The contribution of implantable cardioverter defibrillators to systemic inflammation in heart failure patients

Heart failure (HF) is associated with an increased inflammatory burden, which is manifested by the elevation of serum levels of some inflammatory mediators such C-reactive protein (CRP), cytokines. In addition, high levels of inflammatory markers in patients with HF have been associated with poor outcomes. Lethal ventricular arrhythmias such as asystole and ventricular fibrillation-tachycardia are common in patients with HF and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are effective in preventing these situations. But like every foreign object in the body, ICDs also cause fibrosis and inflammation. This study aimed to show additional contribution of ICDs to systemic inflammation in patients with HF. This is a single centrer retrospective study included 140 HF patients with and without ICD (group 1 and 2) and 53 healty control subjects (group 3). Three groups were compared with regard to Hs-CRP and Neutrophil / Lymphocyte ratio (NL ratio). In order that acute inflammation did not affect the results, the earliest 6th month laboratory measures after ICD implantation were recorded. There are not significant difference between all groups in terms of age and gender, and among group 1 and 2 in terms of disease history, ejection fraction, heart rate and creatinine. When compared to the three groups according to Hs-CRP and NL ratio, there was a significant difference between the groups (both p [Med-Science 2019; 8(2.000): 282-6

Bilateral simultaneous traumatic hip dislocation in opposite directions A case report

Bilateral traumatic hip dislocation is rarely seen. A patient who presented with simultaneous dislocation of both hips in opposite directions is presented in this case report

Osteoid Osteoma of the Great Toe Mimicking Osteomyelitis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Osteoid osteomas are well-known benign tumors, seen generally in long bones. When seen in phalanxes or toes, they can cause a diagnostic dilemma. A young male presented to us with complaints of enlargement of the great toe and severe pain. He had had an ingrown toe-nail operation before, and this situation caused a diagnostic dilemma. In this case report, we emphasize that osteoid osteomas can cause diagnostic dilemmas and it should be kept in mind as a differential diagnosis

Association between heart rate turbulence and anxiety symptom levels

General anxiety disorder (GAD) is a condition characterized by extreme, persistent, and uncontrollable worry lasting for more than six months. In addition to cognitive and behavioral symptoms, individuals with GAD also commonly exhibit physical signs and autonomic nervous system symptoms. Heart rate turbulence (HRT) is the assessment of sinus rhythm cycle fluctuation occurring in the presence of ventricular premature contraction (VPC), and is a parameter used to show autonomic dysfunction. There are no studies in the literature investigating the association between GAD and HRT. The aim of the present study was to determine the association between HRT and anxiety symptom levels. The study included 72 consecutive patients. The patients were fitted with Holter devices for 24-hr rhythm monitoring and asked to complete the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to assess their anxiety symptom levels. The study participants were grouped based on the severity of their anxiety symptoms as low (group 1) and high (group 2). Of the 72 participants, 26 had high anxiety levels and 46 had low anxiety levels. There was a significant difference between the two groups in HRT parameters. Patients in the high-anxiety group had significantly higher turbulence onset (TO) and significantly lower turbulence slope (TS) when compared with the low-anxiety group. Anxiety score was positively correlated with TO (r=0.296, p=0.01) and negatively correlated with TS (r=-0.304, p=0.009). In the present study, we found that patients with high anxiety levels showed greater abnormality in HRT parameters, indicating autonomic dysfunction. [Med-Science 2019; 8(1.000): 143-7

Lung Metastasis Mimicking Fingertip Infection

Metastasis fingers (acral metastasis) are finding a poor prognosis. Past medical history should be questioned and metastasis from primary tumor should be kept in mind in patients with pain, swelling, and hyperemia in fingers. Successful surgical treatment on acral metastasis does not extend the life expectancy; however, it reduces the patient’s pain during his terminal period, saves the functions of the limb, and increases life comfort