New markers for ventricular repolarization in coronary slow flow: Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT ratio, and Tp-e/QTc ratio.

BACKGROUND: Coronary slow flow (CSF) is characterized by normal or near-normal coronary arteries with delayed opacification of the distal vasculature that it may cause angina pectoris, acute myocardial infarction, life-threatening arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. The Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT ratio, and Tp-e/QTc ratio are also known as predictors of ventricular arrhythmogenesis. The aim of this study was to assess ventricular repolarization in patients with CSF by using Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT ratio, and Tp-e/QTc ratio. METHODS: This study included 50 patients with CSF and 51 control subjects. Coronary flow rates of all subjects were documented by thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count (TFC). Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT ratio, and Tp-e/QTc ratio were measured from the 12-lead electrocardiogram. These parameters were compared between groups. RESULTS: In electrocardiographic parameters analysis, QT, QTc, QTd, and QTcd were significantly increased in CSF patients compared with the control subjects (P < 0.001, P = 0.019, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). The Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT ratio, and Tp-e/QTc ratio in the CSF patients were significantly higher than those in the control subjects (Tp-e: 117 ± 21 milliseconds [ms] vs 96 ± 16 ms, P < 0.001; Tp-e/QT: 0.30 ± 0.06 vs 0.27 ± 0.06, P = 0.005; Tp-e/QTc: 0.27 ± 0.06 vs 0.24 ± 0.05, P < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, increased Tp-e and Tp-e/QT ratio were associated with CSF. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed that when compared to the control subjects, Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT ratio, and Tp-e/QTc were significantly increased in the CSF patients.

Long-Term Cardiac Remodeling in Elite Athletes: Assessment by Tissue Doppler and Speckle Tracking Echocardiography.

AIMS: Currently, it remains unclear whether there are differences in the long-term physiologic and adaptive changes in an athlete's heart, varying by the type of exercise undertaken. In this study, we used standard and speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) to evaluate the long-term effects of cardiac remodeling, which persisted many years after retiring from professional sports (marathon running and wrestling). METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-four marathon runners, 25 wrestlers, and 24 healthy subjects were included in the study. Left ventricular (LV) strain (S) and strain rate (Sr) were evaluated by apical two- (2C), three- (3C), and four-chamber (4C) imaging. Global S and Sr were calculated by averaging the 3 apical views. The participants' mean age was comparable across the 3 groups. Weight, body mass index, LV mass, LV mass index, and relative diastolic wall thickness were higher in wrestlers than the other groups (P < 0.001). Systolic and diastolic functions, evaluated using conventional echocardiography, were comparable among the 3 groups. 2C, 3C, and 4C longitudinal strain (LS), global LS (GLS), and global Sr systolic filling (SrS) values were comparable between the marathon runners and control group; however, GLS, LS-2C, GLSrS, SrS-3C, and SrS-2C values were significantly increased in wrestlers compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Myocardial changes in wrestlers and marathon runners who quit sports after an extensive period were evaluated using standard echocardiographic and STE parameters. Although they had stopped playing active sports more than 10 years earlier, both the structural and functional properties of the heart were maintained in wrestlers.

