Retraction notice to "Successful treatment for a giant coronary saccular aneurysm complicated with myocardial infarction in a patient with Behcet's disease: Case report" [J Cardiol Cases 6(4) (2012) e118-e120].

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1016/j.jccase.2012.07.002.].

V1r + DIIq is a novel and accurate criterion to predict right vs. left paraseptal accessory pathways.

PURPOSE: The correct estimation of accessory pathway (AP) localization from surface ECG is critical before the procedure. Our study aimed to detect the predictive value of the V1r + DIIq criterion for differentiating right- from left-sided paraseptal APs. METHODS: We retrospectively included 58 patients with (Wolff-Parkinson-White) WPW syndrome and paraseptal APs who underwent successful catheter ablation (37 male, 21 female; mean age 34.4 ± 13.6 years). The V1r + DIIq criterion was calculated using the following formula: V1r + DIIq (mV) = initial r wave amplitude in V1 + q wave amplitude in DII. The combined criterion included V1r + DIIq <2.05 mV and/or no initial r wave in V1. RESULTS: Right-sided paraseptal APs were detected in 36 patients (62.1%), left-sided paraseptal APs were detected in 21 patients (36.2%), and AP from CS was detected in 1 patient (1.7%). The initial r wave amplitude in V1 (mV), q wave amplitude in DII (mV) and V1r + DIIq criterion (mV) were lower in patients with right-sided paraseptal APs (p < 0.001). The percentage of patients with no initial r wave in V1 (36.1% vs. 0%) and those meeting the combined criterion (91.7% vs. 4.5%) were increased in patients with right-sided paraseptal APs. The cutoff value of the V1r + DIIq criterion obtained by ROC curve analysis was 2.05 mV for predicting right-sided paraseptal APs (sensitivity: 86.1%, specificity: 95.5%). The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.943 (95% CI = 0.881-1.000) (p < 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity values were 36.1% and 100%, respectively, for the no initial r wave criterion and 91.7% and 95.5%, respectively, for the combined criterion. CONCLUSION: The V1r + DIIq criterion and the combined criterion represent novel and simple electrocardiographic criteria for accurately differentiating right- from left-sided paraseptal APs. This simple ECG measurement can improve the accuracy of detection of paraseptal AP localization and could be beneficial for decreasing ablation duration and radiation exposure.

Decreased left atrial global longitudinal strain predicts the risk of atrial fibrillation recurrence after cryoablation in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate the association of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence with left atrial (LA) strain in nonvalvular paroxysmal AF patients after cryoablation. METHODS: We included 190 patients who underwent successful cryoablation due to paroxysmal AF. In addition to classical echocardiographic data, LA apical 2-chamber (A2C) strain, LA apical 4-chamber (A4C) strain, and LA global longitudinal strain (LA-GLS) values were calculated by speckle tracking echocardiography. Forty-eight-hour Holter monitoring was performed to all patients no later than 6 months after ablation. RESULTS: AF recurrence was detected in 42 patients (22.1%). End-systolic diameter, LA end-systolic diameter, LA-volume, LA-volume index, interatrial septum thickness, coronary sinus diameter, epicardial fat thickness (EFT), and septal E/E` ratio were significantly higher, LV-EF, IVRT, septal S and A` wave, lateral S wave, LA-A2C strain, LA-A4C strain, and LA-GLS were significantly lower in patients with AF recurrence. LA-GLS, LA-volume index, and EFT were found to be independent parameters for predicting AF recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: LA-GLS and LAVI should be included in routine evaluations to determine long-term AF recurrence preoperatively.

