Fragmented QRS as a candidate marker for left ventricular nonrecovery in patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy.

Background: Fragmented QRS (fQRS) complex, with various morphology, has been recently described as a diagnostic criterion of several cardiac diseases. However, there are little data regarding the prognostic role of fQRS in peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) patients. We aimed to investigate the effect of fQRS on predicting left ventricular (LV) nonrecovery in patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM).

Familial mediterranean fever: assessment of clinical manifestations, pregnancy, genetic mutational analyses, and disease severity in a national cohort.

The aims of this study were to investigate the main clinical and laboratory features, including pregnancy and genetic analysis, of Turkish Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) patients and to analyze the relationships between genotypic features, age of disease onset, clinical findings, and disease severity. A study was planned within a national network of 22 different centers. Demographics, clinical and laboratory findings, attack characteristics, drugs, pregnancy and birth history, disease severity, and gene mutation analyses were evaluated.

The effect of stress-induced cortisol increase on the sense of ankle proprioception.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of stress-induced cortisol increase on the sense of ankle proprioception.

Patients And Methods: Between April 2016 and May 2016, a total of 60 students (30 males, 30 females; mean age: 19.2±1.

Usefulness of the whole blood viscosity to predict stent thrombosis in ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

This study sought to investigate the predictive value of estimated whole blood viscosity (WBV) for stent thrombosis (ST) in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention. A total of 1720 STEMI patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention were followed up for median 36.0 months.

Montreal cognitive assessment in primary sjogrens syndrome. A brief screening tool.

Objective: To use the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test to assess the subclinical cognitive impairment in patients with Primary Sjogren`s Syndrome (PSS) and assess the correlation of MoCA results with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in these patients.

Methods: The MoCA test was prospectively administered to 32 consecutive patients (31 females, 1 male) diagnosed with PSS and 30 healthy controls (29 females, 1 male) at Antalya Education and Research Hospital between June 2014 and October 2015. Twenty PSS patients underwent a brain MRI (T1, T2, and T2- FLAIR-weighted sequences).

Monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio predicts adverse cardiac events in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

The aim of the study was to investigate the monocyte count to HDL cholesterol ratio (MHR) on the prognosis of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). A total of 411 patients with HCM were assessed. The primary end point was cardiovascular death or malignant arrhythmic events.

Transvenous retrograde reposition of an atrial lead.

Pacemaker lead dislodgement is one of the most undesired complications of pacemaker implantation. Repeated procedures are associated with an increased risk of complications, such as pocket infection, pneumothorax, and hematoma. We present a case who experienced dislodgement of the atrial pacemaker lead of a cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillator implantation device, which was corrected using a steerable ablation catheter by the transfemoral route.

Comparison of two types of rotational mechanical dilatator sheath: Evolution and TightRail.

Introduction: Powered extraction tools are usually needed in chronically implanted leads. Comparative data are essential among different rotating dilator sheaths. The aim of the study was to compare procedural/clinical outcomes and adverse events in patients underwent lead extraction utilizing two different rotating dilator sheaths.

Left Atrial Function Is Improved in Short-Term Follow-Up after Catheter Ablation of Outflow Tract Premature Ventricular Complexes.

Association of premature ventricular complexes (PVC) with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) and efficacy of catheter ablation treatment have been demonstrated in studies. The role of left atrial (LA) mechanics in the etiopathogenesis of PVC-induced cardiomyopathy (PVC-CMP) as well as changes in LA mechanics with catheter ablation have not been studied before. A total number of 61 patients (Mean Age 43 ± 3) with idiopathic outflow tract (OT) PVCs undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) were enrolled.

A novel marker of persistent left ventricular systolic dysfunction in patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy: monocyte count- to- HDL cholesterol ratio.

Background: Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of pregnancy. There is limited data regarding the predictors of persistent left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction. Recently, monocyte-to-high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ratio (MHR) has emerged as a novel indicator of inflammation and oxidative stress.

Unusual ventricular entrainment response: What is the mechanism?

Entrainment is an important tool for the diagnosis and location of reentry. The usefulness of this maneuver requires that, prior to cessation of ventricular pacing, the atrial rate accelerates to the ventricular pacing rate. Moreover, it is important to verify the continuation of the tachycardia following cessation of entrainment.

Endo/epicardial ablation of ventricular arrhythmias with contact force-sensing catheters in arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy.

Objective: To control ventricular arrhythmia in arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C), ablation may be required both from the endocardial and epicardial side. In this study, we analyzed the results of contact force-sensing (CFS) catheters in the endo/epicardial ablation of ventricular arrhythmias in ARVD/C.

Methods: We included 17 patients with ARVD/C, 5 of whom had premature ventricular contractions (PVC), and the rest of them were admitted with a ventricular tachycardia (VT) storm, between September 2014 and October 2016.

Comparative Analysis of Whole-Genome Sequence of African Swine Fever Virus Belgium 2018/1.

We analyzed the whole-genome sequence of African swine fever virus Belgium 2018/1. The strain fits into the European genotype II (>99.98% identity).

Does ozone administration have a protective or therapeutic effect against radiotherapy-induced testicular injury?

Objective: We investigate the protective and therapeutic effects of ozone therapy (OT) in radiotherapy (RT)-induced testicular damage.

Methods: Thirty healthy adult male Wistar rats divided into five groups consisting of six animals each as follows: (1) Control (C), (2) RT, (3) OT, (4) OT + RT, and (5) RT + OT group. Histopathological findings, Johnsen scores, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels were evaluated.

Can the Second to Fourth Digit Ratio (2D : 4D) Be a Marker to Determine Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity?

Objective: The length ratio of the index finger (2D) to the ring finger (4D) (2D : 4D ratio) is considered a biomarker of prenatal sex hormone exposure. The 2D : 4D ratio is influenced by prenatal androgen and estrogen levels. Because ankylosing spondylitis (AS) influences men more frequently and severely than women, androgens are proposed to be related to AS pathogenesis.