The impact of addressing modifiable risk factors to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to estimate the impact of addressing modifiable risk factors on the future burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in the general population and in two high-risk populations (heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia and secondary prevention) for Turkey. METHODS: One model investigated the impact of reaching the World Health Organization (WHO) voluntary targets for tobacco use, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, obesity and physical inactivity in the general population. Another model estimated the impact of reducing LDL-cholesterol in two high-risk populations through increased access to effective treatment. Inputs for the models include disease and risk factor prevalence rates, a population forecast, baseline CVD event rates, and treatment effectiveness, primarily derived from the published literature. Direct costs to the public health care system and indirect costs from lost production are included, although the cost of programs and pharmacological interventions to reduce risk factors were not considered. RESULTS: The value of reaching WHO risk factor reduction targets is estimated at US$9.3 billion over the next 20 years, while the value of reducing LDL-cholesterol is estimated at up to US$8.1 billion for high-risk secondary prevention patients and US$691 million for heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia patients. CONCLUSION: Efforts to achieve WHO risk factor targets and further lower LDL-cholesterol through increased access to treatment for high-risk patients are projected to greatly reduce the growing clinical and economic burden of CVD in Turkey.

Modeling the burden of cardiovascular disease in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to estimate the current and future burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in Turkey. METHODS: A burden-of-disease model was developed that included inputs on population growth, prevalence, and incidence of ischemic disease (IHD) and cerebrovascular disease (CeVD), prevalence of modifiable risk factors, mortality rates, and relationship between risk factors and IHD/CeVD. Direct costs to the public health-care system and indirect costs from lost production due to premature mortality, hospitalizations, disability, and absenteeism were considered. RESULTS: We estimated that in 2016, 3.4 million Turkish adults were living with CVD, including 2.5 million affected by IHD, and 0.9 million by CeVD. This prevalence is projected to increase to 5.4 million by 2035. The economic burden of CVD was estimated at US$10.2 billion in 2016, projected to increase twofold to US$19.4 billion by 2035. CONCLUSION: Our study confirms that the current burden of CVD is significant, and that it is projected to increase at a steep rate over the next two decades. This growing burden of disease will likely create significant pressure on the public health-care system in the form of direct health-care costs, as well as on society in the form of lost productivity.

Manual heating of the radial artery (Balbay maneuver) to facilitate radial puncture prior to transradial coronary catheterization.

OBJECTIVE: Transradial access is widely used for both diagnostic and interventional cardiac procedures. The use of transradial access offers several advantages, including decreased bleeding, fewer vascular complications, and reduced length of hospital stay and cost. However, the small size of the radial artery limits the size of the equipment that can be used via this approach. In this study we sought to investigate whether preprocedural manual heating of the radial artery facilitates radial artery puncture. METHODS: Patients undergoing transradial cardiac catheterization were randomized to subcutaneous nitroglycerin plus diltiazem or manual heating. The study endpoint was puncture score (score 1: easiest - puncture at first attempt; score 2: second attempt; score 3: third attempt; score 4: fourth attempt or more; score 5: puncture failed). RESULTS: Ninety consecutive patients were enrolled in the study, 45 allocated to the drug treatment group and 45 to the heating group. Patients underwent radial artery ultrasound before catheterization. Complications were rare: one hematoma (drug treatment group) and one radial artery occlusion (heating group). Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were similar. Baseline radial artery diameter was similar in both groups (2.41±0.46 mm and 2.29±0.48 mm in the heating and drug treatment groups, respectively). However, the median puncture score was lower in the heating group (1; interquartile range 1-2) compared to the drug treatment group (2; interquartile range 1-3; p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Preprocedural manual heating of the radial artery facilitates radial artery puncture in patients undergoing transradial cardiac catheterization.

Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QTc ratio as novel surrogate markers for prediction of ventricular arrhythmic events in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

OBJECTIVE: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) as a common genetic heart disease characterized by ventricular hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis is significantly associated with a higher risk of fatal ventricular arrhythmic events (VAEs). We aimed to assess the interval between the peak and the end of the electrocardiographic T wave (Tp-e) and Tp-e/corrected QT (QTc) ratio as candidate markers of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with HCM. METHODS: In this single-center, prospective study, a total of 66 patients with HCM and 88 controls were enrolled. The patients were divided into two groups: those with VAEs (n=26) and those without VAEs (n=40). Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QTc ratio were measured using a 12-lead electrocardiogram. RESULTS: Tp-e interval was significantly longer and Tp-e/QTc ratio were significantly higher in HCM patients than in the controls. In correlation analysis, maximal left ventricular (LV) thickness also has a significant positive correlation with Tp-e interval (r=0.422, p<0.001) and Tp-e/QTc ratio (r=0.348, p<0.001). Finally, multivariable regression analysis showed that a history of syncope, Tp-e interval [OR (odds ratio): 1.060; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.005-1.117); p=0.012], Tp-e/QTc ratio (OR: 1.148; 95% CI: 1.086-1.204); p=0.049], and maximal LV thickness were independent predictors of VAEs in patients with HCM. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggested that prolonged Tp-e interval and increased Tp-e/QTc ratio may be good surrogate markers for the prediction of VAEs in HCM.

[Coronary revascularization (Examples from the world and Turkey)]. / Koroner revaskülarizasyon (Dünya ve Türkiye örnekleri).

OBJECTIVES: In this article, our aims were to analyze and assess the data related to coronary revascularization rates, particularly in recent years. STUDY DESIGN: For this purpose, results of important studies, statistics of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries and data from Turkey's Social Security Agency (SSA) were analyzed for the first time. Until recently, there has been no healthy digital database regarding revascularization rates in Turkey. In the years following the establishment of SSA, it became possible to collect and analyze data obtained from the Medulla database of the Agency. Using the data from the Agency for the period 2009-2011, revascularization rates and cost analyses were performed. RESULTS: Between 2000 and 2010 in European countries as well as in other OECD countries, the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) rate was on average 75% of the total revascularization rate and neared 80%. In some countries, the rate has exceeded 85%. In our country, in 2009, 2010 and 2011, the number of coronary angiography procedures and as a result PCI has steadily increased. The rate for PCI was 66.8% in 2009, but it increased to 74% in 2011. At the same time, PCI accounted for 2/3-4/5 of all revascularization procedures. In the cost analysis, however, PCI constituted only 1/5-1/4 of the costs of all revascularization procedures. CONCLUSION: This report is the first analysis in this area and it gives an initial idea about the current situation of the numerical and financial aspects. This analysis has provided the opportunity to obtain more accurate information about coronary revascularization rates in Turkey and to compare the data to that of other countries.

Effect of serum gamma-glutamyl transferase levels on myocardial perfusion and long-term prognosis after primary angioplasty in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) level was found to be elevated in plasma of patients with cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of our study was to assess the relationship between serum GGT levels and the occurrence of no-reflow as well as to evaluate the prognostic value of GGT in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) population. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred sixty-eight consecutive patients with STEMI who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were enrolled in the study. Patients with STEMI were grouped into tertiles according to their admission serum GGT levels. No-reflow after PCI was assessed both angiographically (thrombolysis in myocardial infarction [TIMI] flow and myocardial blush grade) and electrocardiographically (ST resolution). Gamma-glutamyl transferase levels were higher in patients with STEMI compared to the elective PCI group subjects. Patients with angiographically (TIMI flow ≤2 or TIMI flow 3 with final myocardial bush grade ≤2 after PCI) and electrocardiographically (ST resolution <30%) detected no-reflow were increased in number across the GGT tertiles. In addition, 1-year mortality rates showed a significant increase across the tertile groups (4% vs 11% vs 23%, P < 0.01). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that GGT levels on admission were a significant predictor of long-term mortality of myocardial blush grade-detected no-reflow phenomenon. High GGT level on admission was a significant predictor for long-term mortality and major adverse cardiac events. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI, high GGT levels at admission were found to be associated with no-reflow phenomenon and increased long-term mortality.

