Prognostic utility of pulmonary artery and ascending aorta diameters derived from computed tomography in COVID-19 patients.

AIM: Chest computed tomography (CT) imaging plays a diagnostic and prognostic role in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. This study aimed to investigate and compare predictive capacity of main pulmonary artery diameter (MPA), ascending aorta diameter (AAo), and MPA-to-AAo ratio to determine in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 255 hospitalized severe or critical COVID-19 patients. MPA was measured at the level of pulmonary artery bifurcation perpendicular to the direction of the vessel through transverse axial images and AAo was measured by using the same CT slice at its maximal diameter. MPA-to-AAo ratio was calculated by division of MPA to AAo. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression model yielded MPA ≥29.15 mm (OR: 4.95, 95% CI: 2.01-12.2, p = 0.001), MPA (OR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.13-1.46, p < 0.001), AAo (OR: .90, 95% CI: .81-.99, p = 0.040), and MPA-to-AAo ratio ≥.82 (OR: 4.67, 95% CI: 1.86-11.7, p = 0.001) as independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. Time-dependent multivariate Cox-proportion regression model demonstrated MPA ≥29.15 mm (HR: 1.96, 95% CI: 1.03-3.90, p = 0.047) and MPA (HR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.01-1.17, p = 0.048) as independent predictors of in-hospital mortality, whereas AAo and MPA-to-AAo ratio did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary artery enlargement strongly predicts in-hospital mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. MPA, which can be calculated easily from chest CT imaging, can be beneficial in the prognostication of these patients.

The relationship between calcific severe aortic stenosis and systemic immune-inflammation index.

AIM: Calcific aortic stenosis (AS) is a common valvular disease especially in elderly population. Inflammation plays significant role in the pathophysiological mechanism. Systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) is a novel marker of immune system and inflammation that includes neutrophil, lymphocyte, and platelet cell counts. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive value of SII in calcific severe AS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Severe calcific AS patients were categorized into two groups: High flow-high gradient (HFHG) AS (n = 289) and low flow-low gradient AS (n = 79). Control group included 273 patients with similar clinical and demographic characteristics but without AS. SII was calculated as absolute platelet count × absolute neutrophil count/absolute lymphocyte count. RESULTS: SII levels were 525 ± 188, 835 ± 402, and 784 ± 348 in control, HFHG AS, and LFLG AS groups, respectively (P < .001). Correlation analyses revealed significant and positive correlation between SII and mean aortic transvalvular pressure gradient (r = .342, P < .001), and negative and significant correlation between SII and AVA (r = -.461, P < .001). Multivariate analysis performed in separate models demonstrated sex, CAD, LDL, and SII levels (Odds ratio [OR]: 1.004, 95 CI%:1.003-1.004) as independent predictors of severe AS in Model 1. According to Model 2, sex, CAD, LDL, and high SII (>661) (OR:5.78, 95 CI%:3.93-4.89) remained as independent predictors of severe AS. CONCLUSION: SII levels can be useful to predict severe calcific AS patients and significantly correlate with AVA and mean aortic transvalvular pressure gradient.

Assessment of local carotid stiffness in seronegative and seropositive rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory disease associated with increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease. Arterial stiffness (AS) is an independent predictor of CV events. This study aimed to analyse local carotid AS parameters in seronegative and seropositive RA patients. DESIGN: Of 347 consecutive RA patients, we selected specifically those who were free of established CV diseases and risk factors. As a result, 140 patients (126 women, 52.2 ± 10 years) and 140 healthy controls (122 women, 52.7 ± 8.0 years) were enrolled into this study. The common carotid AS was evaluated using radio frequency echo-tracking system to determine the local carotid pulse wave velocity (cPWV) and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT). Based on rheumatoid factor (RF) and/or anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA) positivity, RA patients were categorized into seronegative and seropositive subgroups. RESULTS: Carotid PWV was determined to be significantly higher in all patients and subgroups than controls (p < .001 for all). Although cIMT was similar between the patients, controls and seropositive subgroup, seronegative patients had significantly higher cIMT compared to controls (p = .035) and seropositive group (p = .010). Moreover, a significant positive correlation was found between cPWV and age (r: 0.603, p < .001), ESR (r: 0.297, p = .004), ACPA (r: 0.346, p = .001) and cIMT (r: 0.290, p = .005) in seropositive patients. CONCLUSIONS: RA per se is sufficient to cause arteriosclerosis in the absence of classical CV risk factors. However, arterial hypertrophy is only increased in seronegative patients but not in seropositive group.

