Insulin-like growth factor-1 levels predict myocardial injury and infarction after elective percutaneous coronary intervention: an optical coherence tomography study.

Introduction: Periprocedural myocardial necrosis, which can range from a low level elevation of cardiac biomarkers to a large myocardial infarction (MI), is a common complication after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Aim: We hypothesized that insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels may play a protective role in myocardial injury after coronary stent placement and aimed to investigate the relationship between IGF-1 levels and plaque characteristics assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Material And Methods: Between May 2015 and December 2015 we prospectively enrolled 74 patients with stable angina pectoris in whom single de novo coronary artery stenosis was present.

Evaluation of Left Atrial Functions by 2-dimensional Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography During Healthy Pregnancy.

Objectives: We aimed to determine the effects of normal pregnancy on left atrial (LA) mechanics using 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography.

Methods: A total of 47 healthy women with singleton pregnancies were prospectively enrolled in this study. A total of 4 visits, including each trimester and postpartum at 6 months, were planned.

Aortic valve sclerosis is associated with the extent of coronaryartery disease in stable coronary artery disease.

Background/aim: Aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) is characterized by lipid deposition and calcific infiltration on the edge of aortic leaflets without significant restriction of motion. The SYNTAX Score (SS) is an important method for evaluating coronary artery disease (CAD). Many studies showed that there is an important relation between the SS and undesired cardiac outcomes.