Effect of blood donation-mediated volume reduction on regional right ventricular deformation in healthy subjects.

Strain (S) and strain rate (SR) are known to be altered in diseases associated with right ventricular (RV) pressure/volume overload and RV myocardial dysfunction; however determinants of S/SR are incompletely understood. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of blood donation-mediated volume reduction on regional RV deformation in healthy young adults. Study population was composed of 61 consecutive healthy subjects who were volunteers for blood donation.

The effect of nebivolol on internal mammary artery blood flow during coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Background: During coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), one of the most important complications related to the internal mammary artery (IMA) is perioperative spasm. Nebivolol causes endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation by increasing nitric oxide (NO) release and prevents endothelial dysfunction in long-term use. In our study, we measured the effect of a third generation beta blocker, nebivolol, on the flow dynamics of IMA grafts.

Retrieval of a malpositioned left subclavian artery stent from the ascending aorta: combined percutaneous and surgical management.

Chronic upper limb ischemia is an uncommon clinical condition and is most often caused by subclavian artery stenosis. Surgical and percutaneous treatment modalities have been shown to be effective for the management of subclavian artery occlusion. Because of lower mortality and morbidity rates, percutaneous interventions for subclavian arterial occlusions are more acceptable than surgery.

Mean platelet volume levels in patients with cardiac myxoma.

Thromboembolic events such as cerebrovascular stroke are common and serious complications in patients with cardiac myxomas (CMs). Previous studies have reported that a high mean platelet volume (MPV) level reflects an activated platelet function and has been proven to be an independent risk factor for thromboembolic events. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation between MPV level and CM.

Huge aortic pseudoaneurysm arising from the aorta-saphenous vein graft anastomosis after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Pseudoaneurysm of the aortic root is a rare condition and potentially fatal if not treated. It may occur in different etiologies. In this case, we aim to show an aortic pseudoaneurysm arising from the aorta-saphenous vein graft anastomosis.

Are we aware of stent fracture?

Drug-eluting stents (DESs) have dramatically reduced the rates of in-stent restenosis compared with those of bare-metal stents. DES placement is frequently followed by high-pressure postdilatation to prevent incomplete stent apposition that may cause a further stent fracture (SF). SF may remain asymptomatic but it is an important cause of stent thrombosis, can be difficult to diagnose, and may be life-threatening.

The relation of platelet-lymphocyte ratio and coronary collateral circulation in patients with stable angina pectoris and chronic total occlusion.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the relationship between the platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and coronary collateral circulation (CCC) in patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP) and chronic total occlusion (CTO).

Methods: A total of 294 patients with both SAP and CTO were classified according to their Rentrop collateral grades as either poor (Rentrop grades/0-1) or good (Rentrop grades/2-3).

Results: The PLR values were significantly higher in patients with poor CCC than in those with good CCC (156.

The relationship between gamma-glutamyltransferase and coronary collateral circulation in patients with chronic total occlusion.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation between blood gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) levels and coronary collateral circulation in patients with chronic total occlusion (CTO).

Methods: Two hundred twenty-two patients with chronic stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and CTO were included in this cross-sectional, observational study. Coronary collaterals were graded from 0 to 3 according to the Rentrop method.

Coeliac disease-associated antibodies in psoriasis.

Background: The possible relationship between psoriasis and coeliac disease (CD) has been attributed to the common pathogenic mechanisms of the two diseases and the presence of antigliadin antibodies in patients has been reported to increase the incidence of CD.

Objective: The aim of this report was to study CD-associated antibodies serum antigliadin antibody immunoglobulin (Ig)A, IgG, anti-endomysial antibody IgA and anti-transglutaminase antibody IgA and to demonstrate whether there is an increase in the frequency of those markers of CD in patients with psoriasis.

Methods: Serum antigliadin antibody IgG and IgA, antiendomysial antibody IgA and anti-transglutaminase antibody IgA were studied in 37 (19 males) patients with psoriasis and 50 (23 males) healthy controls.

