Pravastatin therapy fails to suppress post-PCI inflammatory response measured by serum neopterin and CRP levels.

OBJECTIVE: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is known to induce both local and systemic inflammatory states. In addition to lowering lipid levels, statins exert well-proven anti-inflammatory effects. We investigated the effects of pravastatin on serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and neopterin levels in the short term after elective PCI. METHODS: In this randomized prospective study, 93 patients undergoing elective PCI were enrolled. Group 1 (n=30) received pravastatin at a dose of 10 mg/day, Group 2 (n=29) was given 40 mg/day, and Group 3 (n=34) served as the control group and received no lipid-lowering drugs. Blood samples were drawn before and after PCI to measure serum CRP and neopterin levels. Differences among the groups for continuous variables were evaluated by the ANOVA and the Kruskal-Wallis test as appropriate. The Chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical variables. RESULTS: Demographic features and the characteristics of the PCI, including the number of vessels and lesions and the duration and number of inflations, did not differ among groups (p>0.05). Serum CRP and neopterin levels were significantly increased after PCI (p<0.001). Mean serum neopterin levels before and after the PCI were as follows: Group 1: 13.3±5.9 vs 22.8±15.4 nmol/L, Group 2: 16.9±10.2 vs 22.0±14.9 nmol/L, controls: 15.2±11.9 and 18.8±11.5 nmol/L. Prior pravastatin therapy had no significant effect on these inflammatory markers (F=0.5, p=0.6). CONCLUSION: Percutaneous coronary intervention induces a pronounced inflammatory response. The pre-procedural administration of 2 different doses of pravastatin seems not enough to suppress this inflammation at the short-term follow-up. Further trials are needed to clarify this issue.

Glycoprotein IIIa gene polymorphism and coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVE: Prevalence of glycoprotein IIIa gene polymorphisms (PIA2) has been reported to be elevated in persons who die of sudden death. PIA2 has been suggested as contributing to the development of atherosclerosis via coronary plaque rupture and thrombus formation. In this prospective study, we investigated the correlation between the PIA2 polymorphism, atherosclerotic plaque burden, and its prognostic significance. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred and seventy-eight patients (mean age 51 +/- 9.6 years) suspected to have atherosclerotic coronary artery disease underwent a coronary angiography and were evaluated for gene polymorphisms. Patients were followed up for 4 years for major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Thirty-eight patients (21%) had the PIA2 polymorphism.There was no statistically significant correlation between presence of atherosclerotic plaque burden, severity of coronary artery stenosis, and glycoprotein genotype. During the follow-up there were no significant differences between the 2 groups with regard to MACE. Any cause of death and cardiovascular death were higher in patients with PIA2 polymorphism but these differences were not significant. On univariate analysis, smoking, presence of severe coronary artery disease, and presence of myocardial infarction were correlated with elevated risk of MACE; presence of atypical angina was correlated with fewer MACE. On multivariate analysis, smoking was an independent risk factor for a MACE. On univariate or multivariate analysis, there was no relation between the PIA2 polymorphism and a MACE. CONCLUSIONS: The glycoprotein IIb/IIIa genotype was not shown to indicate the presence of atherosclerotic plaque. There was no correlation between the genotype and plaque vulnerability.

Persistent atrial standstill and idioventricular rhythm in a patient with thalassemia intermedia.