Ambulatory blood pressure variability is associated with restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention in normotensive patients.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have showed that BP variability is associated with cardiovascular events. However, no data were available regarding binary restenosis as an end-point after percutenous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS AND RESULTS: This multicenter study included 100 consecutive normotensive patients with stable coronary artery disease who were planned for PCI. Before the index procedure, office BP and 24-h ambulatory BP measurements were performed. BP variability indices including systolic and diastolic 24-h average, the day and the night values of standard deviation (SD) and variation coefficient (VC) were measured and calculated. All patients underwent repeat coronary angiography at 6-month. According to angiographic results, 2 groups were formed; a restenosis group (n=30) with binary restenosis of the stented segment and a control group (n=70) with a stenosis diameter of <50% in stented segment. Systolic SD and VC values for 24-h average (14.0±2.8mmHg vs. 9.5±1.6mmHg, p<0.001 and 16%±3 vs. 11%±2, p<0.001, respectively), the day (15.2±3.9mmHg vs. 10.6±1.7mmHg, p<0.001 and 17%±4 vs. 12%±2, p<0.001, respectively), and the night (12.8±4.1mmHg vs. 8.4±2.4mmHg, p<0.001 and 14%±5 vs. 11%±3, p=0.004, respectively) values were significantly higher in restenosis group compared to control group. Similarly, diastolic SD and VC values for 24-h average (10.6±2.5mmHg vs. 8.1±1.5mmHg, p<0.001 and 12%±3 vs. 9%±2, p=0.001, respectively), the day (11.1±2.9mmHg vs. 9.0±1.8mmHg, p=0.003 and 12%±3 vs. 10%±2, p=0.006, respectively), and the night (10.0±3.6mmHg vs. 7.2±2.0mmHg, p=0.001 and 11%±5 vs. 9%±3, p=0.059, respectively) values were significantly higher in restenosis group compared to no restenosis group except for diastolic VC night. All systolic and diastolic BP variability indices except diastolic VC night were found to be independent predictors of risk of restenosis in multivariate analysis. In addition, the cut-off values of 11.4mmHg and 13% for 24-h systolic SD and VC, respectively, were found to be highly sensitive (93% for both) and specific (94% and 91%, respectively) for predicting binary restenosis at 6-month after PCI. CONCLUSIONS: BP variability indices are significantly and independently associated with binary restenosis and higher values can predict restenosis after PCI sensitively and specifically.

Safety of clopidogrel in older patients: a nonrandomized, parallel-group, controlled, two-centre study.

BACKGROUND: The safety and efficacy of clopidogrel therapy in patients with stable coronary artery disease or acute coronary syndromes undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have been demonstrated. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the safety (primary outcome, defined as any bleeding complication or thrombocytopenia) and adverse outcomes (secondary outcomes, defined as death from cardiovascular causes, myocardial infarction or stroke) of clopidogrel therapy in patients aged ≥75 years with stable or unstable coronary artery disease undergoing PCI, and to compare these outcomes with those in younger controls. METHODS: Patients with both stable coronary heart disease and acute coronary syndromes undergoing PCI were included in the study. Two groups were formed according to age at the time of admission. Patients aged ≥75 years (the study group, n = 149) formed one group; the other group included patients aged <75 years (the control group, n = 298). During an ad hoc PCI procedure, a 600 mg loading and 75 mg/day maintenance dose of clopidogrel in addition to aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) therapy (300 mg/day) were administrated to both treatment groups. In-hospital outcomes were investigated during a mean ± SD follow-up period of 5.3 ± 3.9 days. RESULTS: The first safety (primary) outcome of any bleeding event occurred in 16.1% of the patients in the study (older) group and 6.0% of the patients in the control (younger) group (odds ratio [OR] 2.987; 95% CI 1.565, 5.701; p = 0.001). The second safety outcome of TIMI (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction) major bleeding occurred in 4.0% of the patients in the study group and 0.7% of the patients in the control group (OR 6.210; 95% CI 1.238, 31.151; p = 0.012). Other safety outcomes of TIMI minor/minimal bleeding and thrombocytopenia were not different between the two groups. The rate of the first adverse (secondary) outcome of the composite of death from cardiovascular causes, myocardial infarction or stroke was higher in older patients (12.1% vs 5.4%) [OR 2.422; 95% CI 1.197, 4.899; p = 0.012], primarily driven by stroke events (2.0% vs 0%; p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Any bleeding and TIMI major bleeding complications increase in patients aged ≥75 years treated with clopidogrel in addition to aspirin.

