Combination anticoagulation strategy in pregnancy with mechanical valves: The KYBELE study.

BACKGROUND: Optimal first-trimester anticoagulation is still challenging in pregnant women with mechanical heart valves (MHVs) requiring high-dose warfarin. This multicenter prospective study aims to determine the optimal anticoagulation regimens for pregnant patients with MHVs. METHODS: All women were allocated to one of three treatment options during first trimester including lone low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), combination of LMWH + 2.5 mg warfarin, and LMWH+4 mg warfarin. Primary maternal outcome included a combination of death, thromboembolism, severe bleeding, and need for treatment of mechanical valve thrombosis (MVT). Any fetal loss was determined as primary fetal outcome. RESULTS: The study included 78 pregnancies in 65 women with MHVs. Primary maternal outcome rate was 44%, 12.5%, 3.5%, respectively. The rates of primary maternal outcome (44 vs 3.5%, P < .001), obstructive MVT (16 vs 0%, P = .04), MVT requiring treatment (28 vs 0%, P = .003), and cerebral embolism (24 vs 3.4%, P = .041) were found to be significantly higher in lone LMWH group compared to LMWH + 4 mg warfarin group. Moreover, the rates of primary maternal outcome (12.5 vs 44%, P = .015) and treatment for MHV thrombus (4.2 vs 28%, P = .049) were significantly lower in LMWH + 2.5 mg warfarin group compared to lone LMWH group. The incidences of fetal loss were 8 (32%) in the lone LMWH group, 8 (33.3%) in LMWH + 2.5 mg warfarin group, and 11 (37.9%) in LMWH + 4 mg warfarin group (P = .890 for 3-group).Warfarin related-embryopathy was not observed in any case. CONCLUSIONS: The combined anticoagulation strategy of LMWH plus low-dose warfarin during the first trimester of pregnancy may result in less maternal complications with comparable fetal outcomes in patients with MHVs. CONDENSED ABSTRACT: Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) is thought to be safer for the fetus, however it is suspected to be less protective for the mother. To solve this dilemma, the authors suggested a novel anticoagulation strategy in pregnant women with prosthetic valves. Seventy-eight pregnancies of 65 women (median age 32 [27-35] years) were included in the study. A combination of LMWH and a reduced dose warfarin were associated with low rates of thrombus-related complications in pregnant patients with mechanical heart valves.

Comparison of the effect of uric acid/albumin ratio on coronary slow flow with other inflammation-based markers.

Background: Many inflammation-based markers (IBMs) have been shown to be closely related to coronary slow flow (CSF), but the effect of the uric acid/albumin ratio (UAR) on CSF and its relationship with other IBMs are not clearly known. In this study, we aimed to compare the effects of UAR and other IBMs on CSF. Methods: After the exclusion criteria, 126 patients with CSF detected on coronary angiography and 126 subjects with normal coronary flow as the control group were included in the study. Results: UAR was determined as an independent predictor for CSF. In addition, the UAR was superior to other IBMs in detecting CSF (p < 0.05 for all). Conclusion: This study is the first to investigate the effect of UAR on CSF in comparison with other IBMs.

The non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio is a strong and independent predictor of the no-reflow phenomenon in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: No-reflow (NR) is the inability to achieve adequate myocardial perfusion despite successful restoration of attegrade blood flow in the infarct-related artery after primary percutaneous coronary intervention. The non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio has been shown to be superior to conventional lipid markers in predicting most cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we wanted to reveal the predictive value of the NR by comparing the Non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio with traditional and non-traditional lipid markers in patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) due to ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: A total of 1284 consecutive patients who underwent pPCI for STEMI were included in this study. Traditional lipid profiles were detected and non-traditional lipid indices were calculated. Patients were classified as groups with and without NR and compared in terms of lipid profiles. RESULTS: No-reflow was seen in 18.8% of the patients. SYNTAX score, maximal stent length, high thrombus burden, atherogenic index of plasma and non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio were determined as independent predictors for NR (p < 0.05, for all). The non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio predicts the development of NR in STEMI patients with 71% sensitivity and 67% specificity at the best cut-off value. In ROC curve analysis, the non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio was superior to traditional and non-traditional lipid markers in predicting NR (p < 0.05, for all). CONCLUSION: The non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio can be a strong and independent predictor of NR in STEMI patients and and therefore non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio may be a useful lipid-based biomarker that can be used in clinical practice to improve the accuracy of risk assessment in patients with STEMI.

