[Serum Carcinoembryonic Antigen Level Is Associated with Aortic Stiffness]

OBJECTIVE

Carcinoembryonic antigen is a serological marker used in the diagnosis of malignancies and is also associated with inflammatory events. It has also been reported that carcinoembryonic antigen is associated with cardiovascular diseases. However, not much is known about the relationship between arterial stiffness and carcinoembryonic antigen. In this study, we investigated the relationship between serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels and arterial stiffness.

METHODS

The data of 371 (female = 192, male = 179) individuals who applied for cardiac check-up without obvious cardiovascular diseases were analyzed cross-sectionally. Echocardiography was used to assess the participants' aortic stiffness index.

RESULTS

In our sample, aortic stiffness index and carcinoembryonic antigen were determined as median = 8.98, interquartile range 7.60 and median = 1.58 ng/mL, interquartile range 1.52, respectively. Aortic stiffness index and carcinoembryonic antigen levels were significantly higher in males than females. A significant correlation was observed between carcinoembryonic antigen and aortic stiffness index in the whole sample (r = 0.550, P < 0.001) and separately in females (r = 0.480, P < 0.001) and males (r = 0.602, P < 0.001). In multivariate stepwise regression analysis, female gender (r = -0.081, P < 0.001), age (r = 0.006, P < 0.001), BMI (r = 0.007, P = 0.002), and carcinoembryonic antigen (r = 0.375, P < 0.001) were determined as the strongest independent variables associated with aortic stiffness. When the model was adapted separately for females and males, age and carcinoembryonic antigen were determined as independent variables for aortic stiffness in both genders.

CONCLUSION

Carcinoembryonic antigen level is associated with aortic stiffness in healthy individuals. However, the clinical significance of this relationship is unknown.

Lack of right ventricular hypertrophy is associated with right heart failure in patients with left ventricular failure

Presence of right heart failure (RHF) is associated with a worse prognosis in patients with left ventricular failure (LVF). While the cause of RHF secondary to LVF is multifactorial, an increased right ventricular (RV) afterload is believed as the major cause of RHF. However, data are scarce on the adaptive responses of the RV in patients with LVF. Our aim was to understand the relationship of right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) with RHF and RV systolic and diastolic properties in patients with LVF. 55 patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 40% or less were included in the present study. A comprehensive two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiographic examination was done to all participants. 12 patients (21.8%) had RHF, and patients with RHF had a significantly lower right ventricular free wall thickness (RVFWT) as compared to patients without RHF (5.3 ± 1.7 mm vs. 6.6 ± 0.9 mm, p = 0.02) and the difference remained statistically significant after adjusting for confounders (Δx̅:1.34 mm, p = 0.002). RVFWT had a statistically significant correlation with tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (r = 0.479, p < 0.001) and tricuspid annular lateral systolic velocity (r = 0.360, p = 0.007), but not with the indices of the RV diastolic function. None of the patients with concentric RVH had RHF, while 22.2% of patients with eccentric RVH and 66.7% of patients without RVH had RHF (p < 0.01 as compared to patients with concentric RVH). In patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction, absence of RVH was associated with worse RV systolic performance and a significantly higher incidence of RHF.

Epicardial fat thickness assessment by multi-slice computed tomography for predicting cardiac outcomes in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation

INTRODUCTION

Chronic inflammation promotes aortic valve calcification. It is known that epicardial fat is a source of inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between epicardial fat thickness, cardiac conduction disorders and outcomes in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

METHODS

During a three-year period, 45 patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent TAVI were recruited to the study. Data were collected retrospectively. Epicardial fat was defined as the adipose tissue between the epicardium and the visceral pericardium. Mean epicardial fat thickness was determined by multi-slice computed tomography, which was performed before the procedure.

RESULTS

The average thickness of epicardial fat was 13.06 ± 3.29 mm. This study failed to reveal a significant correlation between epicardial fat thickness and post-procedural left bundle branch block, right bundle branch block, paravalvular aortic regurgitation and pacemaker implantation rates (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study failed to show a significant relationship between epicardial fat thickness, cardiac conduction disorders and outcomes, however further studies with larger sample numbers are required to explore the relationship.

