Abnormal Dispersion of Ventricular Repolarization as a Risk Factor in Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus: Tp-e Interval, Tp-e/QTc Ratio.

OBJECTIVE: In recent years, there has been worldwide recognition of the problems associated with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The prevalence of cardiovascular disease in the HIV-infected population is increasing. Repolarization abnormalities, the significant contributor to life-threatening arrhythmias and mortality, are the most frequent electrocardiographic changes in this population. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/corrected QT (QTc) ratios, and traditional electrocardiographic features of electrical dispersion in adults infected with HIV. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 235 participants were selected in the current study. The HIV group consisted of 85 subjects (median age 36 years [25-48], and the control group included 150 individuals (median age 39 years [27-51]). Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc ratios were measured by the 12-lead electrocardiogram. RESULTS: Tp-e interval, cTp-e interval, and Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc ratios were significantly higher in HIV patients compared to the control group (p = 0.006, p = 0.004, p = 0.003, and p = 0.002, respectively). In correlation analysis, there was inverse correlation between the mean cTp-e interval and CD4 count and Tp-e/QTc ratios and CD4 count (r = - 0.407, p < 0.001, r = - 0.416, p < 0.001, respectively). Besides, there was correlation between the mean cTp-e interval and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and Tp-e/QTc ratios and hsCRP (r = 0.403, p = 0.001, r = 0.406, p = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our study revealed that the cTp-e interval, Tp-e/QT and cTp-e/QT ratios were prolonged and correlated to the severity of the disease in HIV-infected patients. Our findings may shed light on the cTp-e interval and Tp-e/QTc ratio and lead to further studies showing a relationship with ventricular arrhythmias and mortality in HIV-infected individuals.

Prognostic Significance of Heart Rate Turbulence Parameters in Patients with Noncompaction Cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Noncompaction cardiomyopathy (NC) is a rare congenital heart disease characterized by progressive heart failure and life-threatening arrhythmias. Heart rate turbulence (HRT) has been defined as a noninvasive prognostic method to reveal the cardiac death risk in high-risk patients. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess the cardiac autonomic functions and their relations to the mortality in NC patients. METHODS: A total of 60 NC patients and 70 healthy controls were included in this study. All participants underwent 24-h Holter recording to assess the HRT parameters, included turbulence onset (TO), turbulence slope (TS), standard deviation of NN intervals of all normal beats (SDNN) and mean RR interval. RESULTS: NC patients had higher levels of TO than the control group (0.43 ± 4.66% vs. -1.82 ± 2.19%, p = 0.024), but the TS levels of NC patients were lower than those of the control group (3.43 ± 3.28 vs. 4.94 ± 2.86 ms/RR, p = 0.024). Thirteen patients died during follow-up (mean 83.3 ± 32.5 months). TS was the strongest univariate mortality predictor (hazard ratio 10.01 [95% CI 2.22-42.52]; p = 0.004) in univariate Cox regression analysis. In multivariate analysis, LVEF ≤0.40 and TS ≤2.5 ms/RR interval were the only independent predictors of mortality (hazard ratio 5.29; p = 0.004, hazard ratio 13.45; p = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with NC showed abnormal HRV and HRT parameters when compared to healthy subjects. Furthermore, impaired HRT reaction in NC is an independent predictor of mortality.

Can abnormal dispersion of ventricular repolarization be a predictor of mortality in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy: The importance of Tp-e interval.

