Turgay Isik

Prognostic Value of Uric Acid in Patients With ST-Elevated Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Coronary Intervention

Elevated uric acid (UA) levels have been associated with cardiovascular disease in epidemiologic studies. The relation between UA levels and long-term outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction who undergo primary percutaneous coronary intervention is not known. Data from 2,249 consecutive patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention were evaluated. Patients were divided into 2 groups with high or low UA using upper limits of normal of 6 mg/dl for women and 7 mg/dl for men. There were 1,643 patients in the low-UA group (mean age 55.9 ± 11.6 years, 85% men) and 606 patients in the high-UA group (mean age 60.5 ± 12.6 years, 76% men). Serum UA levels were 8.0 ± 1.5 mg/dl in the high-UA group and 5.2 ± 1.0 mg/dl in the low-UA group (p <0.001). The in-hospital mortality rate was significantly higher in patients with high UA levels (9% vs 2%, p <0.001), as was the rate of adverse outcomes in patients with high UA. The mean follow-up time was 24.3 months. Cardiovascular mortality, reinfarction, target vessel revascularization, heart failure, and major adverse cardiac events were all significantly higher in the high-UA group. In a multivariate analyses, high plasma UA levels were an independent predictor of major adverse cardiac events in the hospital (odds ratio 2.03, 95% confidence interval 1.25 to 3.75, p = 0.006) and during long-term follow-up (odds ratio 1.64, 95% confidence interval 1.05 to 2.56, p = 0.03). In conclusion, high UA levels on admission are independently associated with in-hospital and long-term adverse outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction who undergo primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Relation of red cell distribution width with the presence, severity, and complexity of coronary artery disease.

ObjectivesRed cell distribution width (RDW) is a measure of the heterogeneity of cell size in the peripheral blood and has been shown to be an independent correlate of adverse outcomes in healthy participants and in some cardiac conditions. We examined the association between RDW and the complexity of coronary artery disease (CAD). MethodsThe study population included 193 nonanemic patients who had undergone coronary angiography for stable angina pectoris. Baseline RDW was measured as part of the automated complete blood count. Patients were classified depending on whether the SYNTAX score was 0 (no angiographically apparent CAD) or at least 1 where CAD was present angiographically. ResultsPatients with angiographic CAD had significantly elevated RDW levels compared with the patients without CAD (14.4±1.3 vs. 12.5±0.9, P<0.001). There was a good correlation between RDW and the SYNTAX score (r=0.55, P<0.001). In a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, an RDW value of 13.25 was identified as an effective cut-point in the segregation of the presence or absence of CAD [area under curve=0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.81–0.92]. An RDW value of more than 13.25 yielded a sensitivity of 84%, a specificity of 79%, a positive predictive value of 89%, and a negative predictive value of 71%. In multivariate analysis, RDW was observed to be an independent predictor for both angiographic CAD (odds ratio=4.80, 95% CI 2.41–9.57, P<0.001) and for a high (>32) SYNTAX score (odds ratio=2.28, 95% CI 1.45–3.60, P=0.01). ConclusionRDW is a readily available clinical laboratory value that is associated with both the presence and the complexity of CAD.

Relation of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide level with left atrial deformation parameters

AIMS It has been shown that speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) is a feasible and reproducible method to assess left atrial (LA) function. The relationship between left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) with LA deformation parameters has not been studied comprehensively. Therefore, we propose to investigate the effects of invasively obtained LVEDP and BNP level on LA deformation parameters assessed by STE and to show the relationship between them. METHODS AND RESULTS The study population consisted of 62 patients who underwent cardiac catheterization. LVEDP was obtained with a fluid-filled catheter. All patients underwent standard two-dimensional echocardiography. In STE analysis for LA, the peak LA strain at the end of the ventricular systole (LAs-strain) and the LA strain with LA contraction (LAa-strain) were obtained. N-terminal pro-BNP (NT-pro-BNP) levels were measured. The univariate correlation analysis demonstrated that the LAs-strain and LAa-strain had good inverse correlation with LVEDP, and the LAs-strain and LAa-strain only had a moderate correlation with NT-pro-BNP. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve of the LAs-strain was 0.96 (0.86-0.99, P < 0.001), and for the LAa-strain, the area was 0.88 (0.74-0.96, P < 0.001) to predict increased LVEDP. A multiple regression analysis demonstrated that the LAs-strain, LAV(max), and LV ejection fraction were independent predictors of increased LVEDP among the covariates examined; however, the LAa-strain and LV mass index were not independent predictors. A borderline statistical significance was found for NT-pro-BNP. CONCLUSION LAs-strain more closely related with LVEDP and NT-pro-BNP level than LAa-strain. LAs-strain thus might be used clinically to predict increased LVEDP.

