Assessment of left ventricular function with tissue Doppler echocardiography and of B-type natriuretic peptide levels in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

INTRODUCTION: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an emerging minimally invasive treatment modality in high surgical risk or inoperable patients. AIM: The aim of this study was to ascertain the effect of TAVI on left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function and serum B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in high surgical risk or inoperable patients with severe aortic stenosis. METHODS: Fifty-five patients were included in our retrospective study. LV systolic and diastolic function was assessed with conventional and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) prior to and after TAVI. Additionally, BNP was measured 24 h before and three months after the procedure. Echocardiographic controls were performed at one, three and six months and one year and mean values were taken. At the end of the study, LV systolic and diastolic function, serum BNP levels and New York Heart Association functional capacity were assessed and compared to baseline parameters. RESULTS: The TAVI procedure was successful in all patients. In-hospital mortality was 1.8% (one patient). There was a substantial improvement in LV function and functional capacity at follow-up. In addition, a statistically significant decrease was detected in serum BNP levels post-TAVI (median 380 pg/ml [176.6-929.3] vs. 215 pg/ml [96.0-383.0], p=0.0001). Only one patient required a permanent pacemaker (1.8%) and there was no mortality after TAVI during follow-up. There were significant increases in LV ejection fraction and aortic valve area (51.0±13.1% vs. 58.4±9.1%, p<0.001, and 0.6±0.1 cm2 vs. 2.1±0.2 cm2, p=0.0001, respectively). At the end of the study, conventional Doppler echocardiography revealed improvement in diastolic function, with an increase in mitral E wave, a decrease in mitral A wave and an increase in E/A ratio. Deceleration time and isovolumetric relaxation time were shortened and myocardial performance (Tei) index decreased. TDI showed an increase in systolic myocardial velocity (Sm) and early diastolic velocity (Em). Septal mitral annular Sm and Em were increased, whereas MPI was reduced. CONCLUSION: We found that LV structural changes and diastolic dysfunction occur in patients with severe aortic stenosis and that TAVI is able to reverse these abnormalities, which we demonstrated by both conventional echocardiography and TDI. In addition, serum BNP levels were decreased after TAVI.

The Relationship between Vitamin D and Coronary Artery Ectasia in Subjects with a Normal C-Reactive Protein Level.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Vitamin D is generally known to be closely related to inflammation. The effects of vitamin D on coronary artery disease (CAD) are not fully explained. Nowadays, coronary artery ectasia (CAE) cases are common and are regarded as being a kind of CAD. We aimed to investigate, in a case-control study, the relationship between vitamin D and CAE without an associated inflammatory process. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study population included 201 patients (CAE group, 121 males; mean age, 61.2±6.4 years) with isolated CAE; and 197 healthy individuals (control group, 119 males; mean age, 62.4±5.8 years), comprising the control group, who had normal coronary arteries. These participants concurrently underwent routine biochemical tests, tests for inflammatory markers, and tests for 25-OH vitamin D in whole-blood draws. These parameters were compared. RESULTS: There are no statistical significance differences among the groups for basic clinical characteristics (p>0.05). Inflammatory markers were recorded and compared to exclude any inflammatory process. All of them were similar, and no statistical significance difference was found. The average parathyroid hormone (PTH) level of patients was higher than the average PTH level in controls (41.8±15.1 pg/mL vs. 19.1±5.81 pg/mL; p<0.001). Also, the average 25-OH vitamin D level of patients was lower than the average 25-OH vitamin D level of controls (14.5±6.3 ng/mL vs. 24.6±9.3 ng/mL; p<0.001). In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the observed cut-off value for vitamin D between the control group and patients was 10.8 and 85.6% sensitivity and 75.2% specificity (area under the curve: 0.854, 95% confidence interval: 0.678-0.863). CONCLUSION: We found that there is an association between vitamin D and CAE in patients who had no inflammatory processes. Our study may provide evidence for the role of vitamin D as a non-inflammatory factor in the pathophysiology of CAE.

Should physicians instead of industry representatives be the main actor of cardiac implantable electronic device follow-up? (Super Follow-up).

