Project description:The GRACE score constitutes a useful tool for risk stratification in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), while the SYNTAX score determines the complexity of coronary artery disease (CAD). This study sought to correlate these scores and assess the accuracy of the GRACE score in predicting the extent of CAD. A total of 539 patients with ACS undergoing coronary angiography were included in this analysis. The patients were classified into those with a SYNTAX score < 33 and a SYNTAX score ≥ 33. Spearman's correlation and receiver operator characteristic analysis were conducted to investigate the role of the GRACE score as a predictor of the SYNTAX score. There was a significantly positive correlation between the SYNTAX and the GRACE scores (r = 0.32, p < 0.001). The GRACE score predicted severe CAD (SYNTAX ≥ 33) moderately well (the area under the curve was 0.595 (0.522-0.667)). A GRACE score of 126 was documented as the optimal cut-off for the prediction of a SYNTAX score ≥ 33 (sensitivity = 53.5% and specificity = 66%). Therefore, our study reports a significantly positive correlation between the GRACE and the SYNTAX score in patients with ACS. Notably, NSTEMI patients with a high-risk coronary anatomy have higher calculated GRACE scores. A multidisciplinary approach by a heart team could possibly alter the therapeutic approach and management in patients presenting with ACS and a high calculated GRACE score.
Project description:BackgroundCerebral atherosclerotic stenosis (CAS) is a significant factor in the development of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Previous studies have reported that cytokines are involved in atherosclerotic diseases, although the relationship between serum levels of the chemokine RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted) and the presence of CAS remains unclear.MethodsIn total, 127 participants (65 non-AIS controls and 62 patients with AIS) were involved in this study. CAS was defined as the presence of ≥ 50% stenosis in major intracranial or extracranial artery by a Digital Substraction Angiography (DSA) examination, and we classified all participants into four groups according to stroke and CAS status. Serum concentrations of 8 cytokines, including RANTES, were measured by the Human ProcartaPlex Multiplex Immunoassay Kit.ResultsSeventy-eight participants (61.41%) had CAS, of which 39 cases with AIS and 39 case with non-AIS. Patients with CAS had higher RANTES levels compared to non-CAS patients in both the non-AIS group (10.54 ± 0.80 vs. 13.20 ± 0.71, p = 0.016) and stroke group (11.96 ± 0.87 vs. 15.03 ± 0.75, p = 0.011), and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the RANTES level is independently associated with CAS in both the non-AIS group (adjusted odds ratio (OR), 1.07; 95% CI, 1.02-1.12, P = 0.004) and stroke group (adjusted OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.10-1.58, P = 0.003).ConclusionPatients with CAS have higher levels of serum RANTES than non-CAS patients regardless of stroke status suggesting that RANTES may play an important role in the formation of CAS.
Project description:OBJECTIVES:The endocannabinoid system modulates coronary circulatory function and atherogenesis. The two major endocannabinoids (eCB), 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and N-arachidonoylethanolamide (AEA), are increased in venous blood from patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, given their short half-life and their autocrine/paracrine mechanism of action, eCB levels in venous blood samples might not reflect arterial or coronary eCB concentrations. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to identify the local concentration profile of eCB and to detect whether and how this concentration profile changes in CAD and NSTEMI versus patients without CAD. METHODS AND RESULTS:83 patients undergoing coronary angiography were included in this study. Patients were divided into three groups based on their definite diagnosis of a) no CAD, b) stable CAD, or c) non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Blood was drawn from the arterial sheath and the aorta in all patients and additionally distal to the culprit coronary lesion in CAD- and NSTEMI patients. 2-AG levels varied significantly between patient groups and between the sites of blood extraction. The lowest levels were detected in patients without CAD; the highest 2-AG concentrations were detected in NSTEMI patients and in the coronary arteries. Peripheral 2-AG levels were significantly higher in NSTEMI patients (107.4 ± 28.4 pmol/ml) than in CAD- (17.4 ± 5.4 pmol/ml; p < 0.001), or no-CAD patients (23.9 ± 7.1 pmol/ml; p < 0.001). Moreover, coronary 2-AG levels were significantly higher in NSTEMI patients than in CAD patients (369.3 ± 57.2 pmol/ml vs. 240.1 ± 25.3 pmol/ml; p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS:2-AG showed significant variability in arterial blood samples drawn from distinct locations. Possibly, lesional macrophages synthesise 2-AG locally, which thereby contributes to endothelial dysfunction and local inflammation.
