The relationship between gestational week and QT dispersion in cesarean section patients undergoing spinal anaesthesia: A prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy affects the cardiovascular system, particularly the cardiac conduction system, thereby increasing the susceptibility of patients towards arrhythmia. QT interval results in ventricular arrhythmias, predominantly polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. The present study was planned to investigate the relationship between a gestational week and QT dispersion in cesarean section patients undergoing spinal anaesthesia. METHODS: The study included 40 patients between the ages of 18 and 45 who had no symptoms of anaemia and undergoing elective cesarean section. The patients were separated into two groups based on the gestational week as Group I <39 weeks and Group II ≥39 weeks. The patient was given a sitting position and the puncture site was cleansed with 10% povidone-iodine antiseptic solution. After placing a sterile drape on the patient, the subarachnoid space was punctured through an appropriate vertebral space (L3-L4 or L4-L5) using a pencil-point 25G spinal needle, followed by intrathecal injection of 12.5 mg (2.5 mL) 5% hyperbaric bupivacaine hydrochloride. Electrocardiographic (ECG) records were obtained both preoperatively and at 1, 5, and 10 minutes after spinal block, and the QT, QTc, QTd, and corrected QTd (QTcd) intervals were estimated using Bazett's formula. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups within the QT and QTc intervals. QTcd measured after post-operative was significantly higher in Group II (P = .007). CONCLUSION: The results indicated that spinal anaesthesia may prolong the QTdc interval in patients with a gestational week of ≥39 weeks undergoing cesarean section.

The effect of propofol on frontal QRS-T angle in patients undergoing elective colonoscopy procedure.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Propofol is a most commonly used anaesthetic drug for conscious sedation in outpatient procedures. Previous studies have shown that propofol may affect ventricular repolarization based on QT and Tp-e intervals. Frontal QRS-T angle is a marker of ventricular depolarization and repolarization difference. However, there is no study investigating the effect of propofol on frontal QRS-T angle. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of propofol on frontal QRS-T angle in patients undergoing colonoscopy procedure. METHOD: A total of 56 patients (53.5% females) who underwent colonoscopy procedure were included in this study. All patients underwent 12-lead surface electrocardiograms (ECGs) just before colonoscopy and 15 minutes after colonoscopy. QT interval, QTc interval, Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT, Tp-e/QTc and frontal QRS-T angle were calculated from 12-lead ECGs. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The frontal QRS-T angle was significantly increased 15 minutes after colonoscopy compared to basal value (36.2 ± 24.3 vs. 29.5 ± 23.6, P = .003). In addition, repolarization parameters including QT, QTc and Tp-e intervals were significantly prolonged at 15 minutes after colonoscopy compared to basal value, except Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc. Significant ventricular or supraventricular arrhythmias were not observed in any patient during the procedure. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: In this study, we found that propofol administration increased the frontal QRS-T angle in patients undergoing colonoscopy procedure. Given that a prolonged frontal QRS-T angle is associated with ventricular arrhythmias, it may be safer to monitor those patients receiving propofol during colonoscopy procedures.

The relationship among neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, stroke territory, and 3-month mortality in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: Stroke therapy options have focused on limiting the infarct volume. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) can be valuable to detect the patients that required intensive treatment at early stage by predicting infarct volume. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between NLR and infarct volume according to the stroke territory, and to determine the prognostic value of NLR for predicting 3-month mortality in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. METHODS: A total of 107 patients with AIS were enrolled and followed up 3 months in terms of mortality. Study population was divided into two groups according to the stroke territory: anterior circulating stroke (ACS) and posterior circulating stroke (PCS). All patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging. The complete blood count and venous blood samples were obtained from the patients on admission to the emergency department. RESULTS: There were no difference between ACS and PCS groups regarding baseline characteristics and co-morbid diseases. Also, C-reactive protein and NLR were similar between two groups. In correlation analyses, infarct volume was significantly correlated with CRP and NLR in ACS (r = 0.350, p = 0.001 and r = 0.482, p ≤ 0.001, respectively), but not correlated with infarct volume in PCS. Also, NLR was correlated with NIHHS in only ACS group (r = 0.326, p = 0.002). Multivariate analysis showed that NLR was the only independent predictor of 3-month mortality (OR 1.186, 95% CI 1.032-1.363, p = 0.016). CONCLUSION: NLR is significantly correlated with ACS infarct volume, but not with PCS infarct volume in AIS. Also, NLR was an independent predictor of 3-month mortality in AIS patient.

