The relation of right ventricular outflow tract measurements with in-hospital clinical outcomes after tricuspid valve surgery.

Right ventricular (RV) function is a determining factor for clinical outcomes in patients undergoing tricuspid valve surgery (TVS). Our aim was to investigate the importance of the function of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), which is an important anatomical region of the RV, in patients underwent TVS. 104 patients who underwent TVS were analyzed retrospectively. Patients with previous cardiac surgery, congenital heart disease, or heart failure were excluded. The parasternal short-axis view at the level of the aortic root was used to measure RVOT dimensions and RVOT fractional shortening (RVOT-FS). The effect of RVOT diameter and function on major adverse cardiac events (MACE) after TVS was investigated. In our study, MACE, consisting of pacemaker implantation, acute kidney injury, postoperative atrial fibrillation and mortality, was developed at 44 (42.3%) patients.We compared the predictive performances of RVOT end-systolic (RVOTs) diameter, RVOT end-diastolic (RVOTd) diameter, RVOT-FS and RV diameters in prediction of MACE. The model including the RVOTs had higher AUC, R2 and likelihood ratio X2 values (0.775, 0.287 and 25.0, respectively) than RVOTd (0.770, 0.279 and 24.2, respectively) and RVOT-FS (0.750, 0.215 and 18.1, respectively). RVOT diameters showed better performance in predicting MACE than RV diameters. Moreover, there was statistically significant association between RVOTs, RVOTd and MACE (p value were 0.014 and 0.027, respectively), while no association between RVOT-FS and MACE (p value was 0.177). In summary, we determined that the RVOT diameters are important predictors for the in-hospital clinical outcomes of patients who underwent TVS.

Relationship between myocardial energy expenditure and postoperative ejection fraction in patients with severe mitral regurgitation.

OBJECTIVE: This prospective study aimed to investigate the myocardial energy metabolism in severe mitral regurgitation (MR) and explore its effect on postoperative differentiation of ejection fraction (EF). METHODS: A total of 85 patients with severe MR were prospectively enrolled from October 2018 to June 2019. During the study period, a total of 50 patients underwent mitral valve surgery and 49 patients were finally enrolled due to 1 missing data. Left ventricular function, circumferential end-systolic stress (cESS), and myocardial energy expenditure (MEE) were measured by transthoracic echocardiography preoperatively and 3 months after surgery. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to absolute difference of postoperative differentiation of EF. RESULTS: Nine patients underwent mitral valve repair and 40 underwent prosthetic valve replacement. Patients with reduced EF had higher MEE demonstrated with cESS and MEE. Negative correlation between preoperative EF and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), cESS, MEEs, and MEEm and positive correlation between preoperative EF and effective regurgitant orifice area were found. Complications occurred in 12 patients during hospitalization. Basal NT-proBNP, left atrium (LA), and cESS were significantly higher in postoperatively decreased EF group. Taking into consideration the covariates of multiple logistic regression analysis, LA and cESS were found to be independent predictors of EF reduction postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Higher LA and cESS are independent predictors of postoperative EF reduction. Preoperative high end-systolic stress could predict postoperative EF reduction and hence could be helpful for determining the timing of mitral valve surgery. Although MEE was higher in postoperatively decreased EF group, it did not reach statistical significance.

Characterization, epidemiological profile and risk factors for clinical outcome of infective endocarditis from a tertiary care centre in Turkey.

Background: We aimed to investigate the clinical, laboratory, microbiological characteristics of IE in a single tertiary care centre in Turkey and to identify the factors associated with in-hospital mortality. Methods: A total of 155 consecutive adult patients (≥18 years) admitted to our single tertiary care hospital between 2009 and 2019 with definite infective endocarditis were retrospectively included in the study. Results: The mean age of the patients was 58 years. Among 155 endocarditis episodes, 60% involved prosthetic valves, 35.5% had native valve endocarditis (NVE) and 4.5% were device related. Prosthetic valve disease was the most frequent predisposing valve lesion followed by degenerative valvular disease. Vegetations were detected in 103 (66.5%) patients by transthoracic echocardiography and in 145 (93%) patients by transoesophageal echocardiography. The most commonly affected valve was the mitral valve in 84 (54.2%) patients, followed by 67 (43.2%) aortic valve. Staphylococci were the most frequent causative microorganisms isolated in both NVE (31.8%), prosthetic valve endocarditis (38.9%) and device related IE cases. At least one complication was present in 70 patients (45.2%). One hundred and eight patients underwent surgical therapy (69.7%). Age, syncope, heart failure, perforation, septic shock, renal failure, high red cell distribution width, atrial fibrillation, hypocalcaemia, pulmonary hypertension were associated with high mortality. Conclusions: We identified a 10-year presentation of IE in a referral centre in Turkey. Likely other series, we observed more staphylococcus endocarditis with the aging of the population. Surgery was associated with higher in-hospital survival. Age, syncope, perforation, septic shock were independent predictors of mortality.