An unusual presentation of papillary fibroelastoma originating from right ventricular outflow tract.

Papillary fibroelastomas (PFEs) are primary cardiac tumors with a benign and avascular nature. Majority of the PFEs are originated from the valvular endocardium, while the most common site is aortic valve. In this case, we present a patient with multiple PFEs originating from the right ventricular outflow tract who was admitted to our clinic with exertional dyspnea. As far as we know, this is the first case of this unusual presentation of multiple PFEs and also had a history of breast cancer and permanent pacemaker reported in the literature.

The effect of transcatheter aortic valve implantation on pulmonary hypertension.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is common in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). The prognostic effect of PH in high-risk patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) remains unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility of TAVI in patients with PH and to determine the effect of TAVI on PH. METHODS AND RESULTS: TAVI was performed in 70 patients (mean age, 77.6 years; 51 females and 19 males) between July 2011 and December 2012, in our hospital. The patients were divided into three groups based on their systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) values. Group 1 comprised patients with sPAP values <40 mmHg; group 2 included patients with sPAP values ranging from 40 to 59 mmHg; and group 3 included patients with sPAP values >60 mmHg. Seventy percent of the patients were in groups 2 and 3. After TAVI, the sPAP values of the patients in groups 2 and 3 were significantly decreased (47.4 ± 4.6 and 36.6 ± 6.3, P < 0.001 and 64.5 ± 4.7 and 43.2 ± 9.2, P < 0.001, respectively). However, this reduction was sustained for 6 months in group 2 (P = 0.006), whereas the reduction lost its statistical significance (P = 0.07) after 1 month in group 3 (64.5 ± 4.7 and 40.8 ± 8.0, P = 0.001). Significant differences between the sPAP values in all three groups before the procedure were sustained after TAVI (P ≤ 0.001) and after the 1st month (P = 0.02); however, no statistically significant difference was observed after the 6th month (P = 0.06). CONCLUSION: In this study, we demonstrated that TAVI could be reliably and successfully performed in PH patients with severe AS and that TAVI results in a permanent and significant reduction in sPAP.

The Relationship between Epicardial Fat Thickness and Endothelial Dysfunction in Type I Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a new independent marker of coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between epicardial fat thickness (EFT) and endothelial dysfunction (ED) in patients with type I diabetes mellitus (TIDM). METHODS AND RESULTS: Seventy-six type I diabetic patients (diabetes duration 11.7 ± 8,1 years, aged 30.6 ± 10 years; female/male: 38/38) and 36 healthy controls were enrolled into the study. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), lipid panel, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C), high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and fibrinogen levels were determined. EFT was measured via two-dimensional (2D) M-mode echocardiography. Endothelial function was assessed as flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) at the brachial artery using high-resolution ultrasound. EFT was significantly higher in patients compared to controls (3.56 ± 0.48 mm vs. 3.03 ± 0.48 mm, P < 0.001). In addition, significant differences were observed between the patient and control groups in terms of FMD (6.70% ± 1.63 vs. 9.99% ± 1.84, respectively, P < 0.001). EFT was shown to be correlated negatively with FMD (r: -0.94, P < 0.001) and positively with hsCRP (r: 0.41, P < 0.001) and fibrinogen (r: 0. 31, P = 0.007). Multiple regression analysis showed EFT to be an independent factor influencing the endothelial function. CONCLUSION: There was inverse relationship between EFT and endothelial function in this study. EFT measured easily by transthoracic echocardiography may be a useful parameter in the assessment of patients with TIDM.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation in the presence of hematologic malignancies.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiac surgery may be performed in patients with hematologic disorders, but carries an increased risk of morbidity. This series describes an experience of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in patients with hematologic malignancies, and highlights the technical considerations to be kept in mind. METHODS: Between June 2011 and April 2014, 133 consecutive high-risk patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis were treated with TAVI at our centre. Based on consensus among the local heart team, five patients with hematologic malignancies (myelodysplastic syndrome [2],chronic lymphocytic leukemia [2], Hodgkin lymphoma [1]) were considered high risk for surgery (Logistic EUROSCORE 17.2±14.0% and STS score 5.8±4.3%). Serial echocardiographic and clinical follow-ups were done pre- and post-procedure, at discharge, and at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: Our procedural success rate was 80%. Two heart valves were implanted in one patient due to aortic embolization of the previous valve. Perforation of the right ventricle and cardiac tamponade occurred in the same patient. Mean blood transfusion requirement was 1.0±1.4 U (range: 0 to 3 U). Mean aortic valve gradient was reduced from baseline to 9.2±3.27 mmHg, and the effective orifice area was significantly increased to 1.96±0.29 cm2. Paravalvular aortic regurgitation (AR) was absent-mild in all the patients. CONCLUSION: This present series demonstrates that TAVI with a balloon-expandable valve can be performed safely and effectively and is technically feasible in high-risk patients with hematologic malignancies.

