Long-Term Follow-Up of Patients With Isolated Side Branch Coronary Artery Disease.

The data with respect to stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) are mainly confined to main vessel disease. However, there is a lack of information and long-term outcomes regarding isolated side branch disease. This study aimed to evaluate long-term major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) in patients with isolated side branch coronary artery disease (CAD).

Avoiding the emergence of contrast-induced acute kidney injury in acute coronary syndrome: routine hydration treatment.

Background: Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have about a three-fold risk for developing contrast-induced acute kidney injury(CI-AKI). Investigating studies on routine hydration therapy have frequently included patients with stable coronary artery disease and high risk of CI-AKI [estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 ml/min]. However, data on routine hydration treatment in non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients with eGFR ≥60 ml/min are insufficient.

The relationship between protein convertase subtilisin kexin type-9 levels and extent of coronary artery disease in patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. According to the results of various studies, protein convertase subtilisin kexin type-9 (PCSK9) was determined as a novel risk factor for stable coronary artery disease. Few studies have investigated the relationship between PCSK9 levels and the severity of coronary artery disease in patients with acute coronary syndrome; thus, we herein aimed to investigate this relationship in patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) who underwent coronary angiography.

Effect of chronic toluene exposure on heart rhythm parameters.

Background: Toluene is used extensively in various industrial processes, and an increasing number of workers are getting exposed to its vapor. Cardiac abnormalities that have been reported in association with toluene exposure (in toxic doses) are atrioventricular conduction abnormalities, sinus bradycardia, ventricular tachycardia, recurrent myocardial infarction, dilated cardiomyopathy, and coronary vasospasm.

Hypothesis: We aimed to investigate the effects of chronic toluene exposure on cardiac rhythm.

Secondary prevention of coronary heart disease in elderly population of Turkey: A subgroup analysis of ELDERTURK study.

Background: Secondary prevention plays an important role after acute coronary event due to high risk of adverse events in elderly. In present study we aimed to evaluate the lifestyle, management of risk factors and medical treatment for secondary protection in elderly patients with known coronary heart disease (CHD).

Methods: ELDERTURK is a non-interventional, multi-centered, observational study, which included total of 5694 elderly patients ( > 65 years) from 50 centers in Turkey.

Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury Is Associated With Long-Term Adverse Events in Patients With Acute Coronary syndrome.

Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is associated with increased mortality, morbidity, and prolonged hospitalization. Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have a 3-fold higher risk of developing CI-AKI. The aim of our study was to evaluate the predictors of CI-AKI and long-term prognosis in patients with ACS who developed CI-AKI (1083 patients were enrolled).

Relationship between myocardial performance index and severity of coronary artery disease in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the relationship between myocardial performance index (MPI) and severity of coronary artery disease, as assessed by the Gensini score (GS), in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).

Methods: Ninety patients with an initial diagnosis of NSTEMI were enrolled in our study. They were divided into tertiles according to the GS: low GS < 19; mid GS > 19 and ≤ 96; and high GS > 96.

Right ventricular outflow tract tachycardia after an initial dose of amantadine.

Amantadine hydrochloride is an antiviral agent that is also effective in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. In the literature, cardiac arrhythmia is reported in toxic doses of amantadine, but in this paper we report a patient with right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) tachycardia after an initial dose of amantadine. A 47-year-old female patient was admitted to the emergency department with the complaint of palpitation and dizziness after taking 200 mg amantadine.

Comparison of rosuvastatin versus atorvastatin for preventing postoperative atrial fibrillation.

Background: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) following cardiac surgery is associated with an increased risk of stroke, prolonged hospitalization, and increased costs. Statin therapy is associated with a lower incidence of postoperative AF. We aimed to compare the preventive effects of rosuvastatin and atorvastatin on postoperative AF.

Aspirin resistance: Where are we now?

Aspirin is an effective antiplatelet drug for preventing thrombo-embolic vascular events. However, clinical and laboratory evidence demonstrates diminished or no response to aspirin in some patients that is called aspirin resistance. This situation has been reported to be independently associated with an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events.

Matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 levels in patients with dilated ascending aorta and bicuspid aortic valve.

Background: Predictors of aortic dilatation are not well-described in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). Changes in extracellular matrix composition in the aortic wall may play an important role. Our study aimed to examine the relationship between ascending aortic dilatation and biochemical markers for collagen metabolism, such as matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) levels in patients with BAV.

[Successful percutaneous cryoablation of recurrent atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia after radiofrequency ablation].

A 21-year-old male patient underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation for refractory attacks of supraventricular tachycardia. One month after the procedure, he developed recurrent atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia, for which percutaneous cryoablation was performed. Programmed atrial stimulation at the end of cryoablation did not induce an atrio-His (AH) jump or tachycardia.

[New discoveries in the mechanisms of apoptosis and cell survival and novel potential therapeutic strategies].

New discoveries in the mechanisms of apoptosis and cell survival have been a major breakthrough in biological sciences in recent years of the new millennium. Apoptosis is genetically programmed cell death in any nucleated cells of the organism. This type of cell death occurs through different mechanisms from those seen in necrosis and complement lysis of any cell, without affecting the neighboring cells.

How does neonatal thymectomy affect the immune system?

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of neonatal thymectomy on the immune system in later life.

Methods And Results: Immune system tests were performed in 26 children at 1 year of age. Thirteen of them had been operated for transposition of the great arteries and had thymectomy in the same operation in the neonatal period.

Effects of phentolamine on tissue perfusion in pediatric cardiac surgery.

Objective: To evaluate whether the deleterious effects of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) can be overcome by phentolamine-induced pharmacologic vasodilation in pediatric patients with congenital heart disease.

Design: Prospective, randomized, clinical study.

Setting: Single university hospital.