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BACKGROUND: Examining adults' attitudes toward heart health can be effective in identifying and preventing cardiovascular disease risk, educating, and treating individuals. AIM: This study was designed to develop a valid and reliable measurement tool for assessing adult individuals' attitudes toward heart health. METHODS: The sample for this methodological study consisted of 445 patients admitted to two university hospitals in the provinces of Eskişehir and Kocaeli, Türkiye for cardiological disorders. The research data were collected using a Personal Information Form and Adult Heart Health Attitude Scale (AHHAS). For the validity and reliability of the scale, test-retest analysis, content validity analysis, and item analyses were used, and exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed, and structural equation modeling was used for internal consistency and construct validity. RESULTS: Based on expert opinion, the content validity index of the scale was calculated as 0.86. In the exploratory factor analysis, the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) coefficient was 0.643, and Bartlett’s Test of Significance was χ²=953.841, p<0.001. As a result of the factor analysis, the number of items was reduced from 45 to 28. The item-total correlation coefficients ranged from 0.430 to 0.864, leading to a 6-factor scale with 29 items, explaining 54.4% of the total variance. The factor loadings of the items ranged between 0.453 and 0.851, and Cronbach’s alpha value was between 0.446 and 0.718 for the sub-factors, and 0.834 for the total scale. CONCLUSION: As a result of the analyses, it was determined that AHHAS is a valid and reliable scale that can be used for the Turkish adult population. Healthcare providers can use AHHAS to determine adults’ attitudes toward heart health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim: We aimed to determine the genetic risk factors in patients aged 45 years and below with a history of early myocardial infarction (MI), compared to individuals over 60 years of age with no history of MI. Materials and methods: In this study, we selected different age groups to more clearly distinguish genetic differences. Accordingly, we compared individuals who had experienced MI at an early age with those who were older and had not experienced any cardiovascular events. The patient group consisted of 99 volunteers under the age of 45 with a history of MI, while the control group included 99 volunteers aged 60 and over without a history of MI. MTHFR (C677T, A1298C), Factor V Leiden (G1691A), Prothrombin (G20210A), PAI (4G/5G), Factor XIII (V34L), APOA1 (rs670, rs1799837, rs5069), and APOB were studied using blood samples taken from the patients. Results: In the logistic regression analysis of thrombophilia markers and gene polymorphisms in the patient and control groups, no statistically significant increase was observed in markers other than APOA1 rs5069 gene polymorphism. APOA1 rs5069 gene polymorphism was found to be higher in the patient group than those without this polymorphism. The frequencies of homozygous MTHFR (C677T, A1298C) and heterozygous Factor XIII V34L were higher in the patient cohort compared to the controls. Conclusion: In our study, we found that prothrombotic gene variants and APOA1 rs5069 polymorphism were statistically significantly associated with coronary artery disease. Thus, prothrombotic gene variants and APOA1 rs5069 polymorphism may serve as predictors of early myocardial infarctions. Individuals with early family histories of coronary artery disease could be screened for these mutations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cryoballoon‐based catheter ablation has emerged as an efficacious and safe therapeutic intervention for patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). PAF is primarily associated with the triggers in the pulmonary vein (PV). However, persistent atrial fibrillation (PeAF) is a complex condition that involves changes in the atrial substrate and the presence of non‐PV triggers. Therefore, a comprehensive treatment approach is necessary for patients with PeAF. Utilizing a 3D electroanatomical map, the radiofrequency‐based ablation technique adeptly identifies and targets the atrial substrate and non‐PV triggers. On the other hand, the cryoballoon‐based AF ablation was initially designed for PV isolation. However, its single‐shot feature makes it a great choice for electrophysiologists looking to address non‐PV triggers. It is possible to target the left atrial appendage (LAA), superior vena cava (SVC), left atrial roof, and posterior wall using the apparatus's unique configuration and ablation abilities. This review focuses on the increasing literature regarding cryoballoon‐based methods for non‐PV trigger ablation. Specifically, it delves into the technical procedures used to isolate the LAA, SVC, and ablate the left atrial roof and posterior wall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Archives of the Turkish Society of Cardiology / Türk Kardiyoloji Derneği Arşivi is the property of KARE Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aims Data on repolarization parameters in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) are scarce. We investigated the association of baseline T-wave area, with both clinical and echocardiographic outcomes of CRT in a large, multi-centre