Improvement of right ventricular function with transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: It has been demonstrated that right ventricular systolic dysfunction develops soon after surgical aortic valve replacement (s-AVR). While the impact of s-AVR or TAVI on the function of the left ventricle has been studied with various imaging modalities, little is known about the impact on right ventricular function (RVF). In the current study, we evaluated the impact of TAVI on RVF using conventional echocardiography parameters. METHODS AND RESULTS: Echocardiography was performed prior to 24 h, 1 month and 6 months after TAVI. RVF was assessed using (1) tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE); (2) RV Tissue Doppler Imaging (S'); (3) right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP); (4) Fractional area change (FAC); and (5) RV ejection fraction (RVEF). TAVI was performed through the subclavian artery in two patients and femoral artery in 48 patients with an Edwards Sapien XT valve. TAVI was performed on 50 patients between the dates of December 2012 and June 2013. After TAVI, a statistically significant improvement was observed for all parameters related to RVF (RVSP, RVEF, TAPSE, FAC, RVTDI S'). During the 1st and 6th months this statistically significant improvement continued in TAPSE and FAC, and there was no deterioration in RVSP, RVEF, and RVTDI S during the 1st month but a statistically significant improvement continued in the 6th month. CONCLUSION: RVF assessed by conventional echocardiography did not deteriorate after TAVI in early and midterm follow-up. Further, TAVI provides improvement of RVF and can safely and efficiently be performed in patients with impaired RVF.

The importance of echocardiography in transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Valvular heart diseases cause serious health problems in Turkey as well as in Western countries. According to a study conducted in Turkey, aortic stenosis (AS) is second after mitral valve disease among all valvular heart diseases. AS is frequently observed in elderly patients who have several cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities. In symptomatic severe AS, surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) is a definitive treatment. However, in elderly patients with left ventricular dysfunction and comorbidities, the risk of operative morbidity and mortality increases and outweighs the gain obtained from AVR surgery. As a result, almost one-third of the patients with serious AS are considered ineligible for surgery. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an effective treatment in patients with symptomatic severe AS who have high risk for conventional surgery. Since being performed for the first time in 2002, with a procedure success rate reported as 95% and a mortality rate of 5%, TAVI has become a promising method. Assessment of vascular anatomy, aortic annular diameter, and left ventricular function may be useful for the appropriate selection of patients and may reduce the risk of complications. Cardiac imaging methods including 2D and 3D echocardiography and multidetector computed tomography are critical during the evaluation of suitable patients for TAVI as well as during and after the procedure. In this review, we describe the role of echocardiography methods in clinical practice for TAVI procedure in its entirety, i.e. from patient selection to guidance during the procedure, and subsequent monitoring.

Simultaneously successful transfemoral aortic valve implantation and endovascular repair of thoracic aortic saccular aneurysm.

The prevalence of aortic stenosis (AS) increases in the elderly. They present high surgical risk due to comorbid factors that increase with age. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an effective method in patients who present with severe aortic stenosis with a higher surgical risk or who cannot undergo surgical aortic valve replacement (s-AVR). In our case, the presence of saccular thoracic aortic aneurysm with severe AS, which is a vital co-morbidity, requires the treatment of both. The rise in systolic pressure following the TAVI procedure increases the saccular thoracic aneurysm rupture risk and this is why the timing and method of the two treatments become crucial. In this case, which is as far as we know the fi rst and only report in the literature, both TAVI and endovascular thoracic aortic saccular aneurysm repair were applied simultaneously and successfully to the patient via the same transfemoral route. After 1 month, the patient had good functional capacity and there were no complications in control tomography and echocardiography. In this way, we attempted to emphasize with a multidisciplinary study that the patients be assessed carefully before the procedure, and found that even in patients with common peripheral vascular diseases, a transfemoral route could be used together with the proper methods, and that both procedures could be performed simultaneously.

