Predictors of the paroxysmal atrial fibrillation recurrence following cryoballoon-based pulmonary vein isolation: Assessment of left atrial volume, left atrial volume index, galectin-3 level and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio.

BACKGROUND: Cryoballoon-based pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is a treatment option for atrial fibrillation (AF). Left atrial volume (LAV) and left atrial volume index (LAVi) are important parameters for long term success of PVI. Galectin-3 (Gal-3) and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (N/L ratio) are biomarkers to demonstrate the cardiac fibrosis and remodelling. METHODS: 50 patients with symptomatic PAF despite ≥1 antiarrhythmic drug(s), who underwent PVI were enrolled. LAV, LAVi, Gal-3 and N/L ratio were calculated before ablation and after ablation at 6 and 12 months. According to AF recurrence patients were divided into two groups, recurrent AF (n = 14) and non-recurrent AF (n = 36). RESULTS: In both groups (recurrent and non-recurrent), initial and 12 months follow-up LAV values were 41.39 ±â€¯18.13 ml and 53.24 ±â€¯22.11 ml vs 48.85 ±â€¯12.89 ml and 42.08 ±â€¯13.85 (p = 0.037). LAVi were 20.9 ±â€¯8.91 ml/m2 and 26.85 ±â€¯11.28 ml/m2 vs 25.36 ±â€¯6.21 and 21.87 ±â€¯6.66 (p = 0.05) for recurrent and non-recurrent AF groups, respectively. In both groups PVI had no significant effect on serum Gal-3 levels and N/L ratio during 12 months follow-up. The comparison between two groups at the end of 12th month showed Gal-3 values of 6.66 ±â€¯4.09 ng/ml and 6.02 ±â€¯2.95 ng/ml (p = 0.516), N/L ratio values of 2.28 ±â€¯1.07 103/µl and 1.98 ±â€¯0.66 103/µl (p = 0.674). CONCLUSION: LAV and LAVi are useful to predict the remodelling of the left atrium and AF recurrence after cryoballoon-based PVI. However, biomarkers such as Gal-3 and N/L ratio are not associated with AF recurrence.

Ultrasound Accelerated Thrombolysis May Be an Effective and Safe Treatment Modality for Intermediate Risk/Submassive Pulmonary Embolism.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a potentially life-threatening condition and the fact that 90% of PE originate from lower limb veins highlights the significance of early detection and treatment of deep vein thrombosis. Massive/high risk PE involving circulatory collapse or systemic arterial hypotension is associated with an early mortality rate of approximately 50%, in part from right ventricular (RV) failure. Intermediate risk/submassive PE, on the other hand, is defined as PE-related RV dysfunction, troponin and/or B-type natriuretic peptide elevation despite normal arterial pressure. Without prompt treatment, patients with intermediate risk PE may progress to the massive category with a potentially fatal outcome. In patients with PE and right ventricular dysfunction (RVD), in hospital mortality ranges from 5% to 17%, significantly higher than in patients without RVD.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy in Turkey: Experience of three tertiary centres.

We conducted this study to determine demographic details, and clinical presentations in patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCMP) of Turkish origin. The study population consisted of 58 patients with PPCMP treated at 3 major hospitals in Turkey, retrospectively. In this study, demographic details and initial echocardiographic data were recorded and long-term clinical status was evaluated. The mean age for the patient cohort was 31.47 ± 6.31 years. Thirty-eight patients (73.1%) were multigravida and seven patients had multifetal pregnancy (13.7%). The mean follow-up left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction increased from 31 ± 7 to 38 ± 19. A minority of patients were defined as improvers according to our pre-specified criteria. The average survival period after diagnosis of PPCMP was 20.66 ± 14.44 months. Initial values for LV end-diastolic diameter and urea were higher in the deceased patients compared with the surviving patients, respectively. Twenty-eight (48%) patients with PPCMP showed improvement in the follow-up period. Of the 58 PPCMP patients, 9 (15%) died during a mean follow-up of 32 ± 22 months.

