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WOS: 000361477800003 PubMed: 25968094 BackgroundSerum uric acid (SUA) is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events in patients with hypertension. Total atrial conduction time (TACT) is a novel echocardiographic parameter used to identify the presence of electrical and structural atrial remodeling. We hypothesized that elevated SUA levels may be associated with prolonged TACT.MethodsA total of 50 consecutive hyperuricemic (defined as SUA>7mg/dl for men and >6.0mg/dl for women) patients who had hypertension were included in the study. A total of 42 normouricemic patients were also recruited consecutively as the control group. All patients were evaluated by two-dimensional echocardiography and TACT was estimated by measuring the time delay between the onset of the P-wave of ECG and peak A'-wave on the tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) of the left atrial lateral wall (PA-TDI duration).ResultsThere were no significant differences between the two groups according to age, sex, left ventricular systolic function, left atrial diameter, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure values. PA-TDI duration was found to be significantly increased in the hyperuricemic group (112.314.7 vs. 92 +/- 12.7ms; P

Yaykasli, Kursat/0000-0001-7550-6370; Kaya, Ertugrul/0000-0003-0081-682X WOS: 000343521100005 PubMed: 24370683 Objective: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most important morbidity and mortality disease in the world. It is also one of the leading causes of death in Turkey. Omentin, a recently found adipocytokine, is reported to regulate insulin sensitivity. It has anti-inflammatory properties and is inversely associated with CAD. Omentin gene polymorphism in patients with CAD has not been studied yet. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between omentin Val109Asp polymorphism and CAD. Methods: This is an observational study on genetic association. 157 consecutive patients who had undergone coronary angiography were included in the study. Seventy-five of them had CAD and the rest serves the control group. Val109Asp polymorphism was analyzed and compared. Chi-square test was used in comparison of genotype frequencies, whereas ANOVA and chi-square tests were used in comparison of clinical characteristics according to the genotypes. Results: There was no significant difference between CAD patients and control subjects regarding omentin Val109Asp polymorphism. However, a 2.5 fold increase in Val/Val (homozygous mutant) genotype was detected in patients with CAD. The OR (80% Cl) for Val/Val genotype was 3.46 (1.14-10.49). Conclusion: Although no significant difference was detected regarding omentin Val109Asp polymorphism, Val/Val genotype frequency was found to be more in patient group than control group. In conclusion, it may be speculated that Val/Val genotype increases the tendency for CAD, but this experiment should done with larger population to clarify this issue. Duzce UniversityDuzce University [2011.04.HD.022] This project is supported by Duzce University Research Fund, Project Number 2011.04.HD.022.

Purpose: The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity in the West Black Sea region of Turkey and to display the associated chronic diseases, especially Diabetes Mellitus (DM) in this population.Material and Method: We evaluated 2222 (1418 female, 804 male, mean age: 50) participants in Yigilca. The medical histories were recorded and physical examinations were done in all participants. Body weight categories were defined according to the body mass index (BMI) as follows: BMI 94 cm in males and >90 cm in females were accepted as the cut-off points for abdominal obesity. Results: The mean BMI of the participants was 30.6 in females and 27.5 in males. According to BMI, obesity prevalence was 53.1% in females and 26.9% in males. The mean obesity prevalence was 43.5% in general. Abdominal obesity prevalence was 63% in females, 46% in males and 57% in all participants. Obesity prevalence increased with age in both sexes. Especially 3/4 (75%) of females and 1/3 (33%) of males aged 50-59 years were obese. Postmenopausal females had very high (64%) obesity prevalence but the rate was %43 in premenopausal women. While DM prevalence was 12.6% according to patient history, DM prevalence increased to 18.8% by adding patients with fasting glucose >126 mg/dl.Discussion: Obesity, especially abdominal obesity and DM prevalence was found to be at exaggerated rates in both sexes being highest in postmenopausal females. Turk Jem 2012; 16: 52-7

Background: The prevalence of obesity is increasing in the developed and developing world. It is an independent risk factor for heart failure. Left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction has been demonstrated to be a strong predictor of heart failure. In the present study we aimed to assess the impact of body weight on LV diastolic function. Methods: The study was conducted on 2,228 participants (1,424 women, 804 men with a mean age of 49). Traditional and tissue Doppler echocardiographic examination were performed in all of the participants. The demographic and echocardiographic data were compared. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the independent predictors of association of LV diastolic function. The study sample was divided into four groups: group 1 (body mass index [BMI] < 25.0 kg/m2), group 2 (BMI 25.0–29.9 kg/m2), group 3 (BMI ≥ 30–39.9 kg/m2), and group 4 (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2). Results: Septal E was significantly lower in groups 2 and 3 compared to group 1 (P = 0.003). Septal A and septal A’ were significantly higher whereas septal E’ and lateral E’ were significantly lower in the groups 2, 3, and 4 compared to the normal weight group (P < 0.001). Lateral A’, deceleration time, and ejection time were significantly higher in obese when compared to the normal weight (P = 0.025, P < 0.001, and P = 0.009, respectively). The E/E’ ratio was significantly higher in groups 2, 3, and 4 compared to the group 1 (P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that age, BMI (OR = 1.060 [95% CI = 1.040 and 1.080]; P < 0.001), hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were independent predictors of LV diastolic dysfunction. Conclusion: BMI is an independent predictor of LV diastolic dysfunction along with age, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. (Echocardiography 2012;29:647-651)

Objective Subjects with nondipper hypertension carry a higher risk of cardiovascular events than their normotensive counterparts. The present study was designed to investigate cystatin C levels in patients with dipper and nondipper hypertension. Methods Eighty-eight consecutive patients who had been treated with antihypertensive drugs for at least 6 months were included in the study. Dipping and nondipping patterns were detected with ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Clinical, laboratory, and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring data of patient groups with nondipper and dipper hypertension were compared. Results Patients in the nondipper group were older than those in the dipper group. Serum cystatin C level was higher in the patients in the nondipper group. Cystatin C was negatively correlated with the rate of systolic blood pressure fall at night ( r = −0.41; P < 0.001). Linear regression analyses revealed that only cystatin C level was a significant correlate of nocturnal systolic blood pressure decrease. Logistic regression analyses also showed that cystatin C was an independent predictor of nondipping pattern (odds ratio, 3.586; 95% confidence interval, 1.432–8.98; P = 0.006]). Conclusion The present study showed that cystatin C is higher in patients with nondipper hypertension patients.

