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Uric acid (UA) to albumin ratio (UAR) is an emerging marker to predict coronary artery disease (CAD)-related events. There is limited data on the relationship between UAR and the severity of the disease in chronic CAD patients. We aimed to evaluate UAR as an indicator for CAD severity using the Syntax score (SS). We retrospectively enrolled 558 patients with stable angina pectoris and underwent coronary angiography (CAG). Patients were divided into 2 groups, according to CAD severity: low SS (≤22) and intermediate-high SS (>22) groups. UA levels were higher and albumin levels were lower in the intermediate-high SS score group (P <.001). UAR levels were significantly higher in the intermediate-high SS group (P <.001). Also, there was a significant correlation between UAR levels and SS (r =.55, 95% confidence interval (CI):.49–.60, P <.001). In multivariable analysis, UAR >1.34 (Odds ratio, 3.8 [2.3–6.2]; P <.001) was an independent predictor of intermediate-high SS while albumin and UA levels were not. In conclusion, UAR predicted disease burden in chronic CAD patients. It may prove useful as a simple and readily available marker to select patients for further evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethyl chloride (EC) spray is a vapocoolant which is used in interventional procedures as a topical local anesthetic. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether or not EC spray can facilitate radial coronary angiography. The study was conducted on a study group EC of 106 (age: 58.1 ± 12.4) patients and a control group (placebo) of 104 (age: 59.1 ± 10.8) patients. Visual analogue scale scores (VAS), radial cannulation failure (RCF), the rates of clinical and anatomical radial artery spasm (RAS), pain lasting >2 day and >1 week, and radial artery occlusion (RAO) at first week and first month were evaluated in both groups. VAS scores, the rates of RCF, clinical and anatomical RAS and pain lasting >1 week were found significantly lower in the study group than the control group (p <.001, p =.024, p =.009, p =.028 and p =.042, respectively). But the rates of RAO were similar in both groups. Topical spray including EC, which has low-cost and rapid efficacy, may be preferred in transradial coronary angiography as it reduces the risk of RCF and RAS, and increases patient comfort with its analgesic effect, without significant side-effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]