Value of myocardial deformation parameters for detecting significant coronary artery disease.

The study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of global and regional myocardial deformation parameters derived from two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography to detect functionally significant coronary artery stenosis. Dobutamine stress echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance myocardial perfusion imaging (CMR-MPI) were performed on 145 patients with a moderate and high probability of coronary artery disease (CAD) and LVEF≥55%. Significant CAD was defined as>50% stenosis of the left main stem,>70% stenosis in a major coronary vessel, or in the presence of intermediate stenosis (50-69%) validated as hemodynamically significant by CMRMPI.

The incremental value of myocardial viability, evaluated by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography, and cardiovascular magnetic resonance for mortality prediction in patients with previous myocardial infarction and symptomatic heart failure.

Objectives: To find the imaging mortality predictors in patients with previous myocardial infarction (MI), symptomatic heart failure (HF), and reduced left ventricle (LV) ejection fraction (EF).

Methods: for the study 39 patients were selected prospectively with prior MI, symptomatic HF, and LVEF ≤40%. All patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), single-photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT MPI), 18F-FDG positron emission tomography (FDG PET).

Blood direct PCR: impact of and variants for bleeding prediction in ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients with ticagrelor.

The goals of this study were to develop a new technique that could pave the way for a quicker determination of rs3093135 and rs4244285 variants directly from a patient's blood and to attempt to apply this technique in clinical practice. The study included 144 consecutive patients admitted with ST elevation myocardial infarction. A blood-direct PCR and real-time PCR were used to detect variants of interest.

Importance of Thyroid Hormone level and Genetic Variations in Deiodinases for Patients after Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Longitudinal Observational Study.

This study aimed to examine the influence of thyroid hormone (TH) levels and genetic polymorphisms of deiodinases on long-term outcomes after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In total, 290 patients who have experienced AMI were evaluated for demographic, clinical characteristics, risk factors, TH and NT-pro-BNP. Polymorphisms of TH related genes were included deiodinase 1 (DIO1) (rs11206244-C/T, rs12095080-A/G, rs2235544-A/C), deiodinase 2 (DIO2) (rs225015-G/A, rs225014-T/C) and deiodinase 3 (DIO3) (rs945006-T/G).

The association of matrix metalloproteinases polymorphisms and interleukins in advanced age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: To assess the impact of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)1-1607 1G/2G (rs1799750), MMP7-181 A/G (rs11568818) single-nucleotide polymorphism and systemic cytokins interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), IL-6 levels on the development of exudative age-related macular degeneration (eAMD) Methodology: The study group comprised 282 patients with eAMD, and the control group enrolled 379 randomly selected persons. The genotyping of MMP1-1607 (rs1799750) and MMP7-181 (rs11568818) was performed by using the polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism method. To determine IL-1β and IL-6 serum levels, the immunoenzymatic method with monoclonal antibodies coated plates was performed.

Association of the genetic and traditional risk factors of ischaemic heart disease with STEMI and NSTEMI development.

Introduction: To evaluate the influence of traditional risk factors of ischaemic heart disease and genetic factors to predict different types of acute coronary syndromes.

Materials And Methods: Five hundred and twenty-three patients with acute coronary syndromes (393 with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and 130 with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI)) comprised the study group. The control group consisted of 645 subjects free from symptoms of ischaemic heart disease and stroke.

Early and late diastolic strain rate vs global longitudinal strain at rest and during dobutamine stress for the assessment of significant coronary artery stenosis in patients with a moderate and high probability of coronary artery disease.

Background: The aim of this prospective study was to assess the usefulness of global longitudinal strain (GLS), regional diastolic and systolic strain, strain rate (SR) parameters at rest and during dobutamine stress echocardiography for detecting significant coronary artery stenosis in patients with a moderate or high probability of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: Dobutamine stress echocardiography and adenosine magnetic resonance imaging (AMRI) were performed on 127 patients with a moderate and high probability of CAD and left ventricle ejection fraction ≥55%. CAD was defined as ≥70% diameter stenosis on coronary angiography validated as hemodynamically significant by AMRI.

