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AIM: Coronary artery ectasia (CAE), is at least 1.5 fold dilatation of at least one coronary segment due to congenital or acquired causes. In this study, we aim to investigate the relation of CAE with microalbuminuria, which is a marker of endothelial dysfunction shown to be associated with increased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with CAE detected during routine coronary angiogram (CAG) and individuals with normal CAG findings have been included in our study. Urine albumin levels were measured by immunoturbidimetric method from samples collected in the morning. Patients with an albumin/creatinine (A/C) ratio less than 0.03 were normal and the ones between values 0.03-0.3 were considered to be microalbuminuric. Patients whose A/C ratios > 0.3 had macroalbuminuria and were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 105 patients (60 with CAE and 45 with normal CAG) were included in the study. Serum creatinine, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and homocysteine levels were increased in the CAE group. Urine A/C ratio was 0.036 ± 0.040 in the CAE group and 0.018 ± 0.013 in the controls; the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Blood homocysteine levels and urinary albumin levels are significantly increased in patients with CAE when compared to individuals with normal CAG. Microalbuminuria and hyperhomocysteinemia, two markers of endothelial dysfunction might be associated with pathophysiologic processes leading to CAE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is an important cause of the morbidity and mortality in coronary artery disease. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between hematologic parameters and post primary PCI coronary no-reflow. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 145 consecutive STEMI patients (mean age=58.2±12.3 years) and healthy volunteer admitted within 6 hours from symptom onset were enrolled to the study in the cardiology clinics. The STEMI patients were divided into 2 groups based on the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade. No-reflow was defined as post-PCI TIMI Flow Grade 0, 1 or 2 and angiographic success was defined as TIMI Grade 3 Flow. RESULTS: Diabetes mellitus hypertension and smoking status were similar between groups. With respect to baseline laboratory status, fasting glucose, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine levels were not significantly different between groups. The neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratio was also significantly higher in STEMI group (7.1±4.6 vs. 2.3±1.7, p < 0.001). Additionally, N/L ratio was also significantly higher in No-reflow group (TIMI Flow Grade 0, 1 or 2) group (13.1±4.5 vs. 5.3±2.7, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The N/L ratio, which is cheaply and easily measurable laboratory data is independently associated with post primary PCI coronary no-reflow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study ObjectiveWe designed this experimental study to determine the value of ischemia-modified albumin in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.MethodsTwenty-four mature female New Zealand rabbits were divided into 4 groups, each consisting of 6 animals. These were classified into group 1 ,the control group; group 2, the deep venous thrombosis group; group 3, the deep venous thrombosis with pulmonary embolism group; and group 4, the pulmonary embolism-alone group. Deep venous thrombosis was produced by ligation of the iliac vein. To establish pulmonary embolism, 2 clots were administered from the iliac vein. Blood samples were taken from all the groups at hours 0, 1, 3, and 6 for ischemia-modified albumin measurement.ResultsPulmonary embolism was established in all the rabbits in groups 3 and 4, and this was confirmed by tomographic and histologic findings. Measurement of mean ischemia-modified albumin levels for all rabbits at hours 0, 1, 3, and 6 revealed that mean ischemia-modified albumin levels in groups 3 and 4 were statistically significantly higher than those in groups 1 and 2. There was no difference between the mean ischemia-modified albumin levels in groups 1 and 2 nor between groups 3 and 4. The alteration in ischemia-modified albumin levels over time was statistically significant.ConclusionsThe results of our experimental study demonstrate that ischemia-modified albumin levels may be useful in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.© 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Le but principal de la prise en charge de l’asthme de l’enfant est d’obtenir un contrôle de la maladie et de maintenir une fonction respiratoire normale. L’instabilité de la fonction respiratoire peut être le reflet de phénomènes inflammatoires non contrôlés et représente un facteur de risque d’exacerbations. Identifier les facteurs associés à l’instabilité du VEMS dans l’asthme de l’enfant, facteur de risque d’exacerbations et de maladie plus sévère. Méthodes Étude rétrospective incluant 50 enfants asthmatiques âgés de 4 à 16 ans, qui ont un suivi régulier par des spirométries. Les facteurs associés à la variabilité du VEMS (définie par une variation > 10 % entre deux spirométries) ont été étudiés. Deux groupes ont été identifiés : –le premier groupe était celui des enfants qui avaient un VEMS stable (14 patients, soit 28 % de l’échantillon) ; –le deuxième regroupait les patients qui avaient une variabilité de leur VEMS « en dents de scie » dénotant d’une instabilité de leur maladie (36 patients, soit 72 % de l’échantillon). Résultats Le sex-ratio était de 2,12. L’âge moyen à la première spirométrie était de 6,96 ans [4–9] et celui de la dernière de 12,36 ans [10–16]. L’asthme était léger chez 34 % des cas et persistant modéré à sévère chez 76 % des enfants. Le VEMS moyen initial était de 98,9 % et final de 103,6 % avec un VEMS initial > 80 % chez 80 % des enfants. La variabilité du VEMS intéressant 72 % des enfants était liée à plusieurs facteurs. Chez les enfants avec un VEMS stable, l’origine urbaine était plus fréquente (91,7 % vs 58,6 % ; p = 0,03). Une mauvaise observance thérapeutique était caractéristique du groupe avec une variabilité du VEMS (72,2 % vs 35,7 % ; p = 0,02). De même, le nombre d’exacerbations étaient plus fréquent dans ce groupe (44,4 % vs 14,3 % ; p = 0,04). Le VEMS final était meilleur dans le groupe sans variabilité (101 % vs 90,22 % ; p = 0,05). Conclusion La mauvaise observance thérapeutique dans l’asthme est associée à une instabilité du VEMS. Cette mauvaise observance est influencée par les conditions socioéconomiques. L’instabilité du VEMS est liée à un asthme plus sévère et mal contrôlé. Maintenir une fonction normale pourrait prévenir le déclin du VEMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]