Neoadjuvant calcium electroporation for potentially curable colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: The development of new perioperative treatment modalities to activate the immune system in colorectal cancer might have a beneficial effect on reducing the risk of recurrence after surgery. Calcium electroporation is a promising treatment modality that potentially modulates the tumor microenvironment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of the procedure in the neoadjuvant setting in localized left-sided colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: The study included patients with potentially curable sigmoid or rectal cancer with no indication for other neoadjuvant treatment. Patients were offered calcium electroporation as a neoadjuvant treatment before elective surgery. Follow-up visits were conducted on the preoperative day before elective surgery, POD2, POD14, and POD30, with an evaluation of adverse events, impact on elective surgery, clinical examination, and quality of recovery. RESULTS: Endoscopic calcium electroporation was performed as an outpatient procedure in all 21 cases, with no procedure-related complications reported. At follow-up, five adverse events were registered, two of which were classified as serious adverse events. Surgery was performed as planned in 19 patients (median time to surgery, 8 days), and the final two patients underwent surgery with a delay due to adverse events (14 and 33 days). No significant impact on the quality of recovery scores nor inflammatory markers were seen before and after calcium electroporation, nor baseline and POD30. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic calcium electroporation is a safe and feasible procedure in patients with potentially curable CRC. The study showed limited side effects and limited impact on the following elective surgical resection.

Nutrition and oral health in children with recently and previously diagnosed celiac disease.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the nutritional and oral health status of children with previously diagnosed celiac disease (CD) who follow a gluten-free diet and recently diagnosed CD patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Previously and recently diagnosed groups were formed from children with CD, aged 4 to 15 years. A questionnaire was completed about the children's dental history and nutritional and oral hygiene habits. All the children underwent an oral examination, and dmft-DMFT indices were determined. Dental plaque status, periodontal health, and dental enamel defects were recorded. Oral soft tissues were examined for the presence of lesions. Unstimulated salivary flow rate and pH value were evaluated. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was determined between the previously and recently diagnosed patients in terms of toothpaste preference (p=0.003), frequency of going to the dentist (p=0.039), and the types of dental treatment they had received (p=0.001). A statistically significant difference was determined between the previously and recently diagnosed patient groups in terms of dmft values (p=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Children with CD should be directed to a pediatric dentist to improve oral and dental health, relieve the symptoms of oral mucosal lesions, be informed about enamel defects, and be encouraged to use gluten-free oral care products. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The collaboration of pediatric gastroenterologists and pediatric dentists can prevent the progression of oral symptoms in children with CD and eliminate long-term complications in terms of both oral health and multisystemic problems.

Comparison of long-term results of obliterative colpocleisis and reconstructive vaginal surgery including sacrospinous ligament fixation in patients with total genital prolapse.

Background: Treatment of total genital prolapse in elderly patients is still controversial in terms of postoperative objective and subjective results. Aim: The present study aimed to compare the long-term objective and subjective cure rates of sacrospinous ligament fixation and Le Fort operation for treatment of total genital prolapse. Patients and Methods: Patients over the age of 60 with stage 3 or 4 pelvic organ prolapse that presented to the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Clinic of the Faculty of Medicine of *** University. The study sample consisted of 17 patients that underwent Le Fort operation and 29 patients that underwent sacrospinous ligament fixation. Data on duration of operation, intraoperative complications, duration of hospital stay, and differences between preoperative and postoperative estimated blood loss, postoperative complications, and relapse in the long term were obtained. Questionnaires exploring quality of life, incontinence, and pelvic floor disorders were applied to the patients. Results: As subjective cure rates, postoperative patient satisfaction (P = 0.001), regret rate (P = 0.038) and recommendation rate (P = 0.044), as well as postoperative questionnaire results, Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire and SF36 were found to be significantly better in the Le Fort group (respectively P = 0.039 and 0.042). As objective cure rates, there was no difference between the two groups in terms of postoperative cystocele, rectocele, and cystorectocele (P = 0.955) and postoperative recurrence of prolapse beyond the hymen (P: 0.893). Duration of operation and duration of hospital stay were found to be significantly shorter in the Le Fort group (respectively P = 0.032 and 0.012). Conclusion: Le Fort operation could be the intervention of choice in sexually inactive elderly patients with stage 3 or 4 pelvic organ prolapse.

