Search

Strain (S) and strain rate (SR) are known to be altered in diseases associated with right ventricular (RV) pressure/volume overload and RV myocardial dysfunction; however determinants of S/SR are incompletely understood. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of blood donation-mediated volume reduction on regional RV deformation in healthy young adults. Study population was composed of 61 consecutive healthy subjects who were volunteers for blood donation. All underwent standard echocardiography and two-dimensional S and SR imaging by speckle tracking before and after 450 mL blood donation. We found no change in RV lateral wall SR in all three segments. However, the S in the apical and mid segments of the RV lateral wall immediately decreased after blood donation [-26.2 ± 3.3 vs. -23.2 ± 3.3 % (p < 0.0001) and -28.2 ± 3.4 vs. -27.1 ± 3.2 % (p = 0.009), respectively], whereas no change was observed in the basal segment. Moreover, changes in systolic S on the apical segment of the RV lateral wall before and after blood donation were significantly correlated with the changes in the RV size [end-diastolic area index, r = - 0.369 (p = 0.003) and end-systolic area index, r = - 0.319 (p = 0.012)] and changes in the stroke volume index [r = - 0.436 (p < 0.001)]. Blood donation-mediated volume reduction in healthy subjects caused a regional difference in RV longitudinal deformation with the lower mid and apical S that was related to parameters of volume load severity. However, RV systolic SR was found to be resistant to the effects of volume depletion.

We investigated the relationship between baseline neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Consecutive patients diagnosed with STEMI (n = 691) who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (p-PCI) were included in the study. The CIN was defined as an increase in serum creatinine concentration ≥25% over baseline at 48 hours. Both NLR and C-reactive protein levels were significantly higher in the CIN group. There was a stronger correlation in patients with a known history of chronic kidney disease and in patients with a history of diabetes mellitus (DM). Advanced age, DM, low baseline glomerular filtration rate, reduced postprocedural ST resolution, high amount of contrast media, high NLR, and low left ventricular ejection fraction were independent predictors of CIN. The NLR may be used as a simple and reliable indicator of CIN in patients with STEMI who underwent p-PCI.

Objectives: We aimed to identify the predictors of angiographically visible distal embolization (AVDE) during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (p-PCI) as well as to assess its impact on short- and long-term clinical outcomes in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)., Study Design: We retrospectively enrolled 2007 patients with STEMI who underwent p-PCI. We assessed the clinical and angiographic characteristics of patients in order to identify the predictors of AVDE and compared the outcomes of patients with and without AVDE during p-PCI., Results: Distal embolization developed in 135 (6.7%) patients. Age (for each 10- year increase, Odds Ratio (OR) 1.34, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.16-1.52, p<0.001), treatment of right coronary artery (OR 2.52, 95% CI 1.30-4.87, p=0.034), repeated balloon dilatation (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.16-2.94, p=0.009), cut-off occlusion pattern (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.38-3.42, p=0.001), lesion length >15 mm (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.09-2.58, p=0.019), and reference vessel diameter >3.5 mm (OR 5.08, 95% CI 3.32-7.65, p<0.001) were independent predictors of AVDE. In-hospital (8.1% vs. 3.8%, p=0.014) and one-month (10.8% vs. 4.9%, p=0.004) all-cause mortality rates were higher in patients with AVDE. At the long-term follow-up (median: 42 months), both all-cause (21.5% vs. 10.4%, p<0.001) and cardiac mortality rates (18.4% vs. 8.0%, p<0.001) were higher in patients with AVDE., Conclusion: AVDE is associated with worse clinical outcome at both the short- and long-term follow-up of STEMI patients treated early with p-PCI.

