Prognosis Of Myocardial Infarction Patients Research Articles

Unlocking the secrets of electrolytes: the prognostic value of sodium-to-chloride ratio in intensive care unit patients with myocardial infarction

BackgroundElectrolyte imbalances are commonly observed in individuals diagnosed with myocardial infarction (MI). The levels of serum sodium have been linked to unfavorable outcomes in relation to MI. Additionally, there exists a correlation between serum sodium and serum chloride, although the combined influence of these electrolytes on the prognosis of MI patients has not been extensively studied. Consequently, our study aimed to examine whether an autonomous association exists between the sodium-to-chloride (Na/Cl) ratio and mortality rates during hospitalization among patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) with MI.MethodsA retrospective cohort study analysis was conducted on the Na/Cl ratio within the ICU from 2008 to 2019. Patients diagnosed with MI were divided into two groups based on a predetermined cutoff value for the Na/Cl ratio. Various statistical models, including the Cox proportional hazard model, generalized additive model, and two-piecewise linear regression model, were employed to assess the relationship between the initial Na/Cl ratio upon admission and the likelihood of in-hospital mortality while accounting for other relevant covariates.ResultsAfter adjusting for all other factors, the study revealed that the Na/Cl ratio exhibited an independent association with in-hospital mortality (HR = 1.28; 95% CI: 1.11–1.47, P < 0.001). Further analysis indicated a nonlinear relationship between the Na/Cl ratio and in-hospital mortality among patients with MI, with a threshold at approximately 1.37. Specifically, if the Na/Cl ratio exceeded 1.37, there was a significant and progressively increasing likelihood of mortality during hospitalization (HR = 1.46; 95% CI: 1.20–1.77).ConclusionThe in-hospital mortality of patients admitted to ICU with MI is predicted independently by the ratio of sodium to chloride (Na/Cl). A curvilinear correlation was observed between the Na/Cl ratio and in-hospital mortality, with a statistically significant threshold identified at 1.37.

Integrated Management of Post-Myocardial Infarction Patients Using Genetic Analysis and Remote Control

Coronary heart disease (CHD) remains a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, particularly due to complications following myocardial infarction (MI). Despite advancements in therapeutic strategies, the prognosis for MI patients varies significantly, necessitating a comprehensive approach that integrates genetic and non-genetic factors. This study addresses the knowledge gap by evaluating the influence of genetic polymorphisms and non-genetic factors on the 12-month prognosis of MI patients. Using a cohort of 250 post-MI patients, we conducted genetic analysis on polymorphisms of the AGT, ADRB1, APOE, LPL, and CYP2C19 genes and assessed their correlation with clinical outcomes using modern statistical methods. Our findings indicate significant associations between specific gene polymorphisms and patient prognosis, highlighting the importance of personalized medicine. The results suggest that incorporating genetic analysis into the management of MI patients can improve survival rates and inform targeted therapeutic interventions, offering a novel approach to enhancing patient care in clinical settings.

Factors That Predict Early Return to Work After Myocardial Infarction: Importance of Coworker Support.

Aim Myocardial infarction (MI) affects the working-age group and cause many absences and lost days of work. Some occupational factors effect in the prognosis of MI patients. The objective of this study was to determine predictors of early, late and no return to work (RTW) after MI.Material and methods In this cohort study, 240 pre-employed, male patients with MI from April 2020 through February 2022 provided data about their demographic, occupational, psychosocial, and medical information. Data was also collected about the treatment they received as patients, their feelings about socioeconomic support, and RTW time. RTW within two weeks after MI was defined as early RTW. The relationships of these variables and with early RTW and with late or no RTW were analyzed.Results Ninety-four patients (39.6 %) returned to work within two weeks after MI, whereas 207 patients (87.3 %) returned to work by the end of six months. Many variables, including coworker support, were associated with early RTW in a univariate analysis. Regression analysis revealed that age, coworker support, marital status, the patient's own estimated RTW time, the number of the vessels with occlusion, and comorbidity were predictors of early RTW. Of these factors, only coworker support would be subject to modification.Conclusions This study indicates that improving support from coworkers can increase early RTW after MI.

