Multiparametric assessment of right ventricular function in heart transplant recipients by echocardiography and relations with pulmonary hemodynamics.

Objective: Right ventricular (RV) dilatation and dysfunction are usually present in heart transplant (HTx) patients and worsened with residual pulmonary hypertension (PH). We aimed to determine the ability of different echocardiographic modalities to evaluate RV function in comparison with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and their relations with pulmonary hemodynamics in HTx patients.

Methods: A total of 62 data sets [echocardiographic, hemodynamic, and CMR] were acquired from 35 HTx patients.

Evaluation of the relationship between para-aortic adipose tissue and ascending aortic diameter using a new method.

Background: Para-aortic adipose tissue (PAT) is the local adipose tissue that externally surrounds the aorta. It contributes significantly to aortic atherosclerosis and enlargement. Studies conducted with computed tomography and magnetic resonance have shown that individuals with aortic aneurysm had more PAT than healthy individuals.

Effect of Post-Transplant Cardiac Angiographic Procedures on Post-Transplant Renal Function.

Background: Cardiac interventions often are performed before and after renal transplant for coronary artery disease. The aim of this study was to investigate whether post-transplant cardiac coronary procedures affect post-transplant renal function.

Method: We retrospectively included renal transplant recipients who underwent renal transplant procedures at Baskent University between April 28, 1997 and January 20, 2020.

In-Hospital Bleeding and Mortality in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients Treated with Tirofiban and Potent P2Y12 Inhibitors.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to determine whether potent agents affect in-hospital bleeding and mortality compared to clopidogrel in patients with the acute coronary syndrome in whom tirofiban and P2Y12 inhibitor are used together.

Methods: Patients who were treated interventionally between 2015 and 2020 and were using tirofiban were retrospectively screened. Clinical, laboratory, and angiographic findings were obtained from the hospital database.

Approach to optimal assessment of right ventricular remodelling in heart transplant recipients: insights from myocardial work index, T1 mapping, and endomyocardial biopsy.

Aims: Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is an important cause of graft failure after heart transplantation (HTx). We sought to investigate relative merits of echocardiographic tools and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) with T1 mapping for the assessment of functional adaptation and remodelling of the RV in HTx recipients.

Methods And Results: Sixty-one complete data set of echocardiography, CMR, right heart catheterization, and biopsy were obtained.

Association of the Atherogenic Index of Plasma with C-Reactive Protein and Urinary Albumin Excretion in a Normotensive Nondiabetic Population.

The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) is an indicator of atherogenic dyslipidemia and is significantly associated with the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Previous studies showing the association of AIP with C-reactive protein (CRP) and microalbuminuria included hypertensive and diabetic patients. We aimed to determine the association of AIP with CRP and albuminuria in a normotensive and nondiabetic population.

A new and simple parameter for diagnosis pulmonary edema: Expiratory air humidity.

Purpose: Acute pulmonary edema is characterized by increased levels of fluid in the interstitial and alveolar space of the lung and requires emergency treatment. In acute pulmonary edema, the amount of fluid in the intra-alveolar, interstitial space, and pleural space vary considerably and this fluid will evaporate in different amounts compared to the physiological fluid. The aim of this study was to compare the humidity rates of expiratory air measured before and after pulmonary edema induced by α-naphthylthiourea (ANTU) in rats.

Role of myocardial strain and rotation for predicting prosthetic aortic valve stenosis.

Pressure overload due to aortic stenosis leads to subclinical left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and global longitudinal strain (GLS) impairment even if ejection fraction is preserved. However, little is known about LV mechanics in aortic prosthetic valve (APV) stenosis. The study aimed to determine the role of myocardial strain and rotation in predicting prosthetic valve stenosis in mechanical APV patients.

Direct aortic transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a safe and effective alternative to surgical valve replacement in intermediate and even in low-risk patient cohorts. Direct aortic (DAo) route may be used in patients with severe peripheral vascular disease. Here, we present an 88-year old patient hospitalized with cardiogenic shock.

Determinants of reverse dipping blood pressure in normotensive, non-diabetic population with an office measurement below 130/85mmHg.

: The role of dipping blood pressure pattern in normotensives is unclear. The study aims to search the circadian blood pressure rhythm and the clinical determinants related to reverse dipping pattern in a strictly selected, normotensive population.: The study population was divided into three groups depending on the nocturnal dipping pattern as dipping, non-dipping, and reverse dipping.

Aortic arch calcification: a novel parameter for prediction of masked hypertension.

