Correlation IMA with TIMI frame count in slow coronary flow: can it be a guide for treatment?

AIM: Coronary slow flow (CSF) is defined as late opacification in epicardial coronary arteries with no significant stenosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) by using Spectrophotometer in CSF. METHODS: Level of IMA was measured by spectrophotometer. CSF patients were chosen for the determination of IMA level. All obtained data were compared with control groups. RESULTS: Serum IMA levels increased in the CSF group. It was observed that there was a significant increase in IMA levels in patients with CSF when compared to controls (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: IMA may play a role in the pathogenesis of CSF. IMA levels in the serum can be considered as a marker to predict coronary slow flow. IMA level can be used as a guide for coronary slow flow. Also, as increases number square frame, value IMA Increases similarly. It was found that the severity of impotence was correlated with CSF. Therefore, the IMA level may be predictive of the course of treatment. This study is the first one to show the relationships of IMA in CSF. In addition, further studies should be performed on IMA in CSF patients.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio may predict subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: Systemic inflammation beyond the skin may provide an explanation of the increased cardiovascular risk observed in psoriasis. It was hypothesized that neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are potential predictors of subclinical atherosclerosis measured by aortic velocity propagation (AVP) and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in psoriasis. METHODS: Fifty-one patients with psoriasis taking no antipsoriatic therapy and 37 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were prospectively enrolled. The Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) was calculated. Complete blood counts were obtained. Measurements of AVP and CIMT were performed. RESULTS: The baseline clinical and demographic features, and white blood cell, platelet, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, and PLR were similar in both groups. NLR and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were higher in the psoriasis group than the control group (P = 0.001, P < 0.001; respectively). The psoriasis group had lower AVP and higher CIMT values than those of controls (AVP: 48.9 ± 18.1 vs. 64.3 ± 14.5 cm/sec; P < 0.001, CIMT: 0.84 ± 0.29 vs. 0.63 ± 0.27 mm; P = 0.001, respectively). PASI was positively correlated with NLR and hs-CRP (r = 0.423, P = 0.002; r = 0.315, P = 0.024, respectively). There was an inverse association between AVP and CIMT (r = -0.749, P < 0.001). Binary logistic regression analysis demonstrated that NLR was the only variable able to predict lower AVP (≤41 cm/sec) and higher CIMT (>0.9 mm) values (P = 0.024 and 0.023; respectively). CONCLUSION: NLR is potentially an unrecognized predictor of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with psoriasis. Future studies assessing the prognostic significance of NLR on cardiovascular event rates in psoriasis patients would be of great interest.

Flow-mediated dilatation facilitates transradial coronary angiography: a comparative study.

Introduction: Radial artery (RA) spasm is demonstrated to be one of the most common complications of transradial approach (TRA). Aim: We hypothesised that radial flow-mediated dilation (FMD) can be used as a preprocedural method to assess the likelihood of arterial spasm. Material and methods: The patients were divided into 2 groups: those with and without flow-mediated RA dilatation. A blood pressure cuff was placed on the upper part of the antecubital region of the patients in the FMD group and inflated for 10 min, allowing the pressure to rise to 30 mm Hg above the systolic blood pressure. RA diameters of the patients in both groups were measured via quantitive coronary angiography method before transradial coronary angiography. Results: A total of 165 patients were included in the study, of whom 64 (38.8%) were women. The median age of the patients was 56 years (48-63). The mean RA diameter was significantly larger in the FMD group (3.44 ±0.48 vs. 2.96 ±0.46 mm, p < 0.001), and the number of punctures required for successful transradial cannulation was found to be significantly higher in the group without FMD (1.55 ±0.7 vs. 1.20 ±0.64; p < 0.001). Linear regression analysis revealed diabetes and FMD as independent predictors of RA diameter. In the diabetic subgroup, RA diameter remained larger in the FMD group (3.00 ±0.35 vs. 2.78 ±0.26, p = 0.036). Radial puncture attempts were significantly higher in the control group compared to the FMD group (1.55 ±0.7 vs. 1.20 ±0.64; p < 0.001). Conclusions: In our study, we demonstrated that FMD created by pressure application significantly increased RA diameter and reduced puncture attempt during TRA.

