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Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 infection is a global pandemic that has affected the whole world population. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic role of cross-sectional area, muscle index, and muscle attenuation values in computed tomography-based skeletal groups [erector spinae muscle, pectoralis muscle, and total skeletal muscle] of patients hospitalized for coronavirus disease 2019 and with at least 1 cardiovascular risk factor., Methods: A total of 232 patients with coronavirus disease 2019 and at least 1 cardiovascular risk factor were enrolled in the study, retrospectively. The cross-sectional area, muscle index, and attenuation of erector spine muscle, pectoralis muscle, and total skeletal muscle were automatically measured on computed tomography images. The study population was assigned into tertiles on the basis of the total SMcsa index. The relationship between the values obtained and the length of hospital stay, admission to intensive care unit, the need for invasive mechani cal ventilation, and mortality was investigated., Results: Admission to intensive care unit, need for invasive mechanical ventilation, and mor tality were higher at tertile 3 groups than in the other groups (all P values <.001). Statistically, all muscle measurements were significantly lower in tertile 3 (P <.001). Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and total SMcsa index were predictors of in-hospital mortality in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 on the basis of Cox regression analysis. In the Kaplan-Meier analysis for the proportion of survivors relative to the total SMcsa index, tertile 3 had the highest mortal ity (survival rates 57%, P < .001)., Conclusions: Sarcopenia and attendant cardiovascular comorbidities can effectively assess dis ease severity and predict outcome in patients with coronavirus disease 2019.

The C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) is a predictive marker of systemic inflammatory state in atherosclerotic coronary disease when compared with the predictive value of these 2 markers separately. We investigated the relationship between CAR and infarct-related artery (IRA) patency in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The study population (n = 1047) was divided into 2 groups according to IRA patency which was assessed by the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade. Nonpatent flow was defined as TIMI grade 0 (no-reflow), 1, and 2 flows, and normal flow was defined as TIMI 3 flow. There was a significant positive correlation between CAR and SYNTAX score ( r = 0.312, P < .001) and a negative correlation between CAR and TIMI grade flow ( r = -0.210, P < .001). At a cutoff level of 0.693, the CAR predicted TIMI no-reflow with a sensitivity of 65.4% and a specificity of 65.5% (area under the curve: 0.670, 95% CI: 0.62-0.71, P < .001). Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that CAR was an independent predictor of IRA patency (0.003 [0.001-0.029]; P < .001). A higher CAR is a significant and independent predictor of IRA patency in patients with STEMI.

Objective: Ventricular arrhythmias following acute coronary syndrome (ACS) range from benign to life-threatening fatal arrhythmias. Tpeak-end (Tp-e) interval has been shown to be an important parameter in the assessment of repolarization dispersion. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between SYNTAX and Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score calculated on admission and Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QTc ratio., Methods: A total of 421 patients were included in the study. The patients were divided into 2 groups as low SYNTAX score (≤22) and moderate and high risk SYNTAX score (>22). According to the GRACE risk score, the patients were divided into 2 groups; high-risk patients ≥140 and <140 low-risk patients., Results: In the group with SYNTAX score >22, the Tp-e interval (p<0.001) and Tp-e/QTc ratio (p<0.001) was found to be significantly higher than in the group with a SYNTAX score ≤22. Tp-e interval (p<0.001) and Tp-e/QTc ratio (p=0.002) was higher in patients with GRACE risk score ≥140 compared with patients with a GRACE risk score <140. The correlation between Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QTc ratio and SYNTAX score (r=0.489; p<0.001) and GRACE risk score (r=0.274; p<0.001) were found to be significant. A significant and independent correlation was found between the SYNTAX score and Tp-e/QTc ratio (β=0.385; p<0.001)., Conclusion: Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio increased in patients with severe coronary artery disease assessed with SYNTAX score. Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio increased in patients with a high GRACE risk score.

