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Studies reported conflicting results on the effect of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) blocker use on acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients undergoing elective coronary angiography but association in elderly patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is not known. Also, there are limited data on the effect of inflammatory markers on AKI. We aimed to investigate the effects of RAAS blocker pretreatment and inflammatory markers on AKI in this population. A total of 471 patients were compared according to presence of RAAS blocker pretreatment at admission. Conventional and inverse probability weighed conditional logistic regression were used to determine independent predictors of AKI. Mean age of the study group was 75.4 ± 7.1 years and 29.1% of the patients were female. AKI was observed in 17.2% of the study population. Weighted conditional multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that AKI was associated with baseline creatinine levels and C-reactive protein/albumin ratio (CAR) (OR 2.08, 95% CI = 1.13-3.82, p = .02 and OR 1.19, 95% CI = 1.01-1.41, p = .04, respectively). No significant association was found between RAAS blocker pretreatment and AKI. CAR and elevated baseline creatinine levels were independent predictors of AKI in this patient group.

Data regarding the possible role of heparanase (HPA) in the occurrence of left atrial/left atrial appendage (LA/LAA) thrombus in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is lacking. The goal of the present study was to assess the association between plasma levels of HPA and LA/LAA thrombus in AF.A total of 687 patients with nonvalvular AF (NVAF) without anticoagulation therapy were included from January 2016 to June 2019. Serum HPA analysis was performed with a commercially available human ELISA kit. Logistic regression models were used to test for association.Serum HPA levels were significantly higher in patients with LA/LAA thrombus than in those without LA/LAA thrombus (270.8 [193.4 ± 353.2] pg/mL vs 150.3 [125.2 ± 208.4] pg/mL; P 0.001). In multivariate analysis, serum HPA remained a significantly independent predictor of LA/LAA thrombus (odds ratio 1.674, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.339-2.289, P 0.001). In the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, HPA showed a predictive value with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.757 (95% CI 0.652-0.810, P 0.001). The optimal cutoff level for HPA predicting LA/LAA thrombus was 210.7 pg/mL, with a sensitivity of 74.3% and a specificity of 64.8%.An elevated HPA level was associated with the presence of LA/LAA thrombus in patients with AF. HPA might portend the risk for the prothrombotic state in AF patients.HINTERGRUND: Es fehlen Daten zur möglichen Rolle von Heparanase (HPA) beim Auftreten eines Thrombus linksatrial oder im linken Herzohr (LA/LAA) bei Patienten mit Vorhofflimmern (VF). Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war es, den Zusammenhang zwischen den Plasmaspiegel von HPA und einem LA/LAA-Thrombus bei VF zu untersuchen.Von Januar 2016 bis Juni 2019 wurden in die Studie 687 Patienten mit nichtvalvulärem VF (NVVF) ohne Antikoagulationstherapie einbezogen. Eine Serum-HPA-Analyse erfolgte mit einem kommerziell erhältlichen humanen ELISA-Kit. Logistische Regressionsmodelle wurden zur Prüfung des Zusammenhangs eingesetzt.Die Serum-HPA-Spiegel waren bei Patienten mit LA/LAA-Thrombus signifikant höher als bei Patienten ohne LA/LAA-Thrombus (270,8 [193,4 ± 353,2] pg/ml vs. 150,3 [125,2 ± 208,4] pg/ml; p 0,001). In der multivariaten Analyse blieb die Serum-HPA ein signifikant unabhängiger Prädiktor eines LA/LAA-Thrombus (Odds Ratio 1,674; 95 %-Konfidenzintervall, 95 %-KI: 1,339–2,289; p 0,001). In der Receiver-Operating-Characteristic(ROC)-Kurvenanalyse zeigte sich für HPA ein prädiktiver Wert mit einem Areal unter der Kurve (AUC) von 0,757 (95 %-KI: 0,652–0,810; p 0,001). Der optimale Grenzwert für HPA zur Vorhersage eines LA/LAA-Thrombus betrug 210,7 pg/ml, mit einer Sensitivität von 74,3 % und einer Spezifität von 64,8 %.Ein erhöhter HPA-Spiegel ging mit dem Vorliegen eines LA/LAA-Thrombus bei Patienten mit VF einher. Der HPA-Wert könnte ein Hinweis auf das Risiko eines prothrombotischen Zustands bei VF-Patienten sein.