We present a 57-year old male patient with thalassemia intermedia and right heart failure. He had a 30-year history of anemia and short-term iron therapy without blood transfusion. Hemoglobin level was 7.1 g/dl and hematocrit was 22.7%. White blood-cell and platelet counts, and serum ferritin level were normal. Electrocardiography showed irregular narrow QRS bradyarrhythmia, suggesting slow atrial fibrillation at a mean rate of 35 beats/min. Echocardiographic examination revealed dilatation of the right atrium and ventricle, depressed systolic right ventricular function, advanced tricuspid regurgitation, and mild pericardial effusion. In the electrophysiologic study, no electrical activity was recorded in the right atrium. It was inexcitable at multiple sites and no retrograde conduction to the right atrium could be elicited by ventricular pacing. His bundle (HB) recording showed fixed retrograde HB activation with ventricular rhythm originating from different foci. Retrograde V-H conduction time during ventricular rhythm was 95 msec and did not change. There was no retrograde nodal conduction. A VVIR pacemaker was implanted. During a six-month follow-up, he felt well, his functional capacity was NYHA class II, and his basic rhythm was widened QRS arrhythmia with a rate of 20 beats/min. To the best of our knowledge, atrial electrical inactivity together with right-heart failure and pericarditis confined to the right heart chambers has hitherto not been reported in thalassemic disorders.

The effects of prior calcium channel blocker therapy on creatine kinase-MB levels after percutaneous coronary interventions.

BACKGROUND: Use of intracoronary calcium channel blockers (CCBs) during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been shown to have favorable effects on coronary blood flow. We aimed to investigate the effects of CCBs administrated perorally on creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) levels in patients undergoing elective PCI. METHODS: A total of 570 patients who underwent PCI were evaluated for CK-MB elevation. Patients who were on CCB therapy when admitted to the hospital constituted the CCB group. No CCBs were given to the rest of the patients during the periprocedural period and these patients served as the control group. Blood samples for CK-MB were obtained before and at 6 h, 24 h, and 36 h after the procedure. RESULTS: 217 patients were in the CCB group (mean age 60.2 +/- 9.3 years, 162 males), and 353 were in the control group (mean age 60.0 +/- 10.1 years, 262 males). CK-MB levels increased above the normal values in 41 patients (18.9%) of the CCBs group and in 97 patients (27.5%) of the control group (p = 0.02). Median CK-MB levels were significantly higher in the control group for all studied hours (for all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Prior oral CCB therapy may have favorable effects in preventing myocyte necrosis after elective PCI.

Reperfusion arrhythmias: are they only a marker of epicardial reperfusion or continuing myocardial ischemia after acute myocardial infarction?

Reperfusion arrhythmias are associated with epicardial reperfusion but may also be a sign of vascular reperfusion injury which can be seen as no-reflow phenomenon on coronary angiography and predicts in-hospital complications and recovery of left ventricular (LV) function. No-reflow phenomenon (thrombolysis in myocardial infarction [TIMI]

High-pressure pulmonary artery aneurysm and unilateral pulmonary artery agenesis in an adult.

The presence of a pulmonary artery aneurysm, major aortopulmonary and coronary-pulmonary collateral vessels, and severe pulmonary hypertension in an adult with unilateral pulmonary artery agenesis and previous patent ductus arteriosus ligation is very rare. A 34-year-old man experienced these conditions. When he was 10 years old, catheterization and angiography revealed right pulmonary artery agenesis, dilation of the main pulmonary artery, multiple collateral vessels extending from the aorta to the right pulmonary system, and a patent ductus arteriosus (shunt ratio, 3.57) that was then ligated; the other conditions were not corrected. This adult patient was in New York Heart Association functional class II; mild central cyanosis was detected only during exercise. The right pulmonary arterial system was seen only at the right hilar area via collateral vessels from the subclavian, bronchial, internal mammary, and intercostal arteries. Angiography revealed collateral vessels from the right and circumflex coronary arteries to the right pulmonary system. The right intraparenchymal pulmonary arterial systems were patent but of small diameter (pulmonary artery pressure, 85 mmHg; ratio of peak right-to-left ventricular pressure, 0.94; peak pulmonary pressure unresponsive to 100% oxygen). Pulmonary vascular resistance was not estimated because of the risk of aneurysmal rupture. We concluded that irreversible pulmonary hypertension had developed (delayed by the patent ductus arteriosus ligation in childhood) and that the patient's only chance for survival was heart-lung transplantation. To sustain the patient until surgery, we administered sildenafil. Herein, we describe the vascular conditions that accompany unilateral absence of the pulmonary artery, and therapeutic methods.

