Predictive value of oxidative, antioxidative, and inflammatory status for left ventricular systolic recovery after percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the association between left ventricular ejection fraction recovery and the total oxidant status, total antioxidant capacity, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels.

Methods: A total of 264 ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients were classified into two groups according to baseline and 6-month follow-up left ventricular systolic function: reduced and recovery systolic function. Predictors of the recovery of left ventricular ejection fraction were determined by multivariate regression analyses.

The Effect of Anthropometric Measurements on the Incidence of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Background and objective Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the most common supraventricular arrhythmia occurring after myocardial infarction (MI). Height, body weight, waist and hip circumference, and body mass index (BMI) are considered potential risk factors for the development of AFib. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of BMI and waist circumference on the incidence of AFib in patients with acute MI.

The association of plasma oxidative status and inflammation with the development of atrial fibrillation in patients presenting with ST elevation myocardial infarction.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common supraventricular arrhythmia following ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Oxidative stress and inflammation may cause structural and electrical remodeling in the atria making these critical processes in the pathology of AF. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the association between total oxidative status (TOS), total antioxidative capacity (TAC) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in the development of AF in patients presenting with STEMI.

Relationship between site of myocardial infarction, left ventricular function and cytokine levels in patients undergoing coronary artery surgery.

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between left ventricular (LV) function, cytokine levels and site of myocardial infarction (MI) in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Methods: Sixty patients undergoing CABG were divided into three groups (n = 20) according to their history of site of myocardial infarction (MI): no previous MI, anterior MI and posterior/inferior MI. In the pre-operative period, detailed analysis of LV function was done by transthoracic echocardiography.

High hardness in the biocompatible intermetallic compound β-Ti3Au.

The search for new hard materials is often challenging, but strongly motivated by the vast application potential such materials hold. Ti3Au exhibits high hardness values (about four times those of pure Ti and most steel alloys), reduced coefficient of friction and wear rates, and biocompatibility, all of which are optimal traits for orthopedic, dental, and prosthetic applications. In addition, the ability of this compound to adhere to ceramic parts can reduce both the weight and the cost of medical components.

The effect of fixed-dose combination of valsartan and amlodipine on nighttime blood pressure in patients with non-dipper hypertension.

Objective: Failure to decrease blood pressure (BP) during the night is associated with higher cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality. There is strong evidence that fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) of antihypertensive agents are associated with significant improvement and non-significant adverse effects. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether FDC affected nocturnal BP favorably in patients with uncontrolled, non-dipper hypertension (HT).

Association between the use of renin-angiotensin system blockers and development of in-hospital atrial fibrillation in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Background And Aim: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common supraventricular arrhythmia following ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We evaluated the association between use of previous angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and/or angiotensin receptor blockers (renin-angiotensin system [RAS] blockers) and started RAS blockers after MI and development of AF in patients presenting with acute STEMI.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 1000 patients with acute STEMI who were admitted to the coronary care unit.

Nebivolol versus Carvedilol or Metoprolol in Patients Presenting with Acute Myocardial Infarction Complicated by Left Ventricular Dysfunction.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of nebivolol, carvedilol or metoprolol succinate on the outcome of patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by left ventricular dysfunction.

Subjects And Methods: Patients (n = 172, aged 28-87 years) with AMI and left ventricular ejection fraction ≤0.45 were randomized to the nebivolol (n = 55), carvedilol (n = 60) and metoprolol succinate (n = 57) groups.

Gamma glutamyltransferase, inflammation and cardiovascular risk factors in isolated coronary artery ectasia.

Introduction And Objective: There are conflicting data on the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in coronary artery ectasia (CAE). It is unclear whether CAE is associated with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT). We therefore investigated major cardiovascular risk factors, serum GGT and hs-CRP levels in a large population of patients with CAE.

The relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and ambulatory arterial stiffness index in newly diagnosed and never-treated hypertensive patients.

Objectives: Vitamin D insufficiency has been shown to be associated with cardiac dysfunctions, such as cardiac hypertrophy and hypertension, in animal studies. Arterial stiffness is a prognostic marker for cardiovascular disease. Previous studies have demonstrated that 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were negatively correlated with arterial stiffness index.

Long-Term Outcome of Patients With Idiopathic Ventricular Fibrillation: A Meta-Analysis.

Background: The long-term outcome of the patients with idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (IVF) is not well known.

Methods And Results: Relevant studies published through May 21, 2014 were searched and identified in the MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and EMBASE databases and a hand search of article references was also performed. Random-effect models were used for pooling proportions of mortality and recurrent events.

Mechanical prosthetic valve disease is related with an increase in depression and anxiety disorder.

Aim: Patients with organic disease can present with psychiatric symptoms. We hypothesized that since patients with prosthetic heart valve require frequent hospital followup and are at higher risk for complications, the incidence of depression and anxiety is higher in these patients.

Methods: This cross-sectional study prospectively studied 98 consecutive patients with mechanical prosthetic heart valve.

Carvedilol and nebivolol improve left ventricular systolic functions in patients with non-ischemic heart failure.

Objective: It is unclear whether carvedilol and nebivolol produce different effects on short-term left ventricle (LV) systolic function in heart failure (HF). These drugs could improve systolic and diastolic functions of the LV. Thus, we aimed to compare their effects on LV systolic functions in patients with non-ischemic HF.

The effects of good glycaemic control on left ventricular and coronary endothelial functions in patients with poorly controlled Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective: Diabetics are at risk for developing overt heart failure and subclinical left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. Also, impaired coronary flow reserve (CFR) reflecting coronary microvascular dysfunction is common in diabetics. However, no substantial data regarding the effects of good glycaemic control on subclinical LV dysfunction and CFR are available.

Addition of N-acetyl cysteine to carvedilol decreases the incidence of acute renal injury after cardiac surgery.

Background: Oxidative stress and inflammation during cardiac surgery may be associated with acute renal injury (ARI). N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and carvedilol have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Hypothesis: A combination of carvedilol and NAC should decrease the incidence of ARI more than metoprolol or carvedilol.