Monocyte-to-HDL-cholesterol ratio is associated with Ascending Aorta Dilatation in Patients with Bicuspid Aortic Valve

Background: The importance of monocyte count-to-HDL-cholesterol ratio (MHR) in cardio- vascular diseases has been shown in various studies. Ascending aortic dilatation (AAD) is a common complication in the patients with bicuspid aortic valve. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between MHR and the presence of aortic dilatation in the patients with bicuspid aortic valve. Methods: The study population included totally 347 patients with bicuspid aortic valve.169 patients with aortic dilatation (ascending aorta diameter 65 4.0 cm) and 178 patients with no aortic dilatation. Echocardiographic and laboratory measurement was done and compared between groups. Results: The mean age of the participants was 44.7 \ub1 15.4 years and average ascending aorta diameter was 3.2 \ub1 0.3 cm in dilatation negative group and 4.4 \ub1 0.4 cm in positive group. MHR was significantly increased in in patients with aortic dilatation. MHR and uric acid level was independently associated with the presence of aortic dilatation in the patients with bicuspid aortic valve. Conclusion: We found a significant relationship between MHR and aortic dilatation in the patients with bicuspid aortic valve

Serum Uric Acid Levels are Elevated in Patients with Diastolic Dysfunction and Preserved Ejection Fraction

Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that uric acid level was significantly elevated in patients with diastolic dysfunction. Further studies are needed to assess whether inhibition of xanthine oxidase (XO) with allopurinol results in an improvement in diastolic dysfunction

Evaluation of thiol-disulphide homeostasis in radiation workers

EREL, Ozcan/0000-0002-2996-3236WOS: 000404729600007PubMed: 28281400Purpose: To evaluate thiol-disulphide homeostasis - a novel, easily calculated, readily available, and relatively cheap oxidative stress marker - in radiation workers and compare the results with healthy controls.Materials and methods: A total of 108 participants were enrolled in the study including 63 hospital workers occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation in the units of interventional radiology, interventional cardiology and nuclear medicine. A control group consisted of 45 individuals staff in the same hospital. Serum thiol-disulphide homeostasis measurement was investigated via the spectrophotometric method newly described by Erel and Neeliolu.Results: The mean serum native thiol levels of radiation workers (528.9686.42mol/l) was significantly lower than control subjects (561.05 +/- 104.83mol/l) (p=.045). The mean serum total thiol levels of radiation workers (547.70 +/- 91.50mol/l) was lower than control subjects (580.36 +/- 112.24mol/l). Nevertheless, there was no significant difference between total thiol of exposed workers and controls.Conclusions: The results show that long-term low dose ionizing radiation may lead to oxidative stress and have side-effects in antioxidant thiol groups. We may suggest supporting radiation workers by safe antioxidant nutritional formulations and following up via both physical dosimetry and biodosimetric methods

Natężona pierwszosekundowa objętość wydechowa jako czynnik predykcyjny wyniku w skali SYNTAX u pacjentów z przewlekłą obturacyjną chorobą płuc

