Association between Systolic Pulmonary Artery Pressure and Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to examine whether there is an elevated risk of developing contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients with high systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods: A total of 213 patients diagnosed with STEMI and who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention were enrolled in the study. The patients were stratified into two groups based on the presence of CIN. Comparisons between these groups included an assessment of demographic characteristics, laboratory findings, and risk factors. SPAP was calculated for each patient upon admission through echocardiography, and subsequent comparisons were performed between the groups. Results: The distribution of the study population was as follows: 33 (15.5%) were CIN(+) and 180 (84.5%) were CIN(-). SPAP [odds ratio (OR) = 1.295, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.157-1.451, p < 0.001], and diabetes (OR = 1.241, 95% CI: 1.194-1.287, p = 0.013) were identified as independent factors associated with CIN development. In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, SPAP above a cut-off level of 31.5 mmHg could determine the presence of CIN with a sensitivity of 91.0% and specificity of 90.0% (p < 0.001). Conclusions: SPAP on echocardiography is an independent predictor of the development of CIN in patients with STEMI. Its ease of calculation renders it a valuable tool for predicting CIN among STEMI patients.

Fragmented QRS as a Predictor of Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A 36-Month Follow-Up Data.

BACKGROUND: Major cardiovascular events (MACE) are more common in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, and early diagnosis can prevent significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictiveness of fragmented QRS (fQRS) showing MACE in T2DM patients. METHODS: A total of 227 T2DM patients (mean age 52, 51% male) without any cardiovascular disease who came to the cardiology outpatient clinic between March 01 and July 31, 2019, were included in the study. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to fQRS on electrocardiography (ECG), and 36 months of follow-up was done. The development of acute coronary syndrome, coronary revascularization, and cerebrovascular accident were accepted as MACE. RESULTS: More MACE was seen in the group with fQRS on ECG (P =.026). Although there were more fQRS in patients with proteinuria, it was not statistically significant (P =.069). More myocardial infarcts (7.9%) and more cerebrovascular events (6.3%) were seen in the group with fQRS. While revascularization was performed on 3 patients in the fQRS group, revascularization was not performed on the patients in the non-fqrs group. In multiple Cox regression analysis, fQRS showed an independent predictor of MACE [P =.025, hazard ratio = 2.42 (1.117-5.221)], more MACE was seen in the fQRS (+) group in the kaplan-meier analysis (P =.022). CONCLUSION: More MACE was seen in the fQRS group in T2DM patients without a previous history of cardiovascular events. Fragmented QRS was found to be an independent predictor in showing MACE. Care should be taken in terms of MACE development in T2DM patients with fQRS.

The relationship of left ventricular outflow tract presystolic wave and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure measurements.

OBJECTIVE: Left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) presystolic wave is a novel marker for several cardiac conditions. It is shown to be related to several cardiac conditions. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between LVOT presystolic wave and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure measurements. METHODS: A total of 194 patients who came to the cardiology outpatient clinic were prospectively enrolled in the study. After demographic and clinical inquiry, blood biochemistry and hemogram tests were performed. Each patient was evaluated with echocardiography and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure measurement. The patients were divided into hypertensive and nonhypertensive groups regarding their ambulatory blood pressure measurements and the LVOT presystolic wave of the groups on echocardiography was compared. RESULTS: The hypertensive group was significantly older (59.34 ± 11.15 vs. 49.89 ± 15.43; P < 0.001). Presystolic wave presence (96.2 vs. 29.5%; P < 0.001) and velocity (62.23 vs. 29.42; P < 0.001) were higher in patients with hypertension. Blood pressure values and LVOT amplitudes showed a positive correlation ( P < 0.001; r = 0.326). In multivariable logistic regression analysis; age, BMI and the presystolic wave were independently associated with hypertension (odds ratio: 8.09; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: LVOT presystolic wave is associated with systemic hypertension and it could be used as a predictor for systemic hypertensive patients.

