Endotrophin and matrix metalloproteinase-2 levels in bicuspid aortic valve and hypertension associated aortopathy and their relationship with strain parameters of the ascending aorta.

Objective: Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common congenital heart defect. Ascending aorta dilatation is related to BAV- and hypertension (HTN)-associated aortopathy. The aim of this study was to investigate aortic elasticity, as well as aortic deformation of the ascending aorta, using strain imaging, and to evaluate the possible relationship of biomarkers, such as endotrophin and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), with ascending aorta dilatation in patients with BAV- or HTN-associated aortopathy.

Severe vitamin D deficiency is associated with endothelial inflammation in healthy individuals even in the absence of subclinical atherosclerosis.

Objective: Vitamin D has beneficial effects, some of which involve the cardiovascular system. No study to date has investigated the association between serum endocan levels, as a biomarker of endothelial inflammation, and vitamin D levels in the absence of subclinical atherosclerosis detected by carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in healthy individuals.

Patients And Methods: Subjects were categorized into three groups based on vitamin D levels according to Endocrine Society guidelines.

Association between Multiplate-measured aspirin resistance and vitamin D deficiency in stable coronary artery disease.

Introduction: Insufficient inhibition of platelets in patients with atherosclerosis despite antiplatelet therapy leads to important clinical consequences. The present study evaluated the role of vitamin D (VD) deficiency in aspirin resistance (AR) in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) treated with aspirin.

Material And Methods: This study included 70 patients with stable CAD who had been using 100 mg aspirin for at least seven days.

Intracardiac masses: Single center experience within 12 years: I-MASS Study.

Objective: The aim of this cross-sectional, retrospective, descriptive study was to review and classify cardiac masses systematically and to determine their frequencies.

Methods: The medical records of 64,862 consecutive patients were investigated within 12 years. Every patient with a cardiac mass imaged by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and confirmed with an advanced imaging modality such as transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), computed tomography (CT) and/or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) was included.