Effects of Ramadan fasting on body composition and arterial stiffness.

Objective: To examine the effects of Ramadan fasting on body composition, arterial stiffness and resting heart rate.

Methods: This prospective study was conducted at the Department of Cardiology, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey, during Ramadan 2015, and comprised overweight and obese males. Body composition, arterial stiffness and echocardiography were assessed before and after Ramadan.

Relation of elastic properties of pulmonary artery with left ventricular abnormalities and aortic stiffness in patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea: A cross-sectional echocardiographic study.

Objective: In this study, the associations between pulmonary artery stiffness (PAS) and aortic stiffness, left ventricular diastolic parameters, and left ventricular mass (LVM) index in moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) patients without coexisting disorders were investigated.

Methods: A total of 66 non-diabetic, non-hypertensive, and non-smoking volunteers were enrolled. Participants were categorized by apnea-hypopnea index (AHI; event/hour).

The relation of serum thiol levels and thiol/disulphide homeostasis with the severity of coronary artery disease.

Background: The balance of oxidant and antioxidant status plays a key role in the coronary artery diseases (CAD). Thiol is one of the most important antioxidant barriers in humans, and thiol/disulphide homeostasis is a novel oxidative stress marker.

Aim: We aimed to investigate the relation of serum thiol levels and thiol/disulphide homeostasis with the presence and severity of CAD.

Atrial fibrillation due to licorice root syrup.

While it is known that consumption of licorice may lead to cardiac arrhythmias, there have been no reports of atrial fibrillation resulting from the consumption of licorice root syrup. A 57-year-old male with no prior history of cardiovascular disease was admitted to the emergency department with palpitation. His electrocardiogram showed atrial fibrillation with a moderate to rapid ventricular rate.

Evaluation of thiol levels, thiol/disulfide homeostasis and their relation with inflammation in cardiac syndrome X.

Objectives: Cardiac syndrome X (CSX) is characterized by the presence of myocardial ischemia in the absence of coronary artery stenosis on angiograms. Its relation to oxidative stress and inflammation is well known. There are no data on thiols and their relation with inflammation in CSX.

Evaluation of Pulmonary Artery Stiffness in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome.

Objective: To investigate whether obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) has any effect on pulmonary artery stiffness (PAS) derived from echocardiographic calculation.

Methods: Fifty-two patients with newly diagnosed OSAS and forty-two subjects without OSAS matched by age and sex were enrolled in the study. OSAS was categorized according to apnea hypopnea index (AHI, event/h) as follows: normal (AHI<5), mild OSAS (AHI 5-15), moderate and severe OSAS (AHI>15).

The association between plasma thiol levels and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patient with hypertension.

The balance of oxidant and antioxidant status plays an important role in the left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) in patients with hypertension (HT). Thiol is an important part of antioxidant system in the body. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between plasma thiol levels and LVDD in patients with HT.

A curable cause of hypertension: renal artery pseudoaneurysm.

Renal artery aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms are rare vascular abnormalities. These anomalies, which are usually asymptomatic, may be associated with hypertension. Here, we present the successful treatment of a renal artery pseudoaneurysm in a patient with hypertension, with an overview of the literature.

Serum prolidase activity in patients with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.

Objectives: Prolidase is an important factor in collagen metabolism, matrix remodelling and cell growth. Increased collagen turnover leading to increased ventricular stiffness plays an important role in the pathophysiology of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD). This study aims to investigate whether serum prolidase activity is related to left ventricular diastolic function.

Association of Meteorological Variables and Coronary Blood Flow.

We aimed to assess the impact of meteorological variables on coronary blood flow (CBF). Coronary blood flow was evaluated using the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count (TFC). The association of CBF with meteorological parameters such as temperature, relative humidity, total solar radiation, atmospheric pressure, wind velocity, and total sunshine duration were investigated as well as demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics.

Mean platelet volume is not associated with coronary slow flow: a retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To investigate mean platelet volume (MPV) levels in patients with coronary slow flow (CSF).

Methods: 465 stable angina pectoris cases with angiographically normal coronary arteries were recruited [coronary slow flow group (n=76), control group (n=389)] in the observational retrospective cohort study. Clinical, biochemical and demographic variables including MPV were noted and coronary blood flow was assessed with TIMI frame count (TFC).

Predictive value of admission platelet volume indices for in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events in acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Although mean platelet volume (MPV) is an independent correlate of impaired angiographic reperfusion and 6-month mortality in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI), there is less data regarding the association between platelet distribution width (PDW) and in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). A total of 306 patients with STEMI pPCI were evaluated. No reflow was defined as a post-PCI thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade of 0, 1, or 2 (group 1).

Increased serum asymmetric dimethylarginine level is an independent predictor of contrast-induced nephropathy.

Objectives: The aim of our study was to evaluate whether serum asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) level is an independent predictor of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN).

Study Design: The study involved 90 consecutive patients with stable angina pectoris who underwent coronary angiography and ventriculography. Baseline serum creatinine (SCr) levels ranged between ≥1.

Increased red cell distribution width level is associated with absence of coronary collateral vessels in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Objectives: Several studies have evaluated a relationship between increased red cell distribution width (RDW) and morbidity and mortality of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). In this study, we aimed to investigate the association of serum RDW levels and development of coronary collateral vessel (CCV) in patients with ACS.

Study Design: We evaluated 226 patients with ACS in this prospective and cross-sectional study.

Serum leptin has no effect on coronary collateral development in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes: an observational study.

Objective: We attempted to investigate the potential association between leptin and coronary collateral vessel development in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS).

Methods: One hundred and nineteen consecutive patients with NSTE-ACS with high-grade coronary stenosis or occlusion in at least one epicardial coronary artery were prospectively enrolled in a cross-sectional observational study. Serum leptin levels measured in all patients.

Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase and the burden of atherosclerosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Objectives: We evaluated the relationship between serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) levels and the burden of atherosclerosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Study Design: This study involved 180 patients (139 male, 41 female; mean age 63±11 years) with the diagnosis of ACS (non-ST elevation myocardial infarction and unstable angina) who underwent coronary angiography on the first day after hospital admission. The burden of atherosclerosis was assessed by the number of involved vessels, and the Gensini and Syntax scores.

Renal impairment and coronary collaterals in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Objective: We aimed to elucidate the relationship between mild-to-moderate renal impairment and the development of coronary collateral vessels (CCV) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Methods: We enrolled 461 patients with ACS who underwent coronary angiography for the first time. The development of CCV was assessed with the Rentrop score.

Glomerular filtration rate is associated with burden of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

We aimed to elucidate the relationship between mild to moderate renal impairements and burden of atherosclerosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). A total of 380 patients with ACS were included in the study. Gensini and SYNTAX scores were also calculated.