The left atrial phasic functions and the relationship with plasma N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels and symptomatic states in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate left atrium (LA) phasic functions and relation with N-terminal pro-B- type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels and symptomatic states of the patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

Methods: Left atrial volume was calculated at end-systole (Vmax), end-diastole and pre-atrial contraction by echocardiography in 75 patients with HCM and 75 control subjects. Left atrial ejection fraction (LAEF), expansion index (LAEI), active emptying volume index (LAAEVI) and fraction (LAAEFr), passive emptying volume index (LAPEVI) and fraction (LAPEFr) were calculated.

Relationships between P wave dispersion, atrial electromechanical delay, left atrial remodeling, and NT-proBNP levels, in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Background: We evaluated the associations among the well-known atrial fibrillation (AF) predictors including P-wave dispersion (PWD), intra- and inter-atrial electromechanical dyssynchrony (EMD), left atrial (LA) phasic functions, and plasma N-terminal prohormone of B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels, in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

Methods: Seventy patients with HCM and age and sex matched 70 subjects were enrolled. PWD, LA total emptying fraction (LATEFr), active emptying fraction (LAAEFr), passive emptying fraction (LAPEFr), expansion index (LAEI) intra- and inter-atrial EMD were calculated.

The effects of different hormone treatment on endothelial function in healthy postmenopausal women.

We aimed to compare the effects of different types of hormone treatment (HT) on endothelial function by means of brachial artery ultrasonographic examination in postmenopausal women. Sixty-two healthy postmenopausal women were included in this study. Subjects were assigned to one of the five groups receiving 6 months of treatment [estrogen (conjugated estrogen), estrogen (conjugated estrogen) plus progesterone (medroxyprogesterone acetate; MPA), raloxifene, tibolone or control].

An observational study to evaluate factors responsible and actions taken for hypertensive patients who are not at blood pressure goal: i-target Goal Study.

To evaluate the percentage of hypertensive patients who could achieve target blood pressure (TBP) according to the guidelines in the context of recommended measures and the factors responsible for failure. A total of 589 hypertensive patients (59.0% female; mean age: 57.

[Pneumopericardium after pericardiocentesis: a case report].

Pneumopericardium is defined by the presence of air in the pericardial sac. We present a 61-year-old cachectic woman who developed pneumopericardium after pericardiocentesis. She presented with complaints of fatigue and shortness of breath.

Global cardiometabolic risk profile in patients with hypertension: results from the Turkish arm of the pan-European GOOD survey.

Objectives: We evaluated the results of the Turkish arm of the GOOD survey which investigated the cardiometabolic risk profile and the control of blood pressure (BP) of adult hypertensive outpatients in 12 countries across Europe.

Study Design: A total of 218 hypertensive patients (139 females, 79 males; mean age 57.2±10.

High inflammatory activity related to the number of metabolic syndrome components.

It has been known that each component of the metabolic syndrome (MS) has an atherogenic potential and increases the risk of cardiovascular events. Therefore, patients who have MS are candidates for the development of atherosclerosis and accompanying complications. In this study, the authors assessed the levels of acute phase reactants as an indicator of inflammation in patients with MS.

Blood pressure changes in migraine patients before, during and after migraine attacks.

Migraine attacks are characterized by headaches associated with neurological, gastrointestinal, and autonomic symptoms. A relationship between migraine and hypertension or hypotension is controversial. In this study, we aimed to determine if blood pressure changes were related to migraine attacks.

A remnant sewing needle in the right ventricle as a cause of chest pain.

Sewing needles, albeit a rare case of penetrating cardiac injury, are potentially life-threatening. We report a case of a self-inflicted remnant intracardiac sewing needle which is diagnosed with nonspecific chest pain and successfully extracted 23 months after its insertion.

Comparison of ischemic side effects of levosimendan and dobutamine with integrated backscatter analysis.

Background: Levosimendan improves cardiac contractility without increasing oxygen consumption. However, its effects on ischemia were not supported with the utilization of a noninvasive parameter of myocardial characterization.

Hypothesis: The changes observed in integrated backscatter (IBS) may be reflective of change in myocardial ischemia.

[Cardiac failure secondary to idiopathic hypoparathyroidism: a case report].

Hypocalcemic cardiomyopathy due to hypoparathyroidism is a very rare condition. Ensuing heart failure due to hypocalcemia is refractory to conventional treatment. We reported a 41-year-old man who developed cardiac failure due to hypocalcemia secondary to idiopathic hypoparathyroidism.

Comparison of the effects of new and conventional hormone replacement therapies on left ventricular diastolic function in healthy postmenopausal women: a Doppler and ultrasonic backscatter study.

We aimed to compare the effects of new treatment modalities to conventional hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on left ventricular (LV) diastolic function, by means of conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography and the myocardial integrated backscatter (IBS) in postmenopausal women. One hundred and fifty healthy postmenopausal women were included in this study. Subjects were assigned to one of the five groups receiving 1 year of treatment (estrogen, estrogen plus progesterone, raloxifene, tibolone or placebo).