The opinion of Turkish cardiologists on current malpractice system and an alternative patient compensation system proposal: PCS study group.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiologists participate in the diagnosis and interventional treatment of numerous high-risk patients. The goal of this study was to investigate how the current malpractice system in Turkey influences cardiologists' diagnostic and interventional behavior and to obtain their opinions about an alternative patient compensation system. METHODS: The present cross-sectional study assessed the practice of defensive medicine among cardiologists who are actively working in various types of workplace within the Turkish healthcare system. A 24-item questionnaire was distributed to cardiology residents, specialists, and academics in Turkey in print format, by electronic mail, or via cell phone message. RESULTS: A total of 253 cardiologists responded to the survey. Among them, 29 (11.6%) had been sued for malpractice claims in the past. Of the cardiologists who had been sued, 2 (6.9%) had been ordered to pay financial compensation, and 1 (3.4%) was given a sentence of imprisonment due to negligence. In all, 132 (52.8%) of the surveyed cardiologists reported that they had changed their practices due to fear of litigation, and 232 (92.8%) reported that they would prefer the new proposed patient compensation system to the current malpractice system. Among the cardiologists surveyed, 78.8% indicated that malpractice fear had affected their decision-making with regard to requesting computed tomography angiography or thallium scintigraphy, 71.6% for coronary angiography, 20% for stent implantation, and 83.2% for avoiding treating high-risk patients. CONCLUSION: The results of this survey demonstrated that cardiologists may request unnecessary tests and perform unneeded interventions due to the fear of malpractice litigation fear. Many also avoid high-risk patients and interventions. The majority indicated that they would prefer the proposed alternative patient compensation system to the current malpractice system.

Real-life data regarding acute procedural success and 1-year clinical outcome of desolve bioresorbable scaffolds.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the peri-procedural success of DESolve bio-resorbable scaffolds (BRSs) and analyzed real-life data about major cardiac events during 1-year follow-up. BACKGROUND: There is little information about real-life data of DESolve BRS which is a novel stent technology offering various advantages over drug eluting stents and commonly used in daily cardiology practice. METHODS: We conducted this single-center and non-randomized cross-sectional study from June 2015 through August 2016 in Medipol University Department of Cardiology and included 117 patients undergoing single or multivessel percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) with novolimus-eluting BRS devices (152 scaffolds) (Elixir Medical Corporation). Study end points were acute device and procedural success, scaffold thrombosis and major adverse cardiac event (MACE) rates of DESolve BRS. RESULTS: Device success was 96.7% and procedural success was 99.3%. We detected MACE rate as 0.9% while clinical-driven target lesion revascularization was performed in one patient. None of the patients experienced scaffold thrombosis or death. Peri-procedural complications were reported in three patients. CONCLUSIONS: High rates of successful scaffold implantations, low rates of peri-procedural complications, and major cardiac events in long-term suggest that DESolve scaffolds can safely and effectively be used in daily intervention practice by particularly experienced operators.

Relationship between serum osteopontin level and atrial fibrillation recurrence in patients undergoing cryoballoon catheter ablation.

OBJECTIVE: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Atrial fibrosis augments recurrence rate following AF catheter ablation. Osteopontin is a multifunctional molecule involved in several pathophysiological pathways, including fibrosis. Presently described is investigation of relationship between serum osteopontin level and AF recurrence after AF cryoablation. METHODS: The study was designed to be prospective and observational; 60 patients with paroxysmal (n=47) and persistent (n=13) AF were included. Osteopontin level was measured both before and 6 months after AF ablation with cryoballoon. RESULTS: Preprocedure and postprocedure osteopontin level did not differ between the 2 groups of AF patients (p=0.286, p=0.493, respectively). Postprocedure osteopontin level was significantly higher compared with preprocedure value (32.18 ng/mL vs 15.58 ng/mL; p=<0.001). Left atrial diameter, AF type, and preprocedure osteopontin level were related to AF recurrence (p≤0.05). An age-adjusted multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine independent predictors of AF recurrence. Among these, AF type (ß=2.211; p=0.004; odds ratio [OR]: 9.124; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.026-41.094) was found to be the most important factor related to AF recurrence. Preprocedure osteopontin level also predicted AF recurrence independently (ß=0.059; p=0.048; OR: 1.061; 95% CI 1.001-1.125). CONCLUSION: Study results revealed persistency of AF and high preprocedure osteopontin level independently predicted AF recurrence in patients undergoing cryoballoon AF ablation. Association of a biochemical marker with AF recurrence might be beneficial to selection of appropriate patients for cryoballoon procedure and assessment of long-term procedural success.

