Endocarditis-TR: Diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of the infective endocarditis patients admitting tertiary centres of Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis (IE) is still a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among cardiovascular diseases. ENDOCARDITIS-TR study aims to evaluate the compliance of the diagnostic and therapeutic methods being used in Turkey with current guidelines. METHODS: The ENDOCARDITIS-TR trial is a multicentre, prospective, observational study consisting of patients admitted to tertiary centres with a definite diagnose of IE. In addition to the demographic, clinical, microbiological, and echocardiographic findings of the patients, adverse events, indications for surgery, and in-hospital mortality were recorded during a 2-year time interval. RESULTS: A total of 208 IE patients from 7 tertiary centres in Turkey were enrolled in the study. The study population included 125 (60.1%) native valve IE (NVE), 65 (31.3%) prosthetic IE (PVIE), and 18 (8.7%) intracardiac device-related IE (CDRIE). One hundred thirty-five patients (64.9%) were culture positive, and the most frequent pathogenic agent was methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) (18.3%). Among 155 (74.5%) patients with an indication for surgery, only 87 (56.1%) patients underwent surgery. The all-cause mortality rate was 29.3% in-hospital follow-up. Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that absence of surgery when indicated (HR: 3.29 95% CI: 0.93-11.64 p = 0.05), albumin level at admission (HR: 0.46 95% CI: 0.29-0.73 P < 0.01), abscess formation (HR: 2.11 95% CI: 1.01-4.38 p = 0.04) and systemic embolism (HR: 1.78 95% CI: 1.05-3.02 p = 0.03) were ascertained independent predictors of in-hospital all-cause mortality. DISCUSSION: The short-term results of the ENDOCARDITIS-TR trial showed the high frequency of staphylococcal IE, relatively high in-hospital mortality rates, shortage of surgical treatment despite guideline-based surgical indications and low usage of novel imaging techniques. The results of this study will provide a better insight to physicians in respect to their adherence to clinical practice guidelines.

The Importance of Prognostic Nutritional Index in Predicting Acute Renal Failure After On-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Operations in Patients with Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND: After coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) operations, acute kidney injury (AKI) appears at 5-30% rates, and this rate increases even more in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Prognostic nutritional index (PNI) is known as a valuable parameter that affects cardiovascular surgery outcomes. In this current study, we aimed to investigate the importance of PNI value in predicting AKI after on-pump CABG operations in insulin-dependent diabetic patients. METHODS: A total of 254 consecutive patients with insulin- dependent diabetes who underwent on-pump CABG in our clinic between January 2016 and January 2020 retrospectively were included in this study. In the postoperative period, patients were registered as the renal failure group (Group 1), and those who did not develop renal failure were registered as Group 2. RESULTS: A total of 255 patients with DM were included in the study. There were 82 patients in Group 1 and 173 patients in Group 2. There was no difference between the groups, in terms of age, gender, smoking, and hyperlipidemia rates. Hypertension rate significantly was higher in Group 2 (P = .001). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, hypertension (OR: 1.226, 95% CI: 1.114-2.459, P = .026), need for inotropic support (OR: 1.128, 95% CI: 1.070-1.784, P = .033), increased blood product use (OR: 1.291, 95% CI: 1.112-2.156, P = .021) preoperative high creatinine (OR: 3.563, 95% CI: 2.497-5.559, P < .001), and PNI (OR: 1.327, 95% CI: 1.118-2.785, P = .012) were independent predictors of AKI. CONCLUSION: In our study, we determined PNI value as an independent predictor in predicting acute renal injury occurring after on-pump CABG operations in patients with insulin-dependent DM.

