The role of systemic immune-inflammatory index in predicting contrast-induced nephropathy in non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction cases.

Systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) is obtained by multiplying the platelets by the ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes. We aimed to examine the relationship between contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) development and SII in non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients. 1124 NSTEMI patients included and divided into two groups according to the development of CIN.

Evaluation of right ventricular mechanics using exercise echocardiography in asymptomatic patients with severe mitral stenosis.

We aimed to evaluate the effect of exercise echocardiography (EE) on Right ventricular (RV) deformation parameters in asymptomatic patients with severe rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS) (mitral valve area ≤ 1.5 cm, stage C) and to determine the relation between symptoms and severity of MS. 38 rheumatic MS patients in stage C underwent EE.

The relation of polymer structure of stent used in patients with acute coronary syndrome revascularized by stent implantation with long-term cardiovascular events.

Introduction: Drug-eluting stents (DES) have revolutionized percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) by improving event-free survival compared to older stent designs. However, early-generation DES with polymer matrixes have raised concerns regarding late stent thrombosis due to delayed vascular healing. To address these issues, biologically bioabsorbable polymer drug-eluting stents (BP-DES) and polymer-free drug-eluting stents (PF-DES) have been developed.

The effect of urgent blood pressure reduction on left atrial strain in patients with hypertensive attack : Blood pressure lowering affects LA strain.

Background: Left atrial (LA) strain is a robust measure of LA function and is a useful parameter to assess left ventricular filling pressure. While initially considered as a "load-independent" parameter of LA function, later studies have found that acute changes in LA preload may affect LA reservoir and contractile strains. Acute alterations in blood pressure (BP) induces a change in left ventricular (LV) filling pressure without imposing a volume load, thus providing an opportunity to assess the effects of the change in LA afterload on LA mechanics.

Successful treatment of patent ductus arteriosus accompanying right-sided aortic arch and aberrant left subclavian artery: a case report.

Background: The coexistence of a right-sided aortic arch (RAA), an aberrant left subclavian artery (ALSA), and a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a rarely seen vascular ring anomaly. There is currently no general guideline consensus on the management and follow-up of this congenital defect, posing a challenge to the clinicians. At this point, the heart team plays a critical role in the management of the disease.

Predictive value of the age, creatinine and ejection fraction score in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention with bail-out tirofiban therapy.

Introduction: In patients who have undergone interventional cardiac procedures, the risk of bleeding is higher than in patients who received conservative treatment due to multiple medications and comorbidities.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of the age, creatinine and ejection fraction (ACEF) score for predicting bleeding events and to compare short- and long-term clinical outcomes according to the ACEF score in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) with bail-out tirofiban therapy (BOTT).

Material And Methods: A total of 2,543 patients were included and divided into three groups according to the following ACEF score tertiles: T1 (ACEF ≤ 1.

Differences in clinical and echocardiographic variables and mortality predictors among older patients with pulmonary embolism.

Background: An increase in short-term mortality can be found among older patients with hemodynamically stable acute pulmonary embolism (APE) who have signs of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction.

Aims: This study was designed to assess whether any difference exists among clinical, laboratory, electrocardiography and echocardiography parameters between older and younger patients diagnosed with APE.

Methods: The study sample included a total of 635 patients with confirmed APE who were divided into two groups of older (65 years and older) and younger (younger than 65 years) individuals.

Clinical usefulness of epicardial adipose tissue in patients with high-intermediate pre-test probability for coronary artery disease.

Background: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is thought to be associated with the extension and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD), and echocardiographic measurement of EAT thickness is considered to be a possible cardiovascular risk indica-tor. The European Society of Cardiology Task Force recommends further non-invasive testing in patients with an intermediate pre-test probability (PTP) for the diagnosis of CAD.

Aim: We sought to evaluate the clinical usefulness of performing EAT measurements in patients with a high-intermediate PTP.

Left ventricular mechanics in isolated mild mitral stenosis: a three dimensional speckle tracking study.

