The Role of Chlamydia pneumoniae in the Atherosclerotic Process of Patients under 50 Years of Age Who Underwent Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

ABSTRACT Background: To evaluate the presence of C. pneumoniae DNA in the tissues and C. pneumoniae DNA antibodies in the blood samples of patients who underwent CABG surgery. Material and Methods: Fifty-one patients <50 years of age were included in the study, and analyzed in two groups according to the intimal thickness of aorta. C. pneumoniae DNA was evaluated in the tissues collected from the atrium, left internal thoracic artery and ascending aorta of patients. Results: Although, C. pneumoniae DNA was negative in the atrial and left internal thoracic artery tissues of all patients, it was positive in the tissues obtained from the ascending aortas of twelve patients. C. pneumoniae DNA positivity was significantly higher in patients with increased aortic intimal thickness compared to those without increased aortic thickness. Conclusion: The question whether C. pneumoniae is triggering atherosclerosis or is involved as a superinfection could not be clarified

Vasodilation Responses to Non-Selective α-Adrenergic Blockage of Coronary Bypass Grafts in Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Patients: In Vitro Study

Background: Adrenergic tonus is increased in atherosclerotic coronary arteries. In this study, we aimed to demonstrate in vitro effects of phentolamine, a reversible nonselective alpha (α) adrenergic blocker, on coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG) and compare its effects in diabetic and nondiabetic patients. Methods: A total number of 30 patients (15 diabetic and 15 nondiabetic) who were assigned to elective CABG surgery were enrolled into the study. For both groups of patients, 16 internal mammarian artery (IMA) samples, 16 saphenous vein (SV) samples and 16 radial artery (RA) samples were collected and studied in the tissue bath system. The vasodilatation responses to increasing doses of phentolamine were recorded. Results: When grafts were compared in terms of amount of vasodilatation to phentolamine, IMA had the most prominent vasodilatation followed by RA and SV respectively. Although the vasodilatation responses in nondiabetic patients were numerically higher than diabetic patients, there was no statistically difference between the groups. Conclusion: Phentolamine, a nonselective α adrenergic blocker, is proven to have equal vasodilatory effects in diabetic and nondiabetic CABG grafts and can safely be used both intravenously and topically in the perioperative period

Evaluation of Treatment Activity in Patients With Deep Venous Thrombosis

Purpose: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) refers to thrombi formation and blood stasis in the deep veins of the extremities. This study was to determine the effectiveness of DVT treatment in our clinic. Method: All of 73 patients who diagnosed Deep Venous Thromboses with dupplex ultrasoun between december 2010 and may 2012, at our institution were enrolled in this study. The mean age of the patients was 55.205 ± 18.12 (Min: 22, Max: 84). Standart DVT treatment was applied. We re-evaluated the change in deep venous system using follow-up Dupplex ultrasonography after 6 months.The patients were observed according to etiology. Results: Etiologic factors were insufficient prophylaxis after surgery (30 patients), malignancy (9 patients) and idiopathic (34 patients). Deep venous thrombosis existed left lower extremity (n=39), right lower extremity (n=21) and bilateral lower extremity (n=13). Thrombosis vein segment of all patients were evaluated with duplex ultrasonography after 6 months. Radiologic findings of thrombosis disappeared in 54 patients (73%). Thrombosis segment were recanalization in 12 patients (16.4%). Thrombosis was not recovery in 7 patients (8.5%). Conclusion: If treatment and prophylaxis of deep venous thrombosis perform enough, recurrence decreases and recanalization and lysis of thrombosis increase. Eventually mortality and morbidity of cases decrease. [Cukurova Med J 2012; 37(4.000): 198-202

The effect of distension pressure on endothelial injury and vasodilatation response in saphenous vein grafts: conversion of a bypass graft to a dead pipe

