Evaluation of Liver Stiffness After Atrial Septal Defect Closure.

ABSTRACT: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the liver stiffness (LS) values and the right ventricle (RV) functions after atrial septal defect (ASD) closure treatment. Sixty-six patients were included (38 female, 28 male) in the study. Patients were grouped into 3 subgroups (group I = 21 patients without ASD closure, group II = 38 patients who underwent ASD closure, and group III = 11 patients with ASD and Eisenmenger syndrome). After 1-year follow-up of the patients who underwent ASD closure, LS was assessed using the liver elastography technique. Echocardiographic changes and LS changes over time were compared. Absolute Δ-LS and Δ-liver size were found to be significantly decreased in group II compared with the other groups. While liver size, LS levels, RV and left ventricle (LV) dimensions, and tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient were found to be significantly decreased; the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and the LV ejection fraction were significantly increased in group II. In addition, Δ-LV and Δ-RV dimensions and Δ-tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient values were statistically significant and Δ-tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and LV ejection fraction values were statistically higher in group II compared with the other groups. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that the LS is another parameter, which significantly decreases in patients treated with ASD occluder devices and can be used as an objective follow-up parameter in addition to classic echocardiographic measurements.

Serum Elabela Level Significantly Increased in Patients with Complete Heart Block.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the change in serum Elabela level, a new apelinergic system peptide, in patients with complete atrioventricular (AV) block and healthy controls. METHODS: The study included 50 patients with planned cardiac pacemaker (PM) implantation due to complete AV block and 50 healthy controls with similar age and gender. Elabela level was measured in addition to routine anamnesis, physical examination, and laboratory tests. Patients were divided into two groups, with and without AV block, and then compared. RESULTS: In patients with AV block, serum Elabela level was significantly higher and heart rate and cardiac output were significantly lower than in healthy controls. Serum Elabela level was found to be positively correlated with high-sensitive C-reactive protein and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels, but negatively correlated with heart rate, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and cardiac output. In linear regression analysis, it was found that these parameters were only closely related to heart rate and NT-proBNP. Serum Elabela level was determined in the patients with AV block independently; an Elabela level > 9.5 ng/ml determined the risk of complete AV-block with 90.2% sensitivity and 88.0% specificity. CONCLUSION: In patients with complete AV block, the serum Elabela level increases significantly before the PM implantation procedure. According to the results of our study, it was concluded that serum Elabela level could be used in the early determination of patients with complete AV block.

Serum elabela level significantly increased in patients with complete heart block

Abstract Objective: To investigate the change in serum Elabela level, a new apelinergic system peptide, in patients with complete atrioventricular (AV) block and healthy controls. Methods: The study included 50 patients with planned cardiac pacemaker (PM) implantation due to complete AV block and 50 healthy controls with similar age and gender. Elabela level was measured in addition to routine anamnesis, physical examination, and laboratory tests. Patients were divided into two groups, with and without AV block, and then compared. Results: In patients with AV block, serum Elabela level was significantly higher and heart rate and cardiac output were significantly lower than in healthy controls. Serum Elabela level was found to be positively correlated with high-sensitive C-reactive protein and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels, but negatively correlated with heart rate, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and cardiac output. In linear regression analysis, it was found that these parameters were only closely related to heart rate and NT-proBNP. Serum Elabela level was determined in the patients with AV block independently; an Elabela level > 9.5 ng/ml determined the risk of complete AV-block with 90.2% sensitivity and 88.0% specificity. Conclusion: In patients with complete AV block, the serum Elabela level increases significantly before the PM implantation procedure. According to the results of our study, it was concluded that serum Elabela level could be used in the early determination of patients with complete AV block.

