Is it possible to predict atherosclerosis in the ascending aorta by the patient's lipid panel?

INTRODUCTION: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory event characterized by stiffness and thickening of the vascular walls. In our daily practice, we assume the atherosclerotic potential of the patient by following the total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglyceride levels (lipid panel). We aimed to understand the relation between the HDL, LDL, cholesterol levels and the atherosclerosis in large vascular structures such as the ascending aorta. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have searched for atherosclerosis in the aortic tissue samples from 48 patients. It is a study in which we examine the correlation of preoperative cholesterol values (HDL, LDL, triglyceride, total cholesterol) by dividing the patients into two groups according to the presence of plaque. RESULTS: Forty-three (89.6%) male and 5 (10.4%) female patients between 39 and 81 years of age were included in the study. There was no statistically significant difference between the patients' preoperative cardiovascular risk assessments. The free T3 values were within the normal range in all patients, but there was a difference that patients in the non-atherosclerosis group had lower values. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups' HDL, LDL, total cholesterol, or triglyceride parameters. CONCLUSIONS: As a result, in our study, no significant difference was found between HDL-C, LDL-C, triglyceride, total cholesterol values and the pathological process of aortic atherosclerosis. As a result of this study, we believe that it was necessary to correct the error margins of these parameters. In addition, it required the need for a clearer laboratory parameter to demonstrate atherosclerosis.

Comparison of Short and Mid-Term Mortality and Morbidity in Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis (Intermediate/High Risk) Who Underwent Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement and Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement.

Treatment protocols for severe aortic valve stenosis include surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), balloon valvuloplasty, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), and medical  treatment. Because the success rates are getting higher with both SAVR and TAVR, making the right treatment decision is important. This study retrospectively shows the short- (1 month) and mid-term (6 months) mortality and morbidity rate differences between 2 groups of patients, who arrived to our hospital from January 2014 through October 2018. The first group consists of 54 patients who underwent mid-high risk SAVR operations at Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Institute of Cardiology, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery. The second group consists of 57 patients who underwent TAVR at the Cardiology Department. Preoperative evaluation showed that the mean age of the SAVR group (71.5 years) was higher than the TAVR group (80 years). Also, the history of previous cardiac valve replacement surgery significantly was higher in the SAVR group than the TAVR group (P = .028). There were no significant differences between the remaining preoperative tests and diagnostic procedures. Of the patients who underwent SAVR, 3.7% experienced postoperative cardiac arrhythmias, while the 17.5% of patients from the TAVR group experienced cardiac arrhythmias after the procedure. This difference between the groups were statistically significant. Mortality rate was 9.3% in the SAVR group and 5.3% in the TAVR group. The mortality rate was not statistically different between the groups. There was no significant difference between the groups in the means of neurological incidents. The TAVR group had more vascular complications (17.9% to none) and pacemaker implantations (21.4% to 1.9%). Minor or major bleeding was the most common reason for admission to the hospital after SAVR. Seven out of 10 patients experienced bleeding. Aortic regurgitation was more common in the TAVR group at the first and sixth month following the procedure. Ratios between the gradient values were higher in the SAVR group (P < .001). Peak gradient values at the sixth month following the procedure were lower than the values of the first month (P < .040). Aortic regurgitation symptoms increased with patients at the mid-term follow-up appointment. To prevent the vascular complications in the TAVR group, preoperative peripheral vascular examination thoroughly should be performed. Considering that bleeding disorders are the main reason the SAVR group arrived to the hospital, INR values should closely be monitored. There seems to be no mortality difference between the groups at the six-month follow up, but studies should continue with more patients and long-term results.

Prevalence of salivary Streptococcus mutans serotype k in children undergoing congenital heart surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of Streptococcus mutans serotype k, which was speculated that might be associated with the development of cardiovascular diseases, has been reported in adult cardiovascular surgery patients. There is no information about presence of serotype k in children with cardiac disease. The aim of this study was to determine the salivary prevalence of S. mutans serotype k in children with congenital heart disease. STUDY DESIGN: Salivary samples of 25 patients undergoing elective surgery for congenital heart defects with cardiopulmonary bypass and an age and gender matched control group of 25 healthy children were enrolled in the study. Species-specific 16SrRNA gene sequences were used for S. mutans and serotype-specific rgpF gene sequences were used for S. mutans serotype k determination in stimulated saliva samples. RESULTS: S. mutans was detected in 19 (76%) of the study and 15 (60%) of the control children. The difference was not shown to be statistically significant. Serotype k was determined from 3 (12%) of the study group, while it was not determined from the samples of the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that those children with congenital heart disease may possess S. mutans serotype k in oral cavity at a higher frequency as similar with the adult cardiac surgery patients.