The Association of a PRECISE-DAPT Score With No-Reflow in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

This study aimed to evaluate the association of admission PREdicting bleeding Complications In patients undergoing Stent implantation and subsEquent Dual Anti Platelet Therapy (PRECISE-DAPT) score with the development of no-reflow (NR) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In this observational, retrospective study, 335 consecutive STEMI patients who were treated with primary PCI were included. We classified the study population into 2 groups: patients with a PRECISE-DAPT score <25 and those with a PRECISE-DAPT score ≥25. Overall, 30 (8.9%) patients developed NR. The mean PRECISE-DAPT score (20.03 ± 15.32 vs 11.33 ± 12.18; P = .005) was significantly higher in cases who developed NR. Moreover, arrhythmic complications, in-hospital shock, and in-hospital mortality rates were significantly higher in patients with a PRECISE-DAPT score ≥25 compared to those with a PRECISE-DAPT score <25. According to a multivariable analysis, the PRECISE-DAPT score was found to be independently linked with NR (odds ratio: 2.87, with P = .015). To our knowledge, these data are the first in major medical science databases to determine the relationship between the PRECISE-DAPT score and the NR phenomenon in patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI.

The effect of moderate and severe COVID-19 pneumonia on short-term right ventricular functions: a prospective observational single pandemic center analysis.

It has been reported that myocardial damage and heart failure are more common in COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms. The aim of our study was to measure the right ventricular functions of COVID-19 patients 30 days after their discharge, and compare them to the right ventricular functions of healthy volunteers. Fifty one patients with COVID-19 and 32 healthy volunteers who underwent echocardiographic examinations were enrolled in our study. 29 patients were treated for severe and 22 patients were treated for moderate COVID-19 pneumonia. The study was conducted prospectively, in a single center, between 15 May 2020 and 15 July 2020. We analyzed the right ventricular functions of the patients using conventional techniques and two-dimensional speckle-tracking. Right ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic area were statistically higher than control group. The right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC) was significantly lesser in the patient group compared to the control group. Tricuspid annular plane systolic motion (TAPSE) was within normal limits in both groups, it was lower in the patient group compared to the control group. Pulmonary artery pressure was found to be significantly higher in the patient group. Right ventricular global longitudinal strain (RV-GLS) was lesser than the control group (- 15.7 [(- 12.6)-(- 18.7)] vs. - 18.1 [(- 14.8)-(- 21)]; p 0.011). Right ventricular free wall strain (RV-FWS) was lesser in the patient group compared to the control group (- 16 [(- 12.7)-(- 19)] vs - 21.6 [(- 17)-(- 25.3)]; p < 0.001). We found subclinical right ventricular dysfunction in the echocardiographies of COVID-19 patients although there were no risk factors.

The association between aspirin resistance and extent and severity of coronary atherosclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: Uncontrolled inflammatory responses could contribute to the pathogenesis of many leading causes of human morbidity and mortality. Aspirin is an anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic drug that is used in the primary and secondary protection in atherothrombotic diseases and complications. The aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of aspirin resistance on the extent and severity of atherosclerosis. METHODS: One hundred patients who underwent coronary angiography with suspected or known coronary artery disease and were using aspirin were enrolled in the study. RESULTS: Of these 100 patients, 30 (8 female and 22 male) formed the aspirin-resistant group (ARG), and 70 (22 female and 48 male) formed the control group. Gensini scoring system (GSS) was significantly higher in the ARG than in the control group (80.5 (36-166) vs. 45 (2-209); p<0.001). The number of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) patients was significantly higher in the ARG (13 of 30 (43.3%) ARG vs. 13 of 70 (18.6%) control group; p=0.01). Furthermore, when we evaluate the 16 reintervention patients, stent restenosis was significantly higher in the ARG (11 of 16 (68.75%) ARG vs. 5 of 16 (31.25%) control group; p=0.016). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that GSS (p=0.038; 95% CI: 1.001-1.026) and PCI history (p=0.017; 95% CI: 1.182-89.804) were independent risk factors for aspirin resistance. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, atherosclerotic burden as calculated by the GSS is significantly higher in aspirin-resistant patients. According to this result, we suggest that aspirin treatment can be prescribed in higher doses in aspirin resistance patients with coronary events. Furthermore, GSS and PCI history could be independent predictors of aspirin resistance.