WOS: 000298836300011 PubMed: 22299387 Objective Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) is a strong predictor of future vascular events. However, data for Turkish individuals are limited and the association between cardiometabolic risk factors and CIMT has not been studied before. Therefore, we sought to investigate the CIMT and cardiometabolic risk associates in a large cohort of Turkish adults. Methods and results The study was conducted on 2230 participants (1427 women, 803 men with a mean age of 49). The participants underwent a Doppler Ultrasound examination of CIMT. Mean CIMT was 0.61 +/- 0.19 mm. Age- and sex-adjusted partial correlation analysis revealed that only systolic blood pressure and smoking amount was significantly correlated with CIMT. Receiver operator characteristics (ROC) calculations showed that age had the best area under the curve (AUC =0.84), smoking had the best sensitivity (86%) and diastolic blood pressure (>88 mmHg) had the best specificity (74%) in predicting a person with thickened carotid intima media (>0.8 mm). Independent predictors of thickened carotid intima media were hypertension [(odds ratio (OR) = 2.74; 95% confidence interval (Cl) = 1.663-4.53; P value

Aim: The aim of the Melen Study was to investigate the cardiovascular risk profile of Turkish adults by utilizing newest techniques. Besides prevalence and types of endemic goiter will be established which was an important health problem in the Black sea region Method: The study was conducted on 2230 participants (1427 women, 803 men with a mean age of 49). The participants underwent a Doppler Ultrasound examination of carotid intima media thickness, echocardiographic examination, ECG recording, bioempedance meter analysis of body composition, pulmonary function test and various biochemical analysis. Result: Twenty nine percent of the population had hypertension, 12% had diabetes mellitus and 17% were smokers. Thyroid ultrasonography revealed that 29% of the cohort had goiter. Echocardiographic measurements showed that 39% of the participants had diastolic dysfunction. Comparison of males with females showed that men had significantly higher visceral fat, triglyceride, hemoglobin and CIMT whereas women had higher mean diastolic blood pressure, HDL and total cholesterol. Conclusion: According to the histories of patients, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and smoking were very frequent among Turkish adults. Among the objectively measured variables, diastolic dysfunction, visceral adiposity and goiter were strikingly high.

WOS: 000285544300006 PubMed: 20975532 The efficacy of olmesartan on fibrinolytic capacity has not been studied yet. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of olmesartan on hemostatic/fibrinolytic status by measuring plasma level of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and soluble thrombomodulin levels in patients with hypertension. Forty-two consecutive, newly diagnosed (25 women and 17 men with a mean age of 48 +/- 8 years) patients with untreated essential hypertension were included in the study. Olmesartan medoxomil (20 mg/day) was started and the patients were followed up for 6 months. Baseline biochemical variables, thrombomodulin, and PAI-1 levels were compared with the levels of these variables measured at the end of the 6-month follow-up period. After 6 months of treatment with olmesartan medoxomil, there was a significant reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (from 159.5 +/- 10.9 to 134.6 +/- 12.7 mmHg and from 98.0 +/- 6.3 to 83.9 +/- 7.0 mmHg, respectively). Mean plasma PAI-1 and thrombomodulin levels were also significantly decreased (59.73 +/- 41.91 vs. 48.60 +/- 33.65 ng/ml, P=0.001 and 8.09 +/- 2.29 vs. 6.92 +/- 1.42 mu g/l, P

WOS: 000284960000008 PubMed: 20890650 The data about the incidence of subclavian venous (SCV) obstruction or thrombosis after biventricular device implantation is limited. Therefore, we aimed to assess the incidence and predictors of venous obstruction after biventricular device implantation with or without a defibrillator in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction and cardiac dyssynchrony. Eighty-six patients who had undergone biventricular device implantation were included in the study. Subclavian vein was patent in 61% of all participants. Among the patients with subclavian obstruction (n = 33), 8 had mild obstruction, 15 had severe obstruction, and 10 had total occlusion. The presence of additional implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and the number of leads that were used were found to be significant covariates of obstruction in subclavian vein after biventricular device implantation (p = 0.004 and p = 0.01, respectively). Atrial fibrillation after biventricular pacemaker and ICD implantation was significantly related with total occlusion (r = 0.3, p = 0.005 and r = 0.24, p = 0.003, respectively). Patients who are candidates for biventricular device implantation are at increased risk for venous obstruction when compared with other pacemaker patients and this causes higher incidence of venous obstruction among these patients.

WOS: 000279875000003 PubMed: 20639701 Objective We aimed to investigate whether there was any association between the nondipping status and sleep quality in relatively young patients with an initial diagnosis of hypertension. Methods One hundred and thirty-three consecutive patients, diagnosed to have stage 1 hypertension by their primary physicians, were referred to our study. Patients with a history of use of any antihypertensive medication were excluded. Eligible patients underwent the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) survey, which has an established role in evaluating sleep disturbances. All patients underwent ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Results There were 71 nondipper patients (mean age 44.3 +/- 5.3 years, 33 male/38 female) and 62 dipper hypertensive patients (mean age 43.3 +/- 6.3 years, 27 male/35 female). The PSQI scores, globally, were significantly higher in the nondippers compared with the dippers. It was noticed that all the components of the PSQI (sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, sleep efficiency, sleep disturbance, use of sleep medication, and daytime dysfunction) were significantly higher in the nondippers. Correlation analysis showed that systolic blood pressure fall at night was inversely and significantly related with the PSQI (r = -0.46, P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that the PSQI score is an independent determinant for nondipping hypertension (HT) {odds ratio = 0.842 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.748-0.947; P = 0.004]}. Conclusion We showed that poor sleep quality was related with a nondipping pattern, and furthermore, it was an independent predictor of nondipping in newly diagnosed stage 1 hypertensive patients Blood Press Monit 15:184-187 (C) 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

WOS: 000281677000014 PubMed: 20395226 Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is associated with increased morbidity, extended hospital stay, and higher costs. We compared an atorvastatin plus N-acetylcysteine (NAC) regimen with NAC alone in patients undergoing coronary angiography. A total of 130 patients (mean age 54 +/- 10; 77 men) undergoing coronary angiography were studied. Seven CIN cases occurred in the NAC group and 2 in the atorvastatin + NAC group; this difference was not significant. Baseline mean creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were similar between the 2 groups, whereas after the procedure there was a significant creatinine decrease and eGFR increase in the atorvastatin + NAC group. Change in creatinine (baseline creatinine-creatinine after the procedure) was also significantly higher in patients taking statin plus NAC. Atorvastatin may be effective in protecting patients undergoing coronary angiography from CIN.

