Relation of coronary collateral circulation with epicardial fat volume in patients with stable coronary artery disease

Objective

To investigated the relationship between epicardial fat volume (EFV) and coronary collateral circulation (CCC) in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods

The study population consisted of 152 consecutive patients with CAD who underwent coronary angiography and were found to have at least 95% significiant lesion in at least one major coronary artery. EFV was assessed utilizing 64-multislice computed tomography. The patients were classifield into impaired CCC group (Group 1, Rentrop grades 0−1, n = 58), or adequate CCC (Group 2, Rentrop grades 2−3, n = 94).

Results

The EFV values were significantly higher in paitients with adequate CCC than in those with impaired CCC. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, EFV (OR = 1.059; 95% CI: 1.035−1.085; P = 0.001); and presence of angina were independent predictors of adequate CCC. In receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis, the EFV value > 106.5 mL yielded an area under the curve value of 0.84, with the test sensitivity of 49.3%, and with 98.3% specifity.

Conclusions

High EFV, and the presence of angina independently predict adequate CCC in patients with stable coronary artery disease. This association offers new diagnostic opportinities to assess collateral flow by conventional ultrasound techniques.     

The relationship of coronary flow to neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Purpose

It has been known that inflammatory mechanisms play an important role in the coronary artery disease. Our aim in this study was to investigate the relationship between the neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratio and coronary flow velocity after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods

Two hundred and ten patients who had undergone primary PCI were included. The coronary flow velocities were evaluated using the recorded PCI procedures by Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grades and corrected TIMI frame counts (cTFC) values. A value of >40 for the final cTFC was accepted as an index of insufficient coronary blood flow. The white blood cell subtypes and counts were determined in the blood samples obtained at the clinics.

Results

In 165 (78%) of the investigated patients, reperfusion was found to be sufficient (Group I) while in 45 (22%) of them (Group II) insufficient reperfusion was observed (Group II). In-hospital mortality was 7.2% (n=12) in Group I, whereas it was 17.7% (n=8) in Group II (P=0.033). Similarly, one-year mortality was higher in Group II (26.6%, n=12) than in Group I (13.3%, n=22) (P=0.031). N/L ratio was determined to be higher in Group I than in Group II (8.3±6.1 vs. 6.2±5.0; P=0.034). Also, N/L ratio was found as an independent predictor of severe no-reflow development (TIMI 0-1) and of one-year mortality (P=0.01 and P=0.047, respectively).

Conclusions

N/L ratio has been found to be an independent indicator for no-reflow development in patients who have undergone PCI for acute STEMI. This simple and low-cost parameter can provide useful information for the relevant risk evaluation in these patients.KEY WORDS : Inflammation, acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (acute STEMI), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (N/L ratio)     

Relationship of admission hematological indexes with myocardial reperfusion abnormalities in acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary interventions

BACKGROUND:

Elevated values of mean platelet volume (MPV) and elevated white blood cell (WBC) count are predictors of an unfavourable outcome among survivors of ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, their relationship with reperfusion abnormalities is less clear.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the value of admission MPV and WBC count in predicting impaired reperfusion in patients with acute STEMI who are treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS:

Blood samples were obtained on admission from 368 STEMI patients who underwent successful PCI. According to the 60th minute ST segment resolution ratio, patients were divided into impaired reperfusion and reperfusion groups.

RESULTS:

Impaired reperfusion was detected in 40% of study patients. Patients in the impaired reperfusion group had a higher admission MPV (9.8±1.3 fL versus 8.6±1.0 fL; P<0.001) and a higher WBC count (14.4±5.5×10⁹/L versus 12.1±3.8×10⁹/L; P<0.001) compared with the patients in the reperfusion group. In regression analysis, MPV (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.69 to 2.91; P<0.001) and WBC count (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.15; P=0.01) were found to be independently associated with impaired reperfusion. The best cut-off value of MPV for predicting impaired reperfusion was determined to be 9.05 fL, with a sensitivity of 74% and a specificity of 73%.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results indicate that leukocytes and platelets have a role in the mediation of reperfusion injury. In patients with STEMI who are undergoing PCI, admission MPV may be valuable in discriminating a higher-risk patient subgroup and thus, may help in deciding the need for adjunctive therapy to improve the outcome.     