Effects of metoprolol therapy on cardiac troponin-I levels after elective percutaneous coronary interventions.

AIMS: Beta-blockers (BBs) have been shown to improve survival and reduce the risk of re-infarction in patients following myocardial infarction. There are conflicting data about the effects of BB therapy on cardiac biomarkers after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs). The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of BB use on cardiac troponin-I (cTnI) levels in patients who had undergone elective PCI. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this prospective study, 287 patients with coronary artery disease were included. Patients were randomized either to BB or control groups prior to the intervention. Blood samples for cTnI were obtained before and at 6, 24, and 36 h after the procedure. Of the 287 patients included, 143 received metoprolol succinate 100 mg/day, and 144 received no BB and served as the control group. Baseline clinical characteristics of both groups, except for history of coronary artery bypass graft surgery, were similar. We observed no significant difference in the elevation of cTnI levels between the two groups after PCI (BB group, 17 patients, 11.9%; control group, 10 patients, 6.9%; P=0.2). CONCLUSION: Metoprolol succinate therapy seems to have no cardioprotective effect in limiting troponin-I rise after PCI.

Beta blocker effects on plasma homocysteine levels in patients with hypertension.

Recent studies have shown that hyperhomocysteinemia might play a role in the pathogenesis of hypertension. The effects of antihypertensive agents on plasma homocysteine levels have not been tested extensively. We investigated the effects of beta-blocker therapy on homocysteine levels in patients with hypertension. In the study, 120 patients with newly diagnosed hypertension were enrolled. All patients received metoprolol succinate 100 mg/day initially. If blood pressure was above normal on the 15th day of follow-up, the metoprolol dosage was doubled. Before initiation of the antihypertensive medication and after the fourth month of treatment, homocysteine levels were measured. Of the 120 patients enrolled, 39 could not complete the study. Homocysteine levels decreased significantly by the end of the fourth month when compared with basal values (13.5+/-4.5 micromol/l versus 12.4+/-4.9 micromol/l; P = 0.001). There was no relation between homocysteine level and blood pressure control. There was a significant decrease in homocysteine levels in the women treated in this study (P = 0.001); however, this effect was absent in men (P = 0.185). We demonstrate that metoprolol succinate treatment significantly decreases plasma homocysteine levels in patients with hypertension, especially in women.

The effects of prior beta-blocker therapy on serum C-reactive protein levels after percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: There are no studies in the literature related to the effect of beta blockers (BB) on changes in C-reactive protein (CRP) levels after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). HYPOTHESIS: We designed a prospective randomized study to investigate the impact of BB therapy on CRP in patients who underwent elective PCI. METHODS: In all, 300 patients with coronary artery disease were included. Patients were randomized to either a metoprolol or to a control group before PCI. Blood samples for CRP levels were obtained before BB treatment, and at the 6th, 24th, and 36th h after PCI. RESULTS: Of 300 patients, 150 received metoprolol 100 mg/day (mean age, 59.0 +/- 10.2 years; 106 men, 44 women), and 150 received no BB (mean age, 59.8 +/- 9.8 years; 114 men, 36 women) and served as the control group. Baseline clinical characteristics of both groups were similar. Basal CRP levels between the two groups were similar. Of the patients included in the study, 40.8% in the BB group and 39.6% in the control group had elevated basal CRP levels. The CRP levels increased above baseline values in 85% of patients in the BB group and in 89.3% of patients in the control group (p > 0.05) during follow-up. The CRP levels in patients in the BB group at the 6th, 24th, and 36th h were lower than those in the control group; however, this difference did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Prior BB therapy seems to have no effect on CRP levels after PCI.

Clinical and hemodynamic follow-up of a patient after operation for dissection of an ascending aortic aneurysm secondary to coarctation of the aorta.

