Serum copeptin level can be a helpful biomarker in evaluation of myocardial perfusion scintigraphy results

Background: Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) is a well-established diagnostic tool. The sensitivity and specificity of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) MPS to detect significant coronary lesion were 86% and 74%, respectively. The aim of this study was to examine the role of serum copeptin in evaluation of MPS. Methods: Sixty-two consecutive patients underwent both SPECT MPS using 99mTc-sestamibi and transthoracic echocardiography were enrolled prospectively. Age, gender, height, weight, presence of cardiovascular risk factors were recorded. Exercise treadmill test (ETT) with modified Bruce protocol was used to induce coronary ischemia during MPS. While performing MPS, blood samples for serum copeptin level were drawn three times at pre-exercise, at the peak of ETT, and 6 h after ETT, respectively. The patients were enrolled into three groups according to MPS results (normal, equivocal and ischemia). Results: The study included 62 patients (23 with normal, 20 with equivocal, 19 with ischemia on MPS). Pre-, peak-, and post-exercise B-type natriuretic peptide and troponin I values were similar across the groups (p > 0.05 for all comparisons). Serum copeptin values for pre- and peak-exercise were similar among all groups (p = 0.883 and p = 0.089). Post-exercise copeptin values of the normal and equivocal groups were similar (p = 0.661, z = –0.438) while that of the ischemia group was significantly higher than both the normal (p < 0.001) and equivocal group (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Serum copeptin was found to be increasing significantly in case of ischemia on MPS. It may be used in differentiation of equivocal results from false positive results.

The relation of novel cardiovascular risk parameters in patients with familial Mediterranean fever

Objective In this study, we aimed at correlating the thickness of epicardial adipose tissue and levels of Vitamin D with cardiac risk in patients with familial Mediterranean fever. Methods Sixty-five patients with familial Mediterranean fever and 38 healthy controls with matching age and sex were included in the study. The patients with a history of familial Mediterranean fever attacks within the previous two weeks or with any history of inflammatory or cardiovascular disease were excluded. Data regarding age, gender, weight, height, waist circumference, body mass index (calculated as weight/height 2 ), pulse wave velocity, serum Vitamin D levels from fasting blood samples, and Homeostatic Model Assessment for insulin resistance were obtained for the patients and controls. The epicardial adipose tissue was visualized as an echo-free space between the outer surface of myocardium and visceral pericardium using two-dimensional echocardiography, and the thickness of epicardial adipose tissue was measured in parasternal long-axis view at the end of diastole. Results The patients with familial Mediterranean fever had significantly higher levels of C-reactive protein, epicardial adipose tissue, and pulse wave velocity (p < 0.001, <0.05, <0.005, respectively) as compared with the control group. However, the serum Vitamin D levels in the two groups were observed to be similar (p = 0.486). Weak but significant positive correlations were observed between epicardial adipose tissue thickness and C-reactive protein (r = 0.302, p < 0.005), epicardial adipose tissue thickness and pulse wave velocity (r = 0.263, p < 0.01), and C-reactive protein and pulse wave velocity (r = 0.235, p < 0.05). Conclusion Thickness of epicardial adipose tissue and pulse wave velocity were observed to increase in patients with familial Mediterranean fever

Relationship of serum calprotectin, angiopoietin‑1, and angiopoietin‑2 levels with coronary collateral circulation in patients with stable coronary artery disease

