Takayasu Arteritis Initially Mimicking Infective Endocarditis

Takayasu’s arteritis (TA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects large vessels, predominantly the aorta and its main branches, leading to vessel wall thickening, fibrosis and stenosis. Cardiac and vascular symptoms are also commonly present at disease onset. In TA with thoracic or abdominal involvement, although murmur can be present at physical examination, the pulse difference may be absent. Here, we report a case of TA who initially resembled infective endocarditis and had widespread thoracic murmur

Evaluation of left ventricular systolic asynchrony in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism

Background: The heart was very sensitive to fluctuating thyroid hormone levels. To assess intra-left ventricular (LV) systolic asynchrony in patients with subclinical thyroid dysfunction. Methods: Fifty patients with subclinical hypothyroidism and 40 controls were included. A diagnosis of subclinical hypothyroidism was reached with increased TSH and normal free T4. All subjects were evaluated by echocardiography. Evaluation of intra-LV systolic asynchrony was performed by tissue synchronization imaging (TSI), and four TSI parameters of systolic asynchrony were calculated. LV asynchrony was defined by these parameters. Results: All of the groups were similar in terms of demographic findings and conventional and Doppler echocardiograpic parameters except peak systolic velocity and early diastolic velocity. LV systolic asynchrony parameters of TSI including; standard deviation of Ts of the 12 LV segments (Ts-SD-12), maximal difference in Ts between any 2 of the 12 LV segments (Ts-12), standard deviation of TS of the 6 basal LV segments (Ts-SD-6), maximal difference in Ts between any of the 6 basal LV segments (Ts-6) were significantly lengthened in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism than controls (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). The prevalence of LV asynchrony was significantly higher in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism than control. Conclusions: Patients with subclinical hypothyroidism present evidence of LV asynchrony by TSI. LV systolic asynchrony could be a warning sign of the early stage in cardiac systolic dysfunction in subclinical hypothyroid patients

Korelacja odsetka hemoglobiny glikowanej z ciężkością choroby wieńcowej występująca u młodych osób niezależnie od tradycyjnych czynników ryzyka

Introduction: In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in < 40 years old patients. Material and methods: The study population consisted of 211 premature coronary atherosclerotic patients (pCAP) (aged 36.4 &#177; 2.5 years) and 160 control subjects (36.4 &#177; 2.4 years). The severity of CAD was evaluated by the Gensini scoring system. HbA1c levels and the other basic biochemical parameters were analysed, and relations with severity of CAD were evaluated. Results: There were statistically significant differences in serum HbA1c levels between the two groups (pCAP = 6.1 &#177; 1.8%, control = 4.7 &#177; 1.2%, p < 0.001). HbA1c levels significantly positively correlated with the Gensini score in pCAP (r = 0.662, p < 0.001). In linear multivariate regression analysis (including age, sex, HbA1c, smoking, diabetes mellitus and hypertension as dependent parameters), only HbA1c was found to be an independent risk factor for the presence of severe CAD (Beta = 0.374, p < 0.001). In ROC curve analysis, the optimal cut-off value of HbA1c to predict severe CAD was 6.52%, with 74.4% sensitivity and 75.1% specificity (area under the curve 0.781, 95% confidence interval 0.661 to 0.901, p < 0.001). Conclusions: HbA1c levels were found to be correlated with the Gensini score in pCAP with and without diabetes. In this respect, glucose metabolism abnormalities, indicated by HbA1c, may play an important role in premature CAD. (Endokrynol Pol 2012; 63 (5): 367-371)Wstęp: Niniejsze badanie przeprowadzono w celu oceny zależności między odsetkiem hemoglobiny glikowanej (HbA1c) a ciężkością choroby wieńcowej (CAD) u chorych w wieku < 40 lat. Materiał i metody: Badana populacja składała się z 211 chorych z przedwczesną miażdżycą tętnic wieńcowych (pCAP) (w wieku 36,4 &#177; 2,5 roku) i 160 osób stanowiących grupę kontrolną (36,4 &#177; 2,4 roku). Ciężkość CAD określano na podstawie wartości wskaźnika Gensiniego. Przeanalizowano odsetek HbA1c oraz inne wyjściowe parametry biochemiczne i oceniono ich zależności z ciężkością CAD. Wyniki: Stwierdzono statystycznie istotne różnice między grupami w zakresie stężeń HbA1c w surowicy (pCAP = 6,1 &#177; 1,8%, grupa kontrolna = 4,7 &#177; 1,2%; p < 0,001). Wartości HbA1c były istotnie skorelowane z wartościami wskaźnika Gensiniego u chorych z pCAP (r = 0,662; p < 0,001). W wieloczynnikowej analizie regresji liniowej (w której uwzględniono wiek, płeć, stężenie HbA1c, palenie tytoniu, cukrzycę i nadciśnienie tętnicze jako zmienne zależne) jedynie stężenie HbA1c okazało się niezależnym czynnikiem ryzyka wskazującym na występowanie ciężkiej CAD (Beta = 0,374; p < 0,001). Jak wykazano w analizie krzywych ROC, optymalny punkt odcięcia wartości HbA1c pozwalający prognozować ciężką CAD wynosi 6,52%, przy czułości metody 74,4% i swoistości 75,1% (pole pod krzywą 0,781, 95-proc. przedział ufności 0,661&#8211;0,901; p < 0,001). Wnioski: U osób z pCAP, zarówno chorych na cukrzycę, jak i bez tej choroby, stwierdzono korelacje między wartościami HbA1c i wskaźnikiem Gensiniego. Jak wynika z powyższych obserwacji, zaburzenia metabolizmu glukozy, których wyznacznikiem jest odsetek HbA1c, mogą odgrywać ważną rolę w rozwoju przedwczesnej CAD. (Endokrynol Pol 2012; 63 (5): 367-371

Evaluation of left atrial mechanical functions and atrial conduction abnormalities in patients with clinical hypothyroid

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate left atrial (LA) mechanical functions, atrial electromechanical delay and P wave dispersion in hypothyroid patients. Methods: Thirty-four patients with overt hypothyroid and thirty controls were included. A diagnosis of overt hypothyroid was reached with increased serum TSH and decreased free T4 (fT4) levels. LA volumes were measured using the biplane area length method and LA active and passive emptying volumes and fraction were calculated. Intra- and interatrial electromechanical delay (EMD) were measured by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). P wave dispersion was calculated by 12 lead electrocardiograms. Results: LA diameter were significantly higher in patients with overt hypothyroid (p = 0.021). LA passive emptying volume and LA passive emptying fraction were significantly decreased with hypothyroid patients (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001). LA active emptying volume and LA active emptying fraction were significantly increased with hypothyroid patients (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001). Intra- and interatrial EMD, were measured significantly higher in hypothyroid patients (30.6 &#177; 6.1 vs 18.0 &#177; 2.7, p < 0.001; and 10.6 &#177; 3.4 vs 6.9 &#177; 1.4, p < 0.001, respectively). P wave dispersion were significantly higher in hypothyroid patients (48.8 &#177; 6.2 vs 44.3 &#177; 7.2, p = 0.022). In stepwise regression analysis demonstrated that, interatrial EMD and LA active emptying fraction related with TSH and fT4. Conclusions: This study showed that impaired LA mechanical and electromechanical function in hypothyroid patients. TSH and T4 were independent determinant of interatrial EMD and LA active emptying fraction

Hand knitting induced thrombosis of the subclavian vein in a young woman: an unusual cause of Paget-Schoetter Syndrome

Effort thrombosis refers to axillary-subclavian vein thrombosis associated with strenuous and repetitive activity of the upper extremities. Effort thrombosis usually follows sporting activities, such as wrestling, playing ball, gymnastics and swimming, which involve vigorous andnsustained upper extremity movements. Heretofore, We report a case of Paget-Schroetter syndrome characterized by hand knitting triggered thrombosis of the subclavian vein

SERUM LEVELS OF OMENTIN ARE NOT ALTERED IN DRUG-NAIVE PATIENTS WITH MAJOR DEPRESSION: A PILOT STUDY

Background: Decreased plasma levels of omentin, a relatively novel adipokine, are shown to be associated with metabolic abnormalities and proinflammatory states. Although other adipokines such as leptin and adiponectin have been extensively investigated in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), no studies have evaluated omentin levels in major depression. Therefore, this study sought to test the hypothesis that drug-naive patients with MDD would have lower serum omentin levels than a healthy control group similar in age, sex, and body mass index. Subjects and methods: Thirty patients with MDD (10 men) and 30 healthy control subjects (10 men) were studied. Plasma concentration of omentin, along with other biochemical parameters, was measured after a period of fasting. The severity of depression was determined by the Beck Depression Inventory. Results: No significant difference was found between patients with MDD (723.3±233.8 ng/ml) and healthy comparison subjects (670.7±351.8 ng/ml) in mean plasma concentrations of omentin (p>0.05). There was no significant correlation between plasma omentin levels and depression severity (r=-0.147; p>0.05). Conclusions: This is the first investigation of omentin levels in patients with MDD. The hypothesis that circulating omentin levels would be different in depressed patients than in healthy controls is not supported by our data

The relationship between the peritoneal permeability and serum cholesterol levels

43rd Annual Congress of the European-Renal-Association/European-Dialysis-and-Transplant-Association (ERA-EDTA) -- JUL 15-18, 2006 -- Glasgow, SCOTLANDWOS: 000239919001411European Renal Assoc, European Dialys & Transplant Asso