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Idiopathic pulmonary hypertension(IPAH) is a rare disease that causes severe morbidity and mortality despite advances in treatment management. Evaluating the prognosis of the disease is critical in determining therapeutic approaches. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of C-reactive protein/albumin ratio (CAR) and uric acid, which is an easily applicable and inexpensive parameter in patients with IPAH.Seventy-two IPAH patients and 99 consecutive non-IPAH patients as a control group were enrolled in the study retrospectively. Right heart catheterization(RHC), echocardiography, and laboratory parameters of the two groups and those who died and survived among the IPAH patients were compared.IPAH and control group were compared at the first stage and CAR (1.98(0.28-10.74), 0.75(0.22-4.7),respectively;p 0.01) and uric acid (0.33(0.19-0.87), 0.3(0.11-0.48) mmol/L, respectively; p = 0.03) values were significantly higher in the pulmonary hypertension group compared to the control group. Compared with the surviving IPAH patients, CAR (4.60(1.39-10.74),1.54(0.28-6.74),respectively;p 0.001) and uric acid levels (0.458(0.26-0.87), 0.315(0.19-0.56) mmol/L, respectively; p 0.001) were significantly higher in the group of patients who died. In the multivariate Cox regression models uric acid(p 0.001) and CAR(p 0.001) were found to be associated with survival time. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) analyses showed that 1.54 CAR value (AUC = 0.81,Sens:85.7%,Spec:56.9%,p 0.001) and 5.85 mg/dL (0.348 mmol/L) uric acid value (AUC = 0.864, Sens:85.7%, Spec:78.4%, p 0.001) are strong predictors for mortality.In this study, we showed that simple markers such as CAR, which augment the inflammation marker feature of CRP, and uric acid can give prognostic information in PAH patients.

Objective: Pericardiocentesis is a percutaneous drainage procedure performed in cardiac tamponade or a moderate-large pericardial effusion that does not respond to medical treatment. The prognosis varies according to the etiology of pericardial effusion, and the parameters that can determine the prognosis are unknown. In this study, we aimed to find predictors that can determine inpatient mortality in patients who underwent pericardiocentesis and to determine cancer etiology. Method: Ninety-one patients who underwent pericardiocentesis due to moderate-large pericardial effusion or pericardial tamponade were evaluated retrospectively. Baseline characteristics of the patients, their cancer diagnosis before and after pericardiocentesis, pericardial effusion cytology, echocardiographic parameters and laboratory parameters in the baseline evaluation were evaluated. The group with inpatient death (n = 14) and the surviving group (n = 77) were compared with each other. Results: There was no significant difference between baseline demographic characteristics and echocardiographic parameters when the patients with inpatient mortality and survivors were compared; only patients diagnosed with cancer (p

WOS: 000472637800002, Objectives: In this study our first aim was to evaluate the diagnostic concordance of myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) by pharmacological stress test with adenosine (APST) with coronary angiography (CAG). The secondary aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between CAG findings and automated analysis parameters such as left ventricular ejection fraction, summed stress score (SSS), summed rest score, summed difference score (SDS), stress MPS defect percentage ratio (extent) and transient ischemic dilation (TID) obtained by myocardial perfusion imaging single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Methods: A total of 129 patients (62 male, 67 female, median age: 60.02) undergoing MPS due to suspicion of coronary ischemia who also underwent subsequent CAG in the last year were included in this study, their MPS data and CAG results were compared. Results: There was no statistically significant diagnostic concordance when visual evaluation of MPS, quantitative MPS parameters and exercise treadmill test (ETT) electrocardiography results were used alone. In fact, diagnostic concordance was higher when automated analysis parameters like TID, SSS and extent values were added to MPS SPECT visual analyses. There was diagnostic concordance in 57.9% of APST patients and 41.7% of ETT patients. There was diagnostic concordance in 75.8% of APST patients and 52.6% of ETT patients who were older than 65 years of age. Conclusion: In our study, we found that the use of APST during MPS increases diagnostic concordance with CAG. Therefore, we think that it would be appropriate to use APST in women and elderly patients with limited exercise habits. The CAG diagnostic mismatch is far above what it should be when MPS reporting is only done with visual data, and it is not supported by quantitative data such as TID, SSS, SDS and extent.

