Thiol/Disulfide Homeostasis: A New Oxidative Marker in Heart Failure Patients with Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Background: It is suggested that myocardial dysfunction in heart failure patients may result from increased oxidative stress-related membrane changes. Thiol/disulfide homeostasis is a new oxidative stress indicator. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum thiol levels and thiol/disulfide homeostasis in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Assessment of s-nitrosothiol and thiol/disulfide levels in acute coronary syndrome patients.

Background: The level of nitric oxide (NO) is important to protect the heart from ischemic damage in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. S-nitrosothiol (SNO) is a molecule that represents the main form of NO storage in the vascular structure. In addition, dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis (TDH) is known to play an important role in maintaining the oxidant-antioxidant balance.

The predictive value of epicardial fat volume for clinical severity of COVID-19.

Introduction: Epicardial adipose tissue serves as a source of inflammatory cytokines and mediators. Cytokine storm is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Objectives: To investigate the association between epicardial fat volume (EFV), inflammatory biomarkers and clinical severity of COVID-19.

Plasma thiol and disulphide levels and their relationship with left ventricular systolic functions: A propensity score matching analysis.

Objective: Left ventricular (LV) systolic function measured through LV ejection fraction (LVEF) has prognostic implications in patients with cardiac and non-cardiac conditions. The balance of thiol and disulphide levels reflects oxidative status in the body. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between plasma thiol and disulphide levels, and LVEF calculated by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE).

A novel ultrasound-based technique to establish a correlation between disease activity and local carotid stiffness parameters in rheumatoid arthritis.

Aim: Cardiovascular (CV) disease is the reason for most mortality cases in RA and cannot be explained only by the presence of traditional CV risk factors. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between local carotid stiffness (CS) parameters measured by a novel ultrasound method and inflammatory disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Material and methods: The study was conducted with 70 RA patients and 35 control subjects.

Evaluation of local carotid stiffness and inflammatory biomarkers in stable angina pectoris.

Introduction: Arterial stiffness (AS) is a well-accepted and reliable predictor of atherosclerotic diseases. Inflammation plays an important role in the development of AS.

Aim: To evaluate local carotid stiffness (CS) together with fibrinogen and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels in stable angina pectoris (SAP) patients.

Assessment of local carotid stiffness in seronegative and seropositive rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory disease associated with increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease. Arterial stiffness (AS) is an independent predictor of CV events. This study aimed to analyse local carotid AS parameters in seronegative and seropositive RA patients.

Lichenoid type cutaneous hyperpigmentation induced by nebivolol.

Cutaneous hyperpigmentation is a common and well-defined side effect of many drugs, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, beta-blockers, and tetracyclines, but to the best of our knowledge there is no case of skin discoloration related to nebivolol in the literature. Presently described is lichenoid type cutaneous hyperpigmentation in a 46-year-old female patient. Hyperpigmentation emerged 3 months after initiating use of nebivolol and resolved after cessation of drug use.

The effect of transcatheter aortic valve implantation on mean platelet volume.

Background/aim: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an innovative approach to the treatment of aortic stenosis (AS) as an alternative to surgery in high-risk patients. Mean platelet volume (MPV) is considered an indicator of endothelial dysfunction, platelet function, and activation. In this study, we aimed to investigate MPV changes in patients undergoing TAVI.

Successful simultaneous ipsilateral stenting of common iliac artery stenosis and transfemoral aortic valve replacement.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) was designed to treat elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis at high risk for surgery, and is most commonly performed with retrograde approach through femoral arteries. However, in up to 30% of cases, it is either not possible to use this access route or it is considered to have high risk of vascular injury. Alternative approaches have been described for patients with no suitable femoral access: trans-subclavian, transaortic, or direct aortic access; however, since the introduction of new valves deployed with low-profile delivery systems, another alternative transcatheter approach has been discovered.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation with the Edwards Sapien 3 valve: First experiences in Turkey.

Objective: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has shown promising results in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) at high risk for open heart surgery. We aimed to evaluate outcomes of patients who underwent TAVI with Edwards SAPIEN 3 Transcatheter Heart Valve (S3), a second-generation TAVI device.

Methods: Between November 2014 and June 2016, 31 high-risk patients received balloon-expandable S3 valve at Atatürk Training and Research Hospital that has the largest case series in Turkey.

Trans-subclavian aortic valve replacement with various bioprosthetic valves: Single-center experience.

Objective: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has been accepted as an alternative to surgery in high risk or inoperable patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). Although transfemoral approach is the most often preferred means of access, in patients with severe ilio-femoral arteriopathy, other vascular access sites may be required. The aim of the present study was to report our experience with trans-subclavian approach for TAVR using different valve systems.

