Comparative Analysis of Right vs. Left Radial Access in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Impact on Silent Cerebral Ischemia.

Background and Objectives: Silent cerebral ischemia (SCI) is defined as a condition that can be detected by biochemical markers or cranial imaging methods but does not produce clinical symptom. This study aims both to compare the frequency of SCI in PCIs performed with right transradial access and left transradial access and to evaluate the influencing factors. Materials and Methods: A prospective, single-center study included 197 patients undergoing PCI via transradial access between November 2020 and July 2022. The patients were categorized into right radial and left radial groups. Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) values were measured and recorded before and 18 h after the procedure. A post-procedure NSE level higher than 20 ng/dL was defined as SCI. Results: SCI occurred in 60 of the 197 patients. NSE elevation was observed in 37.4% (n = 37) of the right radial group and in 23.5% (n = 23) of the left radial group (p = 0.032). Patients with SCI had higher rates of smoking (p = 0.043), presence of subclavian tortuosity (p = 0.027), and HbA1c (p = 0.031). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the level of EF (ejection fraction) (OR: 0.958 95% CI 0.920-0.998, p = 0.039), right radial preference (OR: 2.104 95% CI 1.102-3.995 p = 0.023), and smoking (OR: 2.088 95% CI 1.105-3.944, p = 0.023) were observed as independent variables of NSE elevation. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that PCI via right radial access poses a greater risk of SCI compared to left radial access. Anatomical considerations and technical challenges associated with right radial procedures and factors such as smoking and low ejection fraction contribute to this elevated risk.

Optimising Percutaneous Coronary Interventions: The Impact of Stent Type and Diameter on Long-Term Clinical Outcomes in Large Coronary Arteries.

Background and Objectives: Our study aimed to reveal the effect of using 4 mm bare-metal stents (BMS), 4 mm drug-eluting stents (DES), or 3 mm DES with 4 mm diameter balloon post-dilation strategies on long-term clinical outcomes and endpoints for large-diameter coronary artery percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Materials and Methods: In our study, patients who had undergone PCI were retrospectively screened between January 2014 and July 2020. The study included 350 patients and was divided into three groups; Group I (n = 134) included patients with direct 4.0 mm BMS implantation, Group II (n = 109) included patients with direct 4.0 DES implantation, and Group III (n = 107) included patients with 4mm NC post-dilatation after 3 mm DES implantation. Primary endpoints were determined as target lesion revascularisation, cardiac mortality, and myocardial infarction associated with the target vessel. Our secondary endpoint was all-cause mortality. Results: No differences were observed between the groups in terms of the baseline variables. Stent length was the highest in Group II and the shortest in Group III. There were no significant differences between the groups regarding major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Conclusions: Our study suggests that in percutaneous coronary interventions for non-complex lesions, there is no significant difference in MACE outcomes when directly implanting a 4 mm diameter DES, a 4 mm diameter BMS, or a 3 mm diameter DES, followed by post-dilation with an appropriately sized NC balloon when the target vessel diameter is in the range of 4 to 4.4 mm.

Predictors of Length of Stay after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: Impact of Prognostic Nutritional Index.

Background: Pre-transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) nutritional status can potentially affect the length of hospital stay (LoS) after TAVR. The Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) is a widely recognised nutritional index. We aimed to determine the effect of PNI on LoS in patients undergoing TAVR. Methods: The study population (158 patients) was divided into two groups: early discharge (LoS ≤ 3 days) and late discharge (LoS > 3 days). PNI was calculated before TAVR. Results: In the LoS > 3 days group, the median age, creatinine level, rate of surgical access site closure and rate of major complications were higher, whereas estimated glomerular filtration rate, albumin, haemoglobin, lymphocyte count and PNI were significantly lower. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed a PNI cutoff of 39 (area under the curve = 0.778, p < 0.001) with 86.8% sensitivity and 55.2% specificity for predicting extended LoS. The 30-day endpoint analysis revealed significantly higher rates of death and hospitalisation with LoS > 3 days and PNI ≤ 39. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis identified several independent predictors of extended LoS: severe renal insufficiency [odds ratio: 3.951 (95% confidence interval: 1.281-12.191); p = 0.017], surgical access site closure [4.353 (1.701-11.141); p = 0.002), complications [7.448 (1.305-42.518); p = 0.024] and PNI < 39 [5.906 (2.375-14.684); p < 0.005]. Conclusions: Decreased PNI may be associated with LoS > 3 days after TAVR. Nutritional status assessed using PNI may be a useful independent predictor of LoS after TAVR.

