Coronary microcirculation in nonculprit vessel territory in reperfused acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: There is an ongoing debate on the extension of reperfusion-related microvascular damage (MVD) throughout the remote noninfarcted myocardial regions in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) that undergo primary percutaneous intervention (pPCI). The aim of this study was to elucidate the impact of reperfusion on remote microcirculatory territory by analyzing hemodynamic alterations in the nonculprit-vessel in relation to reperfusion. METHODS: A total of 20 patients with STEMI undergoing pPCI were included. Peri-reperfusion temporal changes in hemodynamic parameters were obtained in angiographically normal nonculprit vessels before and 1-h after reopening of the culprit vessel. Intracoronary pressure and flow velocity data were compared using pairwise analyses (before and 1-h after reperfusion). RESULTS: In the non-culprit vessel, compared to the pre-reperfusion state, mean resting average peak velocity (33.4 ± 9.4 to 25.0 ± 4.9 cm/s, P < 0.001) and mean hyperemic average peak velocity (53.5 ± 14.4 to 42.1 ± 10.66 cm/s, P = 0.001) significantly decreased; whereas baseline (3.2 ± 1.0 to 4.0 ± 1.0 mmHg.cm-1.s, P < 0.001) and hyperemic microvascular resistance (HMR) (1.9 ± 0.6 to 2.4 ± 0.7 mmHg.cm-1.s, P < 0.001) and mean zero flow pressure (Pzf) values (32.5 ± 6.9 to 37.6 ± 8.3 mmHg, P = 0.003) significantly increased 1-h after reperfusion. In particular, the magnitude of changes in HMR and Pzf values following reperfusion were more prominent in patients with larger infarct size and with higher extent of MVD in the culprit vessel territory. CONCLUSION: Reperfusion-related microvascular injury extends to involve remote myocardial territory in relation to the magnitude of the adjacent infarction and infarct-zone MVD. (GUARD Clinical TrialsNCT02732080).

Morphologic and Functional Changes in Right-Sided Cardiac Chambers in Patients With Chronic Liver Disease and Normal Pulmonary Artery Pressure.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of chronic liver disease (CLD) on the structural and functional characteristics of right-sided heart chambers in patients with normal pulmonary artery pressure. METHODS: Fifty-one patients with known CLD but without pulmonary hypertension or other cardiovascular conditions were consecutively enrolled, along with 25 age- and sex-matched participants. Patients with CLD were classified according to the Model of End-Stage Liver Disease score and Child-Pugh classification. Right ventricular (RV) and right atrial (RA) dimensions, indices of RV systolic/diastolic function, and myocardial strain were measured by standard echocardiographic methods. RESULTS: Patients in the study group had similar RV end-diastolic, end-systolic, and RA dimensions compared to controls. Similarly, neither the conventional indices of RV systolic/diastolic function nor the strain imaging findings were different between groups (P > .05). Only RV free wall thickness was significantly higher in the study group (mean ± SD, 4.15 ± 0.64 versus 3.75 ± 0.37 mm; P < .001). Right ventricular end-diastolic diameter (P = .018; r = 0.334) and RA area (P = .017; r = 0.335) had a significant correlation with RV free wall thickness in patients with CLD. Patients treated with beta blockers were found to have a significant reduction in mean RV free wall strain compared to patients who did not receive beta blocker treatment (-20.37 ± 6.6 versus -24.07 ± 6.52; P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CLD had increased RV free wall thickness despite normal systolic pulmonary pressure, presumably secondary to cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. In the absence of pulmonary hypertension, however, cirrhotic cardiomyopathy did not cause impaired RV systolic or diastolic function.

