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Objective: Our aim was to investigate the possible relationship between myeloperoxidase (MPO) and myocardial damage markers such as heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) and troponin T (TnT) in patients with chronic heart failure (HF). Materials and Methods: Forty-two consecutive patients (age range: 27-80 years) with chronic HF were enrolled in the study. Serum H-FABP, TnT and MPO levels were measured. Routine biochemical and clinical parameters were recorded. Echocardiographic examinations were performed on all patients. A linear regression analysis was performed to determine the correlates of serum H-FABP. Results: The MPO, H-FABP and TnT levels were 255 ± 227, 60.6 ± 48.5 and 0.07 ± 0.15 ng/ml, respectively. In multiple linear regression analysis, age (β = -0.36, p = 0.006), creatinine level (β = 0.3, p = 0.024) and serum MPO level (β = 0.41, p = 0.009) were significant determinants of H-FABP levels. Bivariate predictors were not significantly associated with TnT levels in linear regression analyses. Conclusions: The MPO was significantly associated with serum H-FABP levels but not with TnT. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), the current "gold-standard" measure of arterial stiffness, has emerged as an important independent predictor of cardiovascular events. The increased PWV is recognized as an indicator of atherosclerosis. The relationship between isolated coronary artery ectasia (CAE) and carotid-femoral PWV has not been well-described. The aim of our study was to assess this relation. Methods: Thirty-four patients with isolated CAE without any visible coronary stenosis and 24 control subjects with angiographically normal coronary arteries were enrolled to this cross-sectional observational study. Applanation tonometry was applied to assess the carotid-femoral PWV. Statistical analyses were performed by Mann-Whitney U and Chi-square tests. Multiple linear regression analysis was used for the evaluation of the relations of parameters. Results: The baseline clinical and laboratory parameters of the both groups were similar. Patients with isolated CAE had significantly higher carotid-femoral PWV compared to control subjects (10.5±2.4 vs 9.2±1.7 m/s, p=0.02). In multiple regression analysis, age (beta=0.23, 95% CI=0.001-0.094, p=0.04), number of ectatic vessels (beta=0.24, 95% CI=0.044-1.07, p=0.03), and systolic blood pressure (beta=0.52, 95% CI=0.028-0.1, p=0.001) were found independently related to PWV. Conclusion: We have shown an association between increased carotid-femoral PWV and isolated CAE, suggesting that atherosclerosis may be involved in the pathogenesis of isolated CAE without any coronary stenosis in the adult population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a tissue around the heart with visceral adipose properties. It can affect the structure and functions of the myocardium and coronary arteries through inflammatory markers and regulators. The myocardial performance (Tei) index is a parameter capable of globally assessing systolic and diastolic heart functions. This study investigated the relation between EAT thickness and the Tei index., Methods: The study population was selected from patients without structural heart disease. EAT thickness was measured with two-dimensional imaging in parasternal long axis view and from the anterior face of the right ventricle. Tei index measurement was calculated with tissue Doppler echocardiography from the mitral lateral annulus. The relation between the Tei index and EAT was assessed using multivariate linear regression analysis., Results: Forty-three patients (36 female, 7 male; mean age 50.2 ± 10.6 years) were included in the study. Mean Tei index was 0.39 ± 0.09, and mean EAT thickness 4.7 ± 2.4 mm. A significant correlation was determined between tissue Doppler Tei index and EAT thickness at correlation analysis (r = 0.522, P < 0.001). EAT thickness was independently correlated with Tei index at multivariate linear regression analysis (Beta = 0.443, t = 3.522, P = 0.001)., Conclusion: EAT thickness is independently correlation with Tei index. Increased EAT thickness may therefore be a predictor of left ventricular dysfunction.

