Should we change our carotid stenting technique? Does balloon postdilatation increase periprocedural cranial embolism? A diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging study.

Introduction: Silent cranial embolism has been demonstrated to cause dementia, cognitive decline and even ischemic stroke.

Aim: To compare the periprocedural asymptomatic cranial embolism rates of classical carotid artery stenting (CAS) and non-classical CAS methods using cranial diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI).

Material And Methods: 367 clinically uncomplicated patients who underwent CAS at our center between December 2010 and June 2020 (mean age: 69.

Asymptomatic Cerebral Emboli Following Carotid Artery Stenting: A Diffusion-Weighted MRI Study.

Background: Silent cranial embolism due to carotid artery stenting has been demonstrated to cause dementia, cognitive decline, and even ischemic stroke. The purpose of this study was to compare the periprocedural asymptomatic cranial embolism rates of different stent designs used for extracranial carotid stenosis with diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging.

Methods: A total of 507 consecutive patients who underwent carotid artery stenting at our center from December 2010 to June 2020 (mean age, 66.

Plaque morphology effect on periprocedural asymptomatic cerebral embolism in carotid artery stenting using first-generation carotid stents: A diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging study.

Background: Silent cerebral embolism with carotid artery stenting (CAS) may contribute to dementia and cognitive decline. Moreover, clinically silent embolism is an important index of peri-procedural stroke risk.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to compare the periprocedural asymptomatic cerebral embolism rates of CAS procedures performed for noncalcified and calcified carotid artery plaques using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI).

Six-year outcomes of carotid artery stenting performed with multidisciplinary management in a single center.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the first 30-day results of clinical, periprocedural asymptomatic cranial embolism, and long-term restenosis of the multidisciplinary conducted and evaluated carotid artery stenting (CAS) procedure in our patient group with real-life data.

Methods: A total of 610 patients who were subjected to consecutive CAS procedures in our center between December 2010 and February 2019 were clinically and radiologically followed up for a mean duration of 6 years. Of the 610 patients, 274 (45%) were symptomatic for carotid artery stenosis, whereas 336 (55%) were identified as asymptomatic.

Supraventricular arrhythmia in mitral valve prolapse : Predictive value of P-wave dispersion and atrial conduction time.

Background: The incidence of supraventricular arrhythmia (SVA) is high in patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP). The purpose of our study was to determine the role of parameters showing atrial conduction heterogeneity such as P‑wave dispersion (PWD) and atrial electromechanical delay (AEMD) in predicting the development of SVA in MVP patients.

Methods: A total of 76 patients with MVP (56 female, 20 male) were included in the study.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation through the brachial artery.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been increasingly used in patients with severe aortic stenosis. The femoral artery is the most commonly used entry site for TAVI; however, other entry sites were also reported as transapical, transaortic, transaxillary/subclavian, and transcarotid in patients with occlusive peripheral arterial disease. In this report, a case of TAVI procedure through the brachial artery is presented.

Increased Intima-Media Thickness of the Ascending Aorta May Predict Neurological Complications Associated with TAVI.

Objectives: Neurological complications associated with transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are important due to its morbidity and mortality risks. The purpose of this study was to investigate the importance of the features of the aortic valve and ascending aorta to predict the neurological complications associated with TAVI.

Methods: The patients for whom the heart team decided to perform TAVI were included in the study.

Heart Rate Recovery as a Novel Test for Predicting Cardiac Involvement in Beta-Thalassemia Major.

Background: Abnormal heart rate recovery (HRR) is predictive of cardiac mortality. Autonomic abnormalities in beta-thalassemia major (TM) patients have been reported in previous studies. However, the importance of low HRR in exercise stress test in TM patients has not yet been ascertained.

Assessment of left ventricular function with tissue Doppler echocardiography and of B-type natriuretic peptide levels in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Introduction: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an emerging minimally invasive treatment modality in high surgical risk or inoperable patients.

Aim: The aim of this study was to ascertain the effect of TAVI on left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function and serum B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in high surgical risk or inoperable patients with severe aortic stenosis.

Methods: Fifty-five patients were included in our retrospective study.

The Relationship between Vitamin D and Coronary Artery Ectasia in Subjects with a Normal C-Reactive Protein Level.

