Determining Subclinical Cardiovascular and Cardiac Diseases in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

BACKGROUND: The aims of the present study were to determine the subclinical coronary atherosclerosis and myocardial dysfunction in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, who were asymptomatic for cardiac disease. METHODS: A total of 61 non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients were enrolled in the study. The 10-year probability of cardiovascular events was evaluated according to the pooled cohort equation risk score (atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease). The coronary artery calcium score was measured. Conventional echocardiographic examination was followed by 2- and 3-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography. RESULTS: Patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis had significantly higher insulin resistance (P = .018), serum alanine aminotransferase (P = .002) and aspartate aminotransferase levels (P = .021), hepatic steatosis (P = .023), and fibrosis (P = .001) than non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients. The mean Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease score was 7.5% ± 6.9% and 37% of the patients had medium and high cardiovascular disease risk. Cardiovascular disease (>1) was found in 30% of the patients. Interestingly, 56% had significant and extended atherosclerotic plaques. Among the patients with moderate-to-high atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease scores, 63% had significant atherosclerotic plaques and 21% had extensive plaque burden. The presence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis did not significantly affect cardiovascular risk. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis was deleterious on left ventricle diastolic functions. Mean A velocity in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis patients was significantly increased compared to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients (87.0 ± 17.5 cm/s vs. 72.3 ± 13.6 cm/s, P = .002). Mean E/e' ratio was 8.1 ± 2.0. Submyocardial fibrosis detected had a slightly higher occurrence in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis patients than in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients (P = .530). CONCLUSION: The presence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis did not significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and subclinical myocardial dysfunction in asymptomatic patients for cardiac disease compared to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients.

Challenging Intervention to Restenosis of Right Coronary Ostial Stent Excessively Overhanging to the Aorta: A Case Report and Brief Review of Literature.

Intervention of aorto-ostial stent restenosis is challenging due to coronary anatomical variations, possible non-selective ostial engagements, and difficulties crossing the central lumen. Aorto-ostial stent restenosis is intervened through the central lumen or protruding side struts using various techniques. These techniques are often difficult and complex such as double wire technique, balloon-assisted technique, snare technique, side-strut sequential ballooning technique, and guideline-facilitated side strut stenting technique. In this case report, we presented an intervention for right coronary artery (RCA) ostial stent restenosis using a combination of balloon-assisted double wire technique and side-strut stenting technique in an acute coronary syndrome patient.

Thrombotic Complication of COVID-19: A Case Report of Acute Saphenous Vein Graft Thrombosis in a Newly Diagnosed Patient.

A 63-year-old man with active COVID-19 infection and a history of coronary artery bypass grafting presented with acute thrombotic occlusion of saphenous venous graft which was anastomosed to the left anterior descending artery. Initial antegrade approach, complicated by a small leakage in the distal left anterior descending artery, was later converted to a retrograde approach via occluded saphenous vein graft. After successful stenting, TIMI 3 flow was achieved.

Evaluation of the Impact of Ranolazine Treatment on Liver Function Tests in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver pathology in the developed world. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. We investigated the impact of ranolazine on liver tests in patients with NAFLD and coronary artery disease (CAD). Patients who had established CAD and NAFLD (as assessed by raised serum transaminase activity, sonographic criteria, and the absence of any other obvious liver disease) were allocated to "on ranolazine" (n = 40) or "not on ranolazine" (n = 35) groups. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured in all patients at baseline and at the end of the study. After 6 months of ranolazine treatment, both ALT and AST activities were significantly lower in patients in the "on ranolazine" group compared with "not on ranolazine" patients (change from baseline: ALT, -11.0 ± 1.7 IU/L, P < .001; AST, -5.2 ± 1.9 IU/L, P =.009). In conclusion, the present study showed that treatment with ranolazine for 6 months led to a significant reduction in the activities of both serum aminotransferases in patients with stable CAD and NAFLD.

Assessment of Myocardial Perfusion by Angiographic Methods in Tortuous Coronary Arteries.

