Debulking of Giant Right Ventricular Lead Vegetation by Percutaneous Approach Under the Direct Real-Time Intracardiac Echocardiography Visualization.

Infection of cardiac implantable electronic devices is one of the most dangerous complications, and the main treatment approach is the removal of cardiac implantable electronic device from the body. We present a case of successful lead removal of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator infection at which right ventricular lead had giant vegetation material. We performed percutaneous debulking of giant right ventricular lead vegetation by percutaneous approach under the realtime intracardiac echocardiography visualization because of the high risk of pulmonary artery embolization of giant infectious material and poor lung and general condition of the patient.

Assessment of Arterial Stiffness with Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index in Patients with Mitral Annular Calcification.

OBJECTIVE: Arterial stiffness is related to arteriolosclerotic diseases and is a marker of adverse cardiovascular events. Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is progressive calcium deposition on the posterior and inferior mitral annulus and is associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. Cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) is a measurement technique used to estimate the degree of arterial stiffness without effect from blood pressure. The aim of this study is to research arterial stiffness using CAVI in patients with MAC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was cross-sectional and observational and included 98 patients with MAC confirmed by echocardiography who referred to the cardiology clinics and met study inclusion criteria and 38 controls without MAC. CAVI measurements were obtained by using the Vascular Screening System VaSera VS-1000 (Fukuda Denshi, Tokyo, Japan) device. RESULTS: The two groups were similar in terms of demographic characteristics, including age, sex, hypertension, coronary artery disease, body surface area, and smoking (P > .05). Left atrial volume index was significantly higher in patients with MAC compared with the control group (P < .001). Right arm CAVI, left arm CAVI, and mean CAVI were significantly higher in the MAC group than the control group (P = .037, P = .005, and P = .014, respectively) and increased with MAC severity. There was a significant positive correlation between mean CAVI and MAC grade (r = 0.278, P = .001). Also, when ankle-brachial index (ABI) was measured with CAVI, left and right extremity ABI values were significantly lower in patients with MAC (P = .017 and P = .005, respectively). CONCLUSION: CAVI increased in all patients with MAC and associated with increasing grade of calcification.

Serum osteoprotegerin level is independently related to subclinical left atrial mechanical function in patients with hypertension and diabetes.

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies showed that subclinical abnormal left atrial (LA) function could be diagnosed with LA speckle tracking evaluation long before chamber enlargement. Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily and was recently found to be an indicator for adverse cardiovascular outcomes and a risk factor for new onset atrial fibrillation. The authors hypothesized that OPG values could predict LA mechanical dysfunction and LA remodeling assessed by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) in patients with hypertension (HT) and diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: A single center study was conducted including consecutive patients presenting to the authors' outpatient clinic. Enrolled patients needed to have been treated for HT and DM for at least 1 year. RESULTS: The study included 80 patients (mean age, 57.5 ± 8.3 years). Patients in the impaired LA strain group were older (p = 0.035), had lower low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (mg/dl) (p = 0.021), and higher OPG (pmol/l) (p = 0.004) values than patients in the normal LA strain group. Univariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that age (p = 0.039), LDL cholesterol (mg/dl) (p = 0.025), and OPG (pmol/l) (p = 0.008) values were associated with impaired LA strain. Backward multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that LDL cholesterol (mg/dl) (OR: 0.982, CI 95% 0.964-0.999, p = 0.049) and OPG (pmol/l) (OR: 1.438, CI 95% 1.043-1.983, p = 0.027) were independently associated with impaired LA strain. CONCLUSION: In hypertensive and diabetic patients, higher OPG values were associated with impaired LA function assessed by 2D-STE. In this high-risk patient group, serum OPG can be used as a risk predictor for LA mechanical dysfunction.

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.

Usefulness of Heart-Type Fatty Acid-Binding Protein and Myocardial Performance Index for Early Detection of 5-Fluorouracil Cardiotoxicity.

