ASSESSMENT OF DIASTOLIC DYSFUNCTION, ARTERIAL STIFFNESS, AND CAROTID INTIMA-MEDIA THICKNESS IN PATIENTS WITH ACROMEGALY.

OBJECTIVE: Early diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, the most frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in acromegaly, may be an efficient approach to extending the lifespan of affected patients. Therefore, it is crucial to determine any cardiovascular diseases in the subclinical period. The study objectives were to determine markers of subclinical atherosclerosis and asses heart structure and function. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, single-center study of 53 patients with acromegaly and 22 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), pulse-wave velocity (PWV), and echocardiographic data were compared between these groups. RESULTS: CIMT and PWV were higher in the acromegaly group than in the healthy group (P = .008 and P = .002, respectively). Echocardiography showed that left ventricular diastolic dysfunction was present in 11.3% of patients. Left ventricular mass index and left atrial volume index were higher in the patients (P = .016 and P<.001, respectively). No differences in the CIMT, PWV, or echocardiographic measurements were identified between the patients with biochemically controlled and uncontrolled acromegaly and the control group. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that subclinical atherosclerosis (i.e., CIMT and PWV markers) and heart structure and function were worse in patients with acromegaly than in healthy individuals. Because there were no differences in these parameters between patients with controlled and uncontrolled acromegaly, our results suggest that the structural and functional changes do not reverse with biochemical control. ABBREVIATIONS: AA = active acromegaly BSA = body surface area CA = biochemically controlled acromegaly CH = concentric hypertrophy CIMT = carotid intima-media thickness DBP = diastolic blood pressure DM = diabetes mellitus ECHO = echocardiography EDV = enddiastolic volume EF = ejection fraction ESV = endsystolic volume GH = growth hormone HC = healthy control HL = hyperlipidemia HT = hypertension IGF-1 = insulin-like growth factor 1 LA = left atrial LAV = left atrial volume LAVI = left atrial volume index LV = left ventricular LVDD = left ventricular diastolic dysfunction LVEF = left ventricular ejection fraction LVH = left ventricular hypertrophy LVMI = left ventricular mass index PWV = pulse-wave velocity RWT = relative wall thickness.

Use of bispectral index monitoring for determination of sedation depth in 50 patients undergoing cardioversion.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the contribution of Bispectralindex monitoring on the amount of used anaesthetic substance and the quality of anaesthesia in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation who would undergo cardioversion. METHODS: The prospective, randomised, controlled clinical study was conducted at Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey from October 2010 to November 2011 Sedation was performed on 50 adult patients using midazolam and fentanyl. Patients were randomised to group 1 and 2. In group 1 cardioversion was performed when the BispectralIndex value was seen to have decreased to <80 and the Ramsay sedation score was 5-6. In Group 2, BispectralIndex monitor was blinded to the investigator, and cardioversion was performed when Ramsay sedation score was 5-6. In both groups, blood pressure, heart rate and Bispectral index values were recorded. Total anaesthetic amount, awareness and pain were also assessed. SPSS 13 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 23(46%) patients were male and 27(54%) were female and there was no significant difference in the two groups in terms of age (p>0.05). No statistically significant difference was detected between the groups in terms of induction time, anaesthetic need and Bispectral Index values (p>0.05). In both groups, 2(8%) patients perceived pain and 2(8%) perceived the procedure. CONCLUSION: In the presence of anaesthetist in the team, Bispectral Index monitoring did not contribute to the determining of anaesthetic drug dosage and the depth and quality of anaesthesia in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation during cardioversion.

A Single-Center Experience With Kidney Transplantation in Patients Who Had Low Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction.

