Chronic statin treatment is a predictor of pre-interventional infarct-related artery patency in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: Beyond lipid-lowering effects, early statin treatment has beneficial effects on prognosis after acute coronary syndrome. Infarct-related artery (IRA) patency before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is known to be a strong pre-dictor of improved clinical outcome. AIM: We aimed to investigate the effects of chronic statin treatment before admission on IRA patency after myocardial infarction. METHODS: In this study, 938 ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients admitted to the hospital within the first 12 h of symptom onset were prospectively enrolled (male, n = 682; female, n = 256; mean age 58.6 ± 12.4 years). All patients underwent emergent primary PCI. Patients were divided into two groups based upon angiographic IRA patency. Impaired IRA patency was defined as Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) grade 0 and 1 flow (non-patent IRA group). Angiographic IRA patency was defined as TIMI 2 and 3 flow (patent IRA group). RESULTS: Previous statin usage was more frequent in the patent IRA group (n = 138; 71.9%), than in the non-patent IRA group (n = 110; 14.7%; p < 0.001). Pre-PCI IRA patency was independently associated with body mass index (odds ra-tio [OR] = 1.087, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.005-1.176, p < 0.001), previous chronic statin use (OR 0.065, 95% CI 0.043-0.098, p = 0.039), ejection fraction (OR 1.041, 95% CI 1.018-1.064, p < 0.001), and SYNTAX score (OR 0.927, 95% CI 0.899-0.957, p < 0.001) in multivariate logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic pre-treatment with statins is a significant predictor of the IRA patency in patients with STEMI.

Oxidative Stress and Spontaneous Reperfusion of Infarct-Related Artery in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

In the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, oxidative stress plays a major role in plaque instability, rupture, and erosion, which subsequently leads to thrombus formation and causes total infarct-related artery (IRA) occlusion. We investigated the relationship between spontaneous reperfusion (SR) of IRA and oxidative stress in patients with anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention. A total of 341 consecutive patients with anterior STEMI were prospectively included in the present study. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to their thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade: SR group (66 patients, TIMI flow 3) and non-SR group (275 patients, TIMI flow 0-2). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, oxidative stress index (ß = 0.868, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.806-0.934, P < .001), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, uric acid, mean platelet volume, Killip 2 to 4 class, and initial SYNTAX score were independently associated with SR. Oxidative stress as well as inflammation may play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of SR in patients with STEMI.

Lower serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level is associated with impaired myocardial performance and left ventricle hypertrophy in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients.

OBJECTIVE: Vitamin D deficiency is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular mortality. The relationship between vitamin D level and left ventricle (LV) myocardial performance index (MPI=Tei index), which incorporates both LV systolic function and diastolic function, was not investigated in previous studies. We hypothesized that vitamin D level may be associated with LV function and geometry. We aimed to investigate the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25 [OH] D) levels and MPI and LV hypertrophy in hypertensive patients with newly diagnosed and preserved ejection fraction. METHODS: We studied 151 sequential newly diagnosed hypertensive subjects who lived in the Çukurova region without known cardiovascular risk factors or overt heart disease (mean age: 62.8±10.4 years). Serum 25 (OH) D was measured using a direct competitive chemiluminescent immunoassay. The patients were divided into two groups according to serum 25 (OH) D level: vitamin D-non-deficient group (vitamin D≥ 20.00 ng/mL, n=53) and vitamin D-deficient group (vitamin D< 20.00 ng/mL, n=98). MPI was defined as the sum of isovolumic contraction and relaxation times divided by the ejection time. LV mass index (LVMI) was calculated by using the Devereux formula and body surface area. RESULTS: MPI and LVMI values were lower and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were higher in patients who were vitamin D-non-deficient than patients who were vitamin D-deficient (p<0.05 for all). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that serum 25 (OH) D was independently associated with MPI (ß=-0.426, p<0.001), LVMI (ß=-0.345, p=<0.001), and LDL (ß=0.140, p<0.026). CONCLUSION: Lower serum 25 (OH) D levels are significantly associated with impaired myocardial performance and LVMI.

Epicardial fat thickness in stable coronary artery disease: its relationship with high-sensitive cardiac troponin T and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide.

