Neoadjuvant calcium electroporation for potentially curable colorectal cancer.

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

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

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

Two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, two different side effects: Skin and eye.

A 47-year-old male patient presented to our clinic with the complaints of eye pain, reduced vision and redness in the right eye three days after administration of the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. The patient was diagnosed with uveitis associated with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and inflammatory glaucoma due to the uveitis. In addition, an erythematous, morbilliform rash had developed three days after the first dose of the vaccine. This is the first case report in the literature to show both skin and eye side effects after the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The variability of electric pulp response thresholds in primary molars: a clinical study.

PURPOSE: The variability of the EPT response threshold is the most important part of accurate diagnosis of pulp status of caries-affected resorbing primary teeth. This study evaluated the mean EPT threshold values and appropriate electrode placement sites for primary molar teeth based on their physiological root resorption levels. METHODS: This study was conducted with 100 primary second molars in 100 children ages 3-12 (mean age: 7.88 years). Teeth were divided into 2 groups according to physiological root resorption levels. EPT response thresholds were recorded at the mesiobuccal cusp, occlusal third, middle third and cervical third of the crown. Data were analyzed according to resorption level using one-way analysis of variance and Duncan tests, with the level of significance set at 0.05. RESULTS: Mean threshold values at all placement sites were higher in the group with the higher level of physiological root resorption. In terms of placement, the lowest mean EPT threshold values were obtained at the mesiobuccal cusp regardless of resorption level. CONCLUSIONS: According to the study results, higher resorption levels were associated with higher physiologocial threshold values for EPT of primary second molars, with the mesiobuccal site identified as the most appropriate electrode placement site, regardless of resorption level.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Comparative evaluation of ceftriaxone- and cefotaxime-induced biliary pseudolithiasis or nephrolithiasis: A prospective study in 154 children.

BACKGROUND: Biliary lithiasis, or sludge, and nephrolithiasis have been reported as a possible complication of ceftriaxone therapy. However, no study related to cefotaxime-induced biliary pseudolithiasis or nephrolithiasis was observed in the literature. Therefore, we investigated the comparative formation of biliary pseudolithiasis and nephrolithiasis after cefotaxime and ceftriaxone therapies. METHODS: The patients treated with ceftriaxone or cefotaxime were enrolled during the study period. Ultrasound imaging of the biliary and urinary tract was performed in all patients before and after the treatment. The patients with a positive sonographic finding at the end of treatment were followed up with monthly ultrasonography for 3 months. RESULTS: The present study showed that abnormal biliary sonographic findings were demonstrated in 18 children (20.9%) treated with ceftriaxone, 13 (15.1%) had biliary lithiasis, 5 (5.8%) had biliary sludge and 1 (1.2%) had nephrolithiasis. Abnormal biliary sonographic findings were demonstrated in only four (5.9%) children treated with cefotaxime who had biliary sludge and only one (1.5%) had nephrolithiasis. It was observed that older age was at significantly higher risk of developing biliary sludge or stone formation. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to determine the residual risk and analysis found that 4.5 years was the cut-off value for age. CONCLUSIONS: The present study is unique in the literature for reporting for the first time gall bladder sludge and nephrolithiasis associated with cefotaxime use. Therefore, patients treated with cefotaxime should be monitored for serious complications like patients treated with ceftriaxone. Nevertheless, if third-generation cephalosporin is used, cefotaxime is recommended to be used rather than ceftriaxone.

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

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

Laparoscopic Rectopexy: First Option for Rectal Prolapse?

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

Comparison of sedation method in pediatrics cardiac catheterization.

OBJECTIVE: Purpose of this study is to compare the effects of various anaesthetic combinations on hemodynamics, sedation level, recovery period and complications in the patients which undergo pediatric cardiac catheterization. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Four groups of anaesthetic combinations was created. The groups are classified as propofol-ketamine (group 1), propofol-dexmedetomidine (group 2), dexmedetomidine-ketamine (group 3), midazolam-ketamine (group 4) (for each group n=20). Baseline heart rate (HR), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), respiratory rate (RR), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) were recorded. This parameters values were recorded at 0., 5., 10., 15., 20., 25., 30. minutes; and the groups were compared according to these measurements data. RESULTS: For heart rate, Group 2 and 3 reduce the HR more than the drugs of Group 1 and 4 (p < 0.05). The SpO2 values of Group 1 were measured to have 5% further reduction compared to the Group 2 and 3; and Group 4 has the same SpO2 recordings compared to the Group 3 (p < 0.05). Comparing the recovery times; Group 4 was found to have the highest recovery time compared to the other drug groups. It is found that additional doses are needed for recovery in Group 4 (p < 0.008). Side effects were lowest for Group 3 and highest for Group 4. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the complication rates, it is concluded that Group 3 is spotted as the better sedation method among the other groups. In terms of additional propofol dose, Group 1 would be the better choice. Thus, the clinician should choose the suitable methods for the patient.

