Evaluation of risk factors for long-term atrial fibrillation development in patients undergoing typical atrial flutter ablation: a multicenter pilot study.

Background: Atrial flutter (AFL) and atrial fibrillation (AF) are the most commonly detected supraventricular arrhythmias and share similar pathophysiological mechanisms. After the successful ablation of AFL, AF frequently occurs in the long-term follow-up. As emphasized in some studies, certain mechanisms seem to predispose to the development of AF in AFL patients, and approximately 20% of these patients have accompanying AFL.

Usefulness of triglyceride-glucose index and homeostatic model assessment for predicting coronary microvascular dysfunction.

Background: Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is a common occurrence in individuals with insulin resistance (IR). Homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) is a widely used surrogate marker of IR, although recent studies suggest triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is a superior marker of IR that had a better accuracy to predict type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular outcomes than HOMA-IR.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the accuracy and usefulness of TyG index and HOMA-IR for predicting CMD as assessed with echocardiographic coronary flow reserve (CFR) measurement.

Osteoprotegerin is associated with subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction in non-dipper hypertensive patients: a 2D speckle tracking echocardiographic study.

Background: Past studies have shown that non-dipper hypertensive patients have more frequent subclinical left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction compared to dippers. Many different parameters have been examined to predict subclinical LV dysfunction. The role of osteoprotegerin (OPG) in the pathogenesis of heart failure and LV systolic dysfunction through different mechanisms had well described.

[Evaluation of the operator learning curve for radiofrequency ablation for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia].

Aim    The aim of this study was to determine the average minimum number of slow pathway ablation procedures required to reach a steady success rate among inexperienced operators.Material and Methods    We analyzed the consecutive AVNRT ablation procedures of three inexperienced operators for the rate of operational success and complications.Results    Operators performed a total of 156 AVNRT ablation procedures.

Effect of altitude on ticagrelor-induced dyspnea in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Objective: This study aimed to define the association between altitude and ticagrelor-associated dyspnea in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Methods: We studied consecutive patients with de novo ACS who were admitted to two centers at a low altitude (18 and 25 m, n = 65) and two centers at a high altitude (1313 and 1041 m, n = 136). We managed them with ticagrelor between May 2017 and September 2017.

Risk Factors for Mortality in Patients with Bloodstream Infections in Immunocompetent Patients.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate bloodstream infections caused by in immunocompetent patients with respect to clinical features and risk factors for mortality.

Methods: We reviewed bloodstream infections detected between January 1, 2012, and July 1, 2021, to identify nosocomial bacteremia in Koşuyolu Research and Training Hospital.

Results: We identified a total of 97 patients with bloodstream infections.

Eosinophil-to-Monocyte Ratio as a Candidate for a Novel Prognostic Marker in Acute Pulmonary Embolism: Is it a Consumptive Mechanism?

Background: The role of eosinophils in thrombotic processes is well known, and the prognostic value of eosinophil to monocyte ratio had been determined in patients with ST elevated myocardial infarction and acute ischemic stroke in recent studies. We aimed to evaluate the impact of the eosinophil-to-monocyte ratio on short- and long-term allcause mortality in patients with pulmonary embolism, which is another clinical condition closely related to the thrombotic pathway.

Methods: In this study, a total of 212 retrospectively evaluated patients with intermediate-high risk and high-risk pulmonary embolism who underwent catheter-directed therapies with ultrasound-assisted thrombolysis or rheolytic thrombectomy (Angiojet©) and intravenous thrombolytic treatment were included.

The prognostic value of time from symptom onset to thrombolysis in patients with pulmonary embolism.

Background: According to clinical practice guidelines, thrombolysis can be administered during the 14 days after the beginning of symptoms in PE. However, the role of the early thrombolysis in PE has not been comprehensively investigated. In this study we evaluated the effect of short symptom-to-thrombolysis time (STT) in these patients who received the thrombolytic therapy within the 48-h.

Evaluation of pericardiocentesis videos on YouTube as a reliable source for on-line education in the COVID-19 period.

Introduction: Pericardiocentesis is an invasive procedure performed to drain fluid from the pericardial cavity.

Aim: We investigated the quality of videos about pericardiocentesis on YouTube and analysed their reliability and teaching properties, in the covid 19 period when online education has come to the fore.

Material And Methods: We searched YouTube using the terms "pericardiocentesis, cardiac tamponade, pericardial effusion, pericardial effusion drainage, pericardial tamponade" for uploaded videos.

Relationship Between Serum Magnesium Level and Insulin Resistance in Turkey Non-obese Adult Population.

The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) is widely used in clinical practice to estimate insulin resistance. In particular, magnesium (Mg) is an extensively studied mineral that has been shown to function in the management of hyperglycemia and insulin resistance (IR) action. The pathophysiology of IR in non-obese patients has not been clearly demonstrated.

Crochetage sign may predict late atrial arrhythmias in patients with secundum atrial septal defect undergoing transcatheter closure.