Does Obesity Have an Effect on the Outcomes of Unicondylar Knee Arthroplasty in Patients with Isolated Medial Gonarthrosis?

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the functional outcomes and complication rates of patients in the midterm follow-up period when patients applied with medial unicondylar knee arthroplasty (UKA) were grouped according to Body Mass Index (BMI) values MATERIAL AND METHODS The study included 125 patients applied with medial UKA between December 2013 and December 2017 because of isolated medial compartment gonarthrosis and completed at least 2 years of follow-up. The patients were separated into three groups: non-obese with a BMI < 30 kg/m2, obese with BMI of 30-39 kg/m2, and morbidly obese (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2). The implants used in all surgeries were cemented fixed-bearing implants. All patients were evaluated preoperatively with bilateral orthoroentgenograms, and weight-bearing anteroposterior and flexed lateral knee X-rays. Postoperatively, bilateral orthoroentgenograms and weight-bearing anteroposterior and flexed lateral knee X-rays were taken. Pre- and post-operative clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Knee Society Score (KSS), functional Knee Society Score (fKSS) Oxford Knee Score (OKS) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). RESULTS The 125 study patients comprised 83 females and 42 males with a mean age of 54 years (range, 42-71 years). No significant difference was determined between the three groups in respect of age, gender and side distribution (p > 0.05). In all three groups, the fKSS, KSS, OKS and VAS values at the final follow-up examination were statistically significantly improved compared to the preoperative values. No periprosthetic infection was determined in any patient throughout the follow-up period. Revision surgery was applied for various reasons to 5 patients; 2 in the non-obese group, 2 in the obese group, and 1 in the morbidly obese group. DISCUSSION In the last 20 years, a general increase has been seen in the number of obese patients with knee osteoarthritis requiring surgery. The increase in obesity represents an important worldwide public health problem. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggest that obesity does not influence the middle term outcomes of UKA. The functional outcome scores after surgery and improvement in these scores were comparable to patients with normal BMI. Key words: medial gonarthrosis, obesity, unicondylar knee arthroplasty.

Lymphocyte/mean platelet volume ratio, a new marker; is it effective in predicting the prognosis of COVID-19 cases?

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine the prognostic significance of the lymphocyte/mean platelet volume ratio (LMR) in terms of the clinical course of the disease in patients with COVID-19. METHODS: Patients over 18 who were evaluated for COVID-19 during the period from April 1, to April 30, 2020 were retrospectively scanned. Patients with at least 1 positive PCR test result were as assigned to Group 1 while patients with negative test results were assigned to Group 2. The LMR ratio was calculated by dividing the lymphocyte value by that of MPV. The relationship between LMR, severity of patients' CT findings and 28-day mortality was evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 938 patients were included in the study. It was observed that the lymphocyte and LMR levels were significantly different in those who died within 28 days (p < 0.001, p ≤ 0.001). In the ROC analysis for the LMR level, the area under the curve (AUC) was found to be 0.737 (95% CI 0.639‒0.834). When the cut­off value of LMR was 0.045, the sensitivity was found to be 99.0 % and specificity was 15.2 %. CONCLUSION: LMR can be a guide in multiple cases of care provided to critical patients, as is the case in the COVID-19 pandemic and can be used in recognizing critical patients (Tab. 5, Fig. 1, Ref. 21).

