Left Atrial Myxoma With Pleural Effusion

Cardiac myxomas are histologically benign tumors but they may be lethal because of their strategic position. They have variable presentations and excellent prognosis after surgical excision. Left atrial myxomas may mimic mitral stenosis and is very rarely associated with pleural effusion. We presented a case of left atrial myxoma blocking mitral orifice and causing recurrent pulmonary edema and pleural effusions in this report

The Effect of Admission Creatinine Levels on One-Year Mortality in Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background. We have known that patients with renal insufficiency (creatinine level) have increased mortality for coronary artery disease. In this study, the relationship between admission creatinine level and one year mortality are evaluated in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Method. 160 AMI patients (127 men and 33 women with a mean age of 59 ± 13) were enrolled in the study. Serum creatinine levels were measured within 12 hours of AMI. The patients were divided into two groups according to admission serum creatinine level. (1) elevated group (serum creatinine > 1.3 mg/dL) and (2) normal group (≤1.3 mg/dL). One year mortality rates were evaluated. Results. Elevated serum creatinine is observed in the 27 patients (16.9%). The mean creatinine level is 1.78 ± 7 mg/dL in the elevated group and 0.9 ± 0.18 mg/dL in the normal group (P < 0.0001). The mortality rate of the elevated group (n = 7, 25.9%) is higher than that of the normal group (n = 9, 6.8%). A significant increase in one year mortality is also observed (P=002) 60. Conclusion. The mildly elevated admission serum creatinine levels are markedly increased to one year mortality in patients with AMI

QT dispersion in irritable bowel syndrome

Background: The pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has not been fully elucidated. The gastrointestinal tract have a well-differentiated intrinsic nervous system and also this system is connected with nervous system. The symptoms of IBS are related with autonomic nervous system (ANS). It was also possible to see cardiovascular symptoms due to this link. This link can influence QT dispersion (QTd). The aim of this case control study is to show the cardiac effects of IBS by changes in QTd.Methods: There were 56 newly diagnosed patients with IBS and 60 control subjects were included in this study. IBS was diagnosed using the new Roma IV Criterias. Standard 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) were taken in both two groups. QTd and corrected QTd (QTcd), QT max, QT min, QT avarage, Corrected QT (QTc) min, QTc max, QTc avarage values were calculated with Bazzet Formula from rest ECGs.Results: There were 56 newly diagnosed patients with IBS and 60 control subjects were included in the study (p:0.94). The mean age of the patients and control patients were 51.75±10.41 years and 48.41±9.72 (p: 0.53) years, respectively. QTd and corrected QTd (QTcd), QT max, QT min, QT mean, Corrected QT (QTc) min, QTc max, QTc mean values were calculated. QTd and QTcd values were found to be significantly higher in the patients with IBS (40.2±7.18; 34.1±6.18 / 52±9.8; 50.6±7.61 Msec, respectively). It is concluded that, QTd (p: 0.022) and QTcd (p: 0.032) were significantly incresased in the IBS.Conclusions: Activation of ANS in the patients with IBS can affect QT period in ECG

DNA Repair Gene Polymorphism and the Risk of Mitral Chordae Tendineae Rupture

Polymorphisms in Lys939Gln XPC gene may diminish DNA repair capacity, eventually increasing the risk of carcinogenesis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the significance of polymorphism Lys939Gln in XPC gene in patients with mitral chordae tendinea rupture (MCTR). Twenty-one patients with MCTR and thirty-seven age and sex matched controls were enrolled in the study. Genotyping of XPC gene Lys939Gln polymorphism was carried out using polymerase chain reaction-(PCR-) restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). The frequencies of the heterozygote genotype (Lys/Gln-AC) and homozygote genotype (Gln/Gln-CC) were significantly different in MCTR as compared to control group, respectively (52.4% versus 43.2%, = 0.049; 38.15% versus 16.2%, = 0.018). Homozygote variant (Gln/Gln) genotype was significantly associated with increased risk of MCTR (OR = 2.059; 95% CI: 1.097-3.863; = 0.018). Heterozygote variant (Lys/Gln) genotype was also highly significantly associated with increased risk of MCTR (OR = 1.489; 95% CI: 1.041-2.129; = 0.049). The variant allele C was found to be significantly associated with MCTR (OR = 1.481; 95% CI: 1.101-1.992; = 0.011). This study has demonstrated the association of XPC gene Lys939Gln polymorphism with MCTR, which is significantly associated with increased risk of MCTR

