Abstract Background Acute myocardial infarction is a major cause of mortality worldwide, and atherosclerotic plaque formation is the main pathophysiological mechanism, which results in chronic inflammation that induces erythrocyte maturation and may cause an increase in the red cell distribution width (RDW) index. Objective Evaluate the role of the anisocytosis index in patients with acute myocardial infarction in both types of infarctions as a predictor of severity. Methods Patients were included in the study according to the inclusion/exclusion criteria, following the hospital routine based on their clinical and laboratory history. Statistical analyzes were performed according to each variable. All conclusions were drawn considering the significance level of 5%. Results During the follow-up period, in the 349 patients analyzed, the mortality rate was associated with the variables RDW (CV) and RDW (SD), in those patients who died, an increase was noted, as demonstrated in the multivariate model, for the effects of an acute ST elevation myocardial infarction and the RDW, adjusted for confounding factors (p-value = 0.03 and 0.04). In contrast, the total number of erythrocytes (p-value = 0.00) and hemoglobin (p-value = 0.03) showed a decrease during severe patients’ hospitalization. Conclusion The anisocytosis index was a predictive factor of mortality and can be used as an indicator of worse prognosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Resumo Fundamento O infarto agudo do miocárdio é uma das principais causas de mortalidade em todo o mundo e a formação de placa aterosclerótica é o principal mecanismo fisiopatológico, que resulta em inflamação crônica e induz a maturação eritrocitária, podendo causar aumento no índice de amplitude de distribuição dos glóbulos vermelhos (RDW). Objetivo Avaliar o papel do índice de anisocitose em pacientes com infarto agudo do miocárdio em ambos os tipos de infarto como preditor de gravidade. Métodos Os pacientes foram incluídos no estudo de acordo com os critérios de inclusão e exclusão, seguindo a rotina hospitalar baseada na história clínica e laboratorial. As análises estatísticas foram realizadas de acordo com cada variável. Chegou-se a todas as conclusões considerando o nível de significância de 5%. Resultados Durante o período de acompanhamento, nos 349 pacientes analisados, a taxa de mortalidade esteve associada às variáveis RDW (CV) e RDW (SD). Nos pacientes que foram a óbito, notou-se aumento, conforme demonstrado no modelo multivariado, nos efeitos de um infarto agudo do miocárdio com supradesnivelamento do segmento ST e RDW, ajustado para fatores de confusão (valor-p = 0,03 e 0,04). Em contrapartida, o número total de eritrócitos (valor-p = 0,00) e hemoglobina (valor-p = 0,03) apresentou diminuição durante a internação de pacientes graves. Conclusão O índice de anisocitose foi fator preditivo de mortalidade e pode ser utilizado como indicador de pior prognóstico em pacientes com infarto agudo do miocárdio.

Abstract Background: The presence of nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) and increases in mean platelet volume (MPV) and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in peripheral circulation are associated with poorer prognosis in patients with acute coronary disease. Objective: We developed a scoring system for in-hospital surveillance of all-cause mortality using hematological laboratory parameters in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: Patients admitted for AMI were recruited in this prospective study. Exclusion criteria were age younger than 18 years, glucocorticoid therapy, cancer or hematological diseases and readmissions. NRBCs, MPV and NLR were measured during hospitalization. The scoring system was developed in three steps: first, the magnitude of the association of clinical and laboratory parameters with in-hospital mortality was measured by odds ratio (OR), second, a multivariate logistic regression model was conducted with all variables significantly (p < 0.05) associated with the outcome, and third, a β-coefficient was estimated by multivariate logistic regression with hematological parameters with a p < 0.05. Results: A total of 466 patients (mean age were 64.2 ± 12.8 years, 61.6% male) were included in this study. A hematological scoring system ranging from 0 to 49, where higher values were associated with higher risk of in-hospital death. The best performance was registered for a cut-off value of 26 with sensitivity of 89.1% and specificity of 67.2%, positive predictive value of 26.8% (95% CI: 0.204 - 0.332) and negative predictive value of 97.9% (95% CI: 0.962 - 0.996). The area under the curve for the scoring system was 0.868 (95% CI: 0.818 - 0.918). Conclusions: Here we propose a hematological scoring system for surveillance tool during hospitalization of patients with acute myocardial infarction. Based on total blood count parameters, the instrument can evaluate inflammation and hypoxemia due to in-hospital complications and, consequently, predict in-hospital mortality.

Introduction: The phase angle (PA) has been considered a sensitive tool to assess nutritional status and effectiveness of interventions dietetics. Objective: To evaluate the PA as an indicator of nutritional status and prognosis in critically ill patients. Methods: Prospective observational study of patients admitted to the Coronary Intensive Care Unit between May and October 2013. The PA was determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis, PA was considered low below 5º values for men and 4.6º for women. The values obtained were related to other evaluation parameters of nutritional status: anthropometric (arm circumference - AC , triceps skinfold thickness - TST , corrected arm muscle area - AMAc and calf circumference - CC) and biochemical (total lymphocyte count, hemoglobin, hematocrit), in addition to clinical prognostic APACHE II (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Disease Classification System II) and serum albumin. The tabulation and analysis were performed using SPSS version 13.0. Results: The sample consisted of 110 patients, in which an association was found between low AF and renal failure on dialysis (p < 0.001), % adequacy AC (p = 0.028), % adequacy of TST (p = 0.043), albumin level (p = 0.042), anemia (p = 0.040) and APACHE II (p = 0.012) scores. The AF was positively correlated with CC (p= 0.043) and inversely with the length of hospitalization (p = 0.006). Conclusions: PA in the ICU may be useful to identify early and malnourished patients as a prognostic indicator.

Introducción: El ángulo de fase (AF) viene siendo considerado una herramienta sensible para evaluar el estado nutricional y la efectividad de las intervenciones dietoterápicas. Objetivo: Evaluar el AF como indicador del estado nutricional y pronóstico en pacientes críticos. Métodos: Estudio prospectivo observacional con pacientes admitidos en Unidades de Cuidado Intensivo Coronarias, entre Mayo y Octubre de 2013. El AF se determinó por medio del análisis por Bioimpedancia Eléctrica, considerándose bajo AF valores inferiores a 5º para los hombres y 4,6º para las mujeres. Los valores obtenidos se relacionaron con otros parámetros de evaluación del estado nutricional: antropométricos (circunferencia del brazo - CB, pliegue cutáneo triciptal - PCT, área muscular del brazo corregida - AMBc circunferencia de pantorrilla - CP) y bioquímico (recuento total de linfocitos, hemoglobina, hematocrito), además de los pronósticos clínicos APACHE II (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Disease Classification System II) y albúmina sérica. La tabulación y análisis de los datos se realizaron a través del paquete estadístico SPSS versión 13.0. Resultados: La muestra se compuso por 110 pacientes, en la cual se verificó asociación entre bajo AF e insuficiencia renal en diálisis (p<0,001), % de adecuación de CB (p=0,028), % de adecuación de PCT (p=0,043), hipoalbuminemia (p=0,042), anemia (p=0,040) y puntuación APACHE II (p=0,012). El AF se correlacionó positivamente con la CP e inversamente con el tiempo de internación (p=0,006). Conclusiones: El AF en UCI parece ser útil para identificar a pacientes desnutridos precozmente y como indicador pronóstico.