Comparison of serum lipoprotein(a) levels in young and middle-aged patients presenting for the first time with ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a single-centre study.

BACKGROUND: Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a) ] is associated with coronary artery disease due to its atherogenic and thrombogenic nature. In this study, we aimed to compare the level of Lp(a) in young and middle-aged patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: This retrospective study included 287 patients aged 20-65 years who presented to the emergency department for the first time due to STEMI. The patients were divided into two groups: 20-45 years (young group, n = 111) and 46-65 years (middle-aged group, n = 176). The groups were compared in terms of demographic characteristics, co-morbidities and laboratory findings. RESULTS: In the young group, smoking (99, 89.2% vs 130, 73.9%; p = 0.001), family history of coronary artery disease (75, 67.6% vs 80, 45.5; p < 0.001), serum Lp(a) level [38.1 ± 27.9 (93 ± 68) vs 23.5 ± 23.2 mg/dl (57 ± 56 nmol/l); p < 0.001], triglyceride level [219.1 ± 231.9 (2.48 ± 2.62) vs 170.2 ± 105.6 mg/dl (1.92 ± 1.19 mmol/l); p = 0.018), ejection fraction (52.4 ± 6.1 vs 47.2 ± 7.7%; p = 0.004) and single-vessel disease (83, 74.8% vs 110, 62.5%; p = 0.031) were higher than in the middle-aged group. In multivariable logistic regression analyses, family history (OR: 2.073, 95% CI: 1.210-3.549; p = 0.008), low high-density lipoprotin cholesterol level (OR: 1.032, 95% CI: 1.003-1.062; p = 0.029) and Lp(a) elevation (OR: 1.981, 95% CI: 1.871-3.991; p < 0.001) were possible independent risk factors for STEMI in young patients. CONCLUSION: Lp(a) level was found to be a higher and a possible independent risk factor in young patients who presented with STEMI for the first time, compared to the middle-aged patient group. Lp(a) is a highly atherogenic molecule and it has been associated with stroke, heart failure, aortic stenosis, as well as coronary artery disease. Measurement of Lp(a) levels may be recommended in young patients with high cardiovascular risk.

Is there a difference between aortic and brachial vein blood lipoprotein and total cholesterol levels?

OBJECTIVE: Atherosclerosis is a disease of the arteries that is not practically observed in veins. There are a lot of proposed mechanisms underlying this phenomenon. We aimed to compare the lipoprotein and total cholesterol levels in aortic and venous blood samples. METHODS: A total of 125 patients ≥18 years of age were included in the study. After overnight fasting, we drew blood from the proximal ascending aorta and brachial vein. Serum lipid profiles were compared between these samples. RESULTS: Out of 125 patients, 45 (36%) were females, and 80 (64%) were males. The mean age of the patients was 62 years (24-85 years). Notably, 39 (31%) patients were using statin treatment. Coronary angiography showed that 103 (82%) patients had coronary artery disease. Mean arterial total cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein), high-density lipoprotein, and triglyceride levels were significantly lower than mean venous total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, and triglyceride levels (187.3±45.3 mg/dL vs. 204.5±52.6 mg/dL, p<0.001; 116.7±41.5 mg/dL vs. 128±45 mg/dL, p<0.001; 40.8±12.9 mg/dL vs. 45.3±13.3 mg/dL, p<0.001; and 142.8±81.5 vs. 161.5±100.3 mg/dL, p<0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Aortic lipoprotein and total cholesterol levels are significantly lower than venous lipoprotein and total cholesterol levels in patients presenting to the hospital for coronary angiography.

Is there a difference between aortic and brachial vein blood lipoprotein and total cholesterol levels?

