Evaluation of left atrial and ventricular myocardial functions by three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in patients with euthyroid Hashimoto's thyroiditis

DOGDUS, Mustafa/0000-0002-3895-1923; Yenercag, Mustafa/0000-0002-0933-7852WOS: 000567808900002PubMed: 32897525Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (HsT) is one of the most frequently occurring autoimmune diseases, characterized by lymphocytic infiltration, destruction and fibrosis of thyroid tissue and the presence of antibodies to thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin. the effects of euthyroid Hashimoto's thyroiditis (eHsT) on cardiovascular system are unclear. We aimed to identify if any deteriorations in LA and LV myocardial functions in patients with eHsT by 3D-STE in the current study. Fifty eight patients with eHsT and 60 age- and gender-matched controls were enrolled into the study. All participants underwent laboratory analyses which included thyroid hormones and thyroid autoantibody levels; and conventional 2D echocardiographic and 3D-STE analyses were performed. the mean age of the study patients was 34.5 +/- 9 years, and 68.6% were female. Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) was significantly depressed in the eHsT (+) group than in the control group (- 15.3 +/- 3.6 vs. - 22.8 +/- 3.8, p < 0.001). the LV-GLS was found to be disrupted linearly as thyroid autoantibodies increased (r = 0.684 for anti-TPO-ab and LV-GLS; r = 0.649 for anti-Tg-ab and LV-GLS). the present study demonstrated that 3D-STE is useful in the early detection of LV myocardial dysfunction in patients with eHsT. We found that eHsT had a negative effect on LV myocardial dynamics. According to these findings, these myocardial alterations that are present early in the disease process may be considered as a reason to start medical treatment earlier, even at the euthyroid stage to prevent LV myocardial impairment

Evaluation of demographic and clinical characteristics of female patients presenting with MINOCA and differences between male patients: A subgroup analysis of MINOCA-TR registry

Objective: Although the prevalence and rate of myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) are higher in women than in men in previous cohorts, potential demographic and clinical differences between women who are diagnosed with MINOCA versus myocardial infarction with obstructive coronary arteries (MIOCA) have not been studied till date. In this study, we aimed to document these characteristics and to compare them between female patients with MINOCA and MIOCA. Methods: The study was a subgroup analysis of the MINO-CA-TR study. The study was a multi-center, observational cohort study that was conducted in Turkey between March 2018 and October 2018. In this study, 477 (29.3%) female patients who had been diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction were evaluated. Results: Of these women, 49 (10.3%) were diagnosed with MINOCA (mean age 58.9 +/- 12.9 years) and 428 (89.7%) had a final diagnosis of MIOCA (mean age 67.4 +/- 11.8 years). The prevalence of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes mellitus was significantly lower in the MINOCA group than in the MIOCA group. In addition, the MINOCA group had higher rates of recent flu history and non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) presentation than the MIOCA group. There were significant clinical differences in patients with MINOCA in terms of sex. The female patients were older, had higher systolic blood pressures, and lower hemoglobin levels than male patients. Conclusion: The study revealed that the prevalence of traditional coronary artery disease risk factors was lower in female patients with MINOCA than in those who had final diagnosis of MIOCA.This study was sponsored by the Cardiovascular Academy Society.Cardiovascular Academy Societ

An assessment of the anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders experienced by cardiologists during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objective: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the symptoms of stress and the anxiety levels of cardiologists who continue to treat cardiac patients in addition to their epidemic duties during the COVID 19 pandemic. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 347 cardiologists throughout Turkey from April 17 to 20, 2020. The research was conducted using a confidential online survey. The research used the Turkish versions of the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), the 7-item Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (HPQ-9). Results: Among the respondents, n = 272 (78.3%) ranged in age from 31 to 50 years old and n = 84 (24.2%) were women. A considerable proportion of the participants reported symptoms of anxiety (54.2%), insomnia (44.1%), and depression (71.1%). The women cardiologists showed more severe levels of the anxiety and depression symptoms compared to the male cardiologists. The mean GAD-7 scale scores among the women vs. the men were 6.6 +/- 3.5 vs. 5.0 +/- 4.3; P = 0.005; the mean ISI scores among the women vs. the men were 7.3 +/- 4.3 vs. 6.9 +/- 4.6; P > 0.05; and the average HPQ-9 scores among the women vs. the male cardiologists were 8.0 +/- 3.9 vs. 6.8 +/- 4.7; P = 0.02. Conclusions: In this survey, most of the cardiologists were found to be mentally challenged while continuing their profession during this outbreak. The anxiety and depression symptoms of the female doctors were especially higher than the symptoms of their male counterparts. The stress disorders created by this pandemic may have serious future consequences, especially for female doctors

