ABSTRACT
Introducción. Establecer un estilo de vida activo y saludable es uno de los objetivos más importantes y desafiantes de la rehabilitación cardíaca. Comprender el comportamiento de los patrones de actividad física (AF) en adultos que han sufrido un evento coronario y que han participado en un programa de Rehabilitación Cardíaca (RC) es necesario para evaluar su impacto y proponer estrategias oportunas en esta área. Objetivo. Evaluar el cumplimiento de la recomendación global de AF 1 año después de ingresar a un programa de RC para enfermedad arterial coronaria. Métodos. Se aplicó el Cuestionario Internacional de Actividad Física a adultos con enfermedad coronaria tratada a los 6 y 12 meses de su ingreso a un programa de Rehabilitación Cardíaca en 6 hospitales de Chile, entre mayo de 2019 y febrero de 2020 en el contexto del estudio aleatorizado. Se realizó un ensayo clínico multicéntrico de no inferioridad (Hybrid Cardiac Rehabilitation Trial, HYCARET). Resultados. 117 participantes (74 hombres, edad 59,34 ±9,52 años, 83,4±27,2% de adherencia a la RC) físicamente activos al final de un programa de RC fueron evaluados a los 6 y 12 meses desde el ingreso para determinar su adherencia a la AF. La tasa de seguimiento fue del 94,01% a los 6 meses (6m) y del 78,63% a los 12 meses (12m). El 90% de los participantes seguían físicamente activos a los 6 meses y el 92,39% seguían activos a los 12 meses después del evento coronario. Un 5,98% fueron clasificados como inactivos a los 6 m pero estaban físicamente activos al año. En contraste, sólo el 0,85% se volvió inactivo a los 6 meses y permaneció inactivo hasta 1 año, mientras que el 4,27% se reportó como activo a los 6 meses, pero terminó estando inactivo al año. La AF relacionada con las tareas del hogar es responsable del 40% y más del gasto calórico total de los adultos después de un evento coronario en todo momento. El gasto calórico relacionado con actividades recreativas y transporte disminuyó a los 6 y 12 meses, mientras que el gasto calórico asociado con el trabajo y las actividades domésticas aumentó a los 6 y 12 meses después de completar un programa de RC. Conclusión. Los adultos que completan un programa de RC continúan activos 6 y 12 meses después de un evento coronario. Sin embargo, las actividades que generan mayor gasto calórico varían con el tiempo. Este hallazgo resalta la importancia de fomentar la actividad física como parte del tiempo de ocio y recreación en los adultos, ya que se sabe que su beneficio es mayor.
Background. Establishing a healthy, active lifestyle is one of the most important and challenging goals of cardiac rehabilitation. Understanding the behavior of physical activity (PA) patterns in adults who have suffered a coronary event and who have participated in a Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) program is necessary to evaluate its impact and propose timely strategies in this area. Objetive. To evaluate compliance with the global PA recommendation 1 year after entering a CR program for coronary artery disease. Methods. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was applied to adults with coronary heart disease treated 6 and 12 months after admission to a Cardiac Rehabilitation program in 6 hospitals in Chile, between May 2019 and February 2020 in the context of the randomized study. A multicenter non-inferiority clinical trial (Hybrid Cardiac Rehabilitation Trial, HYCARET) was conducted. Results. 117 participants (74 men, age 59.34 ± 9.52 years, 83.4 ± 27.2% adherence to CR) physically active at the end of a CR program were evaluated at 6 and 12 months from entry. to determine their adherence to PA. The follow-up rate was 94.01% at 6 months (6m) and 78.63% at 12 months (12m). 90% of participants were still physically active at 6 months and 92.39% were still active at 12 months after the coronary event. 5.98% were classified as inactive at 6 m but were physically active at one year. In contrast, only 0.85% became inactive at 6 months and remained inactive for up to 1 year, while 4.27% reported themselves as active at 6 months but ended up being inactive at one year. Housework-related PA is responsible for 40% and more of adults' total caloric expenditure after a coronary event at all times. Caloric expenditure related to recreational activities and transportation decreased at 6 and 12 months, while caloric expenditure associated with work and home activities increased at 6 and 12 months after completing a CR program. Conclusion. Adults who complete a CR program remain active 6 and 12 months after a coronary event. However, the activities that generate the greatest caloric expenditure vary over time. This finding highlights the importance of promoting physical activity as part of leisure and recreation time in adults, since it is known that its benefit is greater.
