A new COVID-19 prediction scoring model for in-hospital mortality: experiences from Turkey, single center retrospective cohort analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Although many studies reported prognostic factors proceeding to severity of COVID-19 patients, in none of the article a prediction scoring model has been proposed. In this article a new prediction tool is presented in combination of Turkish experience during pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Laboratory and clinical data of 397 over 798 confirmed COVID-19 patients from Gülhane Training and Research Hospital electronic medical record system were included into this retrospective cohort study between the dates of 23 March to 18 May 2020. Patient demographics, peripheral venous blood parameters, symptoms at admission, in hospital mortality data were collected. Non-survivor and survivor patients were compared to find out a prediction scoring model for mortality. RESULTS: There was 34 [8.56% (95% CI:0.06-0.11)] mortality during study period. Mean age of patients was 57.1±16.7 years. Older age, comorbid diseases, symptoms, such as fever, dyspnea, fatigue and gastrointestinal and WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte count, C-reactive protein, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio of patients in non-survivors were significantly higher. Univariate analysis demonstrated that OR for prognostic nutritional index (PNI) tertile 1 was 18.57 (95% CI: 4.39-78.65, p<0.05) compared to tertile 2. Performance statistics of prediction scoring method showed 98% positive predictive value for criteria 1. CONCLUSIONS: It is crucial to constitute prognostic clinical and laboratory parameters for faster delineation of patients who are prone to worse prognosis. Suggested prediction scoring method may guide healthcare professional to discriminate severe COVID-19 patients and provide prompt intensive therapies which is highly important due to rapid progression leading to mortality.

Relation between paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and left ventricular diastolic function in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

The relation between left ventricular filling pattern and the occurrence of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation was evaluated using Doppler echocardiography in a prospective series of 157 patients with acute myocardial infarction. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after acute myocardial infarction was often associated with a higher restrictive filling pattern.

Patent ductus arteriozus associated with anomalous origin of the right coronary artery: a case report.

Patent ductus arteriozus (PDA) is the most common type of extracardiac shunt and it usually closes within 2 or 3 days of birth, but it may remain patent for one's lifetime. In this paper, we report a 65-year-old woman with PDA associated with a right coronary arising anomaly. To our knowledge, the anomalous origin of the right coronary artery associated with PDA has not been published to date. In this case report, we used only the standard Judkins type of a left coronary catheter for cannulation of both left and right coronary arteries and as well as PDA.

Marfan's syndrome, dextrocardia and situs inversus associated with discrete subaortic stenosis and aortic insufficiency in an adult female: case report.

Marfan's syndrome is an inherited connective tissue defect that affects many organs, especially of the musculoskeletal, ophthalmic and cardiovascular systems, and may be associated with some rare conditions. Here, we report the first known case of Marfan's syndrome, combined with situs inversus totalis with dextrocardia and discrete subaortic stenosis and aortic insufficiency in a 22-year-old woman.

Rupture of the right sinus of valsalva into the right ventricle: echocardiographic and angiographic imaging.

We report a 16-year-old girl with acute rupture of the sinus of Valsalva. This case is unique in that the right coronary sinus of Valsalva ruptured into both the right and left ventricles, producing severe aortic insufficiency. The diagnosis was made with two-dimensional and color Doppler echocardiography which showed an abnormal jet flow from the aortic root into both ventricles. The diagnosis was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging and aortic root angiography. Early diagnosis is important so that urgent surgical treatment can be taken.

