Galectin-3: A biochemical marker to detect paroxysmal atrial fibrillation?

Purpose: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common form of arrhythmia. AF leads to electrical remodelling and fibrosis of the atria; however, the mechanism(s) remain poorly understood. Galectin-3 is a potential mediator of cardiac fibrosis.

Association of mean platelet volume level with in-hospital major adverse events in infective endocarditis.

We hypothesised that increased on-admission and follow-up mean platelet volume (MPV) levels would correlate with adverse outcomes in patients with infective endocarditis (IE). A total of 108 consecutive patients were grouped into two according to median MPV level (≤ 8.6 and > 8.

Fragmented QRS predicts the arrhythmic events in patients with heart failure undergoing ICD implantation for primary prophylaxis: more fragments more appropriate ICD shocks.

Background: Fragmented QRS complex (fQRS) is associated with cardiovascular outcomes in various patient populations. Although there were clinical studies investigating the association of fQRS with arrhythmic events in patients with systolic heart failure, the results were conflicting regarding the association of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) shocks and fQRS. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the association between the presence and extent of fQRS with appropriate ICD shocks and/or all-cause mortality.

Myocardial tissue perfusion predicts the evolution of fragmented QRS in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: Fragmented QRS complex (fQRS) is associated with worse outcomes in several cardiovascular conditions. However, alterations in fQRS in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and association of fQRS with myocardial blush grade (MBG) has not been investigated until now. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association of MBG after primary PCI with evolution of fQRS.

Relation between QRS duration and atrial synchronicity in patients with systolic heart failure.

Objectives: The association of QRS duration (QRSd) with ventricular dyssynchrony is well-known in systolic heart failure (HF). However, there are no data regarding the relationship between QRSd and atrial dyssynchrony in patients with HF. We aimed to investigate the association of QRSd with intra-atrial and inter-atrial dyssynchrony in patients with systolic HF by using color tissue Doppler imaging (TDI).

The relationship between functional capacity and ultrasonic tissue characterization in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Background: Ultrasonic tissue characterization (UTC) has been widely used to investigate left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in various cardiac disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between functional capacity and UTC in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM).

Methods And Results: Treadmill test according to modified-Bruce protocol was performed in 48 patients with IDCM to assess their functional capacity.

Usefulness of preprocedural serum uric acid level to predict restenosis of bare metal stents.

Serum uric acid (SUA) level is known as a significant predictor for cardiovascular diseases, partly through increased inflammatory response and smooth muscle cell proliferation. Inflammation and smooth muscle cells play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of in-stent restenosis (ISR). However, the relation between SUA and ISR has not been studied.

Increased echocardiographic epicardial fat thickness and high-sensitivity CRP level indicate diastolic dysfunction in patients with newly diagnosed essential hypertension.

Background: Hypertension (HT) is one of the main conditions associated with left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction. Epicardial fat tissue (EFT) serves as a source of a plenty of proinflammatory cytokines and is associated with increased cardiovascular events. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the relation among echocardiographically measured EFT thickness, systemic inflammation, and LV diastolic dysfunction in patients with essential HT.

Usefulness of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio to predict in-hospital outcomes in infective endocarditis.

Background: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is an independent predictor of worse prognosis in both infectious and cardiovascular disease. We hypothesized that an increased neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio at admission would predict in-hospital unfavourable outcomes in patients with infective endocarditis (IE).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic data in a total of 121 consecutive adult patients (64 men; mean age, 54.

The effect of different circadian blood pressure rhythms on left ventricular systolic dyssynchrony in patients with newly diagnosed essential hypertension.

Objectives: Left ventricular (LV) synchronous contraction is impaired in patients with hypertension (HT). The deleterious effects of HT on cardiovascular system are more evident in patients with nondipper HT than dippers. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of nondipping HT on LV systolic synchronicity compared with dippers and controls.

[Mean platelet volume and the extent of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with stable coronary artery disease].

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between mean platelet volume (MPV) and the presence and extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients who underwent coronary angiography for stable chest pain.

Study Design: A total of 540 patients (350 male, 190 female; mean age: 59.6±11.

