Epicardial fat thickness assessment by multi-slice computed tomography for predicting cardiac outcomes in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic inflammation promotes aortic valve calcification. It is known that epicardial fat is a source of inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between epicardial fat thickness, cardiac conduction disorders and outcomes in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). METHODS: During a three-year period, 45 patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent TAVI were recruited to the study. Data were collected retrospectively. Epicardial fat was defined as the adipose tissue between the epicardium and the visceral pericardium. Mean epicardial fat thickness was determined by multi-slice computed tomography, which was performed before the procedure. RESULTS: The average thickness of epicardial fat was 13.06 ± 3.29 mm. This study failed to reveal a significant correlation between epicardial fat thickness and post-procedural left bundle branch block, right bundle branch block, paravalvular aortic regurgitation and pacemaker implantation rates (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study failed to show a significant relationship between epicardial fat thickness, cardiac conduction disorders and outcomes, however further studies with larger sample numbers are required to explore the relationship.

Preliminary results from a nationwide adult cardiology perspective for pulmonary hypertension: RegiStry on clInical outcoMe and sUrvival in pulmonaRy hypertension Groups (SIMURG).

OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to evaluate the characteristics of pulmonary hypertension (PH) and adult cardiology practice patterns for PH in our country. METHODS: We evaluated preliminary survey data of 1501 patients with PH (females, 69%; age, 44.8±5.45) from 20 adult cardiology centers (AdCCs). RESULTS: The average experience of AdCCs in diagnosing and treating patients with PH was 8.5±3.7 years. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) was the most frequent group (69%) followed by group 4 PH (19%), group 3 PH (8%), and combined pre- and post-capillary PH (4%). PAH associated with congenital heart disease (APAH-CHD) was the most frequent subgroup (47%) of PAH. Most of the patients' functional class (FC) at the time of diagnosis was III. The right heart catheterization (RHC) rate was 11.9±11.6 per month. Most frequently used vasoreactivity agent was intravenous adenosine (60%). All patients under targeted treatments were periodically for FC, six-minute walking test, and echo measures at 3-month intervals. AdCCs repeated RHC in case of clinical worsening (CW). The annual rate of hospitalization was 14.9±19.5. In-hospital use of intravenous iloprost reported from 16 AdCCs in CWs. Bosentan and ambrisentan, as monotreatment or combination treatment (CT), were noted in 845 and 28 patients, respectively, and inhaled iloprost, subcutaneous treprostinil, and intravenous epoprostenol were noted in 283, 30, and four patients, respectively. Bosentan was the first agent used for CT in all AdCCs and iloprost was the second. Routine use of antiaggregant, anticoagulant, and pneumococcal and influenza prophylaxis were restricted in only two AdCCs. CONCLUSION: Our nationwide data illustrate the current status of PH regarding clinical characteristics and practice patterns.

Long-term prognostic significance of pentraxin-3 in patients with acute myocardial infarction: 5-year prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: A predictive role of serum Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) for short-term adverse cardiovascular events including mortality in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was reported in recent studies. The aim of the study was to investigate long-term prognostic significance of serum PTX3 in an AMI with 5-year follow-up period in this study. METHODS: In this prospective study, 140 patients, who were admitted to the emergency department between January 2011 and December 2011 with acute chest pain and/or dyspnea and diagnosed with AMI and 60 healthy controls were included. PTX3 levels were measured at admission by using an ELISA method. The study group was divided into tertiles on the basis of admission PTX3 values: the high-PTX3 group (≥4.27 ng/mL), the middle-PTX3 groups (4.27-1.63 ng/mL), and the low-PTX3 group (≤1.63 ng/mL). RESULTS: PTX3 level was significantly more greatly increased in the AMI group than in the controls (2.27±0.81 vs. 0.86±0.50 ng/mL, p<0.001). PTX3 level was found to be significantly positively correlated with TIMI score (r=0.368, p=0.037), high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) (r=0.452, p=0.024), pro-BNP (r=0.386, p=0.029), troponin I (r=0.417, p=<0.001), and GRACE score (r=0.355, p=0.045), and negatively correlated with HDL cholesterol (r=-0.203, p=0.016) and LVEF (r=-0.345, p=0.028). In multivariate analysis, PTX3 (OR=1.12, 95% CI 1.04-1.20; p=0.001) was a significant independent predictor of long-term cardiovascular mortality, after adjusting for other risk factors. CONCLUSION: PTX3 is a novel biomarker that may help to identify high risk individuals with AMI, who are potentially at risk of early major adverse cardiovascular events including mortality in the long-term period.