Disruption of the endothelial glycocalyx layer is associated with idiopathic complete atrioventricular block in the elderly population: An observational pilot study.

Idiopathic atrioventricular block (iCAVB) is the most common reason for the need for a permanent pacemaker in the elderly population. The fibrotic process that occurs in the conduction system of the heart with aging is the main pathogenesis in the development of iCAVB. However, the processes that trigger the development of iCAVB in the elderly population have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we aimed to reveal the possible relationship between the endothelial glycocalyx (EG) layer and idiopathic complete atrioventricular block. A group of 68 consecutive patients who developed iCAVB and a group of 68 healthy subjects matched for age, sex, and cardiovascular risk factors were included in the study. The groups were compared for clinical, laboratory, and levels of Syndecan-1 (SDC1), an EG layer marker. In the study, SDC1 levels were found to be significantly higher in the iCAVB group compared to the control group (23.7 ± 7.5 vs 16.7 ± 5.2; p = 0.009). In multivariable regression analysis, SDC1 was determined as an independent potential predictor for iCAVB (OR: 1.200; 95% CI: 1.119-1.287; p < 0.001). In the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, SDC1 predicted iCAVB with 74% sensitivity and 72% specificity at the best cut-off value of 18.5 ng/mL (area under the curve: 0.777; confidence interval: 0.698-0.856; p < 0.001). Disruption of the endothelial glycolic layer may be one of the main triggering factors for the process leading to iCAVB.

The HbA1c/C-Peptide Ratio is Associated With the No-Reflow Phenomenon in Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Currently, the gold standard treatment for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI), but even after successful pPCI, a perfusion disorder in the epicardial coronary arteries, termed no-reflow phenomenon (NR), can develop, resulting in short- and long-term adverse events. The present study assessed the relationship between NR and HbA1c/C-peptide ratio (HCR) in 1834 consecutive patients who underwent pPCI due to STEMI. Participants were divided into two groups according to NR status and the demographic, clinical and periprocedural characteristics of the groups were compared. NR developed in 352 (19.1%) of the patients in the study. While C-peptide levels were significantly lower in the NR group, HbA1c and HCR were significantly higher (P < .001, for all). In multivariable analysis, C-peptide, HbA1c, and HCR, were determined as independent predictors for NR (P < .05, for all). In Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis, HCR predicted the NR with 80% specificity and 77% sensitivity. In STEMI patients, combining HbA1c and C-peptide in a single fraction has a predictive value for NR independent of diabetes. This ratio may contribute to risk stratification of STEMI patients.

Low pregnancy-specific beta-1-glycoprotein is associated with nondipper hypertension and increased risk of preeclampsia in pregnant women with newly diagnosed chronic hypertension.

Chronic hypertension is one of the major risk factors for preeclampsia. Pregnancy-specific beta-1-glycoprotein (PSG-1) is a protein that plays a critical role in fetomaternal immune modulation and has been shown to be closely associated with pregnancy adverse events such as preeclampsia. It is also known that PSG-1 and its source placenta are associated with many molecular pathways associated with blood pressure regulation. In addition, the nondipping pattern (NDP) of chronic hypertension has been shown to be an independent risk factor for preeclampsia. Dipper individuals experience a notable nighttime drop in blood pressure, typically around 10% or more compared to daytime levels, while nondipper individuals show a smaller nighttime blood pressure decrease, indicating potential circadian blood pressure regulation disruption. In this context, we aimed to reveal the relationship between PSG-1, NDP and preeclampsia in this study. A total of 304 pregnant women who were newly diagnosed in the first trimester and started on antihypertensive medication were included in this study. All subjects performed 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring twice throughout pregnancy, the first in the 1. trimester to confirm the diagnosis of hypertension and the second between 20+0 and 21+1 gestational weeks to determine the dipper-nondipper status of hypertension. Subjects were grouped as dipper and nondipper according to blood pressure, and groups were compared in terms of PSG-1 levels. In this study, low PSG-1 levels and NDP were independently associated with preeclampsia. Findings from this study suggest that PSG-1 may play an important role in the causal relationship between NDP and preeclampsia.

