Aortic propagation velocity in the prediction of coronary artery disease severity.

AIMS: To investigate the association of the aortic propagation velocity (APV) with coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP) through SYNTAX scores (SS). METHODS: The study population comprised 214 SAP subjects who received a coronary angiography. The APV and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) were examined and SS was calculated. Subjects were grouped following specific SS criteria: SS less than 22 (low) and SS greater than or equal to 22 (high). RESULTS: High SS subjects had lower APV compared to low SS [39.0 (32.0-51.7) vs. 55.0 (45.0-62.0) cm/s, respectively; P<0.001] and higher CIMT (0.86 ± 0.24 vs. 0.74 ± 0.21 mm, respectively; P<0.001). APV demonstrated a negative correlation with the CIMT (r=-0.239, P<0.001), age (r=-0.188, P=0.006) , and SS (r=-0.561, P<0.001) and showed a positive association with LV ejection fraction (r=0.163, P=0.017). APV, CIMT, diabetes, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and age were determined to be markers independently of a high SS. CONCLUSION: APV, CIMT, diabetes, LDL-C and age are independently linked to the CAD severity of SAP subjects. Decreased APV, an indicator of subclinical atherosclerosis, may independently help determine the severity of atherosclerotic CAD in SAP patients.

Predictors of left atrial remodeling in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients: a speckle-tracking echocardiographic study.

Endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and increased inflammatory activity are the main pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for cardiac remodeling secondary to hypertension. Bilirubin has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic functions. This report's objectives are to determine whether Query identifiers of left atrial (LA) remodeling, total atrial conduction time (TACT) and LA reservoir strain (LARS), are associated with serum total bilirubin levels, and to identify the possible predictors of LA remodeling in newly diagnosed hypertensive subjects. One hundred thirty-four subjects were enrolled in this study. TACT was evaluated by tissue Doppler imaging, and LARS was calculated by speckle-tracking echocardiography. Laboratory parameters were recorded. The subjects were classified into two separate groups according to the median value of TACT and LARS. In patients with supramedian TACT, LA volume index (LAVI) and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness were higher, while LARS and LVGLS were lower. In subjects with inframedian LARS, TACT was longer, LAVI and EAT thickness were higher, and LVGLS was lower. Patients with supramedian TACT and inframedian LARS were older and had lower total bilirubin. Total bilirubin, EAT thickness, and age were predictors of TACT and LARS. Serum bilirubin levels may have a protective effect on the LA remodeling process in newly diagnosed hypertensive subjects.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a possible indicator of epicardial adipose tissue in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic inflammation is a major risk factor in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is the true visceral fat depot of the heart. The relationship between coronary artery disease and EAT was shown in healthy subjects and ESRD patients. In the present study we aimed to investigate the relationship between EAT and inflammation parameters including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in hemodialysis (HD) patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-three HD patients (25 females, 18 males; mean age: 64.1 ±11.9 years) receiving HD and 30 healthy subjects (15 females, 15 males; mean age: 59.1 ±10.8 years) were enrolled in the study. Epicardial adipose tissue measurements were performed by echocardiography. RESULTS: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio levels were significantly higher in HD patients than in the healthy control group. Hemodialysis patients were separated into two groups according to their median value of NLR (group 1, NLR < 3.07 (n = 21) and group 2, NLR ≥ 3.07 (n = 22)). Group 2 patients had significantly higher EAT, C-reactive protein and ferritin levels, while albumin levels were significantly lower in this group. In the bivariate correlation analysis, EAT was positively correlated with NLR (r = 0.600, p < 0.001) and ferritin (r = 0.485, p = 0.001) levels. CONCLUSIONS: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was found to be an independent predictor of EAT in HD patients (odds ratio = 3.178; p = 0.008). We concluded that this relationship might be attributed to increased inflammation in uremic patients.

Beneficial Effects of Ozone Therapy on Oxidative Stress, Cardiac Functions and Clinical Findings in Patients with Heart Failure Reduced Ejection Fraction.