Cardiac diastolic function is impaired at rest and worsens with exercise in otherwise healthy individuals with insulin resistance.

Insulin resistance (IR) is a pathophysiological condition and is associated with cardiovascular risk factors including heart failure. However, studies demonstrating myocardial abnormalities in the early phases of IR are limited. The aim of this study was to investigate myocardial function in otherwise healthy individuals with IR.Individuals with IR who were free of cardiovascular risk factors and healthy controls were included. Stress echocardiography with tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) was performed. Systolic and diastolic TDI waves were compared in both groups.A total of 77 individuals (51 with IR and 26 controls) were included in our study. The tissue early flow (e')/atrial contraction (a') ratio at rest was significantly lower in the IR group (P = 0.003). The annular early flow (E)/e' ratio, a predictor of left ventricular filling pressure, was similar in both groups at rest (P = 0.522). After exercise, e'/a' impairment became more prominent in the IR group (P < 0.001); whereas the E/e' ratio was also significantly lower (7.6 ± 1.8 versus 6.7 ± 0.9; P = 0.007) in the IR group.Myocardial involvement seems to occur in patients with IR, before the appearance of other cardiovascular risk factors. Exercise induced diastolic worsening may be a predictor of reduced compliance and increased ventricular stiffness. More detailed prospective studies are required for more precise results.

High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T levels in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients with different left ventricle geometry.

BACKGROUND: The high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) assay provides important prognostic information on cardiovascular diseases. Although hs-cTnT is associated with left ventricle (LV) hypertrophy (LVH), it has not been investigated in different LV geometric patterns incorporating normal LV structure and concentric remodeling in addition to LVH. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the possible association between hs-cTnT and LV geometric patterns in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients. METHODS: We studied 306 patients with newly diagnosed hypertension (HT; mean age 51.7 ± 5.6 years) and 44 healthy control subjects (mean age 51.3 ± 4.7 years). Echocardiographic examination was performed in all subjects. Four different geometric patterns were determined in hypertensive patients according to LV mass index (LVMI) and relative wall thickness (RWth). hs-cTnT and other biochemical markers were measured in all participants. RESULTS: The highest hs-cTnT values were observed in the concentric hypertrophy group compared with the control, normal geometry, concentric remodeling and eccentric hypertrophy groups (p < 0.05, for all). Also, hs-cTnT values of the eccentric hypertrophy group were higher than the control, normal geometry and concentric remodeling groups (p < 0.05, for all). Multivariate regression analysis showed that hs-cTnT was independently associated with LV geometry (ß = 0.326, p = 0.001) as well as LVMI (ß = 0.228, p = 0.010) and creatinine level ß = 0.132, p = 0.012). CONCLUSION: hs-cTnT level is related not only to LVH but also to LV geometry in hypertensive patients. hs-cTnT levels may mediate poorer LV geometric patterns in hypertensive patients.

NT-proBNP predicts impaired myocardial function in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients with preserved ejection fraction.

N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is an excellent biomarker to diagnose left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. LV myocardial performance index (MPI-Tei index) is commonly used as a measure of combined systolic and diastolic function. We aimed to investigate the relationship between NT-proBNP and tissue Doppler derived MPI in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients with preserved LV ejection fraction (LVEF). We studied 236 patients with newly diagnosed HT (mean age; 52.9 ± 5.2 years). Echocardiographic examination was performed in all patients. LV mass index (LVMI) was calculated. Conventional Doppler indices (E and A waves) were recorded. The MPI value was obtained from the tissue Doppler derived ejection time, isovolumic contraction and relaxation times. The patients were divided into two groups according to the median NT-proBNP value (NT-proBNPlow group <114 pg/ml and NT-proBNPhigh group ≥114 pg/ml). Patients with NT-proBNPhigh were older and had higher levels of glucose and creatinine, lower E/A ratio and higher LVMI and MPI values than patients with NT-proBNPlow. However, LVEF were similar among the groups. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that NT-proBNP was independently associated with age, LVMI, MPI and E/A ratio. Increased NT-proBNP level was independently associated with impaired myocardial performance index in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients with preserved LVEF.