Background: In patients with chronic stable coronary artery disease (CAD), well‑developed coronary collateral circulation (CCC) is known to reduce long‑term mortality. Aims: The objective of this study was to determine the relationship of serum calprotectin (S100A8 / S100A9), angiopoietin‑1 (Ang‑1) and angiopoietin‑2 (Ang‑2) concentrations with CCC in patients with stable CAD. Methods: This prospective cross‑sectional study included 147 patients with stable angina pectoris. The Cohen–Rentrop classification was used to assess CCC. Patients were divided into 2 groups: with poor CCC (Cohen–Rentrop score, 0–1; n = 79) and with good CCC (Cohen–Rentrop score, 2–3; n = 68). Serum calprotectin, Ang‑1, and Ang‑2 concentrations were compated between groups. Results: Compared with the group with good CCC, serum calprotectin and Ang‑1 levels were higher (P &lt; 0.01 and P &lt; 0.001, respectively), while serum Ang‑2 levels were lower (P &lt; 0.01) in the poor‑CCC group. C‑reactive protein levels showed a moderate positive correlation with calprotectin levels (r = 0.359; P &lt; 0.001). In a multivariate regression analysis, only calprotectin (P &lt; 0.05) and Ang‑1 (P &lt; 0.05) were found to be independent predictors of good and poor CCC. Conclusions: Our study showed that Ang‑2 levels were lower, while serum calprotectin and Ang‑1 levels were higher, in patients with stable CAD and poor CCC regardless of the complexity and severity of coronary arteriosclerosis. If these results are confirmed in future studies, calprotectin may be considered a useful biomarker for guiding anti‑ischemic treatment

Can Impaired Elasticity of Aorta Predict the Success of Vardenafil Treatment in Patients with Erectile Dysfunction?

Objective. Vardenafil is used in treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) but reveals variable clinical outcomes. Here, we aimed to evaluate the role of aortic elasticity in predicting vardenafil success among patients with ED. Methods. Sixty-one consecutive male subjects with primary ED and indication for vardenafil treatment were included. All subjects fulfilled 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) before the vardenafil treatment. Pretreatment aortic stiffness index (ASI) and aortic distensibility (AD) were obtained echocardiographically. Following two-month vardenafil treatment, the patients were reevaluated with IIEF-5. Pretreatment, posttreatment, and ΔIIEF-5 scores and ASI values were compared. Results. Average age was 54±8 years. Pretreatment and posttreatment IIEF-5 and ΔIIEF-5 scores were 9.1±2.5; 18.5±2.3; and 9.4±3, respectively. Mean ASI and AD values were 3.10±0.54 and 4.13±2.55 1/(103  ×  mmHg) accordingly. ASI value of severe pretreatment ED (n=15) was significantly higher than that of mild-moderate pretreatment ED (n=12) (p<0.001). All pretreatment IIEF-5 scores increased significantly compared to posttreatment IIEF-5 scores (p<0.001). ASI values were significantly correlated to pretreatment IIEF-5 scores (p<0.001) and ΔIIEF-5 value (p<0.001) but not to posttreatment IIEF-5 score. Conclusion. Aortic elasticity was impaired in accordance with degree of ED. The subjects with higher ASI values obtained more benefits from vardenafil

In Vitro Efficacy of the Ankaferd Galenic Hemostatic Extract as a Germicidal Agent

Background: Hydatid cysts are encountered frequently in regions endemic with livestock. The basic treatment for a hydatid cyst is total surgical removal of the cyst and its inner contents. Hypertonic NaCl or diluted betadine solution are used as germicidal agents for most hydatid surgeries. However, the germicidal efficacy of the Ankaferd Blood Stopper® (ABS) has not been investigated. Thus, we compared the efficacy of ABS for hydatid cysts with that of other germicidal agents. Methods: Lung and liver tissues containing hydatid cyst liquid were collected from slaughterhouses. Six samples of each cyst were randomly allocated into different groups as follows: 20% hypertonic NaCl, betadine solution, ABS, 20% liquefied Andazole solution, 0.1% eosin, and distilled water. All groups were examined microscopically at 5, 10, and 15 min after treatment began to determine protoscolece viability rates. Results: The most efficacious germicidal agent at 5 min was ABS, and betadine and hypertonic NaCl had similar efficacies. Betadine, ABS, and hypertonic NaCl showed similar efficacies at 15 min.  Conclusion: ABS was an effective germicidal agent to treat hydatid cysts