Cardioprotective Effects of Dapagliflozin and Trimetazidine on Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Streptozotocin-Induced Type 1 Diabetic Rats via Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress.

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a distinct myocardial dysfunction characterized by structural and functional changes in the heart that occur in diabetic patients independently of coronary artery disease or hypertension. It is closely associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and contributes to progressive cardiac damage. This study aimed to evaluate the cardioprotective effects of dapagliflozin (DAPA) and trimetazidine (TMZ) in a rat model of doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy with streptozotocin-induced diabetes, focusing on their potential mechanisms related to ER stress.

FIB-4 liver fibrosis index correlates with aortic valve sclerosis in non-alcoholic population.

Aim: Hepatic fibrosis, a progressive scarring of liver tissue, is commonly caused by non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. The Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index is a non-invasive tool used to assess liver fibrosis in patients with NAFLD. Aortic valve sclerosis (AVS), a degenerative disorder characterized by thickening and calcification of valve leaflets, is prevalent in the elderly and associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Assessment of treatment patterns and patient awareness in atrial fibrillation patients using non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (ASPECT-NOAC).

Background And Aim: Despite the advances in oral anticoagulation with NOACs, careful patient and dose selection is required with NOAC therapy. Our study aimed to assess treatment patterns of NOACs in AF along with patients' continuity to NOAC treatments in first year, and their knowledge level of AF and NOAC treatment.

Methods: ASPECT-NOAC was designed as an observational, prospective, and multicenter study.

Fragmented QRS predicted major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease and percutaneous coronary intervention, 10-years of follow-up.

Aim    Identifying high-risk groups in patient with coronary artery disease (CAD) is critical for predicting future adverse events. fQRS has been shown to be related to major cardiovascular adverse events (MACE) in patients with CAD. However, predictive value of fQRS for more than 5 yrs has not been evaluated.

Left atrial volume index and pulmonary arterial pressure predicted MACE among patients with STEMI during 8-year follow-up: experience from a tertiary center.

Background: It is important to identify patients that are at high risk following primary percutaneous coronary intervention (P-PCI) for the treatment of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is the most important parameter obtained from transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) for risk stratification. The authors evaluated the value of pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and left atrial volume index (LAVI) for the prediction of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with STEMI that underwent P‑PCI.

The role of serum interleukin-37 levels, inflammation and blood pressure in patients with preeclampsia.

Aim: Preeclampsia is one of the major causes of perinatal, fetal, and maternal mortality and morbidity. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of serum interleukin 37 (IL 37) with preeclampsia.

Methods: 39 women with preeclampsia were included as the study group.

An echocardiographic predictor of contrast-induced nephropathy following percutaneous coronary intervention in acute coronary syndrome: aortic valve sclerosis.

Aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) is closely related to endothelial dysfunction. The association of AVS with contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is unknown. We planned to investigate the relationship of AVS besides known parameters with CIN.

Evaluation of serum apelin-13 and apelin-36 concentrations in preeclamptic pregnancies.

Aim: Recent studies suggest that apelin can be a novel potential therapeutic mediator to improve the diagnosis, and treatment of preeclampsia. This study aimed to investigate the association of serum apelin-13 and apelin-36 with preeclampsia and to detect their relationship with preeclampsia-associated perinatal morbidity.

Methods: Forty-four women with preeclampsia were included as the study group.

Elevated serum YKL40 level is a predictor of MACE during the long-term follow up in hypertensive patients.

: YKL-40 (human cartilage glycoprotein 39, chitinase-3-like protein 1) is an inflammatory marker secreted mainly by macrophages and has distinctive roles on extracellular matrix remodeling, macrophage maturation, adhesion, and migration. Despite the presence of robust data suggesting the association of YKL-40 with variety of cardiovascular diseases (CV), there is no study up to date evaluating the role of YKL-40 on the long-term prognosis in patients with hypertension (HT).: A single center, prospective, observational cohort study that included 327 consecutive hypertensive patients which were presented to a cardiology outpatient clinic.

Hair whitening and obesity are independently related to ascending aorta dilatation in young-middle aged men.

Objective: Hair whitening (HW) is strongly linked with aging. Ascending aortic dilation (AAD) and HW share common etiologic factors. We investigated the association of HW with ascending aortic diameters.

Decreased left atrial strain parameters are associated with prolonged total atrial conduction time in lichen planus.

Background: Lichen planus (LP) carries the increased risk of cardiovascular events as it is a chronic inflammatory disease. This study aimed at determining the relationship between total atrial conduction time (TACT), P-wave dispersion, and the left atrium (LA) global strain in the patients with LP.

Methods: Forty people as a control group and 40 patients with LP were included in this study.

Epicardial Adipose Tissue Predicts Carotid Intima-Media Thickness Independently of Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference.

Background: Visceral obesity is strongly associated with atherosclerosis. Even though waist circumference (WC) is the most common assessment method of total visceral adipose tissue and cardiometabolic risk, this method lacks direct measurement of adipose tissue and has better correlation to subcutaneous fat rather than visceral fat. We intended to investigate whether epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is clinically superior to body mass index (BMI) and WC in predicting Framingham risk score (FRS) and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT).

The Relationship between Serum Apelin Levels and the Severity of Calcific Aortic Stenosis.

