Treatment outcomes and prognostic factors in patients with driver mutant non-small cell lung cancer and de novo brain metastases.

Central nervous system (CNS) metastases can be seen at a rate of 30% in advanced stages for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Growing evidence indicates the predictive roles of driver gene mutations in the development of brain metastases (BM) in recent years, meaning that oncogene-driven NSCLC have a high incidence of BM at diagnosis. Today, 3rd generation targeted drugs with high intracranial efficacy, which can cross the blood-brain barrier, have made a positive contribution to survival for these patients with an increased propensity to BM. It is important to update the clinical and pathological factors reflected in the survival with real-life data. A multi-center, retrospective database of 306 patients diagnosed with driver mutant NSCLC and initially presented with BM between between November 2008 and September 2022 were analyzed. The median progression-free survival (mPFS) was 12.25 months (95% CI, 10-14.5). While 254 of the patients received tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), 51 patients received chemotherapy as first line treatment. The median intracranial PFS (iPFS) was 18.5 months (95% CI, 14.8-22.2). The median overall survival (OS) was 29 months (95% CI, 25.2-33.0). It was found that having 3 or less BM and absence of extracranial metastases were significantly associated with better mOS and iPFS. The relationship between the size of BM and survival was found to be non-significant. Among patients with advanced NSCLC with de novo BM carrying a driver mutation, long-term progression-free and overall survival can be achieved with the advent of targeted agents with high CNS efficacy with more conservative and localized radiotherapy modalities.

Pretreatment PLR Is Preferable to NLR and LMR as a Predictor in Locally Advanced and Metastatic Bladder Cancer.

Background/Aim: Advanced bladder cancer (BC) is associated with an inflammatory nature and poor prognosis Inflammatory biomarkers are potential predictors in BC. We conducted a study to assess the prognostic value of the pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) in advanced bladder cancer. Patients and Methods: A total of 226-patients with muscle-invasive BC (MIBC) were included. Overall (OS) and progression-free survival were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test was used for comparison. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used to determine NLR, PLR, and LMR association with OS. Results: Our patients' median progression-free survival and OS were 12.18 and 15.54 months, respectively. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed cut-off values for our chosen inflammatory markers. The patients with high NLR or PLR had inferior median OS compared to their counterparts with lower ratios for both (NLR: 22.51 vs. 9.84 months, respectively, p≤0.001; PLR: 17.68 vs. 14.08 months, respectively, p=0.08). Meanwhile, patients with low LMR had inferior median OS compared to patients with higher LMR (LMR: 20.14 months vs. 10.55 months, respectively, p<0.001). The multivariate Cox regression analysis identified a high PLR as an independent predictive factor of worse OS (hazard ratio=2.774, 95% confidence interval=1.486-5.178, p=0.001) but not NLR or LMR. Conclusion: PLR, C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio, and serum LDH levels, but not NLR and LMR, may function as independent predictors in patients with advanced BC prior to systemic treatment.

The Effect of Continuing Chemotherapy after Chemoradiotherapy during the Time to Surgery on Tumor Response and Survival for Local Advanced Rectal Cancer.

Aim: The current standard treatment of locally advanced rectal carcinoma is total mesorectal excision and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy after neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy (NCRT). Many studies have shown that pathological complete response (pCR) is an important prognostic factor for patients receiving NCRT. Many studies have therefore been conducted to increase pCR rates by changing the perioperative treatment strategies. Prolonging the chemotherapy time may be a reasonable way to increase the effectiveness of NCRT, pCR, and survival rates. We investigated whether neoadjuvant consolidation chemotherapy had an effect on tumor response and survival. Methods: The data of 163 patients diagnosed with locally advanced rectal carcinoma were evaluated. The data of 107 patients (Group 1) who were radiologically T3-T4 and/or N+ and received chemotherapy after NCRT until their operations were compared with the data of 56 patients (Group 2) who were operated after NCRT. Results: Group 1 patients had tumor and node downstaging. Their pCR was found significantly higher than in Group 2 (p = 0.005). In Group 1 patients with T3, pCR was significantly higher than for those with T4. The elapsed time between NCRT and surgery was significantly longer in patients with pCR (respectively, p = 0.012 and p = 0.008). Conclusion: Neoadjuvant consolidation chemotherapy after NCRT is a safe approach that can lead to higher pathological complete response rates. The time until surgery with neoadjuvant consolidation chemotherapy may provide the chance to follow the patient without surgery in addition to increasing pCR.

