Predictors of Concomitant Coronary Artery Disease and Major Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) and ischemic stroke share the same risk factors.

Objective: The aim of the study was to explore the prevalence and predictors of concomitant CAD in acute ischemic stroke patients.

Methods: One hundred and five patients (64.

The effect of cardiac rehabilitation on blood pressure, and on left atrial and ventricular functions in hypertensive patients.

Purpose: Hypertension is associated with left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, impaired LV relaxation, and left atrial (LA) enlargement. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) improves clinical outcomes in a broad spectrum of cardiac disease. The aim of our study was to determine the effect of CR on blood pressure (BP), and on LA and LV functions in hypertensive patients.

Short and Long Term Mortality Predictors in Octogenarians with Acute Coronary Syndromes.

Purpose: Octogenarians with acute coronary syndromes have higher mortality and morbidity due to higher prevalence of comorbidities and frailty. The aim of this study was to explore the predictors of short and long term mortality in octogenarians with ACS.

Methods: Ninety-eight consecutive octogenarians presenting with acute coronary syndrome (mean age:84±3 years, 56 male) were included.

Influence of collaterals on the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and serum NT-proBNP levels in patients with coronary chronic total occlusion.

Objective: Although numerous studies have shown the protective effects of the well-developed coronary collaterals on left ventricular functions, the relationship between collateral grade and left ventricular end diastolic pressure has not been studied in chronic total occlusion patients. Also, there are conflicting data on the effect of collaterals on NT-proBNP levels. The aim of our study was to evaluate the relationship between coronary collateral circulation and left ventricular end diastolic pressure and NT-proBNP levels in chronic total occlusion patients.

Evaluation of left ventricular functions in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism: is there any effect of parathyroidectomy?

Purpose: Our aim was to evaluate left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic functions of primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) patients with detailed echocardiographic analysis and investigate the effect of parathyroidectomy on echocardiographic parameters.

Methods: A total of 22 eligible consecutive patients with pHPT who underwent parathyroidectomy operation were recruited to the study. Another 22 subjects with similar age, gender and frequency of cardiovascular risk factors compared to patients were used as a control group.

Diastolic Dyssynchrony in Acute ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction and Relationship with Functional Recovery of Left Ventricle.

Background: Incidence of diastolic dyssynchrony (DD) and its impact on functional recovery of left ventricle (LV) after ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is not known.

Methods: Consecutive patients with STEMI who underwent successful revascularization were prospectively enrolled. Echocardiography with tissue Doppler imaging was performed within 48 hours of admission and at 6 months.

Arterial stiffness parameters associated with vitamin D deficiency and supplementation in patients with normal cardiac functions.

Objective: Arterial stiffness parameters including pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AIx) are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. A close relationship has been demonstrated between vitamin D deficiency and cardiovascular disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate effects of vitamin D deficiency and supplementation on arterial stiffness parameters in patients with normal cardiac functions.

Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery: A Two-dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography Study.

Background: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) may develop after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The aim of the study was to explore the relationship between preoperative left atrial function and atrial fibrosis and POAF after CABG.

Methods: Forty-eight consecutive patients undergoing CABG (mean age: 61.

Evaluation of left atrial volume and function in systemic sclerosis patients using speckle tracking and real-time three-dimensional echocardiography.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate left atrial (LA) volume and functions using real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) and speckle tracking in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients.

Methods: The study was designed as a cross-sectional observational study. We studied 41 consecutive SSc patients (38 females, mean age: 49.

Right ventricular and atrial functions in patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the right ventricular and right atrial functions in patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy by novel echocardiographic measures.

Methods: In all, 40 patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy and 26 healthy subjects were consecutively included. Left ventricular, right ventricular, and right atrial functions were assessed by tissue Doppler imaging and two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography.

Acute Exacerbation Impairs Right Ventricular Function in COPD Patients.

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may impair right ventricular (RV) function. Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) is helpful in the noninvasive evaluation of RV longitudinal function. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of acute COPD exacerbation on RV function assessed by TDI.

A Case of Iatrogenic Chordal Rupture after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Procedure Requiring a Second Valve.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has emerged as a therapeutic option for high-risk aortic stenosis. Malposition of the prosthesis and severe residual aortic regurgitation are known complications of the procedure, which might require a second valve implantation. Although the implantation of a second valve seems to be an effective method, very few data are available describing this technique.

Effect of acute sleep deprivation on left atrial mechanics assessed by three-dimensional echocardiography.

Background: Although sleep deprivation (SD) affects cardiovascular system in many ways, physio-pathological changes in cardiac chamber volume and function have not been described well. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of SD on left atrial (LA) and ventricular function with three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography.

Methods: Thirty-two healthy individuals (12 females, mean age 33.

Effect of vitamin D deficiency and supplementation on myocardial deformation parameters and epicardial fat thickness in patients free of cardiovascular risk.