The retinal nerve fiber layer, choroidal thickness, and central macular thickness in morbid obesity: an evaluation using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of morbid obesity on retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, central macular thickness (CMT), retinal ganglion cell (RGC), choroidal thickness (CT), central corneal thickness (CCT), and intraocular pressure (IOP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-seven patients defined as having morbid or class III obesity (BMI ≥ 40; Group 1) scheduled to undergo sleeve gastrectomy surgery and 29 nonobese patients (BMI 18.50-24.99; Group 2) underwent complete ophthalmic examination for measurement of IOP, CT, RNFL thickness, CMT, RGC, and CCT. RNFL thickness, CMT, and RGC were measured using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). CT measurement was performed using the enhanced depth imaging technique of the SD-OCT. The group data were analyzed and compared using the Mann-Whitney U test and Student's t-test. The relationship between the clinical ocular variables and obesity was analyzed using the Spearman's rank correlation test. RESULTS: The mean IOP and CCT of Group 1 were found to be significantly higher (p < 0.001) and the mean RNFL, RGC, and CT significantly lower (p < 0.05) than those of Group 2. While Group 2 was found to have a slightly larger cup-to-disc ratio and Group 1 to have a thinner CMT, the differences between Groups 1 and 2 regarding these variables were not found to be statistically significant (p = 0.322 and p = 0.072, respectively). The results of Spearmen correlation analysis indicated the existence of a moderately positive correlation between IOP and BMI (p < 0.001; r = 0.5-0.6). CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated by SD-OCT that morbid obesity may have a significant influence on RNFL, RGC, and CT. Morbid obesity may induce inflammatory, hormonal, and metabolic changes.

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

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

Clinical and functional outcomes and treatment options for paediatric elbow dislocations: Experiences of three trauma centres.

Although elbow dislocations are seen rarely in children, their management remains controversial. In this study, over a 7 years period, we evaluated retrospectively the clinical and functional results of paediatric elbow dislocations managed in three different trauma centres. Pure dislocations and dislocations with associated injuries were evaluated separately. In total 56 patients met the inclusion criteria. The number of patients without additional injury was 22 out of which according to the Robert's criteria, 15 children (68%) had an excellent, four (18%) a good, one (5%) a fair, and two (9%) a poor outcome. From the thirty-four patients that had associated injuries, two (6%) had an excellent, 6 (18%) a good, 10 (29%) a fair and 16 (47%) a poor result. Overall, patients with pure dislocation were found to have a better range of motion compared to patients with dislocation and associated injuries. Prolonged follow ups, and effective rehabilitation programs are required in order to expect good outcomes.

Evaluation of heart rate recovery in patients with primary nephrotic syndrome.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Abnormal heart rate recovery after an exercise stress test is a strong predictor of cardiovascular death in healthy subjects and various patient groups. The aim of the present study was to investigate heart rate recovery (HRR), a cardiovascular risk factor, in patients with primary nephrotic syndrome (NS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty patients with primary NS (mean age 39.6 ± 9.3 years) and 42 healthy subjects (mean age 36.0 ± 7.9) were included in the study. HRR was calculated by subtracting the heart rates in the first, second, and third minutes of the recovery period from the maximum heart rate, reached during the exercise stress test. RESULTS: The HRR in the first minute was significantly slower in the NS group compared with the control group (25.5 ± 10.1 and 32.4 ± 11.1, respectively; p =0.004). The HRR in the second and third minutes was also slower in the NS group, but the difference was not statistically significant. When a comparative analysis of HRR and the etiology of NS was carried out, no difference was found at any time point. CONCLUSIONS: Impaired first minute HRR was identified in patients with NS. This suggests that primary NS patients should be monitored due to the potential increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Hippokratia 2015; 19 (2):109-113.

Are we aware of stent fracture?

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