Normal Heart Rate Variability in Colchicine-Resistant Familial Mediterranean Fever Patients.

Background: The relationship between autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction and familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is controversial. We recently reported normal heart rate variability (HRV), suggestive of normal ANS, in patients with uncomplicated FMF.

Objectives: To evaluate ANS function in colchicine non-responders by using the HRV tool.

Evaluating reliability of ultra-short ECG indices of heart rate variability in diabetes mellitus patients.

Our aim was to investigate the reliability of ultra-short HRV in patients with DM. A good correlation was found between the 1 minute and 5 minute parameters for maximal-RR, minimal-RR, average-RR, SDNN, RMSSD, pNN50, and total power. Also, a good correlation between 10 second and 5 minute parameters was found for maximal-RR, minimal-RR, average-RR, and RMSSD.

Normal QT dispersion in colchicine-resistant familial Mediterranean fever (FMF).

The association between familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and subclinical cardiac disease remains controversial. The aim of the current study was to evaluate whether FMF patients, who do not respond to colchicine treatment, and thereby endure persistent inflammation, have increased QT dispersion (QTd) values. Twenty-two FMF patients and 22 age- and sex-matched control subjects were included in the study.

Medically treated anorexia nervosa is associated with normal P wave parameters.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is an increasingly common medical condition. Some studies have demonstrated an increased prevalence of atrial premature contractions and anatomical changes in AN patients. Our aim was to investigate P wave parameters and P wave dispersion, an electrocardiographic marker for supraventricular arrhythmias, and its effect on AN.

QT interval variability in familial Mediterranean fever: a study in colchicine-responsive and colchicine-resistant patients.

The association between familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), early atherosclerosis, and electrocardiographic markers for arrhythmias remains controversial. There are conflicting results as to the occurrence of high QT dispersion in FMF. The aim of the present study was to further investigate repolarization dynamics and other repolarization-associated pro-arrhythmogenic markers in FMF patients.

Abnormal heart rate variability in AA amyloidosis of familial Mediterranean fever.

Background: A scarcity of data exists relating to the effect of amyloidosis of Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) on the autonomic nervous system. Our aim was to further investigate the presence of dysautonomia in FMF-AA amyloidosis, using a comparative case series design.

Material And Methods: The study group consisted of 40 patients with FMF: 20 without co-morbidities or amyloidosis and 20 in various stages of renal amyloidosis.

QT variability among weight-restored patients with anorexia nervosa.

Objective: Anorexia nervosa (AN) may be complicated by cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death. A single study reported an increased QT variability index (QTVI), a marker for cardiac arrhythmogenicity, in AN patients. The aim of the current study was to further evaluate repolarization dynamics in a large cohort of patients with AN without electrolyte abnormalities and to evaluate previously unreported repolarization dynamics parameters.

Normal late ventricular potentials in hospitalized patients with eating disorders.

Objective: Eating disorders, in particular anorexia nervosa (AN), are associated with cardiovascular complications and risk of arrhythmias. In a recent published study, it was found that patients with eating disorders, especially those affected by bulimia nervosa (BN) and a history of AN have abnormal late ventricular potentials (LPs). LPs are electrocardiographic markers used in detecting abnormal depolarization and increased risk of arrhythmias.

The efficiency of 10-second resting heart rate for the evaluation of short-term heart rate variability indices.

Background: High values of resting heart rate were found to be correlated with adverse outcomes in various patient groups. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a reliable technique in determining autonomic nervous system function. Our aim was to evaluate whether a 10-second resting heart rate obtained from a resting electrocardiogram (ECG), could be used as a reliable evaluation of short-term HRV.

Normal autonomic nervous system responses in uncomplicated familial Mediterranean fever: a comparative case-control study.

There is a paucity of knowledge regarding the autonomic nervous system function in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). Therefore, our aim was to evaluate autonomic responses in patients with FMF using complementary tests. The study groups included 33 patients with uncomplicated FMF and 39 control subjects.

Reliability of Ultra-Short ECG Indices for Heart Rate Variability.

Background: Heart rate variability (HRV) is an accepted and reliable means for assessing autonomic nervous system dysfunction. A 5-minute measurement of HRV is considered methodologically adequate. Several studies have attempted to use shorter recordings of 1-2 minutes or 10 seconds.

P-wave dispersion in systemic AA amyloidosis of familial Mediterranean fever.

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a hereditary disease characterized by attacks of fever and polyserositis. Recent studies differ as to whether FMF is associated with an abnormally high P-wave duration and P-wave dispersion, markers for supraventricular arrhythmogenicity. The aim of our study was to further evaluate atrial dispersion in FMF patients with amyloidosis.