Giant calcific pericardial cyst: certainly unexpected during primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Pericardial cyst is a rare congenital anomaly that is usually diagnosed during evaluation for right-sided heart failure. We report a 50-year-old man with a primary diagnosis of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction at admission, whose emergent angiography revealed a calcific mass close to right coronary artery. Further analysis of the mass with computed tomography and three-dimensional echocardiography revealed a giant pericardial cyst causing partial obstruction of superior vena cava. Unlike previous cases reported, the patient had no symptoms compatible with right-sided heart failure.

Jet length/velocity ratio: a new index for echocardiographic evaluation of chronic aortic regurgitation.

BACKGROUND: Management of aortic regurgitation depends on the assessment for severity. Echocardiography remains as the most widely available tool for evaluation of aortic regurgitation. In this manuscript, we describe a novel parameter, jet length/velocity ratio, for the diagnosis of severe aortic regurgitation. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 30 patients with aortic regurgitation were included to this study. Severity of aortic regurgitation was assessed with an aortic regurgitation index incorporating five echocardiographic parameters. Jet length/velocity ratio is calculated as the ratio of maximum jet penetrance to mean velocity of regurgitant flow. Jet length/velocity ratio was significantly higher in patients with severe aortic regurgitation (2.03 ± 0.53) compared to patients with less than severe aortic regurgitation (1.24 ± 0.32, P < 0.001). Correlation of jet length/velocity ratio with aortic regurgitation index was very good (r(2) = 0.86) and correlation coefficient was higher for jet length/velocity ratio compared to vena contracta, jet width/LVOT ratio and pressure half time. For a cutoff value of 1.61, jet length/velocity ratio had a sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 88%, with an AUC value of 0.955. CONCLUSIONS: Jet length/velocity ratio is a novel parameter that can be used to assess severity of chronic aortic regurgitation. Main limitation for usage of this novel parameter is jet impringement to left ventricular wall.

The relationship between epicardial adipose tissue and ST-segment resolution in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

The relationship between epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and coronary artery disease has been predominantly demonstrated in the last two decades. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive value of EAT thickness on ST-segment resolution that reflects myocardial reperfusion in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) for acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The present study prospectively included 114 consecutive patients (mean age 54 ± 10 years, range 35-83, 15 women) with first acute STEMI who underwent successful pPCI. ST-segment resolution (ΔSTR) <70 % was accepted as ECG sign of no-reflow phenomenon. The EAT thickness was measured by two-dimensional echocardiography. EAT thickness was increased in patients with no-reflow (3.9 ± 1.7 vs. 5.4 ± 2, p = 0.001). EAT thickness was also found to be inversely correlated with ΔSTR (r = -0.414, p = 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that EAT thickness independently predicted no-reflow (OR 1.43, 95 % CI 1.13-1.82, p = 0.003). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated good diagnostic accuracy for EAT thickness in predicting no-reflow [area under curve (AUC) = 0.72, 95 % CI 0.63-0.82, p < 0.001]. In conclusion, increased EAT thickness may play an important role in the prediction of no-reflow in STEMI treated with pPCI.

Prognostic value of serum resistin levels in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Resistin is a novel adipokine that is suggested to be involved in inflammatory conditions and atherosclerosis. AIM: To investigate the prognostic importance of resistin in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients. METHODS: Resistin levels were measured in a population of 132 patients with AMI, of whom 72 (54%) had a diagnosis of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and 60 (46%) had non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Thirty-three consecutive subjects who were referred to elective coronary angiography due to chest pain evaluation with normal coronary angiograms served as controls. All patients were followed-up for the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE). RESULTS: There was a significant increase in serum resistin levels in patients with AMI compared to controls (3.71 ± 4.20 vs. 2.00 ± 1.05, p = 0.001, respectively). However, serum resistin levels were similar in patients with STEMI and NSTEMI. (4.26 ± 5.11 vs. 3.06 ± 2.64, p = 0.49, respectively). The patients with MACE had significantly higher levels of serum resistin levels compared to either the AMI or the control group (6.35 ± 5.47, p = 0.005, respectively). Logistic regression analysis revealed that resistin, left ventricular ejection fraction, and coronary artery bypass graft were independent predictors of MACE in AMI patients (OR = 1.11, 95% CI 1.01-1.22, p = 0.03 and OR = 3.84, 95% CI 1.26-11.71, p = 0.018, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Serum resistin level was increased in patients with AMI and constituted a risk factor for MACE in this group.

