Objectives: Traditional risk factors may underestimate the burden of subclinical atherosclerosis in women. Recently, multislice computed tomography (MSCT) has become widely available in detecting early coronary artery disease (CAD). We sought the prevalence of CAD in low to moderate-risk asymptomatic women by MSCT coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring and coronary angiography.
Study design: The study included 185 women (mean age 57±12 years) without known CAD and diabetes, with low or moderate risk for CAD based on traditional risk scoring. Coronary artery calcium scoring and coronary angiography were performed by MSCT, which included a segment-based plaque detection and characterization of calcification. The plaques were classified based on the luminal stenotic effect (>50%). Patients with ≥1 stenotic plaque were classified as having obstructive CAD. Angiographic findings were compared with calcium scores.
Results: Coronary artery calcium scoring and coronary angiography detected CAD in 63 (34.1%) and 100 (54.1%) women, respectively. In both groups, women were significantly older and had higher prevalences of hypertension and dyslipidemia. Coronary angiography showed CAD in 41 women (41%; 14.6% were obstructive) without CAC. These women were significantly younger than those with a positive CAC score (p<0.01). Age (p<0.02) and hypertension (p<0.05) were found as independent predictors of CAD detected by coronary angiography.
Conclusion: Multislice computed tomography identified a subset of low-risk women who might be at higher risk than that suggested by current risk stratification strategies. Women, especially having hypertension and dyslipidemia may be potential candidates for further risk stratification by MSCT coronary angiography.

Objectives: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular events. We evaluated heart dimensions in hypertensive patients with MetS.
Study design: The study included 75 hypertensive patients (34 males, 41 females; mean age 51±9 years) without coronary artery disease. Patients were evaluated in two groups depending on the presence or absence of MetS. Age and gender-matched 20 healthy subjects (9 males, 11 females; mean age 50±5 years) comprised the control group. The diagnosis of MetS was based on the presence of at least three of five MetS criteria. Hypertension was defined as arterial blood pressure exceeding 140/85 mmHg on three consecutive measurements or the use of antihypertensive drugs. Echocardiographic measurements included interventricular septal thickness, left ventricular internal diameter, posterior wall thickness, aortic diameter, left atrial diameter, relative wall thickness, and left ventricular mass.
Results: Metabolic syndrome was present in 32 hypertensive patients (42.7%; 18 males, 14 females). The mean number of MetS criteria was 2.6±1.0 in the hypertensive group. Compared to the control group, patients with or without MetS exhibited significantly increased interventricular septum and posterior wall thickness, left atrial diameter, relative wall thickness, and left ventricular mass (p<0.05). The only significant difference between the two patient groups was that MetS was associated with a greater left atrial diameter (p=0.019). Left atrial diameter was correlated with the number of MetS criteria (r=0.51; p<0.001).
Conclusion: Left ventricular dimensions are not influenced by MetS. Rather than MetS, hypertension is primarily responsible for changes in left ventricular dimensions. However, left atrial enlargement is more prominent in patients with MetS, suggesting that each MetS criterion contributes to left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.

