Umut Celikyurt

Comparison of the long-term prognostic value of Cystatin C to other indicators of renal function, markers of inflammation and systolic dysfunction among patients with acute coronary syndrome

OBJECTIVE Emerging evidence indicates the prognostic importance of cystatin C (Cys-C) in patients with coronary artery disease. However, whether Cys-C concentrations are associated with adverse clinical events among patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) have not been studied extensively. We compared the long-term prognostic efficacy of Cys-C with other markers of renal dysfunction, inflammation and systolic dysfunction in patients with ACS. METHODS AND RESULTS Serum levels of Cys-C, high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and creatinine were measured in 160 patients with ACS (112 males, 48 females, mean age 60+/-10 years) on admission. Primary end point of the study was major adverse cardiac events (MACE) defined as the combination of cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction and recurrent rest angina that required hospitalization within 12 months of follow-up. During the follow-up period, 42 (26%) patients met the MACE criteria. The occurrence of MACE was significantly higher among patients with higher Cys-C levels. In multivariate analysis, Cys-C was the most important parameter associated with the occurrence of MACE (OR=9.62, 95% CI=2.3-40.5, p<0.001). ROC curve analysis showed that the predictive cut-off value of Cys-C for MACE was 1051ng/ml. In the Cox regression analysis adjusted for multiple risk factors, Cys-C was found as the most powerful predictor for MACE (RR=9.43, 95% CI=4.0-21.8, p<0.001). CONCLUSION The results of the present study indicate that admission levels of Cys-C may be a good prognostic indicator of recurrent cardiovascular events in patients with ACS. Further studies are needed to confirm these results.

Long-term prognosis of non-interventionally followed patients with isolated myocardial bridge and severe systolic compression of the left anterior descending coronary artery.

The aim of this study was to investigate the long‐term prognosis of non‐interventionally followed patients with myocardial bridge and angiographic milking of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery.

Essential Thrombocythemia: A Case of Acute ST‐Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction in a Young Female

Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is a clonal disorder of the myeloid stem cell that causes abnormal proliferation of the megakaryocytes. The main feature of the disease is arterial and venous thrombosis caused by platelet dysfunction. Coronary artery involvement leading to acute coronary syndromes is a rare complication of the ET. We report a coronary angioplasty and stenting in a 30‐year‐old female patient with acute ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (MI) as the first clinical sign of essential thrombocythemia. Facilitated percutaneous coronary intervention with GPIIb/IIIa and/or thrombolytic therapy may be considered as the first treatment modality for this patient group. Copyright

Number of Leads With Fragmented QRS Predicts Response to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an effective option in the treatment of patients with heart failure (HF) and wide QRS. Fragmented QRS (fQRS) on 12‐lead electrocardiography has been shown to predict cardiac events in several patient populations. However, the relationship between the number of leads with fQRS and response to CRT has not been investigated.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio predicts response to cardiac resynchronization therapy

Background Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (N/L) ratio has been associated with adverse outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndromes and increased risk for long-term mortality in patients with acute decompensated heart failure. We aimed to investigate the prognostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio on response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Material/Methods Seventy consecutive patients (mean age 58±13 years; 40 men) undergoing CRT were included in the study. Hematological and echocardiographic parameters were measured before and 6 months after CRT. Echocardiographic response to CRT was defined as a ≥15% reduction in left ventricular end-systolic volume at 6-month follow-up. Results After 6 months of CRT, 49 (70%) patients were responders. After 6 months, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) had significantly increased, from 21±7% to 34±11% in responder patients (p=0.001). N/L ratio decreased significantly, from 2.4±1 to 2.1±0.7 in responders (p=0.04). In multivariate analysis, significant associates of echocardiographic response to CRT was evaluated adjusting for age, etiology of cardiomyopathy, baseline LVEF, New York Heart Association functional class, C-reactive protein, and baseline N/L ratio. Baseline N/L ratio was the only predictor of response to CRT (OR 1.506, 95% CI, 1.011–2.243, p=0.035). Conclusions N/L ratio at baseline could help to identify patients with response to CRT.