Background: Ventricular repolarisation is assessed using the Tp-e interval and QT interval corrected by the heart rate (QTc) via an electrocardiogram (ECG). Prolonged Tp-e/QTc is related with an increased risk of arrhythmias and cardiac mortality., Objective: This study was conducted at a single centre in collaboration with general surgery and cardiology clinics. We aimed to appraise the assessment of Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio in patients with hyperthyroidism before and after thyroid surgery., Methods: Totally 65 patients with hyperthyroidism before and after thyroid surgery were enrolled in our study. In presurgical hospitalisation and six months after the thyroid surgery, we measured the electrocardiographic parameters again on same patients. All subjects who were investigated in this study were in sinus rhythm. Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc ratios were measured from the 12-lead electrocardiogram., Results: Heart rate (P = .073), QT interval (P = .432) and QTc interval (P = .179) were similar before and after thyroid surgery. Tp-e interval (84.6 ± 13.1 vs 77.2 ± 10.9; P = .031), Tp-e/QT ratio (0.23 ± 0.04 vs 0.21 ± 0.04; P < .001), Tp-e/QTc ratio (0.21 ± 0.04 vs 0.19 ± 0.03; P < .001) and QTc dispersion (52.4 ± 7.2 vs 48.4 ± 7.4; P < .001) were significantly different before and after thyroid surgery. In correlation analysis, there was a significant correlation between preprocedural Tp-e/QTc ratio and preprocedural fT4 in patients with hyperthyroidism (r = 0.275, P = .026)., Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc ratios were shortened in patients with hyperthyroidism after thyroid surgery than before procedure. This study is considerable to display that hyperthyroidism may have a negative effect on cardiac conduction system, which potentially may induce formation of ventricular arrhythmias., (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objective: Hypertension (HT) is the most important preventable cause of cardiovascular disease and mortality. Aortic elasticity parameters are affected in HT, and inflammation plays a central role in the development of HT. C-reactive protein (CRP) to albumin ratio (CAR) is a novel inflammatory marker. We aimed to evaluate the association of aortic elasticity properties with CAR., Methods: A total of newly diagnosed untreated 101 hypertensive patients and 98 control participants were included to study. Clinical, demographic parameters, and blood sample parameters were recorded. Aortic strain, aortic stiffness index (ASI), and aortic distensibility (AoD) as aortic elasticity parameters were obtained from transthoracic echocardiography., Results: CRP, CAR, ASI were significantly higher in hypertensive patients. (6.32 ± 2.48 vs 8.41 ± 3.35, p:<0.001; 0.158 ± 0.065 vs. 0.204 ± 0.083, p: <0.001; 6.73 ± 1.00 vs. 10.93 ± 1.81, p: <0.001, respectively) Aortic strain and AoD levels were significantly lower in hypertensive patients. (6.75 ± 2.17 vs 7.98 ± 2.27; p: <0.001 vs. 3.05 ± 0.97 vs 5.16 ± 1.01; p: <0.001, respectively)., Conclusion: CAR a novel inflammatory marker, which can be obtained from blood samples without additional time and cost, can be useful to predict aortic elasticity properties of hypertensive patients in daily clinical practice.

Whole blood viscosity (WBV) may promote endothelial shear stress, inflammation, and can accelerate the atherosclerotic process. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between WBV and aortic stenosis. The study included 209 participants of whom 49 patients had severe aortic stenosis, 98 patients had mild-to-moderate aortic stenosis and 62 patients served as control. WBV values were significantly higher for high shear rate (HSR) (P = 0.001) and for low shear rate (LSR) (P = 0.002) in severe aortic stenosis group. HSR and LSR were correlated with mean systolic transaortic gradient (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). WBV for both LSR and HSR were found to be independent predictors for the aortic stenosis severity (P = 0.034 and P = 0.049, respectively). We found a significant relationship between WBV and aortic stenosis., (Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Atherosclerosis plays an important role in saphenous vein graft disease (SVGD). Previous studies showed that inflammatory blood cells play an active role in this process. C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) is considered as a novel predictor for cardiovascular risk and an indicator of inflammation. We aimed to assess the relationship between SVGD and CAR. A total of 711 participants with saphenous vein graft (SVG) were included; 348 patients had SVGD and 363 patients had patent (no stenosis) SVG. C-reactive protein to albumin ratio was higher in patients with SVGD ( P < .001). There was a significant positive correlation between CAR and the age of SVG (r = 0.123; P = .001) and SYNTAX score (r = 0.568; P < .001). Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that lymphocyte count, CAR, and SYNTAX score were independent predictors of SVGD ( P < .05). C-reactive protein to albumin ratio may be a useful marker after bypass surgery to predict SVGD.