QT dispersion in amyloidosis due to familial Mediterranean fever.

Cardiac amyloid deposition in FMF may cause increased QT dispersion (QTd), a marker for cardiac arrhythmias. The aim of this study was to further evaluate repolarization dispersion in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) with amyloidosis. Findings on 12-lead electrocardiography were compared between 18 patients with FMF-amyloidosis and 18 age- and sex-matched control subjects.

Distinguishing a heart attack from the "broken heart syndrome" (Takotsubo cardiomyopathy).

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) is a neurocardiological disorder presumed to be triggered by stress, which may cause reversible heart failure, usually in postmenopausal women. It may mimic an acute myocardial infarction, accompanied by minimal elevation of cardiac enzymes, usually without evidence of obstructive coronary artery disease. Most clinicians are unfamiliar with this disorder.

P-wave dispersion in familial dysautonomia.

Background: Familial dysautonomia is a hereditary disease characterized by dysfunction of the sensory and autonomic nervous systems. Studies in patients with familial dysautonomia have shown that abnormal cardiac autonomic denervation might influence repolarization. Autonomic tone also affects atrial conduction parameters and P-wave dispersion, which are predictive of atrial fibrillation.

P wave dispersion in familial Mediterranean fever.

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a hereditary disease characterized by recurrent and self-terminated attacks of fever and polyserositis. A recent study found that FMF patients had an abnormally high P wave duration and P wave dispersion, markers for supraventricular arrhythmogenicity. The aim of our study was to further evaluate atrial dispersion in FMF patients.

Pattern of cerebrospinal fluid lactic dehydrogenase during treatment of bacterial meningitis.

Bacterial and aseptic meningitis are characterized by distinctive lactic dehydrogenase isoenzyme patterns. No studies have quantified the dynamics of lactic dehydrogenase isoenzyme distribution during treated bacterial meningitis. We used a retrospective case-series design, and reviewed files of all neonates with bacterial meningitis who attended our pediatric tertiary medical center for 8 years period.

QT dispersion in uncomplicated familial Mediterranean fever.

The aim of the study was to further evaluate repolarization dispersion in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). Findings on 12-lead electrocardiography were compared with 32 patients with uncomplicated FMF and age- and sex-matched control subjects. All procedures followed stringent standards.

Deep breath test for evaluation of autonomic nervous system dysfunction in familial dysautonomia.

Background: Familial dysautonomia is a genetic disease that affects the sensory and autonomic nervous systems with varying severity. The deep breath test is one of several measures used to assess the severity of autonomic diseases, but its value in familial dysautonomia has not yet been investigated.

Objectives: To determine the diagnostic value of the DBT in patients with familial dysautonomia.

Recognizing malingering hypertension in young adults.

Objective: Hypertension is unusual in young adults. Malingering hypertension is clinically suspected when there is a potential external secondary gain, absence of patient cooperation during diagnostic evaluation and a lack of response to antihypertensive treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility that abnormal ambulatory blood pressure patterns may be indicative of malingering hypertension rather than hypertension itself.

Beat-to-beat QT interval dynamics and variability in familial dysautonomia.

Familial dysautonomia (FD) is a disease characterized by dysfunction of the autonomic and sensory nervous systems. During the last five decades, the average life span of patients with FD has increased substantially. Nevertheless, sudden or unexplained death remains the most common cause of death in FD.

Heart rate variability in familial Mediterranean fever.

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a hereditary disease, characterized by recurrent episodes of fever and polyserositis. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a powerful, simple and reliable technique to evaluate autonomic nervous system function. Previous studies of physiologic parameters during tilt-test have suggested that patients with FMF have abnormal cardiovascular reactivity and occult dysautonomia.

Cerebrospinal fluid lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes in children with bacterial and aseptic meningitis.

Differentiation of bacterial from aseptic meningitis may be difficult. Our aim was to determine the pattern of distribution of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzymes in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with bacterial and aseptic meningitis. One hundred and fifty-seven patients with suspected meningitis were enrolled in the study.

Echocardiographic abnormalities in familial dysautonomia.

Sudden death accounts for up to 43% of all deaths in patients with familial dysautonomia (FD). The classic features of FD, namely, autonomic dysfunction, high blood pressure, and blood pressure labiality, are all risk factors for cardiac remodeling and hypertrophy. Myocardial remodeling and hypertrophy are independent risk factors for arrhythmias, cardiovascular events, and sudden death.