Relationship of the modified Glasgow Prognostic Score with peripheral artery disease severity and procedure success in patients who had undergone endovascular treatment.

OBJECTIVES: The modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) is one type of inflammation-based index; it includes data on elevated C-reactive protein and reduced albumin content. The predictive value of mGPS for outcomes is investigated in various diseases such as cancer, heart failure, myocardial infarction, acute pulmonary embolism, and inflammatory bowel diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the link between mGPS and the severity and complexity of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) as determined by the Transatlantic Intercommunal Consensus Document (TASC-II) classification and the prediction value of mGPS for procedural success in patients undergoing endovascular treatment (EVT). METHODS: Our study included 203 consecutive patients receiving EVT for atherosclerotic obstruction of aortoiliac, femoro-popliteal, and below-knee arteries between January 2019 and February 2020. The lesion characteristics were determined according to categories in the TASC-II. Operational failure is the inability to position the guidewire through the occluded lesion following percutaneous intervention or achieve distal perfusion following EVT. RESULTS: In our study, we observed 136 patients (%6) with TASC A-B lesions and 67 patients (%33) with TASC C-D lesions. EVT was performed on the femoro-popliteal artery in 59.4% of the patients, on the aortoiliac artery in 30.7%, and on the below-the-knee artery in 9.9%. mGPS was an independent predictor of severe PAD (OR: 17.943, 95% CI: 5.120-62.882; p < .001) and procedural success (odds ratio: 0.004; 95% CI: 0.001-0.099; p < .001). Additionally, we identified age and the presence of a TASC D lesion as independent predictors of interventional success (OR: 0.938, 95% CI: 0.819-0.979; p: .034; OR: 0.104, 95% CI: 0.107-0.643; p: .015, respectively). CONCLUSION: We determined that mGPS independently predicts PAD complexity and severity based on TASC-II classification; the EVT success rate is lower in patients with high mGPS.

Right ventricle early inflow-outflow index may inform about the severity of pneumonia in patients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Echocardiography is generally used in our daily practice to detect cardiovascular complications in COVID-19 patients and for etiological research in the case of worsened clinical status. Many echocardiographic parameters have been the subject of investigation in previous studies on COVID-19. Recently, the right ventricle early inflow-outflow (RVEIO) index has been identified as a possible and indirect marker of the severity of tricuspid regurgitation and right ventricular dysfunction in pulmonary embolism. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the severity of pneumonia in COVID-19 patients and the RVEIO index. METHODS: A total of 54 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia were enrolled in this study. Our study population was separated into two groups as severe pneumonia and nonsevere pneumonia based on computed tomography imaging. RESULTS: Saturation O2 , C-reactive protein, D-dimer, deceleration time, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, tricuspid lateral annular systolic velocity, and RVEIO index values were found to be significantly different between severe and nonsevere pneumonia groups. The result of the multivariate logistic regression test revealed that saturation O2, D-dimer, Sm, and RVEIO index were the independent predictive parameters for severe pneumonia. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that RVEIO index >4.2 predicted severe pneumonia with 77% sensitivity and 79% specificity. CONCLUSION: The RVEIO index can be used as a bedside, noninvasive, easily accessible, and useful marker to identify the COVID-19 patient group with widespread pneumonia and, therefore high risk of complications, morbidity, and mortality.

Quantitative assessment of left atrial functions by speckle tracking echocardiography in hypertensive patients with and without retinopathy.

PURPOSE: The association between hypertensive retinopathy and left atrial (LA) impairment is unknown. Accordingly, it was aimed to investigate the possible relationship between hypertensive retinopathy and LA phasic functions by means of two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE). METHODS: A total of 124 hypertensive patients and 27 control subjects were included in the study. LA reservoir strain (LAS-S ), LA conduit strain (LAS-E ), and LA booster strain (LAS-A ) parameters were used to evaluate LA myocardial functions. RESULTS: Hypertensive patients (with and without retinopathy) displayed an obvious reduction in the LA reservoir strain (LAS-S ), and LA conduit strain (LAS-E ). Moreover, further impairment in LA reservoir and conduit strain was found in patients with hypertensive retinopathy than in the isolated hypertensive patients. There were no significant differences in LA booster strain (LAS-A ) among the three groups. Impaired LAS-S (OR: 0.764, CI: 0.657-0.888, and p < 0.001), LAS-E (OR: 0.754, CI: 0.634-0.897, and p = 0.001), and hypertension (HT) duration (OR: 2.345, CI: 1.568-3.507, and p < 0.001) were shown to be independent predictors of hypertensive retinopathy. CONCLUSION: Impaired LA reservoir and conduit strain may be used to predict hypertensive patients at higher risk of developing hypertensive retinopathy, and to determine which patients should be followed more closely for hypertensive retinopathy.