Comparative Evaluation of Intermountain Risk Score With Mehran Risk Score for Risk Estimation of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy and Short-Term Mortality in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients.

Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) has become one of the most important causes of in-hospital acute renal failure with the increasing use of contrast-mediated imaging tools. This significantly increases the morbidity and mortality of the affected subjects and causes a financial burden on the health system. In this context, prediction of CIN is important and some risk scores have been developed to predict CIN. The most frequently used and popular among these is the Mehran Score (MS), which is based on a number of hemodynamic and metabolic parameters. The Intermountain Risk Score (IMRS) is a recently developed risk score that highly predicts short-term mortality based on common laboratory parameters, and many parameters of this risk score have been found to be closely associated with CIN. In this context, we aimed to compare MS and IMRS in terms of CIN and short-term mortality estimation. The study included 931 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention. CIN developed in 21.5% of patients. Both MS and IMRS independently predicted CIN. In receiver operating characteristic analysis, IMRS was found to be non-inferior to MS in predicting CIN and IMRS was superior to MS in predicting short-term mortality. IMRS and MS were independently associated with short-term mortality.

Comparison of the effect of uric acid/albumin ratio on coronary colleteral circulation with other inflammation-based markers in stable coronary artery disease patients.

BACKGROUND: The Uric acid/Albumin ratio (UAR) has recently been identified as a prominent marker in cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we aimed to reveal the effect of UAR on coronary collateral circulation (CCC) in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) patients by comparing it with conventional inflammation-based markers. METHODS: In this study, 415 consecutive patients who underwent coronary angiography for stable angina pectoris and were found to have chronic total occlusion in at least one coronary artery were retrospectively included. The study population was divided into two groups as good CCC (Rentrop 2-3) and poor CCC (Rentrop 0-1) according to the Rentrop classification, and the groups were compared in terms of UAR and other traditional inflammation-based markers. RESULTS: In the poor CCC group, C-reactive protein/albumin ratio (CAR), monocyte/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and UAR were found to be significantly high (p < .05, for all). UAR negatively correlated with rentrop classification (r = -0.383, p < .001). In multivariate regression analysis, MHR, NLR, SII and UAR were determined as independent predictors for poor CCC (p < .05, for all). The ability of UAR to predict poor CCC was superior to uric acid and albumin alone (p < .0001, for both). In addition, UAR was found to be superior to other inflammation-based markers in predicting poor CCC (p < .005, for all). CONCLUSION: UAR was identified as a strong and independent predictor of CCC. In this context, UAR may be a useful biomarker in the risk prediction of patients with stable CAD.

HbA1c/C-peptide ratio is associated with angiographic thrombus burden and short-term mortality in patients presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: Angiographic high thrombus burden (HTB) is associated with increased adverse cardiovascular events in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). HbA1c and C-peptide are two interrelated bioactive markers that affect many cardiovascular pathways. HbA1c exhibits prothrombogenic properties, while C-peptide, in contrast, exhibits antithrombogenic effects. In this study, we aimed to demonstrate the value of combining these two biomarkers in a single fraction in predicting HTB and short-term mortality in patients with STEMI. METHODS: 1202 patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) for STEMI were retrospectively included in this study. The study population was divided into thrombus burden (TB) groups and compared in terms of basic clinical demographics, laboratory parameters and HbA1c/C-peptide ratios (HCR). In addition, short-term mortality of the study population was compared according to HCR and TB categories. RESULTS: HCR values were significantly higher in the HTB group than in the LTB group (3.5 ±â€Š1.2 vs. 2.0 ±â€Š1.1; P  < 0.001; respectively). In the multivariable regression analysis, HCR was determined as an independent predictor of HTB both as a continuous variable [odds ratio (OR): 2.377; confidence interval (CI): 2.090-2.704; P  < 0.001] and as a categorical variable (OR: 5.492; CI: 4.115-7.331; P  < 0.001). In the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, HCR predicted HTB with 73% sensitivity and 72% specificity, and furthermore, HCR's predictive value for HTB was superior to HbA1c and C-peptide. The Kaplan-Meier cumulative survival curve showed that short-term mortality increased at HTB. In addition, HCR strongly predicted short-term mortality in Cox regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, HCR is closely associated with HTB and short-term mortality in STEMI patients.