BACKGROUND: Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is an inherited cardiomyopathy characterized by ventricular arrhythmias and specific ventricular pathology. Repolarization abnormalities, the significant contributor to life-threatening arrhythmias and mortality, are frequently observed ECG changes in patients with ARVC. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT, Tp-e/QTc ratio, and traditional electrocardiographic features of electrical dispersion in patients with ARVC. METHODS: A total of 105 participants were enrolled in the current study. The ARVC group consisted of 40 subjects (30 men, with a median of 35 (26-41) years), and the control group included of 65 age and sex-matched individuals (42 men, with a median of 37 (24-45) years). The Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT ratio, and Tp-e/QTc ratio were measured by the 12-lead electrocardiogram. RESULTS: Tp-e interval, cTp-e interval, Tp-e/QT, and Tp-e/QTc ratio were significantly higher in ARVC patients compared to the control group (all p < 0.001). Tp-e interval, cTp-e interval, Tp-e/QT ratio, and Tp-e/QTc ratio were significantly increased in deceased ARVC patients compared to the survival group (p = 0.038, p < 0.001, p = 0.006, p = 0.032, respectively). In the multivariate analysis, RV-FAC and cTp-e interval level (p < 0.05 for each parameter) were associated with all-cause mortality [odds ratio 1.747 95% CI (1.012-3.018); p = 0.045 and odds ratio 1.166, 95% CI (1.017-1.336); p = 0.027, respectively]. CONCLUSION: Tp-e interval, cTp-e interval, Tp-e/QT ratio, and Tp-e/QTc ratio were prolonged in patients with NC. We revealed that abnormal dispersion of ventricular repolarization suggests the increased risk of mortality in ARVC.

Level of Anxiety and Depression in Cardiac Syndrome X.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiac syndrome X (CSX) is defined as angina-like symptoms, abnormalities on stress testing, and normal epicardial coronary arteries on coronary angiography. The aim of this study was to determine the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scores of patients with CSX and to compare with healthy controls. Materials/Subjects and Methods: Patients undergoing coronary angiography between January 2015 and December 2016 because of clinical indications, including abnormal noninvasive test results were examined. Two hundred and 10 subjects (110 patients with CSX, 100 controls) were enrolled. Demographic characteristics including age, education level, marriage status, and history of stressful life events were recorded. The Turkish version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale was evaluated in the study population. RESULTS: Anxiety, depression, and total scores in the patients with CSX were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.001, p < 0.003, p < 0.001, respectively). Among women, anxiety, depression, total scores, and stressful life events were significantly higher in the CSX group (p = 0.006, p = 0.015, p = 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). Patients with lower educational status had higher anxiety scores (p = 0.03), stressful life events, and HAD-A > 10 were the only independent predictors of CSX in logistic regression analysis with comparable ORs 2.256 (95% CI 1.057-4.817, p = 0.03) and 2,399 (95% CI 1.248-4.613, p = 0.009) respectively. CONCLUSION: The results of our research suggest that patients with CSX have a high prevalence of stress and psychiatric disturbances. Interventions targeted toward improving the quality of life and to give psychological support may have the potential benefits especially for women and individuals with lower education.

Acute Aortic Regurgitation in the Current Era of Percutaneous Treatment: Pathophysiology and Hemodynamics.

Aortic regurgitation (AR) is characterized by the backflow of blood from the aorta to the left ventricle. Acute AR typically causes severe pulmonary edema and hypotension, and is a surgical emergency. In chronic AR, however, compensatory mechanisms can clinically compensate for years, with normal left ventricular function and no symptoms. While the hemodynamic mechanisms of chronic AR on the left ventricle are well described, the hemodynamic mechanisms of acute AR are not clear. Most of the literature on acute AR includes either small series or case reports. During the past decade the number of transcatheter aortic valve replacements (TAVRs) performed has increased dramatically, and TAVR is now an accepted treatment option for patients with severe aortic stenosis who are not surgical candidates or are at high risk for surgery. However, potential acute mild to severe AR occurring after TAVR seems a new and common cause of AR. Since more than mild AR increases the risk of mortality, the quantification of AR severity is a major challenge after TAVR. More accurate, reproducible and quantitative criteria need to be developed to assess and highlight the unknowns of acute AR. Information relating to the pathophysiology and hemodynamics of acute AR and TAVR-related acute AR, respectively, are collated in this review.