Mean platelet volume-to-lymphocyte ratio predicts poor functional outcome of acute ischemic stroke patients

Background &amp; Objective: The mean platelet volume-to-lymphocyte ratio (MPVLR) is a novel and easily available marker of poor short-term prognosis in myocardial infarction patients. The present study was to investigate the association between MPVLR and clinical outcome of patients with acute ischemic stroke. Methods: A total of 494 acute ischemic stroke patients were included in this study and received 3-months follow-up. Blood samples for MPVLR were obtained at admission and at 7 days after acute ischemic stroke. Poor functional outcome was defined as a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 3-6 at 3 months after stroke. Results: Compared with good prognosis group, MPVLR level at admission and at 7 days in poor prognosis group was significantly higher, the difference between these two groups was statistically significant (P &lt; 0.001). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, both MPVLR as a continuous (OR 1.13; 95%CI, 1.064-1.190, P=0.001) and categorical variable (OR 3.05; 95%CI, 1.85-5.05, P&lt;0.001) were independently associated with poor outcome at 3 months. ROC analysis revealed the predictive value of MPVLR was better than that of platelet-to lymphocyte ratio (PLR). The nomogram was used for predicting 3-months unfavourable outcome after an acute ischemic stroke. Conclusions: MPVLR at admission and at 7 days after stroke were found to be independently associated with poor functional outcome. MPVLR may serve as an activity marker for poor prognosis in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Abstract 17716: Comprehensive Cardiac Rehabilitation Following Myocardial Infarction Improves Clinical Outcomes Regardless of Exercise Capacity in a Long-Term Follow-Up

Background: Reduced exercise capacity is recognized as a prognostic indicator of adverse outcomes in patients with myocardial infarction (MI). However, there is limited research evaluating the effectiveness of comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in this population. Here, we show for the first time that participation in CR can improve the prognosis of MI patients with reduced exercise capacity in a long-term study. Methods: This cohort study included 610 consecutive patients with MI who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between 2008 and 2015. Patients who received supervised CR were divided into two groups according to the duration of CR: the non-CR group (only hospitalization) and the CR group (continued to outpatient-CR). Within the CR group, patients were further divided into a reduced exercise capacity group (% predicted peak VO2 &lt;80%) and a preserved exercise capacity group (≥80%). Comprehensive CR consisted of a 150-day supervised exercise program at the anaerobic threshold (AT) performed in the hospital under the supervision of a multidisciplinary team. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were compared among groups. Results: Mean follow-up was 6.1 ± 4.0 years. The MI patients were divided into three groups: the non-CR group (n = 180), the CR group with reduced exercise capacity (n = 241, peak VO2: 17.2 ± 3.9 ml/min/kg) and with preserved exercise capacity (n = 147, peak VO2: 23.1 ± 4.6 ml/min/kg). There was no significant difference in the improvement of the lower limb exercise capacity index, AT, peak VO2 and risk of MACE between the CR groups with reduced and preserved exercise capacity. However, the risk of MACE was lower in the CR groups compared with the non-CR group (log-rank p = 0.014). Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that chronic kidney disease (aHR 1.89, 95% CI 1.19-3.01, p &lt; 0.01), non-Killip class 1 (aHR 1.90, 95% CI 1.01-3.57, p = 0.047) and CR participation (aHR 0.57, 95% CI 0.36-0.90, p = 0.015) were independent predictors of MACE. Conclusions: Comprehensive CR after PCI in patients with MI effectively reduces the occurrence of MACE, regardless of their exercise capacity. We should also actively encourage patients with low exercise capacity to participate in comprehensive CR.

