Lenka Kubková

GRACE Score among Six Risk Scoring Systems (CADILLAC, PAMI, TIMI, Dynamic TIMI, Zwolle) Demonstrated the Best Predictive Value for Prediction of Long-Term Mortality in Patients with ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Aim To compare the prognostic accuracy of six scoring models for up to three-year mortality and rates of hospitalisation due to acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) in STEMI patients. Methods and Results A total of 593 patients treated with primary PCI were evaluated. Prospective follow-up of patients was ≥3 years. Thirty-day, one-year, two-year, and three-year mortality rates were 4.0%, 7.3%, 8.9%, and 10.6%, respectively. Six risk scores—the TIMI score and derived dynamic TIMI, CADILLAC, PAMI, Zwolle, and GRACE—showed a high predictive accuracy for six- and 12-month mortality with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) values of 0.73–0.85. The best predictive values for long-term mortality were obtained by GRACE. The next best-performing scores were CADILLAC, Zwolle, and Dynamic TIMI. All risk scores had a lower prediction accuracy for repeat hospitalisation due to ADHF, except Zwolle with the discriminatory capacity for hospitalisation up to two years (AUC, 0.80–0.83). Conclusions All tested models showed a high predictive value for the estimation of one-year mortality, but GRACE appears to be the most suitable for the prediction for a longer follow-up period. The tested models exhibited an ability to predict the risk of ADHF, especially the Zwolle model.

Prognostic impact of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and B-type natriuretic in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction treated by primary PCI: a prospective observational cohort study

Objectives Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) from a pathophysiological perspective connects various pathways that affect the prognosis after myocardial infarction. The objective was to evaluate the benefits of measuring NGAL for prognostic stratification in addition to the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) score, and to compare it with the prognostic value of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP). Design Prospective observational cohort study. Setting One university/tertiary centre. Participants A total of 673 patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction were treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention. NGAL and BNP were assessed on hospital admission. Outcomes Primary outcome: 1-year mortality. Secondary outcomes: 1-year hospitalisation due to acute heart failure, unplanned revascularisation, reinfarction, stroke and combined end point of 1-year mortality and hospitalisation due to heart failure. Statistical methods Using the c-statistic, the ability of NGAL, BNP and TIMI score to predict 1-year mortality alone and in combination with readmission for heart failure was evaluated. The addition of the predictive value of biomarkers to the score was assessed by category free net reclassification improvement (cfNRI) and the integrated discrimination index (IDI). Results The NGAL level was significantly higher in non-survivors (67 vs 115 pg/mL; p<0.001). The area under the curve (AUC) values for mortality prediction for NGAL, BNP and TIMI score were 75.5, 78.7 and 74.4, respectively (all p<0.001) with optimal cut-off values of 84 pg/mL for NGAL and 150 pg/mL for BNP. The addition of NGAL and BNP to the TIMI score significantly improved risk stratification according to cfNRI and IDI. A BNP and the combination of the TIMI score with NGAL predicted the occurrence of the combined end point with an AUC of 80.6 or 82.2, respectively. NGAL alone is a simple tool to identify very high-risk patients. NGAL >110 pg/mL was associated with a 1-year mortality of 20%. Conclusions The measurement of NGAL together with the TIMI score results in a strong prognostic model for the 1-year mortality rate in patients with STEMI.

The Association Between Levels of Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 with Acute Heart Failure and Left Ventricular Dysfunction in Patients with ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction Treated by Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

AIMS Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMPs) bind to active matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs), and thereby inhibit their proteolytic activity. We investigated the role of polymorphisms in the gene for TIMP-1 and serum levels of TIMP-1 in association with postmyocardial infarction (MI), left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, and symptoms of acute heart failure (AHF) in patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention. METHODS In total, 556 patients with STEMI were evaluated. Levels of TIMP-1 were measured at admission and 24 h after MI onset. The TIMP-1 exon 5 SNP rs4898 (F124F with T>C) located at X chromosome was assayed. RESULTS TIMP-1 levels were higher for men with AHF as well as for men with LV dysfunction (ejection fraction [EF]<40%). According to multivariate analysis, the TIMP-1 level was a factor with an independent negative relationship to EF and AHF in men. An independent relationship between exon 5 TIMP-1 gene polymorphism and EF, AHF or TIMP-1 level was not documented. CONCLUSION These results provide evidence that a higher level of circulating TIMP-1 is independently associated with worse EF and AHF.

Prognostic Value of Pentraxin-3 Level in Patients with STEMI and Its Relationship with Heart Failure and Markers of Oxidative Stress

Objective. Pentraxin-3 (PTX3) appears to have a cardioprotective effect through a positive influence against postreperfusion damage. This study assesses the prognostic value of PTX3 level and its relationship with clinical parameters and markers of oxidative stress and nitric oxide metabolism in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods. Plasma/serum levels of several biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress and nitrite/nitrate were assessed upon admission and 24 h after STEMI onset in patients treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Results. ROC analysis showed that plasma PTX3 at 24 h was a strong predictor of 30-day and 1-year mortality and independent predictor of combined end-point of left ventricle dysfunction or mortality in 1 year. The inflammatory response expressed by PTX3 had a significant relationship with age, heart failure, infarct size, impaired flow in the infarct-related artery, and renal function and positively correlated with neopterin, TNF-α, 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine, and nitrite/nitrate. Conclusions. Plasma PTX3 at 24 h after STEMI onset is a strong predictor of 30-day and 1-year mortality. PTX3 as a single biomarker is comparable with currently used scoring systems (TIMI or GRACE) or B-type natriuretic peptide. PTX3 is also an independent predictor of combined end-point of left ventricle dysfunction or mortality in 1 year.