The aim of study was to determine the effects of ozone therapy on the oxidative stress, cardiac functions and clinical findings in patients with heart failure reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). A total of 40 patients with New York Heart Association 2 and 3 HF with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <35%, and 40 subjects without HF as control group were included in the study. Patients with HFrEF were given additional ozone therapy of major and minor administrations along with conventional HF treatment for 5 weeks. Before and after ozone therapy, left ventricular end-systolic and end-diastolic volumes (LVESV, LVEDV) and the 6 minute walk distance (6MWD) and blood levels of the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were measured. Ozone therapy significantly reduced the serum levels of NO and MDA (p < 0.001, respectively) and significantly increased the levels of SOD, CAT, GSH and GSHPx (p < 0.001, respectively). LVEDV and LVESV were found to be significantly reduced; however, LVEF was not found to be significantly increased (p = 0.567). As the biochemical improvement marker of HF, NT-proBNP was significantly reduced (p < 0.001). The clinical HF improvement marker of 6 minute walk distance was also modestly increased (p < 0.001). Ozone therapy might be beneficial in terms of activating antioxidant system and merit further therapeutic potential to conventional HF treatment in patients with HFrEF.

Myocardial deformation and total atrial conduction time in the prediction of cardiac involvement in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis.

AIMS: In this study, we aim to evaluate the left atrial global longitudinal strain (LAGLS), total atrial conduction time (TACT) and left ventricle (LV) functions in recently diagnosed pulmonary sarcoidosis (PS) patients. METHOD: Fifty recently diagnosed PS patients (group 1) and a control group of 50 healthy individuals (group 2) were evaluated in the study. Two-dimensional echocardiography images were obtained from LV apical 4-chamber (4C), long-axis (L) and 2-chamber (2C) views. Peak longitudinal strain and strain rate (SR) were obtained from 4C, L and 2C views. Mean values of the three views were calculated. LV global longitudinal strain and LV-SR torsion were determined as the net differences in the mean rotation between the apical and basal levels. LAGLS and TACT values were calculated. RESULTS: The study found that LAGLS was significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2 (P < 0.05). TACT was also significantly longer in group 1 than in group 2 (respectively group 1: 111.6 ± 15.1 ms; group 2: 103.4 ± 5.8 ms, P < 0.001). There was a significant moderate negative correlation between LAGLS and TACT (r = -0.36, P < 0.05). Patients with sarcoidosis had significantly lower LV longitudinal strain and SR measurements than the control group. Although LV basal rotation (LVR) values were similar in both groups, LVR-apical and LV-torsion (LVTR) values were significantly higher in the patient group (group 1). CONCLUSION: The identification of left atrial and left ventricular myocardial deformation using speckle tracking echocardiography in patients with PS allows subclinical LV dysfunction and subclinical electrophysiologic changes to be detected earlier.

Determinants of Chronic Total Occlusion in Patients With Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease.

Chronic total occlusion (CTO) is a common finding in 40% of the patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The aim of this study was to investigate the determinants of CTO in patients with PAD. The study included a total of 211 nonanemic patients with PAD. All patients were categorized according to the Fontaine classification. In lower extremity angiography cohorts, CTO- patients were designated as group 1 and CTO+ patients were designated as group 2. Patients with CTO had significantly higher red cell distribution width (RDW), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, uric acid, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein compared to patients without CTO ( P ≤ .001, P = .036, P ≤ .001, and P = .015, respectively). Albumin, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin were significantly lower in the patients with CTO compared to patients without CTO ( P = .023, P ≤ .001, and P = .049, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that RDW, uric acid, and total bilirubin were independent predictors of CTO in patients with PAD. We demonstrated that increased RDW and uric acid levels and lower total bilirubin values were independently associated with CTO in patients with PAD.

Atrial electromechanical delay and left atrial mechanical functions in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients.

