The relationship between erectile dysfunction and the Atherogenic Index of Plasma.

The objective of this study was to compare the Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) values as indicators of subclinical atherosclerosis among 124 patients with erectile dysfunction, which was thought to be vasculogenic and 126 control subjects who had no erectile dysfunction, and to compare cardiac performance values between both the groups using exercise stress tests (EST). Erectile function was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire form. AIP values were studied and compared between patients with ED (IIEF < 22) and those without ED (IIEF > 22) using the log10 TG/HDL-C formula. In addition, the correlation between the severity of ED and AIP was investigated according to IIEF-5 scoring. Metabolic equivalent (MET) values, maximal heart rates (max HR), and heart rate recovery (HRR) were evaluated with effort tests. AIP values were significantly higher in the ED group than in the control group (0.45 ± 0.27, and 0.37 ± 0.27; p = 0.015). According to IIEF-5 scoring, AIP values increased as ED scores decreased. In the EST, MET score and max HR values were significantly lower in the ED group (METs: 11.1 ± 2.2, and 11.6 ± 2.2; p = 0.045; Max HR: 162.8 ± 6.1, and 165 ± 8.7; p = 0.019). Although not statistically significant, HRR values were lower in the ED group. Higher AIP values were found in the ED group, and a positive correlation was established between AIP and the severity of ED. In addition, lower performance during the EST and lower HRR values, again in the ED group, confirms cardiac interaction with ED. These results indicate the importance of referral of patients with ED from urology clinics to cardiology units for risk determination and cardiac assessment, even if they areasymptomatic.

Comparison of periprocedural and long term outcomes of proximal versus distal cerebral protection method during carotid artery stenting.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the periprocedural and one-year outcomes of two different cerebral protection systems used during carotid artery stenting (CAS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We enrolled 90 consecutive patients with carotid artery stenosis who underwent CAS with a proximal flow blockage protection system (mean age 69.7 ± 8) or distal protection with a filter (mean age 70.8 ± 7). RESULTS: CAS was performed successively on 89 patients (99 %). Adverse events were defined as major stroke, minor stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), myocardial infarction, and death. Two strokes, one TIA, one death, and one myocardial infarction were observed in-hospital. There were no significant differences in safety or benefits between the proximal flow blockage embolic protection system (n = 45) and the distal filter protection system (n = 45) in terms of clinically apparent cerebral embolism, TIA, death, or myocardial infarction during the periprocedural stage or during the one-year follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Although it has been shown that the proximal flow blockage cerebral protection system decreases the risk of silent cerebral embolism, it has no advantage over the distal filter protection system in terms of adverse cerebrovascular or cardiac events during the periprocedural stage or during the long-term follow-up period.

Effects of percutaneous closure of atrial septal defect on left atrial mechanical and conduction functions.

AIMS: Atrial septal defect (ASD) is one of the most common congenital heart diseases in adults. We prospectively evaluated early and mid-term effects of the percutaneous closure of secundum ASD on atrial electromechanical delay (AEMD) and left atrial (LA) mechanical functions at the first day and sixth month in patients undergoing percutaneous closure. METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty-one patients were included in this study. Twenty-six (63.4%) of the 41 patients were female and the mean age was 41 ± 13 years. All the patients had echocardiographic examination before the procedure and at the first day and sixth month after the procedure. LA volumes (maximal, minimal, and presystolic) and EMD (lateral, septal, and tricuspid) were measured. Left and right intra- and inter-AEMD were not changed at the first day but both were significantly shorter at the sixth month. There was no change in the total emptying volume and fraction before and after the procedure. LA maximal, minimal, and pre-systolic volumes, active emptying volume, and fractions were decreased at the first day and at the sixth month compared with pre-procedural volumes. LA passive emptying volume, passive emptying fraction, and conduit volume were increased at the first day and at the sixth month compared with pre-procedural volumes. CONCLUSION: Our results revealed that there was no change in the LA mechanical reservoir functions, but improved conduit function and impaired contractility functions early and in the mid-term after percutaneous closure of ASD and decreased AEMD only in the mid-term.