Could serum ACE2 levels predict infarct size in acute phase of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: a comparative study with classical biomarkers.

OBJECTIVE: Serum ACE2 level in the acute phase of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction may be an indicator of heart failure, however, limited studies have reported conflicting results. Therefore, in our study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between serum ACE2 level and infarct size in the acute phase of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and compare the predictive value of ACE2 level with classical biomarkers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-six patients after the primary percutaneous coronary intervention were included in the study. For the measurement of serum ACE2 levels, blood samples were taken twice from the patients: in the first 24 hours and on the 5th day of the infarction, and once from 30 healthy volunteers. hs-cTnT, BNP, and CRP levels were measured daily, and their peak values were taken. On the 7th day of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, gSPECT was used with the 99mTc-MIBI method for assessment of infarct size. RESULTS: Baseline ACE2 values were found to be higher in patients compared to controls, and ACE2 values obtained on the 5th day were found to be higher than the baseline values in the patients. There was no significant correlation between serum ACE2 levels and the RSS (%), while peak levels of hs-cTnT, BNP, and CRP were assessed as predictive factors for the RSS (%). CONCLUSIONS: Although serum ACE2 levels increased in the acute phase of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, this increase was not associated with infarct size. Serum ACE2 level did not provide additional benefit to classical biomarkers for infarct size-related prognosis prediction.

The importance of the incidental thyroid gland uptake during Tc-99m MIBI myocardial perfusion scintigraphy.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of study was to investigate whether incidental thyroid gland uptake had an important during Tc-99m sestamibi (MIBI) myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (SPECT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the presented study, 968 consecutive patients were evaluated for the presence or absence of thyroid gland uptake in the raw data of the Tc-99m MIBI SPECT. All of the patients had thyroid gland uptake of the Tc-99m MIBI underwent laboratory evaluation of thyroid function, ultrasonographic imaging, and hystopathological examination. RESULTS: The thyroid gland uptake was detected in 14 of 968 (1.4%) consecutive patients during the evaluation of raw images of Tc-99m MIBI SPECT studies. Among these 14 patients, 4 had subacute thyroiditis, 7 multinodular goiter, 3 Graves disease by ultrasonographic imaging and hystopathological examination. TSH levels of all of these patients were < 0.01 U/ml. CONCLUSIONS: Tc-99m MIBI uptake by thyroid gland has been explained with associated clinical thyrotoxicosis. Although the primary goal of myocardial perfusion imaging is the evaluation of myocardial perfusion, the interpretation of myocardial perfusion imaging should not be limited to the heart. Because, it is possible to observe extracardiac radioactivity accumulation, which may then lead to the diagnosis of a noncardiac disease during this detailed examination.

A novel index in healthy infants and children - subarachnoid space: ventricle ratio.

BACKGROUND: The subarachnoid space (SAS) and ventricular width (VW) in normal infants and children were studied with ultrasonography to provide the objective measurement and define a normal range for these measurements. The additional aim was to determine the stable ratio as a SAS/VW. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 healthy subjects, including 48 males and 52 females, were studied. The cases were divided into 3 age groups: 0-6 months(n = 65), 7-12 months (n = 24) and > 13 months (n = 11). Transfontanel ultrasonography was performed in all the cases. SAS, VW and the SAS/VW ratios were calculated. The study was approved by the ethical committee. All parents were informed about the sonographic examination and their approvals were taken. RESULTS: SAS was calculated as 3.1 (0.5-6) mm and VW was calculated as 3.6(1.3-5) mm. SAS/VW ratio was 0.9 ± 0.3. There was no statistically significant difference among SAS, VW and SAS/VW ratios in 3-97 percentile group (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonography can be used as a practicable and reproducible modality in the measurement of SAS and VW in healthy children. It is a non-invasive method and allows for serial follow-up. SAS/VW ratio can be used as an index in healthy children.

Characteristics of articular fossa and condyle in patients with temporomandibular joint complaint.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) characteristics of patients who have temporomandibular disorder complaints with multislice computed tomography imaging. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2011 and March 2012, 37 patients whose age ranged from 18 to 60 years underwent Computed tomography imaging of the bilateral temporomandibular joints for TMJ complaints at our Institution. Twenty one patients without temporomandibular joint complaints serves as control group. Differences between the mean depths of the right and left side mandibular fossa and comparisons between patient and control groups were assessed by analysis student t test. RESULTS: The age range of 37 patients (28 females and 9 males) was 18 to 60 (mean age: 37.5) years. The mean depths of the mandibular fossa were 8.56 ±0.8 mm and 8.71 ±0.7 mm for the right and left sides (p < 0.05). The mean anterior joint spaces were 1.92±0.6 mm and 2.10±0.7 mm for the right and left sides, respectively (p > 0.05). The mean superior joint spaces were 2.98±0.7 mm and 2.82±0.8 mm for the right and left sides (p > 0.05). The mean posterior joint spaces were 2.31±0.7 mm and 2.17±0.6 mm for the right and left sides, respectively (p > 0.05). The mean values for the measurement of the anteroposterior (AP) diameter of the condylar process were 7.56±1.1 mm for the right side and 7.23±1.3 mm for the left side (p > 0.05). The mean values for the measurement of the mediolateral (ML) diameter of the condylar process were 16.97±2.1 mm for the right side and 17.17±2.7 mm for the left side (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Measurements of mandibular fossa and joint space had not differ in patients of TJS (temporo joint space). But, AP and ML measurements of condyles were statistically difference between patients and controls.