Assessment of silent brain injury in patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention due to chronic total occlusion.

Objective: Silent brain infarcts (SBI) are thromboembolic complications associated with cardiac surgery, diagnostic angiography, and percutaneous interventions. Serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) is the proven biomarker for measuring neuronal damage. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of SBI, defined as elevated NSE after coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) intervention and elective coronary stenting. Design: The study population consisted of two patient groups: the CTO group included consecutive patients with coronary CTO intervention, and the control group consisted of patients who underwent elective coronary intervention. NSE blood levels were measured before and 12-18 h after the procedure. NSE blood levels of >20 ng/mL were considered SBI. Results: A total of 108 patients were included in the study. Of these, 55 (50.9%) had SBI after the procedure. The SBI rate was 59.7% in the CTO group and 39.1% in the control group. Patients with SBI were more likely to have diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, higher HbA1c, higher total stent length, and longer procedural time. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that CTO procedure (odds ratio [OR]: 3.129; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.246-7.858; p < 0.015) and diabetes mellitus (OR: 2.93; 95% CI: 1.185-7.291; p < 0.020) are independent predictors of SBI. Conclusion: Our data suggest that SBI occurs more frequently after CTO intervention than after non-CTO intervention. Intervention complexity and patient clinical characteristics may explain the increased incidence.

Effect of Covid-19 pandemic process on STEMI patients timeline.

OBJECTIVE: Delayed revascularisation in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is associated with poor prognosis. The aim of this study is to investigate how the timeline in STEMI treatment was affected during the Covid-19 outbreak. METHOD: Consecutive 165 STEMI patients were enrolled in the study during the Covid-19 pandemic period (Pandemic period) and the prepandemic period (Control period). The time period until patients' leaving their current position after the onset of pain (home delay), the time from the onset of pain to the first medical contact (FMC delay), door-to-balloon time, procedure time and hospitalisation time were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 165 patients, 82 in the Pandemic period and 83 in the Control period, were included in the study. When compared with the control period, home delay [30 (5-6912) minutes vs 165 (10-360) minutes, P < .001] and FMC delay [61 (20-6932) minutes vs 190 (15-3660) minutes, P < .001] were significantly prolonged during the pandemic period. In addition, non-IRA PCI rate (8.8% vs 19.3% P = .043) and hospitalisation time [71 (15-170) vs 74.2 (37-329) hours, P = .045] were decreased. CONCLUSION: During the Covid-19 pandemic period, prolonged prehospital time parameters were observed in STEMI patients. Therefore, additional measures may be required to prevent unfavourable delays in STEMI patients during the outbreak.

Microvascular abnormalities in asymptomatic chronic smokers: A videocapillaroscopic study.

Cigarette smoking is reportedly associated with coronary, cerebral, and peripheral vascular diseases. Nailfold videocapillaroscopy is a noninvasive imaging technique used to examine the microvasculature. In this study we aim to investigate the capillaroscopic abnormalities of asymptomatic chronic smokers (N = 30), and compare findings to those of healthy nonsmokers (N = 30). Nailfold videocapillaroscopy was performed with a videodermatoscope, with images recorded at 40× magnification. Capillary morphologies were assessed as normal, enlargement, tortuosity, and microhemorrhages. Capillaroscopic abnormalities were seen in 16 (53.3%) of subjects within the smoker group and seven (23.3%) within the nonsmoker group (p < 0.05). Six smokers had only capillary enlargement; another 10 had both capillary enlargement and microhemorrhages. In comparison, enlarged capillaries and both enlarged capillaries and microhemorrhages were observed in three and four nonsmokers, respectively. In conclusion, nailfold capillaroscopic abnormalities were more common among asymptomatic chronic smokers than healthy nonsmokers, with the enlargement of nailfold capillaries being the most common abnormality. Nailfold videocapillaroscopic examination may serve as an efficient tool in determining microvascular abnormalities in asymptomatic chronic smokers not only for risk stratification purposes, but also to take the measures needed to preclude future vascular events.

