Beyhan Eryonucu

Frequency of Left Atrial Thrombus and Spontaneous Echocardiographic Contrast in Acute Myocardial Infarction

Left ventricular systolic dysfunction may precipitate blood stasis as well as thrombus formation in the left atrial appendage of patients with acute myocardial infarction, even in the presence of sinus rhythm. Thus, left atrial thrombi may be an alternative source for systemic embolism in acute myocardial infarction.

Aneurysm of Sinus of Valsalva Dissecting into Interventricular Septum: A Late Complication of Aortic Valve Replacement

A 43‐year‐old man who had a Carbomedics prosthetic aortic valve replacement in 1997 was admitted to our hospital with complaints of shortness of breath and dyspnea on exertion in 2000. The patient was hospitalized due to atrioventricular (AV) complete block and a permanent pacemaker was implanted. At that time echocardiography indicated an aneurysm at the left sinus of Valsalva. In 2003, the patient was re‐admitted to our clinic with complaints of shortness of breath and fatigue. Echocardiography showed a sinus of Valsalva aneurysm dissecting into interventricular septum. Operation confirmed dissection of the interventricular septum and communication between this cavity and the aneurysm of the left sinus of Valsalva. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged in a satisfactory condition. This is the first reported case of aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva dissecting into interventricular septum late and complicating aortic valve replacement.

Effects of trimetazidine on submaximal exercise test in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

AbstractBackground: It was demonstrated that the novel metabolic agent, trimetazidine, could lessen the incidence and severity of angina, whether used in monotherapy or combination. Although the animal studies demonstrated that trimetazidine reduces myocardial infarct size and improves recovery of mechanic function after ischemia, little is known on the potential benefits of trimetazidine in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of trimetazidine on AMI by sub-maximal exercise test.nMethods: A double-blind crossover trimetazidine versus placebo trial was carried out in 44 patients with AMI. Patients were randomly allotted into trimetazidine (23 patients) or placebo (21 patients) for 5 days and underwent an initial sub-maximal exercise test. Exercise tests according to the modified Bruce protocol were performed. Exercise end points included completion of stage II or 75% of maximum predicted heart rate whichever came first. An averaged 12-lead ECG was obtained at rest, every minute during exercise, at the onset of anginal symptoms, at the onset of 1-mm ST segment depression, at peak exercise and every 2-minute during recovery. After the initial exercise tests, study groups resumed the drugs in the opposite order for 4 to 5 days and underwent a second sub-maximal exercise test.nResults: Exercise induced ST segment depression was noted in 17 patients (38.6%) receiving placebo. However, exercise induced ST-segment depression was observed in 8 patients (18.1%) taking TMZ. Positive exercise test results were significantly higher in placebo group than TMZ group (p = 0.018). Additionally, trimetazidine prolonged the time to 1-mm ST-segment depression (6.1 ± 0.5 vs 4.9 ± 0.4, p < 0.031) and exercise duration (7.2 ± 0.9 vs 5.8 ± 0.9, p < 0.025).nConclusion: Trimetazidine therapy improves the exercise capacity and reduces evidence of ischemia derived from sub-maximal post-infarction exercise testing.

A Case of Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy in Sinus Rhythm Associated with Thrombus in the Right Atrium

We describe a patient with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARCV) in sinus rhythm associated with thrombus in the right atrium. The occurrence of a right heart thrombus in ARCV is extremely rare and, to our knowledge, has been previously reported only in the right ventricle. In our case, ARCV most probably led to right atrial spontaneous echo contrast, and later, right atrial thrombus formation by blood stasis caused by right ventricular systolic dysfunction. In conclusion, our case suggests that right atrial thrombus may occur in ARCV, even in sinus rhythm.

A case of successful six consecutive deliveries in a 41-year-old woman with Uhl's anomaly

Uhls anomaly, or parchment right ventricle is a myocardial disorder of unknown cause that mainly involves the right ventricle. Uhls anomaly may represent a cause of right heart dilatation, failure, and premature sudden death due to ventricular arrhythmias. Although most of the cases of Uhls anomaly end fatally in infancy or childhood, a limited number of cases have been reported in advanced ages. Also, in pregnant women, this situation increases the risk to both mother and baby and requires special management. This is the first report of six successful consecutive gestations and vaginal deliveries without special managements in a patient with Uhls anomaly.

Repetitive profound thrombocytopenia after treatment with tirofiban : A case report

SummaryThe GPIIb/IIIa inhibitors are used in the acute coronary syndromes and interventional cardiology as antiplatelet agents. These drugs induce thrombocytopenia in approximately 1–5% of patients. Thrombocytopenia is rapid in onset and antibody mediated. Abciximab is associated with higher incidence of thrombocytopenia than eptifibatide and tirofiban. Profound thrombocytopenia has reportedly been an issue with abciximab, but not with tirofiban. We reported a case of acute profound thrombocytopenia due to on tirofiban treatment in the same patient at two different times.

