Predictors of the paroxysmal atrial fibrillation recurrence following cryoballoon-based pulmonary vein isolation: Assessment of left atrial volume, left atrial volume index, galectin-3 level and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio.

Background: Cryoballoon-based pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is a treatment option for atrial fibrillation (AF). Left atrial volume (LAV) and left atrial volume index (LAVi) are important parameters for long term success of PVI. Galectin-3 (Gal-3) and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (N/L ratio) are biomarkers to demonstrate the cardiac fibrosis and remodelling.

Ultrasound Accelerated Thrombolysis May Be an Effective and Safe Treatment Modality for Intermediate Risk/Submassive Pulmonary Embolism.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a potentially life-threatening condition and the fact that 90% of PE originate from lower limb veins highlights the significance of early detection and treatment of deep vein thrombosis. Massive/high risk PE involving circulatory collapse or systemic arterial hypotension is associated with an early mortality rate of approximately 50%, in part from right ventricular (RV) failure. Intermediate risk/submassive PE, on the other hand, is defined as PE-related RV dysfunction, troponin and/or B-type natriuretic peptide elevation despite normal arterial pressure.

Cardiac diastolic function is impaired at rest and worsens with exercise in otherwise healthy individuals with insulin resistance.

Insulin resistance (IR) is a pathophysiological condition and is associated with cardiovascular risk factors including heart failure. However, studies demonstrating myocardial abnormalities in the early phases of IR are limited. The aim of this study was to investigate myocardial function in otherwise healthy individuals with IR.

Coronary accordion effect mimicking coronary dissection.

The coronary "accordion" effect is a rare pseudo-complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). It is usually observed due to straightening and shortening of tortuous vessels with stiff guidewires during PCI. In this case report, we present an interesting case of the coronary accordion effect observed in a 52-year-old woman undergoing PCI.

High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T levels in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients with different left ventricle geometry.

Background: The high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) assay provides important prognostic information on cardiovascular diseases. Although hs-cTnT is associated with left ventricle (LV) hypertrophy (LVH), it has not been investigated in different LV geometric patterns incorporating normal LV structure and concentric remodeling in addition to LVH.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the possible association between hs-cTnT and LV geometric patterns in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients.

NT-proBNP predicts impaired myocardial function in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients with preserved ejection fraction.

N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is an excellent biomarker to diagnose left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. LV myocardial performance index (MPI-Tei index) is commonly used as a measure of combined systolic and diastolic function. We aimed to investigate the relationship between NT-proBNP and tissue Doppler derived MPI in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients with preserved LV ejection fraction (LVEF).

Predictors of failure of final kissing-balloon inflation after mini-crush stenting in non-left main bifurcation lesions: importance of the main-vessel angle.

Background: The majority of bifurcation lesions are treated with crush stenting. However, the success of crush stenting depends on final kissing-balloon inflation (FKBI), which is potentially difficult. Although mini-crush stenting has a higher rate of successful FKBI, it still cannot be achieved in some patients.

Aortic distensibility and extent and complexity of coronary artery disease in patients with stable hypertensive and nonhypertensive coronary artery disease.

Objective: To assess the relationship between aortic distensibility (AD) and the extent and complexity of atherosclerotic lesions assessed with SYNTAX score (SS) in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

Subjects And Methods: Three hundred and seventy-six consecutive patients (230 males and 146 females; mean age: 61.6 ± 9.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 5G/5G genotype is associated with early spontaneous recanalization of the infarct-related artery in patients presenting with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: We aimed to examine the association between plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) genetic polymorphism and early spontaneous recanalization in patients presenting with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Methods: Patients admitted to our emergency department with ST-elevation myocardial infarction in the first 6 h of symptom onset were included. An immediate primary percutaneous coronary intervention was performed.

Mean platelet volume associated with aortic distensibility, chronic inflammation, and diabetes in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

We aimed to assess the effective factors on high mean platelet volume (MPV) in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). A total of 411 patients (247 males and 164 females; mean age: 61.7 ± 9.

Relation of mitral annular dilation with dynamic mitral regurgitation in patients with rheumatic mitral regurgitation.

Introduction: Dynamic mitral regurgitation (MR) is frequently investigated in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD). Data about the dynamic MR in patients with organic valve disease are limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the alteration of MR by exercise in patients with rheumatic valve disease (RVD).

The distribution of circulating microRNA and their relation to coronary disease.

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNAs that regulate gene expression by suppressing protein translation and may influence RNA expression. MicroRNAs are detected in extracellular locations such as plasma; however, the extent of miRNA expression in plasma its relation to cardiovascular disease is not clear and many clinical studies have utilized array-based platforms with poor reproducibility.

Methods And Results: Initially, to define distribution of miRNA in human blood; whole blood, platelets, mononuclear cells, plasma, and serum from 5 normal individuals were screened for 852 miRNAs using high-throughput micro-fluidic quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR).