The effects of prior calcium channel blocker therapy on creatine kinase-MB levels after percutaneous coronary interventions

Oyku Gulmez, Ilyas Atar, Bülent Ozin, Mehmet Emin Korkmaz, Aslı Atar, Alp Aydinalp, Aylin Yildirir, Haldun MuderrisogluBaskent University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Ankara, TurkeyBackground: Use of intracoronary calcium channel blockers (CCBs) during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been shown to have favorable effects on coronary blood flow. We aimed to investigate the effects of CCBs administrated perorally on creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) levels in patients undergoing elective PCI.Methods: A total of 570 patients who underwent PCI were evaluated for CK-MB elevation. Patients who were on CCB therapy when admitted to the hospital constituted the CCB group. No CCBs were given to the rest of the patients during the periprocedural period and these patients served as the control group. Blood samples for CK-MB were obtained before and at 6 h, 24 h, and 36 h after the procedure.Results: 217 patients were in the CCB group (mean age 60.2 ± 9.3 years, 162 males), and 353 were in the control group (mean age 60.0 ± 10.1 years, 262 males). CK-MB levels increased above the normal values in 41 patients (18.9%) of the CCBs group and in 97 patients (27.5%) of the control group (p = 0.02). Median CK-MB levels were significantly higher in the control group for all studied hours (for all p < 0.05).Conclusions: Prior oral CCB therapy may have favorable effects in preventing myocyte necrosis after elective PCI.Keywords: calcium channel blockers, myonecrosis, percutaneous coronary intervention

A Report of Brugada Syndrome Presenting with Cardiac Arrest Triggered by Verapamil Intoxication

Background: Brugada syndrome is a disease characterized by a specific electrocardiographic pattern and an increased risk of sudden cardiac death. We present this case with the updated literature to emphasise the need to consider the diagnosis of Brugada syndrome in patients admitted to the emergency ward with sudden cardiac arrest. Case Report: A 16-year-old female patient was admitted to the emergency ward with complaints of weakness and abdominal pain, and she had four cardiac arrests during her evaluation period. She was referred to our clinic for permanent pacemaker implantation. She was on a temporary pace maker after having had C-reactive protein. Her physical exam was normal except for bilaterally decreased lung sounds. Lung x-ray and computed tomography, which were performed by another institution, revealed minimal pleural effusion and nothing else of significance. Blood and peritoneal fluid samples were sterile. Echocardiographic exam and cardiac enzymes were also in the normal ranges. Electrocardiographic showed incomplete right branch block in leads V1 and V2. An ajmaline test revealed specific electrocardiographic findings of the type I Brugada pattern. We proposed implanting an implantable cardioverter defibrillator to the patient as there were positive findings on the ajmaline test as well as a history of sudden cardiac arrest. After this treatment proposal, the patient’s family admitted that she had taken a high dose of verapamil and thus, the encountered bradycardia was associated with verapamil overuse. The ajmaline test was repeated as it was contemplated that the previous positive ajmaline test had been associated with verapamil overuse. Implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation was proposed again as there was a history of sudden cardiac arrest; however, the family did not consent to implantable cardioverter defibrillator, and the patient was discharged and followed up. Conclusion: Brugada syndrome should be considered for patients who are admitted to the emergency ward with sudden cardiac arrest though surface electrocardiographic is normal. If there is a suspicion of Brugada syndrome, repeated electrocardiographic should be performed on different occasions. Diagnosis can be clarified by upper costal electrocardiographic or by administering Na channel blockers during electrocardiographic performanc

The effect of raloxifene on left ventricular hypertrophy in postmenopausal women: A prospective, randomized, and controlled study

Objective: In healthy women, there is a progressive age-related increase in myocardial mass that is not seen in their male counterparts and occurs primarily in postmenopausal women. Raloxifene is a selective estrogen receptor modulator that has estrogenic actions on bone and the cardiovascular system. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of raloxifene on myocardial hypertrophy in postmenopausal patients. Methods: A total of 22 postmenopausal osteoporotic women were included in this open-label, randomized, prospective, controlled study. Patients were randomized into two groups: 11 of the patients (group 1) were treated with raloxifene 60 mg/day, and the other 11 patients (group 2) were defined as the control group. Quantitative 2-dimensional and M-mode echocardiographic examination was performed in all patients at the beginning and repeated at the end of the 6-month follow-up period. Left ventricle mass (LVM) and left ventricle mass index (LVMI) were calculated for all patients. Results: The mean age of the patients was 57.2 +/- 3.9 years, and baseline clinical characteristics and echocardiographic parameters were similar between the two groups. After 6 months of raloxifene treatment, there was no difference in echocardiographic parameters of LVM and LVMI compared with the control group (201.2 +/- 25.9 gr vs. 169.7 +/- 46.2 gr, p=0.14 and 120.4 +/- 25.9 gr/m(2) vs. 105.5 +/- 26.3 gr/m(2), p=0.195, respectively). There was also no significant difference in LVM and LVMI in the within-group analysis of both groups. Conclusion: Raloxifene therapy does not affect myocardial hypertrophy in postmenopausal women after 6 months of treatment