Objective: Exercise training has been known to cause structural and functional alterations in the heart called athletes heart. We aimed to investigate the effects of incremental endurance exercise training (IEET) on the left ventricular (LV) mechanics in healthy subjects., Methods: This prospective observational study included 34 healthy young men who participated in competitive sports. The participants were subjected to a six-month IEET program. The LV mechanics measured using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography was recorded while the participants were in an inactive state before and at the end of the six months. To compare continuous variables before and after IEET, Wilcoxon or paired-t test were used., Results: Baseline and post training echocardiographic measurements showed that there was no significant change in LV ejection fraction (%) (p=0.64) and there were an increase in end-systolic and end-diastolic diameters, posterior and septal wall thickness, relative wall thickness and LV mass index (p<0.05, for all). LV mechanical parameters such as global strain (S) (19.8±1.33% vs. 20.4±1.26%, p=0.001), apical four -chamber S (19.4±1.96% vs. 20.1±1.86%, p=0.01), apical two- chamber S (19.9±1.75% vs. 20.7±1.75%, p=0.003), apical (23.0±3.1% vs. 23.6±3.2%, p=0.03), and basal circumferential S (21.1±2.2 % vs. 21.6±2.5%, p=0.03), and apical rotation (degree) (7.9±0.95 vs. 8.4±0.74, p=0.001) values were significantly increased by IEET., Conclusion: We demonstrated that IEET has led to exercise related cardiac structural and functional changes such as LV dilatation and LV hypertrophy, accompanied by a significant increase in LV systolic S and LV twist measurements.

Objectives: Vitamin D may modulate vascular inflammation, vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, the renin-angiotensin system, and cardiomyocyte proliferation, myocardial fibrosis, and proliferation. These mechanisms may play a role on arterial stiffness and left ventricle hypertrophy (LVH) in hypertensive patients. We aimed to evaluate the association between serum vitamin D with arterial stiffness and LVH in patients with hypertension., Methods: We studied 133 patients with newly diagnosed hypertension [mean (SD) age, 62.9 (10.6) years]. Pulse wave velocity (PWV), which reflects arterial stiffness, was calculated using the single-point method via the Mobil-O-Graph ARCsolver algorithm. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was determined according to Deverux formula. The patients were divided into the following 2 groups according to serum vitamin D level: vitamin Dlow group with less than 20 ng/mL and vitamin Dhigh group with greater than or equal to 20 ng/mL., Results: The highest PWV, high-sensitivity C reactive protein, and LVMI values were observed in vitamin Dlow group compared with vitamin Dhigh group. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that vitamin D level was independently associated with LVMI (β = -0.235, P = 0.002) and PWV (β = -0.432, P < 0.001). Adjustment for age, sex, parathyroid hormone level, body surface area, and mean blood pressure did not modify these associations. Vitamin D level was also independently associated with high-sensitivity C reactive protein (β = -0.143, P = 0.047). However, adjustment for parathyroid hormone level or body surface area and mean blood pressure attenuate this association., Conclusions: Serum 25-hyroxyvitamin D is independently related with arterial stiffness, LVH, and inflammation. Vitamin D may play a role on pathogenesis of arterial stiffness and LVH in patient with newly diagnosed hypertension.