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Atherosclerosis is a disease of the arteries that is not practically observed in veins. There are a lot of proposed mechanisms underlying this phenomenon. We aimed to compare the lipoprotein and total cholesterol levels in aortic and venous blood samples. METHODS: A total of 125 patients ≥18 years of age were included in the study. After overnight fasting, we drew blood from the proximal ascending aorta and brachial vein. Serum lipid profiles were compared between these samples. RESULTS: Out of 125 patients, 45 (36%) were females, and 80 (64%) were males. The mean age of the patients was 62 years (24-85 years). Notably, 39 (31%) patients were using statin treatment. Coronary angiography showed that 103 (82%) patients had coronary artery disease. Mean arterial total cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein), high-density lipoprotein, and triglyceride levels were significantly lower than mean venous total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, and triglyceride levels (187.3±45.3 mg/dL vs. 204.5±52.6 mg/dL, p<0.001; 116.7±41.5 mg/dL vs. 128±45 mg/dL, p<0.001; 40.8±12.9 mg/dL vs. 45.3±13.3 mg/dL, p<0.001; and 142.8±81.5 vs. 161.5±100.3 mg/dL, p<0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Aortic lipoprotein and total cholesterol levels are significantly lower than venous lipoprotein and total cholesterol levels in patients presenting to the hospital for coronary angiography.

The relationship between gender and systemic immune-inflammation index in patients with new-onset essential hypertension.

AIM: The systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) has been reported to have a prognostic ability in various cardiovascular diseases and tumours. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether there was an association between SII and gender and age in newly diagnosed, treatment-naïve, hypertensive patients. METHODS: A total of 153 participants, of whom 93 were men and 60 were women, were included in this retrospective study. Retrospective evaluation of the patients was performed using electronic medical records. The SII was calculated according to the following formula at admission: SII = platelet × neutrophil/lymphocyte counts. RESULTS: The SII was significantly higher in women compared to men (546.31 vs 385, respectively, p = 0.003) and was positively correlated with age. The receiver operating characteristic curve shows the SII cut-off value predicting new-onset essential hypertension with a sensitivity of 67.6% and a specificity of 67.2% in women. CONCLUSIONS: According to these results, using the SII in cardiovascular diseases may be recommended to increase survival rate in hypertensive women.

Frontal QRS/T angle can predict mortality in COVID-19 patients.

AIMS: The frontal QRS-T (fQRS) angle has been investigated in the general population, including healthy people and patients with heart failure. The fQRS angle can predict mortality due to myocarditis, ischaemic and non-ischaemic cardiomyopathies, idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, and chronic heart failure in the general population. Moreover, no studies to date have investigated fQRS angle in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Thus, the purpose of this retrospective multicentre study was to evaluate the fQRS angle of COVID-19 patients to predict in-hospital mortality and the need for mechanical ventilation. METHODS AND RESULTS: An electrocardiogram was performed for 327 COVID-19 patients during admission, and the fQRS angle was calculated. Mechanical ventilation was needed in 119 patients; of them, 110 died in the hospital. The patients were divided into two groups according to an fQRs angle >90° versus an fQRS angle ≤90°. The percentages of mortality and the need for mechanical ventilation according to fQRS angle were 67.8% and 66.1%, respectively, in the fQRs >90° group and 26.1% and 29.9% in the fQRS ≤90°group. Heart rate, oxygen saturation, fQRS angle, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and C-reactive protein level were predictors of mortality on the multivariable analysis. The mortality risk increased 2.9-fold on the univariate analysis and 1.6-fold on the multivariate analysis for the fQRS >90° patient group versus the fQRS ≤90° group. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, a wide fQRS angle >90° was a predictor of in-hospital mortality and associated with the need for mechanical ventilation among COVID-19 patients.

Predictive value of frontal QRS-T angle after cardiac resynchronization therapy.

OBJECTIVE: It is practical and useful to detect patients who benefit from cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) by electrocardiographic (ECG) methods. In this study, the predictive role of the frontal QRS-T angle and other ECG parameters was evaluated in CRT responder patients. METHOD: Seventy-seven consecutive patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 35%, New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes II-III, ambulatory class IV and normal sinus rhythm, who had complete left bundle branch block and were treated with CRT were included in this study. Patients were classified as "CRT responders" and "CRT non responders" according to their LVEF improvement. The frontal QRS-T angle was calculated as the absolute value of the difference between the QRS and T wave axes [frontal QRS-T angle = (QRS axis-T axis)]. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 64.5 ± 9.1 years, and the average follow-up was 28 (12-47) months. The post-implantation LVEF was higher in the patients CRT responders group (p < 0.001). Post-implantation frontal QRS-T angle (p = 0.003), QRS duration (p = 0.008) and cQT interval (p = 0.012) values were much shorter in the CRT responder group. Multivariable regression analyses showed that the frontal QRS-T angle and age were independent risk factors for CRT response (p = 0.009). The results of the receiver operating characteristic curve analyses (ROC) showed that the predictive optimal cut-off value of CRT response for the frontal QRS-T angle was <135 degrees (AUC: 0.69, 95% CI 0.575-0.814, p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: The narrowed frontal QRS-T angle (<135 degrees), QRS duration and cQT interval were associated with CRT response in heart failure patients. The frontal QRS-T angle can be an independent predictor of CRT response.

