Effects of upper extremity aerobic exercise training on oxygen consumption, exercise capacity, dyspnea and quality of life in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Background: Pulmonary and extrapulmonary impairments are prevalent in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) which is a rare, chronic and progressive disease.

Objectives: To investigate the effects of upper extremity aerobic exercise training on exercise capacity, oxygen consumption, dyspnea and quality of life in patients with PAH.

Methods: In a prospective, randomized controlled, double-blinded study, eleven patients in training group applied upper extremity aerobic exercise training (50-80% of maximal heart rate), 15-45 min/day, 3 days a week for 6 weeks and 11 patients in control group alternating active upper extremity exercises for the same period.

Right Coronary Artery Originating from the Left: Do Not Miss the Diagnosis!

Objective: Left circumflex (LCx) artery originating from the right coronary arterial (RCA) system has been reported as the most common form of anomalous origination of a coronary artery from the opposite sinus (ACAOS). However, some studies claim that RCA originating from the left coronary sinus (LCS) is the most frequent form. The aim of this study was to determine the most common type of ACAOS in a single center.

Thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count in coronary arteries without visible atherosclerosis in coronary angiography of patients with stable coronary artery disease.

Objective: To investigate the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count (TFC) in the coronary arteries without visible atherosclerosis in coronary angiography of patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: Eighty-three patients (mean age 58+/-10, 31 [37%] males), who underwent coronary angiographic evaluation for stable angina in Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey, Cardiology clinic between 2006-2007 were enrolled. Forty patients with normal coronary arteries were defined as group I.

The optimal time of elective percutaneous coronary intervention for stable patients after ST elevation myocardial infarction.

Objective: To find the optimal time (early: < or =3 days; late: >3 days) for revascularization in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients in the subacute phase.

Methods: Ninety-nine STEMI patients who were admitted to Gazi University Faculty of Medicine between 2000 and 2004 were enrolled into this study. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to time from the beginning of symptoms to the percutaneous coronary intervention.