Transcoronary Gradients of Mechanosensitive MicroRNAs as Predictors of Collateral Development in Chronic Total Occlusion.

: In this present study, we investigated the impact of mechanosensitive microRNAs (mechano-miRs) on the collateral development in 126 chronic total occlusion (CTO) patients, selected from 810 undergoing angiography. : We quantified the collateral blood supply using the collateral flow index (CFI) and assessed the transcoronary mechano-miR gradients. The patients with favorable collaterals had higher CFI values (0.

Increased Cardio-ankle Vascular Index Values in Migraine Patients With Aura.

Patients with migraine with aura are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. There are limited data on arterial stiffness in migraine patients with aura. The present study evaluated arterial stiffness in these patients using the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI).

A randomized trial comparing left distal radial versus femoral approach for coronary artery bypass graft angiography: a pilot study.

Background: Left distal transradial angiography (ldTRA) is a new technique for radial coronary angiography and may be an alternative to conventional transfemoral angiography (TFA) in patients who had previously undergone coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. In this study we compared ldTRA with TFA in patients who had undergone CABG surgery in terms of procedural details.

Methods: Fifty-seven consecutive patients with history of previous CABG among 459 patients who were admitted to coronary angiography unit (elective and acute coronary syndromes) in our center between October 2019 and February 2020 were included in the study.

Cardio-ankle vascular index represents the best surrogate for 10-year ASCVD risk estimation in patients with primary hypertension.

: Identification of target organ damage and/or risk-enhancing factors help treatment decisions in hypertensive and hyperlipidaemic patients who reside in borderline to an intermediate risk category based on 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk estimates.: In the present study, we aimed to investigate the comparative efficacy of certain hypertension-mediated organ damage markers (HMOD) for the prediction of 10-year ASCVD risk ≥10%, in patients with primary hypertension without established CVD.: One-hundred thirty-seven asymptomatic hypertensive patients ≥40 years of age were enrolled in the present study.

Percutaneous angioplasty in the treatment of thrombosed hemodialysis fistulas: A single-center experience with 1 year of follow-up.

Objective: Thrombosis of a hemodialysis arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is a serious complication that needs urgent treatment. Most cases are treated surgically, but recently, endovascular strategies have become a viable alternative. This study is an evaluation of the success and patency rate of percutaneous balloon angioplasty of thrombosed hemodialysis fistulas using a drug-coated balloon (DCB) contrasted with a standard balloon (SB).

Apelin, Omentin-1, and Vaspin in patients with essential hypertension: association of adipokines with trace elements, inflammatory cytokines, and oxidative damage markers.

Background: Hypertension (HT) is a disease associated with endothelial dysfunction which is related to some adipokines and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Aims: Our aim was to investigate roles of apelin, omentin-1, and vaspin in essential HT and to evaluate their relationships with other pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, trace elements, and oxidative stress. We also investigated these parameters to determine asymptomatic target organ damage period and grading essential hypertension.

Impact of direct stenting on clinical outcomes for small vessel coronary artery disease in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Introduction: Direct stenting (DS) is associated with improved markers of reperfusion during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, data evaluating its impact in small vessel coronary artery disease (CAD) are lacking.

Aim: To compare DS and conventional stenting (CS) for small vessel CAD on clinical outcomes of patients with STEMI undergoing PPCI.

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Chronic Total Occlusion versus Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Non-Complex Coronary Lesions: Is There a Different Impact on Thyroid Function?

Objective: This study assessed whether high levels of iodide administered during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusion (CTO) differentially influenced thyroid function compared to PCI for non-complex coronary lesions.

Subjects And Methods: A total of 615 patients were enrolled in the study; 205 underwent elective PCI for CTO lesions (Group I) and 410 underwent elective PCI for non-complex lesions including non-CTO, non-bifurcation, non-calcified, and non-tortuous lesions (Group II). Patients were monitored for development of incidental thyroid dysfunction between 1 and 6 months after PCI.

Is trans-radial approach related to an increased risk of radiation exposure in patients who underwent diagnostic coronary angiography or percutaneous coronary intervention? (The SAKARYA study).

Objective: It is still debatable whether diagnostic coronary angiography (CA) or percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) increase radiation exposure when performed via radial approach as compared to femoral approach. This question was investigated in this study by comparison of dose-area product (DAP), reference air kerma (RAK), and fluoroscopy time (FT) among radial and femoral approaches.

Methods: All coronary procedures between November 2015 and November 2017 were assessed; and 4215 coronary procedures were enrolled in the study.

Is endocan a biochemical marker for asymptomatic target organ damage in hypertensive patients?

Objective: Identification of the asymptomatic target organ damage (AOD) helps to stratify the overall risk of cardiovascular (CV) diseases and guides a treatment decision in hypertensive patients without a symptomatic CV or renal disease. The endothelial-cell-specific molecule 1 (endocan) is regarded as a novel marker of endothelial dysfunction. Its release is increased in hypertensive patients, especially those with symptomatic CV and renal disease.

