Yusuf Sezen

Plasma NT-proBNP is a potential marker of disease severity and correlates with symptoms in patients with chronic rheumatic valve disease

A noninvasive marker of disease severity and presence of symptoms is required in patients with chronic rheumatic valve disease (RVD).

Large rectus muscle hematoma with intraperitoneal bleeding and fatal abdominal compartment syndrome complicating anticoagulant therapy.

A 46-year-old woman who underwent mitral and aortic valve replacement 3 months previously reported sudden onset of abdominal pain while taking warfarin and enoxaparin because of poorly controlled international normalized ratio. She had no history of abdominal trauma. The patient was an obese woman who appeared fatigued. On physical examination, the abdomen was massively distended and a mass was felt in the right side of the abdomen. Both palpebral conjunctivae were pale. Except for tachycardia, the remainder of the physical examination, including the heart and lungs, was normal. She was taking enoxaparin with coumadin 5 mg daily for 5 days. The hemoglobin level was 4.7 g/dL, and the prothrombin time was 120.6 seconds (international normalized ratio was 21). Computed tomography showed intraperitoneal bleeding, pressed bladder, large right rectus muscle hematoma, and infiltrations suggesting bleeding into the left rectus muscle, subcutaneous fat tissues, and the bilateral abdominal wall (Figs. 1 and 2). Anticoagulant treatment was discontinued. We gave her 2 units of packed fresh-frozen plasma and red cells. On the following day, abdominal distention persisted. Urine output indicated oliguria with difficulty in ventilation. The hemoglobin level was 7.5 g/dL, and the prothrombin time was 14 seconds (international normalized ratio was 1.18). The patient died suddenly despite vigorous supportive care. We could not obtain approval for postmortem examination. Because abdominal compartment syndrome during the anticoagulation period is reported rarely in the literature, we decided to share this case to indicate potential errors in diagnosis. DISCUSSION

Complete Lysis of Left Ventricular Giant Thrombus with Fibrinolytic Therapy in Clopidogrel Resistant Patient

Sixty-year-old woman admitted with dyspnea and cough. Three weeks ago she underwent primary stenting for acute anterior myocardial infarction and recieved antiplatelet therapy (clopidogrel). Echocardiography and left ventriculography revealed left ventricular segmental dysfunction at anterolateral-apical region but no thrombus. On last admission, despite the clopidogrel therapy, echocardiography showed giant-partly mobil thrombus obliterated half of the left ventricle. Slow infusion of thrombolytic therapy was given and complete lysis occurred with uneventful course. Disclosure of such a rapidly evolving giant left ventricular thrombus in the clopidogrel non-responder is a rare clinical problem with potentially catastrophic consequences. Slow infusion of thrombolytic therapy may be effective and life saving.

The levels of the leptin and adiponectin according to body mass index and their relationship with oxidative parameters

OBJECTIVE Obesity is an important risk factor of atherosclerosis and its prevalence in humans is increasing. Recent studies suggest that the leptin and adiponectin play important roles in obesity, and they are associated with complications of obesity. However, the mechanism of effects has not been outstandingly established. In this study, we studied leptin and adiponectin levels according to body mass index (BMI) and their relationship with oxidative parameters. METHODS A total of 87 healthy individuals with BMI ≤35 kg/m² (n=29, Group 1), BMI=25-35 kg/m² (n=29, Group 2) and BMI =25 kg/m² (n=29, Group 3) were included in the cross-sectional observational study. Leptin, adiponectin levels, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidant status (TOS) were measured. Oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated using TAC and TOS values. Statistical analyses were performed using Chi-Square, Mann-Whitney U, one-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses tests. RESULTS Age and gender ratio were similar in the groups. The TAC level was the lowest in group 3 and the highest in group 1. The TOS level was higher in groups 2 and 3 than in group 1 (p =0.05 for both). OSI levels were similar in groups 2 and 3, and it was significantly different from the group 1 (p=0.05). The trend for leptin levels was decreasing and for antiponectin levels was increasing from group 1 to group 3. Except for other parameters, levels of leptin were independently related to the TOS (b=-1.123, 95% CI =-12.734-0.255, p=0.040), OSI (b=1.689, 95% CI=1.105-12.481, p=0.018) and waist circumference (b=-0.592, 95% CI= -0.630-0.134, p=0.003). Adiponectin had no significant relation with these parameters. CONCLUSION Findings of the present study reveal that leptin decreased and adiponectin increased with BMI in healthy people. These data support that these changes may be responsible in the increased TOS and OSI levels.