The Effectiveness of Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio in Predicting in-Hospital Mortality in Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial infarction is the most common cause of death all over the world. There are many studies in predicting mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of hematologic parameters measured at the moment of admission to the emergency room in predicting in-hospital mortality and to determine cutoff values of strongly predictive values. METHODS: A total of 681 patients over 18 years of age, whose date could be obtained, were included in the study. From the hemogram parameters, white blood cells (WBC), red cell distribution width (RDW), mean platelet volume (MPV), and neutrophils-to-lymphocytes ratio (NLR) values were determined and recorded. CK-MB and high-sensitive troponin T values were recorded as cardiac markers. For statistical analysis, "SPSS for Windows version 21" package program was used. RESULTS: 62.6% (n = 426) of the patients were male, and 37.4% (n = 426) of the patients were male, and 37.4% (. CONCLUSION: According to the hemogram results which were acquired with a simple and cheap method, we found that WBC and especially NLR values obtained with a simple method can be used as powerful predictors.

Increased Elabela levels in the acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction patients.

Elabela is a bioactive peptide and a part of Apelinergic system. Elabela has an important role in the early embryonic stages. Elabela's beneficial effects in cardiovascular system were shown in some animal models or in vitro studies. Lately, some investigational studies in humans are started to be seen in literature. Our aims were to investigate serum Elabela levels in the first day of ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), to compare with healthy controls, and to see if there is a correlation between other cardiac biomarkers in humans.The study was planned as cross-sectional. The patients group had 124 STEMI subjects. They were grouped as inferior (n = 59) and anterior myocardial infarction (n = 65) groups, and compared with the healthy control population (n = 77). Routine blood tests and serum Elabela levels were measured. Transthoracic echocardiography performed to all subjects.Frequency of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, smoking, and hyperlipidemia in both STEMI groups were significantly higher than control subjects. Glucose, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglyceride, high sensitive C reactive protein (Hs-CRP), troponin I, N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide (NT-ProBNP), and Elabela levels were significantly higher in both STEMI groups. Other laboratory parameters were similar. Group 2 and 3 had significantly lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) than group 1. Group 3 had also significantly lower LVEF than group 2. There was a positive but moderate correlation between Elabela, troponin I, and NT-ProBNP. Elabela was negatively correlated with LVEF. This correlation was also moderate.We showed increased Elabela levels in STEMI patients in this study. Also, we observed a moderate positive correlation between troponin I, NT-ProBNP, and Elabela.

Aortic intima-media thickness can be used to determine target organ damage in adult patients with coronary artery disease risk factors.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to evaluate the relationship between abdominal aortic intima-media thickness (AA-IMT) and thoracic aortic intima-media thickness (TA-IMT) values and to investigate their relationship with common carotid intima-media thickness (CC-IMT) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study included 100 patients who underwent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) examination for different reasons with at least one CAD risk factor. CC-IMT, AA-IMT, and TA-IMT values were measured. Patients with CC-IMT > 0.9 mm were considered as having increased CC-IMT. Patients were divided into two groups with and without increased CC-IMT. RESULTS: Mean AA-IMT and TA-IMT values of all patients were 1.55 ±0.27 mm and 1.39 ±0.25 mm, respectively. In patients with increased CC-IMT, blood pressure, hyperlipidemia and hypertension frequency, creatinine, total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglyceride, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and uric acid levels, AA-IMT and TA-IMT values were higher, while the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level was lower than the normal CC-IMT group. AA-IMT, systolic blood pressure (SBP), total and HDL cholesterol levels independently determined the patients with CC-IMT > 0.9 mm. Each 0.1 mm increase in AA-IMT value was found to increase the probability of having CC-IMT > 0.9 mm. In addition, linear regression analysis showed that CC-IMT was closely and independently related to AA-IMT (p < 0.001 and ß = 0.599). When the cut-off value for AA-IMT was taken as 1.5 mm, it determined the patients with CC-IMT > 0.9 mm with 86% sensitivity and 82% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: The AA-IMT value was found to be higher than TA-IMT in the same patient. Also it was found that AA-IMT was more closely related to CC-IMT.

