Murat Ugur

The paradox of high apolipoprotein A-I levels independently predicting incident type-2 diabetes among Turks

BACKGROUND Predictive value of apolipoprotein (apo) A-I for incident hypertension, metabolic syndrome (MetS), type 2 diabetes (DM) and coronary heart disease (CHD) needs further exploration. METHODS A representative sample of Turkish adults was studied with this purpose prospectively. Sex-specific apoA-I tertiles were examined regarding cardiometabolic risk. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS A total of 1044 men and 1067 women (aged 49+/-12 years at baseline) were followed up over 7.4 years. High serum apoA-I levels were significantly associated in multivariable analysis with female sex, aging, alcohol intake, (inversely) cigarette smoking and, in women, with systolic blood pressure. Risk of diabetes was predicted in logistic regression in both genders by top versus bottom apoA-I tertile (RR 1.98; [95%CI 1.31; 3.0]), additive to age, body mass index (BMI), C-reactive protein (CRP), HDL-cholesterol and lipid lowering drugs. By adding sex hormone-binding globulin to the model in a subset of the sample, the association between high apoA-I and incident diabetes was attenuated only in women. ApoA-I tertiles tended to be positively associated also with hypertension and CHD only in women but this did not reach significance. High compared with low serum apoA-I levels nearly double the risk for incident diabetes, additively to age, BMI, CRP, HDL-cholesterol among Turks. Systemic inflammation concomitant with prevailing MetS might turn apoA-I into proinflammatory particles.

Neutrophil–Lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet–Lymphocyte Ratio Combination Can Predict Prognosis in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

We assessed the effect of combination of neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet–lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in predicting in-hospital and long-term mortality in patients (n = 2518) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). Cutoff values for NLR and PLR were calculated with receiver–operating characteristic (ROC) curves. If both PLR and NLR were above the threshold, patients were classified as “high risk.” If either PLR or NLR was above the threshold individually, patients were classified as “intermediate risk.” High-risk (n = 693) and intermediate-risk (n = 545) groups had higher in-hospital and long-term mortality (7.2 4% vs 0.7%, P < .001; 14.1, 9.5% vs 4.5%, P < .001, respectively). Classifying patients into intermediate-risk group (hazards ratio [HR]: 1.492, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.022-2.178, P = .038) and high-risk group (HR: 1.845, 95% CI: 1.313-2.594, P < .001) was an independent predictor of in-hospital and long-term mortality. The combination of PLR and NLR can be useful for the prediction of in-hospital and long-term mortality in patients undergoing pPCI.

Thoracic endoscopic surgery for hyperhidrosis: comparison of different techniques.

BACKGROUND Hyperhidrosis is pathological perspiration in palmar, plantar or axillary surfaces. Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is currently the most commonly used therapy for hyperhidrosis. Blockage of sympathetic ganglia is achieved by segmental resection, transection and/or cauterization, and clipping of the chain. We aimed to compare the efficacy of these methods with respect to patient satisfaction, recurrence of symptoms and complications. METHODS Eighty male patients with a mean age of 22.02 +/- 2.61 years undergoing bilateral thoracoscopic sympathectomy or sympathetic blockage to treat primary hyperhidrosis were included in this randomized study. The patients were divided into four groups depending on the technique used for sympathetic blockage; techniques included resection (n = 20), transection (n = 20), ablation (n = 20), and clipping (n = 20). RESULTS The primary success rate for isolated palmar hyperhidrosis was 96.3 %; for palmar and axillary hydrosis it was 95.7 % and for palmar and face/scalp hyperhidrosis it was 66.7 %. No recurrence was observed. The overall success rate of the operation was 95 % and the differences between the four groups were not statistically significant. In the clipping group, the duration of the surgical procedure was significantly shorter than in the other groups. Complication rates were similar among the groups. The postoperative chest roentgenogram revealed pneumothorax in nine patients, but none of them required intervention. CONCLUSION Thoracic endoscopic sympathetic blockage yields similar results irrespective of the surgical technique adopted.

Predictive value of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in clinical outcomes of non-ST elevation myocardial infarction and unstable angina pectoris: a 3-year follow-up.