We present clinical follow-up of a 20-year-old male with an aortic aneurysm secondary to aortic coarctation. The diagnosis of aortic aneurysm secondary to aortic coarctation was made in 1997. The patient did not agree to undergo any invasive or therapeutic procedures at that time. He presented to an emergency unit with severe chest pain after chest trauma obtained during judo exercises in 1998. Two-dimensional echocardiography showed bicuspid aortic valves, an ascending aortic aneurysm 6 cm in diameter with an intimal flap and false lumen, aortic coarctation distal to the left subclavian artery, and aortic insufficiency secondary to annular dilatation. Type II aortic dissection was confirmed by transesophageal echocardiography, which showed the dissection was confined to the ascending aorta. The dissection extended to the beginning of the arcus aorta. Following stabilization of the patient's clinical condition, balloon coarctation angioplasty was performed to reduce afterload and hypertension and to facilitate femoral artery cannulation for cardiopulmonary bypass. Surgical procedures included resection of the aortic valve and prosthetic valve implantation, resection of the ascending aorta, and interposition of a 22 mm Hamashied tubular vascular graft. At a follow-up visit 6 years later, the patient reported being easily fatigued and having palpitations. He had been suffering from hemolytic anemia and mild renal function impairment. Cardiac catheterisation and angiography showed a 40 mmHg gradient due to kinking of the aortic graft and no gradient at the coarctation site. We postulated the kinking of the aortic vascular graft may be related to an inappropriate vascular graft length. We also thought that the severe hemolysis was attributable to the disturbance of blood flow by a jet of blood at the site of the kinking aortic vascular graft. A second operation was performed because the renal function of the patient had decreased progressively and hemolysis symptoms increased. After the second operation, hemolysis on peripheral blood smears had disappeared and renal function had shown progressive improvements.

Effects of a single, 24-hour, low-dose intravenous dobutamine infusion on left ventricular myocardial performance index in congestive heart failure: A prospective, nonrandomized study.

BACKGROUND: Dobutamine, a predominantly beta-adrenergic sympathomimeticagent, is used for improving left ventricular (LV) systolic performance with different dosing regimens in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). Myocardial performance index (MPI) is an indicator of LV global function that is correlated with LV end-diastolic pressure, and it is increased in CHF. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a single, 24-hour, low-dose, IV dobutamine infusion on LV systolic and diastolic function and on MPI in CHF as an indicator of LV global function, as well as the adverse effects (AEs) of the infusion. METHODS: This prospective, nonrandomized study was conducted at theDepartment of Cardiology, Baskent University Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. Adult patients with LV ejection fraction (EF) <35%, sinus rhythm, and symptomatic CHF were treated using a standard protocol for at least 4 weeks. At the end of this period, patients with symptomatic CHF and EF <35% underwent echocardiography that included measuring isovolumic relaxation and contraction times (IRT and ICT, respectively) and LV ejection time (ET), and calculating LV MPI using the formula MPI = (IRT + ICT)/ET Dobutamine 2.5 µg/kg · min was then infused intravenously for 24 hours. Echocardiography was repeated 24 hours later and values were compared with preinfusion data. Patients were observed and monitored for CHF symptoms and AEs for 24 hours. RESULTS: Forty-three patients were enrolled in the study, and 31 (22 men,9 women; mean [SD] age, 67.55 [11.78] years) continued after the 4-week standard-treatment period. Mean (SD) heart rate (74.93 [20.15] vs 80.23 [13.74] bpm, respectively), systolic blood pressure (129.00 [19.23] vs 126.67 [23.79] mm Hg), and diastolic blood pressure (75.80 [11.26] vs 74.96 [8.30] mm Hg) were statistically similar before and after the infusion. The mean (SD) end-diastolic volume was statistically similar to the preinfusion value (215.87 [76.74] vs 211.08 [65.51] mL); however, the mean (SD) end-systolic volume was significantly reduced (163.80 [63.86] vs 146.74 [53.12] mL; P = 0.01). Mean (SD) EF (25.33% [7.77%] vs 30.45% [7.63%]; P = 0.001) and stroke volume (SV) (54.92 [22.30] vs 63.59 [23.91] mL; P = 0.04) increased significantly. The mean (SD) early:late diastolic flow velocity (E/A ratio) (1.58 [1.36] vs 1.65 [1.27]), IRT (107.03 [35.37] vs 100.42 [34.32] ms), ICT (96.61 [34.27] vs 86.35 [44.80] ms), ET (240.65 [33.28] vs 243.48 [33.54] ms), and MPI (0.81% [0.28%] vs 0.78% [0.31%]) did not change significantly after dobutamine infusion. No AEs were observed. CONCLUSIONS: In this study of adult patients with symptomatic CHF, a single, 24-hour, low-dose, IV dobutamine infusion (2.5 µg/kg · min) was associated with decreased LV end-systolic volume and increased SV and EF However, LV diastolic function parameters, isovolumic time intervals, ET, and MPI were statistically similar to preinfusion values. The infusion was well tolerated.