Evaluation of atrial electromechanical coupling times in hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: There are no definite data about the atrial electromechanical coupling times (AEMCT) in patients with end stage renal failure (ESRF). The aim of this study was to investigate the AEMCT in ESRF patients without hypertension (HT) and diabetes mellitus. METHODS: The study population consisted of 47 normotensive, nondiabetic ESRF patients and 41 healthy age/gender-matched control subjects. The time intervals from the onset of P-wave on the surface electrocardiogram to the beginning of late diastolic A-wave (PA) were obtained from the lateral mitral annulus (PA-lateral, maximum AEMCT), septal annulus (PA-septal), and tricuspid lateral annulus (PA-tricuspid). Time intervals were corrected according to the heart rate. The difference between PA-septal and PA-tricuspid (right AEMCT), PA-lateral and PA-septal (left AEMCT), and PA-lateral and PA-tricuspid (inter AEMCT) were calculated. Corrected time intervals were used for calculations. RESULTS: Groups were similar for age (52 ± 12.3 vs. 49.9 ± 6 years, P > 0.05) and gender. Maximum (61 ± 20 vs. 47 ± 13 ms; P < 0.001) AEMCT was significantly higher in the patients compared with the control group, but septal and tricuspid EMCT were not different (P > 0.05). Both inter-atrial (37 ± 21 vs. 24 ± 16 ms, P = 0.002) and left atrial (25 ± 18 vs. 12 ± 9 ms; P < 0.001) EMCT were significantly higher in patients when compared with the controls but intra-right atrial EMCT was not different. CONCLUSIONS: Atrial conduction parameters such as maximal EMCT, left atrial, and inter-atrial EMCTs were prolonged in ESRF patients. This prolongation is seen in ESRF patients even in the absence of factors that affect atrial coupling, such as HT.

Cardiac tamponade as the first clinical sign of gastric adenocarcinoma: a rare condition.

Cardiac tamponade originating from a primary gastric cancer (GC) is a rare condition. Patients are generally asymptomatic until the disease is advanced. We report a rare patient with cardiac tamponade as the first manifestation of primary GC. A 46-year-old male was admitted with progressive dyspnea. Cardiac tamponade was diagnosed on two-dimensional ultrasonographic echocardiography. Pericardiocentesis yielded 1500 ml of bloody fluid. Pericardial cytologic examination was positive for malignant cells. The patient underwent abdominal computed tomography scan, which showed thickening of the gastric wall and several mesenteric lymph nodes. Endoscopic examination of the stomach disclosed malignant ulcer along the lesser curvature, and the biopsy showed diffuse type adenocarcinoma. Chemotherapy was initiated by the Oncology Department, and he had no pericardial effusion after six courses of systemic chemotherapy. In conclusion, this is a rare condition and difficult to diagnosis early. Thus, physicians should be aware of malignancy of the stomach when patients present with unexplained cardiac manifestations.

Can platelet count be controlled with ticagrelor in patients with essential thrombocythaemia? A case series.

Background: Essential thrombocythaemia (ET) is defined as a myeloproliferative neoplasm with a tendency to haemorrhage and thrombosis. Acute coronary thrombosis can be observed in 1 out of 10 patients. The management of ET patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a complex clinical condition that requires close follow-up. Case summary: Case-1: a 52-year-old female patient with a diagnosis of ET with Janus kinase (JAK)--2 mutation, despite using cytoreductive agents, platelet counts could not be controlled. Platelet counts started to follow a normal course with the ticagrelor treatment given after ACS. Case-2: a 49-year-old female patient who was given ticagrelor treatment after ACS was found to have JAK-2+ ET. The patient whose platelet count returned to normal after ticagrelor treatment was using a cytoreductive agent before the index event. Case-3: a 54-year-old female patient with ET without any genetic mutation. In the patient whose platelet count did not decrease despite ticagrelor treatment and cytoreductive agents given after ACS, platelet counts returned to normal with interferon therapy. Discussion: Platelet counts returned to the normal range with ticagrelor treatment given after ACS in patients with JAK+ ET. Monitoring platelet reduction in JAK+ patients with P2Y12 inhibition is thought to be important for new treatment options.

Is There any Relationship Between Myocardial Repolarization Parameters and the Frequency of Ventricular Premature Contractions?

