Subclinical hypothyroidism and its relationship with therapy failure in patients underwent cardiac resynchronization therapy.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is used in patients with heart failure (HF), an important problem in cardiology practice, with reduced left ventricular systolic dysfunctions and left ventricular dyssynchrony to improve morbidity and mortality. Thyroid diseases have undeniable effects on cardiac functions. So, we aimed to evaluate the effect of subclinical hypothyroidism on CRT response in HF patients in this study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: After the exclusion, 386 consecutive patients who received first-time CRT-defibrillator (CRT-D) or CRT-pacemaker (CRT-P) were retrospectively included. Known overt hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism patients were excluded. The response of CRT was defined as a relative increase (≥15%) or absolute increase (≥10%) in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) from implantation to one-year after follow-up. RESULTS: Diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation and coronary artery disease ratios were similar between responder vs. non-responder groups. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were higher (p <0.005) in non-responder group. Responder group had higher baseline LVEF (p <0.001), and follow-up LVEF (p <0.001) and longer baseline QRS interval (p =0.004), but similar post-implant QRS interval duration (p >0.005) with non-responder group. Baseline QRS interval (p =0.002), baseline LVEF (p <0.001) and the presence of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) (p =0.001) were independent predictors of CRT response. Adding SCH as a risk factor to our baseline risk modelling has an independent prognostic impact to predict non-responder patients (p =0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Presence of the SCH may be an important predictor of non-response in patients undergoing CRT. Evaluating the risk factors associated with non-response to CRT may be logical in identifying patients who obtain maximum benefit from CRT treatment.

Augmented Medial Rectus Recession with Non-Absorbable Suture Loops is Effective in the Treatment of Convergence Excess Esotropia.

AIM: To evaluate the surgical outcomes of augmented medial rectus recession with non-absorbable 5.0 white braided polyester suture (Alcon Laboratories, Forth Worth, Texas, USA) loops in patients diagnosed with convergence excess esotropia. Methods: Clinical records of 21 patients with convergence excess esotropia who have been operated with symmetric medial rectus recessions augmented with non-absorbable suture loops were reviewed. Initial scleral bite was planned according to the distance deviation. Non-absorbable sutures tied leaving a loose loop which was 1 mm for a near-distance disparity of 10 PD, 1.5 mm for 15PD, and 2 mm for 20 PD. Postoperative changes in near-distance disparity were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean preoperative near-distance disparity of 17,21 ± 1,68 standard mean of error (SE) prism diopters (PD) decreased to 3,15 ± 0,88 PD SE at 12 month postoperatively. Near-distance disparity of 10 PD or less was achieved in all patients after surgery at the sixth month, 1 patient showed 12 PD of disparity at the first-year control. No overcorrection has been noted. CONCLUSION: Bilateral medial rectus muscle recession procedure augmented with polyester suture loops effectively decreases the disparity between near and distance deviations in patients with convergence excess esotropia. Because of our good results and an easy, noninvasive approach without any additional complications, we recommend this technique to treat convergence excess esotropia.

Screening of 23 candidate genes by next-generation sequencing of patients with permanent congenital hypothyroidism: novel variants in TG, TSHR, DUOX2, FOXE1, and SLC26A7.

PURPOSE: To date, many genes have been associated with congenital hypothyroidism (CH). Our aim was to identify the mutational spectrum of 23 causative genes in Turkish patients with permanent CH, including thyroid dysgenesis (TD) and dyshormonogenesis (TDH) cases. METHODS: A total of 134 patients with permanent CH (130 primary, 4 central) were included. To identify the genetic etiology, we screened 23 candidate genes associated with CH by next-generation sequencing. For confirmation and to detect the status of the specific familial variant in relatives, Sanger sequencing was also performed. RESULTS: Possible pathogenic variants were found in 5.2% of patients with TD and in 64.0% of the patients with normal-sized thyroid or goiter. In all patients, variants were most frequently found in TSHR, followed by TPO and TG. The same homozygous TSHB variant (c.162 + 5G > A) was identified in four patients with central CH. In addition, we detected novel variants in the TSHR, TG, SLC26A7, FOXE1, and DUOX2. CONCLUSION: Genetic causes were determined in the majority of CH patients with TDH, however, despite advances in genetics, we were unable to identify the genetic etiology of most CH patients with TD, suggesting the effect of unknown genes or environmental factors. The previous studies and our findings suggest that TSHR and TPO mutations is the main genetic defect of CH in the Turkish population.

