Mehdi Zoghi

Right atrial and ventricular thrombi in Behçet's disease : a case report and review of literature

Behçets disease is a chronic multi-system disease presenting with recurrent oral and genital ulceration, and relapsing uveitis. Cardiac involvement is an extremely rare manifestation of this disorder. We report an unusual case of Behçets disease characterized by a mural cardiac thrombi in the right atrium and right ventricle along with transient protein C and S deficiency.

Bilateral Diagonal Earlobe Crease and Coronary Artery Disease: A Significant Association

Background: The association between the presence of diagonal earlobe crease (ELC) and coronary artery disease (CAD) still remains controversial. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between bilateral ELC and CAD. Methods: 415 patients were examined for the presence or absence of bilateral ELC, angiographic evidence of CAD and coronary risk factors. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to angiographic evidence of CAD. Results: Bilateral ELC was significantly and positively correlated with CAD, hypertension, age, male gender, cigarette smoking and family history of CAD. The ELC was an independent variable for CAD. The observed sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the bilateral ELC for the diagnosis of CAD were in the following order: 51.3, 84.8, 89.4 and 41.2%. Conclusion: The presence of bilateral ELC was significantly associated with CAD and coronary risk factors. The bilateral ELC was an important dermatological indicator of CAD, and it might be a useful diagnostic tool in the clinical examination of patients.

A Randomised Comparison of the Effects of Nebivolol and Atenolol with and without Chlorthalidone on the Sexual Function of Hypertensive Men

AbstractBackground and objective: Erectile dysfunction, which is common in men with hypertension, has been reported as a common adverse effect of many antihypertensive drug classes, including β-blockers and diuretics. Atenolol and nebivolol are both β1-selective blockers, but nebivolol is a new-generation compound with nitric oxide-mediated vasodilating activity. The aim of the study was to compare the effects of nebivolol and atenolol ± chlorthalidone on the sexual function of hypertensive men. Methods: A total of 131 male patients (mean age 47.3 ± 4.6 years) with newly diagnosed hypertension were included in the study. All the patients were married and had not previously experienced any erectile dysfunction. After a 4-week placebo run-in period, patients were randomised to receive 12 weeks’ therapy with nebivolol 5 mg/day (n = 43), atenolol 50 mg/day (n = 44), or atenolol 50 mg/ day + chlorthalidone 12.5 mg/day (n = 44), according to a double-blind design. After 4 weeks of treatment, drug dosage could be doubled in patients not responding to therapy. Erectile function (instances of successful intercourse/month) was assessed by means of a questionnaire at the end of the placebo run-in period (baseline) and at the end of double-blind treatment. Blood pressure was also assessed at these times. Result: At the end of the 12-week, double-blind treatment period, the mean number of episodes of satisfactory sexual intercourse per month was significantly decreased from baseline in the groups receiving atenolol (from 7.0 to 3.7; p < 0.01) and atenolol + chlorthalidone (from 6.4 to 2.8; p < 0.01). In contrast, the mean number of episodes of satisfactory sexual intercourse per month remained constant in the group of patients receiving nebivolol (6.4 during the baseline assessment and 6.0 during the last month of treatment). Blood pressure and heart rate were significantly decreased from baseline in all treatment groups. Conclusion: Increased release of nitric oxide associated with nebivolol may counteract the detrimental effect of β-blockade on penile erection, thereby allowing maintenance of sexual activity in previously untreated hypertensive men compared with a significant decrease observed in the sexual activity of men receiving atenolol-based treatment.

The Role of Tilt Training in Preventing Recurrent Syncope in Patients with Vasovagal Syncope: A Prospective and Randomized Study

Background: Recurrent vasovagal syncope (VVS) can be a severely disabling disorder that may lead to an important deterioration of quality of life because of the severity and recurrence of episodes. This study sought to investigate the effectiveness of repeated orthostatic self‐training in preventing syncope in patients with recurrent VVS.

Effect of levosimendan on right ventricular systolic and diastolic functions in patients with ischaemic heart failure.