[The effects of simvastatin combined with different antioxidant vitamin regimens on serum lipid profile in patients with low HDL cholesterol levels]. / HDL kolesterol düzeyi düsük olan bireylerde statin tedavisine farkli antioksidan vitaminlerin eklenmesinin serum lipid profili üzerine etkisi.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to compare the effects of simvastatin versus a combination of simvastatin with vitamin C or E on serum lipid profile, particularly, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol (C) level, in patients with a low HDL-C level. METHODS: Fifty-nine women and 49 men, who had a baseline HDL-C level equal to or lower than 40 mg/dl were randomized to one of the following study treatment groups: Group S (n=39) simvastatin 20 mg/day, Group S+C (n=33) simvastatin 20 mg/day + vitamin C 500 mg/day, and Group S+E (n=36) simvastatin 20 mg/day + vitamin E 400 IU/day. The groups' lipid profiles were obtained at baseline, 3rd and 6th months. RESULTS: Comparing with baseline values, total-C and low-density cholesterol (LDL-C) values significantly reduced (p<0.001) and HDL-C values significantly increased (Group S--33.9+/-3.9 mg/dl vs. 39.8+/-6.9 mg/dl, Group S+C--34.2+/-3.5 mg/dl vs. 38.1+/-6.1 mg/dl, Group S+E--33.1+/-3.6 mg/dl vs. 34.8+/-5.9 mg/dl, p<0.001) on therapy within the groups; however, there were no significant differences among the groups with regards to these parameters. The HDL-C levels increased from baseline by 14.0%, 11.7% and 10.2% in Group S, S+C, and S+E, respectively (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: A combination of simvastatin with antioxidant vitamins does not offer any beneficial effect over simvastatin alone. Particularly vitamin E seems to blunt the simvastatin induced HDL-C increase.

Serum levels of cardiac enzymes before and after renal transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac troponins are very sensitive and specific indicators of myocardial damage; however, they are sometimes found to be increased in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to determine cardiac troponin I (cTpI) and creatine kinase myocardial isoform (CK-MB) levels and to assess their diagnostic and prognostic importance before and after renal transplantation. METHODS: Thirty-four patients with ESRD (mean age 31.8 +/- 8.6 years, 11 women) were enrolled. Serum levels of cTpI and CK-MB were measured pre- and postoperatively on Days 1, 7, and 30. Patients were followed up for cardiac events, and possible myocardial damage was investigated by exercise thallium-201-labeled myocardial perfusion scintigraphy. Mean cTpI levels were 0.24 +/- 0.11 ng/ml (preoperative), and 0.34 +/- 0.27 ng/ml (Day 1), 0.26 +/- 0.11 ng/ml (Day 7), and 0.28 +/- 0.30 ng/ml (Day 30). RESULTS: Compared with preoperative levels, cTpI was increased in 16 (47%), decreased in 6 (17.6%), and did not change in 12 (35.4%) patients. However, the increase did not exceed the myocardial infarction reference level of 2.3 ng/ml in any patient. Mean CK-MB levels were 12.6 (8.7U/l (preoperative), and 16.8 +/- 9.2U/l (Day 1), 16.3 +/- 8.1U/l (Day 7), and 13.3 +/- 6.6U/l (Day 30). Creatine kinase-MB was increased to above normal levels of 24 U/l in 13 (38.2%) patients on postoperative Days 1 or 7, and decreased to normal at the end of Month 1. No cardiac events occurred, and there was no abnormality in any patient on thallium scintigraphy. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in the levels of cTpI in patients with ESRD without cardiac events before and after renal transplantation (p > 0.05). Our findings show that cTpI has very high sensitivity and specificity for detecting cardiac damage in patients with ESRD after renal transplantation.

