Inflammatory Biomarkers in Coronary Artery Ectasia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Isolated coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is a relatively rare clinical entity, the pathogenesis of which is poorly understood. More and more evidence is accumulating to suggest a critical inflammatory component. We aimed to elucidate any association between neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and coronary artery ectasia. A systematic MEDLINE database, ClinicalTrials.gov, medRxiv, Scopus and Cochrane Library search was conducted: 50 studies were deemed relevant, reporting on difference in NLR levels between CAE patients and controls (primary endpoint) and/or on high-sensitive CRP, IL-6, TNF-a and RDW levels (secondary endpoint), and were included in our final analysis. (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021224195). All inflammatory biomarkers under investigation were found higher in coronary artery ectasia patients as compared to healthy controls (NLR; SMD = 0.73; 95% CI: 0.27–1.20, hs-CRP; SMD = 0.96; 95% CI: 0.64–1.28, IL-6; SMD = 2.68; 95% CI: 0.95–4.41, TNF-a; SMD = 0.50; 95% CI: 0.24–0.75, RDW; SMD = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.26–0.87). The main limitations inherent in this analysis are small case-control studies of moderate quality and high statistical heterogeneity. Our findings underscore that inflammatory dysregulation is implicated in coronary artery ectasia and merits further investigation.

Underlying factors relating to acute myocardial infarction for coronary artery ectasia patients

Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) patients were more prone to present with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), this case-control research aimed to explore the underlying factors relating AMI for them.This study investigated a serial of 119 patients who underwent coronary angiography and were diagnosed as CAE between the years 2016 and 2017 at the Beijing Friendship Hospital; 32 of the patients developed AMI and 87 did not develop AMI. The possible factors relating to AMI, including disease history, cardiovascular risk factors, thrombotic condition, inflammation status, and coronary imaging characteristics, were comprehensively compared between CAE patients with and without AMI.CAE patients with AMI had a lower antiplatelet rate, a higher blood low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, increased neutrophil to lymphocyte (NL) ratio, higher Gensini score, and larger proportions of Markis type II. Logistic regression analysis also indicated that AMI history, lower antiplatelet rate, higher NL ratio, higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level and Gensini score, as well as Markis type II were associated with AMI in CAE patients.AMI history, lower antiplatelet treatment rates, poor blood lipid control and higher coronary stenosis extent, higher inflammatory response, and Markis type II were closely related to the incidence of AMI in CAE patients.

n-3 PUFAs improve erythrocyte fatty acid profile in patients with small AAA: a randomized controlled trial

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is an important cause of death in older adults, which has no current drug therapy. Inflammation and abnormal redox status are believed to be key pathogenic mechanisms for AAA. In light of evidence correlating inflammation with aberrant fatty acid profiles, this study compared erythrocyte fatty acid content in 43 AAA patients (diameter 3.0-4.5 cm) and 52 healthy controls. In addition, the effect of omega-3 PUFA (n-3 PUFA) supplementation on erythrocyte fatty acid content was examined in a cohort of 30 AAA patients as part of a 12 week randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. Blood analyses identified associations between AAA and decreased linoleic acid (LA), and AAA and increased Δ6-desaturase activity and biosynthesis of arachidonic acid (AA) from LA. Omega-3 PUFA supplementation (1.5 g DHA + 0.3 g EPA/day) decreased red blood cell distribution width (14.8 ± 0.4% to 13.8 ± 0.2%; P = 0.003) and levels of pro-inflammatory n-6 PUFAs (AA, 12.46 ± 0.23% to 10.14 ± 0.3%, P < 0.001; adrenic acid, 2.12 ± 0.13% to 1.23 ± 0.09%; P < 0.001). In addition, Δ-4 desaturase activity increased (DHA/docosapentaenoic acid ratio, 1.85 ± 0.14 to 3.93 ± 0.17; P < 0.001) and elongase 2/5 activity decreased (adrenic acid/AA ratio, 0.17 ± 0.01 to 0.12 ± 0.01; P < 0.01) following supplementation. The findings suggest that n-3 PUFAs improve fatty acid profiles and ameliorate factors associated with inflammation in AAA patients.

Predictive value of red cell distribution width on left atrial thrombus or left atrial spontaneous echo contrast in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the predictive value of red cell distribution width (RDW) on left atrial thrombus (LAT) or left atrial spontaneous echo contrast (LASEC) in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF).

METHODS

We reviewed 692 patients who were diagnosed as non-valvular AF and underwent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute from April 2014 to December 2015. The baseline clinical characteristics, laboratory test of blood routine, electrocardiograph measurements were analyzed.