We sought to determine the prognostic value of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and unstable angina pectoris (UAP). A total of 308 (mean age 59.22 ± 11.93) patients with NSTEMI and UAP were prospectively evaluated. The study population was divided into tertiles based on admission NLR values. The patients were followed for clinical outcomes for up to 3 years after discharge. In the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, 3-year mortality was 21.6% in patients with high NLR versus 3% in the low-NLR group (P < .001). In a receiver–operating characteristic curve analysis, an NLR value of 3.04 was identified as an effective cut point in NSTEMI and UAP of a 3-year cardiovascular mortality (area under curve [AUC] = 0.86, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.8-0.92). An NLR value >3.04 yielded a sensitivity of 79% and specificity of 71%. Admission NLR is the strong and independent predictor of a 3-year cardiovascular mortality in patients with NSTEMI and UAP.

Comparison of early hemodynamic performance of 3 aortic valve bioprostheses

OBJECTIVE The study objective was to determine whether the new-generation Trifecta (St Jude Medical Inc, St Paul, Minn) bovine aortic valve bioprosthesis, which is designed for supra-annular positioning, produces early postoperative hemodynamic results comparable to or better than those of the Mitroflow (Sorin Group, Milan, Italy) or Perimount Magna (Edwards Lifesciences Corp, Irvine, Calif) bovine aortic valve bioprostheses. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent aortic valve replacement with a Trifecta, Mitroflow, or Perimount Magna bovine pericardial prosthesis at Mayo Clinic between June 2007 and December 2012 and analyzed early postoperative hemodynamic performance by Doppler echocardiography. RESULTS A total of 1436 patients underwent aortic valve replacement (Trifecta in 196, Mitroflow in 1135, Perimount Magna in 105). Preoperative characteristics and early clinical outcomes were similar among the 3 valve groups. The average mean gradients were lower and valve areas were greater with the Trifecta valves. For the Trifecta, Mitroflow, and Perimount Magna valves, the average mean gradient was 11.4 mm Hg, 16.9 mm Hg, and 14.1 mm Hg, respectively; the effective orifice area was 2.22 cm2, 1.85 cm2, and 2.09 cm2, respectively; and the indexed effective orifice area was 1.14 cm2/m2, 0.96 cm2/m2, and 1.07 cm2/m2, respectively (all P<.001). Similar statistical significance was found when data were stratified by valve size. Severe prosthesis-patient mismatch (indexed effective orifice area<0.60 cm2/m2) was detected in 1.3% of patients (n=2/150) with the Trifecta, 5.8% of patients (n=44/758) with the Mitroflow, and 3.2% of patients (n=3/95) with the Perimount Magna (P=.048). CONCLUSIONS Early hemodynamic postoperative performance of the Trifecta bioprosthesis is favorable. Additional follow-up should determine whether these small hemodynamic differences will persist and influence later clinical outcomes.

The relationship between platelet to lymphocyte ratio and the clinical outcomes in ST elevation myocardial infarction underwent primary coronary intervention.

The platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) has been investigated as a new predictor for cardiovascular risk. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic role admission PLRat admission in predicting in-hospital and early mortality in patients presenting with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). A total of 639 consecutive patients with STEMI who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were included. The study population was divided into tertiles on the basis of PLR values at the admission. A high PLR (N = 213) was defined as a value in the upper third tertile (PLR >174.9) and a low PLR (N = 426) was defined as any value in the lower two tertiles (PLR ⩽174.9). The patients were followed for clinical outcomes for up to 6 months after discharge. In Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, the rate of 6-month all-cause deaths was 7% in the high PLR group versus 3% in the low PLR group (P = 0.03). In multivariate analyses, a significant association was noted between high PLR levels and the adjusted risk of 6-month all-cause deaths (odds ratio = 2.51, 95% confidence interval = 1.058–5.95; P = 0.03). PLR is a readily available clinical laboratory value associated with 6-month all-cause death in patients with STEMI who undergo primary PCI.

Suture technique does not affect hemodynamic performance of the small supra-annular Trifecta bioprosthesis.

