Oguz Yavuzgil

Benefits of statin treatment in cardiac syndrome-X

AIMS The pathophysiological mechanism in cardiac syndrome-X (anginal chest pain, positive exercise test, and angiographically normal coronary arteries) has been suggested as an impairment in normal endothelial function of the coronary microvasculature, resulting in inadequate flow reserve. The aim of this study was to determine whether statins with proven beneficial effects on endothelium, have any effect on endothelial functions and exercise induced ischaemia in cardiac syndrome-X. METHODS AND RESULTS Study population consisted of prospectively enrolled 40 patients with cardiac syndrome-X. Patients with left ventricular hypertrophy, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and LDL levels >/=160 mg/dl were excluded. Half of the patients received pravastatin (40 mg/day) for 3 months irrespective of their lipid values, according to a single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled design. Endothelial functions were assessed with high-resolution vascular ultrasound, which measured the brachial artery flow mediated dilatation (FMD). Lipid measurements, symptom limited exercise tests and vascular ultrasound images were obtained before and at the end of 3 months. After the treatment, FMD improved significantly in pravastatin group. Exercise duration, and time to 1mm-ST depression were significantly prolonged after statin therapy. Ischaemic symptoms and ECG findings during exercise test disappeared completely in 5 (26%) patients in the statin group. However, there were no significant changes in FMD and exercise parameters in placebo group. CONCLUSIONS Statin therapy resulted in beneficial effects on both exercise induced ischaemia and FMD in cardiac syndrome-X. The mechanism of this beneficial effect is probably the result of improvement in endothelial functions.

Evaluation of the severity of mitral regurgitation by the use of signal void in magnetic resonance imaging.

Background: The study was designed to evaluate the severity of mitral regurgitation by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We proposed a new measurement of signal void by MRI and tried to define threshold values for the severity of regurgitation with different sequences. Methods: Twenty‐one patients with mitral regurgitation were evaluated by echocardiography and MRI. We measured the length, width, and the area of jet flow void from long‐axis and four‐chamber views. The regurgitant area was measured with TrueFISP, FLASH sequences, and phase images by tracing the signal‐void area in left atrium parallel to mitral annulus. This new parameter for grading of the severity of mitral regurgitation by cine MRI was called regurgitant area from short axis (RAFSA). Results: All methods (EROA, vena contracta) were correlated for determining the regurgitation severity (P < 0.01). There was a correlation between EROA by echocardiography and RAFSA by MRI with the TrueFISP, FLASH sequences, and phase images (P < 0.01). Stepwise regression analysis revealed that EROA was significantly correlated with RAFSA by phase images (P < 0.001). After regression analysis, threshold values of RAFSA by phase imaging were calculated and found to be 0.27 cm2 and 0.92 cm2 between mild, moderate, and severe mitral regurgitations (100% sensitivity, 67% specificity, and 100% sensitivity, 78% specificity, respectively) (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Conclusions: MRI is an alternative method for evaluating mitral regurgitation. Our study suggests a new parameter, RAFSA by cine MRI, to grade the severity of mitral regurgitation and provides threshold values in order to define mild, moderate, and severe regurgitations. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume **, ***********)

Stress cardiomyopathy (Tako-Tsubo) following radiofrequency ablation in the right ventricular outflow tract

A 44-year-old female undergoing radiofrequency ablation in the right ventricular outflow tract for symptomatic, frequent premature ventricular contractions developed stress cardiomyopathy (Tako-Tsubo). Stress cardiomyopathy was probably due to hyperadrenergic state induced by the procedure itself, dobutamine infusion, sympathetic nerve stimulation at the ablation site, and parasympathetic withdrawal with atropine administration.

Stress Cardiomyopathy (Tako‐Tsubo) Associated with Sustained Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia

We present a case of 38‐year‐old woman with stress cardiomyopathy presenting to the emergency department with a 1‐week history of recurrent syncope due to sustained polymorphic ventricular tachycardia.

