Associations Between Upper Extremity Function, Activities of Daily Living, and Functional Capacity in Patients with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction.

Objective: Limited information is available regarding the associations between upper extremity function, activities of daily living (ADLs), and functional capacity in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). This study aimed to investigate the associations between upper extremity function, ADLs, and functional capacity in patients with HFrEF.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 31 patients with HFrEF.

Epidemiology of heart failure in Türkiye.

Background/aim: The epidemiological data on heart failure (HF) vary between regions within the same country. We aimed to investigate the epidemiological data on HF in Türkiye across all age groups regarding seven geographical regions.

Materials And Methods: We included all patients from the Turkish population who received a first diagnosis of HF between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2022, using ICD-10 codes from the National Electronic Healthcare Database.

Diagnostic approach to heart failure in Türkiye.

Background/aim: Final diagnosis of heart failure (HF) relies on a combination clinical findings, laboratory and imaging tests. The aim of this study was to review the diagnostic approach to HF in Türkiye.

Materials And Methods: This study is a subanalysis of the nationwide TRends-HF study, based on anonymized data from National Electronic Database between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2022.

Medical and advanced heart failure therapies in Türkiye.

Background/aim: Effective management of heart failure involves evidence-based use of multiple medications and their combinations. Furthermore, dosage escalation of the recommended medications is advised. In cases of advanced heart failure, long-term mechanical assistance devices or heart transplantation surgery may be necessary.

Outcomes of patients with heart failure in Türkiye.

Background/aim: Despite Türkiye's relatively young population, there is an emerging trend of earlier diagnoses of chronic diseases, including heart failure (HF). This study aims to shed light on survival rates, potential influences of guideline-directed therapies, and sex-based differences necessitating personalized management in HF.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a nationwide retrospective cohort analysis of 2,722,151 patients with HF using deidentified data from the Turkish Ministry of Health's national electronic database.

Burden of comorbidities in heart failure patients in Türkiye.

Background/aim: Heart failure (HF) is associated with a wide range of comorbidities that negatively impact clinical outcomes and cause high economic burden. We aimed to evaluate the frequency and burden of comorbidities in HF patients in Türkiye and their relationships with patients' demographic characteristics.

Materials And Methods: Based on ICD-10 codes in the national electronic database of the Turkish Ministry of Health covering the entire population of Türkiye (n = 85,279,553) from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2022, data on the prevalence of comorbidities in HF patients were obtained.

Assessment of dyslipidemia management in Turkey using a Delphi panel.

This study evaluated the management of dyslipidemia in Turkey with the goal of understanding current diagnosis and treatment patterns, as well as identifying unmet needs in achieving effective low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) targets. Using a Delphi panel consisting of nine expert cardiologists, the study reveals key gaps in dyslipidemia management, particularly in the underutilization of combination therapies, such as statins and PCSK9 inhibitors, which are crucial for achieving LDL-C targets in high-risk patients. The findings indicate that while many patients with very high cardiovascular risk are diagnosed, a significant proportion do not receive optimal treatment to reach LDL-C levels recommended by European guidelines.

Gastroprotection in Heart Failure and Outcomes: A Systematic Review of Proton Pump Inhibitors and Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonists.

Purpose: The management of heart failure (HF) frequently includes gastroprotection via proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs). This systematic review evaluates their impact on HF outcomes, including exacerbation, hospitalization, mortality, and major adverse cardiac events (MACE).

Methods: In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, a complete search across databases such as PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted until December 10, 2023.

Real-Life Individual Comparison of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors in Patients with Heart Failure and Diabetes Mellitus.

Background: Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) are breakthrough agents for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and heart failure (HF). However, among patients with HF and T2DM, some uncertainty remains about individual comparisons, including dosing.

Objectives: We aimed to make a real-life individual comparison of SGLT2is among patients with HF and T2DM.

The Relation of Insulin Resistance With Free Androgen Index and Endothelial Dysfunction Marker YKL-40 and Its Effect on Male Infertility: A Prospective Study.

Purpose: In this study, the effects of insulin resistance and the role of the endothelial dysfunction marker YKL-40 in male infertility were investigated.

Methods: This study was conducted with male patients who underwent fertility investigations in the in vitro fertilization (IVF) unit of a tertiary center. Semen samples were evaluated after two to five days of sexual abstinence.

Impact of implantable cardioverter defibrillators on mortality in heart failure receiving quadruple guideline-directed medical therapy: a propensity score-matched study.

Background: In the contemporary management of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), the recommended quadruple guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) consists of angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), evidence-based beta-blockers (BB), mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA), and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i). This study explored the impact of adding implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy to this comprehensive regimen in HFrEF patients.