Interpretation of the effect of CYP2C9, VKORC1 and CYP4F2 variants on warfarin dosing adjustment in Turkey

It was aimed to underline the importance and explain the meaning of genetic testing in warfarin dosing and investigate and evaluate the contributions of the CYP2C9, VKORC1, and CYP4F2 variants in a Turkish population. Two hundred patients were genotyped for CYP2C9 (rs1799853, rs1057910 and rs56165452), VKORC1 (rs9934438, rs8050894, rs9923231, rs7294 and rs2359612) and CYP4F2 (rs2108622), yet, only 127 patients were found suitable for further evaluation in terms of their personal response to warfarin due to long term usage and available INR and dose usage information. The DNA sequences were determined by the ABI PRISM 3100 Genetic Analyzer to 3130xl System (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, California). Warfarin dose application suggestions by warfaringdosing.org, FDA and MayoClinic were followed. Dose requirements in the Turkish population were found higher than the suggested doses by warfarindosing.org. The multivariate logistic regression analysis reveals the utilization of VCORC1 genetic evaluation is valuable in warfarin dosing (low and moderate vs. high) in this study (p < 0.001). The present study provides findings for clinicians to adapt the genetic data to the daily practice. We observed that the VKORC1 variant showed a more potent impact in warfarin dosing in this study.

Clinical use of Serial Mean Platelet Volume Measurement for Diagnosis of Non-ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Patients Visiting Emergency Department with Acute Chest Pain

Objective

We aim to demonstrate diagnostic accuracy of serial MPV measuring and to assess its correlation with cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Methods

Consecutive patients presenting to emergency department with new onset chest pain started in the last four hours without electrocardiographic ST segment and T wave changes, pathological q waves were included in study. Complete blood count and cTnI levels were studied on admission and six hours after presentation. Patients with cTnI levels higher than 0.06 ng/ml were diagnosed as non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and other patients were matched as the control group.

Results

NSTEMI group had significantly higher levels of MPV on admission and at the sixth hour. The increase in MPV was corraleted with elevation of cTnI levels. At six hours follow up, the increase in MPV levels predicted myocardial ischaemia (corrected r2=0.36; p=0.001) in linear regression analysis. The corresponding area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) for admission MPV, sixth hour MPV and increase in MPV levels in predicting myocardial ischaemia in patients with increased cTnI were 0.652, 0.727 and 0.896 respectively. If MPV threshold was selected as ≥0.10 fL during follow up, myocardial ischaemia was predicted with a sensitivity of 75% and specificity of 88%.

Conclusions

Elevation of MPV levels in patients with acute chest pain may be an indicator of myocardial ischaemia. Serial MPV measurement can be used to complement serial cTnI measurements to diagnose NSTEMI.

Plasma osmolality predicts mortality in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) is a fatal disease. Plasma osmolality with individual impacts of sodium, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and glucose has not been studied prognostically in patients with HF.

AIM

This study aims to investigate the impact of serum osmolality on clinical endpoints in HF patients.

METHODS

A total of 509 patients (383 males, 126 females) with HF with reduced ejection fraction in three HF centres were retrospectively analysed between January 2007 and December 2013. Follow-up data were completed for 496 patients. Plasma osmolality was calculated as (2 × Na) + (BUN/2.8) + (Glucose/18). Quartiles of plasma osmolality were produced, and the possible relationship between plasma osmolality and cardiovascular mortality was investigated.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up was 25 ± 22 months. The mean age was 56.5 ± 17.3 years with a mean EF of 26 ± 8%. The mean levels of plasma osmolality were as follows in the quartiles: 1st % = 280 ± 6, 2nd % = 288 ± 1, 3rd % = 293 ± 2 (95% confidence interval [CI] 292.72-293.3), and 4th % = 301 ± 5 mOsm/kg. The EF and B-type natriuretic peptide levels were similar in the four quartiles. Univariate and multivariate analyses in the Cox proportional hazard model revealed a significantly higher rate of mortality in the patients with hypo-osmolality. The Kaplan-Meier plot showed graded mortality curves with the 1st quartile having the worst prognosis, followed by the 4th quartile and the 2nd quartile, while the 3rd quartile was shown to have the best prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study results suggest that normal plasma osmolality is between 275 and 295 mOsm/kg. However, being close to the upper limit of normal range (292-293 mOsm/kg) seems to be the optimal plasma osmolality level in terms of cardiovascular prognosis in patients with HF.

