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Aim The association of metabolic abnormalities and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) has been documented, but few studies have focused on cardiovascular risk in these women. The aim of this study was to compare arterial stiffness by using the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) in PCOS women with controls, and to evaluate whether any clinical or laboratory variables had independent associations with it. Methods A group of 160 women, matched for age and body mass index were recruited. Diagnosis of PCOS was made according to the Rotterdam criteria. Arterial stiffness using CAVI was evaluated in non-obese young woman, with and without PCOS. Results In the PCOS group (n = 80), 60 cases (75%) had findings of hyperandrogenism, 59 (73.8%) had ovulatory dysfunction, and 70 (87.5%) had an ultrasonographic appearance of polycystic ovaries. Women with PCOS had significantly higher mean CAVI values when compared to subjects without PCOS (5.78 +/- 0.64 vs 5.28 +/- 0.77, P < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that androgen excess was associated with increased arterial stiffness, independent of ovulatory dysfunction, polycystic ovaries, body mass index and age. Conclusion This data suggests that vascular compliance is decreased in young women with PCOS. Androgen excess is independently associated with increased arterial stiffness. C1 [Kilic, Derya; Alatas, Erkan; Guler, Tolga] Pamukkale Univ, Dept Obstet & Gynecol, Med Sch, Denizli, Turkey. [Kilic, Ismail Dogu; Sevgican, Cihan Ilyas] Pamukkale Univ, Dept Cardiol, Med Sch, Denizli, Turkey. [Kilic, Oguz] Simav Doc Dr Ismail Karakuyu State Hosp, Dept Cardiol, Kutahya, Turkey. [Arslan, Muhammet] Pamukkale Univ, Dept Radiol, Med Sch, Denizli, Turkey. [Avci, Esin] Pamukkale Univ, Dept Biochem, Med Sch, Denizli, Turkey.

Background/Aim: This study aimed to measure the DNA methylation state of thousands of CpG islands in the blood of two monozygotic twins that were discordant for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Twin 1 had suffered myocardial infarction, while the other was healthy. Patients and Methods: Since the aim of this study was to identify differentially methylated regions which might act as potential markers, reduced-representation bisulfite libraries were used for whole-genome methylation analysis. Results: According to the analysis, 11 genes lipid droplet associated hydrolase (LDAH), apolipoprotein B (APOB), acyl-CoA synthetase medium chain family member 2A (ACSM2A), acyl-CoA synthetase medium chain family member 5(ACSM5), acylCoA synthetase family member 3 (ACSF3), carboxylesterase 1 (CES1 ), carboxylesterase 1 pseudogene 1 (CES1P1), AFG3 like matrix AAA peptidase subunit 2 (AFG3L2), iron-sulfur cluster assembly enzyme (ISCU), SEC14 like lipid binding 2 (SEC14L2) and microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTTP) were all hypomethylated in DNA from twin 2, the unaffected twin. Methylation changes were observed at different multiple loci between the twins, suggesting loci that are affected by disease status in identical genetic backgrounds. Conclusion: This twin study may contribute significantly to the understanding of the genetic basis of CVD and resulting myocardial infarction. This approach may allow identification of possible target loci associated with aberrant epigenetic regulation in CVD. C1 [Koseler, Aylin] Pamukkale Univ, Dept Biophys, Sch Med, Denizli, Turkey. [Ma, Feiyang; Morselli, Marco; Pellegrini, Matteo] Univ Calif Los Angeles, David Geffen Sch Med, Dept Mol Cell & Dev Biol, Box 951606, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA. [Kilic, Ismail Dogu; Kilic, Oguz] Pamukkale Univ, Dept Cardiol, Sch Med, Denizli, Turkey.

Purpose of Review Patients diagnosed with coronary artery disease are at a high risk of subsequent cardiovascular events; therefore, secondary prevention in the form of therapeutic lifestyle changes, and drug therapies is vital. This article aims to review potential application of intra-coronary imaging for the evaluation of plaque modifications, induced by medications for secondary prevention for CAD. Recent Findings Intra-coronary imaging provides detailed information on the atherosclerotic plaque which is the primary pathological substrate for the recurrent ischemic cardiovascular events. These modalities can detect features associated with high risk and allow serial in vivo imaging of lesions. Therefore, intravascular imaging tools have been used in landmark studies and played a role in improving our understanding of the disease processes. Changes in size and plaque composition over time can be evaluated by these tools and may help understanding the impact of a treatment. Moreover, surrogate imaging end points can be used when testing new drugs for secondary prevention. C1 [Kilic, Ismail Dogu] Pamukkale Univ Hosp, Dept Cardiol, Denizli, Turkey. [Fabris, Enrico] Univ Trieste, Cardiovasc Dept, Trieste, Italy. [Kedhi, Elvin] Isala Heart Ctr, Dept Cardiol, Zwolle, Netherlands. [Ghilencea, Liviu-Nicolae] Univ Med & Pharm Carol Davila, Bucharest, Romania. [Caiazzo, Gianluca] PO San Giuseppe Moscati, Aversa, Italy. [Abou Sherif, Sara] Brighton & Sussex Med Sch, Brighton, E Sussex, England. [Di Mario, Carlo] Careggi Univ Hosp, Cardiotoracovasc Dept, Florence, Italy.

Aims:Nondiabetic patients were studied to determine whether modest elevations in plasma mannose may be associated with a greater incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD). Materials and Methods:Plasma insulin, mannose, glucose, hexokinase 1-2, GLUT1-GLUT4 levels, and serum mannose phosphate isomerase enzyme levels were evaluated with respect to subsequent CAD using records from 120 nondiabetic CAD patients and 120 healthy volunteers. CAD was identified from myocardial infarction and new diagnoses of angina. Results:Of 120 nondiabetic CAD patients studied, their plasma GLUT4 and HK1 levels were significantly lower than those of the control group. A significant increase in plasma mannose levels was found in the patient group compared to the control group. Conclusion:Our findings showed that elevated baseline mannose levels in plasma are associated with an increased risk of CAD over time. C1 [Koseler, Aylin] Pamukkale Univ, Fac Med, Dept Biophys, TR-20020 Denizli, Turkey. [Arslan, Idris] Bulent Ecevit Univ, Dept Biomed Engn, Zonguldak, Turkey. [Sabirli, Ramazan] Kafkas Univ, Fac Med, Dept Emergency Med, Kars, Turkey. [Zeytunluoglu, Ali] Pamukkale Univ, Vocat Sch Tech Sci, Dept Elect & Automat, Denizli, Turkey. [Kilic, Oguz] Doc Dr Ismail Karakuyu State Hosp, Dept Cardiol, Kutahya, Turkey. [Kilic, Ismail Dogu] Pamukkale Univ, Fac Med, Dept Cardiol, Denizli, Turkey.