Increased QT dispersion and P wave dispersion in major depressive disorder.

BACKGROUND: QT and P wave dispersion parameters can indicate abnormalities in autonomic nervous system and cardiac functioning. OBJECTIVES: To determine QT and P wave dispersion in patients with major depressive disorder compared with healthy volunteers. METHODS: Fifty newly diagnosed patients with major depressive disorder and 50 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers underwent 12-lead electrocardiography. QT interval, QT dispersion, heart rate-corrected QT dispersion and P wave dispersions were calculated manually by a blinded specialist. RESULTS: Groups were comparable in terms of age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, metabolic diseases and left ventricular ejection fraction. The major depressive disorder group had significantly higher QT dispersion (58.5±9.9 versus 41.7±3.8; P<0.001), heart rate-corrected QT dispersion (62.5±10.0 versus 45.2±4.3; P<0.001) and P wave dispersion (46.9±4.8 versus 41.5±5.1; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Increased QT dispersion, heart-rate corrected QT dispersion and P wave dispersion in major depressive disorder patients may be indicative of autonomic imbalance and increased risk of cardiac morbidity and mortality.

[Percutaneous closure of patent ductus arteriosus: short term results]. / Duktus arteriyozus açikliginin perkütan yolla kapatilmasi: Kisa dönem sonuçlarimiz.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate short term results of percutaneous patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure in a cohort of pediatric and adult patients following closure with the Amplatzer Ductal Occluder (ADO-1 and ADO-2) and Amplatzer Septal Occluder (ASO) devices. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 48 patients (17 male and 31 female; range 3 to 39 years) were included in this study. All patients were evaluated with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) before intervention. Percutaneous closure was performed under fluoroscopy through anterograde or retrograde route. Aortagraphy was performed to measure and classify the ductus arteriosus. Residual shunt through ductus was controlled by aortography at the tenth minute and by TTE 24 hours and three months after the procedure. RESULTS: The released device was ADO-1 in 25 patients (51.2%), ADO-2 in 22 patients (45.8%), and ASO in one patient. Mean follow-up was 13.2 months. In 97.9% of patients, the occluder was placed into the ductus without any complication. In one patient, the device embolized to the left pulmonary artery during implantation. Aortography performed ten minutes after the procedure showed complete closure in 38 patients without residual defect. TTE revealed trace amounts of residual shunt within the device in two patients, flow around the device in two patients 24 hours after implantation, and residual shunt in only one patient three month after intervention. CONCLUSION: Transcatheter closure of PDA with ADO-1 and ADO-2 devices has low morbidity and mortality with high rates of success in selected patients.

[Percutaneous closure of secundum atrial septal defects in pediatric and adult patients: short- and mid-term follow-up results]. / Eriskin ve çocuklardaki sekundum tip atriyal septal defektlerin perkütan yaklasim ile kapatilmasi: Kisa-orta dönem izlem sonuçlarimiz.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the short- and mid-term results of patients with atrial septal defect (ASD) who were treated with percutaneous closure. STUDY DESIGN: Seventy-nine patients with secundum ASD (54 female and 25 male; mean age 26.2±17.2; range 3 to 71] years) were included in this study. Patients were evaluated by transthoracic (TTE) and/or transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Amplatzer septal occluder (ASO) was used in all patients. In 76 patients, the procedure was performed under local anesthesia with TTE, while in the other 3 patients, it was performed with general anesthesia with TEE. Patients were followed up at the 1st, 3rd, 6th and 12th months and annually thereafter. Mean follow-up time was 13.6±6.6 months. RESULTS: Mean diameter of ASDs was 18.2±7.5 mm and 20.7±8.04 mm during balloon dilatation, and mean diameter of implanted devices was 22.7±8.5 mm. Procedural time was 40.2±12.6 minutes and fluoroscopy time was 10.9±4.1 minutes. The procedure was successfully performed in all patients (100%). One patient with cardiac tamponade died seven days after cardiac surgery. In two patients, the implanted devices embolized to the pulmonary circulation. Residual flow was found in three patients immediately after the procedure, without residual shunts one month after closure. Mild pericardial effusion in one patient and significant residual shunt due to device malposition in another were discovered during the follow-up at 1 and 6 months, respectively, after the procedure. CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that percutaneous closure of ASDs is successful in most patients with a low complication rate, and demonstrated that residual shunts do not develop in the majority of patients in the short- and mid-term.