The relationship between coronary tortuosity (CorT) and tissue-level myocardial perfusion is not clear. We investigated tissue perfusion in myocardial territories supplied by tortuous coronary arteries. Among patients who had undergone coronary angiography, patients with reported CorT, those with ≥1 coronary artery were included in the study group (100 patients). The control group included patients with normal coronary arteries (100 patients). Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction frame count (TFC) and myocardial blush grade (MBG) were calculated for each coronary artery. Mean TFC was significantly higher in tortuous right coronary artery (RCA), left anterior descending (LAD) artery, and circumflex (Cx) artery compared to their non-tortuous counterparts (28.81 ± 6.463 vs 21.94 ± 3.328, P = .009; 43.28 ± 5.698 vs 36.17 ± 3.875, P = .006; 29.35 ± 4.111 vs 23.821 ± 2.639; P < .001, respectively). Mean MBG was also significantly lower in tortuous RCA, LAD, and Cx, compared to their normal counterparts (2.78 ± 0.417 vs 2.98 ± 0.155, P < .001; 2.74 ± 0.483 vs 2.97 ± 0.164, P < .001; 2.92 ± 0.277 vs 2.99 ± 0.110, P < .001, respectively). For each tortuous coronary artery, TFC was similar for every MBG category. Tortuous coronary arteries have higher TFC and lower MBG, suggesting impaired epicardial and microvascular coronary flow, when compared to normal coronary arteries.

Evaluation of the effect of non-ergot dopamine agonists on left ventricular systolic function with speckle tracking echocardiography.

OBJECTIVE: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurological disorder, and ergot dopamine agonists (DAs) are no longer usually preferred in the treatment due to the increased risk of valvular heart disease. Some recent studies have shown that commonly used non-ergot DA also increases the risk of heart failure. On the other hand, there are studies showing conflicting data about this relationship. The aim of the present study was to investigate the cardiac effects of non-ergot DAs in patients with PD using echocardiography. METHODS: Conventional echocardiography and two-dimensional (2D) speckle tracking strain echocardiography were performed to determine the possible systolic dysfunction prior to the development of apparent systolic heart failure. Ninety-one (55 male, 64±10 years) patients with PD were included in the study. Furthermore, 25 subjects with newly diagnosed PD and using no drug were enrolled as the control group. All patients were divided into groups according to their medication. Patients using levodopa were classified as Group 1 (36), levodopa+pramipexole as Group 2 (27), and levodopa+ropinirole as Group 3 (28). RESULTS: Left ventricle dysfunction with non-ergot DA use in patients with PD was not established with conventional echocardiographic evaluation. For 2D strain analysis, global longitudinal strain values were obtained as -18.5%, -18.5%, and -18.9% in the groups, respectively. Strain and strain rate values of the left ventricle were not different between the groups (p=0.816 and p=0.881, respectively). CONCLUSION: There was no significant relationship between left ventricular dysfunction and use of non-ergot DA in patients with PD. Similar results were obtained in strain analysis showing left ventricular subclinical dysfunction. Our study appears to confirm the safety of non-ergot DA in the point of heart failure risk. To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the effect of this group of drugs on subclinical left ventricular systolic function.

Evaluation of endothelial dysfunction with flow-mediated dilatation after transradial coronary angiography.

Objective Transradial coronary angiography (TRCA) may lead to endothelial dysfunction. Therefore, this study investigated the TRCA-related endothelial dysfunction and its relation to operator experience, the number of punctures and procedure duration. Methods and results A total of 57 patients (42 males and 17 females) who underwent TRCA were included in this single-centre study. Nine months after the procedure, all patients underwent radial artery B-mode ultrasound imaging, and flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and nitroglycerin-mediated dilatation (NMD) techniques were employed. The non-intervened right radial artery was accepted as control. The percentage change in diameter after FMD was significantly greater in the right radial artery compared to the left radial artery (right 13.6% vs left 10.1%, P = 0.041). The percentage change in diameter after NMD was similar in both right and left radial arteries (right 23.8% vs left 23.4%, P = 0.932). According to the puncture numbers, the percentage change was significantly lower in the intervened artery among patients with more than one puncture (13.3% vs 7.8%, P = 0.005). According to the operator experience, the percentage change in the intervened artery was significantly higher in patients in whom the procedure was performed by experienced operators (13.7% vs 7.6%, P = 0.002). The procedure duration also showed a negative correlation with the percentage change in the intervened artery (r = -0.349, P = 0.008). Conclusions TRCA may lead to endothelial dysfunction represented by FMD. Moreover, higher puncture numbers for sheath insertion, longer procedure durations and less experience in radial interventions may have adverse effects on the endothelial function.

