The Effect of Early Administration of Hypertonic Saline Solution İn Acute Decompensated Heart Failure.

Background: There was no scientific evidence about the initial treatment of hypertonic saline solution (HSS) in acutely decompensated heart failure (ADHF).

Objectives: This study assessed the impact of using HSS along with a loop diuretic (LD) as the first diuretic treatment for ADHF, focusing on renal function, electrolyte levels, and clinical outcomes.

Methods: In this retrospective case-control study, 171 adult patients (93 females/78 males) with ADHF were included between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022.

Clinical characteristics of atrial fibrillation in nonagenarian population and relationship with mortality.

Background: There is a considerable amount of literature available on well-known risk factors for atrial fibrillation (AF); however, available data specifically focused on the ninth decade are scarce. The main objective of this study was to assess the demographic and clinical characteristics of AF and sinus rhythm in a nonagenarian population.

Methods: All individuals aged >90 years who were admitted to the Cardiology outpatient clinic between April 2018 and January 2019 were enrolled in the study.

Combined use of frontal plane QRS-T angle and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio in the risk prediction of ischemic cardiomyopathy in STEMI.

Background: Frontal plane QRS-T angle (fQRS-T) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are highly important parameters that well-predict unfavorable outcomes in patients with ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI).There are limited data on the predictive significance of ischemic cardiomyopathy (I-CMP) from the combination of fQRS-T and PLR in STEMI, compared to using fQRS-T and PLR alone.

Aim: We aimed to evaluate the ability of the combination of fQRS-T and PLR routinely obtained on admission to identify STEMI patients at risk of I-CMP.

An interesting observation: prolonged green urine can be a combined effect of decreased liver and renal function in a patient with heart failure-a case report.

Background: The administration of propofol and methylene blue (MB) can be associated with the appearance of prolonged green urine discoloration, particularly in patients with heart failure (HF) concomitant with renal and liver dysfunction. Understanding the reasons behind this phenomenon is of clinical significance.

Case Summary: A 79-year-old woman with a history of HF experienced dyspnoea and persistent green urine discoloration for a week, leading to her hospitalization for acutely decompensated HF.

Exercise Prevents Glucocorticoid-Induced Myocardial 4-Hydroxynonenal Production.

Purpose: Long-term administration of glucocorticoids (GCs) increases myocardial oxidative stress. 4-Hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) protein adducts, a marker of oxidative damage, have been associated with several cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, cardiac hypertrophy, cardiomyopathy, and ischemia-reperfusion injury. Exercise training has been shown to have a protective effect on the heart by lowering the level of oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes.

The Value of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Epicardial Adipose Tissue Thickness in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Background Using epicardial adipose tissue thickness (EATt) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as individual indicators provides beneficial insight into the prognosis of patients suffering from heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Aim In our study, we aimed to evaluate whether the combined evaluation of NLR and EATt would provide an advantage for identifying high-risk HFpEF patients according to hospitalization for heart failure (HHF) and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD). Method A total of 168 outpatients with HFpEF were retrospectively analyzed.

Long-term Dexamethasone Treatment Increases Cardiac Galectin-3 Levels.

Purpose: Glucocorticoids, which are widely prescribed around the world, cause cardiac remodeling in long-term treatment by triggering insulin resistance and increasing blood pressure. However, its role in cardiac remodeling remains unclear. Galectin-3 (gal-3) is a member of a beta-galactoside-binding animal lectins, upregulated as a result of insulin resistance and in the pressure-overloaded myocardium and regulate cardiac remodeling.

Pacemaker-associated superior vena cava syndrome: Role of contrast echocardiography.

Pacemaker-associated superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome is increasingly recognized as a nonmalignant type of SVC syndrome. Computed tomographic (CT) angiography is the first choice of imaging for diagnosis but in some cases there is discrepancy between the clinical findings and CT images. In this report we present the role of contrast study with transesophageal echocardiography in a patient with suspicion of SVC syndrome but inconclusive CT findings.

Midterm Results of Minimally Invasive Left Thoracotomy Fully Magnetically Levitated Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.

The aim of the study is to compare outcomes of the patients who underwent HeartMate3 (HM3) implantation with conventional sternotomy (CS) and minimally invasive thoracotomy technique (MILT). From June 2013 to April 2019, 50 patients who underwent isolated HM3 implantation were included. Patients were divided into two groups according to the operative technique; of 50 patients, 28 were implanted with CS and 22 with MILT.

Possible value of galectin-3 on follow-up of cardiac remodeling during glucocorticoid treatment.

Glucocorticoids are among the most prescribed drugs globally due to their potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. Although they have positive effects on the treatment of various disease states; long-term administration is associated with high blood pressure, insulin resistance, and susceptibility to type 2 diabetes. The heart attempts to cope with increased blood pressure and a decrease in glucose utilization by developing pathological cardiac remodeling.

Optimization with levosimendan improves outcomes after left ventricular assist device implantation.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the haemodynamic effects of preoperative levosimendan infusion in patients who underwent left ventricular assist device implantation and evaluate the prognoses.

Methods: Between May 2013 and October 2018, 85 adult patients who underwent left ventricular assist device implantation were included; 44 and 41 patients suffered from dilated cardiomyopathy and ischaemic cardiomyopathy, respectively. Patients were divided into 2 groups: group A (58 patients) included those who received levosimendan infusion in addition to other inotropes and group B (27 patients) included those who received inotropic agents other than levosimendan.

[Increased myocardial energy expenditure in cardiac syndrome X: More work, more pain].

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the myocardial energy expenditure (MEE) in patients with cardiac syndrome X (CSX) and to examine its association with exercise electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters.

Methods: A total of 99 patients who underwent coronary angiography and who were diagnosed as having normal coronary arteries were included. The patients were divided into 2 groups based on symptoms and exercise ECG parameters: 56 CSX patients and 43 control patients with a negative stress test.

Left ventricular thrombosis is associated with increased mean platelet volume in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and sinus rhythm.

Objective: Dilated cardiomyopathy has been associated with left ventricular thrombosis, which leads to substantial morbidity and mortality as a site for peripheral emboli. There are some studies on patients with dilated cardiomyopathy showing altered haemostasis and platelet behaviour despite sinus rhythm. Mean platelet volume, which is the most accurate and simple estimate of platelet reactivity, may be associated with the development of left ventricular thrombosis.

Swyer-James syndrome with myocardial bridge: a case report.

Swyer-James syndrome is an uncommon disease with unknown aetiology. It is generally discovered on a chest radiograph as increased translucency involving one hemithorax because of diminished vascular markings. Pulmonary vascularization on the affected side is greatly reduced leading to radiological translucency.

Beta-blocker-induced psoriasis: a rare side effect--a case report.

Beta blockers are one of the oral agents shown to decrease cardiovascular morbidity and mortality rates in randomized, controlled trials, and hence, they are widely used for the management of many cardiovascular situations. In terms of side effects there are 3 major modes of action: (1) contraction of smooth muscles, particularly of bronchi with nonselective agents; (2) exaggerated cardiac effects; and (3) central nervous system effects. There are also some rare side effects of beta blockers, some of which are unpredictable, but the others are related to mode of action at the cellular level.

Spontaneous rectus muscle hematoma following streptokinase therapy for acute myocardial infarction: a case report.

There is no doubt that appropriate use of thrombolytic drugs improves survival in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Streptokinase, one of the most commonly used thrombolytic drugs in large clinical trials, is not fibrin-specific and brings about a lytic state with potential for bleeding. We report a case of spontaneous rectus muscle hematoma following streptokinase therapy for acute myocardial infarction and review the relevant literature.