The Relationship Between Nitrate-Induced Headache and -Blood Viscosity: An Observational Prospective Study.

ABSTRACT: Nitrates are one of the most prescribed medications in the treatment of angina pectoris today. Headache is the most common side effect of nitrates, and there is limited prospective data on the determinants of this effect. Our aim in this study is to open a foresight window for clinicians in clinical practice by explaining the possible relationship between nitrate-induced headache and whole-blood viscosity (WBV). After coronary revascularization treatment, 869 patients with angina who were prescribed nitrate preparations were divided into groups according to the development of headache or not and categorized according to the 4-grade scale level. Those who had no headache during nitrate use were graded as grade 0, those who felt mild headache were grade 1, those who felt moderate headache were grade 2, and those who described severe headache were graded as grade 3. The groups were compared according to WBV values. A total of 869 participants were included in the study. Most patients (82.1%) experienced some level of headache. Headache severity correlated with both WBV at high shear rate (r = 0.657; P < 0.001) and WBV at low shear rate (r = 0.687; P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, WBV was determined as an independent predictor of headache experience. WBV predicted nitrate-induced headache with 75% sensitivity and 75% specificity at high shear rate and 77% sensitivity and 77% specificity at low shear rate. WBV seems to be one of the major determinants for nitrate-induced headache. WBV may be a guide for initiating alternative antianginal drugs without prescribing nitrates to the patient to increase patient compliance.

Increased whole blood viscosity is associated with primary idiopathic complete atrioventricular block and poor clinical outcomes in these patients.

BACKGROUND: Complete atrioventricular block is most commonly caused by age-related degeneration and fibrosis in the cardiac conduction system and is called primary idiopathic complete atrioventricular (iCAVB). Although many factors affect this situation, which increases with age in the cardiac conduction system, the relationship between whole blood viscosity (WBV) and iCAVB has not been clarified until now. In this study, we aim to reveal the relationship between iCAVB and WBV. METHODS AND RESULTS: 141 patients with dual-chamber permanent pacemaker implanted for iCAVB and 140 age- and sex-matched subjects were included in this study. The WBV values of the study groups were compared in both high shear rate (HSR) and low shear rate (LSR). Both WBV at HSR and WBV at LSR were significantly higher in the iCAVB group compared to the control group (16.11 [15.14-16.89] vs 14.40 [13.62-15.58]; 39.82 [17.43-55.23] vs 1.38 [-13.14-26.73]; p < 0.001, respectively). The patient population was followed up for an median of 38 months for all-cause mortality. Higher mortality rates were found in higher WBV at HSR and WBV at LSR (p < 0.001,for both). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, WBV was found to be an independent predictor for iCAVB, and in these patients WBV was associated with poor clinical outcomes.

Can increased intestinal permeability and low-grade endotoxemia be the triggering pathogenesis in isolated coronary artery ectasia?

PURPOSE: Isolated coronary artery ectasia (ICAE) is a rare coronary artery disease (CAD) encountered during coronary angiography. Although many mechanisms have been suggested today that may be associated with ICAE, the underlying pathogenesis has not been fully understood. In this study, we aimed to reveal the possible relationship between intestinal permeability and ICAE. METHODS: Of the 12 850 patients who underwent coronary angiography, 138 consecutive patients with ICAE and 140 age- and sex-matched subjects with normal coronary arteries as the control group and 140 subjects with stenotic CAD were included in the study. RESULTS: Serum zonulin and lipopolysaccharide levels were significantly higher in patients with ICAE than in the control group and CAD group. Additionally, zonulin and lipopolysaccharide levels were significantly higher in the CAD group than in the ICAE group. In the correlation analysis, serum zonulin levels were correlated with the mean diameter and length of the ecstatic segment. In multivariate analysis, zonulin and lipopolysaccharide were identified as independent predictors for ICAE. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that there may be a pathophysiological relationship between increased intestinal permeability and ICAE.