Baseline clinical characteristics and patient profile of the TURKMI registry: Results of a nation-wide acute myocardial infarction registry in Turkey

Objective: The TURKMI registry is designed to provide insight into the characteristics, management from symptom onset to hospital discharge, and outcome of patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) in Turkey. We report the baseline and clinical characteristics of the TURKMI population

A nation-wide survey of patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia phenotype undergoing LDL-apheresis in Turkey (A-HIT 1 registry)

Background and aims: Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) is a genetic condition characterized by lethally high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) from birth, and requires rapid and aggressive intervention to prevent death due to coronary heart disease and/or atherosclerosis. Where available, lipoprotein apheresis (LA) is the mainstay of treatment to promote survival

Mental status and physical activity in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia: A subgroup analysis of a nationwide survey (A-HIT1 registry)

BACKGROUND: Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) is a rare, life-threatening disease due to high serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. LDL cholesterol-lowering interventions are fundamental for patients with HoFH

A nation-wide survey of patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia phenotype undergoing LDL-apheresis in Turkey (A-HIT 1 registry)

Background and aims: Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) is a genetic condition characterized by lethally high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) from birth, and requires rapid and aggressive intervention to prevent death due to coronary heart disease and/or atherosclerosis. Where available, lipoprotein apheresis (LA) is the mainstay of treatment to promote survival

Clinical management, psychosocial characteristics, and quality of life in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia undergoing LDL-apheresis in Turkey: Results of a nationwide survey (A-HIT1 registry)

WOS: 000475544900016PubMed ID: 30928440BACKGROUND: Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) is a rare, life-threatening inherited disease leading to early-onset atherosclerosis and associated morbidity. Because of its rarity, longitudinal data on the management of HoFH in the real world are lacking, particularly on the impact the condition has on quality of life (QoL), including the impact of the extracorporeal lipid removal procedure apheresis (LA). METHODS: The A-HIT1 study included 88 patients with HoFH aged >= 12 years receiving regular LA in 19 centers in Turkey. Demographic and disease characteristics data were obtained. For patients aged >= 18 years, additional data on psychosocial status were obtained via the SF-36 score, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and a HoFH-specific questionnaire. RESULTS: There was no standardized approach to therapy between centers. Mean (+/-SD) frequency of LA sessions was every 19.9 (+/-14) days, with only 11.6% receiving LA weekly, and 85% of patients were not willing to increase LA frequency. The most common concerns of patients were disease prognosis (31%), and physical, aesthetic, and psychological problems (27.5%, 15.9%, and 11.6%, respectively). Lower age at diagnosis was associated with better QoL, lower anxiety, improved functioning, and greater emotional well-being compared to later diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that adult patients with HoFH undergoing LA, experience significant impairment of QoL with an increased risk of depression. From patients' point of view, LA is time-consuming, uncomfortable, and difficult to cope with. The speed of diagnosis and referral has a considerable impact on patient well-being. (C) 2019 National Lipid Association. All rights reserved.Aegerion pharmaceuticals; Amryt Pharmaceuticals DACThis investigator initiated study was funded by Aegerion pharmaceuticals, and authors wish to thank Nigel Eastmond of Eastmond Medicomm Ltd for assistance in editing the final article, which was funded by Amryt Pharmaceuticals DAC