Background And Objectives: Vitamin D is generally known to be closely related to inflammation. The effects of vitamin D on coronary artery disease (CAD) are not fully explained. Nowadays, coronary artery ectasia (CAE) cases are common and are regarded as being a kind of CAD.

Management of Left Ventricular Free Wall Rupture Associated with Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Left ventricular free wall rupture is one of the mechanical complications of acute myocardial infarction and it may result in cardiac tamponade as well as limiting itself by forming a pseudoaneurysm. In this report, a case of left ventricular free wall rupture and pseudoaneurysm that developed during the course of posterior myocardial infarction has been presented. Left ventricular free wall rupture and pseudoaneurysm were identified by three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography and surgically repaired at a late stage.

Relationship between mean platelet volume and ischemic stroke in patients with patent foramen ovale.

Objective: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is commonly encountered in patients with cryptogenic stroke. Mean platelet volume (MPV), an indicator of platelet reactivity, has been reported in recent trials to be higher in patients with PFO than in normal population. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a difference in MPV between patients with PFO and stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) and that of patients with asymptomatic PFO.

Association of Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio with Plaque Morphology in Patients with Asymptomatic Intermediate Carotid Artery Stenosis.

Background And Objectives: Non-calcified carotid plaques are more unstable than calcified plaques, and they are associated with a higher risk of rupture, thromboembolism, and consequently, stroke. The purpose of the present study is to compare calcified and non-calcified plaques that cause intermediate carotid artery stenosis with respect to neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR).

Subjects And Methods: A total number of 139 asymptomatic patients with 50-70% stenosis of the carotid artery were included in this study.

Evaluation of mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width in patients with asymptomatic intermediate carotid artery plaque.

Background: Platelets play a significant role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. In atherosclerotic plaques, the risk of plaque rupture is more crucial than the severity of the stenosis they cause. Non-calcified carotid artery plaques are more unstable than calcified plaques, and they are associated with a higher risk of rupture, thromboembolism, and consequently, stroke.

Aortopulmonary window in adulthood: Surviving at 22 years without intervention or pulmonary vascular disease.

Aortopulmonary window is a rare anomaly, a communication between the ascending aorta and the main pulmonary artery. Prognosis in the absence of correction is poor, with mortality of around 40% in the first year of life. A case of aortopulmonary window without pulmonary vascular disease in adulthood is described in the present report.

Short and Long-Term Effect of Carotid Artery Stenting on Arterial Blood Pressure Measured through Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the short and long-term effects of carotid artery stenting (CAS) procedure on blood pressure (BP) through ambulatory BP monitoring.

Methods: One hundred fifty three patients who underwent CAS for primary or secondary protection from December 2010 to September 2013 were enrolled to our study. The BP levels of total of 123 patients were monitored for 1 year.

Aortic embolization of an Edwards SAPIEN prosthesis due to sigmoid left ventricular hypertrophy: Case report.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is considered an alternative therapy in high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis. Although a minimally invasive procedure, it is not free from complications, one of which is valve embolization at the time of TAVI. We present a case of embolization of a balloon-expandable aortic valve due to sigmoid left ventricular hypertrophy and managed with a second valve without surgery.

The Association between Serum Ferritin Level, Tissue Doppler Echocardiography, Cardiac T2* MRI, and Heart Rate Recovery in Patients with Beta Thalassemia Major.

Background: It is generally well-understood that iron-mediated cardiomyopathy is the major complication that can arise from beta thalassemia major (TM). Therefore, early diagnosis, risk stratification, and the effective treatment of beta TM patients are clinically important to optimize long-term positive outcomes.

Methods: This study included 57 beta TM patients with a mean age of 25 ± 7 years.

Proximal embolization of Edwards SAPIEN prosthesis in transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is considered an alternative therapy in high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). However, this minimally invasive procedure carries potential complications, such as valve embolization at time of TAVI. We present a case of balloon-expandable aortic valve embolization which was managed nonsurgically.

Assessment of Impact of Weight Loss on Left and Right Ventricular Functions and Value of Tissue Doppler Echocardiography in Obese Patients.

Objective: In our study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of weight loss on left and right ventricular functions in obese patients.

Methods: Thirty patients with a BMI greater than 30 kg/m(2) and without any exclusion criteria were included in the study. Left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions were assessed with conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography (TDE).