Determinants of coronary angiography in Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction with low ejection fraction

Objective: To investigate the clinical and demographic factors affecting the selection of angiography in patients with severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction (SLVSD, ejection fraction lower than 30%) developing non-ST-segment elevation (NSTEMI). Study Design: Descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Cardiology, School of Medicine, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Izmir, Turkey, between March 2018 and March 2021. Methodology: Patients with SLVSD (Ejection fraction = 2 [Odds ratio (OR) :33.85, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 5.03-227.405 p= 65 years (OR: 7.124, 95% CI: 1.33-38.12, p=0.02), and PCI history (OR: 0.132, 95% CI: 0.02-0.84, p=0.032) were associated factors with the decision of only medical treatments instead of angiography. Conclusion: Demographic factors such as age and education level and clinical factors such as decompensation, PCI history, and anaemia significantly affect the decision of angiography in the patients with SLVSD and NSTEMI

Evaluation of Trastuzumab-induced early cardiac dysfunction using two-dimensional Strain Echocardiography

Abstract Aim: Trastuzumab, a chemotherapeutic agent used in the treatment of breast cancer. has been shown to induce subclinical left ventricular (LV) dysfunction during a three to six month period as evidenced by strain echocardiographic examination without any change occurring in the ejection fraction of LV. The present study evaluated the presence of subclinical LV dysfunction using strain echocardiography 1 day and 7 days after the initiation of trastuzumab therapy. Material and methods: The patients with breast cancer receiving adjuvant trastuzumab therapy underwent 2-dimensional, tissue Doppler, and strain echocardiographic examination at baseline and 1 day and 7 days after therapy. LV global longitudinal strain (GLS), global circumferential strain (GCS) values, and other echocardiographic parameters were calculated. Results: A total of 40 females, mean age 50±10 years, were evaluated. Of these patients, 97% received anthracycline and 73% received radiotherapy before the initiation of trastuzumab therapy. No change was observed in any of the echocardiographic parameters 1 day after the initiation of trastuzumab therapy (p>0.05). The LV ejection fraction, tissue Doppler parameters, and GCS values did not show any changes 7 days after the initiation of therapy, whereas significant decreases were observed in GLS value (19.2±4.0% vs. 17.2±3.4, p=0.001) and systolic annular velocity of the lateral LV wall (S' velocity) (10.5±3.2 vs. 8.6±2.2, p=0.002). Conclusion: Trastuzumab therapy is associated with subclinical LV dysfunction as early as 7 days after initiation of the therapy as evidenced by the decreases in GLS value of LV and systolic annular velocity of the lateral LV wall

Decreased heart rate recovery may predict a high SYNTAX score in patients with stable coronary artery disease

An impaired heart rate recovery (HRR) has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events, cardiovascular, and all‐cause mortality. However, the diagnostic ability of HRR for the presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) has not been clearly elucidated. Our aim was to investigate the relationship between HRR and the SYNTAX (SYNergy between percutaneous coronary intervention with TAXus and cardiac surgery) score in patients with stable CAD (SCAD). A total of 406 patients with an abnormal treadmill exercise test and ≥50% coronary stenosis on coronary angiography were included. The HRR was calculated by subtracting the HR in the first minute of the recovery period from the maximum HR during exercise. The SYNTAX score ≥23 was accepted as high. Correlation of HRR with SYNTAX score and independent predictors of high SYNTAX score were determined. A high SYNTAX score was present in 172 (42%) patients. Mean HRR was lower in patients with a high SYNTAX score (9.8 ± 4.5 vs. 21.3 ± 9, p < 0.001). The SYNTAX score was negatively correlated with HRR (r: -0.580, p < 0.001). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, peripheral arterial disease (OR: 13.3; 95% CI: 3.120–34.520; p < 0.001), decreased HRR (OR: 0.780; 95% CI: 0.674–0.902; p = 0.001), peak systolic blood pressure (OR: 1.054; 95% CI: 1.023–1.087; p = 0.001), and peak HR (OR: 0.950; 95% CI: 0.923–0.977; p < 0.001) were found to be independent predictors of a high SYNTAX score. Our results showed that HRR is significantly correlated with the SYNTAX score, and a decreased HRR is an independent predictor of a high SYNTAX score in patients with SCAD

