It is unclear whether changes in mean platelet volume (MPV) are associated with total mortality in acute coronary syndromes. We investigated whether the change in MPV predicts total mortality in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). We retrospectively analyzed 419 consecutive patients (19 patients were excluded). The remaining patients were categorized as survivors (n = 351) or nonsurvivors (n = 49). Measurements of MPV were performed at admission and after 24 hours. The difference between the 2 measurements was considered as the MPV change (ΔMPV). The end point of the study was total mortality at 1-year follow-up. During the follow-up, there were 49 deaths (12.2%). Admission MPV was comparable in the 2 groups. However, both MPV (9.6 ± 1.4 fL vs 9.2 ± 1.0 fL, P = .044) and ΔMPV (0.40 [0.10-0.70] fL vs 0.70 [0.40-1.20] fL, P < .001) at the first 24 hours were higher in nonsurvivors than survivors. In multivariate analysis, ΔMPV was an independent predictor of total mortality (odds ratio: 1.84, 95% confidence interval: 1.28-2.65, P = .001). An early increase in MPV after admission was independently associated with total mortality in patients with NSTEMI. Such patients may need more effective antiplatelet therapy.
Brucella endocarditis is a zoonosis transmitted by contaminated dairy products. Endocarditis is a rare complication of brucellosis and mainly the aortic valve is infected. We present the case of a female patient with prosthetic mitral valve endocarditis associated with QT prolongation and torsades de pointes. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed vegetation on both anterior and posterior mitral annulus. She was seropositive with Brucella agglutination titers of up to 1/320. The QT interval was markedly prolonged upon admission (QTc 530 ms). She experienced torsades de pointes several times. She underwent reoperation under an appropriate antibiotic regimen. She continued on triple antibiotic therapy for 12 months. She is now well and free of symptoms.
MPI is a powerful index in assessing the severity of left ventricular function and symptom severity in patients with MR. Plasma BNP is an independent predictor of MPI where both parameters assess combined systolic and diastolic LV function, effectively.
Microalbuminuria tests should be routinely used as a screening and monitoring tool for the assessment of subsequent cardiovascular morbidity and mortality among hypertensive patients.
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