Assessment of right ventricular sequelae by speckle tracking echocardiography in recovered COVID-19 patients.

Background: TTE is the main modality used to assess RV function, but conventional TTE parameters have limited diagnostic value because they may fail to detect early abnormalities in RV systolic function. Due to its ability to detect subclinical impairment of cardiac function, 2D STE has been widely used to investigate RV function. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether there are sequelae of RV function in recovered COVID-19 patients with pulmonary involvement.

Predictive significance of the prognostic nutritional index for in-stent restenosis following carotid artery stenting.

Background: Malnutrition and inflammation both have important impacts on medical outcomes of individuals treated by carotid artery stenting (CAS). However, their impact on the occurrence of carotid in-stent restenosis (ISR) is not sufficiently understood.

Aims: We explored the association of immune-nutritional status, as measured by the Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI), with ISR in individuals who had undergone CAS.

Prognostic value of nutrition for contrast-induced nephropathy in patients undergoing peripheral vascular intervention.

The objective was to examine the predictive value of malnutrition, assessed via the Controlling Nutritional status (CONUT) and Prognostic Nutrition Index (PNI) scores, in the development of contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) following peripheral vascular intervention (PVI). This retrospective cross-sectional observational study included the enrollment of 243 consecutive patients who underwent PVI. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the occurrence of CA-AKI.

Resensitization to colistin results in rapid and stable recovery of adherence, serum resistance and ompW in Acinetobacter baumannii.

Background: Colistin resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii is an emerging problem that limits antimicrobial therapy options.

Materials & Methods: We isolated two pairs of colistin susceptible and colistin-resistant A. baumannii (K1007/K1006 and K408/K409) from two patients diagnosed with carbapenem-resistant A.

Prognostic Impact of the Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion/Pulmonary Arterial Systolic Pressure Ratio in Acute Pulmonary Embolism.

Background: Currently available risk stratification models for acute pulmonary embolism (PE) include hemodynamic status, cardiac biomarkers, right ventricle (RV) dysfunction on imaging, and clinical scores. Focusing on the length-tension relationship of the ventricle might have a superior predictive capability over RV dysfunction in terms of mortality and classification of patients with acute PE. In this study, our hypothesis suggests that the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE)/systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) ratio has superior predictive capability for in-hospital mortality in patients with acute PE compared to TAPSE or sPAP as distinct measures.

Effect of Abdominal Corset on Completion of Colonoscopy and Cecal and Ileocecal Intubation Time in Patients with Central Obesity: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

Aim: This work investigated the effect of an abdominal corset on the colonoscopy completion rate, as well as cecum and ileum intubation time, total colonoscopy time, and pain score in centrally obese patients.

Methods: Patients were randomized into two groups, with 50 patients in each group. A colonoscopy was performed using the abdominal corset in Group 1 and the standard method in Group 2.

Impact of pelvic floor muscle training on sphincter function and quality-of-life in patients who underwent low anterior resection: A comparative evaluation.

Objective: Our study aimed to determine the impact of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) on sphincter function and overall well-being in patients who underwent low anterior resection (LAR) and diverting ileostomy due to rectal cancer. For this purpose, anal electromyography (aEMG), low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) score, and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality-of-life questionnaires (EORTC-QLQ)-C30 (generic for cancer) and CR29 (specific to colorectal cancer) were used. The primary endpoint of our study is to determine the effect of PFMT on sphincter function by aEMG, the secondary endpoint is to evaluate the effect on quality-of-life using the LARS score, EORTC-QLQ-C30 and CR-29 questionnaires.

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.

Atherogenic Combined Index: Validation of a Coronary Artery Disease Predictive Biomarker.

Background/aim: The balance between atherogenic and antiatherogenic lipid particles significantly influences coronary artery disease (CAD), as an imbalance may contribute to the development and progression of atherosclerosis, which affects the risk and severity of CAD. This study aims to introduce and validate the atherogenic combined index (ACI) as a novel lipid biomarker that, comprehensively assesses the balance between atherogenic and antiatherogenic particles in the blood to effectively reflect the cumulative atherogenic effect and its association with the presence and severity of CAD.

Material And Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 1,830 patients diagnosed with CAD and a total of 650 patients without CAD were included in the study cohort for comprehensive analysis and comparison.

Expression of , , and genes in aortic dissection.

