Telomerase activity and hTERT gene expression in patients with acute coronary syndrome and stable coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to examine the telomerase activity and hTERT gene expression in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and those with stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) and compare the results to controls. Additionally, we compared overall mortality rates relative to the telomerase activity. METHODS: A total of 211 patients (78 ACS and 71 SCAD patients) were included in the study. The telomerase concentration was measured by ELISA and used to determine telomerase activity. The hTERT gene expression was determined by real-time PCR. RESULTS: The serum telomerase enzyme concentration was lower in ACS (36.61 ± 1.54) and SCAD (36.79 ± 1.57) when compared to the control group (37.03 ± 2.25). However, this difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.890). The hTERT gene expression acting in telomerase enzyme synthesis was 2.7-fold lower in ACS group (p = 0.070) and 2.2-fold lower in the SCAD group (p = 0.101) compared to the control group. Patients were followed for a median of 32 months (minimum: 0.1, maximum: 46.8). The serum telomerase concentrations in patients who died and those survived in the SCAD group (35.98 ± 2.02 vs 36.86 ± 1.52 ng/ml, respectively; p = 0.529) were similar to those in the ACS group (36.39 ± 1.08 vs 36.63 ± 1.60 ng/ml, respectively p = 0.993). CONCLUSIONS: In the current study, telomerase activity or hTERT expression was similar in patients with ACS, SCAD, and controls. Moreover, telomerase activity was not associated with all- cause mortality during the 32-month follow-up (Tab. 3, Fig. 1, Ref. 29).

The effects of severe periodontitis on arterial stiffness using cardio-ankle vascular index in patients with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Arterial stiffness, which is a measure of the elasticity of the arteries, is also a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases and its measurement is important for evaluating the atherosclerosis process. The purpose of this cross-sectional study to investigate whether severe periodontitis in short-term type 2 diabetes may be associated with increased cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) values specified for subclinical atherosclerosis risk. METHODS: A total of 136 subjects, including 69 subjects with short-term type 2 diabetes (35 with severe periodontitis and 34 with periodontally healthy) and 67 systemically healthy subjects (32 with severe periodontitis and 35 with periodontally healthy) were enrolled to this study. Assessment of all participants included in this study in terms of arterial stiffness was determined by CAVI. Serum fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), triglyceride (TRG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol (TC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were calculated using standard methods. Full mouth periodontal measurements were recorded. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between periodontal parameters and mean CAVI values of the groups. RESULTS: Mean CAVI levels were significantly higher in diabetic and periodontitis group compared to the other study groups (p < .05). In diabetes and periodontitis group, CAVI was showed positive correlations with CRP (r = .337, p = .048) and HbA1c (r = .442, p = .008). Also, positive significant correlations were found with probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) in the periodontitis groups. Multiple regression analysis revealed that CAL independently predicted CAVI levels in periodontitis groups (ß = .433, p = .019 in diabetes and periodontitis groups and ß = .57, p = .001 in systemically healthy and periodontitis group respectively). CONCLUSION: This is the first study investigating the association between severe periodontitis and CAVI in patients with short-term diabetes. Our findings suggest that severe periodontitis may be an intermediate factor in the pathway between type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease by increasing the arterial stiffness.

Case 315: Cardiac Calcified Amorphous Tumor.

HISTORY: A 58-year-old man presented to the cardiology clinic with intermittent chest pain and a 5-day history of palpitations that were not associated with exercise. His medical history revealed that a cardiac mass was detected at echocardiography performed 3 years ago and for similar symptoms. However, he was lost to follow-up before his examinations were concluded. Apart from that, his medical history was unremarkable, and he had not experienced any cardiac symptoms in the intervening 3 years. He had a family history of sudden cardiac death, and his father died of a heart attack when he was 57 years old. Physical examination findings were unremarkable except for increased blood pressure (150/105 mmHg). Laboratory findings, including a complete blood count and creatinine, C-reactive protein, electrolyte, serum calcium, and troponin T levels, were within normal limits. Electrocardiography (ECG) was performed and revealed sinus rhythm and ST depression in the left precordial leads. Transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiography revealed an irregular left ventricle mass. The patient subsequently underwent contrast-enhanced ECG-gated cardiac CT followed by cardiac MRI to evaluate the left ventricle mass.

