Baseline Characteristics of a Patient Cohort and Predictors of In-hospital MORtality in CORonary Care Units (MORCOR-TURK) Trial in Türkiye.

OBJECTIVE: The MORtality in CORonary Care Units in Türkiye (MORCOR-TURK) trial is a national registry evaluating predictors and rates of in-hospital mortality in coronary care unit (CCU) patients in Türkiye. This report describes the baseline demographic characteristics of patients recruited for the MORCOR-TURK trial. METHODS: The study is a multicenter, cross-sectional, prospective national registry that included 50 centers capable of 24-hour CCU service, selected from all seven geographic regions of Türkiye. All consecutive patients admitted to CCUs with cardiovascular emergencies between September 1-30, 2022, were prospectively enrolled. Baseline demographic characteristics, admission diagnoses, laboratory data, and cardiovascular risk factors were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 3,157 patients with a mean age of 65 years (range: 56-73) and 2,087 (66.1%) males were included in the analysis. Patients with arterial hypertension [1,864 patients (59%)], diabetes mellitus (DM) [1,184 (37.5%)], hyperlipidemia [1,120 (35.5%)], and smoking [1,093 (34.6%)] were noted. Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) was the leading cause of admission [1,187 patients (37.6%)], followed by ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in 742 patients (23.5%). Other frequent diagnoses included decompensated heart failure (HF) [339 patients (10.7%)] and arrhythmia [272 patients (8.6%)], respectively. Atrial fibrillation (AF) was the most common pathological rhythm [442 patients (14%)], and chest pain was the most common primary complaint [2,173 patients (68.8%)]. CONCLUSION: The most common admission diagnosis was acute coronary syndrome (ACS), particularly NSTEMI. Hypertension and DM were found to be the two leading risk factors, and AF was the most commonly seen pathological rhythm in all hospitalized patients. These findings may be useful in understanding the characteristics of patients admitted to CCUs and thus in taking precautions to decrease CCU admissions.

Integrating the Left Atrium Diameter to Improve the Predictive Ability of the Age, Creatinine, and Ejection Fraction Score for Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence After Cryoballoon Ablation.

BACKGROUND: Several clinical trials have assessed predictors for atrial fibrillation recurrence following cryoballoon catheter ablation. With these predictors, a practical and new scoring system can be developed to evaluate atrial fibrillation recurrence. The present study aimed to analyze the predictive value of the age, creatinine, and ejection fraction-left atrium score for potential recurrence of atrial fibrillation following cryoballoon catheter ablation in patients with symptomatic paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed records of patients undergoing cryoballoon cath-eter ablation. atrial fibrillation recurrence was defined as an emerging atrial fibrillation episode around 12-month follow-up (with the exclusion of a 3-month blanking period). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess predictors of atrial fibrillation recurrence. In addition, receiver operating characteristic analysis was harnessed to evaluate the performance of the age, creatinine, and ejection fraction, left atrium score in determining the risk of atrial fibrillation recurrence. RESULTS: The study population comprised 106 subjects (age 52 ± 13 years, 63.2% women) with paroxysmal (84.9%, n = 90) or persistent (15.1%, n = 16) atrial fibrillation. age, creatinine, and ejection fraction, left atrium score was significantly higher in subjects with atrial fibrillation recurrence in comparison to those with the maintenance of sinus rhythm. However, on multivariate logistic regression analysis, only the age, creatinine, and ejection fraction, left atrium score (OR = 12.93, 95% CI: 2.22-75.21, P =.004) served as an independent predictor of atrial fibrillation recurrence following cryoballoon catheter ablation. CONCLUSION: Age, creatinine, and ejection fraction, left atrium score had an independent association with the risk of atrial fibrillation recurrence in subjects with atrial fibrillation undergoing cryoballoon catheter ablation. Therefore, this score might potentially serve as a useful tool for risk stratification of patients with atrial fibrillation.

Impact of chronic total occlusion in a non-infarct-related coronary artery on contrast-associated nephropathy in acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: Co-existing chronic total occlusion (CTO) in a non-infarct-related artery (IRA) might serve as an important trigger of adverse outcomes in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Therefore, we planned to analyse the potential impact of non-IRA CTO on the evolution of contrast-associated nephropathy (CAN) in STEMI patients managed with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (P-PCI). METHODS: A total of 537 subjects with STEMI undergoing P-PCI during the first 12 h after the onset of their symptoms were enrolled in this retrospective study. The subjects were categorised based on the angiographic presence of non-IRA CTO. Moreover, the subjects were also divided into 2 groups based on their CAN status following P-PCI (CAN (+) and CAN (-)). RESULTS: Co-existing non-IRA CTO was demonstrated in 86 subjects (16%). During the hospitalisation period, we identified 81 (15.1%) subjects with CAN. Subjects with non-IRA CTO had a significantly higher incidence of CAN compared with those without (56 [12.4%] vs 25 [29.1%], respectively, p < 0.001). In a logistic regression analysis, an existing non-IRA CTO (odds ratio: 2.840, 95%CI: 1.451-5.558, p = 0.002), as well as age, haemoglobin, diabetes mellitus, creatinine, and white blood cell count, were independent of predictors of CAN. CONCLUSION: In STEMI patients managed with P-PCI, a co-existing non-IRA CTO had an independent association with the evolution of CAN.

Risk of premature coronary atherosclerosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

OBJECTIVE: In the current literature, there are few studies investigating the relationship between premature coronary atherosclerosis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and premature coronary atherosclerosis. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, female patients aged <55 years and male patients aged <50 years were enrolled. Both male and female patients underwent coronary angiography and abdomen ultrasonography between 2014 and 2019. A stepwise binary logistic regression analysis was carried out to evaluate the independent variables related to premature coronary atherosclerosis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. A p-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: nonalcoholic fatty liver disease was present in 44% of patients (n=377). Notably, 62% of the patients were female and the mean age was 44.5 (39-49) years. In a multivariate analysis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease was shown to be an independent risk factor of premature coronary atherosclerosis (OR 1.438; 95%CI, 1.050-1.969; p=0.024). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is an important independent risk factor for the development of premature coronary atherosclerosis.

Risk of premature coronary atherosclerosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: In the current literature, there are few studies investigating the relationship between premature coronary atherosclerosis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and premature coronary atherosclerosis. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, female patients aged <55 years and male patients aged <50 years were enrolled. Both male and female patients underwent coronary angiography and abdomen ultrasonography between 2014 and 2019. A stepwise binary logistic regression analysis was carried out to evaluate the independent variables related to premature coronary atherosclerosis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. A p-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: nonalcoholic fatty liver disease was present in 44% of patients (n=377). Notably, 62% of the patients were female and the mean age was 44.5 (39-49) years. In a multivariate analysis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease was shown to be an independent risk factor of premature coronary atherosclerosis (OR 1.438; 95%CI, 1.050-1.969; p=0.024). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is an important independent risk factor for the development of premature coronary atherosclerosis.

Serum Prealbumin: a potential predictor of Right Ventricular Dysfunction in patients receiving programmed hemodialysis.

OBJECTIVE: Prealbumin has been a reliable marker to predict protein energy malnutrition and hypercatabolic state. In this analysis, we particularly aimed to investigate the potential association between serum prealbumin levels and right ventricular dysfunction in patients receiving programmed hemodialysis. METHODS: A total of 57 subjects were included in the analysis. The subjects were then categorized into two groups: right ventricular dysfunction (n=18) and non-right ventricular dysfunction (n=39) groups. In all patients, detailed transthoracic echocardiography (following hemodialysis) were performed along with the evaluation of complete blood count, routine biochemistry parameters, and, in particular, serum prealbumin levels. RESULTS: Mortality rate at 3 years was found to be significantly higher in the right ventricular dysfunction group (p=0.042). Serum prealbumin levels were also significantly lower in the right ventricular dysfunction group compared with the non-right ventricular dysfunction group (23.83±8.50 mg/dL versus 31.38±6.81 mg/dL, p=0.001). In the receiver operating characteristics curve analysis, a prealbumin cutoff value of <28.5 mg/dL was found to predict right ventricular dysfunction, with a sensitivity of 67% and a specificity of 62% (area under the curve: 0.744). In the correlation analysis, a moderate yet significant positive correlation was demonstrated between serum prealbumin and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (r=0.365, p=0.005). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that low serum prealbumin might serve as a potential predictor of right ventricular dysfunction (and its clinical consequences) in patients receiving programmed hemodialysis.