Effect of cryoballoon ablation parameters on recurrence in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this research was to investigate the relationship between atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence and second generation cryoballoon ablation (CBA) procedural parameters in patients with non-valvular paroxysmal AF (PAF). METHODS: A total of 131 patients with a PAF diagnosis who underwent second-generation CBA (59 male; mean age: 55.2±10.6 years) were enrolled. Recurrence was defined as the detection of AF on a 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) recording, or an attack lasting at least 30 seconds observed on Holter ECG records. CBA procedural data and echocardiographic findings were recorded and compared. RESULTS: After 1 year of follow-up, AF recurrence was detected in 27 patients. Patients with recurrence were older and had higher rates of hypertension and diabetes (p<0.05 for both). Left atrial diameter, left atrial volume (LaV), left atrial volume index, and the averaged warming angle (calculated by combining lowest temperature point and balloon temperature at 20°C point) were significantly higher in the recurrence group. Balloon warming time was significantly longer in the non-recurrence group (p<0.001). In binary logistic regression analysis, the averaged warming angle (odds ratio [OR]: 1.559, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.342-1.811; p<0.001) and LaV (OR: 1.063, 95% CI: 1.028-1.100; p<0.001) were found to be independent parameters for predicting recurrence. The cutoff value of the warming angle obtained with ROC curve analysis was 50° for the prediction of recurrence (sensitivity: 94.3%, specificity: 88.5%, area under the curve: 0.909; p<0.001). The cutoff value of LaV obtained by ROC curve analysis was 53.5 for prediction of recurrence (sensitivity: 77.8%, specificity: 74.5%; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Measurement of balloon warming angle during CBA and increased LaV may predict the AF recurrence.

Antithrombotic treatment patterns and stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation in TURKEY: inferences from GARFIELD-AF registry.

The corner stone of atrial fibrillation therapy includes the prevention of stroke with less adverse effects. The Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF) study provided data to compare treatment strategies in Turkey with other populations and every-day practice of stroke prevention management with complications. METHODS: GARFIELD-AF is a large-scale registry that enrolled 52,014 patients in five sequential cohorts at >1,000 centers in 35 countries.This study initiated to track the evolution of global anticoagulation practice, and to study the impact of NOAC therapy in AF. 756 patients from 17 enrolling sites in Turkey were in cohort 4 and 5.Treatment strategies at diagnosis initiated by CHA2DS2-VASc score, baseline characteristics of patients, treatment according to stroke and bleeding risk profiles, INR values were analyzed in cohorts.Also event rates during the first year follow up were evaluated. RESULTS: AF patients in Turkey were mostly seen in young women.Stroke risk according to the CHADS2 score and CHA2DS2-VASc score compared with world data. The mean of risk score values including HAS-BLED score were lower in Turkey than world data.The percentage of patients receiving FXa inhibitor with or without an antiplatelet usage was more than the other drug groups. All-cause mortality was higher in Turkey. Different form world data when HAS-BLED score was above 3, the therapy was mostly changed to antiplatelet drugs in Turkey. CONCLUSION: The data of GARFIELD-AF provide data from Turkey about therapeutic strategies, best practices also deficiencies in available treatment options, patient care and clinical outcomes of patients with AF.

A new criterion to differentiate atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia from atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia: Combined AVR criterion.

AIM: A combined aVR criterion is described as the presence of a pseudo r' wave in aVR during tachycardia in patients without r' wave in aVR in sinus rhythm and/or a ≥50% increase in r' wave amplitude compared to sinus rhythm in patients with r' wave in the basal aVR lead. We aimed to investigate the use of combined aVR criterion in differential diagnosis of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) and atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia (AVRT). METHODS: In this prospective study, 480 patients with inducible narrow QRS supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) were included. Twelve-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) was conducted during tachycardia and sinus rhythm. The patients were divided into two groups according to the arrhythmia mechanism that determined via EPS, AVNRT, and AVRT. Criteria of narrow QRS complex tachycardia were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: AVNRT was present in 370 (77%) patients and AVRT in 110 (23%) patients. Combined aVR criterion was found to be more frequent in patients with AVNRT (84.1% and 9.1%, p < 0.001). In logistic regression analysis, combined aVR criterion and classical ECG criterion were found to be the most important predictors of AVNRT (p < 0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the combined aVR criterion for AVNRT were 84.1%, 90.9%, 96.9%, and 62.9%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In the differential diagnosis of patients with SVT, the combined aVR criterion identifies the presence of AVNRT with an independent and acceptable diagnostic value. In addition to classical ECG criteria for AVNRT, it is necessary to evaluate the combined aVR criterion in daily practice.

