Effect of dobutamine stress echocardiography on serum heart fatty acid binding protein levels.

Objective Heart fatty acid binding protein (HFABP) is a low-molecular-weight free protein that is abundant in the intracytoplasmic space of myocytes. Due to its unique features, serum HFABP levels may increase in myocardial ischaemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of myocardial ischaemia induced by dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) on serum HFABP levels.

Comparison of three diuretic treatment strategies for patients with acute decompensated heart failure.

Background: There are few prospective data available for establishing a standard diuretic administration regimen for patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of three regimens of furosemide administration in patients with ADHF with regard to diuresis, renal functions, and in-hospital outcomes.

Methods: A total of 43 patients who presented with ADHF were randomized into three groups: (a) continuous infusion (cIV) of 160 mg furosemide for 16 h/day (n = 15); (b) bolus injections (bI) of 80 mg furosemide twice a day (n = 14); (c) and administration of 160 mg furosemide plus hypertonic saline solution (HSS) as an infusion for 30 min once a day (n = 14).

Evaluation of body composition changes, epicardial adipose tissue, and serum omentin-1 levels in overt hypothyroidism.

Our aim was to investigate body composition changes, epicardial adipose tissue thickness (EATT), serum omentin-1 levels, and the relationship among them along with some atherosclerosis markers in overt hypothyroidism. Twenty-eight newly diagnosed overt hypothyroid patients were evaluated before and after 6 months of thyroid hormone replacement therapy (THRT) and compared to the healthy subjects in this prospective longitudinal study. Body compositions were measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and EATT was measured by echocardiography.

Left ventricular hypertrophy and blood pressure control in automated and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients.

Hypertension, non-dipper blood pressure (BP) pattern and decrease in daily urine output have been associated with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. However, there is lack of data regarding the impact of different PD regimens on these factors. We aimed to investigate the impact of circadian rhythm of BP on LVH in end-stage renal disease patients using automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) modalities.

Fragmented QRS can predict severity of aortic stenosis.

Background: Fragmented QRS (fQRS) is an indicator of nonhomogeneous ventricular activity caused by myocardial fibrosis. Aortic stenosis (AS) is known to be a cause of myocardial fibrosis. We aimed to investigate the relationship of fQRS with severity of AS, echocardiographic, and electrocardiographic findings, and development of atrial fibrillation and manifest heart failure in AS patients.

Characterization of echocardiographic measures of cardiac structure and function in healthy octogenarians.

Background: Currently, there is not enough echocardiographic information regarding aging-associated changes in the octogenarian population. We aimed to characterize echocardiographic measures of structure and function among a group of healthy octogenarians.

Methods: Approximately 350 octogenarians, residing in nursing homes, were screened in Ankara, Turkey.

Association of fragmented QRS complex with myocardial reperfusion in acute ST-elevated myocardial infarction.

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between TIMI myocardial perfusion (TMP) grade, as an indicator of myocardial reperfusion, and fragmented QRS (fQRS) in standard 12-lead electrocardiogram. Also, we evaluate fQRS is an additional indicator of myocardial reperfusion. One hundred patients admitted with first STEMI to Coronary Intensive Care Unit and who were used thrombolytic therapy was included in this retrospective study.

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.

Atrial electromechanical delay and diastolic dysfunction in primary Sjögren syndrome.

Purpose: In this study we aimed to investigate myocardial function and atrial electromechanical properties by conventional and tissue doppler echocardiography in patients with primary Sjögren syndrome.

Methods: Forty patients with Sjögren syndrome (SS) and 25 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study. Using transthoracic echocardiography, myocardial performance index and atrial electromechanical properties were measured.

Oxidative stress in patients with essential hypertension: a comparison of dippers and non-dippers.

Background: Oxidative stress seems to play an important role in the pathophysiology of essential hypertension. We aimed to examine serum MDA, NO, 8-OHdG, ADMA, NT, CoQ10 and TAC as biomarkers of oxidative stress in dipper and non-dipper hypertensive patients.

Methods: Eighteen dipper hypertensives, 20 non-dipper hypertensives and 22 healthy control subjects were included in the study.