Aortic distensibility and extent and complexity of coronary artery disease in patients with stable hypertensive and nonhypertensive coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between aortic distensibility (AD) and the extent and complexity of atherosclerotic lesions assessed with SYNTAX score (SS) in patients with stable coronary artery disease. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Three hundred and seventy-six consecutive patients (230 males and 146 females; mean age: 61.6 ± 9.9 years) with angiographically proven coronary artery disease were included in the study. The SS was calculated using the SS algorithm on the baseline diagnostic angiogram in the 376 patients. AD was calculated from the echocardiographically derived ascending aorta diameters and hemodynamic pressure measurements in all patients. Frequencies of risk factors, biochemical and hematological data were recorded. The patients were divided into two groups according to the median AD value as AD(low) and AD(high) groups. RESULTS: The SS was higher in the AD(low) group compared with the AD(high) group (18.5 ± 10.2 vs. 8.3 ± 5.9, p < 0.001). The AD was independently related to age (ß = -0.104, p = 0.019), hypertension (ß = -0.202, p < 0.001) and SS (ß = -0.457, p < 0.001) and was more strongly associated with SS in hypertensive patients compared to nonhypertensive patients (r = -0.524 vs. r = -0.414, p < 0.001 for all). CONCLUSION: The findings showed that impaired AD might be an independent predictor for the severity of coronary atherosclerosis, particularly in patients with hypertension.

Six-Minute Walk Test: How to do Guide for Performing a Reliable Test, Interpretation, and Prognostication in Pulmonary Hypertension.

Six-minute walk test (6MWT) is the most widely used exercise capacity measurement worldwide in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). Although cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is the gold standard for the assessment of exercise capacity in cardiovascular diseases; the limited accessibility of the device, the need for experience in interpreting the results, and the difficulties in performing CPET in advanced PH have aroused the interest in the application of easier methods for the measurement of exercise capacity. Since then, accumulated data proved that; 6-minutes walking distance (6MWD) can be used to determine exercise capacity and is highly correlated with maximum oxygen consumption (peak VO2) detected by CPET in patients with heart failure and/or PH. Moreover, 6MWT is very easy and practical to apply in all PH subgroups. This review is focused on the application of a reliable 6MWT and the interpretation of the results in patients with PH.

The Frequency of Fabry Disease in Patients with Cardiac Hypertrophy of Various Phenotypes Including Prominent Papillary Muscle: The TUCARFAB Study in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to identify the frequency of Fabry disease in patients with cardiac hypertrophy of unknown etiology and to evaluate demographic and clinical characteristics, enzyme activity levels, and genetic mutations at the time of diagnosis. METHODS: This national, multicenter, cross-sectional, single-arm, observational registry study was conducted in adult patients with a clinical echocardiographic diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy and/or the presence of prominent papillary muscle. In both genders, genetic analysis was performed by DNA Sanger sequence analysis. RESULTS: A total of 406 patients with left ventricular hypertrophy of unknown origin were included. Of the patients, 19.5% had decreased enzyme activity (≤2.5 nmol/mL/h). Although genetic analysis revealed GLA (galactosidase alpha) gene mutation in only 2  patients (0.5%), these patients were considered to have probable but not 'definite Fabry disease' due to normal lyso Gb3 levels and gene mutations categorized as variants of unknown significance. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of Fabry disease varies according to the characteristics of the population screened and the definition of the disease used in these trials. From cardiology perspective, left ventricular hypertrophy is the major reason to consider screening for Fabry disease. Enzyme testing, genetic analysis, substrate analysis, histopathological examination, and family screening should be performed, when necessary, for a definite diagnosis of Fabry disease. The results of this study underline the importance of the comprehensive use of these diagnostic tools to reach a definite diagnosis. The diagnosis and management of Fabry disease should not be based solely on the results of the screening tests.