Echocardiographic assessment of pulmonary arterial stiffness in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is one of the complications of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Despite the emergence of effective therapies, pulmonary arterial hypertension is commonly seen, especially at advanced stages. At the time of diagnosis, a majority of patients are at New York Heart Association-Functional Class III or IV. Many of the current screening modalities are dependent on detecting a rise in pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP). However, high capacitance of the pulmonary circulation implies that early microcirculation loss is not accompanied by a change in resting PAP. Therefore, we aimed to demonstrate early changes in pulmonary vascular disease in HIV-infected patients with a new echocardiographic parameter, called as pulmonary arterial stiffness (PAS). METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty-six HIV-infected patients and 36 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects were enrolled in this study. PAS was calculated echocardiographically by using maximal frequency shift and acceleration time of the pulmonary artery flow trace. There was no significant difference in diastolic functions, right ventricular diameters, systolic PAP, inferior vena cava widths, right atrial area, and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion values between the two groups. However, PAS was calculated as 24.3 ± 6.4 Hz/msn in HIV-infected patients and 19.3 ± 3.1 Hz/msn in healthy control group (P < 0.001). Increase in PAS was correlated with duration of HIV infection (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that HIV infection affects pulmonary vascular bed starting early onset of disease and this can be demonstrated by an easy-to-measure echocardiographic parameter.

Calcification of breast artery as detected by mammography: association with coronary and aortic calcification

Background/aim: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9740-3580 Materials and methods: A total of 404 female patients above 40 years of age who, within a 6-month period, had undergone thoracic computed tomography and mammography for various reasons were screened retrospectively at our clinic. Mammographies were assessed for BAC and thoracic CT investigations were assessed for CAC and AC. Patients included in the study were scored as 0 (none), 1 (mild), 2 (moderate), or 3 (severe) depending on the number and shape of CAC, AC, and BAC lesions observed. Results: Four hundred and four females were enrolled in the study. While BAC was detected in 123 patients, no BAC was observed in the other 281 patients. In the BAC-positive patients, the rates of CAC (45.5% vs. 19.9%, P < 0.001) and AC (67.5% vs. 32.4%, P < 0.001) were notably higher than in the BAC-negative patients. In addition, multivariate regression analysis detected the presence of BAC as an independent variable for both CAC and AC. Conclusion: The presence of BAC appeared to be a significant risk factor for CAC and AC, and the BAC grade was considered an independent risk factor for CAC.

Left Ventricular Myocardial Deformation Parameters Are Affected by Coronary Slow Flow Phenomenon: A Study of Speckle Tracking Echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: The coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP) is defined as a delayed distal vessel contrast opacification in the absence of obstructive epicardial coronary artery disease during coronary angiography. There is conflicting data in medical literature regarding the effects of CSFP on the left ventricular functions assessed by conventional echocardiography or tissue Doppler imaging. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate whether there is any abnormality in the myocardial deformation parameters (strain, strain rate (SR), rotation, twist) of the left ventricle obtained by speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) in patients with CSFP. METHODS: Twenty patients with CSFP were included prospectively in the study. Another 20 patients with similar demographics and cardiovascular risk factors as well as normal coronary angiography were used as the control group. Two-dimensional echocardiographic images of the left ventricle from the apical long-axis, two-chamber, four-chamber, and parasternal short-axis views were used for STE analysis. RESULTS: The analysis of left ventricular circumferential deformation parameters showed that the averaged peak systolic strain, systolic SR, and early diastolic SR values were significantly lower in patients with CSFP (P = 0.009, P = 0.02, and P = 0.02, respectively). Among the left ventricular rotation and twist values, apical rotation was significantly lower in patients with CSFP (P = 0.02). Further, the mean thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count value was found to be negatively correlated with the averaged peak circumferential early diastolic SR (r = -0.35, P = 0.03). It was positively correlated with the averaged peak circumferential systolic strain (r = 0.47, P = 0.003) and circumferential systolic SR (r = 0.46, P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Coronary slow flow phenomenon leads to significant alterations in the myocardial deformation parameters of the left ventricle as assessed by STE. Specifically, circumferential deformation parameters are affected in CSFP patients.

Serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin levels in patients with non-dipper hypertension.

PURPOSE: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a protein belonging to the lipocalin superfamily and plays a role in atherosclerosis, renal injury and inflammation. The present study aimed to investigate serum NGAL concentrations in groups of patients with dipper and non-dipper hypertension (HT) and to characterize the relationship between NGAL concentration and circadian blood pressure in hypertensive patients. METHODS: A total of 41 (22 male, 19 female, mean age: 56.1 ±8.9 years) non-dipper HT patients, 40 (19 male, 21 female, mean age: 54.0 ±10.0 years) dipper HT patients and 42 age- and gender-matched healthy individuals were enrolled in the study. Dipper and non-dipper HT were diagnosed via ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Serum NGAL concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay from blood samples obtained from patients. RESULTS: Serum NGAL concentrations were found to be significantly higher in the non-dipper and dipper HT patient groups in comparison with the control group (84.9 ±23.0 ng/ml and 62.1 ±17.8 vs. 46.6 ± 13.7 ng/ml, p <0.017, respectively). Moreover, serum NGAL concentrations were significantly higher in the non-dipper HT group in comparison with the dipper HT group (p<0.017). Serum NGAL concentration showed significant correlation with overall ambulatory BP levels both in non-dipper and dipper HP groups. CONCLUSION: Serum NGAL concentrations increased significantly in non-dipper HT patients in comparison with dipper HT patients and normotensive patients and show significant correlation with ambulatory BP levels. Serum NGAL concentration might be a useful marker in identifying HT patients with higher risk for cardiovascular mortality.

Exercise-Induced Repolarization Changes in Patients with Isolated Myocardial Bridging.

BACKGROUND: Although myocardial bridging (MB) is defined as an angiographic phenomenon with a benign course, it has also been associated with adverse cardiovascular events. The effects of exercise on myocardial repolarization in patients with MB were tested in this study, with Tp-e and Tp-e/QT repolarization indexes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 50 patients in whom isolated MB was diagnosed at coronary angiography (CAG) (Group I) and 48 patients with normal CAG results (Group II) were included in this study. The participants underwent treadmill exercise stress testing according to the Bruce protocol. QT dispersion (QTd) was defined as the minimum QT interval subtracted from the maximum. The Tp-e interval was defined as the difference between the QT and the QT peak time period. QTd and Tp-e intervals were calculated for all patients before and after exercise testing and differences between groups were compared. RESULTS: At peak exercise, QTd and cQTd showed a significant increase in comparison to baseline values in the group of patients with myocardial bridges. Significant increases were also found with exercise in the Tp-e, cTp-e durations and Tp-e/QT ratio of the MB patient group in comparison to the baseline values. On the other hand, significant differences in QTd, cQTd, Tp-e, cTp-e intervals, and Tp-e/QT ratio during peak exercise in comparison with baseline values were not detected in the control group (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Significant increases in QTd, cQTd, Tp-e and cTp-e intervals and Tp-e/QT ratio were detected in the MB patients during exercise testing.

The Relationships between Atrial Electromechanical Delay and CHA2DS2-VASc Score in Patients Diagnosed with Paroxysmal AF.

