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INTRODUCTION: There are several studies about the mortality of the CABG patients with the importance of the inflammation. The aim of our study was to evaluate the relationship between RDW and in-hospital mortality in CABG patients. METHODS: A total of 346 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting operation were analyzed for our study. Pre-operative 2 ml blood sample was put into tubes for evaluation all patients complete blood count. All patients underwent same anesthesia protocol. The type of CABG procedure (off-pump vs on-pump CABG) was determined by the operation team. RESULTS: There was ten patients died in-hospital period (Group 1) and three hundred and thirty-six patients lived during in hospital follow up (Group 2). WBC (10.8 ± 5.2 x 103 vs 7.9 ± 2.2 x 103 p: 0.04), Neutrophil (7.3 ± 3 x 103 vs 5.1 ± 2 x 103 p: 0.03), N/L Ratio (4.8 ± 2.6 % vs 2.7 ± 1.6 % p: 0.01) and RDW (14.8 ± 1.6 % vs 13.9 ± 6.6 %, p: 0.002) values were higher in group 1 than group 2, respectively. A logistic multivariate regression analysis showed that only RDW (OR 1.860, 95% CI 1.105-3.132; p: 0.02) was an independent predictor of the development of mortality in-hospital period in CABG patients. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first report of an association between RDW and the development postoperative mortality in CABG patients.

The study aimed to examine the association between thoracic periaortic fat tissue volume and the long-term incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events.This retrospective cohort study included 433 consecutive patients (372 male and 61 female). Periaortic fat tissue volume was measured via electrocardiogram-gated 64-multidetector computed tomography. The patients were evaluated on an average 3 years of follow-up for major adverse cardiovascular events. The patients were divided into groups according to the presence of major adverse cardiovascular events.Major adverse cardiovascular events were noted in 44 (10.2 %) patients during follow-up. Periaortic fat tissue volume was significantly higher in the major adverse cardiovascular events (+) group (35.4 ± 26.1 cm(3) vs. 24.1 ± 14.9 cm(3), P = 0.001). The logistic regression model showed that periaortic fat tissue volume (hazard ratio: 1.03; 95 % CI: 1.01-1.05; P = 0.001), the glomerular filtration rate (hazard ratio: 0.98; 95 % CI: 0.96-0.99; P = 0.03), and male gender (hazard ratio: 4.76; 95 % CI: 1.08-20.90; P = 0.04) were independent predictors of major adverse cardiovascular events.Thoracic periaortic fat tissue volume may be considered a useful new parameter for predicting major adverse cardiovascular events.

Background: The aim of this study was to perform a multicenter, prospective investigation regarding the epidemiology, the current effectiveness of therapeutic anticoagulation, and the risk of thromboembolism in patients with valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) based on the records of the Atrial Fibrillation in Turkey: Epidemiologic Registry (AFTER) study. Methods: Patients were selected from a total of 2,242 consecutive admissions that presented with AF diagnosed via electrocardiogram. Those diagnosed with non-valvular AF were excluded from the AFTER study population, which left 497 patients with valvular AF for analysis. Results: The etiology of valvular AF in patients was either attributed to rheumatic mitral valve stenosis (n = 217) or possessing a prosthetic heart valve (n = 280). Out of all the patients with valvular AF, 83.1% were taking warfarin for anticoagulation. Only 36.1% demonstrated a therapeutic international normalized ratio (INR), and among those patients it was found that 19.1% exhibited a labile INR. Multivariate analysis revealed that age was the only independent predictor of thromboembolic events in patients with valvular AF. Conclusions: Many valvular AF patients are not maintained at therapeutic INR levels, which poses a threat to patient health as they age and are at greater risk for thromboembolism.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the utility of the preprocedural platelet–lymphocyte ratio (PLR) for predicting no reflow in patients undergoing primary percutaneous intervention (PCI) for the treatment of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. The thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grades of 287 patients treated with primary PCI were assessed retrospectively. Patients were divided into 3 tertiles based upon preprocedural PLR. Pre- and postprocedural TIMI flow grades were evaluated. No reflow developed in 6, 14, and 43 patients in the lower, middle, and higher tertiles, respectively ( P < .001). After multivariate analysis, PLR remained a significant predictor of no reflow together with neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR). A cutoff value of 160 for PLR and 5.9 for NLR predicted no reflow with sensitivities and specificities of 75% and 71% and 74% and 70%, respectively. In conclusion, high preprocedural PLR and NLR levels are significant and independent predictors of no reflow in patients undergoing primary PCI.

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship of echocardiographic epicardial fat thickness (EFT) and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) with different types of non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) in a clinical setting. A total of 197 consecutive patients were enrolled in the study. Seventy-one patients had paroxysmal non-valvular AF, 63 patients had persistent/permanent non-valvular AF, and 63 patients had sinus rhythm (control group). EFT was measured with echocardiography, while NLR was measured by dividing neutrophil count by lymphocyte count. EFT was significantly higher in patients with paroxysmal non-valvular AF compared with those in the sinus rhythm group (6.6 ± 0.7 vs. 5.0 ± 0.9 mm, p0.001). Persistent/permanent non-valvular AF patients had a significantly larger EFT compared with those with paroxysmal AF (8.3 ± 1.1 vs. 6.6 ± 0.7 mm, p0.001). EFT had a significant relationship with paroxysmal non-valvular AF (odds ratio 4.672, 95 % CI 2.329-9.371, p0.001) and persistent/permanent non-valvular AF (OR 24.276, 95% CI 9.285-63.474, p0.001). NLR was significantly higher in those with paroxysmal non-valvular AF compared with those in the sinus rhythm group (2.5 ± 0.6 vs. 1.8 ± 0.4, p0.001). Persistent/permanent non-valvular AF patients had a significantly larger NLR when compared with paroxysmal non-valvular AF patients (3.4 ± 0.6, vs. 2.5 ± 0.6, p0.001). NLR (2.1) had a significant relationship with non-valvular AF (OR 11.313, 95% CI 3.025-42.306, b 2.426, p0.001). EFT and NLR are highly associated with types of non-valvular AF independent of traditional risk factors. EFT measured by echocardiography and NLR appears to be related to the duration and severity of AF.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate our clinical experienceand short-term results of percutaneous closure of secundumtype atrial septal defects (ASD) in adults.Methods: We studied 71 patients (49 female, 22 male,mean age 35±14 years) undergoing percutaneous closureof ASD between January 2010-October 2012 in ourclinic. All procedures were performed under sedoanalgesiawithout balloon sizing. Clinical characteristics of patients,properties of percutaneous closure intervention,complications and short-term results are evaluated.Results: Defect diameter measured by transesophagealechocardiographic examination was 19.8±6.4 mm. Devicesize used for percutaneous closure was 24.7±6.7mm. Procedure was successfully performed in 67 patients(94%). Four patients were referred for surgery because ofprocedural failure. During procedure, a patient developedtransient 2nd degree AV block, and another developeddevice thrombosis. Residual shunt was detected in threepatients at first day control echocardiographic examination.In the follow-up of 13±8 months, no residual shunt,embolic or arrhythmic complications were observed.Conclusion: Percutaneous closure of secundum ASD isa safe and effective method with high success and lowcomplication rates in experienced centers. J Clin Exp Invest2013; 4 (1): 67-72Key words: Secundum atrial septal defect, percutaneousclosure, sedoanalgesia, transesophageal echocardiography