OBJECTIVES: Left ventricular hypertrophy is one of the most typical cardiac abnormalities detected in patients with end-stage renal disease. In patients with congestive heart failure, the most crucial factor determining patient survival is left ventricular ejection fraction. Herein, we present our experience with living donor kidney transplant recipients with a left ventricular ejection fraction of <50%. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent living donor kidney transplant in our center between November 2008 and November 2021 and had pretransplant left ventricular ejection fraction <50% were included. All patients had dialysis the day before surgery. All patients underwent 2-dimensional echocardiograms after dialysis and were categorized according to New York Heart Association classification, pretransplant and on posttransplant day 5. Demographic parameters and additional data, including pretransplant and posttransplant day 5 New York Heart Association classification, left ventricular ejection fraction at 6 months, and graft survival at 6 months, as well as patient survival data, were analyzed. RESULTS: Our study included 31 patients (mean age of 46.6 ± 18.3; range, 11-77 years). We found significant differences in New York Heart Association classifications before and after transplant, indicating that kidney transplant had a positive effect on pretransplant congestive heart failure in patients with low left ventricular ejection fraction (P = .001). The mean pretransplant left ventricular ejection fraction was 32 ± 9.9% (range, 1%-45%), whereas the mean 6-month posttransplant left ventricular ejection fraction was 52 ± 8.7% (range, 28%-63%) (P < .001). Both graft loss and all-cause mortality rates were 12.9%. CONCLUSIONS: Low left ventricular ejection fraction is not a contraindication for kidney transplant. We suggest that myocardial scintigraphy should be performed in patients with end-stage renal disease and low left ventricular ejection fraction, and kidney transplant should be considered in those without ischemic findings.

Evaluation of the left ventricular regional function using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in patients with end-stage renal disease with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction.

OBJECTIVE: It is known that patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) more frequently develop a wide range of left ventricular (LV) structural and functional abnormalities. The aim of our study is to evaluate the left ventricular regional function using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) in ESRD patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (PLVEF) undergoing haemodialysis treatment. METHODS AND RESULTS: In total 61 healthy individuals and 87 ESRD patients were enrolled. Using the 2D-STE method, the strain (S) and strain rate (SR(S): systolic, SR(E): early diastolic, SR(A): late diastolic) values belonging to the radial (R), circumferential (C), and longitudinal (L) functions of the LV have been measured and the SR(E/A) values were calculated. While the LVEF values in the ESRD group were found to be lower than in the healthy control group (64.39 +/- 5.7 vs. 65.49 +/- 3.95, P = 0.033; R(S) = 45.17 +/- 17.28 vs. 53.97 +/- 14.29, P = 0.001; L(S) = -19.71 +/- 3.1 vs. -30.13 +/- 2.1, P < 0.001; RSRE(E/A) = 1.55 +/- 0.85 vs. 2.04 +/- 0.96, P = 0.001; LSR(E/A) = 1.42 +/- 0.51 vs. 1.88 +/- 0.7, P < 0.001), no difference was observed in terms of the C(S) (19.42 +/- 7.14 vs. 18.57 +/- 4.12, P = 0.155) and CSR(E/A) (2.5 +/- 1.34 vs. 2.56 +/- 1.35, P = 0.869) values. The C(S) was observed as an independent predictor related to the LVEF (beta = 0.2, 95% CI: 0.126-0.207, P = 0.015). CONCLUSION: In patients with ESRD, although the longitudinal and radial systolic functions are reduced, the LVEF may remain within normal limits due to the preservation of the circumferential functions. 2D-STE has the potential to detect the severity of uraemic cardiomyopathy in the early stages of the disease and might provide useful information for the risk stratification in ESRD patients with PLVEF.