Heart rate profile during exercise in patients with early repolarization.

BACKGROUND: Both early repolarization and altered heart rate profile are associated with sudden death. In this study, we aimed to demonstrate an association between early repolarization and heart rate profile during exercise. METHODS: A total of 84 subjects were included in the study. Comparable 44 subjects with early repolarization and 40 subjects with normal electrocardiogram underwent exercise stress testing. Resting heart rate, maximum heart rate, heart rate increment and decrement were analyzed. RESULTS: Both groups were comparable for baseline characteristics including resting heart rate. Maximum heart rate, heart rate increment and heart rate decrement of the subjects in early repolarization group had significantly decreased maximum heart rate, heart rate increment and heart rate decrement compared to control group (all P < 0.05). The lower heart rate increment (< 106 beats/min) and heart rate decrement (< 95 beats/min) were significantly associated with the presence of early repolarization. After adjustment for age and sex, the multiple-adjusted OR of the risk of presence of early repolarization was 2.98 (95%CI 1.21-7.34) (P = 0.018) and 7.73 (95%CI 2.84-21.03) (P < 0.001) for the lower heart rate increment and heart rate decrement compared to higher levels, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with early repolarization have altered heart rate profile during exercise compared to control subjects. This can be related to sudden death.

Long-term follow-up data of coronary sinus stenting for the stabilization of the left ventricular leads.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac resynchronization therapy has been increasingly used for patients with heart failure. However, unstable and dislocated coronary sinus leads reduce the effectiveness of this important intervention. AIM: To examine the long-term effects of coronary sinus side branch stenting on sensing and pacing parameters of the left ventricular leads. METHODS: A total of eight patients (six males; two females; mean age, 56.6 ± 14.4 years) whose coronary sinus lead dislocated during the procedure were included in the study. Targeted coronary sinus side branch stenting was performed to stabilize the leads. Sensing and pacing parameters including lead impedance, capture threshold, and R-wave amplitude were measured at implantation, first month, sixth month, and every 6-month period. RESULTS: Mean follow-up period was 30.4 ± 7.4 months. At the time of implantation, lead impedance, capture threshold, and R-wave amplitude were 656 ± 162 Ω, 1.1 ± 0.5 V, and 13.0 ± 6.8 mV, respectively. No statistically significant mean lead impedance, capture threshold, and R-wave amplitude differences were observed between at the time of implantation and at the time of last follow-up (697 ± 164 Ω, 1.1 ± 0.5 V, 12.8 ± 6.9 mV, respectively). CONCLUSION: In this long-term study, coronary sinus side branch stenting for the stabilization of dislocated leads seems to be effective.