WOS: 000274880600007 PubMed: 20050759 The present study was designed to investigate the interaction between platelet indices (mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet count (PLC) and platelet mass (PLM)), inflammatory markers and disease activity in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) subjects. The effects of anti-TNF-alpha therapy and conventional treatment on platelet indices were also compared. We studied 68 patients with AS (group I, 46 men, age: 36.4 +/- 6.9 years) and as control group 34 age and sex-matched healty subjects. All patients received conventional therapy (CT) at the beginning (Group I). The patients were reevaluated after 3 months according to Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) score. Group II consisted of 35 subjects who responded to the CT and continued to take the same therapy for 3 months additionally. Group III consisted of 33 subjects who had a high disease activity score (BASDAI > 4) after 3 months and were accepted refractory to the CT therapy. In Group III the treatment was switched to infliximab and continued for 3 months at the standard intravenous dose. Significantly higher baseline MPV, PLC and PLM was reported as compared to controls decreased by therapy (9.12 +/- 1.20 vs. 8.35 +/- 0.94 fl, p < 0.001, 340 +/- 69 vs. 251 +/- 56 (x10

WOS: 000269389400004 PubMed: 19521888 Serum cystatin C concentration is an alternative measure of kidney function that is less affected by age, sex or muscle mass, and is a more sensitive indicator of early renal dysfunction than creatinine-based estimations of glomerular filtration rate. Cardiovascular sequela increases progressively with the increase in left ventricular mass. Our goal was to evaluate the effect of olmesartan medoxomil on cystatin C levels and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in patients with hypertension. Forty-four newly diagnosed hypertensive patients (27 women and 17 men) were recruited in the study. Olmesartan medoxomil (20 mg/day) was started and the patients were followed up for 6 months. Baseline echocardiographic findings (i.e. left ventricular mass index), serum creatinine, urine albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) and serum cystatin C levels were compared with the levels of these variables measured at the end of 6-month follow-up period. After 6 months of treatment with olmesartan medoxomil, there was a significant reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.001) and in urine ACR (p = 0.04). Mean serum cystatin C levels decreased from 1.61 +/- 0.24 mg/l to 1.31 +/- 0.29 mg/l (p < 0.001). Olmesartan medoxomil treatment also reduced left ventricular mass index (p < 0.001) and LVH (p < 0.001). Our findings indicate that olmesartan medoxomil decreases serum cystatin C levels, urine ACR and reduces LVH in patients with hypertension. To our knowledge, this study is the first to show that olmesartan medoxomil decreases serum cystatin C levels, indicating that in patients with essential hypertension it may counteract end organ damage.

Objective: Acute coronary syndrom (ACS) is a common disease that causes severe morbidity and mortality. The most important aspect of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) as a subgroup of ACS treatment is the rapid reperfusion of arteries. Successful results depend not only on the experience of the center but also on the rapidity in which reperfusion is achieved. In our study, the transfer parameters were evaluated in patients who were admitted to our hospital with STEMI. Methods: Two hundred consecutive patients (160 males, 40 females) who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute STEMI between January 2011 and March 2013 were included in our study. Transfer parameters of symptom-to-reperfusion treatment, clinical characteristics, and laboratory parameters were recorded. Results: Thirty-six patients were admitted to our hospital with ambulances; 70 patients were admitted to centers without PCI capability, with a mean transfer time to our hospital of 73.9+-12.5 min. Median pain-to-first medical contact time was 105 min (range: 5–600 min), and average first medical contact- to-balloon time was 115.5 min (range: 20–414 min). Total pain-to-balloon time in females was significantly higher than males (246 min [range: 70–840 min], 195 min [range: 45–684 min], respectively, p=0.032). Mean pain-to-balloon time was significantly lower in patients delivered to the hospital by ambulance than in patients admitted to emergency departments independently (185 min [range: 45–439 min], 248 min [range: 65–840 min], respectively, p=0.017). Conclusion: In this study, our hospital door-to-balloon time was found compatible with the target specified in the European Society of Cardiology and American College of Cardiology STEMI guidelines; however, first medical contact-to-balloon time was found to be above that advised by the current guidelines.

The goal of this study was to test the utility of bedside plasma concentration of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) assay as a screen for large shunts in pediatric patients with atrial septal defects (ASDs) and ventricular septal defects (VSDs). Thirty-five children at a mean age of 70+/-129 weeks with ASD or VSD were included in the study. Nine patients had VSD and 26 had ASD. Plasma BNP values were compared with the Qp/Qs ratios derived from quantitative Doppler flow measurements. Mean BNP was 29+/-42 pg/ml, with a range between5 pg/ml and 208 pg/ml. Sixteen patients had Qp/Qs values1.5 and 19 had values1.5. The difference of mean BNP in these patient groups was statistically significant (45+/-56 vs 14+/-17, p=0.03). BNP was positively correlated with shunt significance. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed a sensitivity of 69% and a specificity of 79% at a plasma BNP cut-off level ofor=20 pg/ml. Bedside measurement of BNP correlates with magnitude of ASD and VSD in children. BNP can provide information for the management of children with ASD or VSD. It can be used as part of the evaluation of a child with a preliminary diagnosis of a congenital defect.

Aims: The association of mild renal dysfunction (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] 60–89.9 ml/min/1.73 m2) with insulin resistance (IR) or metabolic syndrome (MS) needs be investigated in a population in which MS prevails. Methods: After excluding subjects with diabetes mellitus, 1,678 subjects from a representative cohort (median age 52 years) were studied cross-sectionally. eGFR was based on serum creatinine concentrations using the quadratic GFR equation and categorized by 90 and 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 as limits. MS was identified using the modified criteria of the Adult Treatment Panel-III. Results: In men, whereas MS was not significantly associated with a reduced eGFR category when controlled for homeostatic model assessment (HOMA), HOMA adjusted for MS or for its components was significantly associated with the likelihood of a reduced eGFR. This likelihood was increased by 14% with a doubling of HOMA in men. Age was the dominant correlate of reduced eGFR in women, whereby an association with HOMA was not significant. Conclusion: Mildly impaired kidney function is common in nondiabetic adults among whom MS prevails, and in men it is mainly associated with IR but not with central obesity and MS-related dyslipidemia. The quadratic GFR equation enables an acceptable estimation of GFR in a general population.