Complex porcine model of atherosclerosis: Induction of early coronary lesions after long-term hyperlipidemia without sustained hyperglycemia

BACKGROUND:

The incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) is still increasing in industrialized countries and it is even higher in diabetic patients. For experimental studies investigating the pathophysiology of CAD, the use of an animal model comparable with the pathological situation in patients is crucial.

OBJECTIVE:

To develop a model of advanced coronary atherosclerosis with induction of hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia in domestic pigs.

METHODS:

Six pigs were fed a standard pig chow (controls), two were fed a 2% cholesterol and 17% coconut fat diet (Chol group), and two pigs received a 4% cholesterol and 17% coconut fat diet combined with streptozotocin (STZ) injections to induce diabetes (High Chol+STZ group). Serum lipid and plasma glucose values were analyzed, and histochemical staining for morphometric analysis and immunohistochemistry were performed.

RESULTS:

Pigs on the hyperlipidemic diet had elevated mean (± SD) serum lipid levels (total cholesterol 5.05±1.45 mmol/L [Chol] and 5.03±2.41 mmol/L [High Chol+STZ] versus 2.09±0.23 mmol/L [controls]). Histopathological evaluation revealed an initial stage of coronary atherosclerosis. None of the STZ-treated pigs showed a sustained elevation of plasma glucose (mean glucose before STZ injection was 5.11±0.94 mmol/L and thereafter was 6.03±2.39 mmol/L) or a decline in pancreatic beta cells.

CONCLUSIONS:

The current data suggest that the domestic porcine model is not suitable to create severe CAD using an atherogenic diet in combination with STZ injections for experimental interventional vascular research. This may be due to different STZ sensitivities among species. However, hyperlipidemia induced early pathological lesions in coronary arteries resembling initial stages of atherosclerosis without severe luminal narrowing.     

Value of coronary artery calcium score to predict severity or complexity of coronary artery disease

Background

Prediction of severity or complexity of coronary artery disease (CAD) is valuable owing to increased risk for cardiovascular events. Although the association between total coronary artery calcium (CAC) score and severity of CAD, Gensini score was not used, it has been previously demonstrated. There is no information about the association between total CAC score and complexity of CAD.

Objectives

To investigate the association between severity or complexity of coronary artery disease (CAD) assessed by Gensini score and SYNTAX score (SS), respectively, and coronary artery calcium (CAC) score, which is a noninvasive method for CAD evaluation in symptomatic patients with accompanying significant CAD.

Methods

Two-hundred-fourteen patients were enrolled. Total CAC score was obtained before angiography. Severity and complexity of CAD was assessed by Gensini score and SS, respectively. Associations between clinical and angiographic parameters and total CAC score were analyzed.

Results

Median total CAC score was 192 (23.0-729.8), and this was positively correlated with both Gensini score (r: 0.299, p<0.001) and SS (r: 0.577, p<0.001). At multivariate analysis, it was independently associated with age (ß: 0.154, p: 0.027), male gender (ß: 0.126, p: 0.035) and SS (ß: 0.481, p< 0.001). Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed a cut-off value > 809 for SS >32 (high SS tertile).

Conclusion

In symptomatic patients with accompanying significant CAD, total CAC score was independently associated with SS and patients with SS >32 may be detected through high Agatston score.     

Mean platelet volume and coronary artery disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Platelets with high hemostatic activity play an important role in the pathophysiology of coronary artery disease(CAD) and mean platelet volume(MPV) has been proposed as an indicator of platelet reactivity. Thus, MPV may emerge as a potential marker of CAD risk. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing mean difference in MPV between patients with CAD and controls and pooling the odds ratio of CAD in those with high versus low MPV.

