Elastic properties of aorta are impaired in patients with slow coronary flow phenomenon.

Background: Increased stiffening and decreased distensibility of the large arteries are associated with the presence of coronary artery disease and has been related to increased cardiovascular mortality in different populations.

Aim: Aim of this present study was to investigate the elastic properties of the aortic wall in patients with slow coronary flow phenomenon.

Material And Method: We studied 20 patients with slow coronary flow phenomenon (age: 40+/-12 years)and 15 normal control subjects by echocardiography.

Diverse effects of oxygen inhalation on the regional myocardial functions related to the degree of coronary artery stenosis.

In patients with stable coronary artery disease, the effect of oxygen (O2) inhalation to regional myocardial functions and its relation to the degree of the coronary artery stenosis is still unclear. This article investigates the effect of O2 therapy on regional myocardial functions in patients with coronary atherosclerosis according to the severity of stenosis. Myocardial segments were evaluated via tissue velocities, strain, strain rate, and tissue tracking.

Comparison of major coronary risk factors in female and male patients with premature coronary artery disease.

Objective: The present study was designed to analyse and compare the major coronary risk factors of female and male patients with premature coronary artery disease (CAD) aged < or = 45 years.

Methods: We evaluated 4613 consecutive patients who underwent coronary angiography at our institution; 572 symptomatic patients (489 men and 83 women) diagnosed as having premature CAD (age < or = 45 years) were included in our analysis. For each patient, the presence of major coronary risk factors such as family history of CAD, hypercholesterolaemia, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and cigarette smoking were recorded.

Increased platelet activity in patients with isolated coronary artery ectasia.

Background: The common coexistence with coronary artery disease has led to the suggestion that coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is a variant of coronary artery disease. The mechanisms, however, responsible for CAE formation during the atherosclerotic process and the exact clinical significance are not well known. In this study, we aimed to investigate platelet activity in patients with isolated CAE by using specific markers of platelet activation as P-selectin, beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG) and platelet factor 4 (PF4).

Penetrating trauma to the mitral valve and ventricular septum.

Penetrating cardiac trauma is typically life-threatening and often requires urgent surgical intervention. Penetrating injury can cause damage in more than 1 cardiac structure that may be difficult to identify at the initial urgent operation. We describe the case of a young man in whom a perimembranous ventricular septal defect and perforation of the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve were caused by a screwdriver wound.

Noninvasive assessment of myocardial bridging in the left coronary artery by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography.

Myocardial bridging is a common congenital coronary abnormality recognized primarily with systolic narrowing or 'milking effect' shown by coronary angiography. We report the case of a 58-year-old man with signs and symptoms of myocardial ischemia who underwent transthoracic echocardiography and coronary angiography. The present case suggests the clinical role of transthoracic echocardiography in demonstrating characteristic coronary flow abnormalities in patients with muscular bridge in the region of the mid LAD.

Right bundle branch block: a new parameter revealing the progression rate of mitral stenosis.

Background: Mitral stenosis has a generally slow but often variable clinical course. However, the factors that influence the rate of stenosis progression have not been completely identified. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether right bundle branch block (RBBB) may be related to the rapid progression of pure mitral stenosis besides echocardiographic parameters.

Impaired coronary collateral vessel development in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Background: The development of coronary collateral vessels is the physiological response of myocardial tissue to hypoxia or ischemia, which results in an increase in blood supply to the tissue. However, a lack of collateral vessels or the presence of poor collateralization in some patients despite the presence of significant coronary stenosis or obstruction and evidence of myocardial ischemia suggest that some other factors may affect the development of collateral circulation. In the present study we aimed to evaluate coronary collateral circulation in patients with metabolic syndrome with advanced coronary artery disease and compare the results with those of patients without metabolic syndrome.

[Has the mortality rate from acute myocardial infarction fallen substantially in recent years? Single center data on elderly patient population].

Objective: We aimed to compare the trend in clinical approach and interventions, in-hospital mortality rate in elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in a single reference center within subsequent years, 2000-2002.

Methods: In our retrospective analysis within years 2000 and 2003 we could reach 160 eligible patients' data files, who were hospitalized for of AMI and aged above 70 years.

Results: Within three years we evaluated data of 105 male and 55 female eligible patients (mean age: 74.

Effects of long-term beta-blocker therapy on P-wave duration and dispersion in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis.

Background: P-wave dispersion (PWD), has been defined as the difference between maximum and minimum P-wave duration. Prolonged P-wave duration and increased PWD have been reported to be related with increased risk for atrial fibrillation (AF). AF is the most common sustained arrhythmia encountered in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS).

Atrial natriuretic peptide levels in adult patients before and after surgery for correction of atrial septal defects: relationship with atrial arrhythmias.

In the present study, we have examined whether increased N-ANP (N-terminal pro-ANP) levels before and after surgery in patients with ASD (atrial septal defect) along with echocardiographic findings provide a better insight into the pathophysiology and increased morbidity and mortality following corrective surgery. Eighteen adult ASD patients (> 20 years of age; six male and 12 female) with shunts (Qp/Qs > or = 2, where Qp/Qs is the pulmonary blood flow/systemic blood flow) had complete echocardiographic, clinical and laboratory parameters evaluated before and 6 months after surgery. Eight age- and sex-matched individuals (three male and five female) were enrolled as a control group.

Brucella endocarditis complicated with a mycotic aneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery: a case report.

Brucella endocarditis, although a rare complication of brucellosis, is the main cause of death attributable to this disease. Mycotic aneurysm is an important extracardiac complication of infective endocarditis. Mycotic aneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery is extremely rare.

Dynamic cardiomyoplasty: impact of effective pacing.

Dynamic cardiomyoplasty, in which the transposed latissimus dorsi muscle is wrapped around the heart and then electrically stimulated to augment systolic dysfunction, is an alternative surgical treatment for severe cardiomyopathies. Critical to success of this operation is to provide the wrapped skeletal muscle with more fatigue-resistant structure through repetitive electrical stimulation. A cardiostimulating device is important in this regard to perform synchronised contraction contributing to symptomatic improvement.

Extrinsic left atrial compression in a patient with achalasia.

Left atrial compression by the esophagus, the stomach, or both is an uncommon but important cause of hemodynamic compromise. Achalasia is a disease of the esophagus with dilatation of the distal part and constriction of the lower oesophageal sphincter. Dilated esophagus is a rare cause of left atrial compression.