Serum Prealbumin: a potential predictor of Right Ventricular Dysfunction in patients receiving programmed hemodialysis

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Prealbumin has been a reliable marker to predict protein energy malnutrition and hypercatabolic state. In this analysis, we particularly aimed to investigate the potential association between serum prealbumin levels and right ventricular dysfunction in patients receiving programmed hemodialysis. METHODS: A total of 57 subjects were included in the analysis. The subjects were then categorized into two groups: right ventricular dysfunction (n=18) and non-right ventricular dysfunction (n=39) groups. In all patients, detailed transthoracic echocardiography (following hemodialysis) were performed along with the evaluation of complete blood count, routine biochemistry parameters, and, in particular, serum prealbumin levels. RESULTS: Mortality rate at 3 years was found to be significantly higher in the right ventricular dysfunction group (p=0.042). Serum prealbumin levels were also significantly lower in the right ventricular dysfunction group compared with the non-right ventricular dysfunction group (23.83±8.50 mg/dL versus 31.38±6.81 mg/dL, p=0.001). In the receiver operating characteristics curve analysis, a prealbumin cutoff value of <28.5 mg/dL was found to predict right ventricular dysfunction, with a sensitivity of 67% and a specificity of 62% (area under the curve: 0.744). In the correlation analysis, a moderate yet significant positive correlation was demonstrated between serum prealbumin and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (r=0.365, p=0.005). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that low serum prealbumin might serve as a potential predictor of right ventricular dysfunction (and its clinical consequences) in patients receiving programmed hemodialysis.

Too Late Allergic Reaction in a Patient with Permanent Pacemaker.

Contact allergy to cardiac implantable electronic devices is a rare problem in patients. Clinical evaluation and patch tests have an important place in its diagnosis. Also in this case, the diagnosis is supported by ultrasonography. It has been reported in the literature that allergic dermatitis developed after permanent pacemaker implantation in the first few days until the current year. In our case report, we showed that the allergic reaction in the patient was too late. In this article, we present a 94-year-old male patient with a permanent pacemaker who came to us with the complaint of redness and itching in the left chest area and was diagnosed with contact allergy.

An Evaluation of Aspirin Treatment Preferences ORIGINAL INVESTIGATION of Physicians in Hypertensive Patients in Terms of Current Guidelines: A Subgroup Analysis of the ASSOS Trial in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: The Appropriateness of Aspirin Use in Medical Outpatients: A Multicenter, Observational Study trial has been the largest study ever conducted among patients in Turkey regarding aspirin treatment. In the subgroup analysis of the hypertensive group of the Appropriateness of Aspirin Use in Medical Outpatients: A Multicenter, Observational Study trial, we aimed to evaluate the physicians' adherence to current guidelines regarding their aspirin treatment preferences. METHODS: The Appropriateness of Aspirin Use in Medical Outpatients: A Multicenter, Observational Study trial is a cross-sectional and multicenter study conducted among 5007 consecutive patients aged ≥18 years. The study population consisted of outpatients on aspirin treatment (80-300 mg). The patient data were obtained from 30 different cardiology clinics of 14 cities from all over Turkey. In this subgroup analysis, patients were divided into 2 groups: the hypertensive group (n=3467, 69.3%) and the group without hypertension (n=1540, 30.7%) according to the 2018 European Society of Cardiology/ European Society of Hypertension Guidelines for the Management of Arterial Hypertension. RESULTS: Aspirin use for primary prevention was higher in patients with hypertension compared to patients without hypertension [328 (21.3%); 1046 (30.2%); P < .001]. Treatment with a dose of 150 mg aspirin (n=172, 5%) was mostly preferred by internists for hypertensive patients (n =226, 6.5%); however, a daily dose of 80-100 mg aspirin therapy (n=1457, 94.6%) was mostly prescribed by cardiologists (n=1347, 87.5%) for patients without hypertension. CONCLUSION: Aspirin was found to be used commonly among patients with hypertension for primary prevention despite the current European Society of Cardiology Arterial Hypertension Guideline not recommending aspirin for primary prevention in patients with hypertension.