"Rescue administration" of intracoronary thrombolytic therapy for drug-eluting stent thrombosis.

Stent thrombosis is an example of device-induced, platelet-mediated arterial thrombosis with a potentially fatal adverse event that often leads to myocardial infarction and/or death. The optimal treatment of patients with drug-eluting stent thrombosis in whom mechanical thrombectomy has failed is not established. This case demonstrates the usefulness of intracoronary thrombolysis after failed mechanical thrombectomy in patients with stent thrombosis.

Treating thrombus in the coronary arteries.

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has greatly improved outcomes in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and has, therefore, become the preferred reperfusion strategy for this patient group. The goal of primary PCI is to achieve a thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) 3 flow and also to restore adequate perfusion at the myocardial level. Distal thrombus embolization during primary PCI occurs frequently and is also associated with compromised long-term outcomes.

The effect of cilostazol on right heart function and pulmonary pressure.

Introduction: Cilostazol is a PDE3 inhibitor and used to treat peripheral arterial disease. There are few reports on the influence of cilostazol on heart.

Aims: The aim of this study was to assess this effect on right ventricular function and pulmonary artery pressure.

Unreported cardiac arrhythmias in aluminium worker.

Aluminium (Al) is the third most prevalent element, representing approximately 8% of total mineral components in the earth's crust (1). Chronic exposure to Al is mainly encountered at particular work places, for example, in foundries or in the Al powder industry, as an occupational exposure. In case of occupational Al exposure, inhalation is the main route of uptake.

Decreased plasma adiponectin is associated with impaired left ventricular longitudinal systolic function in hypertensive patients: a two-dimensional speckle tracking study.

The influence of plasma adiponectin levels on myocardial contractile function has not been fully examined. We aimed to investigate the relationship between three-directional systolic function and plasma adiponectin levels in asymptomatic hypertensive patients using two- dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography. The study population consisted of 78 patients with hypertension and 40 healthy controls.

Echocardiographic evaluation of right ventricular functions after successful percutaneous recanalization of right coronary artery chronic total occlusions.

Background: No data exist on regarding possible improvement will occur in right ventricular (RV) functions after successful recanalization of right coronary artery chronic total occlusions (RCA CTOs).

Aim: Our aim was to evaluate the revascularization induced changes in RV functions by novel echocardiographic techniques like tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and two dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE).

Patients And Methods: Forty-one consecutive successfully recanalized patients with RCA CTOs were included in our study.

Safety of balloon pre-dilatation in the treatment of severe carotid artery stenosis.

Aim: To assess early outcome of predilatation prior stenting of severe carotid artery stenosis and to evaluate early major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral events (MACCE).

Patients And Methods: The study group consisted of 265 consecutive patients (200 males, 65 female, mean age 66.7 ± 8.

A case of double coronary perforations and tamponade during left main percutaneous coronary intervention and treatment with stenting and autotransfusion.

Coronary perforation is a rare complication of percutaneous coronary intervention. A 60-year-old male patient with a diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma was admitted to our hospital with crescendo anginal attacks. Coronary angiogram revealed significant stenosis in distal left main coronary artery (LMCA).

Implantation of a left ventricular assist device with mini-pericardiotomy technique.

The left ventricular assist device may be a lifesaving therapy for a patient awaiting a heart transplant. The most common complications of this device are mediastinal bleeding, infections, embolic events, right-sided heart failure, and mediastinal adhesions. We are reporting a patient who had a Levitronix left ventricular assist device implanted with mini-pericardiotomy technique for bridging to heart transplant.

Early effect of left coronary system revascularization on right ventricular mechanics in patients with right coronary artery chronic total occlusion.

Objective: No data exist on the functional relevance of collateral vessels in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Also, the subtle effects of improved collateral flow on right ventricular (RV) function are difficult to assess. However, novel echocardiographic approaches like tissue-Doppler imaging (TDI) and two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2DSTE) can quantify RV regional myocardial function.