High-density lipoprotein cholesterol to c-reactive protein ratio predicts atrial fibrillation recurrence after electrical cardioversion.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after cardioversion is common, and inflammation plays a critical role in its pathophysiology. We aimed to elucidate the predictive role of the ratio of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to c-reactive protein (HDL-C/CRP) as an inflammatory marker in AF recurrence after electrical cardioversion (ECV). We analyzed patients who underwent elective ECV for atrial fibrillation between June 2020 and December 2023.

Validation and reliability of the Turkish version of the composite autonomic symptom score 31.

Objectives: This study aimed to validate a Turkish version of the Composite Autonomic Symptom Score 31 (T-COMPASS 31) for assessing autonomic dysfunction.

Patients And Methods: The COMPASS 31 questionnaire was translated into Turkish following a rigorous protocol. Forty-five patients with autonomic dysfunction symptoms related to their primary disease and 45 healthy controls matched for age and sex participated in the study.

Quantitative Analysis of Right Atrial Functions by 2D-Speckle Tracking Echocardiography During Healthy Pregnancy.

Background: The role of speckle tracking in the assessment of right atrial (RA) deformation parameters has not been investigated yet. The purpose of this article is to establish the effects of normal pregnancy on RA mechanical changes obtained by 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography.

Methodology: A total of 49 healthy pregnant women were included in the study.

Comparative Analysis of Angiographic Parameters and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Outcomes in Diverse Populations in Türkiye.

Objective: Due to the conflict in Syria since 2011, more than 3.5 million Syrian citizens reside in Türkiye. Because Syrian patients were underrepresented in previous studies on percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) outcomes, we aimed to analyze the severity of coronary artery disease and in-hospital outcomes of PCI in this population.

Intracoronary electrocardiogram detects coronary microvascular dysfunction and ischemia in patients with no obstructive coronary arteries disease.

Background: Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is the leading cause of ischemia with no obstructive coronary arteries disease (INOCA) disease. Diagnosis of CMD relies on surrogate physiological indices without objective proof of ischemia.

Objectives: Intracoronary electrocardiogram (icECG) derived hyperemic indices may accurately and objectively detect CMD and reversible ischemia in related territory.

Primary versus iatrogenic (post-PCI) coronary microvascular dysfunction: a wire-based multimodal comparison.

Background: Although there are studies examining each one separately, there are no data in the literature comparing the magnitudes of the iatrogenic, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)-induced, microvascular dysfunction (Type-4 CMD) and coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) in the setting of ischaemia in non-obstructed coronary arteries (INOCA) (Type-1 CMD).

Objectives: We aimed to compare the characteristics of Type-1 and Type-4 CMD subtypes using coronary haemodynamic (resistance and flow-related parameters), thermodynamic (wave energy-related parameters) and hyperemic ECG changes.

Methods: Coronary flow reserve (CFR) value of <2.

What lies behind the extensive ST-segment changes in cardiac arrest?

Interpretation of electrocardiographic changes after cardiac arrest is critical. If the electrocardiogram is consistent with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, primary coronary angiography is indicated. However, the presence of ST-segment depression in eight or more surface leads, together with ST-segment elevation in the aVR and/or V1, could be a sign of multivessel ischaemia or left main coronary artery disease if haemodynamic instability is present.

C-Reactive Protein to Albumin Ratio Predicts In-hospital Mortality in Patients with Acute Heart Failure.

Objective: Acute heart failure remains at high risk of mortality despite recent advances in the management and treatment of heart failure. Recently, C-reactive protein to albumin ratio has been shown to predict all-cause mortality in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. The association between C-reactive protein to albumin ratio and in-hospital mortality in patients with acute heart failure regardless of the left ventricular ejection fraction remains unknown.

Can high-sensitive troponin levels within the normal range predict positivity in treadmill test?

Background: This study aimed to determine whether a high level of high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT) predicts a positive treadmill test in patients with suspected stable ischemic heart disease (SIHD).

Methods: In all, 366 patients with suspected SIHD were included in the study. We measured the serum hsTnT levels before the treadmill test.

Gender-Dependent Comparison of Coronary Computed Tomography Angiographic Characteristics among Patients with Suspected Atherosclerosis: A Single-Center Experience.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to examine gender-based differences in coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors, the presence and severity of atherosclerosis, and the distribution of plaque type in patients presenting with chest pain.

Methods: A total of 1496 patients who applied to our cardiology outpatient clinic with chest pain and underwent computed coronary tomographic angiography (CTA) between August 2020 and October 2021 were included in the study. Plaque characteristics, Agatston score, and Coronary Artery Disease-Reporting and Data System (CAD-RADS) score obtained from the patients' CTAs were compared by gender.

A rare cause of pulmonary hypertension: Idiopathic fibrosing mediastinitis obstructing right pulmonary artery and pulmonary veins.

Fibrosing mediastinitis is caused by a proliferation of fibrous tissue in the mediastinum with encasement of mediastinal viscera and compression of mediastinal bronchovascular structures. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) may occur as a severe complication of the disease. Herein, we report a patient diagnosed with fibrosing mediastinitis and pulmonary hypertension, whose imaging tests showed obstruction of right pulmonary artery and veins.

A combination of severe complications in a case of infective endocarditis: Dehiscence of prosthetic aortic valve, aortic dissection, pseudoaneurysm, and hematoma causing right ventricular collapse.

Prosthetic valve endocarditis with mechanical complications causing pulmonary edema is fatal, therefore it needs to be diagnosed early and should be treated surgically in emergency setting. Transesophageal echocardiogram is crucial for recognizing the mechanical complications, which can be encountered on daily practice, but the coexistence of complications occurring on different mechanism is rather uncommon. Herein, we report a 21-year-old gentleman presenting with acute heart failure, whose imaging tests showed a combination of dehiscence of mechanical aortic valve prosthesis, aortic dissection, pseudoaneurysm, and hematoma causing right ventricular collapse.

Right atrial reservoir strain and right ventricular strain improves in patients recovered from hospitalisation for non-severe COVID-19.

Purpose: Those hospitalised with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have recently been shown to have impaired right ventricular (RV) strain, but data about the course of heart function after discharge are limited. Our aim was to compare right ventricular strain and right atrial reservoir strain (RASr) associated with COVID-19 between acute disease (during hospitalisation) and follow-up (after discharge).

Methods: In this retrospective single-center study, we analysed the echocardiograms of 43 patients hospitalised for non-severe COVID-19 between December 2020 and March 2021, undergoing echocardiography both during and after hospitalisation.

Gradual Versus Abrupt Reperfusion During Primary Percutaneous Coronary Interventions in ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (GUARD).

Background Intramyocardial edema and hemorrhage are key pathological mechanisms in the development of reperfusion-related microvascular damage in ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. These processes may be facilitated by abrupt restoration of intracoronary pressure and flow triggered by primary percutaneous coronary intervention. We investigated whether pressure-controlled reperfusion via gradual reopening of the infarct-related artery may limit microvascular injury in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

A rare cause of dilated cardiomyopathy: hypocalcemia.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is characterized by systolic dysfunction and is usually idiopathic. A rare cause of reversible DCM is hypocalcemia. Calcium plays a key role in myocardial contraction.