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to compare the effectsof infarct localization in patients with ST ElevatedMyocardial Infarction (STEMI) on the right ventricular(RV) functions by using advanced echocardiographicmethods.Materials and methods: A total of 89 patients withSTEMI were included into the study and patients weredivided to three groups as anterior, isolated-inferior andinferior+RV MI groups. In addition to standard echocardiographicmesurements, RV tissue doppler, RV EjectionFraction (RVEF), Myocardial performance index (MPI)and TAPSE measurements of all patients were performedbetween 24-72 hours after the event.Results: Compared to groups, RV functions in inferior MIwith RV involvement group were deteriorated. Tricuspidannular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) value for theinferior MI with RV involvement (19±1mm) group werelower than those for Inferior MI group without RV involvement(23±1mm) and anterior MI (23±1mm) (p

WOS: 000278211900020, PubMed: 20453387, Background: The exaggerated blood pressure response to exercise (EBPR) is an independent predictor of hypertension. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an endogenous nitric oxide inhibitor and higher plasma levels of ADMA are related to increased cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study is to identify the relationship between ADMA and EBPR. Methods and Results: A total of 66 patients (36 with EBPR and 30 as controls) were enrolled in the study. EBPR is defined as blood pressure (BP) measurements >= 200/100 mmHg during the treadmill test. All the subjects underwent 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring. L-arginine and ADMA levels were measured using a high performance lipid chromatography technique. The serum ADMA levels were increased in the EBPR group compared to the healthy controls (4.0 +/- 1.4 vs 2.6 +/- 1.1 mu mol/L respectively, P=0.001), but L-arginine levels were similar in the 2 groups (P=0.19). The serum ADMA levels were detected as an independent predictor of EBPR (odds ratio 2.28; 95% confidence interval 1.22-4.24; P=0.002). Conclusions: Serum ADMA levels might play a role in EBPR to exercise. (Circ J 2010; 74: 1135-1141)

BACKGROUND The aim of the present study was to evaluate left ventricle (LV) systolic and diastolic function, using tissue Doppler echocardiography (TDE) and color M-mode flow propagation velocity, in relation to blood glucose status in normotensive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who had no clinical evidence of heart disease. METHODS Seventy-two patients with T2DM (mean age 49.1 +/- 9.8 years) without symptoms, signs or history of heart disease and hypertension, and 50 ages matched healthy controls (mean age 46.1 +/- 9.8 years) had echocardiography. Systolic and diastolic LV functions were detected by using conventional echocardiography, TDE and mitral color M-mode flow propagation velocity (V(E)). Fasting blood glucose level (FBG) after 8 hours since eating a meal, postprandial blood glucose level (PPG), and HbA(1C) level were determined. The association of FBG, PPG and HbA(1C) with the echocardiographic parameters was investigated. RESULTS It was detected that although systolic functions of two groups were similar, diastolic functions were significantly impaired in diabetics. No relation of FBG and PPG with systolic and diastolic functions was determined. However, HbA(1C) was found to be related to diastolic parameters such as E/A, Em/Am, V(E) and E/V(E) (beta=-0.314, P = < 0.05; beta=-0.230, P < 0.05; beta=-0.602, P < 0.001, beta= 0.387, P < 0.005, respectively). In addition to HbA(1C), LV, diastolic functions were also correlated with age and diabetes duration. CONCLUSION Diastolic LV dysfunction may develop even in absence of ischemia, hypertension, and LVH in T2DM. FBG and PPG have no effect on LV functions, but HbA(1C) levels may affect diastolic parameters.

Angiographic detection of critical stenosis of left main coronary artery (LMCA) dramatically alters the patient's treatment approach. Therefore it should be examined further. This image of the LMCA may be due to sharp angulation, catheter-induced spasm or the relative stenosis due to ectatic LMCA. Operators can be avoided unnecessary revascularization procedures with further investigation. We report the image of angiographically severe stenosis of the LMCA due to a sharp angulation.

Background:The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of exercise on maximum QTc interval (QTcmax) and QTc dispersion (QTcd) in diabetic patients without clinically evident heart disease. Methods: Seventy-six diabetic patients who had no coronary artery disease or hypertension (group I; mean age 48 ± 9 years old) and 40 healthy volunteers (group II; mean age 46 ± 13 years old) were enrolled in the study. Cases with clinically evident heart disease were excluded from the study. Resting 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and maximal treadmill exercise test (according to Bruce protocol) were performed in all cases. The QTcmax interval was determined at rest (RQTcmax) and during peak exercise (PQTcmax). Also, the QTcd was measured at rest (RQTcd) and during peak exercise (PQTcd). Autonomic neuropathy was assessed by measuring the heart rate variability (HRV). Results: There was no significant difference between clinical characteristics of two groups. In group I, HRV parameters were significantly lower than group II. RQTcd, PQTcd, RQTcmax, and PQTcmax were significantly longer in group I (56 ± 16 vs 34 ± 11; P 0.05), and no significant difference was present between RQTcd and PQTcd (56 ± 16 vs 62 ± 22; P > 0.05, respectively). Conclusion: Exercise does not affect QTcd in patients with diabetes mellitus and without clinically evident heart disease.

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) that is about 150 million today is estimated to exceed 300 million by the year 2025 (1). When considered that about half of the patients remain undiagnosed, it can be seen how serious the dimensions of the disease are (2). In the patients with DM more than 90% of whom are consisted by non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM, Type 2 DM), the disease is a significant risk factor for the development of coronary artery disease (CAD) responsible for 75% of all deaths (3,4). In this group of the patients who generally require antidiabetic treatment inevitably, it is highly important to decide on an appropriate treatment due to the various cardiovascular (CV) effects of the anti-diabetics medications and drugs. In order to help establish this decision, in this review it was tried to investigate antidiabetic drugs after a general approach to CAD pathophysology in diabetic patients, especially in terms of their cardiovascular effects.