ABSTRACT
SUMMARY: In bovines, anatomical observations of the coronary vascular tree describe qualitative characteristics. The objective of this study was to morphometrically characterize the coronary veins and their tributaries in cattle. An arcuate application with 2.0 silk was performed around the ostium of the coronary sinus of 28 bovine hearts and a number 14 catheter was placed, through which semi- synthetic polyester resin and mineral blue color was perfused. In 22 hearts (78.6 %) the great cardiac vein was originated at the cardiac apex. The configuration of the arteriovenous trigone was mainly closed inferior and superior types (50 %). The caliber of the great cardiac vein at the level of the atrioventricular sulcus was 6.7 +/- 1.2 mm. The origin of the left marginal vein was observed in the lower third of the left cardiac margin (53.6 %), its distal caliber was 4.1 +/- 0.8 mm and its drainage was at the level of the great cardiac vein. The middle cardiac vein originated from the cardiac apex in 78.6 % of the samples, emptied mainly into the coronary sinus (82.1 %) and its distal caliber was 4.7 +/- 0.9 mm. Anastomoses occurred in 28.6 % of the hearts, being found in most cases between the middle cardiac vein and the great cardiac vein (50 %), which was significant compared to other anastomoses (p<0.001). The length of the coronary sinus was 42.2 +/- 5.1 mm, its distal caliber was 13.8 +/- 2 mm, and its shape was cylindrical. Myocardial bridges were found in 3 hearts (10.7 %) mainly in the lower third of the middle cardiac vein (66.6 %). Most of the main coronary veins drained into the coronary sinus, with some cases with atypical outlets and the presence of a high percentage of anastomosis that serves to improve cardiac venous drainage in case of venous compression or obstruction.
En bovinos, las observaciones anatómicas de árbol vascular coronario describen características cualitativas. El objetivo de este estudio fue caracterizar morfométricamente las venas coronarias y sus tributarias en bovinos. Se realizó una aplicatura arciforme con seda 2.0 alrededor del ostium del seno coronario de 28 corazones de bovino y se colocó un catéter número 14, a través del cual se perfundió resina de poliéster semisintética y color azul mineral. La vena cardiaca magna se originó en 22 corazones (78,6 %) en el ápex cardiaco. La configuración del trígono arteriovenoso fue principalmente cerrado inferior y superior (50 %). El calibre de la vena cardiaca magna a nivel del surco atrioventricular fue 6,7 +/- 1,2 mm. El origen de la vena marginal izquierda se observó en el tercio inferior del margen izquierdo cardiaco (53,6 %), su calibre distal fue 4,1 +/- 0,8 mm y su desembocadura fue a nivel de la vena cardiaca magna. La vena cardiaca media se originó en el ápex cardiaco en el 78,6 % de las muestras, desembocó principalmente en el seno coronario (82.1 %) y su calibre distal fue 4,7 +/- 0,9 mm. Se presentó anastomosis en el 28,6 % de los corazones, encontrándose en la mayoría de los casos entre la vena cardiaca media y la vena cardiaca magna (50 %), lo cual fue significativo en comparación con otras anastomosis (p<0,001). La longitud del seno coronario fue 42,2 +/- 5,1 mm, su calibre distal fue 13,8 +/- 2 mm y su forma fue cilíndrica. Se encontró puentes miocárdicos en 3 corazones (10,7 %) y en el tercio inferior de la vena cardiaca media (66,6 %). La mayoría de las venas coronarias principales desembocan en el seno coronario, con algunos casos con desembocaduras atípicas y la presencia de un alto porcentaje de anastomosis que sirve para mejorar el drenaje venoso cardiaco en caso de compresión u obstrucción venosa.
