Angiographic characteristics of coronary artery fistulas.

OBJECTIVES: Coronary artery fistula (CAF) in adults is a rare form of coronary artery anomaly. It is often diagnosed incidentally during coronary angiography. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and angiographic characteristics of adult patients with CAF. STUDY DESIGN: We retrospectively reviewed the database of 70,850 patients who had undergone coronary angiography in five different invasive cardiology centers in the southeastern region of Turkey. Among them, 56 patients had CAF (39 males, 17 females, mean age: 63.7±10.4 years). Demographic data, clinical evaluation and cardiac catheterization reports were reviewed from the medical records. RESULTS: A total of 58 fistulas were detected in 56 patients; two patients (3.6%) had bilateral fistulas originating from both the left and right coronary artery. In our angiographic series, CAF prevalence was 0.08%. Dyspnea on exertion and/or angina pectoris was the most common symptom (69%). Fifteen patients (26.8%) had concomitant obstructive coronary artery disease. Coronary artery fistulas originated mainly from the left anterior descending artery (n=30, 51.7%). Others originated from the right coronary artery (n=15, 25.9%), circumflex artery (n=6, 10.3%), and right sinus of Valsalva (n=3, 5.2%). In four patients (n=4, 7.1%), multiple micro fistula were draining into the left ventricle. CONCLUSION: In our angiographic series, the prevalence of CAF was 0.08%, and the most common site of origin was the left anterior descending artery.

Predictors of preinterventional patency of infarct-related artery in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: Importance of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and uric acid level.

BACKGROUND: Patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and a patent infarct-related artery (IRA) experience lower mortality and better clinical outcome, but little is known about the predictors of IRA patency before primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the setting of STEMI. OBJECTIVE: To assess possible predictors of patency of IRA before primary PCI in patients with STEMI. METHODS: A total of 880 patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI were prospectively included (646 male, 234 female; mean [± SD] age 58.5±12.4 years). Blood samples were obtained on admission to investigate biochemical markers. Preinterventional thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow was assessed in all patients. The patients were divided into two groups according to the pre-PCI TIMI flow as impaired flow group (TIMI flow 0, 1 and 2) and normal flow group (TIMI flow 3). Transthoracic echocardiography was performed in all patients. RESULTS: Eighty-three (9.43%) patients had pre-PCI TIMI 3 flow in IRA. Uric acid levels and neutrophil to lymphocyte (N to L) ratio in the normal flow group were lower than in the impaired flow group (P<0.001 for both). However, ejection fraction (EF) was higher in the normal flow group than in the impaired flow group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that IRA patency was independently associated with serum uric acid level (ß 0.673 [95% CI 0.548 to 0.826]; P<0.001), N to L ratio (ß 0.783 [95% CI 0.683 to 0.897]; P<0.001) and EF (ß 1.033 [95% CI 1.006 to 1.061]; P=0.016). CONCLUSION: Serum uric acid level, N to L ratio and EF are independent predictors of the pre-PCI patency of IRA in patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI.

Evaluation of the hypertensive patients in southeastern Anatolia; demographic features and target organ damage.

We investigated the socio-demographic characteristics, blood and pulse pressure, and end organ damage of hypertensive patients applying to an outpatient cardiology clinic in southeastern Anatolia. End organ damage in 100 consecutive hypertensive patients was defined by left ventricular hypertrophy, retinopathy, and albuminuria. The determined independent risk factors of left ventricular hypertrophy were advanced age and low educational level; of nephropathy were high pulse pressure and unawareness of the name of anti-hypertensive drug; and for retinopathy were high pulse pressure and female gender. In order to prevent end organ damage, the most important aspect to focus on is patient training and pulse pressure.

A comparison of blood pressure and pulse pressure values obtained by oscillometric and central measurements in hypertensive patients.