Trauma patients and whole-body computerized tomography imaging: Location of CT-Scan and factors affecting mortality.

OBJECTIVE: : We aimed to study the factors affecting the mortality of trauma patients who underwent whole-body computerized tomography (CT) on Emergency department (ED) time frames in a developing emergency care system. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of adult patients who received WBCT from August to November for two consecutive years (2014 and 2015). Non-parametric statistical methods were used to compare the patients who died and survived. The Backward logistic regression model was used to define factors significantly affecting mortality. RESULTS: : During 2014, 200 patients out of 827 (24.1%) received WBCT. During 2015, 263 patients out of 951 (27.6%) received WBCT. Four hundred sixteen patients were entered into the analysis. The overall mortality was 3.4% (7% in 2014 and 1% in 2015, P = 0.002). Significant factors found in backward logistic regression model defining factors affecting mortality were ISS (p < 0.0001), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) (p = 0.001). CT location (outside the ED in 2014, inside the ED in 2015) showed a very strong trend for affecting mortality (p = 0.054). Patients who had WBCT in the ED had lower ISS (p < 0.0001). CT imaging in the ED decreased ED to CT time 15.5 minutes (p < 0.0001), but admission time was 75.5 minutes longer. CONCLUSIONS: ISS and GCS were the main factors predicting mortality in patients who received WBCT. Patients received more WBCT imaging and physicians showed a tendency to order WBCT for less severe patients when the CT located in the ED. CT location did not show a significant effect on mortality, but on some operational time frames.

Does osteoporosis increase marginal bone loss around dental implants in the posterior of the maxilla?

Osteoporosis is caused by an imbalance in bone remodelling. The aim of this study was to compare the marginal bone loss (MBL) around dental implants placed in the posterior maxilla between osteoporotic and non-osteoporotic female patients. This was a prospective cohort study. Female patients needing a dental implant restoration in the posterior maxilla were included. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was performed and the T-score recorded. MBL was measured at 12 months after loading. The patients were assigned to one of two groups: group 1, osteoporotic (T-score ≥2.5); group 2, non-osteoporotic (T-score <2.5). In this study, osteoporosis was the primary predictor variable and MBL was the outcome variable. The mean MBL was compared between the two groups using an independent t-test. Pearson's correlation test was applied to identify any correlation between the T-score and MBL. Ninety female patients were studied, 44 in group 1 and 46 in group 2. The mean MBL was 1.20±0.29mm in group 1 and 0.87±0.15 in group 2; this difference in mean MBL was statistically significant (P=0.001). There was a correlation between T-score and MBL (P=0.001). Despite the correlation between T-score and MBL, this study did not provide enough evidence to prove any causal relationship between MBL and osteoporosis.

DICER1 Hotspot Mutations in Pleuropulmonary Blastoma: A Case Series From a Tertiary Center.

Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is a potentially aggressive, rare childhood neoplasia. We investigated histopathological features, survival, and DICER1 hotspot mutations among PPB patients. Archive records at our institution were reviewed, covering a 20-year period. Thirteen children (6 males and 7 females) with a mean age of 30.5 (range 6-83) months were included. The tumor subtypes were type I in 6 (46%), type II in 4 (31%), and type III in 3 (23%). Only tumors with type II and type III histology showed anaplasia (4/7, 57%). Median follow-up was 28 (range 9-216) months. Three-year overall survival rate was 83.3% and 3-year progression-free survival rate was 25%. Progression was seen in 60% (3/5) of type I and 66.7% (4/6) of type II and type III cases. Two patients died of disseminated disease at 9 and 44 months. Hotspot missense mutations on DICER1 gene were detected in all 11 patients with available tumor tissue. We found an additional novel germline loss-of-function mutation (c.5436dupT; p.E1813*) in 1 case. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate hotspot missense mutations on DICER1 gene among the largest series of Turkish children with PPB.

SCREENING OF PROP-1, LHX2 AND POU1F1 MUTATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH ECTOPIC POSTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND.

