The Relationship Between Endocan and Serum Inflammatory Markers in Patients with Senile Calcific Aortic Stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Endocan is an indicator of many pathologies accompanied by inflammation, endothelial cell activation, and dysfunction. In this study, we examined the relationship between degenerative aortic sclerosis, which progresses in a similar pathophysiologic mechanism as atherosclerosis, and serum inflammatory markers and endocan levels. METHODS: A total of 155 patients without known coronary artery disease, aged between 65 and 80 years, were consecutively included in the prospective cross-sectional study. The study population was analyzed in 4 different groups. The control group consisted of patients with normal aortic valve structure, while patients with aortic stenosis were classified as mild aortic stenosis (2-2.9 m/s), moderate aortic stenosis (3-3.9 m/s), and severe aortic stenosis (≥ 4 m/s) according to their aortic velocity. While there were 39 patients in the control group, there were 58, 24, and 34 patients in the mild, moderate, and severe aortic stenosis groups, respectively. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of patient distribution and characteristics. History of dyspnea and angina was correlated with the severity of aortic stenosis (P <.001). In this study, no statistically significant correlation was found between serum endocan levels and the severity of aortic stenosis (control group: 17.3 ± 6.3 ng/mL, mild aortic stenosis: 17.6 ± 8.7 ng/mL, moderate aortic stenosis: 16.3 ± 3.8 ng/mL, severe aortic stenosis: 15.2 ± 5.9 ng/mL, P =.396). However, it was figured out that there was a positive correlation between endocan levels and hemoglobin (Hg) (r = 0.308, P =.001), platelet (PLT) (r = 0.320, P <.001), and albumin (Alb) (r = 0.206, P =.026). CONCLUSION: In this study, no significant correlation was found between serum endocan levels and the severity of aortic stenosis. On the other hand, there was a positive correlation between endocan levels and Hg, PLT, and Alb.

Prognostic Nutritional Index as a Predictor of No-Reflow Occurrence in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Who Underwent Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Nutritional status and its index (Prognostic Nutritional Index, PNI) is an important prognostic factor for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The present study investigated whether PNI it is associated with no-reflow in patients with STEMI. In this retrospective study, 404 patients with STEMI and underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) were consecutively included, between January 2016 and December 2018. No-reflow phenomenon (NRP) was detected in 103 (25.4%) patients. In multivariate logistic regression analysis C-reactive protein (CRP) (odds ratio (OR): 1.693, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.126-2.547, P = .011), left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) (OR: 0.777, 95% CI: 0.678-0.891, P < .001), SYNTAX score (OR: 1.114, 95% CI: 1.050-1.183, P = .001), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (OR: 1.033, 95% CI: 1.013-1.055, P = .002), hemoglobin level (OR: 0.572, 95% CI: 0.395-0.827, P = .003), PNI (OR: 0.554, 95% CI: 0.448-0.686, P < .001) were associated with NRP. The area under curve of PNI was significantly higher than albumin (z = 4.747, P < .001) and lymphocyte values (z = 3.481 P < .001). PNI was associated with no-reflow occurrence and mortality. So, PNI may be useful to predict NRP risk in patients with STEMI before pPCI.

A new risk factor for predicting stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation: morning blood pressure surge.

BACKGROUND: Stroke, the most feared complication in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), is still an important cause of mortality and morbidity. In our study, we aimed to investigate the frequency of stroke and related parameters in patients with atrial fibrillation, for whom 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) was performed. METHOD: A total of 282 patients with permanent AF were included in this study. 24-h ABPM was performed in all patients. Morning blood pressure surge (MBPS) was defined as the difference between the mean SBP in the first 2 h after awakening and the lowest blood pressure (BP) at night. We evaluated parameters associated with stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. RESULT: Patients were followed for 19 ± 9.3 months and 22 ischemic strokes were detected during the follow-up period. Also, strokes were significantly lower in atrial fibrillation patients with a dipper BP pattern, whereas strokes were significantly higher in atrial fibrillation patients with a reverse-dipper BP pattern. In multivariate analysis, a history of hypertension ( P = 0.020), BP pattern ( P < 0.001) and MBPS ( P < 0.001) were found to be significantly related to stroke. MBPS levels >32.5 mmHg predicted stroke with a sensitivity of 77% and a specificity of 60% (AUC, 0.741; 95% CI, 0.647-0.834; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: MBPS, BP pattern and presence of hypertension as an independent risk factor in predicting stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. The reduction of the MBPS may be a new therapeutic target for preventing stroke.

In vitro effects of thirty-eight cardiac drugs on human serum paraoxonase.

In this study, the effects of 38 commonly used cardiac drugs on the human paraoxonase (PON1) were investigated. PON1 was purified from human serum blood by ammonium sulfate precipitation (60%-80%) and hydrophobic interaction chromatography (Sepharose-4B~L-tyrosine~1-napthylamine gel). All of the cardiac drugs inhibited PON1 at the micro molar level. IC50 and Ki values were determined for each drug. The tested drugs displayed potent PON1 inhibitory activity. It was found that the weakest PON1 inhibitors are Irbesartan (Ki : 421.73 µM), Glyceryl Trinitrate (Ki : 351.48 µM), and Apixaban (Ki : 333.27 µM). Bisoprolol hemifumarate (Ki : 269.31 µM) is also other weak PON1 inhibitor. Therefore, these drugs, having weak PON1 inhibitory activity, may be preferred primarily in patients with atheroclerotic heart disease compared to other drugs due to the protective effect of PON1 on atherosclerosis. Conversely, the most potent inhibitors against PON1 were propafenone (Ki : 0.35 µM), Lacidipine (Ki : 0.78 µM), Lidocaine HCl (Ki : 1.78 µM), and Propranolol (Ki : 1.86 µM). Molecular docking was also applied to confirm the activity of some cardiac drugs on PON1.

Elevated levels of short-term blood pressure variability: A marker for ascending aortic dilatation in hypertensive patients.

Background: Ascending aortic aneurysms are one of the primary causes of mortality. However, not much is known about the etiologies of aortic aneurysm. Recently, in hypertensive (HT) patients, blood pressure variability (BPV) has been recommended as a remarkable risk factor for adverse cardiovascular outcomes. This study aimed to explore the association between short-term BPV and ascending aortic dilatation (AAD).Methods: In this study, a total of 53 HT patients with AAD (aortic size index [ASI] ≥21 mm/m2) and 126 HT patients with a normal ascending aortic diameter (ASI <21 mm/m2) were included. Baseline, echocardiographic, and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring results were compared between groups. Standard deviation (SD) and coefficient of variation (CV) of BP were used to determine short-term BPV.Results: Except for daytime SBP values, daytime, nighttime, and 24-h mean systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) BP levels were similar between groups. Compared with the HT patients with normal AA, daytime SBP, daytime SD of SBP, 24-h SD of SBP, daytime CV of SBP, and 24-h CV of SBP were significantly higher in HT patients with AAD. Compared with the HT patients with normal AA, the frequency of nondipper pattern was higher and dipper pattern was lower in HT patients with AAD. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the daytime CV of SBP, daytime SD of SBP, 24-h SD of SBP, daytime SBP, and left ventricular mass index were independently associated with AAD. In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the daytime CV of SBP levels of >12.95 had a sensitivity of 61% and a specificity of 59% (area under the curve, 0.659; 95% CI, 0.562-0.756; P= .01); moreover, daytime SD of SBP > 16.4 had sensitivity of 62% and specificity of 61% (AUC, 0.687; 95% CI, 0.591-0.782; P< .001).:Conclusion Increased short-term BPV is independently associated with AAD and may be recommended as a remarkable factor risk for AAD in HT patients.

Echocardiographic reference ranges for normal cardiac Doppler data in healthy Turkish population: ECHO-DOP-TR Trial.

AIM: Doppler echocardiography has become the standard imaging modality for diastolic function and provides pathophysiological insight into systolic and diastolic heart failure. In this study, we aimed to obtain normal echocardiographic Doppler parameters of healthy Turkish population. METHODS: Among 31 collaborating institutions from all regions of Turkey, 1154 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. Predefined protocols were used for all participants during echocardiographic examination and The American Society of Echocardiography and European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging recommendations were used for echocardiographic Doppler measurements. RESULTS: A total of 967 healthy participants were enrolled in this study after applying exclusion criteria. Echocardiographic examination was obtained from all subjects following predefined protocols. Mitral E wave velocity and E/A ratio were higher in females and decreased progressively in advancing ages. E wave deceleration time and A wave velocity were increased with aging. Assessment of tissue Doppler velocities showed that left ventricular lateral e', septal e', and septal s' were higher in younger subjects and in females. E/e' ratio was increased progressively with advancing decades. Right ventricular e' and s' were decreased but a' was increased with increasing age. Septal e' lower than 8 cm/s was 1.9% in the fifth decade and 13.7% in ages older than 50 years. The E/e' ratio greater than 15 (and also 13) was not found. CONCLUSION: This study, for the first time, provides echocardiographic reference ranges for normal cardiac Doppler data in healthy Turkish population which will be useful in routine clinical practice as well as in future clinical trials.