The relationship between prognostic nutritional index and long-term mortality in patients undergoing emergency coronary artery bypass graft surgery for acute-ST elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition and the prognosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) are shown to be correlated. The significance of nutritional status has been evaluated in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), stable CAD, and elective coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. However, the prognostic impact of poor nutritional status on STEMI patients who underwent emergent CABG is not known. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between nutritional status assessed by the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and long-term mortality in STEMI patients who underwent emergent CABG. To the best of our knowledge, our study is the first one to evaluate the PNI effect on this specific population. METHODS: 131 consecutive patients with STEMI who did not qualify for primary percutaneous coronary intervention and required emergent CABG between 2013 and 2018 were included in our study. The study population was divided into two groups: survivors and non-survivors. The PNI was calculated as 10 × serum albumin (g/dL) + 0.005 × total lymphocyte count (per mm3) for both groups, using the preoperative data. The optimal cut-off value was obtained by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. According to the cut-off value, we investigated the relationship between PNI and long-term mortality. RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 57.0±10.6. During the median 92.7 (70.0-105.3)-month follow-up, 32 of the 131 patients (24.4%) died. Regression analysis showed a significant association between glucose levels (hazard ratio (HR), 1.007; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.002-1.012; p=0.011) and PNI (HR, 0.850; 95% CI, 0.787-0.917; p<0.001) and long-term mortality. Accord-ing to the ROC analysis, the cut-off value for PNI to predict all-cause mortality was found to be 44.9, with a sensitivity of 81.3% and a specificity of 89.9%. In addition, age, ejection fraction, glomerular filtration rate, Killip classification, and left anterior descending-left internal mammary artery graft use are significantly associated with long-term all-cause mortality in STEMI patients undergoing emergency CABG. CONCLUSION: The PNI was significantly associated with long-term mortality in patients with STEMI who underwent emergent CABG. PNI can be used to improve the accuracy of the risk assessment of STEMI patients undergoing emergent CABG.

Acute aortic regurgitation with myocardial infarction: an important clue for aortic dissection.

BACKGROUND: Aortic dissection is an important cause of acute chest pain that should be rapidly diagnosed, as mortality increases with each hour this condition is left untreated. The diagnosis can be challenging, especially if concomitant myocardial infarction is present. Echocardiography is an important tool for the differential diagnosis. OBJECTIVES: To stress the importance of recognizing aortic regurgitation for the differentiation of myocardial infarction and aortic dissection. CASE REPORT: An 80-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with chest pain that was diagnosed as inferior and lateral wall myocardial infarction based on electrocardiographic findings. The diagnosis was reevaluated when aortic regurgitation was detected on echocardiography. Closer inspection of the ascending aorta revealed a dissection flap as the cause of aortic regurgitation. CONCLUSION: Detection of aortic regurgitation in a patient with myocardial infarction and normal valves should prompt the search for a possible aortic dissection, whether or not the dissection flap can be visualized.

Primary versus iatrogenic (post-PCI) coronary microvascular dysfunction: a wire-based multimodal comparison.

BACKGROUND: Although there are studies examining each one separately, there are no data in the literature comparing the magnitudes of the iatrogenic, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)-induced, microvascular dysfunction (Type-4 CMD) and coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) in the setting of ischaemia in non-obstructed coronary arteries (INOCA) (Type-1 CMD). OBJECTIVES: We aimed to compare the characteristics of Type-1 and Type-4 CMD subtypes using coronary haemodynamic (resistance and flow-related parameters), thermodynamic (wave energy-related parameters) and hyperemic ECG changes. METHODS: Coronary flow reserve (CFR) value of <2.5 was defined as CMD in both groups. Wire-based multimodal perfusion markers were comparatively analysed in 35 patients (21 INOCA/CMD and 14 CCS/PCI) enrolled in NCT05471739 study. RESULTS: Both groups had comparably blunted CFR values per definition (2.03±0.22 vs 2.11±0.37; p: 0.518) and similar hyperemic ST shift in intracoronary ECG (0.16±0.09 vs 0.18±0.07 mV; p: 0.537). While the Type-1 CMD was characterised with impaired hyperemic blood flow acceleration (46.52+12.83 vs 68.20+28.63 cm/s; p: 0.017) and attenuated diastolic microvascular decompression wave magnitudes (p=0.042) with higher hyperemic microvascular resistance (p<0.001), Type-4 CMD had blunted CFR mainly due to higher baseline flow velocity due to post-occlusive reactive hyperemia (33.6±13.7 vs 22.24±5.3 cm/s; p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The perturbations in the microvascular milieu seen in CMD in INOCA setting (Type-1 CMD) seem to be more prominent than that of seen following elective PCI (Type-4 CMD), although resulting reversible ischaemia is equally severe in the downstream myocardium.