Background: Masked hypertension is directly related to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality but remains underdiagnosed in clinical practice. The aim of the study was to search the role of aortic arch calcification (AAC) in the diagnosis of masked hypertension.

Methods And Results: Among the patients who underwent ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) in our clinic, those with office blood pressure (OBP) <140/90 mmHg were included in the study population.

The Effect of Renal Transplantation on Cardiac Functions.

Chronic renal failure is a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular poor outcome. Despite advances in dialysis and renal transplantation, these patients still have high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The aim of our study was to evaluate the changes in blood parameters and echocardiographic parameters of patients undergoing renal transplantation in our center.

Left atrial mechanics for secondary prevention from embolic stroke of undetermined source.

Aims: Anticoagulation is not justified unless atrial fibrillation (AF) is detected in cryptogenic stroke (CS) patients. We sought to explore whether left atrial (LA) remodelling is associated with embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS).

Methods And Results: In this prospective study, we evaluated consecutively 186 patients in sinus rhythm who presented with an acute ischaemic stroke (embolic and non-embolic) and sex- and age-matched controls.

Longitudinal Strain and Strain Rate for Estimating Left Ventricular Filling Pressure in Heart Transplant Recipients.

Traditional parameters have limited value to estimate left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP) in orthotropic heart transplant (OHT) recipients. We hypothesized that global longitudinal strain (GLS), diastolic, and systolic strain rate (SR) would be depressed in OHT recipients with elevated LVFP and could overcome the limitations of traditional parameters. We studied consecutively OHT patients at the time of endomyocardial biopsies and retrospectively pretransplantation studies conforming to the same protocol.

Risk factors for left atrial appendage thrombus.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common persistent rhythm disorder that has been shown to be associated with a significant increase in stroke risk. Left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombi are responsible for most of strokes of cardiac origin. CHADS-VASc is a risk scoring system to identify patients' indications for anticoagulation in nonvalvular AF patients.

MELD-XI Score and Coronary Artery Disease Prevalence and Extent Among In-Hospital Patients With End-Stage Liver Failure Awaiting Transplant.

Objectives: Liver transplant is a life-saving procedure for a variety of end-stage liver diseases. Cardiovascular disorders are among the leading cause of death among patients with end-stage liver disease and those undergoing liver transplant procedures. MELD-XI score is a newly developed score for mortality prediction in patients with end-stage liver failure.

Admission Tpe interval predicts reperfusion success in STEMI patients treated with fibrinolytic agents.

Objective: Myocardial infarction is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Fibrinolytic administration is still a life-saving choice in ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI), but the rate of successful reperfusion can be inconsistent. Failed reperfusion adds additional clinical risks to rescue percutaneous coronary intervention for STEMI patients.

Subclinical myocardial dysfunction in liver transplant candidates determined using speckle tracking imaging.

Objective: There are various cardiovascular abnormalities in end-stage liver disease (ESLD). In these patients, left ventricular (LV) systolic function is normal at rest but deteriorates during stress. This deterioration may be due to subclinical myocardial dysfunction.

Pulmonary Artery Distensibility is Worsened in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) leads to right ventricular (RV) dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension (PH) in the later stages. Early determination of these conditions is very important.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the correlations of pulmonary artery distensibility, right pulmonary artery fractional shortening (RPA-FS), and pulmonary artery stiffness (PAS) with PH among newly diagnosed OSAS patients.

Adequacy of infective endocarditis prophylaxis before dental procedures among solid organ transplant recipients.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a life-threatening condition with high morbidity and mortality. The current IE guidelines recommend antibiotic prophylaxis only in patients with certain cardiac conditions and before certain dental procedures. However, there is not enough data about solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients.

Assessment of vascular inflammation and subclinical nephropathy in exaggerated blood pressure response to exercise test.

Objectives: Exaggerated blood pressure response (EBPR) to exercise tests is an additional cardiovascular risk factor and predictor of future development of hypertension. However, there are conflicting data on the diagnostic threshold of EBPR and its clinical importance in kidney disease. The aim of this study was to investigate vascular inflammation and subclinical nephropathy in otherwise healthy volunteers with EBPR.

Evaluation of hs-CRP and sLOX-1 Levels in Moderate-to-High Risk Acute Coronary Syndromes.

Objective: Risk stratification and prompt treatment are essential for the management of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and prediction of future prognosis. Subclinical vascular inflammation and novel biomarkers play an important role in the clinical evaluation of ACS patients.

Methods: We enrolled patients who were admitted to emergency service with unstable angina or non- ST segment elevated ACS (NSTE-ACS) in the study population.