The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio was associated with impaired myocardial perfusion and long term adverse outcome in patients with ST-elevated myocardial infarction undergoing primary coronary intervention.

Objectives: In the present study we aimed to reveal any probable correlation between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (N/L ratio) and the occurrence of no-reflow, along with assessment of the prognostic value of N/L ratio in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Background: The N/L ratio stands practically for the balance between neutrophil and lymphocyte counts in the body, which can also be utilized as an index for systemic inflammatory status.

Methods: In our study, we included 204 consecutive patients suffering from STEMI who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

[Primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction in elderly aged 75 years and over: in-hospital mortality and clinical outcome].

Objectives: We aimed to determine the in-hospital mortality and clinical outcome of patients older than 75 years who were admitted to our high-volume tertiary center with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and treated with primary percutaneous intervention (PCI).

Study Design: Our study included patients over 75 years old who were admitted with STEMI and underwent primary PCI at our center between January 2008 and September 2011. We retrospectively collected data from our hospital records for 1165 patients with STEMI.

Serum uric acid, inflammation, and nondipping circadian pattern in essential hypertension.

Uric acid (UA) is independently associated with the emergence of hypertension. Nocturnal nondipping pattern of hypertension is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular, renal, and cerebrovascular complications than dippers. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between the circadian blood pressure rhythm and UA level in patients with newly diagnosed essential hypertension.

Heart rate variability and red cell distribution width in patients with systolic left heart failure.

Objective: Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a strong prognostic marker for systolic left heart failure regardless of the anemia status, and heart rate variability (HRV) is negatively associated with mortality and sudden cardiac death in patients with systolic left heart failure. Their relationship has not been investigated in the previous literature.

Design: One hundred eighty four patients who had been previously diagnosed with systolic left heart failure (with ischemic or non-ischemic etiology) were retrospectively enrolled in our study.

Usefulness of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio to predict bare-metal stent restenosis.

Inflammation plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of in-stent restenosis (ISR). Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) provides a simple method for assessment of inflammatory status and prognosis in patients with coronary artery disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate the predictive value of preprocedural NLR on development of ISR in patients undergoing coronary stent implantation.

Red cell distribution width and inflammation in patients with non-dipper hypertension.

Red cell distribution width (RDW) is independently associated with morbidity and mortality in cardiovascular diseases. RDW is elevated in hypertensive patients compared with normotensives. Based on the nocturnal course, hypertension classified as dipper and non-dipper.

Prognostic significance of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Objectives: This study investigated the prognostic value of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Background: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin is a promising biomarker for acute kidney injury. Recently, it was concluded that NGAL may be used beyond the boundaries of renal physiopathology.

Elevated serum uric acid predicts angiographic impaired reperfusion and 1-year mortality in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: Serum uric acid (SUA) is associated with microvascular disease that could alter coronary blood flow and prognosis. We evaluated the effects of admission SUA levels on coronary blood flow and prognosis in 185 consecutive patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who underwent acute primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: Patients undergoing PCI for an acute STEMI were stratified into elevated SUA (>6.

Diagnostic accuracy of P-wave dispersion in prediction of maintenance of sinus rhythm after external cardioversion of atrial fibrillation.

Objective: P-wave dispersion (PWD) is an electrocardiographic measurement, which reflects a disparity in an atrial conduction. In this study, we aim to demonstrate the diagnostic accuracy of PWD in predicting recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with sinus rhythm restoration after external cardioversion.

Methods: This prospective, observational study consists of 26 patients, who underwent external cardioversion for non-valvular persistent AF and successfully cardioverted to sinus rhythm (13 men, mean age 58.

Bone morphogenic protein-7 serum level decreases significantly in patients with contrast-induced nephropathy.

Background And Aim: Previous studies have demonstrated that endogenous bone morphogenic protein-7 (BMP-7) level is reduced in acute kidney injury and administration of exogenous BMP-7 has a beneficial effect on kidney function. In spite of preventive management, contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is still the third cause of acute deterioration of kidney function in hospitalized patients. With this background in mind, we studied changes in serum BMP-7 in a group of patients with chronic kidney disease and contrast-induced nephropathy.