In the present study, we aimed to evaluate temporal changes in heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (h-FABP) and myocardial performance index (Tei index) following administration of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), a chemotherapeutic agent associated with myocardial ischemia induced by coronary vasospasm. Thirty-two patients with cancer receiving their first 5-FU-based chemotherapy were included in the study. Prior to chemotherapy and 24 hours after the initiation of chemotherapy, all patients underwent a comprehensive echocardiographic examination. Blood samples were taken for h-FABP and troponin I (TnI) measurements at different time points during the first 24 hours of 5-FU administration. Postinfusion echocardiography revealed worsening in Tei index (0.37 ± 0.08 vs 0.43 ± 0.07, P < .001). Clinically overt cardiotoxicity was evident in 4 (12.5%) of our patient population. Heart-type fatty acid binding protein and TnI levels were within normal ranges at all time points. Our results suggest that ischemia coronary vasospasm due to 5-FU cardiotoxicity should be reviewed. Furthermore, Tei index might be a sensitive indicator of occult 5-FU cardiotoxicity.

Myocardial injury biomarkers after radiofrequency catheter and cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation and their impact on recurrence.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial injury induced by catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) leads to elevated biomarker levels. AIM: This prospective study examined levels of myocardial injury biomarkers (creatinine kinase [CK], myocardial bound for CK [CK-MB], and troponin I [TnI]) and their impact on AF recurrence following two different ablation strategies, namely: cryoballoon ablation (CBA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA). We also aimed to evaluate the relationship between AF recurrence after CA and other clinical, echocardiographic and procedural parameters. METHODS: We enrolled 98 patients with AF, 21% of whom had persistent AF and 79% had paroxysmal AF. 58% of patients underwent CBA, and 42% underwent RFA. CK, CK-MB, and TnI levels were measured before and 6 h after the procedure. Patients had follow-up visits three, six, and nine months after the index procedure. Biomarker levels were compared between the patients with and without AF recurrence. RESULTS: Post-ablation CK (postCK), post-ablation CK-MB (postCKMB), and post-ablation TnI (postTnI) levels were significantly high in the CBA and RFA groups (p < 0.001 for all). TnI elevation (DTnI) was correlated with age (p = 0.033) and median temperature reached during ablation (p < 0.005) in the CBA group, while it was correlated with application time in the RFA group (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis in the CBA group revealed age and left atrium diameter as positive independent predictors (p = 0.029 and p = 0.046), and DTnI as a negative independent predictor for AF recurrence (p = 0.001). Elevated cardiac biomarkers were not associated with AF recurrence in the RFA group (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The levels of all cardiac biomarkers were elevated after CBA and RFA. Elevated TnI levels after CBA were independent negative predictors of AF recurrence. Measurement of TnI levels after CBA may be useful for the prediction of better clinical outcome.

Evaluation of Aortic Paravalvular Leak: A Special Reference for Anatomical Localization.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Paravalvular leakage (PVL) remains an unavoidable complication of heart valve surgery and in its severe forms may lead to heart failure and hemolysis. The study aim was to evaluate the echocardiographic, clinical, surgical and laboratory characteristics of patients with aortic PVL. METHODS: A total of 77 aortic PVL patients underwent transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography examinations. Clinical, echocardiographical and surgical findings were also recorded. RESULTS: Among the 77 patients, 21 (27.3%) had mild, 33 (42.8%) had moderate and 23 (29.9%) had severe aortic PVL. Seventeen patients (22.1%) had moderate-to-severe hemolysis and had a higher incidence of multiple PVL compared to those with no or mild hemolysis. Moderate- to-severe PVL was more frequent between the non-coronary and the left coronary sinus annuli, especially adjacent to the left main coronary artery ostium. Percutaneous closure was performed in five patients. Eleven patients underwent surgical repair, and the localizations of PVL were in accordance with echocardiographic findings. CONCLUSIONS: Aortic PVL occurs more frequently between the non-coronary sinus and the left coronary sinus annuli, which may be associated with multiple factors. Difficulties in seating the prosthesis due to the steep angulation of the commissure and annulus, the avoidance of deep sutures, and focal annular calcification may make this region prone to injury and leakage.