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with impaired myocardial deformation parameters and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Increased epicardial fat thickness (EFT) is also associated with increased risk of CVD. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of vitamin D deficiency and supplementation on myocardial deformation parameters and EFT.

Apical transverse motion is associated with speckle-tracking radial dyssynchrony in patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Objective: Apical transverse motion (ATM) is a new parameter for assessing left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony. Speckle-tracking radial strain analysis seems to be the best method to identify potential responders to cardiac resynchronization therapy. The aim of our study was to investigate the association between ATM and radial dyssynchrony assessed by speckle-tracking echocardiography in patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NDC).

Right ventricular function in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: A speckle tracking echocardiography study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore right ventricular (RV) mechanical function in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) by 2-D speckle tracking echocardiography (2-D-STE).

Methods: Forty-three patients with HCM (mean age 48, 17 females) and 40 healthy subjects were consecutively included in this cross-sectional study. The diagnosis of HCM was based on the presence of typical clinical, electrocardiographic (ECG), and echocardiographic features.

Effect of acute sleep deprivation on heart rate recovery in healthy young adults.

Background: Sleep deprivation (SD) is known to be associated with increased incidence of adverse cardiovascular events, but underlying pathophysiological mechanism has not been clearly demonstrated. Autonomic nervous system plays an important role in the regulation of cardiovascular function, and impairment in this system is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of acute SD on autonomic regulation of cardiac function by determining heart rate recovery (HRR).

Aortic elastic properties predict occult coronary artery disease: a multidetector row computed tomography study.

Background: Multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) is an attractive noninvasive imaging modality to detect coronary atherosclerotic plaques which may be underestimated by conventional angiography. However, its routine clinical use is limited due to contrast-associated problems, high cost, inapplicability at bedside and exposure to radiation. Thus, exploring safer and more practical measurements to predict occult coronary artery disease (CAD) is required.

Regional myocardial dysfunction assessed by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in systemic sclerosis patients with fragmented QRS complexes.

Background: The aim of the study was to explore the relation between regional myocardial dysfunction and fragmented QRS (fQRS) complexes in systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods: Fifty-three SSc patients and 26 controls were included. All subjects underwent speckle tracking echocardiography for evaluation of left ventricular (LV) function and ECG to check for fQRS complexes.

Evaluation of cardiac function by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in ulcerative colitis patients.

Purpose: Although ulcerative colitis (UC) shows obvious similarities with other autoimmune diseases, cardiac consequences have not adequately introduced. The aim of our study was to evaluate left ventricular (LV) function in UC patients by using novel echocardiographic parameters.

Results: Forty-five UC patients (mean age 37, 18 female) and 90 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers (mean age 40, 38 female) included in the study.

Left ventricular and atrial functions in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients with very high LVOT gradient: a speckle tracking echocardiographic study.

Background: Determination of myocardial deformation (strain) by two-dimensional (2D) speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is a new method for evaluating left ventricular (LV) regional function in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The aim of this study was to assess LV and left atrial (LA) functions with 2DSTE in HCM patients and to investigate relation between strain analysis and LV outflow tract (LVOT) gradient.

Methods: Forty consecutive HCM patients (26 male, mean age: 47.

Evaluation of arterial stiffness and hemodynamics by oscillometric method in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Objectives: Arterial stiffness and its hemodynamic consequences are associated with adverse cardiovascular events. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AIx) are noninvasive markers of arterial stiffness. Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a systemic, autoimmune disease affecting mainly the small vessels.

The effect of myocardial fibrosis on left ventricular torsion and twist in patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Background: Left ventricular (LV) rotation, twist, and torsion are important aspects of the cardiac performance. Myocardial fibrosis can be identified as the late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). In this study, we investigated the association between myocardial fibrosis and LV rotational parameters in patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NDC).

No harmful effect of dialysis-induced hypotension on the myocardium in patients who have normal ejection fraction and a negative exercise test.

Background: We investigated the effects of dialysis-induced hypotension (DIH) on the myocardium of patients who have a normal ejection fraction and normal treadmill stress tests.

Methods: This study included 26 end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with DIH, 30 ESRD patients without DIH (non-DIH), and 30 control subjects. Mitral-myocardial systolic velocity (MSV), the mitral E'/A' ratio, the left ventricle filling pressure index (E/E' ratio), tricuspid-MSV, and the tricuspid E'/A' ratio were calculated.

Role of left ventricular dyssynchrony in predicting remodeling after ST elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: Intraventricular dyssynchrony is associated with worsening systolic function, adverse remodeling, and clinical events. The aim of this study is to investigate whether intraventricular dyssynchrony assessed by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) can predict left ventricular (LV) remodeling after first ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated successfully with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI).

Methods: Fifty-two consecutive patients who presented with first acute STEMI were included in the study.