Mehmet Tolga Doğru

The association of paraoxonase 1 gene L55M polymorphism with the extent and severity of coronary artery disease in the Turkish population and its dependence on gender

Objective: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a common, complex, and progressive disorder characterized by the accumulation of lipids and fibrous elements in the arteries. It is one of the leading causes of death in industrialized nations. Oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in the arterial wall plays an important role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. Paraoxonase1 (PON1) is involved in lipid metabolism and is believed to protect LDL oxidation. In our study, we aimed to clarify the relationship between PON1 gene L55M polymorphism and the extent and severity of CAD. Methods: In total, 114 patients (54 males, mean age: 56.7±12.0 years; 60 females, mean age: 55.7±13.2 years) with stable angina or angina equivalent symptoms were enrolled in this prospective study. Cardiological evaluation was performed with electrocardiogram and transthoracic echocardiogram. The presence of hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and smoking status were ascertained. The patients were grouped according to their Gensini scores and gender. Genetic analysis of the PON1 gene L55M polymorphism was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results: We determined that the LL genotype was more prevalent in patients with Gensini score higher than or equal to 20 (p=0.026) and that this correlated with severe atherosclerotic coronary artery lesions in both gender groups, reaching a statistical significance in the female subjects (p=0.038). Conclusion: It was thought that the PON1 gene L55M polymorphism plays a significant role in CAD progression, especially in females.

Does autonomic dysfunction exist in postmenopausal osteoporosis

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of autonomic dysfunction in patients with osteoporosis. Design: This is a prospective controlled trial. Sixteen postmenopausal female patients with osteoporosis and 10 age-matched postmenopausal nonosteoporotic controls were included in the study. Participants were divided into the postmenopausal osteoporosis group and the nonosteoporotic control group according to bone mineral densities. Heart rate variability parameters and sympathetic skin responses were studied to evaluate autonomic functions. Results: The latencies of sympathetic skin responses obtained from both hands were significantly increased in the patient group when compared with the control group. The sympathetic skin response amplitude of the right hands and both feet of the patient group were found to be decreased significantly when compared with that of the control group. A 24-hr high-frequency value was significantly decreased in the patient group than in control group. A 24-hr low-/high-frequency value was significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group. Conclusions: Autonomic dysfunction characterized with increased sympathetic and decreased parasympathetic activity may be present in osteoporosis, and cardiac functions in patients with osteoporosis may also be affected by accompanying autonomic dysfunction.

Effect of overnight nasal continuous positive airway pressure treatment on the endothelial function in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

OBJECTIVE In this prospective study, we aimed to investigate acute effect of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy on the endothelial function of patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) by using brachial artery flow mediated dilatation (FMD) method. METHODS Newly diagnosed thirty OSA patients with ages between 29 and 72 years were included in this study. FMD and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) values of patients obtained before and after CPAP dose titration test were compared with paired samples t test or Wilcoxon signed ranks test. RESULTS With CPAP therapy apnea hypopnea indices were reduced (60.6±24.9/h vs. 9.6±7.9/h; p<0.001) and oxygen desaturation indices recovered (50±27/h vs. 6±7/h; p<0.001). Heart rates of patients decreased after CPAP therapy (80±10/min vs. 73±8/min; p=0.003). FMD values significantly increased after CPAP (8.55±5.82 percent vs. 12.08±7.17 percent; p=0.003). HsCRP values after CPAP were not different from baseline values. CONCLUSION Acute improvement of the endothelial function with one night CPAP therapy suggests endothelial dysfunction in OSA patients to be result of acute pathophysiologic factors. In intermediate and severe OSA patients, CPAP therapy may be considered in acute treatment of diseases associated with endothelial dysfunction.

Effects of ivabradine on 6-minute walk test and quality of life in patients with previously implanted CRT-D.

Background We aimed to evaluate clinical effects of additional heart rate control by ivabradine on life quality score and 6-minute walking test in patients with previously implanted biventricular cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) with ischemic heart failure under regular treatment. Methods Fifteen men and 14 women with a median age of 63 years (range, 48–79 years) were studied. Twenty-one patients were in New York Heart Association class II (8 patients were in class III), CRT-D implanted previously, and with resting heart rates greater than 70 beats per minute with sinus rhythm despite conventional medication. Patients were given 2.5- to 7.5-mg ivabradine orally twice a day, and drug dosage was titrated to decrease the patients’ average heart rate to 70 beats per minute. Before and 3 months after ivabradine treatment, all patients underwent extensive clinical, echocardiographic, and laboratory evaluation. Results Ivabradine treatment produced dose-dependent reductions in heart rate at rest and at peak exercise (91.9 ± 6.3 to 71.7 ± 4.8 and 114.4 ± 7.6 to 96.8 ± 4.8; P = 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively). There were also significant improvements in life quality score (52.4 ± 9.5 to 37.9±7.8; P = 0.001) and 6-minute walking distance (278.7 ± 85.8 to 373.3 ± 94.0; P = 0.001) of patients. All patients with New York Heart Association class III became class II after 3 months of ivabradine treatment. Conclusion Heart rate reduction in a short-term period by ivabradine produced significant improvements in exercise capacity and life quality in patients with CRT-D and conventional therapy.

