A case of myocardial infarction due to acute left main coronary artery occlusion presenting with peculiar electrocardiographic changes

Myocardial infarction (MI) due to acute obstruction of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) occlusion is a medical emergency, requiring early and prompt diagnosis and revascularization, and unless it is treated, it will frequently result in cardiogenic shock, which has a high fatality rate. Our case focused on a patient, who was transferred to our hospital relatively late due to peculiar ECG. He had acute MI, and was in cardiogenic shock. ECG is the easiest diagnostic method in the early diagnosis of the acute coronary syndromes and in deciding on the early invasive intervention in the high risk group. Before he was sent to us, the patient had an ECG showing right bundle branch block (RBBB) and a AVR ST segment elevation. At the time of the urgent coronary angiography, it was noticed that the LMCA was totally occluded. This case has been presented in order to emphasize that peculiar changes might bring about devastating consequences as in our rare case, showing acute left main coronary artery occlusion, and ST segment elevation only in the AVR on the 12-lead ECG along with upward deflection of ST segment vector might be critical for accurate diagnosis

2019 Turkish Hypertension Consensus Report

The Turkish Hypertension Consensus Report was prepared for the first time in 2015 to adapt the European and American international guidelines to our clinical practice and to create a practical report that could be a basic reference for all physicians dealing with hypertensive patients. This report, which was prepared by a committee with representation from 5 leading hypertension associations, has been accepted and is widely used. New clinical studies in hypertension literature and updated international guidelines since 2015 have demanded an update of the Turkish Hypertension Consensus Report as well. In this updated 2019 report, blood pressure levels were classified as Normal, Elevated, Stage 1, and Stage 2 hypertension. A new section was added for secondary hypertension. It was specified that drug treatment may be initiated with any 1 or a combination of 4 groups of drugs (diuretics, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme [ACE] inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers [ARBs]), except a combination of an ACE inhibitor and an ARB. It was emphasized that beta-blockers may be a first choice for hypertension treatment in diseases such as atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and coronary artery disease. The initial recommendation for hypertension treatment is a combination therapy in patients with a blood pressure level >= 150/90 mmHg. Target blood pressure values were redefined according to age and the presence of comorbidities. The hypertension treatment algorithm was renewed; it is proposed that drug therapy can also be initiated with a risk-based approach for the group with an elevated blood pressure (systolic blood pressure: 120-139 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure: 80-89 mmHg). The threshold clinic systolic blood pressure level was reduced from 160 mmHg to >= 150 mmHg for the initiation of drug therapy in individuals 80 years of age or more. The section on the treatment of special groups has now been expanded to include pregnancy and lactation. As in the previous report, in this update, practical recommendations for the most common cases seen in the clinic were the goal, rather than a comprehensive report that addresses all aspects of hypertension. This report has evidence-based recommendations for most patients; however, it should be kept in mind that there may be differences from 1 patient to another and that physicians should take an individualized approach according to a good clinical evaluation