Mustafa Saglam

Koşuyolu Kalp ve Araştırma Hastanesi, İstanbul, Istanbul, Turkey

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Publications (23)39.47 Total impact

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    Dataset: j.1540-8159.2011.03162.x
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    Article: Do mobile phones pose a potential risk to autonomic modulation of the heart?
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    ABSTRACT: It has long been speculated that mobile phones may interact with the cardiac devices and thereby cardiovascular system may be a potential target for the electromagnetic fields emitted by the mobile phones. Therefore, the present study was designed to test possible effects of radiofrequency waves emitted by digital mobile phones on cardiac autonomic modulation by short-time heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. A total of 20 healthy young subjects were included to the study. All participants were rested in supine position at least for 15 minutes on a comfortable bed, and then time and frequency domain HRV parameters were recorded at baseline in supine position for 5 minutes. After completion of baseline records, by using a mobile GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) phone, HRV parameters were recorded at turned off mode, at turned on mode, and at calling mode over 5 minutes periods for each stage. Neither time nor frequency domain HRV parameters altered significantly during off mode compare to their baseline values. Also, neither time nor frequency domain HRV parameters altered significantly during turned on and calling mode compared to their baseline values. Short-time exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phone does not affect cardiac autonomic modulation in healthy subjects.
    Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology 07/2011; 34(11):1511-4. · 1.35 Impact Factor
  • Article: A new modified concomitant therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication in Turkey.
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    ABSTRACT: Helicobacter pylori eradication rates have tended to decrease recently, mostly due to antibiotic resistance. In the present study, our aim was to determine Hp eradication rate with the LAC plus tid metronidazole regimen and the secondary objective of this study was to identify an effective regimen for our population. Eighty-four Hp-positive patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia were assigned into the same group. Patients were administered the classical LAC protocole (lansoprazole 30 mg bid, amoxicillin 1 g bid and claritromycin 500 mg bid for 14 days) plus metronidazole 500 mg tid for 14 days. Gastroscopy and histopathological assessment were performed before enrollment and C(14) urea breath test and stool antigen test were performed 6 weeks after treatment. All 84 patients completed the study. No patient left the study because of drug side effect. Total eradication rate was 75% (63/84). Although LAC plus tid metronidazole regimen achieved a much better eradication rate compared with the standard LAC regimen; this is the first study that has a relatively low success with a concomitant therapy. So in areas of high resistance like Turkey, one cannot expect a high success with any clarithromycin containing regimen and those should be avoided.
    Helicobacter 06/2011; 16(3):225-8. · 3.15 Impact Factor
  • Article: Comparative outcomes of antireflux treatment for laryngopharyngeal reflux symptoms and upper abdominal symptoms in patients with endoscopic esophagitis.
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    ABSTRACT: The objectives of this prospective study are to determine the prevalence of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) symptoms in patients with endoscopic esophagitis, to investigate the relationship between LPR symptoms and upper abdominal symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and to compare the treatment responses of both symptom groups. 120 consecutive patients having complaints of GERD were included. Group I consisted of 62 patients with a diagnosis of endoscopic esophagitis. The second group consisted of 58 subjects with no detectable pathology at gastroscopy. LPR symptoms and upper abdominal symptoms were graded. Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) were prescribed to patients. Both groups of symptoms were compared in two groups of patients. The improvement in symptoms was evaluated after treatment. The frequencies of LPR symptoms were statistically higher in patients with endoscopic esophagitis. All LPR symptoms were statistically relieved in their frequency after treatment. The decrease in LPR symptom scores after treatment in group I was statistically significant. FSSG (frequency scale for the symptoms of GERD) scores were statistically higher in group I than in group II before treatment. After treatment, FSSG scores were significantly decreased in group I. There was statistically significant positive correlation between the LPR symptom scores and FSSG scores before treatment. In conclusion, there is a high incidence of LPR symptoms and upper abdominal symptoms in patients with endoscopic esophagitis. LPR and upper abdominal symptoms responded well to antireflux treatment in patients with endoscopic esophagitis.
    Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology 05/2011; 268(5):703-8. · 1.29 Impact Factor
  • Article: Whole blood platelet aggregation failed to detect differences between preeclampsia and normal pregnancy.
    Platelets 01/2010; 21(6):496-7. · 1.85 Impact Factor
  • Article: Circulating stromelysin concentration is elevated in hypertensive aortic root dilatation.