Amaç: İdiopatik Mitral Kapak Prolapsusu (MVP), mitral kapağın miksomatöz dejenerasyonuyla karakterizedir. MVPli hastalarda kardiyovasküler mortalitenin en önemli belirleyicisi Sol Ventrikül (LV) disfonksiyonudur. Bu yüzden biz izole MVP hastalarında doku doppler ekokardiyografi (TDE) ile LV fonksiyonunu değerlendirmeyi amaçladık. Metod: MVPli 25 hasta (ortalama yaş, 3112) çalışmaya MVP grubu olarak dahil edildi. Kontrol grubu ise yaş ve cinsiyet eşleştirilmiş 20 hastadan oluşturuldu (ortalama yaş, 349). LV fonksiyonları konvansiyonel ekokardiyografi ve TDE ile incelendi. Miyokardiyal zirve sistolik (Sm), erken (Em) ve geç (Am) diastolik dolum hızları, Em/Am, isovolumetrik kontraksiyon zamanı (ICT), isovolu- metrik relaksasyon zamanı (IRT) ve ejeksiyon zamanı (ET) ölçümleri inferior-septal ve lateral duvarın bazal segmentlerinden ölçüldü. Miyokardial performans indeksi (MPI) hesaplandı. Bulgular: MVPli hastaların 10unda (%40) hafif derecede mitral yetmezlik, 2sinde (%8) orta derecede mitral yetmezlik vardı. Diastolik parametreler açısından 2 grup arasında fark bulunamadı. TDEden hesaplanan MPI değerleri iki grupta tüm segmentlerde benzerdi. Sol ventrikül ortalama Sm ve lateral duvar Smde iki grup arasında anlamlı fark vardı (11.62.8 vs. 9.41.0, p0.001; 13.03.9 vs. 9.22.3, p0.001 sırasıyla). Sonuç: Belirgin mitral yetmezliği olmayan izole MVP sol ventrikül diastolik fonksiyonunu ve MPIyi etkilemez. Fakat, MVPli hastaların lateral duvar Sm ve LV ortalama Smsi MVPsi olmayanlara göre daha yüksekti., Aim: Idiopathic mitral valve prolapsus (MVP) is characterized by myx- omatous degeneration of mitral valve. The most common determinant of cardiovascular mortality in patients with MVP is left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. Therefore we aimed to evaluate LV functions of cas- es with isolated MVP by tissue Doppler echocardiography (TDE). Method: Twenty five patients with MVP (mean age, 31±12 years) were enrolled the study as MVP group. Control group was consisted 20 age and sex matched patients (mean age, 34±9 years) were enrolled to this study. LV functions were detected by using conventional echocar- diography and TDE. Myocardial peak systolic (Sm), early (Em) and late (Am) diastolic filling velocities, Em/Am, isovolumetric contraction time (ICT), isovolumetric relaxation time (IRT) and ejection time (ET) were obtained in the basal segments of the inferior-septal and lateral wall. Myocardial performance index (MPI) was calculated. Result: Mild degree mitral regurgitation was present in 10 (40%) of patients with MVP, and moderate degree mitral regurgitation was present in 2 (8%) of patients. No difference was found between the two groups with regard to diastolic parameters. TDE-derivated MPI values were similar in all segments in two groups. There was sig- nificant difference between the two groups with regard to LV mean Sm and lateral wall Sm (11.6±2.8 vs. 9.4±1.0, p0.001; 13.0±3.9 vs. 9.2±2.3, p0.001 respectively). Conclusion: Isolated MVP without significant mitral regurgitation does not affect LV diastolic functions and MPI. However, Sm of late ral wall and LV mean was higher in patients with MVP than patients without MVP.

A 43-year-old male patient was admitted to coronary intensive care unit with the diagnosis of acute inferolateral myocardial infarction and with a picture of cardiogenic shock. In physical examination, systolic blood pressure was 50 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure could not be taken. The patient was diagnosed with cardiogenic shock and was started on saline, dopamine and dobutamine infusion. His blood pressure did not increase although the dosage of positive inotropic agents was increased. A cardiac tamponade revealed with urgent echocardiographic evaluation and pericardiocentesis was carried out. Blood pressure returned to normal range within hours after pericardiosentesis. Echocardiographic examination performed on the second day of AMI on the asymptomatic patient revealed thrombosed myocardial rupture. The patient was referred to emergency surgery with the diagnosis of three-vessel disease and myocardial rupture according to urgent angiography. In the operation, the ruptured region in the ventricle free wall was primarily repaired. By-pass surgery was performed with saphenous vein graft to the LAD and CV-OM1 coronary arteries. Key words: Free wall rupture, acute myocardial infarction, treatment.

Background The genetic influence on the myocardial performance index is uncertain, so the aim of the present study was to determine the effects of polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene on the right ventricular myocardial performance index (RVMPI) after a first acute anterior myocardial infarction (MI). Methods and Results The subjects were 116 patients with a first acute anterior MI. Based on the polymorphism of the ACE gene, they were classified into 3 groups: deletion/deletion (DD) genotype (group 1, n=45), insertion/deletion (ID) genotype (group 2, n=58), insertion/insertion (II) genotype (group 3, n=13). Echocardiograms were used to determine the RVMPI, left ventricular myocardial performance index (LVMPI), tricuspid E/A, tricuspid deceleration time and the left ventricular diameter diastolic and diameter systolic (LVDd and LVDs). RVMPI and LVMPI were significantly higher in the ACE DD group. Tricuspid E/A, DT, LVDd and LVDs showed no differences among the 3 groups. Conclusion The ID polymorphism of the ACE gene may affect RVMPI and LVMPI after a first acute anterior MI. (Circ J 2005; 69: 211 - 215)

Paravalvular leak (PVL) is a common complication after surgical valve replacement. Most PVLs remain clinically silent; however, some may require reoperation due to symptomatic PVL. Surgical closure of PVL remains the most common therapy for these defects; however, redo surgery has some disadvantages, including a high recurrence rate as well as high morbidity and mortality rates. Percutaneous closure of PVLs has emerged as an alternative to surgical closure. A 42-year-old male patient underwent a second percutaneous closure due to residual mitral paravalvular leak. During the procedure, the closure device embolized in the descending aorta. The device was captured with a snare and successfully retrieved, and then PVL was successfully occluded with another device.

Atherosclerosis is a diffuse process that involves vessel structures. In recent years, the relation of noninvasive parameters such as intima-media thickening (IMT), arterial distensibility (AD), and stiffness index (SI) to cardiovascular diseases has been researched. However, we have not found any study that has included all these parameters. The aim of this study is to examine the relation between the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and its risk factors to AD, SI, and IMT, which are the noninvasive predictors of atherosclerotic process in the carotid artery. Included in the study were 180 patients who were diagnosed as having CAD by coronary angiography (those with at least ≥ 30% stenosis in the coronary arteries) and, as a control group, 53 persons who had normal appearing coronary angiographies. IMT, AD, and SI values of all the patients in the study were measured by echo-Doppler imaging (AD formula = 2 × (AoS-AoD)/PP × AoD, SI formula = (SBP/DBP)/([AoS - AoD]/AoD). Significantly increased IMT (0.82 ±0.1, 0.57 ±0.1, p < 0.05), decreased AD (0.25 ±0.9, 0.37 ±0.1, p < 0.05), and increased SI (13 ±4, 8 ±3, p < 0.05) values were detected in the CAD group compared to the control group. A significant correlation was found between IMT and presence of diabetes mellitus (DM), systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, and presence of plaque in carotids, and age. In the coronary artery disease group there was a significant correlation between AD and age, systolic blood pressure, and HDL cholesterol levels, while there was no significant correlation with plaque development. A significant correlation was also found between stiffness index and systolic blood pressure and age; however, there was no relation between number of involved vessels and IMT, AD, and SI. We found sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive and negative predictive values for CAD diagnosis to be 70%, 75%, 77%, and 66%, respectively. In CAD cases, according to data in this study, IMT and SI increased while AD decreased, and this was detected by carotid artery Doppler ultrasonography. Therefore, it was concluded that these cheaper, noninvasive, and easily available parameters could be used in early diagnosis of CAD.