Risk factors for in-hospital mortality in infective endocarditis: five years' experience at a tertiary care hospital in Turkey.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Despite recent improvements in diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, infective endocarditis (IE) is still associated with high in-hospital mortality rates. The study aim was to determine the clinical, laboratory and echocardiographic features of IE, and to evaluate the risk factors for in-hospital mortality. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study design was employed, with a main outcome measure of in-hospital mortality. A total of 107 patients (79 males, 28 females; mean age 45 +/- 16 years) admitted with the modified Duke criteria for definitive IE were included in the study during a five-year period between January 2004 and December 2008. RESULTS: Among the patients, the mitral valve alone was involved in 45% of cases, the aortic valve in 36%, tricuspid valve in 11%, and multiple valves in 8%. Forty-seven patients (44%) had prosthetic valves. Blood cultures were positive in 71 patients (66%). The most common isolated microorganisms were staphylococci, streptococci and Brucella melitensis. The in-hospital mortality rate was 27%. Leading causes of death were multi-organ failure and heart failure. In univariate analysis, factors associated with death were a longer duration of symptoms before hospitalization, previous history of IE, white blood cell count > or = 10,000/mm3, serum creatinine level > or = 2 mg/dl, vegetation size >15 mm, involvement of multiple valves, existence of severe regurgitation, cardiac abscess, and neurologic complications. Multivariate analysis showed that risk factors for mortality were multivalvular involvement (hazard ratio (HR) 4.7; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3-17.6; p = 0.021), vegetation size >15 mm (HR 5.5; 95% CI 2.1-14.6; p = 0.001), serum creatinine > or = 2 mg/dl (HR 4.1; 95% CI 1.8-9.4; p = 0.001), and previous history of IE (HR 3.5; 95% CI 1.2-11; p = 0.026). CONCLUSION: Multivalvular involvement, vegetation length >15 mm, serum creatinine level > or = 2 mg/dl on admission, and a previous history of IE, were independent predictors for in-hospital mortality in IE.

Prevention of peri-procedural myocardial injury using a single high loading dose of rosuvastatin.

BACKGROUND: Extensively used lipid-lowering statins have also non-lipid-lowering, pleiotropic effects. Previous studies have demonstrated that a pre-procedural single dose of atorvastatin is associated with reduced peri-procedural myocardial injury. AIM: The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the effect of a single high loading dose (40 mg) of rosuvastatin on peri-procedural myocardial injury. METHODS: Two hundred ninety nine statin-naive patients with stable angina and de novo lesions eligible for PCI were randomized to a rosuvastatin-treatment (n = 153) and to a no-treatment (n = 146) group. A 40 mg loading dose of rosuvastatin was administrated 24 h before the PCI. CK-MB and cTnI levels were measured before and 12 h after the procedure. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were fairly similar between the two arms. The incidence of a CK-MB and cTnI elevation >3x ULN in the rosuvastatin group was significantly lower compared to the control group (0.7% vs. 11.0%, p < 0.001 and 10.5% vs. 39.0%, p < 0.001, respectively). Similarly, the incidence of any CK-MB and cTnI elevation > ULN in the rosuvastatin group was significantly lower compared to the control group (10.5% vs. 34.2%, p < 0.001 and 20.9% vs. 61.6%, p < 0.001, respectively). In addition, CK-MB and cTnI values 12 h after the PCI were significantly lower in the rosuvastatin group compared to the control group (20.13 +/- 7.24 U/L vs. 27.02 +/- 18.64 U/L, p < 0.001 and 0.14 +/- 0.34 ng/ml vs. 0.35 +/- 0.40 ng/ml, p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: A single high loading dose of rosuvastatin reduces the incidence of peri-procedural myocardial necrosis and infarction effectively.

