Objectives: The impact of alcohol consumption on various outcomes was prospectively evaluated in the participants of the Turkish Adult Risk Factor Study.
Study design: A total of 3,443 men and women (mean age 47.6±12 years) were included at baseline and followed-up for a mean of 7.4 years (range 5 to 9 years). Alcohol drinking status was assessed as abstention and brackets of moderate and heavy intake. Only 19.5% of adults (35% of men and 4.2% of women) reported consumption of alcohol. In each multivariate analysis, individuals with the examined endpoint at baseline were excluded, and alcohol drinking status was adjusted for age, sex, smoking status, and physical activity.
Results: Alcohol intake increased overall mortality (by 2-fold) in men drinking heavily, but not in men drinking moderately, nor in women. Heavy drinking in combined sexes predicted the risk for incident coronary heart disease (CHD) (RR 2.3; 95% CI 1.30; 4.05), while moderate drinking tended to be protective (RR 0.72; 95% CI 0.50; 1.035). Heavy intake predicted incident diabetes risk (RR 2.13) and tended to be so for new metabolic syndrome (MetS) in men (RR 1.71), whereas moderate alcohol intake was not significantly associated with subsequent development of diabetes or MetS and the risk for MetS was reduced in women (p=0.10).
Conclusion: Risk of alcohol intake depends on the amount used: heavy intake raising the risk for diabetes and CHD in combined sexes, and overall mortality in men, contrasted to moderate intake reducing (borderline) the CHD risk and marginally reducing all-cause mortality. Risk for MetS tends to be reduced in women alone.

Objectives: Recently, microalbuminuria (MA), a marker of advanced renal failure, has been shown to be related with cardiovascular disease especially in diabetic patients. This study was designed to investigate the relationship between MA and left ventricular functions and silent myocardial ischemia documented by exercise test in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Study design: The study included 50 asymptomatic patients (36 women, 14 men; mean age 63±7 years) with type 2 diabetes. All the patients underwent treadmill test and biochemical tests following transthoracic echocardiography. Microalbuminuria was diagnosed from a 24-hour urine sample on two different days and the patients were evaluated in two groups based on the presence (≥30 mg/dl) or absence (<30 mg/dl) of MA.
Results: Twelve patients (24%) were found to have MA. There were no significant differences between patients with and without (n=38; 76%) MA with regard to age, sex, blood pressure, cardiovascular risk factors, plasma glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, and parameters of renal function (p>0.05). The duration of diabetes was significantly longer in patients with MA (p=0.03). Echocardiographic findings showed no significant differences in left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions between patients with and without MA (p>0.05). Exercise test revealed ischemic changes in 21 patients (42%). The incidence of silent myocardial ischemia was significantly higher among patients with MA (9/12 and 75% vs. 12/38 and 31.6%, p<0.001).
Conclusion: Our data suggest that MA can be used as an important marker for coronary artery disease in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Objectives: We investigated the effect of dipper and non-dipper blood pressure patterns on left ventricular diastolic filling parameters in hypertensive patients.
Study design: Fifty-five hypertensive patients (37 women, 18 men; mean age 55±10 years) were evaluated with echocardiography and ambulatory 24-hour blood pressure monitoring. All the patients received antihypertensive drug therapy for at least three months prior to the evaluations. Tissue Doppler-derived systolic and diastolic parameters were compared.
Results: Dipper and nondipper blood pressure patterns were found in 22 patients (40%) and 33 patients (60%), respectively. Both groups had similar left ventricular systolic and diastolic diameters. Dipper patients had significantly lower values for left atrial diameter (p<0.0001), interventricular septum (p=0.001) and posterior wall (p=0.012) thickness, left ventricular mass (p=0.017) and mass index (p=0.021). Both groups had similar mitral E and A waves, E/A ratio, E-wave deceleration time, isovolumetric relaxation time, and tissue Doppler-derived A’ wave. Dipper patients had a significantly lower E/E’ ratio (10.8±3.4 vs. 14.1±3.6; p=0.002) and significantly higher systolic (S’) (p=0.05) and early diastolic (E’) (p=0.027) tissue velocities. Based on the E/E’ ratios being <15 or ≥15, the frequency of dipper hypertension was significantly higher in patients with E/E’ <15 (48.8% vs. 9.1%; p=0.019). The frequency of dippers was also higher among patients having an E/E’ ratio of <8, compared to those having an E/E’ ratio of ≥8 to <15 (90% vs. 35.3%; p=0.019).
Conclusion: Nondipper blood pressure pattern may be associated with increased left ventricular mass, impaired left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction, and higher left ventricular filling pressures.