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study sought to research the adequacy of the follow-up and optimization of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) performed by industry representatives. METHODS: A total of 403 consecutive patients (35% females; median age, 67 years; age range 18-97 years) with either pacemakers (n=246), implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), (n=117) or cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillator (CRT-D) (n=40) applied to our hospital's outpatient pacemaker clinic for follow-up. These patients had been followed up by industry representatives alone until September 2013 and then by a cardiologist who is dealing with cardiac electrophysiology and has a knowledge of CIED follow-up. RESULTS: It was ascertained that 117 (47.6%) of 246 patients with pacemakers had a programming error. Forty-three (36.8%) of 117 patients were symptomatic, and after reprogramming, all symptoms diminished partially or completely during the follow-up. Moreover, 30 (25.6%) of 117 patients with ICDs had a programming error. Furthermore, 6 (15%) of 40 patients with CRT-Ds had a programming error. To conclude, when all patients with CIEDs were assessed together, it was ascertained that 153 (38%) of 403 patients had programming errors. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of inappropriate programming of CIEDs by industry representatives was quite higher than expected. Therefore, our study strongly demonstrates that CIED follow-up should not be allowed to be performed entirely by manufacturers' representatives alone.

Management of Left Ventricular Free Wall Rupture Associated with Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Left ventricular free wall rupture is one of the mechanical complications of acute myocardial infarction and it may result in cardiac tamponade as well as limiting itself by forming a pseudoaneurysm. In this report, a case of left ventricular free wall rupture and pseudoaneurysm that developed during the course of posterior myocardial infarction has been presented. Left ventricular free wall rupture and pseudoaneurysm were identified by three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography and surgically repaired at a late stage.

Association of Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio with Plaque Morphology in Patients with Asymptomatic Intermediate Carotid Artery Stenosis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Non-calcified carotid plaques are more unstable than calcified plaques, and they are associated with a higher risk of rupture, thromboembolism, and consequently, stroke. The purpose of the present study is to compare calcified and non-calcified plaques that cause intermediate carotid artery stenosis with respect to neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total number of 139 asymptomatic patients with 50-70% stenosis of the carotid artery were included in this study. Carotid Doppler ultrasound imaging and computed tomography angiography were performed to divide the carotid artery plaques into two groups as calcified and non-calcified. Patients included in the calcified (n=73) and non-calcified (n=66) plaque groups were compared with respect to total neutrophil count, lymphocyte count and NLR. RESULTS: Total lymphocyte count was statistically significantly lower in the non-calcified plaque group compared to the calcified plaque group (total lymphocyte count in non-calcified/calcified plaque groups [103/mm3]: 2.1/2.3, respectively) (p=0.002). NLR was statistically significantly higher in the non-calcified plaque group compared to the calcified plaque group (NLR in non-calcified/calcified plaque groups: 2.6/2.1, respectively) (p<0.001). The cut-off value for NLR was found to be >2.54. Multivariate regression analysis showed that NLR was independently associated with non-calcified carotid artery plaques (odds ratio 5.686, 95% CI 2.498-12.944, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: NLR is increased in the presence of non-calcified carotid artery plaques that cause asymptomatic intermediate stenosis. Increased NLR can be used as a marker to assess the risk of rupture of non-calcified carotid artery plaques.

Aortopulmonary window in adulthood: Surviving at 22 years without intervention or pulmonary vascular disease.

Aortopulmonary window is a rare anomaly, a communication between the ascending aorta and the main pulmonary artery. Prognosis in the absence of correction is poor, with mortality of around 40% in the first year of life. A case of aortopulmonary window without pulmonary vascular disease in adulthood is described in the present report.

Aortic embolization of an Edwards SAPIEN prosthesis due to sigmoid left ventricular hypertrophy: Case report.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is considered an alternative therapy in high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis. Although a minimally invasive procedure, it is not free from complications, one of which is valve embolization at the time of TAVI. We present a case of embolization of a balloon-expandable aortic valve due to sigmoid left ventricular hypertrophy and managed with a second valve without surgery. The embolized valve was repositioned in the aortic arch between the left common carotid artery and the brachiocephalic trunk.

