Ercan Aydin

Relation between the GRACE score and severity of atherosclerosis in acute coronary syndrome

BACKGROUND Patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome are heterogeneous in terms of clinical presentation and immediate- and long-term risk of death or non-fatal ischemic events. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) score and severity of coronary artery disease angiographically evaluated by Gensini score in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome. METHODS A total of 245 patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome were enrolled to the study. Based on the GRACE risk score classification system, the patients were divided into low- (n=97, 39.6%), intermediate- (n=84, 34.3%), and high- (n=64, 26.1%) risk groups. All patients underwent coronary angiography within five days after admission. RESULTS The Gensini scores were 26±29 in the low-risk group, 29±19 in the intermediate-risk group, and 38±23 in the high-risk group (p=0.016). The low-risk group was significantly different from the high-risk group (p=0.013), and the difference from the intermediate-risk group almost reached significance. Normal, noncritical, one and two, or multivessel disease were identified in 15 (6.1%), 31 (12.7%), 75 (30.6%), and 124 (50.6%) patients, respectively. The prevalence of multivessel disease was 28% in the low-risk group, 30% in the intermediate-risk group, and 42% in the high-risk group. The high-risk group was significantly different from the low-risk group (p<0.01). CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates that the GRACE score has significant value for assessing the severity and extent of coronary artery stenosis in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome.

Slow ventricular response atrial fibrillation related to mad honey poisoning.

Mad honey poisoning which is induced by Grayanotoxin (Andromedotoxin), is also known to have adverse effects in the cardiovascular system leading to different clinical entities. This toxin is produced by a member of the Rhododendron genus of plants of two R. Luteum and R. Panticum. In this article, we presented a case of slow ventricular response atrial fibrillation complaints with nausea, vomiting, dizziness and chest pain about an hour after eating honey produced in the Black Sea Region.

Lack of Variation in Inflammatory Hematological Parameters between Benign Nodular Goiter and Papillary Thyroid Cancer

BACKGROUND Inflammatory hematological parameters like the neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratio have been investigated in many cancer types and significant relationships found with prognosis, for example. The aim of this present study was to investigate the impact of hematological parameters notably on N/L ratio and mean platelet volume (MPV) in papillary thyroid cancer cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 79 patients who underwent a thyroidectomy operation in Findikli, Goiter Research and Treatment Center during 2011- 2015 period were enrolled in the study, 41 with papillary thyroid cancer and 38 with benign goiter confirmed by pathological examination. We collected clinical and laboratory data for the patients from hospital records retrospectively. Blood samples taken at admission were assessed for parameters compared between the groups. RESULTS No significant differences between papillary thyroid cancer and benign goiter groups were apparent in terms of age, the N/L ratio, MPV, white blood cell count (WBC), red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelet, neutrophil, lymphocyte, red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and platelet crit (PCT) levels (>0.05). Only the level of platelet distribution width (PDW) significantly differed, being lower in the papillary cancer group (<0.05). CONCLUSIONS No significant relationship between papillary thyroid cancer and inflammatory hematological parameters including in particular the N/L ratio and MPV. The relevance of the PDW values remains unclear.

Spontaneous rectus sheath hematoma during rivaroxaban therapy

Rivaroxaban is an oral anticoagulant agent that directly inhibits Factor Xa and interrupts both the intrinsic and extrinsic pathway of the coagulation cascade and is currently indicated for use in patients for atrial fibrillation and prophylaxis of deep venous thrombosis. The present case reports of spontaneous rectus sheath hematoma during rivaroxaban therapy for atrial fibrillation in a 75-year-old woman.

Clopidogrel-induced spontaneous pectoral hematoma.

Clopidogrel is an oral antiplatelet agent used in the treatment of coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease and cerebrovascular disease. Gastrointestinal symptomsincluding nausea, diarrhea and constipation are the common side effects ofthis drug. Serious side effects like intracranial hemorrhage and severe neutropenia were also reported but spontaneous pectoral hematoma due to the clopidogrel has not been reported previously. We present a case of large spontaneous pectoral hematoma during clopidogrel therapy in an elderly woman.

Aortic aneurysm compressing left atrium and causing symptoms of heart failure.

A 71-year-old man presented to our clinic with progressive dyspnea and fatigue that had lasted for 2 months. He had a history of hypertension for 10 years but no history of cardiovascular disease. On admission, he was dyspneic and tachypneic. His systolic blood pressure was 80mmHg and his heart rate was 110 beats/min regular. There was a systolic murmur grade 2/6 at the left sternal border. Auscultation revealed inspiratory rales in the basal segments of the lungs, and distended Asian Cardiovascular & Thoracic Annals 21(1) 97–98 The Author(s) 2012 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/0218492312443362 aan.sagepub.com

Badanie służące ocenie występowania choroby wieńcowej w młodym wieku

Introduction. An increasing number of younger patients are being hospitalized with acute coronary syndromes. Earlier risk assessment is essential to prevent or delay coronary artery disease (CAD). This study aimed to assess the rate, risk factor profile, presentation, management and prognosis in young patients with CAD and compared with the same age group without CAD. Material and methods. In this retrospective study, 4325 patients who had undergone coronary angiography from 2011 to 2014 were identified. A total of 627 patients were ≤ 45 years age; 412 of them had CAD, and 215 had normal coronary arteries (control group). Results. The mean age of the patients was 41.7 ± 4.1 years in the CAD group and 41.5 ± 4.5 years in the control group. The prevalences of dyslipidemia, smoking, family history of CAD, hypertension, diabetes, and overweight were higher in the CAD than in the control group. However, the obesity rate was not significantly different between the two groups. Patients with ACS often presented with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) (49.3%), and single-vessel involvement (55.3%) predominated. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was the main myocardial reperfusion therapy (68.4%). Conclusions. Among the young patients studied, CAD had a higher incidence in males. Smoking was the most important modifiable risk factor. Also, patients showed high prevalences of dyslipidemia, overweight, diabetes, and family history of CAD. This study re-emphasizes the relationship between traditional cardiovascular risks and CAD in young.

Diffuse coronary vasospasm in a patient with hypothyroidism

Coronary vasospasm is an important etiology of ischemic heart disease. Sometimes thyroid disorders may be associated with cardiovascular disease. The major cardiovascular changes that occur in hypothyroidism include a decrease in cardiac output and cardiac contractility, a reduction in heart rate, and an increase in peripheral vascular resistance. There are also significant changes in modifiable atherosclerotic risk factors, including hypercholesterolemia, diastolic hypertension, carotid intimal media thickness, and endothelial derived relaxation factor (nitric oxide), which accompany overt hypothyroidism. Here, we present a case of diffuse coronary arterial vasospasm in a patient with hypothyroidism.

Chlorpheniramine and phenylephrine induced coronary vasospasm manifesting as Kounis syndrome in a patient with moderate mitral stenosis

We report a case of Kounis syndrome (allergic angina) documented with normal coronary arteries on angiography and echocardiographically proved moderate mitral stenosis in a patient with severe chest pain and electrocardiographic ST-segment elevations but with normal troponin levels.

Elevated troponin levels and typical chest pain: Is always acute coronary syndrome?

Aortic dissection is a fatal disease that must be considered in the differential diagnosis of chest pain. If the diagnosis cannot be made in early period, mortality is very high. Here, we present a case of aortic dissection, clinically mimicking acute coronary syndrome.