Objectives: There is no data about the incidence, progress and prognosis of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy (TC) from Turkey. This study aimed to search for the progress and shortterm prognosis of TC patients and to increase the familiarity and awareness for TC in Turkey. Study design: We included 6 patients who were referred to our center with ST elevation myocardial infarction and diagnosed as TC according to the Mayo Clinic diagnostic criteria. Results: Our patients' median age was 46 years (range 17 to 64 years) and 3 of them were males. Triggering factors included emotional stress (3 patients) and physical stress (3 patients). Median troponin I level was 1.65 ng/ml (0.48-2.20), excluding the patients who underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation. ST elevation in precordial leads was observed on the ECG of 4 patients and in inferior leads on ECG of 2 patients. Five patients' coronary arteries were normal and were diagnosed as typical, but 1 patient had non-critical stenosis on the coronary arteries and was diagnosed with reverse TC. Four patients were discharged without any complications but 2 presented with sudden cardiac death. Conclusion: This study presented the first data about TC in Turkey while attempting to increase awareness about the disease. Emergent ventricle evaluation by ventriculography or echocardiography is recommended for acute coronary syndrome patients with non-critical stenosis for the differential diagnosis.

WOS: 000414037000009, PubMed ID: 28761021, Objective: Soluble suppression of tumorigenicity-2 (sST2), a member of the interleukin 1 receptor family, is increased in mechanical stress conditions and is produced by cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts. Elevated sST2 level is associated with the prognosis of acute coronary syndrome, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and acute and chronic heart failure (HF). In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between sST2 levels and cardiovascular mortality in outpatients with HF. Methods: This study used a prospective observational cohort design. A total of 130 consecutive outpatients with HF were prospectively evaluated. Clinical characteristics, laboratory results, cardiovascular risk factors, comorbidities, and medication use were recorded. The patients were followed up for a mean period of 12 +/- 4 months for the development of cardiovascular death. They were classified into two groups: those who survived and those who died. Results: Mean age of patients was 67 +/- 11 years (69% males). After follow-up, 23 of 130 patients (18%) experienced cardiovascular death. sST2 levels were higher among those who died compared with among those who survived [51 (21-162) vs. 27 (9-198) ng/mL, p30 ng/mL with a sensitivity of 87% and a specificity of 67% (AUC = 0.808, 95% CI=0.730 to 0.872). sST2 levels were negatively correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction and triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and hemoglobin levels and were positively correlated with left atrium size and the presence of right ventricular dilatation. In multiple Cox regression analysis, sST2 level of >30 ng/mL (HR=6.756, p=0.002, 95% CI=1.983-23.018), hemoglobin level (HR=0.705, p

WOS: 000316646600011, PubMed ID: 24570696, Diagnosis of patent ductus arteriosus is rare in adulthood. Closure of ductus is difficult when diagnosed at an adult age due to the development of pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary arterial disease that generally occurs. Closure of the ductus might be contraindicated, as it may lead to deterioration of the pulmonary arterial perfusion or to a pulmonary hypertensive crisis. In addition, another risk associated with percutaneous closure for these patients is the risk of embolism of the asymmetrically shaped device to the systemic circulation. We present in this manuscript a case with patent ductus arteriosus diagnosed at an adult age that underwent successful closure by the percutaneous method. During closure, an oversized Amplatzer duct occluder device was used to reduce the risk of device embolism.

Background Heart rate decrease after exercise, that is associated with reactivation of parasympathetic system, is important, as it is also associated with mortality. Previous studies have shown that this is an independent mortality predictor in patients having no coronary artery disease and having normal left ventricular function. In our study, we aimed to study heart rate recovery (HRR) after exercise in patients having impaired left ventricular function. Methods One hundred and two consecutive patients (68 males, 34 females) requested to perform an exercise stress test were included in our study. Patients were divided into two groups as those having a normal heart rate reserve (Group1, n = 72) and those having an abnormal heart rate reserve (Group2, n = 30). Results In Group1 and Group2, resting heart rate averages were found to be 83.61 ± 18.01/min and 85.10 ± 13.40/min, respectively (P > 0.05), and maximum heart rates during exercise were 141.42 ± 19.70/min and 121.17 ± 19.01/min while those in Group1 had statistically significantly higher heart rates (P < 0.001). A statistically significant positive association was found in the correlation test carried out between the maximum heart rate during the treadmill exercise test and ejection fraction (EF) value (r = 0.201; P < 0.05). Metabolic equivalents of task values obtained during the treadmill exercise test in Group1 and Group2 were 9.48 ± 2.28 and 8.36 ± 2.50, respectively, and the difference between the said values was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusions We believe that the association between low EF and abnormal HRR is worth studying and randomized large-scale studies are needed to determine mortality risk.