Successful percutaneous treatment of coronary steal syndrome with the amplatzer vascular plug 4 and coil embolization.

The left internal mammary artery (LIMA) is widely used in coronary artery bypass grafting surgery due to its long term perfect patency rates. However, coronary steal syndrome can occur because of unligated LIMA side branches and it causes blood flow from coronary artery to LIMA. Even though the optimal therapy of coronary steal syndrome is still controversial, some percutaneous and surgical treatment modalities can be used in the treatment of steal phenomenon for relieving angina and resolving ischemia.

Cutaneous analgesia before transradial access for coronary intervention to prevent radial artery spasm.

Aim: Transradial access (TRA) for coronary intervention is increasingly used in current clinical practice. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the hypothesis that cutaneous analgesia before TRA for coronary intervention at a puncture site 30 minutes before puncture can reduce patient discomfort and the incidence of radial artery spasm (RAS).

Methods: Patients (n=104) undergoing planned coronary interventions using TRA were prospectively randomized to receive either 1 mL of 1% lidocaine subcutaneously (n=52) (control group) or subcutaneous lidocaine plus 5% lidocaine cream (n=52) cutaneously 30 minutes before puncture (treatment group).

Comparison of closed-cell and hybrid-cell stent designs in carotid artery stenting: clinical and procedural outcomes.

Introduction: Carotid artery stenting (CAS) is a promising alternative to surgery in high-risk patients. However, the impact of stent cell design on outcomes in CAS is a matter of continued debate.

Aim: To compare the periprocedural and clinical outcomes of different stent designs for CAS with distal protection devices.

Left ventricular twist was decreased in isolated left bundle branch block with preserved ejection fraction.

Objective: Left ventricular (LV) rotation and twist play an important role in LV contraction and relaxation. Left bundle branch block (LBBB) deteriorates both diastolic and systolic functions. We evaluated the LV twist in patients with LBBB and preserved ejection fraction (EF) (>50%) to determine twist as a potential marker for subtle myocardial dysfunction.

Predictors of periprocedural complications of carotid artery stenting - a multivariate analysis of a single-centre experience.

Background: Carotid artery stenting (CAS) is currently used as an alternative treatment to carotid endarterectomy (CEA). The objective of this study was to analyse our 5-year experience performing CAS. Secondarily, we sought to determine independent risk factors which predict periprocedural complications.

The relationship between presystolic wave and subclinical left ventricular dysfunction in asymptomatic hypertensive patients.

Background: The main aim of the current study was to investigate the association between presystolic wave (PSW) and subclinical left ventricular (LV) dysfunction.

Patients And Methods: A total of 139 patients admitted to the cardiology outpatient clinic with hypertension were consecutively enrolled. The patient population included 79 men and 60 women.

Usefulness of Heart-Type Fatty Acid-Binding Protein and Myocardial Performance Index for Early Detection of 5-Fluorouracil Cardiotoxicity.

In the present study, we aimed to evaluate temporal changes in heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (h-FABP) and myocardial performance index (Tei index) following administration of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), a chemotherapeutic agent associated with myocardial ischemia induced by coronary vasospasm. Thirty-two patients with cancer receiving their first 5-FU-based chemotherapy were included in the study. Prior to chemotherapy and 24 hours after the initiation of chemotherapy, all patients underwent a comprehensive echocardiographic examination.

Xanthelasma palpebrarum associated with increased cardio-ankle vascular index in asymptomatic subjects.

Background: Xanthelasma palpebrarum (XP) is associated with increased risk of ischemic heart disease and myocardial infarction independent of other well-known cardiovascular risk factors. Cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) is a novel index of arterial stiffness and important marker of subclinical atherosclerosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between XP and CAVI in asymptomatic subjects.

Echocardiographic Evaluation of Biventricular Function in Patients with Euthyroid Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the left (LV) and right (RV) ventricular function in euthyroid Hashimoto's thyroiditis (eHT) patients.

Subjects And Methods: Forty-five patients diagnosed with eHT and 45 age- and gender-matched control subjects were enrolled in this study. Echocardiographic parameters reflecting RV and LV functions such as chamber dimensions, ejection fraction, fractional shortening, conventional and tissue Doppler-derived early and late filling velocities (E, A, E', A'), isovolumic relaxation (IVRT) and contraction (IVCT) times, ejection time (ET), deceleration time (DT), Tei index, pulmonary acceleration time (PAcT) and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) of patients with eHT were compared to those of control subjects using the paired-samples t test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

Xanthelasma Is Associated with an Increased Amount of Epicardial Adipose Tissue.

Objective: In the present study, we aimed to compare the amount of epicardial adipose tissue in subjects with and without xanthelasma.

Subjects And Methods: Fifty-two subjects with xanthelasma and 52 age- and gender-matched control subjects were enrolled in this study. Epicardial adipose tissue was assessed by measuring epicardial fat thickness (EFT) with echocardiography.