Comparison of Cockcroft-Gault and modification of diet in renal disease formulas as predictors of cardiovascular outcomes in patients with myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

We prospectively assessed the value of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) and Cockcroft-Gault (C-G) equations in predicting inhospital adverse outcomes after primary coronary intervention for acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. We classified 647 patients into 3 categories according to eGFR, <60, 60 to 90, and >90 mL/min/1.73 m(2). The eGFRC-G classified 17 patients in the >90 mL/min/1.73 m(2) subgroup and 6 and 11 patients in the 60 to 90 and <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) subgroups, respectively. In multivariate analysis, patients with eGFRC-G < 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) had 19.5-fold (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.55-178) higher mortality risk and 5.48-fold (95% CI 1.75-24.21) higher major adverse cardiac events risk compared to patients with eGFRC-G >90 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (P = .01 and P = .01, respectively); the eGFRMDRD was not predictive. Although the MDRD equation more accurately estimates GFR in certain populations, the CG formula may be a better predictor of adverse events.

A new prognostic evaluation of patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary angioplasty: combined Zwolle and Syntax score.

BACKGROUND: The Zwolle score (Zs) is a validated risk score used to identify low-risk patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The Syntax score (Ss) is an angiographic score that evaluates the complexity of coronary artery disease. AIM: We aimed to create a simple risk score by combining these two scores for risk stratification in patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI. METHODS: 299 consecutive STEMI patients (mean age 57.4 ± 11.7 years, 240 men) who underwent primary PCI were prospectively enrolled into the present study. The study population was divided into tertiles based on admission Zs and Ss. A high Zs (> 3) and high Ss (> 24) were defined as values in the third tertiles. A low Zs and low Ss were defined as values in the lower two tertiles. Patients were then classified into four groups: high Zs and high Ss (HZsHSs, n = 26), high Zs and low Ss (HZsLSs, n = 29), low Zs and high Ss (LZsHSs, n = 48), and low Zs and low Ss (LZsLSs, n = 196). In-hospital cardiacoutcomes were then recorded. RESULTS: In-hospital cardiovascular mortality was higher in HZsHSs (50%) compared to the HZsLSs (27.5%), LZsHSs (0%), and LZsLSs (0.5%) groups. After adjustment for potentially confounding factors, HZsHSs (OR 77.6, 95% CI 6.69-113.1, p = 0.001), and HZsLSs (OR 28.9, 95% CI 2.77-56.2, p = 0.005) status, but not LZsHSs and LZsLSs status, remained independent predictors of in-hospital cardiovascular mortality. CONCLUSIONS: STEMI patients with HZsHSs represent the highest risk population for in-hospital cardiovascular mortality.

Assessment of tenascin-C levels in ventricular noncompaction/hypertrabeculation patients: a cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: Ventricular noncompaction/hypertrabeculation (NC/HT) is a rare form of congenital cardiomyopathy. We aimed to investigate the presence of serum tenascin-C (TN-C) in adult patients with NC/HT and evaluate its value. METHODS AND RESULTS: Serum TN-C levels were measured by ELISA in 50 NC/HT patients both with/without systolic dysfunction and in 23 normal controls. Systolic dysfunction was defined as ejection fraction (EF) ≤ 40. Mann-Whitney U-test and ROC curve analysis were done. Of 49 NC/HT patients, 24 (49%) patients had systolic dysfunction (mean age 36 ± 15) and 25 patients (51%) had normal systolic function (mean age 36 ± 17). The ages between groups were not different. The mean levels of serum TN-C in patients with or without systolic dysfunction were 26 ± 10 ng/mL and 26 ± 8 ng/mL respectively, compared to normal controls, 7 ± 2 ng/mL (P < 0.001). No significance was observed between 2 groups of NC/HT patients regarding TN-C levels (P = 0.8). The ROC curve analysis revealed that a TN-C value of 11.7 ng/mL identified patients with NC/HT with 100% sensitivity and specifity. CONCLUSION: High serum TN-C levels are present in adult NC/HT cardiomyopathy even when left ventricular systolic function remains normal. Also, serum TN-C levels could be regarded as a candidate biomarker in the diagnosis of NC/HT which needs to be tested in larger prospective studies.