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.

The authors evaluated the effects of beta blockers (metoprolol) and calcium channel blockers (diltiazem) in patients having mild to moderate mitral stenosis (MS) with sinus rhythm. Eighty patients with a complaint of dyspnea with diagnosed MS were included in this study. Patients were randomized into metoprolol and diltiazem groups. The first group received oral diltiazem treatment for 3 months following an IV dose of 25 mg diltiazem. The second group received oral metoprolol for 3 months following an IV dose of 5 mg metoprolol. All patients performed a treadmill exercise test at the beginning of and after 3 months of treatment. Transthoracic echocardiographic studies were also performed following the IV drug administration and after 3 months of treatment. In addition, oxygen uptakes of patients were measured before and after the stress and after 3 months of treatment. Decreases in peak gradient (PG) and mean transmitral gradient (MG) were observed in the metoprolol group after IV and oral metoprolol treatment. A prolongation of exercise time in treadmill exercise test (TET) and a decrease in the maximum heart rate after oral metoprolol treatment were noted. Eighteen patients in the metoprolol group had benefited symptomatically from this treatment and complaints of dyspnea were alleviated, whereas no symptomatic relief was seen in the diltiazem group. No significant prolongation was observed in effort times (p>0.05) of the diltiazem group. Transmitral gradients measured via echocardiographic examination did not change (p>0.05). With respect to oxygen uptake rates, a statistically significant decrease was determined in the metoprolol group, whereas no difference was found in diltiazem group. The authors conclude that metoprolol may be useful in patients with MS and can provide symptomatic relief. They did not observe any beneficial effect of diltiazem in these patients.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the chronic effect of rilmenidine on time domain indexes of heart rate variability in patients with mild hypertension. Twenty patients (12 males, eight females; mean age, 47 yr; age range, 38-55 yr), with untreated and newly diagnosed mild hypertension were studied. There was no evidence of diseases other than hypertension. All patients received 1 mg of rilmenidine once daily. If the diastolic blood pressure was still greater than 90 mm Hg after 4 weeks of active treatment, the dose was increased to 2 mg once daily. Twenty-four hour ambulatory electrocardiograms were recorded before, and 4 and 12 weeks after the start of therapy. Time domain parameters of heart rate variability were calculated. Rilmenidine therapy determined a marked decrease in blood pressure. At 4 weeks, rilmenidine induced a significant reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and a further reduction was observed after 12 weeks. At 4 and 12 weeks, time domain parameters of heart rate variability and heart rate were not significantly different in the data obtained before therapy. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the administration of rilmenidine to patients with mild essential hypertension induced significant reductions in blood pressure, without any significant changes in time domain parameters of heart rate variability.

We investigated the relationship between epicardial fat volume (EFV) measured by multislice computed tomography (MDCT) and long-term major adverse cardiac events (MACEs). Consecutive patients (n = 564) were enrolled in this retrospective study. Patients were divided into tertiles according to EFV. Patients were followed up for an average of 18 months. Patients in each tertile were similar in terms of gender and risk factors. Patients with greater EFV in the third group were more likely to be overweight ( P = .001) and older ( P = .001). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were relatively lower in the third tertile (45 ± 9, 45 ± 11, and 43 ± 9 mg/dL, respectively; P = .018). The third group had a significantly higher rate of myocardial infarction (0.6%, 1.1%, and 3.7%, respectively; P = .043). The incidence of MACEs during the follow-up period was highest in the third group 15.9% (4.1%, 7.7%, and 15.9%, respectively; P = .001). Epicardial fat volume measured by MDCT was associated with increased long-term cardiovascular risk.

BACKGROUND Blunted heart rate variability (HRV) and presence of ventricular late potentials (VLPs) are known to correlate with an increased risk of ventricular tachycardia and sudden cardiac death in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In the present study, we investigated the effect of glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) solution on the VLPs and HRV in AMI. METHODS Seventy-two consecutive patients with first Q wave AMI were randomized to GIK solution and placebo. HRV analysis and ambulatory electrocardiographic recordings were taken in all patients between 24 and 48 h. Sub-maximal exercise testing and echocardiography were performed and signal-averaged electrocardiography (SAECG) was recorded before discharge. RESULTS Total filtered QRS duration (FQRS: 102 +/- 7 versus 108 +/- 11 ms; P < 0.05), low-amplitude signal (LAS: 25 +/- 8 versus 32 +/- 11 ms; P < 0.01) and frequency of VLPs (21 versus 45%; P < 0.05) were found to be significantly lower while root-mean-square voltage of the terminal 40 ms of QRS (RMS-40: 45 +/- 18 versus 36 +/- 20 microV; P < 0.05), and left ventricular ejection fraction (EF: 55 +/- 6 versus 48 +/- 7; P < 0.05) were significantly higher in the GIK group when compared to placebo. During the hospital period, the presence and frequency of post-myocardial infarction angina were significantly lower in the GIK group (15 versus 29%, P < 0.05), whereas an insignificant decrease in frequency of ventricular arrhythmias was observed in these patients. On HRV analysis, there was no significant difference between two groups in either time domain (SD, SDNN, RMS-SD) or frequency domain (HF, LF, LF/HF ratio) parameters. CONCLUSION GIK solution may be beneficial to VLPs, ischaemic events, and left ventricular systolic performance in the early period of AMI. This therapy has no significant effect on HRV in AMI patients.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is accompanied by electrophysiological changes in cardiovascular system as well as those in autonomic cardiac control. Heart rate variability (HRV) is depressed due to increased sympathetic activity and/or decreased parasympathetic activity following AMI. Moreover, the frequency of ventricular late potentials (VLP) is increased due to the electrophysiological changes. Based on the hypothesis that the treatments increasing HRV and decreasing the frequency of VLP can improve the prognosis of AMI, we investigated the short-term effects of trimetazidine (TMZ) on HRV and VLP in patients with AMI.The study group consisted of 64 patients (men 49, mean age 55+/-12 years, range 26-70) suffering from first Q-wave AMI. Thirty-one of them were treated with conventional therapy (thrombolytic therapy, aspirin, beta-blocker, heparin and intravenous nitroglycerin) plus TMZ 20 mg tid. The remaining 33 patients served as controls. Holter monitorization between 24 and 48 h, echocardiography at average day 6 (range 4-7 days) and SAECG and sub-maximal exercise at average day 7 (range 6-9 days) were performed to all patients.While HRV parameters reflecting parasympathetic activity (SDSD: 43+/-16 ms-35+/-13 ms, RMSSD: 34+/-14 ms-27+/-8 ms, HF: 7.8+/-5 ms(2) -4.3+/-4 ms(2), P0.05) were of significantly higher levels in TMZ group, the low frequency component mainly reflecting sympathetic activity (LF: 10+/-6 ms(2)-10+/-5 ms(2), P0.05) was similar in both groups. In addition, LF/HF ratio showing sympatho-vagal balance was significantly decreased in TMZ group (1.5-3.0, P=0.005). About VLP, the mean FQRS (105+/-8 ms-107+/-10 ms), LAS (28+/-10 ms-30+/-11 ms) and RMS-40 (34+/-15 microV-41+/-12 microV) were not different in both two groups (P0.05).Our results suggest that TMZ treatment causes changes in sympatho-vagal balance in favor of vagal activity by increasing parasympathetic activity in AMI at early period; however, no effect on VLP was observed.