The effects of combination treatment with LT4 and LT3 on diastolic functions and atrial conduction time in LT4-treated women with low T3: a short term follow-up study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of combination treatment with levothyroxine (LT4) and l- triiodothyronine (LT3) on left atrial volume (LAV), diastolic functions, and atrial electro-mechanical delays in LT4-treated women with low triiodothyronine (T3) levels. METHODS: This prospective study consisted of 47 female patients between 18 and 65 years old treated at an Endocrinology and Metabolism outpatient clinic between February and April 2022 due to primary hypothyroidism. The study included patients with persistently low T3 levels in at least three measurements, despite LT4 treatment (1.6-1.8 mcg/kg/m2) for 23.13 ± 6.28 months with normal thyrotropin (TSH) and free tetraiodothyronine (fT4) levels. The combination therapy dose was as follows: the fixed LT4 dose (25 mcg) was removed from patients' usual LT4 treatment [100 mcg (min-max, 75-150)], and a fixed LT3 dose (12.5 mcg) was added. Biochemical samples were taken, and an echocardiographic assessment was performed for patients upon their first admission, and after 195.5 ± 12.8 days of receiving LT3 (12.5 mcg) treatment. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant reduction at left ventricle (LV) end-systolic diameter (27.69 ± 3.14, 27.13 ± 2.89, p = 0.035), left atrial (LA) maximum volume (14.73 ± 3.22, 13.94 ± 3.15, p = 0.009), LA minimum volume (7.84 ± 2.45, 6.84 ± 2.30, p < 0.001), LA vertical diameter (44.08 ± 6.92, 34.60 ± 4.31, <0.001), LA horizontal diameter (45.65 ± 6.88, 33.43 ± 4.51, p < 0.001), LAVI (50.73 ± 18.62, 41.0 ± 13.02, p < 0.001), total conduction time (103.69 ± 12.70, 79.82 ± 18.40, p < 0.001) after LT3 replacement (respectively pre-post- treatment and p value). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the findings of this study suggest that the addition of LT3 to LT4 treatment may lead to improvements in LAVI and atrial conduction times in patients with low T3. However, further research with larger patient groups and exploration of different LT4 + LT3 dose combinations is needed to better understand the effects of combined hypothyroidism treatment on cardiac functions.

The effect of heart failure on gut microbial richness and diversity.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: With recent advances in genome sequencing technology, a large body of evidence has accumulated over the last few years linking alterations in microbiota with cardiovascular disease. In this study, we aimed to compare gut microbial composition using 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequencing techniques in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and stable heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction and patients with CAD but with normal ejection fraction. We also studied the relationship between systemic inflammatory markers and microbial richness and diversity. METHODS: A total of 40 patients (19 with HF and CAD, 21 with CAD but without HF) were included in the study. HF was defined as left ventricular ejection fraction <40%. Only stable ambulatory patients were included in the study. Gut microbiota were assessed from the participants' fecal samples. The diversity and richness of microbial populations in each sample were assessed by the Chao1-estimated OTU number and the Shannon index. RESULTS: The Chao1-estimated OTU number and Shannon index were similar between HF and control groups. There was no statistically significant relationship between inflammatory marker levels (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin 1-beta, endotoxin, C-reactive protein, galectin-3, interleukin 6, and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein) and microbial richness and diversity when analyzed at the phylum level. CONCLUSION: In the current study, compared to patients with CAD but without HF, stable HF patients with CAD did not show changes in gut microbial richness and diversity. At the genus level Enterococcus sp. was more commonly identified in HF patients, in addition to certain changes in species levels, including increased Lactobacillus letivazi.

