The sodium-chloride difference: A marker of prognosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

The difference between serum sodium and chloride ion concentrations (SCD) may be considered as a surrogate of a strong ion difference and may help to identify patients with a worse prognosis. We aimed to assess SCD as an early prognostic marker among patients with myocardial infarction.

METHODS

Data of 594 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with PCI (44.9% STEMI patients; 70.7% males) was analysed for SCD in relation to their 30-day mortality. A restricted cubic spline regression model was used to study the relationship between mortality and SCD. Cox regression models were used to assess the association between SCD and the mortality risk.

RESULTS

Patients with Killip class ≥3 had lower SCD values in comparison to patients with Killip class ≤2: (32.0 [30.0-34.0] vs. 33.0 [31.0-36.0], p = .006). The overall 30-day mortality was 7.7% (n = 46). There was a significant difference in SCD values between survivors and non-survivors groups of patients (median (IQR): (33.0 [31.0-36.0] vs. 31.5 [28.0-34.0] (mmol/L), p = .002). The restricted cubic splines model confirmed a non-linear association between SCD and mortality. Patients with SCD <30 mmol/L (in comparison to SCD ≥30 mmol/L) had an increased mortality risk (unadjusted HR 2.92, 95% CI 1.59-5.36, p = .001; and an adjusted HR 2.30, 95% CI 1.02-5.19, p = .04).

CONCLUSIONS

Low SCD on admission is associated with an increased risk of 30-day mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with PCI and may serve as a useful prognostic marker for these patients.

The role of stress hyperglycemia and hyperlactatemia in non-diabetic patients with myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous coronary intervention

BACKGROUND

Stress hyperglycemia and lactates have been used separately as markers of a severe clinical condition and poor outcomes in patients with myocardial infarction (MI). However, the interplay between glucose and lactate metabolism in patients with MI have not been sufficiently studied. The aim in the present study was to examine the relationship of glycemia on admission (AG) and lactate levels and their impact on the outcome in non-diabetic MI patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

A total of 405 consecutive, non-diabetic, MI patients were enrolled in this retrospective, observational, single-center study. Clinical characteristic including glucose and lactate levels on admission and at 30-day mortality were assessed.

RESULTS

Patients with stress hyperglycemia (AG ≥ 7.8 mmol/L, n = 103) had higher GRACE score (median [interquartile range]: 143.4 (115.4-178.9) vs. 129.4 (105.7-154.5), p = 0.002) than normoglycemic patients (AG level < 7.8 mmol/L, n = 302). A positive correlation of AG with lactate level (R = 0.520, p < 0.001) was observed. The coexistence of both hyperglycemia and hyperlactatemia (lactate level ≥ 2.0 mmol/L) was associated with lower survival rate in the Kaplan-Meier estimates (p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis both hyperglycemia and hyperlactatemia were related to a higher risk of death at 30-day follow-up (hazard ratio [HR] 3.21, 95%, confidence interval [CI] 1.04-9.93; p = 0.043 and HR 7.08; 95% CI 1.44-34.93; p = 0.016, respectively) CONCLUSIONS: There is a relationship between hyperglycemia and hyperlactatemia in non-diabetic MI patients treated with PCI. The coexistence of both hyperglycemia and hyperlactatemia is associated with lower survival rate and are independent predictors of 30-day mortality in MI patients and these markers should be evaluated simultaneously.

Prevalence and clinical implications of atrial fibrillation in patients hospitalized due to COVID-19: Data from a registry in Poland

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia with increasing prevalence with respect to age and comorbidities. AF may influence the prognosis in patients hospitalized with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to assess the prevalence of AF among patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 and the association of AF and in-hospital anticoagulation treatment with prognosis.