Methods

Medline and Scopus databases were searched up to 12 March 2013. All observational studies that considered MPV as a study's factor and measured CAD as an outcome were included. Two reviewers independently selected the studies and extracted the data.

Results

Forty studies were included in this meta-analysis. The MPV was significantly larger in patients with CAD than controls with the unstandardized mean difference of 0.70 fL (95% CI: 0.55, 0.85). The unstandardized mean difference of MPV in patients with acute coronary event and in patients with chronic stable angina was 0.84 fL (95% CI: 0.63, 1.04) and 0.46 fL (95% CI: 0.11, 0.81) respectively. Patients with larger MPV (≥ 7.3 fL) also had a greater odds of having CAD than patients with smaller MPV with a pooled odds ratio of 2.28 (95% CI: 1.46, 3.58).

Conclusion

Larger MPV was associated with CAD. Thus, it might be helpful in risk stratification, or improvement of risk prediction if combining it with other risk factors in risk prediction models.     

Soluble P-selectin and matrix metalloproteinase 2 levels are elevated in patients with diastolic dysfunction independent of glucose metabolism disorder or coronary artery disease

OBJECTIVE:

The development of diastolic dysfunction (DDF) is multifactorial. Possible mechanisms include metabolic disturbances, myocardial fibrosis, chronic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. Recognizing early stages of DDF may help to identify patients at risk of developing symptomatic DDF. Therefore, biomarkers reflecting pathophysiological changes within the myocardium were investigated in patients with DDF.

METHODS:

Seventy-seven patients submitted for coronary angiography with stable or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) were consecutively enrolled. Those without known diabetes mellitus (DM) underwent a standardized oral glucose tolerance test. Echocardiography for the diagnosis of DDF was performed according to the European Society of Cardiology. Matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin) serum concentrations were analyzed using the ELISA technique.

RESULTS:

A total of 36% of patients had DM and 74% had CAD. The prevalence of DDF was higher in patients with DM (89% versus 74%) and CAD (84% versus 53%) (P<0.05). DDF in patients with DM was more severe with a significantly lower mitral annulus velocity of 6.5 cm/s versus 7.8 cm/s (P<0.01). Patients with DDF showed significantly higher sP-selectin (140.3 μg/L versus 107.6 μg/L, P<0.05) and MMP-2 (270.5 μg/L versus 224.7 μg/L, P<0.05) levels compared with those without DDF. There was a significant correlation between sP-selectin and MMP-2 (P=0.01), independent of the diagnosis of DM or CAD.

CONCLUSION:

sP-selectin as a marker for platelet hyperactivity, inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, and MMP-2 as a marker for extracellular matrix turnover were significantly elevated in patients with DDF. This elevation was independent of coexisting DM or CAD. This observation may help to identify and monitor patients with DDF.     

Impact of estimated HDL particle size via the ratio of HDL-C and apoprotein A-I on short-term prognosis of diabetic patients with stable coronary artery disease

BackgroundRevascularization and statin therapy are routinely used in the management of stable coronary artery disease. However, it is unclear whether the estimated high-density lipoprotein （HDL） particle size （eHDL-S）, the ratio of HDL cholesterol （HDL-C） to apoprotein A-I （apoA-I）, is associated with the clinical outcomes of diabetic patients with stablecoronary artery disease （CAD）.MethodsWe per-formed a prospective cohort study of 328 patients diagnosed with stable CAD by coronary angiography. Patients were followed up for a mean duration of 12 months. The patients were divided into three groups by the tertiles of eHDL-S： low eHDL-S （〈 0.71,n= 118）; interme-diate eHDL-S （0.71-0.79,n= 111）; and high eHDL-S （〉 0.79,n= 99）. The associations between the baseline eHDL-S and short-term out-comes were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional regression.Results The low eHDL-S group had higher trig-lyceride, hemoglobin A1c, uric acid, and leukocyte count than the other groups. During the follow-up period, 47/328 patients experienced a pre-specified outcome. According to the Kaplan-Meier analysis, the incidence of pre-specified outcomes was lower in the high eHDL-S group （P = 0.04）. However, eHDL-S was not independently associated with adverse outcomes in Cox proportional hazards regression （haz-ard ratio （HR）： 0.23, 95% confidence interval （95% CI）： 0.01-11.24,P = 0.493）.ConclusionAlthough the eHDL-S was associated with inflammatory biomarkers, it was not independently associated with the short-term prognosis of diabetic patients with stable CAD in the era of revascularization and potent statin therapy.     

