Can peripheral perfusion index predict disease mortality in COVID-19 patients in the emergency department.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia remains a major public health concern. The prognostic efficacy of Peripheral Perfusion Index (PPI) has been researched in different pathologies such as trauma and sepsis. We hypothesized that PPI may serve as predictor of mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 infection.

The role of hemogram parameters and C-reactive protein in predicting mortality in COVID-19 infection.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate hemogram parameters and C-reactive protein (CRP) that can be used in clinical practice to predict mortality in hospitalized patients with a diagnosis of COVID-19.

Methods: This cohort study was conducted at University Hospital, which is a designated hospital for COVID-19 patients. Adult patients who were admitted to our hospital emergency department with suspected COVID-19 and who were hospitalized in our institution with a COVID-19 diagnosis were analysed.

Enhanced platelet activity in atrial septal defect.

Aims: Enhanced platelet activity assessed by mean platelet volume (MPV) was observed in pulmonary arterial hypertension. This study examined the presence of platelet activation in adults with atrial septal defect (ASD), its relationship with pulmonary vascular disease and its changes following device closure of the defects.

Methods: A total of 76 consecutive patients received transcatheter ASD closure and 40 matched healthy volunteers were prospectively enrolled for blood tests and transthoracic echocardiography (patients: aged 36 ± 13, 37% men; controls: aged 36 ± 8, 38% men).

Cost-effectiveness analysis of left atrial appendage occlusion compared with pharmacological strategies for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation.

Background: Transcatheter left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is a promising therapy for stroke prophylaxis in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) but its cost-effectiveness remains understudied. This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of LAAO for stroke prophylaxis in NVAF.

Methods: A Markov decision analytic model was used to compare the cost-effectiveness of LAAO with 7 pharmacological strategies: aspirin alone, clopidogrel plus aspirin, warfarin, dabigatran 110 mg, dabigatran 150 mg, apixaban, and rivaroxaban.

Predictive value of newly defined CHA2DS2-VASc-HSF score for severity of coronary artery disease in ST segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores are widely used in clinical practice and include similar risk factors for the development of coronary artery disease (CAD). It is known that the factors comprising the newly defined CHA2DS2-VASc-HSF score promote atherosclerosis and are associated with severity of CAD.

Aim: To investigate the association of the CHA2DS2-VASc-HSF score with the severity of CAD as assessed by SYNTAX score (SxS) in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Predictive value of admission red cell distribution width-platelet ratio for no-reflow phenomenon in acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: The red cell distribution width-platelet ratio (RPR), a novel inflammatory marker is currently used to predict inflammation in chronic diseases. It may be associated with adverse outcomes among artery disease but its prognostic value in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has not been fully investigated. There is no data regarding the association between RPR and in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs).

Predictors of No-Reflow Phenomenon in Young Patients With Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

No-reflow is of prognostic value in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) but has not been extensively investigated in young patients. Young patients with STEMI admitted within 12 hours from symptom onset and treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) were recruited. Patients were classified into 2 groups based on postintervention thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade; no-reflow: TIMI flow grade 0, 1 or 2 (group 1; n = 27; 21 men, mean age: 42 ± 4 years); and angiographic success: TIMI flow grade 3 (group 2; n = 118; 110 men, mean age: 43 ± 4 years).

Correlation between pentraxin-3 and endothelial dysfunction in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Background And Aim: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Recent studies showed endothelial dysfunction and pentraxin-3 both of an early marker for development of cardiovascular disease. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between severity of OSAS and endothelial dysfunction and inflammatory markers including pentraxin-3 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP).

The Investigation of Relationship between Coronary Artery Ectasia, Benign Prostatic Enlargement, and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms.

Objective: To investigate benign prostatic enlargement (BPE) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in patients with coronary artery ectasia (CAE). The relation between CAE, BPE, and LUTS has not been studied so far.

Methods: We investigated BPE and LUTS symptoms in 47 men with CAE, 45 men with coronary artery disease (CAD), and 47 male controls with normal coronary arteries.

Metformin improves endothelial function and carotid intima media thickness in patients with PCOS.

Objective: Oral contraceptive pills (OCP) are widely used for treating women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Metformin has beneficial effects on insulin resistance and endothelial functions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of treatment with drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol (EE) alone or in combination with metformin on the flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMD) and carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) in women with PCOS.

Low bilirubin levels are associated with coronary slow flow phenomenon.