Effects of rosuvastatin on inducible nitric oxide synthase in rats with hyperlipidaemia and periodontitis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Nitric oxide is a free radical that is synthesized from l-arginine by nitric oxide synthase (NOS). The level of inducible NOS (iNOS) in gingiva with periodontitis is higher than that in healthy gingiva. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of rosuvastatin administration on alveolar bone loss (ABL) and iNOS(+) cell counts in gingival tissues in rats with ligature-induced experimental periodontitis with/without hyperlipidaemia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The rats were randomly divided into seven groups: Hy (cholesterol-added diet/water administration); HyP (cholesterol-added diet/periodontitis/water administration); HyPR (cholesterol-added diet/periodontitis/rosuvastatin administration); P (standard diet/periodontitis/water administration); PR (standard diet/periodontitis/rosuvastatin administration); C (standard diet/water administration); and R (standard diet/rosuvastatin administration). Experimental periodontitis was induced with silk ligatures, and rosuvastatin/water was administered to rats by oral gavage for the last 2 weeks of the 8-week study. After the rats were killed in week 8, histomorphometric and histological analyses were performed. Immunostained iNOS(+) cells were counted in the gingival samples and the Mann-Whitney U-test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The experimental groups exhibited increases in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein, except for Groups C and R. The cholesterol-added diet induced ABL in Group Hy. Of the periodontitis groups, the lowest ABL was found in Group PR. While there was a significant difference in ABL between Groups P (0.82 ± 0.15 mm) and PR (0.70 ± 0.21 mm) receiving a standard diet (P < .05), no difference was observed between Groups HyP (0.77 ± 0.07 mm) and HyPR (0.76 ± 0.11 mm) receiving a cholesterol-added diet (P Ëƒ .05). Rosuvastatin significantly reduced expression of iNOS in Groups PR (18.40 ± 2.31%) and HyPR (24.00 ± 4.83%) compared with Group P (30.90 ± 2.42%; P < .001). However, a larger number of iNOS(+) cells was found in Group HyPR than in Group PR (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Administration of rosuvastatin reduced gingival iNOS expression in ligature-induced periodontitis with/without hyperlipidaemia. It also led to significant differences in ABL in rats with periodontitis, except when periodontitis was associated with hyperlipidaemia. These findings could provide an important contribution in further studies to evaluate the role of rosuvastatin as a host modulatory agent in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases.

Assessment of IL-31 levels and disease severity in children with atopic dermatitis.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, relapsing, highly pruritic, inflammatory skin disease characterized by typical localization with increasing prevalence of 10-20% in children. Pruritus is one of the major diagnostic criteria of atopic dermatitis and also the main complaint altering quality-of-life of affected patients, inducing and aggravating inflammation. Although pruritus is the absolute symptom of AD, the etiology has not been fully explained yet and current antihistamine therapies are ineffective. The aim of the study was to assess the correlation between IL-31 level and disease severity in patients with atopic dermatitis through Severity SCORing of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index and the degree of itching assessed subjectively. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred thirty-five children were enrolled in the study in total, 70 children with diagnosis of atopic dermatitis and 65 healthy children in control group. Data on demographic features (age, gender, family history of atopy) and laboratory values of serum eosinophil, total IgE, IgM, IgA, IgG levels and skin prick test results were collected through patient files. The disease severity was assessed by SCORAD index. IL-31 levels were measured with human IL-31 ELISA kit. RESULTS: The statistical analysis showed that IL-31 level was significantly higher in AD patients than in the control group (AD vs CG, p 0.0001). There was no significant difference in IL-31 levels between the three subgroups divided according to the SCORAD severity score (p:0.27). CONCLUSION: IL-31 levels were significantly higher in AD patients compared to control group but irrelevant to the disease severity.

The effect of brain tomography findings on mortality in sniper shot head injuries.