WOS: 000267414700035, PubMed: 19329336, This case report focuses on a completely asymptomatic proximal aortic dissection in a middle-aged mate smoker with bullous lung disease. The possibility of a relationship between A1-antitrypsin (A1AT) deficiency and aortic dissection is discussed in light of the recent data. (C) 2009 European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Purpose. A case of complete atrioventricular block associated with rivastigmine use is presented. Summary. A 67-year-old Turkish woman with Alzheimer’s disease was admitted to the hospital because of dizziness and syncope. Her medical history included diagnoses of hypertension (treated with amlodipine 5 mg daily) and diabetes mellitus (treated with nateglinide 120 mg daily). She had been taking both drugs for over five years. She had also been taking rivastigmine 6 mg p.o. daily for five months for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. She had experienced dizziness since the onset of rivastigmine therapy but had not reported it to any health care provider. On admission, she had a blood pressure measurement of 90/60 mm Hg and a pulse rate of 34 beats/min. A 12-lead electrocardiogram revealed complete atrioventricular block. Echocardiography results, blood electrolyte levels, and cardiac biochemical markers were normal. After initial evaluation, a temporary transvenous pacemaker was implanted via the right femoral vein. Amlodipine and rivastigmine were discontinued. On the first day of hospitalization, a coronary angiogram revealed normal coronary anatomy. Two days later, the complete atrioventricular block resolved spontaneously to sinus rhythm. Rivastigmine 6 mg p.o. daily was reinitiated, and complete atrioventricular block recurred on the fourth day of therapy. A VVI permanent pacemaker was implanted on the fifth day of hospitalization. Amlodipine and rivastigmine were reinitiated. The patient continued rivastigmine 6 mg p.o. daily after permanent pacemaker implantation. A three-month follow-up appointment revealed that no further syncope episodes or dizziness had occurred. Conclusion. A 67-year-old woman developed complete atrioventricular block after receiving rivastigmine for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

Complications of mitral valve prolapse (MVP), among which serious ventricular arrhythmia and sudden death are of major importance, affect many individuals due to the high incidence of MVP itself in the community despite the actual low incidence of these complications. The present study investigated the incidence and distribution of ventricular arrhythmias according to their severity and relationship with the QT interval and dispersion of repolarization in uncomplicated isolated MVP (IMVP) cases. Fifty-eight uncomplicated IMVP patients, 33 patients with accompanying tricuspid valve prolapse (TVP), to compare its relationship with ventricular arrhythmia, and 60 age- and sex-matched control subjects were enrolled in the study. Individuals with accompanying cardiac or systemic disease, or who were on drug therapy that could potentially affect QT characteristics, were excluded. The incidence of ventricular arrhythmia was 48% in the IMVP group and 64% in the TVP group; the difference was statistically insignificant. In addition, the differences of the QT and Q peak T values were insignificant, whereas QT dispersion (QTd) and Q peak T dispersion (QpeakTd) values were significantly higher in the patient group (60+/-14, 54+/-14 ms, respectively) compared with the control group (42+/-10, 38+/-10 ms, respectively, p0.001). Complex ventricular arrhythmias (Lown Gradeor =III) in the IMVP group had a significant relationship with QTd and QpeakTd (p0.001), but not with QT or QpeakT. As a result of the study, it is concluded that TVP accompanying MVP does not increase the incidence of ventricular arrhythmia, that ventricular arrhythmia is related to QT dispersion rather than QT interval in IMVP, that the QT dispersion is a fairly good marker for identifying the high-risk group for serious ventricular arrhythmia and sudden death, and that QpeakT dispersion measurement is an additional indicator that could be an alternative when QT is difficult to determine in conditions such as high heart rate or the presence of U wave.

We present a 44-year-old female patient with anterior myocardial infarction caused by embolization from mitral valve prosthesis due to inadequate anticoagulation. The patient underwent a cardiac catheterization within the 1st hour of arrival. The angiography showed total occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery after the second diagonal branch. Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and stenting were performed, and coronary artery perfusion was restored. The pain disappeared completely immediately after this intervention. Transthoracic echocardiography shortly after this intervention showed normal prosthetic valve function and no thrombus. Transesophageal echocardiography performed 2 days later revealed no thrombus at the prosthetic valve. In conclusion, this case demonstrated that coronary embolism may occur even without prosthetic valve thrombus or dysfunction with suboptimal International Normalized Ratio levels, and can be successfully treated with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and stenting.

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.

Amaç: Bu çalışmada kliniğimizdeki romatizmal mitral darlıklı (MD) erişkin hastalara uygulanan perkütan mitral balon valvüloplastinin (PMBV) erken dönem klinik, ekokardiyografik ve hemodinamik sonuçlarını değerlendirmeyi amaçladık. Yöntemler: Kliniğimizde Ocak 2010-Ekim 2014 tarihleri arasında orta ya da ciddi MD nedeniyle PMBV uygulanan 53 hasta (49 kadın, 5 erkek; ortalama yaş 38±11 yıl) geriye dönük olarak değerlendirildi. İşlem başarısı, işlem sonrası mitral kapak alanının (MKA) >1,5 cm2 olması ve 3. derece mitral yetersizlik (MY) olmaması olarak kabul edildi. Bulgular: Toplam 53 hastadan 48’inde (%91) PMBV işlemi uygulanabildi ve tamamlanabilen tüm işlemler başarılı oldu. Hastalardan 3’üne kapak geçilememesi, 1’ine membranöz obstrüktif vena kava, 1’ine de septostomi yapılamaması nedeniyle PMBV uygulanamadı. Başarılı PMBV uygulanan 2 hastaya ortalama 14 ay sonra semptomatik orta-ciddi MD nedeniyle mitral kapak replasmanı yapıldı. Ortalama 13±8 ay boyunca izlenen hastalarda atrial fibrilasyon gelişmesi veya embolik komplikasyonlar izlenmedi. Sonuç: Perkütan mitral balon valvüloplasti işlemi deneyimli merkezlerde yüksek başarı ve düşük komplikasyon oranları ile etkin ve güvenli bir tedavi yaklaşımıdır. Objective: We sought to analyze short-term clinical, echocardiographic, and hemodynamic consequences of percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty (PMBV) in the treatment of rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS) in our clinic. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 53 patients (49 females, 5 males; mean age 38±11 years) who underwent PMBV for moderate or severe MS between January 2010 and October 2014. Procedural success was defined as the reaching a mitral valve area (MVA) >1.5 cm2 and absence of grade 3 mitral regurgitation. Results: We were able to perform PMBV in 48 of 53 patients (91%) and all the procedures that were completed were successful. PMBV couldn’t be performed in 3 patients due to inability to pass the mitral valve, 1 patient due to membranous obstructive vena cava and 1 patient due inability to perform septostomi. Two patients who underwent successful PMBV became symptomatic after an average of 14 months follow-up and mitral valve replacement was performed due to moderate-to-severe MS. Patients were followed for an average of 13 ± 8 months and atrial fibrillation development or embolic complications were not observed. Conclusion: Percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty procedure is a safe and effective treatment approach with high success and low complication rates in experienced centers.

