Six-Minute Walk Test: How to do Guide for Performing a Reliable Test, Interpretation, and Prognostication in Pulmonary Hypertension.

Six-minute walk test (6MWT) is the most widely used exercise capacity measurement worldwide in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). Although cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is the gold standard for the assessment of exercise capacity in cardiovascular diseases; the limited accessibility of the device, the need for experience in interpreting the results, and the difficulties in performing CPET in advanced PH have aroused the interest in the application of easier methods for the measurement of exercise capacity. Since then, accumulated data proved that; 6-minutes walking distance (6MWD) can be used to determine exercise capacity and is highly correlated with maximum oxygen consumption (peak VO2) detected by CPET in patients with heart failure and/or PH.

Anti-inflammatory treatment improves systolic and diastolic tissue doppler parameters in patients with newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: The frequency of cardiovascular system involvement is increased in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and may result in serious morbidity and mortality. Early intervention and control of the disease activity may reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of steroids and methotrexate (Mtx) on the heart functions of newly diagnosed RA patients.

Acute Anterior Myocardial Infarction in a Patient With Dextrocardia and Situs Inversus: An Unusual Coexistence.

Situs inversus totalis is a rare disorder. In addition, acute coronary syndromes, especially ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions, are rarely detected in this group. We demonstrate the electrocardiographic features and discuss the interventional challenges of acute anterior myocardial infarction in a patient with dextrocardia.

Predictive value of plasma copeptin level for diagnosis and mortality of pulmonary embolism.

Objective: Early diagnosis and risk stratification may provide a better prognosis in pulmonary embolism (PE). Copeptin has emerged as a valuable predictive biomarker in various cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of copeptin in patients with acute PE and to evaluate its relationship with disease severity and PE-related death.

Frailty Significantly Associated with a Risk for Mid-term Outcomes in Elderly Chronic Coronary Syndrome Patients: a Prospective Study.

Introduction: Frailty is a condition of elderly characterized by increased vulnerability to stressful events. Frail patients are more likely to have adverse events. The purposes of this study were to define frailty in patients aged ≥ 70 years with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) and to evaluate mortality and prognostic significance of frailty in these patients.

Predictors of the paroxysmal atrial fibrillation recurrence following cryoballoon-based pulmonary vein isolation: Assessment of left atrial volume, left atrial volume index, galectin-3 level and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio.

Background: Cryoballoon-based pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is a treatment option for atrial fibrillation (AF). Left atrial volume (LAV) and left atrial volume index (LAVi) are important parameters for long term success of PVI. Galectin-3 (Gal-3) and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (N/L ratio) are biomarkers to demonstrate the cardiac fibrosis and remodelling.

Association among tenascin-C and NT-proBNP levels and arrhythmia prevalence in heart failure.

Purpose: Tenascin-C (TN-C) and amino-terminal fragment of the B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) are the important predictors in prognosis of heart failure (HF). The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship of TN-C and NT-proBNP levels with the frequency and severity of ventricular arrhythmia.

Materials And Methods: Our study included 107 HF patients with EF < 45%.

Relationship of platelet indices with acute stent thrombosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Introduction: Despite major advances in stent technology and antithrombotic therapy, the development of stent thrombosis continues to be a major problem in patients who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Although a few studies have investigated the relationship between early stent thrombosis and platelet activity, the relationship between acute stent thrombosis (AST) (within the first 24 h) and platelet indices is unclear.

Aim: We investigated the relationship between AST development and platelet indices in acute coronary syndrome patients.

Ultrasound Accelerated Thrombolysis May Be an Effective and Safe Treatment Modality for Intermediate Risk/Submassive Pulmonary Embolism.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a potentially life-threatening condition and the fact that 90% of PE originate from lower limb veins highlights the significance of early detection and treatment of deep vein thrombosis. Massive/high risk PE involving circulatory collapse or systemic arterial hypotension is associated with an early mortality rate of approximately 50%, in part from right ventricular (RV) failure. Intermediate risk/submassive PE, on the other hand, is defined as PE-related RV dysfunction, troponin and/or B-type natriuretic peptide elevation despite normal arterial pressure.

Is atrial fibrillation a risk factor for contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction?

