Value of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio as a predictor of mortality in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement.

BACKGROUND: Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been studied as a measure of inflammation and as a prognosticating factor in various medical conditions including neoplastic, inflammatory and cardiovascular. The prognostic role of NLR in predicting mortality in patients with aortic stenosis undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) has not been studied. The aim of our study is to explore the utility of NLR as a predictor of both, short and long-term mortality, in patients undergoing surgical AVR. METHODS: Consecutive patients with aortic stenosis admitted for AVR to our institution were evaluated for study inclusion. Of the 335 patients admitted from January 2007 to September 2011, 234 met study inclusion criteria. Patients were divided into two groups depending on their initial preoperative NLR level with a cutoff value of 3. Three-year vital status was accessed with electronic medical records and Social Security Death Index. Survival analysis, stratified by NLR, was used to evaluate the predictive value of preoperative NLR levels. RESULTS: Patients with NLR ≥3, when compared to those with NLR <3, had a significantly higher short-term (9.40% vs. 0, P=0.0006), 6-month (19.54% vs. 0.95%, P<0.0001), and 3-year mortality (27.35% vs. 3.78%, P<0.0001). After adjustment for baseline characteristics, co-morbidities, symptomatology, echocardiographic findings, and blood tests, NLR level remained a significant independent predictor of 3-year mortality; Hazard ratios (HRs) increased by a factor of 1.18 (1.05-1.33, P=0.0068) and patients with a NLR ≥3 had 4.77 fold increase in 3-year mortality (1.48-15.32, P=0.0090). CONCLUSIONS: NLR is an independent predictor of short-term and long-term mortality in patients with aortic stenosis undergoing AVR surgery, especially those with NLR ≥3. We strongly suggest the use of NLR as a tool to risk stratify patients with aortic stenosis undergoing AVR surgery.

A giant left atrial myxoma.

Atrial myxomas are the most common primary cardiac tumors. Patients with left atrial myxomas generally present with mechanical obstruction of blood flow, systemic embolization, and constitutional symptoms. We present a case of an unusually large left atrial myxoma discovered incidentally in a patient with longstanding dyspnea being managed as bronchial asthma.

Inadvertent malposition of a permanent pacemaker ventricular lead into the left ventricle which was initially missed and diagnosed two years later: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Inadvertent malposition of a pacemaker ventricular lead into the left ventricle is an uncommon event, and its actual incidence is probably unknown. It may be underestimated and underreported because of a possible asymptomatic course. A 12-lead electrocardiogram is important to confirm proper placement. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 60-year-old Caucasian man with a malpositioned transvenous permanent pacing lead into the left ventricle via a patent foramen ovale that was not suspected during implantation and went undiagnosed for two years without complications. The patient remained asymptomatic as he was being treated with oral anticoagulation therapy for atrial fibrillation. The decision was made to leave the pacing lead in place and continue lifelong warfarin therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Inadvertent insertion of pacing wires into the left ventricle is a potentially dangerous complication that may happen under fluoroscopic guidance and may be overlooked by routine pacemaker interrogation. It is advisable to obtain a 12-lead electrocardiogram during or immediately after transvenous pacemaker implantation rather than use a routine pacemaker interrogation or a limited electrocardiogram.

Usefulness of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in predicting short- and long-term mortality after non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is the strongest white blood cell predictor of adverse outcomes in stable and unstable coronary artery syndromes. The aim of our study was to explore the utility of NLR in predicting long-term mortality in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Consecutive patients with NSTEMI at Staten Island University Hospital were evaluated for study inclusion. Of the 1,345 patients with NSTEMI admitted from September 2004 to September 2006, 619 qualified for study inclusion. Survival analysis, stratified by NLR tertiles, was used to evaluate the predictive value of average inpatient NLR levels. Four-year vital status was accessed with electronic medical records and Social Security Death Index. Patients in the highest NLR tertile (NLR >4.7) had a higher 4-year mortality rate (29.8% vs 8.4%) compared to those in the lowest tertile (NLR <3, Wilcoxon chi-square 34.64, p <0.0001). After controlling for Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events risk profile scores, average NLR level remained a significant predictor of inpatient and 4-year mortality. Hazard ratios per unit increase of average NLR (log) increased by 1.06 (p = 0.0133) and 1.09 (p = 0.0006), respectively. In conclusion, NLR is an independent predictor of short-term and long-term mortalities in patients with NSTEMI with an average NLR >4.7. We strongly suggest the use of NLR rather than other leukocyte parameters (e.g., total white blood cell count) in risk stratification of the NSTEMI population.

In-stent thrombosis after 68 months of implantation inspite of continuous dual antiplatelet therapy: a case report.

Lately, there has been an increased incidence of late stent thrombosis; especially following Drug eluting stent (DES) implantation. Several factors are associated with an increased risk of stent thrombosis, including the procedure itself, patient and lesion characteristics, stent design, and premature cessation of anti-platelet drugs. We present a case of late stent thrombosis (LST) following DES implantation after a period of 68 months, making it the longest reported case of LST reported in the literature, despite the use of dual anti-platelet therapy.

Tamponade following breast augmentation.

Breast augmentation is one of most commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedures. Pneumothorax has been reported as a rare complication of breast augmentation but the incidence is not known. Our patient presented with dyspnea on exertion about 6 days following breast augmentation. She was found to have cardiac tamponade and pneumothorax. We present a case of cardiac tamponade following breast augmentation, a previously unreported complication.

A planned hybrid culotte stenting procedure in the setting of an acute STEMI.

INTRODUCTION: Bifurcation lesions have traditionally presented a unique problem for interventional cardiologists because of their inherent anatomy and risk of closure of the side branch, after a percutaneous intervention for the primary lesion of the main branch. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 57-year-old man who presented with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction secondary to a 100% occlusion at the ostium of first diagonal (D1) branch. Patient also had a 70% stenosis of the mid-segment of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery at the D1 branching point (1,1,1 Medina classification). A bare metal stent (BMS) was deployed at the site of the culprit lesion in the D1, while a drug eluting stent (DES) was placed in the LAD. We believe that the BMS at the culprit thrombotic, inflamed site in D1 is more likely to re endothelialize than a DES and the DES in the LAD, is less likely to re-stenose than a BMS. CONCLUSION: This is the only reported case, where in the setting of an acute ST elevation myocardial infarction, a hybrid Culotte technique was successfully performed with excellent long-term results, thus achieving an acceptable balance of risks between restenosis (in the case of a BMS) and stent thrombosis (in the case of a DES).