Ismail Biyik

Association Between Contrast Media Volume-Glomerular Filtration Rate Ratio and Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury After Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

We hypothesized that contrast media volume–estimated glomerular filtration rate (CV–e-GFR) ratio may be a predictor of contrast media-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI). We investigated the associations between CV–e-GFR ratio and CI-AKI in 597 patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). An absolute ≥0.3 mg/dL increase in serum creatinine compared with baseline levels within 48 hours after the procedure was considered as CI-AKI; 78 (13.1%) of the 597 patients experienced CI-AKI. The amount of contrast during procedure was higher in the CI-AKI group than in those without CI-AKI (153 vs 135 mL, P = .003). The CV–e-GFR ratio was significantly higher in patients with CI-AKI than without (2.3 vs 1.5, P < .001). In multivariate analysis, independent predictors of CI-AKI were low left ventricular ejection fraction (P = .018, odds ratio [OR] = 0.966), e-GFR <60 mL/min (P = .012, OR = 2.558), and CV–e-GFR >2 (P < .001, OR = 5.917). In conclusion, CV–e-GFR ratio is significantly associated with CI-AKI after pPCI.

Association between serum vitamin D levels and subclinical coronary atherosclerosis and plaque burden/composition in young adult population

Evidence suggests that low 25-OH vitamin D 25(OH)D concentrations may increase the risk of several cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, obesity, myocardial infarction, heart failure and cardiovascular mortality. Recent studies suggested a possible relationship between vitamin D deficiency and increased carotid intima-media wall thickness and vascular calcification. We hypothesized that low 25(OH)D may be associated with coronary atherosclerosis and coronary plaque burden and composition, and investigated the relationship between serum vitamin D levels and coronary atherosclerosis, plaque burden or structure, in young adult patients by using dual-source 128x2 slice coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). We included 98 patients with coronary atherosclerosis and 110, age and gender matched, subjects with normal findings on CCTA examinations. Patients with subclinical atherosclerosis had significantly higher serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, hs-CRP, uric acid, HbA1c and creatinine levels and lower serum 25(OH)D levels in comparison with controls. There was no significant correlation between 25(OH)D and plaque morphology. There was also a positive relationship between 25(OH)D and plaque burden of coronary atherosclerosis. In multivariate analysis, coronary atherosclerosis was associated high hs-CRP (adjusted OR: 2.832), uric acid (adjusted OR: 3.671) and low 25(OH)D (adjusted OR: 0.689). Low levels of 25(OH)D were associated with coronary atherosclerosis and plaque burden, but there was no significant correlation between 25(OH)D and plaque morphology.

Antiplatelet resistance and the role of associated variables in stable patients treated with stenting

Introduction Nowadays, clopidogrel and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) have become routinely applied therapies in percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) with stenting. Aim Numerous variables can interfere with antiplatelet responsiveness, so we aimed to investigate the role of different variables associated with ASA or clopidogrel resistance in stable coronary artery disease. Material and methods A total of 207 patients undergoing elective PCI were included in the analysis. All patients received a loading dose of clopidogrel and ASA during PCI procedure and followed by dual antiplatelet therapy. Clopidogrel and ASA resistance were measured by impedance aggregometry method. Results Of the patients, 19.8% had clopidogrel resistance, 18.8% had ASA resistance, 9.2% had both clopidogrel and ASA resistance, and 71.5% were responsive to both drugs. In multivariate analysis, platelet count, angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) use, and ASA resistance were independent variables associated with clopidogrel resistance, and clopidogrel resistance was the only variable associated with ASA resistance. In differentiating whether clopidogrel resistance exists or not, optimum ASA aggregometry response cut-off values were specified, and in differentiating whether ASA resistance exists or not, optimum clopidogrel aggregometry response cut-off values were specified. Conclusions In this study, there was a higher incidence of low responsiveness to ASA when there was a low response to clopidogrel, and vice versa. Angiotensin receptor blocker use, platelet count, and ASA resistance were independent variables associated with clopidogrel resistance. Clopidogrel resistance was the only independent variable associated with ASA resistance. Angiotensin receptor blocker use seems to an independent risk factor for clopidogrel resistance in this study, but this result needs to be verified in other studies.

Presepsin (sCD14-ST): could it be a novel marker for the diagnosis of ST elevation myocardial infarction?