Stroke remains among the leading causes of disability and death worldwide. Fibrinolytic therapy is associated with poor patency and functional outcomes. Recently, multiple randomized trials have been published that have consolidated the role of endovascular therapy for ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion in the anterior cerebral circulation. This manuscript reviews the current understanding of the endovascular management of acute stroke including technical aspects and current evidence base.

Stroke remains among the leading causes of disability and death worldwide. Fibrinolytic therapy is associated with poor patency and functional outcomes. Recently, multiple randomized trials have been published that have consolidated the role of endovascular therapy for ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion in the anterior cerebral circulation. This manuscript reviews the current understanding of the endovascularmanagement of acute stroke including technical aspects and current evidence base. (c) 2018 Published by Elsevier Inc. C1 [Kilic, Ismail D.] Pamukkale Univ Hosp, Dept Cardiol, Denizli, Turkey. [Hakeem, Abdul; Cilingiroglu, Mehmet] Univ Arkansas Med Sci, Dept Cardiol, Little Rock, AR 72205 USA. [Marmagkiolis, Konstantinos] Florida Hosp, Pepin Heart Inst, Tampa, FL USA. [Paixao, Andre; Cilingiroglu, Mehmet] Arkansas Heart Hosp, Dept Cardiol, 7 Shackleford West Blvd, Little Rock, AR 72211 USA. [Grunwald, Iris] Anglia Ruskin Univ, Dept Neurosci, Chelmsford, Essex, England. [Mutlu, Deniz] Istanbul Univ, Cerrahpasa Fac Med, Dept Cardiol, Istanbul, Turkey. [AbouSherif, Sara] Kings Coll London, Cardiovasc Res Div London, London, England. [Gundogdu, Betul] Univ Arkansas Med Sci, Dept Neurol, Little Rock, AR 72205 USA. [Kulaksizoglu, Sibel] Antalya Educ & Res Hosp, Dept Biochem, Antalya, Turkey. [Ates, Ismail] Medicalpk Hosp Complex, Dept Cardiol, Antalya, Turkey. [Wholey, Mark] Univ Pittsburgh, Med Ctr, Dept Cardiol, Pittsburgh, PA USA. [Goktekin, Omer] Bezmialem Univ, Dept Cardiol, Istanbul, Turkey. [Cilingiroglu, Mehmet] Koc Univ, Sch Med, TR-34450 Istanbul, Turkey.

Background/Aim: Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress plays a critical role in the development of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. Heart failure is a crucial health problem that affects 23 million people worldwide, causes approximately 2.4 million people to be hospitalized every year in the USA, and leads to the death of more than 300,000 people. In this study, we aimed to investigate the clinical significance of ER stress markers and the predictive value of acute decompensated heart failure in patients with low ejection fraction heart failure (ADHF). Patients and Methods: This is a prospective case control study. The data included laboratory parameters pertaining to patients with ADHF in the emergency service and lipid parameters obtained during their admission to the hospital. In addition, the same parameters obtained from the control group patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) during their routine polyclinic control were recorded in the data set. Admission time to the hospital and length of hospital stay were included in the data. The levels of glucose regulated protein (GRP78), protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) in peripheral blood serum obtained from the patients and the control group were measured using the ELISA method. Results: Serum GRP78 concentration was lower in the HF group (p=0.003) compared to the control. The median value of serum PERK concentration in the HF group was higher than that of the control group (573 pg/ml, IQR=477.5-650 vs. 495.5 pg/ml, IQR=294-648, respectively) (p=0.001). However, there were no statistically significant differences in GRP78 and PERK serum concentrations between ADHF and CHF subgroups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed greater area under the curve (AUC) for the serum GRP78 levels of the healthy individuals (AUC=0.748, 95% CI=0.681-0.814, p=0.0003). The serum GRP78 level was found to be 80% sensitive and 70% specific at 147.5 pg/ml (p=0.0003) for distinguishing healthy individuals from HF patients. In the ADHF subgroup, there was a moderate correlation between hospitalization time and serum CHOP concentrations (Spearman rho=0.586 and p=0.001). Conclusion: High GRP78 serum concentration may protect the patient from ER stress. In addition, the serum PERK level is high in patients with HF, whereas it is insufficient in predicting acute decompensation. CHOP may be useful in predicting the length of hospital stay in patients with ADHF. C1 [Sabirli, Ramazan] Servergazi State Hosp, Dept Emergency Med, Denizli, Turkey. [Koseler, Aylin] Pamukkale Univ, Med Fac, Dept Biophys, Denizli, Turkey. [Mansur, Nesteren] Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar Univ, Inst Hlth Sci, Dept Biotechnol, Istanbul, Turkey. [Zeytunluoglu, Ali] Pamukkale Univ, Denizli Vocat Sch Tech Sci, Dept Elect & Automat, Denizli, Turkey. [Sabirli, Gizem Tukenmez] Pamukkale Univ, Med Fac, Dept Pediat, Denizli, Turkey. [Turkcuer, Ibrahim] Pamukkale Univ, Med Fac, Dept Emergency Med, Denizli, Turkey. [Kilic, Ismail Dogu] Pamukkale Univ, Med Fac, Dept Cardiol, Denizli, Turkey.

Aims: In vivo validation of coronary optical coherence tomography (OCT) against histology and the effects of plaque burden (PB) on plaque classification remain unreported. We aimed to investigate this in a porcine model with human-like coronary atherosclerosis. Methods and results: Five female Yucatan D374Y-PCSK9 transgenic hypercholesterolaemic minipigs were implanted with a coronary shear-modifying stent to induce advanced atherosclerosis. OCT frames (n=201) were obtained 34 weeks after implantation. Coronary arteries were perfusion-fixed, serially sectioned and co-registered with OCT using a validated algorithm. Lesions were adjudicated using the Virmani classification and PB assessed from histology. OCT had a high sensitivity, but modest specificity (92.9% and 74.6%), for identifying fibrous cap atheroma (FCA). The reduced specificity for OCT was due to misclassification of plaques with histologically defined pathological intimal thickening (PIT) as FCA (46.1% of the frames with histological PIT were misclassified). PIT lesions misclassified as FCA by OCT had a statistically higher PB than in other OCT frames (median 32.0% versus 13.4%; p

Correction to: Wien Klin Wochenschr 2015 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-015-0854-z The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. The first names of Dr. Ismail Dogu Kilic were interchanged.

