Association between triglyceride-glucose index, inflammation, and mitral annular calcification.

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Metabolic Syndrome
• Inflammation Biology

Background:

• Mitral annular calcification (MAC) was traditionally viewed as age-related, but is now understood to share mechanisms with atherosclerosis.
• The roles of metabolic dysfunction and chronic inflammation in MAC are not fully understood.
• This study investigates the combined impact of metabolic and inflammatory markers on MAC.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the association between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, inflammatory markers, and MAC.
• To identify predictors of MAC in a patient cohort.
• To assess the potential of the TyG index and inflammatory markers in MAC risk stratification.

Main Methods:

• An observational study included 259 patients undergoing echocardiography.
• The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index was calculated using fasting triglyceride and glucose levels.
• Inflammatory markers (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio) were derived from complete blood counts.
• Multivariate logistic regression and ROC analyses identified predictors of MAC.

Main Results:

• Patients with MAC exhibited a higher TyG index and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (N/L) ratio, and a lower lymphocyte-to-monocyte (L/M) ratio compared to those without MAC.
• The TyG index > 8.76 and N/L ratio > 2.08 showed significant sensitivity in predicting MAC.
• Age, TyG index, and L/M ratio were independent predictors of MAC in multivariate analysis.

Conclusions:

• MAC is associated with insulin resistance, indicated by the TyG index, and systemic inflammation, reflected by N/L and L/M ratios.
• These findings suggest MAC is a multifactorial condition influenced by metabolic and inflammatory pathways.
• The TyG index and inflammatory markers could aid in MAC risk assessment, warranting further investigation into therapeutic modulation.