Practical approaches for the treatment of chronic heart failure: Frequently asked questions, overlooked points and controversial issues in current clinical practice

Heart failure (HF) is a progressive disorder associated with impaired quality of life, high morbidity, mortality and frequent hospitalization and affects millions of people from all around the world. Despite further improvements in HF therapy, mortality and morbidity remains to be very high. The life-long treatment, frequent hospitalization, and sophisticated and very expensive device therapies for HF also leads a substantial economic burden on the health care system. Therefore, implementation of evidence-based guideline-recommended therapy is very important to overcome its worse clinical outcomes. However, HF therapy is a long process that has many drawbacks and sometimes HF guidelines cannot answers to every question which rises in everyday clinical practice. In this paper, commonly encountered questions, overlooked points, controversial issues, management strategies in grey zone and problems arising during follow up of a HF patient in real life clinical practice have been addressed in the form of expert opinions based on the available data in the literature.

Management and outcome of topical beta-blocker-induced atrioventricular block

BACKGROUND

Topical beta-blockers have a well-established role in the treatment of glaucoma. We aimed to investigate the outcome of patients who developed symptomatic atrioventricular (AV) block induced by topical beta-blockers.

METHODS

All patients admitted or discharged from our institution, the Siyami Ersek Training and Research Hospital, between January 2009 and January 2013 with a diagnosis of AV block were included in the study. Subjects using ophthalmic beta-blockers were recruited and followed for permanent pacemaker requirement during hospitalisation and for three months after discontinuation of the drug. A permanent pacemaker was implanted in patients in whom AV block persisted beyond 72 hours or recurred during the follow-up period.

RESULTS

A total of 1 122 patients were hospitalised with a diagnosis of AV block and a permanent pacemaker was implanted in 946 cases (84.3%) during the study period. Thirteen patients using ophthalmic beta-blockers for the treatment of glaucoma and no other rate-limiting drugs were included in the study. On electrocardiography, eight patients had complete AV block and five had high-degree AV block. The ophthalmic beta-blockers used were timolol in seven patients (55%), betaxolol in four (30%), and cartelol in two cases (15%). The mean duration of ophthalmic beta-blocker treatment was 30.1 ± 15.9 months. After drug discontinuation, in 10 patients the block persisted and a permanent pacemaker was implanted. During follow up, one more patient required pacemaker implantation. Therefore in total, pacemakers were implanted in 11 out of 13 patients (84.6%). The pacemaker implantation rate did not differ according to the type of topical beta-blocker used (p = 0.37). The presence of infra-nodal block on electrocardiography was associated with higher rates of pacemaker implantation.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that topical beta-blockers for the treatment of glaucoma may cause severe conduction abnormalities and when AV block occurs, pacemaker implantation is required in a high percentage of the patients.

Usefulness of the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction risk index in acute heart failure: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

Risk stratification in acute heart failure (AHF) is vital for both physicians and paramedical personals. Thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) risk index (TRI) and modified TRI (mTRI) are novel and simple predictive risk indices that have been examined in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

In the current study, we evaluated the relationship among TRI, mTRI, and mortality in patients with AHF.

METHODS

A total of 293 patients with AHF were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 consisted of patients who survived and group 2 consisted of patients who died during a follow-up period of 120 days. Multivariate hierarchical logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship among TRI, mTRI, and mortality.

RESULTS

All causes of death occurred in 84 patients (28.6%). Thrombolysis in myocardial infarction risk index was significantly higher in patients who died during follow-up (20.2 ± 12.4 vs 14.8 ± 8.9). The new risk score showed good predictive value for 120-day mortality. Before laboratory analysis, in-multivariate hierarchical logistic regression analysis TRI remained as an independent risk factor for mortality (odds ratio, 2.56; P < .001). After the laboratory analysis, despite the fact that TRI has lost its predictive value, mTRI remained an independent risk factor for mortality (odds ratio, 2.08; P = .01).

CONCLUSION

The TRI is a simple and strong predictor of all-cause mortality in patients who were admitted with AHF. The current study reveals for the first time the strong predictive value of TRI in patients with AHF.