Background: The SYNTAX score is an angiographic score that predicts coronary artery disease (CAD) complexity. It has been shown to be useful for decision making about percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting among patients with CAD. Higher SYNTAX scores are indicative of more complex disease. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterised by limitation of airflow. Measurement of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) in spirometry is used for diagnosis and to determine the severity of the disease. Aim: To evaluate the relationship between FEV1 and SYNTAX score in patients with COPD. Methods: Seventy-eight patients with a previous diagnosis of COPD and 48 patients without COPD were enrolled. Spirometry and coronary angiography were performed in all patients. SYNTAX score was calculated and compared between the two groups. The correlation between FEV1 and SYNTAX score was analysed. Results: SYNTAX score was higher in patients with COPD than in patients without COPD (23.22 ± 12.10 vs. 17.92 ± 11.21, respectively; p = 0.013). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that COPD was independently predictive for intermediate and high SYNTAX score (odds ratio 4.833; 95% confidence interval 2.228–10.485; p < 0.001). Mean FEV1 (% predicted) was 64.7 ± 11.4 and negatively correlated with SYNTAX score in COPD group (r = –0.266 and p = 0.018). The receiver operating characteristic analysis yielded a cutoff value of 65.5 for the FEV1 to predict SYNTAX score ≥ 23, with sensitivity and specificity being 78.6% and 70%, respectively. Conclusions: COPD is a predictor of higher SYNTAX scores. FEV1 is associated with more severe and complex CAD.  Wstęp: Skala SYNTAX opiera się na wynikach badania angiograficznego i służy do oceny złożoności choroby wieńcowej (CAD). Jest ona pomocna w podejmowaniu decyzji dotyczącej tego, która metoda leczenia jest bardziej odpowiednia u danego pacjenta z CAD — przezskórna interwencja wieńcowa czy pomostowanie aortalno-wieńcowe. Wyższa punktacja w skali SYNTAX oznacza bardziej zaawansowane zmiany w naczyniach wieńcowych. Przewlekła obturacyjna choroba płuc (COPD) powoduje ograniczenie przepływu powietrza w drogach oddechowych. Pomiar natężonej pierwszosekundowej objętości wydechowej (FEV1) w ramach badania spirometrycznego stosuje się w celu ustalenia rozpoznania i określenia zaawansowania choroby. Cel: Badanie przeprowadzono w celu oceny zależności między FEV1 a wynikiem w skali SYNTAX u pacjentów z COPD. Metody: Do badania włączono 78 pacjentów z rozpoznaną wcześniej COPD i 48 osób niechorujących na COPD. U wszystkich uczestników badania wykonano spirometrię i koronarografię. Ustalono punktację w skali SYNTAX i porównano wyniki miedzy grupami. Analizowano korelację między wartościami FEV1 i wynikiem w skali SYNTAX. Wyniki: Punktacja w skali SYNTAX była wyższa u pacjentów z COPD niż u osób niechorujących na COPD (odpowiednio 23,22 ± 12,10 vs. 17,92 ± 11,21; p = 0,013). W analizie wieloczynnikowej wykazano, że COPD była niezależnym czynnikiem predykcyjnym pośredniej i wysokiej liczby punków w skali SYNTAX (iloraz szans 4,833; 95% przedział ufności 2,228–10,485; p < 0,001). Średnia FEV1 (% wartości należnej) wynosiła 64,7 ± 11,4 i była ujemnie skorelowana z punktacją w skali SYNTAX w grupie pacjentów z COPD (r = –0,266; p = 0,018). Na podstawie analizy krzywych ROC ustalono wartość progową FEV1 wynoszącą 65,5, która pozwala prognozować wynik w skali SYNTAX wynoszący ≥ 23 z czułością 78,6% i swoistością 70%. Wnioski: Przewlekła obturacyjna choroba płuc jest czynnikiem predykcyjnym wysokiej punktacji w skali SYNTAX. Niższy wskaźnik FEV1 wiąże się z cięższą i bardziej złożoną postacią CAD

Daptomycin in the left-sided endocarditis: A single center experience

Objective: Infective endocarditis (IE) carries a high risk of cardiac morbidity and mortality, despite advances in the contemporary armamentarium. Along with the development of antibiotic resistant strains, research focusing on the efficacy of novel agents other than standard antibiotic regimens continues. Daptomycin, one of these antibiotics, is approved for the treatment of Staphylococcus bacteremia and right-sided endocarditis. This retrospective study was an investigation of the effectiveness of daptomycin in patients with left-sided IE

Chronic inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-alpha with infliximab improves myocardial deformation in parallel with aortic elasticity in rheumatoid arthritis

Conclusion: Myocardial deformation is impaired in RA patients and is related to aortic stiffness. Chronic inhibition of TNF alpha improves LV deformation in association with aortic elasticity

The Association between CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc Score and Mortality in Patients with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction

Background: Heart failure (HF) is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Therefore, identifying high-risk patients may optimize treatment for HF patients and reduce adverse events. The aim of this study was to assess the role of the CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score to predict mortality in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)

Effect of Long-Term TNF-alpha Inhibition with Infliximab on Left Ventricular Torsion in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Conclusions: RA is characterized by increased LVtor. Long term TNF-alpha inhibition improves LV longitudinal and radial systolic deformation and decreases LVtor

Effect of Long-Term TNF-alpha Inhibition with Infliximab on Left Ventricular Torsion in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Conclusions: RA is characterized by increased LVtor. Long term TNF-alpha inhibition improves LV longitudinal and radial systolic deformation and decreases LVtor

Parameters influencing the physical activity of patients with a history of coronary revascularization

Introduction and Objective: Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Regular physical activity is part of a comprehensive management strategy for these patients. We investigated the parameters that influence physical activity in patients with a history of coronary revascularization