Alteration in serum oxidative stress balance in patients with different circulating high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.

Introduction And Objectives: High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is known to be a key player in reverse cholesterol transport and this function is associated with its atheroprotective role. Low HDL-C is a strong independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, premature atherosclerosis and increased oxidative stress. However, the clinical benefit of high HDL-C through diet or drug therapy is still controversial.

Selvester Score May Be a Predictor of ICD Therapies in Patients with Non-Ischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

Introduction: The benefit of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) in patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is still an issue under discussion. Studies examining the relationship between ventricular scar tissue and ICD shock with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) are promising. CMR studies have shown that ventricular scar tissue size and Selvester score show a correlation.

Serum irisin and adropin levels may be predictors for coronary artery ectasia.

Background: There is strong evidence that oxidative stress and inflammation may contribute to the coronary artery ectasia (CAE) pathophysiology. Recent studies have shown that serum irisin and adropin levels are associated with oxidative stress and inflammation. In the light of this information, we aimed to investigate the possible relationship between serum irisin, adropin levels and CAE.

Nebivolol versus Carvedilol or Metoprolol in Patients Presenting with Acute Myocardial Infarction Complicated by Left Ventricular Dysfunction.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of nebivolol, carvedilol or metoprolol succinate on the outcome of patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by left ventricular dysfunction.

Subjects And Methods: Patients (n = 172, aged 28-87 years) with AMI and left ventricular ejection fraction ≤0.45 were randomized to the nebivolol (n = 55), carvedilol (n = 60) and metoprolol succinate (n = 57) groups.

Relationship Between Mean Platelet Volume and Pulmonary Embolism in Patients With Deep Vein Thrombosis.

Background: Mean platelet volume (MPV) has been demonstrated to be associated with deep vein thrombosis (DVT). However, its role in the prediction of pulmonary embolism (PE), which is a major complication of DVT, is still unclear. Therefore, we investigated the association of MPV values with acute PE in patients with DVT.

Addition of N-acetyl cysteine to carvedilol decreases the incidence of acute renal injury after cardiac surgery.

Background: Oxidative stress and inflammation during cardiac surgery may be associated with acute renal injury (ARI). N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and carvedilol have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Hypothesis: A combination of carvedilol and NAC should decrease the incidence of ARI more than metoprolol or carvedilol.

Oxidative status, inflammation, and postoperative atrial fibrillation with metoprolol vs carvedilol or carvedilol plus N-acetyl cysteine treatment.

Background: Atrial fibrillation is associated with inflammation and oxidative stress.

Hypothesis: Carvedilol and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) combination decreases inflammation, oxidative stress, and postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) rates more than metoprolol or carvedilol.

Methods: Preoperative and postoperative total oxidative stress (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and white blood cells (WBC) were measured in metoprolol, carvedilol, or carvedilol plus NAC groups, and association with POAF was evaluated.

Effects of prediabetes and diabetes on left ventricular and coronary microvascular functions.

Background: Coronary flow reserve (CFR) provides independent prognostic information in diabetic patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease. However, there have been no substantial data to evaluate CFR in prediabetics. Accordingly, we aimed to evaluate CFR in subjects with prediabetes using second harmonic transthoracic Doppler echocardiography.

Mean platelet volume, an indicator of platelet reactivity, is increased in patients with patent foramen ovale.

Numerous studies have shown an association between patent foramen ovale (PFO) and cryptogenic stroke suggesting that paradoxical emboli may be an important cause of stroke. In addition, some authors have proposed that platelet activation is present in PFO patients and this might be the cause of the stroke. The aim of this study was to assess the mean platelet volume (MPV), an indicator of platelet activation and/or reactivity in patients with PFO.

Strict heart rate control attenuates prothrombotic state and platelet activity in patients with non-valvular permanent atrial fibrillation.

Background: The underlying mechanisms of increased risk of thrombo-embolism in atrial fibrillation (AF) are not completely understood; however, substantial evidence supports that AF is associated with a prothrombotic state. Accordingly, we hypothesized that strict rate control could attenuate platelet activity and thrombotic state in patients with non-valvular AF.

Methods: Seventy-five patients with non-valvular AF were divided into 2 groups based on heart rate: (1) normal ventricular rate (n = 34, 18 female) and (2) high ventricular rate (n = 39).

Association of inflammation with atrial fibrillation in hyperthyroidism.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between inflammation and development of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with hyperthyroidism.

Methods: A total of 65 patients with newly diagnosed hyperthyroidism, 35 of whom were in sinus rhythm and 30 of whom in AF. Thirty five age- and gender-matched patients in a control group were included in the study.

Effects of allopurinol on coronary microvascular and left ventricular function in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Background: Uric acid (UA) is an independent marker of mortality and associated with increased oxidative stress in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). The present study aimed to investigate the effect of allopurinol on left ventricular (LV) function and coronary microvascular integrity in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC).

Methods: Thirty-nine consecutive IDC patients were divided into 2 groups: elevated (> 7 mg/dL for men and >6.

Mean platelet volume is associated with culprit lesion severity and cardiac events in acute coronary syndromes without ST elevation.

We investigated the association of mean platelet volume (MPV) with culprit lesion severity and major cardiac outcomes (MCOs) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with non-ST elevation (NSTE). This study included 344 patients with NSTE-ACS who had significant coronary stenosis at least 50%. They were divided into high MPV group (n = 109, upper tertile >9.

Can comprehensive echocardiographic evaluation provide an advantage to predict anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy?

Objectives: No definite markers have been established to identify patients in whom anthracycline-containing chemotherapy may represent a high risk for the development of cardiotoxicity. We aimed to evaluate the predictive value of comprehensive echocardiography in anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy.

Study Design: In a prospective design, the study included 39 patients (9 males, 30 females; mean age 53.

Mean platelet volume has a prognostic value in patients with coronary artery ectasia.

The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic role of mean platelet volume (MPV) in patients with coronary artery ectasia (CAE). The baseline MPV values of 258 patients with CAE were screened. The mean time of follow-up was 49 ± 21 months for major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) defined as the combination of cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), rehospitalization due to cardiac disorders, and readmission due to chest pain.

Elevated mean platelet volume is associated with impaired coronary microvascular function in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Attenuated coronary flow reserve (CFR) has been reported in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC). On the other hand increased platelet activity has been demonstrated in patients with congestive heart failure and left ventricular dysfunction. Accordingly, we aimed to investigate whether mean platelet volume (MPV) is increased in patients with IDC and increased MPV correlates with the degree of coronary microvascular dysfunction.

N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids administration does not reduce the recurrence rates of atrial fibrillation and inflammation after electrical cardioversion: a prospective randomized study.

Objective: The purpose of the present prospective randomized study was to evaluate the effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on recurrence rates of atrial fibrillation (AF) and inflammation after electrical cardioversion.

Methods: Calculation of the number of patients needed was based on the assumption of 20% and 65% chance of maintaining sinus rhythm with amiodarone and with polyunsaturated fatty acids, respectively. To observe a significant difference with an alpha level of 0.

Platelet indices in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a chronic progressive disease characterized by persistent elevation of pulmonary artery pressure. Vasoconstriction, remodeling, and thrombosis cause increased pulmonary vascular resistance and pressure. Previous studies have demonstrated that platelet activation occurs in patients with PAH.

Platelet indices in patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

Previous studies have demonstrated that platelet activation occurs in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE). The aim of this study was to assess the mean platelet volume (MPV), an indicator of platelet activation in patients with acute PE. The study group consisted of 107 patients with acute PE.