Background: Some recent trials reported that, low admission low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were associated with increased mortality in patients with acute coronary syndromes. We aimed to compare the effect of very low admission LDL-C levels on prognosis in statin-pretreated and statin-naive patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary angioplasty., Methods: The study population consisted of 1808 patients with acute STEMIs who underwent primary angioplasty. The patients were categorized into four groups as: statin-pretreated/LDL-C<70 mg/dl (n=128), statin-pretreated/LDL-C ≥ 70 mg/dl (n=290), statin-naive/LDL-C <70 mg/dl (n=146), statin-naive/LDL-C ≥ 70 mg/dl (n=1244). The median follow-up was 40 months., Results: The incidences of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, renal insufficiency, anemia, cardiogenic shock on presentation and the mean age were significantly higher in the statin-naive/LDL-C < 70 mg/dl group. In-hospital (2.3% vs 2.4% vs 12.3% vs 3.9%, respectively p<0.001) and long-term mortalities (6.3% vs 7.3% vs 25.9% vs 11.3% respectively, p<0.001) were significantly lower in the "statin-pretreated/LDL-C<70" group. Statin pretreatment was independently predicting lower long-term mortality irrespective of LDL-C level [for the subgroup with LDL-C < 70 mg/dl, Hazard Ratio (HR) 0.24, 95% CI 0.10-0.59, p=0.013; for the subgroup with LDL-C ≥ 70 mg/dl, HR 0.31, 95% CI 0.14-0.83, p=0.022]. LDL-C levels on admission had no independent predictive role on long-term mortality., Conclusions: Statin induced low LDL-C levels on admission are associated with better short- and long-term outcomes in patients with STEMI and independently predict lower long-term mortality. However, spontaneously low admission LDL-C levels were associated with increased short- and long-term mortalities., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: It has been proposed that human platelet antigen-1 (HPA-1) gene polymorphism is associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) and affects platelet function. We aimed to investigate the distribution of HPA gene polymorphism between angiographic CAD and a control group and the relation between HPA gene polymorphism and platelet aggregation., Study Design: The study population consisted of 94 patients with angiographic CAD and 115 patients without angiographic CAD. Platelet aggregation was measured with impedance aggregometry on the fifth day of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Platelet aggregation >480 AU*min was defined as the clopidogrel resistance group. Blood samples were obtained from all participants at discharge for investigating HPA-1 gene polymorphism., Results: There was no significant difference in the distribution of HPA-1 gene polymorphism between the control and CAD groups (78.7% vs. 78.1% for A allele and 21.3% vs. 21.9% for B allele, p=NS). The analysis between groups with and without clopidogrel resistance revealed no significant difference in the distribution of HPA-1A and HPA-1B alleles between the groups (A allele 78.7% vs. 78.9% and B allele 21.3% vs. 21.1%, p=NS). In the CAD group, there were no significant differences in platelet aggregation between HPA-1A and HPA-1B alleles (294±240 vs. 259±261 AU*min, p=NS)., Conclusion: The distribution of HPA-1 gene polymorphism was not different in CAD patients compared to the control group. HPA-1 gene polymorphism was not associated with platelet aggregation or clopidogrel resistance assessed by impedance aggregometry in the CAD group.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the anatomical and morphological characterization of coronary bifurcation lesions., Study Design: The study population consisted of 542 stable patients who underwent coronary angiography. Bifurcation lesions were defined as a lesion >=50% diameter stenosis involving a main branch and/or contiguous side branch with a diameter of >=2.5 mm. Using these criteria, the presence and number of bifurcation lesions, bifurcation lesion location, lesion classification according to Medina classification and the angle of the bifurcation lesion were determined., Results: According to the bifurcation definition 19.3% (n=105) of our patients had bifurcation lesions. In 77% of all bifurcation lesions, the bifurcation angle was <70°. About 37% of all lesions were concordant with the Medina 1.1.1 classification. Approximately 56% of bifurcation lesions were in the LAD region, 25.4% in the Cx region, and 12.5% in the RCA region. Medina 1.1.1 was the most frequently observed in the LAD and RCA regions, while it was least common in the Cx and LMCA regions. Diabetes was observed to be significantly higher in those with bifurcation lesions than in those without., Conclusion: Bifurcation lesions are frequently observed in coronary angiography practice. Angiographic characteristics and the relationship of these lesions with clinical conditions may be a crucial factor in choosing the appropriate interventional procedure.

Objectives: Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) has been defined as a dilated artery luminal diameter that is at least 50% greater than the diameter of the normal portion of the artery. Isolated CAE is defined as CAE without significant coronary artery stenosis and isolated CAE has more pronounced inflammatory symptoms. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is widely used as a marker of inflammation and an indicator of cardiovascular outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease. We examined a possible association between NLR and the presence of isolated CAE., Study Design: In this study, 2345 patients who underwent coronary angiography for suspected or known ischemic heart disease were evaluated retrospectively. Following the application of exclusion criteria, our study population consisted of 81 CAE patients and 85 age- and gender-matched subjects who proved to have normal coronary angiograms. Baseline neutrophil, lymphocyte and other hematologic indices were measured routinely prior to the coronary angiography., Results: Patients with angiographic isolated CAE had significantly elevated NLR when compared to the patients with normal coronary artery pathology (3.39 ± 1.36 vs. 2.25 ± 0.58, p<0.001). A NLR level >= 2.37 measured on admission had a 77% sensitivity and 63% specificity in predicting isolated CAE at ROC curve analysis. In the multivariate analysis, hypercholesterolemia (OR=2.63, 95% CI 1.22-5.65, p=0.01), obesity (OR=3.76, 95% CI 1.43-9.87, p=0.007) and increased NLR (OR=6.03, 95% CI 2.61-13.94, p<0.001) were independent predictors for the presence of isolated CAE., Conclusion: Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio is a readily available clinical laboratory value that is associated with the presence of isolated CAE.

