The correlation between the left atrial volume index and atrial fibrillation development in heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction and long-term follow-up results

Background The European Society of Cardiology has recently defined heart failure (HF) patient group with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 41-49% as a different category with the term heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF). In this study, we aimed to conduct a research about the correlation between left atrial volume index (LAVI) and atrial fibrillation in patients HFmrEF. Methods A total of 282 patients HFmrEF who were admitted to the cardiology department from three different centres were included in the study. The study was planned as multicenter, cross-sectional study. The patients were divided into two groups as sinus rhythm and atrial fibrillation based on their electrocardiographic findings. Results It was found out that Nt-ProBNP, LA area, LAVI, pulmonary artery pressure, and severe mitral regurgitation rates were significantly higher in the AF group (p 30.5 had 64% sensitivity and 66% specificity in the predicting presence of AF (ROC area under the curve: 0.660, 95% CI: 0.587-0.733, p 16.55 predicting presence of AF with 60% sensitivity and 58% specificity (ROC area under the curve: 0.624, 95% CI: 0.549-0.699, p = 0.002). Conclusion In the study conducted, we found a correlation between AF and LAVI values in patients in the HFmrEF group. If the LAVI value increases in the follow-up of this group of patients with echocardiography, close follow-up in terms of AF may allow the early control and treatment of AF-related incidents

Acute Cardiotoxic Effects of Adjuvant Trastuzumab Treatment and Its Relation to Oxidative Stress

Our aim was to evaluate the acute cardiac toxicity of adjuvant trastuzumab treatment and its possible relation to changes in oxidative stress. Electrocardiographic and echocardiographic tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) parameters, activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase; SOD), and products of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde; MDA) were analyzed in 30 patients with early-stage breast cancer who had adjuvant trastuzumab treatment. There was a significant prolongation of QT interval after trastuzumab treatment. There was also a significant decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), TDI-derived S' parameters, and SOD enzyme activity and increase in MDA levels after trastuzumab infusion. There was a positive correlation between changes in SOD activity and LVEF and a negative correlation between changes in MDA levels and LVEF. This study demonstrated a correlation between decreases in LVEF and increases in products of the oxidative stress in patients who had adjuvant trastuzumab treatment

Evaluation of drug adherence in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation according to geographic regions of Turkey: an analysis from NOAC-TR study

Drug adherence to novel oral anticoagulants (NOAC) varied by countries and popuplations. As a result of NOAC-TR study, in Turkey, drug adhrence to NOACs is poor comparing to other real world studies. However it is not known whether there is a difference between geographic regions of Turkey in terms of NOAC adherence. In this study we aim to investigate the NOAC adherence in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation according to the geographic regions in Turkey Method: This cros-sectional study was designed as a subgroup study of NOAC-TR (Drug Adherence in patients with non valvular atrial fibrillation taking non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants in Turkey). A total of 2802 patients (59% female) taking NOAC (Dabigatran, apixaban, rivaroxaban) due to NVAF at least 3 months, were included. Morisky-8 item drug adherence scale was used. Patients were divided in 3 groups (high, moderate and low adherent) based on drug adherence Results: Of the patients 24% were adherent, 26% were moderate adhererent and 50% were low adherent to NOAC treatment. Drug adhrence was different between geographic regions (p [Med-Science 2017; 6(4.000): 689-695

Drug Adherence in Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation Taking Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants in Turkey: NOAC-TR

WOS: 000429775000020PubMed ID: 28301907Adherence to non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) is an important factor for ensuring efficacy and safety in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). There are controversial results regarding NOAC adherence in real-world data and there are no data about NOAC adherence in Turkish population. This study investigated the NOAC adherence based on self-report, factors affecting nonadherence, and the relation of the adherence level with efficacy and safety outcomes. This multicenter cross-sectional study included 2738 patients (59% female) using NOAC (dabigatran, apixaban, and rivaroxaban) due to NVAF for more than 3 months with >30 days of supply between September 1, 2015, and February 28, 2016. To measure the adherence level, an 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale was used. The mean age of the patients was 70 +/- 10 years. Of the 2738 patients, 44% were receiving dabigatran, 38% rivaroxaban, and 18% apixaban. A total of 630 (23%) patients had high medication adherence, 712 (26%) moderate adherence, and 1396 (51%) low adherence. Nonadherence had related to stroke (5.6% vs 2.5%, P < .001) and minor (21.2% vs 11.1%, P < .001) and major (6.1% vs 3.7%, P = .004) bleeding rates. The adherence to NOAC was found to be quite low in Turkey. Nonadherence is associated with bleeding and thromboembolic cardiovascular events. Age, taking NOAC twice a day, and the additional noncardiac diseases, depression, and dementia were the independent factors affecting poor medication adherence