COVID-19 Salgını Döneminde Valvüler Olmayan Atriyal Fibrilasyon Nedeniyle Yeni Nesil Oral Antikoagülan Kullanan Hastalarda Kanama Komplikasyonlarının Araştırılması

Amaç: COVID?19 pandemisi döneminde hastane başvurularının azalması; yeni oral antikoagülan kullanan hastaların takibini zorlaştır? maktadır. Bu bağlamda COVID?19 pandemisi döneminde yeni oral antikoagülan kullanan hastalarda kanama sıklığının araştırılması amaçlandı. Gereç ve Yöntem: Bu çalışma Mayıs 2020 ve Mayıs 2021 tarihleri arasında yapılmış kesitsel bir çalışmadır. COVID?19 pandemi döne? minde en az bir yıldır yeni oral antikoagülan kullanan 216 hasta dahil edilmiştir. Hastaların majör ve minör kanama oranları ve buna et? ki eden ön gördürücüler araştırılmıştır. Bulgular: Hastaların yaş ortalaması 72±10’du ve 129 (%60) hasta kadındı. 46 (%21) hastada kanama saptandı (%3 majör, %18 minör kanama). Kanama gelişen %12 hastada doz azaltımı yapılırken, %7 hastada ilaç kesilmiştir. Çok değişkenli analizlerde düzensiz ilaç kul? lanımı risk oranı: 14,91 (%95 Güven aralığı: 2,451?90,692, p=0,003), kadın cinsiyet risk oranı: 5,507 (%95 güven aralığı: 2,117?14,327, p<0,001), diyabet risk oranı: 2,319 (%95 güven aralığı: 1,069?5,031, p=0,033), HAS?BLED skoru risk oranı: 1,571 (%95 güven aralığı: 1,035?2,384 p=0,034) kanama ile ilişkili bağımsız değişken olarak bulunmuştur. Sonuç: Yeni oral antikoagülan kullanan hastalarda kanama komplikasyonları COVID?19 döneminde de hala bir sorun olmaya devam et? mektedi

Kinesiophobia, physical performance, and health-related quality of life in patients with coronary artery disease

INTRODUCTION: Kinesiophobia is an important risk factor for physical activity and exercise restrictions. It is important to assess kinesiophobia and identify high-risk patients to help prevent sedentary behaviour and increase exercise participation among cardiac patients. AIM: To evaluate kinesiophobia and its association with physical performance, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), patients’ limitations and symptoms, and disease history in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-two patients diagnosed with CAD were enrolled in this study. Kinesiophobia was assessed with the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia for Heart. The 5× Sit-to-Stand Test (5-STST), the Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT), and the 6-Minute Walk Test (6-MWT) were used to assess physical performance. Patients’ limitations and symptoms and HRQOL were evaluated with the Cardiovascular Limitations and Symptoms Profile. CAD duration and history of myocardial infarction (MI) were also recorded. RESULTS: 87.2% of the patients had high level of kinesiophobia, which was higher in patients with previous MI compared to patients without history of MI (p = 0.031). Kinesiophobia was positively correlated with 5-STST duration, TUGT duration, angina, shortness of breath, HRQOL, and CAD duration, and it was negatively correlated with 6-MWT distance (p < 0.05). According to regression analysis, only angina was a significant predictor for kinesiophobia (p = 0.014). Kinesiophobia was found to be a predictor of physical performance and HRQOL (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Levels of kinesiophobia are high in patients with CAD, especially in those with a history of MI. Angina is a predictor of kinesiophobia while kinesiophobia is a predictor of both physical performance and HRQOL in CAD patients

Spontaneous right coronary artery dissection in a patient with COVID-19 infection: A case report and review of the literature