OBJECTIVES: Epicardial adipose tissue is related to coronary atherosclerosis, left ventricle hypertrophy, myocardial dysfunction, cardiomyopathy, and inflammation, which produces a variety of cytokines that influence key pathogenic mechanisms of atherogenesis. The main goal of this study is to examine the relationship between epicardial fat thickness (EFT) and cardiovascular risk markers as well as the complexity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with stable CAD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively included 439 stable CAD patients undergoing coronary angiography in the present study (mean age: 62.2±10.7 years). Patients were divided into two groups (EFTlow and EFThigh groups) according to their median EFT values. EFT was evaluated by two-dimensional echocardiography before angiography. The SYNTAX score was calculated in all patients. N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), high-sensitive cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT), uric acid, and other biochemical markers were also measured. RESULTS: Age, SYNTAX score, frequencies of diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension, NT-proBNP, hs-CRP, hs-cTnT, and uric acid levels were higher in EFThigh group compared with the EFTlow group (P<0.05 for all). EFT was associated independently with age (ß=-0.102, P=0.001), diabetes (ß=-0.083, P=0.011), SYNTAX score (ß=0.352, P<0.001), hs-CRP level (ß=0.217, P<0.001), hs-cTnT level (ß=0.197, P<0.001), and NT-proBNP level (ß=0.300, P<0.001) in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: EFT obtained by echocardiograpy may not only be an easy tool but also an important tool for early detection of increased cardiac risk as well as the extent and complexity of CAD in patients with stable CAD.

Estimated glomerular filtration rate is associated with both arterial stiffness and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients.

Even a slight decrease in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Arterial stiffness, left ventricular hypertrophy and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) are independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease, which are particularly common in end-stage renal disease. We aimed to evaluate the association between GFR with arterial stiffness, left ventricle mass (LVM) and NT-proBNP in hypertensive subjects with normal to mildly impaired renal function. The study population consisted of 285 newly diagnosed hypertensive patients (mean age; 49.9 ± 11.8 years). GFR was estimated (eGFR) by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AIx), which reflects arterial stiffness, were calculated using the single-point method via the Mobil-O-Graph® ARCsolver algorithm. LVM was obtained by echocardiography. Plasma NT-proBNP was measured by electrochemiluminescence. The patients were divided into two groups according to the median eGFR value (eGFRlow group <101 ml/min/1.73 m(2) and eGFRhigh group ≥ 101 ml/min/1.73 m(2)). LVM and NT-proBNP values were higher in eGFRlow group compared with eGFRhigh group (p<0.05). Pulse wave velocity and augmentation index values were higher in eGFRlow group compared with eGFRhigh group (p<0.05, for all). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that eGFR was independently associated with PWV (ß=-0.422, p<0.001) and NT-proBNP (ß=-0.404, p<0.001). Present study showed that eGFR was independently associated with PWV and NT-proBNP values. Importantly, these findings may explain, in part, the increase in cardiovascular risk in with slightly impaired renal function.

Increased aortic stiffness predicts contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with stable coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Increased aortic stiffness (AS) has been shown to be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease in renal failure and was also found to be associated with even mild renal insufficiency. We investigated the relationship between contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) and AS parameters such as pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AIx). Patients (n = 440) with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were included prospectively (mean age: 60.3 ± 10.3 years). The PWV and AIx were calculated using the single-point method. The PWV, age, diabetes, SYNTAX score, and contrast media dose were independent predictors for CIN (P < .05, for all). The cutoff value for PWV obtained by the receiver-operator characteristic curve analysis was 10.35 m/s for the prediction of CIN (95% confidence interval: 0.838-0.916, sensitivity: 82.1%, specificity: 77.9%, and P < .001). In conclusion, a greater AS pre-PCI may predict CIN development in patients with stable CAD.

Mean platelet volume associated with aortic distensibility, chronic inflammation, and diabetes in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

We aimed to assess the effective factors on high mean platelet volume (MPV) in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). A total of 411 patients (247 males and 164 females; mean age: 61.7 ± 9.9 years) with angiographically proven CAD were included. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the median MPV value (MPVlow group <9.5 fL and MPVhigh group ≥9.5 fL). The SYNTAX score, high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels, and frequencies of diabetes and hypertension were higher in MPVhigh group compared to MPVlow group. Aortic distensibility (AD) and platelet count of patients in MPVhigh group were lower than patients in MPVlow group (P < .05, for all). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that MPV was independently related with diabetes (ß = 0.135, P = .007), hsCRP (ß = 0.259, P < .001), platelet count (ß = -0.144, P < .001), and AD (ß = -0.425, P < .001). High MPV value is independently related to AD, as well as diabetes, hsCRP, and platelet count in patients with stable CAD.

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level is associated with aortic distensibility and left ventricle hypertrophy in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus.

We aimed to evaluate the association between serum vitamin D status and elastic properties of aorta in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). We studied 136 patients with newly diagnosed DM (mean age: 62.9 ± 10.6 years). Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was measured using a direct competitive chemiluminescent immunoassay. Aortic distensibility was calculated from the echocardiographically derived ascending aorta diameters and haemodynamic pressure measurements. Left ventricle mass index (LVMI) was determined according to the Devereux formula. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that vitamin D level is independently associated with LVMI (ß = -0.259, p = 0.001), aortic distensibility (ß = 0.369, p < 0.001), high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (ß = -0.220, p = 0.002) and body mass index (ß = -0.167, p = 0.015) in patients with DM. In diabetic patients, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level is independently associated with aortic distensibility. Vitamin D may play a role on pathogenesis of impaired elastic properties of aorta in type 2 DM.