The Value of Frontal Planar QRS-T Angle in Patients without Angiographically Apparent Atherosclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to investigate the prognostic value of the frontal planar QRS-T angle in patients without angiographically apparent coronary atherosclerosis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Three hundred and seven patients with normal coronary arteries on coronary angiography were included. The absolute difference between the frontal QRS- and T-wave axes was defined as the frontal planar QRS-T angle, and patients were divided into 3 subgroups based on the frontal planar QRS-T angle (<45, 45-90, and >90°). Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and angiographic data were compared between groups. Based on the regression analysis results, patients were recategorized into 4 groups according to their luminal calibers of left main coronary artery (LMCA) and history of hypertension (HT) (nonhypertensive LMCA ≤4.13 mm, nonhypertensive LMCA >4.13 mm, hypertensive LMCA ≤4.13 mm, and hypertensive LMCA >4.13 mm). RESULTS: The median value of the frontal planar QRS-T angle of all participants was 38°. Subjects with the widest frontal planar QRS-T angle were older (p = 0.027), were hypertensive (p = 0.001), and had higher corrected QT values (p = 0.001). Patients with the widest frontal planar QRS-T angle had larger LMCA and left anterior descending coronary artery diameters compared to subjects with a normal and borderline frontal QRS-T angle (p = 0.004 and p = 0.028, respectively). Corrected QT, HT, and LMCA diameter were found as independent predictors of the frontal planar QRS-T angle. Subjects with HT and a larger luminal caliber of LMCA had the widest frontal planar QRS-T angle. CONCLUSION: Patients with a history of HT and a larger luminal caliber of LMCA had the widest frontal planar QRS-T angle. Since HT-induced electrophysiological changes are still not well established and we observed that changes in the luminal caliber of coronary arteries are associated with an abnormal frontal QRS-T angle, the frontal QRS-T angle could serve as a marker of ventricular repolarization heterogeneity in hypertensive patients in addition to keeping track of arrhythmic events, even before overt disease.

Novel hemodynamic index for assessment of aortic regurgitation after transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

BACKGROUND: Paravalvular aortic regurgitation (AR) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has been associated with increased mortality. Precise assessment of the degree of AR within the catheterization laboratory is crucial to take counter measures, but it remains challenging. The aim of this study was to determine whether any modification to AR index can improve its performance. METHODS: The study included 64 patients treated with the Sapien valve (Edwards Life Sciences, Inc., Irvine, CA). The severity of AR was evaluated using echocardiography, angiography, and invasive hemodynamic parameters. We evaluated the time-integrated aortic regurgitation (TIAR) index as follows: (LV - Ao diastolic pressure time integral)/(LV systolic pressure time integral) × 100. We analyzed the AR index and TIAR index with the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: AR was observed in 58 patients (90.7%) and graded as mild in 33 (51.6%), moderate in 20 (31.3%), or moderate to severe in 5 (7.8%) patients. No severe AR was detected. The AR index and TIAR index decreased proportionately to the increased severity of AR (P = 0.002 and P < 0.001, respectively). TIAR index < 80 was associated with a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 83% for ≥mild AR. The area under the curve was greater for the TIAR index compared to the AR index (0.93 vs. 0.74). CONCLUSION: The TIAR index provides a better hemodynamic measure for assessing severity of AR compared to the AR index.

The effect of age on right ventricular diastolic function in healthy subjects undergoing treadmill exercise test.

OBJECTIVE: There is an increasing interest for the value of right ventricle (RV) in predicting exercise tolerance and prognosis in cardiovascular disease. However, there is relatively few data evaluating the effect of age on RV diastolic filling velocities during rest or exercise in healthy subjects. METHODS: A total of 54 healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to their age: Group 1 (≤45-years-old) and Group 2 (>45-years-old). A treadmill exercise test was performed using modified Bruce protocol. Conventional pulsed-wave Doppler and tissue Doppler velocities were obtained both at rest and immediately after the end of exercise, respectively. RESULTS: In the overall analysis, tricuspid flow Doppler analysis showed a significant increase in A-wave velocity, less marked rise in E-wave velocity, decreased E/A ratio and decreased E-wave deceleration time (EDT) with exercise. Tissue Doppler analysis revealed increased Aa velocity, decreased in Ea/Aa ratio and IVRT. No significant change was observed in Ea velocity and E/Ea ratio with exercise. Although diastolic velocities changed significantly with exercise, systolic velocities did not. Cardiac response to exercise differed slightly in the older subjects compared to younger ones. The older subjects were more likely to have a reduced mean rate of RV filling for the second half of diastole from baseline to peak exercise. CONCLUSION: To distinguish normal physiological changes due to aging from those of pathologic conditions may provide benefits while evaluating patients with known or suspected cardiovascular disease.