Giant calcific pericardial cyst: certainly unexpected during primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Pericardial cyst is a rare congenital anomaly that is usually diagnosed during evaluation for right-sided heart failure. We report a 50-year-old man with a primary diagnosis of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction at admission, whose emergent angiography revealed a calcific mass close to right coronary artery. Further analysis of the mass with computed tomography and three-dimensional echocardiography revealed a giant pericardial cyst causing partial obstruction of superior vena cava. Unlike previous cases reported, the patient had no symptoms compatible with right-sided heart failure.

[Future of advanced heart failure and mechanical support devices: A Cardiology-Cardiovascular Surgery Consensus Report]

Heart failure is a progressive disease. A considerable number of patients eventually reach an advanced or terminal phase, in spite of developments in diagnostic procedure, alternative treatments that can slow progression, management, and follow-up. In addition to palliative care of patients in the terminal phase, accurate recognition of advanced disease is vital in the determination of therapeutic options. Overall management of patients with heart failure requires the collaboration of professionals from multiple disciplines. Still, patients with advanced heart failure should be managed by a "heart team," as indicated by guidelines; communication and collaboration among cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, and other medical staff responsible for patient care is necessary. While our country has physicians experienced in the management of patients with advanced heart failure, these professionals are not distributed evenly across the country, and equitable access to therapeutic options is not provided. Hence, progress has yet to be made regarding appropriate referrals and patient circulation. The aims of the present consensus report are to strengthen the connection between certified, experienced centers and those that care for patients irrespective of disease phase and healthcare staff, as well as to raise awareness and provide information regarding conditions in Turkey.

Admission serum potassium level is associated with in-hospital and long-term mortality in ST-elevation myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE

Current guidelines recommend a serum potassium (sK) level of 4.0-5.0 mmol/L in acute myocardial infarction patients. Recent trials have demonstrated an increased mortality rate with an sK level of>4.5 mmol/L. The aim of this study was to figure out the relation between admission sK level and in-hospital and long-term mortality and ventricular arrhythmias.

METHODS

Retrospectively, 611 patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention were recruited. Admission sK levels were categorized accordingly: <3.5, 3.5-<4, 4-<4.5, 4.5-<5, and ≥5 mmol/L.

RESULTS

The lowest in-hospital and long-term mortality occurred in patients with sK levels of 3.5 to <4 mmol/L. The long-term mortality risk increased for admission sK levels of >4.5 mmol/L [odds ratio (OR), 1.58; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.42-5.9 and OR, 2.27; 95% CI 0.44-11.5 for sK levels of 4.5-<5 mmol/L and ≥5 mmol/L, respectively]. At sK levels <3 mmol/L and ≥5 mmol/L, the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias was higher (p=0.019).

CONCLUSION

Admission sK level of >4.5 mmol/L was associated with increased long-term mortality in STEMI. A significant relation was found between sK level of <3 mmol/L and ≥5 mmol/L and ventricular arrhythmias.

Association between endothelial nitric oxide synthase intron 4a/b polymorphism and aortic dissection

OBJECTIVES

The genetic risk factors that contribute to the risk of developing aortic dissection (AD) have been studied. We assessed the association of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene polymorphism with AD.

STUDY DESIGN

Patients who underwent surgery with the diagnosis of AD and survived after the operation in our center between May 2007 and June 2011 were recruited retrospectively. The eNOS intron 4a/b polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using oligonucleotide primers (sense: 5'-AGGCCCTATGGTAGTGCCTTT-3'; antisense: 5'-TCTCTTAGTGCTGTGGTCAC-3') that flank the region of the 27 bp VNTR in intron 4.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine patients (88%) had type A AD, while the remainder (12%) had type B AD. The distribution of eNOS4 a/b gene polymorphism differed significantly from the control group, with higher frequencies of eNOS 4a/a and 4a/b genotypes in the AD group (x(2)=7.16, p=0.03).

CONCLUSION

In this study, the distribution of eNOS genotypes differed between the AD and control groups; however, this polymorphism was not found to be an independent factor for the development of AD.

Red cell distribution width is increased in patients with ascending aortic dilatation

OBJECTIVES

The prognostic importance of red cell distribution width (RDW) and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in cardiovascular diseases has been shown. Ascending aortic dilatation (AAD) is a common cardiovascular disease and is associated with aortic wall inflammation and cystic degeneration. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between serum levels of RDW, NLR and the presence of AAD.