Management of patients with drug-induced atrioventricular block.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the frequency of atrioventricular (AV) conduction improvement after discontinuation of the culprit drug in patients with AV block. BACKGROUND: AV blockers are considered as reversible causes of AV block that do not require pacemaker (PM) implantation. However, controversial reports declared that a major part of these drug-induced AV blocks are persistent or recurrent. METHODS: Of 668 consecutive patients with symptomatic type II second- or third-degree AV block, 2:1 AV block, atrial fibrillation, and bradyarrhythmia, 108 patients (62 patients enrolled prospectively) using AV blockers without myocardial infarction, electrolyte abnormalities, digitalis toxicity, and vasovagal syncope were enrolled into the present study. The level of AV block (AV-nodal or infranodal) was defined according to electrocardiographic characteristics. RESULTS: The most frequent culprit medications were ß-blockers followed by digoxin. Drug discontinuation was followed by resolution of AV block in 72% of cases, whereas spontaneous resolution of AV block occurred in only 6.6% of patients who had AV block in the absence of medications. However, 27% of patients with improved AV conduction experienced a recurrence of AV block despite discontinuation of the culprit drug. Twenty-one of 24 carvedilol-induced AV blocks resolved after discontinuation of the drug and never recurred, whereas 24 of 36 metoprolol-induced AV blocks persisted or recurred. A digoxin-induced AV block usually improved (28 of 39) after withdrawal of the drug. Roughly half of the patients with drug-induced AV block underwent permanent PM implantation. CONCLUSION: Drug-induced AV block is a serious disease that requires a permanent PM for almost half of the patients.

Severe tricuspid regurgitation and atrioventicular block caused by blunt thoracic trauma in an elderly woman.

BACKGROUND: Symptomatic cardiac injury after blunt chest trauma is relatively rare, and valvular injury is even more rare. The valves most commonly affected are tricuspid. Automobile accidents are mostly responsible for this type of injury. OBJECTIVES: Unlike with the mitral valve, post-traumatic tricuspid heart valve insufficiency is usually well tolerated. Indeed, severe tricuspid regurgitation can resolve spontaneously. CASE REPORT: A 68-year-old woman with no previous cardiac or medical history was brought to our Emergency Department after an automobile accident. She had chest pain and shortness of breath upon admission. Transthoracic echocardiographic examination revealed severe tricuspid regurgitation with rupture of the chordae tendineae and prolapse of the valve cusps into the right atrium during systole. An electrocardiogram was consistent with second-degree Mobitz II atrioventricular block on admission, which subsequently progressed to complete atrioventricular block on day 3. During follow-up with close hemodynamic monitoring, her symptoms disappeared and repeat echocardiography revealed a regression in the severity of tricuspid regurgitation. Operative repair of the tricuspid valve was deemed unnecessary and the patient was discharged with medical therapy on the eighth day after admission. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to be aware of traumatic tricuspid regurgitation after non-penetrating chest trauma. Close follow-up may suffice in some patients with stable hemodynamic conditions, and regression of tricuspid regurgitation can be expected during follow-up.

Coexistent Brugada syndrome and Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome: what is the first clinical presentation?

The coexistence of Brugada syndrome and Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is a very rare phenomenon. We describe a 31-year-old patient without any previous cardiac disorder admitted to our hospital due to palpitations and concomitantly diagnosed as WPW syndrome and treated with radiofrequency catheter ablation. He was later diagnosed with Brugada syndrome and followed-up 2 years without any symptoms. We discuss other previously reported cases in literature, in which these two conditions exist simultaneously.

Assessment of resting electrocardiogram, P wave dispersion and duration in different genders applying for registration to the School of Physical Education and Sports - results of a single centre Turkish Trial with 2093 healthy subjects.

BACKGROUND: The 12-lead electrocardiogram shows a broad range of abnormal patterns in trained athletes. The primary end point of this study was to investigate P wave dispersion, and P wave durations and related factors in different genders applying for registration to the School of Physical Education and Sports. METHODS AND RESULTS: From 2006 to 2009, a total of 2093 students - 1674 boys with a mean age of 19.8 plus or minus 1.9 years and 419 girls with a mean age of 19.1 plus or minus 1.8 years - were included in the study. All 12 leads of the resting electrocardiogram were evaluated for P wave dispersion and electrocardiogram abnormalities. Baseline parameters such as age, body weight, body height, and body mass index, as well as electrocardiogram findings such as P wave maximal duration and P wave dispersion, were significantly higher in boys than in girls. Of all the parameters tested with correlation analysis, only gender (p = 0.03) (r = 0.04), body weight (p < 0.001) (r = 0.07), body height (p = 0.004) (r = 0.06), and body mass index (p = 0.01) (p = 0.05) were correlated with P wave dispersion. CONCLUSION: The frequencies of all electrocardiogram abnormalities, P wave dispersion, and P wave maximal duration were higher in boys as compared with girls in an unselected student population applying for registration to the School of Physical Education and Sports; in addition, P wave dispersion was correlated with gender, body weight, body height, and body mass index.

