The Left Distal transradial access site could give a safe alternate site for transradial coronary intervention (The Litaunent Study).

Transradial Access (TRA) is the suggested method when performing coronary procedures. TRA has several advantages over the transfemoral approach, but also some restrictions. The present study compared the efficacy and safety of the traditional proximal transradial approach (pTRA) with a newer technique known as the distal transradial approach (dTRA) for performing a coronary angiography (CAG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients (n = 700) were placed into one of two categories (dTRA or pTRA) based on a random technique. The primary endpoint was RAO at follow-up. The secondary endpoints included the time required for sheath insertion, the rate of successful sheath insertion, rate of successful completion of CAG and PCI, total procedure time, total fluoroscopy time, total radiation dose, total contrast volume used, pain perception (visual analog scale 0-10), and hemostasis duration. dTRA patients had more skin punctures, failed punctures, failed wiring, overlap of access sites, sheath insertion time, and pain evaluation scale, while the pTRA group had more hemostasis time and first-time cannulation. RAO and pseudoaneurysm (PseA) were lower in the dTRA group. In this randomized study, dTRA had lower RAO and PseA than pTRA. However, multicenter, larger-patient trials are needed to provide definitive evidence.

Osteoprotegerin is associated with subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction in non-dipper hypertensive patients: a 2D speckle tracking echocardiographic study.

BACKGROUND: Past studies have shown that non-dipper hypertensive patients have more frequent subclinical left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction compared to dippers. Many different parameters have been examined to predict subclinical LV dysfunction. The role of osteoprotegerin (OPG) in the pathogenesis of heart failure and LV systolic dysfunction through different mechanisms had well described. In the present study, we hypothesized that increased OPG levels could predict subclinical LV systolic dysfunction in non-dipper hypertensive patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Hypertensive patients were divided into two groups according to the results of ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring. Non-dipper patients were subsequently divided into two further groups (normal LV function and impaired LV function) according to LV global longitudinal strain (GLS). RESULTS: A total of 103 hypertensive patients (51 dippers, 52 non-dippers) were included in the study. In the non-dipper group, LV GLS was normal in 21 patients and impaired in 31 patients. Based on the results of the multivariate logistic regression test, it was determined that OPG levels (OR: 2.413, 95% CI: 1.284-4.535, P  = 0.006) and LVMI (OR: 1.086, 95% CI: 1.013-1.165, P  = 0.021) were independently associated with impaired GLS. CONCLUSION: Higher OPG values were associated with subclinical LV systolic dysfunction in non-dipper hypertensive patients. It could be used for the early diagnosis of subclinical LV systolic dysfunction, which would allow for strategies to be designed to reduce the cardiovascular event rate in this patient population.

Electrocardiographic Abnormalities During and After Withdrawal in Patients Diagnosed with Opioid Use Disorder.

Introduction: Opioid withdrawal is one of the most critical complications of opioid use disorder. In this study, we aimed to examine the possible risk of ventricular arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death by calculating electrocardiography (ECG) changes, the markers of ventricular repolarization, in opioid withdrawal. Methods: A total of 90 patients diagnosed with opioid withdrawal who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study. QT, QTc, TPe/QT, and TPe/QTc ratios of patients with a Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS) score higher than five and a Framingham heart risk score lower than 10% were measured in 12-lead ECG. Results: A significant difference was found between the patients' heart rate, QT, QTc, and TPe/QT values during withdrawal (entry-first) and after withdrawal (second) (p<0.05). Mean QT First Value (380.69±22.46) was significantly different and higher than Mean QT Second Value (372.82±19.998); Mean QTc First Value (435.41±16.22) was significantly different and higher than Mean QTc Second Value (418.03±17.79); Mean Tpe First Value (81.62±6.009) was significantly different and higher than Mean Tpe Second Value (79.93±5.524); and The Mean Tpe/QT First Value (0.221±0.005) was significantly different and higher than the Mean Tpe/QT Second Value (0.213±0.004) (p<0.05). Conclusion: The findings of our study show that electrocardiographic QT, QTc, Tpe and Tpe/QTc values, which indicate the risk of sudden cardiac death and ventricular arrhythmia, are significantly higher during opioid withdrawal. In addition to the regulation of addiction treatment during opioid withdrawal, it should be considered that individuals may be at cardiac risk, and the patient should be monitored for cardiac arrhythmia during the withdrawal period.