Invasive versus conservative strategy in acute coronary syndromes: The paradox in women's outcomes.

Background: We explored benefits and risks of an early invasive compared with a conservative strategy in women versus men after non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS) using the ISACS-TC database.

Methods: From October 2010 to May 2014, 4145 patients were diagnosed as having a NSTE-ACS. We excluded 258 patients managed with coronary bypass surgery.

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention in octogenarians.

Background: Limited data are available on the outcome of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in octogenarian patients, as the elderly are under-represented in randomized trials. This study aims to provide insights on clinical characteristics, management and outcome of the elderly and very elderly presenting with STEMI.

Methods: 2225 STEMI patients ≥70years old (mean age 76.

Factors associated with use of percutaneous coronary intervention among elderly patients presenting with ST segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI): Results from the ISACS-TC registry.

Background: A substantial proportion of elderly with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) do not undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We sought to investigate factors associated with the decision not to perform coronary angiography at admission in these patients.

Methods: We evaluated 1315 STEMI patients aged ≥75years old enrolled in the International Survey of Acute Coronary Syndromes in Transitional Countries (ISACS TC) registry between October 2010 and February 2015.

N-carboxymethyllysine as a biomarker for coronary artery disease and age-related macular degeneration.

Background And Objective: An association between coronary artery disease (CAD) and age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) has long been postulated, but exact mechanisms remain unclear. The global prevalence of CAD and ARMD increases and early biomarkers for early diagnosis of these diseases are necessary. The aim of this study was to investigate the plasma level of oxidative stress biomarker CML in patients with and without angiographic findings of atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries (CADath+ and CADath-, respectively) and to assess if there was an association of CAD with ARMD.

Comparison of Early Versus Delayed Oral β Blockers in Acute Coronary Syndromes and Effect on Outcomes.

The aim of this study was to determine if earlier administration of oral β ​blocker therapy in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACSs) is associated with an increased short-term survival rate and improved left ventricular (LV) function. We studied 11,581 patients enrolled in the International Survey of Acute Coronary Syndromes in Transitional Countries registry from January 2010 to June 2014. Of these patients, 6,117 were excluded as they received intravenous β blockers or remained free of any β ​blocker treatment during hospital stay, 23 as timing of oral β ​blocker administration was unknown, and 182 patients because they died before oral β blockers could be given.

Reperfusion therapy for ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction in Eastern Europe: the ISACS-TC registry.

Aims: Widespread availability of tertiary hospitals with catheterization facilities, although vigorously promoted, has yet to become a reality in many countries with economy in transition. We sought to evaluate the clinical profile and mortality of patients who were hospitalized with a diagnosis of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and either received reperfusion therapy or remained without reperfusion in Eastern Europe.

Methods And Results: Data were obtained from the International Survey of Acute Coronary Syndromes in Transitional Countries (ISACS-TC; NCT01218776) on STEMI patients admitted to 57 hospitals in Eastern European countries from January 2010 to February 2015.

Role of MMP-2 (-1306 C/T) Polymorphism in Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Purpose: To determine if the frequency of the MMP-2 (-1306 C/T) genotype has an influence on the development of early age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methodology: The study enrolled 387 patients with early AMD and a random sample of 682 healthy persons (control group). The genotyping of MMP-2 (-1306 C/T) was carried out using the real-time polymerase chain reaction method.

Effect of clinical factors and gene polymorphism of CYP2C19*2, *17 and CYP4F2*3 on early stent thrombosis.

Aim: To determine the main clinical and genetic factors having impact on early coronary stent thrombosis.

Materials & Methods: Genotyping of CYP2C19*2, *17 and CYP4F2*3 in patients with (n = 31) and without stent thrombosis (n = 456) was performed. Clinical and genetic data were analyzed by binary logistic regression.

Prevalence of high-risk profile in middle-aged subjects with arterial hypertension: a nationwide survey.

