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Objectives: Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia (CLTI) represents a complex manifestation of peripheral artery disease distinguished by symptoms such as ischemic rest pain, non-healing ulcers on the lower limb or foot, and the development of gangrene. CLTI is associated with a high risk of limb amputation, decreased quality of life, and substantial morbidity and mortality. The Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI), which is calculated using albumin and lymphocyte levels, reflects the immunological and nutritional status. The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between PNI levels and mortality among patients diagnosed with CLTI who underwent endovascular therapy. Methods: Individuals diagnosed with CLTI who received endovascular therapy below the knee in our tertiary care center were enrolled in this retrospective study. The patients were divided into two groups: survivors and non-survivors. Logistic regression analyses were performed to detect independent predictors of mortality and using Cox regression model, we assessed the relationship between PNI and mortality. Survival curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: The study comprised 113 patients diagnosed with PAD who underwent EVT. The non-survivor group (42 patients) was older (62.9±10.9 vs. 67.7±9.9, p=0.045) and had a higher prevalence of chronic renal failure (22.5% vs. 42.9%, p=0.023) and congestive heart failure (8.5% vs. 21.4%, p:0.049) than the survivor group (71 patients). The median PNI value was lower in the non-survivor group than in the survivor group (35.9±5 vs 38.2±4.4, p=0.012). Cox regression analyses showed that Low PNI was associated with increased mortality (HR=0.931, CI=0.872-0.995, p=0.035). PNI cut-off of 37.009 showed 64.3% sensitivity, 64.8% specificity, and AUC of 0.642 for predicting all-cause mortality. Kaplan-Meier analysis supported higher PNI correlating with better survival. Conclusion: The Prognostic Nutritional Index was independently associated with mortality among individuals diagnosed with Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Critical limb ischemia (CLI) patients take too many medications because they are elderly and frail patients with multiple comorbidities. Polypharmacy is associated with frailty, although its prognostic significance in CLI patients is unknown. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of hyperpolypharmacy among adults with CLI and its effect on 1-year amputation and mortality. Methods: A total of 200 patients with CLI who underwent endovascular therapy (EVT) for below-knee (CTC) lesions were included in this study. Hyperpolypharmacy was defined as using ≥10 drugs. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of hyperpolypharmacy Results: We detected hyperpolypharmacy in 66 patients. The incidence of 1-year amputation [24 (36.4) versus 12 (9), p <.001] and mortality [28 (42.4) versus 12 (9), p <.001] were higher in patients with hyperpolypharmacy. Univariate and multivariate cox regression analyses were used to determine the independent predictors of amputation and mortality. In the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the cut-off value was defined as 10 or more drug use was able to detect the presence of 1-year mortality with 67.5% sensitivity and 79.4% specificity. The Kaplan–Meier method showed a significant difference (rank p <.001 between log groups), and hyperpolypharmacy was associated with 1-year amputation and mortality. Conclusion: Hyperpolypharmacy was significantly associated with 1-year mortality and major amputation in CLI patients. Hyperpolypharmacy can be a valuable aid in patient risk assessment in the CLI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is a progressive form of peripheral artery disease (PAD). Patients with CLI have poor long-term prognosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the value of sarcopenia in terms of 1-year mortality in patients with below-the-knee lesions who underwent endovascular treatment for CLI. Methods: A total of 190 patients with critical limb ischemia who underwent endovascular treatment (EVT) for below-the-knee (BTK) lesions were enrolled in this study. Sarcopenia was defined using the psoas muscle index (PMI). PMI was obtained by calculating the average psoas muscle area (APMA) of the left and right psoas muscles at the third lumbar vertebra level and dividing by the square of the height (cm2/m2). The primary endpoint of the study was 1-year mortality and the secondary endpoint was 1-year amputation. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to presence of sarcopenia. Results: We detected sarcopenia in 64 patients. The mean age, height, and EF were higher in sarcopenia group. The psoas muscle area, weight, psoas muscle index, body-mass index, albumin level, and GFR were lower in sarcopenia group. The incidence of amputation (11.9% vs 29.7%, p = 0.003) and mortality (15.1% vs 35.9%, p = 0.001) were higher in patients with sarcopenia. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine the independent predictors of amputation and mortality. The survival curve for 1-year using the sarcopenia was analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method, and statistical analysis was performed with the log-rank test. The presence of sarcopenia, glomerular filtration rate level, and low ejection fraction were found to be independent predictors of mortality. Conclusions: Sarcopenia was associated with 1-year mortality in patients with CLI undergoing EVT for BTK lesions. Also, patients with sacropenia had higher 1-year amputation rates. Sarcopenia may be a simple method to help patient selection, assessment, and intervention strategy for EVT and may improve patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Vascular calcification is a well-known phenomenon and affects coronary and carotid arteries as well as other arterial beds. Presence of arterial calcification is associated with major adverse events in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary artery or carotid artery intervention. Even though there is a clear association between worse outcome and coronary-carotid calcification, there is no research that interrogated the relationship between iliac arterial calcification and clinical outcomes because of lack of data. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of iliac arterial calcification on procedure success rates and long-term outcomes among patients undergoing endovascular intervention. Methods: The records of 453 consecutive patients who underwent endovascular intervention due to symptomatic peripheral artery disease were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of heavy calcification of iliac arteries. For each group, technical aspects of procedures and subsequent clinical outcomes were analyzed. Results: According to our study, the rate of restenosis following endovascular intervention at 6 and 12 months were similar between two groups. On the other hand, long-term restenosis was significantly higher in patients with heavy calcification of iliac arteries as compared to patients with low calcification on iliac arteries (32.2% vs. 12.8%, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our data showed that there was a strong association between heavy calcification of iliac arteries and long-term restenosis in patients undergoing endovascular intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Malnutrition has been shown to be associated with survival in a variety of diseases. Our aim is to evaluate the prognostic value of objective nutritional indexes indicating malnutrition, in patients underwent endovascular aortic replacement.Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 149 consecutive patients who underwent technically successful endovascular aortic replacement operation between October 2010 and August 2019. Objective nutritional indexes, prognostic nutritional index, geriatric nutritional risk index and controlling nutritional status, scores were calculated using the preoperative data. Optimal cut-off values were obtained by receiver operating characteristic analysis. According to the cut-off values, we investigated the relationship between indexes and the long-term all-cause mortality.Results: During mean 48.0 ± 30.3 months follow-up duration, in 47 of patients (31.5%), all-cause mortality were documented. In mortality group, prognostic nutritional index (42.8 ± 7.1 vs 51.3 ± 5.2, p < 0.001) and geriatric nutritional risk index (100.7 ± 10.1 vs 107.6 ± 9.2, p < 0.001) were significantly lower, controlling nutritional status score (2.0 (1.0-4.0) vs 1.0 (0.0-2.0), p < 0.001) was higher when compared to survivor group. Kaplan-Meier curves presented higher mortality incidence in malnutrition patients evaluated with objective nutritional indexes (Log-rang test, for all three indexes p < 0.001). Besides Cox-proportional hazard analysis showed all three nutritional indexes may be a predictive marker for all-cause mortality, prognostic nutritional index introduced more valuable data than other two indexes.Conclusions: Malnutrition is associated with significant increase in postoperative long-term mortality in endovascular aortic replacement patients. Preoperatively calculated objective nutritional indexes especially prognostic nutritional index can be used as an important prognostic tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia (CLTI) represents a complex manifestation of peripheral artery disease distinguished by symptoms such as ischemic rest pain, non-healing ulcers on the lower limb or foot, and the development of gangrene. CLTI is associated with a high risk of limb amputation, decreased quality of life, and substantial morbidity and mortality. The Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI), which is calculated using albumin and lymphocyte levels, reflects the immunological and nutritional status. The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between PNI levels and mortality among patients diagnosed with CLTI who underwent endovascular therapy., Methods: Individuals diagnosed with CLTI who received endovascular therapy below the knee in our tertiary care center were enrolled in this retrospective study. The patients were divided into two groups: survivors and non-survivors. Logistic regression analyses were performed to detect independent predictors of mortality and using Cox regression model, we assessed the relationship between PNI and mortality. Survival curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method., Results: The study comprised 113 patients diagnosed with PAD who underwent EVT. The non-survivor group (42 patients) was older (62.9±10.9 vs. 67.7±9.9, p=0.045) and had a higher prevalence of chronic renal failure (22.5% vs. 42.9%, p=0.023) and congestive heart failure (8.5% vs. 21.4%, p:0.049) than the survivor group (71 patients). The median PNI value was lower in the non-survivor group than in the survivor group (35.9±5 vs 38.2±4.4, p=0.012). Cox regression analyses showed that Low PNI was associated with increased mortality (HR=0.931, CI=0.872-0.995, p=0.035). PNI cut-off of 37.009 showed 64.3% sensitivity, 64.8% specificity, and AUC of 0.642 for predicting all-cause mortality. Kaplan-Meier analysis supported higher PNI correlating with better survival., Conclusion: The Prognostic Nutritional Index was independently associated with mortality among individuals diagnosed with Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors., (© Copyright 2024 by The Medical Bulletin of Sisli Etfal Hospital.)