WOS: 000390164900004 PubMed: 27160174 Background: Myocardial performance index (MPI) is impaired in patients with hypertension. Uric acid is biologically active and can stimulate oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and vasoconstriction. Hyperuricaemia may provide a negative contribution to impaired MPI in hypertension. Aim: The study was designed to assess the MPI in hypertensive patients with or without hyperuricaemia. Methods: A total of 96 consecutive hypertensive patients were divided into two groups according to levels of serum uric acid (SUA); 49 normouricaemic patients (defined as SUA < 7.0 mg/dL in men and < 6.0 mg/dL in women) and 47 hyperuricaemic patients. SUA levels and other biochemistry parameters were determined by a standard analytical technique. All patients were evaluated by two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography. Results: The two groups were similar according to age, body mass index, and smoking status. Mean MPI value (0.498 +/- 0.06 vs. 0.410 +/- 0.05, p < 0.001) was significantly higher in the hyperuricaemic group than the normouricaemic individuals and positively correlated with the mean value of SUA levels (r = 0.51, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that high SUA levels were significantly associated with impaired MPI in hypertensive patients. SUA may suggest a valuable laboratory finding in assessing the risk of developing subclinical impaired left ventricular global function.

To investigate whether Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cpn) seropositivity in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) (n = 81) is associated with increases in markers of inflammation, the severity of coronary atherosclerosis, and traditional risk factors for cardiovascular events.The severity of coronary atherosclerosis was ranked by Gensini score. Inflammation and endothelial dysfunction were evaluated using white blood cell counts and levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), ferritin, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukins 1beta and 6 (IL-1beta, IL-6), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), E-selectin and oxidized LDL (oxLDL), and these were compared between Cpn-seropositive and seronegative individuals.IgA and IgG Cpn seropositivity were significantly associated with the presence of CAD (p = 0.005) and were independent predictive factors for the severity of coronary atherosclerosis (p = 0.005). Elevated levels of IL-6 (p = 0.027) and triglyceride (p = 0.038) and low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (p = 0.038) were significantly predicted by Cpn IgA and IgG seropositivity.Seropositivity for Cpn is a risk factor for patients with significant angiographically documented coronary stenosis. Additionally, Cpn seropositivity was significantly associated with dyslipidemia and elevated IL-6, known risk factors for CAD. These observations indicate that Cpn infection may be one entry point to the causal or contributory pathways that lead to atherosclerosis and its clinical manifestations.

Background: Thyroid gland dysfunction affects the structure and function of the heart. Tissue Doppler echocardiography is a new technique, and it has been used frequently in the evaluation of ventricular function. In the present study, right ventricular function was assessed in patients with overt or subclinical hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism and in healthy subjects using the tissue Doppler method, and results were compared. Patients and Methods: 20 healthy subjects and 63 patients diagnosed with overt and subclinical hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism were included in the study. Annular and myocardial systolic peak velocities, early and late diastolic peak velocities, precontraction, total contraction and relaxation times of the right ventricle were recorded by tissue Doppler echocardiography. The results of the patients were compared to those of the controls. Results: Myocardial systolic velocity was significantly higher in patients with hyperthyroidism. Annular and myocardial late diastolic velocities were found to be significantly lower in patients with overt hypothyroidism. Annular precontraction time was increased in patients with overt and subclinical hypothyroidism. Myocardial precontraction time was decreased in patients with hyperthyroidism, and increased in patients with overt hypothyroidism patients. Annular relaxation time was increased in patients with overt hypothyroidism. Conclusions: Right ventricular function is affected in patients with thyroid diseases. The tissue Doppler technique is a suitable tool to detect impairments in right ventricular function. There is a significant correlation between serum thyroid hormone levels and right ventricular velocities and time intervals.

Objective: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) is a mild form of thyroid failure, associated with initial signs of cardiovascular hypothyroidism. Tissue Doppler echocardiography (TDE) is a new and powerful method in evaluation of both regional and global systolic or diastolic ventricular function. We aimed to investigate the use of TDE in evaluation of cardiac effects of SH and affect of thyroid hormone replacement therapy (TRT) on tissue Doppler parameters of SH patients. Methods: Twenty-two patients who were diagnosed as SH and 22 healthy, age and sex-matched cases were included in the study. Conventional echocardiography and TDE were performed in all individuals. TRT was started in SH group. On the achievement of euthyroid state echocardiography were repeated. Results: Septal annulus relaxation time was significantly higher in SH group (82±21, 98±11 ms, p=0.024). Lateral annulus and myocardial relaxation times, precontraction/contraction ratios and precontraction times were also slightly higher. Septal lateral annulus and lateral myocardial relaxation times were decreased after TRT (98±11 vs. 81±12, p

Silent myocardial ischemia is recognized as a common manifestation after percutaneous coronary interventions possibly due to induction of coronary artery spasm. A 54-year-old man was performed primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty with the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. His 18-hour control electrocardiogram showed big-notched inverted T waves in precordial, III, and aVF leads without any chest pain. These bizarre electrocardiographic findings were restored after a brief period indicating silent ischemia that is caused by coronary artery spasm.

Background - This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical and angiographic results of the Ephesos stent implantation in patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease. The Ephesos stent is a new balloon-expandable, stainless steel, tubular stent with multicellular design. Methods - One hundred ten patients with native coronary artery disease were included in the study.The Ephesos stents were implanted in 163 de novo lesions detected in these patients. Immediate and long-term clinical and angiographic follow-up results were evaluated. Results - Most of the patients had unstable angina 63.6%, and 36.7 % of the lesions were type B and C. Mean lesion length was 12.7′4.7. In 62% of the patients the reference lumen diameter was < 3 mm. One Q-wave and one non-Q-wave myocardial infarction (MI) occurred due to acute thrombotic occlusion during hospital stay. The 6-month event-free survival rate was 77.3%. No patients died in the six-month follow-up period, but 2 patients had non-Q wave Ml and I patient experienced Q-wave Ml within this period. Control angiographic data was collected from 110 patients (100% of patients and a total of 163 lesions). Angiographic restenosis rate was 18.1%. Twenty-two patients with restenosis had repeated target lesion balloon dilatation. Conclusion -The results of the present study showed that the Ephesos stent is a safe and effective choice with a low incidence of major adverse cardiac events and restenosis rate within six months of follow-up.

