Ahmet Barutcu

Platelet/lymphocyte ratio and risk of in-hospital mortality in patients with ST-elevated myocardial infarction.

Background Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) is a new prognostic marker in coronary artery disease. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between PLR and in-hospital mortality in patients with ST-elevated acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Material/Methods The present study included 636 patients with ST-elevated AMI. The study population was divided into tertiles based on their admission PLR. Patients having values in the third tertile was defined as the high PLR group (n=212) and those having values in the lower 2 tertiles were defined as the low PLR group (n=424). Results Risk factors of coronary artery disease and treatments administered during the in-hospital period were similar between the groups. Male patient ratio was found to be lower in the high PLR group (73% vs. 82.8%, p=0.004). In-hospital mortality was increased in the high PLR group when compared to the low PLR group (12.7% vs. 5.9%, p=0.004). The PLR >144 was found to be an independent predictor of in-hospital cardiovascular mortality (HR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.16–4.0, p=0.014). Conclusions This study showed that PLR is an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality in patients with ST-elevated AMI.

Prognostic Value of the Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio in Patients With ST-Elevated Acute Myocardial Infarction.

The predictive value of leukocyte counts has been reported in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We aimed to evaluate the predictive value of the total leukocyte count and neutrophil–lymphocyte (N/L) ratio for mortality due to AMI. A total of 522 patients with acute ST-elevated MI were included in the study. The study population was divided into tertiles based on admission N/L ratio values. High (n = 174) and low N/L (n = 348) ratio groups were defined as patients having values in the third tertile (>5.77) and lower 2 tertiles (≤5.77), respectively. The high N/L ratio group had a significantly higher incidence of in-hospital cardiovascular mortality (13.8% vs 4.6%, P < .001). An N/L ratio >5.77 was found to be an independent predictor of in-hospital cardiovascular mortality (hazard ratio: 3.78, 95% confidence interval: 1.71-8.30, P = .001). A high N/L ratio is a strong and independent predictor of in-hospital cardiovascular mortality of AMI with ST elevation.

Increased Platelet Distribution Width Is Associated With Severity of Coronary Artery Disease in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome

Platelet activation plays a pivotal role in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We investigated the relationship between platelet distribution width (PDW) and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with ACS. A total of 502 patients with ACS were enrolled. High (n = 151) and low PDW (n = 351) groups were defined as patients having values in the third tertile (>17%) and lower 2 tertiles (≤17%). There were significantly higher Gensini score (44 [10-168] vs 36 [2-132], P < .001), and neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (3.1 [0.8-12.4] vs 2.5 [0.3-13], P = .012) and baseline platelet counts were significantly lower (220 [61-623] vs 233 [79-644] 103/mm3, P = .022) in the high PDW group. The variables PDW >17%, diabetes mellitus, and myocardial infarction were found to be associated with high Gensini score (odds ratio [OR]: 1.91, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.27-2.88, P = .002; OR: 2.85, 95%CI: 1.91-4.25, P < .001; OR: 2.67, 95% CI:1.74-4.1, P < .001, respectively). An increased PDW (>17%) is associated with severity of CAD in patients with ACS.

The relationship between fragmented QRS complexes and SYNTAX and Gensini scores in patients with acute coronary syndrome

BACKGROUND Fragmented QRS (fQRS) complexes on 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) have been reported to be predictors of cardiac events and all-cause mortality in coronary artery disease (CAD). AIM To investigate the relationship between fQRS complexes and SYNTAX and Gensini scores in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS A total of 302 patients (223 men and 79 women) with ACS (133 ST elevated myocardial infarction [STEMI], 107 non-STEMI [NSTEMI], and 62 unstable angina pectoris [USAP]) were evaluated retrospectively in this study. An fQRS pattern was found in 70 patients (fQRS group) but was not found in 232 patients (non-fQRS group). SYNTAX score > 22 and Gensini score > 20 were defined as high SYNTAX and Gensini scores. The relationship between the presence of fQRS on 12-lead ECG and SYNTAX and Gensini scores was assessed. RESULTS SYNTAX score (p < 0.001), Gensini score (p < 0.001), NYHA class (p < 0.001), QRS duration (p < 0.001), number of disease vessels (p = 0.003), and high sensitive troponin T levels (p = 0.026) were significantly higher in the fQRS group. The number of fQRS leads (HR 5.79, 95% CI 2.78-12.06, p < 0.001, HR 3.41, 95% CI 1.32-8.78, p = 0.016, respectively) was found to be an independent predictor of high SYNTAX score and high Gensini score in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS The number of fQRS leads on 12-lead ECG on admission is associated with the severity and complexity of CAD in patients with ACS.