Determination of subclinical atherosclerosis in plaque type psoriasis patients without traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: Systemic inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in psoriasis patients. Therefore, persistent skin inflammation in psoriasis patients may contribute to the development of premature atherosclerosis, as it occurs in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between subclinical atherosclerosis and psoriasis by using pulse wave velocity (PWV) and the measurement of carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) in psoriatic patients. STUDY DESIGN: Fifty-seven plaque-type psoriasis patients (31 males, 26 females; mean age 41±10.8 years) and 60 healthy individuals (32 males, 28 females; mean age 40±9.4 years) were included. Atherosclerotic risk factors were excluded in both of the groups. Demographic, bio-chemical data, psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score of the psoriasis group, and disease duration were recorded. Carotid-femoral artery PWV and CIMT values were compared. RESULTS: PWV, and the maximum and average CIMT values of psoriasis patients were higher than those of the healthy group (PWV: 7.04±1.1 m/sn vs. 6.03±0.61 m/sn, p<0.001; maximum CIMT: 0.86±0.09 mm vs. 0.77±0.06 mm, p<0.001; mean CIMT: 0.73±0.09 mm vs. 0.66±0.06 mm p<0.001, respectively). Although there was no difference in the lipid levels of the groups, total/HDL cholesterol (4.40±1.26 vs. 3.88±1.18, p=0.02, respectively), and LDL/HDL cholesterol ratios (2.78±0.98 vs. 2.32±0.92, p=0.01, respectively) of the psoriasis group were higher than those of the healthy group. A positive correlation was observed between PASI and the PWV (r=0.417, p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Despite the nonexistence of atherosclerotic risk factors, the risk of development of atherosclerosis is higher in psoriasis patients compared to healthy individuals. In addition to damage of the artery wall caused by systemic inflammation, lipid metabolism disorders may contribute to the development of atherosclerosis in these patients.

Percutaneous closure of ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneursym with Amplatzer ductal occluder.

Rupture of a sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA) is clinically characterized by widening of an existing sinus of Valsalva aneurysm in time and its opening to other cardiac cavities, primarily to the right atrium and right ventricle. Increased biventricular filling appearing due to rupture causes symptoms of heart failure. Although classical treatment of ruptured SVA is surgical, various percutaneous closure devices are being used successfully for treatment of lesions in recent years. With this paper, we described a case about rupture of a sinus of Valsalva aneurysm causing a haemodynamically important left-to-right shunt and heart failure due to this, and we explained how we successfully repaired it with an Amplatzer ductal occluder device. Our clinical experience and early term results of similar cases in the literature suggest that percutaneous closure methods can be an alternative to surgical treatment to treat ruptured sinus ofValsalva aneurysms.

Relation of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio with GRACE risk score to in-hospital cardiac events in patients with ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction.

In this study, we aimed to investigate the association of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) with Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score in patients with ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI). We analyzed 101 consecutive patients with STEMI. Patients were divided into 3 groups by use of GRACE risk score. The association between NLR and GRACE risk score was assessed. The NLR showed a proportional increase correlated with GRACE risk score (P < .001). The occurrence of in-hospital cardiac death, reinfarction, or new-onset heart failure was significantly related to NLR at admission (P < .001). Likewise, NLR and GRACE risk score showed a significant positive correlation (r = .803, P < .001). In multivariate analysis, NLR resulted as a predictor of worse in-hospital outcomes independent of GRACE risk score. Our study suggests that the NLR is significantly associated with adverse in-hospital outcomes, independent of GRACE risk score in patients with STEMI.

Evaluation of left atrial function using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in end-stage renal disease patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: Left atrial (LA) deformation analysis by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) has recently been proposed as an alternative approach for estimating left ventricular (LV) filling pressure and dysfunction. AIM: To assess the LA myocardial function using 2D-STE in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with preserved LV ejection fraction (PLVEF) and to evaluate the relationship of the obtained results with echocardiographically estimated pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (ePCWP). METHODS: Eighty-five ESRD patients and 60 healthy individuals were enrolled in the study. Images of the LA were acquired from apical two- and four-chamber views. The LA volumes (LAV) were calculated using the biplane area-length method. The LA volume indices (LAVI) were calculated by dividing the LA volumes by the body surface area. The LA strain (%) (LAS) parameters (systolic [LA(S-S)], early diastolic [LA(S-E)], late diastolic [LA(S-A)] during atrial contraction) were assessed, and the ePCWP was calculated according to the following formula: ePCWP = 1.25(E/E') + 1.9. LA stiffness was calculated non-invasively and based on the ratio of E/E' to LAS-S. RESULTS: In patients with ESRD, the LA(S-S) (32.22 ± 7.64% vs. 57.93 ± 8.71%; p < 0.001), LA(S-E) (-15.86 ± 5.7% vs. -33.37 ± 7.71%; p < 0.001), and the LA(S-A) (-15.41 ± 4.16% vs. -24.57 ± 4.68%; p < 0.001) values were observed to be lower than the healthy group; while the LA stiffness (0.4 ± 0.19 vs. 0.17 ± 0.05; p < 0.001) value was higher. When the patients with ESRD were divided into two groups as those with a maximum LAVI value over 31.34 mL/m² and those with a maximum LAVI below this value, the LA(S-S) (30.36 ± 8.32% vs. 34.11 ± 6.43%; p = 0.023) and the LA(S-E) (-14.97 ± 5.88% vs. -16.76 ± 5.42%; p = 0.039) values were lower in the group with a LAVI value over 31.34 mL/m²; while the LA(S-A) (-16.06 ± 4.44% vs. -14.75 ± 3.8%; p < 0.001) and LA stiffness (0.4 ± 0.19 vs. 0.17 ± 0.05; p < 0.001) values were higher. An association was observed between the ePCWP and LA(S-S) (p < 0.001), LAS-E (p = 0.01), LA(S-A) (p < 0.001), and LA stiffness (p < 0.001) values. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study have demonstrated that LA myocardial function assessed using the 2D-STE method is associated with the ePCWP, which is an echocardiographically calculated marker of LV dysfunction. The LA deformation parameters may be used as echocardiographic findings to predict the LV dysfunction in ESRD patients with PLVEF. Further studies are needed to determine the independent prognostic power of the atrial strain measurement as a predictor of future cardiovascular events in ESRD patients.

