Gokhan Ertas

Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio is associated with thromboembolic stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation

BACKGROUND Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been associated with poor outcomes in patients with cardiovascular diseases. However, little is known about the role of NLR in patients with thromboembolic stroke due to atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to compare the NLR ratios between non-valvular AF patients with or without thromboembolic stroke. METHODS A total of 126 non-valvular AF patients with or without stroke were included in the study; 126 consecutive patients (52 males and 74 females), mean age, 70 ± 10.2 years old. No patient had a recent history of an acute infection or an inflammatory disease. Baseline NLR was measured by dividing neutrophil count to lymphocyte count. WBC count>12.000 cells per μL or <4.000 cells per μL and high body temperature>38 º are excluded from the study. RESULTS Mean NLR was significantly higher among persons with stroke compared to individuals without a stroke (5.6 ± 3.4 vs. 3.1 ± 2.1, p=0.001). There were no significant differences in RDW levels between the two groups (p>0.05). HAS-BLED and CHADS(2) scores were significantly higher in the stroke group. CONCLUSION Higher NLR, an emerging marker of inflammation, is associated with thromboembolic stroke in non-valvular AF patients.

Relation of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio with the presence and complexity of coronary artery disease: an observational study.

OBJECTIVE The neutrophil -to- lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a new predictor for cardiovascular risk and mortality. The SYNTAX score is an angiographic tool used in grading the complexity of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, its relation with CAD severity and complexity is not yet known. We hypothesized that NLR would be associated with a greater complexity of CAD as assessed using the SYNTAX score. METHODS This cross-sectional observational study included 106 patients who had undergone coronary angiography for stable angina pectoris and 69 patients who had normal coronary angiogram. Baseline NLR was measured by dividing neutrophil count to lymphocyte count. The patients were classified two groups as CAD (-) (n=69) and CAD (+) (n=106), then patients in CAD (+) group were divided into 3 groups according to SYNTAX scores (SYNTAX score 1-22, 23-32, >32) as pointed in European Society of Cardiology (ESC) revascularization guideline. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests, and multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent predictors of complexity of CAD-SYNTAX score. RESULTS Patients with CAD had a significantly higher value of NLR [1.6 median (1.2-3.3 IQR) vs. 2.3 median (1.8-3.0 IQR) p<0.001]. The group with high SYNTAX scores (>32) more frequently had diabetes mellitus (DM), hypercholesterolemia (HL), were of older age, and also had significantly elevated NLR values [2.4 (1.3-2.6), 2.6 (2.3-3.9), 2.0 (1.5-2.6) p=0.006]. In univariate analysis, age, DM, HL, creatinine, neutrophil count and NLR were predictors of high SYNTAX score. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, only NLR [odds ratio (OR)=2.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2-3.8, p=0.09], was identified as independent predictor of a high SYNTAX score. CONCLUSION NLR is a strong clinical laboratory value that is associated with presence and complexity of CAD.

Red cell distribution width predicts new-onset atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting

Abstract Introduction. Red cell distribution width (RDW) has been associated with poor outcomes in patients with cardiovascular diseases. However, little is known about the role of RDW in prediction of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We aimed to investigate the relation between the RDW and postoperative AF in patients undergoing CABG. Methods. A total of 132 patients undergoing nonemergency CABG were included in the study. Patients with previous atrial arrhythmia or requiring concomitant valve surgery were excluded. We retrospectively analyzed 132 consecutive patients (mean age, 60.55 ± 9.5 years; 99 male and 33 female). The RDW level was determined preoperatively and on postoperative Day 1. Results. Preoperative RDW levels were significantly higher in patients who developed AF than in those who did not (13.9 ± 1.4 vs. 13.3 ± 1.2, p = 0.03). There was not any correlation between postoperative RDW levels and AF. Using a cutpoint of 13.45, the preoperative level correlated with the incidence of AF with a sensitivity of 61% and specificity of 60%. Conclusion. Preoperative RDW level predicts new-onset AF after CABG in patients without histories of AF.

Usefulness of mean platelet volume for predicting stroke risk in atrial fibrillation patients.