Fibrosis Marker Soluble ST2 Predicts Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence after Cryoballoon Catheter Ablation of Nonvalvular Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the relationship between the recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) and fibrosis marker soluble ST2 (sST2) in patients with nonvalvular paroxysmal AF (PAF). METHODS: We prospectively included 100 consecutive patients with PAF diagnosis and scheduled for cryoballoon catheter ablation for AF (47 males, 53 females; mean age 55.1±10.8 years). sST2 plasma levels were determined using the ASPECT-PLUS assay on ASPECT Reader device (Critical Diagnostics). The measurement range of these measurements was 12.5-250 ng/mL. Patients had regular follow-up visits with 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), medical history, and clinical evaluation. Twenty-four hours Holter ECG monitoring had been recorded 12 months after ablation. RESULTS: AF recurrence was detected in 22 patients after 1 year. Age, smoking history, diabetes mellitus,hypertension frequency, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor-angiotensin receptor blocker use, CHA2DS2VASc and HAS-BLED scores, serum sST2 level, left atrium (LA) end-diastolic diameter, LA volume and LA volume index were related to AF recurrence. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, sST2 was found to be only independent parameter for predicting AF recurrence (odds ratio, 1.085; p=0.001). Every 10-unit increase in sST2 was found to be associated with 2.103-fold increase in the risk of AF recurrence. The cut-off value of sST2 obtained by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was 30.6 ng/mL for prediction of AF recurrence (sensitivity: 77.3%, specificity: 79.5%). The area under the curve was 0.831 (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: sST2, which is associated with atrial fibrosis, can be thought to be a useful marker for detection of patients with high-grade fibrosis who will get less benefit from cryoablation.

Subclinical atrial fibrillation frequency and associated parameters in patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy.

AIM: The presence of subclinical atrial fibrillation (SCAF) is relevant to issues such as the risk of stroke and the necessity of anticoagulant use in patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Our study aimed to investigate SCAF frequency and associated parameters in patients with CRT. METHODS: One hundred ninety-one patients with CRT (77 females, 114 males, mean age 65.9 ± 9.8) were included in the study. Atrial high-rate episodes detected by the device, atrial electrode impedance, P-wave sense amplitude, and atrial lead threshold values were measured during pacemaker controls. SCAF was defined as asymptomatic atrial high-rate episodes (AHRE) longer than 6 min and shorter than 24 h. Patients were divided into two groups as with and without SCAF. RESULTS: SCAF was detected in 44 (23.2%) of 191 patients with CRT. Age, sex, weight, aortic end-systolic diameter, left atrium (LA) diameter, left bundle branch block morphology, CHA2DS2-VASc score, and right atrium thresholds were associated with SCAF. In multivariate regression analysis, CHA2DS2-VASc score, LA diameter, and atrial threshold values were found to be independent predictors of SCAF occurrence. According to this analysis, every 1 point increase in CHA2DS2-VASc score, every 1 mm increase in LA diameter, and every 0.1 V increase in atrial threshold increased the risk of SCAF by 32.5, 59.6, and 14.6%, respectively. In the ROC analysis, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.870, 0.638, and 0,652 for LA diameter, CHA2DS2-VASc score, and atrial lead threshold, respectively (p < 0.05, for all). The cut-off values were 34 mm, 3, and 0.6 V for LA diameter, CHA2DS2-VASc score, and atrial lead threshold, respectively. CONCLUSION: Patients with CRT have significantly higher frequency of SCAF than the normal population. CHA2DS2-VASc score, LA diameter, and atrial threshold values were considered to be useful and easily applicable parameters in identifying the patients to develop SCAF.

Association of P wave duration index with atrial fibrillation recurrence after cryoballoon catheter ablation.

AIM: We aimed to investigate the relationship between the recurrence of AF and P wave duration index (PWDI) in patients with nonvalvular PAF. METHODS: We included 114 patients who underwent cryoballoon catheter ablation with the diagnosis of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) (55 male, 59 female; mean age 55.5±10,9years). PWDI was calculated by dividing the Pwd by the PR interval in DII lead of 12­lead ECG. Patients had regular follow-up visits with 12-lead ECG, medical history and clinical evaluation. 24h Holter ECG monitoring had been recorded at least 12months after ablation. RESULTS: AF recurrence was detected in 24 patients after 1year. Patients were divided into two groups according to the AF recurrence. All parameters were compared between the two groups. Age, DM, HT frequency, ACEI-ARB use, CHA2DS2VASc and HAS-BLED score, HsCRP, LA diameter, LA volume, LA volume index, Pwd and PWDI were related to AF recurrence. In binary logistic regression analysis, PWDI (OR=1.143, p=0.001) and HT (OR=0.194, p=0.020) were found to be independent parameters for predicting AF recurrence. Every 0,01 unit increase in PWDI was found to be associated with 14.3% increase in the risk of AF recurrence. The cut-off value of PWDI obtained by ROC curve analysis was 59,9 for prediction of AF recurrence (sensitivity: 75.0%, specificity: 69.0%). The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.760 (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Increased PWDI may help to identify those patients in whom electrical remodeling has already occurred and who will get less benefit from cryoablation.