Histopathological and Immunohistochemical Evaluation of Pannus Tissue in Patients with Prosthetic Valve Dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Prosthetic valve dysfunction due to pannus formation is a rare but serious complication. Currently, limited data are available concerning the pathogenesis and immunohistochemical properties of pannus. The study aim was to investigate the morphological, histopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics of pannus formation in patients with prosthetic valve dysfunction. METHODS: A total of 35 patients (10 males, 25 females; mean age 44 ± 16 years) who had undergone re-do valve surgery due to prosthetic valve obstruction was enrolled in the study. Immunohistochemical studies were aimed at evaluating the expression of alphasmooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and desmin in myofibroblasts and smooth muscle cells; epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) in epithelial cells; and CD34, Factor VIII and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in endothelial cells. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) -2 and -9, and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) were used to demonstrate cytokine release from macrophages, leukocytes, fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. RESULTS: Pannus appeared as a tough and thick tissue hyperplasia which began from outside the suture ring in the periannular region and extended to the inflow and outflow surfaces of the prosthetic valves. Histopathological analysis showed the pannus tissue to consist of chronic inflammatory cells (lymphocytes, plasma cells, macrophages and foreign body giant cells), spindle cells such as myofibroblasts, capillary blood vessels and endothelial cells laying down the lumens. Calcification was present in the pannus tissue of 19 explanted prostheses. Immunohistochemical studies revealed positive α-SMA expression in all patients, whereas 60.5% of patients were positive for desmin, 50% for EMA, 42.1% for VEGF, 39.5% for TBF-ß, 42.1% for MMP-2, 86.8% for CD34, and 97.4% for Factor VIII. MMP-9 was negative in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Pannus tissue appears to be formed as the result of a neointimal response in periannular regions of prosthetic valves that consist of periannular tissue migration, myofibroblast and extracellular matrix proliferation with vascular components. It is a chronic active process in which mediators such as TGF-ß, VEGF and MMP-2 play roles in both matrix formation and degradation.

Changes in Electrocardiographic P Wave Parameters after Cryoballoon Ablation and Their Association with Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence.

BACKGROUND: Changes in P wave parameters after circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (CPVI) have been previously identified. In this study, we aimed to determine the changes in P wave parameters surface electrocardiogram (ECG) after cryoballoon ablation (CBA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) and evaluate their relationship with AF recurrence. METHODS: Sixty-one patients (mean age 53 ± 11 years, 50.8% male) with paroxysmal AF who underwent CBA were enrolled. A surface ECG was obtained from all patients immediately before the procedure, and repeated 12 hours after the procedure. P wave amplitude (Pamp), P wave duration (Pwd), and P wave dispersion (Pdis) values in preprocedural and postprocedural ECGs were measured and compared. Recurrence rates of AF in 3, 6, and 9 months following ablation were recorded for all patients. Changes in P wave parameters were compared between patients with and without AF recurrence. RESULTS: Compared to preprocedural measurements, Pamp (from 0.58 ± 0.18 mV at baseline to 0.48 ± 0.17 mV, P < 0.001), Pwd (from 109.72 ± 18.43 ms at baseline to 91.36 ± 22.53 ms, P < 0.001), and Pdis (from 55.44 ± 20.45 ms at baseline to 45.30 ± 15.31 ms, P < 0.001) were significantly decreased after CBA. The difference in Pamp between pre- and postprocedural values (∆Pamp) was significantly higher in patients without AF recurrence compared to those with recurrence (0.10 ± 0.06 mV vs 0.04 ± 0.01 mV, P = 0.002). There was no difference in Pwd difference (∆Pwd) and Pdis difference (∆Pdis) between patients with and without AF recurrence (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Pamp, Pwd, and Pdis parameters exhibited significant decrease after CBA compared to preprocedural measurements. Decreased Pamp was shown to be a predictor for good clinical outcomes following CBA.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio may be a marker of peripheral artery disease complexity.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between peripheral artery disease (PAD) severity and complexity, as evaluated by TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus-II (TASC-II) classification, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (N/L) ratio. METHODS: A total of 407 patients underwent peripheral angiography due to signs and symptoms of PAD; of these, 64 patients were excluded and the remaining 343 patients were WARFARIN in this cross-sectional study. Patients with previous peripheral revascularizations, acute coronary syndrome, vasculitis, non-atherosclerotic stenosis, and malignancy were excluded. Patients were divided into 4 groups according to TASC-II classification, and clinical and laboratory data were compared. The chi-square test, Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis test, Spearman's correlation analysis, multiple logistic regression analysis, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Lymphocyte count was weakly correlated (r=-0.169, p=0.002) whereas neutrophil count and N/L ratio were moderately correlated with the TASC score (r=0.432, p<0.001 and r=0.470, p<0.001, respectively). Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [odds ratio (OR)=1.010, 95% confidence interval (CI) 95%=1.003-1.017, p=0.004], high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR=0.940, 95% CI=0.894-0.987, p=0.013), and N/L ratio (OR=1.914, 95% CI=1.515-2.418, p<0.001) were the independent factors for predicting a higher TASC class in multiple logistic regression analysis. The cut-off value of the N/L ratio for predicting TASC C&D class was >3.05 (sensitivity=75.0%, specificity=62.9%, area under the curve=0.678, 95% CI=0.688-0.784, p<0.001) in ROC curve analysis. CONCLUSION: The N/L ratio, a marker of inflammation, may be an important predictor of PAD complexity. Therefore, a simple blood count test may provide an important clue about the severity of PAD and risk stratification in patients presenting with intermittent claudication. Additional studies are required to confirm our findings.