Association of aortic flow propagation velocity with ankle-brachial blood pressure index in patients with hypertension: an observational study

OBJECTIVE Endothelial dysfunction is considered the first stage in the development of atherosclerosis and assessed by flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and aortic flow velocity propagation (AVP). Ankle-brachial index (ABI) is used to assess peripheral arterial disease and is associated with FMD but the relationship between ABI and AVP is unknown. In this study, we aimed to search the association between AVP, and ABI in patients with newly diagnosed hypertension. METHODS Sixty-eight patients with newly diagnosed hypertension and 34 healthy subjects were enrolled in the cross-sectional observational study. The maximum ankle arterial pressures were divided by the maximum of the brachial arterial pressures to calculate the ABI. AVP was calculated from dividing the distance between points corresponding to the beginning and end of the propagation slope, to the duration between corresponding time points proximally descending aorta. Statistical analysis was performed using Student t-test, Chi-square test, Pearson correlation and linear regression analyses. RESULTS Age and gender of both groups were similar. Compared to control group E deceleration time of early diastolic flow velocity (184.0±32.2 vs. 217.1±38.6, p<0.001), isovolumic relaxation time (95.5±19.4 vs. 105.7±18.1, p<0.001) and body mass index (25.6±5.1 vs. 27.5±3.8, p=0.044) values were significantly higher, while ABI (1.08±0.07 vs. 1.14±0.07, p=0.001) and AVP (54.97±9.3 vs. 69.17±10.8 cm/sec, p=0.001) values were significantly lower in hypertensive patients. There was a significant correlation between AVP and ABI (r=0.279, p=0.005). Both ABI and AVP were independent predictors of hypertension (OR - 0.353, 95%CI 0.151-0.826, p=0.02 and OR - 0.133, 95%CI 0.0502-0.35, p=0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION Our data indicate that in patients with isolated hypertension AVP and ABI decrease. We also conclude that AVP is directly associated with ABI.

Evaluation of thiol levels, thiol/disulfide homeostasis and their relation with inflammation in cardiac syndrome X.

ObjectivesCardiac syndrome X (CSX) is characterized by the presence of myocardial ischemia in the absence of coronary artery stenosis on angiograms. Its relation to oxidative stress and inflammation is well known. There are no data on thiols and their relation with inflammation in CSX. The aim of this study was to investigate thiol levels and thiol/disulfide homeostasis in CSX patients. Materials and methodsFifty consecutive patients who had documented myocardial ischemia and normal coronary angiogram (CSX group), and 45 age-matched and sex-matched consecutive patients who had normal coronary angiogram without myocardial ischemia (control group) were enrolled in this study. C-reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), native thiol, total thiol, and disulfide levels were measured and disulfide/thiol ratios were calculated in all patients. ResultsDemographic, clinical, basic laboratory, and echocardiographic characteristics were similar in the two groups (P>0.05). Serum total thiol, native thiol, and disulfide levels decreased significantly in the CSX group compared with the control group (P<0.001). CRP and NLR increased significantly in the CSX group compared with the control group (P<0.001). Although disulfide/native thiol levels increased in the CSX group, this reduction did not reach statistical significance (5.8 vs. 5.5, P>0.05). The reduction of thiols was correlated negatively with CRP and NLR (P<0.001). Although univariate logistic regression analyses showed that serum total and native thiol levels, CRP and NLR were independent predictors for CSX estimation, stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis showed only total thiol levels as an independent predictor for CSX (odds ratio=0.966, 95% confidence interval: 0.950–0.982, P<0.001). Also, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that serum total thiol values of 338.4 or below could predict the CSX with 86% sensitivity and 84% specificity (area under curve=0.903; 95% confidence interval: 0.842–0.965). ConclusionSerum total thiol levels decreased significantly in CSX and this reduction independently predicted CSX with strong sensitivity and specificity. This suggests that the reduction in thiols along with increased inflammation may play a pathophysiological role in the development of CSX.

Paraoxonase and arylesterase activities in stent restenosis in bare metal stent.