Background: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is an iatrogenic problem in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). Atrial fibrillation (AF) may also contribute to impaired kidney function. Several factors may contribute to the development of CIN.

The Incidence and the Risk Factors of Silent Embolic Cerebral Infarction After Coronary Angiography and Percutaneous Coronary Interventions.

Silent embolic cerebral infarction (SECI) is a major complication of coronary angiography (CAG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) who underwent CAG with or without PCI were recruited. Cerebral diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging was performed for SECI within 24 hours.

Electrocardiographic markers of left ventricular systolic dysfunction in patients with left bundle branch block.

Background: Although some patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) have structural heart diseases, some patients with LBBB have "normal hearts". The electrocardiography (ECG) criteria of LBBB in reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) have not been defined completely.

Aim: The main purpose of this study was to differentiate patients with reduced LVEF from patients with normal left ventricular systolic function simply by analysing 12-lead ECG.

Use of the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio for prediction of in-stent restenosis in bifurcation lesions.

Objective: Percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) are the preferred treatment for coronary artery disease, even though the development of in-stent restenosis (ISR) continues to be an important complication. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is indicative of the inflammatory process and can predict the short- and long-term prognosis of cardiovascular diseases. We investigated the relationship between ISR development and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in bifurcation lesions in stable coronary artery disease (CAD) patients.

Cardiac diastolic function is impaired at rest and worsens with exercise in otherwise healthy individuals with insulin resistance.

Insulin resistance (IR) is a pathophysiological condition and is associated with cardiovascular risk factors including heart failure. However, studies demonstrating myocardial abnormalities in the early phases of IR are limited. The aim of this study was to investigate myocardial function in otherwise healthy individuals with IR.

The relationship between microalbuminuria and isolated coronary artery ectasia.

Aim: Coronary artery ectasia (CAE), is at least 1.5 fold dilatation of at least one coronary segment due to congenital or acquired causes. In this study, we aim to investigate the relation of CAE with microalbuminuria, which is a marker of endothelial dysfunction shown to be associated with increased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity.

Coronary accordion effect mimicking coronary dissection.

The coronary "accordion" effect is a rare pseudo-complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). It is usually observed due to straightening and shortening of tortuous vessels with stiff guidewires during PCI. In this case report, we present an interesting case of the coronary accordion effect observed in a 52-year-old woman undergoing PCI.

Increased ventricular pacing threshold levels in patients with high serum uric acid levels.

Background: Permanent cardiac pacemakers (PCM) are accepted as the most effective treatment for symptomatic bradyarrhythmias. Serum uric acid (UA) levels are associated with various inflammatory markers, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction. This study aimed to investigate the association between serum UA and ventricular pacing threshold (VPT) levels in patients who underwent permanent pacemaker implantation.

Influence of the Timing of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention on Clinical Outcomes in Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Background And Objectives: We have intended to investigate the influence of the timing of invasive procedures on all-cause mortality, recurrent myocardial infarction (MI), re-hospitalization due to cardiac causes and left ventricular function over a 3-month period among patients with Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).

Subjects And Methods: A total of 131 NSTEMI patients with moderate-high Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction risk scores, who had been admitted to our department between July 2011-December 2011 were included in our study. They had been randomized into 2 groups according to the timing of the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

The relationship between neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and the TIMI flow grade in patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI.

Objectives: ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is an important cause of the morbidity and mortality in coronary artery disease. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between hematologic parameters and post primary PCI coronary no-reflow.

Patients And Methods: A total of 145 consecutive STEMI patients (mean age=58.

Predictors of anticoagulant treatment in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation: results from atrial fibrillation in Turkey: epidemiologic registry.

The aim of the study was to assess the factors associated with the anticoagulation treatment in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). A total of 2242 consecutive patients who had been admitted with AF on their electrocardiogram were included in the study. After excluding valvular AF, 1745 patients with nonvalvular AF were analyzed.

Coronary arterial anomalies in a large group of patients undergoing coronary angiography in southeast Turkey.

Background: The prevalence of coronary artery anomalies (CAA) are reported between 0.6-1.3% in the literature.

Modified flower petal technique: a new technique for the treatment of Medina type 1.1.1 coronary bifurcation lesions.

Objectives: This study sought to propose a new technique for the treatment of Medina type 1.1.1 bifurcation lesions.