OBJECTIVE: Wide pulse pressure (PP) affects the accuracy of oscillometric blood pressure measurements (OBPM): however, the degree of this impact on different patient groups with wide PPs is unclear. This study will investigate the accuracy of OBPM in achieving target BP and PP in isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) group compared with mixed hypertension (MHT) group. METHOD: A total of 115 patients (70 with ISH and 45 with MHT) were enrolled in the study. Upper arm and wrist OBPM, obtained by OmronM3 and OmronR6 devices respectively, were compared with the simultaneously measured values from the ascending aorta. The ISH was defined as a systolic blood pressure (SBP) > or =140 mmHg and a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) <90 mmHg. MHT was defined as a SBP> or =140 mmHg and a DBP> or =90 mmHg. RESULTS: The mean central arterial blood pressure (BP) and central PP were higher in the ISH group than those in the MHT group. The upper arm OBPM underestimated the central SBP in two groups (-5 mmHg, -3 mmHg, p=0.5, respectively), but overestimated DBP in the ISH group compared with MHT patients (6.8 mmHg, 1 mmHg, p=0.04, respectively). Wrist OBPM similarly underestimated to the central SBP in each group (-16 mmHg, -19 mmHg, p=0.15), whereas the sum of overestimation of DBP was significantly higher in the ISH than in the MHT group (+6 mmHg, - 1 mmHg, p=0.001, respectively). Also, each of the devices underestimated the central PP in the ISH group (about 10 mmHg) as being higher than that of the MHT group. CONCLUSION: Oscillometric devices may be used for self-BP measurement in patients with ISH without clinically important disadvantages compared with the patients with MHT. For PP measurement in patients with ISH, there were substantial differences between intra-arterial and indirect arm BP measurements.

An investigation of the heart rate, heart rate variability, cardiac ions, troponin-I and CK-MB in men exposed to 1.5 T constant magnetic fields.

The aim of this study was to investigate heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV) and other cardiac parameters in individuals who were exposed to a high static magnetic field. 30 healthy male volunteers aged between 20-30 years were included. The searching was divided into three phases: pre-magnetic field, during the magnetic field and post-magnetic field. Every phase lasted 30 minutes. Pulse, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respiration rate and elektrocardiography (ECG), recorded for 30 minutes, in all of the individuals were measured during three phases. The men were exposed to a 1.5 T static magnetic field. The levels of Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+), Cl(-), CK-MB, troponin-I and HR and HRV parameters were investigated. There was an increase in the respiration rate, and no change in the systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse in the individuals exposed to the magnetic field. There was also an enhancement in the values of ions, CK-MB and troponin-I after exposure to the magnetic field. Heart rate parameters (minimum HR-I, maximum HR-I, average HR-I) were decreased and rMSSD, pNN50, power, VLF, HF, LF values increased during the magnetic field.

Association of prolidase activity, oxidative parameters, and presence of atrial fibrillation in patients with mitral stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Mitral stenosis (MS) is a common cause of atrial fibrillation (AF). Oxidative stress and inflammation factors were shown to be involved in atrial remodeling. The study aim was to compare the oxidative parameters and prolidase activity in severe MS patients with and without AF. METHODS: The study population was comprised of 33 patients with MS and sinus rhythm (group I), 27 patients with MS and AF (group II), and 25 healthy controls (group III). Plasma prolidase activity, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidative status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) were determined. Additionally, we measured tissue TOS and TAC in patients with mitral valve replacement. RESULTS: TAC and OSI were higher, but TOS and prolidase were lower in patients with MS than control (all p <0.001). These parameters were similar in group I and group II (ANOVA p >0.05). Tissue TAC was significantly lower in group II than group I (0.015 +/- 0.01 vs. 0.026 +/- 0.01 mmol Trolox equiv/L, p = 0.014), tissue TOS was similar between groups I and II (0.24 +/- 0.06 vs. 0.22 +/- 0.05 mmol Trolox equiv/L, p = 0.161). Presence of AF was correlated with systolic blood pressure, left atrial diameter, plasma TAC, tissue TAC, plasma TOS, plasma OSI, and plasma prolidase activity. Tissue TAC level (beta = -0.435, p = 0.006) and left atrial diameter (beta = 0.460, p = 0.003) were independently related with presence of AF in patients with MS. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that the presence of AF in patients with severe MS may be associated with the plasma prolidase activity, tissue and plasma oxidative parameters.