Relation of mitral annular dilation with dynamic mitral regurgitation in patients with rheumatic mitral regurgitation.

INTRODUCTION: Dynamic mitral regurgitation (MR) is frequently investigated in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD). Data about the dynamic MR in patients with organic valve disease are limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the alteration of MR by exercise in patients with rheumatic valve disease (RVD). METHODS: Asymptomatic patients with rheumatic MR and normal left ventricular function had been included in our study. Transthoracic echocardiography and Doppler measurements were performed at rest and just after submaximal exercise test performed with treadmill. Severity of MR was evaluated quantitatively by measuring effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA) with flow convergence method. RESULTS: A total of 34 patients with rheumatic MR had been included. Severity of MR increased in 10 patients with exercise (Group 1) and decreased in 24 of them (Group 2). When the variables of two groups were compared; diastolic blood pressure after exercise, EROA, left atrial volume, left ventricular diastolic volume and mitral annular area values were significantly higher in Group 1 patients. A linear regression model was constructed by considering change of EROA by exercise the dependent, and the variables showing significant differences as the independents. Mitral annular area was found to be independently associated with EROA increase with exercise (R(2) = 0.499; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Mitral annular dilation is independently associated with increase of MR with submaximal exercise in asymptomatic patients with MR due to RVD with normal left ventricular function.

Uterine arcuate artery calcification as a potential marker of cardiovascular risk-a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in postmenopausal women. As this is a progressive disease, it is important to identify markers at an early stage during the subclinical period. Arterial calcifications are an indicator of overall atherosclerotic disease and therefore may be used as a marker for the estimation of future atherosclerotic cardiovascular events. The aims of this study are to investigate the relationship between uterine myometrial calcification (UMC) and carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) and to evaluate whether UMC can be a predictive marker for the estimation of future atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk in asymptomatic postmenopausal women. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we assessed 81 postmenopausal women without gynecological complaints for cardiovascular risk factors, UMC, and CIMT. Participants were divided into two risk groups according to their cardiovascular risk factors. The level of UMC was determined using a new scoring system, which was based on transvaginal ultrasonography. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters, UMC scores, and measurements of CIMT were evaluated. RESULTS: A moderately positive correlation was detected between CIMT and UMC scores ( r = 0.62). There was a significant relationship between UMC scores and atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk; the risk of atherosclerosis was 15.4 times higher (OR: 15.4, 95% CI: 5.1-46.8; P = 0.001) in participants with a high UMC score (≥2). According to the multivariable logistic regression model adjusted by age and duration of menopause, the risk of cardiovascular atherosclerosis increased 27.8 fold for those with CIMT of 0.075 or greater (OR: 27.8, 95% CI: 5.3-147.1; P = 0.001) and 9.2 fold for those with a UMC score of 2 or greater (OR: 9.2, CI: 1.22-69.3; P = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of UMC has been identified as an independent predictive factor for atherosclerotic risk. Accordingly, considering UMC as an atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk factor may provide an opportunity to identify cardiovascular disease in asymptomatic postmenopausal women. When UMC is detected, women should be assessed for cardiovascular risk.

Prognostic performance of copeptin among patients with acute decompensated heart failure.