C-Reactive protein as a risk factor for left ventricular thrombus in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) has been found to correlate with higher risk for cardiac events in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). It has been suggested that CRP may be involved in initiation process of coagulation; however, the role of CRP level in the formation of left ventricular (LV) thrombus has not been studied. HYPOTHESIS: This study investigated whether CRP is a risk factor for LV thrombus in patients with AMI. METHODS: Clinical, echocardiographic, and biochemical data were analyzed in 141 consecutive patients (aged 57 +/- 13 years; 33 women) with first anterior AMI. Two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic examinations were performed on Days 1, 3, 7, 15, and 30. Blood samples were obtained every day during hospitalization. Serum CRP concentrations were measured by an ultrasensitive immunonephelometry method. RESULTS: Left ventricular thrombus was detected in 33 (23.4%) patients. Univariate analysis showed that patients with LV thrombus had a higher peak creatine kinase (CK) level (2,879 +/- 742 vs. 1,693 +/- 1,210 I/U, p = 0.001), higher peak CRP level (14.9 +/- 7.1 vs. 9.2 +/- 6.8 mg/dl, p = 0.001), higher wall motion score index (1.8 +/- 0.2 vs. 1.5 +/- 0.3, p = 0.002), higher apical wall motion score index (2.35 +/- 0.72 vs. 2.07 +/- 0.70, p = 0.001), larger end-diastolic volume (145.2 +/- 43.7 vs. 116.5 +/- 44.2 ml, p = 0.002), larger end-systolic volume (85.4 +/- 37.2 vs. 62.9 +/- 31.6 ml, p = 0.003), and lower ejection fraction (42.1 +/- 12 vs. 47.3 +/- 13, p = 0.04). In multivariate analyses, only peak CK level (p = 0.0001), LV apical wall motion score index (p = 0.001), and CRP levels (p = 0.001) were independent predictors of LV thrombus formation. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that CRP is a risk factor for LV thrombus in patients with AMI.

A coronary aneurysm complicated by acute myocardial infarction. A case report.

Coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) is a relatively rare disease that may cause angina, myocardial infarction, sudden death due to thrombosis, embolisation, or rupture. This report describes the case of a man aged 65 years old who had an anterior myocardial infarction due to left anterior descending artery (LAD) aneurysm. We attempted early percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) for treatment of acute myocardial infarction, but were not successful. He was then treated with intracoronary streptokinase. Serial coronary angiographies showed recanalisation and aneurysm on the LAD. The patient was operated on with coronary bypass surgery, and treated with an oral anticoagulant, nitrate, and blocker. He was well after one year of follow-up.

Effect of coronary angiography on plasma endothelin-1 and nitric oxide concentrations.

Endothelium takes part in the regulation of vascular tone through the production of endothelium-derived relaxing factor, nitric oxide (NO), and the contracting factor endothelin-(ET-1). Induction of ET-1 and NO is influenced by many stimuli including hypoxia and shear stress. Some of these stimuli may arise during coronary angiography (CAG). In this study, the authors aimed to show endothelial response in patients undergoing CAG by evaluating plasma ET-1 and NO end-products including nitrite and nitrate concentrations. Twenty-four male patients with a mean age of 54.3 years (age range: 37-70) were included in the study. The patients had no coronary atherosclerotic lesions established by CAG. The mean time of the CAG procedures was 24.8 minutes, with a range of 19-33 minutes. Immediately before blood sampling, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were recorded. The mean blood pressures before and after CAG were 140/90 and 150/95, respectively. End products of NO radical, nitrite and nitrate (NOx), in plasma were used as a marker for the production of NO radical. ET-1 concentrations were measured by ELISA method. Significant increases in ET-1 concentrations were observed during CAG while no change observed in NOx concentrations. Duration of the CAG procedure was found to be correlated with the percent increase of the plasma ET-1 concentrations during CAG (r = 0.45, p<0.05, Figure 1), but not with NOx concentrations. Plasma ET-1 concentrations in patients who were cigarette smoking were found higher than those of patients who were nonsmokers (1.26 +/- 0.38 and 2.97 +/- 0.87 fmol/L, respectively). It was concluded that endothelial cells show increased ET-1 production as a response of some mechanical or emotional stimuli during CAG procedure that may play an important role in the regulation of vascular tonicity and some pathological processes. The authors suggest that duration and manipulation of CAG may be an important factor in plasma ET-1 concentrations.

Echocardiographic evaluation in patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.

OBJECTIVE: To assess cardiac function in patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. STUDY DESIGN: We studied heart structure and left ventricular systolic and diastolic function by echocardiography in 38 patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (34 men and 4 women, mean age 24 +/- 4 years) and in 30 healthy subjects (25 men and 5 women, mean age 22 +/- 3 years). Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, end-systolic diameter, left ventricular septal wall thickness, posterior wall thickness and ejection fractions were measured by M-mode echocardiography. Parameters of mitral flow were measured by pulsed wave Doppler echocardiography. RESULTS: Between patients with and without hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, there were no significant differences in echocardiographic measurements. CONCLUSION: Cardiac function is normal in patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.

