Incremental value of live/real time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in the assessment of ventricular septal rupture following acute myocardial infarction.

Ventricular septal rupture is a serious complication following acute myocardial infarctions and is associated with a significant mortality rate. Classically, two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography has been used to diagnose this complication and visualize its location. Two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography has supplemented the transthoracic approach by providing more accurate assessment of the defect size and in guiding closure both percutaneously and intraoperatively.

Aortic aneurysm mimicking a right atrial mass.

We present a case of a 54-year-old female who was initially thought to have a cystic mass in the right atrium on two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography. Careful transducer angulation and off-axis imaging showed this mass-like effect was produced by an aortic root aneurysm impinging on the right atrium.

Incremental value of live/real time three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography over the two-dimensional technique in assessing carcinoid heart disease involving the aortic valve.

We present a case of an adult with metastatic carcinoid heart disease, in whom live/real time three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography provided incremental value over two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography in assessing involvement of the aortic valve.

Usefulness of bubble study in echocardiographic diagnosis of contained rupture of hydatid cyst in the right ventricular outflow tract.

We describe an adult female presenting with dyspnea in whom both transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography detected a mobile sac-like structure in the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) containing a heterogenous echogenic mass. This sac-like structure markedly changed its shape and size during the cardiac cycle. These findings and the fact that the patient lived in a rural area raised the possibility that this was a hydatid cyst.

Incremental value of live/real time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography over the two-dimensional technique in the assessment of aortic atherosclerotic thrombi and ulcers.

We present two cases in whom live/real time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3DTEE) provided incremental value in the assessment of atherosclerotic disease in the aorta. In one patient, it identified additional atherosclerotic ulcers as well as thrombi within them which were missed by two-dimensional (2D) TEE. In both cases, the size of the large mobile atherosclerotic plaque was underestimated by 2DTEE as compared with 3DTEE.

Is Low Serum Klotho Level Associated with Alterations in Coronary Flow Reserve?

Background: The Klotho gene, described as an "aging suppressor" gene, encodes a single-pass transmembrane protein. The extracellular part of Klotho is cleaved and released into the circulation where it may function as a vasculoprotective hormone. Coronary flow reserve (CFR) is accepted as a marker of coronary microvascular dysfunction when epicardial coronary stenosis is absent.

Incremental Value of Live/Real Time Three-Dimensional over Two-Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography in the Assessment of Atrial Septal Pouch.

An atrial septal pouch (ASP) results from partial fusion of the septum primum and the septum secundum, and depending on the site of fusion, the pouch can be left-sided (LASP) or right-sided (RASP). LASPs have been described in association with thrombi found in patients admitted with acute strokes, raising awareness of its potential cardioembolic role, especially in those with no other clearly identifiable embolic source. We retrospectively studied 39 patients in whom the presence of an ASP had been identified by three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3DTEE) and who had a two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiogram (2DTEE) performed during the same clinical encounter.

Asymmetric dimethylarginine is not a good predictor of ischemia using myocardial perfusion scintigraphy.

Background/aim: Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) plays role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease and related mortality and morbidity through a number of mechanisms. We hypothesized that plasma ADMA levels would be increased in the presence of reversible ischemia as measured by GATED single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS).

Materials And Methods: Fasting i.

An epidemiological study to evaluate the use of vitamin K antagonists and new oral anticoagulants among non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients in Turkey- AFTER-2 study design.

Objectives: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common causes of preventable ischemic stroke and is related to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. There is a lack of data in Turkey on the use of new oral anticoagulants (NOACs), and time in therapeutic INR range (TTR) in vitamin K antagonist users and AF management modality. In this multi-center trial, we aimed to analyze, follow and evaluate the epidemiological data in non-valvular AF patients.

Resistin predicts ischemia in myocardial perfusion scintigraphy.

Unlabelled: Aim: Resistin plays a role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease and is related to mortality and morbidity through a number of mechanisms. We hypothesize that plasma resistin levels are increased in the presence of ischemia, as measured by GATED single- photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (SPECT MPS), in comparison with nonischemic subjects.

Materials And Methods: Fasting intravenous blood samples of patients were drawn before a stress test.

Incremental value of live/real time three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography over two-dimensional echocardiography in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with mid-ventricular obstruction and apical aneurysm.

We describe a case of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with mid-left ventricular obstruction and apical aneurysm containing thrombi where live/real time three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography provided incremental value over two-dimensional echocardiography in assessing the findings.

Two- and live/real time three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiographic assessment of infective endocarditis of a valved pulmonary conduit.