Use of T-wave duration and Tpeak-Tend interval as new prognostic markers for patients treated with cardiac resynchronization therapy.

BACKGROUND: The use of electrocardiography (ECG) is a practical method to evaluate the response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) implantation, as it is easily performed and saves time. AIM: This study aimed to assess the predictive value of the T-wave duration and Tpeak-Tend (Tp-e) interval following the CRT implantation administered to heart failure patients. METHODS: Sixty-seven patients with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II-III, ambulatory class IV, normal sinus rhythm, who have complete left bundle branch block on ECG and treated with CRT were included in this study. Patients who have manifested a ≥10% improvement in ejection fraction following CRT implantation, were categorized as "responders", and the remaining patients were categorized as "non-responders". ECGs and echocardiograms were evaluated both six months before and after CRT implantation. RESULTS: The post-CRT QRS duration (P = 0.01), cQT interval (P = 0.005), T-wave (P <0.001), and Tp-e interval (P <0.001) were found to be significantly reduced in the responder group compared to the non-responder group. The receiver operating characteristics curve analyses revealed that the predictive optimal cut-off of the T-wave was <182 ms (P <0.001), and that of the Tp-e interval was <92 ms (P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: T-wave and Tp-e interval may be independent predictors of a favorable CRT response in heart failure patients.

Do sporting activities and using protein supplements change the frontal QRS-T angle?

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the frontal QRS-T angle was different between the athletes and normal healthy people. METHODS: The study included 122 healthy athletes (the mean age was 29.7±7.7 years, of them, were 73.8% male) and a control group consisted of 60 healthy people (the mean age was 29.8±7.8 years, 26% of them were male). Then, the athletes were divided into two groups as who used protein supplements (PS) and those who did not. In the 12-lead ECG, heart rate (HR), P, QRS, QT, corrected QT (QTc) duration, QT and corrected QT dispersion (QTD, QTcD), the sum of V1 or V2S amplitude and V5 or V6R amplitude (V1/2S+V5/6R), frontal QRS-T angle were calculated. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the athletes and control groups regarding age, gender, smoking, body mass index, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), echocardiographic features, P, PR duration, P, QRS, T axis, QTD and QTcD (P>0.05).HR and QTc were significantly lower (P<0.05) and QRS, QT duration was longer in athletes group (P<0.001). The V1/2S+V5/6R and frontal QRS-T angle values were higher in the athlete's group (P<0.001). There was no significant difference between PS users and non PS users regarding demographic characteristics, duration of sports years, SBP and DBP (P>0.05). However, male gender was dominant in the PS users group (P=0.018). The P axis, PR and QRS duration were longer in the PS users group (P<0.05).It was found that the T axis was negatively correlated (r=-0.431,P<0.001) but the QRS axis was positively correlated (r=0.395,P<0.001) with frontal QRS-T angle. CONCLUSIONS: The frontal QRS-T angle, was found to be wider in athletes compared to normal healthy participants. However, there was no significant difference between who used PS and those who did not.

Is there any Link Between Vitamin D and Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation after Cardioversion?

INTRODUCTION: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common chronic arrhythmia in the elderly population. In symptomatic patients, restoration and maintenance of sinus rhythm improve quality of life. Unfortunately, AF recurrence still occurs in a considerable number of patients after cardioversion (CV). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the association between vitamin D (VitD) and AF recurrence after electrical or medical CV. METHOD: A total of 51 patients who underwent CV for symptomatic AF were included in the study. AF recurrence was defined as an AF pattern in 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) recording after CV within 6 months or ECG Holter recording of AF lasting more than 30 seconds at 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: Mean vitD level was 21.4 ng/ml in our study population. VitD level was lower in the AF recurrence group than in the non-recurrence group (18 ng/ml vs. 26.3 ng/ml, respectively; P=0.001). Additionally, left atrial diameter was larger in the AF recurrence group compared to the non-recurrence group (4.4 vs. 4.1, P=0.025). Patients with AF recurrence were older than patients without AF recurrence, and, although the prevalence of hypertension is higher in the AF recurrence group, there was no statistically significant difference (P=0.107, P=0.867). CONCLUSION: In our study, there is a strong association between vitD level and AF recurrence after CV. VitD deficiency might be a predictor of high risk of AF recurrence after CV and vitD supplementation during the follow-up might help the maintenance of sinus rhythm.