[Relation of heart-type fatty acid-binding protein with the degree and extent of atherosclerosis in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome]. / ST segment yükselmesiz akut koroner sendromlu hastalarda kalp tipi yag asidi baglayici proteinin koroner arter hastaliginin yayginlik ve ciddiyeti ile iliskisi.

OBJECTIVES: The relationship between markers of myocardial ischemia and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) has been investigated in several studies. In this study, we examined the relationship between severity of CAD and heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP), a new marker of ischemia in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (ACS). STUDY DESIGN: This prospective study comprised 49 patients who were referred to the emergency room with a diagnosis of non-ST elevation myocardial infarction. Troponins, creatine kinase-MB, lactate dehydrogenase, and aspartate aminotransferase levels were measured quantitatively, while blood H-FABP levels were measured qualitatively in the 4th-8th hour from the onset of symptoms. All patients underwent coronary angiography within 72 hours after admission. Clinical and coronary angiographic characteristics of patients with positive and negative values of H-FABP were compared. Gensini and SYNTAX scores were used to determine the severity of CAD. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in mean age, gender distribution, risk factors for CAD, ischemic changes on ECG, or Gensini and SYNTAX scores between the H-FABP-negative and -positive groups (p>0.05). The duration of chest pain in the H-FABP-positive group was significantly longer than in the negative group (p<0.001). Troponin, CK-MB, and AST levels as well as thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) risk scores were found to be significantly higher in the H-FABP-positive group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: H-FABP is a useful marker for the diagnosis and risk evaluation of patients with non-ST elevation ACS. However, it is insufficient in evaluating the severity of CAD.

Lower than normal mean platelet volume is associated with reduced extent of coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Extent of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease in patients with stable angina has important prognostic and therapeutic implications. In current models of plaque evolution, thrombocytes play an important role in plaque growth. Mean platelet volume is a readily obtainable marker that was shown to correlate with platelet aggregability in vitro and increased values were demonstrated after acute vascular events. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we investigated the relationship of mean platelet volume and angiographic extent of coronary artery disease in patients with stable angina. METHODS: Past medical records, complete blood count and angiographic data of 267 eligible stable angina patients were reviewed. Angiographic extent of coronary artery disease was evaluated form angiographic data using Gensini score by an expert in invasive cardiology. Mean platelet volume values were obtained from complete blood counts that obtained one day before angiography. Patients were grouped as those within (n = 176) and lower than (n = 62) population-based range for mean platelet volume. Comparison between groups and correlation analysis was performed. RESULTS: There were no linear correlation between total Gensini score and mean platelet volume (p = 0.29), while total thrombocyte count was inversely correlated with mean platelet volume (p < 0.001; r = 0.41). Patients with lower than normal mean platelet volume had significantly lower Gensini score (36.73 ± 32.5 vs. 45.63 ± 32.63; p = 0.023) and three-vessel disease (18% vs. 36%; p = 0.007) compared with those mean platelet volume values within population-based ranges. CONCLUSION: Our findings show no linear relationship exists between mean platelet volume and extent of coronary artery disease, while patients with lower than normal mean platelet volume had reduced extent of coronary artery disease.

Troponin and anti-troponin autoantibody levels in patients with ventricular noncompaction.