Clinical Utility of Left Atrial Asynchrony and Mechanical Function in Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Background: The aim of this study was to examine whether left atrial dispersion and left atrial strain as measured by speckle tracking echocardiography and clinical parameters are predictors of the development of atrial fibrillation in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Methods: A total of 151 patients (69% male, mean age 48.9 ± 14.2 years) with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy were included in the study. The patients' demographic, clinical, electrocardiographic, 2-dimensional classic and speckle tracking echocardiographic data were collected. Atrial fibrillation was identified by 12-lead electrocardiograms or 24-72 hours of Holter recordings during the follow-up period. Atrial dispersion was defined as the standard deviation of time to peak strain in 12 left atrial segments. Results: During the follow-up period, 40 patients (26%) developed atrial fibrillation. Peak atrial longitudinal strain (16.8 ± 6 vs. 22.1 ± 6.6, p ≤ 0.001) was significantly lower in the patients who developed atrial fibrillation than in those who did not. However, atrial dispersion was significantly higher in the group which developed atrial fibrillation (61 [46.7,78.6] vs. 41.3 [30.6-51], p ≤ 0.001). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, atrial dispersion (msn) (hazard ratio: 1.019, 95% confidence interval: 1.004-1.033, p = 0.01), peak atrial longitudinal strain, and age were found to be independent predictors of atrial fibrillation. Conclusions: In patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, atrial dispersion, peak atrial longitudinal strain and age are predictive of the development of atrial fibrillation. Atrial dispersion measured by a speckle tracking-based method may provide further information on left atrial function in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or other disease states.

Relationship between P wave peak time and coronary artery disease severity in non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Early diagnosis of non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) and prediction of the severity of current coronary artery disease (CAD) play a major role in patient prognosis. Electrocardiography has a unique value in the diagnosis and provides prognostic information on patients with NSTE-ACS. In the present study, we aimed to examine the relationship between P wave peak time (PWPT) and the severity of CAD in patients with NSTE-ACS. METHODS: A total of 132 consecutive patients (female: 35.6%; mean age: 60.1 ± 11.6 years) who were diagnosed with NSTE-ACS were evaluated retrospectively. Gensini scores (GSs) were used to define the angiographic characteristics of the coronary atherosclerotic lesions. The patients were divided into two groups according to the GS. The PWPT was defined as the duration between the beginning and the peak of the P wave, and R wave peak time (RWPT) was defined as the duration between the beginning of the QRS complex and the peak of the R wave. RESULTS: There were 59 (44.6%) patients in the high-GS group (GS ≥25 ) and 73 (55.3%) patients in the low-GS group (GS <25 ). Presence of diabetes mellitus, low left ventricular ejection fraction, and high RWPT and PWPT were identified as predictors of a high GS in the study population. There was no significant difference between the area under the curves of PWPT and RWPT for predicting the severity of CAD (0.663 vs. 0.623, respectively; p = 0.573). CONCLUSION: The present study found that both PWPT and RWPT on admission electrocardiography were associated with the severity and complexity of CAD in patients with NSTE-ACS.

The usefulness of morphology-voltage-P wave duration ECG score for predicting early left atrial dysfunction in hypertensive patients.

OBJECTIVE: Left atrial (LA) function is an important predictor of adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with hypertension (HT). Therefore, recognition of subtle LA dysfunction in the early stages of HT is essential for controlling modifiable variables. Several electrocardiographic and echocardiographic parameters have been studied to show early LA dysfunction. The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between newly defined morphology-voltage-P wave duration electrocardiography (MVP ECG) score and early LA dysfunction in hypertensive patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-nine hypertensive patients were included in this study. Based on speckle tracking echocardiography results, the patients were divided into two groups: 67 patients with normal LA function were included in Group 1, and 22 patients with abnormal LA function in Group 2. RESULTS: Age, diabetes mellitus history, duration of HT history, left ventricular mass index, E/Em, and MVP ECG score values were statistically significant between the two groups. Based on the results of the multivariate logistic regression test, duration of HT history, E/Em, and MVP ECG score were determined as independent predictive parameters for early LA dysfunction in hypertensive patients. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, MVP ECG score assessment could be a novel approach to detect early LA dysfunction in hypertensive patients.

Crochetage sign may predict late atrial arrhythmias in patients with secundum atrial septal defect undergoing transcatheter closure.

BACKGROUND: Atrial arrhythmias are well-known complications of atrial septal defect (ASD), and associated with substantial morbidity. After ASD closure, right atrial and ventricular enlargement regresses, however, the risk of atrial arrhythmia development continues. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the Crochetage sign, which is a possible reflection of heterogeneous ventricular depolarization due to long-term hemodynamic overload, and the development of late atrial arrhythmia after ASD closure. METHODS: This retrospective study included a total of 314 patients (mean age: 39.5 (30-50) years; male: 115) who underwent percutaneous device closure for secundum ASD. The study population was divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of the Crochetage sign. The Crochetage sign was defined as an M-shaped or bifid pattern notch on the R wave in one or more inferior limb leads. Cox-regression analysis was performed to determine independent predictors of late atrial arrhythmia development. RESULT: Fifty-seven patients (18.1%) presented with late atrial arrhythmia. Of these 57 patients, 30 developed new-onset atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter (AF/AFL), and 27 patients with pre-procedure paroxysmal AF/AFL had a recurrence of AF/AFL during follow-up. History of paroxysmal AF/AFL before the procedure (HR: 4.78; 95% CI 2,52-9.05; p < 0.001), the presence of Crochetage sign (HR: 3.90; 95% CI 2.05-7.76; p < 0.001), and older age at the time of ASD closure (HR: 1.03; 95% CI 1.01-1.06; p = 0.002) were found as independent predictors for late atrial arrhythmia. CONCLUSION: The presence of Crochetage sign may be used to predict the risk of late atrial arrhythmia development after transcatheter ASD closure.

Right ventricular free wall perforation during pericardiocentesis, and an inappropriate device selection for percutaneous treatment.

Right ventricular (RV) perforation is a rare but life-threatening complication of pericardiocentesis and is usually treated surgically. We presented a case of RV free wall perforation, which occurred during pericardiocentesis and tried to be closed percutaneously with the Amplatzer vascular plug-III (AVP-III) device. The occluder device sealed the perforation, but it was in an insecure position; therefore, the patient underwent surgical repair. As an AVP-III device, with a middle disk thicker than the RV myocardium, it may cause the RV myocardium to stretch outwards, so it should not be used for the treatment of RV perforation by the transcatheter way.

Presence of fragmented QRS is associated with left ventricular systolic dysfunction after surgery in patients with severe aortic regurgitation.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Chronic severe aortic regurgitation (AR) is associated with progressive accumulation of interstitial fibrosis and disruption of myocardial structure. After aortic valve replacement (AVR), the negative remodeling process reverses, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) improves but not in all patients. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association of fragmented QRS (F-QRS), which is a possible marker of myocardial fibrosis, with postoperative left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction. METHODS: A total of 147 consecutive patients with AVR were included in this study. F-QRS was identified by the presence of various RSR' patterns (QRS duration <120 ms) such as additional R wave (R prime)or notching of the R or S wave in at least two consecutive leads. Patients were compared in two groups based on the presence or absence of F-QRS. A logistic regression model was used to determine independent predictors of postoperative LV systolic dysfunction (LVEF <50%). RESULTS: Patients with F-QRS were associated with poor recovery of LV systolic function after AVR compared to the patients without F-QRS, regardless of preoperative LVEF (p = .008). F-QRS was found to be an independent predictor of postoperative LV systolic dysfunction (LVEF <50%). Lower preoperative LVEF and increased LV end diastolic diameter index were also found as independent risk factors for postoperative LV systolic dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: As a possible marker of myocardial fibrosis, F-QRS was associated with postoperative LV systolic dysfunction. Therefore, as a simple and convenient clinical parameter, F-QRS may be used to predict poor recovery of LVEF after AVR.

Atrial peak longitudinal strain may be predictive of pancolitis in patients with ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND: Ulcerative colitis is a chronic idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease of the colon that is characterized by a relapsing and remitting course. Previous studies have shown that arterial stiffness, carotid intima media thickness, atrial electromechanical delay, and global longitudinal strain suggested subclinical cardiovascular disorders in ulcerative colitis patients. The aims of our study was to evaluate the left atrial function of patients with ulcerative colitis by using speckle tracking echocardiography, and to assess the relationship between echocardiographic variables and the extent of the disease. METHODS: We recruited 51 outpatients with ulcerative colitis in remission phase and 52 healthy volunteers. The ulcerative colitis patients were evaluated by for the extent of the disease by endoscopy at the initial diagnosis. RESULTS: E/Em , left atrial volume, and left atrial stiffness index were higher, and peak atrial longitudinal strain was lower in pancolitis than in non-pancolitis patients. In the multivariate logistic regression test, peak atrial longitudinal strain and E/Em were found to be independent predictors for pancolitis. CONCLUSION: Early detection of myocardial abnormalities by conventional echocardiography and speckle tracking echocardiography, which is a simple and non-invasive technique, may be useful for giving insights to the extent of the disease in ulcerative colitis patients.

Multimodality imaging of an aortic graft infection.

Aortic prosthetic vascular graft infections (PVGI) are rare complications of the aortic surgery, with an incidence of 0.5%-6%. Although rare, they carry mortality rates as high as 25%-88%. Improvement in diagnostic imaging modalities in the last two decades, together with early diagnosis, aortic PVGI associated mortality was reduced. These imaging methods include transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), computed tomography angiography (CTA), and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT). In this case report, we focus mainly on three imaging modalities as TEE, CTA, and 18F-FDG PET/CT and showed their role in the assessment of aortic PVGI.

A rare cause of retinal artery embolism: Accessory mitral valve tissue.

A 42-year-old female patient was referred our clinic for investigation of a history of acute retinal artery occlusion. Transthoracic echocardiography showed a cyst-like, mobile formation on posterior mitral valve leaflet. 2D and real time 3D transesophageal echocardiography showed a flexible circular mobile structure which was attached to posterior mitral valve leaflet. Echocardiographic appearance and morphological characteristics were suggestive of accessory mitral valve tissue.

A successful catheter ablation of a ventricular fibrillation.

Malignant ventricular arrhythmias are challenging to manage, requiring a multidisciplinary approach. The mechanism, which triggers ventricular fibrillation (VF) associated with ventricular extrasystoles has not been clarified yet, however, abolishing ventricular extrasystoles may stop ventricular fibrillation in these patients. By this case presentation, we aimed to present a successful treatment of an electrical storm (ES), which developed after an acute myocardial infarction, by catheter ablation.

Is right atrioventricular valve always tricuspid?

A 71-year-old male with a medical history of hypertension was admitted to emergency department with hypertensive pulmonary edema. The patient appeared anxious and diaphoretic, and physical examination revealed tachypnea, crepitant rales in the both lungs and a systolic ejection murmur at the right sternal border, radiating to the both carotid arteries. The electrocardiography showed sinus tachycardia with indications of left ventricle hypertrophy Before the aortic valve surgery, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was performed for detailed evaluation of the aortic valve. Two-dimensional TEE showed mild tricuspid valve regurgitation and only two of three leaflets of the tricuspid valve at a time.

A rare complication of mechanical aortic valve replacement: Separation in the region of the mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa.

A 28-year-old man was admitted to our emergency service with a shortness of breath and palpitation. On admission, his blood pressure was high and he was in hypertensive pulmonary edema. His physical examination showed rales in both lungs and pansystolic murmur at mitral focus. His medical history included aortic valve replacement (AVR) because of native aortic valve infective endocarditis. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) showed normal functional aortic valve. Color flow imaging demonstrated severe mitral regurgitation with posterior eccentric jet. To examine in detail, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography were performed. TEE disclosed a separation in the subaortic curtain leading to severe mitral regurgitation from the left ventricle to the left atrium. In addition to severe mitral regurgitation with posterior eccentric jet, 26-mm-long pouch was seen in mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa (MAIVF) at 120° TEE view. This pouch was separated from the mitral anterior leaflet junction releasing the mitral anterior leaflet and causing prolapse and chorda rupture in the A2 scallop of the mitral anterior leaflet. The MAIVF connects the anterior mitral leaflet to the posterior portion of the aortic annulus. The separation of the MAIVF represents a complication of the aortic valve replacement.

Cephalic vein thrombosis.

An 83-year-old male patient presented to the outpatient clinic with complaint of swelling at right antecubital area. Ultrasonographic examination of the right upper extremity revealed a mass lesion within the right cephalic vein, which was consistent with thrombus. A computed tomography (CT) venography showed contrast enhancement in cephalic vein at distal arm and an aneurysmatic thrombus area displaying regular borders with a size of 28*30 mm; there was no contrast enhancement at more proximal levels at the cephalic vein.

Multiple aneurysmatic involvement of sinus of Valsalva.

Forty-five-year-old male patient presented with chest pain and dyspnea lasting for three weeks. Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated a huge right sinus of Valsalva aneurysm. Contrast-enhanced cardiac computed tomography was performed and revealed three large unruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysms.

