Intravascular Lithotripsy Versus Rotational Atherectomy in Coronary Chronic Total Occlusions: Analysis from the Prospective Global Registry for the Study of Chronic Total Occlusion Intervention Registry.

There are limited comparative data on the use of plaque modification devices during chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We compared intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) with rotational atherectomy (RA) for lesion preparation in patients who underwent CTO PCI across 50 US and non-US centers from 2019 to 2024. Of 15,690 patients who underwent CTO PCI during the study period, 436 (2.

Facultative and anaerobic consortia of haloalkaliphilic ureolytic micro-organisms capable of precipitating calcium carbonate.

Aims: Development of biomineralization technologies has largely focused on microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) via Sporosarcina pasteurii ureolysis; however, as an obligate aerobe, the general utility of this organism is limited. Here, facultative and anaerobic haloalkaliphiles capable of ureolysis were enriched, identified and then compared to S. pasteurii regarding biomineralization activities.

The effect of repetitive firings on the color of an alumina ceramic system with varying ceramic shade and thickness.

Objective: The color of all-ceramic restorations is one of the main criteria to achieve esthetical success. Many factors such as ceramic thickness, condensation techniques, firing temperature, and numbers can affect the final color of restoration. The purpose of this study was to investigate the color changes in alumina-based ceramic system according to ceramic shade and thickness during the multiple firings.

Early changes in atrial conduction times in hypertensive patients with elevated pulse pressure.

Objective: Pulse pressure (PP) is the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and is an independent predictor of atrial fibrillation (AF). In this study we investigated the relationship between PP and atrial conduction times.

Methods: The study included 157 patients with essential hypertension.

The relationship between 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure load and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio.

Introduction And Objective: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is established as a reliable marker of systemic inflammation. Low-grade inflammation has a key role in the pathogenesis and progression of hypertension (HTN). Blood pressure (BP) load, defined as the percentage of abnormally elevated BP readings, is a good marker of HTN severity.

A Novel Marker of Impaired Aortic Elasticity in Never Treated Hypertensive Patients: Monocyte/High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Ratio.

Background: Monocyte to high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR) is generally understood to be a candidate marker of inflammation and oxidative stress. Therefore, we aimed to assess the association between MHR and aortic elastic properties in hypertensive patients.

Methods: A total of 114 newly-diagnosed untreated patients with hypertension and 71 healthy subjects were enrolled.

Comparison of coronary artery dimensions in patients with chronic aortic regurgitation or stenosis.

Objective: Effects of various conditions on coronary artery dimensions is an important research topic, and data regarding effect of aortic valvular diseases are limited. Aim of the present study was to investigate effects of aortic regurgitation (AR) and aortic stenosis (AS) on coronary artery dimensions.

Methods: Coronary dimensions of 95 patients (35 with isolated AR, 30 with isolated AS, and 30 without any valvular disease) were calculated.

Sleep related bradyarrhythmic events and heart rate variability in apparently healthy individuals.

Objective: It is thought that abnormal cardiac impulses of the autonomic nervous system during sleep are responsible for sleep-related bradyarrhythmias. Despite a proposed common etiopathogenesis and having common name of "sleep-related bradyarrhythmias," precise importance of sinoatrial or atrioventricular (AV) node involvement remains elusive. This study aimed to determine whether there is a difference in sleeprelated bradyarrhythmias from the point of view of heart rate variability (HRV).

Endocan and Non-Dipping Circadian Pattern in Newly Diagnosed Essential Hypertension.

Background And Objectives: Non-dipper hypertension is frequently accompanied by endothelial dysfunction and activation. Previous studies suggested that endocan may be a novel endothelial dysfunction marker. This study aims to investigate the association between circadian blood pressure (BP) pattern and plasma endocan levels together with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in patients with newly diagnosed untreated hypertension.

Evaluation of heart rate recovery index in heavy smokers.

Objective: Cigarette smoking increases the risk of cardiovascular events. The heart rate recovery index (HRRI) is an indicator of autonomous nervous system function and is an independent prognostic risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we aimed to evaluate HRRI in heavy smokers.

Human Endothelial Cell-Specific Molecule-1 (Endocan) and Coronary Artery Disease and Microvascular Angina.

Endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 (endocan) is an immunoinflammatory marker linked to endothelial activation and dysfunction. We investigated the relationship between obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), microvascular angina (MVA), and plasma levels of endocan. We included 53 healthy individuals as controls, 40 MVA patients, and 120 patients with obstructive CAD.