The significance of the left atrial volume index in cardioversion success and its relationship with recurrence in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation subjected to electrical cardioversion: a study on diagnostic accuracy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the predictive value of the left atrial volume index (LAVI) in electrical cardioversion (ECV) and observe the recurrence rate of atrial fibrillation (AF) after a successful ECV in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. METHOD: This study was designed as a diagnostic accuracy and prospective cohort study. Eighty patients (mean age 62±12 years; 52.5% female) were enrolled in study. LAVI was measured using the area-length method and the indexed body surface area. Patients in whom the sinus rhythm (SR) was established following the ECV were assessed according to the clinical and electrocardiography (ECG) findings at the first month and grouped as those with continued SR or recurrent AF. The Student's t, Mann-Whitney U, Fisher's exact, Chi-square tests, ROC and logistic regression analyses were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Subsequent to the ECV, SR was achieved in 62.5% (n=50) of the patients. In those where SR was established, the AP-Lad (4.32±0.62 vs. 4.77±0.4 cm/p=0.002) and LAVI (35.3±11.5 vs. 53.1±10.1 mL/m2/p<0.001) values were observed to be lower. ECV success was found to be associated only with the LAVI (OR:1.122, 95%CI: 1.058-1.191, p<0.001). The AUC was found as 0.892±0.041 for the LAVI (95% CI:0.075-0.285, p<0.001). During the controls at the end of the 1st month, SR was maintained in 72% (n=36) of the successful ECV group. Among the patients with maintained SR, the antero-posterior left atrial dimension (4.17±0.62 vs. 4.72±0.5 cm/p=0.004) and LAVI (30.8±6.2 vs. 46.8±13.9 mL/m2/p<0.001) values were also observed to be lower. Only the LAVI was found to be associated with the recurrence of the AF (OR:1.355, 95% CI: 1.154-1.591, p<0.001). The AUC was found as 0.950±0.029 for the LAVI (95% CI:0.063-0.313, p=0.003) CONCLUSION: Lower LAVI values before the ECV are strong and independent predictors of the success of the ECV and the maintenance of SR after a successful ECV.