Early Systolic Lengthening Is Associated with SYNTAX Score in Patients with Non-ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Early systolic lengthening is a echocardiographic strain parameter previously used to determine the lesion severity in patients with stable coronary artery disease. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between early systolic lengthening and anatomic SYNTAX score in troponin (-) and (+) groups among patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS: A total of 95 patients diagnosed with non-ST-elevation ACS were included in the prospective, non-randomized, single-center study. The patients were categorized into 2 groups as troponin (+) and troponin (-). The patients were evaluated in terms of echocardiographic, clinical, and angiographic parameters. RESULTS: The baseline characteristics, including age (58 ± 13 vs. 60 ± 10 respectively, P =.340), a history of hypertension (67.1% vs. 64%, respectively, P =.479), diabetes (28.6% vs. 32%, respectively, P =.467), global longitudinal strain (-14.37 ± 5.11 vs. -16.42 ± 3.93, respectively, P =.095), left ventricular ejection fraction (58.71 ± 8.73 vs. 57.20 ± 8.70, respectively, P =.263), and E/e' (8.44 ± 2.13 vs. 8.33 ± 1.99, respectively, P =.785), were similar between troponin (+) and troponin (-) groups. Left ventricle end-systolic diameter (3.2 ± 0.78; 3.50 ± 0.74 vs. 3.2 ± 0.78, respectively, P =.031), left ventricle end-systolic volume (55.57 ± 32.17 vs. 38.28 ± 13.63, respectively, P =.013), left ventricle end-diastolic volume (115.31 ± 49.54 vs. 91.23 ± 20.57, respectively, P =.042), the rate of early systolic lengthening (65.7% vs. 28%, respectively, P =.001), the duration of early systolic lengthening (24.02 ± 31 ms vs. 15.56 ± 30.19 ms, respectively, P =.009), and the SYNTAX score (16 ± 11 vs. 10 ± 10, respectively, P =.023) were higher in the troponin (+) group. Furthermore, a significant correlation was found between early systolic lengthening and SYNTAX score (r = 0.43, P <.001). CONCLUSION: The rate and duration of early systolic lengthening were higher in patients in the troponin (+) group. Early systolic lengthening is related to SYNTAX score in patients with non-ST-elevation ACS.

A mix of aminophylline and heparin plus nitroglycerin can reduce bradycardia during rotational atherectomy on the right coronary artery and dominant circumflex artery.

BACKGROUND: Rotational atherectomy (RA) may cause bradyarrhythmias and transitory atrioventricular block when performed in the right coronary artery (RCA) or a dominant circumflex (CX) coronary artery. However, there are no studies of a solution that can prevent coronary flow deterioration and bradycardia complications that may occur during RA. We aimed to create an alternative rota-flush solution to minimize the risk of bradycardia and complete atrioventricular block (AVB) that can occur during RA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprised 60 patients who were randomly divided into two groups: 30 received rotaphylline (= 240 mg aminophylline, 10,000 U unfractionated heparin, and 2000 mcg nitroglycerin to 1000 mL saline), and 30 received the traditional rota-flush (= 10,000 U unfractionated heparin, 2000 mcg nitroglycerin, and 1000 mL saline). The incidence of bradycardia or high-grade AVB (HAVB) during RA, coronary slow-flow phenomenon or no-reflow phenomenon, and coronary spasm were the primary endpoints of the study. Procedure success and RA-related procedural complications were secondary endpoints. RESULTS: The use of rotaphylline was an independent predictor of bradycardia and HAVB after accounting for all other factors (OR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.24-0.79, p < 0.001). Lesion length (OR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.24-3.04, p < 0.001), burr-to-artery ratio (OR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.39-1.68, p < 0.001), and total run duration (OR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.35-1.43, p < 0.001) were additional independent predictors. CONCLUSION: Bradycardia and the development of HAVB may be avoided by rotaphylline intracoronary infusion during RA applied to the RCA and dominant CX lesions. Multicenter studies including sizable patient populations should be conducted to validate the present findings.