RESULTS

Eighty-four patients were examined with LAT/LASEC under TEE. The mean RDW level was significantly higher in LAT/LASEC patients compared with the non-LAT/LASEC patients (13.59% ± 1.07% vs. 14.34% ± 1.34%; P < 0.001). Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis was performed and indicated the best RDW cut point was 13.16%. Furthermore, multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that RDW level > 13.16% could be an independent risk factor for LAT/LASEC in patients with AF.

CONCLUSION

Elevated RDW level is associated with the presence of LAT/LASEC and could be with moderate predictive value for LAT/LASEC in patients with non-valvular AF.

Red cell distribution width as a predictor of left atrial spontaneous echo contrast in echocardiography

Red cell distribution width (RDW) represents the heterogeneity of red blood cells (anisocytosis). Spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) is thought to be a manifestation of red cell aggregation and it has been linked to the development of thromboemboli. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between RDW levels and the presence of left atrial SEC (LASEC). One-hundred and 72 patients who underwent transesophageal echocardiography for various indications were enrolled in the study. All patients were categorized into 2 groups according to the presence of LASEC and into 4 groups according to the severity of LASEC. The baseline clinical characteristics, echocardiographic measurements, and laboratory findings, including RDW, were compared between the groups. The RDW (%) level was higher in the LASEC group (14.95 ± 1.32) compared with the non-LASEC group (12.20 ± 1.45; P = 0.0001). When the relationship between RDW and SEC was evaluated according to the increasing grade of SEC, a significant positive correlation was found (r = 0.645, P < 0.0001). In the ROC analysis, an RDW level >13.8% had 70% sensitivity and 89.2% specificity in predicting LASEC (area under the curve = 0.834, P < 0.0001, 95% CI 0.656-0.773). In multivariate analysis, RDW levels >13.8% and the presence of atrial fibrillation were independently associated with LASEC (odds ratio [OR] 1.697; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.198-2.085; P = 0.001 and OR 1.586; 95% CI 1.195-2.098; P = 0.003, respectively]. Elevated RDW value is associated with the presence and the severity of SEC. RDW may be a useful marker and independent predictor for the presence of SEC.

Red blood cell distribution width: A simple parameter with multiple clinical applications

The red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a simple and inexpensive parameter, which reflects the degree of heterogeneity of erythrocyte volume (conventionally known as anisocytosis), and is traditionally used in laboratory hematology for differential diagnosis of anemias. Nonetheless, recent evidence attests that anisocytosis is commonplace in human disorders such as cardiovascular disease, venous thromboembolism, cancer, diabetes, community-acquired pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, liver and kidney failure, as well as in other acute or chronic conditions. Despite some demographic and analytical issues related to the routine assessment that may impair its clinical usefulness, an increased RDW has a high negative predictive value for diagnosing a variety of disorders, but also conveys important information for short- and long-term prognosis. Even more importantly, the value of RDW is now being regarded as a strong and independent risk factor for death in the general population. Although it has not been definitely established whether an increased value of RDW is a risk factor or should only be considered an epiphenomenon of an underlying biological and metabolic imbalance, it seems reasonable to suggest that the assessment of this parameter should be broadened far beyond the differential diagnosis of anemias. An increased RDW mirrors a profound deregulation of erythrocyte homeostasis involving both impaired erythropoiesis and abnormal red blood cell survival, which may be attributed to a variety of underlying metabolic abnormalities such as shortening of telomere length, oxidative stress, inflammation, poor nutritional status, dyslipidemia, hypertension, erythrocyte fragmentation and alteration of erythropoietin function. As such, the aim of this article is to provide general information about RDW and its routine assessment, to review the most relevant implications in health and disease and give some insights about its potential clinical applications.

Significance of red cell distribution width measurement for the patients with isolated coronary artery ectasia

BACKGROUND

Red cell distribution width (RDW) has been recognized as a novel marker for several cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between RDW levels and the presence of isolated coronary artery ectasia (CAE).

METHODS

We studied 414 subjects including 113 patients with isolated CAE (Group A), 144 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD, group B) and 157 angiographically normal controls (group C). Baseline clinical characteristics and laboratory findings including RDW were compared among three groups.