Evaluation of Serum microRNA Let-7c and Let-7d as Predictive Biomarkers for Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer.

BACKGROUND: First-line treatments for metastatic pancreatic cancer are chemotherapy regimens consisting of 5-fluorouracil or gemcitabine; however, there are no biomarkers to help determine which patients might benefit from which treatment regimens. We aimed to show that microRNAs let-7c and 7d can be used as independent predictive biomarkers for metastatic pancreatic cancer. METHODS: A total of 55 patients who had first-line chemotherapy with FOLFIRINOX or gemcitabine+capecitabine were included. Patients were divided into groups based on let-7c and let-7d levels and chemotherapy treatment as let-7c-7d high FOLFIRINOX, let7c-7d high gemcitabine+capecitabine, let-7c-7d low FOLFIRINOX, and let-7c-7d low gemcitabine+capecitabine. Blood samples were taken from patients before chemotherapy for microRNA let-7c and 7d analysis. MicroRNA isolation was performed using a miRNeasy Serum/Plasma Kit and identified using spectrophotometric measurements. After isolation, microRNA was converted to cDNA using a microRNA cDNA Synthesis Kit with poly (A) polymerase tailing. The expression of microRNA was examined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The overall survival of patients who received FOLFIRINOX treatment with a high let-7c-7d level was statistically significantly longer than those who received gemcitabine+capecitabine with a high let-7c-7d level. In addition, patients with low let-7c expression receiving FOLFIRINOX progressed significantly 2.104 times earlier than patients with high let-7c expression receiving FOLFIRINOX. CONCLUSION: The serum MicroRNA let-7c level was found to be an independent predictive biomarker in the FOLFIRINOX treatment group.

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.

Clinical presentation and course of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 in patients with various types of cancer: A retrospective case-control analysis of an experienced cancer center in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: Cancers have been reported to worsen the clinical course of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. We aimed to demonstrate the real-life data on health outcomes in COVID-19-infected cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the data of 43 COVID-19-infected cancer patients in our COVID-19 clinics between March 25, 2020, and May 9, 2020, retrospectively. RESULTS: We determined that 1051 patients were followed up with COVID-19 infection and 43 (4%) of them were cancer patients. The mean age of the patients was 64.3 ± 12.3 years. Lung cancer is the most common cancer type among the patients (23.2%). Dyspnea (51.2%) was the most common symptom in the first admission. Typical ground-glass consolidation or patchy appearance with peribronchial thickening resembling bronchopneumonia on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) was present in 29 (67.4%) patients. COVID-19 was diagnosed in 14 (32.5%) patients based on reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis of nose-throat swab samples without any sign of lung involvement on HRCT. Total mortality of the COVID-19 infection was 46.5% (n = 20). Presence of heart disease (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.5; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.29-9.4), previous surgeries to the respiratory system (HR: 6.95; 95% CI: 1.29-27.7), and presence of dyspnea at admission (HR: 4; 95% CI: 1.31-12.3) were statistically significantly associated with death (P = 0.01, 0.02, and 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our practices supported that cancer patients were more affected by COVID-19 disease than the normal population. However, our findings can not be generalized due to being retrospective and single centered study, Also, we did not compare the findings with noncancer patients with COVID19 disease.

Inappropriate Use of Aspirin in Real-Life Cardiology Practice: Results from the Appropriateness of Aspirin Use in Medical Outpatients: A Multicenter, Observational Study (ASSOS) Study.