ACE gene insertion/deletion polymorphism has a mild influence on the acute development of left ventricular dysfunction in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction treated with primary PCI.

BackgroundWe evaluated the associations among angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism, ACE activity and post-myocardial infarction (MI) left ventricular dysfunction and acute heart failure (AHF) early after presentation with MI with ST-segment elevation (STEMI).MethodsA total of 556 patients with STEMI treated by primary PCI (421 patients without AHF and 135 patients with AHF) were the study population. The activity of BNP, NT-ProBNP and ACE were measured at hospital admission and 24 h after MI onset. Left ventricular angiography was done before PCI; echocardiography was undertaken between the third and fifth day after MI.ResultsIn comparison with the II genotypes group, the DD/ID group had a higher level of ACE activity upon hospital admission (p < 0.001). We found a significantly higher level of ACE activity in patients with moderate LV dysfunction (EF 40-54%) in comparison both with patients with preserved LV function (EF ≥55%) and with patients with severe LV dysfunction (p = 0.028). A non-significant trend towards a higher incidence of mild AHF (22.1% vs. 16.02%, p = 0,093), a significantly higher value of end-systolic volume (ESV/BSA) (30.0 ± 12.3 vs. 28.5 ± 13.0; p < 0.05) and lower EF (50.2 ± 11.1 vs. 52.7 ± 11.7; p < 0.05) in the DD/ID genotypes group was noted. Even after multiple adjustments according to multivariate models, the EF for the DD/ID group remained significantly lower (p = 0,033). The DD/ID genotypes were associated with a significantly higher risk of EF <45% (OR 2.04 [95% CI 1.28; 3.25]).ConclusionsThese results suggest that the I/D polymorphism of ACE is associated with the development of LV dysfunction in the acute phase after STEMI. We demonstrated for the first time an association of the low ACE activity with the severe LV dysfunction, although patients with moderate LV dysfunction had higher level ACE activity than patients with preserved LV function.

The value of novel invasive hemodynamic parameters added to the TIMI risk score for short-term prognosis assessment in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND We compared the prognostic capacity of conventional and novel invasive parameters derived from the slope of the preload recruitable stroke work relationship (PRSW) in STEMI patients and assessed their contribution to the TIMI risk score. METHODS Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (EDP), ejection fraction (EF), pressure adjusted maximum rate of pressure change in the left ventricle (dP/dt/P), aortic systolic pressure to EDP ratio (SBP/EDP) and end-diastolic volume adjusted stroke work (EW), derived from the slope of the PRSW relationship, were obtained during the emergency cardiac catheterization in 523 STEMI patients. The predictive power of the analyzed parameters for 30-day and 1-year mortality was evaluated using C-statistics and reclassification analysis was adopted to assess the improvement in TIMI score. RESULTS The highest area under the curve (AUC) values for 30-day mortality were observed for EW (0.872(95% confidence interval 0.801-0.943)), SBP/EDP (0.843(0.758-0.928)) and EF (0.833(0.735-0.931)); p<0.001 for all values. For 1-year mortality the best predictive value was found for EW (0.806(0.724-0.887) and EF (0.793(0.703-0.883)); p<0.001 for both. The addition of EDP, SBP/EDP ratio and EW to TIMI score significantly increased the AUC according to De Longs test. For 30-day mortality, increased discriminative power following addition to the TIMI score was observed for EW and SBP/EDP (Integrated Discrimination Improvement was 0.086(0.033-0.140), p=0.002 and 0.078(0.028-0.128), p=0.002, respectively). CONCLUSIONS EW and SBP/EDP are prognostic markers with high predictive value for 30-day and 1-year mortality. Both parameters, easily obtained during emergency catheterization, improve the discriminatory capacity of the TIMI score for 30-day mortality.

Unstable angina pectoris prior to ST elevation myocardial infarction in patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention has no influence on prognosis.

BACKGROUND Pre-infarction unstable angina pectoris (UAP) can be considered ischemic preconditioning. The aim of this study was to compare short and long term outcomes in patients with or without pre-infarction UAP and ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS 593 patients with STEMI (388 without and 205 with UAP) were evaluated. Levels of biomarkers (troponin I, BNP, NT-ProBNP, neopterin, endoglin and pentraxin-3) at hospital admission and 24 h after STEMI onset were assessed. Echocardiography was undertaken on the fourth day after MI and after 12 months. The median follow-up was 37 months. RESULTS We found no significant differences in sex, age or risk factors for atherosclerosis between the UAP and non-UAP group. As the median time from the onset of chest pain to admission was significantly longer in the UAP group (228 min vs 258 min; P=0.009), we used a propensity score to obtain comparable matched groups for use in further analyses. The levels of NT-proBNP were significantly higher on admission and after 24 hours in the UAP group. Left ventricular functions according to invasive and echocardiographic parameters were entirely comparable at hospitalization and after 12 months. No differences were found in severity index of acute heart failure during hospitalization. The incidence of major acute coronary events during follow-up was comparable for the groups. CONCLUSIONS In patients with STEMI treated with primary PCI, pre-infarction UAP has no beneficial clinical effect during hospitalization or during long-term follow-up.