[Left atrial myxoma with severe neovascularization: role of preoperative coronary angiography]. / Ciddi damarlanma ile ortaya çikan sol atriyum miksomasi: Ameliyat öncesinde koroner anjiyografinin yeri.

Cardiac myxomas are highly vascular tumors and there is no consensus on the use of coronary angiography to assess their vascularity. A 64-year-old male patient presented with complaints of exertional dyspnea, fatigue, arthralgia, weight loss, intermittent high fever, and palpitation. He had an 18-month history of stent implantation for the left anterior descending coronary artery. Echocardiography showed a mobile mass in the left atrium with regular contours. Coronary angiography was performed with the initial diagnosis of myxoma and vascular supply of the tumor by the proximal branches of the right coronary artery (RCA) was visualized. Re-evaluation of previous angiograms of the patient showed existence of the same mass, in significantly smaller size, and supply from the RCA. The mass which was 5.5x1x0.5 cm in size was removed by surgical resection and the branches of the RCA supplying the tumor were ligated. Histopathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis. During 20 months of follow-up, the patient was asymptomatic and echocardiographic examinations were normal.

Effects of isolated obesity on left and right ventricular function: a tissue Doppler and strain rate imaging study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the subclinical effects of isolated obesity and its duration on cardiac function by using routine echocardiography and tissue Doppler myocardial strain rate. METHODS: Forty-nine subjects were enrolled in this study; 29 with isolated obesity defined as a body mass index > or = 30 kg/m(2) with no other cardiovascular comorbidities, and 20 nonobese controls. All subjects underwent two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography including tissue Doppler imaging and myocardial strain rate. RESULTS: The average duration of obesity was 12.1 years (4-18 years). Abnormalities of left ventricular (LV) wall thickness, mass, diastolic function, and left atrial size were detected in obese individuals, despite having preserved ejection fractions. The LV global longitudinal peak strain rate was significantly lower in obese subjects compared to nonobese control subjects (1.07 +/- 0.14 vs. 1.38 +/- 0.12, P < 0.001). Using multivariate analysis, the duration of obesity (ss=-0.76, P < 0.001), body mass index (ss=-0.35, P = 0.023), and age (ss=-0.29, P = 0.009) were independent predictors of the decreased LV global longitudinal peak strain rate, while the duration of obesity (ss=-0.66, P < 0.001) and body mass index (ss=-0.28, P = 0.037) were independent predictors of the decreased right ventricular (RV) peak strain rate. CONCLUSION: The presence and the duration of obesity were associated with impairment of subclinical biventricular systolic and diastolic function. These findings have the potential to increase awareness of subclinical cardiac manifestations in patients with isolated obesity and influence their early management.

Providing insights into atherosclerosis: A case of multivessel coronary artery disease with an anomalous straightforward vessel spared from atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerotic plaques tend to involve arterial localizations in which blood flow is not laminar due to arterial bends and bifurcations. A 49-year-old man was admitted to hospital with breathlessness and was subsequently diagnosed with left ventricular failure. Coronary angiography revealed three-vessel coronary artery disease and an anomalous extra left anterior descending artery taking off from the right sinus of Valsalva and spared from atherosclerosis. The absence of side branches and the relative lack of bends in arterial geometry were considered to be the cause of resistance to atherosclerosis. The present case identifies local flow conditions as an important factor determining the genesis of atherosclerosis in arterial segments.

Reducing Aortic Barotrauma and Vascular Extracellular Matrix Degradation by Pacemaker-Mediated QRS Widening.