AIM: This study aims to evaluate the relationship between atrial electromechanical delay (AEMD) times and CHA2DS2-VASc scores in patients diagnosed with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included a total of 74 patients, 34 of whom were diagnosed with PAF and 40 were included in the control group. The CHA2DS2-VASc score was calculated for each patient. Additionally, blood samples were taken from all patients and transthoracic echocardiographic measurements were made. Left atrial mechanical functions and AEMD were calculated. RESULTS: Mean CHA2DS2-VASc score measured was 2.24 ± 1.53 in PAF group. There was no significant difference between the groups when the patients were evaluated for baseline characteristics and laboratory parameters (P > 0.05) The echocardiographic evaluation of LA mechanical functions showed that only LA minimum volume (19 ± 6.4 vs. 16.7 ± 4.6, P = 0.02) and LA presystolic volume (28.9 ± 7 vs. 25.1 ± 5.7, P = 0.01) were higher in the PAF group. When AEMD was compared between the groups; lateral PA, septal PA, tricuspid PA, Interatrial EMD, and intraatrial EMD were significantly extended compared to control group (P < 0.001) CHA2DS2-VASc score was correlated with Lateral atrial PA (P < 0.001, r = 0.524), Septal atrial PA (P < 0.001, r = 0.45), Interatrial EMD (P < 0.001, r = 0.54), and intraatrial EMD (P < 0.001, r = 0.51) times. CONCLUSION: The present study shows that AEMD times increase in patients with PAF compared to the control group. Furthermore, this study revealed a correlation between AEMD times and CHA2DS2-VASc score, as well showed that extended AEMD time may be associated with thromboembolism risk.

Assessment of atrial electromechanical delay and left atrial mechanical functions in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.

OBJECTIVES: Increased frequency of atrial fibrillation (AF) has been demonstrated in psoriasis cases. Prolongation of the duration of atrial electromechanical delay (AEMD) is a well-known characteristic of the atrium, which is vulnerable to AF. In the current study, our aims are to investigate AEMD durations and mechanical functions of the left atrium (LA) in patients with psoriasis. METHODS: A total of 90 patients, 45 with psoriasis vulgaris and 45 as the control group, were included in the study. Atrial electromechanical coupling (PA) and intra- and inter-atrial electromechanical delay (IA-AEMD) were measured with tissue Doppler echocardiography. P-wave dispersion (PWD) was calculated from the 12-lead electrocardiogram. The severity of the disease was evaluated by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index. RESULTS: The durations of PA lateral and PA septal were significantly high in the psoriasis group when compared with the control group (47.7 ± 9.8 vs. 57.1 ± 8.4 msec, P < 0.001 and 38.6 ± 9.9 vs. 43.6 ± 8 msec, P = 0.016, respectively). The durations of IA-AEMD, intra-right electromechanical delay, and intra-left electromechanical delay in the psoriasis group were significantly prolonged compared with the control group (15.2 ± 4.1 vs. 21.7 ± 5.6 msec, P < 0.001; 6 ± 2.5 vs. 8.7 ± 2.7 msec, P < 0.001; and 9.1 ± 3.9 vs. 13.5 ± 5.2 msec, P < 0.001; respectively). PWD was significantly higher in patients with psoriasis vulgaris compared with controls (36.1 ± 7.9 vs. 40.2 ± 9.1 msec, P = 0.043). CONCLUSION: In the present study, we found prolongation in the durations of AEMD and PWD in the psoriasis group compared with the control group. These results might be an early predictor of AF and other arrhythmias.

P-Wave Dispersion and Atrial Electromechanical Delay in Patients with Preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the duration of atrial electromechanical delay (EMD) and left atrial mechanical function in patients with preeclampsia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 26 pregnant women with preeclampsia and 24 age-matched pregnant women without preeclampsia (control group). Atrial electromechanical coupling (PA) and intra-atrial and interatrial EMD were measured using tissue Doppler echocardiography. P-wave dispersion (PWD) was measured via 12-lead electrocardiography. All data were analyzed using SPSS v.15.0 for Windows (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, Ill., USA). Differences in continuous variables between groups were examined using a nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test. Correlation analysis was performed using Spearman's coefficient of correlation. Categorical values were compared using a χ2 test. RESULTS: PA lateral and PA septal durations were significantly longer in the preeclampsia group than in the control group [74.6 ± 8.1 vs. 62.3 ± 5.3 ms (p < 0.001) and 59.7 ± 5.3 vs. 56.2 ± 4.9 ms (p = 0.005), respectively]. The duration of interatrial EMD and intra-atrial EMD in the preeclampsia group was significantly longer than in the control group [25.4 ± 4.6 vs. 13.2 ± 3.9 ms (p < 0.001) and 10.5 ± 1.9 vs. 7.1 ± 1.2 ms (p < 0.001), respectively]. PWD was significantly higher in patients with preeclampsia (43.1 ± 9.1 ms) than in the controls (37.6 ± 7.9 ms; p = 0.008). There was a significant correlation between PWD and interatrial EMD and intra-atrial EMD [r = 0.46 (p < 0.001) and r = 0.39 (p < 0.001), respectively]. CONCLUSION: The duration of atrial EMD and PWD was prolonged in patients with preeclampsia.