WOS: 000311649900004, Background: There are limited data that examine the assessment of subsegmental branches of the pulmonary artery by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Aim: To assess the structural characteristics of pulmonary arteries by IVUS in the setting of severe mitral stenosis. Material and methods: Twenty-one consecutive patients (3 men and 18 women; mean age: 38 11 years) who were selected for percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty entered the study. Subsegmental branches of the right lower lobe pulmonary artery were imaged by 40 MHz IVUS when the patients underwent right heart catheterization. Minimal lumen diameter (MLD), external elastic membrane diameter (EEMD), lumen area (LA), and area circumscribed by the external elastic membrane (the total vessel area - TVA) were measured. From these measurements, wall area (WA = TVA - LA), intima-media wall thickness [IMT = (EEMD - MLD)/2], relative wall thickness (RWT = IMT/EEMD), and relative wall area (RWA = WA/TVA) were derived. Results: We were able to perform the IVUS examination in all patients without complications. Several IVUS anatomic indexes correlated with hemodynamic data. Pulmonary artery IMT, RWT, and RWA correlated significantly with pulmonary artery systolic pressure (r = 0.763, p = 0.002; r = 0.698, p = 0.001; r = 0.717, p = 0.006, respectively). However, there was no significant correlation between ultrasound measurements and echocardiographic parameters of the mitral valve. Conclusions: The subsegmental branches of the pulmonary artery can be assessed by IVUS. Patients with pulmonary hypertension in the setting of mitral stenosis have greater pulmonary arterial WT. The severity of WT is correlated with pulmonary artery pressure, but it is not associated with mitral valve area. Intravascular ultrasound may provide useful additional information in the management of patients with mitral stenosis.

Objectives The role of Helicobacter pylori (HP) in the progression of atherosclerosis is controversial. We investigated the relation between HP IgG antibody titres and severity and intensity of coronary atherosclerosis and also clinical presentation of coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods The patient group consisted of 353 patients with angiographically proven CAD, which contains 3 different subgroups: 163 patients with myocardial infarction (MI), 106 patients with unstable angina (USAP) and 84 patients with stable angina (SAP). Control group included 163 subjects with angiographically proven normal coronary arteries. Helicobacter pylori IgG antibody titres were measured by an enzyme immunoassay method in all patients. Gensini and Extent scores were used to evaluate the angiographic severity and extent of atherosclerosis. C-reactive protein levels were measured by Behring nephelometry system kits. Results Seropositivity rates for HP were similar between groups (82.7% in the patient group and 86.6% in the control group (P > 0.05)). Also HP-IgG levels were similar among the MI, USAP and SAP groups. No significant correlation was observed between CRP levels and HP-LgG level titres. There was no significant correlation between HP-IgG level (r = 0.086, P = 0.2) and Gensini score but a significant poor correlation was observed between HP-IgG level and Extent score (r = + 0.156, P = 0.03). Conclusions Helicobacter pylori IgG titres do not play an important role in the presentation of CAD and do not increase systemic inflammatory response. However, Helicobacter pylori IgG antibody titres may be correlated with the extent of CAD.

Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is a risk factor for increased cardiovascular disease, and it has been recently demonstrated that abnormalities in coagulation system might contribute to the increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, there is not enough data related to the major thrombotic events in GH-deficient patients. We describe the case of a 62-year-old woman with Sheehan's syndrome who developed massive cardiac thrombosis. She was hospitalized with acute pulmonary edema. ECG revealed high ventricular responsive atrial fibrillation (AF) and T-wave inversion on precordial leads. The ejection fraction of left ventricle (LVEF) was measured as 60% by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and there was 2nd degree mitral regurgitation with concentric hypertrophic LV walls. Transesophagial echocardiography (TEE) established thrombi both at right atrium and left atrial appendix. Before anticoagulant therapy several hemostatic and fibrinolytic markers were measured. Except increased D-dimer concentration (763.14 mu g/L (0-325)) we did not observe any pathological finding in these parameters. After 14 days of discharge, the patient was admitted to the intensive care unit with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The warfarin and salicilate were stopped for two months. At the end of two months, the patient was again hospitalized with congestive heart failure and there was a high ventricular responsive AF on ECG. TEE was performed and three thrombi were demonstrated at right atrium (RA), left atrium (LA) and left ventricle (LV). There was no active bleeding on upper GIS endoscopy and anticoagulant therapy was restarted. In this particular case massive cardiac thrombi involving three chambers (LA, RA, LV) were more extensive than expected in AF. Moreover, there was a 2nd degree mitral regurgitation in the patient, and based on previous Studies mitral regurgitation has been associated with less prevalent LA spontaneous echo contrast and fewer thromboembolic events. Therefore we hypothesized that severe GHD in the present case might be the major contributing factor in massive cardiac thrombosis. In summary, based on previous data there is increased risk of thromboembolic events in GHD although the mechanism is unclear yet. Our case is the first case showing massive cardiac thrombosis in a severe GH-deficient patient with Sheehan's syndrome. Therefore, patients with GHD should be screened carefully for thrombus in clinical practice, and further studies need to be done to understand the relation between GHD and coagulation system.