Factor V Leiden and its relation to left ventricular thrombus in acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: The genetic defect of coagulation factor V, known as factor V Leiden, produces a resistance to degradation by activated protein C (APC) and increases the risk of venous thrombosis. However, the role of factor V Leiden in the formation of left ventricular (LV) thrombus has not been studied. We investigated whether factor V Leiden is a risk factor for LV thrombus in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS AND RESULTS: We have analyzed clinical, echocardiographic and biochemical data in 135 consecutive patients (aged 58 +/- 13 years; 31 women) with first anterior AMI. Two-dimensional echocardiographic examination was performed on days 1, 3, 7, 15 and 30; LV thrombus was detected in 33 (24.4%) of 135 patients with AMI. The study also included 95 control subjects. Healthy age and sex-matched subjects without a personal or family history of ischaemic heart disease, stroke or thromboembolic disease served as a control group. Blood samples from the patients and controls were analyzed for the factor V Leiden mutation by DNA analysis, using the polymerase chain reaction. In addition, concentrations of fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor (vWF), tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and D-dimer were measured in 135 patients. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of factor V Leiden between patients and control subjects. The prevalence of the factor V mutation was 9% (3/33) in patients with thrombus, and 7.7% (8/103) in patients without thrombus. The prevalence of factor V Leiden was 7.3% (7/95) in control subjects. No significant differences in plasma fibrinogen (480 +/- 195 vs. 444 +/- 179 mg/dl, p = 0.6), D-dimer (471 +/- 256 vs. 497 +/- 293 ng/dl, p = 0.7), vWF (112 +/- 18 vs. 103 +/- 15%, p=0.5), PAI-1 (26.7+/- 9.8 vs. 28.1 +/- 10.2 ng/dl, p = 0.6), and t-PA (19.8 +/- 8.7 vs. 17.2 +/- 9.1 ng/dl, p = 0.7), levels are found in patients with LV thrombus when compared with those without LV thrombus. Multivariate analyses showed that peak creatine kinase level (p = 0.002) and LV wall motion score index (p = 0.003) were independent predictors of LV thrombus formation. CONCLUSION: Factor V Leiden mutation is not a risk factor for LV thrombus formation in patients with AMI.

Iron status and its relationship with lipid peroxidation in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate iron status and its relationships with lipid peroxidation in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS: The study included 30 male patients aged between 32 and 73 years (mean 55 +/- 6) with acute MI. We measured the levels of plasma iron, transferrin (TF), ferritin (FER), ceruloplasmin (CER), cardiac enzymes, and erythrocyte malondialdehyde (e-MDA) in patients with acute MI on the admission and 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 15th, 45th post MI day and investigated the variations of these parameters in acute MI. RESULTS: The e-MDA level started to increase on the admission day and showed a peak value on the post MI 1st day (88 +/- 23 and 98 +/- 26 nmol/g Hb, respectively). Afterwards, the e-MDA level minimally changed until post Ml 45th day, which showed a minimum level (57 +/- 13 nmol/g Hb) (p < 0.05). In addition, the iron concentration of serum reached its maximum level on the 1st post Ml day (99 +/- 30 mg/dl, p < 0.05) and relatively decreased after the 3rd day. Courses of MDA and iron levels were similar. The FER level started to increase from the admission day of the patients (230 +/- 375 mg/dl), showed a mean peak value on the 3rd day (296 +/- 568 mg/dl) and decreased to a minimum level on the 45th day (121 +/- 85 mg/dl) (p < 0.05). Contrarily, the TF level started to decrease on the 1st day (221 +/- 44 mg/dl), decreased minimum level on the 3rd day (211 +/- 37 mg/dl) and continued approximately the same level until the 45th day (244 +/- 45 mg/dl) (p < 0.05). The CER level started to increase from the first day of admission of the patients (43 +/- 12 mg/dl), reached a maximum level on the 7th day (59 +/- 12 mg/dl) and similar levels were observed until the 15th day. On the 45th day, the CER level was higher than on the first day (52 +/- 13 mg/dl) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There was an association of higher iron status with increased lipid peroxidation in patients with myocardial infarction.