OBJECTIVES: Penetrating gunshot head injuries have a poor prognosis and require prompt care. Brain CT is a routine component of the standard evaluation of head wounds and suspected brain injury. We aimed to investigate the effect of brain CT findings on mortality in gunshot head injury patients who were admitted to our emergency department (ED) from the Syrian Civil War. METHODS: The study group comprised patients who were admitted to the ED with gunshot brain injury. Patients' GCS scores, prehospital intubations and brain CT findings were examined. RESULTS: 104 patients were included (92% male, mean age 25 years). Pneumocephalus, midline shift, penetrating head injury, patients with GCS scores ≤6 and patients who had to be intubated in the prehospital period were associated with higher mortality (p<0.05). DISCUSSION: The results of this study demonstrated that pneumocephalus, midline shift, a penetrating head injury, GCS scores ≤6 and prehospital intubation are associated with high mortality, whereas patients with temporal bone fracture, perforating or single cerebral lobe head injury had a higher survival rates. The temporal bone has a relatively thin and smooth shape compared with the other skull bones so a bullet is less fragmented when it has penetrated the temporal bone, which could be a reason for the reduced cavitation effect. In perforating head injury, the bullet makes a second hole and so will have deposited less energy than a retained bullet with a consequent reduction in intracranial injury and mortality. Further studies are required to reach definitive conclusions.

Blepharophimosis, Ptosis, and Epicanthus Inversus Syndrome: Expanding the Phenotype.

We present a 3-month-old girl who displayed typical clinical characteristics of blepharophimosis, ptosis, and epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES). She was referred to our clinic with an initial diagnosis of Down syndrome. Clinical features of elevated follicle stimulating hormone and low estradiol levels in the case were diagnosed as BPES syndrome and were consistent with BPES type 2. To date, there are no cases of BPES with cleft palate and cardiomyopathy, suggesting that these novel findings can be part of this condition.

Laparoscopic Rectopexy: First Option for Rectal Prolapse?

BACKGROUND: Rectal prolapse (RP) is one of the benign anorectal diseases and impairs the quality of life due to co-existing constipation and incontinence problems. There is no consensus for the most accurate surgical method for its treatment. AIM: The objective was to evaluate the short- and long-term results of patients with rectal prolapse who underwent surgery in our clinic. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective analysis was performed of 83 patients with RP who underwent surgery between 1997-2013 in terms of demographic data, surgical technique, complications, and early and late outcomes. RESULTS: The mean age was 45 years (± 18 years) and 60% (n = 50) of the patients were female. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 24.3 (± 4.1) kg/m2. The mean age was significantly higher in the transperineal approach (PA group) than transabdominal approach (TA group) (p < 0.05). The length of hospital stay was not affected by surgical technique (open or laparoscopic or perineal surgery), but in the subgroup analysis it was significantly shorter for laparoscopic rectopexy (p< 0.05). The median follow-up was 80 ± 38.6 months. Ten (12%) patients had recurrence during the follow-up period; however, recurrence was not associated with the type of surgical technique (p = 0.824). CONCLUSION: Giving consideration to patients additional symptoms and general condition before committing to a surgical method for RP may improve the success rate. Laparoscopic rectopexy should be considered as the first option in the treatment RP owing to its favorable early-term outcomes and acceptable rate of long-term recurrence.

Are we aware of stent fracture?

Drug-eluting stents (DESs) have dramatically reduced the rates of in-stent restenosis compared with those of bare-metal stents. DES placement is frequently followed by high-pressure postdilatation to prevent incomplete stent apposition that may cause a further stent fracture (SF). SF may remain asymptomatic but it is an important cause of stent thrombosis, can be difficult to diagnose, and may be life-threatening.