Objectives: Atrial septal defect (ASD) and coronary artery disease (CAD) may coexist in adults, especially in the elderly. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of CAD in patients undergoing both catheterization for ASD and selective coronary angiography and to evaluate the relationship of CAD with symptoms and risk factors.
Study design: The study included 138 consecutive patients (40 males, 98 females; mean age 54±10 years; range 31 to 74 years) who underwent catheterization for isolated secundum ASD and selective coronary angiography at the same session. The mean shunt was 2.6±0.8 in the patient group. Significant CAD was defined as the presence of ≥50% stenotic lesions during angiography.
Results: Significant CAD was detected in 12 patients (8.7%). Patients with CAD exhibited a higher mean age (61±10 vs 54±10 years, p=0.016) and male preponderance (83.3% vs 23.8%, p<0.001). Risk factors and hemodynamic parameters did not differ between the two groups. Laboratory parameters were also similar except for a higher triglyceride level in patients without CAD (123±64 mg/dl vs 71±40 mg/dl, p=0.006). Angina pectoris was present in four patients (33.3%) in the CAD group, compared to 28 patients (22.2%) without CAD. For angina pectoris to predict CAD, the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive rates were 33.3%, 77.8%, 12.5%, and 92.5%, respectively. The corresponding figures were 50.0%, 33.3%, 6.7%, and 87.5% for at least one risk factor, and 16.7%, 82.5%, 8.3%, and 91.2% for combination of angina pectoris with at least one risk factor.
Conclusion: Despite increased prevalence of CAD in adults, its prevalence is relatively low in patients with ASD. Thus, routine coronary angiography performed to detect CAD in patients with ASD increases complications and decreases cost-effectiveness.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the predictive value of plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level for the recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after successful cardioversion in patients with persistent AF.
Study design: The study included 58 patients (36 females, 22 males; mean age 59 years) with preserved left ventricular function, who underwent successful electrical cardioversion for persistent AF. Plasma BNP levels were measured before, 30 minutes and six months after cardioversion and electrocardiography was performed to assess AF recurrence. Echocardiography was performed in all the patients before cardioversion.
Results: At six months, 38 patients (65.5%) were in sinus rhythm (SR), whereas 20 patients (34.5%) reverted to AF. The mean baseline BNP level was significantly higher than that measured 30 minutes after cardioversion (255.6±159.6 pg/ml vs 70.5±57.0 pg/ml; p=0.00006). Patients who reverted to AF had significantly higher baseline (p=0.035) and six-month (p=0.001) BNP levels. In addition, they had a significantly greater decrease in BNP levels 30 minutes after cardioversion than patients who remained in SR (-271.9±42.4 pg/ml vs -139.4±25.3 pg/ml; p=0.008). ROC analysis of this drop with the cutoff value of 200 pg/ml predicted AF recurrence at six months with 80% sensitivity and 86% specificity. There were no correlations between baseline BNP level and duration of AF. However, left atrium diameter showed a significant negative correlation with the baseline BNP level (for ≤40 mm, 41-45 mm, and ≥45 mm: 394.6 pg/ml, 206.5 pg/ml, and 198.5 pg/ml, respectively; p=0.02).
Conclusion: In patients with persistent AF, baseline plasma BNP level and the magnitude of its decrease after successful cardioversion may predict AF recurrence.

Objectives: Complete atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD) with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is a rare congenital heart anomaly. We evaluated surgical results of total repair in patients with TOF and AVSD.
Study design: Seven patients (5 girls, 2 boys; age range 2.5 to 14 years) underwent total repair for AVSD and TOF. Three patients had Down syndrome. Three patients had previous systemic-to-pulmonary shunt operations. Accompanying anomalies were left superior vena cava (n=2), left atrial isomerism (n=1), muscular VSD (n=1), and double outlet right ventricle (n=1). Preoperative diagnoses were based on echocardiographic examinations. The two-patch technique was used for surgical repair. Reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract was performed using transannular and infundibular patches in four and three patients, respectively. The follow-up period ranged from six months to nine years (mean 3.4±2.9 years).
Results: No mortality occurred throughout the follow-up period. Two patients had prolonged hospitalization (>1 month) due to pulmonary infection and sepsis. At the latest follow-up, functional capacity was NYHA class I in five patients, and class II in two patients. Final echocardiographic examinations showed mild left atrioventricular (AV) valve insufficiency in five patients, and mild (n=3) or moderate (n=1) right AV valve insufficiency. Two patients had mild residual pulmonary stenosis, and three patients with a transannular patch had free pulmonary insufficiency. All the patients had proper right and left ventricular functions and all were in sinus rhythm.
Conclusion: With a proper surgical strategy and technique, AVSD and TOF can be corrected successfully. Long-term follow-up is necessary for AV valve dysfunction and pulmonary insufficiency.

Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome is associated with venous and arterial thromboembolism. Coexistence of pulmonary embolism and intracardiac thrombus is rarely encountered. A 33-year-old male patient presented with severe dyspnea three months after surgery for acute arterial embolism. On physical examination, blood pressure was 80/60 mmHg and breath sounds were weaker in the lower zone of the left lung. Severe lower limb edema was noted. On cardiac auscultation, the third heart sound was elicited. Electrocardiography showed only a sinusal tachycardia. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a huge thrombus in the right atrium and another thrombus in the main pulmonary artery. Hematological analysis showed a high titration of antiphospholipid antibodies. A diagnosis of massive pulmonary embolism was considered. During preparation for emergency operation, the patient developed cardiovascular collapse, which did not respond to cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Bicuspid aortic valve is the most common congenital cardiac anomaly and it may often coexist with other congenital cardiac anomalies. Its coexistence with discrete subaortic membrane, causing obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract is very rare. A 21-year-old male patient presented with complaints of exertional dyspnea and dizziness. On transthoracic echocardiography, the parasternal short-axis view showed a bicuspid aortic valve, and parasternal long-axis color Doppler view showed a mosaic pattern in the subaortic region. A more careful examination of the parasternal long-axis views revealed a discrete subaortic membrane. Continuous-wave Doppler flow velocity obtained from the aortic valve was normal; however, a peak gradient of 30 mmHg was observed with the Valsalva maneuver. The fact that there are very few reports on this rare coexistence may be due to failure to recognize discrete subaortic membrane during echocardiographic examination.

We presented three cases of anomalous single coronary artery detected incidentally during routine coronary angiography. The presenting symptoms were chest pain, angina pectoris, and exertional chest pain, respectively. In one case (male, 69 years), the single coronary artery gave off branches to the left anterior descending artery, left circumflex (LCx) artery, and right coronary artery (RCA) (type L-I). There were no atherosclerotic lesions. The patient’s chest pain was thought to have a noncardiac origin and it did not recur during a 12-month follow-up. In another case (male, 65 years), the single coronary artery originated from the right sinus of Valsalva, and gave off branches to the RCA and the left coronary system (type R-I). The patient underwent coronary artery bypass surgery for significant stenotic lesions in the LCx and RCA. He was free of angina pectoris within 12 months after surgery. In the third case (female, 48 years), a single coronary ostium gave branches to the right and left coronary systems (type R-II-B). As the course of the coronary artery was between the aorta and pulmonary artery, surgery was recommended, but the patient refused surgery.

A 52-year-old woman presented with complaints of chest discomfort and angina radiating to the neck and left arm on exertion. She reported that the severity of angina was increasing after sublingual nitrate intake. Coronary angiography showed a high-flow fistula between the left main coronary artery and pulmonary artery. Left coronary arteries were normal, but there was a stenotic lesion in the right coronary artery. Coronary artery fistula was ligated successfully under bypass surgery. It was thought that the severity of myocardial ischemia caused by the high-flow fistula was aggravated by sublingual nitrate due to coronary steal phenomenon.

Percutaneous extraction of intravascular foreign bodies with the help of specifically designed devices is the standard method of treatment and should be attempted in appropriate cases before any surgical approach. The majority of retrieved materials are catheter fragments localized in the superior vena cava, right side of the heart, or pulmonary artery. During diagnostic coronary angiography of a 65-year-old man, a short, 0.038-inch guide wire was identified in the right common iliac artery. It was erroneously left there during arterial monitoring performed at another center. The guide wire was successfully removed percutaneously using a combination of “wire-balloon” technique without any available specifically designed device.

A 71-year-old woman was admitted with a diagnosis of cardiac tamponade. Emergency transthoracic echocardiography showed a large amount of pericardial effusion compressing the whole heart. Pericardiocentesis was performed immediately and nearly 1 liter of hemorrhagic fluid was aspirated. Pathological result of the pericardiocentesis material was benign, acid-resistant bacteria were not found in the pericardial fluid, and bacteria cultures were negative. The only parameter suggesting tuberculous pericarditis was adenosine deaminase activity in the pericardial fluid, which was measured as 76 U/l. With antituberculosis therapy for six months, the patient showed complete improvement; no signs of deterioration were observed and echocardiographic findings were normal.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the most advanced diagnostic methods of radiologic imaging. In patients with implanted cardiovascular devices, there can be device malfunction and deterioration in the quality of diagnostic data as a result of MRI-related interferences. This article aimed to review MRI safety in patients with implanted cardiovascular devices.