Ascending aortic pressure-derived indices are associated with the presence and severity of aortic stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Almost the same pathophysiological mechanism has been suggested for both atherosclerosis and calcific aortic stenosis (AS). In this study, we examined any association between ascending aortic pressure-derived indices and hemodynamic characteristics of calcific AS. METHODS: A total of 90 patients were studied (26 males, 64 females; mean age: 64.4 +/- 11.3 years). The study population consisted of two groups: AS and a control group. Both groups were well matched. Ascending aortic pressure-derived indices were obtained from all patients via catheterization. RESULTS: Two groups were well matched according to demographic characteristics. Aortic pulse/FPPs (fractional pulse pressure = aortic pulse pressure/ aortic mean pressure), and PI (pulsatility index = aortic pulse pressure/aortic diastolic pressure) were significantly higher in patients with AS than in those without. Mean aortic mean gradient had significant positive correlation with aortic diastolic pressure, FPP and PI. The multiple-adjusted odds ratios of the risk of AS was 4.51 (95% CI 1.63-12.48) and 4.34 (95% CI 1.59-11.88) for the higher aortic FPP and PI levels compared with lower levels, respectively. CONCLUSION: Ascending aortic pressure-derived indices were significantly and independently associated with the presence and severity of calcific AS. This confirms the participation of blood pressure in the pathogenesis of AS.

Demonstration of a very rare coronary anomaly with multislice computed tomography: arising of right coronary artery from left anterior descending artery.

Arising of right coronary artery from left anterior descending artery is a very rare anomaly. We present a case with this anomaly that was also demonstrated with multislice computed tomography.

The impact of obesity on late patency of left internal mammary artery grafts.

BACKGROUND: Arterial conduits having long-term patency rates have been increasingly used for bypass of coronary arteries although some risk factors for their occlusion such as recipient vessel size, older age, and hyperlipidaemia have been described. Obesity, on the other hand, has been well established as a coronary risk factor. However, the effects of obesity on patency of arterial conduits, especially the internal mammary artery, have not been studied previously. AIM: To assess the long-term effects of obesity on left internal mammary artery (LIMA) patency. METHODS: Angiograms of all patients with a LIMA conduit only were analysed. Two groups were formed according to the LIMA patency: group 1 - patients with occluded LIMA (n = 59), and group 2 - patients with patent LIMA (n = 68). Baseline demographic, haemodynamic, and laboratory characteristics of patients in both groups were compared. Obesity was defined as body mass index > or = 30 kg/m2. RESULTS: The mean BMI value in group 1 was significantly higher than in group 2 (30.4 +/- 3.1 vs. 28.7 +/- 4.7, p = 0.025). The two groups differed in time from surgery, drug use, and HDL cholesterol level. In addition, patients in both groups were categorised by BMI, and obese and non-obese groups were formed. Higher BMI was significantly associated with LIMA occlusion such that 71% of patients in group 1 had increased BMI, compared with 25% of patients in group 2 (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that multiple adjusted OR of the risk of LIMA occlusion was 7.41 (95% CI 3.38-16.28) for patients with increased BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity (> or = 30 kg/m2) has a significant and independent negative effect on the patency of the LIMA graft.

Relationship of admission hematological indexes with myocardial reperfusion abnormalities in acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary interventions.

BACKGROUND: Elevated values of mean platelet volume (MPV) and elevated white blood cell (WBC) count are predictors of an unfavourable outcome among survivors of ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, their relationship with reperfusion abnormalities is less clear. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of admission MPV and WBC count in predicting impaired reperfusion in patients with acute STEMI who are treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: Blood samples were obtained on admission from 368 STEMI patients who underwent successful PCI. According to the 60th minute ST segment resolution ratio, patients were divided into impaired reperfusion and reperfusion groups. RESULTS: Impaired reperfusion was detected in 40% of study patients. Patients in the impaired reperfusion group had a higher admission MPV (9.8+/-1.3 fL versus 8.6+/-1.0 fL; P<0.001) and a higher WBC count (14.4+/-5.5 x 10(9)/L versus 12.1+/-3.8 x 10(9)/L; P<0.001) compared with the patients in the reperfusion group. In regression analysis, MPV (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.69 to 2.91; P<0.001) and WBC count (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.15; P=0.01) were found to be independently associated with impaired reperfusion. The best cut-off value of MPV for predicting impaired reperfusion was determined to be 9.05 fL, with a sensitivity of 74% and a specificity of 73%. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that leukocytes and platelets have a role in the mediation of reperfusion injury. In patients with STEMI who are undergoing PCI, admission MPV may be valuable in discriminating a higher-risk patient subgroup and thus, may help in deciding the need for adjunctive therapy to improve the outcome.