Thoracic aortic dissection (TAD) is a highly lethal disease occurring inside the aortic wall and is characterized by matrix degradation. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are members of a large endopeptidase family that function in the degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, the maintenance of the ECM, and the regulation of signaling in the aorta. MMPs are found in tissue with their natural inhibitors.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Diabetic Foot Patients: A Shift in the Infectious Agent Profile Toward Nonfermentative Gram-Negative Bacilli.

Background: Diabetes foot infection is a very important public health problem that causes serious health problems, mortality, and high health expenditures, and is one of the most important complications of diabetes mellitus. There are concerns that approaches such as limited personal visits to doctors, avoidance of hospitals, and restrictions on nonemergency surgical procedures during the coronavirus disease of 2019 pandemic pose a threat to those with diabetic foot problems, including diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), ischemia, and infection, resulting in increased limb loss and mortality.

Methods: This multicenter, retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted in 14 tertiary care hospitals from various regions of Turkey.

Comparison of the Effect of Non-HDL-C/HDL-C Ratio on Coronary Slow Flow with Other Non-Traditional Lipid Markers.

Background: Coronary slow flow (CSF) is a microvascular disease characterized by delayed opacification of the epicardial coronary arteries during angiography. The main pathogenesis of CSF is endothelial dysfunction caused by diffuse atherosclerosis. Dyslipidemia is one of the primary factors raising the risk of atherosclerosis.

The Impact of Education on Patients Eligible for Cardiac Rehabilitation and Factors Contributing to Declining Participation in Turkish Society: Are Patients Aware of Cardiac Rehabilitation?

Objective: Despite their effectiveness, cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs have low participation and adherence rates. CR participation and adherence are directly related to the social, economic, cultural, and geographical characteristics of the society. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate the reasons behind low participation in CR within Turkish society, as well as the barriers that restrict participation despite educational efforts.

Prediction of Major Adverse Cardiac Events After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: A Machine Learning Approach with GRACE Score.

Objectives: Predictive risk scores have a significant impact on patient selection and assessing the likelihood of complications following interventions in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). This study aims to explore the utility of machine learning (ML) techniques in predicting 30-day major adverse cardiac events (MACE) by analyzing parameters, including the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) score.

Methods: This retrospective, multi-center, observational study enrolled 453 consecutive patients diagnosed with severe AS who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) from April 2020 to January 2023.

Inflammation Burden and Atrial Fibrillation Burden: A Bidirectional Relationship.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) burden is defined as the proportion of time the patient remains in AF over a given period of time; thus, it is theoretically highest in permanent AF and lowest in paroxysmal AF. Inflammation is associated with the initiation and maintenance of AF. However, the relationship between systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and AF burden is unknown.

Heart Failure Awareness Survey in a Turkish Population: HFAS-TR.

Objective: Heart failure is a leading cause of death and the most common diagnosis leading to hospitalization. Its awareness is lower than that of other cardiovascular diseases, both in the general population and among patients with heart failure (HF). This study aimed to establish the current level of knowledge about HF in patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) in Türkiye.

Cardiovascular outcomes of complex bifurcation lesions following double kissing crush or nano-crush techniques: The multicenter EVOLUTE-CRUSH V study.

Background: Double kissing crush (DKC) and nano-crush (NC) techniques are frequently used, but the comparison for both techniques is still lacking. The goal of this multicenter study was to retrospectively assess the midterm clinical results of DKC and NC stenting in patients with complex bifurcation lesions (CBLs).

Methods: A total of 324 consecutive patients [male: 245 (75.

Templer's death anxiety scale on the relationship between white coat hypertension and anxiety: A cross-sectional study.

The relationship between white coat hypertension (WCH) and anxiety remains not fully elucidated. This study aims to investigate the correlation between WCH and Templer's Death Anxiety Scale (T-DAS) questionnaire. Asymptomatic individuals with a familial history of sudden cardiac death or acute myocardial infarction within the last year, who presented at our cardiology outpatient clinic, were enrolled in this prospective, single-center, cross-sectional study.

The impact of the Naples Prognostic Score on the short- and long-term prognosis of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Background: Preoperative systemic inflammation and nutritional status have been shown to affect prognosis in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). In this study, we investigated the effect of the Naples Prognostic Score (NPS), which consists of four different parameters including these two components on short- and long-term prognosis in patients undergoing TAVI.

Methods: In 343 patients (mean age 78.