Diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular manifestations of COVID-19: a narrative review.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) was the main pathogen in the COVID-19 pandemic. This viral infection has been associated with several respiratory and non-respiratory complications contributing to a higher mortality rate, especially in patients with underlying heart diseases worldwide. Once considered a respiratory tract disease, it is now well-known that COVID-19 patients may experience a wide range of cardiac manifestations. Because of its remarkable direct and indirect effects on the cardiovascular system, herein, we examined the published literature that studied the hypothetical mechanisms of injury, manifestations, and diagnostic modalities, including changes in molecular biomarkers with a predictive value in the prognostication of the disease, as well as emerging evidence regarding the long-term cardiac complications of the disease.

Association of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) with angiographic SYNTAX score in patients with non-ST-Segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS).

Introduction: Considering the role of inflammation in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, we aimed to investigate the association of presentation neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) with complexity of coronary artery lesions determined by SYNTAX score in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS). Methods: From March 2018 to March 2019, we recruited 202 consecutive patients, who were hospitalized for NSTE-ACS and had undergone percutaneous coronary intervention in our hospital. The association of presentation NLR with SYNTAX score was determined in univariate and multivariate linear regression analysis. Results: Higher NLR was significantly associated with higher SYNTAX score (beta = 0.162, P = 0.021). In addition, older age, having hypertension, higher TIMI score, and lower ejection fraction on echocardiographic examination were significantly associated with higher SYNTAX score. TIMI score had the largest beta coefficient among the studied variables (TIMI score beta = 0.302, P < 0.001). In two separate multivariate linear regression models, we assessed the unique contribution of NLR in predicting SYNTAX score in patients with NSTE-ACS. In the first model, NLR was significantly contributed to predicting SYNTAX score after adjustment for age, sex, and hypertension as covariates available on patient presentation (beta = 0.142, P = 0.040). In the second model, NLR was not an independent predictor of SYNTAX score after adjustment for TIMI score (beta = 0.121, P = 0.076). Conclusion: In NSTE-ACS, presentation NLR is associated with SYNTAX score. However, NLR does not contribute significantly to the prediction of SYNTAX score after adjustment for TIMI score. TIMI risk score might be a better predictor of the SYNTAX score in comparison to NLR.

Association between Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and the Systemic Inflammatory Immunologic Index and the Angiographic SYNTAX Score and the TIMI Flow Grade in Acute STEMI: A Cohort Study.

Background: In patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), it is essential to determine the complexity of coronary lesions on presentation and predict the risk of no-reflow after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). Given that inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, using inflammatory indices might be helpful in this setting. Methods: This prospective cohort study recruited 200 consecutive patients with STEMI who underwent pPCI. The presentation neutrophil-to-lymphocyte-ratio (NLR) and the systemic inflammatory immunologic index (SII), calculated using the formula platelets × neutrophils/lymphocytes, were recorded. Study outcomes included the SYNTAX score and the TIMI flow grade before and after pPCI. The associations between the NLR and the SII and the study outcomes were investigated using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results: Among 200 patients at a mean age of 59.85±11.23 years, 160 (80.0%) were male and 40 (20.0%) were female. The NLR and SII values were not statistically different between the 3 SYNTAX subgroups. While the mean NLR and SII values were similar between the patients with preprocedural TIMI flow grades 0/1 and 2/3, the mean NLR and SII were significantly lower in the group with a postprocedural TIMI flow grade 3. After adjustments for age and sex, the NLR and the SII were independent predictors of postprocedural no-reflow. Conclusion: In patients with STEMI, the presentation NLR and SII are useful for predicting the risk of no-reflow after pPCI. However, the NLR and the SII are not predictors of the SYNTAX score and the preprocedural TIMI flow grade.

The predictive value of the epicardial adipose thickness in the rate of expansion of the aortic root.

