Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index and Its Association with the Prevalence of Stroke in the United States Population: A Cross-Sectional Study Using the NHANES Database

Could the periodontal therapy improve the cardiologic patient health? A narrative review

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is the major cause of mortality globally, with increasing evidence suggesting a link between periodontitis, and CVD. This study aims to explore the association between periodontitis and CVD, and the impact of periodontal therapy on cardiovascular health.

METHODS

This review synthesized findings from preclinical and clinical studies, without publication year restrictions, examining periodontitis and CVD through various lenses. Scientific databases were inspected with keywords related to periodontitis and CVD.

RESULTS

The review identifies a substantial association between periodontitis and an increased risk of several CVD, supported by both epidemiological and interventional studies. Results suggest the complexity of the relationship, influenced by factors like the severity of periodontitis and the presence of other systemic conditions. Clinical data indicates that periodontal therapy, particularly non-surgical periodontal therapy, may reduce systemic inflammatory markers and thus may play a role in the primary and secondary prevention of CVD events, highlighting the potential of periodontal therapy to not only maintain oral health but also to modulate cardiovascular risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Current evidence supports a significant association between periodontitis and increased cardiovascular risk, promoting integrated healthcare approaches that consider oral health as a key-component of cardiovascular care and wellbeing.

Serial Systemic Immune-Inflammation Indices (SSIIi) as Prognostic Markers in Persistent Hypoxic Brain Injury Post-cardiac Arrest: A Case Report

This case report presents a novel exploration of serial systemic immune-inflammation indices (SSIIi) as a potential prognostic biomarker in a critical care setting. The subject of this report is a 31-year-old male who, following a heroin overdose, suffered an asystolic cardiac arrest and subsequently passed away two weeks later in the intensive care unit (ICU). The SSIIi, calculated as platelet count × neutrophil count / lymphocyte count, was monitored throughout his stay. The case demonstrates that SSIIi measurements, particularly within the critical initial 24-72 hours, may provide insight into the patient's immune response dynamics following a severe hypoxic event. Specifically, the data suggest that a persistently elevated SSIIi may be indicative of a maladaptive immune response, characterized by ongoing inflammation, which correlates with a deteriorating clinical trajectory. The rapid escalation and sustained high SSIIi values observed in this patient appear to predict a poor outcome. This case underscores the importance of SSIIi as a potential tool for clinicians to assess prognosis in ICU patients, particularly in cases of acute brain injury where hypoxia is a central factor and sepsis is not present. The findings open avenues for further research into SSIIi as an objective measure for guiding treatment decisions and improving outcomes in similar critical care scenarios.