Coronary Slow Flow is Associated with Depression and Anxiety.

BACKGROUND: There is an established relationship between depression/anxiety disorders and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality which has been previously documented. However, there has been no study evaluating coronary slow flow in association with depression and anxiety. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of consecutive 90 patients were included in the study. All patients completed scoring scales for depression [Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD)] and anxiety (STAI-1, State anxiety subscale of State-Trait Anxiety Inventory; STAI-2, Trait anxiety subscale of State-Trait Anxiety Inventory). Thereafter, they underwent selective coronary angiography and 2 groups were formed: coronary slow flow (n = 42), and normal coronary flow (n = 48). The two groups had comparable baseline characteristics. However, significant differences were found between coronary slow flow and normal coronary flow groups regarding depression (13.1 ± 8.2 and 6.9 ± 6.7, p < 0.001 for HAMD, respectively) and anxiety (46.2 ± 15.0 vs. 32.6 ± 9.9, p < 0.001 for STAI-1 and 51.0 ± 16.7 vs. 43.0 ± 10.7, p = 0.009 for STAI-2, respectively) scores. There were also significant positive correlations between depression/anxiety scores and TIMI frame counts of all major epicardial coronary arteries. In addition, after adjustment for smoking, hypertension, scoring scales, and the presence of depressive mood, all scoring scales and depressive mood were found to be independent risk factors for coronary slow flow in multivariable logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Significant association was found among coronary slow flow, depression/anxiety scores and depressive mood. KEY WORDS: Anxiety; Coronary slow flow; Depression; Scale.

[Bonsai induced acute myocardial infarction]. / Bonzai kullanimi sonrasi ortaya çikan akut miyokart enfarktüsü

Incidences of drug abuse and cannabis have increased in young adults, recently. Cannabis induced myocardial infarction has rarely been reported in these people. There is no any literature about a synthetic cannabinoid, being recently most popular Bonsai, to cause myocardial infarction. In this case report we presented a 33-year-old male patient who developed acute myocardial infarction after taking high doses of Bonsai.

Early haemodynamic changes in cerebral blood flow after cardiac resychronisation therapy.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) has emerged as a new treatment strategy for a subgroup of patients with heart failure. In this study, we aimed to evaluate acute effects of CRT on cerebral blood flow. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-two (six female and 16 male) patients (mean age 60.8±5.3 years) with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy were enrolled in the study. Blood flow in the common carotid artery (CCA), internal carotid artery (ICA), and vertebral arteries (VA) was evaluated by Colour Doppler ultrasound. All measurements were performed at a constant heart rate of 90beats/min for excluding the influence of variant heart rates. RESULTS: Flow velocities, flow volume, resistivity and pulsatility indices which were correlated with cardiac output (CO) significantly increased after CRT. The only parameter affecting the change in mean velocity and flow volume in VA was the change in the CO (ß=1.1, p=0.02 and ß=1.2, p=0.04, respectively). The change in peak systolic velocity after CRT in VA and the change in mean velocity and volume in ICA were affected by the change in the CO (ß=1.2, p=0.007; ß=0.8, p=0.08 and ß=0.6, p=0.03, respectively). The change in total cerebral blood flow was also affected by the change in CO (ß=1.3, p=0.003). CONCLUSION: CRT increases the carotid and vertebral artery blood flow velocities, flow volumes and therefore improves cerebral blood flow. This improvement in the cerebral blood flow after CRT is largely due to the increase in the cardiac output.

A rare cause of atrial fibrillation: mad honey intoxication.

BACKGROUND: Mad honey intoxication occurs after ingestion of honey containing grayanotoxin. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 36-year-old man who ingested mad honey and developed atrial fibrillation. DISCUSSION: Mad honey intoxication is often characterized by symptoms such as hypotension, bradycardia, and syncope. Patients may also experience gastrointestinal, neurologic, and cardiovascular symptoms due to intoxication. Cardiac rhythm abnormalities, including sinus bradycardia, atrioventricular blocks, and nodal rhythms, also may be observed. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of a 36-year old man developing atrial fibrillation with a slow ventricular response after mad honey ingestion.

