Comprehensive analysis of recurrence factors in cryoballoon AF ablation: integrating clinical, biomarkers, and echocardiographic parameters.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) poses substantial challenges in cardiovascular diseases, impacting patient health and economic burdens. Understanding the mechanical effects of AF on the left atrium (LA) and assessing the influence of treatment modalities on LA functions are critical. This study aims to assess the efficacy of echocardiographic and biochemical parameters in predicting AF recurrence following second generation cryoballoon ablation (CB-2).

99mTc-PYP and 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT Images of Hereditary Transthyretin Amyloidosis With Cardiac Involvement.

Amyloidosis is a protein misfolding disorder characterized by the extracellular deposition of insoluble amyloid fibrils, derived from abnormally folded proteins. These fibrils disrupt tissue structure and function, leading to organ dysfunction. The condition encompasses various subtypes, each associated with distinct precursor proteins and clinical manifestations.

The impact of ticagrelor therapy on CABG-related bleeding in patients with STEMI managed with pPCI and following on-pump CABG.

Patients on double antiplatelet treatment who need early in-hospital coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are at high risk of major bleeding. In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of ticagrelor preloading on CABG related bleeding in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) initially managed with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). Patients with the diagnosis of STEMI who were managed with pPCI and underwent subsequent early (4-7 days following pPCI) or delayed (> 7 days following pPCI) on-pump CABG surgery were included.

Current barriers and recommendations on the diagnosis of transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy: a Delphi study.

Objectives: This study has been conducted to investigate the non-invasive diagnostic journey of patients with a transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (aTTR-CM) in Turkey, identify the challenges and uncertainties encountered on the path to diagnosis from the perspectives of expert physicians, and develop recommendations that can be applied in such cases.

Methods: This study employed a three-round modified Delphi method and included 10 cardiologists and five nuclear medicine specialists. Two hematologists also shared their expert opinions on the survey results related to hematological tests during a final face-to-face discussion.

Diagnostic accuracy of Apple Watch Series 6 recorded single-lead ECGs for identifying supraventricular tachyarrhythmias: a comparative analysis with invasive electrophysiological study.

Background: The advancements in wearable technology have made the detection of arrhythmias more accessible. While smartwatches are commonly used to detect patients with atrial fibrillation, their effectiveness in the differential diagnosis of supraventricular tachycardias (SVT) lacks consensus.

Methods: A study was conducted on 47 patients with documented SVTs on a 12-lead ECG.

The validation of left atrial strain imaging for the assessment of diastolic functions in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Assessment of left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP) is crucial in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Since current guideline recommended echocardiographic parameters have limited value, more comprehensive assessment methods are required in this patient subset.In this study, we aimed to investigate the clinical utility of left atrial reservoir strain (LARS) imaging in patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI).

Left atrial functions in the early period after cryoballoon ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Purpose: In patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF), functional changes are observed in the left atrium (LA) after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) procedure. Although previous studies have investigated the altered mechanical functions of the LA with radiofrequency (RF) ablation, changes in the LA functions in the early period after cryoablation (CB-2) have not been clearly demonstrated. This study aims to explore the early periodical changes in mechanical functions of the LA in patients with PAF who underwent CB-2 based ablation through the help of echocardiographic methods which contain Doppler and strain parameters.

Non-dominant right coronary artery (RCA) is associated with suspected inferior ischemia on SPECT in patients without significant coronary artery disease (CAD).

Objective: There is a huge uncertainty in the medical community regarding the significance of non-dominant right coronary artery (RCA) in patients with inferior wall ischemia on myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of non-dominant RCA on myocardial perfusion SPECT (MPS) with respect to the misleading detection of ischemia in the inferior wall of the myocardium.

Methods: This is a retrospective study of 155 patients, who had undergone elective coronary angiography owing to an indication of inferior wall ischemia by MPS between 2012 and 2017.

Effects of obesity on arrhythmic events and survival in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.

Background    Studies have shown that increased body weight and obesity may be associated with an increased risk of arrhythmic events. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of obesity on the risk of arrhythmic events, hospitalization, and death in patients who received implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy for primary or secondary prevention.Material and Methods    A single-center, prospective, observational study was conducted.

Artificial neuronal network analysis in investigating the relationship between oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress to address blocked vessels in cardiovascular disease.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the world and is associated with significant morbidity. Atherosclerosis is the main cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure, and stroke. The mechanism of atherosclerosis has not been well investigated in different aspects, such as the relationship between oxidative stress and endothelial function.