The association of elasticity indexes of ascending aorta and the presence and the severity of coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between elasticity indexes of aorta and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with stable CAD. METHODS: Fifty-six patients with CAD (CAD group) and 40 patients without CAD [non CAD (NCAD group)] were included in the study. Ascending aorta (Ao) diameters (mm) and Ao elastic indexes namely, Ao strain (AS), Ao distensibility (AD) were calculated from the echocardiographically derived Ao diameters and hemodynamic pressure measurements in all patients. Coronary angiography was performed in both CAD and NCAD groups. Severity of CAD was evaluated by using Gensini score index. RESULTS: Mean AD and AS measurements of CAD group were lower than that of NCAD group (P<0.001, for both). In CAD group, both AD and AS were associated with mean arterial blood pressure, presence of hypertension, Gensini score, left ventricle mass index, sex, and triglyceride levels in bivariate analysis (P<0.05, for all). CAD group's both AD (beta = -0.577, P = 0.003) and AS (beta = -0.494, P=0.021) were independently correlated with Gensini score in multiple linear regression analysis. The AD values of > or = 1.24 predict presence of low Gensini score (< or = 26 for this study) with sensitivity of 88.2% and specificity of 84.6% with area under the curve of 0.94; whereas the AS values of > or = 3.36 predict presence of low Gensini score with sensitivity of 82.4% and specificity of 87.2% with area under the curve of 0.873. CONCLUSION: Findings of this study have shown that AD and AS were independently associated with severity of CAD and that impaired elasticity indexes of the aorta might be independent predictors for the severity of coronary atherosclerosis.

Association of paraoxonase activity and coronary collateral flow.

OBJECTIVES: Paraoxonase is a high-density lipoprotein-bound antioxidant enzyme that inhibits atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction. Coronary collateral flow is a crucial clinical entity with significant impact on the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This study sought to determine the relationship between the degree of angiographically visible coronary collateral circulation and serum paraoxonase activity. METHODS: The study population included 98 patients (mean age=57.9+/-10.1 years, 65 men) with angiographically documented total occlusion in one of the major coronary arteries. Development of collaterals was classified by Rentrop's method. Patients were defined as having poorly developed collaterals for Rentrop grades 0 and 1 or well-developed collaterals for Rentrop grades 2 and 3. Serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were measured spectrophotometrically. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences between well and poorly developed collateral groups in respect to serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (P=0.046), and serum paraoxonase (P=0.001), and arylesterase (P=0.014) activities were present. Serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (chi=4.15, beta=-0.347, P=0.032) and serum paraoxonase activity (chi=10.43, beta=0.008, P=0.022) were independent predictors of well-developed coronary collateral flow. Serum paraoxonase activity gradually increased from collateral grade 0 to collateral grade 3 (analysis of variance P=0.003). Serum paraoxonase (r=0.362 and P<0.001) and arylesterase (r=0.245 and P=0.015) activities were both correlated with collateral flow grade. CONCLUSION: Findings of this study suggest that serum paraoxonase activity is independently associated with the degree of coronary collateral flow and reduced serum paraoxonase activity might represent a biochemical marker of impaired coronary collateral flow.