Objective: Previous studies revealed the relationship between stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and serum adropin level, but this relationship has not been investigated in patients with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). The present study is an analysis of the relationship between adropin and severity of CAD assessed based on SYNTAX score in patients with NSTEMI., Methods: A total of 109 participants, 80 patients with NSTEMI and 29 healthy individuals, were prospectively enrolled in the study. Patients with NSTEMI were divided to 2 groups: high SYNTAX score (≥32) (35 patients) and low SYNTAX score (<32) (45 patients). Adropin level was measured from blood serum samples using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test., Results: Patients with NSTEMI and high SYNTAX score had significantly lower serum adropin level (2357.30 pg/mL±821.58) compared to NSTEMI patients with low SYNTAX score (3077.00 pg/mL±912.86) and control group (3688.00±956.65). Adropin cut-off value for predicting high SYNTAX score on receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis was determined to be 2759 pg/mL, with a sensitivity of 63% and a specificity of 57%. Adropin was an independent predictor for high SYNTAX score (odds ratio=0.999; 95% confidence interval: 0.998-1.000; p=0.007)., Conclusion: Adropin could be an alternative blood sample value for predicting severity of CAD.

Objective: Effects of various conditions on coronary artery dimensions is an important research topic, and data regarding effect of aortic valvular diseases are limited. Aim of the present study was to investigate effects of aortic regurgitation (AR) and aortic stenosis (AS) on coronary artery dimensions., Methods: Coronary dimensions of 95 patients (35 with isolated AR, 30 with isolated AS, and 30 without any valvular disease) were calculated. Patients with severe coronary artery disease and concurrent moderate to severe additional valvular disease were excluded. Mean diameter of major coronary arteries was determined using quantitative coronary angiography., Results: The 3 study groups were similar in terms of baseline characteristics. Diameter of left main coronary artery was found to be greater in AR group than AS group (2.66±0.57 mm/m2 vs 2.36±0.49 mm/m2; p=0.015). Mean diameter of left anterior descending and left circumflex arteries were found to be similar in AR and AS groups, and greater than control group. Mean diameter of right coronary artery was found to be greater in AR group compared with controls; however, no significant difference was found in same measurement between AS group and controls., Conclusion: Present study findings indicate that coronary dimensions in AR group tend to be greater than AS group. Further studies investigating factors that affect coronary dimensions would be beneficial in order to demonstrate mechanisms and differences in AR and AS groups.

Introduction: Calcific aortic valve disease, a chronic progressive disorder, is the leading cause of valve replacement among elderly patients. The lymphocyte/monocyte ratio has been recently put forward as an inflammatory marker of relevance in several cancers as well as in cardiovascular disease. This study aims to assess the correlation between severity of calcific aortic stenosis and the lymphocyte/monocyte ratio., Methods: The study retrospectively included 178 patients with a diagnosis of calcific aortic stenosis and 139 age- and gender-matched controls. The patients were divided into two groups according to the severity of aortic stenosis: mild-to-moderate and severe., Results: An inverse correlation was discerned between the severity of the aortic stenosis process (mean gradient) and the lymphocyte/monocyte ratio (r=-0.232, p=0.002). The lymphocyte/monocyte ratio was observed to decrease as the severity of aortic stenosis increased (p<0.001) in the group with severe aortic stenosis compared with the mild-to-moderate aortic stenosis and control groups (p<0.001, p=0.005 respectively), and in the group with mild-to-moderate aortic stenosis compared with the control group (p=0.003). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that the lymphocyte/monocyte ratio was independently related to the severity of calcific aortic stenosis (p=0.003)., Conclusion: The present study demonstrated the existence of a statistically significant inverse relationship between severity of calcific aortic stenosis and the lymphocyte/monocyte ratio. The study also revealed that the lymphocyte/monocyte ratio was significantly related to the severity of the aortic valve stenosis process., (Copyright © 2016 Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Aim: Recently, lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) has emerged as a new indirect marker of inflammation which is associated with adverse outcomes in oncology and cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between LMR and slow coronary flow (SCF)., Patients & Methods: A total of 100 consecutive patients with SCF and 100 consecutive patients with normal coronary flow were enrolled in this study., Results: LMR was significantly lower in patients with SCF than in patients with normal coronary flow (p < 0.001). Also, LMR was negatively correlated with neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and CRP levels (p < 0.001 and p = 0.005). LMR was found to be significantly and independently associated with SCF (p = 0.033)., Conclusion: LMR was negatively correlated with serum C-reactive protein and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio levels.