Atrial Electromechanical Coupling Interval and P-Wave Dispersion in Patients With White Coat Hypertension

Background. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of white coat hypertension (WCH) to atrial conduction abnormalities by electrocardiographic P-wave analysis and echocardiographic electromechanical coupling (EMC) interval measurement. Methods. The study consisted of sex-, age-, and body mass index-matched 24 patients with WCH, 24 patients with sustained hypertension (SH), and 24 subjects with normotension (NT). The difference between the maximum (Pmax) and minimum P-wave durations on 12-lead electrocardiography was defined as P-wave dispersion (PD). Intra- and inter-atrial EMC were measured by tissue Doppler imaging. Results. Pmax and PD of subjects with WCH were significantly higher than those of normotensives and lower than those of patients with SH. Inter-atrial EMC and left atrial EMC values of WCH group were intermediate between NT and SH groups. There was a significant correlation between left atrial diameter, PD, Pmax, left ventricle mass index, left atrial EMC, and inter-atrial EMC. Conclusion. White coat hypertension is an intermediate group between SH and NT in terms of atrial electromechanical abnormalities which may be associated with the risk of atrial fibrillation.

The effect of nebulised magnesium sulphate in the management of childhood moderate asthma exacerbations as adjuvant treatment

BACKGROUND After the bronchodilator effect of magnesium was shown, the use of magnesium in treatment of asthma exacerbations became common. With the results of recent studies, the use of intravenous magnesium in severe asthma exacerbations took its place. We aimed to examine the effects of adding isotonic magnesium sulphate instead of isotonic saline into nebulised salbutamol on the Modified Pulmonary Index Score (MPIS) and the hospitalisation rate in moderate asthma exacerbations. METHODS Our study population included 100 children age between 3 and 15 years with asthma admitted to emergency department due to moderate asthma exacerbations. The patients were randomised to placebo or magnesium, with 50 patients in each arm. All patients received 1mg/kg of systemic methylprednisolone at the beginning of treatment and thereafter received either nebulised salbutamol (0.15mg/kg/dose) and 1ml magnesium sulphate (15%)+1.5ml isotonic saline on three occasions at roughly 20min intervals (Magnesium group) or nebulised salbutamol (0.15mg/kg/dose) and 2.5ml isotonic saline mixture on three occasions at roughly 20min intervals (Placebo group). The MPIS of patients on 0th min, 20th min, 40th and 120th min were calculated and compared. The primary outcome was to compare MPIS values at the end of 120th min. RESULTS Both groups have similar demographic, allergic characteristics and baseline MPIS scores. When the MPIS scores in the 120th min and admission rates in the 200th min, there was no significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS The use of nebulised magnesium sulphate in moderate asthma exacerbation as adjuvant treatment showed no benefit to standard treatment in our study.

Atrial electromechanical coupling interval and P-wave dispersion in healthy elderly

Background and aims: The aim of our study was to investigate the potential effect of natural aging on atrial fibrillation (AF) by means of electrocardiographic P-wave analysis and measurement of the transthoracic echocardiographic electromechanical coupling interval (EMC). Methods: The study comprised 25 healthy individuals aged =65 years (group 1) and 25 control subjects <65 years (group 2). The difference between maximum (Pmax) and minimum (Pmin) P-wave durations on 12-lead electrocardiography were defined as P-wave dispersion (PD). Intraand inter-atrial EMC were measured by tissue Doppler imaging. Results: Pmax (107.2±3.58 msec vs 100.0±3.56 msec, p<0.001) and PD (43.6±4.98 msec vs 36.5±3.56 msec, p<0.001) were significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2. Left atrial EMC [24.6 (15.20) vs 13.3 (4.50), p<0.001] and inter-atrial EMC [43.2 (16.05) vs 33.3 (4.75), p<0.001] were significantly delayed in group 1 compared with group 2. There was a significant correlation between left atrial diameter, PD, Pmax, left atrial EMC, and inter-atrial EMC. Conclusion: Aging is correlated with increased left atrial size and impaired diastolic relaxation, which may contribute to a greater risk of AF in terms of prolonged PD and atrial EMC.

Effects of Coronary Angiography and Femoral Arterial Access on Endothelial Functions

Background Impairment of endothelial function is an independent predictor of coronary events. The aim of this study was to clarify the influence of arterial access and coronary angiography on endothelial function. Methods Eighteen patients with stable angina pectoris who underwent coronary angiography were included in this study. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation of patients was measured before angiography, after femoral arterial sheath insertion, and after coronary angiography. Results Of 18 patients, 11 had angiographically apparent atherosclerosis. Flow-mediated dilatation after femoral arterial sheath insertion (mean ± SD, 6.62% ± 3.87%) was found to be significantly lower than either before (10.62% ± 5.18%) or after coronary angiography (11.66% ± 5.30%; P = 0.007 and P = 0.001, respectively). Basal and postangiographic flow-mediated dilatation values were similar. Flow-mediated dilatation significantly decreased after sheath insertion in the group with angiographically normal coronary arteries (14.47% ± 4.34% vs 5.98 ± 4.00%, respectively; P = 0.006), whereas the difference was not significant in patients with CAD (8.17% ± 4.16% vs 7.03% ± 3.92%, respectively). Conclusions Coronary angiography did not result in endothelial vasomotor dysfunction. Femoral arterial sheath insertion during coronary angiography was associated with a short-lived endothelial dysfunction. Larger studies are needed to interpret the effect of coronary atherosclerosis on attenuation of endothelial response against arterial wall injury.

We do our work with all our heart.

These original images were encountered during interventional procedures. Awareness about the abnormalities that they depict is important to identify them. We present an original image of the coronary sinus lead. The lead was placed in the posterolateral branch of the coronary sinus during cardiac resynchronization therapy combined with implantation of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. We observed that the lead achieved a heart shape in the left anterior oblique position (Fig. 1). We would like to dedicate this image to all physicians who are devoted to their work. Fig. 1 The fluoroscopic image showing the heart-shaped coronary sinus lead in the left anterior oblique position.