The association of serum prolidase activity with the presence and severity of coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVES: Prolidase is a cytosolic exopeptidase that cleaves iminodipeptides with carboxy-terminal proline or hydroxyproline and plays major role in collagen turnover. Collagen is the essential content in atherosclerotic plaque playing a key role in the stability/instability of and progression of coronary artery disease (CAD). Consequently, in this study we sought to determine serum prolidase activity and markers of oxidative stress such as lipid hydroperoxide and total free sulfhydryl in CAD. DESIGN AND METHODS: We have evaluated 199 patients with CAD and 122 control cases with clinical, electrocardiographic, and laboratory investigation. We have measured serum prolidase activity and serum total free sulfhydryl levels spectrophotometrically. Serum lipid hydroperoxide levels were determined with ferrous ion oxidation-xylenol orange method. We assessed the association of serum prolidase activity with the presence and severity of CAD and clinical characteristics, and laboratory parameters. RESULTS: Serum prolidase activity (52.5+/-5.6 vs. 46.7+/-5.1 U/l, respectively, P<0.001) and serum lipid hydroperoxide levels were significantly increased in patients with CAD compared with control cases whereas, serum total free sulfhydryl levels were significantly decreased in patients with CAD compared with control cases. Serum prolidase activity and total free sulfhydryl levels were independent predictors of the presence of CAD [(chi=75.532, ss=0.212, P=0.003) and (chi=25.969, ss=-30.486, P=0.019), respectively] and Gensini score [(beta=0.276, P<0.001) and (beta=-0.274, P<0.001), respectively]. Independent predictors of serum prolidase activity were serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (beta=-0.138, P=0.023) and urea levels (beta=0.146, P=0.036), and Gensini score (beta=0.317, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Findings of this study have shown that serum prolidase activity is significantly associated with the presence and severity of CAD, and elevated serum prolidase activity might be an independent predictor of coronary atherosclerosis.

Association of breast arterial calcification and carotid intima-media thickness.

Breast arterial calcification (BAC) on mammography has been identified as calcific medial sclerosis of medium-sized breast arteries, and has been reported to be associated with cardiovascular risk factors, coronary artery disease, and cardiovascular mortality. Carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT) is a well-known surrogate marker of atherosclerosis and predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Consequently, the present study was designed to investigate the association between the presence of BAC on mammography and C-IMT. Twenty-five postmenopausal cases with BAC and 29 subjects without BAC on mammography were included in the study. Cardiovascular risk factors, number of childbirths, postmenopausal duration, and age at menopause were all noted besides detailed physical and laboratory examination. In the whole study population C-IMT was measured with B-mode ultrasound. The women with BAC had significantly increased number of childbirths, postmenopausal duration, frequency of diabetes mellitus, systolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, and CIMT (0.87 +/- 0.17 mm versus 0.60 +/- 0.19 mm) in comparison with the women without BAC (P < 0.05 for all). The C-IMT was correlated with age, number of childbirths, postmenopausal duration, presence of BAC, and serum triglyceride level (P < 0.05 for all). Independent predictors of C-IMT were the presence of BAC on mammography (beta = 0.463, P < 0.001) and serum triglyceride level (beta = 0.222, P = 0.042), whereas the only independent predictor of BAC was CIMT (chi(2) = 23.41, beta = 7.56, P = 0.004). Findings of the present study suggest that the BAC on mammography is independently associated with C-IMT. Screening mammographies merit to be evaluated for the presence of BAC, which might benefit cardiovascular preventive medicine in women by predicting atherosclerosis.

Relation between P-wave dispersion and left ventricular geometric patterns in newly diagnosed essential hypertension.

AIM: P-wave durations and P-wave dispersion (PD) are considered to reflect the heterogeneous conduction in atria. The aim of this study was to investigate PD and P-wave duration in different left ventricle geometric patterns of hypertensive patients. METHODS: One hundred forty-nine consecutive patients with newly diagnosed essential hypertension and 29 healthy control groups were included in the study. The maximum and minimum P-wave duration (Pmax and Pmin, respectively) and PD were measured from the 12-lead surface electrocardiogram. Echocardiographic examination was also performed in all subjects. Four different geometric patterns were identified in hypertensive patients according to left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and relative wall thickness. RESULTS: P-wave dispersion was longer in concentric remodeling (CR), concentric hypertrophy (CH), and eccentric hypertrophy (EH) groups when compared with the control group (P = .009, P < .001, P < .001, respectively). P-wave dispersion of normal left ventricle (NLV) geometric pattern was not different from that of the control group. Patients with NLV geometric pattern had shorter PD than patients who had CH and EH (NLV vs CH, P < .001; NLV vs EH, P = .025). P-wave dispersion of the NLV group was not different from that of the CR group. Patients with CR had also shorter PD than patients who had CH (P = .002). In bivariate analysis, there was a significant correlation between PD with left ventricle geometry, body surface area, LVMI, and relative wall thickness. In multiple linear regression analysis, PD was independently correlated only with LVMI (beta = .425, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: P-wave dispersion is independently associated with LVMI rather than left ventricle geometry and relative wall thickness in hypertensive patients. Thus, it is increased particularly in patients with CH and EH.