Ventricular hypertrabeculation/noncompaction is a morphologic and functional anomaly of myocardium characterized by prominent trabeculae accompanied by deep recessus. Dilated cardiomyopathy with left ventricular failure is observed in these patients, while the cause or pathophysiologic nature of this complication is not known. Anti-troponin antibodies are formed against circulating cardiac troponins after an acute coronary event or conditions associated with chronic myocyte necrosis, such as dilated cardiomyopathy. In present study, we aimed to investigate cardiac troponins and anti troponin autoantibodies in ventricular noncompaction/hypertrabeculation patients with/without reduced ejection fraction. A total of 50 patients with ventricular noncompaction and 23 healthy volunteers were included in this study. Noncompaction/hypertrabeculation was diagnosed with two-dimensional echocardiography using appropriate criteria. Depending on ejection fraction, patients were grouped into noncompaction with preserved EF (LVEF >50%, n = 24) and noncompaction with reduced EF (LVEF <35%, n = 26) groups. Troponin I, troponin T, anti-troponin I IgM and anti-troponin T IgM were measured with sandwich immunoassay method using a commercially available kit. Patients with noncompaction had significantly higher troponin I (28.98±9.21 ng/ml in NCNE group and 28.11±10.42 ng/ml in NCLE group), troponin T (22.17±6.97 pg/ml in NCNE group and 22.78±7.76 pg/ml in NCLE group) and antitroponin I IgM (1.92±0.43 µg/ml in NCNE group and 1.79±0.36 µg/ml in NCLE group) levels compared to control group, while antitroponin T IgM and IgG were only elevated in patients with noncompaction and reduced EF (15.81±6.52 µg/ml for IgM and 16.46±6.25 µg/ml for IgG). Elevated cardiac troponins and anti-troponin I autoantibodies were observed in patients with noncompaction preceding the decline in systolic function and could indicate ongoing myocardial damage in these patients.

O volume plaquetário médio abaixo do normal está associado com extensão reduzida de doença arterial coronariana / Lower than normal mean platelet volume is associated with reduced extent of coronary artery disease

FUNDAMENTO: A extensão da doença arterial coronariana aterosclerótica em pacientes com angina estável tem importantes implicações prognósticas e terapêuticas. Em modelos atuais de evolução de placas, os trombócitos desempenham um papel importante no crescimento de placas. O volume plaquetário médio é um marcador facilmente determinado, com evidência de correlação com a agregabilidade plaquetária in vitro, além de valores comprovadamente maiores após eventos vasculares agudos. OBJETIVO: No presente estudo, investigou-se a relação entre o volume plaquetário médio e a extensão angiográfica da doença arterial coronariana em pacientes com angina estável. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados prontuários, hemograma completo e dados angiográficos anteriores de 267 pacientes elegíveis com angina estável. A extensão angiográfica da doença arterial coronariana foi avaliada à luz de dados angiográficos, com o uso por um especialista do escore de Gensini em uma cardiologia invasiva. Os valores para o volume plaquetário médio foram obtidos a partir de hemogramas completos, obtidos um dia antes da angiografia. Com relação ao intervalo populacional para o volume plaquetário médio, os pacientes foram agrupados dentro (n = 176) e abaixo (n = 62) do referido intervalo. Foi realizada uma comparação entre grupos e uma análise correlacional. RESULTADOS: Não houve correlação linear entre o escore de Gensini total e o volume plaquetário médio (p = 0,29), ao passo que a contagem total de trombócitos apresentou correlação inversa com o volume plaquetário médio (p < 0,001, r = 0,41). Os pacientes com volume plaquetário médio abaixo do normal apresentaram um escore de Gensini (36,73 ± 32,5 vs. 45,63 ± 32,63; p = 0,023) e doença coronariana triarterial (18% VS. 36%; p = 0,007) significativamente inferiores se comparados com aqueles apresentando valores de volume plaquetário médio dentro dos intervalos populacionais. CONCLUSÃO: Nossas constatações não demonstraram nenhuma relação linear entre o volume plaquetário médio e a extensão da doença arterial coronariana, ao passo que os pacientes com volume plaquetário médio abaixo do normal apresentaram uma extensão reduzida da doença arterial coronariana.

BACKGROUND: Extent of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease in patients with stable angina has important prognostic and therapeutic implications. In current models of plaque evolution, thrombocytes play an important role in plaque growth. Mean platelet volume is a readily obtainable marker that was shown to correlate with platelet aggregability in vitro and increased values were demonstrated after acute vascular events. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we investigated the relationship of mean platelet volume and angiographic extent of coronary artery disease in patients with stable angina. METHODS: Past medical records, complete blood count and angiographic data of 267 eligible stable angina patients were reviewed. Angiographic extent of coronary artery disease was evaluated form angiographic data using Gensini score by an expert in invasive cardiology. Mean platelet volume values were obtained from complete blood counts that obtained one day before angiography. Patients were grouped as those within (n = 176) and lower than (n = 62) population-based range for mean platelet volume. Comparison between groups and correlation analysis was performed. RESULTS: There were no linear correlation between total Gensini score and mean platelet volume (p = 0.29), while total thrombocyte count was inversely correlated with mean platelet volume (p < 0.001; r = 0.41). Patients with lower than normal mean platelet volume had significantly lower Gensini score (36.73 ± 32.5 vs. 45.63 ± 32.63; p = 0.023) and three-vessel disease (18% vs. 36%; p = 0.007) compared with those mean platelet volume values within population-based ranges. CONCLUSION: Our findings show no linear relationship exists between mean platelet volume and extent of coronary artery disease, while patients with lower than normal mean platelet volume had reduced extent of coronary artery disease.