Short and Long-Term Effect of Carotid Artery Stenting on Arterial Blood Pressure Measured through Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the short and long-term effects of carotid artery stenting (CAS) procedure on blood pressure (BP) through ambulatory BP monitoring. METHODS: One hundred fifty three patients who underwent CAS for primary or secondary protection from December 2010 to September 2013 were enrolled to our study. The BP levels of total of 123 patients were monitored for 1 year. Thereafter, the pre-procedure levels of BP were compared with BP levels at the 24-hour and the first year intervals after the procedure. RESULTS: Systolic and diastolic BP levels at the 24-hour and the first year intervals after CAS were significantly lower than the pre-procedure BP levels. The mean 24-hour systolic BP was 113 ± 13 mmHg and diastolic BP was 63 ± 8 mmHg, both of which were significantly lower (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001 respectively), while the pre-procedure mean systolic BP was 133 ± 10 mmHg and the mean diastolic BP was 75 ± 9 mmHg. Moreover, the mean first-year systolic BP was 125 ± 10 mmHg with a decline of 8 ± 8 mmHg and mean diastolic BP was 71 ± 8 mmHg with a decline of 4 ± 7 mmHg, both of which were again significantly lower compared to the pre-procedure levels (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study suggested that systolic and diastolic BP levels diminished after CAS. Additionally, BP reduction continued even 1 year after the CAS.

The Association between Serum Ferritin Level, Tissue Doppler Echocardiography, Cardiac T2* MRI, and Heart Rate Recovery in Patients with Beta Thalassemia Major.

BACKGROUND: It is generally well-understood that iron-mediated cardiomyopathy is the major complication that can arise from beta thalassemia major (TM). Therefore, early diagnosis, risk stratification, and the effective treatment of beta TM patients are clinically important to optimize long-term positive outcomes. METHODS: This study included 57 beta TM patients with a mean age of 25 ± 7 years. We determined the serum ferritin level, echocardiography, heart rate recovery (HRR), and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) T2* in all patients. CMR T2* findings were categorized as normal myocardium (T2* > 20 ms), and myocardial involvement (T2* ≤ 20 ms). HRR values at 1-5 min (HRR1-5) were recorded; Subsequently. HRR was calculated by subtracting the heart rate at each time point from the heart rate at peak exercise. RESULTS: There was a significant negative correlation between the serum ferritin level and the cardiac T2* MRI findings (r = -0.34, p = 0.009). A similar result was found in the negative correlation between serum ferritin and all heart rate recovery values. There was a significant positive correlation between HRR1, HRR2, and HRR3 values, and CMR T2* (T2* heart rate recovery (HRR)1: r = 0.51, p < 0.001; T2* HRR2: r = 0.48, p < 0.001; T2* HRR3: r = 0.47, p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The serum ferritin level and echocardiography can be used to predict the presence of myocardial iron load in beta TM patients. Therefore, HRR can be used to screen beta TM patients, and the clinical use of HRR can be a predictive marker for autonomic dysfunction in beta TM patients. KEY WORDS: Beta thalassemia major • Cardiac magnetic resonance T2* • Heart rate recovery • Iron overload • Serum ferritin level • Tissue Doppler imaging.

Proximal embolization of Edwards SAPIEN prosthesis in transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is considered an alternative therapy in high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). However, this minimally invasive procedure carries potential complications, such as valve embolization at time of TAVI. We present a case of balloon-expandable aortic valve embolization which was managed nonsurgically. Valve embolization was managed conservatively, as the patient refused open heart surgery for definitive treatment. The patient was transferred to the intensive care unit in stable hemodynamic condition and discharged 1 week following the procedure.

Assessment of Impact of Weight Loss on Left and Right Ventricular Functions and Value of Tissue Doppler Echocardiography in Obese Patients.