Introduction: Hypertriglyceridemia is known as an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). Fenofibrate that is used for the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia can prevent cardiovascular events in patients with CAD. However, there is little information regarding the vascular effects of fenofibrate on arterial wall stiffness in patients with hypertriglyceridemia and without CAD, diabetes mellitus (DT), and hypertension (HT). The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of fenofibrate treatment on the arterial stiffness in the patients with pure hypertriglyceridemia. Patients and Methods: We included 37 patients with hypertriglyceridemia without CAD, HT, and DT in this study. We performed pre- and post-treament physical examination of the patients and took their blood samples. Patients were allocated fenofibrate for a duration of 168 ± 14 days for its administration. We assessed arterial stiffness by aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) using a SphygmoCor device. Importantly, we estimated central arterial pressure waveform parameters by radial artery applanation tonometry and used augmentation index (AIx) as a measure of wave reflections. Results: Fenofibrate treatment resulted in significantly greater reductions in total cholesterol (201.3 ± 61.0 mg/dL vs. 270.0 ± 93.4 mg/dL), triglycerides (261.3 ± 234.3 mg/dL vs. 704.7 ± 338.7 mg/dL), and the C/H levels (5.3 ± 2.6 vs. 7.2 ± 1.9, respectively) as compared with the pretreatment levels (p< 0.001). There was a tendency of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) to decline after fenofibrate treatment as change in hs-CRP was significant (0.47 ± 0.41 mg/dL vs. 0.32 ± 0.31 mg/dL respectively, p< 0.01). AIx remained unchanged from the pretreatment levels (24.2% ± 12.4% vs. 22.0% ± 11.4%, respectively, p> 0.05). There was a significant reduction in PWV after fenofibrate treatment (11.3 ± 2.9 m/s vs. 9.2 ± 2.2 m/s, p= 0.001). Conclusion: Fenofibrate treatment appears to effectively improve the arterial wall stiffness in the patients with pure hypertriglyceridemia.

Purpose Acute pulmonary embolism (APE) is a life-threating cardiothoracic thromboembolic emergency in which right ventricle dysfunction (RVD) is a major concern. In the present study, we examined the hepatic veins (HVs) blood flow with pulsed-wave spectral Doppler ultrasonography to determine its relationship with the simplified pulmonary embolism severity index (sPESI) and the patient's RVD status. Methods We divided the 243 patients who met the inclusion criteria into two groups based on both their sPESI scores and their RVD status. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed to evaluate the RVD and the HVs within 1 hour after patient admission. The liver was evaluated using subcostal and intercostal echocardiographic windows in grayscale B-mode, and HVs were assessed using color and spectral Doppler assessment though the same echocardiographic windows. Result A cut-off value of the systolic reverse flow velocity-time integral (SrVTI) = 2.2 cm carried a sensitivity and specificity of 84.29% and 74.89%, respectively, for the prediction of sPESI ≥ 1. A SrVTI cut-off value of 2.1 cm yielded a sensitivity and specificity of 83.03% and 73.91%, respectively, for the prediction of RVD. Conclusion HV Doppler assessment could be a useful method for anticipating the sPESI and the presence of RVD in patients with APE. In addition, it may provide information regarding the hemodynamic impact of APE.

INTRODUCTION Acute pulmonary embolism (APE) is a cardiothoracic thromboembolic emergency at risk of life-threatening. Several risk graduation algorithms may be applied to delineate short-term mortality in patients with APE. In this study, we aim to depict the relationship between the right ventricular early inflow-outflow (RVEIO) index, which is a Doppler-based parameter, and the pulmonary embolism severity index(PESI) in acute pulmonary embolism. METHODS In the presented study, a total of 160 patients who were diagnosed with APE using pulmonary computed tomography angiography or ventilation/perfusion scintigraphy were comprised. Patients were separated to 2 groups based on the simplified PESI (sPESI): sPESI

IntroductionThe non-O phenotype of the ABO genotype has been linked with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Atrioventricular (AV) block (AVB) is defined as retardation or cessation in the route of an electrical impulse passing from the atria to the ventricles because of an anatomical or functional disruption in the conduction system. We aimed to interpret the association between blood group status and high-grade atrioventricular block (HAVB).Material and methodsThis study was implemented as a retrospective review of the recorded data of patients diagnosed with high-grade AV block and a control group. The study population consisted of 640 patients with HAVB and 570 control subjects.ResultsPresence of non-O blood group (p < 0.001) was significantly more prevalent in HAVB patients than in the control subjects. Blood group type was the sole independent predictor of HAVB in multiple regression analysis (p < 0.001, OR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.08–1.57). Also, third-degree AVB had a higher incidence in the non-O blood subgroup and also non-O blood group was a predictor of third-degree AVB (p < 0.001, OR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.13–1.69).The incidence of HAVB did not distinguish between the two Rh (D) groups. Rh (D) status did not have an impact on HAVB.ConclusionsThis is the first study that has evaluated the potential relationship between HAVB and ABO blood groups. The main finding of this report is that patients with non-O blood group types have a higher risk for development of HAVB compared with O blood group patients.