Significance of postmortem biomarkers and multimarker strategy in sudden cardiac death.

The most common cause in the etiology of sudden cardiac death (SCD) is ischemic heart disease due to atherosclerosis. Postmortem diagnosis can be made by histopathological examinations, but routine histopathological examinations are limited, especially in the early period of postmortem ischemia. For this reason, many methods are being investigated for the postmortem diagnosis of ischemia, and postmortem biochemical studies are promising. In our study, we evaluated the biochemical markers; hs-cTnT, NT-proBNP, H-FABP, pentraxin-3, copeptin, ischemic modified albumin (IMA), and PAPP-A in postmortem serums. In forensic pathology practice, it was investigated whether it would be useful to go to the diagnosis by measuring more than one marker in a single biological fluid in SCD cases. The study included 35 sudden cardiac death cases and 24 control cases and as a result of our study, hs-cTnT, NT-proBNP, and H-FABP values were found to be significantly higher in the SCD group than in the control group. Within the scope of the multi-marker strategy, models were tried to be developed in which the markers were used together, and it was concluded that the model consisting of the myocardial ischemia marker hs-cTnT, the myocardial stress marker NT-proBNP, and the inflammation marker pentraxin 3 was the most accurate combination by correctly classifying the cases at a rate of 94.9%. As a result, it was thought that it would be appropriate to use the multi-marker strategy which is widely used in clinical applications, also in forensic medicine applications.

Case 315.

HISTORY: A 58-year-old man presented to the cardiology clinic with intermittent chest pain and a 5-day history of palpitations that were not associated with exercise. His medical history revealed that a cardiac mass was detected at echocardiography performed 3 years ago and for similar symptoms. However, he was lost to follow-up before his examinations were concluded. Apart from that, his medical history was unremarkable, and he had not experienced any cardiac symptoms in the intervening 3 years. He had a family history of sudden cardiac death, and his father died of a heart attack when he was 57 years old. Physical examination findings were unremarkable except for increased blood pressure (150/105 mmHg). Laboratory findings, including a complete blood count and creatinine, C-reactive protein, electrolyte, serum calcium, and troponin T levels, were within normal limits. Electrocardiography (ECG) was performed and revealed sinus rhythm and ST depression in the left precordial leads. Transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiography revealed an irregular left ventricle mass. The patient subsequently underwent contrast-enhanced ECG-gated cardiac CT followed by cardiac MRI to evaluate the left ventricle mass (Figs 1-5).

Transcatheter mitral valve repair in a liver transplant candidate.

Untreated severe mitral regurgitation (MR) is associated with poor outcomes due to the adverse consequences of long-standing volume overload on the left ventricle and left atrium, which leads to pulmonary hypertension and right-sided heart failure. Early intervention results in favorable long-term outcomes making appropriate timing of intervention very critical. We present a 53-year-old male with severe symptomatic MR and right sided-heart failure which progressed to cardiac cirrhosis necessitating enrollment to the liver transplant list. Transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) using MitraClip implantation resulted in impressive clinical improvement and resolution of cirrhosis. Eventually, the patient was taken off the transplant list. Treatment of severe MR may lead to improvements in congestive hepatopathy.

