Relation of a novel fibrosis marker and post-myocardial infarction left ventricular ejection fraction in revascularized patients.

To investigate the relationship between post-myocardial infarction (MI) left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and fibrosis marker HE-4 in primarily revascularized patients with ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI). In 94 consecutive STEMI patients (median age 57 [IQR: 50-69] years; 77.7% male), HE-4 values were measured at hospital admission and 4 days after STEMI.

Comparing the Prognostic Value of Hematological Indices in Patients With ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: "A Head to Head" Analysis.

Although there are reviews and meta-analyses focusing on hematological indices for risk prediction of mortality in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), there are not enough data with respect to direct to head-to-head comparison of their predictive values. We aimed to investigate which hematological indices have the most discriminatory capability for prediction of in-hospital and long-term mortality in a large STEMI cohort. We analyzed the data of 1186 patients with STEMI.

Prognostic Value of the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Patients With Myocardial Infarction With Non-obstructive Coronary Arteries.

Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) is a heterogeneous entity with an inflammatory etiopathogenesis. This study investigated the prognostic value of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in patients with MINOCA. Coronary angiographies performed between June 2015 and August 2018 were analyzed retrospectively and included 72 patients with MINOCA and 248 controls with normal coronary angiograms.

Prognostic impact of infection in octogenarians with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Purpose: Contemporary studies assessing outcomes in octogenarian patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and infection are scarce. This study investigated the impact and prognostic value of infection on long-term mortality in octogenarian patients with STEMI.

Methods: A total of 1564 patients admitted with STEMI between May 2015 and September 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, and 110 octogenarians were identified and included.

The Association of Plasma Apelin Levels with Plaque Vulnerability.

Objectives: Apelin is a recently discovered peptide that is expressed in many tissues particularly in the cardiovascular system and exerts several actions, most of which are vasodilatory and positive inotropic effects. Based on this, an apelin deficiency is believed to play a significant role in the development of hypertension and heart failure. However, the association of apelin with the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and especially plaque vulnerability remains unestablished.

Acute effects of synthetic cannabinoids on ventricular repolarization parameters.

Objective: An association between ventricular repolarization parameters (VRPs) and ventricular arrhythmias has been demonstrated in previous studies. However, there are limited data related to a relationship between synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) and VRPs. The aim of this study was to analyze the acute effects of SCs on VRPs using electrocardiogram (ECG) measurements of the T-peak to T-end interval (Tp-e), Tp-e/QT ratio, and Tp-e/corrected QT (QTc) ratio.

The predictive value of stress hyperglycemia on thrombus burden in nondiabetic patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

: It is established that hyperglycemia directly effects the platelet functions and fibrin structure. In this study, we aimed to investigate the predictive value of hyperglycemia on thrombus burden in nondiabetic patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who underwent to primer percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). We enrolled 619 nondiabetic patients with STEMI who received PPCI.

[Can biomarkers help us to understand the pathogenesis of coronary slow flow? Endocan and omentin-I in slow coronary flow phenomenon].

Objective: The pathophysiology of the slow coronary flow (SCF) phenomenon is still unclear. The two most frequently cited mechanisms of SCF are endothelial dysfunction and subclinical diffuse atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation of SCF to serum endocan levels which is associated with endothelial dysfunction and to serum omentin-I levels which is associated with atherosclerosis.

Can Thrombus Burden Predict Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction?

The incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) increases in the range from patients with unstable angina to ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Platelet activation has been associated with pathophysiology of nephropathy and thrombus burden in the infarct-related arteries. We investigated the impact of thrombus burden on CIN in patients with STEMI.

Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-a is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in men with HIV infection.

The pathophysiology of an early and accelerated atherosclerotic process is complex and multifactorial in HIV-infected men compared with HIV-non-infected men. Several biomarkers have been well studied in the detection of the early stage of atherosclerosis, but studies are limited in HIV-infected men. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between serum pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) and carotid intima-media wall thickness (CIMT) in asymptomatic HIV-infected men.

Electrocardiographic diagnosis of atrial infarction in patients with acute inferior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: Patients with atrial myocardial infarction (ATMI) have frequent cardiac and noncardiac complications. However, ATMI is uncommonly diagnosed because of its nonspecific ECG changes. Our objective was to analyze the ECG characteristics of ATMI in patients with inferior STEMI.