PURPOSE Acute pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening cardiothoracic emergency leading to right ventricle systolic and diastolic dysfunction. In the present study, we investigated the right ventricle diastolic function and its predictive value in patients with acute pulmonary embolism. MATERIAL AND METHODS Were prospectively recruited in this study 621 patients diagnosed with acute pulmonary embolism between December 2015 and June 2019. Among them, 173 were excluded, leaving 448 patients for follow-up. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed for the evaluation of the right ventricle systolic and diastolic indices. At 30-day follow-up, the patients were allocated either into the benign or in the complicated clinical course group. RESULTS The group with complicated clinical course had higher value of pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP), right/left ventricle diameter ratio, E-wave velocity, E/A ratio, A' wave velocity, E/E' ratio, and time interval between E and E' waves (P

Objective: Heparanase (HPA), mammalian endo-β-D-glu­cu­ronidase, separates heparan sulfate chains of proteoglycans and changes the structure of the extracellular matrix. We investigated whether serum levels of HPA differ in patients with stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) and subjects with normal coronary arteries. Methods: This study enrolled 92 patients with SCAD and 34 controls with normal coronary arteries. Levels of HPA were measured by a commercially available human HPA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Results: Serum HPA levels were significantly lower in the SCAD group (137.5 [104.1–178.9] vs. 198.8 [178.2–244.9] pg/mL; p < 0.001). Serum HPA levels were significantly higher in subjects with diabetes mellitus (DM) compared to those without DM (p = 0.008). Levels of HPA were lower in the SCAD group, both in the diabetic and nondiabetic subgroups, as compared to controls (p < 0.001 for both subgroups). Levels of HPA positively correlated with fasting blood glucose (FBG) (r: 0.42; p < 0.001). In multiple logistic regression analysis, serum HPA level (odds ratio [OR]: 0.975; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.966, 0.985; p < 0.001) and FBG (OR: 1.028; 95% CI: 1.010, 1.047; p = 0.002) were independently associated with SCAD. The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that HPA levels less than 160.6 pg/mL predicted SCAD with 65% sensitivity and 97% specificity (AUC: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.728, 0.878; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Diabetes and FBG levels were closely associated with serum levels of HPA. Low serum levels of HPA may predict SCAD in both diabetic and nondiabetic populations.

Introduction: Recentstudies have shown a significant association between left atrial (LA) globallongitudinal strain (GLS) and the progression of atrial fibrillation (AF) withsignificantly decreased LA GLS in patients with paroxysmal AF. Significantlyhigher levels of serum galectin-3 have also been found in patients with non-valvularAF. This study aimed to examine the relationship of the early stage of atrialfibrosis and reduced atrial deformation with serum galectin-3 concentration inmiddle-aged patients with a first episode of non-valvular AF.Patients and Methods:Thisstudy prospectively enrolled 34 patients who were admitted to our emergencydepartment and required either a medical or electrical cardioversion due to thefirst episode of AF, without any structural or coronary heart disease and withnormal LA size. Additionally, 31 control subjects were also enrolled. Thediameter, volume, and mechanical function of LA, including strain (S) andstrain rate (SR), and serum galectin-3 levels were measured.Results: Theaverage age was 48.5 ± 10.4 years. Galectin-3 values were not significantlydifferent between the AF and control groups (r= 0.42; p= 0.51) and were foundto correlate inversely with peak negative SR on apical four chamber (r= −0.31,p= 0.02) and two chamber (r= −0.25, p= 0.04) views. In comparison to the controlgroup, the AF group had significantly lower values of peak systolic S on fourchamber view (p= 0.037), peak late diastolic S (p= 0.04), peak positive SR onapical four-chamber view (p= 0.04), and peak late negative SR on apical fourchamber (p= 0.03) and two-chamber (p= 0.02) views.Conclusion: Middle-aged patients withthe first episode of AF and normal LA sizes had reduced LA reservoir and activeatrial functions. Although beginning signs of LA functional remodeling wereshown on S and SR imaging, these were not completely reflected by serumgalectin-3 levels., Giriş: Biz bu çalışmada ilk atak non-valvular atriyal fibrilasyon (AF)’lu ortayaşlı hasta grubunda serum galectin konsantrasyonu ile AF erken evresiarasındaki ilişkiyi araştırdık.Hastalar veYöntem: Bu çalışmaya acil servisimize ilk atak AF ile başvuran,medikal ya da elektriki kardiyoversiyon yapılmış, yapısal ya da koroner kalphastalığı olmayan normal LA boyuta sahip 34 hasta ve 31 kontrol hastasıprospektif olarak dahil edildi. Ekokardiyografik bulgular kayıt altına alındıve serum galectin düzeyleri ekokardiyografi öncesi alınan kan örneklerindenölçüldü.Bulgular: Hastaların ortalama yaşı 48.5 ± 10.4 yıldı. Galectin değerleri arasında AFve kontrol grubu arasında anlamlı fark saptanmadı (r= 0.42 ; p= 0.51) ve apikaldört boşluk (r= -0.31, p= 0.02) ve iki boşluk görüntüden (r= -0.25 , p= 0.04)pik negatif SR ile negatif korele bulundu. Kontrol grubu ilekarşılaştırıldığında, AF grubunda dört boşluk görüntüden pik sistolik strain(p= 0.037), pik geç diastolik strain (p= 0.04), pik positif SR (p= 0.04) ve pikgeç negatif SR apikal dört (p= 0.03) ve iki boşluk (p= 0.02) görüntüdendeğerleri anlamlı olarak daha düşük olarak bulunmuştur.Sonuç: İlk atak AF’li orta yaşlıve normal LA boyutuna sahip hastalarda LA rezervuar ve aktif atriyalfonksiyonlar azalmıştır. Strain ve SR görüntüleme ile gösterilmiş LAfonksiyonel remodeling belirtileri başlamış olmasına rağmen bu durum serumgalectin düzeyleri ile tam olarak gösterilememiştir.

