OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the feasibility and superiority of machine learning (ML) methods to predict the risk of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACEs) in chest pain patients with NSTE-ACS. METHODS: Enrolled chest pain patients were from two centers, Beijing Anzhen Emergency Chest Pain Center Beijing Bo'ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center. Five classifiers were used to develop ML models. Accuracy, Precision, Recall, F-Measure and AUC were used to assess the model performance and prediction effect compared with HEART risk scoring system. Ultimately, ML model constructed by Naïve Bayes was employed to predict the occurrence of MACEs. RESULTS: According to learning metrics, ML models constructed by different classifiers were superior over HEART (History, ECG, Age, Risk factors, & Troponin) scoring system when predicting acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and all-cause death. However, according to ROC curves and AUC, ML model constructed by different classifiers performed better than HEART scoring system only in prediction for AMI. Among the five ML algorithms, Linear support vector machine (SVC), Naïve Bayes and Logistic regression classifiers stood out with all Accuracy, Precision, Recall and F-Measure from 0.8 to 1.0 for predicting any event, AMI, revascularization and all-cause death ( vs. HEART ≤ 0.78), with AUC from 0.88 to 0.98 for predicting any event, AMI and revascularization ( vs. HEART ≤ 0.85). ML model developed by Naïve Bayes predicted that suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS), abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG), elevated hs-cTn I, sex and smoking were risk factors of MACEs. CONCLUSION Compared with HEART risk scoring system, the superiority of ML method was demonstrated when employing Linear SVC classifier, Naïve Bayes and Logistic. ML method could be a promising method to predict MACEs in chest pain patients with NSTE-ACS.
Humans ; Acute Coronary Syndrome/epidemiology* ; Bayes Theorem ; Feasibility Studies ; Risk Assessment/methods* ; Chest Pain/etiology* ; Myocardial Infarction/diagnosis*

To present the clinical characteristics and the misdiagnosis rate of acute coronary syndrome manifested primarily as throat discomfort, we conducted a multicentric and retrospective study in the cardiology and otorhinolaryngology departments. Records of patients with primary complaint of throat discomfort, absence of chest pain at onset, and an ultimate diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome, as well as patients with pharyngitis (as controls) were collected from May 2015 to April 2016. The patients' main manifestations were compared. Logistic regression results showed that chest tightness, dyspnea, perspiring, and exertional throat symptoms were significantly associated with acute coronary syndrome, with odds ratios of 8.3 (95% CI 2.2-31.5), 10.9 (95% CI 1.8-66.9), 25.4 (95% CI 3.6-179.9), and 81.2 (95% CI 13.0-506.7). A total of 25 (56.82%) out of 44 acute coronary syndrome patients, who were first admitted to the otorhinolaryngology department, were misdiagnosed, with a 12% (3/25) mortality rate. Throat discomfort can be the principal manifestation of acute coronary syndrome. Such patients exhibit high misdiagnosis and mortality rates. Exertional throat symptoms, chest tightness, perspiring, and dyspnea were important indicators of acute coronary syndrome in patients whose main complaint was throat discomfort. The awareness of this condition will result in prompt diagnosis and reduce morbidity and mortality.
Acute Coronary Syndrome/etiology* ; Dyspnea/etiology* ; Humans ; Pharyngitis/diagnosis* ; Pharynx ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of serum cytokines, interleukin-38 (IL-38) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the acute phase of Kawasaki disease (KD) in children and the association of IL-38 and IL-1β with inflammatory response in the acute phase and the development of coronary artery lesion (CAL).

METHODSA total of 40 children with KD who were hospitalized in the hospital between July 2015 and June 2016 were enrolled, with 21 children in the CAL group and 19 in the non-CAL (NCAL) group. Thirty healthy children and 19 children with infection and pyrexia, who were matched for sex and age, were enrolled as healthy control group and pyrexia control group respectively. ELISA was used to measure the serum levels of IL-38 and IL-1β in the 40 children in the acute phase of KD. Spearman's rank correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlations of IL-1β and IL-38 with interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), procalcitonin (PCT), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol (TC).