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between the presence and severity of metabolic syndrome (MetS) with intra- and inter-atrial electromechanical delay (AEMD) and P-wave dispersion (PWD)., Study Design: A total of 144 patients (72 MetS patients and 72 age- and sex-matched control subjects) were included in the study. Patients with MetS were classified into three groups based on the number of MetS criteria as follows: Group 1 (patients with three MetS criteria), Group 2 (patients with four MetS criteria) and Group 3 (patients with five MetS criteria). Intra- and inter-AEMD were measured from parameters of tissue Doppler imaging. PWD was calculated from the 12-lead electrocardiogram., Results: Both inter-AEMD (22.9±15 vs. 11.5±14, p<0.001) and intra-AEMD (23.6±12 vs. 8.3±19, p<0.001) were found to be significantly longer in patients with MetS than the control group. Similarly, PWD (49±25 vs. 36±24, p=0.001) were found to be significantly longer in the MetS patients than the controls. However, both inter-AEMD and intra-AEMD and P wave measurements were not found to be associated with the severity of MetS. While inter and intra-AEMD were better correlated with LV mass index and LA volume index, PWD correlated better with mitral inflow Doppler parameters. According to multivariate analyses, inter-AEMD, HDL-C, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were found to be independent predictors, whereas E/A and LDL-C had borderline significance. For the intra-AEMD, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body mass index and E/A were found to be independent predictors., Conclusion: In patients with MetS, inter- and intra-AEMD, and P dispersion were found to be lengthened when compared with the controls. However, these parameters were not associated with the severity of MetS.

Myocardial infarction (MI) following a bee sting is a highly unusual reaction. A 65-year-old man allergic to honeybee venom was admitted to the emergency department suffering from a wasp sting with urticaria. The patient had a history of bare metal stent (BMS) 9 months previously with regular drug use. He experienced chest pain after the sting and electrocardiography revealed ST-segment elevation in the chest leads. Subsequently, the patient developed ventricular tachycardia disrupting hemodynamics. Sinus rhythm was obtained by cardioversion. Coronary angiogram revealed total stent thrombosis (ST) in the midportion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Primary coronary intervention was successfully performed. Presence of shared pathways in allergic reaction and MI pathogenesis may be responsible for de novo or ST. To our knowledge, this is the first case of total occlusive late ST in BMS following a wasp sting.

Objective: Studies investigating the comparison and interchangeability of transthoracic (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) regarding left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function are limited. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate agreement between TTE and TEE in the assessment of LV systolic functions by longitudinal myocardial deformation imaging (strain-S and strain rate-Sr) and LV diastolic functions by conventional Doppler parameters., Methods: Thirty-five patients underwent a clinically indicated cross-sectional study on agreement between two methods. All the patients underwent TEE right after TTE. From both TTE and TEE Doppler parameters such as early and late diastolic velocities (E, A, E' and A`) deceleration time (DT), averaged mitral annular systolic velocity (Sm), isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT), isovolumic contraction time (IVCT), ejection time (ET), myocardial performance index (MPI) and longitudinal deformation imaging parameters (S, Sr) and systolic velocities were recorded. Agreement between TTE and TEE were evaluated by Bland-Altman analysis., Results: Bland-Altman analysis showed good agreement between TEE and TTE in terms of E, A, DT, E', A', IVRT, IVCT, ET and MPI measurements. However, there was poor agreement in segmental systolic velocities and segmental Sr parameters assessed by TTE and TEE. Besides, septal wall segmental S analysis showed a better agreement than lateral wall segmental analysis between TTE and TEE recordings., Conclusion: TTE and TEE conventional Doppler parameters are compatible in the assessment of LV diastolic function; however, agreement was poor in longitudinal deformation parameters that have been used in the quantitative assessment of LV systolic function between two methods and cannot be used interchangeably.

