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Introduction: Atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) is associated with uncontrolled hypertension and chronic renal failure. Aim: To evaluate the influence of gender and presence of chronic renal failure on the outcomes of percutaneous transluminal renal artery stenting (PTRAS) due to atherosclerosis. Material and methods: A total of 28 ARAS patients underwent PTRAS and 36 stents were placed. Basal characteristics, laboratory data and blood pressure of patients were recorded. The differences between genders and improvement/deterioration of renal functions and blood pressure were analyzed. The predictors of outcomes were determined. Results: Baseline characteristics were similar between men and women. Significant improvement of systolic and diastolic blood pressure control was achieved after PTRAS (153.04 ±17.07 mm Hg vs. 124.75 ±11.40 mm Hg, p = 0.001 and 92.50 ±10.76 mm Hg vs. 77.54 ±8.23 mm Hg, p < 0.001, respectively). Although mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and creatinine levels did not significantly improve at the 6-month follow-up visit compared to baseline values, of the 28 patients 13 (46.4%) patients had improvement of renal functions. Conclusions: Our results suggest that PTRAS is a safe procedure and may offer blood pressure control but beneficial effects of PTRAS on renal function may be anticipated in a selected group of patients, especially those with a low eGFR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What is known and objective Although inappropriate use of digoxin has been described in various populations, a real-world evaluation of patterns of digoxin prescription has not been well studied in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study was to identify prevalence, indications and appropriateness of digoxin use in the general population of patients with non-valvular AF ( NVAF) in Turkey. Methods We included and classified patients from the RAMSES (ReAl-life Multicentre Survey Evaluating Stroke prevention strategies in Turkey) study, a prospective registry including 6273 patients with NVAF, on the basis of digoxin use. After excluding the data of 73 patients whose medical history about digoxin use or left ventricle function was absent, 6200 patients were included for the final analysis. Digoxin use was considered inappropriate if patients did not have left ventricular systolic dysfunction or symptomatic heart failure ( HF). Results and discussion Digoxin was used in 1274 (20·5%) patients. Patients treated with digoxin were older (71·4 ± 9·8 years vs. 69·2 ± 10·9 years, P < 0·001), more likely to be female (58·8% vs. 55·9%, P = 0·019) and had more common comorbidities such as HF (40·2% vs. 17·4%), diabetes (26·4% vs. 21·1%), coronary artery disease (35·3 vs. 27·6%) and persistent/permanent AF (93·4% vs. 78·4%; P < 0·001 for each comparison). Of the 1274 patients, the indication of digoxin use was considered inappropriate in 762 (59·8%). What is new and conclusion Our findings show that nearly one-fifth of the patients with NVAF were on digoxin therapy and nearly 60% of these patients were receiving digoxin with inappropriate indications in a real-world setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Right ventricular ( RV) function is known to be impaired in the presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Epicardial adipose tissue is a metabolically active organ that generates various bioactive molecules, which might affect cardiac function and morphology. Thus, we hypothesized that RV dysfunction in patients with MetS may be related to increased epicardial fat thickness ( EFT) in these patients. In patients with MetS, we aimed to assess the relation of EFT with RV function using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D STE)-derived strain and strain rate imaging. Methods The study involved 76 subjects with MetS and 61 subjects without MetS. Biventricular structure and function together with EFT were evaluated by conventional echocardiography. RV free and septal walls strain ( RVFW-S & RVSW-S), systolic and early diastolic strain rates ( RVSRs & RVSRe) were evaluated by 2D STE. Results Epicardial fat thickness was significantly higher in subjects with MetS (6.45 ± 1.48 mm vs. 5.49 ± 1.05 mm, P < 0.001). RVFW-S (−22.95 ± 4.97% vs. −24.96 ± 3.63%; P = 0.007), RVSRs (1.53 ± 0.33/sec vs. −1.70 ± 0.33/sec; P = 0.002), and RVSRe (1.40 ± 0.44/sec vs. 1.75 ± 0.49/sec; P < 0.001) were all lower in subjects with MetS, while RVSW-S did not differ. Multiple regression analysis showed that EFT was independently associated with RVFW-S ( β = −0.547, P < 0.001), RVSRs ( β = −0.332, P = 0.001), and RVSRe ( β = −0.187, P = 0.019) in subjects with MetS. Conclusions Metabolic syndrome is associated with subclinical RV systolic and diastolic dysfunction. In subjects with MetS, increased EFT is independently related to RV systolic and diastolic dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]