cohort of CRT recipients. Also, we evaluated the association between the baseline T-wave area and QRS area. Methods and results In this retrospective study, 1355 consecutive CRT recipients were evaluated. Pre-implantation T-wave and QRS area were calculated from vectorcardiograms. Echocardiographic response was defined as a reduction of ≥15% in left ventricular end-systolic volume between 3 and 12 months after implantation. The clinical outcome was a combination of all-cause mortality, heart transplantation, and left ventricular assist device implantation. Left ventricular end-systolic volume reduction was largest in patients with QRS area ≥ 109 μVs and T-wave area ≥ 66 μVs compared with QRS area ≥ 109 μVs and T-wave area < 66 μVs (P = 0.004), QRS area < 109 μVs and T-wave area ≥ 66 μVs (P < 0.001) and QRS area < 109 μVs and T-wave area < 66 μVs (P < 0.001). Event-free survival rate was higher in the subgroup of patients with QRS area ≥ 109 μVs and T-wave area ≥ 66 μVs (n = 616, P < 0.001) and QRS area ≥ 109 μVs and T-wave area < 66 μVs (n = 100, P < 0.001) than the other subgroups. In the multivariate analysis, T-wave area remained associated with echocardiographic response (P = 0.008), but not with the clinical outcome (P = 0.143), when QRS area was included in the model. Conclusion Baseline T-wave area has a significant association with both clinical and echocardiographic outcomes after CRT. The association of T-wave area with echocardiographic response is independent from QRS area; the association with clinical outcome, however, is not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Complex electrophysiologic (EP) procedures are time consuming and open to complications. Accurate and rapid recognition of cardiac pathologies is essential before, during, and immediately after such procedures. In this study, we aimed to compare hand-held echocardiography (HHE) with standard echocardiography (SE) to determine whether HHE can be used as a practical and reliable diagnostic tool during such procedures. Methods: One hundred consecutive patients undergoing complex EP procedures and catheter ablation were included in the study. All patients were evaluated with SE or HHE in terms of main cardiac pathologies at the beginning and immediately after the procedure. The diagnostic accuracy and evaluation time of both methods were compared at the beginning and after the procedure. The agreement between both methods was calculated. Results: At the beginning and after the procedure, opening and evaluation times with HHE were significantly shorter than with SE (P < 0.001 for all). There was significant agreement between the two methods in the diagnosis of cardiac pathologies (Agreement was 95% for minimal mild aortic regurgitation (AR), 99% for moderate/ severe AR, 93% for minimal/ mild mitral regurgitation (MR), 95% for moderate/ severe MR, 100% for pericardial effusion, and 100% for left ventricular thrombus at the beginning of the procedure). Conclusion: With the use of HHE during complex EP procedures, cardiac pathologies can be diagnosed with similar accuracy as SE. In addition, HHE has a significant advantage over SE in terms of time to diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim: It is known that the presence of fragmented QRS (fQRS) on electrocardiography (ECG) is associated with cardiovascular events. The aim of this study was the evaluation of fQRS formation and its relationship with the left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) parameters in acromegaly patients. Materials and methods: In total, 47 previously diagnosed with non-hypertensive acromegaly patients and 48 control subjects were included in the study. ECG and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) were performed for each participant. Acromegaly patients were divided into two groups according to the fQRS formation on the ECG. Left ventricular wall thicknesses, and left atrial diameter (LAD), left ventricular mass (LVM), left ventricular mass index (LVMi), and relative wall thickness (RWT) were obtained. Results: In control group 5 (10.4%) and in acromegaly group 17 (36.2%) patients had fQRS on ECG (p = 0.003). LAD [36.0 (34.0–38.0) vs. 38.0 (35.0–41.0) mm, p < 0.001], LVM [155.27 ± 27.00 vs. 173.0 (153.0–235.0) g, p < 0.001], LVMi [83.12 ± 13.19 vs. 92.0 (83.0–118.0) g/m², p < 0.001] and RWT [0.39 ± 0.03 vs. 0.43 (0.41–0.45), p = 0.001] were significantly higher in patients with acromegaly. Disease duration was significantly higher (11.59 ± 1.3 vs. 8.2 ± 1.8 years, p < 0.001) in the fQRS (+) group. LAD [41.0 (39.0–42.5) vs. 37.0 (34.7– 38.0) mm, p < 0.001], LVM [219.0 (160.5–254.5) vs. 164.0 (153.0–188.0) g, p = 0.017], LVMi [117.0 (92.5–128.5) vs. 86.0 (82.0–100.2) g/m², p = 0.013] and RWT [0.44 (0.42–0.49) vs. 0.43 (0.40–0.44), p = 0.037] were significantly higher in fQSR (+) acromegaly patients. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, disease duration (odds ratio: 10.05, 95% CI: 1.099–92.012, p = 0.041) and LAD (odds ratio: 2.19, 95% CI: 1.030–4.660, p = 0.042) were found to be the independent predictors of fQRS formation. Conclusion: The results of our study revealed that fQRS (+) acromegaly patients had increased LVH parameters compared to fQRS (-) patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Türkiye Klinikleri Cardiovascular Sciences is the property of Turkiye Klinikleri and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)