Background And Aim: Increasing evidence suggests an inverse relationship between bilirubin levels and cardiovascular disease. The present study evaluated the effect of bilirubin level on the slow coronary flow (SCF) phenomenon.

Methods: This study was cross-sectional and observational.

Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio predicts SYNTAX score in patients with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction.

In this study we aimed to investigate whether there is an association between the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) using the SYNTAX score (SXscore). A total of 414 patients with NSTEMI who underwent coronary angiography were enrolled in the study. NLR was measured for all patients at presentation.

Association of Left Atrial Spontaneous Echo Contrast to Uric Acid in Patients with Mitral Stenosis.

Objectives: Spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) is the presence of smoke-like echoes with a characteristic swirling motion of the blood in echocardiography. Previous clinical studies have shown that SEC is a risk factor for left atrial thrombus formation and a predictor of potential systemic embolism originating from the heart. There is an association between uric acid and prothrombotic state.

Association of red blood cell distribution width levels with severity of coronary artery disease in patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of the levels of red blood cell distribution width (RDW) with the severity of atherosclerosis and to determine whether or not the RDW level on admission is an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).

Materials And Methods: A total of 335 consecutive patients with NSTEMI were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into high (n = 105) and low (n = 230) SYNTAX groups.

Epicardial Fat Tissue Predicts Increased Long-Term Major Adverse Cardiac Event in Patients With Moderate Cardiovascular Risk.

We investigated the relationship between epicardial fat volume (EFV) measured by multislice computed tomography (MDCT) and long-term major adverse cardiac events (MACEs). Consecutive patients (n = 564) were enrolled in this retrospective study. Patients were divided into tertiles according to EFV.

Atrial electromechanical delay is impaired in patients with psoriasis.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate atrial electromechanical delay (EMD) in patients with psoriasis.

Subjects And Methods: A total of 43 patients with psoriasis (26 mild-moderate, 17 severe) and 17 healthy control subjects were enrolled. Patients with psoriasis were divided into two groups: the mild-moderate group and the severe group according to their psoriasis area severity index (PASI) scores.

Acute Effects of Intracoronary Tirofiban on No-Reflow Phenomena in Patients With ST-Segment Elevated Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

We evaluated the acute effect of intracoronary administration of tirofiban on no-reflow phenomenon in patients with ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Consecutive patients (n = 162) were randomized into 2 groups based on whether intracoronary tirofiban was administered. After the administration of intracoronary tirofiban, thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade significantly increased (P < .

A multicentre, comparative study of Cera septal occluder versus AMPLATZER Septal Occluder in transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defects.

Aims: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the new Cera septal occluder (CSO) for atrial septal defect (ASD) closure as compared to the AMPLATZER Septal Occluder (ASO).

Methods And Results: A total of 405 ASD patients receiving CSO or ASO were studied. The ASDs were classified into simple defects (isolated defects <26 mm) or complex defects (isolated defects ≥26 mm, large defects with a deficient rim, double or multi-fenestrated defects).

Hypertensive response to exercise in dipper and non-dipper normotensive diabetics.

Non-dipper blood pressure (NDP) as an indicator of autonomic dysfunction could be associated with hypertensive response to exercise (HRE) in diabetic patients. HRE was determined as a predictor of development of unborn hypertension. We aimed to investigate if any correlation among NDP and HRE in normotensive type 2 diabetic patients.

Myocardial performance index for detection of subclinical abnormalities in patients with sarcoidosis.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate ventricular functions in patients with sarcoidosis without an obvious heart disease by using tissue Doppler-derived left and right ventricular myocardial performance index (MPI).

Methods: The study population included 45 patient with sarcoidosis (29 men, 16 women; mean age, 44±10 years, mean disease duration, 4.2±2.

Mean platelet volume levels predict pulmonary artery hypertension in patients with atrial septal defect.

Introduction: Some reports have shown increased platelet aggregation and activation in patients with pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a simple and easy method of assessing platelet function. We aimed to investigate the mean platelet volume levels in patients with atrial septal defect (ASD) and the association between MPV levels and pulmonary artery hypertension.

The protective effect of topical rifamycin treatment against sternal wound infection in diabetic patients undergoing on-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of topical rifamycin SV treatment against sternal wound infection (SWI) in diabetic patients undergoing on-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

Methods: One hundred and fifty-nine diabetic patients who were scheduled to undergo isolated on-pump CABG surgery were included. Eight were excluded for various reasons.