BACKGROUND: Epicardial adipose tissue (ECAT) is metabolically active and is involved in the development of atherosclerosis. The thickness of ECAT has been positively correlated with the dimensions of the ascending aorta. We aimed to examine whether ECAT thickness predicted the expansion of the aortic dimensions. METHODS: The imaging results of patients who had undergone transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) examinations more than twice during the period 2005-2015 were surveyed. We included adult patients who had undergone TTE examinations at least 1 year apart. The ECAT was measured in the parasternal long-axis view from the index TTE study. End-diastolic dimensions in three consecutive beats were averaged for all measurements. The annulus, root, and sinotubular junction (STJ) were also measured. The amount of increase (if any) in aortic dimensions per year was calculated and the correlation of this increase with the initial thickness of the ECAT was analyzed. RESULTS: In total, 429 examinations were performed with 197 patients (17 females), from which 394 examinations were analyzed. The ECAT thickness was 8.6 ± 3.6 mm. In the initial examinations, the annulus, STJ, and root measured 23 ± 4, 28 ± 4, and 34 ± 4 mm, respectively. In univariate analysis, for every 1 mm of ECAT thickness, the STJ expanded 0.056 (95% CI: 0.001-0.112 mm/year; p = 0.030) and the aortic root expanded 0.088 mm/year (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, ECAT thickness remained an independent predictor of the aortic root expansion. For every 1­mm increase in ECAT thickness, the aortic root expanded by 0.036 mm (95% CI: 0.010-0.062) per year (p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: The thickness of the ECAT is a predictor of more rapid increases in the dimensions of the aortic root. Further studies of patients with established aortic aneurysm are warranted.

Predictors of ST Depression Resolution in STEMI Patients Undergoing Primary PCI and Its Clinical Significance.

PURPOSE: ST depression resolution (STD-R) in ECG is a prognostic factor indicative of successful fibrinolysis or angioplasty in the treatment of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and subsequent mortality. We conducted this study to determine the clinical significance of STD-R and its predictors in patients with anterior STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous intervention (PPCI). METHODS: Admission documents of all patients with diagnosis of anterior STEMI who were admitted to a specialty heart center and underwent PPCI since July 2018 until July 2019 were examined. The amount of ST elevation and depression in all 12 leads of a standard ECG at admission and 90 minutes after PPCI was measured and resolution was determined. All patients were followed-up for 10.8±4.0 months. RESULTS: A total of 179 patients had ST depression besides elevation in the first ECG. Female gender, diabetes, not smoking, lower hemoglobin, and higher platelet counts were significantly more common in the group with less than 50% resolution of ST depression. STD-R <50% was significantly associated with the incidence of in-hospital acute heart failure and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (p value: 0.025 and 0.012, respectively) and resolution of ST elevation ≥50% was associated with reduced in-hospital mortality (p value <0.0001). According to Kaplan-Meier curve, survival in the two groups of STE-R ≥50% and STE-R <50% was significantly different (Log rank: 31.18, p value<0.0001). CONCLUSION: STD-R can be considered to have high predictive power, like STE-R for predicting incidence of in-hospital acute heart failure and major adverse cardiac events.

Nicotine and smoking in the COVID-19 era.

Introduction: The knowledge regarding the demographic characteristics of patients with Covid-19 and risk factors distribution is still evolving. Considering the role of cigarette smoking in the pathogenesis of lung diseases and the effect of nicotine on expression of the entry receptor for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), it is important to determine the implications of smoking in COVID-19. Methods: In this brief report, by using the published articles in the literature, we aimed to compare the reported prevalence of smoking in patients with COVID-19 to the prevalence of smoking in the general population of the corresponding report. Binomial tests were conducted and a P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among the screened papers, we found 12 peer-reviewed articles in which epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 patients, including smoking status, were stated. Based on the descriptive reports of characteristics of COVID-19 patients, we observed a significantly lower proportion of COVID-19 patients with smoking history compared to what is expected, given the population average for each study's geographic area. Conclusion: This analysis of available data showed a lower prevalence of smoking in COVID-19 patients in comparison to the regional average. Considering the limitations of the study, the results should be interpreted with great caution and be viewed just as a preliminary report to motivate related basic and clinical researches.

Prognostic value of platelet indices in patients with acute pulmonary thromboembolism.

Introduction: Given the role of platelets in thrombus formation, markers of platelet activation may be able to predict outcomes in patients with acute pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). Methods: In a prospective cohort study, 492 patients with acute PTE were enrolled. Patients were evaluated for platelet indices including mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), and platelet-lymphocyte-ratio (PLR), as well as for the simplified Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (PESI) risk score. The primary endpoint was in-hospital all-cause mortality. Major adverse cardiopulmonary events (MACPE, composite of mortality, thrombolysis, mechanical ventilation and surgical embolectomy during index hospitalization) and all-cause death during follow-up were secondary endpoints. Results: MPV, PDW and PLR were 9.9±1.0 fl, 13.5±6.1%, and 14.7±14.5, respectively, in the total cohort. Whilst MPV was higher in those with adverse events (10.1±1.0 vs 9.9±1.0 fl; P= 0.019), PDW and PLR were not different between two groups. MPV with a cut-off point of 9.85 fl had a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 50% in predicting in-hospital mortality, but it had lower performance in predicting MACPE (Area under the curve: AUC 0.58; 95%CI 0.52-0.63) or long-term mortality (AUC 0.54; 95% CI 0.47-0.61). The AUC for all these three markers were lower than the AUC calculated for the simplified PESI score (0.80; 0.71-0.88). Conclusion: Platelet indices had only fair-to-good predictive performance in predicting in-hospital all-cause death. Established PTE risk scoring models such as simplified PESI outperform these indices in predicting adverse outcomes.

