Search

Aim: Multiple sclerosis (MS), which is inflammatory in its pathogenesis, damages the myelin sheath in the central nervous system (CNS) and causes axonal loss. Epicardial fat tissue (EFT), located between the myocardium and the visceral layer of the pericardium, surrounds the heart and several inflammatory cytokines is secreted from this tissue. In this study, we aimed to investigate EFT thickness in MS patients and compared with that of volunteer non-MS subjects. Methods: A total of 154 subjects comprising 61 MS patients and 93 volunteers matched for gender and age were included in our study. Epicardial fat tissue thickness was measured by echocardiography. All values were compared between groups. Results: Echocardiographic parameters were similar in both groups. However, the mean EFT thickness was significantly higher in the MS group than in the control group (p

Aim: The prognostic value of blood pressure and the association between these parameters and cardiovascular conditions have been established in literature. In this study, we aimed to investigate the correlation between peripheral blood pressure parameters with degree of coronary collateral development (CCD) in stable coronary artery disease (CAD) subjects with established critical artery stenosis. Methods: A total of 363 patients with stable angina pectoris undergoing coronary arteriography were enrolled and divided on the basis of the development of CCD into two groups: group with adequate CCD (n=120) and group with inadequate CCD (n=243). Peripheral blood pressure parameters were evaluated before coronary arteriography. Results: Peripheral diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) levels were significantly higher in the inadequate CCC group (81.5±10.7 vs 77.9±9.9 p=0.02 and 100.6±11.8 vs 96.6±9.3 99,8mmHG, sensitivity and specificity of MAP were 57% and 69%, respectively. At the cut-off value of >79,5 mmHg, sensitivity and specificity of DAP were 72% and 42%, respectively. Conclusion: The present study suggests that Peripheral DBP and MAP levels may be associated with degree of collateral development in chronic stable CAD. Low peripheral DBP and MAP in the case of severe coronary stenosis in stable CAD may be an important stimulus for coronary collateral development.