Objectives:  Levosimendan is a novel positive inotropic calcium sensitiser agent used in acute left heart failure. In this study, the effect of levosimendan on the right ventricular systolic and diastolic functions was evaluated by tissue Doppler comparing them with dobutamine in patients with ischaemic heart failure.

Impaired Endothelial Function in Patients with Myocardial Bridge

Objective: The relationship between myocardial bridging (MB) and ischemic heart disease is still controversial. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the existing atherosclerosis and noninvasive endothelial function of brachial artery in patients with MB. Methods: The present study included 50 patients (group I) who had MB in left anterior descending (LAD) on coronary angiography. All of the coronary artery segments were evaluated by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Endothelial function was assessed with measurement of flow‐mediated dilatation (FMD) and nitrate‐dependent dilatation in the brachial artery. The study also included 30 healthy control subjects (group II). Patients in the group I were further subdivided into two subgroups based on the findings on IVUS: group IA included 20 patients without atherosclerotic lesions and group IB included 30 patients with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease in addition to MB. Results: FMD values were found to be significantly lower in the patients with MB (group I) than in the control (6.4 ± 3% vs 11 ± 4%, P <0.001). In regard to FMD values in subgroups, FMD was 7 ± 2% in the group IA and 5.8 ± 1% in the group IB (P = 0.023). On IVUS, atherosclerotic plaque was found proximal to the bridge in the same coronary artery segment in addition to MB in 75% of the patients in group I (group IB). No atherosclerotic plaque was found in within or distal segments of MB. Conclusion: Endothelial function is impaired in patients with MB and there is an increased tendency for atherosclerosis proximal to the bridge in the patients with MB. Endothelial dysfunction is more severe in the patients with atherosclerosis proximal to the bridge.

Serum resistin level: as a predictor of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

AimAtrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia with an incidence of 25–40%, after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Resistin is a newly identified adipocyte-secreted hormone belonging to a cysteine-rich protein family. This study examined the relation of preoperative and postoperative early serum resistin level, which can play an important role as an inflammatory marker to predict AF after CABG. MethodsWe prospectively analyzed 40 consecutive patients (mean age, 59.2+10.3 years; 31 men and nine women) who were undergoing CABG between September and November 2009 at our department. Blood samples were taken to examine quantities of resistin level, the day before surgery and on the 24th hour in the intensive care unit. ResultsThe incidence of AF was 25% (n=10, 2.2+1.1 days, 1.2+0.4 episodes). Preoperative resistin level was higher in the AF group (10.6+3.3 vs. 9.1+4.5 ng/ml, P=0.33), but it was not statistically significant. Postoperative resistin level was significantly higher in the AF group (27.4+8.4 vs. 17.9+9.1 ng/ml, P=0.012) compared with the sinus rhythm group. Resistin levels significantly increased after the surgery in both groups [9.1+4.5 vs. 17.9+9.1 ng/ml, P<0.001 (sinus rhythm group) and 10.6+3.3 vs. 27.4+8.4 ng/ml, P<0.001 (AF group)]. ConclusionPatients with an elevated postoperative resistin level may have high risk for AF after CABG. This intervention targeting inflammation might help reduce the incidence of AF.

Effects of Levosimendan on Left Atrial Functions in Patients with Ischemic Heart Failure

With further progression of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, the left atrial (LA) contribution to LV filling gradually decreases, and LA dysfunction deteriorates the decreased LV filling in patients with heart failure (HF).

Circadian and Infradian Rhythms of Vasovagal Syncope in Young and Middle‐Aged Subjects

Background: The most cardiovascular physiological and pathophysiological events show a circadian rhythm. It is thought that the autonomic nervous system and biologic factors play a key role in the pathogenesis of vasovagal syncope (VVS). In this study, we investigated the circadian and infradian variation of VVS.

Prediction of Head-Up Tilt Test Result: Is it Possible?

Background: The determination of early, accurate, predictive criteria for a positive result would permit a reduction in the duration of the head‐up tilt testing (HUTT). Previous studies propounded that existence of early sympathetic overreactivity (rapid and sustained increase in heart rate) during HUTT predicts positive result. However, the exact value of this variable is unknown. We analyzed the early heart rate (HR) responses to HUTT and evaluated their ability to predict HUTT result.