Biomarkers in diagnosing and treatment of acute heart failure.

Acute heart failure (AHF) is a complex disorder involving different pathophysiological pathways. In recent years, there is an increased focus on biomarkers that help with diagnosis, risk stratification and disease monitoring of AHF. Finding a reliable set of biomarkers not only improves morbidity and mortality but it can also potentially reveal the new targets of therapy. In this paper, we have reviewed the biomarkers found useful for the diagnosis as well as for risk stratification and prognostication in patients with AHF. We have discussed the established biomarkers for AHF including cardiac troponins and natriuretic peptides and emerging biomarkers including adiponectin, mi-RNA, sST2, Gal-3, MR-proADM, OPG, CT-proAVP and H-FABP for the purposes of making diagnosis, their use as a guide of therapy or for determination of prognosis.

The impact of cigarette smoking on infarct location and in-hospital outcome following acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Introduction: Smoking, which is a major modifiable risk factor for coronary artery diseases, affects cardiovascular system with different mechanisms. We designed this study to investigate the association of smoking with location of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and short-term outcomes during hospitalization. Methods: In 1017 consecutive patients with anterior/inferior STEMI, comprehensive demographic, biochemical data, as well as clinical complications and mortality rate, were recorded. Patients were allocated into two groups based on smoking status and compared regarding the location of myocardial infarction, the emergence of clinical complications and in-hospital mortality in univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: Among 1017 patients, 300 patients (29.5%) were smoker and 717 patients (70.5 %) were non-smoker. Smokers were significantly younger and had lower prevalence of diabetes, hyperlipidemia and hypertension. Inferior myocardial infarction was considerably more common in smokers than in non-smokers (45.7% vs. 36%, P = 0.001). Heart failure was developed more commonly in non-smokers (33.9% vs. 20%, P = 0.001). In-hospital mortality was significantly lower in smokers (6.7% vs. 17.3%, P = 0.001). After adjustment for confounding variables, smoking was independently associated with inferior myocardial infarction and lower heart failure [odds ratio: 1.44 (1.06-1.96), P = 0.01 and odds ratio: 0.61 (0.40-0.92), P = 0.02, respectively]. However, in-hospital mortality was not associated with smoking after adjustment for other factors [odds ratio: 0.69 (0.36-1.31), P = 0.2]. Conclusion: Smoking is independently associated with inferior myocardial infarction. Although smokers had lower incidence of heart failure, in-hospital mortality was not different after adjustment for other factors.

The value of negative stress echocardiography in predicting cardiovascular events among adults with no known coronary disease.

Introduction: Stress echocardiography is a safe and cost-effective method of evaluating the patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the risk factors of an adverse cardiovascular event after a normal exercise (ESE) or dobutamine (DSE) stress echocardiography are not well established. Methods: A cohort of 705 patients without previous history of CAD and a negative ESE/DSE was studied. All studies were performed in a high-volume echocardiologic laboratory and interpreted by two experienced echocardiography-trained cardiologists. Patients with inconclusive studies and those with an evidence of myocardial ischemia were excluded. Demographic, echocardiographic and hemodynamic findings were recorded. Patients were followed for at least 2 years. Independent predictors of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were determined by regression analysis. Results: During a period of 55.7±17.5 months, MACE occurred in 35 (5.0%) of patients. Negative predictive value (NPV) of DSE was 89.2%, which was significantly less than 96.5% for ESE in predicting the occurrence of MACE (P = 0.001). MACE occurred more frequently among older (≥65 years) men with preexisting diabetes, hypertension, and/or hyperlipidemia. During ESE, a higher maximum blood pressure*heart rate product for the achieved level of metabolic equivalent (METS) of tasks was also an independent predictor of MACE. Conclusion: Inability of patients to undergo traditional ESE that led to the choice of using DSE alternative reduces the NPV of the stress echocardiography among patients without previous history of CAD. A modest rise of heart rate and blood pressure in response to increased level of activity serves as favorable prognostic value and improves the NPV of stress echocardiography.