Increased serum uric acid levels are correlated with decreased left atrial appendage peak flow velocity in patients with atrial fibrillation.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine the relationship between serum uric acid levels and left atrial appendage (LAA) peak flow velocity, an indicator of the mechanical functions of the LAA, and atrial fibrillation (AF). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Transesophageal echocardiography was performed before cardioversion in 153 patients with AF. The patients were categorized into 2 groups based on their LAA blood flow velocity. Group 1 included 87 patients with a low LAA flow velocity (<35 cm/s), and group 2 comprised 66 patients with a normal LAA flow velocity (≥35 cm/s). The χ(2) and Student's t tests were used to compare categorical and quantitative data between the groups. Linear regression analyses were performed to demonstrate the independent association between serum uric acid levels and LAA peak flow velocity. RESULTS: The LAA blood flow velocity was 24.62 ± 5.90 cm/s in group 1 and 49.28 ± 13.72 cm/s in group 2, respectively (p < 0.001). The serum uric acid levels were 6.88 ± 1.85 mg/dl in group 1 and 5.97 ± 1.51 mg/dl in group 2, and the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.001). There was a negative correlation between serum uric acid levels and LAA blood flow velocity (r = -0.216, p = 0.007). Multivariate regression analysis showed that serum uric acid levels, age and gender differences were significant predictors of the LAA peak flow velocity. CONCLUSIONS: High serum uric acid levels were associated with a low contractile function of the LAA and could provide additional prognostic information on future thromboembolic events in patients with AF.

Elasticity properties of pulmonary artery in patients with bicuspid aortic valve.

OBJECTIVE: Although the vascular complications of bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) disease cause significant morbidity and mortality, the role of pulmonary artery in this pathogenesis is less understood. We aimed to assess the elastic properties of pulmonary artery with echocardiography in patients with BAV. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty patients with BAV (26 males) were enrolled in this study. The presence of aortic stenosis was accepted as exclusion criteria. Thirty-two healthy subjects (27 males) with no any history of cardiovascular disease comprised the control group. In all patients, maximal frequency shift (MFS) and acceleration time (AcT) of the pulmonary artery flow trace were measured echocardiographically in parasternal short-axis view. Subsequently, pulmonary artery stiffness (PAS) was calculated by using the following formula PAS (kHz/sec) = MFS/AcT. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in baseline demographic characteristics of the study population. Aortic strain and aortic distensibility index were lower, and aortic stiffness index (SI) higher, in patients with BAV. The PAS was significantly increased in patients with BAV compared with control subjects with tricuspid aortic valve (11.08 ± 2.27 vs. 7.11 ± 1.54, P < 0.001). There was a significant correlation between aortic diameters, aortic elasticity indexes, and PAS. Multivariate linear regression analysis, the only significant independent factor affecting the PAS was SI (ß = 0.547, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that elastic properties of pulmonary artery tend to be impaired as in the aorta in patients with BAV disease.

QT dispersion increases with low glomerular filtration rate in patients with coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the relationship between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and QT dispersion (QTd) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: Sixty patients(mean age 62.72 ± 12.48 years) included 46 male, (mean age 60.89 ± 12.70 years)and 14 female (mean age 68.71± 9.86 years) were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to their eGFR using the 6 variable MDRD equation. Group 1 consisted of patients with estimated eGFR<60 ml/min/1.73m(2) and Group 2 consisted of patients witheGFR ≥ 60 ml/min/1.73m(2). RESULTS: Baseline patient characteristics were homogeneous in both groups except for age, gender and smoking.Also, the extent of CAD was similar in both groups (p > 0.05) QTd values were found higher in group 1 than those of group 2 (57.23 ± 40.65 ms vs. 31.23 ± 14.47 ms, p = 0.002). After adjustment for age, gender and smoking using one-way ANCOVA test, statistically significant difference in QTd still existedbetween the groups (p=0.038). CONCLUSION: QTd tends to be higher in patients with poor renal function independent of severity of angiographical CAD. QTd may be a potentially useful non-invasive test in the management of patients with poor renal function, especially those with CAD.