Increased Glycated Hemoglobin Level is Associated With SYNTAX Score II in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

SYNTAX score II (SS II) uses 2 anatomical and 6 clinical variables for the prediction of mortality after coronary artery bypass graft and percutaneous coronary intervention. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG), postprandial glucose (PPG), and SYNTAX Score (SS) and SS II in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease (CAD). We enrolled 215 consecutive diabetic patients with stable angina pectoris who underwent coronary angiography. The SS II was calculated using a nomogram that was based on the findings of a previous study. There was a moderate correlation between HbA1c and SS (r = .396, P < .001), but there was a good correlation between HbA1c and SS II (r = .535, P < .001). There was also a weak correlation between FBG (r = .270, P = .001), PPG (r = .177, P = .027), and SS, but there was a weak-moderate correlation between FBG (r = .341, P < .001), PPG (r = .256, P = .001), and SS II. A better correlation has been detected between HbA1c and SS II compared to the correlation between HbA1c and SS.

Sixty-Four-Section Cardiac Computed Tomography in Mechanical Prosthetic Heart Valve Dysfunction: Thrombus or Pannus.

BACKGROUND: Distinguishing pannus and thrombus in patients with prosthetic valve dysfunction is essential for the selection of proper treatment. We have investigated the utility of 64-slice multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in distinguishing between pannus and thrombus, the latter amenable to thrombolysis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixty-two (23 men, mean age 44±14 years) patients with suspected mechanical prosthetic valve dysfunction assessed by transesophageal echocardiography were included in this prospective observational trial. Subsequently, MDCT was performed before any treatment was started. Periprosthetic masses were detected by MDCT in 46 patients, and their attenuation values were measured as Hounsfield Units (HU). Patients underwent thrombolysis unless contraindicated, and those with a contraindication or failed thrombolysis underwent surgery. A mass which was completely lysed or surgically detected as a clot was classified as thrombus, whereas a mass which was surgically detected as tissue overgrowth was classified as pannus. A definitive diagnosis could be achieved in 37 patients with 39 MDCT masses (22 thrombus and 17 pannus). The mean attenuation value of 22 thrombotic masses was significantly lower than that in 17 pannus (87±59 versus 322±122; P<0.001). Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.96 (95% confidence interval: 0.91-0.99; P<0.001), and a cutoff point of HU≥145 provided high sensitivity (87.5%) and specificity (95.5%) in discriminating pannus from thrombus. Complete lysis was more common for masses with HU<90 compared with those with HU 90 to 145 (100% versus 42.1%; P=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Sixty-four slice MDCT is helpful in identifying masses amenable to thrombolysis in patients with prosthetic valve dysfunction. A high (HU≥145) attenuation suggests pannus overgrowth, whereas a lower value is associated with thrombus formation. A higher attenuation (HU>90) is associated with reduced lysis rates.

