Safety of once- or twice-daily dosing of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation: A NOAC-TR study.

Once-daily dosing of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) may increase patient adherence to treatment but may also be associated with a higher risk of bleeding. In this study, we investigated the adherence to once- or twice-daily dosing of NOACs and the risk of bleeding in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients. This multicenter cross-sectional study, conducted between 1 September 2015 and 28 February 2016, included 2214 patients receiving NOACs for at least 3 months, due to NVAF. Patients receiving once-daily or twice-daily NOAC doses were 1:1 propensity score matched for baseline demographic characteristics and the presence of other diseases. The medication adherence was assessed by the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Risk factors were investigated in relation to minor and major bleeding. The mean age of patients was 71 ± 10 years, and 53% of the patients were women. The medication adherence was lower in patients receiving twice-daily NOAC doses compared to once-daily-dose group (47% versus 53%, p = 0.001), and there was no difference between the groups in terms of minor (15% versus 16%, p = 0.292) and major bleeding (3% versus 3%, p = 0.796). Independent risk factors for bleeding were non-adherence to medication (OR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.23-2.14, p = 0.001), presence of 3 or more other diseases (OR: 10.3, 95% CI: 5.3-20.3, p < 0.001), and HAS-BLED (Hypertension, Abnormal renal and liver function, Stroke, Bleeding, Labile INR, Elderly, Drugs or alcohol) score (OR: 4.84, 95% CI: 4.04-5.8, p < 0.001). In summary, the once-daily dose of NOACs was associated with increased patient adherence to medication, while it was not associated with bleeding complications.

The opinion of Turkish cardiologists on current malpractice system and an alternative patient compensation system proposal: PCS study group.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiologists participate in the diagnosis and interventional treatment of numerous high-risk patients. The goal of this study was to investigate how the current malpractice system in Turkey influences cardiologists' diagnostic and interventional behavior and to obtain their opinions about an alternative patient compensation system. METHODS: The present cross-sectional study assessed the practice of defensive medicine among cardiologists who are actively working in various types of workplace within the Turkish healthcare system. A 24-item questionnaire was distributed to cardiology residents, specialists, and academics in Turkey in print format, by electronic mail, or via cell phone message. RESULTS: A total of 253 cardiologists responded to the survey. Among them, 29 (11.6%) had been sued for malpractice claims in the past. Of the cardiologists who had been sued, 2 (6.9%) had been ordered to pay financial compensation, and 1 (3.4%) was given a sentence of imprisonment due to negligence. In all, 132 (52.8%) of the surveyed cardiologists reported that they had changed their practices due to fear of litigation, and 232 (92.8%) reported that they would prefer the new proposed patient compensation system to the current malpractice system. Among the cardiologists surveyed, 78.8% indicated that malpractice fear had affected their decision-making with regard to requesting computed tomography angiography or thallium scintigraphy, 71.6% for coronary angiography, 20% for stent implantation, and 83.2% for avoiding treating high-risk patients. CONCLUSION: The results of this survey demonstrated that cardiologists may request unnecessary tests and perform unneeded interventions due to the fear of malpractice litigation fear. Many also avoid high-risk patients and interventions. The majority indicated that they would prefer the proposed alternative patient compensation system to the current malpractice system.

Effect of Atrial Fibrillation on Contrast-Induced Nephropathy Development in Patients With Non-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

We investigated the relationship between atrial fibrillation (AF) and contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI); 1045 consecutive patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions were enrolled. Risk factors for CIN were investigated. Baseline characteristics, except oral anticoagulant use, were similar between patients with and without AF. Patients with CIN show higher presence of diabetes mellitus (DM), coronary artery bypass graft surgery history, Mehran score, baseline creatinine levels, baseline glomerular filtration rate (GFR), peak troponin levels, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and presence of AF ( P < .05). In multivariate logistic regression analyses, the presence of DM (odds ratio [OR], 2.333; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.222-4.457; P = .010), Mehran score (OR, 1.269; 95% CI, 1.152-1.398; P < .001), baseline GFR (OR, 0,954; 95% CI, 0.944-0.964 P < .001), left anterior descending artery originated infarction (OR, 1.594; 95% CI, 1.061-2.398; P = .025), LVEF value (OR, 0.956; 95% CI, 0.926-0.986; P = .005), and the presence of AF (OR, 3.830; 95% CI, 1.239-11.839; P = .020) were independent predictors of CIN. Atrial fibrillation can be related to CIN development in patients with NSTEMI.