DNA damage and oxidative status in newly diagnosed, untreated, dipper and non-dipper hypertensive patients.

DNA damage occurs more often in hypertensive patients than in non-hypertensive individuals. We sought to investigate lymphocyte DNA damage and total antioxidant status (TAS) levels in patients with dipper hypertension (DH) and non-dipper hypertension (NDH). Thirty-three patients with NDH (NDH group), 31 patients with DH (DH group) and 20 healthy volunteers (control group) were included in the study. Measurements from ambulatory blood pressure monitoring were obtained for all subjects. DNA damage was assessed in peripheral lymphocytes by comet assay, and plasma TAS levels were determined using an automated measurement method. The mean DNA damage value of the NDH group was higher than that of both the DH and control groups (P=0.002 and P<0.001, respectively). The mean DNA damage value of the DH group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.001). The mean TAS level of the NDH group was lower than that of both the DH and control groups (P=0.001 and P<0.001, respectively), and the mean TAS level of the DH group was lower than that of the control group (P<0.001). DNA damage was negatively associated with TAS level (r=-0.692, P<0.001) and positively associated with high sensitive c-reactive protein level (r=0.315, P=0.012). DNA damage increased in the NDH group compared with both the DH group and control group. This condition may be related to increased oxidative stress in the NDH group compared with the DH and control groups.

Relationship between myocardial performance index and severity of coronary artery disease assessed with SYNTAX score in stable coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) assessed with SYNTAX score (SS) and myocardial performance index (MPI) in stable CAD. METHODS: The study participants consisted of 106 consecutive patients (mean age: 57.6 ± 9.5 years) with angiographically proven obstructive stable CAD and 30 patients with nonobstructive CAD (control group) (mean age: 58.0 ± 7.6 years). The MPI was calculated by using pulsed-wave Doppler before coronary angiography. Coronary angiography was performed in all patients. The SS was prospectively calculated in 106 obstructive CAD patients. Patients were partitioned into 3 groups based on SS. Frequencies of risk factors, biochemical and hematological data were recorded in all patients. RESULTS: The SS tertiles were defined as SS(low) ≤ 8 (n = 35), SS(mid) ≤ 17 (n = 36), and SS(high) > 17 (n = 35). The patients with SS(high) group (mean MPI; 0,48 ± 0.06) based on SS had significantly higher MPI values compared with the SS(mid) (mean MPI; 0,44 ± 0.05), SS(low) (mean MPI; 0.43 ± 0.06), and control (mean MPI; 0.41 ± 0.05) groups (P < 0.05 for all). The MPI levels of control group were also lower than compared with SS(mid) group (P = 0.006). The MPI value was significantly correlated with SS (r = 0.564, P < 0.001), diabetes (r = 0.355, P < 0.001), hypertension (r = 0.326, P < 0.001), and ejection fraction (EF) (r = -0.224, P = 0.018) in bivariate analysis. Multivariate regression analysis showed that MPI was independently associated with SS (ß = 0.486, P < 0.001) and diabetes (ß = 0.205, P = 0.028). CONCLUSION: Although the normal EF, MPI value was impaired in proportion to the severity of CAD in patients with stable CAD.

Uric acid and high sensitive C-reactive protein are associated with subclinical thoracic aortic atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The detection of atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a marker of diffuse atherosclerotic disease. Hyperuricemia is a well-recognized risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. However, no data are available concerning the relationship between serum uric acid (UA) and subclinical thoracic aortic atherosclerosis. We aimed to investigate the association between thoracic aortic atherosclerosis and serum UA level. METHODS: We studied 181 patients (mean age 46.3 ± 8 years) who underwent TEE for various indications. Four different grades were determined according to intima-media thickness (IMT) of thoracic aorta. UA and other biochemical markers were measured with an automated chemistry analyzer. RESULTS: TEE evaluation characterized thoracic aortic intimal morphology as Grade 1 in 69 patients, Grade 2 in 52 patients, Grade 3 in 31 patients, and Grade 4 in 29 patients. The highest UA level was observed in patients with Grade 4 IMT when compared with Grade 1 and 2 IMT groups (p<0.001 and p=0.014, respectively). UA levels in patients with Grade 3 and Grade 2 IMT were also higher than patients with Grade 1 IMT group (p<0.001, for all). In multiple linear regression analysis, IMT was independently associated with UA level (ß=0.350, p<0.001), age (ß=0.219, p=0.001), total cholesterol (ß=-0.212, p=0.031), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (ß=0.350, p=0.001), and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels (ß=0.148, p=0.014). CONCLUSION: Uric acid and hsCRP levels are independently and positively associated with subclinical thoracic atherosclerosis.