Impact of Intracoronary Adenosine on Myonecrosis in Patients with Unstable Angina Pectoris Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of prophylactic intracoronary adenosine administered during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) due to unstable angina pectoris on myonecrosis by measuring post-procedural levels of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB). METHODS: A total of 122 patients with unstable angina undergoing PCI were included in this single-center, double-blind, randomized study. The patients were randomly allocated to adenosine and placebo groups. In the adenosine group, a single-dose of intracoronary adenosine (100 µg for the right coronary artery and 150 µg for the left coronary artery) was administered. Primary endpoint was post-PCI myonecrosis, which was defined as abnormal levels of periprocedural cTnI. Secondary endpoints were defined as elevated cTnI levels [5 × upper limit of normal (ULN)], abnormal CK-MB levels, angiographic coronary flow measured by Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) frame count (TFC), the cumulative incidence of in-hospital death and in-hospital urgent target vessel revascularization (TVR). RESULTS: Clinical and angiographic characteristics of both adenosine (61 patients, 61 ± 9 years) and placebo (61 patients, 59 ± 10 years) groups were similar (p > 0.05 for all). Post-procedural abnormal cTnI levels in the adenosine group were significantly lower than the placebo group (32 % vs. 55 %, p: 0.011). cTnI >5 × ULN (21 % vs. 31 %, p: 0.217) and abnormal CK-MB levels (11 % vs. 19 %, p: 0.263) were similar in both groups. Post-procedural TFCs in the adenosine group were significantly lower than the placebo group (24 ± 4 vs. 27 ± 5, p: 0.004). In-hospital events including death and urgent TVR were not observed in either group. CONCLUSION: Intracoronary administration of single-dose adenosine in patients with unstable angina undergoing PCI is associated with decreased periprocedural myonecrosis and improved coronary blood flow.

Association of Mitral Annular Calcification with Left Ventricular Mechanics: A Speckle Tracking Study.

BACKGROUND: Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is a common echocardiographic finding in clinical practice and is associated with cardiovascular risk factors and atherosclerosis. However, data regarding left ventricular (LV) functions are lacking. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between MAC and LV mechanical functions with the utility of two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE). METHODS: The study involved 91 patients with MAC and 48 control subjects. Mitral annular thickness of 1-2 mm was reported as mild, 2-5 mm as moderate, and >5 mm as severe MAC. All patients underwent 2D echocardiography. RESULTS: MAC was observed in 91 (65.5%) patients. Of LV diastolic parameters, E/Em ratio, LAVI, LV mass index, and t-LV UR were increased. Of LV systolic parameters, GLS and Sm were decreased, whereas Ar, Ar-rate systole, peak LV twist, peak LV twist rate, LV-tor, and MPI were increased, which were all correlated with presence and severity of MAC. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that LV mass index (ß = 0.225, P = 0.012), t-LV UR (ß = 0.370, P < 0.001), LV mass index (ß = 0.183, P = 0.025), MPI (ß = 0.288, P < 0.001), and GLS (ß = -0.385, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with MAC severity. CONCLUSION: The presence and severity of MAC is associated with impaired LV systolic and diastolic functions. Therefore, preventive strategies might be taken in patients with MAC to avoid LV systolic and diastolic dysfunction.

Osteoprotegerin is associated with subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction in diabetic hypertensive patients: a speckle tracking study.