Is there any link between vitamin D deficiency and vasovagal syncope?

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate serum 25[OH]D levels between patients with vasovagal syncope (VVS) diagnosed with head-up tilt table test (HUTT) and age-matched healthy people. METHODS: The study included 75 consecutive patients (32.3 ± 10.7 years), who presented with syncope and underwent HUTT and 52 healthy controls (32.9 ± 14.1 years). HUTT patients were divided into two groups according to whether there was syncope response to the test. Patients underwent cardiac, psychiatric, and neurological investigation. Serum 25[OH]D levels were measured by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay method. RESULTS: There was no difference between the two groups in terms of age, gender, body mass index (BMI), echocardiographic findings (P > .05). Mean serum 25[OH]D (24.5 ± 6.3 vs 20.1 ± 8.8 ng/mL, P = .003) and vitamin B12 levels (436.4 ± 199.2 vs 363.1 ± 107.6 pg/mL, P = .009) was lower in syncope patients when compared to the control group. In correlation analyses, syncope was shown as correlated with the vitamin D (r = -264, P = .003) and vitamin B12 levels (r = -233, P = .009). But, multivariate regression analyses showed that only vitamin D increased risk of syncope [OR: 0.946, 95% CI (0.901-0.994)]. There was no difference in terms of age, gender, BMI, echocardiographic findings between the in HUTT positive (n = 45) and negative groups (n = 29). Only vitamin D level was significantly lower in HUTT positive group (17.5 ± 7.7 vs 24.4 ± 9.1 ng/mL, P = .002). There was no difference among in the vasovagal subgroups in terms of vitamin D level and other features. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D and B12 levels were reasonably low in syncope patients, but especially low Vitamin D levels were associated with VVS diagnosed in HUTT.

Is there any link between vitamin d and recurrence of atrial fibrillation after cardioversion?

Abstract Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common chronic arrhythmia in the elderly population. In symptomatic patients, restoration and maintenance of sinus rhythm improve quality of life. Unfortunately, AF recurrence still occurs in a considerable number of patients after cardioversion (CV). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the association between vitamin D (VitD) and AF recurrence after electrical or medical CV. Method: A total of 51 patients who underwent CV for symptomatic AF were included in the study. AF recurrence was defined as an AF pattern in 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) recording after CV within 6 months or ECG Holter recording of AF lasting more than 30 seconds at 6-month follow-up. Results: Mean vitD level was 21.4 ng/ml in our study population. VitD level was lower in the AF recurrence group than in the non-recurrence group (18 ng/ml vs. 26.3 ng/ml, respectively; P=0.001). Additionally, left atrial diameter was larger in the AF recurrence group compared to the non-recurrence group (4.4 vs. 4.1, P=0.025). Patients with AF recurrence were older than patients without AF recurrence, and, although the prevalence of hypertension is higher in the AF recurrence group, there was no statistically significant difference (P=0.107, P=0.867). Conclusion: In our study, there is a strong association between vitD level and AF recurrence after CV. VitD deficiency might be a predictor of high risk of AF recurrence after CV and vitD supplementation during the follow-up might help the maintenance of sinus rhythm.

