Effects of ivabradine therapy on heart failure biomarkers

Background: Heart rate (HR) reduction is associated with improved outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF) and biomarkers can be a valuable diagnostic tool in HF management. The primary aim of our study was to evaluate the short-term (6 months) effect of ivabradine on N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), CA-125, and cystatin-C values in systolic HF outpatients, and secondary aim was to determine the relationship between baseline HR and the NT-proBNP, CA-125, cystatin-C, and clinical status variation with ivabradine therapy. Methods: Ninety-eight patients (mean age: 65.81 ± 10.20 years; 33 men), left ventricular ejection fraction < 35% with Simpson method, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II–III, sinus rhythm and resting HR > 70/min, optimally treated before the study were included. Among them, two matched groups were formed: the ivabradine group and the control group. Patients received ivabradine with an average (range of 10–15) mg/day during 6 months of follow-up. Blood samples for NT-proBNP, CA-125, and cystatin-C were taken at baseline and at the end of a 6-month follow-up in both groups. Results: There was a significant decrease in NYHA class in the ivabradine group (2.67 ± ± 0.47 vs. 1.85 ± 0.61, p < 0.001). When ivabradine and control groups were compared, a significant difference was also found in NHYA class 6 months later (p = 0.013). A significant decrease was found in HR in the ivabradine and control groups (84.10 ± 8.76 vs. 68.36 ± ± 8.32 bpm, p = 0.001; 84.51 ± 10 vs. 80.40 ± 8.3 bpm, p = 0.001). When both groups were compared, a significant difference was also found in HR after 6 months (p = 0.001). A significant decrease was found in cystatin-C (2.10 ± 0.73 vs. 1.50 ± 0.44 mg/L, p < 0.001), CA-125 (30.09 ± 21.08 vs. 13.22 ± 8.51 U/mL, p < 0.001), and NT-proBNP (1,353.02 ± 1,453.77 vs. 717.81 ± 834.76 pg/mL, p < 0.001) in the ivabradine group. When ivabradine and control groups were compared after 6 months, a significant decrease was found in all HF parameters (respectively; cystatin-C: p = 0.001, CA-125: p = 0.001, NT-proBNP: p = 0.001). Creatinine level was significantly decreased and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was significantly increased in the ivabradine group (1.02 ± 0.26 vs. 0.86 ± 0.17, creatinine: p = 0.001; 79.26 ± 18.58 vs. 92.48 ± 19.88, GFR: p = 0.001). There was no significant correlation between NYHA classes (before and after ivabradine therapy) and biochemical markers, or HR. Conclusions: In the outpatients with systolic HF, persistent resting HF > 70/min with optimal medical therapy, the NT-proBNP, CA-125, and cystatin-C reductions were obtained with ivabradine treatment. Measurement of NT-proBNP, CA-125, and cystatin-C may prove to be useful in biomarker panels evaluating ivabradine therapy response in HF patients.

Treatment of extremity fractures in dogs using external fixators with closed reduction and limited open approach

Humerus, tibia and antebrachium fractures determined in 30 dogs of different breed, age, weight and gender were treated using Type I and II external fixators. Meynard and handcuff clamps were used in the external fixators. Limited open approach was applied in 6 of the cases and closed reduction techniques in 24. In cases where closed reduction and stabilisation was done, the patients were seen to use their leg within 3-10 days post-operatively and that walking was reasonably good after 20 days. In cases to which a limited open approach had been applied, use of leg was achieved in a period close to the closed method

Treatment of extremity fractures in dogs using external fixators with closed reduction and limited open approach

Humerus, tibia and antebrachium fractures determined in 30 dogs of different breed, age, weight and gender were treated using Type I and II external fixators. Meynard and handcuff clamps were used in the external fixators. Limited open approach was applied in 6 of the cases and closed reduction techniques in 24. In cases where closed reduction and stabilisation was done, the patients were seen to use their leg within 3-10 days post-operatively and that walking was reasonably good after 20 days. In cases to which a limited open approach had been applied, use of leg was achieved in a period close to the closed method

Carpal flexural deformity in puppies

Carpal flexural deformity was determined in a total of 31 puppies, of which 28 were brought to our clinic, and 3 were reported by a practicing veterinary surgeon. Ages of the puppies ranged between 6 - 24 weeks. The dogs belonged to 10 different breeds. Following clinical and radiological examination of the puppies, blood samples were taken and calcium (Ca), phosphorus ( P) and magnesium (Mg) values were recorded. Slight increases in these mineral values were determined in some of the patients. A splint with a caudal aluminium support, padded with a large amount of cotton, was applied to all puppies with deformity. This splint was kept on for 10 days, and repeated in some cases. The diets of the puppies were planned

Dorsal luxation of the scapula in a cat

Dorsal luxation of the scapula is a rare orthopedic disorder caused by traumatic rupture of the muscles supporting the scapula. The presented case consisted of an adult cat in which luxation of the scapula had occurred due to trauma. During clinical examination, dorsal displacement of the scapula was evident upon manipulation of the limb. Radiological examination did not reveal any fractures or other concurrent injuries. In the surgical treatment of the patient, the muscles were sutured in place. The patient regained its normal gait without any complications within 4 weeks