Early detection of atrial fibrillation patients at high risk for stroke is important. There are some studies which indicate that mean platelet volume (MPV) determines the prognosis and risk in patients with a stroke. In this study, our aim was to investigate the association between the MPV measured in stroke patients with atrial fibrillation. Consecutive patients referred to our center between January 2010 and April 2012 were included in this study. The patients with atrial fibrillation were classified into two groups according to presence or absence of a history of stroke by combining data from the medical histories after a thorough review of the medical records. MPV determination was made within 24 h following the onset of stroke. We studied 63 consecutive stroke patients with atrial fibrillation and 77 atrial fibrillation patients without stroke history. In receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the value for MPV levels to detect stroke with a sensitivity of 63.5% and specificity of 64.4% was 9.4 fl. High MPV (>9.4 fl) was significantly associated with the occurrence of stroke [odds ratio (OR) 4.021, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1709–9464, P < 0.001]. Our study supports the hypothesis that a high MPV is associated with an increased risk of stroke in atrial fibrillation patients.

Comparative Analysis of Apoptotic Resistance of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Isolated from Human Bone Marrow and Adipose Tissue

Aim. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from human bone marrow (hBM) and adipose tissue (hAT) are perceived as attractive sources of stem cells for cell therapy. The aim of this study was to compare MSCs from hBM and hAT for their immunocytochemistry staining and resistance to in vitro apoptosis. Methods. In our study, we investigated the antiapoptotic ability of these MSCs toward oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and serum deprivation. Results were assessed by MTT and flow cytometry. All experiments were repeated a minimum of three times. Results. Flow cytometry and MTT analysis revealed that hAT-MSCs exhibited a higher resistance toward H2O2-induced apoptosis (n = 3, hBM-hAT viability H2O2  58.43 ± 1.24–73.02 ± 1.44, P < 0.02) and to serum-deprivation-induced apoptosis at days 1 and 4 than the hBM-MSCs (n = 3, hAT-hBM absorbance, resp., day 1: 0.305 ± 0.027–0.234 ± 0.015, P = 0.029, day 4: 0.355 ± 0.003–0.318 ± 0.007, P = 0.001, and day 7: 0.400 ± 0.017–0.356 ± 0.008, P = 0.672). hAT-MSCs showed superior tolerance to oxidative stress triggered by 2 mmol/L H2O2 and also have superior antiapoptosis capacity toward serum-free culture. Conclusion. In this study we found that hAT-MSCs are more resistant to in vitro apoptosis.

A New Parameter Predicting Chronic Total Occlusion of Coronary Arteries Platelet Distribution Width

Platelet distribution width (PDW) measures the variability in platelet size and is a marker of platelet activation. We investigated whether PDW is associated with the extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) and coronary total occlusions (CTOs). We studied 162 patients: 108 had a coronary lesion with a diameter stenosis of ≥50%, the CAD(+) group, and 54 patients had normal coronary anatomy, the CAD(−) group. The CAD(+) group was subdivided into CAD(+) CTO(+) and CAD(+) CTO(−) groups. Among patients with CAD, the CTO(+) group had a significantly greater PDW (%) than the CTO(−) group (16.9 ± 2.8, 15.4 ± 3.0, and 15.4 ± 1.9, respectively; P = .008). In a receiver–operating characteristic analysis, a PDW cut point of 15.7% was identified in patients with CTO(+) (area under curve = 0.64, 95% confidence interval 0.54-0.75). A PDW value of more than 15.7% demonstrated a sensitivity of 64% and a specificity of 66%. The PDW is a simple platelet index that may predict the presence of CTO.