Nilotinib-loaded gelatin methacryloyl microneedles patch for the treatment of cardiac dysfunction after myocardial infarction

The study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of nilotinib-loaded biocompatible gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) microneedles patch on cardiac dysfunction after myocardial infarction(MI), and provide a new clinical perspective of myocardial fibrosis therapies. The GelMA microneedles patches were attached to the epicardial surface of the infarct and peri-infarct zone in order to deliver the anti-fibrosis drug nilotinib on the 10th day after MI, when the scar had matured. Cardiac function and left ventricular remodeling were assessed by such as echocardiography, BNP (brain natriuretic peptide) and the heart weight/body weight ratio (HW/BW). Myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis were examined by WGA (wheat germ agglutinin) staining, HE (hematoxylin-eosin staining) staining and Sirius Red staining. The results showed that the nilotinib-loaded microneedles patch could effectively attenuate fibrosis expansion in the peri-infarct zone and myocardial hypertrophy, prevent adverse ventricular remodeling and finally improve cardiac function. This treatment strategy is a beneficial attempt to correct the cardiac dysfunction after myocardial infarction, which is expected to become a new strategy to correct the cardiac dysfunction after MI. This is of great clinical significance for improving the long-term prognosis of MI patients.

Selvester QRS Score is a Predictor of Mortality in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction.

The Selvester QRS (S-QRS) score on a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) is associated with both the amount of myocardial scar and poor prognosis in myocardial infarction patients. However, its prognostic value in heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is unknown. This study aims to investigate the predictive value of the S-QRS score for mortality in HFpEF. 359 patients were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, and laboratory features of the patients were recorded. The simplified S-QRS score was measured and recorded. The mean follow-up time of the patients was 38.1±9.5 months. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Of 359 patients, 270 were in the survivor group, and 89 were in the deceased group. Age, Hs-CRP, troponin, pro-BNP, left atrial (LA) diameter, LA volume index, QRS duration, Tpe, and S-QRS score were statistically high in the deceased group. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, age, Hs-CRP, NT-proBNP, LA diameter, LA volume index, Tpe, and S-QRS score were shown to be independent risk factors for mortality. In the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the cut-off value of the S-QRS score was 5.5, the sensitivity was 80.8%, and the specificity was 77.2% (AUC:0.880, p:0.00). In Kaplan-Meier analysis, it was found that mortality was higher in the group with S-QRS score ≥ 5.5 than in the group with S-QRS score < 5.5. (Long-rank, p:0.00). We think that the S-QRS score can be used as a prognostic indicator of long-term mortality in patients with HFpEF.

Retracted: Single-Cell Sequencing Revealed Pivotal Genes Related to Prognosis of Myocardial Infarction Patients.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1155/2022/6534126.].

Long noncoding RNA MALAT1 polymorphism predicts MACCEs in patients with myocardial infarction

BackgroundMetastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) participates in the occurrence and development of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke and coronary heart disease by regulating inflammatory reactions, programmed cell death, and other pathological processes. Previous studies revealed that the MALAT1 gene polymorphism was associated with cardiac and cerebrovascular diseases. However, the prognostic role of the MALAT1 polymorphism in major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) remains unknown. Therefore, this study intends to explore the association between the MALAT1 rs3200401 polymorphism and MACCEs.MethodWe enrolled 617 myocardial infarction (MI) patients and 1125 control participants who attended the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from January 2010 to 2018. SNPscan™ typing assays were used to detect the MALAT1 rs3200401 genotype. During the follow-up, MACCEs were recorded. Kaplan–Meier curves and univariate and multivariate Cox survival analyses were used to explore the correlation between MALAT1 gene polymorphisms and the occurrence of MACCEs.ResultsAmong the total participants and MI patients, the frequencies of the T allele (total Participants 19.5% vs. 15.3%, P = 0.047, MI patients 20.7% vs. 14.1%, P = 0.014) and CT + TT genotypes (total Participants 37.4% vs. 28.1%, P = 0.013, MI patients 39.5% vs. 25.8%, P = 0.003) were significantly higher in subjects with MACCEs than in subjects without MACCEs. However, in control participants, the frequencies of the T allele (16.6% vs. 16.0%, P = 0.860) and CT + TT genotypes (31.4% vs. 29.3%, P = 0.760) were not higher in subjects with MACCEs than in subjects without MACCEs. In addition, among the total participants and MI patients, the Kaplan–Meier curve analysis indicated that the subjects with rs3200401 CT + TT genotypes had a higher incidence of MACCEs than CC genotype carriers (P = 0.015, P = 0.001). Nevertheless, similar results were not observed in the control participants (P = 0.790). Multivariate Cox regression indicated that compared with patients with the CC genotype, patients with CT + TT genotypes had a 1.554-fold increase in MACCE risk (hazard ratio: 1.554, 95% confidence interval: 1.060–2.277, P = 0.024).ConclusionsThe MALAT1 rs3200401 CT + TT genotypes could be a risk factor for MACCEs in MI patients, suggesting that the MALAT1 gene may become a biomarker for poor prognosis in MI patients.