Project description:Coronary atherosclerosis, the main condition predisposing to acute myocardial infarction, has an inflammatory component caused by stimuli that are yet unknown. We molecularly investigated the nature of the immune response within human coronary lesion in four coronary plaques obtained by endoluminal atherectomy from four patients. We constructed phage-display libraries containing the IgG1/kappa antibody fragments produced by B-lymphocytes present in each plaque. By immunoaffinity, we selected from these libraries a monoclonal antibody, arbitrarily named Fab7816, able to react both with coronary and carotid atherosclerotic tissue samples. We also demonstrated by confocal microscopy that this monoclonal antibody recognized human transgelin type 1, a cytoskeleton protein involved in atherogenesis, and that it co-localized with fibrocyte-like cells transgelin+, CD68+, CD45+ in human sections of coronary and carotid plaques. In vitro fibrocytes obtained by differentiating CD14+ cells isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells also interacted with Fab7816, thus supporting the hypothesis of a specific recognition of fibrocytes into the atherosclerotic lesions. Interestingly, the same antibody, cross-reacted with the outer membrane proteins of Proteus mirabilis and Klebsiella pneumoniae (and possibly with homologous proteins of other enterobacteriaceae present in the microbiota). From all the other three libraries, we were able to clone, by immunoaffinity selection, human monoclonal antibodies cross-reacting with bacterial outer membrane proteins and with transgelin. These findings demonstrated that in human atherosclerotic plaques a local cross-reactive immune response takes place.
Project description:BackgroundAcute coronary syndrome (ACS) may induce cardiovascular death. The correlation of mast cells related microRNAs (miRs) with risk of ACS has been investigated. We explored regulatory mechanism of miR-335-5p on macrophage innate immune response, atherosclerotic vulnerable plaque formation, and revascularization in ACS in relation to Notch signaling.MethodsACS-related gene microarray was collected from Gene Expression Omnibus database. After different agomir or antagomir, or inhibitor of Notch signaling treatment, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, MCP-1, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 levels were tested in ACS mice. Additionally, Notch signaling-related genes and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were measured after miR-335-5p interference. Finally, mouse atherosclerosis, lipid accumulation, and the collagen/vessel area ratio of plaque were determined.ResultsmiR-335-5p targeted JAG1 and mediated Notch signaling in ACS. miR-335-5p up-regulation and Notch signaling inhibition reduced expression of JAG1, Notch pathway-related genes, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, MCP-1, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and MMPs, but promote TIMP1 and TIMP2 expression. Additionally, vulnerable plaques were decreased and collagen fiber contents were observed to increase after miR-335-5p overexpression and Notch signaling inhibition.ConclusionsOverexpression of miR-335-5p inhibited innate immune response of macrophage, reduced atherosclerotic vulnerable plaque formation, and promoted revascularization in ACS mice targeting JAG1 through Notch signaling.
Project description:AimThe triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index has been shown to be an independent predictor for the progression and prognosis of coronary artery disease (CAD). Whether the TyG index predicts the severity of CAD in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains unknown.MethodsA total of 1,007 individuals presenting with ACS undergoing coronary angiography were stratified according to the tertiles of the TyG index and The Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (SYNTAX) score (SYNTAX score ≤ 22 versus SYNTAX score > 22). CAD complexity was determined by the SYNTAX score.ResultsAfter adjusting for multiple confounding factors, the TyG index was still an independent risk factor for mid/high SYNTAX scores (SYNTAX score > 22, OR 2.6452, 95% CI 1.9020-3.6786, P < 0.0001). Compared with the lowest tertile of the TyG (T1) group, the risk for a mid/high SYNTAX score in the T2 and T3 groups was 2.574-fold higher (OR, 2.574; 95% CI 1.610-4.112; P < 0.001) and 3.732-fold higher (OR, 3.732; 95% CI 2.330-5.975; P < 0.001), respectively. Furthermore, there was a dose‒response relationship between the TyG index and the risk of complicated CAD (SYNTAX score > 22; nonlinear P = 0.200). The risk for a mid/high SYNTAX score in the T2 and T3 groups was significantly higher in normoglycemia, prediabetes mellitus, and diabetes mellitus subgroups.ConclusionsA higher TyG index was associated with the presence of a higher coronary anatomical complexity (SYNTAX score > 22) in ACS patients, irrespective of diabetes mellitus status. The TyG index might serve as a noninvasive predictor of CAD complexity in ACS patients and could potentially influence the management and therapeutic approach.
