M. Serdar Küçükoğlu

Immediate and Follow-Up Results of Repeat Percutaneous Mitral Balloon Commissurotomy for Restenosis After a Succesful First Procedure

Background: The widespread use of percutaneous mitral commissurotomy (PMC) has led to an increase in restenosis cases. The data regarding follow‐up results of repeat PMC are quite limited. The aim of this retrospective analysis is to evaluate the immediate and midterm results of the second PMC, in patients with symptomatic mitral restenosis after a succesful first procedure. Methods: Twenty patients (95% female, mean age 37 ± 4 years) who have undergone a second PMC, 6.3 ± 2.5 years after a first successful intervention built the study group. All were in sinus rhythm, with a mean Wilkins score of 8.5 ± 1.2. Results: The valve area increased from 1.2 ± 0.2 to 1.9 ± 0.2 cm2 and mean gradient decreased from 10.5 ± 3.4 to 6.1 ± 1.1 mmHg. There were no complications except for a transient embolic event without sequela (5%) and two cases (10%) of severe mitral regurgitation. The immediate success rate was 90%. The mean follow‐up was 70 ± 29 months (36–156 months). The 5‐year restenosis and intervention (repeat PMC or valve replacement) rates were 9.1 ± 5.2% and 3.6 ± 3.3%, respectively. The intervention free 5‐year survival in good functional capacity (New York Heart Association [NYHA] I–II) was 95.1 ± 5.5% and restenosis and intervention free 5‐year survival with good functional capacity was 89.7 ± 6.8%. Conclusions: Although from a limited number of selected patients, these findings indicate that repeat PMC is a safe and effective method, with follow‐up results similar to a first intervention and should be considered as the first therapeutic option in suitable patients. (Echocardiography 2010;27:765‐769)

The efficacy of valsartan in essential hypertension and its effects on left ventricular hypertrophy.

Recent studies demonstrate that, treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin-II receptor blockers may decrease left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in hypertensive patients. We wanted to assess the efficacy of valsartan on echocardiographic variables of LVH in 30 mild to moderate hypertensive patients. Valsartan was found effective in controlling hypertension, also echocardiographic indices of LVH such as interventricular septum and posterior wall thickness were reduced and left ventricular mass decreased significantly. Thus valsartan favorably influences cardiac structure in hypertensive patients.

Serum N‐Terminal Brain Natriuretic Peptide Indicates Exercise Induced Augmentation of Pulmonary Artery Pressure in Patients with Mitral Stenosis

Introduction: To determine whether elevated N‐terminal pro‐BNP (NT pro‐BNP) predicts pulmonary artery systolic pressure increase on exercise stress echocardiography in asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic patients with moderate to severe mitral stenosis. Methods and Results: Forty‐one asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic patients with moderate to severe mitral stenosis and 21 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy subjects. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed in all patients to assess the severity of the valve disease and to measure pulmonary artery pressure before and immediately after treadmill exercise. Blood samples for NT pro‐BNP were also collected before and immediately after treadmill exercise at the time of echocardiographic examination. The plasma concentrations of NT pro‐BNP levels were significantly higher in patients with mitral stenosis than in control subjects before and after exercise (P < 0.001). Patients with atrial fibrillation had significantly higher NT pro‐BNP levels compared to those with sinus rhythm (P < 0.001). Pre‐ and postexercise NT pro‐BNP levels correlated statistically significantly with the left atrial (LA) dimension, right ventricle enddiastolic diameter, exercise duration, heart rate, rest, and exercise pulmonary artery systolic pressure, after exercise mitral valve mean gradient. Area under the receiver‐operating characteristic curve for NT pro‐BNP as an exercise induced augmentation of pulmonary artery pressure was 0.78. Using an optimized cutoff value of 251 pg/mL for NT pro‐BNP, sensitivity was 89.47%. The independent determinants of higher pulmonary artery pressure were LA diameter and pretest NT pro‐BNP levels in multivariante analysis. Conclusion: NT pro‐BNP levels correlate with functional class and echocardiographic findings in patients with mitral stenosis and indicate exercise induced augmentation of peak PAP > 60 mmHg. (Echocardiography 2011;28:8‐14)

Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension

The pathology of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by vascular vasoconstriction, smooth muscle cell proliferation, and thrombosis. Experimental studies have shown the beneficial effect of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors on pulmonary vascular remodeling and vasodilatation. Randomized clinical trials in monotherapy or combination therapy have been conducted in PAH with sildenafil and tadalafil which significantly improve clinical status, exercise capacity and hemodynamics of PAH patients. Combination therapy of PDE-5 inhibitors with prostacyclin analogs and endothelin receptor antagonists may be helpful in management of PAH. The third PDE-5 inhibitor, vardenafil, is currently being investigated in PAH. Side effects are usually mild and transient and include headache, flushing, nasal congestion, digestive disorders, and myalgia.

