Publications by authors named "Refik Emre Altekin"

Objective: We aimed to assess the real-world label adherence of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) dosing patterns, including apixaban, edoxaban, and rivaroxaban, in Turkish patients with atrial fibrillation.

Methods: This was an observational, prospective, cross-sectional, multicenter study. Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who were prescribed NOACs within the last 4 months were recruited from 34 cardiology clinics in Türkiye.

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Aims: We investigated the prognostic significance of residual SYNTAX score (RSS) in patients undergoing PCI due to STEMI and relationship between RSS and in-hospital and long-term ischemic cardiac events.

Methods: Between June 2015 and December 2018, 538 patients who underwent primary PCI were evaluated for in-hospital events and 478 patients were evaluated for clinical events during follow-up. Primary and secondary endpoints for both in-hospital and follow-up periods were cardiac death and major adverse cardiac events (MACE).

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Objective: Nondippers are known to carry a high risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dipper and nondipper status of hypertension on left atrial (LA) systolic and diastolic functions using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE), P-wave dispersion (PWD), and P terminal force (PTF) in hypertensive patients.

Methods: A total of 72 patients and 39 healthy individuals were included in the study.

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As the number of implanted left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) used increases, the frequency of chronic complications encountered also increases. The pause of blood flow in the outflow graft is a rare, but fatal, complication. The aim of this article was to present the case of a patient in whom HeartWare outflow graft occlusion was removed by balloon angioplasty and to examine the treatment modalities of HeartWare outflow graft occlusions that have been percutaneously performed to date.

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Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) of abdominal aorta is a valuable treatment option in selected patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm. Renal artery occlusion is a serious complication after EVAR and may progress to permanent renal injury requiring hemodialysis. In this report, case of unexpected renal artery occlusion after EVAR treated with renal artery stenting in the late postoperative period is described.

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Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate arterial structure and function with assessment of pulse wave velocity (PWV) and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in patients with Behçet's disease (BD).

Methods: Thirty patients (13 female, 17 male) with BD and 30 age, sex-matched healthy controls (12 female, 18 male) with no known cardiovascular disease were enrolled in this study. Carotid-femoral PWV and CIMT were measured.

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Objectives: Red cell distribution width (RDW) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) are the two markers used to determine risk of mortality and adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction. The relationship between RDW, NLR, and left ventricular (LV) systolic functions has not been reported. In this report, we aimed to investigate the relationship between RDW, NLR, and LV systolic function in anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

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Heart failure is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in the world. Heart transplantation is still the gold standard therapy despite emerging treatment options. Due to the limited number of available donors, the use of ventricular assist devices has increased.

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Introduction: Cirrhosis is associated with certain abnormalities in left ventricular (LV) structure and function. Two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) enables a rapid and accurate analysis of regional LV systolic mechanics in the longitudinal, radial and circumferential directions. The aim of this study was to precisely assess the differences among the 3 directions in the early impairment of LV myocardial contraction in non-alcoholic cirrhotic patients with preserved LV pump function.

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Objectives: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. There is evidence of platelet activation in MetS. Mean platelet volume (MPV), a determinant of platelet activation, is a newly emerging risk factor for atherothrombosis.

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In this study, we aimed to investigate the association of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) with Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score in patients with ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI). We analyzed 101 consecutive patients with STEMI. Patients were divided into 3 groups by use of GRACE risk score.

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Background: Left atrial (LA) deformation analysis by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) has recently been proposed as an alternative approach for estimating left ventricular (LV) filling pressure and dysfunction.

Aim: To assess the LA myocardial function using 2D-STE in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with preserved LV ejection fraction (PLVEF) and to evaluate the relationship of the obtained results with echocardiographically estimated pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (ePCWP).

Methods: Eighty-five ESRD patients and 60 healthy individuals were enrolled in the study.

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Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Platelet activation and aggregation are central processes in the pathophysiology of atherothrombosis. Mean platelet volume (MPV), a determinant of platelet activation, is a newly-emerging risk factor for atherothrombosis.

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Objective: It is known that patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) more frequently develop a wide range of left ventricular (LV) structural and functional abnormalities. The aim of our study is to evaluate the left ventricular regional function using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) in ESRD patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (PLVEF) undergoing haemodialysis treatment.

Methods And Results: In total 61 healthy individuals and 87 ESRD patients were enrolled.

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Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the predictive value of the left atrial volume index (LAVI) in electrical cardioversion (ECV) and observe the recurrence rate of atrial fibrillation (AF) after a successful ECV in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

Method: This study was designed as a diagnostic accuracy and prospective cohort study. Eighty patients (mean age 62±12 years; 52.

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Objective: We aimed to evaluate the subclinical left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction with the automated function imaging method (AFI) based on speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) in obstructive sleep apnea patients (OSA) with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and without any confounding disease that can cause myocardial dysfunction.

Methods: Twenty-one healthy individuals and 58 OSA patients were included in this observational cross-sectional study. According to the severity of disease, OSA patients were examined in three groups; mild, moderate and severe OSA.

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Background: The speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) method shows the presence of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction before the advent of RV failure and pulmonary hypertension in patients with cardiopulmonary disease. We aimed to assess subclinical RV dysfunction in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) using the STE method.

Method: Twenty-one healthy individuals and 58 OSA patients were included.

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In this study, our aim was to evaluate the LV (left ventricle) subclinical myocardial dysfunction using the two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) method on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and without any confounding disease that may result myocardial dysfunction. Twenty-one healthy individuals and 58 OSA patients were enrolled in the study. The patients were categorized into mild, moderate and severe OSA groups according to the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI).

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Background: The aim of this study was to compare left atrial (LA) longutidinal myocardial function in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients with healthy individuals using two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography method (2D-STE).

Method: Twenty one healthy individuals and 58 OSA patients were included. According to the AHI (apnea hypopnea index) patients were examined in mild, moderate and severe OSA groups.

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Rupture of a sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA) is clinically characterized by widening of an existing sinus of Valsalva aneurysm in time and its opening to other cardiac cavities, primarily to the right atrium and right ventricle. Increased biventricular filling appearing due to rupture causes symptoms of heart failure. Although classical treatment of ruptured SVA is surgical, various percutaneous closure devices are being used successfully for treatment of lesions in recent years.

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Brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by Gram-negative coccobacilli. Direct contact with the infected tissue or blood, consumption of infected dairy products, and inhalation of infectious aeresol particles can transmit the disease. Brucella endocarditis is rare but the most fatal complication of brucellosis.

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Congential aorta-right atrial tunnel (ARAT) is a rare anomaly. Many patients are asymptomatic and diagnosis can be made during investigation of systolic and diastolic continuous murmur heard on cardiac oscultation. In some patients, symptoms such as palpitation, dyspnea, and fatigue on exertion can be seen.

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Duchenne muscular dystrophy is an X linked hereditary progressive neuromuscular disease and it is characterized by development of weakness and atrophy in affected muscles. In late phases of disease with involvement of respiratory and cardiac muscles, patients die because of respiratory and cardiac failure. Cardiomyopathy is a common complication and various types of arrhythmia because of conduction system involvement can be seen.

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Background: Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Oxidative stress is one of the key elements in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Isoprostanes are established markers of oxidative stress.

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