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Accumulating data suggest that activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is increased in aortic dissection, and in thoracic and abdominal aneurysms. In the present study we sought to determine circulating stromelysin (MMP-3) concentration and its relationship with hypertension-induced aortic root dilatation. The study population included 42 patients with essential hypertension. The subjects were divided into two groups according to echocardiographically measured aortic diameter as those with aortic dilatation ( n = 22) and without aortic root dilatation ( n = 20). Plasma concentration of MMP-3 was determined by one-step sandwich enzyme immunoassay (EIA) method and compared in both groups. Baseline demographic properties were similar in both groups. Plasma stromelysin (MMP-3) level was significantly higher in patients with aortic dilatation than those without aortic dilatation (5.2 ± 2.3 vs 3.3 ± 1.9 ng/ml; P = 0.007). In conclusion, we found that circulating stromelysin (MMP-3) concentration was elevated in hypertension-induced aortic root dilatation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) has been reported to be associated with extensive autonomic dysfunction as well as to involve the cardiovascular system. In this study we compared P wave duration and dispersion (PWD) of MS patients to healthy control subjects. Method Thirty-one MS patients (mean age 35±9 years) and 33 healthy control subjects (mean age 34±7 years) were included in the study. Twelve-lead surface ECG recording (paper speed of 50 mm/s) was obtained from all participants. The change in maximum and minimum P wave duration was measured manually and the difference between the two values was defined as PWD. Results There was no difference between the two groups in terms of baseline demographic characteristics. Maximum P wave duration was higher in MS patients than controls (126±6 vs. 122±5 ms, p=0.004). Minimum P wave duration was found to be similar in MS patients and healthy controls 72±8 vs. 75±8 ms, p=0.2). Mean PWD value of MS patients was also found to be higher than those of controls (53±10 vs. 47±10 ms, p=0.01). Conclusion P wave duration and PWD was found to be statistically different in patients with MS and control subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aortic stenosis (AS) with otherwise normal coronary arteries may be associated with angina pectoris and microvascular abnormalities. In this study, using the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count (TFC) method, we tested whether the coronary blood flow velocity is decreased in patients with AS. Twenty-eight patients with severe AS and an otherwise normal coronary arteriogram (group I) and 25 subjects with atypical chest pain and a normal coronary arteriogram (group II) were included in this study. After transthoracic echocardiographic evaluation, all participants underwent coronary arteriography either to evaluate their coronary artery status before surgery or to exclude coronary artery disease. Later, TFC was calculated and compared for each artery, including the left anterior descending (LAD), circumflex (Cx), and right coronary arteries (RCA) in both groups. Baseline characteristics of the study groups were similar. In both groups, TIMI-3 flow was present in each artery at the time of arteriography and the coronary arteries were entirely normal. All subjects with AS had echocardiographic septal and posterior wall thickness more than 12?mm. The mean aortic valve area was 0.78 ± 0.26?cm2. Peak and mean transvalvular gradients were 92 ± 16 and 48 ± 7, respectively. In group I, corrected TFC, Cx, and RCA frame counts were significantly higher than those of group II (24.6 ± 2.1 vs 21.8 ± 2.2 frames/s,P<0.05; 24.4 ± 1.7 vs 22.8 ± 2.4 frames/s.P<0.05; 23.2 ± 2.0 vs 21.4 ± 1.8 frames/s,P<0.05, respectively). Coronary blood flow velocity is decreased in patients with aortic stenosis compared with patients having normal coronary arteries, probably due to microvascular dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]