Methods and results

We assessed the prevalence of AF among patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 and the association of AF and in-hospital anticoagulation treatment with prognosis. Data of all COVID-19 patients hospitalized in the University Hospital in Krakow, Poland, between March 2020 and April 2021, were analyzed. The following outcomes: short-term (30-days since hospital admission) and long-term (180-days after hospital discharge) mortality, major cardiovascular events (MACEs), pulmonary embolism, and need for red blood cells (RBCs) transfusion, as a surrogate for major bleeding events during hospital stay were assessed. Out of 4,998 hospitalized patients, 609 had AF (535 pre-existing and 74 de novo). Compared to those without AF, patients with AF were older and had more cardiovascular disorders. In adjusted analysis, AF was independently associated with an increased risk of short-term {p = 0.019, Hazard Ratio [(HR)] 1.236; 95% CI: 1.035–1.476} and long-term mortality (Log-rank p &lt; 0.001) as compared to patients without AF. The use of novel oral anticoagulants (NOAC) in AF patients was associated with reduced short-term mortality (HR 0.14; 95% CI: 0.06–0.33, p &lt; 0.001). Moreover, in AF patients, NOAC use was associated with a lower probability of MACEs (Odds Ratio 0.3; 95% CI: 0.10–0.89, p = 0.030) without increase of RBCs transfusion.

Conclusions

AF increases short- and long-term risk of death in patients hospitalized due to COVID-19. However, the use of NOACs in this group may profoundly improve prognosis.

Impact of concomitant COVID-19 on the outcome of patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing coronary artery angiography

Background

The impact of COVID-19 on the outcome of patients with MI has not been studied widely. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between concomitant COVID-19 and the clinical course of patients admitted due to acute myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods

There was a comparison of retrospective data between patients with MI who were qualified for coronary angiography with concomitant COVID-19 and control group of patients treated for MI in the preceding year before the onset of the pandemic. In-hospital clinical data and the incidence of death from any cause on 30 days were obtained.

Results

Data of 39 MI patients with concomitant COVID-19 (COVID-19 MI) and 196 MI patients without COVID-19 in pre-pandemic era (non-COVID-19 MI) were assessed. Compared with non-COVID-19 MI, COVID-19 MI was in a more severe clinical state on admission (lower systolic blood pressure: 128.51 ± 19.76 vs. 141.11 ± 32.47 mmHg, p = 0.024), higher: respiratory rate [median (interquartile range), 16 (14–18) vs. 12 (12–14)/min, p < 0.001], GRACE score (178.50 ± 46.46 vs. 161.23 ± 49.74, p = 0.041), percentage of prolonged (>24 h) time since MI symptoms onset to coronary intervention (35.9 vs. 15.3%; p = 0.004), and cardiovascular drugs were prescribed less frequently (beta-blockers: 64.1 vs. 92.8%, p = 0.009), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers: 61.5 vs. 81.1%, p < 0.001, statins: 71.8 vs. 94.4%, p < 0.001). Concomitant COVID-19 was associated with seven-fold increased risk of 30-day mortality (HR 7.117; 95% CI: 2.79–18.14; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Patients admitted due to MI with COVID-19 have an increased 30-day mortality. Efforts should be focused on infection prevention and implementation of optimal management to improve the outcomes in those patients.

Cardiac biomarkers on admission and in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients with or without concomitant heart failure

INTRODUCTION

High-sensitive cardiac troponin (hs-cTnT) and N terminal pro B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) are known markers of cardiac injury. However, the role of these markers in predicting severity of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) remains to be investigated.    Objectives: To analyze an association between hs-cTnT and NT-proBNP with in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients, with emphasis on those with concomitant chronic heart failure (CHF).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

1,729 consecutive patients with COVID-19 were enrolled. Demographic data, laboratory parameters and clinical outcomes (discharged or death) were analyzed. ROC curves and logistic regression analyses for hs-cTnT and NT-proBNP values and the risk of death were performed.

RESULTS

Hs-cTnT was determined in 1,041 patients, while NT-proBNP was assessed in 715. CHF was present in 179 cases (10.4% of the cohort). The median of hs-cTnT, NT-proBNP values and in-hospital mortality were higher in CHF patients in comparison to those without CHF. In patients without CHF, the mortality was highest in those with the 4 th quartile of hs-cTnT or NT-proBNP values. In the ROC analysis, hs-cTnT ≥ 142 ng/ml, and NT-proBNP ≥ 969 pg/ml predicted in-hospital death. In cases without CHF, each 10 ng/L increase in hs-cTnT or 100 pg/mL increase in NT-proBNP was associated with risk of death: OR 1.01 and OR 1.02 (P<0.01), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Hs-cTnT or NT-proBNP predicts in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients. Both Hs-cTnT and NT-proBNP should be routinely measured at admission in all patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 for early detection of subjects with an increased risk of in-hospital death, even if they do not have concomitant heart failure.