Subject(s)
Animals , Cattle , Cattle/anatomy & histology , Coronary Vessels/anatomy & histology , Veins , Cross-Sectional Studies , Coronary Sinus/anatomy & histologyABSTRACT
OBJETIVO: avaliar a contribuição da pandemia por COVID-19 sobre os tempos de atendimento e desfechos clínicos de admissões relacionadas à Síndrome Coronariana Aguda. MÉTODO: Coorte retrospectiva. Os dados foram analisados pelo SPSS, versão 20.0, empregados em testes paramétricos e não paramétricos para comparar os grupos. Aplicado o Modelo linear generalizado para análise multivariada. RESULTADOS: Incluídos 434 pacientes no período pré-pandemia e 430 durante a pandemia. Delta-t foi maior no período durante a pandemia (p=0,003). Não encontramos diferença nos tempos de atendimento e mortalidade. Admissão no período da pandemia (RR1,56; IC95%:1,30-1,87) e ter diagnóstico de cardiopatia isquêmica prévio (RR1,82; IC95%:1,50-2,20) foram associados ao aumento do Delta-t. CONCLUSÃO: Não houve diferença no número de pacientes que acessou a emergência por Síndrome Coronariana Aguda nos períodos analisados. Apesar do Delta-t ter sido maior durante a pandemia, não foram observados piores desfechos clínicos.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on response times and clinical outcomes of acute coronary syndrome admissions. METHOD: Retrospective cohort study. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 with parametric and non-parametric tests for group comparisons. Generalized linear modeling was used for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: 434 patients were included in the pre-pandemic period and 430 during the pandemic. Delta-t was higher during the pandemic period (p=0.003). There were no differences in response times and mortality. Admission during the pandemic period (RR 1.56; 95% CI: 1.30-1.87) and a previous diagnosis of ischemic heart disease (RR 1.82; 95% CI: 1.50-2.20) were associated with increased delta-t. CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in the number of patients presenting to the emergency department with acute coronary syndrome during the periods analyzed. Despite longer Delta-t during the pandemic, no worse clinical outcomes were observed.
ABSTRACT
Introducción: El infarto del miocardio tipo 4a es una complicación del intervencionismo coronario percutáneo que incrementa el estado inflamatorio de los pacientes. Objetivo: Evaluar el valor diagnóstico del conteo absoluto de neutrófilos en la aparición de infarto del miocardio tipo 4a. Métodos: Se realizó una cohorte prospectiva en el Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras. El universo estuvo constituido por 412 pacientes a los que se les realizó intervencionismo coronario percutáneo en el período comprendido de noviembre de 2018 a enero de 2021, la muestra fue de 232 pacientes. Se definieron variables clínicas, anatómicas, e inflamatorias. Resultados: Existieron diferencias significativas entre los pacientes con infarto tipo 4a y los que no tuvieron esta complicación según las variables clínicas: edad, índice de masa corporal, diabetes mellitus, enfermedad renal crónica y disfunción sistólica ventricular. La elevación del conteo absoluto de neutrófilos posterior al proceder con un área bajo la curva de 0,947 tuvo buena capacidad de discriminación de esta complicación (p = 0,000). En el diagnóstico de infarto periproceder el conteo absoluto de neutrófilos fue 7,35 posterior al proceder, tuvo una sensibilidad de 91,3 por ciento una especificidad de 96,2 por ciento. Conclusiones: Los neutrófilos fueron sensibles y específicos para el diagnóstico de infarto del miocardio tipo 4a(AU)
Introduction: Type 4 myocardial infarction is a complication of percutaneous coronary intervention that increases the inflammatory state of patients. Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of the absolute neutrophil count in the occurrence of type 4 myocardial infarction. Methods: A prospective cohort was carried out at Hermanos Ameijeiras Clinical Surgical Hospital. The universe consisted of 412 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention from November 2018 to January 2021, two hundred thirty-two (232) patients form the sample. Clinical, anatomical and inflammatory variables were defined. Results: There were significant differences between patients with type 4 infarction and those who did not have this complication according to the clinical variables such as age, body mass index, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease and ventricular systolic dysfunction. The subsequent elevation of the absolute neutrophil count when proceeding with an area under the 0.947 curve had good ability to discriminate this complication (p = 0.000). In the diagnosis of periprocedural infarction, the absolute neutrophil count was ≥ 7.35 after the procedure, it had 91.3percent sensitivity and 96.2percent specificity. Conclusions: Neutrophils were sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of type 4 myocardial infarction(AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Percutaneous Coronary Intervention/methods , Neutrophils , Prospective Studies , Myocardial