The impact of admission red cell distribution width on the development of poor myocardial perfusion after primary percutaneous intervention

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of red cell distribution width (RDW) on the electrocardiographic no-reflow phenomenon in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS One-hundred consecutive patients (mean age 61.3 ± 12.8 years and male 77%) with ST-elevation myocardial infarction, who were treated with primary PCI, were analyzed prospectively. RDW and high sensitive C reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured. The sum of ST-segment elevation was obtained immediately before and 60 min after the restoration of coronary flow. The difference between two measurements was accepted as the amount of ST-segment resolution and was expressed as ∑STR. ∑STR < 50% was accepted as electrocardiographic sign of no-reflow phenomenon. RESULTS There were 30 patients in the no-reflow group (Group 1) and 70 patients in the normal re-flow group (Group 2). RDW and hs-CRP levels on admission were higher in Group 1. An RDW level ≥14% measured on admission had 70% sensitivity and 64% specificity in predicting no-reflow on ROC curve analysis. Mid-term cardiovascular events were significantly higher in Group 1. In multivariate analyses, RDW (OR 2.93, <95% CI 1.42-6.04; p = 0.004), and tirofiban (OR 0.16, <95% CI 0.05-0.48; p = 0.001) were independent predictors of no-reflow, and RDW (OR 5.89, <95% CI 1.63-21.24; p = 0.007), and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) on admission (OR 1.01, <95% CI 1.00-1.02; p = 0.006) were independent predictors of mid-term mortality. CONCLUSIONS A greater baseline RDW value was independently associated with the presence of electrocardiographic no-reflow.

The relation of serum gamma-glutamyl transferase levels with coronary lesion complexity and long-term outcome in patients with stable coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND Relation of serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels with extent, severity, and complexity of coronary artery disease has not been adequately studied. Therefore, we evaluated the relationship between GGT levels and coronary complexity, severity and extent assessed by SYNTAX score and long-term adverse events. METHODS We enrolled 442 consecutive patients with stable angina pectoris who underwent coronary angiography. Baseline serum GGT levels were measured and SYNTAX score was calculated from the study population. Median follow-up duration was 363 days. Endpoints were all cause mortality and any revascularization. RESULTS GGT levels demonstrated an increase from low SYNTAX tertile to high tertile. In multivariate analysis serum GGT, diabetes mellitus, HDL-cholesterol, eGFR and ejection fraction were found to be independent predictors of high SYNTAX score. The survival analysis showed that long-term revascularization rates were comparable between the GGT groups (for 36 U/l cut point) of the overall population (7.7% vs 8.6% logrank, p = 0.577), whereas long-term all cause mortality rate was higher in the GGT ≥ 36 U/l group (3.6% vs 11.6% logrank, p = 0.001). In Cox proportional hazards regression model, GGT ≥ 36 U/l group was found to be an independent predictor of long-term all cause mortality in the unadjusted (HR 2.54, 95% CI 1.17-5.48, p = 0.018) and age- and gender-adjusted (HR 2.58, 95% CI 1.19-5.58, p = 0.016) models. CONCLUSION Serum GGT level was independently associated with coronary complexity and long-term mortality in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

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.

Predictive Value of Elevated Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio in Patients Undergoing Primary Angioplasty for ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Objectives: The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been investigated as a new predictor for cardiovascular risk. Admission NLR would be predictive of adverse outcomes after primary angioplasty for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods: A total of 2410 patients with STEMI undergoing primary angioplasty were retrospectively enrolled. The study population was divided into tertiles based on the NLR values. A high NLR (n = 803) was defined as a value in the third tertile (>6.97), and a low NLR (n = 1607) was defined as a value in the lower 2 tertiles (≤6.97). Results: High NLR group had higher incidence of inhospital and long-term cardiovascular mortality (5% vs 1.4%, P < .001; 7% vs 4.8%, P = .02, respectively). High NLR (>6.97) was found as an independent predictor of inhospital cardiovascular mortality (odds ratio: 2.8, 95% confidence interval: 1.37-5.74, P = .005). Conclusions: High NLR level is associated with increased inhospital and long-term cardiovascular mortality in patients with STEMI undergoing primary angioplasty.