Effect of cryoballoon ablation parameters on recurrence in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this research was to investigate the relationship between atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence and second generation cryoballoon ablation (CBA) procedural parameters in patients with non-valvular paroxysmal AF (PAF). METHODS: A total of 131 patients with a PAF diagnosis who underwent second-generation CBA (59 male; mean age: 55.2±10.6 years) were enrolled. Recurrence was defined as the detection of AF on a 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) recording, or an attack lasting at least 30 seconds observed on Holter ECG records. CBA procedural data and echocardiographic findings were recorded and compared. RESULTS: After 1 year of follow-up, AF recurrence was detected in 27 patients. Patients with recurrence were older and had higher rates of hypertension and diabetes (p<0.05 for both). Left atrial diameter, left atrial volume (LaV), left atrial volume index, and the averaged warming angle (calculated by combining lowest temperature point and balloon temperature at 20°C point) were significantly higher in the recurrence group. Balloon warming time was significantly longer in the non-recurrence group (p<0.001). In binary logistic regression analysis, the averaged warming angle (odds ratio [OR]: 1.559, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.342-1.811; p<0.001) and LaV (OR: 1.063, 95% CI: 1.028-1.100; p<0.001) were found to be independent parameters for predicting recurrence. The cutoff value of the warming angle obtained with ROC curve analysis was 50° for the prediction of recurrence (sensitivity: 94.3%, specificity: 88.5%, area under the curve: 0.909; p<0.001). The cutoff value of LaV obtained by ROC curve analysis was 53.5 for prediction of recurrence (sensitivity: 77.8%, specificity: 74.5%; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Measurement of balloon warming angle during CBA and increased LaV may predict the AF recurrence.

Improvement of abnormal systolic motion of the interventricular septum with cardiac resynchronization therapy.

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus in the literature regarding what is the responsible mechanism of left ventricular dyssynchrony; septal dyskinesia or late movement of left ventricle (LV) lateral wall. We aim to evaluate the abnormal systolic motion in each myocardial segment and the improvement of LV systolic function with pulsed tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) in patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) with left bundle branch block (LBBB). METHODS: A total of 26 patients undergoing CRT implantation with LBBB, wide QRS duration (≥120 ms), and low ejection fraction (EF) (<35%) were included. Pulsed TDI was taken from apical 4-chamber view and parasternal short axis view (PSAX). All echocardiographic parameters were measured when CRT is on and off. RESULTS: Systolic ejection time (ET) of anteroseptal and posterolateral wall of LV in PSAX was statistically significantly longer in CRT on group (321.6 ± 62.7 vs 237.5 ± 59.3 ms, P < .001; 323.9 ± 58.0 vs 289.4 ± 43.7 ms, P = .015, respectively). In apical 4-chamber view, septal annulus systolic ET is significantly longer in CRT on group than CRT off group (315.8 ± 57.2 vs 287.3 ± 42.2, P = .014). Also, there was a strong correlation between systolic ET of the septum in PSAX with aortic velocity time integral (VTI), QRS duration and EF (r = .587, P = .002; r = .479, P = .013; r = .440, P = .025; respectively). CONCLUSION: Circumferential contraction of septal myocardial fibers is improved with CRT and it is strongly correlated with increase of aortic VTI and shortening of QRS duration. These findings predict the deterioration of septal contraction as the main mechanism in patients with LBBB pattern and, CRT may improves myocardial contraction by correcting septal systolic motion.

T wave positivity in lead aVR is associated with mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