Relation of serum uric acid levels with the presence and severity of angiographic coronary artery disease.

The aim of this study is to investigate the association between uric acid level and severity of coronary artery disease. Consecutive 495 patients with coronary artery disease and 356 individuals with normal coronary angiograms were included in the study. Severity of coronary artery disease was evaluated using the Gensini score index. For both groups, conventional risk factors, the levels of uric acid, and other biochemical markers were assessed. The mean uric acid levels of the patient group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P = .002). Mean uric acid levels were higher in men than in women (P < .001). In the coronary artery disease group, there was no significant correlation between uric acid levels and Gensini score in both sexes. Thus, it can be concluded that uric acid level is associated with the presence but not with the severity of coronary artery disease.

Unruptured and ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysms in two cases.

Sinus of Valsalva aneurysms (SVA) are relatively rare lesions with a variable clinical presentation. We presented two patients, one of whom (male, aged 96 years) had an unruptured asymptomatic right SVA without a left-to-right shunt to the right ventricle, and the other (male, aged 33 years) a fistula from the right sinus of Valsalva to the right atrium due to nonpenetrating thoracic trauma. The diagnosis was made by echocardiography in both cases. The elderly patient was followed-up with medical therapy for a year without any complications. The younger patient had complaints of progressive exertional dyspnea and fatigue following blunt substernal and thoracic trauma. He underwent successful surgical repair of the SVA.

Lymphocyte DNA damage and total antioxidant status in patients with white-coat hypertension and sustained hypertension.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed lymphocyte DNA damage and total antioxidant status (TAS) in patients with white-coat hypertension (WCH) and sustained hypertension (SHT). STUDY DESIGN: The study included 23 patients (14 females, 9 males; mean age 46+/-6 years) with WCH, 21 patients (13 females, 8 males; mean age 45+/-7 years) with newly diagnosed SHT, and 19 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers as controls. All subjects underwent echocardiographic examination, office blood pressure measurements, and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. DNA damage was assessed by the alkaline comet assay in peripheral lymphocytes, and plasma TAS levels were determined using an automated measurement method. RESULTS: The two hypertensive groups had similar echocardiographic measurements and office systolic and diastolic blood pressures. The mean daytime and nighttime pressures were significantly higher in the SHT group (p<0.05). Patients with WCH had similar daytime and nighttime pressures compared to the controls (p>0.05). Patients with SHT had significantly increased lymphocyte DNA damage (p<0.001, for both WCH and control groups) and decreased TAS level (p=0.012 vs WCH group; p<0.001 vs controls). Patients with WCH did not differ significantly from the control group with regard to lymphocyte DNA damage (p=0.052), but had significantly lower TAS levels (p<0.001). In the SHT group, lymphocyte DNA damage was correlated with TAS (r= -0.818, p<0.001), age (r=0.453, p=0.039), total cholesterol (r=0.550, p=0.010), and LDL-cholesterol (r=0.539, p=0.012). In multiple linear regression analysis, lymphocyte DNA damage was independently correlated with serum TAS level (beta= -0.717, p<0.001). In the WCH group, lymphocyte DNA damage was only correlated with serum TAS level (r= -0.458, p=0.028). CONCLUSION: Decreased TAS showing increased oxidative stress and increased lymphocyte DNA damage may contribute to target organ damage in patients with WCH.