BACKGROUND: Indications and appropriateness of aspirin use have not been well investigated in Turkey. AIMS: To investigate the prescription patterns and appropriateness of aspirin in a real-world clinical setting. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: The Appropriateness of Aspirin Use in Medical Outpatients: A Multicenter, Observational Study (ASSOS) is a cross-sectional and multicenter study that included 5007 consecutive patients aged 18 or over who presented to 30 different cardiology outpatient clinics from 14 cities throughout Turkey. Only patients using aspirin (80-325 mg) were included. The study population was divided into 2 groups regarding the use of aspirin: primary prevention (PP) group and secondary prevention (SP) group. The indication of aspirin use was evaluated following the 2016 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the 2016 United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPTF) guidelines in the PP group. RESULTS: A total of 5007 patients (mean age 62.15 ± 11.05, 39% female) were enrolled. The PP group included 1132 (22.6%) patients, and the SP group included 3875 (77.4%) patients. Of the 1132 patients, inappropriate use of aspirin was determined in 100% of the patients according to the ESC guidelines, and 71% of the patients according to the USPTF guidelines. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed age OR: 0.98 CI (0.97-0.99) P = .037, smoking OR: 0.60 CI (0.44-0.82) P = .001, heart failure OR: 2.11 CI (1.14-3.92) P = .017, hypertension OR: 0.51 CI (0.36-0.74) P < .001, diabetes mellitus OR: 0.34 CI (0.25-0.47) P < .001, oral anticoagulant use OR: 3.01 CI (1.10-8.25) P = .032, and female sex OR: 2.73 CI (1.96-3.80) P < .001 were independent predictors of inappropriate aspirin use in PP patients. CONCLUSION: Although there are considerable differences between the USPTF and the ESC guidelines with respect to recommendations for aspirin use in PP, inappropriate use of aspirin in Turkey is frequent in real-world practice for both guidelines. Besides, heart failure, oral anticoagulant use, and the female sex of the patients were independent predictors of inappropriate use of aspirin.

Echocardiographic predictors of interatrial block in patients with severe chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Interatrial block (IAB), defined as a conduction delay between the right and left atrium, is manifested on the electrocardiogram as a prolonged P-wave duration. Large number of studies recently have been published regarding the prevalence of IAB and its associations with the risk of atrial fibrillation and ischemic stroke. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this study, we aimed to investigate echocardiographic predictors of IAB in patients with severe CKD. METHODS: This study enrolled a total of 155 patients [male: 95 (61.3%), mean age: 56.3 ± 12.8 years] with severe CKD (glomerular filtration rate < 30 mL/min). All patients were evaluated by electrocardiography and transthoracic echocardiography. IAB was defined as P wave duration of ≥ 120 ms on electrocardiography. RESULTS: Electrocardiography revealed IAB in 54 patients. The baseline demographic characteristics of the patients were similar in both groups with and without IAB. Left atrial diameter (LAD), left ventricular end-systolic and end-diastolic diameters, interventricular septal thickness, posterior wall thickness, left ventricular mass, left ventricular mass index (LVMI), and the prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy were found to be significantly increased in patients with IAB. Increased LAD (OR = 1.119; 95% CI 1.019-1.228; p = 0.019) and LVMI (OR = 1.036; 95% CI 1.003-1.070; p = 0.031) were found to be independent predictors of IAB. CONCLUSION: A significant association exists between the presence of IAB and echocardiographic parameters related to left ventricular hypertrophy and left atrial dilatation. Presence of IAB may be an additional and easy diagnostic marker for risk stratification of patients with severe CKD.

Investigation of ICAM-1 levels in hypertensive patients with fragmented QRS complexes.

Objective: Fragmented QRS (fQRS) detected on a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) has been demonstrated to be a marker of myocardial fibrosis. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is a protein which plays an important role in fibro-inflammatory processes. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between ICAM-1 levels and the presence of fQRS in hypertensive patients.Methods: Ninety consecutive patients who were diagnosed with hypertension were included in the study. ECG and transthoracic echocardiography were performed to all patients. fQRS was defined as additional R' wave or notching/splitting of S wave in two contiguous ECG leads. Serum ICAM-1 levels were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of fQRS.Results: A total of 90 patients (female, 65%; mean age: 54.6 ± 8.5 years) were included in the study. fQRS was detected on ECG recordings of 47 (52.2%) patients. The demographic characteristics were similar between the groups. Left atrial diameter (p = .003), interventricular septal thickness (p = .013), posterior wall thickness (p = .01), left ventricular mass (p = .002), left ventricular mass index (p < .001), left ventricular hypertrophy (p = .001), and ICAM-1 levels (p < .001) were found to be significantly increased in fQRS(+) group. In multivariate analysis, only high ICAM-1 level was observed to be an independent predictor for the presence of fQRS (odds ratio: 1.029; 95%Confidence Interval: 1.013-1.045, p < .001).Conclusion: A significant association exists between serum ICAM-1 levels and the presence of fQRS in hypertensive patients. The presence of fQRS may be used as an indicator of inflammation in hypertensive patients.