STUDY DESIGN

Two-hundred consecutive patients with AAD diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography were prospectively recruited and were compared to 170 age-gender- matched subjects with normal aortic diameters. Complete blood counts (CBCs) were analyzed for hemoglobin, RDW and NLR counts, as well as mean corpuscular volume (MCV). If possible, results of CBC tests within the previous two years were also included and the averages were used.

RESULTS

RDW [median 13.9, interquartile range (IQR) 1.40 vs. median 13.3, IQR 1.05%, p=0.01], NLR (median 2.04, IQR 1.09 vs. median 1.78, IQR 0.90, p=0.01) and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (median 0.60, IQR 0.80 vs. median 0.44, IQR 0.68 mg/L, p=0.01) levels were significantly higher in the AAD group compared to the control group. In univariate correlation analysis, ascending aortic diameters were correlated with RDW levels (r=0.31, p=0.01), NLR levels (r=0.15, p=0.01) and hs-CRP levels (r=0.12, p=0.03). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, increased levels of RDW and hs-CRP remained as the independent correlates of AAD in the study population. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that a RDW measurement higher than >13.8% predicted AAD with a sensitivity of 49.5% and a specificity of 82.8% (area under the curve [AUC] 0.681, p=0.01).

CONCLUSION

In patients with AAD, RDW and hs-CRP levels are increased, which may indicate the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of AAD.

Can the T-peak to T-end interval be a predictor of mortality in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction?

BACKGROUND

The interval between the peak and the end of the T wave (Tp-e interval) on 12-lead ECG is a measure of transmural dispersion of repolarization and may be related to malignant ventricular arrhythmias. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the Tp-e interval predicts in-hospital and long-term mortality in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing a primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI).

METHODS

This study included 488 consecutive patients with STEMI treated with pPCI. Electrocardiograms were obtained after pPCI and the Tp-e interval was measured in leads without ST-segment elevation.

RESULTS

There were 46 (9.4%) deaths in the population, with a mean follow-up time of 21.1±10.2 months. The Tp-e interval was associated with not only in-hospital ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation, target vessel revascularization, and death but also long-term target vessel revascularization and death. Furthermore, the Tp-e interval measured using the tail method was found to be a significant predictor of long-term mortality in multivariable Cox analyses [odds ratio 1.018, 95% confidence interval (1.004-1.033)]. Findings were similar in the Tp-e interval and the heart rate-corrected Tp-e interval (cTp-e).

CONCLUSION

Tp-e and cTp-e measured using the tail method were found to be predictors of both in-hospital and long-term mortality.

Elevated levels of RDW is associated with non-valvular atrial fibrillation

Red cell distribution width (RDW) and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) have been found to be associated with cardiovascular diseases. Only a few trials have investigated the correlation of these parameters with postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the correlation of these parameters in non-valvular AF is still unclear. We retrospectively analyzed consecutive AF patients from medical records and included 117 non-valvular AF patients (103 paroxysmal and 14 chronic AF). All subjects underwent physical examination and echocardiographic imaging. Complete blood counts (CBCs) were analyzed for hemoglobin, RDW, neutrophil and lymphocyte counts as well as mean corpuscular volume. Results of CBC tests within the previous year were also included and the averages were used. The demographic and echocardiographic properties of non-valvular AF group were comparable to the control group except for left atrial volumes which were increased in AF (median 33.1, IQR 26.3-41.1 cm(3) vs. median 26.4, IQR 24.2-28.9 cm(3); p = 0.01). RDW levels were significantly higher in the AF group (median 13.4 %, IQR 12.9-14.1 %) compared to the control (median 12.6 %, IQR 12.0-13.1 %; p = 0.01). NLR was not statistically different in the AF group and the controls (2.04 ± 0.94 vs. 1.93 ± 0.64, respectively; p = 0.32). Hs-CRP levels were higher in the AF group compared to the controls (median 0.84, IQR 0.30-1.43 mg/L vs. median 0.29, IQR 0.18-0.50 mg/L, respectively; p = 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed RDW (OR 4.18, 95 % CI 2.15-8.15; p = 0.01), hs-CRP (OR 3.76, 95 % CI 1.43-9.89; p = 0.01) and left atrial volume (OR 1.31, 95 % CI 1.06-1.21; p = 0.01) as the independent markers of non-valvular AF. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that hemoglobin levels (standardized β coefficient = -0.252; p = 0.01) and the presence of AF (standardized β coefficient = 0.336; p = 0.01) were the independent correlates of RDW levels. Elevated RDW levels, not NLR, may be an independent risk marker for non-valvular AF.

Sick euthyroid syndrome is associated with poor prognosis in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous intervention

BACKGROUND

Concomitant thyroid and heart disease are frequently encountered in clinical practice. There are many studies evaluating thyroid function in acute and critical conditions. Information on thyroid dysfunction in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is limited; its correlation with short and long-term outcome is not fully known.

METHODS

Four hundred and fifty seven patients diagnosed with STEMI in our emergency department were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups: patients with normal thyroid function (euthyroid) and patients with thyroid dysfunction. STEMI was diagnosed with 12 derivation surface electrocardiogram. Thyroid hormone levels (TSH, free T3 and free T4) were measured. Patients with other acute coronary syndromes and endocrine pathologies except diabetes mellitus were excluded. Two patient groups were compared in terms of in-hospital and long-term outcome.

RESULTS

Out of 457, 72 (15%) patients with thyroid dysfunction were detected. The other patients were euthyroid and constituted the control group. In-hospital cardiogenic shock (15% vs. 3% in the control group; p < 0.01) and death (7% vs. 1% in the control group; p < 0.01) were more frequently observed in the thyroid dysfunction group. In the subgroup analysis, it was observed that patients with sick euthyroid syndrome have the poorest outcome. Other markers for poor outcome were anemia and renal failure.

CONCLUSIONS

Thyroid dysfunction, particularly sick euthyroid syndrome, was found to be related to in-hospital and long term mortality in patients with STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous intervention.

Pacemaker implantation complication rates in elderly and young patients

Aims

To evaluate the complication rate differences between elderly and younger patients who receive a permanent pacemaker implantation.

Methods

We reviewed all cases admitted to our institution between January 2008 and June 2009 with symptomatic bradyarrhythmia for whom a permanent pacemaker was implanted. Beginning in June 2009, we prospectively collected data from all patients with the same diagnosis and procedure. The frequency of complications due to the pacemaker implantation procedure was evaluated and compared between young (<70 years old) and elderly (≥70 years old) patients.

Results

Among 574 patients with a permanent pacemaker, 259 patients (45.1%) were below and 315 patients (54.9%) were above or at 70 years of age. There were 240 (92.7%) and 19 (7.3%) dual-chamber pacemaker (DDD) and single-chamber pacemaker (VVI) implanted patients in the younger group, and 291 (76.8%) and 73 (23.2%) DDD and VVI pacemaker implanted patients in the elderly group, respectively. The complication rate was 39 (15.1%) out of 259 young patients and 24 (7.6%) out of 315 elderly patients. Postprocedural complications were statistically lower in the elderly patients than in younger patients (P = 0.005).

Conclusion

A pacemaker implantation performed by an experienced operator is a safe procedure for patients of advanced age. The patients who are above 70 years old may have less complication rates than the younger patients.

Tissue Doppler-derived isovolumic acceleration parameters in organic mitral regurgitation

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY

New, quantitative, reliable and practical echocardiographic parameters are required for grading the severity of mitral regurgitation (MR). Thus, an investigation was made of tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) parameters in MR patients with a preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

METHODS

Transthoracic echocardiography was performed in 96 consecutive patients with varying degrees of MR but with a preserved LVEF. In addition, TDI-derived systolic velocities of the mitral and tricuspid annulus were recorded. The results obtained were compared with those from 31 age- and gender-matched healthy controls.

RESULTS

The study patients were classified according to MR severity: mild-moderate (n = 65) or severe (n = 31). Although isovolumic myocardial acceleration (IVA) and peak myocardial velocity during isovolumic contraction (IVV) showed similar values in all groups, the acceleration time (AT) was higher in the severe MR group than in mild or moderate MR patients (p < 0.001). The AT cut-off value to predict severe MR was 35 ms (sensitivity 74.2%, specificity 58.5%).

CONCLUSION

AT has the potential to differentiate severe MR from non-severe MR in patients with a preserved LVEF. These findings suggest that TDI of the mitral annulus might serve as a novel method for assessing MR severity.