Assessment of the relationship between red cell distribution width and fragmented QRS in patients with non-ST elevated acute coronary syndrome

Background Red cell distribution width (RDW) and fragmented QRS (fQRS) complexes have also been reported to be predictors of cardiac events and all-cause mortality in coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to investigate the association of serum red cell distribution width (RDW) levels and fQRS in patients with non-ST elevated acute coronary syndrome (NST-ACS). Material/Methods We retrospectively evaluated a total of 251 patients (191 men and 60 women) with NST-ACS. The NST-ACS consisted of unstable angina (UA) and non-ST elevated myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). The fQRS pattern was defined as the presence of an additional R’ or crochetage wave, notching in the nadir of the S wave or fragmentation of the RS or QS complexes in 2 contiguous leads corresponding to a major coronary artery territory. The relationships between the RDW and fQRS were assessed. Results The patients in the fQRS group were older, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) levels were significantly lower, and baseline RDW and troponin levels were significantly higher than in the group without fQRS. There were positive correlations between age, number of coronary arteries narrowed, and RDW, and negative correlations between triglyceride, LVEF, and RDW in study patients. There were positive correlations between number of fQRS leads, age, and RDW, and negative correlations between triglyceride, LVEF, and RDW in NSTEMI patients. Conclusions Our results indicate that an elevated RDW values is associated with fQRS in NST-ACS. Elevated RDW values and fQRS together may be useful for identifying NSTEMI patients in NST-ACS.

atrial electromechanical coupling intervals in pregnant subjects

Summary Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate atrial conduction abnormalities obtained by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and electrocardiogram analysis in pregnant subjects. Methods A total of 30 pregnant subjects (28 ± 4 years) and 30 controls (28 ± 3 years) were included. Systolic and diastolic left ventricular (LV) function was measured using conventional echocardiography and TDI. Inter-atrial, intra-atrial and intra-left atrial electromechanical coupling (PA) intervals were measured with TDI. P-wave dispersion (PD) was calculated from a 12-lead electrocardiogram. Results Atrial electromechanical coupling at the septal and left lateral mitral annulus (PA septal, PA lateral) was significantly prolonged in pregnant subjects (62.1 ± 2.7 vs 55.3 ± 3.2 ms, p < 0.001; 45.7 ± 2.5 vs 43.1 ± 2.7 ms, p < 0.001, respectively). Inter-atrial (PA lateral – PA tricuspid), intra-atrial (PA septum – PA tricuspid) and intra-left atrial (PA lateral – PA septum) electromechanical coupling intervals, maximum P-wave (Pmax) duration and PD were significantly longer in the pregnant subjects (26.4 ± 4.0 vs 20.2 ± 3.6 ms, p < 0.001; 10.0 ± 2.0 vs 8.0 ± 2.6 ms, p = 0.002; 16.4 ± 3.3 vs 12.2 ± 3.0 ms, p < 0.001; 103.1 ± 5.4 vs 96.8 ± 7.4 ms, p < 0.001; 50.7 ± 6.8 vs 41.6 ± 5.5 ms, p < 0.001, respectively). We found a significant positive correlation between inter-atrial and intra-left atrial electromechanical coupling intervals and Pmax (r = 0.282, p = 0.029, r = 0.378, p = 0.003, respectively). Conclusion This study showed that atrial electromechanical coupling intervals and PD, which are predictors of AF, were longer in pregnant subjects and this may cause an increased risk of AF in pregnancy.

Endothelial function and germ-line ACE i/d, eNOS and PAI-1 gene profiles in patients with coronary slow flow in the Canakkale population: multiple thrombophilic gene profiles in coronary slow flow

Summary Background We examined the effects of ACE, PAI-1 and eNOS gene polymorphisms on endothelial function. The genes are related to atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction in coronary slow flow (CSF). Methods Thirty-three patients with angiographically proven CSF and 48 subjects with normal coronary flow were enrolled in this study. Coronary flow patterns were determined by the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count method. Endothelial function was assessed in the brachial artery by endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilatation (FMD). PAI-1 4G/5G, eNOS T-786C and ACE I/D polymorphisms were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. Results No difference was found between the groups regarding age, heart rate and blood pressure. Males were more prevalent among patients with CSF than control subjects (58.8 vs 29.8%, p = 0.009). Mean TIMI frame counts were significantly higher in CSF patients (24.2 ± 4.0 vs 13.1 ± 2.5 fpm, p = 0.001). FMD was significantly lower in CSF patients than in the controls (4.9 ± 6.6 vs 7.9 ± 5.6%, p = 0.029). TIMI frame count and FMD were found to be negatively correlated in a correlation analysis (r = –0.269, p = 0.015). PAI-1 4G/5G, eNOS T-786C and ACE I/D polymorphisms were similar in the two groups. Conclusions This study showed that endothelial function was impaired in patients with CSF. PAI-1, ACE and eNOS polymorphisms were not related to CSF in our study population.