The relationship between R wave peak time and left ventricular mass index in patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis.

PURPOSE: Cardiovascular complications have been reported to be the main cause of mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Although left ventricular hypertrophy is the most common clinical presentation of cardiac remodeling, cardiovascular complications may also include disturbances of the heart conduction system. The R wave peak time (RWPT) has been previously associated with left ventricular hypertrophy and myocardial ischemia. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between RWPT and echocardiographic parameters in patients with ESRD. METHODS: This study enrolled 66 patients (29 females, age 57.2 ± 12.8 years) with ESRD, and 72 controls (37 females, age 55.3 ± 10.1 years) with similar risk factors. All patients underwent electrocardiography and transthoracic echocardiography. The RWPT was defined as the interval between the onset of the QRS complex and the peak of the R or R' wave. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in terms of clinical and demographic parameters between ESRD patients and controls. Left ventricular ejection fraction was similar between the groups. However, left atrial diameter, interventricular septal thickness, posterior wall thickness, left ventricular mass (LVM) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) were significantly higher in patients with ESRD. Among electrocardiographic parameters, P wave and QRS complex durations and RWPT were significantly higher in patients with ESRD. Prolonged RWPT, increased LVM and LVMI were identified as associates of ESRD. Furthermore, RWPT correlated well with LVM and LVMI. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that RWPT prolonged significantly in patients with ESRD. Furthermore, prolonged RWPT has been associated with increased LVM and LVMI.

Comparison of anthropometric measurements for prediction of the atherosclerosis and liver histology in young adults with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

AIM: Anthropometry is a good evaluation tool that establishes the association between body fat distribution and metabolic risk factors precisely. The aim of this study was to test the association of anthropometric measurements with subclinical atherosclerosis and liver fibrosis. METHODS: A total of 78 patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients who had no known cardiovascular disease risk factors and 26 volunteered healthy controls were enrolled. Patients with suspected fatty liver underwent a liver biopsy. BMI, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference, and neck circumference (NC) were measured. To detect the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis, carotid intima-media thickness and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) were examined. RESULTS: NAFLD patients with fibrosis had higher NC, WC, and hip circumference levels, but no difference was observed between NAFLD patients without fibrosis and controls in these parameters. BMI was statistically different among the three groups (P < 0.05). After adjusting for confounding risk factors, the only significant parameter associated with histologic severity of NAFLD was WC, with odds ratio of 1.10. All anthropometric measurements were correlated positively with fibrosis, cf-PWV, and each other. While the association between BMI and cf-PWV remained significant, WC was found to be an independent risk factor for carotid intima-media thickness after adjustment of known cardiovascular risk factors. CONCLUSION: WC is the strongest predictor of liver fibrosis as the anthropometric indexes in patients with NAFLD. NC can be used as an additional useful screening test for the primary evaluation of patients with NAFLD, even if it is not an independent risk factor.

