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Abstract: Background: Atrial electromechanical delay (AEMD) calculated from tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) echocardiography can be an alternative to invasive electrophysiologic studies. We investigated whether the AEMD obtained from TDI is prolonged in patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Methods: Fifty-five patients with nonischemic DCM (23 men/32 women; age, 43.9 ± 14.8 years) and 55 controls (20 men/35 women; age, 41.3 ± 13.4 years) were included in this study. Atrial electromechanical delay (the time interval from the onset of P wave on electrocardiogram to the beginning of late diastolic wave [Am wave] on TDI) was calculated from the lateral and septal mitral annulus, and lateral tricuspid annulus (PA lateral, PA septum, and PA tricuspid, respectively). P-wave dispersion was calculated from the 12-lead electrocardiogram. Results: PA lateral and PA septum duration were significantly longer in patients with nonischemic DCM than the controls (78.4 ± 19.7 versus 53.8 ± 6.6 and 55.2 ± 16.3 versus 40.5 ± 6.2, P < .0001 for both; respectively). However, PA tricuspid duration was statistically similar between the 2 groups (36.4 ± 10.9 versus 37.2 ± 5.7, P ≥ .05). P-wave dispersion was significantly higher in nonischemic DCM patients than the controls (53.0 ± 14.4 versus 37.5 ± 5.5, P < .0001). PA lateral was correlated with the left atrial maximal volume (r = 0.64, P < .0001), P-wave dispersion (r = 0.65, P < .0001), and log B-type natriuretic peptide (NT proBNP) (r = 0.63, P < .0001). There was a statistically significant and negative correlation between the PA lateral and left ventricular ejection fraction (r = −0.63, P < .0001) and E-wave deceleration time (r = −0.34, P < .0001). Multivariate analysis revealed that left atrial maximal volume and log NT proBNP were the independent predictors of PA lateral (P < .0001 and P = .003, respectively). Conclusion: The AEMD was significantly prolonged in patients with nonischemic DCM. Left atrial enlargement and log NT proBNP were the independent predictors of this prolongation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aim of this study was to compare bacterial penetration after obturation with lateral compaction technique using four different root canal sealers. This study was performed on 100 teeth including negative control (n = 10), positive control (n = 10), and experimental groups (n = 80). 80 teeth were randomly divided into five groups of 20 teeth each and obturated with AH 26 (A), AH Plus (AP), Sealapex (S), Ketac-Endo (K) root canal sealers. Evaluation was carried out for 60 days. After 30 days of comparing the bacterial penetration values, total penetration was observed in 85% of the Group AP, and group K, 80% of the group S, and 75% of the group A. According to the results of χ2 test, there was no statistically significant difference observed between any groups (p > 0.05). After 60 days of comparing the bacterial penetration values, total penetration was observed in 100% of the group AP, group K, and group S and 95% of the group A. It may be concluded that under the conditions of this study, there was no difference in the bacterial penetration of the four root canal sealers tested at 30 and 60 days. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of two doses of heparin, a low dose (2500 IU) and a standard dose (5000 IU) in patients who underwent transradial coronary angiography (TRCAG). Methods A total of 459 consecutive patients were included in the present study, 217 in the 2500-IU heparin group and 242 in the 5000-IU heparin group. Radial artery patency was evaluated one month after the TRCAG with Doppler ultrasonography. Results The RAO was observed in 15 (3.3%) patients. The RAO was significantly higher in 2500 IU heparin group than 5000 IU heparin group (5.5% vs 1.2% p = 0.010, respectively). Female gender (Odds ratio (OR) = 66.135, p = 0.002, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 4.584-954.131), sheath removal time (OR = 1.496, p < 0.001, 95% CI = 1.254-1.784) and administration of 2500 IU heparin (OR = 9.758, p = 0.034, 95% CI = 1.195-79.695) were the independent predictors of RAO in multivariate regression analysis. While the presence of hypertension was independently associated with radial artery patency in multivariate regression analysis (OR = 0.022, p = 0.005, 95% CI = 0.002-0.307). Conclusion The patients in the standard dose heparin group had lower RAO rates compared to low dose group in this study. This suggests that using the current technique, standard dose of heparin is still required for transradial diagnostic angiography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objectives: Osteoprotegerin (OPG) upregulates endothelial cell adhesion molecule response to TNF-α by upregulating angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2). The aim of this study was to investigate the association between admission plasma levels of OPG, Ang-2 and TNF-α in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and no-reflow after primary angioplasty and subsequent left ventricular remodeling (LVR). Methods: Ninety-two patients with first STEMIs, reperfused within 12h of symptom onset, were included. LVR was defined as a >20% increase in LV end-diastolic volume at 6-month follow-up assessed using echocardiography. Results: The incidences of angiographic no-reflow and electrocardiographic no-reflow were 40.2% and 55.4%, respectively. Thirty-six percent of patients subsequently developed LVR. OPG levels were significantly higher in patients who developed angiographic no-reflow (173pg/ml, interquartile range [IQR] 83–416 vs 104pg/ml, IQR 57–235; p =0.04), electrocardiographic no-reflow (160pg/ml, IQR 81–315 vs 102pg/ml, IQR 47–230; p =0.025) and LVR (174pg/ml, IQR 120–342 vs 97pg/ml, IQR 51–219; p =0.004). In multivariable logistic regression, OPG level was an independent predictor of angiographic (OR 1.05: 95% CI 1.01–1.08 [per 10pg/ml increase]; p =0.005) and electrocardiographic (OR 1.04: 95% CI 1.00–1.07 [per 10pg/ml increase]; p =0.04) no-reflow. ROC analysis showed an area under the curve of 0.69 for OPG and LVR. Plasma OPG≥132pg/ml showed a sensitivity of 72% and a specificity of 61% for predicting LVR (OR 4.05: 95% CI 1.06–15.38; p =0.04). Conclusion: High OPG level on admission is significantly associated with no-reflow after primary angioplasty and subsequent LVR at follow-up in patients with STEMI. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]