Impact of myocardial blush grade on Tpe interval and Tpe/QT ratio after successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction

INTRODUCTION: Myocardial perfusion, when assessed by myocardial blush grade (MBG) is an independent predictor of major adverse cardiac outcomes. The terminal part of repolarization, measured as the interval from the peak to the end of the T wave (Tpe), is a relatively novel indicator of ventricular arrhythmias. The relations between MBG and Tpe interval have not been examined before. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between MBG and Tpe and Tpe/QT ratio after successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)

Acute fulminant myocarditis successfully bridged to recovery with left ventricular assist device and complicated by flail mitral valve

Acute fulminant myocarditis is a life-threatening inflammatory disease of the myocardium characterized by the rapid deterioration of the hemodynamic status of the affected individual. With prompt recognition and appropriate management, complete recovery of ventricular function is likely within a few weeks. We introduce a 28-year-old man with acute fulminant myocarditis, who experienced circulatory collapse following acute angina and dyspnea. The patient had high troponin levels with low ejection fraction and normal coronary arteries. He was successfully bridged to recovery with a left ventricular assist device but was complicated by flail mitral valve. Perioperative myocardial biopsy was also compatible with myocarditis. At 4 months’ follow-up, the patient was stable with functional capacity I according to the New York Heart Association’s classification. A possible mechanism for this very rare complication is the rupture of the chordal structure secondary to the fragility of an inflamed subvalvular apparatus stretched by a recovered ventricle. © 2016, Tehran Heart Center. All rights reserved

Evaluation of whole blood viscosity in patients with aortic sclerosis

Background:&nbsp;Blood viscosity and aortic sclerosis (AS) are strong predictors of cardiovascular events. The effects of blood viscosity on AS have not been studied adequately. We aimed to investigate the potential connection between whole blood viscosity (WBV) and AS.Methods:&nbsp;AS was detected by transthoracic echocardiography. The estimation of WBV was carried out at both high shear rate (HSR) (208/s) and low shear rate (LSR) (0.5/s) by previously validated formulae using hematocrit (HcT) and total protein (TP) in g/L. WBV at HSR (208/s) is: (0.12 × HcT) + 0.17 (TP - 2.07) and WBV at LSR (0.5/s) is: (1.89 × HcT) + 3.76 (TP - 78.42). Comparisons of WBV at both HSR and LSR were made between patients with and without AS.Results:&nbsp;We included 94 patients with AS (male = 30.9%, mean age = 67.5 y) and 97 control subjects without AS (male =26.6%, mean age = 69.1 y). Almost all of the clinical, echocardiographic, and biochemical characteristics were similar, but TP values were significantly higher in the AS group than in the control group (72.9 ± 5 g/L vs. 75.8 ± 6.1 g/L; p value &lt; 0.001). Hemoglobin and HcT levels were similar (p value = 0.604 and p value = 0.431, respectively). In the AS group, WBV at LSR and HSR was higher than that in the control group (p value = 0.001 for both LSR and HSR). In multiple stepwise logistic regression analysis, WBV was an independent predictor of AS (p value &lt; 0.001).Conclusion&nbsp;:&nbsp;We found higher WBV in patients with AS than in patients without AS at both LSR (0.5/s) and HSR (208/s). WBV at both LSR and HSR was independently associated with AS.</p

Evaluation of high resolution computed tomography findings of cystic fibrosis

PubMedID: 29976036Background/Aims: Morphological changes due to lung disease in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) were evaluated using high resolution computed tomography (HRCT), and the HRCT scores obtained using the Bhalla scoring system were correlated with those obtained using clinical and laboratory indicators. Methods: Medical records of 28 children with CF who underwent chest CT in Department of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Cukurova University Balcali Hospital between March 2011 and January 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic data and physical examination, respiratory cultures, pulmonary function tests, and chest HRCT findings were evaluated. Patients were divided into the following two groups according to their forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV 1 ) values: normal FEV 1 (? 80% of predicted values) and low FEV 1 (&lt; 80% of predicted values). Deep throat or sputum cultures were evaluated for the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PsA) and other bacteria. HRCT scans were scored using the Bhalla scoring system. Results: No significant correlation was found between the Bhalla scores and sex, age group, or height percentiles. Significant relationships were found between the Bhalla score and weight (p = 0.036) and body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.032) percentiles below the third percentile, bacterial growth in the sputum/ deep throat cultures (p = 0.009), and presence of PsA (p = 0.004). Moreover, a significant correlation was found between the Bhalla score and FEV 1 (r = -0.315, p = 0.0272), forced vital capacity (FVC; r = -0.381, p = 0.0178), forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of FVC (r = -0.229, p = 0.0431), and BMI (r = -3.368, p = 0.050). Conclusions: Chest HRCT is an important diagnostic tool for the pulmonary evaluation of children with CF. © 2019 The Korean Association of Internal Medicine

Recurrent Henoch Schönlein purpura without renal involvement successfully treated with methotrexate

PubMedID: 30453828Introduction: Henoch Schönlein purpura is characterised by palpable purpura, abdominal pain, arthritis/arthralgia, often with a self-limiting course. Herein, we report a patient with recurrent Henoch Schönlein purpura and severe gastrointestinal involvement, successfully treated with methotrexate. Case presentation: A 12-year-old boy was admitted to our department with palpable purpura, abdominal pain and arthralgia. Since gastrointestinal complaints were severe, systemic steroids were administered, with tapering of dosage. Henoch Schönlein purpura recurred several times with severe abdominal pain, maelena and purpura during next two months. Colchicine and hydroxychloroquine were initiated. After four months, we also introduced methotrexate, which enabled discontinuation of previous medications including corticosteroids. Methotrexate was ceased four months later, and remission was sustained without any medications for 24 months. Conclusion: Besides the conflicting data regarding the use of methotrexate in recurrent Henoch Schönlein purpura, our case introduces successful methotrexate experience in a child with Henoch Schönlein purpura and recurrent severe gastrointestinal involvement. © The Author(s) 2018

Assessment of prevalence of allergic sensitivity in pediatric age group by the use of skin test

Meeting of the European-Academy-of-Allergy-and-Clinical-Immunology -- JUN 11-15, 2016 -- Vienna, AUSTRIAWOS: 000383679803107…European Acad Allergy & Clin Immuno