Aziz Inan Celik

Ultrasound Accelerated Thrombolysis May Be an Effective and Safe Treatment Modality for Intermediate Risk/Submassive Pulmonary Embolism

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a potentially life-threatening condition and the fact that 90% of PE originate from lower limb veins highlights the significance of early detection and treatment of deep vein thrombosis. Massive/high risk PE involving circulatory collapse or systemic arterial hypotension is associated with an early mortality rate of approximately 50%, in part from right ventricular (RV) failure. Intermediate risk/submassive PE, on the other hand, is defined as PE-related RV dysfunction, troponin and/or B-type natriuretic peptide elevation despite normal arterial pressure. Without prompt treatment, patients with intermediate risk PE may progress to the massive category with a potentially fatal outcome. In patients with PE and right ventricular dysfunction (RVD), in hospital mortality ranges from 5% to 17%, significantly higher than in patients without RVD.

The Incidence and the Risk Factors of Silent Embolic Cerebral Infarction After Coronary Angiography and Percutaneous Coronary Interventions

Silent embolic cerebral infarction (SECI) is a major complication of coronary angiography (CAG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) who underwent CAG with or without PCI were recruited. Cerebral diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging was performed for SECI within 24 hours. Clinical and angiographic characteristics were compared between patients with and without SECI. Silent embolic cerebral infarction occurred in 12 (12%) of the 101 patients. Age, total cholesterol, SYNTAX score (SS), and coronary artery bypass history were greater in the SECI(+) group (65 ± 10 vs 58 ± 11 years, P = .037; 223 ± 85 vs 173 ± 80 mg/dL, P = .048; 30.1 ± 2 vs 15 ± 3, P < .001; 4 [33.3%] vs 3 [3.3%], P = .005). The SECI was more common in the PCI group (8/24 vs 4/77, P = .01). On subanalysis, the SS was significantly higher in the SECI(+) patients in both the CAG and the PCI groups (29.3 ± 1.9 vs 15 ± 3, P < .01; 30.5 ± 1.9 vs 15.1 ± 3.2, P < .001, respectively). The risk of SECI after CAG and PCI increases with the complexity of CAD (represented by the SS). The SS is a predictor of the risk of SECI, a complication that should be considered more often after CAG.

Eosinophilic myocarditis associated with eosinophilic pneumonia and eosinophilia following antibiotic and narcotic analgesic treatment.

Eosinophilic myocarditis (EM) is a rare form of myocarditis that usually presents with heart failure due to eosinophilic infiltration. EM is often a component of hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES). HES is a rare disorder characterized by persistent, marked eosinophilia combined with organ system dysfunction. A 38-year-old man was admitted to emergency services with left inguinal pain and fever, and was hospitalized with diagnosis of nephrolithiasis and urinary tract infection. Intravenous antibiotic therapy of 3 grams meropenem per day and analgesic of 50 mg pethidine per day were administered. Typical angina pectoris and dyspnea developed approximately 24 hours after treatment. Rash on the chest, and diminished bilateral lung sounds and rales were observed. Nonspecific changes were present on electrocardiogram. Laboratory analysis showed progressively increasing levels of cardiac biomarkers and eosinophilia. Peripheral blood smear, bone marrow aspiration, and biopsy demonstrated eosinophilia. Chest x-ray revealed diffuse, bilateral interstitial and reticulonodular infiltrates. Transthoracic echocardiography showed thickened left ventricle. Coronary angiography revealed normal coronary arteries. EM was suspected, endomyocardial biopsy was performed, and pathologic specimen confirmed the diagnosis. Corticosteroid treatment was initiated, and within 1 day, angina pectoris and dyspnea had dramatically reduced, and cardiac biomarkers and eosinophil count had decreased. Normal chest x-ray was observed after 72 hours. The patient was discharged with steroid treatment.

