Ebru Özpelit

The relationship between resistant hypertension and arterial stiffness.

Objectives: With growing awareness of arterial stiffness (AS) in the past 10 years, it was realized that resistant hypertension (RH) and AS share the same associated conditions such as older age, isolated systolic hypertension (HT), obesity, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and so on. Until now, there is no study investigating the role of AS in RH. In our study we aimed to determine whether there is an association between RH and AS. Methods: Among 87 patients enrolled in this study, 30 were resistant hypertensives (Group 1), 29 were controlled hypertensives (Group 2), and 28 were normotensives (Group 3). Arterial stiffness was measured by both applanation tonometry and echocardiography; augmentation index, pulse wave velocity (PWV), aortic strain, and aortic distensibility were recorded in each patient. Diastolic function parameters were also assessed. Results: In resistant hypertensive group, augmentation index and PWV were significantly higher than Group 2 and Group 3 (P = .03 and P < .01). Aortic strain and aortic distensibility parameters were significantly lower in RH group (P < .01 and P < .01). Arterial stiffness parameters were similar among Group 2 and Group 3. Among diastolic function parameters, left atrial volume index and left ventricular mass index significantly differ between groups. These two parameters were significantly lower in control group (P < .01 and P = .02) whereas similar in Group 1 and Group 2. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels were significantly different between groups as expected. When the correlation between two methods of AS was analyzed, a significant strong inverse correlation was found between echocardiographic and tonometric parameters. Conclusion: Arterial stiffness was found to be associated with RH. The inconsistency of this association in controlled hypertensives suggests a possible role of AS in RH pathogenesis. This study also showed that aortic strain and distensibility correlate well with the PWV which is the gold standard in the assessment of AS. This finding is important for the evaluation of AS more commonly in daily practice as echocardiography is a more feasible device than applanation tonometry.

The effects of chronic usage of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers on contrast-induced nephropathy in low-risk patients [corrected].

OBJECTIVE There is conflicting data about the role of renin- angiotensin- aldosterone system (RAAS) blockers in contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) pathophysiology. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of chronic usage of RAAS blocker drugs on development of CIN in low risk patients. METHODS Study was designed as a prospective cohort study. A total of 295 patients were enrolled in the study. Study population was consisted of three subgroups according to prior usage of RAAS blockers: no RAAS blocker group (n=95), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) group (n=106), angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) group (n=94). CIN was defined as an increase of ≥25% in creatinine over the baseline value or 0.5 mg/dL rise within 48-72 h of angiography. Mehran score was calculated for each patient. Baseline variables and percentage of CIN were compared with ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis and Pearson Chi-square tests between groups. In order to determine the independent predictors of CIN, binary logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS CIN occurred in 18 patients (17.0%) in the ACEI group, 17 patients (18.1%) in ARB group and 7 patients (7.4%) in the no RAAS group. CIN occurrence was significantly higher in RAAS than no RAAS group (17.5% vs. 7.4%, p=0.01). Chronic RAAS blocker administration was an independent predictor of CIN (OR=2.69; 95% CI: 1.025-7.067; p=0.04). Mehran score was the only other independent predictor for CIN (OR=1.15; 95% CI: 1.019-1.310; p=0.02). CONCLUSION In patients with near normal renal functions who are undergoing elective coronary procedure, chronic usage of ACEI and ARB increases the risk of CIN.

Prognostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in pulmonary arterial hypertension

Objective To evaluate the prognostic value of baseline neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in the prediction of long-term mortality in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Methods This prospective study recorded NLR during initial diagnostic right-sided cardiac catheterization in adult patients with PAH. Demographic, clinical, laboratory and haemodynamic variables were compared by NLR tertile. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to determine whether NLR was independently associated with mortality. Results Adults with PAH (n = 101) were followed-up for mean ± SD 36.8 ± 23.6 months. The number of deaths, New York Heart Association functional capacity (NYHA FC), levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) or C-reactive protein (CRP) and presence of pericardial effusion increased as the NLR tertile increased, but haemoglobin and tricuspid plane annular systolic excursion (TAPSE) decreased. On univariate analysis, high NLR values were associated with mortality, but on multivariate analysis, NLR did not remain an independent predictor of mortality. Baseline NYHA FC, TAPSE, BNP level and pericardial effusion were independent predictors of mortality. Conclusions NLR was correlated with important prognostic markers in PAH such as NYHA FC, BNP and TAPSE. This simple marker may be useful in the assessment of disease severity in patients with PAH.

