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Aim: Behcet's disease (BD) is a systemic disorder characterized by vasculitis, resulting in thickened vascular walls that reduce elasticity and impair function. BD can involve the cardiovascular system in three ways: cardiac, arterial, and venous. In this study, our objective was to evaluate the efficacy of pulmonary arterial stiffness (PAS) and pulmonary pulse transit time (PPTT) measures in demonstrating right ventricular functions in asymptomatic BD patients. We aimed to objectively evaluate right ventricular function in patients with BD using four‐dimensional echocardiography (4DE). Method: This study included 40 patients diagnosed with BD and 40 healthy subjects. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic parameters were compared. In addition to standard transthoracic echocardiographic evaluation, right ventricle quantification (RVQ) by using the 4DE and 2D‐speckle tracking echocardiography were performed. Results: The sPAP, 4D RVQ, and right ventricular strain values exhibited significant differences between the BD and control groups. Right ventricular end‐diastolic diameter (RVDD), right ventricular end‐systolic diameter (RVSD), right atrium (RA) area, right ventricular myocardial performance index (RVMPI), and PAS were increased in BD patients compared to the control group. Right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF), right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), Tricuspid S', and PPTT were decreased in BD patients compared to control subjects. PPTT correlated with right ventricular free wall strain (RV‐FWS) and PAS. In a multivariate linear regression analysis, PAS and RVFAC were found to be independent predictors of RVFWS. In addition, RVFAC and TAPSE are independent predictors for PPTT. Conclusion: Patients with BD may have elevated pulmonary arterial stiffness (PAS) in correlation with decreased PPTT. To ascertain the prognosis for these individuals, right ventricular (RV) functions must be evaluated. Measurements of RVFAC and RVEF via 4DE and deformation imaging techniques may be more useful in identifying subclinical impairment of RV. Individuals with BD, PAS, and PPTT may suggest a link between early pulmonary vascular remodeling and RV subclinical impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Even though medication and interventional therapy have improved the death rate for non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients, these patients still have a substantial residual risk of cardiovascular events. Early identification of high-risk individuals is critical for improving prognosis, especially in this patient group. The focus of recent research has switched to finding new related indicators that can help distinguish high-risk patients. For this purpose, we examined the relationship between the pan-immune-inflammation value (PIV) and the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) defined by the SYNTAX score (SxS) in NSTEMI patients. Methods: Based on the SxS, CAD patients were split into three groups. To evaluate the risk variables of CAD, multivariate logistic analysis was employed. Results: The PIV (odds ratio: 1.003; 95% CI: 1.001–1.005; p = 0.005) was found to be an independent predictor of a high SxS in the multivariate logistic regression analysis. Additionally, there was a positive association between the PIV and SxS (r: 0.68; p < 0.001). The PIV predicted the severe coronary lesion in the receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis with a sensitivity of 91% and specificity of 81.1%, using an appropriate cutoff value of 568.2. Conclusions: In patients with non-STEMI, the PIV, a cheap and easily measured laboratory variable, was substantially correlated with a high SxS and the severity of CAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: New occurrence of atrial fibrillation (NOAF) frequently accompanies acute coronary syndromes (ACS), leading to unfavorable short- and long-term outcomes. Nonetheless, the existing risk stratification model for forecasting NOAF in cases of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) necessitates further elucidation. Certain variables within the CHA2DS2-VASc score exhibit close associations with atrial fibrillation (AF) onset. Materials and Methods: This retrospective inquiry encompassed 670 successive NSTEMI individuals seeking treatment at our cardiovascular center from June 2020 to June 2022, all of whom received percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Results: Incidences of NOAF emerged during inpatient care for 55 individuals (12.5%). NOAF cases were characterized by advanced age, elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels, augmented left atrial volume index, Post-PCI thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) grades below 3, heightened CHA2DS2-VASc scores, maximal troponin I peak (ng/ml), and SYNTAX scores (SS). Subsequent to univariate logistic regression analysis targeting predictors of NOAF incidence, CHA2DS2-VASc score, sub-3 Post-PCI TIMI grade, hemoglobin levels, hsCRP levels, and SS emerged as predictors; however, multivariate analysis identified CHA2DS2-VASc score, sub-3 Post-PCI TIMI grade, and hemoglobin levels as pivotal determinants. Conclusion: The potential of the CHA2DS2-VASc score score as a predictive tool for anticipating NOAF subsequent to PCI in NSTEMI cases is apparent. With the exception of components inherent to the CHA2DS2-VASc score, post-PCI TIMI grades below 3 and reduced hemoglobin levels stand as autonomous risk influencers for NSTEMI-NOAF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Aortic stiffness is an important risk factor that reflects the mechanical tension and elasticity of the aorta and predicts cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. However, it has been found that aortic stiffness contributes to both symptom burden and clinical outcomes in patients with aortic stenosis (AS). In our study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) on aortic elasticity parameters by echocardiography in patients with severe aortic stenosis, especially with preserved ejection fraction. Materials and Methods: A total of 55 consecutive patients with symptomatic severe AS who underwent TAVI were included in the study. Demographic data, echocardiographic and aortic elasticity measurements of all patients were measured before and 6 months after the procedure. To evaluate the elastic properties of the aorta, aortic strain, distensibility and stiffness index were calculated. Results: Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) (p < 0.001) and aortic stiffness (p < 0.001) were decreased, while aortic strain (p < 0.001) and aortic distensibility (p < 0.001) were found to be increased in the measurements performed at 6 months after TAVI. In the regression analysis, age and LVMI were found to be independent predictors for predicting improvement in aortic stiffness; on the other hand, LVMI also independently predicted the increase in aortic distensibility. Conclusion: Improvement in aortic elastic properties and left ventricular functions were found in patients who underwent TAVI. Age and LVMI were observed to predict the improvement in stiffness and distensibility of the aorta in patients undergoing TAVI, especially in AS patients with preserved ejection fraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modafinil is used for the treatment of various sleep disorders; however, its usage among healthy individuals is also increasing. There are a limited number of cardiovascular side effects, including ischemic T-wave changes, dyspnea, hypertension, and tachycardia in the literature. Our research aimed to investigate the dose-dependent subacute cardiovascular effects of modafinil in rats. Thirty-two rats were randomly and equally assigned to a control group (vehicle-treated for 14 days), a subacute low-dose group (SALD, 10 mg/kg for 14 days), a subacute moderate-dose group (SAMD, 100 mg/kg for 14 days), and a subacute high-dose group (SHD, 600 mg/kg for 14 days). The cardiovascular effects of modafinil were evaluated using hemodynamic, biochemical, electrocardiographic, electrophysiologic, and histopathologic parameters. In terms of hemodynamic parameters, heart rate, and systolic/diastolic/mean blood pressure levels, electrophysiological parameters did not reach statistical significance among the groups (p > 0.05). The incidence of T-wave negativity in SAMD and SAHD groups was 25 and 37.5%, respectively. Moreover, one rat per group was affected by an atrioventricular blockage. Malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and reduced glutathione levels in the heart and vascular tissues, serum troponin-I, and creatine kinase levels were similar between the modafinil-administered groups and the control group (p > 0.05); this indicates that modafinil activated neither oxidative stress nor antioxidant pathway. Also, there was no difference in histopathological parameters between groups (p > 0.05). Supratherapeutic doses of modafinil may have the potential to cause ischemic cardiac damage and atrioventricular blockage, despite inconsistency with literature findings; however, this does not pertain to hemodynamic changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]