Superficial Femoral Artery Endovascular Therapy: 12-Month Primary Patency Rates of Contemporary Endovascular Devices from 25,051 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 5.8 million people experience peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in the United States today. Superficial femoral artery (SFA) disease is the most common cause of symptomatic PAD. New-generation nitinol stents, drug-coated stents, drug-coated balloons (DCB), covered stents, and directional or orbital atherectomy devices have shown promising results. However, clinical equipoise persists regarding the optimal selection of devices, largely attributable to the different inclusion criteria, study populations, length of lesions treated, definitions of "patency" and "restenosis," and follow-up methods in the up-to-date pivotal trials. METHODS: A prospective protocol was developed. We performed a literature search using PubMed from January 2011 to July 2021. All published articles including endovascular interventions in the SFA with reported 12-month "primary patency" rates as endpoints were included. RESULTS: We identified 25,051 patients in 124 studies reporting 12-month primary patency rates in patients with SFA disease. Primary patency rates were (weighted average) 82.6% for drug-eluting stents, 77.2% for drug-coated balloons, 75.2% for covered stents, 73.9% for nitinol self-expanding stents, 66.1% for atherectomy, and 44.5% for bare balloon angioplasty. CONCLUSION: The most frequently used endovascular devices yielded various 12-month primary patency rates ranging from 44.5% to 82.6%. The increased variation in inclusion criteria, lesion length, and complexity of lesions between studies does not allow direct comparison between the individual devices. Larger randomized trials in specific patient populations comparing these modalities are needed well before we can make proper recommendations on the superiority of one device over the other.

Telemedicine: Benefits for Cardiovascular Patients in the COVID-19 Era.

The recent pandemic with SARS-CoV-2 raises questions worldwide regarding telemedicine for housebound patients, including those with cardiovascular conditions. The need for further investigation, monitoring and therapeutic management are advancing practical issues which had not been identified for consideration prior to the pandemic. Using the marketing assessment, we identified the needs of the patients and evaluated the future steps necessary in the short term to meet them. The research found progress made via telemedicine in monitoring and conducting minor decisions (like up-titrating the doses of different medication regimens) in patients with several cardiovascular diseases (heart failure, atrial fibrillation, high blood pressure), as there is a worldwide trend to develop new telemonitoring biosensors and devices based on implantable delivered transcatheter. The worldwide telemedicine trend encourages a switch from small and hesitating steps to a more consistent assessment of the patients, based on high technology and Interventional Cardiology. Cardiovascular telemedicine, although made a sustainable effort in managing patients' health, has many obstacles to overcome before meeting all their needs. Data security, confidentiality and reimbursement are the top priorities in developing remote Cardiology. The regulatory institutions need to play an integrative role in leading the way for defining the framework of future telemedicine activities. The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak with all its tragedy served to reinforce the message that telemedicine services can be life-saving for cardiovascular patients. Once the Covid-19 era will fade away, telemedicine is likely to remain a complementary service of standard care. There is still room to improve the remote identification and investigation of heart disease, provide an accurate diagnosis and therapeutic regimen, and update regulations and guidelines to the new realities of technological progress in the field.

The Relationship Between Mitral Annular Calcification and Controlling Nutritional Status Score.

INTRODUCTION: The relationship between mitral annular calcification (MAC) and the controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score has not been previously studied. In this study, we investigated the relationship between MAC and CONUT score to evaluate the nutritional status of patients with MAC. METHODS: A total of 275 patients, including 150 patients with MAC and 125 patients without MAC, who presented to a cardiology outpatient clinic were enrolled in the study. RESULTS: There was no difference in the CONUT score between the two groups. Correlation analysis indicated that CONUT score was positively correlated with left atrial (LA) diameter (r=0.190, P=0.020) and interventricular septum thickness (r=0.179, P=0.028) in the MAC+ group. In multivariate regression analysis, only LA diameter (odds ratio 95% confidence interval = 1,054-1,189, P=0.0001) was independently associated with MAC. CONCLUSION: The present study investigated the relationship between CONUT score and MAC for the first time in the literature. We demonstrated that CONUT score was not significantly higher in patients with MAC without chronic diseases. However, CONUT score was correlated with LA diameter in patients with MAC. We therefore conclude that, for patients admitted with MAC and high LA diameter, CONUT is a valuable nutritional and inflammatory status index.