BACKGROUND: Recently, the role of osteoprotegerin (OPG) in the pathogenesis of heart failure through different mechanisms has received much attention. Subclinical changes in left ventricular (LV) function can be identified using quantification of myocardial strain, and global longitudinal strain (GLS) is a superior predictor of outcomes than ejection fraction. We hypothesized that increased OPG levels could predict subclinical LV systolic dysfunction in treated diabetic hypertensive patients with preserved LV ejection fraction. METHODS: The study was composed of 86 diabetic hypertensive and 30 nondiabetic hypertensive patients. All patients underwent echocardiography and venous blood samples were taken for determination of OPG. The relation between OPG levels and LV GLS was investigated using 2-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography. RESULTS: Diabetic hypertensive patients had higher diastolic peak early/early diastolic tissue velocity and lower systolic tissue velocity, GLS, GLS rate systolic, and GLS rate early diastolic than nondiabetic hypertensive patients (P = 0.009, P = 0.049, P < 0.001, P = 0.004, and P < 0.001, respectively). Diabetic hypertensive patients were divided into 2 groups according to median GLS value (> 18.5 and ≤ 18.5). The patients with GLS ≤ 18.5 had higher diastolic blood pressure (mm Hg; P = 0.048), OPG (pmol/L; P < 0.001), and hemoglobin A1c (%; P = 0.042) values than those with GLS > 18.5. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, OPG was found to be an independent predictor of impaired GLS (P = 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that OPG values of > 6.45 (pmol/L) identified the patients with GLS ≤ 18.5. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma OPG values could predict subclinical LV systolic dysfunction in diabetic hypertensive patients.

Valor do escore de calcio coronariano para prever a gravidade ou complexidade da doenca arterial coronariana / Value of coronary artery calcium score to predict severity or complexity of coronary artery disease

FUNDAMENTO: A previsão de gravidade ou complexidade da doença arterial coronariana (DAC) é valiosa devido ao aumento do risco de eventos cardiovasculares. Embora a associação entre o escore do cálcio arterial coronariano (CAC), e a gravidade da DAC pelo escore Gensini não tenha sido utilizado, já foi anteriormente demonstrado. Não há informações sobre a associação entre o escore do CAC total e a complexidade da DAC. OBJETIVOS: Investigar a associação entre a gravidade ou complexidade da doença arterial coronariana (DAC), avaliada pelo escore Gensini e SYNTAX (SS), respectivamente, e o escore do cálcio arterial coronariano (CAC), um método não invasivo para avaliação de DAC em pacientes sintomáticos com DAC significativa. MÉTODOS: Duzentos e quatorze pacientes foram incluídos. A pontuação total do CAC foi obtido antes da angiografia. A severidade e complexidade da DAC foram avaliadas pelo escore Gensini e SS, respectivamente. Foram analisadas as associações entre parâmetros clínicos e angiográficos e o escore total do CAC. RESULTADOS: A mediana do escore total do CAC foi de 192 (23,0-729,8), e correlacionou-se positivamente com ambos os escores Gensini (r: 0,299, p < 0,001) e ES (r: 0,577, p < 0,001). Na análise multivariada associou-se independentemente com a idade (ß: 0,154, p: 0,027), sexo masculino (ß: 0,126, p: 0,035) e ES (ß: 0,481, p < 0,001). A análise da curva ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristics) revelou um valor de corte > 809 para ES > 32 (tercil de SS alto). CONCLUSÃO: Em pacientes sintomáticos com DAC significativa, o escore total de CAC foi independentemente associado com SS e os pacientes com SS > 32 podem ser detectados através de escore Agatston alto. .

BACKGROUND: Prediction of severity or complexity of coronary artery disease (CAD) is valuable owing to increased risk for cardiovascular events. Although the association between total coronary artery calcium (CAC) score and severity of CAD, Gensini score was not used, it has been previously demonstrated. There is no information about the association between total CAC score and complexity of CAD. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between severity or complexity of coronary artery disease (CAD) assessed by Gensini score and SYNTAX score (SS), respectively, and coronary artery calcium (CAC) score, which is a noninvasive method for CAD evaluation in symptomatic patients with accompanying significant CAD. METHODS: Two-hundred-fourteen patients were enrolled. Total CAC score was obtained before angiography. Severity and complexity of CAD was assessed by Gensini score and SS, respectively. Associations between clinical and angiographic parameters and total CAC score were analyzed. RESULTS: Median total CAC score was 192 (23.0-729.8), and this was positively correlated with both Gensini score (r: 0.299, p<0.001) and SS (r: 0.577, p<0.001). At multivariate analysis, it was independently associated with age (ß: 0.154, p: 0.027), male gender (ß: 0.126, p: 0.035) and SS (ß: 0.481, p< 0.001). Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed a cut-off value > 809 for SS >32 (high SS tertile). CONCLUSION: In symptomatic patients with accompanying significant CAD, total CAC score was independently associated with SS and patients with SS >32 may be detected through high Agatston score. .