S-R difference in V1-V2 is a novel criterion for differentiating the left from right ventricular outflow tract arrhythmias.

AIM: The correct estimation of the VA origin as RVOT or LVOT results in reduced ablation duration reduced radiation exposure and decreased number of vascular access. In our study, we aimed to detect the predictive value of S-R difference in V1-V2 for differentiating the left from right ventricular outflow tract arrhythmias. METHODS: We included 123 patients with symptomatic frequent premature ventricular outflow tract contractions who underwent successful catheter ablation (70 male, 53 female; mean age 46.2 ± 13.9 years, 61 RVOT, 62 LVOT origins). S-R difference in V1-V2 was calculated with this formula on the 12-lead surface ECG: (V1S + V2S) - (V1R + V2R). Conventional ablation was performed in 101 (82.1%) patients, CARTO electroanatomic mapping system was used in 22 (17.9%) patients. RESULTS: V1-2 SRd was found to be significantly lower for LVOT origins than RVOT origins (p < .001). The cutoff value of V1-2 SRd obtained by ROC curve analysis was 1.625 mV for prediction of RVOT origin (sensitivity: 95.1%, specificity: 85.5%, positive predictive value: 86.5%, negative predictive value: 94.5%). The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.929 (p < .001). CONCLUSION: S-R difference in V1-V2 is a novel and simple electrocardiographic criterion for accurately differentiating RVOT from LVOT sites of ventricular arrhythmia origins. The use of this simple ECG measurement could improve the accuracy of OTVA localization, could be beneficial for decreasing ablation duration and radiation exposure. Further studies with larger patient population are needed to verify the results of this study.

Evaluation of the relationship between renal resistive index and extent and complexity of coronary artery disease in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in cardiovascular medicine, acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is still a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Synergy between percutaneous coronary intervention with TAXUS™ and Cardiac Surgery (SYNTAX) score is used to determine the extent and complexity of coronary artery disease (CAD). Renal resistive index (RRI), a renal Doppler ultrasound parameter, is used to detect renal haemodynamics. Although some risk factors for CAD, including hypertension and diabetes mellitus, were demonstrated to have an association with RRI; a direct relationship between the presence, extent, and complexity of CAD and RRI has not been investigated yet. AIM: In this study, we evaluated the relationship between RRI and SYNTAX score in patients with ACS. METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled 235 patients who were diagnosed with ACS and underwent coronary angiography at our tertiary clinic between February 2016 and August 2016. Regarding clinical presentation, 112 patients were diagnosed with non-ST-segment elevation ACS (NSTE-ACS) and 123 patients were diagnosed with ST-segment elevation ACS (STE-ACS). The patients' demographic, clinical, laboratory, echocardiographic data, SYNTAX scores and measurements of renal Doppler ultrasound parameters, including RRI, renal pulsatility index (RPI) and acceleration time (AT) were recorded. RESULTS: Among 235 patients, 112 (47.7%) were diagnosed with NSTE-ACS and 123 (52.3%) were diagnosed with STE-ACS. Mean SYNTAX score and RRI of patients with NSTE-ACS and STE-ACS were 15.4 and 0.69, 21.1 and 0.67, respectively. The SYNTAX score was associated with gender, height, plasma uric acid level, left atrial diameter, left ventricular (LV) end-systolic and end-diastolic diameter, RPI, and RRI in patients with NSTE-ACS, as well as with low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, total cholesterol, ejection fraction, and LV end-systolic diameter in patients with STE-ACS (p < 0.05 for each variable). RRI was significantly associated with age, haemoglobin level, left atrial diameter, SYNTAX score, AT, and RPI in patients with NSTE-ACS, as well as with weight, body mass index, interventricular septum thickness at diastole, LV posterior wall thickness at diastole, LV ejection fraction, and RRI in patients with STE-ACS. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that LV end-systolic diameter (ß = 0.385, 95% CI 1.065-2.029, p = 0.019), RRI (ß = 32.230, 95% CI 5343.15-2.E+24, p = 0.008), and RPI (ß = -7.439, 95% CI 0.000-0.231, p = 0.015) were independent predictors of moderate to high SYNTAX score in patients with NSTE-ACS. CONCLUSIONS: Non-invasively detected RRI is closely associated with the extent and complexity of CAD in patients with NSTE-ACS. However, there is a need for randomised, controlled studies involving wider populations.

