Evaluation of the impact of warfarin time in therapeutic range on outcomes of patients with atrial fibrillation in Turkey: Perspectives from the observational, prospective WATER Registry

Background: Warfarin is highly efficacious in reducing stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, its safety and efficacy in stroke prevention is markedly influenced by its time in therapeutic range (TTR). The quality of anticoagulant therapy varies considerably among countries. Representative data concerning the quality of anticoagulant therapy and its effects on clinical outcomes in Turkey are lacking. Methods: Warfarin in Therapeutic Range (WATER) registry is a prospective, observational study which followed 572 AF patients (mean age 67.3 ± 12 years; females 60%; 71% non-valvular AF) treated with warfarin. Results: At a median of 22-month follow-up, the mean TTR value was 42.3 ± 18% (median: 40%) for the whole population and lower in non-valvular AF su group than valvular AF subgroup (40.3 ± 18 vs. 46.9 ± 19, respectively, p < 0.001). Death, cardiac hospital­ization and minor bleeding rates were higher in the group with TTR value < 40% than the group with > 40% (3.4% vs. 5.9%; 28.6% vs. 35.4%; 36.5% vs. 41.7%, respectively, all of them p < 0.001). A correlation analysis showed a negative correlation between age and TTR value (r = –0.178, p < 0.001). Mean CHA2DS2VASc score was 3.63 ± 1.5 and mean HASBLED score was 2.38 ± 1.01 in the non-valvular AF group. A negative correlation was observed between TTR levels and CHA2DS2VASc score. Conclusions: WATER provides insight into the anticoagulation control status of AF patients in Turkey. The quality of anticoagulation was poor. Strategies should be undertaken by clinicians and patients to improve TTR. New oral anticoagulant agents may be perfect alternatives for non-valvular AF patients

Congenital and acquired Lutembacher's syndrome presenting in two adults

The coexistence of atrial septal defect (ASD) and mitral stenosis (MS) is defined as Lutembacher's syndrome (LS). LS was originally defined as the development of MS in a patient having a congenital ASD diagnosis. However, as the percutaneous interventions for MS have become widespread, the persistence of associated iatrogenic ASDs caused has given rise to a different form of the disease. LS may occur as spontaneous or iatrogenic ASD concomitant with acquired MS; this form is known as “acquired LS.” This report presents two cases illustrating congenital LS and “acquired LS.

Evaluation of Treatment Safety in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation on Edoxaban Therapy in Real-Life in Turkey Study: Design and Rationale

Objective: Safety and effectiveness of edoxaban was demonstrated in phase III, Effective Anticoagulation with Factor Xa Next Generation in Atrial Fibrillation-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 48 (ENGAGE-AF-TIMI 48) trial and is being confirmed in the post-authorization Edoxaban Treatment in routiNe clinical prActice for patients with Atrial Fibrillation in Europe (ETNA-AF-Europe) study in patients with atrial fibrillation. However. any post-authorization safety study focusing on the safety of edoxaban treatment in Turkey with a prospective design has not been performed yet. The Evaluation of Treatment Safety in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation on Edoxaban Therapy in Real-Life in Turkey (ETAF-TR) study is designed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of edoxaban treatment in atrial fibrillation in routine practice. The present article describes the design and rationale for the ETAF-TR Study

Böbrek Hastali?i olan AF Olgularinda non-vitamin K antagonisti oral antikoagülanlarin kullanimi (NOACURE-AF) - Neredeyiz?: Delphi yöntemi kullanan bir uzman uzlaşi raporu

[No Abstract Available]BayerThe Delphi panel meeting from which this publication was derived was supported by Bayer

The influence of alpha-adducin gene polymorpism on response of blood pressure to exercise in patients with hypertension

WOS: 000283682400004PubMed ID: 20929695Objective: Clinical studies have indicated that an excessive response of blood pressure (BP) to exercise predicts risk of cardiovascular mortality. Although the mechanism responsible for the excessive BP response to exercise has not been revealed, there are some plausible mechanisms linking with underlying structural abnormalities in the cardiovascular system. Carriers of the Trp460 allele of the alpha-adducin Gly460Trp polymorphism have an increased risk of hypertension. The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of alpha-adducin gene polymorphism on response of BP to exercise in patients with hypertension. Methods: The cross-sectional observational study consisted of 49 hypertensive patients (29 women and 20 men; mean age, 53.1 +/- 8.8 years). All participants underwent a multistage exercise treadmill test according to the Bruce protocol. Arterial BPs were compared at rest, peak exercise and end of the recovery phase. Patients were classified according to their alpha-adducin gene polymorphisms; Gly460Gly homozygotes - Group 1 (n=28) and Trp460Trp homozygotes and Gly460Trp heterozygotes - Group 2 (n=21). Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square, unpaired t, Mann-Whitney U and ANCOVA tests. Results: Mean exercise duration and mean exercise capacity in metabolic equivalents were not different between Group 1 and 2. The major finding of the study was that systolic BP responses at peak exercise and recovery period (3. min) were significantly higher (p=0.036) in hypertensive patients carrying at least one Trp460 allele of the alpha-adducin gene. Conclusion: Our results suggest that genetic variants that alter renal function and/or vasoreactivity are logical candidates to explain some of the individual variability in the BP response to exercise. (Anadolu Kardiyol Derg 2010; 10: 400-4