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Background: Utilization of lipid-lowering agents has been associated with improved long-term outcomes in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. However, updated data regarding local use and outcomes was lacking., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 696 hospitalized patients in the local ACS registry of Prince of Wales Hospital during 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2009 with data retrieved using computerized clinical records of all patients., Results: Among the 402 MI patients included, 104 (25.9 %) were not prescribed with statins at discharge. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) not performed or planned during hospitalization (OR: 0.324, p = 0.001) and latest lower LDL-C level before discharge (OR: 0.221 for an increment of 1 mmol/L, p = 0.009) were significant independent predictors of the absence of statin prescriptions at discharge. A significantly lower all-cause mortality rate (14.4 % vs 51.7 %, p < 0.001), fewer total hospitalizations (p < 0.001) and fewer hospitalizations due to cardiovascular problems (p < 0.001) were observed in patients discharged with statins. LDL-C goal attainment of < 2.6 mmol/L resulted in a significant reduction in mortality (10.8 % vs 24.2 %, p = 0.001), but not for goal attainment of < 1.8 mmol/L. Significant difference in survival existed only when LDL-C cut-off values were above 2.4 mmol/L., Conclusions: This study revealed the under-utilization of statin therapy in eligible MI patients at discharge and unsatisfactory percentages of LDL-C goal attainment, and also reassured the role of low LDL-C reduction to < 2.6 mmol/L in the management of MI. However, the current study did not show that the lower LDL-C reduction improved survival of ACS patients. Further research should be conducted to assess the necessity of aggressive LDL-C reduction to < 1.8 mmol/L in local patients.

We studied 403 consecutive patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). This population was divided into tertiles according to the SYNTAX score (SXscore). The high SXscore group was defined as an SXscore ≥13, and the low SXscore group as an SXscore <13. The total bilirubin (sTB) and direct bilirubin levels of patients were significantly higher in the high SXscore group (P = .001 and P = .007, respectively). There was a correlation between sTB and SXscore (r = .495; P = .005). On multivariate linear regression analyses, age (β = .100; P = .041), sTB levels (β = .171; P = .005), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (β = .121; P = .014), and troponin-I (β = .124; P = .011) remained independent correlates of high SXscore. The mean follow-up period was 18.2 months. All-cause mortality rate was higher in the high SXscore group but did not reach significance (P = .058). In conclusion, high sTB level is independently associated with severity of coronary artery disease in patients with NSTEMI. However, no association was found with long-term mortality.

Objective: The pre-procedural neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (N/L) is associated with adverse outcomes among patients with coronary artery disease but its prognostic value in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has not been fully investigated. This study evaluated the relations between pre-procedural N/L ratio and the in-hospital and long-term outcomes in STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)., Methods: A total of 682 STEMI patients presented within the first 6h of symptom onset were enrolled and stratified according to tertiles of N/L ratio based on the blood samples obtained in the emergency room upon admission., Results: The mean follow-up period was 43.3 months (1-131 months). In-hospital in-stent thrombosis, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and cardiovascular mortality increased as the N/L tertile ratio increased (p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.003, respectively). Long-term in-stent thrombosis, non-fatal myocardial infarction and cardiovascular mortality also increased as the N/L ratio increased (p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.002, respectively). On multivariate analysis, N/L ratio remained an independent predictor for both in-hospital (OR 1.189, 95% CI 1.000-1.339; p<0.001) and long-term major (OR 1.228, 95% CI 1.136-1.328; p<0.001) adverse cardiac events., Conclusion: The N/L ratio was an independent predictor of both in-hospital and long-term adverse outcomes among STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI. Our findings suggest that this inexpensive, universally available hematological marker may be incorporated into the current established risk assessment model for STEMI., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