The outcomes of home treatment for borderline personality disorder.

Aims and method There is currently no trial or other scientific evidence informing the efficacy of any crisis intervention for people with borderline personality disorder (BPD). We aimed to assess the patterns of service use by patients with BPD taken on for crisis resolution and home treatment between 2010 and 2013. Patients with a diagnosis of BPD were identified and demographic and clinical data were collected. Results All patients were female, and a high proportion had recurrent presentations to crisis and home treatment services in Edinburgh. Many appeared to benefit from intensive home treatment, as measured by the Clinical Global Impression scale. A small number of patients (n = 5) were responsible for more than half of all referrals. Polypharmacy, or regular use of multiple medications, was common, with 62% of all patients receiving three or more regular medications. Clinical implications Crisis and home treatment services can be beneficial to most people with BPD in crisis. The high rate of polypharmacy seen in this study is of concern.

Effects of Hemodialysis on Tei Index: Comparison between Flow Doppler and Tissue Doppler Imaging.

OBJECTIVE: Myocardial performance index (MPI, Tei index) has been described as a noninvasive measurement of left ventricle (LV) function. Our aim was to investigate the influence of preload on the LV MPI obtained by pulsed-wave tissue Doppler imaging (PWTDI) and determined by flow Doppler waveforms in patients with end-stage chronic renal failure (CRF). The second aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the Tei indices obtained by both methods. METHODS: Eighty-four patients on regular hemodialysis (HD) treatment were included (mean age of 45.3 ± 14.5 years). Standard echocardiographic measurements, the Tei indices obtained by conventional flow Doppler and PWTDI methods, mitral inflow velocities, and mitral lateral annulus tissue Doppler velocities were measured immediately before and after hemodialysis. RESULTS: After HD, weight loss in patients was significantly revealed (predialysis 63.6 ± 13.3 kg; postdialysis 60.9 ± 13.0 kg; P < 0.001). Left ventricle and left atrium diameters were significantly decreased after HD. Transmitral E and A velocities decreased after HD. Although Tei index measuring by conventional flow Doppler method significantly increased, Tei index measuring by PWTDI did not change after HD. CONCLUSIONS: The conventional flow Doppler-derived LV Tei index is influenced by hemodialysis. However, PWTDI-derived LV Tei index is not influenced by hemodialysis. The loading status of a patient should be taken into account during the application of the Tei index to the evaluation of myocardial performance.

Evaluation of global function of the heart in scleroderma patients.

OBJECTIVE: Scleroderma is a connective tissue disease characterized by diffuse vascular lesions and fibrosis of the skin and major organs including lungs, kidneys, and heart. When cardiac involvement is clinically evident, it is recognized as a poor prognostic factor. The early detection of cardiac involvement in scleroderma would be desirable both for implementation of preventive measures in the early stages of the disease and for optimal treatment. METHODS: Left (LV) and right (RV) ventricular function were examined in 31 scleroderma patients and 21 healthy controls. Conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography was used to evaluate systolic and diastolic function. Systolic indices including systolic (S) velocity, isovolumetric acceleration (IVA), ejection time (ET), and isovolumetric contraction time (IVCT) were measured. Early diastolic (E) velocity, late diastolic (A) velocity, E/A and E'/A' ratios, isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT), and deceleration time (DT) were the diastolic measurements obtained. Myocardial performance index (Tei index) calculated by 2 different methods was used to assess global ventricular function. RESULTS: In our study; mitral S velocity, biventricular ET, E', E/A, E'/A', RV IVA, LV IVA, and tricuspid S velocity were significantly lower in scleroderma patients. Mitral DT, IVCT, and biventricular IVRT, were significantly higher in scleroderma patients (P < 0.0001). In addition, RV and LV Tei indices were significantly increased in scleroderma patients compared with the control group (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In scleroderma patients, global function was depressed prior to the onset of clinical symptoms. Biventricular diastolic and systolic function abnormalities were also observed.