Uncontrolled usage of herbal medications may cause problems that can lead to serious complications, including death. Panax is thought to have hypocholesterolemic, anticarcinogenic, antiinflammatory, and antimicrobial effects via its saponin ingredient and positive inotropic effects via its panax ginseng effect. However, clinical studies have shown that it can increase the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels secondary to its hypocholesterolemic effect, have a hypertensive effect in chronic users via ginseng abuse syndrome, and also have hypotensive effects. Here, we present a case with typical angina pectoris in which coronary angiography was suggested but refused. The male patient initiated panax therapy and presented to our emergency department with diffuse anterior myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock, and was discharged after appropriate therapy.

We report a case of aorta-right ventricular fistula associated with aortic and mitral valve replacements. We considered it as a para valvular leakage. Aorta-right ventricular fistula is a very rare variant of paravalvular leakage. We discuss the aetiology, diagnosis, and preventive and therapeutic options in the modern era.

WOS: 000288462900006, PubMed ID: 20682610, Impairment of endothelial functions has been shown to occur after acute and chronic exposure to passive smoking (PS), as assessed by flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery. A total of 61 participants, 30 male and 31 female, mean ages 26 (18-36) were enrolled in the study. All were clinically well and nonsmokers. All participants stayed for 30 minutes in the smoking room. Carbon monoxide (CO) level was 7.42 +/- 0.98 ppm (4.71-10.50). Mean carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels of participants were significantly elevated after PS. Mean FMD was 18.6% +/- 9% and decreased to 12.4% +/- 7% after PS (P < .001). In the current study, with more number of participants at lower CO concentrations (7.42 ppm) and with smaller increase in COHb (51%) significant reduction (33%, P < .001) in FMD was observed.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) still is a rare cause of acute coronary syndrome. SCAD has been observed in three groups of patients: those with coronary atherosclerosis, peripartal women and idiopathic group. SCAD may be associated with some conditions. We report an unusual association: SCAD and pulmonary thromboembolism.

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is an important health problem. Cardiac abnormalities may occur in patients with CO poisoning; however, the severity and duration of cardiac abnormalities are not well known. In this study, cardiac structures and function in CO poisoning were evaluated prospectively. Twenty patients were enrolled in the study. Echocardiographic examination was performed in all patients on admission, at 24 hours, and within the first week. B-type natriuretic peptide and carboxyhemoglobin levels were measured. Patients with increased cardiac markers underwent coronary angiography. Cardiac markers were high in 6 patients. Patients with high cardiac markers had significantly higher carboxyhemoglobin levels and longer exposure to CO. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was < 45% in 8 patients (group I) on admission and > 55% in 7 patients in group 124 hours after echocardiography. A significant negative correlation was found between B-type natriuretic peptide and LVEF on admission (r = -0.586, p < 0.01). The decrease in LVEF was also negatively correlated with carboxyhemoglobin level and CO exposure duration. All angiograms showed normal coronary arteries. In conclusion, despite normal coronary arteries, myocardial dysfunction may occur in patients with CO poisoning. LV systolic function might be normal or mildly to severely impaired. However, most of the myocardial dysfunction dissipates, at 24 hours in patients with CO poisoning. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