Objectives: Selective cannulation of the right coronary artery (RCA) in the anomalous aortic origin of the RCA is technically difficult and challenging. In this study, we tested the success of RCA cannulation with a reshaped left Judkins catheter in cases of difficult selective cannulation., Study Design: The study population consisted of 837 consecutive patients (456 male, 381 female) that were admitted to our hospital with stable angina pectoris and acute coronary syndrome between October 1 and December 31, 2011. In cases where RCA cannulation was difficult, the 10 centimeter section of the left Judkins proximal to the secondary curve was reshaped by hand to form an inward slope. The secondary curve angle was increased to approximately 100 degrees and the primary curve angle was adjusted to 120 degrees. Then, we attempted to perform selective RCA cannulation., Results: In 49 of the 837 patients, selective RCA cannulation was unsuccessful with the right Judkins catheter. In 42 of these 49 (86%) cases, the RCA was cannulated with the reshaped left Judkins. We failed to cannulate the right coronary in two cases with downward angulation, one with upward angulation, one with high take-off origin, and one with anterior origin. A multipurpose, internal mammary artery, left Amplatz 1, and right Amplatz 1 catheter were used for cannulation in these cases, respectively. There was no angina, nor were there electrocardiographic or hemodynamic changes during the procedure., Conclusion: In cases where the selective cannulation of the RCA is difficult, using a reshaped left Judkins may be a successful and cost-effective method of selective cannulation.

Objective: We evaluated regional left atrial (LA) myocardial deformations by strain (S) and strain rate (SR) imaging during LA pump, reservoir, and conduit phases in patients with chronic rheumatic mitral regurgitation (MR)., Methods: This cross-sectional observational study included 42 patients with moderate-to-severe MR who had normal left ventricular (LV) function, and 36 healthy control subjects. Conventional echocardiographic data were used to calculate LV and LA dimensions, volumes and functional indices (LA ejection fraction, LA active and passive emptying fraction). Longitudinal S/SR indices of the mid and superior segments of LA walls were measured during the three LA phases. Student t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-square test and Bland-Altman analysis were used for statistical analysis., Results: LV systolic functions were similar in the patient and control groups. LV diameters, LA diameters and LA volumes were greater in the patient group compared with the control group (p<0.05, p<0.001, and p<0.001). LA ejection fraction and LA active emptying fraction values were lower in the patient group than in the control group (56 ± 7 vs. 63 ± 5%, 33 ± 9 vs. 40 ± 4%, p<0.05 for both). During the three LA phases, longitudinal S/SR values were significantly lower in all the segments in the patient group compared with the control group (p<0.001 for S, p<0.001 and p<0.05 for SR)., Conclusion: Regional LA longitudinal myocardial deformations are observed to be impaired during all the mechanical phases in patients with moderate-to-severe MR. Volume overload, remodeling and rheumatic effects may be responsible for the LA myocardial dysfunction in these patients.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate left atrial (LA) volumes and phasic functions in heart failure patients with preserved or low ejection fractions., Study Design: The study consisted of 59 patients (36 men, 23 women; mean age 63.8 years) with heart failure accompanied by low (n=26) or preserved (n=33) ejection fractions. Two-dimensional echocardiographic LA volumes (maximal, minimal and pre-contraction volumes) were obtained and LA phasic functions (reservoir, conduit, and pumping functions) were calculated. The findings were compared with those of age- and sex-matched 30 controls (20 men, 10 women; mean age 60.3 years) without heart failure., Results: All LA volumes were found to be significantly increased in both groups with heart failure compared with controls. Left atrial reservoir and pumping functions were significantly lower in patients with preserved ejection fraction than in those with low ejection fraction (p=0.02 and p=0.009, respectively). Left atrial conduit function was significantly lower in heart failure patients with low ejection fraction than in those with preserved ejection fraction (p=0.005). Compared with controls, heart failure patients with either low or preserved ejection fractions exhibited significantly decreased LA phasic functions (p<0.001)., Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that, compared to subjects without heart failure, all phasic LA functions are impaired in heart failure patients with either low or preserved ejection fraction. However, impairment in LA reservoir and pumping functions is more prominent in heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the use and reporting-quality of multivariate logistic regression analysis (MVLRA) in articles published in two Turkish cardiology journals., Study Design: We reviewed all original articles published in two Turkish cardiology journals (The Anatolian Journal of Cardiology and Archives of the Turkish Society of Cardiology) between January 2010 and August 2011. The articles that used MVLRA were analyzed comprehensively based on 10 predefined criteria., Results: A total of 212 articles were reviewed, of which MVLRA was used in 33 (15.6%). Twenty-nine articles (87.9%) properly included the main components of the MVRLA, namely, odds ratios, 95% confidence intervals, and p values. However, none of the articles reported MVRLA-related data such as the modeling type, validation, goodness-fit, multicollinearity and interaction tests. There were severe reporting flaws and faults as to the ratio of the total number of events or sample size to the number of independent variables included into the MVLRA model, the use of fitness procedures, and how the independent variables were selected., Conclusion: Our results indicate that MVLRA has become a standard statistical method in the Turkish cardiology literature. However, overall reporting of MVLRA data still has seriously inadequate and inaccurate aspects.

