Development of In-Hospital and Discharge Protocols for Optimal Lipid-Lowering Strategies in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome in Türkiye: Expert Guidance.

Although guidelines strongly recommend low levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), these goals are not achieved in many patients. We present expert recommendations for the in-hospital and post-discharge management of lipid-lowering therapy in ACS patients in Türkiye. A group of expert cardiologists comprising members of the Turkish Society of Cardiology and leading lipidologists who have all worked in national cardiology lipid working groups for at least 4 years, considered the optimal approach to lipid management in ACS patients in Türkiye, taking into account Turkish healthcare infrastructure and issues from real-world practice.

Evaluation of right ventricular mechanics using exercise echocardiography in asymptomatic patients with severe mitral stenosis.

We aimed to evaluate the effect of exercise echocardiography (EE) on Right ventricular (RV) deformation parameters in asymptomatic patients with severe rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS) (mitral valve area ≤ 1.5 cm, stage C) and to determine the relation between symptoms and severity of MS. 38 rheumatic MS patients in stage C underwent EE.

Assessment of Lipoprotein (a) Levels in Patients with Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: Single Center Experience from Türkiye.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the role of elevated lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] levels as a potential contributor to residual risk in individuals with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Considering that approximately 90% of Lp(a) levels are genetically determined and can vary regionally, we assessed Lp(a) levels in a cohort of ASCVD patients from the Turkish population, where data is currently limited.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of data and Lp(a) measurements collected from individuals diagnosed with ASCVD at a single center.

Adherence to Current Dyslipidemia Guideline in Patients Utilizing Statins According to Risk Groups and Gender Differences: The AIZANOI Study.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the adherence to the current European Society of Cardiology dyslipidemia guidelines, the ratio of reaching target values according to risk groups, and the reasons for not reaching LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) goals in patients on already statin therapy in a cardiology outpatient population.

Methods: The AIZANOI study is a multi-center, cross-sectional observational study including conducted in 9 cardiology centers between August 1, 2021, and November 1, 2021.

Results: A total of 1225 patients (mean age 62 ± 11 years, 366 female) who were already on statin therapy for at least 3 months were included.

Assessment of Right Ventricular Systolic Function with 3-Dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography in Isolated Mild Mitral Stenosis.

Background: In rheumatic severe mitral stenosis, right ventricular mechanics deteriorate with the increasing severity of mitral stenosis. Therefore, we aimed to investigate right ventricular mechanics in patients with mild mitral stenosis using 3-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography.

Methods: In total, 40 patients with mild mitral stenosis and 36 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were included.

Dynamic Change of Left Ventricular Mechanics in Patients with Acute Myocarditis with Preserved Left Ventricular Systolic Function: A 2-Year Follow-up Study.

Objective: Acute myocarditis mimics acute coronary syndrome due to its clinical course and presentation. This study aimed to evaluate left ventricular longitudinal and circumferential functions during the acute phase and late phase of acute myocarditis with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction using 2-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography.

Methods: Forty-one consecutive acute myocarditis patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction confirmed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging underwent 2-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography within the first week of hospital admission.

Assessment of Atrial Conduction Times in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Parkinson's Disease.

Background: An increased risk of ischemic stroke has been reported in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Atrial fibrillation (AF) is strongly associated with ischemic stroke. Prolonged atrial electromechanical delay (EMD) is an independent predictor for the development of AF.

Sublingual vs. Oral Captopril in Hypertensive Crisis.

Background: There are confusing data in literature regarding oral and sublingual captopril effects over blood pressure (BP) decrease.

Objectives: In our study we compared oral and sublingual captopril effectiveness over BP decrease in patients admitted to our Emergency Department with hypertensive urgency.

Methods: Our study was conducted from January 2012 to January 2013 in patients with hypertensive urgency.

Immediate electrical storm of Torsades de Pointes after CRT-D implantation in an ischemic cardiomyopathy patient.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (CRT-D) is the preferred treatment for patients with severe heart failure, dyssynchrony, and an increased risk of sudden cardiac death or for primary ventricular arrhythmia survivors. Rarely, left ventricular epicardial pacing can induce ventricular tachyarrhythmia rather than a beneficial effect. We describe an ischemic cardiomyopathy patient who underwent CRT-D therapy and developed sustained torsades de pointes (TdP) immediately after switching to biventricular pacing (BVP) mode.

The independent assocıatıon of plateletcrıt wıth long-term outcomes in patıents undergoıng prımary percutaneous coronary interventıon.

Purpose: Platelets play a key role in the genesis of thrombosis. Plateletcrit (PCT) provides complete information on total platelet mass. The relationship between PCT values and long-term outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who undergo primary angioplasty is not known.

In vitro set-up of modified Blalock Taussig shunt: vascular resistance-flow relationship.

Background: A modified Blalock-Taussig (mBT) shunt is an anastomosis created between the systemic and pulmonary arterial tree in order to improve pulmonary blood flow in neonates and children with congenital heart disease. The aim of this study was to assess vascular resistance-flow relationship in an in vitro set-up of a modified Blalock Taussig shunt.

Methods: A shunt set-up was constructed with the vessels of a sheep.