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.

Association of Uric Acid Albumin Ratio with Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation after Cryoballoon Catheter Ablation.

Objective: Despite improvements in the technology of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF), recurrences are still a major problem, even after a successful procedure. The uric acid/albumin ratio (UAR), which is an inexpensive and simple laboratory parameter, has recently been introduced in the literature as a predictor of adverse cardiovascular events. Hence, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the UAR and AF recurrence after catheter ablation.

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.

Association of digoxin therapy with case fatality rate in acute pulmonary embolism.

Objective: Despite wide usage of digoxin for various diseases in cardiology practice, its benefit is controversial and moreover it had been associated with unfavorable outcomes in some previous studies. The aim of this present study was to demonstrate whether digoxin usage was related with worse outcomes or not in patients with acute pulmonary embolisms.

Methods: A total number of 1215 patients retrospectively enrolled for the study.

Modified SAMe-TTR score for predicting the therapeutic range of digoxin.

Background: Digoxin treatment has come under scrutiny in recent years after reports from several studies that it is associated with increased mortality in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The clinical effects of digoxin on mortality were closely related to serum digoxin concentrations (SDC) in these studies. In the present work, we evaluated the role of the SAMe-TTR and modified SAMe-TTR scores in predicting the therapeutic range of digoxin therapy.

Association of Genetic Polymorphisms in the Gene with Coronary Artery Disease and Serum MGP Levels.

Matrix Gla protein (MGP) is an important regulatory protein for inhibition of calcification in the vessel wall and cartilage. The gene polymorphisms are suspected to increase the risk of extracellular calcification through altering the related gene expression and serum MGP levels. The goal of this study was to examine the correlation between rs4236 (Thr83-Ala), rs12304 (Glu60-X) and rs1800802 (T138-C) polymorphisms of the gene and coronary artery calcification.

Correction to: Comparison of 2D vena contracta area with 3D planimetric mitral valve area in rheumatoid mitral valve disease.

In the original publication of the article one co-author, A. Zencirci, was listed by mistake. Dr.

Comparison of 2D vena contracta area with 3D planimetric mitral valve area in rheumatoid mitral valve disease.

Rheumatoid valve disease is a general health problem of developing countries, and it mainly affects after the age of 40. Assessment of the correct mitral valve area (MVA) is important for the treatment of rheumatoid valve disease. However, there are contradictions between the three-dimensional (3D) and two-dimensional (2D) methods.

Systemic inflammatory activation in patients with acute coronary syndrome secondary to nonatherosclerotic spontaneous coronary artery dissection.

Objective: Pathological studies have suggested that local inflammation, particularly eosinophilic infiltration of the adventitia, could be related to nonatherosclerotic spontaneous coronary artery dissection (NA-SCAD). However, the role of systemic inflammation in the pathogenesis of NA-SCAD remains unknown. Our aim was to investigate systemic inflammatory activation in patients with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) secondary to NA-SCAD.

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.

Usefulness of Serum Omentin-1 Levels for the Prediction of Adverse Cardiac Events in Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Objective: To investigate the association between serum omentin-1 levels and adverse cardiac events in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

Subjects And Methods: This prospective, observational study included 87 patients with HCM and 50 age- and sex-matched control subjects. Serum omentin-1 and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels were measured in all subjects, using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and electrochemiluminescence, respectively.

The Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS3-786T>C) Genetic Polymorphism in Chronic Heart Failure: Effects of Mutant -786C allele on Long-term Mortality.

Background: Nitric oxide plays an important role in the regulation of basal vascular tone and cardiac myocyte function. We investigated the NOS3-786T>C polymorphism in chronic heart failure (CHF) and its effects on long-term mortality.

Methods: Ninety-one patients with CHF who were referred to the Department of Cardiology of Siyami Ersek Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Center for cardiopulmonary exercise testing between April 2001 and January 2004 and 30 controls were enrolled in this study.

The Effect of Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation on Serum Albumin, Total Protein and Body Mass: A Short-Term, Longitudinal Follow-Up Study.

Background: Cardiac cachexia and low serum albumin levels are poor prognostic signs in advanced heart failure, while overweight patients or patients who gain weight after treatment have more favourable outcomes. Weight gain following LVAD implantation is common, while the dynamic changes in body mass or serum proteins have not been studied adequately. Our aim was to study short-term changes in serum albumin, total protein and body weight following LVAD implantation and to compare these changes with heart failure patients treated medically.

Congenital coronary artery anomalies in adults: review of 111 cases from a single-centre experience.

Background: Coronary artery anomalies are a heterogeneous group of congenital disorders presenting with a wide spectrum of symptoms, ranging from vague chest pain to sudden cardiac death. Despite available data, there is no consensus about the classification, nomenclature, and outcomes of coronary anomalies in the normally connected heart. In this study, we aimed to investigate clinical and angiographic characteristics of coronary arterial anomalies, as well as the frequency of atherosclerotic involvement in anomalous coronaries, diagnosed at a tertiary referral centre.

Prognostic Value of QRS Fragmentation in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Meta-Analysis.

Aims: Fragmented QRS has emerged as a novel electrocardiographic parameter associated with adverse clinical events in various diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of fQRS with in-hospital and long-term cardiovascular events in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).

Methods And Results: We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library up to October 2015 for eligible studies.

Association of contrast-induced nephropathy with bare metal stent restenosis in STEMI patients treated with primary PCI.

Background: Contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) has been proven as a clinical condition related to adverse cardiovascular outcomes. However, relationship between CIN and stent restenosis (SR) remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association of CIN with SR rates after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and bare metal stent (BMS) implantation.

Assessment of Prognostic Value of Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet to Lymphocyte Ratio in Patients with Pulmonary Embolism.

Background: Acute pulmonary embolism is a serious medical condition that has a substantial global impact. Inflammation plays a role in the pathophysiology and prognosis of acute pulmonary embolism (APE). The aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic value of admission parameters for complete blood count (CBC) in APE.

A Rare Case of Acute Coronary Syndrome in a Patient With Turner Syndrome.

Introduction: In Turner syndrome, cardiovascular complications are the most important causes of early mortality. Congenital cardiovascular abnormalities are found in approximately one third of Turner syndrome patients. Developments in diagnosis and treatment have decreased the rate of mortality related to these abnormalities.

Comparison of long-term prognostic value of baseline SYNTAX and clinical SYNTAX scores in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients with multivessel disease.

Background: The prognostic value of baseline SYNTAX (SS) and clinical SYNTAX (cSS) scores has been shown in different populations with coronary artery disease. However, their prognostic value has not been compared in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and multivessel disease.

Methods: Patients who had undergone a primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for STEMI and had at least one critical lesion other than the culprit artery were recruited retrospectively.