Mutation analysis of BRCA1 and BRCA2 in Turkish cancer families: a novel mutation BRCA2 3414del4 found in male breast cancer

Since the identification of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 breast-ovarian cancer susceptibility genes, mutation analyses have been carried out in different populations. Here we screened 15 Turkish breast and breast-ovarian cancer families for mutations in both genes by conformation-sensitive gel electrophoresis (CSGE) and the protein truncation test (PTT), followed by DNA sequencing. Three families included a male breast cancer case, one without family history. Three germline mutations were identified, two in BRCA1 and one in BRCA2. The two BRCA1 mutations, 5382insC and 5622C-->T, were found in breast-ovarian cancer families. The BRCA2 3414delTCAG is a novel mutation detected in a site-specific breast cancer family that included 1 case of male breast cancer. These first results of Turkish families show that the frequency of germline BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations appears to be high in families with at least 3 breast and/or ovarian cancer cases.

Cytogenetic study of tuberculosis patients before and after tuberculostatic drug treatment

Cytogenetic analyses were carried out in lymphocytes of 15 untreated tuberculosis (tb) patients and 15 other tb patients who had received combined tuberculostatic chemotherapy HRZ (isoniazid+rifampicin+pyrazinamide) for 2 months. The frequency of chromosomal aberrations and sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) did not show any statistically significant differences in the patients before treatment and after exposure to combined HRZ therapy as compared to controls (p > 0.05). However, we observed that the mitotic index was significantly decreased in both groups (p < 0.05). Based on the results of the present study, we believe there is no indication for a chromosome damaging effect of HRZ and their metabolites in human lymphocytes in vivo after treatment of tuberculosis patients with optimum doses.

Effect of diethylnitrosamine on prostaglandin E and lipid peroxidation levels in rat's liver, lung and renal tissue

We have investigated the generation of a prooxidant state and effect on prostaglandin E (PGE) levels after administration of diethylnitrosamine (DENA) to rats. Lipid peroxides were assayed by monitoring thiobarbituric acid (TBA) a reactive material. PGE--like activity was assayed by using bioassay procedure. Our results demonstrate that increased lipid peroxide and decreased PGE levels were found in a dose dependent manner in DENA injected groups when compared to control groups. According to these findings, it is suggested that there is a negative correlation between carcinogenic DENA induced lipid peroxidation and PGE in rat's liver, lung, and renal tissue.

The effect of the male contraceptive agent gossypol acetic acid on mouse bone marrow cells in vivo: micronuclei and mitotic index

In this work the genotoxic effect of gossypol acetic acid (gossypol) was evaluated by determining the frequency of micronuclei and mitotic index in male mouse bone marrow cells in vivo. Bone marrow cells were collected at 24th hour after the single intraperitoneal (20, 40, and 80 micrograms/g) administration of gossypol. Polychromatic erythrocytes (PCEs) in the bone marrow were then evaluated with respect to micronuclei frequency. The dose-dependent increase in the micronuclei frequency was observed. However, when compared with the control group, the increase was not found to be significant (P > 0.05). Also the mitotic index values were not found to be different from those control values (P > 0.05). The results suggest that gossypol is not a clastogenic and mutagenic agent in mouse bone marrow cells in vivo.

[Salmonella tester strain TA104 for the detection of mutagenic and carcinogenic chemicals in our environment]

We used the Salmonella mutagenicity test for detecting chemical carcinogens as mutagens in the Salmonella typhimurium tester strain TA104 . The mutagenicity of several compounds was assessed by induction of histidine revertants in the TA104 . In each experiment we routinely included positive mutagenesis controls using three different concentrations of known mutagens. The mutagenic chemicals such as sodium azide, hydrogen peroxide and hydroxylamine were found to be mutagenic to TA104 at very low concentration (10(-4) mg/ml). Their mutagenic activity decreased while their concentrations were increased. The effect of acridine orange, 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid, 2- phenylnaphthalene and 20- methylcholanthrene were also found to be mutagenic to TA104 at the concentration of 10(-2) mg/ml. The mutagenicity of other materials such as hair dyes, meat- broth preparations+ and cigarette smoke condensates were also tested, and all of them were found to be mutagenic to TA104 . The highest mutagenic activities were observed at the concentration of 10 mg/ml for two different hair dyes and of 1 mg/ml for cigarette smoke condensates.