Evaluation of plasma chemerin levels in patients with non-dipper blood pressure patterns.

BACKGROUND: Chemerin is a novel adipokine that plays a role in inflammation and atherosclerosis. Although there are several correlations between hypertension and the inflammatory system, there is still insufficient information about the relationship between blood pressure variability and inflammatory markers. In this study, we aimed to determine whether chemerin levels are elevated in non-dipper patients compared with dippers and healthy controls. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was composed of a group of 90 patients: 60 hypertensive patients and 30 healthy control subjects (12 males, mean age 53.2 ± 15.4 years). Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring devices (ABPM) were connected to all patients. Using data from the ABPM, hypertensive patients were divided into 2 groups: 30 dipper patients (12 males, mean age 52.5 ± 15.1 years) and 30 non-dipper patients (11 males, mean age 54.6 ± 13.0 years). Complete blood count and biochemistry were measured by standard methods and plasma chemerin concentrations were quantified by ELISA. RESULTS: Non-dipper patients demonstrated higher chemerin levels compared to dippers and normotensives (219.7 ± 16.3 vs. 182.4 ± 21.4 ng/ml; 219.7 ± 16.3 vs. 85.4 ± 38.1 ng/ml, respectively, p<0.001 for both comparisons). A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the optimal cut-off value for chemerin to predict a non-dipping pattern was 201.4, with 90% sensitivity and 90% specificity. There was a positive correlation between chemerin levels and all ambulatory blood pressure values in all hypertensive patients. CONCLUSIONS: Chemerin, which plays a role in inflammation and atherosclerosis, was higher in non-dippers compared to dippers and normotensives. Additionally, chemerin shows positive correlations with blood pressure.

Impaired heart rate recovery indices in psoriasis patients.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory disease associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. The heart rate recovery index (HRRI) is an indicator of autonomic nervous system function and is an independent prognostic risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the heart rate recovery indices in patients with psoriasis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-three psoriasis patients (22 male; mean age 41 ± 11 years) and 26 healthy individuals (15 male; mean age 39 ± 11 years) as a control group were included in the study. Baseline electrocardiography, transthoracic echocardiographic examinations, and exercise stress tests were performed in psoriasis and control groups. The heart rate recovery of the psoriasis group at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 minutes after maximal exercise were calculated and compared to those of the control group. RESULTS: Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics of psoriasis and control groups including age, sex, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, and echocardiographic parameters were similar. Total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were significantly higher and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly lower in the psoriasis group (p<0.05). Heart rate recovery at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 minutes after maximal exercise were found to be significantly lower in the psoriasis group (p<0.05). Additionally, baseline heart rates before exercise were significantly higher in the psoriasis group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We found that impaired HRRI in psoriasis patients, which indicates the underlying autonomic nervous system dysfunction, is a pathophysiologic mechanism for increased cardiovascular disease risk.

The effect of blood cell count on coronary flow in patients with coronary slow flow phenomenon.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP) is a coronary artery disease with a benign course, but its pathological mechanisms are not yet fully understood.The purpose of this controlled study was to investigate the cellular content of blood in patients diagnosed with CSFP and the relationship of this with coronary flow rates. METHODS: Selective coronary angiographies of 3368 patients were analyzed to assess Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) frame count (TFC) values. Seventy eight of them had CSFP, and their demographic and laboratory findings were compared with 61 patients with normal coronary flow. RESULTS: Patients' demographic characteristics were similar in both groups. Mean corrected TFC (cTFC) values were significantly elevated in CSFP patients (p<0.001). Furthermore, hematocrit and hemoglobin values, and eosinophil and basophil counts of the CSFP patients were significantly elevated compared to the values obtained in the control group (p=0.005, p=0.047, p=0.001 and p=0.002, respectively). The increase observed in hematocrit and eosinophil levels showed significant correlations with increased TFC values (r=0.288 and r=0.217, respectively). CONCLUSION: Significant changes have been observed in the cellular composition of blood in patients diagnosed with CSFP as compared to the patients with normal coronary blood flow. The increases in hematocrit levels and in the eosinophil and basophil counts may have direct or indirect effects on the rate of coronary blood flow.

