Identifying risk factors for blood culture negative infective endocarditis: An international ID-IRI study.

Background: Blood culture-negative endocarditis (BCNE) is a diagnostic challenge, therefore our objective was to pinpoint high-risk cohorts for BCNE.

Methods: The study included adult patients with definite endocarditis. Data were collected via the Infectious Diseases International Research Initiative (ID-IRI).

Ongoing assertion of two-dimensional measurements on differentiation type of left ventricular hypertrophy: Focus on inferior vena cava.

Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), including hypertensive LVH, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and cardiac amyloidosis (CA), is a commonly encountered condition in cardiology practice, presenting challenges in differential diagnosis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the importance of echocardiographic evaluation of the inferior vena cava (IVC) in distinguishing LVH subtypes including hypertensive LVH, HCM, and CA.

Methods: In this retrospective study, patients with common causes of LVH including hypertensive LVH, HCM, and CA were included.

Changes in Acute Coronary Syndrome Clinic after the Devastating Earthquake in Türkiye.

Background: We aimed to investigate the clinical and angiographic characteristics of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who survived this devastating earthquake and were admitted to our hospital in Antakya/Türkiye.

Methods: We retrospectively examined the impact of the earthquake on the occurrences of acute coronary syndromes in Antakya/Türkiye. All 248 consecutive patients with ACS, also survivors of the earthquake in Antakya, were enrolled as the earthquake group.

Association of atherogenic indices with myocardial damage and mortality in COVID-19.

Background: Lipoproteins in cell membranes are related to membrane stability and play a role against microorganisms. Patients with COVID-19 often experience myocyte membrane damage.

Objective: This study aimed to search the relationship of atherogenic indices with myocardial damage and mortality in COVID-19.

Turkish Real Life Atrial Fibrillation in Clinical Practice: TRAFFIC Study.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent cardiac arrhythmia worldwide and is associated with an increased risk of thromboembolism, ischemic stroke, impaired quality of life, and mortality. The latest research that shows the prevalence and incidence of AF patients in Türkiye was the Turkish Adults' Heart Disease and Risk Factors study, which included 3,450 patients and collected data until 2006/07.The Turkish Real Life Atrial Fibrillation in Clinical Practice (TRAFFIC) study is planned to present current prevalence data, reveal the reflection of new treatment and risk approaches in our country, and develop new prediction models in terms of outcomes.

Comparison of Ticagrelor and Clopidogrel in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome at High Bleeding or Ischemic Risk.

Current guidelines recommend individualizing the choice and duration of P2Y inhibitor therapy based on the trade-off between bleeding and ischemic risk. However, whether a potent P2Y inhibitor (ticagrelor) or a less potent one (clopidogrel) is more appropriate in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the setting of high bleeding or ischemic risk is not clear. The study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of clopidogrel and ticagrelor in patients with ACS at high bleeding or ischemic risk.

Results of surgical treatment of pulmonary artery sarcomas: Does histology affect survival?

Background: In this study, we aimed to describe our experience with primary pulmonary artery sarcoma in patients who underwent pulmonary endarterectomy and to evaluate clinical features, treatment, outcomes, and survival rates according to the histological subtypes of this malignant disease.

Methods: Between March 2011 and May 2022, a total of 13 patients (7 males, 6 females; mean age: 52.6±13.

Risk of Venous Thromboembolism with Statins: Evidence Gathered via a Network Meta-analysis.

Background: Anticoagulants are the mainstay of treatment for venous thromboembolism (VTE). Studies have shown conflicting results regarding statins ability to reduce the incidence of VTE.

Aims: To perform a network meta-analysis to determine which lipid-lowering agent was more efficacious in and had more evidence regarding reducing the VTE risk.

The relationship between venous insufficiency and serum magnesium level.

Background: Magnesium is the second most common cation in the cell. In addition to its role as a cofactor in many enzymatic pathways in physiological processes, it is necessary for the regular functioning of vascular smooth muscle cells. Magnesium deficiency has been associated with exacerbation of inflammation, which plays a role in the aetiopathogenesis of many diseases.

Risk factors for coronary arterial involvement in Turkish children with Kawasaki disease: a multicenter retrospective study.

Background: Coronary arterial lesions (CALs) are the major component of Kawasaki disease (KD), associated with significant morbidity, which affect a substantial proportion of patients despite proper treatment. The aim of this study was to define the risk factors for CALs in Turkish children with KD.

Methods: Medical records of 399 KD patients from five pediatric rheumatology centers in Turkey were reviewed retrospectively.

The Safety and Tolerability of Nebivolol in Hypertensive Patients with Coronary Artery Disease and Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction ≥ 40%: A Population-Based Cohort Study (Nebivolol-TR Study).

Background: This study aimed to assess the safety and tolerability of nebivolol in hypertensive patients with coronary artery disease and left ventricular ejection fraction ≥ 40% in a Turkish cohort.

Methods: A total of 1015 hypertensive patients and coronary artery disease with left ventricular ejection fraction ≥ 40% were analyzed from 29 different centers in Turkey. Primary outcomes were the mean change in blood pressure and heart rate.