[Paravalvular aortic regurgitation after transcatheter aortic valve replacement]. / Transkateter aort kapak yerlestirme sonrasi paravalvüler aort yetersizligi.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a rapidly evolving technology that has been accepted as a treatment option in patients with severe aortic stenosis who are not suitable for or are at high risk for conventional surgery. Randomized trials have shown that TAVR decreases mortality and improves quality of life in patients who are not suitable for conventional surgery and that TAVR is not inferior to standard surgery in operable but high- risk patients. However, TAVR has several important limitations, the most prominent of which is residual paravalvular aortic regurgitation (PAR). The purpose of this review is to present the mechanism, incidence, assessment, and treatment of PAR after TAVR.

Mitral-Tricuspid Regurgitation Change After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation and Its Effect on Mortality and Hospitalization.

OBJECTIVE: Moderate to severe mitral regurgitation (MR) and tricuspid regurgitation (TR) are present in approximately 20-60% of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). This study aims to evaluate the impact of TAVI on MR and TR, pulmonary hypertension, and reverse cardiac remodeling in these patients.  Methods: Out of 240 patients who underwent TAVI, 79 who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were analyzed. RESULTS: In our study, 46.8% (n = 37) of the patients were male. Nineteen (24.1%) patients died within two years. Before TAVI, 34 (43%) patients had moderate-to-severe MR, which decreased to 18 (22.7%) after the procedure (P < 0.05). Similarly, the number of patients with moderate-to-severe TR decreased from 26 (32.9%) before TAVI to 12 (15%) after the procedure (P < 0.05). Of the patients, 50.6% (n = 40) did not require hospitalization after the procedure, while 25 were hospitalized once, 12 twice, and 2 three times. The mean systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) values of the patients decreased from 44.30 ± 14.42 mmHg before the procedure to 39.09 ± 11.77 mmHg after the procedure (Z=-3.506, P < 0.001). No correlation was found between changes in MR and TR grades after TAVI and mortality or hospitalization during follow-up. Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference in tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), free wall annular S' velocity, left atrial volume (LAV), or LAV index (LAVI) before and after TAVI.  Conclusion: There was a significant decrease in moderate-to-severe MR and TR after TAVI; however, this did not impact hospitalization or mortality rates. Additionally, no significant differences were observed in right ventricular systolic function or in LAV and LAVI before and after TAVI.

Endovascular Repair of Ruptured Aortic Aneurysm: A Single-Center Experience.

OBJECTIVE: Aortic rupture is a rare and catastrophic emergency. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are the primary determinants of mortality. During follow-up, the majority of patients who have been effectively treated die from hypovolemic shock and multiorgan failure. This article describes the clinical and procedural details of sixteen patients with ruptured aortic aneurysms treated endovascularly. In addition, it discusses the main factors contributing to the mortality of these patients. METHOD: Patients who underwent endovascular treatment for acute aortic rupture at our center from October 2016 to March 2023 were included in this retrospective study. RESULTS: A total of 16 patients underwent endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) or thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) for acute aortic rupture. The patients' mean age was 73.06 years (range: 52-92), and 15 of them were male. The ruptures occurred in the abdominal aortic aneurysm in ten patients, in thoracic aortic aneurysm in three patients, in the isolated iliac artery aneurysm in two patients, and there was one case of non-aneurysmal aortic rupture. In our series, patients who presented with an impending, self-limited rupture and stable hemodynamic status had good prognostic outcomes. However, eight patients died due to multiorgan failure, hemorrhagic shock, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, renal failure, or abdominal compartment syndrome. These patients generally had poor admission vital signs and low hemoglobin values. The most critical determinants for the success of the procedure are promptly stopping the bleeding, avoiding general anesthesia, and opting for blood product replacement instead of fluid replacement. CONCLUSION: Each patient with ruptured aortic aneurysm should be managed according to the patient's hemodynamics at presentation, the size of the aneurysm, the suitability for percutaneous procedure, logistical factors, and the operator-center's experience.