DETERMINING THE RISK OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE IN PATIENTS DIAGNOSED WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA AND BIPOLAR AFFECTIVE DISORDER.

BACKGROUND: In Schizophrenia (SCZ) and Bipolar Affective Disorder (BAD) patients using the Framingham Heart Risk Scoring (FHRS), we aimed to investigate the possible cardiac arrhythmia risk by calculating electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters (QT, QTc, Tpe, and TPE/QTc ratios), which are ventricular repolarization markers. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 140 BAD and 253 SCZ patients were included in the study. Age, blood test results (fasting blood glucose, LDL-HDL-TC levels, hemogram values), blood pressure and heart rate, smoking status, antihypertensive drug use, and FHRS were calculated from the patient files, and sociodemographic information was recorded. In addition, ECG calculations were performed, and QT, QTc, TPe, TPe/QTc ratios and heart rate were measured. RESULTS: When we evaluated the cardiac risk indexes of SCZ and BAD patients, we detected that FHRS was higher in smokers, female patients, and those with other medical diseases such as diabetes mellitus (DM) (p<0.05). In addition, we found that QTc rates, markers of ventricular repolarization, were associated with FHRS, the number of antipsychotics used, patient age, disease duration, and the number of hospitalizations. TPe and QT rates were found to increase in parallel with FHRS. In addition, a positive correlation was found between QTc rates in females, patients with DM, and those using additional medical drugs. (p<0.05) CONCLUSIONS: In BAD and SCZ patients, diabetes diagnosis, other medical drug use, a high Framingham heart score, the number of antipsychotics, the disease duration, the patient's age, and an increased number of hospitalizations may increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmia. Therefore, possible cardiac risk should be considered in patients with chronic drug use, such as BAD and SCZ. Regulating the treatment and follow-up of this group of patients against possible cardiac risks will reduce cardiac mortality and morbidity

Electrocardiographic Changes During and After Alcohol Withdrawal.

Background: Our study aimed to examine the possible risk of ventricular arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death by calculating the electrocardiographic changes and indicators of ventricular repolarization during and after alcohol withdrawal. Methods: One hundred participants who were identified with alcohol withdrawal and who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Data were collected between July 2020 and August 2020. The distance interval between Q and T waves, corrected distance interval between Q and T waves, T peak/distance interval between Q and T waves, and T peak/corrected distance interval between Q and T waves interval ratios ratios were measured in 12-lead electrocardiographic measurements during the withdrawal period and after withdrawal symptoms subsided in patients with a Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment of Alcohol Scale, Revised score >7 and a Framingham heart risk score <10%. Results: There was a significant difference between the patient's heart rate, distance interval between Q and T waves, corrected distance interval between Q and T waves interval, and T peak/distance interval between Q and T waves values during withdrawal (input) and after alcohol withdrawal (output) (P < .05). The mean corrected distance interval between Q and T waves interval input value (433.63 ± 17.79) is significantly different and higher than the output value of the mean corrected distance interval between Q and T waves (420.67 ± 13.78) (P < .05). Similarly, the mean T peak input value (81.36 ± 5.90) is significantly different and higher than the mean T peak output value (79.94 ± 5.39) (P < .05) and the mean T peak/input value of the distance interval between Q and T waves (0.222 ± 0.00) than the mean T peak / output value of the distance interval between Q and T waves (0.214 ± 0.00) (P < .001). Conclusion: These consequences suggest the risk for an accelerated hazard of ventricular arrhythmias in participants with alcohol withdrawal. Significantly, considering the improvement of the electrocardiographic changes of the patients after terminating alcohol intake, a possible cardiac arrhythmia may be more common during this period. Close monitoring of electrocardiograms and timely withdrawal treatment can prevent life-threatening arrhythmias in alcohol withdrawal patients.