BACKGROUND: Ventricular premature contractions (VPCs) may trigger lethal ventricular arrhythmias in patients with structural heart disease. However, this role of VPCs in healthy people remains controversial once that not enough clinical trials are available. Recently, some myocardial repolarization markers, such as Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT, and Tp-e/QTc ratios, have been reported to be useful for predicting lethal ventricular arrhythmias in various clinical disorders without structural heart disease. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to investigate the relation between VPC frequent and myocardial repolarization markers in individuals without structural heart disease. METHODS: This study included 100 patients who had complaints of dizziness and palpitations. Twelve-lead electrocardiography and 24-hour ambulatory Holter recordings were obtained from all patients. VPC burden was calculated as the total number of VPCs divided by the number of all QRS complexes in the total recording time. P-values < 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QTc ratio were significantly higher in patients with higher VPC burden than in patients with lower VPC burden, and a positive correlation was found between these markers and VPC burden. Tp-e (ß = 1.318, p = 0.043) and Tp-e/QTc (ß = -405.136, p = 0.024) in the lead V5 were identified as independent predictors of increased VPC burden. CONCLUSIONS: Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QTc ratio increased in patients with high VPC number. Our study showed that VPCs may have a negative effect on myocardial repolarization. This interaction may lead to an increased risk of malignant arrhythmias.

A late complication of coronary artery perforation during primary percutaneous coronary intervention: Coronary arteriovenous fistula.

Coronary artery perforation (CAP) is a rare, but potentially mortal possible complication of percutaneous coronary intervention. There are several treatment options for this complication, including prolonged balloon dilatation, use of a coronary stent graft, and bypass surgery. In this case report, a 65-year-old female patient who was admitted to the catheter laboratory with a diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome, was presented. Coronary angiography revealed total occlusion in the mid segment of the right coronary artery and a drug-eluting stent was implanted under 12 atm of pressure following pre-dilatation with a perfusion balloon. In order to perform defragmentation of the thrombus shifted into the proximal stent segment, post-dilatation was performed with a stent balloon (4-6 atm). After post-dilatation, an Ellis Class II perforation developed. In order to control the bleeding, a coronary stent graft was implanted at the perforation area. The rupture was sealed. Control coronary angiography 40 days later indicated that the stent graft was patent, but an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) draining to the right ventricle was detected. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of AVF seen as a late complication of CAP treated with a stent graft.

Aortic Flow Propagation Velocity in Patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever: an Observational Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Systemic inflammation has an important role in the initiation of atherosclerosis, which is associated with arterial stiffness (AS). Aortic flow propagation velocity (APV) is a new echocardiographic parameter of aortic stiffness. The relationship between systemic inflammation and AS has not yet been described in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). We aimed to investigate the early markers of AS in patients with FMF by measuring APV and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Sixty-one FMF patients (43 women; mean age 27.3±6.7 years) in an attack-free period and 57 healthy individuals (36 women; mean age 28.8±7.1 years) were included in this study. The individuals with atherosclerotic risk factors were excluded from the study. The flow propagation velocity of the descending aorta and CIMT were measured to assess AS. RESULTS: APV was significantly lower (60.2±16.5 vs. 89.5±11.6 cm/sec, p<0.001) and CIMT was significantly higher (0.49±0.09 vs. 0.40±0.10 mm, p<0.001) in the FMF group compared to the control group. There were significant correlations between APV and mean CIMT (r=-0.424, p<0.001), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (r=-0.198, p=0.032), and left ventricle ejection fraction (r=0.201, p=0.029). APV and the ESR were independent predictors of FMF in logistic regression analysis (OR=-0.900, 95% CI=0.865-0.936, p<0.001 and OR=-1.078, 95% CI=1.024-1.135, p=0.004, respectively). Mean CIMT and LVEF were independent factors associated with APV in linear regression analysis (ß=-0.423, p<0.001 and ß=0.199, p=0.017, respectively). CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that APV was lower in FMF patients and is related to CIMT. According to our results, APV may be an independent predictor of FMF.

Red cell distribution width is correlated with extensive coronary artery disease in patients with diabetes mellitus.