Assessment of left atrial dysfunction in obstructive sleep apnea patients with the two dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare left atrial (LA) longutidinal myocardial function in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients with healthy individuals using two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography method (2D-STE). METHOD: Twenty one healthy individuals and 58 OSA patients were included. According to the AHI (apnea hypopnea index) patients were examined in mild, moderate and severe OSA groups. Images of the LA were acquired from the apical two- and four-chamber views. LA strain(LA(S)) and strain rate(LA(SR)) parameters [systolic (S), early diastolic (E), late diastolic (A) during atrial contraction] were assessed. RESULTS: LA(S-S), LA(SR-S), LA(S-E) and LA(SR-E) values decreased with severity of OSA. Severe OSA patients have lower LA(S-S) and LA(SR-S) values (p < 0.03). While a difference in the LA(SR-E) value between groups was significant beginning with the moderate OSA group (p < 0.03), no LA(S-E) value differences were observed between moderate and mild OSA groups (p > 0.03). LA(S-A) and LA(SR-A) values were increasing with the disease severity up to moderate OSA. LA(S-A) and LA(SR-A) values of moderate OSA were greater than the mild OSA patients and healthy individuals (p < 0.03). These were lower in severe OSA than the moderate OSA (p < 0.03), however, they were greater than the healthy individuals (p < 0.03). The AHI was found to be negatively correlated with the LA(S-S), LA(SR-S) LA(S-E), LA(SR-E), whereas AHI was not correlated with the LA(S-A), LA(SR-A) values. CONCLUSION: LA remodeling and dysfunction that accompany OSA can be detected in the subclinical stage with a detailed evaluation of active and passive functions of the LA using the 2D-STE method.

Determination of right ventricular dysfunction using the speckle tracking echocardiography method in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

BACKGROUND: The speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) method shows the presence of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction before the advent of RV failure and pulmonary hypertension in patients with cardiopulmonary disease. We aimed to assess subclinical RV dysfunction in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) using the STE method. METHOD: Twenty-one healthy individuals and 58 OSA patients were included. According to severity as determined by the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), OSA patients were examined in three groups: mild, moderate and severe. RV free wall was used in STE examination. RESULTS: Right ventricle strain (ST %) and systolic strain rate (STR-S 1/s) were decreasing along with the disease severity (ST - healthy: -34.05 ± -4.29; mild: -31.4 ± -5.37; moderate: -22.75 ± -4.89; severe: -20.89 ± -5.59; p < 0.003; STR-S - healthy: -2.93 ± -0.64; mild: -2.85 ± -0.73; moderate: -2.06 ± -0.43; severe: -1.43 ± -0.33; p < 0.03). Correlated with the disease severity, the RV early diastolic strain rate (STR-E) was decreasing and the late diastolic strain rate was increasing (STR-E - healthy: 2.38 ± 0.63; mild: 2.32 ± 0.84; moderate: 1.66 ± 0.55; severe: 1 ± 0.54; p < 0.003; STR-A - healthy: 2.25 ± 0.33; mild: 2.32 ± 0.54; moderate: 2.79 ± 0.66; severe: 3.29 ± 0.54; p < 0.03). The STR-E/A ratio was found to be in a decreasing trend along with the disease severity (healthy: 1.08 ± 0.34; mild: 1.06 ± 0.46; moderate: 0.62 ± 0.22; severe: 0.34 ± 0.23; p < 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Subclinical RV dysfunction can be established in OSA patients even in the absence of pulmonary hypertension and pathologies which could have adverse effects on RV functions. In addition to the methods of conventional, Doppler and tissue Doppler echocardiography, using the STE method can determine RV dysfunction in the subclinical phase.

Assessment of subclinical left ventricular dysfunction in obstructive sleep apnea patients with speckle tracking echocardiography.

In this study, our aim was to evaluate the LV (left ventricle) subclinical myocardial dysfunction using the two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) method on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and without any confounding disease that may result myocardial dysfunction. Twenty-one healthy individuals and 58 OSA patients were enrolled in the study. The patients were categorized into mild, moderate and severe OSA groups according to the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). Conventional- and tissue Doppler echocardiography imagings were performed in all the individuals besides the 2D-STE. The longitudinal strain (S) and systolic strain rate (SR(S)) values decreased as the severity of disease increased from moderate towards severe OSA. The circumferential S and SR(S) values were observed to be lower in the severe OSA patients. Despite the increase in the radial S and SR(S) in moderate and mild OSA patients, these measurements decreased in those with severe OSA. Although the longitudinal, circumferential and radial early diastolic strain rates (SR(E)) decreased as the severity of disease increased form moderate to severe, the late diastolic strain rates (SR(A)) were observed to increase. In the early stages of OSA, longitudinal systolic LV dysfunction is detected in addition to the diastolic dysfunction. The circumferential mechanics of the LV deteriorate in the later stages of the OSA. Despite a compensatory increase in the radial LV function in the early stages of OSA, in later stages, the LV radial function also deteriorates. The assessment of the myocardial functions using the STE method in patients with OSA with preserved LVEF has the potential to detect the subclinical LV dysfunction and might provide useful information for risk stratification.