Background and objectives Adverse respiratory reactions have been reported with intravascular radiographic contrast media. The aim of the present study is to assess the effects of iohexol on pulmonary functions in patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography (CA). Materials and methods: 30 patients enrolled in the study. The respiratory functions of the patients were measured at three different stages during angiography (before, immediately after and 2 h later) and arterial blood gas analyses were performed at six stages during CA (before, immediately after the insertion of angiography catheter, 2 min after the injection of contrast agent, at the end of angiography, an hour and 2 h after angiography). A single, experienced angiographer performed the angiography procedures via radial artery route. Totally six multiple angled views of the left and right coronary arteries were recorded in all patients by hand injection. None of the patients were performed ventriculography. Results: Angiography caused significant reduction in forced expiratory volume in 1 sec [FEV1] (from 103 ± 15 to 95 ± 17, p < 0.01), forced vital capacity [FVC] (from 99 ± 13 to 95 ± 18, p < 0.05) and maximum mid-expiratory flow rate [MMF] (from 95 ± 33 to 84 ± 29, p < 0.01) whereas there were no significant changes in the mean FEV1/FVC ratios at different stages of angiography. Statistically significant decrease in PaO2 (from 91 ± 10 to 85 ± 13 mmHg, p < 0.01) and arterial O2 saturation (from 97 ± 1% to 96 ± 1%, p < 0.01) were also observed. Data in present study showed a clinically insignificant but statistically significant restrictive impairment in pulmonary functions. Conclusions: Diagnostic CA using iohexol decreases ventilatory functions in a small but significant extent in patients without any overt pulmonary disease.

An 18-years-old male presented to emergency department after a car accident with the diagnosis of femoral bone fracture. Arterial blood pressure was 160/90 mmHg in both arms. Bilateral femoral and popliteal pulses were extremely weak and there was systolic ejection murmur on the left second intercostals area. Chest X-ray showed rib notching with normal cardiac silhouette. Transthoracic echocardiography showed the aortic interruption just below the left subclavian artery. Aortography showed a complete interruption of the aortic arch (IAA) just distal to the origin of the left subclavian artery. Femoral bone fracture was treated by conservative strategy. A gadolinium contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiogram (1.5 T scanners) clearly reaffirmed a complete interruption of the descending aorta, 3.6 cm from the left subclavian artery with extensive collateralizations. Mild degree hypertension was controlled by a long acting calcium channel blocker. Later the patient has been scheduled for elective surgical repair. We aimed to discuss the diagnostic and treatment options of the interrupted aortic arch as being a rare anomaly.

Lyme disease is a tick-borne spirochete infection that may affect the heart. Cardiac manifestations include conduction disturbances and other pathologies of the heart. Disturbance of atrioventricular (AV) node conduction is the most common cardiac manifestation of Lyme disease. We report a 61-year old female, who was admitted to the emergency department with the complaints of syncope, dizziness and generalized fatigue. Physical examination revealed normal findings. The patient’s electrocardiogram on admission revealed a newly diagnosed bradycardia due to third degree of AV block with40/min ventricular rate. The patient was admitted to the coronary care unit and was placed a transvenous pacemaker. Lyme serology and Western blot were positive for Borrelia antibodies. The symptoms and AV block resolved completely after doxycycline therapy.

WOS: 000306108300003 PubMed: 22576288 Mean platelet volume (MPV) has been recognized as an independent risk factor of hypertension. Hypertensive end-organ damage worsens the prognosis in hypertensive patients. We aimed to investigate the relationship between MPV levels and subclinical end-organ damage in hypertensive patients. One hundred and sixteen hypertensive patients (81 women, 35 men, with a mean age of 53 +/- 11) were included in the study. There was no correlation between MPV and left-ventricular mass index (LVMI) (r=0.145; P=0.14) or albuminuria (r=0.009; P=0.93). Among the individuals that had grade I and grade II retinopathy, MPV levels (8.3 +/- 2 fL, 8.2 +/- 1.3 fL; P=0.28) were similar either. We concluded that there was no correlation between MPV and markers of end-organ damage in hypertensive patients. Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis 23:367-369 (C) 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

WOS: 000364706900007 PubMed: 25733317 Background: Heart rate (HR) reduction is associated with improved outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF) and biomarkers can be a valuable diagnostic tool in HF management. The primary aim of our study was to evaluate the short-term (6 months) effect of ivabradine on N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), CA-125, and cystatin-C values in systolic HF outpatients, and secondary aim was to determine the relationship between baseline HR and the NT-proBNP, CA-125, cystatin-C, and clinical status variation with ivabradine therapy. Methods: Ninety-eight patients (mean age: 65.81 +/- 10.20 years; 33 men), left ventricular ejection fraction < 35% with Simpson method, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II-III, sinus rhythm and resting HR > 70/min, optimally treated before the study were included. Among them, two matched groups were formed: the ivabradine group and the control group. Patients received ivabradine with an average (range of 10-15) mg/day during 6 months of follow-up. Blood samples for NT-proBNP, CA-125, and cystatin-C were taken at baseline and at the end of a 6-month follow-up in both groups. Results: There was a significant decrease in NYHA class in the ivabradine group (2.67 +/- +/- 0.47 vs. 1.85 +/- 0.61, p < 0.001). When ivabradine and control groups were compared, a significant difference was also found in NHYA class 6 months later (p = 0.013). A significant decrease was found in HR in the ivabradine and control groups (84.10 +/- 8.76 vs. 68.36 +/- +/- 8.32 bpm, p = 0.001; 84.51 +/- 10 vs. 80.40 +/- 8.3 bpm, p = 0.001). When both groups were compared, a significant difference was also found in HR after 6 months (p = 0.001). A significant decrease was found in cystatin-C (2.10 +/- 0.73 vs. 1.50 +/- 0.44 mg/L, p < 0.001), CA-125 (30.09 +/- 21.08 vs. 13.22 +/- 8.51 U/mL, p < 0.001), and NT-proBNP (1,353.02 +/- 1,453.77 vs. 717.81 +/- 834.76 pg/mL, p < 0.001) in the ivabradine group. When ivabradine and control groups were compared after 6 months, a significant decrease was found in all HF parameters (respectively; cystatin-C: p = 0.001, CA-125: p = 0.001, NT-proBNP: p = 0.001). Creatinine level was significantly decreased and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was significantly increased in the ivabradine group (1.02 +/- 0.26 vs. 0.86 +/- 0.17, creatinine: p = 0.001; 79.26 +/- +/- 18.58 vs. 92.48 +/- 19.88, GFR: p = 0.001). There was no significant correlation between NYHA classes (before and after ivabradine therapy) and biochemical markers, or HR. Conclusions: In the outpatients with systolic HF, persistent resting HF > 70/min with optimal medical therapy, the NT-proBNP, CA-125, and cystatin-C reductions were obtained with ivabradine treatment. Measurement of NT-proBNP, CA-125, and cystatin-C may prove to be useful in biomarker panels evaluating ivabradine therapy response in HF patients.