Background: The risk of syncope and sudden cardiac death due to ventricular arrhythmias increased in patients with aortic stenosis (AS). Recently, it was shown that Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT, and Tp-e/QTc ratio can be novel indicators for prediction of ventricular arrhythmias and mortality. We aimed to investigate the association between AS and ventricular repolarization using Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio., Methods: Totally, 105 patients with AS and 60 control subjects were enrolled to this study. The severity of AS was defined by transthoracic echocardiographic examination. Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT, and Tp-e/QTc ratios were measured from the 12-lead electrocardiogram., Results: Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT, and Tp-e/QTc ratios were significantly increased in parallel to the severity of AS (P < 0.001, P = 0.001, and P = 0.001, respectively). Also, it was shown that Tp-e/QTc ratio had significant positive correlation with mean aortic gradient (r = 0.192, P = 0.049). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, Tp-e/QTc ratio and left ventricular mass were found to be independent predictors of severe AS (P = 0.03 and P = 0.04, respectively)., Conclusions: Our study showed that Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT, and Tp-e/QTc ratios were increased in patients with severe AS. Tp-e/QTc ratio and left ventricular mass were found as independent predictors of severe AS., (© 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Objective: Mitral annular calcification (MAC) and atherosclerosis are similar in regard to risk factors and pathogenesis. Increased red blood cell distribution width (RDW) has been shown to be associated with atherosclerotic diseases. However, no data evaluating the association of MAC with RDW has been available. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the relationship between MAC and RDW among patients with various cardiovascular risk factors., Methods: A total of 623 patients (MAC-positive group: n=413; control group: n=210) admitted to our cardiology outpatient clinics were enrolled between March and November 2014. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters of all participants were recorded. RDW was analyzed from complete blood samples of study participants., Results: Patients in MAC-positive group showed older age and higher rate of hypertension. Mean RDW value was significantly higher in MAC-positive group, compared to control group (15.3±1.4% vs. 13.9±1.4%, p<0.001). In Pearson correlation analysis, statistically significant and positive correlation was determined between neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and RDW (r=0.284, p<0.001). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, age (OR: 1.041, p<0.001), hypertension (OR: 1.540, p=0.039), and RDW (OR: 5.351, p<0.001) were determined as independent predictors of MAC., Conclusion: RDW levels were significantly increased in patients with MAC, and RDW was determined as an independent predictor for presence of MAC. Therefore, increased RDW can be used as a marker of continuing inflammatory process in MAC patients.

Background: There are few prospective data available for establishing a standard diuretic administration regimen for patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of three regimens of furosemide administration in patients with ADHF with regard to diuresis, renal functions, and in-hospital outcomes., Methods: A total of 43 patients who presented with ADHF were randomized into three groups: (a) continuous infusion (cIV) of 160 mg furosemide for 16 h/day (n = 15); (b) bolus injections (bI) of 80 mg furosemide twice a day (n = 14); (c) and administration of 160 mg furosemide plus hypertonic saline solution (HSS) as an infusion for 30 min once a day (n = 14). All regimens were continued for 48 h. Study endpoints were negative fluid balance assessed by loss of body weight, change in the serum creatinine (baseline to 48 h and baseline to compensated state), and length of hospitalization., Results: There was no significant difference in the mean change in serum creatinine level at the end of 48 h between groups (p = 0.08). There was also no significant difference among groups regarding loss of body weight (p = 0.66). A significantly shorter hospitalization was observed in patients treated with HSS compared with the other groups (cIV group 6.6 ± 3.4 days vs. bI group 7.9 ± 4.1 days vs. HSS group 3.7 ± 1.3 days; p < 0.01)., Conclusion: All three furosemide regimens have similar renal safety and efficacy measures. However, administration of furosemide plus HSS may be the preferred diuretic strategy because of its shorter hospital stay.