Post-discharge heart failure monitoring program in Turkey: Hit-PoinT.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and feasibility of an enhanced heart failure (HF) education with a 6-month telephone follow- up program in post-discharge ambulatory HF patients. METHODS: The Hit-Point trial was a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial of enhanced HF education with a 6-month telephone follow-up program (EHFP) vs routine care (RC) in patients with HF and reduced ejection fraction. A total of 248 patients from 10 centers in various geographical areas were randomized: 125 to EHFP and 123 to RC. Education included information on adherence to treatment, symptom recognition, diet and fluid intake, weight monitoring, activity and exercise training. Patients were contacted by telephone after 1, 3, and 6 months. The primary study endpoint was cardiovascular death. RESULTS: Although all-cause mortality didn't differ between the EHFP and RC groups (p=NS), the percentage of cardiovascular deaths in the EHFP group was significantly lower than in the RC group at the 6-month follow up (5.6% vs. 8.9%, p=0.04). The median number of emergency room visits was one and the median number of all cause hospitalizations and heart failure hospitalizations were zero. Twenty-tree percent of the EHFP group and 35% of the RC group had more than a median number of emergency room visits (p=0.05). There was no significant difference regarding the median number of all-cause or heart failure hospitalizations. At baseline, 60% of patients in EHFP and 61% in RC were in NYHA Class III or IV, while at the 6-month follow up only 12% in EHFP and 32% in RC were in NYHA Class III or IV (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate the potential clinical benefits of an enhanced HF education and follow up program led by a cardiologist in reducing cardiovascular deaths and number of emergency room visits with an improvement in functional capacity at 6 months in post-discharge ambulatory HF patients.

Quality of life of patients with atrial septal defect following percutaneous closure.

INTRODUCTION: Quality of life has become an important outcome measure in addition to mortality and morbidity in patients with congenital heart disease. Atrial septal defect is a common congenital heart disease, and transcatheter atrial septal defect closure has become an accepted treatment modality. The aim of this study is to assess the quality of life of patients with atrial septal defect who underwent percutaneous closure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined the quality of life of 69 patients with atrial septal defect and 69 healthy controls matched according to age, sex, educational level, and economic, marital, and employment status. Quality of life was investigated using the Turkish version of Short Form-36. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 39.7 ± 14.2 and 26% were male. The quality of life assessment was performed at a mean follow-up time of 18.0 ± 13.8 months after the intervention. The mean scores of the domains of the Short Form-36, namely, physical functioning, role functioning, social functioning, mental health, vitality, pain, and general health, were similar in patients with atrial septal defect who underwent percutaneous closure and the control group. CONCLUSION: Adult patients who underwent percutaneous atrial septal defect closure perceive their quality of life to be as good as their healthy counterparts.

Decline in mean platelet volume in patients with patent foramen ovale undergoing percutaneous closure.

INTRODUCTION: The presence of patent foramen ovale (PFO) is considered a possible cause for cryptogenic stroke. The mechanism underlying the ischaemic neurological events in the presence of PFO has not been firmly established. The purpose of this study was to compare: (1) the mean platelet volume levels in PFO patients with and without a cryptogenic stroke, and (2) pre- and post-procedural mean platelet volumes (MPV) in patients undergoing percutaneous PFO closure. METHODS: Sixteen PFO patients undergoing percutaneous closure to prevent recurrent ischaemic events and 15 asymptomatic patients with PFO were enrolled in the study. Mean platelet volume was compared between patients with and without a history of stroke. We also compared pre- and post-procedural MPV levels in patients undergoing percutaneous PFO closure. RESULTS: Mean platelet volume, which is a marker for platelet activity, was similar in PFO patients with and without stroke (9.34 ± 1.64 vs 9.1 ± 1.34 fl; p = 0.526). Interestingly, MPV decreased significantly after percutaneous closure compared to pre-procedural levels (9.34 ± 1.64 vs 8.3 ± 1.12 fl; p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest interatrial communication through a PFO may be related to increased MPV and increased platelet activity.

