Selvester Score May Be a Predictor of ICD Therapies in Patients with Non-Ischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy

ABSTRACT Introduction: The benefit of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) in patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is still an issue under discussion. Studies examining the relationship between ventricular scar tissue and ICD shock with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) are promising. CMR studies have shown that ventricular scar tissue size and Selvester score show a correlation. In the light of this information, this study aimed to investigate the potential relationship between Selvester score and ICD therapies. Methods: The study included 48 patients who had undergone ICD implantation with a diagnosis of DCM and who had undergone routine 6-month ICD control in outpatient clinic controls between December 2018 and October 2019. Selvester score and other data were compared between patients who received ICD therapy (n=10) and those who did not (n=38). Results: Selvester score (P<0.001) was higher in ICD therapy group. Positive correlation was found between ICD shock therapy and Selvester score (P=0.002, r=0.843). Selvester score was detected as an independent predictor for ICD therapy after multiple linear regression analysis (P=0.004). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that Selvester score (P<0.001) was a significant predictor of ICD therapy. Selvester score cutoff points of 5 for were calculated to estimate ICD therapy, with a sensitivity of 100% and specifity of 81%. Conclusion: In our study, it was found that a high Selvester score may be a predictor for ICD therapies in patients with DCM. As an inexpensive and non-invasive method, Selvester score can help in the decision-making in these patients.

Incidence of aspirin resistance is higher in patients with acute coronary syndrome and atrial fibrillation than without atrial fibrillation

SUMMARY In patients with atrial fibrillation, standard anticoagulation with a vitamin K antagonist plus dual antiplatelet therapy with a P2Y12 inhibitor and aspirin is the standard of care after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). While this therapy reduces the risk of thrombosis and stroke, it increases the risk of bleeding. It is unclear whether the antiplatelet effect of aspirin and clopidogrel may worsen atrial fibrillation (AF). OBJECTIVE Thus we aimed to analyze platelet aspirin resistance (AR) and clopidogrel resistance (CR) in acute coronary (ACS) patients based on sinus rhythm (SR) and AF. METHODS In this prospective trial, we included 543 patients (mean age: 62± 12 years; range: 26 - 89 years) who were on aspirin and clopidogrel therapy after the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome. AR and CR were analyzed by a Multiplate® MP-0120 device by using the method of whole blood aggregometry. RESULTS AF patients had significantly higher age, mean platelet volume, and High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (p< 0.01 for each parameter). Similarly, Arachidonic-acid induced (ASPI) aggregation was higher in AF patients compared to SR patients (666±218 vs. 187±179, p<0.001). Among the ACS patients, significantly more female patients had AF (p<0.001). The incidence of hypertension in the AF group was higher compared to the SR group (p<0.001). However, adenosine diphosphate levels were not at a significant level in the two groups. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that the platelet inhibitory effect of Aspirin was worse for patients with AF, suggesting that the effectiveness of aspirin may be less in the prophylaxis of thromboembolism and more a bleeding risk.

RESUMO Em pacientes com fibrilação atrial, a anticoagulação padrão com antagonista da vitamina K mais terapia antiplaquetária dupla (DAPT) com inibidor de P2Y12 e aspirina é o padrão de tratamento após intervenção coronária percutânea (ICP). Enquanto essa terapia reduz o risco de trombose e derrame, aumenta o risco de sangramento. Não está claro se o efeito antiplaquetário da aspirina e do clopidogrel pode piorar a fibrilação atrial (FA). OBJETIVO Analisar a resistência à aspirina plaquetária (AR) e ao clopidogrel (CR) em pacientes coronarianos agudos (SCA) com base no ritmo sinusal (SR) e na FA. MÉTODOS Neste estudo prospectivo, foram incluídos 543 pacientes (idade média: 62±12 anos; intervalo: 26-89 anos) em uso de aspirina e clopidogrel após o diagnóstico de síndrome coronariana aguda. AR e CR foram analisados por um dispositivo Multiplate® MP-0120, utilizando o método de agregometria de sangue total. RESULTADOS Os pacientes com FA apresentaram valores significativamente maiores para idade, volume médio de plaquetas e proteína C reativa de alta sensibilidade (p<0,01 para cada parâmetro). Da mesma forma, a agregação induzida por ácido araquidônico (Aspi) foi maior nos pacientes com FA em comparação com os pacientes com SR (666±218 vs. 187±179, p<0,001). Entre os pacientes com SCA, significativamente mais pacientes do sexo feminino apresentaram FA (p<0,001). A incidência de hipertensão no grupo FA foi maior em comparação com o grupo SR (p<0,001). No entanto, os níveis de difosfato de adenosina não foram expressivamente significativos nos dois grupos. CONCLUSÃO Nossos achados indicam que o efeito inibitório plaquetário da aspirina foi pior em pacientes com FA, sugerindo que a eficácia da aspirina pode ser menor na profilaxia do tromboembolismo, com maior risco de sangramento.

