Umit Erturk

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.

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).

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

Pseudoaneurysms of Bilateral Popliteal Arteries following Infective Endocarditis

A rare complication of infective endocarditis is pseudoaneurysm of the arterial wall. Aneurysms arise either from occlusion of vessels by septic emboli with secondary arteritis and vessel wall destruction or from bacteremic seeding of the vessel wall through the vasa vasorum. This paper reports on what the authors believe to be the first case of endocarditis presenting as pseudoaneurysm of the bilateral popliteal arteries.

Management of Aortic Intramural Hematoma

Intramural aortic hematoma is a life-threatening disease and all patients with intramural hematoma of the ascending aorta should be treated by surgery on an emergency basis. Conversely, uncomplicated descending aortic hematoma may not require surgical treatment, especially if the pain and expansion of the hematoma can be controlled with antihypertensive therapy. However, further studies are needed to define the treatment. Towards this goal we report the clinical features and treatment of two recent cases of intramural aortic hematoma.