El polimorfismo de un solo nucleótido PLAU P141L se asocia con el grado de circulación colateral en pacientes con enfermedad arterial coronaria

Introduction and objectives

Urokinase-type plasminogen activator, which is encoded by the PLAU gene, plays a prominent role during collateral arterial growth. We investigated whether the PLAU P141L (C > T) polymorphism, which causes a mutation in the kringle domain of the protein, is associated with coronary collateral circulation in a cohort of 676 patients with coronary artery disease.

Methods

The polymorphism was genotyped in blood samples using a TaqMan-based genotyping assay, and collateral circulation was assessed by the Rentrop method. Multivariate logistic regression models adjusted by clinically relevant variables to estimate odds ratios were used to examine associations of PLAU P141L allelic variants and genotypes with collateral circulation.

Results

Patients with poor collateral circulation (Rentrop 0-1; n = 547) showed a higher frequency of the TT genotype than those with good collateral circulation (Rentrop 2-3; n = 129; P = .020). The T allele variant was also more common in patients with poor collateral circulation (P = .006). The odds ratio of having poorly developed collaterals in patients bearing the T allele (adjusted for clinically relevant variables) was statistically significant under the dominant model (odds ratio =1.83 [95% confidence interval, 1.16-2.90]; P = .010) and the additive model (odds ratio =1.73 [95% confidence interval, 1.14-2.62]; P = .009).

Conclusions

An association was found between coronary collateral circulation and the PLAU P141L polymorphism. Patients with the 141L variant are at greater risk of developing poor coronary collateral circulation.Full English text available from: www.revespcardiol.org/en     

Correlation between serum free fatty acids levels and Gensini score in elderly patients with coronary heart disease

Objectives To investigate the relationship between serum fxee fatty acids （FFAs） levels and the severity of coronary artery lesions in elderly patients with coronary heart disease （CAD）. Methods A total of 172 elderly patients who underwent coronary angiography were divided into CAD group （n = 128） and non-CAD group （n = 44） according to the results of coronary angiography. Serum FFAs and lipid levels were measured and the Gensini score were calculated. Results No matter the differences between age, gender and the usage of stat- ins or not, there was no statistical significance in FFAs levels （P 〉 0.05）. In terms of the Gensini score, it was higher in patients aged 70-79 years than in patients 60-69 years old [15.00 （5.00, 34.00） vs. 10.00 （2.00, 24.00）, P 〈 0.05], higher in men than women [14.00 （4.00, 34.00） vs. 7.00 （2.50, 19.75）, P 〈 0.05], and higher in patients on statins [13.50 （4.25, 33.50）vs. 6.50 （2.00, 18.00）, P 〈 0.05]. The serum FFAs lev- els [449.50 （299.00, 624.75） mEq/L vs. 388.00 （258.50, 495.25） mEq/L, P 〈 0.05J and Gensini score [17.50 （8.00, 41.75） vs. 1.00 （0, 5.00）, P 〈 0.05] were higher in the CAD group than in the non-CAD group. In the CAD group, there was no statistical significance in FFAs levels among patients with different numbers of diseased coronary vessels （P 〉 0.05）. Furthermore, the FFAs levels were positively correlated with the Gensini score （r = 0.394, P = 0.005）. Regression analysis showed that the FFAs levels were related to the Gensini score independently after adjusting for the other risk factors. Conclusions The serum FFAs levels were associated with the Gensini score in elderly patients with CAD. It might indicate FFAs as a biomarker predicting the severity of coronary artery lesions.     