Presence of fragmented QRS may be associated with complex ventricular arrhythmias in patients with essential hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) are frequent in hypertensive patients. Myocardial fibrosis is one of the components of left ventricular hypertrophy secondary to hypertension. Fragmented QRS (fQRS) on electrocardiography (ECG) has been shown to be a marker of myocardial fibrosis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between fQRS and complex VAs in patients with essential hypertension. METHODS: Two hundreds consecutive patients who were diagnosed with hypertension were included in the study. The control group consisted of 153 age and sex matched healthy individuals. ECG and transthoracic echocardiography were performed to all patients. fQRS was defined as additional R' wave or notching/splitting of S wave in two contiguous ECG leads. All patients underwent 24-hour Holter monitoring and VAs were classified using Lown's scoring system. Lown class ≥3 VAs were considered as complex VAs. RESULTS: There was no significant difference with respect to age (52 ±â€¯8 vs 52 ±â€¯6 years, p = 0.836) and gender distribution (female: 64% vs 63%, p = 0.907) between the groups. As compared to the healthy individuals, prevalence of fQRS (67% vs 9.2%, p < 0.001) and complex VAs (19% vs 0%, p < 0.001) were significantly higher in patients with hypertension. Furthermore, complex VAs (25.4% vs 6.1%, p = 0.001) were significantly higher in hypertensive patients with fQRS. In multiple logistic regression analysis, left ventricular ejection fraction (OR: 1.11, 95%CI: 1.025 to 1.183; p = 0.006), left ventricular mass index (OR: 1.04, 95%CI: 1.021 to 1.107; p = 0.001) and presence of fQRS (OR: 5.605, 95%CI: 1.427 to 22.019; p = 0.014) were independent predictors for complex VAs. CONCLUSION: The presence of fQRS may be associated with complex VAs in patients with essential hypertension. Therefore, fQRS may be used in risk stratification of complex VAs and sudden cardiac death especially in hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy.

Presence of fragmented QRS is associated with increased epicardial adipose tissue thickness in hypertensive patients.

BACKGROUND: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a cardiometabolic risk factor, and its possible relationship with hypertension has been reported previously. Fragmented QRS (fQRS) detected on electrocardiography (ECG) has been demonstrated to be a marker of myocardial fibrosis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the thickness of EAT, and presence of fQRS in hypertensive patients. METHODS: Consecutive patients who were diagnosed with hypertension were included in the study. ECG and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) were performed to all patients. fQRS was defined as additional R' wave or notching/splitting of S wave in two contiguous ECG leads. Thickness of EAT was measured by TTE. RESULTS: This study enrolled 69 hypertensive patients with fQRS on ECG and 45 hypertensive patients without fQRS as the control group. Age (P = .869), and gender distribution (P = .751) were similar in both groups. Left atrial diameter (P = .012), interventricular septal thickness (P < .001), posterior wall thickness (P < .001), left ventricular ejection fraction (P = .009), left ventricular mass (P = .006), left ventricular mass index (P = .014), left ventricular hypertrophy (P = .003), and EAT thickness (P < .001) were found to be significantly increased in patients with fQRS. In multivariate analysis, among these variables only EAT was observed to be an independent predictor of fQRS (odds ratio:3.306 [95% confidence interval, 0.030-0.118], P = .001). CONCLUSION: A significant association exists between the presence of fQRS and EAT thickness in hypertensive patients. The presence of fQRS, just as EAT thickness, may be used as a cardiometabolic risk factor in hypertensive patients.

Comparison of aortic pressures and aortic elastic properties between patients with end-stage renal disease and healthy controls.

BACKGROUND: Current evidence indicates that vascular calcification plays an essential role in the development of cardiovascular diseases in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. Arterial stiffness is a marker of increased cardiovascular risk in various populations. The aim of this study is to evaluate the elastic properties of ascending aorta in patients with ESRD. METHODS: This single-center study enrolled 96 patients (45 females, age: 57.2 ± 12.8 years) with ESRD and 96 healthy controls (52 females, age: 55.3 ± 10.1 years). Aortic pressures and aortic elastic parameters including aortic strain, aortic distensibility, aortic stiffness index, and aortic compliance were calculated using accepted formulae. RESULTS: The hemodynamic parameters including aortic pulse pressure, aortic mean pressure, aortic fractional pulse pressure, and aortic pulsatility index were significantly higher in patients with ESRD. Systolic and diastolic aortic diameters were similar between the groups. However, pulsatile aortic diameter change, aortic strain, aortic distensibility, and aortic compliance were significantly lower, whereas aortic stiffness index was significantly higher in ESRD group. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated that a significant difference was present in terms of aortic blood pressures between patients with ESRD and controls. In addition, the elastic properties of ascending aorta were decreased in patients with ESRD.

