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 irisin and adropin levels may be predictors for coronary artery ectasia

Background There is strong evidence that oxidative stress and inflammation may contribute to the coronary artery ectasia (CAE) pathophysiology. Recent studies have shown that serum irisin and adropin levels are associated with oxidative stress and inflammation. In the light of this information, we aimed to investigate the possible relationship between serum irisin, adropin levels and CAE. Patients & Methods A total of 50 consecutive patients with CAE and 50 consecutive patients with normal coronary anatomy (NCA) were enrolled into the study. Serum irisin, adropin and other clinical parameters were compared between groups. Results Adropin (p < .001) and irisin (p < .001) levels were lower in the CAE group. Low adropin (p = .014) and irisin (p < .001) levels were detected as an independent risk factor for CAE in multiple regression analysis. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that serum adropin (p < .001) and irisin (p < .001) leves was significant predictor of CAE. Conclusions The results of this study showed that serum irisin and adropin level was lower in the CAE group than in the NCA group. Irisin and adropin could play a role in the pathogenesis of CAE

The usefulness of serum troponin levels to predict 1-year survival rates in infective endocarditis

Background and aim: Infective endocarditis (IE) is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the role of troponin levels in predicting long-term survival in patients with IE. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the medical database of Yuksek Ihtisas Education and Research Hospital was performed to reach the patients that received the diagnosis of definite IE according to Duke criteria. Out of 84 definite IE cases, 48 patients (mean age 45.6±17.3, 39.6% female) that had troponin T levels measured upon hospital admission were included. The survival status of the study subjects was assessed during a follow-up period of 1 year. Results: A total of 20 (41.7%) patients died during the follow-up. Baseline median troponin T levels were significantly higher in fatal cases (0.08 [0.02-0.24] ng/ml vs. 0.02 [0.01-0.04] ng/ml p=0.003). The optimal troponin T level to detect mortality was 0.05 ng/ml according to receiver operating characteristic curve (area under the curve 0.75, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) [0.61-0.9], p=0.003) with 70% sensitivity and 79% specificity. Patient with elevated troponin levels were older, were more likely to be male and tended to have enterococcal infection. These patients had also higher creatinine levels and increased systolic pulmonary pressures. In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, renal failure (hazards ratio (HR) 8.23, CI 95% 2.53-26.9, p<0.0001), heart failure (HR 4.48, CI 95% 1.73-11.61, p=0.002) and troponin T ≥ 0.05 ng/ml (HR 3.11, CI 95% 1.13-8.56, p=0.03) were associated with increased mortality rates. Conclusions: IE has poor outcome and baseline troponin T levels may predict long-term survival rates in these patients