Wnt is coming: A role for serum Wnt2 and 4 in fibrotic remodeling following acute myocardial infarction.

Wnt is coming: A role for serum Wnt2 and 4 in fibrotic remodeling following acute myocardial infarction.

The nuclear receptor co-repressor 1 is a novel cardioprotective factor against acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury

Acute myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) is a major determinant of prognosis in myocardial infarction patients, while effective therapies are currently lacking. Nuclear receptor co-repressor 1 (NCoR1) is emerging as a critical regulator of cell survival and death signaling in mammals. However, the role of NCoR1 in the pathogenesis of acute MI/R injury remains unknown. Here, we observed that NCoR1 was highly expressed in the mouse heart and significantly downregulated after acute MI/R injury. Cardiomyocyte-specific NCoR1 deletion led to significantly increased infarct size and exacerbated cardiac dysfunction compared to wild-type littermates. Moreover, cardiomyocyte-specific NCoR1 deficiency exacerbated MI/R-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptotic pathway activation. Transcriptomic profiling results indicated that cardiomyocyte-specific NCoR1 deficiency pivotally promoted activation of inflammatory pathways. Through integrated omics analysis, signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) was identified as a downstream target trans-repressed by NCoR1. STAT1 activation played a key mediating role in the detrimental effects of NCoR1 deficiency in MI/R injury. Collectively, our findings provided the first evidence that cardiomyocyte-expressed NCoR1 functioned as a crucial cardioprotective factor against acute MI/R injury by targeting the STAT1 pathway in heart.

Association of ANRIL polymorphisms with coronary artery disease: A systemic meta-analysis.

Background:The long noncoding RNAs have gradually been reported to be an important class of RNAs with pivotal roles in the development and progression of myocardial infarction (MI). In this study, we hypothesized that genetic variant of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2B antisense RNA (ANRIL) may affect the prognosis of MI patients.Methods:A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies including 11,269 cases and 10,707 controls on the association of 5 ANRIL single nucleotide polymorphism and the overall risk of MI or coronary artery disease (CAD) was performed.Results:In the meta-analysis, rs4977574 A > G, rs1333040 C > T, rs1333042 A > G and rs10757274 A > G ANRIL polymorphisms were correlated with overall MI or CAD risk. No significant associations were found between ANRIL rs1333049 G > C polymorphism and CAD risk.Conclusions:The results indicated that ANRIL polymorphism (rs4977574, rs1333040, rs1333042, and rs10757274) were more generally associated with CAD or MI risk. Further experimental studies to evaluate the limits of this hypothesis are warranted, and future functional studies are required to clarify the possible mechanisms.