Congestive heart failure associated with chronic venous insufficiency and leg ulcers secondary to an arteriovenous fistula caused by a shotgun wound 15 years ago.

We present a 65-year-old man who had a significant arteriovenous fistula between the right arteria profunda femoralis and vena profunda femoralis. He had evidence of chronic venous insufficiency and chronic leg ulcers on his right leg, and he had clinical findings of congestive heart failure. An arteriovenous fistula was responsible for all of clinical situation that had been caused by a shotgun wound 15 years ago. Using ultrasonography, after palpating a marked thrill and mass during physical examination, established the diagnosis of arteriovenous fistula. Angiography was performed both to delineate the suspected vascular anatomy and to show the coronary arteries. The patient was operated on and no complication was experienced during or after the procedure. Dramatic improvement was seen in the clinical picture just after surgery, and heart size markedly reduced both on chest X-ray and echocardiographic examination.

[Effects of factor V Leiden mutations on prognosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction]. / Akut miyokard infarktüslü hastalarda faktör V Leiden mutasyonunun prognoz üzerine etkisi.

OBJECTIVE: Factor V Leiden mutation, the genetic defect underlying resistance to activated protein C, is the most common risk factor for venous thrombosis. Factor V Leiden mutation and its relation to post-myocardial infarction (MI) complications including angina pectoris, heart failure, reinfarction and cardiac mortality has not been investigated. We aimed to investigate this relation. METHODS: The prevalence of factor V Leiden mutation was investigated in 122 patients with first acute myocardial infarction (aged 56 +/- 11, 82 men/40 women). These patients were divided into two groups according to whether the patients had factor V Leiden mutation (Group I) or not (Group II). Post MI complications were evaluated during 18 months. Blood samples from the patients were analyzed for factor V Leiden mutation by DNA analysis, using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Factor V Leiden was detected in 11 (9%) patients (aged; 54 +/- 10, 5 women/men) and was not detected in 111(90%) patients (aged; 56 +/- 11; 35 women/76 men) of the 122 patients. There were no significant differences between Group I and Group II in terms of post MI complications, including reinfarction (27% vs. 29%; p > 0.05, respectively), angina pectoris (45% vs. 38%; p > 0.05, respectively), heart failure (27% vs. 23%; p > 0.05, respectively) and cardiac mortality (18% vs. 14%; p > 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: Post MI complications, including reinfarction, heart failure, angina pectoris and cardiac mortality were not increased in patients with factor V Leiden.

New approach to the diagnosis of patent ductus arteriosus during catheterization.

The diagnosis of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) usually requires catheterization, as does percutaneous treatment of the disorder. To obtain pressure gradients, a catheter can be passed in either direction through the PDA, from the pulmonary artery to the aorta or via the more common route of aorta to pulmonary artery. Several types of catheters have been used, but to date there have been no reports showing the use of a left internal mammary artery (LIMA) angiographic catheter for this purpose. We report successful passage of this catheter from the aorta across a PDA to the pulmonary artery in 15 adult patients who were observed to have no complications.

Two-dimensional color doppler echocardiographic imaging of a Gerbode defect: a case report.

A Gerbode defect is a ventricular septal defect that communicates directly between the left ventricle and the right atrium. The pathology may be due to a congenital defect, can result from trauma, or can occur after endocarditis or aortic valve replacement. We report the case of a 20-year-old man who has a defect between the left ventricle and the right atrium (Gerbode defect) that was diagnosed with two-dimensional color Doppler echocardiography.