cagliyan, caglar/0000-0002-2529-4995; Kaya, Hasan/0000-0003-3923-4026 WOS: 000350492000007 PubMed: 23742948 The aim of the study was to assess the factors associated with the anticoagulation treatment in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). A total of 2242 consecutive patients who had been admitted with AF on their electrocardiogram were included in the study. After excluding valvular AF, 1745 patients with nonvalvular AF were analyzed. Mean CHA2DS2-VASc score [cardiac failure, hypertension, age >= 75 (doubled), diabetes, stroke (doubled), vascular disease, age 65 -74 and sex category (female)], frequency of persistent/permanent AF, hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), stroke history, body mass index, and left atrial diameter were significantly higher in patients receiving anticoagulant therapy. Stroke history, persistent/permanent AF, hypertension, DM, age, heart failure, and left atrial diameter were independent predictors of warfarin prescription. Labile international normalized ratio was the only independent negative predictor of effective treatment with warfarin. In this study, we demonstrated that stroke history, persistent/permanent AF, hypertension, DM, and left atrial diameter were positive predictors, whereas advanced age and heart failure were negative predictors of oral anticoagulant use in patients with nonvalvular AF.

WOS: 000295212200020 PubMed: 21620440 Aim: Mean platelet volume (MPV) in the healthy population has not been studied before. Therefore, the aim of the study was to measure MPV in normal subjects in a large cohort of Turkish adults. Methods: A total of 2298 subjects with a mean age of 50 (age range 18 to 92) were interviewed. Subjects who had smoking habit, diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, dyslipidemia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, chronic use of any drugs including antiplatelets, heavy drinkers, metabolic syndrome, ejection fraction < 55%, creatinine > 1.4 in men and > 1.1 in women, abnormal liver function tests and an abnormal TSH were excluded in a in a stepwise manner. Complete blood counts were done on the same day within 6 hours by a CELL-DYN 3700 SL analyzer (Abbott Diagnostics). Results: Three hundred twenty-six participants (204 females (63%) and 122 males (37%) with a mean age of 41 +/- 16) constituted the final healthy cohort. Mean MPV of the cohort was 8.9 +/- 1.4 fL. There was no significant difference among age groups regarding MPV. Conclusion: Ninety-five percent of the individuals had a MPV between 7.2 and 11.7 fL. A patient having a MPV beyond this range should be evaluated carefully especially for occlusive arterial diseases. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Duzce University Office of Scientific InvestigationsDuzce University This work was supported by the Duzce University Office of Scientific Investigations.

Murat, Bektas/0000-0002-6564-7185; Yuksel, Murat/0000-0003-2636-5211 WOS: 000377435200008 PubMed: 25589093 Infection is one of the most devastating outcomes of cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation and is related to significant morbidity and mortality. In our country, there is no evaluation about CIED infection. Therefore, our aim was to investigate clinical characteristics and outcome of patients who had infection related to CIED implantation or replacement. The study included 144 consecutive patients with CIED infection treated at 11 major hospitals in Turkey from 2005 to 2014 retrospectively. We analyzed the medical files of all patients hospitalized with the diagnosis of CIED infection. Inclusion criteria were definite infection related to CIED implantation, replacement, or revision. Generator pocket infection, with or without bacteremia, was the most common clinical presentation, followed by CIED-related endocarditis. Coagulase-negative staphylococci and Staphylococcus aureus were the leading causative agents of CIED infection. Multivariate analysis showed that infective endocarditis and ejection fraction were the strongest predictors of in-hospital mortality.

During diagnostic angiographic procedures or percutaneous coronary angioplasty-stenting of the other coronary arteries, the overall risk for a complication related to the left main coronary artery (LMCA) is low; however, if such complications occur, they tend to be life-threatening and contribute to a large part of the total catheter-related mortality. We encountered a case of iatrogenic significant subtotal left main coronary artery thrombotic stenosis in a patient who had undergone prior percutaneous transluminal coronary artery angioplasty-stenting of the left circumflex artery. In light of the literature, an extremely rare clinical presentation of iatrogenic left main coronary artery thrombosis is discussed.

WOS: 000318664500005 PubMed: 23705556 Objective Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are at an increased risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) partly explained by cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN). There have been fewer studies to evaluate CAN using heart rate variability (HRV) and heart rate recovery (HRR) in patients with type 2 DM. To our knowledge, there has been no study to investigate the association between HRR, HRV and type 1 DM. The purpose of this study was to examine the changes in HRR and HRV measurements in type 1 diabetic patients. Methods The study population consisted of 35 consecutive patients with type 1 diabetes and 35 sex- and age-matched non-diabetic controls. We performed electrocardiography, echocardiography, Holter analysis, exercise stress test, routine biochemical tests including haemoglobin A1c, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and evaluated the clinical characteristics. HRR was calculated by subtracting the heart rate values at the first minute of the recovery phase from the peak heart rate. Abnormal HRR was defined as HRR