Background The extent of pressure-related damage might be related to acceleration rate of the applied pressure (peak dP/dt) in the vascular system. In this study, we sought to determine whether dP/dt applied to the aortic wall (aortic dP/dt) and in turn vascular extracellular matrix degradation can be mitigated via modulation of left ventricular (LV) contractility (LV dP/dt) by pacemaker-mediated desynchronization. Methods and Results First, in 34 patients, changes in aortic dP/dt values in 3 aortic segments in response to pacemaker-mediated stepwise QRS widening leading to gradual desynchronization of the LV contraction by means of steadily changed atrioventricular delay (AVD) with temporary dual-chamber pacing was examined before and after beta-blocker (15 mg IV metoprolol) administration. Second, serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 levels were measured in the 20 patients with permanent pacemaker while they were on sinus rhythm with normal QRS width and 3 weeks after wide QRS rhythm ensured by dual pacing, dual sensing, and dual response to sensing with short AVD. LV dP/dt substantially correlated with dP/dt measured in ascending (r=0.83), descending (r=0.89), and abdominal aorta (r=0.96). QRS width strongly correlated with dP/dt measured in ascending (r=-0.95), descending (r=-0.92), and abdominal (r=-0.96) aortic segments as well. In patients with permanent pacemaker, wide QRS rhythm led to a significant reduction in serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 levels (from 142.5±32.9 pg/mL to 87.5±32.4 pg/mL [P<0.001]) at the end of 3 weeks follow-up. Conclusions QRS prolongation by short AVD dual pacing, dual sensing, and dual response to sensing results in concomitant decreases in peak dP/dt values in the LV and in all aortic segments with or without background beta-blocker administration, which in turn led to a significant reduction in circulating matrix metalloproteinase-9 levels. Registration URL: https://www.clini​caltr​ials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03665558.

Effects of high altitude and sea level on mean platelet volume and platelet count in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

A relationship exists between exposure to high altitude and increased coagulability. Mean platelet volume is a parameter of platelet functions and may be a marker for increased platelet aggregability. The aim of this study was to compare the mean platelet volumes and platelet counts in patients who experienced an acute coronary event at moderately high altitude and at sea altitude. Four hundred and one patients who experienced an acute coronary event were enrolled, of them 211 were born and had been living at the sea level, while 190 were born and had been living at high altitude (at least 2,000 m above the sea level). Patients were compared regarding the mean platelet volumes and platelet counts. The mean platelet volumes were significantly higher in patients living in high altitude (P = 0.001). No statistically significant differences were found among the groups regarding the platelet counts. As a result, this increased MPV values in highlanders who experienced an acute coronary event may reflect increased platelet aggregability.

Glue (toluene) abuse: increased QT dispersion and relation with unexplained syncope.

Exposure to toluene, one of the major components of glue, can lead to cardiac arrhythmias and sudden sniffing death syndrome. QT dispersion is a useful risk marker for cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of glue abuse on QT interval and QT dispersion. The study included 44 patients with inhalant abuse and 34 healthy controls. Patients were divided into three groups: glue abusers with history of unexplained syncope (n = 20), asymptomatic glue abusers (n = 24), and healthy control subjects (n = 34). QT intervals, QT dispersion, and corrected QT dispersion values were measured. QT and corrected QT duration were greater in the symptomatic group than in at the symptomatic group and greater in the asymptomatic group than in controls. QT and corrected QT dispersion in both symptomatic and asymptomatic group were significantly greater than controls (p= .001), and also QT and corrected QT dispersion in symptomatic group was greater in asymptomatic group (p = .001). These findings demonstrate that QT interval and corrected QT dispersion increase in symptomatic or asymptomatic toluene abusers. The QT and QTc dispersion were also found to be longer in the symptomatic group than those in the asymptomatic group.

Effects of radiofrequency catheter ablation on myocardial performance index and plasma NT-Pro-BNP levels in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The myocardial performance index (Tei index) is an echocardiographic index of combined systolic and diastolic functions. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and its biologically inactive fragment N-terminal pro-BNP (NT-pro-BNP) are secreted by the heart in response to myocardial stretch. In this study, we investigated Tei index and NT-pro-BNP levels in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome before and after radiofrequency catheter ablation therapy (RFCA). METHODS: Thirty patients (19 males, 11 females, aged 35.5 +/- 14.4 years) with WPW syndrome were enrolled in this study. Echocardiographic examination was performed before and 24 hours after RFCA. Tei index was calculated using Doppler echocardiography. Blood samples were taken before and 24 hours after RFCA to detect levels of NT-pro-BNP. RESULTS: Although isovolumic contraction time (IVCT) and isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) did not change, aortic ejection time (ET) was decreased after RFCA (276 +/- 22 ms vs 254 +/- 30 ms, P < 0.01). So Tei index was significantly higher in postablation period (0.36 +/- 0.11 vs 0.42 +/- 0.21, P < 0.05). NT-pro-BNP levels did not change significantly after RFCA. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that restoration of normal atrioventricular conduction by RFCA, leads to increase in Tei index but does not effect plasma NT-pro-BNP levels.

