The Impact of Intravenous Ferric Carboxymaltose on Reverse Electrical Remodeling Following Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy.

Background: The influence of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) on reverse electrical remodeling (RER) in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) post-cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is unknown. This study examines the effect of iron replacement using intravenous FCM on RER in CRT-implanted HFrEF patients with iron deficiency anemia.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 65 patients with successful CRT-defibrillator between March 2017 and January 2020, all with iron deficiency anemia at implantation.

Relationship between Right Ventricular Strain Signs in Electrocardiography and Levels of Biomarkers Associated with COVID-19 Pneumonia Severity.

Background: The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) may lead to severe disease that can cause death. COVID-19 is known to affect the cardiovascular system. Early detection of the progression to the severe disease stage that affects the cardiovascular system may play a critical role in the treatment of COVID-19.

Usefulness of Pre-Procedural Imaging of the Coronary Venous System With Coronary Angiography Before Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is a treatment modality for selected patients with refractory heart failure. We intended to examine the usefulness of coronary venous system imagining with conventional coronary angiogram before the CRT implantation procedure. A total of 180 patients were scheduled for CRT and were prospectively randomized 1:2 into 2 groups.

Evaluation of serum platelet-derived growth factor receptor-ß and brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in microvascular angina.

Objective: Microvascular angina (MVA) is a coronary microcirculation disease. Research on microcirculatory dysfunction has revealed several biomarkers involved in the etiopathogenesis of MVA. Platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFR-β) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are 2 biomarkers associated with microcirculation, particularly pericytes function.

Evaluation of serum sST2 and sCD40L values in patients with microvascular angina.

Objectives: Coronary microvascular dysfunction plays a major role in the pathogenesis of microvascular angina (MVA). Along with endothelial dysfunction, microvascular atherosclerosis and inflammation seem to contribute to the development of coronary microvascular dysfunction. Serum soluble ST2 (sST2) and serum soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) are two biomarkers associated with inflammation and atherosclerosis.

Post-discharge heart failure monitoring program in Turkey: Hit-PoinT.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and feasibility of an enhanced heart failure (HF) education with a 6-month telephone follow- up program in post-discharge ambulatory HF patients.

Methods: The Hit-Point trial was a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial of enhanced HF education with a 6-month telephone follow-up program (EHFP) vs routine care (RC) in patients with HF and reduced ejection fraction. A total of 248 patients from 10 centers in various geographical areas were randomized: 125 to EHFP and 123 to RC.

[Relationship between serum level of CD40 ligand and persistent lone atrial fibrillation].

Objective: Inflammation is thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation. The relationship between CD40 ligand (CD40L), a prothrombotic and proinflammatory molecule, and lone atrial fibrillation was presently investigated for the first time. Levels of serum CD40L were also tested, regarding potential to distinguish patients with lone atrial fibrillation from healthy individuals.

A Retrospective Study of Congenital Cardiac Abnormality Associated with Scoliosis.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Purpose: To identify the incidence of congenital cardiac abnormalities in patients who had scoliosis and underwent surgical treatment for scoliosis.

Overview Of Literature: Congenital and idiopathic scoliosis (IS) are associated with cardiac abnormalities.

Diagnostic significance of serum galectin-3 levels in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Objective: Galectin-3, reflecting cardiac fibrosis, is a promising biomarker in early detection of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). We aimed to clarify the clinical utility of galectin-3 levels in the diagnosis of HFpEF and to compare galectin-3 with N-terminal pro-brain-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels.

Methods And Results: The study included 44 HFpEF patients (mean age 60 ± 6.

Low vitamin D status associated with dilated cardiomyopathy.

In recent years, a growing body of evidence supports that vitamin D plays a crucial role in various cardiovascular diseases. Cardiac muscle cells have vitamin D receptors as well as calcitriol-dependent Ca(2+) binding protein. Therefore, the vitamin D may have an effect on cardiac function.

Serum concentrations of galectin-3 in patients with cardiac syndrome X.

Objective: Microvascular dysfunction has been reported in cardiac syndrome X (CSX), even though the underlying mechanisms still remain uncertain. Galectin-3 has been recently recognized as a biomarker of cardiovascular fibrosis and inflammation. We sought to investigate the role of galectin-3 in the CSX.

Serum adiponectin, anemia and left ventricular dimensions in patients with cardiac cachexia.

Objectives: Our study aims to determine the role of serum adiponectin in chronic heart failure (CHF) and cardiac cachexia (CC).

Methods: Ninety consecutive patients were included in the study. Patients were divided into three groups: 30 CHF patients with CC, 30 CHF patients without CC, and 30 healthy individuals.

ω-3 fatty acid treatment in cardiac syndrome X: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study.

Objective: We conducted a clinical trial to examine the effect of ω-3 fatty acids in patients with cardiac syndrome X (CSX). We aimed to evaluate the potential impact of ω-3 fatty acids on endothelial function, oxidative stress, and symptom relief in the CSX.

Methods And Results: Eighteen patients with CSX were enrolled according to a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled design.

Cardioprotective effects of zofenopril, enalapril and valsartan against ischaemia/reperfusion injury as well as doxorubicin cardiotoxicity.

Objective: The aim of this study is to compare possible protective effects of zofenopril, enalapril and valsartan against both ischaemia/reperfusion injury as well as acute doxorubicin cardiotoxicity. All three agents have never been compared in this setting before.

Methods And Results: Sixty-four male rats were divided into eight groups by computer-generated random numbers and each group included 8 rats.

Effects of erucic acid supplemented feeding on chronic doxorubucin toxicity in rats.

One of the undesired complications of the chemotherapy with doxorubicin is cardiotoxicity. Cardiac effect of erucic acid, which is a member of omega-9 fatty acid, is investigated on doxorubicin treatment in this study. Forty-eight rats were divided into eight groups and each group contained six rats.

Circulating p53 and cytochrome c levels in acute myocardial infarction patients.

Background: Apoptosis causes myocardiocyte loss during and after myocardial infarction. Therapeutic approaches designed to arrest apoptosis would be a significant new development in the recovery of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In order to examine apoptotic markers in the circulation, serum levels of p53 and cytochrome c were assessed in patients with AMI.

Oxidative DNA damage and antioxidant defense after reperfusion in acute myocardial infarction.

Purpose: Myocardial damage mediated by oxidative stress during acute myocardial infarction (MI) has been suggested as an obstructive factor on recovery after an MI. 8-Hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) is a marker for oxidative DNA damage; superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (G-Px) are major antioxidant enzymes. We determined changes in the plasma level of 8-OHdG and activities of SOD and G-Px in patients with MI and examined the relations between those changes and other cardiac markers.

Unusual case of aortic valve involvement in patient with Löffler's endomyocarditis: management, follow-up and short review of the literature.

Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (IHES) is an uncommon systemic disease which is characterised by blood eosinophilia and multiple clinical presentations. Cardiac involvement is the major cause of mortality and morbidity. Here we describe a 59-year-old man with symptoms of progressive dyspnea on exertion, and productive cough as an unusual case of Löffler endomyocarditis with a mass on the aortic valve which showed regression with treatment.