Atherosclerosis, the underlying cause of coronary artery disease (CAD), has a significant inflammatory component. White blood cell count is an affordable and accessible way to assess the systemic immune response, as it comprises many subgroups with distinct and complex functions. Considering their multidirectional effect on atherosclerosis, new biomarkers integrating various leukocyte subgroups, the Systemic Inflammatory Index (SII) and the Systemic Inflammatory Response Index (SIRI), were recently devised to describe the balance between inflammation and immune reaction. This research aimed to evaluate the relationship of the intensity of inflammation measured by these biomarkers with the severity of CAD assessed with coronary angiography and with the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or stable CAD in 699 patients. SIRI, but not SII, was associated with the diagnosis, having the highest values for patients with ACS (STEMI), significantly higher than in patients with stable CAD (p < 0.01). The highest SII and SIRI values were observed in patients with three-vessel CAD. SII and SIRI require further in-depth and well-designed research to evaluate their potential in a clinical setting.

IntroductionA deficiency of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) (the standard biomarker for vitamin D status) can have multiple impacts on the cardiovascular system. The aim of the study was to assess of the influence of 25(OH)D on severity of coronary atherosclerosis and lipid profile.Material and methodsThe study involved prospectively 637 patients subject to coronary catheterization. The stage of coronary atherosclerosis was assessed using the Coronary Artery Surgery Study score (CASSS). Plasma concentration of 25(OH)D was measured using an electrochemiluminescent immunoassay. The levels of total cholesterol (TC), high-density cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) were measured using the enzymatic method, and the concentration of low-density cholesterol (LDL-C) was calculated with the Friedewald equation.ResultsThe average level of 25(OH)D was 15.85 ng/ml. A higher level of 25(OH)D was observed in men (16.28 ng/ml vs. 15.1 ng/ml; p = 0.027). The study did not reveal any significant correlation between the level of 25(OH)D and severity of coronary atherosclerosis. It was observed however that the increase of 25(OH)D level results in an increased number of patients without significant lesions in the coronary arteries. In the whole group of women and men in the age group of 70–80 years an inverse relationship was observed between the level of 25(OH) and the severity of coronary atherosclerosis. The whole study group showed a statistically significant inverse correlation of the 25(OH)D level with TC (p = 0.0057), LDL-C (p = 0.00037) and TG (p = 0.00017).ConclusionsWomen and men over 70 years showed an inverse correlation of the 25(OH)D level and the stage of coronary atherosclerosis. Deficiency of 25(OH)D affects the levels of TC, LDL-C and TG.

Research on reliability of heart rate variability (HRV) parameters in athletes has received increasing attention. The aims of this study were to examine the inter-day reliability of short-term (5 min) and ultra-short-term (1 min) heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RespRate) and HRV parameters, agreement between short-term and ultra-short-term parameters, and association between differences in HR, RespRate and HRV parameters in elite modern pentathletes. Electrocardiographic recordings were performed in stable measurement conditions with a week interval between tests. Relative reliability was evaluated by intra-class correlation coefficients, absolute reliability was evaluated by within-subject coefficient of variation, and agreement was evaluated using Bland–Altman (BA) plot with limits of agreement and defined a priori maximum acceptable difference. Short-term HR, RespRate, log transformed (ln) root mean square of successive normal-to-normal interval differences (lnRMSSD), ln high frequency (lnHF) and SD2/SD1 HRV indices and ultra-short-term HR, RespRate and lnRMSSD presented acceptable, satisfactory inter-day reliability. Although there were no significant differences between short-term and ultra-short-term HR, RespRate and lnRMSSD, no parameter showed acceptable differences with BA plots. Differences in time-domain and non-linear HRV parameters were more correlated with differences in HR than with differences in RespRate. Inverse results were observed for frequency-domain parameters. Short-term HR, RespRate, lnRMSSD, lnHF, and SD2/SD1 and ultra-short-term HR, RespRate and lnRMSSD could be used as reliable parameters in endurance athletes. However, practitioners should interpret changes in HRV parameters with regard to concomitant differences in HR and RespRate and caution should be taken before considering 5 min and 1 min parameters as interchangeable.

IntroductionIschaemic heart disease is the main cause of death in developed countries. There are many modifiable risk factors associated with coronary heart disease (CAD). A growing number of studies point to vitamin D deficiency as a risk factor for heart attacks and the conditions associated with cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to analyse the relationship between the level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and the severity of coronary artery atherosclerosis and to study 25(OH)D levels in non-diabetic patients hospitalised due to acute coronary syndrome and those diagnosed with stable CAD.Material and methodsoronary angiography was performed prospectively in 410 successive cardiac patients. The severity of coronary artery atherosclerosis was assessed according to the Coronary Artery Surgery Study Score (CASSS). The plasma 25(OH)D level was assessed with the electrochemiluminescence method.ResultsThe 25(OH)D level proved to be one of the significant determinants of the CASSS (p < 0.05). In subjects without significant lesions in the coronary arteries the 25(OH)D level was significantly higher compared to patients with one- to three-vessel coronary atherosclerosis (p < 0.05). A significantly higher 25(OH)D level was noted in patients diagnosed with stable CAD compared to patients hospitalised due to acute coronary syndrome (p < 0.01).ConclusionsPatients with one- to three-vessel atherosclerosis have a significantly lower 25(OH)D level compared to patients without significant lesions in the coronary arteries. A lower 25(OH)D level was observed in patients hospitalised due to acute coronary syndrome compared to patients diagnosed with stable CAD.