Introduction Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) could be considered to be a state of inflammation. Many inflammatory markers have been evaluated in the AMI setting so far. Presepsin (PSP) is a novel biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of systemic inflammation that has not been studied in the AMI setting to date. In this study, we aimed to examine serum PSP levels in patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Material and methods Forty-eight patients with STEMI and fifty healthy controls without coronary artery disease, verified by coronary angiography, were included in the study. Together with routine laboratory tests needed for STEMI, plasma concentrations of PSP were measured in peripheral venous blood samples of the participants. Results Plasma PSP and troponin levels were significantly higher in patients with STEMI than controls (1988.89 ±3101.55 vs. 914.22 ±911.35 pg/ml, p = 0.001 and 3.46 ±3.39 vs. 0.08 ±0.43 ng/ml, p = 0.001, respectively). The cut-off value for PSP of 447 pg/ml was found to detect STEMI with 87.5% sensitivity, 44% specificity, 60% positive predictive value and 78.5% negative predictive value. Conclusions In this study, PSP levels were found to be significantly elevated in patients with STEMI together with high-sensitivity troponins. The PSP may be a new marker for AMI detection. Large scale studies are needed to reveal the importance of PSP in the diagnosis and prognosis of AMI.

Association between soluble lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor 1 levels and coronary slow flow phenomenon

Introduction The coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP) has been associated with myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, life-threatening arrhythmias, sudden cardiac death and increased cardiovascular mortality similar to coronary artery disease (CAD). Possible underlying mechanisms of CSFP are endothelial dysfunction, chronic inflammation, microvascular dysfunction and diffuse atherosclerosis. Soluble lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (sLOX-1) seems to play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. We hypothesized that sLOX-1 might be associated with CSFP, and aimed to research the relationship between sLOX-1 and CSFP. Material and methods Forty patients with angiographically proven CSFP and 43 patients with a normal coronary flow pattern (NCFP) were included in this study. Coronary blood flow was measured according to the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) frame count method. sLOX-1 levels were measured in all study subjects. Results Serum levels of sLOX-1 were significantly higher in the CSFP group than the NCFP group (1061.80 ±422.20 ng/ml vs. 500.043 ±282.97 ng/ml, p < 0.001, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analysis including sLOX-1, MPV, GGT and uric acid levels revealed a significant association between sLOX-1 levels and CSFP (Exp (B)/OR: 1.006, 95% CI: 1.002–1.010, p = 0.001). Conclusions The present study demonstrated that serum sLOX-1 levels were significantly higher in patients with CSFP and there was a strong association between high sLOX-1 levels and CSFP. High serum sLOX-1 levels may have an important role in the pathogenesis of CSFP. Future studies are needed to confirm these results.

Serum copeptin levels in predicting nondippers in newly diagnosed hypertension.

ObjectivesThe nondipper pattern in hypertension is associated with worse cardiovascular outcomes. In this study, we hypothesized that high copeptin levels could predict nondippers among hypertensive patients and investigated the associations between copeptin levels and nondipper pattern in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients. MethodsAmbulatory blood pressure measurements were obtained and the patients were divided into two groups according to ambulatory blood pressure measurement as nondippers and dippers. Serum copeptin levels were measured in addition to routine laboratory investigations. A total of 76 patients were included in the study. ResultsThe clinical and laboratory characteristics of the two groups were similar. The mean copeptin values were found to be significantly higher in the nondipper hypertensive group [1.66 (1.19–4.01) and 1.35 (1.12–2.09) IU/ml, respectively, P=0.026]. In the correlation analysis, no correlation was found between copeptin levels and daytime diastolic blood pressure, but there were weak positive correlations with daytime systolic, 24 h systolic, and diastolic blood pressure values (r=0.335, P=0.034, r=0.350, P=0.027, r=0.372, P=0.018, respectively). However, there were significant positive correlations between serum copeptin levels and nocturnal systolic and diastolic blood pressure values (r=0.593, P<0.001, r=0.523, P=0.001, respectively). ConclusionThis study showed that high serum copeptin levels could predict the nondipper pattern in newly diagnosed hypertension.

Immunosuppressive therapy induced coronary vasospasm and acute myocardial infarction in a patient undergoing new renal transplantation.

Immunosuppressant agents such as calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) used after solid organ transplantation may cause endothelial dysfunction, and coronary and renal arterial vasospasm. We report a patient presenting acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) at the second week of renal transplantation. In the case of STEMI in patients with solid organ transplants under immunosuppressive therapy with CNI, coronary vasospasm associated with these drugs should be kept in mind before starting any interventional procedure. High dose nitroglycerine may immediately resolve tacrolimus or cyclosporine A induced coronary vasospasm. Calcium channel blockers should immediately be added to treatment because of the short half-life of nitroglycerine.