Background: Apelin, an endogenous peptide, has recently gained attention due to its positive inotropic effects in heart failure physiopathology. We investigated the relationship between serum apelin levels and the severity of calcific aortic stenosis (AS).

Methods: A total of 68 consecutive patients diagnosed with calcific AS and a control group of 32 subjects were included in the study.

Prolonged QRS duration on surface electrocardiogram is associated with left ventricular restrictive filling pattern.

Background: Prolonged QRS duration is associated with decreased left ventricular (LV) systolic function. However, the relation between LV restrictive filling pattern (RFP) and QRS duration has not been investigated yet. The purpose of our study was to assess this relationship.

The role of urotensin II and atherosclerotic risk factors in patients with slow coronary flow.

Background: Slow coronary flow (SCF) is an angiographic finding characterized with delayed opacification of epicardial coronary arteries without obstructive coronary disease. Urotensin II (UII) is an important vascular peptide, which has an important role in hypertension, coronary artery disease, and vascular remodeling in addition to potent vasoconstrictor effect.

Objectives: We investigated UII levels, hypertension, and other atherosclerotic risk factors in patients with SCF, a variety of coronary artery disease.

The relationship between epicardial adipose tissue and P wave and QT dispersions.

Objective: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) secretes various pro-inflammatory and atherogenic mediators that have several endocrine and paracrine effects on heart. This study investigated the influence of EAT on QT and P wave dispersions (QTd, PWd), as simple, non-invasive tools of proarrhythmia on surface ECG.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study and included 70 patients with normal coronary arteries who underwent 12-derivation electrocardiography, echocardiography and biochemical examinations in order for QTd, PWd, and EAT thickness to be measured.

Pleiotropic effects of HDL subfractions and HDL-associated enzymes on protection against coronary artery disease.

Objective: High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels are inversely related to the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). Alterations in HDL-C subclass distribution and HDL-associated enzyme activities may be more important than total HDL levels for the progression of CAD. We intended to investigate the relationship of HDL-C subclass distribution and HDL-associated enzyme activities with CAD.

Bilirubin Level is Associated with Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Independent of Blood Pressure in Previously Untreated Hypertensive Patients.

Background And Objectives: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), a sign of subclinical cardiovascular disease, is an important predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The aim of our study was to determine the association of left ventricular mass (LVM) with possible causative anthropometric and biochemical parameters as well as carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and brachial flow-mediated dilation (FMD) as surrogates of atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction, respectively, in previously untreated hypertensive patients.

Subjects And Methods: Our study included 114 consecutive previously untreated hypertensive patients who underwent echocardiography and ultrasonography to evaluate their vascular status and function via brachial artery CIMT and FMD.

Retrieval of embolized tip of port catheter from branch of right pulmonary artery using a macro snare catheter.

Rupture of the silicon port catheter is a relatively rare complication. Ruptured part usually embolizes; therefore, removal of foreign body may be difficult. These ports usually migrate to right-sided chambers, main pulmonary arteries, and pulmonary subbranches.

Successful thrombolysis using recombinant tissue plasminogen activator in cases of severe pulmonary embolism with mobile thrombi in the right atrium.

Hereby, we report two cases of acute pulmonary embolism with concomitant right-sided thrombus, which were successfully treated using recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA). These patients had life-threatening acute right ventricular failure, which dramatically improved within hours following thrombolysis. These cases emphasize the clinical utility of rtPA for the treatment of life-threatening pulmonary embolism.

A rare complication: Undeflatable balloon of the stent.

Percutaneous coronary intervention is an important modality in the treatment of coronary artery disease. These procedures are usually completed successfully, but occasionally serious complications are encountered. In this paper, we present the case of an undeflatable stent balloon, which is an extremely rare complication that has not been described in the literature.

Relationship of the angiographic extent of peripheral arterial disease with coronary artery involvement.

Objective: To determine the co-incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients investigated for peripheral arterial disease (PAD), and to establish the relationship between the risk factors in the two groups of patients.

Methods: The prospective study, done from January 2005 and April 2009, at the Cardiology Clinic of Rize Education and Research Hospital, Rize and John F. Kennedy Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey, had a cohort of 307 patients who had been diagnosed with peripheral artery disease either clinically or by ultrasonography for the arteries of the lower extremities and had undergone coronary angiography and peripheral angiography in the same or different sessions.

Absence and Resolution of Fragmented QRS Predict Reversible Myocardial Ischemia With Higher Probability of ST Segment Resolution in Patients With ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Background And Objectives: Fragmented QRS complexes (fQRS) are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The causative relationship between fQRS and cardiac fibrosis has been shown, but whether the presence and the number of fQRS on admission of electrocardiogram (ECG) predicts ST segment resolution in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (p-PCI) has not been investigated until now.

Subjects And Methods: This study included one hundred and eighty-four consecutive patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who underwent p-PCI.

The independent relationship of systemic inflammation with fragmented QRS complexes in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Background And Objectives: QRS complex fragmentations are frequently seen on routine electrocardiograms with narrow or wide QRS complex. Fragmented QRS complex (fQRS) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, sudden cardiac death and recurrent cardiovascular events. In this study, we aimed to interrogate the relationship of systemic inflammation with the presence of fQRS in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS).