Comparison of single-dose and repeated levosimendan infusion in patients with acute exacerbation of advanced heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Levosimendan (LS) is a novel inodilator that improves cardiac performance, central hemodynamics, and symptoms of patients with decompensated chronic heart failure. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of single and repeated LS infusion on left ventricular performance, biomarkers, and neurohormonal activation in patients with acute heart failure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-nine consecutive patients with acute exacerbation of advanced heart failure were included in this study. LS was initiated as a bolus of 6 µg/kg followed by a continuous infusion of 0.1 µg/kg/min for 24 hours in both groups who received intravenous single and repeated (baseline and at 1 and 3 months) treatment. Physical examination, echocardiography, and biochemical tests (brain natriuretic peptide, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta, 2, and 6) were performed before treatment and on 3 day of the treatment. The last evaluation was performed at 6 month after the baseline treatment. RESULTS: Twenty male and 9 female patients with mean age of 60.2 ± 7.4 years were included in this study. A significant improvement in New York Heart Association functional status and myocardial performance index was detected only in the repeated LS treated patients at 6 month compared to the pretreatment status (p=0.03 and p<0.001; respectively). In addition, a significant decrease in brain natriuretic peptide (p<0.01) and plasma interleukin-6 (p=0.05) levels were also achieved only in patients who were given repeated LS. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that repeated LS treatment is more effective compared to the single dose LS treatment in improving clinical status, hemodynamic and laboratory parameters in patients with acute exacerbation of advanced heart failure.

ESC Working Group on Valvular Heart Disease Position Paper: assessing the risk of interventions in patients with valvular heart disease.

AIMS: Risk scores provide an important contribution to clinical decision-making, but their validity has been questioned in patients with valvular heart disease (VHD), since current scores have been mainly derived and validated in adults undergoing coronary bypass surgery. The Working Group on Valvular Heart Disease of the European Society of Cardiology reviewed the performance of currently available scores when applied to VHD, in order to guide clinical practice and future development of new scores. METHODS AND RESULTS: The most widely used risk scores (EuroSCORE, STS, and Ambler score) were reviewed, analysing variables included and their predictive ability when applied to patients with VHD. These scores provide relatively good discrimination, i.e. a gross estimation of risk category, but cannot be used to estimate the exact operative mortality in an individual patient because of unsatisfactory calibration. CONCLUSION: Current risk scores do not provide a reliable estimate of exact operative mortality in an individual patient with VHD. They should therefore be interpreted with caution and only used as part of an integrated approach, which incorporates other patient characteristics, the clinical context, and local outcome data. Future risk scores should include additional variables, such as cognitive and functional capacity and be prospectively validated in high-risk patients. Specific risk models should also be developed for newer interventions, such as transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Evaluation of arterial stiffness for predicting future cardiovascular events in patients with ST segment elevation and non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Arterial stiffness parameters in patients who experienced MACE after acute MI have not been studied sufficiently. We investigated arterial stiffness parameters in patients with ST segment elevation (STEMI) and non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). METHODS: Ninety-four patients with acute MI (45 STEMI and 49 NSTEMI) were included in the study. Arterial stiffness was assessed noninvasively by using TensioMed Arteriograph. RESULTS: Arterial stiffness parameters were found to be higher in NSTEMI group but did not achieve statistical significance apart from pulse pressure (P = 0.007). There was no significant difference at MACE rates between two groups. Pulse pressure and heart rate were also significantly higher in MACE observed group. Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV), aortic augmentation index (AI), systolic area index (SAI), heart rate, and pulse pressure were higher; ejection fraction, the return time (RT), diastolic reflex area (DRA), and diastolic area index (DAI) were significantly lower in patients with major cardiovascular events. However, PWV, heart rate, and ejection fraction were independent indicators at development of MACE. CONCLUSIONS: Parameters of arterial stiffness and MACE rates were similar in patients with STEMI and NSTEMI in one year followup. The independent prognostic indicator aortic PWV may be an easy and reliable method for determining the risk of future events in patients hospitalized with acute MI.

Arterial stiffness and pulse wave reflection in young adult heterozygous sickle cell carriers.

OBJECTIVE: Pulse wave velocity (PWV) and aortic augmentation index (AI) are indicators of arterial stiffness. Pulse wave reflection and arterial stiffness are related to cardiovascular events and sickle cell disease. However, the effect of these parameters on the heterozygous sickle cell trait (HbAS) is unknown. The aim of this study is to evaluate the arterial stiffness and wave reflection in young adult heterozygous sickle cell carriers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 40 volunteers (20 HbAS cases, 20 hemoglobin AA [HbAA] cases) aged between 18 and 40 years. AI and PWV values were measured by arteriography. RESULTS: Aortic blood pressure, aortic AI, and brachial AI values were significantly higher in HbAS cases compared to the control group (HbAA) (p=0.033, 0.011, and 0.011, respectively). A statistically significant positive correlation was found between aortic pulse wave velocity and mean arterial pressure, age, aortic AI, brachial AI, weight, and low-density lipoprotein levels (p=0.000, 0.017, 0.000, 0.000, 0.034, and 0.05, respectively) in the whole study population. Aortic AI and age were also significantly correlated (p=0.026). In addition, a positive correlation between aortic PWV and systolic blood pressure and a positive correlation between aortic AI and mean arterial pressure (p=0.027 and 0.009, respectively) were found in HbAS individuals. Our study reveals that mean arterial pressure and heart rate are independent determinants for the aortic AI. Mean arterial pressure and age are independent determinants for aortic PWV. CONCLUSION: Arterial stiffness measurement is an easy, cheap, and reliable method in the early diagnosis of cardiovascular disease in heterozygous sickle cell carriers. These results may depend on the amount of hemoglobin S in red blood cells. Further studies are required to investigate the blood pressure changes and its effects on arterial stiffness in order to explain the vascular aging mechanism in the HbAS trait population. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None declared.

The Turkish registry of heart valve disease.

OBJECTIVES: Valvular heart diseases (VHD) occur frequently in Turkey. However, epidemiological studies of VHD have not been completed until now. The aim of this study is to identify the VHD type, clinical, laboratory characteristics, and treatment methods among VHD patients in Turkey. STUDY DESIGN: The study was conducted prospectively between June 2009 and June 2011 at 42 centers, and included patients with native VHDs, infective endocarditis, and/or previous valve interventions. RESULTS: All medical data from 1300 patients were recorded. Mean age was 57±18 years and the female/male ratio was 1.5. VHD was native in 84% of patients, 15% had previous interventions, and 1% had infective endocarditis. Among the native VHDs, mitral regurgitation was the most frequent lesion (43%), followed by multiple VHDs (32%). Degenerative etiology (86%) was more frequent in aortic VHD, and rheumatic origin was the main cause in all VHDs. While the prevalence of aortic stenosis increased with age, mitral stenosis decreased with patient age. The most frequent symptom was shortness of breath (73%). Clinical and echocardiographic examinations (54%) were mostly used as diagnostic techniques for determining treatment course. Percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty (PMBV) was performed in 76% of the patients with mitral stenosis and mechanical prosthetic valve replacement was performed in 74% of the patients with other lesions. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the main cause of VHD is rheumatic fever. Mitral regurgitation and multiple valvular lesions are the most frequent VHDs in Turkey. PMBV and mechanical prosthetic valve replacement are the preferred treatment methods for VHD.

Electrocardiographic right ventricular hypertrophy predicts the severity of pulmonary hypertension in patients with mitral stenosis.

OBJECTIVES: Rheumatic heart disease is still common in developing countries. Mitral stenosis impedes left atrial emptying, increases left atrial and pulmonary venous pressure, and thus causes pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary hypertension results in right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH), implying that the disease is long lasting and needs interventional treatment. The aim of our study was to predict the severity of pulmonary hypertension in patients with mitral stenosis by evaluating electrocardiographic RVH. STUDY DESIGN: Patients admitted to our hospital with mitral stenosis were evaluated. Their clinical, electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic parameters were recorded. Electrocardiographic RVH was diagnosed when at least 2 of the following criteria were present at the same time: V1R+V5S or V6S >10.5 mm, V1R >6 mm, R >S in V1, V1 S <2 mm, V6 R/S <0.4, V5.6 R <3 mm, aVR R >4 mm, and right axis deviation. RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients (13 males, 54 females; mean age: 44.9±14.5 years; range 18 to 80 years) were included in the study. One male patient and 14 female patients were diagnosed as having electrocardiographic RVH. Pulmonary arterial pressure, right atrial and ventricular dimensions, peak and mean transmitral gradients were higher, and mitral valve area was lower in patients with RVH. The presence of RVH predicted pulmonary arterial pressure as 60 mmHg or higher with the sensitivity of 93% and specificity of 92%. CONCLUSION: Electrocardiographic RVH was found to be related to more severe mitral stenosis, higher pulmonary arterial pressure, and larger right heart chambers. RVH can be a simple and useful parameter to predict the severity of pulmonary hypertension.

Comparison of the effects of warfarin and heparin on bleeding caused by dental extraction: a clinical study.

PURPOSE: Replacement of warfarin with heparin for dental extractions in patients on long-term warfarin therapy is associated with wasted time, consumed labor, and increased treatment expenses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of dental extraction without altering the warfarin regimen in patients with an international normalized ratio from 1 to 4. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty patients who underwent tooth extraction were divided into 4 groups: continuation of warfarin without interruption (group 1), warfarin bridged with low-molecular-weight heparin (group 2), warfarin bridged with unfractionated heparin (group 3), and a control group of healthy individuals (group 4). Total amount of bleeding (milligrams) was measured for 20 minutes after tooth extraction. International normalized ratio values on the operative day and number of extra gauze swabs used for bleeding control in the first 48 hours were recorded for each patient. Results were statistically analyzed by analysis of variance, Fisher least-significant difference post hoc test, Pearson correlation, χ(2) test, and Student t test. RESULTS: Mean amounts of bleeding were 2,486 ± 1,408; 999 ± 425; 1,288 ± 982; and 1,736 ± 876 mg for groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. There was no severe postoperative bleeding in any patient and the number of used extra gauze swabs did not differ significantly among groups. CONCLUSION: With the aid of local hemostatic agents, dental extraction in patients receiving warfarin who have an international normalized ratio from 1 to 4 could be carried out without a significant risk of bleeding and without altering the anticoagulant regimen.

Usefulness of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide increase with exercise for predicting cardiovascular mortality in patients with heart failure.

N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) level at rest is related to left ventricular (LV) function and cardiovascular mortality in patients with heart failure (HF). There are limited and controversial data regarding changes in NT-pro-BNP level during exercise in patients with HF. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of exercise on NT-pro-BNP levels and the relation between increases in NT-pro-BNP and the LV ejection fraction and cardiovascular mortality in patients with HF. Seventy-five patients with HF (New York Heart Association classes I to III) and 20 healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. Echocardiographic examination was performed. The modified Bruce protocol was used for symptom-limited exercise testing. Levels of NT-pro-BNP were measured at rest and after peak exercise. The patients were followed up for 690 to 840 days for cardiovascular mortality. Exercise induced significant increases in NT-pro-BNP in patients and controls. Except for a relative increase in NT-pro-BNP during exercise (relative DeltaNT-pro-BNP), NT-pro-BNP concentrations at rest and during peak exercise and absolute increases in NT-pro-BNP during exercise (absolute DeltaNT-pro-BNP) were significantly higher in patients with HF (p <0.001). Absolute DeltaNT-pro-BNP was positively correlated with NT-pro-BNP at rest (p <0.001). The level of absolute DeltaNT-pro-BNP was the most important parameter in predicting a LV ejection fraction <30% (p <0.001). Absolute DeltaNT-pro-BNP and LV end-systolic volume were found to be independent predictors of mortality (p = 0.012 and p = 0.015, respectively). In conclusion, exercise induced increases in NT-pro-BNP in patients and healthy subjects. Absolute increase in NT-pro-BNP is a reliable parameter in predicting a low LV ejection fraction and may help in the identification of patients at high risk for mortality.

Left atrial size may predict exercise capacity and cardiovascular events in patients with heart failure.

Our aim was to investigate, in patients with heart failure, the relationship between left atrial size and exercise capacity and cardiovascular events. Seventy-five patients (67 men and 8 women; mean age, 53.4 +/- 8.8 yr) with left ventricular ejection fractions of < or =0.45 (New York Heart Association functional classes I-III) were matched by age and sex with 20 healthy control subjects. Echocardiographic examinations were performed, as was exercise testing by the modified Bruce protocol. Patients were monitored for a period of 330 to 480 days for cardiac death or for heart failure that required hospitalization. The indexed left atrial diastolic size (beta level = -0.534, P <0.001) and left ventricular late diastolic filling velocity (beta level = 0.247, P <0.017) were the most important values in predicting low exercise capacity. The only independent predictor of low exercise capacity (<5 METS) was the indexed left atrial diastolic size (odds ratio, 1.428; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-1.702; P <0.001). Every 1 mm/m2 increase in indexed left atrial diastolic dimension caused a 42.8% increase in the risk of severe heart failure (exercise capacity, <5 METS). Independent predictors for cardiovascular events were indexed as left atrial systolic size (odds ratio, 1.383; 95% confidence interval, 1.145-1.671; P <0.001) and left ventricular early diastolic/late diastolic filling velocity (odds ratio, 1.096; 95% confidence interval, 1.010-1.189; P <0.027). Indexed left atrial diastolic and left atrial systolic size predict exercise capacity and cardiovascular events, respectively, in New York Heart Association functional class I through III heart failure patients.

QT dispersion on ECG in acute ischemic stroke and its impact on early prognosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of corrected QT dispersion (QTcd) on patients` prognosis with early stage non-lacunar ischemic stroke, regardless of location of the lesion. METHODS: In this non-randomized prospective study, stroke patients were evaluated in the intensive care unit of Cukurova University Hospital, School of Medicine, Adana, Turkey, from 2002-2003. Neurologic symptoms of all subjects were recorded according to Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and Canadian Neurological Scale. Subtypes of stroke were defined according to the Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project classification. Patients with GCS between 7 and 11 were included in the study. Electrocardiograms of the patients were collected in the first 6 hours. Corrected QT (QTc) were calculated by the Bazzett formula. Corrected QT dispersion was defined as maximum minus minimum QT interval. RESULTS: A total of 148 (74 male) consecutive acute stroke patients, aged between 36-90 years (mean 63.07 +/- 12.55), were divided into 2 groups. Group I consisted of surviving patients (n=109) and Group II consisted of expired patients (n=39). There were no statistically significant differences in the mean age, gender distribution, frequency of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease between the groups. Group II (7.4 +/- 3.7) had significantly higher QTcd (7.4 +/- 3.7) compared to Group I (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: This study shows the value of QTcd in predicting patients` prognoses with early stage non-lacunar ischemic stroke, regardless of location of the lesion.

Procollagen type I carboxy-terminal peptide shows left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction in hypertensive patients.

BACKGROUND: An excess of myocardial collagens in hypertension is a result of increased collagen synthesis and unchanged or decreased collagen degradation. Increased collagen content, which is shown by the procollagen type I carboxy-terminal peptide (PIP), promotes cardiac remodeling and function abnormalities. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to assess PIP levels as a marker of myocardial collagen synthesis and to investigate the relationship between PIP levels and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) as well as diastolic function in patients with mild-to-moderate essential hypertension. METHODS: The study subjects were divided into three groups: healthy subjects (Group I, n=30); hypertensive patients without left ventricular hypertrophy (Group II, n=30); and patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (Group III, n=30). Left ventricular diastolic function was assessed by standard echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging. Serum PIP was measured by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: The serum concentration of PIP was higher in Group III than in Groups I and II (P<.001). A positive correlation was found between serum PIP and LVMI in hypertensive patients (r=.57, P<.001). Patients with diastolic dysfunction (DD) had significantly higher PIP levels as compared with patients without DD (177.3+/-52.25 vs. 138.8+/-38.0 microg/L, P<.001). The cutoff values of PIP to predict left ventricular hypertrophy and DD were 155.0 microg/L (sensitivity, 84%; specificity, 73%) and 150.2 microg/L (sensitivity, 71%; specificity, 70%), respectively. CONCLUSION: An elevated serum concentration of PIP shows left ventricular hypertrophy and DD in the course of hypertension and may be used to follow up on the efficacy of the antihypertensive treatment used.

Annular systolic velocity predicts the presence of spontaneous echo contrast in mitral stenosis patients with sinus rhythm.

OBJECTIVES: Thromboembolism is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in mitral stenosis (MS), even in sinus rhythm (SR). Spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) is the strongest predictor of thromboembolism. The aim of the study was to investigate if the annular velocities obtained with tissue Doppler imaging can predict the presence of SEC in MS patients with SR. METHODS: One hundred and five MS patients and 100 controls were included. Annular velocities were recorded. All patients underwent transesophageal echocardiography. Subjects were divided into three groups as controls (Group I), the patients without SEC (Group II) and the patients with SEC (Group III). RESULTS: Group III patients had lower ejection fraction, annular systolic velocity, smaller mitral valve area, higher transmitral gradient and larger left atrial size. The annular systolic velocity was the only independent predictor for SEC. The cutoff values of annular systolic velocity for prediction of the presence of any SEC and dense SEC were 13.5 and 11.8 cm/s, respectively. CONCLUSION: The annular systolic velocity is an independent predictor for SEC in MS patients with SR.

Tissue doppler imaging and NT-proBNP levels show the early impairment of ventricular function in patients with beta-thalassaemia major.

Beta-thalassaemia major is a chronic haemolytic anaemia, and congestive heart failure (CHF) is the most common cause of death in this disease. N terminal pro B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) increases with the severity of CHF and predicts the prognosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between left ventricular systolic and diastolic function determined by standard pulsed wave Doppler (PWD), tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and NT-proBNP in patients with beta-thalassaemia major. Thirty-four patients with beta-thalassaemia major and 34 healthy individuals were included in the study. Blood samples were taken for NT-proBNP. All patients and controls underwent echocardiographic examination. All cardiac chambers were significantly increased in the patient group. Left and right ventricular (LV, RV) ejection fractions and all diastolic parameters were normal in the patients and controls. Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) showed a significant decrease in LV and RV Sm velocities in patients compared to the controls. NT-proBNP levels were also significantly higher in the patient group. There was a negative correlation between serum NT-proBNP levels and LV Sm and RV Sm velocities in patients (r = -0.426, P = 0.006 and r = -0.409, P = 0.009, respectively). Linear regression analysis showed that LV Sm and RV Sm were independent predictors for NT-proBNP. Our findings suggest that although iron overload in patients with beta-thalassaemia major impairs the systolic and diastolic functions of both ventricles, it impairs the systolic function earlier than diastolic function. Tissue Doppler imaging is an easy and reliable method in the early determination of ventricular dysfunction in these patients.

Right and left ventricular adaptation to training determined by conventional echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging in young endurance athletes.

OBJECTIVE: Some findings of left ventricular (LV) functions in athletes are controversial. On the other hand, studies concerning the right ventricle (RV) are limited. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of endurance training on LV and RV systolic and diastolic function. METHODS: A total of 60 (54 male, 6 female) athletes (mean age 20.7 +/- 2.5 years) and 60 (51 male, 9 female) healthy subjects (mean age 21.3 +/- 2.6 years) were included in the study. Standard echocardiographic examination and pulsed wave Doppler and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) were performed. RESULTS: Except LV and RV ejection fraction, all M-mode echocardiographic parameters of the athletes were found to be significantly greater compared to untrained subjects. LV cavity dimension enlarged (> 55 mm) in 23 (38.4%) athletes but none of the controls. Of 54 male and 6 female athletes 33 (61.1%) and 5 (83.3%) had left vantricular hypertrophy. Athletes also had a greater RV free-wall thickness and mass index. None of the control subjects had either LV or RV hypertrophy. The mean LVMI/RVMI ratio was 3.77 +/- 1.59 and 3.40 +/- 1.32 in athletes and controls, respectively (p = 0.5). The mean E/A and Em/Am ratios and Sm velocities of both ventricles were significantly higher in athletes compared to untrained subjects (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study shows that despite an increase in left and right ventricular mass indexes, the LVMI/RVMI ratio stays stable. Training results in a better systolic and diastolic function.

The relation between aortic atherosclerosis and risk factors.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of risk factors on atherosclerotic changes of aortic wall and valve in patients with and without non-familial hypercholesterolemia by transthoracic echocardiography. METHODS: One hundred and eleven patients with non-familial hypercholesterolemia and 112 control subjects were included in the study. Aortic wall and valve were evaluated by visual assessment of wall hyperechogenicity and measuring the valve thickness. Aortic diameters were obtained at the levels of annulus, sinus of Valsalva and at the supravalvular level in the parasternal long-axis view by M-Mode echocardiographic examination. The relationship between parameters of aortic atherosclerosis and risk factors was studied by multivariate logistic regression analysis, Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses. RESULTS: The prevalence of aortic wall hyperechogenicity was found to be higher in patients with hypercholesterolemia (84.7% vs 70.5%, p=0.01). The mean aortic root diameters at all levels of patients with hypercholesterolemia were found to be significantly smaller than in patients of the control group (3.1+/-0.3 mm vs 3.2+/-0.5 mm, p=0.02 for annulus level, 3.4+/-0.4 mm vs 3.5+/-0.4, p=0.004 mm for the level of sinus of Valsalva and 3.2+/-0.3 mm vs 3.4+/-0.5 mm, p<0.001 - supravalvular level), but no difference was noted regarding the aortic velocity and pressure gradient across the aortic valve. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that age (OR=1.1, CI - 1.02-1.09, p=0.002) and smoking (OR=2.2, CI - 1.06-4.58, p=0.04) were independent predictors of aortic valve thickness. Hypercholesterolemia was an independent predictor for aortic wall hyperechogenicity (OR=2.5, CI - 1.3-4.9, p=0.009) but not for valve thickness. CONCLUSIONS: Age, smoking and hypercholesterolemia are related to atherosclerotic involvement of aortic wall and valve.

eNOS gene intron 4 a/b VNTR polymorphism is a risk factor for coronary artery disease in Southern Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide (NO) plays a major role in the regulation of vascular tone Associations between NO genotypes, coronary artery disease (CAD) and other risk factors have been described by many authors. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene intron 4 a/b variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphism and other risk factors in the development of CAD in subjects living in Southern Turkey. METHODS: Two-hundred and sixty-six patients (154 males and 112 females, aged between 30 and 80 years, mean 52.4+/-10.3) whose coronary arteries were evaluated by means of coronary angiography were enrolled in the study. Of the total, 133 had CAD (Group I) and the remaining had normal coronary arteries (Group II). The eNOS gene intron 4 a/b VNTR polymorphism was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction. The plasma lipid levels and other risk factors were also determined in all subjects. RESULTS: The a allele frequencies and genotypes carrying a allele were significantly higher in Group I. Plasma lipids, except HDL-C, were also increased in this group. We found that hypertension (HT), diabetes mellitus (DM), male gender, age and smoking were the independent predictors of CAD. CONCLUSION: a allele of eNOS intron 4 a/b VNTR polymorphism is not an independent predictor of CAD. eNOS intron 4 a/b polymorphism (presence of a allele) is a risk factor in addition to HT, DM, male gender, age and smoking for the development of CAD in Southern Turkey.

Insertion/deletion polymorphism of the angiotensin converting enzyme gene in coronary artery disease in southern Turkey.

Genetic factors are important in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion(I)/deletion(D) polymorphism is one of the genetic factor found to be related with CAD. We investigated the association between I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene and the presence of CAD. Three hundred and seven patients (187 males and 120 females, aged between 35-80, mean 54.3 +/-9.8 years) who underwent diagnostic coronary angiography were included in the study. ACE I/D polymorphism was detected by polymerase chain reaction. Of the 307, 176 had CAD. The most frequently observed genotype in all subjects was ID (47.9 %). However, in patients with CAD the frequency of II genotype was lower whereas DD genotype was higher compared to the controls (p < 0.05). The number of D allele carrying subjects were also higher (p < 0.05) in CAD patients. The logistic regression analysis indicated that the ACE D allele is an independent risk factor (odds ratio = 1.48, 95 % CI = 1.01-2.18, p < 0.05). In conclusion, the I/D polymorphism of ACE gene (carrying D allele) is an independent risk factor for CAD in the studied Turkish population.

Frequency of diastolic dysfunction in patients with sickle cell anaemia: a tissue Doppler imaging study.

OBJECTIVE: Although cardiac dilatation and systolic dysfunction have been well documented as a late manifestation, there are conflicting reports regarding the diastolic dysfunction, by using traditional echocardiographic methods in patients with sickle cell anaemia (SCA). The aim of this study was to investigate left ventricular diastolic function in SCA patients without congestive heart failure by using pulsed wave tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). METHODS: Thirty-one patients (18 men and 13 women, mean age: 26.4 +/- 8.5 years) with homozygous SCA without congestive heart failure and 31 healthy control subjects (19 men and 12 women, mean age: 26.5 +/- 7.6 years) were enrolled in the study. All patients and the controls underwent echocardiographic examination. Left ventricular diastolic function was evaluated by using both traditional pulsed wave Doppler (PWD) and TDI. RESULTS: The cardiac chamber dimensions, wall thicknesses, E and A transmitral peak diastolic velocities, systolic (Sm), early (Em) and late (Am) diastolic myocardial velocities were significantly increased in the patients compared to the controls. Diastolic dysfunction was found in 7 (22.6%) and 3 (9.7%) patients by PWD and TDI, respectively. Of the 7 patients with diastolic abnormalities, 4 patients with a restrictive pattern by PWD were found to be normal by TDI. CONCLUSION: Our results show that left ventricular diastolic dysfunction is not a frequent finding in patients with SCA without congestive heart failure and TDI is a more reliable and easy method to evaluate diastolic function. Patients with a restrictive pattern found by PWD should be reevaluated by using TDI.

Atrial myxoma: an unusual cause of myocardial infarction.

A 55-year-old woman had an inferior myocardial infarction due to a coronary artery embolus from a large, polypoid, left atrial mass. The mass had an irregular surface and was prolapsing into the mitral valve orifice during diastole. Coronary angiography revealed tumor vascularization next to the right coronary artery. The other coronary arteries were normal. The tumor was removed surgically; pathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of myxoma. The patient did well after the procedure and was discharged on postoperative day 10.

Left ventricular hydatid cyst presenting with acute ischemic stroke: case report.

Cardiac hydatid cysts are rarely seen. The presentation of an acute stroke secondary to embolization from a cardiac hydatid cyst is also rare. We report a young boy with left ventricular hydatid cyst who presented with acute ischemic stroke.