Omental Flap Technique in Pancreaticojejunostomy: Does it Prevent Pancreatic Fistula Development after Pancreaticoduodenectomy?

Aim: The aim of our study was to investigate the clinical results of omental flap application during pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) anastomosis in pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) surgeries.

Methods: The data of patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy in our hospital were evaluated retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups; patients with an omental flap (Group 1) and those without an omental flap (Group 2).

A comparative study of the RIPASA and Alvarado scores in geriatric patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis.

Objective: While abdominal pain is one of the most prevalent reasons for seeking medical attention, diagnosing elderly adults with acute appendicitis (AA) may be difficult. In this study, Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Appendicitis (RIPASA) and Alvarado ratings were evaluated for diagnostic accuracy in patients who reported to the emergency department complaining of abdominal pain and received surgery for AA.

Methods: The data of patients over the age of 65 years who reported to the ER and had appendectomy after being diagnosed with AA were evaluated in this retrospective cohort study.

Aortic propagation velocity does not correlate with classical aortic stiffness parameters in healthy individuals.

Objective: Aortic stiffness is an important cardiovascular risk marker, which can be determined using different noninvasive techniques. Aortic propagation velocity (APV) has recently been established as a novel echocardiographic parameter of aortic stiffness. This study aimed to investigate the association between APV and the classical echocardiography-derived aortic stiffness parameters, aortic distensibility (AD) and aortic strain (AS), in a group of otherwise healthy individuals.

The association of plasma oxidative status and inflammation with the development of atrial fibrillation in patients presenting with ST elevation myocardial infarction.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common supraventricular arrhythmia following ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Oxidative stress and inflammation may cause structural and electrical remodeling in the atria making these critical processes in the pathology of AF. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the association between total oxidative status (TOS), total antioxidative capacity (TAC) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in the development of AF in patients presenting with STEMI.

The effect of fixed-dose combination of valsartan and amlodipine on nighttime blood pressure in patients with non-dipper hypertension.

Objective: Failure to decrease blood pressure (BP) during the night is associated with higher cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality. There is strong evidence that fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) of antihypertensive agents are associated with significant improvement and non-significant adverse effects. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether FDC affected nocturnal BP favorably in patients with uncontrolled, non-dipper hypertension (HT).

Association between the use of renin-angiotensin system blockers and development of in-hospital atrial fibrillation in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Background And Aim: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common supraventricular arrhythmia following ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We evaluated the association between use of previous angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and/or angiotensin receptor blockers (renin-angiotensin system [RAS] blockers) and started RAS blockers after MI and development of AF in patients presenting with acute STEMI.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 1000 patients with acute STEMI who were admitted to the coronary care unit.

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.

Gamma glutamyltransferase, inflammation and cardiovascular risk factors in isolated coronary artery ectasia.

Introduction And Objective: There are conflicting data on the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in coronary artery ectasia (CAE). It is unclear whether CAE is associated with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT). We therefore investigated major cardiovascular risk factors, serum GGT and hs-CRP levels in a large population of patients with CAE.

A rare cause of acute mechanical intestinal obstruction: a strangulated obturator hernia.

Obturator hernia is a rarely-seen type of abdominopelvic hernia. It is generally seen in thinner, old, multipara patients. The most frequently seen clinical sign is intestinal obstruction associated with strangulation.

Carvedilol and nebivolol improve left ventricular systolic functions in patients with non-ischemic heart failure.

Objective: It is unclear whether carvedilol and nebivolol produce different effects on short-term left ventricle (LV) systolic function in heart failure (HF). These drugs could improve systolic and diastolic functions of the LV. Thus, we aimed to compare their effects on LV systolic functions in patients with non-ischemic HF.

The effects of good glycaemic control on left ventricular and coronary endothelial functions in patients with poorly controlled Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective: Diabetics are at risk for developing overt heart failure and subclinical left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. Also, impaired coronary flow reserve (CFR) reflecting coronary microvascular dysfunction is common in diabetics. However, no substantial data regarding the effects of good glycaemic control on subclinical LV dysfunction and CFR are available.

Interrelation of RDW and coronary flow reserve in patient with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Objective: Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) impairs and reduces coronary flow reserve (CFR). High level of red cell distribution width (RDW) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, in this observational case-control study we have aimed to determine whether RDW level is associated with CFR impairment in patients with IDC.

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.

Association between neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and mitral annular calcification.

Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is closely related to cardiovascular disorders including coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, heart failure, and stroke. The clinical risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, including age, obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes mellitus, are the same for MAC and atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to assess the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), an inflammatory marker, in patients with MAC.

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.

Relationships of different blood pressure categories to indices of inflammation and platelet activity in sustained hypertensive patients with uncontrolled office blood pressure.

Failure to decrease blood pressure (BP) normally during nighttime (non-dipping) in hypertension is associated with higher cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In addition, non-dipping BP is associated with increased platelet activity and inflammatory response; however, there has been no study to evaluate the relationship of non-dipping BP to indices of platelet activity and inflammation in uncontrolled hypertensive patients. In the present study, hypertensive subjects with uncontrolled office BP were firstly divided into three groups: 84 subjects with white coat effect and 365 subjects with true uncontrolled hypertension.

Comparison of the effects of carvedilol and nebivolol on diastolic functions of the left ventricle in patients with non-ischemic heart failure.

Background: We investigated whether carvediolol or nebiovolol with vasodilator properties will produce different effects on diastolic function of the left ventricle (LV) in heart failure (HF) with low ejection fraction (EF).

Methods: Sixty-one non-ischemic HF patients with EF ≤40% randomly received carvedilol (n = 31, 16 male) or nebivolol (n = 30, 19 male). Clinical and echocardiographic evaluations were performed at baseline, 3 and 6 months after therapy.

Evaluation of plasma oxidative status in patients with slow coronary flow.

Background: Slow coronary flow (SCF) is a coronary microvascular disorder characterised by delayed opacification of coronary vessels in a normal coronary angiogram. Coronary endothelial dysfunction plays an important pathogenetic role in patients with SCF. Oxidative stress is associated with cardiovascular diseases.

Both carvedilol and nebivolol may improve platelet function and prothrombotic state in patients with nonischemic heart failure.

It is unclear whether carvedilol and nebivolol will produce different effects on platelet function and prothrombotic state in heart failure (HF). Thus, we compared their effects on these functions in patients with nonischemic HF. We included 61 patients with symptomatic nonischemic HF having ejection fraction ≤40%.

Assessing anxiety levels and empathic tendency in blood and platelet donors.

In spite of a constantly-increasing requirement for blood transfusion in the world, blood donation does not exhibit an increase at the same rate. In Turkey with a population of 74 million, only 15 per 10,000 people donate blood regularly and rate of voluntary blood donation is very low compared to developed countries. The aim of this study is to determine empathic level of donors and anxiety levels of blood and platelet donors and also to enable comfort and motivation of donors by taking precautions for reducing their anxieties.

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).

Impaired heart rate recovery in patients with endemic fluorosis.

The objective of the present study was to determine the heart rate recovery index (HRRI), a marker of autonomic nervous system function in patients with endemic fluorosis. Forty patients with endemic fluorosis (16 men/24 women) and 40 age-, sex-, and body mass index-matched healthy controls (16 men/24 women) with normal fluoride intake were enrolled in this study. HRRI was calculated by subtracting the heart rate values at the first, second, and third minutes of the recovery phase from the peak heart rate (HRRI 1, HRRI 2, HRRI 3).