AIM: This study was designed to assess the effect of patient education on the knowledge of safety and awareness about living with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) within the context of phase I cardiac rehabilitation. METHODS: The study was conducted with 28 newly implanted CIED patients who were included in "education group (EG)". Patients were questioned with a survey about living with CIEDs and electromagnetic interference (EMI) before and 1 month after an extensive constructed interview. Ninety-three patients who had been living with CIEDs were included in the "without education group (woEG)". RESULTS: Patients in EG had improved awareness on topics related to physical and daily life activities including work, driving, sports and sexual activities, EMI of household items, harmful equipment, and some of the medical devices in the hospital setting (p

The role of nonselective beta-blockers in cirrhotic patients with ascites has been recently questioned; however, definitive evidence in this regard is still lacking. To analyze published data on the influence of nonselective beta-blockers as compared to control group on survival of cirrhotic patients with ascites. Computerized bibliographic search on the main databases was performed. Hazard ratios from Kaplan-Meier curves were extracted in order to perform an unbiased comparison of survival estimates. Secondary outcomes were mortality in patients with refractory ascites, pooled rate of nonselective beta-blockers interruption, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and hepato-renal syndrome incidence. Three randomized controlled trials and 13 observational studies with 8279 patients were included. Overall survival was comparable between the two groups (hazard ratio = 0.86, 0.71-1.03, p = 0.11). Study design resulted as the main source of heterogeneity in sensitivity analysis and meta-regression. Mortality in refractory ascites patients was similar in the two groups (odds ratio = 0.90, 0.45-1.79; p = 0.76). No difference in spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (odds ratio = 0.78, 0.47-1.29, p = 0.33) and hepato-renal syndrome incidence (odds ratio = 1.22, 0.48-3.09; p = 0.67) was observed. Pooled rate of nonselective beta-blockers interruption was 18.6% (5.2-32.1%). Based on our findings, nonselective beta-blockers should not be routinely withheld in patients with cirrhosis and ascites, even if refractory.

BACKGROUND: The role of nonselective beta-blockers in cirrhotic patients with ascites has been recently questioned; however, definitive evidence in this regard is still lacking. AIMS: To analyze published data on the influence of nonselective beta-blockers as compared to control group on survival of cirrhotic patients with ascites. METHODS: Computerized bibliographic search on the main databases was performed. Hazard ratios from Kaplan-Meier curves were extracted in order to perform an unbiased comparison of survival estimates. Secondary outcomes were mortality in patients with refractory ascites, pooled rate of nonselective beta-blockers interruption, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and hepato-renal syndrome incidence. RESULTS: Three randomized controlled trials and 13 observational studies with 8279 patients were included. Overall survival was comparable between the two groups (hazard ratio = 0.86, 0.71-1.03, p = 0.11). Study design resulted as the main source of heterogeneity in sensitivity analysis and meta-regression. Mortality in refractory ascites patients was similar in the two groups (odds ratio = 0.90, 0.45-1.79; p = 0.76). No difference in spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (odds ratio = 0.78, 0.47-1.29, p = 0.33) and hepato-renal syndrome incidence (odds ratio = 1.22, 0.48-3.09; p = 0.67) was observed. Pooled rate of nonselective beta-blockers interruption was 18.6% (5.2-32.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Based on our findings, nonselective beta-blockers should not be routinely withheld in patients with cirrhosis and ascites, even if refractory.

This study was designed to assess the effect of patient education on the knowledge of safety and awareness about living with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) within the context of phase I cardiac rehabilitation. Methods. The study was conducted with 28 newly implanted CIED patients who were included in "education group (EG)". Patients were questioned with a survey about living with CIEDs and electromagnetic interference (EMI) before and 1month after an extensive constructed interview. Ninety-three patients who had been living with CIEDs were included in the "without education group (woEG)". Results. Patients in EG had improved awareness on topics related to physical and daily life activities including work, driving, sports and sexual activities, EMI of household items, harmful equipment, and some of the medical devices in the hospital setting (p

Growing populations and ageing demographics lead to an increased burden of ischaemic heart disease and related cardiovascular interventions, resulting in pressure on healthcare systems. Although the healthcare system in Turkey has undergone comprehensive remodelling over the last decade, there are many challenges to overcome, including better reimbursement for cardiovascular interventions, standardisation of interventional cardiology services and research-related activities. In this manuscript, we present an overview of coronary and structural heart interventions in Turkey, as well as providing information on current reimbursement policies and the healthcare system.

The clinical effect of intracoronary thrombus aspiration during percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with unstable angina pectoris is unknown. In this study, we aimed to assess how thrombus aspiration during percutaneous coronary intervention affects in-hospital and 30-month mortality and complications in patients with unstable angina pectoris.We undertook an observational cohort study of 645 consecutive unstable angina pectoris patients who had performed percutaneous coronary intervention from February 2011 to March 2013. Before intervention, 159 patients who had culprit lesion with thrombus were randomly assigned to group 1 (thrombus aspiration group) and group 2 (stand-alone percutaneous coronary intervention group). All patients were followed-up 30 months until August 2015.Thrombus aspiration was performed in 64 patients (46%) whose cardiac markers (ie, creatinine kinase [CK-MB] mass and troponin T) were significantly lower after percutaneous coronary intervention than in those of group 2 (CK-MB mass: 3.80 ± 1.11 vs 4.23 ± 0.89, P = 0.012; troponin T: 0.012 ± 0.014 vs 0.018 ± 0.008, P = 0.002). Left ventricular ejection fraction at 6, 12, and 24 months postintervention was significantly higher in the group 1. During a mean follow-up period of 28.87 ± 6.28 months, mortality rates were 6.3% in the group 1 versus 12.9% in the group 2. Thrombus aspiration was also associated with significantly less long-term mortality in unstable angina pectoris patients (adjusted HR: 4.61, 95% CI: 1.16-18.21, P = 0.029).Thrombus aspiration in the context of unstable angina pectoris is associated with a limited elevation in cardiac enzymes during intervention that minimises microembolization and significantly improves both of epicardial flow and myocardial perfusion, as shown by angiographic TIMI flow grade and frame count. Thrombus aspiration during percutaneous coronary intervention in unstable angina pectoris patients has better survival over a 30-month follow-up period.

