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Objective: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between blood pressure, left ventricular (LV) mass, and systolic function in American football (AF) players in Türkiye using deformation imaging and to compare it with conventional echocardiographic methods. Methods: AF players admitted to the Gazi University, Cardiology Unit between January 2021 and May 2023 were included in our study. The players were grouped as linemen or non-linemen according to their field positions. LV mass and ejection fraction (EF) were assessed using blood pressure measurements and conventional methods. Deformation analysis was performed by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography, and LV torsion and global longitudinal strain values were calculated. Deformation analyses were compared with blood pressure and LV EF. Results: Players in the lineman position had higher blood pressure measurements. Although both groups of players had similar and intact LV EF values, players in the lineman position had significant changes in LV mass, LV global longitudinal strain, and LV torsion in relation to blood pressure measurements. Conclusion: AF players are at risk of hypertension. LV hypertrophy due to hypertension causes systolic dysfunction. Deformation analysis methods can detect subclinical myocardial damage even if the EF is intact.

Background: Fibulin 1 and Fibulin 2 are members of the extracellular matrix (ECM) glycoprotein family. ECMs drive prognosis through remodeling, a key step in the pathogenesis of heart failure (HF). We aimed to compare Fibulin 1 and 2 levels in different stages of HF and to investigate their relationship with other prognostic factors of HF. Methods: Patients with HF were divided into two groups according to left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF): reduced and non-reduced LVEF. The control and patient groups consisted of individuals with Stages A and B HF, Stages C and D HF, respectively. Fibulin levels were measured at different stages of HF and in the control group. Additionally, Fibulin levels were measured at admission, discharge, and in the first month in patients who were hospitalized due to decompensated HF. Results: Serum Fibulin 1 and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels were significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group. Serum Fibulin 2 levels were similar between the groups. Although serum Fibulin 2 levels were similar at repeated measurements, serum Fibulin 1 and NT-proBNP levels significantly decreased at discharge and remained similar at 1 month compared with admission. There was a significant positive correlation between Fibulin 1 and NT-proBNP levels and a significant negative correlation between Fibulin 1 levels and LVEF. Fibulin 2 levels were not correlated with LVEF and NT-proBNP. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that serum Fibulin 1 levels differ among different HF stages and have a similar temporal change as observed for NT-proBNP levels. A similar association was not observed for Fibulin 2 in our study.

Objective: Malignant pericardial effusion may affect almost 15 of the patients with underlying malignancies which deteriorates the prognosis. The prognostic significance of pericardial fluid cytology is under-represented in previous studies. Methods: A total of 73 patients with symptomatic pericardial effusion treated with pericardiocentesis were included in this retrospective analysis. Macroscopic appearance, biochemical features, and cytological findings were obtained. Patients were divided into 3 groups: (i) without malignancy, (ii) with malignancy and negative cytology, and (iii) with malignancy and positive cytology. Survival data were searched via governmental death notification system. Results: Mean age of the study group was 62 +- 15, and 54% (40) of the patients were female. On the cytological evaluation, 17 patients (23.3%) revealed positive cancer cytology, whereas 56 patients (76.7%) revealed negative cancer cytology. The median follow-up period was 840 days, and 34 patients (46.5%) died during follow-up. The survival rate of Group 3 was found to be significantly worse compared to Groups 1 and 2, no statistical difference was found between Groups 1 and 2 in terms of survival ( Group 1 vs. Group 2 P =.078; Group 1 vs. Group 3 P

Background: The clinical importance of supraventricular run (SVR) is uncertain in the management of patients with previous cerebrovascular events. We aim to evaluate the role of SVRs in the development of future atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients diagnosed with ischemic stroke. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated patients who underwent 24-h Holter monitoring for the evaluation of possible AF after ischemic cerebrovascular events. The presence and duration of SVR were noted. Subsequent diagnosis of AF was searched in patients with sinus rhythm. Results: A total of 694 patients were included in the analysis. SVR was detected in 104 (14.9%) patients in the study group. Seventy-one (10.2%) patients were diagnosed with AF in the follow-up. SVRs were more prevalent among patients with AF (P < 0.001). The median atrial run duration was 5.96 (2.02–17.84) s in the AF absent group vs. 8.76 (3.78–17.62) s in the AF present group (P < 0.001). The best predictive cut-off duration of an atrial run was 8 s (sensitivity = 61.5% and specificity = 74.4%, Area Under Curve (AUC) = 0.708). Cox regression analysis showed that age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00–1.060, P = 0.020), presence of short supraventricular run (OR: 2.53, 95% CI 1.40–4.57, P = 0.002), and left atrial diameter (OR: 1.13 95% CI: 1.07–1.19, P < 0.001) were the independent predictors of AF development in the follow-up. Conclusion: Age, left atrial diameter, and the presence of SVRs are associated with an increased risk of future AF after ischemic stroke. SVR duration may be an important parameter in risk stratification.

Aims:Cardiac dysautonomia and arrhythmias can occur in chronic inflammatory conditions such as familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). The aim of this study was to evaluate the cardiac autonomic functions in patients with FMF.Methods:This was a retrospective case-control study. Electrocardiography (ECG) and 24-hour Holter ECG recordings were obtained from the medical records. T-peak to T-end intervals (Tp-e) and Tp-e/corrected QT (QTc) ratio were calculated on ECG. Heart rate variability (HRV) parameters and heart rate turbulence (HRT) parameters including turbulence onset (TO) and turbulence slope (TS) were evaluated using the 24-hour Holter ECG. All subjects were divided into three groups according to HRT parameters (HRT-0: normal TO and TS; HRT-1: abnormal TS or TO; and HRT-2: abnormal TO and TS).Results:The study included 115 individuals (age, years, mean±standard deviation: 34.5±9.6 years, 57% female, 61 FMF patients and 54 controls). Patients with FMF exhibited an increased ratio of Tp-e, Tp-e/QTc ratio (p0.264, p