The role of insulin-like growth factor-1 in development of coronary no-reflow and severity of coronary artery disease in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Introduction Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) has atheroprotective effects via reduction in oxidative stress, cellular apoptosis, pro-inflammatory signaling, and endothelial dysfunction. Aim We hypothesized that low levels of IGF-1 may be associated with the severity and extent of coronary artery disease and development of the coronary no-reflow phenomenon in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and investigated the role of the IGF-1 molecule in the coronary no-reflow phenomenon and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with acute STEMI in a tertiary hospital. Material and methods The study was conducted among 113 patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for STEMI, of whom 49 patients developed the no-reflow phenomenon. Coronary no-reflow was defined as Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade 2 or less after intervention. Insulin-like growth factor-1 levels were measured in both groups. The severity and extent of CAD were evaluated according to the Gensini and Syntax scores. Results Although IGF-1 levels were lower in the no-reflow group, there was not a statistically significant difference between the no-reflow group and the control group (116.65 ±51.72 vs. 130.82 ±48.76, p = 0.130). Gensini and Syntax scores were higher in the no-reflow group. There was no association between Gensini and Syntax scores and IGF-1 levels (r = –0.071, r = 0.479, r = –0.158, p = 0.113). Conclusions In this study, IGF-1 levels were not statistically different between patients developing the no-reflow phenomenon and controls. There was no association between development of the no-reflow phenomenon and severity of CAD or IGF-1 levels. Nevertheless, large scale studies are needed to verify these results.

Serum Presepsin Levels Are Not Elevated in Patients with Controlled Hypertension

Introduction Hypertension (HT) is a common serious condition associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The pathogenesis of HT is multifactorial and has been widely investigated. Besides the vascular, hormonal, and neurological factors, inflammation plays a crucial role in HT. Many inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein, cytokines, and adhesion molecules have been studied in HT, which supported the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of HT. Presepsin (PSP) is a novel biomarker of inflammation. Therefore, the potential relationship between PSP and HT was investigated in this study. Methods Forty-eight patients with controlled HT and 48 controls without HT were included in our study. Besides routine clinical and laboratory data, PSP levels were measured in peripheral venous blood samples from all the participants. Results PSP levels were significantly lower in patients with HT than in controls (144.98 ± 75.98 versus 176.67 ± 48.12 pg/mL, p = 0.011). PSP levels were positively correlated with hsCRP among both the patient and the control groups (p = 0.015 and p = 0.009, resp.). However, PSP levels were not correlated with WBC among both groups (p = 0.09 and p = 0.67, resp.). Conclusions PSP levels are not elevated in patients with well-controlled HT compared to controls. This result may be associated with anti-inflammatory effects of antihypertensive medicines.

Comparison of high sensitive and conventional troponin assays in diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction

Abstract Introduction: We aimed to compare the positive predictive values (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) of four cardiac troponin assays in the diagnosis of AMI in Turkish population. Methods: This study is an observational comparative study, which is performed between 2012 and 2013 (527 patients). Troponin levels were measured with chemiluminescence Cobas troponin T assay, immunofluorescence Triage troponin I assay and immunochromatographic Toyo troponin I assay. Results: Sensitivity and specificity of immunofluorometric assay (Radiometer) are 56.82% and 71.34%; immunochromatographic assay (Toyo) are 29.4% and 88.62%, immunofluorescence assay (Triage) are 47.13% and 76.12%, chemiluminescence assay (Roche) are 60.49 and 67.42%, respectively. PPV, NPV and positive likelihood ratios (LR+) of immunofluorometric assay (Radiometer) are 45.5%, 79.7% and 1.98, immunochromatographic assay (Toyo) are 51.5%, 75.4% and 2.58, immunofluorescence assay (Triage) are 46.5%, 76.6% and 1.97, chemiluminescence assay (Roche) are 45.8%, 78.9% and 1.86, respectively. In four assays, troponin levels were statistically significant higher in AMI positive group in comparison to negative group (p<0.001 for all). Conclusion: There was no statistically significant difference between these troponin methods in comparisons of PPV and NPV in the diagnosis of AMI, but low sensitivity of Triage and Toyo assays should be considered.