The Prognostic Value of the Systemic Immune-inflammation Index in ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients and Its Correlation with Syntax II Score and TIMI Risk Score

Background and Aim:The systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) has been identified as a novel prognostic marker in various illnesses. We investigated the relationship between SII and mortality in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). In addition, we planned to examine how SII correlated with SYNTAX II and thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) risk scores in this population.Materials and Methods:This retrospective observational study included patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction who underwent pPCI. The endpoint was 1 year all-cause mortality. SII [(neutrophil x platelet)/lymphocyte] was calculated from admission blood samples. Besides clinical and laboratory findings, SII, Syntax II and TIMI risk scores were compared between survivors and non-survivors. The correlation between SII and Syntax II and TIMI risk scores was also evaluated.Results:The study included 334 patients (82.3% male). In the 1 year follow-up, 18 patients (5.4%) died. The SII, Syntax II, and TIMI risk scores were significantly higher in non-survivors than in survivors [mean (standard deviation: SD), 2423 (2005) vs 1686 (998), P = 0.005; median (interquartile range) 43 (35-53) vs 30 (25-37), P < 0.001; and 4 (2-5) vs 2 (1-3), P = 0.005, respectively]. Furthermore, the Syntax II score, TIMI risk score, and SII was independent predictors of 1 year all-cause mortality. SII showed a significant correlation with Syntax II and TIMI risk scores (R2 = 0.28, P = 0.001 and R2 = 0.37, P < 0.001, respectively).Conclusion:SII might provide additional prognostic data alongside Syntax II and TIMI risk scores in patients undergoing pPCI

Misperceptions and management of LDL-cholesterol in secondary prevention of patients with familial hypercholesterolemia in cardiology practice: Real-life evidence from the EPHESUS registry

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a common inherited disease, leading to premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) due to elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. Achieving LDL-C goals is extremely important for preventing the complications of this fatal disease. We evaluated the management of FH patients with ASCVD in cardiology practice. METHODS: We analyzed patients with ASCVD from the nationwide EPHESUS registry, which was conducted in 40 cardiology outpatient clinics, and compared those with and without FH. RESULTS: Of the 1482 consecutively enrolled patients with ASCVD, 618 (41.7%) had FH, among which 455 were categorized as 'Possible FH' and 163 as 'Probable or Definite FH'. Proposed LDL-C goals were not attained in more than 90% of the patients with FH. The proportion of those on statin therapy was 77% for possible and 91% for probable or definite FH, whereas 34.2 % and 59.4% were in use of high-intensity statins, respectively. None of the patients were on PCSK-9 inhibitors, and only 2 used ezetimibe. Adverse media coverage was the most common cause of statin discontinuation (32.5% in 'possible FH' and 45.7% in 'probable/definite FH'). The negative impact of media in the decision to stop lipid lowering therapy (LLT) was increasing with education level. CONCLUSIONS: In real life most of the FH patients with ASCVD are undertreated in cardiology practice regarding statin dosing and combined LLT. Drug discontinuation rates are notably high and are mostly media-related, and side effects very rarely cause cessation of LLT. Urgent measures are needed to increase the awareness of FH among healthcare providers and patients and to develop improved treatment strategies aimed at preventing the complications of FH

Association between BNP levels and new-onset atrial fibrillation: A propensity score approach

WOS: 000444701600011PubMed ID: 28707026New-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF), a common complication of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), is associated with a poor prognosis. Several clinical and laboratory parameters are reported to be associated with NOAF in patients with STEMI. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the predictive value of plasma BaEurotype natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels for NOAF development and long-term prognosis in STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). We retrospectively enrolled 1,928 patients with STEMI who underwent pPCI. After applying exclusion criteria, 1,057 patients were retained in the final study population. Patients with NOAF were compared with patients without NOAF in the entire study population and in a matched group. Patients with NOAF had a significantly higher average plasma BNP level (161 pg/ml, range: 72.3-432) than patients without NOAF in the study population (70.7 pg/ml, range: 70-129; p <0.001) and in the matched group (104.6 pg/ml, range: 47.2-234.5; p = 0.014). Furthermore, the plasma BNP level was found to be an independent predictor of NOAF development (odds ratio [OR]: 1.003; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.000-1.005; p = 0.034) and mortality in the long-term follow-up (OR: 1.004; 95% CI: 1.002-1.006; p <0.001). The present study found that a high plasma BNP level was significantly associated with NOAF development in STEMI patients, and was an independent predictor of NOAF development and all-cause mortality during long-term follow-up, regardless of other NOAF risk factors