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    ABSTRACT: Accumulating data suggest that activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is increased in aortic dissection, and in thoracic and abdominal aneurysms. In the present study we sought to determine circulating stromelysin (MMP-3) concentration and its relationship with hypertension-induced aortic root dilatation. The study population included 42 patients with essential hypertension. The subjects were divided into two groups according to echocardiographically measured aortic diameter as those with aortic dilatation (n = 22) and without aortic root dilatation (n = 20). Plasma concentration of MMP-3 was determined by one-step sandwich enzyme immunoassay (EIA) method and compared in both groups. Baseline demographic properties were similar in both groups. Plasma stromelysin (MMP-3) level was significantly higher in patients with aortic dilatation than those without aortic dilatation (5.2 +/- 2.3 vs 3.3 +/- 1.9 ng/ml; P = 0.007). In conclusion, we found that circulating stromelysin (MMP-3) concentration was elevated in hypertension-induced aortic root dilatation.
    Heart and Vessels 04/2009; 24(2):138-41. · 2.05 Impact Factor
  • Article: Complete resection of a leiomyosarcoma of the left atrium invading the mitral anterior leaflet and obstructing the mitral orifice.
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    ABSTRACT: Cardiac leiomyosarcomas are rare and highly invasive malignant tumors. We report a 29-year-old female with mitral stenosis symptomatology due to a left atrial leiomyosarcoma invading mitral anterior leaflet.
    European Heart Journal – Cardiovascular Imaging 01/2008; 9(1):123-5. · 2.32 Impact Factor
  • Article: Relationship between endothelial function and coronary risk factors in patients with stable coronary artery disease.
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    ABSTRACT: Results of experimental and clinical studies suggest that both coronary artery disease (CAD) itself and its traditional risk factors lead to endothelial dysfunction. The aim of the present study was to determine which CAD risk factors sustain their contribution to endothelial dysfunction despite the presence of established CAD. The study group comprised 150 patients with CAD. Using a high-resolution ultrasound, the diameter of the brachial artery at rest and during reactive hyperemia (flow-mediated dilatation, FMD%: endothelial-dependent stimulus to vasodilatation), as well as after sublingual administration of nitroglycerin (NTG%: endothelium-independent vasodilatation), was measured. The relationship between FMD% and coronary risk factors [diabetes mellitus (DM), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglycerides, age, family history of premature atherosclerosis, smoking, hypertension (HT), body mass index (BMI)] was investigated. In univariate analysis there was an inverse relationship between FMD% and age (r=-0.300, p<0.001), and BMI (r=-0.230, p<0.005) and FMD% was significantly lower in diabetic patients when compared to non-diabetic patients (p<0.001). In stepwise multivariate regression analysis; FMD still correlated with DM and advanced age, but not with BMI (beta=0.065, p<0.001, beta=-0.001 p=0.002, beta=-0.087, p<0.284, respectively). FMD% was found to be not associated with hypercholesterolemia, family history of premature atherosclerosis, HT and smoking. Only aging and DM were independently associated with endothelial dysfunction in patients with established CAD.
    Circulation Journal 05/2007; 71(5):698-702. · 3.77 Impact Factor
  • Article: Effects of isolated coronary artery ectasia on electrocardiographic parameters reflecting ventricular heterogeneity.
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    ABSTRACT: Isolated coronary ectatic but otherwise normal epicardial coronary arteries are an infrequent angiographic finding. We sought to determine whether coronary artery ectasia (CAE) may alter QT-interval duration and dispersion. The study population consisted of 24 patients with isolated CAE and otherwise normal epicardial coronary arteries (group 1) and sex- and age-matched subjects with atypical chest pain and otherwise normal coronary flow (group 2). Both groups underwent a routine standard 12-lead surface electrocardiogram recorded at 50 mm/s during rest. QT dispersion (QTd), corrected QT (QTc), and corrected QT dispersion (QTcd) were calculated. Distribution of sex, age, body mass index, and cardiac risk factors were similar in the 2 groups. Mean heart rate was similar in the 2 groups (74 +/- 10 vs 70 +/- 7, P > .05). In group 1, QTd, QTcd, and QTc were significantly higher than those of group 2 (QTd, 40 +/- 17 vs 29 +/- 10 milliseconds [P < .05]; QTcd, 43 +/- 19 vs 30 +/- 10 milliseconds [P < .05]; QTc, 410 +/- 21 vs 397 +/- 19 milliseconds [P < .05]). In conclusion, CAE was found to be associated with prolonged QT interval and increased QTd. Microvascular dysfunction and/or ischemia may be responsible mechanisms.