Infarction/epidemiologyABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Introduction: There is no consensus on the impact of coronary artery disease in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Therefore, the objective of this study was, in a single-center setting, to evaluate the five-year outcome of transcatheter aortic valve implantation patients with or without coronary artery disease. Methods: All transcatheter aortic valve implantation patients between 2009 and 2019 were included and grouped according to the presence or absence of coronary artery disease. The primary endpoint, five-year all-cause mortality, was evaluated using Cox regression adjusted for age, sex, procedure years, and comorbidities. Comorbidities interacting with coronary artery disease were evaluated with interaction tests. In-hospital complications was the secondary endpoint. Results: In total, 176 patients had aortic stenosis and concomitant coronary artery disease, while 170 patients had aortic stenosis only. Mean follow-up was 2.2±1.6 years. There was no difference in the adjusted five-year all-cause mortality between transcatheter aortic valve implantation patients with and without coronary artery disease (hazard ratio 1.00, 95% confidence interval 0.59-1.70, P=0.99). In coronary artery disease patients, impaired renal function, peripheral arterial disease, or ejection fraction < 50% showed a significant interaction effect with higher five-year all-cause mortality. No significant differences in complications between the groups were found. Conclusion: Five-year mortality did not differ between transcatheter aortic valve implantation patients with or without coronary artery disease. However, in patients with coronary artery disease and impaired renal function, peripheral arterial disease, or ejection fraction < 50%, we found significantly higher five-year all-cause mortality.
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Objective: Recent studies have shown a relationship between adipose tissue and coronary artery disease (CAD). The ABCA1 transporter regulates cellular cholesterol content and reverses cholesterol transport. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) R230C, C-17G, and C-69T and their expression in epicardial and mediastinal adipose tissue in Mexican patients with CAD. Subjects and methods: The study included 71 patients with CAD and a control group consisting of 64 patients who underwent heart valve replacement. SNPs were determined using TaqMan probes. mRNA was extracted using TriPure Isolation from epicardial and mediastinal adipose tissue. Quantification and expression analyses were done using RT-qPCR. Results: R230C showed a higher frequency of the GG genotype in the CAD group (70.4%) than the control group (57.8%) [OR 0.34, 95% CI (0.14-0.82) p = 0.014]. Similarly, C-17G (rs2740483) showed a statistically significant difference in the CC genotype in the CAD group (63.3%) in comparison to the controls (28.1%) [OR 4.42, 95% CI (2.13-9.16), p = 0.001]. mRNA expression in SNP R230C showed statistically significant overexpression in the AA genotype compared to the GG genotype in CAD patients [11.01 (4.31-15.24) vs. 3.86 (2.47-12.50), p = 0.015]. Conclusion: The results suggest that the GG genotype of R230C and CC genotype of C-17G are strongly associated with the development of CAD in Mexican patients. In addition, under-expression of mRNA in the GG genotype in R230C is associated with patients undergoing revascularization.
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Objective: We aimed to analyze the association of diabetes and subclinical hypothyroidism with subclinical atherosclerosis measured by coronary artery calcium (CAC) in the baseline of the ELSA-Brasil study. Materials and methods: CAC was measured using a 64-detector computed tomographic scanner. The association of CAC > 0 was presented as an odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) in logistic models and as β (95%CI) in linear models after multivariable adjustment for confounders. Results: We analyzed 3,809 participants (mean-age (SD) 50.5 (8.8); 51.7% women). In the main analysis, we did not find an association of diabetes and subclinical hypothyroidism with CAC. However, in stratified analysis according to age strata, we found no significative interaction terms, an important heterogeneity between the groups, with the younger age strata showing an association of the group with both diseases and CAC > 0 (OR 7.16; 95%CI, 1.14; 44.89) with a wide but significative 95%CI, suggesting that the smaller number of participants in the younger group may influence the results. Our findings also showed an association of CAC > 0 and log (CAC+1) with diabetes in logistic (OR, 1.31; 95%CI, 1.05-1.63) and linear models (β, 0.24, 0.16, 0.40), respectively. Diabetes was independently associated with CAC > 0 in linear models. Discussion: In conclusion, our results showed a great heterogeneity in stratified analysis based on age in the younger age strata. Although we found no significant interaction factors, the smaller sample size for the analysis may influence the negative findings.