The impact of infection on mortality in octogenarians who were admitted due to acute coronary syndrome.

Background: The prevalence of coronary artery disease is on the rise as the life expectancy of the population increases. However, treatment of acute coronary syndrome in the elderly patients has its own problems that have not been thoroughly addressed in the clinical trials. Since these patients are generally fragile and have multiple co-morbidities, the course of acute coronary syndrome can frequently be complicated.

Is galectin-3 a biomarker, a player-or both-in the presence of coronary atherosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis is a complex process mediated by leukocytes, macrophages and various inflammatory markers. Galectin-3 is secreted by activated macrophages and is involved in cardiac fibrosis, cardiac remodeling, and inflammation. The present study aimed to determine the relationship between the presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) and serum galectin-3 levels.

Comparison of Long-Term Outcomes in Real-World Patients Between Resolute Zotarilumus-Eluting and Paclitaxel-Eluting Stents in Small Vessel.

Objective: To compare the long-term clinical outcomes between Resolute zotarolimus-eluting stent (R-ZES) and paclitaxel-eluting stent (PES) in patients with small coronary artery disease.

Background: Patients with a small vessel diameter are independently associated with increased risk of adverse cardiac events after drug-eluting stent implantation.

Methods: A cohort of 265 patients treated with R-ZES (185 patients with 211 lesions) or PES (80 patients with 100 lesions) in small vessel (≤2.

Exercise-Induced Repolarization Changes in Patients with Isolated Myocardial Bridging.

Background: Although myocardial bridging (MB) is defined as an angiographic phenomenon with a benign course, it has also been associated with adverse cardiovascular events. The effects of exercise on myocardial repolarization in patients with MB were tested in this study, with Tp-e and Tp-e/QT repolarization indexes.

Material And Methods: A total of 50 patients in whom isolated MB was diagnosed at coronary angiography (CAG) (Group I) and 48 patients with normal CAG results (Group II) were included in this study.

Relationship between serum endothelin-1 level and spontaneous reperfusion in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Aim: Spontaneous reperfusion (SR) was associated with better clinical outcomes and lower incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent endothelium-derived vasoconstrictor peptide and elevated systemic ET-1 levels predict a poor prognosis in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We aimed to investigate the relationship between systemic ET-1 plasma levels and SR in a group of STEMI patients treated with a primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Relationship between increased serum resistin level and severity of coronary artery disease.

Resistin, which is derived from the gene of RSTN, belongs to a family of cysteine-rich secretory proteins called resistin-like molecules (RELMs). Increased serum resistin levels are associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) and the risk of cardiovascular death. Patients (n = 214) with an initial diagnosis of stable angina pectoris, unstable angina pectoris, and myocardial infarction without ST-segment elevation and referred to catheter laboratory for coronary angiography were enrolled in the study.

Comparison of rosuvastatin versus atorvastatin for preventing postoperative atrial fibrillation.

Background: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) following cardiac surgery is associated with an increased risk of stroke, prolonged hospitalization, and increased costs. Statin therapy is associated with a lower incidence of postoperative AF. We aimed to compare the preventive effects of rosuvastatin and atorvastatin on postoperative AF.

Aspirin resistance: Where are we now?

Aspirin is an effective antiplatelet drug for preventing thrombo-embolic vascular events. However, clinical and laboratory evidence demonstrates diminished or no response to aspirin in some patients that is called aspirin resistance. This situation has been reported to be independently associated with an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events.

Matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 levels in patients with dilated ascending aorta and bicuspid aortic valve.

Background: Predictors of aortic dilatation are not well-described in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). Changes in extracellular matrix composition in the aortic wall may play an important role. Our study aimed to examine the relationship between ascending aortic dilatation and biochemical markers for collagen metabolism, such as matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) levels in patients with BAV.

Follow-up of aspirin-resistant patients with end-stage kidney disease.

Background: Aspirin resistance is defined by platelet function testing and presumed clinical unresponsiveness to aspirin. Aspirin-resistant patients are at a greater risk of clinically important adverse cardiovascular events. We aimed to investigate whether end-stage renal disease patients with aspirin resistance are at increased risk for long-term major adverse clinical events.