OBJECTIVE: Ectopic posterior pituitary gland (EPP) is usually characterized by an abnormal pituitary stalk and hypoplasia of the anterior hypophysis. The genetic mechanisms involved in the development of EPP remain uncertain. The aim of this study is to determine whether mutations in the three genes, PROP-1, LHX2, and POU1F1, are associated with the risk for and the characteristics of EPP. METHODS: In the Endocrinology Outpatient Clinic of "Dr. Behcet Uz" Children's Hospital, 27 patients with EPP were submitted to sequencing analyses of the PROP-1, LHX2, and POU1F1 genes. RESULTS: Growth hormone, thyrotropin, corticotropin, gonadotropin, and vasopressin deficiency were observed in 22 (81.5%), 23 (85.2%), 17 (63%), 14 (51.9%), and two (7.4%) patients. Thirteen patients (48.1%) presented with hyperprolactinemia. Fourteen patients (51%) had a history of birth dystocia, and 12 cases (42.1%) had a history of breech presentation. Central nervous system abnormalities included five cases with corpus callosum agenesis, one case with schizencephaly, and one case with Chiari type 1 malformation. We identified a homozygous p.S109* mutation in exon 2 in one male patient with EPP and two different PROP1 gene polymorphisms (A142T or c.109+3 G>A polymorphism) in thirteen patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that PROP1 gene abnormalities might explain the genetic mechanisms involved in the development of EPP.

Choroidal changes observed with enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography in patients with mild Graves orbitopathy.

PurposeTo evaluate the choroidal thickness in patients with Graves orbitopathy (GO) using enhanced depth imaging-optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT).MethodsThirty-one patients with GO were evaluated prospectively. All subjects underwent ophthalmologic examination including best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure measurement, biomicroscopic, and fundus examination. Choroidal thickness was measured at the central fovea. In addition, visual evoked potential measurement and visual field evaluation were performed.ResultsThe mean choroidal thickness was 377.8±7.4 µ in the GO group, and 334±13.7 µ in the control group. (P=0.004). There was a strong correlation between the choridal thickness and the clinical activity scores (CAS) of the patients (r=0.281, P=0.027). Additionally, there was a correlation between the choroidal thickness and the visual-evoked potential (VEP) P100 latency measurements of the patients (r=0.439, P=0.001).ConclusionsThe results of this study demonstrate that choroid is thicker in patients with GO. The choroidal thickness is also correlated with the CAS and VEP P100 latency measurements in these patients.

An Examination of the Effects of Leuprolide Acetate Used in the Treatment of Central Precocious Puberty on Bone Mineral Density and 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D.

AIM: Leuprolide acetate is a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue frequently used in the treatment of central precocious puberty. Research is currently taking place into its effects on endocrine systems. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of leuprolide acetate on vitamin D and bone mineral density. METHODS: Twenty-three children diagnosed with central precocious puberty and receiving leuprolide acetate therapy for at least 12 months, and a control group of 17 healthy children were enrolled. In the study group, calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, parathormone and 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels and bone mineral density were measured. The results were compared with those of the control group. RESULTS: 25-Hydroxy vitamin D levels in the study and control groups were 15.17 ± 7 mg/dL and 22.2 ± 6.1 mg/dL, respectively (p < 0.05). In terms of bone mineral density, osteopenia was determined in 13 (56.5%) patients in the study group and osteoporosis in one (4.3%), while osteopenia was identified in seven patients in the control group, with no osteoporosis being identified (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists may have an adverse effect on bone health. They may exhibit these effects by impacting on vitamin D levels. These levels should be periodically monitored in patients receiving treatment, and vitamin D support should be given in cases where the deficiency is identified.

Salvage surgery of the limb with severe pseudoamniotic band syndrome: case report and literature review.

Pseudoamniotic band syndrome is a rare iatrogenic complication of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome treated with foetoscopic procedures. We report a severe pseudoamniotic band syndrome in the recipient monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome following a selective foeticide procedure. A male newborn with a severe circumferential amniotic band in the left leg was treated by single-stage excision of the ring and arterio-venous decompression. No complications were encountered. A microsurgical approach to improve the circulation together with ring excision may be useful in some cases.