Objectives: We evaluated P-wave duration and P-wave dispersion (PWD) in patients with isolated bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) without significant valve dysfunction and investigated the relationship between P-wave measurements and aortic elasticity., Study Design: This prospective study consisted of 39 patients with isolated BAV with normal ejection fraction and 29 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects. P-wave duration and P-wave dispersion were calculated on 12-lead electrocardiograms. Echocardiographic examination was performed and aortic elasticity parameters were calculated including aortic strain, aortic stiffness index, aortic distensibility, and aortic elastic modulus., Results: Patients with BAV had significantly greater Pmax and PWD compared to controls (128±11 vs. 115±11 msec, p=0.006; 70±10 vs. 66±13 msec, p=0.02, respectively), whereas Pmin was similar. Aortic strain and distensibility were significantly lower and aortic stiffness index and aortic elastic modulus were significantly greater in patients with BAV (for all, p=0.0001). In correlation analysis, Pmax was significantly correlated with aortic strain (r=-0.30, p=0.01), aortic distensibility (r=-0.27, p=0.02), aortic stiffness index (r=0.36, p=0.004), and aortic elastic modulus (r=0.38, p=0.003), while PWD was correlated with aortic strain (r=-0.23, p=0.05) and aortic elastic modulus (r=0.25, p=0.05)., Conclusion: Our data showed that isolated BAV without valve dysfunction was associated with prolonged P-wave duration and increased PWD, both of which were related to aortic elasticity parameters.

Objectives: We assessed in-hospital prognostic value of admission plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (p-PCI) for acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)., Study Design: In a retrospective design, we evaluated 992 patients (801 males, 191 females; mean age 56 ± 12 years) treated with p-PCI for STEMI. The patients were divided into two groups according to the admission BNP levels, taking the cut-off value of BNP as 100 pg/ml; i.e, ≥ 100 pg/ml (n=334, 33.7%) and <100 pg/ml (n=658, 66.3%). Postprocedural angiographic and clinical in-hospital results were recorded., Results: No-reflow (24% vs. 9%), heart failure (32.3% vs. 5.5%) and death (15.6% vs. 1.7%) were significantly more common in patients with BNP ≥ 100 pg/ml (p<0.001). In multivariate analysis, elevated baseline BNP level was identified as an independent predictor of no-reflow (OR=1.83; 95% CI 1.22-2.74, p=0.003), acute heart failure (OR=2.67; 95% CI 1.55-4.58, p<0.001), and in-hospital mortality (OR=3.28; 95% CI 1.51-7.14, p=0.003). In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the area under the curve and sensitivity/specificity of the cut-off value of BNP (100 pg/ml) for prediction of clinical endpoints were 0.741 and 58.6%/70.3% for no-reflow, 0.822 and 75%/73.3% for heart failure, and 0.833 and 82.5%/69.4% for death, respectively (p<0.001 for all)., Conclusion: Elevated admission BNP level is an independent predictor of angiographic no-reflow, acute heart failure, and mortality in STEMI patients during in-hospital period, suggesting that it might be incorporated into traditional risk scoring systems to improve early risk stratification.