A case of chondrosarcoma in a pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)

A pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) was referred to the clinic of the Department of Surgery in the Veterinary Faculty of Istanbul University, with the complaint of swelling in the abdomen. Radiography revealed a tumoral mass in the gizzard and the surgical removal of the tumoral mass was performed. The biopsy specimen was submitted to the Department of Pathology. After being processed routinely, specimens were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and Masson trichrome stains. Based on the histopathological findings, the tumor was diagnosed as chondrosarcoma

Granulomatous Osteomyelitis in a Dog

A 10-year-old male Golden Retriever was presented to the clinics with a history of lameness. The radiography revealed granulomatous proliferation on caput femoris. Therefore, caput femoris was surgically removed and samples taken from the excised area were histologically examined. Histologically, osteomyelitis was the prominent picture accompanied by large areas of granulomatous inflammatory cells expanding from the articular cartilage into the epiphysis of the bone and at these inflammatory areas cryptococci were visible within the macrophages. (C) 2013 PVJ. All rights reserve

Bilateral pes valgus in an Anatolian Sheepdog

A 15-month-old, male, Anatolian Sheepdog weighing 45 kg, was admitted with uneven stance in both hind-legs, a condition it had had since the age of six months. Radiographs of both hindlimbs revealed lateral deviation of 26 degrees in the distal metaphysis of the left tibia and 32 degrees in the distal metaphysis of the right tibia. Corrective osteotomy was used to treat the deformity. Both tibias were aligned with the closed wedge osteotomy and a suitably curved plate was placed on both bones. In the assessment prior to the removal of both plates, it was determined that a valgus deformation of 6 degrees was still present. However, this did not affect the gait, nor did it have on abnormal effect on the cosmetic appearance. It was concluded that if corrective osteotomy is performed before any degenerative changes have token place, the outcome will be successful

Effects of A Fluoride-Containing Casein Phosphopeptide-Amorphous Calcium Phosphate Complex on The Shear Bond Strength of Orthodontic Brackets

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of enamel pre-treatment with a new fluoride-containing casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) complex on the shear bond strength (SBS) of brackets bonded with etch-and-rinse or self-etching adhesive systems. The material comprised 66 extracted human premolars randomly divided into six equal groups with respect to the enamel pre-treatment and adhesive system employed: 1. No pre-treatment and brackets bonded with the etch-and-rinse adhesive system (Transbond XT). 2. Pre-treatment with fluoride-containing CPP-ACP paste (MI Paste Plus) and Transbond XT. 3. Pre-treatment with non-fluoride CPP-ACP paste (MI Paste) and Transbond XT.4. No pre-treatment and brackets bonded with the self-etching adhesive system (Transbond Plus). 5 and 6. Enamel pre-treated as for groups 2 and 3, respectively, and the Transbond Plus. Bonded specimens were subjected to thermal cycling (x1000) before SBS testing. The residual adhesive on the enamel surface was evaluated after debonding with the adhesive remnant index (ARI). Data evaluation was made using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey test for SBS results, and Kruskal-Wallis test for ARI results. The results showed that enamel pre-treatment with either fluoride or non-fluoride CPP-ACP paste had no significant effect on the SBS of the self-etching adhesive system (P > 0.05). Enamel pre-treatment with non-fluoride CPP-ACP in group 3 significantly reduced the SBS of the etch-and-rinse adhesive (P 0.05). The fluoride-containing CPP-ACP did not compromise the SBS of brackets bonded with the tested etch-and-rinse and self-etching systems, but its non-fluoride version significantly decreased the SBS of the etch-and-rinse adhesive system.WoSScopu

Using Total Hip Prosthesis with Porous-Coated and Interlocking System In Twenty-one Dogs

Bu çalışmada farklı ırk,yaş ve cinsiyetteki 21 köpekte poroz kaplı ve kilitli vida tespit sistemli femur protezi ve vida tespitli asetabular kaptan oluşan total kalça protezi (TKP) uygulaması yapıldı. TKP tüm olgularda tek taraflı uygulandı. Operasyon yapılan 7 olguda luksasyon oluştu ve bunların 5’inde protez çıkarıldı. Çıkık bulunan bir olguda ikinci operasyondan sonra reluksasyona bağlı olarak protez çıkarıldı. Bir olguda ventral luksasyon oluştu ve ikinci operasyonla başarı elde edildi. Bir olguda femur protezinde aseptik protez gevşemesi, 1 olguda da aseptik asetabular kap gevşemesi oldu ve her iki protez de çıkarıldı. Protez yapılan bir olgu başka bir hastalığa bağlı olarak öldü. TKP uygulanan 12 olgunun ise uygulanan protezle yaşamlarını sürdürdükleri belirlendi