Optimal treatment modality for coexisting acute myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke.

The simultaneous occurrence of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and acute ischemic stroke is an uncommon and complex clinical presentation. Although the medical treatment of both diseases is similar, data regarding optimal reperfusion therapy are limited. Nevertheless, use of tissue plasminogen activator may be a reasonable strategy for treatment of both diseases. We present a rare case of coexisting thrombosis of the coronary artery and mid cerebral artery that was managed successfully with tissue plasminogen activator thrombolytic therapy.

The evaluation of diastolic function and myocardial performance index during pregnancy: A tissue Doppler echocardiography study.

BACKGROUND: The pregnancy process is characterized by several changes in the cardiovascular system, especially in left ventricle (LV) systolic and diastolic function. Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) is a useful tool to evaluate global LV function. This study investigated changes in LV functions using TDI in third-trimester pregnant women. METHODS: A total of 86 consecutive third-trimester healthy pregnant women and 40 age-matched nonpregnant healthy women (control group) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. LV diameter, standard Doppler and tissue Doppler parameters, and myocardial performance index (MPI) were measured for all patients. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in baseline characteristics between the pregnant and control groups. However, the cardiac chamber diameter was larger, the Am velocity was higher, and the E velocity, Em velocity, and E/A ratio were lower in the pregnant group. In addition, the MPI was significantly higher in the pregnant group compared to the control group (0.57 ± 0.11 vs 0.42 ± 0.02, P < .001). Correlation analysis showed that gestational week was positively correlated with the MPI (r = .407, P = .003). CONCLUSIONS: Detailed assessment of cardiac function is important during pregnancy. We demonstrated that pregnancy was associated with a significantly increased MPI, as well as structural and functional changes.

Association between the No-Reflow Phenomenon and Soluble CD40 Ligand Level in Patients with Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Background and objectives: No-reflow (NR) phenomenon is defined as insufficient myocardial perfusion in coronary circulation in the absence of angiographic evidence of mechanical obstruction. The primary mechanisms of the NR occurrence are thought to be high platelet activity and thrombus burden. Soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L), which is released into the plasma following platelet activation, accelerates the inflammatory process and causes further platelet activation. The aim of our study is to investigate the relationship between the NR phenomenon and sCD40L level in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods: A total of 81 acute STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention and 40 healthy participants were included in this study. Acute STEMI patients were classified into two groups: 41 patients with the NR phenomenon (NR group) and 40 patients without the NR phenomenon (non-NR group). The serum sCD40L level was measured for all groups. Results: The serum sCD40L level was significantly higher in the NR group than in non-NR and control groups (379 ± 20 pg/mL, 200 ± 15 pg/mL and 108 ± 6.53 pg/mL, respectively; p < 0.001). Univariate regression analysis demonstrated that male sex, age, Gensini score and sCD40L level were the possible factors affecting the occurrence of the NR phenomenon. In multivariate regression analysis, age (odds ratio [OR], 1.091; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.023-1.163; p < 0.008) and serum sCD40L (OR, 1.016; 95% CI, 1.008-1.024; p < 0.001) remained the independent predictor of the presence of NR. Conclusions: Our study showed that serum sCD40L level was an independent predictor of the NR phenomenon occurrence.