Evaluation of homocystein and asymmetric dimethyl arginine levels in patients with coronary slow flow phenomenon.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated that homocysteine and asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA) levels were strongly associated with cardiovascular diseases including coronary artery disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of plasma homocysteine and ADMA levels in the pathogenesis of coronary slow flow (CSF) phenomenon. METHODS: Twenty-three patients with CSF and 25 controls with normal coronary flow were included in this study. The quantitative measurement of coronary blood flow was performed using the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count method. Plasma homocysteine and ADMA levels were determined using enzymatic assays from venous blood samples. RESULTS: The patients with CSF had significantly higher plasma homocysteine levels than controls (16.2 ± 7.6 vs. 12.2 ± 2.2 µM/L; p = 0.023). The uric acid levels were significantly higher in CSF group than controls (5.4 ± 1.1 vs. 4.6 ± 0.9 mg/dl; p = 0.011). Plasma ADMA levels were also higher in the CSF group; however, this was not statistically significant (0.6 ± 0.1 vs. 0.5 ± 0.2 µM/L; p = 0.475). CONCLUSIONS: Increased homocysteine and uric acid levels may play an important role in the pathogenesis of CSF. Further large scale studies are required to determine the relationship between ADMA levels and CSF.

Echocardiographic measurement of epicardial adipose tissue thickness in patients with microvascular angina.

INTRODUCTION: Impaired coronary microcirculation, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction were reported etiological factors for microvascular angina (MVA). Recently, increased epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness has been associated with hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and coronary artery disease in general population. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the EAT thickness in patients with MVA. METHODS: This study enrolled 200 patients (83 males; mean age: 55.4 ± 8.2 years) who have been diagnosed with MVA and 200 controls (89 males; mean age: 54.4 ± 8.5 years). All patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography, and EAT thickness was measured from a parasternal long-axis view as the hypoechoic space on the right ventricular free wall. RESULTS: The mean EAT thickness was significantly higher in MVA patients than the controls (5.5 ± 1.1 vs. 4.9 ± 0.7 mm; p < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that increased EAT thickness was an independent predictor of MVA (OR = 1.183, 95% CI = 1.063-1.489; p = 0.023). In receiver operating characteristic curve analyses, EAT thickness above 5.3 mm predicted MVA with a sentivity of 68% and a specificity of 63% (AUC = 0.711, 95% CI = 0.659-0.762; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The EAT thickness was observed significantly higher in MVA patients as compared to controls. Increased EAT thickness may be associated with mechanisms that play a major role in the pathogenesis of MVA.

Design and rationale for the ASSOS study: Appropriateness of aspirin use in medical outpatients a multicenter and observational study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the current status of aspirin use and the demographic characteristics of patients on aspirin for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. METHODS: The Appropriateness of Aspirin Use in Medical Outpatients: A Multicenter, Observational Study (ASSOS) trial was a multicenter, cross-sectional, and observational study conducted in Turkey. The study was planned to include 5000 patients from 14 cities in Turkey. The data were collected at one visit, and the current clinical practice regarding aspirin use was evaluated (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT03387384). RESULTS: The study enrolled all consecutive patients who were admitted to the outpatient cardiology clinics from March 2018 until June 2018. Patients should be at least 18 years old, have signed written informed consent, and on aspirin (80-325 mg) therapy within the last 30 days. Cardiologists from the hospital participates in the study. Patients were divided into 2 categories according to presence or absence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, namely secondary prevention group and primary prevention group, respectively. The appropriate use of aspirin in the primary and secondary prevention groups was assessed according to the European Society of Cardiology guidelines and US Preventive Services Task Force. The patients' gastrointestinal bleeding risk factors and colorectal cancer risk were evaluated. CONCLUSION: The ASSOS registry will be the most comprehensive and largest study in Turkey evaluating the appropriateness of aspirin use. The results of this study help understand the potential misuse of aspirin in a real-world setting.