Diagnostic importance of admission platelet volume indices in patients with acute chest pain suggesting acute coronary syndrome

Objective

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a challenging issue in cardiovascular medicine. Given platelet role in atherothrombosis, we sought to determine whether platelet indices can be used as diagnostic tests for patients who suffered from an acute chest discomfort.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled 862 patients with an acute chest pain and 184 healthy matched controls. They were divided into four groups: 184 controls, 249 of non-ACS, 421 of unstable angina (UA), and 192 of myocardial infarction (MI) cases. Blood samples were collected at admission to the emergency department for routine hematologic tests.

Results

The mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), and platelet large cell ratio (P-LCR) were significantly greater in patients with MI compared with those of non-ACS or control subjects. Negative and significant correlations existed between MPV, PDW, and P-LCR values and platelet count (P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves showed that the MPV, PDW, and P-LCR with cut-off values of 9.15 fL, 11.35 fL, and 20.25% and with area under the curves of 0.563, 0.557, and 0.560, respectively, detected MI patients among those who had chest discomfort. The sensitivities and specificities were found to be 72% and 40%, 73% and 37%, and 68% and 44% for MPV, PDW, and P-LCR, respectively.

Conclusion

An elevated admission MPV, PDW, and P-LCR may be of benefit to detect chest pain resulting in MI from that of non-cardiac one, and also for risk stratification of patients who suffered from an acute chest discomfort.     

A propensity score analysis on the effect of on-pump versus off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting for patients with coronary artery disease

Aim

The aim of this retrospective observational study was to investigate the effect of on-pump versus off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for patients with coronary artery diseases (CAD).

Methods

A retrospective observational study was performed using a propensity score analysis in 290 consecutive patients undergoing CABG between April 2009 and March 2014, of them, 54 patients undergoing off-pump CABG (OPCABG) were matched with 54 patients undergoing on-pump CABG (ONCABG) by propensity score. The perioperative complications and hospital mortality were documented.

Results

Preoperative characteristics were comparable in both groups following propensity matching. Postoperative myocardial infarction (MI) incidence was lower in OPCABG group than in ONCABG group (3.7% vs. 14.8%, P=0.046); both hospital mortality and the major complications rates were similar in the two groups after propensity adjustment for preoperative characteristics.

Conclusions

The perioperative complications are similar in both off-pump and on pump CABG groups, the short-term effect of OPCABG is similar to that of ONCABG.     

Referrals in acute coronary events for CARdiac catheterization: The RACE CAR trial

BACKGROUND:

Women with acute coronary syndromes have lower rates of cardiac catheterization (CC) than men.

OBJECTIVE:

To determine whether sex/gender, age, risk level and patient preference influence physician decision making to refer patients for CC.

METHODS:

Twelve clinical scenarios controlling for sex/gender, age (55 or 75 years of age), Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction risk score (low, moderate or high) and patient preference for CC (agreeable or refused/no preference expressed) were designed. Scenarios were administered to specialists across Canada using a web-based computerized survey instrument. Questions were standardized using a five-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (very unlikely to benefit from CC) to 5 (very likely to benefit from CC). Outcomes were assessed using a two-tailed mixed linear regression model.

RESULTS:

Of 237 scenarios, physicians rated men as more likely to benefit from CC than women (mean [± SE] 4.44±0.07 versus 4.25±0.07, P=0.03), adjusted for age, risk and patient preference. Low-risk men were perceived to benefit more than low-risk women (4.20±0.13 versus 3.54±0.14, P<0.01), and low-risk younger patients were perceived to benefit more than low-risk older patients (4.52±0.17 versus 3.22±0.16, P<0.01). Regardless of risk, patients who agreed to CC were perceived as more likely to benefit from CC than patients who were disagreeable or made no comment at all (5.0±0.23, 3.67±0.21, 2.95±0.14, respectively, P<0.01).

