Ekrem Yeter

Platelet to Lymphocyte Ratio Can be a Predictor of Infarct-Related Artery Patency in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Patency of infarct-related artery (IRA) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) before primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) is associated with lower mortality and better clinical outcome. However, there were little data regarding the predictors of IRA patency before pPCI in the setting of STEMI. We aimed to assess the association of platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) with IRA patency in STEMI. A total of 452 patients were enrolled and categorized as occluded or patent IRA. Patency IRA was assessed by the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade. Blood samples were obtained on admission to calculate PLR. Of all patients, 92 (20.4%) patients revealed pre-pPCI TIMI 3 flow in IRA. The PLR was significantly higher in occluded IRA group (138.4 ± 51.4 vs 95.4 ± 43.5, P < .001). Glucose, troponin I, and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) levels were also higher in occluded IRA group (P < .05). Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated the PLR (odds ratio [OR]: 0.987; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.978-0.995, P = .002) and NLR (OR: 0.758; 95% CI: 0.584-0.985, P = .038) on admission as independent predictors of IRA patency. In conclusion, a higher PLR is a powerful and independent predictor of IRA patency in patients with STEMI before pPCI.

Association Between Platelet to Lymphocyte Ratio and Saphenous Vein Graft Disease

Atherosclerosis plays an important role in saphenous vein graft disease (SVGD). Previous trials showed that inflammatory blood cells play a role in this process. The platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) has been proposed as a novel predictor for cardiovascular risk and indicator of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between SVGD and PLR. A total of 220 patients with SVG were enrolled (n = 87 with SVGD and n = 133 with patent SVG). A ≥50% stenosis within the SVG was defined as clinically significant. Median PLR (P < .001) and mean platelet volume (MPV; P = .043) were significantly higher in patients with SVGD. Also, PLR showed significantly positive correlation with age of SVG (P < .05). Median age of SVGs was also higher in the SVGD group (P = .025). In multivariate logistic regression analyses, the PLR and MPV were independent predictors of SVGD. Using a cutoff level of 106.3, the PLR predicted SVGD with a sensitivity of 87.4% and a specificity of 80.3%. To the best of our knowledge, this study showed, for the first time, that PLR was independently associated with SVGD. Both PLR and MPV might predict SVGD.

Relationship Between Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Saphenous Vein Graft Disease in Patients With Coronary Bypass

Purpose: In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between saphenous vein graft disease (SVGD) and neutrophil-to-lympocyte ratio (NLR) with other possible confounding factors. Methods: A total of 120 patients were enrolled into the present study. Of all participants, 40 patients were with SVGD and 80 of them were with patent SVG. Results: The NLR, white blood cell (WBC) count, age of SVG, red cell distribution width (RDW), and mean platelet volume were significantly higher in the SVGD group. In regression analysis, NLR, WBC, RDW, and age of SVG remained as independent predictors of SVGD. Conclusion: To our knowledge, we showed for the first time that NLR is independently associated with SVGD. It can be easily used in this era, because it is easily available, widely used, and relatively cheap. Besides NLR, WBC count, SVG age, and RDW can also be used to predict SVGD.

Can Admission Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio Predict Infarct-Related Artery Patency in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and infarct-related artery (IRA) patency in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods: A total of 349 patients with STEMI were recruited to this retrospective study. Baseline characteristics were reviewed. Patency of IRA was evaluated by thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow grade. Results: Of all patients, 293 patients formed the occluded IRA group and 56 patients formed the patent IRA group. The NLR was significantly higher in occluded IRA group (4.4 ± 4.1 vs 1.9 ± 1.1, P < .001). Glucose levels were also higher in occluded IRA group (171.3 ± 78.0 vs 144.7 ± 49.7, P = .022). Regression analysis demonstrated admission NLR and plasma glucose levels as independent predictors of IRA patency. Conclusion: In this study, we found that admission NLR and glucose levels were higher in patients with occluded IRA than in patients with STEMI. We also found that NLR and glucose levels were independent predictors of IRA patency. Because hemogram is a cheap, fast, and widely available test, it can be used in daily practice as a predictor of IRA patency.

Relationship between neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and slow coronary flow.