Serum prolidase activity in patients with hypertension and its relation with left ventricular hypertrophy.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine serum prolidase activity in patients with hypertension and its relation with left ventricular hypertrophy. DESIGN AND METHODS: Serum prolidase activity was measured spectrophotometrically in hypertensive patients with (Group II, n=30) and without left ventricular hypertrophy (Group III, n=30) and in control group (Group I, n=30). RESULTS: Prolidase activity was significantly lower in Group I than in Groups II and III (44.64+/-6.42 U/L vs. 54.14+/-6.30 U/L and 54.25+/-7.14 U/L, respectively; ANOVA, p<0.001). We revealed significant correlation between prolidase activity and presence and duration of hypertension (both of p<0.05) but not left ventricular mass index. Multivariate analysis shown that prolidase activity was significantly associated with age (beta=0.481, p<0.001) and duration of hypertension (beta=0.396, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that serum prolidase activity is associated with the presence hypertension independent of left ventricular hypertrophy.

Relationship between left ventricle geometric patterns and lymphocyte DNA damage in patients with untreated essential hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between different the left ventricle (LV) geometric patterns and lymphocyte DNA damage in patients with hypertension (HT). METHODS: We studied 84 patients (50.0+/-6.1, years) with HT and 24 healthy control subjects (48.6+/-3.3, years). Four different geometric patterns were identified in patients according to LV mass index and relative wall thickness. Peripheral lymphocyte DNA damages and plasma levels of total antioxidant status (TAS) were determined in all subjects. RESULTS: DNA damage was increased in hypertensive patients compared with control group (p=0.001). The major increase in DNA damage was observed in concentric hypertrophic geometric pattern compared with all other geometric patterns (p<0.001, for all). In multiple linear regression analysis, lymphocyte DNA damage was independently correlated with only TAS (beta=-0.444, p<0.001), but not LV geometry (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The major increase in lymphocyte DNA damage was observed in concentric hypertrophic geometric pattern. This result may be related to increased oxidative stress.

Paraoxonase and arylesterase activities in patients with cardiac syndrome X, and their relationship with oxidative stress markers.

OBJECTIVES: Paraoxonase-1 is a high-density lipoprotein-associated enzyme with three activities, which are paraoxonase, arylesterase and dyazoxonase. Paraoxonase-1 was shown to decrease in patients with cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to examine serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities, and their relation with oxidative stress markers such as lipid hydroperoxide and total antioxidant status in patients with cardiac syndrome X. METHODS: Forty-one consecutive patients with cardiac syndrome X (CSX group), 33 consecutive patients without cardiac syndrome X (non-cardiac syndrome X group) and 20 healthy volunteers as control group were taken into the study. Serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were measured spectrophotometrically. Lipid hydroperoxide levels were measured by ferrous oxidation with xylenol orange assay. Total antioxidant status was determined using an automated measurement method. RESULTS: Basal paraoxonase, salt-stimulated paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were significantly lower in patients with cardiac syndrome X than those of the non-cardiac syndrome X and control groups (P<0.001, for both). Moreover, lipid hydroperoxide was found at high level, and total antioxidant status was found at low level in patients with cardiac syndrome X than control and non-cardiac syndrome X groups (P<0.001, for all). In patients with cardiac syndrome X, in multiple linear regression analysis, both paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were independently correlated with lipid hydroperoxide levels (P=0.001, P=0.003, respectively), and also arylesterase activity was independently correlated with magnitude of ST depression (P=0.002). CONCLUSION: Reduced paraoxonase and arylesterase activities and total antioxidant status levels and enhanced lipid hydroperoxide levels in patients with cardiac syndrome X might indicate increased oxidative stress that can play a role in pathogenesis of cardiac syndrome X.

Association of serum uric acid level and coronary blood flow.