Left atrial deformation and nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy. A 2D speckle-tracking imaging study.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP) is raised by the compromised contraction and impaired ventricular compliance in dilated hearts with systolic dysfunction. Timely recognition and staging of this condition are important for planning of the treatment strategy and making the prognosis. Two-dimensional speckle- tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) has recently enabled the quantification of left atrial (LA) myocardial deformation dynamics. In this study, echocardiographic indicators of increased LVFP and NT-pro-BNP were compared with LA strain measured by 2D-STE. METHODS: A total of 49 nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMP) patients were included in the study. All patients underwent standard 2D echocardiography. In the 2D-STE analysis of the LA, global longitudinal LA strain during ventricular systole (GLAs-res) and strain during late diastole (GLAs-pump) were obtained. NT-pro-BNP levels were measured. The patients were divided into two groups--normal (group 1) and increased (group 2) LVFP--according to E/A ratio, E velocity, and E/E' ratio. RESULTS: LAVi-max, LAVi-min, and NT-pro-BNP were higher in group 2, whereas LAtotalEF, LAactiveEF, GLAs-res, and GLAs-pump were lower. In univariate analysis, a good negative correlation was seen between GLAs-res vs. NT-pro-BNP, GLAs-res vs. LAVi-max, and GLAs-res vs. E/E' ratio; a good negative correlation was present between GLAs-pump vs. NT-pro-BNP, GLAs-pump vs. LAVi-max, and GLAs-pump vs. E/E' ratio. LAVi-max, LAactiveEF, NT-pro-BNP, GLas-res, and GLAs-pump were studied by logistic regression analysis. GLAs-res (p = 0.009, OR = 0.593, 95 % CI 0.4-0.877), NT-pro-BNP (p = 0.028, OR = 1.027, 95 % CI 1.003-1.052), and LAactiveEF (p = 0.022, OR = 0.001, 95 % CI 0.001-0.024) were found to be independent predictors of increased LVFP. CONCLUSION: 2D-STE-based LA function is impaired in patients with nonischemic DCMP. LA reservoir and pump function parameters together with NT-pro-BNP levels might be useful in estimating LVFP in this patient group.

Coronary vessel diameters during and after primary percutaneous coronary artery intervention.

BACKGROUND: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (P-PCI) is the gold standard treatment for acute coronary syndromes. Plasma levels of catecholamines and other vasopressors are elevated during acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and coronary vasoconstriction is frequent. We aimed to compare the reference vessel diameter (RVD) of the infarct-related artery (IRA) during primary PCI and after an average of 3 days. METHODS: Coronary angiography (CAG) was performed on 58 patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and TIMI 3 flow after P-PCI (43 men, 15 women; mean age, 55.5 ± 10 years). TIMI 3 flow was achieved either by simple balloon dilatation and/or thrombus aspiration. Lesion length, RVD, minimal lumen diameter (MLD), mean vessel diameter (meanD), and area of stenosis were compared during P-PCI and follow-up CAG. RESULTS: RVD, MLD, and meanD values were significantly higher during the follow-up CAG than after P-PCI (RVD 2.7 ± 0.7 mm vs. 2.9 ± 0.7 mm, p = 0.001; MLD 1.5 ± 0.5 mm vs. 1.7 ± 0.4 mm, p = 0.002; meanD 2.2 ± 0.5 mm vs. 2.4 ± 0.5 mm, p = 0.001). Area of stenosis values were significantly lower during the follow-up CAG than after primary PCI (69.5 ± 16.5 % vs. 62.1 ± 15 %, p = 0.001). Lesion lengths were not statistically significant during the follow-up CAG and primary PCI (lesion length 24.0 ± 10.8 mm vs. 22.1 ± 8.8 mm, p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study showed that RVD was higher at the follow-up CAG a few days after AMI in patients who had TIMI 3 flow after P-PCI with simple balloon dilatation and/or thrombus aspiration. A delay of a few days for stent implantation in P-PCI allows for larger-diameter stent use and may help to reduce stent thrombosis and restenosis rates.

The relationship between the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and the coronary collateral circulation in patients with chronic total occlusion.