Inferior vena cava assessment can predict contrast-induced nephropathy in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization: A single-center prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) following cardiac catheterization remains a considerable clinic challenge. Volume status is very important in the development of CIN. It can be assessed noninvasively by measuring inferior vena cava (IVC) diameters. The aim of this study was to assess whether IVC can be used for prediction of CIN in patient undergoing cardiac catheterization. METHODS: A total of 269 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization were prospectively enrolled in this study. IVC inspiratory and expiratory diameters were measured by transthoracic echocardiography. Caval index was calculated as the percentage decrease in the IVC diameter during respiration. CIN was defined as a ≥0.5 mg/dL and/or a ≥25% increase in serum creatinine within 72 hour post-procedure. RESULTS: Contrast-induced nephropathy developed in 46 (17.1%) patients after cardiac catheterization. Caval index was significantly higher in patients with CIN than in patients without CIN (47% [40-64] vs 35% [26-50], P < 0.001). In addition, the used contrast volume (145 [90-217] vs 70 [60-100], P < 0.001) and the frequency of percutaneous coronary intervention (50% vs 17.9%, P < 0.001) were significantly higher in patients with CIN than in patients without CIN. In receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, caval index ≥ 41% predicted CIN with a specificity of 69% and sensitivity of 72%. Multivariate analysis indicated that caval index ≥ 41% was an independent predictor of post-procedural CIN development (OR: 3.367, 95% CI: 1.574-7.203, P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Caval index, a simple and noninvasive echocardiographic marker, is an independent predictor of post-procedural CIN development in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization.

Major depressive disorder is associated with fragmented QRS.

Objective There is a close link between major depressive disorder (MDD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Increasing oxidative stress, changes in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and platelet clotting cascade may lead to subclinical myocardial damage in MDD patients without overt CVD. The aim of the study was to investigate whether MDD is associated with fragmented QRS (fQRS) on electrocardiogram (ECG) which may reflect myocardial fibrosis/scarring and ischaemia. Methods and results A total of 66 MDD patients without overt CVD and 35 age- and sex-matched control subjects were enrolled in this study. Twelve-lead surface ECGs were analysed for the presence of fQRS and echocardiographic examination was performed for each individual. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between MDD and fQRS. The baseline characteristics in terms of age, gender, body mass index and cardiovascular risk factors were comparable in the groups (all P values >0.05). Left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular wall thickness and diastolic blood pressure were also similar in the two groups. The presence of fQRS was more prevalent (P < 0.001) and SBP values (P = 0.007) were higher in patients with MDD compared to controls. Moreover, multivariate binary logistic regression analysis indicated the recurrent MDD as the only independent predictor of fQRS on ECG (beta =0.196, 95% CI 0.046 - 0.827, P = 0.014). Conclusion The presence of fQRS on the ECG is associated with MDD, and may be a beneficial tool for detecting subclinical cardiac damage in this population.

Fragmented QRS Is Associated with Improved Predictive Value of Exercise Treadmill Testing in Patients with Intermediate Pretest Likelihood of Significant Coronary Artery Disease.

BACKGROUND: The predictive value of exercise treadmill testing (ETT) remains inadequate in diagnosing patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) and needs to be improved. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the presence of FQRS on 12-lead ECG would increase the PPV of ETT in patients with an intermediate likelihood of CAD. METHODS: fQRS, defined as the presence of notched R or S waves without accompanying typical bundle branch block or the existence of an additional wave-like RSR' pattern in the original QRS complex (with a duration of <120 ms), was assessed in 95 patients with positive ETT. Coronary angiogram (CA) was performed in all patients, divided into two groups as the significant CAD group and nonsignificant CAD group according to coronary artery lesions. The differences between the groups in terms of the presence of fQRS and clinical characteristics were investigated. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 51.3 ± 11.3 years, and 74 of them were males (77.9%). FQRS was present in 47 (49.5%) patients, and significant CAD was demonstrated in 51 subjects (53.7%) among the enrolled subjects. fQRS was more prevalent in the significant CAD group compared to nonsignificant CAD group (P < 0.001). The presence of FQRS increased the PPV of positive ETT from 53.7% to 85.1%. In addition, FQRS was associated with the increased risk of significant CAD in multivariate analysis (OR = 2.839, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In clinical practice, the presence of fQRS in patients with positive ETT may support clinicians during the decision-making process with regard to the referral for a coronary angiography.

