Risk factors and microbiology of wound infections following cesarean delivery: Experience of a single institution.

Aims: To determine the prevalence of wound infection following cesarean delivery, risk factors, common bacterial pathogens and their antibiotic sensitivity.

Material-method: The study population consisted of 5787 cesarean deliveries. All of the patients received 2 g doses of cephazolin perioperatively for antibiotic prophylaxis.

Is Maternal Blood Procalcitonin Level a Reliable Predictor for Early Onset Neonatal Sepsis in Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes?

Background: This study is aimed at comparing the early diagnostic accuracy of maternal blood white blood cell (WBC) count, C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin in predicting early onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) among early preterm premature rupture of membrane (PPROM) pregnancies.

Methods: A total of 57 consecutive pregnancies, complicated with PPROM, between 24 and 34 gestational weeks were recruited to the study at Suleymaniye Maternity Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey between January 2012 and January 2013. All patients were hospitalized and followed up with expectant management.

Is there an effect of thyroid autoimmunity on the outcomes of assisted reproduction?

We aimed to evaluate the role of thyroid autoantibodies (TAA) on the outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer (ICSI-ET). A prospective case-control study was conducted in the in vitro fertilisation (IVF) centre of Suleymaniye Maternity Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey between July 2013 and March 2014. A total of 49 (19.

The effect of Ramadan fasting and maternal hypoalbuminaemia on neonatal anthropometric parameters and placental weight.

In Islamic religion, daytime fasting during the month called Ramadan is an annual practice. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of Ramadan fasting and maternal hypoalbuminaemia on neonatal growth parameters. A prospective case-control study was conducted in Diyarbakir and Istanbul, Turkey.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and in-hospital mortality in patients with acute heart failure.

Objectives: Previous studies have demonstrated the role of inflammation in acute heart failure. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was found to be a useful inflammatory marker for predicting adverse outcomes. We hypothesized that an elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio would be associated with increased mortality in acute heart failure patients.

Zwolle risk score predicts contrast-induced acute kidney injury in STEMI patients undergoing PCI.

Objective: Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is a common complication in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The Mehran risk score was defined originally in elective PCI and may be predictive of CI-AKI. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the Zwolle score predicts CI-AKI in patients with acute STEMI undergoing primary PCI.

Serum gamma-glutamyl transferase levels and in-hospital mortality in patients with acute heart failure.

Background: Acute heart failure (AHF) is a major cause of hospitalisation, morbidity and mortality worldwide. Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) is an enzyme responsible for the extracellular catabolism of antioxidant glutathione and a potential risk indicator of cardiac mortality. Limited data exists on the prognostic value of circulating levels of GGT in patients hospitalized due to AHF.

Utility of the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio for predicting in-hospital mortality after levosimendan infusion in patients with acute decompensated heart failure.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a levosimendan infusion on hematological variables in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). The predictive value of these variables for in-hospital mortality was also evaluated.

Methods: A total of 553 patients (368 males; mean age, 63.

Electrocardiographic and echocardiographic evidence of myocardial impairment in patients with overt hypothyroidism.

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate cardiac function and myocardial contractility in patients with overt hypothyroidism using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) strain imaging and real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) and compare the changes at one month after starting the treatment. We also compared the P wave dispersion (Pdis) in patients with and without hypothyroidism.

Subjects And Methods: Forty-one patients with overt hypothyroidism and forty age- and body mass index-matched healthy subjects underwent conventional echocardiography, RT3DE and 2D-STE for assessment of resting LV function.

Early assessment of percutaneous coronary interventions for chronic total occlusions analyzed by novel echocardiographic techniques.

Objective: Successful revascularization of chronic total occlusions has been associated with improved left ventricular systolic function, reduced anginal symptoms, increased exercise capacity, and increased survival. This study was conducted to determine the impact of revascularization in chronic total occlusion on left ventricular function using novel echocardiographic techniques.

Methods: A total of 129 patients with chronic total occlusion who underwent revascularization between April 2011 and November 2012 were included in this study.

Subclinical left ventricular dysfunction in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: an observational study.

Objective: Cardiac involvement has been increasingly recognized in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Identification of the earliest asymptomatic impairment of left ventricular (LV) performance may be important in preventing progression to overt heart failure. Our aim was to investigate LV function with different echocardiographic techniques in patients with PCOS.