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies showed the association between the major adverse cardiovascular outcomes and both higher neutrophil and lower lymphocyte counts. We aimed to investigate whether there is an association between the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) value and the development of coronary collateral circulation (CCC) in patients with coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO). METHODS: A total of 274 patients with CTO were included in this study. Patients were then classified according to their Rentrop collateral grades as either poor (Rentrop grades 0-1) or good (Rentrop grades 2-3). Clinical information and analyses of blood samples were obtained from a review of the patients' charts. RESULTS: Although there was no difference between the two groups with regard to cardiovascular risk profiles, the NLR values were significantly higher in the patients who had poorly developed CCC (2.6 ± 0.5 vs 2.2 ± 0.4, p<0.001). NLR, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), white blood cell count (WBC), age, diabetes, fasting glucose levels and body mass index were found to have univariate association with poorly developed CCC (p<0.1). In a multivariate logistic regression model, NLR (odds ratio 1.88, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.37-2.74; p<0.001), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and WBC were found to be the independent predictors of poor CCC. In receiver operator characteristic curve analysis, the optimal cut-off value of NLR to predict poor CCC was found as 2.17, with 77% sensitivity and 65% specificity. CONCLUSION: NLR, as a novel cardiovascular risk marker, is an important, simple and inexpensive method which can be used by the cardiologist as a screening inflammation tool to estimate the development of CCC in patients with CTO.

Cilostazol decreases total atrial conduction time in patients with peripheral artery disease.

OBJECTIVE: Total atrial conduction time (TACT) is the most important parameter in predicting the development of new-onset atrial fibrillation. We investigated the effect of cilostazol therapy on TACT in patients with peripheral artery disease. METHODS: Thirty patients with peripheral artery disease were treated with cilostazol (200 mg/day) for 6 months. The baseline echocardiographic total atrial conduction time parameter was compared with the 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: The TACT duration was decreased in all patients compared with the baseline after therapy (121.8 ± 19.3 vs. 109.1 ± 15.9 milliseconds, p<0.001). However, left atrial (LA) diameter was not changed with the therapy. The reduction of TACT duration was correlated with the increase in mitral E wave velocity/mitral A wave velocity ratio (r=-0.48, p<0.003). CONCLUSION: Our results showed that 200 mg cilostazol treatment decreased TACT duration in patients with peripheral artery disease, which may also prevent the development and/or recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF).

Investigation of the effects of Enoxaparin, Fondaparinux, and Rivaroxaban used in thromboembolism prophylaxis on fracture healing in rats.

BACKGROUND: Today, there is a small number of studies on the effects of Enoxaparin and Fondaparinux used commonly in the prevention of venous thromboembolism on healing of fracture cases. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate clinically, radiologically and histopathologically, the effects of Enoxaparin, Fondaparinux and Rivaroxaban used in thromboembolism prophylaxis on fracture healing in a rat model of femur fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two male Sprague Dawley rats were randomized into four groups (n=8): the control group (Group 1), the Enoxaparin group (Group 2), the Fondaparinux group (Group 3), and Rivaroxaban group (Group 4). Under general anesthesia, a standard closed fracture was created in the left femur of each rat using an osteotome. Group 1 was given saline solution (1 cc/day, sc), Group 2 Enoxaparin (100 anti Xa IU/kg/day, sc), Group 3 Fondaparinux (0.2 mg/kg/day, sc), and Group 4 Rivaroxaban (3 mg/kg/day, po) for 21 days. After all rats were sacrificed at the end of day 21, their left femurs were disarticulated at the level of the hip and knee. The bony union was radiologically, clinically, and histopathologically evaluated. RESULTS: No differences were found between the groups in terms of clinical, radiological, and histopathological findings in fracture healing (p = 0.849, p = 0.731, and p = 0.395, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Enoxaparin, Fondaparinux and Rivaroxaban used in thromboembolism prophylaxis cause no significant changes in fracture healing with short term follow up. Thus, they can be safely used in cases of fractures.

Echocardiographic evaluation of right ventricular functions after successful percutaneous recanalization of right coronary artery chronic total occlusions.