WOS: 000329121600016 PubMed: 23849594 …

Amaç: Atriyum fibrilasyonu (AF) klinik pratiğimizde en sık rastlanan ritm bozukluğu olup ülkemizde bu konuda yapılmış çok merkezli bir epidemiyolojik çalışma bulunmamaktadır. Bu çalışmanın amacı ülkemizde ilk kez yapılmış olan çok merkezli, ileriye dönük Atrial Fibrillation in Turkey: Epidemiologic Registry (AFTER) çalışmasının kayıtlarından yararlanarak AF’ye klinik yönden yaklaşımımızı değerlendirmektir. Çalışma planı: Ülkemizde nüfus dağılımı göz önünde bulundurularak 17 ayrı üçüncü basamak merkezden, elektrokardiyografisinde en az bir defa AF atağı tespit edilmiş olan ardışık 2242 hasta çalışmaya alındı. Acil polikliniğine başvuran ya da yatmakta olan hastalar çalışmadan dışlandı. Hastaların epidemiyolojik verileri ve uygulanan tedaviler değerlendirildi. Bulgular: Çalışma popülasyonunu oluşturan hastaların %60’ı kadındı, hastaların ortalama yaşı 66.8±12.3 yıl olarak saptandı. Türk nüfusunda en sık görülen AF tipi non-valvular AF (%78) olup, AF’li hastaların %81’i ısrarcı-kalıcı AF’li idi. AF’ye en sık eşlik eden komorbid durum hipertansiyon (%67) olarak bulundu. Hastaların %15.3’ünde inme, geçici iskemik atak ve sistemik tromboemboli hikayesi mevcut iken kanama öyküsü hastaların %11.2’sinde kaydedildi. Çalışma süresinde hastaların %50’si warfarin, %53’ü de aspirin kullanıyordu. Oral antikoagülan ilaç kullanan hastaların %41.3’ünde etkin INR düzeyi saptandı. Oral antikoagülan ilaç kullanmamanın en sık nedeni (%69) hekim ihmali olarak saptandı. Sonuç: Bu veriler klinik pratiğimizde özellikle AF’li hastaların antitrombotik tedavileri konusunda daha dikkatli olunması gerektiğini göstermektedir. Objectives: Although atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most com- mon rhythm disorders observed in clinical practice, a multicenter epidemiological study has not been conducted in our country. This study aimed to assess our clinical approach to AF based upon the records of the first multicenter prospective Atrial Fibrillation in Tur- key: Epidemiologic Registry (AFTER) study. Study design: Taking into consideration the distribution of the population in our country, 2242 consecutive patients with at least one AF attack determined by electrocardiographic examination in 17 different tertiary health care centers were included in the study. Inpatients and patients that were admitted to emergency depart- ments were excluded from the study. Epidemiological data of the patients and the treatment administered were assessed. Results: The mean age of the patients was determined as 66.8±12.3 years with female patients representing 60% of the study popula- tion. While the most common AF type in the Turkish population was non-valvular AF (78%), persistent/permanent AF was determined in 81% of all patients. Hypertension (%67) was the most common co- morbidity in patients with AF. While a stroke or transient ischemic at- tack or history of systemic thromboembolism was detected in 15.3% of the patients, bleeding history was recorded in 11.2%. Also, 50% of the patients were on warfarin treatment and 53% were on aspi- rin treatment at the time of the study. The effective INR level was detected in 41.3% of the patients. The most frequent cause of not receiving anticoagulant therapy was physician neglect. Conclusion: These results demonstrate the necessity for improved quality of physician care of patients with AF, especially with regards to antithrombotic therapy.

29th Turkish Cardiology Congress of the Turkish-Society-of-Cardiology (TSC) with International Participation -- OCT 26-29, 2013 -- Antalya, TURKEY WOS: 000329858400018 … Turkish Soc Cardiol

Turker, Yasin/0000-0002-5157-4624 WOS: 000324332900046 PubMed: 23791459 Sildenafil is a drug used for male erectile dysfunction. Sildenafil's fatal cardiac effects except due to hypotension with simultaneous nitrate use have not been reported. We reported in this case a 70-year-old man admitted to the emergency service with chest pain, which occurs in an hour after sildenafil use. Electrocardiogram showed inferoposterior ST-segment elevation. In angiography, total circumflex artery occlusion has been seen.

WOS: 000306108300006 PubMed: 22473052 The metabolic syndrome is closely associated with atherosclerotic risk factors and increased mortality. Mean platelet volume (MPV) is an indicator of platelet activation which also shows a close relationship with cardiovascular risk factors, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlates of metabolic syndrome, its components and MPV adjusted for obesity in a large population study. A total of 2298 individuals with a mean age of 50 (age range 18-92) were interviewed. Nine hundred and twenty obese participants, who had BMI 30 kg/m(2) or more, further evaluated for the presence of metabolic syndrome. Five hundred and thirteen [396 women (70.2%)] had metabolic syndrome and the rest 407 individuals [324 women (79.6%)] served as the control group. The BMI, SBP, DBP, waist circumference, fasting plasma glucose, visceral fat, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and triglyceride was higher significantly in metabolic syndrome group (P=0.002 for BMI and P0.05 for all). The presence of metabolic syndrome and its components do not constitute a difference in MPV values in obese patients with a BMI 30 kg/m(2) or more. Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis 23:388-390 (C) 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Objective Central obesity is a prerequisite for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Precise measurement of visceral fat by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) has been validated. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic performance of BIA in MetS and validate the best cutoff in a large adult cohort. Materials and Methods The study was performed on the MELEN Study cohort—a prospectively designed survey on the prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors in Turkish adults. The final cohort consisted of 2219 participants. Weight and visceral body composition were measured without shoes in light indoor clothes using a bioimpedance analyzer (Omron BF 510; Omron Corp, Kyoto, Japan). Plasma concentrations of cholesterol, insulin, fasting triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose, and other biochemical variables were measured. The diagnostic performance of visceral fat measurement by BIA in patients with MetS was assessed. Results Metabolic syndrome was detected in 751 participants (520 women and 231 men with a mean age of 55 [12] years; 34% of the whole study population). Total body fat and visceral fat levels were higher in subjects with MetS. Correlation analyses showed that there were significant correlations between anthropometric and BIA measurements. Receiver operating curve characteristics of visceral adiposity revealed the best cutoff values as greater than 12% for men and greater than 9% for women. The diagnostic performance was good in both sexes (the sensitivity/specificity and area-under-the-curve values were 76%/75% and 0.83 for men and 83%/67% and 0.81 for women, respectively). Conclusions Visceral fat measured with BIA is an easily applicable and useful method for identifying people with MetS. The best cutoff values were higher than 12% for men and higher than 9% for women.

WOS: 000302895000014, The treatment of acute coronary syndrome patients with high thrombus burden is difficult. Percutaneous coronary interventions increase the frequency of distal embolization in these patients. Glycoprotein Ilb/IIla inhibitors are effective anti-platelet agents and they can be very helpful in such cases. Herein, we present the impact of tirofiban infusion on an infarct-related artery with high thrombotic burden. The thrombus cleared completely without coronary angioplasty.

WOS: 000309040000012 Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare clinical condition that causes acute coronary syndrome and sudden cardiac death. Herein, we report a case of left anterior descending artery dissection after myocardial infarction. On the third day of myocardial infarction after successful thrombolysis, the patient had recurrent chest pain without any ST wave elevation. She was referred to our clinic for coronary angiography which showed completely dissected left anterior descending (LAD) artery. She was referred to a tertiary centre with intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS) capability. Her control angiogram showed restored flow with only minimal dissection (so IVUS was not performed) in the mid LAD. The lesions in the distal and mid LAD were stented. The final angiogram showed TIMI-III flow. Percutaneous coronary intervention is the first choice of treatment in patients with single-vessel spontaneous coronary artery dissection with ongoing signs of ischemia.