We describe the use of a nonstandard left infraclavicular approach in making the diagnosis of an infected valved conduit with two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography. The patient was an adult with tetralogy of Fallot and pulmonary atresia who had undergone multiple surgical repair procedures. The initial diagnosis of infective endocarditis was made by transesophageal echocardiography.

Increased morning blood pressure surge and coronary microvascular dysfunction in patient with early stage hypertension.

Morning blood pressure surge (MBPS) is defined as an excessive increase in blood pressure (BP) in the morning from the lowest systolic BP during sleep, and it has been reported as a risk factor for cardiovascular events in current clinical studies. In this study, we evaluated the association between the rate of BP variation derived from ambulatory BP monitoring data analysis and coronary microvascular function in patients with early stage hypertension. One hundred seventy patients with prehypertension and Stage 1 hypertension who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study.

Myocardial performance index in patients with dipper and nondipper hypertension.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between left ventricular (LV) myocardial performance index (MPI) and nondipper pattern in hypertensive patients.

Methods: Between June 2012 and November 2012, patients admitted to the Cardiology Department of Düzce University Faculty of Medicine and diagnosed previously with essential hypertension were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups, nondippers and dippers, using ambulatory blood pressure measurement.

Association of omentin Val109Asp polymorphism with coronary artery disease.

Objective: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most important morbidity and mortality disease in the world. It is also one of the leading causes of death in Turkey. Omentin, a recently found adipocytokine, is reported to regulate insulin sensitivity.

A multicenter study on experience of 13 tertiary hospitals in Turkey in patients with infective endocarditis.

Objective: The aim of this retrospective multicenter study was to investigate the clinical manifestations, microbiological profile, echocardiographic findings and management strategies of infective endocarditis (IE) in Turkey.

Methods: The study population consisted of 248 Turkish patients with IE treated at 13 major hospitals in Turkey from 2005 to 2012 retrospectively. All hospitals are tertiary referral centers, which receive patients from surrounding hospitals.

Epidemiology of atrial fibrillation in Turkey: preliminary results of the multicenter AFTER study.

Objectives: Although atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common rhythm disorders observed in clinical practice, a multicenter epidemiological study has not been conducted in our country. This study aimed to assess our clinical approach to AF based upon the records of the first multicenter prospective Atrial Fibrillation in Turkey: Epidemiologic Registry (AFTER) study.

Study Design: Taking into consideration the distribution of the population in our country, 2242 consecutive patients with at least one AF attack determined by electrocardiographic examination in 17 different tertiary health care centers were included in the study.

Relation between platelet indices and branch retinal vein occlusion in hypertensive patients.

Background: Branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) is the second most common retinal vascular disease after diabetic retinopathy. To date, the studies were unable to elucidate the mechanism of the thrombosis leading to the entity; particularly the relation between thrombocyte aggregation and retinal vein occlusion is still unclear. Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a determinant of rate of platelet production and activation, both of which are indices of function of platelets.

Heart rate recovery index in patients with psoriasis.

Objectives: In clinical practice, autonomic functions are indirectly investigated with heart rate recovery (HRR) index measurements. Our aim was to evaluate the HRR index in patients with psoriasis, which is a systemic inflammatory disease.

Study Design: The study population included 39 psoriasis patients (18 female, mean age 48±15 years) and 40 control group (18 female, mean age 44±9 years) healthy individuals.

Relation between indices of end-organ damage and mean platelet volume in hypertensive patients.

Mean platelet volume (MPV) has been recognized as an independent risk factor of hypertension. Hypertensive end-organ damage worsens the prognosis in hypertensive patients. We aimed to investigate the relationship between MPV levels and subclinical end-organ damage in hypertensive patients.

Impact of body mass index on left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.

Background: The prevalence of obesity is increasing in the developed and developing world. It is an independent risk factor for heart failure. Left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction has been demonstrated to be a strong predictor of heart failure.

The relationship between mean platelet volume with metabolic syndrome in obese individuals.

The metabolic syndrome is closely associated with atherosclerotic risk factors and increased mortality. Mean platelet volume (MPV) is an indicator of platelet activation which also shows a close relationship with cardiovascular risk factors, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlates of metabolic syndrome, its components and MPV adjusted for obesity in a large population study.

Cystatin C levels in patients with dipper and nondipper hypertension.

Objective: Subjects with nondipper hypertension carry a higher risk of cardiovascular events than their normotensive counterparts. The present study was designed to investigate cystatin C levels in patients with dipper and nondipper hypertension.

Methods: Eighty-eight consecutive patients who had been treated with antihypertensive drugs for at least 6 months were included in the study.