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies have predicted an independent relationship between red cell distribution width (RDW) and the risk of death and cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between RDW and extensiveness of CAD in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: Two hundred and thirty-three diabetic patients who underwent coronary angiographies at our centre in 2010 were included in the study. All of the angiograms were re-evaluated and Gensini scores were calculated. Triple-vessel disease was diagnosed in the presence of stenosis > 50% in all three coronary artery systems. RESULT: RDW was significantly higher in diabetic CAD patients (p < 0.001). Patients with CAD who had a RDW value above the cut-off point also had higher Gensini scores, higher percentages of obstructive CAD and triple-vessel disease (p ≤ 0.001 for all). According to the cut-off values calculated using ROC analysis, RDW > 13.25% had a high diagnostic accuracy for predicting CAD. RDW was also positively correlated with Gensini score, obstructive CAD and triple-vessel disease (r < 0.468 and p < 0.001 for all). CONCLUSION: RDW values were found to be increased in the diabetic CAD population. Higher RDW values were related to more extensive and complex coronary lesions in patients with DM.

Association of the Monocyte to HDL Cholesterol Ratio With Thrombus Burden in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Intracoronary thrombus burden is associated with some adverse events and poor prognosis in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Identifying predictors of the intracoronary thrombus burden may contribute to the management of STEMI. In this study, we evaluated whether monocyte count to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR) is a predictor of intracoronary thrombus burden in patients with STEMI. The study population consisted of 414 patients with STEMI who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Angiographic thrombus burden was classified based on thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) thrombus grades. The patients were grouped into 2 categories of low thrombus burden and high thrombus burden. The MHR was significantly higher in the high thrombus burden group compared with the low thrombus group (16.0 [9.2-22.1] vs 25.4 [13.5-44.6]; P < .001). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, MHR was an independent predictor of high thrombus burden (odds ratio: 1.067, 95% CI: 1.031-1.105; P < .001). The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve of the MHR was 0.688 (0.641-0.733; P < .001) to predict high thrombus burden. In conclusion, MHR was independent predictor of high thrombus burden in patients with STEMI who underwent primary PCI.

Evaluation of ventricular repolarization features with novel electrocardiographic parameters (Tp-e, Tp-e/QT) in patients with psoriasis.

OBJECTIVE: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disorder, which affects around 1%-3% of the human population worldwide. Cardiovascular events are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with psoriasis. Some studies have reported that psoriasis is related to increased arrhythmias. The Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio have been accepted as new markers for the assessment of myocardial repolarization and ventricular arrhythmogenesis. The aim of this study was to assess ventricular repolarization in patients with psoriasis using Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio. METHODS: The study population consisted of 74 patients with psoriasis and 74 healthy volunteers. The diagnosis of psoriasis was based on a clinical or histopathological examination of all patients. QT interval, corrected QT (QTc), QT dispersion (QTd), Tp-e interval, corrected Tp-e, and Tp-e/QT ratio were measured from the 12-lead electrocardiogram. These parameters were compared between groups. RESULTS: According to the electrocardiographic parameters, QT and QTc intervals and QTd were significantly higher in patients with psoriasis than in control subjects (p<0.001; p<0.001; p=0.014; respectively). The Tp-e interval, corrected Tp-e, and Tp-e/QT ratio were significantly higher in patients with psoriasis than in control subjects [93±13 milliseconds (ms) vs. 98±14 ms, p=0.040; 104±17 ms vs. 111±17 ms, p=0.008; 0.23±0.03 vs. 0.25±0.03, p<0.001; respectively]. Additionally, the CRP value was an independent predictor of an increased Tp-e/QT ratio (ß=0.537, p< 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study revealed that ventricular repolarization features were impaired in patients with psoriasis. Therefore, these patients should be more closely screened for ventricular arrhythmias.

Assessment of myocardial repolarisation parameters in patients with familial Mediterranean fever.