INTRODUCTION: Endothelial damage caused by high pressure applied for spasm relaxation during graft preparation is one of the most plausible theories explaining early graft failure. AIM OF THE STUDY: We aimed to demonstrate the extent of endothelial damage in saphenous vein grafts distended to different pressure levels by using immunohistochemical methods and in vitro tissue baths. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) of 25 patients who underwent isolated elective CABG surgery were used in this study. By using a specific mechanism, SVGs were distended to five different pressure levels for two minutes: 0 mmHg, 50 mmHg, 100 mmHg, 200 mmHg, 300 mmHg. In vitro tissue baths and immunohistochemical examinations were performed. RESULTS: None of the grafts distended to 300 mmHg pressure were functional in the tissue bath system. The relaxation response to carbachol of SVGs distended to 0, 50, 100 and 200 mmHg was 97.87 ± 4.47%, 98.52 ± 3.95%, 93.78 ± 3.64%, and 30.87 ± 4.11%, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in terms of relaxation responses between samples distended to 0, 50, and 100 mmHg (p = 0.490). The relaxation response of samples distended to 200 mmHg was significantly decreased (p = 0.021). The endothelia of samples distended to 0 mmHg were almost intact in CD31 staining. Endothelial cell loss occurred at all tested distension pressures at different degrees. CONCLUSION: In vitro and immunohistochemical studies revealed that distending an SVG used for coronary artery bypass grafting with pressures of 100 mmHg or less results in less endothelial damage and increases graft patency

Investigation of the relationship between anxiety and heart rate variability in fibromyalgia: A new quantitative approach to evaluate anxiety level in fibromyalgia syndrome

Conclusion: Doctor-rated or self-rated anxiety tests should be supported with quantitative and more objective methods. Our results show that the HRV parameters will be able to support the anxiety tests in the clinical evaluation of fibromyalgia. In other words, HRV parameters can potentially be used as an auxiliary diagnostic method in conjunction with anxiety tests. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Physiological parameters as a tool in the diagnosis of fibromyalgia syndrome in females: A preliminary study

Significance: Changes in hormonal factors, peripheral blood circulation, autonomous systemactivity disorders, inflammatory incidents, etc., may explain the increased TEMP in the FM patients. The high PLT level may signify a thromboproliferation or a possible compensation caused by a PLT functional disorder. ST depression in FM patients may interrelate with coronary pathology. Elucidating the pathophysiology underlying the increases in TEMP and PLT and the decreases in ST height may help to explain the etiology of FM. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Subacute THYROiditis Related to SARS-CoV-2 VAccine and Covid-19 (THYROVAC Study): A Multicenter Nationwide Study.

Context The aims of the study are to compare characteristics of subacute thyroiditis (SAT) related to different etiologies, and to identify predictors of recurrence of SAT and incident hypothyroidism. Methods This nationwide, multicenter, retrospective cohort study included 53 endocrinology centers in Turkey. The study participants were divided into either COVID-19-related SAT (Cov-SAT), SARS-CoV-2 vaccine-related SAT (Vac-SAT), or control SAT (Cont-SAT) groups. Results Of the 811 patients, 258 (31.8%) were included in the Vac-SAT group, 98 (12.1%) in the Cov-SAT group, and 455 (56.1%) in the Cont-SAT group. No difference was found between the groups with regard to laboratory and imaging findings. SAT etiology was not an independent predictor of recurrence or hypothyroidism. In the entire cohort, steroid therapy requirement and younger age were statistically significant predictors for SAT recurrence. C-reactive protein measured during SAT onset, female sex, absence of antithyroid peroxidase (TPO) positivity, and absence of steroid therapy were statistically significant predictors of incident (early) hypothyroidism, irrespective of SAT etiology. On the other hand, probable predictors of established hypothyroidism differed from that of incident hypothyroidism. Conclusion Since there is no difference in terms of follow-up parameters and outcomes, COVID-19- and SARS-CoV-2 vaccine-related SAT can be treated and followed up like classic SATs. Recurrence was determined by younger age and steroid therapy requirement. Steroid therapy independently predicts incident hypothyroidism that may sometimes be transient in overall SAT and is also associated with a lower risk of established hypothyroidism