Myocardial extracellular volume fraction radiomics analysis for differentiation of reversible versus irreversible myocardial damage and prediction of left ventricular adverse remodeling after ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Our study sought to explore the prognostic value of radiomic TA (texture analysis) on quantitative ECV (extracellular volume) fraction mapping to differentiate between reversible and irreversible myocardial damage and to predict left ventricular adverse remodeling in patients with reperfused STEMI (ST-elevation myocardial infarction). This observational prospective cohort study identified 70 patients (62 ± 9years, 62 men [85.70%]) with STEMI for TA who consecutively performed native and contrast T1 mapping. Texture features were extracted from each stack of ECV mapping based on ROI (region of interest) analysis. After texture feature selection and dimension reduction, five selected texture features were found to be statistically significant for differentiating the extent of myocardial injury. ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve analysis for the differentiation of unsalvageable infarction and salvageable myocardium demonstrated a significantly higher AUC (area under the curve) (0.91 [95% CI, 0.86-0.96], p < 0.0001) for horizontal fraction than other texture features (p < 0.05). LVAR (left ventricular adverse remodeling) was predicted by those selected features. The differences in qualitative and quantitative baseline parameters and horizontal fractions were significant between the patients with and without LVAR. LGE (late gadolinium enhancement) and horizontal fraction features of infarcted myocardium in acute STEMI were the only two parameters selected in forming the optimal overall multivariable model for LVAR at 6months. Radiomic analysis of ECV could discriminate reversible from irreversible myocardial injury after STEMI. LGE as well as radiomics TA (texture analysis) of ECV may provide an alternative to predict LVAR and functional recovery. • ECV quantification was able to differentiate between infarcted myocardium and non-infarcted myocardium. • Radiomics analysis of ECV could discriminate reversible from irreversible myocardial injury. • Radiomics TA analysis shows a promising similarity with LGE findings which could aid the prognosis of myocardial infarction patients.

Uric acid as a biomarker in acute myocardial infarction

Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) is a global threat to health, particularly for developing countries. Every year about 17 million of the world population die of cardiovascular disease. The activity of the enzyme xanthine oxidase and the oxidative stress level is reflected by the levels of serum uric acid. Uric acid, an independent marker in populations with AMI has been shown to reflect the short and long term adverse cardiac outcomes. Elevated uric acid levels are associated with reduced glomerular filtration rate, hypertension, arterial stiffness, cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. There exists a five to six-fold rise in uric acid concentration in atherosclerotic patients. The mortality index in patients with cardiovascular disease can be predicted by high uric acid levels. The aim of our study was to correlate the increased uric acid levels with the severity and prognosis in myocardial infarction patients. Our study included 55 patients with AMI, including both ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), in whom serum uric acid was measured. The results were analyzed using the Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) software. A statistically significant (p &lt;0.001) increase in the serum uric acid levels were noted in the patients diagnosed with Myocardial Infarction (MI). The increase in uric acid levels helps to predict mortality in acute MI patients.

Clinical characteristics and prognosis of myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries

Objective: To investigate the clinical features and prognosis in myocardial infarction patients with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA). Methods: The data were obtained from consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) hospitalized in the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University from January 2005 to October 2016. The coronary angiography (CAG) showed that the coronary artery of the AMI patients was normal or near normal (<50% stenosis). The general clinical conditions and prognosis were analyzed. Composite endpoints included all-cause death, myocardial reinfarction, and re-admission to hospital for angina. Results: There were 5 474 patients diagnosed with AMI undergoing CAG examination during this 11 years. Among them, 139 cases were with MINOCA (2.5%). The age of the patients with MINOCA was (55.8±12.2) years, and most of them were men (69.1%). Among them, 52.5% (73 cases) were with hypertension, 43.2% (60 cases) were smoker, 9.4% (13 cases) were with diabetes, respectively. There are a variety of causes, however, 64.0% (89 cases) patients were with unclear etiology. After 1 year followed-up, 3 cases (2.2%) suffered death, 3 cases (2.2%) were developed to nonfatal myocardial reinfarction and 8.6% (12 cases) were re-admitted to hospital for angina. Conclusions: The prevalence of MINOCA is relatively low. Hypertension and smoking are the main risk factors. Patients are relatively young and most of them are male.