BACKGROUND: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a chronic, recurrent auto-inflammatory disease characterised by self-terminating attacks of fever and sterile polyserositis. The main cause of death in auto-inflammatory diseases is cardiovascular events. Additionally, auto-inflammatory diseases have potential effects on the myocardial repolarisation parameters, including the T-wave peak-to-end (Tp-Te) interval, cTp-Te interval (corrected Tp-Te) and the cTp-Te/QT ratio. The aim of this study was to analyse the efficacy of myocardial repolarisation alterations in anticipation of cardiovascular risks in patients with FMF. METHODS: This study included 66 patients with FMF and 58 healthy control subjects. Tp-Te and cTp-Te intervals and the cTp-Te/QT ratio were measured from the 12-lead electrocardiogram. RESULTS: In electrocardiographic parameters, analysis of QT, QT dispersion, corrected QT (QTc) and QTc dispersion were similar between the groups. The Tp-Te and cTp-Te intervals and Tp-Te/QT and cTp-Te/QT ratios were significantly prolonged in FMF patients. Multivariate linear regression analyses indicated that erythrocyte sedimentation rate was an independent predictor of a prolonged cTp-Te interval. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed that when compared with control subjects, Tp-Te and cTp-Te intervals and cTp-Te/QT ratio were increased in FMF patients.

Myocardial deformation and total atrial conduction time in the prediction of cardiac involvement in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis.

AIMS: In this study, we aim to evaluate the left atrial global longitudinal strain (LAGLS), total atrial conduction time (TACT) and left ventricle (LV) functions in recently diagnosed pulmonary sarcoidosis (PS) patients. METHOD: Fifty recently diagnosed PS patients (group 1) and a control group of 50 healthy individuals (group 2) were evaluated in the study. Two-dimensional echocardiography images were obtained from LV apical 4-chamber (4C), long-axis (L) and 2-chamber (2C) views. Peak longitudinal strain and strain rate (SR) were obtained from 4C, L and 2C views. Mean values of the three views were calculated. LV global longitudinal strain and LV-SR torsion were determined as the net differences in the mean rotation between the apical and basal levels. LAGLS and TACT values were calculated. RESULTS: The study found that LAGLS was significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2 (P < 0.05). TACT was also significantly longer in group 1 than in group 2 (respectively group 1: 111.6 ± 15.1 ms; group 2: 103.4 ± 5.8 ms, P < 0.001). There was a significant moderate negative correlation between LAGLS and TACT (r = -0.36, P < 0.05). Patients with sarcoidosis had significantly lower LV longitudinal strain and SR measurements than the control group. Although LV basal rotation (LVR) values were similar in both groups, LVR-apical and LV-torsion (LVTR) values were significantly higher in the patient group (group 1). CONCLUSION: The identification of left atrial and left ventricular myocardial deformation using speckle tracking echocardiography in patients with PS allows subclinical LV dysfunction and subclinical electrophysiologic changes to be detected earlier.

Evaluation of left atrial mechanical function and atrial conduction abnormalities in patients with isolated bicuspid aortic valve.

OBJECTIVE: Present study is an evaluation of left atrial (LA) mechanical and conduction function in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) without significant valve dysfunction, and an investigation of relationship between LA function and aortic elasticity. METHODS: Study population consisted of 34 isolated BAV patients (mean age: 34±13 years) and 29 healthy, age- and sex-matched volunteers (mean age: 30±10 years). LA volume was measured using biplane area-length method and LA active and passive emptying volume and fraction was calculated. Intra- and interatrial atrial conduction time (ACT) was measured with tissue Doppler imaging. Aortic elasticity parameters were calculated including aortic strain, aortic stiffness index, aortic distensibility, and aortic elastic modulus. RESULTS: LA diameter, LA maximum volume, LA volume before atrial systole, and LA active emptying fraction were significantly higher in patients with BAV (33.2±3.2 mm vs 34.9±2.8 mm, p=0.030; 16.2±4.6 mL/m2 vs 19.8±4.8 mL/m2, p=0.004; 10.2±3.7 mL/m2 vs 12.1±4.9 mL/m2, p=0.029; and 30.4±12.0% vs 39.9±11.8%, p=0.003, respectively). ACT was similar between groups. Aortic distensibility was significantly lower and aortic stiffness index and aortic elastic modulus were significantly higher in patients with BAV (8.1±4.6 [10-6cm2dyn-1] vs 5.1±3.6 [10-6cm2dyn-1], p=0.006; 4.1±2.8 vs 7.3±4.9, p=0.003; 3.6±2.8 [dyn.cm-2106] vs 5.9±3.9 [dyn.cm-2106], p=0.010, respectively). In correlation analysis, LA active emptying fraction was significantly correlated with aortic stiffness index and mitral A- velocity (r=0.431, p<0.001; r=0.304, p=0.016, respectively). CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that LA mechanical functions and aortic elasticity parameters were deteriorated, while atrial conduction time was preserved in patients with isolated BAV. Furthermore, LA mechanical functions were significantly correlated with aortic elasticity parameters and mitral inflow A-wave velocity.