Right ventricular morphology and function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients living at high altitude.

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary vasculature is affected in patients with chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD). As a result of increased pulmonary resistance, right ventricular morphology and function are altered in COPD patients. High altitude and related hypoxia causes pulmonary vasoconstriction, thereby affecting the right ventricle. We aimed to investigate the combined effects of COPD and altitude-related chronic hypoxia on right ventricular morphology and function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty COPD patients living at high altitude (1768 m) and 41 COPD patients living at sea level were enrolled in the study. All participants were diagnosed as COPD by a pulmonary diseases specialist depending on symptoms, radiologic findings and pulmonary function test results. Detailed two-dimensional echocardiography was performed by a cardiologist at both study locations. RESULTS: Oxygen saturation and mean pulmonary artery pressure were higher in the high altitude group. Right ventricular end diastolic diameter, end systolic diameter, height and end systolic area were significantly higher in the high altitude group compared to the sea level group. Parameters of systolic function, including tricuspid annular systolic excursion, systolic velocity of tricuspid annulus and right ventricular isovolumic acceleration were similar between groups, while fractional area change was significantly higher in the sea level groups compared to the high altitude group. Indices of diastolic function and myocardial performance index were similar between groups. CONCLUSION: An increase in mean pulmonary artery pressure and right ventricular dimensions are observed in COPD patients living at high altitude. Despite this increase, systolic and diastolic functions of the right ventricle, as well as global right ventricular performance are similar in COPD patients living at high altitude and sea level. Altitude-related adaptation to chronic hypoxia could explain these findings.

Acute aortic regurgitation with myocardial infarction: an important clue for aortic dissection.

BACKGROUND: Aortic dissection is an important cause of acute chest pain that should be rapidly diagnosed, as mortality increases with each hour this condition is left untreated. The diagnosis can be challenging, especially if concomitant myocardial infarction is present. Echocardiography is an important tool for the differential diagnosis. OBJECTIVES: To stress the importance of recognizing aortic regurgitation for the differentiation of myocardial infarction and aortic dissection. CASE REPORT: An 80-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with chest pain that was diagnosed as inferior and lateral wall myocardial infarction based on electrocardiographic findings. The diagnosis was reevaluated when aortic regurgitation was detected on echocardiography. Closer inspection of the ascending aorta revealed a dissection flap as the cause of aortic regurgitation. CONCLUSION: Detection of aortic regurgitation in a patient with myocardial infarction and normal valves should prompt the search for a possible aortic dissection, whether or not the dissection flap can be visualized.

'Idiopathic' acute myocardial infarction in a young patient with noncompaction cardiomyopathy.

Isolated left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a rare hereditary cardiomyopathy characterized by prominent intraventricular trabeculations separated by deep intertrabecular recessus. While cardiac ischemia due to microvascular dysfunction is common in these patients, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is rare and usually seen as a consequence of coincidental coronary artery disease. We report the case of a 20 year-old male patient admitted to our emergency department with a complaint of squeezing chest pain who was subsequently diagnosed with STEMI according to electrocardiographic findings, although an emergent coronary angiogram demonstrated normal coronary arteries. Echocardiography revealed isolated LVNC, and the diagnosis was confirmed via magnetic resonance imaging. Repeat coronary catheterization with acetylcholine infusion and coronary flow reserve measurement failed to demonstrate vasospasm or microvascular dysfunction. As no apparent cause was found, this case was designated 'idiopathic' myocardial infarction. Coronary thromboembolism due to stagnation of blood in the left ventricular cavity remained as the most probable mechanism underlying myocardial infarction.