OBJECTIVE: In our study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of weight loss on left and right ventricular functions in obese patients. METHODS: Thirty patients with a BMI greater than 30 kg/m(2) and without any exclusion criteria were included in the study. Left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions were assessed with conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography (TDE). At the end of 3 months, echocardiographic examination was repeated in patients with weight loss for cardiac function evaluation and it was compared to the baseline echocardiographic parameters. RESULTS: At the end of 3 months of weight loss period, conventional Doppler echocardiography revealed an improvement in diastolic functions with an increase in mitral E-wave, a decrease in mitral A-wave and an increase in E/A ratio. Deceleration time and isovolumetric relaxation time were ascertained shortened and Tei index decreased. TDE showed an increase in left ventricular lateral wall systolic wave (Sm) and E-wave velocity (Em). Mitral septal annular isovolumetric acceleration time (IVA), Sm and Em, were found to be increased, whereas Tei index was ascertained reduced. Right ventricular tissue Doppler examination following weight loss revealed an increase in RV- IVA, RV-Sm, and RV-Em, and a decrease in Tei index. CONCLUSION: We disclosed that left ventricular structural changes and diastolic dysfunction occur in obese patients, and by weight loss, these abnormalities may be reversible which we demonstrated both by conventional and TDE. In addition, obesity might impair RV function as well, and we observed an enhancement in right ventricular functions by weight loss.

Is Elevated Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio a Predictor of Stroke in Patients with Intermediate Carotid Artery Stenosis?

OBJECTIVE: An increased neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is associated with poor clinical prognosis in patients with cardiovascular disease. In this study, we aimed to investigate if there was a correlation between NLR and the risk of stroke in patients with intermediate carotid artery stenosis. METHODS: A total of 254 patients with a 50%-70% stenosis in the carotid artery, 115 of whom were symptomatic and 139 of whom were asymptomatic, were included in the study. Patients with a history of ischemic cerebrovascular event with or without sequelae, transient ischemic attack, and amaurosis fugax in the last 1-6 months were included in the symptomatic group of the study. The symptomatic and asymptomatic groups were compared in terms of total neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, and NLR. RESULTS: The total white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil count, and NLR were found to be higher and the lymphocyte count was found to be lower in the symptomatic patients than those in the asymptomatic patients (symptomatic/asymptomatic, respectively, WBC [10(3)/mm(3)]: 9.0/8.2, neutrophil count [10(3)/mm(3)]: 6.1/5.0, NLR: 3.08/2.2, lymphocyte count [10(3)/mm(3)]: 1.9/2.2) (P < .001). The cutoff value for NLR was found to be 2.6 or higher. In the multivariate regression analysis, an NLR value of 2.6 or higher was shown to be an independent variable for carotid artery stenosis to become symptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: NLR is increased in symptomatic intermediate carotid artery stenosis. An increased NLR value is an independent variable for carotid artery plaques to become symptomatic.

Predictors of Symptom Development in Intermediate Carotid Artery Stenosis: Mean Platelet Volume and Platelet Distribution Width.

Platelets play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherothrombosis. Platelet activation is associated with increased mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW). In this study, we investigated the relation of MPV and PDW with the risk of stroke in patients with intermediate (50%-70%) carotid artery stenosis. A total of 254 patients (115 symptomatic and 139 asymptomatic) with intermediate carotid artery stenosis were enrolled in this study. Symptomatic and asymptomatic patients were compared in regard to MPV and PDW. Mean platelet volume was significantly greater in the symptomatic group compared with the asymptomatic group (11.1 and 9.4 fL, respectively; P < .001). Platelet distribution width was significantly greater in the symptomatic group compared with the asymptomatic group (15.0% and 11.9%, respectively; P < .001). Multivariate regression analysis showed that an MPV ≥10.2 fL and a PDW ≥14.3% were independent predictors of developing symptomatic carotid artery stenosis. Mean platelet volume and PDW are increased in the presence of symptomatic intermediate carotid artery stenosis. Increased MPV and PDW may be independent predictors of developing symptomatic carotid artery plaque.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage that electrocardiographically mimics acute coronary syndrome: a case report.

Electrocardiography alterations and cardiac enzyme elevation have been reported in patients with cerebrovascular events in various articles. This case reports a case of syncope with an electrocardiography of atrioventricular complete block and extensive ST segment elevation. However, it was finally diagnosed as subarachnoid hemorrhage. To the best of our knowledge, this patient is the first case of subarachnoid hemorrhage mimicking ST elevation myocardial infarction with atrioventricular complete block.

A case of transcatheter aortic valve implantation complication with total femoral artery thrombosis due to failure of the ProStar device.

Vascular complications in transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation are relatively frequent and there is increased morbidity and mortality risk in the procedure. This report presents successful surgical repair of a femoral artery thrombosis case following an implantation procedure.