Evaluation of subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction in patients with obstructive sleep apnea by automated function imaging method; an observational study.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the subclinical left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction with the automated function imaging method (AFI) based on speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) in obstructive sleep apnea patients (OSA) with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and without any confounding disease that can cause myocardial dysfunction. METHODS: Twenty-one healthy individuals and 58 OSA patients were included in this observational cross-sectional study. According to the severity of disease, OSA patients were examined in three groups; mild, moderate and severe OSA. Apical 2-, 3- and 4- chamber images were obtained for AFI evaluation. The global systolic longitudinal strain (GLS) values were determined for each view, and averages of these were used in comparison of the patient groups. One-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, Pearson correlation tests and linear regression analysis were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The GLS values of the OSA patients were lower than of the healthy individuals and these values were decreased along with the OSA severity (Healthy:-25.58±-2.16%, Mild:-23.93±-3.96%, Moderate:-21.27±-2.60%, Severe:-16.94±-2.66%, respectively). The difference was significant between moderate OSA patients and healthy individuals, and significant between severe OSA patients and all other groups (p<0.03). The apnea-hypopnea index was found to be correlated with the GLS (ß=-0.659, 95% CI: 0.09-0.17, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Longitudinal LV mechanics in OSA patients with normal LVEF are deteriorated in the subclinical stage being associated with the severity of disease. AFI can be used as an effective and safe method in the determination of subclinical myocardial dysfunction in OSA patients, because it is semi-automated and easy to use with a short analysis time.

Complete AV block and cardiac syncope in a patient with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is an X linked hereditary progressive neuromuscular disease and it is characterized by development of weakness and atrophy in affected muscles. In late phases of disease with involvement of respiratory and cardiac muscles, patients die because of respiratory and cardiac failure. Cardiomyopathy is a common complication and various types of arrhythmia because of conduction system involvement can be seen. Herein we present a case with Duchenne muscular dsytrophy who was admitted to our clinic at an older age because of complete atrioventricular block without cardiomyopathy.

Aorta-right atrial tunnel leading to heart failure.

Congential aorta-right atrial tunnel (ARAT) is a rare anomaly. Many patients are asymptomatic and diagnosis can be made during investigation of systolic and diastolic continuous murmur heard on cardiac oscultation. In some patients, symptoms such as palpitation, dyspnea, and fatigue on exertion can be seen. With transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography diagnosis can usually be made, but more definite diagnosis is possible with coronary angiography, aortography, and computerized tomography. Herein with the data from current literature we will discuss a case who was admitted to our clinic with symptoms of heart failure and diagnosed with ARAT.

Acquired QT interval prolongation and ventricular arythmias associated with brucellosis: A case report and review of literature.

Brucellosis is a zoonosis caused by Brucella species and usually involves the lymphoreticular system. Cardiovascular involvement is rare but fatal. Endocarditis is the most common cardiovascular manifestation of brucellosis. Herein we report a case of brucellosis with a presentation of acquired QT prolongation and ventricular tachycardia without a clear clinical picture of endocarditis and myocarditis.

Aortic valve endocarditis and cerebral mycotic aneurysm due to brucellosis.

Brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by Gram-negative coccobacilli. Direct contact with the infected tissue or blood, consumption of infected dairy products, and inhalation of infectious aeresol particles can transmit the disease. Brucella endocarditis is rare but the most fatal complication of brucellosis. The most commonly involved valve is aortic valve. Mycotic aneurysms result as an involvement of central nervous system and can lead to serious complications. Herein we present a case with mycotic aneurysmal rupture and aortic insufficency and sinus valsalva fistula caused by brucella endocarditis. There were rare cases with brucella endocarditis and mycotic aneursymal rupture secondary to neurobrucellosis in the literature. Relevant complications are treated with aortic valve surgery and peripheral endovascular intervention.