The effects of cardiac drugs on human erythrocyte carbonic anhydrase I and II isozymes.

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality worldwide. In recent years, the relationship between carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and atherosclerosis has attracted attention. In this study, we aimed to determine the in vitro effects of 35 frequently used cardiac drugs on human carbonic anhydrase I (hCA I) and II (hCA II). The inhibitory effects of the drugs on hCA I and hCA II were determined with both the hydratase and esterase methods. The most potent inhibitors observed were propafenone (hCA I: 2.8 µM and hCA II: 3.02 µM) and captopril (hCA I: 1.58 µM and hCA II: 6.25 µM). Isosorbide mononitrate, propranolol, furosemide, and atorvastatin were also potent inhibitors. The inhibitor constant, Ki, value from the Lineweaver-Burk plot for propafenone was 2.38 µM for hCA I and 2.97 µM for hCA II. The tested cardiac drugs showed potent in vitro inhibition of the hCA I and II isozymes. Especially, in patients with atherosclerotic heart disease, these drugs may be preferred primarily due to the beneficial effects of carbonic anhydrase inhibition on atherosclerosis.

Increased Serum CRP-Albumin Ratio Is Independently Associated With Severity of Carotid Artery Stenosis.

Carotid artery stenosis (CAS), mainly caused by carotid atherosclerosis, is related to ischemic stroke. We investigated whether C-reactive protein (CRP) to albumin ratio (CAR) was associated with increased severity of carotid stenosis in patients undergoing carotid angiography. A total of 269 patients who were undergoing carotid angiography were included in this study. The patients were divided into 2 groups with respect to the severe CAS: group 1 (stenosis < 70%, n = 189) or group II (stenosis ≥ 70%, n = 80). C-reactive protein to albumin ratio was higher in group II compared to group I (0.56 ± 0.25 vs 0.14 ± 0.01, P < .001). The CAR (odds ratio [OR]: 1.051, 95%CI: 1.027-1.076, P < .001), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and total cholesterol levels were independent predictors of severe CAS. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (area under the curve) for the CAR to predict severe CAS was 0.798 (95% CI: 0.741-0.854, P < .001). C-reactive to protein albumin ratio was an independent risk factor of severe CAS. Therefore, CAR might be considered a potential index in the severity of carotid artery disease.

Epicardial Adipose Tissue Predicts Severe Mitral Annular Calcification in Patients Aged ≥60 Years.

BACKGROUND Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) has been shown to be associated with diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HT), coronary artery calcification, and atherosclerotic disease. Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is also associated with atherosclerosis. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between EAT and severe MAC. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study enrolled 102 patients who had severe MAC and 107 patients who did not have MAC, as determined by echocardiographic examination. EAT was measured by transthoracic echocardiography. The parasternal long-axis view was used to measure the maximal EAT thickness. RESULTS Patients with severe MAC were older (p<0.001) and were more likely to be female (p<0.001). Epicardial adipose tissue (p=0.001) and urea (p=0.004) were also higher and eGFR was lower (p<0.001) in patients with severe MAC. EAT (OR: 15.96, CI %: 1.04 - 24.604, p<0.05), female sex, CAD, DM, eGFR, and age were independent predictors of severe MAC. The AUC for the EAT to predict severe MAC was 0.699 (95%, CI: 0.625 - 0.774, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that EAT is an independent predictor for the presence of severe MAC. Routine echocardiographic assessment of EAT is a cheap and noninvasive method for evaluating patient cardiovascular risk classification.

Epicardial adipose tissue is a predictor of ascending aortic dilatation in hypertensive patients, but not paracardial adipose tissue.