BACKGROUND: No data exist on regarding possible improvement will occur in right ventricular (RV) functions after successful recanalization of right coronary artery chronic total occlusions (RCA CTOs). AIM: Our aim was to evaluate the revascularization induced changes in RV functions by novel echocardiographic techniques like tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and two dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-one consecutive successfully recanalized patients with RCA CTOs were included in our study. All included patients underwent standard echocardiography with TDI and 2DSTE to assess RV function before procedure and repeated after 24 hours and 1 month. RESULTS: There were no significant changes in tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, systolic myocardial velocities, and fractional area change values. However, RV global longitudinal strain and systolic strain rate values showed a significant increase at 24 hours after percutaneous coronary intervention compared to baseline (-23.6±4.1% vs. -19.7±3.9%, p < 0.001 and -1.55±0.18s-1 vs. -1.18±0.17s-1, p < 0.001, respectively). Moreover, improvement of the RV functions in patients with RCA CTOs was further suggested by the higher RV isovolumic acceleration values at 1-month compared with baseline (2.29±0.62 vs. 2.05±0.5 m/s2, p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: TDI derived isovolumic acceleration and 2DSTE derived global longitudinal strain and systolic strain rate values showed improvement in RV functions after successful percutaneous recanalization of RCACTOs suggesting viability of RV in chronic ischemia.

Carpal tunnel decompression: two different mini-incision techniques.

AIM: To compare two different mini-incision surgical techniques for carpal tunnel surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 45 patients in Group 1 underwent carpal tunnel release through a 2-cm longitudinal incision made distal to the flexor crease, whereas the 45 patients in Group 2 underwent carpal tunnel release through a 2-cm longitudinal incision made proximal to the flexor crease. The self-administered Boston Questionnaire was used to assess the severity of patients' symptoms and their functional status, both before and after the surgical intervention and at their final follow-up. Patients were also asked, during the final follow-up, about the pain level of their scar tissue. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire scores for the symptom severity scale and the functional status scale of patients in both groups, pre-operatively, post-operatively at one month and at final follow-up (p < 0.001 for both). The mean operative time for Group 2 was significantly shorter than for Group 1 (p < 0.001). At final follow-up, 11 patients in Group 1 stated they had scar tissue pain, compared to three patients in Group 2. The pain in scar tissue among Group 2 was significantly less than for Group 1 (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Due to shorter operative times, mini-incisions proximal to the flexor crease can be performed. The absence of relapse and good clinical results make both surgical techniques suitable. For this reason, we consider that the selection of the mini-surgical technique used should depend on the experience and skill of the surgeon.

Elevated uric acid and functional mitral regurgitation in dilated cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Recent findings suggest that there is a close relationship between chronic heart failure and uric acid. AIMS: The aim of the study was to assess whether increased uric acid levels in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy might correlate with the degree of functional mitral regurgitation (MR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty two consecutive patients diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy were included in the study. The patients were classified according to severity of functional MR into two groups: mild-moderate functional MR (ERO < 0.2 cm2) and severe functional MR. RESULTS: The patients with severe functional MR had significantly higher serum uric acid levels compared to patients without severe functional MR (6.34 ± 1.61 mg/dL vs 5.43 ± 1.17 mg/dL respectively, p = 0.012). Furthermore, tenting area, an important predictor of functional MR severity, was moderately correlated with the serum uric acid levels (r = 0.351, p = 0.005). It was also shown that the serum uric acid concentrations were inversely correlated with left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, and positively correlated with LV volumes. There was also a significant relation between the serum uric acid and left atrial volumes and also brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, this study demonstrates that elevated serum uric acid levels in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy are correlated with the severity of functional MR and echocardiographic volume indices.

Successful percutaneous closure in patients with difficult atrial septal defects: case series and review of literature.

Atrial septal defect is a common form of congenital heart disease. Percutenous closure is an important treatment option for these patients. In this case series, we intend to share the percutaneous closure of the difficult types of secundum atrial septal defects.