5130Association between degree of LDL-cholesterol decrease after a myocardial infarction and mortality - a nationwide cohort study

Abstract Background In clinical trials, patients with myocardial infarction (MI) and elevated LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) benefit the most from lipid lowering therapy, and more intensive LDL-C lowering therapy is associated with better prognosis. Purpose To investigate the association between degree of LDL-C lowering and prognosis in MI patients from a large real-world setting. Methods Patients admitted with an MI between 2006 and 2016 and registered in the Swedish MI-registry (SWEDEHEART) were followed until 2018. The difference in LDL-C between the MI hospitalization and a 6–10 week follow-up was measured. In multivariable Cox regression analysis adjusting for clinical risk factors (eg. age, diabetes, prior cardiovascular disease), the association between LDL-C change, mortality and recurrent MI was assessed using restricted cubic splines. Further, the patients were stratified according to quartile decrease in LDL-C from MI hospitalization to the follow-up. Results A total of 44,148 patients (median age: 64) had an LDL-C measured during the MI hospitalization and at follow-up. Of these, 9,905 (22.4%) had ongoing statin treatment prior to admission. The median LDL-C at the MI hospitalization was 2.96 (interquartile range 2.23, 3.74) mmol/L and the median decrease in LDL-C was 1.17 (0.37, 1.86) mmol/L. During a median follow-up of 3.9 years, 3,342 patients died and 3,210 had an MI. Patients with the highest quartile of LDL-C decrease (1.86 mmol/L) from index event to follow-up, had a lower risk of mortality, hazard ratio (HR) 0.59 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.44–0.80) compared to those with the lowest quartile of LDL-C decrease (0.37 mmol/L) (figure). For MI, the corresponding HR was 0.83 (95% CI 0.68–1.02). Ongoing statin-use prior to admission did not alter the effect of LDL-C decrease and outcome in the analysis. Conclusions In this large nationwide cohort of MI patients, a gradually lower risk of death was observed in patients with larger decrease in LDL-C from index event to follow-up, regardless of statin use prior to admission. The same trend was observed for recurrent MI, although not reaching statistical significance. This confirms previous findings that efforts should be made to lower LDL-C after MI.

Association of lncRNA polymorphisms with triglyceride and total cholesterol levels among myocardial infarction patients in Chinese population

AimThe long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have gradually been reported to be an important class of RNAs with pivotal roles in the development and progression of myocardial infarction (MI). In this study, we hypothesized that genetic variant of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2B antisense RNA (ANRIL) and metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) may affect the prognosis of MI patients. MethodsThe study included 401 Han Chinese MI patients and 409 controls. Four lncRNA tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)—ANRIL rs9632884 and rs1537373, MALAT1 rs619586 and rs3200401—were selected. SNP genotyping was performed by an improved multiplex ligation detection reaction assay. Resultsrs9632884 and rs3200401 SNPs were significantly associated with lipid levels in both controls and MI patients (P < 0.003–0.046). Several SNPs interacted with sex and age to modify total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and creatinine levels to modify the risk of MI. No association between the lncRNAs SNPs and susceptibility to MI was found (P > 0.05 for all). ConclusionsTaken together, this study provides additional evidence that genetic variation of the ANRIL rs9632884 and MALAT1 rs3200401 can mediate lipid levels in MI patients.