Prognostic nutritional index as a marker of mortality: an observational cohort study of patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Nutritional problem of the patient is a valuable stiuation in patients undergoing surgery. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and postoperative in-mortality in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. 1003 patients undergoing on-pump cardiac surgery in our hospital between January 2016-January 2020 were included in this study retrospectively. Patients were divided into two groups based on in-hospital mortality, as survivors (Group I, n = 934) and non-survivors (Group II, n = 69). Their preoperative nutritional status was determined using the PNI. Compared to survivors, non-survivors were found to have a significantly higher mean age (62.5 ± 10.8 vs. 67.45 ± 10.1, P < 0.001) and significantly lower mean preoperative ejection fraction (51.6 ± 0.3 vs. 44.5 ± 1.2, P < 0.001). And combined cardiac surgery rate was significantly higher in non-survivors (P = 0.009). Also non-survivors had a significantly lower mean PNI compared to survivors (44.76 ± 7.63 vs. 48.34 ± 6.71, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis Model 1 revealed that age (Odds ratio (OR): 1.756; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.250-3.790, P = 0.029), intra-aortic balloon pump usage (OR: 2.252, 95% CI: 1.885-6.194, P < 0.001), combined cardiac surgery (OR: 0.542, 95% CI: 0.428-0.690, P = 0.041) and the PNI (OR: 0.639, 95% CI: 0.552-0.874, P = 0.021) were independent predictors of mortality. In Model 2, age >70 (OR: 2.437, 95% CI: 1.983-5.390, P = 0.005), LVEF <35% (OR: 1.945, 95% CI: 1.586-3.492, P = 0.012), IABP usage (OR: 1.365, 95% CI: 1.109-2.196, P = 0.001) and PNI (OR: 0.538, 95% CI: 0.492-0.791, P = 0.033) were determined as independent predictors for mortality. In on-pump cardiac surgery, postoperative mortality is significantly associated with preoperative low PNI, and PNI can be a useful and suitable parameter for preoperative risk evaluation.

Infective endocarditis: a tertiary referral centre experience from Turkey.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to define the current characteristics of infective endocarditis (IE) in a part of Turkey. METHODS: All patients who were hospitalized in our hospital with a diagnosis of IE between 2009 and 2014 were included in the study. Data were collected from archives records of all patients. Modified Duke criteria were used for diagnosis. RESULTS: There were 85 IE cases during the study period. The mean age of patients was 52 years. Fourty eight of patients were males. Native valves involved in 47%, prostetic valves involved in 40% and pacemaker or ICD lead IE in 13% of patients. Mitral valve was the most common site of vegetationb (38%). The most common valvular pathology was mitral regurgitation. The most common predisposing factor was prosthetic valve disease (40%). Positive culture rate was 68%. Staphylococci were the most frequent causative microorganisms isolated (27%) followed by Streptococcus spp. (11%). In-hospital mortality rate was 36%. CONCLUSION: In Turkey, IE occurs in relatively young patients. In high developed part of Turkey, prosthetic and dejenerative valve disease is taking the place of rheumatic valve disease as a predisposing factor. Surgery is an important factor for preventing mortality.

Evaluation of Tp-Te Interval and Tp-Te/QT Ratio in Patients with Coronary Slow Flow Tp-Te/QT Ratio and Coronary Slow Flow.

OBJECTIVE: Coronary slow flow (CSF) phenomenon is described by angiographically normal coronary arteries with delayed opacification of the distal vasculature. Several studies have suggested that the interval from the peak to the end of the electrocardiographic T wave (Tp-Te) may correspond to the transmural dispersion of the repolarization and that increased Tp-Te interval and Tp-Te/QT ratio are associated with malignant ventricular arrhythmias. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ventricular repolarization by using Tp-Te interval and Tp-Te/QT ratio in patients with CSF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 50 CSF patients (40 male, mean age 48.6±12.5 years) and 40 control individuals (23 male, mean age 47.8±12.5 years). Tp-Te interval and Tp-Te/QT ratio were measured from the 12-lead electrocardiogram. These parameters were compared in groups. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics of the study groups were comparable. In electrocardiographic parameters analysis, QT and corrected QT were similar in CSF patients compared to the controls (357±35.2 vs 362±38.0 milliseconds and 419±25.8 vs 430±44.2 milliseconds, all p value >0.05). Tp-Te interval, Tp-Te/QT and Tp-Te/QTc ratio were significantly higher in CSF patients (85±13.7 vs 74±9.9 milliseconds and 0.24±0.03 vs 0.20±0.02 and 0.20±0.03 vs 0.17±0.02 all p value <0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study revealed that QTd, Tp-Te interval and Tp-Te/QT ratio are prolonged in patients with CSF.