Effects of chronic cigarette smoking on myocardial deformation parameters by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoking causes myocardial damage with several mechanisms such as sympathetic nervous system activation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction. Chronic smokers have an increased risk of morbidity and mortality associated with cardiac events. We aimed to compare the myocardial deformation parameters between chronic smokers and nonsmoker healthy population. METHOD: Forty-two healthy participants (mean age 33.48 ± 10.00 years) without smoking history, 40 participants (mean age 33.98 ± 9.27 years) who had been smoking were prospectively included. In addition to conventional echocardiographic measurements, global longitudinal strain (GLS) of left ventricle (LV), GLS of right ventricle (RV), left atrial strain, and strain rate were analyzed. RESULTS: Smokers had lower peak early diastolic velocity (E) and E/a (early diastolic velocity/late diastolic velocity) ratio in mitral inflow (70.0 ± 13.9 cm/sec vs 77.1 ± 13.3 cm/sec, P = .023; 1.4 ± 0.4 vs 1.7 ± 0.4, P = .011; respectively). Peak early diastolic velocity of mitral valve septal annulus (Em) and Em/Am ratio (peak early diastolic velocity of mitral valve/late diastolic velocity of mitral valve) (11.0 ± 2.1 cm/sec vs 12.1 ± 2.4 cm/sec, P = .023; 1.2 ± 0.3 vs 1.4 ± 0.4, P = .039; respectively) were lower in smokers. LV GLS and RV GLS were significantly lower in smokers (-17.6% ± 3.01 vs -19.2% ± 2.5; P = .013, -18.9% ± 4.4 vs -21.0% ± 4.5; P = .039; respectively). CONCLUSION: Impaired LV and RV deformation were found in chronic smokers in our study. Although there was no statistically significant difference with left ventricular ejection fraction, LV GLS which is the early indicator of LV systolic dysfunction was lower in chronic smokers. The assessment of early harmful effects of smoking on left and right ventricle might be evaluated with speckle tracking echocardiography.

Improvement of abnormal systolic motion of the interventricular septum with cardiac resynchronization therapy.

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus in the literature regarding what is the responsible mechanism of left ventricular dyssynchrony; septal dyskinesia or late movement of left ventricle (LV) lateral wall. We aim to evaluate the abnormal systolic motion in each myocardial segment and the improvement of LV systolic function with pulsed tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) in patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) with left bundle branch block (LBBB). METHODS: A total of 26 patients undergoing CRT implantation with LBBB, wide QRS duration (≥120 ms), and low ejection fraction (EF) (<35%) were included. Pulsed TDI was taken from apical 4-chamber view and parasternal short axis view (PSAX). All echocardiographic parameters were measured when CRT is on and off. RESULTS: Systolic ejection time (ET) of anteroseptal and posterolateral wall of LV in PSAX was statistically significantly longer in CRT on group (321.6 ± 62.7 vs 237.5 ± 59.3 ms, P < .001; 323.9 ± 58.0 vs 289.4 ± 43.7 ms, P = .015, respectively). In apical 4-chamber view, septal annulus systolic ET is significantly longer in CRT on group than CRT off group (315.8 ± 57.2 vs 287.3 ± 42.2, P = .014). Also, there was a strong correlation between systolic ET of the septum in PSAX with aortic velocity time integral (VTI), QRS duration and EF (r = .587, P = .002; r = .479, P = .013; r = .440, P = .025; respectively). CONCLUSION: Circumferential contraction of septal myocardial fibers is improved with CRT and it is strongly correlated with increase of aortic VTI and shortening of QRS duration. These findings predict the deterioration of septal contraction as the main mechanism in patients with LBBB pattern and, CRT may improves myocardial contraction by correcting septal systolic motion.

The importance of intra-aortic pulse pressure after anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the association of pulse pressure (PP) with mortality and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in one-year period after anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (A-STEMI). Methods: A total of 261 consecutive patients whose blood pressure was measured with the aid of a catheter before primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) between August 2016 and February 2017 were included in the study. The patients were divided into three groups according to pulse pressure (PP) (Group 1, PP<35 mmHg; Group 2, 35≤PP≤50 mmHg; Group 3, PP>50 mmHg). Results: The mean age of the patients was 63.4±14.1 years, and 206 of them were male. The groups were similar in terms of age and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). The ratio of female patients in Group 1 was higher, and their systolic blood pressure (SBP) was lower than those from the other groups (P=0.005 vs. P=0.042). The rates of MACE and mortality were higher in Group 1. The predictive PP values were calculated to be 42.5 mmHg for development of MACE and 41.5 mmHg for mortality. One-year survival ratio was worse in Group 1 than in the others according to Kaplan-Meier analysis (P<0.001). Conclusion: The values of PP which was measured intra-aortically in patients with A-STEMI were associated with mortality and MACE in the one-year follow-up period.

