The association between CHADS-VASc score and aortic valve sclerosis.

Background: Antithrombotic therapy in atrial fibrillation is generally managed with the CHADS-VASc score. Aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) is a focal thickening of the aortic valve without a restriction of motion. AVS is related to several cardiovascular risk factors.

Value of point-of-care neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin in early diagnosis of acute kidney injury in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction after coronary angiography.

Background: Increased neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels are associated with toxic or ischemic renal injury.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the usefulness of serial NGAL measurements with a point-of-care assay in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) for earlier detection of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN).

Materials And Methods: A total of 84 patients with LVSD patients referred for coronary angiography were consecutively enrolled in the study.

Serum Thiol Levels and Thiol/Disulfide Homeostasis in Patients with Rheumatic Mitral Valve Disease and Healthy Subjects.

Background: Rheumatic mitral valve disease (RMVD) is the most common presentation of rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Inflammation and fibrosis processes also play significant roles in its pathogenesis. Recent studies showed that thiols and thiol-disulfide are promising novel oxidative stress markers.

Transcatheter Self-Expandable Aortic Valve (Portico) Implantation in a Patient with Previous Mitral Valve Replacement: A Case Report.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has shown favorable outcomes in patients with severe symptomatic aortic valve stenosis who are at high surgical risk or who are unsuitable candidates for open-heart surgery. However, concerns exist over treating patients who have undergone previous mitral valve surgery due to the potential interference between the mitral prosthetic valve or ring and the TAVI device. In this case report, we present a case in which a patient with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis and previous mechanical mitral valve replacement was successfully treated with TAVI using a Portico valve, which is under-researched

The role of thiol levels in predicting contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Objective: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a common complication of diagnostic or interventional procedures that may arise from administration of intravascular contrast media. Recent studies have reported the thiol-disulfide ratio as a novel oxidative stress marker. Therefore, we investigated the role of thiol levels in predicting CIN in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who had undergone primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure in a patient with haemophilia and atrial fibrillation: a case report.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and is a major cause of embolic stroke. In patients with hereditary bleeding disorders such as haemophilia, management of AF particularly anticoagulation can be quite challenging. Left atrial appendage (LAA) closure is an emerging option in AF patients who are not eligible for oral anticoagulation therapy because of contraindications or high bleeding risk.

Can hemodialysis change QRS axis in patients without cardiovascular disease?

Objective: Due to rapid changes in volume and electrolyte concentration during hemodialysis (HD), some electrocardiographic (ECG) changes or arrhythmias can be seen. The aim of this study was to assess ECG QRS axis changes and other ECG parameters after HD in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Methods: A total of 46 patients (65% male, mean age 52±15 years) with a sinus rhythm and without cardiovascular disease who were undergoing chronic HD treatment were included to the study.

Homocysteine, visceral adiposity-related novel cardiometabolic risk factors, and exaggerated blood pressure response to the exercise treadmill test.

Objective: Exaggerated blood pressure response to exercise is a risk factor for the development of future hypertension. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between homocysteine, epicardial fat thickness, nonalcoholic hepatic steatosis, and exaggerated blood pressure response to exercise.

Participants And Methods: We included 44 normotensive and 40 patients with exaggerated blood pressure response to exercise who have normal resting blood pressure and without a previous diagnosis of hypertension.

Comparison of echocardiographic findings in patients with nonfunctioning adrenal incidentalomas.

Adrenal incidentalomas (AIs) are usually discovered incidentally after imaging unrelated to adrenal glands. We aimed to evaluate standard risk factors for systemic atherosclerosis and echocardiographic changes in patients with nonfunctioning AIs and compare them with normal subjects. We evaluated 70 patients diagnosed with AIs and 51 healthy controls.

Combination of change in hematological parameters with exercise stress test to predict coronary artery disease.

Objective: Treadmill exercise stress testing for identifying patients with a higher likelihood of coronary artery disease (CAD) before elective coronary angiography is recommended in the current guidelines. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the changes in the hematological parameters before and after exercise stress test in relation with the presence of CAD.

Methods: A total of 113 patients with chest pain who underwent treadmill exercise testing and coronary angiography were included in this study.

The relationship between fragmented QRS and functional significance of coronary lesions.

Background: Recently fragmented QRS (fQRS) on electrocardiography (ECG) has been introduced as a predictor of myocardial scarring and myocardial ischemia in coronary artery disease (CAD).

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between fQRS and fractional flow reserve (FFR) results in patients with the intermediate degree of coronary artery stenosis.

Methods: A total of 301 consecutive patients who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) and FFR measurement for intermediate coronary artery stenosis were included in the study.

The Relationship Between Increased Epicardial Fat Thickness and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Patients With Nonfunctional Adrenal Incidentaloma.

Background: Emerging evidences indicate that patients diagnosed with Adrenal Incidentaloma (AI) may present cardiovascular complications. Epicardial fat thickness (EFT) has recently been described as a new risk factor and an active player in metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the relationship between EFT and left ventricular hypertrophy and carotid intima-media thickness, which are both strong predictors of cardiovascular morbity and mortality, in patients with nonfunctioning AI.

Predictive Value of Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet Lymphocyte Ratio in Patients with Coronary Slow Flow.

Background: Increased microvascular resistance due to chronic inflammation is assumed to be one of the mechanisms associated with coronary slow flow (CSF). Previous studies have shown that the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) are markers of inflammation for various diseases. In this study we aimed to evaluate the relationship between CSF and PLR-NLR.

A new risk scoring model for prediction of poor coronary collateral circulation in acute non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: We aimed to investigate the clinical features associated with development of coronary collateral circulation (CCC) in patients with acute non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and to develop a scoring model for predicting poor collateralization at hospital admission.

Methods: The study enrolled 224 consecutive patients with NSTEMI admitted to our coronary care unit. Patients were divided into poor (grade 0 and 1) and good (grade 2 and 3) CCC groups.

Evaluation of aortic elastic properties in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the elastic properties of the aorta, which are known to be predictors of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Study Design: Forty patients (2 males, 38 females) with SSc who had been referred to echocardiography without any exclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. The control group consisted of 38 subjects (4 males, 34 females) who were examined in the cardiology out-patient clinic and referred to echocardiography for any indication in the same period.

Increased mean platelet volume in rheumatic mitral stenosis: assessment of clinical and echocardiographic determinants.

Background And Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate mean platelet volume (MPV) in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis (RMS) and to define the determinants of a possible platelet activation reflected as platelet volume enlargement.

Methods: Peripheral venous plasma value of MPV was measured in 84 consecutive patients (16 men, 68 women; mean age ± SD = 44 ± 13 years) with RMS who had no left atrial thrombus by transoesophageal echocardiography. The control group consisted of 32 healthy subjects (nine men, 23 women; mean age ± SD = 38 ± 7 years).

An unusual case of idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome presenting with myopericarditis and a polypoid cardiac mass.

Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (IHES) is a rare systemic disorder with blood eosinophilia and multiple system involvement. Commonly, there is endocardial fibrosis with overlying mural thrombus, and mitral and tricuspid valves can be involved concomitantly. Outflow tracts near the aortic and pulmonary valves are generally protected.

Evaluation of the relationship between epicardial fat volume and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between epicardial fat tissue (EFT) volume and left ventricular diastolic function.

Materials And Methods: A total of 63 patients (29 male, 34 female, mean age 57.8 ± 10.