WOS: 000338997700001, PubMed ID: 24878253, Non-dipper blood pressure (NDP) as an indicator of autonomic dysfunction could be associated with hypertensive response to exercise (HRE) in diabetic patients. HRE was determined as a predictor of development of unborn hypertension. We aimed to investigate if any correlation among NDP and HRE in normotensive type 2 diabetic patients. A total of 59 consecutive type 2 diabetic patients without history of hypertension and with normal blood pressure (BP) on ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) were enrolled to the study. We divided the study population in to two groups depending on their BP on ABPM as dipper (group 1) or non-dipper (group 2). There were 22 patients (mean age 49.5 +/- 7 and 10 male) in group 1 and 37 patients (mean age 53.1 +/- 10 and 14 male) in group 2. Daytime diastolic and mean BP of dippers and night time systolic and mean BP of non-dippers were significantly higher. HRE was not significantly different between groups (59% vs. 62%, p = 0.820). Hemodynamic parameters during the exercise test were similar. At multivariate linear regression analysis, resting office systolic blood pressure (SBP) (r = 0.611, p < 0.001), male sex (r = 0.266, p = 0.002) and age (r = 0.321, p = 0.010) were independently correlated with peak exercises SBP. Logistic regression analyses identified the resting office SBP (OR 1.191, 95% CI 1.080-1.313; p

WOS: 000329838600005, PubMed ID: 23796159, Objective: There is no study about hypertensive response to exercise (HRE), which is a marker of unborn hypertension (HT), and red cell distribution width (RDW) association, in diabetic normotensive patients. So, we aimed to investigate any correlation among RDW and HRE in normotensive type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: Consecutive type 2 diabetic patients without history of HT and with normal blood pressure (BP) on ambulatory BP monitoring were included to the study. We divided the patients into two groups depending on their peak systolic BP on exercise; HRE (Group 1) or normal response to exercise (Group 2). Results: Data of 75 diabetic patients (51.9 +/- 9.7) were analyzed (31 male (48%)). Their mean RDW was 13.11 +/- 0.46. Patients with HRE were significantly older than patients without HRE. Smoking was more frequent in Group 2. Gender distribution and body mass index were similar between the groups. Else hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cell count and RDW values were not significantly different. Office systolic BP and diastolic BP, daytime and 24-h systolic BP were significantly higher in Group 1 but heart rate was similar between the groups. Conclusions: This study revealed that RDW do not differ between diabetic normotensive patients with HRE or not.

WOS: 000326838600006, PubMed ID: 24107209, Introduction: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a zoonotic viral disease with a high mortality rate. In clinical practice, we observed bradycardia in some pediatric patients with CCHF during the clinical course. So we aimed to report CCHF cases that presented bradycardia during the clinical course and the relation of bradycardia with the clinical findings and ribavirin therapy. Methods: Charts of all hospitalized pediatric CCHF patients were reviewed with respect to age, sex, history of tick bite or history of removing a tick, other risk factors for CCHF transmission, and interval between the tick bite and the onset of symptoms. Outcomes and clinical and laboratory findings and medications were recorded for each patient. We searched the patient records for information regarding the existence of bradycardia. Bradycardia was accepted as the heart rate 2 standard deviations (SD) lower than the suspected heart rate based on age. Results: Fifty-two patients (mean age 11.24.4 years, 31 female) were enrolled into the study. Bradycardia was seen in seven patients. Six patients with bradycardia were male and only one was female, and the mean age was 13.1 +/- 1.6 years. It was observed that male gender is frequent among patients with bradycardia, as compared with those without bradycardia (p=0.01). Bleeding was found to be more frequent in patients with bradycardia (p=0.02). There were significant differences between the bradycardia and nonbradycardia groups with regard to the requirements for fresh frozen plasma transfusion, the number of platelet suspension given, requirement for intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) and in the days of stay in hospital (p=0.01, p=0.03, p=0.03, p=0.04, respectively). Conclusion: Reversible bradycardia might be seen in the clinical course of pediatric CCHF patients, and the clinicians must be aware of this finding. The possibility that ribavirin may potentiate bradycardia cannot be assessed without a placebo-control study. So further studies may help to reveal the cause of the bradycardia, the disease itself, or the ribavirin therapy. Hence this study supports the need for a randomized, placebo-controlled study to assess intravenous ribavirin in treating CCHF and to support approval of the drug.