INTRODUCTION: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in patients with increased comorbidity. Lead aVR in surface ECG has valuable information about prediction of mortality in many cardiovascular diseases. Our aim was to determine the relationship between ischemic changes in lead aVR and mortality in TAVI patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively examined 86 patients with TAVI. The ST segment deviation in lead aVR (STaVR) and T wave polarity (TPaVR) on surface ECG were measured. The absolute values of TPaVR and STaVR were calculated. A ratio (TP/STaVR or vice versa) was obtained from the division of the larger absolute value by the smaller one. RESULTS: The patients were divided into two groups as living and deceased. The living group had 68 patients, and the deceased group had 18 patients. The number of positive TPaVR patients after TAVI, TPaVR after TAVI, and TP/STaVR ratio after TAVI were significantly higher in the deceased group. The deceased group had a significantly shorter aortic annulus-LMCA distance. Presence of positive TPaVR (OR = 8.765, 95% CI: 1.088-70.618, p = 0.041), aortic annulus-LMCA distance (for each 1 mm increase, OR = 0.306, 95% CI: 0.158-0.595, p < 0.001) and TP/STaVR ratio (for each 0.1 increase, OR = 1.966, 95% CI: 1.276-3.024, p = 0.002) were determined as independent predictors for mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Ischemic changes in lead aVR may provide valuable information about mortality after TAVI.

Silent atrial fibrillation is associated with P-wave duration index in patients with cardiac resynchronisation therapy.

INTRODUCTION: Atrial fibrillation (AF) attacks can be silent, symptomatic, or emerge with its complications in pacemaker-implanted patient groups. P-wave duration index (PWDI), a novel parameter, is calculated by dividing the P-wave duration (PWD) by the PR interval. This study aimed to investigate the relation between PWDI and silent AF development in cardiac resynchronisation therapy defibrillator (CRT-D)-applied patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 181 CRT-D device-implanted patients. Atrial fibrillation attacks that last at least 30 s with no symptoms were accepted as silent AF. RESULTS: Patients were separated into two groups: "with silent AF" and "without silent AF". The without silent AF group comprised 121 patients (mean age: 62.9 ±8.7 years, 62% male). The with silent AF group included 60 patients (mean age: 67.9 ±9.7 years, 60% male). The silent AF group had significantly higher mean age (p = 0.001). PR duration was significantly higher in the without silent AF group (p = 0.001). Patients with first-degree IAB and PWDI values were significantly higher in the with silent AF group (p-values were 0.001 and < 0.001, respectively). Age (OR = 1.073, 95% CI: 1.028-1.119, p = 0.001) and PWDI (OR = 1.053, 95% CI: 1.028-1.078, p < 0.001) were detected as independent predictors for silent AF in the binomial logistic regression analysis. In the ROC analysis, a PWDI cut-off value of 0.67 determined silent AF with 81.7% sensitivity and 51.4% specificity (AUC = 0.701, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: P-wave duration index was significantly associated with silent AF in patients with CRT-D.

Ischemic changes in lead aVR is associated with left ventricular thrombus or high-grade spontaneous echocontrast in patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between ischemic changes in the lead aVR and left ventricular thrombus (LVT) or high-grade spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) in patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS: Quantitative T wave polarity in lead aVR (TPaVR) and ST segment deviation in the lead aVR (STaVR) measured from a surface electrocardiogram (ECG), as well as the absolute numerical values, were recorded. The ST/TPaVR ratio was obtained by dividing the larger absolute value by the smaller. The presence of LVT or high-grade SEC was recorded using echocardiograpy. The SYNTAX score (SS), clinical SS (cSS), and residual SS (rSS) were calculated from angiography results. RESULTS: A total of 34 patients with LVT or high-grade SEC were included in Group 1. Group 2 comprised 170 patients who did not have any LVT or high-grade SEC. The P wave duration, V2 ST-segment elevation, TPaVR, cSS, and ST/TPaVR ratio were significantly higher in Group 1. The ejection fraction (EF) and STaVR were significantly higher in Group 2. The EF (Odds ratio [OR]: 0.9, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.833-0.973; p=0.008), TPaVR (OR: 1.454, 95% CI: 1.074-1.967; p=0.015), and ST/TPaVR ratio (OR: 1.6, 95% CI: 1.307-1.959; p<0.001) were determined to be independent predictors for Group 1. CONCLUSION: Ischemic changes in the lead aVR are closely associated with LVT or high-grade SEC in anterior MI patients.

Epicardial fat thickness is significantly increased and related to LDL cholesterol level in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia.

