A Associação da Relação Proteína C-Reativa/Albumina em Pacientes com Ectasia da Artéria Coronária Isolada / Association of C-Reactive Protein to Albumin Ratio in Patients with Isolated Coronary Artery Ectasia

Resumo Fundamento A ectasia da artéria coronária (EAC) é definida como a dilatação difusa ou localizada do lúmen da artéria coronária com diâmetro de 1,5 a 2,0 vezes o diâmetro da artéria coronária normal adjacente. A relação proteína C-reativa/albumina (CAR, sigla em inglês) é um marcador inflamatório útil que tem sido documentado em doença arterial coronariana. Objetivo Analisar a associação entre a EAC e a CAR. Métodos Um protocolo caso-controle foi utilizado neste estudo. Foram incluídos 102 pacientesconsecutivos com EAC isolada sem estenose (56 homens e 46 mulheres; idade média de 60,4 ± 8,8 anos). O grupo controle era constituido pelo mesmo número de pacientes pareados por sexo e idade com artérias coronárias normais (55 homens e 47 mulheres; idade média de 61,2 ± 9,1 anos). Características clínicas, achados laboratoriais e histórico de uso de medicamentos foram registrados. Foram realizados teste t de Student, teste U de Mann-Whitney, teste do qui-quadrado, análise de regressão linear e logística. Foi considerado estatisticamente significativo p bilateral < 0,05. Resultados A CAR estava aumentada nos pacientes com EAC em comparação com os controles (32 e 16; p < 0,001). Além disso, foi verificado que a CAR era um preditor independente da EAC (razão de chances = 2,202; intervalo de confiança 95%, 1,184 - 5,365; p < 0,001). Conclusão No presente estudo, determinamos que os níveis da CAR estavam significativamente mais altos no grupo EAC que no grupo controle e a CAR estava significativamente correlacionada com a EAC. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)

Abstract Background Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is defined as diffuse or localized dilatation of coronary artery lumen with a diameter of 1.5 to 2.0 times the adjacent normal coronary artery. The C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) is a useful inflammatory marker, which has been documented in coronary artery disease. Objective To analyze the association of CAE and CAR. Methods A case-control protocol was used in this study. We included 102 consecutive patients with isolated CAE without stenosis (56 men and 46 women; mean age 60.4 ± 8.8 years). The control subjects consisted of an equal number of sex and age matched patients with normal coronary arteries (55 men and 47 women; mean age 61.2 ± 9.1 years). Clinical features, laboratory findings, and medication use history were recorded. Student's t test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, and linear and logistic regression analysis were performed. A 2-sided p < 0.05 was statistically considered significant. Results The CAR was increased in patients with CAE compared to the controls (32 and 16; p < 0.001). In addition, the CAR was found to be an independent predictor of CAE (OR = 2.202; 95% CI 1.184 - 5.365; p < 0.001). Conclusion In the present study, we determined that CAR levels were significantly higher in the CAE group than in the control group, and the CAR was significantly correlated with CAE. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)

Association of C-Reactive Protein to Albumin Ratio in Patients with Isolated Coronary Artery Ectasia. / A Associação da Relação Proteína C-Reativa/Albumina em Pacientes com Ectasia da Artéria Coronária Isolada.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is defined as diffuse or localized dilatation of coronary artery lumen with a diameter of 1.5 to 2.0 times the adjacent normal coronary artery. The C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) is a useful inflammatory marker, which has been documented in coronary artery disease. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association of CAE and CAR. METHODS: A case-control protocol was used in this study. We included 102 consecutive patients with isolated CAE without stenosis (56 men and 46 women; mean age 60.4 ± 8.8 years). The control subjects consisted of an equal number of sex and age matched patients with normal coronary arteries (55 men and 47 women; mean age 61.2 ± 9.1 years). Clinical features, laboratory findings, and medication use history were recorded. Student's t test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, and linear and logistic regression analysis were performed. A 2-sided p < 0.05 was statistically considered significant. RESULTS: The CAR was increased in patients with CAE compared to the controls (32 and 16; p < 0.001). In addition, the CAR was found to be an independent predictor of CAE (OR = 2.202; 95% CI 1.184 - 5.365; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In the present study, we determined that CAR levels were significantly higher in the CAE group than in the control group, and the CAR was significantly correlated with CAE. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0).