Brucella endocarditis - a registry study.

BACKGROUND: A zoonotic infection caused by Brucella spp., brucellosis, is endemic in some areas of the world, like in our country. One of the most devastating conditions related to this infection is endocarditis, although it is rare. Unfortunately, adequate studies on the characteristics of Brucella endocarditis have not been performed. In addition, there was no consensus on optimal type and duration of medical and interventional therapies. AIM: To answer the following questions: what are the clinical characteristics of Brucella endocarditis, which type of therapy should be performed, and can an alternative antibiotic regimen be applied? METHODS: Patients with the diagnosis of Brucella endocarditis were included in the study during a 6-year period. A total of 10 patients were interrogated for their signs, symptoms, drug use, and clinical conditions. In addition, baseline clinical and laboratory characteristics of the patients were evaluated. RESULTS: All patients in the study were male with a mean age of 55.9 +/- 12.7 years. Hospitalisation and total follow-up periods were 52.6 +/- 11.2 and 80.6 +/- 29.0 days, respectively. The most frequently presenting symptom was fever (60%). Dyspnoea and fatigue were the other frequent symptoms in descending order. Valve pathology was present in 70% of the study population. The aortic valve was affected more than the mitral valve. Affected mitral valves had rheumatic disease whereas only 57% of the aortic valves had underlying pathology. Isolation of Brucella spp. was possible in 20% of the patients. Mortality rate was 30% in our study; 20% of the patients were on medical follow-up without disease progression and with clinical stability, 60% of patients were on a combination therapy with a tetracycline group, a rifampicin, and a third-generation cephalosporin. Patients who took this combination and underwent aortic valve replacement had good clinical results with a mortality rate of 20%. The 30% of patients were on a combination therapy with a tetracycline group, rifampicin, and an aminoglycoside group. Mortality rate with this combination was 33%, although the success rate was 67%. CONCLUSION: Brucella endocarditis should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with vegetations on the cardiac valves, especially in endemic areas. Optimal therapy seems to be a combination of antibiotics and surgery, although medical therapy can be an alternative, especially in stable patients. Addition of a third-generation cephalosporin instead of aminoglycoside to the combination therapy is an alternative.

Increased mean platelet volume in patients with slow coronary flow.

Mean platelet volume (MPV) is an indicator of platelet activation, a central process in the pathophysiology of coronary heart disease (CAD). The importance of slow coronary flow (SCF) phenomenon results from its association with angina pectoris, acute myocardial infarction, hypertension and sudden cardiac death. The aim of this study is to evaluate the values of MPV in patients with SCF. MPV was measured in 84 consecutive patients with SCF and 88 patients with CAD and 84 control subjects. The association between thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count (TFC) and MPV level and other clinical and laboratory parameters were evaluated. There were no statistically significant differences in MPV between SCF group and CAD group. MPV was significantly higher in patients in the both SCF and CAD groups, compared with control group. The TFC for all the epicardial coronary arteries and the mean TFC were significantly higher in the SCF group than the both CAD group and control group. The mean TFC was positively and moderately correlated with MPV in the whole study population. To determine the independent predictors of mean TFC, a stepwise linear regression analysis was performed by including the parameters that were correlated with the mean TFC in the bivariate analysis. MPV level was the only independent predictor of the mean TFC (b = 0.312, p < 0.001). These findings have shown that MPV level is significantly associated with coronary blood flow and that elevated MPV level might be an independent predictor for the presence of SCF. We believe that further studies are needed to clarify the role of MPV in SCF complicated CAD, especially in relation to angiographic and clinical parameters, before we conclude that MPV to be used as a follow-up marker during the management of relevant patients.

[Elevated serum uric acid levels in patients with isolated coronary artery ectasia]. / Izole koroner arter ektazisi olan hastalarda artmis serum ürik asit düzeyi.

