Exercise-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Has a Strong Relationship with Mean Platelet Volume Reduction.

Background: Mean platelet volume (MPV), which is a simple measure of platelet activation, has recently become an interesting topic in cardiovascular research. Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a comprehensive intervention that decreases mortality-morbidity in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Studies on the effects of exercise on platelet activation have yielded conflicting results.

Epicardial adipose tissue is associated with increased systolic pulmonary artery pressure in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Objectives: Pulmonary hypertension (PHT) is one of the essential predictors of mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is thought that PHT is due to vasoconstriction secondary to hypoxia caused by airway obstruction in COPD patients; however, loss of capillary bed with emphysema, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction may also play a role in the development of PHT. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) has a role as a metabolically active endocrine organ and secretes various proinflammatory cytokines.

Serum osteoprotegerin level is independently related to subclinical left atrial mechanical function in patients with hypertension and diabetes.

Objectives: Previous studies showed that subclinical abnormal left atrial (LA) function could be diagnosed with LA speckle tracking evaluation long before chamber enlargement. Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily and was recently found to be an indicator for adverse cardiovascular outcomes and a risk factor for new onset atrial fibrillation. The authors hypothesized that OPG values could predict LA mechanical dysfunction and LA remodeling assessed by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) in patients with hypertension (HT) and diabetes mellitus (DM).

Presystolic wave is associated with carotid intima media thickness.

Introduction: Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT), a direct marker of atherosclerosis, has emerged as a promising means for cardiovascular risk evaluation. Presystolic wave (PSW) is commonly detected by the Doppler interrogation of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT). It is thought to be a result of a stiff left ventricle and impaired LV compliance.

Correction of right to left shunt by transcatheter treatment of pulmonary stenosis and atrial septal defect: a case report.

Co-occurrence of atrial septal defect and pulmonary valve stenosis is a rare entity for adult population. It is possible to correct both the pulmonary stenosis and the defect in the atrial septum by transcatheter methods. We present a case of right to left shant due to severe pulmonary stenosis and atrial defect which was successfully corrected by transcatheter pulmonary valvuloplasty and closure of the atrial septal defect.

Augmentation index and aortic pulse wave velocity in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Background: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a severe disease that can prove fatal. Factors such as advanced age, male gender, family history and cigarette use increase the risk of AAA. These factors associated with AAA development also increase arterial stiffness.

Carbonic anhydrase IX in the prediction of right ventricular dysfunction in patients with hemodynamically stable acute pulmonary embolism.

Right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) defined by echocardiography and/or by natriuretic peptides is a well-known predictor of prognosis in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE). This study investigated carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX) levels for predicting echocardiographic RVD in patients with PE. A total of 150 normotensive patients with PE were included.

Prediction of right ventricular dysfunction from radiographic estimates of right descending pulmonary artery in hemodynamically stable pulmonary embolism patients.

Background: The evaluation of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction by echocardiography is one of the most important established determinants of the prognosis of acute pulmonary embolism. The aim of the study was to investigate possible association between diameter of right descending pulmonary artery on chest X-rays and RV dysfunction by echocardiography in hemodynamically stable pulmonary embolism patients.

Methods: Eighty-nine patients with the diagnosis of hemodynamically stable pulmonary embolism were included.

Assessment of the relationship between aortic pulse wave velocity and aortic arch calcification.

Objectives: We aimed to assess arterial stiffness parameters and to investigate the relationship between these parameters and aortic calcification in patients with aortic arch calcification and without symptomatic atherosclerotic disease.

Study Design: The population of this study consisted of 41 patients with aortic arch calcification verified by chest X-ray (group I, 17 males, mean age 70±5 years) and individuals without aortic arch calcification (group II, 17 males, mean age 68±6 years). Subjects with symptomatic or known vascular disease were excluded from the study.

Mitral annular calcification is associated with pulse wave velocity but not with augmentation index.

Objective: To investigate the possible relationship between mitral annular calcification (MAC) and arterial stiffness.

Subjects And Methods: Forty-two patients (mean age 68 ± 6 years) with MAC and an age-matched control group of 41 individuals (mean age 66 ± 6 years) were studied. Arterial stiffness and wave reflections of the study population were evaluated by using applanation tonometry (SphygmoCor).

Left ventricular dyssynchrony and its effects on cardiac function in patients with newly diagnosed hypertension.

Objectives: Left ventricular (LV) systolic synchrony, defined as simultaneous peak contractions of corresponding cardiac segments, is well documented to be impaired in hypertension but its effect on LV function is not clear. The aim of this study was to assess the impacts of LV systolic dyssynchrony on LV function in newly diagnosed hypertensives.

Methods: Forty-eight newly diagnosed hypertensive patients and 33 controls were enrolled.

Pseudocholinesterase levels are not decreased in grayanotoxin (mad honey) poisoning in most patients.

Background: The symptoms of mad honey poisoning resemble those of cholinergic toxidromes; however, it is not clear whether they share a common biochemical basis.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate a possible resemblance between mad honey poisoning and cholinergic toxidromes.