The relationship between serum lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 levels and systolic heart failure.

OBJECTIVES: Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) appears to be involved in atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability and rupture. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the utility of serum LOX-1 levels in the diagnosis and assessment of left ventricular systolic HF and LOX-1's relationship with serum pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). DESIGN AND SETTINGS: This was a cross-sectional study of all eligible patients admitted to the department of cardiology of the University Hospital between July 2011 and April 2012. METHODS: Fifty-five patients with a diagnosis of systolic heart failure and 25 patients without systolic HF were enrolled in this study. Serum C-reactive protein, NT-proBNP, and LOX-1 were studied. RESULTS: Serum LOX-1 and NT-proBNP levels were significantly higher in the heart failure group and showed a positive correlation with NT-proBNP and negative correlations with left ventricular ejection fraction (EF). In addition, LOX-1 levels in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy were significantly higher, while they were similar in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy compared to control subjects. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates the utility of the serum LOX-1 levels in the diagnosis of left ventricular systolic heart failure. LOX-1 may have a place in the diagnosis of heart failure, in particular in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy.

The utility of inferior vena cava diameter and the degree of inspiratory collapse in patients with systolic heart failure.

INTRODUCTION: Both inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter and the degree of inspiratory collapse are used in the estimation of right atrial pressure. AIM: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the utility of IVC diameter, using echocardiography as a marker of volume overload and the relationship between these parameters and N-terminal pro-B natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in patients with systolic heart failure (HF). METHODS: We included 136 consecutive patients with systolic HF (left ventricular ejection fraction, <50%), including 80 patients with acutely decompensated HF and 56 patients with compensated HF as well as 50 subjects without a diagnosis of HF. All patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography to assess both their IVC diameters and the degree of inspiratory collapse (≥50%, <50%, and no change [absence] groups); NT-proBNP levels were measured, and these data were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Inferior vena cava diameter and NT-proBNP were significantly higher among the patients with HF than among the control subjects (21.7 ± 2.6 vs 14.5 ± 1.6 mm, P < .001 and 4789 [330-35000] vs 171 [21-476], P < .001). The mean IVC diameter was higher among the patients with decompensated HF than among the patients with compensated HF (23.2 ± 2.1 vs 19.7 ± 1.9 mm, P < .001). The values of NT-proBNP were associated with different collapsibility of IVC subgroups among HF patients. The NT-proBNP levels were 2760 (330-27336), 5400 (665-27210), and 16806 (1786-35000), regarding the collapsibility of the IVC subgroups: greater than or equal to 50%, less than 50%, and absence groups, P < .001, respectively, among HF patients. There was a significant positive correlation between IVC diameter and NT-proBNP (r = 0.884, P < .001). A cut off value of an IVC diameter greater than or equal to 20.5 mm predicted a diagnosis of compensated HF with a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 73%. CONCLUSIONS: Inferior vena cava diameter correlated significantly with NT-proBNP in patients with HF. Inferior vena cava diameter may be a useful variable in determining a patient's volume status in the setting of HF and may also enable clinicians to distinguish patients with decompensated HF from those with compensated HF.

Can infectious endocarditis during pregnancy be cured with only drug treatment?

During pregnancy, infective endocarditis (IE) is quite rare but has a high mortality rate in terms of the mother and the fetus. In this article, a 24-year-old patient with a history of mitral valve prolapse (MVP) who was hospitalized due to IE and treated successfully is presented. On echocardiography, severe mitral valve prolapse, severe mitral regurgitation, and vegetation on the posterior leaflet of mitral valve were observed. Streptococcus mitis was subsequently isolated from four sets of blood cultures. The patient was diagnosed with IE. After 6 weeks of antibiotic therapy, the patient was cured completely without surgical treatment. At 40-weeks of pregnancy, the patient gave birth via a normal vaginal delivery. There were no problems with the 3,800-gram baby born. In current guidelines, there is very limited advice on treatment options for patients who develop IE during pregnancy. Therefore, evaluation of patient-based treatment options would be appropriate. In addition, IE prophylaxis for MVP is not recommended in current guidelines. However, in MVP patients with mitral regurgitation, prior to procedures associated with a high risk of infective endocarditis, IE prophylaxis may be rational.

