Hacı Ahmet Kasapkara

Relationship between mean platelet volume levels and subclinical target organ damage in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients

Abstract Background. Significant numbers of asymptomatic hypertensive patients are attacked by subclinical target organ damage (TOD) such as proteinuria, left ventricular hypertrophy and carotid atherosclerosis. Platelets become activated in uncontrolled hypertension and play a crucial role in increased thrombotic tendency. Mean platelet volume (MPV) is one of the markers that correlate closely with platelet activity. We aimed to investigate the relationship between MPV levels and subclinical TOD in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients. Methods. 80 newly diagnosed hypertensive patients were enrolled to this cross-sectional study. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was performed for all patients. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI), carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and urine albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR) were measured as indices of cardiac, vascular and renal damage, respectively. MPV was measured from blood samples collected in EDTA tubes and high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP) was measured by using nephlometer. Results. MPV was significantly correlated with 24-h systolic–diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.52 and r = 0.55, respectively). Correlation analysis indicated that MPV was moderately related with UACR, LVMI, carotid IMT and hs-CRP (r = 0.50, r = 0.55, r = 0.60 and r = 0.69, respectively, p = 0.0001). Multivariable analysis identified that MPV levels were independently associated with severity of proteinuria, carotid IMT and LVMI (p = 0.001). Conclusion. Our findings suggested that MPV levels were associated with severity of subclinical TOD including; carotid atherosclerosis, left ventricular hypertrophy and renal damage, in hypertensive patients. In addition to this, MPV levels were significantly correlated with hs-CRP levels and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure measurements.

Relation Between Mean Platelet Volume and Severity of Atherosclerosis in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes

Platelets play a central role in the pathophysiology of coronary artery disease (CAD). Increased mean platelet volume (MPV) is an indicator of platelet function and associated with poor clinical outcome in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We evaluated the relationship between MPV and severity of CAD in patients with ACS. A total of 395 patients with ACS were included. Severity of CAD was assessed with the Gensini and Syntax scores. High levels of MPV were associated with the Gensini and Syntax scores, number of diseased vessels (>50%), number of critical lesions (>50% and >70%), and noncritical lesions. After multivariate analysis, high levels of MPV were independent predictors of multivessel CAD together with age. In patients with ACS, high MPV levels were associated with severity of CAD. It is possible that MPV can be a helpful marker in patients with CAD for the severity of coronary atherosclerosis.

The Acute Effects of Passive Smoking on Mean Platelet Volume in Healthy Volunteers

Mean platelet volume (MPV) is an indicator of platelet activation. We investigated the acute effect of passive smoking on MPV in healthy volunteers. Healthy nonsmoker volunteers (n = 90) spent 120 minutes in a smoke-free room. Then they were exposed to passive smoking in 3 groups consisting of 30 volunteers each in group A (carbon monoxide [CO] <7.5 ppm), group B (CO = 7.5-15 ppm), and group C (CO > 15 ppm) for 120 minutes in a smoking room. Mean platelet volume did not change in group A and in the smoke-free room. Mean platelet volume increased significantly at the 60th minute and continued to increase at the 90th and 120th minute in group B. Mean platelet volume increased significantly at the 30th minute and continued to increase at the 60th, 90th, and 120th minute in group C. In conclusion, acute exposure to passive smoking affected MPV according to the duration and intensity of smoke.

Effects of serum uric acid levels on coronary collateral circulation in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome.

ObjectivesThe strong relationship between high level of serum uric acid (UA) and cardiovascular disease has been shown in many studies. In this study, we investigated whether serum UA levels affect coronary collateral circulation (CCC) in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome. MethodsThe study population included 175 patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome. On the first day of admission to the hospital, blood samples were taken and UA levels were analyzed for all patients. Coronary angiography was performed on patients within 24–72 h. Rentrop collateral classification was performed. Patients were divided into two groups on the basis of UA levels: group I consisted of 102 patients (90 male, 12 female) with normal UA levels and group II consisted of 73 patients (59 male, 14 female) with elevated UA levels. ResultsGroup 2 had a significantly higher rate of poorly developed CCC and a lower rate of well-developed CCC compared with group 1 (P=0.003 and 0.001, respectively). Patients with poor CCC had significantly higher serum UA levels compared with patients with well-developed CCC (6.5±1.1 vs. 5.5±1.7 mg/dl, P=0.028). Linear regression analyses showed that poor CCC development was significantly associated with serum UA levels (coefficient=0.22, P=0.005). ConclusionSerum UA level on admission is associated with poor CCC development and may be a useful biomarker for stratification of risk in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome.

Successful simultaneous ipsilateral stenting of common iliac artery stenosis and transfemoral aortic valve replacement.

Atherothrombotic disease increase with age and that the prevalence of the elderly population is continuously growing. Antithrombotic therapy represents the cornerstone of prevention of atherothrombosis. The choice of the antithrombotic therapy in elderly patients remains an ongoing challenge. Althoug the benefits of antiplatelet therapy in the elderly are demonstrated, the elderly are generally more vulnerable to the adverse effects of antithrombotic drugs. Because of them, understanding strategies of antithrombotic management in elderly is important.

Crucial role of safety guidewire in transcatheter aortic valve implantation: Two cases with vascular complication.

