Aslı Vural

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.

Sinus node dysfunction requiring permanent pacemaker implantation in a young adult with Klinefelter syndrome.

Patient: Male, 22 Final Diagnosis: Sinus node dysfunction Symptoms: Bradycardia • lassitude Medication: — Clinical Procedure: Pacemaker implantation Specialty: Cardiology Objective: Unusual clinical course Background: Klinefelter syndrome is the most common genetic cause of male infertility and affects approximately 1 in 500 live births. Although accompanying cardiac disorder is not a specific feature of Klinefelter syndrome, rarely associated anomalies such as mitral valve prolapse, atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, tetralogy of Fallot, patent ductus arteriosus, and hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy have been reported. A clear association between Klinefelter syndrome and arrhythmic disorders has not yet been demonstrated. Case Report: We report a case of a sinus node dysfunction that required permanent pacemaker implantation in a young adult with Klinefelter syndrome. The patient was consulted to cardiology clinic due to bradycardia. On physical examination, no cardiac abnormality was detected except for bradycardia. Holter results showed sinus arrhythmia with a minimum heart rate of 33 bpm and maximum of 154 Bpm. There were 3612 ventricular premature beats, 30 ventricular pairs, 804 supraventricular premature beats, 7 supraventricular pairs, and 4 supraventricular runs, the longest of which was 5 beats. The patient had defined dizziness and nausea during Holter monitoring. Electrophysiological study (EPS) was planned because existing findings indicated risk of cardiac syncope. Findings of EPS were interpreted as sinus node dysfunction. A permanent pacemaker implantation was performed and the patient has been free of symptoms since. Conclusions: This concomitance should be kept in mind when examining patients with Klinefelter syndrome with bradycardia and/or syncope. It is easily mistaken for epilepsy, which is a commonly encountered abnormality in Klinefelter syndrome.

Coronary Slow Flow Accompanying Exertional Blurred Vision and Effects of Corticosteroids

Patient: Male, 44 Final Diagnosis: Coronary slow flow Symptoms: Blurring of vision • chest pain Medication: — Clinical Procedure: Medical treatment Specialty: Cardiology Objective: Unusual clinical course Background: Various pathophysiological mechanisms such as microvascular and endothelial dysfunction, small vessel disease, diffuse atherosclerosis, and inflammation have been held responsible in the etiology of coronary slow flow. It is also thought to be a reflection of a systemic slow-flow phenomenon in the coronary arterial tree. Case Reports: A 44-year-old man presented with chest pain causing fatigue, together with blurred vision for the last 2 years, which disappeared after resting. He had used corticosteroid therapy for facial paralysis 1 month ago. Coronary slow flow was detected in all 3 major coronary arteries on coronary angiography. TIMI measurements for the left anterior descending artery, circumflex, and right coronary artery were 64, 72, and 55, respectively. In fundus fluorescein angiography, retinal vascularity was normal, the arm-to-retina circulation time was 21.8 s, and the arteriovenous transit time was 4.3 s. In the early arteriovenous phase, choroidal filling was long, with physiological patchy type. Diltiazem 90 mg/day and acetylsalicylic acid 100 mg/day were given. His chest pain and visual symptoms disappeared after medical treatment. Conclusions: Physicians should be aware that glucocorticoids might cause an increase in the symptoms of coronary slow flow and some circulation problems, which might lead to systematic symptoms.

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.

Successful primary coronary angioplasty for acute inferior myocardial infarction in a patient with RII-type single coronary artery

A single coronary artery is a rare coronary anomaly in which only one coronary artery arises from the aortic trunk by a single ostium and supplies the entire myocardium. Although rare, reports about revascularisation of congenitally abnormal coronary vessels are present in the literature.1 We report a case of a 72-year-old man with previously unknown coronary anomaly presenting with acute inferior myocardial infarction. The patient was admitted to the emergency room with typical chest pain at rest for 6 h. He was diagnosed as acute inferior …

OP-024 The Role of Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio as a Predictor of Diastolic Dysfunction in Hypertensive Patients

OBJECTIVE Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a novel parameter for cardiovascular research area. The higher values of NLR have been found to be associated with worse clinical outcomes in atherosclerotic heart disease, heart failure, heart valve disease and other various cardiovascular disorders. Although the relationship between NLR and almost all cardiovascular disorders have been investigated, the association between NLR and diastolic dysfunction remains unclear. We herein evaluated the association between NLR and diastolic dysfunction. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study population consisted of 41 hypertensive patients with any grade of diastolic dysfunction and 41 hypertensive patients without diastolic dysfunction determined by echocardiographic evaluation constituted the control group. RESULTS Mean NLR value was found to be 2.07 ± 0.82 in the diastolic dysfunction group while the control group had a mean value of 1.69 ± 0.60 (p = 0.020). The patients with diastolic dysfunction had significantly higher values of NLR. When grades of diastolic dysfunction were evaluated, NLR was 1.80 ± 0.82, 2.32 ± 0.73 and 2.75 ± 0.45 in patients with grade 1, grade 2 and grade 3 diastolic dysfunction, respectively. The patients with higher grade of diastolic dysfunction had higher values of NLR (p = 0.001). None of the other hematologic parameters differed significantly in patients with diastolic dysfunction when compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS Patients with diastolic dysfunction had higher values of NLR compared to subjects without diastolic dysfunction. Furthermore higher grades of diastolic dysfunction were associated with higher levels of NLR. Further studies are needed to search the possible use of NLR as a marker for prognostic stratification in diastolic dysfunction which is associated with worse cardiovascular outcomes.

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.