PURPOSE: Increased epicardial fat thickness (EFT) is accepted as a risk factfcardiovascular diseases in some studies. There are conflicting results about the relation between plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level and EFT. As well, the relation between EFT and familial hypercholesterolemia is not clearly documented in the literature. Our aim was to investigate EFT in familial hypercholesterolemia patients and to determine which parameters were related to EFT increase. METHODS: A total of 150 subjects enrolled in our study. Subjects were separated into two groups: 75 hypercholesterolemia patients (16 men, mean age 52.8 ± 7.4 years) and 75 familial hypercholesterolemia patients (26 men, mean age 50.7 ± 9.2 years). Medical history assessments and complete physical examinations were done. Routine laboratory tests and echocardiographic measurements were performed. RESULTS: Coronary artery disease frequency was significantly higher in the familial hypercholesterolemia group (p < 0.001). This group had significantly higher TC and LDL-C levels than the hypercholesterolemia group (p < 0.05 for all). EFT values were higher in the familial hypercholesterolemia group, and were significantly different than in the other group (p < 0.001). LDL-C was found to be independently related to EFT in the linear regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Epicardial fat thickness increased in the familial hypercholesterolemia patients. In addition, LDL-C levels were significantly crelated with increased EFT.

Increased renal cortical stiffness obtained by share-wave elastography imaging significantly predicts the contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with preserved renal function.

PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate the relation between renal cortical stiffness (CS) obtained by shear-wave elastography (SWE) and contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) development in interventional treatment-planned acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. METHODS: Our study group consisted of 465 ACS patients. Routine laboratory assessments, B-mode, Doppler, and SWE renal ultrasonography (USG) evaluations were performed. Renal resistive index (RRI), renal pulsatility index (RPI), and acceleration time (AT) and CS were measured. Patients were grouped as with and without CIN. RESULTS: Among the study group, 55 patients (11.8%) had CIN. Age, diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HT), basal creatinine, CK-MB and troponin I levels, contrast volume, contrast volume/weight ratio, SYNTAX score, RRI, RPI, AT, and CS values were significantly higher in patients with CIN. eGFR was lower in patients who developed CIN. Age, contrast volume/weight ratio, and CS were determined as independent predictors of CIN occurrence in logistic regression analysis. In multivariate logistic analysis, increase of age (each year), contrast volume/weight (each 0.2 mL/kg), and CS (each 1 kPa) were found to augment the development of CIN by 7.1, 59.5, and 62.3%, respectively. In the ROC analysis, CS had the highest AUROC value. The cutoff value of CS obtained by the ROC curve analysis was 7 kPa for the CIN development (sensitivity: 74.5%, specificity: 72.5%). CONCLUSION: CS value is a simple, cheap, reproducible, noninvasive, and objective parameter for the detection of CIN development. ACS patients should be directed to renal USG, and routine CS value should be written besides USG measurements in reports.

Usability of Achilles tendon strain elastography for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease.

PURPOSE: There are close relationships between major coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors and Achilles tendon thickness (AT-T) and AT strain ratio (AT-SR). Our aim was to evaluate the diagnostic importance of AT-T and AT-SR as obtained by ultrasonography (USG) and strain elastography (SE) for predicting CAD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and eighty-four patients scheduled to undergo coronary angiography were included in the study. Achilles tendon USG (B-mode and SE) and laboratory tests were performed on all patients. The patients were divided into two groups, i.e., patients with and without CAD. RESULTS: The patients with CAD (72.8%) were more likely to be male, exhibited higher frequencies of diabetes mellitus (DM) and hyperlipidemia, exhibited higher levels of basal creatinine and glucose, and had higher AT-T and AT-SR values (p < 0.05 for all). Age, DM, AT-T, and AT-SR independently predicted the probability of CAD in a logistic regression analysis (p < 0.05 for all). Age (each year), DM (presence), AT-T (each 1 mm), and AT-SR (each 0.1) increased the CAD risk by 3.4%, 2.9 times, 47.1%, and 16.0%, respectively. ROC analysis revealed AUCs of 0.665 and 0.730 for the AT-T and AT-SR values, respectively (p < 0.05). The AT-SR cutoff value of 1.2 predicted the presence of CAD with 75.4% sensitivity and 72.7% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: AT-SR is a simple, inexpensive, noninvasive, reproducible, and objective parameter for the prediction of CAD. We think that AT-SR evaluation should become a part of conventional USG assessments in patients who are at a high risk of CAD.