Prevalence of coronary artery disease in patients undergoing valvular operation due to rheumatic involvement.

OBJECTIVE: Rheumatic heart disease is still a major health problem in developing countries. The impact of coronary artery disease (CAD) on or its relation to rheumatic fever is not well established. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of CAD and atherosclerotic risk factors in patients who underwent valvular surgery due to rheumatic heart disease. METHODS: The records of 346 patients who had undergone rheumatic valvular surgery in a university hospital between 1996 and 2002 were evaluated. RESULTS: Coronary angiography was performed in 218 (63%) patients, of whom 41 (18.8%) had CAD. The mean age of the patients having CAD and normal coronary arteries were 57.3 and 50.5 years respectively (p<0.001). In the study population patients with CAD had significantly increased prevalence of diabetes mellitus (14.6% vs. 4.5%; p=0.02), hypertension (36.6% vs. 16.4%; p=0.003), smoking (51.2% vs. 23.2%; p=0.001) and family history of CAD (39.5% vs. 20.0%; p=0.01) compared to patients with normal coronary arteries. However, the prevalence of dyslipidemia was similar in both groups (45.9% vs. 36.4%; p=0.1). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that coronary artery disease prevalence in rheumatic valvular disease patients is similar to the normal population of same age. In cases where invasive assessment of valvular lesions is not indicated we suggest coronary angiography to be performed only in patients having clinical suspicion of CAD or multiple risk factors.

Effects of hemodialysis on myocardial performance index.

The myocardial performance index (MPI) reflects global ventricular function. Chronic hypervolemia and uremia may negatively affect the myocardium of both ventricles. The aims of this study were to investigate how chronic renal failure (CRF) affects biventricular MPI and to determine whether preload reduction by hemodialysis (HD) affects left ventricular MPI (LVMPI) and right ventricular MPI (RVMPI) in CRF. Twenty-one patients with CRF (group 1) were examined 1 hour before and 1 hour after an HD session and 17 healthy control patients (group 2) were examined once by echocardiography. The MPI for each ventricle was calculated as the sum of isovolumic time intervals divided by the ejection time. Before HD, the LVMPI of group 1 was similar to that in group 2 (P>.05), but the RVMPI of group 1 was significantly higher (P=.007). After the HD session, LVMPI and RVMPI remained unchanged (P>.05 for both). The LVMPI and RVMPI were not correlated either before or after HD in group 1 (P>.05 for both), whereas they were correlated in group 2 (r=0.671, P=.003). Chronic renal failure causes isolated RV dysfunction, as reflected by increased RVMPI values. Preload reduction by HD does not affect LVMPI or RVMPI. Patients with CRF also do not exhibit the correlation of LVMPI and RVMPI that is observed in healthy individuals.

Implantation of submammary implantable cardioverter defibrillators.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are routinely placed in the left pectoral area using a transvenous approach. This approach may result in poor cosmetic outcome and cause psychological problems, especially in younger patients. To avoid this, several alternative implantation techniques have been developed. For cosmetic reasons, we used a submammary technique to implant ICDs into three young women. Apart from defibrillation threshold testing, the procedures were performed under local anesthesia. Threshold testing was done under general anesthesia. Appropriate defibrillation thresholds were obtained in all three cases, and all the patients tolerated the procedure well. There were no complications in a mean of 22 months of follow-up, and the cosmetic results were very good.