Prediction Model for Significant Bleeding in Patients with Supratherapeutic International Normalized Ratio After Oral Administration of Warfarin.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The use and range of indications for anticoagulation therapy are steadily growing. The objective of this study was to develop a scoring model to predict the occurrence of significant bleeding in patients taking warfarin with a supra-therapeutic international normalized ratio. METHODS: Data were collected from the medical records of patients taking warfarin with an international normalized ratio > 3.5. The characteristics of bleeding episodes and the need for transfusion of blood products were recorded. Regression models were constructed to predict the occurrence of significant bleeding (requiring a transfusion of more than 2 units of packed red blood cells, intrapericardial or intracranial hemorrhage). The predictive values of previously published scores (ATRIA: anemia, hypertension, severe renal disease, age ≥ 75 years, or prior bleeding history; and ORBIT: old, reduced hemoglobin, bleeding history, kidney insufficiency or antiplatelet treatment) were compared with our New Bleeding Score (NBLDSCOR); the areas under the curve for the receiver-operating characteristic plots were compared using a non-parametric DeLong test. RESULTS: Significant bleeding was reported in 87 out of 389 admitted patients. With an area under the curve of 0.736 ± 0.032, NBLDSCOR was the best predictor of significant bleeding in this population. Neither ATRIA nor ORBIT was a good predictor of significant bleeding, where the area under the curve for the receiver-operating characteristic plot for ATRIA was 0.654 ± 0.034 and for ORBIT was 0.604 ± 0.033. The predictive power of NBLDSCOR was superior to ATRIA and ORBIT (p < 0.001), while there was no meaningful difference in the predictive powers of ATRIA and ORBIT. CONCLUSION: The NBLDSCOR including age, negative Rhesus factor, low hemoglobin, renal impairment, and concomitant peptic ulcer and disseminated cancer is a good predictor of significant bleeding in this patient population.

The association between severe mitral stenosis and the size of the aortic root and the ascending thoracic aorta.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the role of isolated rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS) in remodeling of the aorta at various locations. METHODS: In this prospective study, patients who were to undergo transesophageal echocardiography for various indications were screened. The study participants were classified into 2 groups according to the presence of MS with a valve area ≤1.5 cm2. Factors associated with the index dimensions of the aorta at the levels of the annulus, root, sinotubular junction (STJ), and the proximal ascending portion (5 cm from the annulus) were evaluated. Multivariate linear models were constructed including factors that affect the size of the aorta at any of the aforementioned levels. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to investigate the association between mitral valve area, mitral valve gradient, and dimensions of the aorta. RESULTS: A total of 179 men and 354 women were enrolled. Eighty-four patients had MS (15.8%). The patients with MS were younger and less likely to have hypertension. In univariate analysis, patients with MS had a smaller annulus and STJ (p=0.003 and p=0.043, respectively). Multivariate analysis indicated that MS was correlated with a smaller indexed size of the aortic annulus, yielding a regression coefficient value of 0.541 (p=0.005). CONCLUSION: The presence of significant stenosis at the level of the mitral valve is associated with a smaller diameter in the aortic annulus. It is yet to be clarified whether this phenomenon occurs due to chronic, long-standing, low stroke volume or involvement of the aortic annulus in the fibrotic process of mitral disease.

Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio is a marker of survival and cardiac complications rather than patency following revascularization of lower extremities.

The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), as a marker of inflammation, is associated with the severity of peripheral artery disease (PAD). The role of the NLR on predicting future complications after elective revascularization for patients with PAD remains unknown. We aimed to examine the role of the NLR in the development of major adverse limb events (MALE) and the long-term mortality of these patients. We evaluated 1708 revascularization procedures from May 2001 to December 2015 at the Veterans Affairs Western New York Healthcare System from a prospectively maintained vascular database that included demographics, comorbidities and pre-procedural medications. Peri-procedural laboratory findings including complete blood cell count and metabolic panel were further retrieved from the electronic health record. The NLR was calculated, and the patients were categorized into tertiles according to NLR cut-off points. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to determine MALE and 10-year mortality. The primary endpoint of the study was MALE, and the secondary endpoint included 10-year mortality. A total of 1228 patients were included for final analyses. Patients in the third NLR tertile were more likely to experience MALE during the follow-up period ( p<0.001). In addition, fewer patients in tertile 3 survived over the follow-up period compared to tertiles 1 and 2 ( p<0.0001). Patients in tertile 3 tended to be older with a higher frequency of hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure. Our multivariate analysis demonstrated that the NLR was independently associated with higher rates of MALE in the affected vessels following revascularization procedures. Similarly, the NLR was revealed to be an independent predictor of higher long-term mortality in these patients.