Current role of laser angioplasty of restenotic coronary stents

Treatment of in-stent restenosis (ISR) with conventional percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) causes significant recurrent neointimal tissue growth in 30-85%. Therefore, laser ablation of intrastent neointimal hyperplasia before balloon dilation can be an attractive alternative. However, the long-term outcomes of such treatment have not been studied thoroughly enough. This prospective case-control study evaluated angiographic and clinical outcomes of PTCA alone and a combination of excimer laser coronary angioplasty (ELCA) and adjunct PTCA in 125 patients with ISR. ELCA was performed before balloon dilation in 67 patients, PTCA alone was performed in 58 patients. Basic demographic and clinical data were comparable in both groups. Lesions included in ELCA group were longer (17.1 ±9.9 vs 13.6 ±9.1 mm; p=0.034), more complex (36.5% type C stenoses vs 14.3%; p=0.006), and more frequently had reduced distal blood flow (TIMI <3: 18.9% vs 4.8%; p=0.025) compared to lesions in the PTCA group. Immediate angiographic results of PTCA and ELCA + PTCA appeared to be comparable. PTCA alone was successful in 57 patients (98.3%), ELCA + PTCA, in 66 patients (98.5%). The rates of hospital complications were comparable (3.0% in ELCA group vs 8.6% in PTCA group). The 1-year follow-up showed that the rates of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were comparable in the 2 groups (37.3% in ELCA group vs 46.6% in PTCA group). The rates of target vessel revascularization (TVR) within 1 year after the intervention were also similar in the 2 groups (32.8% vs 34.5%). The data mean that ELCA in patients with complex ISR is efficient and safe. Despite a higher complexity of lesions in the ELCA group, no increase in the rate of complications was registered.

Comparison of the Effects of Nitroglycerin and Nitroprusside on Transmitral Doppler Flow Parameters in Patients with Hypertensive Urgency

BACKGROUND: Sodium nitroprusside (NIP) and nitroglycerin (NIT) are frequently selected agents for acutely reducing blood pressure. However, it is not clear which agent is more efficacious in improving left ventricular filling pressure in hypertensive crises. OBJECTIVE: To compare the acute effects of nitroglycerin (NIT) and nitroprusside (NIP) on transmitral Doppler filling parameters in patients with hypertensive urgency. METHODS: We identified 37 patients from our emergency department with hypertensive urgency and left ventricular filling abnormalities. Hypertensive urgency was defined as a severe blood pressure elevation without evidence of progressive end-organ injury. Patients were randomized to receive an infusion of NIT or NIP. NIT was infused at a starting dose of 10 μg/min; NIP was infused at a starting dose of 0.25 μg/kg/min. The infusion rates were adjusted to decrease mean arterial pressure by 25%, and this reduction was obtained within 2 hours in all patients. Diastolic filling parameters were measured by using echocardiography before and after treatment. Pulsed-wave Doppler transmitral flow velocities were used. Early diastolic flow, atrial contraction signal, early diastolic flow/atrial contraction signal, deceleration time, and isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT) were measured. RESULTS: There were no differences between groups in baseline demographic and echocardiographic parameters. Blood pressure decreased significantly in both treatment groups. In posttreatment echocardiographic examinations, atrial contraction signal, deceleration time, and IVRT were significantly decreased in both treatment groups. Early diastolic flow was significantly decreased in the NIT group. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of posttreatment early diastolic flow, atrial contraction signal, deceleration time, and IVRT values. CONCLUSIONS: In hypertensive urgency with left ventricular filling abnormalities, reduction of blood pressure associated with NIT or NIP treatment may improve transmitral Doppler filling parameters. There were no differences demonstrated between the 2 agents.

Effect of blood pressure reduction on abnormal left atrial appendage function in untreated systemic hypertensive patients with sinus rhythm.

To investigate whether reduction in blood pressure has a beneficial effect on left atrial appendage (LAA) function, the authors evaluated 24 untreated systemic hypertensive patients with normal left ventricular systolic function in sinus rhythm at baseline and at 3 months after initiation of antihypertensive therapy. They performed transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiographic examinations in hypertensive patients before and after treatment of hyper tension. Three of the 24 patients had blood pressure that failed to respond to the regimen of antihypertensive therapy and were removed from the analysis. Of the remaining 21 patients, mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures at baseline were 170 ± 18 and 104 ±6 mm Hg, respectively, and fell significantly at 3 months to 141 ±10 and 90 ±5 mm Hg, respectively, (p<0.001 ) after initiation of antihypertensive therapy. There was no significant change in heart rate with treatment (baseline 81 ±8 and at 3 months 84 ±9 beats/min). There was no signifi cant change in left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular wall thickness, or left atrial diameter from baseline (49 ±4 mm, 58 ±5%, 12 ± 1 mm, and 41 ±4 mm, respectively) at 3 months (48 ±5 mm, 59 ±4%, 12 ± 1 mm, and 40 ±3 mm). The treatment caused a significant reduction in maximal LAA areas (6.3 ± 1.3 cm2 at baseline, 4.6 ±0.7 cm2 at 3 months, p<0.001), with a concomitant increase in LAA emptying velocity (44 ±7 cm/sec at baseline, 60 ±9 cm/sec at 3 months, p<0.001). In conclusion, these findings suggest that reduction in blood pressure with antihypertensive therapy could improve LAA function in hypertensive patients with normal left ventricular systolic function in sinus rhythm.

The chronic effect of rilmenidine on heart rate variability in patients with mild hypertension.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the chronic effect of rilmenidine on time domain indexes of heart rate variability in patients with mild hypertension. Twenty patients (12 males, eight females; mean age, 47 yr; age range, 38-55 yr), with untreated and newly diagnosed mild hypertension were studied. There was no evidence of diseases other than hypertension. All patients received 1 mg of rilmenidine once daily. If the diastolic blood pressure was still greater than 90 mm Hg after 4 weeks of active treatment, the dose was increased to 2 mg once daily. Twenty-four hour ambulatory electrocardiograms were recorded before, and 4 and 12 weeks after the start of therapy. Time domain parameters of heart rate variability were calculated. Rilmenidine therapy determined a marked decrease in blood pressure. At 4 weeks, rilmenidine induced a significant reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and a further reduction was observed after 12 weeks. At 4 and 12 weeks, time domain parameters of heart rate variability and heart rate were not significantly different in the data obtained before therapy. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the administration of rilmenidine to patients with mild essential hypertension induced significant reductions in blood pressure, without any significant changes in time domain parameters of heart rate variability.