Periaortic adipose tissue volume is associated with sclerotic changes in the adjacent aortic valve.

Aortic sclerosis is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Numerous studies have shown that visceral adiposity is associated with development of atherosclerosis, especially in the adjacent vascular wall. Considering the similar pathophysiology of aortic sclerosis and atherosclerosis, it can be hypothesized that visceral adipose tissue adjacent to aortic valve may be associated with aortic sclerosis. In this study, we investigated the relationship between periaortic adipose tissue volume and sclerotic changes in the adjacent aortic valve. In this retrospective study, 80 patients with a concurrent MSCT and echocardiography in the last 6 months were enrolled. Echocardiographic examinations were retrospectively evaluated regarding the presence of aortic sclerosis. Periaortic adipose tissue volume was calculated on a computer assisted work station (Leonardo Workstation, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) by an experienced radiologist. Patient group (61.63 ± 8.55 years and 50% male) and the control group (61.45 ± 5.68 years, 50% male) each consisted 40 participants. Patient group had significantly higher BUN (42.50 (15.00-211.00) vs. 34.00 (12.00-107.00) mg/dL, p = 0.003), uric acid (5.40 (3.40-14.70) vs. 4.30 (2.30-6.70) ng/mL, p = 0.005) and LDL-C levels (121.50 (60.00-215.00) vs. 86.50 (49.00-209.00) mg/dL, p = 0.001) when compared to control group. Patient group had also significantly higher periaortic adipose tissue volume (32.45 (11.70-51.23) vs. 16.00 (6.29-32.96) ml, p < 0.001). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that periaortic adipose tissue volume was independently associated with the presence of aortic sclerosis (OR 0.241, 95% CI 0.143-0.946, p = 0.001). In this study, we demonstrated for the first time that periaortic adipose tissue volume was independently associated with the presence of sclerotic changes in the adjacent aortic valve.

Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Patients with Prior Pulmonary Thromboembolism.

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have indicated that endothelial dysfunction is common in patients with a prior history of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). Based on the established relationship between endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis, we aimed to investigate carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) as a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients who have a prior history of PTE. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Medical records belonging to patients with a history of PTE and age- and gender-matched control subjects among those who underwent transthoracic echocardiography in Konya Training and Research Hospital were reviewed. Echocardiographic findings and cIMT measurements were recorded. cIMT measurements were compared between patient and control groups, and then independent correlates of cIMT were investigated using appropriate statistical methods. RESULTS: A total of 110 patients (64.02 ± 12.67 years, males: n = 79 [71.81%]; females: n = 31 [28.19%]) were found to be eligible for assessment. Of these patients, 55 (50.00%) had a history of PTE. Patients with a history of PTE had significantly greater cIMT (p = 0.040). In this group of patients, cIMT positively and significantly correlated with basal right ventricular (RV) diameter (r = 0.271, p = 0.022), RV diastolic area (r = 0.376, p = 0.002), and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (r = 0.248, p = 0.037). In the multivariate linear regression analysis, only RV diastolic area was independently associated with cIMT in patients with PTE (p = 0.010). CONCLUSION: Patients with a history of PTE have increased cIMT when compared to healthy subjects, and cIMT, which is a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis, is independently associated with RV diameter in these patients.

Endothelial dysfunction in patients with pulmonary thromboembolism: neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and platelet to lymphocyte ratio.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is a common cardiovascular emergency. Activated leukocytes may produce free oxygen radicals and endothelial damage, and, thereby, increased inflammation and thrombogenesis. In this study, we aimed to investigate endothelial dysfunction in patients with PTE. METHODS: Between May 2012 and July 2013, a total of 71 patients with acute PTE (32 males, 39 females; mean age: 64.94 ± 15.27 years; range: 33 to 87 years) who were admitted to the Emergency and Thoracic Diseases Departments and 56 healthy controls (44 males, 12 females; mean age: 62.52 ± 9.80 years; range: 46 to 79 years) were included. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (BFMD) was performed. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were calculated. RESULTS: Significantly higher BFMD values were observed in patients with PTE (P < 0.05). Patients with PTE also had significantly higher NLR and PLR values, compared with the healthy control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of our study suggest that using non-invasive method such as ultrasonography combined with NLR and PLR in endothelial dysfunction diagnosis in PTE patients are both effective and inexpensive. We believe in PTE patients endothelial dysfunction may play a role in the development of probable cardiovascular events in future.

Frequency and extent of coronary atherosclerotic plaques in patients with a coronary artery calcium score of zero: assessment with CT angiography.

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the frequency and extent of coronary atherosclerotic plaques in patients with a coronary artery calcium (CAC) score of zero and establish the demographic characteristics and the cardiovascular risk factors that affect the formation of atheromatous plaques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography was performed in 288 cases with a CAC score of zero. The plaques that were detected using coronary CT angiography were categorized into two groups: nonsignificant (<50%) and significant (≥50%). Based on the coronary CT angiography results, the patients who had plaque and those who did not have plaque were compared in terms of the demographic characteristics and the presence of cardiovascular risk factors. RESULTS: Noncalcified plaques were detected in 50 cases (17.4%) on CT angiography, of which six cases (2.1%) had significant stenosis. The plaques were localized most frequently (38.2%) in the proximal left anterior descending artery. When all the plaques considered 50% of the plaques were localized in the proximal segments, 42.7% were in the mid-segments, and 7.3% were in the distal segments. Hypertension was a significant risk factor for coronary artery disease in both genders, and smoking was a significant risk factor in females. Additionally, diabetes mellitus was a borderline significant risk factor in both genders. CONCLUSION: In patients with a CAC score of zero, the frequency of noncalcified plaques is too high to be ignored. The distribution of these plaques in the coronary artery is similar to calcified plaque localizations. Patients who have a CAC score of zero and cardiovascular risk factors need to be evaluated with additional tests for the detection of noncalcified plaques.