Deniz Sahin

Diagnostic value of 16-slice multidetector computed tomography in symptomatic patients with suspected significant obstructive coronary artery disease

We investigated the diagnostic value and limitations of 16-slice multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) to detect significant obstructive coronary artery disease in symptomatic patients. A total of 43 symptomatic patients underwent conventional coronary angiography and 16-slice multidetector computed tomography for the detection of significant obstructive coronary artery disease. The diagnostic value and limitations of 16-slice multidetector computed tomography to detect significant coronary stenoses were determined by analyzing all coronary arteries and proximal segments, both including and excluding unevaluable segments. Analysis of all 592 coronary artery segments demonstrated moderate sensitivity (67%) and positive predictive value (69%), with a high specificity (95%) and negative predictive value (94%) for the detection of significant coronary artery stenoses. When the unevaluable segments had been excluded, with the analysis of all evaluable segments, proximal segments, and evaluable proximal segments, sensitivity increased (71%, 77%, and 83%, respectively), and high specificity (95%, 96%, and 96%, respectively) and negative predictive value (95%) were maintained. When we repeated the analysis taking only the patients into account, 16-slice MDCT correctly diagnosed 88% of all patients but a moderate negative predictive value (63%) was obtained. Artifacts caused by cardiac motion were the most frequent reason for unevaluable segments. Calcification was the leading cause of degraded image quality and incorrect diagnosis. Our results demonstrated that 16-slice MDCT has a moderate diagnostic value for the correct diagnosis of symptomatic patients with significant coronary artery disease. This result suggests that 16-slice MDCT may not be able to exclude significant coronary artery disease reliably in patients at high risk.

Zolmitriptan-induced acute myocardial infarction.

Triptans are an established treatment for acute migraine attacks. By activating 5HT1B/1D receptors they lead to vasoconstriction of the cerebral blood vessels which are dilated during migraine attacks. Moreover, they reduce secretion of vasoactive peptides and conduction of pain stimuli over the cerebral cortex. In up to 7% of cases of treatment with triptans, thoracic pain occurs, although this is mostly transient, mild and without lasting ischemia. We present the case of a 45 year-old woman with a history of migraine with visual aura since the age of 20. She had no history of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, smoking or any other risk factors for cardiovascular events before she was admitted to our emergency room with typical chest pain. An electrocardiogram revealed anterior myocardial infarction following her monthly dose of oral zolmitriptan. Catherization revealed a normal coronary arterial system. The laboratory indices for cardiac risk were within normal ranges. The patient was advised to avoid triptans permanently on being discharged.

Hemodialysis catheter: induced giant right atrial thrombus.

Transient central venous hemodialysis catheters are used commonly while waiting for arteriovenous fistulas to mature. Thrombosis is a possible complication of indwelling central venous catheters utilized for hemodialysis. However, a giant right atrial thrombus is relatively rare. In this report, we present a case of right atrial thrombus related to transient indwelling hemodialysis catheter, which had been in situ for 45 days.

The Relationship Between Increased Epicardial Fat Thickness and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Patients With Nonfunctional Adrenal Incidentaloma

Background Emerging evidences indicate that patients diagnosed with Adrenal Incidentaloma (AI) may present cardiovascular complications. Epicardial fat thickness (EFT) has recently been described as a new risk factor and an active player in metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. Objectives We aimed to evaluate the relationship between EFT and left ventricular hypertrophy and carotid intima-media thickness, which are both strong predictors of cardiovascular morbity and mortality, in patients with nonfunctioning AI. Patients and Methods We evaluated 51 patients (36 females and 15 males) diagnosed with AI and 35 (29 females, 6 males) age, gender and body mass index (BMI) matched healthy controls in terms of cardiovascular risk parameters. Epicardial fat was identified as the echo-free space between the outer wall of the myocardium and the visceral layer of the pericardium. Results Epicardial fat thickness was significantly higher in patients with AI when compared to the control group (0.89 ± 0.32 cm vs. 0.74 ± 0.26 cm; P = 0.023). left ventricular (LV) mass index and median carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) were also higher in subjects with AI than in controls (99.8 g/m2 vs. 86.9 g/m2; P = 0.024 and 7.5 mm (5.5 - 11.5) vs. 6.5 mm (4.5 - 9.5); P = 0.017). There was a positive correlation between EFT, LV mass index, EFT and CIMT (r = 0.315, P = 0.004; r = 0.363, P < 0.001; respectively). Conclusions In this study we showed that EFT, measured by echocardiography is higher in subjects with AI when compared to healthy controls. epicardial fat thickness had the best independent correlation with AI in multiple logistic regression analysis. Incidentaloma is also associated with increased left ventricular mass index and CIMT. Adrenal incidentaloma patients may show early cardiac changes, such as increased left ventricular mass and increased CIMT.

Comparison of echocardiographic findings in patients with nonfunctioning adrenal incidentalomas

Adrenal incidentalomas (AIs) are usually discovered incidentally after imaging unrelated to adrenal glands. We aimed to evaluate standard risk factors for systemic atherosclerosis and echocardiographic changes in patients with nonfunctioning AIs and compare them with normal subjects. We evaluated 70 patients diagnosed with AIs and 51 healthy controls. Mean levels were determined for HbA1c, LDL, uric acid, fasting plasma insulin, HOMA, and neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and these values were found to be significantly higher in the patients than the controls. The mean left atrial diameter, interventricular septum thickness, posterior wall thickness, left ventricular mass, E‐wave deceleration time, isovolumetric relaxation time, and the median ratio of the early transmittal flow velocity to the early diastolic tissue velocity (E/Em) were higher in patients with AIs compared to controls. The mitral annular early diastolic velocity was lower in patients with AIs. The mean aortic diastolic diameter, stiffness index (SI), and aortic strain were higher, and aortic distensibility was lower in the patients. The mean right ventricular diameter, right atrial major‐axis diameter, and right atrial minor‐axis diameter were statistically higher in the patient group than the controls. A negative correlation was found between the NLR and aortic strain and aortic distensibility, while a positive correction was found between the NLR and SI. We found altered left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) echocardiographic findings in patients with AIs without known cardiovascular disease. Aortic stiffness was also increased. These changes may be related to an increase in cardiovascular risk factors in AI patients.

PP-207 Transient Heart Block is a Result of Pepper Gas Inhalation as a Chemical Weapon

ducted atrioventricular blockwithventricular rate about 35bpm, please note that p wave on DII derivation was shown with arrows. In Figure 2 (below) electrophysiological study documented sinus node and atrioventricular node conductionwas normal (SinusNode Recovery Time-SNRT:800msn, Anterograde Wenckebach Point: 310msn, HisVentricle-HV interval:38msn, Atrium-His interval:110msn). MARCH 13e16, 2014