Characteristics and Gender-Related Differences of Patients Admitted to a Large Intensive Cardiac Care Unit: A Single-Center Experience with over 55 000 Patients.

OBJECTIVE: Parallel to the aging of the world population, the complexity of patients with cardiac problems has increased, especially in intensive cardiology care units, and the importance of multidisciplinary care has become more evident. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical characteristics and gender-related differences of patients hospitalized in a large intensive cardiology care unit. METHODS: This single-center, retrospective, cross-sectional study includes all hospitalizations in a large intensive cardiology care unit between January 2016 and March 2021. All data were obtained using data collection software and transferred to MEDULLA, Turkey's general database system. RESULTS: Of the 55 737 consecutive patients included in the analysis, 16342 (29%) were women. The mean age of males was 59.71 ± 12 years, and the mean age of females was 63.3 ± 14 years (P <.001). Over a period of 5 years, the most common reason for hospitalization in the intensive cardiac care unit was acute coronary syndrome. The number of acute coronary syndrome patients who underwent coronary angiography was found to be 17 478 (31%), of which 12 878 were males and 26.3% were female. The number of patients who underwent at least 1 stent implantation was 13 952 (80% of coronary angiography procedures), and 2960 (21%) were women. The second cause of hospitalization in the intensive cardiology care unit was arrhythmias (5654 patients [10%]) followed by advanced heart failure (932 patients [1.7%]). During follow-up in the intensive cardiology care unit, the percentage of development of multiorgan failure was found to be approximately 18%. The mortality rate was 7% in women, which was higher than in men (4%). While the most common cause of death was acute coronary syndrome, the highest rate of death was found in patients with advanced heart failure. Among the patients who died, the mean age of females was higher than that of males, and the length of hospital stay was longer. CONCLUSION: Although numerically the highest death rate was observed in male acute coronary syndrome patients, the highest mortality rate was found in patients with advanced heart failure. Due to the elderly population and the increase in the number of patients requiring multidisciplinary treatment, the development of multiorgan failure in intensive cardiology care units seems to be one of the most important causes of death. Although the number of females hospitalized in the intensive cardiology care unit is lower than that of males, the mean age and mortality rate were found to be higher than males.

Quantitative assessment of left atrial functions by speckle tracking echocardiography in hypertensive patients with and without retinopathy.

PURPOSE: The association between hypertensive retinopathy and left atrial (LA) impairment is unknown. Accordingly, it was aimed to investigate the possible relationship between hypertensive retinopathy and LA phasic functions by means of two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE). METHODS: A total of 124 hypertensive patients and 27 control subjects were included in the study. LA reservoir strain (LAS-S ), LA conduit strain (LAS-E ), and LA booster strain (LAS-A ) parameters were used to evaluate LA myocardial functions. RESULTS: Hypertensive patients (with and without retinopathy) displayed an obvious reduction in the LA reservoir strain (LAS-S ), and LA conduit strain (LAS-E ). Moreover, further impairment in LA reservoir and conduit strain was found in patients with hypertensive retinopathy than in the isolated hypertensive patients. There were no significant differences in LA booster strain (LAS-A ) among the three groups. Impaired LAS-S (OR: 0.764, CI: 0.657-0.888, and p < 0.001), LAS-E (OR: 0.754, CI: 0.634-0.897, and p = 0.001), and hypertension (HT) duration (OR: 2.345, CI: 1.568-3.507, and p < 0.001) were shown to be independent predictors of hypertensive retinopathy. CONCLUSION: Impaired LA reservoir and conduit strain may be used to predict hypertensive patients at higher risk of developing hypertensive retinopathy, and to determine which patients should be followed more closely for hypertensive retinopathy.

