Mustafa Yurtdas

Plasma homocysteine is associated with ischemic findings without organic stenosis in patients with slow coronary flow

AIM To investigate the plasma concentrations of homocysteine (Hcy) in slow coronary flow (SCF) patients before and at the end of the exercise test and compare with the values of healthy controls. METHODS Study population consisted of 41 patients with SCF [68% men, aged 49 ± 8 years], and 41 subjects with normal epicardial coronary arteries [56% men, aged 50 ± 9 years]. Exercise test was performed in all study participants. Blood samples were drawn at rest and immediately at the end of exercise testing after 12h of overnight fasting. RESULTS The baseline Hcy value of the SCF patients was higher than that of the control subjects (p<0.0001), and this difference continued after exercise test between the groups (p<0.0001). Median post-exercise increases in Hcy levels were higher in the SCF group than in the control group, without a significant difference (p=0.088). In the SCF group after exercise, Hcy levels in 17 patients with angina and 18 patients with ST depression were higher than those without angina and ST depression (p<0.0001 and p<0.0001, respectively). In addition, Hcy values in patients with both angina and ST depression were greater than those with either angina (p<0.05) or ST depression (p<0.05). CONCLUSION The results of this study show that there is an important pathophysiologic link between the increased levels of plasma Hcy, the degree of ischemic findings, and the severity of slow flow in SCF patients.

NT-Pro-BNP levels and their response to exercise in patients with slow coronary flow.

BACKGROUND Natriuretic peptides are released by the heart in response to wall stress. OBJECTIVE The NT-Pro-BNP concentrations in slow coronary flow (SCF) patients were assessed before and after the exercise test and compared with the values of healthy controls. METHODS The study population was 34 patients with SCF [22 males (64.7%), aged 51.0 ± 6.2 years], and 34 normal subjects with normal coronary arteries [21 males (61.8%), aged 53.2 ± 6.6 years]. Coronary flow rates of all patients and control subjects were documented as Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) frame count. Blood samples were drawn at rest and after the exercise testing. RESULTS The baseline NT-Pro-BNP concentrations of the SCF patients were higher than those of the control subjects (NT-Pro-BNP: 49.7 ± 14.2 pg/mL vs. 25.3 ± 4.6 pg/mL p<0.0001, respectively), and this difference increased after exercise test between the groups (NT-Pro-BNP: 69.5 ± 18.6 pg/mL vs. 30.9 ± 6.4 pg/mL p<0.0001). In SCF group after exercise, NT-Pro-BNP concentration in 15 patients with angina was higher than those without angina (76.8 ± 17.8 pg/mL vs. 63.8 ± 17.5 pg/mL p=0.041). NT-Pro-BNP concentration in 11 patients with ST depression was also higher than those without ST depression (82.4 ± 17.3 pg/mL vs. 63.3 ± 16.1 pg/mL p=0.004). Median post-exercise increases in NT-Pro-BNP (Δ NT-Pro-BNP) were higher in the SCF group than in the control group (Δ NT-Pro-BNP: 19.8 ± 7.7 pg/mL vs. 5.7 ± 4.5 pg/mL p<0.0001). CONCLUSION The results of this study suggest that there may be an important pathophysiologic link between the severity of SCF (microvascular or epicardial coronary artery dysfunction) and the level of circulating NT-Pro-BNP in SCF patients.

Avaliação das propriedades de elasticidade da aorta ascendente em pacientes com hipotiroidismo subclínico por imagem de Doppler tecidual

e appreciate the well-written correspondence of Balta and cols. that was sent to journal regarding our manuscript “Assessment of the elasticity properties of the ascending aorta in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism by tissue Doppler imaging” (1).Elastic properties and wall movements of the ascending aorta can be affected by several risk factors, such as age,

Atrial Function in Patients with Breast Cancer After Treatment with Anthracyclines