C-Reactive Protein/Albumin Ratio as a Novel Predictor of Contrast Induced Nephropathy in Patients With Stable Angina Pectoris.

The relationship between C-reactive protein (CRP) to albumin ratio (CAR) and contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients with acute coronary syndrome has been reported. However, the relevance of CAR in patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP) has not been clarified. We hypothesized that CAR might predict the development of CIN in patients with SAP undergoing coronary angiography (CAG). Patients (n = 554) with SAP who underwent CAG were included in the study. CIN was defined as a ≥25% increase in serum creatinine compared with baseline value within 72 h of CAG. Participants were divided into two groups: CIN (n = 87) and non-CIN (n = 467). Age, CRP, CAR, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), urea, uric acid, contrast medium volume, the percent of percutaneous coronary intervention were significantly greater, whereas albumin and high-density lipoprotein were significantly lower in the CIN group than non-CIN group (p < .05, for all). Multivariate analysis showed that CAR was the only independent predictor for CIN (odds ratio = 7.065, 95% confidence interval (CI); 3.279-15.221, p < .001). Receiver operating characteristic ROC analysis showed that a CAR ≥ 0.1164 could predict CIN (sensitivity of 71% and specificity of 72%; area under curve = 0.736; 95% CI: 0.677-0.795, p < .001). CAR was significantly greater in patients who developed CIN and this independently predicted CIN.

Ectodysplasin A is associated with the presence and severity of coronary artery disease and poor long-term clinical outcome in patients presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: Hepatokines are proteins secreted by hepatocytes and many hepatokines such as fetuin A/B, selenoprotein P have been shown to play a role in the pathogenesis of many metabolic dysfunctions such as diabetes, insulin resistance, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome by showing autocrine, paracrine and systemic effects. Ectodysplasin A (EDA) is a recently discovered hepatokine that plays a role in the development of ectodermal structures. In recent studies, it has been revealed that EDA may be associated with the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic liver disease, insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes mellitus. The close relationship between these metabolic diseases and coronary artery disease (CAD), which may be associated with insulin resistance, has been well documented in previous studies. However, until now, there is no study examining the relationship of EDA with CAD and its effect on long-term outcomes. In this study, we aim to reveal this relationship on patients presenting with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: EDA levels of 544 patients who applied to the study with STEMI and 544 people without coronary artery disease were included in the control group, and the patients with STEMI were followed for median of 33.7 ± 6.8 months. RESULTS: We found that EDA levels were significantly higher in patients with STEMI and that EDA levels were proportional to the severity of CAD (p < 0.001) also EDA levels may be an independent predictor of poor clinical outcome in patients with STEMI. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that EDA is closely related to the presence and severity of CAD.

SCUBE1 is associated with thrombotic complications, disease severity, and in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 disease, which has recently become an important cause of mortality and morbidity all over the world, is remarkably associated with thrombotic complications. Although many factors are responsible for these increased thrombotic complications in COVID-19 disease, its relationship with a marker that increases the risk of thrombosis such as Signal peptide-CUB-EGF domain-containing protein 1 (SCUBE1) has not yet been clarified. This is the first study to examine the potential diagnostic and prognostic value of SCUBE1 levels in patients with COVID-19. In this study, we aimed to clarify the relationship between the increased risk of thrombosis and SCUBE1 in the course of COVID-19 disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 553 patients with COVID-19 and 553 healthy controls were compared in terms of SCUBE1 levels. Additionally, patients with COVID-19 were divided into two groups according to their SCUBE1 levels and compared in terms of severity of disease, thrombotic complications and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: SCUBE1 levels were significantly higher in patients with COVID-19 compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Plasma SCUBE1 levels were significantly higher in patients with severe disease and thrombotic complications, those with mild to moderate disease, and those without thrombotic complications (p < 0.001, for both). In addition, SCUBE1 was found to be an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: SCUBE1 may be one of the major determinants of thrombotic complications, which is an increased cause of mortality and morbidity in COVID-19 patients so inhibition of this peptide may be among the therapeutic targets in patients with COVID-19.