Electrophysiologic Changes and Their Effects on Ventricular Arrhythmias in Patients with Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Devices.

Ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) continue even after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. The effect of LVAD on VAs is controversial. We investigated electrophysiologic changes after LVAD and its effects on VAs development. A total of 107 implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) patients, with LVAD, were included in this study. Electrocardiographic parameters including QRS duration (between the beginning of the QRS complex and the end of the S wave), QT duration (between the first deflection of the QRS complex and the end of the T wave) corrected QT (QTc), QTc dispersion, fragmented QRS (F-QRS), and ICD recordings before, and post-LVAD first year were analyzed. All sustained VAs were classified as polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (PVT) or monomorphic VT (MVT). The QRS, QT, QTc durations, and QTc dispersion had decreased significantly after LVAD implantation (p < 0.001 for all). Also MVT increased significantly from 28.9% to 49.5% (p = 0.019) whereas PVT decreased from 27.1% to 4.67% (p = 0.04) compared to pre-LVAD period. A strong correlation was found between QT shortening and the decrease in PVT occurrence. Besides, the increase in the F-QRS after LVAD was associated with post-LVAD de nova MVT development. Finally, F-QRS before LVAD was found as an independent predictor of post-LVAD late VAs in multivariate analysis. Pre-existing or newly developed F-QRS was associated with post-LVAD late VAs, and it may be used to determine the risk of VAs after LVAD implantation.

Anxiety Disorder Associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic Causes Deterioration of Blood Pressure Control in Primary Hypertensive Patients.

OBJECTIVE: The new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has spread rapidly all over the world and caused anxiety disorders. Recent studies have also shown that the prevalence of depression and anxiety increased during the COVID-19 outbreak. We aimed to evaluate the anxiety and depression levels during the pandemic and identify the effect of pandemic-related stress on blood pressure (BP) control in primary hypertensive patients. METHOD: A total of 142 patients with primary hypertension (HT) who continued to use the same antihypertensive drugs before and during the pandemic were included in the study. Twenty-four -hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire were applied to patients. We retrospectively reviewed 24-h ABPM records of the same patients for the year before the pandemic. RESULTS: Daytime, nighttime and 24 -hour-systolic blood pressure (SBP) levels as well as daytime, nighttime, and 24- hour-diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels , were significantly elevated during the COVID-19 outbreak compared to the pre-pandemic period (p<0.001). Higher HADS-A scores (HADS-A ≥7) were significantly associated with much greater increase in BP compared to the patients with lower HADS-A scores. CONCLUSION: Psychological stress due to the COVID-19 outbreak led to worsening of the regulation of BP in controlled hypertensive patients whose antihypertensive treatments did not change.

Crochetage sign may predict late atrial arrhythmias in patients with secundum atrial septal defect undergoing transcatheter closure.

BACKGROUND: Atrial arrhythmias are well-known complications of atrial septal defect (ASD), and associated with substantial morbidity. After ASD closure, right atrial and ventricular enlargement regresses, however, the risk of atrial arrhythmia development continues. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the Crochetage sign, which is a possible reflection of heterogeneous ventricular depolarization due to long-term hemodynamic overload, and the development of late atrial arrhythmia after ASD closure. METHODS: This retrospective study included a total of 314 patients (mean age: 39.5 (30-50) years; male: 115) who underwent percutaneous device closure for secundum ASD. The study population was divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of the Crochetage sign. The Crochetage sign was defined as an M-shaped or bifid pattern notch on the R wave in one or more inferior limb leads. Cox-regression analysis was performed to determine independent predictors of late atrial arrhythmia development. RESULT: Fifty-seven patients (18.1%) presented with late atrial arrhythmia. Of these 57 patients, 30 developed new-onset atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter (AF/AFL), and 27 patients with pre-procedure paroxysmal AF/AFL had a recurrence of AF/AFL during follow-up. History of paroxysmal AF/AFL before the procedure (HR: 4.78; 95% CI 2,52-9.05; p < 0.001), the presence of Crochetage sign (HR: 3.90; 95% CI 2.05-7.76; p < 0.001), and older age at the time of ASD closure (HR: 1.03; 95% CI 1.01-1.06; p = 0.002) were found as independent predictors for late atrial arrhythmia. CONCLUSION: The presence of Crochetage sign may be used to predict the risk of late atrial arrhythmia development after transcatheter ASD closure.