Effects of levosimendan on left atrial functions in patients with ischemic heart failure.

Background: With further progression of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, the left atrial (LA) contribution to LV filling gradually decreases, and LA dysfunction deteriorates the decreased LV filling in patients with heart failure (HF).

Hypothesis: This study sought to investigate the effects of levosimendan on LA function in patients with HF.

Methods: A total of 60 patients having acute decompensated HF with ischemic cardiomyopathy and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) < 40% were included in the study.

Circadian and infradian rhythms of vasovagal syncope in young and middle-aged subjects.

Background: The most cardiovascular physiological and pathophysiological events show a circadian rhythm. It is thought that the autonomic nervous system and biologic factors play a key role in the pathogenesis of vasovagal syncope (VVS). In this study, we investigated the circadian and infradian variation of VVS.

[The determination of the factors impacting on in-hospital mortality in patients with acute heart failure in a tertiary referral center].

Objective: Despite impressive advances in therapeutics in the last years, acute heart failure (AHF) remains a major cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Patients hospitalized because of heart failure (HF), irrespective of left ventricular systolic function, represent a high-risk population with limited short-term prognosis. A substantial component of HF-related mortality occurs during a hospital stay.

The role of tilt training in preventing recurrent syncope in patients with vasovagal syncope: a prospective and randomized study.

Background: Recurrent vasovagal syncope (VVS) can be a severely disabling disorder that may lead to an important deterioration of quality of life because of the severity and recurrence of episodes. This study sought to investigate the effectiveness of repeated orthostatic self-training in preventing syncope in patients with recurrent VVS.

Methods: Eighty-two consecutive patients (mean age 41 +/- 4 years, 37 males) with recurrent VVS episodes and positive head-up tilt testing (HUT) were enrolled in this study.

ST-segment elevation in lead augmented vector right may also be caused by diffuse left main coronary artery vasospasm without fixed stenosis.

ST-segment deviation in lead augmented vector right (aVR) is useful for evaluating patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The ST-segment elevation in this aVR in the patient with clinically suspected acute coronary syndrome suggests a strong possibility of left main coronary artery (LMCA) obstruction due to fixed stenosis. In this article, we report the first case, to our knowledge, of ST-segment elevation in lead aVR due to diffuse LMCA spasm.

Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy might lead to misdiagnosis of ischaemic heart disease.

Purpose: In this study, demographic, clinic, electrocardiographic and angiographic properties of patients, on whom coronary angiography was performed with the pre-diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) and whose ventriculography demonstrated typical apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (AHCM), were investigated.

Methods: Seventeen patients (mean age 58 +/- 10 years, 10 male) with CAD pre-diagnosis, on whom coronary angiography was performed and had typical spade-like appearance on left ventriculography, were included in the study between January 2000 and May 2005.

Results: As risk factor for CAD, 8 (47%) patients had hypertension, 8 (47%) patients had dyslipidaemia, 2 (11%) patients had type 2 diabetes mellitus, 13 (77%) patients had a history of smoking, and 2 (11%) patients had family history.

Objective ischemic evidence in patients with myocardial bridging: ultrasonic tissue characterization with dobutamine stress integrated backscatter.

Background: In this study, we investigated the sensitivities of dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) and integrated backscatter (IBS) in detecting ischemia in patients with symptomatic myocardial bridging (MB).

Methods: Fourteen patients given the diagnosis of MB in the left anterior descending coronary artery as shown by coronary angiography were enrolled. All patients underwent DSE and stress IBS.

A Randomised Comparison of the Effects of Nebivolol and Atenolol with and without Chlorthalidone on the Sexual Function of Hypertensive Men.

Background And Objective: Erectile dysfunction, which is common in men with hypertension, has been reported as a common adverse effect of many antihypertensive drug classes, including beta-blockers and diuretics. Atenolol and nebivolol are both beta(1)-selective blockers, but nebivolol is a new-generation compound with nitric oxide-mediated vasodilating activity. The aim of the study was to compare the effects of nebivolol and atenolol +/- chlorthalidone on the sexual function of hypertensive men.

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein may be an indicator of the development of atherosclerosis in myocardial bridging.

Background: Inflammation is one of the key mechanism in the development and progression of coronary artery disease. Myocardial bridging (MB) increases the tendency for development of atherosclerosis. The role of inflammation on the development of atherosclerosis in the MB is not clear.

Primary cardiac amyloidosis mimicking interstitial lung disease and bleeding diathesis: a case report.

Primary amyloidosis is a rare systemic disease due to various organ involvements that can lead to atypical clinical findings. In this article, we discuss a case of primary cardiac amyloidosis in a patient presenting with bleeding eyelids and interstitial lung disease.