Parameters of heart rate variability can predict prolonged asystole before head-up tilt table test.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate whether heart rate variability (HRV) could predict prolonged asystole before head-up tilt table test (HUTT) by comparing time domain HRV parameters of patients with type 2B vasovagal syncope (VVS) and patients with other types of VVS. METHODS: Ninety-eight patients who examined with 24-hour Holter electrocardiogram monitoring before HUTT and diagnosed with VVS were enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups in accordance with their VVS type as group 1 (n = 43) consisting of patients with type 2B VVS and group 2 (n = 57) consisting of patients with other types of VVS. Time domain HRV parameters (SDNN, SDANN, SDNN index, RMSSD, pNN50) of two groups were compared. ROC curve analysis was performed to predict best cutoff values that could prognosticate occurrence of prolonged asystole during HUTT. RESULTS: SDNN, SDANN, SDNN index values were significantly longer for group 1 compared to group 2 (P = 0.009, P = 0.006, P = 0.004; respectively). While a SDNN cutoff value of ≥151 ms predicted occurrence of type 2B VVS before HUTT with 69% sensitivity and 56% specificity, a SDANN value of ≥164 ms had 47% sensitivity and 87% specificity and a SDNN index value of ≥102 ms showed 40% sensitivity and 85% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, we tried to demonstrate prediction of prolonged asystole by analyzing HRV parameters before HUTT. We found out that time domain HRV parameters were longer in patients with type 2B VVS than patients with other types of VVS. Our results need to be supported by extensive studies.

[Retrospective analysis of 1650 permanent pacemaker implantations experience over two different consecutive time periods in a single cardiology clinic]. / Bir kardiyoloji kliniginde ardisik 2 ayri dönemde takilan 1650 kalici kalp pilinin retrospektif karsilastirmali incelemesi.

OBJECTIVE: Indications for pacing, pacing modes, and demographics of patients who underwent pacemaker implantation between two different time periods were compared in this study. METHODS: Pacemaker registry of our cardiology department was used to evaluate these changes from 1986 to 2007 (First period: 1986-1996, second period: 1997-2007) retrospectively. RESULTS: Registry revealed 776 implantations in the first and 874 implantations in the second period. The percentages of first implantation were 89% and 70.1% respectively. Nearly 50% of the patients in both periods were female. Main indications for pacing were atrioventricular (AV) block, sick sinus syndrome (SSS) and slow ventricular rate during atrial fibrillation in both periods. Implantation of VVI-AAI pacemakers have decreased (77.8%/1.5% to 51%/0.3%, p=0.05) and implantation of DDD-VDD pacemakers have increased (19.3%/1.3% to 42.3%/6.3%, p=0.05) during the second period compared to the first period. Permanent pacemaker implantation for SSS has decreased significantly from 31.1% in the first period to 12.0% (p=0.05) in the second period. Implantation for AV block has increased significantly from 63.3% to 79.7% (p=0.05) in the second period. CONCLUSION: Our data revealed temporal changes in pacemaker implantation practice during last twenty years in the cardiology department of a teaching hospital. Implantation of VVI-AAI pacemakers have decreased significantly during the second period. Permanent pacemaker implantation for AV block has also decreased during the last period.

[The efficiency and safety of balloon valvuloplasty in patients with mitral stenosis and a high echo score: mid- and short-term clinical and echocardiographic results]. / Mitral darligi olan ve eko skoru yüksek hastalarda balon valvüloplastinin etkinlik ve güvenilirligi: Erken-orta dönem klinik ve ekokardiyografik sonuçlar.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the success and safety of percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty (PMBV) and its mid-term clinical and echocardiographic results in patients with symptomatic mitral stenosis, including those having a high echo score (9 to 11). STUDY DESIGN: This prospective study included 57 consecutive patients (9 men, 48 women; mean age 41+/-9 years) who underwent PMBV with the Inoue technique for symptomatic (NYHA class II-IV) mitral stenosis (valve area <1.5 cm2). The patients were divided into two groups according to the echo scores of 8 (group 2, n=32). Clinical and echocardiographic evaluations were performed before and after 24-48 hours of PMBV and during the follow-up period, including restenosis and major cardiovascular events. RESULTS: Patients in group 2 had significantly higher rates of atrial fibrillation (53.1% vs. 16%; p=0.006) and functional capacity of NYHA class III-IV (90.7% vs. 56%; p=0.01). Procedural success rates were 96% (n=24) and 90.6% (n=29) in group 1 and 2, respectively. Failure occurred in one patient (4%) in group 1, and in three patients (9.4%) in group 2. One patient in group 1 developed severe mitral stenosis resulting in valve replacement. In group 2, two patients developed hemopericardium. After the procedure, there was a two-fold increase from 1.0+/-0.1 cm2 to 2.0+/-0.2 cm2 in the mean valve area, being more prominent in group 1 (group 1: from 1.1+/-0.1 cm2 to 2.1+/-0.1 cm2; group 2: from 0.9+/-0.1 cm2 to 1.8+/-0.1 cm2; p<0.001). In-hospital mortality or embolic events did not occur, nor did restenosis or major cardiovascular events during a mean follow-up of 21+/-13 months. CONCLUSION: Our results show that PMBV can be performed successfully in patients having a low (