Acute Myocardial Infarction due to Multiple Thrombosis without Cardiogenic Shock.

OBJECTIVE: Acute thrombotic occlusion of > 1 major coronary arteries is very rare (2.5%). Herein, we report a patient with simultaneous anterior and inferior myocardial infarction without cardiogenic shock. CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTION: A 43-year-old woman was admitted with severe chest pain. Electrocardiography showed ST segment elevation in anterior and inferior derivations. There was no severe hypotension. Urgent coronary angiography showed that there were thrombotic occlusions in both left anterior descending artery and right coronary artery. Both lesions were successfully treated with coronary stenting. CONCLUSION: If there is multiple ST segment elevation on presentation electrocardiography, clinicians should be aware of possible simultaneous coronary occlusions.

Evaluation of coronary sinus morphology by three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography in patients undergoing electrophysiological study.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the coronary sinus (CS) morphology with three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (3D-TTE) in patients with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) who underwent electrophysiological study (EPS). METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 187 patients who underwent EPS between November 2016 and April 2017. Patients were divided into three groups: atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) (n = 72), non-AVNRT SVT (n = 58), and normal EPS (n = 57). All patients were evaluated with electrocardiography, TTE, and 3D-TTE. RESULTS: The CS diameter (CSD) and area (CSA) were found significantly lower in the normal EPS group than in the other groups. There was no significant difference in the CSD between AVNRT and non-AVNRT SVT groups. However, it was found that the CSA was significantly larger in the AVNRT group than in the non-AVNRT SVT group. In linear regression analysis, age and left atrial diameter were determined as independent predictor for CSD and CSA (P < 0.001 for each one). CONCLUSIONS: The CSD and CSA assessed by 3D-TTE were different and dilated in the patients with SVT compared to those in the normal individuals. There was no significant difference in the CSD between the AVNRT and non-AVNRT SVT groups. However, the AVNRT group had a larger CSA than the non-AVNRT SVT group.

Lead aVR is a predictor for mortality in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: Normally, lead augmented vector right (aVR) has a negative T wave polarity (TaVR) in the electrocardiography (ECG). Positive TaVR and ST segment deviation in lead aVR (STaVR) have negative effects on mortality in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction patients. AIM: Our aim was to investigate the relationship between lead aVR changes and mortality in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) patients. METHODS: We retrospectively examined 249 patients in 2011-2015 years (mean age 70.8±11.9 years and follow-up period 38.3±9.6 months). ECG, echocardiographic, and laboratory findings were recorded and compared in the study. Existence of positive TaVR, STaVR, and quantitative TaVR values were recorded and the absolute numerical values of TaVR and STaVR were recorded from the 12-lead surface ECG (T/STaVR ratio or vice versa). RESULTS: The patients were divided into two groups: living (171) and deceased (78). Age, systolic blood pressure, left atrial diameter, QRS duration, positive TaVR frequency, STaVR, absolute value of TaVR, and ratio were significantly higher in the deceased group. Age (OR: 1.106), STaVR (OR: 2.349), TaVR (OR: 1.612), and T/STaVR ratio (OR: 5.156) were determined as independent predictors for mortality. CONCLUSIONS: ST segment and T wave polarity changes in lead aVR closely associated with mortality in patients with HFpEF.

Delta wave notching time is associated with accessory pathway localization in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.