FUNDAMENTO: A ectasia da artéria coronária (EAC) é definida como a dilatação difusa ou localizada do lúmen da artéria coronária com diâmetro de 1,5 a 2,0 vezes o diâmetro da artéria coronária normal adjacente. A relação proteína C-reativa/albumina (CAR, sigla em inglês) é um marcador inflamatório útil que tem sido documentado em doença arterial coronariana. OBJETIVO: Analisar a associação entre a EAC e a CAR. MÉTODOS: Um protocolo caso-controle foi utilizado neste estudo. Foram incluídos 102 pacientesconsecutivos com EAC isolada sem estenose (56 homens e 46 mulheres; idade média de 60,4 ± 8,8 anos). O grupo controle era constituido pelo mesmo número de pacientes pareados por sexo e idade com artérias coronárias normais (55 homens e 47 mulheres; idade média de 61,2 ± 9,1 anos). Características clínicas, achados laboratoriais e histórico de uso de medicamentos foram registrados. Foram realizados teste t de Student, teste U de Mann-Whitney, teste do qui-quadrado, análise de regressão linear e logística. Foi considerado estatisticamente significativo p bilateral < 0,05. RESULTADOS: A CAR estava aumentada nos pacientes com EAC em comparação com os controles (32 e 16; p < 0,001). Além disso, foi verificado que a CAR era um preditor independente da EAC (razão de chances = 2,202; intervalo de confiança 95%, 1,184 ­ 5,365; p < 0,001). CONCLUSÃO: No presente estudo, determinamos que os níveis da CAR estavam significativamente mais altos no grupo EAC que no grupo controle e a CAR estava significativamente correlacionada com a EAC. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0).

Increased monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio is associated with TIMI risk score in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: The monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR) has recently been proposed as a new predictor and prognostic indicator in cardiovascular disease. The TIMI risk score predicts short-term mortality in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. However, there have been no studies regarding the association between MHR and TIMI score in patients with STEMI. METHODS: A total of 161 patients admitted to our hospital were prospectively enrolled between January 2014 and June 2016. Of these, 111 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of STEMI who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were selected as the STEMI group, and the remaining 50 patients, who had angiographically normal coronary arteries, were selected as the control group. The 111 STEMI patients were then divided into two subgroups based on TIMI scores. RESULTS: MHR was significantly higher in the STEMI group than in the control group (1.71±0.47 vs. 2.21±0.98, p=0.001) and was significantly higher in the high TIMI score group than in the low TIMI score group (1.80±0.59 vs. 2.42±1.09, p=0.001). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, MHR was the only independent predictor of acute STEMI and high TIMI score. In correlation analysis, there was a significant positive correlation between MHR and TIMI score in STEMI patients (r=0.479, p<0.001). The cutoff value of MHR for high TIMI score in patients with STEMI was 2.409, with a sensitivity of 43.06% and a specificity of 87.18% (AUC 0.669; 95% CI 0.569-0.8769; p=0.003) on ROC curve analysis. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that MHR is independently and significantly associated with TIMI score in patients with STEMI. MHR is a novel inflammation-based marker and may be an independent predictor of future cardiovascular events in patients with STEMI.

The Contribution of Whole Blood Viscosity to the Process of Aortic Valve Sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate whether increased whole blood viscosity (WBV) could be an important factor for the occurrence of aortic valve sclerosis (AVS). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 209 patients were enrolled in the study. WBV was calculated using the hematocrit and total plasma protein at a low shear rate (LSR) and a high shear rate (HSR). AVS was defined as irregular valve thickening and calcification (without evidence of outflow obstruction) documented by a peak transvalvular velocity < 2.5 m/s on echocardiographic examination. The patient group consisted of 109 patients with AVS (77 females, 32 males), and 100 subjects without AVS (65 females, 35 males) were assigned to the control group. RESULTS: In the AVS group, WBV values were significantly higher for HSR (17.4 ± 0.5 vs. 17.1 ± 0.7 208 s-1, p < 0.001) and LSR (65.9 ± 12.5 vs. 59.7 ± 16.7 0.5 s-1, p = 0.002). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, WBV at HSR and LSR were independent predictors of AVS (odds ratio, OR: 2.24, 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.38-3.64, p = 0.001; OR: 1.026, 95% CI: 1.006-1.046, p = 0.01, respectively). Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis indicated that a WBV cutoff value of 65.4 at LSR had a sensitivity of 46.8% and a specificity of 60.0% (area under the ROC curve, AUC: 0.615, 95% CI: 0.535-0.696, p = 0.004), and a WBV cutoff value of 17.1 at HSR had a sensitivity of 61.5% and specificity of 53% (AUC: 0.648, 95% CI: 0.571-0.725, p < 0.001) for the prediction of AVS. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that WBV was independently associated with AVS. WBV could be an indicator of inflammation and vessel remodeling without evidence of outflow obstruction.

Association of parathyroid hormone and vitamin D with untreated hypertension: Is it different in white-coat or sustained hypertension?