Background: Parameters derived from complete blood count, such as mean platelet volume (MPV), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), have recently been proposed as measures of inflammation in addition to C-reactive protein (CRP), a classical inflammatory marker. Significant association of these parameters with atherosclerosis and complications have increasingly been reported. Aim: The aim of the study is to evaluate the relationship between these parameters and the presence of myocardial viability assessed with positron emission tomography (PET) in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy (ICM). Methods: A total of 122 ICM patients who had undergone PET were enrolled in this study. The patients were dichotomised depending on the presence of transmural scar. Group 1 consisted of 21 patients who had transmural scar tissue only, who were accepted as the group having non-viable myocardium. Group 2 consisted of 101 patients who had hibernation and/or non-transmural scar, who were accepted as the group having viable myocardium. Haematological parameters within 30 days of PET imaging were retrospectively analysed. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding values of white blood cell, neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet, haemoglobin, red cell distribution width, CRP, PLR, and NLR. Patients with non-viable myocardium have significantly higher levels of MPV (p = 0.002). In multiple logistic regression analysis, MPV (odds ratio [OR] = 0.373, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.20–0.69, p = 0.002), was identified as an independent predictor of non-viable myocardium. In receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) analysis, a cut-point of 8.19 identified patients with non-viable myocardium (area under curve: 0.72, 95% CI 0.60–0.84). An MPV value greater than 8.19 demonstrated a sensitivity of 76% and a specificity of 55%. \ Conclusions: The present study showed that MPV is an inexpensive, clinical, and routinely measurable parameter that is associated with the presence of viable myocardium in ICM.

Endocan is a recently introduced marker of endothelial dysfunction and is also associated with inflammation and atherosclerosis. To date, the relationship between cardiac syndrome X (CSX) and endocan has not been studied. The objective of this study was to compare the serum endocan levels of patients with CSX with those of control subjects. In this study, 50 patients were included in the CSX group and 28 patients in the control group. Patients with pathological conditions that could potentially influence endothelial functions were excluded. Endocan serum concentrations were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mean endocan level of the CSX group was significantly higher than that of the control group (3051.3 ± 1900.5 ng/l vs. 2088.1 ± 522.2 ng/l; p = 0.002). There was no difference between the two groups in terms of age, gender, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and smoking status. In receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, endocan levels greater than 2072 ng/l had a 72% sensitivity and 54% specificity (p = 0.002) for accurately predicting a diagnosis of CSX. The results of this study suggest that patients with CSX have higher endocan levels. Therefore, endocan may be valuable in helping uncover the underlying pathogenesis of CSX.