The clinical effect of intracoronary thrombus aspiration during percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with unstable angina pectoris is unknown. In this study, we aimed to assess how thrombus aspiration during percutaneous coronary intervention affects in-hospital and 30-month mortality and complications in patients with unstable angina pectoris.We undertook an observational cohort study of 645 consecutive unstable angina pectoris patients who had performed percutaneous coronary intervention from February 2011 to March 2013. Before intervention, 159 patients who had culprit lesion with thrombus were randomly assigned to group 1 (thrombus aspiration group) and group 2 (stand-alone percutaneous coronary intervention group). All patients were followed-up 30 months until August 2015.Thrombus aspiration was performed in 64 patients (46%) whose cardiac markers (ie, creatinine kinase [CK-MB] mass and troponin T) were significantly lower after percutaneous coronary intervention than in those of group 2 (CK-MB mass: 3.801.11 vs 4.23 +/- 0.89, P=0.012; troponin T: 0.012 +/- 0.014 vs 0.018 +/- 0.008, P=0.002). Left ventricular ejection fraction at 6, 12, and 24 months postintervention was significantly higher in the group 1. During a mean follow-up period of 28.87 +/- 6.28 months, mortality rates were 6.3% in the group 1 versus 12.9% in the group 2. Thrombus aspiration was also associated with significantly less long-term mortality in unstable angina pectoris patients (adjusted HR: 4.61, 95% CI: 1.16-18.21, P=0.029).Thrombus aspiration in the context of unstable angina pectoris is associated with a limited elevation in cardiac enzymes during intervention that minimises microembolization and significantly improves both of epicardial flow and myocardial perfusion, as shown by angiographic TIMI flow grade and frame count. Thrombus aspiration during percutaneous coronary intervention in unstable angina pectoris patients has better survival over a 30-month follow-up period.

BACKGROUND: The effect of optical coherence tomography (OCT) guidance on the implantation strategy during all phases of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVSs) in a real-world scenario has been poorly investigated. METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing BVS implantation at our institution were included in this registry. Frequency-domain OCT pullbacks were performed at the operator's discretion during all phases of BVS implantation procedures to optimize preparation of lesions, confirm BVS size, and optimize expansion and apposition of scaffolds. RESULTS: Between September 2012 and July 2015, 203 BVSs were implanted in 101 consecutive patients at our institution (2.01 BVSs/patient). In 66 patients, the procedure was performed under OCT guidance. In the OCT subgroup, 66 (77.6%) of the 85 treated lesions were complex (B2/C AHA/ACC type). Overall, 147 OCT pullbacks were performed and 72/147 (49.0%) pullbacks indicated the need for changing strategy. After angiography-only-guided optimisation of BVS in 27 (31.8%) lesions, an OCT examination prompted performance of a second post-expansion. This resulted in an increase in the minimal scaffold area (5.5 to 6.3mm(2), p=0.004) and a decrease in the incomplete scaffold apposition area (1.1 to 0.6mm(2), p=0.082), with no new stent fractures. When the population was divided according to the time of BVS implantation, an initial learning adaptation became evident, with the number of OCT-guided changes in strategy significantly decreasing between the initial and final time periods (p=0.017). CONCLUSIONS: OCT guidance for BVS implantation significantly affects the procedural strategy, with favourable effects on acute results and the learning curve.

BackgroundIdiopathic hyperhidrosis (IH) is characterized by excessive and uncontrolled production of sweat, mainly localized to the soles, palms, axillae and craniofacial area. Although IH is a disease concerning the autonomic nervous system, it is not clear yet whether this dysfunction is local or systemic. ObjectiveTo evaluate the autonomic control of cardiovascular system by measuring values of heart rate recovery (HRR) and systolic blood pressure recovery (SBPR) obtained at various time intervals after maximal graded exercise treadmill testing in patients with IH compared with controls. MethodsThe study population comprised 36 patients with IH (20 men, 16 women; mean age 25 7 years) and 36 healthy controls (HCs) (12 men, 24 women; mean age 27 5 years). All patients were selected from young, nonobese and healthy sedentary individuals. ResultsPeak HR values reached in patients with IH were significantly higher compared with the HC group (P < 0.001). The obtained HRR values at minutes 3, 4 and 5 were significantly lower in the IH than the HC group [57 +/- 16 vs. 64 +/- 9 (P = 0.03); 61 +/- 14 vs. 68 +/- 9 (P = 0.03); 64 +/- 12 vs. 70 +/- 7 (P < 0.01)]. In addition, calculated mean values for SBPR1 and SBPR2 were > 1 in patients with IH (1.04 +/- 0.15 vs. 0.98 +/- 0.08 and 1.0 +/- 0.12 vs. 0.94 +/- 0.06, respectively) and these were statistically significant compared with the HC group (P = 0.04 and P = 0.03, respectively). ConclusionsThe significantly impaired SBPR and decreased HRR values we observed in patients with IH may indicate that the autonomic dysfunction in IH is a systemic disorder with cardiovascular effects, rather than a merely local disease. Both HRR and SBPR values may provide additional information about predicting adverse cardiovascular events in the future even in apparently healthy young patients with IH.

Background: The effect of optical coherence tomography (OCT) guidance on the implantation strategy during all phases of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVSs) in a real-world scenario has been poorly investigated. Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing BVS implantation at our institution were included in this registry. Frequency-domain OCT pullbacks were performed at the operator's discretion during all phases of BVS implantation procedures to optimize preparation of lesions, confirm BVS size, and optimize expansion and apposition of scaffolds. Results: Between September 2012 and July 2015, 203 BVSs were implanted in 101 consecutive patients at our institution (2.01 BVSs/patient). In 66 patients, the procedure was performed under OCT guidance. In the OCT subgroup, 66 (77.6%) of the 85 treated lesions were complex (B2/C AHA/ACC type). Overall, 147 OCT pullbacks were performed and 72/147 (49.0%) pullbacks indicated the need for changing strategy. After angiography-only-guided optimisation of BVS in 27 (31.8%) lesions, an OCT examination prompted performance of a second post-expansion. This resulted in an increase in the minimal scaffold area (5.5 to 6.3 mm(2), p = 0.004) and a decrease in the incomplete scaffold apposition area (1.1 to 0.6 mm(2), p = 0.082), with no new stent fractures. When the population was divided according to the time of BVS implantation, an initial learning adaptation became evident, with the number of OCT-guided changes in strategy significantly decreasing between the initial and final time periods (p= 0.017). Conclusions: OCT guidance for BVS implantation significantly affects the procedural strategy, with favourable effects on acute results and the learning curve. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