CONCLUSION:

Canadian specialists’ decisions to refer patients for CC appear to be influenced by sex/gender, age and patient preference in clinical scenarios in which cardiac risk is held constant. Future investigation of possible age and sex/gender biases as proxies for risk is warranted.     

Linking soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1 level to calcific aortic stenosis in patients with coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND:

Calcific aortic stenosis (AS) is an atherosclerosis-related process and the most common cause of valve disease requiring surgery.

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the association of inflammatory markers with AS in advanced atherosclerosis.

METHODS:

Consecutive patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) associated with AS were prospectively identified (mean transvalvular aortic gradient of 30 mmHg or greater). Subjects with aortic sclerosis (mean transvalvular aortic gradient of 10 mmHg or less) served as controls. All patients underwent clinical evaluation, echocardiography and coronary angiography.

RESULTS:

One hundred twenty-two patients with AS (85 men) and 101 with aortic sclerosis (76 men) of similar CAD severity were enrolled. The AS patients were older (mean [± SD] 71±7 years versus 66±7 years; P<0.001), had higher soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1 (s-VCAM-1) levels (1533±650 μg/L versus 1157±507 μg/L; P<0.001), but lower soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (s-ICAM-1) (254±81 μg/L versus 293±84 μg/L; P<0.01) and soluble E-selectin (53±28 μg/L versus 62±29 μg/L; P<0.05) levels. The two groups did not differ with respect to C-reactive protein level (3±2.9 mg/L versus 3.4±2.6 mg/L; P not significant). Higher s-VCAM-1 (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.14; P<0.001) and lower s-ICAM-1 (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.72 to 0.94; P<0.001) levels were associated with AS after adjustment for age.

CONCLUSION:

Increased s-VCAM-1 levels were associated with calcific AS in patients with significant CAD.     

Bone mineral density and coronary atherosclerosis

Background

The association between low bone mineral density (BMD) and atherosclerosis is still unknown. In this study BMD assessed in patients with and without coronary artery atherosclerosis is determined by angiography.

Methods

A total number of 123 consecutive patients referred for coronary angiography were evaluated by dual X-ray absorptiometry. Obstructive CAD was diagnosed when ⩾50% of lumen was narrowed. Conventional atherosclerosis risk factors were also assessed.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 59 ± 8 years. There was frequency of 48.7% male. The prevalence of diabetes was 31.2%, hypertension 57%, dyslipoproteinaemia 51%, vitamin D deficiency 50% and history of smoking 80.8%. Coronary angiography was normal in 15 patients (12.6%) while 67 patients (55.5%) had obstructive CAD. DXA scan showed 25 patients (21%) with normal BMD, 39 patients (32.7%) with osteopenia, and 55 others (46.2%) with osteoporosis. Lower BMD results were significantly associated with older age and lower BMI but it was not associated significantly with diabetes, hypertension, lipids levels or smoking. Moreover the prevalence of obstructive CAD and minimal CAD differed between groups with normal and low bone density but this was not significant (p = 0.67 and 0.52, respectively). The mean T score comparison between patients with and without CAD was also not different.

Conclusions

In patients with and without obstructive CAD the prevalence of low BMD results are not different.     

Efficacy of Patient Selection for Diagnostic Coronary Angiography in Suspected Coronary Artery Disease

Background

Guidelines recommend that in suspected stable coronary artery disease (CAD), a clinical (non-invasive) evaluation should be performed before coronary angiography.

Objective

We assessed the efficacy of patient selection for coronary angiography in suspected stable CAD.

Methods

We prospectively selected consecutive patients without known CAD, referred to a high-volume tertiary center. Demographic characteristics, risk factors, symptoms and non-invasive test results were correlated to the presence of obstructive CAD. We estimated the CAD probability based on available clinical data and the incremental diagnostic value of previous non-invasive tests.