The relationship between myocardial bridge and frontal QRS-T angle.

Aim: Although Myocardial bridge (MB) is known as a benign condition, it has been demonstrated to be associated with cardiac arrhythmias and poor outcomes. Frontal QRS-T angle (fQRSTa) is a novel indicator of repolarization and depolarization heterogeneity. Last studies indicated that associated with fQRSTa and adverse cardiac events. No study evaluated the relationship between fQRSTa and MB. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between MB and fQRSTa. Methods: This study included 91 patients with normal coronary arteries and 89 patients with MB. Coronary angiography was performed in all patients due to ischemia findings on treadmill exercise test or myocardial scintigraphy.2-lead surface electrocardiograms (ECGs) of all patients were evaluated. QT interval, fQRSTa, QTc interval were measured from surface ECGs. Results: Baseline clinical, echocardiographic and laboratory parameters were similar between MB and control group. However, when compared to control group, patients with MB had importantly raised fQRSTa [27 (20-41) vs. 23 (12-37) p = 0.007]. In correlation analysis, fQRSTa was positively correlated with MB length (r = 0.411, p < 0.001). Linear regression analysis showed that MB length was the just considerable predictor of fQRSTa (ß = 0.247, p = 0.041). Conclusions: The fQRSTa is a novel electrocardiographic marker that can be easily obtained from surface ECG. We have shown for the first time that MB length is a significant predictor of fQRSTa.

The relationship between oxidative stress and autophagy and apoptosis in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Although the pathophysiology of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) is not fully known, oxidative stress (OS) and atrial remodeling seem to be important triggers. Autophagy and apoptosis which are the types of cell death are fundamental processes in the human body. Although they investigated in many diseases, no study evaluated these parameters in PAF patients. We aimed to investigate autophagy and apoptosis which may be associated with atrial remodeling, and to show whether these factors are associated with OS in PAF patients. In this study, 44 PAF patients admitted to our clinic and 44 healthy volunteers were included. Serum total oxidative stress (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), oxidative stress index (OSI), and ATG5 for autophagy and serum M30 for apoptosis were studied. Serum TOS, OSI, ATG5, M30 and left atrium (LA) diameter were higher, while TAS was lower in PAF group than the control group (p < 0.001, for all). ATG5 was positively correlated with TOS, OSI and LA, whereas negatively correlated with TAS. Also, M30 was positively correlated with TOS and OSI, whereas negatively correlated with TAS. Logistic regression analysis showed that TOS (P = 0.002), ATG5 (p = 0.013) and M30 (p = 0.006) were independent predictors of the PAF. It also found that ATG5 was the only independent predictor of LA enlargement in linear regression analysis. Our study showed that ATG5 and M30 were increased, and they were correlated with OS in patients with PAF. Therefore, we suggest that autophagy and apoptosis may play an important role in the PAF process.

Impaired global and segmental myocardial deformation assessed by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in patients with vitamin B12 deficiency.

BACKGROUND: Contrary effects of vitamin B12 deficiency have been shown on the cardiovascular system. Aim of our study was to analyze left ventricular (LV) myocardial deformation, by using the two dimensional (2D) speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) in patients with vitamin B12 deficiency and normal LV ejection fraction. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with vitamin B12 deficiency (B12 levels < 200 pg/mL; mean age: 29.6 ± 8.2 years, 15 female), and 27 healthy controls (B12 levels > 200 pg/mL; mean age: 30.1 ± 6.9 years, 13 female) were included in the study. 2D echocardiography images were transferred to a workstation for further offline analysis. Longitudinal peak systolic (LPSS) and global strain (LGS) was obtained from 4 chamber and apical long axis (APLAX) views. RESULTS: Standard echocardiographic parameters and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) velocities were compared between the groups. All LPSS values in the patient group except for apical 4C septal wall longitudinal strain were significantly decreased than those in the control group. There was a positive correlation between B12 levels and strain values except apical 4C septal wall strain values. CONCLUSIONS: We found that in patients with vitamin B12 deficiency, global and segmental myocardial deformation was impaired and this impairment was correlated with the levels of vitamin B12.