RESULTS

The levels of RDW were significantly higher in group A and B compared with that in group C (12.97 ± 1.4 and 12.88 ± 1.0 vs 12.34 ± 0.9, p = 0.020) while no difference was found between CAE and CAD (p = 0.17). Additionally, the levels of CRP were also higher in patients with CAE and CAD compared with normal controls (0.26 ± 0.14 mg/L, 0.31 ± 0.27 mg/L vs 0.20 ± 0.06 mg/L, p = 0.04). The multivariate analysis indicated that RDW and CRP were the independent variables most strongly associated with the presence of isolated CAE and CAD. There was a positive correlation between levels of RDW and CRP in patients with isolated CAE (γ=0.532, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggested that RDW may be a useful marker and independent predictor for the presence of isolated CAE.

Increased red cell distribution width in patients with slow coronary flow syndrome

OBJECTIVE

An elevated red cell distribution width has been recognized as a predictor of various cardiovascular diseases. Slow coronary flow syndrome is an important angiographic clinical entity with an unknown etiology. This study aimed to examine the relationship between red cell distribution width and the presence of slow coronary flow syndrome.

METHODS

In total, 185 patients with slow coronary flow syndrome and 183 age- and gender-matched subjects with normal coronary flow (controls) were prospectively enrolled in this study. Red cell distribution width and C-reactive protein were measured upon admission, and the results were compared between the patients with slow coronary flow syndrome and normal controls.

RESULTS

Red cell distribution width levels were significantly higher in the patients with slow coronary flow syndrome than the normal controls. Moreover, the data showed that the plasma C-reactive protein levels were also higher in the patients with slow coronary flow syndrome than in the normal controls. In addition, a multivariate analysis indicated that C-reactive protein and red cell distribution width were the independent variables most strongly associated with slow coronary flow syndrome. Finally, the red cell distribution width was positively correlated with C-reactive protein and mean thrombosis in the myocardial infarction frame counts of the patients with slow coronary flow syndrome.

CONCLUSION

The data demonstrated that red cell distribution width levels are significantly higher and strongly positively correlated with both C-reactive protein and thrombosis in the myocardial infarction frame counts of patients with slow coronary flow syndrome. These findings suggest that red cell distribution width may be a useful marker for patients with slow coronary flow syndrome.

Relation of coronary collateral circulation with red cell distribution width in patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to investigate the relationship between red cell distribution width (RDW) value and coronary collateral circulation (CCC) in patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).

METHODS

The study population consisted of 322 consecutive patients with NSTEMI. The patients were classified into impaired CCC (group 1, Rentrop grades 0-1) or good CCC (group 2, Rentrop grades 2-3). Baseline RDW was measured as part of the automated complete blood count.

RESULTS

The RDW values were significantly higher in patients with impaired CCC than in those with good CCC (17.2 ± 2.3 vs 14.5 ± 2.5, P < .001). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, RDW (odds ratio: 1.52, 95% confidence interval: 1.30-1.78, P < .001), baseline creatine kinase MB (CK-MB), and absence of preinfarction angina were found to be the independent predictors of impaired CCC. In receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis, the RDW value >15.5 yielded an area under curve value of 0.783, with 77% sensitivity and 73% specificity.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study results demonstrated that, high RDW, high CK-MB, and absence of preinfarction angina were found to be independent predictors of impaired CCC.

Red cell distribution width and mean platelet volume in amyloidosis

We aimed to determine whether red cell distribution width (RDW) and mean platelet volume (MPV) values differ between patients with reactive amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis due to chronic inflammatory disease and in healthy participants. In this study, 33 patients with AA amyloidosis and 40 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), RDW, platelet count (PLT), and MPV levels were retrospectively obtained from our computerized patient database. We found RDW, ESR, and PLT levels to be significantly higher in patients with AA amyloidosis compared with the controls (P < .0001). Mean platelet volume was significantly lower in patients with amyloidosis (P < .0001). Inflammatory diseases such as AA amyloidosis may demonstrate low MPV and high RDW levels.

Relation of red cell distribution width with presence and severity of coronary artery ectasia

Red cell distribution width (RDW) is an index that has been shown to be an independent correlate of adverse outcomes in some cardiac conditions. Isolated coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is an abnormality of the coronary anatomy and can cause ischemia. We hypothesized that increased RDW would be associated with isolated CAE because both are associated with inflammation. In this study, 2345 patients who received coronary angiography were retrospectively evaluated. After exclusion, 75 patients with isolated CAE and 96 consecutive patients with normal coronary were included in the study. The severity of isolated CAE was determined according to the Markis classification. Baseline RDW was measured as part of the automated complete blood count. Red cell distribution width was observed to be an independent predictor of both presence and severity of isolated CAE. In conclusion, RDW is associated with both the presence and severity of isolated CAE.