Introduction: Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic infl ammatory disease which may be associated with cardiovascular complications. The aim of the study was to investigate aortic elastic properties and serum asymetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels in patients with ankylosing spondylitis without any cardiac involvement. Patients and Methods: Fifty-fi ve ankylosing spondylitis patients and 30 age/gender matched healthy subjects were enrolled into this study. Fasting glucose, serum lipids, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and ADMA were studied. Aortic strain, distensibility and stiffness index were calculated from aortic diameters measured by transthoracic echocardiography and simultaneous blood pressure measurements. Results: ESR and CRP were higher in patients group. Serum ADMA levels were also higher in ankylosing spondylitis than in controls (0.76 ± 0.19 vs. 0.55 ± 0.12, p< 0.001). In subgroup analysis, ADMA was signifi cantly lower in anti-TNF-alfa treatment group than conventional treatment group (0.68 ± 0.15 vs. 0.87 ± 0.18, p< 0.001). Mean aortic strain and distensibility were lower and stiffness index was higher in ankylosing spondylitis group than controls. No correlation between ADMA and aortic elastic properties was observed. In ankylosing spondylitis group, a negative signifi cant correlation was found between duration of ankylosing spondylitis and aortic strain and distensibility. Conclusion: Our study suggest that patients with ankylosing spondylitis without cardiac involvement, aortic elasticity was impaired and ADMA levels were increased, while there was no signifi cant correlation between aortic elastic properties and ADMA levels., Giriş: Ankilozan spondilit kronik infl amatuvar bir hastalık olup, kardiyovasküler komplikasyonlarla ilişkili olabilmektedir. Bu çalışmada amacımız, kardiyak tutulum olmayan ankilozan spondilit hastalarında aortun elastik özellikleri ile serum asimetrik dimetilarjinin (ADMA) düzeylerinin araştırılmasıdır. Hastalar ve Yöntem: Elli beş ankilozan spondilit hastasıyla benzer yaş ve cinsiyette 30 sağlıklı birey çalışmaya alındı. Açlık glukoz, serum lipidleri, C-reaktif protein (CRP), eritrosit sedimentasyon hızı (ESH) ve ADMA düzeyleri çalışıldı. Aortik strain, distensibilite ve sertlik indeksi transtorasik ekokardiyografi de aort çapı ölçümleri ve eş zamanlı kan basıncı ölçümleriyle hesaplandı. Bulgular: Ankilozan spondilit grubunda ESH ve CRP düzeyleri yüksekti. Serum ADMA düzeyleri ankilozan spondilit grubunda kontrol grubuna göre anlamlı olarak yüksekti (0.76 ± 0.19 ve 0.55 ± 0.12, p< 0.001). Alt grup analizinde, anti-TNF-alfa tedavisi alan grupta konvansiyonel tedavi grubuna göre daha düşük ADMA düzeyi ölçüldü (0.68 ± 0.15 ve 0.87 ± 0.18, p< 0.001). Ortalama aortik strain ve distensibilite değerleri ankilozan spondilit grubunda daha düşük iken, sertlik indeksi daha yüksek saptandı. Korelasyon analizinde ADMA düzeyleri ile aortun elastik özellikleri arasında ilişki izlenmezken, ankilozan spondilit grubunda hastalık süresi ile aortik strain ve distensibilite arasında ters yönde anlamlı korelasyon izlendi. Sonuç: Çalışmamızda elde ettiğimiz sonuçlar kardiyak tutulumun olmadığı ankilozan spondilit hastalarında aortik elastisitenin bozulduğunu ve ADMA düzeylerinin arttığını göstermektedir. Ayrıca, aortun elastik özellikleri ile ADMA düzeyleri arasında anlamlı ilişki saptanamamıştır.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between red cell distribution width (RDW) and Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score in patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP) and non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). We retrospectively enrolled 193 patients with UAP/NSTEMI (mean age 63.6 ± 12.6 years; men 57%) in this study. Higher RDW values were associated with increased in-hospital mortality (P = .001). There is a significant correlation between RDW and GRACE score ( P < .001). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, RDW was found to be an independent predictor of high GRACE score (odds ratio: 1.513, 95% confidence interval: 1.116-2.051, P = .008). A cutoff value of >15.74 for RDW predicted high GRACE score, with a 64% sensitivity and 65% specificity. Our study results demonstrated that high RDW was an independent predictor of high GRACE score, and it is associated with in-hospital mortality in UAP/NSTEMI.

WOS: 000324268900016, PubMed: 23677730, Background: AFTER (Atrial Fibrillation in Turkey: Epidemiologic Registry) is a prospective, multicenter study designed with the aim of describing the prevalence and epidemiology of AF practice in Turkey. This study aims to evaluate stroke risk in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) and anticoagulant drug utilization within conformity to AF guidelines. Methods: Patients were recruited in 17 referral hospitals reflecting all the population of 7 geographical regions of Turkey. 2242 consecutive patients who had been admitted with AF on ECG were included in the study. 1745 of these patients, who had non-valvular AF, were included in the statistical evaluation. Stroke risk was evaluated with the CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score. Results: The average age of participants was determined to be 69.2 +/- 11.5 years (56% female). Persistent-permanent AF was found to be the most common type of non-valvular AF (78%). The most common comorbid disorder was hypertension (73%). It was found that oral anticoagulant therapy was used by 40% of all patients, 37% of whom had effective INR (2.0-3.0). Upon multivariate analysis, age was found to be the only independent predictor of stroke among the variables' effects on thromboembolic events that created CHA2DS2-VASc abbreviations (OR 1.026, p < 0.001). Conclusions: These results suggest that stroke risk scores should be thoroughly heeded based on guidelines, and that anticoagulation must be applied according to their guidance.