Relationship between left ventricular dyssynchrony and reverse remodeling after cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is recommended for patients with advanced chronic heart failure. The presence of left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony before CRT is an important predictor of response to the therapy. We aimed to investigate time course of LV dyssynchrony after CRT and the relationship between LV dyssynchrony improvement and reverse remodeling (RR).

Incidence of new-onset atrial fibrillation after cavotricuspid isthmus ablation for atrial flutter

Aims In patients with cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) ablation for atrial flutter (AFL), the decision to hold oral anticoagulation (OAC) often becomes an issue. The purpose of this study was to describe the incidence of the development of atrial fibrillation (AF) after CTI ablation in patients with documented AFL with and without a previous history of AF and to identify risk predictors for the occurrence of AF after CTI. Methods and results We included 364 consecutive patients undergoing successful CTI ablation. Thereof, 230 patients (170 male; age 66 ± 11 years) had AFL only (AFL group) and 134 patients (94 male; age 65 ± 11 years) had AFL and previously documented AF (AFL and AF group). Over a mean follow-up of 22 ± 20 months, 163 (71%) patients in the AFL group and 67 (50%) patients in the AFL and AF groups had no documentation of a recurrent atrial arrhythmia (P < 0.001). AF developed in 51 patients (22%) in the AFL group and in 57 (43%) patients in the AFL and AF groups (P < 0.001). In patients without history of AF, left atrial diameter was the only predictor of development of AF (HR 1.058 [95%CI 1.011-1.108], P = 0.016). Multivariate analysis of the total population identified history of AF (HR 1.918 [95%CI 1.301-2.830], P = 0.001) and BMI as predictors for AF development (HR 1.052 [95%CI 1.012-1.093], P = 0.011). Conclusion Our results indicate that new-onset AF develops in a significant proportion of patients undergoing CTI for AFL. One should therefore be careful to withhold OAC. Furthermore, pulmonary vein isolation should be considered in conjunction with CTI, particularly in patients with previously documented AF.

Relation of hs-CRP and BNP levels with the atrial spontaneous echo contrast and thrombi in permanent atrial fibrillation patients with different etiologies

Summary Background Thromboembolic risk in permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) is strongly associated with the underlying etiology, and inflammatory parameters may contribute. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship of hs-CRP and BNP levels with left and right atrial appendage (LAA and RAA) function, presence of spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) and thrombus. Material/Methods Eighty-four permanent AF patients with different etiologies (20 mitral stenosis, 44 hypertension and 20 hyperthyroidism) and 23 patients with sinus rhythm were included. LAA and RAA flow velocities were measured by pulsed-wave Doppler and wall motion velocities with tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) in transesophageal echocardiography. Results Hs-CRP and BNP levels significantly differed among the 3 AF groups: levels were highest in mitral stenosis patients (8.6±5.3 mg/L and 98.0±125.7 pg/mL, respectively), the lowest hs-CRP was in hyperthyroidism patients (4.3±3.8 mg/L), and the lowest BNP was in hypertensive patients (64.8±44.3 pg/mL). There were also significant differences between the AF group and controls regarding hs-CRP and BNP levels. In the correlation analysis, BNP level was not significantly correlated with LAA and RAA functions, whereas hs-CRP level was significantly correlated with some LAA and RAA functions. On the other hand, hs-CRP level was significantly related to the presence of mild-moderate SEC and thrombi, mainly in mitral stenosis patients. Moreover, hs-CRP was the most important determinant of RAA thrombus formation, followed by RAA ejection fraction. In contrast, no positive or negative correlation was found between BNP levels and RAA and LAA thrombi. Conclusions Higher hs-CRP levels in AF patients may be a predictor for the presence of SEC and thrombi in the atria.

Effect of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy on Libido and Erectile Dysfunction

Chronic heart failure (HF) is a common, complex clinical syndrome characterized by dyspnea, fatigue and exercise intolerance. HF patients experience decreased libido and erectile dysfunction (ED). The effects of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) on libido and erectile function have not been previously evaluated. We aimed to investigate the effects of CRT on libido and ED.

Effect of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy on Thyroid Function

Heart failure patients frequently have thyroid function abnormalities. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is a major treatment for patients with advanced chronic heart failure. We aimed to investigate the effects of CRT on thyroid functions.