Intracardiac electrogram characteristics of intramural outflow tract ventricular arrhythmias.

Background: Annotation of earliest depolarization which depends on maximum dV/dt of unipolar-electrograms and unipolar QS morphology identify site of origin for ventricular premature contractions (VPC). However, identification of unipolar QS morphology has limitations due to low spatial resolution. This study aims to compare electrogram characteristics at successful ablation site in patients with outflow tract (OT) VPC.

Cardiac Hydatid Disease and Peritoneal Tuberculosis Coexistence.

Hydatid cyst is a parasitic infection caused by Echinocococcus granulosus. The coexistence of tuberculosis and cardiac hydatid cyst is extremely rare and generally seen in developing coun- tries. Here, we describe a unique case of a patient presenting with cardiac and gastrointestinal symptoms, who has coexistence of cardiac hydatid cyst and peritoneal tuberculosis.

Do trace elements play a role in coronary artery calcification in hemodialysis patients?

Purpose: Abnormalities of trace elements have previously been linked to inflammatory processes in hemodialysis (HD) patients. We aimed to establish the trace element status of maintenance HD patients, to investigate the relationship between coronary artery calcification scores (CACs) and whole blood levels of trace elements.

Methods: Patients undergoing HD in three times a week for > 6 months and age-and sex-matched controls were included from October 2015 to June 2016.

Prognostic significance of addition of electrocardiographic findings to the MAGGIC heart failure risk score.

Background: The Meta-analysis Global Group in Chronic Heart Failure (MAGGIC) is a scoring system that is easy to use in outpatient or inpatient settings and was developed to predict the survival of heart failure (HF) patients after hospitalization.

Aim: This study aims to determine the prognostic significance of MAGGIC risk score combined with electrocardiography (ECG) parameters in decompensated patients with heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF) who were hospitalized for worsening HF.

Methods: A total of 562 HF patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) II-IV functional class who were discharged after hospitalization for decompensated HF between 2013 and 2018 in a single center were included.

Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation in Patients ≤30 Years of Age.

Pulmonary vein (PV) automaticity is an established trigger for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF), making PV isolation (PVI) the cornerstone of catheter ablation. However, data on triggers for atrial fibrillation (AF) and catheter ablation strategy in very young patients aged <30 years are sparse. A total of 51 young patients (mean age 24.

Blood Pressure Variability in Fabry Disease Patients.

Introduction: Fabry disease is a rare metabolic, multisystemic, and X-linked lysosomal storage disorder. The involvement of the autonomic nervous system is well defined; however, data on the variability of the blood pressure (BP) and heart rate in Fabry disease are largely missing. In this study, we aimed to examine the circadian variations of BP and heart rate variability in Fabry disease patients.

Case Report: Two Cases of Persistent Hiccups Complicating COVID-19.

Two cases are presented with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19)-related hiccups: one during initial presentation and one 10 days after COVID-19 diagnosis. Hiccups in both patients were resistant to treatment and responded only to chlorpromazine. COVID-19 patients may present with hiccups and also may have hiccups after treatment.

Echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular filling pressure in patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction: an invasive validation study.

Backgrounds Assessment of left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP) is of clinical importance in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Although several echocardiographic parameters are recommended for the assessment of LVFP, validation of these parameters in patients with STEMI is missing. We aimed to investigate the clinical utility of these parameters in acute settings.

Macroscopic T-wave alternans in a patient presenting with hepatic encephalopathy.

Macroscopic T-wave alternans (TWA) is the beat-to-beat variation in the amplitude or shape of the T wave on a surface electrocardiogram (ECG) and known to be a harbinger of impending malignant ventricular arrhythmias such as polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. We herein report a case with hepatic encephalopathy, who developed TWA, followed by polymorphic ventricular tachycardia.

Wearable sensor-based evaluation of psychosocial stress in patients with metabolic syndrome.

The prevalence of metabolic disorders has increased rapidly as such they become a major health issue recently. Despite the definition of genetic associations with obesity and cardiovascular diseases, they constitute only a small part of the incidence of disease. Environmental and physiological effects such as stress, behavioral and metabolic disturbances, infections, and nutritional deficiencies have now revealed as contributing factors to develop metabolic diseases.