The relationship between cardiotrophin-1 and troponin-i in coronary arterial bypass grafting on the beating heart: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) is closely associated with many cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, myocardial infarction (MI), and heart failure, and exhibits a cardioprotective effect in ischemia-reperfusion injury. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between CT-1 and Troponin-I (Tn-I) in off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) grafting on the beating heart. METHODS: Seventy-eight patients (mean age 60.8 ± 9.7 years, 79.5% male) undergoing elective OPCAB surgery were included in this study undertaken between July 1, 2012 and July 1, 2013 in the Department of Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, University School of Medicine Hospital. Venous blood samples were collected 5 minutes before OPCAB surgery and 6 hours after surgery. Plasma CT-1 levels were measured using the ELISA method. RESULTS: Compared to the preoperative period, Tn-I and CT-1 values were higher in the postoperative period [0.255 ng/mL (0.030-0.430) versus 0.045 ng/mL (0.005-0.090), P < .001; and 33.7 pg/mL (15.8-98.5) versus 8.7 pg/mL (0.68-25.4), P < .001]. There was also an elevation in white blood cells, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase (CK), and creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) values, as well as a decrease in hemoglobin values (P < .001). When a correlation analysis for postoperative CT-1 was performed, there was a significant positive correlation between postoperative CK, CK-MB, and Tn-I levels (r = 0.250, P < .027; r = 0.270, P = .017; and r = 0.241, P < .034). CONCLUSION: CT-1 was found to be associated with Tn-I, which is used to detect myocardial damage after OPCAB surgery. CT-1 may also be used to detect myocardial damage.

Serum fetuin-A levels in patients with systolic heart failure.

OBJECTIVE: Inflammation and dystrophic calcification have been associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic heart failure (CHF). The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential usefulness of fetuin-A as a biomarker in CHF. METHODS: Serum fetuin-A was measured in 66 CHF patients with left ventricular function < 50% and in 31 healthy controls at baseline. Fetuin-A was evaluated as a diagnostic marker for systolic heart failure and compared with C-reactive protein (CRP) and pro-brain natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP). RESULTS: The levels of serum fetuin-A were significantly decreased in the CHF patients compared to the control group (P < 0.01). Although there were significant correlations between fetuin-A and certain parameters in patients and controls, none of these were present consistently in either group. It was found that serum fetuin-A levels could identify patients with systolic heart failure with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Serum fetuin-A is decreased in CHF patients, indicating that anti-inflammatory activity is downregulated in CHF and that calcification may be associated with CHF.

Real-World Data on the Incidence of Stroke, Myocardial Infarction, and Mortality Among Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation Patients in Türkiye: New Oral Anticoagulants-TURKey Study.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is strongly associated with an increased risk of ischemic events. Anticoagulation focuses on reducing the risk of embolism. Guideline recommended CHA2DS2-VASc scoring system is most widely used; however, different scoring systems do exist. Thus, we sought to assess the impact of anticoagulant treatment and different scoring systems on the development of stroke, myocardial infarction, and all-cause mortality in patients with nonvalvular AF. METHODS: The present study was designed as a prospective cohort study. The enrollment of the patients was conducted between August 1, 2015, and January 1, 2016. The follow-up period was defined as the time from enrollment to the end of April 1, 2017, which also provided at least 12 months of prospective follow-up for each patient. RESULTS: A total of 1807 patients with AF were enrolled. During the follow-up, 2.7% (48) of patients had stroke, 0.8% (14) had myocardial infarction, and 7.5% (136) died. The anticoagulation and risk factors in AF (ATRIA) score had a better accuracy for the prediction of stroke compared to other scoring systems (0.729, 95% CI, 0.708-0.750, P <.05). Patients under low-dose rivaroxaban treatment had significantly worse survival (logrank P <.001). Age, CHA2DS2-VASc score, R2CHADS2 score, ATRIA score, chronic heart failure, prior stroke, and being under low-dose rivaroxaban treatment were independent predictors of clinical endpoint (P <.001). CONCLUSION: Low-dose rivaroxaban treatment was independently and strongly associated with the combined clinical endpoint. Furthermore, the ATRIA score proved to be a stronger predictor of stroke in the Turkish population.