The relationship between mitral annular calcification, metabolic syndrome and thromboembolic risk

Abstract Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is defined as an association between diabetes, hypertension, obesity and dyslipidemia and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is associated with several cardiovascular disorders, including coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation (AF), heart failure, ischemic stroke and increased mortality. The CHA2DS2-VASc score is used to estimate thromboembolic risk in AF. However, the association among MAC, MetS and thromboembolic risk is unknown and was evaluated in the current study. Methods: The study group consisted of 94 patients with MAC and 86 patients with MetS. Patients were divided into two groups: those with and those without MAC. Results: Patients with MAC had a higher MetS rate (P<0.001). In patients with MAC, the CHA2DS2-VASc scores and the rate of cerebrovascular accident and AF were significantly higher compared to those without MAC (P<0.001, for both parameters). The results of the multivariate regression analysis showed that history of smoking, presence of MetS and high CHA2DS2-VASc scores were associated with the development of MAC. ROC curve analyses showed that CHA2DS2-VASc scores were significant predictors for MAC (C-statistic: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.706-0.855, P<0.001). Correlation analysis indicated that MAC was positively correlated with the presence of MetS and CHA2DS2-VASc score (P=0.001, r=0.264; P<0.001, r=0.490). Conclusion: We have shown that CHA2DS2-VASc score and presence of MetS rates were significantly higher in patients with MAC compared without MAC. Presence of MAC was correlated with CHA2DS2-VASc score, presence of MetS, AF and left atrial diameter and negatively correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction.

The relation between echocardiographic epicardial fat thickness and cha2ds2-vasc score in patients with sinus rhythm

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the predictive value of epicardial fat thickness (EFT) in CHA2DS2-VASc (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥75 years, diabetes mellitus, previous stroke or transient ischemic attack, vascular disease, age 65-74 years, sex category) score risk groups. Methods: A total of 158 consecutive patients (75 females, 83 males, mean age 70.8±6.3 years) admitted routinely for cardiologic control were divided into two groups according to their CHA2DS2-VASc scores (scores 0 and 1 were regarded as low risk, and score ≥2 as high risk). One hundred twenty-five of 158 patients had a high-risk score. Results: Mean EFT was significantly higher in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group (4.34±0.62 vs. 5.37±1.0; P<0.001). EFT was positively correlated with CHA2DS2-VASc score (r=0.577, P<0.001). According to receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis, EFT value of 4.4 mm was found to be predictive of high risk in CHA2DS2-VASc score with 80% of sensitivity and 79% of specificity (C-statistic = 0.875, P<0.001, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.76-0.90). And according to multivariate logistic regression analysis, EFT was an independent predictor of high thromboembolic risk in terms of CHA2DS2-VASc score. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that echocardiographic EFT measurement could provide additional information on assessing cardiovascular risks, such as thromboembolic events, and individuals with increased EFT should receive more attention to reduce unfavorable cardiovascular risk factors and the development of future cardiovascular events.

Circulation levels of acute phase proteins pentraxin 3 and serum amyloid A in atherosclerosis have correlations with periodontal inflamed surface area

Abstract Objectives One of the plausible mechanisms in the relationship between periodontitis and coronary artery disease (CAD) is the systemic inflammatory burden comprised of circulating cytokines/mediators related to periodontitis. This study aims to test the hypothesis that periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) is correlated with higher circulating levels of acute phase reactants (APR) and pro-inflammatory cytokines/mediators and lower anti-inflammatory cytokines/mediators in CAD patients. Material and Methods Patients aged from 30 to 75 years who underwent coronary angiography with CAD suspicion were included. Clinical periodontal parameters (probing depth - PD, clinical attachment loss, and bleeding on probing - BOP) were previously recorded and participants were divided into four groups after coronary angiography: Group 1: CAD (+) with periodontitis (n=20); Group 2: CAD (+) without periodontitis (n=20); Group 3: CAD (-) with periodontitis (n=21); Group 4: CAD (-) without periodontitis (n = 16). Serum interleukin (IL) −1, −6, −10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, serum amyloid A (SAA), pentraxin (PTX) 3, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were measured with ELISA. Results Groups 1 and 3 showed periodontal parameter values higher than Groups 2 and 4 (p<0.0125). None of the investigated serum parameters were statistically significantly different between the study groups (p>0.0125). In CAD (-) groups (Groups 3 and 4), PISA has shown positive correlations with PTX3 and SAA (p<0.05). Age was found to predict CAD significantly according to the results of the multivariate regression analysis (Odds Ratio: 1.17; 95% Confidence Interval: 1.08-1.27; p<0.001). Conclusions Although age was found to predict CAD significantly, the positive correlations between PISA and APR in CAD (-) groups deserve further attention, which might depend on the higher PISA values of periodontitis patients. In further studies conducted in a larger population, the stratification of age groups would provide us more accurate results.

vWf levels as a circulating marker of endothelial dysfunction in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the von Willebrand factor levels, as a possible indicator of endothelial dysfunction, is increased in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and also whether it is related to the clinical status of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study group comprised 29 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and 29 healthy age- and gender-matched control subjects. There was no significant difference in von Willebrand factor levels between study group (77.0 +/- 23.1%) and control group (88.5 +/- 34.2%). There was no statistically significant difference between control group (88.5 +/- 34.2%) and functional class I/II group (82.0 +/- 24.3%), between control group and functional class III group (67.6 +/- 18.3%) and between functional class I/II group and functional class III group with respect to the von Willebrand factor levels. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that von Willebrand factor levels, as a possible indicator of endothelial dysfunction, are not increased in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and von Willebrand factor levels are not related to functional class in these patients.