Vascular complications increasing the rates of morbidity and mortality are among the most common complications observed during transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Endovascular management is often life-saving. However, due to limitations of time in cases of iliac rupture and dissection, precautions taken prior to the procedure and the placement of safety guidewire in the contralateral femoral artery are crucial. Here, an 85-year-old woman and and 84-year-old man who had severe symptomatic aortic stenosis and underwent TAVI were presented. Although the valves were successfully implanted, the procedures were complicated by rupture and dissection of the right iliofemoral artery. With the use of safety guidewire, 2 self-expandable graft stents were inserted at the site of rupture and in the place of dissection in the iliofemoral artery, and the patients could be managed successfully.

Bulging sign: A precursor of annular rupture observed before aortic balloon rupture during valvuloplasty in transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Transcatheter aortic-valve implantation (TAVI) is a reliable alternative to surgical aortic-valve replacement in inoperable or high-risk patients. However, this evolving therapy is associated with a wide range of potential complications- some specific to TAVI, some often fatal. Prevention, early recognition, and taking essential precautions will significantly improve results. The case of an 85-year-old woman with balloon rupture during valvuloplasty in TAVI, a very rare and potentially fatal complication, is presented.

Higher neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio is related to a lower ejectionfraction in bicuspid aortic valve patients.

BACKGROUND/AIM Inflammation plays an important role in the pathophysiology of vascular disease. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the associations of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR; an indicator of inflammation) with left ventricular ejection fraction and ascending aorta diameter in patients with a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred and thirty-nine consecutive patients with the diagnosis of BAV were enrolled in the study. Complete blood counts were analyzed for neutrophil and lymphocyte levels and NLR. The subjects were separated into two groups based on their ascending aorta diameter. The patients with ascending aorta diameter equal to or above 3.9 cm were included in group 1 whereas those with ascending aorta diameter below 3.9 cm were included in group 2. RESULTS When the results were compared, it was demonstrated that there was a positive correlation between NLR and ascending aorta diameter (r: 0.485, P = 0.026), whereas there was a negative correlation between NLR and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (r: 0.475, P = 0.030), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (r: 0.482, P = 0.027), and left ventricular ejection fraction (r: -0.467, P = 0.033) in BAV patients with ascending aorta dilatation (group 1). CONCLUSION NLR is associated with ascending aorta diameter and left ventricular ejection fraction in BAV patients with ascending aorta dilatation.

Trans-subclavian aortic valve replacement with various bioprosthetic valves: Single-center experience

OBJECTIVE Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has been accepted as an alternative to surgery in high risk or inoperable patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). Although transfemoral approach is the most often preferred means of access, in patients with severe ilio-femoral arteriopathy, other vascular access sites may be required. The aim of the present study was to report our experience with trans-subclavian approach for TAVR using different valve systems. METHODS Among 273 patients undergoing TAVR between June 2011 and May 2016, 10 patients (mean age: 68.3±7.6 years; 6 males) with high surgical risk were excluded from transfemoral TAVR because of ilio-femoral arteriopathy. Under general anesthesia, 9 of these patients underwent TAVR via left subclavian artery (SCA) and 1 patient via right SCA. Surgical cut-down and closure techniques were utilized in all patients. Eight balloon-expandable Edwards Sapien XT valves (size: one 23 mm, six 26 mm, and one 29 mm) were used, 1 patient received 26 mm balloon-expandable Sapien 3 valve, and 1 patient had 27 mm self-expandable Lotus valve implanted. RESULTS Procedural success rate was 90%. Mean aortic gradient decreased to 10.6 mmHg from 47.4 mmHg. Emergent surgery was required in 1 patient due to complication of ventricular valve embolization. Thrombus formation at right SCA was detected in 1 patient and resolved with medical therapy. In-hospital mortality was not observed in any patients. CONCLUSION Trans-subclavian approach for TAVR is safe and feasible. Proper patient and valve selection concurrent with utilization of multimodal imaging techniques are crucial for successful and uncomplicated procedure.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation with the Edwards Sapien 3 valve: First experiences in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has shown promising results in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) at high risk for open heart surgery. We aimed to evaluate outcomes of patients who underwent TAVI with Edwards SAPIEN 3 Transcatheter Heart Valve (S3), a second-generation TAVI device. METHODS Between November 2014 and June 2016, 31 high-risk patients received balloon-expandable S3 valve at Atatürk Training and Research Hospital that has the largest case series in Turkey. RESULTS Mean age of the patients was 76.1±12.6 years. Mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons and logistic European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation scores were 7.8%±3.1 and 31.4%±17.6, respectively. S3 valve was implanted in 27 patients via transfemoral approach and via trans-subclavian approach in 4 patients under local (n=29) or general (n=2) anesthesia. Procedural success rate was 100% (23 mm, n=7; 26 mm, n=16; 29 mm, n=8). Paravalvular aortic regurgitation (PAR) was absent or trivial in 29 (93.6%) patients and mild in 2 (6.4%) patients. Permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) was required in 2 (6.4%) patients during the procedure, and in-hospital mortality occurred in 1 (3.2%) of those 2 patients. CONCLUSION S3 valve is associated with higher rate of device success and lower incidence of PAR, peripheral vascular complications, and need for new PPI.