Assessment of subtle cardiac dysfunction induced by premature ventricular contraction using two-dimensional strain echocardiography and the effects of successful ablation.

Introduction And Objectives: We aimed to assess the effects of successful ablation on impaired left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) in patients with frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVCs). We also evaluated the potential risk factors of impaired LV-GLS.

Methods: Thirty-six consecutive patients without any structural heart disease, who were treated with radiofrequency (RF) ablation due to frequent PVCs, were included in the study.

Effectiveness of Handmade "Jacky-Like Catheter" As a Single Multipurpose Catheter in Transradial Coronary Angiography: A Randomized Comparison With Conventional Two-Catheter Strategy.

Objective: To investigate safety and efficacy of specialized hand-modified "Jacky-Like" catheter (JLC) as a single dual-purpose catheter in transradial coronary angiography.

Methods: Patients over 18 years undergoing diagnostic CAG through right radial artery (RRA) were prospectively enrolled. Procedures were performed with a single JLC modified from a left Judkins (JL) 3.

Impact of transesophageal echocardiography during transseptal puncture on atrial fibrillation ablation.

Background: The aim of our study was to demonstrate the added value of routine transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for correctly positioning the transseptal system in the fossa ovalis (FO), thus potentially preventing complications during fluoroscopy-guided transseptal puncture (TP), and for assessing the optimal puncture site within the FO according to the expected procedure type.

Methods: Ninety-one patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) procedures by cryoballoon technique for drug-resistant paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) were prospectively included. In 57 patients, the TP procedure was performed under fluoroscopic guidance and septal localization was confirmed by contrast injection through the needle and demonstration of septal tenting in both the anteroposterior and left lateral fluoroscopic projections.

Comparison of uninterrupted warfarin and bridging therapy using low-molecular weight heparin with respect to the severity of bleeding after dental extractions in patients with prosthetic valves.

Objective: The management of anticoagulated patients with warfarin during dental extraction is an intricate issue. We carefully designed the current study so that the amount of bleeding was measured with objective methods and the data from the same patient in different dental extraction appointments could be compared, eliminating the bleeding diathesis differences of patients.

Methods: This prospective and controlled study was conducted in 36 adult patients with prosthetic valve requiring multiple tooth extractions.

Association between restless leg syndrom and slow coronary flow.

Objective: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common sleep disorder in which patients feel unpleasent leg sensations and urge to move the legs during rest, especially at night, and symptoms are improved by leg movement. Prior studies analyzing the associations between cardiovascular disease and restless legs syndrome has shown controversial results. The goal of the study was to estimate the relationship between restless legs syndrome and slow coronary flow (SCF).

Amount of ST wave resolution in patients with and without spontaneous coronary reperfusion in the infarct -related artery after primary PCI: an observational study.

Objective: In patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), a patent infarct-related artery (IRA) on initial angiography was associated with better angiographic results and improved prognosis compared with patients without spontaneous reflow. The role of systematic emergency PCI in patients with spontaneous reperfusion during myocardial infarction is debated. We compared the amount of ST wave resolution (STR) in patients with and without spontaneous coronary reperfusion (SCR) in the infarct related artery.

Acute myocarditis mimicking acute myocardial infarction associated with pandemic 2009 (H1N1) influenza A virus.

The prevalence of myocardial involvement in influenza infection ranges from 0% to 11% depending on the diagnostic criteria used to define myocarditis. Whether such an association holds for the novel influenza A strain, pandemic-2009-H1N1, remains unknown. The clinical presentation of myocarditis varies and often mimics myocardial infarction.

Poor-quality sleep score is an independent predictor of nondipping hypertension.

Objective: We aimed to investigate whether there was any association between the nondipping status and sleep quality in relatively young patients with an initial diagnosis of hypertension.

Methods: One hundred and thirty-three consecutive patients, diagnosed to have stage 1 hypertension by their primary physicians, were referred to our study. Patients with a history of use of any antihypertensive medication were excluded.

Effect of dipping status on QRS morphology in patients with hypertension.

Background: Prolongation of the QRS complex on the surface electrocardiogram (ECG) has been shown to be predictive of cardiovascular outcomes in selected populations. A 'nondipper' blood pressure (BP) profile is currently regarded as a risk factor in its own right for cardiovascular events and target organ damage. The predictive value of ECG parameters in hypertensives with nondipper profile has not been established.

Echocardiographic manifestations of pandemic 2009 (H1N1) influenza a virus infection.

Unlabelled: SUMMARY AIM: The prevalence of myocardial involvement in influenza infection ranges from 0% to 12% depending on the diagnostic criteria used to define myocarditis. Whether such an association holds for the novel influenza A strain, pandemic-2009-H1N1, remains unknown. The aim of this present study is to evaluate the cardiovascular manifestations of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza A (pH1N1) by using standard echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI).

Outcome of primary percutaneous intervention in patients with infarct-related coronary artery ectasia.

Data related to the incidence and clinical outcome of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients with preexisting coronary artery ectasia (CAE) are limited. We assessed whether infarct-related artery ectasia (EIRA) indicates an untoward clinical outcome in patients with AMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). Consecutive patients (n = 643) who presented with AMI and were treated with pPCI were analyzed retrospectively; 31 patients (4.