Time interval between E and E' waves can predict complicated clinical course in patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

PURPOSE: Acute pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening cardiothoracic emergency leading to right ventricle systolic and diastolic dysfunction. In the present study, we investigated the right ventricle diastolic function and its predictive value in patients with acute pulmonary embolism. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Were prospectively recruited in this study 621 patients diagnosed with acute pulmonary embolism between December 2015 and June 2019. Among them, 173 were excluded, leaving 448 patients for follow-up. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed for the evaluation of the right ventricle systolic and diastolic indices. At 30-day follow-up, the patients were allocated either into the benign or in the complicated clinical course group. RESULTS: The group with complicated clinical course had higher value of pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP), right/left ventricle diameter ratio, E-wave velocity, E/A ratio, A' wave velocity, E/E' ratio, and time interval between E and E' waves (P < .05), but lower values of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, A-wave velocity, isovolumetric relaxation time, deceleration time, E', and E'/A' (P < .05). Complicated clinical course was associated with shorter isovolumetric relaxation time (r = .564, P < .001), E/E' (r = .495, P < .001), and TE-E' (r = .596, P < .001). Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis showed that TE-E' had the largest area under curve (TE-E' 0.82, IVRT 0.77, E/E' 0.72). A cut-off value of TE-E' = 70 milliseconds had an 81.1% sensitivity and 71.4% specificity for the prediction of the complicated clinical course. CONCLUSION: The assessment of the right ventricle diastolic function could predict the complicated clinical course in patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

Presence of fragmented QRS is associated with left ventricular systolic dysfunction after surgery in patients with severe aortic regurgitation.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Chronic severe aortic regurgitation (AR) is associated with progressive accumulation of interstitial fibrosis and disruption of myocardial structure. After aortic valve replacement (AVR), the negative remodeling process reverses, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) improves but not in all patients. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association of fragmented QRS (F-QRS), which is a possible marker of myocardial fibrosis, with postoperative left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction. METHODS: A total of 147 consecutive patients with AVR were included in this study. F-QRS was identified by the presence of various RSR' patterns (QRS duration <120 ms) such as additional R wave (R prime)or notching of the R or S wave in at least two consecutive leads. Patients were compared in two groups based on the presence or absence of F-QRS. A logistic regression model was used to determine independent predictors of postoperative LV systolic dysfunction (LVEF <50%). RESULTS: Patients with F-QRS were associated with poor recovery of LV systolic function after AVR compared to the patients without F-QRS, regardless of preoperative LVEF (p = .008). F-QRS was found to be an independent predictor of postoperative LV systolic dysfunction (LVEF <50%). Lower preoperative LVEF and increased LV end diastolic diameter index were also found as independent risk factors for postoperative LV systolic dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: As a possible marker of myocardial fibrosis, F-QRS was associated with postoperative LV systolic dysfunction. Therefore, as a simple and convenient clinical parameter, F-QRS may be used to predict poor recovery of LVEF after AVR.

The simple right ventricle contraction pressure index: A novel method for echocardiographic assessment of right ventricle dysfunction in acute pulmonary embolism.