Acute cardiac tamponade requires urgent diagnosis andtreatment. We report a case of a 43-year-old man whowas receiving warfarin treatment for 8 months followingmitral valve replacement. The patient had complaint ofdyspnea and fatigue for a few days. Cardiac tamponadewas diagnosed, and the INR at that time was 10.4. Urgentpericardiocentesis were undertaken and 1400 ml of pericardialblood was drained. Following surgery the patient’srecovery was uneventful. An intravenous vitamin K injectionand fresh frozen plasma transfusion were administeredto reverse the patient’s over-anticoagulated state.The final pathology revealed chronic inflammation andthere was no malignancy, and no bacteria or mycobacteriumwere seen. Emergency physicians should rememberthat over-anticoagulation with warfarin may contribute tocertain complications, including hemopericardium, andthat strict control of target INR should be the goal for patientswho require continuous warfarin treatment. J ClinExp Invest 2013; 4 (2): 229-233Key words: Hemopericardium, tamponade, oral anticoagulation,warfarin, echocardiography

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an important health problem in Turkey. However, no prospective, multicenter, large trial reflecting national data has been published so far. Therefore, the aim of this study was to follow, analyze and evaluate patients with AF in a large multicenter nation-wide trial.Two thousand three hundred consecutive patients with AF in their electrocardiogram, reflecting all the population of seven geographical regions of Turkey will be included in the study. The patients will be followed up for two years and death, transient ischemic attack, stroke, systemic thromboembolism, major bleeding, hospitalization will be recorded as the primary end-point.Will be available at the end of the study; preliminary results will be due December 2012.General risk profile of patients with AF, frequency of anticoagulation, frequency of effective treatment and risks of bleeding will be evaluated according to the current guidelines. Major adverse events and their independent predictors will be determined.AMAÇ: Atriyal fibrilasyon (AF) ülkemiz için önemli bir sağlık sorunudur. Ülkemizde ileriye dönük, çok merkezli ve ülke epidemiyolojisini yansıtan ölçekte herhangi bir çalışma mevcut değildir. Bu çalışmayla ülkemizde çok merkezli bir çalışmada AF hastalarının epidemiyolojik verilerinin öne dönük olarak analizi, takibi ve değerlendirilmesi amaçlandı. YÖNTEMLER: Ülkemizden yedi coğrafi bölgeye ait nüfusu yansıtacak şekilde elektrokardiyografisinde en az bir defa AF atağı tespit edilmiş olan ardışık 2300 hasta çalışmaya alınacaktır. Hastalar ikinci yılın sonunda majör kardiyak sonlanım noktaları (ölüm, geçici iskemik atak, inme, sistemik tromboembolizm, major kanama ve hastane yatışı) açısından değerlendirilecektir. BULGULAR: Çalışma sonunda elde edilecektir. İlk bulguların Aralık 2012 tarihinde elde edilmesi planlanmaktadır. SONUÇ: AFTER (Atrial Fibrillation in Turkey: Epidemiologic Registry) çalışması ile kılavuzların önerileri doğrultusunda ülkemizdeki AF hastalarının genel risk profili, oral antikoagülan tedavi kullanım sıklığı, tedavi alan hastalarda hedef INR değerlerine ulaşılıp ulaşılmadığı ve hastaların kanama riskleri belirlenecektir. Çalışma sonunda ülkemizde AF’li hastalarda majör istenmeyen olay sıklığı ve bu olayların bağımsız belirteçleri de belirlenecektir.

PMID: 24164991 Objectives: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is composed of a heterogeneous group of disorders marked by increased pulmonary artery resistance leading to right heart failure, with high mortality. Evidence is increasing to propose that inflammation plays a significant role in the pathophysiological mechanism. Increased prevalence of PH in patients with systemic inflammatory diseases is already known. Herein, we sought to evaluate the association between neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (N/L ratio) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Study design: Twenty-five patients with PAH and 25 controls were evaluated. Baseline clinical and echocardiographic variables were obtained. Complete blood counts in all patients and controls were reviewed retrospectively. Results: The N/L ratio was higher in patients with PAH compared to healthy volunteers (p=0.05). A cut-off value of 1.65 for N/L ratio predicted the presence of PAH with 72% sensitivity and 69% specificity. After multivariate analysis, only N/L ratio remained a significant predictor of PAH. Conclusion: We showed for the first time that N/L ratio was significantly increased in patients with PAH compared to controls. Amaç: Pulmoner hipertansiyon (PH) sağ ventrikül yetersizliği ve yüksek mortalite ile seyreden artmış pulmoner arter direnci ile kendini gösteren heterojen bir hastalık grubundan oluşur. Son zamanlarda patofizyolojik mekanizmada enflamasyonun merkezi bir rolü olduğu ile ilgili kanıtlar artmaktadır. Sistemik enflamatuvar hastalıklarda PH prevalansının artmış olduğu zaten bilinmektedir. Bu çalışmada, nötrofil/lenfosit oranı (N/L oranı) ile pulmoner arter hipertansiyonu (PAH) arasındaki ilişki değerlendirildi. Çalışma planı: Pulmoner arter hipertansiyonu bulunan 25 hasta ve sağlıklı 25 gönüllüden oluşan kontrol grubu değerlendirildi. Bazal klinik ve ekokardiyografik bulgular kaydedildi. Tüm hasta ve kontrol grubunun tam kan sayımları geriye dönük olarak değerlendirildi. Bulgular: Nötrofil/lenfosit oranı kontrol grubuna göre PAH’lı hastalarda daha yüksekti (p=0.05). N/L oranının 1.65 eşik değeri PAH varlığını %72 duyarlılık ve %69 özgüllük ile öngörmekteydi. Çok değişkenli analizden sonra sadece N/L oranının PAH’ın anlamlı öngördürücüsü olarak kaldığı saptandı. Sonuç: Nötrofil/lenfosit oranının kontrol grubuna göre PAH’lı hastalarda daha yüksek olduğu gösterildi.

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.

Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a marker of platelet activation. An increased MPV is associated with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and long-term mortality. The aim of this study was to compare MPV in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Also, we investigated the value of MPV on in-hospital mortality and long-term prognosis of patients with STEMI and NSTEMI. We studied 429 patients with AMI (70.4% male, 61.9 ± 12.4 years; 279 patients with STEMI, 150 patients with NSTEMI). MPV and platelet count were similar in both groups. Elevated MPV increased the risk of death by 3.1-fold (p0.001) in STEMI group during the hospitalization. However, increased MPV was not associated with in-hospital mortality in NSTEMI group. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of MPV was 0.868 (95% CI, 0.830-0.907) for predicting two-year mortality. A cut-off point of 11.1 fL showed a sensitivity of 81% and a specifity of 77% for prediction of two-year mortality. Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed two-year mortality rate of 12.5% in patients with MPV11.1 fL versus 9.9% in patients with MPV11.1 fL (p0.001). Cox regression analysis showed MPV to be an independent predictor of two-year mortality (Hazard ratio 1.7; 95% CI 1.5-1.9; p0.001). An increased MPV is an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality in patients with STEMI. However, elevated levels of MPV did not predict in hospital mortality in NSTEMI group. The increase in MPV values was independently correlated with two-year mortality in all study patients.