Fragmented QRS frequency in patients with cardiac syndrome X.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiac syndrome X (CSX) is characterised by typical exertional chest pain, a positive response to exercise testing, and a normal coronary angiography. The relationship of CSX with myocardial fibrosis and ischemia has been clearly demonstrated in previous studies. In addition, fragmented QRS (fQRS) has been reported in the literature as an indicator of myocardial fibrosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of fQRS in patients with CSX. METHODS: This prospective case-control study included 37 patients (CSX group) with typical complaints of angina, ischemia on an exercise test, and normal coronary arteries as detected by angiography and 47 patients (control group) with normal coronary arteries. Echocardiographic examinations were performed according to the recommendations of the American Society of Echocardiography. Continuous variables were expressed as mean±standard deviation (SD), and the qualitative variables were expressed as a percentage or ratio. Data were compared statistically with Shapiro-Wilk test, Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U, chi-square and Fisher exact test. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the CRX and control groups with respect to basic characteristics such as age and sex. fQRS and the frequency of its presentation with stable angina pectoris at the clinic were significantly higher in the CSX group than in the control group (p values: 0.001 and <0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: A close follow-up would be useful in CSX patients in whom fQRS is detected in an electrocardiogram (ECG) because of the association between fQRS and poor prognosis with respect to the prevention of late complications. We believe that the presence of fQRS in the ECG aids in the diagnosis of CSX in clinical practice and in the recognition of this group of patients.

Frequency of fragmented QRS in patient with psoriasis vulgaris without cardiovascular disease.

Myocardial fibrosis causes the fragmentation of QRS complexes on electrocardiogram. We hypothesized that the frequency of fragmented QRS (fQRS) could be more common in patients with psoriasis vulgaris than in healthy control subjects. In this prospective study, 100 patients with psoriasis vulgaris who did not have any cardiovascular disease were compared with 50 healthy volunteers in control group. The Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) was used for expressing the severity of psoriasis. Patients with psoriasis were categorized according to presence of fQRS in ECG [fQRS (+) group and fQRS (-) group]. Patients with psoriasis had higher frequency of fQRS, higher levels of C reactive protein (CRP) and sedimentation rate (ESR) than the control group (n = 49, 49 % vs. n = 3, 6 %, p < 0.001; 9.91 ± 17.86 vs. 3.59 ± 0.79 mg/dL, p = 0.014; 17.37 ± 17.40 vs. 5.66 ± 5.22 mm/h, p < 0.001, respectively). Within the patient group there was no statistically significant difference between fQRS (+) and fQRS (-) subgroups with regards to sex, disease duration, CRP, ESR, medications and PASI score. It was suggested that presence of fQRS in ECG may be related with myocardial fibrosis in patients with psoriasis who do not have cardiovascular disease. For this reason, in our opinion, fQRS could be used as a predictive marker for myocardial fibrosis in patients with psoriasis.

Efficacy of coronary fractional flow reserve using contrast medium compared to adenosine.

