Comparison of the effects of carvedilol and nebivolol on diastolic functions of the left ventricle in patients with non-ischemic heart failure

Background: We investigated whether carvediolol or nebiovolol with vasodilator properties will produce different effects on diastolic function of the left ventricle (LV) in heart failure (HF) with low ejection fraction (EF).Methods: Sixty-one non-ischemic HF patients with EF ≤ 40% randomly received carvedilol (n = 31, 16 male) or nebivolol (n = 30, 19 male). Clinical and echocardiographic evaluations were performed at baseline, 3 and 6 months after therapy. Mitral inflow velocities (E and A waves), deceleration time of E wave (DT), isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT), mitral annular velocities (Ea and Aa waves) were evaluated. Mitral E/A and E/Ea ratios were calculated.Results: In carvediolol and nebivolol groups, mitral E/A ratio (from 1.08 ± 0.31 to 0.87 ± 0.30 vs. from 0.98 ± 0.20 to 0.80 ± 0.20, p = 0.30) and IVRT (from 108 ± 13 to 94 ± 10 ms vs. from 107 ± 22 to 92 ± 10 ms, p = 0.25) similarly decreased while DT prolonged (from 184 ± 40 to 218 ± 42 ms vs. from 193 ± 37 to 222 ± 36 ms, p = 0.71). Also, E/Earatio significantly decreased in each group (p = 0.01), but it was lower in nebivolol group than carvedilol group at 6 months (10.2 ± 2 vs. 11.8 ± 2, p = 0.01). Carvediolol and nebivolol reduced similarly N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide level (from 666 to 137 vs. 661 to 123 pg/dL, p = 0.41, respectively) and improved functional capacity (p > 0.05).Conclusions: At 6 month follow-up, carvedilol and nebivolol appear to similarly improve LV diastolic functions in non-ischemic HF patients

ENDOTHELIAL NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASE GLU298ASP (G894T) GENE POLYMORPHISM IN PATIENTS WITH CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

WOS: 000317946500020

T-786 C POLYMORPHISM OF THE ENDOTHELIAL NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASE GENE IS ASSOCIATED WITH CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

WOS: 000317946500302

The Effect of Oral Contraceptive Pills on the Macula, the Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer, and Choroidal Thickness

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of oral contraceptive pills (OCP) on the macula, the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and choroidal thickness (CT)

Perinatal outcomes in uncomplicated late preterm pregnancies with borderline oligohydramnios

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the adverse perinatal outcomes in uncomplicated late preterm pregnancies with borderline oligohydramnios.Methods: A total of 430 pregnant women with an uncomplicated singleton pregnancy at a gestational age of 34+0-36+6 weeks were included. Borderline oligohydramnios was defined as an amniotic fluid index (AFI) of 5.1-8cm, which was measured using the four-quadrant technique. Adverse perinatal outcomes were compared between the borderline and normal AFI groups.Results: Approximately 107 of the 430 pregnant women were borderline AFI, and 323 were normal AFI. The demographic and obstetric characteristics were similar in both groups. Delivery <37 weeks, cesarean delivery for non-reassuring fetal heart-rate testing, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, Apgar 5min <7, transient tachypnea of the newborn, respiratory distress syndrome, neonatal intensive care unit, and hyperbilirubinemia were not statistically different between the groups (p=.054, p=.134, p=.749, p=0.858, p=.703, p=.320, p=.185, and p=.996, respectively). Although gestational age was full-term, induction of labor rates were significantly higher in the borderline AFI group (p=.040). In addition, fetal renal artery pulsatility index pulsatility index (PI) was significantly lower in the borderline AFI group than in the normal AFI group (p=.014).Conclusion: Our results indicated that borderline AFI was not a risk for adverse perinatal outcomes in uncomplicated, late preterm pregnancies

Assessment of fetal right ventricular myocardial performance index changes following intrauterine transfusion

Introduction: Severe fetal anemia may cause cardiac ischemia, reduced contractility, and dysfunction. The purpose of our study is to evaluate right ventricular myocardial performance index (MPI) before and after intrauterine transfusion (IUT) in patients who underwent this procedure because of fetal anemia due to Rh-D alloimmunization. Materials and methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted between January 2018 and June 2019 at Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Research and Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. The pregnant women who were applied IUT because of fetal anemia due to Rh-D alloimmunization in our perinatology clinic were included in the study. Fetal right ventricular MPI before and 24 h after IUT were evaluated. Results: A total of 28 IUTs were performed in 17 pregnant women during the study period. The isovolumetric contraction time (ICT) and isovolumetric relaxation time (IRT) values measured before IUT, were found to be significantly longer compared to the ICT and IRT values measured after IUT. The MPI values measured after transfusion was found to be higher than before transfusion. Conclusions: The fetal right ventricular MPI increases 24 h after IUT. This increase in the right ventricular MPI might be used as a marker for predicting adverse fetal outcomes following IUT