Background: We aimed to investigate the predictive role of systemic immune inflammation index (SII) on atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence following cryoballoon-based AF ablation. Materials & metho...

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and is a major cause of embolic stroke. In patients with hereditary bleeding disorders such as haemophilia, management of AF particularly anticoagulation can be quite challenging. Left atrial appendage (LAA) closure is an emerging option in AF patients who are not eligible for oral anticoagulation therapy because of contraindications or high bleeding risk. A 67-year-old man with permanent AF and haemophilia was referred for further evaluation of our cardiology clinic by his primary haematologist. The CHA₂DS₂-VASc score was estimated to be 3 and the HAS-BLED score was 3. Due to high risk of bleeding, we decided to perform percutaneous LAA closure instead of oral anticoagulation. Pre-procedural cardiac computerized tomography angiography and transoesophageal echocardiography were performed for measurements of LAA dimensions and exclude LAA thrombus. Percutaneous LAA occlusion was performed using a 28-mm Amplatzer^TM Amulet^TM device. The final result was excellent without significant residual leak, pericardial effusion, and embolic complication. Clopidogrel 75 mg/day and aspirin 81 mg/day for 1 month with adequate FVIII prophylaxis and then only aspirin 81 mg/day for 2 months were recommended. No antiplatelet was given after 3 months. The patient did not report any thrombotic or haemorrhagic adverse events and there were no complications related to implanted device after 1 year of follow-up. In patients with hereditary bleeding disorders such as haemophilia, management of AF particularly anticoagulation can be quite challenging. In this report, we present a case of percutaneous LAA occlusion using Amplatzer^TM Amulet^TM device in a patient who has haemophilia and permanent AF. LAA closure has the potential to be more cost effective as compared to oral anticoagulation therapy due to lesser necessity of clotting factor infusion.

Background: Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) is a method that enables the hemodynamic assessment of coronary artery stenosis. The Systemic Inflammatory Response Index (SIRI) is a new marker calculated by multiplying the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) with the monocyte count. It is indicative of the presence and severity of coronary artery disease. This study evaluates the relationship between the functional significance of FFR measurements and the SIRI in intermediate coronary stenosis. Methods: A total of 294 patients with 50–70% stenosis in their coronary arteries based on quantitative measurement following angiography who underwent FFR measurement were included in the study before the FFR procedure. Total and differential leukocyte counts and routine biochemical tests were performed. Results: A total of 37% of the patients were found to have a positive FFR, while 63% had a negative FFR. Significant differences were observed in the neutrophil count, monocyte count, Systemic Inflammation Response Index (SIRI), total cholesterol, and amount of adenosine used between the groups (p < 0.05). A SIRI value of 1.16 was 77% sensitive and 55% specific for FFR positivity. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified the SIRI as an independent predictor of FFR positivity. Conclusions: Our study has demonstrated that high values of the SIRI may serve as a new biomarker for predicting FFR positivity.

Objective We sought to assess the effect of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) on the outcomes of a primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Background Many studies have shown the diagnostic and predictive value of HbA1c levels in patients with acute myocardial infarction. We assessed the prognostic role of HbA1c in short-term and long-term mortality in 796 consecutive patients with STEMI. Methods and results A total of 796 patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI were prospectively enrolled between December 2013 and June 2015. The patients were divided into three groups on the basis of admission HbA1c levels: group I (HbA1c≤5.6%), group II (HbA1c 5.7–6.4%), and group III (HbA1c≥6.5%). The in-hospital and 2-year cardiovascular (CV) mortality and morbidity of all three patient groups were followed up. A significant association was found between HbA1c level and 2-year primary clinical outcomes, including CV mortality, heart failure/shock, and major adverse cardiovascular event (P<0.001). Conclusion HbA1c is an independent predictor of the in-hospital and long-term mortality, nonfatal reinfarction, and target vessel revascularization in STEMI patients treated with primary PCI.