Acute stress disorder and C-reactive protein in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Background Myocardial infarction-triggered acute stress disorder (ASD) and subclinical inflammation associate with the development of posttraumatic stress disorder, and worsen the prognosis of myocardial infarction patients. We examined the relationship between ASD severity and C-reactive protein levels in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Methods We assessed 190 patients (median age 59 years; 83% men) with a verified myocardial infarction within 48 h of an acute coronary intervention. Circulating levels of C-reactive protein were categorized according to their prognostic risk for cardiovascular disease: 0 to <5, 5 to <10, 10 to <20, and ≥ 20 mg/l. Patients completed the ASD-Scale (ASDS) for myocardial infarction-triggered symptoms and questionnaires for demographic factors, health behaviours, cardiac-related variables and psychosocial characteristics. Results The ASDS sum score was positively associated with C-reactive protein categories in the bivariate analysis ( r = 0.20, p < 0.01). Significant relationships with C-reactive protein also emerged for dissociation ( r = 0.25, p < 0.001) and avoidance ( r = 0.19, p < 0.01), but not for arousal and re-experiencing. Similarly, C-reactive protein levels ≥ 20 mg/l versus < 20 mg/l were predicted by the ASDS sum score, and the dissociation, avoidance and arousal subscores (all p-values < 0.05) in the fully adjusted binary regression analyses. C-reactive protein levels ≥ 20 mg/l were also independently predicted by male gender, body mass index, lower education, and lower left ventricular ejection fraction and higher white blood cell count. Conclusions Higher levels of myocardial infarction-triggered ASD symptoms associate with a greater inflammatory response in patients with acute myocardial infarction independently of important covariates. The findings suggest a link between myocardial infarction-triggered ASD symptoms and a heightened acute phase response with a potential impact on cardiovascular disease prognosis.

Elevated plasma procalcitonin level predicts poor prognosis of ST elevation myocardial infarction in Asian elderly

Previous studies have focused on relationship between plasma procalcitonin level and myocardial infarction risk, but this relationship in Asian elderly has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to reveal the association of peripheral procalcitonin concentration (both immediate and average levels) with myocardial infarction prognosis in Asian elderly. A total of 400 ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients, 400 unstable angina patients and 400 controls were included. Plasma levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and procalcitonin were measured using commercially available kits. Each myocardial infarction patient received a standard therapy and a 12-month follow-up unless major adverse cardiac events occurred. On admission, plasma procalcitonin level was higher in myocardial infarction patients than in unstable angina patients and controls (p < .001). In the follow-up period, 142 myocardial infarction patients suffered from major adverse cardiac events, and other 258 myocardial infarction patients did not. Higher admission, peak and average plasma levels of procalcitonin in the first week after chest pain onset were associated with elevated risk of major adverse cardiac events (HR: 1.46, 95%CI: 1.18–1.99; HR: 2.57, 95%CI: 1.99–3.52; HR: 2.36, 95%CI: 1.81–3.00). Plasma procalcitonin level had a positive linear correlation with plasma level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein on admission (r = 0.650, p < .001). In conclusion, peripheral concentration of procalcitonin (both immediate and average levels) might be an independent predictor for prognosis in myocardial infarction patients. Prognostic significance of procalcitonin might be implicated in inflammation.

Physician specialty and long-term survival after myocardial infarction - A study including all German statutory health insured patients.

With a mortality rate above European average, myocardial infarction (MI) is the second most common cause of death in Germany. Data about post-MI ambulatory care and mortality is scarce. We examined the association between ambulatory treating physicians' specialty and the mortality of post-MI patients. Medical claims data of all 17 German regional Associations of Statutory Health Insurance physicians were analyzed, which cover approximately 90% of the German population. Patients with a new diagnosis of a MI in 2011 were divided into treatment groups with and without ambulant cardiology care within the first year after MI diagnosis. Propensity-score matching based on socio-demographic and clinical variables was performed to achieve comparability between groups. The 18-month mortality rate was derived employing a validated method. 158,494 patients with a new diagnosis of MI had received post-MI ambulatory care in 2011. Half of them (51%) had at least one ambulatory contact with a cardiologist within the first year. During a follow-up of 18months, the mortality rate before and after propensity-score matching was 19% and 14% in patients without cardiology care and 6%, respectively, in patients with cardiology care (χ2=666.7; P<0.000 after propensity adjustment). Patients who only saw a cardiologist and had no additional contact to an ambulant general practitioner (GP)/internist within the first year did not have increased survival rates. Outpatient follow-up care by a cardiologist in combination with consultations of GP/internists within the first year may be of importance for the prognosis of MI patients.