SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Left atrium enlargement is common in hypertension due to left atrium inflammation. Monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, an inflammation marker that has become very popular in recent years, is associated with many cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate the monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio level to predict the Left atrium enlargement in hypertensive patients. METHODS: A total of 216 participants (i.e., 115 hypertensive and 101 control group) were enrolled. Left atrial volumes and left atrial volume indexes were calculated using transthoracic echocardiography. The monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio was calculated as the ratio of monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. RESULTS: The left atrial volumes, left atrial volume indexes, and monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly higher in the hypertensive group than in the control group (43.3±12.4 versus 31.4±7.9, p<0.001; 22.9±5.8 versus 17.1±3.7, p<0.001; 11.4 [4.2-25.0] versus 8.4 [3.5-18.0], p<0.001, respectively). On the multivariate logistic regression analysis, monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (OR 1.38; 95%CI 1.20-1.57; p<0.001), (OR 1.28; 95%CI 1.16-1.42; p<0.001), age, and sex (female) were the independent predictors for hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: The increased monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio level was associated with hypertension and increased left atrial volume indexes. The results of this study supported the presence of inflammation, measured with a readily available and inexpensive marker, in hypertensive patients and revealed the association with left atrial enlargement.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: O diagnóstico precoce e a estratificação de risco podem proporcionar um melhor prognóstico em casos de embolia pulmonar (EP). A copeptina surgiu como um valioso biomarcador preditivo de várias doenças cardiovasculares. O objetivo deste estudo é determinar os níveis de copeptina em pacientes com EP aguda e avaliar a sua relação com a severidade da doença e mortes relacionadas à EP. MÉTODOS: Um total de 54 pacientes e 60 indivíduos saudáveis foram incluídos neste estudo. As concentrações de copeptina e disfunções ventriculares direitas foram analisadas. A correlação entre os níveis de copeptina e parâmetros ecocardiográficos e hemodinâmicos foi examinada. Após essas primeiras medições, os pacientes foram avaliados em relação à mortalidade relacionada à EP após um ano. RESULTADOS: Os níveis de copeptina foram maiores em pacientes com EP do que no grupo de controle (8,3 ng/mL vs 3,8 ng/mL, p<0,001). Os níveis de copeptina eram significativamente maiores em pacientes com mortes relacionadas à EP e disfunção ventricular direita (10,2 vs 7,5 ng/ml, p=0,001; 10,5 vs 7,5 ng/ml, p=0,002, respectivamente). Com um valor de corte ≥5,85 para a copeptina, sua sensibilidade e especificidade preditivas para EP foram 71,9% e 85,0%, respectivamente (AUC=0,762, 95% IC=0,635 – 0,889, p<0,001). CONCLUSÃO: A medição da copeptina teve sensibilidade e especificidade preditivas moderadas para o diagnóstico de EP, e o nível de copeptina foi significativamente maior em pacientes com mortes relacionadas à EP após um ano. A copeptina pode ser um novo biomarcador preditivo útil para o diagnóstico, a estratificação de risco e o prognóstico de PE.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Early diagnosis and risk stratification may provide a better prognosis in pulmonary embolism (PE). Copeptin has emerged as a valuable predictive biomarker in various cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of copeptin in patients with acute PE and to evaluate its relationship with disease severity and PE-related death. METHODS: Fifty-four patients and 60 healthy individuals were included in this study. Copeptin concentrations and right ventricular dysfunction were analyzed. The correlation between copeptin levels and hemodynamic and echocardiographic parameters was examined. After these first measurements, patients were evaluated with PE-related mortality at the one-year follow-up. RESULTS: The copeptin levels were higher in PE patients than in the control group (8.3 ng/mL vs 3.8 ng/mL, p<0.001). Copeptin levels were found to be significantly higher in patients with PE-related death and right ventricular dysfunction (10.2 vs 7.5 ng/ml, p=0.001; 10.5 vs 7.5 ng/ml, p=0.002, respectively). When the cut-off value of copeptin was ≥5.85, its sensitivity and specificity for predicting PE were 71.9% and 85.0%, respectively (AUC=0.762, 95% CI=0.635-0.889, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The copeptin measurement had moderate sensitivity and specificity in predicting the diagnosis of PE, and the copeptin level was significantly higher in patients with PE-related death at the one-year follow-up. Copeptin may be a useful new biomarker in predicting diagnosis, risk stratification, and prognosis of PE.