ABSTRACT
Abstract Background The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak has led to radical transformation in social, economic, and healthcare systems. This may lead to profound indirect consequences on clinical presentation and management of patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. Objectives The objective of this study was to describe the characteristics, management, and outcomes of patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation (STEMI), in two tertiary reference hospitals during the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak and compare them with patients admitted in the previous year. Methods We analyzed data from a multicenter STEMI registry from reference centers in the South Region of Brazil from March 2019 to May 2021. The beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak was considered to be March 2020 and compared to the same period in 2019. Only patients with STEMI submitted to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were included in the analysis. Mortality rates were compared with chi-square test. All hypothesis tests had a two-sided significance level of 5%. Results A total of 1169 patients admitted with STEMI were enrolled in our registry, 635 of whom were admitted during the pandemic period. The mean age of our sample was 61.6 (± 12.4) years, and 66.7% of patients were male. Pain-to-door time and door-to-balloon time were longer during the pandemic period. However, there was no difference in mortality rates or major adverse cardiovascular outcomes (MACE). Conclusions We observed a stable incidence of STEMI cases in our registry during the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak with higher pain-to-door time and door-to-balloon time, without any influence on mortality rates however.
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Introduction: The aim of our study is to compare the early and mid-term outcomes of patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy who underwent classic and modified Morrow septal myectomy. Methods: Between 2014 and 2019, 48 patients (24 males; mean age 49.27±16.41 years) who underwent septal myectomy were evaluated. The patients were divided into two groups - those who underwent classic septal myectomy (n=28) and those who underwent modified septal myectomy (n=20). Results: Mitral valve intervention was higher in the classic Morrow group than in the modified Morrow group, but there was no significant difference (P=0.42). Mortality was found to be lower in the modified Morrow group than in the classic Morrow group (P=0.01). In both groups, the mean immediate postoperative gradient was significantly higher than the mean of the 3rd and 12th postoperative months. The preoperative and postoperative gradient difference of the modified Morrow group was significantly higher than of the classic Morrow group (P<0.001). Conclusion: Classic Morrow and modified Morrow procedures are effective methods for reducing left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. The modified Morrow procedure was found to be superior to the classic Morrow procedure in terms of reducing the incidence of mitral valve intervention with the reduction of the left ventricular outflow tract gradient.
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Introduction: Along with cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic cross-clamping time is directly related to the risk of complications after heart surgery. The influence of the time difference between cardiopulmonary bypass and cross-clamping times (TDC-C) remains poorly understood. Objective: To assess the impact of cardiopulmonary bypass time in relation to cross-clamping time on immediate results after coronary artery bypass grafting in the Registro Paulista de Cirurgia Cardiovascular (REPLICCAR) II. Methods: Analysis of 3,090 patients included in REPLICCAR II database was performed. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons outcomes were evaluated (mortality, kidney failure, deep wound infection, reoperation, cerebrovascular accident, and prolonged ventilation time). A cutoff point was adopted, from which the increase of this difference would affect each outcome. Results: After a cutoff point determination, all patients were divided into Group 1 (cardiopulmonary bypass time < 140 min., TDC-C < 30 min.), Group 2 (cardiopulmonary bypass time < 140 min., TDC-C > 30 min.), Group 3 (cardiopulmonary bypass time > 140 min., TDC-C < 30 min.), and Group 4 (cardiopulmonary bypass time > 140 min., TDC-C > 30 min.). After univariate logistic regression, Group 2 showed significant association with reoperation (odds ratio: 1.64, 95% confidence interval: 1.01-2.66), stroke (odds ratio: 3.85, 95% confidence interval: 1.99-7.63), kidney failure (odds ratio: 1.90, 95% confidence interval: 1.32-2.74), and in-hospital mortality (odds ratio: 2.17, 95% confidence interval: 1.30-3.60). Conclusion: TDC-C serves as a predictive factor for complications following coronary artery bypass grafting. We strongly recommend that future studies incorporate this metric to improve the prediction of complications.