[Assessment of left atrial phasic functions in heart failure patients with preserved or low ejection fractions]. / Ejeksiyon fraksiyonu korunmus veya düsük kalp yetersizligi olgularinda fazik sol atriyal islevlerin degerlendirilmesi.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate left atrial (LA) volumes and phasic functions in heart failure patients with preserved or low ejection fractions. STUDY DESIGN: The study consisted of 59 patients (36 men, 23 women; mean age 63.8 years) with heart failure accompanied by low (n=26) or preserved (n=33) ejection fractions. Two-dimensional echocardiographic LA volumes (maximal, minimal and pre-contraction volumes) were obtained and LA phasic functions (reservoir, conduit, and pumping functions) were calculated. The findings were compared with those of age- and sex-matched 30 controls (20 men, 10 women; mean age 60.3 years) without heart failure. RESULTS: All LA volumes were found to be significantly increased in both groups with heart failure compared with controls. Left atrial reservoir and pumping functions were significantly lower in patients with preserved ejection fraction than in those with low ejection fraction (p=0.02 and p=0.009, respectively). Left atrial conduit function was significantly lower in heart failure patients with low ejection fraction than in those with preserved ejection fraction (p=0.005). Compared with controls, heart failure patients with either low or preserved ejection fractions exhibited significantly decreased LA phasic functions (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that, compared to subjects without heart failure, all phasic LA functions are impaired in heart failure patients with either low or preserved ejection fraction. However, impairment in LA reservoir and pumping functions is more prominent in heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction.

Baseline Anemia Is an Independent Predictor of Long-Term Mortality in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between baseline anemia and long-term mortality in a single-center retrospective study involving patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The study population included 412 consecutive patients undergoing TAVI at a center for severe aortic valve stenosis between August 2011 and November 2018. The primary end point of the study was all-cause mortality. Baseline anemia was present in 50% of our study cohort. During the median follow-up of 29 months, all-cause mortality was observed in 40.3% of the whole study population and was more frequently observed in the anemic group compared with the nonanemic group (53.5% vs 27.1%, P < .001, respectively). Cox-regression analysis revealed that Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality score, previous stroke, pericardial tamponade, and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio count are independent predictors of long-term mortality after TAVI. Additionally, the presence of anemia at baseline was an independent predictor of long-term mortality with a 2.3-fold difference in the anemic group compared with the nonanemic group (hazard ratio: 2.31, 95% CI: 1.59-3.37, P < .001). Baseline anemia was observed in half of our patient population undergoing TAVI, and baseline anemia was found to be an independent predictor of long-term mortality after TAVI.

Plasma thiol and disulphide levels and their relationship with left ventricular systolic functions: A propensity score matching analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Left ventricular (LV) systolic function measured through LV ejection fraction (LVEF) has prognostic implications in patients with cardiac and non-cardiac conditions. The balance of thiol and disulphide levels reflects oxidative status in the body. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between plasma thiol and disulphide levels, and LVEF calculated by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). METHODS: This retrospective study included 1,048 patients referred for TTE examination and biochemical analyses, including plasma thiol and disulphide levels. After the application of exclusion criteria, the remaining 611 patients were included in the statistical analysis. Patients were classified into two groups, namely normal LVEF (n-LVEF) (n=446) and low LVEF (l-LVEF) (n=165) according to a cut-off level of LVEF 50%. To reduce sample selection bias and adjust for the influence of differences in patient characteristics on LVEF and oxidative status, 1: 1 propensity score matching analysis was applied. RESULTS: Propensity score matching analysis yielded 125 patients in both groups with comparable demographics, medications, and blood parameters. Native thiol and total thiol levels were lower in l-LVEF patients than in n-LVEF patients (p<0.001 for both), whereas disulphide levels were higher in l-LVEF group (p=0.008). Native thiol (r=0.384, p<0.001), total thiol (r=0.35, p<0.001), and disulphide levels (r=-0.129, p=0.004) significantly correlated with LVEF. CONCLUSION: Plasma thiol levels decrease and disulphide levels increase suggesting the presence of oxidative stress in patients with l-LVEF. Significant correlation between oxidative stress and LVEF sheds light about the possible pathogenetic role of thiol and disulphide in heart failure.

Prevention of peri-procedural myocardial injury using a single high loading dose of rosuvastatin.