Evaluation of silent brain injury in patients undergoing aorto-ostial coronary stent implantation.

BACKGROUND: Aorto-ostial (AO) coronary interventions may be associated with multiple problems, including the potential embolization of atherothrombotic debris into the aorta and systemic circulation. Such embolization could theoretically lead to stroke or silent brain injury (SBI). In this study, we aimed to investigate whether there is an increased risk of SBI in patients undergoing AO stent implantation. METHODS: Fifty-five consecutive patients undergoing AO stenting and 55 consecutive patients undergoing non-AO stenting were included. Venous blood samples were obtained before and 12 h after the procedure to measure neuron-specific enolase (NSE), which is a sensitive marker of brain injury. Newly developed NSE elevation after the procedure in an asymptomatic patient was defined as SBI. RESULTS: SBI was detected in 24 (43.6%) patients in the AO stenting group and 17 (30.9%) patients in the non-AO stenting group (p = .167). Although the SBI rates were statistically comparable between the groups, the presence of significant (≥50%) AO stenosis was found to be an independent predictor of SBI in multivariate logistic regression analysis [odds ratio (OR) 2.856; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.057-7.716; p = .038]. A longer procedure time was another independent predictor for the development of SBI (OR 1.037; 95% CI 1.005-1.069; p = .023). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that AO stenting may be associated with an increased risk of SBI if the lesion in the ostium is significant.

Evaluation of the relationship between arterial blood pressure, aortic stiffness and serum endothelin-1 levels in patients with essential hypertension.

This study has attempted to evaluate the relationship between aortic stiffness, blood pressure (BP) and serum endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels in patients with essential HT. Totally 152 subjects, consisting of 103 patients diagnosed with HT at least 1 year previously and 49 healthy individuals, were enrolled in this study. They were subdivided, on the basis of BP measurements made at home, into three groups as the hypertensives with dysregulated BP (n = 56), the hypertensives with regulated BP (n = 47) and the normotensive controls (n = 49). Statistically significant differences were observed between the three groups with respect to aortic elasticity parameters (p < 0.01 for aortic strain, aortic distensibility and aortic stiffness). Serum ET-1 levels in the three groups were similar (p = 0.101), but a significant correlation was observed between the ET-1 values and the aortic elasticity parameters (p = 0.004). Alteration of the aortic elasticity parameters in patients with HT not only correlates with the serum ET-1 levels indicating endothelial dysfunction but also gives direct clues about status of BP regulation.

Serum urotensin II levels in patients with non-dipper hypertension.

Hypertension terms "dipper" and "non-dipper" are propounded by the change that occurs during ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring. The purpose of this study is to present whether the serum urotensin II levels are different in patients with dipper and non-dipper hypertension and to put forward the effects causing this difference, if there are any. Patients recently diagnosed with hypertension were included in the study. With ambulatory BP monitoring, 81 patients with high BP were divided into two groups, dipper (n = 40) and non-dipper (n = 41). Serum urotensin II levels were analyzed by ELISA method. Serum urotensin II levels were higher in patients with non-dipper hypertension than in patients with dipper hypertension (204 [106-533] vs. 140 [96-309], P = .004). There was a positive correlation between total systolic BP and serum urotensin II levels (r = 0.408 and P = .009), but the relation in the non-dipper hypertension group was not significant (r = 0.194 and P = .2). In conclusion, serum urotensin II levels were higher in non-dipper HT patients than dipper HT patients. This higher urotensin II level might be responsible for poor prognoses.