    Journal of electrocardiology 04/2007; 40(2):203-6. · 1.08 Impact Factor
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    Article: Early effects of percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty on left atrial mechanical functions.
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    ABSTRACT: It has been suggested that successful percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PMV) decreases the intensity of spontaneous left atrial contrast, reduces the size of the left atrium, and improves left atrial function in patient with mitral stenosis. However, left atrial mechanical functions immediately after PMV have not been extensively evaluated yet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of PMV on left atrial mechanical functions. Twenty patients with critical mitral stenosis who have normal sinus rhythm (male/female: 4 to 16; mean age: 33 +/- 8 years) were included in the study. Left atrial mechanical functions were evaluated before and after PMV, including left atrial passive emptying volume, LA passive emptying fraction, conduit volume, left ventricular stroke volume, LA active emptying volume, LA active emptying fraction, LA total emptying volume and LA total emptying fraction. PMV resulted in a significant increase in the mitral valve area (p < 0.001) and a substantial reduction in the mean transmitral pressure gradient (p < 0.001) as well as LA diameter (p < 0.002). LA maximal volume, minimal volume and atrial presystolic volumes were significantly decreased after PMV (p: 0.001; p: 0.002; p: 0.001, respectively). The conduit volume was increased and LA total emptying volume was decreased after PMV (p: 0.014; p: 0.035). The other left atrial volumes were not altered after PMV. The early increase in conduit volume and the decrease in left atrial presystolic volume indicate that PMV has favorable effects on atrial reservoir and conduit functions. PMV therefore improves atrial mechanic functions.
    The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine 09/2006; 209(4):285-9. · 1.24 Impact Factor
  • Article: Treatment of aortocoronary graft lesions with graft-stents.
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    ABSTRACT: Previous controlled trials do not indicate a superiority of the polytetrafluoroethylene membrane-covered stent graft compared with a conventional stent with respect to acute results, restenosis, or clinical event rates. We evaluated the outcome of stenting aortocoronary bypass grafts with polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stent. The study included 64 patients who had 73 saphenous graft-stent implants. Clinical follow-up was obtained for a median of 6.2 months (1-9 months) for 54 patients. The mean age of the grafts was 9.2+/-6 years (2-14 years). Procedural success was achieved in 72 of 73 lesions (98.6%). One patient having an anterior Q-wave myocardial infarction died on the second day of procedure. Four patients (6.2%) sustained distal embolization and no reflow. No reflow was overcome after intracoronary administration of nitroglycerine and verapamil in two cases. At follow-up, stable angina pectoris had developed in 10 patients (18%), unstable angina pectoris in two patients (3.7%), acute myocardial infarction in two patients (3.7%), and cardiac death in one patient (1.8%). A total of 45 patients had a coronary angiogram at 6 months of follow-up or earlier, and restenosis at the target site was detected in eight of 53 lesions (15%). Saphenous graft lesions can be managed successfully with polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stents with acceptable long-term clinical outcome. Further and larger studies are needed to compare conventional stents, polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stents, drug eluting stents, and additional benefit of distal protection devices in these subgroups.
    Coronary Artery Disease 06/2006; 17(3):271-4. · 1.24 Impact Factor
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    Article: Impaired left ventricular filling in patients with essential hyperhidrosis: an echo-Doppler study.
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    ABSTRACT: Essential hyperhidrosis is a well recognized dermatologic and neurologic disorder, characterized by excessive sweating of the eccrine sweat glands. It is also associated with cardiac autonomic dysfunction because sympathetic fibers to eccrine glands of palms of the hand arise from stellate and upper thoracic ganglia, which also innervate the heart. In this study, we investigated cardiac function in patients with essential hyperhidrosis by conventional and tissue Doppler imaging methods. Eighteen subjects with essential hyperhidrosis and eighteen control subjects were included in this study. Pulsed-wave Doppler parameters of the left and right ventricles, which represent diastolic filling abnormalities, were obtained by conventional Doppler and tissue Doppler imaging. Isovolumetric relaxation time, isovolumetric contraction time, ejection time and myocardial performance index were also calculated. Mitral inflow peak early (E(M)) and late (A(M)) velocities and E(M)/A(M) ratio, which represent diastolic filling of left ventricle, were significantly lower in hyperhidrotic subjects than in controls. Also, mitral lateral annulus early and late velocities and early/late velocity ratio, reflecting diastolic filling of left ventricle, were significantly lower in hyperhidrotic subjects than those of controls. However, there were no differences between hyperhidrotic subjects and control subjects with regard to the other echocardiographic indices of left and right ventricle diastolic functions. In conclusion, decreased mitral inflow suggests left ventricle diastolic dysfunction in patients with essential hyperhidrosis. This indicates that hyperactivity of sympathetic nervous system in patient with hyperhidrosis may alter cardiac function in long term.
