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Aim: Arterial stiffness is related with both atrial fibrillation (AF) and stroke. The CHA2DS2-VASc score is used to assess stroke risk in patients with AF. In this study, it was aimed to examine the relationship between arterial stiffness and CHA2DS2-VASc score in AFrelated stroke patients. Material and Methods: Thirty stroke patients with paroxysmal AF participated in this research. Calculations of the patients' prestroke CHA2DS2-VASc scores were made. The SphygmoCor device was used to assess the Carotid-Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (cfPWV), which served as a surrogate for arterial stiffness. It was determined whether or not there was a statistical connection between the CHA2DS2-VASc score and arterial stiffness. Results: The patients were seperated into groups based on their CHA2DS2-VASc scores prior to the stroke (group 1: score=0-1, group 2: score==2). The two groups' characteristics were comparable, except for age, BMI and systolic blood pressure. Patients with high CHA2DS2-VASc scores (group 2) demonstrated significantly greater cfPWV values than those with low scores (group 1). The CHA2DS2-VASc score and the cfPWV revealed a favourable association in the correlation study. Conclusion: The CHA2DS2-VASc score and cfPWV were substantially and linearly associated. Calculation of CHA2DS2-VASc and monitoring of arterial stiffness in stroke-prone individuals may be stimulus for taking preventive measures from stroke in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Our aim was to investigate the possible relationship between myeloperoxidase (MPO) and myocardial damage markers such as heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) and troponin T (TnT) in patients with chronic heart failure (HF). Materials and Methods: Forty-two consecutive patients (age range: 27-80 years) with chronic HF were enrolled in the study. Serum H-FABP, TnT and MPO levels were measured. Routine biochemical and clinical parameters were recorded. Echocardiographic examinations were performed on all patients. A linear regression analysis was performed to determine the correlates of serum H-FABP. Results: The MPO, H-FABP and TnT levels were 255 ± 227, 60.6 ± 48.5 and 0.07 ± 0.15 ng/ml, respectively. In multiple linear regression analysis, age (β = -0.36, p = 0.006), creatinine level (β = 0.3, p = 0.024) and serum MPO level (β = 0.41, p = 0.009) were significant determinants of H-FABP levels. Bivariate predictors were not significantly associated with TnT levels in linear regression analyses. Conclusions: The MPO was significantly associated with serum H-FABP levels but not with TnT. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Left ventricular thrombus (LVT) is one of the important complications of acute anterior wall myocardial infarction (Ml). Mean platelet volume (MPV) is one of the platelet indices reflecting platelet reactivity. In this present study we investigated the effect of MPV on LVT formation after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for first anterior wall Ml. Methods and results A total of 205 acute anterior wall Ml patients were included into this prospective observational study. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of LVT. The thrombus (-) group consisted of 161 patients and the thrombus (+) group of 44 patients. Complete blood count (CBC) parameters were measured at admission. Routine biochemical tests and echocardiographic examinations were performed. Groups are compared according to different parameters. With respect to CBC parameters: MPV (9.03 ± 0.76 vs 8.06 ± 0.83) was significantly higher in the thrombus (+) group, platelet count (184.09 ± 52.21 vs 219.88 ± 52.31) was significantly higher in the thrombus (-) group, WBC count (14.01 ± 4.43 vs 11.30 ± 3.53) was also significantly higher in the thrombus (+) group. Furthermore, peak troponin-T level (32.63 ± 20.18 vs 18.70 ± 23.82), CK-MB level at admission (133.49 ± 117.40 vs 71.79 ± 93.96), peak CK-MB level (245.47 ± 89.67 vs 167.37 ± 110.61) were significantly higher in the thrombus (+) group. Logistic regression analysis revealed that MPV was an independent risk factor of LVT formation. Conclusion In acute anterior wall Ml patients MPV is associated with the presence of LVT and is an independent risk factor of LVT formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Arterial stiffness increases in hypertensive individuals. Arterial stiffness is associated with impairment of systolic and diastolic myocardial function in hypertension (HT). However, the relationship between arterial stiffness and serum heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) levels, a sensitive marker of myocardial damage, has not been previously examined in patients with HT. We investigate the relationship between serum H-FABP levels and arterial stiffness in patients with newly diagnosed HT. METHODS We studied 46 (48.5 ± 10.6, years) never-treated patients with HT and age-matched control group of 40 (47 ± 8.6, years) normotensive individuals. H-FABP levels were determined in all subjects. We evaluated arterial stiffness and wave reflections of study population, using applanation tonometry (Sphygmocor). Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured as indices of elastic-type, aortic stiffness. The heart rate-corrected augmentation index (AIx@75) was estimated as a marker of wave reflections. RESULTS Carotid-femoral PWV (10.5 ± 2.2 vs. 8.7 ± 1.6, m/s, P = 0.0001) and AIx@75 (22.7 ± 9.5 vs. 15 ± 11, %, P = 0.001) were significantly higher in patients with HT than control group. H-FABP levels were increased in hypertensive patients compared with control group (21.1 ± 14.8 vs. 12.9 ± 8.5, ng/ml, P = 0.002). In multiple linear regression analysis, we found that the body mass index (β = 0.42, P = 0.0001) and carotid-femoral PWV (β =0.23, P = 0.03) were significant determinants of H-FABP levels. CONCLUSION Arterial stiffness is associated with serum H-FABP levels, a sensitive marker of myocardial damage, in patients with newly diagnosed HT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is an indicator of coronary atherosclerosis and is associated with future adverse cardiac events. Isolated coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is defined as localized or diffuse dilation of the coronary arteries without coronary stenosis. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between CAC and isolated CAE.Methods: Thirty-four patients with isolated CAE and 50 controls subjects, with normal coronary arteries, were enrolled in the study. Baseline demographic features and atherosclerosis risk factors were similar in both groups.Results: Patients with CAE had higher total CAC than control subjects (84±111 vs. 33.5±103.5; p<0.001). There was also a significant correlation between per-segment CAC and ectatic segment length (r=0.32; p=0.01) but no correlation with diameter (r=0.09; p=0.5).Conclusion: Patients with isolated CAE had higher CAC than control subjects, suggesting that atherosclerosis may be involved in the pathogenesis of isolated CAE. Patients with isolated CAE may have increased cardiovascular risk and should receive appropriate risk stratification and relevant medical treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlabelled: The baseline platelet count (BPC) in patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) may reflect the baseline anjiografic finding and may also predic long-term outcomes after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). Available data for the value of BPC in patients with STEMI treated with PPCI are still questionable. Therefore, we sought to determine the prognostic value of BPC for baseline angiographic finding and the impact of BPC on clinical outcomes of patients treating with PPCI. Blood sample for BPC was obtained on admission in 140 consecutive patients undergoing PPCI. Patients were divided 2 groups that group-1 (104 patients): TIMI flow-grade 0 and group-2 (36 patients): TIMI flow-grade 1-3. Follow-up was performed at 1-9 months. Baseline demographics were comparable, but, BPC was significantly higher in group-1 comparing 2 (293.7±59.8x10(9)/L vs. 237.7±50.9x10(9)/L, p<0.0001), pre-procedural lesion length longer in group-1 comparing 2 (13.6±3.6 mm vs. 11.4±3.9 mm, p:0.003). Distal embolization (19.0% vs. 0.0%, p:0.001), slow-flow (15.2% vs. 2.9%, p:0.033) were more common in group-1 and mean maximum troponin-I level (9.1±4.2 μg/L vs. 5.1±3.9 μg/L, p<0.0001) and mean maximum creatinin kinase (2077.6±1378.4 U/L vs. 1163.4±869.7 U/L, p:<0.0001) were higher in group-1. In-hospital and 30-days major cardiac adverse events (MACEs) (16.5% vs. 5.7%), p:0.14) were similarly in both groups, but, at 6-months target vessel revascularization (13.9% vs. 0.0%, p:0.017) and MACEs significantly higher in the group-1 (24.1% vs. 2.9%, p:0.013)., Conclusion: A higher BPC without any antithrombotic agent is a strongly predictor of total occlusion of IRA in STEMI treated with PPCI. And a higher BPC associated with poor clinical outcomes at 9-months. Apart from prognostic value, measuring of a BPC on admission may also provide further practical and therapeutic profits.

Background: Emerging experimental and clinical data indicates that erythropoietin (EPO) have significant roles in the cardiovascular system. But the relationship between endogenous EPO levels and arterial stiffness remains unknown. We investigated the EPO levels in relation to arterial stiffness parameters in patients with never treated newly diagnosed hypertension (HT)., Methods: We studied 42 (47.8 ± 10 years) never treated HT patients and age and gender-matched 40 (47 ± 8.6 years) normotensive individuals. Serum EPO levels were determined in all subjects using the chemiluminescence immunoassay kit. We evaluated heart rate-corrected augmentation index (AIx@75), a marker of wave reflections and aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) as indices of elastic-type aortic stiffness using applanation tonometry (Sphygmocor)., Results: The levels of EPO were not significantly different in hypertensive patients and the controls (10.6 ± 5 vs. 11.6 ± 9, mIU/mL, p = 0.5). Aortic PWV (10.3 ± 2.3 vs. 8.7 ± 1.6 m/s, p = 0.0001) and AIx@75 (22.7 ± 10 vs. 15 ± 11, %, p = 0.002) were significantly higher in hypertensive patients than the controls. EPO levels were not correlated with brachial and central pressures. Also EPO level was not significantly correlated with AIx@75 (r = -0.15, p = 0.17) and aortic PWV (r = -0.16, p = 0.13)., Conclusion: Results from this study indicate that endogenous EPO levels may not be a factor in development of increased arterial stiffness.