Diagnostic accuracy of mean platelet volume in prediction of clopidogrel resistance in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE Clopidogrel therapy is the standard of care in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and stent implantation. However, concern arises because 25% of subjects are nonresponders to clopidogrel. As this nonresponsiveness is associated with increased adverse outcome, detection of these subjects in daily practice is important in order to withhold a more aggressive therapy and closer follow up. In this study we aimed to evaluate the relation between mean platelet volume (MPV) which is an indicator of platelet activation and clopidogrel nonresponsiveness. METHODS The study was planned as a prospective cohort study. A total of 185 patients who had been on clopidogrel therapy for any acute coronary syndrome were enrolled in this study. Clopidogrel responsiveness was analyzed by Multiplate MP-0120 device by using the method of whole blood aggregometry. Blood samples were drawn 3.5 days after clopidogrel loading dose. The amount of ADP induced platelet aggregation was assessed as area under curve (AUC), and a cut-off value of 500, above which the patient is considered as clopidogrel nonresponder, was used. MPV was analyzed from the blood which were sampled at the admission of the patient by using automatic hemocounter. Independent sample t-test, ROC analyses and logistic regression analsis were used in statistical analysis. RESULTS Among the 185 patients analyzed 41 were found to be clopidogrel nonresponder (22.1%). Mean MPV was found to be significantly higher in nonresponders compared to responders (8.7±0.82 fL vs. 8.1±0.83 fL, p<0.001). A cut-off value of 8.3 fL for MPV was detected in prediction of clopidogrel nonresponsiveness with a sensitivity of 76.6% and specificity of 68.3% (OR: 6.4; 95% CI 2.9-14.1, AUC: 0.70, p<0.001). CONCLUSION This study showed that MPV can be used as a predictor of clopidogrel resistance in patients with ACS.

Rapid retraction of a post-infarction intramyocardial dissecting hematoma.

A 60-year-old male with a recent anterior myocardial infarction (MI) was referred to our hospital for implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation. He was on the 42nd day of MI and clinically stable on admission. Electrocardiography showed right bundle branch block with QS pattern on anterior leads. Transthoracic echocardiographic examination revealed an ejection fraction of 25% with akinesis of the apex and mid-apical segments of anterior and septal walls. In the apical-septal region, a pulsatile cavity with systolic expansion surrounded by a thin endomyocardial border was visualized. Color-Doppler interrogation did not demonstrate any flow within that structure. These findings suggested an intramyocardial dissecting hemorrhage formed after MI. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging also confirmed an intramyocardial hematoma in the mid-apical anteroseptal region. A conservative approach was assumed as the patient was hemodynamically stable. The planned ICD implantation was postponed due to the high risk of perforation. Subsequently, oral anticoagulant therapy with warfarin was initiated against risk of intracardiac thrombus formation. The existing dual antiplatelet therapy was also continued. One week after hospital discharge, he was rehospitalized due to a very high INR of 6.3. The repeated transthoracic echocardiography revealed an almost complete resolution of the intramyocardial dissecting hematoma and adhesion of the surrounding myocardial layers. Oral anticoagulant therapy was discontinued. Echocardiographic examinations showed no change compared to the last examination during hospitalization. This case illustrates a conservatively managed intramyocardial dissecting hematoma case, in which anticoagulant and antiaggregant therapy yielded a rapid retraction without any complication.

Simple clinical risk score for no-reflow prediction in patients undergoing primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with acute STEMI.

Objectives: To identify the STEMI patients at high risk in terms of no-reflow during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with a simple risk score system that can be used before reperfusion. Methods: Total 173 patients who had undergone primary or rescue percutaneous coronary intervention following the diagnosis of STEMI, were classified as “no-reflow” developers and “no-reflow” non-developers, during the procedure. The pre-procedural ECGs, laboratory parameters, demographic data, time for the treatment, and the treatment methods were evaluated with univariate analysis. The independent predictors were identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis among the no-reflow risk factors. Using the independent predictors, we developed a simple risk score system proportional to area under the ROC (AUROC) curves. Results: The independent predictors of “no-reflow” phenomenon were identified as follows: high values of blood glucose at reference; long symptom-onset-to-balloon-time; and low lymphocyte count. The incidence rates of “no-reflow” in patients with low (0-1), moderate (2-3) and high (4-6) risk factors were 13.3%, 40.0%, and 46.7%, respectively. The risk score system demonstrated a good risk prediction between patients with various risk levels of the development of “no-reflow” with a c-statistics of 0.734 (95% CI 0.654-0.814). Conclusion: The development of “no-reflow” which is an adverse event in STEMI treatment can be predicted efficiently by simple clinical risk scoring method.

Ergotamine-Induced Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) is a recently increasing diagnosed disease showed by transient apical or mid-apical left ventricular dysfunction. It is known as a disease of postmenopausal women, which is usually triggered by emotional or physical stress. Although the trigger is mostly endogenous, some drugs have also been reported as the cause. Published case reports of TC associated with drug usage consist of sympathomimetic drugs, inotropic agents, thyroid hormone, cocaine, and 5-fluorouracil. We present an unusual case of TC in which the possible trigger is ergotamine toxicity.