BACKGROUND: In heart failure (HF), various biomarkers have been established for prognosis. However, little is known about the relevance of copeptin measurements to HF. This study aimed to explore the prognostic value of copeptin for predicting cardiovascular (CV) death or HF-related re-hospitalisation in patients with acute decompensated HF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 155 consecutive patients with acute signs and symptoms of HF. Plasma copeptin and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels were measured at admission. Patients were monitored for 90 days regarding the composite endpoint of CV death or acute HF-related re-hospitalisation. RESULTS: Of the 155 patients enrolled, 40 reached the endpoint, and 115 were in a stable condition during follow-up. Patients who reached an adverse endpoint showed higher NT-proBNP and copeptin levels compared to patients in stable condition. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the area under curve of copeptin 0.844 (95% CI, 0.753-0.935) was superior to that of NT-proBNP 0.809 (95% CI, 0.729-0.890) for the prediction of adverse events within 90 days. Meanwhile, compared to the group with lower copeptin levels (<34 pmol/L), patients with higher copeptin levels (≥34 pmol/L) were at a 10.672-times higher risk of CV death or acute HF-related re-hospitalisation. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis revealed that increased copeptin level was a significantly independent predictor of adverse events (risk ratio, 1.051; 95% CI, 1.020-1.083; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Copeptin was found to be a strong, novel marker for predicting CV death or HF-related re-hospitalisation in patients with acute decompensated HF.

Relationship Between Peripheral-Central Blood Pressure and Cardiac-Renal Damage in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

OBJECTIVES: Hypertension is a common and important problem in kidney transplant recipients, directly affecting graft and patient survival. Here, we evaluated the relationship between renal-cardiac damage and peripheral and central aortic blood pressure levels in renal transplant recipients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We measured peripheral blood pressure (office, daytime ambulatory, and central aortic) in 46 kidney transplant recipients. Biochemical parameters were simultaneously measured. Electrocardiography and echocardiography were performed. Patients with office blood pressure > 140/90 mm Hg or who were treated with antihypertensive drugs were accepted as hypertensive. RESULTS: Ambulatory blood pressure measurements were higher than office blood pressure measurements (at 135.6/85.6 mm Hg vs 121.8/77.5 mm Hg in hypertensive and at 118.8/77.6 mm Hg vs 101.6/62.5 mm Hg in normotensive patients) (P < .05). There were 40 hypertensive and 6 normotensive kidney transplant recipients according to ambulatory blood pressure measurement and 33 hypertensive and 13 normotensive according to office blood pressure measurements. Central aortic pressure measurements were significantly higher in hypertensive patients versus office or ambulatory blood pressure (P = .045 and .048, respectively). Left ventricle mass index and proteinuria were significantly correlated with central aortic pres sure (P = .015, r = 0.358 and P = .022, r = 0.499, respectively) and nonsignificantly correlated with peripheral blood pressure measurements (P > .05). Left ventricle hypertrophy was found to be less common in patients using angiotensin-converting enzyme, although not significantly (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: In kidney transplant recipients, blood pressure should be monitored with ambulatory blood pressure measurements, even when normal office pressure levels are shown. The aim of antihypertensive therapy is not only to decrease brachial artery pressure but also to keep central aortic systolic blood pressure in the proper interval, adjusted according to age. This may more effectively prevent the development of renal cardiac damage versus peripheral blood pressure measurement monitoring.

Relationship Between SCUBE1 Levels and Echocardiography and Electrocardiography Findings and Epicardial Adipose Tissue/Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Patients Receiving Renal Replacement Therapy.