Predictors of the paroxysmal atrial fibrillation recurrence following cryoballoon-based pulmonary vein isolation: Assessment of left atrial volume, left atrial volume index, galectin-3 level and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio

Background Cryoballoon-based pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is a treatment option for atrial fibrillation (AF). Left atrial volume (LAV) and left atrial volume index (LAVi) are important parameters for long term success of PVI. Galectin-3 (Gal-3) and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (N/L ratio) are biomarkers to demonstrate the cardiac fibrosis and remodelling. Methods 50 patients with symptomatic PAF despite ≥1 antiarrhythmic drug(s), who underwent PVI were enrolled. LAV, LAVi, Gal-3 and N/L ratio were calculated before ablation and after ablation at 6 and 12 months. According to AF recurrence patients were divided into two groups, recurrent AF (n = 14) and non-recurrent AF (n = 36). Results In both groups (recurrent and non-recurrent), initial and 12 months follow-up LAV values were 41.39 ± 18.13 ml and 53.24 ± 22.11 ml vs 48.85 ± 12.89 ml and 42.08 ± 13.85 (p = 0.037). LAVi were 20.9 ± 8.91 ml/m2 and 26.85 ± 11.28 ml/m2 vs 25.36 ± 6.21 and 21.87 ± 6.66 (p = 0.05) for recurrent and non-recurrent AF groups, respectively. In both groups PVI had no significant effect on serum Gal-3 levels and N/L ratio during 12 months follow-up. The comparison between two groups at the end of 12th month showed Gal-3 values of 6.66 ± 4.09 ng/ml and 6.02 ± 2.95 ng/ml (p = 0.516), N/L ratio values of 2.28 ± 1.07 103/μl and 1.98 ± 0.66 103/μl (p = 0.674). Conclusion LAV and LAVi are useful to predict the remodelling of the left atrium and AF recurrence after cryoballoon-based PVI. However, biomarkers such as Gal-3 and N/L ratio are not associated with AF recurrence.

An unusual image: Pacman heart

Partial ventricular septal defect (VSD) (Pacman heart) is extremely rare heart defect which may be a complication of myocardial infarction or congenital deformity. In this image, a 65‐year‐old male patient admitted with headache and blood pressure dysregulation. Incidentally, transthoracic two‐dimensional echocardiography revealed partial VSD which was ensuingly confirmed in thoracic computed tomography. This is the fourth case in light of current literature. Partial VSDs are clinically silent, which can be diagnosed with echocardiography, computed tomography, or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging modalities.

Association among tenascin-C and NT-proBNP levels and arrhythmia prevalence in heart failure

PURPOSE Tenascin-C (TN-C) and amino-terminal fragment of the B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) are the important predictors in prognosis of heart failure (HF). The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship of TN-C and NT-proBNP levels with the frequency and severity of ventricular arrhythmia. MATERIALS AND METHODS Our study included 107 HF patients with EF < 45%. According to Holter analysis, the patients were divided into two groups as malignant arrhythmia group (n=29) with Lown Class 4a and 4b arrhythmia and benign arrhythmia group(n=78) with Lown Class 0-3b arrhythmia. The groups were compared with respect to levels of TN-C and NT-proBNP. The relationship of TN-C and NT-proBNP levels with frequency of ventricular premature beat (VPB) was also analyzed. FINDINGS NT-proBNP (5042.1±1626 versus 1417.1±1711.6 pg/ml) and TN-C (1089±348.6 versus 758.5±423.9 ng/ml) levels were significantly higher in the malignant arrhythmia group than that of the benign arrhythmia group (p.

PP-053 Intervention to a Fistula Originating from Left Anterior Descending Artery (LAD) to Main Pulmonary Artery

Can Syntax Score Predict Angiographically Visible Distal Embolization During Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention? Ismail Biyik, Ibrahim Faruk Akturk, Derya Ozturk, Cetin Sarikamis, Omer Celik, Fatih Uzun, Ahmet Arif Yalcin, Gunduz Yildiz, Ahmet Ayaz, Mustafa Kemal Erol. Department of Cardiology, Mehmet Akif Ersoy Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey; Department of Cardiology, Kemerburgaz University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.