Relation of Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio With the Presence and Severity of Stable Coronary Artery Disease

Objectives: We examined the association between neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the complexity of coronary artery disease assessed by SYNTAX score (SS). Methods: The study population included patients with chest pain who had undergone coronary angiography for stable angina pectoris. Patients were classified depending on whether the SS was 0 or SS > 0. Results: Left ventricular ejection fraction, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and NLR were found to be the independent predictors of high SS in multivariate analysis. The area under the receiver–operating curve of NLR was 0.72 (0.65-0.80, P < .001) for predicting high SS. The optimal cutoff value of NLR to predict high SS was 2.7 (sensitivity of 72% and a specificity of 61%). There was a significant correlation between NLR ratio and continuous SS (r = .552, P < .001). Conclusion: The NLR is a readily measurable systemic inflammatory marker and is associated with both the presence and the complexity of coronary artery disease.

The outcome of primary percutaneous coronary intervention for stent thrombosis causing ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND There are very few scientific data about the effectiveness of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) due to stent thrombosis (ST). The purpose of the present study is to investigate the efficacy and outcome of primary PCI for STEMI due to ST in the largest consecutive patient population with ST reported to date. METHODS A total of 2,644 consecutive STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI were retrospectively enrolled into the present study. The primary end point of this study was successful angiographic reperfusion defined as postprocedural Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction grade III flow. The secondary end points were cardiovascular death and reinfarction. RESULTS Stent thrombosis was the cause of STEMI in 118 patients (4.4%). In patients with ST, angiographic success (postprocedural Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction grade III flow) was worse than in patients with de novo STEMI (76.3% vs 84.8%, P = .01). Patients with ST had significantly higher incidence of in-hospital cardiovascular mortality than patients with de novo STEMI (10.2% vs 5.3%, P = .02). In-hospital reinfarction rate was similar in both groups. In addition, long-term (mean 22 months) cardiovascular mortality and reinfarction rates were significantly higher in patients with ST compared with those without (17.4% vs 10.5%, P = .02 and 15.6% vs 9.5%, P = .03, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Primary PCI for treatment of ST is less effective, and these patients are at increased risk for in-hospital and long-term mortality compared with patients undergoing primary PCI due to de novo STEMI.

Impact of day versus night as intervention time on the outcomes of primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction

Background: Conflicting datas exist regarding the outcomes of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) when the intervention is performed during night hours. Methods and Results: 2,644 consecutive patients with STEMI (mean age 56.7 ± 11.9, years, 2,188 male) undergoing primary PCI between October 2003 and March 2008 were retrospectively enrolled into this study (single high‐volume center: >3,000 PCIs/year). Day time was defined according to intervention between 08:00 am and 06:00 pm and night as intervention time between 06:00 pm and 08:00 am. 1,141 patients (43.2%) were treated during the day and 1,503 (56.8%) at night. The baseline characteristics of both groups were similar except for more frequent hypertension (42.6 vs. 36.5%; P = 0.002), women (19.7 vs. 15.4%; P = 0.003), and old (≥75y) patients (9.6 vs. 7.4; P = 0.046) in the day time group. Compared with those treated during night time, day time patients had longer angina‐reperfusion times (mean, 205 vs. 188 minutes, P = 0.016). Door‐to‐balloon times were similar (P = 0.87), and less than 90 minutes in both groups. There were no differences concerning clinical events and PCI success between the two groups. Hospital mortality was 6.1% during the day and 5.2% during the night (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.7–1.36; P = 0.89). The median follow‐up time was 21 months. The Kaplan‐Meier survival plot for long‐term cardiovascular death was not different for both groups (P = 0.78). In‐hospital and long‐term cardiovascular mortality was also similar in shock and nonshock subgroups. Conclusions: Primary PCI can be performed safely during the night at a high‐volume PCI center with suitable and effective organization of cardiology department and catheterisation laboratory with 24 hours per day, 7 days per week onsite staffing.