Is coronary artery disease complexity valuable in the prediction of contrast induced nephropathy besides Mehran risk score, in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention?

BACKGROUND: The association of coronary artery disease complexity with contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients with acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is inadequately evaluated and to our knowledge the association between SYNTAX score (SS) and Mehran score (MS) have not been studied. The aim of the present study is to clarify the incidence of CIN and to identify demographic, clinical and procedural variables associated with CIN in patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) due to acute STEMI, besides the association between MS and SS with CIN. METHODS: We analysed the clinical data of 402 patients (309 male, 93 female, mean age 63.8 ± 12.65 year) with 179 (44.5%) anterior MI, 104 (25.9%) inferior MI, 119 (29.6%) inferior MI with right ventricular involvement who underwent PPCI. RESULTS: We found that CIN was observed in 32.6% of patients. The SS (OR=1.037, %95CI=1.012-1.062, p=0.003), MS (OR=1.072, %95CI=1.025-1.121, p=0.003), HDL (OR=0.974, %95CI=0.949-0.999, p=0.044) were the independent predictors of CIN. The cut off value to show CIN for SS was 31.5 (sensitivity=79.4%, specificity=88.6%) and MS was 12.5 (sensitivity=73.3%, specificity=88.9%) in ROC curve analysis. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, besides MS, SS may be a valuable marker to identify patients at high risk for CIN in patients undergoing primary percutaneous intervention.

Concomitant complete atrioventricular block and left main coronary artery occlusion during transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is now considered a viable alternative therapy to surgery in patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis, considered to have a high risk for surgery. Herein, we present a case of severe aortic stenosis treated with transfemoral aortic valve implantation and complicated by complete atrioventrciular block and left main coronary artery obstruction that was successfully managed with permanent pacemaker implantation and left main coronary artery stenting. Although less invasive, TAVI can be associated with major complications. Therefore, extra care is required when performing TAVI in patients with borderline valve to coronary ostia distance.

Initial experiences of young cardiologists with balloon-expandable transcatheter aortic valve implantation in Turkey: a case series of eleven patients.

OBJECTIVE: Surgical aortic valve replacement is the gold standard of treatment for symptomatic severe aortic stenosis in all age groups. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), which is performed by senior interventional cardiologists in experienced centers, is an alternative therapy for patients considered to be at high risk for surgery. The aim of this study is to describe the procedural success and short-term results of TAVI performed by young interventional cardiologists in Trabzon, Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven patients, 10 women and 1 man, who were treated by balloon-expandable TAVI through transfemoral access between January 2012 and April 2012, were included in the study. The clinical and echocardiographic parameters of the patients were compared before and three months after the procedure. RESULTS: The median calculated logistic EuroSCORE and Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score of patients were 28% (24%-34%) and 14% (12%-18%), respectively. The median age of the patients was 83 years and ranged from 80-85 years. The mean aortic valve pressure gradient and the aortic valve area were significantly improved after TAVI. The mean aortic valve pressure gradient was 48 (46-53) mmHg before treatment and 20 (16-23) mmHg after treatment (p=0.003). The aortic valve area was 0.65 (0.55-0.70) cm(2) before treatment and 1.7 (1.6-1.8) cm(2) after treatment. The functional status of the patients improved from NYHA class 3-4 to NYHA class 1-2. Intraprocedural mortality was not observed, and the overall 3 month mortality was 9%. CONCLUSION: TAVI can be performed successfully by young cardiologists. In centers with high patient loads, we encourage young cardiologists to perform TAVI if they have received the appropriate training and to form specialized, cooperating teams with a focus on TAVI.