Admission Hyperglycemia Predicts Inhospital Mortality and Major Adverse Cardiac Events After Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients Without Diabetes mellitus

Admission hyperglycemia is associated with high inhospital and long-term adverse events in patients that undergo primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We aimed to evaluate whether hyperglycemia predicts inhospital mortality. We prospectively analyzed 503 consecutive patients. The patients were divided into tertiles according to the admission glucose levels. Tertile I: glucose <118 mg/dL (n = 166), tertile II: glucose 118 to 145 mg/dL (n = 168), and tertile III: glucose >145 mg/dL (n = 169). Inhospital mortality was 0 in tertile I, 2 in tertile II, and 9 in tertile III (P < .02). Cardiogenic shock occurred more frequently in tertile III compared to tertiles I and II (10% vs 4.1% and 0.6%, respectively, P = .01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that patients in tertile III had significantly higher risk of inhospital major adverse cardiac events compared to patients in tertile I (odds ratio: 9.55, P < .02). Admission hyperglycemia predicts inhospital adverse cardiac events in mortality and acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in patients that underwent primary PCI.

Electrocardiographic P-wave characteristics in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.

Abstract Purpose. Psoriasis vulgaris is one of the most common skin disorders. Patients with psoriasis carry an excessive risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). The differences between the maximum (Pmax) and the minimum (Pmin) P-wave duration on ECG are defined as P-wave dispersion (PWD). Prolongation of PWD is an independent risk factor for the development of AF. The aim of this the study was to investigate P-wave duration and PWD in patients with psoriasis. Methods. Sixty-one adult patients with psoriasis vulgaris (group 1) and 58 age and sex-matched healthy individuals (group 2) were included in this study. ECG recordings were obtained, and the P-wave variables were calculated. Results were reported as mean ± standard deviation and percentages. Continuous variables were analysed using Students t test. A value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. Pmax and PWD were significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 (108.8 ± 21.3 ms versus 93.3 ± 13.0 ms, P < 0.001; 67.4 ± 22.9 ms versus 45.0 ± 19.6 ms, P < 0.001, respectively). Also, Pmin was significantly lower in group 1 (41.3 ± 12.3 ms versus 48.3 ± 14.3 ms, P = 0.04). The psoriasis disease activity score and hsCRP correlated with PWD (P < 0.01). Conclusions. Atrial conduction of sinus impulses was impaired in patients with psoriasis vulgaris. It was more prominent in patients with severe disease. Physicians caring for patients with psoriasis vulgaris should screen them for AF development.

The independent association of plateletcrit with long-term outcomes in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention

PURPOSE Platelets play a key role in the genesis of thrombosis. Plateletcrit (PCT) provides complete information on total platelet mass. The relationship between PCT values and long-term outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who undergo primary angioplasty is not known. We sought to determine the effect of PCT values on the outcomes of primary angioplasty for STEMI. METHODS Overall, 2572 consecutive STEMI patients (mean age, 56.6±11.8 years) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention were enrolled retrospectively into the present study. Plateletcrit at admission was measured as part of the automated complete blood count. Patients were classified into 2 groups: high PCT (>0.237, n=852) and nonhigh PCT (<0.237, n=1720). Clinical characteristics and in-hospital and long-term (median, 21 months) outcomes of primary angioplasty were analyzed. RESULTS A higher in-hospital shock rate was observed among patients with high PCT values compared with those with nonhigh PCT values (6.5 vs 3.8%, respectively; P=.003). The long-term cardiovascular prognosis was worse for patients with high PCT values (Kaplan-Meier, log-rank test; P=.007). We used Cox proportional hazard models to examine the association between PCT and adverse clinical outcomes. High PCT values were also an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality (hazard ratio, 1.85; 95% confidence interval, 1.061-3.22; P=.03). CONCLUSION High PCT values on admission are independently associated with long-term adverse outcomes in patients with STEMI who undergo primary angioplasty.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and in-hospital mortality in patients with acute heart failure

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have demonstrated the role of inflammation in acute heart failure. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was found to be a useful inflammatory marker for predicting adverse outcomes. We hypothesized that an elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio would be associated with increased mortality in acute heart failure patients. METHODS: The study cohort consisted of 167 acute heart failure patients with an ejection fraction <50%. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality, and the patients were divided into two groups according to in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: In a multivariate regression analysis, including baseline demographic, clinical, and biochemical covariates, the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio remained an independent predictor of mortality (OR 1.156, 95% CI 1.001 - 1.334, p = 0.048). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, an elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio seems to be a predictor of short-term mortality in patients with acute heart failure and a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction.