Abdullah Çelik

Evaluation of cardiovascular risk in patients with Parkinson disease under levodopa treatment

Background Levodopa is the indispensable choice of medial therapy in patients with Parkinson disease (PD). Since L-dopa treatment was shown to increase serum homocysteine levels, a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular disorders, the patients with PD under L-dopa treatment will be at increased risk for future cardiovascular events. The objective of this study is to evaluate cardiovascular risk in patients with PD under levodopa treatment. Methods The study population consisted of 65 patients with idiopathic PD under L-dopa treatment. The control group included 32 age and gender matched individuals who had no cognitive decline. Echocardiographic measurements, serum homocysteine levels and elastic parameters of the aorta were compared between the patients with PD and controls. Results As an expected feature of L-dopa therapy, the Parkinson group had significantly higher homocystein levels (15.1 ± 3.9 µmol/L vs. 11.5 ± 3.2 µmol/L, P = 0.02). Aortic distensibility was significantly lower in the patients with PD when compared to controls (4.8 ± 1.5 dyn/cm2 vs. 6.2 ± 1.9 dyn/cm2, P = 0.016). Additionally, the patients with PD had higher aortic strain and aortic stiffness index (13.4% ± 6.4% vs. 7.4% ± 3.6%, P < 0.001 and 7.3 ± 1.5 vs. 4.9 ± 1.9, P < 0.001 respectively). Furthermore, serum homocysteine levels were found to be positively correlated with aortic stiffness index and there was a negative correlation between aortic distensibility and levels of serum homocysteine (r = 0.674, P < 0.001; r = −0.602, P < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions The patients with PD under L-dopa treatment have increased aortic stiffness and impaired diastolic function compared to healthy individuals. Elevated serum homocysteine levels may be a possible pathophysiological mechanism.

Stenting of Variant Left Carotid Artery Using Brachial Artery Approach in a Patient with Unusual Type of Bovine Aortic Arch

Bovine aortic arch is the most frequently encountered variation in human aortic arch branching. A 63-year-old Asian male presented with symptomatic severe stenosis of left carotid artery originating from the brachiocephalic trunk. Selective engagement to the left carotid artery was unsuccessful using transfemoral approach. We reported on a successful left carotid artery stenting case using right brachial artery approach in a bovine aortic arch. This paper is worthy of reporting in terms of guiding physicians for interventional procedures in these types of challenging cases.

An incidentally detected giant membranous interventricular septal aneurysm secondary to previous surgery for subaortic valvular stenosis

Ventricular septal aneurysms are rare clinical entities and their certain prevalence and clinical significance are not well known. Most of them are thought to develop during or after the closure process of the accompanying ventricular septal defects. Although a majority of the patients are typically asymptomatic, the potential risks should also be kept in mind. We present a case of a membranous interventricular septal aneurysm that developed after surgery for subaortic valvular stenosis. The points that make our case worth reporting are development of the aneurysm after aortic surgery and lack of a concomitant ventricular septal defect. On the basis of the existence of an aortic valve surgery history and reports that do not mention any ventricular septal defect and ventricular septal aneurysm when she was operated, we suggest that the aneurysmatic formation in the membranous portion of the interventricular septum developed due to valve surgery in the postoperative wound healing period.