BACKGROUND: Ascending aortic aneurysms are one of the major causes of mortality. In recent years, there is a growing interest of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and related diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of EAT, and PAT with ascending aortic dilatation (AAD). METHODS: We included 934 patients with hypertension in this study. The patients were evaluated by a complete transthoracic echocardiographic examination, including measurements of EAT, PAT, and aortic dimensions. Aortic size index (ASI) was used for diagnosing AAD. The patients were divided into two groups: dilated ascending aorta diameter (ASI ≥ 21 mm / m2, n = 102) or normal aortic diameter (ASI < 21 mm / m2, n = 832) according to the ASI. Characteristics of these patients were compared before and after propensity score matching analysis. RESULTS: Patients with AAD were older (72.3 ± 11.6 vs. 61.7 ± 12.7 years, p <  0.001), had more female gender (66% vs. 54%,p = 0.021) than patients with normal ascending aorta (AA). After propensity score matching analysis (77 vs. 77), EAT [OR:1.461, %95CI (1.082-1.974), p = 0.013] was independently associated with AAD in multivariate logistic regression analysis. In ROC curve analysis, EAT > 0.45 cm had 51.9% sensitivity and 62.3% specificity [AUC = 0.617, P = 0.012, 95% CI (0.529-0.707)]. CONCLUSION: Based on our findings, increased EAT may be suggested as an independent risk factor for AAD due to local or systemic effects in hypertensive patients.

Reprogramming the tachycardia parameters with long-detection strategy in patients with pre-existing implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.

Background: A long-detection interval (LDI) programming has been proved to reduce shock therapy in patients who underwent de novo implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation. We aimed to evaluate effectiveness and safety of this new strategy in old ICD recipients. Methods: We included 147 primary prevention patients with ischaemic and non-ischaemic aetiology. Conventional setting parameters (18 of 24 intervals to detect ventricular arrhythmias (VA's)) were reprogrammed with LDI strategy (30 of 40 intervals to detect VA's). One monitoring zone (between 360 and 330 ms) and two therapy zones were programmed, treating all rhythms of cycle length <330 ms that met the duration criterion of 30/40 intervals and were discriminated as ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF). The supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) discriminators were used in all patients. Results: At a median follow-up of 24 months, 12.9% (n = 19) of patients received shock therapies (± antitachycardia pacing (ATP)). Appropriate and inappropriate shocks occurred in 7.5 and 5.4% of patients during follow-up, respectively. Only one patient experienced an arrhythmic syncope during the follow-up period. There was no death related to LDI programming. The LDI programming helped to stop unnecessary in 10 patients (6.8%), who otherwise would have been treated in the conventional programming. Conclusions: LDI programming was found safe and effective. Hence, old ICD recipients will benefit from this strategy.

Elevated levels of vitamin B12 in chronic stable heart failure: a marker for subclinical liver damage and impaired prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Elevated vitamin B12 is a sign for liver damage, but its significance in chronic stable heart failure (HF) is less known. The present study investigated the clinical correlates and prognostic significance of vitamin B12 levels in stable systolic HF. METHODS: A total of 129 consecutive patients with HF and 50 control subjects were enrolled. Data regarding demographics, clinical signs, therapeutic and conventional echocardiographic measurements were recorded for all patients. Right-sided HF was defined as the presence of at least one of the typical symptoms (ankle swelling) or specific signs (jugular venous distention or abdominojugular reflux) of right HF. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were performed to determine the independent prognostic determinants of mortality. RESULTS: Baseline B12 levels in HF patients (n=129) with and without right sided HF were significantly higher compared to healthy controls (n=50): Median 311 pg/mL and 235 pg/mL vs 198 pg/mL, respectively (P=0.005). Folic acid levels were similar between the study groups. Age, ejection fraction, left atrial size, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and direct and indirect bilirubin levels were significantly correlated to serum B12 level in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, independent correlates of B12 were direct bilirubin (R=0.51, P<0.001) and age (R=0.19, P=0.028). Patients with HF were followed-up for a median period of 32 months. Median B12 levels were significantly higher in patients who subsequently died (n=35) compared to survivors, but folic acid was not different between the two groups. ROC analysis showed that B12 values ≥270 pg/mL had 80% sensitivity and 58% specificity for predicting all-cause mortality (area under the curve=0.672, 95% CI=0.562-0.781; P=0.003). However, in Cox regression analysis, only left atrial diameter, level of direct bilirubin, and the presence of abdominojugular reflux were independent predictors of death. CONCLUSION: Increased B12 in stable HF patients is associated with increased direct bilirubin due to right HF, indicating a cardiohepatic syndrome, but neither B12 nor folic acid are independently associated with mortality.

Surface electrogram-guided left ventricular lead placement improves response to cardiac resynchronization therapy.