Objectives: Stabilization of the cardiovascular system is maintained by variations in hemodynamic and hormonal parameters in complete atrioventricular (AV) block. We investigated the variations in hemodynamic parameters and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels before and after permanent pacemaker implantation for complete AV block.
Study design: We evaluated 25 patients (14 men, 11 women; mean age 72±10 years; range 39 to 83 years) who presented with a complaint of syncope due to complete AV block. All the patients were hemodynamically stable on presentation and were monitored in the coronary care unit until permanent pacemaker implantation. Variations in the cardiovascular system were determined before and two weeks after pacemaker implantation, including mean arterial pressure (MAP), stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), systemic vascular resistance (SVR), systemic aortic compliance (SAC), and BNP levels.
Results: The mean heart rates were 36±6 beat/min and 65±10 beat/min before and after pacing, respectively. Compared to the pacing period, CO was significantly lower (p<0.001) and SVR was significantly higher (p=0.001) before pacemaker implantation, suggesting a compensatory rise in SVR. The mean arterial pressure did not show a significant difference and remained within normal ranges before and after pacing. There were no significant differences in SV, SAC, and BNP levels before and after pacemaker implantation, with BNP exhibiting increased levels in both periods.
Conclusion: While no compensatory alterations occur in SV, SAC, and BNP before and after pacemaker implantation, decreased CO in complete AV block seems to be balanced by increased SVR, which results in maintenance of MAP within the normal range.

Objectives: We investigated the value of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) to diagnose diastolic heart failure (DHF) without left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy.
Study design: The study included 33 patients (17 males, 16 females) with DHF, who had acute pulmonary congestion and LV ejection fraction (EF) >50% on admission, and were stable for at least six months of follow-up. The control group consisted of 18 hypertensive patients (9 males, 9 females) without cardiac symptoms, whose LV mass indices matched the study group, and EF was >50%. Plasma NT-proBNP levels were measured and all patients were evaluated by echocardiography to examine the relationship between NT-proBNP levels and the ratio of peak early diastolic mitral velocity to peak early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E/E’).
Results: NT-proBNP levels were significantly increased in the DHF group (293.4±52.1 pg/ml vs. 123.1±23.5 pg/ml, p=0.043). Concerning the severity of diastolic dysfunction and NT-proBNP levels, patients with delayed relaxation (n=24) did not differ from the controls, whereas those with pseudonormal (n=5) and restrictive (n=4) forms had significantly elevated NT-proBNP levels (p=011). In ROC analysis, an NT-proBNP level of ≥490 pg/ml predicted DHF with 40% sensitivity and 94% specificity. The mean E/E’ values were 5.4, 15.4, and 17.6 in patients with delayed relaxation, pseudonormal, and restrictive forms, respectively. When all the patients were examined in three groups according to the E/E’ values (E/E’<8; E/E’=8-15; E/E’>15), those having E/E’ >15 had significantly higher NT-proBNP levels (p=0.0001). There was a highly significant relationship between E/E’ and NT-proBNP (r=0.761, p=0.001). In ROC analysis, a threshold of 269.1 pg/ml for NT-proBNP predicted E/E’ >15 with 90% sensitivity and 73% specificity. In logistic regression analysis, left atrial diameter (p=0.018) and E/E’ (p=0.05) were independent factors affecting the NT-proBNP level.
Conclusion: Plasma NT-proBNP levels are elevated in DHF independently from LV hypertrophy. NT-proBNP levels provide estimation of LV end-diastolic pressure in symptomatic hypertensive patients with preserved systolic LV function.

A 72-year-old male patient presented with a complaint of pain in both legs during short walks of less than 50 meters. Physical examination showed weak arterial pulses in both lower extremities. Electrocardiographic and telecardiographic evaluations were normal. A previous abdominal ultrasonography examination performed for abdominal pain showed an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Coronary angiography findings were normal; however, peripheral angiography showed an abdominal aortic aneurysm and extensive critical bilateral peripheral artery disease. Transthoracic echocardiography disclosed an aneurysmal structure neighboring the right atrium. Transesophageal echocardiography demonstrated a 30x18-mm chamber suggestive of a right atrial appendage aneurysm. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the presence of the right atrial appendage aneurysm, 25x15 mm in size, over the tricuspid valve. The neck of the aneurysm was 11 mm. The patient underwent surgery which included grafting of the abdominal aorta and aortobifemoral bypass. He was discharged uneventfully on oral anticoagulant therapy.