Plasma levels and distribution of gene polymorphisms of factor VII in Turkish population.

Three factor VII (FVII) promoter haplotypes are associated with stratified plasma FVII levels. To our knowledge, this is the first study examining the distribution of FVII gene polymorphism and levels in Turkish population. The study population was classified into 3 groups according to the absence of coronary arterial disease and presence or absence of a history of myocardial infarction.

Effect of overweight and obesity on the left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether a association exits among overweight and obesity and left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions in patients admitted with first ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods: The present study was performed on 451 consecutive patients diagnosed with first STEMI (376 men, 75 women; mean age 56.1 ± 10.

Relationship between plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine level and autonomic dysfunction in diabetic patients.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the relationship between plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels and heart rate variability (HRV) in diabetic patients.

Study Design: The study included 100 patients (44 men, 56 women) with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The patients were divided into two groups based on the use of oral antidiabetics (n=67; mean age 54.

Dialysis type may predict carotid intima media thickness and plaque presence in end-stage renal disease patients.

Introduction: Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) and carotid plaques (CP) were shown to be independent predictors of mortality in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. In this study, the authors aimed to compare the two dialysis modalities for CIMT and CP presence (CPP).

Methods: ESRD patients who had been on the same renal replacement therapy for at least 24 months were selected.

Relationship between mean platelet volume and left ventricular systolic function in patients with metabolic syndrome and ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Purpose: Mean platelet volume (MPV) is an indicator of platelet activation, which is a central process in the pathophysiology of coronary heart disease. Metabolic syndrome (MS) may lead to worsened left ventricular systolic function by causing recurrent thrombotic events and by aggravating systemic inflammation in the course of acute myocardial infarction. The present study was designed to investigate the relationship between MPV and left ventricular systolic function in patients with metabolic syndrome who had first ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Fungal endocarditis involving rheumatic mitral valve in a young man.

Fungal endocarditis is a relatively rare condition with particular difficulties in diagnosis and treatment. These difficulties lead to higher rates of mortality and morbidity. We report the successful treatment of a patient with rheumatic mitral valve who had fungal endocarditis due to Cushing syndrome caused by iatrogenic corticosteroid supplement.

Plasma osteopontin levels in prediction of prognosis in acute myocardial infarction.

Objective: We sought to explain the clinical importance of the osteopontin (OPN) in the setting of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods: Eighty consecutive patients (55 = 11 years, 12 women and 68 men) and sixty healthy control subjects were included in the study. In all patients, plasma OPN levels were assessed on admission and on the third day (peak value).

Patient with Takayasu arteritis presented as cardiogenic shock.

Takayasu arteritis is a chronic inflammatory disease involving the aorta, its main branches and affects particularly young women. Symptomatic coronary artery disease and cardiogenic shock are rare signs of Takayasu arteritis. We describe a 47-year-old male patient in whom cardiogenic shock was the initial presentation of Takayasu arteritis with coronary, subclavian, celiac and total abdominal aortic occlusion.

The relationship between admission hemoglobin level and left ventricular systolic functions in patients with first ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to evaluate the relationship between admission hemoglobin levels and left ventricular systolic functions in patients admitted with first ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Study Design: The study was conducted prospectively in three centers in 483 consecutive patients (402 men, 81 women; mean age 56.5 ± 11.

Coronary heart disease is associated with mean platelet volume in type 2 diabetic patients.

Background: Mean platelet volume (MPV) is an indicator of platelet activation which is a central process in the pathophysiology of coronary heart disease (CHD). The aim of the study was twofold; first to determine whether MPV values is increased in patients with DM, and secondly to evaluate the relation between diabetic complications and MPV.

Methods: The study population included 258 patients divided into two groups.

Relationship between elevated platelet volume and saphenous vein graft disease.

Background: Saphenous vein graft (SVG) disease is the major determinant of long term graft viability in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Although, platelets play a major role in this pathogenetic process the nature of this interaction has not been yet been clarified. Mean platelet volume (MPV) reflects platelet production rate and stimulation.