OBJECTIVE: Failure to select the optimal left ventricular (LV) segment for lead implantation is one of the most important causes of unresponsiveness to the cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). In our study, we aimed to investigate the echocardiographic and clinical benefits of LV lead implantation guided by an intraoperative 12-lead surface electrocardiogram (ECG) in patients with multiple target veins. METHODS: We included 80 [42 (62.5%) male] heart failure patients who successfully underwent CRT defibrillator (CRT-D) implantation. Patients were divided into two groups. In group 1, LV lead was positioned at the site with the shortest biventricular-paced (BiV-paced) QRS duration (QRSd), as intraprocedurally measured using surface ECG. In group 2 (control), we included patients who underwent the standard unguided CRT. ECG, echocardiogram, and functional status were evaluated before and 6 months after CRT implantation in all patients. RESULTS: In group 1, BiV-paced QRSd measurements were successfully performed in 112 of 120 coronary sinus branches during CRT and an LV lead was successfully placed at the optimal site in all patients. Compared with group 2, group 1 had a significantly higher rate (85% vs. 50%, p=0.02) of response (>15% reduction in LV end-systolic volume) to CRT as well as a shorter QRSd (p<0.001) and a greater QRS shortening (ΔQRS) associated with CRT compared with baseline (p<0.001). The mean New York Heart Association functional class was significantly improved in both groups, and no significant differences were found in clinical response to CRT (85% vs. 70%, p=0.181). CONCLUSION: Surface ECG can be used to guide LV lead placement in patients with multiple target veins for improving response to CRT. Thus, it is a safe, feasible, and economic approach for CRT-D implantation.

Iron deficiency and hematinic deficiencies in atrial fibrillation: A new insight into comorbidities.

OBJECTIVE: Iron deficiency (ID) is the most common nutritional deficiency, and iron metabolism becomes further deteriorated in the presence of certain conditions, such as heart failure (HF). Atrial fibrillation (AF) has many similarities to HF, including a chronic inflammatory pathophysiology; however, the prevalence of ID and other hematinic deficiencies in AF patients have not been determined. METHODS: In this study, the prevalence of iron (serum ferritin <100 µg/L or ferritin 100-299 µg/L with transferrin saturation <20%), vitamin B12 (<200 pg/mL), and folate deficiency (<4.0 ng/mL) was evaluated in 101 patients with non-valvular AF with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction and no signs of HF, and the results were compared with 35 age- and gender-matched controls. RESULTS: Anemia was detected in 26% of the patients. A total of 48 (47.6%) patients had ID, 10 (9.9%) had a vitamin B12 deficiency, and 13 (12.9%) had a folate deficiency. The prevalence of ID was similar in the controls and the paroxysmal AF patients, but increased gradually in persistent and permanent AF. Univariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that permanent vs. paroxysmal AF [Odds ratio (OR): 2.17; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.82-5.69; p=0.011], high sensitive C-reactive protein (OR: 1.47; 95% CI: 0.93-2.36; p=0.019), N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (OR: 1.24; 95% CI: 0.96-1.71; p=0.034), and white blood cell count (OR: 1.21; 95% CI: 0.95-1.58; p=0.041) were associated with ID. In multivariable analysis, permanent AF remained as an independent clinical associate of ID (OR: 4.30; 95% CI: 0.83-12.07; p=0.039). CONCLUSION: ID is common in permanent AF, as in HF. Inflammation and neurohormonal activation seem to contribute to its development.

A simple discharge risk model for predicting 1-year mortality in hospitalised acute decompansated heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction.

OBJECTIVE: The risk stratification for prognosis in heart failure is very important for optimal disease management and decision making. The aim of this study was to establish a simple discharge 1-year mortality prediction model by integrating data obtained from demographic characteristics, clinical evaluation, laboratory biomarkers and echocardiographic evaluation of hospitalised heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients with acute decompensation. METHODS AND RESULTS: A risk score model was developed based on ß-coefficient number of variables in a multivariable logistic regression model which was created with the use of data on clinical, laboratory, imaging and therapeutic findings of 670 patients (65.4% males, 65 ± 11 years) who was hospitalised with acute decompensated HFrEF. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 26 ± 9%. Independent predictors of mortality were: age ≥75 years, sodium <130 mEq/L, hepatomegaly at admission, unable to use beta-blocker at discharge and LVEF ≤20%. The 1-year mortality rate was 7.8% in the study population. The existence of each predictor was scored as 1 point and the discharge risk score identified patients into low (0-1 points), intermediate (2-3 points) and high (4-5 points) risk individuals with 3, 15.6 and 44.4% 1-year mortality rates, respectively. The model performance evaluated by concordance index was 0.74. CONCLUSIONS: This simple discharge risk score model for hospitalised acute decompensated HFrEF patients using easily determined demographic characteristics, clinical signs, echocardiographic and laboratory data is a valuable and an easy risk assessment tool to use at point-of-care.