Serum ADMA, endothelial dysfunction, and atherosclerosis in hypervolemic hemodialysis patients

Background/aim: Asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA) is a strong predictor of cardiovascular disease and mortality in patients under hemodialysis treatment. We aimed to investigate the relationship among volume status, endothelial dysfunction, and ADMA in hemodialysis patients. Materials and methods: A total of 120 patients with a history of hemodialysis treatment were included. ADMA and CRP were measured. Echocardiographic evaluation and carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) measurements were performed. Patients were divided into two groups according to clinical evaluation, ultrafiltration rate, vena cava inferior diameter (VCI), and cardiothoracic index (CTI); the two groups were hypervolemic and normovolemic. Results: The hypervolemic group included 61 patients while the normovolemic group included 59 patients. CIMT was higher in the hypervolemic group, but this result was not statistically significant (0.95 mm versus 0.85 mm, P = 0.232). There was a statistically significant difference between the hypervolemic and normovolemic groups in terms of ADMA (P < 0.001) (0.69 ± 0.57 µmol/L and 0.41 ± 0.04 µmol/L, respectively). Positive correlations were observed between serum ADMA, VCI, CTI, CRP, CIMT, and cardiac mass (P < 0.001, P = 0.016, P < 0.001, P = 0.006, P = 0.022, respectively), and negative correlations were observed between ADMA and ejection fraction and albumin (P = 0.024, P = 0.024, respectively). In multiple linear regression analysis, ADMA was independently associated with age, systolic blood pressure, CTI, and volume status. Conclusion: ADMA may be a potential determinant of hypervolemia as well as atherosclerosis in patients under hemodialysis treatment.

Relation of serum spondin-2 levels with cardiac morphology and inflammatory parameters in hemodialysis patients.

PURPOSE: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of mortality in chronic kidney disease. Spondin-2 (SP-2), an intrinsic cardio-protective factor, prevents maladaptive remodeling. We aimed to determine the relation between serum SP-2 levels and cardiac morphology along with inflammatory parameters in hemodialysis (HD) patients. METHOD: The study comprised a total of 95 patients (61 females) receiving HD treatment three times a week for at least 6 months, and a control group consisting of age and gender matched 62 subjects (34 females). SP-2 levels were determined by ELISA. Echocardiography, 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, and carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) measurement were performed in all subjects. The relation of serum SP-2 levels with CIMT, echocardiographic parameters, CRP, and absolute neutrophil-to-lymphocyte count ratio (NLR) was evaluated by correlation analysis. RESULTS: SP-2 levels were found to be significantly higher in the HD group than the control group (16.660 [8.719-20.938] vs. 3.988 [2.702-8.042] ng/L; P < 0.001). CIMT, CRP, and NLR were also higher in HD group (P < 0.005, P < 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively). Significantly positive correlation was found between SP-2 and left ventricular mass, left ventricular mass index, CRP, and NLR, but no correlation was determined between SP-2 and CIMT. SP-2 was not statistically significant variable for the determination of LVH in univariate logistic regression analysis [Wald = 2.375; OR (95% CI) = 1.000 (0.999-1.000), P = 0.123]. CONCLUSION: Serum SP-2 levels were higher in HD patients compared to the population with normal renal functions. The results suggest that SP-2, an uremic toxin, might be effective over a complex pathway in the inflammatory process and in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases of patients under HD treatment.

The association of fatty pancreas with subclinical atherosclerosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

INTRODUCTION: Ectopic fat accumulation in many tissues has been shown to be a risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease. No study to date has investigated whether fatty pancreas plays a role in the development of subclinical atherosclerosis. We aimed to assess the relationship between fatty pancreas and subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with biopsy-proven nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and healthy controls. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD and 38 healthy controls were included. Transabdominal ultrasonography examination was performed on all the cases with high-resolution ultrasonography (Acuson S3000) using 6 mHz convex probes. The measurements of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) were performed to investigate the relationship between fatty pancreas and atherosclerosis. RESULTS: The rate of newly diagnosed DM and prediabetes in the NAFLD patients was 6 and 21%, respectively. Most of the patients with NAFLD (97%) were found to have an increased echogenicity of the pancreas at ultrasound examination. Grade of fatty pancreas was correlated positively with cf-PWV levels (P<0.05), whereas no correlation was found with CIMT (P>0.05). The presence of fatty pancreas was associated significantly with higher CIMT and cf-PWV levels (P<0.05). The results for cf-PWV and CIMT did not remain significant after adjustment for confounding factors. Although the levels of cf-PWV and CIMT increased with increasing grade of fatty pancreas, there was no significant association. CONCLUSION: We have shown for the first time that fatty pancreas is a contributing factor for the development of atherosclerosis in patients with NAFLD. This study also confirms the strong association between NAFLD and fatty pancreas.