PURPOSE: Our aim was to investigate the relation between delta wave notching time (DwNt) and accessory pathway location in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome. METHODS: The retrospective study included 149 WPW patients who underwent ablation therapy. DwNt was defined as the duration between the initial point of QRS and the notching in the delta wave. DwNt was divided by QRS duration to obtain the delta wave index (Dwi). RESULTS: Patients with left-sided accessory pathway (AP) had significantly higher DwNt (p < 0.001) and Dwi (p = 0.027) values. The R wave voltage in lead I (p = 0.037) and S wave voltage in lead V1 (p = 0.005) values were significantly higher in patients with right-sided AP compared to patients with left-sided AP. When 27 ms was taken as the DwNt cut-off value, higher durations determined the left-sided AP location with a sensitivity of 91% and a negative predictive value of 91.4%. Dwi cutoff values ≥ 0.29 were accepted to indicate a left-sided AP location with a sensitivity of 91.2% and a NPV of 91.4%. CONCLUSIONS: WPW patients with left-sided AP have longer DwNt values than patients with right-sided AP.

Morning blood pressure surge is associated independently with orthostatic hypotension in hypertensive patients under treatment.

OBJECTIVE: Morning blood pressure surge (MBPS) and orthostatic hypotension (OH) play a role in the occurrence of cardiovascular events. We aimed to investigate the association between MBPS and OH in hypertensive patients under treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We prospectively included 297 patients (mean age: 53.8±10.7 years, male/female: 101/196) with essential hypertension. Tilt table testing was performed for the diagnosis of OH. OH was classified into three groups as initial OH (0-15 s), classical OH (15 s to 3 min), and delayed OH (3-30 min). Patients were categorized into two main groups: patient with OH or without OH. We used sleep-through MBPS. The MBPS was calculated as the difference between the average blood pressure (BP) during the 2 h after awakening and the lowest night-time BP. RESULTS: We detected initial OH in two patients, classic OH in seven patients, delayed OH in 20 patients, and delayed OH with syncope in two patients. MBPS, thiazide diuretic, and α-blocker treatments were found to be associated independently with the occurrence of OH. Every 10 mmHg increase in MBPS was found to increase the rate of development of OH by 29.6%. The cut-off value of MBPS obtained by the receiver operator characteristic curve analysis was 35 mmHg for the prediction of OH occurrence (sensitivity: 58.0%, specificity: 68.0%). The area under the curve was 0.657 (95% confidence interval: 0.553-0.771, P=0.004). CONCLUSION: OH is a major problem in hypertensive patients. Increased MBPS, which can be detected easily by 24-h ambulatory BP monitor, predicts the occurrence of OH independently.

T wave positivity in lead aVR is associated with mortality in patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy.

PURPOSE: Positive T wave polarity in lead aVR (TPaVR) is associated with a poor prognostic indicator in patients with heart failure reduce ejection fraction (HFrEF). Our aim was to investigate the relationship between positive TPaVR and mortality in patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D). METHODS: We included retrospectively 224 HFrEF patients with CRT-D in sinus rhythm. Laboratory, electrocardiographic (ECG), and echocardiographic data were recorded. T wave polarity was measured in lead DI, DII, and aVR from surface ECG. RESULTS: The patients were divided as living and deceased. They followed for 2.5 ± 0.9 years. Thirty-three patients (14.7%) died. Six patients (18.2%) were TPaVR positive before CRT-D and this number increased to 22 (66.6%) after CRT-D in the deceased group. Pulse (p = 0.049), hyperlipidemia (p = 0.022), and NT-proBNP levels were higher in the deceased group (p = 0.001). TPaVR before CRT-D (p < 0.001) and TPaVR after CRT-D (p < 0.001) were significantly positive in the deceased group. Positive TPaVR after CRT-D was the only independent predictor for mortality in binominal logistic regression analysis (OR 1.211, 95% CI 1.105-1.328, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In CRT-D patients, a positive TPaVR in surface ECG may be a strong mortality indicator.