Aim: To investigate the predictive capacity of a systemic immune–inflammation index (SII) in detecting new-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) following ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STE...

The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive capacity of a systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) in the detection of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) following ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). A total of 477 STEMI patients were enrolled in the study. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to CIN development. A cutoff point of 5.91 for logarithm-transformed SII was identified with 73.0% sensitivity and 57.5% specificity to predict CIN following STEMI. According to a pairwise analysis of receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the predictive power of SII in detecting CIN following STEMI was similar to that of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and better than the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio or platelet/lymphocyte ratio. As a result, SII can be used as one of the independent predictors of CIN after STEMI.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common form of supraventricular arrhythmia following ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The CHA2DS2-VASc and CHADS2 scores are used to estimate thromboembolic risk in cases of AF. Their usefulness in predicting the development of AF in patients presenting STEMI is unknown. To evaluate the predictive value of the CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores in patients with AF following STEMI. This prospective cohort study on 696 patients with STEMI was conducted at a tertiary-level cardiology clinic in a public university hospital. Models including clinical and laboratory parameters were constructed to test the predictive value of CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores. Patients were divided into two groups: with and without AF. Predictors of AF were determined using multivariate regression analysis. In the patients with AF, CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores were significantly higher than in those without AF (for both P < 0.001). Factors associated with AF in multivariate analyses included CHA2DS2-VASc score (odds ratio, OR: 1.48; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.25-1.75; P < 0.001), peak creatine kinase-myocardial binding (OR: 1.002; 95% CI: 1.00-1.003; P = 0.0024), duration of the coronary intensive care unit stay (OR: 1.69; 95% CI: 1.24-12.30; P = 0.001) and no use of renin-angiotensin system blockers (OR: 2.16; 95% CI: 1.14-4.10; P = 0.0017). Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses showed that CHA2DS2-VASc scores were significant predictors for new-onset AF (C-statistic: 0.698; 95% CI: 0.631-0.765; P < 0.001). CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores predicted new AF in patients presenting STEMI.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of the newly defined C-Reactive Protein (CRP)/Albumin Ratio (CAR) in determining the development of atrial fibrillation (AF) in comparison with other inflammatory markers, such as Neutrophil/Lymphocyte (N/L) Ratio and Platelet/Lymphocyte (P/L) Ratio, in patients undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) surgery. METHODS The population of this observational study consisted of 415 patients undergoing CABG. The study cohort was subdivided into two groups based on the development of AF. Complete blood counts, serum CRP, and serum albumin levels were evaluated before the CABG. The CAR, N/L, and P/L ratios of all the patients were calculated. Predictors of postoperative AF were determined by multiple logistic regression analysis (MLRA). RESULTS During follow-up, 136 patients (32.8%) developed postoperative AF. With MLRA, independent risk factors for postoperative AF were determined as follows: fasting glucose level (OR: 1.01; 95 % CI: 1.00-1.01, P <0.001), age (OR: 1.12; 95 % CI: 1.07-1.17, P <0.001), left ventricle ejection fraction (OR: 0.90; 95 % CI: 0.87-0.94, P <0.001), male gender (OR: 3.32; 95 % CI: 1.39-7.90, P = 0.007), 24-hour drainage amount (OR: 1.004; 95 % CI: 1.002-1.005, P <0.001), and CAR (OR: 1.82; 95 % CI: 1.53-2.16, P <0.001). Receiver Operating Characteristic curve analysis showed that CAR (C-statistic: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.71-0.79, p< 0.001) was a significant predictor of AF. CONCLUSION Novel inflammatory marker CAR can be used as a reliable marker to predict the development of AF following CABG.

Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is closely related to cardiovascular disorders including coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, heart failure, and stroke. The clinical risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, including age, obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes mellitus, are the same for MAC and atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to assess the neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR), an inflammatory marker, in patients with MAC. The study group consisted of 117 patients with MAC. Age and sex-matched control group was composed of 38 patients who were admitted to echocardiography laboratory due to suspicion of organic heart disease and eventually found to be free of MAC. We measured hematological indices in patients and control individuals. NLR ratio was significantly higher in patients with MAC than in control individuals (3.3 ± 1.8 vs. 1.6 ± 0.4, respectively; P < 0.001), and NLR ratio was positively correlated with MAC (P < 0.001, r = 0.58). Red cell distribution width was also significantly higher in patients with MAC than in control individuals (16.2 ± 3.3 vs. 13.4 ± 0.9%, respectively; P < 0.001). We have shown that NLR was significantly elevated in patients with MAC and it was correlated with MAC.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the mean platelet volume (MPV), an indicator of platelet activation in patients with infective endocarditis. Subjects and Methods: Twenty-nine patients with infective endocarditis and 29 healthy subjects were studied. Plasma MPV values in patients and control subjects were measured on admission and after 2 weeks of specific treatment of infective endocarditis. Results: The MPV was significantly higher among patients with infective endocarditis when compared with the control group (9.86 ± 1.1 vs. 8.0 ± 1.0 fl, respectively; p < 0.01). The MPV values of patients with infective endocarditis decreased significantly after treatment from 9.86 ± 1.1 to 7.86 ± 1.0 fl (p < 0.01). Total platelet counts increased significantly after treatment from 193.4 ± 96.5 × 10⁹ to 243.7 ± 92.4 × 10⁹ (p = 0.04). Conclusion: MPV values were higher in patients with infective endocarditis and decreased significantly after treatment. Elevated MPV values indicate that patients with infective endocarditis have increased platelet activation and infective endocarditis treatment decreases this platelet activation by decreasing MPV.