Left ventricular inferoapical diverticulum associated with normal coronary arteries.

Isolated congenital left ventricular (LV) diverticulum, which is characterized by the local failure of the ventricular muscle, is a rare cardiac abnormality with a reported prevalence of 0.4%. Clinically, it has been reported to follow an asymptomatic course in the majority of cases; however, it may cause heart failure, thrombus formation, arrhythmia, rupture or chest pain in some patients. Due to its asymptomatic course, it is difficult to diagnose an isolated LV diverticulum. Our patient was admitted to hospital with the complaint of typical chest pain and no any electrocardiogram ischemic changes. Transthoracic echocardiogram showed a diverticulum in the inferoapical wall. Coronary computed tomography angiography was performed, which revealed LV diverticulum at inferoapical region and normal coronary anatomy.

A potential link between endothelial function, cardiovascular risk, and metabolic syndrome in patients with Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

BACKGROUND: Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an endogenous competitive inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthetase. Elevated ADMA reduces NO formation and is associated with endothelial dysfunction. The aims of this study were to evaluate endothelial function and the cardiovascular risk (CVR) profile in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and to determine whether or not an association with metabolic syndrome (MS) increases these parameters. METHODS: A total of 100 consecutive patients with NAFLD, who were seen in Liver Disease Outpatient clinic and 45 age- and sex-matched controls were included. Endothelial function was evaluated based on the serum ADMA level measured using a validated ELISA kit (DLD Diagnostika GMBH, Hamburg, Germany) and flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMV) measured via high-resolution external ultrasonography. The CVR profile was calculated according to the Framingham equation. RESULTS: At baseline there weren't any significant differences in brachial artery diameter between the NAFLD and control groups (3.7 ± 0.6 mm vs. 3.6 ± 0.6 mm, respectively). FMV and flow-independent vasodilatation in response to sublingual nitroglycerin did not differ between the NAFLD and control groups (mean: 16% ± 9.4% vs. 17.9% ± 12.4%, and 21.4% ± 14% vs. 17.8% ± 11.3%, respectively, p > 0.05). No significant difference in the serum ADMA concentration between the NAFLD and control groups was observed (mean: 0.8 ± 0.07 µmol L(-1) vs. 0.74 ± 0.2 µmol L(-1), respectively). The CVR profile was significantly higher in the NAFLD group than in the control group (mean: 9% ± 6.9% vs. 4.6% ± 3.8%, P = 0.000). MS associated with NAFLD significantly increased the CVR profile (mean: 11.2% ± 7.4%, P = 0.000). An abnormal serum alanine aminotransferase level (>37 IU L(-1)) and the presence of fibrosis did not increase the CVR profile (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of cardiovascular events is increased in patients with NAFLD. The association with MS is further increased such risk.

Marked narrowing of right heart chambers due to compression by giant hepatic hydatid cyst.

External compression of the heart may be presented as valvular heart disease. A 50-year-old woman with signs and symptoms of tricuspid stenosis was diagnosed with giant hepatic hydatid cyst. Symptoms were resolved after surgical excision. Echinococcosis should be in mind while evaluating patients with external cardiac compression.

Evaluation of acute infection-induced endothelial dysfunction and its potential mediators.