Unlabelled: The baseline platelet count (BPC) in patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) may reflect the baseline anjiografic finding and may also predic long-term outcomes after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). Available data for the value of BPC in patients with STEMI treated with PPCI are still questionable. Therefore, we sought to determine the prognostic value of BPC for baseline angiographic finding and the impact of BPC on clinical outcomes of patients treating with PPCI. Blood sample for BPC was obtained on admission in 140 consecutive patients undergoing PPCI. Patients were divided 2 groups that group-1 (104 patients): TIMI flow-grade 0 and group-2 (36 patients): TIMI flow-grade 1-3. Follow-up was performed at 1-9 months. Baseline demographics were comparable, but, BPC was significantly higher in group-1 comparing 2 (293.7±59.8x10(9)/L vs. 237.7±50.9x10(9)/L, p<0.0001), pre-procedural lesion length longer in group-1 comparing 2 (13.6±3.6 mm vs. 11.4±3.9 mm, p:0.003). Distal embolization (19.0% vs. 0.0%, p:0.001), slow-flow (15.2% vs. 2.9%, p:0.033) were more common in group-1 and mean maximum troponin-I level (9.1±4.2 μg/L vs. 5.1±3.9 μg/L, p<0.0001) and mean maximum creatinin kinase (2077.6±1378.4 U/L vs. 1163.4±869.7 U/L, p:<0.0001) were higher in group-1. In-hospital and 30-days major cardiac adverse events (MACEs) (16.5% vs. 5.7%), p:0.14) were similarly in both groups, but, at 6-months target vessel revascularization (13.9% vs. 0.0%, p:0.017) and MACEs significantly higher in the group-1 (24.1% vs. 2.9%, p:0.013)., Conclusion: A higher BPC without any antithrombotic agent is a strongly predictor of total occlusion of IRA in STEMI treated with PPCI. And a higher BPC associated with poor clinical outcomes at 9-months. Apart from prognostic value, measuring of a BPC on admission may also provide further practical and therapeutic profits.

Objectives: Left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony is a common finding in patients with hypertension and is associated with LV hypertrophy. Arterial stiffness (AS) and central (aortic) blood pressures play a significant role in end-organ damage such as LV hypertrophy caused by hypertension. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between AS, central blood pressures (BP) and LV dyssynchrony., Study Design: Thirty-five newly diagnosed hypertensive patients and 40 controls were enrolled in the study. The entire study population underwent a comprehensive echocardiographic study including tissue synchrony imaging. The 12 segmental model was used to measure the time to regional peak systolic tissue velocity (Ts) in the LV and two dyssynchrony indices were computed. Parameters of AS including pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (AIx@75), and central systolic and diastolic BP were evaluated by applanation tonometry., Results: The baseline clinical and echocardiographic parameters of both groups were similar except for their BPs. Dyssynchrony indices were prolonged in patients with hypertension as compared to the controls. The standart deviation of Ts of 12 LV segments in patients with hypertension and the controls were 48.7±18.8 vs. 25.8±13.1, respectively (p<0.001), and the maximal difference in Ts between any 2 of 12 LV segments was 143.9±52.2 for hypertension patients vs. 83.8±39.4 for controls (p<0.001). PWV (11.9±2.5 vs. 9.5±1.4, p<0.001), AIx@75 (27.4±8.3 vs. 18.3±9, p=0.009), and central systolic (147.6±20.8 vs. 105.4±11, p<0.001) and diastolic (99.8±14.4 vs. 72.8±9.5, p<0.001) pressures were higher in patients with hypertension than in the controls, respectively. In multivariable analysis, central systolic BP (ß=0.496, p=0.03), LV mass index (ß=0.232, p=0.027), and body mass index (ß=0.308, p=0.002) were found to be independently related to dyssynchrony., Conclusion: Central systolic BP is an independent predictor of LV dyssynchrony, but Aıx@75 did not have an independent effect on LV synchronicity in patients with newly-diagnosed hypertension.

We report a case of inferior myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention. During the procedure, the guide wire fractured within the right coronary artery. Despite many attempts, the piece of wire could not be removed. The options were to take the fractured wire out (either percutaneously or surgically) or to leave it in the patient. After discussion with cardiac surgeons, we managed the patient medically. The motto of this case report is that, although percutaneous and surgical management may be the primary options, medical management with dual antiplatelet drugs is possible.