Effect of cardiac resynchronization therapy on mean platelet volume.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) increases cardiac performance and decreases morbidity and mortality in patients with heart failure. Mean platelet volume (MPV), a marker of platelet hyperreactivity, was found to be increased in both chronic heart failure and thromboembolic events. Systemic and pulmonary thromboembolism is a frequent complication of heart failure.The aim of this study is to determine the effects of cardiac resynchronization therapy on MPV values. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty-six heart failure patients with increased QRS duration underwent biventricular pacemaker implantation. Blood samples were collected the morning before implantation and at six months follow-up. Response criteria were: an increase in ejection fraction of more than 10% from baseline at six months or no hospitalization for major cardiac events during the first six months.The mean MPV values were decreased from 9.3 +/- 0.5 fl to 8.3 +/- 0.5 fl. Patients with recorded major cardiac events in the follow-up period had no statistically significant decrease in MPV values. CONCLUSIONS: In our study we found that cardiac resynchronization therapy leads to a decreased MPV and clinical improvement in patients with heart failure that is accompanied with a decrease in MPV.

The relation between insulin resistance determined by homeostatic [corrected from haemostatic] modelling and slow coronary flow.

INTRODUCTION: In this study, we sought to determine whether insulin resistance, which is investigated by homeostatic modelling, is related to slow coronary flow (SCF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 24 patients with SCF (4 females/20 males, mean age 47 +/- 12 years) and 32 patients with normal coronary artery (10 females/22 males, mean age 52 +/- 12 years) were included in the study. Baseline glucose, insulin and plasma lipid levels were measured. A standard oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed and post-challenge insulin levels were also measured. The index of insulin resistance was calculated with the homeostatic modelling [homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR)]. RESULTS: There were no differences between the 2 groups with regard to age, lipid levels, blood pressure levels, history of smoking, fasting and post-challenge plasma glucose. Baseline insulin levels were augmented in the SCF group (9.64 +/- 5.93 vs 7.04 +/- 3.26, P = 0.041). HOMA-IR levels were not different between the study groups (2.20 +/- 1.44 vs 1.69 +/- 0.86, P = 0.129). Manifest insulin resistance was significantly higher in the CSF group as compared with the control group (25% vs 3%, P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Manifest insulin resistance is seen more frequently in patients with SCF.

Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and rheumatic mitral stenosis: an uncommon coincidence that can cause severe hemodynamic disturbance.

The combination of rheumatic mitral stenosis and Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is a rare situation. In this case, we are reporting an 72-year-old man presenting with multi-organ failure due to the this combination and successfully treated with radiofrequency ablation during preexcitated atrial fibrillation.

The relationship between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and the severity of coronary artery disease in patients with metabolic syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an important complication of metabolic syndrome (MS). We investigated the possible relationship between NAFLD and angiographical severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with MS. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective study included 80 patients (35 men, 45 women; mean age 63+/-10 years; range 42 to 80 years) with a diagnosis of MS according to the ATP III criteria. All patients underwent abdominal ultrasonography to detect NAFLD. Coronary angiography was performed for stable angina pectoris (n=48), unstable angina pectoris (n=21), and prognostic reasons (n=11). The severity of CAD was assessed by the number of vessels involved (vessel score) and the severity score (Gensini score). Significant stenosis was defined as 70% or greater reduction in lumenal diameter. RESULTS: Ultrasonography revealed NAFLD in 43 patients (53.8%). Patients with NAFLD had significantly higher body mass index, waist circumference, and serum triglyceride level, and significantly lower HDL-cholesterol level (p<0.001). Coronary angiography showed significantly higher vessel (2.5+/-0.9 vs 1.0+/-1.0) and CAD severity scores (90.2+/-40.0 vs 36.4+/-28.9) in patients with NAFLD (p<0.001). Univariate analysis showed that the presence of NAFLD (r=0.61, p<0.001), grade of NAFLD (r=0.42, p<0.001), and patient age (r=0.36, p=0.002) were significantly correlated with the CAD severity score. In multivariate linear regression analysis, the presence of NAFLD was the only independent factor affecting the CAD severity score (beta: 1.35, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The presence of NAFLD is associated with more severe CAD, requiring that patients with MS be investigated for the presence of NAFLD and those with NAFLD be attentively followed-up for the presence and severity of CAD.