A new use for maximum deflection index: Detection of intraventricular dyssynchrony.

AIM: CRT has been shown to be very beneficial for patients with reduced LVEF, symptomatic HF and increased QRS width. But many patients do not benefit from CRT. Maximum deflection index (MDI) is a quantitive measure of the rapidity of depolarization of the myocardium. In previous studies, high MDI was found to indicate epicardial origin of ventricular tachycardia. We aimed to detect the relationship between echocardiographic intraventricular dyssynchrony and MDI. METHODS: We included 144 patients with HF, QRS≥120ms, LBBB, NYHA II-IV, LVEF<35% and scheduled for CRT (90 male, 54 female; mean age 65.3±9.9years). Septal-lateral >60ms delay for the beginning of systolic velocity in TDI and septum-posterior >130ms delay in M-mode were accepted as intraventricular dyssynchrony. The MDI was calculated by dividing the time from onset of the QRS complex to the earliest point of maximum deflection in V5-V6 by the QRS duration. RESULTS: Septal-lateral delay was associated with MDI and QRS width in bivariate analysis. In logistic regression analysis, MDI (beta=0,264, p=0.001) and QRS width (beta=0,177, p=0.028) were found to be independent parameters for predicting significant septal-lateral delay. MDI was also associated with significant septum-posterior delay in bivariate correlations and ROC curve (p<0.05 for all). In bivariate analysis MDI was associated with intraventricular dyssynchrony in both non-strict LBBB (r=0.261, p=0.010) and strict LBBB (r=0.305, p=0.035) groups. CONCLUSION: MDI is closely associated with all echocardiographic intraventricular dyssynchrony parameters. We suggest that MDI may be used as a marker to detect patients with increased intraventricular dyssynchrony. It may be useful to integrate MDI to CRT patient selection procedure in order to minimize nonresponders.

High Left Ventricular Lead Sensing Delay Predicts QRS Narrowing and Good Response to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) was shown to improve heart failure (HF) prognosis. But many patients do not benefit from CRT. Optimization of left ventricular (LV) lead position to the latest activated LV area is important to increase CRT response. We aimed to detect the relationship between LV lead sensing delay and echocardiographic and electrocardiographic response to CRT treatment. METHODS: We prospectively included 156 consecutive patients with HF diagnosis, QRS ≥ 120 ms, left bundle branch block, New York Heart Association II-IV, LV ejection fraction (LVEF) < 35%, and scheduled for CRT (100 male, 56 female; mean age 65.8 ± 10.06 years). Echocardiographic CRT response was defined as ≥15% reduction in LV end-systolic volume (LVESV). LV lead sensing delay was calculated as the time interval from the onset of surface QRS wave to the onset of depolarization wave recorded from the LV lead by using the LV pacing lead as a bipolar electrode. RESULTS: LVESV reduction was associated with baseline QRS width (r = 0.292, P = 001), QRS narrowing (r = 0.332, P < 001), and LV lead sensing delay (r = 0.454, P < 001) in bivariate analysis. In logistic regression analysis, LV lead sensing delay was found to be the only independent parameter for predicting significant LVESV reduction (ß = 0.423, P < 0.001). LV lead sensing delay was also found to be significantly associated with LVEF increase (r = 0.320, P < 0.001) and QRS narrowing (r = 0.345, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: LV lead sensing delay is the only independent predictor for significant reduction in LVESV and was found to be significantly associated with LVEF increase and QRS narrowing after CRT treatment. We suggest that LV lead sensing delay may be used as a marker to predict the favorable response to CRT.

Increased hs-CRP and decreased 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D are associated with increased left ventricle lead threshold.