Koc, Fatih/0000-0002-0222-3932 WOS: 000276310100007 PubMed: 20070247 Objective. Wide pulse pressure (PP) affects the accuracy of oscillometric blood pressure measurements (OBPM): however, the degree of this impact on different patient groups with wide PPs is unclear. This study will investigate the accuracy of OBPM in achieving target BP and PP in isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) group compared with mixed hypertension (MHT) group. Method. A total of 115 patients (70 with ISH and 45 with MHT) were enrolled in the study. Upper arm and wrist OBPM, obtained by OmronM3 and OmronR6 devices respectively, were compared with the simultaneously measured values from the ascending aorta. The ISH was defined as a systolic blood pressure (SBP) >= 140 mmHg and a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) < 90 mmHg. MHT was defined as a SBP >= 140 mmHg and a DBP >= 90 mmHg. Results. The mean central arterial blood pressure (BP) and central PP were higher in the ISH group than those in the MHT group. The upper arm OBPM underestimated the central SBP in two groups (-5 mmHg, -3 mmHg, p=0.5, respectively), but overestimated DBP in the ISH group compared with MHT patients (6.8 mmHg, 1 mmHg, p=0.04, respectively). Wrist OBPM similarly underestimated to the central SBP in each group (-16 mmHg, -19 mmHg, p=0.15), whereas the sum of overestimation of DBP was significantly higher in the ISH than in the MHT group (+6 mmHg, - 1 mmHg, p=0.001, respectively). Also, each of the devices underestimated the central PP in the ISH group (about 10 mmHg) as being higher than that of the MHT group. Conclusion. Oscillometric devices may be used for self-BP measurement in patients with ISH without clinically important disadvantages compared with the patients with MHT. For PP measurement in patients with ISH, there were substantial differences between intra-arterial and indirect arm BP measurements.

WOS: 000246882800012, PubMed: 17526984, Background P-wave dispersion (PD), a measure of heterogeneity of atrial refractoriness, is defined as the difference between the minimum (P min) and maximum P-wave (P max) durations on standard 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG). Increase in PD shows the intra-atrial and inter-atrial non-uniform conduction. In the present study the evaluation of the effect of diabetes mellitus (DM) on PD in patients without coronary artery disease and hypertension was carried out. Methods and Results Seventy-six diabetic patients who had no coronary artery disease or hypertension (group 1; mean age 48 +/- 9) and 40 healthy volunteer individuals (group2; mean age 46 +/- 13) were enrolled in the study. After obtaining 12-lead surface ECG of all cases, P max and P min P-wave durations were measured and the differences between them were taken as PD (PD=P max-P min). Left atrium diameter, left ventricular end systolic and end diastolic diameters were measured and left ventricular ejection fraction was determined by echocardiography. Pulse wave mitral flow velocities were measured from the apical 4-chamber view. Mitral early diastolic velocity (E), late diastolic velocity (A), E/A, E deceleration time and isovolumetric relaxation time were determined. In comparison of the 2 groups there was no statistically significant difference among age, sex, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, resting heart rate and body mass index of the cases. Although PD and P max were significantly higher in diabetic patients, there was no difference between P min values (33 12 vs 28 +/- 10, p=0.02; 99 +/- 12 vs 93 +/- 10, p=0.011; 66 +/- 9 vs 65 +/- 10, p=NS; respectively). Conclusions DM might increase PD, even without ischemia, hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy.

BACKGROUND The development of left ventricular remodeling after acute myocardial infarction is a predictor of heart failure and mortality. The genetic influence on cardiac remodeling in the early period after acute myocardial infarction, is however, unclear. The aim ofthis study was to investigate the relationship between angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism and left ventricular remodeling in the early period in patients with anterior myocardial infarction. METHOD The study population consisted of 142 patients with their first attack of acute anterior myocardial infarction. Echocardiographic examinations were performed within 24 h of the first attack (first evaluation) and on the fifth day of acute myocardial infarction (second evaluation). Left ventricular end systolic and diastolic diameters, left ventricular end systolic and diastolic volumes, ejection fraction, mitral flow velocities (E, A, E/A), deceleration time, isovolumic relaxation time and myocardial performance index were calculated. ACE I/D polymorphism was determined using polymerase chain reaction amplification. RESULTS On the basis of polymorphism of the ACE gene, the patients were classified into the three groups: group 1, deletion/deletion (n=59) genotype, group 2 insertion/deletion (n=69), and group 3 insertion/insertion (n=14) genotype. When the first and second sets of echocardiographic results of the groups were compared, all parameters were not different among three groups. In group analysis, Left ventricular systolic diameters, left ventricular diastolic diameters, left ventricular end diastolic diameters, left ventricular ejection fraction and myocardial performance index between first and second echocardiographic results were significantly different in deletion/deletion group and only myocardial performance index and left ventricular ejection fraction in insertion/deletion group (P

The authors investigated the relationship between the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism and the blood flow characteristics of common carotid (CCA) and brachial arteries (BA) by color Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) in patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction (AAMI). Sixty four patients (11 women and 53 men), aged 25 to 77 years, with AAMI were studied. The ACE genotypes were established. Peak-systolic (PSV) and end-diastolic velocity (EDV) of right and left CCA, PSV of right BA, and intimal-medial thickness (IMT) of both CCAs were measured by CDUS. All results were evaluated statistically. The ACE genotypes were distributed as follows: 43.8% DD, 43.8% ID, and 12.5% II. PSVs of BA and both CCAs were lower in patients with DD and ID than with II (p0.05). IMTs of both CCAs did not differ among patients with various ACE genotypes (p>0.05). These results suggest that ACE I/D polymorphism influences Doppler blood flow parameters of both BA and CCA, but does not affect IMT of CCA.

WOS: 000240908400007, PubMed: 16998258, Background Although there have been several association studies of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R, A/C1166) gene polymorphism in clinical endpoints such as myocardial infarction (MI), hypertension, aortic stiffness, and left ventricular mass, the relationship between AT1R polymorphism and biventricular function in acute anterior MI has not been studied before. Methods and Results The study group comprised 132 consecutive patients who were admitted to the coronary care unit with their first acute anterior MI. Systolic and diastolic diameters, volumes, inflow properties, ejection fraction and myocardial performance index of both ventricles were measured. AT1R polymorphism was determined using polymerase chain reaction amplification. Based on A/C1166 polymorphism of ATIR, the patients were classified into 3 groups: group 1, A/A (n=91) genotype, group 2 A/C (n=28), and group 3 C/C (n=13) genotype. When the left ventricular and right ventricular echocardiographic functions were compared, all parameters of the 3 groups were found to be similar. No difference was detected in either the genotype distribution or allele frequencies between the patients and the controls for AT1R. Conclusions The results suggest that A/C1166 polymorphism of AT1R did not influence the risk of either acute MI or biventricular function after anterior MI.

OP-060 Red cell distribution width (RDW), is an independent predictor of mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease. This study evaluated the relationship between RDW and Calculation of the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score with in-hospital death in patients with

The etiology of Behçet’s disease, a systemic vasculitis, is unknown. Vascular involvement may be seen in 25% of patients with Behçet’s disease. Vasculitis make the prognosis of Behçet's disease severe. The aim of this study is to examine the structural and functional changes and relations of these changes with progression and prognosis of Behçet’s disease. For this purpose, 40 patients with Behçet’s disease and 40 healthy volunteer control subjects were analyzed, additionally patients with Behçet’s disease were divided into 2 subgroups as those with vascular complications and those without vascular complications. Intima-media thickness and arterial distensibility were measured in all subjects with carotid artery ultrasonography. Carotid artery distensibility was significantly lower in the patient group compared to the control group (0.67 ±0.2, 0.93 ±0.4, p0.05). There was a significant negative linear regression between arterial distensibility and systolic blood pressure (SBP) (B=-1x10-2, p-3 for SBP, p-3 for DBP, p-3 for PP, p