BACKGROUND: Previous reports about the relationship between a high parathyroid hormone (PTH) and low vitamin D levels with blood pressure in different hypertension groups are conflicting. OBJECTIVE: We studied serum PTH and vitamin D levels in white-coat (WCHT) and sustained hypertension (SHT) patients who had not been on antihypertensive treatment. We also investigated the association between serum PTH and vitamin D levels with respect to blood pressure in SHT and WCHT patients. METHODS: We included 52 SHT patients (54.06 ± 9.2 years, 32 newly diagnosed and 20 previously diagnosed with SHT who had not been treated with antihypertensive medication for 3 months or more), 48 WCHT patients (53.64 ± 9.5 years), and 50 normotensive (NT) healthy controls (53.44 ± 8.4 years) in our study. In addition to routine tests, PTH and vitamin D levels were measured. RESULTS: Serum PTH levels were significantly higher in SHT patients not taking antihypertensive medications than in WCHT patients and NT controls (p = 0.004). Although PTH levels were higher in WCHT than in NT groups, the difference was not statistically significant. In SHT patients, PTH levels showed a positive correlation with office systolic (r = 0.363, p = 0.008), office diastolic (r = 0.282, p = 0.038), home systolic (r = 0.390, p = 0.004), and home diastolic blood pressures (r = 0.397, p = 0.003). Serum vitamin D levels were similar in SHT, WCHT and NT groups. Vitamin D levels were not associated with blood pressures in the entire study group. Furthermore, no significant relation was found between vitamin D and PTH levels in SHT and WCHT groups. CONCLUSION: PTH levels are significantly higher in untreated SHT patients than WCHT patients and NT subjects. However, vitamin D levels are similar in SHT, WCHT and NT groups. There is a significant association between PTH levels and blood pressures suggesting PTH has a role in increase of blood pressure in SHT.

The angiographic aspects of myocardial bridges in Turkish patients who have undergone coronary angiography.

INTRODUCTION: Little is known of the clinical significance of myocardial bridges, which may be recognised as the narrowing of the systolic coronary artery as seen in an angiography. In this study, our goal was to review the literature information about the anatomic aspects, the clinical manifestations and implications, and the angiographic characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The angiographic data of 7200 adult patients undergoing coronary angiography were retrospectively analysed for the diagnosis of myocardial bridge. The main angiographic evidence of a myocardial bridge that we required was the narrowing of a systolic coronary artery resulting in at least 50% reduction of lumen diameter in comparison with the diastolic phase. All coronary angiograms were reviewed independently by at least 2 of the authors and the case was included only if there was a consensus that the myocardial bridge resulted in 50% narrowing or more. RESULTS: Myocardial bridge was present in 29 (0.4%) of the 7200 coronary angiographies. The location of the myocardial bridge was in the left anterior descending coronary artery in 28 cases (96.5%), and the left circumflex coronary artery in 1 case (3.4%). Myocardial bridge was most common in the middle segment of the left anterior descending coronary artery (78.5 %). Each of these patients with myocardial bridge was referred for angiography because of symptom of chest pain alone or symptom of chest pain, palpitations and dyspnoea. Of the 29 patients with myocardial bridge, 2 patients without any symptom, demonstrated ischaemia as assessed by Tc- 99m MIBI myocardial perfusion scintigraphy. CONCLUSION: Chest pain was the common reason for angiography in patients with myocardial bridge. The incidence of myocardial bridge may vary according to population. Myocardial bridge is more frequently found in the middle segment of the left anterior descending coronary artery.

Complications of cardiac catheterization: a single-center study.

In Turkey as well as in the whole world, cardiac catheterization is an invasive intervention that is being increasingly used both for diagnosis and treatment. With technological and pharmacologic development and experience, the indications for this intervention are ever increasing. This invasive intervention brings, of course, some complications with it. These may range from local ones to death. In this study the authors analyzed the local cardiac complications and those related to other systems that they encountered in 10,445 catheterizations conducted for diagnosis and treatment in their clinic over a 26-month period. They found the rate of all complications to be 3.54% (2.05% diagnostic, 9.1% therapeutic). Of these complications, 1.89% (0.80% diagnostic, 6.02% therapeutic) were cardiac, 1.27% (0.97% diagnostic, 2.4% therapeutic) local. They found that the ratios of death were 0.09% for diagnostic interventions, 1.13% for therapeutic interventions, and 0.31% altogether. In the diagnostic group 0.02% required urgent coronary bypass surgery, and 0.41% needed urgent coronary bypass surgery in the therapeutic group. In conclusion, despite the noticeable changes in patient profile and application, the ratios for cardiac catheterization have changed little over the years.

Frequency in the anomalous origin of the left main coronary artery with angiography in a Turkish population.