BACKGROUND: Extensively used lipid-lowering statins have also non-lipid-lowering, pleiotropic effects. Previous studies have demonstrated that a pre-procedural single dose of atorvastatin is associated with reduced peri-procedural myocardial injury. AIM: The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the effect of a single high loading dose (40 mg) of rosuvastatin on peri-procedural myocardial injury. METHODS: Two hundred ninety nine statin-naive patients with stable angina and de novo lesions eligible for PCI were randomized to a rosuvastatin-treatment (n = 153) and to a no-treatment (n = 146) group. A 40 mg loading dose of rosuvastatin was administrated 24 h before the PCI. CK-MB and cTnI levels were measured before and 12 h after the procedure. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were fairly similar between the two arms. The incidence of a CK-MB and cTnI elevation >3x ULN in the rosuvastatin group was significantly lower compared to the control group (0.7% vs. 11.0%, p < 0.001 and 10.5% vs. 39.0%, p < 0.001, respectively). Similarly, the incidence of any CK-MB and cTnI elevation > ULN in the rosuvastatin group was significantly lower compared to the control group (10.5% vs. 34.2%, p < 0.001 and 20.9% vs. 61.6%, p < 0.001, respectively). In addition, CK-MB and cTnI values 12 h after the PCI were significantly lower in the rosuvastatin group compared to the control group (20.13 +/- 7.24 U/L vs. 27.02 +/- 18.64 U/L, p < 0.001 and 0.14 +/- 0.34 ng/ml vs. 0.35 +/- 0.40 ng/ml, p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: A single high loading dose of rosuvastatin reduces the incidence of peri-procedural myocardial necrosis and infarction effectively.

Treatment of acute chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation improves right ventricle function.

AIMS: It was shown that cardiac function is impaired in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients who have severe pulmonary hypertension (PHT). However, no previous reports have evaluated cardiac function in COPD patients before and after medical therapy for acute COPD exacerbation. In this study, we evaluated the cardiac function of COPD patients during acute COPD exacerbation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty-two patients (27 men and 5 women; mean age 59 +/- 8.7 years) with acute COPD exacerbation without PHT were included in the study. Thirty-two age- and sex-matched control subjects (22 men and 10 women; mean age 57 +/- 10 years) were also examined. Right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) functions were assessed using both conventional and tissue Doppler imaging methods before and after therapy, which were performed according to accepted guidelines. Medical therapy included inhaled beta(2)-agonists, inhaled anticholinergic agents(,) oxygen, systemic corticosteroids, and antibiotics. The systolic tissue Doppler velocity (TSm) in the RV was increased after therapy (13.7 +/- 2.4 vs. 14.4 +/- 2.4 cm/s, P = 0.027). The function of the RV and LV during diastole was also improved, and pulmonary artery pressures decreased after therapy (34 +/- 5.2 vs. 28.2 +/- 4.7 mmHg, P < 0.0001). However, there was no change in LV function during systole. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated that treatment of patients with acute COPD exacerbation according to guidelines improves not only pulmonary function, but also RV and LV function and PHT.

Paraoxonase activity might be predictive of the severity of aortic valve stenosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Aortic valve stenosis (AS) is the most common valvular heart disease in the western world, and in adults is invariably caused by the calcification of a normal tricuspid or congenital bicuspid valve. Calcific AS, as an active disease process, is characterized by lipid accumulation, inflammation and calcification that mimic atherosclerosis. Paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) is a high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-bound enzyme that exerts antiatherogenic properties by protecting low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol from oxidative modification. The study aim was to examine the association between PON-1 activity and AS. METHODS: A total of 93 patients with angiographically normal coronary arteries was enrolled into the study. Transthoracic echocardiography was used to diagnose and grade the AS before the patients underwent selective coronary angiography. The patients were allocated to three groups of mild AS (n = 34), moderate AS (n = 31) and severe AS (n = 28). Paraoxonase activity was measured using a spectrophotometric technique. RESULTS: The mean PON-1 activity in patients with severe AS (64.4 +/- 29.8 U/l) was significantly lower than that in patients with mild and moderate AS (97.1 +/- 72.6 and 146.8 +/- 133.9 U/l; p = 0.03 and p = 0.002, respectively). Typically, PON-1 activity tended to be lower in moderate AS than in mild AS (p = 0.07). The serum PON-1 activity correlated positively with the aortic valve area, but negatively with the aortic mean and maximum gradients. CONCLUSION: The study results showed that PON-1 activity is lower in patients with calcific AS. In addition, PON-1 activity was inversely correlated with the severity of AS.