The relationship between subclinical cardiovascular disease and lipocalin-2 levels in women with PCOS

OBJECTIVE In this study we aimed to investigate the relationship between lipocalin-2 (LCN2) levels and cardiovascular risk in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). STUDY DESIGN Fifty patients with PCOS and 44 healthy women as controls were enrolled in the study. Laboratory and echocardiographic examinations were performed between the second and fifth days of the menstrual cycle. Serum LCN2 levels were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. RESULTS Serum LCN2 levels were significantly lower in PCOS patients (75.8 [51.4-131.2] ng/ml vs. 85.3 [56.7-138.5] ng/ml, p=0.038). Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) was increased in patients with PCOS compared to controls (0.61±0.13mm vs. 0.50±0.07mm, p=0.001). Aortic strain was lower in patients with PCOS. Aortic stiffness (β index) was significantly increased and distensibility was decreased in PCOS patients compared to control subjects. Serum LCN2 levels and the presence of PCOS were associated with CIMT in Spearman correlation analysis (p=0.05 and p<0.001) in all participants. There was no statistically significant relationship between LCN2 levels and CIMT in patients with PCOS (p=0.238). CONCLUSION In the present study, we found that LCN2 levels were low in women with PCOS. Although our patients with PCOS had elevated cardiac risk, there was no correlation between LCN2 levels and early findings of atherosclerosis.

Comparison of effects of sugammadex and neostigmine on QTc prolongation in rabbits under general anesthesia

PURPOSE To compare the effects of sugammadex and neostigmine, used to antagonize the effects of rocuronium, on the QTc interval. METHODS This study used 10 adult New Zealand white rabbits of 2.5-3.5 kg randomly divided into two groups: sugammadex group (Group S, n:5) and neostigmine group (Group N, n:5). For general anesthesia administering 2 mg/kg iv propofol and 1 mcg/kg iv fentanyl, 0.6 mg/kg iv rocuronium was given. Later to provide reliable airway for all experimental animals V-Gel Rabbit was inserted. The rabbits were manually ventilated by the same anesthetist. After the V-Gel Rabbit was inserted at 2, 5, 10, 20, 25, 27, 30 and 40 minutes measurements were repeated and recorded. At 25 minutes after induction Group N rabbits were given 0.05 mg/kg iv neostigmine + 0.01 mg/kg iv atropine. Group S were administered 2 mg/kg iv sugammadex. RESULTS Comparing the QTc interval in the rabbits in Group S and Group N, in the 25th, 27th and 30th minute after muscle relaxant antagonist was administered the QTc interval in the neostigmine group rabbits was significantly increased (p<0.05). CONCLUSION While sugammadex, administered to antagonize the effect of rocuronium, did not significantly affect the QTc interval, neostigmine+atropine proloned the QTc interval.

Left ventricle ejection fraction may predict mortality in renal transplant patients

Abstract Purpose: Mortality is a major problem in renal transplant patients, and appropriate preoperative evaluation is very important. We retrospectively reviewed the left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) of renal transplant patients. Material and methods: The clinical records of 1763 patients who had preoperative LVEF results and who underwent renal transplantation at Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine during the years 2004–2014 were studied. The LVEF limit was set at 55%. LVEF, age, gender, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, type of dialysis were assessed by linear multiple regression analysis on survival. Results: There were a total of 1763 renal transplant patients. Those with LVEF of <55% were identified as having left ventricular dysfunction. The mean LVEF was 59.4 ± 9.1 in the 43 patients who died after renal transplantation, while it was 62.6 ± 7.4 in the survivors (p = 0.02). The mortality rate in the LVEF < 55% group was 6.8% (11/162 patients), while mortality in the LVEF ≥ 55% group was 2% (32/1601 patients, p < 0.001). LVEF was found to be the most powerful variable on survival by the linear multiple regression analysis, R2 = 0.05, p < 0.001. Conclusion: LVEF may predict mortality in renal transplant patients. LVEF is known to be lower in patients with high cardiac mortality, who may require greater modifications of the postoperative risks.