Background: Hypothyroidism has a large number of adverse effects on the cardiovascular system such as impaired cardiac contractility. Left ventricular (LV) asynchrony is defined as loss of the simultaneous peak contraction of corresponding cardiac segments., Objective: To assess systolic asynchrony in patients with overt hypothyroidism., Methods: Asynchrony was evaluated in 31 patients with overt hypothyroidism and 26 controls. Clinical hypothyroidism was defined as serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) more than 4.2 microIU/mL with reduced free T4 less than 1.10 ng/dL. All the patients and controls were subjected to an echocardiographic study including tissue synchronization imaging (TSI). The time to regional peak systolic velocity (Ts) in LV via the six-basal-six-mid-segmental model was measured on ejection phase TSI images, and four TSI parameters of systolic asynchrony were computed. LV asynchrony was described by these four TSI parameters., Results: The demographic characteristics and conventional echocardiographic parameters of both groups were similar (except total and LDL cholesterol, TSH, free T3, and free T4). All TSI parameters of LV asynchrony were prolonged in hypothyroid patients compared to controls. The standard deviation (SD) of the 12 LV segments Ts was (53.5 +/- 14.1 vs. 29.3 +/- 15.5, P < 0.0001); the maximal difference in Ts between any 2 of the 12 LV segments was (154.5 +/- 37.3 vs. 91.9 +/- 45.2, P < 0.0001); the SD of Ts of the 6 basal LV segments was (47.9 +/- 15.9 vs. 27.1 +/- 16.4, P < 0.0001); and the maximal difference in Ts between any 2 of the 6 basal LV segments was (118.4 +/- 37.9 vs. 69.3 +/- 39.0, P < 0.0001). The prevalence of LV asynchrony was significantly higher in patients with hypothyroidism compared with controls (83.9% vs. 26.9%, P < 0.0001)., Conclusion: Patients with overt hypothyroidism show evidence of LV asynchrony by TSI.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess left ventricular (LV) function and the Tei index by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), and also to evaluate the relationship of thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count (TFC) with the Tei index and LV function in patients with slow coronary flow (SCF)., Methods: We prospectively evaluated 50 patients with SCF and 27 control subjects. Diagnosis of SCF was made by TFC. LV systolic and diastolic function was assessed by conventional echocardiography and TDI., Results: Early diastolic mitral annular velocity (Em), Em/Am, and peak systolic mitral annular velocity (Sm) were lower in patients with SCF than those in controls (13+/-2.8 cm/sec vs 15.2+/-2.8 cm/sec, P = 0.002; 0.88+/-0.22 vs 1+/-0.23, P = 0.03; and 14.1+/-3.51 vs 16.5+/-3.31, P = 0.005, respectively). In patients with SCF, the Tei index was significantly higher than that in controls (0.34+/-9.6 vs 0.29+/-9.5, P = 0.02, respectively). Mean TFC and RCA TFC were positively correlated with the Tei index (r = 0.3, P = 0.02 and r = 0.329, P = 0.02). Left circumflex (LCX) TFC was negatively correlated with Em/Am (r =-0.310, P = 0.03) only in patients with SCF., Conclusion: LV systolic and diastolic function is impaired in patients with SCF. TDI analysis of mitral annular velocities such as the Tei index, Em, Em/Am, and Sm is useful to assess LV systolic and diastolic dysfunction in patients with SCF. Mean TFC and RCA TFC were positively correlated with the Tei index and LCX TFC was negatively correlated with Em/Am. TDI may be better than conventional echocardiography in assessing LV function in patients with SCF.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery in patients with acromegaly., Subjects and Methods: We prospectively evaluated 25 patients with acromegaly (14 females, 11 males; aged 42 +/- 12 years; growth hormone (GH) levels 34 +/- 14 ng/ml) and 27 control subjects (15 females, 12 males; aged 45 +/- 8 years; GH levels 3 +/- 1.5 ng/ml). The patients and controls were matched for age, gender, body mass index, cigarette smoking, blood pressure, lipid levels, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and its duration. Endothelial function, measured as FMD of the brachial artery using ultrasound, was calculated in the 2 groups. The endothelial function was evaluated by assessing 1-min postischemic FMD of the brachial artery., Results: The FMD was lower in patients with acromegaly (9.97 +/- 3.5%) than in controls (16.1 +/- 3.4%), and the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.0001)., Conclusion: Endothelial dysfunction may develop in the preclinical phase of atherosclerosis in patients with acromegaly. Endothelium-dependent FMD may be impaired in acromegalic patients, and measurement of endothelial function may identify high-risk individuals earlier., (Copyright 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Background: Aortic stiffness is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events and mortality. The measurement of pulse-wave velocity (PWV) is the most simple, noninvasive, and robust method to determine aortic stiffness. Whether aortic stiffness contributes to aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between PWV and AVS in subjects free of clinically evident atherosclerotic disease., Methods: We enrolled 62 patients (48 men; age 65 +/- 8 years) diagnosed with AVS and an additional 62 age-, hypertension-, diabetes mellitus-, and history of smoking-matched subjects without AVS. Applanation tonometry was applied to assess the augmentation index and aortic PWV. The subjects with symptomatic vascular disease were excluded from the study. AVS was defined by echocardiography as thickening and calcification of the normal trileaflet aortic valve without obstruction to the left ventricular outflow., Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the aortic PWV and augmentation index (11.7+/-3.3 vs 11.8+/-3.7, P=0.85; 28.0+/-9.4 vs 25.0+/-8.6, P=0. 17, respectively). The presence of AVS was significantly correlated with ejection fraction (r=0.211, P=0.011), male gender (r=0.362, P=0.0001), and age (r=0.200, P=0.026)., Conclusions: The lack of an association between the aortic PWV and AVS suggests that AVS is a complex phenomenon consisting of several distinct processes, related to both atherosclerotic and nonatherosclerotic processes.