OBJECTIVES: In patients with advanced-stage chronic kidney disease, renal insufficiency, arterial stiffness, and vascular calcification are strong predictors of cardiovascular risk. Signal peptide-CUB-EGF-like protein-1 (SCUBE1) levels increase during platelet activation and acute ischemic events. Here, we evaluated associations between SCUBE1 levels and electrocardiographic/echocardiographic findings, epicardial adipose tissue thickness, and carotid intimamedia thickness in patients with chronic kidney disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study included 21 renal transplant recipients, 20 peritoneal dialysis patients, 20 hemodialysis patients, 20 predialysis patients with glomerular filtration rate < 30 mL/min, and 16 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: We found no differences in SCUBE1 levels between patient groups and healthy volunteers, regardless of history of diabetes mellitus, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular events, and hypertension. SCUBE1 levels correlated with C-reactive protein in renal transplant recipients; magnesium in peritoneal dialysis patients; erythrocyte sedimentation rate in predialysis patients; and parathyroid hormone, platelet count, calcium-phosphate product, and calcium in hemo dialysis patients. No associations were shown between SCUBE1 levels and electrocardiographic/echocardiographic findings. Elevated C-reactive protein in predialysis patients was associated with cardiac valvular pathologies. In hemodialysis patients, SCUBE1 levels increased after hemodialysis (P = .007). Levels were higher in healthy individuals with normal echocardiography and predialysis patients with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. Positive correlations were found between carotid intima-media thickness and SCUBE1 levels in dialysis patients (P < .05), but no study groups showed correlations regarding epicardial adipose tissue thickness. CONCLUSIONS: Hemodialysis may contribute to cardiovascular events because of increased SCUBE1 levels after hemodialysis; however, no association was shown between SCUBE1 and electrocardiography/echocardiography findings. We found no correlations between epicardial adipose tissue thickness and SCUBE1 levels, and levels were significantly higher in healthy patients and in predialysis patients without left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. However, correlations were shown between SCUBE1 levels and carotid intima-media thickness and secondary hyperparathyroidism markers, indicating associations with atherosclerosis and bone mineral disease in dialysis patients.

The frequency of diastolic dysfunction in patients with sarcoidosis and it's relationship with HLA DRB1* alleles.

BACKGROUND: Impaired systolic function is common in sarcoidosis however the frequency of diastolic dysfunction (DD) and it's possible genetic basis has not been fully elucidated yet. The aim of this study is to evaluate the frequency of left ventricular DD(LVDD) and right ventricular DD(RVDD) and it's possible relationship between Human Leukocyte Antigen(HLA)-DRB1* alleles in patients with sarcoidosis. METHODS: Seventy seven patients (51 females, mean age 41.1±8.2yrs) without known sarcoid related or any other structured heart disease and 77 healthy controls with a similar age and gender (38.7±7.8yrs,51 females) were included in the case control study. DD was diagnosed with echocardiography. RVDD was defined as early(E)/late(A) ratio<1 or >2 on tricuspit valve. LVDD was defined as E/A ratio<1 or >2 on mitral valve, with isovolumetric relaxation time(IVRT)>90 miliseconds(msn) or deceleration rate of early diastolic flow(Edec)>220msn respectively. All patients were HLAtyped with the Sequence Specific Oligonucleotide Probe(SSOP) method. RESULTS: The frequencies of LVDDs and RVDDs were significantly higher in sarcoidosis patients than the controls (26.0% vs. 2.6% for LVDD; and 42.9% vs. 18.2% for RVDD)(p<0.05). No significant difference was found in patients according to the presence of RVDD and LVDD in terms of age, gender or respiratory function test parameters. Although the frequency of HLA DRB1* alleles were comparable among patients with RVDD, HLA DRB1*14 alleles were more frequent in patients with LVDD. CONCLUSIONS: Biventricular DD is common in patients with sarcoidosis without manifest cardiac involvement. HLA DRB1*14 allele seems to be related with LVDD in this study population.

[Pericardioversion and catheter ablation use of rivaroxaban in light of X-VERT and VENTURE-AF trials]. / X-VERT ve VENTURE-AF çalismalarinin verileri isiginda kardiyoversiyon ve kateter ablasyonda rivaroksaban kullanimi.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common persistent cardiac arrhythmia and causes mortality in the community. Cardioversion and catheter ablation are frequently used methods for rhythm control. Oral anticoagulants have been used for many years in the prevention of thromboembolic complications in patients with AF. Both cardioversion and catheter ablation have been associated with certain complication risks especially thromboembolism, which can be significantly reduced by adequate anticoagulation. In this review, we discuss the efficacy and safety parameters of continuous rivaroxaban treatmentn compared with dose-adjusted vitamin K antagonist therapy in patients who were planned to undergo cardioversion and catheter ablation according to the data of X-VERT and VENTUREAF trials.

Is there any link between joint hypermobility and mitral valve prolapse in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome?