Background Atrial electromechanical delay (EMD) is used to predict atrial fibrillation, measured by echocardiography. Objectives The aim of this study was to assess atrial EMD and mechanical function after anthracycline-containing chemotherapy. Methods Fifty-three patients with breast cancer (48 ± 8 years old) who received 240 mg/m2of Adriamycin, 2400 mg/m2 of cyclophosphamide, and 960 mg/m2 of paclitaxel were included in this retrospective study, as were 42 healthy subjects (47 ± 9 years old). Echocardiographic measurements were performed 11 ± 7 months (median 9 months) after treatment with anthracyclines. Results Left intra-atrial EMD (11.4 ± 6.0 vs. 8.1 ± 4.9, p=0.008) and inter-atrial EMD (19.7 ± 7.4 vs. 14.7 ± 6.5, p=0.001) were prolonged; LA passive emptying volume and fraction were decreased (p=0.0001 and p=0.0001); LA active emptying volume and fraction were increased (p=0.0001 and p=0.0001); Mitral A velocity (0.8 ± 0.2 vs. 0.6 ± 0.2, p=0.0001) and mitral E-wave deceleration time (201.2 ± 35.6 vs. 163.7 ± 21.8, p=0.0001) were increased; Mitral E/A ratio (1.0 ± 0.3 vs. 1.3 ± 0.3, p=0.0001) and mitral Em (0.09 ± 0.03 vs. 0.11 ± 0.03, p=0.001) were decreased; Mitral Am (0.11 ± 0.02 vs. 0.09 ± 0.02, p=0.0001) and mitral E/Em ratio (8.8 ± 3.2 vs. 7.6 ± 2.6, p=0.017) were increased in the patients. Conclusions In patients with breast cancer after anthracycline therapy: Left intra-atrial, inter-atrial electromechanical intervals were prolonged. Diastolic function was impaired. Impaired left ventricular relaxation and left atrial electrical conduction could be contributing to the development of atrial arrhythmias.

Função Atrial em Pacientes com Câncer de Mama Após tratamento com Antraciclinas

Background Atrial electromechanical delay (EMD) is used to predict atrial fibrillation, measured by echocardiography. Objectives The aim of this study was to assess atrial EMD and mechanical function after anthracycline-containing chemotherapy. Methods Fifty-three patients with breast cancer (48 ± 8 years old) who received 240 mg/m2of Adriamycin, 2400 mg/m2 of cyclophosphamide, and 960 mg/m2 of paclitaxel were included in this retrospective study, as were 42 healthy subjects (47 ± 9 years old). Echocardiographic measurements were performed 11 ± 7 months (median 9 months) after treatment with anthracyclines. Results Left intra-atrial EMD (11.4 ± 6.0 vs. 8.1 ± 4.9, p=0.008) and inter-atrial EMD (19.7 ± 7.4 vs. 14.7 ± 6.5, p=0.001) were prolonged; LA passive emptying volume and fraction were decreased (p=0.0001 and p=0.0001); LA active emptying volume and fraction were increased (p=0.0001 and p=0.0001); Mitral A velocity (0.8 ± 0.2 vs. 0.6 ± 0.2, p=0.0001) and mitral E-wave deceleration time (201.2 ± 35.6 vs. 163.7 ± 21.8, p=0.0001) were increased; Mitral E/A ratio (1.0 ± 0.3 vs. 1.3 ± 0.3, p=0.0001) and mitral Em (0.09 ± 0.03 vs. 0.11 ± 0.03, p=0.001) were decreased; Mitral Am (0.11 ± 0.02 vs. 0.09 ± 0.02, p=0.0001) and mitral E/Em ratio (8.8 ± 3.2 vs. 7.6 ± 2.6, p=0.017) were increased in the patients. Conclusions In patients with breast cancer after anthracycline therapy: Left intra-atrial, inter-atrial electromechanical intervals were prolonged. Diastolic function was impaired. Impaired left ventricular relaxation and left atrial electrical conduction could be contributing to the development of atrial arrhythmias.