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Although SARS-CoV-2 predominantly causes viral pneumonia, it is also associated with many cardiovascular complications such as myocarditis, acute myocardial infarction, and thrombosis. Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare form of coronary artery disease, which a few recent case reports have shown to be associated with COVID-19. The case reported here is a COVID-19 associated SCAD in a patient with no history of cardiovascular disease. The SCAD was treated with stent implantation

Platelet-Lymphocyte ratio is a predictor for the development of no-reflow phenomenon in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction after thrombus aspiration

Backround We aimed to evaluate the utility of the preprocedural platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) for predicting the no-reflow phenomenon after thrombus aspiration during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Method We retrospectively analyzed postprocedural thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grades and myocardial blush grades (MBG) of 247 patients who underwent a PCI procedure with thrombus aspiration.We divided these patients into two groups according to whether they had no-reflow (TIMI = 2). Results No-reflow developed in 43 (17%) patients.Preprocedural PLR was significantly higher in the no-reflow group (183.76 +/- 56.65 vs 118.32 +/- 50.42 p < 0.001).Independent predictors of no-reflow were as follows: higher preprocedural platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) (OR = 1.018; 95% CI = 1.004, 1.033; p = 0.013),mean corpuscular volume (MCV) (OR = 1.118; 95% CI = 1.024, 1.220; p = 0.012) and SYNTAX Score-2 (OR = 1.073; 95% CI = 1.005, 1.146; p = 0.036). PLR of 144 had 79% sensitivity and 75% specificity for the prediction of no-reflow. Conclusion PLR is a reliable predictor for no-reflow in STEMI patients undergoing thrombus aspiration

Is coronary artery tortuosity a predisposing factor for drug-eluting stent restenosis?

Background Coronary artery tortuosity (CAT) is a relatively common finding on coronary angiography and may be associated with impaired left ventricular relaxation and coronary ischemia However, the significance of CAT remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate whether the severity of tortuosity in the targeted coronary segment is a predictor of stent restenosis. Methods The study included a total of 637 patients undergoing drug-eluting stent implantation due to stable or unstable angina and who had no native coronary artery stenosis on their last coronary angiogram. The patients were separated into two groups: 312 patients with in-stent restenosis and 325 patients without in-stent restenosis. All patients underwent computed tomography (CT) coronary angiography after invasive angiography and CAT was calculated using the computer software. Results Patients with in-stent restenosis had higher CAT than those without restenosis (1.25 +/- 0.11 vs. 1.11 + 0.07, p < 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the tortuosity index (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.246 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.127-1.376 p < 0.001) and the circumflex lesion (HR: 1.437 95% CI: 1.062-1.942 p = 0.019) were independently associated with in-stent restenosis. With the threshold value of severe tortuosity set at 1.15, the prediction of could be made with 81% sensitivity and 80% specificity. Conclusion The severity of tortuosity is proportional to coronary in-stent stenosis in patients with stable and unstable angina pectoris undergoing drug-eluting stent implantation for a severe single coronary artery

Evaluation of Bleeding Rate and Time in Therapeutic Range in Patients Using Warfarin Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic—Warfarin Treatment in COVID-19

The treatment process of patients using warfarin is expected to be hindered during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore we investigated whether the time in therapeutic range (TTR) and bleeding complications were affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. 355 patients using warfarin were included between March 2019 to March 2021. Demographic parameters, INR (international normalized ratio), and bleeding rates were recorded retrospectively. The TTR value was calculated using Rosendaal’s method. The mean age of the patients was 61 ± 12 years and 55% of them were female. The mean TTR value during the COVID-19 pandemic was lower than the pre-COVID-19 period (56 ± 21 vs 68 ± 21, P < 0.001). Among the patients, 41% had a lack of outpatient INR control. During the COVID-19 pandemic, 71 (20%) patients using VKA suffered bleeding. Among patients with bleeding, approximately 60% did not seek medical help and 6% of patients performed self-reduction of the VKA dose. During the COVID-19 pandemic, TTR values have decreased with the lack of monitoring. Furthermore, the majority of patients did not seek medical help even in case of bleeding