The objective of the present study is to determine whether benign joint hypermobility syndrome (BJHS) modifies the risk of mitral valve prolapse (MVP) in patients with fibromyalgia (FM). Female patients fulfilling the 1990 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) diagnostic criteria for FM were included into the study. Joint hypermobility and BJHS were assessed using Beighton's scoring system and Brighton criteria, respectively. Echocardiograpic evaluation was performed in order to test the presence of MVP. Of the 75 female FM patients, 68.0 % (n = 51) and 20.0 % (n = 15) were diagnosed with BJHS and MVP, respectively. The frequencies of both MVP and BJHS seemed higher than the general population prevalence (p = 0.000 for both). The frequency of MVP was significantly higher in patients with BJHS than that in patients without BJHS (p = 0.028). In addition, BJHS was found to increase the risk of MVP approximately ninefold [odds ratio (OR) 8.7, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.1-70.7]. As a result, BJHS and MVP are both common in female patients with FM. Moreover, among the female patients with FM, those with BJHS are about nine times more prone to MVP than those without BJHS. Cardiologic assessment might be added to the routine follow-up strategies in FM patients with BJHS in order to exclude the cardiac pathologies, especially MVP.

Electrocardiographic markers of left ventricular systolic dysfunction in patients with left bundle branch block.

BACKGROUND: Although some patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) have structural heart diseases, some patients with LBBB have "normal hearts". The electrocardiography (ECG) criteria of LBBB in reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) have not been defined completely. AIM: The main purpose of this study was to differentiate patients with reduced LVEF from patients with normal left ventricular systolic function simply by analysing 12-lead ECG. METHODS: Subjects admitted to our hospital with LBBB in their ECG were included in the study. The patients were categorised according to their left ventricular systolic function as group 1 (LVEF ≥ 50%) and group 2 (LVEF < 50%). Duration of the QRS complex, residual conduction of left bundle branch, and concordance/discordance of T waves in leads V5, V6, or D1 were recorded. The ECG findings of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: One hundred consecutive patients with LBBB were included in the study (male/female: 56/44, age: 66 ± 15 years). In the whole group, there were 35 patients with normal left ventricular systolic function (LVEF ≥ 50%), and 65 patients had LVEF below 50%. 80% of male patients with LBBB and 45% of female patients with LBBB had their LVEF below 50% (p < 0.001). Mean QRS durations of group 1 and group 2 were 132 ± 10 ms vs. 152 ± 22 ms, respectively (p < 0.001). The QRS duration of 140 ms was found to be the cut-off value to differentiate group 1 from group 2, with sensitivity and specificity of 72% and 75%, respectively. Twenty-one per cent of patients in group 1 and 69% in group 2 had discordant LBBB (p < 0.001). Residual conduction of left bundle branch was more frequent in group 2 (29% in group 1 vs. 52% in group 2, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Male gender, QRS duration greater than 140 ms, discordant LBBB, and residual conduction in the left bundle branch seem to be markers of reduced LVEF in patients with LBBB.

Mean platelet volume associated with aortic distensibility, chronic inflammation, and diabetes in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

We aimed to assess the effective factors on high mean platelet volume (MPV) in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). A total of 411 patients (247 males and 164 females; mean age: 61.7 ± 9.9 years) with angiographically proven CAD were included. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the median MPV value (MPVlow group <9.5 fL and MPVhigh group ≥9.5 fL). The SYNTAX score, high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels, and frequencies of diabetes and hypertension were higher in MPVhigh group compared to MPVlow group. Aortic distensibility (AD) and platelet count of patients in MPVhigh group were lower than patients in MPVlow group (P < .05, for all). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that MPV was independently related with diabetes (ß = 0.135, P = .007), hsCRP (ß = 0.259, P < .001), platelet count (ß = -0.144, P < .001), and AD (ß = -0.425, P < .001). High MPV value is independently related to AD, as well as diabetes, hsCRP, and platelet count in patients with stable CAD.