RESULTSThe serum level of IL-38 in the children in the acute phase of KD was significantly lower than that in the healthy control group (P<0.05), but significantly higher than that in the pyrexia control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the level of IL-38 between the CAL and NCAL groups (P>0.05). The children in the acute phase of KD had a significantly higher level of IL-1β than the healthy control group (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference between this group and the pyrexia control group (P>0.05). There was also no significant difference in the level of IL-1β between the CAL and NCAL groups (P>0.05). Serum IL-1β and IL-38 levels were not correlated with serum levels of CRP, ESR, PCT, IL-6, and NT-ProBNP or blood lipids (TG and TC) (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIL-38 is involved in an inflammatory response in the acute phase of KD and may exert an anti-inflammatory effect, which is opposite to the effect of IL-1β to promote inflammatory response. However, there is no significant correlation between these two cytokines and the development of CAL in KD.

Acute Disease ; Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; blood ; Blood Sedimentation ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Coronary Artery Disease ; blood ; etiology ; pathology ; Coronary Vessels ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Interleukin-1beta ; blood ; Interleukins ; blood ; Male ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; blood ; complications ; Procalcitonin ; blood ; Protein Precursors ; blood ; Triglycerides ; blood

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The CHADS2 score, used to predict the risk of ischemic stroke in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients, has been reported recently to predict ischemic stroke in patients with coronary heart disease, regardless of the presence of AF. However, little data are available regarding the relationship between the CHADS2 score and cardiovascular outcomes. METHODS: This was a retrospective study on 104 patients admitted for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who underwent coronary angiography, carotid ultrasound, and transthoracic echocardiography. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 60.1 +/- 12.6 years. The CHADS2 score was as follows: 0 in 46 patients (44.2%), 1 in 31 (29.8%), 2 in 18 (17.3%), and > or = 3 in 9 patients (8.7%). The left atrial volume index (LAVi) showed a positive correlation with the CHADS2 score (20.8 +/- 5.9 for 0; 23.2 +/- 6.7 for 1; 26.6 +/- 10.8 for 2; and 30.3 +/- 8.3 mL/m2 for > or =3; p = 0.001). The average carotid total plaque area was significantly increased with CHADS2 scores > or = 2 (4.97 +/- 7.17 mm2 vs. 15.52 +/- 14.61 mm2; p = 0.002). Eight patients experienced cardiovascular or cerebrovascular (CCV) events during a mean evaluation period of 662 days. A CHADS2 score > or = 3 was related to an increase in the risk of CCV events (hazard ratio, 14.31; 95% confidence interval, 3.53 to 58.06). Furthermore, LAVi and the severity of coronary artery obstructive disease were also associated with an increased risk of CCV events. CONCLUSIONS: The CHADS2 score may be a useful prognostic tool for predicting CCV events in ACS patients with documented coronary artery disease.
Acute Coronary Syndrome/complications/*diagnostic imaging ; Aged ; Carotid Arteries/*diagnostic imaging ; Carotid Artery Diseases/complications/*diagnostic imaging ; Cerebrovascular Disorders/diagnosis/*etiology ; *Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease/complications/*diagnostic imaging ; *Decision Support Techniques ; *Echocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prognosis ; Republic of Korea ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors ; Severity of Illness Index ; Time Factors

Acute Coronary Syndrome ; etiology ; Administration, Intravenous ; Anaphylaxis ; drug therapy ; Animals ; Bees ; Epinephrine ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Insect Bites and Stings ; complications ; Male ; Middle Aged

Acute Coronary Syndrome ; etiology ; Anaphylaxis ; complications ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of myeloid-related protein complex (MRP-8/14) in children with acute Kawasaki Disease (KD).

METHODSA total of 41 children with acute KD and 40 age- and sex-matched control children with upper respiratory tract infection were recruited. Serum levels of MRP-8/MRP-14 complex were measured by ELISA, messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) abundance of MRP-8 and MRP-14 in circulating granulocytes and monocytes was determined by RT-PCR, and the number of circulating endothelial cells was determined by flow cytometry.

RESULTSWhen the analysis was stratified according to the presence or absence of coronary artery ectasia in the KD patient group, serum levels of MRP-8/MRP-14 complex, MRP-8 and MRP-14 mRNA abundance in granulocytes, and the number of circulating endothelial cells were all significantly higher in KD patients with coronary artery ectasia than in KD patients without coronary artery ectasia (P<0.05). Serum levels of MRP-8/MRP-14 complex were positively correlated with the number of endothelial cells in the circulation (r=0.69, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSerum levels of MRP-8/MRP-14 complex are elevated in a positive association with the number of circulating endothelial cells in KD children with coronary artery ectasia, suggesting a causative role in the development of coronary artery lesions.