PURPOSE: There are not enough data about threshold changes in patients with CRT. In this study, we aimed to investigate frequency of significant threshold increase of left ventricle lead and to determine clinical, demographic, medical and laboratory parameters that associated with threshold increase in CRT implanted patients. METHODS: We included CRT implanted 200 patients (124 males, 76 females; mean age 65.8 ± 10.3 years) to this study. Basal and third month LV R wave amplitude, electrode impedance, and threshold values were recorded. Threshold increase was accepted as ≥0.1 V and significant increase as >1 V. Patients were divided into two groups: increased threshold and non-increased threshold for LV lead. RESULTS: Number of patients with increased LV threshold was 68 (37.6 %). Furthermore, 8 % of patients had severe increase (≥1 V) in LV threshold. We observed that serum levels of hs-CRP and 1,25 (OH)2 vitamin D were independently associated with increased LV threshold. We showed that 1 mg/dl increase in hs-CRP and the 1 mg/dl decrease in vitamin D are associated with 25.3 and 4.5 % increase in the odds of increased LV threshold, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Increased hs-CRP and decreased 1,25 (OH)2 vitamin D are the strongest predictors of increased LV lead thresholds. We suggest that hs-CRP and 1,25 (OH)2 vitamin D may be used as markers to predict and follow the patients with increased thresholds. It may be useful to finalize CRT procedure with more appropriate basal threshold in patients with high serum hs-CRP and low 1,25 (OH)2 vitamin D levels.

Predictive value of newly defined CHA2DS2-VASc-HSF score for severity of coronary artery disease in ST segment elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores are widely used in clinical practice and include similar risk factors for the development of coronary artery disease (CAD). It is known that the factors comprising the newly defined CHA2DS2-VASc-HSF score promote atherosclerosis and are associated with severity of CAD. AIM: To investigate the association of the CHA2DS2-VASc-HSF score with the severity of CAD as assessed by SYNTAX score (SxS) in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: A total of 454 consecutive patients with STEMI (males 79%, mean age 57.3 ± 12.9 years), who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention were included in our study. The patients were divided into three groups according to the SxS tertiles: low SxS group (SxS < 14; 151 patients), intermediate SxS group (SxS 14-20; 152 patients), and high SxS group (SxS ≥ 21; 151 patients). RESULTS: The CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc, and CHA2DS2VASc-HSF scores were found to be significantly different among the SxS groups (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001). After multivariate analysis, the CHA2DS2-VASc-HSF score was associated with high SxS (odds ratio [OR] 1.258, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.026-1.544; p = 0.028) together with age (OR 1.032, 95% CI 1.013-1.050; p = 0.001) and ejection fraction (OR 0.927, 95% CI 0.901-0.955; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A newly diagnosed CHA2DS2-VASc-HSF score predicts the severity of atherosclerosis in patients with STEMI.

Double steal phenomenon secondary to innominate artery occlusion.

Innominate artery steno-occlusive disease is a relatively rare clinical entity and may cause cerebrovascular symptoms. Herein, we report a 50-year-old male patient who presented with recurrent syncopal episodes and cerebrovascular ischemia. Color Doppler sonography revealed a distinctive flow pattern with partial and total flow reversal in the right internal carotid artery and vertebral artery, respectively. Further angiographic evaluation revealed complete occlusion of the innominate artery. Endovascular stenting was successful and enabled normal antegrade flow in the right common carotid and vertebral artery.

Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio Predicts Left Ventricular Remodeling in Patients with ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction after Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: It has been demonstrated that the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) might be a useful marker to predict cardiovascular risk and events. We aimed to investigate the role of the NLR to predict ventricular remodeling (VR) in patients with anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who were treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We prospectively included 274 consecutive anterior STEMI patients. Echocardiography was performed during admission and at six months after myocardial infarction. VR was defined as at least 20% increase from baseline in left ventricular end-diastolic volume. Patients were divided into two groups according to their VR status: VR (n=67) and non-VR (n=207). Total and differential leukocyte count, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and other biochemical markers were measured at admission and 24 hours later. RESULTS: Compared with the non-VR group, peak creatine kinase MB (CK-MB), NT-proBNP (24 h), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, presence of diabetes, no-reflow frequency and wall motion score index were significantly higher in patients with VR (p<0.05 for all). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, NLR (ß=2.000, 95% confidence interval=1.577-2.537, p<0.001) as well as peak CK-MB, NT-proBNP (24 h), WMSI and diabetes incidence were associated with VR. The cutoff value of the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio obtained by receiver operator characteristic curve analysis was 4.25 for the prediction of VR (sensitivity: 79 %, specificity: 74%). CONCLUSION: In patients with anterior STEMI, initial NLR and NT-proBNP measured 24 hours after admission may be useful for predicting adverse cardiovascular events including left VR.