In a fraction of patients with mild mitral stenosis, left ventricular systolic function deteriorates despite the lack of hemodynamic load imposed by the dysfunctioning valve. Neither the predisposing factors nor the earlier changes in left ventricular contractility were understood adequately. In the present study we aimed to evaluate left ventricular mechanics using three-dimensional (3D) speckle tracking echocardiography.

An unexpected complication of acute pancreatitis: Intra-cardiac thrombus.

Left atrial thrombus after acute pancreatitis (AP) is a rare clinical statement. Because of induction of systemic prothrombotic process by AP; some patients with underlying risk factors may develop an intra-cardiac thrombus. We present a 53years-old-woman with moderate mitral stenosis and atrial fibrillation.

Congenital absence of the pericardium: a rare cause of right ventricular dilatation and levoposition of the heart.

Congenital absence of the pericardium is a rare cardiac defect with variable clinical presentations and is usually discovered incidentally. The pathology may lead to serious complications such as incarceration of cardiac tissue, myocardial ischemia, aortic dissection or valvular insufficiency. Diagnosis is not difficult so long as some tips are remembered.

Aortic root abscess complicated by fistulization in a young patient with bicuspid aortic valve.

Aortic root abscess is a relatively common complication of aortic valve endocarditis. However, aortic root abscess and formation of a fistula from the aortic root to the right ventricular outflow tract in the setting of a native bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is a rare event. We present consecutive echocardiographic images of unruptured periaortic abscess and fistulization of it to the right ventricle in 24 hours, in a patient with BAV and fever of unexplained origin.

The effects of blood pressure lowering on P-wave dispersion in patients with hypertensive crisis in emergency setting.

Hypertensive emergency refers to a severe hypertension (HT) that is associated with new or progressive end-organ damage. In these clinical situations, blood pressure (BP) should be reduced immediately to prevent or minimize organ dysfunction. The present study evaluated the diagnostic value of two electrocardiographic indices in detecting patients, who are at risk for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF), in the setting hypertensive crisis.

Effects of isolated obesity on left and right ventricular function: a tissue Doppler and strain rate imaging study.

Objective: To determine the subclinical effects of isolated obesity and its duration on cardiac function by using routine echocardiography and tissue Doppler myocardial strain rate.

Methods: Forty-nine subjects were enrolled in this study; 29 with isolated obesity defined as a body mass index > or = 30 kg/m(2) with no other cardiovascular comorbidities, and 20 nonobese controls. All subjects underwent two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography including tissue Doppler imaging and myocardial strain rate.

A case of prosthetic mitral valve Brucella endocarditis complicated with torsades de pointes.

Brucella endocarditis is a zoonosis transmitted by contaminated dairy products. Endocarditis is a rare complication of brucellosis and mainly the aortic valve is infected. We present the case of a female patient with prosthetic mitral valve endocarditis associated with QT prolongation and torsades de pointes.

The relationship between endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphism (T-786 C) and coronary artery disease in the Turkish population.

Previous studies revealed that there were various mutations on endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene and these mutations might be a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD), myocardial infarction (MI), and hypertension (HT). In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between eNOS gene polymorphism (T-786 C) and coronary artery disease in the Turkish population. Two hundred and eleven unrelated individuals (152 male, 59 female, mean age 59 years, range 27-85) whose angiographic examinations were performed in our hospital were enrolled into the study; 159 of these had angiographically determined coronary artery lesions (>or=50% stenosis at least in one vessel).

The relationship between beta-receptor sensitivity and nocturnal blood pressure and heart rate recovery in normotensive people.

This study examined the relationship between nocturnal blood pressure (BP) dipping and chronotropic dose25 (CD25) as an indicator of beta-adrenergic receptor functioning in normotensive people. In addition, the authors evaluated the influence of beta-receptor functioning on heart rate recovery after exercise. The sample consisted of 41 participants (18 men, 23 women).

Impacts of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibition on QT dispersion after successful percutaneous coronary intervention.

Coronary ischemia augments inhomogeneity in ventricular repolarization. Decrease in the QT dispersion (QTd) following restoration of coronary blood flow to the ischemic myocardium by successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is an expected outcome. The purpose of the study was to seek whether glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GP IIb/IIIa) inhibition has additional beneficial effects on QT dispersion after angiographically successful PCI.