Background: Atrial arrhythmias are well-known complications of atrial septal defect (ASD), and associated with substantial morbidity. After ASD closure, right atrial and ventricular enlargement regresses, however, the risk of atrial arrhythmia development continues. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the Crochetage sign, which is a possible reflection of heterogeneous ventricular depolarization due to long-term hemodynamic overload, and the development of late atrial arrhythmia after ASD closure.

The usefulness of morphology-voltage-P wave duration ECG score for predicting early left atrial dysfunction in hypertensive patients.

Objective: Left atrial (LA) function is an important predictor of adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with hypertension (HT). Therefore, recognition of subtle LA dysfunction in the early stages of HT is essential for controlling modifiable variables. Several electrocardiographic and echocardiographic parameters have been studied to show early LA dysfunction.

Right ventricular free wall perforation during pericardiocentesis, and an inappropriate device selection for percutaneous treatment.

Right ventricular (RV) perforation is a rare but life-threatening complication of pericardiocentesis and is usually treated surgically. We presented a case of RV free wall perforation, which occurred during pericardiocentesis and tried to be closed percutaneously with the Amplatzer vascular plug-III (AVP-III) device. The occluder device sealed the perforation, but it was in an insecure position; therefore, the patient underwent surgical repair.

Presence of ear lobe crease may predict intermediate and high-risk patients with acute non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome.

Ear lobe crease (ELC) was first described in 1973 as a physical examination finding indicating significant coronary artery disease (CAD). Several studies have been carried out in relation to this finding, and it has been shown that it is a marker of intima-media thickness, carotid artery disease, and CAD. We aimed to investigate the relationship between earlobe crease, which is a simple physical examination finding, and GRACE score as a risk estimation index in acute coronary syndromes without ST-segment elevation (NSTE-ACS) patients.

Insulin-like growth factor-1 levels predict myocardial injury and infarction after elective percutaneous coronary intervention: an optical coherence tomography study.

Introduction: Periprocedural myocardial necrosis, which can range from a low level elevation of cardiac biomarkers to a large myocardial infarction (MI), is a common complication after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Aim: We hypothesized that insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels may play a protective role in myocardial injury after coronary stent placement and aimed to investigate the relationship between IGF-1 levels and plaque characteristics assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Material And Methods: Between May 2015 and December 2015 we prospectively enrolled 74 patients with stable angina pectoris in whom single de novo coronary artery stenosis was present.

The relationship between presystolic wave and nondipper hypertension.

Background: A presystolic wave (PSW) is commonly seen on Doppler examination of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT), and the possible mechanism for PSW is considered to be left ventricular stiffness and impaired LV compliance. We aimed to compare the relationship between PSW and dipper, nondipper hypertension.

Patients And Methods: A total of 83 patients were included in the study.

Atrial peak longitudinal strain may be predictive of pancolitis in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Background: Ulcerative colitis is a chronic idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease of the colon that is characterized by a relapsing and remitting course. Previous studies have shown that arterial stiffness, carotid intima media thickness, atrial electromechanical delay, and global longitudinal strain suggested subclinical cardiovascular disorders in ulcerative colitis patients. The aims of our study was to evaluate the left atrial function of patients with ulcerative colitis by using speckle tracking echocardiography, and to assess the relationship between echocardiographic variables and the extent of the disease.

A Pushed Descending Aorta due to Hiatal Hernia.

A 91-year-old female patient was admitted to hospital for evaluation of transcatheter aortic valve implantation. A chest radiography showed a hiatal hernia, and the stomach and duodenum appeared in the thoracic cavity. The descending aorta was pushed by the stomach and duodenum.

Thrombus Formation in the Right Atrium after Surgical Closure of Atrial Septal Defect.

Atrial septal defect is the most common congenital lesion in adults following bicuspid aortic valve. There are two closure strategies as follows: one surgical and the other percutaneous. Various complications such as atrial arrhythmias and development of thrombus have been reported after surgical closure.

Validation of Renal Risk Score Models for Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery in Diabetic Patients.

Background: Coronary artery bypass grafting is applicable with very low mortality and morbidity rates around the world. However, exposure to even one of the risk factors increases mortality and morbidity significantly. There are three acute kidney injury definitions, and classification methods are applicable (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO); Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss of kidney function and End-stage kidney disease (RIFLE);" (for accuracy) and Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN)), for understanding and grading of renal impairment.

Cephalic vein thrombosis.

An 83-year-old male patient presented to the outpatient clinic with complaint of swelling at right antecubital area. Ultrasonographic examination of the right upper extremity revealed a mass lesion within the right cephalic vein, which was consistent with thrombus. A computed tomography (CT) venography showed contrast enhancement in cephalic vein at distal arm and an aneurysmatic thrombus area displaying regular borders with a size of 28*30 mm; there was no contrast enhancement at more proximal levels at the cephalic vein.

Frozen Elephant Trunk and Antegrade Visceral Debranching in the Surgical Treatment of Type B Aortic Dissection: An Alternative Method.

Intervention is inevitable in complicated Type B aortic dissections. Classical surgical procedures and endovascular interventions are far from ideal treatments due to their high risk of periprocedural complications and mortality. There is often a need for alternative method in cases of difficult anatomy.