Endovascular Therapy of Aortic Rupture Secondary to a Psoas Abscess.

Secondary infection of the aorta is a sporadic and life-threatening disease. It is usually caused by infection and abscess in an adjacent structure. The most common mechanism for secondary aortic infection is a psoas abscess eroding the aortic wall, which rarely results in non-aneurysmal aortic rupture. Primary treatment is surgical aortic reconstruction, but the risk of emergency surgical treatment is high. Endovascular aortic stent-graft implantation can be lifesaving in this setting by stopping the bleeding. However, the crucial question of durability and late infections remains unanswered and warrants long-term antibiotic treatment and follow-up. In this report, we present a case of primary psoas abscess, which resulted in non-aneurysmal aortic rupture and its endovascular treatment.

Atrial and ventricular arrhythmia predictors with electrocardiographic parameters in myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary artery disease (MINOCA).

BACKGROUND: The clinical importance and recognition of myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary artery disease (MINOCA) is increasing. Nevertheless, no studies are investigating the risk of atrial fibrillation and ventricular arrhythmia in MINOCA patients. This study aimed to determine the risk of arrhythmia with electrocardiographic predictors in MINOCA patients. METHODS: In this study, patients diagnosed with MINOCA and stable out-patients without significant lesions in their coronary arteries were compared. Morphology-voltage-Pwave duration electrocardiography (MPV ECG) score was used to determine atrial arrhythmia risk. QT interval and QT dispersion Tpeak-Tend time and Tpeak-Tend/QT interval were used to determine ventricular arrhythmia risk. RESULTS: A total of 155 patients were included in our study. Seventy-seven of these patients were in the MINOCA group. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in MPV ECG score (1.95 ± 1.03 vs 1.68 ± 1.14, p = 0.128). P-wave voltage, P-wave morphology and P-wave duration, which are components of the MPV ECG score, were not statistically significantly different. The QRS complex duration (90.21 ± 14.87 vs 82.99 ± 21.59 ms, p = 0.017), ST interval (271.95 ± 45.91 vs 302.31 ± 38.40 ms, p < 0.001), corrected QT interval (438.17 ± 43.80 vs 421.41 ± 28.39, p = 0.005) and QT dispersion (60.75 ± 22.77 vs 34.19 ± 12.95, p < 0.001) were statistically significantly higher in the MINOCA group. The Tpeak-Tend (89.53 ± 32.16 vs 65.22 ± 18.11, p < 0.001), Tpeak-Tend/QT interval (0.2306 ± 0.0813 vs 0.1676 ± 0.0470, p < 0.001) and Tpeak-Tend/corrected QT interval (0.2043 ± 0.6997 vs 0.1551 ± 0.4310, p < 0.001) ratios were also significantly higher in patients with MINOCA. CONCLUSIONS: In the MINOCA patients, there was no increase in the risk of atrial fibrillation based on ECG predictors. However, it was shown that there could be a significant increase in the risk of ventricular arrhythmia. We believe this study could be helpful for specific recommendations concerning duration of hospitalisation and follow up in MINOCA patients.

Evaluation of the Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Results in Patients with Borderline Aortic Annulus and the Impact of Under- or Oversizing the Valve.