Phantom tumor of the lung in heart failure patient.

In heart failure localized interlober pleural effusion is rare but well-known finding. But there is not enough case reports in the literature. This radiological finding seems like a mass and undergoes resolution quickly, It is also known as vanishing tumor, pseudotumor or phantom tumor. It is difficult to estimate the incidence due to the small number of reported cases. Determination of the mass appearance in chest X-ray should be reminded the phantom tumor especially in heart failure patient. This diagnosis would prevent unnecessary expensive diagnostic procedures, wrong diagnosis and treatment.

Predictors of Long-Term Mortality and Frequent Re-Hospitalization in Patients with Acute Decompensated Heart Failure and Kidney Dysfunction Treated with Renin-Angiotensin System Blockers.

BACKGROUND Assessment of risk for all-cause mortality and re-hospitalization is an important task during discharge of acute heart failure (AHF) patients, as they warrant different management strategies. Treatment with optimal medical therapy may change predictors for these 2 end-points in AHF patients with renal dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictors for long-term outcome in AHF patients with kidney dysfunction who were discharged on optimal medical therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study was conducted retrospectively. The study group consisted of 225 AHF patients with moderate-to-severe kidney dysfunction, who were hospitalized at Kocaeli University Hospital Cardiology Clinic and who were prescribed beta-blockers and ACE-inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers at discharge. Clinical, echocardiographic, and biochemical predictors of the composite of total mortality and frequent re-hospitalization (≥3 hospitalizations during the follow-up) were assessed using Cox regression and the predictors for each end-point were assessed by competing risk regression analysis. RESULTS Incidence of all-cause mortality was 45.3% and frequent readmissions were 49.8% in a median follow-up of 54 months. The associates of the composite end-point were age, NYHA class, respiration rate on admission, eGFR, hypoalbuminemia, mitral valve E/E' ratio, and ejection fraction. In competing risk regression analysis, right-sided HF, hypoalbuminemia, age, and uric acid appeared as independent associates of all-cause mortality, whereas NYHA class, NT-proBNP, mitral valve E/E' ratio, and uric acid were predictors for re-hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS Predictors for all-cause mortality in AHF with kidney dysfunction treated with optimal therapy are mainly related to advanced HF with right-sided dysfunction, whereas frequent re-hospitalization is associated with volume overload manifested by increased mitral E/E' ratio and NT-proBNP levels.

Improvement in left ventricular intrinsic dyssynchrony with cardiac resynchronization therapy.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has been shown to induce a structural and electrical remodeling; the data on whether left ventricle (LV) reverse remodeling is associated with restitution of intrinsic contraction pattern are unknown. In this study, we investigated the presence of improvement in left ventricular intrinsic dyssynchrony in patients with CRT. METHODS: A total of 45 CRT recipients were prospectively studied. Dyssynchrony indexes including interventricular mechanical delay (IVMD) and tissue Doppler velocity opposing-wall delay (OWD) as well as QRS duration on 12-lead surface electrocardiogram were recorded before CRT device implantation. After 1 year, patients with chronic biventricular pacing were reprogramed to VVI 40 to allow the resumption of native conduction and contraction pattern. After 4-6 h of intrinsic rhythm, QRS duration and all echocardiographic measurements were recorded. Dyssynchrony was defined as IVMD >40 ms and OWD >65 ms. CRT response was defined by a ≥15% reduction in left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) at a 12-month follow-up. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients (71%) showed response to CRT. The native QRS duration reduced significantly from 150±12 ms to 138±14 ms (p<0.001), and dyssynchrony indexes showed a significant improvement only in responders. The mean OWD reduced from 86±37 ms to 50±29 ms (p<0.001), and the mean IVMD decreased from 55±22 ms to 28±22 ms (p<0.001) in responders. The reduction in LVESV was significantly correlated with ΔOWD (r=0.47, p=0.001), ΔIVMD (r=0.45, p=0.001), and ΔQRS (r=0.34, p=0.022). CONCLUSION: Chronic CRT significantly improves LV native contraction pattern and causes reverse remodeling in dyssynchrony.