Aim Current literature lacks a definitive threshold of idiopathic premature ventricular complex (PVC) burden for predicting cardiomyopathy (CMP). The main objective of the present study was to evaluate relationship between the PVC burden and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Method This multicenter, cross‐sectional study included 341 consecutive patients with more than 1,000 idiopathic PVC in 24 hr of Holter monitoring admitted to the cardiology clinics between January 2019 and May 2019 in the nineteen different centers. The primary outcome was the LVEF measured during the echocardiographic examination. Result Overall, the median age was 50 (38–60) and 139 (49.4%) were female. Percentage of median PVC burden was 9% (IQR: 4%–17.4%). Median LVEF was found 60% (55–65). We used proportional odds logistic regression method to examine the relationship between continuous LVEF and candidate predictors. Increase in PVC burden (%) (regression coefficient (RE) −0.644 and 95% CI −1.063, –0.225, p

Objective: Heparanase (HPA) is an endo-β-D-glucuronidase capable of degrading heparin sulphate (HS) and heparin side chains. HPA plays a role in tumour growth, angiogenesis, cell invasion a...

Background No gold standard exists for grading tricuspid regurgitation (TR) severity. We developed a simple parameter, the right ventricular (RV) early inflow-outflow (RVEIO) index, using the early diastolic filling velocity and RV outflow velocity integrated over the systolic ejection period. We hypothesized that this index would help identify severe TR in clinical practice. Methods We obtained data from routine transthoracic echocardiograms. All records reporting moderate (n=395) or severe (n=395) TR were reanalyzed to measure vena contracta (VC) width, TR jet area, effective regurgitant orifice (EROA) derived with the proximal isovelocity surface area method, RVEIO index, and right-sided chamber volumes. Results Significant linear trends were demonstrated for right atrial volume index, end-diastolic volume index, E-wave velocity, RV velocity time integral, TR jet area, VC width, and EROA with increasing TR severity. Independent predictors of severe RT included RVEIO index ≥ 10, VC width ≥ 0.7 cm, TR jet area>10 cm2, and EROA ≥ 0.4 cm2. Conclusion RVEIO index is a useful, simple, accurate, and independent predictor of severe TR that adds incrementally to traditional methods of quantifying TR severity. Accurate quantification and classification of TR severity is critical for clinical decision-making and management; therefore, the incorporation of RVEIO index into the integrative approach to grading TR severity should be considered.

Major depression is the most common psychiatric disorder. The diagnosis of depression depends on a patient's subjective complaints, and the nature of the heterogeneous disorder. Thus, there is no known biomarker for depression to date. Previous research has indicated that microRNAs are dysregulated in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. We aimed to investigate microRNA dysregulation in plasma samples of patients with major depression. Venous blood samples of 50 depressed patients and 41 healthy controls were collected and the quantification of microRNAs was established using qRT-PCR. We found miR-320a significantly downregulated and miR-451a significantly upregulated in depressed patients. We also found miR-17-5p and miR-223-3p upregulated, but not as significantly as miR-451a. Merging our results with previous published data shows that the blood miR-320 family may be a potential microRNA family dysregulated in major depression. Research should be performed on miR-320-related pathways and their relationship to depression. Additionally, miR-451a could serve as a candidate biomarker for depression based on the acting mechanism of ketamine. Studies targeting miR-451a levels before and after treatment could be helpful.

Background and Objectives Balloon sizing remains the main technique for determining occluder device size for atrial septal defects (ASDs). New evidence has proposed that accurate estimation of device size could be possible without using the balloon technique. Operators have predicted the amount of possible enlargement depending on their experiences. Thus, selection criteria have mostly relied on personal observations and experiences. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between age, sex, defect size, and deployed device size based on the balloon technique. Subjects and Methods Sixty-six patients who underwent percutaneous ASD closure with a Cardi-O-Fix occluder between 2011 and 2012 were retrospectively evaluated. Patients whose maximum defect size and device size were available were included. Enlargement amount (EA) (device size−defect size) and enlargement ratio (ER) (EA/defect size) were calculated. The relationship between these 2 calculations and age, sex, and defect size were analyzed. Results EA and ER were 5.2±3.6 mm (min: 0, max: 15, median: 5) and 39.3%±31.5% (min: 0, max: 125, median: 32), respectively. EA and ER did not differ between genders (p=0.800; p=0.430). EA and ER were not correlated with maximum defect size (p=0.310; p=0.050). EA and ER showed no correlation with age (p=0.970; p=0.640). However when patients were dichomotized based on age 40, ER was significantly lower in older group (p=0.030). Unexpectedly, no difference was observed between the 2 groups in terms of EA (p=0.110). Size of deployed device had a strong correlation with defect size measured with two-dimensional (2D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE; device size=1.1177×TEE defect size+3.5297; R=0.84; p