Objectives: We evaluated left ventricular (LV) myocardial functions with strain (S) and strain rate (Sr) echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) before and after pericardiocentesis in patients with cardiac tamponade., Study Design: The study included 27 patients (19 men, 8 women; mean age 51.4 ± 16.3 years) who underwent pericardiocentesis following clinical and echocardiographic diagnosis of cardiac tamponade. Besides echocardiographic parameters of LV functions, S/Sr parameters and TDI velocities were measured before and five days after pericardiocentesis, including peak systolic S, peak systolic Sr (Sr-s), peak early diastolic Sr (Sr-e), peak late diastolic Sr (Sr-a), peak lateral and septal mitral annular systolic (Sm), early diastolic (E'), and late diastolic (A') velocities., Results: Pericardiocentesis was successful in all the patients, resulting in significant patient comfort and symptomatic improvement. In segmental analysis, there were no significant differences in peak systolic S and Sr values obtained before and after pericardiocentesis (p>0.05), except for basal lateral segment S and apical anterior segment Sr-s values (p<0.05). After pericardiocentesis, Sr-e and Sr-a values measured in all the walls and segments, and TDI-derived lateral and septal mitral E' and A' velocities showed significant decreases (p<0.05). All these changes demonstrated by S and Sr echocardiography corresponded well to those obtained by TDI., Conclusion: We concluded that S and Sr echocardiography was not superior to TDI in the assessment of LV functions in patients with cardiac tamponade.

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a chronic progressive disease characterized by persistent elevation of pulmonary artery pressure. Regardless of the initial trigger, the elevated pulmonary arterial pressure and vascular resistance in patients with PAH are primarily caused by remodeling and thrombosis of small- and medium-sized pulmonary arteries and arterioles, as well as sustained vasoconstriction. Recent studies have emphasized the relevance of several biomarkers of hemostasis in the PAH progression. However, there is no agreement whether hemostatic indices are indeed distinguishing PAH patients from controls., Methods: Plasma fibrinogen, D-dimer, platelet count, and mean platelet volume, and platelet aggregation induced by ADP and collagen were serially measured in 34 patients with PAH, and 34 matched by age and sex normal volunteers., Results: Hemostatic indices were significantly higher for fibrinogen (p=0.0001), D-dimer (p=0.001), mean platelet volume (p=0.001), and platelet aggregation induced by ADP-, and collagen (p=0.0001 for both) in PAH patients when compared to healthy controls. In contrast, platelet counts were almost identical between both groups., Conclusions: Patients with PAH exhibit activation of hemostatic indices compared to healthy controls. These data support previous observations that hemostatic abnormalities including platelet activation may directly impact pathogenesis of PAH, and need to be confirmed in larger randomized studies with more comprehensive assessment of hemostatic indices for justification of antithrombotic strategies., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Late stent thrombosis is very rare in bare metal stents. We report on a 72-year-old male patient who developed late thrombosis of a bare metal stent implanted in the left main coronary artery (LMCA). The patient presented with cardiogenic shock 350 days after the first stent implantation. Coronary angiography showed total occlusion of the stent. Following the first balloon predilatation of the lesion, a flow in the LMCA was observed, but there was no flow in the left anterior descending (LAD) artery. Then, a bare metal stent was implanted into the LAD. Although the flow was maintained and all inotropic support continued, hypotension persisted. Angiography of the right coronary artery demonstrated 90% stenosis at the same location which had been observed as a noncritical lesion during the first percutaneous coronary intervention. As the patient was in shock, the right coronary artery was also stented and TIMI 3 flow was obtained. However, the patient developed cardiac arrest and died despite repeated efforts of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It was learned that the patient had undergone an urological operation for bladder stone nine days before, for which both aspirin and clopidogrel were discontinued six days before the operation. Only aspirin was reinitiated three days after the procedure. He then presented to our hospital with cardiogenic shock on his first day after discharge.