Objective: The present study compared heart rate variability (HRV) parameters in patients with coronary artery ectasia (CAE) and coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: The study population consisted of 60 consecutive patients with CAE (14 women; mean age 51.63 +/- 7.44 years), 60 consecutive patients with CA (15 women; mean age 53.67 +/- 9.31 years), and 59 healthy individuals (13 women; mean age 52.85 +/- 8.19 years). Electrocardiograms, 24-hour Holter analyses, and routine biochemical tests were performed, and clinical characteristics were evaluated. Coronary angiography images were analyzed. Time-domain HRV parameters, including the standard deviation (SD) of normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN) and the root mean square of difference in successive normal-to-normal intervals (RMSSD) were evaluated, as were frequency-domain HRV parameters including low-frequency (LF), very low-frequency (VLF), high-frequency (HF), the proportion derived by dividing low-and high-frequency (LF/HF), and total power (TP). Results: SDNN was lower in both the CAE and CAD groups, compared to the healthy group (140.85 +/- 44.21, 96.51 +/- 31.28, and 181.05 +/- 48.67, respectively). A significant difference in RMSSD values among the groups was determined (p=0.004). Significantly decreased VLF and HF values were found in the CAE group, compared with the healthy group (VLF p

ObjectivesOptical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to investigate integrity and expansion of bioresorbable drug-eluting scaffolds (BVS) after high-pressure postdilation (HPPD). BackgroundBecause of concerns about the risk of BVS damage, postdilation was not recommended and applied in the existing randomized studies and most registries. Recent real world data suggest incomplete BVS expansion cause higher rates of thrombosis. In vivo confirmation of the safety of high pressure postdilation is of paramount importance. MethodsData from final OCT examination of consecutive implanted BVS, postdilated with noncompliant (NC) balloons at pressure 24 atm were analyzed. The following stent performance indices were assessed with OCT: mean and minimal lumen and scaffold area, residual area stenosis (RAS), incomplete strut apposition (ISA), tissue prolapse, eccentricity index (EI), symmetry index (SI), strut fractures, and edge dissections. ResultTwenty-two BVS postdilated at high pressure were analyzed. The average maximal postdilation balloon inflation (maxPD) was 283 atm. High pressure OPN NC Balloon (SIS Medical AG, Winterthur Switzerland) was used in 41% of postdilations with a maximal PD of 30 +/- 4.7 atm. Final mean and minimal lumen area were 6.8 +/- 1.4 and 5.5 +/- 1.4 mm(2), respectively. OCT showed low percentage of RAS (16 +/- 9.6%), and low percentage of ISA (1.8 +/- 2.4%). Mean EI was 0.86 +/- 0.02 and SI 0.35 +/- 0.14. OCT analysis showed one edge dissection and no scaffold fractures. ConclusionsBVS deployment optimization using HPPD does not cause BVS disruption and is associated with a good BVS expansion, low rate of strut malapposition and edge dissections. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The aim of this study is to investigate the presence of limitations in the shoulder range of motion (ROM) or the loss of upper extremity function on the affected side in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) with respect to the implantation time. Forty-nine patients (30 men and 19 women), mean age 64.84 +/- 11.18 years, who had been living with a CIED for less than 3 months were included in the short-term recipient (STR) group and 127 patients (85 men and 42 women), mean age 64.91 +/- 14.70 years, and with the device for longer than 3 months were included in the long-term recipients group. Shoulder ROMs were measured using a digital goniometer. The other arm was used as the control. The Constant-Murler Score, Shoulder Pain Disability Index, and Shoulder Disability Questionnaire were used to assess the functional status. Limitations of ROM for flexion, abduction, and internal rotation were found to be significantly lower in the arm on the side of CIED compared with the control arm. Significant differences in shoulder flexion, abduction, and external rotation in STRs were found compared with long-term recipient (P

Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm is a rare and lethal condition associated with a high risk of rapid enlargement and rupture. It develops after transmural myocardial infarction (MI), cardiac surgery, trauma, or infection. When a left ventricular pseudoaneurysm is detected, surgical repair is recommended due to the high possibility of rupture. In this report, we present surgical treatment of a giant cardiac pseudoaneurysm that occurred after MI in a colon carcinoma patient.

Background: Obesity alters endocrine and metabolic functions of adipose tissue and has been recognized as a chronic inflammatory disease, which in turn may contribute to the development of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, obesity-associated vasculopathy and cardiovascular disease. The pathogenesis of obesity involves many regulatory pathways including transcriptional regulatory networks, including microRNAs. Methods: A total of 83 patients were included in the study. Patients were recruited from a cardiology outpatient clinic and were allocated into 3 age- and sex-matched groups according to their body mass index. Group 1 included 23 morbidly obese, group 230 obese, and group 330 normal or overweight subjects. Results: In our study, we showed that miR-143 and miR-223 levels were significantly lower in groups 1 and 2 than the control group (normal BMI or overweight). Conclusions: Obesity leads to alterations in miRNA expressions and miRNA-143 and -223s can be used as biomarkers for the metabolic changes in obesity. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Coronary angiography underestimates the magnitude of the atherosclerotic burden and cannot detect the presence of disease in the early phases. Recognition of these inherent limitations of angiography has been an impetus for the development of other coronary imaging techniques. The novel near-infrared spectroscopy-intravascular ultrasound (NIRS-IVUS) catheters can detect and quantify the presence of lipid core in the atherosclerotic plaque and associate it with other features such as lumen size and plaque architecture. Lipid-rich plaques are known to pose a higher risk of distal embolization during interventions and plaque disruption. The aim of this manuscript is the review of the potential clinical and research applications of this technology as highlighted by recent studies.

Aim: The retina and ocular vasculature are vulnerable to alterations in systemic hemodynamics, such as in open heart surgeries. Our aim was to investigate retinal vascular caliber (RVC), ocular pulse amplitude (OPA), peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and macular thickness in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery patients. Methods: Twenty-six patients who had a history of CABG surgery and 26 age-sex-matched healthy participants were recruited for this prospective, cross-sectional and comparative study. The RVC, peripapillary RNFL and macular thickness measurements were taken with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. The OPA, a surrogate of pulsatile ocular blood flow, was measured with the Pascal dynamic contour tonometer. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the CABG surgery patients and the controls with regard to RVC, OPA, peripapillary RNFL thickness and macular thickness measurements (p>0.05). Conclusions: CABG surgery does not affect retinal structures and pulsatile ocular blood flow in the long-term follow-up.