Congress of the European-Society-of-Cardiology (ESC) -- AUG 25-29, 2012 -- Munchen, GERMANY, WOS: 000308012406383, …, European Soc Cardiol (ESC)

Amaç: Metabolik sendrom ve non -dipper kan basıncı paterni kardiyovasküler hastalıklarla ilişkilidir. Bu klinik durumların ortak patofizyolojik mekanizmalarıyla ilişkili olabilir. Metab olik sendrom ile non -dipper kan basıncı arasındaki ilişkiyi araştırmayı amaçladık. Yöntem: 24 saatlik ambulatuar kan basıncı takibi yapılan yeni tanı almış 118 obez metabolik sendromlu hasta çalışmamıza dahil edildi. Bunlar dipper (n = 46) ve non -dipper (n = 72) olmak üzere iki gruba ayrıldı. Gece non -dipper kan basıncı, gece ortalama sistolik ve/veya diastolic kan basıncı azalması %10 dan daha az azalma oluşu olarak tanımlandı. Bulgular: Ça lışma gurubumuzun ortalama 24 saatlik kan basıncı ortalaması 146/96 mmHg idi. İki grubun temel karakteristik özellikleri benzer olmasına rağmen, non -dipper tansiyon paterni olan grupta metabolik sendrom sıklığı a nlamlı derecede daha fazla idi (p=0.038). Sonuç: Bu çalışmada non -dipper kan basıncı paterni olan hastalarda metabolik sendromun daha fazla bulunduğu saptandı . Bu durum, obez hastalarda metabolik sendrom ile non-dipper kan basıncının ortak bir patofizyolojik mekanizma içerdiğini belirtebilir., Background: Metabolic syndrome and non -dipping blood pressure pattern are related with cardiovascular disease. It is considered that there may be common pathophysiological mechanisms of these clinical entities. We aimed to investigate the association between metabolic syndrome and nondipping blood pressure pattern. Method: 118 consecutive newly diagnosed metabolic syndrome patients with obesity who underwent 24 -hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring were included in the study. They were divided into dipper (n = 46) and non -dipper (n = 72) groups. Nocturnal non -dipping blood pressure pattern is defined as the lower than 10 % reduction in nocturnal mean systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure. Results: In the whole population, mean 24 -hour ambulatory blood pressure was 146/96 mmHg. Although, the two groups was similar in terms of basic characteristics; the frequency of metabolic syndrome was significantly greater in patients with non -dipping pattern (p=0.038). Conclusion: In this study metabolic syndrome was fou nd to be more prevalent among patients with non -dipping pattern of hypertension. This may indicate a common pathophysi ologic mechanism of metabolic syndrome and non -dipping blood pressure pattern in obese patient.

Zakkum (Nerium oleander), her ne kadar Akdeniz bölgesine özgü bir bitki olsa da, bilhassa ılıman bölgelerde olmak üzere tüm dünyada yetiştirilebilir. Biyolojik olarak aktif olan oleander bileşenleri terapötik amaçlarla kullanılabilmektedir. Ancak, bitkisel tedavi amaçlı kişisel kullanımı, ölüm dahil birçok ciddi soruna yol açabilir. Bu yazıda, hemoroit yakınmaları nedeniyle kişisel bitkisel tedavi amacıyla zakkum yapraklarından hazırladığı şurubu içtikten sonra tam atriyoventriküler blok gelişen, 30 yaşında, başka sağlık sorunu olmayan bir erkek hasta sunuldu. Hastaya sodyum sülfat ile birlikte ağızdan kömür tedavisi, elektrolit sıvı desteği ve geçici kalp pili tedavisi uygulandı. Atriyoventriküler blok 30 saat sonra sinüs ritmine döndü ve hasta hemodinamik ve genel durumu düzelmiş şekilde taburcu edildi., Nerium oleander is a plant native only in the Mediterranean region, but it can also be cultivated worldwide, particularly in warm areas. Biologically active oleander compounds may be used for therapeutic purposes. However, when used for self-medication, it may cause serious problems including death. We present a 30-year-old otherwise healthy man who developed complete atrioventricular block after taking a syrup of N. oleander leaves for self-medication to relive hemorrhoidal complaints. The patient was treated by oral administration of charcoal combined with sodium sulfate as well as electrolyte solutions and transient use of an external cardiac pacemaker. The atrioventricular block reverted to sinus rhythm in 30 hours and he was discharged in good hemodynamic status and general condition.