Atrial Function in Patients with Breast Cancer After Treatment withAnthracyclines

Background Atrial electromechanical delay (EMD) is used to predict atrial fibrillation, measured by echocardiography. Objectives The aim of this study was to assess atrial EMD and mechanical function after anthracycline-containing chemotherapy. Methods Fifty-three patients with breast cancer (48 ± 8 years old) who received 240 mg/m2of Adriamycin, 2400 mg/m2 of cyclophosphamide, and 960 mg/m2 of paclitaxel were included in this retrospective study, as were 42 healthy subjects (47 ± 9 years old). Echocardiographic measurements were performed 11 ± 7 months (median 9 months) after treatment with anthracyclines. Results Left intra-atrial EMD (11.4 ± 6.0 vs. 8.1 ± 4.9, p=0.008) and inter-atrial EMD (19.7 ± 7.4 vs. 14.7 ± 6.5, p=0.001) were prolonged; LA passive emptying volume and fraction were decreased (p=0.0001 and p=0.0001); LA active emptying volume and fraction were increased (p=0.0001 and p=0.0001); Mitral A velocity (0.8 ± 0.2 vs. 0.6 ± 0.2, p=0.0001) and mitral E-wave deceleration time (201.2 ± 35.6 vs. 163.7 ± 21.8, p=0.0001) were increased; Mitral E/A ratio (1.0 ± 0.3 vs. 1.3 ± 0.3, p=0.0001) and mitral Em (0.09 ± 0.03 vs. 0.11 ± 0.03, p=0.001) were decreased; Mitral Am (0.11 ± 0.02 vs. 0.09 ± 0.02, p=0.0001) and mitral E/Em ratio (8.8 ± 3.2 vs. 7.6 ± 2.6, p=0.017) were increased in the patients. Conclusions In patients with breast cancer after anthracycline therapy: Left intra-atrial, inter-atrial electromechanical intervals were prolonged. Diastolic function was impaired. Impaired left ventricular relaxation and left atrial electrical conduction could be contributing to the development of atrial arrhythmias.

İzole Koroner Arter Ektazilerinde Serum Ürik Asit ve C-reaktif Protein Düzeylerinin Değerlendirilmesi

Introduction: Isolated coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is defined as the arterial enlargement of 1.5 times or more compared to the adjacent normal arterial portion without significant coronary artery stenosis. Although the exact cause is not clearly known, increased inflammation is the most responsible factor in pathogenesis of CAE. Serum uric acid (SUA) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are the most widely used markers of inflammation. In this study, we aimed to investigate the possible association of isolated CAE with SUA and CRP levels. Patients and Methods: In this study, 4.600 patients undergoing coronary angiography in our hospital due to a known or suspected ischemic heart disease between January 2011 and August 2012 were retrospectively evaluated. Following the exclusion criteria, our study population consisted of 110 (63.6% males, mean age: 58.1±9.5 years) isolated CAE patients, 110 patients (63.6% males, mean age: 55.2.4±2.3 years) with coronary artery diseases (CAD) who were matched with this group in age, gender and cardiovascular risk factors (body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia and smoking status) and 100 patients with angiographically normal coronary arteries (51.0% males; mean age: 57.6±10.1 years). Basal SUA and CRP are routinely measured in our clinic before the coronary angiography. Results: Serum level of uric acid did not show a significant difference between CAE and CAD groups (6.5±0.5 mg/dL and 6.4±0.5 mg/dL; p>0.05), while this value was found significantly higher in both groups compared to the controls (5.1±0.5 mg/dL; p<0.001). Similarly, there was not a significant difference between CAE and CAD groups in terms of the serum level of CRP (1.8±0.0 mg/dL and 1.7±0.3 mg/dL; p>0.05), while CRP values were significantly higher in both groups compared to the controls (1.1±0.4 mg/dL; p<0.001). Conclusion: We found that levels of SUA and CRP were higher in the patients with CAE than in subjects with normal coronary artery, but no significant different was found compared to patients with CAD. These data suggest that both CAE and CAD shared common pathophysiological mechanisms.