Comparison of application of 2013 ACC/AHA guideline and 2011 European Society of Cardiology guideline for the management of dyslipidemias for primary prevention in a Turkish cohort

OBJECTIVE: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is a major global cause of death. The common approach in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease is to identify patients at high risk for cardiovascular disease. This article analyzes and compares the application of 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guideline and the 2011 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guideline for the management of dyslipidemias for primary prevention in Turkish population. METHODS: The study included 833 patients (482 women and 351 men). Risk scores were calculated according to both guidelines and indications for statin treatment were determined according to sex and age group. Variables are presented as mean +/- SD or median with interquartile range for continuous data and as proportions for categorical data. Variables were analyzed by unpaired t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square or Fischer's exact test as appropriate. RESULTS: The ACC/AHA would suggest statin treatment in 415 patients out of 833 (49.5%), while ESC would recommend statin for 193 patients out of 833 (23.1%)(p<0.001). Statins would be recommended for 40.4% of women and 62.6% of men for primary prevention by the ACC/AHA, while this figure was 12% for women and 38.4% for men according to the ESC guideline (p<0.001 for both). CONCLUSION: When compared to the ESC guideline, the ACC/AHA guideline suggests augmented statin treatment for primary prevention in Turkish populatio

Determinants of New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation in Patients Receiving CRT Mechanistic Insights From Speckle Tracking Imaging

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the factors associated with the development of atrial fibrillation (AF) and to examine the impact of these factors for long-term outcome after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). BACKGROUND The effect of CRT on the development of new AF is under debate. METHODS Clinical assessment, 12-lead electrocardiogram, echocardiography with speckle tracking strain imaging, and device interrogation before implantation and every 6 months thereafter were performed regularly over a 5-year follow-up. The primary endpoint was new-onset AF. Pre-specified outcome events were transplantation, assist device implantation, and death. RESULTS During follow-up, AF occurred in 29 of 106 patients. Parameters of left atrial (LA) mechanics including mitral annular (A') velocity, left atrial volume index (LAVI), LA ejection fraction, active emptying fraction, LA mean systolic strain (Ss) and late diastolic strain (Sa) improved at 6 months only in patients who remained free of AF. The change in LA Ss and Sa from baseline to 6 months after CRT had the highest accuracy to predict new-onset AF (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.793, 0.815, respectively, p < 0.0001 for both vs. left ventricular [LV] reverse remodeling AUC = 0.531; p < 0.01 for both). In addition, the change in LA Ss and Sa predicted outcome events independently from new-onset AF and LV volume response. CONCLUSIONS LA functional improvement is essential for AF-free survival after CRT and is an independent predictor of AF-free survival. The improvement in LA Ss and Sa as a means of LA mechanical reserve also predicts long-term event-free survival after CRT independently from LV volume response and new-onset AF. (C) 2016 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation

The effects of a low international normalized ratio on thromboembolic and bleeding complications in patients with mechanical mitral valve replacement

Background: Mechanical heart valve replacement has an inherent risk of thromboembolic events (TEs). Current guidelines recommend an international normalized ratio (INR) of at least 2.5 after mechanical mitral valve replacement (MVR). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a low INR (2.0-2.5) on thromboembolic and bleeding complications in patients with mechanical MVR on warfarin therapy. Methods: One hundred and thirty-five patients who underwent mechanical MVR were enrolled in this study. The end points of this study were defined as TEs (valve thrombosis, transient ischemic attack, stroke) and bleeding (all minor and major bleeding) complications. Patients were followed up for a mean of 39.6 months and the mean INR of the patients was calculated. After data collection, patients were divided into 3 groups according to their mean INR, as follows: group 1 (n = 34), INR 2.5. Results: A total of 22 events (10 [7.4%] thromboembolic and 12 [8.8%] bleeding events) occurred in the follow-up period. The mean INR was an independent risk factor for the development of TEs. Mean INR and neurological dysfunction were independent risk factors for the development of bleeding events. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the log mean INR and all bleeding events, and a negative correlation was found between the log mean INR and all TEs. The total number of events was significantly lower in group 2 than in groups 1 and 3 (P = 0.036). Conclusions: This study showed that a target INRs of 2.0-2.5 are acceptable for preventing TEs and safe in terms of bleeding complications in patients with mechanical MVR