Muhammed Ulvi Yalcin

Non-dipper hypertension is associated with increased cardiovascular risk and target organ damage. Although endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness contribute to impaired nocturnal blood pressure decline, their relationship with the Endothelial Activation and Stress Index (EASIX) remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the association between nocturnal dipping status, EASIX score, and arterial stiffness. This retrospective study included 163 newly diagnosed hypertensive patients who underwent 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and were classified as dipper or non-dipper based on nocturnal systolic blood pressure decline. Arterial stiffness was assessed using pulse wave velocity (PWV), and EASIX was calculated from lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine, and platelet count. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of non-dipper status, while receiver operating characteristic analysis evaluated the diagnostic performance of EASIX, PWV, and their combination. Seventy-two patients were classified as non-dippers and 91 as dippers. Non-dipper patients had significantly higher EASIX scores (0.73 vs. 0.52, p < 0.001) and PWV values (7.92 vs. 7.05 m/s, p = 0.003). In multivariable analysis, EASIX (OR: 2.553, 95% CI: 1.568–4.156, p < 0.001) and PWV (OR: 1.358, 95% CI: 1.090–1.691, p = 0.006) remained independently associated with non-dipper status. The combined model demonstrated better discrimination (AUC: 0.755) than EASIX (0.723) or PWV (0.625) alone. Higher EASIX scores and increased arterial stiffness were independently associated with non-dipper status, and the combined use of EASIX and PWV improved predictive performance. EASIX may serve as a simple marker for early risk stratification; however, larger prospective studies are needed.

Large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT have garnered growing attention for their potential to support medical education, including specialty areas li

Background/Objectives: Coronary collateral circulation (CCC) reduces ischemic damage in patients with chronic total occlusion (CTO), yet collateral development varies considerably among individuals. Endothelial stress and systemic inflammation are key biological processes involved in collateral vessel formation. The Endothelial Activation and Stress Index (EASIX), calculated from lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine, and platelet count, is a simple marker reflecting endothelial dysfunction and inflammatory status. However, evidence regarding its relationship with angiographic coronary collateral development in CTO remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the association between EASIX and CCC grades in patients with CTO. Methods: This retrospective study included 186 patients with CTO who underwent coronary angiography. CCC was evaluated using the Rentrop–Cohen classification and categorized as poorly developed (grades 0–1) or well-developed (grades 2–3). Clinical and laboratory data, including EASIX, were collected. Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with poorly developed CCC. EASIX was standardized (z-score), and odds ratios were reported per 1-standard deviation increase. The predictive performance of EASIX was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: Poorly developed CCC was observed in 70 patients (37.6%). Patients with well-developed CCC had significantly lower EASIX values (median 0.44 vs. 0.67, p < 0.001) and higher HDL cholesterol levels (p = 0.043). Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was also higher in the poorly developed CCC group (median 2.59 [2.19–3.59] vs. 2.41 [1.59–3.49], p = 0.028). In multivariate analysis, standardized EASIX remained independently associated with poorly developed CCC (OR 2.536 per 1-SD increase, 95% CI 1.734–3.710, p < 0.001). ROC analysis showed that EASIX provided moderate discrimination for poorly developed CCC (AUC 0.718), with 72.9% sensitivity and 62.1% specificity at a cutoff of >0.51. Conclusions: Higher EASIX values were independently associated with poorly developed CCC in patients with CTO. These findings support a link between systemic endothelial stress and impaired collateral vessel formation. EASIX may serve as a simple, practical, and low-cost biomarker to support risk stratification in CTO patients; however, prospective studies are needed to confirm these results and clarify clinical implications.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is being performed in increasingly complex, high-risk cohorts, and contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) remains a major determinant of morbidity and mortality. The endothelial-damage score EASIX (lactate dehydrogenase × creatinine/platelet count) is a validated prognostic index in hematology and critical care but has never been explored after TAVR. We retrospectively analyzed 130 consecutive severe AC patients (mean age 76.8 ± 8.4 years; 47.8% male) who underwent transfemoral TAVR (February 2019–March 2021). CIN was defined as a ≥25% or ≥0.5 mg/dL creatinine rise within 72 hours. The predictive value of EASIX was assessed with receiver operating characteristic analysis and multivariable logistic regression. CIN occurred in 15.4% (n = 20). Baseline EASIX was higher in CIN+ vs CIN− (2.92 ± 1.28 vs 1.33 ± 1.30; P < .001). An EASIX threshold ≥ 1.904 predicted CIN with 90.3% sensitivity and 86.2% specificity (area under the curve 0.91; P < .001). In multivariable analysis, EASIX (OR 2.62; P = .023), contrast volume, and baseline eGFR independently predicted CIN. EASIX, obtainable from routine laboratories, is an independent, high-performance predictor of CIN after TAVR and may facilitate pre-procedural risk stratification.