Accelerated atherosclerosis in haemodialysis patients; correlation of endothelial function with oxidative DNA damage.

BACKGROUND: Accelerated atherosclerosis is the major cause of mortality in patients on chronic haemodialysis (HD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between oxidative DNA damage [8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine/deoxyguanosine ratio (8-OHdG/dG ratio)], oxidative stress biomarkers and endothelial function in HD patients as an indicator of atherosclerosis. METHODS: Forty-four chronic HD patients without known atherosclerotic disease and 55 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals were included in the study. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and 8-OHdG/dG ratio were determined as oxidative stress markers. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were measured as antioxidants. Endothelial function was assessed by ultrasonography. RESULTS: 8-OHdG/dG ratio and MDA levels were higher in HD patients than controls while SOD and GPx activities were lower in HD patients compared to controls. Flow-mediated dilatation FMD% in HD patients were lower than the control group (7.28 ± 0.79 versus 11.18 ± 0.82, P < 0.001). There was a significant negative correlation between FMD% and 8-OHdG/dG ratio (r = -0.678, P < 0.01) and MDA levels (r = -0.517, P < 0.01), while there was a significant positive correlation between FMD% and SOD (r = 0.538, P < 0.01) and GPx levels (r = 0.720, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our data have demonstrated that HD patients exhibit increased oxidative DNA damage and decreased antioxidant activity. We propose that endothelial function is negatively correlated with 8-OHdG/dG ratio and positively correlated with antioxidant enzymes. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the inverse relationship between endothelial function and plasma oxidative DNA damage in HD patients.

Correlations between oxidative DNA damage, oxidative stress and coenzyme Q10 in patients with coronary artery disease.

The correlation of coronary artery disease (CAD) with pro-oxidant/antioxidant balance and oxidative DNA damage was investigated. Seventy-seven patients with CAD and 44 healthy individuals as control were included in this study. The comparative ratios of ubiquinol-10/ubiquinone-10, 8-hydroxy-2(')-deoxyguanosine/deoxyguanosine and the level of MDA measured by HPLC and the activities of GPX and SOD by colorimetric approach in blood samples obtained from patients with CAD were unraveled.8-OHdG/dG ratios, serum MDA level and GPX activity were found significantly elevated level in serum of CAD patients compared to control group. The SOD activity was observed in stable levels in CAD patients. Ubiquinol-10/ubiquinone-10 ratio was significantly lower in patients with CAD than the controls. The positive correlation was observed between 8-OHdG/dG ratios in both MDA levels and GPX activity, while the significant negative correlation was seemed between the ratio of 8-OHdG/dG and ubiquinol-10/ubiquinone-10 as well as MDA levels and ubiquinol-10/ubiquinone-10 ratio. We conclude that, both the disruption of pro-oxidant/antioxidant balance and oxidative stress in DNA may play an important role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease.

Changes in serum natriuretic peptide levels after percutaneous closure of small to moderate ventricular septal defects.