ABSTRACT
SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between caregiver burden, family adaptation, partnership, growth, affection, and resolve score, anxiety levels, and the perceived social support of the relatives of patients who had open heart surgery. METHODS: Volunteers among the relatives of patients who had open heart surgery in our cardiovascular surgery clinic and were followed up in the first 3 months were included in the study. The cardiovascular surgeons recorded the sociodemographic data of the relatives of the patients and directed them to a psychiatry clinic for further evaluation. The caregiver burden scale, family adaptation, partnership, growth, affection, and resolve scale, anxiety level scale, and perceived social support scale were applied to the relatives of the patients who participated in the study. RESULTS: Within the scope of the study, a total of 51 individuals, 29.4% (n=15) men and 70.6% (n=36) women, were included in the evaluation. The participants' ages ranged from 32 to 68 years, with an average age of 48 years. There was a statistically significant relationship between the caregiving burden scale score and the scale scores other than age (p<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in terms of caregiving burden scale score, working status, physical and psychological problems, changes in home life, and changes in family relationships (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The fact that the need for security and intimacy is related to anxiety and depression can be interpreted as the caregiving problems of the relatives of the patients who think that their patients are safe and feel closer to the intensive care personnel will decrease. Their depression and anxiety levels will also decrease.
ABSTRACT
Abstract Background: Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a gut microbiota metabolite, is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) development. TMAO can trigger an inflammatory response by inducing the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling cascade and increasing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, contributing to the worsening of CVD. This study aimed to evaluate the association between TMAO plasma levels and inflammation in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out including 29 patients with CAD. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from fasting blood samples, and NF-κB and vascular cell adhesion protein 1 (VCAM1) mRNA expression were estimated using real-time quantitative PCR. We determined TMAO plasma levels by LC-MS/MS and TNF-α by ELISA. Routine biochemical parameters were evaluated using an automatic biochemical analyzer. Correlations were estimated by Spearman or Pearson test. Statistical significance was set at the level of p < 0.05. Results: All patients presented TMAO levels within the normal range according to EUTox (normal range: 2.83 ± 1.53 mg/L; CAD patients: 0.2 [0.1 to 0.2] ng/μL). TMAO plasma levels were positively correlated with NF-κB mRNA expression (0.555; p = 0.002). Conclusion: TMAO plasma levels may be associated with NF-κB mRNA expression in patients with CAD and may contribute to the pathogenesis of this disease.
ABSTRACT
Abstract Background Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is the most common subtype of coronary artery disease (CAD). It is one of the main reasons affecting the expected life expectancy and quality of life. Objetives In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and Hemoglobin (Hb)/Red cell distribution width (RDW) in long-term follow-up after ACS. Methods A total of 1,146 ACS patients were included in the study, being classified according to the type of myocordial infarction (MI). MACE were recorded in long-term follow-up. The relationship between Hb/RDW and MACE was investigated. The statistical analyses of Mann-Whitney U test for comparison of two independent groups and chi-square test for categorical variables were used. In order to determine the diagnostic feature of the HB/RDW ratio, the diagnostic ratios were calculated by applying Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (ROC) analysis. A p < 0.05 value was considered statistically significant in all analyses. Results: When the patients were analyzed according to MI types — ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)/Non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) —, it was observed that Hb/RDW (p = 0.038) was significantly higher in the STEMI group. The Hb/RDW ratio was statistically significant in predicting mortality. As a result of ROC analysis, Area Under the Curve (AUC) = 0.654 (p < 0.001) was found. The cut-off value for the Hb/RDW ratio was calculated as 0.947. The sensitivity and specificity of 76.9% and 48.4% for the diagnostic rates obtained were moderately acceptable. Conclusion The Hb/RDW-long-term mortality relationship was found to be significant in ROC analysis. It can be used in clinical practice as it is cheap, easy to apply, and reduces possible bias in post-ACS follow-up.