Central venous thrombosis is an important complication of venous catheterization. We presented a 49-year-old male patient who developed massive central venous thrombosis causing superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome after placement of a right subclavian vein port catheter. The patient had inoperable gastric cancer for which he had been receiving chemotherapy for two years. He had a six-month history of fixed port catheter placement into the right subclavian vein. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the chest showed complete obstruction of the SVC and CT angiography showed extensive thrombosis from the subclavian vein to the end of the SVC. Extensive lung and mediastinal metastases were also observed. Surgical intervention was not considered. Fibrinolytic therapy was instituted with 75 mg tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) infusion for 18 hours. The patient’s symptoms and the signs of SVC syndrome disappeared and clinical parameters returned to normal within several hours. The day after completion of fibrinolytic therapy, repeat contrast CT angiography showed total resolution of SVC thrombosis. Slow infusion of tPA may be effective in the treatment of SVC syndrome caused by acute thrombosis.Key Words: vena cava superior syndrome, fibrinolysis

It is well-known that autonomic nerve modulation has an important role in the occurrence of ventricular tachyarrhythmias in Brugada syndrome. A 59-year-old man underwent cardiac evaluation before surgery for urinary bladder stone. He had no cardiac complaints and the only coronary risk factor was heavy smoking. The electrocardiogram showed a saddleback type ST-segment elevation in leads V1-V2, and left axis deviation. During exercise stress test, ventricular tachycardia with a left bundle branch block pattern appeared, and the saddleback type ST-segment elevation in V2 changed into a coved-type ECG at the recovery phase. The ventricular tachycardia was hemodynamically stable and normalized without medication. An echocardiogram showed normal left and right ventricular functions, and subsequent coronary angiography revealed normal coronary arteries. Based on these findings, a diagnosis of asymptomatic Brugada syndrome was made. Considering this particular case, it can be speculated that bladder-cardiac reflex may stimulate the autonomic nervous system via the vagus nerve and unmask Brugada syndrome.

Diaphragmatic paralysis (DP) due to phrenic nerve paralysis is a rare complication after cardiac surgery. A 48-year-old male patient developed respiratory insufficiency, tachypnea, sinus tachycardia, chest pain, pneumonia, and fever immediately after coronary artery bypass grafting. Paradoxical movement of the epigastrium was noted during spontaneous ventilation and the chest X-ray showed elevation of the left hemidiaphragm. The diagnosis of DP was confirmed by ultrasonographic assessment. Antibiotherapy and intermittent positive airway pressure ventilation by a nasal mask resulted in significant improvement in the general condition of the patient. Respiratory problems were observed only on exertion. Spontaneous recovery of DP was considered and the patient was discharged 10 days after surgery with grade 1 dyspnea. However, after six months of follow-up, increased elevation of the left hemidiaphragm was noted on the chest X-ray with worsening respiratory discomfort even at rest. Thoracoscopic diaphragmatic plication was performed. After the operation, dyspnea disappeared, the chest X-ray showed the left hemidiaphragm in its normal position, and there was marked improvement in spirometric values.

Endomyocardial disease is a form of restrictive cardiomyopathy, of unknown etiology, which occurs most commonly in tropical and subtropical areas. It is characterized by the formation of endomyocardial fibrosis of the apical and subvalvular regions of one or both ventricles. A 29-year-old male patient was admitted with restrictive cardiomyopathy and decompensated heart failure. Telecardiography showed cardiomegaly and right pleural effusion. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed preserved left ventricular systolic functions, biatrial dilatation, apical obliteration of both ventricles, increased endocardial echoreflectivity, and pericardial effusion. The right ventricular outflow tract was dilated. There was no endocardial thickening in this region. Doppler examination showed grade 3 mitral and tricuspid regurgitation. Ventriculograms showed apical obliteration of both ventricles, marked decrease in the size of the right ventricular cavity, significant dilatation of the right ventricular outflow tract and both atria, and severe mitral and tricuspid regurgitation. Laboratory findings showed no hypereosinophilia. Hepatic congestion, splenomegaly, and ascites were noted on abdominal ultrasonography. Following cardiac catheterization, the patient was placed on the waiting list for cardiac transplantation.

An asymptomatic, healthy, 19-year-old male patient was examined for aortic coarctation upon detection of a heart murmur and hypertension on routine physical examination. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) showed rupture of the sinus of Valsalva and bicuspid aortic valve. Findings of aortography and computed tomography (CT) angiography were compatible with an interrupted aorta. For further delineation, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was performed and color Doppler imaging showed passage at the site of the descending aorta, which was suggestive of interruption by other imaging methods. The patient underwent surgery for aortic coarctation. At surgery, severe aortic coarctation was noted and corrected. Although TTE is usually adequate for the diagnosis of aortic coarctation, even aortography and CT angiography were misleading in this particular case, and differentiation from interrupted aorta was only possible by TEE.

Sometimes, coronary artery spasm during coronary angiography can occurs. It may cause experince of phycian, catheter-induced, or because of contrast medium anaphylactoid reaction. In 67 years old diabetic women occurred spasm both in left anterior decsending artery (LAD) and circumflex artery spontanously, heamodinamic disturbance. Coronary vasospasm resolved nitrogliserin and adenozin intracoronary. Thus our patient’s condition recovered slowly.