Supporting Role of Adequate Affected Tissue Biopsy in the Diagnostic Algorithm for Cardiac Amyloidosis.

Amyloidosis is a pathology that occurs as a result of the accumulation of various misfolded proteins in the extracellular space. It is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality due to multi-organ involvement. One of the most important determinants of mortality and morbidity is cardiac involvement.

Effects of an Impaired Fasting Glucose on the Left Atrial Strain Evaluated by Speckle Tracking Echocardiography.

: Similar to diabetes, the presence of left ventricular (LV) diastolic function (DD) has been reported in various studies which were conducted with people with a diagnosis of an impaired fasting blood glucose (FBG). This study aimed to examine the effects of the fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels on the left atrial strain (LAS) estimated by two-dimensional echocardiography speckle tracking analyses in patients without known diabetes. : The study included 148 participants (74 female and 74 male) without a history of diabetes mellitus or chronic disease.

Do Restoring and Maintaining Sinus Rhythm Have a Beneficial Effect on Secondary Prevention of Stroke in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation? A Pilot Study.

We aimed to determine whether attempts to restore and maintain sinus rhythm will reduce recurrent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Patients (n = 245) between March 1998 and May 2002 with AF who had an ischemic stroke including transient ischemic attack 1 to 12 months before transesophageal echocardiographic examination and had been followed for 3 years were retrospectively reviewed. Cardioversion was attempted in 130 patients; 117 (90%) patients were successfully cardioverted (rhythm control group).

[Relationship between serum level of CD40 ligand and persistent lone atrial fibrillation].

Objective: Inflammation is thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation. The relationship between CD40 ligand (CD40L), a prothrombotic and proinflammatory molecule, and lone atrial fibrillation was presently investigated for the first time. Levels of serum CD40L were also tested, regarding potential to distinguish patients with lone atrial fibrillation from healthy individuals.

Lipid Variables Related to the Extent and Severity of Coronary Artery Disease in Non-Diabetic Turkish Cypriots.

Background: We aimed to analyze the association between lipid variables and the extent and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in non-diabetic Turkish Cypriots.

Methods: Overall, 412 patients (mean (SD) age: 58.8 (10.

The relationship between grade of ischemia, success of reperfusion, and type of thrombolytic regimen.

Background: This study was aimed to determine whether the grade of ischemia can predict the success of reperfusion in patients treated with thrombolytic therapy (TT) for ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Material And Methods: We enrolled 229 consecutive patients with diagnosis of STEMI and receiving TT. Patients were divided into 2 groups--grade 2 ischemia (GI2) and grade 3 ischemia (GI3)--according to initial electrocardiogram (ECG).

Follow-up of aspirin-resistant patients with end-stage kidney disease.

Background: Aspirin resistance is defined by platelet function testing and presumed clinical unresponsiveness to aspirin. Aspirin-resistant patients are at a greater risk of clinically important adverse cardiovascular events. We aimed to investigate whether end-stage renal disease patients with aspirin resistance are at increased risk for long-term major adverse clinical events.

Kounis syndrome: myocardial infarction secondary to an allergic insult--a rare clinical entity.

The association of an acute coronary syndrome with mast cell activation secondary to allergen exposure is known as the Kounis syndrome. We present two cases of the Kounis syndrome: (i) one was misdiagnosed as acute ST elevation myocardial infarction and treated with thrombolytics; (ii) the second diagnosis was made after a recurrence two months after the first incident.

Admission hyperglycemia and TIMI frame count in primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

We evaluated the relationship between admission blood glucose levels and estimated coronary flow by the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count (TFC) method in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). The TFC of 121 consecutive patients with STEMI were evaluated after pPCI. Patients with admission glucose levels > 198 mg/dL (11 mmol/L) were defined as hyperglycemic.

Dilatation of the ascending aorta and serum alpha 1-antitrypsin level in patients with bicuspid aortic valve.

Predictors of aortic dilatation are not well described in patients with bicuspid aortic valves (BAV). This study sought to examine the relationship between proximal aortic dilatation and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and alpha 1-antitrypsin (α1AT) levels in patients with BAV. All patients underwent echocardiography using a standard protocol, and aortic measurements were taken in end-diastole.

Laboratory signs of aspirin response in haemodialysis patients.

Introduction: Aspirin is effective in the secondary prevention and high-risk primary prevention of cardiovascular events. However, clinical and laboratory evidence demonstrates diminished or no response to aspirin in some patients. This study was designed to assess aspirin response in haemodialysis patients.

Correlation between the AHCPR (Agency For Health Care Policy and Research) risk stratification and angiographic morphology in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome.

Objectives: Risk stratification in acute coronary syndromes is an important diagnostic tool guiding future therapy. We evaluated the correlation between the AHCPR (Agency for Health Care Policy and Research) risk classification and angiographic morphology in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS).

Study Design: A total of 163 patients hospitalized with the diagnosis of NSTE-ACS were prospectively enrolled.

Prevalence of coronary artery anomalies in 12,457 adult patients who underwent coronary angiography.

Background: Coronary artery anomalies are found in 0.2% to 1.3% of patients undergoing coronary angiography and 0.

Risk factors for development of left ventricular thrombus after first acute anterior myocardial infarction-association with anticardiolipin antibodies.

Background: Left ventricular thrombus(LVT] formation is a frequent complication in patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction(MI). LVT is associated with increased risk of embolism and higher mortality rates after acute MI. Anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA) are immunoglobulins that react with phospholipid-binding proteins interfering with the prothrombin activator complex.

Oxidative status and lipid profile in metabolic syndrome: gender differences.

Background: Metabolic syndrome is associated with cardiovascular disease and oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences of novel oxidative stress parameters and lipid profiles in men and women with metabolic syndrome.

Methods: The study population included 88 patients with metabolic syndrome, consisting of 48 postmenauposal women (group I) and 40 men (group II).

Chronic kidney disease as a predictor of coronary lesion morphology.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the main cause of death in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We investigated whether CKD stage affected coronary lesion morphology in patients with established CAD. Coronary angiograms of 264 patients were evaluated.

Effects of aldosterone blockade on left ventricular function and clinical status during acute myocardial infarction.

Objective: Heart failure is frequently a serious complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). ACE inhibitors, Angiotensin II receptor blockers, beta-blockers and aldosterone receptor blockers have been shown to improve outcomes in this setting. This study aimed to determine the effect of spironolactone on the frequency of clinical heart failure, mortality, rehospitalization and left ventricular functions determined by echocardiography.

Effect of seven different modalities of antihypertensive therapy on pulse pressure in patients with newly diagnosed stage I hypertension.

In this study, we investigated the effect of different antihypertensive agents on pulse pressure (PP). The study was designed in a prospective manner and patients were sequentially allocated to one of the seven different therapy groups, according to the order of enrollment (every first patient to group I, every second patient to group II, and etc). Patients in group I received 10 mg of lisinopril, in group II 10/6.

Plasma homocysteine level and left ventricular thrombus formation in acute anterior myocardial infarction patients following thrombolytic therapy with t-PA.

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between homocysteine levels and the development of left ventricular thrombus in acute anterior myocardial infarction patients directed to thrombolytic therapy.

Methods And Results: Seventy-nine patients presenting with ST elevated acute anterior myocardial infarction and treated with thrombolytic agent, t-PA, were included in the study. Two-dimensional echocardiography was used to divide patients into 2 groups according to the presence (n = 14) or absence (n = 65) of thrombus in the left ventricle following myocardial infarction.