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare systolic blood pressure recovery and heart rate recovery (HRR) values obtained at various time intervals after maximal graded exercise treadmill testing between patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) and the controls without MS. To our knowledge, this is the first study indicating systolic blood pressure recovery (SBPR) impairment and its relations to HRR and other variables in this group of patients. The study population included 110 patients with MS (67 men, 43 women; mean age: 46 +/- 9 years) and 110 control subjects who did not meet the criteria for MS (58 men, 52 women; mean age: 44 +/- 10 years). All patients were selected from nonobese, apparently healthy sedentary individuals who had the ability to perform maximum exercise testing. SBPR was assessed by calculating the ratio of systolic blood pressure (SBP) obtained in the third minute of the recovery period to either the peak-exercise SBP or the SBP in the first minute of the recovery period after graded exercise testing. HRR values were calculated by subtracting the HR at the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth minutes of the recovery period from the HR reached at peak exercise. There was no significant difference found between the 2 groups with respect to age and sex distribution. As expected, patients with MS had higher waist circumference, fasting plasma glucose and serum triglyceride, and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol compared with control subjects. All HRR values calculated in the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth minutes were significantly detected lower in the MS group compared with the control group (HRR 1st: 32 +/- 10 vs 36 +/- 11; P = 0.009; HRR 2nd: 47 +/- 10 vs 51 +/- 11; P = 0.02; HRR 3rd: 53 +/- 11 vs 58 +/- 12; P = 0.001; HRR 4th: 57 +/- 11 vs 64 +/- 12; P < 0.001; HRR 5th: 60 +/- 16 vs 69 +/- 15; P < 0.001). In addition, calculated mean values for SBPR1 and SBPR2 were > 1 in patients with MS (1.01 +/- 0.2 vs 0.91 +/- 0.1 and 1.01 +/- 0.1 vs 0.94 +/- 0.1) and these were statistically significant compared with the control group (P < 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively). The existence of MS was found to be the only parameter that was independently and positively related to SBPR values in the study population. Our findings suggest that only the existence of MS itself, not the presence of any MS components, is independently associated with SBPRs. We are of the opinion that significantly impaired SBPR values, in addition to the decreased HRR values observed in this group of patients, such as those with MS, may especially help identify patients with potentially increased cardiovascular risk despite normal exercise stress testing findings.

The aim of this study is to investigate the presence of limitations in the shoulder range of motion (ROM) or the loss of upper extremity function on the affected side in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) with respect to the implantation time. Forty-nine patients (30 men and 19 women), mean age 64.84±11.18 years, who had been living with a CIED for less than 3 months were included in the short-term recipient (STR) group and 127 patients (85 men and 42 women), mean age 64.91±14.70 years, and with the device for longer than 3 months were included in the long-term recipients group. Shoulder ROMs were measured using a digital goniometer. The other arm was used as the control. The Constant-Murler Score, Shoulder Pain Disability Index, and Shoulder Disability Questionnaire were used to assess the functional status. Limitations of ROM for flexion, abduction, and internal rotation were found to be significantly lower in the arm on the side of CIED compared with the control arm. Significant differences in shoulder flexion, abduction, and external rotation in STRs were found compared with long-term recipient (P

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare systolic blood pressure recovery and heart rate recovery (HRR) values obtained at various time intervals after maximal graded exercise treadmill testing between patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) and the controls without MS. To our knowledge, this is the first study indicating systolic blood pressure recovery (SBPR) impairment and its relations to HRR and other variables in this group of patients. The study population included 110 patients with MS (67 men, 43 women; mean age: 46 ± 9 years) and 110 control subjects who did not meet the criteria for MS (58 men, 52 women; mean age: 44 ± 10 years). All patients were selected from nonobese, apparently healthy sedentary individuals who had the ability to perform maximum exercise testing. SBPR was assessed by calculating the ratio of systolic blood pressure (SBP) obtained in the third minute of the recovery period to either the peak-exercise SBP or the SBP in the first minute of the recovery period after graded exercise testing. HRR values were calculated by subtracting the HR at the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth minutes of the recovery period from the HR reached at peak exercise. There was no significant difference found between the 2 groups with respect to age and sex distribution. As expected, patients with MS had higher waist circumference, fasting plasma glucose and serum triglyceride, and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol compared with control subjects. All HRR values calculated in the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth minutes were significantly detected lower in the MS group compared with the control group (HRR 1st: 32 ± 10 vs 36 ± 11; P = 0.009; HRR 2nd: 47 ± 10 vs 51 ± 11; P = 0.02; HRR 3rd: 53 ± 11 vs 58 ± 12; P = 0.001; HRR 4th: 57 ± 11 vs 64 ± 12; P < 0.001; HRR 5th: 60 ± 16 vs 69 ± 15; P < 0.001). In addition, calculated mean values for SBPR1 and SBPR2 were >1 in patients with MS (1.01 ± 0.2 vs 0.91 ± 0.1 and 1.01 ± 0.1 vs 0.94 ± 0.1) and these were statistically significant compared with the control group (P < 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively). The existence of MS was found to be the only parameter that was independently and positively related to SBPR values in the study population. Our findings suggest that only the existence of MS itself, not the presence of any MS components, is independently associated with SBPRs. We are of the opinion that significantly impaired SBPR values, in addition to the decreased HRR values observed in this group of patients, such as those with MS, may especially help identify patients with potentially increased cardiovascular risk despite normal exercise stress testing findings.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MS) refers to a group of cardiovascular risk factors associated with endothelial dysfunction and impaired coronary blood flow (CBF). Homocysteine (Hcy) is another risk factor for the development of insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction. However, the relationship between Hcy levels and CBF in patients with MS has not been investigated specifically. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between Hcy levels and CBF in MS patients with normal coronary arteries. METHODS: The study population included 36 patients with MS (20 males, 16 females; mean age = 55 ± 9 years) and 36 control subjects (20 males, 16 females; mean age = 51 ± 7 years). All subjects had angiographically proven normal coronary arteries. Plasma Hcy concentrations were evaluated after a fast of 12 h or longer. The CBF rates of all subjects were documented by the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count method. RESULTS: The TIMI frame counts for each major epicardial coronary artery and mean TIMI frame count were found to be significantly higher in the MS group compared with the control group (left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD): 53 ± 26 vs. 39 ± 17; p = 0.01, left circumflex artery (LCx): 32 ± 12 vs. 26 ± 11; p = 0.01, right coronary artery (RCA): 33 ± 14 vs. 26 ± 12; p = 0.02, mean TIMI frame count: 39 ± 16 vs. 20 ± 12; p = 0.01). Plasma Hcy levels in patients with MS were significantly higher compared with controls (MS group = 11.6 ± 4 and control group = 9.6 ± 2.6; p = 0.01). Additionally, plasma Hcy levels were positively correlated with each calculated TIMI frame count value in the MS group (LAD, r: 0.28 and p = 0.006; LCx, r: 0.25 and p = 0.022; RCA, r: 0.26 and p = 0.042; mean TIMI frame count, r: 0.28 and p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Plasma Hcy levels and TIMI frame counts were significantly higher in patients with MS. Impaired CBF in MS may be related to elevated levels of Hcy, even if Hcy levels are normal.