B-Type Natriuretic Peptide at Admission Is a Predictor of All-Cause Mortality at One Year after the First Acute Episode of New-Onset Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Background: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has been assessed extensively, but few studies analysed the predictive value of the NT-proBNP in patients with de novo and acute HFpEF. We sought to identify NT-proBNP at admission as a predictor for all-cause mortality and rehospitalisation at 12 months in patients with new-onset HFpEF. Methods: We analysed 91 patients (73 ± 11 years, 68% females) admitted for de novo and acute HFpEF, using the Cox proportional hazard risk model. Results: An admission NT-proBNP level above the threshold of 2910 pg/mL identified increased all-cause mortality at 12 months (AUC = 0.72, sensitivity = 92%, specificity = 53%, p < 0.001). All-cause mortality adjusted for age, gender, medical history, and medication in the augmented NT-proBNP group was 16-fold higher (p = 0.018), but with no difference in rehospitalisation rates (p = 0.391). The predictors of increased NT-proBNP ≥ 2910 pg/mL were: age (p = 0.016), estimated glomerular filtration rate (p = 0.006), left atrial volume index (p = 0.001), history of atrial fibrillation (p = 0.006), and TAPSE (p = 0.009). Conclusions: NT-proBNP above 2910 pg/mL at admission for de novo and acute HFpEF predicted a 16-fold increased mortality at 12 months, whereas values less than 2910 pg/mL forecast a high likelihood of survival (99.3%) in the next 12 months, and should be considered as a useful prognostic tool, in addition to its utility in diagnosing heart failure.

The prevalence and clinical significance of incidental non-cardiac findings on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and unreported rates of these findings in official radiology reports.

Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence and significance of incidental non-cardiac findings (NCFs) on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We also aimed to assess the unreported rate and clinical significance of NCFs in official radiological reports. Material and methods: Consecutive cardiac MRI examinations of 400 patients were retrospectively analysed and MR images reviewed by 2 observers blinded to official radiology reports. NCFs were classified as insignificant, significant, and major. In patients with significant and major findings, NCFs were classified as previously known or unknown, based on clinical archive. Moreover, we investigated the clinical follow-up results of patients with major NCF. Results: Of 400 patients, 137 patients (34.3%) had a total of 175 NCFs. Fifty-nine NCFs were considered significant, and 23 were major. Patients with NCFs were significantly older than those without (p < 0.0001). Of 82 significant and major NCFs, 25 were previously unknown. In total, 18 significant and 4 major NCFs were unreported in official MRI reports. The unreported major NCFs were portal vein thrombosis, pulmonary nodule, pulmonary embolism, and liver nodule. The most common unreported findings were pulmonary artery-aorta dilatation and hiatal hernia. No statistical difference was found between official MRI reports and second consensus reading for the detection of major NCFs (p = 0.082). Conclusions: The frequency of significant and major NCFs increases with age. Although no statistical difference was found between official MRI reports and second consensus reading for the detection of major NCFs, extra-cardiac findings should be carefully investigated during assessment.

Pulmonary embolism initially misdiagnosed as perimyocarditis in a young patient.

Pulmonary embolism is a common cardiovascular emergency. In case of delayed diagnosis and treatment morbidity and mortality is high. In this report, we presented a case of pulmonary embolism without apparent risk factors, which was initially misdiagnosed as peri/myocarditis.

DIAMondback Atherectomy With OCT Visualization for Calcified PAD Lesions (DIAMOCT-PAD Study).

