Clinical practices of the management of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and outcome of treatment: A representative prospective survey in tertiary healthcare centers across Turkey.

Objective: The goal of this study was to define clinical practice patterns for assessing stroke and bleeding risks and thromboprophylaxis in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and to evaluate treatment outcomes and patient quality of life.

Methods: A clinical surveillance study was conducted in 10 tertiary healthcare centers across Turkey. Therapeutic approaches and persistence with initial treatment were recorded at baseline, the 6th month, and the 12th month in NVAF patients.

Relationship between mean platelet volume elevation and left ventricular mass index in hypertensive patients.

Objectives: To compare the mean platelet volume (MPV; a general marker of platelet activation) in groups of patients with and without hypertension and to analyse its relationship with left ventricular mass index (LVMI).

Methods: This cross-sectional, observational study enrolled newly diagnosed patients with untreated stage I-II hypertension and healthy control subjects without hypertension. MPV was measured using a haematology analyser.

Serum adiponectin, anemia and left ventricular dimensions in patients with cardiac cachexia.

Objectives: Our study aims to determine the role of serum adiponectin in chronic heart failure (CHF) and cardiac cachexia (CC).

Methods: Ninety consecutive patients were included in the study. Patients were divided into three groups: 30 CHF patients with CC, 30 CHF patients without CC, and 30 healthy individuals.

The investigation of serum vaspin level in atherosclerotic coronary artery disease.

Background: It was speculated that fatty tissue originated adipocytokines may play role in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. These adipocytokines may alter vascular homeostasis by effecting endothelial cells, arterial smooth muscle cells and macrophages. Vaspin is a newly described member of adipocytokines family.

The effect of strict volume control on cognitive functions in chronic hemodialysis patients.

Cognitive dysfunction is a well-known complication of chronic renal failure that is evident in 30% of hemodialysis (HD) patients. However, the pathogenesis of this dysfunction is unknown. Left ventricular hypertrophy could develop in hypertensive HD patients without establishing normovolemia.

Insulin resistance is related with oxidative stress in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients have increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) that cannot be fully explained by the traditional risk factors. Metabolic alterations like oxidative stress and insulin resistance may be additional risk factors to contribute early and accelerated atherosclerosis in SLE. Our aim was to evaluate malondialdehyde (MDA) level, oxidative stress indicator, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and possible relationship between oxidative stress and insulin resistance, in SLE.