Background. B-type natriuretic peptide has been shown to be a very sensitive and specific marker of heart failure. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of percutaneous closure of ventricular septal defects with Amplatzer septal occluders on brain natriuretic peptide levels. Methods. Between 2008 and 2011, 23 patients underwent successfully percutaneous ventricular septal defect closure in 4 cardiology centers. Brain natriuretic peptide levels were measured in nine patients (4 male, mean ages were 25.3 ± 14.3) who underwent percutaneous closure with Amplatzer occluders for membranous or muscular ventricular septal defects were enrolled in the study. Brain natriuretic peptide levels were measured one day before and one month after the closure. Patients were evaluated clinically and by echocardiography one month after the procedure. Results. Percutaneous closures of ventricular septal defects were successfully performed in all patients. There was not any significant adverse event in patients group during followup. Decrease in brain natriuretic peptide levels after closure were statistically significant (97.3 ± 78.6 versus 26.8 ± 15.6, P = 0.013). Conclusion. Brain Natriuretic Peptide levels are elevated in patients with ventricular septal defects as compared to controls. Percutaneous closure of Ventricular Septal Defect with Amplatzer occluders decreases the BNP levels.

Trace elements, heavy metals and vitamin levels in patients with coronary artery disease.

AIM: In the present study, we aimed to assess serum concentrations of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), vitamins A (retinol), D (cholecalciferol) and E (α-tocopherol) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and to compare with healthy controls. METHODS: A total of 30 CAD patients and 20 healthy subjects were included in this study. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (UNICAM-929) was used to measure heavy metal and trace element concentrations. Serum α-tocopherol, retinol and cholecalciferol were measured simultaneously by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS: Demographic and baseline clinical characteristics were not statistically different between the groups. Serum concentrations of retinol (0.3521 ± 0.1319 vs. 0.4313 ± 0.0465 mmol/I, p=0.013), tocopherol (3.8630 ± 1.3117 vs. 6.9124 ± 1.0577 mmol/I, p<0.001), cholecalciferol (0.0209 ± 0.0089 vs. 0.0304±0.0059 mmol/I, p<0.001) and Fe (0.5664 ± 0.2360 vs. 1.0689 ± 0,4452 µg/dI, p<0.001) were significantly lower in CAD patients. In addition, while not statistically significant serum Cu (1.0164 ± 0.2672 vs. 1.1934 ± 0.4164 µg/dI, p=0.073) concentrations were tended to be lower in patients with CAD, whereas serum lead (0.1449 ± 0.0886 vs. 0.1019 ± 0.0644 µg/dI, p=0.069) concentrations tended to be higher. CONCLUSIONS: Serum level of trace elements and vitamins may be changed in patients with CAD. In this relatively small study we found that serum levels of retinol, tocopherol, cholecalciferol, iron and copper may be lower whereas serum lead concentrations may be increased in patients with CAD.

Percutaneous mitral commissurotomy in women with asymptomatic severe mitral stenosis before pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES: Performing percutaneous mitral commissurotomy (PMC) in the women with asymptomatic severe mitral stenosis (MS) who plan a pregnancy is recommended. However the data regarding this recommendation is limited in the literature. We aimed to investigate maternal and fetal outcomes of women with asymptomatic severe MS who underwent PMC before a planned pregnancy. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed the procedural, pregnancy related, and fetal outcomes of 33 consecutive women with severe asymptomatic MS, age 27.97 ± 2.86 years, who underwent PMC before a planned pregnancy between 2014 and 2019. The control group comprised of 66 pregnant women, age 29.09 ± 3.00 years, without a cardiac disease. RESULTS: The PMC procedure was successful in all patients and no major complication occurred. There were no deaths, pulmonary oedema, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and thromboembolism during pregnancy. Maternal arrhythmia (p < .001), deterioration in NYHA class (p = .08), and use of cardiovascular medication (p < .001) was significantly higher in the study group. Maternal hospitalisation (p = .435), preeclampsia (p = 1), abortus (p = 1), fetal death (p = 1), and preterm delivery (p = .746) was similar between groups. Birth weight was significantly lower in the PMC group 2890 g (229) vs 3120 g (255) <0.001, however small for gestational age newborns were similar between groups (p = .12). CONCLUSIONS: PMC is safe in asymptomatic women with severe MS planning a future pregnancy. In selected patients with favourable valve anatomy PMC may improve maternal and fetal outcomes.