Decrease of Urotensin II activity can impact on the volume status in predialysis chronic kidney disease

Abstract Urotensin II (U-II) was thought to be one of the mediators of primary renal sodium retention due to effects on renal sodium excretion. For this purpose, the relationship between U-II and overhydration was investigated. A total of 107 patients were enrolled in the study. According to body compositor monitor analysis, fluid overload up to 1.1 L, was considered normohydration. Patients were divided according to hydration status; overhydrate (n = 42) and normohydrate (n = 65) were studied in both groups. Pulse waveform velocity propagation for arterial stiffness and blood pressure analysis and echocardiographic left ventricular and left atrial indices were performed with known fluid overload-related parameters. U-II levels were measured by using Human ELISA kit. In overhydrated group, U-II levels were significantly lower. All parameters (blood pressure, arterial stiffness parameters, echocardiographic data, age, gender, diabetes, U-II, hemoglobin) correlated with overhydration, were determined by linear regression model (method = enter), when considered together, U-II was found to be an independent predictor from other conventional overhydration-related parameters. Male sex, left ventricular mass index, left atrial volume index, hemoglobin value were found to be independent predictors for overhydration. Considering the association of low U-II levels with adverse cardiovascular events and its role in sodium retention, we think that low U-II levels can be accepted as a potential therapeutic target in patients with hypervolemic cardio-renal syndrome.

Severe tricuspid regurgitation mimicking constrictive pericarditis

Patient: Female, 62 Final Diagnosis: Tricuspid regurgitation Symptoms: Dyspnea exertional • fatigue • leg edema Medication: — Clinical Procedure: — Specialty: Cardiology Objective: Challenging differential diagnosis Background: Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) can mimic some hemodynamic findings of constrictive pericarditis (CP), due to the restraining effect of the enlarged right heart on intact pericardium and on the left ventricle. In this article, we report a case of severe tricuspid regurgitation in which hemodynamic findings were consistent with CP. Case Report: A 62-year-old Caucasian woman presented with right heart failure symptoms. Echocardiography showed enlarged right heart chambers and severe tricuspid regurgitation. Right heart catheterization surprisingly demonstrated a constrictive physiology. Diastolic pressures of both ventricles were elevated and equalized, with a prominent deep and plateau pattern. The patient was re-evaluated with a further focus on constrictive pericarditis. However, echocardiography, thorax CT, and cardiac MRI did not demonstrate any pathological finding related to pericardium. The remaining explanation was that the severe TR itself and secondary right heart enlargement caused the restraining effect on the intact pericardium and on the left ventricle. The pericardium was normal and tricuspid annulus was severely dilated on surgical inspection. The tricuspid valve was replaced with a bioprosthetic valve. The patient did well just after the surgery, with a rapid decrease in cardiac pressures; however, she died due to respiratory failure on the 15th postoperative day. Conclusions: This was a case with right heart failure symptoms in which invasive hemodynamic findings were consistent with constrictive pericarditis and the noninvasive imaging modalities were not. This case illustrates that severe TR can mimic some hemodynamic findings of constrictive pericarditis, due to restraining effect of the enlarged right heart on intact pericardium and on the left ventricle. Lack of significant respiratory changes in hemodynamic parameters that can safely be demonstrated by echocardiography and cardiac MRI suggest a normal pericardium.

Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia for Heart Turkish Version Study: cross-cultural adaptation, exploratory factor analysis, and reliability.

Purpose Individuals with cardiac problems avoid physical activity and exercise because they expect to feel shortness of breath, dizziness, or chest pain. Assessing kinesiophobia related to heart problems is important in terms of cardiac rehabilitation. The Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia Swedish Version for the Heart (TSK-SV Heart) is reliable and has been validated for cardiac diseases in the Swedish population. The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability, parallel-form validity, and exploratory factor analysis of the TSK for the Heart Turkish Version (TSK Heart Turkish Version) for evaluating kinesiophobia in patients with heart failure and pulmonary arterial hypertension. Methods This cross-sectional study involved translation, back translation, and cross-cultural adaptation (localization). Forty-three pulmonary arterial hypertension and 32 heart failure patients were evaluated using the TSK Heart Turkish Version. The 17-item scale, originally composed for the Swedish population, has four factors: perceived danger for heart problem, avoidance of exercise, fear of injury, and dysfunctional self. Cronbach’s alpha (internal consistency) and exploratory factor analysis were used to assess the questionnaire’s reliability. Results of the patients in the 6-minute walk test, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and Nottingham Health Profile were analyzed by Pearson’s correlation analysis with the TSK Heart Turkish Version to indicate the convergent validity. Results Cronbach’s alpha for the TSK Heart Turkish Version was 0.75, indicating acceptable internal consistency. Although exploratory factor analysis showed a different subgroup distribution than the original questionnaire, the model was acceptable for the four-factor model hypothesis. Therefore, the questionnaire was rated as reliable. Conclusion These results supported the reliability of the TSK Heart Turkish Version. Since the acceptable four-factor model fits the subgroups and measures of reliability are sufficiently high, the questionnaire seems reliable for pulmonary arterial hypertension and heart failure patients.