ABSTRACT
Prompt diagnosis of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is essential for initiating timely treatment. MicroRNAs have recently emerged as biomarkers in cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the discriminatory capacity of serum microRNAs in identifying an ischemic origin in patients presenting with chest discomfort to the Emergency Department. The study included 98 participants (78 with STEMI and 20 with nonischemic chest discomfort). Significant differences in the expression levels of miR-133b, miR-126, and miR-155 (but not miR-1, miR-208, and miR-208b) were observed between groups. miR-133b and miR-155 exhibited 97% and 93% sensitivity in identifying STEMI patients, respectively. miR-126 demonstrated a specificity of 90% in identifying STEMI patients. No significant associations were found between microRNAs and occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). However, patients with MACE had higher levels of interleukin (IL)-15, IL-21, IFN-γ-induced protein-10, and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide compared to non-MACE patients. Overall, there were significant associations among the expression levels of microRNAs. However, microRNAs did not demonstrate associations with either inflammatory markers or cardiovascular risk scores. This study highlights the potential of microRNAs, particularly miR-133b and miR-126, as diagnostic biomarkers for distinguishing patients with STEMI from those presenting with nonischemic chest discomfort to the Emergency Department.
ABSTRACT
Objective: The aim of the study was to assess whether a recent SARS-CoV-2 infection could by itself be a risk or prognostic factor for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Method: An observational study in unvaccinated patients with STEMI confirmed by cardiac catheterization was conducted. A recent or concurrent SARS-CoV-2 infection was identified by the presence of serum IgG against the nucleocapsid protein, or a positive polymerase chain reaction test on nasopharyngeal swabs. Baseline cardiovascular risk factors, clinical STEMI severity, main catheterization findings, and occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) during hospitalization were compared between study subgroups. Results: Of a total of 89 patients recruited, 14 (16%) had a recent SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients with STEMI and recent SARS-CoV-2 infection had a markedly lower frequency of high blood pressure (20% versus 55%; P = 0.03) as well as a tendency to have fewer comorbidities. Regarding the clinical presentation, there were no differences in the severity of the STEMI. Furthermore, the main findings during cardiac catheterization including the atherosclerotic burden and the number of vessels affected, as well as the occurrence of MACE during follow-up, were not significantly different between the groups. Conclusions: A recent SARS-CoV-2 infection appears to facilitate the triggering of STEMI, as these patients have fewer traditional cardiovascular risk factors than their uninfected counterparts. However, this does not seem to affect the clinical presentation or the in-hospital course of STEMI patients.