Doppler-derived mitral deceleration time as an early predictor of left ventricular thrombus after first anterior acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: The relation between left ventricular (LV) diastolic function and LV thrombus has not yet been fully investigated. The aim of this study was to determine whether early assessment of Doppler-derived mitral deceleration time (DT), a measure of LV compliance and filling, may predict LV thrombus formation after acute myocardial infarction. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic examinations were performed in 98 consecutive patients (aged 57 +/- 12 years; 8 women) with first acute myocardial infarction. The patients were studied within 24 hours and at days 3, 7, 15, and 30 after arrival to the coronary care unit. Mitral flow velocities were obtained from the apical 4-chamber view with pulsed Doppler. LV thrombus was detected in 20 of 98 patients. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to LV thrombus formation: group 1 (n = 20) with thrombus and group 2 (n = 78) without thrombus. Mitral E-wave DT was significantly shorter in group 1 than group 2 (134 ms vs 175 ms; P <.001). Patients in group 1 had significantly larger LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes and a higher wall motion score index than patients in group 2 (133 +/- 39 mL vs 112 +/- 41 mL, P =.03; 83 +/- 34 mL vs 59 +/- 30 mL, P =.003; and 1.8 +/- 0.3 mL vs 1.5 +/- 0.3 mL, P =.007, respectively). The LV ejection fraction was significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2 (39% +/- 13% vs 48% +/- 12%; P =.004). In a multivariate regression analysis, mitral E-wave DT was identified as an independent variable related to development of LV thrombus (P =.04). CONCLUSIONS: Doppler-derived mitral DT is superior to conventional clinical and 2-dimensional echocardiographic assessment in estimating the risk of left ventricular thrombosis after myocardial infarction.

Mitral valve prolapse and mitral insufficiency in two siblings with Gaucher's disease.

Gaucher's disease is an autosomal recessive storage disorder. We report two siblings with Gaucher's disease, both of which had mitral valve prolapse and mitral insufficiency. One of the siblings died of bacterial endocarditis and pneumonia, while the other continues under followup.

Serum lipoprotein(a) and its relation to left ventricular thrombus in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

It is well known that the incidence of left ventricular (LV) thrombosis is high in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Due to the high degree of structural homology with plasminogen, lipoprotein(a) may produce thrombogenic effects by modulating the fibrinolytic system. However, the role of Lp(a) level in the formation of LV thrombus has not been studied. This study sought to determine whether Lp(a) is a risk factor for LV thrombus in patients with AMI. We have analyzed clinical, echocardiographic and biochemical data in 102 consecutive patients (aged 58+/-12 years, 92 men / 10 women) with first anterior AMI. Two-dimensional examination was performed on days 1, 3, 7, 15, and 30. Blood samples were obtained within 12 h after the onset of symptoms and before beginning the therapy. Plasma levels of fibrinogen and Lp(a) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunonephelometric methods, respectively. LV thrombus was detected in 20 (20.3%) patients. No significant difference was found for admission Lp(a) levels between patients with or without thrombus (30.5+/-17.2 vs 32.3+/-22.4 mg/dl, p = 0.7). Univariate analysis showed that patients with LV thrombus had a higher wall motion score index (1.8+/-0.3 vs 1.4+/-0.3, p = 0.002), a higher peak creatine kinase level (2945+/-898 vs 1805+/-1336, I / U p = 0.004), a larger end-diastolic volume (139.7+/-38.6 vs 114.1+/-41.8 ml, p = 0.04), a larger end-systolic volume (83.1+/-34.3 vs 59.2+/-30.6 ml, p = 0.02 ), and a lower ejection fraction (38+/-12 vs 47+/-11, p = 0.04). In multivariate analyses, only peak creatine kinase level (p = 0.04) and LV wall motion score index (p = 0.002) were independent predictors of left ventricular thrombus formation. These results suggest that Lp (a) is not a risk factor for LV thrombus in patients with AMI. Our data demonstrate that the best predictors of LV thrombus formation after AMI are a high peak creatine kinase level and a high LV wall motion score index.

Contralateral recurrence of atrial myxoma - case report and review of the literature.

Cardiac myxomas are the most frequent cardiac tumors, and they have the capability for recurrence years after resection, in the same or in different cardiac chambers. Hence, follow-up is important. Contralateral recurrences of myxoma are uncommon. We report a 7 year old boy who had a right atrial myxoma resected, and who had recurrent myxoma in the left atrium. The literature regarding such recurrence is reviewed.