A giant pericardial cyst.

Pericardial cysts are rare, benign, congenital anomalies. Most are asymptomatic and are found incidentally on chest radiographs. Some may cause symptoms and complications.

Detection of human herpesvirus 6 DNA but not human herpesvirus 7 or 8 DNA in atherosclerotic and nonatherosclerotic vascular tissues.

Introduction: Various viral infections are thought to play a role in the development of atherosclerosis. A number of studies suggest that certain viruses from the Herpesviridae family in particular may lead to atherosclerosis.

Methods: We investigated the presence of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), human herpesvirus 7 (HHV-7), and human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) DNA in carotid, iliac, and coronary artery specimens obtained from a group of adult autopsy cases by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis and nested PCR techniques.

Investigation of Chlamydia pneumoniae DNA, chlamydial lipopolisaccharide antigens, and Helicobacter pylori DNA in atherosclerotic plaques of patients with aortoiliac occlusive disease.

Background And Introduction: It has been suggested that chronic infections may have a role in both the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. While the majority of available data are focused on coronary artery disease, our aim was to investigate the presence of Chlamydia pneumoniae and Helicobacter pylori in samples from aortoiliac occlusive disease.

Methods: Aorta-iliac atherectomy specimens were collected under sterile conditions from 21 patients (19 male, 2 female) undergoing surgery for aortoiliac occlusive disease.

Damage to coronary arteries during mitral valve surgery.

Background: The rheumatic cardiac valve diseases are one of the most important heart problems in Turkey. In mitral valve surgery, the relationship between the anulus fibrosus sinister and the coronary arteries is extremely critical for the postoperative life of the patient.

Methods: The study was performed with human adult hearts.

Course of serum lipoprotein(a) and acute phase protein levels in patients undergoing open heart surgery.

Background: Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is an important risk factor in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease because of its thrombogenic and atherogenic properties. Lp(a) also displays another property by acting as an acute phase reactant.

Methods: In this work, the study group consisted of 20 male patients having coronary artery bypass under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).