ECG Changes Due to Hypothermia Developed After Drowning: Case Report

Drowning is one of the fatal accidents frequently encountered during the summer and is the most common cause of accidental death in the world. Anoxia, hypothermia, and metabolic acidosis are mainly responsible for morbidty. Cardiovascular effects may occur secondary to hypoxia and hypothermia. Atrial fibrillation, sinus dysrhythmias (rarely requiring treatment), and, in serious cases, ventricular fibrillation or asystole may develop, showing as rhythm problems on electrocardiogram and Osborn wave can be seen, especially during hypothermia. A 16-year-old male patient who was admitted to our hospital's emergency service with drowning is presented in this article. In our case, ventricular fibrillation and giant J wave (Osborn wave) associated with hypothermia developed after drowning was seen. We present this case as a reminder of ECG changes due to hypothermia that develop after drowning. Response to cardiopulmonary resuscitation after drowning and hypothermia is not very good. Mortality is very high, so early resuscitation and aggressive treatment of cardiovascular and respiratory problems are important for life

Predictors of Anticoagulant Treatment in Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation: Results From Atrial Fibrillation in Turkey: Epidemiologic Registry

The aim of the study was to assess the factors associated with the anticoagulation treatment in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). A total of 2242 consecutive patients who had been admitted with AF on their electrocardiogram were included in the study. After excluding valvular AF, 1745 patients with nonvalvular AF were analyzed. Mean CHA2DS2-VASc score [cardiac failure, hypertension, age >= 75 (doubled), diabetes, stroke (doubled), vascular disease, age 65 -74 and sex category (female)], frequency of persistent/permanent AF, hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), stroke history, body mass index, and left atrial diameter were significantly higher in patients receiving anticoagulant therapy. Stroke history, persistent/permanent AF, hypertension, DM, age, heart failure, and left atrial diameter were independent predictors of warfarin prescription. Labile international normalized ratio was the only independent negative predictor of effective treatment with warfarin. In this study, we demonstrated that stroke history, persistent/permanent AF, hypertension, DM, and left atrial diameter were positive predictors, whereas advanced age and heart failure were negative predictors of oral anticoagulant use in patients with nonvalvular AF

Evaluation of metallothionein-1, metallothionein-2, lipid peroxidation and trace elements status in the progression of the spontaneous mitral chordae tendineae rupture patients

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether copper, zinc and iron levels and copper/zinc, iron/zinc, iron/copper ratios in serum and erythrocytes are associated with lipid oxidation levels, metallothionein-1 (MT-1), and metallothionein-2 (MT-2) levels in plasma in the context of pathogenesis of the mitral chordae tendineae rupture (MCTR). Methods: 65 subjects who were identical in demographic characteristics' were selected for the study; 33 with MCTR patients, and 32 healthy control subjects. The levels of MT-1, MT-2, and malondialdehyde as measure of lipid oxidation, and trace elements were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, spectrophotometric method, and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, respectively. Results: Serum zinc levels were found to be lower in the patients' group when compared to control group. The copper and iron levels in serum, MT-1, MT-2; malondialdehyde levels in plasma, iron and malondialdehyde levels in erythrocytes; serum copper/zinc and iron/zinc ratios were found to be higher in the patients' group when compared to controls. Conclusions: We conclude that the changes of oxidant antioxidant system balance and trace element status may contribute to the etiopathogenesis of MCTR

An experimental Staphylococcus aureus meningitis model for investigating induced leptomeningeal and subpial inflammation in rats: A transmission electron microscopy study

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate leptomeningeal and subpial inflammatory responses of experimental Staphylococcus aureus bacteriemia following intraperitoneal and intravenous applications and to compare the inflammatory reactions in different regions of central nervous system

Epidemiology of atrial fibrillation in Turkey: preliminary results of the multicenter AFTER* study

Objectives: Although atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common rhythm disorders observed in clinical practice, a multicenter epidemiological study has not been conducted in our country. This study aimed to assess our clinical approach to AF based upon the records of the first multicenter prospective Atrial Fibrillation in Turkey: Epidemiologic Registry (AFTER) study