Prognostic value of acid-base balance parameters obtained from peripheral venous blood sample on admission in patients with myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous coronary intervention

INTRODUCTION

Peripheral venous blood sample may be used to obtain acid-base balance parameters (PVA-BP) measured in rapid point-of-care test analyzers (POCT) on admission to emergency department (ED). Thus, lactates, anion gap (AG) and base excess (BE) may be early prognostic markers in patients with myocardial infarction (MI).

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to confirm the relationship between PVA-BP on admission and the outcome in patients with MI treated by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective, observational analysis of MI patients admitted primarily to ED and secondly transferred to PCI department.

RESULTS

336 patients (41.1% STEMI, 58.9% NSTEMI) were divided according to lactates level: G1:≤2.0 mmol/l (n = 207), G2:>2.0 mmol/l (n = 129). G2 patients had higher values of AG (mean (SD), 9.6 (4.3) vs 6.8 (3.2) mEq/l; P <0.001) and lower BE (median [interquartile range (IQR)], -0.7 [-3.9;0.8] vs 1.0 [-0.2;2.4] mEq/l; P <0.001). In-hospital non-survivors had higher values of lactates (4.0 [2.0;8.7] vs 1.7 [1.3;2.4] mmol/l; P <0.001), AG (10.5 (4.6) vs 7.7 (3.8) mEq/l; P <0.001) and lower BE (-4.8 [-10.6;-1.8] vs 1.5 [-0.8;2.3] mEq/l; P <0.001) compared to survivors. Lactates, AG and BE correlated with GRACE score (r = 0.361; P <0.001, r = 0.158; P = 0.004, r = -0.383; P <0.001, respectively). Only BE independently predicted both 30- and 365-days mortality in whole group (HR 0.79, 95%CI 0.65-0.95; P = 0.01, HR 0.89, 95%CI 0.76-0.99; P = 0.04, respectively) as well as in-hospital mortality among patients without infarct-related out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OR 0.74, 95%CI 0.57-0.97; P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients admitted to ED with MI treated with PCI the evaluation of PVA-BP assessed in POCT analyzers may be a reliable tool for early risk stratification.

CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores as tools for long-term mortality prognosis in patients with typical atrial flutter after catheter ablation

BACKGROUND

The CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores were shown to predict mortality in patients with atrial fibrillation. However, pathophysiology and treatment outcomes of atrial fibrillation and typical atrial flutter (AFL) differ. Consequently, the prognosis of patients with AFL can also be different.

AIMS

The aim of the study was to assess CHADS2 and CHA2DS2‑VASc scores as mortality predictors in patients with typical AFL.

METHODS

Large cohort of consecutive patients with typical AFL who underwent catheter ablation was retrospectively analyzed. The CHADS2 and CHA2DS2‑VASc were calculated using hospital record data. All-cause mortality data was obtained from the registry of national personal identification numbers. The Kaplan-Meier method and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were applied for survival and hazard ratio analyses, respectively.

RESULTS

A total of 469 patients hospitalized for typical AFL ablation were enrolled (mean [SD] age, 63.7 [12.2] years; male sex, 69.1%). Patients were followed from 2 to 12 years resulting in 2974 patient‑years of follow‑up. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed a negative impact of each component of the CHADS2 and CHA2DS2‑VASc scores on survival with the exception of stroke (not significant) and female sex (related to abetter survival). Consequently, higher scores were predictive of higher all‑cause mortality rates (2.7%-54% at 10 years); the CHA2DS2‑VASc score was equally predictive as the CHADS2 score.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients referred for typical AFL ablation, the CHADS2 score can be applied for prognostic assessment. A successful AFL ablation procedure should not divert the attention from recognizing and addressing other medical issues that have an impact on long‑term mortality, which remains very high in this population of patients.