Project description:BackgroundUveitis, a sight-threatening ocular inflammatory state, is associated with autoimmune diseases and systemic inflammation. This prolonged systemic inflammation may cause plaque formation in coronary arteries, subsequently resulting in acute coronary syndrome (ACS).MethodsThis retrospective, population-based study (15-year period) used the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database based on the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. Chi-square and Student's t-tests were used to examine differences between the study and comparison cohorts for categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Fine and Gray's competing risk model was used to determine the hazard ratio of the risk of ACS. Furthermore, the cumulative risk of ACS was determined using Kaplan-Meier analysis.ResultsA total of 1,111 patients with AS and uveitis were enrolled in this study cohort, and 4,444 patients with AS without uveitis were enrolled in the comparison cohort. After adjustment for age, sex, and comorbidities, patients with AS and uveitis demonstrated an increased risk of ACS compared to those without uveitis (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.675, p<0.001). In addition, Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that patients with AS and uveitis had a significantly higher risk of ACS than those without uveitis (p<0.001). Age, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and systemic steroids were significant risk factors for ACS. Both anterior uveitis and posterior segment involvement were associated with an increased risk of ACS in patients with AS. All-cause mortality was higher in the uveitis group (9.81%) than in the non-uveitis group (8.10%) (p=0.015).ConclusionOur analysis revealed that uveitis could potentially be a predictor of ACS in patients with AS. However, further prospective controlled studies are required to assess the association between uveitis and ACS in patients with AS.
Project description:Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have indicated an association of histone deacetylase 9 (HDAC9) genetic variant with large-vessel stroke and coronary artery disease, among the European population. However, whether HDAC9 gene is associated with an increased susceptibility to acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in Chinese Han population is not known. A total of 472 patients, including patients with ACS (N = 309), and those with chest pain syndrome (controls, N = 163) were enrolled. Genotyping for HDAC9 gene was performed using the ligation detection reaction assay. A series of statistical analyses were performed to investigate the correlation between HDAC9 gene SNPs and the susceptibility to ACS. The results revealed a significant association of rs2240419 with ACS risk in which the A allele (P = 0.047) and the A allele carriers (AA + AG) (P = 0.037) were more likely to be in ACS group as compared to those in the control group. None of two other SNPs, rs2389995 and rs2107595, were significantly associated with ACS risk (P > 0.05). Logistic regression analyses further revealed an increased risk for ACS in A allele carrier among rs2240419 genotypes, as compared to those with GG homozygotes (odds ratio: 1.869, 95% CI 1.143, 3.056, P = 0.013). A significant correlation between rs2240419 polymorphism of HDAC9 gene and the susceptibility to ACS in Chinese Han population was observed in this study.
Project description:The paramedics brought a 60-year-old man to the emergency department after a sudden onset of shortness of breath with a subsequent drop in the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). On arrival the patient looked peri-arrest. His O2 saturations were 84% on 15?L of oxygen. He had gasping breathing with a completely silent chest and the GCS was 6/15 (E=1, V=1, M=4). The blood gas revealed type-2 respiratory failure. The chest X-ray was unremarkable and ECG was not indicative for cardiac catheterisation lab activation. Bedside shock scan was done which showed global hypokinesia of the left ventricle. In spite of unconvincing ECG and chest X-ray, an acute cardiac event was diagnosed in view of an abnormal bedside echo. The patient was transferred to the cardiac catheterisation lab for urgent percutaneous coronary intervention which revealed critical stenosis of the left main stem coronary artery, which was successfully stented. The patient had a good recovery from the life-threatening event.
Project description:Iodinated contrast agent (ICA)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) following acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a frequent complication, which may lead to chronic kidney disease and increased mortality. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) of the retina is new tool delivering a rapid and noninvasive assessment of systemic microvascularization, which is potentially involved in the occurrence of ICA-induced AKI. Between October 2016 and March 2017, 452 ACS patients were admitted to our cardiac intensive care unit. OCT-A was performed within 48 h after the ICA injection. Patients with a history of retinal disease were excluded. The patients included were divided into two groups depending on whether or not AKI occurred after injection of ICA, according to KDIGO criteria. Of the 216 patients included, 21 (10%) presented AKI. AKI was significantly associated with age, Mehran score, GRACE score, and NT-proBNP. AKI patients had significantly lower retinal vascular density (RVD)) and had more frequent low RVD (81% vs 45%, P = 0.002). Adding low RVD to the Mehran score and the NT-proBNP, or to the GRACE score and the NT-proBNP, significantly improved their predictive values, suggesting that systemic microvascular involvement remains incompletely addressed by either standard risk scores or factors known to be associated with ICA-induced AKI.