Investigation of leukocyte gene expressions in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an arrhythmia caused by disorganized electrical activity in the atria, and it is an important cause of mortality and morbidity. There is a limited data about Rho/Rho-kinase (ROCK) pathway contribute to AF development. The aim of the present study was to elucidate leukocyte gene expressions in patients with non-valvular AF (NVAF).

Effect of new oral anticoagulants on platelet indices in non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients.

New-generation oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are now preferred as a first-line treatment in the management of atrial fibrillation for prevention of thromboembolic complications. Mean platelet volume (MPV), one of the indicators of increased platelet activity, is also associated with an increased stroke risk in atrial fibrillation patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in MPV, platelet distribution width (PDW) and plateletcrit following use of NOACs.

Evaluation of oxidative metabolism and oxidative DNA damage in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Aims: There are limited published data about the role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In addition, oxidative stress and oxidative DNA damage have not been investigated together in OCD. In this study, we aimed to evaluate oxidative stress and oxidative DNA damage in patients with OCD.

Evaluation of early subclinical cardiotoxicity of chemotherapy in breast cancer.

Objective: Cardiac effects of chemotherapy are usually recognized after clinical symptom or sign occurrence in patients with breast cancer. In this study, we aimed to determine the potential subclinical cardiotoxic effects of chemotherapy that were given lower dosage than well known cardiac safety dosage limits in patients with breast cancer during early period.

Methods: Fifty-one patients consecutively enrolled to this prospective cohort study.

Influence of recurrent electroconvulsive therapy on cardiac function.

Objective: To investigate the effects of recurrent electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) on cardiac function as assessed by echocardiography.

Subjects And Methods: Twenty-three patients (11 males and 12 females) with different psychiatric disorders who were apparently free of any cardiovascular disorders and underwent ECT were enrolled in the study. Echocardiographic findings including diastolic mitral inflow and tissue Doppler features were recorded at baseline and at the end of the 7th and last ECT in all patients.

Coronary artery tortuosity: comparison with retinal arteries and carotid intima-media thickness.

Background And Aim: We conducted a prospective study to investigate the possible relationship between the tortuosity of coronary arteries (TCA) and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), and also compare TCA to retinal artery tortuosity.

Methods: One hundred and five participants with nonsignificant coronary plaque or normal coronary angiogram were included. To determine subclinical atherosclerosis, maximum CIMT was measured.

Circadian blood pressure variation in normotensive patients with panic disorder.

Nondipper pattern of blood pressure (BP) is associated with cardiovascular risk. In this study, we compared dipper versus nondipper patterns between normotensive patients with panic disorder (PD) and a control group. A total of 25 normotensive patients with PD and 25 controls were enrolled.

Impact of rheumatic mitral stenosis on aortic elastic properties.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Although mitral stenosis has profound effects on the circulation and hemodynamics, few data exist regarding its impact on aortic elastic properties. The study aim was to determine the association between mitral stenosis and aortic elastic properties by using strain and distensibility as a surrogate.

Methods: Sixty-six patients with echocardiographic documentation of rheumatic mitral stenosis, and 25 age- and gender-matched healthy control subjects were enrolled in the study.

Rapid recovery from acute myocarditis under levosimendan treatment: report of two cases.

What Is Known And Objectives: Acute viral myocarditis (AVM) is an inflammatory heart disease that may lead to acute heart failure caused by cardiomyocyte loss. AVM may result in fatal outcome due to hemodynamic compromise. There is no specific treatment for AVM.

Subclinical cardiovascular target organ damage manifestations of ankylosing spondylitis in young adult patients.

Aim: Although it is known that ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is associated with cardiovascular complications, the extent of these complications has not been clearly demonstrated in young adult patients. We have therefore investigated myocardial diastolic functions, carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), and aortic elastic properties of young adult patients diagnosed with AS.

Method: Sixty-six AS patients and 21 age/gender-matched healthy subjects were enrolled in the study.

Twin circumflex arteries with left sinus of valsalva origin: a case report.

Coronary artery anomalies are not uncommon. The importance of coronary anomalies varies from unimportant to life threatening. Herein, we report for the first time twin circumflex coronary arteries originating separately from the left sinus of Valsalva.

Mean platelet volume in functional and thrombotic prosthetic mitral valve.

The mean platelet volume (MPV) values reflect platelet size and are accepted as marker of platelet activation. We sought to test the hypothesis that platelet activation occurs independently from presence or absence of thrombus in prosthetic mitral valve. A total of 168 patients were included in the study.

[Closure of secundum atrial septal defects by the Amplatzer occluder device].

Objectives: Percutaneous closure of secundum atrial septal defects (ASD) has become an important alternative treatment to surgery. We evaluated our clinical experience with, and short-term results of transcatheter closure of ASDs with the Amplatzer septal occluder in adult patients.

Study Design: The study included 52 patients (36 women, 16 men; mean age 33±14 years; range 14 to 69 years) who underwent transcatheter ASD closure with the Amplatzer occluder device.

Fragmented QRS is predictive of myocardial dysfunction, pulmonary hypertension and severity in mitral stenosis.

Reliable non-invasive new indices reflecting severity of rheumatic valve disease would be highly beneficial. Recently, presence of fragmented QRS (fQRS) in ECG was accepted as a marker of myocardial fibrosis. fQRS is defined as the presence of RSR' patterns such as additional R wave (R'), notching in the R wave or the S wave in 2 contiguous leads.

Coronary sinus dilatation is associated with left ventricular systolic dysfunction and poor functional status in subjects with chronic heart failure.

Reliable echocardiographic markers additional to plasma biomarkers that would establish prognosis of chronic heart failure and guide therapeutic approach would be beneficial. In our hypothesis, echocardiographic assessment of coronary sinus anatomic alteration, which has been ignored, may be part of remodeling process in heart failure. We also aimed to evaluate relationship between coronary sinus anatomic alteration and left ventricular systolic dysfunction.