Atherosclerosis burden and coronary artery lesion complexity in acute coronary syndrome patients

Background: Syntax score (SS) is a prognostic marker in patients with acute coronary sydromes (ACS). Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) and cardio ankle vascular index (CAVI) are well known surrogate marker of atherosclerosis burden. But association between atherosclerosis burden and coronary artery disease (CAD) complexity in ACS patients has not been investigated yet. Methods and Results: Consecutive patients with first time diagnosis of ACS (n = 172) were enrolled. SS, a marker of CAD complexity, was assessed by dedicated computer software. CIMT was examined by B-mode ultrasound. CAVI was assessed by VaSera VS-1000 cavi instrument. SS for low, intermediate and high tertiles of CIMT value were 10.1 ± 8.2 vs 11.4 ± ± 7.9 and 15.2 ± 8.8; p = 0.02). SS for normal, borderline and abnormal CAVI values were 4 ± 3.7 vs 11.1 ± 7.2 and 14.1 ± 9.1, respectively p = 0.009). Also, there was independent association between SS and CIMT (95% coinfidence interval [CI] 2.1–19, p = 0.014) and CAVI (95% CI 15–29, p = 0.021]. Neither traditional cardiovascular risk factor nor thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) risk score was independent determinant of SS. Conclusions: We have shown that patients with higher atherosclerosis burden have more complex coronary artery lesions. Also these patients may be identified early by using surrogate markers of atherosclerosis. Its clinical significance requires further research

Association Between C-Reactive Protein to Albumin Ratio and Left Ventricular Thrombus Formation Following Acute Anterior Myocardial Infarction

Cirakoglu, Omer Faruk/0000-0002-1815-437X; Yilmaz, Ahmet Seyda/0000-0003-3864-4023WOS: 000542354100001PubMed: 32567322Left ventricular thrombus (LVT) is associated with inflammatory response in survivors with anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). the C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) has been proposed as a marker of inflammation. However, there is a lack of data with respect to the role of CAR in LVT development. We investigated the relationship between CAR and LVT development in patients with anterior STEMI treated percutaneously; 955 consecutive patients were enrolled and LVT was observed in 126 (13.2%) patients. Clinical, demographic, and laboratory parameters were recorded. the CAR was significantly higher in patients with LVT (12.6 [8.6-16.1] vs 18.1 [11.5-23],P1 diseased arteries, higher total protein level, neutrophil count, and peak creatine kinase myocardial band activity. in conclusion, the CAR may be useful as a simple tool for predicting LVT development among survivors of anterior STEMI

Xanthelasma Is Associated with an Increased Amount of Epicardial Adipose Tissue

Objective: In the present study, we aimed to compare the amount of epicardial adipose tissue in subjects with and without xanthelasma. Subjects and Methods: Fifty-two subjects with xanthelasma and 52 age-and gender-matched control subjects were enrolled in this study. Epicardial adipose tissue was assessed by measuring epicardial fat thickness (EFT) with echocardiography. Participants were dichotomized according to median EFT, which was 4 mm. The group with EFT > 4 mm was defined as the supramedian group. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated by weight (kilograms) divided by height (meters) squared. Conditional logistic regression analysis was performed to find independent factors associated with supramedian EFT (> 4 mm). Results: Subjects with xanthelasma had higher BMI (31.2 +/- 5.6 vs. 28.6 +/- 5.7, p = 0.01) and higher levels of total cholesterol (216 +/- 54 vs. 181 +/- 42 mg/dl, p < 0.001), LDL cholesterol (142 +/- 45 vs. 115 +/- 36 mg/dl, p = 0.003) and triglycerides (median, 154 vs. 101 mg/dl, p = 0.01) than control subjects. EFT was significantly higher in subjects with xanthelasma than in controls (5.04 +/- 2.02 vs. 3.81 +/- 2.03 mm, p = 0.002). In the conditional logistic regression analysis, the presence of xanthelasma (OR, 3.55; 95% CI, 1.43-8.78, p = 0.006) and lower HDL cholesterol level (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.92-0.99, p = 0.023) were independently associated with supramedian EFT. Conclusion: The amount of epicardial adipose tissue found in subjects with xanthelasma was higher than in subjects without xanthelasma. In addition, the presence of xanthelasma was independently associated with supramedian EFT. (C) 2015 S. Karger AG, Base

Xanthelasma palpebrarum associated with increased cardio-ankle vascular index in asymptomatic subjects

The study suggests that XP is associated with increased arterial stiffness in asymptomatic subjects

Relationship of aortic knob width with cardio-ankle vascular stiffness index and its value in diagnosis of subclinical atherosclerosis in hypertensive patients: a study on diagnostic accuracy

Conclusion: Observation of aortic knob on chest X-ray in hypertensive patients may provide important predictive information of subclinical atherosclerosis. (Anadolu Kardiyol Derg 2012; 12: 102-6

Atherosclerosis burden and coronary artery lesion complexity in acute coronary syndrome patients

Conclusions: We have shown that patients with higher atherosclerosis burden have more complex coronary artery lesions. Also these patients may be identified early by using surrogate markers of atherosclerosis. Its clinical significance requires further research. (Cardiol J 2012; 19, 3: 295-300

Evaluation of Right Ventricular Function in Early Period Following Transcatheter Closure of Atrial Septal Defect

Aims: There is limited data on alterations in novel right ventricular (RV) function indices like tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and tricuspid annular systolic velocity (TASV) after transcatheter atrial septal defect (ASD) closure. We aimed to evaluate RV function by echocardiography (ECG) with these novel indices in early period in patients with secundum-type ASD that was closed percutaneously. Methods: Patients were enrolled to study if they had secundum-type ASD that was suitable for percutaneous closure. Patient population consisted of 4 men and 16 women. Echocardiography was performed before and 1 month after closure. Results: Mean age was 37 +/- 16. Mean diameter of ASD and total atrial septum length measured by ECG were 19 +/- 6 mm and 49 +/- 7 mm, respectively. Mean diameter of defect in transesophageal echocardiography was 20 +/- 6 mm. Stretched mean diameter in catheterization was 23 +/- 6 mm. One month after closure, there were statistically significant decreases in RV end-diastolic diameters (43.3 +/- 10.7 mm vs. 34.9 +/- 5.5 mm; P < 0.001), RV/left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic diameter ratio (1.1 +/- 0.3 vs. 0.87 +/- 0.1; P < 0.001), TASV (16.9 +/- 3.2 cm/sec vs. 14.3 +/- 3.3 cm/sec; P < 0.05), early diastolic tricuspid annular velocity (15.3 +/- 3.1 cm/sec vs. 13.4 +/- 2.4 cm/sec P <0.05), late diastolic tricuspid annular velocity (16.2 +/- 5.4 cm/sec vs. 14.3 +/- 6.3 cm/sec; P < 0.05), and TAPSE (29.9 +/- 6.2 mm vs. 22.4 +/- 7.4 mm; P < 0.001). LV end-diastolic diameter (38.0 +/- 6.9 mm and 40.0 +/- 4.5 P < 0.05) was increased, whereas there was no change in LV ejection fraction. Conclusion: Closure of ASD by using Amplatzer devices led to decrease in right heart chamber size, tissue Dopplerderived tricuspid annular velocities and TAPSE in early period. (Echocardiography ****;**:1-5

Relation between carotid intima-media thickness and aortic knob width in patients with essential hypertension

Conclusion Observation of aortic knob on chest radiograph in hypertensive patients may provide important predictive information of subclinical atherosclerosis. Blood Press Monit 16: 282-284 (C) 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Blood Pressure Monitoring 2011, 16: 282-28