Effect of trabeculectomy on ocular higher-order aberrations in patients with open angle glaucoma.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of trabeculectomy on ocular higher-order aberrations following surgery in a group of patients with open angle glaucoma. METHODS: In this prospective study, patients with primary open angle glaucoma underwent wavefront aberrometry before trabeculectomy with mitomycin-C. Coma-like, spherical-like, and total ocular higher-order aberrations were measured as root mean square values. The measurements were repeated 1 month and 3 months after the procedure. RESULTS: A total of 20 eyes from 20 patients were examined. There was a significant decrease in intraocular pressure following surgery at 1 month and 3 months postoperatively. However, there was no statistically significant change in the spherical equivalent of the eyes. One month after surgery, a significant change in coma-like, spherical-like, and total higher-order aberrations of the eyes was observed. However, the repeated measurements performed 3 months after procedure revealed no significant difference compared to the baseline values. CONCLUSION: Ocular higher-order aberrations increased 1 month following trabeculectomy surgery. However, this effect seems to be transient, as the values returned to the preoperative measurement 3 months after the procedure.

Prognostic value of positive T wave in lead aVR in patients with non-ST segment myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Lead aVR provides prognostic information in various settings in patients with ischemia. We aim to investigate the role of a positive T wave in lead aVR in non-ST segment myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). METHODS: In a prospective cohort study, we included 400 patients with NSTEMI. Presentation electrocardiogram (ECG) was investigated for presence of a positive T wave as well as ST segment elevation (STE) in aVR and study variables were compared. Predictors of primary outcome defined as hospital major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and secondary outcome, defined as three-vessel coronary disease and/or left main coronary artery stenosis (3VD/LMCA) stenosis in angiography, were determined in multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Patients with a positive T wave in aVR were significantly older and were more likely to be female. Left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly lower in patients of positive T group. Positive T group was more likely to have 3VD/LMCA stenosis (58.3% vs. 19.8%, p < .001). The prevalence of a positive T wave in aVR was significantly higher in MACE group (54.9 % vs. 24.8%, p < .001). However, in multivariate analysis, it was not an independent predictor of MACE (OR: 1.083 95% CI: [0.496-2.365], p: .841). Though, it was independently associated with presence of 3VD/LMCA stenosis (OR: 3.747 95% CI: [2.058-6.822], p < .001). CONCLUSION: Though positive T wave in lead aVR was more common in patients with MACE; it was not an independent predictor. Additionally, a positive T wave in aVR was an independent predictor of 3VD/LMCA stenosis in NSTEMI.

Fine versus coarse atrial fibrillation in rheumatic mitral stenosis: The impact of aging and the clinical significance.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) as the most rhythm disturbance in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS), is classified in to coarse and fine subtypes according to the height of fibrillatory wave amplitude. The aim of this study is to identify the factors associated with the presence of fine versus coarse morphology in patients with rheumatic MS. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, patients with confirmed diagnosis of severe rheumatic MS admitted between March 2013 and March 2017 were screened. Patients were categorized to sinus rhythm (SR) and AF rhythm (coarse and fine subtypes) groups according to the admission electrocardiogram. The association between various clinical and echocardiographic factors and the development of fine versus coarse AF were examined. RESULTS: Among 754 patients with the diagnosis of rheumatic MS, 288 (198 female) were found to have AF (38%). Among them 206 (71.5%), and 82 (28.5%) patients had fine and coarse morphology respectively. Patient in these two groups were quite similar in terms of echocardiographic parameters and comorbidities. However, patients with fine morphology AF were significantly older. (p-Value=.007). CONCLUSION: Coarse morphology of AF is common in patients with rheumatic MS. While echocardiographic or most clinical parameters do not seem to associate with the occurrence of coarse or fine morphology, age seems to be the only independent factor correlated with the presence of fine subtype of AF in this population.

platelet-lymphocyte ratio in prediction of outcome of acute heart failure.