Incremental diagnostic value of color M-mode propagation velocity of the descending thoracic aorta to exercise electrocardiography.

OBJECTIVES: Exercise electrocardiography test (EET) has limited sensitivity and specificity. Recently, color M-mode-derived propagation velocity of the descending thoracic aorta (APV) has been shown to be associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). We evaluated the incremental value of APV for better prediction of CAD in EET-positive patients. STUDY DESIGN: Color M-mode APV was measured in 342 patients undergoing EET for chest pain and an intermediate likelihood of CAD. Coronary angiography was performed in 199 patients having a positive EET. RESULTS: The mean APV was 44.5 ± 20.8 cm/sec in patients with a positive EET compared to 63.5 ± 19.6 cm/sec in those with a normal test. Significant CAD was detected in 134 patients (67.3%), involving one vessel (n=41), two vessels (n=52), and three vessels (n=41). Patients with CAD had significantly lower APV values compared to patients with normal coronary arteries (33.8 ± 13.2 vs. 66.6 ± 15.6 cm/sec, p<0.001). An APV value of ≤ 41 cm/sec predicted CAD with 85.1% sensitivity and 93.8% specificity. An APV of >61 cm/sec had 94% specificity for the estimation of normal coronary arteries. A threshold of >41 cm/sec and a threshold of >61 cm/sec would have avoided unnecessary coronary angiography in 30.7% (61/199) and 21.6% (43/199) of patients with a positive EET but high APV values, with negative predictive values of 75.3% and 84.3%, respectively. In correlation analysis, APV was significantly correlated with Duke treadmill score (r=0.587, p<0.001) and the number of coronary vessels involved (r=-0.767, p<0.001), but not with any of the echocardiographic parameters. CONCLUSION: Measurement of APV may improve diagnostic value of EET and may be specifically valuable to exclude false positive EET results, leading the physician to other noninvasive tests for further evaluation of CAD probability.

Characteristics and transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus in patients living at moderate to high altitude in Eastern Anatolia.

OBJECTIVE: The incidence of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is greater among patients living at high altitude. In this po-pulation, the ductal diameter is often larger and pulmonary hypertension is more frequent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hemodynamic and morphological features of PDA and transcatheter closure procedures performed with various devices in a group of patients living at high altitude in Turkey. METHODS: The data of 327 patients who lived at an altitude of at least 1600 m above sea level and who had undergone cardiac catheterization for isolated PDA between May 2010 and July 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age was 7.33±7.67 years, and 62.4% of the patients were female. The mean ductal diameter was 3.74±2.14 mm. Pulmonary hypertension was present in 57.8%. Transcatheter closure was performed in 322 patients, with a 97.3% success rate. The Amplatzer duct occluder I (ADO I) was used most often, as well as off-label use of the Amplatzer vascular plug II (AVP) and the Amplatzer muscular ventricular septal defect occluder (AMVSDO). Pulmonary artery pressure decreased immediately in the vast majority after percutaneous closure. Transient left ventricular systolic dysfunction after ductal closure was seen only rarely. Follow-up was uneventful. CONCLUSION: Transcatheter PDA closure can be performed with high success rate in highlanders. Off-label devices may be required for these procedures. Pulmonary hypertension is frequent but regresses after ductal closure. Transient left ventricular dysfunction after transcatheter closure is rarely seen in these patients and resolves without any medication.

The effect of altitude on P-wave and QT duration and dispersion.