First trans-subclavian transcatheter aortic valve replacement using Lotus valve system.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), most commonly performed via retrograde femoral artery access, is a promising alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement in elderly, high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). Approximately one-third of these patients suffer from severe iliofemoral arteriopathy, ruling out transfemoral approach. The case of a 74-year-old man with severe AS and bilateral iliofemoral arteriopathy treated with left trans-subclavian (TS) TAVI using the Lotus valve system is described in the present report.

Low-dose oral contraceptive-induced acute myocardial infarction.

Objectives: Since their introduction, oral contraceptives (OCs) have been associated with risk to both the venous and the arterial systems. Studies have shown that OC use is associated with a risk of venous thromboembolism, ischaemic stroke and acute myocardial infarction (MI). MI is rarely seen in patients using OCs, particularly in the absence of clinical risk factors or smoking.

Higher neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio is related to a lower ejectionfraction in bicuspid aortic valve patients.

Background/aim: Inflammation plays an important role in the pathophysiology of vascular disease. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the associations of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR; an indicator of inflammation) with left ventricular ejection fraction and ascending aorta diameter in patients with a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV).

Materials And Methods: One hundred and thirty-nine consecutive patients with the diagnosis of BAV were enrolled in the study.

Crucial role of safety guidewire in transcatheter aortic valve implantation: Two cases with vascular complication.

Vascular complications increasing the rates of morbidity and mortality are among the most common complications observed during transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Endovascular management is often life-saving. However, due to limitations of time in cases of iliac rupture and dissection, precautions taken prior to the procedure and the placement of safety guidewire in the contralateral femoral artery are crucial.

Immediate recovery of the left atrial and left ventricular diastolic function after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: A transesophageal echocardiography study.

Background: Chronic increased afterload due to severe aortic stenosis (AS) results in com-pensatory concentric left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and LV dysfunction. These in turn cause remodeling of the left heart. The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effect of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) on left atrial (LA) mechanics and LV diastolic function.

Congenital absence of left pulmonary artery with collateralization from all major coronary arteries.

Unilateral pulmonary artery agenesis (UPA) is a rarely-observed congenital anomaly with diverse clinical signs and symptoms. It is most often diagnosed in childhood due to the high mortality rate prior to adulthood. This report describes the case of a 71-year-old woman who presented with exertional chest pain, dyspnea and palpitations and who was diagnosed as having left pulmonary artery (LPA) agenesis, hypoplastic left lung supplied by collateralization from each of the three normal major coronary arteries, and atrial fibrillation.

Bulging sign: A precursor of annular rupture observed before aortic balloon rupture during valvuloplasty in transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Transcatheter aortic-valve implantation (TAVI) is a reliable alternative to surgical aortic-valve replacement in inoperable or high-risk patients. However, this evolving therapy is associated with a wide range of potential complications- some specific to TAVI, some often fatal. Prevention, early recognition, and taking essential precautions will significantly improve results.

Assessment of the left ventricular function in normotensive prediabetics: a tissue Doppler echocardiography study.

Objective: Several studies have shown that left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is increased in individuals with diabetes. However, there are scarce data about LV function in prediabetics. This study assessed the early changes in LV diastolic and systolic myocardial function in normotensive prediabetics using tissue Doppler echocardiography (TDE).

Association between aortic stiffness and left ventricular function in inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Recent studies have reported an increased incidence of both aortic stiffness and left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic dysfunction in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the association between aortic stiffness and the LV function has not been fully defined. We aimed to investigate the relationship between aortic stiffness and the LV function in IBD patients.

Transfemoral aortic valve implantation in severe aortic stenosis patients with prior mitral valve prosthesis.

Introduction: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation for severe symptomatic aortic stenosis in patients with a previous mitral valve prosthesis is technically challenging, and pre-procedural comprehensive assessment of these patients before transcatheter aortic valve implantation is vital for an uncomplicated and successful procedure.

Aim: We want to share our experience with transcatheter aortic valve implantation in patients with a preexisting functional mitral valve prosthesis and describe a series of important technical and pre-procedural details.

Material And Methods: At our center, 135 patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis were treated with transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Severe jaundice due to intrahepatic cholestasis after initiating anticoagulation with rivaroxaban.

Rivaroxaban, a highly selective direct factor Xa inhibitor, is a new oral anticoagulant approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in November 2011 for stroke prophylaxis in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Because of its efficacy and once-a-day dosing, it is commonly preferred in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and intolerance to warfarin in clinical practice. However, it can result in some adverse effects such as bleeding, rashes and liver injury.