Publications (35) View all
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Article: Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are correlated with mitral valve calcification score in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis.
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ABSTRACT: Rheumatic mitral stenosis (RMS) is a chronic disease related to autoimmune heart valve damage after streptococcal infection. Epidemiological evidence supports an association between vitamin D and the susceptibility and severity of autoimmune disorders. The study aim was to assess the serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and their correlation with Wilkins calcification score in patients with RMS. Thirty-four patients with RMS and 29 healthy age- and gender-matched controls were enrolled in the study. All subjects underwent transthoracic echocardiography after a complete medical evaluation and laboratory examination. The planimetric mitral valve area and Wilkins score were evaluated for all patients, and biochemical parameters and serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and calcitriol were determined. The mean patient age was similar in the RMS and control groups (50 +/- 10 versus 52 +/- 10 years; p = NS). The serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D was significantly lower in RMS patients than in controls (8.6 ng/ml; range: 4.9-26.3 ng/ml versus 12.3 ng/ml; range: 4-158 ng/ml; p = 0.031). A significantly moderate inverse correlation was identified between the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level and the Wilkins score (r = -0.567, p < 0.001), but no correlation was identified between 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and other echocardiographic parameters of mitral stenosis. The serum level of calcitriol was also significantly lower in RMS patients than in controls (19.8 pg/ml; range: 16.0-54.6 pg/ml versus 26.1 pg/ml; range: 13.2-47.0 pg/ml; p = 0.013). The study results showed that serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were significantly lower in RMS patients than in controls, and also correlated with the Wilkins calcification score. Thus, a link may exist between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and the calcification process in RMS.The Journal of heart valve disease 09/2012; 21(5):570-5. · 0.81 Impact Factor -
Article: The efficacy and safety of irbesartan in primary hypertension even if a dose is missed: Results from the NO PROBLEM Study.
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ABSTRACT: This study aimed to demonstrate that irbesartan is successful in reducing diastolic blood pressure (BP) even following a missed dose after 6-8-weeks' treatment as measured by 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). Eighty-eight patients (64 females, mean age: 53.4 +/- 10.6 years) with primary hypertension were included in this national, single-center, single-arm, open-label, prospective clinical study. Irbesartan (150 or 300 mg/day) was administered for 8 weeks. All patients were asked to cease treatment for 1 day during weeks 6-8. Changes in diastolic and mean 24-hour BP on the day of cessation and diastolic BP values during visits were efficacy parameters. Adverse events were also recorded. Systolic, diastolic, and mean BP values measured via ABPM before and on the day of a missed dose did not differ significantly. Irbesartan effectively controlled BP of the patients. BP normalization rates were 54% for 150 mg/day irbesartan only and 77% for both doses (150 or 300 mg/day) of irbesartan. None of the patients experienced serious adverse events throughout the study period. Irbesartan is successful and safe in the control of BP levels even following a missed dose at the end of a 6-8-week treatment period.Blood pressure. Supplement 12/2009; 1:5-9. -
Article: The association between serum uric acid level and coronary artery disease.