BACKGROUND: Short-term and long-term exposure to high altitude has been reported to change the surface electrocardiogram. We aimed to compare P-wave and QT parameters between healthy people living at high altitude and sea level. METHODS: Twelve-lead electrocardiographies of 38 healthy people living at sea level (Antalya,Turkey) and 38 healthy people living at high altitude (Van, Turkey; 1,700-1,800 m) were obtained. Minimum and maximum P-wave durations, P-wave dispersion, minimum and maximum corrected QT intervals, and corrected QT dispersion were calculated. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups in respect to heart rate and QT variables. Mean Pminimum values were slightly but significantly lower in the high altitude group (P = 0.029). Mean Pmaximum values tended to be lower at high altitude but did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.085). However, there was no significant difference in respect to P-wave dispersion values. CONCLUSIONS: In a sample of men and women living at high altitude in Turkey, significant reduction of Pminimum and borderline reduction of Pmaximum duration, but no significant change of P-wave and QT dispersion, were observed.

Association of coronary sinus diameter with pulmonary hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Impaired venous drainage secondary to increased right atrial pressure (RAP) may result in coronary sinus (CS) dilatation. METHODS: Two hundred fifteen patients referred for transthoracic echocardiography were included in the study. CS diameters were measured from apical four-chamber view with the transducer being slightly tilted posteriorly to the level of the dorsum of the heart. Pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) is estimated by measurement of tricuspid regurgitation velocity (v) and estimate RAP based on size and collapsibility of inferior vena cava (VCI) with the formula PASP: 4v(2)+RAP. Patients with PASP >35 mmHg were considered to have pulmonary hypertension (PH). RESULTS: CS diameter was measured in 80.3% of the patients with normal PASP (8.1 +/- 2.4 mm) and 93.1% of the patients having PH (12.3 +/- 2.5 mm). PASP was significantly correlated with CS diameter (r = 0.647, P < 0.001), RA volume index (r = 0.631, P < 0.001), RV volume index (r = 0.475, P < 0.001), VCI diameter (r = 0.365, P < 0.001), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (r =-0.270, P < 0.001). CS diameter was also correlated significantly with estimated RAP (r = 0.557, P < 0.001), RA volume index (r = 0.520, P < 0.001), RV volume index (r = 0.386, P < 0.001), LVEF (r =-0.327, P < 0.001), and VCI diameter (r = 0.313, P < 0.001). Multivariate analyses, testing for independent predictive information of CS size, VCI diameter, RA and RV volume indexes, and estimated RAP for the presence of PH revealed that estimated RAP (beta = 0.465, P < 0.001) and CS size (beta = 0.402, P = 0.003) were the significant predictors. CONCLUSIONS: Coronary sinus is dilated in patients with pulmonary hypertension. Coronary sinus diameter significantly correlates with PASP, RAP, right heart chamber volumes, LVEF, and VCI diameter.

Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm after resection of an infected cardiac myxoma.

A 12-year-old girl with a high fever underwent echocardiography and was found to have a myxoma that arose from the atrial side of the anterior mitral valve leaflet. The tumor was successfully excised. Histologic examination of the tumor showed myxoma cells and an organized thrombus with bacterial colonization. The patient was discharged from the hospital on antibiotic treatment. After remaining asymptomatic for 3 weeks, she was readmitted with acute abdomen. Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance angiography detected intra-abdominal hemorrhaging and a saccular aneurysm of the abdominal aorta. The patient underwent successful emergency surgery. To our knowledge, no other report has been published concerning an abdominal aortic aneurysm secondary to bacterial infection of a cardiac myxoma. Although complications this severe are rarely observed in patients who have endocarditis, early recognition and treatment can be life-saving.

Transradial approach in the diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery disease: a 2-center experience.

BACKGROUND/AIM: To document the safety, success, and complications of transradial coronary procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study consisted of 427 patients who had undergone transradial coronary angiography and/or angioplasty between June 2010 and May 2012. The main outcome measures were the procedural safety, success rate, and complications associated with transradial interventions. RESULTS: Procedural success rate was 93.2% (398/427), with cannulation time of 2.1 ± 1.4 min, diagnostic time of 5.6 ± 2.1 min, fluoroscopy time of 9.5 ± 6.6 min, and total procedure time of 47.1 ± 20.2 min. The main causes for unsuccessful procedures were failed radial puncture (11 patients), serious radial artery spasm (12 patients), and distinct tortuosity (5 patients) and severe proximal stenosis (1 patient) of the right subclavian artery. Of 398 patients, 345 (86.7%) underwent both coronary angiography and angioplasty, while the remaining 53 (13.3%) had coronary angiography only. Major complication was recorded in only 1 patient (transient ischemic attack), whereas minor complications were observed in 76 patients (17 with symptomatic sinus bradycardia, 12 with venous thrombosis, 22 with hematoma, and 25 with radial artery occlusion). CONCLUSION: Our experience revealed that the transradial approach is a safe and feasible method for coronary procedures in patients with various manifestations of coronary disease.