Coronary vessel diameters during and after primary percutaneous coronary artery intervention.

BACKGROUND: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (P-PCI) is the gold standard treatment for acute coronary syndromes. Plasma levels of catecholamines and other vasopressors are elevated during acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and coronary vasoconstriction is frequent. We aimed to compare the reference vessel diameter (RVD) of the infarct-related artery (IRA) during primary PCI and after an average of 3 days. METHODS: Coronary angiography (CAG) was performed on 58 patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and TIMI 3 flow after P-PCI (43 men, 15 women; mean age, 55.5 ± 10 years). TIMI 3 flow was achieved either by simple balloon dilatation and/or thrombus aspiration. Lesion length, RVD, minimal lumen diameter (MLD), mean vessel diameter (meanD), and area of stenosis were compared during P-PCI and follow-up CAG. RESULTS: RVD, MLD, and meanD values were significantly higher during the follow-up CAG than after P-PCI (RVD 2.7 ± 0.7 mm vs. 2.9 ± 0.7 mm, p = 0.001; MLD 1.5 ± 0.5 mm vs. 1.7 ± 0.4 mm, p = 0.002; meanD 2.2 ± 0.5 mm vs. 2.4 ± 0.5 mm, p = 0.001). Area of stenosis values were significantly lower during the follow-up CAG than after primary PCI (69.5 ± 16.5 % vs. 62.1 ± 15 %, p = 0.001). Lesion lengths were not statistically significant during the follow-up CAG and primary PCI (lesion length 24.0 ± 10.8 mm vs. 22.1 ± 8.8 mm, p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study showed that RVD was higher at the follow-up CAG a few days after AMI in patients who had TIMI 3 flow after P-PCI with simple balloon dilatation and/or thrombus aspiration. A delay of a few days for stent implantation in P-PCI allows for larger-diameter stent use and may help to reduce stent thrombosis and restenosis rates.

The relationship between neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and the TIMI flow grade in patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI.

OBJECTIVES: ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is an important cause of the morbidity and mortality in coronary artery disease. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between hematologic parameters and post primary PCI coronary no-reflow. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 145 consecutive STEMI patients (mean age=58.2±12.3 years) and healthy volunteer admitted within 6 hours from symptom onset were enrolled to the study in the cardiology clinics. The STEMI patients were divided into 2 groups based on the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade. No-reflow was defined as post-PCI TIMI Flow Grade 0, 1 or 2 and angiographic success was defined as TIMI Grade 3 Flow. RESULTS: Diabetes mellitus hypertension and smoking status were similar between groups. With respect to baseline laboratory status, fasting glucose, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine levels were not significantly different between groups. The neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratio was also significantly higher in STEMI group (7.1±4.6 vs. 2.3±1.7, p < 0.001). Additionally, N/L ratio was also significantly higher in No-reflow group (TIMI Flow Grade 0, 1 or 2) group (13.1±4.5 vs. 5.3±2.7, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The N/L ratio, which is cheaply and easily measurable laboratory data is independently associated with post primary PCI coronary no-reflow.

Rocuronium and sugammadex in patients with myasthenia gravis undergoing thymectomy.

BACKGROUND: The use of neuromuscular blocking agents is still controversial in myasthenic patients but rocuronium could be useful after the introduction of sugammadex as a selective antagonist. The aim of the study was to evaluate the use of rocuronium-sugammadex in myasthenic patients undergoing thoracoscopic thymectomy. METHODS: After ethical approval, 10 myasthenic patients undergoing videothoracoscopic-assisted thymectomy were enrolled in the study. Neuromuscular block was achieved with 0.3 mg/kg rocuronium and additional doses were given according to train-of-four (TOF) monitoring or movement of the diaphragm. Sugammadex 2 mg/kg was given after surgery. Recovery time (time to obtain a TOF value > 0.9) was recorded for all subjects. RESULT: All patients were extubated in the operating room after administration of sugammadex. Mean rocuronium dose was 48 mg and the average operation time was 62 min. Recovery time after sugammadex administration was 111 s (min 35; max 240). CONCLUSIONS: A rapid recovery of neuromuscular function was found in myasthenic patients receiving rocuronium when sugammadex was used for reversal. This combination could be a rational alternative for myasthenic patients for whom neuromuscular blockade is mandatory during surgery.