Osteoprotegerin is associated with subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction in non-dipper hypertensive patients: a 2D speckle tracking echocardiographic study.

BACKGROUND: Past studies have shown that non-dipper hypertensive patients have more frequent subclinical left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction compared to dippers. Many different parameters have been examined to predict subclinical LV dysfunction. The role of osteoprotegerin (OPG) in the pathogenesis of heart failure and LV systolic dysfunction through different mechanisms had well described. In the present study, we hypothesized that increased OPG levels could predict subclinical LV systolic dysfunction in non-dipper hypertensive patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Hypertensive patients were divided into two groups according to the results of ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring. Non-dipper patients were subsequently divided into two further groups (normal LV function and impaired LV function) according to LV global longitudinal strain (GLS). RESULTS: A total of 103 hypertensive patients (51 dippers, 52 non-dippers) were included in the study. In the non-dipper group, LV GLS was normal in 21 patients and impaired in 31 patients. Based on the results of the multivariate logistic regression test, it was determined that OPG levels (OR: 2.413, 95% CI: 1.284-4.535, P  = 0.006) and LVMI (OR: 1.086, 95% CI: 1.013-1.165, P  = 0.021) were independently associated with impaired GLS. CONCLUSION: Higher OPG values were associated with subclinical LV systolic dysfunction in non-dipper hypertensive patients. It could be used for the early diagnosis of subclinical LV systolic dysfunction, which would allow for strategies to be designed to reduce the cardiovascular event rate in this patient population.

The relationship between CHA2DS2VASc score and left ventricular apical thrombus formation in patients with acute anterior ST segment elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular apical thrombus (LVAT) formation is a well-known complication of acute anterior myocardial infarction (AMI). The CHA2DS2VASc is a scoring system that has been used to estimate the risk of thromboembolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. This score has also been used for other clinical conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between CHA2DS2VASc score and development of LVAT in patients with AMI. METHOD: The study population included 378 patients (mean age: 56.5 ± 12.3 years, male: 318) presenting with AMI between January 2016 and January 2020. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention procedure was performed in all patients. Initial echocardiogram was performed within 7 days of admission. All patients were evaluated with echocardiography at 3rd, 6th and 12th months. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of LVAT on echocardiography. RESULTS: The incidence of the LVAT was 8.5% (n = 32) during a mean follow-up time of 233.1 ± 66.7 days. The mean CHA2DS2VASc score was notably higher in patients with LVAT compared to patients in the control group (3.1 ± 1.9 vs. 1.9 ± 1.2, p < 0.001). In Cox regression analysis, high CHA2DS2VASc score, low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and the presence of LV apical akinesis/aneurysm were the independent predictors for LVAT formation. All of these parameters were associated with higher cumulative incidence of LVAT formation in Kaplan-Meier analyses (p < 0.001 for all). CONCLUSION: High CHA2DS2VASc score, low LVEF and the presence of LV apical akinesis/aneurysm may be used for LVAT risk prediction among patients presenting with AMI.

Predictors and Prognostic Implications of Myocardial Injury After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Myocardial injury (MI) is not unusual after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). To determine precipitating factors and prognostic outcomes of MI after TAVR, we retrospectively investigated relationships between MI after TAVR and aortic root dimensions, baseline patient characteristics, echocardiographic findings, and procedural features. Of 474 patients who underwent transfemoral TAVR for severe aortic stenosis in our tertiary center from June 2011 through June 2018, 188 (mean age, 77.7 ± 7.7 yr; 96 women [51%]) met the study inclusion criteria. Patients were divided into postprocedural MI (PMI) (n=74) and no-PMI (n=114) groups, in accordance with high-sensitivity troponin T levels. We found that MI risk was associated with older age (odds ratio [OR]=1.054; 95% CI, 1.013-1.098; P=0.01), transcatheter heart valve type (OR=10.207; 95% CI, 2.861-36.463; P=0.001), distances from the aortic annulus to the right coronary artery ostium (OR=0.853; 95% CI, 0.731-0.995; P=0.04) and the left main coronary artery ostium (OR=0.747; 95% CI, 0.616-0.906; P=0.003), and baseline glomerular filtration rate (OR=0.985; 95% CI, 0.970-1.000; P=0.04). Moreover, the PMI group had a longer time to hospital discharge (P=0.001) and a higher permanent pacemaker implantation rate (P=0.04) than did the no-PMI group. Our findings may enable better estimation of which patients are at higher risk of MI after TAVR and thus improve the planning and course of clinical care.