Elastic characteristics of aorta in patients with epilepsy

Aim To investigate elastic characteristics of the aorta in patientswith epilepsy.Methods Seventy five patients with a diagnosis of epilepsy through clinical and EEG findings and age and sex matched, 50 healthy controls were included. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures plus systolic and diastolic diameter of the aortic root was measured. Aortic strain (AS) and aortic distensibility (AD) and aortic distensibility index (BSI) were calculated. Results The average age of the epilepsy group was 23.8.8 ± 8.2 years, and of the control group it was 24.1± 6.2 years (p>0.05). AS and AD were lower in the epileptic group while the aortic stiffness index was higher (10.4± 4.2 vs 16.9±0.2, p: 0.001, for AS; 8.7± 4.0 vs 17.2±0.1, p: 0.001, for AD and 20.1±0.1 vs 3.5±1.2, p: 0.001 for BSI). Conclusion Elastic characteristics of the aorta change in epileptic patients, with a decrease of the distensibility of the aorta and an increaseof the stiffness. After this preliminary study, new controlledstudies are needed

Increased P wave dispersion in patients with liver steatosis

Aim Hepatic steatosis is associated with metabolic and hemodynamicabnormalities induced by insulin resistance and inflammatory state. Since abnormalities of P wave dispersion may be accompanied with latter issues we evaluated this subject in patients with hepatic steatosis. Methods Total of 106 patients and 56 healthy subjects were enrolled and performed hepatic ultrasonography, echocardiography, electrocardiogram, and biochemistry tests. Clinical features, laboratory and echocardiographic parameters, P wave dispersion were compared between groups and analyzed for any correlation among parameters. Results Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, levels of total and LDL cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose (FBG), and left atrial diameter were significantly higher in patients with hepatic steatosis. Peak velocities of mitral E and A waves and their ratio were abnormally changed in patients compared to normals. In multiple linear regression analysis, approximately all of the variables previously correlated within Pearsons’ correlation test were found to be significantly correlated with P wave dispersion [ waist circumference (ß=0.151, p=0.048), LDL cholesterol (ß=0.234, p=0.000), FBG (ß=0.402, p= 0.000), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (ß=0.205, p= 0.006), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (ß=0.277, p=0.000), γ-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT) (ß=0.240, p=0.000), left atrial diameter (ß=0.204, p=0.003), heart rate (ß=0.123, p=0.037)]. Conclusion Increased P wave dispersion may indicate a risk of atrial arrhythmia which may be complicated with disabling symptoms and thromboembolism in patients with hepatic steatosis. Consequently, hepatic steatosis is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease due to metabolic and hemodynamic abnormalitiesprobably induced by insulin resistance and inflammatory state