    The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine 05/2006; 208(4):283-90. · 1.24 Impact Factor
  • Article: Relationship between circulating plasma matrix metalloproteinase-9 (gelatinase-B) concentration and aortic root dilatation.
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    ABSTRACT: Expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) has been shown in aortic dissection and aneurysms indicating increased proteolysis compared with the normal aorta. However, its role in the development of aortic root dilatation has not been studied. We therefore attempted to determine the relationship between aortic root diameter and MMP-9 concentration in a hypertensive population. The 53 hypertensive patients with (n = 27) and without aortic dilatation (n = 26) were included in the study. All participants underwent a complete transthoracic echocardiographic examination including aortic root measurement. Plasma concentration of MMP-9 were determined by the one-step sandwich enzyme immunoassay method and compared in both groups. Baseline demographic properties were similar in both groups. No subject had significant valvular disorder and wall motion abnormality on echocardiographic evaluation. On echocardiographic examination only five patients had bicuspid aortic valve. In patients with aortic root dilatation, 21 patients were using an antihypertensive agent, whereas in patients without aortic root dilatation, 19 patients were using an antihypertensive agent. Plasma MMP-9 level was significantly higher in patients with aortic root dilatation than in those without dilatation (2.5 +/- 1.0 v 1.6 +/- 0.9 ng/mL; P = .003). On correlation analysis, we found a positive correlation between aortic diameter and plasma MMM-9 levels (r = 0.43, P = .001). Aortic root dilatation is associated with higher MMP release, which may indicate the role of increased collagenolytic and elastolytic activities in hypertension-induced aortic root dilatation.
    American Journal of Hypertension 05/2006; 19(4):361-5. · 3.18 Impact Factor
  • Article: Effect of percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty on left atrial appendage function: a Doppler tissue study.
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    ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to compare left atrial appendage (LAA) functions by Doppler tissue imaging (DTI) before and after percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV). Twenty patients with symptomatic rheumatic mitral stenosis who underwent PBMV were included in this study. LAA functions were measured before and after PBMV. To determine LAA functions, LAA late filling (LAALF) velocity, LAA late emptying (LAALE) velocity, and area change of LAA percent were measured. In the DTI records, the first positive wave identical to the LAALE wave after the P wave was accepted as LAA late systolic wave, and the second negative wave identical to the LAALF flow was accepted as late diastolic wave. There was no difference in LAALF velocity and area change of LAA percent after PBMV. LAALE velocity increased after PBMV compared with baseline (P = .005). Late emptying, systolic, and diastolic wave values measured by DTI were found to be increased after PBMV compared with baseline (P = .023, P = .002, and P = .002, respectively). LAALE velocity measured by standard Doppler was increased after PBMV compared with baseline (P = .005), but there was no change in area change of LAA percent or LAALF. Spontaneous echocontrast was present in 7 of the 20 patients before procedure. It completely disappeared (4 patients) or decreased (3 patients) after procedure. In patients with spontaneous echocontrast, LAALE and late emptying, systolic, and diastolic wave values measured by DTI were found to be increased after PBMV compared with baseline. Our results suggest that PBMV improves LAA functions and, thereby, may have a favorable influence on future thromboembolic complications.
    Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography: official publication of the American Society of Echocardiography 05/2006; 19(4):434-7. · 2.98 Impact Factor
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    Article: Contribution of plasma matrix metalloproteinases to development of left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction in hypertensive subjects.