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: African countries are facing an epidemic of cardiovascular diseases. Information on the quality of acute coronary syndrome care offered in underserved communities in Ghana is limited. Using objective criteria, we examined the quality of acute coronary syndrome care offered to patients presenting to a tertiary referral center in Northern Ghana. Methods: we conducted a retrospective review of patients ≥ 18 years old with acute coronary syndrome managed in Tamale Teaching Hospital. We assessed in-hospital outcomes and the extent of compliance to key performance and quality indicators as contained in the 2017 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology guideline for adults with myocardial infarction. Results: sixty-two (62) patients with a mean age of 56.0 ± 16.1 years were recruited. The median delay to presentation was 24 hours (IQR 15-96 hours). 33.9% had ST-elevation myocardial infarction, of which only 14.3% received reperfusion therapy. About three-quarters of patients received dual antiplatelet therapy at discharge, with fewer patients receiving recommended high-intensity statin therapy (65.5%) or beta-blockers (69.1%). Only 38.2% of patients had their left ventricular ejection fraction documented. No cardiac rehabilitation program existed. Risk stratification of patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction or stress testing for conservatively managed patients was not part of routine practice. Conclusion: acute coronary syndrome management remains a challenging issue in Northern Ghana. Several gaps exist in the care quality, timeliness of interventions and rehabilitation of affected patients. There is an urgent need for measures to improve the delivery of acute coronary syndrome care alongside primary prevention strategies.
Subject(s)
Acute Coronary Syndrome , PrevalenceABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo investigate the application of endoscopy in obtaining the great saphenous vein （GSV） during coronary artery bypass grafting （CABG） and explore the learning curve， with a particular focus on common challenges encountered during the learning process and their impact on early clinical outcomes. MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from 83 patients who underwent off-pump CABG with endoscopic GSV harvesting at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from July 2013 to April 2014. Patients were categorized into four groups based on the chronological order of their hospitalization： Group A （novice group， n=20）， Group B （proficient group， n=20）， Group C （progressive group， n=20）， and Group D （mature group， n=23）. Differences in perioperative and midterm follow-up outcomes among the groups were analyzed to determine the learning curve period. ResultsThe study population had a mean age of （60.22±8.06） years and a mean body weight of （69.77±11.66） kg. Comorbidities included hypertension （24 cases）， diabetes （26 cases）， and subacute cerebral infarction （14 cases）. The novice group exhibited significantly shorter GSV length-to-harvest time ratio relative to the other three groups （P<0.001） and a significantly higher incidence of main vein damage （P=0.006）. However， there was no statistically significant difference in graft patency at the 1-year follow-up. ConclusionThorough and reliable technical training in endoscopic GSV harvesting is essential to minimize vascular injury caused by novice operators. Approximately 20 cases of hands-on experience and a careful self-analysis of procedural challenges are likely required to achieve proficiency in GSV harvesting.
ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo explore the correlation between serum albumin levels and coronary artery calcification （CAC） in patients with early-stage chronic kidney disease （CKD）， as well as the value of serum albumin levels in predicting the incidence and severity of CAC. MethodsThe study included 391 early-stage CKD patients who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography （CTA） at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between January 2019 and December 2022. Demographic and biochemistry data， as well as the coronary CTA results， were collected. Based on the coronary artery calcification score （CACS）， all patients were divided into non-CAC group （CACS=0， n=184） and CAC group （CACS>0， n=207）. All patients were further divided into 3 groups based on the serum albumin levels： group A （serum albumin levels<35 g/L， n=30）， group B （35 g/L≤ serum albumin levels< 40 g/L， n=198） and group C （serum albumin levels≥ 40 g/L， n=163）. Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to investigate the association between serum albumin levels and CAC in early-stage CKD patients. Differences in CAC among groups were analyzed by using post-hoc multiple comparisons and ordinal logistic regression model analysis. ResultsPatients with CAC had significantly lower serum albumin levels than those without CAC （P<0.05）. There was a negative correlation between serum albumin levels and CACS in early-stage CKD patients （P<0.01）， as serum albumin decreased in levels， CAC increased in severity. ConclusionsOur study shows that early-stage CKD patients with lower serum albumin levels have a higher incidence of CAC. Low serum albumin level is an independent risk factor for CAC progression.