A new prognostic evaluation of patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary angioplasty: combined Zwolle and Syntax score.

Background: The Zwolle score (Zs) is a validated risk score used to identify low-risk patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The Syntax score (Ss) is an angiographic score that evaluates the complexity of coronary artery disease.

Aim: We aimed to create a simple risk score by combining these two scores for risk stratification in patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI.

Short-term effect of percutaneous recanalization of chronic total occlusions on QT dispersion and heart rate variability parameters.

Background: QT dispersion (QTd), which is a measure of inhomogeneity of myocardial repolarization, increases following impaired myocardial perfusion. Its prolongation may provide a suitable substrate for life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. We investigated the changes in QTd and heart rate variability (HRV) parameters after successful coronary artery revascularization in a patient with chronic total occlusions (CTO).

Is postdilatation with a noncompliant balloon necessary after coronary stent deployment during primary angioplasty?

Background: Postdilatation (PD) with noncompliant balloon during elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is performed usually in clinical practice in order to optimize stent expansion. However, current knowledge about its use in patients undergoing primary PCI is controversial. This study aims to evaluate the angiographical and clinical results of PD in patients who underwent primary PCI with drug eluting stents (DESs).

Polycystic ovary syndrome is associated with P-wave prolongation and increased P-wave dispersion.

Background: The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with various cardiac manifestations including cardiac arrhythmias. P-wave dispersion (Pdis) is an appealing marker for predicting the risk of developing atrial arrhythmias. The purpose of this study was to evaluate P-wave durations and Pdis in patients with PCOS.

Effect of estimated glomerular filtration rate on periprocedural myocardial infarction in patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention.

Backgrounds: Little is known about the effect of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) on the periprocedural myocardial infarction (PMI). The aim of this study was to determine an eGFR value that is related with PMI development in patients with stable angina undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Method: A retrospective analysis was conducted of 257 consecutive PCI patients with stable angina pectoris.

Renal impairment and coronary collaterals in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Objective: We aimed to elucidate the relationship between mild-to-moderate renal impairment and the development of coronary collateral vessels (CCV) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Methods: We enrolled 461 patients with ACS who underwent coronary angiography for the first time. The development of CCV was assessed with the Rentrop score.

A new parameter predicting chronic total occlusion of coronary arteries: platelet distribution width.

Platelet distribution width (PDW) measures the variability in platelet size and is a marker of platelet activation. We investigated whether PDW is associated with the extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) and coronary total occlusions (CTOs). We studied 162 patients: 108 had a coronary lesion with a diameter stenosis of ≥50%, the CAD(+) group, and 54 patients had normal coronary anatomy, the CAD(-) group.

Glomerular filtration rate is associated with burden of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

We aimed to elucidate the relationship between mild to moderate renal impairements and burden of atherosclerosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). A total of 380 patients with ACS were included in the study. Gensini and SYNTAX scores were also calculated.

Does pantoprazole protect against reperfusion injury following myocardial ischemia in rats?

Background: Myocardial ischemia is inadequate perfusion due to reduced blood flow. Sudden onset of reperfusion could result with damage to the myocytes that have not been affected during ischemia called ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury. Extracellular accumulation of H+ ions resulting in tissue acidosis is one of the underlying mechanisms.

Predictive value of elevated neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in patients undergoing primary angioplasty for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Objectives: The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been investigated as a new predictor for cardiovascular risk. Admission NLR would be predictive of adverse outcomes after primary angioplasty for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods: A total of 2410 patients with STEMI undergoing primary angioplasty were retrospectively enrolled.

Inverse relationship between serum total bilirubin levels and severity of disease in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

Objective: Many studies have shown that bilirubin may protect against atherosclerosis. In the present study, we assess the association between serum total bilirubin levels and the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) assessed by angiography and the Syntax score.

Methods: Patients from our center, who visited the center for a coronary angiography, from January 2008 to January 2011, were eligible for this analysis.

Non-dipping nocturnal blood pressure in psoriasis vulgaris.

Background: Psoriasis vulgaris is one of the most prevalent chronic, inflammatory skin disorders. Patients with psoriasis carry an excess risk of hypertension and adverse cardiovascular (CV) events. Blood pressure (BP) has a circadian rhythm characterised with lower values at night.