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Aims: To compare major cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) rates between patients in the pre‐COVID‐19 era and COVID‐19 era, and to assess the impact of the presence of COVID‐19 (+) on long‐term MACCE in ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in Turkey. Methods: Using the TURSER study (TURKISH ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction registry) data, the current study included 1748 STEMI patients from 15 centres in Turkey. Patients were stratified into COVID‐19 era (March 11st–May 15st, 2020; n = 723) or pre‐COVID‐19 era (March 11st–May 15st, 2019; n = 1025) cohorts. Long‐term MACCE rates were compared between groups. In addition, the effect of COVID‐19 positivity on long‐term outcomes was evaluated. The primary outcome was the occurrence of MACCE at long‐term follow‐up, and the secondary outcome was hospitalization with heart failure. Results: The MACCE and hospitalization with heart failure rates between pre‐COVID‐19 era and COVID‐19 era were 23% versus 22% (p =.841), and 12% versus 8% (p =.002), respectively. In the COVID‐19 era, the rates of MACCE and hospitalization with heart failure COVID‐19‐positive versus COVID‐19‐negative patients were 40% versus 20%, (p <.001), and 43% versus 11% (p <.001), respectively. Conclusion: There was no difference between the pre‐COVID‐19 era and the COVID‐19 era in terms of MACCE in STEMI patients in Turkey. In the COVID‐19 era, STEMI patients positive for COVID‐19 had a higher rate of MACCE and heart failure hospitalization at the long‐term follow‐up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carotid artery stenosis (CAS), mainly caused by carotid atherosclerosis, is related to ischemic stroke. We investigated whether C-reactive protein (CRP) to albumin ratio (CAR) was associated with increased severity of carotid stenosis in patients undergoing carotid angiography. A total of 269 patients who were undergoing carotid angiography were included in this study. The patients were divided into 2 groups with respect to the severe CAS: group 1 (stenosis < 70%, n = 189) or group II (stenosis ≥ 70%, n = 80). C-reactive protein to albumin ratio was higher in group II compared to group I (0.56 ± 0.25 vs 0.14 ± 0.01, P <.001). The CAR (odds ratio [OR]: 1.051, 95%CI: 1.027-1.076, P <.001), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and total cholesterol levels were independent predictors of severe CAS. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (area under the curve) for the CAR to predict severe CAS was 0.798 (95% CI: 0.741-0.854, P <.001). C-reactive to protein albumin ratio was an independent risk factor of severe CAS. Therefore, CAR might be considered a potential index in the severity of carotid artery disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated whether the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) 48 hours after admission is related to 30-day and long-term mortality in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who were treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We evaluated 318 consecutive patients with STEMI who were undergoing primary PCI. The relationship between the LMR48h and all-cause mortality (30-day and long-term) was analyzed by categorizing the patients into tertiles (T) according to LMR48h—T1 (>2.46), T2 (1.67-2.46), and T3 (<1.67). The T3 group exhibited the highest risk of 30-day all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 8.093 [1.006-65.074]; P = .049). For long-term mortality, a significantly higher mortality risk was observed in both T2 (HR: 2.005 [1.021-3.939]; P = .043) and T3 groups (HR: 2.374 [1.160-4.857]; P < .001) compared to the T1 group (reference group). In multivariate analysis, these associations remained unaltered even after adjusting for confounders. A low LMR at 48 hours after admission may be independently associated with both 30-day and long-term mortality in patients with STEMI who were treated with primary PCI. This marker may be used for identifying patients with STEMI at high risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common and life-threatening condition associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Pleural effusion occurs in about one in three cases; however, data on its prognostic value are scarce. Purpose To investigate the association between pleural effusion and both 30-day and long-term mortality in patients with acute PE. Material and Methods We retrospectively evaluated 463 patients diagnosed with acute PE using computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA). Echocardiographic, demographic, and laboratory data were collected. The study population was divided into two groups: patients with and without pleural effusions. Pleural effusion detected on CT was graded as small, moderate, and large according to the amount of effusion. The predictors of 30-day and long-term total mortality were analyzed. Results Pleural effusions were found in 120 patients (25.9%). After the 30-day follow-up, all-cause mortality was higher in acute PE patients with pleural effusions than in those without (23% versus 9%, P < 0.001). Also, patients with pleural effusions had significantly higher incidence of long-term total mortality than those without pleural effusions (55% versus 23%, P < 0.001). In a multivariate analysis, pleural effusion was an independent predictor of 30-day and long-term mortality (odds ratio [OR], 2.154; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.186-3.913; P = 0.012 and OR, 1.591; 95% CI, 1.129-2.243; P = 0.008, respectively). Conclusion Pleural effusion can be independently associated with both 30-day and long-term mortality in patients with acute PE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to investigate the ability of the C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR) to predict ascending aorta progression in patients with 40-50 mm diameter of ascending aortic dilatation. A total of 182 diagnosed patients with ascending aortic diameters of 40-50 mm were enrolled in this study. The study population was divided into tertiles based on yearly ascending aortic growth rate values. Group I (n = 137) was defined as a value in the lower 2 tertiles (ascending aorta growth ≤ 1.00 mm/year), and group II (n = 45) was defined as a value in the third tertile (ascending aorta growth > 1.00 mm/year). Hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, positive family history, and CAR were found to be independent risk factors for ascending aorta growth > 1.00 mm/year. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of CAR was 0.771(95% CI 0.689-0.854) for predicting ascending aorta growth > 1.00 mm/year. In patients with 40-50 mm ascending aneurysms, CAR may be useful to predict ascending aorta progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myocardial bridging, a congenital coronary anomaly, is a cluster of myocardial fibers crossing over the epicardial coronary arteries. It is most frequently seen in the left anterior descending artery (LAD), and rarely involves the circumflex (CX) and right coronary artery (RCA). We report a patient with an unusual coronary bridge crossing over the left anterior descending, obtuse marginal and ramus intermediate branches. The patient presented with exercise-induced angina pectoris that was relieved with medical therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A response from the authors of the article "The prognostic impact of in-hospital change in mean platelet volume in patients with non- ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction " published in the 2016 issue is presented.

Diabetic foot infections are one of the complications of diabetes mellitus resulting in extremity amputation and mortality. This study aimed to examine the predictive value of the C-reactive protein (CRP) to albumin ratio (CAR) for amputation risk in diabetic foot infection. Data from 178 patients were retrospectively examined. We found the cut point value of 15.45 according to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to show the predictive value of CAR for amputation risk in the overall population. We then divided the patients into two groups low (<15.45, n = 96) and high risk (≥15.45, n = 82) according to their CAR value. Matching based on propensity scores produced 64 patients in each group and showed that the amputation rate was high in the high-risk groups (50 vs 25%, P = .003). In the multivariate analysis in the matching group, previous amputation, antibiotic therapy in the last 3 months, and CAR (Odds ratio [OR]: 1.30, 95%Confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.45, P < .001) were independent predictors of amputation. These parameters may be useful to predict amputation risk in these patient groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The PRECISE-DAPT (predicting bleeding complications in patients undergoing stent implantation and subsequent dual antiplatelet therapy) score is recommended for predicting out-of-hospital bleeding after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, its long-term prediction remains unclear. We investigated the performance of this score in predicting long-term outcomes in patients with the acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We divided retrospectively enrolled patients (n = 1071) into two groups according to their PRECISE-DAPT scores: low < 25 and high ≥ 25. Bleeding was assessed using the Bleeding Academic Research Consortium criteria. The ischemic endpoints were all-cause death and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). During follow-up (median 7.3 years), MACCE (55 vs 35%, P<.001) and major bleeding (9 vs 4%, P =.002) rates were greater in the high score group. The PRECISE-DAPT score was an independent predictor of MACCE in multivariate analysis (Hazard ratio [HR]: 1.028, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.016–1.039, P <.001). Also, the PRECISE-DAPT score predicted all-cause mortality (HR: 2.115, 95% CI: 1.508–2.965, P <.001) at long-term follow-up. The PRECISE-DAPT score may be useful for predicting MACCE at long-term follow-up in addition to the risk of bleeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The red cell distribution width (RDW) is a numerical measurement of variability in the size of red blood cells. Many studies have shown that high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), has an anti-inflammatory effect. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the serum HDL-C level and RDW in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: Patients who underwent coronary angiography were reviewed. Patients who had moderate or severe heart failure, moderate or severe renal failure, significant systemic disease, anemia, a blood transfusion within the last 3 months, or a hematologic disease, as well as those who were taking lipid-lowering medication, were excluded from the study. The Gensini scoring system was used to determine the severity of CAD. Biochemical and hematological parameters were measured from venous blood samples taken after the patient fasted for at least 8 h. The RDW was routinely obtained from a hemogram. Results: In total, 328 patients were included in the study. The patients were categorized according to quartiles. There were 80 patients in Quartile 1 (RDW < 13.2), 84 patients in Quartile 2 (13.2 ≥ RDW < 14.15), 81 patients in Quartile 3 (14.15 ≥ RDW < 16), and 83 patients in Quartile 4 (RDW ≥ 16). There was a significant and inverse relationship between the serum HDL level and RDW. Regression analysis showed that the HDL-C, hemoglobin, and hs-CRP levels and Gensini score were predictors for the RDW. Conclusion: We found an inverse and gradual association between the serum HDL-C level and RDW, and the serum HDL-C level was an independent predictor for the RDW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is acute kidney failure that occurs after exposure to contrast agent. There is no sensitive biomarker to predict the development of CIN. In a retrospective study, we investigated the predictive value of the fibrinogen to albumin ratio (FAR) to determine the risk of CIN in patients (N = 246) who underwent carotid angiography. Contrast-induced nephropathy was defined as a 0.5 mg/dL or 25% increase in serum creatinine levels 48 to 72 hours following exposure to a radiocontrast agent. Patients were grouped according to whether they developed CIN or not, that is, CIN(–) and CIN(+) groups, respectively. Contrast-induced nephropathy developed in 39 (15.8%) of all the patients. The fibrinogen levels, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and FAR in the CIN (+) group were higher than in the CIN (−) group (P < .001). Multivariate analysis showed that age, diabetes, NLR, platelet–lymphocyte ratio, and FAR were independent risk factors for CIN. The area under the curve (AUC) of FAR was 0.800 for the prediction of CIN, and the best cutoff value was 57.4 with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 74.4%, 60.8%, 26.4%, and 92.7%, respectively. The FAR may be useful as a predictor of CIN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Increased serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level is an indicator of neurohormonal and renal dysfunction, and is associated with the major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Chronic total occlusion (CTO) is a typical coronary artery disease diagnosed by coronary angiography. We established and tested the hypothesis that there might be a relationship between serum BUN level and long-term prognosis in patients with CTO. Materials and Methods: The study consisted of 124 patients diagnosed with CTO. The patients were followed up for a mean of 9.2 (7.4-9.5) years, and all-cause mortality was determined. Results: Patients were divided into two groups according to mortality outcome. During the follow-up, 38 of 124 patients died. Univariate Cox analysis showed that age (p=0.002), BUN (p=0.001), and serum creatinine levels (p=0.039) were associated with mortality. BUN level (OR: 1.074; 95% CI: 1.018-1.134; p=0.009) and age (OR: 1.043; 95% CI: 1.001-1.087, p=0.043) were independently associated with mortality in multivariate Cox analysis. In the ROC analysis, the AUC values for BUN and estimated glomerular filtration rate were 0.689 (p=0.002) and 0.650 (p=0.001), respectively. When the cutoff value for BUN level was considered >16 mg/ dL, the sensitivity was 68%, and the specificity was 53% (OR:1.38) to predict mortality. When the cutoff value was considered >20 mg/ dL, the sensitivity diminished to 40%, while the specificity increased to 90% (OR:3.9). Conclusion: In patients with CTO, BUN level is associated with increased all-cause mortality during long-term following. This relationship is independent of renal dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We aimed to investigate the predictive value of the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) regarding the development of acute kidney injury (AKI) after elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).Methods: A total of 336 consecutive patients with normal serum creatinine levels undergoing CABG were enrolled in this retrospective study. AKI was defined as meeting Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) criteria based on the occurrence of creatinine changes within the first 48 h after CABG surgery. The patients were grouped according to whether they developed AKI or not into an AKI (-) and an AKI (+) group.Results: AKI developed in 88 (26.2%) of all patients. The PNI was independently predictive of AKI (OR: 0.829, 95% CI: 0.783-0.877, p <  0.001). Moreover, C-reactive protein (CRP), a history of diabetes mellitus, and positive inotropric usage were independent risk factors for AKI in the multivariate logistic regression analysis. The area under the curve (AUC) of the multivariable model, including positive inotrope support, a history of diabetes mellitus, and CRP, was 0.693 (95% CI: 0.626-0.760, p <  0.001) in predicting AKIN. When the PNI was added to the multivariable model, the AUC was 0.819 (95% CI, 0.762-0.865, z = 3.777, difference p = 0.0002). Also, the addition of the PNI to the multivariable model was associated with a significant net reclassification improvement estimated at 88.2% (p <  0.001) and an integrated discrimination improvement of 0.22 (p <  0.001).Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that decreasing the PNI could be associated with the development of AKI after coronary artery bypass surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]