Methods: Utilizing deidentified data from the National Electronic Database of the Turkish Ministry of Health, we conducted a nationwide retrospective cohort study on 5450 HFrEF patients receiving quadruple GDMT, including ARNI.

Effectiveness of a Training Program for the Prevention of Pressure Ulcers on Caregivers of Elderly Patients.

Introduction: The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of face-to-face education on pressure ulcer prevention and care provided to caregivers of patients with pressure ulcers in home healthcare services, specifically on the progression of the ulcers and their effects on the patients.

Methods: This prospective, analytical intervention study assessed the training program implemented using the presentation teaching strategy for caregivers of patients with pressure ulcers, from the perspective of the patient and caregiver. The participants were 91 patients with pressure ulcers in the Home Health Care Unit and 91 caregivers.

Takotsubo Syndrome: An International Expert Consensus Report on Practical Challenges and Specific Conditions (Part-2: Specific Entities, Risk Stratification and Challenges After Recovery).

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) still remains as an enigmatic phenomenon. In particular, long-term challenges (including clinical recurrence and persistent symptoms) and specific entities in the setting of TTS have been the evolving areas of interest. On the other hand, a significant gap still exists regarding the proper risk-stratification of this phenomenon in the short and long terms.

Takotsubo Syndrome: An International Expert Consensus Report on Practical Challenges and Specific Conditions (Part-1: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges).

In the recent years, there has been a burgeoning interest in Takotsubo syndrome (TTS), which is renowned as a specific form of reversible myocardial dysfunction. Despite the extensive literature available on TTS, clinicians still face several practical challenges associated with the diagnosis and management of this phenomenon. This potentially results in the underdiagnosis and improper management of TTS in clinical practice.

The Impact of Hormone Replacement Therapy on the Risk of Heart Failure in Postmenopausal Women: A Meta-Analysis of Clinical and Observational Studies.

Purpose: The relationship between heart failure (HF) and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in postmenopausal women remains unclear. This paper aimed to elucidate the association between HRT and HF outcomes in postmenopausal women by scrutinizing evidence from clinical trials and observational studies.

Methods: The meta-analysis was systematically executed following the PRISMA guidelines to include studies identified from the electronic databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, EBSCO, ICTRP, and NIH clinical trials.

Relationship between inflammatory markers, hormonal profiles, and sperm parameters.

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between semen parameters, complete blood count, and hormone levels on the day of spermiogram.

Methods: Semen parameters of 230 patients who were examined for full blood count test and hormone levels on the day of spermiogram were included in the study. Patients were grouped according to the total motile sperm count (TMSC), semen parameters, hemogram, and hormone levels were compared between groups.

Evaluation of Plasma Atherogenic Index, Triglyceride-Glucose Index and Other Lipid Ratios as Predictive Biomarkers of Coronary Artery Disease in Different Age Groups.

(1) Background: Dyslipidaemia and insulin resistance are major risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD). This study investigated the relationship between plasma atherogenic index (PA-I), triglyceride-glucose index (TGI) and other lipid ratios with the presence and prediction of CAD among different age categories. (2) Methods: The study included 223 participants diagnosed with CAD and those with normal coronary arteries (normal group) by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA).

Effects of obesity on clinical outcomes in diminished ovarian reserve patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of obesity on clinical outcomes in diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles. In this retrospective observational cross-sectional study, women admitted to current clinic with DOR undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection were divided into 2 groups according to the obesity. Patient age, body mass index, anti-mullerian hormone, baseline follicle stimulating hormone and baseline estradiol levels, antral follicle count, total gonadotropin dose, day of stimulation, number of mature (MII) oocytes, and clinical pregnancy were evaluated.

Baseline characteristics of patients with heart failure with mildly reduced or preserved ejection fraction: The FINEARTS-HF trial.

Aims: To describe the baseline characteristics of participants in the FINEARTS-HF trial, contextualized with prior trials including patients with heart failure (HF) with mildly reduced and preserved ejection fraction (HFmrEF/HFpEF). The FINEARTS-HF trial is comparing the effects of the non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist finerenone with placebo in reducing cardiovascular death and total worsening HF events in patients with HFmrEF/HFpEF.

Methods And Results: Patients with symptomatic HF, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥40%, estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥ 25 ml/min/1.

Deciphering mortality risk of diabetes medications in heart failure patients with diabetes mellitus under triple guideline-directed medical therapy.

Background: Scientific evidence regarding the impact of different combinations of diabetes medications in heart failure patients with diabetes mellitus (HFwDM) remains limited.

Aim: We aimed to investigate the effect of monotherapy and combination therapy for DM on all-cause mortality in HFwDM under triple guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT).

Method: This nationwide retrospective cohort study included adult HFwDM under triple GDMT between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2022.