WOS: 000311649900016, In invasive cardiology practices, the most commonly used vascular access site is the femoral artery. Atherosclerotic stenoses on the femoral and iliac arteries create difficulties in these practices. Vasospasm rarely occurs on large arteries like these. This paper reports stenosis encountered during coronary angiography on iliac arteries in 2 patients. The stenoses caused difficulties for guidewire and catheter insertion in catheterization. In the revisualization of these arteries at the next session, the stenoses had disappeared, but the arteries were tortuous. The patients did not have peripheral ischemia signs previously, nor did they appear after the procedure. These transient stenoses might have occurred due to vasospasm and the accordion effects caused by the guidewire and/or catheter.

WOS: 000295570200014, Ascending aortic pseudoaneurysms are very rare entities generally occurring after heart surgery associated with cannulation for cardiopulmonary pump or aorta-coronary artery graft implantation. The pseudoaneurysm should be treated due to the potential risk of expanding, penetrating to adjacent tissues and rupturing. We present a case with a pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta associated with aorta-coronary artery saphenous graft, which is a rare but an important entity.

WOS: 000295899700014, PubMed ID: 21804465, Background: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) involves the multi-organ systems. The involvement of the heart in adult patients has been described previously. We investigated the electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings of pediatric patients with CCHF. Material/Methods: Patients younger than 16 years of age diagnosed with CCHF were enrolled in the study. The diagnosis of CCHF infection was based upon typical clinical and epidemiological Findings and serological tests. All patients underwent a thorough cardiologic evaluation. A standard 12-lead electrocardiography and echocardiography were performed. Results: Twenty-three consecutive patients who were hospitalized with diagnosis of CCHF were enrolled in the study (mean age: 12 2 years, 6 female). All electrocardiographic parameters were within normal ranges according to age. Seven patients (30%) had minimal (

WOS: 000283727000039, PubMed ID: 19446349, …

BACKGROUND: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is secreted from the ventricles in response to volume expansion and pressure overload. We aimed to investigate plasma BNP levels in inferior myocardial infarction (MI) with and without right ventricular MI (RVMI). METHODS: We enrolled 49 patients (mean age: 60+/-10 years, 45 males) who were admitted with first acute inferior MI. Sixteen patients (mean age: 58+/-10 years, 15 males) had also RVMI. The BNP levels were measured at admission. All patients underwent echocardiographic examination in the first day of hospitalization. Receiver-operating characteristic curve was obtained for prediction of inferior MI with RVMI. RESULTS: Inferior MI with RVMI had lower RV fractional area change (36+/-14% vs. 48+/-15%, P=0.03) and right ventricle lateral annulus S velocity (10.6+/-1.9 m/s, 12.2+/-2.6 m/s, P=0.02). The BNP levels were higher in inferior MI with RVMI than isolated inferior MI (75+/-44 pg/ml vs. 32+/-24 pg/ml, P=0.001). On the basis of the receiver-operating characteristic analysis, the cutoff value of BNP concentration >46 pg/ml provided the best discrimination of patients with and without RVMI (sensitivity 76%, specificity 88%) with positive and negative predictive values of 92 and 63%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Plasma BNP levels are higher in inferior MI with RVMI than isolated inferior MI. RV involvement may be suspected when BNP levels are higher than 46 pg/ml in inferior MI.

OBJECTIVES We aimed to investigate whether there were any differences in the percentages of CD14(+) monocytes between subgroups of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). CD14(+) is a monocyte surface receptor that plays a role in the innate immune system. CD14(+) monocytes are associated with complications of atherosclerosis. METHODS In total we enrolled 115 patients with ACS: 24 with unstable angina (UA); 29 with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI); and 62 with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The levels of C-reactive protein and percentage of CD14(+) monocyte were measured on admission. RESULTS CD14(+) monocyte percentages were observed to be different between groups by analysis of variance test. The percentages of CD14(+) monocyte were 81.24+/-10.04% in the UA group; 89.40+/-5.84% in the NSTEMI group; and 87.22+/-11.75% in the STEMI group (P=0.013). The differences between the UA and the NSTEMI and between the UA and the STEMI groups with Bonferroni posthoc testing were significant (P=0.014 and P=0.049 respectively). Moreover, no significant difference was found between the NSTEMI and STEMI groups (P=1.000). The C-reactive protein levels in the UA group were detected to be significantly low with Bonferroni posthoc testing compared with both the NSTEMI and STEMI groups (for both comparisons, P

WOS: 000285779700031, PubMed ID: 20580098, …