Ali Kutsal

Cardiotoxicity in rats induced by methidathion and ameliorating effect of vitamins E and C.

We have examined the effect of subchronic methidathion (MD) administration on heart damage, and have evaluated possible ameliorating effects of a combination of vitamins E and C against MD toxicity. The experimental groups were: control group, rats treated with 5 mg/kg MD and rats treated with 5 mg/kg body weight MD plus vitamin E and vitamin C (MD+Vit). The groups were given MD by gavage 5 days a week for four weeks at a dose level of 5 mg/kg/day (MD and MD+Vit) by using corn oil as the vehicle. Vitamin E and vitamin C were injected at doses of 50 mg/kg i.m. and 20 mg/kg i.p., respectively, after the treatment with MD in the MD+Vit group. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined in the heart tissue, and the levels of cardiac troponin I (TnI) in serum. An autoanalyser was used to determine the serum activities of cholinesterase (ChE). Histopathological examination was carried out in the heart tissue. MDA significantly increased in the MD group as compared to controls (P <0.01). When MD was given concurrently with vitamins E and C, the increase in MDA was significantly less (P <0.01). ChE activity significantly decreased in the MD group as compared to controls (P <-0.01). When MD was given concurrently with vitamins E and C, the decrease in ChE activity was significantly higher (P <-0.05). The serum TnI levels significantly increased in the MD group as compared to controls (P <-0.01). When MD was given concurrently with vitamins E and C, the increase in the serum TnI was significantly less (P <-0.01). MD caused the diffuse loss of striation and myocytolysis of the cardiomyocytes, whereas the combination of vitamins E and C caused a significant decrease in these effects of MD. In conclusion, subchronic MD administration caused heart damage and, in addition, treatment with a combination of vitamins E and C after the administration of MD reduced heart damage caused by MD.

Primary malignant mesenchymoma of the heart

Primary malignant cardiac tumours are uncommon, and cardiac malignant mesenchymoma is extremely rare. A case of primary malignant mesenchymoma in a 41-year-old woman arousing from the left atrial septum, obstructing the mitral orifice by passing through it into the left ventricle is described. The tumour was fully resected, and adjuvant chemotherapy was applied, but the patient had died by tumour recurrence in 8 months.

Surgically revascularized dual LAD

Dual left anterior descending artery (or dual anterior interventricular artery, LAD) is a rare coronary artery anomaly. Dual but normally originated LAD has been usually reported to have no clinical significance. In this case report, we present a case of 75 year old male with anginal symptoms in whom coronary arteriography showed normally originated dual LAD with two branches of almost equal caliber. The course of both branches were supplying the usual territory of LAD and both of the branches had significant proximal stenosis. The patient underwent a coronary artery bypass grafting operation and both branches were grafted. This normally originated dual LAD case may be considered to be interesting, because dual LAD branches were symmetrically involved with the atherosclerotic process in their proximal segments. In addition, this condition was demonstrated intraoperatively and the two branches were revascularized with bypass grafting.

Congenital Cleft of Anterior Tricuspid Leaflet in Adolescent

The diagnostic findings and treatment of an isolated congenital cleft of the anterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve in a 14-year-old boy are described. An atrial septal defect was closed by primary suturing, and the tricuspid valve was successfully reconstructed by De Vega annuloplasty.