OBJECTIVES: Inflammation plays an important role in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. Some studies suggest a link between chronic infections, an inflammatory state, and endothelial dysfunction. However, data related to acute infections are scant. We have investigated: (i) the effect of acute infection on endothelial function; (ii) the role of potential mediators of endothelial dysfunction. METHODS: Forty patients 40 years old with acute infection (mean age 53.9 +/- 8.8 years), without coronary artery disease or its equivalents were enrolled. Endothelial function and blood levels of high sensitive C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor-a, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), apolipoprotein-A1 (Apo-A1) and apolipoprotein-B100 (Apo-B100) were assessed in the acute infection phase and 1 month after recovery. Endothelial function was evaluated by brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD). RESULTS: The intraclass correlation coefficients for intra- and interobserver agreement for FMD measurements were 0.98 (95% CI: 0.95-0.99) and 0.93 (95% CI: 0.83-0.97), respectively. FMD improved significantly 1 month after recovery (P < 0.001). Compared to the levels at 1 month, inflammatory markers, LDL cholesterol, LDL/HDL ratio, Apo-B100 and Apo-B100/Apo-A1 ratio were significantly higher. However, HDL and apo-A1 were significantly lower in the phase of acute infection. Change in FMD from baseline to 1 month after recovery correlated significantly only with the change in Apo-A1 (r = 0.35, P = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: Acute infection causes transient endothelial dysfunction. It increases inflammatory markers and generates an atherogenic lipid profile. Among the parameters evaluated, only the change in Apo-A1 level was associated with acute infection-induced endothelial dysfunction.

Effects of weight loss on ventricular systolic and diastolic functions and left ventricular mass assessed by tissue doppler imaging in obese geriatric women: preliminary report.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Obesity is one of the most common diseases in the world. Particularly in elderly subjects, the effects of weight loss on cardiac functions have not been previously investigated by means of pulsed wave tissue doppler imaging (PWTDI). Using PWTDI, we examined the effects of weight loss on cardiac functions and left ventricular (LV) mass in obese geriatric women. METHODS: Thirteen obese women aged 66-83 years (mean age 71.2+/-4.9 yrs) with a body mass index 35.6-49 kg/m2 (mean body mass index 39.9+/-4.3 kg/m2) were evaluated by echocardiography and PWTDI. Only subjects with uncomplicated obesity were included. All measurements, including anthropometric variables, systolic and diastolic indices, and LV mass, were made before and after a 6-month Orlistat plus hypocaloric diet. Myocardial systolic wave (Sm) velocity, isovolumic acceleration (IVA), myocardial precontraction time (PCTm) and the PCTm to contraction time (CTm) ratio were calculated as systolic indices. Early diastolic wave (Em), late diastolic wave (Am), Em to Am ratio, myocardial relaxation time (RTm), deceleration time (DT) and isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) were determined as diastolic measurements. RESULTS: Subjects lost an average of 8.4+/-1.2 kg. LV mass decreased significantly after weight loss (p<0.001). In addition, IVRT decreased significantly (p=0.038). Only RTm decreased significantly (p=0.016), whereas other PWTDI parameters of LV remained the same. In the right ventricle, Sm velocity, IVA, Em, and Am velocities were similar. However, the PCTm to Am ratio decreased significantly (p=0.006), and the Em to Am ratio increased (p=0.04) and RTm decreased significantly (p=0.016) after weight loss. CONCLUSIONS: In obese geriatric women, weight loss improves ventricular diastolic functions and decreases LV mass. It also contributes to partial improvement in right ventricular systolic function.

The relationship between angiotensin converting enzyme gene I/D polymorphism and QT dispersion in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

INTRODUCTION: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is characterized by disorganized myocardial architecture, and may cause ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death. The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) with two deletion alleles (DD genotype) has been proposed to be associated with increased myocardial collagen content. We evaluated QT dispersion (QTd), which reflects regional differences in ventricular repolarization, in HCM patient and controls among the three different ACE genotypes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-three patients with HCM and 20 healthy subjects were included in the study. QT parameters were measured from 12 lead electrocardiograms. ACE genotypes were determined from the DNA extracted from peripheral blood by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. QT parameters were compared among the three ACE genotypes both in HCM patients and controls. RESULTS: Median ages were similar in HCM and control groups. QTd and corrected QTd (QTcd) were significantly greater in the HCM group compared with the controls. The frequencies of each genotype were similar in both groups. Although QTd and QTcd did not differ among the three genotypes in the control subjects, they were significantly greater in patients with DD genotype compared with other genotypes in the HCM group. CONCLUSION: QTd and QTcd are increased in patients with HCM, especially in those with the DD genotype.