Background: We aimed to evaluate whether atrial electromechanical delay (AEMD) measured by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), which is an indicator for structural and electrical remodelling of the atria, is prolonged in patients with active or inactive acromegaly, or both, compared with a control group., Methods: A total of 34 patients with acromegaly (18 active/16 inactive) and 35 patients as a control group were enrolled. Both intra- and inter-AEMD were calculated by TDI. The correlation between clinical variables and AEMD were analyzed., Results: Both inter-AEMD and right and left intra-AEMD were prolonged in patients with acromegaly compared with the control group (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P = 0.004, respectively). Also, patients with active acromegaly showed higher inter-AEMD and right intra-AEMD compared with patients with inactive acromegaly (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in left intra-AEMD between patients with active acromegaly and those with inactive acromegaly (P = 0.977). The growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) levels positively correlated with inter-AEMD (r = 0.577; P < 0.001; r = 0.614; P < 0.001, respectively). Additionally, we found that inter-AEMD was significantly and positively correlated with relationship between maximal values of passive mitral inflow (E, PW-Doppler) and lateral early diastolic mitral annular velocities (e', TDI) (r = 0.316; P = 0.008). Only the serum IGF-1 level was independently associated with inter-AEMD in multivariate linear regression analysis (β = 0.500; P = 0.011)., Conclusions: Our study findings showed that both inter- and intra-AEMD are prolonged in patients with acromegaly. Also, AEMD was observed to be more prolonged in patients with active acromegaly than in those with inactive acromegaly. IGF-1 was an independent predictor of inter- AEMD in patients with acromegaly. Being a noninvasive, inexpensive, and simple technique, AEMD may be used as an indicator for atrial electrical and structural remodelling in patients with acromegaly., (Copyright © 2015 Canadian Cardiovascular Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Mitral annular calcification (MAC) and atherosclerosis are similar in regard to risk factors and pathogenesis. Increased platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) has been shown to be associated with atherosclerotic diseases in previous studies. In this study, we aimed to show the association of PLR levels with the presence of MAC., Design: A total of 1060 patients [n = 704 MAC (+), and n = 356 MAC (-)] who were admitted to our cardiology department were enrolled between January 2014 and December 2014. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters of all participants were recorded. PLR was calculated from the complete blood count., Results: The MAC (+) group comprised of those older in age and having a higher rate of hypertension. The mean PLR value was also significantly higher in the MAC (+) group, as compared to that in the MAC (-) group (129.1 ± 32.2 vs 103.5 ± 23.8, p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant and positive correlation between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and PLR (r = 0.644, p < 0.001). Age, hypertension, mean platelet volume, NLR, and PLR (OR: 1.109, 95% CI: 1.101-1.123, p < 0.001) were independently associated with the presence of MAC., Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that the PLR was significantly increased in patients with MAC, and that the PLR was independently associated with the presence of MAC.

Objectives: Coronary artery fistula is an infrequent malformation, and the prevalence was reported as approximately 0.1-0.4% in previous studies. However, the number of studies about microfistulas from coronary arteries to the left ventricle is inadequate, especially in the Turkish population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and clinical features of microfistulas in subjects undergoing coronary angiography for the assessment of coronary artery disease., Study Design: In this retrospective study, we researched the cardiac catheterization laboratory database between January 2008 and July 2013. The presence of microfistulas was established according to the following criteria: 1) direct filling of the heart cavity during selective coronary injection without interposing "capillary" phase or venous filling, and 2) visualization of small vessels interposed between the epicardial coronary vessels and the heart cavity and emptying into the heart., Results: Microfistulas were found in 12 (0.11%) of the 11403 coronary angiographies. There were 7 (58.3%) female patients (mean age, 70.2±10.8 years), and contemporary severe coronary artery stenosis was noted in 2 (16.7%) patients. Chest pain was the most frequently encountered complaint, followed by dyspnea. Microfistulas originated from the left anterior descending artery (100%), circumflex artery (66.7%), and right coronary artery (58.3%). In addition, multiple microfistulas were seen in 6 (50%) patients, bilateral microfistulas in 3 (25%) patients and unilateral microfistula in 3 (25%) patients, and all of them terminated in the left ventricle., Conclusion: Our study found an overall incidence of microfistulas of 0.11%. Microfistula is a rare cardiac anomaly that sometimes causes cardiac symptoms; otherwise, it is detected during routine coronary angiography.