A rare cause of 2:1 atrioventricular block: carbamazepine.

We report a case of carbamazepine-induced 2:1 atrioventricular (AV) block. A 56-year-old man was admitted to our emergency department for recurrent attacks of dizziness and syncope. His serum carbamazepine level was within therapeutic range, and his electrocardiogram revealed 2:1 AV block.

Relationship between serum vitamin D levels and angiographic severity and extent of coronary artery disease.

Background: Vitamin D is known for its effect in calcium and bone homeostasis. There is an increasing evidence for health benefits accomplished by activated vitamin D that go beyond these classical functions. Previous studies have suggested that lower vitamin D levels are associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk.

Evaluation of Tp-E Interval and Tp-E/QT Ratio in Patients with Aortic Stenosis.

Background: The risk of syncope and sudden cardiac death due to ventricular arrhythmias increased in patients with aortic stenosis (AS). Recently, it was shown that Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT, and Tp-e/QTc ratio can be novel indicators for prediction of ventricular arrhythmias and mortality. We aimed to investigate the association between AS and ventricular repolarization using Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio.

Comparison of three diuretic treatment strategies for patients with acute decompensated heart failure.

Background: There are few prospective data available for establishing a standard diuretic administration regimen for patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of three regimens of furosemide administration in patients with ADHF with regard to diuresis, renal functions, and in-hospital outcomes.

Methods: A total of 43 patients who presented with ADHF were randomized into three groups: (a) continuous infusion (cIV) of 160 mg furosemide for 16 h/day (n = 15); (b) bolus injections (bI) of 80 mg furosemide twice a day (n = 14); (c) and administration of 160 mg furosemide plus hypertonic saline solution (HSS) as an infusion for 30 min once a day (n = 14).

High Sensitive CRP Level Is Associated With Intermediate and High Syntax Score in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome.

High sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels are associated with short- and long-term mortality in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We investigated whether baseline hs-CRP levels are associated with burden of coronary atherosclerosis assessed by SYNTAX score (SXScore).We enrolled 321 patients with ACS who underwent coronary angiography.

The effect of statin treatment on P-wave characteristics and atrial conduction time.

Background And Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of statin treatment on P-wave morphology, dispersion, and tissue Doppler imaging-derived atrial conduction time (PA-TDI), which are known to be predictors of atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: A total of 132 patients with guideline-directed statin indications but no clinical atrial tachyarrhythmias were studied. P-wave duration, P-wave dispersion, and P-wave amplitude on surface 12-lead electrocardiogram and PA-TDI were evaluated before and after three months of statin (either atrovastatin 10-40 mg/d or rosuvastatin 10-20 mg/d) treatment.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio predicts hemodynamic significance of coronary artery stenosis.

Objective: Coronary artery disease is closely linked with inflammation, and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has emerged as a new inflammatory marker. Fractional flow reserve (FFR) is a well-established method for determining hemodynamic significance of coronary artery stenosis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between NLR and hemodynamic significance of coronary artery lesion as assessed by FFR.

Catheter inside the right heart for 22 years: to intervene or not to intervene?

Treatment of a central venous catheter emboli that has been asymptomatic for a number of years is controversial. A 56-year-old male patient who had an operation for sinus Valsalva aneurism rupture 22 years ago was referred to cardiology department for routine control. He had a mass inside the right heart on echocardiographic examination, and computed tomography revealed that this mass was an embolic piece of catheter.

Association Between Platelet to Lymphocyte Ratio and Saphenous Vein Graft Disease.

Atherosclerosis plays an important role in saphenous vein graft disease (SVGD). Previous trials showed that inflammatory blood cells play a role in this process. The platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) has been proposed as a novel predictor for cardiovascular risk and indicator of atherosclerosis.

Relationship between Epicardial Adipose Tissue Thickness and Atrial Electromechanical Delay in Hypertensive Patients.

Objectives: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and atrial electromechanical delay (AEMD) have been shown to be closely linked with atrial fibrillation. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between EAT and AEMD.

Methods: Ninety-six patients were included in this study.

Increased Platelet to Lymphocyte Ratio is Related to Slow Coronary Flow.

Previous studies showed that both inflammation and platelets have a role in development of slow coronary flow (SCF). Platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) as an emerging inflammatory indicator was significantly associated with adverse cardiovascular events. Therefore, we aimed to assess the relationship between PLR and SCF.