The relationship of gamma-glutamyltransferase to aortic elastic properties in young patients with prehypertension.

Some cross-sectional studies have demonstrated a positive association between serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) levels and blood pressure. Accordingly, we aimed to analyze serum GGT levels in patients with prehypertension and examine the relationship with aortic elasticity parameters. The study population consisted of 25 newly diagnosed prehypertensive individuals and 25 healthy control subjects.

The effects of perindopril on aortic elasticity and inflammatory markers in hypertensive patients.

Background: Inflammation plays an important role in hypertension and in atherosclerosis. Inflammatory changes induced even in prehypertensive subjects can lead to increased arterial stiffness. The effects of perindopril on both inflammatory and aortic elasticity markers were tested in hypertensive patients.

The effect of the content of the knowledge on adherence to medication in hypertensive patients.

Objective: It was suggested that knowledge might influence the adherence to treatment in hypertension. Accordingly, in this study, we investigated the effects of content of knowledge on medication adherence and knowledge-based predictors of adherence to treatment in hypertensive patients.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 227 hypertensive patients (70% female;mean age: 57+/-12 years), who were followed by cardiology and internal medicine clinics.

The assessment of adherence of hypertensive individuals to treatment and lifestyle change recommendations.

Objective: Most of studies about adherence in hypertension highlight the adherence to the medical treatment but do not include the adherence to the other recommendations, such as lifestyle modifications. The factors effective on adherence to each type of recommendation may differ. Accordingly, we aimed in this study to show that nonadherence to each recommendation should be assessed individually.

A nomogram for measurement of mitral valve area by proximal isovelocity surface area method.

Introduction: Although its accuracy has been documented in many studies, the proximal isovelocity surface area (PISA) method is not used widely for mitral valve area (MVA) measurement. In this study, we prepared a new nomogram and tested its use in MVA assessment.

Material And Methods: The study included 23 patients (age: 27 +/- 5 years) with mitral stenosis, of whom 7 were in atrial fibrillation.

A new echocardiographic index for assessing left ventricular function and mechanism of mitral regurgitation and its relation to other echocardiographic indices.

Objective: Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a progressive disease of the mitral valve, which can be primary or functional. The assessment of left ventricular function in MR is still troublesome. In this study, we evaluated the validity of a new parameter, total dt, in patients with MR.

Left ventricular function in male patients with secondary hypogonadism.

Background: In addition to the effects on ventricular repolarization, testosterone could also affect left ventricular performance. The enhancement of left ventricular contractility in testosterone-deficient rats following testosterone replacement implies to the possible testosterone effect.

Objectives: The aim of the current study is to reveal the alterations of left ventricular functions, if any, in secondary hypogonadal male patients.

[The value of augmentation index and myocardial performance index obtained from cardiac catheterization pressure recordings in predicting coronary artery disease].

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the relation between some parameters, which can be obtained from cardiac catheterization pressure records, and coronary artery disease.

Methods: The study included 65 patients, in whom coronary angiography was performed by the cardiologists of the study. The parameters could be obtained in 40 patients (59+/-6 years; 28 male), and statistical analysis included the data of these patients.

A simple different method to use proximal isovelocity surface area (PISA) for measuring mitral valve area.

Background: Angle-correction is an important limiting factor for using proximal isovelocity surface area (PISA) method in measuring mitral valve area (MVA). In this study, we derived a novel formula, which simplifies the angle-correction, and tested its use in patients with mitral stenosis (MS).

Methods: The study included 30 MS patients without concomitant aortic or mitral regurgitation.

Brain natriuretic peptide and the severity of aortic regurgitation: is there any correlation?

We aimed to evaluate the correlation between aortic regurgitation severity and brain natriuretic (BNP) levels as a marker for left ventricular dysfunction. Sixty consecutive male patients (mean age 22 +/- 3 years) with isolated chronic aortic regurgitation were enrolled in the study together with a control group of 30 age-matched healthy volunteers (group A). Patients were classified with regard to aortic regurgitation vena contracta width as follows: group B, < 3 mm, mild (n = 16); group C, > or = 3 and < 6 mm, moderate (n = 26); group D, > or = 6 mm, severe (n = 18).

Elongation index as a new index determining the severity of left ventricular systolic dysfunction and mitral regurgitation in patients with congestive heart failure.

The shape of the left ventricle is an important echocardiographic feature of left ventricular dysfunction. Progression of the mitral regurgitation and consequent left ventricular remodeling is unpredictable in heart failure. Elongation index is an index of left ventricular sphericity.

Left atrial functions after myocardial infarction.

Acute myocardial infarction results in not only left ventricular but also left atrial dysfunction. Left atrial function is important for optimal filling of the left ventricle. In this study, we aimed at evaluating left atrial functions 6 months after acute myocardial infarction in three different patient groups (thrombolytic therapy, primary percutaneous intervention, or no reperfusion strategies).

A giant dissecting aneurysm of ascending aorta.

Aortic aneurysm is a serious clinical challenge for the cardiologist. Aneurysm expansion frequently associated with significant dissection and rupture risk. Currently available diagnostic modalities make earlier diagnosis and therapy possible hence giant aneurysm with dissection is relatively rare.

A novel method to estimate pulmonary artery wedge pressure using the downslope of the Doppler mitral regurgitant velocity profile.

Continuous-wave (CW) Doppler recording of mitral regurgitation (MR) is a reflection of the left ventriculoatrial pressure gradient. Accordingly, this jet may yield information about pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP). In this study, we derived and then evaluated a novel method for prediction of PAWP.

A different method for measuring mitral valve area with special emphasis on concomitant aortic regurgitation: A new application of proximal isovelocity surface area method.

Measurement of mitral valve area is still a challenge for the echocardiographers. Each method has its own limitations. In this study we assessed a different method and compared it with the other methods.

A case of Noonan's syndrome with numerous cardiac abnormalities.

Objective: To report a case of Noonan's syndrome in a patient with numerous cardiac abnormalities.

Methods: We present a case report of a patient with Noonan's syndrome, including clinical, laboratory, and radiologic findings, and discuss the characteristic features of this condition.

Results: A 19-year-old male patient had most of the typical clinical findings of Noonan's syndrome-dysmorphic face, short stature, ear abnormalities, cryptorchidism, webbed neck, and high palate.

Relationship between noninvasive reperfusion criteria and pulsed-wave tissue Doppler parameters in patients with acute myocardial infarction receiving thrombolytic therapy.

Several studies have proven that noninvasive reperfusion criteria (NRC) have prognostic significance in patients receiving thrombolytic therapy (TT) after acute myocardial infarction (acute MI). In this study, we investigated the relationship between NRC and pulsed tissue Doppler (PTD) parameters in patients receiving TT after acute MI, and the role of PTD in the management and follow-up of patients with acute MI. The study group(n= 41)was divided into four subgroups defined as: anterior and posterior MI, with or without NRC.

Papillary fibroelastoma of the mitral valve with systemic embolization.

Primary tumors of the heart are rare disorders. In autopsy studies, their incidence was reported to be 0.01-0.

Assessing the cause of T wave inversion in precordial leads with ECG mapping.

Inversion of the T wave in precordial leads in patients with angina pectoris is a predictor of coronary disease; however, it may also be seen in normal adults. The aim of this study was to assess the cause of T wave inversion by carrying out precordial electrocardiographic (ECG) mapping in 51 patients, who also underwent echocardiography and coronary angiography. The 37 patients in group A had atypical symptoms.