INTRODUCTION: Left atrium (LA) mechanical functions and atrial electromechanical delay (AEMD) times were considered independent predictors of cardiovascular morbidity in general population. Data are scant about these parameters in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients receiving hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD). We aimed to evaluate AEMD times and LA mechanical functions and associated risk factors in HD and PD patients. METHODS: Forty-four healthy individuals, 62 HD and 50 PD patients were enrolled in the study. Echocardiography was performed before midweek dialysis session for HD patients and on admission for PD patients. Data were expressed as mean ± SD. Spearman's test was used to assess linear associations. Predictors of left intra-atrial EMD time and LA active emptying volume (LAaeV) were assessed by regression analysis. RESULTS: Left intra-atrial-AEMD times were significantly longer in HD patients compared to PD patients. LAaeV was positively correlated with inter-atrial time, left intra-atrial time, systolic and diastolic BP, calcium and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (r 0.22, p 0.016; r 0.28, p 0.002; r 0.34, p < 0.001; r 0.35, p < 0.001; r 0.37, p < 0.001; r 0.46, p < 0.001, respectively) and negatively correlated with serum uric acid (r -0.31, p 0.013) in ESRD patients. We found positive correlations between left intra-atrial time and LAaeV, LAVmax, LAVp and NLR (r 0.28, p 0.002; r 0.27, p 0.003; r 0.27, p 0.003; r 0.22, p 0.03, respectively) and negative correlations with albumin, uric acid and potassium (r -0.24, p 0.008; r -0.19, p 0.04; r -0.26, p 0.037, respectively). Advanced age, decreased serum albumin and increased NLR were found to be independent predictors of LAaeV; however, only NLR was found to be an independent predictor of AEMD time in this population. CONCLUSIONS: Increased inflammation might be a risk factor of AEMD and LA mechanical dysfunction in ESRD patients.

Serum YKL-40/chitinase 3-like protein 1 level is an independent predictor of atherosclerosis development in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The inflammatory process plays an important role in the development of cardiovascular complications in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). YKL-40/chitinase 3-like protein 1 is a novel biomarker of systemic inflammation. This study aimed to investigate whether carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), a useful marker for early atherosclerosis, is associated with serum YKL-40/chitinase 3-like protein 1 levels in patients with normotensive and nondiabetic OSAS. METHODS: The study included 40 OSAS patients and 40 age- sex- and body mass index-matched healthy controls. Serum YKL-40 levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. CIMT was measured by B-mode ultrasound. RESULTS: The patients with OSAS had significantly increased CIMT and higher YKL-40 and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels than those of the controls. CIMT was strongly correlated with serum YKL-40 levels (r=0.694, p<0.001), hsCRP (r=0.622, p<0.001), age (r=0.525, p=0.001), and weakly correlated with apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) (r=0.365, p=0.021) and the percentage of recording time spent (PRTS) of oxygen saturation<90% (r=0.488, p=0.001). Moreover, it was detected that serum YKL-40 levels were strongly correlated with AHI (r=0.617, p<0.001), and weakly correlated with SaO2<90% of PRTS (r=0.394, p=0.012) and hsCRP (r=0.486, p=0.001). In multiple regression analyses, age and serum levels of YKL-40 and hsCRP were found to be independent predictors of CIMT. CONCLUSION: In patients with OSAS, CIMT was increased. This increase was associated with serum YKL-40 level. Increased serum level of YKL-40 may be an early predictor of atherosclerosis development in patients with OSAS.