Background: The Tei index reflects both systolic and diastolic ventricular function. The aim of this study was to assess the Tei index by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and also to evaluate the correlation with growth hormone (GH) and the Tei index and left ventricular (LV) function assessed by TDI in patients with acromegaly., Methods: We prospectively evaluated 25 patients with acromegaly and 27 control subjects. LV systolic and diastolic function was assessed by conventional echocardiography and TDI., Results: Peak E velocity and E/A ratio were lower in those with acromegaly than in those without (P = 0.01; P = 0.002, respectively). Deceleration time of the mitral E-wave (P = 0.01) and isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) (P = 0.01) were higher in acromegalic patients than those in controls (P = 0.006, P = 0.002). Em (P = 0.01) and Em/Am (P = 0.001) were lower in patients with acromegaly than in controls. In patients with acromegaly, the Tei index was significantly higher than that in controls (0.49 +/- 13.4 vs 0.39 +/- 5.2, P = 0.005). GH was positively correlated with the Tei index (r = 0.65, P = 0.041), Em/Am (r = 0.63, P = 0.021), and interventricular septum (IVS) thickness (r = 0.65, P = 0.008) only in patients with acromegaly. LV diastolic dysfunction was detected 36% by conventional echocardiography and 48% by the Tei index derived from TDI in acromegalic patients., Conclusion: TDI analysis of mitral annular velocities is useful to assess LV diastolic dysfunction in patients with acromegaly. GH was positively correlated with the Tei index and LV diastolic dysfunction. The Tei index may be superior to conventional mitral Doppler indices for identification of LV diastolic dysfunction in patients with acromegaly.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess left ventricular (LV) function and the Tei index by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), and also to evaluate the relationship of serum cortisol level with the Tei index and LV function in patients with Cushing's Syndrome (CS)., Methods: We prospectively evaluated 22 patients with CS and 23 control subjects. LV function was assessed by echocardiography. Early diastolic (Em), late diastolic (Am), peak systolic (Sm), mitral annular velocities, Em/Am, the Tei index, and E/Em were calculated by TDI. Mitral inflow velocities, color M-mode flow propagation velocity (Vp), relative wall thickness (RWT), and LV mass index (LVMI) were assessed by two-dimensional echocardiography., Result: Peak (E) velocity and the ratio of E to peak late (A) velocity (E/A) were lower in those with CS than in those without. Patients with CS had significantly higher RWT, IVRT, and LVMI than those controls. Vp was lower in the CS-patients than that in control subjects. Em and Em/Am were lower in patients with CS than those in controls. In patients with CS, the Tei index was significantly higher than control subjects., Conclusion: Serum cortisol level was positively correlated with the Tei index and E/Em ratio but negatively correlated with Em, Sm, and EF only in patients with CS. Serum cortisol level positively correlated with the Tei index and E/Em ratio but negatively correlated with Em, EF, and Sm. The parameters obtained from lateral mitral annulus by TDI can be used for identification of LV diastolic dysfunction in patients with CS.

Objective: To assess the effect of pericardial effusion on intraocular pressure (IOP)., Patients and Methods: Twenty-two patients with pericardial effusion were enrolled into the study. The average pericardial effusion was 2245 +/- 257 cc, and the mean IOP was 26.1 +/- 2.1 mm Hg in the initial examination. Pericardial effusion was aspirated via canula under topical anaesthesia at two or three-day intervals. IOP was measured after every aspiration of pericardial fluid. We statistically compared the changes in the mean IOP after every aspiration (one-way ANOVA), and calculated the correlation (regression analysis) between the amount of fluid and the changes in IOP., Results: An average of 400 ml of fluid was aspirated at two or three-day intervals. The mean IOP decreased to 23.3, 21.2, 19.1 and 16.3 mm Hg after aspirations, respectively. These decreases in the mean IOP were statistically significant (p < 0.01). In regression analysis, we observed a meaningful relationship between the changes in IOP and the amount of pericardial effusion (p < 0.001)., Conclusion: We found that pericardial effusion affected IOP due to increased episcleral venous pressure. Therefore, patients with pericardial effusion should be referred for an ophthalmological examination with IOP measurement. IOP-lowering medication can eventually be started or adjusted by the ophthalmologist.