We estimated the frequency of anatomic variations in origin of the left coronary artery in a Turkish population by analyzing the angiographic data of 10,042 consecutive adult patients undergoing coronary angiography. Among 10,042 adult patients, 5 (0.04%) patients (4 men and 1 woman, age range 40-74, median 58 years old) had anomalous origin of the left main coronary artery. The left main coronary artery arose from the right coronary sinus of Valsalva in 2 (0.019%) patients (both of them had a retro-aortic course), from above the left coronary sinus of Valsalva in 2 (0.019%) patients, and from above the non-coronary (posterior)-left coronary commisure in 1 (0.009%) patient. Anomalous origin of the left main coronary artery is potentially a serious condition, as it can lead to myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death under physical exertion. Therefore, greater effort for early detection and surgical repair of this anomaly are warranted. The angiographic recognition of anomalous origin of this vessel may prove useful for physicians dealing with diagnosis and treatment of anomalies of the left main coronary artery.

Variants in origin of the left circumflex coronary artery with angiography.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the anatomic variations in the origin of the left circumflex coronary artery in a Turkish population. METHOD: This study was carried out at the Sani Konukoklu Medical Center, Gaziantep, Turkey, during the period January 1999 through to May 2001. The angiographic data of 10,042 consecutive adult patients who underwent coronary angiography was analyzed for anomalous origin of the left circumflex coronary artery. RESULTS: Among 10,042 adults patients, 27 (0.3%) had anomalous origin of the left circumflex coronary artery. The left circumflex coronary artery arose from the left coronary sinus of valsalva in 15 (55.5%) patients, from the right coronary sinus of valsalva in 7 (25.9%) patients, and from the proximal part of the right coronary artery in 8 (29.6%) patients. CONCLUSION: The anomalous origin of the left circumflex coronary artery may not always be benign. Therefore, recognition of this anomaly is mandatory to prevent the risk of infarction or sudden death. Special surgical considerations must be made when performing valvular replacement in patients with anomalous left circumflex coronary artery.

Frequency in the anomalous origin of the right coronary artery with angiography in a Turkish population.

OBJECTIVE: The estimate frequency of anatomic variations in origin of the right coronary artery in a Turkish population. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The angiographic data of 5253 consecutive adults patients undergoing coronary angiography were analysed retrospectively for the diagnosis of anomalous origin of the right coronary artery. RESULTS: Among 5253 adults patients, five (0.09%) patients had anomalous origin of the right coronary. They had an isolated anomalous origin of the right coronary artery. The right coronary arose from the left coronary sinus of Valsalva (there was separate orificium for the right coronary artery and the left coronary artery) in two (0.03%) patients, from above the left coronary sinus of Valsalva in three (0.05%) patients. In all patients, the anomalous origin of right coronary artery from the left sinus of Valsalva and from above the left coronary sinus of Valsalva coursed between the aorta and the pulmonary artery. CONCLUSION: The anomalous origin of the right coronary artery is a rare congenital cardiac malformation. Most patients remain asymptomatic. However, there are cases of sudden cardiac death described in the literature, indicating a potentially malign course of the disease. The angiographic recognition of this vessel may be useful for physicians dealing with diagnosis and treatment of the anomaly of the right coronary artery.

Effect of hypertension therapy with the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor lisinopril on hyperandrogenism in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, lisinopril, on serum androgen and sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels in hypertensive women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). DESIGN: Prospective, observational study. SETTING: Infertility Clinic of the Sani Konukoglu Hospital, Gaziantep, Turkey. PATIENT(S): Ten hypertensive women with PCOS. INTERVENTION(S): Lisinopril, 10 mg/day, for 4 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)): Serum levels of gonadotropins, DHEAS, total T, free T, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), androstenedione, E2, SHBG, TSH, and PRL were determined. RESULT(S): Hypertension treatment with lisinopril (10 mg/day for 4 weeks) resulted in a statistically significant decrease in serum free T levels. However, there was no difference in the SHBG levels. CONCLUSION(S): Use of lisinopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, results in decreased free T levels independently of SHBG. It may affect the free T levels by affecting the ovarian renin-angiotensin system.

Single coronary artery arising from the left sinus of valsalva.

A single coronary artery is a rare congenital anomaly of the coronary arteries where only one coronary artery arises from the aortic trunk by a single coronary ostium, supplying the entire heart. We report a case of a 57-year-old woman with atypical chest pain, in whom coronary angiography showed a L-I subtype single coronary artery (arising from a single ostium in the left sinus of valsalva) without associated cardiovascular disease. The clinical significance and subtype of the single coronary artery are discussed.

Single coronary artery arising from the right sinus of Valsalva (case report).

A single coronary artery is a rare congenital anomaly of the coronary arteries where only one coronary artery arises from the aortic trunk by a single coronary ostium, supplying the entire heart. We report a case of a 70 years-old man with mitral valvular insufficiency and atherosclerotic right and left circumflex coronary arteries, in whom coronary angiography showed a single coronary artery arising from a single ostium in the right sinus of Valsalva (R-II-B subtype) and transverse trunk coursed between aorta and pulmonary artery. The clinical significance and subtype of the single coronary artery are discussed.