Expert panel on cost analysis of atrial fibrillation.

OBJECTIVE To estimate total cost of atrial fibrillation (AF) management concerning acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, stroke and drug related adverse events with respect to clinical practice and available guidelines. METHODS This cost analysis study was based on identification of total costs related to management of acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, stroke and the drug related adverse events in patients with AF based on standardized questionnaire forms filled by experts according to their daily clinical practice and also to ACCF/AHA/ESC guidelines. Total cost included cost items related to treatment, healthcare resources utilization, and diagnostic test and consultations. RESULTS The yearly cost of acute coronary syndrome per patient was 5.478.43 TL according to experts view reflecting real clinical practice whereas it was 11.319.44 TL when calculation was based on recommendations in the guidelines. The average total cost of heart failure was 4.523.74 TL according to experts view whereas it was 2.925.86 TL based on guidelines. The average total cost of stroke was 5.719.25 TL according to experts view but 7.931.18 TL based on guidelines. Among drug related adverse events, only those related to cardiac adverse events were estimated to be higher according to expert view as compared to guideline recommendations (288.65 vs. 150.99 TL). CONCLUSIONS Reflecting the treatment algorithms in the management of AF and related adverse events, our findings seem to emphasize the extra burden on health economics posed by patients suffering from the uncontrolled disease.

A Case of Isolated Cardiac Hydatid Cyst that Mimics Lymphoproliferative Malignancy

Cardiac cystic echinococcosis is a rare parasitic infestation caused by Echinococcus granulosus larvae and it composes 0.5–2% of all human cystic echinococcosis cases. The left ventricle is the most common affected area followed by right ventricle, interventricular septum, left atrium, right atrium, and interatrial septum. The diagnosis is difficult because of nonspecific clinical and radiographic findings. We present a case of isolated apical cardiac cystic echinococcosis mimicking lymphoproliferative disease.

Pulmonary hypertension: diagnosis and clinical classification

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a complex disease with limiting the physical activity, life expectancy significantly and requires multidisciplinary approach. In recent years, a dramatic increase was observed in the understanding and management of the disease. The first clinical classification of PH was made in Evian (France) in 1973 and the last clinical classification of PH was made in Dana Point (USA) in 2008. Diagnosis and clinical classification of PH is discussed in this review.

Preliminary results from a nationwide adult cardiology perspective for pulmonary hypertension: RegiStry on clInical outcoMe and sUrvival in pulmonaRy hypertension Groups (SIMURG)

Objective: The present study was designed to evaluate the characteristics of pulmonary hypertension (PH) and adult cardiology practice patterns for PH in our country. Methods: We evaluated preliminary survey data of 1501 patients with PH (females, 69%; age, 44.8±5.45) from 20 adult cardiology centers (AdCCs). Results: The average experience of AdCCs in diagnosing and treating patients with PH was 8.5±3.7 years. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) was the most frequent group (69%) followed by group 4 PH (19%), group 3 PH (8%), and combined pre- and post-capillary PH (4%). PAH associated with congenital heart disease (APAH-CHD) was the most frequent subgroup (47%) of PAH. Most of the patients’ functional class (FC) at the time of diagnosis was III. The right heart catheterization (RHC) rate was 11.9±11.6 per month. Most frequently used vasoreactivity agent was intravenous adenosine (60%). All patients under targeted treatments were periodically for FC, six-minute walking test, and echo measures at 3-month intervals. AdCCs repeated RHC in case of clinical worsening (CW). The annual rate of hospitalization was 14.9±19.5. In-hospital use of intravenous iloprost reported from 16 AdCCs in CWs. Bosentan and ambrisentan, as monotreatment or combination treatment (CT), were noted in 845 and 28 patients, respectively, and inhaled iloprost, subcutaneous treprostinil, and intravenous epoprostenol were noted in 283, 30, and four patients, respectively. Bosentan was the first agent used for CT in all AdCCs and iloprost was the second. Routine use of antiaggregant, anticoagulant, and pneumococcal and influenza prophylaxis were restricted in only two AdCCs. Conclusion: Our nationwide data illustrate the current status of PH regarding clinical characteristics and practice patterns.

Prostanoids in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension

Prostacyclin, endothelin-1, and nitric oxide pathways are involved in the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension. This devastating disease of the pulmonary vasculature is associated with vasoconstriction, thrombosis and proliferation, and this may be partly due to lack of endogenous prostacyclin secondary to prostacyclin synthase downregulation. Prostanoids (prostacycin analogues) are potent vasodilators and possess antiaggregant, antiinflammatory and antiproliferative properties. The first agent to be approved for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension was epoprostenol. In the last decade other prostanoids (treprostinil, iloprost) has been approved for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.