An increase in epicardial adipose tissue is strongly associated with carotid-intima media thickness and atherosclerotic plaque, but LDL only with the plaque.

Objective: Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is reliable marker of subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events. Until today, there was no study that investigated whether epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), which is a surrogate for lipid depot in a special visceral tissue or circulating lipids, is more important for CIMT and atherosclerotic plaque.

Methods: Our study, having cross-sectional and prospective observational design, included 252 patients who were admitted to our outpatient clinic.

Autonomic functions in acrocyanosis assessed by heart rate variability.

Objective: To evaluate the autonomic activity of patients with acrocyanosis by using heart rate variability indices.

Material And Methods: The study group consisted of 24 patients with acrocyanosis and the control group contained 22 sex- and age-matched healthy subjects. All subjects underwent 24-hour Holter monitoring.

Effects of valsartan treatment on serum ghrelin level and left ventricular mass index in patients with untreated primary hypertension.

Objective: In the present study, left ventricular hypertrophy and serum ghrelin concentration in patients with primary hypertension and effects of angiotensin receptor blocker valsartan on these parameters were determined.

Methods: Thirty-seven patients and 30 age and body mass index matched healthy controls were followed up prospectively. Serum ghrelin level was measured by enzyme immunoassay (EIA).

Assessment of right ventricular systolic function with dP/dt in healthy subjects: an observational study.

Objective: The objective of our study is to determine the mean values of right ventricular (RV) dP/dt and to compare it with other right ventricular function parameters by echocardiography.

Methods: This observational study consisted of 112 healthy subjects who had trivial tricuspid regurgitation. Full echocardiographic examination was performed.

The impact of mitral stenosis on left atrial function assessed by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography.

Aims: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of mitral stenosis (MS) on left atrial (LA) function using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE).

Methods And Results: The study subjects consisted of 52 patients with asymptomatic MS and 52 control subjects. LA function was assessed using prototype speckle tracking software and manual tracking method.

The relationship of epicardial adipose tissue thickness to clinical and biochemical features in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

The amount of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), a component of body visceral adiposity, has been linked to the presence and severity of cardiovascular disease through multiple mechanisms. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by insulin resistance and subclinical inflammation, which participate in the mechanism of atherosclerosis. We searched if the patients with PCOS have increased EAT thickness (EATT), along with its relation to the measures of adiposity and insulin sensitivity.

Cardiac autonomic functions in obese children.

Objective: The autonomic nervous system is assumed to have a role in the pathophysiology of obesity. In this study, we evaluated the autonomic system by measuring heart rate variability (HRV) in obese children.

Methods: Thirty-two obese and 30 healthy children (mean ages: 11.

Percutaneous closure of mitral paravalvular leak via retrograde approach: with use of the Amplatzer duct occluder II and without a wire loop.

The gold-standard treatment for prosthetic-valve paravalvular leakage is surgery to repair or replace the valve; however, the morbidity and mortality rates cannot be ignored, and some patients are poor surgical candidates. The percutaneous closure of such defects is possible, and different devices are being used for this purpose. In almost all instances, a femorofemoral or femorojugular wire loop is constructed to deliver the closure device.

Speckle tracking based myocardial velocities: our experience with novel software.

Objective: Speckle tracking is a new imaging modality capable of providing information about myocardial motion in all three directions: longitudinal, circumferential and radial. There are many software packages with their unique tracking algorithms and user interfaces in the market. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of QLAB software in clinical practice and speckle based myocardial velocities in healthy subjects.

Thrombus entrapped in a patent foramen ovale, causing only vague symptoms.

Patent foramen ovale provides a passage from venous circulation to arterial circulation. This may allow passage of a thrombus formed in the venous system into the systemic circulation. We present a case in which a thrombus was entrapped in a patent foramen ovale.