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    ABSTRACT: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in the regulation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the myocardium and thus the pathogenesis of vascular and cardiac hypertrophy. In this study, we investigated contribution of plasma matrix metalloproteinases to development of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and diastolic dysfunction in hypertensive subjects. Hypertensive patients with (n = 27) and without LVH (n = 23) were included. All participants underwent a complete transthoracic echocardiographic examination, including recordings of the mitral annular early, late, systolic and diastolic velocities by Doppler imaging. Plasma concentrations of MMP-3 and MMP-9 were determined by the one-step sandwich enzyme immunoassay method. Plasma MMP-3 and MMP-9 concentrations were significantly higher in patients with LVH than those without LVH (2.4 +/- 1.2 vs 1.5 +/- 0.7 ng/ml, p = 0.006 and 5.2 +/- 2.8 vs 3.3 +/- 1.7 ng/ml, p = 0.003, respectively). MMP-3 and MMP-9 levels were also correlated with left ventricular posterior wall thickness and Doppler indices of diastolic dysfunction. Our findings have suggested that increased MMP levels may contribute to LVH and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. Therefore, treatment of hypertension with MMP lowering drugs, such as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers, may have favorable effects on LVH and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.
    The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine 03/2006; 208(2):117-22. · 1.24 Impact Factor
  • Article: Acute smoking-induced alterations in Doppler echocardiographic measurements in chronic smokers.
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    ABSTRACT: Acute effects of smoking on left ventricular function have been studied previously. However, effects on right ventricular function have not yet been investigated. In this study, we attempted to investigate, through a combination of conventional and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), the acute effects of smoking on both left and right ventricular function in chronic smokers. Thirty chronic smokers (with smoking habits of > or =1 pack/day for 74 +/- 1.3 years) underwent a complete transthoracic echocardiographic examination (2-dimensional, pulsed-wave Doppler transmitral and transtricuspid recordings, and TDI recordings of mitral and tricuspid annular velocities) by 3.5-MHz sector transducer. Pulsed-wave Doppler indices of left and right ventricular diastolic function-such as mitral and tricuspid inflows, peak early (E) and late (A) velocities, and E/A ratios-were obtained by conventional Doppler and TDI. Echocardiographic indices of the left and right ventricles--including isovolumetric relaxation time, isovolumetric contraction time, ejection time, and myocardial performance index of right ventricle-were also measured before and 30 minutes after each subject smoked a cigarette. Both mitral and tricuspid inflow measurements changed significantly after smoking a cigarette. Among the TDI measurements, mitral lateral annulus and tricuspid lateral annulus (diastolic, but not systolic) velocities changed after smoking a cigarette. Also, the right ventricular myocardial performance index increased immediately after smoking a cigarette. We found that acute cigarette smoking impaired both left and right ventricular diastolic function in chronic smokers.
    Texas Heart Institute journal / from the Texas Heart Institute of St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Texas Children's Hospital 01/2006; 33(2):134-8. · 0.65 Impact Factor
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    Article: Comparison of the predictors for atrial rhythm disturbances between trained athletes and control subjects.
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    ABSTRACT: Atrial rhythm disturbances, particularly atrial fibrillation (AF), are frequently encountered in trained athletes. P wave dispersion (PWD) is a recent electrocardiographic (ECG) marker that reflects velocity of atrial impulse propagation. However, it remains unknown whether the P wave duration and PWD are different between athletes and sedentary controls. In this study we therefore determined the P wave duration and PWD, markers for conduction abnormalities, in trained athletes and controls. Fifty athletes and sex and age-matched 40 healthy sedentary controls were included in the study. All of the athletes were the members of a local athletic college and they were regularly maintaining their sportive activities; the duration of athletic competition was 7.7 +/- 3.3 years and the average athletic time was 10.1 +/- 1.6 hours/week. The 12-lead surface ECG was obtained from each subject in the supine position. The P wave duration was measured, and the difference between the maximum and minimum P wave duration was defined as the PWD. Distribution of sex, age, body mass index, blood pressure was similar in athletic groups and controls. Heart rate was significantly lower in the athletes than in the controls (66 +/- 7 vs 73 +/- 9 beats/min, p < 0.05). Maximum and minimum P wave durations were not statistically different in athletic group and controls (115 +/- 6 vs 114 +/- 4 ms and 74 +/- 8 vs 74 +/- 7 ms, respectively). In addition, PWD did not differ significantly in both groups (41 +/- 6 vs 40 +/- 7 ms, respectively). Thus, athlete's heart is not associated with prolonged P wave duration and increased PWD, indicating that P wave duration or PWD could not be used as a predictor for AF developed in trained athletes.
    The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine 11/2005; 207(2):165-70. · 1.24 Impact Factor
  • Article: Increased thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count in patients with aortic stenosis but normal coronary arteries.