Relationship of the total atrial conduction time to subclinical atherosclerosis, inflammation and echocardiographic parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to evaluate the total atrial conduction time and its relationship to subclinical atherosclerosis, inflammation and echocardiographic parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: A total of 132 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (mean age 54.5 ± 9.6 years; 57.6% male) and 80 age- and gender-matched controls were evaluated. The total atrial conduction time was measured by tissue-Doppler imaging and the carotid intima-media thickness was measured by B-mode ultrasonography. RESULTS: The total atrial conduction time was significantly longer in the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus than in the control group (131.7 ± 23.6 vs. 113.1 ± 21.3, p<0.001). The patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus had significantly increased carotid intima-media thicknesses, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratios and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels than those of the controls. The total atrial conduction time was positively correlated with the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, carotid intima-media thickness and left atrial volume index and negatively correlated with the early diastolic velocity (Em), Em/late diastolic velocity (Am) ratio and global peak left atrial longitudinal strain. A multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, carotid intima-media thickness and global peak left atrial longitudinal strain were independent predictors of the total atrial conduction time. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that subclinical atherosclerosis and inflammation may represent a mechanism related to prolonged total atrial conduction time and that prolonged total atrial conduction time and impaired left atrial myocardial deformation may be represent early subclinical cardiac involvement in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Relationship of the total atrial conduction time to subclinical atherosclerosis, inflammation and echocardiographic parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to evaluate the total atrial conduction time and its relationship to subclinical atherosclerosis, inflammation and echocardiographic parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: A total of 132 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (mean age 54.5±9.6 years; 57.6% male) and 80 age- and gender-matched controls were evaluated. The total atrial conduction time was measured by tissue-Doppler imaging and the carotid intima-media thickness was measured by B-mode ultrasonography. RESULTS: The total atrial conduction time was significantly longer in the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus than in the control group (131.7±23.6 vs. 113.1±21.3, p<0.001). The patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus had significantly increased carotid intima-media thicknesses, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratios and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels than those of the controls. The total atrial conduction time was positively correlated with the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, carotid intima-media thickness and left atrial volume index and negatively correlated with the early diastolic velocity (Em), Em/late diastolic velocity (Am) ratio and global peak left atrial longitudinal strain. A multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, carotid intima-media thickness and global peak left atrial longitudinal strain were independent predictors of the total atrial conduction time. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that subclinical atherosclerosis and inflammation may represent a mechanism related to prolonged total atrial conduction time and that prolonged total atrial conduction time and impaired left atrial myocardial deformation may be represent early subclinical cardiac involvement in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. .

Increased Epicardial Adipose Tissue Thickness is Associated With Angiographic Thrombus Burden in the Patients With Non-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

We aimed to evaluate the relation among epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness, angiographic presence of thrombus, and the no-reflow in the patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention. The study population consisted of 229 patients. The EAT thickness and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were significantly higher in the patients with coronary thrombus than in those without coronary thrombus (6.1 ± 1.1 vs 5.1 ± 1.3 mm, P < .001 and 3.4 ± 0.9 vs 2.5 ± 0.7, P < .001, respectively) and in the patients with no-reflow compared to patients with reflow. The EAT thickness was found to be correlated positively with the degree of the thrombus burden, NLR, and waist circumference and negatively with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that EAT thickness and NLR independently predicted coronary thrombus formation and no-reflow. We have suggested that EAT can play an important role in the pathophysiology of coronary thrombus formation and the no-reflow.

Spontaneous lingual and sublingual haematoma: a rare complication of warfarin use.

Warfarin is commonly used for prevention of embolic events. Bleeding is the main side effect of warfarin. Lingual and sublingual haematoma are rare. In the literature, nine cases have so far been reported. We report the case of a 70-year-old Caucasian woman who developed spontaneous lingual and sublingual haematomas while on warfarin therapy. Spontaneous lingual and sublingual haematoma are rare, but can be potentially life-threatening complications as they cause airway obstruction. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of earliest haematoma after warfarin use.

Efeitos do levosimendan sobre TNF-alfa, PNB e MMP-1 em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca com anemia / Effects of levosimendan on TNF-alpha, BNP and MMP-1 in patients with heart failure with anemia

