Effect of Exercise on Left Atrium Mechanics in Mild Mitral Stenosis.

Objective: A significant number of individuals with mild mitral stenosis (MS) experience exertional symptoms that are disproportionate to the hemodynamic severity of their condition. This study aims to determine whether exercise-induced left atrial (LA) dysfunction occurs in these patients and whether it is related to the development of symptoms.

Methods: In this observational study, we recruited 46 patients with mild MS.

Acute effects of energy drink consumption on left and right ventricular function - a 2-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiographic study.

Aim    Energy drinks (ED) contain high levels of caffeine and taurine and are associated with several cardiovascular effects. We investigated acute effects of consuming low caffeine and taurine content ED on left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) function assessed by conventional and two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography.Material and methods    In this crossover study, 34 healthy adults, age 19-48 yrs, drank an ED containing 53.

Agreement between visually estimated left ventricular ejection fraction on echocardiography and quantitative measurements using cardiac magnetic resonance.

Objective: Visual estimation of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is still used in routine clinical practice. However, most of the studies evaluating the agreement between the visually estimated LVEF (ve-LVEF) and quantitatively measured LVEF (qm-LVEF) either have not used appropriate statistical methods or gold standard imaging modality. In this study, we aimed to assess the agreement between the ve-LVEF and qm-LVEF using contemporary statistical methods and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI).

The diastolic function abnormalities in hemodialysis session: a two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiographic (2DSTE) study.

Hemodialysis (HD) decreases preload and its acute effect on the diastolic function is still controversial even with the introduction of new non-volume-dependent tissue Doppler echocardiographic indices. This study is designed to evaluate these acute changes following HD sessions. We enrolled 39 patients receiving standard thrice weekly HD for more than 6 months and performed two dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE) and tissue Doppler studies with a standard cardiac ultrasound device shortly before and after HD.

Acute effects of consumption of low-caffeine energy drinks on endothelial functions in healthy volunteers.

Objective: Energy drink consumption is increasing among the population, especially adolescents and young adults. The health effects of energy drinks are unknown. In this study, we investigate the effects of low caffeine energy drinks on endothelial functions assessed by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery.

Lipoprotein apheresis efficacy and challenges: single center experience.

Introduction: Lipoprotein apheresis (LA) is an extracorporeal therapy which removes apolipoprotein B-containing particles from the circulation. We evaluated techniques and efficiency of lipoprotein apheresis procedures applied to patients with familial and non-familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) at our center.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 250 LA procedures applied to 27 patients with dyslipidemia between March 2011 and August 2019.

Acute stunning effect of hemodialysis on myocardial performance: A three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiographic study.

The effects of acute changes during hemodialysis (HD) on the myocardium are not yet known. The invention of three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (3DSTE) has offered clinicians a new method to assess the movements of ventricular segments simultaneously in three spatial directions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of first weekly standard HD process on the left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV) global and regional myocardial function in patients with normal left ventricle ejection fraction using 3DSTE-derived indices.

An Analysis of Cost-Effectiveness of Stents Used in the Treatment of Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: There is only limited information about the cost-effectiveness of drug-eluting stents compared with bare-metal stents in Turkey.

Aims: To evaluate bare-metal and drug-eluting stents used in the treatment of coronary artery disease from the perspective of the reimbursement institution with cost-effectiveness analysis.

Study Design: Retrospective cost-effectiveness analysis.

Relation of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure to Silent Cerebral Infarcts in Patients With Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction.

Heart failure (HF) is a prothrombotic state with increased rate of thromboembolic events. Magnetic resonance imaging studies demonstrated increased rate of silent cerebral infarcts (SCI) in this patient group and SCIs were shown lead to dementia, cognitive decline, and depression. We aimed to show acute decompensated phase is associated with increased rate of recent SCI in reduced ejection fraction HF patients.

Prevention of minor myocardial injury after elective percutaneous coronary intervention: comparison of ticagrelor versus clopidogrel.

Background: Elective percutaneous coronary intervention (ePCI) may cause minor elevation of cardiac enzymes, so-called minor myocardial injury (MMI) which can be due to different pathophysiological mechanism (e.g. distal embolisation, side branch occlusion, increased platelet activation triggered by the intracoronary metallic stents).

Is primary hyperparathyroidism a cause of endothelial dysfunction?

Objective: Symptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is thought to be related to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In our study, we aimed to investigate endothelial dysfunction and markers of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with PHPT. Also we aimed to demonstrate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on these parameters.

[EUROASPIRE-IV: European Society of Cardiology study of lifestyle, risk factors, and treatment approaches in patients with coronary artery disease: Data from Turkey].

Objective: Data from EUROASPIRE-IV Turkey report investigating risk factors and adherence to guidelines in patients hospitalized for coronary artery disease are presented and results are compared with those of EUROASPIRE-III Turkey and EUROASPIRE-IV Europe.

Methods: Study was performed in 24 European countries, including Turkey (17 centers). Patients (18-80 years old) hospitalized for coronary (index) event during preceding 3 years were identified from hospital records and interviewed ≥6 months later.