Objectives: Evaluation of aspirin (ASA) responsiveness with platelet function tests varies by the choice of blood mixture and functional test and cut off values for defining the the treatment used. Addition to that we also aimed to determine agreement between three tests and to research whether there is any necessity to measure baseline platelet activity., Methods: The study group comprised of 52 patients with multiple risk factors receiving primary prophylaxis of ASA (100 mg/day). For each patient inhibition of platelet aggregation with aspirin was determined using three different whole blood tests: Multiplate electrical impedance aggregometry, Verify Now Aspirin, and collagen-epinephrine closure time PFA-100. Platelet aggregation was assessed with multiplate electrical impedance aggregometry,and was defined as the area under curve (AUC,AUxmin). Maximal 6,4 microM collagen-induced AUC were used to quantify platelet aggregation due to ASA. The ASA response was defined as >30 % reduction in basal platelet aggregation with multiplate electrical impedance aggregometry. Collagen induced platelet aggregation at the Verify Now Aspirin assay quantitated the ASA-induced platelet inhibition as aspirin reaction units (ARU). According to manufacturer insert ARU>550 indicates aspirin resistance. ASA platelet function studies were assessed twice at baseline (pre-aspirin), and after 7 day(post-aspirin) were performed., Results: After ASA intake none of the patients was found aspirin resistant with PFA-100. (CEPI-CT (129+/-36 vs 289+/-18 ). None of the patients was found aspirin resistant with PFA-100. As>30 % reduction in basal platelet aggregation with multiplate electrical impedance aggregometry is selected all of the patients have been stratified as responders.(COL TEST 688+/-230 vs 169+/-131 AU) None of the patients with Verify Now Aspirin found resistance to ASA(594+/-62 vs 446+/-43).Prior to ASA intake 15 of all patients with VN(501+/-16) and 2 of all patients with multiplate electrical impedance aggregometry (223+/-40 AUC )aggregation levels below the cut off label before ingestion of ASA.None of the patients was above the cut off label with PFA -100 (129+/-36)., Conclusions: Verify Now ASA assay, multiplate electrical impedance aggregometry and PFA-100 seem to be reliable tests in reflecting ASA effect on platelets. Cut off labels for the defining the responsiveness given by manufacturer may show significant interindividual variability with Verify Now ASA assay and multiplate electrical impedance aggregometry, and these test may show platelet inhibition despite the absence of ASA intake. Consideration of the pretreatment values may eliminate the risk of overestimation in the assessment of platelet inhibition by ASA., ((c) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is characterized by immune platelet destruction due to the presence of antiplatelet antibodies. Following percutaneous coronary interventions, patients with ITP have risk for bleeding or thrombotic complications when antiplatelet treatment is given or spared, respectively. A 76-year-old man presented with typical anginal pain on exertion, 23 years after coronary artery bypass surgery, and nine years after the diagnosis of ITP had been made. Laboratory results showed low platelet count (16,000/l). In consultation with the hematology department, danazol treatment was administered for three weeks, after which the platelet count increased above 100,000/l. The patient underwent coronary angiography, which showed total occlusion of the left internal mammary artery bypass graft to the left anterior descending artery (LAD). After pretreatment with a loading dose (600 mg) and then a maintenance dose (75 mg daily) of clopidogrel for two days, the platelet count still remained above 100,000/l. Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty was performed for the proximal LAD lesion and a 3.0x18-mm bare metal stent was implanted. No bleeding or thrombotic complications were seen during the follow-up of the patient.