Letter to the editor.

Low circulating melatonin levels predict poor outcome in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). In the present study, we investigated whether a relationship between myocardial deformation in parameters measured by echocardiography and circulating melatonin level exists. We prospectively included 112 patients with STEMI who performed echocardiography and simultaneous measurement of serum melatonin, during the light period within 72 h of admission. We found a negative correlation between circulating melatonin levels and global longitudinal strain (p = 0.006, r = -0.33). In conclusion, melatonin levels have a correlation with two-dimensional speckle tracking in patients with STEMI.

The mechanism of coronary thrombus formation is a complex phenomenon that involves different cellular components. ARTERIA is a prospective, multicenter study that will include patients presenting with a diagnosis of ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome undergoing thrombus aspiration during an emergency primary percutaneous coronary revascularization. The purpose of the ARTERIA study is to try to clarify whether there is an association between inflammatory markers measured in blood and in intracoronary thrombi and, if any, what set of molecules provides better prognostic information in these patients. Our study will help to elucidate the complex relationship between thrombus and circulating blood.