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an effective, less invasive treatment alternative for symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS). Acute kidney injury (AKI) following TAVI is a common complication and is associated with worse outcomes. The age, creatinine, ejection fraction (ACEF) score is a simple scoring method, including only three parameters: age, creatinine, and ejection fraction (EF). The score was well established in predicting AKI after coronary interventions., Aims: We aimed to evaluate whether this simple scoring method, ACEF, may predict a development of AKI in patients who underwent TAVI., Methods: A total of 173 consecutive patients with symptomatic severe AS who underwent TAVI were included retrospectively. The primary endpoint of the study was the development of AKI. Study population was divided into two groups according to the presence of AKI. The ACEF score was calculated with the formula: age/EF + 1 (if baseline creatinine >2 mg/dl)., Results: Twenty-nine patients developed AKI. The median (interquartile range) ACEF score was 1.36 (1.20-1.58). The ACEF score was found to be an independent predictor of AKI (P <0.001). The ACEF score ≥1.36 predicted AKI development with a sensitivity of 96.6% and specificity of 58.8%. Moreover, hypertension, hemoglobin levels, contrast volume, and aortic valve area (AVA) were found to be independent predictors of AKI., Conclusions: Our study revealed that the ACEF score was an independent predictor of AKI. A simple and objective score might be very useful in predicting AKI development in patients undergoing TAVI.

Introduction: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) is the preferred treatment of ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Manual thrombectomy catheters developed to prevent distant embolization are theoretically attractive; however, their clinical efficacy remains controversial. The effects of manual thrombectomy catheters on angiographically visible distal embolisation (AVDE) have not been studied so far. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of manual thrombectomy during PPCI on AVDE and to investigate whether there are differences in the incidence of AVDE according to the catheters used., Material and Methods: Six hundred thirty-six consecutive patients undergoing primary PCI were included in the study between January 2010 and December 2012. Patients were divided into two groups: the PCI only group (465 patients) and the PCI plus manual thrombectomy group (171 patients)., Results: Thrombus aspiration was associated with higher AVDE (13.55% vs. 26.9%, p = 0.0001), lower thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame rate (2.49 ±0.86 vs. 2.79 ±0.57, p = 0.0001), lower myocardial blush grade (2.31 ±0.87 vs. 2.47 ±0.7, p = 0.016), lower ejection fraction (EF) (49.9 ±8.5 vs. 46.1 ±9.6, p = 0.0001) and higher maximal troponin release (15.7 ±16 vs. 9.4 ±11, p = 0.0001). No difference was observed in terms of mortality between the groups in follow-up (5.2% vs. 9.03%, p = 0.12). Angiographically visible distal embolisation was observed more frequently with Invatec catheters ( p = 0.0001)., Conclusions: Angiographically visible distal embolisation during primary PCI occurs in a significant number of patients treated with manual thrombectomy. The results indicated that the incidence of AVDE may be different depending on the thrombectomy catheters used., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Background: Vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1), a dual-function glycoprotein, is secreted by endothelial cells, adipocytes, and kidney and vascular smooth muscle cells. It has been reported to participate in the development of atherosclerosis as an adhesion molecule and a pro-inflammatory enzyme. Increased VAP-1 levels are related to type 2 diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, stroke and chronic renal failure. The study aim was to investigate serum VAP-1 levels in patients with calcific aortic stenosis (AS) and the possible relationship between VAP-1 and severity of calcific AS., Methods: A total of 168 patients was categorized as having mild (n = 54), moderate (n = 58), or severe (n = 56) AS. Serum VAP-1 levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay., Results: The mean serum VAP-1 level was significantly higher in patients with AS compared to healthy controls (244.3 ± 50.1 ng/ml versus 149.8 ± 27.5 ng/ml, p <0.001), and in the severe AS group compared to the moderate and mild AS groups (288.3 ± 30.1 ng/ml, 243.1 ± 31.8 ng/ml, and 200.8 ± 43.2 ng/ml, respectively, p <0.001). The VAP-1 level was positively related to the maximum aortic gradient, mean aortic gradient, and maximum aortic jet velocity (r = 0.649, p <0.001; r = 0.660, p <0.001; r = 0.655, p <0.001, respectively) and negatively related to the aortic valve area (r = -0.683, p <0.001)., Conclusions: The present study was the first to demonstrate a significant relationship between increased serum VAP-1 levels and the severity of calcific AS. VAP-1 might be a useful biomarker for the evaluation of AS and the follow up of its severity.