INTRODUCTION: Coronary fractional flow reserve (FFR) is recommended as the gold standard method in evaluating intermediate coronary stenoses. However, there are significant debates concerning the agents and the timing of the measurement. AIM: To compare the contrast medium induced Pd/Pa ratio (CMR) with the FFR. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We enrolled 28 consecutive patients with 34 intermediate lesions who underwent coronary FFR measurement by intracoronary (i.c.) adenosine. After baseline Pd/Pa was calculated, a single contrast medium (Iomeron) injection of 6 ml (3 ml/s) was performed manually. Within 10 s after the contrast medium injection, the CMR was calculated. Bolus injection of i.c. adenosine was performed to induce maximal hyperemia (from 60 µg to 600 µg), and when it was ≤ 0.80, the intermediate lesion was considered as significant. RESULTS: After bolus i.c. adenosine, 12 lesions of 34 (35.3%) were identified as significant. The CMR value was 0.86 ±0.06 (range: 0.71-0.97). There were no significant differences between FFR and CMR values (p = 0.108). A substantial positive correlation between adenosine and contrast values was detected (0.886 and p < 0.001). Good agreement in Bland-Altman analysis was revealed (mean bias was 0.027, 95% confidence interval 0.038-0.092). Receiver operating characteristics curve analysis showed 90.9% sensitivity and 91.7% specificity for a cut-off value of 0.85 for the CMR compared to FFR (≤ 0.80). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that measuring the CMR is a feasible method compared to FFR. The CMR may be used in situations where adenosine cannot be administered.

Echocardiographic assessment of right ventricular functions in healthy subjects who migrated from the sea level to a moderate altitude.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate right ventricle (RV) functions using echocardiography in healthy subjects who migrated from the sea level to moderate altitude (1890 m). METHODS: The prospective observational in this study population consisted of 33 healthy subjects (23 men; mean age 20.4±3.2 years) who migrated from the sea level to a moderate altitude (Erzurum city centre, 1890 m above sea level) for long-term stay. Subjects underwent echocardiographic evaluation within the first 48 h of exposure to the moderate altitude and at the sixth month of arrival. Conventional echocardiographic parameters such as RV sizes and areas, systolic, and diastolic functional indices [fractional area change (FAC), tricuspid flow velocities, myocardial performance index (MPI), and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE)] were obtained. Systolic (S) and diastolic (E', A') velocities were acquired from the apical fourchamber view using tissue Doppler imaging. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, student's t-test, Wilcoxon test, and chi-square test were used in this study. RESULTS: There were no significant changes in RV size, FAC, MPI, TAPSE, inferior inspiratory vena cava collapse, tricuspid E velocity, and tricuspid annulus E' velocity. Compared with the baseline, there was a significant increase in mean pulmonary artery pressure (p=0.001); RV end systolic area (p=0.014); right atrial end diastolic area (p=0.021); tricuspid A velocity (p=0.013); tricuspid annulus S and A' velocity (p=0.031 and p=0.006, respectively); and RV free wall S, E', and A' velocity (p=0.007, p<0.001, and p=0.007 respectively) at the sixth month. Also, there was a significant decrease in tricuspid E/A ratio (1.61±0.3 vs. 1.45±0.2, p=0.038) and tricuspid annulus E'/A' ratio (1.52±0.5 vs. 1.23±0.4, p=0.002) at the sixth month. CONCLUSION: Our study revealed that right ventricular diastolic function was altered while the systolic function was preserved in healthy subjects who migrated from the sea level to a moderate altitude.

Cardiac manifestations in Behcet's disease.

Behcet's disease (BD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder, with vasculitis underlying the pathophysiology of its multisystemic effects. Venous pathology and thrombotic complications are hallmarks of BD. However, it has been increasingly recognised that cardiac involvement and arterial complications are also important aspects of the course of the disease. Cardiac lesions include pericarditis, endocarditis, intracardiac thrombosis, myocardial infarction, endomyocardial fibrosis, and myocardial aneurysm. Treatment of cardiovascular involvement in BD is largely empirical, and is aimed towards suppressing the vasculitis. The most challenging aspect seems to be the treatment of arterial aneurysms and thromboses due to the associated risk of bleeding. When the prognosis of cardiac involvement in BD is not good, recovery can be achieved through oral anticoagulation, immunosuppressive therapy, and colchicine use. In this review, we summarise the cardiovascular involvement, different manifestations, and treatment of BD.