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    ABSTRACT: Aortic stenosis (AS) with otherwise normal coronary arteries may be associated with angina pectoris and microvascular abnormalities. In this study, using the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count (TFC) method, we tested whether the coronary blood flow velocity is decreased in patients with AS. Twenty-eight patients with severe AS and an otherwise normal coronary arteriogram (group I) and 25 subjects with atypical chest pain and a normal coronary arteriogram (group II) were included in this study. After transthoracic echocardiographic evaluation, all participants underwent coronary arteriography either to evaluate their coronary artery status before surgery or to exclude coronary artery disease. Later, TFC was calculated and compared for each artery, including the left anterior descending (LAD), circumflex (Cx), and right coronary arteries (RCA) in both groups. Baseline characteristics of the study groups were similar. In both groups, TIMI-3 flow was present in each artery at the time of arteriography and the coronary arteries were entirely normal. All subjects with AS had echocardiographic septal and posterior wall thickness more than 12 mm. The mean aortic valve area was 0.78 +/- 0.26 cm2. Peak and mean transvalvular gradients were 92 +/- 16 and 48 +/- 7, respectively. In group I, corrected TFC, Cx, and RCA frame counts were significantly higher than those of group II (24.6 +/- 2.1 vs 21.8 +/- 2.2 frames/s, P < 0.05; 24.4 +/- 1.7 vs 22.8 +/- 2.4 frames/s. P < 0.05; 23.2 +/- 2.0 vs 21.4 +/- 1.8 frames/s, P < 0.05, respectively). Coronary blood flow velocity is decreased in patients with aortic stenosis compared with patients having normal coronary arteries, probably due to microvascular dysfunction.
    Heart and Vessels 05/2005; 20(3):108-11. · 2.05 Impact Factor
  • Article: Acute effect of cigarette smoking on heart rate variability.
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    ABSTRACT: Acute cigarette smoking enhances adrenergic activity and thus may be associated with hemodynamic changes in the cardiovascular system. In this study, the acute effect of cigarette smoking on heart rate variability (HRV) was studied. Fifteen subjects were included in the study. Time domain (the mean R-R interval, the standard deviation of R-R interval, and the root mean square of successive R-R interval differences) and frequency domain (high-frequency, low-frequency ratio, and low-frequency/high-frequency ratio) parameters of HRV were obtained from all participants for each 5-minute segment: 5 minutes before and 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 minutes after smoking a cigarette. The mean R-R interval, the standard deviation of R-R interval, and the root mean square of successive R-R interval differences significantly decreased within the first 5-minute period compared with baseline, and then the standard deviation of R-R interval increased within the 20- to 30-minute period. The low-frequency high-frequency ratio significantly decreased within the first 5 minutes after smoking and then remained unchanged throughout the study period. Similarly, low-frequency and high-frequency power increased within the first 5 minutes compared with baseline. Acute cigarette smoking alters HRV parameters, particularly within the first 5 to 10 minutes after smoking.
    Angiology 58(5):620-4. · 1.51 Impact Factor
  • Article: Identifying cardiovascular risk factors in a patient population with coronary artery ectasia.
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    ABSTRACT: Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is frequently considered as a form of coronary artery disease. Cardiovascular risk factors were determined in a patient population with CAE. The 51 patients with isolated CAE (group 1), 61 patients with CAE coexisting with significant coronary stenosis (group 2), and 62 subjects with significant coronary stenosis (group 3) were included in the study, and the distribution of cardiovascular risk factors was compared. Thirty of 51 patients with isolated CAE had presented with typical angina pectoris, 8 patients with unstable angina pectoris, and 13 patients had atypical chest pain or palpitation. The 21 of 51 patients with isolated CAE had definitive positive treadmill exercise test results. Positive family history was similar in each group. The history of smoking was similar in group 1 and group 2 but higher than group 3. Frequency of hypertension was similar in group 1 and group 2 but higher than that in group 3. Frequency of diabetes mellitus was similar in group 1 and group 2 but lower than group 3. Plasma lipid levels and the number of patients with lipid disturbances were also similar in each group. In addition, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were above the normal limits and there was no difference among groups with respect to plasma CRP levels. CAE appears to be associated with traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, smoking, and hyperlipidemia. In addition, elevated CRP level in patients with CAE may suggest the role of inflammatory process in development of CAE.
    Angiology 58(6):698-703. · 1.51 Impact Factor