Methods: This is a descriptive study performed prospectively in patients presenting to a University Medical Faculty Emergency Medicine Department emergency service with mad honey poisoning over 1 year, from September 2008 to September 2009.

Anti-TNF-α therapy may not improve arterial stiffness in patients with AS: a 24-week follow-up.

Objective: The availability of new-generation drugs has provided significant success reflected by disease activity markers and clinical status in AS, but controversial reports necessitate further assessment of associated increased risk of cardiovascular burden that might persist. Hence this prospective clinical study evaluated the effectiveness of a 24-week anti-TNF-α therapy on vascular stiffness [pulse wave velocity (PWV)] in AS.

Methods: A total of 28 active AS patients (21 males, 7 females) were enrolled before the start of biologic therapy.

The assessment of left ventricular systolic asynchrony in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

Objectives: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP) is associated with a variety of cardiovascular disturbances such as left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, diastolic cardiac dysfunction, and hypertension. LV asynchrony is defined as the loss of the simultaneous peak contraction of corresponding cardiac segments. The objective of this study was to assess systolic asynchrony in patients with overt hyperparthyroidism.

Investigation of effects of different treatment modalities on structural and functional vessel wall properties in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Aim: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease that is associated with increased cardiovascular burden. The aim of this study was to investigate vascular structural and functional changes in patients with AS, with special emphasis on the effects of different treatment modalities, through evaluation of level of vascular stiffness (pulse wave velocity [PVW]) and carotid intima media thickness (IMT-C).

Methods: A total of 67 AS patients, and age, sex, body mass index (BMI) smoking status, lipid profiles and blood pressure-matched healthy control subjects (n=34) were studied.

Combined risk stratification with computerized tomography /echocardiography and biomarkers in patients with normotensive pulmonary embolism.

Background: Right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) detected by computerized tomography (CT)/echocardiography or elevated biomarkers is associated with a poor prognosis for pulmonary embolism (PE). However, these prognostic factors have not previously been concomitantly elucidated in the same patient group.

Methods: This prospective study included 108 consecutive patients with normotensive PE confirmed by CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA).

Effects of prehypertension on arterial stiffness and wave reflections.

The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure classifies blood pressure (BP) as normal, prehypertension, and hypertension. Although it has been shown that there is a relationship between hypertension and arterial stiffness, there is not sufficient data about arterial stiffness in patients with prehypertension. The present study was designed to evaluate arterial stiffness and wave reflections in subjects with prehypertension.

The relationship between endothelial damage and aortic augmentation index.

Augmentation index (AIx), a measure of wave reflection, is regulated by a number of factors, including endothelial function and vascular smooth muscle tone. The relationship between local endothelium-derived factors and AIx is well known; however, association between endothelial damage markers and AIx has not been sufficiently studied. This study investigates whether endothelial damage markers-von Willebrand factor (vWF) soluble thrombomodulin (sTM)--are associated with wave reflections.

Low total antioxidative capacity levels are associated with augmentation index but not pulse-wave velocity.

It is well known the relationship between oxidative stress and vascular function. However, association between total antioxidative capacity and arterial stiffness was not studied in patients with hypertension (HT). This study investigated whether total antioxidative capacity is associated with arterial stiffness and wave reflections.

Assessment of left ventricular function and Tei index by tissue Doppler imaging in patients with slow coronary flow.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess left ventricular (LV) function and the Tei index by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), and also to evaluate the relationship of thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count (TFC) with the Tei index and LV function in patients with slow coronary flow (SCF).

Methods: We prospectively evaluated 50 patients with SCF and 27 control subjects. Diagnosis of SCF was made by TFC.

Assessment of left ventricular systolic synchronization in patients with chronic kidney disease and narrow QRS complexes.

Objective: The evidence of structural and functional cardiac abnormalities has been demonstrated by echocardiography in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study investigated whether left ventricular (LV) asynchrony is present in patients with CKD and normal QRS duration.

Methods: Tissue synchronization imaging (TSI) was performed in 25 (56 +/- 14 years) patients with CKD and narrow QRS complexes and 25 (51 +/- 12 years) control subjects.

Circulating levels of relaxin and its relation to cardiovascular function in patients with hypertension.

Background: The role of endogenous relaxin on hypertensive cardiovascular damage remains unknown. We investigated the relaxin level and its relation to cardiovascular function in patients with never treated hypertension (HT).

Methods: We studied 42 (47.

Aortic pulse wave velocity in subjects with aortic valve sclerosis.

Background: Aortic stiffness is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events and mortality. The measurement of pulse-wave velocity (PWV) is the most simple, noninvasive, and robust method to determine aortic stiffness. Whether aortic stiffness contributes to aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) remains unknown.

Relationship between arterial stiffness and myocardial damage in patients with newly diagnosed essential hypertension.

Background: Arterial stiffness increases in hypertensive individuals. Arterial stiffness is associated with impairment of systolic and diastolic myocardial function in hypertension (HT). However, the relationship between arterial stiffness and serum heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) levels, a sensitive marker of myocardial damage, has not been previously examined in patients with HT.