PURPOSE: The simple right ventricular contraction pressure index (sRVCPI) is a new echocardiographic variable for estimating the right ventricular systolic function. Our aim was to investigate the association between the sRVCPI, the pulmonary embolism severity index (PESI), and mortality rate in acute pulmonary embolism (APE). METHODS: We included in this study 116 patients diagnosed with APE by pulmonary computed tomography angiography or ventilation/perfusion scintigraphy. They were divided into two groups based on the simplified PESI < or >1. Tricuspid regurgitation velocity and TAPSE were measured and used for sRVCPI calculation. RESULTS: Mortality was higher in patients with a higher sRVCPI (P < .001). In receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis using a cut-off level of 312.8 mm Hg mm, sRVCPI predicted mortality with a sensitivity of 86.8% and specificity of 69.5% (ROC area under curve: 0.712; 95%CI 0.597-0.882; P < .001). The sRVCPI was lower in the sPESI >1 than in the sPESI <1 group (364.3 ± 31.9 vs 511.6 ± 26.1; P < .001). There was an inverse correlation between sRVCPI and the sPESI score (-0.784; P < .001). CONCLUSION: The sRVCPI correlated with the sPESI score and was associated with mortality in patients with APE. This easily measurable variable may be used to predict short-term mortality in APE patients.

Plasma catestatin level predicts sPESI score and mortality in acute pulmonary embolism.

INTRODUCTION: Acute pulmonary embolism (APE) is an emergent cardiothoracic disorder. The PESI score is used to estimate 30-day mortality in patients diagnosed with non-high-risk APE. Also, there are biomarkers for predicting prognosis and mortality in APE. Catestatin (CST) is accepted as a marker ofsympathetic nervous system activity which has been shown that the sympathetic nervous system activation can contribute pathogenesis in APE. So, we attempt herein to investigate the correlation of PE diagnosis and prognostic determination with plasma CST levels in PE patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Blood samples were drawn at admission for laboratory assays and CST measurements. Plasma levels of CST were measured by ELISA according to the manufacturer's instruction. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed for the assessment of RV dysfunction using a Toshiba Applio 500 echocardiographic system within 24 h of the admission. RESULTS: Plasma CST levels were higher in patients with APE than in the control group (17.5 ±6.1 ng/ml vs. 27.3 ±5.7 ng/ml, p < 0.001). Plasma CST levels were higher in the sPESI ≥ 1 (n = 72) than in the patients with sPESI < 1 (37.3 ±6.1 vs. 24.2 ±5.3 ng/ml, p < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between CST level and sPESI score (±0.581, p < 0.001). Mortality occurred in 20 patients with sPESI ≥ 1 (27.7%) and in 9 patients with sPESI < 1 (10.2%) (p = 0.010). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis using a cut-off level of 31.2 ng/ml, and the CST level predicted mortality with a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 52.6% (AUC = 0.883, 95% CI: 0.689-0.921). Furthermore, the CST level was correlated with right ventricular dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: CST can predict sPESI score and mortality in patients with APE.

Hepatic venous Doppler assessment can anticipate simplified pulmonary embolism severity index and right ventricle dysfunction in patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

PURPOSE: Acute pulmonary embolism (APE) is a life-threating cardiothoracic thromboembolic emergency in which right ventricle dysfunction (RVD) is a major concern. In the present study, we examined the hepatic veins (HVs) blood flow with pulsed-wave spectral Doppler ultrasonography to determine its relationship with the simplified pulmonary embolism severity index (sPESI) and the patient's RVD status. METHODS: We divided the 243 patients who met the inclusion criteria into two groups based on both their sPESI scores and their RVD status. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed to evaluate the RVD and the HVs within 1 hour after patient admission. The liver was evaluated using subcostal and intercostal echocardiographic windows in grayscale B-mode, and HVs were assessed using color and spectral Doppler assessment though the same echocardiographic windows. RESULT: A cut-off value of the systolic reverse flow velocity-time integral (SrVTI) = 2.2 cm carried a sensitivity and specificity of 84.29% and 74.89%, respectively, for the prediction of sPESI ≥ 1. A SrVTI cut-off value of 2.1 cm yielded a sensitivity and specificity of 83.03% and 73.91%, respectively, for the prediction of RVD. CONCLUSION: HV Doppler assessment could be a useful method for anticipating the sPESI and the presence of RVD in patients with APE. In addition, it may provide information regarding the hemodynamic impact of APE.