WOS: 000309040000002 Introduction: The mechanisms of circadian variation in cardiovascular events are not clear. Aim: Evaluation of the effect of Ramadan fasting on circadian variation of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in Turkish patients. Material and methods: This comparative cross-sectional study included 151 consecutive patients with acute STEW. The time of onset of STEMI was determined by the attending physician on the basis of patients' self-reports. The patients were divided into two group based on the history of fasting. The standard hourly profile of the onset of STEMI was obtained over a 24-h period. Patients were then categorized into four 6-hour increments according to the time that the symptoms began (00:00-05:59; 06:00-11:59; 12:00-17:59 and 18:00-23:59 11). Results: In all study participants, the highest incidence of STEMI was between 12.00 and 18.00; the odds ratio was 2.77 (95% CI: 2.63-2.92, p < 0.001). In the non-fasting group, the highest incidence of STEM! occurred between 06:00 and 12:00 AM. The highest incidence of AMI occurred between 12.00 A.M. and 18.00 in patients with fasting; the odds ratio was 2.70 (95% CI: 2.51-2.91, p < 0.001). There were significant differences between fasting and non-fasting groups regarding circadian variation of STEMI (p < 0.001). Conclusions: There are significant changes in the circadian variation of patients with STEMI in relation to Ramadan fasting.

PubMed ID: 22395387 [No abstract available]

Recent studies demonstrate that, treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin-II receptor blockers may decrease left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in hypertensive patients. We wanted to assess the efficacy of valsartan on echocardiographic variables of LVH in 30 mild to moderate hypertensive patients. Valsartan was found effective in controlling hypertension, also echocardiographic indices of LVH such as interventricular septum and posterior wall thickness were reduced and left ventricular mass decreased significantly. Thus valsartan favorably influences cardiac structure in hypertensive patients.

WOS: 000297189200012 PubMed: 21947992 The prevalence of myocardial involvement in influenza infection ranges from 0% to 11% depending on the diagnostic criteria used to define myocarditis. Whether such an association holds for the novel influenza A strain, pandemic-2009-H1N1, remains unknown. The clinical presentation of myocarditis varies and often mimics myocardial infarction. Although history, physical examination, laboratory data points, and electrocardiogram are helpful in distinguishing myocarditis from myocardial infarction, differential diagnosis can sometimes be difficult. Here, we present the first known report of acute myocarditis mimicking acute myocardial infarction associated with the pandemic influenza A virus (H1N1) infection. (Cardiol J 2011; 18, 5: 552-555)

WOS: 000299953400021 PubMed: 22284246 Background: We investigated the association of bone mineral density (BMD) by detected dual-energy X-ray absorptiometric (DXA) method and hemoglobin (Hb) levels in a large sample. Methods: The current study enrolled 371 postmenopausal women (82 anemic patients), who were screened for osteopenia or osteoporosis by DXA. Patients with osteopenia or osteoporosis (T score < -1.0 SD) were grouped as having low bone mass (LBM). Results: Anemic patients were older and had significantly higher duration of menopause. When compared with subjects with normal Hb, anemic patients had significant lower femur t score, femur BMD, femur Z score, spinal t score, spinal BMD and spinal Z score (p

WOS: 000290915100012 PubMed: 22291766 Introduction: We investigated the association between bone mineral density (BMD) detected by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometric (DXA) method and blood pressure (BP) in a large sample of postmenopausal women. Material and methods: The current study was based on a retrospective analysis of 586 postmenopausal women with a mean age of 60.8 +/- 8.8 years, who were screened for osteopenia or osteoporosis by DXA. Patients with hypertension (HT, n = 306) were compared with normotensive (NT, n = 290) individuals. Bone mineral density results for the femur neck and spine were classified into 3 groups according to World Health Organization criteria: normal (T score > -1.0 SD), osteopenia (T score -1.0 to -2.5 SD) and osteoporosis (T score

Kandis, Hayati/0000-0001-9151-6050 WOS: 000291979600011 PubMed: 20660896 Background Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a major public health problem that is related to substantial morbidity, impaired quality of life and diminished survival. Mean platelet volume (MPV) is an indicator of platelet activation. Aim To investigate whether there is a difference of MPV in patients with decompensated and stable heart failure (SHF), and test the prognostic value of MPV in decompensated heart failure (DHF). Methods 136 consecutive patients with DHF were enrolled. 71 with SHF were also enrolled for comparison. Patients were followed up for a mean of 18612 months. The primary endpoint was death from any cause. Clinical characteristics of patients with DHF who died during follow-up were compared with the those of the survivors. Results MPV was significantly higher in DHF group than in the SHF group. 71 patients died during the follow-up period (18612 months). Comparison with survivors revealed that mortality was associated with age, systolic blood pressure, pulmonary artery pressure, serum creatinine, urea and MPV. MPV was determined as an independent risk factor for mortality (OR 1.553, 95% CI 1.024 to 2.354, p = 0.038). Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that MPV level on admission was a predictor of mortality (area under the curve (AUC) for in-hospital mortality was 0.716 (95% CI 0.632 to 0.789, p = 0.003) and AUC for 6-month mortality was 0.815 (95% CI 0.74 to 0.877, p < 0.001), respectively). Conclusion MPV is increased in patients with DHF. Also, MPV on admission is an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality and 6-month mortality.

WOS: 000281909800003 PubMed: 20559141 Background Prolongation of the QRS complex on the surface electrocardiogram (ECG) has been shown to be predictive of cardiovascular outcomes in selected populations. A 'nondipper' blood pressure (BP) profile is currently regarded as a risk factor in its own right for cardiovascular events and target organ damage. The predictive value of ECG parameters in hypertensives with nondipper profile has not been established. Methods A total of 750 consecutive patients with hypertension who had been evaluated with ambulatory BP monitoring were screened for this study. One hundred and thirty-six patients who had fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the final analysis. Dipper and nondipper patterns were detected and the maximum QRS duration (QRSd) measured on a 12-lead ECG was recorded. Results There were 70 nondipper and 66 dipper hypertensives. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the daytime systolic and diastolic mean BPs, number of medications taken, and the proportion of each class of antihypertensive medications. Other variables were similar between the two groups. QRSd was significantly higher in nondippers than dippers (P = 0.006). Correlation analysis revealed that the systolic BP fall at night was inversely and significantly related with QRSd (r = -0.482, P < 0.001). Regression analysis further showed that the systolic BP fall at night and age were independent correlates of QRSd. Conclusion QRSd on the standard-surface 12-lead ECG was increased in patients with nondipper pattern and furthermore the systolic BP fall at night was independent correlate of QRSd in patients with hypertension. Blood Press Monit 15:247-250 (C) 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.