Echocardiographic evaluation of right ventricular functions after successful percutaneous recanalization of right coronary artery chronic total occlusions.

BACKGROUND: No data exist on regarding possible improvement will occur in right ventricular (RV) functions after successful recanalization of right coronary artery chronic total occlusions (RCA CTOs). AIM: Our aim was to evaluate the revascularization induced changes in RV functions by novel echocardiographic techniques like tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and two dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-one consecutive successfully recanalized patients with RCA CTOs were included in our study. All included patients underwent standard echocardiography with TDI and 2DSTE to assess RV function before procedure and repeated after 24 hours and 1 month. RESULTS: There were no significant changes in tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, systolic myocardial velocities, and fractional area change values. However, RV global longitudinal strain and systolic strain rate values showed a significant increase at 24 hours after percutaneous coronary intervention compared to baseline (-23.6±4.1% vs. -19.7±3.9%, p < 0.001 and -1.55±0.18s-1 vs. -1.18±0.17s-1, p < 0.001, respectively). Moreover, improvement of the RV functions in patients with RCA CTOs was further suggested by the higher RV isovolumic acceleration values at 1-month compared with baseline (2.29±0.62 vs. 2.05±0.5 m/s2, p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: TDI derived isovolumic acceleration and 2DSTE derived global longitudinal strain and systolic strain rate values showed improvement in RV functions after successful percutaneous recanalization of RCACTOs suggesting viability of RV in chronic ischemia.

Safety of balloon pre-dilatation in the treatment of severe carotid artery stenosis.

AIM: To assess early outcome of predilatation prior stenting of severe carotid artery stenosis and to evaluate early major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral events (MACCE). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 265 consecutive patients (200 males, 65 female, mean age 66.7 ± 8.6 years) in whom 275 percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) procedures of carotid arteries were performed. Staged carotid stenting was performed in patients with bilateral carotid stenosis. Neuroprotection with a distal protection device was used in all cases. The patients were divided into two groups: direct carotid stent implantation without previous pre-dilation was performed in 233 patients (direct stenting group) and predilatation was performed in 42 patients (predilatation group). Early events were recorded and analyzed subsequently. RESULTS: We treated 275 carotid stenoses and the stent was implanted in all patients. Ten patients (3.7%) were treated by staged carotid artery stenting (CAS) due to bilateral carotid artery disease. The technical success rate was 97.1%. During 1-month follow-up, the prevalence of primary endpoint was 2.18%. The prevalence of MACCE at 30 days was higher in the predilatation group (2.4% vs. 2.1%; p = 0.924). Also periprocedural rate of hypotension was higher in predilatation group (7.1% vs. 1.7%; p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Balloon predilatation prior to stenting can be performed to treat severe carotid artery stenosis with acceptable periprocedural complication rate.

Elevated uric acid and functional mitral regurgitation in dilated cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Recent findings suggest that there is a close relationship between chronic heart failure and uric acid. AIMS: The aim of the study was to assess whether increased uric acid levels in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy might correlate with the degree of functional mitral regurgitation (MR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty two consecutive patients diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy were included in the study. The patients were classified according to severity of functional MR into two groups: mild-moderate functional MR (ERO < 0.2 cm2) and severe functional MR. RESULTS: The patients with severe functional MR had significantly higher serum uric acid levels compared to patients without severe functional MR (6.34 ± 1.61 mg/dL vs 5.43 ± 1.17 mg/dL respectively, p = 0.012). Furthermore, tenting area, an important predictor of functional MR severity, was moderately correlated with the serum uric acid levels (r = 0.351, p = 0.005). It was also shown that the serum uric acid concentrations were inversely correlated with left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, and positively correlated with LV volumes. There was also a significant relation between the serum uric acid and left atrial volumes and also brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, this study demonstrates that elevated serum uric acid levels in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy are correlated with the severity of functional MR and echocardiographic volume indices.

Successful percutaneous closure in patients with difficult atrial septal defects: case series and review of literature.

Atrial septal defect is a common form of congenital heart disease. Percutenous closure is an important treatment option for these patients. In this case series, we intend to share the percutaneous closure of the difficult types of secundum atrial septal defects.