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to describe the immediate and long-term vascular effects of OAS in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and moderate to severely calcified lesions. BACKGROUND: Debulking the calcified atherosclerotic plaque with the orbital atherectomy system (OAS) can potentially enhance vessel compliance and increase the chance of reaching a desirable angioplasty result. METHODS: A total of 7 patients were evaluated both at baseline and at 6-month follow-up. Following a diagnostic peripheral angiogram, patients with significant SFA disease had a baseline intravascular optical coherence tomography (IV-OCT) and the lesion was treated with OAS. Repeat IV-OCT was performed after atherectomy and after drug-coated balloon, if used. Patients were also evaluated with angiography and IV-OCT imaging at their 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: The majority of tissue removed was fibrous tissue. During follow-up, luminal volume increased for 4 of the 7 patients from baseline to 6-month follow-up and decreased in 3 patients. On average there was a 6% increase of luminal volume (P<.01 compared with baseline). A recent virtual histology algorithm was used for automatic classification of IV-OCT images unaided by any reader. The algorithm used convolutional neural networks to identify regions as either calcium, fibrous, or lipid plaque, and it agreed with an expert reader 82% of the time. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, the current report is the first to describe vascular effects of OAS in medial calcified lesions immediately after and at follow-up using IV-OCT in patients with severe PAD.

Assessment of Pulmonary Pulse Transit Time with Respect to Diastolic and Left Atrial Functions.

Background and Aim: Pulmonary pulse transit time (pPTT) is a new marker of pulmonary hypertension (PH), which shows the time needed for the pulse wave to propagate from the right ventricular outflow tract to the left atrium (LA), but the relationship between pPTT and diastolic-LA function is almost unknown. In this study, we investigated the relationship between pPTT and LA-diastolic functions without PH. Materials and Methods: One hundred and fifty-six patients were included in this prospectively designed study. Comprehensive echocardiographic evaluation was performed and pPTT was recorded as the time from the beginning of the R-wave on the electrocardiogram to the peak of the S-wave in the pulmonary veins. Results: We found a statistically significant correlation between LA total stroke volume, passive stroke volume, LA max area, LA volume (LAV) max and LA volume index (LAVi) max, and pPTT (r = 0.263** P = 0.003, r = 0.240** P = 0.007, (r = 0.339** P < 0.001, r = 0.307** P < 0.001 r = 0.199*, P = 0.024, LA total stroke volume, passive stroke volume, LA max area, LAV max, LAVi max respectively). Heart rate (HRt) and LAVi were detected as independent predictors of pPTT (hazard ratio: -2.290 P < 0.001, 95% confidence interval (CI): -3.274-1.306, HR: 0.461, P = 0.028, 95% CI: 0.050-0.873, HRt and LAVi, respectively). Conclusion: LAVi and HRt also affected pPTT. The dominant effect of HRt on pPTT should be considered in future studies. Larger studies are needed to determine the change and clinical significance of pPTT in left heart disease.

Severe Preeclampsia is Associated with Functional and Structural Cardiac Alterations: A Case-control Study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the current study is to compare electrocardiographic and echocardiographic changes in patients with severe preeclampsia (PE) and those with uncomplicated pregnancies. METHODS: This is a case-controlled prospective study consisting of 21 pregnant women with severe preeclampsia and a control group consisting of age- and gestational age-matched 24 healthy pregnant women. All patients underwent electrocardiographic and echocardiographic investigation. RESULTS: QRS intervals were shorter and PR intervals were longer in the PE group (QRS duration: 80 (60-120) ms and 80 (40-110) ms, p=0.035; PR duration: 160 (100-240) ms and 120 (80-200) ms, respectively; p=0.046). The left ventricular end-systolic diameters of the patients with severe PE group were significantly larger than the control group (31 (24-36) mm and 30 (24-33) mm, respectively; p=0.05). Similarly, posterior wall thickness values of the PE group were significantly higher compared to the control group (9 (7-11) mm vs. 8 (6-10) mm, respectively; p=0.020). Left ventricular mass (146.63±27.73 g and 128.69±23.25 g, respectively; p=0.033) and relative wall thickness values (0.385±0.054 and 0.349±0.046, respectively; p=0.030) were also higher in the PE group. In addition, patients with early-onset severe PE had significantly a higher left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and volume compared with late-onset PE patients. CONCLUSIONS: The structural changes detected in the severe PE group suggest a chronic process rather than an acute effect. In addition, diastolic dysfunction and left ventricular remodeling are most marked in patients with severe early-onset PE.