OBJECTIVE The study objective was to evaluate whether aortic valve replacement with the Trifecta valve (St Jude Medical Inc, St Paul, Minn) using simple sutures produces better hemodynamic performance than valve replacement with noneverting pledget-reinforced sutures. METHODS We analyzed prospectively acquired 1-year hemodynamic data of patients with small aortic annulus sizes who were enrolled in a multicenter trial of the Trifecta aortic valve bioprosthesis and underwent aortic valve replacement with a 19-mm or 21-mm bioprosthesis between August 2007 and November 2009. We compared preoperative clinical information and 1-year postoperative hemodynamic data for noneverting pledget-reinforced sutures (group 1) versus everting mattress sutures or simple sutures (group 2). RESULTS A total of 346 patients underwent aortic valve replacement: 269 in group 1 and 77 in group 2. Preoperative demographic characteristics for the 2 groups were similar. For groups 1 and 2, the mean gradient was 10.4±4.7 mm Hg and 11.1±4.4 mm Hg for 19-mm valves, respectively, and 8.4±3.5 mm Hg and 8.8±3.6 mm Hg for 21-mm valves, respectively; the effective orifice area was 1.40 cm2 and 1.25 cm2 for 19-mm valves, respectively, and 1.57 cm2 and 1.50 cm2 for 21-mm valves, respectively. The rate of severe prosthesis-patient mismatch (indexed effective orifice area≤0.65 cm2/m2) was 18.6% (n=11) and 25% (n=6) for 19-mm valves, respectively, and 10.9% (n=20) and 16.3% (n=8) for 21-mm valves, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The suture method did not affect hemodynamic performance of supra-annular bioprostheses in patients with small aortic annulus sizes. Choice of suture technique should be determined by surgeon experience and local anatomic features.

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.

The relationship between fragmentation on electrocardiography and in-hospital prognosis of patients with acute myocardial infarction

Background In patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), QRS fragmentation was determined as one of the indicators of mortality and morbidity. The development of fragmented QRS (fQRS) is related to defects in the ventricular conduction system and is linked to myocardial scar and fibrosis. Material/Methods We prospectively enrolled 355 consecutive patients hospitalized in the coronary intensive care unit of our hospital with STEMI between the years 2010 and 2012 and their electrocardiographic features and the frequency of in-hospital cardiac events were evaluated. Results There were 217 cases in the fQRS group and 118 cases in the control group. QRS fragmentation was found to be a predictor for major cardiac events. In the fragmented QRS group, the frequency of in-hospital major cardiac events (MACE) and death were higher (MACE p<0.001; death p<0.003). In the fragmented QRS group, the cardiac enzymes (Troponin-I, CK-MB) were significantly higher than in the control group (p<0.001). In subgroup analyses, apart from the presence of fragmentation, the presence of more than 1 type of fragmentation and the number of fragmented deviations were also found to be related with MACE. A significant negative correlation was observed with the ejection fraction and, in particular, the number of fragmented deviations. Conclusions Fragmented QRS has emerged as a practical and easily identifiable diagnostic tool for predicting in-hospital cardiac events in acute coronary syndromes. Patients who present with a fragmented QRS demonstrate increased rates of major cardiac events, death risk, and low ejection fraction. In patients with STEMI, the presence of fQRS on the ECG and number of fQRS derivations are a significant predictor of in-hospital major cardiac events.

The effect of postoperative medical treatment on left ventricular mass regression after aortic valve replacement

OBJECTIVE The study objective was to analyze factors associated with left ventricular mass regression in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement with a newer bioprosthesis, the Trifecta valve pericardial bioprosthesis (St Jude Medical Inc, St Paul, Minn). METHODS A total of 444 patients underwent aortic valve replacement with the Trifecta bioprosthesis from 2007 to 2009 at 6 US institutions. The clinical and echocardiographic data of 200 of these patients who had left ventricular hypertrophy and follow-up studies 1 year postoperatively were reviewed and compared to analyze factors affecting left ventricular mass regression. RESULTS Mean (standard deviation) age of the 200 study patients was 73 (9) years, 66% were men, and 92% had pure or predominant aortic valve stenosis. Complete left ventricular mass regression was observed in 102 patients (51%) by 1 year postoperatively. In univariate analysis, male sex, implantation of larger valves, larger left ventricular end-diastolic volume, and beta-blocker or calcium-channel blocker treatment at dismissal were significantly associated with complete mass regression. In the multivariate model, odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) indicated that male sex (3.38 [1.39-8.26]) and beta-blocker or calcium-channel blocker treatment at dismissal (3.41 [1.40-8.34]) were associated with increased probability of complete left ventricular mass regression. Patients with higher preoperative systolic blood pressure were less likely to have complete left ventricular mass regression (0.98 [0.97-0.99]). CONCLUSIONS Among patients with left ventricular hypertrophy, postoperative treatment with beta-blockers or calcium-channel blockers may enhance mass regression. This highlights the need for close medical follow-up after operation. Labeled valve size was not predictive of left ventricular mass regression.