The left atrial phasic functions and the relationship with plasma N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels and symptomatic states in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

OBJECTIVE We aimed to evaluate left atrium (LA) phasic functions and relation with N-terminal pro-B- type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels and symptomatic states of the patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). METHODS Left atrial volume was calculated at end-systole (Vmax), end-diastole and pre-atrial contraction by echocardiography in 75 patients with HCM and 75 control subjects. Left atrial ejection fraction (LAEF), expansion index (LAEI), active emptying volume index (LAAEVI) and fraction (LAAEFr), passive emptying volume index (LAPEVI) and fraction (LAPEFr) were calculated. NT-proBNP levels were measured. RESULTS Left atrial active emptying volume (LAAEV) positively correlated with Vmax (r=0.343, p=0.003) up to a point, but then reached a plateau with larger LA volumes in HCM group. The LAAEFr was the only variable which was similiar between asymptomatic patients and controls, but was significantly decreased in symptomatic patients (p<0.05). NT-proBNP was correlated with LAEF (r=-0.32, p=0.005), LAEI (r=-0387, p=0.001), and LAAEFr (r=-0.25, p=0.035) but not related with LAPEFr (p=0.4). In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis an NT-proBNP cut-off value of 1415 pg/mL identified reduced LAEF with 87% specificity and 59% sensitivity [AUC=0.77 (95% CI: 0.65-0.89), p=0.004], a cut-off value of 820 pg/mL predicted impaired LAEI with 81% specificity ve 67% sensitivity [AUC=0.78 (95% CI: 0.66-0.9), p<0.001]; while a cut-off value of 1320 pg/mL predicted impaired LAAEFr with 76% specificity and 67% sensitivity [AUC=0.79 (95% CI: 0.68-0.91), p=0.02]. CONCLUSION In HCM, LA phasic functions alter according to the Frank-Starling mechanism indicating occurrence of a secondary atrial myopathy. Impairment of LA booster pump function seems to be associated with appearance of symptoms and NT-proBNP levels predict the deterioration of LA reservoir and pump functions in HCM population.

A giant inferoposterior true aneurysm of the left ventricle mimicking a pseudoaneurysm

A left ventricular aneurysm (LVA) is most commonly the result of myocardial infarction, usually involving the anterior wall. A left ventricular pseudoaneurysm (LVPSA) or false aneurysm forms when cardiac rupture is contained by adherent pericardium or scar tissue. The accurate diagnosis, although difficult to establish, is an important one to make because these aneurysms are prone to rupture. In this article, we report a challenging case of a cardiac aneurysm a year after a coronary bypass operation which could not be definitively diagnosed despite of imaging with different techniques including echocardiography, coronary angiography, left ventriculography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The patient underwent a second cardiac surgery, the aneurysm was resected, the mitral valve was replaced and the defect in the ventricular wall was repaired. Because of the combined diagnostic capabilities like detailed and functional pathoanatomy and aneurysmal wall characterization, MRI seems to have multiple advantages in differential diagnosis.

Paraoesophageal hiatal hernia as a rare cause of dyspnoea

A 76 year old woman was admitted to our cardiology clinic with a history of dyspnoea on exertion and palpitation over a period of several months. Irregular …

ST-segment elevation in lead augmented vector right may also be caused by diffuse left main coronary artery vasospasm without fixed stenosis.

ST‐segment deviation in lead augmented vector right (aVR) is useful for evaluating patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The ST‐segment elevation in this aVR in the patient with clinically suspected acute coronary syndrome suggests a strong possibility of left main coronary artery (LMCA) obstruction due to fixed stenosis. In this article, we report the first case, to our knowledge, of ST‐segment elevation in lead aVR due to diffuse LMCA spasm. Copyright

Two different pentalogies in an adult patient: a pentalogy of Cantrell associated with a pentalogy of Fallot

Pentalogy of Cantrell is a rare syndrome characterized by defects involving the abdominal wall, lower sternum, diaphragm, pericardium, as well as congenital cardiac anomalies. Tetralogy of Fallot is a cardiac anomaly consisting of a ventricular septal defect (VSD), dextroposition of the aorta, obstruction to the pulmonary blood flow, and right ventricular (RV) hypertrophy. Addition of atrial septal defect (ASD) to these anomalies is called pentalogy …

Chronic Papillary Muscle Rupture: 14-Year Survival without Surgical Treatment

UNLABELLED Papillary muscle rupture is a life-threatening complication of myocardial infarction which is usually refractory to medical treatment. We present a very rare case of a 65-year-old woman who had a myocardial infarction and posteromedial papillary muscle rupture which was only treated with medical therapy, including her corresponding 14-year follow-up. However, surgical intervention is still strongly recommended because the prognosis of acute papillary muscle rupture associated with myocardial infarction remains poor. KEY WORDS Complication; Myocardial infarction; Papillary muscle rupture; Survival.