[Intracranial hemorrhage due to pulmonary thromboembolism in heparin therapy and therapeutic management of patients hospitalized with massive pulmonary embolism after discharge]. / Pulmoner tromboemboli tedavisi için heparin kullanirken intrakraniyal kanama gelisen ve masif pulmoner tromboemboli nedeniyle tekrar hastaneye yatirilan hastada tedavi yönetimi.

A patient with a history of intracranial hemorrhage who was hospitalized due to massive pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) was presented. A 59-year-old female patient had an intracranial hemorrhage while under anticoagulant therapy due to PTE after a knee operation. Therefore, the anticoagulant therapy was discontinued. Forty-seven days after the cessation of the anticoagulant treatment, the patient was admitted to the emergency department with a complaint of acute dyspnea and presyncope. Transthoracic echocardiography showed signs of right ventricular overload. Contrast-enhanced thorax computed tomography showed saddle-like filling defects in the level of pulmonary trunk bifurcation to the extension of both the main pulmonary arteries. The patient was admitted with a massive PTE. Fibrinolytic treatment could not be given due to the history of hemorrhagic stroke while under heparin infusion therapy. The patient dyspnea did not resolve, so pulmonary angiography and thrombus aspiration was planned. The patient's clinical status had improved after the thrombus aspiration. After the thrombus aspiration, bemiparin treatment was given via effective anti-factor Xa level. Due to lower extremity Doppler ultrasonography showing subacute-chronic thrombosis on the right popliteal vein, inferior vena cava filter was inserted. When thrombolytic therapy cannot be given to patients with a high risk bleeding, the embolectomy and/or aspiration of pulmonary thrombus may be an appropriate treatment option. In such patients, for anticoagulant therapy, unfractioned heparin with close aPTT follow-up or low molecular weight heparin therapy with antifactor Xa follow-up can be used.

[Comparison of pneumatic compression device and sand bag with respect to peripheral vascular complications in elective cardiac catheterization and percutaneous femoral artery interventions]. / Kalp kateterizasyonu ve elektif perkütan girisimlerde periferik damar komplikasyonlari açisindan femoral arter pnömotik kompresyon cihazinin kum torbasi yöntemi ile karsilastirilmasi

OBJECTIVES: After coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), the classic sand bag method and compression devices are widely used for control of bleeding and prevention of vascular complications. The purpose of our study was to assess the major peripheral vascular complications and to compare the sand bag and a pneumatic compression device ("Close Pad") in terms of major peripheral vascular complications after coronary interventions. STUDY DESIGN: Between June 2011 and November 2011, a total of 434 patients who admitted to the Department of Cardiology of Uludag University Faculty of Medicine were included in the study. 396 patients underwent coronary angiography and 38 patients underwent PCI. Sand bag was applied in 209 patients. Bleeding requiring transfusion, hematoma larger than 10 cm(2), pseudoaneurysm, and arteriovenous (AV) fistula were defined as the major local complications. Logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate the datas. RESULTS: Major vascular complications occurred in 2% of diagnostic angiography and in 13.2% of PCI patients (p=0.003). The major vascular complications were significantly higher with the Close Pad device compared with sand bag (5.3% vs. 0.5%, p=0.007). Smoking, PCI, Close Pad, clopidogrel, and anticoagulants were observed to have increased risk of major local complications. In the logistic regression analysis, only smoking and Close Pad usage were evaluated as independent variables that increased the risk of major vascular complications (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Close Pad usage demonstrated increased risk of vascular complications when compared with the sand bag in patients undergoing cardiac catheterizations. After the PCI, patients should be selected carefully for application of the Close Pad.