Increased plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and myeloperoxidase levels may predict ischemia during myocardial perfusion imaging in slow coronary flow.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: It is unclear whether changes in plasma levels of inflammatory markers could explain the link between ischemia and slow coronary flow (SCF). The aim of the study was to evaluate the plasma levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin (IL)-6, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) during myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in SCF patients. METHODS: The study population consisted of 53 SCF patients and 30 controls. Coronary flow rates were documented by TIMI frame count (TFC). Plasma levels of hsCRP, IL-6, MPO, and MPI were obtained in all participants. RESULTS: hsCRP, IL-6 and MPO levels of SCF patients were higher than controls (hsCRP: 4.7 ± 2.5 vs. 1.7 ± 1.1 mg/L, p <0.001; IL-6: 8.2 ± 4.3 vs. 5.2 ± 2.1 pg/mL, p <0.001; and MPO: 75.9 ± 59.6 vs. 24.3 ± 16.7 ng/mL, p <0.001). Twenty-one SCF patients exhibited myocardial perfusion defect (MPD) on MPI. In SCF patients, the highest hsCRP, IL-6 and MPO levels were observed in patients with both MPD and three-vessel slow flow. Mean TFCs were positively correlated with plasma levels of hsCRP (r = 0.424, p = 0.002), IL-6 (r = 0.367, p = 0.007), MPO (r = 0.430, p = 0.001), and reversibility score (r = 0.671, p <0.001) in SCF patients. HsCRP and MPO were the independent variables, which predicted positive MPI results (hsCRP: OR, 2.176; 95% CI, 1.200-3.943; p = 0.010, MPO: OR, 1.026; 95% CI, 1.007-1.046; p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Inflammation may play a crucial role in both the pathogenesis and development of ischemia in SCF. Association of increased levels of inflammatory markers and ischemia suggests that endothelial inflammation may be largely responsible for clinical presentation. New combined treatment regimens should target endothelial activation and inflammation in SCF.

Comparison of inflammatory markers in non-dipper hypertension vs. dipper hypertension and in normotensive individuals: uric acid, C-reactive protein and red blood cell distribution width readings.

AIM: In this study, we investigated the relationship of increased inflammatory parameters (C-reactive protein - CRP), oxidative stress markers (serum uric acid - SUA) and red blood cell distribution width (RDW) with non-dipper hypertension (NDHT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Among the individuals who presented to the cardiology clinic, 40 patients (32.5% male, 67.5% female; mean age: 54.4 ±7.1) who had hypertension and were diagnosed with NDHT through ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, 40 age- and sex-matched dipper hypertension (DHT) patients (25% male, 75% female, mean age: 54.2 ±7.0), and 40 normotensive individuals (42.5% male, 57.5% female, mean age: 51.9 ±9.0) were enrolled in the study. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from all the patients in order to evaluate the hematological and biochemical parameters. All the assessed parameters were compared among the groups. RESULTS: The CRP, RDW and uric acid levels were observed to be significantly higher in the non-dipper hypertension group in comparison to the dipper hypertension patients and the normotensive population (p < 0.05). These parameters were also significantly higher in the dipper HT group compared to the normotensive population (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We found in our study that increased CRP, uric acid and RDW levels, which are indicators of increased inflammation and oxidative stress, are significantly higher in the non-dipper HT patients in comparison to the dipper HT patients and control group.