Background and objectiveThe serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities are related to coronary artery diseases. However, there are a few data about the association of paraoxonase and arylesterase activities with in-stent restenosis (ISR). The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between paraoxonase and arylesterase activities and ISR in patients with bare metal stent (BMS). Materials and methodsThirty-one patients with normal coronary artery (group 1) and 60 with BMS were enrolled in this observational study. According to the ISR, the patients were classified as group 2, without the ISR (n=29) and group 3, with the ISR (n=31). Serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were measured spectrophotometrically. ResultsThe paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were lower in patients with BMS than in the individuals with normal coronary artery (P<0.001 and P=0.001, respectively). The enzyme activities were also higher in patients without ISR than with ISR (both of P<0.001). In bivariate correlation analyses in patients with BMS, ISR shows significant positive correlations with the presence of hypertension and hyperlipidemia, type C lesion, and stent length, but shows negative correlations with type A lesion stent diameter, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and paraoxonase and arylesterase activities. In regression analysis, ISR is independently associated with paraoxonase and arylesterase activities (&bgr;=−0.216, P=0.038 and &bgr;=−0.452, P<0.001, respectively), type A lesion (&bgr;=−0.251, P=0.013), and stent diameter (&bgr;=−0.192, P=0.024) in patients with BMS. ConclusionOur study shows that decreased paraoxonase and arylesterase activities play a significant role in ethiopathogenesis ISR in patients with BMS.

Mean platelet volume is not associated with coronary slow flow: A retrospective cohort study

Objective: To investigate mean platelet volume (MPV) levels in patients with coronary slow flow (CSF). Methods: 465 stable angina pectoris cases with angiographically normal coronary arteries were recruited [coronary slow flow group (n=76), control group (n=389)] in the observational retrospective cohort study. Clinical, biochemical and demographic variables including MPV were noted and coronary blood flow was assessed with TIMI frame count (TFC). Results: Gender, smoking, height, serum creatinine, uric acid levels, hemoglobin, waist/hip ratio, systolic blood pressure but not MPV were significantly different among groups. Independent predictors of CSF were height (p=.029) and serum uric acid level (p=.045). Gender, height, weight, hip circumference, systolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, serum urea, creatinine, uric acid levels, hemoglobin and platelet count were associated with mean TFC whereas independent predictors of mean TIMI frame count were height (p=.010) and serum uric acid level (p=.041). Conclusion: Height and serum uric acid level but not MPV were independent predictors of both CSF and mean TFC.

Endocarditis in Mitochondrial Neurogastrointestinal Encephalomyopathy (MNGIE) Syndrome: The First in the Literature.

Mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy (MNGIE) syndromes is a rarely seen multisystem disorder with autosomal recessive inheritance due to thymidine phosphorylase gene mutation. It is characterized by progressive external ophthalmoplegia and/or pitosis, progressive gastrointestinal dismotility and abdominal pain, postprandial emesis, cachexia, demyelinating peripheral neuropathy, symmetrical and distal weakness especially in lower extremities and diffuse leucoencephalopathy in cranial magnetic resonance. Endocarditis is the infectious and inflammatory disease of the endothelial surface of the heart. MNGIE syndrome is a condition in which immune system is suppressed and infection risk increased. Herein we summarized a previously not reported endocarditis case in a patient with MNGIE syndrome who was under follow up for three years. In MNGIE syndrome of acute dyspnea, infective endocarditis should be kept in mind and prompt evaluation for surgical treatment should be done.

Unruptured giant left ventricular pseudoaneurysm complicating silent myocardial infarction in a diabetic young adult: left ventricular giant pseudoaneurysm after silent myocardial infarction.

We report a very rare case of a 36-year-old diabetic man who had a silent myocardial infarction, a ruptured myocardial wall, and an unruptured left ventricular pseudoaneurysm. The patient admitted with a 3-month history of dyspnea on exertion, without evidence of acute coronary syndrome. Coronary angiography showed severe stenosis of the right coronary artery. Echocardiography, multiple gated acquisition radionuclide scan (MUGA) and left ventricular angiography revealed giant left ventricular posterolateral pseudoaneurysm next to the left ventricle. Patient underwent to surgery with excellent results. We present this case because rarity and high clinical index of suspicion is needed to avoid missing the diagnosis in such an unusual sequence of silent myocardial infarction in diabetic patient. The clinical picture of dyspnea in a diabetic patient in presence of a diagnostic echocardiographic finding warrants coronary angiography to document the ischemic etiology of the pseudoaneurysm in view of prompt surgical correction.