Results

A total of 830 patients were included; median age was 61 years, 49.3% were males, 81% had hypertension and 35.5% were diabetics. Non-invasive tests were performed in 64.8% of the patients. At coronary angiography, 23.8% of the patients had obstructive CAD. The independent predictors for obstructive CAD were: male gender (odds ratio [OR], 3.95; confidence interval [CI] 95%, 2.70 - 5.77), age (OR for 5 years increment, 1.15; CI 95%, 1.06 - 1.26), diabetes (OR, 2.01; CI 95%, 1.40 - 2.90), dyslipidemia (OR, 2.02; CI 95%, 1.32 - 3.07), typical angina (OR, 2.92; CI 95%, 1.77 - 4.83) and previous non-invasive test (OR 1.54; CI 95% 1.05 - 2.27).

Conclusions

In this study, less than a quarter of the patients referred for coronary angiography with suspected CAD had the diagnosis confirmed. A better clinical and non-invasive assessment is necessary, to improve the efficacy of patient selection for coronary angiography.     

Association between mean platelet volume and autonomic nervous system functions: Increased mean platelet volume reflects sympathetic overactivity

BACKGROUND:

Increased mean platelet volume (MPV) may reflect increased platelet activation or increased numbers of large, hyperaggregable platelets, and is accepted as an independent coronary risk factor. The adrenergic system has effects on platelet activation and thrombocytopoiesis.

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the effects of autonomic nervous system activity on MPV in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI).

METHODS AND RESULTS:

Forty-seven patients with acute anterior MI were compared with 32 patients with healthy coronary arteries. All patients underwent heart rate (HR) variability analysis using 24 h Holter monitoring. Blood samples were taken for MPV measurements twice a day (day- and nighttime) during Holter monitoring. Mean HR, low frequency band of HR variability power spectrum to high frequency band of HR variability power spectrum (LF:HF) ratio, LF and MPV were higher in patients with anterior MI than in the control group. SD of all NN (RR) intervals, root mean square of successive differences, number of NN intervals that differed by more than 50 ms from the adjacent interval divided by the total number of all NN intervals, HF bands and platelet counts were lower in the patients with anterior MI than in the control group. Daytime LF bands, LF:HF ratio and MPV were significantly higher, and HF bands were significantly lower than the nighttime values for both groups. The differences in daytime and nighttime measurements were more significant in the patients with acute MI than in the control group. Pearson’s correlation analysis showed that MPV was positively correlated with ventricle score, degree of left anterior descending artery stenosis, mean HR, LF bands and LF:HF ratio; and negatively correlated with the SD of all NN intervals, HF bands and platelet count. Multivariate analysis revealed that MPV was significantly affected by ventricle score and the LF:HF ratio.

CONCLUSIONS:

MPV was significantly higher in the patients with acute MI. In both groups, MPV showed great daytime and nighttime variation, which can be attributed to alterations in the autonomic nervous system. The authors suggest that the prognostic role of increased MPV in patients with acute MI is closely associated with increased sympathetic activity and decreased HR variability.     

Correlation between myocardial enzyme serum levels and markers of inflammation with severity of coronary artery disease and Gensini score: A hospital-based,prospective study in Greek patients

Background

Our objective was to associate serum levels of myocardial enzymes and inflammatory biomarkers with severity of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Patients and methods

123 patients participated in our study, including 65 cases of acute myocardial infarction (MI), 27 cases of newly diagnosed CAD – without MI – and 31 controls. In all subjects, myocardial serum enzyme levels (creatine phosphokinase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase) and inflammatory indices (C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, white blood cells, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate) were measured. Patients were all submitted to coronary angiography and CAD severity was evaluated by Gensini score.

Results

Significant differences concerning enzyme serum levels and inflammatory indices were found to exist between the three study groups, being highest among patients with acute MI (p < 0.001). A significant association was demonstrated between Gensini score and serum enzyme levels as well as inflammatory biomarkers.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that serum levels of myocardial enzymes and inflammatory indices correlate with CAD severity in Greek patients.