OBJECTIVES: It has been shown that serum uric acid (SUA) constitutes an important independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. We investigated SUA levels in patients with coronary artery ectasia (CAE). STUDY DESIGN: Serum uric acid levels were measured in three groups of patients who underwent coronary angiography. One group consisted of 97 consecutive patients (69 males, 28 females; mean age 58.1+/-9.5 years) with isolated CAE, another group included 104 patients (79 males, 25 females; mean age 58.4+/-8.8 years) with coronary artery disease (CAD), and finally 90 subjects (66 males, 24 females; mean age 57.6+/-10.1 years) with normal coronary arteries comprised the control group. Coronary artery ectasia was defined as a luminal dilatation of at least 1.5 times of the adjacent normal coronary segments, without any stenotic lesions. In addition, patients with CAE were assessed in four groups of severity and extension. RESULTS: The three groups were similar with respect to age, sex, body mass index, and the frequencies of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and smoking (p>0.05). The mean SUA level did not differ significantly between the CAE and CAD groups (6.6+/-1.9 mg/dl and 6.3+/-1.9 mg/dl, respectively; p=0.184); however, compared with the control group (5.4+/-1.8 mg/dl), SUA levels were significantly higher in both groups (p<0.001). A significant correlation was found between the SUA level and the presence of isolated CAE (r=0.625; p<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed an independent relationship between isolated CAE and SUA (OR 1.896; 95% CI 1.1048-1.5014; p<0.001). Serum uric acid levels did not differ significantly among the four subgroups of CAE severity. CONCLUSION: Our study is the first to demonstrate significantly increased SUA levels in patients with isolated CAE. Our results support relevant data suggesting an association between endothelial function and the SUA level.

Effect of aortic pulse and fractional pulse pressures on early patency of sapheneous vein grafts.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery bypass grafting has a mortality benefit compared to medical therapy in some patient groups, such as those with left main or left anterior descending coronary artery disease, and those with left ventricular dysfunction. Therefore, patency of grafts, especially sapheneous grafts, is an important issue. Aortic pulse and fractional pulse pressures are strong and independent indicators of the risk of atherosclerosis. We studied whether there was any negative effect of increased aortic pulse and fractional pulse pressures on saphenous vein graft (SVG) patency in the short term. METHODS: We evaluated aortic pulse and fractional pulse pressures of patients with occluded and patent SVGs, and investigated the relation between the two groups. One hundred and twenty-six patients with occluded SVGs with a mean age of 65.9+/-8.9 years and 114 patients with patent SVGs with a mean age of 66.9+/-8.6 years were studied consecutively. Aortic systolic and diastolic pressures were measured, and mean, pulse, and fractional pulse pressures (aortic pulse pressure/mean pressure) were calculated. RESULTS: Aortic pulse and fractional pulse pressures were significantly higher in the occluded SVG group than in the patent SVG group (58+/-19 and 48+/-13 mmHg, P=0.001; 0.59+/-0.16 and 0.50+/-0.10, P<0.001, respectively). In addition, a cut-off value of 50 mmHg and 0.52 for aortic pulse and fractional pulse pressures were determined, respectively. Increased aortic pulse (>50 mmHg) and fractional pulse (>0.52) pressures were present in 54.0 and 58.7% of patients in group 1 and 28.1 and 33.3% of patients in group 2, respectively (P=0.004 and P=0.005, respectively). Having increased aortic pulse and fractional pulse pressures increased the risk of SVG occlusion by 3.00 and 2.85-folds, respectively. The multiple-adjusted odds ratio of the risk of SVG occlusion was 6.86 (95% confidence interval 2.14-21.96) and 4.76 (95% confidence interval 1.58-14.30) for the higher aortic pulse and fractional pulse pressure levels compared with lower levels, respectively. CONCLUSION: Increased ascending aorta pulse and fractional pulse pressures have a significant and independent negative effect on the fate of SVGs.