The effect of prior COVID-19 infection on coronary microvascular dysfunction.

Background: Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction Frame Count (TFC) is an index that provides a quantitative evaluation of coronary microvascular dysfunction. In this study, we aimed to examine the effect of COVID-19 infection on TFC in patients admitted with chest pain and dyspnoea after COVID-19 disease and had abnormal findings in myocardial perfusion scintigraphy.

Methods: For this single-center retrospective study, patients with and without a history of COVID-19 who were underwent coronary angiography for abnormal findings in myocardial perfusion scintigraphy between January 1, 2021 and June 30, 2021 were analysed.

Long-term Results of Splenectomy in Transfusion-dependent Thalassemia.

Splenectomy is indicated in transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) only in certain situations. This study aimed to present the effectiveness, complications, and long-term follow-up results of splenectomy in children with TDT. We performed a 30-year single-institution analysis of cases of splenectomy for TDT between 1987 and 2017 and their follow-up until 2021.

Triglyceride glucose index reflects the unfavorable changes of left ventricular diastolic functions and structure in uncomplicated newly diagnosed hypertensive patients.

Introduction: Left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction and structural abnormalities are common cardiac changes in hypertension (HTN), and several factors other than high blood pressure (BP) may play a role in these changes. The aim of this study was to reveal the relationship between triglyceride glucose (TyG) index, a novel parameter for insulin resistance (IR), with LV diastolic function and structure in hypertensive patients.

Material And Method: A total of 119 newly diagnosed, untrated hypertensive patients free of diabetes and/or cardiovascular complications were included in this study.

SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging identifies myocardial ischemia in patients with a history of COVID-19 without coronary artery disease.

We aimed to examine the effect of a history of COVID-19 on myocardial ischemia in single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in patients who presented with shortness of breath and/or chest pain after recovery. For this single-center retrospective study, patients who presented at cardiology outpatient clinics and had SPECT-MPI were screened. A total of 1888 patients were included in the study, 340 of whom had a history of COVID-19.

Relationship of magnesemia with myocardial damage and mortality in patients with COVID-19.

Magnesium (Mg) is the second most abundant intracellular cation and plays a significant role in immune system and cardiac protection. Mg deficiency contributes to chronic low-grade inflammation leading to cardiovascular diseases, and low Mg level exacerbates virus-induced inflammation. The aim of the study was to investigate whether serum magnesium level is associated with myocardial damage and prognosis of COVID-19.

Clinical efficacy, safety, tolerability, and survival outcome of long-term inhaled iloprost treatment in the management of pulmonary arterial hypertension: Data from prospective multicenter observational OPTION study.

Objective: To evaluate clinical efficacy, safety and tolerability of long-term inhaled iloprost treatment in the daily practice for the management of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

Methods: A total of 115 patients with PAH on inhaled iloprost treatment were included. New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels, and 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) were recorded at baseline and at 3rd to 24th month visits.

In-hospital and short-term predictors of mortality in patients with intermediate-high risk pulmonary embolism.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in-hospital and short-term predictive factors of mortality in intermediate-high risk acute pulmonary embolism (PE) patients with right ventricle (RV)dysfunction and myocardial injury. In this retrospective study, the medical records of 187 patients with a diagnosis of intermediate high risk acute PE were evaluated. A contrast-enhanced multi-detector pulmonary angiography was used to confirm diagnosis in all cases.

Relationship between the infarct localization and left ventricular rotation parameters following acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Objective: This study was an investigation of the role of left ventricular (LV) apical rotation seen in the early period after myocardial infarction (MI) in predicting infarct localization.

Methods: A total of 124 patients with a ST-Segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) diagnosis who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and 50 healthy volunteers with similar demographic characteristics were included in the study. The relationship between 2-dimenstional speckle tracking echocardiography (STE)-guided LV apical rotation angle measurements and technetium-99m sestamibi-single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)-guided infarct localization was evaluated.

Probability of major depression diagnostic classification based on the SCID, CIDI and MINI diagnostic interviews controlling for Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale - Depression subscale scores: An individual participant data meta-analysis of 73 primary studies.

Objective: Two previous individual participant data meta-analyses (IPDMAs) found that different diagnostic interviews classify different proportions of people as having major depression overall or by symptom levels. We compared the odds of major depression classification across diagnostic interviews among studies that administered the Depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-D).

Methods: Data accrued for an IPDMA on HADS-D diagnostic accuracy were analysed.

Development and Validation of a Scale to Measure Fear of Activity in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease (Fact-CAD).

Objective: To develop and validate a scale to measure fear of activity in patients with coronary artery disease.

Design: Psychometric study.

Setting: Outpatient cardiology clinics.

Next-generation ARIA care pathways for rhinitis and asthma: a model for multimorbid chronic diseases.

Background: In all societies, the burden and cost of allergic and chronic respiratory diseases are increasing rapidly. Most economies are struggling to deliver modern health care effectively. There is a need to support the transformation of the health care system into integrated care with organizational health literacy.