Red blood cell distribution width is associated with myocardial injury in non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome

OBJECTIVES: The red blood cell distribution width has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. In the present study, we assessed the relationship between red cell distribution width values and cardiac troponin I levels in patients admitted with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome. METHODS: We analyzed blood parameters in 251 adult patients who were consecutively admitted to the intensive coronary care unit with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome over a 1-year period. For all patients, a baseline blood sample was collected for routine hematological testing. Cardiac troponin I was measured at baseline and after 6 h. The patients were diagnosed with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction or unstable angina based on the elevation of cardiac troponin I levels. RESULTS: The red cell distribution width was higher in the group with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction compared with the patient group with unstable angina (14.6±1.0 vs 13.06±1.7, respectively; p = 0.006). Coronary thrombus was detected more frequently in the group of patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction than in the patients with unstable angina (72% vs 51%, respectively; p = 0.007). Using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for the prediction of non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction based on the red cell distribution width, the area under the curve was 0.649 (95% confidence interval: 0.546-0.753; p = 0.006), suggesting a modest model for the prediction of non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction using the red cell distribution width. At a cut-off value of 14%, the sensitivity and specificity of the red cell distribution width were 73% and 59%, respectively. Additionally, the red cell distribution width was positively correlated with cardiac troponin I (r = 0.19; p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: A greater baseline red cell distribution width value was associated with ...

Função Atrial Esquerda Prejudicada Associada com a Fibrilação Atrial Paroxística na Hipertensão / Disturbed Left Atrial Function is Associated with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation in Hypertension

Fundamento: A hipertensão arterial é o fator de risco mais prevalente e modificável para a fibrilação atrial. A sobrecarga de pressão no átrio esquerdo induz alterações fisiopatológicas que ocasionam alterações na função contrátil e nas propriedades elétricas. Objetivo: Nesse estudo, o objetivo foi avaliar a função do átrio esquerdo em pacientes hipertensos para determinar a associação entre a função atrial esquerda e a fibrilação atrial paroxística (FAP). Método: Foram estudados 57 pacientes hipertensos (idade: 53 ± 4 anos, fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo: 76 ± 6,7%), incluindo 30 pacientes consecutivos com FAP e 30 indivíduos de controle pareados por idade. Os volumes do átrio esquerdo (AE) foram medidos através do método biplano de Simpson modificado. Foram determinados três tipos de volume do AE: volume máximo do AE (AEVmax), contração atrial prematura do AE (AEVpreA) e volume mínimo do AE (AEVmin). Foram calculadas as funções de esvaziamento do AE. Volume total de esvaziamento do AE = AEVmax - AEVmin e a FEtotal do AE = (AEVmax - AEVmin)/AEVmax, volume de esvaziamento passivo do AE = AEVmax-AEVpreA, e a FE do AE = (AEVmax - AEVpreA)/AEVmax, o volume de esvaziamento ativo do AE = AEVpreA- AEVmin e a FE ativa do AE = (AEVpreA - AEVmin)/AEVpreA. Resultados: O período hipertenso é maior no grupo de hipertensos com FAP. O AEVmax aumentou significativamente no grupo de hipertensos com FAP quando comparado ao grupo de hipertensos sem FAP (p = 0,010). A FEAE diminuiu significativamente no grupo de hipertensos com FAP em comparação com o grupo de hipertensos sem FAP (p = 0,020). A' diminuiu no grupo de hipertensos com FAP quando comparado com hipertensos sem FAP (p = 0,044). ...

Background: Hypertension is the most prevalent and modifiable risk factor for atrial fibrillation. The pressure overload in the left atrium induces pathophysiological changes leading to alterations in contractile function and electrical properties. Objective: In this study our aim was to assess left atrial function in hypertensive patients to determine the association between left atrial function with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). Method: We studied 57 hypertensive patients (age: 53±4 years; left ventricular ejection fraction: 76±6.7%), including 30 consecutive patients with PAF and 30 age-matched control subjects. Left atrial (LA) volumes were measured using the modified Simpson's biplane method. Three types of LA volume were determined: maximal LA(LAVmax), preatrial contraction LA(LAVpreA) and minimal LA volume(LAVmin). LA emptying functions were calculated. LA total emptying volume = LAVmax−LAVmin and the LA total EF = (LAVmax-LAVmin )/LAVmax, LA passive emptying volume = LAVmax− LAVpreA and the LA passive EF = (LAVmax-LAVpreA)/LAVmax, LA active emptying volume = LAVpreA−LAVmin and LA active EF = (LAVpreA-LAVmin )/LAVpreA. Results: The hypertensive period is longer in hypertensive group with PAF. LAVmax significantly increased in hypertensive group with PAF when compared to hypertensive group without PAF (p=0.010). LAAEF was significantly decreased in hypertensive group with PAF as compared to hypertensive group without PAF (p=0.020). A' was decreased in the hypertensive group with PAF when compared to those without PAF (p = 0.044). Conclusion: Increased LA volume and impaired LA active emptying function was associated with PAF in untreated hypertensive patients. Longer hypertensive period is associated with PAF. .