An unusual case of right ventricular outflow tract tachycardia.

In this report, we describe an unusual case of right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) tachycardia with episodes of repetitive monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT), paroxysmal sustained VT and incessant monomorphic VT of the same morphology. Diltiazem, adenosine, or metoprolol failed to interrupt these arrhythmias. However, administration of intravenous propafenone completely eliminated all ventricular ectopic activity. Electrophysiologic study performed off propafenone showed that the ventricular ectopic activity originated from a single locus at the anterior wall of the RVOT. Two radiofrequency applications at this site resulted in complete elimination of ventricular ectopic activity.

The effect of dobutamine stress on left ventricular outflow tract gradients in hypertensive patients with basal septal hypertrophy.

Basal septal hypertrophy (BSH), a cause of left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction, is thought to occur by increased ventricular dynamics. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of pharmacologic stress on LVOT gradients in a group of hypertensive patients with BSH. Dobutamine stress was used in 24 hypertensive patients (mean age 56 +/-8 years; 11 women) with BSH and 20 normal controls (mean age 54 +/-9 years; 7 women). Ejection fraction and myocardial mass, basal septal dimension, and LVOT diameter were measured with 2-dimensional echocardiography. LVOT velocities and transmitral velocities before and at peak dobutamine infusion were determined by continuous wave Doppler and pulsed Doppler, respectively. There were no differences in mean ejection fraction and myocardial mass between BSH patients (58 +/-3%, 204 +/-24 g) and normals (56 +/-4%, 201 +/-32 g). The basal septum was thicker in patients (1.55 +/-0.2 cm) than in normals (1.03 +/-0.1 cm, p<0.001). Maximum LVOT velocities were similar in BSH (1.2 +/-0.4 m/sec) and normals (1.1 +/-0.2 m/sec) at rest. At peak stress, maximum LVOT velocities were higher in BSH (3.3 +/-0.6 m/sec) than normals (1.7 +/-0.4 m/sec, p<0.001). LV rate-pressure product at peak stress was higher in BSH (23,326 +/-4,388) than normals (17,592 +/-2,409, p<0.001). LV isovolumetric relaxation time was prolonged, and the E/A ratio was decreased in the patients at rest (130 +/-14 msec and 0.72 +/-0.18, respectively, p<0.001). At peak stress, diastolic function did not significantly change in two groups. The correlations between LVOT velocity change by stress and mean LVOT diameter (r=-0.668, p<0.001) and mean BS thickness (r=0.610; p<0.001) were significant in the whole group. High velocities appeared on LVOT at peak pharmacologic stress in the hypertensive patients with BSH compared with control group. This suggests dynamic ventricular ejection by stress may contribute to hypertrophy of the basal segment, which is the closest part of septum to increased afterload.

[Metabolic syndrome in patients after coronary bypass surgery: prevalence and compliance with treatment]. / Koroner baypas sonrasi hastalarda metabolik sendrom sikligi ve tedaviye uyum oranlari.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its components, to determine the patients' compliance with pharmacological therapy and lifestyle modification, and to clarify the association of demographic and socioeconomic factors with the MS in Turkish patients with prior coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). METHODS: Two hundred and seventy-three patients (age range 35-77, 208 men) were interviewed and examined 1.0-2.2 years after CABG. RESULTS: The prevalence of MS was 44.8% (55.4% among women and 41.3% among men). The most prevalent metabolic risk factor was visceral obesity among females, and elevated blood pressure among males. Rates for regular physical activity were lower in patients with MS, compared with those without MS (36.9% vs. 47.7%, p<0.05). Compared with patients without MS, use of aspirin was lower among patients with MS (84.4% vs. 93.4%, p<0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed an independent association of age>65 years and low educational level with MS. CONCLUSION: We found a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components among patients with prior CABG. Patients with MS had lower rate of regular physical activity and aspirin use, compared with those without MS.