BACKGROUND: Optimal valve sizing provides improved results in transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Operators hesitate about the valve size when the annulus measurements fall into borderline area. Our purpose was to compare the results of borderline versus non-borderline annulus and to understand the impact of valve type and under or oversizing. METHODS: Data from 338 consecutive transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedures were analyzed. The study population was divided into 2 groups as 'borderline annulus' and 'non-borderline annulus.' Balloon expandable valves already have a grey zone definition. Similar to balloon expandable valves, annulus sizes that are within 15% above or below the upper or lower limit of a particular self-expandable valve size are defined as the 'borderline annulus' for self-expandable valves. The borderline annulus group was also divided into 2 subgroups according to the smaller or larger valve selection as 'undersizing' and 'oversizing.' Comparisons were made regarding the paravalvular leakage and residual transvalvular gradient. RESULTS: Of these 338 patients, 102 (30.1%) had a borderline and 226 (69.9%) had a non-borderline annulus. Both the transvalvular gradient (17.81 ± 7.15 vs. 14.44 ± 6.27) and the frequency of paravalvular leakage (for mild, mild to moderate, and moderate, 40.2%, 11.8%, and 2.9% vs., 18.8%, 6.7%, and 0.4%, respectively) were significantly higher in the borderline annulus than the non-borderline annulus group (P <.001). There were no significant differences between the groups balloon expandable versus self-expandable valves and oversizing versus undersizing regarding the transvalvular gradient and paravalvular leakage in patients with borderline annulus (P >.05). CONCLUSION: Regardless of the valve type and oversizing or undersizing, borderline annulus is related to significantly higher transvalvular gradient and paravalvular leakage when compared to the non-borderline annulus in transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

The relationship of epicardial adipose tissue thickness to clinical and biochemical features in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

The amount of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), a component of body visceral adiposity, has been linked to the presence and severity of cardiovascular disease through multiple mechanisms. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by insulin resistance and subclinical inflammation, which participate in the mechanism of atherosclerosis. We searched if the patients with PCOS have increased EAT thickness (EATT), along with its relation to the measures of adiposity and insulin sensitivity. A total of 41 subjects with PCOS and 46 age and body mass index (BMI) matched healthy controls were enrolled. EAT was measured by echocardiography above the free wall of the right ventricle. Insulin resistance was assessed by homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) formula, and plasma adiponectin level was measured by ELISA. Compared to healthy controls EATT and HOMA-IR score were significantly higher (p=0.0001 for both) while plasma adiponectin concentration was significantly lower (p=0.048) in women with PCOS. EATT correlated positively with total cholesterol, triglyceride, luteinizing hormone (LH) and negatively with sex hormon binding globuline (p<0.05 for all), whereas it displayed no correlation to plasma adiponectin level (p=0.924). Triglyceride level was the significant determinant of EATT in logistic regression analysis (p=0.035). Thickness of the EAT is increased in patients with PCOS in conjunction with hyperandrogenity. Prospective studies are required to identify the relation of EAT and cardiovascular risk in patients with PCOS.

Infective endocarditis after transcatheter approach versus surgical pulmonary valve replacement: A meta-analysis.

Background: In this meta-analysis, we aimed to assess the risk of infective endocarditis in transcatheter versus surgical pulmonary valve replacement patients. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Cochrane, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science for the studies that reported the event rate of infective endocarditis in both transcatheter and surgical pulmonary valve replacement between December 2012 and December 2021. Random-effects model was used in the meta-analysis. Results: Fifteen comparison groups with 4,706 patients were included. The mean follow-up was 38.5±3.7 months. Patients with transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement had a higher risk of infective endocarditis than patients receiving surgically replaced valves (OR 2.68, 95% CI: 1.83-3.93, p<0.00001). The calculated absolute risk difference was 0.03 (95% CI: 0.01-0.05), indicating that if 1,000 patients received a surgical valve replacement, 30 cases of infective endocarditis would be prevented. A meta-regression of follow-up time on the incidence of infective endocarditis was not statistically significant (p=0.753). Conclusion: Although transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement is a feasible alternative to surgical replacement in severe right ventricular outflow tract dysfunction, the higher incidence of infective endocarditis in transcatheter replacement remains a significant concern. Regarding this analysis, surgical treatment of right ventricular outflow tract dysfunction is still a viable option in patients with prohibitive risk.