Correction of right to left shunt by transcatheter treatment of pulmonary stenosis and atrial septal defect: a case report

Co-occurrence of atrial septal defect and pulmonary valve stenosis is a rare entity for adult population. It is possible to correct both the pulmonary stenosis and the defect in the atrial septum by transcatheter methods. We present a case of right to left shant due to severe pulmonary stenosis and atrial defect which was successfully corrected by transcatheter pulmonary valvuloplasty and closure of the atrial septal defect

Epicardial adipose tissue thickness is increased in patients with cardiac syndrome X

Background: Cardiac syndrome X (CSX) is defined as normal coronary arteries with angina pectoris and a positive stress test. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) plays an important role in inflammatory process in cardiovascular system, therefore EAT may affect the pathogenesis of different cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the EAT thickness in patients with CSX and compare normal subjects. Methods: We prospectively enrolled 30 consecutive patients with CSX. The control group consisted of 30 age and sex-matched individuals with anginal chest pain and a negative treadmill or myocardial perfusion scan test. EAT thickness was measured by transthoracic echocardiography. Results: There were no differences in baseline clinical, biochemical and echocardiographic characteristics between CSX patients and the control group. Patients with CSX had significantly increased EAT thickness than those of the controls (3.43 +/- 0.88 vs. 2.34 +/- 0.89 mm, p=0.0001). Conclusion: We found that EAT thickness is increased in patients with CSX. This finding suggests that EAT may contribute to the etiopathogenesis of the CSX

Epicardial adipose tissue thickness is increased in patients with cardiac syndrome X

WOS: 000333151200024PubMed: 24482707Background: Cardiac syndrome X (CSX) is defined as normal coronary arteries with angina pectoris and a positive stress test. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) plays an important role in inflammatory process in cardiovascular system, therefore EAT may affect the pathogenesis of different cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the EAT thickness in patients with CSX and compare normal subjects. Methods: We prospectively enrolled 30 consecutive patients with CSX. The control group consisted of 30 age and sex-matched individuals with anginal chest pain and a negative treadmill or myocardial perfusion scan test. EAT thickness was measured by transthoracic echocardiography. Results: There were no differences in baseline clinical, biochemical and echocardiographic characteristics between CSX patients and the control group. Patients with CSX had significantly increased EAT thickness than those of the controls (3.43 +/- 0.88 vs. 2.34 +/- 0.89 mm, p=0.0001). Conclusion: We found that EAT thickness is increased in patients with CSX. This finding suggests that EAT may contribute to the etiopathogenesis of the CSX

Effect of septoplasty on left ventricular myocardial performance in patients with nasal septum deviation

Introduction: Nasal septum deviation is the leading cause of upper airway obstruction. Chronic upper airway obstruction may cause myocardial injury due to chronic hypoxia. Effects of septoplasty on left venticular diastolic and sistolic functions are not well known. The myocardial performance index is an easy-to-apply and reliable parameter that reflects systolic and diastolic cardiac functions. Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of nasal septoplasty on the myocardial performance index in patients with nasal septal deviation. Methods: This prospective study consisted of 50 consecutive patients who underwent septoplasty due to symptomatic prominent C- or S-shaped nasal septal deviation. Transthoracic echocardiogarphy was performed in all patients before and 3 months after septoplasty. Calculated myocardial performance indices were compared. Results: Significantly higher left ventricular myocardial performance index (0.52 ± 0.06 vs. 0.41 ± 0.04, p <  0.001), longer isovolumic relaxation time (95.0 ± 12.5 vs. 78.0 ± 8.6 ms, p <  0.001), longer isovolumic contraction time (45.5 ± 7.8 vs. 39.5 ± 8.6 ms, p <  0.001), longer deceleration time (184.3 ± 32.5 vs. 163.6 ± 45.4 ms, p =  0.004), higher ratio of transmitral early to late peak velocities (E/A) (1.42 ± 0.4 vs. 1.16 ± 0.2, p =  0.006) and shorter ejection time (270.1 ± 18.3 vs. 286.5 ± 25.8 ms, p <  0.001) were observed before septoplasty when compared to values obtained 3 months after septoplasty. Left ventricular systolic ejection fraction was similar before and after septoplasty (63.8±2.8% vs. 64.6±3.2%, p  = 0.224). Conclusion: Septoplasty surgery not only reduces nasal blockage symptoms in nasal septal deviation patients but also may improve left ventricular performance. Thus, treatment of nasal septal deviation without delay is suggested to prevent possible future cardiovascular events