Heart rate turbulence and heart rate variability in patients with mitral valve prolapse.

Aims: Heart rate turbulence (HRT) and heart rate variability (HRV) have been shown to be independent and powerful predictors of mortality in a specific group of cardiac patients. However, the predictive values of HRV alone is modest and information on HRV in patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) has so far been conflicting. In addition, no studies have previously evaluated HRT in patients with MVP.

Serum leptin levels and malnutrition in patients with chronic renal failure.

Objective: To investigate the correlation between serum leptin levels, body mass index, and triceps skin fold thickness, which are anthropometric measurements, as well as serum albumin levels in patients with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis.

Methods: We studied 75 patients (48 males, 27 females; ages between 18-82) at the Hemodialysis Unit, Cumhuriyet University Medical School; Private Sivas Dialysis Center; Hemodialysis Unit, Sultan Izzettin Keykavus Hospital; and the Hemodialysis Unit, SSK Sivas Hospital between January 2003 and February 2004. Patients were excluded if they had been on dialysis for less than one year, if they were anuric, or if they had been on dialysis with jugular or subclavian catheter and long-term permanent port catheter.

Relationship between serum leptin levels and body composition and markers of malnutrition in nondiabetic patients on peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis.

Background: Leptin is a protein hormone secreted by adipocytes, regulating body fat and food intake. It has been reported that serum leptin levels are high in patients with chronic renal failure, and this fact has been associated with malnutrition and body composition changes in patients on hemodialysis. This present study investigated the relationship between plasma leptin concentrations and body composition and markers of malnutrition in nondiabetic patients diagnosed with end-stage chronic renal failure, treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) or hemodialysis (HD).