The negative effect of mean perfusion pressure on the development of acute kidney injury after transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the predictive value of mean perfusion pressure (mPP) in the development of acute kidney injury (AKIN) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Methods: One hundred and forty seven consecutive patients with aortic stenosis (AS) were evaluated for this study and 133 of them were included. Mean arterial pressure (mAP) and central venous pressure (CVP) were used to calculate mPP before TAVI procedure (mPP = mAP-CVP). The occurrence of AKIN was evaluated with AKIN classification according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 recommendations. The patients were divided into two groups according to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of their mPP levels (high-risk group and low-risk group). Results: The AKIN prevalence was 22.6% in this study population. Baseline serum creatinine level, glomerular filtration rate, amount of contrast medium, and the level of mPP were determined as predictive factors for the development of AKIN. Conclusion: The occurrence of AKIN is associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates in patients with TAVI. In addition to the amount of contrast medium and basal kidney functions, our study showed that lower mPP was strongly associated with development of AKIN after TAVI.

The Negative Effect of Mean Perfusion Pressure on the Development of Acute Kidney Injury after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the predictive value of mean perfusion pressure (mPP) in the development of acute kidney injury (AKIN) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). METHODS: One hundred and forty seven consecutive patients with aortic stenosis (AS) were evaluated for this study and 133 of them were included. Mean arterial pressure (mAP) and central venous pressure (CVP) were used to calculate mPP before TAVI procedure (mPP = mAP-CVP). The occurrence of AKIN was evaluated with AKIN classification according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 recommendations. The patients were divided into two groups according to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of their mPP levels (high-risk group and low-risk group). RESULTS: The AKIN prevalence was 22.6% in this study population. Baseline serum creatinine level, glomerular filtration rate, amount of contrast medium, and the level of mPP were determined as predictive factors for the development of AKIN. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of AKIN is associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates in patients with TAVI. In addition to the amount of contrast medium and basal kidney functions, our study showed that lower mPP was strongly associated with development of AKIN after TAVI.

The Importance of Intra-aortic Pulse Pressure After Anterior ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of pulse pressure (PP) with mortality and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in one-year period after anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (A-STEMI). METHODS: A total of 261 consecutive patients whose blood pressure was measured with the aid of a catheter before primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) between August 2016 and February 2017 were included in the study. The patients were divided into three groups according to pulse pressure (PP) (Group 1, PP<35 mmHg; Group 2, 35≤PP≤50 mmHg; Group 3, PP>50 mmHg). RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 63.4±14.1 years, and 206 of them were male. The groups were similar in terms of age and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). The ratio of female patients in Group 1 was higher, and their systolic blood pressure (SBP) was lower than those from the other groups (P=0.005 vs. P=0.042). The rates of MACE and mortality were higher in Group 1. The predictive PP values were calculated to be 42.5 mmHg for development of MACE and 41.5 mmHg for mortality. One-year survival ratio was worse in Group 1 than in the others according to Kaplan-Meier analysis (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The values of PP which was measured intra-aortically in patients with A-STEMI were associated with mortality and MACE in the one-year follow-up period.

Cisplatin plus gemcitabine chemotherapy in taxane/anthracycline-resistant metastatic breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: The most commonly used chemotherapeutic regimens in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) include anthracyclines and taxanes. In our study, we investigated the efficacy and tolerability of cisplatin plus gemcitabine combination chemotherapy regimen in patients with MBC, who exhibited disease progression after anthracycline- and taxane-based chemotherapy. METHODS: Thirty-three patients with taxane/anthracycline-resistant MBC have been treated with gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m(2) intravenously and cisplatin 30 mg/m(2) intravenously on days 1 and 8 of a 3-week treatment cycle. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients were assessable for response. One of the 31 patients (3.2%) showed complete response, while 7 patients (22.6%) showed partial response; the objective response rate was 25.8%. Stable and progressive disease was observed in 6 (19.4%) and 17 patients (54.8%), respectively. The median time to progression was 4 months (95% CI 2.15-5.85). The median survival time of all patients was 9.5 months (95% CI 7.86-11.14). CONCLUSION: Gemcitabine and cisplatin combination therapy is moderately active and safe in patients with MBC previously treated with anthracycline and taxanes.