FUNDAMENTO: O levosimendan é conhecido pelo seu efeito bilateral de fortalecimento contração das miofibrilas sem aumentar a demanda de oxigênio no miocárdio. A anemia é uma deterioração que causa aumento da dosagem de fármacos em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca. OBJETIVO: No presente estudo comparamos a eficácia do tratamento com levosimendan em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca descompensada com ou sem anemia. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos no estudo 23 pacientes anêmicos com insuficiência cardíaca classe 3 ou 4, segundo a New York Heart Association (NYHA) e fração de ejeção abaixo de 35%. Outros 23 pacientes com o mesmo diagnóstico cardíaco, mas sem anemia, serviu como grupo controle. Ao tratamento da insuficiência cardíaca tradicional desses pacientes foi acrescido um tratamento de 24 horas de levosimendan. Amostras foram tomadas para dosar os níveis séricos do fator de necrose tumoral alfa sérico (TNF-alfa), peptídeo natriurético cerebral aminoterminal (NT-proPNB) e metaloproteinase da matriz 1 (MMP-1), antes e após a administração. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença significativa entre os níveis séricos de TNF-alfa e MMP-1, antes e depois do tratamento (p > 0,05). Embora o nível de NT-proBNP tenha diminuído em ambos os grupos após o tratamento, não foi estatisticamente significativo (p = 0,531 e p = 0,913 para os grupos de anemia e de controle, respectivamente). Uma restauração significativa da capacidade funcional foi observada em ambos os grupos avaliados, de acordo com a NYHA (p < 0,001 e p = 0,001 para os grupos de anemia e controle, respectivamente). CONCLUSÃO: O tratamento com levosimendan apresenta efeitos semelhantes em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca, com anemia e sem anemia. No entanto, o efeito precoce desse tratamento sobre os níveis de TNF-alfa, NT-proPNB e MMP-1 não é evidente. Ele oferece uma melhora significativa na capacidade funcional, sem a influência da anemia.

BACKGROUND: Levosimendan is known with its two-sided effects of strengthening myofibril contraction without increasing myocardial oxygen demand. Anemia is a deteriorating situation that causes increase of drug dosing in patients with heart failure. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we compared the effectiveness of levosimendan treatment in decompensated heart failure patients with or without anemia. METHODS: Twenty-three anemic patients having class 3 or 4 heart failure according to New York Heart Association (NYHA) and an ejection fraction of below 35% were included to the study. Another 23 patients with the same cardiac diagnosis but without anemia served as control group. Twenty-four hours levosimendan treatment was added to the traditional heart failure treatment of these patients. Samples were taken to measure serum tumor necrotizing factor alpha (TNF-alpha), aminoterminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) levels before and after the administration. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between serum TNF-alpha and MMP-1 levels before and after the treatment (p>0.05). Although NT-proBNP level decreased in both groups after the treatment this was not statistically significant (p=0.531 and p=0.913 for anemia and control groups respectively). Significant restoration of functional capacity was seen in both groups assessed according to NYHA (p<0.001 and p=0.001 for anemia and control groups respectively). CONCLUSION: Levosimendan treatment shows similar effects in heart failure patients with anemia to that of patients without anemia. However, the early effect of this treatment on TNF-alpha, NT-proBNP and MMP-1 levels is not evident. It provides significant improvement in functional capacity without influence from anemia.

Effects of levosimendan on TNF-alpha, BNP and MMP-1 in patients with heart failure with anemia.

BACKGROUND: Levosimendan is known with its two-sided effects of strengthening myofibril contraction without increasing myocardial oxygen demand. Anemia is a deteriorating situation that causes increase of drug dosing in patients with heart failure. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we compared the effectiveness of levosimendan treatment in decompensated heart failure patients with or without anemia. METHODS: Twenty-three anemic patients having class 3 or 4 heart failure according to New York Heart Association (NYHA) and an ejection fraction of below 35% were included to the study. Another 23 patients with the same cardiac diagnosis but without anemia served as control group. Twenty-four hours levosimendan treatment was added to the traditional heart failure treatment of these patients. Samples were taken to measure serum tumor necrotizing factor alpha (TNF-alpha), aminoterminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) levels before and after the administration. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between serum TNF-alpha and MMP-1 levels before and after the treatment (p>0.05). Although NT-proBNP level decreased in both groups after the treatment this was not statistically significant (p=0.531 and p=0.913 for anemia and control groups respectively). Significant restoration of functional capacity was seen in both groups assessed according to NYHA (p<0.001 and p=0.001 for anemia and control groups respectively). CONCLUSION: Levosimendan treatment shows similar effects in heart failure patients with anemia to that of patients without anemia. However, the early effect of this treatment on TNF-alpha, NT-proBNP and MMP-1 levels is not evident. It provides significant improvement in functional capacity without influence from anemia.

A rare association recognized before cardiac surgery: persistent left superior vena cava and secundum atrial septal defect.

