[High levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and impaired autonomic activity in smokers].

Objectives: We investigated the relationship between high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) activity and autonomic nervous activity using heart rate variability in smokers.

Study Design: The study consisted of 136 healthy subjects, including 66 smokers (35 women, 31 men; mean age 36 years) and 70 nonsmokers (43 women, 27 men; mean age 34 years). Serum samples were collected from all the subjects.

High levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein predict the progression of chronic rheumatic mitral stenosis.

Background: High sensitive C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) predicts morbidity and mortality in various clinical conditions. The effect of hsCRP on progression of chronic rheumatic mitral stenosis (CRMS) has not been demonstrated.

Methods And Results: A total of 132 patients with CRMS (95 female, 37 male) and 145 control (100 female, 45 male) were included in the study.

Effects of cigarette smoking on heart rate variability and plasma N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide in healthy subjects: is there the relationship between both markers?

Background: Cigarette smoking increased the risk of acute cardiac events related with endothelial dysfunction and increased sympathetic activity. Impaired autonomic nervous activity is recognized as a considerable symptom of cardiac dysfunction and is strongly associated with increased risk overall mortality.

Methods: A total of 75 healthy habitual smokers (40 female, 35 male, mean age 36.

Coronary narrowing secondary to compression by pericardial hydatid cyst.

Echinococcus granulosus remains a clinical problem in undeveloped and developing countries. It commonly affects the liver and lung, but, rarely, other organs such as the heart can be involved. In this report, we describe an unusual case in which pericardial hydatid cyst mimicking acute coronary syndrome secondary to compression by pericardial hydatid cyst attached to the anterolateral wall of the left ventricle.

Anomaly of the left anterior descending coronary artery arising from the right sinus of valsalva and ventricular septal defect in adult: a rare case.

Anomaly of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery arising from the right sinus of valsalva is frequently seen with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). The association of the LAD coronary artery with ventricular septal defect (VSD) is uncommon. We described an anomalous origin of the LAD coronary artery from the right sinus of valsalva with ventricular septal defect in a 38-year-old male patient suffering from atypical angina.

Iatrogenic left atrioventricular fistula after aortic valve re-replacement.

Left ventriculoatrial fistula is a very rare cardiac disorder. The case is reported of a male patient who was admitted to the authors' clinic with dyspnea and fatigue. The patient had an atrioventricular fistula between the left atrium and left ventricle, and had undergone aortic valve re-replacement for prosthesis malfunction about one year previously.