Summary Aim VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 are two important members of the immunoglobulin gene superfamily of adhesion molecules, and their potential role as biomarkers of diagnosis, severity and prognosis of cardiovascular disease has been investigated in a number of clinical studies. The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between circulating ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 levels and aortic stiffness in patients referred for echocardiographic examination. Methods Aortic distensibility was determined by echocardiography using systolic and diastolic aortic diameters in 63 consecutive patients referred for echocardiography. Venous samples were collected in the morning after a 12-hour overnight fast, and serum concentrations of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were measured using commercial enzyme immunoassay kits. Results Data of a total of 63 participants (mean age 55.6 ± 10.5 years, 31 male) were included in the study. Circulating levels of adhesion molecules were VCAM-1: 12.604 ± 3.904 ng/ml and ICAM-1: 45.417 ± 31.429 ng/ml. We were unable to demonstrate any correlation between indices of aortic stiffness and VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 levels. Conclusion The role of soluble adhesion molecules in cardiovascular disease has not been fully established and clinical studies show inconsistent results. Our results indicate that levels of circulating adhesion molecules cannot be used as markers of aortic stiffness in patients.

Coronary artery fistulas are the second most frequently seen coronary anomaly following abnormalities of coronary artery origin and distribution. A coronary fistula is defined as a direct communication between a coronary artery and any cardiac chamber or vessel. Treatment options include percutaneous embolization and surgical intervention. Herein, we present a case of a giant coronary artery fistula and right atrial tachycardia that was induced during a diagnostic electrophysiologic study but was not inducible after the successful treatment of the fistula. This is the first case indicating this association.

Direct communication of the right pulmonary artery and the left atrium is an extremely rare congenital malformation of the pulmonary vasculature. A 41-year-old woman with a history of cyanosis since childhood presented with mild exertional dyspnea. On physical examination, she had central cyanosis, clubbing of the fingers, and an upright position caused by orthodeoxia. Imaging studies showed a very large aneurysm in the distal right pulmonary artery with a direct communication to the left atrium. The patient underwent successful repair, with resolution of hypoxia and exertional symptoms.

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate heart rate recovery (HRR) and association between coronary flow rate and HRR in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) who had morphologically normal coronary angiogram. Methods: Study population included 43 patients with MS and 37 control subjects without MS. All patients were selected from individuals who had recently undergone coronary angiography in our hospital and were diagnosed as having angiographically normal coronary arteries. Exercise stress test results obtained prior to coronary angiography were evaluated for calculating HRR and other parameters. In addition, coronary flow was objectively evaluated for each major coronary artery in each subject using TIMI frame count method. Results: All HRR values calculated were detected significantly lower in MS group compared to controls (HRR first: 32 +/- 9 vs. 37 +/- 10; p = 0.01, second: 46 +/- 11 vs. 52 +/- 11; p = 0.03, third: 51 +/- 12 vs. 59 +/- 12; p = 0.00, fourth: 54 +/- 13 vs. 61 +/- 2; p = 0.02). TIMI frame counts for each major epicardial coronary artery and mean TIMI frame count were also found to be significantly higher in MS group compared to controls (left anterior descending artery: 51 +/- 24 vs. 39 +/- 15; p = 0.009, left circumflex artery: 32 +/- 11 vs. 24 +/- 7; p = 0.001, right coronary artery: 33 +/- 14 vs. 24 +/- 10; p = 0.003, mean TIMI frame count: 38 +/- 15 vs. 29 +/- 9; p = 0.002). Additionally, significant negative correlations were also detected between HRR first minute and coronary TIMI frame count values in patients with MS. None of MS parameters did not affect HRR values, however mean TIMI frame count independently associated with HRR first minute (p = 0.04) in patients with MS. Conclusions: Impaired coronary blood flow occurring in MS might be a clue of autonomic dysfunction in addition to previously known endothelial dysfunction.

Isolated non-compaction of the left ventricular myocardium (INVM) was first described in 1984 as an unclassified cardiomyopathy, not being dilated, hypertrophic or restrictive. It is assumed to occur as a result of an arrest in endomyocardial morphogenesis during normal development of the heart. The disease is characterised by heart failure due to systolic and diastolic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, systemic emboli and ventricular arrhythmias. Echocardiography has been shown to be the method of choice in diagnosis. INVM is a rare congenital cardiomyopathy and only a few cases of this condition have been reported. It is characterised by prominent and excessive trabeculation in a ventricular wall segment, with deep inter-trabecular spaces perfused from the ventricular cavity. We report a case of INVM with ventricular tachycardia induced during electrophysiological study in a 24-year-old female patient with a family history of sudden death.

Radiofrequency (RF) ablation of accessory bypass tracts associated with the Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome has become the treatment of choice for many arrhythmias. Complications are unusual and acute coronary artery occlusion is very rare. We here present a 38-year-old male patient with an acute occlusion of proximal left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery after RF ablation of a left free wall accessory pathway. An interesting feature is the site of the coronary artery occlusion which is remote from the RF application site. The occlusion was successfully treated with the placement of an intracoronary stent.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate heart rate recovery (HRR) and association between coronary flow rate and HRR in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) who had morphologically normal coronary angiogram. METHODS: Study population included 43 patients with MS and 37 control subjects without MS. All patients were selected from individuals who had recently undergone coronary angiography in our hospital and were diagnosed as having angiographically normal coronary arteries. Exercise stress test results obtained prior to coronary angiography were evaluated for calculating HRR and other parameters. In addition, coronary flow was objectively evaluated for each major coronary artery in each subject using TIMI frame count method. RESULTS: All HRR values calculated were detected significantly lower in MS group compared to controls (HRR first: 32 ± 9 vs. 37 ± 10; p = 0.01, second: 46 ± 11 vs. 52 ± 11; p = 0.03, third: 51 ± 12 vs. 59 ± 12; p = 0.00, fourth: 54 ± 13 vs. 61 ± 2; p = 0.02). TIMI frame counts for each major epicardial coronary artery and mean TIMI frame count were also found to be significantly higher in MS group compared to controls (left anterior descending artery:51 ± 24 vs. 39 ± 15; p = 0.009, left circumflex artery: 32 ± 11 vs. 24 ± 7; p = 0.001, right coronary artery: 33 ± 14 vs. 24 ± 10; p = 0.003, mean TIMI frame count: 38 ± 15 vs. 29 ± 9;p = 0.002). Additionally, significant negative correlations were also detected between HRR first minute and coronary TIMI frame count values in patients with MS. None of MS parameters did not affect HRR values, however mean TIMI frame count independently associated with HRR first minute (p = 0.04) in patients with MS. CONCLUSIONS: Impaired coronary blood flow occurring in MS might be a clue of autonomic dysfunction in addition to previously known endothelial dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to retrospectively investigate clinical and electrophysiologic characteristics of typical AVNRT with relatively slow tachycardia rates below the average value compared to faster ones, in patients without structural heart disease. METHODS: The present study retrospectively included a total of 1,150 patients receiving successful slow-pathway radio frequency ablation for typical slow-fast AVNRT. Patients were divided into two groups according to their tachycardia cycle length: group I included 1,018 patients with tachycardia cycle length < 400 msn and group II included 132 patients with cycle length > 400 msn. Patients with another form of arrhythmia other than typical AVNRT, the existence of structural heart disease, preexisting prolonged PR interval, history of clinically documented AF, and reasons capable of causing AF were accepted as exclusion criterias. RESULTS: The patients in group II were older than those in group 1 (p=0.039), and male ratio was significantly higher in group II compared to group I (p=0.02). Wenckebach cycle length and AV node antegrade effective refractory period values before the RF ablation were significantly higher in group II compared to group I (p=0.0001 and 0.01, respectively). Right atrium effective refractory period values in both pre- and post-ablation period were significantly higher in group I compared to group II (p=0.0001 and 0.004, respectively). The existence of atrial vulnerability before ablation was significantly higher in group II compared to group I (p=0.007); however, there was no difference between the two groups in terms of atrial vulnerability after the ablation. In addition, while the ratio of anterior location as an ablation site near the His-bundle region was significantly higher in group II, the ratio of posterior location was significantly higher in group I (p=0.0001 for both). CONCLUSION: Our experience demonstrates that clinical and electrophysiologic characteristics of AVNRT patients with relatively slower tachycardia rates were quite different compared to the faster AVNRT cases.