One of the most common congenital anomalies of systemic veins is persistent left superior vena cava. Association of persistent left superior vena cava with other congenital cardiac diseases is common and frequently encountered during diagnostic studies. Contrast echocardiography has an important role in the diagnosis. Owing to the fact that cardiopulmonary by-pass procedure may be problematic in patients with persistent left superior vena cava, this anomaly should be detected before cardiac surgery and required measures should be taken. Our case is an association of persistent left superior vena cava detected in a patient to be operated for secundum atrial septal defect. We report the case owing to its low frequency and to emphasize the importance of detection before cardiac surgery.

The relationship between coronary artery disease and uric acid levels in young patients with acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Serum uric acid concentrations are higher in patients with established coronary artery disease than in healthy controls. This study aimed to determine the role of uric acid in predetermining coronary artery disease in young patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: This study included 80 of 1612 patients who applied our hospital between January 2000 and December 2005. All of the patients were under 35 years old, diagnosed with AMI by clinical and laboratory findings, and had coronary angiography. The study population was divided into two groups, the first having critical coronary artery disease (group I) and the second having normal coronary arteries (group II). Then we compared these groups with age, body mass index, risk factors, serum protein C, protein S, antithrombin III, creatinine and uric acid levels. RESULTS: Myocardial infarction was located in 65% anterior, 15% inferior, 15% inferiolateral and 5% high lateral, respectively. Forty five % of patients had critical coronary artery disease (group I, n = 36) and 55% had normal coronary arteries (group II, n = 44). There were no differences in the two groups with regard to body mass index, family history, hypertension, smoking, cholesterol level, triglyceride level and creatinine level, lack of protein C, lack of protein S or lack of antithrombin III. Serum uric acid levels were found to be higher in group I (7.0 +/- 1.4 mg/dL) than in group II (4.9 +/- 1.1 mg/dL; p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that high serum uric acid levels were associated with critical coronary artery disease in young patients (< 35 years) with AMI.

Effects of carvedilol on right ventricular ejection fraction and cytokines levels in patients with systolic heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction frequently complicates advanced left ventricular (LV) heart failure and contributes to an unfavorable prognosis. It is known that carvedilol increases left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) significantly, and carvedilol reduces mortality by associating with improvement in LV function. However, the effect of carvedilol on RV function in heart failure has not adequately been studied, so far. The objective is to establish whether the addition of carvedilol has an additive beneficial effect on RVEF and cytokines levels in patients with heart failure who are already receiving treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, digoxin and diuretics. METHODS: In this single-centre, prospective, randomized study, 74 patients with heart failure with an LVEF less than 40% and already receiving digoxin, ACE inhibitors and diuretics for 6 months as the standard therapy were randomly assigned to receive either carvedilol (n=44) or placebo (n=30). Patients received an initial dosage of 6.25 mg carvedilol or placebo twice daily for 2 weeks, which was then increased at 2-week intervals (if tolerated), first to 12.5 mg and, finally, to a target dosage of 25 mg twice daily. Clinical examinations, radionuclide studies, and determinations of plasma levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-6 were performed at baseline and repeated 4 months after random assignment. Primary end points were New York Heart Association functional class, RVEF and plasma cytokines levels. RESULTS: Patients treated with carvedilol had a significant improvement in functional class compared with the baseline values (P=0.001), with a decrease in the levels of cytokines (IL-6 [P=0.02] and TNF-alpha [P=0.02]). LVEF increased from 21.4+/-8.8% to 27.8+/-10.8% and RVEF increased from 28.8+/-4.2% to 36.3+/-2.6% in the carvedilol group (P=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Carvedilol treatment for 4 months resulted in a significant improvement of RVEF, which paralleled the improvement of LVEF and the decreasing of TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels in patients with systolic HF.

Right coronary artery aneurysm: possible relation with obesity?

Aneurysms of the coronary arteries are uncommon occurrences that usually develop secondary to atherosclerosis and are often asymptomatic. We present a 57-year-old male patient who presented with the diagnosis of an inferior wall acute myocardial infarction with a large aneurysm of the right coronary artery and with morbid obesity. To the best of our knowledge, a relationship between body mass index and coronary artery aneurysm has not been reported in the literature so far. We speculated that there is a relationship between coronary artery aneurysm and body mass index.