Hypertension is the most common non-communicable disease and the leading cause of cardiovascular disease in the world. It presents an important public health challenge in both economically developed and developing countries. In 2006, the Lithuanian High Cardiovascular Risk programme was launched.

The role of clinical parameters and of CYP2C19 G681 and CYP4F2 G1347A polymorphisms on platelet reactivity during dual antiplatelet therapy.

Dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel is used to lower the risk of arterial thrombosis. However, this strategy is not always successful owing to high interindividual variability in response to antiplatelet therapy. To evaluate an impact of CYP2C19 G681A and CYP4F2 G1347A polymorphisms and clinical factors on dual antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel and aspirin.

Association of major cardiovascular risk factors with the development of acute coronary syndrome in Lithuania.

Cardiovascular (CV) disease remains the leading cause of death in Lithuania. Timely recognition of CV risk factors and intervention to reduce these risk factors is of absolute importance to prevent coronary heart disease and reduce its burden on society. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of major CV risk factors in general population and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients and to determine their association with the development of ACS.

The Role of Matrix Metalloproteinases Polymorphisms in Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Background: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are responsible for the degradation of extracellular matrix components and play an important role in the physiological and pathological remodeling of tissues.

Purpose: To assess the impact of MMP-2 Rs2285053 (C->T), MMP-3 Rs3025039 (5A->6A), and MMP-9 Rs3918242 (C->T) single nucleotide polymorphism on the development of early age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods: The study group comprised 148 patients with AMD, and the control group enrolled 526 randomly selected persons.

SCARB1 single nucleotide polymorphism (rs5888) is associated with serum lipid profile and myocardial infarction in an age- and gender-dependent manner.

Background: Mutation in SCARB1 gene, exon 8 rs5888, has been associated with altered lipid levels and cardiovascular risk in humans though the results have been inconsistent. We analysed the impact of SCARB1 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs5888 with plasma lipid profile and association with coronary artery disease (CAD) in a Lithuanian population characterized by high morbidity and mortality from CAD and high prevalence of hypercholesterolemia.

Methods: The study included 1976 subjects from a random sample (reference group) and an myocardial infarction (MI) group of 463 patients.

Left ventricular remodelling after acute myocardial infarction: impact of clinical, echocardiographic parameters and polymorphism of angiotensinogen gene.

Introduction: The development of left ventricular remodelling after acute myocardial infarction is a predictor of heart failure and mortality. The purpose of the present study was to assess whether the polymorphism of angiotensinogen (AGT) gene with threonine (T) instead of methionine (M) at amino acid 235 in exon 2 (M235T) had effects on cardiac remodelling after acute myocardial infarction.

Methods: One hundred and forty-one patients (mean age 56.

Does matrix metalloproteinase-3 polymorphism play a role in age-related macular degeneration in patients with myocardial infarction?

Objective: The aim of our study was to determine if the genotype of the matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) gene might carry the risk of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) in patients with myocardial infarction.

Material And Methods: A total of 499 patients with an acute myocardial infarction or with a history of myocardial infarction were enrolled into the study. They were subdivided into 2 groups: 273 patients with ARMD and 226 patients without ARMD.

Early age-related macular degeneration in patients with myocardial infarction.

Purpose: To investigate the prevalence of early age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods: Enrolled in the study were 262 acute MI patients (MI group), aged 40-64 years, as well as 1,155 non-MI persons, aged 40-64 years, from a random sample (reference group) of the Kaunas population.

Results: The prevalence of early AMD in the random sample was 7.

Prognostication of long-term outcomes for patients with ischemic heart disease.

Unlabelled: Cardiovascular disease, including coronary heart disease (CHD), is the leading cause of death among elderly adults across many European countries. In 2005, the Clinic of Cardiology, Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (former Kaunas University of Medicine), started to gather the clinical data of patients with acute and chronic coronary syndromes according to the standards set by the Cardiology Audit and Registration Data Standards Project. THE AIM OF OUR STUDY was to evaluate one-year mortality after inpatient treatment for acute and chronic coronary syndromes in different risk groups.