Impact of serum erythropoietin level on collateral vessel development in patients with coronary artery disease.

Objective: Experimental data have shown that Erythropoietin (EPO) stimulates angiogenesis and neovascularization which may result in improved collateral development. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between serum EPO levels and the extent of coronary collaterals. Patient characteristics possibly related with coronary collaterals were also sought.

Use of strain and strain rate echocardiographic imaging to predict the progression of mitral stenosis: a 5-year follow-up study the progression of mitral stenosis: a 5-year follow-up study.

Objective: Little information is available about echocardiographic progression of mitral stenosis (MS). The aim of this study was to investigate whether the left ventricular (LV) strain is a favorable method predicting the progression of MS.

Methods: Forty-eight patients with isolated mild-to-moderate MS were enrolled in this prospective cohort study.

Comparison of a qualitative measurement of heart-type fatty acid-binding protein with other cardiac markers as an early diagnostic marker in the diagnosis of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Objective: Heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) is a novel cardiac marker used in the early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), which shows myocyte injury. Our study aimed to compare bedside H-FABP measurements with routine creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and troponin I (TnI) tests for the early diagnosis of non-ST-elevation MI (NSTEMI), as well as for determining its exclusion capacity.

Methods: A total of 48 patients admitted to the emergency room within the first 12 hours of onset of ischaemic-type chest pain lasting more than 30 minutes and who did not have ST-segment elevation on electrocardiography (ECG) were included in the study.

Impact of metabolic syndrome on development of contrast-induced nephropathy after elective percutaneous coronary intervention among nondiabetic patients.

Background: Identifying patients who are vulnerable to development of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is essential because of its association with prolonged hospitalization, increased cost, and increased in-hospital and long-term mortality rates.

Hypothesis: Individual components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) are well-established risk factors for kidney injury. Nondiabetic patients diagnosed with MetS might be at an increased risk of developing CIN after elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Effects of Hemodialysis on Tei Index: Comparison between Flow Doppler and Tissue Doppler Imaging.

Objective: Myocardial performance index (MPI, Tei index) has been described as a noninvasive measurement of left ventricle (LV) function. Our aim was to investigate the influence of preload on the LV MPI obtained by pulsed-wave tissue Doppler imaging (PWTDI) and determined by flow Doppler waveforms in patients with end-stage chronic renal failure (CRF). The second aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the Tei indices obtained by both methods.

Effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors on periprocedural myocardial infarction in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been reported as a risk factor for cardiovascular events. The aim of the present study is to investigate the association between chronic angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I) therapy and the rate of periprocedural myocardial infarction (PMI) after elective coronary stenting among patients with MetS.

Methods: The inclusion criteria were MetS and plan for elective percutaneous coronary intervention.

The relationship between coronary collateral artery development and inflammatory markers.

Objective: This study aims to show the effect of myeloperoxidase (MPO), hsCRP, TNF-alpha values and leukocyte count on the development of coronary collateral arteries in patients with severely diseased coronary arteries.

Methods: Current study is an observational cross-sectional study. In the study, 295 patients who had functional obstruction or total coronary occlusion at least 1 month on their angiograms were included.

Effect of hypertension on coronary remodeling patterns in angiographically normal or minimally atherosclerotic coronary arteries: an intravascular ultrasound study.

Whether there is any particular role of hypertension in remodeling process has not been completely understood yet. The aim of this study was to assess the association between hypertension and remodeling patterns in normal or minimally atherosclerotic coronary arteries. Seventy-nine patients who were free of significant coronary atherosclerosis were divided into two groups according to the absence (n = 39) or presence (n = 40) of hypertension; and standard intravascular ultrasound examination was performed in 145 segments.

Intracoronary versus intravenous high-dose bolus plus maintenance administration of tirofiban in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute ST elevation myocardial infarction.

We aimed to examine whether intracoronary high-dose bolus of tirofiban plus maintenance would result in improved clinical outcome in STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI in this pilot trial. A total of 56 patients were enrolled to receive either intracoronary high-dose bolus plus maintenance (n = 34) or intravenous high-dose bolus plus maintenance (n = 22) of tirofiban. Pre and post intervention TIMI flow grades, myocardial blush grades, peak CKMB and troponin levels, time to peak CKMB and troponin, time to 50% ST resolution and major composite adverse cardiac event rates at 30 days were recorded.

Anticalcifying nanoparticle antibody titer is an independent risk factor for coronary artery calcification.

Background: Calcium phosphate deposition is present even in the early phases of the atherosclerotic plaque formation. Calcifying nanoparticles (CNPs), previously known as nanobacteria, have emerged as a potential causative agent for pathological calcification in human vasculature. This study investigates the relationship between the anti-CNPs antibody titers and the extent of coronary calcification.

Association between antibodies against calcifying nanoparticles and mitral annular calcification.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Mechanisms leading to vascular and tissue calcification are not yet fully understood. Previously, an association has been demonstrated between a controversial calcifying nanoparticle (CNP; also known as 'nanobacteria') and vascular calcification and kidney stone formation. The study aim was to evaluate a possible association between mitral annular calcification (MAC) and CNP infection.