Contemporary In-Hospital Outcomes of Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Interventions: Insights from the MENATA (Middle East, North Africa, Turkey, and Asia) Chapter of the PROGRESS-CTO Registry.

Chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been rapidly evolving in different parts of the world. We examined the clinical and angiographic characteristics and procedural outcomes of 1,079 consecutive CTO PCIs performed in 1,063 patients at 10 centers in the Middle East, North Africa, Turkey, and Asia regions between 2018 and 2022. The mean age was 61 ± 10 years and 82% of the patients were men.

Incidence, mechanisms, treatment, and outcomes of donor vessel injury during percutaneous coronary interventions for chronic total occlusion.

Background: Donor vessel injury is a potentially life-threatening complication of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Aims: Our goal was to examine the incidence, mechanisms, treatment, and outcomes of patients with donor vessel injury in a large multicenter CTO PCI registry.

Methods: We analyzed the baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics, and procedural outcomes of 12,349 CTO PCIs performed between 2012 and 2022 at 44 centers.

Myocardial Blush Grade Predicts Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation following Mitral Valve Replacement: A Novel Perspective.

: Atrial fibrillation (AF) remains the most common arrhythmia following mitral valve surgery. Although numerous clinical and laboratory indicators and possible mechanisms of postoperative AF (PoAF) have been described, the role of microvascular dysfunction in pathogenesis has not been assessed. We aimed to evaluate the association between microvascular dysfunction and PoAF in patients undergoing isolated mitral valve replacement.

Aortocoronary dissection during percutaneous coronary interventions for chronic total occlusion: Insights from the PROGRESS-CTO registry.

Background: Aortocoronary dissection is a potentially serious complication of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: We examined the incidence, mechanisms, treatment, and outcomes of aortocoronary dissection among 12,117 CTO PCIs performed between 2012 and 2022 in a large multicenter CTO PCI registry.

Results: The incidence of aortocoronary dissection was 0.

Effect of candesartan treatment on echocardiographic indices of cardiac remodeling in post-myocardial infarction patients.

Objective: Myocardial infarction has unfavorable effect on structural and functional properties of the myocardium, referred to as cardiac remodeling. Left ventricular mass, left ventricular mass index, and relative wall thickness are important predictors of cardiac remodeling. In this study, we investigated the effect of candesartan treatment in comparison with zofenopril treatment on echocardiographic indices of cardiac remodeling in post myocardial infarction patients.

Assessment of arterial stiffness and epicardial adipose tissue thickness in predicting the subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Objective: Atherosclerosis is a chronic, progressive, inflammatory disease. Recognition of subclinical atherosclerotic vascular changes before clinical manifestation in an asymptomatic population is important for risk stratification and optimal management, which finally leads to the prevention of cardiovascular disease. We aimed to determine the risk of premature subclinical atherosclerosis by evaluating epicardial adipose tissue thickness (EATT) and arterial stiffness parameters in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

The Prognostic Utility of Plasma NGAL Levels in ST Segment Elevation in Myocardial Infarction Patients.

Introduction: Plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients are markedly higher. In addition, plasma NGAL levels were increased in patients with acute and chronic heart failure as a complication of myocardial infarction. In this study, we investigated whether there is a difference between the prognostic use of plasma NGAL levels in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients with preserved and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Mental status and physical activity in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia: A subgroup analysis of a nationwide survey (A-HIT1 registry).

Background: Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) is a rare, life-threatening disease due to high serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. LDL cholesterol-lowering interventions are fundamental for patients with HoFH.

Objective: It was aimed to investigate the association between the mental status of patients with HoFH and healthy lifestyle behaviors.

Comparative effects of atorvastatin 80 mg and rosuvastatin 40 mg on the levels of serum endocan, chemerin, and galectin-3 in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Objective: Endocan, chemerin, and galectin-3 are discrete biomarkers associated with cardiovascular diseases and acting through different pathophysiological pathways. The aim of this study is to investigate and compare the effects of high doses of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin on serum endocan, chemerin, and galectin-3 levels in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods: Sixty-three patients with AMI were randomized to receive atorvastatin (80 mg/day) or rosuvastatin (40 mg/day) after percutaneous revascularization.

Clinical management, psychosocial characteristics, and quality of life in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia undergoing LDL-apheresis in Turkey: Results of a nationwide survey (A-HIT1 registry).

Background: Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) is a rare, life-threatening inherited disease leading to early-onset atherosclerosis and associated morbidity. Because of its rarity, longitudinal data on the management of HoFH in the real world are lacking, particularly on the impact the condition has on quality of life (QoL), including the impact of the extracorporeal lipid removal procedure apheresis (LA).

