysis NLR ≥ 5.7, systolic blood pressure (BP) < 90 mm Hg, serum glucose > 126 mg/dl, heart rate > 110 beats/min, and PCO2 < 35 or > 50 mm Hg were predictors of in-hospital mortality. The optimal NLR cutoff value was 5.7 for mortality in receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Having an NLR value above 5.7 was found to be associated with a 10.8 times higher mortality rate than an NLR value below 5.7.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients presenting with APE, NLR value is an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality and may be used for clinical risk classification.

Anemia and Inflammation in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND

To investigate the factors predicting the onset of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) after primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients.

METHODS

Two hundred forty-eight STEMI patients (61.4 ± 10.8 years, 186 men) who underwent successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention were enrolled. Patients were followed-up for 1 year. Univariate, multivariate analyses, and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were performed to determine the factors predicting MACEs.

RESULTS

There were 36 patients (14.5%) who experienced MACEs in the follow-up period. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that hemoglobin (HgB) (odds ratio = 0.972; 95% CI, 0.948-0.998; P = 0.033), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (odds ratio = 1.511; 95% CI, 1.148-1.987; P = 0.003), Global Registry of Acute Coronary Event score, and postprocedure left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were independent predictors of MACEs. Further subgroup analysis showed higher NLR (> 8.61), Global Registry of Acute Coronary Event score (> 167) and lower HgB (< 131 g/L) all show superior predictive value for patients with relatively higher LVEF (> 48%); moreover, the c-statistic of NLR and HgB both exceed 0.7. However, among patients with lower LVEF (≤ 48%), higher NLR and lower HgB lost the ability for predicting 1 year MACEs independently. In addition, abnormally higher NLR (> 8) could predict 1-month MACEs efficiently.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, among STEMI patients, elevated NLR, decreased HgB level on admission both predicted 1-year MACEs independently, especially for those with relatively preserved LVEF (> 48%). Besides, abnormally higher NLR on admission should attract their attention for short-term MACEs.

Inflammatory markers in ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction

After acute myocardial infarction, ventricular remodeling is characterized by changes at the molecular, structural, geometrical and functional level that determine progression to heart failure. Inflammation plays a key role in wound healing and scar formation, affecting ventricular remodeling. Several, rather different, components of the inflammatory response were studied as biomarkers in ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction. Widely available and inexpensive tests, such as leukocyte count at admission, as well as more sophisticated immunoassays provide powerful predictors of adverse outcome in patients with ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction. We review the value of inflammatory markers in ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction and their association with ventricular remodeling, heart failure and sudden death. In conclusion, the use of these biomarkers may identify subjects at greater risk of adverse events and perhaps provide an insight into the mechanisms of disease progression.

Usefulness of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in risk stratification of patients with advanced heart failure

Elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been associated with increased mortality in patients with acute heart failure (HF) and neoplastic diseases. We investigated the association between NLR and mortality or cardiac transplantation in a retrospective cohort of 527 patients presented to the Cleveland Clinic for evaluation of advanced HF therapy options from 2007 to 2010. Patients were divided according to low, intermediate, and high tertiles of NLR and were followed longitudinally for time to all-cause mortality or heart transplantation (primary outcome). The median NLR was 3.9 (interquartile range 2.5 to 6.5). In univariate analysis, intermediate and highest tertiles of NLR had a higher risk than the lowest tertile for the primary outcome and all-causes mortality. Compared with the lowest tertile, there was no difference in the risk of heart transplantation for intermediate and high tertiles. In multivariate analysis, compared with the lowest tertile, the intermediate and high NLR tertiles remained significantly associated with the primary outcome (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.61, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10 to 2.37 and HR = 1.55, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.36, respectively) and all-cause mortality (HR = 1.83, 95% CI 1.07 to 3.14 and HR = 2.16, 95% CI 1.21 to 3.83, respectively). In conclusion, elevated NLR is associated with increased mortality or heart transplantation risk in patients with advanced HF.