Objectives: We evaluated the relationship between neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and slow coronary flow (SCF). Methods: A total of 180 participants were recruited to the present study. Of all the participants, 82 patients were with SCF and 98 participants were with normal coronary arteries. Basal characteristics were recorded. Coronary flow was quantified by thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count. Results: Basal characteristics were similar between the 2 groups. The NLR was significantly higher in the SCF group when compared to the control group (2.3 ± 0.8 and 1.5 ± 0.4 respectively, P < .001). In multiple logistic regression analysis, NLR remained as the independent predictor of SCF (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Our findings showed that NLR was significantly higher in the SCF group when compared to the control group with normal coronary arteries. We also showed that NLR was related to the presence of SCF rather than the extent of SCF. Besides these findings, we also showed the NLR as an independent predictor of SCF.

Treatment of acute chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation improves right ventricle function

AIMS It was shown that cardiac function is impaired in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients who have severe pulmonary hypertension (PHT). However, no previous reports have evaluated cardiac function in COPD patients before and after medical therapy for acute COPD exacerbation. In this study, we evaluated the cardiac function of COPD patients during acute COPD exacerbation. METHODS AND RESULTS Thirty-two patients (27 men and 5 women; mean age 59 +/- 8.7 years) with acute COPD exacerbation without PHT were included in the study. Thirty-two age- and sex-matched control subjects (22 men and 10 women; mean age 57 +/- 10 years) were also examined. Right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) functions were assessed using both conventional and tissue Doppler imaging methods before and after therapy, which were performed according to accepted guidelines. Medical therapy included inhaled beta(2)-agonists, inhaled anticholinergic agents(,) oxygen, systemic corticosteroids, and antibiotics. The systolic tissue Doppler velocity (TSm) in the RV was increased after therapy (13.7 +/- 2.4 vs. 14.4 +/- 2.4 cm/s, P = 0.027). The function of the RV and LV during diastole was also improved, and pulmonary artery pressures decreased after therapy (34 +/- 5.2 vs. 28.2 +/- 4.7 mmHg, P < 0.0001). However, there was no change in LV function during systole. CONCLUSION We have demonstrated that treatment of patients with acute COPD exacerbation according to guidelines improves not only pulmonary function, but also RV and LV function and PHT.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio predicts hemodynamic significance of coronary artery stenosis

Objective: Coronary artery disease is closely linked with inflammation, and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has emerged as a new inflammatory marker. Fractional flow reserve (FFR) is a well-established method for determining hemodynamic significance of coronary artery stenosis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between NLR and hemodynamic significance of coronary artery lesion as assessed by FFR. Methods: A total of 134 patients with FFR measurement between January 2012 and December 2013 were enrolled in this retrospective study. Patients with single intermediate-grade coronary artery stenosis were enrolled, and those with second intermediate or severe coronary artery stenosis were excluded from study. Patients’ NLR were calculated. An FFR value of <0.80 was accepted for hemodynamic significance. Statistical analysis was performed by the chi-square test, Student’s t-test, Mann–Whitney U test, logistic regression analysis, and ROC curve analysis. Results: Patients with hemodynamically significant lesions had higher NLR values (3.3±1.2 vs. 2.0±0.9, p<0.001). White blood cell count, male gender, high-density lipoprotein levels, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, and NLR were found to be possible confounding factors predicting hemodynamically significant coronary artery stenosis. In multiple logistic regression analysis, NLR remained as the only independent predictor for hemodynamically significant coronary artery stenosis. An NLR value of 2.4 had 87.5% sensitivity and 78.4% specificity for prediction of hemodynamically significant coronary artery stenosis. Conclusion: In present study, we showed that NLR was significantly higher in patients with hemodynamically significant coronary artery stenosis. We also found NLR to be an independent predictor of hemodynamically significant coronary artery stenosis as measured by FFR. Further studies are needed to find a causal relationship.