SYNTAX score predicts postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing on-pump isolated coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia following coronary artery by-pass graft surgery (CABG). The value of SYNTAX score to predict postoperative atrial fibrillation (PoAF) has not been clearly addressed. We aimed to evaluate this relationship in patients undergoing isolated CABG. METHODS: This study was designed as a single-center, non-randomized, observational, prospective study. Ninety-four patients undergoing isolated on-pump CABG, who had sinus rhythm and were older than 18 years, were enrolled. Demographic characteristics of the patients were recorded; SYNTAX score was calculated preoperatively for each patient. The univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to determine for predictors of PoAF. RESULTS: The median SYNTAX score of the enrolled patients was 21, (56-5). PoAF was observed in 31 (33.3%) patients. Univariate logistic regression showed that age, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), red blood cell distribution width (RDW), urea, initial troponin I, peak postoperative troponin I, interventricular septum, left atrial diameter, and SYNTAX score were significantly associated with the frequency of PoAF following CABG. An independent association was identified with age [ß: 0.088, p:0.023, OR: 1.092, 95% CI (1.012-1.179)], COPD [(ß: 2.222, p:0.003, OR: 9.228, 95% CI (2.150-39.602)], and SYNTAX score [(ß: 0.130, p:0.002, OR: 1.139, 95% CI (1.050-1.235)]. CONCLUSION: This study showed that a higher SYNTAX score was related to more frequent PoAF in patients undergoing isolated on-pump CABG.

Sinus surgery complicated by ventricular fibrillation in a young patient: Inverted (reverse) Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC), also known as left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome or stress cardiomyopathy, is characterized by transient left ventricular systolic dysfunction and the absence of obstructive lesion in the epicardial coronary arteries. The most common presentation is acute substernal chest pain, although occasionally dyspnea and syncope, and rarely shock with ST-segment elevation and elevated cardiac biomarkers have been observed. Inverted (reverse) TTC is a rare pattern characterized hypokinesis of the basal and midventricular segments. Presently described was case of a 27-year-old woman with ventricular fibrillation following endoscopic nasal sinus surgery.

Non-surgical treatment of a right ventricle puncture during diagnostic pericardiocentesis.

Pericardiocentesis is a life-saving procedure performed in cardiac tamponade cases occurring in infective, inflammatory or malignancy conditions, or following percutaneous coronary intervention, cardiac device implantation or catheter ablation. In spite of advanced imaging methods, a substantial risk of complication persists. Emergent surgical intervention may be required, in particular during advancement of the catheter into the heart chambers or in cases of wall rupture. Furthermore, in all these cases, patients have a high risk of surgery because of existing comorbidities. This case presents a patient suspected of tuberculous pericarditis who underwent diagnostic pericardiocentesis complicated by right ventricular puncture. The catheter in the right ventricle was withdrawn via a second catheter placed in the pericardial cavity. Spontaneous blood control was established, and with no increase in pericardial effusion surgical intervention was not required. This method can be applied in certain conditions, including cardiac injury caused by pericardiocentesis or intracardiac manipulations, thus eliminating the need for high-risk surgical intervention.

Myocardial fibrosis detected by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in heart failure: impact on remodeling, diastolic function and BNP levels.

Myocardial fibrosis, progressive over-accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components in cardiac muscle, defined as a key component of heart failure and since then various studies showed a strong connection between fibrosis and progression of heart failure. The impaired left ventricular diastolic and systolic functions that are originated by fibrosis are used to predict poor clinical outcome in dilated cardiomyopathy. Even though endomyocardial biopsy is still considered as a gold standard, various noninvasive imaging techniques have been used to detect presence, location and extend of myocardial fibrosis. Cardiac magnetic resonance emerged as a crucial noninvasive imagining technique because of its high accuracy and high fidelity in detection of fibrosis. The noninvasive assessment of fibrosis is advantageous in early prediction of possible adverse outcomes and creates an opportunity to utilize new therapeutic approaches that target fibrosis in heart failure.