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ABSTRACT: This study was designed to determine the relationship between serum uric acid level and the presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). A total of 1012 patients who underwent coronary angiography were included in this study. All patients were assessed for the presence of cardiovascular risk factors and ongoing medications. Serum uric acid and creatinine level, as well as a fasting lipid profile and fasting blood glucose, were measured in all patients before the procedure. The severity of CAD was assessed by the Gensini score. Of 1012 patients (mean age, 59.4 +/- 10.24 years), 680 were men (mean age, 58.7 +/- 10.5 years) and 332 were women (mean age, 61.0 +/- 9.51 years). Of the study patients, 703 (69%) were hypertensive, 292 (28.9%) were diabetic (DM), 304 (30%) had a smoking history, 306 (30%) had low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and 350 (34%) had hypertriglyceridaemia. CAD was present in 689 (68%) patients who were assessed by coronary angiography. One-, two- and three-vessel disease was detected in 32.6%, 32.5% and 34.9% of the patients respectively; left main coronary artery lesion was detected in 15% of the patients. A statistically significant difference in the mean uric acid concentrations was found between the patients with or without CAD [380 +/- 121 micromol/l (6.39 +/- 2.04 mg/dl) vs. 323.5 +/- 83.2 micromol/l (5.44 +/- 1.40 mg/dl) p < 0.001]. Based on logistic regression analysis, the increased serum uric acid level was found to be associated with the presence of CAD in both men and women (p < 0.001). The increased serum uric acid level was also found to be associated with the severity of CAD in both men and women based on multivariate linear regression analysis (p < 0.001). In conclusion, serum uric acid level was found to be associated with the presence and severity of CAD.International Journal of Clinical Practice 06/2010; 64(7):900-7. · 2.41 Impact Factor -
Article: An obesity drug sibutramine reduces brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in severely obese patients.
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ABSTRACT: Sibutramine is a selective inhibitor of the reuptake of monoamines. Plasma levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) appear to be inversely associated with body mass index (BMI) in subjects with and without heart failure for reasons that remain unexplained. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible influence of sibutramine treatment on BNP levels in severely obese patients. Fifty-two severely obese female patients with BMI > 40 kg/m(2) were included to this study. The women were recommended to follow a weight-reducing daily diet of 25 kcal/kg of ideal body weight. During the treatment period, all patients were to receive 15 mg of sibutramine once a day. Blood chemistry tests were performed before the onset of the medication and after 12 weeks of treatment. None of the subjects was withdrawn from the study because of the adverse effects of sibutramine. Body weight (108.8 +/- 13.3 kg vs. 101.7 +/- 15.6 kg, p < 0.001), BMI (44.6 +/- 4.6 kg/m(2) vs. 41.8 +/- 5.7 kg/m(2), p < 0.001) and BNP [8.6 (0.5-49.5) ng/l vs. 3.1 (0.2-28.6) ng/l, p = 0.018] levels were significantly decreased after 12 weeks of sibutramine treatment. Total cholesterol (5.19 +/- 0.90 mmol/l vs. 4.82 +/- 1.05 mmol/l respectively; p < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (3.26 +/- 0.86 mmol/l vs. 2.99 +/- 0.40 mmol/l respectively; p = 0.008), levels were significantly decreased; however, there was no significant alteration in high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglyceride levels. This study has shown a decrease in BNP levels which may lead to improvement in cardiac outcome after sibutramine treatment. Further randomised studies are needed to be conducted to clarify the relationship between sibutramine and BNP.International Journal of Clinical Practice 03/2010; 64(4):518-22. · 2.41 Impact Factor -
Article: Elevation of B-type natriuretic peptide level in asymptomatic hepatitis B virus-positive patients is not associated with abnormalities of cardiac function.
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ABSTRACT: To compare B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and echocardiographic parameters in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and healthy control subjects. 52 consecutive patients with HBV and 47 healthy controls were examined. All subjects underwent transthoracic echocardiography after a complete medical history and laboratory examination including BNP, C-reactive protein (CRP) and high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP). Demographic characteristics were similar in patients with HBV and the control group. No significant difference was found in conventional Doppler and tissue Doppler parameters between the two groups. BNP levels were significantly higher in patients with HBV [6.5 ng/l (range 0.5-85.2)] than controls [4.3 ng/l (range 0.5-18.3)], p = 0.039. hsCRP [3.25 mg/l (0.02-40.2) vs. 0.5 mg/l (0.02-8.0)] levels were significantly higher in patients with HBV than control subjects (p < 0.001). Patients with HBV had higher BNP, CRP, and hsCRP levels than controls. Echocardiographic findings were similar in both groups. This slight BNP elevation in HBV patients may be related to chronic inflammation due to HBV.Medical Principles and Practice 01/2012; 21(2):150-5. · 0.89 Impact Factor