With the growing understanding of the role of inflammation in patients with atherosclerotic disease, studies have focused on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and other inflammatory markers in their association with outcomes in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. The goal of this study was to investigate the association of the neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratio and in-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The association of hs-CRP and N/L ratio on admission with Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade after PCI was assessed in 418 consecutive primary patients with PCI. The N/L ratio was significantly higher in the no-reflow group (TIMI grade 0/1/2 flow, n = 158) compared to that of the normal-flow group (TIMI grade 3 flow, n = 260, 4.6 ± 1.7 vs 3.1 ± 1.9, p <0.001). In-hospital MACEs were significantly higher in patients with no reflow (23% vs 7%, p <0.001). There was a significant and positive correlation between hs-CRP and N/L ratio (r = 0.657, p <0.001). In receiver operating characteristic analysis, N/L ratio >3.3 predicted no reflow with 74% sensitivity and 83% specificity. In a multivariate regression model, N/L ratio remained an independent correlate of no reflow (odds ratio [OR] 1.54, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.34 to 1.76, p <0.001) and in-hospital MACEs (OR 1.14, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.32, p = 0.043). The N/L ratio, an inexpensive and easily measurable laboratory variable, is independently associated with the development of no reflow and in-hospital MACEs in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary PCI., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Elevated admission glucose level is a strong predictor of short-term adverse outcome in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, the prognostic value of diabetic control (ie, hemoglobin A(1c) levels) in patients with ACS is still undefined., Hypothesis: Hemoglobin A(1c) level may predict short-term outcome in patients with ACS., Methods: We conducted a retrospective study with prospective follow-up in 317 diabetic patients with ACS. Patients were stratified into 2 groups based on HbA(1c) level, checked within 8 weeks of the index admission (optimal control group, HbA(1c) ≤7%; suboptimal control group, HbA(1c) >7%). All patients were followed up prospectively for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and mortality for 6 months. Short-term clinical outcomes were also compared between the 2 study groups., Results: In our cohort, 27.4%, 46.4%, and 26.2% patients had unstable angina, non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, respectively. In-hospital mortality was similar in both HbA(1c) groups (3.37% vs 2.88%, P = 0.803). Six-month MACE was also similar (26.40% vs 26.47%, P = 0.919). All-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, symptom-driven revascularization, rehospitalization for angina, and hospitalization for heart failure were also similar in both groups. The hazard ratios for 6-month MACE and individual endpoints were also similar in both groups., Conclusions: This study suggests that HbA(1c) levels before admission are not associated with short-term cardiovascular outcome in diabetic patients subsequently admitted with ACS., (© 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Aim: To assess right ventricular (RV) function in patients with inferior myocardial infarction (IMI) and to observe changes following thrombolysis., Background: RV dysfunction occurs in 30% of patients with IMI. The extent of such involvement and its potential, recovery has not been determined., Methods: We studied 30 patients with acute IMI (age 56+/-12 years), on admission, day 7 and day 30 post thrombolysis. No patient had clinical signs of RV failure. RV segmental function was assessed from free wall long axis and global function from filling and ejection velocities. Values were compared with 15 age-matched controls., Results: On admission, RV long axis amplitude, systolic and diastolic velocities were depressed (2.09+/-0.39 vs 2.6+/-0.3 cm, 8.18+/-1.8 vs 10.0+/-2.0 cm/s and 6.9+/-2.7 vs 10.0+/-2.5 cm/s, p<0.01 for all) and global function impaired; reduced Z ratio (0.85+/-0.07 vs 0.9+/-0.04, p<0.01), raised Tei index (0.49+/-0.26 vs 0.3+/-0.1, p<0.001) and prolonged t-IVT (8.16+/-3.9 vs 4.8+/-2 s/m, p<0.01) compared to controls. After thrombolysis, RV long axis amplitude (2.28+/-0.3 cm, p<0.05), systolic velocity (10.0+/-2.7 cm/s, p<0.01), early diastolic velocity (8.3+/-2.16, p<0.05), Z ratio (0.9+/-0.05, p<0.01), Tei index (0.34+/-0.17, p<0.01) and t-IVT (6.2+/-2.7 s/m, p<0.05) all normalised at day 30. Only 4 (13%) patients remained with RV long axis amplitude and one with t-IVT and Tei index values outside the normal 95% CI at day 30. RV inflow diameter and tricuspid regurgitation did not change., Conclusion: In IMI, RV segmental and global functions are acutely impaired, and recover in 87% of patients following thrombolysis. In the absence of clear evidence for RV infarction the disturbances in the remaining 13% may represent stunned myocardium that may demonstrate delayed recovery.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess natriuretic peptide release following acute myocardial infarction, and its relationship with ventricular function., Methods: A total of 44 patients with acute myocardial infarction were studied; 13 anterior, age (57+/-12 years) and 31 inferior, age (58+/-12 years). Peptide levels and left ventricular function by echocardiography were assessed at admission and on days 7 and 30 after thrombolysis. Healthy volunteers (n=21) served as controls., Results: Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels rose from admission to day 7 (p=0.002). While ANP remained elevated at day 30 in both groups, BNP levels fell in patients with anterior myocardial infarction (p=0.03). Left ventricular fractional shortening was reduced at admission in the two groups (p=0.01) but returned towards normal in 7 days (p=0.001) in inferior myocardial infarction and in 30 days in anterior myocardial infarction (p=0.02). Left ventricular long axis amplitude was universally reduced at admission (p=0.01) and remained abnormal at day 30 (p=0.01) in both groups. At day 7, BNP and ANP levels inversely correlated with long axis amplitude of lateral wall in anterior myocardial infarction; (r=-0.7, p=0.01). BNP correlated inversely with fractional shortening in anterior myocardial infarction (r=-0.7, p=0.01) at day 30., Conclusion: The elevated peptide levels at 7 days post-myocardial infarction correlate with reduced mechanical activity of the adjacent noninfarcted segment. Natriuretic peptides release seem to be related to failure of compensatory hyperdynamic activity of the noninfarcted area rather than directly from the injured myocardial segments.