Background/Objectives: No-reflow phenomenon (NRP) is a frequent and clinically relevant complication during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of saphenous vein grafts (SVGs). The Naples Prognostic Score (NPS), a composite index reflecting systemic inflammation and nutritional status, may help identify patients at increased risk before the procedure. We investigated whether NPS predicts NRP in patients undergoing PCI/percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) for SVG stenosis. Methods: In this retrospective multicenter observational study, consecutive post-coronary artery bypass grafting patients undergoing PCI/PTCA for SVG stenosis were analyzed. NRP was defined as post-procedural thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, NPS independently predicted NRP (per 1-point increase: odds ratio 2.577, 95% CI 1.428–5.384; p < 0.001 for univariate and 6.077, 95% CI 3.194–11.563; p < 0.001 for multivariate analysis), together with high thrombus burden (TIMI thrombus grades 4–5). NPS showed good discrimination for NRP (AUC 0.742; p < 0.001), with 75% sensitivity and 66% specificity at the optimal cut-off. Conclusions: NPS is a simple, readily available score that independently predicts angiographic no-reflow during SVG PCI and may aid preprocedural risk stratification and tailoring of preventive strategies.

Background: Naples Prognostic Score (NPS), a composite index incorporating inflammatory and nutritional markers, has emerged as a potential prognostic tool in various cardiovascular conditions; however, no meta‐analysis has yet pooled the available evidence to comprehensively assess its prognostic utility. Objectives: To evaluate the association of NPS with clinical outcomes, including all‐cause mortality, in‐hospital mortality, no‐reflow (NR) phenomenon, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: MEDLINE, Cochrane, and EMBASE databases were searched for studies comparing high and low NPS groups in ACS patients undergoing PCI. Random‐effects models were used to pool risk ratios (RR) for binary outcomes and mean differences (MD) for continuous outcomes. Heterogeneity was assessed with I² statistics. Statistical analyses were performed using Review Manager 5.4, and R, version 4.2.2. Results: We included seven studies comprising 13 268 patients, with 5628 (42.4%) patients in the low NPS group. Low NPS was significantly associated with decreased all‐cause mortality (RR: 0.42; 95% CI: 0.32–0.55; I² = 48%) and decreased incidence of NR (RR: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.40–0.88; I² = 83%). Patients with low NPS also had higher LVEF (MD: −2.69%; 95% CI: −3.41 to −1.97; I² = 99%). No significant difference was observed in in‐hospital mortality (RR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.28–1.05; I² = 94%). Conclusion: In ACS patients undergoing PCI, elevated NPS was associated with worse clinical outcomes. These findings support the use of NPS as a practical, biomarker‐based tool for risk stratification in this population.

Background: Coronary collateral circulation (CCC) plays a crucial protective role in patients with chronic total occlusion (CTO), mitigating ischemia and improving long-term outcomes. However, the degree of collateral vessel development varies substantially among individuals. Systemic inflammatory and nutritional status may influence this variability. The Naples Prognostic Score (NPS) is a composite index reflecting these parameters, yet its relationship with CCC remains incompletely defined. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 324 patients with angiographically confirmed CTO at Selçuk University Faculty of Medicine between 2014 and 2025. Coronary collaterals were graded using the Rentrop classification, and patients were categorized as having poor (grades 0–1) or good (grades 2–3) collaterals. The NPS was calculated using serum albumin, cholesterol, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio. Baseline clinical and laboratory data were compared between groups. Univariate and multiple binary logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of collateral development. Results: Of the 324 patients, 208 (64.2%) had poor and 116 (35.8%) had good collateral circulation. Patients with good collaterals had higher body mass index, HDL Cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglyceride levels, and significantly lower NPS values compared with those with poor collaterals (p < 0.05 for all). In multiple binary logistic regression analysis, HDL-C (OR 1.035; 95% CI 1.008–1.063; p = 0.011) and NPS (OR 0.226; 95% CI 0.130–0.393; p < 0.001) emerged as independent predictors of well-developed collaterals. Conclusions: Both NPS and HDL-C are independently associated with the degree of coronary collateral circulation in CTO patients. These findings highlight the interplay between systemic inflammation, nutritional status, lipid metabolism, and vascular adaptation. As simple and routinely available measures, NPS and HDL-C may serve as practical tools for risk stratification and identifying patients at risk of inadequate collateral formation. Prospective studies with functional assessments of collateral flow are warranted to confirm these associations and explore potential therapeutic interventions.