Atrial Electromechanical Properties in Coeliac Disease

BACKGROUND Coeliac disease (CD) is an autoimmune and inflammatory disorder of the small intestine. There is reasonable evidence linking inflammation to the initiation and continuation of atrial fibrillation (AF) in inflammatory conditions. Atrial electro-mechanic delay (EMD) was suggested as an early marker of AF in previous studies. The objectives of this study were to evaluate atrial electromechanical properties measured by tissue Doppler imaging and simultaneous electrocardiography (ECG) tracing in patients with CD. METHODS Thirty-nine patients with coeliac disease (CD), and 26 healthy volunteers, matched for age and sex, were enrolled in the study. Atrial electromechanical properties were measured by using transthoracic echocardiography and surface ECG. Interatrial electro-mechanic delay (EMD), left intraatrial EMD, right intratrial EMD were calculated. RESULTS There was no difference between CD patients and healthy volunteers in terms of basal characteristics. Patients with CD had significantly prolonged left and right intraatrial EMDs, and interatrial EMD compared to healthy controls (p= 0.03, p= 0.02, p<0.0001, respectively). Interatrial EMD was positively correlated with age, disease duration, anti-gliadin IgG, anti-endomysium and disease status. In multiple linear regression, interatrial EMD was independently associated with disease duration, anti-endomysium and disease status after adjusting for age and sex. CONCLUSIONS In the present study, atrial EMDs were found significantly higher in patients with CD compared with healthy individuals. Measurement of atrial EMD parameters might be used to predict the risk of development of AF in patients with CD.

Calcific aortic stenosis and its correlation with a novel inflammatory marker, the lymphocyte/monocyte ratio

INTRODUCTION Calcific aortic valve disease, a chronic progressive disorder, is the leading cause of valve replacement among elderly patients. The lymphocyte/monocyte ratio has been recently put forward as an inflammatory marker of relevance in several cancers as well as in cardiovascular disease. This study aims to assess the correlation between severity of calcific aortic stenosis and the lymphocyte/monocyte ratio. METHODS The study retrospectively included 178 patients with a diagnosis of calcific aortic stenosis and 139 age- and gender-matched controls. The patients were divided into two groups according to the severity of aortic stenosis: mild-to-moderate and severe. RESULTS An inverse correlation was discerned between the severity of the aortic stenosis process (mean gradient) and the lymphocyte/monocyte ratio (r=-0.232, p=0.002). The lymphocyte/monocyte ratio was observed to decrease as the severity of aortic stenosis increased (p<0.001) in the group with severe aortic stenosis compared with the mild-to-moderate aortic stenosis and control groups (p<0.001, p=0.005 respectively), and in the group with mild-to-moderate aortic stenosis compared with the control group (p=0.003). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that the lymphocyte/monocyte ratio was independently related to the severity of calcific aortic stenosis (p=0.003). CONCLUSION The present study demonstrated the existence of a statistically significant inverse relationship between severity of calcific aortic stenosis and the lymphocyte/monocyte ratio. The study also revealed that the lymphocyte/monocyte ratio was significantly related to the severity of the aortic valve stenosis process.

Remodeling process in right and left ventricle after percutaneous atrial septal defect closure in adult patients.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate acute cardiac remodeling after transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) in adult patients. METHODS This study included 19 patients (40.0 ± 13.51 mean age) with secundum ASD who underwent successful transcatheter closure. All patients received routine transthoracic echocardiography, including tissue Doppler left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV) myocardial performance indices (MPI), mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) before ASD closure, on first day, and at first and third months after closure. RESULTS Left ventricle end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) increased (37 ± 4 mm to 44 ± 5 mm, p<0.001); RVEDD decreased markedly after closure (40 ± 4 mm to 32 ± 5 mm, p<0.001); and differences existed in LV and RV adaptation. While MAPSE (1.87 ± 0.22 cm to 2.01 ± 0.23 cm, p<0.001) and LVMPI improved soon after procedure (0.44 ± 0.04 to 0.36 ± 0.03, p<0.001), RVMPI worsened until the first month post-procedure (0.25 ± 0.02 to 0.31 ± 0.03, p<0.001), but recovered by the third month follow-up visit (0.31 ± 0.03 to 0.27 ± 0.02, p<0.001). TAPSE remained unchanged (2.49 ± 0.46 cm to 2.51 ± 0.32 cm, p=0.078). CONCLUSION Closure of ASD using the Amplatzer Septal Occluder device led to a decrease in RV size and an increase in LV size. In the early period, while LV function improved, RV function deteriorated, probably due to RV functional and anatomical differences.