Acute Disease ; Calgranulin A ; blood ; genetics ; physiology ; Calgranulin B ; blood ; genetics ; physiology ; Child, Preschool ; Coronary Artery Disease ; etiology ; Endothelial Cells ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; blood ; complications ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is considered a high-risk procedure in patients with previous acute coronary syndrome (ACS); however, clinical studies are rare in the literature. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of ERCP in patients with previous ACS. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with previous ACS who underwent ERCP between January 2007 and August 2012. The clinical characteristics, ERCP diagnoses, treatment results, and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: Fifty patients underwent ERCP an average of 41.6 months after ACS. The most common indication for ERCP was calculous cholangitis. After deep biliary cannulation, endoscopic sphincterotomy, biliary stone removal and endoscopic biliary drainage were successfully performed. Immediate postsphincterotomy bleeding occurred in seven patients, which was successfully controlled using endoscopic therapy. Elevation of cardiac troponin I levels were observed in three patients (6%) before ERCP, and all of these patients were diagnosed with pancreatobiliary disease combined with recurrent ACS, which was treated with coronary artery stent insertion (n=2) and balloon angioplasty (n=1). CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic ERCP is effective and safe in patients with previous ACS. Cardiac troponin I elevation should be considered a warning sign for recurrent ACS in patients who undergo ERCP.
Acute Coronary Syndrome/*blood/complications/therapy ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Ampulla of Vater/*surgery ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Carcinoma/*surgery ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde/*methods ; Cholangitis/etiology/*surgery ; Cholelithiasis/complications/*surgery ; Common Bile Duct Neoplasms/*surgery ; Drainage ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Assessment ; Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic ; Stents ; Troponin I/*blood

OBJECTIVETo improve the awareness of acute coronary artery thrombosis in Kawasaki disease (KD).

METHODSix KD patients with acute coronary artery thrombosis (Jan. 2004 to Jan. 2013) were studied retrospectively. The basic information, clinical manifestations, laboratory data, echocardiography and electrocardiography (ECG), method and consequence of thrombolytic therapy were analyzed.

RESULTThe mean age of patients with coronary artery thrombosis (5 males and 1 female) was (17.2 ± 11.3) months.Five cases had thrombosis in left coronary artery (LCA), and four cases had thrombosis in aneurysm of left anterior descending artery (LAD). One case had thrombosis in both left and right coronary artery (RCA).One case died. Maximum thrombus was about 1.60 cm × 0.80 cm, locating in LAD. The diameter of LCA and RCA was (0.44 ± 0.07) cm and (0.45 ± 0.07) cm. Two patients showed abnormal ECG. Case 3 showed ST segment depression in lead V5. Case 6 showed myocardial infarction.In acute phase of KD, three patients received treatment with intravenous immunoglobin (IVIG), five patients were treated with aspirin.In sub-acute and convalescent phase of KD, all patients were treated with low-dose aspirin.Warfarin and dipyridamole were applied in 5 patients. All cases were treated with thrombolytic therapy using urokinase and/or heparin. After thrombolytic therapy, echocardiography showed thrombolysis in four cases and no change in one.One patient died of myocardial infarction.

CONCLUSIONMost of acute coronary thrombosis in KD occurred in LAD. KD patients with coronary artery thrombosis are at risk of sudden death due to myocardial infarction.

Acute Disease ; Anticoagulants ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Aspirin ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Child, Preschool ; Coronary Aneurysm ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Coronary Thrombosis ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Fibrinolytic Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; complications ; drug therapy ; Myocardial Infarction ; diagnosis ; etiology ; mortality ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUNDThrombosis following plaque rupture is the main cause of acute coronary syndrome, but not all plaque ruptures lead to thrombosis. There are limited in vivo data on the relationship between the morphology of ruptured plaque and thrombosis.

METHODSWe used optical coherence tomography (OCT) to investigate the morphology of plaque rupture and its relation to coronary artery thrombosis in patients with coronary heart disease. Forty-two patients with coronary artery plaque rupture detected by OCT were divided into two groups (with or without thrombus) and the morphological characteristics of ruptured plaque, including fibrous cap thickness and broken cap site, were recorded.

RESULTSThe fibrous cap of ruptured plaque with thrombus was significantly thinner compared to caps without thrombus ((57.00 ± 17.00) µm vs. (96.00 ± 48.00) µm; P = 0.0076).

CONCLUSIONSPlaque rupture associated with thrombosis occurs primarily in plaque covered by a thin fibrous cap. Thick fibrous caps are associated with greater stability of ruptured plaque.

Acute Coronary Syndrome ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; Adult ; Aged ; Coronary Angiography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Rupture, Spontaneous ; complications ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; methods