OBJECTIVES: Slow coronary flow (SCF) has long since been identified and endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis of the epicardial coronary arteries and microvasculature are reported to be associated with SCF. Serum uric acid is an independent biochemical marker of atherosclerosis, oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction. Consequently, we aimed to investigate the association between coronary blood flow and serum uric acid level by means of thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count (TFC) and other laboratory parameters, in patients with SCF compared with control participants. METHODS: Sixty-four patients with SCF and 369 control participants with normal coronary flow were studied after quantifying coronary blood flow according to TFC. Serum uric acid levels were determined using commercially available assay kits. The association between TFC and serum uric acid level and other clinical and laboratory parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were present between SCF and control groups with respect to serum uric acid, and hemoglobin levels, heart rate, cigarette smoking and sex (P<0.05 for all). The mean TFC was significantly correlated with serum uric acid, urea, creatinine, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and hemoglobin levels, platelet count, male gender, cigarette smoking, heart rate and systolic blood pressure (P<0.05 for all). Serum uric acid level (chi(2)=22.86, beta=0.54, P<0.001), heart rate (chi(2)=7.42, beta=-0.034, P=0.032) and cigarette smoking (chi(2)=12.343, beta=0.969, P=0.025) were independent predictors of SCF, whereas serum uric acid level was the only independent predictor of the mean TFC (beta=0.298, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings have shown that serum uric acid level is significantly associated with coronary blood flow and that elevated uric acid might be an independent predictor for the presence of SCF.

Increased lymphocyte deoxyribonucleic acid damage in patients with cardiac syndrome X.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether there is lymphocyte deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage in patients with cardiac syndrome X (CSX), and its relation with total antioxidant status (TAS), inflammation and ischemia. METHODS: Twenty-three patients with CSX, 21 patients with non-CSX (NCSX) and 20 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Lymphocyte DNA damage (Arbitrary Unit) was assessed by alkaline single cell electrophoresis (comet) assay in peripheral lymphocyte, and plasma levels of TAS (mmol Trolox equiv./l) were determined using a novel automated measurement method. High sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and other biochemical parameters were measured from all subjects. Treadmill exercise test and coronary angiography were performed to CSX and NCSX groups. RESULTS: Lymphocyte DNA damage was increased in patients with CSX compared with NCSX and control group (p<0.001, for both). Also, TAS was decreased, and hsCRP was increased in CSX compared with NCSX and control group (p<0.001, for all). Lymphocyte DNA damage was correlated with magnitude of ST depression (p=0.034), hsCRP (p=0.001), TAS (p<0.001) and presence of diabetes (p=0.022) in bivariate analysis. In multiple linear regression analysis, lymphocyte DNA damage was correlated with only TAS (beta=-0.413, p=0.017) and hsCRP (beta=0.414, p=0.006). CONCLUSION: Lymphocyte DNA damage was increased in patients with CSX. The increase in lymphocyte DNA damage may be related with increased oxidative stress and inflammation in patients with CSX.

Lymphocyte DNA damage is associated with increased aortic intima-media thickness.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether there is an association between lymphocyte DNA damage and aortic intima-media thickness (IMT). METHODS: We studied 70 patients (mean age: 41.6+/-10 years) who underwent transesophageal echocardiography for various indications. Four different grades were determined according to intima-media thickness (IMT) of thoracic aorta measured by transesophageal echocardiography. DNA damage was assessed by alkaline single cell electrophoresis (comet) assay in peripheral lymphocytes. Plasma level of total antioxidant status (TAS) was determined by using automated measurement method. High sensitive C-reactive protein and other biochemical markers were studied in all subjects. RESULTS: The major increase in lymphocyte DNA damage was observed in patients with grade 4 IMT when compared with other groups (p<0.001, for all). Lymphocyte DNA damage of patients with grade 1 IMT was also lower than patients with grade 2 IMT (p=0.013) and patients with grade 3 IMT (p<0.001). Lymphocyte DNA damage of patients with grade 2 IMT was found at low level compared with patients with grade 3 IMT (p=0.012) as well. In multiple linear regression analysis, IMT was independently correlated with lymphocyte DNA damage (beta=0.515, p<0.001), TAS level (beta=-420, p<0.001), total cholesterol (beta=0.407, p<0.001) and LDL cholesterol level (beta=287, p=0.020). CONCLUSION: Lymphocyte DNA damage may be an independent predictor for the grade of thoracic IMT, and may play a role in pathogenesis of thoracic atherosclerosis besides TAS and cholesterol levels.