AIM: To examine the role of the ratios of platelet or neutrophil to lymphocyte count (PLR or NLR) in predicting hospital death and long-term mortality in acute heart failure (AHF). Methods & materials: The records of 554 admissions from 354 patients discharged from VAWNY with AHF between 2011 and 2015 were reviewed. The associations between admission PLR or NLR and hospital and long-term mortality were assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: PLR was similar regarding hospital mortality. Long-term mortality was higher in the third tertile PLR (PLR >210; p = 0.034). Neither PLR nor NLR was an independent predictor of mortality. CONCLUSION: Although higher PLR was associated with long-term mortality, it failed to independently predict the prognosis of AHF.

Air pollution and admissions due to ST elevation myocardial infarction-a time-series study from northwest of Iran.

We investigated the association between the levels of air pollutants and the number of daily admissions due to ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in a metropolitan in the northwest of Iran. Daily concentrations of common air pollutants were obtained for the greater city of Tabriz for a period of 2 years. These reports included sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen byproducts (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), and particulate matters < 10 µm (PM10). The census of admissions for STEMI was retrieved for the same period from hospital registries. The association of daily variations in air pollutant levels and the daily number of STEMI admissions were investigated in a time-series analysis. In the multi-pollutant model adjusting for long-term trend, seasonality, and temperature, a significant association was found for 1-h [NO2] and 24-h [CO]. A marginally significant association was observed for 24-h [NO2] and 8-h [CO]. The 24-h [CO] had the strongest association with the number of admissions with STEMI. Maximum 1-h concentrations of NO2 on the same day and on the prior day as well as 24-h concentrations of CO on the prior day were independently associated with increased number of STEMI admissions. However, daily concentrations of SO2, NO, O3, and PM10 were not associated with the frequency of hospital admissions for STEMI.

Higher Frequency of Nocturnal Blood Pressure Dipping but Not Heart Rate Dipping in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

BACKGROUND: Masked hypertension (MHTN) and lack of nocturnal dipping in blood pressure (BP) have been linked to the state of inflammation. AIMS: We aimed to assess the frequency of nocturnal patterns of BP and heart rate (HR) in patients with IBD. METHODS: Sixty-three normotensive patients with confirmed IBD during remission and 63 healthy subjects were enrolled in a case-control study. All subjects were monitored for BP and HR over a period of 24 h under ambulatory setting. Means for BP and HR were calculated for nighttime and daytime periods. Daytime BP ≥ 135/85 mmHg, nighttime BP ≥ 120/70 mmHg, and 24-h average BP ≥ 130/80 mmHg were defined as MHTN. The main end points of this study were lack of >10% nocturnal decrease in the systolic BP (NDP-BP) and in HR (NDP-HR). RESULTS: After exclusion of 8 patients with IBD from analysis, 55 patients and 63 control subjects (49% men) with a mean age of 37.5 ± 11.0 years were enrolled. NDP-BP was more common in the IBD group compared to controls (55 vs. 33%; P = 0.026). MHTN was detected in 24% of IBD patients compared to 8% among controls (P = 0.017). Meanwhile, NDP-HR was observed in 22% of the IBD patients and 30% of the control group (P = 0.402). IBD remained a significant predictor of NDP-BP (odds ratio 2.60, 95% confidence interval 1.19-5.51) following an adjustment for age and gender. CONCLUSIONS: IBD is associated with higher frequency of NDP-BP and MHTN; however, nocturnal changes in HR were similar in both groups.

Is female gender associated with worse outcome after ST elevation myocardial infarction?

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the impact of gender in outcomes of patients with ST segment myocardial infarction in a setting with limited access to primary percutaneous coronary intervention METHODS: In 1017 consecutive patients hospitalized with ST segment myocardial infarction during years 2008-2013, distribution of risk factors, therapeutic methods, heart failure and in-hospital mortality were compared between males and females. Association of gender and primary outcomes was determined after adjustment for confounding factors. RESULTS: Females were significantly older (66±12.1years vs. 59.5±12.7years, p<0.001). Prevalence of hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes was significantly higher in females (72.2% vs. 39%, p<0.001, 36.1% vs. 20.3%, p<0.001, 46.5% vs. 32.1%, p<0.001, respectively). Presentation delay was similar in males and females. Females received reperfusion therapy more than males (63.2%vs. 55.8%, p=0.032). Development of heart failure and in-hospital mortality were significantly higher in females (36.5% vs. 27.2%, p=0.003 and 19.4% vs. 12.1%, p=0.002, respectively). However in multivariate analysis, female gender was not independently associated with increased rate of heart failure and in-hospital mortality CONCLUSION: In a center with low rate of primary percutaneous coronary intervention, crude rates of heart failure and in-hospital mortality are higher in females; however, the association is lost after adjustment for baseline characteristics.