Methods: The A-HIT1 study included 88 patients with HoFH aged ≥12 years receiving regular LA in 19 centers in Turkey.

Comparative effects of high-dose atorvastatin versus rosuvastatin on lipid parameters, oxidized low-density lipoprotein, and proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 in acute coronary syndrome.

Aim: Current guidelines recommend administration of high-dose statins in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). It has been reported that statins upregulate proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 (PCSK9) mRNA expression and increase circulating PCSK9 levels. We aimed to compare the effects of high-dose atorvastatin and rosuvastatin on serum oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxidized-LDL) and PCSK9 levels in statin-naive patients with ACS.

What have we learned from Turkish familial hypercholesterolemia registries (A-HIT1 and A-HIT2)?

Background And Aims: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a common genetic disease of high-level cholesterol leading to premature atherosclerosis. One of the key aspects to overcome FH burden is the generation of large-scale reliable data in terms of registries. This manuscript underlines the important results of nation-wide Turkish FH registries (A-HIT1 and A-HIT2).

A nation-wide survey of patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia phenotype undergoing LDL-apheresis in Turkey (A-HIT 1 registry).

Background And Aims: Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) is a genetic condition characterized by lethally high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) from birth, and requires rapid and aggressive intervention to prevent death due to coronary heart disease and/or atherosclerosis. Where available, lipoprotein apheresis (LA) is the mainstay of treatment to promote survival.

Methods: A-HIT1 registry was conducted with the aim of providing insight to the real-life management of HoFH patients undergoing LA in Turkey, where LA procedures are fully reimbursed and widely available.

Assessment of atrial electromechanical delay and P-wave dispersion in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objectives: Diabetes mellitus is an independent and strong risk factor for development of atrial fibrillation (AF). Electrophysiologic and electromechanical abnormalities are associated with a higher risk of AF. In this study we aimed to determine the correlation of atrial conduction abnormalities between the surface electrocardiographic and tissue Doppler echocardiographic measurements in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.

Comparative effects of high-dose atorvastatin versus moderate-dose rosuvastatin on lipid parameters, oxidized-LDL and inflammatory markers in ST elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: The important role of oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxidized-LDL) in preclinic atherosclerosis and pathophysiology of acute coronary syndromes studies have reported. Oxidation of LDL activates many inflammatory and atherogenic pathways and plays a pivotal role in atherosclerosis. Our aim in this study is to compare the effects of 80 mg daily dose of atorvastatin and 20 mg daily dose of rosuvastatin on lipid profiles and the levels of oxidized-LDL and inflammatory markers in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

[Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and inhibitors].

Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering drugs reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, many individuals treated with statins do not achieve their target levels of LDL-C.

Arterial stiffness and carotid intima-media thickness in diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Background: We investigated the relationship between peripheral neuropathy and parameters of arterial stiffness and carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Material And Methods: The study included 161 patients (80 females and 81 males), 69 of whom had peripheral neuropathy. All patients underwent 24-h blood pressure monitoring, and arterial stiffness parameters were measured.

The relation between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and coronary chronic total occlusions.

Background: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a marker of systemic inflammation that correlates with cardiac events. This study assessed the association between NLR and the presence of chronic coronary total occlusion (CTO).

Methods: The study population included 225 patients, a control group (n = 75), a coronary artery disease group (n = 75), and a CTO group (n = 75).

Fragmented QRS in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease with a variety of clinical features. Cardiac involvement is present in more than half of the patients with SLE. Fragmentation of QRS (fQRS) is presumed marker of cardiovascular risk and has not been previously evaluated in SLE.

Assessment of inhomogeneities of repolarization in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objectives: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic disease that affects many organ systems and manifests a broad spectrum of laboratory and clinical features. SLE patients have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate inhomogeneities of repolarization by using Tpeak -Tend (Tp-e) interval and Tp-e/QT ratio were measured from the 12-lead surface electrocardiogram (ECG) in patients with SLE.

Is the thrombus truly free-floating? A case report.

A free-floating thrombus in the left atrium is very rare in mitral stenosis. Such a thrombus can lead to sudden circulatory arrest and syncope or can cause severe cerebral or peripheral thromboembolic events. Clinical diagnosis is difficult, but left atrial thrombus should be suspected if patients with mitral stenosis and atrial fibrillation have intermittent or changing murmurs, emboli, or syncope.

[Right atrial perforation after an endocardial screw-in atrial lead implantation].

A 24-year-old female underwent implantation of a right-sided dual chamber permanent pacemaker for cardioinhibitory syncope with active fixation atrial lead. Five days after the procedure, the patient developed pleuritic chest pain and difficulty in breathing. Minimal pericardial effusion and right hemopneumothorax were found.