Objective The aim of this study is to retrospectively investigate clinical and electrophysiologic characteristics of typical AVNRT with relatively slow tachycardia rates below the average value compared to faster ones, in patients without structural heart disease. Methods The present study retrospectively included a total of 1,150 patients receiving successful slow-pathway radio frequency ablation for typical slow-fast AVNRT. Patients were divided into two groups according to their tachycardia cycle length: group I included 1,018 patients with tachycardia cycle length 400 msn. Patients with another form of arrhythmia other than typical AVNRT, the existence of structural heart disease, preexisting prolonged PR interval, history of clinically documented AF, and reasons capable of causing AF were accepted as exclusion criterias. Results The patients in group II were older than those in group 1 (p=0.039), and male ratio was significantly higher in group II compared to group I (p=0.02). Wenckebach cycle length and AV node antegrade effective refractory period values before the RF ablation were significantly higher in group II compared to group I (p=0.0001 and 0.01, respectively). Right atrium effective refractory period values in both pre- and post-ablation period were significantly higher in group I compared to group II (p=0.0001 and 0.004, respectively). The existence of atrial vulnerability before ablation was significantly higher in group II compared to group I (p=0.007); however, there was no difference between the two groups in terms of atrial vulnerability after the ablation. In addition, while the ratio of anterior location as an ablation site near the His-bundle region was significantly higher in group II, the ratio of posterior location was significantly higher in group I (p=0.0001 for both). Conclusion Our experience demonstrates that clinical and electrophysiologic characteristics of AVNRT patients with relatively slower tachycardia rates were quite different compared to the faster AVNRT cases.

Left-ventricular non-compaction (LVNC) represents an arrest in the normal process of myocardial compaction, resulting in multiple, prominent, persistant trabeculations and deep inter-trabecular recesses communicating with the ventricular cavity. LVNC is a rarely encountered cardiomyopathy and few cases have been reported in pregnancy. In this case report we present a patient who referred to our clinic with symptoms of heart failure during pregnancy and whose echocardiographic examination revealed prominent trabeculations in the left ventricle.

Background Ring annuloplasty is the standard treatment of ischemic mitral regurgitation (MR), however, it has been associated with some drawbacks. It abolishes normal annular dynamics and freezes the posterior leaflet. In the present study, we evaluated Paneth suture annuloplasty in chronic ischemic MR and both early and mid-term outcomes of the technique on a selected population. Methods The study period was from June 2010 to June 2012. We operated on 21 patients who had the diagnosis of coronary artery disease and MR of grade 3 or 4. The patients had both a coronary artery bypass operation and the mitral semicircular reduction annuloplasty described by Paneth-Burr. The data on the patients were retrospectively collected. Patients were contacted by outpatient clinic controls for mid-term results. Results The male/female ratio was 10/11. The mean age of the patients was 71.0 +/- 6.4 years. Preoperative and postoperative left ventricular ejection fraction was statistically similar (P = 0.973). Early postoperative MR grade (mean, 0.57 +/- 0.51) was statistically lower than the preoperative MR grades (mean, 3.38 +/- 0.50) (P < 0.001). There was no revision for excess bleeding. Two patients had prolonged hospitalization, one for sternal infection and the other for severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. No hospital or late postoperative deaths occurred. The mean late postoperative MR grade was 0.66 +/- 0.97 degrees. One patient had progression of MR in the later follow-up, which was treated by mitral valve replacement. Conclusion Semicircular reduction annuloplasty is an effective, inexpensive and easy surgical annuloplasty technique with low mortality and morbidity in severe symptomatic ischemic MR.

Aim of the study: According to the literature, many surgeons aim to obtain complete revascularization during coronary artery surgery. This becomes an issue when the left anterior descending (LAD) artery is diffusely diseased. This study presents the results of revascularization surgery of LAD arteries with multiple stenoses and the subsequent angiographic control examinations. Material and methods: Forty-seven patients with proximal and mid-segment left anterior descending (LAD) artery disease were included in the study. Left anterior descending arteries were bypassed with left internal mammary arteries (LIMAs). Left anterior descending arteries were longitudinally opened over the mid stenotic segments 4-5 mm distally and proximally from the stenosis. The LIMAs were then anastomosed to the LAD arteries with a running suture, using 7-0 polypropylene sutures. Thirteen patients, who provided their informed consent, were angiographically evaluated at a mean of 12.5 +/- 3.7 months after the operation (range 6-18 months). Results: The mean age of the patients was 64.1 +/- 8.9 years. The mean number of distal anastomoses was 3.5 +/- 0.9 (range 1-6). The mean length of LAD anastomoses was 1.88 +/- 0.54 cm (range 1.5-4 cm). Cardiac troponin I levels were below perioperative myocardial infarction thresholds. Mean postoperative hospitalization was 6.10 +/- 0.98 days (range 5-9 days). There was no mortality in the study group. Control angiography revealed patent bypass grafts in all patients. Conclusions: Long anastomosis to the LAD artery provides excellent mid-term patency. It is safe and effective in perfusing the proximal and distal non-stenotic segments of the LAD artery, as well as in perfusing the unoccluded side branches originating from the stenotic segments.