Cardiac Troponin Serum Concentration Measurement Is Useful Not Only in the Diagnosis of Acute Cardiovascular Events

Cardiac troponin serum concentration is the primary marker used for the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome. Moreover, the measurement of cardiac troponin concentration is important for risk stratification in patients with pulmonary embolism. The cardiac troponin level is also a general marker of myocardial damage, regardless of etiology. The purpose of this study is to conduct a literature review and present the most important information regarding the current state of knowledge on the cardiac troponin serum concentration in patients with chronic cardiovascular disease (CVD), as well as on the relationships between cardiac troponin serum concentration and features of subclinical cardiovascular dysfunction. According to research conducted to date, patients with CVDs, such as chronic coronary syndrome, chronic lower extremities' ischemia, and cerebrovascular disease, are characterized by higher cardiac troponin concentrations than people without a CVD. Moreover, the literature data indicate that the concentration of cardiac troponin is correlated with markers of subclinical dysfunction of the cardiovascular system, such as the intima-media thickness, pulse wave velocity, ankle-brachial index, coronary artery calcium index (the Agatston score), and flow-mediated dilation. However, further research is needed in various patient subpopulations and in different clinical contexts.

Perioperative Troponin Screening Identifies Patients at Higher Risk for Major Cardiovascular Events in Noncardiac Surgery

Myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery (MINS) includes patients with traditional myocardial infarction and those with ischemic myocardial injury after surgery. This study evaluated the prognostic value of MINS on major cardiovascular events and 30-day mortality, and determined independent preoperative predictors of MINS in patients after noncardiac surgery. This multicenter prospective cohort study was part of the VISION Study. The sample consisted of 2504 patients who underwent noncardiac surgery at 2 tertiary hospitals in Brazil between September 2008 and July 2012. Troponin Ts were measured 6-12 hours, and on days 1-3 after surgery. Cox regression analyses were performed to identify independent variables of major outcomes. A total of 314 (13%) patients were diagnosed with MINS, of which 26 (8%) died. Length-of-hospital stay of MINS patients was 3 times higher (18 ± 22 days vs 5.8 ± 11 days). In multivariate analysis, 30-day mortality was significantly higher among patients with MINS (hazard ratio [HR] 3.17 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.56-6.41)), and major bleeding (HR 5.76 (95% CI 2.75-12.05)), sepsis (HR 5.08 (95% CI 2.25-11.46)), active cancer (HR 4.22 (95% CI 1.98-8.98)), and general surgery (HR 3.11 (95% CI 1.51-6.41)). Multivariable analysis indicated a higher chance of MINS in patients ≥75 years of age, history of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart failure, coronary disease, and end-stage renal failure. The incidence of MINS within 30 days after noncardiac surgery is related to higher mortality. Postoperative troponin monitoring in elder patients and with risk factors for atherosclerotic disease may help reduce postoperative cardiovascular events.

[The relationship of pathological ankle-brachial index and cognitive decline in patients after ischemic stroke]

AIM

To identify associations between cognitive impairment and values of ankle-brachial index (ABI) in patients after ischemic stroke at discharge from the hospital and over one-year follow-up.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 375 patients with normal (n=192) and elevated (n=153) ABI who underwent ischemic stroke (IS). Neurological examination was performed using NIHSS, the Rankin scale, Barthel index, Rivermead Mobility Index at discharge from the hospital and over one-year follow-up.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Patients with elevated ABI had marked cognitive impairment and more severe neurological deficit compared to patients with normal ABI. Evaluation of ABI can help in predicting the development of post-stroke cognitive impairment in patients with IS.

Management Strategies for Noncardiac Surgery Following a Coronary Artery Event

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Coronary artery event includes acute coronary syndrome (ACS), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Following such an event, risk of noncardiac surgery is increased. Of major concern is what can make this surgery safer?

RECENT FINDINGS

High functional capacity improves cardiovascular (CV) risk; at least 4.0 metabolic equivalents (METs) on stress test are favorable. Risk scores can suggest need for further evaluation. Coronary angiography prior to surgery usually is not indicated since revascularization shows disappointing CV risk reduction results. Due to high association of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) with coronary artery disease (CAD), low ankle-brachial index (ABI) indicates increased CV risk. New perioperative beta blockade has shown disappointing benefit, but if ongoing should be continued. De novo perioperative beta blockade is for the highest CV risk patient undergoing noncardiac vascular surgery. Good evidence supports CV risk reduction from new or existing statin in the perioperative period, especially for the diabetic. Diabetics should also be on an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) secondarily, during the perioperative period to decrease 30-day perioperative mortality. Optimal timing of elective noncardiac surgery following a coronary artery event appears to be 180 days with CV risk decreased by a statin and an ACEI or an ARB.

Celiac and Superior/Inferior Mesenteric Angioplasty and Stenting for Chronic Mesenteric Ischemia: A Single-Center Experience

Angioplasty and stenting emerged as the less invasive treatment options compared to open surgical revascularization for the management of patients with chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI). However, endovascular techniques may not achieve symptomatic relief in many patients with CMI. We report our results from the endovascular management of patients with CMI. Data were reviewed from 45 patients undergoing celiac and/or mesenteric angioplasty and stenting for CMI, from October 2006 to January 2016. Angioplasty and stenting of celiac and/or mesenteric arteries were successful in relieving symptoms completely in 29 of 45 and partially in 6 of 45 patients. Only 10 of 45 patients mentioned no improvement, while symptom recurrence occurred in another 3 of 45 patients between 3 and 36 months postprocedurally due to stent occlusion. Angioplasty and stenting of celiac and/or mesenteric arteries provide symptomatic relief in a considerable percentage of patients with CMI. If symptoms fail to improve, an open surgical revascularization procedure should be considered.

Color Doppler Ultrasound Imaging in the Assessment of Iliac Endofibrosis

Endofibrosis (EF) of the iliac arteries is a flow-limiting condition typically seen in highly trained endurance athletes. Thirty-seven athletes (74 limbs) were referred to our department with suspected EF. All patients had a pre- and postexercise color Doppler ultrasound (CDU) of the iliac arteries. Doppler waveform and peak systolic velocity (PSV) and end-diastolic velocity (EDV) were assessed pre- and postexercise. Endofibrosis was diagnosed with CDU in 24 athletes (29 limbs). Arterial wall and course abnormalities were detected at rest in 20 (67%) symptomatic limbs of athletes with and 4 (22%) symptomatic limbs of athletes without EF. Postexercise abnormal waveforms of the stenotic/damped type were seen in the iliac arteries in all 29 limbs of athletes diagnosed with EF. These waveform changes were accompanied by high PSV (>350 cm/s) and EDV (>150 cm/s), with (n = 10; 34%) or without (n = 19; 66%) the evidence of reduced arterial lumen caliber. Color Doppler ultrasound can be used to detect EF.